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By HENRY BRADLEY
HON. M.A. OXON., HON. PH.D. HEIDELBERG FELLOW OF THE HRITISH ACADEMY.
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&® .-. . *\? /"m
A'i
PREFACE TO THE LETTER M.
The portion of the Dictionary which treats of the words beginning with M contains 12,988 Main words,
2,986 Special Combinations explained under these, 6,422 Subordinate entries, and 3,636 Obvious Combina-
tions ; in all 26,032 words. Of the Main words, 2,838 arc marked f as obsolete, and 866 are marked || as
alien or not fully naturalized.*
Etymologically considered, the words beginning with M form a typical portion of the English vocabulary.
every one of the many sources of our composite language being represented, while none isoverwhelmingly
predominant. The words inherited from Old English are relatively less numerous than in some other letters,
but some of them occupy unusually large space in the Dictionary on account either of their great variety of
senses and applications, or of the multitude of their combinations. Among them is the verb make, the article
on which fills eleven pages, and would have been much longer if every subtle variety of meaning had been
explained and illustrated. Other native words of importance are man, meet vb., mind sb. and vb., moon,
month, mother, much, more, most. The articles on the pronouns me, mine, my, myself, and the auxiliaries may
and must, contain much that is instructive as bearing on the history of English syntax and idiom. The
Scandinavian element is very sparsely represented, chiefly by words of local or dialectal currency, such as
marram, maugh, may (a maiden) ; but there are also meek, mire, and a few other words in general use. The
Latin and French derivatives surpass the native words both in number and in the amount of space required for
their treatment, and a very large proportion of them have an interesting history. Such instances as manner,
market, master, matter, measure, medicine, memory, mend, mischief, mission, mode, model, moment, monster,
mount vb., move, movement, multiply (to mention only a few of the more prominent) show how indispensable
a part of the word-store of modern English has come from French. Greek derivatives are present in
more than average proportions. Besides those which were introduced in the Middle Ages through the
medium of Latin and French, such as magic, mathematics, metaphysics, muse sb.1, music, mystery, there are
many later formations, especially with the prefixes mega-, meso-, met a-, micro-, miso-, mono- ; and the words
beginning with my- arc also mainly of Greek origin. Of words from Celtic there arc nearly a score, but few,
if any, of them would be recognized as familiar by Englishmen generally. The adoptions from Continental
Teutonic, and from Italian and Spanish, are somewhat numerous. One very characteristic feature of the
M portion of the Dictionary is the multitude of words from Oriental, African, Australian, and American
languages. It may be noted that in Arabic ma-, mi- (or me-), and mu- (or mo-) are prefixes forming participia
and other derivatives ; formations of this kind, which have been adopted into English from Arabic through
the medium either of European or Indian languages, are macrame, magazine, mahal, marabout, Maugrabi.
minaret, miskal, Mofussil, monsoon, Moslem, mosque, Mozarabic, muezzin, mufti, mullah, musellim. Mussulman
As the sound of the letter M is one that lends itself easily to echoic use, the number of onomatopoeic words
with this initial is considerable.
Among the many words the etymology of which is here more fully or more accurately treated than
in other English dictionaries are macaronic, mad-apple, madrepore, maelstrom, magic lantern, major sb.1,
malignant, malmsey, mammon, mammoth, melanochroi, menstruum, meter sb.3, methyl, middling, minus, minute,
mire sb.1 and sb.2, mire-drum, miss sb.1, mix vb., mohair, moor vb.1, mother sb.2, mould sb.2, moxa, mnckender,
mustachio, mutton, mystery.
The material for Ma- was sub-edited (before 1888) and subsequently revised (before 1900) by Mr. Joseph
Brown, M.A., of the Grammar School, Kendal, who has since sub-edited some part of S, and is now working
at U ; Me- and Ml- were sub-edited in 1884-5 by the late Rev. T. Sheppard, Exeter College, Oxford ; Mo-
to MOND- in 1885 by the late Hon. and Rev. S. W. Lawley, Spurfield, Exminster ; Mone- to MuCE- by the
late Mr. J. Anderson, Markinch, Fife ; and the remainder of the letter (Much to the end) in 1894 by the late
Rev. J. Smallpeice, M.A., then of St. Bees. In 1899-1904 the whole of the material from Me- to My/.-, which in
the interim had more than doubled in quantity, was laboriously re-subedited by Mr. Tames Bartlett B A
Cloverlea, Bramley, near Guildford.
Among those who have rendered help of various kinds in the later stages of preparation of this portion of
the Dictionary, it is fitting to mention in the first place three honoured workers who are no longer livino- to
receive the grateful acknowledgement which is their due. Lord Aldenham. who had been a zealous and able
collaborator in the work from its beginning, continued, in spite of his advanced age, to read the proofs and
to furnish valuable suggestions, until very shortly before his death. Dr. W. Sykes, F.S.A., who died in
beptember, 1906, had read the proofs for the greater portion of the letter M, supplying a great number of
* For the letter M the comparative scale of this work and of certain other Dictionaries is shown by the following figures:-
Cassell's
Johnson. 'rtndudln^the' 'Century ' Diet. Funk's 'Standard '. Here.
Supplement).
stasr- il 'W ■:« « Sg
5»c61 5.120 9>"34 1,506
The number of quotations in the M part of Richardson's Dictionary
99,255
PREFACE TO THE LETTER M.
additional instances of the words relating to medicine and the kindred sciences. Mr. E. L. Brandreth, whose
abundant work for the Dictionary has been acknowledged in the prefaces to former issues, had latterly devoted
himself to the verification at the British Museum of quotations from works not accessible in Oxford, a service
which since his death has been performed by Mr. W. W. Jenkinson. In the revision of the proofs continued
aid has been received from Mr. A. Caland, of Wageningen, Holland, the Rev. Canon Fowler, D.C.L., of Durham,
Mr. H. Chichester Hart, the Rev. Professor Skeat, and the Rev. W. B. R. Wilson, of Dollar. For information
on etymological questions thanks are due to Professors Margoliouth, Morfill, Napier, and Wright, of Oxford ;
Prof. A. Salmon, of Reading ; Hr. Verner Dahlerup, of Copenhagen ; Dr. A. Kluyver, of Leiden ; and
Mr. J. Piatt, jun., whose extensive researches into the history of words from American Indian and other remote
languages have been of great service. In the explanation of scientific terms valuable aid has been received
from Professors Clifton and Love, Dr. V. H. Veley, Mr. A. E. Jolliffe, and Mr. C. Leudesdorf, of Oxford,
and Prof. Sylvanus Thompson, of London. Among others who have rendered help on special points are
Professors Bywater and Robinson Ellis, of Oxford ; Sir W. R. Anson, Bart. ; Sir Howard Elphinstone, Bart. ;
Mr. Horace Hart, M.A., Controller of the Oxford University Press ; Mr. E. W. Hulme, of H.M. Patent Office ;
Sir F. Pollock, Bart. ; Mr. W. H. Stevenson, M.A., of St. John's College, Oxford ; Mr. R. J. Whitwell,
B.Litt.. Oxford ; Mr. J. Maitland Anderson, St. Andrews University ; and Mr. C. W. Ernst and
Mr. Albert Matthews, of Boston, U.S.A. The constant assistance of Dr. F. J. Furnivall has, in this as in
all former parts of the work, been of inestimable value. Special thanks are also due to Bodley's Librarian,
Mr. Falconer Madan, Mr. A. E. Cowley, and the staff of the Bodleian Library generally; and to the Editor of
Notes and Queries and the many correspondents of that periodical who have furnished replies to inquiries.
The members of the editorial staff who have been engaged on M are : Mr. Walter Worrall, B.A.,
Mr. C. T. Onions, M.A. (who has specially prepared the portions containing the words beginning with Mis-,
Multi-, and My-), Mr. W. J. Lewis, Mr. H. J. Bayliss, Mr. James Dallas, Mr. G. R. Carline, and Miss
E. S. Bradley.
Oxford, July, 190S. HENRY BRADLEY.
ADDITIONS AND EMENDATIONS.
Machit, var. of Mf.sq.uita 2.
Macute. The Rev. W. Holman Bentley, writing from the Congo Free
State, informs 11s that makuta is the plural of *ekuta, and denotes
a bundle of ten mats of palm-fibre, still used as currency north of the
Congo near the French frontier. Elsewhere the word survives only as
the name of the Angola ' penny ' piece or its value. Mr. Bentley says
that it is derived from a Congo verb kuta to tie, now obsolete, but
preserved in the reversing form kululula to untie.
Mademoiselle. Earlier example : — 31450 Knt. de la Tour (186^)
1 26 Madamoiselle ! y praie you that ye ansuere not vnto this fole.
Marrhoore, obs. variant of Mogul.
Magnetician. Example: — 1854 Pereira's Polarized Light (ed. 2)
65 The electrician and the magnetician have assumed, respectively, an
electric and a magnetic fluid.
Mahone. Earlier example : — 1572 Malim in HakltiyCs Voy. (1599)
II. I. 122 Great Hulkes called Maones.
Maidfeloun, obs. variant of Matfellon.
maim sb. Earlier example: — c 14/5 Parlcnay 6356 That mariage
no mahyme to his kinred.
Main-brace -. Earlier example : — 1680 Sib J. Founs Acct. Bk.
13 Aug. (Sc. Hist. Soc.) 487 To James Wilson, sadler, for . . helping
ye main braces.
Mainmort. Earlier example : — 1387 Trevisa Higdcn (Rolls) VIII.
265.
Maiolica, var. form of Majolica.
Man sb.1 15. The view that Chess-men originated as a corruption
of chess-meinie is untenable, the word for ' (chess-)man ' in AH. being
regularly horn. Earlier instances of man in this sense are : — c 1400
Beryn 1820 The Burgeyse seid : ' comyth nere ! ye shul se ]is man,
How he shall be matid, with what man me list ! ' He drou3e, & seyd
' chek mate ! ' c 1440 Gesta Rom. xxi. 71 (Harl. MS.) The first man,
)>at goth afore hath not but 00 poynt, but whenne he goth aside, he
takith anojjer. . . The secund, scil. alphyn, renneth iij poyntes both
vpward and douneward.
Mandarin 1 b. Earlier example : — 1 791 Bos well Johnson (ed. Hill)
I. 31 From a man so still and so tame . . conversation could no more lie
expected, than from a Chinese mandarin on a chimney-piece.
Mandrague. Add etymology : — Corruptly a. F. madragtie.
Mandrake 3. Earlier example : — 1836 Backwoods of Canada 248
There is a plant in our woods, known by the names of man-drake, may-
apple, and duck's-foot.
Mangy a. 1. Earlier example:— 1526 Skelton Magnyf. (E.E.T.S.)
1 1 23 Fol. In faythe, there is not a better dogge. . . Fan. Ye, but trowest
thou that he be not maungey ?
fMantist. Obs. [f. Gr. pirns + -1ST.] A seer, prophet. 1588 J.
Harvey Disc. Probl. 1. 84 Without which felicitie, neither Persian
Magician . . nor Athenian Mantist . . shall euer passe with me for a
prophet.
Manumotive. Earlier example :— 1825 Mech. Mag. V. 97 (heading)
Idea for a manumotive carriage.
Maracaibo. Earlier example: — 1S43 Holtzapffel Turning I. 94
Maracaybo is a furniture wood of moderate size, as hard as good
mahogany, and in appearance between it and tulip-wood.
Marble sb. 3. Earlier example : — 167 1 Salmon Syti. Med. III. 474
The reducing of any thing into a fine powder, by grynding it on a Marble.
Margent sb. 2. Additional form and earlier quot. : — 1432-50
tr. Higden (Rolls) I. 41 Y schalle purpulle the mariantes [Trevisa
margyns] . . with a dowble ordre of yeres.
Mariner 1 b. See also Master sb.1 29. Mariner portage (in
Mariner 4) : Delete the explanation ; see Portage.
Maritime. Add form and quot.: — 1654 Earl Monm. tr. Benti-
voglio's IVars Flanders 56 One of the most considerable Towns of all
the Maretine part.
Mark sb.1 11 i. Earlier quot. : — 1625 B. Jonson Staple of News IV.
iv, Were he a learned Herald, I would tell him He can giue Amies,
and markes.
Marriage 8. Earlier example of marriage-rites : — 1621 Brathwait
Natures Embass., Sheph. Tales Egl. ii. 198 For I your patience might
wrong, To stand vpon these marriage rites too long. — According to
modern editors marriage rite or rites should be read in Shaks. Pericles
IV. Gower 17, where the first Quarto (1608) has 'Euen right for
marriage sight '.
Masse(n)ger(e, -inger(e, obs. forms of Messenger.
Massy a. 5. The following quot. should have been given : — 1632
Milton Pcnseroso 158 With antick Pillars massy proof.
Mastsr-hunt in Master sb.1 28. Read ' master-hunt [see Hunt
sb.1}, a head huntsman' and transfer to 29, adding the following earlier
instance:— c 1369 Chaucer Dethe Blaunche 375 (Fairf. MS.) The
mayster hunte anoon fote hotc With a grete home blewe thre mote.
Mere a.2 1 c. Earlier example :— c 1400 Maundev. (Roxb.) xxv. 1 16
Bringand cowpez of gold full of meere mylk.
Mesquital. Earlier example : — 1477 Caxton Dictes 58 b, Somme
men saye that legmon is buried in a town called karauelle bitwene the
mesquitte & the marche.
Mickle?'. Additional example :— a 1225 Ancr. R. 182 Sicnesse . . halt
ine edmodnesse & mucheleS \>c mede.
Minute sb.1 7. To the definitions of minute-bell, -gun, add : — ' used
as a sign of mourning or distress'.
Montanous a. Earlier example : — 1658 Rowland tr. Moufet's
Theat. his. 947 Bombilophagus, is a Fly, montanous, big, very black.
Moot v.1 1. Quots. 1642 ff. probably do not belong to this word :
see Mute v.2
Moquet. Delete this article, and substitute :— Moquet, obs. var.
MUGGET 2.
Morhwell. The word (morhuel) is quoted as English by Rondelet
De Pise. Mar., 1554, p. 280.
Motional a. Earlier quot. :— 1679 tr- WtiRt Pharmac. Rationalis
I. I. ii. 7 This Coat contains manifold orders of motional Fibre*.
Motor sb. 1 a. (a) The explanation given is erroneous ; read : — ' in
mediaeval astronomy, = Primum mobile i.'
Moustache 6. Mustache monkey occurs in Pennant Syn. Quadrut
1771, p. 114.
M.
M(em), the thirteenth letter of the modern
and twelfth of the ancient Roman alpha-
bet, represents historically the Greek mil and the
Semitic mem. The Phoenician form of the letter
is v^, whence the early Gr. and L. *"*! , /w, M. Its
phonetic value has varied little ; in Eng. it has
always expressed what was doubtless its original
sound, that of the bilabial nasal consonant, which
is normally voiced, though when it is followed by
an unvoiced consonant it has an unvoiced ending.
Like the other nasals, m is capable of being used
as a sonant or vowel, denoted by ('m) in the pho-
netic notation here employed ; but in Eng. this
occurs only after S and z at the end of words (of
(Jr. etymology), as rhythm, spasm, schism, and
the suffix -ism; in these words many speakers
substitute (-sm). The letter is never silent, exc.
initially before n in Gr. derivatives, as mnemonic.
I. 1. The letter and its sound.
r 1000 /Elfric Cram. iii. (Z.)6 Semiivcales syndon seofan :
f, 1, m, n, r, s, x. 1530 Palsgr. Introd. 17 These thre letters
Si, N or E fynall..be the very and onely causes why these
thre vowelles A, E, O, be formed in the brest and sounded
by the nose, a 1637 B. Jonson Eng. Gram, iv, M..is
pronoune'd with a kind of humming inward, the lips clos'd.
Open, and full in the beginning : obscure in the end : and
meanly in the midd'st. 17x0 Steele & Addison Tat/erNo.
260 F s Which Would . . pronounce the Letters M or N and
in short, do all the Functions of a Genuine and Natural
Nose. 1717-41 Chambers Cyct. s.v., Quintilian observes,
that the M sometimes ends Latin words, but never Greek.
1854 Bushnan in Circ. Set. {c 1865) L 288/1 The mouth is
closed by the lips while m is pronounced. 1900 Pilot 3 Mar.
28 The middle^ stage of the evolution of the eagle, namely,
its transformation from the Gothic M to the fleur-de-lis.
b. M roof: see quot. 1825.
1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) II. 246/2 Fig. 2. Exhibits an M
roof. 1825 J. Nicholson Opcrat. Mechanic 573 In roofs of
rectangular buildings, .a valley is introduced, which makes
the vertical section in the form of the letter M, or rather an
inverted W ; hence it has obtained the name of an M roof.
1842-59 Gwilt Encycl. Archit. Gloss.
2. J'rinting. = Em. Comb, m-thick : see quot.
1683 Moxon Mech. Exerc, Printing xiii. § 1 Some [types]
are m thick ; by m thick is meant m Quadrat thick, which
is just so thick as the Body is high. 1868 Daily News
10 Aug., Compositors are allowed 60 cents per thousand ill's
(not reckoning by n's as in England). 1892 Academy 3 Sept.
199/3 <advt.), 49,000 American ems (equal to 98,000 English
ens) were set in eight hours.
II. Symbolical uses.
3. Used like the other letters of the alphabet to
denote serial order ; applied e.g. to the thirteenth
(or more usually the twelfth, either I or J being
often omitted) group or section in classification,
the twelfth sheet of a book or quire of a MS., etc.
1850 Forshai.l & Maddes IVyclif's Bible Pref. 29 The
MS. M (Queen's Coll. 23). 1899 Blackw. Mag. Sept. 354/1,
I to M are the most original passages of the hymn. 1900
Dundee Advert. 21 Mar. 5, M Battery Royal Horse
Artillery.
4. The Roman numeral symbol for : A thousand.
(In the t5-i6th c. it could be substituted for the numeral
word in any context ; it is now rare exc. in dates.)
141220 Lvdg. Chron. Troy 1. ix, There came .. seuen M
knightes. 1535 Coverdale Judg. xii. 6 There fell of
Lplirann two St. fortye M. 1553 Short Catcch. 62 b, We be
feble, weake, subiect to a thousand peri les, a M . temptations.
1603 Owen Pembrokeshire (1892) 139 The M of oysters at
the waterside is vsuallie sold for xd or xijd.
III. 5. Abbreviations.
M. = various proper names, as Mark, Margaret,
etc. ; f = Majesty ; used in ancient criminal pro-
cedure (see qnots. 1487, 1727-41) ; = Member, as
in M.P. (q.v.), M.C., Member of Congress (C?.S.\
M.R.C.P., Member of the Royal College of Phy-
sicians, M.R.C.S., Member of the Royal College
of Surgeons; Mas. = metronome ; Math. = modu-
lus ; (M. or m.) in astronomical tables, etc. = meri-
dian or meridional ; also (after the numeral twelve)
-L. meridies noon (cf. A.M., P.M.) ; m. = mass,
in Mech. ; - molar, in dental formula ; = minute,
metre (mm. = millimetre) ; in log-books = mist ;
Mus. = It. mano or F. main (as mano destra,
main droite, right hand), mezzo (as /«/= mezzo-
forte), in organ music, manual. See also M.B.,
M.D., MS.
1487 Acta, Hen. VII ' c. 13 Every suchepersone so convicted
for murdre to be marked with a M. upon the brawne of the
left* thumbe. .581 J. Hamilton in Cath. Tract. (S. T. S.)
75/3 His thankfull spreit tovart your M. 1500 A. M tr
Gabelhouer s Bk. Physick 360 Take vnpeeled Barlye M iiii.
1727-41 Chambers Cycl M, in astronomical tables, . . is used
tor Meridional or southern, sometimes for M,~u;.. „.. „:j_
Vol. VI.
southern, sometimes for Meridies or mid-
day. M, in law, the brand or stigma of a person convicted
of manslaughter, and admitted to the benefit of clergy.
1840 K. H. Dana Be/. Mast xxxiv. 129 At twelve M„ it
bore N.W. .} N. 1869 D. G. RossETTI in Mackait IV.
Morris (1899) I. 204 The Ms [=Morrises] at Ems.
b. Abbreviation for Master: f(n) generally,
and as a conventional title of address or mention
= the later MlSTEB, Mrt. Phr. To have (or cany)
an M under one's girdle : to use a respectful prefix
(Mr., Mrs.) when addressing or mentioning a person.
(b) Used for master or the L. magister in academ-
ical degrees, as M.A. or A.M. {magister arlium),
Master of Arts; M.Ch. {magister chirurgiic .
Master of Surgery- also in M.C., Master of the
ceremonies ; M.F.H., Master of fox-hounds.
a 1540 Barnes Wis. (1573) 349-i Our M. Christ teaching
a! creatures to pray. 1549 Latimer's 2nd Serm. be/. Edit). I 7
To Rdr. 1 Arb.) 52 The deuourer of townes and countryes as
M. Latimer tearmeth them rightly, a 1553 Udall Royster
I), in. iii. (Arb.) 48 If faire fine mistresse distance sawe
you now Ralph Royster Doister were hir owne I warrant
you. A*. Royster. Neare an M by your girdle? 1553 Eden
Treat. Newe hid. (Arb.) 39 Where .. the M. Pilate of this
name lost his shippe. 1579 E. K. Spenser's Sheph. Cat.
Epistle, Postscr., Now I trust, M. Harvey, that [etc.]. 1596
Spenser Prothalamion (heading), The two worthie Genile-
men M. Henry Gilford, and M. William Peter, Esquyers.
1605 B. Johson, etc. Eastw. Hoe ! iv, Quid. Must Golding
sit upon us? Con. You might carry an M under your girdle,
to Mr. Deputy's worship. 1712 Great Britons llonycomie
(MS.) (N.i, What, plaine Budwaies ! have yon nere an M.
under your girdle. 1730-6 Bailey (folio), M, is an abbrevia-
tion of Magister, as M.A. or A. .11. Magister Artium, i.e.
Master of Arts. 1738 Swift Pol. Convcrsat. i. 28 You might
have an M under your Girdle, Miss. 1811 Byron Hints/)-.
Horace 240 He . . retires M.A. ; Master of arts 1 1816 Scoi T
Old Mort. xxix, Ye might hae had an M under your belt
for Mistress Wilson of Milnwood. 1843 Surtees Handler
Cross I. v. 92 The loose riding M.C. sitting like ' the Drunken
Hussar' at the circus. Ibid. II. vii. 147 First public day as
an M.F.H. 1869 ' Bradwood ' O. V.H. I. iii. 33 He was
not the man to violate modesty by proposing himself to a
nearly strange Hunt as a new M.F.H.
II C. ■= Monsieur (q.v.) as prefixed title.
M-, a clipped form of Me sometimes found in
Middle English before vowels.
£ T393 Chalcer Scogan 36, I mexcuse. 1426 Lydg. De
Guil. Pilgr. 9802 Out off my shyp make maryue.
-m, in l'.M = I am : see Be v., A. I. 1.
Ma (ma). A childish and colloquial shortening
of Mamma. Now often ridiculed as vulgar.
[1823 Moor Suffolk Words s.v. Pa, It is sometimes rather
comic to hear a great chuckle-headed lout— paa-ing his
father—or maa-ing his mother.] 1829 Censor 225 These
exhibitions, though affording wonderous delight to affec-
tionate Pas and Mas, are productive of the most injurious
results to their children. 1829 Lytton Disowned 20 How
could he admire that odious cap of Ma's. 1830 T. Hook
G. Curney I. 196 Gtissy, as her ma' called her. 1885 1'.
Anstey Tinted Venus 119, I've got to dine with aunt and
meet Matilda and her ma.
Ma., obs. abbreviation of Majesty, Master.
1579 E. K. Spenser's Shepli. Cat. Epistle, Myne owne
good friend Ma. Harvey. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. 11. To
King 1 Since wee have so bright and benigne a starre, as
your Ma: to conduct and prosper us.
Ma: see Make v., May v., Me, Mo, My.
Maa, obs. f. Make v. ; var. Mo Obs., more.
Maae, maad : see Make v.
Maakins, variant of Mackin(o)s.
fMaal. Obs. rare-1. Wyclifs transl. of L.
malum apple, taken by him to mean fir-tree, by
confusion with miilus mast (see quot.).
1382 Wyclif Joel i. 12 Poumgarnet, and palme tree, and
maal tree, or fir, of whom mastis ben maad.
Maale, obs. form cf Mail.
Maam (mam). A South American bird, the
Tixamou.
1825 Watkrton Wand. S. Amer. 23 The forest contains
an abundance of . . maams, maroudis and waracabas. Ibid.
32 The maam sends forth its plaintive note.
Ma'am (mam ; usually unstressed mam, 'm).
Also 7 mam. In representations of vulgar speech
written marm, mem, mim, mum, 'm. A collo-
quial shortening of Madam.
1. Used vocatively, as the usual oral equivalent
of Madam.
Now only used parenthetically or at the end of a sentence.
Formerly the ordinary respectful form of address to a woman
(originally only to a married woman) of equal or superior
rank or station (unless entitled to be called ' my lady '). The
present tendency is to confine it to the speech of servants or
other persons of markedly inferior position. (Used at Court,
instead of madam, in addressing the Queen or a royal
princess.)
1668 Drydf.n Evening's Love III. i. (1671) 33 Madam me
no Madam, but learn to retrench your words; and say
Mam ; as yes Mam, and no Mam, as other Ladies Women
do. Madam ! 'tis a year in pronouncing. 1765 Foote Com.
missary 1. Wks. 1799 II. 8 Indeed, Ma'am, you'll kill your.
self. 1838 Dickens O. Tmstxvu. Mrs. Mann, ma'am good
morning. 1840 — Bam. Pudge xix, ■ Here's master, mini ',
said Miggs. 'Oh, what a happiness it is when man and wile
come round again ! ' rj8so L.YTTON Lionel Hastings ii in
Life (1S83) 1. 11. xi. 180' Well, Marm—' Mr. Cotton preserved
that broad pronunciation of the ellipsis Ma'am, from Ma-
dame, which was formerly considered high bred, and is still
the Court mode. 1854 DlCKENS Hard T. 1. xvi, ' Mrs. Sparsit
ma'am', said Mr. liounderby. ' I am going to astonish you '
1885 V. A nstey Tinted Venus 1 16 'Dear me, mum, you don't
say so!' exclaimed Leander. Ibid. 142 ' Now, marm ', he
said, in a voice which trembled with repressed rage. 1887
Gordonhavenxi. 104' What have you been doing?' ' Nothing
mem'. iVooSpeaicr 33 June 324/2 In Tha. keray's time every
man among equals of a certain refinement was Sir, and every
woman Ma'am.
2. Prefixed to a surname. Obs. exc. U.S. vulgar.
(See Madam.)
1837 Haliblrton Clockiu. Ser. 1. x, Marm Pugwash is as
onsartin in her temper as a momin in April.
f 3. A person addressed as ' ma'am ', a married
woman. Obs.
1765 Meretriciad (ed. 6! 43 Or when Mam walks, he, twenty
steps behind. 1779 Sheridan Critic 1. i, Then to be con-
tinually alarmed with misses and ma'ams piping hysteric
changes on Juliets, and Doriiulas.
4. attrib.: ma'am-school U. S., a dame-school.
1857 S. G. Goodrich Recoil. Lifetime iv. I. 39, I found
a girl, .keeping a ma'am-school for about twenty scholars.
Hence Ma'am v. trans., to address as 'ma'am '.
1813 Sketches Charac. (ed. 2) I. 121 You should not 'sir'
and 'ma'am 'people as you do, unless you wish to keep them
at a distance. 1887 G. R. Sims Mary Jane's Mem. 6 Don't
ma'am me— I'm a miss. 1889 H. Johnston Chron. Glen-
buckiev. 58 'Indeed, mem '. . .' Yeneedna' " mem " me.. I'm
a common body like yoursel '.
Ma'amselle. Corresponds to F. mam'selle,
familiar abbreviation of Mademoiselle.
c J J94 Search aft. Perfect. 1. i. in New Brit. Theatre (1814)
HI. 37 The first four out of the eleven were ma'amselles.
Maand, variant of Mauxd (basket).
Maane, obs. form of Mane.
Maarmor, erron. form of Maormor.
Maas, Maat, obs. forms of Mace, Mate.
rMab, si. Obs. [Cf. Mab v. and map, 17th c.
form of Mop sb. ; also Mab, short for Mabel.}
1. A slattern ; a woman of loose character.
'557-8 Jacob $ Esau v. vi. (1568) Gj, Come out thou
mother Mab, out olde rotten witche. 1691 Ray A'. C. II erds
47 To Mab; to dress carelessly : Mabs are Slatterns, a 1700
B. E. Vict. Cant. Crew, Mab, a Slattern. Mab 'd up, Drest
carelesly, like a Slattern. 1725 New Cant. Vict., Mob, or
Mab, a Wench or Harlot.
2. A mop.
1623 Whitbourne Newfoundland 75 Thrummes for Pitch
inabs, 000/r. 01s. 6d.
tMab, v. Obs.-" [Belongs to Mab sb. Cf.
Mabblb, M011 vis.] intr. To dress untidily.
1691, a 1700 [see Mab sb.]. 1829 Brockett A". C. Words,
Mab, v. to dress carelessly. Hence, Mab-cap, generally
called mob-cap, a cap which ties under the chin— worn by
elderly women.
t Mabble, v. Obs. Also mable. [Cf. Moble
v.~\ trans. To wrap or muffle up (the head).
1615 G. Sandys Trav. 69 Their heads and faces so mabled
in fine linnen, that no more is to be scene of them then their
eyes. Ibid. 148 The elder mabble their heads in linnen.
Mac1(ma:k). Also Mack. [Irish and Gaelic
mac:— OCeltic *maktt>-s, cogn. w. 'Welsh mab:—
OYVelsh map :-OCeltic *mahivo-s.] The Gaelic
word for ' son ', occurring as a prefix in manv
Scottish and Irish names of Celtic origin, and thus
equivalent to the Eng. suffix -son. Hence : A
person whose name contains the prefix Mac.
The prefix is written also Mc, AF, M' ; e. g. Macdonaid
MacVonald, McVonald, M' Donald, M'Vonald.
1656 in Blount Glossogr. 1689 [Farewell] Irish Hudi-
bras 108 The Champions of the Irish Cause, A numerous
Train of Mac's and O's. 1730 Fielding Tom Thumb 1.
iii, Ireland her O's, her Macs let Scotland boast. 1764
Wilkes Coir. (1805) III. 126 The list of the company (of
the Macs and Sawneys not in the French service) would
divert you. 1828 Scott /". M. Perth vi, If the son of some
great Mac or O was to become an artizan. 1830 N. S.
Wheaton Jrnl. 472 A feather or two stuck in his bonnet
denotes his alliance in the 50th degree with some Highland
Mac. 1887 [see O sb.']. 1898 Tit-Bits 21 May 148/1 In the
house of Commons the ' Macs' are numerically strong enough
to form a considerable party of their own.
Mac 2 (mask), colloq. Short for Macadam.
1851 Mayhew Lond. Lalwur II. 197 The Scavengers call
mud allthat is swept from the granite or wood pavements, in
contradistinction to mac which is scraped and swept on the
macadamized roads. x88S Pall MallG. 2 Oct. 2/2 The thou-
sands of yards of old mac that were taken offthe roads foruse
elsewhere.
67
MACABERESQUE.
Mac: see Mack, Make v.
Macabaa, -bao, variants of Maccobot.
Macaberesque (makabare'sk), a, [f. Maca-
bre + -ESQUE.] —Macabre 2.
1876 Encycl. Brit, V. 104/1 A curious reaction is visible in
the work of Peter Breughel (1510-1570) towards the grotesque
diablerie and macaberesque morality of mediaeval art.
II Macabre (makffbr), a. Also 5 Machabree,
7 Machabray, 9 Macaber. [The form now usual
represents F. macabre, an error for OF. macabre1,
whence the earlier Kng. forms.
The OF. word occurs first in Jean le Fevre's Respit de la
Mori (1376), where the author, 'if he be correctly interpreted
by M. Gaston Paris {Romania XXIV. 131*, claims to have
written a work called la danse Macabri. The etymology
of the word is obscure ; so far as its form is concerned it
might be a popular corruption of OF. Macabe = Macca-
keus (an example of 'Judas Macabre' has been found),
and in the 15th c. the 'Dance of Death' was called chorea
Machabxorum in Latin (Du Cange cites a Besaucon docu-
ment of 1453), and Makkabeusdansm Du. M. Gaston Paris,
however, thinks Macabre may have been the name of the
artist who painted the picture which suggested the first poem
on the subject.]
1. Danse Macabre, also in anglicized forms
f dance of Machabree, -bray (obs.), dance Macaber ;
the Dance of Death (see Daxce sb. 6 c).
14.. Lydg. {title) The daunce of Machabree wherin is
liucly expressed and shewed the state of manne, and howe
he is called at vncertayne tymes by death, and when he
thinketh least theron. Ibid. Prol. iii, I toke on me to
translaten all, Out of the Frenche Machabrees daunce. 1598
Stow Surz: 264 About this Cloysterwas artificially & richly
painted the dance of Machabray, or dance of death, com-
monly called the dance of Pauls. 1833 J. Dallawav Disc. *
Archil. Eug, 137 The Dance of Macabre (Holbein's Dance
of Death) was painted on the walls of the cloisters. 1851
Longf. Gold. Leg., Nativ. v. 12 Elsie. What are these paint-
ing* on the walls around us? Henry. The Dance Macaber !
Elsie. What ? Henry. The Dance of Death.
2. Characterized by the gruesomeness of the
danse Macabre (see 1): applied chiefly to literary
or artistic productions.
1889 A tken&um 1 4 Sept. 347/2 One Dance of Death circles
uninterruptedly from end to end. . .The book is macabre, but
unaffectedly macabre. 1892 Speaker 29 Oct. 528/1^ It was
the material representation, .of the ghastly, the grim, and
the macabre which Webster intended. 1902 Spectator 12 Apr.
557 Her habits are bizarre, even macabre.
Macac, variant of Macaque.
Macaco 1 (mak^'ko). Also 7-8 macaquo,
(erron. -guo), 9maeauco, vulgar m&cc&cco, mux -
karker. [a. Pg. macaco monkey, ape (whence
macaqnear to ape) ; cited (in the form macaquo)
by Marcgrave Hist. Nat. Brazil (1648) 227 as
the name used in Congo for this species of monkey.]
1. Originally, a South African monkey incident-
ally described by Marcgrave in his Natural His-
tory of Brazil, and after him by various writers
on zoology. Subsequently applied to any monkey
of the genus Macacus (either in its earlier or
later extension) ; = Macaque.
(1693 Ray Syn. Anim. Quad. etc. 155 Cercopithecus ango-
lensis major, Congensibus Macaquo Marcgr.] 1774G0LDSM.
Nat. Hist. IV. 233 Of the monkiesof the ancient continent,
the first, he [Burton] describes, is the Macaguo ; somewhat
resembling a baboon in size. 1854 Bushxan in Circ. Sci.
(c 1865I I. 290/2 In the mandril, pavian, and macacos, mem-
branous sacs are observed. 1874 Slang Diet., Murkarkerx
a monkey, vulgar Cockney pronunciation of Macauco. . .
Jacko Macauco, or Maccacco, as he was mostly called, was
the name of a famous fighting monkey, .who used nearlyfifly
years ago to display his prowess at the Westminster Pit.
2. Comb. : macaco-wood, Tococa guianensis, a
Brazilian shrub (Cassell); macaco-worm, the larva
of a South American insect, Dermatobia noxialis,
which infests the skin of animals.
1875 Beneden's Anim. Parasites viil 175 A gadfly found
at Cayenne is distinguished by the name of the Macaco
Worm ; it. .usually attacks the skin of oxen and dogs.
IHacaCO2 (makt7|,k0). Also 8 mococo, 8-9
maucauco, 9 iiiacauco. [a. F. (Button) mococo ;
ulterior origin obscure. Cf. Maki.] A name ap-
plied to certain lemurs, esp. to the genus Lemur.
1751 G. Edwards Nat. Hist. Birds, etc. iv. 197 The
Maucauco .. is about the Bigness of a middling sized Cat.
1774 Goi.dsm. Nat. Hist. IV. 239 The last of the monkey
kind are the Makis...The first of this kind is the Mococo ;
a beautiful animal about the size of a common cat, but. .of
a longer make. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) IX. 785 Lemur,
the Maucauco.. 1. The tardigradus, or tail-less maucauco.
1834 Nat. Philos., Phys. Geog. 54/2 (U. K. S.) The flying
macauco or lemur. 1839 Penny Cycl. XIII. 419/1 The
Makis, or Macaucos, properly so called, Lemur. 1840
Blyth tr. Cuviers Anim. Kingd. (1849) 64 The Murine
Macauco (Lemur murinus). 1884 Riverside Nat. Hist.
(1888) I. 228 The Mongoose Lemur, or Woolly Macaco
[Lemur mongoz].
|| Macacus ^mak^'k^s). PI. maeaci (ma-
k^'soi). [mod.L., ad. F. macaque: see Macaque.]
A genus of Old World catarrhine monkeys of the
family Cercopithecidx ; originally including a great
number of African and Asiatic species, but now
restricted to species resembling the bonnet ma-
caque or toque; a monkey of this genus.
1871 Darwix Desc. Man I. i. 23 In .. baboons and some
species of macacus the upper portions of the ear is slightly
pointed. 187s Encycl. Brit. II. 152/1 The Maeaci present
us with the most northern forms of apes. 1893 Daily
News 8 June 5/3 A small monkey, a macacus, has been
placed in his cell to keep him [an ourang-outang] company.
Macadam (mafe'dam). (Formerly with
capital M ; also Mac-Adam, McAdam.)
1. The name of John Loudon M°Adam (1756-
1836) used attrib. to designate the kind of roadway
which he invented and the material used in making
it : see Macadamize.
Now apprehended as an attributive use of 2.
1824 Miss Mitfokd Village Ser. 1. 277 We shall see no
more of him [our surveyor]; for the Mac-Adam ways are
warranted not to wear out. 1878 N. Amer. Rev. CXXVI.
91 Closet warriors, in cozy studies, with smooth McAdam
roadways before their doors. 1881 Macm. Mag. XLIV.
342 All piles of spare macadam material were carefully
removed.
2. The material of which a macadamized road
is made.
1826 J. Wilson Noct. Ambr. Wks. 1855 I. 178 What a..
rattle o' wheels !. .intolerable aneuch ower the macadam,
but Lord hae mercy on us, when you're on the causeway !
1831 Moore Summer Pete 121 Where never gleam of gas
must dare 'Gainst ancient Darkness to revolt, Nor smooth
Macadam hope to spare The dowagers one single jolt.
1856 Fonblanojje in Life <5- Labours (1874) 520 He may
gravely serve out Macadam for rations, and supply biscuit
for making roads. 1862 Athen.rrmi 30 Aug. 268 The dral>
coloured mud of the macadam. 189a Times 20 Apr. 7/4 It
is broken up into macadam, and forms a splendid material
for making roads.
fig. 1871 R. H. Hutton Ess. II. 126 He sprinkles a
little macadam of stony fact along the fair upland path of
liis imagination. 1892 Academy 29 Oct. 382/3 It is an un«
finished macadam of inverted commas and references.
3. nonce-use as adj. Level as macadam.
a 1845 Hood St. to 'Pom 11 'oodgate v, Does that hard,
honest hand now.. tug the oar, a gondolier On smooth Mac-
ad am seas ?
Macadamite (maekae'damait), sb. and a. Now
rare or Obs. [f. Macadam t- -1TB.]
A. sb. One who practises or advocates McAdam*s
system of road-making.
1821 Monthly Mag. LII. 104 Some incidental remarks of
mine in a paper I sent you in May last, have caused the
Mackadainites to throw some of their spare dirt about.
1839 Murchison Silur. Syst. 1. xxxix. ^35 In certain
districts, .they [boulders] are fast disappearing through the
labours of the Macadamites.
B. adj. Pertaining to McAdam's system of road-
making.
1824 Miss Mitford Village Ser. 1. 276 The Mac-Adamite
enormity of the stony road. 1846 Thackeray Comhill to
Cairo vii. Wks. 1900 V. 650 Roads were being repaired in
the Macadamite manner.
Macaclamization (mxkse^amsiz^1 'Jan).
(Formerly with capital M.) [f. next + -atiox.]
The process, practice, or system of making mac-
adamized roads; rarely concr. a macadamized road.
Also, the converting of stone into road-metal. *
1824 Land. Mag. X. 350 Major-Taylorization against Mac-
adamization any day! 1834 Ne^vcastle Mag. ill* 07 The
only road in our neighbourhood on which something like
Macadamization has been attempted. 18*5 Blackw. Mag.
XV IL 87 Along street under the process of Macadamization.
1826 Miss MlTPORD Village Ser. 11.2 That, .turnpike-road.,
is now so perfect and so beautiful a specimen of Macadam-
ization, that [etc.]. 1861 Musgrave By-roads 75 Mac-adam-
ization. 1860 ' Bradwood' O. V. H. (1870) 184 Miss Warren
. .was cantering down the turf border that fringed the mac-
adamisation. 1871 L. Stephen Playgr. Eur. v. (1894) 121
The glacier., crushed into smaller fragments, producing . .
a kind of incipient macadamisation.
Jig. 1847 Tait's Mag. XIV. 746 So very strange a
macadamization of parties has taken place.
Macadamize (m&kccvlamsiz), v. Also
M Adamise, -ize. [f. Macadam + -ize.]
1. trans. To make or repair (a road) according
to J. L. McAdam's system, which consists in
laying down successive layers of stone broken into
pieces of nearly uniform size, each layer being
allowedto consolidate underthe pressure of ordinary
wheel traffic before the next is laid upon it.
See McAdam's pamphlet, Remarks on the Present System
oj Road-Making (ed. 5, 1822^. He did not approve of the
placing of any kind of foundation under the layers of stone,
of the use of sand or gravel as ' binding ' material, or of the
smoothing of the surface by heavy rollers ; though the name
of ' macadamizing ' is now often given to methods in which
some or all of these practices are admitted.
1826 L ion Hunting 78 The road . . was what we now deemed
a great luxury, — M'Adamized, instead of paved. 1828
Southey To A. Cunningham 23 A street not yet Macadam-
ized. i863A.C.RAMSAY/7y£.6V^.(i878)6i3lIasalts. .areill
adapted for macadamising roads. 1871 L. Stephen Playgr.
Eur. (1854) 135 A heap of granite stones prepared for
macadamising a road.
absol. 1871 M. Collins Mrq. $■ Mcrch. I. vi. 188 There
is no hard stone nearer than Mount Sorel, so they mac-
adamize with something almost as soft as loaf sugar.
b. fig. To render level or even ; to level, raze.
1826 J. Shekman in Mem. (1863) 219 Grace indeed
macadamises the road, makes the stones smaller. 1827 J elf
Let. to Pusey in Liddon, etc. Life P. (1893^ I. 117 Your
mind is certainly macadamized ; mine resembles the road
between this [Berlin] and Strelitz. 1829 Makrvat P. Mild-
7ttay iii, The enemy's centre should have been macadamised
by our seven three-deckers. 1842 Orderson Creol. iv. 38
Our. .Bishop has. .macadamized the way for his successor.
1868 Peard Water-Farm. \\. 14 Each successful labour of
to-day will macadamise the road for to-morrow.
MACAQUE.
2. To convert into road-metal.
1841 J. T. Hewlett Parish Clerk II. 154 Coarse, thick
slates, that would certainly have been macadamized in these
days as excellent materials for road-making.
b. transf. and fig. To break up (something
' hard or figured as being hard) into pieces. ? Obs.
1825 Good Study Med. (ed. 2) V. 539 By grinding, or as
we should now perhaps call it macadamizing the stone into
granules. 1825 New Monthly Mag. XV. 296 In Macadamiz-
ing a few broad, simple, and impressive sounds into passages
of numberless rapid notes, there is no time left for giving the
emphasis required. 1852 Smedley L. Arundel xxxxi. 270
Richard Frere . . devoted himself to that indurated specimen
of the original granite formation,.. and by trying to mac-
adamise her into small-talk [etc.]. 1855 — //. Coverdale
i. 2 Fathers have flinty hearts, and even the amenities of
. the nineteenth century have failed to macadamise them.
Macadamized (m&kardamaizd), ppl, a. [f.
; Macadamize + -ed l.]
1. Of a road (see Macadamize i).
1827 Blackiv. Mag. XXI. 791 We were not seen stumbling
even upon a Macadamized road. 1837 Civil Eug. <$- Arch.
Jrnl. 1. 1/2 Filled in with broken stones, such as are used for
M'Adamized roads. 1861 Mcscrave By-roads 282, I found
even a Mac-adamized road, which crosses the plain, miry
enough, in heavy rain. 1889 p. Findlay Eng. Railway 49
A well-constructed macadamized road.
Jig. 1827 Lvtton Falkland 45 Neither in person nor in
character was he much beneath or above the ordinary
standard of men. He was one of Nature's Macadamized
achievements. His great fault was his equality. 1863
Cowden Clarke Shaks. Char. xi. 291 The hard and mac-
adamised road of dry duty and daily labour.
2. broken up into road-metal. Also {nonce-use\
strewn with broken stones.
1849 Capt. C. Sturt Exped. Centr. Austral. I. 238 We
then proceeded . . down the creek, keeping close upon its
banks to avoid the macadamized plains on either side. 1888
Times (weekly ed.) 23 Nov. 3/3 Some loose macadamised
stones lying about.
Macadamizer. [f. Macadamize + -eb i.]
1. One who makes macadamized roads.
1824 Newcastle Mag. 1 1 1. 26 [The paviours] have . . nothing
to do but to transform themselves into Macadamizers. 1864
Reader 11 June 747/3 Our London macadamizers go about
their work in a very unscientific way. i£3i Instr. Census
Clerks (1885)87 Paviour. ..Macadamiser.
2. One who rides on a macadamized road ; esp.
one who keeps to the roads when hunting.
1832 G. Downes Lett. Cont. Countries I. 11 Our little
Gallic Macadamizer asked one of the Hibernians present
[etc.]. 1838 Slrtees Jorrocks's Jaunts 55 A private road
and a line of gates through fields now greet the eyes of our
M'Adamisers. 1869' Bradwood* O. V.H. I. xii.219 ' Here
come all the roadsters !' growled the latter, as the hounds.,
crossed a bye-road — along which in the rear clattered some
fifty macadamisers.
Macadamizing, vbl. sb. [-nra *.] The
action of the verb Macadamize; macadamization.
1851-61 Mayhew Lend. Labour II. 181 The macadamiz-
ing of the latter thoroughfare. 1876 Page Adv. Text-Bk.
Geol. vii. 136 Their extensive use in causewaying and mac-
adamising.
Macadamizing, ppl. a. [-ing2.] a. That
macadamizes, b. (Cf. Macadamizer 2.)
1826 Hentham in Il'est/n. Rev. VI. 457 It performs the
function of a Mac-adamizing hammer, in breaking down the
aggregate mass, i860 O. W. Holmes Pro/. Breakf.-t. i,
This is the great Macadamizing place, always cracking up
something. 1869' Uradwood' O. V.H. 1. 224 Jack Marshall,
in the safe pursuit of pleasure, as far as compatible with
macadamising action, nad suddenly espied . . the Maule
carriage.
Macaleb, obs. form of Mahaleb.
Macalive, variant of Mackallow Obs.
Macamethe, obs. form of Mahomet.
]| Macana (maka*na). Smith American. [Said
by Humboldt to be Haytian.] An ironwood club.
1622 R. Hawkins Vpy. S. Sea § 27 (1847) 98 Their armes
for the warre, which is a sword of heavie hlacke wood...
They [the Indians of Brazil] call it macana, and it is carved
and wrought with inlayd works very curiously, but his edges
are blunt. Ibid. § 41. 147 Their [the islanders of Mocha,
Chile] weapons are bowes and arrowes and macanas. 1822
Sara Coleridge tr. Dobrizhoffer's Hist. Abipones [Para-
guay! H.360 The wooden club, macana. 1861 W. Bollaert
tr. P. Simon's Exped. Aguirre (Hakl, Soc.) xix. 79 Darts
and macanas (a sort of club). [The reference is to Peru.]
+ Macao. Obs. Also makao. [f. the name
of Macao, a Portuguese settlement on the coast of
China, noted for gambling. In Fr. macao. • Cf.
Macco.] A gambling game at cards, 'a kind of
vingt-et-un ' (Littre).
1778 Earl Malmesbury Diaries $ Corr. I. 179 Macao,
(a game much in vogue here at present). 1783 H. Walpolk
Lett. (1858) VIIL 388 When she wants to play at macao.
1794 C. Pigot Female Jockey Club 109 We have beheld her
ready to burst with rage, when the consequences have been
against her at Macao. 1827 Sporting Mag. XX. 58 A
diplomatic character and member of a fashionable Club at
Brussels, has been accused of cheating at Macao. 1883
Times 11 July 7 He consorted much with . . needy players
at . . roulette, makao, and similar games of hazard.
Macao, obs. form of Macaw.
Macaque (makak). Also 9 macac. [a. F.
macaque, ad. Pg. macaco : see Macaco ].]
+ 1. SomeBrazilianspecies of monkey. Obs. rare-1.
1698 Froger Voy. 115 We observed two sorts of Monkeys
there [viz. Brazil], which they distinguished by the Names
of Sagovins and Macaques [Fr. orig. Macaos]. . .The
Macaques are. .of a brown Colour.
MACARISM.
MACAROON.
2. A monkey of the genus Macaci;s.
1840 Blyth tr. Cuvier's Aniiu, Kiugd. (1849) 58 The
Macaques( Macacus, Desm. f. Zbid.sgThG Bonnetecf Macaque
{M. Sinicits). Ibid., The Pig-tailed Macaque. . .The Black
Macaque. xSjsEucycl. Brit. II. 152/1 The Thibet Macaque
{Macacus thibetanus'). 1878 Browning La Saisiaz 590
What though monkeys and macaques Gibber ' Byron ' \ 1885
E. Balfour Cycl. India(e<5. 3) II. 753/2 Macacus cynomol-
gus, common macac.
Macare, obs. form of Maker.
Mac ari Sill (nue'kariz'm). rare. Also ma-
karism. [ad. Gr. p.a/capi(rp-6s, f. pia/capifav : see
next and -ISM.] a. (See tjuot, 1818-60; and cf.
next vb.) b. -^ Beatitude 2.
1818-60 Whately Commpl, Bk. (1S64) 25 note, The words
' felicitate ' and * congratulate ' are used only in application to
events, which are one branch only of 'macarism '. Ibid. 28
To admiration, contempt seems to be the direct contrary ;
censure to commendation ; pity to macarism. a i860 J. A.
Alexander Gosp. Matth. (1861) no A series of beatitudes
or macarisins [Footnote, fia«api<7>ids], so called from tfie
word with which they severally open. 1882 A. B. Bhuce
Parab. Teach. Christ 380 The makarisms and woes with
which Luke's version of the Sermon on the Mount begins.
1889 — Kingd. God Introd. 10 Luke's .. form of the 'ma-
carisms \
Macarize (markaroiz), v. rare. Also ma-
carise, makarize. [f. Gr. fiaKapt(ctV) f. fmfcap
happy : see-lZE.J trans. To account or call happy
or blessed (cf. quot. 1816-60).
1816-60 Whately Commpl. Bk. (1865) 9 A man is admired
for what he is, macarized for what he has, praised for what
he does. Ibid. (1864) 25 If a man possess a genius, or a
person that is admirable, he is himself admired ; but not if
he has an admirable horse or house ; the sentiment we feel
towards him is of a different nature, and we have no English
word to express it ; so much are we at a loss as to resort to
the word 'envy1. I should like to introduce the word lma-
carise '. 1840 Arnold Let. in Stanley Life $ Corr. (1844)
II. ix. 227 Therefore I ' macarize ' you the more, for having
both an inherited home, and in a county and part of the
county per se delightful, a 1871 Grote Eth. Fragm. v.
(1876) 177 No man praises happiness, as he praises justice,
but macarises (blesses) it as something more divine and
better.
Macaron, variant of Macaroon.
Macaroni (meekir^rni). PL -ies. Also 6-9
maccaroni, 8 mac(c)arone, makarony, 9 mack-
erony. [a. It. maccaroni (Florio 1 598), earlier form
of maccheroni (^Florio 1611) pi. of maccherone ;
the ulterior etymology is obscure.
Some scholars have suggested connexion with Gr. fxaicapia,
explained by Hesychins to mean a sort of barley-broth.
Diez regarded the word as a derivative of It. maccare to
bruise, crush.]
1. A kind of wheaten paste, of Italian origin,
formed into long tubes and dried for use as food.
The same ' Italian paste ' is prepared also in the form of
Vermicelli, q.v.
J599 B. Jonson Cynthia's Rev. n. i, He doth learne-.to
eat senchouies, maccaroni, bouoli, fagioli, and cauiare. 1750
Chesterf. Lett. (1792) II. 345 You would do very well to
take one or two such sort of people home with you to
dinner every day ; it would be only a little mincstra and
macaroni the more. 1769 Mrs. Rafeald Eug. Housekpr.
(1778) 285 To dress Macaroni with Parmesan Cheese. 1813
Sir H. Davy Agric. Chem. (1814) 142 The wheat of the
south of Europe, in consequence of the larger quantity of
gluten it contains, is peculiarly fitted for making macaroni.
1825 Lvtton Zicci 45 Merton had heard much of the excel-
lence of the macaroni at Portici. 1893 Spectators June
768 A Sicilian sawyer fed on macaroni and melons.
2. a. Hist. An exquisite of a class which arose
in England about 1 760 and consisted of young
men who had travelled and affected the tastes and
fashions prevalent in continental society, b. dial.
A fop, dandy.
[This use seems to be from the name of the Macaroni Club,
a designation prob. adopted to indicate the preference of the
members for foreign cookery, macaroni being at that time little
eaten in England. There appears to be no connexion with
the transferred use of It. maccherone in the senses ' block-
head, fool, mountebank", referred to in 1711 by Addison
Sped. No. 47 p 5.]
[1764 H. Walpolk Let. Earl Hertford 6 Feb. (1857) IV.
17S The Maccaroni Club (which is composed of all the
travelled young men who wear long curls and spying-
glasses).] ( 1764 — Let. Earl Hertford 27 May Ibid. 258 Lady
talkener's daughter is to be married to a young rich Mr.
Crewe, a Macarone, and of our Loo. 1770 Oxford Mag.
June 228/2 There is indeed a kind of animal, neither male
nor female, a thing of the neuter gender, lately started up
amongst us. It is called a Macaroni. It talks without
meaning, it smiles without pleasantry, it eats without appe-
tite, it rides without exercise, it wenches without passion.
1773 Boswell Johnson 21 Aug., You are a delicate Lon-
doner ; you are a maccaroni; you can't ride. 1773 [C.
Hitchcock] Macaroni 1. 5, I wanted you to be a man of
spirit ; your ambition was to appear a iirst-rate Macaroni ;
you are returned fully qualified, and determined, I see, to
shew the world what a contemptible creature an English-
man dwindles into, when he adopts the follies and vices of
other nations. 1783 Mme. D'Arblay Diary 9 Dec, It is
the custom, you know, among the Macaronies, to wear two
watches. 1820 Lamb Elia Ser. 1. South-Sea House, He wore
his_hair..in the fashion which I remember to have seen in
caricatures of what were termed, in my young days, Mac-
caromes. 1854 A. E. Baker Nhampton Words H, Ma-
carom, a fop. Equivalent to the modern dandy J now
nearly, if not quite, obsolete. 1859 Thackeray Virgin.
11879) I. 357 If he brags a little to-night . . and talks about
London and Lord March, and White's, and Almack's, with the
air of a macaroni. i88x At/tenteum 5 Nov. 603/2 The weak
chin, . .resolute brow, and good forehead, portray Sheridan to
the life, as he appeared, a macaroni and brilliant lounger in
Carlton House. 1891 Sheffield Gloss., Mackcrony, an over-
dressed, or gaudily -dressed person.
transf. 1778 [W, Marshall] Minutes Agric. 3 Feb. 1775
Harnessed the old oxen in all their new finery. . ; the Pan-
theon never saw two more ridiculous Macaronies.
3. A species of crested penguin, liudyptes c/iry-
solophus. In full macaroni penguin.
[App. so called because its crest was thought to resemble
the coiffure of the ' macaronies '. The Pall Mall Gazette
Extra of 24 July 1884, p, 29/2 gives from a print of 1777
two figures of head-dresses then in use, one of which is called
' the macaroni '. Cf. also quot. 1820 in 2.]
1838 Poe A. G. Pym Wks. 1864 IV. 123 The maccaroni,
the jackass and the rookery penguin, i860 C. C. Abboit
in Ibis 338 This bird is called in the Falkland Islands the
Maccaroni Penguin. . . It has an orange-coloured crest. 1885
Encycl. Brit. YJVXW.^yifiEudyptrs, containing the crested
Penguins, known to sailors as . .' Macaronis \
4. A medley (such as a macaronic poem).
1884 Rogers Six Cent. Work $ Wages (1886/166 Poli-
tical songs in Latin or in a maccaroni of Latin and English.
5. In the West Indies, a coin of the value of a
quarter of a dollar. ? Obs.
1834 M. G. Lewis Jrnl. W. Ind. 403 Each grown person
received a present of half a dollar, and every child a mac-
caroni. 1838 W. Jameson in A. Robb Cos/. Africans 1 1860
iv. 88 The masters began to offer a macaroni, or is. sterling,
a day.
f6. The name of a gambling-room at New-
market. (Cf. Macco.) Obs.
1771 P. Parsons Newmarket I. 186 The Maccaroni is no
other than a pretty large and whimsically painted room.
7. (See quot.)
1876 R. L. Wallace Canary Bk. xiv. 165 Lizards [sc.
canaries] are known among Scotchmen as ' macaronies '.
8. Short for macaroni tool.
1867 G. A. Rogers Wood Carr-ing 12 Now take the mac-
caroni and cut away the wood on either side of the vein.. .
The maccaroni. .is shaped to cut at both angles.
9. attrib., as (sense 1) macaroni dealer, -stall,
wheat ; (sense 2) macaroni cane, dress, intellt-
goner ^ marquis, philosopher, shrug, train; f ma-
caroni riddle, V some kind of small violin ; f ma-
caroni gin, a kind of colliery gin (E. D. 1).);
t macaroni stake (see quot.); macaroni tool,
a square-cutting tool used in wood-carving.
1781 Westiu. Mag. IX. 71 A supple-jack or a ^macaroni
cane, embellished with silk and gold tassels. 1851 in Hlustr.
Loud. News 5 Aug. (1854) 110/1 Occupations of the People,
. . *Maccaroni-dealer. 177a Foote Nabob 1. (1778) 26 The
waiter at Almack's has just brought him home his 'macaroni
dressfor the hazard table. 1777 Mme. D'Arblay Early Diary
Apr.-July (1889) II. 185 First came a French horn,— ..then
a violin, — a bass,— a bassoon, — a ^Macaroni fiddle. 1789
Brand Hist. Newcastle II. 684 There is a sort of gins
called 'whim gins', and a kind known by the name of
' "macaroni gins'. 1769 Public Advert. 18 May 4/2 Thy
Paper is the *Macarony Intelligencer, 1859 Thackeray
I irgin. xcii. (1S78J 758, I never bargained to have a *Mac-
caroni Marquis to command me. 1797 Monthly Mag. III.
92 In this fanciful a^ra, when ^macaroni philosophers hold
flirtation with science. 1775 Mme. D'Arblay Early Diary
2i Nov., 'It is not at all the ton to like her': .. (with
a 'Macarony shrug). 1823 'Jon Bee' Diet. 7'urf,*Ma-
caroni stakes, those ridden by gentlemen, not jockies. 1814
Sporting Mag. XLIV. 103 You dash among the pots of
a *maccaroiii-stalI. 1867 G. A. Rogers Wood Carving 2 A
*maccaroni tool. 1890 C. G. Leland Wood Carving 10 The
Macaroni Tool.. is for removing wood on each side of a
vein or leaf, or similar delicate work. Ibid. 42 The so-called
'macaroni-tool '.. is really very little used, owing to the
great difficulty of keeping it sharp, and its liability to break.
1773 Goldsm. Stoops to Cong. Epil., Ye travell'd tribe, ye
^macaroni train, igoi Westm. Gaz. 23 July 7/3 The *ma-
caroni wheat crop (a new venture in the United States).
t Macaro'nian, a. Obs. [f. prec. + -an.]
1. =Macakonjc a. 1.
1727-41 Chambers Cycl., Macaronic, or Macaronian, a
kind of burlesque poetry.. .We have little in English in the
Macaronian way. 1751 Cambridge Scribieriad n. 184 note,
The Macaronian is a kind of burlesque poetry, consisting
of a jumble of words of different languages, with words of
the vulgar tongue latinized, and latin words modernized.
2. =MACAROMCtf. 3.
1788 R. Galloway Poems (1792) 16 Give ear ilk Maca- !
ronian beau, Tween George's Square an eke Soho.
Macaronic (msekar^-nik), a. and sb. Also 7 1
makeronick, 8 maccaronic. [ad. mod.L. maca- !
ronie-us ^ It. (f macaronicd) maccheronico, f. {-\rna-
caroni) maccheroni Macaroni.
The word seems to have been invented by Teofilo Folengo
(' Merlinus Cocaius ') whose ' macaronic ' poem (Liber
Macarouices) was published in 1517. He explains (ed. 2,
1521) that the 'macaronic art ' is so called from macaroni,
which is 'quoddam pulmentuni farina, caseo, botiro com-
paginatum, grossum, rude, et rusticanum '.]
A. adj. 1. Used to designate a burlesque form of
verse in which vernacular words are introduced
into a Latin context with Latin terminations and
in Latin constructions. Also, applied to similar
verse of which the basis is Greek instead of Latin ;
and loosely to any form of verse in which two or
more languages are mingled together. Hence of
language, style, etc. : Resembling the mixed jargon
of macaronic poetry.
1638 Sir J. Beaumont in fousonns Virbius 12 He Latin
Horace found . . Translated in the Macaromcke loung, Cloth'd
in such raggs as [etc.]. 1711 Drumm. of llaiuth's
Wks., Life 5 For diverting himself and his Friends, he
wrote a Sheet which he called PokmO'Middinia \ 'Tis a
■ sort of Macaronick Poetry, in which the Scots Words are
I put In Latin Terminations. 1778 Johnson 14 Apr. in
Boswell, Maccaronick verses are verses made out of a mix-
ture of different languages. 1837 Hallam Hist. Lit. 1. vi.
1 $ 31 I. 519 Maillard.. whose sermons, printed if not preached
I in Latin, with sometimes a sort of almost macaronic inter-
mixture of French. 1897 Dowoen Er. Lit. n. i. 90 The
macaronic poet Folengo. 1898 Stevenson .S7. Ives 236
Grace was said, .in a macaronic latin.
f2. Of the nature of a jumble or medley. Obs.
1611 (title) Coryats Crambe,or his Colwort Twise Sodden,
And Now serued in with other Macaronicke dishes, as the
second course to his Crudities. 1806 J. Dai.laway Obs.
Lug. Arch. 222 Those Travellers who have seen the new
buildings of Edinburgh and Glasgow will look on the archi-
tecture of Bath, as belonging to the maccaronick order. 1816
G. Colman Br. Grins, Lament, xiv. (1872J 271 My coame,
macaronic style may here and there excite a smile.
3. Pertaining to a macaroni, rare"0.
1828-33 Webster, Macaronic, pertaining to or like a
macaroni ; empty ; trifling ; vain ; affected.
B. sb.
1. a. Macaronic language or composition, b.
//. Macaronic verses.
a 1668 Denham Dialogue 33 You that were once so cecono-
mick, Quitting the thrifty style Laconick, Turn Prodigal in
Makeronick. 1693 ApoL. Clergy Scot. 31 When some of his
Party mounts the Desk and declaims their Maccaronicks.
1727 Bailey vol. II, Macaronicks [among the Italians], a
sort of Burlesque Poetry made out of their Language, and
the Scraps and Terminations of divers other. 1839 Hallam
Introd. Lit. Europe II. v. 267 note, Folengo. .sat down for
the rest of his lite to write Macaronics, a 1864 Lucy Aikin
in Mem. etc. 77 Our own people were turning Scotch with-
out knuwing it. We began to allow the macaronic of the
Fdinburgh Review for actual English !
f 2. A jumble or medley. Obs.
1611 CorciR., Macaronioue, a Macaronick; a confused
heape, or huddle of many seueiall things.
t MacarO'Hical, a. Obs. Also 6 macheron-
icall. [See prec. and -ical.] = Macaronic a.
1585 E. I). Prayse of Nothing Hj b, The macheronicall
phantasies of Merlinus Cocaius. 1596 Nashe Saffron II 'at-
deu F, Who. .hath translated my Piers J'cwiilcssc into the
Macaronicall tongue.
Macaronically, adv. [f. Macaronic: see
-ically.J In the macaronic manner.
1821 W. Taylor in Monthly Rev. XCYI. 82 That strange
mixture of Portuguese, Spanish, .. [etc.] names with which
most European maps of South America are macaronically
diversified. 1900 G. W. E. Russell Conferences ii. 24 The
earliest pieces . . are in the learned language, sometimes
macaronically interspersed with the vernacular.
Macaronicism (ma.'karfnisiz'm). [f. Ma-
caronic + -j.sm.] Macaronic style.
1830 Genii. Mag. C. n. 123 Moliere gives an amusing
specimen of macaronicism, in the troisiemc intermede of
Le Malade Imaginaire. 1845 Encycl. Metro/. XXI. 629/2
It may be doubted, however, whether the Ancients would
be very solicitous to establish a prior claim to Macaronicism.
Macai'Ollism (nuekan^-niz'm). Also 8 maca-
ronyism, 9 maccaroni-ism. [f. Macaroni +
-ISM.] Behaviour characteristic of a macaroni;
dandyism.
1775 Mme. D'Arblay Early Diary 21 Nov., He is a good
deal in the present ton, which is not Macaronyism. 1835
laifs Mag. II. 20 His colonel, .requited his maccaroni-ism
by a week's arrest. 1863 Sala Capt. Dangerous II. viii.
252 We would have thought it vile poltroonery and ma-
caronism to have worn wigs. 1868 C'tess Minto Mem.
It ' . Elliot i. 28 His maccaionism seems to have been a sub-
ject of jest among his friends.
Macaro'nyisli, a. rare-1, [f. Macaroni +
-ish.] Characteristic of dandyism.
1859 Sala Tic. round Clock (1861) 2S8 There is something
supercilious, pragmatical, macaronyish, un-English, in the
announcement, ' No half-price'.
Macaroon (nuekar«-n). Also 7 makeron(e,
maquaroon, mackroom, mackroon, 7-8 macke-
roou(e, mackaroon(e, macaron, 8 makeroon,
macron, 7-9 maccaroon. [a. Y .macaron (i6thc),
ad. It. maccarone (now maccherone) sing, of
maccaroni: see Macaroni.]
1. A small sweet cake or biscuit consisting chiefly
of ground almonds, white of egg, and sugar.
1611 Cotgr., Macarons, Macarons ; little Fritter-like
Bunnes, or thicke Losenges, compounded of Sugar, Almonds,
Rosewater, and Muske. 1611 Makkham Country Content. 11.
ii. (1668) q8 To make Jumbals more fine and curious . . and
nearer to the taste of the Macaroon. 1630 J. Taylor (Water
P.) 67. Eater Kent Wrks. 1. 146/1 Whether it bee .. Fritter,
or Flapiacke, or Posset, Galley-Mawfrey, Mackeroone,
Kickshaw, or Tantablin. 1688 R. Holml Armoury 111.
83/2 Mackrooms, a kind of roul of sweet Bread. 1725
Bradlky Earn. Diet. s.v. Tourte, You may also put a
pounded Macaroon into the Artichoke Cream. 1747 Mrs.
GLAssEC^v-fcfryxv. 141 To make Maccaroons. 1848 I . Grant
Adv. A ide-de-C '. xxviii. (Rtldg.) 227 Little maccaroons, sweet
as sugar and almonds could make them. 1875 A. R. Hoi'E
My School-boy Er. 138 We were regaling on macaroons.
altrib. 1783 Mme. D'Arblay Diary 9 Dec., I had no more
power to prevent it than this macaroon cake in my hand.
1836 T. Hook G. Gurney I. 297 A Jew boy, selling maca-
roon cakes. 1898 Gully in Daily Ne7vs 21 July 7/5 A
Marchpane is an edifice in macaroon work.
f2. = Macaroni i. Obs.
17*04 J. Pitts Ace. Mahometans iii. (1738) 24 What they
call Mackaroon is some Paste made only with Flonr and
Water. 1738 [G. Smith] Curious Kelat. II. 302 A Sort of
Pudding, which they [in Malta] call Macron. 1753 Cham-
bers Cycl.Supp., Macaron, the name of a sort of vermicelli,
a paste made of flour and water, and formed into the shape
of the barrel of u quill, or the guts of small fowls.
67-2
MACARTNEY.
MACE.
f3. A buffoon ; a blockhead, dolt. Also dial, a
fop ( -— Macakoxi 2). Obs. [Cf. It. maccherone.'}
a 1631 Donne Sat. iv. 117 Like a bigge wife, at sight of
lothed meat. . ; so I sigh and sweat To heare this Makeron
talke in vaine. a 1633 R. B. In Mem., Donne's Poems 401
A Macaroon And no way fit to speake to clouted shoone.
a 1835 Forby Voc. E. Anglia, Macaroon, a fop.
Macartney (makautni). [Thename of George,
Y.3lx\ Macartney {* 137 -1806).] Used in Macartney
cock , pheasant, and in shortened form Macartney.
A pheasant of the genus Ettplocamus, esp. E.
Ignitus ; a nreback.
[179. Or. Shaw in Sir G. Staunton Macartney's Embassy
to China (1797) I. 248 It may be called the fi repacked
pheasant. 1813 Tkmminck Hist. Nat. des Pigeons etc. II.
273 Houpifere Macartney. Gallus Macartneyi. Mihi. ..
Cette belle espece de Gallinace .. a ete indiquee .. par
sir Georges Staunton, d'apres un individu qui fut offert a
Lord Macartney, Ambassadeur Anglais aupresde l'Empereur
de la Chine.] 1834 Sir W. Jardine Nat. 1 1 ist .Gallinaceous
Birds I. 214 The Macartney Cock. Euplocamus Ignitus.
Tire-backed Pheasant of Java. 1840 Blyth tr. Cuvier's
Anini. Kingd. (1849) 227 The Macartneys.
Macary bitter. ' A West Indian name for /V-s.
cramnia Antidesma* (Treas. Bat. 1866).
atn6 H. Barham Hortus Americanus (1794) 96^ Majoe.
. . It is also called Macary bitter from its growing in great
plenty in the bay of Macary.
Macassar (makarsai). [The name (in the
native form Mangkasara^ of a district in the island
of Celebes.] Macassar oil, an unguent for the
hair, grandiloquently advertised in the early part
of the 19th century, and represented by the makers
(Rowland and Son) to consist of ingredients ob-
tained from Macassar. The name has subsequently
been given commercially to various natural pro-
ducts imported from the East, e.g. to the oils ex-
pressed from the seeds of Schleichcra trijuga, Car-
thamus tinctorius, and the berries of Stadtmannia
Sidero.xylon. (Hence Macassar-oiled a., anointed
with this oil. Macassar poison, the gum of a
tree, with which the Malays poison their arrows.
1666-7 Phil. Trans. II. 417 Whether it be true, that the
otiely Antidote hitherto known, against the.. Macassar-
poison., is humane Ordure, taken inwardly? 1797 Encycl.
Brit. »ed. 31 X. 357/1 Macassar Poison,, .called ippo in the
Macassar and Malayan tongue. 1809 Alex. Rowland jun.
{title) Essay on. .the Human Hair, with Remarks on the
Virtues of the Macassar Oil. 1819 Byron yuan 1. xvii, In
virtues nothing earthly could surpass her, Save thine 'in-
comparable oil,' Macassar ! 1831 Trelawny Adv. Younger
Son III. i'So [The author professes to have met in Celebes
with] the ole.iginous extract from a fruit-tree, since that
period become so notorious in Europe, (by name I mean,)
— Maca-.sar oil. 1842 S. Lover Handy Andy x. 99 He ran
his fingers through his Macassar-oiled ringlets. 1896 Brannt
Pats <y Oils (ed. 2) II. 82 Macassar oil .. is obtained from
the seed of Schleicher a trijuga . . Considerable quantities
of the oil were formerly imported, but what at present comes
into commerce under the name of ; macassar oil' is mostly
a mixture of cocoa-nut oil and ylang-ylang extract, coloured
red with alkannin.
Macauco, variant of Macaco.
Macaulayism (makoUVz'm)- U- the name
of Thomas Habington (Lord) Macauiay (1800-
1859) -(--ism.] The characteristic historical method
or literary style of Macauiay ; an instance of this. So
Maoaulayan, Macaulaye sriue, Macairlayish
adjs.j pertaining to or modelled upon Macaulay's
method orstyle. MacatUaye*se (erron. Macautese),
Macaulay's kind of diction.
1846 Poe Cary \Vks. 1864 III. 68 Models of style in these
days of rhodomontade*s and Macaulayisms. 1859 Nailer
Life Visct. Dundee I. 4 note, How often does he give us
Macaulese for history ! 1865 Spectator 492 Lord Derby
does not talk leading articles after this Macaulayish fashion.
1871 M. Arnold Friendship' s Garland 71 Why do you
call Mr. Hepworth Dixon's style middle-class Macaulayese?
1884 Pall MallG. 26 Sept. 3/1 There is something quite
Macaulayesque in the description . . of the way in which [etc.].
1887 Sf>ectator2-j Aug. 1159 Macaulayan and other historical
— or at least other historians' — incrustations. 189a AtJu-
nxmii 11 June 758/3 Dressing up platitudes in a sort of
faded Macaulayese.
Macaw1 ,mak§'\ Also 7machao, 7-8macao,
7-9 maccaw, 8 maccau, 8-9 mackaw. [a. Pg.
macao, of obscure origin ; a Tupi name for the bird
is macavuana,
Cf. Sp. ' mdea, a Bird in the Province of Quito, in South-
America, less than our Cocks, with a long Bill Red and
Yellow, and its Feathers of such Variety of Colours as is
admirable ' (Pineda, 1740).]
1. Thj name for several species of large long-
tailed birds of the parrot kind constituting the
genus Ara; they inhabit tropical and subtropical
America and are remarkable for their gaudy
plumage.
1668 Chakleton Onomasticon Zoicon 66 Great blew and
ellow Panat called the Machao, or Cockaioon. a 167a
>Vri.i.u<;niiv Otniihol. n. xi. (1676) 73 Psittacus maximus
alter Akin j v. Angl. Maccaw, seu Macao & Cockatoon. 1703
Damimkk. Voy. (1729) II 1. 1. 405 The Red Maccaw. 1707 Fun-
nell Voy. iv. 7oTheMaccaw..isaboutthebignessofa Hawk.
1788 New Loud. Mag. 61 The larger Psittaci are called
Macaos. 180a Bingley Anim. Piog. {1813) II. 75 The
Brasilian Green Macaw. 1821-30 Ln. Cockbi'rn Mem. v.
(1874) 257 [He] was walking., dressed like a mackaw,asthe
Commissioner's purse-bearer. 1870 Disraeli Lothairxxxv,
Upon gilt and painted perches also there were .. macaws.
$
1 2. Applied (? erron.) to some oriental bird. Obs.
1699 Da.mher Voy. II. 1. 12S In the [Achinl Woods there
are many sorts of wild Fowls, viz. Maccaws, Parrots [etc.].
3. attrib., as macaw tribe ; trnacaw-fish, some
brightly coloured fish iyS. parrot -fish).
1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp. s.v., With some it [cockatoon]
is made the synonymous name of all the Macaw tribe. 1792
Mar. Riddell Voy. Madeira 69 The parrot-fish, the ma-
caw-fish.
Macaw- ijnakg). Also 7 macow, 7-8 mac-
caw, $-9 mackaw, 9 macca-. [Prob. repr. one
or more Carib words; cf. Arawak (Guiana) mo-
caya, macoya, the macaw-palm.] The West Indian
name for palms of the genus Acrocomia ; formerly
also *|*the fruit of these palms. Now only attrib.
in macaw-berry , -palm, -tree; also macaw-bush,
a West Indian plant, Solatium mammosum (Treas.
Bot. i86'5) ; macaw-fat, a West Indian name for
the Oil Palm, Ehvis guineensis .
1657 Ligon Barbados 72 The Macow is one of the strangest
trees the Hand affords. 1672 R. Blome yamaica, etc. 73
[Descr. Barbadoes] Limes, Lemons, Macows, Grapes [etc.].
1697 Da.mpier Voy. (169S) I. ii. 20 We got M acaw- berries . .
wherewitli we satisfied ourselves this day, though coursly.
1699 L.Wafer Voy. 16 We found there a Maccaw tree, which
afforded us berries, of which we eat greedily. Ibid. 20 This
being the 7th Day of our Fast, save only the Maccaw- berries
before related. 1756 P. Browne Jamaica 343 The Mackaw
Tree.. is very common in most of" the sugar-colonies. 1858
Simmonds Diet. Trade, Macaw-fat, a West Indian name
for oil palm, Elais Guineensis. Macaw-Palm, the Acro-
comia sclerocarpa of Martius. 1864 Grisebach Plora IV.
Ind. 785 Mackaw Tree, Acrocomia sclerocarpa. 1882 J.
Smith Diet. Pop. Names Plants, Macaw Palm or Gru^
Gru {Acrocomia f usi for mis). 1894 Outing (U.S.) XXIII,
380/2 The oil palm or macca-fat.
t Maccarib. Obs. [App. cogn. w. caribou, a.
Micmac kaleboo, lit. ' shoveller ' (N. & Q. 9th Ser.
IX. 465). Cf. F. macaribo (Littre).] — Caribou.
1672 Josselyn Neiu Eng. Parities 20 The Maccarib,
Caribo, or Pohano, a kind yf Deer, as big as a Stag, round
huoved, smooth hair'd and soft as silk.
Maccaroni, Maccase e)ne, Maccaw: see
Macabohi, Moccasin, Macaw.
Macche, obs. form of Match.
Macciavelian : see Machiavellian.
MaCCO (marko). 1 0bs. [?A variant spelling
of Macao.] A gambling game; = Macao.
1809 I.yrom "in Moore Life (1875J 143 When macco (or
whatever they spell it) was introduced. 1815 Sporting Mag.
XVI. 277 A rubber of whist, or a game of Macco. 1859
Thackeray Virgin, xli, He dines at White's ordinary, and
sits down to macco and lansquenet afterwards.
attrib. 1825 T. Hook Man of Many Pr., Say. fy Doings
Ser. 11, II. 18 His uncle was still at the Macco table. 1859
Thackeray Virgin. xYiv, I ..left it at the Macco-table.
Maccoboy (mark^boi). Also 8 macabao,
macauba, 9 maccaboy, maccubau, mac(c)ouba,
maskabaw, Sc. macabaa, -baw, maccaba^w.
[Xamed from A/acouba, a district in Martinique.]
A kind of snuff, usually scented with attar of roses.
1740 Wimble's List of Snuffs in Fairholt Tobacco (1859)
269 Macabao. 1799 Hull Advertiser 27 July 4/4 You are
famous . . For having the best Macauba [rime draw], 18..
G. Wushart in Mactaggart Gallozdd, Encycl, (1824) 223 Ye
maun bring me a teat o' this same Macabaa. 1823 J. Bad-
cock Dan. Amusem. 99 The snuff of Martinico, celebrated
under the term ' Macouba '. 1849 Thackeray Pendenuis
II. ii. 14 [He] pocketted his snufT-box, not desirous that
Madame Brack's dubious fingers should plunge too fre-
quently into his Mackabaw. 1858 Simmonds Diet. Trade,
Maccoboy, Maccubau, a kind of snuff. 1893 Stevenson
Catriona xix. 218 Him I found already at his desk and
already bedabbled with maccabaw. 1896 E. Marriage tr.
Balzac's Old Goriot 21 His snuff-box is always likely to be
filled with maccaboy.
Mace (nv's), sb.l Also 4-5 mas, 4-7 mase,
5-6 mais, (5 maas, mass, meyce, 6 maysse,
6-7 masse), [a. OF. masse, mace = Yx. massa, It.
mazza, Sp. maza, Pg. maca :— L. type *mat{t)ea
vprob. the origin of the rare mat{l)eola ? mallet).]
1. A heavy staff or club, either entirely of metal
or having a metal head, often spiked; formerly a
regular weapon of war. (Also called + mace of
arms^y. masse d'armes.) fin early use also, a
club of any kind.
"97 R- Glolc (Rolls) 4210 pis geant .. bigan is mace
adrawe. c 13*0 Sir Beues 3800 pel leide on . . Wib swerdes and
wib maces, a 1330 Otuel 1112 He cam wi)> a mase of bras.
X37S IUkhocr Bruce xi. 600 The Ynglis men..Kest emang
tnameswerdisandmas. c 1386 Chaucer A'nt.'s T. 1753 With
myghty maces the bones they tobreste. 1390 Goweh Conf.
III. 359 And Hercules. .Was ther, berende his grete Mace.
1426 Lydg. DeGuil. Pilgr. 22171 And with this ylke sturdy
Maas, Iputte hemoutafful greet paas. Ibid. 23160 Then cam
Treason with hir mas Hevy as a clobbe of leed. 1555 Edkn
Decades 161 Laton whereof they make such maces and ham-
mers as are vsed in the warres. 1585 T. Washington tr.
Nickolays Voy. in. v. 78 Yppon their saddle bow, their
roundel & the Uusdeghan (being the mase of armes). 1678
Wanley IVond. Lit. World \\ ii. § 86. 473/1 He would cast a
Horseman's Mace of nine or ten pounds weight farther than
any other of his Court. 1728 Pope Dune. 1.85 Pomps without
guilt, of bloodless swords and maces. 1825 Scott Talism. \,
A steel axe, or hammer, called a mace-of-arms. 1834
Planche Brit. Costume 244 The pistol superseded the
mace in the hands of officers during this reign [Hen. VIIIJ.
fb. Applied to the trident of Neptune. Obs.
158a Stanvhukst sEucis n. (Arb.) 63 Thee wals God Nep-
tune, with mace thrceforcked, vphurleth. 1590 Sr-ENSER
I Muiopotmos 315 The God of Seas, .strikes the rockes with
! his three-forked mace. 1791 Cowi'kr Iliad xn. 29 Neptune
with his tridental mace himself Led them.
1601 Shaks. Jul. C. iv. iii. 268 0 Murd'rous slumber !
Layest thou thy Leaden Mace vpon my Boy ? 1667 Milton
P. L. x. 294 The aggregated isoyle Death, with his Mace
petrific, cold and dry, As with a Trident smote . 1840 Longf.
Sp. Stud. 1. v, Hark ! how the loud and ponderous mace
of Time Knocks at the golden portals of the day ! 1878
Browning La Saisiaz 385 As .. Beethoven's Titan mace
Smote the immense to storm.
2. A sceptre or staff of office, resembling in
shape the weapon of war, which is borne before
(or was formerly carried by) certain officials.
T Also formerly = the sceptre of sovereignty.
For Sergeant at (or of) Mace, see Sergeant. The mace
which lies on the table in the House of Commons when the
Speaker is in the chair is viewed as a symbol of the autho-
rity of the House (cf. b).
c 1440 Protnp. Parv. 319/1 Mace of aseriawnt,j1rc]r//r?/;//,
clava. 1471 Rii'LEY Comp. Alch. v. xxviii. in Ashm. (1652)
155 WythSylver Macys- -Sarjaunts awaytingon them every
owre. 1526 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 253 They gaue hym
a rede in his hande for a septer or a mace. 1559 Mirr. Mag.,
Jos. I xx. 5 Myinurdring uncle. .That longed for my king-
dome and my mace. 1580 Nottingham Pec. IV. 195 Payd
to Towley for the other ij. maces mendyng. 1593 Shaks.
2 Hen. VI, iv. vii. 144 With these borne before vs, in steed of
. Maces, Will we ride through the streets. 1633-4 in Swayne
Church™. Ace. Sarum (1S96) 177 The Iron wfl» holds the
Mase at the end of Mr. Maiorspewe. 1677 E. Smith in 12//1
Pep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 37 Some mischievous persons
j to dishonour my Lord Chancellour.. stole the mace and the
two purses. 1708 J. Chamberi.ayne St. Gt. Brit. 1. 11. xiii.
(1710) 100 The Mace, while the Speaker is in the Chair, is
1 always upon the Table, except when sent upon any extra-
ordinary Occasion into Westminster-Hall, and Court of
! Requests, to summon the Members to attend. 1758 Johnson
idler No. 96 » 1 He. .read the Gothick characters inscribed
1 on his brazen mace. 1856 K.merson Eng. Traits, Ability
Wks. (Bohn) II. 45 The chancellor carries England on his
mace. 1877 J. D. Chamuehs Div. Worship 186 A Beadle,
or other official, with a wand or mace, clearing the way.
b. By {warrant of) the mace: in House of
Commons use, said of occasions when the Serjeant-
; at-Arms is sent with the mace as his warrant for
! demanding obedience to a command of the House.
1576 Jrnl. Ho. Comm. 22 Feb. 1. 107 The said Committees
found no Precedent for setting at large by the Mace any
Person in Arrest; but only by Writ. Ibid. 27 Feb. I. 108
1 It is Resolved, That Edward Smalleye. .shall be brought
hither To-morrow, by the Serjeant ; and so set at Liberty,
by Warrant of the Mace, and not by writ.
c. A mace-bearer.
1663 Plagellum or O. Cromwell (1672) 26 And here upon
a Mace was sent to bring Cromwell into the Court. 1670
Mabvbll Let. 21 Mar. Wks. (Grosart) II. 315 Sir Thomas
Clifford carryed Speaker and Mace, and all members there,
into the King's cellar, to drink his health. 1753 Gray Long
Story iii, My grave Lord-Keeper led the brawls ; The seals
and maces dane'd before him. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng.
xi. III. 1 Garter King at arms., was followed by the maces of
the two Houses, by the two Speakers [etc.].
3. a. Billiards. A stick with a flat square head,
formerly used for propelling the balls ; now super-
seded by the cue. (Cf. Mast sb.%) b. A similar
instrument used in Bagatelle.
17*7 Boyer Er. Diet., Masse, (IViUard dont on joue) Mass,
or Billiard Stick. 1734 R. Seymour Compl. Gamester in.
^d. 5) 84 If a Person breaks a Stick, or the Mace, he must
pay Six-pence for the Stick and two Shillings for the Mace.
1744 J. Love Cricket 4 The dull Ball trails before the feeble
Mace. 1797 Encycl. Ihit. (ed. 3' III. 229 (Billiards] is
played with sticks, called maces, or with cues; the first
consist of a long straight stick, with a head at the end, and
are the most powerful instruments of the two.. .In England
the mace is the prevailing instrument, which the foreigners
hold in contempt. 1814 Col. Hawker Diary (1893)1. 119
We .. enjoyed the novelty of playing with the Emperor's
favourite cue, and Maria Louisa's mace. 1856 'Cait.
Crawley' Billiards (1859) 8 The Mace, by the way, is seldom
or never used by the present generation of billiard players.
1873 Bennett & ' Cavendish ' Billiards 4 Maces (called
' masts ') only were used, made of lignum vitae or some other
weighty wood, and tipped with ivory. 1883 CasselVs Sports <y
Past. 329 [Bagatelle]. The balls are struck with either a cue
or a mace ; of these two the latter will be found the easier.
4. Tanning. (See quots.)
1839 Ure Diet. Artsyfi The chief operations of the currier
are four ; — 1. Dipping the leather, which consists in moisten-
ing it with water, and beating it with the mace, or a mallet
upon the hurdle. 185a Morfit Tanning A> Currying (1853)
462 The leather may either be beaten out with the feet, or
with an instrument called the mace.
5. attrib. and Comb., as mace-blow, head; fmace-
proof a., nonce-ivd., safe from airest.
1879 G. Meredith Egoist II. v. 104 The effect . . was to
produce an image of surpassingness in the features of Clara
that gave him the final, or "mace-blow. 1899 Daily Ncivs
12 Sept. 7/2 Sargon of Accad. .of whom a *mace head bear-
ing his name is to be seen in the British Museum. 1633
Shirley Bird in a Cage u. 13 3 b, You shall., come vp to the
face of a Sergiant,. .and be *mace proofe.
Mace (m<^s), sb.- Forms : a. 4-5 macys, 4-6
macis, maces, ^4 *nacz, 5 macez, masis, 6
mases). 0. 4- mace, (6 mase). [ME. macis,
a. F. macis (14th c. in Godef.), of unknown origin ;
cf. F. (16th c.) massia, ? cinnamon flower. The
form macis being in Eng. apprehended M a plural,
the new singular mace was formed from it.
It is not likely that the word has any connexion with
L. maccis (accus, maccida) occurring once in Plautu-- in
a bombastic list of unknown and perhaps imaginary spices.]
MACE.
1. A spice consisting of the dried outer covering
of the nutmeg.
a 1377 Abingdon Ace. (Camden) 38 In farina xxviijj. In
croco xli. In macys iU. xd. [etc.]. 1398 Trevtsa Bart/!.
I)c P. R. xvii. ii. (1495) 595 The Mace is the Howre,and the
Notinygge is the fruyte. Ibid. cix. 672 The rynde of Nux
musticata, the notinygge, hight Macis. c 1400 Maundkv.
(Roxb. ) xxi. 94 pe macez er be huskes of be nutemug. c 1410
Liber Cocarum (1862) 13 Fors hit with clowes or macys gode.
1471 Pastou Lett. III. 25 Sende me word qwat price a li. of
peppyr, clowys, masis, gingyr [etc.]. 1527 R. Thornk in
Ilakluyt's Voy. [1589) 252 The Islands are fertile of Cluues,
Nutmegs, Mace, and Cinnamom. 1544 Phaer Kcgim. Ly/e
(>55j) Eja, Mithridatum..wel tempered in a littel white
wine with afewe maces. 1594 BlUNDEVIL Exerc. v. xi. (1636)
554 But when the Nut waxeth dry, the Mace do sever from
the Nut. Ibid. xii. 557 From the He Banda doth come Nut-
megs and Maces. 173a Arbuthnot Rules of Diet 259 Spices,
as Cinnamon, Mace, Nutmeg. 1747 Mks. Glasse Cookery
ii. 32 Add some. .Pepper and Salt, and a little beaten Mace.
1811 A. T. Thomson Loud. Disp. (1818) 262 Oil of Mace.
1871 C. Kingsi.ky At Last v, The nutmegs, the mace still
clinging round them, lie scattered on the grass.
2. attrib. : t maee-ale, ale spiced with mace.
1611 Beaum. & Fl. Four PI., Triumph o/Loz'o iv, She
had more need of mace-ale . . than your aged discipline. 1676
Wiseman Surg. IV. v. 318 That night she took an anodyne
Syrup in a draught of Mace-ale.
Mace vmJ's', si.% Forms : 6 raase, 7 mas(se,
maz, mess. 8 masscie, 8- mace. [a. Malay yA»
mas (also ^Ul emds) ; said to be rtpr. Skr. mdsha
a weight of about 17 grains.]
1. In Malay countries : A small gold coin weigh-
ing 9 grains and worth about IS. id. Also, 'a
weight used in Sumatra, being according to Craw-
furd i-i6thof a Malay tael,or about 40 grains' (Y.).
1598 W. Phillip tr. L inschotens Voy. 44 A Tael of Malacca
isi6Mases. 1600J. Davis in Purchas Pilgrimage (161s) I.
ill. i. 117 That [coin] of Gold is named a Mas, and is nine
pence halfe penie neerest. Those of Lead are called Caxas '.
whereof a thousand sixe hundred make one Mas. 1699 Dam-
pier Voy. II. I. 132 Of these [cash] 1500 make a Mess, which
..is a small thin piece of Gold. . . It is in value 15 pence Eng-
lish. 1727 A. Hamilton New Ace. K. Ind. II. xli. 109 At
Atcheen they have a small Coin of Leaden Money called
Cash, from twelve to sixteen hundred of them goes to one
Mace, or Masscie. 1813 Milblrn Oriental Comiii. (1825)
348 The currency here [Tringano, Malay Peninsula] consists
also of the following : . . 16 mace equal to 1 tale. Ibid. 360
[Sumatra] The lesser weights are as follow : — 4 Copangs
equal to 1 Mace.
2. A Chinese money of account equivalent to
one-tenth of a silver liang or tael.
1615 R. Cocks Diary \\ZZ3) 1. 1 We bought 5 greate square
postes . . cost 2 ma s 6condriusperpeece. 1796 Morse Amer.
Ceog. II. 531 Although the terms candereen and mace are
employed to certify a certain quantity of caxees, there are
no coins. .which bear that specific value, 1802 Capt. El-
more in Naval Chron. VIII. 382 At seven mace two can-
dereen per head. 1896 Block™. Mag. Apr. 580/2 The [poppy]
tax is stated to be one mace or six-tenths of a mace the plot.
Mace (nu?is), si.* slang. Swindling, robbery
by fraud. On mace : on credit, ' on tick '.
1781 G. Parker Vieiu Soc. II. 34 The mace is a man who
goes to any capital tradesman . . in an elegant vis-a-vis [etc.].
1879 J. W. Horsley in Macm. Mag. XL. 502 The following
people used to gc'in there — toy-getters (watch-stealers) . .
men at the mace (sham loan offices). 1893 P. H. Emerson
Signer Lippo xxii. 100 Letting 'em have the super and slang
on mace, for he gets to know their account and he puts the
pot on 'em settling day,
b. Comb.: maee-eove,-gloak, -man = Macer-2.
1812 J. H. Vaux Flask Diet., Macc-gloak, a man who lives
upon the mace. 1823' J.Bee 'Diet. Tur/ s.v. Mace, The mace-
cove is he who will cheat, take in, or swindle, as often as may
be. 1859 Sala Tw. round Clock (1861) 160 The nightside of
I>ondon is fruitful in ' macemen ', ' mouchers ', and 'go-
alongs'. 1865 M. Collins Win is the Heir1. II. 245 What
is a maceman?. . A person who buys anything he can get with-
out paying for it, and sells it again at once for anything
he can get. 1884 Daily News 5 Jan. 5/2 The victim appears
to have entered an omnibus and to have been at once pounced
upon by two * macemen ', otherwise ' swell mobsmen '.
Mace, v\ rare—1, [f. IbcuLl] trans. To
strike as with a mace.
1840 Dickens Barn. Rudge iv, The 'prentices no longer
carried clubs wherewith to mace the citizens.
t Mace, v.'z Obs. rare-1, [f. Mace sb.2] trans.
To season with mace. In quot.y^.
a 1640 Dav Peregr. Schol. (18S1) 70 If anie of you come
vnder there clowches theile pepper you and mace you with
a vengeance.
Maoe, v.* slang, [f. Mace si.*] trans, and
iulr. To swindle. Hence Macing vbl. sb.
1790 Potter New Diet. Cant. (1795) Mace, to cheat.
1812 Sporting Mag. XXXIX. :38 A . . party of inferior
pugilists had been macing in the southern towns. 1819 J. H.
Vaux Mem. I 53, 1 sometimes raised the wind by. .obtaining
goods on credit, called in the cant language maceing. 1885
Daily Pel. 18 Aug. 3/2 Fancy him being so soft as to give
that jay a quid back out of the ten he'd maced him of I
Ma-ce-l)earer. One who carries a mace; spec.
an official whose duty it is to carry a mace, as a
symbol of authority, before some high functionary.
1552 Huloet, Mace bearer, cliduchus. 1683 Addr. fr.
c'V<>r? >n Loud. Gaz. No. 1863/5 Our respective Mayor,
««' w ' ' ' Town-c|erk, Mace bearer or any other Officers.
1687 Wood Life 3 Sept., Afterwards the macebearer put the
mace into the mayor's hands. 1763 H. Walpole Catal.
Engravers (1765) 20 John bishop of Lincoln, with purse-
bearer, mace-bearer [etc.]. 1823 Dk Quincey Incognito
Wks. 1862 X. 2 The chief-burgomaster .. turned the
mace-bearer out of the room. 1835 1st Mimic. Corp. 1
Cotuiu. Rep. App. mi. 1686 Other officers of the Corpora-
tion [of Preston) are, Mace- Bearer, Beadle [etc.]. 1841
Elphinstone Hut. Ind. II. 349 A mace-bearer called out to
him, with mock solemnity, to receive the salutations of his
servants. 1870 Bryant Iliaii I. vil. 210 The mace-bearer
Areithous.
Macedon (ma."s«](m). [ad. L. Maccdon-cm
{Afacedo), Gr. MaKtooV-a (-»}.]
f 1. One of the people (to which Alexander the
Great belonged) that inhabited Macedonia. Obs.
[1382 Wyclie 2 Cor. ix. 4 When Macedonyes schulen come
with me.] a 1400-50 A lexauderg^i, 1179, 1253, etc., Messa-
dones, Messedones.-edoyns, Mas.s.ndons. 1594 Kvu Cornelia
1. 63 Macedons or Medes. 1632 Massinger City Madam iv.
ii, The valiant Macedon . . Lamented that there were no more
[worlds] to conquer. 1700 DRYDEN Fables, To Duchess oj
Ormond 133 As once the Macedon, by Jove's decree, Was
taught to dream an herb for Ptolemy.
fb. appos. or quasi-i;«/'. ^ Macedonian. Obs.
1710 The Tipting Philosophers 17 Diogenes, Surly and
Proud, Who Snarlcl at the Macedon Youth.
2. Anglicized name of Macedonin. arch.
1584 C. Robinson Hand/. Pies. Dclites (Arb.) 46 The
famous Prince of Macedon. 1625 Bacon Ess., Prophecies,
Phillip of Macedon. 1871 S. J. Stone Hymn, Through
midnight gloom from Macedon.
Macedonian (ma:s/d<Tirnian), trA and sb.1 [f.
L. Maccdoni-us ( - Gr. MaKeooVios, f. Maxf Suiy : see
prec.) + -an.] A. adj. Pertaining to Macedonia,
a country north of Greece.
Macedonian Parsley : see Parsley'.
1556 Robinsons tr. Mores Utopia Printer to Reader
(Arb.) 168 Seyng it is a tongue to vs muche straunger then
the Indian, ..the Macedonian,, .etc. 1607 Topskll Four-/.
Beasts 106 At one time is giuen them nine Macedonian
Bushels, but.. of drinke eyther wine or water thirty Mace-
donian pintes at a time. 1707 Curios, in llnsb. A> Card. 257
To make Celery, and Macedonian Parsly grow very fast.
1844 Thirlwall Greece lxvi. VIII. 419 It had received a
Macedonian admiral in its port.
B. sb. A native of Macedonia.
1582 N. T. (Rhem.) 2 Cor. ix. 2, I know your prompt minde : '
for the which I glorie of you to the Macedonians. 1834 Lyt-
ton Pompeii II. i, I will teach thee, young braggart, to play
the Macedonian with me. 1840 Penny Cycl. XVIII. 75,2
He was stabbed by a young Macedonian of his own body-
guard.
Macedonian \iiues/'d<'"'nian),ir.:! audi/'.- [ad.
Eccl. L. Macedonian-us, f. Macedonius : sec -an.]
A follower of Macedonius, a heretical Bishop of
Constantinople in the 4th century.
1577 Vautrouillier Luther en Ep. Gal.yZ Arians, Euno-
mians, Macedonians, and such other heretikes. 1701 tr. Le 1
Clcrc's Prim. Fathers 252 He [Gregory] disputes about the
Consubstantiality of the Holy Spirit against the Mace-
donians. 1727-52 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Semi-Ariaus, Anew
branch of Macedonian Semi-arians, or Pneumatomachi.
1882-3 Scha/fs Encycl. Relig. Knowl. II. 1578 They are
Macedonians, esteeming the Holy Spirit as no person, but
only an influence or emanation.
Hence Macedonianism.
1642 HAl.ES.SV/z/.r7«9Manichanisme, Valentinianisme, Ma-
cedonianisme, Mahometisme, are truly and properly Here-
sies. 1646 Bp. Maxwell Surd. Issach. 21 The grossest 1
Heresies, Arianisme, Arminianisme, Macedoniauisme [etc.].
[Macegriefs, ' such as willingly buy stolen flesh '
(Cowell 1607, whence in later Law Diets.), is a
spurious word, due to misunderstanding of the AF.
text of liritton I. xxx. § 3, which speaks of butch-
ers {macegriers) who knowingly sell stolen flesh '.]
Macelency, obs. form of Macilency.
tMacella-rious, a. Obs.-" [f. L. macel-
lari-us (T. macellum meat market) + -ODS.]
1656 Blount Glossogr., Macetlarious, pertaining to the
Butchers Row or Shambles.
Macer1 (m^'sai). Also Sc. 5-6 maser(e,
masar, 6 messer, measer, masser, 6-7 maissar,
-er. [a. OF. maissier, mossier, i. masse Mace j
si.1: see -er2.] A mace-bcarer; spec, in Scot-
land, an official who keeps order in courts of law.
13. . St. Erkenwolde 143 in Horstm. Altengl.Lcg. (1881) 269
be maire with mony ma3U mene & macers before hyme. 1377
Langl. P. PI. B. hi. 76 Meires and maceres that menes ben
bitweneThekyngeandthecomunetokepethelawes. C1440
Promp. Parv. 319/1 Macer, or he bat berythe mace, seep-
t(r)iger. c 1470 Henry Wallace vn. 304 Thar folowed him
fyfteyn Wicht, wallyt men . .With a maser [ed. 1 570 maissar],
to tach him to the law. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. III. 275
Sextie that tyme quhilk war summond aw Be ane masar
for to cum to the law. 1546 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 26
Heraldis, pursevantis, masseries, and utheris officiaris of
amies. 1550 Ibid. 105 Ane messer or uthir officiar of amies.
1583 Lee. Bp. St. Andreas 1065 A rneas' vpon the gait him
mett. 1679 RoyalProclam. in Lond.Gaz. No 1406/1 Charles
by the Grace of God [etc.].. To Our Lyon King at Arms, and
his Brethren Heraulds, Macers, or Messengers at Arms.
1709 Strype Ann. Re/. I. xxi. 237 Thomas Lever, S.T.B.
formerly of S. John's College and sometime macer (as was
the Bishop himself). 1710 C/iamberlayne's St. Gt. Brit. 11.
in. (ed. 23) 662 Macers of Exchequer. Sal. 50/. per Ann.
each. 1752 J. Louthian Form 0/ Process (ed. 2) 7 The
Justice-Court has three Macers. ..The Macer's chief Busi- j
ness is, to execute all Indictments, Criminal Letters, &c. ]
1818 Scott llrt. Midi, v. Noil omnia— as Mr. Crossmy-
loof said, when he was called by two macers at once, non
omnia possumus—pessimtis—possimis. 1893 Stevenson
Catrioua 189 And the very macer cried ' Cruachan '.
b. attrib. : f macer wand, a mace.
,535 Stewart Cron. Scot. II. 677 [He] Arreistit thame, syne
with ane maissar wand, Or tha passit out of Northumber- j
\ land, Richt mony thousand of thame thair wes slane. |
MACERATING.
Hence Macership.
1883 Edinb. Daily Rev. 6 June 2/5 Mr. G. G. has been
appointed . . to the vacant macership in the Court of Session.
Macer - (m^'sai). slang, [f. Mace vfi + -er 1.]
A swindler.
1819 Sporting Mag. V. 123 The cup-and-ball Macers.
1870 Steinmeiz Gaming Table 11. vii. 220 A well known
inacer, who was celebrated for slipping an ' old gentleman '
(a long card) into the pack.
t Ma'Cerable, <*• Obs. rare, [as if ad. L.
*macerabilis, f. mdcerare to Macerate.] That
may be macerated.
a 1631 Donne Six Serm. i. (1634) 30 Miserable, (inex-
pressible, unimaginable niacerable condition, where the
sufferer would be glad to be but a devil. 1742 Fames in
Phil. Trans. XLII. 33 The Auditory Bones are of a tar-
lareous kind of friable and easily macerable Substance.
t Macerate, ppl. a. Obs. [ad. L. mdcerat-tts,
f. macerdre to MACERATE.] Wasted, weakened :
^ the later Macerated.
1540-1 Elyot Image Gov. 30 Macerate with labours, and
made feeble with age. 1632 Woiiuus Rights 332 Shee
chuse. .not a man macerate and dryed vp with study.
Macerate (nite'ser^t),^. Also6 7masserate,
7mascerate. [f. L. maccrdl-, ppl.stemof/«<;t«v;/v,
f. root «/&:-, perh. cogn. w. Gr. fxaaanv (:—*maly-,
mnky-) to knead. For the suffix cf. tolerare, rc-
, uperdre. Cf. F. t/iacerer.']
1. trans. To soften by steeping in a liquid, with
or without heat; to wear away or separate the
soft parts of, by steeping. Also with away. Ap-
plied also to the treatment of food in the process
of digestion.
1563 T. Gam: Antidot. 11. 10 Macerate them [sc. lard and
rose [eaves] and let them stand together >euen dayer-. 1620
Venner Via Recta vii. 133 They [sc. Pine-Apple or Nut]
must first be macerated the space of an home in Marine
water, and then eaten. 1660 R. Coke Power Kt Sub/. 129 Iron
macerated with vinegar, so as it should be inflexible. 1691
Ray Creation (1714) 27 It is by the Heat thereof concocted
macerated and reduced into a Chyle or Cremor. 1759
Brown Compleat Farmer 79 The gizzard that macerates
their food. 1773 Cook I'oy. (1700) IV. 1418 The bark i>
rolled up, and macerated for some time in water. 1822
Imison Sci. \ Art II. 178 Soak, or macerate the rags suf-
ficiently. 1835-6 Todd Cycl. Auat. I. 479/1 More com-
plete mastication is performed after the fuod has been long
macerated in the paunch. 1875 Darwin Insectiv. PI. vi. 88
The leaves were macerated for some hours. 1899 Allbntt s
Syst.Mcd. VIII. 558 In the axillary, anal and scrotal region,
where the scales are often macerated away.
Jig. 1829 Landor Imag. Com: Wks. 1846 II. 211 A good
writer will not. .macerate things into such paiticles that
nothing shall be remaining of their natural contexture.
b. /'////'. for pass. To undergo maceration.
1610 B. Jonson Alth. II. v, Let 'hem macerate, together. 1641
French Distill, ii. (1651)48 Beat the spices small and bruise
the Hearbs, letting them macerate twehe houres. 1755 B.
Martin Mag. Arts ft Sci. 111. viii. 329 The ignotant Farmer
cuts down his Corn and his Hay . . and leaves them to
macerate, .in the soaking Showers. 1816 Accum Cheiu.
Tests (1818) Si Suffering the whole to macerate for a few
boms. 1889 J. M. Duncan Led. Dis. Worn. v. (ed. 4) ■•2
If the liquor amnii is not discharged it is absorbed, and the
contents of the uterus either macerate or become mummified.
2. trans. To cause (the body, flesh, etc.) to waste
or wear away, esp. by fasting.
1547 Boorde" Bre-<: Health i. 7 Fastynge to much it dryelh
and macerateth the body. 1613 Pukchas Pilgrimage v.
xiv. 442 To.. macerate his body for bis owne sinnes. 1647
Clarendon Contempt, t's. Tracts (1727) 41S Macerating
our bodies with imprisonments and torments. 171a Steele
Sped. No. 2S2 r 5 The Happiness of him who is macerated
by Abstinence. 1830 D Israeli Chas. I, III. vii. 135 Her
frame was macerated by her secret sorrows. i860 T.
Martin Horace 24 The fierce unrest, the deathless flame,
That slowly macerates my frame. 1877 C. Geikie Christ
xxxiii. (1879) 385 Men who lodged in tombs and macerated
themselves with fasting.
+ b. jig. To oppress, ' crush '. Obs.
1637 BastwiCK Litany I. 4/1 They greatly dishonour his
Cesarean Maiestie, & miserably afflict and macerate [printed
macecrate] his poore subiects. 1640 H. Parker Case Ship
Money 46 Civil] w ars have . . infected and macerated that
goodly Country.
f c. intr. (or pass. To waste, pine away. Obs.
1599 Marston.SVo. Villanie I. ii. 176 Once to be pursie
fat Had wont be cause that life did macerate.
t3. In immaterial sense : To fret, vex, worry. Obs.
1588 Spenser I'irg. Gnat 94 No such sad cares, as wont to
macerate And rend the greedie mindes of covetous men. 1591
Troub. Raigne K. Iohn(i6u)n \ viper, who with poysoned
words Doth masserate the bowels of my soule. a 1695 Z.
Cradock Serm. on Charity (1740) 8 Why dosome Christians
..macerate and torment themselves? 1761 Sterne '1 r.
Shandy III. iv, A city so macerated with expectation.
Macerated (mwsfireited), ///• a. [f. Mace-
rate v. + -ed 1.] In senses of the vb.
1587 Fleming Coulu. Holinshed III. 1399/1 Whether it
were possible to find a bodie more withered, afflicted,
macerated,, .or pale. 1659 Gentl. Calling (1696) 98 It need
not doubt to maintain the Field against poor macerated
Chastity. 1706 Hearne Collect. 4 Mar. (O. H. S.) I. 197
What might recruit his macerated Body. 1899 Allbntt s
Syst. Med. VIII. 611 This application is repeated, and the
macerated skin cleansed, every forty-eight hours.
absol. 1694 Motteux Rabelais (1737) V. 232 Th Opime
you'd linquish for the Macerated.
Macerating (marsereitin), vbl. sb. [f. Mace-
rate v. -r -ing 'J The action of Macerate v.
1600 Surflet Country Farms HI. Ixiii. 575 Infusion is
nothing else but a macerating or steeping of the thing
MACERATING.
MACHICOULIS.
intended to be distilled in some licour. 1630 Bkaihwait
Eng. Gsmittm. ll&jX) 183 It is macerating of the flesh that
fattens the spirit. J775 in Ash, Suppl.
Macerating (mre-sereitin. ),///. a. [f. Mace-
bate v. + -ing -.] That macerates (see the vb.)-
1689 Harvey Curing' Dis. by Expect xiv. 113 The Jesuit
Confessor redoubles his macerating penance. 1836 J. M.
Gully MagendiYs E'oriuut. (ed. 2) 132 The disgusting
odour arising from the macerating intestines. 1899 Allbntt's
Syst. Med. VIII. 605 The macerating action of a plaster.
Maceration (ratresSitfi'fan), [ad. L. macera-
tidn-em, n. of action f. macerare to Macerate.]
1. The action or process of softening by steeping
in a liquid; also, the state of being subjected to
this process ; an instance of this.
1612 Woodall Surg. Mate Wks. (1653) 272 Maceration is
preparation of things not unlike to Humectation. a 165a
J. Smith Set, Disc. iv. 75 The very grass, .may,, .after many
refinings, macerations, and maturations .. spring up into so
many rational souls. 1691 Ray Creation 1. (1692) 121 For
the maceration and dissolution of the Meat into a Chyle.
1794 Sullivan View Nat. II. 157 Decomposed by long
maceration in water. 1861 Bumstead Vcn. Dis. (1879) 591
The constant maceration of the mucous membrane of the
mouth. 1880 Hvxlky Crtiyjish iii. 100 When the exoskeleton
is cleaned by maceration.
atirib. 1898 Rev. Brit. Pharm. 34 The maceration tinctures
are not to be made up to a prescribed volume with the
menstruum.
b. In smelting iron ore (see quot.).
1868 Rep. to Govt. U. S. Munitions War 120 It [the
ore] is then allowed to remain exposed to the air for
a time long enough to permit the small traces of sulphur to
be dissipated, [etc.].. .This process is termed maceration.
c. quaswww. A product of maceration.
1836 J. M. Gully MagendiYs Formul. (ed. 2) 153 He
collects the different spirituous macerations in an alembic.
2. The process of wasting or wearing away (the
body, flesh, etc.) ; mortification ; an instance of
this ; also the condition of being macerated.
1491 CaxtON Vitas Patr. (W. de W. 1495) I. xl. 57 b/2
She gaaf . . her body . . to were the hay re, and other macera-
cyons of the flesshe. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn, n. ix. $ 3. 37
Fastings, abstinences, and other macerations and humilia-
tions of the bodie. 1628 Up. Hall Serm. 30 Mar., Wks.
iSoS V. 361, I speak of a true and serious maceration
of our bodies by an absolute and total refraining from
sustenance. 1827 Hake Guesses Ser. 1. (1873) 178 The
voluptuousness and the macerations of Oriental religions.
1856 Emerson Eng. Traits. Race Wks. (Bohn) II. 31
In describing the poverty and maceration of Father Lacey.
1881 STEVENSON Virg. Pucrisque 167 It should be a place
for nobody but hermits dwelling in prayer and maceration.
1 3. In immaterial sense : Fretting, vexation,
worry ; an instance of this. Obs.
1616 Rick Cabinet 142 b, Sorrow is the cause of., many
melancholike maladies and macerations. 1645 Bp. Hall
Rente iy Discontents 163 What maceration is there here
with feares, and jealousies. 1669 Clarendon Ess. Tracts
(1727) 174 This maceration,, .is a sawcy contradiction of
God's wisdom in the creation.
Macerator ^iTue'ser^'tar). Also maceratsr.
[agent-n. f. Macerate v. : see -or.] a. One who
macerates or mortifies (the body), rare. b. A vessel
used for the process ofmaceralion(6V//l. Diet. 1891).
1891 Augusta T. Drake Hist. St. Dominic 167 A man of
rare abstinence, the frequent macerator of his own body.
t Ma'COry. Obs. In 6 masarie. [f. Macer +-
-v.] The functions of a macer.
1545 Reg. Privy CouncilScot. I. 7 Discharges all the saidis
masseru of all using of thair offices of ma-sarie in all tymes
Cuming.
Macfa'rlanite. Min. [Named by A. II.
Sibley, 1880, after T. A/acfarlane, who described
it: see -ite.] l A mixture of huntilite, animikitc
and other minerals, which constitutes the ore of the
mines at Silver Islet, Ontario* (A. H. Chester).
Mach, obs. form of Match sb. and v.
Machserodont (adki^iWpnt), a. Zool. [f.
Gr. fmxaipa sword, sabre + dbovr-, o^ovs tooth.]
Characterized by teeth like those of the genus
Machairodus ; sabre-toothed.
1883 Flower in Encycl. Brit. XV. 435/s Many modifica-
tions of this commonly-called ' machasrodont' type have been
met with, /bid., The sabre-toothed or machierodont den-
tition, the most specially carnivorous type of structure known.
t MacliEeromaiicy. Obs. rare-1, [f. Gr. pa-
\aipa sword + /xavrua divination.] (See quot. ^
165a Gaule Magastrom, 165 Macharomancy [sic], [divin-
ing] by knives or swords.
II Machairodus ^nak3i-»'rJJz?s). Pahvant. Also
machferoduB. [mod.L. (Kaup 1833), f. Gr.
fidxatpa sword, sabre + o5Ws tooth.] A genus of
extinct animals of the cat family, having the upper
canines enormously developed.
1836 Huckland Geol. <y Min. (18371 1. ai note. iZy^Peuny
Cycl. XIV. 244/1 The canine teeth of Machairodus are very
far from those of the bears. 1880 Hawkins Early Man 31
The Machairodus, or sabre-toothed lion.
t Mac ham. Obs. rare"1. (See quot.)
1689 [ Farewell] Irish Hudibras 35 Some play the Trump,
some trot the Hay, Some at Machain, some Noddy play.
marg. note A Game at Cards.
Machamete, -ote, -yte, obs. ff. Mahomet.
„ Maclian (au>|tjta$i Also 9 muchan, mu-
charn. [Hindi machdn.'] An elevated platform ;
a scaffolding erected to watch for a tiger, etc.
1886 Yule Hobson-Jobson, Muchan. 1887 J. C Fife-Cook-
son Tiger Shooting 41 W. at once arranged for a machan, or
platform, to be made in a neighbouring tree from which he
could watch the kill. 1890 Sik S. \V. Laker Wild Beasts I.
1 53 Branches . . so arranged as to form a screen that will con-
ceal the watcher. . .This arrangement is called a ' mucharn '.
1902 Speaker 6 Sept. 600/2 We struggle up the ravine to
our machans or rather the trees they are to be slung in.
Maehance : see Maychanck adv.
Machanic, obs. form of Mechanic a.
Machavil(l)ian, obs. form of Machiavellian.
Mache, obs. form of Match sb. and v.
Macheat, variant of Matchet.
t Machecole, v. Obs. Also 5 magecolle,
matchecole. [a. OF. machecoller, connected with
Machicoulis.] trans. To machicolate. Chiefly
in pa. pple.
1412-20 Lydg. Chron. Troy 11. ii, The walles were. .Mage-
colled without for sautes and assaye. 1470-85 Malory
Arthur vn. x. 226 They saweatoureas whyteas ony snowe
wel matchecold al aboute. c 1500 Melusine xix. 103 Forty-
fyed round aboute with grete toures machecolyd. 1530
Palsgk. 616/2, I inage colle (Lydgate).
Machecollate, obs. form of Machicolate v.
Machecoulis : see Machicoulis.
t Maches. Obs. Also 8 masches, maschets,
maskets. [a. F. mdche!\ The plant corn-salad
\V ale r land la olitoria).
1693 Evelyn De la Quint. Coiupl. Card. II. 197 Maches,
are a sort of little Sallet. .seldom, .brought before any noble
Company. They are multiplied by Seed which is gathered
in July, and are only used towards the end of Winter. 1704
Diet. Rust, fy L'rb., Maches or Maschets. 1706 Phillips
(ed. Kersey), Maches or Masches, a kind of (Jorn-Sallet.
1719 London & Wise Compl. Card. 221 Maches.
Machete, machete*, -ette: see Matchet.
Machiavel markiavel). Also 6 Machivell,
6 -S Maehiavell, 7-8 -vil.T, 7-9 Macehiavel.
[Anglicized name of Niccolo Machiavelli, a cele-
brated Florentine statesman, who advocated in his
work Del Principe the pursuit of statecraft at the
expense of morality.] One who acts on the prin-
ciples of Machiavelli; an intriguer, an unscrupulous
schemer, f Also appositive.
1570 Buchanan Adm&nitioun Wks. (S. T. S.) 24 Proud
contempnars or maehiavell mokkaris of all religioun and
vertew. 1597 J. Payne Royal E.vch. 11, I wyshe you
bannishe from your tables suche Atheists and machivells.
1598 Shaks. Merry W. in. i. 104 Am I politfcke? Am I
subtle? Am I a Machiuell? 163a U. Jonson Magn. Lady
1, The very Agat Of State and Politie: cut from the Quar of
Macehiavel. 1691 Norris Pract. Disc. 20 Intreaguers and
Projectors, the very Machiavels of their age. 1712 Addison
Sped. No. 305 p 15 These young Machiavils will, in a little
time, turn their College upside-down with Plots and Strata-
gems. 1775 Sheridan Duennaw. iv, Oh, this little cunning
head ! I'm a Machiavel— a very Machiavel. 1863 Reade
Hard Cash xxix, This artful man, who had now become a
very Machiavel.
Hence fMachiavelize v. intr. = Macluavellianize.
t Machiavelizing- vbl. sb.
1611 Cot<jr., Machiavelizer, to Machiauelize it; to prac-
tise Machiauellisme. 1617 MmsHEU Ductor, Macheualiw.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Machevalize or Machiavelianhe .
1775 Ash, Suppb, Machiavelizing, the act of practising the
politics of Machiavel.
Machiavellian (mxkiavedian), a. and sb.
Forms: 6 Macciaveliau, 6 7 Mac(h)avil(l)ian,
Mache velian, -vilian, Machivil(l)ian, 7 Mac-
chiavilian, Matehia-, Matchievil.lian, 7-8
Machiavil(l)ian, 7~9-velian,6- Machiavellian.
[f. Machiavel or Machiavelli + -(i)ak.]
A. adj. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of
Machiavelli, or his alleged principles ; following
the methods recommended by Machiavelli in pre-
ferring expediency to morality ; practising dupli-
city in statecraft or in general conduct ; astute,
cunning, intriguing.
1579 J- Stubbes Gaping Gulf C\n], Thys absurd manner
of reasoning is very Macciauelian logick. 159a Gkekne
Groat's W. Wit (1617) 35 Is it pestilent MachiuiHan pi
that thou hast studied? 1613 Chapman Revenge Bussy
Groat's W. Wit (1617) 35 Is it pestilent MachiuiHan policie
S13 "
D'Atubois Plays 1873 II. 159 These are your Macheuilian
Villaines. 1631 Gouge GotVs Arrows 1. xix. 26 What got
that Machivillian politician Achitophell. 1637-50 Kow Hist.
Kirk (1842) 162 Divide et rcgna is an old Matchiavilian
maxime and trick. 1653 A. Wilson Jas. I 185 The true
way of Treaties is with Christian, not Machiavelian policy.
172a W. Bond Ded. to Hartcliffc's Virtues s The refined
Matchiavillian thinkers have .. altered the very nature o!
ethicks. 1790 Buhke Fr. Rev. Wks. V. 158 Where men
follow their natural impulses, they would not bear the odious
maxims of a Machiavelian policy. 1848 Thackeray Van.
Fair xxiii, So this Machiavellian captain of infantry cast
about him for some .. stratagem. 1878 E. Jenkins Haver-
holme 63 Conducting his party with Machiavellian subtlety.
B. sb. A follower of Machiavelli ; one who
adopts Machiavelli's principles in statecraft or in
general conduct.
1568 Salir. /'actus Reform, ix. 113 This false Machivilian.
1598 Makston Pygmal. 11. 145 A. damn'd Macheuelian
Holds candle to the deuill for a while. 1608 Willet
Ilcxapia Exod. 320 Protagoras with the Machiauellians. .
were doubtful whether there were any God. 16*7 Hnsband-
}iiafCs Plea agst. Tithes 91 Never any Machivilian, or cruell
State Politician . . could never have devised a more effectuall
way. 1668 R. Stekle Husbandman's Calling \\\. (1672)
187 He hath need of discretion, .that he be neither monk
nor Matchevillian. 1710 Steele Tatter No. 193 r 3 During
this Retreat the Machiavilian was not idle, but secretly
fomented Divisions. 1814 Scott Let. to J. B. S. Morritt
30 Apr., An awful lesson to sovereigns that morality is not
so indifferent to politics as Machiavellians will assert.
Hence Machiavellianism, the principles and
practice of Machiavelli or of the Machiavellians,
the employment of cunning and duplicity in state-
craft or in general conduct ; an instance of this.
f MacliiaveTlianize ?/., to practise Machiavellian-
ism (Blount Glossogr. 1656). -\ Machiave llianly
adv.y in a Machiavellian manner.
1626 Bernard Isle of Man (1627) 104 The Bills of Indite-
nient framed by those false informers. . Formalitie. . Machia-
villianisme, Statisnie. .against Christian Conference. 1640
Howell Dodona's Gr. 173 Behold a notable peece of machia-
villianisme. 1660 Evelyn Ne^osfr. Brussels Misc. Writ. £1805)
198 This impress he hath so Machiavelianly, and with such
art and cunning, besprinkled and scattered over the whole
paper. 1711 W. King tr. Nande's Ref. Politics i. 19 The
courts . . where these M achiavilianisms are so common. i88z
Palgrave in Grosart Spenser's Wks. IV. p. xxv, The
Machiavellianism of the sixteenth century.
Machiavellic m;e kiave-lik\ a. Also -velic.
[formed as prec. adj. +-IC.] Machiavellian.
i838i.7rt£AV>. Mag. XLIII. 510 The Whigs indeed had
concocted their schemes beforehand with all the Machiavelic
forecast of veterans in the art of creating family broils. 1879
Farrar St, Paul (18S3) 350 The astute and machiavellic
policy of Rome.
t Machiave'lline, a. Obs. rare-1. In 7
Machiaveline. [formed as prec. + -ink.] =^prec.
i6o2 Patehicke tr. Gentillet 312 They have so well profited
in their Machiaveline philosophic, that [etc.].
Macliiavellism i^ma^kiavelizm). Also 6-7
Machiavilisme, 7 -velism(e, iratchiavellisme,
9 Mac(c hiavelism. [formed as prec. + -ISM.]
— Machiavellianism.
159a Nashe /*. Penilcsse (Shaks. Soc.) 68, I comprehend
. . vnder hypocrisie, al Machiavilisme. 1607 Walkington
Opt. Glass 66 b, A brocher of dangerous matchiauellisme.
1617 Bi'. Hall Quo Vadis ? § 21 Where had we . . the art of
dishonestie in practicall Machiauelisme, in false equiuoca-
lions r 1810 Bent ham Offic. Apt. Maximized, Def Econ.
(1830* 57 A Government, in which, under the guidance of
upstart Machiavelism, titled and confederated imbecility
should lord it over King and people. 1897 Daily News
3 June 6/1 What., is the history of the Italian Republics. .
but the history of Macliiavellism before Machiavelli?
Ma chiave'llist. Also 6 Machivelist, 7
Matchi(a^vel:,l ist, 89 Machiavelist. [formed
as prec. + -ist.] One who practises or favours the
principles of Machiavelli.
1589 Nashe Martins Months Mimic To Rdr., I meddle
not here with the Anabaptists, Pamely louists, Machiauel-
lists, nor Atheists. Ibid. H, Yee Machiuelists, Athiests,
and each mischieuous head. 1640 K. Baillie Canterb. Self-
Convict. 7 The contrarie maximes of the Turkish Empire,
wherewith Matchivelists this day every where are labouring
to poyson the eares of all Christian Princes. 1799 Hull
Advertiser 6 July 1/4 A profound Machiavelist. 1829
Southey Sir T. More II. 80 The art of directing enthusiasm
. . is the most difficult which the Machiavelhsts of Papal
Rome have ever been called upon to practise.
Machicolate (matJVkJktt), v. Also 8-9 ma-
ehecollate, matchicolate. [f. ppl. stem of med.L.
machicolJ)dre = Or=" '. machecoller ; seeMACHECOLK
v.] trans. To furnish with machicolations. Chiefly
in Machi"Colated/rt. pple. and ppl. a.
1773 Gentl. Mag. XLIII. 536 The gate-house, .is fortified
with a port-cluse or port-cullis, and machecollated. 1814
Bkitton Archil. Antiq. IV. 1S1 Caesar's- tower . . is sur-
mounted by a bold machicolated parapet. 184a Bakham
Ingot. Leg., Bloudie Jackc, With iron it's plated And
machecollated, To pour boiling oil or lead down, i860
Hawthohne Marble Faun (1879^ I. vi. 61 A mediaeval
tower,, .battlemcnted and machicolated at the summit. 1890
Times 8 Apr. 1 1/3 The machicolated towers of Raglan Castle.
trausf 1848 W. S. Mayo Kaloolah (1887) 7, I could see
every .stone of" the towers, matchicolated with stork's nests.
Machicolation (matJiUU'i-Jon). Arch., [f.
prec. : see -ation.]
1. An opening between the corbels which support
a projecting parapet, or in the vault of a portal,
through which combustibles, molten lead, stones,
etc., were dropped on the heads of assailants.
Also, a projecting structure containing a range of
such openings.
1788 Ghose Milit. Antiq. II. 336 The grand entrance was
mostly through a gate flanked by two large and strong towers,
with a projection over the passage, called a machicolation.
1806 Dallaway Obserz>. EJug. Archil. 92 Lofty embattled
walls . . crested with hanging galleries and macchicolatiom>
which served the double purpose of military defence and
giL-at external beauty. 1833 0. Downes Lett. Cent. Coun-
tries I. 521 The antique castle is furnished with a machico-
lation. 1848 Rickman Archil, no Wakefield steeple .. is
.singular for its machicolations in the top of the lower. 1871
Miss Bkaddon Lovetsv. 87 The crenellated roof, with its
machicolations, is considered a great success.
2. The action of discharging missiles, etc., through
such apertures, rare"0 ; perh. an error.
1828 32 in Weuster; and in later Diets.
|| Machicoulis (maJik/7-li). Also 9 mache-
coulis. machicouli, and in quasi- anglicized form
machicoule. [F. mUchecou/is, machicotdis , OF.
maschecoulis.~\ *= Machicolation i.
1793 Smeaton Edystone L. Introd. 4 A lodgment, in forti-
fication called a Machicoulis, is built upon the wall over the
siairs. 1802 James Milit. Diet, s.v., When a place is be-
sieged, detached parties of the garrison inay be posted in
the several machicoulises. 1851 Eraser's Mag. XLIII.
154 A large granite block, formed like a machicoule, and
MACHINA.
projecting from the front wall of the castle. 1859 Parker
Dom. Archit. III. i. 5 The bastions carried upon corbels,
with open intervals between them for throwing down, .mis-
siles, and commonly known by the name of machicoulis.
1865 Street Gothic Archil. Spain 193 A parapet boldly
corbelled out on machicoulis from the walls. 1885 Lady
Hirhfrt tr. Lagrange's Life Dupanloup I. 340 This
picturesque old chateau, with its postern gate, its portcullis,
and machicoulis.
attrib. 1834-47 J. S. Macaulay Field Fortif. (1851) 151
The machicoulis gallery is made to project 2 feet from the
wall, i860 Tristram Gt. Sahara xi. 180 Guardrooms witli
loopholes, .and machicouli gallery.
II Maxhina. Obs. PI. machinas. [L. ma-
china Machixe.] = Machine in various senses.
1612 Siifi.ton Quix. 1. v. I. 32 The Labourer grew almost
mad for Anger to hear that Machina of Follies. 1622
Mabbe tr. Aleman's Guzman dAlf. II. 97 So great a Ma-
china, and such a masse of things. 1640 Glapthorne Hol-
lander IV. G 3, If I doe not second you confidently, may my
tongue be cramped,, .and the machma of my invention mind
perpetually. 1653 H. More Antid. Ath. ill. xi. (1712) 124
To assert that Animals themselves were Machinas. 1676
Hale ConUmpl. 1. 220 One poor unthought of accident.,
breaks all to shivers the whole elaborate Machina.
f Machinal, a. Obs. [acl. L. mdchind/-isf f.
machina Machine. Cf. ¥. machinal.'] Of or
pertaining to a machine or machines ; mechanical.
1680 Moxox Mech. Exerc.x Turning- 236 But to make
it move thus . . there are required several Machinal Helps.
1685 Boyle Knq. Notion Nat. 330 Man is.. like a Mann'd
Boat, where, besides the Machinal Part,. . there is an Intel-
ligent Being. 1760 Projects in Ann. Reg. 147/1 In the
erection of the machinal crane-works.
t Macbinament. Obs. [ad. L. machina-
ment-um^ f. mdchindrl (see next).] A contrivance,
engine, machine, vehicle.
1413 Pilgr. Smvle (Caxton) iv. xxix. (1859) 60 At the last
I saw before me a wonder machynament, and meruaylous !
c 14*5 Found. St. Bartholomew's 37 And skippynge forth
with all Iryne machynamentis he came to the doer. 1658
Bromhall Treat. Specters iv. 255 A very stormy South -
wind did . , palsie and shoulder-shake . . machinaments and
fortifications. 1674 Petty Disc. Dupl. Proportion 7 Mate-
rials applied . .to Carts, or any other Machinaments intended
for strength. 1727 in Bailey vol. II.
Machinate (mse-kin^t), v. Also 7 machinat.
[f. L. machinal-, ppl. stem of mdchindrl to con-
trive, f. machina Machine.]
1. intr. To lay plots; to intrigue, scheme.
1600 W. Watson Decacordon (1602J 243 Such persons as
shall machinate and deuise to execute such outragkms
designements against their prince, 1689 Dcf. Liberty agst.
Tyrants 130 A Tyrant conspires, machinates, and lays his
plots and practises. 1830 Frascr's Mag. I. 101 The blackest
treason may lurk and machinate at his very threshold. 1858
Kaber Bartolify Maffei's Life Xavier 312 Whilst the Portu-
guese had been preparing for their departure, the bonzes
had been machinating against them.
2. trans. To contrive, plan, plot. Now rare.
1602 Fulhkcke 2nd Pt. Parallel 23 Dolus bonus, is when
a man doth machinate or deuise anie thin:* to entrap a
thiefe, or a traytour. 1643 Prynne Romes A/asterpeece 14
He thought tit, that a desperate Treason, machinated against
so many soules was to be revealed. 1651 Howell Venice
187 Which makes Urban the 8. ..to machinat violent means
for to invest his Nephews in another Princes Estate. 1760-72
H. Brooke Fool of Qual. (1809) I. 122 The .. robberies,
massacres, and assassinations, that the violent machinate
against the peaceful. 1822 T. Taylor Apuleius 359 [He]
injures himself in a greater degree than he injures him
against whom he machinates destruction.
Machinating (mce-kinVUirj )tppl. a. [-IXG 2.]
That machinates or plots ; given to plotting.
1748 Richardson Clarissa (1811) III. 355 Willingness to
think well of a spirit so inventive, and so machinating. 1754
— Grandisnn (1781I V. xlii. 261 It was all open day, no
dark machinating night, in the heart of the undissembling
Olivia. 1900 O. Onions Compl. Bachelor v. 57 The ma-
chinating married woman ! No bachelor is safe with her.
Machination (msekin^i'Jan). Also 7 matchin-
ation. [ad. L. machination-em (either directly,
or through F. machination^) , n. of action f. md-
chindri to contrive, Machinate.]
1. The action or process of contriving or plan-
ning ; contrivance, intrigue, plotting. Now rare.
1549 Compl. Scot. xi. 90 There liberte. .vas ane lang tyme
in captiuite, be the machination of 5our aid enemes. 1605
* Shaks. Lear v. i. 46 If you miscarry, Your businesse of the
world hath so an end, And machination ceases. 1651
Hobbes Leviath. 1. xiii. 60 By secret machination, or by
confederacy with others. 1667 Milton /'. L. vi. 504 Some
one ..inspired With dev'lish machination, might devise
Like instrument. 1835 I. Taylor Spir. Despot, iv. 159 The
machination in closets of interests that ought to be openly
discussed is a treason against the community.
2. An instance of plotting or contrivance ; an
intrigue, plot, scheme. Usually in bad sense.
c 1477 Caxton Jason 77 b, Some welwillars of the king . .
tolde to him the machmacion of Zethephius. 1539 Cromwell
Let. 286 in Mernman Life % Lett. (1902) II. 168 Albeit his
nighnes dothe in no wise feare any of his Censures attemp-
tates or other malicious & devilishe machinacions. 1656
J. Hammond Leah % R. (1844) 24 His Highnesse, (not
acquainted with these matchinations), had [etc.]. 1678 Wood
Life 29 Sept., This machinacion fayling, another, .was put
on foote. 1713 Steele Englishman No. 12. 81 Such Men
would stand up .. against the Machinations of Popery and
Slavery. 1749 Fielding Tom Jones xvi. iv, To defeat my
wisest machinations by your blunders. 1855 Macaulay Hist.
Eng. xiii. III. 306 Ludlow escaped unhurt from all the ma-
chinations of his enemies. 1867 Freeman Norm. Cong.
(1876) I. iv. 224 The French and German writers know
nothing of these machinations of Arnulf,
f3. The use or construction of machinery. Obs.
1641 Earl Monm. tr. Bwndi's Civil iVarres iv. 50 Hoping
that time and hunger might effect that, which, .by all their
machinations and assaults they could not doe. 1711 W.
Sutherland Shipbuild. Assist. 21 Machination, or the
forming Machines or Engines.
f4. Something contrived or constructed ; esp. in
material sense, e.g. a mechanical appliance for war,
a framework or apparatus. Obs.
1605 Bacon Adv. Learn, 1. vi. 14 The Edict .. was . .
accounted a more pernitious engine and machination against
the Christian faith, than [etc.]. 1613 R. Cawdkey 'Table
Alplt. (ed. 3), Machinations, war-like weapons. 1652 GAULE
. Magastro/u. 108 Will not then their whole machination, or
1 fabrick of judiciall Astrologie fall to the ground? 1680
Moxon Mech. Fxcrc., Turning 235 If the Puppet be made
j to it with the Machination described in Plate 17.
Machinator (mEe'kin^'tw). [a. L. mdchindtor.
j agent-n. f. mdchindrl to contrive, Machinate.]
One who contrives or schemes; a contriver, intriguer,
' plotter, schemer ; usually in bad sense.
i6n Cotgr., A/achinateur, a machinator, framer, deuiser,
(especially of bad things). 1627 H. Burton Baiting 1 "ope s
Bull 26 Their art infernall,. .infused into them by that ..
chiefe machinator of all mischiefe. 1760 C. Johnston
Chrysal (1822) II. 152 Not only escape the ruin meditated
against him, but also retort it on the machinators. 1839
I. Taylor Anc. Chr. I. Pref. 7 Certain wary machinators
around us. i86» Latham Channel /si. 111. xvi. (ed. 2) 381
There were intrigues and divisions of all sorts : Lord Digby
being the chief machinator. 1892 Pall Mall G. 3 May 2/2
I The machinators of the Union ..destroyed nearly every
i document bearing on that shameful transaction.
Machine (majrn), sb. Also 7-8 machin. [ad.
1 F. machine ( = Sp.ma//uina, Pg. maquina, machina.
' It. macchina), ad. L. machina, ad. Gr. fiqxavlf
f. fif)X0S contrivance, cogn. w. Teut. *magau to
be able (see May v.).
The Fr. word has passed into all the mod. Teut. langs. :
G. maschine, Du. machine, Da. maskiue, Sw. maskin.
In i7~i8th c. the word was often stressed on the first sy 11. ]
1. A structure of any kind, material or im-
material ; a fabric, an erection. Now rare.
1549 Compl. Scot. Ep. to Queen 3 The maist iliustir potent
prince of the maist fertil is: p:i.cebil realme, vndir the machine
of the supreme olimp. 1599 A. Hume Hymnes ii. 38 Be
his wisdome. .so wondroushe of nocht, This machin round,
this vniuers, this vther world he wrocht. 1674 Playfohd Skill
I A/us. Pref. 2 Disposing the whole Machine of the World. 1674
i Hickman Quinquart. Hist. (ed. 2) 225 They that asserted
\ Universal redemption by the death of Christ destroyed
the whole Machine of the Calvinian predestination. 1682
N. O. tr. Boiteau's Luirin 1. 239 Behind this Machine
[a pulpit], cover'd as with a skreen, The Sneaking Chanter
scarce could then be seen. 1687 A. Lovell tr. Tlutenot's
Trav. in, 23 They put fire next to a Machine which
seemed to be a blew Tree when it was on lire. 1697
Dry den sEneid 11. 25 With inward Arms the dire Machine
[sc. the wooden horse] they load. 1753 Hanway Trav. (1762)
I. v. Ixii. 286 Her imperial majesty is drawn ..in a large
machine, which contains her bed, a table, and other conveni-
ences. .. This machine is set on a sledge, and drawn by
. twenty-four post horses. 1784 J. Barky in Led. Paint, v.
(1848) 196 Had the whole of this great machine of the
Fontana di Trevi been committed to any one of those
sculptors. i7gi Charlotte Smith Celestina (ed. 2) I. 129
Her new laylock bonnet . . for the safety of which she was
so solicitous that she would have taken the great machine
in which it was contained into the coach, had it not been
opposed by the coachman. 1829 R, Hall Wks. (1832) VI.
457 The mind casts its eye over the whole machine of
I society. 1878 Browning La Saisiaz 279 To each mortal
peradventure earth becomes a new machine.
b. spec. A vehicle of any kind (usually wheeled).
; In the 18th and part of the 19th centuries com-
: monly applied to a stage-coach or mail-coach.
\ Obs. exc. Sc* Also short for bathing-machine.
1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevcnofs Trav. in. 54 They make
use of an Engine which they call Palanquin. ..This Machine
hangs by a long Pole [etc.]. 1704 Swift Mech. Operat.
Spirit Misc. (1711) 275 Tho' there is not any other Nation
in the World so plentifully provided with Carriages for that
: Journey., yet there are abundance of us who will not be
! satisfy 'd with any other Machine besides this of Mahomet.
1709 Lond. Gaz. No. 4545/1 His Serenity, accompanied by
.. the Boy who drew the Balls for the Election [of Doge]
sitting in the same Machine, was carried out of the Church.
1769 De Foe's Tour Gt. Britain III. 106 A Machine going
out to, and coming in from, London three Times a Week in
, the Summer. 1759 Adam Smith Mor. Sent. 11781) 267 The
poor man's son . . sees his superiors carried about in machines.
1772 Burke Corr. (1844) I. 372 Your very kind letter of the
15th, . . I received by the machine. 1791 Mhs. Grant Lett.
I fr. Mountains (1813) II. xxxvii. 184, 1 came in a little open
1 machine we keep for these journies. 1822 Ace. Establ. Gen.
, P.-O. 8 in Pari. Pap. XVIII. 175 To loss by death of two
' horses before the machine commenced running. 1832
Massachusetts Stat. c. 75 § 4 Every cart, wagon, or other
machine, drawn by two or four oxen. 1859 All Year Round
No. 19. 446, I got into the wrong machine [sc. a bathing-
machine] fir^st. 1893 H. Joyce Hist. Post Office xii. 215
In that year [1784], and for some little time afterwards,
coaches which carried the mails were called diligences or
machines, and the coachmen were called machine-drivers.
1894 Black Highland Cousins I. 37, 1 would bring a machine
and drive you up to the Drill-Hall.
+ C. Applied to a ship or other vessel. Obs.
1637 Hevwood Royal Ship 27 Shee [Pallas] hath (no doubt)
raptured our Undertaker This Machine to devise first, and
then make her. 1702 S. Parker tr. Cicero's De P'inibus v.
320 In vain upon the Canvas plays A wanton Gale. The
Machin stays Becalm'd with Harmony. 1717 W.Sutherland
{title) Britain's Glory or Ship-building Unveil'd, being a
General Director for Building and Compleating the said
j Machines, 1782 Crevecoeuk Lett. 220 [Slaves] carried in a
MACHINE.
strange machine over an ever agitated element, which they
had never seen before. 1807 Southf.y Esprielld's Lett. II.
155 We .. embarked upon the canal m a stage boat bound
for Chester. .. The shape of the machine resembles the
common representations of Noah's ark.
d. (See quot.) (Cf. sense 3.)
1883 S. Plimsoll in 19th Cent. July 147 The box ..is called
by many names, as ' van ', ' machine ', ' tank ', ' trunk ', &c.
Ibid. 162 The 'kit ' haddocks are put loose into what are
called machines. These machines are long boxes lined with
lead. .divided internally into four equal spaces.
2. A military engine, siege-tower, or the like.
Now rare. Chiefly Anc. Hist. ( = 1- machina .
1656 Blount Glossogr., Machine, an instrument or engine
i»f War. 1674 Ch. fy Court of Rome 4 These are the goodly
.Machines . . recommended to batter down the Protestant
Cause. 1732 Lediard Sethos II. ix. 277 He [raised] enor-
mous machines round about the city. 1839 Tmirlwall
Greece VI. xlix. 165 The besieged made many vigorous
sallies for the purpose of setting fire to the machines.
f3. An apparatus, appliance, instrument. Obs.
1650 Bulwek Anthropomct. 92 In the curious Machin of
speech, the Nose is added as a Recorder. 1707 Curios,
in Husb. -y Card. 27 The Microscope .. has been but lately
discover'd : for the Naturalists .. were not aided by that
Machine. 1727-41 Chambers Cycl., Racket is also a ma-
chine, which the savages of Canada bind to their feet, to
enable them to walk more coinmodiously over the snow.
fb. In immaterial sense: A de\icc, machina-
tion. Obs.
I595~6 <J. Eliz. Let. to Jas. VI [Camden Soc.) 113 In
wurdz . . of such waight, as, in honest dimars, bit may mar
the facon of diuelische machines, and erase the hartz of
treason-mynding men. /bid. 173 And how I mynde tokipe
my owne dores from my ennemis malice ; and so do wische
that our solide amitie may overthawrt thes develische ma-
chines.
4. In a narrower sense: An apparatus for apply-
ing mechanical power, consisting of a number of
interrelated parts, each having a definite function.
In recent use the word tends to be applied esp. to an ap-
paratus so devised that the result of its operation is not
dependent on the strength or manipulative skill of the work-
man ; thus the term printing-machine does not in ordinary
language include the hand-press, but is reserved for those
apparatus of later invention in which manual labour is super-
seded by the action of the mechanism.
1673 Ray Joum. Low C. 5 This kind of Machin is gene-
rally used., for raising up Water. 1756-7 tr. Keystcr's
Trav. (1760) II. 250 For raising this obelisk out of the
ground, .. Fontana contrived forty-one machines. 1822
Kobison Syst. Mech. Philos. II. 48 It is certain that the
account given in the ' Century of Inventions ' cuuld instruct
no person who was not sufficiently acquainted with the pro-
perty of steam to be able to invent the machine himself.
1851 Carpenter Man. Phys. iii. (ed. 2)96 Examining the
component parts of the Machine. — its springs, wheels, levers,
cords, pulleys, &c. 1881 Nik W. Thomson in Nature No. 619.
434 Windmills as hitherto made are very costly machines.
1888 Pall MallG. 13 Apr. 12 1 An Automatic Gas Machine.
. . The machine is charged with one of the first products of
petroleum, or gasolene.
fig. 1749 Fielding Tom Jones vi. ii, The great state wheels
in all the political machines of Europe. 1801 Wellington in
Gurw. Desp. (1S37) I. 342 Mote experience than we have yet
had of the operation of the court (of the manner in which
the machine works). 1809-10 Coleridge Friend xv. (18S7,)
64 To expose the folly and the legerdemain of those who
have thus abused the blessed machine of language. 1876
L. Stephen Eng. Th. in iZth Cent. II. ix. iii. 19 The
Church was excellent as a national refrigerating machine.
b. Used spec, for the particular kind of machine
with which the speaker is chiefly concerned ; e.g.
short for sewing-machine, printing-machine. Also,
in recent use, often for a bicycle or tricycle.
1841 Penny Cycl. XIX. 20/1 A sheet of paper is.. put into
the machine by one attendant and taken out printed on both
sides by the other attendant. 1883 Stubmy Tricyclisfs Ann.
(ed. 3) 126 A glance at the tricycle trade ..with full descrip-
tion of upwards of 250 machines, /bid. 190 A well-made
machine, and the easiest, .folded tricycle in the market.
c. Applied to the human and animal frame as a
combination of several ports. (Cf. sense 1.)
Now chiefly with metaphorical intention.
1602 Shaks. Ham. it. ii. 124 Thine euermore most deere
Lady, whilst this Machine is to him. 1687 Death's Vis. ix.
130 What Nobler Souls the Nobler Macliins Wear. 1609
Garth Dispcns. v. 54 And shall so useful a Machin as I
Engage in civil lhoyls, I know not why? 1712 Addison
Spat. No. 387 F 2 Cheerfulness is.. the best Promoter of
Health. Repinings . . wear out the Machine insensibly.
1722 QuiNCV Lex. Phys.-Mcd. (ed. 2) 17 Until some Authors
. . have demonstrated the Laws of Circulation in an Animal
Machine. 1804 WoRDfiW. ' She was a Phantom of delight'
22 And now I see with eye serene Tlie very pulse of the
machine. 1805 Med. Jmt. XIV. 181 When a product of
diseased action has been effected, . . in consequence of which
the machine becomes again sensible to the impressions of
ordinary causes. 1876 Pheece & SlWWRIGHT Telegraphy
114 The human machine tires, and as a' consequence not
only is the speed of working reduced, but [etc.].
d. A combination of parts moving mechanically,
as contrasted with a being having life, conscious-
ness and will. Hence applied to a person who
acts merely from habit or obedience to rule, with-
out intelligence, or to one whose actions have the
undeviating precision and uniformity of a 'machine*.
1692 Bentlev Boyle Lect. 59 If brutes be supposed to be
bare engins and machins. 177^9 A. Hamilton Wks. (1886)
VII. 565 The nearer the soldiers approach to machines,
perhaps the better. 1809-10 Coleridge Friend (1865) jw
Man must be free ; or to what purpose was he made a spirit
of reason, and not a machine of instinct ? 1820 Hvron Afar.
Fal. 1. ii. 302 They are .. mere machines, To serve the
nobles' most patrician pleasure, 1830 Carlylk in Froqde
MACHINE.
Lift- 11S82) II. 90 Wherefore their system [Utilitarianism] is
a machine and cannot grow or endure. 1866 Geo. Eliot
/'". Holt (1868) 18 I'll have old Hickes. He was a neat little
machine of a hutler. 1890 ' L. Falconer * Mile, Ixe (1891)
108, I believe women think horses are machines, and made
of cast-iron too. 1895 Outiug (U. S.) Dec. 248/2 Too much
preparation .. makes a man a mere machine, set to go off
at a particular day.
5. Meek, Any instrument employed to transmit
force, or to modify its application. Simple ma-
chine : one in which there is no combination of
parts, e. g. a lever, or any other of the so-called
mechanical powers* Compound machine : one
whose efficiency depends on the combined action
of two or more parts.
[An artificial extension of sense 4, the notion of complexity
implied in that sense being treated as unessential.]
1704 J. Harris Lex. Tcchn., Machine, or Engine, in
Mechanicks, is whatsoever hath Force sufficient either to
raise or stop the Motion of a Jiody. .. Simple Machines are
commonly reckoned to be Six in Number, viz. the Ballance,
Leaver, Pulley, Wheel, Wedge, and Screw. . . Compound
Machines, or Engines, are innumerable. 1831 Lardnlk
Hydrost. ii. 10 By this singular power of transmitting pres-
sure, a fluid becomes, in the strictest sense of the term, a
machine. 1839 (1. Bird Nat. Philos. 60 By means of these
simple machines it must not be supposed that we beget or
increase force. 1866 I>k. Argyll Reign Law ii. (ed. 4) 90
A man's arm is a machine.
6. Tkeatr, [*=L. machiua.] A contrivance for the
production of stage-effects. Also in pi. — stage-
machinery. Obs. exc. in occasional allusion to the
ancient stage.
1658 Hist. Q. Christina 225 This play succeeded very
well, especially for the admirable beauty and finenesse
of the machins. 1681 Cotton Wond. Peak (ed. 4) 9 Like
a Machine which, when some god appears, We see de-
scend upon our Theaters. 1687 Settle Rcjl. Dryden
56 The Poet if he had thought on't, might have intro-
duced her by a Machin. 1712-1$ Pope Rape Lock iv.
46 Now lakes of liquid gold, Elysian scenes, And crystal
domes, and angels in machines. 1720 Dk Foe Duncan
Campbell (1895) 177 She .. descended into that room full of
company, as a miracle appearing in a machine from above.
1741 Betterton Eng. Stage i. 9 Adorned, .with all the
.Machines and Decorations, the Skill of those Times could
afford. (71845 Hood Vauxhall vii, Time's ripe for the
Ballet, Like bees they all rally liefore the machine! 1873
Browning Red Cot t. A't. -cap 124 Forth steps the needy tailor
on the stage, Deity-like from dusk machine of fog.
7. Hence in literary use: A contrivance for the
sake of effect ; a supernatural agency or personage
introduced into a poem ; the interposition of one
of these.
1678 Dryden CEdifus Epil. 10 Terror and pity this whole
poem sway ; The mightiest machines that can move a
play. 1693 — Juvenal Ded. (1697) 13 His [Milton'*]
Heavenly .Machines are many, and his Human Persons are
but two. 1700 — Fables Pref, Wks. (Globe) 49S Virgil
never made use of such machines, when he was moving
you to commiserate the death of Dido. 1705 Addison
Italy 425 The Apparition of Venus comes in very pro-
perly . . for without such a Machine . . I can't see how the
Heroe could .. leave Neoptolemus triumphant. 1712 —
Sped. No. 351 r 5 The changing of the Trojan fleet
into Water-Nymphs . . is the most violent Machine of the
whole ./Eneid. 1713 Stickle Guardian No. 130P20, 1 come
now to consider the machines ; a sort of beings that have
the outside and appearance of men, without being really
such. 1715 Pope Iliad I. Pref. B 4 b, The Marvelous Fable
includes whatever is supernatural, and especially the Ma-
chines of the Gods. 1716 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. to
PoPe 14 Sept., The story of the opera . . gives opportunities
for a great variety of machines. 17*7 Pope, etc. Art 0/
Sinking 120 [Recipe] for the Machines; Take of deities,
male and female, as many as you can use. 1756-83 J,
Warton Ess. Pope (ed. 4) I. iv. 230 These machines are
vastly superior to the allegorical personages of Koileau and
Garth. 1765 H. Walpole Otranto (ed. 2) Pref., The actions,
sentiments, conversations, of the heroes and heroines of
ancient days were as unnatural as the machines employed to
put them in motion. 1774 Warton Hist. Ens. Poetry III.
xxiii. 83 It has nothing, except the machine of the chime, In
common with Fabylt's Ghoste. > 1897 W. P. ICer Epic <y
Romance 36 The episodes of Circe, of the Sirens, and of
Polyphemus, are machines.
8. U. S. politics. The controlling organization of
a political party. Hence applied, with disparag-
ing emphasis, to organizations of more or less
similar character fan Kngland.
1876 H. V. Bovnton in Jr. Amer. Rev. CXXIII. 327 In
a word he encountered the combinations inside politics,-—
the machine. 1884 Lpool Mercury 18 Feb. 5/5 An election
which gives to Lord Randolph Churchill the practical
control of the Conservative electioneering machine. 1888
ISryce Amer. Commw. II. 111. lxvi. 498 The officials. .in
whose gift this patronage lies place it at the disposal of the
leaders of the Machine. Now there are three Machines in
New York ; two Democratic, because the Democratic party
..is divided into two factions,., and one Republican. 1890
Review of Rev. II. 602/1 His followers in Ireland, the men
of the machine, the members whom he nominated to their
constituencies, . . set about making noisy demonstrations in
his favour. 1892 Boston (Mass.) Jrnl. 29 Nov. 3/1 (heading)
The Machine Drops Senator Wm. S. McNary. 1901 N.
Amer. Rev. Feb. 255 The Nationalist Party ., are working
the machine with unflagging energy.
9. attrib. and Comb. a. simple attributive, as
(sense 4) machine-action , -drill, -electricity t -horse,
-room, -strap ; (sense 4 c!) machine-society ; (sense
8) machine-politician, -polities ; also machine-like
adj.; b. objective, as machine-breaking, -drawing,
-maker , -minder, -monger, -operator y -overseer,
8
-owner, -tender ; c. instrumental, with sense 'by or
with a machine*, esp. in contradistinction to what
is done by hand, as machine-drilling, 'printing,
-stitching; machine-closed, -cut, -divided, -driven,
-ginned, -wade, -planed, -ruled, -sewed, -stitched,
-welted, -wrought adjs.
1882 Rep. to Ho. Repr. Prec. Met. U. S. 593 The first of
these conditions .. is the strains of "machine action. 1832
Miss Mitfokd Village Ser. v. ir Several men had been
arraigned together for *machine-breaking. 1862 Catal.
Internal. Exhib. II. xxvii. 55 *Machine-closed uppers. 1897
Daily News 29 Mar. 8/7 A supply of large files . . to be
hand cut, *machine cut, or partly hand and partly machine
cut. 1900 Ibid. 2 Nov. 9/1 Machine-cut tobacco is affected
adversely by the heat engendered. 1902 Marshall Metal
Tools 7 A *machine-divided steel rule. 1887 D. A. Low
Machine Draw. Pref, *Machine drawing is simply the
application of the principles of descriptive geometry to the
representation of machines. 1877 Raymond Statist. Mines
A> Mining iyi The company has also determined to use
'machine drills in the mine. 1902 Westm. Gaz. 13 Oct. 7/3
Fine dust given off during the ^machine-drilling operations.
1901 Daily Citron. 29 May 3/7 A *machine-driven vehicle
naturally needs restrictions that do not apply to horse-
driven vehicles. 1843 Mill Logic in. ix. § 2 (1856) I. 450
Common, or "machine electricity. 1883 Times 27 Aug.
9/6 Fine *machine-ginned Broach [cotton], i860 Geo.
Eliot Mill on El. 1. viii, The depressed, unexpectant look
of a *machine-horse. 1880 L. Wallace Ben-Hur 117 The
*macbine-like unity of the whole moving mass. 1858
Greener Gunnery 431 Enfield "machine-made arms. 1899
Daily News 27 Nov. 3/1 Above the level of what are known
in America as ' machine-made plays \ 1813 Examiner
26 Apr. 262/j R. Roberts, Pudsey, Yorkshire, Machine-
maker. 1858 Simmonds Diet. Trade, Machine-maker . .
a constructive builder, who designs or supplies machines . .
to order. 1835 Ure Philos. Manuf. 213 From the hand-
openers the flax is carried to the heckling machines. Young
boys, called *machine-minders, . . tend them. 1876 J. Gould
Letterpress Printer (1893) 130 The machine-minder must
examine every sheet for some time. 1840 Gen. P. Thompson
Exerc. (1842) V.9 Everyman isa*machine-monger when the
question is of himself. 1896 Indianopolis Typogr. Jrnl. 16
Nov. 407 The man is a ""machine-operator on a city daily.
1899 Daily News 23 May 10 '6 Letterpress ^machine overseer
..seeks permanency. 1817 Cobhett Wks. XXXII. 363 Vio-
lences against "machine owners. 1888 Brvce A me r. Commw.
III. iv. Ixxix. 44 Committees are often formed in cities to
combat the 'Machine politicians in the interests of municipal
reform. 1893 'Times 26 Apr. 9/5 Irishmen exhibit a faculty
for assimilating the baser elements in the "machine politics
of America. 1897 Chiswick Press 4 They have obtained. .
greater facilities for "Machine Printing. 1878 Sala InGentt.
Mag. May 565 Much of his [G. Cruikshank sj .. foreground
work was. .' "machine-ruled ', instead of being free-handed.
1757 Mrs. Griffith Lett. Henry <y Trances (1767) 1. 8 When
I am confined to such "machine society . . I fancy I am got
into Powell's commonwealth. 1900 Daily News 19 May
6/5 White silk "machine-stitched in a pattern. 1899 Ibid.
28 Oct. 7/3 The coatbodice has "machine-stitching all round
the outlines, 1858 Simmonds Diet. Trade, * Machine-strap
make?; a manufacturer of leather and other connecting
bands. 1890 Spectator 8 Feb., The Emperor . . forgets the
"machine-tenders altogether. 1895 Daily News 16 Mar. 6/5
"Machine-welted work. 1867; W. Felkin {title) A History of
the "Machine- Wrought Hosiery and Lace Manufactures.
10. Special combs. : machine-bolt, a bolt with
a thread, and a square or hexagonal head (Knight
1884); machine-boy, a boy who attends to a
machine ; *h machine-driver, the-driver of a mail-
coach ; machine-gun, a mounted gun which is
mechanically loaded and fired, delivering a con-
tinuous fire of projectiles ; machine-head, a
head for a double-bass or guitar, having worms
and pinions, instead of pegs, for tightening the
strings; machine-holder (see quot.); machine-
man, one who works a machine (esp. a printing-
machine) ; also, a manager of the political machine
(see 8), a ( wire-puller'; machine-ruler, a machine
for ruling lines on paper (Ogilvie, 1882); machine-
shop, a workshop for making or repairing machines
or parts of machines ; also attrib. ; machine-tool,
a machine for cutting or shaping wood, metals, etc.,
by means of a tool, esp. one designed for use in a
machine-shop; machine-twist U.S., a kind of silk
twist, made especially for the sewing-machine
(Knight Suppl. 1884^,; f machine-vessel, a fire-
ship ; machine-whim (see quot.) ; machine-
work, j- (a) poetic 'machinery' (see sense 7) as
represented in art ; {b) work done by a machine,
as distinguished from that done by hand, esp. with
reference to printing.
1875 Southward Diet. Typogr., * Machine-boy, a boy
engaged in the machine-room for laying-on and taking-off
the sheets. 1893 "Machine-driver [see 1 b]. 1884 Knight |
Diet. Mech. Suppl., *Machine Gun. 1890 W. J. Gordon j
Foundry 26 We may as well say something here about the I
machine guns. 1844 G. Dodd Textile Manuf . vii. 213 He I
lets them [lace making machines] out at so much a day
to middlemen called '"machine-holders'. 1876 J. Gould
Letterpress Printer (1893) 125 My remarks must be taken
as those of a workman, . . not as those of a *machine-man ,
proper. 1883 Nation 21 June 520/3 The Republican Ma- ,
chine men are in possession of the regular party organiza- '
tion. 1890 Daily News 17 Feb. 3/3 For the last ten years
I have been employed as machine man at the London and
Tilbury Railway Works. 1897 Literature 13 Nov. 124/1 The
' machine-men ' of the printing-houses of Edinburgh. 1901 ;
Daily Chron. 10 Sept, 9/7 Pork and Beef Butcher.— Young
man wants Situation as machineman. 1856 Emerson Eng.
Traits, Wealth Wks. (Bohn) II. 70 'Tis a curious chapter ■
in modern history, the growth of the *machine-shop. 1898 |
MACHINERY.
Engineering Mag. XVI. 38 A pile of machine-shop scrap
containing 149 different things. 1861 W. Fairbairn Ad-
dress to Brit. Assoc. 64 It is to the exactitude and ac-
curacy of our *machine tools that our machinery of the
present time owes its smoothness of motion and certainty
of action. 1694 Llttrell Brief R el. (1857) III. 342, 2 'ma-
chine vessells, wherein were lodged some 100 chests of
powder to tear up all before it. 1811 Self Instructor 587
Vessels of war are . . a ketch, a machine-vessel, i860 Eng.
<r Eor. MiningGloss. (Cornwall Terms), * Machine-whim, a
rotary steam-engine employed for winding. 1711 Shaftesb.
Charact. (1737) 1 1 1. 384 The separate ornaments, independent
both of figures and perspective; such as the *machine-work
or divinitys in the sky.
Machine (mafrn), v. Also 5-6 machyne.
[In early use a. F. machiner, ad. L. mdchindri:
sec Machinate v. In later use f. Machine sb.]
f 1. a. trans. To contrive, plot; also, to resolve
that. b. inlr. To plot, devise schemes {against
a person). Obs.
< 1450 St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 523 Sho..machynd in hir
mynde for thy pat it was best for hir to fly. 1456 Sir G.
Haye Law Arms (S.T.S.) 64/6 The traytouris that had his
dede machynit had ordanyt [etc.]. 1484 Caxton Curial 12
Somme shal machyne by somme moyen to deceyue the.
1530 Palsgr. 616/1 He hath not onely machyned agaynst
me to make me lese my good, but also he hath machyned
my dethe. 1679 Gavan in Speeches Jesuits 7 As I never in
my life did machine, or contrive either the deposition or
death of the King.
2. trans. To form, make, or operate upon (e. g.
to cut, engrave, make, and esp. to print, to sew) by
means of a machine.
1878 Sala in Geutl. Mag. May 565 Some of the.. plates
. .seem tobe. .machined. 1881 Greener Gun 246 The work
is fitted into slots machined under the body of breech-
action. 1886 Besant Childr. Gibeon n. xxv, Making
shirts, machining men's coats [etc.]. 189a Times 31 Dec. 12/t
A book put in type in America, and only 'machined' by
them. 1896 Lh-ing Topics Cycl. (N. V.) II. 260, 5 [rifled
guns] were well advanced, and the parts for the remainder
were nearly all forged and some of them machined. 1901
Census Schedule, Instructions, Sewing machinists should
name the article they machine — as Boot Machinist.
3. To place (a tree) on the transplanting machine.
1827 Stelart Planter s G. (1828) 247 It is a material con-
sideration so to machine the Tree, as that its lee-side
branches, . . should, if possible, be uppermost on the pole.
4. a. ?ionce-use. Jig. To manage, work (a project,
etc.) like a machine, b. To furnish (a tale) with
the machinery of a plot.
1881 H. Labolchere in Daily Neivs 22 Mar. 6/3 The
paper was machined by your father. 1889 Academy 1 June
374/2 It is not, as a story, very cunningly machined.
+ 5. intr. To appear, as a god, from a * machine' ;
to serve the function of a poetic ' machine '. Obs.
1697 [see Machining///, a.].
Hence 'M.&chi' ned ppl. a.
1891 R. Bukhanan Coming Terror 149 Highly finished,
perfectly machined. 1891 Wheeling 25 Feb. 399 AH sorts
of lamps, bells, spanners, and machined parts. 1893 Daily
News 13 June 5/6 The mechanically machined amendments
not evoking any interest.
Machineel, -elle : see Manchineel.
Macllineful (majrnful). nonce-wd. [See
-FCL 2.] As much as a machine will hold.
1890 ' K. Boldrewood ' Miner's Right (1899) 66/2 Enough
to complete a machineful of wash-dirt.
Machiner (maj/'nai). [f. Machine sb. + -er V]
1. One who works a machine a. for transplanting
trees; b. for sewing; a sewing-machine.
1837 Steuart Planter's G. (1828) 246 Whom [sc. the planter]
I have ventured todenominate the Machiner. . . The Machiner
. .at once ascertains the side, upon which the Tree can be
best laid along the pole. 1888 Times 20 Sept. 7/4 Mr. M.
never knew a good machiner who would work for less than
six shillings a day.
2. A horse employed to draw a * machine* or
vehicle; a post-, stage-, coach-, or van-horse.
1835 Sir G. Stephen Adv. Search Horse xv. (1841) 210
Machiners, as they are called, that is, post-horses, or stage-
horses. 1854 Knight Once upon a Time I. 156 Hence
stage-coach horses were called 'Machiners1. 1857 Mus-
crave Pilgr. into Dauphini I. xiii. 203 The Poncheron
horse . . is . . the favourite 'machiner' in this part of the
country. 1875 ' Stonehenge ' Brit. Sports 11. 111. i. § 2.
518 The ordinary hunter .. comprehends every variety be-
tween the one described above and the heavy machiner.
Machinery (majrneri). Also 8 maehinary.
[f. Machine so. t -ery. Cf. F. machineries]
1. Theatr. and literary. +a. Stage appliances
and contrivances. (Cf. Machine sb. 6.) Obs. exc. as
in 2. b. The assemblage of 'machines' (Ma-
chine sb. 7) employed in a poem ; supernatural
personages and incidents introduced in narrative
or dramatic poetry.
1687 \VinsT\HLEY Lives Poets 216 Vying with the Opera's
of Italy, in the Pomp of Scenes, Marchinry [sic] and Musical
performance. 17x3 Steele Englishman No. 52. 336 His
Maehinary is not a Jargon of Heathenism and Christianity.
1714 Pope Rape Lock Ded., The Machinery, Madam, is a
term invented by the Critics, to signify that pan which the
Deities, Angels, or Daemons, are made to act in a Poem.
1756-82 J. Warton Ess. Pope (ed. 4) I.iv. 226 The insertion
of the machinery of the sylphs . . is one of the happiest
efforts of judgment and art. 1799 Han. More Fem.Educ.
(ed. 4) I. 40 Those who most earnestly deny the immor-
tality of the soul are most eager to introduce the machinery
of ghosts. 1848 Mrs. Jameson Sacr. * Leg. Art (1850) 129
The angels always allowable as machinery, have here a
particular propriety. 1861 O'Currv Led. MS. Materials
MACHINING.
!)
MACKENBOY.
Irish Hist. 242 The rules of these compositions permitted
the introduction of a certain amount of poetic machinery.
2. Machines, or the constituent parts of a machine,
taken collectively; the mechanism or 'works' of
a machine or machines.
1731 in Bailey vol.11. 1765 A. Dickson Treat, Agric,
(ed. 2) 219 The more machinery there is in any instru-
ment, it is the more liable to he broken. 1776 Adam
Smith IV. iV. 1. xi. (1869) I. 256 In consequence of better
machinery . . a much smaller quantity of labour becomes
requisite. 1803 Med. Jrnl. IX. 291 The communication
is then formed and interrupted" alternately by means of
machinery. 1871 Yeats Tcchn. Hist. Comm. 180 Lock-
making was undoubtedly the parent of much of our ma-
chinery. 1878 Tevons Prim. Pol. Econ. 73 Spinning
machinery, which can do an immense quantity of work
compared with the number of hands employed.
b. transf. andyS^.
1770 Junius Lett. xl. 206 note, Luttrell,. .for whom the
whole machinery is put in motion, becomes adjutant-general.
1788 Gibbon Decl. <y F. 1. {1846) V. 12 The nice and artificial
machinery of the Greek and Roman republics. 1818 Hallam
Mid. Ages (1872) I. 461 The terrible and odious machinery of
a police. 1855 Macaulay//w/. Eng. xiv. III. 409 The whole
machinery of government was out of joint. 1859 Darwin
Orig. Spec. iv. (1878) 65 She [Nature] can act on the whole
machinery of life. 1876 Freeman Norm. Conq. V. xxiv. 404
Nor does the machinery of the court seem to have been
greatly altered.
c. A system or a kind of machinery. lit. andy%'-.
1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. hi. I. 290'rhe beacons. .were
regarded rather as curious relics of ancient manners than as
parts of a machinery necessary to the safety of the state.
1864 Spectator 438 The County franchise, .is.. a machinery
for returning anybody the local peers choose to nominate.
i866Carlyi.e Remin. (188 1) 1. 138 Little .. sea villages, with
their .. rude innocent machineries.
3. attrib.
1887 Daily News S July 2/5 There is now . . a machinery
hall, an agricultural hall, and an armoury. 1898 Engineer'
ing Mag. XVI. 100 A machinery installation.. should be
one source of energy.
Machining (maji"-nirj), vbl. sb. [f. Machine
v. + -ing 1.] The action of Machine v. in various
senses ; also attrib.
1560 Rolland Crt. Venus u. 173 We Intend on vther
machyning, In Musicall Airt, and diuers science. 1678 Dry-
den Kind Keeper Prol. 8 Now our machining lumber will
not sell, And you no longer care for Heaven or Hell. 1714
Pope Let. to Blount 27 Aug., Wks. 1737 I. 140 The machin-
ing part of poetry. 1827 Steuart Planter's G. (1828) 246
The Tree, being in readiness .. for removal to its new site,
the Machining of it (if I may be permitted the expression),
is a work deserving of .. particular attention. 1887 G. R.
Sims Mary Jane's Mem. 298 Many girls give up service . .
to work at shops and factories, and do machining. 1889
Athensenm 5 Oct. 453/2 The mistake .. of supposing that
anything will do for the sixpenny public — old type, bad
paper, and slovenly machining. 1890 Nature n Sept., The
sole machining, .consisting in, the formation of the bore and
the drilling of the vent. 1891 Econ. Jrnl. I. 638 The ma-
chining of trousers and waistcoats in London is performed
exclusively by women.
Machining (majrnin), ///. a. [f. Machine
v. + -ING-.] That machines; f appearing, as a
god, from a 'machine* ; serving the function of a
poetic 'machine'.
1697 Dryden JEneld Ded. (a) 3 b, If there had not been
more Machining Persons than Humane in his Poem, a 1700
— Ovid's Art of Love I. 120 The stage with rushes or with
leaves they strew'd, No scenes in prospect, no machining god.
Machinist (maj>nist). Also 8-9 erron. ma-
chinest. [orig. ad. F. machinislef I. machine ;
but prob. re-formed on Machine sb. + -ist.]
1. One who invents, makes or controls machines
or machinery ; an engineer.
1706 Phillips (ed Kersey), Machinist, an Inventer, or
Manager of Engines. #1774 Goldsm. Surv, Exp. Philos,
(1776) II. 29 The machinist that directed the whole was at a
loss, till a countryman taught him to shorten the cords by
the affusion of water. 1788 in Titles Patents (1854) I. 302
A grant unto Andrew Meikle . . engineer and machinist, of
his new invented mill or machine for separating corn, .from
the straw. ^ 1817 J. Bradbury Trav. Amer. 311 Prohibit-
ingthe emigration of manufacturers and machinists to the
United States. 1873 J. Richards Wood-working P"actories*
81 An operator of wood machinery should be a machinist.
Good operators are generally able to do ordinary repairs.
i8g$ Booth's Life $ Labour W. 86 The machinist's shop, for
planing, moulding, mortising, and turning, being now an
annexe of every large joinery works.
b. esp. with reference to the theatre: one who
constructs or manages the mechanical appliances
used for the production of scenic effects. Now rare.
*739 Cidber Apol. (1756) II. 67 A manager is to direct
and oversee the painters, machinists, musicians, singers, and
dancers. 1751 Beau-philosopher 227 The Machinest of the
Opera and his Wife, who were her Relations. ai8ooSTEEVENs
Note on Macb.t Plays Shaks. (1803) X. 324 Has the insuf-
ficiency of machinists hitherto disgraced the imagery of the
poet? 1806-7 J- Beresford Miseries Hum. £^(1826) v.
Conch, The accumulated crimes of author, composer, ma-
chinist. 1837 Hallam Hist. Lit. I. r. iii. § 107. 299 The
decorations of this theatre must have appeared splendid.. .
Nor was the machinist's art unknown. 1863 Kirk Chas.
Bold I. 471 'Histories'— a kind of dramatic representation,
in which the poet ..was forced to follow the inspirations of
the machinest.
e. Jig. (Cf. Machine 4^.)
1799 G. Wakefield in Mem. (1804) II. 409, [I] am no
political machinist, nor was ever occupied in., the fraudulent
intrigues of rival partisans.
2. One who works a machine, esp. a sewing-
machine.
Vol. VI.
1879 St. George's Hasp. Rep. IX. 577 The laundress, the
machinist, the signalman maybe persons who work hard on
scanty diet. 1888 Times 20 Sept. 7/4 A tailor's machinist.
1890 A nthony's Photogr. Bull. 1 1 1. 349 Such . . hardly rank
as photographers — they are machinists. 1901 Census Sche-
dule, Instructions, Such terms as. . Machinist ..must not be
used alone. Sewing Machinists should name the article they
machine.
3. A painter who works mechanically and by rule.
c 1801 rUSKLi in Lect. Paint, v. (1848) 461 Though the first
and greatest, Correggio was no mote than a machinist. 1879
Encycl. Brit, IX. 687/1 Franceschini . . is reckoned among
those painters of the decline of art to whom the general name
of ' machinist ' is applied.
4. U.S. a. An engine-room artificer or attendant.
1890 in Century Diet.
b. A ' machine ' politician (see Machine sb. 8).
1883 Nation 21 June 520/3 While the Machinists may be
willing to nominate 'good men', the Independents are re-
minded of the fact that [etc.], 1884 Goldw. Smith in
Coutemp. Rev. Sept. 320 The machine once fairly con-
structed and installed in power, the country is in the hands
of the machinists. 189a — in 19//* Cent. Sept. 347 There
was a struggle between the thoroughly 'machinist1 sectiorkof
the party and the section less loyal to the machine.
Machinize (majrnsiz), v. ff. Machine sh +*
-ize.] trans. To make into a machine ; to reduce
to the form and semblance of a machine. Hence
JWachinization, the action or process of making
into a machine ; the result of the process.
1856 Emerson Eng. Traits iii. 41 The traveller .. reads
quietly the Times newspaper, which, by its immense corre-
spondence and reporting, seems to have machini/ed the rest
of the world for hisoccasion. 1890 Jrnl. Educ. 1 Aug. 423/2
[Theirjadmirable discipline and organization almost amount
to Machinization.
1 Machinous, a. Obs.
!. [f. Machine sb.
+ -ous. Cf. L. mdchinosus.] Cunningly contrived.
1633 Marmion Fine Companion v. ii. K.2b, lie., stand in
his defence against all machinous Engines that shall bee
planted for the battery of his wit and fortune,
Macliinule (moe'kiniwl). [As if ad. L.
*machinulay dim. of machina Machine sb. : see
-ule. Cf. F. machinuk little machine.] A sur-
veyor's instrument for obtaining a right angle.
In some mod. Diets.
Machivell, obs. form of Machtavel.
II Macho (ma'tJV). U. S. [Sp. macho mullet.]
The Californian mullet (see quot.).
1882 Jordan & Gilbert Fishes N. Amer. (Bulletin U. S.
Nat. Mus. no. 16) 403 Mugil mexicanus Steindachner.
California Mullet ; Macho . . Pacific coast.
Machoinet, -an, etc. : see Mahomet, -an, etc.
Machopolyp (mce^p^rlip). Zool. Also -po-
lype, [f. Gr. pixy fight + Polyp.] A zooid
modified to serve a defensive function. (See quots.)
1883 W. S. Dallas [tr. Von Lendenfeld] in Ann. <$• Mag.
Nat. Hist. Oct. 250 Hamann explains the contents of the
nematophore as a modified polyp, for which he proposes the
designation * machopolyp \ 1888 Roli.fston & Jackson
Forms Atiim. Life (ed. 2) 758 The structures known as
nematophores, sarcotheca:, guard-polypes or macho-polyps
[sic] which are confined to the. . Plumularidae. Hid., In the
genus Aglaophenia .. the machopolypes are usually dis-
posed in a median and two lateral rows.
Machoun, obs. form of Mason.
Machoun (d, obs. form of Mahound.
Macht, obs. Sc. f. Might sb. and v., Matjgh sb.
Machumetan, -ist: see Mahometan, -ist.
-lliacliy, in actual use -omachy (^maki), repre-
sents the ending -fiaxia of certain Gr. sbs. with
the general sense * fighting, warfare', which are
derivatives of adjs. in -paxos with the general
sense ( that fights'; the root is that of fiax^oOat
to fight, /*ax7 battle. Of the Eng. words with
this ending, some are adoptions of actual Gr. words,
as logomachy ; others have been formed from Gr.
elements on Gr. analogies, as angelomacky ; the
ending has not been employed in hybrid formations.
t Macia'tion. Obs. [n. of action f. late L.
maciare, f. macies (see next) : cf. Emaciation.]
* A making lean' (Bailey 1727 vol. II).
II Macies (nu'i's^fz). Path. [L.] Emaciation.
1801 Med. Jrnl. V. 65 The leading circumstance in dia-
betes is the macies. 1889 in Syd. Soc. Lex.
ii Macigno (matjrn^). Geo/. [It. macigno.~\
An Eocene sandstone from the Italian Alps.
1832 De la Beciie Geol. Alan. fed. 2) 325 It [brown sand-
stone]. . is one of the macignos of the Italians.
Macileiice (mEe'silens). rare, [as if ad. L.
*maciientia, f. macilenttts Macilent : cf. F. maci-
lence.] Thinness, leanness.
1852 Eraser's Mag. XLV. 31 A certain gentility of style
..derived from the excessive macilence of his face and
figure. 1889 Syd.'Soc. Lex., Macilence, extreme thinness
of the whole or part of the body.
Macilency (mse'silensi). Now rare. [See
prec. and -ency.] Leanness, lit. and Jig.
1632 Sandys Ovia"s Metam. xiv. Notes 484 His [sc. a
Heron's] vigilant feare, . . macilency, and pittiful screamings.
1633 T. Adams Exp. 2 Peter'x. 6 These effects [of intemper-
ance] are,.. 2. Macilency of grace. 1798 C. Crowthek in
Beddoes Contrib. Phys. fy Med. Knmvl. (1799) 350 From a
state of extreme macilency [she] became obese. 1822 Black™.
Mag. XII. 525 On recollecting the macilency of the Pari-
sians, he justly inferred, that double the number of French
people might inhabit London.. without inconvenience.
Macilent (marsilent), a. Now rare. Also 6
ma-cilente. [ad. L. macilent-us lean.] Lean,
shrivelled, thin ; a. in material sense.
!■$& Stewart Cron. Scot. (1858) II. 512 With sic abun-
dance of exceidand sweit, His cumlte cors. .lene wes maid,
and macilent. 1607 Topsell Four-/. Beasts (1658) 1S1 If
they [goats] be fat, they are lesse veuereous then being maci-
lent or lean. 1647 Lilly Chr. Astrol. clxxvi. 747 Other
Significators represent a body somewhat dry, macilent,
erect and straight. 1683 W. Harris Pharmacologia xiv.
260 By reason of the exanguious macilent condition of the
Junctures after Feavers. 1755 in Johnson. 1865 Reader
2-3 Jan. 93/2 George I. seated at supper with the tall, maci-
lent, and ill-favoured Duchess of Kendal standing bolt up-
right behind him. 1871 M. Collins Inn Strange Meetings
4 Not Mephistophiles is macilenter Than the man.
b. Jig. Of verses : Jejune, poor.
1624 Bp. Mountagu Gagg 252 Thnt jejune and macilent
conceit of Zwinglius. 1658 J. R. tr. Moujfefs Theat. In-
sects 898 Balm : concerning which Macer sang these ma-
cilent verses. 1702 J. Howe Liv. Temple 11. xi. Wks. 1724
I. 240 So copious an effusion of the Holy Spirit, as will. .
make it spring up, out of its macilent wither 'd State, into
its primitive Liveliness and Beauty.
Macintosh : see Mackintosh.
Macis : obs. form of Mace sb.-
1* Mack j/'.1 Obs. Some game at cards.
1548 Forrest Pleas. Poesye 221 At ale bowse, too sitt,
at mack or at maU. 1592 Chettle Kind-Harts Dr. F,
Macke, Maw, Ruffe, Noddy, andTrumpe. 1602 Warner
Alb. Eng. ix. xlvi. 217 Hence arrant Preachers, humming
out a common. place or two, With bad, ill, naught, Pope,
pots, play, mack, keeping of fowle adoe.
Mack (msek) sb.~ Obs. exc. dial. Also 6 meke,
9 macks. [An unmeaning word, suggested either
by 'by Mary' or by ( by the Mass' (see Mass
sd.l). Cf. ' by the matte ' (Udall Roister D. IV. vii.
118), also Mackins and dial, megs.] In the phrase
By {the) mack! (also simply mack! as quasi-f/i/.),
an exclamatory form of asseveration.
c 1560 Misogonus iv. i. 55 (Brand!) Bith meke, Isbell. 1508
II. JoNSON Ev. Man in Hum. in. iv, Humour? mack,
I thinke it be so, indeed. 1599 Sir John Q ideas tie (1600)
C4, Now by the macke, a prettie wench indeed. 1638
Whiting Hist. Albino 130 Is not my daughter Maudge as
fine a mayd, And yet, by mack, you see she troules the
bowle. 1664 Cotton Starron. 1. 105 Uy the Mack.
f Mack j£.3 Obs. Variant of Mac ». Used con-
temptuously for : A Celtic Irishman. Also attrib.
[1596 Spenser State IreL Wks. (Globe ed.) 677/1 The Oes
and Macks, which the heads of the septs have taken to theyr
names.] 1617 Moryson ///;/. ir. 138, 1 cannot dissemble how
confident I am, to beate these Spanish Dons, as well as
euer I did our Irish Macks and Oes. 1681 Luttrell Brief
Rel. (1857) I. gr Another of these Mack Irish papists has
sworn that [etc.]. c 1688 New Tetany iii. in Third Collect.
Poems 8/1 Who's Rid, and Impos'd on, by many a score Of
Priests, Macks, and Footmen, his Q. and his Wh— .
Mack (meek), sbA slang. Also mac. [Short
for Mackerel-.] A pander.
1887 W. E. Henley Villon's Straight Tip ii. (F.), Fiddle,
or fence, or mace, or mack. 1894 Stead If Christ came to
Chicago 372 The procurers, the souteneurs and the ' macs *.
t Mack, a. Also 5 make, 5, 9 mak. [a. ON.
mak-r (found in compar. only). Cf. Mackly adv.,
and dial, mackerly, mackly adj., mack-like, macky
seemly, etc.] a. Apt, convenient, b. Neat, tidy.
c 1440 Promp. Parv. 321/1 Make, or fyt, and mete {MS.
K. mak, fyt, or esy), apt us, conveniens. 1825-80 Jamieson,
Mack, mak, neat, tidy ; Ro.xb.
Mack: see Black-mack. Mack, obs. f. Make.
Mackabaw, variant of Maccoboy.
f Mackabroin. Obs. rare — l. [Derived from
macabree : see Macabre.] An old hag.
1546 J. Heywood Prov. (1867) 6r Such an olde witche,
suche a mackabroyne, As euermore like a hog hangeth the
groyne, On hir husbande, except he be hir slaue.
t Mackallow. Sc. Obs. Also 7 mac(k)helve,
8 macalive. [Gael, macaladh fostering.] Some-
thing handed over to a foster-parent along with a
child for the benefit of the latter. Also attrib.
1580 in Black Bk. Taymouth, etc. (Bannatyne Club) 224
The said father and foster father giving between them of
makhelve guddis in donation to the said bairn at Beltane
thereafter the value of two hundred merks of ky [etc.]. 1671
Contract in Proc. Soc. Ant. Scot. XXX. (1896) 22 The
makhelve is 9 ky. 1678 Ibid. 20 Whilk wholl mackallow
goods.. the said Duncan and Margret oblidges them.. to
gress and pastur and hird to the behoofe of thersaid foster.
1775 Johnson Western 1st. Wks. X. 484 These beasts are
considered as a portion and called Macalive Cattle.
Mackar, obs. Sc. form of Maker.
Mackarel(l, variant of Mackerel1.
Mackaroon : see Macakook.
Mackassin, obs. form of Mocassin.
Mackaw s see Macaw.
t Maxkeler. rare~l. [ad. Du. makelaar, f.
makelen to negotiate. Cf. Mackle v.%] A broker.
1682 Scarlett Exchanges 9 Exchange is concluded, either
by the Mackelers or Brogers, alone betwixt themselves, or
by bringing the parties face to face.
f Mackeleredge. Obs. rare — 1, [ad. Du.
makelarij, f. makelaar Mackeler.] Brokerage.
1682 Scarlett Exchanges 177 The Factor, .must place his
Principal to account Courtagie and Mackeleridge.
t Macke nboy. Obs. Also 7 mackenbory,
mackinboy, makimboy, 7-9 makinboy. [a.
Irish meacan buidhe {an t-sleibhe) 'yellow root
68
MACKEREL.
(of the mountain) '.] An Irish spurge {Euphorbia
hiberna) said tohave powerful purgative properties.
1652 Hartlib's Lcgacie (ed. 2) App., Interrogatory, Mac-
eavtboy. Whether there he such a tiling at all, that this
herb .should purge the body meerly by external touch, or
whether it be a fable, [etc.] ? 1670 Km fatal. Plant. Aiiglix
299 Tithymtilits llibernicus, Makinboy. 167a Pettt Pol.
Anat. (1691) in What is said of the Herb Mackenbory
is fabulous. 1678 Phillips, Mackenboy, or Makimboy,n kind
of Spurge with a knotty Root, growing naturally in Ireland,
which being but carried about one, causeth the party to
fo often to stool 1687 Ashf. in Phil. Trans. XX. 294
'he famous Irish Herb called Mackenboy. 1816-20 T.
Green Univ. Herbal I. 543 Euphorbia Hibernica, Irish
Spurge.. .Native of Ireland. . where it is known by the name
of makinboy.
Mackerel1 (mx'karel). Forms: 3-6 mak-
erel(l, 5 makerelle, makyrelle, 4-7 macrel 1,
raakrell, 5 macrelle, 6 maequerell, 7 ma-
querel, 7-8 macril\l, mayeril, 6-8 maekrell,
7-9 maokrel, 4-9 raackerell, 7-9 maekarel, 8
maekarell, 7- mackerel, [a. OK. maierel (¥.
maquereait) of unknown origin.]
1. A well-known sea-fish, Scomber scomber, much
used for food, that approaches the shore in shoals
in summer-rime for the purpose of spawning.
c 1300 Ilavelok 758 Keling he tok, and tumberel, Hering,
and be makerel. a 1377 Abingdon Ace. (Camden) 38 In
mak.rell, xxxiijf. e 1425 Voc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 642/2 Hie
megarits, makyrelle. c 1460 J. Rlssell/j^. A'«;/Krt'55SMer-
lynge, makerelle. 1530 Palsgr. 241/2 Maequerell a fysshe,
tnacquerel. 1573'l'ussER llnsb. xii. (1878)28 When Maekrell
ceaseth from the Seas, John Baptist brings grassebeafe and
pease. 1601 Chester Love's Mart., Dialogue Ixxix,
Sommer lotting Maekrell. 1623 Miudleton & Rowley
Sft. Gipsy in. li, Had fortunes are like mackerel at mid-
summer, a 1658 Cleveland Poor Cavalier 51 Thou shalt
. . Uait Fishes Hooks to couzen Mackrels Lips. 1704 SwiF r
T. Tub Conclus., A book that misses its tide, shall be
neglected.. like maekarel a week after the season. 1741
Compl. Fain. -Piece 1. iii. 214 Slit your Mackrel in halves,
take out the Roes, gut and clean them. 1789 Mits. Piozzi
jfourn. France 1. 2 Shoals of mayeril. 1870 Yeats Nat. Hist.
Comm. 321 Mackerel will bite at almost any bait.
b. In proverbs and proverbial expressions.
1760 Koote Minor 1. Wks. 1799 I. 238 You can be secret
as well as serviceable? . . Mute as a mackrel. 1819 Metro-
polis III. 154 We were as mute as maekarel for exactly
seven minutes and a half. 1890 Hall Caine Bondman it,
xiii, Was he throwing a sprat to catch a mackerel 't
2. Applied with qualifying word to other fishes,
t Great mackerel, 1 the tunny. Spanish mackerel,
f (a) the tunny, {b) in England the Scomber colias,
{c) in U. S. the Scomberomerus viacitlatiis. See
also HOBSE-MAOKEKEL.
a 1672 Willughby Icthyogr. (1686) Tab. M. 1 Thynnus
sive Thunnns Cesn. Spanish Mackerel. 1700 Dampibk
Voy. (1729) III. I. 414 The Great Maekarell is 7 Foot long.
1832 Couch in Mag. Xat. Hist. V. 22 Spanish Maekarel
(Scombe r macu latus). 1880 Gunther Fishes 457 S[comber\
colias . . often called ' Spanish ' Mackerel.
3. Angling. Short for mackerel-Jiy.
1799 G. Smith Laboratory II. 311, 1. Maekarel. Dubbing,
of light brown camel's hair. 1864 Intell. Observ. VI. 152
A By known to anglers as the mackerel.
4. at/rib. and Comb. , as mackerel-catcher, -fishery,
-fleet, -gaff, -smack ; f mackerel-back sb. (see
quot. 01700); mackerel-back, -backed adjs.,
t (a) slang, long-backed ; (b) said of clouds, sky : see
mackerel-sky ; mackerel-bait, a fisherman's name
for jelly-fish (Cent. Vict.) ; mackerel-bird, local
name for the wryneck and the young kittiwake (see
quots.) ; mackerel-boat, a boat for mackerel-fish-
ing ; ' a stout clinch-worked vessel, with a large fore-
sail, spritsail, andmizen' (Smyth Sailor s Word-bk.);
mackerel-bob, a four-pointed fish-jig, for catching
mackerel; mackerel-breeze, a breeze that ruffles
the water, so as to favour the catching of mackerel
(cf. mackerel-gale) ; hence mackerel-breezy a. ;
mackerel-clouds (see mackerel-sky) ; mackerel-
cock, a local name for the Manx Shearwater
(Newton) ; mackerel-cry, the hawker's cry of
' new mackerel ' ; mackerel-fly Angling, a species
of May-fly, also an artificial fly imitating this;
mackerel-gale, a strong breeze such as mackerel
are best caught in ; mackerel-guide, a local name
for the gar-fish ; mackerel-gull, a name in U. S.
for the tern ; mackerel-midge, the young of the
rockling (Motella) (Gunther); f mackerel-mint,
common mint (Mentha viridis) ; mackerel-pike,
any fish of the genus Scombresocidx ; a saury (_ Cent.
Diet.); mackerel-plough, a knife used for creas-
ing the sides of lean mackerel in order to improve
their appearance (Knight Diet. Mech. 1884) ;
mackerel-scad, an American fish, Decapterus
macarellus ; mackerel - scout -= mackerel - guide ;
mackerel-shark, a name for the porbeagle ; mack-
erel-sky, a sky dappled with small white fleecy
clouds (cirro-cumulus) ; mackerel-sture, a north-
ern name for the tunny.
a 1700 B. E. Diet. Cant. Crew, * Mackarel-back, a very
tall, lank Person. 1844 H. Stephens Bk. of Farm I. 249 At
other times it is .. mottled like a mackerel's back, when it
is called the'mackerel.back sky'. 1888 Pall Mall "G. 11 Sept.
1/2 In some places the clouds were what we sailors call 'mack-
10
! erel back', 1785 Grose Diet. Vulg. Tongue, * Maekarel
backed, long backed. 1865 Intell. Observ. VIII. 257 Cirro-
■ cumulus, or a 'mackerel-backed ' sky. 1879 Cecil, Smith
Birds of Guernsey 94 The Wryneck .. arriving .. about
ihe same time as the mackerel, wherefore it has aUo ob-
tained the local name of ' 'Mackerel Bird*. 1882-4 Y a k-
- kell Brit* Birds (ed. 4) III. 654 Mr. Cordeaux says that
1 the Flamborough fishermen call the young Kittiwakes
I Mackerel-birds ', because they usually appear at sea with
their parents in August when the fish are approaching the
coast. 1768 Ann. Keg. 120 A premium, .for encouraging the
J *inackerel-boats to bring their fish to market. 1883 fisheries
Exhib. Catal. 195 *Mackerel bob formerly used by New
England fishermen for the capture of mackerel without the use
I of bait. 175X Smollett J'er. Pic. (1779) II. xiv. 209 They
: tacked to and fro in the river under the impulse of a ^mackerel
breeze. 1843I.E Fevke /-//*■ Trav. Phys. III. ill. L 89ltwas
! blowing a maekarel breeze only. 1834 K. M.udie Brit. Birds
(1841) I. 2 It is oneof those *mackerel-breezy days on which
! the surface of the water just dances and dimples. 1614 Etig.
1 way to wealth va //art. Misc. (Malh.j 111. 244 The fishermen*
I *mackarel-catchers. 1830 N. S. Whf.aton yrul. 510 *Mack-
! arel clouds.. are hung around the horizon. 177a Rutty Nat*
] Hist. Co. Dublin I. 329 The * Mackarel-Cock. .a bird of pas-
sage coming to us in June and July, about the time of the
I Mackarels. . . It is commonly as big as a Cormorant [etc.].
. ^714 Gay Trivia 11. 310 Ev'n Sundays are prophan'd by
"Maekrell Cries. 1883 HYxley Addr. Eishery Congress 18
i June 16, I believe then that the .. ^mackerel-fishery, and
1 probably all the great sea-fisheries, are inexhaustible. 1894
II all Cai\k Manxman 425 The mackerel fleet were leaving
for Kinsale. 1829 Glover** Hist. Derby I. 177 Lesser
hackle fly, *mackerel fly [etc.]. 1883 Eisheries Exhib.
Catal. 195 *Mackerel gaff., used by New England fisher-
I men. 1577-87 Harbison Englandx. x. in Holinslud I. 45/1
Scarse comparable to the *makerell gale, 1687 Dryden
Hind#f P. in. 456 The wind was fair, but blew a mackrel
gale. 1769 Pennant /.ool. III. 222 This fish [mackrel] is
easily taken by a bait, but the best time is during a fresh
gale of wind, which is thence called a mackrel gale. 1835
Jknyns Man. Brit. Vert. Auim. 419 Beloue vulgaris...
From its usually preceding the Mackerel, is sometimes
called the 'Mackerel-Guide. 1796 Nemmch Polygl.-Lex,
Nat. Hist. v. £20 *Mackarel gull Larits ridibundus. 1883
Century Mag. Sept. 653/1 Among the most common birds
are the. .tern or mackerell-gull. 1832 Coucn in Mag.
Nat. //ist. V. 16 It is the 'mackerel midge of our fishermen,
to whom it is well known, i860 Gosse Pont. Nat. Hist.
149 The mackerel-midge . . never surpasses an inch and a
quarter in length. 1597 Gerarde Herbal u. cexv. 553 The
third [Mint] is called .. in English Speare Mint, . . Browne
Mint, and *Macrell Mint. 1880-4 *. Day Brit. Eis/ies II.
148 In Ireland horn-eel (Belfast Bay) ; * mackerel-scout
(Strangford Lough). 1669 Worudce Syst. Agric. (1681) 295
In a fair day, if the sky seem to be dapled with white Clouds,
(which they usually term a *Mackarel-skyt it usually pre-
dicts Rain. 1883 R. H. Scott Elem. Meteorol. 126 Small
detached rounded masses [of cloud].. like the markings of
a mackerel, whence the name 'mackerel sky'. 1697 Loud.
Gas. No. 3295/3 An open Pinnace, .came into the Downes,
.. put on Board a *Mackrel Smack, and carried away the
Master. 177a Barrington \x\Phil. 'Trans. LXIL 31OH0/V,
The tunny fish [are caught] on the coast of Argyleshire, ..
where they are called *mackrel sture.
t Maxkerel -. Obs. Forms : 5-6 makerel(l,
makrel(l, 5-7 ma(c)querel, 7 maquerell^e,
mackarel(l, -erel(le, macrell ; also in quasi-
Italian form maquerel(l)a. [ad, OF. maquerel
(F. maquereait, maqacrelle) of unknown origin ;
possibly the same word as Mackerel1; some
have conjectured that it is from Du. makelaar
broker.] One who ministers to sexual debauchery ;
a bawd, pimp, procurer or procuress.
1426 Lydg. DeGuil. Pilgr. 13478 Glotonye: Yiff thow me
calle . . Lyk as I am, A Bocneresse, Or in ffrench . . I am callyd
a Makerel, Whos offyce..Ys in ynglysshe bauderye. 1483
Caxton Cato Bvij, Nyghehys howsdwellyd a maquerel or
bawde. 1513 Douglas JEneisw. Prol. 192 Sic poyd makrellis
for Lucifer bene leche. 1585 Jas. I Ess. Poesie (Arb.) 27, 1 no
wais can, vnwet my cheekes, beholde My sisters made by
Frenchemen macquerelsolde. (iioooMontgomerieoV;/;/. lxx.
8 Quhy maks thou makrels of the modest Muses, a 1613 Sir
T. Overbury A Wife, etc. (1638) 142 A Maquerela, in plaine
English, a Bawde. 1630 J. Taylor (Water P.) Gt. Eater
Kent Wks. 1. 143/1 Some get their liuing. .by tayles.as Ma-
querellaes, Concubines, Curtezanes [etc.]. < 1645 Howkll
Lett. 11. xxiv, The Pander did his Office, but brought him
a Citizen clad in Damoisells apparell, so she and her Ma-
querell were paid accordingly. 1658 in Phillips, a 1700 in
B. E. Diet. Cant. Crew.
t Mackerelage. Obs. In 7 maquorelage.
[a. F. maqtterelage, f. *maquerel, maquereau : see
prec] The services of a bawd or pander.
1602 Florio Montaigne u. vii. (1632) 211.
Mackereler (mre*kereh.i). [f. Mackerel1 +
-er 1.] a. One who goes mackerel- fishing, b. A
boat used in mackerel-fishing.
1883 C/iamb, Jrnl. 272 Here is a model of that vast net
used by the mackereler. 1886 Century Mag. XXXII. 824
The mackerelers do not keep together so much as formerly.
Mackereling (m^-km-lin), vbl. sb. [f. Mack-
erel1 + -ING1.] Fishing for mackerel.
1887 Goode, etc. Eisheries of U. S. v. II. 604 Men who go
mackereling.
Maekeroon, variant of Macaroon.
Mackinaw (marking). The name (also written
Mackinac) of an island in the strait between Lakes
Huron and Michigan ; occurring in the following |
collocations. Mackinaw blanket, also simply
Mackinaw, a thick blanket, such as used to
be distributed to the Indians of the North-west
by the U.S. government. Mackinaw (boat), a
large flat-bottomed sharp-ended boat, used on the
MACKNINNY.
I Great Lakes. Mackinaw trout, the lake-trout
' (see Trout).
1841 Catlin N. Amer. Ind. (1844) I. x. 73 A mackinaw-
boat, capable of carrying 50 or 100 casks. 1851 Mayne Reiu
Scalp Hunt. iii. 22 My ' Mackinaw * .. makes my bed by
night and my great coat on other occasions. 1876 G. B.
Goode An im. Resources U.S. 41 Lure-fish used in taking
Mackinaw trout. 1901 Longm. Mag. J an. 218 Sedate family
boats with three pairs of oars, mackinaws with white sails
light in the fresh breeze.
Mackinboy, variant of Mackenboy Obs.
Mackins (mx-kinz). Obs. exc. dial. Also 6
meckiuse.7makin(g)s,7-Smackings,Smaakins,
9 dial, macklins, makkers, etc. : see E. D. D.
[Formed as Mack ^ with suffix -kin frequent in
similar words.] Used in the asseverative exclama-
tion By [the] mackins. (Cf. Mack sh.*)
c 1560 Misogonus in. iii. 73 (Brand!) Bith meckinse. 1605
Loud. Prodigal 11. ii. C, A by the mackins. good syr Lance-
lot. 1654 Gay ion Pleas. Notes in. ii. 75 Twas well thought
on, by the mackins. 1694 Eciiabo /'lautus 12 By the
Mackins, I believe Phebus has been playing the Good- Fellow.
1697 Vanbklgh Kelapse iv. i. (1708.' 40 Eashion. Pray ac-
cept of this small Acknowledgment. Nurse. (Aside.) Gold,
by makings, your Honour's goodness is too great. 1887
.S. Cheshire Gloss, s.v. By, By the makkins.
Mackintosh (mse*kint£p. Also macintosh.
1. The name of Charles Macintosh (1766-1843),
applied at t rib. to designate garments made of the
waterproof material invented by him (patent no.
4804, 17 June 1823), consisting of two or more
layers of cloth cemented together with india-rubber.
Now viewed as an attributive use of 3, and written
with small initial.
1836 Murray's //audbk. N. Germ. p. xx. A Mackintosh
cloak is almost indispensable. 1849 Brit. Q. Rev. Feb. 5
Old port, tender mutton and Mackintosh capes are excellent
things, no doubt. 1853 Reaoe Chr. Johnstone 227 A
fisherman's long mackintosh coat. 1859 W. Collins Q. 0/
Hearts (1875) 39 Jessie put on my mackintosh cloak.
2. Short ior Mackintosh cloak, coat. etc. Also
Comb., as ?nackintosh-maker.
1836 Frith Let. 18 Oct. in Autobiog. (1888) III. 61, I like
the mackintosh very much. 1840 Longf. in Life (iZqi) I.
365 Sumner striding down Hancock Street in his white
mackintosh. 1842 Barium Iugol. Leg., Misadv. Margate
xiv, I could not see my Macintosh. . Nor yet my best white
beaver hat. 1851 fttuslr. Lond. News 5 Aug. (1854) 119/1
Macintosh-maker. 1871 Carlyle in Mrs. Carlyle's Lett. I.
141 Wrapt in an old dressing-gown with mackintosh buttoned
round it. 1900Q. Rev.JvAy 56 The bodies of officers having
been buried in mackintoshes had not so disappeared.
3. The material of which ■ Mackintosh ' garments
are made; now applied to any cloth made water-
proof by a coating of india-rubber. Also attrib.
1880 MauCokmac Antisebt. Surg. 170 The mackintosh
should be dipped, shortly before use, in carbolic solution.
1889 Lancet 27 Apr. 830/1 The bed is covered with a mack-
intosh sheet. 1896 AlllmtVs Sxst. Med. I. 429 If necessary,
a square of mackintosh is placed under the draw-sheet. 1899
/bid. VIII. 579 India-rubber or mackintosh coverings are
certainly effectual.
Mackle, made (mark*l), sb. Printing, [ad.
F. macule, ad. L. macula spot. Cf. G. makel spot,
stain.] A blur in printing; a doubling of the im-
pression ; also, a blurred sheet. (Cf. Macule sb.)
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Macutature, or Made, a waste
Sheet of printed Paper. 1825 Hansard Typographia 928
Mackle, when part of the impression on a page appears
double, owing to the platten's dragging on the frisk et. 1871
Amer. Encycl. Printing i&&. Ringwalt)s.v., If the frame of the
tympan rubs against the platen, it will cause a slur or mackle.
1888 Ja< obi Printirs' I 'ocab., Mackle, a printed sheet with
a slurred appearance.
Mackle, made (mark'l), v.1 Printing, [f.
Mackle sfJ] a. trans. To blur, spot, or spoil
(a sheet of paper) ; also (now usually) to print
(a page) blurred or double, b. intr. Of the paper :
To become blurred or spoiled. v.Cf. Macule v.)
Hence Ma'ckled ppl. a., Mackling vbl. sb.
1594 R. Ashley tr. Loys le Roy 22 On a double tympan
or parchinin (hauing a wollen cloth betwixt them) and a
moyst linnen cloth to keepe the leafe from mackling. 1724
Bailey, Mackled, blotted or daub'd in Printing. 1867 I-ry
Ptaying-Card Terms in Philol. Soc. Trans. 56 To Mackle,
To Macule, v. a. To spot, stain, soil ; to set off newly
printed or painted work. Mackled, adj. Spotted, stained,
soiled. Macktiugs, M 'ack ling-paper, Mackling-sheets, soil-
ing-paper; sheet of paper put between printed sheets of
playing-cards, to prevent rubbing, setting-off, and soiling.
Mackle, v£ Obs.-° [ad. Du. makelen to
offer for sale.] intr. 'To sell weavers' goods
to shop-keepers ' (Bailey 1724).
Hence +Ma*ckler, a seller of weavers' goods
(Bailey 1731 vol. II).
Mackless, variant of Makeless a.1 and 2.
t Ma'dtly, ado. Obs. In 5-6 makly. [f. Mack
a.+ -LY -.] livenly, aptly, easily.
c 1440 Promp. Pari: 321/2 Makly, or esyly, faciliter
(P. apte). 1513 Douglas Etna's v. xiv. 32 The windis
blawis full evin and rycht inakly.
1 Mackni'liny. Obs. rare—1, [a. It. mac-
chinine, pi. dim. of maahina Machine sb.] ?A
pup pet -show.
a 1734 North Exam. 111. viii. § 12 11740) 590 He .. could
. .represent emblematically the Downfall of Majesty ; as in
his Raree-Show and Mackninny.
Mackrel, -ell, obs. forms of Mackerel,
MACLE.
Made (mse'k'l). See also Mascle. [a. V
mack, ad. L. macula spot, mesh.]
L Cryst. A hemitropic or twin crystal. Also
attrib. [AfterRom(kleL'Isle'suseofF.w<zc/<r,i783.]
1801 De Bo 11 mon's Ace. certain Minerals in Phil. Trans.
XCI. 185 Whence results a kind of made, the form of which
is a rhomboidal telraedral prism. 1829 Nat. Philos. , Polaris.
Light xvi. 60 (U. K. S.) The irregularities of crystallisation,
which are known by the name of Made, or Hcmitropc forms.
i860 Mai ry Phys. Ceog. Sea ix. § 442 Crystals of ice, like
nuclei of snow, were observed to form near the bottom.
1883 All Year Round 17 Nov. 535 A diamond at last, of
made shape, weighing some twenty carats !
2. Min. (See quot. 1865.)
1839 Ure Diet. Arts, Made, is the name of certain
diagonal black spots in minerals, like the ace of diamonds in
cards, a 1852 MACGILUVRAY Xat. Hist. Pec .Side (1855)
454 Orthodase . . forms large macles in Rubislaw quarries,
near Aberdeen. 1865 Watts Diet. C/iein., Made is the
name given to certain spots in minerals of a deeper hue
than the rest; sometimes proceeding from difference of
aggregation, sometimes from the presence of a foreign
substance: clay-slate, for example, may be macled with
iron pyrites. 1872 Pack Adv. 'Iext-Bk. Ccol. vii. 118 Fel-
spar with large macles of mica.
3. =Chiastolitb.
[1821 JAMESON Man. Mineral. 318 Chiastolite, Made,
Haiiy.] 1821 Mawk Catal. Minerals fed. 4) 99 Chiastolite—
Made, is of a yellowish white colour. 1822 Ci.kavki.ani>
Mineral, ty Ccol. I. 427 The term Made, as the name of
a distinct species, applies to the whitish prisms only.
1862 Dana Man. Ccol. § 60. 58 [Andalusite] often having
the interior tesselated with black, in which case it is usually
called made or chiastolite. 1896 CHESTER Diet. Min.,
Made, a syn. of chiastolite, alluding particularly to the
black centre which a crystal often shows when cut trans-
versely, similar to the mascle of heraldry.
4. Her. - Mascle.
1727-41 Chambers Cyd., Mascle, or Made. 1828-40
Berry Fncyd. Her. I, Macles or Mashes. These terms
occur in ancient books of armory, meaning the same as
Mascles. 1847 Gloss. Heraldry, Made, see Mascle,
Made, Printing: see Mackle.
Macled (mayk'ld), ppl. a. Also mackled.
[f. Macle-t-ed.] a. Of a crystal: Hemitropic.
b. Marked like chiastolite (Webster Suppl. 1880).
c. Her. = Mascled (Webster 1897).
1822 Cleaveland Mineral. ,y Gcol. II. 793 Macled Crystal,
a hemitrope crystal is sometimes thus called, re 1852 Mac-
gillivkay Nat. Hist. Dee Side (1855) 455 Garnet . . In pen-
tagonal dodecahedrons, single or macled. 1858 Maury
Phys. Geog. Sea xiii. § 761 Organisms as delicate as the
macled frost. 1862 G. P. Scrope I'oleanos 33 note, The
crystals being, .many of them mackled. 1865 [see Macle a],
Machrr e'ite. Min. [Named afterW.Maclure,
U. S. geologist : sec -ite.J A name independently
proposed in 1822 for two different minerals, now
identified respectively witli augite and chondrodite.
1822 Nuttall in Amcr, jCrnt. Sci. V. 246 Maclurite. 1822
Skybert ibid. 344 Maclurcite. 1822 Cleaveland Mineral.
f,Geol. II.783.
Macmi llanite. [Named after John Mac-
millan {died 1 753), the founder of the body : see
-ITE.] A member of the body known as the
Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland.
1799 Statist. Ace. Scotl. XXI. Index I, Macmillanites.
1818 Scott Hrt. Midi, xvii, I only meant to say that you
were a Cameroiiian, or MaeMillanite.
Macock, var. Maycock, kind of pumpkin.
Macomet, -it(e, -yt(e, obs. ff. Mahomet.
Macon, obs. form of MAHOUND, Mason.
Maconite (mMc/nait). Mitt. [f. Macon, name
of a county in Georgia, U. S. A. : see -ite.] A
hydrous silicate of aluminium, iron and magnesium.
1873 F. A. Gknth in Proc. Amcr. Pliilos. Soc. XIII. 396
Maconite, (a new species [of corundum]).
Maooute, variant of Macute.
Macquerel(l, obs. form of Mackerel.
II Macquignon. Obs. [F. mai/uiguon.] A
horse-dealer.
1798 Charlotte Smith Yng. Philos. III. 126 'Lord who?'
said the macquignon* in a surly tone. [Fool-n.] *A sort of
jobber in horses who still calls himself a gentleman. [1834
James jf. Marston Hall x, I remember his turning off his
chief ecuyer for merely whispering in the street with a ma-
quignon, who was bringing him a horse for stile.]
Macrame (makra'irnj). Also macrami.
[App. a. Turk, maqrama towel, napkin, hand-
kerchief, a. Arab. 'Lo.su, miqrama!' ?stripcd cloth.]
A fringe or trimming of knotted thread or cord ;
knotted-work ; the art of making this. Msoallrib.
1869 Mrs. Pali.iser Lace iv. 65 This art is principally
applied to the ornamenting of huckaback towels, termed
Macrame, a long fringe of thread being left at each end,
tor the purpose of being knotted together in geometrical
designs. 1881 Daily News 16 July 2/7 Macrami laces con-
tinue to attract some attention. 1882 Caui.fkild & Saw akd
Diet. Necdleiuk. 331 The basis of all Macrame Lace is
knots... Macrame is celebrated for its durability and excel-
lence. 1898 Daily News 8 Dec. 3/2 The girls had the result
of their deft labours in woolwork, needlework, macramiwork.
II Macrauchenia (maiikrgkrnia). Also in
anglicized form macrauehene. [mod.L. Ma-
crauchenia (Owen 1838), generic name f. Or. /ia-
Kpavxi" long-necked, f. ftaxp-o'v long 4- aixqv neck.]
A fossil animal of the order Pachydermata having
some resemblance to a camel.
1838 Owen Fossil Malum., Zool. Voy. Beagle (1S40) I. 35
11
1 The animal— which.. I propose to call Macrauchenia. /bid. '
42 The Macrauehene. 1859 Darwin Grig. Spec. vii. (1878) 1
178 The camel, guauaco, and macrauchenia. 1903 Q. Rev. I
Jan. 59 The macrauchenia, a three-toed ungulate of the size
and proportions of a camel.
Maerell, obs. form of Mackerel -.
t Ma'crio. Obs. rare-'. [? altered from F. |
maquereau.] = Mackerel-.
a 1627 MlODLBTON Anything for Quiet Life v. ii. (1662)
G 3, Pander, Wittoll, Macrio, basest of knaves.
t Ma'critude. Ol>s. — °. [ad. L. macritudo, \
f. maccr lean.] Leanness.
1623 in Cockeram \machr-). 1656 in Blocnt Clossogr.
Macro- (rax'kre), before a vowel macr-, repr.
Or. /tempo-, comb, form of paitpus long, large, used
in many scientific terms (see also the main words).
a. Phys. and Path., in sbs. of mod.L. form in
-ia compounded with Gr. names for different parts
of the body, and signifying excessive development
of the part in question, as Ma crocephalia [Gr.
Keipaki] head] (also anglicized Macrocephaly),
excessive length or size of the head. Macro-
chei'lia [Gr. YfiXos lip], an enlargement and
thickening of the lips. Macroglo'ssia[(;r.7AttVrra
tongue], a progressive enlargement of the tongue,
with protrusion from the mouth. Macromelia
[Gr. /«'Aos limb], abnormal development of a limb.
Ma crostomia [Gr. arufia mouth], abnormal ex-
tension of one or both angles of the mouth.
1889 Syd. Soc. L.e.r., * MacrocephaRa, Macrocephaly.
1883 Asliliurst's Intcrnat. Encyd. Stag. III. 34 * Macro-
chilia. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VI. 4^5 Macrochilia is
: a similar condition to macroglossia. 1862 Syd. Soc. Year.
1 bk. 117 Case of * Macroglossia. 1870 Holmes' Syst. Surg.
(ed. 2) IV. 216 Macro-glossia. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med.
VI. 452 They, .may occur on the limbs, giving rise to*macro-
melia. 1854J0NES&S1EV. Pathol. Anat. (1874) 535 »Makro-
stomia, is prolongation of the corners of the mouth.
b. in sbs. in which the combining form macro-
is prefixed to a sb. to indicate either that the
individual is of unusual size, or that it contains a
I number of smaller individuals (for the signification
see the second member in each case) ; chiefly formed
for antithesis with words beginning with micro- of
earlier or simultaneous formation, as {micrococcus,
i macroconidium, macro-cyst, macro-farad, macro-
gamete, macrogamdocyte, macro-gonidium, macro-
merozoile, macro-molecule, macro-nucleus, macro-
septum, macro-somite (hence -somilic adj. ) , macro-
sty lospore, macro-'.oogouidium, macrozoospore.
1887 Garnsey & Balfour tr. De Bary's Fungi 458 Cocci
..are distinguished .. according to their dimensions into
micrococci, *inaerococci, and monad-farms. 1874 Cooke
Fungi 175 As early as i860 lie [Tulasne] recognized the
i large.. vesicles which originate the fertile tissue, hut did not
comprehend the part which these *Macrocysls were to per-
form. 1884 H.M.WARDinO. 7ml. Microscop.Sci.XXlV.
279 Each pair consists of a macrocyst and a so-called
paracyst. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VIII. 945 The female
gametocyte, consisting of a single *macrogamete. 1903 E. A.
Minchin Sporozoa in Ray l.ankester Zool. 1. Protozoa 215
Since . . the gametes are differentiated into male elements
! or microgaiuetcs, and female elements or macrogametcs,
their mother cells must be distinguished further into micro-
^amctocytes and * macrogamctoeytcs. 1853 Henkrey [tr.
Braun's Rejuveitcsc] Bot. $ Physiol. Mem. (Ray Soc.) 137
Plants with two kinds of moving germ-cells, large {'macro-
gonidia) and small {microgonidia). 1903 E. A. MINCHIN
Sporozoa in Ray Lankester Zool. I. Protozoa 256 Within
the cytocyst the schizont may break up into smaller micro-
merozoites or larger 'inacronierozoites. 1892 J. A. THOM-
SON Outlines 0/ Zoology 101 In the ciliated Infusorians
there are two nuclear bodies. .. The smaller or micro-
nucleus lies by the side of the larger or 'macro-nucleus.
1880 Bessey Botany 223 The protoplasmic contents of cer-
tain cells [of Hydrodictyon] bieak up into a large number
of daughter-cells (*macrozoogonidia). 187s Q. J 'nil. Micro-
scop. Sci. XV. 396 "Macrozoospores (which germinate asexu-
ally). 1888 Amer. Nat. XXII. 942 The head . . is divided
into.. the primitive head-segment, .and the gnathophorous
*macrosoinite. Ibid. 941 The. .primary or "maorosoniitic
segmentation of the primitive body.
c. Cryst. Macro-axis = macrodiagonal sb.
Ma crodia gonal sb. the longer of the diagonals
of a rhombic prism ; also adj., pertaining to this
diagonal. Macrodome, a dome (see Dome 5 b)
parallel to the macrodiagonal ,^lence Macrodo-
matic a., pertaining to the macrodome. Macro-
pinacoid, a pinacoid parallel to the vertical and
macrodiagonal axes. Macroprism, a prism of
an orthorhombic crystal between the macropina-
coid and the unit prism. Ma cropyramid, a
pyramid corresponding to the macroprism.
1898 Dana Mineral., 'Macro-axis. 1848 Webster, * Macro-
diagonal. 1858 TtiuDlcHL'M Urine 143 The planes, .of the
macrodiagonal prism [are inclined] at an angle of 850 14'.
1883 Heddi.e in Emyd. Brit. XVI. 360/; To the greater
lateral axis the name macrodiagonal is given. Ibid.
360/2 When n = 00 a "macrodome results. /bid.,'lbc limit-
ing "macropinacoid. Ibid., On the one side originate nu-
merous *macroprisms. Ibid., A new pyramid is produced,
named a *niacropyramid. 1878 Lawrence tr. Cotta's Rocks
Classified 29 Cleavage prismatic, very perfect, *Macro-
domatic perfect.
d. in adjs., with sense ' containing or possessed
of some object in a largely developed form ', as
Macra 'nitrous a. Bot. [Gr. avSp-, dirjp man],
MACROCOSM.
having elongated male plants. Macroda'ctyl a.
-next; sb. (see quot.). MacrodactyTic, -da'c-
tylous adjs. [Gr. SdicrvKot finger, toe], having long
fingers or toes. Maxrodont a. [Gr. 65ofT-, uBotis
tooth], having long teeth. Macropetalous a.
[Gr. iriraKov kaf], having long or large leaves or
petals (Maync Expos. Lex. i8-;6). Macrophyll-
ine, -phyllovrs adjs. [Gr. cpvWov leaf], having
long or large leaves. Macropleu-ral a. [Gr.
irAtupa rib, side], having long pleurae. Ma cro-
stylous a. pot., having a long style (Maync
Expos. Lex, 1856). Macrotous a. [Gr. bit-,
ovs ear], having long ears. Macrotypous a.
Min. [Type], having a long form.
1882-4 Cooke Brit. Frcsh--v. Algce I. 148 Male plants,
dwarf (nannandrous) . . or elongated i*macrandrous>. 1837
Partington Brit. Cyd. Nat. Hist. III. 73 * Macrodactylcs,
long toes. The last of the regular families into which
Cuvier divides the stilt birds or waders. 1836— Ibid. II. 386
Cuvier's *Macrodactylic, or long-toed family of Echassiers,
or stilt birds. 1848 Maunder Treas, Nat. Hist. Gloss.,
* Macrodactylous, furnished with loivg toes adapted for
traversing floating leaves and aquatic herbage. 1891 Flower
& Lydkkkkr Mammals 745[Negroid type.] Thick, everted
lips; prognathous jaws ; large teeth fmacrodont). 1871
W. A. Leichton Lichen-flora 55 Thallus •macrophylline.
1856 Maynk F.xpos. Lex., J/,r(-/yy»/y//ws..*niacroi>hyllous.
1881 in Academy 22 Oct. 315 The *macropleural and brachy-
pleural types. 1886 Ford in Amcr. Jrnl. Sci. Ser. in.
XXXII. 475 Reasons for believing that the Brachypleural
species of the genus Paradoxidcs are more recent than the
Macropleural. * 1887 Ward tr. Sachs' Physiol. Plants 790
The pollen of the * macrostylous flowers is transferred to the
microstylous stigma of another plant. 1840 Smart, 'Macro,
tons, long-eared. 1821 Jameson .I/<t». Mineral. 53 "Macro-
typous Limestone.
Macrobian (makrJn'bian),a. [f Gr./in*()<i/3to-s
(f. /10/rpd-s long + £ios life) + -as.] Long-lived.
[1727 Bradley Fain. Did. s.v. Age, 'the Macrobian Pills. .
have their Name from a Greek Word which signifies long Life.]
1859 R. F. Burton Ceulr. Afr. in Jrnl.Gcogr. Soc. XXIX.
323 The race is still macrobian, arriving late at maturity.
Macrobiote (-bai'out). rare—1, [ad. Gr. fianpo-
fsioTos. f. iMiicpu-s long + 0ioTos life.] A long-liver.
1882 F. L. Oswald in Pop. Sci. Monthly XXI. 590 The
Thessalian mountaineers were the macrobiotes, the long-
livers, par excellence, of the Roman Empire.
Macrobiotic (mre-'krobaiirtik), a. and sb.
[Formed as prec. +-ic] a. adj. Inclined or tend-
ing to prolong life; relating to the prolongation
of life. b. sb. pi. The science of prolonging life.
1797 Huf elands Art Prolong. Life Pref. (1853) it Hence_
arises a particular science, the Macrobiotic, or the art of
prolonging it |life], which forms the subject of the present
work. 1822 Mem Monthly Mag. V. 351 Any of your
readers.. of macrobiotic tendencies. 1862 De QliNCV Wks.
X. 251 note, A Greek work on the subject of macro-
biotics. 1879 Punch I Nov. 201/2 Dr. Richardson . . is a
great makrobiotic sage.
Macrocephalic (m.x kr^s/Lbe'lik), a. [f. Gr.
fiaKpoit(<pa\-oi(f. /xaKpii-s long + K«pa\rj head) + -IC.]
a. Pertaining to persons with long or large heads.
b. Of a person : Having a long or large head.
1851 D. Wilson Preh. Ann. (1863) I. ix. 236 The macro-
cephalic skulls of the Crimea. 1877 Bcrnett Far 25 In
macrocephalic heads we find large massive ears. 1898
TlNNlcl.il RE in Nature 15 Dec. 150/1 To the physician the
professional athlete is neither more nor less interesting than
the macrocephalic dwarf.
Macrocephalous (mrekwisefalas), a. [f.
Gr./ta«po/«'</><lA-os(seePrec-) + -OUS.1 Long-headed.
a. Having or pertaining to a long head. b. Bot.
Said of dicotyledonous embryos whose cotyledons
are consolidated.
1835 Lindley In/rod. Bot. 1. ii. (1839) 251 Those embryos
which .. Richard [called] macrocephalous. 1865 ThuRNAH
in Nat. /fist. Rev. V. 266 The macrocephalous skulls of
the Crimea.
Macrocosm (markrokpz'm). Also rarely in
L. and quasi-Gr. forms : 7 macrocosmus, 9 -cos-
mos, [ad. F. macrocosme (C1300), ad. med.L.
macrocosmus, repr. Gr. *riaxpos kuo/ios (fiaxpus
long, great, K00710S world). (Cf. MSGACOSM.)
Although med.L. macrocosmus has not been found earlier
than in Higden (c 1350) it must be the source of the
Fr. form recorded c 1300, and it seems to imply the prior
existence of a Gr. phrase *nanptK Kotr/ios formed in imitation
of ni«pbt *d<rnoc Microcosm. For the idea expressed, cf.
Macrobius in Soliin. Scit. l. xii, ' Ideo physicl mundum
magnum hominem, et hominem brevem mundum esse
dixerunt '. F'rom the use of brevem here, and the gloss
• Microscosmum. .petit nionde, e'est tliommc fui pan dure '
(Du Cange), it may be suspected that naicpoc was at first
intended in the sense of 'long', interpreted with regard 10
duration ; though the inference is not absolutely necessary,
as the formal similarity of the word to mi»P.o« would
sufficiently account for its selection in an antithetic phrase.
However this may be, the relation of the words macrocosm
and microcosm has suggested the use of Macro- with the
sense ' on a large scale ', ill many modern words antithetic
to words beginning with micro-.]
1. The ' great world ' or universe, in contra-
distinction to the ' little world ' or Microcosm, i. e.
to man viewed as an epitome of the universe.
The earliest instances of the word in Eng. occur in Lyd-
gate's Assembly of the Gods (1:1420; oldest MS. <ii50o),
where however it is a mistake (either on the part of Lydgate
or of the scribe) for microcosm. (See, e.g., line 1 82S : And as
for Macrocosme, hit ys no more to say But the lesse worlde.l
68-2
MACROCYTE.
1600 W. Watson Dccacordon (1602) 274 Throughout all
thisvaste Macrocosme, theyfinde not one patterne. .like to
ours-4 1794 G. Adams Nat. <$■ Exp. Philos. IV. xlix. 353
Applied and determined hy an Infinite Mind in the macro-
cosm, or universe. 1867 Froude Short Stud,, Set. Hist. 9
He desires, first, to see the spirit of the Macrocosmos.
1881 Huxley in Nature No. 615. 340 The microcosm re-
peats the macrocosm.
- 2. transf. In various occasional applications, de-
noting some great whole, the structure of which
is conceived to be imaged on a smaller scale by
that of some constituent portion of it.
1851 Sik F. Palgrave Norm, <S- Eng. I. 347 No population
. .is absolutely inert in the macrocosm of humanity, 1875
N. A/ner. Rev. CXX. 256 The macrocosm of society can be
inferred from the microcosm of individual human nature.
1896 J. R. Harris Union iviih God iii. 59 His life is the
great life, and all our little lives are involved in it, Christ
being the macrocosm, and ourselves the microcosm.
Hence Ma crocosmic a. [-icj, of or pertaining
to the macrocosm or universe. + Macrocosmi-
cal a. [-ic + -al], = prec. Macrocosmology
[-(o)logy], a description of the macrocosm.
1625 Gill Sacr. Philos. iv. S3 There is some powerful!
principle, for sending up such waters which naturally doe
flee from heat, as this macrocosmicall Sun is for drawing of
them upward. 1690 W. Y. Artif. Wines To Rdr. A ij b,
When the Macrocosinical World wasiinished. 1856 Maynb
Expos. Lex., Macrocosm ical, Macrocosmology. 1871 Tylor
Prim. Cult. I. 316 It forms part of that macrocosmic
description of the universe well known in Asiatic myth.
Macrocyte (markr&ait). rath. [f. Macro- +
-cyte.] An abnormally large red blood -corpuscle ,
found in some forms of anoemia. Hence || Macro-
cythseiuia, -emia (-sibrmia) [Gr. alfxa blood], !
the presence of macroeytes in the blood.
1889 Syd, Soc. Lex.t Macrocyte. 1894 Gould IHustr.
Diet. Med., Macrocythania. 1897 Allbutfs Syst. Med.
II. 750 If., a further examination of the blood be made, .. ,
both microcystes and macroeytes will have practically dis- j
appeared. 1898 /hid. V. 414 This condition, named macro- i
cythxmia, is apt to occur, .in any ca^e of severe anaemia.
Macro gnathic (ma^kr^gnaebik), a. [f.
Macro- + Gr. yvaQ-os jaw + -ic] Having long or
protruding jaws. So Macrog-nathism (malay-
gnabiz'm), the peculiarity or fact of being macro-
gnathic ; protrusion of the jaws. Macrognathous
[makr^'gnabos) a. = Macrogn athic.
_ 1856 Mayne Expos. Lex., Macrognathous. 1864 Huxley \
in Reader 5 Mar., The jaws . . project more forward than
in man, so that the chimpanzee is both macrognithous and
prognathous. 1864 — ibid. 19 Mar. 364/3 The macro-
gnathUm and prognathism are carried to about the same
extent. 1874 D.uvkins Cave Hunt. vi. 193 The entire max-
illary apparatus is so largely developed, that the term
' macrognathic ', introduced by Professor Huxley, is par-
ticularly applicable.
Micrography (ni£kip'grafi). [f. Macro- +
Gr. -ypa<(>ia writing.] Abnormally large writing (as
a symptom of nervous disorder). Hence Maxro-
graphic a.
1899 Pop. Set. Monthly June 203 The macrography alter-
nating with the micrography. Ibid. 205 Fig. 3, Macro-
graphic and micrographic writing by the same epileptic.
Macrology (ra&krp*lodxi). [ad. L. maerologia,
a. Gr. fxanpo\oyia, f. fia/cpo^uyos speaking at length, !
f. fiattpo-s long + -Kvyos speaking.] a. As a rhetor- (
ical figure : The use of redundant words or phrases. |
b. gen. Prolixity of speech.
[1586 A. Day Eng. Secretary 11. (1595) 82 Macro/ogia '
where a clause is finally added to the matter going before,
in seeming more then needed. .] 1616 Bullokar Eng.
Expos., Macrologic, long and tedious talke. 1656 Blount '
G/ossogr.t Macro/ogy, prolixity in speaking. 1727 Pope, etc.
Art of Sinking 105 The Macrology and Pleonasm are as
generally coupled, as a lean rabbit with a fat one.
Macromere (nurkrvrnfo). Embryology, [f.
Gr. ftaicpo-s long + ^t'poy part.] The larger of the
two masses into which the vitellus of the develop-
ing ovum of Lamellibranchiata divides : cf. Mi-
ckomeke. Hence Macroiue ral, Macromeric
arf/'s., of or pertaining to the macromere.
1877 Huxley Anat. Inv. Anim. viii. 483 Those [blasto- :
meres] which proceed from the macromere long remain larger
and more granular than those which proceed from the
micromere._ Ibid. 484 The macromeral hemisphere next
undergoes invagination. Ibid. 499 The macromeric part of I
the vitellus. 1895 J. A. Thomson Outlines Zoo/, (ed. 2) 417 '
The third cleavage .. gives rise to four larger cells (or macro- i
meres), . .and to four smaller cells (or micromeres).
Macronieritic (m;v:krJmcriiik), a. [f. Ma- ;
cro- -f Gr. fttp-os part + -iTE + -ic] Of granitoid :
rocks: Having a structure discernible by the naked
eye ; opposed to micromeritic.
[1881 Geikie Text-book Geo/. 11. 11. iii. 00 This structure is
characteristic of many eruptive rocks. Though usually dis-
tinctly recognizable^ by the naked eye (' macromerite ' of
Vogelsang), it sometimes becomes very fine (' micromerite ').]
In mod. Diets.
Macrometer (markrjrmftaj). [f. Macho- +
-Mkter.] An instrument for' measuring distant or
inaccessible objects.
1825 W. Hamilton Handbk. Terms Arts% Sci, Macro-
meter, in Mathematics, an instrument contrived to measure
the distance of inaccessible objects by means of two reflec- !
tors on a common sextant. 1888 Eucy*/, Brit. XXIII. j
126/1 Porro's telemeter, Elliott's telescope, and Nordenfelt's j
macrometer illustrate the principle.
Macromyelon ^nuckitfmaK-l^n). Anat. [f. |
12
Macho- + Myelon.] Owen's name for the me-
dulla oblongata. Hence Macromy -clonal a.
1846 OwtN Lect. Anat. Vertebrate Anim. Contents g
' Macromyelon ' or Medulla Oblongata. 1868 — Aunt.
Vertebrates III. 83 The floor of the expanded luacro-
myclonal canal.
II Macron (mrc'kr^n, nvi-kr^n). [a. Gr. iiaxpuv,
neut. of fxanpus long.] A straight horizontal line (")
placed over a vowel to indicate that it is 'long'.
1851 G. Brown Grant, of Granun. Bio note, The different
uses made of the breve, the macron, and the accents.
1891 H. Bradley Stratmaun's M.-E. Diet. Pref. viii, In my
notation the macron is placed over an original long vowel
which remained long in Middle-English.
Macrophage (mark^te'd,?). Phys. [ad.
mod.L. macrophagus, f. Gr. piaitpu-s long + ifiayuo
to devour.] A name given to certain large leuco-
cytes, from their supposed power of devouring other
organisms, especially pathogenic microbes.
1890 Run kr in Q. Jml. Microsc. Sci. Feb. 483 Cells to
which he [Metschnikoff] has given the name of macro-
phages and microphages. 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. II. 7
These macrophages can destroy the tubercle bacilli.
MacrophagOCyte (mn^krofce-gtoit). rhys.
[f. Macho- + Phagocyte.] —prec.
1896 Allbutt's Syst. Med. I. 79.
3Xacropici.de (m#kiypis3id). ttmce-tod. See
next and -cide i.] A slayer of kangaroos.
1866 Comb. Mag. Dec. 744 The stockmen, .were decidedly
the most efficient macropicides.
Macropine (mae-kr#pain),«. [f.mo<1.L.»/am>/-
us (ad. (jx. iiaapu-novs • see next) kangaroo + -INK.]
Of or pertaining to the kangaroo.
1888 O. Thomas fatal. Marsupialia Brit. Mus. 122 The
macropine characters of its lower jaw. 1891 Flowhr &
Lydekkbr Mammals 162 The macropine characters of the
mandible preponderate.
Macropod (mse'krippcl), a. and si. [a. Gr.
piaKpoTwb- , paiepuvovs long-footed, f. pmxpu-s long +
rto5-, ttovs foot.] a. adj. Long-footed, b. si. A
long-footed animal, e. g. a spider-crab. (In recent
Diets.) Macro poda.1 a. Bot., of a monocotyle-
donous embryo : Having the radicle large in pro-
portion to the cotyledon. Macropo -dian Zoo!.,
one of a tribe of brachyutous decapod crustaceans.
Macropodons a. = Mackopodal.
1830 LlMDLEY Nat. Syst. Bet. 253 The plants belonging to
Alismaceaj . . and Butoinea;, have all a disproporttonally
large radicle, whence the embryos of such were called by
the late M. Richard, macropodal. 1839 Fenny Cycl. XIV.
256/2 Macropodians, 185a Hknslow Diet. Bet. Terms,
Maeropodeus. 1887 GarnSEV & Balk>cr tr. Geebel^s Classif.
<V Merplwl. Plants 431 In the Helobiae the axial portion
forms the larger part of the embryo (macropodous embryo).
Macropterous (makrfj-pteras), a. [f. Gr.
lia/cpoTTTfpos i^f. fiaKpu-s long + nrepu-f wing) -f-
-oi's.] Long-winged.
1835-6 Toud Cycl. Anat. I. 280/2 Macropterous Sea-birds.
MaCl'OSCian (makr(> jian; , a. and si. [I. Gr.
fiaicpuoKtos, f. fianpo-s long + er/r/a shadow. Cf.
Antiscian.] a. adj. Having a long shadow.
b. si. One having a long shadow, an inhabitant
of the polar regions. In some mod. Diets.
Macroscopic (irnrkntiilffpilr). a. [f. Macbo-
+ -scopic] Visible to the naked eye, in opposition
to MicKosconc.
1872 Peaslee Ovar. Tumonrs 31 The macroscopic char-
acter of these two forms of cystoma depends on the number
and size of their constituent cysts. 1897 Atbemeum 7 Aug.
194/3 The structure of lavas, microscopic and macroscopic.
Hence Ma crosco'pical a. — prec. Ma croscopi-
cally adv., by the naked eye, as studied by the
naked eye without the aid of a lens.
1877 Q. Jml. Microse. Sci. XVII. 228 Macroscopieally j
and microscopically the retina, exposed to yellow light,
behaves in the same way as after the operation of red light.
1878 T. Bryant Pract. Surg. I. 388 ItsLmacroscopical
appearance was that of a fibrous tumour. 1879 Dana Man.
Geol. (ed. 3) 66 A rock may be studied microscopically or
macroscopieally. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VII. 236 At
the autopsy, nothing pathological was found macroscopic-
ally. Ibid. 837 Macroscopical examinations of the central
nervous system in uncomplicated cases of chorea.
Macrosnia'tic, n. ran. [irrcg. f. Macro- +
Gr. bopLT) smell.] "^Capable of smelling at a distance.
1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VI. 753 All that remains in man
of the great rhinencephalon of macrosmatic mammals is the
olfactory bulb and tract.
Macrosporange (mcekr<7|Spor;u-nd,^). Also
in mod.L. form -sporangium, [f. Macro- +
SroitANGE.] The sporange or capsule containing
the macrospores. (Cf. Meoasrorange.)
1875 Bennett & Dyer Saclts' Bet. 396 If a micro-
sporangium is about to be formed, each of the mother-cells
js broken up into four tell ahcdral spores, which all develope
into microspores ; in the macrosporangium, on the contrary,
the mother-cells remain, with one exception, undivided.
1882 Card. Citron. XVIII. 40 Four of these macrospores I
occur in each macrosporange.
Macrospore (msM0wsp6>i). [f. Macro- +
Spore.] a. Bot. One of the specially large
(ipiasi-female) spores of certain llowerless plants. '
b. Zool. One of the spore-like parts into which
a monad subdivides. (Cf. Megaspore.)
1859 Todd Cyel. Anat. V. 243/1 The development of the |
MACULATE.
prothallium commences . . several months after the macro-
spore has been sown. 1870 Hookkr Stud. Flora 469 The
macrospores of Selagtnclla and Isoetes develop a cellular
prothallus. 1875 Uknnktt & Dyer Sachs' Bot. 335 The
separation of the sexes is already prefigured by the two
kinds of spores, the Macrospores being female, in so far as
they develope a small prothallium.
Macrothere fnckx^tfox). Also in L. form
macrotherium. [ad. mod.L. macrolhcrittm, f, Gr.
paicpu-s long + Brjphv wild beast.] A member of an
extinct European genus of the sloth tribe.
1862 Dana Man. Geo/, iv. 528 The Macrothere .. was
related to the African Pangolin (the Anteater) but was six
or eight times its size. 1884 G. Allen in Longm. Mag. June
192 The macrotherium, a monstrous ant-eater.
Ma crotone. rare-0. [?f. Macro- + Tone.
Cf. Gr. fxatcpuToi'-os stretched out.] — Macko>\
1880 in Weisster ; and in later Diets.
Macrurous, macrourous (maknVras), a.
Zool. [f. mod.L. macrura neut. pi. (f. Gr. fiatcpv-s
long + ovpd tail) -t -ODS.1 Pertaining to the Macrura,
or long-tailed tribe of the Decapod Crustacea,
which includes the lobster and its congeners.
1826 Kikby & Sp. Entomo/. xlviii. IV. 452 Exochnata
(Macrurous Decapod Crustacea, Latr.). 1839-47 Toud Cyc/.
Anat. III. 445/1 The Macrourous Decapods .. are all
organized for swimming. 1890 Nature n Sept., The descent
of crabs from macrurous ancestors.
So Macnrral, -on'ral a. (also sb. one of the
Macrura') ; Macnvran, -oii'ran a. and sb.
1842 Brande Diet. Sci. etc., Macrourans. 1851 Brit.
Assoc. Rep.) Sections 81 On the Antenna8: of the Annulosa,
and their Homology in the Macrourals. By Dr. W. Mac-
donald. 1852 Dana Crust. 1. 33 Corresponding precisely in
its course to that of the Macroural suture. 1877 Huxley
Anat. Inv. Anim. vi. 340 Nor are the antennules capable of
being folded back into distinct chambers in any Macruran at
present known. 1902 Edin. Rev. Jan. 202 It is not technically
a crab but a Pagurid, a macruran hermit.
I Mactate, v. Obs. — ° [f. L. mactdl-, ppl.
stem of mactare to slay.] trans. To kill or slay.
1623 111 COCKEKAM.
Mactatiou (maekfcFt'JJMi). [ad. L. mactdtion-
em, f. mactare to slay.] The action of killing,
csp. the slaughtering of a sacrificial victim.
1640 Sir K. Doting Prop. Sacr. (1644) 57 He.. neither
sacrificed by mactatton or killing of beasts. 1711 Hickks
Treat. Christ. Priesih. (1817) II. ill To sacrifice or offer
animals by slaughter, or mactation. 1838 M. Kasskll ///*/.
Egypt vi. (18531 192 The deity before whom the mactation
is about to be performed. 1888 Ch. Times 24 Aug. 720 The
view gained ground that each Mass is a separate mactation.
t Macta'tor, Obs. rare~°. [a. L. mactdtor,
agent-n. f. mactare to slay.]
1656 Blount G/ossogr., Mactator, a killer or murderer.
(In recent Diets.)
II Macula (mx'ki//la). PI. -88. [L.] A spot or
stain. Chiefly in scientific use : Astron. one of the
dark spots in the sun ; Mm. a spot in a mineral
due to the presence of particles of some other
mineral; Ent. (see quot. 1826); rath, a spot or
stain in the skin, now esp. one which is permanent.
e 1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 247 Macula is a wem in a
mannys i^e. 1690 T. Burnet Th. Earth 111. xi. 97 The
Body of the Sun may contract .. some Spots or Macule
greater than usual. 172a Quncy Lex. Physico-Mfd. (ed.
2) Macula, is applied by Physicians to express any Spots
upon the Skin, whether those in Fevers, or scorbutick
Habits. 1766 Ann. Reg. 92/2 The spot or macula on
the sun, mentioned to have appeared lately. 180a Play-
l-AlR lllustr. Ituttott. Theory 298 Rectangular macul.e
of feltspar. 1826 Kirby & Sp. Entomo/. IV. 285 Macula
(Macu/a),n larger indeterminately shaped spot. 1849 Saxe
Times 152 Their honoured name Bears.. some maculae of
shame. 1867-77 (i. K. Chambkrs Astron. 1. i. 7 In the
equatorial zones of the Sun dark spots or maculae. 1877
Roberts /landbk. Med. (ed. 3) I. ill The macula; on the
skin which are observed during life are frequently per-
silent after death. 1899 AUbutCs Syst. Med. VIII. 640
In all cases a deeply pigmented macula remains.
Macular ,m^'ki//la-i), <*• Bki* and Path. [f.
Macula + -ah.] Of or pertaining to macula- ;
characterized by the presence of macula?.
1822 Good Study Med. IV. 670 Macular skin. 1826
Kirby & Sp. Eutomol. IV. 289 Macular Fascia \Pascia
macularis\ a band consisting of distinct spots. 1880 J. W.
Lecg BUc 468 The macular eruption was thought to be
cured. 1897 Brit. Birds II. 175 Slightly macular along
its inferior margin. 1898 P. Manson Prop, Diseases xxvi.
389 The primary exanthem or macular stage. 1900 J.
Hutchinson Arch. Surg. XI. 46 Macular leprosy.
Maculate (marki«U'it), ///. a. [ad. L. macu-
ldt-ust pa. pple. of maculare, f. macula spot.] -
Maculated; in early use oceas./tf. pple. Now only
in expressed or implied antithesis to immaculate.
1490 Caxion Eneydos iv. 20 So departe thou thenne fro
this londe, maculate, and full of fylthe and ordure. 1509
Barclay Shyp 0/ Polys (1570) 144 The places that ye haue
edified, Are nowe disordred, and with vices maculate. 1549
Comp/.Scot. xiii. 150 That the honour of verteous genttl
men be nocht maculat vitht the vice ande inciuiHte of
vicius pretendit guntil men. 1575-85 Aup. Sandys Serm.
vii. 122 Hauing cloathed ourselves with the maculate
coate of sinne. 1612 Two Noble K. v. iii, Thy rare
greene eye . . never yet Beheld things maculate. 1756-7
tr. Keyslers Trav. (1760) I. 74 The cardinal of St. Clemente
hurt himself by declaring for the maculate conception. 1878
N. Amer. Rcz>. CXXVII. 296 Unfortunately for her already
maculate reputation. 1887 Stevenson Misattv. J. Nicholson
ii, Foul walls and maculate table linen.
Maculate ,nuvj-ki«k''t), v. Pa. t. 5 maculate.
MACULATED.
[f. L. maculal-, ppl. stem of maculare, f. maaihi
spot.] trans. To spot, stain, soil, defile, pollute.
1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) V. 235 Whiche commynge to
AfiYike wastede hit, and maculate [Trevisei defouled] the
feithe in hit. 1481 Caxton Godfrey clxxxvii. 274 The
hethen men . . whiche had fowled and shamefully had
maculated [the place] with theyr mahometry. 1490 —
Eneydos viii. 35 Hir innocente blood whiche maculate
& bysprange all theym that stode by. 1513 Bradshaw
St. Werburge 1. 2791 A sensuall prynce . . Purposed to
maculate this vyrgyn gloryous. 1531 Elyot Gov. I. xxvi,
They wolde nat maculate the honour of their people.
? a 1350 Scltote-liouse of Il^om. 914 in Hazl. A'. P. P. IV. 140
Whose drops vncleen dooth maculate The finest vesture that
any man weres; 1632 J. Hayward tr. Piondis Eromeita
28 Thou hast done too much in maculating our blond. 1719
D'Urfey Pills (1872! IV. 166 They maculate Men's Blood,
and make them silly.
Maculated (mse-RWUttW), ///. a. [f. Macu-
late V. + -ED !.]
1. Spotted, stained, defiled, polluted.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. v. xxi. 272 For Warts we
..commit any maculated part unto the touch of the dead.
a 1661 FuLL.BR Worthies, Merionethsh. (1662) iv. 43 Who
being casually cast into bad company . . keep their own
innocency entire, not maculated with the mixture of their
bad manners. 1841 D'Israeli Amen. Lit. 11867)660 A macu-
lated man seeking to shelter himself in dejection and in
shade. 1883 Forttt. Rev. Feb. 158 A variegated record of
profitless extravagance and maculated victory.
2. In scientific use : Marked with maculae.
1676 Dk Garencieres Coral 15 Red coral will grow.,
maculated with several spots. 1819G. Samouelle Etito mol.
Compend. no Body cinereous, maculated with fuscous.
1875 H. C. Woou Tlterap. (1879) 373 f ne gastric mucous
membrane is .. maculated with patches of a deep-crimson.
Mactllation (mrekujle'i-Jan.). [ad. L. macu-
lation-em, agent-n. f. maculare Maculate v. Cf.
F. inoculation^
1. The action of spotting or staining ; the con-
dition of being spotted or defiled.
a 1450 Ok: Myst. xiv. (Shaks. Soc.) 138 If he be gilty, sum
maculaeion Pleyne in his face xalshewe it owth. Hid. 141,
I nevyr knew of mannys maculaeion, But evyr have lyved in
trew virginite. 1606 Shaks. Tr. $ Cr. IV. iv. 66, I will throw
my Gloue to death himselfe, That there's no niaculation in
thy heart. 1772 Nugent tr. Hist. Fr. Gerund I. 531 The
nigrescent maculation of their pristine niveous candour.
1853 G* J. Cayley Las Alforjas I. 34, I waged a blind and
ineffectual warfare all night, to the loss of my rest and the
maculation of my countenance. 1887 Stevenson Mem. A>
Portraits vi. 102 It was from the maculation of sheep's
blood that he had come, .to cleanse himself.
2. In scientific use : The state of being marked
with macula; ; a particular arrangement or pattern
of macul;c.
1826 Kirhy & Sp. Entomol. xxxv. III. 650 Numerous Libel-
lulin.c emulate the Heliconian butterflies by their macula-
tion. 1879 Proctor Picas. Ways Set ii. 40 The doctrine
that an intimate association exists between solar macu-
lation (or spottiness) and terrestrial meteorological pheno-
mena. 1884 Science IV. 44/2 The niaculation is normally
noctuidous, and the wings are ample. 1888 Amcr. Nat.
XXII. 642 Patches of vividly red Poppies, with fine black
maculations, like eyes, edged with white.
t Maculatory, a. 06s. rare - '. [f. L. macu-
lat-, ppl. stem. + -ory.] Apt to spot or defile.
1614 T. Adams Devil's Banquet 17 The lutulent, spumy,
maculatorie. waters of Sinne.
t Maculature. 06s.-" [I. L. maculal-, ppl.
stem of maculare to stain + -mus. Cf. F. macu-
lature (Cotgr.), G. inakulatur.] (See quots.)
1656 Blount Glossogr., Maculatures, blotting or waste
papers. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Maculature ox Made,
a waste Sheet of printed Paper. 1721 Bailey, Maculature,
a Waste or blotting Paper.
Macule (mse'kial), si. Also 6 Sc. macull,
makle. [f. L. macula, either directly or through F.
macule.] A blemish, spot. 06s. in general sense.
1483 Caxton G. de la Tour Kvb, It is a perle whiche is
.. without macule or spotte. 1490 — Encydos xxix. 113 The
throte quycke, and without spotte or macule. 1500-20
Dunbar Poems xlviii. 152 But ony spot or macull doing
spring. Hid. lxxxv. 22 Haile.moder and maid but makle !
D. Path. = Macula.
1863 Edinb. Med. 7rnl. Jan. 509 Skin diseases. .1. Macules
and Deformities. 1899 Allbutfs Syst. Med. VIII. 465 The
eruption commonly consists of macules.
c. Printing. A blur causing the impression of
a page to appear double ; =Mackle s6.
1841 Savage Diet. Printing 775 Instead of its being a
macule, it is nothing more than [etc.].
Macule (marki/d), v. [f. F. maculer,!. macule a
spot.] trans. To spot, stain. 06s. in general use.
1484 Caxton Fables 0/ Al/once (1889) 261, 1 byleue not that
this poure [man] may be maculed ne gylty of the blame.
b. Printing = Mackle v. {trans, anil intr.).
1841 Savage Diet. Printings.v., If the joints of the tympan,
or the head, or the nut of the spindle be loose, or any accident
happen in pulling, so that the impression be somewhat
doubled, and not clear, it is said to be maculed. Ibid. 775,
I have heard many complaints of the middle pages of a
twelves form maculing at a two-pull press.
Maculiferous (nLwldKU-fea*), „. [f. Macule
+ -(i>erous.] Bearing or marked by spots, spottv.
1853 Herschei. Pop. Led. Sci. 11. xxxv. (1873) 77 The
maculiferous belts of the sun.
Maculose (rrux-ki/a<7us), a. [ad. L. maculos-us,
i. macula spot.] Full of spots ; spotted.
i7>7 i" Bailey vol. II. 1819 G. Samouelle Entomol.
Compend. 124 A .. maculose, dentated band. 1861 Hagfn
Syn. Neuroptera _V. Amer. 341 (Smithsonian Collect. 1V.L
13
Ma'culous, a. rare-'0. [See -ors.] = prec.
1688 R. Holme A rmoury n. 366/1 A Masculous [sic : in the
1 Table ' Maculous], or spotted Cramp-fish, hath the Eyes
turned into black round spots. 1735 Dychb & Pardon Diet.,
Maeulousox Maculose, troubled or affected with Spots, De-
fects, or natural Deformities. 1856 in Mayne Expos. Lex.
Macute (maki/Vt). Also S maccuta, mac-
cute, macoute, 8-9 raacuta. [ad. native African
macula.'] At the beginning of the iSth c, said to
be the name for one of the pieces of cloth used as
money by the negroes of the Congo. Subsequently
used in the W. African trade as the name for a
money of account (= 2000 cowries), and hence
adopted by the Portuguese at Angola as a de-
nomination in their local coinage ( = 50 reis) ; the
Sierra Leone Company also issued (1791-1S05)
pieces of I, 2, 5 and 10 macutes, the silver macule
being worth about 4^/. sterling. The account
given by Montesquieu (quot. 174S), and adopted
by Mill and other English writers on political
economy, appears to be based on misapprehension.
1704 tr. Mcrol!a?s VToy. Congo in ChurchilVs I'oy. I. 740
The current Coins here are the Maccuta's, being certain
pieces of Straw-Cloth of about the largeness of a Sheet of
Pastboard each. 1704 tr. Aec. Gaithids I'oy. Congo ibid.
I. 620 There is but little Mony passes in that Country, but
instead of it they buy and sell with Maccutes... .The Mac-
cutcs are pieces of coarse Cotton Cloth., five Ells long, and
cost 200 Keys the Piece. Ibid., Two thousand of them
[Zimbis] are worth a Maccute. 1748 Nugent tr. Monies-
quiett's Spirit Laws xxii. viii. (1752) 77 The negroes on the
coast of Africa have a sign of value without money. It is a
sign merely ideal. ..A certain commodity or merchandise i:.
worth three macoutes ; another six macoutes; another ten
macoutes.. .The price is formed by a comparison of all mer-
chandises with each other. They have therefore no par-
ticular money; but each kind of merchandise is money to
the other. 1823 Crabb Tcchuol. Diet., Macuta. 1848 J. S.
Mill Pol. Econ. in. vii. § 1.
t Mad, sbJ Oh. (?exc. dial.) [var. ot Matiif.]
1, A maggot or grub ; esp. the larva of the blow-
fly, which causes a disease in sheep. Also //., the
disease so caused.
1573 Tusshr llusb. I. (1S78) 109 Sheepe wriglmg taile hath
mads without faile. 1641 Best Farm. Bks. (Surtees) 6
Lainbes that wriggle theyre tayles..are to bee . . searched,
for fear of maddes breedinge. 1669 Worudge Syst. Agric.
273 A f adds, a Disease in Sheep. 1688 R. Jr Iolme A rmoury
in. 268/1 Keep Sheeps Tails from Maggots and Mads.
2. An earthworm.
1586 Warner Alb. Eug. 11. ix. 41 Content thee, Daphles,
mooles take mads. 1592 Ibid. vn. xxxvii. 1S0 Here maiest
thou feast thee with a Made. 1601 Holland Pliny II. 361
Earth-worms or mads stamped and laid too are verie good
to cure the biting of scorpions. 1674-91 Kay .V. «V E. C.
Words, Mad, an earth-worm.
Matl (mrcd), so.- dial, and U. S. slang, [subst.
use of Mad a.] Madness, fury, anger.
1847-89 Halliwell, Mail, madness, intoxication. Clone.
1884 Century Mag. Nov. 57/2 His mad was getting up. 1897
Outing (\J. S.) XXX. 487/2 Let the pony get his mad up.
Mad (ma?d), a. Forms: 1 semeed(e)d, 3-4
med(d, medde, 3-6 madd(e, (5 made, maad),
3- mad. [Aphetic repr. OE.gemted(e)d (see Amajj),
pa. pple. of *gemiedan to render insane, f. gemad
insane (' veiOrs, semaad', Corpus Gl.), correspond-
ing to OS. gimed foolish, OHG. gameil, kimeit,
foolish, vain, boastful (MHG. gimeit merry, stately,
handsome), Goth, gamaips crippled :— OTeut. *ga~
mai<to~t f. *ga- prefix (Y-) + *maido- :— pre-Teut.
*//toilo-, pa. pple of the Indogermanic root *nici-
to change (cf. L. mutare). The primary sense of
*maido- changed, appears in the derivative Goth.
maidjan to change, adulterate {in-maideitis ex-
change) ; the corresponding OX. mei$a means to
cripple (cf. the sense of the Goth. adj. above).
The OK. mad adj., without prefix, app. occurs
once in the compound m&iimSd folly.
It is commonly stated that the OE. (ge)mdd survived into
ME. in the form mad, m§d. The examples cited are the
following, c 1310 in Wright Lyric P. viii. 31 For-thi on
molde y waxe mot (riming with blod in the next line but
one, with ivoty lot in the previous quatrain). ^1425 Seven
Sages (P.) 2091 To sla the childe he was ful rade. He ferde
as man that was made, c 1460 Lybcaus Disc. (Ritson) 2001
Lybeaus began to swete, Ther he satte yn hys sete, Maad
as he were (the earlier texts read quite differently). In the
first quot. the text is certainly corrupt (? read wod : biod) \
the later quots. do not prove the length of the vowel.]
1. Suffering from mental disease ; beside oneself,
out of one's mind; insane, lunatic. In mod. use
chiefly with a more restricted application, imply-
ing violent excitement or extravagant delusions :
Maniacal, frenzied.
The word has always had some tinge of contempt or dis-
gust, and would now be quite inappropriate in medical use,
or in referring sympathetically to an insane person as the
subject of an affliction.
a 1000 Riddles xii. 6 Ic pais nowhit wat |?a:t heo swa
Semaedde mode bestolene Da;de gedwolene deoraj? mine
Won wisan ^ehwam. C1050 I'oc. in Wr.-Wulcker 347/19
A mens, ^ema:d. e 1050 Gloss, ibid. 513/33 Uecordcm,
Semxdedne. 1390 Gowkk Con/. I. 46 For certes such a
maladie . . It myghte make a wisman madd. Ibid. II. 144
And jf.. hir list noght to be gladd, He berth an hond that
sche is madd. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 319/1 Madde,or wood,
aniens, demens, furiosus. 1489 Ca.xton Faytes 0/ A. in.
MAD.
xx. 213 Whyche duke" or eric happeth to wex madde so that
al alone as a fole be gothe renning by wodes and hedges.
1500-20 Dunbar Poems xix. 12 Gife I be sorrowfull and
sad, Than will thay say that I am mad. 1590 Shaks. Com.
Err. 11. ii. 11 Wast thou mad, That thus so madlie thou
didst answerc me? 1590 Swinburne Treat. Test. 37 They
did see him hisse like a goose or barke lyke a dogge, or play
such other parts as madfolks vse to doo. 1611 ISiblk John
x. 20 And many of them said, He hath a deuill, and is mad,
whyheareye him? 1664-5 Pei'YS Diary 25 Jan., He told
me what a mad freaking R-llow Sir Ellis Layton hath been,
and is, and once at Antwerp was really mad. 1726 Swift
Gulliver u. viii, Some of them, upon hearing me talk so
wildly, thought I was mad. 1791 Boswell Johnson an.
1729 (1847) 15/1 If a man tells me that he 'sees' tins [a
ruffian with a drawn sword] and in consternation calls tome
to look at it I pronounce him to be mad. 1855 Tennyson
Maud. 11. v. i, And then to hear a dead man chatter Is
enough to drive one mad.
absol. 1728 Poi'E Dune. \. 106 She saw slow Philips creep
like Tate's poor page, And all the mighty Mad in Dennis rage.
b. Phrases, To fjall, go, run mad.
1589 Rider Bibl. Schol., Running madde, Bacchatus.
1596 Shaks. i Hen. IV, in. i. 212 Nay, if thou inelt, then
will she runne madde. 1654 R. Codkington tr. lustinc,
etc. 567 Being troubled in his Conscience he did fall mad.
1670 G. H. Hist. Cardinals 11. in. 191 Seeing Nini prc-
ferr'd, [he] was ready to run mad, c 1709 Lady M. W.
Montagu Let. to Mrs. Ilewet 12 Nov., You have not then
received my letter? Well ! I shall run mad. a 1850
RosSETTi Dante <V Circ. I. U874) 27 A perversion of gospel-
teaching which had gained ground in his day to the extent
of becoming a popular frenzy. People went literally mad.
Jig. 1735 Pope Prol. Sat. i38 It is not Poetry, but Prose
run mad. 1762 WESLEY Jrnl. 6 Nov,, That manner of writ-
ing, in prose run mad, I cordially dislike.
C. Like mad: literally, in the manner of one who
is mad ; hence, furiously, with excessive violence
or enthusiasm. Also f like any mad, \for mad.
c 1420 Anturs o/Arth. no (Thornton MS.) It marrede, it
mournede, it niuyssede for made. [1530 Pai.sgk. 572/1,
I go madde, I go up and downe lyke a madde body, je
cours les rrtcs.] 1653 H. More Ant id. Ath. in. vii. (171:")
108 For she was then seen . . in her fetters, running about
like mad. 1663 Pepyh Diary 13 June, Thence by coach,
with a mad coachman, that drove like mad. 1732 FIELD-
ING Covent Card. Trag. 11. xii, My reeling head ! which
aches like any mad. 1742 Richardson Pamela IV. 118
Several Harlequins, and uther ludicrous Forms, that jump'd
and ran about like mad. 1745 C. J. Hamilton in Academy
18 Nov. (1893) 410/3 They were Shooting at y° Standards
Like Mad. 1824 Lady Gkanville Lett. (1S94) I. 262 We
are writing like mad for the post. 1893 Forbes-Mitchkll
Kemitt. Gt. Mutiny 101 We . . heard our fellows cheering
like mad.
d. trans/, of the effects of alcoholic drink.
1743 Bulkelky & Cummins I'oy. S. Seas 19 Being drunk
and mad with Liquor, they plunder'd Cheats and Cabins.
t e. Causing madness. Ohs. ran:
1567 Maplet Cr. Forest 41 I), There is another kind of the
self same name which is called mad Dwale. Which being
drunken sheweth wonders by a certain false shewe of imagin-
ation. 1658 Rowland tr. MouJct's Thcat. Ins. 909 There
is also another kinde of pernicious honey made, which from
the madness that it cause th, is termed Mad-honey. 1676
Dkyden Aurcngz. iv. i. 1890 Pow'r like new Wine, does
your weak Brain surprize, And it's mad Fumes, in hot
Discourses rise.
2. Foolish, unwise. Now only in stronger sense
(corresponding to the modern restricted applica-
tion of sense 1) : Extravagantly or wildly foolish ;
ruinously imprudent.
^725 Corpus Gloss. (Hessels) I. 412 lueptus, ^emedid.
Ibid. U. 36 L'anus, gemaeded. >i 1300 Body -y Soul (MS.
Laud 10S) 100, I bolede be and [dude] as mad to be maister
and i bi cnaue. 13.. E. E. A Hit. P. A. 267 Me bynk be
put in a mad porpose, & busyez be aboute a raysoun bref.
c 1400 Destr. Troy 1S64 Me meruellis of bi momlvng & bi
mad wordes. a 1540 BARNES Whs. (1573) 349A 's not
this a madde manner of prayer that men vse to our Lady 1
1600 Shaks. A. Y. L. ill. ii. 438, I draue my Sutor from
his mad humor uf loue to a lining humor of niadnes.
1608 Middleton {title) A Mad World my Masters. 161 1
Bible Eccl. ii. 2, I saide of laughter, It is mad : and of
mirth, What doeth it? 1743 Bulkeley 8c Cummins Voy.
S. Seas Pref. 14 Our Attempt for Liberty in sailing .. with
such a number of People, stow'd in a Long Boat, has been
censur'd as a mad Undertaking. 1849 Macaulay Hist.
Eug. v. I. 643 The chief justice .. was not mad enough to
risk a quarrel on such a subject. 1864 Browning Confes-
sions ix, How sad and bad and mad it was— But then, how
it was sweet ! 1878 B. Taylor Deukation \. ii. 27 Wa> I
mad, To fear, one moment, thou could^t ever die 'i
f/uasi-adz'. 13.. E. E. Allit. P. A. 1166 Hit payed hym
not bat I so fionc, Ouer meruelous merezso mad arayed.
f 3. Stupefied with astonishment, fear, or suffer-
ing; dazed. Obs.
a 1300 Cursor M. 10310 For bat bright-ties was he sa
raddj pat he stode still als he war madd. Ibid. 10831 Sant
gabneL.said her till, 'Maria, quarfor es bou madd? Es be
na nede to be radd '. Ibid. 24886 All baa bat in bat ferr cost
fard War medd [Gotl. mad ; Kdin. med] quen bai him [sc.
the angel] sagh and herd, c 1400 Destr. Troy 11542 Pus 'n
pouert am I pyght, put vnder fote, pat makes me full mad,
& mournes in my hert.
4. Carried away by enthusiasm or desire ; wildly
excited; infatuated. Const, about > after ; for, \oft
on, upon.
c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 7604 Out of mesure
was he glad, Opon bat mayden he wax al mad. 1601 Shaks.
All's Well v. iii. 260 He loued her, for indeede he was
madde for her. 1611 Bible Jer. 1. 38 It Is the land of
gt auen images, and they are madde vpon their idoles. 1614
B. Jonson Barthot. Fair 1. (1631)9, I thought he would ha'
runne madde o' the blacke boy in Bucklers- bury. 1678 Rymer
Trag. Last Age 7, 1 cannot be perswaded that the people are
so very mad of Acorns, but that they could be well content to
MAD.
14
MADAM.
eat the Hread of civil persons. 1690 W. Walker Idiomai.
Anglo-Bat. .183 He began to be mad on her. 1693 Dkvdkn
Cleomencs Pref. A 4, The World is running mad after Farce,
— the Extremitie of bad Poetry. 1700 — Cinyras <£ Myrrha
128 Mad with desire, she ruminates her Sin And wishes all
her Wishes o'er again. 1719 Die Foe Crusoe 11. ix. (1840)
208 They were mad upon their journey. 1744 H. Wai.pole
i'orr. (ed. 3) I. c v. 350 We are now mad about tar-water.
1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. ii. I. 175 The people were mad
with loyal enthusiasm. 1868 Freeman Norm. Cong. (1876)
II. vii. 42 When all the world seemed mad after monks.
1881 Tennyson Heavy Brigatic Hi, O mad for the charge
and the battle were we.
b. Wildly desirous to do something. Now rare,
a 1627 MmDLKTON* Worn, beware Worn. in. ii, This makes
me madder to enjoy him now. 173a Swirx Jrnl. Mod.
Lady 178 All mad to speak, and none to hearken. 1794
Miss GUNNING Packet IV. be. 166 Kvery honest cottager
was so mad to pursue it after his own mode, that [etc.]. 1814
Southey Roderick 1, Mad to wreak His vengeance for his
violated child On Roderick's head.
c. Frequently used as the second element in
combinations, as music-mad, poetry-mad.
5. 'Beside oneself with anger; moved to un-
controllable rage ; furious. Now only coltoq. (In
many dialects in Great Britain and the U. S. the
ordinary word for ' angry'.)
a 1300 Cursor M. 17595 For-bi baa Iuus war full medd,
pair sandes come again vn-spedd. < 1330 K. IIkunnf. Citron,
ir'ace (Rolls) 608 pys lady Venus was al glad, pe obere were
for wrayth al mad. 14.. Arthur 234 Whan pis lettre was
open & rad, pe bretouns & alle men were mad, And wolde
pe messager scle. 1539 Bible /'s. cii. 8 They that are mad
vpon me, are sworne together agaynst me. [Similarly, 1611 ;
the Heb. word literally means 'insane'.] 1577 Hanmer
Auc. Eccl. Hist. 75 They which for familiarity sake used
moderation before, now were exceedingly moved and mad
with us. a 1604— Chron. />r/. (1633) 125 Roderic was mad,
and in his rage, caused his pledges head ..to be cut off.
1622 Mabbe tr. Alcinan's Guzman a" 'A if. it. 155 Whereat
the merchant was so mad, and so transported with passion,
that he knew not what to say. 170s Hickeringill
Priest-cr. in. Wks 1716 III. 184 That makes them so mad
at me, when I touch the Craft by which they get their
Wealth. 1707 Reflex, upon Ridicule 350 You are mad to
hear other's Works commended. 1766 GARRICK Neck or
Nothing I. ii, He was damned mad that he could not be
at the wedding. 1806 Simple Narrative II. 9 I'll pump
out of her how she got the book ; — how deuced mad she
will be. 1847 Marryat Childr. N. Forest vii, He thought
..you would be mad at the idea of this injustice. 1867
Trollope Last Chron. BarseHiS6g) II. i. 4* I am sometimes
so mad with myself when I think over it all,— that I should
like to blow my brains out.
8. Of an animal: Abnormally furious, rabid.
Often said of bulls ; also, in a more specific sense,
of dogs, horses, etc. suffering from rabies.
The sense appears to be of late emergence ; before the
16th c. it was expressed by Wood a.
1538 [implied in Madness i]. 1565 CoOPER Thesaurus
s.v, Furibuudus, Cants furibundus, a madde done. Taurus
furt'bundus, a madde bull. 1579 FuLKB H cskins' Part 463
Dogges after they had eaten the sacrament, . . ratine madde.
1590 Shaks. Com. Err. v. i. 70. 170a in \itk Rep. Hist.
MSS. Comm. App. lit. 7 A great ^Iad Bull to be turned
loose in the Game-place, with Fire-works all over him.
1766 Goldsm. Elegy Mad Dog 20 The dog, to gain some
private ends, Went mad, and bit the man. 1769 Pennant
/.ool. III. 315 Fish thus affected the Thames fishermen call
mad bleaks. 1800 Med. J ml. IV. 58 Keep the dogs, or
other animals, supposed mad, shut up safely in a convenient
place for live or six weeks. 1848 Dickens Dombey vi, A
thundering alarm of Mad Bull ' was raised.
t b. Mad dog \ another name for IIuff-CAP. Obs.
1577 [See Hlkk-cai' 11 1]-
7. Uncontrolled by reason ; passing all rational
bounds in demeanour or conduct ; extravagant in
gaiety ; wild.
1597, 1635 Mad Greeke [see Greek sb. §]. 1598 MarbtoN
\n Shaks. C. Praise 29 Why, how now, currish, mad Athenian'.'
1605 Camden Rem. (1637) 377 A merry mad maker as they
call Poets now, was he, which .. made this for John Calfe.
1655 Nicholas Papers (Caindenl II. 338 You will heare mad
work shortly, for the Jesuit is at works, #<*I7X5 BURNrr
Own Time (1724^ I. 244 He.. was engaged in a mad-ramble
after pleasure and minded no business. 173a Berkeley
Alciphr, 11. § 10 The mad sallies of intemperance and
debauchery. 1777 Mme. D'Arblay Barb Diaty 7 Apr., The
sweet little thing was quite in mad spirits. 1862 G. Mkki -
dith Marian iii, She is steadfast as a star, And yet the
maddest maiden. 1873 OuiDA Fascaret I, 69 They would
play me all sorts of sweet little mad canzoni.
b. transf. Of storm, wind : Wild, violent.
1836 Mrs. Browning Poet's I'oiv I. xi'ii, Mad winds that
howling go From east to west. 1863 Wooi.nkk My Beautiful
Lady 50 Here the mad gale had rioted and thrown Far
drifts of snowy petals.
8. Proverbs. As mad as a buck, a hatter, a
March hare (see Uakk sb. 1 b), etc.
a 1529 Skblto* Reply a<.ion 35 Thou madde Marche lure.
1529 (see HarkjA i t>). 1590 Shaks. Com. Err. lit, i. 72
It would make a man mad as a Bucke to be so bought ami
sold. 1609 Ev. Wont, in Humorx. in Bullen ( >/</ Plays IV.
314 If he were as madde as a weaver. 1626 FLETCHER
Noble Cent. 1. ii, Monsieur ShaltilHon's mad... Mad as May-
batter. And which is more, mad for a wench. 1837-40, 1857
[see Hatter t\ 1849 Thackeray /VWi'««/s x, We were..
< hamng Derby Oaks— until he was as mad as a hatter. 1901
T. Ratclikfkiii N. * Q. 9th Ser. Vlll. 501/2 In Derbyshire
. . there is no commoner saying to express anger shown by
any one than to say that he or she was 'as mad as a tup'.
9. Comb., parasynthetic, as mad-blooded, -hit-
Piourcd, -mooded, -/tfWadjs.; with adjs., indicating
some condition that proceeds from, resembles, or
results in madness, as f mad-angry, -Mazing, -drunk,
f -hardy (hence f mad- hardiness), f -hungry ;
*f -merry, f -proud, f-red adjs. ; also mad-tike adj.
and in attributive combinations of the adj. used
absol., as mad nurse (cottoa.) a nurse attending
on insane patients; Maim>octor, Madhouse.
1589 Rider Bibl. Schot., * Madde angrie, or raging madde,
s&i'us, furiosus. 1632 J. HAYWARDtr. Biondts Eromtnax.
142 Whose Prince mad angry for being discovered, assay 1-
ing with a sudden furie the Granadan Galley, easily tooke
her. 1837 Carlylk Fr. Rev. II I. v. vii, 'Mad-blazing with
flame of all imaginable tints. 1885 Rcnciman Skippers ty
S/i. 84 He was a *mad blooded rip that cared for nothing.
1653 Baxter Chr. Concord 32, 1 have neighbours that go
*mad-drunk about the streets. 1871 Routledge's Ev, Boys
Ann. 33 He was mad drunk, and did not know what he was
doing. 1534 Whitinton Tullycs Offices 1.(1540)28 Of
the hye pride of herte whiche is in reproche, and maye
be called *madhardynesse. Ibid, 35 *Madhardy men of
our cyte of Rome. 1665 Pepvs Diary 6 Dec, Knipp,
who is . . the most excellent *mad-humoured thing, and
sings the noblest that ever 1 heard. 1608 Chapman
Byron's Conspir. Plays 1873 II. 233 Such *mad-hungrie
men, as well may eate Hote coles of fire. 1836 [G. K.
Ihhan] Sir Orfco 6 With a xmad-like dreaminess crying.
1887 P. M'Neili. Blawearic 144 The mad-like act would
never have been heard of. 1599 Sir John O Ideas tic
(1600) C 4, Ye olde *mad merry Constable, art thou aduisde
of that? 1609 BOYS Wkt, (1629) 30 The wicked are often
merrie, sometime mad-merry. 1583 T. Watson Ccntnrie
of Loue Hi. Poems (Arb.) 88 *Mad mooded Loue vsurping
Reasons place. 1753 The World No. 23 f 7 After such
hospitals are built,, .and doctors, surgeons, apothecaries and
*mad nurses provided. 1771 T. Hull Sir IK Harring-
ton (1797) II. 223 Your "mad-pated Julia. 14.. I'oc. in
Wr.-Wiilcker 605/15 Prodncnlus, *madprud. 1614 Lodge
Seneca, Life ix, This Prince waxed *mad red with anger.
Mad (maed), v. [f. Mao a.]
1. trans. To make mad, in various senses of the
adj. ; to madden, make insane ; f to render foolish;
fto bewilder, stupefy, daze; to infuriate, enrage.
Now rare exc. t". S, cottoa., to exasperate.
1399 Langl. Rich. Redclcs 1.63 And nosoule personeto
punnyshe be wrongis ; And bat inaddid bi men. Ibid. it. 132
With many derke mystis pat maddid her eyne. c 1400
Dcstr. Troy 8061 So full are pofairefild of dessait, And men
for to mad is most bere dessyre. 1561 T. Norton Calvin's
Inst. iv. 125 The deucll hath with horrible bewitchyng
madded their myndes. 1593 Nashe Christ's T. (1613) 44
Nothing so much doth macerate and mad mee. 1600
Holland Livy xxvm. xv. 679 The Elephants also affrighted
and madded - . ran from the wings. 1621 Bi'rton Anat.
Mel. 11. iii. VII. 425 He plaid on his drunimc and by that
meanes madded her more. 168a Southern e Loyal Brother
iv. i, O Hell ! it mads my reason hut to think on't. 1810
Crabbe Borough viii, Again ! By Heav'n, it mads ine. 1850
Blackik Mschylns I. 22 Sin .. Mads the ill-coumell'd
heart. 1863 J. Weiss Life T, Parker I. 191 You have
madded Parker and in tin's way he shews his spite.
2. iutr. To be or to become mad ; to act like
a madman, rage, behave furiously. Now rare.
a 1366 Chaucer Rom. Rose 1072 Richesse a robe of
purpie on hadde, Ne trowe not that I lye or madde. 1383
Wvclik Acts xxvi. 24 Festus with greet vois seyde, Poul,
thou maddist, or wexist wood, c 1386 Chaucer Millers
T. 373 Sufiiseth thee, but if thy wittes madde^ To ban
as greet a grace as Noe hadde. < 1394 /*. PI Crcde 280
'Alas ! ' quab be frier * almost y madde in mynde, To sen
hoin bis Minoures many men begyleth !' C141J Hoc-
CLEVI De Reg. Prime* 930, I., muse so, that vn-to lite
I madde. 11440 Promp. Pan: 319/2 Maddyn, or dotyn,
desipio. Maddyn, or waxyn woode, iusani<>,furio. 15*9
LuPSBT Charity (1539) 23, I maye loue for my sensual!
luste, as when.. I madde or dote vppon women. 1530
Palsor. 616/1, I madde, I waxe or become mad.yir enraigc.
I holde my lyfe on it the felowe maddcth. 1574 Hellowes
Cueuara's Bam. Ep. (1577) 310 He brawleth and maddcth
with the maids. 1873 M. Aknold Lit. /»- Dogma (1876) 14S
The unclean spirits, .came raging and madding before him.
fb. Piirase, 'J '0 go or run madding. Obs.
n 1619 FOTMKUY Athcom. 11. ii. S 5 {'622) 205 Wee runne
madding after Cold. i6ai T. Wii.mvmson tr. GoularCs
Wise I'ieitlard 25 Ouer violent passions of the minde..
ouerwhehne the soule,. .making it to goc gadding and mad-
ding heere and there to and fro. 1650 HOWKIX GiraffCs
Rev. Naples 1. 79 doing thus arming daily more and more,
and madding up and down the streets, a 1691 PococK
Thcol.Wks. (1740) 11.199/1 A.. mad-headed, unruly heifer,
that.. runs wantonly madding about
fc. To become infatuated. Const, after, upon.
1594 Kv 1 > Cornelia \. 60 A martiall people madding after
Arrne-. 1614 K. Wiiitk Rcpl. Fisher 555 The practise of
your people, .madding vpon the merits of Saints, and con-
temnoig the merits of Christ, .is intollerable.
Madagass. Also Madegass, Madccass.
[Variant of Malagash.] f
1. A native or inhabitant of Madagascar.
1793 Trait tr. Rochou's 1'oy. Madagascar 33 The in-
habitants of Mad:iga>car call t'hemselve-. indistinctly Male-
gashes, or Madecasses 1815 A IIikn Mem. v. (1816) io8
It is lamentable th;it some altempts are not made to convert
the Madagas»es to Christianity. 1839 Penny Cycl. XIV.
259/2 The Madegasses have made considerable progress in
the arts of civilization.
2. A ne<;ro of Jamaica, having skin less black
and hair less crisped than the ordinary negro.
1873 Garonek IHst. Jamaica \\. iv. 97 The term Mada-
gass is still applied to certain light complexioned negroes,
especially those whose hair is less woolly than common.
Madam (nue'dam), sb. Forms: 3-6 madame,
4-5 madaum St. madem \ e, 5 maydame, 6
maddamo, 4-y madamo, 4- madam, [a. OK.
ma dame (in mod.Fr. written Madame), literally,
'my lady' (sec Dame, Dam), corresp. etymologi-
cally to It. madonna, monna, med.L. mea domina.
The spelling madame is still preferred by some writer?, but
the more general and convenient practice is to write madam
when the word is used as English, and Madame when it is
used as a foreign title. For the plural (in sense 1) Mes-
dames is now used ; the Eng. plural is obs. exc. in
sense 3. J
1. A form of respectful or polite address (substi-
tuted for the name) originally used by servants in
speaking to their mistress, and by people generally
in speaking to a lady of high rank ; subsequently
used with progressively extended application, and
now capable of being (in certain circumstances)
employed in addressing a woman of whatever rank
or position. (Corresponding to Sir.)
The early occurrence of Dame in the sense of mother
suggests that in AF. and early ME. madame was very
commonly used by children to their mother; but in the
extant examples the mother so addressed is a queen or a
lady of very high rank. In Chaucer's time (C. T. Prol,
376) to be addressed as madame was one of the advantages
which a citizen's wife gained by her husband's being made
alderman ; this probably indicates the lowest social grade
in which at that time the title could be claimed as a matter
of customary right. In poetry of the 14th and 15th c. the
lover often addresses his mistress as madame. Nuns
(originally only the elder ones : see quot. c 1400J were called
madame down to the Reformation.
While in France the title has (with certain customary ex-
ceptions) been confined to married women, in England no
such rule has been generally adopted, though there are
t races of a tendency in the 1 6-1 7th c. to address matrons as
' madam ' and spinsters as * mistress '.
From the 17th c. madam has been the title normally used
in beginning or subscribing a letter to a woman of any
station, except where the use of the name (as in ' Dear Mrs.
A. ' etc.) is permitted (' my lady ', etc. not being admitted in
epistolary usage). In oral use the title now rarely occurs;
from the r8thc.it has been, except in very formal use, largely
superseded by the contracted form Ma'am, which has itself
in recent years been greatly restricted in currency ; how-
ever, madam is in London and other towns still the word
commonly used by salesmen to their female customers, and
by persons in the position of servants to the public.
1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 832 Heo [sc. CordeilleJ sedc.Mid
hou mani knijtes is he come, be ober a;en sede, Ma dame
IxHe mid o man. Ibid. 5858 Certes ma dame quab be king
(to his stepmother] so ne may it no^t be. a 1300 1400
Cursor M. 4340 (G<>tt.) In chamber hendely he [Joseph] nir
grett, And said, ' madam [Cott. lauedi], cum to $our mett '.
1 1330 Arth. <y Mcrt. 4644 (Kolbing) po bispac Wawain
curteys [addressing his mother] Madame, purvaieb ous
harnais. £1375^. Leg. Saints I. (Katerine) 658 [T]hane
purphir sad till hir [sc. the queen] alsone : 'dred nocbt,
mademe ! It sail be done'. 1390 (Jower Conf. I. 47 Ma
dame, I am a man of thync, That in thi Court have longe
served, a 1400-50 Alexander 229 ' Haile, modi qwene of
Messidoyne ' he maister-likc said ; pare deyned him na
daynte 'madame' hire to call. Ibid. 874 pen airis him on
Alexander to his awen mod ire ; 'Bees not a-glopened,
m;idame ne greued at inyfadire'. (1400 Rule St. Bcnet
2210 ' Damisel ' be congest [nun] es, pe elder ' madaum ' &
' mastres '. pe Priores als principal! Es ' lady ' & leder of
bam all. 11440 Sir Dcgrcv. 785 'Maydame !' sche seid,
'grainercyof thi gret cortesy'. £1470 Henkv Wallace v.
1030 'Grace*, scho cryit, *for hym that deit on tre'. Than
Wallace said ; * Mademe, your noyis lat be '. 1513 Kkad-
shaw St. Werbnrgc It, 1393 'Alas', he sayd, ' ma dame and
patronesse, For sorowe I can nat my peynes cxpresse '. 1547
Eakl Sussex in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. 1. II. 137 (To his
wife.] Madame., thies be tosignifie (etc.]. Ibid. 138 Thus,
good Madame albeit (etc.]. 155a Lvnulsav Monarche
in. 4664 The seilye Nun wyll thynk gret si.hanic,
Without scho callit be Madame. 1597 Shaks. 2 Hen. IV,
11. i. 109 And didst not tbou.. desire me to be no more
familiar with such poore people, saying, that ere long
they should call me Madam? i6o» — Ham. 11. ii. 06 Qu.
More matter, with lesse Art. Pol. Madam, I sweaie I
vse no Art at all. 1609 H.Jonson.SV/c«/ Woman v. (i62o>0 2,
Trtt. You see, what creatures you may l>estow your fauours
on, Madames. 1648 Milton Sonn. x. 1 1 'To tlu: Lady Mar-
garet Ley, Though later born, than to have known the
dayes Wherein your Father flourish!, yet by you Madam,
me thinks I see him living yet.^ 1696 I'iiiilips (ed. 5),
Madam, a Title of Honour, which is given as well in
Writing as Speaking, to Women of Quality, as Princesses,
Dutchesses, and others ; but grown a little too common of
late. 1749 FiEi.hiNG Tom Jones xvn. vi, ' If you will have
patience, madam', answered Mrs. Miller, ' I will acquaint
you who I am'..' I have no curiosity, madam, to know any-
thing ', cries Sophia. 1851 Tknnyson To the Queen, Take,
Madam, this poor book of song. 1884 I. QutttCY Figures
of Past 325 'So you've been over the farm, Colonel Pick-
ering', said my mother... 'Why, yes, Madame', was the
reply. ' I have been all over the farm, and a weary tramp
I've had of it '. 1901 Paily Chron. 10 Dec. 5/2 The street-
car conductors of Boston are compelled to address all their
women passengers as 'madam'.
b. Non-vocatively, substituted for the name of
a lady entitled to be addressed as ' madam \ 'iObs.
c 1500 Mclusinc 1 1 Sire, Madame the queue Pressyne your
wyf .. is delyuercd of thre dougbtirs. 1605 Shaks. Lear
I. ii. 9 Why Hastard? . . When my Dimensions are as well
compact .. As honest Madams issue? 1716 Swii-t Phillis
Wks. 1755 HI. 11. 159 Old madam, who went up to
find What papers Phil had left behind. 17*0 -Fates
Ctcrgym. ibid. II. n. 28 He kept a miserable house, but
the blame was laid wholly ui>on madam; for the good
doctor was always at his books. 176a Hick tRSTAi 11 Ltm W
Village l. ix. 1 1765) iS, I know what makes you false hearted
to me, that you may keen company with young niadani\s
waiting woman. 1839-41 Wakhkn Ten Thotts. a Year w\\.
II. 91 It's very hard ma'am, thai madam's maid Is to go
with her, and I'm not to go with you\ ['Madam' btM
lady of the house; the speaker is her sister-in-law's maid]
c. Used in contempt or anger. Chiefly dial.
1854 Miss'Bakkr Northamft. Gloss., I'll sive il y°u»
madam, if you don't do as you re bid.
MADAM.
2. As a prefixed title, fa. Prefixed to a first or I
sole name. Obs.
1.1386 Chaucer Prol. 121 She [the prioress] was cleped
madame Eglentyne. 1591 Shaks. Two Cent. 11.1. 9 Goe
to, sir, telt me : do you know Madam Siluia? Ibid. II. V. 8
But sirha, how did thy Master part with Madam Julia f
1613 Hkywood Brazen Age II, ii, Iason. Madam Medea.
Medea. Leaue circumstance, away. 1749 Fielding Tom
Jones vm. viii, etc. [An unmarried young lady is referred
to by servants and inferiors as ' Madam Sophia '.J
b. Prefixed to a surname: (a) Now in U.S.,
and perh. formerly in Kngland, the style of a
woman who has a married son (whose wife has
the style of * Mrs.'}, [b) dial. The style of a
married woman of position, such as the squire's
wife. (V) U.S. (see quot. 1809).
1703 Petiver Musei Petiver. 94 Madam Elizabeth Glan-
ville. To this Curious Gentlewoman I am obliged for an
hundred Insects. 1705 Loud. Gas, No. 4106/4 Madam
Clark of Yeovil, Mrs. Jervice of Favent. « 1774 Goi.dsm.
Elegy on Mrs. Maize, Good people all, with one accord
Lament for Madam lUaize. 1809 Kendall Trap, II. xxxviii.
44 It has been, and still is the practice, to prefix to the
name of a deceased female of some consideration .. the title
of madam, a 182$ Fobbv / 'oc. E. Anglt'a, Madam, a term
of respect to gentlewomen ; below lady, but above mistress.
In a village, the Esquire's wife, .must have madam prefixed
to her surname. The parson's wife, if he be a doctor, or a
man of ..genteel figure, must be madam too. 1849 LyrLL.
?ud I 'isit U. S. I. ix. 162 The title of Madam is sometimes
given here [in Boston], and generally .. in the South, to a
mother whose son has married, and the daughter-in-law
is then called Mrs.
•fc, Afadame regent = queen regent. Ahofig. Obs,
1523 Skelton Carl. Laurel 53 [to Pallas] Prynces moost
pusant . . All other transcendyng . . Madame regent of the
seyence seuyn. Ibid. 951. a 156a G. Cavendish Wolsey
11893) 84 Nowe was there lodged also Madame Regent, the |
kyug's mother, and all hir trayn of ladys and gentillwoiuen.
td. In playful or derisive uses. Obs.
1603 Shaks. Meas. for M. 1. ii. 43 Behold, behold, where
madam Mitigation comes. 1624 Hkywood Captives iv. i. in
Bulltn O. It, IV, Naye, make his honest and chast wyfe
no better Then a madam makarell. 1633 Ford "Lis Pity
n. ii, Tis not your new Mistresse, Your goodly Madam
Merchant, shall triumph On my defection. 1670 EacHABO
Cont. Clergy 28 After a lad has taken his leave of Madam
University,, .he is not likely to deal.. with much Eatine.
1687 Drydkn I Hnd iff P. II. 250 But madam Panther, you,
though more sincere, Are not so wise as your adulterer.
a 1806 H. K. Whits My Study, The ideal flights of Madam
Brain.
3. A woman who is addressed as 'madam*,
fa. A lady of rank or station. Also jig. Obs,
1543 Bale Yet a Course 38 b, She [holy church] became
a gloryouse madame of the earth. 1550 — Image Botk Ch, \
Pref. Avj b, They have alwaies for lucres sake, gloriouslye
garnished their holy mother, the madame of mischiefe and
proude synagog of Sathan w* golde, siluer [etc.]. 1576
Fleming Panopl. Epist. Epit, Preceptes Aijb, His grand-
mother a sober matrone and vertuous old maddame. 1589
Pcttenham Eng. Poesie 111. i. (Arb.) 149 As we see in these
great Madames of honour. 1616 R. C. Times* Whistle, etc.
(1871) 134 'Tis certaine he had been a knight a[t] lest, And
made his wife (what she hath lookt for long) A Madame.
appositively. 1632 Massinger City Madam 1. i, The want
of one [sc. a male heir] Swells my young Mistresses, and
their madam mother With hopes above their birth, and scale.
b. The mistress of a house. Now only U, S, ,
vulgar.
1824 Galt Rothelan 11. xv, We shall.. use a little more
freedom with the madam of the mansion. 1879 Tolrgke
Pool's Err. xv. 75 Well, Colonel, ., I've brought back the
books I borrowed of the madam the other day.
C. In derisive or opprobrious use. (a) An af-
fected fine lady. f(b) A kept mistress, a cour-
tesan, prostitute (obs.). (c) Used as a general
term of contempt for a female : a 'hussy', * minx '.
These uses may perhaps, so far as origin is concerned, belong
partly to Madame, as being more or less due to prejudice
against foreign women. Cf. ' Madam Van [?i.e. a Dutch-
woman :cf. Madame i] a whore' {Diet Cant. Creiv, a 1700).
(a) 1598MARSTON.SV0. Vittanieln Lect. B 2, Let ine alone, the
Madams call for thee Longing to laugh at thy wits pouertie.
1623 Massinger Dk. Milan m. ii, Fine meeters To tinckle
in the eares of ignorant Madams. 1664 Power Exp. Philos.
1. 11 Ovid's Lydian-Spinstresse, that proud Madam which
Pallas, for her Rivalship trausforin'd into the Spider. 1682
O. N. Boileau"s Lntrin 1. Argt. 11 Thus Queasie Madams
meat forbear Untill they read, The Bill of Fare. 1725 New ,
Cant, Diet., Mistress Princum-Prancnm, such a stiff,
over-nice, precise Madam. 1803 Mary Charlton Wife t?
Mistress III, 57 What should I care what those fine
Madams says of me ! 1840 Hood Kilmansegg, Hojieymoon
xxii, She was far too pamper'd a madam.
(b) 1719 D'Urfey Pills IV. 139 Hide-Park maybe term'd the
Market of Madams, or Lady-Fair. 1721 Amherst Terrx
Pit. No. 28 (1754) 152 At Oxford ..several of our most '
celebrated and right beautiful madams would pluck off their
fine feathers, and betake themselves loan honest livelihood.
1747 Centl. Mag. 96 On a Gentleman who mistook a Kept
Madam for a Lady of Fashion. 1761 Ann. Rtm 11. 66 He
indulged himself and madam with green peas at live shillings
a quart.
(c) 1802 Wolcot (P. Pindar) Middlesex Elect, ii. Witt, 1816
IV. 183 I'd make the madams squall. 1874 S. Beauchamp
Grantley Grange I. 68 ' I do not think they [hop-pickers]
are troubled with much shyness'. '0, not a bit of it, Sir
Charles . . they're brazen madams, and quite above my hands '.
t4. Comb, {appositive). Obs.
ISM G- Harvey Pierce's Super. 174 Floorishing London,
the Staple of Wealth, & Madame-towne of the Realme.
Hence (nonce-wds.) Madamish a., like a ' fine
lady'; f Ma damship.
15
1620 Swetnam Arraigned (i88o> 62, I thanke your
Madame-ship, Ime glad o' this. 1881 J. Younger Autobiog,
xv. 171 The mistress at home grew quite madamish.
Madam (mardam), v. [f. Madam sb.] trans.
To address as 'madam', f Also with ///.
1622 Rowlands Good Newes <$- B. 7 She .. would be
Madam'd, Worship'd, Laditide. 1668 Dryden Evening's
Love 111. i. I1671) 33 Madam me no Madam. 1741
Richardson Pamela (1824) I. 58 In came the coachman.,
and madamed me up strangely. 1748 — Clarissa Wks.
1883 VIII. 447, I am.. Madam'd up perhaps to matrimonial
perfection. 1829 Examiner 116/1 The sparring scene
between her and Mrs. Chatterley, wherein they 'Madam'
each other with genteel petulance.
II Madame (madam ; often mada'm, or angli-
cized iruvdam). Also madam. PI. Mekdamkh;
f madames. [Fr. : see Madam sb.
The uses in which the word is meant to represent a foreign
title are treated in the present article, although in early
examples the spelling is often madam. For madame,
when it is a mere variant spelling of the Eng. word, see
Madam.]
1. The title prefixed to the surname of a French
married woman (corresponding to the Eng. 'Mrs.',
'Lady', etc., according to degree of rank). Ab-
breviated Mme,\ in Eng. books and newspapers
Mdme. often occurs.
In English use it is very commonly applied to a married
woman belonging to any foreign nation (substituted, e.g.,
for the Ger. Pratt or the Du. Mevrouw). It is also
frequently assumed (instead of* Mrs.') by English or Amer-
ican professional singers or musicians, and by women engaged
in businesses such as dressmaking, in which native ta^te
or skill is reputed to be inferior to that of French women.
a 1674 CLARENDON Hist. AY/\ xv. § 155 One day he
visited madam Turyn. 1699 Petiver Musei Petiver, 46
Madam Margaretha Hendnna van Otteren, Widow t<>..
Dr. Olden land. 1706 Luttrell Brief R el. 18 May (1857 1
VI. 46 Mrs. Skelton, daughter to Madam Orfeur. 1838
DlCKBMS N it'll. Nick, x, ' The Lady's name ', said Ralph,. .
'is Mantalini — Madame Mantalini'. 1871 E. C. G. Murray
Member for Paris I. 258 One of Madame Roderheim's
plushed footmen. Ibid. 296 ' Father Glabre never talks
polities', answered Mdme. de Margauld. 1877 J. Grant
Six Yrs.AgO II. 188 Madame von Hohenthal. i888Mai'LE-
son Mem. (ed. 2) 1. 193 Mdme. Christine Nilsson.
b. Used (both vocatively and otherwise) with
omission of the name, or in substitution for it.
1853 Urontk Vitlette xiv, As soon as Georgette was well,
Madame sent her away into the country. 1894 S. J. Wi:v-
man Man in Black 198 Presently madame followed her
example.
f 2. The title given to female members of the
French royal family ; a French princess ; spec, the
eldest daughter of the French king or of the dau-
phin ; in the reign of Louis XIV, the wife of Mon-
sieur, the king's only brother. Obs.
1670 G. H. Hist. Cardinals 1. 1. 14 In the presence of
Madam Royall in Turin. 1679 Marriage Charles II, 7
Next to her followed Madam. 1701 Lond. Gaz. No. 3714/3
Madame does not yet give Audience. /Z1715 Burnet Own
Time (1724) I. 302 The King of France had courted Madame
Sotssons, and made a shew of courting Madame [sc. the
Duchess of Orleans]. 1765 Ann. Beg. 112 Don Philip, duke
of Parma, . . has left issue, by the late madame of France,
a prince and a princess. 1766 Ibid. 11. 4 The Madames of
France were much devoted to reading in their private
apartments. 1798 R. C. Dallas tr. Clery's Jml. Occur.
Louis Xl'I 40 A small antichamber almost without light,
was occupied by Madame Royale and Madame Elizabeth.
+ 3. A French married woman; a Frenchman's
wife. Obs.
1599 Shaks. Hen. V% \. i. 23 The Madams too, not vs'd to
toyle, did almost sweat to beare The Pride vpon them.
Ibid. 111. v. 28 Dolphin. By Faith and Honor, Our Madames
mock at vs. 1599 B. Jonson Cynthia's Rev. iv. i, I would
tell you, which Madame lou'd a Monsieur. 1627 Drayton
Agincourt cxlvii, In which [a Chariot] they meane to Paris
him to bring, To make sport to their Madames and their
Boyes. 1765 Hickekstaffe Maid of Mill \. vi. 11 When I
was on my travels, among the madames, and signoras, we
never saluted more than the tip of the ear.
Madamoiselle, obs. variant of Mademoiselle.
Madane, obs. form of Maiden.
Madapollam (mardap^lam). Also -pollaud,
-polam, [From Madapollam {AIddhava-palam)t
a suburb of Narsapur, Madras presidency.] A
kind of cotton cloth, orig. manufactured at Mada-
pollam, and afterwards imitated on the British
looms, and exported in great quantities to India.
1832 in M. Russell Egypt viii. (1853) 3?7 He intends to
send long-cloths, madapollands [etc.]. 1858 SimmondsZ>/W.
Trade, Aladapottam, a kind of fine long cloth, shipped to
the Eastern markets. 1882 Caulfeild &:Sawaki) Diet.
Needlework, Madapolams, a coarse description of calico
cloth, of a stiff, heavy make, originally of Indian manu-
facture, where it was employed for Quilts. 1885 Manch.
Exam. 31 Dec. 4/4 Buff-end madapollams.
Ma d-apple. [A translation of mod.L. malum
insdmiw, a corruption of the oriental word
which appears variously as melongena, badingan,
Hrin.tal. Also called raging (love) apple: see
Raging ///. a. 2.] The fruit of the Egg-plant.
1597 Gekakde Herbal 11. Hv. 274 Madde or raging Apples.
1688 R. Holme Armoury 11. 82/2 An Assirian Made Apple.
The pod is whitish green, and the cup jagged [etc.]-
1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. 318 Mad Apple, Solanum. 1785
Martyn Rousseau's Bot. xvi. (1794) 202 Mad-Apple is also
of this genus, 1864 Gkiseuach Flora IV. Imi. 783 Mad-
apple, Solanum Melongena.
Madar : see Mudak.
MADDEN.
II Madarosis (maxlar^-sis). Med. [mod.L.,
a. Gr. fxabapojais, f. /wzoapos bald : see -osis.] Loss
of hair ; esp. of that of the eyebrows.
1693 in Btancards Physical Diet. (ed. 2}. 1706 in Phillu-s
(ed. Kersey1. In mod. Diets.
t Ma'dbrain, sb. (and a.) Obs.
A. sb, A mad-brained person ; a 'scatter-brain \
c. 1570 Marr. Wit fy Sci, v. i. E 1 b, Thou ait some mad
braine, or some foolc. 1608 Mm>i>lkton Mad World 1. A 3
Ileer's a mad-braine a'th first, whose piankes scorne to bane
presidents. 1616 J. Deacon 'Tobacco Tortured 57 Alas
pooi e Tobacco, .thou that hast bene hitherto accompted..
the mad-braines merriment,, .and the vnthrifts pasport.
B. attrib, or adj. ~ Mad-hrained.
1592 (). Harvey Four Lett. 45, I haue .. seene the tnad-
braynest Roister-doister in acountrey dashte out of counten-
aunce. 1596 Siiaks. Tarn. Shr. in. ii. 10, I must forsooth
In; foist To give my hand. .Vnto a mad-braine rudesby. 1605
Rowlands Hell's Broke Loose 33 With.. mad-braine heat,
Munster they enter. 1631 \\'i-.i:\i-.nAuc. Funeral Man. 295
That wilde mad braine Lalques.
Mad-brained (tnae-dbrv'nd), a. Having or
manifesting a mad brain; hot-headed, uncontrolled.
1577 (1. Harvey I.etter-bk. (Camden) 57 And Skelton that
same madbrayiid knave Look how he knawes a deade horse
boane. 1596 Shaks. lam. Shr. 111. ii. 165 This mad-hrain'd
bridegroome tooke him such a cuffe, That downe fell Priest
and booke. 1607 — Timon\. i. 177 Gluing our holy \ n gins
to the staine Of contumelious, beastly, mad-braiuM wane.
1649 (1. Daniel I'rinarch., Hen. J l\ cxlvii, The Mad-
Iirain'd Spartacus. 1751 Eliza Hev\yooi> Betsy 'Thought-
less I. 104 The heedless levities of the one sex, and the
mad-brained passions of the other. 1819 Shelli v Peter
Bell vi. xx, A mad-brained goblin for a guide. 1894 G. M.
1m-;nm Real Gold 379 Your father's mad-brained ideas.
Madcap (mce'dkjep), sb. and a. [f. Mad a. +
Cap sb. ; d./ttddArap, hujfiap.]
A. sb. fa. In early use, a mailman, maniac
{obs, rare), b. One who acts like a maniac; a
reckless, wildly impulsive person. In recent use
often applied playfully to young women of lively
and impulsive temperament.
1589 Greene Sp. Masqverado (."3 b, This crue of popish
Madcaps, 1591 Siiaks. Two Gent. 11. v. 3 Come-on you
madcap: He to the Ale-house with you. 15^9 Haywakd
isi Pt. Hen. IV 10 There was .. Sir Hugh Ltnne, a good
souldier, but a very mad-cap. 1607 Dekker Northward
Hoe iv. Wks. 1873 I II. 57 What mad-caps haue you in your
house [Bedlam]. 1667 Dryden Secret Love 111. i. 1166S) 34
Lord, that such a Mad-Cap as I should ever live to be jealous !
1711 Coitntrev-Man's Let. to Curat 12 There were.. some
Mad-caps alias High-Flyers, in the Council that opposed
the granting of it. 1861 Thackeray Four Georges ii.
(1876) 53, I should like to have seen that noble old madcap
[Peterborough]. 1869 Tiili.i.n-s / 'esuv. ii. 12 To be Mnninj;
when Vesuvius was thundering . . was not unfitting the im-
perial madcap. 1885 Mabel Collins Prettiest Woman'x, On
theboardsshe was the merriest, gayest, madcap in the world.
B. attrib. and adj. Mad, 'crack-brained ' ; reck-
less, wildly impulsive.
1588 Siiaks. /,. L. L. 11. i. 215 That last is Ileroune, the
mery mad-cap Lord. 1598 E. Guilpin Sk/al. (1878)27 When
thou hast read this mad-cap stufTe. 1619 Fletcher ill.
Thomas 1. iii, Dor. And is your hate so mortal! ? Mar.
Not to his person, Uutto his qualities, his madcap follies.
1807 W. Irving Salmag. (1824) 274 The thoughtless How of
mad-cap spirits. 1853 Thackeray Esmond in. ii, The mad-
cap girl ran up to her mother. 1887 AIowen Virg. Eel. ix. 43
Let the madcap billows in thunder break on the shore. 1893
Vizetklly Glances Back 11. xxxiii. 233 Madcap republicans
bent on disturbing the emperor's pleasure.
Madded (mae'ded), ///. a. Now rare, [f. Mai>
v. + -ED3.] Rendered mad, in various senses of
the adj. a. Deprived of reason or intelligence.
b. Excited to fury, enraged.
(■ 1580 Sidney Ps. xxii. vii, I am enclos'd with yong bulls
madded rowt. 1611 Shaks. Cymb. iv. ii. 313 All Curses
madded Hecuba gaue the Greekes. a 1641 lip. Mocntagu
Acts $ Mon. (1642) 290 The two Confitents. . were by the
madded multitude stoned to death. 1681 Wharton Disc.
Soul WorldWks. (1683) 647 But Tycho-l'.rahe. .shall, .un-
fold to us this matter far different from the Madded Nursery
of Peripateticks. 1766 Nicoi. Poems 240 Shall I so besotted
beAnd madded, as to sell My soul to flames..? 1872 Blackie
Lavs Highl. 101 Downward Sheer the madded torrent pours.
Madden ^mard'n), v. [f. Mad a. + -en 5.]
1. intr. To become mad.
1735 Pope Prol. Sat. 6 They rave, recite, and madden
round the land. 1796 Mrs. M. Robinson A ngelina I. 8 My
mind would madden at the retrospect of her injuries. 1802
Noble Wanderers II. 85,1 saw her strength wasting, .and
maddened at the view ! 1811 W. R. Spencer Poems 19 My
fierce steed maddens to be gone. 1855 Milman Lat. Ch>:
ix, vii. (1864) V. 369 Whole populations maddening to
avenge the cause of the injured Son of God. 1858 H. Law
Christ is All, Numbers 79 Malignant passions maddened
in opposing breasts.
2. trans. To make mad ; to drive out of one's
mind; to excite to frenzy or uncontrollable anger.
1822 Goon Study Med. IV. 167 Opium maddens the head.
1833 Ht. Mahtineau Loom $ Logger 11. v. 105 It was
enough to madden the most gentle. 1849 Macaulay Hist,
Eng. ii. I. 267 Fierce spirits, unrestrained by principle,
maddened by fanaticism. 1879 Farkar St. PaulUBSj) 119
The raging passion which maddens a crowd of Eastern
fanatics.
Hence Maddened ///. a., Ma-ddening" ///. a.
and vbl. sb. Also Ma'ddeningly adv., in a madden-
ing manner.
a 1743 SAVAGE To % Poivetl 35 Calm, on the beach while
maddening billows rave, He gains Philosophy from every
wave. 1775 Ash Suppl., Maddening, the act of making
mad. 1806 Sukk Winter in Lond. 111. 79 The shrieks.. of
MADDER.
its maddened mother . . did not arouse the sleeping nurse.
1822 Good Study Med. IV. 624. The burning and maddening
pain, .can rarely be alleviated but by opium, a 1861 Mrs.
Browning From Nonnus Poems 1890 V. S5 She named her
hero, and raged maddeningly Against the brine of waters.
1863 Wooi.ner My Beautiful Lady Introd. 3 The wind
Heaving the ocean into maddened arms That clutch and
dash huge vessels on the rocks. 1891 T. Hardy 'J "ess (1900)
1 17/2 There never was such a maddening mouth since Eve's !
Madder (ttse*d&l), sb.1 Forms: 1 msedere,
nueddre, meederu, 3-7 mader, 4-5 madyr, (5
madur, maddyre, madre), 5-6 niaddre, 6-7
mather, (8 maddar), 4- madder. [OE. nuvdere
wk. fem. corresp. to OX. madra in place-names
(S\v. madra, dial, mfidra, Mara, Nonv. modra,
maure); app. related in some way are MDu.,
MLG. male (mod.Du. mede, mee), madder.
The word in OE. and ON. could not originally have
denoted the exotic Rubify but probably belonged to various
species of the allied genera Asfierula and Galium, some of
which are still used as substitutes for madder. In Iceland,
Sweden, and Norway, it is now applied chiefly to Galium
boreale; in Sweden also to Asperula tinctoria (Dyer's
Woodruff), while Rubin tiuctorum is called ?-<>'</ madra and
krapp. In the mod. Wiltshire dialect madder is used for
the Sweet Woodruff {Asperula odorata); the meu1der{s or
mather applied in several dialects to the Stinking Camo-
mile is prob. a distinct word (see Maythe).]
1. A herbaceous climbing plant, Rubia tinctorum,
having rough hairy stems and bearing panicles of
small yellowish flowers: cultivated, esp. in Hol-
land and France, for the dye obtained from it
(see 2). Called also dyerys madder,
c 1000 Sax. Leechd. I. 1 54 Deos wyrt be man gryas & oSrum
naman masdere nemneQ byS cenned fyrmust in lucania.
< 1050 Herbarium in Sax. Leec/id. I. 24 Herba gryas ba-t
is msederu [v.r. maxlere]. < 1265 V'oc. Plants in Wr.-
Wulcker 608/17 Rubca, mader. 14.. Voc. ibid. 576/22
Cressula, Mader. c 1440 Promp. Pan'. 319/1 Madyr, herbe.
1562 Turner He?'l>al 11. 118 The stalkes of madder are foure
squared, longe, rough lyke vnto the stalkes of gooshareth.
1688 R. Holme Armoury 11. 76/2 The Garden Madder
hath a long rough leaf. 1758 P. Miller {title) The Method
of cultivating Madder, As it is now practised by the Dutch
in Zealand. 1846 McCfLLOCH^cr. Brit. Empire{i%$$) 1. 109
Madder has been attempted to be raised [in England], but
without success. 1882 Holden Hum. OsteoL (ed. 6) 33 The
colouring principle of the madder {Rubia tiuctorum) has a
strong affinity for phosphate of lime.
b. With specific qualification, applied to other
plants. Bengal Madder, Rubia cordifolia (Treas.
Bot. 1866). Field Madder (see Field sb, 20).
Hog's Madder (see Hog s&£ 13 d). Indian
Madder, (a) A', cordifolia ; (b) Ohienlandia urn-
bellata (Treas. Bot.). Petty Madder, the genus
Crucianclla. "Wild Madder, (a) A\ peregrina,
native to the south-west of England; (b) Galium
Mollugo.
14.. I'oc.'m Wr.-Wi'ilcker 570 'loCandeo, wylde madur. 1578
Lyte Dodoens iv. lxxiii. 537 There be two sortes of Madder,
the tame Madder .. and the wild Madder. 1597 Gerarde
Herbal 961, 1 Rubia tiuctorum. Red Madder. 2 Rubia
syluestris, Wilde Madder. 3 Rubia marina, Sea Madder.
1760 J. Lke Introd. Bot. App. 318 Petty Madder, Crucia-
nella. 1776 Withering Bot. Arrangem. Vegetables I. 81
Madder, Mollugo. Goosegrass.. .Wild Madder, Great Bas-
tard Madder. 1813 Ainslie Mat. Med. Hindoslan 87
Bengal Madder, Rubia Manjitli Roxb.
2. The root of this plant, employed medicinally
or as a source of colouring matter; the dye-stuff
or pigment prepared from this.
The chief colouring matters contained in madder are ali-
zarin and purpurin. The ' Turkey red ', used in dyeing cotton,
is prepared from madder.
1347-8 Rolls o/Parlt. II. 215/2 Come il ait fait avenir en
Engleterre xi pokes de madder a Lenn. f 1374 Chaucer
Former Age 17 No mader [v.rr. madyr, madder], welde, or
wood no litestere Ne knew. 1389 in Fug. Gilds (1870) 358
Euerych a cart y'lade w1 mader, b' comeb to selle, twey pans.
1436 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 180 Yit marchaundy of Braban
and Selande, The madre and woode that dyers take on hande
Todynewyth. 1579 Lahgua^ Gard. Health (1633) 377 Mad-
der. The root is sharp and bitter, and therefore purgeth the
liuer and the milt. 1581 Act 23 Fliz. c. 9 § 3 Wherein no
Mather shalbe used. 1601 R. Johnson Kingd. % Commw.
(1603) 28 It bringeth forth great quantitie of mather, very j
perfect woade, but no great store. 1747 Cooke in Han way
Trav. (1762) I. iv. Iv. 258 These Tartars trade.. with the
Russians with their madder. 1846 J. Baxter Libr. Pract. '
Agric. (ed. 4) II. 311 Sulphur and madder are the best
alterants in foulness of the skin or habit. 1882 W. T.
Suffolk in Sci. Gossip Mar. 50 Avoid .. cochineal colours;
the madders are the only safe substitutes.
"b. \Yith defining word, indicating a special
kind or quality, as bale-, bunch-, fat-, pipe-madder \
sometimes with designation adopted from Du., as
viull, umbro madder', crap-madder [Chap sb.-'],
corruptly crop-, grape-madder, the best quality of .
madder.
1640 in Entick London (1766) II. 168 Crop madder,and all \
other bale madder .. Fat madder .. Mull madder, a 1661
Fuller Worthies, Kent 11. (1662) 57 Madder .. there are .
three kinds thereof. 1. Crop-Madder. 2. Umber-Owe. 3. ;
Pipe or Fat-Madder. 1765 Museum Rust. IV. 176 The j
best umbro madder, imported from Holland. 1797 Fncycl.
Brit. (ed. 3) X. 400/2 The commodity, when manufactured,
is distinguished into different kinds, as grape-madder, bunch- .
madder, ftft The grape-madder is the heart of the root.
3. The colour produced by madder dyes or pig- I
ments; also with defining word, as crimson mad- ■
der% Also attrib. or adj.
1G
1861 Thornburv Turner I. 30 Of the yellow and madder
sails, .he took careful note. 1863 Kingsley Water-Bab. 12
A crimson madder petticoat. 1886 Klskin Pr.rterita 1.
306 Shade cobalt through pink madder into yellow ochre for
skies.
4. attrib. and Comb., as madder-bath, -croft,
-crop, -dye, -dyeing, -Jieid, -grinder, -ground, -miller,
-pit, -plant, root, -stove, style, tribe; madder-printed
adj. Also in names of colours produced by dyes
or pigments in which madder is an ingredient,
as madder-black, -brown, -lake, -purple, -red, etc.
Also madderwort /lot., Lindley's term for a
plant of the N.O. Galiacex.
1763 W. Lewis Philos. Comm. Arts 420 The colour hence
produced [sc. by madder upon blue cloth] is called *madder-
black. 1897 Anne Page Afternoon Ride 63 Ineffaceable *mad-
der brown— a pigment lost to art. 1 .. . XevvmiusterCartul.
(1878,! 237 Juxta pontem de le *Madercroft. 1816 J. Smith
Panorama Set. <y Art II. 536 The use of archil gives a . .
bloom to the *madder dye. 1899 Mackail W. Mortis II.
34 Water, .required for *madder-dyeing. 1901 }i'estm.Gaz.
30 Aug. 3/1 The *inadder fields of Alsace, of Southern
France, and of Algeria have practically ceased to exist.
1851 in fllustr. Lond. A'rtw 5 Aug. (1854) 119/1 * Madder-
grinder. 1758 P. Miller Cultiv. Aladder 35 The Dutch
always sow Grain upon their *Madder Ground. 1822 Imi-
son Sci. <y Art II. 411 *Madder-lake. 1851 in Illustr. ,
Lond. News 5 Aug. (1854) 119/1 *M adder-miller. 1616
Browne Brit. Past. 11. ill. 39 The bowels of our mother
were not ript For *Mader-pits. 1758 P. Miller Cnlth:
Madder 7 A *Madder Plant, that has many of these [side]
Roots, is called a well bearded Madder Plant. 1881 W.
Morris in Mackail Life (1899) II. 53 The best hanging
would be the inclosed *madder-printed cotton. 1838 T.
Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies 392 Sulphuric acid .. throws
down the *madder-purple. 1727-52 Chambers Cycl. s.v.
Red, *Madder red is dyed with madder. 1744 Phil. Trans.
XLI. 390 These Callicoe-printcrs make use of the Rubia
Tinctorum, or *Madder-root. 1757 Act 31 Geo. II, c. 35 § 5
For preventing the stealing or destroying of Madder roots.
1758 P. Miller Cultiv. Madder 12 In the *Madder Stoves,
the People work more by Night than Day. 1839 Ure Diet.
Arts 224 The *madder style [of calico-printing] .. in which
the mordants are applied to the white cloth, .and the colours ,
are afterwards brought up in the dye-bath. 1836 Linoley
Nat. Syst. Bot. 249 Order exxxix. Stellatae, or Galiaceae.
The *Madder Tribe. 1845 — Sch. Bot. (ed. 14) 77 Order i
xxxiv. Galiaceae — Madderworts, or Stellates.
Madder (mardai), $b? Anglo-Irish. Also !
meadar, mether. [a. Irish meadar.] A square
wooden drinking vessel.
1720 Swift hish Feast \\\ Misc. (1735) V. 14 Usquebagh
to our Feast In Pails was brought up, An hundred at least, '
And a Madder our Cup. 1832 Lady Morgan Mem. (1862)
II. 337 The ' madder ' so often mentioned in Irish song was
a wooden Tankard, made square. 1886 Wood-Martin
Lake Dwellings Irel. 1. v. 103 ' Meadar ', or ' Mether ', is the
Irish designation for a species of drinking-cup.
Madder (mce-dai), v. [f. Madder sb.1] trans. !
To treat or dye with madder.
c 1461 F. F. Misc. (Warton Club) 00 To a dosyne of
violettes viij pownde of Madyre. .and loke je madere theme
as }e do jour redys. 1464 Rolls of Parlt. V. 562/1 That
the same Wolle and Cloth be perfitly boyled and madered. 1
1530 Palsgr. 616/1, I madder clothe to be dyed... Your
vyolet bath nat his full dye but he is maddered. 1763 W.
Lswis Comm. Philos. Techn. 405 The. .regulations for the
French Dyers.. require the cloth, after it has been blued, to
be maddered. 1811 Set/ 'instructor 539 They are maddered
higher than black.
Hence Ma'ddered fpl. a., Ma'ddering vbl. sb.
c 1461 E. F. Misc. (Warton Club) 88 At }oure Maderynge
5e schall take of the same wateris. 1581 Act 23 Etiz. c. 9
§ 2 Where Clothes Karsies & Hosen. .have been died with
. . a galled & mathered lilack. 1808 Nicholson's Jrnl. XXI.
44 On the maddering of Cotton and Linen Thread. 1839 Ure
Diet. A rts 7^87 There next follows . . the galling, the aluming,
the maddering.
Madderisli, a. [f. Madder sbA + -ish.] Re-
sembling the colour of madder.
1888 Harper's Mag. July 212 Some. .seem . . to be made
of gold vapor ; others have a madderish tone.
i Ma dderlen. Obs. rare~\ [f. Madder ^.l ,
+ -ten (? — -LIHO ').] A name (perh. invented by
Hill) for the genus Sherardia.
1770 Hill Herb. Brit. II. 153 Sherardia. Madderlen.
Ibid. 154 Sherardia arz'ensis. Field Madderlen.
Madding (mx-dirj), vbl. sb. [f. Mad v. + '
-]N(J 1.] The action of the vb. Mad ; becoming or
being mad, madness; mad behaviour. Now only
in phrases {arch, or dial.) to go, frun, set a-mad-
ding (or + on madding).
13.. E. F. Allit. P. A. 1153 My manez mynde to maddyng
malte. a 1400-50 Alexander 3546 Madding marrid has M
mode & bi mynd changid. 1526 Skelton Magnyf. 288 It
is but a maddynge, these wayes that ye vse. 1565 Calfhill
Ansiu. Treat. Cross Pref. 5 They.. went a madding after
their Idols, a 1586 Sidney Arcadia iv. (1598) 394 Poore
Dametas began now to thinke, that . . a generall madding
was falne. 1600 Holland JUkvxxXYM. xli. 969 The drome-
darie camels.. were unruly and set a madding. 1611 Speed
Hist. Gt. Brit. ix. xiii. (1623) 733 [They] forced sundry .
principall Gentlemen to attend them in their madding. 1614 '
Bp. Hall Contempt., O. T. vn. iii, All the world would be
glad to runne on madding after their bait. 1627-77 Kelt-
ham Resolves 1. xxix. 49 Our error of opinion,.. and our
madding after unnecessary gold, have brambled the way of
Vertue. 171a Arbuthnot John Bull 1. viii, John had not ,
run on a madding so long, had it not been for an extra-
vagant bitch of a wife. 1775 Mmk. IVArblay Early Diary
21 Nov., Lady Edgecumbe. .declared she was seta-madding.
1857 Mrs. Mathews 'Tea-Table Talk I. 205 Men.. whose
crazed brains go a madding after forbidden fruit. J865 |
MADE.
t Mrs. Whitney Gay.vorthys viii. (1879) 79 To set all the
urchins' brains a madding.
tb. attrib., as madding-day, month, time.
16. . I. T. Grim the Collier of Croydon in. (1662) 50 Why
how now man ! is this your madding month ! 162s Con-
salviWs Sp. Inquis. 34 In all her madding time shee had
nothing else in her mouth. 1691 Ludlow Let. to Sir F. S.
title-p., Occasioned by the reading Dr. Pelling's Lewd
Harangues upon the 30th of Janvary, being the Anniversary,
or General Madding-Day. 1717 {title) A Rebuke to the
High Church Priests for turning the 3ot1' of January into
a Madding-Day.
Madding (mce-dirj), ///. a. Now poet, or
rhetorical, [f. Mad v. + -ikq ^.]
1. Uecoming mad ; acting madly ; frenzied.
1579 Spenser Shcplu Cat. Apr. 26 But'now from me hys
madding mynd is starte, And woes the Widdowes daughter
of the glenne. 158a T. Watson Centurie of Loue lxxvi.
heading, The Author being, as it were, in halfe a madding
moode. 1614 Drumm. of Hawth. Sonn. ' Deare Wood*
Fane from the madding Worldling's hoarse discords. 163s
Urathwait Arcad. Pr. 171 Observe the madding motion of
his eyes. 1667 Milton /'. L. vi. 210 The madding Wheeles
Of brazen Chariots rag'd. 1697 Dryden AEtieid vn. 539
She .. mixing with the throng Of madding matrons, bears
the bride alonj?. 1714 Addison To Princess of Wales, with
Cato 38 liid impious discord cease, And sooth the mad-
ding factions into peace. 1749 Gray Elegy 73 Far from
the madding crowd s ignoble strife. [Cf. quot. 1614 above.]
1802 Fng. Fncycl. VIII. 308/1 These [words] are poetical,
but were never in common use.. shook (shaken), madding
[etc.]. 1822 Words w. Eccl. Sonn. 11. xx. Monastic Volupt.,
High conceits to madding Fancy dear.
2. That makes mad ; maddening.
*:i6ooShaks. Sonn. cxix, How haue mine eyes out of their
Spheares bene fitted In the distraction of this madding feuer.
1644 Maxwell Prerog. Chr. Kings 67 Superstition is a
mad and madding tiling. 1650 Baxter Saints' R. iv. vi.
§ 7 (1651) 154 Are these such saddingand madding thoughts?
1871 K. Ei. lis tr. Catullus lxiv. 94 O thou cruel of heart,
thou madding worker of anguish.
Hence f Ma'ddingly adv.
a 1625 Fletcher Women Pleased iv. i, Your poor neigh-
bours Run inaddingly affrighted through the Villages.
Maddish (mae'di/), a. [f. Mad a. + -ish*.]
f a. Having the manner or ideas of a madman;
like a madman in behaviour ; appropriate to or
befitting a madman (obs.). b. Somewhat mad.
x573 Tusser Husb. etc. (1580) 83 What with voluptuous-
nes, and other maddish toies. C1638 Strafford in Brown-
ing Life (1891) 208 ' Hypochondriack humours ' . . is to be
civilly and silently maddish. 1642 Bp. Morton Presentm.
Schismatic 6, I have reserved for the last place a Character
..called by Austen maddish obstinacy. 1655 M. Casaubon
J.nthus. iii. (1656) 109 Some. .became (in a degree) maddish
of the stage, and were perpetually acting some part of a
Tragedy. 1740 tr. De Moulds Fort. Country-Maid (1741J
II. 141 Do you know I am a little maddish. 1778 Lear?t-
ing at a L.oss II. 161 A maddish looking Gentleman. 1815
Lamd Let. to Words-.v. in Final Mem. vi. 244 Excuse this
maddish letter. 1829 Scott Jml. 20 Apr., [The] wit.,
of Lord Erskine was moody and maddish.
Maddle ,ma."d'l), v. Obs. exc. dial. [f. Mad a. :
see -le 3.] a. intr. To be or become crazy ; to be
confused in mind ; to be dotingly fond of. b. trans.
To craze ; to confuse in mind, bewilder.
c 1540 tr. Pot. I'erg, Eng. Hist. (Camden No. 29^ 205 He
was becoome feble by reason of sore and dayly siknes and
began to maddle. 1570 Levins Manip. 8/18 To Maddle,
deiirare, dissipere. Ibid. 126/40 To Maddil,<rV//;vm'. 1691
Ray N. C. Words 47 To Maddle ; to be fond. She maddtes
of this Fellow, she is fond of him. 1829 J. Hunter Hal-
lamsh. Gloss., Maddle, to cause distraction of thought, con-
fusion of mind, as by long continued and loud talking. Ibid.
App., Maddled, puzzled. 1850 Tales of Kirkbeck Ser. n.
79 I'm afraid she's quite maddled. 1855 Robinson Whitby
Gloss., To Maddle, to be fond of to the extent of losing
one's wits. 1864 T. Clakke in Kendal Mercury 30 Jan.,
A wes faer maddl't amang em.
T Mart dock (^nuvdok). Obs. Also 3 matjok.
See also Mawk. [Early ME. madeh. a. (or corre-
sponding to) ON. madk-r (Da. madike, S\v. mask),
MLG. medeke, dim. (with -k- suffix : see -ock) of the
word which appears in OE. as madu, mada : see
Mathe. There may have been an OE. *ma&uc]
1. a. An earthworm, b. A maggot.
a 1240 Sawla Warde'm Cott. Horn. 251 As meaSen [MS.
Titus ma6ekes] in forrotet flench. c 1400 Lanfranc's
Cirurg. 44 Maddockis — hat ben wormes of be erbe. 14. .
I'oc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 594/ ^Lumbricus, a maddock. c 1450
ME. Med. Bk. (Heinrich) 210 Item Euytes eyron & mad-
dolkes, & openes, & wasche hem clene. < 1450 Atphita
(Anecd. Oxon.) 87/30 Uermes siue lunibrici terreni. .. Angl.
angeltwychches uel maddokkes. 1684 G. Mekiton Praise
Yorks. Ale, etc. Clavis, Mawks are Maddocks.
2. north, dial. A whim (Grose 1790). Cf. Maggot.
Ma*d-do*Ctor. [f. Mau a. used subst.] A
physician who treats mental diseases ; an alienist.
1703 Fabouhar Inconstant iv. iv, No mad-doctor in
Christendom could have done it more effectually. 1818
Coubktt/V/. AV^. XXXIII. 363 His father was a mad-
doctor. 1881 W. S. Gilbert Foggerty's Fairy 111, Clear-
headed, logical men of sense, these mad-doctors.
tMa'ddy, a. Obs. [f. Mali a. + -Y.] Some-
what mad.
1710 D'Urff.y Pills II. 159 They must be .. drunk or
maddy.
Made {meh\),ppt. a. [pa. pple.of Makk z'.l]
I. Produced or obtained by 'making' as distin-
guished from other modes of origin or acquisition.
1. Artificially constructed or produced, artificial
as opposed to ' natural '. So made earth, ground;
MADE.
17
MADEMOISELLE.
solid ground that has been ' made* by filling up a |
marsh, embanking a river, etc.
a 1578 Lindesav (Pitscottie) Citron. Scot. (S. T. S.) II.
301 It was conclwdit that na salt nor wictuallis noma maid
uaik sould be convoyit of the real me. 1590 SPENSER
Muiopottuos 166 Arte . . doth aspire T'excell the natural!,
with made delights. 159677 S. FlNCHB in Ducarel Hist.
Croydon App. (1783) 153 Findinge that grounds made and
false, digged the trenche alonge the door. 1643 Twvse
in Wood's Life (O. H. %.\ I. 96 The earth allso beinge
found to be made ground all there a bouts. 1687 B. Ran-
dolph Archipelago 65 Where formerly was a made-way
in the sea for people to pass over. 1691 T. H[ale] Acc.
New Invent p. lxxi, It was all such as we call made
Earth, and had been gain'd out of the Thames. 1699
R. L'Estrange F.rasm. Colloq. (1711) 76 How comes^ it
that all your made-Hedges are green too? 1719 De Foe
Crusoe 11. xii. (1840) 252 This canal is a navigable made
stream. 1878 Huxley Pkysiogr. xvii. 277 The successive
beds of made ground. 1884 T. Urown Ann. Disruption
iv. (1890) 37 There was not a made road in the parish. 1895
Outing (0. SjXXVL 16/2 They were most of them gentle-
men— I mean gentlemen born. *And you', said Miss
Harriman pleasantly, 'are a gentleman made '. 1897 Mrs.
Lynn Linton Geo. Eliot in Women Novelists 114 Her
whole life and being were moulded to an artificial pose,
and the ' made ' woman could not possibly be the spon-
taneous artist. 190a A. E. W. Mason Four Feathers xii.
112 The hedged fields and made roads.
b. Of a story : Invented, fictitious. Of a word :
Invented, ' coined '. Of an errand : Invented for
a pretext. 7 06s. (Cf. made- tip.)
1387 Trf.visa Higden (Rolls) II. 195 Hit is no made tale,
but hit is soob as be lettre is i-write. 1607 NoRDEN
Sum. Dial. 11. 41 The word [mannor] is used among our
Lawyers, as many other made words are, which haue bin
termes raised by our Lawes, & are not elsewhere in use.
1629 Orkney Witch Trial in County Folk-Lore III. (1903)
78 Christane Reid in Clett cam in ane maid errand. 1655
Nicholas Papers (Camden) II. 273 These are but made
stories to delude fooles. 1687 MlEGB Gt. Fr. Diet. II. s.v.,
A made Word, Un Mot factice, imagine, on fait a piaisir.
1843 J. H* Newman Miracles 124 It reads like a made story.
C. Brought about by contrivance.
1594 Lyly Mother Boml'ie 1. iii. 49 (Bond) She forsooth
will choose her own husband ; made marriages prone mad
marriages. 1802-12 Behthah Ration. Judic. livid. Wks.
1843 VII. 306 Made offices are partly the effects, partly the
causes, of made business. Create useless work, you create
the necessity of useless hands for the performance of it.
2. Formed by composition. In certain specific
applications, a. Cookery. Made dish : a disb
composed of several ingredients; so fmade meal.
Made gravy: a 'gravy* artificially compounded,
as opposed to one consisting only of the juices
exuding from meat in cooking.
1598 Epulario D j b, To make a kind of made meat in
flesh time. 1621 Burton Aunt. Mel, 1. ii. 11. i. 96 An infinite
number of compound artificiall made dishes. 1622 Mabrk
tr. Alemau's Guzman a" A If. 1. 106 What made dishes ; what
hot, what cold, what boyld, what rost? 1632 Ii. Jonson
Magu. Lady t. (1640) 17 A farragoe, Or a made dish in
Court. 1747 Mrs. Glasse Cookery ii. 13 Force-Meat Balls .
are a great Addition to all Made-Dishes. 1796 Ibid. viii. 142 I
You may use made-gravy, if you have not time to use the
bones. 1852 Dickens Bleak Ho. xlix, The made-gravy ac-
quiring no flavor, and turning out of a flaxen complexion.
1858 Mayhem* Upper Rhine ii. § 1(1860) 48 The subtle nicety
of a French made-dish.
b. Naut. Made mast : one composed of several
pieces of timber. Made block : a pulley-block
composed of several parts joined together. Made
eye ; * synonymous with flemish eye' ( Adm. Smyth).
1627 Cait. Smith Seaman's Gram. iii. 15 If it be a made
Mast, that is greater than one Tree. 1794 Rigging %■ Sea-
jnanship I. 1 Masts, .made of several trees joined together
[are called] made-masts. Ibid. 153 Very large, .blocks are
formed of separate pieces, . . when thus made, they are termed
made-blocks. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk., Made Masts,
the large masts made in several pieces. A ship's lower mast
is a made spar. . . Made block is one having its shell com-
posed of different pieces.
3. Said occas. of articles of domestic or local
manufacture, in contradistinction to those obtained
from a distance. Made wines : a term applied to
the so-called 'British wines' (as currant, ginger,
gooseberry, etc. wine).
1750 T. Short [title) Discourses on Tea, Sugar, Milk,
Made Wines, Spirits, Punch, 'Tobacco, &c. 1805 Pikk
Sources Mississ. (1810) 7 Gave them one quart of made
whiskey, a few biscuit and some salt. 1806-7 J. Beresform
Miseries Hum. Life (1826) xix. ii. 216 Brewing at home what
are curiously called ' made wines ', (as if all foreign wines
were self-existent!). 1884 S. Dowell Hist. Taxation II.
289 The beverages termed British wines or made wines.
II. Of which the making has taken place. '
4. Already framed or produced, rare in attribu-
tive use.
a 1635 Corbet /Vc;;« (1807) 121 Made lawes were uselesse
growne To him, he needed but his owne.
5. That has undergone the process of manufac-
ture. Also occas. prepared for use (cf. senses of
Make v.). rare.
1428 Burgh Bees. Edinb. (1S69) 1. 3 Of the last of maid irne
viijrf. iS4SRatesCustome Ho, av'),Corkz made the laste,xlj.
Corke made the barell, iiU. \n\.d. 1582 Ibid. B ivb, Cork
made for diers the last.. iiij/. .. Cork made for shoomakers.
*795 J- Aikim Manchester 239 The raw materials come from
Manchester . . and the made goods are sent thither. 1806 A. \
H uktbb Cuhmi (ed. 3) 209 A tea-spoonful of made mustard. '
6. Of soldiers, also of horses, hounds, eta -• Fully
trained.
Vol. VI.
1673 Boyle Ess. Effluviums ill, Iv. 28 To make a tryal
whether a young Blood-hound was well instructed, (or as
the Huntsmen call it, made) he cnus'd one of his Servants
..to walk to a Country-town [etc.]. 1796 Campaigns 1793-4
I, 1. vi. 45 None but made soldiers and servireable horses
would be employed. 1901 Daily Chron. 29 Apr. 6/2 In the
' made' class the best pony was Mr. Matherson's Lotus.
7. Of a person: Having his success in life assured.
Chiefly in phr. a made man.
c" 1590 Marlowe Faust (1631) K3D, 0, joy full day, now
am I a made man for euer. 1605 S. Rowlf.y When Von
See Me C 3, Hele lafe, and be as inerie as a magge pie, and
thow't bee a mayd man by it. 1708 Brit. Apollo No. 38.
2/2 You are a Made Man. 1871 Smiles Charae. ii. {1876) 54
Teach a boy arithmetic thoroughly, and lie is a made man.
b. Golf. (See quot.)
1897 Encycl. Sport I. 473 (Golf) Made, a player is said to
he made when he is within a full shot of the green.
III. Combinations.
8. With prefixed sb., adj., or adv., forming com-
binations usually hyphened when used attributively,
and in some instances also when used predicatively.
a. With sb. in locative or instrumental relation,
or adj., giving the general sense ' Made in a certain
locality or by a certain class of agents', as in
conntry-, foreign-, English-, German-, London-,
Swiss-made, 1 lOME-MADE ; God-, man-, self-, state-,
tailor-made. b. With adv. (or sometimes adj.
giving the sense ( made in a certain manner, having
a certain quality or kind of make', as in badly-,
neatly-, well-made ; often with reference to the
* make ' or * build ' of the body ( = -bnilt), as in
loosely-, powerfully-, stonily-, strong(ly)-made.
Most of these combs, are treated undertheir first ele-
ment, or in their alphabetical place as Main words.
9. In Comb, with adv. (hyphened in attributive
use) corresponding to the similar combinations of
Make v., as made-out, made-over ; made-up,
f(a) consummate, accomplished {obs.) ; {b) put
together ; composed of parts from various sources ;
(c) artificially contrived or prepared, esp. for the
purpose of deception or producing a favourable
impression; (</) of a person's 'mind', resolved,
decided.
1607 Shaks. Timou v. i. 101 Know his grosse patchery. .
Vet remaine assur'd That he's a made-vp Villaine. 1677
Hubbard Narrative (1865) I. 82 They defended themselves
under a small hastily made up Defence. 1773 Goldsm,
Stoops to Cong. 11, (near end), Yes, you must allow her some
beauty. Tony. Bandbox ! She's all a made-up thing, num.
1789 Charlotte Smith Elhclinde {1814) IV. 115 And as to
that made-up antiquity, Mrs. Maltravers, she hates you.
1806 Surr // inter in Lond. (ed. 3) 1 1, 95 Yours will be con-
sidered as a made-up character. 1820 T. Chalmers Con-
gregat. Senu. (1838) II. 14 The logical process which leads. .
to the ultimate and made-out conclusion. 1859 E?/g. Cookery
Bk. 156 Chap. xiii. — Warmed-up Meats and Made-up
Dishes or Kntrees. 1863 Mrs. Gaskeli. Sylvia's Lovers
xx. II. 105 In a forced made-up voice she inquired aloud
[etc.]. 1871 HowELLS Wcdd. Joum. (1892) 246 She bought
and bought of the made-up wares. 1873 L. WALLACE Fair
Godwv'm. 311 Ye. .are of made-up minds. 1896 A. Dobson
iZth Cent. Vign. Ser. in. i. 14 This made-up face was not
produced by stage paint. 1900 Lr>. Roberts in Daily Ne^vs
4 May 5/2 Hamilton speaks in high terms of the good service
performed by . . a made-up regiment of Lancers.
Made, obs, form of Maid sb.
Madefacient, a. Obs. ran--°. [ad. L.
madefacient-em, pr.pple. of madefac^re^to Madefy.]
1727 Bailey vol. II, Madefacient, making moist, wetting.
Madefaction (maeoVfae'kJan). Now rare or
Obs. [a. F. madefaction, ad. L. madefaction -em, n.
of action f, madefacere : see Madefy.] A wetting ;
the action or process of making wet or moist.
1581 E. Campion in Confer, in. (1584) U iij, If it please
God to take away the substance of water, and leaue the
qualitie of madefaction, what hurt were it? 1626 Bacon
Sylva § 865 To all Madefaction there is required an Imbibi-
tion. 1657 Tomlinson Renou's Disp. 121 Such parts .. are
hurt with fluent madefactions.
humorously pedantic. 1859 Thackeray Virgin. lxxvu,
Aunt Lambert (who was indulging in that madefaction
of pocket-handkerchiefs which I have before described).
t Madefy, v. Obs. Also madify(e, -ie. [a. F.
madiJUr, ad. L. madefacere, f. madere to be wet :
see -fy.] trans. To make wet ; to moisten.
c 1420 Ballad, on Husb. tv. 145 Her seed yf me reclyne In
baume. .other in masticyne, Or maditie it so in oil lauryne.
1597 A. M. tr. Guillemeau 's Fr. Chirnrg. 18 b/2 A sponge
which is madefied and wetted in wyne. 1599 — tr. Gabet-
houer's Bk. Physicke 2/2 Madefy e it with Rosewater. 1618
T. Adams Rage Oppression Wks. (1629) 609 The Bonners
.. rode ouer the faces of Gods Saints, and madefied the
earth with their bloods. 1671 J. Webster Metallogr. xvi.
235 Being madefied, it doth most easily contract a rust.
Hence fMadefica'tion [see -FlCATiox],'amoisten-
ing or wetting' (1727 Bailey vol. II, spelt modi-
fication); Ma'defied, Ma'defying-///. adjs.
1597 A. M. tr. Guillemeau's Fr. Chirnrg. 31 b/i With
wett and madefyed cloutes. 1599 — tr. Gabelhouer's Bk.
Physicke 84/1 Dipp therin a madefyed finger. 1646 SirT.
Browne Pseud. Ep. vi. xii. 334 Any kinde of vaporous or
madefying excretion.
Madeira1 (madi»*ra). Also 6-8 Madera,
[a. Pg. Madeira^ the island was so called because
formerly thickly wooded (Pg. madeira — Sp. madera
wood timber :— L. materia \ see Matter sb.).]
1. (With capital M.) The name of an island
situated in the Atlantic Ocean, about 400 miles
from the N. W. coast of Africa. Used attrib. in
the designations of various things produced in or
connected with the island, as Madeira lace, laurel,
orchis, pear, tea, work (see quots.); Madeira
chair, a kind of wicker or cane chair; Madeira
mahogany, Canary wood, the wood of Persea
^formerly Laurus iiulica \ Madeira nut I/. S.
[perh. belongs to 2 c], the common European wal-
nut, esp. the ' Titmouse ' or thin-shelled variety
{Juglans regia tenera) ; Madeira wine = sense
2 ; Madeira wood (see quot. ; cf. Madeira -\
1889 Rider Haggard A". Solomon's Mines 16 Sir Henry
was sitting opposite to me in a "Madeira chair. 1882 Cacl-
feild& S award Diet. Needlework * Madeira lace. The lace
made by the natives of Madeira is not a native production.
..The laces made are Maltese, Torchon, and a coarse
description of Mechlin. 1796 Nemnich Polygl. Lex. Xat.
Hist. v. 820 "Madeira laurel, Laurus foetens. Ibid. 955
* Madeira mahogany, Laurus iudica. 1829 Loudon Encycl.
Plants 334 Laurus iudica. .The wood . . is called Vigniatico
in the island of Madeira, and is probably what is imported
into England under the name of Madeira mahogany. 1866
Treas. Bot., Mahogany, Madeira, Persea indica. 1845-50
Mrs. Lincoln Led. Bot. App. n6 Juglans regia ("madeira
nut). 1881 Garden n Feb. 89/2 The "Madeira Orchis (P.
foliosa) is remarkable . . for the readiness with which it
doubles its bulb. 1664 Evelvn Kal. Hori. June (1679) i3
Pears, The Maudlin (first ripe), "Madera, Green-Royal
[etc.]. 1892 Walsh Tea 33 Regular shipments of ' "Madeira
tea ' are now being made to the London market. 1687
Cong rev e Old Bach. iv. ix, Why this same *Madera-wine
has made me as light as a grasshopper. 1705 Lend. Gaz.
No. 4131/4, 09 Pipes and 9 Hogsheads of White Madera
Wines, 13 Hogsheads of Red Ditto. 1839 Penny Cycl.
XIV. 262/1 The importation of Madeira wine into England
in 1833 was 301,057 gallons. 1796 Nemnich Polygl. Lex.
Nat. Hist. v. 820 'Madeira wood, Cedrela odorata. 1882
Caulfkild & Saward Diet. Needlework, * Madeira work.
This is white Embroidery upon tine linen, or cambric, .made
by the nuns in Madeira.
2. (Also Madeira wine: see 1.) A white wine
produced in the island of Madeira.
It is of* a deep amber tint, full body, and some sweetness,
resembling a well-matured full-bodied brown sherry,
150 Shaks. i Hen. /K,l.ii. 128 A Cup of Madera, and a
cold Capons legge. 1612 Sc. Bk. of Rates in Hatybnrton's
Ledger (,18(17) 335 Sackes Canareis Malagas Maderais . .
Teynts and Allacants. 1708 S. Sew all Diary 12 Apr., We
drank a Bottle of Madera together. 1787 M. Cutler in Life,
etc. (1888) L 235 You cannot please him more than byprais-
ing his Madeira. 1823 Byron Juan xiii. v, But then they
have theirclaret and Madeira. 1861 Dutton Cook P. Foster"?
D. viii, I think I could eat a chop, .and a glass of Madeira,
b. with various qualifying prefixes.
Last Indian madeira was madeira which had been sent
on a sea voyage to the East Indies, to improve its quality.
1723 Lond. Gaz. No. 6173/3 There will be noother Malm-
sey Madera Wine landed tin's Year. 31 Pipes .. of. .White
Vidonia Madera Wine. 1819 Shelley Peter Bell the Third
IV. xviii. 5 Yenison, .. And best East Indian madeira.
C. Comb. j as madeira glass ; matleira-drinking
adj. ; madeira cake, a kind of sponge-cake.
1800 Asiat. Ann. Reg., Chron. 123/2 A tea spoonful of
the alkali in a Madeira glass half filled with water. 1845
Miss Acton Mod. Cookery 515 A good Madeira Cake. 1902
Mnusey's Mag. XXVI. 522/1 The interruptions, .from the
Madeira-drinking men of letters overhead.
Madeira2 (madl»*ra). In 7-S madera. [a. Sp,
madera wood ( = Pg. madeira: see prec). The
usual spelling is due to assimilation to Madeira1.]
A West Indian name for Mahogany [Swietenia
Mahagoni). Also madeira wood.
1663 GerbIBR Counsel 108 Precious Woods are to be had
. .in the West-Indies, some.. hard as Marble; besides rare
Madera, and other variously figured. 1736 Mortimer
in Phil. Trans. XXXIX. 254 It is next in Beauty to what
is here called Madera, which is the Mahogany of Jamaica.
1829 Loudon Encycl. Plants 352 The trees on the Bahama
islands .. are known in Europe as Madeira wood.
I! Mademoiselle (madfmwazgl ; often angli-
cized mxdami'ze'l). Also 7-S madamoiselle,
(7 -ella). [Fr. ; orig. two words ma my (fern. ]t
demoiselle (see Damsel).]
1. The title (prefixed to the surname or the Chris-
tian name, or used absol. as a substitute for the
name) applied to an unmarried Frenchwoman. In
English use very often applied to unmarried women
of foreign nationality other than French, instead
of using the equivalent prefix (e.g.) in Dutch or
Swedish, or substituting the English ' Miss '. Often
used absol. as the designation of a French governess
or the French teacher in a girls' school. Abbre-
viated A/lle.y in English often incorrectly Mdlle*
Plural, mesdemoiselles (nwtemwazgl), abbre-
viated Miles.
In early Fr. use, the prefix mademoiselle was applied also
to married women whose husbands were below the rank of
knighthood.
1696 Phillips (ed. 5), Mademoiselle, a Title of Honour
given to the Daughters and Wives of born Gentlemen ; much
us'd in France, a 1734 North Exam. in. vi. § 76 (1740) 479
The beautiful Mademoiselle Car well, afterwards Duchess
of Portsmouth. 1733 Smollett Ct. Fathom ix. Wks. 1872
V. 47 She [the maid] took the first opportunity of going to
mademoiselle, and demanding money for some necessary
expense. 1794 Mrs. Radcliffe Myst. Udolpho vii, Our
cottage may be envied, sir, since you and Mademoiselle have
honoured it with your presence. 1840 Barham Ingol. Leg.,
69
MADENT.
18
MADONNA.
Spectre of Tappington, Mademoiselle boxed Mr. Mnguire's
ears, and Mr. Maguire pulled Mademoiselle upon his knee.
1850 Julia Kavanagh Nathalie ix. 213 Mademoiselle Dan-
tin coughed, by way of opening the conversation. 1880
Theatre Feb. 118 Mademoiselle Lido sang well and tune-
fully as Irene. 1888 Mapleson Mem. (ed. 2) I. 306 The
duty, therefore, of singing fell to Mdlle. Dotti.
2. French Hist. The title (used as a substitute
for the name) of the eldest daughter of ' Monsieur ',
the eldest brother of the king. Subsequently ap-
plied to the eldest daughter of the king, or, if he
had no daughter, to the first princess of the blood,
so long as she remained unmarried.
1679 Marriage Chas. II 3 It was . . time for her to bring
Madamoiselle to him. 1768 Ann. Reg. 192/2 His Danish
majesty handed mademoiselle to her place. 1783 Ibid. 240
Deaths. . . At Versailles, mademoiselle of France, aged five
years, only daughter of the French king.
3..occas. A person usually referred to as * made-
moiselle*, an unmarried Frenchwoman; spec, fa
(foreign) serving-maid (obs.) ; a French governess.
Occas. in forms representing uneducated pronunciation.
164a Milton Apol. Smect. Wks. 1851 III. 268 Prostituting
the shame of that ministery. . to" the eyes of Courtiers and
Court- Ladies, with their Groomesand Madamoisellaes. 1765
Bickerstafee Maid of 'Mill 1. i. 2 She sits there all day ..
dressed like a fine madumasel. 1833 M. Scott Tom Cringle
xvi. (1842) 439 ' De tout mon cceur', said a buxom brown
dame, about eighteen stone. .. The extensive mademoiselle,
suiting the action to the word, started up [etc.]. 1861 Mrs.
H. Wood East Lynne III. iii, When I heard that Mrs. Car-
lyle had engaged a madmoselle for these children.
trans/. 1712 Budge ll Sped. No. 277 p 2 This Wooden
Madamoiselle [a dressmaker's lay-figure].
4. U. S. A sea fish (see quot.).
1882 Jordan & Gilbert Syu. Fishes IV. Amer, 570 {Bull,
I'. S. Nat. Mas. No. 16) Sci&na punctata . . Silver Perch ;
Yellow-tail ; Mademoiselle.
Maden, obs. and dial. f. Maiden sb.
Madeiit. Obs. rare—0, [ad. L. madent-em,
pres. pple. of madcrc, to be wet.] "Wet, moist
(Biiley vol. II, 1727).
Madeus, variant of Maideux Obs.
t Ma'dful, a. Obs. rare—1, [f. Mad a. + -ful.]
Mad.
14. . Pol. Rel. ff L. Poems 245 A madful mone may men
make Quan pat suete Ihesu was take !
Maclge ! (mced^). [app. identical with Madge,
pet-name for Margaret.]
1. The Bum-Owl,. 1/ncoJ/am mens. Also madge-
howlet, -owl, -owlet.
1591 Sylvester Du Bartas 1. v. 767 Thou lasie Madge
That, fearing light, still seekest where to hide. 1598 1J. Jos-
son Ev. Man in Hum. 11. i, lie sit in a barne, with Madge-
liowlet, and catch mice first. 1603 Harsnet Pop. Impost.
io3 This must needes make the poore Madge Owlets cry out.
1606 D,\y lie of Gttlsii.iv. (i83i) 54 The black swan of beauty
and madg-howlet of admiration. 1635 Swan Spec. M. (1670)
359 Ulula .. which we call the Howlet, or the Madge.
1637 B. Jonson Sad Slteph. 11. i, Thou shoul'dst ha' given
her a Madge-Owle. 1694 Motteux Rabelais v. i.v, Under
his Cage he perceived a Madge howlet. 1823 Lamb Lett.
xii. To B. Barton 119 A silent meeting of madge-owlets.
1848 Zoologist VI. 2191 The barn owl . . in Warwickshire. .
is generally called a 'madge' or ' madge owlet'.
2. The Common Magpie, Pica caudata.
1823 Moor Suffolk Words, Madge, Mag, Meg, a magpie.
1828 J. Fleming Hist. Brit. Aram, 87 /'. caudata. Com-
mon Magpie. .. E. Pianet, Madge. 1894. Newton Diet.
Birds 720 note, ' Magot ' and ' Madge ', are names frequently
given in England to the Pie.
Madge - (moed^). A leaden hammer covered
thickly with stout woollen cloth, used in hard
solder plating.
1870 Eng. Mech. 25 Feb. 573/1 A lead en hammer, clothed
f ith kersey or woollen cloth, called a madge.
I Madhead1. Obs. [See -head.] Madness.
c iyj$Cursor M. 22865 (Fairf.) pat to wene is bot madhede
[older texts sothede], a 1450 Mvrc 1657 Lest bow do ojt
on madhede.
t Madhead -. Obs. [f. Mad a. + Head sb.]
A mad person. Also appos. or attrib.
1600 Breton Pasquils Fooles-cap (Grosart) 22/1 Such
Madhead fellowes are but Fooles indeede. 1602 — Merry
Wonders To Rdr., Hoping that some mad-head in the world
might have as much leysure to read as I haue had [to] write.
Mad-headed, a. [f. Mad a. + Headed a.]
= Mai>bkainei>.
1567 R.^ Edwards Damon fy Pithias (1571) Eiv, For well
I knewe it was some madheded chylde 1 hat inuented this
name. 1596 Shaks. i lien. IV, it. iii. 80. 1599 Breton
Praise Vertuous Ladies (Grosart) 56 For a few mad-headed
wenches, they seek to bring . .almost all women in contempt.
J793 Southey Lett. (18561 1. 20 Nor does it become a young
mad-headed enthusiast to judge. 1809-xoCoLERiDGE Friend
{1865) 216 The inflammatory harangues of some mad-headed
enthusiast. 1897 Hentv On the Irraivaddy 37 It seems to
me a mad-headed thing to begin at the present time.
Madhouse (mardhaus). Now rhetorical or
derisive, [f. Mad a. (used subst.) + House sb.]
A house set apart for the reception and detention
of the insane ; a lunatic asylum.
1687 Luttrell Brief Rel. (1857) !• 4°7 He was severely
reprimanded, and told he was fitter for a mad house. 1695
Par. Reg., S. James, C lerkenivell (Harl. Soc. V. 171)
Burials. .. Ann Pallmer, widow, from Dr. Newton's Mad
house. 1774 Act 14 Geo. Ill, c. 49 (title), An Act for regu-
lating Madhouses. 1828 Carlyle Misc. (1857) I. 234 Tasso
f>ines in the cell of a madhouse. 1833 Marryat P. Simple
xiv, I was a prisoner in a madhouse. 1901 Scotsman 29
Nov. 5/4 The American Eagle screams like a madhouse.
II Madia (m^i-dia). [a. mod.L. madia, a. Chilian
madi.] The plant Madia sativa, a coarse, hairy,
erect annual, allied to the Sunflowers. It is a
native of Chili, and is cultivated for its seeds,
which yield a valuable oil, and are made into cake
for cattle. Also attrib. in madia oil.
[1809 (Italian original 1787) tr. Molina's Hist. Chili I. iii.
in The mad i (madia, gen. nov.). Of this plant there are
two kinds, the one wild, the other cultivated. The culti-
vated, which I have called madia sativa, has a branching
hairy stalk.] 1839 Gardener's Mag. XV. 143, 100 parts of
the Madia oil consist of 45 parts of oleine [etc.]. 1846 Lind-
ley i'eget. Kingd. 707 Madia oil, expressed without heat,
is described as transparent, yellow, scentless. 1855 Stephens
/>'/.-. of the Farm (ed. 2) II. 106 The madia is in the same
botanical position as the sunflower.
Madid (mardid),#. Now rare. Also7maddid.
[ad. L. madid-us, f. madert to be wet.] Wet, moist.
1615 Crooke Body of Man 425 Auicen. .saith they \sc. the
lungs] are not soft but maddid. 1627-77 Feltham Resolves 1.
lxii. 95 The madid South, sorrowful, and full of tears. 1657
Tomlinson Renou's Disp. 146 No where save in wine cellars
or such madid places. 1720 Wei.ton Suffer. Son of God I. v.
98 The very Ground, .is madid and Bedew'd with Drops that
distil from thine Eyes. 1762 Falconer Slupivr. 1. 356 Full
from the madid south the winds arise. 1844 Disraeli Con-
ings/y 1. iii, His large deep blue eye, madid and yet piercing.
1881 J. E. H. Thomson Upland Tarti 1.92 The evening with
its madid mantle grey Had shrouded all the sky.
t Madidate, v. Obs~° [f. late L. madidat-,
ppl. stem of madiddre, f. madid-us moist.] traus.
'To wet or moisten' (Blount Glossogr. 1656).
tMa'didity. Obs.—° [f.M.\DiD + -iTY.] 'Mois-
ture or fulness of moisture (, Blount Glossogr. 1656).
t Ma didness. Obs~° [f. Madid -*- -nkss.]
' Moistness, wetness*. 1731 Bailey vol. II.
Madifie, -fy(e, variant forms of Madefy Obs.
Madin, obs. form of Medixe.
Madin >, madinne, obs. forms of Maiden.
Madinhad, -held, variants of Maidenhead.
Madjoon, -oun, variant forms of Ma.ioox.
Madle, obs. variant of Male a.
Madlie, variant of Ma idly a. Obs.
Madling (mce-dlirj), sb.1 [f. Mad a. + -ling1.]
A mad creature ; one who acts wildly or foolishly.
c 1648-50 Brathwait Bamabees Jml. 1. (1818) 19 There
another wanton madling Who her hog was set a sadling.
1841 Let. in R. Oastler Fleet Papers I. viu, 58 Poor mad-
lings ! they are killing the goose, to get at the golden eggs.
1847 E. Bronte Wutheriug Heights xiiL 120 Gooid-for-
nowt madling ! .. flinging t' precious gifts uh God under
fooit i' yer flaysome rages.
t Madling, sb:- [? Corruption of F. Madeleine
a kind of small cake.] attrib. in moiiling cake,
1747 Mrs. Gi.asse Cookery xv. 141 Madling Cakes.
t Madling, a. Obs. [? attrib. use of Madling
sb.1 or adv. ; ? or = maddhng f. M ADDLE v.] Mad.
1608 T. Morton Preamh. Encounter 126 Why doe I trouble
my selfe with these my Aduersaries madling conceits?
T Madling, adv. Obs. [? f. Mad a. + -ling 2 :
cf. darkling.] = Madly.
1584 Hudson Du Bartas'' Judith VI. (1608) 93 Some mad-
ling runnes, some trembles in a traunce.
Madly ;mardli), a. rare—1, [f. M.u>«. + -LT*.]
Characteristic of a mad person.
1816 Byron Parisina xviii, It was a woman's shriek and
ne'er In madlier accents rose despair.
Madly (mse'dli), adv. [f. Mad a. + -ly ^.] In
a mad, insane or foolish manner.
a 1235 Leg. A'alh. 2083 Hwi motestu se medliche? f 1375
Cursor M. 14608 (Fairf.) Als witles men madli bai lete.
c 1475 Rauf Coil^ear 22 Amang thay myrk Montanis sa
madlie thay mer. 1535 Covekdale /'s. Ixxiv. 4, I sayde
vnto the madde people : deale not so madly. 1590 Shaks.
Midi. .V. 11. i. 171 The iuyce of it, on sleeping eye-lids laid,
Will make or man or woman madly dote. 1606 — Tr. Kf
Cr. 11. ii. 116 Or is your bloud So madly hot, that [etc]?
1654 Martini's Conq. China 9 The men, though madly, use
it Ihorse-hairJ in tying up their hair. 0:1717 Paknell Elegy
Old Beauty 33 And all that's madly wild, or oddly gay, We
call it only pretty Fanny's way. 1778 Mmf.. D'Arblav
Let. 6 July, Half the flattery I have had would have made
me madly merry. 1849 Macaulav Hist. Eng. ix. II. 463
The help of that single power he had madly rejected. 1874
Gkeen Short Hist. iii. § 5. 139 The young King drew his
sword, and rushed madly on the Justiciary.
b. Comb., as madly-used, -wrested adjs.
1601 Shaks. Twel. N. v. i. 319 The madly us'd Maluolio.
1656 Earl Monm. tr. Boccalinis Advts. fr. Famass. I.
xxviii. (1674) 30 The madly-wrested Reason of State which
was now practised by many.
Madman (mardmaen). [Originally two words :
see Mad a. and Man sb.] One who is insane; a
lunatic. Also trans/, and hyperbolically, one who
behaves like a lunatic, a wildly foolish person.
1377 Langl. P. PI. B. ix. 69 Faderelees children ; And
wydwes, .. Madde men, and maydenes, bat helplees were.
c 1475 Rauf C oily ar 441, I am bot ane mad man. la 1500
Chester PL (Shaks. Soc.) II. 168 Madmen, maddmen, leeve
on me, That am on god, so is not he. a 1533 Ln. Berners
Ihton xxiii. 68 He wyll come after vs lyke a madd man.
1601 Siiaks. Twel. N. 1. v. 115 Fetch him off I pray you, he
speakes nothing but madman. 1611 Bible i Sam. xxi. 15
Haue I need of mad-men, that ye haue brought this fellow
to play the mad-man in my presence? 1648 Bovle Seraph.
Love xiv. (1700) 84 The wicked's spite against God is but
like a madman's running his head against the wall. 1674
Marvkll Corr. Wks. 1872-5 II. 424 Carleton the B[ishop]of
Bristol hath played the madman in that City. 1796 Morse
AmeK Geog. I. 547 This hospital is the general receptr.rh
of lunatics and madmen. 1810 Scott Lady of L. 11. xxxiv,
Madmen, forbear your frantic jar ! 1843 Betiu'NE Sc. Fire-
side Stor. 75, 1 have been a madman and a fool. 1885 Manch.
I'.xam. 16 May 5/1 Policemen who find a half-naked mad-
man howling at midnight.
t Madme. 0^. Forms: I m&1S^)um, mdlSra,
mddm, 3//. mat5mes, ruadmes, Ornt. maddmess.
[OE. mddm masc corresponds to OS. meQmos pi.
gifts, MHG. meidem, ON. meidmar pi, gifts,
presents, Goth, maipm-s gift [bwpov) :— O.Teut.
*maipmo-z :— pre-Tent. type *moitmo-s f. *;noit- to
exchange (as in L. mut(7re:—*moitarc..] A precious
tiling, treasure, valuable gift.
a 1000 Boeth. Metr. xxi. 20 Gylden maSm, sylofren sinc-
stan.. modes ea^an aefre neonlyhtac*. a xooo Gnomic verses
{.Exeter Bk.) 155 Mabbum opres weor3, gold mon sceal
sifan. ( izoo Okmin 6471 & illc an king oppnede bar Hi-.s
hord off hise maddmess. c 1305 Lav. 896 5eue us be king &
al his gold, & ba maSmes of his lond. a ia$o Prov. Ailfred
^84 in O. E. Misc. 126 Vyches cunnes madmes to mixe schulen
i-Multen.
t Ma'dnep. Obs. Also -nip. [f. Mad a. (cf.
quot. 16S6) -r nep, nip, Nekp.] The Cow Parsnip,
Heracleum Sphondylium.
1597 Girarde Herbal 11. ccclxxvii. 856 Spondylium .. is
called .. in English Cow Parsnep, meddowe Parsnep, ami
Madnepe. 1601 Holland /Y/wy II. 181 Spondylium, a kind
of wild Parsnep or Madnep. 1652 Culpepper Eng. Physic.
161 The seed of the wilde Parsnipe being ripe about the
beginning of August, and if they do flower for seed in the
first year of sowing the Countrey people call them ' Mad-
neps '. 1686 Rav Hist. Plant. I. 410 Nostrates asserunt
I'astinacas ipsas vetustiores & annosas delirium, .inducere,
unde eas Madneps. .vocant. 171a tr. Pomet's Hist. Drugs
I. 30 The Peasants call it the RIad Nip.
Madness (mardnes). [f. Mad a. + -ness.]
The quality or condition of being mad.
1. Mental disease, insanity ; now applied esp. to
insanity characterized by wild excitement or extra-
vagant delusions ; mania. Also (in animals) rabies.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. vn. vi. (1495) 226 And thise
passions ben dyuers madnesse that hyghte Inania [read
Mania] & madnesse that hyghte Malencolonia [sic], c 1440
Promp. farv. 319/2 Maddenesse, amencia, demencia. 1538
P^lvot Diet., Raines, Madnesse of a dogge. 1567 Maplet
Gr. Forest 46 Henbane, hath the name to be a cause of
madnesse or furie. 1602 Shaks. Ham. in. iv. 187 Let him..
Make you to rauell all this matter out, That I essentially
am not in madnesse But made in craft. x6ti Bible Zech.
xil 4, I will smite euery horse with astonishment, and his
rider with madnesse. 1687 Mayern in Phil. Trans. XVI.
408 Doggs are Subject to these several sorts of Madness or
rather diseases. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Suf>p. s.v. Mania,
Madness arising from immaterial causes is much more diffi-
cult to cure. 1849 Macaulav Hist. Ping. iv. I. 524 This
delusion becomes almost a madness when many exiles . . herd
together. 1879 Lindsav Mind in Lower Anim. I. 16 Mad-
ness in lower animals may mean any one of several very
different affections, including especially insanity and rabies.
2. Imprudence or delusion resembling insanity;
extravagant folly.
1382 Wvclif II os. ix. 7 Vrael, wite thou thee a fool, a wood
prophete, . . for the multitude of thi wickidnesse, and multi-
tude of madnesse. 1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 368
What madnes were this, with his own mony . . to maintaine
the force of his adversarye. 1697 Dryuen Virg. Georg. iv.
642 What Madness cou'd provoke A Mortal Man t' invade
a sleeping God ? 17M R. Keith tr. 7". a Kempis' Solil. Soul
x. 173 Wander not forth, O my Soul, after Vanities, nor after
lying Madnesses. 1849 Macaulav Hist. Eng. v. I. 602 To
advance towards London would have been madness. 1862
G. Long Thoughts of Antoninus (1877) Ir3 To seek what is
impossible is^nadness. 1885 J. Pavn Talk of Town II. 69
It would have been madness indeed to have any altercation.
3. Ungovernable anger, rage, fury.
1665 Manlev Grotius' Loiv C. Warres 273 The baser sort
of people cover 'd nothing of their Madness, but shew'd their
Kury in their Speeches. 1698 Vanbri'GH Prov. Wife 11. i,
Now could I cry for madness, but that I know he'd laugh at
me for it. 1781 Gibbon Decl. a> /•". xxx. III. 157 The madness
of the people soon subsided. 1802 Mrs. J. West Infidel
Father III. 45 Sir Bronze absolutely stamped for madness
at this intelligence.
transf. 1697 Dryden I'irg. Georg. in. 367 Not with more
Madness, rolling from afar, The spumy Waves proclaim the
watry War. 1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan 87 Then 1 see
. . the waves Lashed into madness.
4. Extravagant excitement or enthusiasm; ecstasy.
1596 Shaks. Merch. I'. 1. ii. 21 Such a hare is madness
the youth, to skip ore the meshes of good counsaile the
cripple. 1607 Norden Surv. Dial. I. 9 A kind of madness,
as I may call it, but in the best sence it is a kind of ambi-
tious .. emulation. 1775 Johnson Tax. no Tyr. 55 The
madness of independence has spread from Colony to Colony.
1799 Campbell Pleas. Hopei. 160 The smiling Muse. .Shall
..breathe a holy madness o'er thy mind. 1820 Shelley
Skylark 103 Such harmonious madness From my lips would
flow. 1822 Lamb Fllia Ser. 1. On Some Old Actors, None. .
possessed even a portion of that fine madness which he threw
out in Hotspur's famous rant. 1879 Svmonos Shelley tg$
The Muses filled this man with sacred madness.
Madonna (mad^-na). Also 7 Maddona, 6-9
madona. [a. It. madonna, orig. two words {ina
Olt. unstressed form of mia fern., my ; donna =
F. dame:—h. domino, lady) corresponding to F.
ma dame : see Madam.]
|| 1. a. As an Italian form of address or title :
My lady, madam. Obs.
1584 R. W. Three Ladies Lond. 1. B \\\s,Merca. Madona, me
be a Merchant and be cald senior Merkadorus. 1592 Nashe
P. Peuitesse 20b, They drawe out a dinner with sallets,..
& make Madona Nature their best Caterer. 1601 Shaks.
MADOQUA.
Twcl.N. I. v. 72 Good Madona, why mournst thou? a 1626
Mi dim-eton More Dissemblers v. i. (1657) 67 Crotch. (Here
they sing Prick-song) How like you this Madona? Celia.
Pretty. 163* Massinokr Maid of Hon. v. ii, Gracious Mad-
dona, Nome Generall, Brave Captaines, and my quondam
rivalls, wear 'em. 1827 Macaulay Song Misc. Writ, (i860)
II. 417 Oh stay, Madonna ! stay,
f b. An Italian lady. Obs.
1602 Middleton Blurt ii. ii. C2IJ, ////. Well Sir, you
know, .the flea-bitten fae'd Ladie. Doit. Oh Sir, the freckle
cheeke Madona, I know her Signior, as well — Hip. Not
as I doe, I hope Sir. a 1625 Fletcher Fair Maid of Inn
in. i, A dancer .. that by teaching great Madonnas to foot
it, has miraculously purchast a ribanded wastcote. 1639
Shirley Gent. I'en. v. ii. 1 1655) 64 De'e think to mount Ma-
donas here, and not Pay for the sweet Carreere.
2. a. An Italian designation of the Virgin Mary;
usually with the ; occas. used vocatively. b. A
picture or statue (esp. Italian) of the Virgin Mary.
1644 Kvelyn Diary (1879) 1. 122 A faire Madona of Pietro
Perugino, painted on the wall. 1645 Ibid. I. 203 The mira-
culous shrine of the Madona wch Pope Paul III. brought
barefooted to the place. 1717 Lady M. W. Montagu Let.
to Abbe" Cotiti 29 May, They shewed me . . a picture of the
Virgin Mary, drawn by the hand of St. Luke, .. the finest
Madonna of Italy is not more famous for her miracles. 1816
BYRON Siege Cor. xxx, Madonna's face upon him shone,
Painted in heavenly hues above. 1825-9 Mrs. Sherwood
Lady of ' Manor \. xxxii. 338 A beautiful madonna in white
marble which I had seen id a church in Rome. 1833 Ten-
nyson Mariana in South 22 'Ave Mary' was her moan,
* Madonna, sad is night and morn '. 1849 James Woodman
ii, A very early painting of the Madonna and Child. 1853
Kroude Eng. Forgotten Worthies Short Stud. (ed. 2) 30^
WhoM pretences to religion might rank with the devotion
of an Italian bandit to the Madonna. 1855 Browning
One Word More ii, Rafael made a century of sonnets, ..
Else he only used to draw Madonnas.
3. A mode of dressing a woman's hair, with the
parting down the middle, and the hair arranged
smoothly on each side. (Cf. 4.)
a 1839 T. H. Bayly Songs $■ Bait. 1. 139 I've tried all styles
of hair dressing, Madonnas, frizzes, crops.
4. altrib. and Comb. (esp. with reference to pic-
tures cf the Madonna and the mode, of dressing
the hair), as Madonna braid, coiffure, face, front%
lid, style; Madonna-wise adv.; Madonna-braided
a., (of the hair) arranged in smooth braids on each
side of the face, after the manner of Italian repre-
sentations of the Madonna ; Madonna lily, the
White Lily, Lilium candidum, often represented
with the Madonna in pictures.
1829 Souvenir 1 1. 317/2 (Stanf.) The hair is beautifully ar-
ranged in a *Madonna braid in front. 1849 Aytoun Poems,
Buried FtoiverZi, Raven locks, 'Madonna-braided O'er her
sweet and blushing face. 1890 Pall Mall G. 26 Nov. 1/3
Her fair hair . . is simply parted in the centre, in the way
which is now often playfully called the ' *madonna coiffure '.
1790 Hi:l. M. Williams Julia I. i. 3 She had a *madona
face. 1849 Thackeray Pendennis I. xvi. 143 She returned
a rather elderly character with a *Madonna front and a
melancholy countenance. 1863 Woolner My Beautiful
Lady 95 O wan girl-mother with *Madonna lids Downcast.
1900 Field 23 June 903 '3 The *Madonna lily {Liliiau can-
didum). 1902 Daily Chron. 1 Apr. 2/1 Large branches of
Madonna lilies. 1818 La Belle Assemblee XVII. 86 The
hair is worn more in the * Madona style. 1830 Tennyson
Isabel \, Locks not wide-dispread, *Madonna-wise on either
side her head.
Hence Madcnnahood, the character or quality
of a Madonna. Madonnaish a., like a Madonna.
i860 Ruskin Mod. Paint. V. ix. iv. 236 Brown gleams of
gipsy Madonnahood from Murillo. 1891 Athcnxum 24 Oct.
547/1 She is too Madonnaish in one way, too languishing
and sentimental in another.
Madoqua (mard<?k\va). [Amharic] A tiny
antelope of Abyssinia, Neotragtts saltianus (JV.
madoqua), of about the size of a hare.
[1681 J. Ludolf Hist. Aethiop. 1. x. F 73 Amharice Mada-
kua; animalia quae capris assimilabat Gregoiius. Rupi-
caprae vel Ibices esse videntur.] 1790 Bruce Trav. Source
Nile V. 83 Among the wild animals are prodigious numbers
of the gazel or antelope kind ; the bohur, sassa, feeho, and
madoqua. 1885 Casselts Nat. Hist. III. 18.
II Ma'dor. Med. Obs. Also 7 madour. [L.
mador moisture, f. madere : see Madid.] Sweat.
1620 Venner_ Via Recta (1650) 296 If in sleep the body . .
be sometimes in a little mador or light sweat. 1658 Phil-
lips, Madidity or Madour, moistness or wetness. 1705 Phil.
Trans. XXV. 2105 Without any offensive Smell, or fastidi-
ous Mador. 1856 Mayne E.v/os. Lex., Mador, . . Moisture
that is superfluous or unnatural. Old term for that kind of
sweat which takes place in syncope, whether warm or cold.
Mador, variant of Madar.
t Madpash. Obs. [f. Mad a. +■ Pash head.]
A cracl»braiued person. Also altrib.
16x1 Cotgr., Mat, a foole, fop, gull ; mad-pash, harebrained
mnnie. 01693 Urqnkarfs Rabelais 111. xxv, Let us leave
this Madpash Bedlam, this hair-brained Fop.
Madras (madra*s).
1. The name of a city of India and the province
of which it is the capital ; used altrib. in the names
of things produced there or originally connected
therewith : Madras lace, (net) muslin (see quots.
1882); Madras stucco - Chunam ; Madras
work (see quot.).
tMiChamb. Fncyct.Xl. 151/1 Madras stucco, or chunam,
is largely employed in the decoration of public buildings.
1882 Caulfeild & Saward Did. Needlewk., Madras Lace,
A school for lace making has lately been founded in Madras.
The lace made is the black and white silk Maltese guipure.
19
Madras-net Muslin, This is a handsome, but coarse make
of Muslin, produced in several varieties .. They are all 72
inches wide. Madras Work, This is so called from its
being executed upon the brightly coloured silk handkerchiefs
that are known as Madras handkerchiefs. 1895 Army <f
Navy Co-ope r. Soc. Price List 1105/1 Frilled Madras Muslin.
2. In full Madras handkerchief: A bright-colour-
ed handkerchief of silk and cotton worn by the
negroes of the West Indies as a head-dress, ' for-
merly exported from Madras' Yule).
1833 M- SCOTT Tom Cringle xvi. (1842) 437 The black
officers, in general, covered their woolly pates with Madras
handkerchiefs. x88i Cable Mad. Delphine, etc. 97 Old
Charlie.. was sitting on his bench under a China- tree, his
head, as was his fashion, bound in a Madras handkerchief.
1888 — BonavenUire, An Large i. 146 A black woman in
. . red-and-yellow Madras turban,., crouched against the wall.
3. —Madras-net muslin (see 1).
1902 Westm. Gaz. 27 Aug. 8/1 The shirt, a fine madras,
plaited neglige with square point narrow link cuffs.
II Madrasah (madrse-sa), medresseh (me-
dre's^). Also 7 mandresa, 9 madrasa, madrassah,
-asseh, -assee, -esse, medresse^ Diets, madres-
sah, -issa(h. [The various forms represent Indian,
Turkish, and Persian pronunciations of Arab.
a«j.X» madrasa^, f. ^^ darasa to study.] A Mo-
hammedan college.
1662 J. Davies lr. Olearius Voy. Andnxss. 214 We. .found
that it was a School or College, which they call Mandrcs;i,
of which kind there arc very many all over Persia. 1819
T. Hope Anastasius (1820) III. xi. 271 His fortune was
spent in placing me in a Medressc. 1834 Mokikk Aycsha
I. xii. L'69 The medresseh, or school, which adjoined the
principal mosque. 1876 A. Arnold in Contcmp. Eev, June
47 The Madrassee or mosque school of Ispahan. 1881
Hunter in Encycl. Brit. XII. 774/2 The Calcutta ma-
drasa for Mahometan teaching. 1882 O'Donovan Merv
Oasis xvi. I. 276 Within sight are three medressfa, or
collegiate institutions, for the instruction of Turcoman
students for the priesthood.
t Madreail. Obs. Also 4 madryan, -am. [a.
OF. madrian 'sorte de fruit* (Godef.).] A spice,
?a kind of ginger.
1357-8 Durham Ace. Rolls iSurtee.s) 124 In 4 cofynes de
Anys comfeyt, madryan, et aliarum specierum. Ibid. 560
In diversis specie-bus .. videlicet .. anys Comfett, et Ma-
dryam, viis. nijd. 1390-1 Earl Derby's Fxped. (Camden)
19 Pro ijlb. ginger madrean, ijs, iiijd. a 1400 in ilenslow
Med. Whs. 14//1 C. (1899) 122 To make conserue of madrian.
Madregal (mae'dr/gsel). Also med-. [Of
unknown origin.] A fish of the genus Seriola.
1884 G. 13. Goou.E etc. Nat. Hist. Aquatic Anim. 351
Seriola fasciata, This fish, called in Cuba the 'Medregal'
and in IJemiuda the ' lionito', has been observed in South
Florida. 1896 Jordan & Evkr.mann Fishes N. <\ Mid.
Amer. 904 {Hull. U.S. Nat. Mus. No. 47) Seriola fasciata
(Medregal). Ibid. 905 Seriola falcata. .(Madregal : 'Rock
Salmon'.)
Madre-perl. rare"1, [ad. It. madreperlay f.
madre mother +perla Peael.] Mother-of-pearl.
1878 Loncf. Kcramos 175 Nor less Maestro Giorgio shines
With madre-perl and golden lines Of arabesques.
Madreporacean (ni.xulr/po^r^-Jan'. Zool [f.
mod.L. Aladreporacea, f. Madrepora : see -ackan.]
A coral of the group Madreporacea or Madre-
poraria.
1878 Encycl. Brit. VI. 380/1 In tne great coralliferous
deposits of the Carboniferous, again, no representative of
the group [Perforata] is known, save the single genus
Pal.raiisy which appears to be a Madreporacean.
lUCadreporarian (mLv:dr/po<>re>rian), a. and
sb. Zool. \i. mod.L. Madreporaria (f. Madrepora
Madrepore) + -AN.]
A. adj. Pertaining to the group Madreporaria
(the madrepores and related corals). B. sb. A
coral of this group.
1881 Athemeum 6 Aug. 181/1 The true or Madreporarian
1 corals. 1893 ^* I'1*0014 (title), Catalogue of the Madrepora-
1 rian Corals in the British Museum.
Madrepore (mse'dripou). [ad. mod.L. madre-
\ porg or F. madrepore (1710), ad. It. madrepora.
T^; Italian naturalist Ferrante Imperato (Hist. Nat.,
• 1599) uses Poro as a name for 'a kind of vegetable the
i substance of which resembles that of coral, but differs in
being porous '. He evidently regarded this word as identical
with the ordinary It. poro, ad. h.porus Pore sb. ; but perh.
it really represented late L. pbrus, a. Gr. irdipo? calcareous
I stone, stalactite. Among the species of ' poro ' he enumerates
; millepora, frondipora, and ' those plants by some called
madrepores (here madripore, but elsewhere madrepora
• occurs), which are tubular growths, issuing from a common
stem, and attached together at their roots, so that they
resemble a honeycomb '. The word madrepora (which
Imperato app. did not invent) seems to be f. madre mother +
Poro, the ending of the latter being changed to suit the
gender of the sb. prefixed in apposition ; on this view, the
i other words, millepora, frondipora, etc., must have been
I formed later in imitation of madrepora. A comparison of
i Imperato's woodcut of the 'madrepores' with those of the
j other species of Poro seems to suggest that the prefix
j ' mother ' may refer to the appearance of prolific growth
' characteristic of this ' plant'.]
1. Formerly applied loosely to most or all of the
j perforate corals (which, however, were not origin-
ally classed as corals) ; now usually in more re-
; stricted use, a polypidom of the genus Madrepora
! (or family Madreporidw).
1751 Stack (tr. from French) in Phil. Trans. XLVIL 449
; The several species of vermicular tubes found in the sea,
! the madrepores, uiilleporcs, lithophytons, corallines, sponges.
MADRIER.
Ibid. 460 They have denominated pora that class of them,
which seem'd piere'd with holes. Of these they found
some, the holes of which were large; and these they call'd
madrepnra. i8oz Hingi.ev Anim. Biog. (1S13) III. 475 The
Brandling and Prickly Madrepore. 1832 Lyell Princ.
Geol. 11. in The madrepores or IameUiferous polyparia, are
found in their fullest development only in the tropical seas
of Polynesia and the East and West Indies. 1840 BLYTH,etc.
tr. Cuvier's Anim. Kingd. (1849] 658 When the Madrepore
is branched, and the stars are confined to the extremities of
each branch, it is the Caryopkyllia of Lamouroux. . . Madre-
pora, or Madrepores properly so called, have the whole
surface roughened by little stars. 1875 Huxley in Encycl.
Brit. I. 130/2 In some madrepores the whole skeleton is
reduced to a mere network of delist calcareous substance.
1882 CassclTs Nat. Hist. VI. 207 The common so-called
Madrepore of the Devonshire coast, and those which are
dredged up out of moderately dee]) water in the North
Atlantic, are common examples of the genus Caryophyllia.
2. The animal producing the madrepore coral.
1841 Esiekson Address, Method Nature YVkv (Uohn) II.
224 Nature turns off new firmaments ..as fast as the madre-
pores make coral. 1875 Mehivale Gen. I fist. Rome xxiii.
(1877) 160 The. .instinct with which the madrepore extends
his empire over the bottom of the ocean.
3. Limestone composed of fos.sil madrepores.
1809 Valentia Voy. HI. 309 The houses in Jidda are far
superior to those at Mocha. They are built of large blocks
of very fine madrapore [sic],
4. altrib. , as madrepore coral, hole, island ;
madrepore marble, = sense 3.
1866 7 Lu im.siunk Last y>nls. (1873) I. iv. 85 The yelluw
plains .. look like yellow hamiatite with madrepore holes in
ii. 1869 tr. Pouchet's Universe (187 0 76 Twenty-six madre-
pore islands. 1876 Page Adv. Tcxt-Bk. Geol. iii. 67 A branch
of the common madrepore coral. 1879 Cassell's Techn. t-'dm.
n. 87 Many blocks are almost entirely formed of fossil coral.--,
and known as madrepore marbles.
Madreporic (ma'dr/p^nk), a. [{. mod.L.
Madrepora or Madrepore + -ic]
1. Lertainin^ or related to, consisting or charac-
teristic of, madrepore coral.
1817 Q. Rev. XVII. 240 The madriporic [sic] productions
which have been found to exist, .above the present level
of the sea, 1833 Lyell Princ. Geol. III. 133 Part of the
madrepoi ic rock has been converted intosilex and t ah edotiy.
1887 H. H. Howorth Mammoth % Flood 360 The madre-
poric calcareous deposits surrounding Havana.
2. The distinctive epithet of certain structures
in cehinoderms {madreporic body, canal, plate,
tubercle), so called because perforated with small
holes like a madrepore.
1861 Dana Man. Geol. 160 To one side of the dorsal centre
..in the regular Echinoids, there is a small porous prominence
on the shell, often called the madreporic body, from a degree
of resemblance in structure to coral. 1862 Thomson in Q.
Jrnl. Microscop. Set. II. 139 The madreporic tubercle
gradually increases in size and distinctness. 1870 Nichol-
son Man. Zool. 123 The madreporic canals and their tuber-
cles depending freely from the circular canal into the peri-
visceral cavity. 1878 Bell Gegenbaur's Comp. Anal. 204
One of these [genital plates of the Desmosticha] is the madre*
poric plate.
Madreporid (mcedr/po^rid), sb. and a. Zool.
[ad. mod.L. Madreporidx, f. madrepora : see Ma-
drepore and -ID.] a. sb. An animal of the family
I Madreporidze, including the genus Madrepora. b.
: adj. Pertaining to the Madreporidx. Hence Madre
po-ridan a., characteristic of the Madreporidx.
1899 Bernakd in Jrnl. Linn. Soc., Zool. XXVII. 130
Pontes is. .related to the Madreporids. Ibid. 141 An ex-
clusively Madreporid origin. Ibid. 142 There is no reason
why further growth should not simply enlarge it without
necessarily running it into ancestral Madreporidan lines.
Madreporiform (mcedr/poe-rif^.im), a. [f.
mod.L. JlJadrepora + -form.] Having the form or
characters of madrepore coral ; spec. == Madre-
poric 2.
1843 FouBiiS in Proe. Benu. Nat. Club II. No. n. 79
Madreporiform tubercle nearer the margin than centre.
1870 Nicholson Alan. Zool. 125 One of the genital plates is
larger than the others, and supports a spongy tubercle, per-
forated by many minute apertures, .and termed the ' madre-
poriform tubercle'. 1877 C. W. Thomson Voy. Challenger
II. iv. 237.
Madrepoi'igenous (ma^dripo-'ri-d.^nss), a.
rare. Zool. [f. mod.L. Madrepora Madrepore +
-gknous.] Producing madrepore coral.
1847-9 Todd Cycl. Anat. IV. 33/1 Madreporigenous
polypes can only exist at depths where they enjoy the
influences of light and air.
Madreporite(ma.'dr/"p6^r3it). [f. Madrepore
+ -ite. Cf. G. madrepority F. madreforite.~]
1. Pahvant. Fossil madrepore.
1828-32 in Webster. 1843 Humble Did. Geol., etc.,
Madreporite. 1. Fossil madrepore.
2. Min. A calcareous rock of columnar struc-
ture marked by radiated prismatic concretions.
1802-3 tr' Pallas" s Trav. (1812) I. 147 Its cells and tubes
extend, as is the case with maandrites, or madreporites, in
a. parallel line from the surface. 1821 Ure Diet. Che/u. s.v.
Limestone, It [prismatic lucuUite] was at one time called
madreporite. 1839 Penny Cycl. XIV. 271/2 Madreporite. —
Anthraconite ; Columnar Carbonate of Lime.
3. Zool. The madreporic tubercle in echinodcrms.
1877 Huxr.EV Anat. Inv. Anim. ix. 554 The madreporic
tubercle or madreporite. 1884 Slauen in Q. Jrnl. Microscop.
Set. XXIV. 31 The madreporite or water-pore in Asterids
usually punctures a basal plate.
I! Madrier (mardriaj). Fortif. [Fr.] (See
MADRIGAL.
20
MJENAD.
1704 J. Hahris Lex. Techn., Madrier, in Fortification, is a
thick Plankarm'd with Platesof Iron, and havinga Concavity
sufficient to receive the Mouth of the Petard when charged,
with which it is applied against a Gate, or any thing else
that you design to break down. This term is also appro-
priated to certain flat Beams, which are nVd at the bottom
of a Moat, to support a Wall. There are also Madrier*
lined with Tin, which are cover'd with Earth, to serve as a De-
fence against Artificial Fires. 1758 J.Watson Mitit. Diet.
(ed. 5). 1826 Scorr Woodst. xxxiii, The petard, .is secured
witli a thick.. piece of plank, termed the madder.
Madrigal (maeHhigal), sb. Also 6 -7 -ale, -all.
[ad. It. madrigaie (whence Fr.# Sp. madrigal).
The origin of the It. word is obscure. On the ground of
the occurrence in early It. of the variant forms madriale,
mandriale (cf. ohs. Sp. jnandrial, maudrigal), Diez
(followed by most later etymologists) accepts Menage's
derivation from it. mandria herd, f. L. mandra, a. Gr.
fi.ai'Spa fold; the primitive sense according to this view-
would be ' pastoral song' (cf. quots. 1597, 1614 in 3).]
1. A short lyrical poem of amatory character;
chiefly, a poem suitable for a musical setting such
as is described below (see 2).
1588 {title) Mvsica Transalpina, Madrigales translated of
foure, fine, and sixe parts, chosen oute of diners excellent
Authors. Ibid. Aij, I had the hap to find in the hands uf
some of my good friends, certaine Italian Madrigales, trans-
lated most of them fine yeeres agoe by a Gentleman for his
priuate delight. 1621 Burton Anal. Mel. u. ii- vi. iii. (1651)
9og How to make Jigs, Sonnets, Madrigals in commenda-
tion of his Mistress, a 1637 B. Jonson ('mlerwoods (1640'
209 He That chanc'd the lace, laid on a Smock, to see And
straight-way spent a Sonnet ; with that other That (in pure
Madrigalb unto his Mother Commended the French-hood
[etc.]. 1736 Shkkidan in Swifts Lett. (1768) IV. 167, 1 know
you love Alexandrines; for which reason I closed the above
madrigal with one. I think it is of a very good proportion,
which I hope you will set to musick. aiyjt Gray Metrnm
Wks. 1843 V. 250 Madrigals of Eight [lines], on Three
Rhymes. Sir T. Wyatt. 1774 Warton Hist. Eng. Poetry
{1840' III. 142 He [Clement Marot] was the inventor of the
rondeau, and the restorer of the madrigal. 1888 Murray's
Mag. July 43 Poetically speaking a madrigal may be de-
fined as the shortest form of lyrical poetry.
2. Mus. A kind of part song for three or more
voices (usually, five or six) characterized by adher-
ence to an ecclesiastical mode, elaborate contra-
puntal imitation, and the absence of instrumental
accompaniment ; also applied loosely to part
songs or glees not bound by these conditions.
See Encyd. Brit. (ed. 9) XV. 192/1, XVII. 84/i.
1588 [see 1]. 1593 Nashe Christ's T. 34b, Their merry-
running Madrigals, and sportiue Base-bidding Roundelayes.
1594 Morlev {title) Madrigalles to foure Yoyoes, the first
Booke. 1597 — Introd, Mus. 180 The light musicke hath
beene of late more deepely diued into .. the best kind of
it is termed Madrigal . . it is a kinde of musicke made vpon
songs and sonnets.. .As for the musicke it is next unto the
Motet, the most artificial and to men of vnderstanding
most delightful*. 1644 Milton Areop. (Arb.) 50 Andwho
shall silence all the airs and madrigalls, that whisper
softnes in chambers? 1674 Play ford Skill Mus. 1. 59
Your Madrigals or Fala's of five and six Parts, which were
composed for Viols and Voices by many of our excellent
English Authors, as Mr. Morley, Wilks, Wilbey, Ward, and
others. 1789 Burney Hist. Mus. (ed. 2) III. ii 201 The
most chearful species of secular Music, .was that of madri*
gals, a style of composition, that was brought to its highest
degree of perfection about the latter end of the 16th century.
1811 L. M. Hawkins C'tess <y Gertr. I. 31 A little club,
where catches, glees, motets, and madrigals, with the canon
4 Non nobis ' in finale, were ' done ' in plain correctness.
1879 E. Prout in Grove Diet. Mus. I. 306 The only
difference between the canzona and the madrigal being
that the former was less strict in style. 1879 I. Hullah
ibid. 598 The glee differs from the madrigal . . in its tonality,
which is uniformly modern.
3. transf. and Jig. A song, ditty.
1589 Greene Menaj>hon (Arb.) 25 If a wrinckle appeare in
her brow, then our shepheard must put on his working day
face, and frame nought but dolefull Madrigalls of sorrowe.
a 1593 Marlowe Pass. Sheph. to his Love ii, By shallow
Rivers, to whose fals Melodious birds sing Madrigals. 1597
Middleton Wisdom oj 'Solomon xvii. 16 The merry shepherd
..Tuning sweet madrigals of harvest's joy. 1614 Sir W.
Alexander Alexis to Damon in Drumm. of Hawth. Poems,
Those Madrigals we song amidst our Flockes. 1634 Milton
Comus 495 Thyrsis? Whose artful strains have oft delaid
The huddling brook to hear his madrigal, a 1640 Jackson
Creed x. xxni. § 8 Changing their late joyful hymns of
Hosannatothe Son of David into sad madrigals of Crucifige,
crucifige. 1800-24 Campbell (TConnor's Child iii, And oft
amidst the lonely rocks She sings sweet madrigals. i8ai
Clare VUl. Minstr. I. 178 Thrushes chant their madrigals
1848 Dickens Dotnbey xli, Gentle Mr. Toots, .hears the re-
quiem of little Dombey on the waters, rising and falling in
the lulls of their eternal madrigal in praise of Florence.
4. atlrib. and Comb.
1611 Florio, Madrigdli, Madridli, Madrigall songs. 1877
W. A. Barrett {title) English Glee and Madrigal Writers.
1880 Mackeson in Grovels Diet. Mus. II. 192 Founded in
1741 by John Immyns.a member of the Academyof Ancient
Music, the Madrigal Society enjoys the distinction of being
the oldest musical association in Europe, 1883 Encycl. Brit.
XV. 192/1 The art of madrigal composition was never
practised in Germany, and it died out in other countries
early in the 17th century. 1888 J. A. F. Maitland in Diet.
Nat. Biog. XVI. 327/1 The madrigal form as used by the
Italians.
Hence Ma'drig'al v. {rare) intr.t to write, com-
pose, or sing madrigals. Also with it.
1593 G. Harvey Piercers Super. 48 When Elderton began
to ballat, Gascoine to sonnet, 1'urberuile to madrigal. Drant
to versify [etc.]. 174a Jarvis Quix. 11. Ixviii. 272 Madrigal
it as much as your worship pleases.
Madrigalian (mseclrigJ'-lian), a. [f. Madrigal
sb. + -ian.] Pertaining to, consisting or character-
istic of, or dealing with madrigals.
1848 {title) Madrigalian Feast, a collection of twenty
Madrigals. 1869 Olselky Counterp. xiv. 89 The old madri-
galian composers. 1879 E. G. Monk in Grove Diet. Mus.
I. 72 Anthems of the Madrigalian era. i88z Athenxum
No. 2854. 58 The English madrigalian writers being repre-
sented solely by a few songs and unimportant pieces.
Madrigalist (rmWrigalist). ff. Madrigal
sb. + -1st.] A writer or composer of madrigals.
1789 Burney Hist. Mus. III. 123 The best madrigalists
of our country. 1888 J. A. F. Maitland in Diet. Nat. Biog.
XVI. 328/1 In the next few years [after 1596] nearly all the
masterpieces of the English madrigalists were issued.
IWCadrigaller. [IMadbigalw. + -Eiii.] = prec.
a 1704 T. T.KOWN Lett. Dead to Living 11. (1707) 33
Sonniters, Songsters, Satyrists, Panegyrists, Madrigallers.
1710 Wychekley in Pope's Lett. (1735) I. 46 No Madrigaller
can entertain the Head, unless he pleases the Ear.
II Madrono (niadr(7*nyij). Also madrona, ma-
drono. [Sp.] A handsome evergreen tree of western
North America, Arbutus Menziesii, having a very
hard wood and bearing yellow berries. Also atlril>.
1850 B. Taylor Eldorado xiii. (1862) 130 Clumps of the
madrono — a native evergreen, .. filled the ravines. 1882
J. Hawthorne Fort. Pool 1. xxvi, The whisper of the
breeze iii the niadrorio. 1883 Stevenson Silverado So. 71
Woods of oak and madrona, dotted with enormous pines.
1888 Amer. Humor. 5 May 12/1 Here and there a madrona
tree grows, with its bark peeling off in its own peculiar
way, leaving the tree bright red and as smooth as satin.
Comb. 1900 K. Ruling /'><?/« Sea to Sea xxvi, There were
the pines and the madrone-clad hills.
Madryam, -an, var. forms of Madkeax Obs.
t Ma'dship. Obs. In 3 mad-, med-, mead-
schipe. [f. Mad a. + -ship.] Madness.
a 1225 Leg. A'at/i. 327 Hwat is mare madschipe pen for
to leueti on him & seggen % he is Godes Sune? e 1230 Halt
Mcid. 52 Ha is. .mare amead, 3ef ha mei, ben is meadschipe
seolf.
Mads tone (mae'dst^ui). U. S. [f. Mad a.
used subst. + STONE sb.] A stone supposed to have
the power of allaying or curing the madness caused
by the bite of a ' mad ' animal.
1864 Round Table 18 June 2/2 We are not so ready with
an explanation of the ' mad-stone ' used to obviate ill effects
from the bites of rabid animals. 1888 Boston (Mass.) Jrnl.
9 Aug. 2/4 The Orlando (Fla.) Record tells a remarkable
.story of the effects of a madstone in a case of snakebite.
Madura (ma'dura). The name of a district
of Madras, used attrib. in Madura foot, a disease
of the foot common in Madura and other parts of
India ; « Mycetoma. Also Madura disease.
1863 W. T. Fox Skin Dis. Parasitic Grig. 15 In the
Transactions of the Medical and Physical Society of Bombay
for i860, is a description by Dr. H. V. Carter, of a disease
occurring in many parts of India, called variously 'Ulcus
grave ', ' Morbus tuberculosis pedis ', * Madura foot ', * Podel-
koma ', ' Mycetoma '. 1868 J. H. N klson Madura Country
L iv. 91 Its classical name is morbus pedis en tophyt tens',
but it is better known in this District by the name of ' the
Madura foot'. 1871 Bristowe in Trans. Pailwl.Soc. Lotui.
XXII. 326 The fungus of the Madura foot. 1874 Q. Jrnl.
Microscop. Set XIV. 263 On the Etiology of Madura-foot.
Madwoman, [f- Mad a. + Woman, after
Madman.] An insane woman.
1622 T. Scorr Belg. Pismire 15, I remember a witty mad-
woman..told a friend of hers [etc.]. 1842 Dickens Amer.
Notes iii, The rest of the madwomen seemed to understand
the joke perfectly. 1844 Marg. Fuller Worn, in 19th C.
(1862) 105 She.. wilt not be pitied as a mad-woman, nor
shrunk from as unnatural.
Madwort (mae"d|wwt). [Cf. <juot. 1597; the
name is peih. a transl. of L. alyssum, a. Gr. akvo-
aov, f. d- (privative particle) + \vooa rabies.]
1. A herb of the genus Alyssum.
Britten and Holland {Plant-n.) consider Gerande's 'mad-
wort' to be of doubtful identity, and assign his 'German
madwort * to the genus Stachys or Sideritis.
1597 Gkrardc Herbal n. c.wiii. 379 The Germaine Mad-
woort bringeth foorth from a fibrous roote, two broad,
rough, and hoarie leaues ; between which riseth vp a hoarie
brittle stalke, diuided into sundrie small branches, wlwe-
upon do growe long, narrow leaues. . ; from the bosom"of
which leaues come foorth small roundles of purple flowers
like those of the dead Nettle. Ibid. 380 Madwoortor
Moonewort is called .. of the Latines Alyssum: in English
Galens Madwoort : of some Heale dog; and it hath the
name thereof, bicause it is a present remedie for them that
are bitten of a mad dog. 1611 Cotub., Alysson, the hearbe
Madwort, Moonewort, heale dog. 1640 Parkinson Theatr.
Bot. 590 Alyssum montanum Columtuv. Mountame Mad-
wort of Columna. 1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot App. 313 Mad-
wort, Alyssum. 1861 Miss Pratt Flower. PI. I. 105 Alys-
sum, which is the Mad-wort of the ancients, and the plants
of whicli were supposed to allay anger.
2. The Trailing Catchweed, Asperugo proutm-
bens. (Also called German madtvort.)
1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. App. 318 German Mad-wort,
Asperugo. 1806 Galpine Brit. Bot. 79 Asperugo, Madwort.
Madyn/e, -ynne, obs. forms of Maiden.
Mae (»/)i z>* dial. [Onomatopoeic. Cf. bae,
Ba.] intr. Of a lamb : To utter its peculiar cry.
1728 Ramsay Robert, Ricky, <y Sandy 124 While ewes
shall bleat, and little lambkins mae,
Mae, variant of Mo, more.
Mseander, etc. : see Meander, etc.
Maecenas fm&Pnses). PI. Maecenases,
fMfficenates (-e"lttz). Also 6-7 Mecenas, 6-
erron. Meceenas. The name of a Roman knight,
the friend of Augustus and the patron of Horace
and Virgil. Hence used for ; A generous patron
of literature or art ; + occas. gen. a patron.
C1561 Veron Free-will 7 This my rude labor, whiche..
I offer unto youre honoure,asunto the Mecenas and patron
of all godly e learninge. 1590 Spensss /". Q. Verses addr. to
Noblemen, This lowly Muse,. .Flies for like aide unto your
Patronage, That are the great Mecsenas of this age. 1597
Moki.ey Introd. Mus. in. 179 The composers of musick who
otherwise would follow the depth of their skill, . . are com-
pelled for lacke of ma:cenates to put on another humor.
1611 Cokvat Crudities Ep. Ded., My illustrious Mecamas
Sir Edward Philips Ma>ter of the Rulles. c 1620 T. Robin-
son Mary Magdalene Ded. 105 Yet some Maecenases this
age hath left vs. 1663 Glrbilr Counsel b viij b, A Mecenas
to all vertues. 1711 Shaktesb. Charact. (1737) I. 216 The
Muses .., with or without their Maecenas's, will grow in
credit and esteem. 1779 Sheridan Critic 1. i, Are you not
called ..a mock Maecenas to second-hand Authors? 1812
I,. Hum in F..xaminer 14 Dec. 7S7/2 This Mecamas of the
Age. 1827 Lytton Pelham xlvi, See what it is to furni.-h
a house differently from other people; one becomes a bel
esprit, and a Maxamas, immediately. 1875 Escott in Bel-
gravia XXV. 80 The Maecenas of the la^t century did in-
fluence literature and art ; the Maxenas of to-day cannot.
Hence KEsece'nas v. trans., to act as a patron to.
Msece'nassMp, the position of a Maecenas.
1832 Caklyle Ess. (1872) IV. iot Neither . . was the new
way of bookseller Meca^nasship worthless. 1837 Makryat
Olla Podr. .\.\.\, Literary men are not Mxccnascd by. .the
[f. Mxcenat-y
. .aristocracy.
t Mseccnatism. Obs. rare"
M.kcenas + -ism.] Patronage.
1606 BlRKXB Kirk'Burtall Ded., I strong-hold myself
under your Marqueships Mecenatisme.
Maeht, ohs. form of Might.
Mael(e, Sc. form of Mole vspot).
Maelstrom (W'"lstr6m\ Also 7 [male-
strand,] male stream, 8 malestrom, 9 mael-
strom, and in Ger. form mahlstrom. [a. early
mod.Du. maelstrom (now maahtrooni) , whirlpool,!.
malen to grind, also to whirl round + slroom stream.
The use of maelstrom as a proper name (also in Fr.) seems
to come from Du. maps, e.g. that in Mercator's Atlas (1595).
Dutch philologists are of opinion that the word is native.
It is true that it is found in all the mod. Scandinavian langs.
as a common noun, but it is purely literary, and Danish
scholars regard it as adopted from Du. or LG. The earliest
known instance of Da. malstrjm (formerly also written
malestrfm) occurs in 1673 in Debes P'xroa reserata, the
author of which was a pastorin the Kaeroe Islands. Cf.
Norw. dial, malstraum (admitted by Aasen to be 'little
used ', which prob. means that he had never heard it in
actual popular use), Sw. malstrom, Fa-roic mat\n)streymur
{}\\xv&T£L&&mxsfo Fa»rfsk Anthologi, Glossary; the vb. mala
in Faeroic means ' to grind ', ' to whirl round ').
The form Malestrand in quot. C1560 can only be a blunder ;
probably Jenkinson hearing the name Malestrfm confused
it with the name of Malestrand :? meaning ' pebbly shore '),
now Marstrand, in South Sweden.]
A famous whirlpool in the Arctic Ocean on the
west coast of Norway, formerly supposed to suck
in and destroy all vessels within a long radius. Also
transf. a great whirlpool.
be 1560 A. Jenkinson in Hakluyt's I'oy. (1589) 33^ There is
between the said Rost Islands, and Lofoote, a whirle poole,
called Malestrand, which . . maketh such a terrible noi^e, that
it shaketh the rings in the doores of the inhabitants houses
of the said Islands, ten miles of] 1682 R. Burton IVond.
Curios. (1684) 229 Between the coast of Cathnessand Orkney
is a dreadful Frith or Gulf, in the North end of which, by
reason of the meeting of 9 contrary Tides or Currents, is
a Male Stream or great Whirlpool. 1701 C. Wolley Jrnl.
New York (i860) 47 A dangerous Current, . . as dangerous
and as unaccountable as the Norway Whirl-Pool or Mael-
strom. 1755 tr. Poutoppidan 's Nat. Hist. Norzvay L 77 There
is another "kind of current, -in the sea of Norway, . .namely
the Malestrom, or Moskoestrom [orig. 1752 den vidtbkiendtc
Male-str^m eller Moske-strfftu], . .near the island Moskoe.
a 1844 Poe {title) A descent into the Maelstrom. 1856 W. E.
Aytoun Bothwell {lZsfi 56 And if a ship should chance to
pass within the maelstrom's sweep, i860 Miss Braddon
'Trail Serpent 1. i, Every gutter in every one of these streets
was a little Niagara, with a maelstrom at the corner.
h.jig.
1831 Cauialk Sart. Rfs. 1. iv. (1858! 19 Some single billow
in that vast World-Mahlstrom of Humour. 1854 J. S. C.
Abuott Napoleon (1855) II. iv. 69 An accumulated mass, in
one wild maelstrom of affrighted men, struggling In frantic
eddies. 1883 Harper s Ultrg: July 956 I In the wild and
glittering maelstrom of luxury and extravagance.
Maenad (mTnsed). [ad. L. Mxnad-, Mmnis,
a. Gr. MatfaS-, Matfcis, f. naiv-foBat to rave.] A
Bacchante.
1579 E. K. CIoss. Spenser's Shepk. Cat. Oct. 1 1 1 The
Ma:nades (that is Bacchus franticke priestes). eifaa T.
Robinson Mary Magdalene 795 Like to yB Meiiades y*
Euhce crie. 1638-48 G. Daniel Eclog iii. 153 The Women
. . Like yaulingMamades, their loo's send To the full-fraught,
lest drinking there should end. 1820 Shkiaey Ode Liberty
vii, Like a wolf-cub from a Cadmaan Maenad, She drew
the milk of greatness. 1882 Athenienm 7 Jan. 22/2 Another
[nymph], furious as a maenad, is about to whirl on high
the headless body of a kid.
Hence Msena'dic a., characteristic of a Miuiiad ;
resembling a Ma'nad, infuriated.
1830 Cahlvle Misc. (1872) III. 2 Phallophori and Mama-
dic women. 1830 Fraser's Mag. I. 587 There is a clapping
of hands, and shouts of Maenadic glorification.
Maende, obs. form of Mend.
Mesne : see Mean, Mene.
Maenial^l, obs. form of Mental.
MAESTOSO.
Maer, Msere, obs. forms of Mora, Mm.
Maes, Maesse, obs. forms of Maize, Mass.
Maest, obs. form of Most.
Mfflstive, variant of MHTIV1.
II Maestoso (,ma£St<vstf). Mils. [It. - majestic]
A direction denoting that a composition is to be
executed majestically.
1724 Expl. For. Words Music, Maestoso, or Macstuoso.
1815 Enrop. Mag. LXVIII. 154 Var. 8 (Maestoso) in minor.
Maestral, variant of Mistbal.
Maestriss, obs. Sc. form of Mistress.
II Maestro (maestro). [It. = 'master'.] A
master in music ; a great musical composer, teacher,
or conductor.
1797 Mks. KadcLIPFB Italian vii, He might be a ghost,
by his silence, for aught I know, Maestro. 184s E. Holmes
Mo-art 79 The archduke and his bride .. inclined their
heads from their box and applauded the maestro. 1884 V. M.
Crawford Rom. Singer I. 22, 1 went to the Maestro's
house and sat for two hours listening to the singing. 1891
Speaker 2 May 528/1 The performance of some musical
maestro on an instrument that almost seems part of himself.
Maez, obs. form of Maize.
Ma fal ( - may fall, perhaps) : sec May v.<
1 Mafey, int. Obs. Also 5 mai-, mayfay,
maffay, mavf,fay, ma fa; maffeith, -feyth.
[a. OF. ma fell (mod.F. ma foil) 'my faith':
see Fay sb^] An asseveration, lit. = 'my faith ! '
e 1374 Chaucer Troylus 111. 3 (52) Mafey bought he bus
vole 1 sey. < 1400 Pride of Life (lirandl 1898.1 451 Noll,
maifay, hit schal be sene. 1401 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 75
A, Iak, mafey, me merveilith moche of thin lewidheed !
04a Hoccleve De Keg. Prim. 3283 Maffeith! jour lif
stood bere in iupartie. c 1440 Promp. Pari'. 319/2 Mafey,
othe (MS. S. malfeyth), medius fidius. e 1460 Tomncley
Myst. xxiii. 564 Ma-fay, I tell his lyfe is lorne. [1791 J.
Learuont Poems 143 Mafoy I yell dwindle to a den.
1842 Barium Ingot. Leg. Scr. 11. Black Mousquctaire,
Stay I I have it— ma foi !]
Maffaisour.Maffia.var. ff.M.u. feasor, Mafia.
Maffick (mrefik), v. [Back-formation from
mafficking (i.e., the proper name MafekingtKa\£&
jocularly as a gerund or pres. pple. ).] intr. Origin-
ally used to designate the behaviour of the crowds
;in London and other towns) that celebrated with
uproarious rejoicings the relief of the British gar-
rison besieged in Mafeking (17 May 1900). Hence
gen. to indulge in extravagant demonstrations of
exultation on occasions of national rejoicing. Hence
Mafficking' vbl. sb. and ppl. a. ; Ma'ffioker, one
who 'mafficks' ; Ma-ffickJ*., an act of ' mafficking'.
The words appear to be confined to journalistic use ; but
we have a large number of examples from newspapers of
all shades of political opinion.
1900 Pall Mall G. 21 May 2/2 We trust Cape Town . . will
' maffick ' to-day, if we may coin a word, as we at home did
on Friday and Saturday. 1900 lVestm.Caz.-2S May 23
The feathers, .are sold for a penny each to enable ' Maffick-
ing' revellers to tickle other revellers' noses. 1902 Daily
Chron. 9 July 6/5 We have no wish to advocate the hysteria
of which the name is 'mafficking1. 1902 IVestm. Gaz.
4 June 7/3 The Peace 'maffick' has not yet been com-
pletely worked olT. 1902 Times 11 June 12/1 [The ' Merry
Wives of Windsor '] is.. 'a pure anticipated cognition ', as
Shelley would have said, of the mafficking spirit.
+ Ma-fflard. Obs. [f. Maffle v. + -ard.] A
stammering or blundering fool.
e 1450 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 225 The churche of Chester,
whiche crieth, alas ! That to suche a mafflarde marryede
she was,
Maffle (mavfl), v. Obs. exc. dial. Also 7
maffell. [Cf. early mod.Dtt. maffelen to move the
jaws (Kilian). The Eng. word has a wide dialectal
currency in several senses <vsee E. D. D.).]
1. intr. To stammer; to speak indistinctly,
mumble, f Also with an obj.
1387 Tkevisa Iligden (Rolls) II. 91 }if Alfrede seib nay
in pat, he wot nou;t what he mafflep. Ibid. V. 215. 1399
Langl. Rich. Redeles tv. 63 Somme mafilid with Jje moup
and nyst what bey mente. 1365 Cooper Thesaurus, Bal-
butio, to maffle in the mouth, as not able to sounde his
wordes. 1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 34 Those disciples
who.. would needs stut, stammer and maffle as Aristotle
did. 1623 Cockeram, Maffell, to stammer. 1875 Lane.
Gloss., Maffle, to hesitate, to falter, to stammer, to mumble.
2. To blunder, bungle ; to delay, waste time.
1781 Hutton Tour to Caves. 1837 [see Maffling vbl. sb.].
3. trans. To confuse, bewilder, muddle (see
E. D. D. and Maffled///. a.).
Hence Maffling- vbl. sb. and ppl. a., Mafflingly
aJv. Also Ma filer, one who ' maffles '.
1552 Elyot Diet., Balbus, that can not well pronounce
wordes in speakyng, a mafflar. 156s Cooper Thesaurus,
Falbe, obscurely : mafflyingly : witli no perfit sowne. 1577-
87 Holinsiied Chron. II. 13/1 It [Aqua Vitae] keepeth ..
the toong from lisping, the mouth from maffling. 1586 [.
Hooker Hist. Ircl. in Hotinshed II. 88/2 He deliuered his
speeches by reason of his palseie, in such staggering and
mafiing wise, that [etc.]. 1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor.
65,3 They.. go too far in their commandements . . who en-
joine stutters, stammerers and mafflers to sing. 1608 Top-
sell Serpents 252 They make a maffeling with their mouth
and stammer so that they cannot distinctly be understood.
1609 Bible (Douay) Isa. xxxii. 4 The tongue of mafflers
shal speake _ readely and plaine. Ibid, xxxii. Comm.,
This prophecie of maffling or uiiperfect tongues, to speake
readily, is fulfilled in the Church of Christ. 1611 Cotgr.,
Bredouillement, a faultering, or maffling ; an ill-fauoured
21
speaking, imperfect pronunciation. 1837 Carlvle Let. to |
Margaret 22 Jan. in Froude Life (1884) I. iv. 04 After much
higgling and maffling. the printers have got fairly afloat.
Maffled (mre-f 'Id), ///. a. dial. [f. Maffle v.
+ -KD1.] Confused, muddled.
1820 Southky Lett. (18561 III. 186 She was, what they
call in the country, maffled ; that is, confused in her in-
tellect. 1845 De Quiscey Coleridge .5- Opium-eating Wks.
1859 XII. 93 The Westmorland people, .expounded his
condition to us by saying that he was ' maflled ' ; which
word means ' perplexed in the extreme'. 1886 Mks. Lynn
Linton Fasten Care-.u II. x. 211 She did not smell of drink,
and was sober though decidedly maffled.
!l Mafia (mafra 1. Also maffia. [Sicilian.] In
Sicily, the spirit of hostility to the law and its
ministers prevailing among a large portion of the
population, and manifesting itself frequently in vin-
dictive crimes. Also, the body of those who share
in this anti-legal spirit (often erroneously supposed
to constitute an organized secret society existing
for criminal purposes'. Hence || Maf f ioso (pi.
-osi), one who sympathizes with the mafia.
187S Times 9 June 5/4 The malevolent influence and op-
pression of the Mafia and the Mafiosi. 1902 Encycl. Brit.
XXXI. 163/1 (art. New Orleans) He had been active in
proceedings against certain Italians accused of crime, and
11 was popularly believed that his death was the work of a
maffia, or sworn secret society. 1902G. MoscA/toV.XXXII.
618/1 (art.Sicily) The Maffia is not, as is generally believed,
one vast society of criminals, but is rather a sentiment akin
to arrogance which imposes a special line of conduct upon
persons affected by it.. .The maffwso considers it dishonour-
able to have recourse to lawful authority to obtain redress
for a wrong or a crime committed against him.
Mafortune: see May v\
Mag (mag , sb.1 colloq. [f. Mag v.]
a. Chatter, talk. b. A chatterbox.
a. 1778 Mme. LYArblay Diary Sept., Mrs. Tkrale : Oh, if
you have any mag in you, we'll draw it out ! 1875 Mrs.
Lynn Linton Patricia /Cembali II. iv. 78 Hold your mag
on things you don't understand. 1885 E. C SharLand
Ways Devonsh. Village ii. 26 You go away for a while, my
dear, and let me have a little mag with Emma.
b. 1892 F. Anstey The Talking Horse, etc. 46 'Alick
does call me a " mag ",' said Priscilla ; ' but that's wrong,
because I never speak without having something to say '.
Mag (maeg), sb:- Cf. Meg. [Playful shorten-
ing of the female name Margaret]
1. Used as a personal name in various proverbial
phrases, t Magics tales : nonsense, trifling. Mag's
diversion (also Meg's : see Meg).
e 1410 Love Bouavent. Mirr. xxxix. 85 (Sherard MS.)
[The Lollard] scorneth. .suche miracles haldynge hem but
as magges tales [B.N.C. MS. magge tales, IV. de IV. (eds.
1517-301 madde tales] and feyned illusiouns. 1834 M. G.
Dowling Othello Travestie 1. iii, The galley slaves Are
playing mag's diversion on the waves. [1837 Socthey
Doctor IV. exxv. 250 Who was Magg? and what was his
diversion ?j 1849 Dickens in Forster Life (1S72) II. xx. 432
Mag's Diversions. Being the personal history of M r. Thomas
Mag the Younger, Of Blunderstone House.
2. Used as a proper name for a magpie. Also
as a common noun = Magpie.
1802 G. Montagu Omith. Did. (1833) 311. 18. . Clare
Life $ Rem. (1873) 245 While mag's on her nest with her
tail peeping out. 1885 Swainson Prov. Names Birds, Mag-
pie (Pica rustica). . . Familiar names. Mag, or Madge.
3. Rifle-shooting. = Magpie.
1895 Pall MallG. 29 July 11/2 If Winans made a 'mag'
with his first shot he would probably cease firing.
4. Long-tailed Mag (dial.) : the Long-tailed
Titmouse, Acreditla rosea.
1851 Moral Hist. Brit. Birds I. 275.
Mag (maeg), sb.3 slang. Also meg. [Of obscure
origin : cf. the synon. Make sb.] A halfpenny.
1781 G. Parker Life's Fainter 129 Mag is a halfpenny.
Ibid. 161 Halfpenny— A meg. 1813 Sporting Mag. XLII.
219 Neither of these forsaken damsels had one single mag,
or piece of any kind of coin. 1852 Dickens Bleak Ho. xxiii,
It can't be worth a mag to him. 1862 H. Kingsley Ravens-
hoe I. ix. 111 As long as he had a 'mag' to bless himself
with, he would always be a lazy, useless humbug.
b. Comb. Ma-gflyinsf vbl. sb., playing ' pitch
and toss ' ; Magflyer.
1882 Standard 8 Aug. 3/7 There were usually three_ or
four in a gang, one acting as the ' magflyer ', the ' mag ' being
the coin, another as the caller of the odds or amounts, a
third as treasurer. 1883 Daily Tel. 26 Mar. 2/8 (Farmer)
Ofthetwenty-mne'night-charges', byfar the greater number
were of. .boys for mag flying, 1. e., 'pitch and toss '.
Mag (mtegVA.4,abbrev.of Magazine (sense 5 b).
1801 Wolcot (P. Pindar) Tears t Smiles Wks. 1812 V. 55
Who wrote in mags for hire. 1869 Chaiub. J ml. 8 May
303/2 Why don't you fellows write something for the mags I
1888 Jacobi Printer's Voc, Mag, an abbieviation very
generally used by printers for ' magazine '.
Mag (mreg), v. Also meg. [f. Mag sb.-] intr.
To chatter ; also with away.
1810 Splendid Follies I. 68 Don't you think she magged
away pretty sharply ! That's the worst of the young ones
—they will cackle so confoundedly. 1885 Runciman Ship-
pers » Sh. 248 I'll snap your backbone acrossmyknee if you
' meg half a second more.
Maga (mre'ga). [Shortened form of Magazine.]
A familiar abbreviation for Blackwood's Magazine.
1825 Blackw. Mag. XVII. 384 Two Numbers of Maga,
you dog. 1886 Saintsbuky Ess. Eng. Lit. (1891) 301 'the
monkey tricks of mannerism which.. were incumbent on a
1 reviewer in ' Maga '. 1809 Literature 4 Feb. 123 With more
! than the lightness and speed of the Quagga, She'll . . show
, them a clean pair of heels, will our Maga I
MAGAZINE.
+ Magade. Obs. tare. Also 5 magada. [ad.
mcd.L. magadakm., f. Or. /irryds (aceus. /myaSa .]
The bridge or fret of a stringed instrument.
1432-50 tr. Iligden (Rolls) III. 211 The wire extendede on
a holowe body is distreynede diametrally by an instrumciile
restreynenge the wyre to a certeyne acsrde callede magada
[L. magada]. 1609 DowLAND Omith. MUrol. 22 That shall
be the first Magade of the Instrument. Ibid. 23 In the
extreame point of the Magades, set little props.
II Magadis (mse'gadis). Ancient Music. [Gr.
fidyaSis.] An instrument with twenty strings,
arranged in octaves. Also, the Lydian llageolet
(l.iddell & Scott .
1721 A. Malcolm Treat. Mus. 473 The Psalterium, Tri-
ton, Sambuca, Pedis, Magadis, Barbital). 1763 J. Brown
Poetry x- Mus. v. t»; One Instrument they [the Ancients]
used, which had two Strings to every Note .. called the
Magadis. 1864 Engel Mus.Auc. Nat. v. 200 Of the Mac.i-
dis it is even not satisfactorily ascertained whether it was a
stringed or a wind instrument. 1884 Eu,y,l. Brit. XVII.
79/1 Anacreon <-,.(<> b.c.) sang to the accompaniment of the
magadis (doubling bridge), an instrument imported from
Egypt to Greece.
Magadize (mtcgadoiz), -j. Ancient Mus. [ad.
Gr. /uryaSiffiy, f. /id^vaSiv Magadis : see -tzi:.] a.
intr. To play or sing in octaves. b. To piny
upon the magadis. iknee Magadized ///. a.,
Ma'gadizing vbl. sb.
1776 Bckney Hist. Mus. (17S9' I. v iii. 132 It appears that
the union of two voic :s in octaves was called Magadizing
hum a treble instrument of the name of Magadis, strung
with double strings tuned octaves to each other. 1898
Stained & Barrett Diet. Mus. '1 erms s.v., To Magadize.
1 1 ) To play upon the magadis. (2) To play in octaves. 1901
H. E. Wooldriuge Oxf. Hist. Mus. I. 44 The Greek prai
lice of magadizing, in which, .lay the fundamental prim iple
of Polyphony. Ibid. 47 In addition to the old magadized
octal e the consonances of the fourth and filth were now sung
in parallel movement.
i Magar. Obs. rare-1. Some kind of ship.
1590 Greene Oil. Fur. (1599) 4 Stately Argosies, Caluars,
and Magars, hulkes of burden great.
Magaseine, -sin, -son, obs. ff. Magazine.
■I Maga-Stromancy. Obs. rare. [f. L. mag-us
sec- Mage, Magic, Magos) + AsTKOMANCY.] A
name invented by Gaule for: 'Magical astrology'.
1652 Gaule Mag.tstrom. 202 If there were any congruity
or consistency betwixt prophecy and magastromancy.
So Maga-stroma:ncer, one who practises ' mag-
astromancy '. Maga-stromaintic a., pertaining to
' magastromancy'.
1652 Gaule (title) llvs-iuurrta. The Mag-astro-mancer,
or the Magicall-Astrologicall-Diviner Posed, and Puzzled.
Ibid. 223 To what end serve the feigned mirables of nature
but to fcigne the magastromantick art for the greatest
mirable? tbid.369 Examples of the magastromancers fatall
miseries, .are too many to be instanc't in at large.
Magatapie, obs. form of Maggot-pie.
Magazan, erron. form of Mazagan.
i Magazinage. Obs. rare— °. (See quot.)
1730 -6 Bailey vfolio) Pref., Magazinage .. the Hire or Rent
of a Warehouse or Place for laying up Goods or Stores ;
also the Warehouse, cic. itself.
Magazinary (nuegazj-nari). nonce-wd. [I.
Magazine sb. + -aky.] The office or place of
production of a magazine.
1825 Blackw. Mag. XV. 445 He In editorial gloom, In
Colburn's magazinary, Gives each his destined room.
Magazine (ma.'gazrn),jA. Forms: 6 magason,
magosine, 6-7 magasin, -Bin, 7 magazen , (mag-
gezzine, megazin(e, magaseine, magozin), 7-8
magazeen(e, 6- magazine, [a. F. magasin (OF.
magazin), It. magazzino (Sardinian magasintt,
metathetically camasinu), Sp. magacen, a. Arab,
^-li" makhazin, pi. of ^ysf makhzan storehouse,
f. ^i. khazana to store tip. The Arab, word,
with prefixed article al-, appears asSp. almagacen,
almacen, Pg. armazem warehouse.]
1. A place where goods are laid up j a storehouse
or repository for goods or merchandise ; a ware-
house, depot. Now rare.
1583 J- Newbery Let.'m Purchas Pilgrims (1625) II. 1643
That the Bashaw, neither any other Officer shall meddle
with the goods, but that it may be kept in a Magosine.
1588 T. Hickock tr. Frederick's Voy. 27 The merchants
haue all one house or Magason.. and there they put all
their goods of any valure. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage vi.
x 511 Vnder which Porches or Galleries [of the Church]
are Magazines or Store-houses, wherein are kept lampes,
oile, mats, and other necessaries. tyy.Gentl.Mag.1. Introd.,
This Consideration hasinduced several Gentlemen topromote
a Monthly Collection to treasure up, as 111 a Magazine, the
most remarkable Pieces on the Subjects aboveniention d.
1768 Sterne Sent. Journ. (Rtldg.) 304 ( Tkt Rem*) Moos.
Dessein came up with the key of the remise in his hand,
and forthwith let us into his magazine of chaises. 1793
Bmu Corr. (1844) IV. 143 No magazine, from the ware-
houses of the East India Company to the grocer s and
the baker's shop, possesses the smallest degree of saiety.
1808 Pike Sources Mississ. 111. App. 23 A public magazine
for provisions, where every farmer brings whatever gram
and produce he may have for sale. 1875 Stanley 111 Con.
temp. Rev. XXV. 489 Imported.. from the magazines of
France and of Belgium, according to the last fashions ot
Brussels or Paris. ... ,
tig. IS99 B. Jonson Ev. Man out of Hum. 11. in, What
more thariheauenly pulchritude is this? What Magf'"f.
or treasurie of bliss? <ii6io Healey Theophraslus (16361
To Rdr., That great Magazine or Storehouse of all learning
MAGAZINE.
M. Cassaubon. J738 [G. Smith] Curious Rclat. II. 216 My
V fiend ! the Rich are the Poor Man's Magazine. 1817
Pari. Debates 352 A magazine of petitions had been opened
in Scotland.
b. transf. esp. of a country or district with
reference to its natural products or of a city, etc.,
as a centre of commerce.
1596 Raleigh Discov. Gviana 3 Guiana (the Magazin of
all rich mettels1. 163a Lithgow Trav. iv. 165 Constan-
tinople. .Aleppo. .and grand Cayro. .are the three Maggez-
zines of the whole Empire. 1640 Digbv in Lismore Papers
Ser. 11.(1888) IT. 133 Heconceaued that the City of London
was the Magazine of money. 1650 Fuller Pisgah in. i.
410 Timber they fetched from Mount Libanus (the maga*
zeen of cedars). 1705 Addison Itaiy (1767) 196 (Route) The
gr«at magazine for all kinds of treasure, is supposed to be
the bed of the Tiber. 1787 Genii. Mag. LVII. 11. 1115/2
The Dutch islands of Cura^oa and St. Eustatius are now
converted into complete magazines for all kinds of European
goods. 1833 L. Ritchie Wand, by Loire ioq Thcbourg of
Chouze', set down in a perfect magazine of fruit and vege-
tables, grain and wine.
C. A portable receptacle containing articles of
value. Now rare.
1768 Sterne Sent. Journ. (RtldgJ 341 {Case Conscience)
She opened her little magazine, and laid all her laces.,
before me. 1779-81 Johnson L. P., Thomson, He had re-
commendations .. which he had tied up carefully in his
handkerchief; but. .his magazine of credentials was stolen
from him. 1861 Holland Less. Life viii. 120 The great
army of little men that is yearly commissioned to go forth
into the world with a case of sharp knives in one hand, and
a magazine of drugs in the other.
2. Mil. a. gen. A building in which is stored
a supply of arms, ammunition and provisions for
an army for use in time of war. b. spec. A place
in which gunpowder and other explosives are
stored in large quantities ; a powder magazine.
1596 Spenser State Irel. Wks. (Globe) 669/2 Then would
I wish that there should be good store of houses and maga-
t-ins erected in all those greate places of garrison, and in all
great townes, as well for the vittayling of souldiours and
shippes, as for. .preventing of all times of dearthe. 1644 Nye
Gunnery (1647) 72 A barrell of the best powder in the Maga-
zin.-. 1667 Milton/'. L. iv. 816 A heap of nitrous Powder,
laid Fit for the Tun som Magazin to store Against a rumord
Warr. 1709 Pope Ess. Crit. 671 Thus useful arms in maga-
zines we place, rt 1744 Swift Epigram Wks. 1824 XIV. 399
Here Irish wit is seen ! When nothing's left that's worth de-
fence, We build a magazine. 1769 Falconer Diet. Marine
(1780', Magazine, a.. store-house, built in the fore, or after-
part of a ship's hold, to contain the gunpowder. 1800 Wkl-
UNGTONinGurw.Z>f^.(i8j7) I. 213, 1 have no power to order
the repair of magazines, storerooms, &c. 1849 Pkescoi 1
Peru (1850) II.23 *n another quarter they beheld one of those
magazines destined for the army, filled with grain and with
articles of clothing. 1868 Regui. a> Ord. Army p 1238 The
reserve Ammunition will be kept in the Magazine. 1877
A. B. Edwards Up Niie ix. 239 To provide a safe under-
ground magazine for gunpowder.
fig. 1653 R- Sanders P/iysiogu. 25 The Heart is the Maga-
zine and Arsenal of Life. 1715-20 Pope I Had xn. 332 As
when high Jove his sharp artillery forms, And opes his cloudy
magazine of storms. 1750 Johnson Rambler No. 76 r 6 He
has stored his magazine of malice with weapons equally
sharp, a 1764 Lloyd Law Student Poet. Wks. 1774 I. 23
While armed with these, the student views with awe His
rooms become the magazine of Law.
3. a. Mil. The contents of a magazine ; a store.
Also collect, pi. (f rarely collect, sing.) : Stores,
provisions, munitions of war; armament, military
equipments. ,
1589 I'oy. Spaine <$• Portiugaie 17 Aboundant store of
victualls. .which was confessed, .to be the beginning of a
Magasin of all sorts of prouision for a new Voiage into
England. 1591 Ralek;h Last Fight Rev. (Arb.) 16 Of
which [Armada] the number of souldiers. .with all other their
magasines of prouision, were put in print, a 1613 Overblhv
Observ. Trav. (1626) n Megazinsof powder. 1644 in Rushw.
/list. Coll. 111. II. 670 The Kings forces, .marcht away with
their Artillery and Magazeen towards Oxford. 1666 Dryden
Ann. Mirab. eclxxi, And bade him swiftly drive the ap-
proaching fire From where our naval magazines were stored.
1671 Milton Samson 1281 Thir Armories and Magazins.
«774T. West A ntiq. ^"*r«<:i\s(i8o5)48Theytook most part of
their arms., with a coup laden with magazeen, drawn by six
oxen. 1781 Gibbon Dccl.% F. xxxi. III. 259 He used, with
so much skill and resolution, a large magazine of darts and
arrows, that [etc.]. 1810 Wellington in Gurw. Desp, (1838)
VI. 27 A corps of 5000 men., had carried away a magazine of
arms. \Zi\Ibid. X. 419 Whenever a magazine of provisions
shall be taken from the enemy by the troops.
fig- 1638 Hakek tr. Balzac's Lett. (vol. III.) 242, I take
not upon me to contend with you in complements, .who. .
have whole magasins of good words. 1663 Cowlky Misc.,
Chronicle, The Lace, the Paint. and warlike things That make
up all their Magazins. 174a Vol ng Nt. Th. 11. 478 Speech
burnishes our mental magazine; Brightens, for ornament ;
and whets for use. 1836 Emerson Nature, Language Wks.
(Bohn) II. 154 That which was unconscious truth, becomes
. -a new weapon in the magazine of power.
b. gen. A store, heap (of provisions, materials,
etc.); ta stock of clothing, wardrobe.
1615 H. Crooke Body of Man 6i Next vnder the Skin
lyeth the Fat.. a Stowage or Magazine of nourishment
against a time of dearth. 1624 Heyuood Captives 11. ii. in
#Bullen O.Pl. IV. 145 That have no more left of a magazine
Then these wett cloathes upon mee. 1637— Loud. Mt'rr.
Wks. 1874 IV. 314 By which small mites to Magazines in-
crease. 1661 Evelyn Futuifugium To Rdr.,The Deformity
of so frequent Wharfes and Magazines of Wood, Coale,
Boards, and other course Materials. 1669 J. Rose.£«&. Vine*
yard (167 $> 34 A load of lime, to every ten loads of dung, will
make an admirable compost . . but your magazine will require
the maturity of two, or three years. 171a Akbuthnot John
Bull 11. iv, She [Usury] had amassed vast magazines of all
22
' sorts of things. 17x4 Gay Fan I. 243 Should you the Ward-
robe's^ Magazine rehearse, And glossy Manteaus rustle in
, thy Verse. 1719 De Foe Crusoe 1. x. (1840) 182 A ..
J magazine of flesh, milk, butter, and cheese. 1771 Goldsm.
Hist. Eng. III. 165 A magazine of coals were usually
! deposited there. 1790 Bewick Hist. Quadrupeds (1807)419
I Each Beaver forms its bed of moss, and each family lays in
its magazine of winter provisions. 1828 Svn. Smith Wks.
I (1859) II. 21/1 Distillation, too, always insures a magazine
1 against famine. . . It opens a market for grain. 1849 Mac-
' aulay Hist. Eng. ix. II. 437 In every asylum were collected
magazines of stolen or smuggled goods.
fig. 1^09 Sacheverell Serm. 15 Aug. 15 What a Maga-
zine of Sin, what an Inexhaustible Fund of Debauchery, . .
does any Authur of Heresie. .set up ! 1795 Burke Let. to
\V. Elliot Wks. VII. 348 The magazine of topicks and
common-places which I suppose he keeps by him. 1836-7
Sir W. Hamilton Metaph. (1877) I. ii. 23 An individual may
twssess an ample magazine of knowledge, and still be little
>etter than an intellectual barbarian.
+ 4. A ship laden with stores, a victualling ship ;
more fully magazine{s ship. (Cf. F. magasins,
'the store-ships which attend on a fleet of men of
war', Falconer Diet. Marine, Fr. Sea-Terms 17S0.)
1624 Capt. Smith Virginia iv. 155 Some pety Magazines
came this Summer. Ibid. v. 189 About this time arriued
the Diana with a good supply of men and prouision, and
the first Magazin euer seene in those lies. Ibid. 194 The
Magazin ship, .came into the Harbour. Ibid. 195 He
made . . a large new storehouse of Cedar for the yeerely
Magazines goods. Ibid. 196 The Magazins ship. Ibid. 198
Constrained to buy what they wanted, and sell what they
had at what price the Magazin pleased.
5. f a. Used in the titles of books, with the sense
{Jig. from 1 and 2): A storehouse of information
on a specified subject or for a paiticular class of
persons. Obs.
1639 R. Ward, Animadversions of Warre ; or, a Militarie
Magazine of the trvest rvles..for the Managingof Warre.
1669 Stuhmy, The Mariners Magazine. 1705 G. Shslley,
The Penman's Magazine : or, a New Copy-book, of the
Knglish, French and Italian Hands. 1719K. Hayes, Nego-
tiator's Magazine. 1802 J. Allen, Spiritual Magazine, or
Chilian's Grand Treasure.
b. A periodical publication containing articles
by various writers ; chiefly, a periodical publication
intended for general rather than learned or pro-
fessional readers, and consisting of a miscellany of
critical and descriptive articles, essays, works of
fiction, etc.
i71i(titlc) 1 "he Gentleman's Magazine: or. Monthly Intelli-
gencer. [Cf. quot. 1731 in sense 1.] 174a Pope Dune. 1. 42
Hence Journals, Medleys, Mere'ries, Magazines; ..and all
the Grub-street race. 1748 Lady Lcxbokolgh Let. to S/ien-
stone 28 Apr., Nothing can be more just than the criticism
upon the Play in the Magazine. 1758-65 Goldsm. Ess., Spec.
Mag., It is the life and soul of a magazine never to be long
dull upon one subject. 1798 A. Tilloch (title) The Philo-
sophical Magazine. 1819 Bykon Juan 1. ccflri, All other
magazines of art or science, Daily, or monthly, or three
monthly. 1823 (title) The Mechanics' Magazine. 1857
Mks. Mathews Tea-Table T. I. 2 A Magazine is the fancy
fair of literature— a reader's veritable bazaar, i860 (title)
Uaily's Monthly Magazine of Sports and Pastimes. 1880
M'Carthy(/«>« Times IV. lix. 304 He wrote largely on the
subject in reviews and magazines.
6. In various transferred uses of sense 2. fa. A
chamber for a supply of bullets in a 'magazine
wind-gun \ b. A ciiamber in a repeating rifle,
machine-gun, etc., containing a supply of cartridges
which are fed automatically to the breech, c.
A case in which a supply of cartridges is carried.
d. A reservoir or supply-chamber in a machine,
stove, battery, etc. e. Magnetic magazine : see quot.
a. 1744 Desaguliers Exper. Philos. II. 399 The small
or shooting Barrel, which receives the Bullets one at a time
from the Magazine, being a serpentine Cavity, wherein the
Bullets, .nine or ten, are lodged.
b. x868 Rep. to Govt. U. S. Munitions War 28 Drop
the cartridges into the outer magazine, kill foremost, to
the numl>er of seven. 1884 H. Bono Treat. Small Arms
89 Magazine arms in which the cartridges are placed in a
tube or magazine under the barrel. 1890 Henty With
Lee hi I'irginia 153 Many of the men carried repeating
rifles, and the magazines were filled before these were slung
across the riders' shoulders.
C. 1893 Greener Breech Loader 184 Cartridges are best
carried in a magazine of solid leather.
d. ,1873 J. Richards Wood-working Factories 45 Ex-
hausting the air from the magazine by fans. 1884 Knight
Diet. Mech., Suppl. 570/2 As in the Darnells' battery, which
has a magazine of sulphate of copper crystals. 1893 Botham-
ley Ilford Man. Photogr. xix. 136 Hand-cameras, .in which
the plate-reservoir or magazine is detachable.
e. 1870 Atkinson tr. Ganofs Physics <ed. 41 602 A mag-
netic battery or magazine consists of a number of magnets
joined together by their similar poles.
7. attrib. and Comb., as (sense 5 b) magazine
article, -editor ', -monger, paper, verse, world, -writer,
writing^ (senses 1, 2 j magazine house, ^store-
house; (sense 1 c) f magazine t>ag\ sense 6 b)
magazine arms ', rifle, weapon ; magazine battery,
a voltaic battery witli a magazine containing crys-
tals to keep the solution saturated (Knight Diet,
Mech. Suppl. 1884) ; magazine camera, a camera !
in which the plates for exposure are put in in |
batches ; magazine clothing, woollen clothing !
to be put on before entering a powder magazine ; j
magazine day, the day upon which periodical j
magazines are issued to the trade ; magazine gun, I
MAGAZINY.
! T (a) (see quot. i/4-f\ also called magazine wind-
gun (obs.); \_b) a gun (i.e. either a cannon or a
rifle etc.) provided with a ' magazine ' (sense 6 b) ;
f magazine ship (see 4 ; magazine stove (see
quot.) ; magazine work, {a) wiiting for maga-
zines ; [6) Printing, setting up type for magazines.
1868 Rep. to Govt. (■'. S. Munitions War 19 These car-
tridges cannot with safety be used in ^magazine arms. 1884
[see 6b]. 1854 S. Lover Handy Andy (ed. 4) Pref., The
early pages were written.. as a *magazine article. 1681
Chktham Anglers Vadc-m. xxxiv. (1689) 185 The Angler
must always have in readiness a large *Magazine Bag or
Budget plentifully furnished with the following materials.
1893 Beginner's Guide to Photogr. (ed. 5) 130 The . .
-Magazine Camera was highly extolled. .as least compli-
cated of Reservoir Cameras. 1876 Voyle & Stevksscn
Milit. Diet. 558 All persons employed in magazines, .will. .
change their own clothes and boots for "magazine clothing
and slippers. 1858 Simmonds Diet. Trade,* Magazine-day :
lfyz 1-orster Life Dickens I. 129 The magazine-day of
that April month, I remember, fell upon a Saturday. 1877
W. T. Thornton Word for Wordfr. Horace Pref. 8 Fail-
ing to discover a *Magazine-Editor good-natured enough
> to print any of my versions. 1744 Desaguliers E.xpcr.
I Philos. II. 399 An ingenious Workman call'd L. Colbe
has very much hnprov'd it [sc. the old Wind-Gun], by
making it a "Magazine Wind-Gun; so that 10 Bullets
! are t so lodg'd in a Cavity . . that they may be . . suc-
cessively shot. Ibid., The Magazine-Gun, as he calls it.
1880 Eticycl. Brit. XI. 284/2 The Vetterli gun . . isa repeater
' or magazine gun. a 1649 Drumm. of Hawth. Consid. to
Parlt. Wks. (1711) 185 That.. the town's * magazine-houses
be furnished with arms. 1767 S. Paterson Auot/ier Trav.
II. 134 A nuted book-maker, "magazine-monger, and anti-
critic of the eighteentli-century. 1833 Eraser's Mag. VIII.
482/1 He had written some smart "magazine papers, bound
up in a volume called Pelham. 1876 Voyle & Stevenson
Milit. Diet. 344 2 the best known "magazine rifles are the
Spencer, the Winchester, and the Vetterli rifles, a 1654 in
Wotton Lett. (1654) II. 91 Toerectand set up. .a Company,
to be called The East Indian Company of Scotland, making
their first *Magazin Storehouse . . in some parts of our Kealm
of Ireland. 1875 Knight Diet. Mech., *Magazine-sto7'e,
one in which is a fuel-chamber which supplies coal to the
fire as that in the grate burns away. 1891 E. Peacock
N. Brendon I. 49 Please don't quote silly "magazine verses.
1884 Pall Mall G. 28 Aug. 5/1 The information as to "maga-
zine or repeating weapons is very meagre. 1831 Cahlyle
in Froude Life 11882)11.151 "Magazine work is belowstreet-
sweeping as a trade. 1891 Labour Commission Gloss.,
Magazine Work, printing work paid by the 100 lines. 1833
Eraser's Mag. VIII. 482/1 He [Bulwer] came into our
"magazine world with an impertinent swagger. 1787 P.
Maty tr. Riesbecfrs Trav. Germ. II. xlv. 206 Reviewers,
"magazine-writers. 1835 Makkyat Otla Podr. xxx, 'Maga-
zine writing. .is the mo>t difficult of all writing.
Magazine, v. Now rare, [f. Magazine sb.]
1. trans. To lay up in or as in a magazine or
storehouse. Also with ///.
1643 Let. in Boys Sandivich (1792) 754 Those arms, .shall
he magazined up, in such convenient place as shall lie
thought fit. 1651 R. Child in Hartlib's Legacy '1655) 93
It isa great Deficiency in England, that we do not magazine
or store up Corn. 1656 S. H. Golden Law 97 Thus the
Sweden King, so the great Alexander, . . did contract and
magazine al the Honour &c. in their own names, which . .
their Commanders, Officers, and Souldiery had a great share
in. a 1734 North Exam. 1. iii. (1740) 222 Such Secrets ..
that, being magazined up in a Diary, might serve for
Materials, as.. might serve to build up his Plot.
2. intr. To conduct a magazine.
a 1763 [implied in the///. a. below].
Hence Magazining vbl. sb. and///, a.
a 1763 H\hom Pas*. Partuip. Petit, i. Poems 1773 I. 106
Urban or Sylvan, . .thou foremost in the Fame Of Maga/in-
ing Chiefs. i86s Dana Man. Geol. iv. 747 The Vegetable-
Kingdom is a provision for the storing away or magazining
of force for the Animal Kingdom.
Magaziner (magazrnaj). rare. [f. Magazine
sb. + -er!.] One who writes articles for a magazine.
1758-65 Goldsm. Ess., Spec. Mag., If a magaziner be dull
upon the Spanish war, he soon has us up again with the
Ghost in Cock-lane, i&yx Eraser s Mag. IX. 124 Consider-
ing Macaulay as a magaziner, his papers in Knight's
Quarterly were in general full of talent.
Magazinery. rare. [f. as prec. + -ekv.] The
profession of a magazine-writer.
1833 Eraser's Mag. VIII. 482/1 We, the old long-trained
veterans of magazinery.
Magazinish (ma-gaz/'nij), A [f. as prec. +
•XMK.1 Having the characteristics of what is usually
found in magazines.
1794 Goucnooa Lett. (1895) I. 117 The mediocrity of the
eight first lines is most miserably magazinisli. 1883 Black
Shandon Bells x.wi, 'It is very maga.zini.sh ', fie said.
'Why should the magazines monopolize literature?' she
answered.
Magazinism (ma:gaz/"-nizm). [f. as prec. +
-ism.] The profession of writing for magazines.
1882 Spectator 22 Apr. 533 Magazinism .. is threatening
now-a-days to become merely journalism writ large. 1889
Sat. Rev. n June 761/1 Is editing and conducting a maga-
zine magazinism ?
Magazinist (ma-gazrnist). [f. as prec. +
-1st.] One who writes for magazines.
1821 Blackio. Mag. X. 557 Christopher, Cock of the
North, Prince of Periodicals, and Monarch of Magazinists.
1833 Dk Qltncev Lett. Vug. Man iii. Wks. 1890 X. 43
Reviewer, magazinist and author of all work. 1880 M.
Coi.i.iss Th. in Garden I. 102 The modern magazinist isa
pitiable poetaster.
Magaziuy (msegufai), a. [f. as prec. + -Y1.]
Of the nature of, or suitable for, a magazine.
1885 Sat. Rev. 9 May 621/1 Not unamusing, though a
MAGDALA.
23
MAGGOT.
little' magaziny', to use a word of reproach. iSg+Athen&um
22 Sept. 383/2 We have heard his writings called ' shallow '
and ' magaziny '.
Mag'dala (moe'gdala). The name of a town
in Abyssinia, where a victory was gained in 186S
by General Napier. Used attrib. for the name of
a red aniline dye.
1875 lire's Diet. Arts (ed. 7). 1890 Thorpe Diet, Appl.
Chew. I. 233/2 Magdala red... This old and very beautiful
colouring matter is the saffranhie of the naphthalene series.
Magdalen, Magdalene (mae'gd&len, -lib).
[ad. Keel. Latin {Maria) Magdalena, -lend, a. Gr.
[Wlapia 17) MaySakrjvq, [Mary) of Magdala (a town
on the Sea of Galilee). The vernacular form of
the word (adopted through Fr.) is Maudlin ; the
pronunciation ;mg*dlin) represented bythis spelling
is still current for the names of Magdalen College,
Oxford, and Magdalene College, Cambridge.]
1. a. The Magdalenie : the appellation of a'dis-
ciple of Christ named Mary, 'out of whom went
seven devils* (Luke viii. 2). She has commonly
been supposed to be identical with the unnamed
' sinner' of Luke vii. 37, and therefore appears in
Western hagiology as a harlot restored to purity
and elevated to saintship by repentance and faith.
(In the full designation Mary Magdalen e the
article is omitted.) For early examples see also
Maudlin sb.
c 1386 Chaucer Pars. T. ? 428 As Iudas grucched ayeines
the Magdaleyne. 1500-20 Dunbar Poews xxxvii. 18 The
Magdalene and Mare Salamee Abasit wer in spirit. 1850
S. Dohf.ll Rowan ii, Heaven, Where angels hail the
Magdalen. 1865 Plu.mptre Master A> Scholar 93 The
twain, The sinner and the .Magdalene, they joyed To think
that [etc.].
b. A representation of Mary Magdalen in art.
1661 Evelyn Diary 9 Aug., Many excellent pictures,
especialy rhe Magdalen of Caracci. 1851 Ruskin Stones
l'i-n. (1894) I. 160 But a smooth Magdalen of Carlo Dolci
with a tear on each cheek, .rarely fails of being verily, often
deeply, felt for the time.
2. transf. One whose history resembles that of
the Magdalen ; esp. a reformed prostitute.
1697 Dennis Plot A> no Plot Epil., I, your young, buxom
Magdalens despise, She-Saints, that have sev'n Devils in
their eyes. [1737 Bailey vol. II, Magdalens, an order of
nuns, or rather worn out and penitent courtesans at Rome,
upon whom a revenue was settled by Pope Clement VIII.]
1758 Plan for esta/dishing Magdalen-Charity 36 The
General Committee shall empower three of their number to
visit the wards, toenquireinto the behavior of the Magdalens
[etc.]. 1777 Sheridan Trip Scarb. Prol., Those writers
well and wisely use their pens Who turn our wantons into
Magdalens. a 1882 Trollope Antobiog. xviiL (1883) II. 180
A poor abased creature.. with very little of the Magdalene
about her— because though there may be Magdalenes they
are not often found.
3. A home for the refuge and reformation of
prostitutes. [Short for Magdalen hospital^
1766 Entick London IV. 311 In Prescot-street..\ve find
a modern institution, .founded by the name of the Mag-
dalen. 1792 MAKY\VoLLSTOSECR./v>/^A/.r Worn, iv. 155 Many
innocent girls . .are . . ' ruined ' before they know the difference
between virtue and vice,. .Asylums and Magdalenes are
not the proper remedies for these abuses. 1859 C. Barker
Assoc. Prine.x. 1 The numerous temples, hospitals, .. and
magdalens which then covered our land.
4. The name of a kind of peach. [Cf. Maudlix.]
1706 London & Wise Retir\i Gard'nerl. 1. viii. 38 The
White Magdalen has a.. sugar'd winy Taste. iyig~Compl.
Card. p. viij. There are sometimes .. but scurvy Peaches
among the Minions, Magdalens, Violets, Admirables, &c.
17^5 Museum Rnsticum IV. iv. 17 The magdalene is gene-
rally a vigorous tree.
1 5. Some plant. Obs. [Cf. Maudlin.]
C 159° J; Eldred in Hakluyt's Voy. (1599) II. 1. 270 These
camels will Hue very well two or three dayes without water :
their feeding is on thistles, worme-wood, magdalene, and
other strong weeds.
6. attrib. and Comb., as (sense i) Magdalen like
adj., -look, -style; Magdalen day, the feast of
St. Mary Magdalen, 22 July ; Magdalen asylum,
charity, home, hospital, house = sense 3; Mag-
dalen (also Maudlin) pear, some variety of pear ;
Magdalen ward, the ward (fa) a hospital) devoted
to the reception of * Magdalens \
1869 Lecky Europ. Mor. iv. (1877) II. 08 *Magdalen asy-
lums and foundling hospitals. 1758 (title) A plan for
establishing a Charity. House . . for the reception of repenting
Prostitutes, to be called the *Magdalen Charity. 1485 Cer-
tificate in Surtecs Misc. (1890) 46 The Sunday after be
* Magdaleyne day. 1901 Daily Chron. 14 Aug. c/7 These
institutions are *Magdalene homes. 1758 Ann. Reg.,
Chron. 10 Aug. (1783) 104/2 The *Magdalen hospital in
Goodman s fields, .was opened. 1758 {title) The plan of the
Magdalen House for the reception of penitent Prostitutes.
1776 Carlisle Mag. 21 Sept. 169 Obtaining admittance into
the Magdalen-house. 1794 Charlotte Smith Wandering
of U anvtck 169 With all her penitent looks, and *Magda-
ill f graces. i75» Sir H. Beaumont Crito n That
Magdalen-look in some fine Faces after weeping. 1741
Lowpl. Faw.-Piece 11. iii. 388 And these Pears: [Aug.] ..
Gross Oignonet, *Magdalen Pear, Cassolette. 1765 Ann.
K<X-,fharac. 59/1 She wrote a letter to her husband
d hstiolles, in the true *Magdalen style; intreating him to
receive her again.
t Magdaleon. Pharmacy. Obs, [ad. med.L.
magdaleon-em, ?nagdaleo (whence F. magdalton,
16th c.); also magdaliwu, f. Gr. /w^SaAja, dough
or bread-crumb (Galen), later form of arrofiaySakta
soft bread to wipe one's hands upon at table, f.
airofiaaoetv to wipe.] A cylindrical roll of plaster,
salve, or any medicinal substance.
^1450 ME. Med. Bk. iHeinrich) 182 When bou hast
medled al by poudre, ben forme ber of by inagdaleones in
newe wyt leber or in good pauper. 1646 Sir T. Browne
Pseud. Ep. 11. iii. 74 Applying the magdaleon or roale unto
the Needle it would both stir and attract it. 1670 W.
Simpson Hydrol. Ess. 108 We.. melted it, and in small lead
pipes cast it into magdaleons. .resembling common sulphur.
1673 E. Brown 'Prav. Germ. etc. (1677) 168 We saw also the
manner of casting the Brimstone into Rolls, or Magdaleons.
1725 I.radlf.v Fam. Diet. s.v. Sulphur, They . .liquify it
JsnlphurJ by Fire, then pour it into Moulds, and form it into
Sticks or Pieces, call'd abroad Magdaleons. 1731 Bailey
Vol. II, Magdaleon, a roll of salve or plaister.
Magdeburg centuries, hemispheres : see
Cf.NTUKV 8, IlKMISt'HEKE I b.
Mage (ra£'dg). arch. [Anglicized ' form of
Mac us. Cf. F. mage (OF. had fnagne).']
1. A magician ; transf. a person of exceptional
wisdom and learning.
c 1400 Afiol. Poll. 95 We callen be magis, boo bat calculun
bi be sternis bingis to cum, wening as pel were Goddis
gouernours. 1586 T. I*. La Primavd. Fr. Acad. 1. 157
Plato^after he was well instructed by Socrates, sought out
the mages and wise men of Egypt, by whose nuanes he
saw the booke's of Moises. 1590 Spknser /•'. Q. 111. iii. 14
The hardy Mayd :. the dreadfull Mage there fownd Depe
busied bout worke of wondrous end. 1611 DoNNE Anat.
World 390 Th' Egyptian Mages, i860 Forster Gr. Re-
monstr. 63 Though such circumstances worked well for
the Mage [Henry VII] upon the English throne, he did nut
with all his craft [etc.]. 1869 Tfnnvsox Cowing of Arthur
279 And there I saw mage Merlin.
t 2. One of the magi : see Magus i. Obs.
1585 T. Washington* tr. Nicholays Voy. iv. ii. 115 Their
Mages .. annoynted their sacrifice with oyle. 1594 R.
Ashlky tr. Lays le Roy 31 b, As we will declare hereafter
when we speake of the Persians, and of their Mages.
Magecolle, variant of Machecolk v. Obs.
Mageirics, -istic: see Magirics, -istic.
I Magel. Obs. 'OnlyinTrevisa.; Alscmag g ed,
magil, magyl. V Fictitious, fabulous.
1387 Trkvisa Higden (Rolls) V. 337 Here William telleb
a magel [v. r. maged] tale wib oute evidence. Ibid. 339
Madde men telle magel [v. rr. magil, magged] tales,
Magellan (mage'lan). The Eng. form of the
name of a famous Portuguese navigator, Fernao
de Magalh2es (? 1470-1521), the first European
discoverer who passed through the channel now
called the Straits of Magellan into the PacificOcean;
used attrib. (or in possessive) = Magellanic.
1638 J. Chil.mead Treat. Globes 11. vii. (Hakl. Soc.1! 67
Our mariners used to call them Magellanes Clouds. 1671
Ogilby Amer. 474 viarg., Description of the Magellan
Straights. 1696 Phillips (ed. 5), Magellan's Clouds, two
small Clouds of the same colour with Via Lactea, not far dis-
tant from the South Pole. 1840 R. H. Dana Bef. Mast v. 9
The Magellan Clouds consist of three small nebula: in the
southern part of the heavens. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk.,
Magellan Jacket, a name given to a watch-coat with a hood,
worn in high latitudes.
b. = ' Magellan's Straits', ? nonce-use.
1787 Burns To W. Simpson vii, Ur whare wild-meeting
oceans boil Besouth Magellan.
Hence f Magella nian a. = next.
1698 Fryer Ace. E. India %■ P. 1 The Magellanian Clouds.
Magellanic fmcegelarnik), a. [ad. mod.L.
Magellanic -its, f. Magellan : see -IC.] Pertaining
to or named after Magellan (see prec), used in
the appellations of regions discovered by him,
nautical objects, etc.
Magellanic bark, a kind of Peruvian bo>k. Magel-
lanic Clouds, two large globular cloudy spots formed
of vast numbers of nebula; and clusters of stars, visible
in the southern hemisphere. Magellanic fox (see quotj.
Magellanic jacket, a sailor's waich-coat with a hood.
Magellanic regions, those regions of Patagonia visited
by Magellan. t Magellanic Sea, the South Pacific
Ocean. Magellanic Straits, the straits through which
Magellan passed from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
1775 Sir E. Barry Observ. Wines 221 An equal quantity
of the Peruvian and 'Magellanic bark. 1685-6 Mackrith
Let. 5 Feb. in Boyle's Wks. (1744) V. 651 The "Magellanick
clouds . . consist of a greater and a lesser. 1880 Proctor
Poetry Astron. xii. 434 The Magellanic Clouds are roughly
spherical in shape. 1837 J. E. Gray in Mag. Nat. Hist,
Nov. 578 Vnlpcs wagellanica (*Magellanic Fox). Greyish,
varied with black on the back [etc.]. Inhabits Magellan's
Straits. 1773 Hawkksworth Voy. II. 40 Each of them
received what is called a *Magellanic jacket and a pair
of trowsers. The jacket is made of a thick woollen
stuff called Fearnought. 1771 Ann. Reg. 2/2 That, .right
which they [the Spaniards] pretend to all the ^Magellanic
regions. 1602 Metamorfh. Tabacco (1863) 17 The "Ma-
gellanick sea her visions brought. 1708 Brit. Apollo No. 91.
2/2 The Magellanic Sea. 1696 J. Edwards Demoustr.
Exist. <$■ Proz'id. God 1. 231 The people about the *Megal-
lanick Streights are white.
Magenta (magenta). The name of a town
in Northern Italy where, in 1859, the Austrians
were defeated by the French and Sardinians. Used
for the name of a brilliant crimson aniline dye,
discovered shortly after the date of the battle.
i860 R. Smithes Patent n Aug. in Newton's Lond. Jml.
Arts % Set. (1861) XIII. 225 What is called ' Magenta red ',
. .may be obtained as follows. 1861 R. Hunt in St. James's
Mag. I. 43 The much-admired tones of the Mauve and
Magenta. 1863 W. Roberts in Proc. Roy. Soc. XII. 481
On Peculiar Appearances exhibited by lilood-corpuscies
under the influence of Solutions of Magenta and Tannin.
1891 Truth 10 Dec. 1240/2 Velvet of a peculiarly bright
and daring tone of dahlia red, almost a magenta.
b. attrib. passing into adj.
1875 HUXLEY & Martin Elem. Biol. (1877) 7 Run in
magenta solution under the cover-glass. 1877 Reade // 'out,
/later ix. I. 208 He wore .. a magenta tie that g;»ve Zoe
a pain in the eye. 1896 Harrik Ma?g. Ogihy ix. 178, 1
used to wear a magenta frock and a white pinafore.
C. Qualifying other designations of colour.
1882 Garden 29 Apr. 288/2 Tulips. .Proserpine, magenta-
pink. Ibid. 298/3 The flowers, .a glowing magenta-crimson.
Mager, variant of MAUfiKK.
Mageram, obs. form of Makjoram.
Magery, obs. form of Maugre.
Mageste, -ical, obs. ff. Majesty, Majestical.
Magest- : see Magist-.
tMagg,^.1 Obs.rare~x. [Cf.MAGGLE.] trans.
To mangle.
a 1400-50 Alexander 1268 (Ashm. MS.) pen moumes all
be Messedones. . For maistris Si mynistris menere & grettir,
pat was in morsels magged [Dub/in MS. made] & martrid
a hundreth.
Magg imajg), v.- Sc. [?f. Mag sb.'-, magpie.]
trans. TO pilfer.
1818 Scott Hrt. Midi, xlii, I hae made a clean house o'
Jenny llalchristie and her niece. They were a bad pack
steal'd meat ami mault, and loot the carters magg the coaU.
Maggecl nia-gd), </. Kant. See quot.
1867 Smyth Sailor's 11 'ord-bk., Magged, worn, fretted, and
stretched rope, as a magged brace.
Magger, Magget, variants of Maugre, Magi; i >t.
Maggezzine, obs. form of Magazine.
Maggie mae*gi), [f. Mag sb* + -ie.]
1. Sc. A. girl.
1603 Phi lotus cxxxvi, ^e trowit to get ane burd of blisse,
To haue ane of tliir Maggies. 1819 G. Beattie Ketty
Pert Poems (1826) 83 Troth, little profit has she made By
fisher maggies.
2. iSf. Local name for the Common Guillemot
{Alca troile).
1885 in Swainson Provinc. Names Birds.
3. Rifle-shooting. = Magpie 7, Mag sb.- 3.
1901 Daily Chron. 22 July 7/2 The Englishman fired
again, and once more it was only a ' maggie '.
Magging (mse-gin), vbl. sb. slang, [f. Mag
v. + -i.N'G 1.] Chattering, talking.
1814 PegGE Suppl. to Grose, Magging, prating, chattering.
a 1845 Hood Sweep's Complaint 34 But I'm bound the
members as silenced us, in doing it had plenty of magging.
1849 Alb. Smith Pottleton Leg. vii. 48 ' It's a pity she's
so deaf. ..'Oh, it's a great comfort, sir. .. It stops all
magging'. 1864 E. Yates Broken to Harness xx,\, The
chatter and magging of these silly women.
Maggie, v. Sc. Obs. Also 6 maggill,
magel, 7 maigle. [Of obscure etymology : con-
nexion with Mangle v. is difficult to justify.]
trans. To mangle, maul, damage.
1456 Sia G. Have Law Arms (S.T.S.) 278 Gif it hapnyt
ony. .man to be slayn in felde, and sa magglit that his visage
mycht nocht be knawin. 1500-20 Dunbar Poews lix. 3 A
refyng soneof rakyng Minis Hes magellit my making. 1513
Douglas sEneis, Time, etc. of Trans/. 24 Bot redis leill.
and tak gud tent in tyme, ^he nowder maggill nor mis-
metir my ryme. 1570 Levins Manip. 10 26 To Maggie,
mac tare, excamificare. ibid. 127/24 To Maggil, viactitate.
Hence Ma-ggled///. a.
1513 Douglas Aineisw. viii. 39 King Priamus son, with
body tore and rent, Thair he beheld, and creuell mag lit
face, a 1555 Lyndesay Tragedie 385 Lyke doytit Doctoris
new cum out of A then is, And mummyll ouer ane pair of
maglit matenis. 1603 Philotns cliii, My maiglit face maks
mee to feill, That myne man be the same [i. e. a devil].
Maggot1 (mse'g^t). Forms: 4, 6 magotte,
5 magat, maked, 5-6 mag(g)ote, 5-7, 9 magot,
6 mag(g ette, magot(t)e, 7 magget, 6- maggot.
[Prob. related in some way to the synonymous
ME. mafiek Maddocij ; but the exact formation is
not easy to deternrfne.
The 15th c. form maked (only once, in a glossary) may be
a metathetic alteration of maSek, madek ; but even if so, it
may be only an individual blunder, and in any case it seems
unlikely to be the source of the mod. form; more probably
it represents an occasional pronunciation of maggot {cf.
mod. Somerset tnacket for Maggot*). Possibly the form
viakt Mawk (a variant of Haddock) may have suggested
a jocular application of the female nickname Maggot for
Margaret (cf. Maggot' and the north midland dial, dick
for a lousej.]
1. .A worm or grub of the kind formerly supposed
to be generated by corruption ; chiefly applied to
the larva of a dipterous fly, esp. those of the
cheese-fly and the flesh-fly or ' blue-bottle \ Red
maggot-, the larva (destructive to corn) of the
whertt-midge.
1398 Trevtsa Barth. De P. R. xvm. cxv. (1495) 856 Ma-
gottes ben wormes that brede of corrupt and rot yd moysture
in flesshe. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 321 (s.v. Make) Winchester
MS., Magat, may, or math, tarnn/s, cimex {Pliillipps MS.
and Pynson c 1500 have magot]. c 1475 Pict. I 'oc. in Wr.-
Wiilcker 767/5 Hie tariuus [read tannus], hie si?nax I? =
cimex], a maked. 1496 Fysshynge W, Angle (1883) 29 In
Juyll take.. the codworme & maggotes vnto Mighelmas.
c 1515 Cocke Lorelfs B. 2 His hosen gresy upon his thyes,
That place for magottes was very good. 1543 Boorde
Dyetary xiii, In High Alemen the chese whiche is full
of magotes is called there the best chese. x6oa Shaks.
Ham. iv. iii. 24 Your v^rm is your onely Emperor for
diet. We fat all creatures else to fat vs, and we fat our
MAGGOT.
24
MAGIC.
selfe for Magots. 1663 Bonn ffiuf. 1. iii. 1276 But I deny
they are the same, More then a .Maggot and I am. 1698
G. Thomas Pensilvania (1848) 22 Sheep, .are generally free
from those infectious Diseases.. the Rot, Scab, or Mag-
gots. 1774 Goi.dsm. Nat. Hist.(iyj6) VIII. 4 Caterpillars
may be easily distinguished from worms or maggots, by
the number of their feet. 1859 Darwin Orig. Spec. xiv.
(1873) 387 The larva or maggot of a fly, namely the Ceci-
domyia, producing asexually other larva:. 1867 F. Francis
Angling i. (1880) 27 Maggots, or gantles, as they are more
commonly called by metropolitan anglers. 1871 Tyndall
Fragm. Sci. (1879) II. xiii. 293, I jumped to the conclusion
that these maggots had been spontaneously generated in
the meat. 1886 Times 18 Aug. 10/6 The wheat midge
. .produces the red maggots which so seriously damage the
ripening ears of corn.
fig. 1649 ("7- Daniel Triuarch., Hen. /Fccclxxi, The Mag-
Rots of the Court Eate into favour ; where they bred, they
bite. 1780 Cowper Progr. Er?: 326 Ye pimps. .Who fasten
without mercy on the fair, And suck, and leave a crawling
maggot there. 1809 E. S. Barrett Setting Sun II. 125
The disgusting scene of the maggots of avarice, corruption,
and meretricious influence preying on the state.
2. A whimsical or perverse fancy; a crotchet.
a 1625 Fletcher Women Pleased in. iv, Are not you mad,
my friend ? . . Have not you Maggots in your braines ?
c 1645 Howell Lett. (1688) II. 328 There's a strange Magot
hath got into their Brain. 1678 Dryden Limberliam v. i,
What new maggot's this; you dare not, sure, be jealous!
1685 S Wesley (title) Maggots; or Poems on several
subjects. 1693 Shadwell Volunteers v. Wks. 1720 IV. 480
Blunt Ha Fellow ! what dost thou mean by a maggot ?
Hop. Sir, a little concern of mine in my way, a little whim,
or so, Sir. 1717 Prior Alma 1. 400 Your Horace owns, he
various writ, As wild or sober maggots bit. 1784 Burns
Common PI. Bk. August, One who spends the hours, .with
Ossian, Shakspeare, .. &c ; or, as the maggot takes him,
a gun, a fiddle, or a song to make or mend. 1802 Wolcot
(P. Pindar) Pitt <y his Statue Wks. 1812 IV. 501 Soon as a
maggot crept into my head I caught a stump of pen and
put it down. 1816 Scott Antiq. xxxviii, For a" the non-
sense maggots that ye whiles take into your head, ye are
the maist wise and discreet o' a' our country gentles. _ 1898
D. C. Murray Tales 255 She's got some maggot in her
head about being loved for her own sake.
f b. Fancifalness. Obs. rare.
1701 Collier M. Anton, etc. 257 A handsome young Lady
..dress'd like Quality, but not to any degree of Magot or
Curiosity.
c. Proverb,
1687 Miege Gt. Er. Diet. it. s.v., I shall <\o it, when the
magget bites. Je leferai, quand il myen prendra envie.
*j*d. Used in the names of many dance-tunes. Obs.
1716 Dancing-Master (ed. 16) 179 Betty's Maggot. Ibid.
1 So Mr. Bevendge's Maggot, /bid. 191 Huntington's Mag-
got. Ibid. 203 Drapers Maggot. Ibid. 211 Mr. Lane's
Maggot Ibid. 224 Captain's Maggot. Ibid. 245 My Lord
Byron's Maggot Ibid. 258 Carpenters Maggot. _ Ibid. ■?(>!,
George's Maggot [etc.]. 1719 Ibid. II. 75 [ten similar titles].
3. A whimsical or capricious person.
1681 T. Flatman Heraclitus Rideus No. 39 (1713I I. 259
Whose britch has most Fire in it, Harry's, or the Maggots
and Whigs ? a 1700 B. E. Diet. Cant. Crew, Maggot, a whim-
sical Fellow, full of strange Fancies. 1723 Bailey Erasm.
Cotloq. (1733) 230 You were as great a Maggot as any in the
World when you were at Paris. 1735 Dvche & Pahdon
Diet., Maggot,.. a. whimsical Fellow that is full of strange
freakish Fancies.
4. attrib.wd Comb., a^ maggot ostentation ; mag-
got-e aten, (sense 2) -headed, -fated adjs. ; maggot-
boiler sfangi a tallow-chandler ; maggot -fishing,
angling with a maggot for bait; f maggot-monger,
a crotcheteer; t maggot-pate, a siily whimsical
person ; maggot-pimple, a form of acne {Acne
punctata) ; maggot-race, a race between maggots
or grubs.
1796 Grose's Did. Vulgar Tongue, * Maggot boiler, a
tallow chandler. 1621 Buuton Auat. Mel. Deinocr. to Rdr.
(1651) 28 Going barefoot to . . our Lady of Lauretts .. to
creep to those counterfeit and "Maggot-eaten Reliques.
1804 Kentish Angler title-p., Worm, Minnow, Cadis, and
*Maggot Fishing. (11695 Woon Life (O. H. S.) I. 273 A
*maggot-headed person and humourous, 1660 IHbliotheca
Fauatica 2 Jeremy Ives, the gifted * Maggot; Monger.
1588 Shaks /.. L. L. v. ii. 409 These summer flies, Haue
blowne me full of "maggot ostentation. 1622 Fletcher
Sp. Curate iv. v, Did you thinke, had this man been rich,
..He would have chosen such a Wolfe, a Cancker, A
"Maggot-pate, to be his whole Executor. 1681 T. Flat-
man Heraclitus Ridens No. 39 (1713) L 259 The *Maggot-
pated Whigs, who would .. set us all on Fire at^ Home.
1687 Kirby & Bishop Marrow of Astrol. 1. 60 Nice con-
clusions, and maggot pated whimsies, to no purpose.
a 1700 B. E. Diet. Cant. Crew, Bully-fop, a Maggot-
pated, huffing, silly, ratling Fellow. 1822 Good Study
Med. II. 292 It is necessary to make the pressure harder
than for the discharge of the mucus in the *maggot-
pimple. 1856 Mayne Expos. Lex., Maggot Pimple, a
common name for the Varus punctatus. 1792 W. Roberts
Looker-on No. 28 (1794^ I. 4°° To run a *maggot-race with
Jack Smoaky. 1810 Sporting Mag. XXXV. 69 Lost fifty
pounds with Jack Frolic on a maggot race.
Maggot2 (margfJt). [A use of Magote (Cursor
M. 25455), a. F. Margot, pet name for Marguerite
Margaret.] fa. Applied as a proper name to
(a) a magpie; (b) a sow. Obs. b. A magpie
(see also Maggot-pie). Now dial.
i573l etc- tsee Maggot-I'ik]. 1608 H. Clapham Errour
on Left Hand 49 Maggot my sow. 1791 Wolcot (P. Pindar)
Magpie $ Robin Wks. 1812 II. 475 AH on a sudden, Maggot
starts and stares. 1848 Zoologist VI. 2290 The magpie is
a ' maggot ' [in Worcestershire].
MaggotinesS. [f- Maggoty + -ness.] Mag-
goty condition. 1727 Bailey vol. II, Maggottiness.
f Ma ggotish, a. Obs. [f. Maggot 1 2 + -ish.]
Crotchety.
a 1700 B. E. Diet. Cant. Crew, Whimsical, maggotish.
1731 Bailey, Freakish, freaked, whimsical, maggottish.
Maggot-pie. Obs. exc. dial. Forms : 6
magget the py, 6-7 mag(g)ot-a-pie, 7 magot o'
pie,magata-,meggata-,maggotte-,maggoti-pie,
pye, maggot-pie, -pye, ydial. maggotty-pie. [f.
Maggot^ (as quasi-proper name) + Pie; the middle
syllable of some forms represents the ; cf. F. Margot
la pie.} A magpie.
1573 Tl-sser Ilusb. (187BI 108 If gentils be scrauling, call
magget the py. 1598 Florio, Garzetta, a magot a pie, or
piot. ..Gazzotto, a maggot-a-pie. 1604 Breton Grimcllos
Fortunes D 4 b, His wife, .had in her house a young Pie ;
(which we call a Magot-a-Pie). 1605 Shaks. Macb. in. iv.
125 Maggot Pyes, & Choughes, & Rookes. 1605 Camden
Rem. (1637) 166 So an Hare on a bottle for Harebottle; a
Maggot-pie upon a Goate for Pigot [etc.]. 1611 Cotgr.,
Agasse, a Pie, Piannet, or Magatapte. Ibid., Pie, a Pye,
Pyannat, Meggata-pye. 1632 Chapman & Shirley Pall t.
i, At the Maggot-a-pie in the Strand, Sir. 1681 Hickeringill
Black Non'Conf. Introd., Wks. 1716 II. 2 Did \ou never
see a Crow or a Maggottepye sit pecking, and cawing. .
upon an Asses back? 1893 Wilts. Gloss., Maggotty-pie. .
still in use.
t Ma'ggotry. Obs. [f. Maggot1 + -it y.] Folly,
absurdity.
1706 Re/lex. upon Ridicule 326 The maggotry of some
people is inconceivable. 1731 Medley Kolbens Cape G.
Hope I. 309 The magotry is this.
Maggoty mx-i^ti;, a. [f. Maggot i + -y.]
1. Full of maggots.
1727 Bailey vol. II, Maggot ty,{\A\oi Maggots. 1787 Farley
Loud. Art Cookery (ed. 4) 13 If it [cheese] be . .full of holes,
it will give reason to suspect that it is maggotty. 1844 P.
Parley's Ann. V. 293 Jack, .was fed with maggoty biscuit
and bilge water. 1867 Morn. Star 9 Sept., A man was let
off lightly for working up maggoty meat into polonies.
2. Full of whims and foolish fancies; freakish.
1678 Norris Coll. Afisc.(i6gg) 136 To pretend to work out
a neat Scheme of Thoughts with a maggoty unsettled Head
is. .ridiculous. 1706 Farquhar Recruiting Officer 11. ii,
Then should I have some rogue of a builder. ..Transform
my noble oaks and elms into cornices.. to adorn some mag-
gotty, new-fashioned bauble upon the Thames. 1707 Reflex.
upon Ridicule 304 He borrows an apish and magotty
Carriage. 1816 Kirby & Sp. Entomot. (1843) I. 126 The
common saying that a whimsical person is maggoty, .per-
haps arose from the freaks the sheep have been observed to
exhibit when infested by their bots. 1834-43 Southey
Doctor xxiv. (1862) 62 His son proved as maggoty as the
father. 1864 R. Reid Old Glasgow 381 A maggoty fancy.
b. Comb., as maggoty- headed, -pated adjs.
1667 Wood Life 31 Aug., He [Aubrey] was a shiftless
person, roving and magotie-headed. 1850 N. fy Q. 1st Ser.
II. 173/2 A maggoty-pated fellow is often used to express
a whimsical man.
Magh(e, variant of Maugh, Maw.
■|- Magha. Oh. rare~l. [App. misspelling of
L. maga, fern, of Magus.] A sorceress.
1609 Daniel Civ. Wars vm. cv, And doth with idle rest
deforme vs more Than any Magha can or sorceresse.
Maght, ma^t, etc. : see Miortr, etc.
Magi (mtfi'dgai), sb.pl. : see Magus.
Magian (WWl:$iiin), a. and sb. [f. L. MaG-CR
-h-ian.] A. adj. a. Of or pertaining to the Magi.
1716 Prideaux 0. -y N. Pest. Connect. 1. IV. (1718) 170
Another reformation which he [Zoroaster] made in the
Magian religion, was [etc. J. 1796 Bp. Watson APpl. Bible 160
Addicted to the magian superstition of two independent
Beings. 1875 Lightfoot Comm. Cotoss. 151 It was then.,
that the magian system took root in Asia Minor.
b. Magical, {poet, rare.)
1818 Keats Endym. in. 264 Will he. .keep mens a chosen
food to draw His magian fish through hated lire and (lame?
B. sb. One of the Magi ; a follower of or believer
in the Magi ; a magician, wizard.
1578 Bk. Com. Prayer New Calendar 6 Jan., The Magians
as vpon this day. .worshipped Christ. 1716 Prideaux O. <«(-
N. Pest. Connect. 1. iv. (1718) 174 It is not to be understood
that all Magians, that is, all of the sect, were thus learned.
1768-74 Tucker Lt. Nat. (1834) II. 471 His star appeared
in the East, filling the Magians there with exceeding great
joy. 1817 Byron Manfred 11. iv. 31 A Magian of great
power, and fearful skill ! 1861 Goldw. Smith Lect. Mod.
Hist. 61 It little avails the king to rule the people if the Ma-
gian is to rule the king. 1877 Outlines Hist. Relig. 165 The
Magians were.. a pre-Semitic and pre-Aryan priestly tribe
in West Asia.
Magianism (na/'xl^ianiz'm). [f. Magian +
-ism.] The tenets or doctrines of the Magi.
1716 Prideaux O. <$■ N. Test. Connect. 1. iv. (1718) 171
His [Zoroaster's] reformation of Magianism. 1841 Blackw.
Mag. XLIX. 233 Some. .were so deeply tainted, .with
mysticism and Magianism, as to retain but little trace of
the primitive doctrines of Islam. 1864 Pusey Lect Daniel
vi. 325 He had the.. prejudice, that the Bible was indebted
to Magianism for the belief in the life to come. 1880 Huxley
in 19M Cent. June 932 His mode of divination was fraught
with danger to magianism in general.
Magic (mard.^ik), sb. Forms: 4-6 magike,
magyke, (5 malgyk, 6 magict, magika), 4-7
magique, 7-8magick, 7magic. [ad. OF. magique^
ad. late L. magica (Pliny has magice — Gr. payi/ci)
sc. Ttxvv)> subst. use (by ellipsis of ars art) of the
fem. of magicus Magic a.
In the mod. Rom. langs. the place of the word is taken by
the cognate F. magie, It., Sp. , Pg. magia, ad. med.L. ttiagia,
a. Gr. naytia f, jxayo? Magus.]
1. The pretended art of influencing the course
of events, and of producing marvellous physical
phenomena, by processes supposed to owe their
efficacy to their power of compelling the interven-
tion of spiritual beings, or of bringing into opera-
tion some occult controlling principle of nature ;
sorcery, witchcraft. Also, the practice of this art.
The ' magic ' which made use of the invocation of evil or
doubtful spirits was of course always regarded as sinful;
but natural magic, i. e. that which did not involve recourse
to the agency of personal spirits, was in the Middle Ages
usually recognized as a legitimate department of study and
practice, so long as it was not employed for maleficent ends.
Of ' natural magic ' as understood by medixval writers,
typical examples are the making of an image, under certain
astrological conditions, in order to injure or benefit the health
of the person represented ; and the application of a medica-
ment to a weapon in order to heal the wound made by it.
These things, if now practised, would still be called ' magic *,
though the qualification 'natural' would seem quite inap-
propriate. On the other hand, the 'natural magic' of the
Middle Ages included much that from the standpoint of
modern science is ' natural ', but not ' magical ', the processes
resorted to being really, according to the now known laws
of physical causation, adapted to produce the intended
effects.
C1386 Chaucer Man of Law s T. 116 They speken
of Magyk and Abusion. 1390 Gower Conf. III. 46 Ma-
gique he useth forto winne His love. 1447 Bokenham
Seyntys (Roxb.) 268 The myht of malgyk or enchauntement.
1490 Caxton Eneydos xxiv. 88 She inuoqued..the moder of
magyque in her triple proporcyon. 1509 H awes Past. Pleas.
xxxvi. (Percy Soc.) 189 My swerde. .set with magykes arte.
1569 Bp. Parkhurst Injunctions Articles to be inquired of
P 29 Whether ye know any that vse any sorcerie Inchant-
ments, Magika [etc.]. 1581 N. Burse Dispnt. xxii. 102 b,
As for the practeis of magict I micht obiect vnto you Willox,
quhais sone raised the deuil. c 1590 Marlowe Faust Prol.,
Nothing so swecte as magicke is to him. 164a Fuller Holy
<y Prof. St. 11. x. 89 When they cannot fiie up to heaven to
make it a Miracle, they fetch it from hell to make it Magick.
1776 Gibbon Decl. <$■ F. xxiii. (1869) I. 649 The arts of magic
and divination were strictly prohibited. 1867 W. W, Smyth
Coal $ Coal-mining 104 It is like an effect of magic to pass,
with the safety-lamp in hand, into a fiery stall. 1884 H.
Jennings Phallicism ii. 8 Magic, which means the unnatural
interference with nature.
b. With defining adj. Black magic [= F. magie
noire] : a designation given by modern writers to
the kind of magic that was supposed to involve
the invocation of devils ; opposed to white magic
[ = F. magie blanche]. Natural magic : see above.
c 1384 Chaucer //. Fame in. 176 And Clerkes eke which
konne wel Alle this magikes naturel That craftely doon her
ententes To maken in certeyn ascendentes Ymages, lo,
thrugh which magike To make a man ben hool or syke. c 1386
— Prol. 416. 1477 Norton Ord. Aleh. L in Ashm, (1652) 21
And also of Magique naturall. 1605 Bacon Adv. L.earn. 1.
iv. § 11 Natural magic pretendethtocall and reduce natural
philosophy from variety of speculations to the magnitude of
works. 1718 Bp. Hutchinson Witchcraft ii. (1720) 34 White
Magic, that pretends to deal only with Good Angels. 1871
Tyi.or Prim. Cult. \. 125 What with slavery and what with
black-magic, life is precarious among the Wakhutu.
f e. A magical procedure or rite ; also concr. a
magical object, a charm, fetish. Obs.
c 13,86 Chaucer Sgr.'s T. 210 It is rather lyk An appar-
ence ymaad by som Magyk. 1573 L. Lloyd Pilgr. Princes
37 'There are diners kindes of these Magicks, whereby they
bragge and boast that they are able to do any thing, and
that they know hereby all things. 1603 Drayton Bar.
Warsu. xi, To sing.. Of gloomie Magiques, and benumming
Charmes. 18x4 Brackenkidge Jrnl. in Vieivs Louisiana
256 Besides their public resident lodge, in which they have
a great collection of magic, or sacred things, every one has
his private magic in his lodge about his person. Ibid. 257
On these occasions, each one suspends his private magic on
a high pole before his door.
2. fig. A secret and overmastering influence re-
sembling magic in its effects.
1611 Shaks. Winter T. v. iii. 39 Oh Royall Peece :
There's Magick in thy Maiestie. a 1631 Donne Poems
(1650) 19 All such rules, loves magique can undoe. 170a Eng.
Theophrast. 104 Civility is a strong Political magick. 1792
S. Rogers Pleas. Mem. 11. 26 The Moon.. gilds the brow
of night With the mild magic of reflected light. 1805
Foster Ess. iv. v. 192 A transforming magic of genius.
1822 W. Irving Braceb. Itall'm. 28 The work of the house
is performed as if by magic, but it is the magic ofsystem.
1837 Disraeli Veuetia 1. xviti, What mourner has not felt
the magic of time? 1869 Freeman Norm. Couq. (1876) III.
xi. 60 Won over by the magic of his personal presence.
3. transf. The art of producing (by legerdemain,
optical illusion, or devices suggested by knowledge
of physical science) surprising phenomena resem-
bling the pretended results of ' magic ' ; conjuring.
1831 Brewster {title) Natural Magic. Mod. Advt., Pro-
fessor — 's Home of Magic and Mystery'-
4. Comb., as magic- monger; magic-gifted, -lihe,
-planted, -tempered adjs.
1811 W. R. Si'ENCER Poems 49 [Painting's] *magic-gifted
hand. 186a Lytton Str. Story II. 223 That wand, of which
I have described to you the *inagic-Iike effects. 1635-56
Cowley Davideis 1. 519 note, Which Texts . . are ill produe'd
by the *Magick-mongers for a Proof of the Power of Charms.
1852 J. H. Newman Callista (1856) 168 Mere atheists and
magic-mongers. 1759 Mason Caractacus 2 These mighty
piles of *magic-planted rock. 1777 Warton Poems 71 The
monarch's massy blade Of *magick temper'd metal made.
Magic vm;E*d3ik)» a- J>- F- mtgiqne ( = Pr.
magic, Sp. mdgico, It., Pg. magico), ad. L. magic-us,
'ad. Gr. fxayttevs, lit. pertaining to the Magi, f.
^idyos : see Magus.]
MAGIC.
25
MAGISTERIAL.
1. Of or pertaining to magic (freq. in phr. f art
magic, magic arts, etc.). Also, working or pro-
duced by enchantment. Not in predicative use.
1390 Gower Conf. II. 259 Jason. .Upon Medea made him
bold, Of nit magitjue, which sche couthe. a 1547 Surrry
sKneid iv. (1557) F iij, To magike artes against my will I
bend, c 1590 Gkrenk Fr. Beacon iv, Set him but Non-plus in
his magicke spels. 1591 Shaks. i Hen. VI, 1. i. 26 Sorcerers
. .liy Magick Verses haue contriu'd his end. 1634 Milton
Comhs 798 Till all thy magick structures rear'd so high,
Were shatter'd into heaps o're thy false head. 1658 Waller
sEncis iv. Poems (1664) 189 With loose hair The Magick
Prophetess begins her prayr. 1679 Dryden TroUus ty Cr.
11. iii, He may know Ins man without art magic. 1695 Ld.
Preston Boeth. iv. 175 Whilst into various Forms her Ma-
gick Hand Doth turn those Men. 1736 Gray Statins 1. 54
The sun's pale sister, drawn by magic strain. 1767 Sir W.
Jones Seven Fount, in Poems (1777) 41 A. .joyless place, A
scene of nameless deeds, and magick spells. 1830 Pusey
Hist. Enq. 11. 289 By some magic process [to] form the dis-
severed members into a frame of more youthful vigour.
b. Of a material object, a diagram, etc. : Em-
ployed in magic rites, endued with magic powers,
enchanted. Magic glass, mirror \ one in which
the spectator is supposed to see the representation of
future events or distant scenes; often fig.
1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. m. 446 This.. With noxious
Weeds.. Dire Stepdames in the Magick Howl infuse. 1712
Steele Sped. No. 332 p 1 They describe a sort of Magick
Circle. 1786 Burns To J. S. xii, Where Pleasure is the
Magic- wand, That, wielded right, Maks Hours like Minutes
[etc.]. 1792 S. Rogers Pleas. Mem. 1. 91 Memory — What
softened views thy magic glass reveals. 1843 Caklyi.e
Past $ Pr. 11. i, And in this manner vanishes King Lackland ;
traverses swiftly our strange intermittent magic-mirror. 1870
L'Estrange Life Miss Mitford I. vi. 185 The possessor of
a magic crystal ball, 1877 W. Jones Finger-ring 107 A
portrait of Hadrian, engraved with Mercury in a magic
ling. 1903 F. W. H. Myers I/nman Personality 1. 158 Just
as the magic mill of the fable continues magical.
f C. Addicted to magic. Ohs. rare.
1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 24 A Magique Nation.
2. Producing wonderful appearances or results,
like those commonly attributed to sorcery.
1696 [see Magic lantern]. 1744 Akenside/Y*7i.s. fmag.
1. 16 The glances of her magic eye, She blends and shifts at
wiH. 1826 Scott Rev. Life Kemble in Lock/tart ii. (1839)
22/x The vain longings which we felt that . . the magic curtain
[.would] once more arise. 1842 Tennyson Day Dream„
Arrival iv, The Magic Music in his heart Beats quick and
quicker. 1877 C. Geikie Christ xlix. (1879) 580 Water at all
times is a magic word in a sultry climate like Palestine*
3. Magic square : a diagram consisting of a
square divided into smaller squares, in each of
which a number is written, their position being so
arranged that the sum of the figures in a row,
vertical, horizontal, or diagonal, is always the
same. Magic circle : an arrangement of numbers
in concentric circles with radial divisions, with
arithmetical properties similar to those of the
magic square; invented by Ben i, Franklin in 1749.
1704J. Harris Z.w. Techn., Magick Square. 1749 Frank-
lin Let. Wks. 1887 II. 159 You will readily allow this
square of sixteen to be the most magically magical of any
magic square ever made by any magician. 1797 Encycl.
Brit. (ed. 3) X. 422 Dr. Franklin, .has constructed, not only
a magic square of squares, but likewise a magic circle of
circles. [Description follows.] 1892 Barnard Smith &
Hudson Arithm.forSch. 19 Magic and nasik squares.
Magical (mx-d^ikal), a. [f. Magic a. + -al.]
1. Of or pertaining to magic; = Magic a. 1.
1555 Eden Decades 181 They, .vsed certeine secreate ma-
gical! operations, c 1590 Marlowe Faust i, Come, shewe
me some demonstrations magical, c 16x0 Women Saints
146 The superstition of the Christians, whose magicall artes
do make them verie bragge. 1665 Glanvill Def Vanity
Dogm. 35 Those strange operations are not Mechanical
but Magical. 1692 Locke Toleration in. x. Wks. 1727 II.
427 To confound the magical delusions of the Hereticks
of that time. 1727 De Foe Syst. Magic 1. iii. (1840) 63
Two things.. naturally made way for these magical studies.
1761-71 H. Walpole Vertues Anecd. Paint. (1786) III. 253
Some thought his musical assembly only a cover.. for ma-
gical purposes. 1863 Frovde Hist. Eng. VII. 74 The service
of God was asserted to be a reasonable service of the mind
and heart, and not a magical superstition.
t b. = Magic a. 1 b. Obs.
1623 Webster Duchess Maljl iv. i, It wastes me more,
lhan were't my picture, fashion'd out of wax, Stucke with
a magicall needle, and then buried. 1624 Middleton Game
at Chess 111. n, This is the room he did appear to me in ;
And, look you, this the magical glass that show'd him. 1652
Ashmole Theat. Chem. Prol. 8 Py the Magicall or Prospec-
tive Stone it is possible to discover any Person in what part
of the World soever. 1750 tr. Leonardos' Mirr. Stones 100
r-astened over the heart with magical bands.
fc. -Magic a. 1 c. Obs.
1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 24 They [of Mohelia] are
superstitious and Magicall.
2. Resembling magic in action or effect. Also,
produced as if by magic.
1606 Shaks. Ant. 4- CI. in. \. 31 He humbly signifie what
in his name, That magicall word of Warre we haue effected.
fK75p*RANKUN£f//. Wks. 1840 VI. 103 The most magically
magical of any magic square. 1818 Byron Ch. Har. iv.
»?iX' iv Us ues lheu' magical variety diffuse. 1824
Miss Mitford in L'Estrange Life (1870) II. ix. 183 Some
little hay was got in in a magical sort of way between the
showers. 1851 Nichol^ rchit.Heav. i3The almost magical
velocity of light. 1877 Black Green Past ii. (1878) 14 The
magical disappearance of about fifty or sixty rabbits. 1884
Nonconf. tf Indep. 12 June 577/2 The warm and abundant
VOL. VI.
rain-showers, .have already had a magical effect upon the
face of the country.
f3. Magical circle, square-, see Magic a. 3. Obs.
1749 Franklin Lett. Wks. 1887 II. 160, I am glad the
perusal of the magical squares afforded you any amusement.
I now send you the magical circle.
Hence Mag'icalize v. trans., to give a magical
character to.
1867 M. Arnold Celtic Lit. 161 The landscape. .is sud-
denly magicalised by the romance touch.
Magically (mge'dijikaii), adv. [f. Magical +
-ly 2.] In a magical manner ; by or as if by magic.
1605 Camden Rem. (1657) 244 A ring magically prepared.
1701 Grew Cosm. Sacra iv. viii. 269 It was believed, that
unless they were Magically used, they would do more hurt,
than good. 1707 J. Stevens tr. Qutvedds Com. Wks. (170a)
454 Others more Superstitious, and Magically inclined.
1727-52 Chambers Cycl. s. v. Magic Square, This done, with
the fust progression repeated, he fills the square of the root
7 magically. 1870 Huxlrv Lay Serm. xiv. 352 'there are
other men who attain greatness because they embody the
potentiality of their own day, and magically reflect the future.
1879 Farkar St. Paul (1883) 680 The stratagem was for the
time almost magically successful.
Magician vmad^i-Jan). Forms: 4 magicien,
6 (J>V.)~7 magitian, 6 magission, 7- magician,
[a. F. magicien, f. L. magic-a Magic sb.] One
skilled in magic or sorcery ; a necromancer, wizard.
Also occas. a practitioner of legerdemain, a conjuror.
c 1384 Chaucer H. Lame in. 170 Ther saugh I pley Ma-
giciens and tregetours. 1390 Gower Conf. II. 250 Protheiis
..was an Astronomien And ek a gret Magicien. £1560
Misogonus 111. iii. 43 (Brand!), I am also a very scilfull
southsaier and magission. 1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist.
Scot. I. 122 Burne ane and al Juglaris, magitianis, familiars
w* wicked and euill spirits. 16x1 Bible Kxod. viii. 18 The
Magicians did so with their enchantments. 1687 Dryden
Hind <y P. in. 721 The dire magicians threw their mists
around. 1780 Harris Philol. Enq. Wks. (1841) 499 Virgil
himself had been foolishly thought a magician. 1822 Byron
Werner in. i. 341 A wise magician who has bound the devil.
1831 Brewster Nat, Magic vi. (1833) 148 Even the most
ignorant beholder regards the modern magician as but an
ordinary man. 1878 Maclear Celts ii. 25 The monarch of
Ireland, .having in his service his.. magicians.
b. ftg. One who exercises a power compared to
that of magic.
18.. Lockhart Life Scott (1869) IV. xxv. 40 A set of
beautiful stanzas, inscribed to Scott by Mr. Wilson [in 1812J
under the title of the 'Magic Mirror', in which .. he
designated him [ScottJ for the first time by what afterwards
became one of his standing titles, that of 'The Great
Magician'. 1831 Cablyle Sart. Res. m. ix.The Magician,
Shakespeare. 1877 Ld. W. P. Lennox Celebrities Ser. it.
II. 22 All have done equal justice to the genius of the
Magician of the North [i.e. Walter Scott].
Hence fMagrixianess, aiemale magician. rare~l.
1651 J. F[keakk] Agrippds Occ. Philos. 74 Which the
Egyptians seeing called Nature a Magicianess.
i, Magicieime. Obs. rare-1. [Fr., fern, of
magitien : see prec] A female magician.
1490 Caxton Eneydos xxiv. 88 The vierge dyane, wherof
maketh her Inuocacion this lady olde magicieime.
Ma'gic lantern, [transl. of mod.L. laterna
magica : cf. F. lanterne magique (also, } lanterne
vive), G. zauberlateme.
De Chales Curs. Math. 1674 II. 655,665, says that in 1665
la learned Dane' exhibited at Lyons a contrivance 'sub
nomine Laternee magica;', which his description shows to
be identical with the instrument now so called. The com-
mon statement that the magic lantern is described by
Kircher Ars Magna Lucis et Umbroe (1646) appears to be
incorrect.]
An optical instrument by means of which a mag-
nified image of a picture on glass is thrown upon
a white screen or wall in a darkened room.
1696 Phillips s.v. Lantkom, A Magic Lanthorn, a cer-
tain small Optical Macheen, that shews by a gloomy Light
upon a white Wall, Spectres and Monsters so hideous,
that he who knows not the Secret, believes it to be perform'd
by Magick Art. 1753 Smollett Ct. Fathom (1784) 172/2 The
travelling Savoyards who stroll about Europe, amusing
ignorant people with the effects of a magick-lanthorn. 1894
Engineer 23 Nov., The first to make magic lanterns in this
country was Philip Carpenter, about 1808.
aitrib. 1784 J. Barry in Led. Paint, v. (1848) 183
That appearance of magic-lanthorn-Iike. .contrivance which
sometimes offends in the works of Rembrandt. 1802 Mak.
Eogeworth in A. J. C. Hare Life I. 105 Push on the
magic-lanthorn slide. 1817 Keats Wks. (1889J III. 4 To
him they are mere magic-lantern horrors. 1874 W. Cory
Lett. # Jrnls. (1897) 368 The jerky magic-lantern-slide
manner of introducing scenes.
Hence Ma'gic- la' nternist, one who gives an
exhibition with a magic lantern ; Magic-lantern
v. {nonce-ivd.), to exhibit as in a magic lantern.
1859 Athenxum 12 Feb. 219 That devil, whom the monks
magic-lanterned till he grew so large as to be [etc.]. 1891
S. Mostyn Curatica 165 After the tea they were handed over
to a Punch, a Magic Lanternist, and a Conjuror.
I Ma"g'icly, adv. Obs. rare—*, [f. Magic a. +
-ly^.] = Magically.
1683 E. Hooker Pref. P or doge's Mystic Div. 79 Wisdom
doth sometimes as it were magicly transfigure a man.
tMagie. Obs. rare~l. [?ad. late L. magia
(whence F. magie) : see Magic sb. (But perh. only
a misprint.)] — Magic sb.
1592 G. Harvey Four Lett. 56 Naturall Magie.
Magilp, variant of Megilp.
II Magilus (mard3il#s). Conch. PI. magili.
[mod. Latin (D. de Montfort, 1S10; the authorities
cited by him do not contain the name, the origin
of which is unexplained.)] A gasteropod mollusc
(Magihis antiquus) found in the Red Sea, parasitic
upon living coral.
1824 Dunois Epit. Lamarck's A rrangem. Testacca, 21 The
animal of the Magilus. 1851-6 Woodward Mollusca 12.
1876 Bencdcn's Anim. Parasites 38 A mollusc called Ma~
gitits, which naturalists considered for a long time to be the
calcareous tube of an annelid. Ibid., All conchologistsknow
the shell of the Magili, so valued by collectors.
i Maginate, v. Obs. rare— °. [? Shortened
form oi Imaginate v.~\ (See quot.)
1623 Cockkram, Maginate, to trifle.
f Magine, v. Obs. Aphetic variant of Imagine.
'530 Palsgr. 616/2, 1 magyne, declared in ' I ymagyn '.
Magir, variant of Maughe.
Magiric (mad^oi"rik), a. and sb. rare. Also
mageirie. [ad. Gr. fiayttpiKos, f. payfipos cook.]
A. adj. Of or pertaining to cookery.
1853 Soyer Pautroph. 173 The magiric science, therefore,
began in the year of the world 1656.
B. sb. pi. The art of cooking.
1889 Syd. Soc. Lex., Mageirics.
Magirist (mad^ai^-rist). rare-'1, [f. Gr. fxd-
yeip-os cook + -1ST.] An expert in cookery. So
Mag-iri stic a. (in quot. mageir-), pertaining to
cookery. Magi rolo gical a., skilled in cookery.
MagiroTogist » Magirist. Mag*iroTogy [see
-oi.ogy], the art or science of cookery.
1814 Sch. Gd. Living 53 To their Magirists was given an
appointment of culinary artists. Ibid, 59 From the very
first appearance of magirology in Greece, it produced effects
absolutely magical. Ibid. 72 Peace to your shades, ye
noble magirologists. Ibid. 107 Roberto da Nola, a magiro-
togical^tist of the most transcendent genius. 1892 Punch
21 May 249/1 Immortal contributions to mageiristic lore.
Magism (m^i-dgiz'm). [f. L. mag-us + -ism.]
The beliefs, principles and practices of the Magi.
1844 W. Kay Flcurys Eccl. Hist. I II. 232 note, This may
be another trace of Magism : for Mithra bad his 'oblation
of bread '. 1852 Badger Nestorians I. 331 The connection
of some of their doctrines and rites with Sabianism and
Magism. 1864 Pusey Led. Daniel 539 It is then a mere
myth, to speak of the relative purity of early Magism.
II Magister (miid^i-staj). [L.; see Master^.]
A mediaeval and modern Latin title of academic
rank, usually rendered by Masteh, but occas. em-
ployed Hist, or in speaking of foreign universities.
1756-7 tr. Keysler's Trav. (1760) I. 125 The first two years
are again employed in. .exercises, introductory to the degree
of magister. 1864 Burton Scot Abr. I. v. 255 Of old, when
every magister was entitled to teach in the university, the
regents were persons selected from among them.
Magisterial (mcTd^ist^-rial), a. Also 7
mages-, magisteriall. [ad. med.L. viagisteri-
alis, f. late L. magisterius, f. L. magister Master
sb.] Of or pertaining to a master or a magistrate.
fl. Of or pertaining to a master-workman; dis-
playing a master's skill ; also, having the qualifi-
cations of a master. Obs.
1643 Sir T. IJrownk Retig. Med. 1. § 34 These are certainly
the Magisterial and master-pieces of the Creator. 1664
Evelyn tr. FrearCs Arc/lit. u. i. 90 Though it concede
somewhat to it in the execution and magisterial handling.
1683 Pettus Eleta Mm. 1. 11686) 343 These [Engravings]
are not designed for Magisterial Artists.
2. Of, pertaining, or proper to a master or teacher,
or one qualified to speak with authority. Of
opinions, utterances, etc. : Authoritative. Of per-
sons: Having the bearing of a master; invested
with authority. Sometimes in unfavourable sense :
Assuming authority, dictatorial.
1632 Sanderson Serm. ad Pop. (1681) 293 [TheyJ exercise
a spiritual Lordship over their disciples . . by imposing upon
their consciences sundry Magisterial conclusions. 1644
Milton Judgm. Bucer To Parlt., Wks. 1851 IV. 299 Where
they thought to be most Magisterial, they have display 'd
their own want, both of reading, and of judgment, c 1645
Howell Lett. (1650) I. 427 Not to make any one's opinion
so magisterial and binding, but that I might be at liberty to
recede from it. 1690 Locke Hum. Vnd. in. ix. § 23 It
would become us to be .. less magisterial, positive, and
imperious, in imposing our own Sense and Interpretations,
1697 Collier Ess. Mor. SubJ. 11. (1698) 86 These Magis-
terial Propositions don't Dispute for Belief, but demand it.
1699 P>entlf.v Plial. Pref. 101 A Magisterial Air and too
much Heat and Passion appear in their Writings. 1819
Bvron yuan II, Ivi, For Juan wore the magisterial face
Which courage gives. 1838-9 Hall AM Hist. Lit. III. 111.
vi. § 54. 317 There is something magisterial in the manner
wherein he dismisses each play like a boy's exercise. 1903
Class. Rev. XVII. 131/2 His magisterial method of criticism
as exhibited in the castigation of Thucydides.
3. Of, pertaining to, or proper to a magistrate or
magistrates. Of persons : Holding the office of a
magistrate. Of an inquiry : Conducted by magis-
trates.
1660 R. Coke Potver $ Sidy. 31 When the laws or higher
powers enable such men to nominate their magistrate, there
the nominators are the instruments, by which the law does
transfer this magisterial power. 1711 Shaftesb. Charac.
vi. iii. (1737) III. 363 We need give her only in her hand
the .. Magisterial Sword. 1775 Adair Amer. Did. 288
While this military man acted in the magisterial office.
1795 Coleridge Plot Discovered -27 Any man, whom a
magisterial neighbour chooses to insult under pretext of
suspicion. 1883 Fortn. Rev. May 693 The progressive exten-
sionofmagisterialjurisdiction. i88sMauch. Exam. 20 Feb.
4/6 The magisterial inquiry into the charge of arson.
MAGISTERIALITY.
f4. Alch. and Med. Pertaining to a magistery;
aISOt = MAGISTRAL 2. Obs.
1658 Phillips s.v., A pill or plaister, &c. prepared after the
best manner is calletl Magisterial. 1683 Pettus Fleta Min.
11. 3 It [the word hern] may intend also that magisterial
pouder of Projection. ijzzQvixcy Lex. J*hysico-Mcd.{ed. 2),
Magisterial Remedy, is yet sometimes retained in the Cant
of Empiricks, more for its great Sound than any Signilicancy.
f5. quasi-^. or sin = Magistery 3. Obs.
1638 H. Shirley Mart. Soldier n\. iv. in Bullen O.Pl. I. 217
With it was dissolv'd the Magisteriall Made of the Home
Armenia so much boast of. 1657 Tomlinson Reuou's Disp.
Pref., Every man must have his own Compositions and
Magisterial*. 1658 Osbokn Jas. I, Wks. 1,1673) 533 Ibis
Monster in excess, eat., a whole Pie. .composed of Amber-
Greece, Magesterial of Pearl, Musk, Sic. 1662 J. Chandler
/ 'an Helmont's Oriat. 215 Magisterial among Chymists,
do indeed melt the Ixniy of a thing, and do open it with a
seperating of some certain dregs also.
T Magisteriality. Obs. Also7majesterialty.
[f. prec. +• -ITY.] The quality or condition of being
magisterial ; mastership, authoritative position.
1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. ix. iv. §11 When these Statutes
were first in the state, or magisteriality thereof, they were
severely put in practice on such offendours as they first
lighted on. a 1661 — Worthies, Leicestersh. It. (1662) 132
He [William de Leicester] was also known by the name
of Mr. William an evidence .. sufficient to avouch his
Majcsterialty in all Learning.
Magisterially (>nx t^istle'riali), adv. [-LY 2.]
In a magisterial manner.
1. In the manner of a master : a. like a school-
master ; with superior knowledge or the assumption
of it ; b. like a lord over subjects ; domineeringly.
1647 Clarendon Hist, Reb. vi. § 126 Whilst the King
was at Nottingham, .they gave orders Magisterially for the
War. 1651 in E. D. Neill Virginia Carolorum (1886) 213
The reason why they talk so Magisterially to us*s this,
we are forsooth their worships slaves. 1693 Evelyn De la
Quint. Compl. Gard., Re/l. Agric. 50, I do not pretend
Magisterially to Determine, whither of the two Opinions
has the more of . . Reason on its side. 17*9 Butlkr Ser/u.
Hum. Nat. ii. Wks. 1S74 II. 24 Conscience . . without being
advised with, magisterially exerts itself. 1761-3 Hume Hist,
ling. (18061 III. xlv. 645 He [James I] was employed in
dictating magisterially to an assembly of divines. 1865 M.
Arnold Ess. Crit. \. U375) 40 When Protestantism . . gives
the law to criticism too magisterially.
2. In the capacity of a magistrate; also, by a
magistrate or magistrates.
1875 Poste Gains 1. led. 2) 138 A magisterially appointed
guardian is called by modern commentators tutor dativus.
1883 Pall Mall G. 30 May 8/2 The men arrested .. were
magisterially examined at Castlebar to-day.
t Magiste'rialness. Obs. [-nkss.] The
quality or condition of being magisterial ; assump-
tion of authority.
16S1 H, More Second Lash in Enthus. Tr/\, etc. (1656*
168 Those two famous Philosophers .. whom your Magis-
terialnesse has made bold to use at least as coursely as
1 seem to have used you. 1674^ Govt. Tongue xi. § 1 A
magisterialness in matters of opinion. 1713 Nelson Life
Dr. Bull 225 He chargeth him with too much precipitancy
and magisterialness in judging.
t Magiste'rical, a. Obs. rare. Also 7 majes-
terical, -ycall. [f. L. magister + -ic + -AL.] Per-
taining or proper to a magistrate.
1646 LiLBURNH & Overton Out-cryes Oppressed Comm.
(ed. 2) 16 In case of Korfiting the Majesterycall trust, the
trusters (the people) are disobleged from their obedience.
1670 liAXTER Cure Church-div. 288. 1680 Hickeringill
Meroz 31 A Style.. more Magisterial, Dictator-like.
1 Magis terious, a. Obs~° [f. late L.
magisteri-us (see Magisterial) + -ous.] Exer-
cising the authority of a master. Hence + Magis-
te'riously adv.., with an assumption of authority.
t" Magiste'riovtsness, assumption of authority.
1650 R. Hollingworth E.verc. Usurped Powers 54 He
deliTering it (as he doth other odd and unsound stuffe) with
a pythagoricall magisteriousnesse. 1673 Lady's Call. 1. i.
§ y He that ingrosses the talk, enforces silence upon the
rest, and so is presumed to look on them only as his Auditors
and Pupils, whilst he magisteriously dictates to them. 1684
N. S. Crit. Enq. Edit. Bible xv. 148 He censures the
generality of Divines, who take upon them Magisteriously
to judge of the matter in hand.
||Magiaterium(ma;:d^istw-ri//m).[L.: = next.]
fl. Alchemy. *= Magistery 3 a. Obs.
"593 G. Harvey Pienes Super. 30 Hee is a Pythagorean,
and a close fellow of his tongue, and pen, that hath the
right magisterium hideede. x6io B. Jonson Alch. 1. iv, This
is the day, I am to perfect for him The magisterium, our
great worke, the stone. 1654 G avion Pleas. Notes it. ii. 39
Which without doubt hath a villanous contaginm upon the
grand magisterium of the Stone.
2. A\ C. Theol. The teaching function of the
Church.
1866 Dublin Rev. Apr. 422 Roman Catholics, throughout
the world, are instructed in certain doctrines ; are exhorted
to certain practices ; are encouraged and trained in certain
tempers and dispositions. The Church's office in providing
for this is called her 'magisterium'. 1893 Tablet 11 Feb.
205 Catholic obedience is due to the Church's magisterium,
namely, the authoritative teaching of the Pope and the
Hishops. 1899 Dublin Rev. Apr. 262 Opposed to the ordi-
nary teaching magisterium of the Catholic Church.
Magistery (rme*d:?istcri). Obs. exc. Hist.
Also 7 majestery, 9 magestry, magistry. [ad.
L. viagisterinm t (1) in classical L. the office of
a master, (2) in med.L. the philosopher's stone ;
f. ^agister Master sb,]
fl. a. = Magistracy 2. b. = Magistracy^ Obs.
1566 Painter I'al. Pleas. (1575) I. 18 A goodlie document
I to men of like calling, to moderate them selues, and their
magisterie with good and honest life. 1585 Silbbks Anat.
\ Abits. 1. 16 It is lawfull for the nobilitie, the gentrie, and
| the magisterie, to weare riche attire.
f 2. a. The quality or functions of a master ;
mastership, authority, authoritative appearance.
b. The office of a (Grand) Master. Obs.
1642 Fuller Ansiv. to Dr. Feme 1 Blowing aside the
Magistery of the Title, Author, Style of tins Treatise, as
but the pindust of it, that gilds but intercepts the Letter.
1644 J. Goodwin' Inuoc. Triumph. (1645) 7 Resigne up his ..
1 conscience to be ordered, obliged, and tied, by the meere
authority and magistery of men. 1660 Jer. Taylor Duct.
Dubit. in. iv. rule 22 § 1 To give them [General Councils] a
legislative power and magistery in faith. 1670 G. H. Hist.
Cardinals 11. 11. 142 Francisco began .. to manage it (the
' Church] with great Magistery and Dominion. 1706 Phillips
, (ed. Kersey), Magistery, Mastership; especially the Office
of the great Master of Maltha.
3. Alchemy, Medicine ,etc. a. A master principle
I of nature ; a potent transmuting or curative quality
or agency; concr. a substance that has the power
of transmuting or changing the nature of other
substances, c. g. the philosopher's stone.
1594 Plat Jeivell-ho.,Chcm, Concl. 37, I wil not.. discover
any magistery upon so base an occasion. 1601 Holland
Pliny II. 165 Moreouer, they made proofe of the said floures
dried, and this high magistery they found, That being beaten
to pouder, they cured [etc.]. c 1645 Howell Lett. vi. xli.
(1650) 232 He that hath water turn'd to ashes, hath the
Magistery, and the true Philosophers stone. 1670 Moral
State Eng. 43 That great Magistery of Nature (as they call
iti the Philosophers stone. 1678 R. R[l'ssell] Geber 11. i. 1.
v. 31 For there is one Stone, one Medicine in which the
Magistery consists, im {title) The Hermetical Triumph, or,
Victorious Philosophical Stone: a Treatise., concerning the
Hermetical Magistery. _ 1837 Whewell Hist, Indttct. Sci.
(1857) I. 232 There existed preparations which possessed
the power of changing the whole of a body into a substance
of another kind : these were called magisteries.
Jig. ai6j7 Hale Contempt. 11, 179 This is the great
Engine of a Christian, a Magistery, that was never attained
by the most exquisite Philosopher.
b. A product or result of transmutation.
1605 Tihiib Quersit. 1. i. 3 Which meale or flower we
mixe with water, we leaven and bake; whereof ariseth a
great magistery, namely bread. 1655 in Hartlib Re/.
Commw. Bees 35 Honey is a Vegetable Magistery, in part
perfected by the Specifick virtue of the flour, . . compleated by
the peerlesse virtue of the Bee, which doth transmute that
sweetnesse into a new Creature, which is Honey. 1671
J. Webster Metallogr. xii. 190 By this solvent the whole
Metal is brought into another disposition, (which he calls a
magistery).
C. The concentrated essence of a substance.
1641 French Distill, i. (1651) 26 Thou sbalt have the true
magistery or Spirit of Wine. 1658 tr. Porta's Nat. Magic
x. xiv. 270 A Magistery . . is what can be extracted out of
things without separation of the Elements. 1668 Phil.
Trans. III. 787 The volatile Salt, Spirit, Oyle, Magistery,
made of the several parts of the Stagg.
d. The residuum obtained by precipitation from
an acid solution, e.g. Magistery of bismuth, pearls,
etc. ; a precipitate. Applied also to a resinous
extract.
1602 F. Hering Anatomyes 15 Vnicornes home,. .Magis.
tery of Pearles, and Forreine Bugges and Drugges. 1663
Bovle Use/. Exp. Nat. Philos. 11. ii. 159 The mag'istery
prepared by dissolving them [pearls] in acid spirits. 1678
Salmon Lond. Disp. 852/1 Magisteries of Bones.. -They are
dissolved with Acids.. and precipitated with Alkalies. 171a
tr. Pomet's Hist. Drugs I. 29 The Resin or Magistery of
Jalap is made with Spirit of Wine. 1756 C. Lucas Ess.
Waters I. 6o_The metals are suddenly precipitated in the
form of a magistery. 1794-6 E. Darwin Zoon. IV. 96 A calx,
or magistery, of bismuth. 1822 Imjson Sci. <r ArtW. 116
The magistry of bismuth, or pearl white. 1861 Hllme tr.
Moquin-'Tandon 11. 111. ii. 89 J'he old practitioners .. made
use of a magestry or precipitate of coral.
e. A specially prepared medicine; a specific.
1669 W. Simpson Hydrol. Chym, 162 It would have proved
a very good magistery for a horse. < 1720 W. Gibson
Farrier's DisPens. 111. 11. (1734) 112 There is a magistery
made from Calamine.
f4. An art, craft, or employment. Obs.
1647 Lilly Chr. Astral, lxxxiv. 450 These two Planets
are trie Significators of Magistery, Trade or Profession.
1669 Addr. hopeful young Gentry Eng. 72 These mistresses
of the Magistery of dissimulation are the greatest enemies
to the convers of the world.
Magistracy (mard^istrasi). Also fi-7 magis-
tracies magistratio. [f. Maoistratk : sec-ACY.]
+ 1. The existence of magistrates; the condition
of being a magistrate. Obs.
c 1585 R. Browne Answ. Cartwright 3 As for the Maies-
tracie of Byshops there is no lawe to warrant it. 1587 T.
Norton's Calvin's Inst. iv. xx. 496 rnarg., Magistracy [is]
not taken away by the Hbertie which is promised in the
gospel!. 1612 T. Taylor Comm. Titus ii. 12 We. .in magis-
tracy and subjection, must shew what price we set onCods
mercie. 1644 A. Burgkssk Magis tr. Commiss./r. Heaven
2 He was convinced the state of Magistracie he lived in to
l>e pleasing to God. 1693 Urydkn Persius (1697) 455
Young Noblemen.. were too forward in aspiring to Publick
Magistracy.
2. The office of the magistrate ; magisterial power
or dignity ; occas. conduct in office as a magistrate.
Now rare.
1577 tr. /iiilliuger's Decades (1^92) 169 The Magistracie
(that I mayhencefoiwarde vse this wordeof the magistrates
power ancf place) is an office, and an action in executing
the same. 1697 C Leslie Snake in Grass (ed. 2} 1.31 Their |
MAGISTRAL.
..open Contempt of Magistracy and the Laws. 1765 Black-
stone Comm. I. ii. 142 In all tyrannical governments the
supreme magistracy, or the right both of making and of en-
forcing the laws, is vested in one and the same man. 1782
Gcntl. Mag. LII. 597 [TheyJ were both committed to New
Bridewell .. for contempt of magistracy. 1835 I. Taylor
Spir. Despot. 111. 112 A principal portion of the .. spiritual
magistracy had been usurped. 1849 Macali.ay Hist. Eng.
viii. II. 277 Literature and science were, in the academical
system of England,., armed with magistracy. 1875 Jowett
Plato (ed. 2) V . 169 All magistrates . . must give an account
of their magistracy.
3. The office, dignity, and functions of some
magistrate (e.g. a consul, justice of the peace, etc.)
contextually indicated.
1600 Holland Livy x. xv. 361 To plucke the Consulship
out of the mire . . and to restore the auncient majestie . . to
the Magistracie. 1695 Ln. Preston Boeth. 1. 17, I had no
other end in aspiring to the Magistracy, than that one, of
doing good to all. 1715 Leoni Palladia's Archit. (1742)
II. 65 The Candidates, who put in for any Magistracy.
1790 Burke Fr. Rev. 18 A popular choice is necessary to
the legal existence of the sovereign magistracy. 1849
Macallay Hist. Eng. \. I. 74 The public regarded them
merely as eminent citizens invested with temporary magis-
tracies. 1868 Freeman Norm. Canq. (18761 II. vii. 136
A town over which he exercised the powers of the highest
civil magistracy.
4. Magistrates collectively ; the whole body of
magistrates.
1601 Dent Pathw. Heaven, Morn. Prayer (1631) Dd 5 b,
We pray thee blesse Magistracie, Ministerie, & Common-
alt);. 1651 Biggs AVzc Disp. Pref. 9 So grave a Magistracie
sitting in Parliament. 1755 Magkns Insurances II. 276
A just Valuation, which must be confirmed by a Sentence of
the nearest Magistracy or other competent Tribunal. 1758
J. Blake Plan Mar. Syst. 52 Our sea-ports, to the shame
of magistracy, abound with lewd. .women. i8ooColquhoin
Coium. Thames viii. 265 Checks established under the con-
trol of a vigilant magistracy. 1849 Macallay Hist. Eng.
x- II- 555 The peers repaired to Guildhall, and were received
there with all honor by the magistracy of the city. 1883
Fortn. Rev. May 700 Guardians have come to be regarded
with almost as much respect as the magistracy.
5. a. A district under the government of a magis-
trate, b. A magistrate's residence or station.
1888 Athenceum^ 7 Apr. 439/1 Dividing the country into
magistracies, and instituting local courts and officials. 1895
, Scully Kajfir Stories 1 89 The Kwesa clan of Pondos dwelt
1 ..within thirty miles of the Magistracy.
Magistral (.mad^i'stial), a. and sb. Also 6-7
magiatrall. [a. F. magistral or ad. L. magistralis,
f. magister Master sb.] A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to, or befitting a master;
authoritative, dogmatic. Now rare.
1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. \. v. § 9 Another Error is in the
manner of the tradition and deliuerie of knowledge, which
is for the most part Magistral! and peremptorie ; and not
ingenuous and faithful 1. i6a6 T. H[awkins] Canssvfs
Holy Crt. 149 We must haue an authority moouing, magis-
tral!, and decisiue. 1641 Ansiv. Vind. Smectymnuns 27
Your assertion .. is more Magistrall, then true. 1862
Kuskin Munera P. (1872) no Magistral powers, of the
More over the less, and the forceful and free over the weak
and servile elements of life.
fb. Ofa problem, a point of instruction: ?Handed
down from the masters ofa science; forming part
of the accepted course of teaching. Obs.
1572 Dei. Math. Pre/., Which thing, I laaue to your
consideration : making hast to despatch an other Magis-
trall Probleme : and to bring it, nerer to your knowledge,
..then the world (before this day) had it for you. 1644
Bulwer Chiron. 80 This action is Magistrall in Rhetorique,
but grounded upon Nature.
2. Pharntaey. Of a remedy, a formula : Devised
by a physician for a particular case ; not included
in the recognized phaimacopaia ; opposed to
( H'FICINAL.
1605 Bacon Adv. Learn, n. x. § 8 Here is the deficience
which I finde, that Physitians haue not.. set downe and de-
liueredouer, certaine Experimental! Medicines, for the Cure
of particular Diseases; besides their own Coniecturall anil
Magistrall Descriptions. 1635 A. Reaij Tumorsfy I 'leers 271
Some magistral! compositions are required in thecurationof
these griefes. 1638 RAWLKYtr. Baton's Li/ety Death (1651*
29 Some Magistrall Opiate weaker than those that are com-
monly in use. 1710T. VviA.F.R Pharm. E.xtemp. 409 The Ma-
siatxttU I >ecoction of Mallows. 1831 J. Davii-s Manual Mat.
Med. Pref. n Some magistral fonnukc to serve as examples
of the manner of prescribing it. 1875 H. C. Wood The>ap.
(1879) 582 Cacao Butter, .is.. very largely used in the pre-
paration of suppositories, both officinal and magistral. 1878
tr. von Ziemssen's Cycl. Med. VIII. 419 note, The curious
magistral formula for this tincture is the following.
f b. By some writers app. taken to mean :
' Sovereign', supremely effective. Obs.
159a G. Harvey Pierce's Super. 37 Who knoweth not
that Magistrall vnguent [cf. magistralis tinctio in Du
CangeJ, knoweth nothing : and who hath that magistral
vnguent, feareth no gunshott. 1641 Shirley Cardinal v.
iii. Receive This ivory box ; in it, an antidote 'Bove that
they boast the great magistral medicine. 1678 Salmox
Lond. Disp. 645/2 A magistral pouder against worm.
3. Fortification. Leading, pi incipal, ' master-'.
1828 J. M. Spearman Brit. Gunner (ed. 2^ 302 The prin-
cipal or magistral gallery runs all round the work, under the
t>anquette of the covered-way. 1838 Penny Cycl. X. 375/2
The line which on the plan indicates the directions of the
faces, flanks, etc., of the works is called the magistral line.
1872 Voyle & Stevenson Mil. Diet., Magistral line.. An
field fortifications, this line is the interior crest line, ln
permanent fortifications, it is usually the line of the top of
the escarp of each work.
MAGISTRALITY.
27
MAGMENT.
4. In occasional uses: Having the title of 'Master';
of or pertaining to a 'master' or 'masters* (in
various applications of the word).
1837 G. S. Fabbr Prim. Doctr. JustiJ. 268 Thomas Aqui-
nas . . and his magistral predecessor \sc. the Master of the
Sentences]. 1878 Res kin Fors Clav. lxxxvi, The men are
rebuked, in the magistral homilies, for their ingratitude in
striking. 1881 F. E. Hui.mk To^vn, College, <y Neighb.
Mmr&9fm&k 91 The magistral staff is composed of the
Master and about thirty assistant masters. tfj&z Genii. Mag.
May 570 According to the masters \sc. the MeistersingersJ,
the institution of the school of magistral song was of the
remotest antiquity.
5. Used for: Masterly. [So in Fr.] rare-1.
1889 J. M. Robertson Ess. Crt't Method 256 Magistral
as Milton at his greatest, but subtle beyond his scope.
B. sb.
fl. Pharmacy. A magistral preparation or for-
mula. Obs.
1621 Burton Atutt. Mel. 11, iv. 1. v, Every Citty, Towne,
almost eueiy priuate man hath his owne. .receits, magis-
tralls, precepts, as if hee scorned antiquity. 1654 Wbitlock
Zootomia 103 Hee pretendeth to Magistralls, that none but
his Apothecary and he must understand. j&joLe.v Tettionis
29 He shall ..prescribe so many of his Nostrums and Magis-
trals, as he calls them.
Jig. 1647 Hammond Semi. x. Wks. 1683 IV. 535 But for the
magistrals of nature and art, such are Gods smitings and
punishments, which cost God dear, as it were, he is fain to
fetch them from far.
2. Fortification. —Magistral line. (See A. 3.)
1853 Stocqueler Milit. Encyct., Magistral, the tracing
or guiding Hue in fortification, .from which the position of
all the other works is determined. In field fortification the
crest line of the parapet is the magistral ; in permanent
fortification the cordon . . is the guide.
|| 3. Ecel. A Spanish cathedral priest, with special
duties as a preacher.
1772 Nugent tr. Hist. Friar Gerund II. 83 The Magis-
tral, .had purposely seated himself in the confessional of the
parson of the parish.
114. Min. [Sp. (maxz'strai).] (See quot.)
1839 Ure Did. Arts, Magistral, in the language of the
Spanish smelters of Mexico and South America, is the
roasted and pulverized copper pyrites, which is added to
the ground ores of silver, .for the purpose of decomposing
the horn silver present. 1881 in Raymond Mining Gloss.
t Magistraiity. Obs. [f. prec. + -ity.] The
quality or condition of being magistral, a. The
standing of a master or mistress ; the right to lay
down the law or to dogmatize ; authoritative char-
acter, b. quasi-concr. a dogmatic utterance ; in
Mai. a special prescription.
a. 1603 iVort/is Plutarch, Seneca (1612) 1213 Agrippina
..thinking she could by her magistralitie remedie this well
inough. 1605 Bacoh Adv. Learn. 11. viii. § 5 To those that
seeke truth and not Magistralitie it cannot but seeme a
Matter of great profit. 1641 J. Jackson True Evang. T.
!. 71 The authority and magistraiity of the first asset- tor
of it.
b. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn, 11. x. § 8 The phisitians
haue frustrated the fruite of tradition & experience by their
magistral it ies. 1691 Woon Ath. Oxon. II. 572 Humane
Magistracies, self-weaved Ratiocinations, .. have laid..
claim to the highest advance of humane learning.
t Magi'Strally, adv. Obs. [f. as prec. + -Ly2.]
In a magistral manner; authoritatively, dogmati-
cally.
^1603 T. Cartwright Con/ut. Khun. N. T. (1618) 172
You haue put that magistrally which Ambrose maketh a
perhaps of. 1656 Hobbes Liberty, Necess., etc. (1841) 257
To assume, .alicence to control so magistrally ..the doctors
of the Church in general.
Magistraild (mard^istand). Se. Also 7 ma-
gestrand. [ad. med.L. magistrand-us, gerundive
pple. of magistrdri to become a Master (of Arts).]
Originally, in Scottish Universities, an Arts student
in the fourth or highest class; subsequently, one
in the fourth year. Now retained, in official use,
only at Aberdeen. At St. Andrews it has recently
been revived, among the students, as an unofficial
designation. Also attrib. in magist rand-class.
16.. in Crauford's Hist. Cniv. Edin. (1808) 24 The
Magestrands (as now) conveened in the high hall. 1642
Statutes Visitation S Aug. (St. Andrews), The whole Magis-
trandes and Doctaloures in the two Coiledges of Philosophy
. .sail only haue voice in choyseing the Rector of the Uni-
versity. 1708 J. Chambi:rlavne.SV. Gt. Brit. 11. 111.x. (1710)
470 'I his is the last Year, after which they go out Masters
of Arts; and for that reason this is called the Magistrand
Class. i8» \V. Tennant Auster F. ii. xiv. (1871) 25 Up
from their mouldy books and tasks had sprung Bigent and
Magistrand to try the game. 1879 G. Macdonald SirGibbie
III. ix. 153 Although now a magistrand— that is, one about
to take his degree of Master of Arts. 1889 Univ. Nexvs Sheet
(St. Andrews) 11 Jan. 7 With us at St. Andrews the words
semi, tertian, and magistrand, ,. have long since entirely
gone out of use. 1891 College Echoes (St. Andrews) 15 Jan.,
Ihe present designations— Second-year man, Third-year
man, and toiirth-year-man are colourless and awkward.
\V hy .should not Bejants become Semis, then Tertians, and
close their career with the melancholy glory of Magistrand?
Magistrate (mrc-dsistra), j£. Forms: 4-6'
magestrat(e, maiestrat^e, 4-7 magistrat, 5-
magistrate. [ad. L. magistrdtus («-stem\ orig.
^magisterial rank or office, a magistracy; hence
a person holding such an office ; f. ma^ister
Master sb. (see -atjsI i a). Cf. R magistral.']
1 1. The office and dignity of a magistrate ; magis-
tracy. Obs.
c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. m. pr. iv. 37 (Camb. MS.) That
thow woldest beren the magestrat with decdrat. 1530
Palsgr. 241/2 Magistrate dignyte, magistral.
2. A civil officer charged with the administration
of the laws, a member of the executive government-
Chief magistrate ) first magistrate : in a monarchy,
the sovereign : in a republic, usually the president.
1382 Wyclif Luke xxxiii. 14 The magestratis of the peplc
clepid to gidere, Pilat setde to hem. 1432-50 tr. Higitcn
(.Rolls) III. 255 The peple of Rome not sufTrenge. .the
sedicion of be magistrates, ordeynede x. men to write be
lawes. X6«0 CROWLEY Epigr. 27 b, Woulde God the niaies-
trates woulde se men set a-worke. 1581 Pettie Gnazzoys
Civ. Conv. 11. (1586) 101 A discreet Magistrate ought not to
..alter his manners in respect of his dtguitie. 1502 DaVIEs
Immort. Soul XXI X. iv, The Common's Peace the Magis-
trates preserve. 1614 Raleigh Hist. World 111.(1634) 7-
Every Estate., were governed by Lawes, ..and by their
owne Magistrates. 1681 Dbvden Hind -y P. 1. 489 Suppose
the magistrate revenge her cause, 'Tis only for transgressing
human laws. 1761 Hume Hist. Eng. III. liv. 175 The
king was too eminent a magistrate to be trusted with dis-
cretionary power. 1791 Jefferson in Washington's Writ.
(1892) XII. 20 note. It is fortunate that our first chief magis-
trate is purely and zealously republican. 1821 Bykon Mar.
Fat. 1. li, Health and respect to the Doge Faliero, Chief
magistrate of Venice. 1857 Toulmin Smith Parish 372 The
Coroner himself is an elected Magistrate.
attrib. 1602 Patekicke tr. Gentillet 26 The Paynim
Lawyer may serve for a goodly example to condemne many
Magistrate Lawyers of our time.
Jig. 1612 Bacon Ess., Custom (Arb.) 370 Custome is the
principal Magistrate of mans life.
3. spec. In England and Ireland, a more frequent
synonym for ' justice of the peace ' (see Justice sb.
10) ; also applied (chiefly with prefixed word, as
in police, stipendiary magistrate, and, in Ireland,
resident magistrate) to salaried officials having,
like the justices of the peace, criminal jurisdiction
of the first instance. In Scotland, applied to the
provost and bailies of a burgh, as forming a court
for police jurisdiction and the granting of licences.
The mayor of a town is sometimes referred to as its 'chief1
or ' first magistrate '.
a 1688 G. Dallas Stiles 12 The said M. R. .. and the
remanent Magistrats of the raid Burgh .. The said R. M.
Bailie of the said Burgh, and the Provost and remanent
Bailies of the same. 1727 in Quincy Hist. Harvard '(1840)
I. 567 The signification of magistrate in England, and even
now in New England, extends to every one of his Majesty's
Justices of the Peace ; but in the time when the act above-
said was made [1642], .. the known signification extended
only to those who were Assistants to the Governor in
Council. 1752 Fielding Amelia r. ii, The worthy magis-
trate submitted to hear his defence. 1889 Doyle Micah
Clarke xxiii. 237 This fellow would make two of the gauger,
and leave enough over to fashion a magistrate's clerk.
f Magistrate, v. Obs.~° [f. ppl, stem of L.
magistrarc : see Magistkation.] inlr. To play
the master (Cockeram 1623).
Magistrateship, [f. Magistrate sb. +
-ship.] The dignity, office, and functions of a
magistrate; also, the term of a magistrate's office.
1574 Life Abp. Parker B viij b, He was wonte to rubbe
his minde with the memorye off that sentence, that all fame,
. .all magistratshippes . . shall perishe, and decaye. a 1656
Usshf.r Ann. (1658) 595 Rullus,..in the beginning of his
magistrateship, published the Agrarian Law. 1884J. Pavne
1001 Nights VIII. 93 'Tis one of the duties of magistrate-
ship, To hang up the chief of police o'er his door. 1886
Athenxmu 10 July 47/2 He was something of a soldier, and
iwhich was much rarer at the time than either soldiership or
magistrateship) he was a bibliophile.
t Magistra'tial, a. Obs. rare"1, [f: as prec.
+ -ial.] — Magisterial 3.
1774 Poetry in Ann, Reg. 208 Hast thou . . seen . . In the
plain hall the magistratial chair?
t Magistra'tic, a, Obs. Also 7 magistra-
tique. [f. as prec. + -10.] = prec.
1653 Gauobm Hierasp. 458 Onely to look exactly to civill
interests and safety J is to make Magistratiek power, . . to
concurre with the malice of the Divels. 1667 Watkrhoiwb
Fire L.oiut. 79 Publick places of Magistratfque dispatch.
1677 Gale Crt. Gentiles iv. 206 Clemence also ought to be
illustrious in magistrate administrations.
Magistratical (ma^dsistrartikal), a. [f.
prec. + -AL.] Of or pertaining to, or befitting a
magistrate or magistrates. (Cf. MAGISTERIAL 3.)
1638 Dh. # Pol. Observations 55 A stile no lesse Magis-
trate, if not so Magistraticall as this Speech. 1644 J. Win-
thkoi' New Eng. (1826) II. 205 Whether the deputies in the
general court have judicial and magistratical authority?
a 1683 Sidney Disc. Govt. (1714) 3S3 The original of Magis-
tratical Power. 1752 Fiklding Amelia t. ii, Mr. Thrasher
. .had some few imperfections in his magistratical capacity.
1769 De Foe"s Tour Gt. Brit. 1 1 . 324 They are allowed the
highest Marks of magistratical Honour. 1848 P. Macfak-
lane in Mem. A*. Craig x. (1862) 244 God is the fountain,
the first source of human magistratical power. 1850 Tait's
Mag. XVII. 556/1 The magistratical and clerical orders.
1893 M. Hutchison Pe/. Prcsb. Ch. Scot. v. 121 With such
conceptions of magistratical powers. . .the Revolution settle-
ment would appear to be deserving only of condemnation.
Hence Magistra'tically adv., in a magistratical
or magisterial manner.
1650 K. Holmngworth E.xcrc. Usurped Powers %2 That
such things should be maintained Magistratically by a
Tyrant. 1872 I. Walker Theology .y Theologians Scot.
v. (1888) 147 Unless.. he acted in this sovereign way, with
the sword behind all his enactments and injunctions, he did
not act in the proper sense magistratically.
t Magistra tiou. Obs, rare~K [ad. late L.
magiitrdtion-cm. n. of action f. magistrate to rule,
f. magister MASTER sb.] Command, direction.
1490 Caxton Eneydos i. n Agamenon .. hadde the
magystracyon. . of alle the.xcersite and hoost to-fore Troye.
Magistrative (mx*d^istraiv), a. rare—1, [f.
magistral-, ppl. stem of magist rdre (see prec.) +
-1VE.] Proper to a magistrate, requisite for ruling.
1865 Bushmell Vicar. Sacr, ui. iii. 241 A want of system
and magistrative firmness.
Magist rat lire (mse'dgistrAiiu). [a. F. magis-
tralure, f. magistral Magistrate sb.]
1. The dignity or office of a magistrate ; magis-
terial office; occas. the exercise of the office; with
a and pi. an individual office. (Cf. Magistracy 3.)
1672 Essex Papers (Camden) 23 That noe person whatso-
ever bee admitted into any Place of Magistratureor Govern-
ment..till [etc.]. 1791 State Papers in Ann. Keg. 183* Incase
..of a collision between magistracies. 1824 La N DOR I mag.
Conv., Marcus TulUus $ Quinctus Cicero Wks. 1S53 I.
2^8/1 Finding all our niagistratures in the disposal of the
:>enate. i8zg Ibid., Diog. ^ Plato ibid. 504/1 Giving to
this one rightly what that one would bold wrongfully, is
justice in magistral nre. 1833 New Monthly Mag. XXXVII.
465 The family rose to the dignities of the magistralure.
1833 Erasers Mag. VII. 650 With these some of the niagis-
tratures are now filled.
Jig. 1796 Bubney Mem. Metastasio II. 3^5 Does music
aspire at this supreme magistrature?
b. The term of a magistrate's office.
1720 Ozkll VertoCs Rom. Rep. I. 1, 59 The two Consul-,
whose Magistrature was expiring, appointed the Assembly
for the Election of their Successors. 1824 Landor Imag.
Conv., Leopold -V Prcsid. du Paty Wks. 1853 I. 68/2 A.,
man, who can reproach himself with no perversion or neglect
of justice, in a magistrature of twenty years.
2. collect. The body of magistrates; = Magis-
tracy 4.
1679 Evelyn Diary 21 Nov., I dined at my Lord Mayor's
.. Such a.. splendid magistrature does no city in the world
show. 1830 Examiner 548/1 The magistrature continued.
The very men who had opposed the liberty of the press . .
continued in their positions. 1859 Sat. Rev. VII. 273/2
That illustrious; magistrature which, in former days, guided
France by their counsels. 1898 A. W. Ward in Eng. Hist.
Rev. Jan. 175 The conservative tendencies of the Belgian
magistrature.
Magi-stricide. nonce-zed. [f. as if L. *magis-
trictda (after parriefda, etc. : see -cun: 1 ). f. magis-
ter master.] A murderer of one's master or teacher.
1670 Lassels i'oy. Italy II. 172 Nero the Magistricide,
who put this rare man bis master to death.
Magitian, obs. form of Magician.
Magma ,mai'gma\ [a. L. magma (sense 1),
Gr. fAayfia, f. root of paoauv to knead.]
fl. The dregs that remain from a semi-liquid
substance after the more liquid part has been re-
moved by pressure or evaporation. Obs.
< 1420 Patlad. on Ifusb. xi. 351 Taak aloen & mine &
magma with Saffron [L. crocomagma lees of saffron], of
yche yliche. a 1648 Dighy Closet Open. (1677) 18 You may
squeze out the clear juyce and hang the Magma in a bag
in the bung. 1694 Salmon Pate's Dispens. (1713)38/2 Hy
another Distillation, reduce ihe Magma at bottom, to the
Consistency of Honey. 1730 Stack in Phil. Trans. XXXV I.
271 The Eggs, .resemble a Magma of a brown Colour. 1737
lik.\CKi;N Farriery Impr. (1756) L 310 Apply the Magma
(or Herbs after they are squeezed out of the Liquor) to the
Wound. 1856 Maynk Expos. Lex., Magma, .. a squeezed
mas* of a certain consistence.
2. 'Any crudemixture of mineral or organic matters,
in a thin pasty state' (Ure Diet. Arts 1839).
1681 tr. Willis' Rem. Med. Wks. Vocab., Magma, the
blended dross and faeces of several metals, as also of chynii-
cal extractions. 1782 Kirwan \\\Phil. Trans. LXXIII. 17
f They] afford no crystals, but oidy a magma or mother
liquor. 1806 Hatcuett ibid. XCVI. in It formed with
sulphuric acid a thick black magma. 1838 T. Thomson
Chem. Org. Bodies 688 A concentrated solution of potash
forms with bird-lime a whitish magma, which becomes brown
by evaporation. 1854 J. Scokiern in Orr's Circ. Sci.,
Chem. 24 A magma of dark-coloured sugar. 1875 H. C.
Woou Therap. (1879) 93 It . . should be so moist as to con-
stitute a magma. 1894 Huxley Wks. IX. 8 Our earth
may once have formed part of a nebulous cosmic magma.
3. G'eol. a. One of two or more supposed strata
of fluid or semi-fluid matter lying beneath the
solid crust of the earth, b. The amorphous basis
of certain porphyritic rocks.
1865 Haughton Man.Gcol. 3 According to Durocher ..
the first and second layers of the globe are composed of
totally different materials. The outer layer, which he calls
the Acid Magma, corresponds with the granites; and the
inner or second layer, which he calls the Basic Magma,
corresponds with the trap rocks and the greenstones. 1869
Phillips Vesuv. xii. 336 Whether these rocks .. constitute
practically a solid basis, or float in a magma of slow
fluidity. 1874 Dawkins in Ess. Owen's Colt. Manchester
V. 148 Two distinct layers or magmas beneath the stratified
rocks. 1882 Geikie Text-bk. Gcol. it. 11. iii. 87 Many
crystalline rocks consist .. of a magma or paste, in which
the crystalline particles are .. embedded. 1897 — Anc.
Volcanoes Gt. Brit. I. 12 There will thus be a constant
pressure of the molten magma into the roots of volcanoes.
4. Pharmacy. An ointment or confection of a
softish consistence. {Syd. Soe. Lex. 1889.)
1855 Dunglison Med, Zf.i.fed. 12), Magma, .also, asalve
of a certain consistence.
Hence Magrma-tic a.s of or pertaining to the
magma (sense 3). In recent Diets.
t Ma'gment. Obs. rare'-0. [ad. L. mag-
mentum.\ Great increase. 1623 in Cockeram.
70-2
MAGMOID.
Magmoid (mog-gmoid), a. Bot. [f. Magma +
-oil).] (^See quot.)
1879 W. A. Leighton Lichen.jlora (ed. 3) 516 Magmoid,
like an alga, consisting of spherical green cellules.
Magna Charta, Magna Carta (mse -gna
ka-Jta). Also 1 pi. magna chartaes. [med.L., sig-
nifying 'great charter'.] The Great Charter of
English personal and political liberty, obtained
from King John in 1215, repeatedly confirmed,
and appealed to in all disputes between the sove-
reign and his subjects, till the establishment of
constitutional government.
[1279 Rolls o/Parlt. I. 224 Quod tollatur magna carta de
foribus Ecclesiarum.] 1568 Gkafton Chrou. II. 118 This
Parliament king Edwards lawes were again restored, &
Magna carta confirmed. 1641 Ld. J. Digby Sp. in Ho.
Comm. 19 Jan. 15 An Accumulation of all the publique
Grievances since Magna Carta. 1766 Blackstone Comm.
1,« v- 74 John was obliged to consent, by his magna carta,
that (etc.]. 1865 Dickens Mat. Fr. 1. v, Considered to
represent the penn'orth appointed by Magna Charta.
trans/, a.nd_/ig. 1630 13. Jonson New Inn 1. i, It is against
my freehold, my inheritance, My Magna Charta.. To drink
such balderdash, or bonny-clabber. 1643 Pkvnne Sov. Power
Pari. 1. (ed. 2) 22 Which you may reade in ancient Magna
Chartaes. a 1686 T. Watson Body Divin. (1692) 460 The
Covenant of Grace is our Magna Charta, by vertue of which
God passeth himself over to us to be our God. 1879 G. G.
Scott Led. Median/. Arckit. II. 181, I have called the use
of diagonal ribs the Magna Charta of the art of vaulting.
t Maguae VOUS, a. Obs. rare—0, [as if f. L.
*mqgnxv~us 'J. magn-us great + sevum age) + -ous.]
Of great age. — GSAHDBVOUS,
1727 in Bailey vol. II.
I! Magna' le. Obs. [as if a. L. * magnate, sing, of
Mag N ALIA.] A great or wonderful thing, a wonder.
1623 Cocker am, M agnails, great things to be wondered at
fi6z6 Bacon Sylva § 747 To restore Teeth in Age, were
Magnale Naturae.] 1646 J, Hall Horx Vac. 115 'Tis great
art in dissimulation to dissemble the art of dissimulation,
greater to performe that Magnale in Perspective. 1650
Chaki.kton Paradoxes Ep. Ded. A 4 b, In the discovery of
some Magnale in Knowledg. 1665 Glanvill Scepsis Set.
vi. 24 We'l examine these Accounts of the Magnale.
Magnalia, sb.pl. Obs. Also 7 erron, mag-
nalia's. [L. magnolia neut. pi., f. magnus great.]
Great or wonderful works ; wonders.
c 1645 Howell Lett. (1S92) II. 663 In Natures Cabinet ..
there are divers mysteries and Magnalia's yet unknown.
1649 G. Daniel Trinarch., Hen. IV, cvii, These the Mag-
nalia, wrk but some can find In Nature, Earth by Earth only
Calcin'd. 1681 Glanvill Sadducismus 82 He made no dis-
covery of the Magnalia of Art or Nature.
t Magna'lity. Obs. [f. Magnalia + -ity.]
A great or wonderful thing.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 11. in, 70 Too greedy of
magnalities, we are apt to make but favourable experiments
concerning welcome truths. 1682 — C/ir. Mor. m. {• 14 Fill
thy Spirit .. with the mysteries of Faith, the magnalities of
Religion.
II Magnanerie (manyan*r* J. [F., f. magnan
silkworm.] A silkworm house.
1887 Paton in Encycl. Brit. XXII. 59/2 Small educations
reared apart from the ordinary magnanerie, for the produc-
tion of graine alone, were recommended. 1888 E. A. Butlkr
Silkworms 53 In large establishments, or magnaueries, as
they are called.
1 Magna nimate, v. Obs. rare-1. [f. L.
magnanim-us (see MAGNANIMOUS) + -ate.] trans.
To render high-souled ; to cheer, inspirit.
1640 Howell Dodona's Gr. g Present danger magnanimats
them, and inflames their courage.
t Magnan i me, a. Obs. AIsoGmagnanyme.
[a. F. magnanime, ad. L. magnanimtts : see Mag-
nanimous.] High-souled, lofty, magnanimous.
*5»3 Cromwell in Merriman Life <y Lett. (1002) I. 30 This
high and Magnanyme enterpryse. 1549 Compl. Scot. Ep.
Queen 2 Illustir princes, engendrit of magnanime genoli^ie.
1590 R. Hitchcock Quiutess. Wit 1 b. Neither to profitte,
but to most magnamme and hautie endes.
Magnanimious, obs. form of Magnanimous.
Magnanimity (mce^gnanrmTti). [a. F. mag-
nanimite, ad. L. magnanimitdt-em, f. magnanimus
Magnanimous.]
f 1. Used (with somewhat vague meaning) as the
name of one of the virtues recognized in mediaeval
ethics. Obs.
Primarily this represented the Aristotelian ntyaXotyvxi*
(see 3), but in scholastic descriptions the notion was modi-
fied in accordance with Christian ideals, and blended with
elements suggested by the etymology of the L. word {animus
being capable of the sense ' courage ') ; hence ' magnanimity'
is often classed as a subdivision of 'fortitude ' (so Aquinas,
following Macrobius In Somu. Scip. 1. vui. § 7).
1340 Ayenb. 164 Magnanimite is he^nesse gratnesse and
noblesse of wylhede ..bis uirtue heb tuo delles : greate
hinges onworbi, and wel grater to nime an hand, c 1386
Chaucer Sec. Nun's T. 110 Right so men goostly in this
inayden free Seyen of feith the magnanymytee. c 141a
Hoccleve De Keg. Princ. 3900 Off magnanimite now
wole I trete, |>at is to seyn, strong herte or grete corage.
15*6 Pilgr. Per/. [W, de W. 1531) 136 Magnanimity is the
vertue, wherby man or woman hath a discrete doughtynesse
. . to speke or to do that thynge that they ought to do by
right and reason for the loue of god.
t2. LoUy courage; fortitude. Obs.
(In some examples perh. the Aristotelian sense : see 3.)
1509 V>Anci.\\ Sliyp o/Eolys (1570J 206 For his strength and
magnanimitie . . One founde on grounde like to him can not be.
1560 Dam tr. Sleidane's Comm. 322 This . . magnanimiti
in so great adversity [L. in rebus adversis animi/ortitudo]
got hi 111 great love every wher amongs al men. 1576 Gas-
coigne Steele Ct. Ded. (Arb.) 43 Shall I yelde to my*ery
as a iust plague apointed for my portion V Magnaniuiiue
saith no. 1610 Willet Hcxapla Daniel 62 In courage and
inagnanimitie superiour to Hercules. 1744 Hakris Three
Treat. Wks. (1841) 107, I can bear whatever happens with
manlike magnanimity. 1801 Mar. Edgewokth Angelina
ii. (1832) 13 The courage and magnanimity with which she
had escaped from her aristocratic persecutors.
3. In the Aristotelian sense of fityaKoipvx'ta (see
below). Also, loftiness of thought or purpose ;
grandeur of designs, nobly ambitious spirit. Now
rare.
In Aristotle the word (by modern translators rendered
' great sou led ness ', ' highmindedness') expresses the atti-
tude of one who, rightly conscious of his own great merits,
is indifferent to praise except from those whose approval is
valuable, regards the chances of fortune with equanimity,
and, while ready to confer benefits, will seldom condescend
to accept them. ~
1598 Bakckley Felic. Man (1631) 167 Carolus Martellus
shewed great inagnanimitie in refusing principal! tie. c 1651
Hobbes Rhet. (1840) 437 Magnanimity .. is a virtue by
which a man is apt to do great benefits. 1717 L. Howel
Desiderius 74 We are indued with a spiritual Magnan-
imity, that sets us above the Desire of temporal Goods.
1761 HUME Htst, Eng. II. xliv. 499 The queen's magnani-
mity in forming such extensive projects was the more remark-
able. 1769 Robertson Clias. Vy xi. Wks. 1813 II 1. 267 That
magnanimity of soul which delights in bold enterprizes.
4. Nobility of feeling; superiority to petty resent-
ment or jealousy ; generous disregard of injuries.
1771 Burke Lett., to Pp. o/Chestcr (1844) I. 271 It may be
magnanimity in Lord Mansfield to despise attacks made
upon himself. 1785 Palev Mor. Philos. Wks. 1825 IV. 9
Forgiveness of injuries is accounted by one sort of people
magnanimity, by another meanness. 1841 Eli-hinstone
Hist. India II. 219 The mean spirit of Mahmud was incap-
able of imitating the magnanimity of his enemy. 1868 E.
Edwards Ralegh I. xiii. 258 Ralegh .. on former occasions
had shown towards Essex a wise and noble magnanimity.
1900 J. H. Muikhead Chapters /r, Aristotle's Ethics 243
With regard to honour and dishonour, there is a mean called
magnanimity, or high-mindedness, a species of excess called
vanity, and a defect called pusillanimity or little-mindedness.
b. //. Instances of magnanimity.
a 1639 Wotton in Reliq. (1672) 241 Some seeming Mag-
nanimities being indeed (if you sound them well) at the
bottom, very Impotencies. 1844 Mrs. Browning Drama 0/
Exile Poems 1850 I. 73 Aspire Unto the calms and mag-
nanimities, ..To which thou art elect.
f5. In occasional use: Affectatien of grandeur;
magnificence. Obs.
1658 Sir T. Browne Hydriot. 48 Pyramids, Arches, Obe-
lisks, were but the irregularities of vain-glory and wilde
enormities of ancient magnanimity.
t 6. IVater of magnanimity : any gently stimu-
lating remedy. (Syd. Soc. Lex.) Obs.
1861 Hulme tr. Moquin-Tandon II. in. 65 Distilled Ants
(Water of Magnanimity).
Magnanimous (ma-'gnarnimas), a. Also 6-7
magnanimioua. [f. L. magnanim-us (f. magnus
great + animus soul : corresponding in formation
to Gr. fityaX6\pvxost and in scholastic Latin used
as its translation) + -ous. Cf. F. magnanime.']
1. Great in courage ; nobly brave or valiant. Of
qualities, actions, etc. : Proceeding from or mani-
festing high courage. ? Obs.
1584 Mirr. Mag. 1 b, The incouragement, that the mag-
nanimious Cesar gaue vnto his souldiours. 1589 Warnek
Alb. Eng. Prose Add. (1612) 332 Elisa (whom the Phoeni-
cians for her magnanimious dying, did afterwardes name
Dido). 166s G. Havers P. delta ValUs Trav. E. India 196
The first course seem'd safest and most considerate; the
latter was more magnanimous, but with-all temerarious,
1x1719 Addison Evut. Chr. Relig. iii. (1733) 25 The irre-
proachable lives and magnanimous sufferings of their fol-
lowers. 1761 Hume Hist. Eng. II. xli. 430 When she saw
an evident necessity she braved danger with magnanimous
courage. 1770 Junius Lett, xxxviii. 1S9 note, All their mag-
nanimous threats ended in a ridiculous vote of censure. 1828
Scott E. M. Perth x.xxiv, The Douglas.. was too mag-
nanimous not to interest himself in what was passing. 1858
Longf. M. Standish iii, For he was great of heart, mag-
nanimous, courtly, courageous.
2. High-souled ; nobly ambitious; lofty of pur-
pose ; noble in feeling or conduct. Now chiefly :
Superior to petty resentment or jealousy, loftily
generous in disregard of injuries. (Cf. Magnan-
imity 3, 4.)
1598 Havdocke tr. Lomazzo 11. 30 Ivstice being .. a mas-
culine vertue, hath manlie, magnanimious, considerate and
moderate actions. 1604 T. Wright Passions v. § 4. 225 It
cannot but proceede from a noble magnanimious minde to
contemneall base iniuries offered. 1633 G. Herbert Temple,
Ch. Porch lvi, Pitch thy behaviour low, thy projects high ;
So shalt thou humble and magnanimous be. C 1665 Mrs.
Hutchinson Mem. Col. Hutchinson (1846) 33 He was so
truly magnanimous, that prosperity could never lift him
up in the least. 1769 Blackstone Comm. iv. xxxiii, 416
Richard the first, a brave and magnanimous prince, was a
sportsman as well as a soldier. 180a Wordsw. Sonu.,' Great
men have been among us'j They knew,, what strength w.is,
that would not bend But in magnanimous meekness. 1847
Disraeli Tancred 11. i, They think they are doing a very
kind and generousand magnanimous thing. 1849 Macaulay
Hist. Eng. II. 167 The magnanimous frankness of a man
who had done great things, and who could well afford to
acknowledge some deficiencies.
Hence Magiia'nimously adv. ; Magnainmous-
ness rare ■ Magnanimity-.
1606 W. W[oodcocke] Itiil. Ivstine xviii. 71 They should
MAGNES.
..see he had the like liberallity and magnanimousnesse
of mind. 1611 Coicb., Magiiauininncnt, magnanimously.
1614 Earl Stirling Domes-day iv. lxxvii. (1637) 88 Who
first from death hy deeds redeem'd their names, And emi-
nent magnanimously grew. 1796 Blkke Kcgic. Peace
i. Wks. VIII. 159 With Hannibal at her gates* she [Hol-
land] had nobly and magnanimously refused all separate
treaty. 1851 D. Wilson t'reh. Ann. (1863) II. III. iv. 126
A golden treasure which they magnanimously resolved
should be equitably divided. 1S61 Mks. Oliihant Last 0/
Mortimers II. 257, I am not sure my great magnanimous-
ness did not have a root in what Harry tailed 'feeling ex-
travagant '. 1885 Manch. Exam. 7 Feb. 5/2 I he French
journals magnanimously drop their querulous tone.
Magnase. rare-". A workman's corrupt form
of Mangankse. (Cf. Magkus.) Only altrib. in
magnase black.
'849-50 Weale's Diet. Terms, Magnase Mack is the best
of all blacks for drying in oil without addition, or prepara-
tion of the oil. 1854 in Faikholt Did. Terms Art.
Magnate ima'-gnJit). Chiefly //. Also 8-9
maguat. [ad. late L. magnat-, magnds (also
magnatus), f. magnus yreat.]
1. A great man ; a noble ; a man of wealth or
eminence in any sphere.
Not in Johnson or Todd. It is possible that all the ex-
amples before the 19th c. represent the I., plural magnatls.
,43°-4<> Lvdg. Bochas IX. xxxiv. (1558) 35 The greatest
states rulers of the toun Called Magnates. 1590 Sir J.
Smyth Disc. Weapons Ded. 15 Your Lordships (being the
Nobilitie and Magnates of the Kingdome). 1654 Trait
Comm. Job iii. 322 F'or Magnates are Magnetes, they
draw many by their example. 1790 Blkke Fr. Rev. 39 The
popular representative and . . the magnates of the kingdom.
1814 Byron Lara 1. vii, Born of high lineage . . He mingled
with the Magnates of his land. 1844 Ld. Brougham Brit.
Const. L (1862) 5 A patrician body accustomed to consider
themselves as the magnates in a country. 1850 W.Irving
Goldsmith xx. 220 The associate of Johnson, Burke, Topham
Beauclerc, and other magnates. 1874 L. Stephen Hours
in Library (1892) I. iv. 167 Unlike the irritable race of
literary magnates . . [Scott] never lost a friend. 1883 Fortn.
Rev. 1 Nov. 609 The small class of territorial magnates who
possess the soil of the country.
trans/. 1853 Kane Criunell Exp. xxxiii. (1856) 290 The
stars, except one or two of the northern magnates, invisible
at noonday.
2. spec. In Hungary, and formerly in Poland, a
member of the Upper House in the Diet.
1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XV. 290/1 The bishops of Cracow
and Kiow . . and several magnats declared that they would
never consent to the establishment of such a commission.
1845 S. Austin Ranke's Hist. Re/. I. 181 In Hungary some
magnates and cities were quickly reduced to obedience.
Ibid. II. 461 A few magnates collected around the king.
t Magnatical, a. Obs. [f. prec. + -ical.]
V Lordly, domineering.
1608 H. Clapham Errour on Lc/t Hand, To Rdr. A 2 b,
Their magnaticall one-eard Inuectiues were set on lire from
hell, for destroying the Church peace.
Mague- (margin) an irregular combining form
used instead of Magneto-, in certain scientific
terms introduced by Faraday : —
Ma gne-cry stal, a crystal acted upon by magnet-
ism. Magrtecrystallic a., pertainingto the effect
produced by magnetism upon a crystalline body.
Ma g-nelectric a. = Magneto-electric. Magne-
optio a., pertaining to the relation between the
optic axis of a crystal and the line of magnetic
force through it.
1831 Faraday [see Magneto-electric]. 1848 — in PAH.
Trans. CXXXIX. 4 They [sc. results] appear to present to
us a new force., which. . I will conventionally designate by
a new word, as the magnecrystallic force, [bid. 33, I ..could
perceive no traces of any phenomena having either niagne-
optic, or magnecrystallic, or any other relation to the crys-
talline structure of the masses. 1870 Bence Jones Li/e
Earaday II. 348 The action of heat on inagne-crystals. 1879
Noad & Preece Electricity 300 An impelling force distinct
from the magnetic and the diamagnetic, and which he
(Faraday] called the magne-crystallic /orce. 1881 Max-
well Electr. <y Alagit. II. 46 Magnecrystallic phenomena.
Magnefy, obs. form of Magnify.
Magnelle, obs. form of Mangonel.
+ Maglies. Obs. Also 4 erron. magiias. [L.
magncs^ijr. <i Md-yi/r/s A1805, the Magnesian stone,
Magnet.] A magnet, loadstone.
1398 Tkeyisa Barth. De P. R. xvi. vii. (1495) 557 Though
the magnas drawyth yren to itself: the admas drawyth it
away fro the magnas. Ibid. lxii. 573 It semyth that the
ymage hangyth in the ayre by the myghte and vertue of the
stone magnes. ijjsg W. Cunningham Cosmogr. Glassc i6t
Thys is a nierveilous nedle, whiche beinge touched, (as I
heare) onlye with the Magnes shoulde knowe to turne al-
waye to the North pole, a 1586 Sidney Arcadia 11. (1590)
113 b, As a perfect Magnes, though put in an iuorie boxe,
will thorow the boxe send forth his imbraced vertue to a
beloued needle, a 1677 Hale Prim. Orig. Man. iv. iv. 329
In this lower Worldthere seems many things directed to the
special use of Mankind, .the Metalsof Silver, Gold, Copper,
the very Situation of the Seas, the Magnes. 1750 tr. Leon-
ardos' Mirr. Stones 206.
b. altrib. : magnes-stone, in the same sense.
1398 Tkeyisa Barth. De P. R. xvi. lxii. (1495) 573 There
ben mountayns of suche magnes stones and they drawe to
them and breke shippes that ben nayled with yren. a 1586
Sidney Arcadia 111. (1590) 267 As if the sight of the enimie
had bene a Magnes stone to his courage. 1590 Spenser
!■'. Q. II. xii. 4. 1625 Pukchas Pilgrims II. 1487 There is
neither Iron or Steele, or the Magnes Stone that should so
make the Tombe of Mahomet to hang in the Ayre.
c. transf. Magnetic virtue.
MAGNESANE.
1664 Kvei.vn Sylva 33 There is such a Magnes in this
simple Tree as does manifestly draw to it self some occult,
and wonderful virtue.
d. Applied to each of the poles.
a 1653 G. Daniel Idyll v. 164 His tempered Earth, whips
(as you Agitate The Ayre) to either Magn«s, This, or That.
+ Magnesane. Chem. Obs. [f. Magnks-ia :
see -ane a.] Chloride of magnesium.
1812 Sir H, Davy Ckem. Philos. 353 It is evident that
there exists a combination of magnesium and chlorine;
though this body, which may be called magnesane, has
never been examined in a separate state.
Magnesia (m;egnrpa). Also 4 magnasia, 5
magnetia. [a. med.L. Magnesia, a. Gr. t) Mayvrjaia
\i$os, * the Magnesian stone', a designation of two
different minerals: {i) the loadstone; (2) a stone-
shining like silver, perhaps talc (Liddell & Scott).
It is not clear which of these two senses gave rise to the
alchemical use ; the brilliant lustre ascribed by the alchemists
to ( magnesia ' favours the latter view, and the substance
seems not to have been identified with the loadstone, in spite
of the resemblance of its name to the familiar word Magnes.]
fl. Alchemy. A mineral alleged by some al-
chemists to be one of the ingredients of the philo-
sopher's stone. Obs.
c 1386 Chaucer Can. Ycom. Pro!, <y- T, 902 Take the stoon
that Titanos men name. Which is that quod he. Magnasia
is the same, Seyde Plato. Ibid. 905 What is Magnasia,
good sire, I yow preye. It is a water that is maad, I seye,
Of elementes foure, quod Plato. 1472 Ripley Coutp. Alch.
Pref. in Ashm. (1652) 133 Our Stone ys callyd the lesse
World one and three, Magnesia also of Sulphure and Mer-
cury Proportionate by Nature most perfytly. 1477 Norton
Ord. hick, ih. ibid. 42 Another Stone., you must have
withall . . A Stone glittering with perspective . . The price
of an Ounce Conveniently Is twenty shillings; ..Her name
is Magnetia, lew people her knowe. 1610 15. Jonson Alch.
n. iii, Your marchesite, your tutie, your magnesia.
Jig. 1651 Biggs Nrso Disp. Pref. b 2 b, We catch at onely
painted Butter-flyes, and speculate not the Magnesia or sub-
stantiality of Physicks, but rather its Umbrage; not the
Body, but the Bark, and superficial out side.
f b. Used by Paracelsus for : Amalgam. Obs.
1641 Frkuch Distill, vh (1651) 185 Hang plates of gold
over the fume of Argent vive, and they will become white,
friable, and fluxil as wax. This is called the Magnesia of
gold, as saith Paracelsus.
+ 2. = Manganese 1. Also black magnesia. Obs.
[This use prob. arose from the notion that manganese was
a form of the ' magnesia ' of alchemy. There may, however,
have been some early confusion of manganese with loadstone :
Pliny N. H. xxxvi. Ixvi says that loadstone {magnes lapis)
was used in making glass. In the Latin of early chemistry
the word was applied to various other substances : e.g. mag-
iicsiaopalina\vzsz.xe& sulphide of antimony (?— Kermks 3).]
1677 Plot Oxfordsh. 79 Magnesia (in the Glass-houses,
called Manganese). 1712 tr. Pomct's Hist. Drugs I. 103/2
The last ingredient [sc. of Cristalline Glass] is Manganese,
or Magnesia, so called from its Likeness in Colour, Weight
and Substance to the Load-Stone. 1753 CHAMBERS Cycl.
Supp. s.v. Magnissa, Many have supposed the Magnissa
to be the same with magnesia, that is, manganese, but this
is an error. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) X. 427/1 Black Mag-
nesia. See Manganese,
3. (In early use often f white magnesia = mod.L.
magnesia alba, in contradistinction to black mag-
nesia: see 2.) a. Originally, and still in popular
language, applied to hyd rated magnesium car-
bonate, a white earthy powder, used in medicine
as an antacid and cathartic. Calcined magnesia :
magnesium oxide (pure * magnesia*: see b) pre-
pared by heating the carbonate, b. In modern
Chemistry, an alkaline earth, now recognized as
the oxide of magnesium (MgO).
[This application of the word seems not to be connected
with the use in sense 1, but to have been suggested by the
mod.L. magnes carneus 'flesh-magnet', applied 4:1550 by
Cardan {De Subtililate vn, Opera III. 475) to a white earth
resembling osteocolla, because it was found to adhere
strongly to the lips, and was therefore supposed to have the
same attraction for flesh that the loadstone has for iron.
The mod.L. term magnesia alba seems to have been first
employed by Hoffmann in 1722 {Opera 1740 IV. 479/2).]
'755 J- Black Exper. Magnesia Alba etc. (1893)7, I have
had no opportunity of seeing Hoffman's first magnesia.
Ibid. 8 Those who would prepare a magnesia from Epsom
salt may use the following process. 1794 Sullivan View
Mat. I. 240 It exists in a state of combination, in lime-stone,
common magnesia, alkalis, ike. 1799 Med. yrnl. II. 206
Magnesia has long been a celebrated remedy for these [sto-
machic] complaints.^ i8iz Sir H. Daw Chem. Philos. 48
Hoffman, in the beginning of the 18th century, pointed out
magnesia as a peculiar substance. 1823 Bvron J?mn x.
Ixxiii, These sodas and magnesias Which form that bitter
draught, the human species. 1878 Huxley Physiogr. So
The metal combines with the oxygen of the air to form
oxide of magnesium or magnesia.
C. attrib.
1846 G. E. Day tr. Simon's Anim. Chem. II. 133 The mag-
nesia salts would . . answer this purpose better. 1876 Preece
& SfVEWKIOHT Telegraphy 34 A solution of the magnesia
sulphate (MgSOi. Epsom salts).
Magnesian (msegarji&n), a. [f. Magnesia -t-
-ax,] Of or pertaining to. or containing magnesia.
1794 Sullivan Vino Nat. I. 434 The five simple earths
are, _ the calcareous, the ponderous, the magnesian or
muriatic, the argillaceous, and the siliceous. 1799T/ENNANT
in Phil. Trans. LXXXIX. 309 Magnesian limestone may
be easily distinguished from that which is purely calcareous,
by the slowness of its solution in acids. 1807 T. Thomson
Chem. (ed. 3) II. 476 Magnesia has a very marked affinity
for alumina. ..This affinity was first pointed out by Mr.
Chenevix in his analysis of magnesian stones. 1812 Sir H.
29
Davy Chem. Philos. 33 In 1756 Dr. Black published his
admirable researches on calcareous, magnesian, and alkaline
substances. 1876 Page Adv. Textd>k. Geol. v. 102 Dolo-
mite is a granular or crystalline variety of magnesian lime-
stone. 1882 Rep. to Ho. Repr. Prec. Met. U. S. 622 This
earth has a magnesian or chalky aspect.
b. Magnesian limestone Geol., a name for
the lower division of the New Red Sandstone rocks,
now known as * Permian '.
1836 T, Thomson Outl. Min., Geol, # Min. Anal. II. 142
The magnesian limestone begins at Tynemouth, and extends
. .as far as Nottingham. 1865 Lyell F.lcm. Geol. (ed. 6) 456
For the lower, or Magnesian Limestone division of English
Geologists, Sir R. Murchison proposed, in 1841, the name
of Permian.
t Magne'siated, a. Chem. Obs. [f. Mag-
nesia + -ate 4- -ed L] Combined with magnesia.
1796 Kirwan Eton. Min. (ed. 2) II. 386 After dissolving
the Magnesiated Iron in any acid.
Magnesic (ma^nrsik), a. [f. MagnES-IA and
Magnes-ium + -ic] a. Containing magnesia, b.
In names of salts : Of or pertaining to magnesium.
1877 Kingzktt Alkali Trade 208 This tendency to fuse
on the part of the mixture is due to the magnesic chloride.
1881S.P. TnoMi'SONin Nature XXIV, 465 Magnesic platuio-
cyanidc. 1894 U. S. Tariff "in Times 16 Aug. 6/2 Mag-
nesic fire-brick.
MagnesiferousCmxgiu'si-f'erss),^. [f. mod.L.
magnesi-a : see -FKROUS.] Containing magnesia.
1856 Maynk Expos. Lex.
Magnesioferrite nvvgnrsitffe'rsit;. Min. [f.
magnesio-y taken as combining form of Magnesia +
Fehrite.] Black octahedral crystals of magnesia
and oxide of iron, from Vesuvius.
x868 Dana Min. (ed. 5) 152.
Magnesite (m:c'gn/soit). Min. [f. Mag-
NES-IA + -ITE1.] Carbonate of magnesium, occur-
ring commonly in compact white masses, but occa-
sionally crystalline.
Formerly applied also to the hydrous silicate of magnesium
{sepiolite or meerschaum).
_ 1815 W. Phillips Outl. Min. -y Geol. (1S1S) 27 Magnesia
is combined with the carbonic acid in the magnesite. 1862
Dana Elem. Geol. 63. 1877 King/kit Alkali 'Trade 207
Neutralising the acid liquor . . with Greek stone or very
nearly pure magnesite icarbonate of magnesium).
Magnesium (mregnrsiimi, 'iyvm). Chem. [f.
Magnesia, on the type of other names of metals
in -um, -ITJM.]
fl. = Manganese. Obs.
1808 Sir H. Davy in Phil. Trans. XCVIII. 346, I shall
venture to denominate the metals from the alkaline earths
barium, strontium, calcium, and magnium : the last of these
words is undoubtedly objectionable, but magnesium \foot-
?iote refers to Bergman Opusc. II. 200] has been already
applied to metallic manganese.
2. A chemical element, one of the ' metals of the
alkaline earths ', being the base of magnesia.
Though one of the most widely diffused of elements it is
found in nature only in composition, and was discovered by
Sir H. Davy in 1807 and first successfully separated by
Bussy in 1830, as a light silvery metal, ductile and malleable,
which is stable in dry air but tarnishes when exposed to
moisture, and burns with a blinding white light when held
in a flame. Symbol Mg.
i8iz Sir H. Davy Chem. Philos. 352 That magnesia con-
sists of magnesium and oxygene, is proved both by analysis
and synthesis. 1841 Brande Man. Chem. (ed. 5) 705. 1880
Nature XXI. 289 On the dichroitic fluorescence of magne-
sium-platinum-cyanide. 1881 Lockyf.r in Nature N\?. 617.
394 The spectra are as distinct as the spectrum of magnesium.
3. attrib.'. magnesium lamp, a lampconstructed
to burn magnesium ; magnesium light, a brilliant
light produced by the combustion of magnesium ;
magnesium ribbon, thread, wire, a thin strip
or wire of magnesium prepared for burning.
i860 Photogr. News 8 June 70/2 A rival.. to the strong
lights hitherto used is like to spring up in Bunsen's •mag-
nesium-lamp. 1871 M. Collins Mrq. fy Merch. I. vi. 204
A magnesium lamp stood on the table, i860 Photogr. Neivs
8 June 70/2 The excellence of the ^magnesium-light. 1871
Kingsley At Last vi, My host, .. by the help of the mag-
nesium light, had penetrated further into the cave. 1890
Anthony's Photogr. Bull. III. 126 ^Magnesium ribbon.
i860 Photogr. News 8 June 70/2 Notwithstanding the high
price of the *magnesium thread. 1864 Proc. Amcr. Phil.
Soc. IX. 458 ^Magnesium wire. 1878 H. S. Wilson Alp.
Ascents iii. 94 The intense flame of the magnesium wire.
Magnet ^margnet). Also 5-7 magnete, 6
mangnet. [a. OF. magnete (also manette), or di-
rectly ad. L. magnela, accus. of magnes : see
Magnes.
The word has been superseded In mod. F. by aimaut,\mt
is current in the other Rom. and Teut. langs. : It., Sp., Pg.
magnete, Ger., Da., Sw. magnet, Du. wagucel.]
1. Min, ^ Loadstone ; a variety of magnetite
(proto-sesquioxide of iron) characterized by its
power of attracting iron and steel, and by certain
other associated properties (see 2).
( 1440 Promp. Parv. 325/1 Magnete, precyowse stone,
magnes. 1447 Bokenham Scyntys (Roxb. J 14 liym thowte
that nevere in so lytyl space He had more seyn, wych his
herte drow As the magnet doth iryn. 1555 Eden Decodes
322 The Ilande of Magnete that is the Hand of the lode
stone which is vnder or near abowte the northe pole. 1601
Holland Pliny II. 515 Dinocrates began to make the
arched roufe of the temple of Arsinoe all of Magnet or this
Loadstone, a 1674 Milton Hist. Mosc. iii. Wks. 1851
VIII. 487 In midst of this white City stands a Castle built
of Magnet. 1728 Pembebton Nwton** Philos. 13 That
MAGNETIC.
any stone should have so amazing a property, as we find in
the magnet [etc.]. c i860 Faraday Torres Nat. v. 130 There
are some curious bodies in nature . . which are called mag-
nets or loadstones - ores of iron. 1861 C. W. King Ant.
Gems (1866) 60 On Magnet, a black compact and hard iron-
ore, I have seen rude iutagli of the Lower Empire.
2. A piece of loadstone ; also, a piece of-iron or
steel to which the characteristic properties of load-
stone have been imparted, either permanently or
temporarily, by contact with another magnet, by
induction, or by means of an electric current. A
magnet has an axis, at the extremities of which
(the * poles') the attractive power is greatest, and
at the middle of which it becomes nil. \Vhen
suspended freely, a magnet assumes such a position
that one of its poles (hence called the north pole)
points approximately north, and the other (the
south pole) approximately south ; the like poles
of two magnets repel each other, while the unlike
poles attract each other.
Bar magnet, a polarized rod of iron, now much used in
the construction of electromagnetic apparatus. Horse-shoe
magnet, a magnet made of stud in the form of a hor>e-shoe.
Natural magnet '. one consisting of loadstone ; opposed to
artificial magnet. Sec also Electro-magnet.
1625 N. Carpentek Geog. Del. 1. iii. (1635) 57 Let there
bee cut out of a rockeof Load-stone, a Magnet of reasonable
quantity. 1727 Dk Foe Syst. Magic 1. ii. (1840* 58-9 What
would have been said, to see him make a piece of iron dance
round a table, while the agent held the Magnet underneath.
1777 Pkilstlev Matt, .y Spir. 11782; I. xiii. 151 We are not
..able to conceive how it is that a magnet attracts iron.
1832 Nat. Philos. II. Magnetism v. 53 (U. K. S.) These
horse-shoe magnets .. may be rendered magnetic by the
same process as a straight bar. 1839 (1. Bird Nat. Philos,
146 Each portion will become a perfect magnet, each of the
fractured ends exhibiting a polar state, as perfect as the
entire magnet. 1894 Bottone Electr. Instr. Making (ed. 6)
156 A bar-magnet, around one pole of which is coiled about
a hundred feet of.. copper wire. Ibid. 231 It is easilyseen,
that if (as in bell magnets, horseshoe magnets) the winding
is not carried on [etc.].
b. In extended sense : A body possessing the
properties characteristic of a magnet.
1797 Encycl. Brit. fed. 3) X. 435/2 [Cavallo's hypothesis]
is, that the earth itself is a magnet.
3. Jig. Something which attracts.
1655 H. Vaughan Si lex Sciut., Starre vi, These are the
Magnets which so strongly move And work all night upon
thy light and love. 1687 Drvden Hind $ P. in. 368 Two
magnets, heaven and earth, allure to bliss, The larger load-
stone that, the nearer this. 1691-8 Norris Tract. Disc.
(1711) III. 12 God is the true great Magnet of our souls.
1777 Miss Blrney Evelina xxi, They know the attraction
of" the magnet that draws me. 1800 Mrs. Hekvey Mourtray
Earn. II.64 1 he lovely Emma was the magnet that attracted
them both. 1821 Joanna Baillie Metr. Leg., Columbus i,
The magnet of a thousand eyes. 1868 Lynch Rivulet cxi.i.
iii, Let love your magnet be To draw him back to you.
4. attrib. and Comb., as magnet-like adj. ; mag-
net-wise adv.; magnet core, the rod or bar of soit
magnetized iron placed in the middle of an electro-
magnet ; magnet-cylinder, a metal cylinder, con-
taining magnets, used for generating electricity;
magnet helix, a coil of wire such as surrounds
the core of an electro-magnet ; magnet house,
a house in which magnetic apparatus is kept.
1894 Bottone Elect. Instr. Making (ed. 6) 231 This is true
whatever be the form of the *magnet core. 1866 H. Wilde
in Phil. Trails. CLVII. 91 A compound hollow cylinder
of brass and iron, hereafter called the ^magnet-cylinder.
1879 Prescott Sp. Telephone 23 Whenever one part of a
circuit is brought in proximity to another, as is the case in
' magnet helices. 1900 Daily News 3 July 5/2 The *magnet
house of the Observatory. 1821 Shellhy Prometh. Hub.
iv. 466 Borne beside thee by a power Like the polar Para-
dise, *Magnet-Iike of lovers' eyes. 1849 Mozlky ^"^.(1878)
II. 201 The obliquity of this visible system is .. the one
theme, which is ever drawing them ymagnet-wise.
t Magnetarian, a. Obs.rare-K [f. Mag.
NET + -A1UAN".] Conversant with the magnet.
1654 Charleton Physiol. Epic.-Gass.-Charltoniana 388
The Speculations and Observations of our Modern Magnet-
arian Authors, Gilbert, Cabeus, Kircher, &c.
Magnetarium(ma3gnete9'ri#m). [quasi-Latin,
f. Magnet + -AKIUM.] An instrument for the illus-
tration of the phenomena of the earth's magnetism.
1894 H. WildkItx Proc. Roy. Soc. LV. 210 By means of some
electro-mechanism, new to experimental science, which fin
a paper read in June 1890] I termed a magnetarium, the
period of backward rotation [etc.]. 190a Encycl. Brit.
XXX. 463/1 Wilde had succeeded in reproducing some of
the most conspicuous features of the earth's magnetization
by a contrivance called a magnetarium.
II Magnates. Obs. [L., a. Gr. txayvriTijs ^
fiayv^s Magnet.] ^Magnet.
c 1581 Lodge Rept. Gossou's Sch. Abuse iShaks. Soc. 1S53)
21 As the magnetes draweth iornc.so Musik [etc.].
Magnetic (mxgne'tik), a. and stu [ad. mod. I,.
magnelic-us (F. magne'tique, Sp. magne'tico, It.
magnetico), f. magnet- : see Magnet and -ic]
A. adj.
1. Having the properties of a magnet ; pertain-
ing to a magnet or to magnetism ; producing,
caused by, or operating by means of, magnetism.
Frequently forming phraseological combs, with sbs., as in
magnetic amplitude, azimuth, compass, core, declination,
dip, equator, field, Jluid, meridian, needle, north, polet
Potential, separator, storm, telegraph, zenith ; see the sbs.
MAGNETICAL.
30
MAGNETIZABILITY.
1634 Habington Castara I, (Arb.t 23 Why doth the
Hirawnw iron prove So gentle to th' magnetique stone?
1635 (Jcakles Smti, 1. xiii. 11718* 53 Like as the am'rous
needle joys to bend To her magnetick friend. 1647 H. Moke
Phitos. Poems 385 Let the arrow K keep in 1IC the same
line of the air or earthly magnetick spirit. 1656 Blount
Glossogr., M^agnetlck, belonging to the Lodestone. 1796
H. Hunter tr. Sl.-Picrre's Stum. Nat. (17991 I. 64 Metals,
which have magnetic powers, most of which are still un-
known to us. 1796 KhtWAM Eicm. Min. II. 158 Common
Magnetic Iron Ore. Ibid. 161 Magnetic Sand. 1851
Carpenter Man. Pays, (ed. 2) 12 note, When iron rail-,
pokers, &C. become magnetic by the influence of the earth.
1884 A. Danibll Priuc. Physics xv'i. 609 When an iron
or cobalt bar is magnetised it. .emits a slight sound— a
'magnetic tick '.
f b. Formerly applied to a healing plaster of
which ' magnet ' or loadstone formed an ingredient,
and which was regarded as possessing occult
attractive power similar to that of the magnet. Obs.
1658 A. Fox WartS Surg. 11. x. 86 Then u it requi-
site, that you have a good Medicine, which penetrate with
its vxrtue, and that is the Magnetick plaister. 1658 tr.
Bergenias Satyr. Char. xii. 47, I teach them to find.. the
magnetique plaster. 1671 Salmon* Syn. Med. III. lxxvii. 67-,
Apply the magnetick Emplaster. .till it [the wound] is suffi-
ciently cleansed.
+ c. Said with reference to other attractive forces
formerly confused with magnetism. Obs.
1667 Milton P. L. in. 583 They [the Constellations]
towards his all-chearing I ..amp Turn swift their various
motions, or are turnd By his Magnetic beam.
2. Jig. Having powers of attraction; very attrac-
tive or seductive. Now often with some mixture
of sense 4.
1632 B. JotfsON {title) The Magnetick Lady. 1638 SikT.
Herbert Traz/.(ed. 2> 55 Turk, Jew, and others, drawne
thither by the magnetick power of gaine. 1658 Row-
land Topselfs Four-/. Beasts Pref, There is such a mag-
netick force in Goodness, that it draws the hearts of
men after it. 1778 Miss Burnev Evelina xxiii, The mag-
netic power of beauty. 1845 M. Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 9
That magnetic influence which irresistibly draws our feet to
spots on which our imagination has long fed. 1880 Spectator
3 Nov. 1437 The Americans have invented, and English-
men are slowly adopting into their political vocabulary, a
new word, intended to account for the otherwise unaccount-
able popularity of some politicians. They say they are
'magnetic*. 1888 BrycB Awer, Commw. II. m.Ixxiv. 612
If he can join to them a ready and winning address, a
geniality of manner if not of heart, he becomes what is
called magnetic. 1901 Scotsman 7 Oct. 2/7, I found him
one of the most magnetic and companionable of men.
b. Const. tot f of.
1667 Wateruolse Fire Loud. 107 Whose appositeness
for lrade, was Magnetique of all Nations and Merchan-
dises to it. 1864 Tennyson Ay-liner's /•'. 626 His face
magnetic to the hand from which Livid he pluck'd it forth.
3. Applied to those bodies, as iron, nickel, cobalt,
which are capable of receiving the properties of
the loadstone, or of being attracted by it; also,
- Paramagnetic.
1837 Prewster Magnet. 9 He [Gilbert ci6oo\ applies the
term magnetic to all bodies which are acted upon by load-
stones and magnets. 1843 Pokti.ock Geol. 225 Magnetic
pyrites occurs in considerable quantity in a greenstone dike.
1846 (see DlAMAGMETic a.]. 1871 Roscoe Elan. Chem.
239 Ferrous oxide and the ferrous salts are magnetic.
4. Pertaining to animal magnetism ; mesmeric.
1800 Med. Jrul. IV. 130 The magnetic influence of
Mesmer. 1834 Penny Cycl. II. 33/1 The mode of bringing
the magnetised under the influence of the magnetic fluid
was peculiar. 1838 Dickens Nick. Nick, vii, As if he had
been in a magnetic slumber. 1855 Smedley Occult Set. 222
The magnetic awakening in the body.
B. sf>.
fl. *= Magnet, lit. andyT^. Obs.
1654 H. L'Ksirangk Chat. I (1655) 60 They [alliances
between princes] are not souldered by any magnetique of
Love. 1658 J. Webb Clcofiatra vin. 11. 20 Retiring her
eyes from a magnetick which even forceably attracted them.
1671 Milton* P. A\ n. 168 Such object hath the power to.,
lead At will the manliest, resolutest brest, As the Mag-
netic hardest Iron draws,
2. a. 'Any metal, as iron, steel, nickel, cobalt,
&c, which may receive the properties of the load-
stone' (Webster 1847-54 citing Dana), b. A
paramagnetic body {Cent. Diet. 1S90).
3. Magnetics : the science of magnetism.
1786 Cavallo in Pkil. Trans. LXXVII. 11 It is a pro-
position well established in magnetics, that soft iron, or soft
steel, acquires magnetism very easily. 1881 Maxwell
Flectr. ry Magn. I. 12 lu electrostatics and magnetics.
Magnetical (micgnctikal), a. Now rare.
[f. mod.L. magnctic-us (see prcc.) + -AL.1
1. -Magnetic a. 1.
1581 Borough (title"' A Discours of the Variation of the
Cumpas, or Magneticall Needle. 1581 — Vise. Far. Com-
pass i. B j, The magneticall meridian. 1625 N. Cak-
i'KNter Geogr. Del. I. iii. (1635) 46 A Magneticall Body
by some is defined to bee that which seated in the Aire
doth place it selfe in one place natural!, not alterable.
,633*' ■ James Voy. Qij b, The Magneticall Azimuths. 1606
Whiston Th. Earth If. (1722) 109 Dr. IIalley..has dis-
co^r'dat least two Magnetical Poles. X773 Bkydone
Sicily xi. (1776) I. 231 The needle . . entirely lo^t its mag-
netical power, standing indiscriminately at every point
of the compass. 1794 G. Adams Hat. <y Exp. Phitos. IV.
1. 382 You will find the iron appear more magnetical than
the steel. 1797 t-lncycl. Brit. (ed. 3) X. 435/2 The variation
of the compass first showed, .that the earth had two mag-
netical poles by which the needle is influenced. 1876
Davis Polaris Exp. App. 639 The Coast Survey, .has con-
tributed astronomical and magnetical instruments.
fb. = Magnetic i c. Also const, of. Obs.
1626 Bacon Sylva § 75 There is an Opinion, that the
Moone is Magneticall of Heat, as the Sun is of Cold, and
Moisture. 1642 H. More Song 0/ Soul 11. i. 11. xxvi,
All these be substances self-moveable : And that we call
virtue magneticall. . I comprehend it in the life plantall.
1671 Grew Anat. Plants 1. iii. § 21 It will in its own mag-
netical tendency to ascend, reduce the Cortical Body to
a compliance with it. 1686 Goad Cclest. Bodies n. i. 124
For who, almost, grants not. .that the Planets are Mag-
netical Uodys touched by the Sun,.. and thereupon move
faster when in $ with him, direct.
fc. Of a writer: That treats of magnetism. Obs.
1676 Boyi.k Mech. Grig. divers QuaL, Magnetism 20 But
Magnetism is so fertile a Subject, that if I had now the
leisure and con veniency to range among Magnetical Writers,
I should scarce doubt of finding [etc.].
^d. In the 17th c. often applied to remedies for
which a magical or occult virtue was claimed.
1638 Burton Anat. Mel. 11. i. 1. i. (ed. 3) 209 Whether by
these diabolical meanes..this disease and the like may be
cured ? and if they may whether it bee lawful! to make v.se
of them, those magneticall cures? 1632 Ibid. ii. iv. (ed. 4)
281 Balsomes, strange extracts, elixars, and such like
magico-magneticall cures* 1621 Ibid. in. ii. v. iv. 651 Cardan
. .reckons up many magneticall remedies. 1630 Hauls Gold.
Ran. 1. (1673) 289 He tells of a great Person, who usually
works such Magnetical Cures of that disease. 1663 Boyle
I fsef. Exp. Nat. Phitos. 11. v. 226 Eminent physicians
have both made use of and commended magnetical remedies.
1722 QuiNCY Lex. Physiio-Mcd. (ed. 2', Magnetism, and
Magnetical Virtues, are much used by some who find their
Account more in Amusement than useful Knowledge : and
some affect to explain or recommend by such Terms, those
Remedies, for the Application and Operation of which, they
have no better Reasons at hand.
2. fig. =MAGNKTIC a. 2.
a 1649 DRUMM. of Hawth. Hist. Jas. V, Wks. (1711) 96
That the king had a magnetical affection towards him.
1675 Trahernb Chr. Ethics 468 Modesty .. prefeneth
another above it self, and in that its magnetical and obliging
quality much consisteth. a 1792 Horne Wks. (1818) III.
iii. 34 The virtue of his death, and the consequent 'power of
his resurrection ' . . compose a divine magnetical influence.
3. Pertaining to animal magnetism.
1794 Godwin Cat. Williams 112 There was a magnetical
sympathy between me and my master. 1797 Encycl. Brit.
(ed. 3) X. 449/2 The room where the patients underwent
the magnetical operations. 1802 Acrrbi Trav. I. 273 The
proficiency of the Baron in the magnetical science has not
met with very great success.
fB. sb. fl. Magnetic properties. Obs. rare.
1646 Sir T. Browne /'scud. Ep. 11. iii. 71 Menthat ascribe
thus much unto rocks of the north, must presume or dis-
cover the like niagneticals in the south.
Magnetically (maegneuikali), adv. [f. prec.
+ -LY-.] In a magnetic manner; by means or in
respect of magnetism.
1621 Burton Anat. Mel. 1. ii. in. ii. 126 Many greene
wounds magnetically cured. 1682 Sir T. Browne Chr. Mor.
1. § 9 Stand magnetically upon that Axis, when prudent sim-
plicity hath fixt there, c 1790 Lmison Sch. Art 11. 166
The operator ought not to stop longer on the first bar than
is necessary to open the pores, and to arrange them mag-
netically. 1873 Maxwell Electr. <$• Magn. II. 45 Iron
which is magnetically hard is.. more apt to break. 1878
C. Stanford Symb. Christ ii. 44 On a sudden they became
magnetically conscious of supernatural presence.
t Magneticalness. Obs. rare-1, [nkss.]
Magnetic quality or condition.
1757 Birch Hist. R. Soc. IV. 253 It related not to the
instances of the magneticalness of lightning.
Magnetician ^msegnetrjan). [f. Magnetic
+ -ian.] One skilled in magnetism; a magnetist.
18.. Mi/rchison (.Wore).
t Magneticness. Obs. rare-1, [f. Mag-
netic <z + -NEss.] - Magneticalness,
1663 Water house Comm. Fortescue 187 They fortified
themselves against all iucursionsj.. which the Magnetique*
nessof their external success. .might.. occasion them.
Magnetico- (msegne'tit?), used {rarely) as
combining f. Magnetic to denote 'magnetic and . .\
1816 Bentham Chrestomathia Wks. 1843 VIII. 145 There
are— 1. The Magnetic or Magnetico-spastic. 2. The Elec-
tric or Electrico-spastic fete.].
Magneti'ferous, a. [£ Magnet + -ifehols.]
Producing or conducting magnetism.
1832 Webster (citing Journal oj Science). In mod. Diets.
1 Magiie'tify, v. Obs. [f. Magnet + -ify.]
trans, m Magnetize. Hence Magnotified///. a.
1650 Chaki. i-ton Paradoxes Ptol. 2 Like the Aguish mag-
netificd Needle, reels to and fro. 1797 Emycl. Brit. (ed. 3)
X. 450/1 Several persons in a higher sphere of life were
magnetitied and felt nothing. Ibid. XVI II. 621/1 The south
pole of a small niagnetified needle.
t Magnetimeter. Obs. [f. Magnet +
-meteh, after calorimeter.'] — Magnktometkk.
1821 W. Scoresbv Jun. in Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinh. (1823)
IX. 243 Description of a Ma-netiineter, being a New In-
strument for Measuring Magnetic Attractions, and Finding
the I >ip of the Needle.
Magnetiue (mtCgneAia). [f. Magnet + -ine.]
tl. A hypothetical imponderable substance re-
garded as the principle of magnelisip. Obs. rare~l.
* 1848 Land. Jml. Arts, etc XXXII. 6/[where aUo other
related terms (magnelide etc.) are proposed].
2. A mixture of some magnetized material and
cement, used in making magnetic belts, etc.
1890 in Century Diet.
Iaaguctipolar (matgattipArUx), a. [£ Mag-
net + I'oeak a.~\ Having the property of magnetic
polarity. l89° IB Cc/itnry Diet.
f Magnetish, a. obs. [f. Magnet t -SBlr.]
-^Magnetic.
1683 I'ettls Fleta Minor 1. 317 Some of these Iron-stones
are Magnetish, and draw the Iron apparently, which pro-
ceeds from their hidden heat.
Magnetism (margnutizW. [ad. mod.L.
magnet ismusiy ' .magnet is me , 1724 in IlaU.-Darm.),
f. magnet- : see Magnet and -ism.]
1. The characteristic properties of the magnet ;
magnetic phenomena and their laws. Also, the
natural agency or principle concerned in the pro-
duction of magnetic phenomena ; formerly often
supposed to be an * imponderable fluid \ but now
regarded as a modification of energy.
Terrestrial magnetism : the magnetic properties of the
earth, considered as a whole.
1616 W. IJaklowk Magn. Aduert. Ep. Ded. A 2, What I
had built vpon his foundation of the Magnetisme of the
earth. 1664 Powkk Exp. Phitos. 111. 160 You shall thereby
give it a most powerful Magnetisme, so that it will then
as actively move the Needle . . as the Loadstone it-self.
1775 Harris Phitos. Arraugtm. Wks. (1841) 376 Are we to
speak of those other motive powers, the powers of magnetism
and electricity? 1816 J. Smith Panorama ScL <V Art II.
164 A peculiar species of attraction, exerted by bodies called
magnets or loadstones, receives the appellation of magnetism.
1837 Whkwkll Hist. Induct. Sci. (1857) III. 38 The sub-
ject of terrestrial magnetism forms a very important addition
to the general facts. 1839 Penny Cycl. XIV. 2B8/1 The
mutual relations of the two magnetisms [Austral and
Iloreal], and those of positive and negative electricity.
t 1865 J. Wvi.de in Circ. Sci. I. 249/2 The magnetic effect
remains for some time; and this is called residuary mag-
netism. 1871 Tvndall Fragm. Sci. (1879) II. xvi. 423
A blue flame, which being usually bent by the earth's mag-
netism, received the name of the Voltaic Arc
fb. In the 17th c. often confused with various
phenomena of attraction not now recognized as
immediately related to it. Obs.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 11. iii. (1658) 85 Many
other Magnetisms may be pretended, and the like attrac-
tions through all the creatures of Nature. 1671 Gkew
Anat. Plants t. ii. § 25 The two Contrary Tendencies
of the Lignous and Cortical Bodies . . (being most probably
external, and a kind of Magnetisme).
c. Jig. Attractive power or influence, esp. per-
sonal charm or ascendancy. Sometimes with allu-
sion to sense 3.
1655 H. Valghan Silex Sciut. 11. Cock-crowing i, Their
magnetisme works all night And dreams of Paradise and
light. 166a Glanvill Lux Orient, xiv. 13 The bodies they
have contracted, .may by a kind of fatal magnetisme be
chained down to their proper element. 1671 Makvell Co rr.
Wks. 1872-5 II. 393 The magnetism of two souls, rightly
touched, works beyond all natural limits. 1691 Nokkis
Pract. Disc. 172 Nothing is more common than to see Men
of singular Strictness .. who yet .. stoop and yield to the
Magnetism of this dirty Planet, a 1711 Ken Preparatives
Poet. Wks. 1721 IV. 64 The Magnetism of Heav'nly Love,
Draws some to God above. 1753 Richardson Grandison
(1781) III. ix. 67 There is a kind of magnetism in goodness.
i8sg Kinc.si.ey Misc. I. 28 He could draw round him. .by
the spiritual magnetism of his genius, many a noble soul.
1888 Ukvce Amur, Commw. II. 111. Ixxiv. 612 Now, mag-
netism is among the highest qualities which an American
popular leader can possess.
2. The science which is concerned with magnetic
phenomena.
1828-31 in Wi-.uster. 1885 S. P. Thompson {title) Lessons
in Electricity and Magnetism.
3. Short for animal magnetism (see Animal
C. i)«Mesmkhi.sm.
( 1784. etc. ; see Animal C. 1.] 1785 Mcsmcr's Aphorisms
M It cannot be determined how long a tree may preserve
the magnetism. 1797 Etuycl. Brit. (ed. 3) X. 450 1 The
principal application of magnetism., was by pressure of the
hands. .011 the hypochondria. 1855 Smi-.pi.ev QtemM Sci.
224 Magnetism by the eye is indeed often more powerful
than by the hands.
Magnetist (margnetist). [f. Mag.\kt + -ist.]
1. One skilled in the science of magnetism.
1761 T. II. Ckokek Syst. Magn. 7 A noted Magnetist's
Pretence of making steadier compasses, 1859 Uache
Discuss, Magn. <$• Meteorol. Observ. 1. 14 The same dis-
tinguished magnetist.
2. One who practises 'animal magnetism1 ; a mes-
merist. Also animal magnetist (see Animal C. i).
1802-12 BnCTHAM Ration. Judic. Evtd. (1827) V. 189 The
operations .. of the magnetist .. in the expulsion of non-
existetlt diseases. 1807 South i-;v Espriella"s Lett. 1 1. 397
The animal magnetists kept up this unnatural state of
attention long enough., to produce .. insensibility. 1846
niacin: Mag. LX. 235 The magnetist. .made the usual
passes along "the arm. 1855 Smwdley Occult Set. 234 The
will, after all, is the real power exercised by the magnetist.
Magnetite (mivgnitait). Min. [ad. G. mag-
nctit ^Ilaidingcr 1845) : see M.u;nkt and -IT*.]
rroto-sesfjuioxide of iron, which is readily attracted
by the magnet ; magnetic oxide of iron.
1851 1). Wilson Preh. Ann. (1863) II. 10 The most
important iron ore wrought in Norway and Sweden is
Magnetite. 1879 Kutley Stud. Rocks x. 153 Magnetite is
frequently titaniferous.
Magnetizability (lmegmuizabiliti). [f.
next : see -m\] Capacity of being magnetized.
1880 Nature XXIII. 210 The magnetisability of iron at
very high temperatures. x88i Maxweu. Electr. $ Magn.
II. 412 Not exactly proportional to its diamagnetic or ferro-
magnetic magnetizability.
MAGNETIZABLE.
31
MAGNETOGRAPH.
Magnetizable (mce'gnetoizabV, a. [f. Mag-
netize + -able.] Capable of being magnetized.
1797 EncycL Brit. (ed. 3) XVIII. 623/2 These intervening
masses of magneiisable iron-ore. 1837 B-REW8 tbh Magnet.
92 The continuous parts of a magnetizable body. 1881 Times
11 Apr. 4 Diamagnetism, which gave indications that
' space '. .is magnetizable.
Magnetization (maeigniteiz^i'Jan). [f. Mag-
netize+-ation.] The action of magnetizing or
the condition of being magnetized.
1801 EncycL Brit. Suppl. II. 133/2 The striking it with a
key will.. make the process of magnetization very quick.
1832 AW. Philos. II. Electro-Magnet, x. 56 (U. K. S.J We
shall call the action which produces an arrangement of poles
similar to that resulting from a voltaic current, positive
magnetization. 1845 Todd & Bowman Phys. Anat. I. 239
Further tests of the presence of galvanic action are found
in the magnetization of a steel needle placed within a coil.
1849 S. R. Maiti.and Illnstr. Mesmerism 74 M. Sweden-
horg being present, she begged him to increase the efficacy
of the water, by joining in the magnetisation. 1868 Athe-
nxuin 14 Mar. 390/2 Dr. Tyndall repeated Faraday's mar-
vellous experiment — the magnetization of tight, 1871
Tyndall Eragm. Set. (1S79) 1. xiii. 373 Previous to mag-
netization, a dipping needle .. stands accurately level.
Magnetize (macgnetaiz), v. [f. Magnet +
-IZE.]
1. trans. To charge or supply with magnetic
properties.
1801 EncycL Brit. Suppl. II. 133/2 The most simple method
of magnetising a steel bar. 1831 BkrwSTBK Optics x. 92
The violet rays.. had the power of magnetising small steel
needles. 1894 Botton'e Electr. tnstr. Making (ed. 6) 215
If, therefore, we wind our field magnets with al>out 6 lbs.
No. 20= i2'5 ohms, we shall get a sufficient number of turns
on to magnetise them efficiently.
2. intr. To become magnetic. In mod. Diets.
3. trans. To attract as a magnet does. Chiefly
fig- (with mixture of sense 4), to subdue or win by
personal charm.
1836 Edin. Rev. LX1I. 310 The noblest associations, thus
insensibly introduced into the mind, magnetize it anew.
1842 Tennyson Talking Oak 255, I kiss it twice, 1 kiss
it thrice, The warmth it thence shall win To riper life
may magneiise The baby-oak within. 1847 Disraeli i'an-
crcd iv. Hi, You will magnetise the Queen as yon have
magnetised me. 1876 Mozlkv Uuiv. Semi, vi. 141 External
Nature is.. an enchantress who magnetises the human spirit.
4. To influence by ' animal magnetism ' ; to mes-
merize. Also _/?£-.
1785 Mesmer's Aphorisms n The operation must be re-
peated, till you have magnetized every side of the plant.
1797 EncycL Brit. (ed. 3) X. 450/1 Seven of Deslon's patients
were magnetised at Dr. Franklin's bouse. 1849 S. R. Mait-
LAXnflli/str. Mesmerism 74 M. Rcnard. .had requested that
Adele the clairvoyante might, while in her sleep, magnetise
a little bottle of water for him. 1864 LowSLL Fireside Trav,
189 You must magnetize him many times to get him en
rapport with a jest.
Hence Ma-gnetized ppl. a. (also absol.) ; Mag-
netizing vbl. sl>. and ppl. a.
1787 Mmr. D'Arblay Diary 19 June, He whispered . .that
..he intended to introduce magnetizing. 1797 EncycL Brit.
(ed. 3) X. 450/1 A magnetised tree was said to produce con-
vulsions. 1830 Herschel Stud. Nat. Phil. 57 Masks of
magnetized steel wire are .. adapted to the faces of the
workmen. 1834 Penny Cycl. II. 33/1 The mode of bringing
the magnetised under the influence of the magnetic fluid was
peculiar. 1843 Rep. Brit. Assoc. 27 The magnetizing action
of transitory electric currents. 1877 Academy 3 Nov. 42S/1
In an article on the magnetising of animals, Herr Prayer
investigates the physiological effects [etc.]. 1880 J. E. H.
Gordon Electr. $ Magn. I. 147 The magnetized bar.
Magnetizer (mse-gnetaizaj). [f. Magnetize
+ -er t,] *
1. One who magnetizes ; in quots. one who prac-
tises ' animal magnetism ', a mesmerist.
1802 Acerbi Trav. I. 270, I saw my fellow traveller. .fall
into a profound sleep by the mere motion of the magnetiser's
fingers. 1834 P amy CycL II. 32/2 Hundreds were ready
to attest the wonderful cures wrought upon their own per-
sons by the great magnetizer [Mesmer]. 1867 Carlylf.
Remin. (18S1) II. 269 Two magnetisers, first a man, then a
quack woman. 1886 Pall Mall G. 7 July 3/2 The Italian
magnetizer Donato.
2. That which imparts magnetism. In mod. Diets.
Magneto (mcegnrt<?), sb. Used colloq. as an
abbreviation for magneto-electric machine.
1882 Daily Neivs 27 Jan. 2/1 Various curious forms of
early telegraphs are shown, . . for instance . . Highton's gold-
leaf and horseshoe needle, Henley's magnetof and others.
1893 Frkecf. & Stubbs Man. Telephony 129 For such a pur-
pose commutated magnetos are made.
Magneto- (mxgnX'to), formally repr. the com-
bining form of Gr. ndyvtjT-, fidyvjjs Magnet, first
occurring in quasi-Greek derivatives like Magneto-
meter, and now used without restriction to form
combinations (chiefly written with hyphen) denot-
ing processes carried on by magnetic means, or
the application of magnetism to particular depart-
ments of art or industry, as in magnet o-electro-
telluric, -inductive, -optic, -optical adjs. ; magneto-
generator, -induction, -rotation. Also in the fol-
lowing: magneto-bell, magueto-call-bell, an
electric bell in which the armature of the electro-
magnet is polarized; magneto-dynamo (see
quot.>; magneto-instrument {Cent. Diet. 1890),
-machine, a magneto-electric machine ; magneto-
optics, that branch of physics which deals with
the phenomena of the magnetization of light ;
magneto-phonograph, a sound-recording and
producing instrument worked by means of mag-
netic electricity ; magneto-pointer in mod.
Diets.), the index of a magneto-electric dial tele-
graph ; magneto-printer (in mod. Diets.), a re-
cording telegraph worked by magneto-electricity ;
magneto-telegraph (in mod. Diets.), a telegraph
worked by magneto-electricity; magneto-tele-
phone, a magneto-electric sound transmitter ;
magneto-therapy, the treatment of disease by
the external application of metal plates inducing
magnetic electricity {Syd. Soc. Lex. 1889) ; mag-
neto-transmitter (in mod. Diets.), a magneto-elec-
tric machine for the transmission of [a) electric force,
\b) sound.
1889 Prekcf. & Maif.r Telephone Index, Magneto Bell.
1884 Knight Diet. Mech. Suppl., ^Magneto Call-bell, the
sounder of a telephone circuit. 1884 S. P. Thompson
Dynamo- Electr. Machinery 199 In *magneto-dynamos, in
which the field is i\ue to permanent magnets of steel.
1846 J. Jovcf. Set, Dial. vi. 423 The machine in tins case
has been termed the *magneto-electro-telluric machine.
1893 Prebce & Stubbs Man. Telephony 125 The Ericsson-
Hell Company's 'magneto generators. 1892 S. P. Thompson
Magneto- Electr. Machinery 8 Within a few months ma-
chines on the principle of *magneto-induction had been
devised by Dal I.egro and by Pixii. 1879 G. Prkscott Sp.
Telephone 259 The 'magneto-inductive waves were super-
posed, c 1865 (i. Gore in Circ.Sci. I. 229/1 The ^magneto-
machine being in some cases employed. 1891 S. P. Thompson
tr. Guiltemins Aiagn. £ Electr. 415 Gramme's magneto-
machine. 1881 - - Etetu. Electr. .5- Magnet. § 387. 350
Wlagneto-optic Rotation of the Plane of Polarisation of a
Ray of Light. 1848 Faraday in Phil. Trans. CXXXIX. 35
Pliicker's *magneto-optical results. 1850 Tyndall in Rep.
Brit. Assoc, Sections (1851) 23 On the Magneto-Optical
Properties of Crystals. 1902 J. j. Thomson in EncycL Brit.
XXX. 464*Magneto-Optics, 1902 Harper s Mag. Feb. 49G
It has been variously designated as the ' telegraphone ',
the ' microphonograph ' anil the ' ^magneto-phonograph ' in
Europe. iWgSyd.Soc. Lex.,* Magneto-rotation. 1883S. P.
Thompson P. Keisg In 1877, when the * Magneto- Telephones
of Graham Hell began to make their way into Europe.
Magneto-crystallic (niLvgiwt^kristx'-lik),^.
[f. Magneto- + Cbystalxig] Of or relating to
the magnetic properties possessed by crystals.
1848 Faraday in Phil. Trans. CXXXIX. 30 In that case
the word magnetocrystallic ought probably to be applied to
this force, as it is generated or developed under the influence
of the magnet, ibid. 40 Jloth the magnetic and magneto-
crystallic forces are at thesame timedoubled or quadrupled.
t Magnetocl. Obs. [SeeOn*.] ^Seequot. 1889.)
1850 AsHBURNJjt tr. Reichenbactis Dynamics 224 We may
name this product < rystallod, . . that from electricity briefly
as clod, from light photod, and so on, vtagnetod, chymotf,
hetiod[ttc.]. 1889 Syd. Sac. Lex., Magnetod, Reichenbach's
term for the odylic force found in magnets.
Magneto-electric, a. Pertaining to elec-
tric phenomena involving electric currents induced
in conductors by the relative motion of these con-
ductors with respect to either permanent magnets
or electro-magnets.
Introduced, in 1831, by Faraday, who employed it in its
most general sense for describing the currents induced by
motion of conduction in conjunction with any of the follow-
ing kinds of magnet : permanent steel magnets, ordinary
loadstones, electro-magnets, the earth. He used it tenta-
tively at first in contradistinction to the term volta-electric,
which he applied to the induction of electricity by turning
on or turning off an electric current in a stationary coil.
1831 Faraday in Phil. 'Trans. (18321 CXXII. 139 As a
distinction in language is still necessary, I propose to call the
agency thus exerted by ordinary magnets, magneto-electric
or magnelectric induction. Ibid. 173 Upon the supposition
that the rotation of the earth tended, by magneto-electric
induction, to cause currents in its own mass. 1833 Ibid.
CXXIII. 44, 1 had the pleasure.. of making an experiment,
for which the great magnet [a loadstone] in the museum
..and the magneto-electric coil described in my first paper,
were put in requisition. 1834 — in Philos. Mag. V. 349
When I first obtained the magneto-electric spark it was
by the use of a secondary magnet. .. My principal was an
electromagnet ; Nobili's was, I believe, an ordinary mag-
net ; others have used the natural magnet. 1839 J. I*\
Danif.i.l Introd. Chem. Philos. 489 Magneto-electric is
the converse to electro-magnetic action. 1854 G. Bird &
C. Brooke Eleni. Nat. Philos. xvii. (ed. 4) 421 note, Simi-
larly, electro-magnetic induction would mean the develop-
ment of magnetism by a current, and magneto-electric in-
duction, that of a current by magnetism. 1881 Max WELL
Electr. A> Magn. II- 208 This is the electiontoti\e force
which must be supplied from sources independent of mag-
neto-electric induction.
b. Magneto-electric current. Used by Fara-
day to distinguish currents generated mechanically
by magneto-electric induction from those generated
in a voltaic battery.
1851 Faraday in Phil. Trans. CXLII. (1852) 137 On the
employment of the Induced Magneto-electric Current as a
test and measure of Magnetic Forces.
c. Magneto-elactric machine. First used by
Faraday, in 1831, to denote a machine generating
currents by magneto-electric induction. By later
writers employed in variously limited senses.
The appellation continued to be used in Faraday's wide
sense by various writers down to about 1867, when the im-
provements of Wilde, Wheatstone, Siemens, I .add, Varley
and others attracted much attention, and the term 'dynamo-
electric machine ' was introduced by Brooke. This term was
defined by Brooke himself to denote in general a machine
[ 'in which dynamic energy is employed to produce an
electric current1 (Proc. Roy. Soc. XV. 409, footnote); by
( others, however, it has been applied to signify only such
machines as emUxlied the principle of self-excitation and
did not contain any permanent magnets. Those who adopted
; the latter usage limited the meaning of ' magneto-electric
l machine '; some including under that term only the ma-
I chines with permanent magnets of steel, while others in-
cluded under the name both these and the machines with
! separately-excited electro-magnets. The present tendency
is to confine the term strictly to the machines with permanent
! steel magnets. Some writers define magneto-electric ma-
chines as simply old-fashioned or rudimentary kinds of
dynamos; others treat the terms as synonymous. On the
other hand some writers treat 'magneto-electric machine"
as a generic term, of which dynamo-electric machines form
a sub-class.
1831 Faraday in Phil. Trans. (1832) CXXII. 160 Two
rough trials were made with the intention of constructing
magneto-electric machines. Ibid. 163 [Under heading Ter-
restrial Magneto-electric Induction, describes as magneto-
electric machines discs of copper caused to revolve, and there-
by generate electric currents under the magnetic influence
01 the earth.) 1866 Crookes in Q. Jrnl. Sci. XII. 504
Magneto-electric machines, with revolving armatures, in
which electro-magnets had been substituted for permanent
magnets, had been constructed. 1867 Wheatstone in Proc.
Roy. Soc. XV. 369 The magneto-electric machines which
have been hitherto described are actuateil either by a per-
manent magnet or by an electro-magnet. 1878 7 V< v. Inst.
Civ. Engin. LI I. 63 M. Alfred Niaudet remarked that he
did not agree with . . the distinction between dynamo-electric
and magneto-electric machines. In all these instruments
mechanical power was converted into electricity by the
action of magnetism ; consequently all were both magneto-
electric and dynamo-electric. 1878 J. N. Shoolurkd Pres.
State Electric Lighting 6 For the older form, where per-
manent magnets are employed, the term ' magneto-electric '
machine lias been retained. 1880 A. Siemens in ?ruL
Soc. Tiiegr. Engin. IX. 93 A constant and permanent
magnetic- field is, therefore, of paramount importance, and
it can be produced in the way proposed by Mr. Wilde in
1863 for magneto-electric machines by employing a separate
machine for exciting the iiekl-magnets of one or more
similar machines. 1882 S. P. Tiiomi'sos in Jrnl. Soc. Arts
XXXI. 120 The arbitrary distinction between so-called
magneto-electric machines and dynamo-electric machines
fails when examined carefully. In all these machines a
magnet, whether permanently excited, independently ex-
cited, or self-excited, is employed to provide a tie-Id of mag-
netic force. Ami in all of them dynamic power is employed.
1887 W. B. Esson Magneto- A- Dynamo-electric Machines 22
In all the machines yet described, the electric currents were
induced by means of steel magnets, or, as in Wilde's machine,
by magnets that were magnetised by the current produced
in another mat bine. Such machines are usually called
'magneto-electric' machines, to distinguish them from the
'dynamo-electric' machines. 1889 Chambers's EncycL IV.
146/2 The term ' dynamo-electric ' was at first applied to dis-
tinguish those machines which were self-exciting from 'mag-
neto-electric ' machines, which had permanent magnets to
give the field ; but this distinction is no longer maintained.
1891 J. W. U rquhart Dynamo-Constr. 2 A magneto-electric
machine— an apparatus in which steel magnets are used to
furnish the 'magnetic field'— is not strictly by common
consent called a dynamo.
So Magneto-ele'ctrical a., in the same sense.
1836 Mui.i.iH.s in Lond. A> Edinb. Philos. Mag. Aug. 120
On certain Improvements in the Construction of Magneto-
electrical Machines. 1873 F. Jrnkin Electr. ,y Magn. xx.
§ 1. 280 It is convenient to retain the name magneto-electrical
apparatus for those arrangements- in which powerful electric
currents are induced in wire; moved across a magnetic field
produced by permanent magnets or electro-magnets.
Magneto-electricity. Electricity gene-
rated by the relative movement of electric con-
ductors and magnets of any kind. Also the branch
of science concerned with (his.
1832 Faraday in Phil. Trans. (1S33) CXXIII. 44, I have
made many endeavours to effect chemical decomposition by
magneto-electricity. 184a W. R. GROVE Led. I'rogr. Phys.
Sci. 21 Here originates the Science of Magneto-electricity,
the true converse of Electro-magnetism. 1845 Joule in
Electr. Mag. I. 138 The magneto-electricity developed in
the coils of the revolving electro-magnet. 1853 F. C. Kakf-
well Electric Sci. 143 Electro-magnets, .have been some-
times used instead of permanent magnets for the induction
1 of magneto-electricity. 1866 H. Wii.de in Phil. Trans.
CLVII. 92 Waves of magneto-electricity were generated.
Magnet ogr am (ma'gn/"'ti?gra3m). [f. Mag-
neto- + -ckam. J The automatic record of mag-
netic needles.
1884 C. M el drum in Erupt. Krakaioa (ed. Symons i88S>
473, 1 forwarded copies of magnetograms. 1902 EncycL Brit.
XXX. 460/2 Any number of examples are afforded by the
magnetograms from stations such as Kew and Falmouth.
Magnetograph (mxgnPiograi). [f. Mag-
neto- + -GRAPH.]
1. An instrument arranged to record automatically
the movements of the magnetometer. Also attrib.
1847 Ronalds in Phil. Trans. CXXXVII. 113 The ap-
plicability of this system of self-registration to a magneto-
graph was sufficiently obvious. 1883 C. Carpmael in Erupt,
Krakatoa (ed. Symons 1888) 474 The three magnetograph
traces were unusually steady. 190a EncycL Brit. XXX.
460/2 The records from ordinary Kew pattern magneto-
graphs not infrequently show a repetition of. . small rhythmic
movements.
2. =Magnetogbam. (In recent U.S. Diets.)
3. (Seequot.)
1896 Current Hist. (Buffalo, N. Y.) VI. 467 Professor John
S. McKay., has obtained interesting pictures, which he
calls ' magnetographs ' ; resembling X-ray prints in being
silhouettes of objects excluded from light.
Hence Magne togra'phic a., of or belonging to
the magnetograph.
MAGNETOID.
1887 Science (U. S.) 20 May 409/1 The earthquake was re-
corded automatically upon the niagiietographic traces in the
observatory.
Magnetoid (msegnftoid), a. [f. Magnet +
-OID.] Resembling, or having the characteristics
of, a magnet.
1851 Ruttkh {title) Magnetoid Currents, their forces and
directions ; with a description of the Magnetoscope.
Magnetology (ma-giu-tplodsi). [f. Magnet
+ -OLOGV. Cf. K magne'tologie.] A treatise on the
magnet anil magnetism. 1856 .Wayne Expos. Lex.
Magnetometer (mcegn/ty-m/'taj). [ad. F.
magnitomctre, i. magntto- Magneto- + -mitre, ad.
Gr. fitTpov measure, -meter.] An instrument for
measuring magnetic forces, esp. the force of terres-
trial magnetism at any point.
1827 Eaton in Amer. Jrnl. Sci. XII. 15 Delicately sus-
pended needles, which might be called a suit of magnetro-
meters [sic]. 1830 Proc. Amer. Phil.Soc. I. r54 A magneto-
meter for the declination. 1902 Encycl. Brit. XXX. 453/1
Under Wilde's auspices a variety of forms of magnetometers
and earth-inductors have been used.
Hence Magneto-me trie, -me-trical adfs., of,
pertaining to, or measured by the magnetometer.
Magneto metry, the measurement of magnetic
force by means of the magnetometer {Cent. J)ict.).
1847 Sir J. C. Ross I 'oy. S. $ Antarctic Reg. 1. 91 A valu-
able series of hourly magnetometric observations was con-
tinued. 1902 Encycl. Brit. XXX. 433/2 A magnetizing
coil such as is used in magnetometric experiments.
Magnetomo'tive, "■ U- Magneto- +
Motive «.] Magnetomotive force : a term intro-
duced by R. II. M. liosanquet to denote the line
integral of the magnetizing forces exerted around
a magnetic circuit by an electric current inter-
linked with it.
1883 BoSANQUET in Pltilos. ii/ag. XV. 205, I shall use the
expression ' magnetomotive force ' to indicate the analogue
of electromotive force. It is a difference of magnetic poten-
tial 1896 S. P. Thompson Dynamo-electric Machinery
(ed. 5) 119 The total magnetomotive-force in a magnetic .
circuit is the sum of the magnetomotive-forces separately
produced by each coil of wire.
Magne tomo'tor. [f. Magneto- + Motob.]
' A voltaic series of two or more large plates which
produce a great quantity of eleatricity of low in-
tensity, adapted to the exhibition of electro-mag-
netic phenomena' (Knight Diet. Mech. 1875).
1823 T. Gill Techn. Repot. III. 313 On the Magneto-
motor;— a new form of the Voltaic Apparatus. liy Mr.
Pepys.
Magnetophone (mxgn/'t0fi»in). [f. Mag-
neto- + Gr. c/icvrij sound.] A magnetic instrument
used for the production of musical tones.
1883 CaBHART in Science 1 1 . 394 The intensity of the sounds
obtained by the magnetophone is sometimes so great as to
be painful to the ear when the telephone is held closely
against it.
Magnetoscope (msegtu-tosktfiip). [f. Mag-
neto- + -SCOPE.]
f 1. An instrument used by mesmerists for detect-
ing the supposed magnetism of the human body.
1851 [see Magnetoid]. 1852 Ln. Carlisle Let. 19 Slay
in Macaulay's Life <y Lett. (187S) II. 309 We talked a good
deal about the magnetoscope.
2. 'A person supposed to see, or a thing sup-
posed to aid in seeing, by means of magnetism ; a
clairvoyant, or a clairvoyant's device ' (Cent. Diet.).
3. Physics. An apparatus for indicating the pre-
sence of magnetic force without measuring its
amount. (In recent Diets.)
Magnicaudate (mregnikj'il^tt), a. Zool. [a.
mod.L. tiiagnicaitdat-us, f. magn-us great + cauda
tail : see -ate 2.] ' Having a long tail ' (Mayne
Expos, lex. 1856). So Magnicaudatous, (./:/(('. .
Magnifiable (mre-gnifoiiab'l), a. rare. [f.
Magnifv + -AiiLE.] Capable of being magnified.
1646 Sir T. Hrowne Pseud. Pp. IV. xii. 208 Thus is it not
improbable it hath also fared with number ; which though
wonderfull in it self, and sufficiently magnyfiahle from its ■
demonstrable affections [etc.].
Magnific (ma.'gni"fik), a. Now literary and
arch. Also 5-7 magnifique ; see also Magni-
ficjue. [a. r. magnifique, ad. L. niagnific-ns
(whence also Sp., Pg., It. magnifico), f. magnus
great : see -Fie]
fl. Renowned, glorious. (Cf. Magnificent 1.)
1490 Caxton Eneydos vi. 25 This gentylman was. .of name
magnyfynue. 1512 Ilelyas in Thorns E. E. Pr. Rom. (1858)
III. 38 The magnifike and excellent lignage. 1513 Brad-
MtAW St. H'erburge Hal. to St. W. 13 Diners of thy kynne
magnifique Redact in the catholique papall. 1622 J. Tavlor
(Water P.) Mem. Monarchs (1630) F 8, In peace and warre,
Magnifique, Glorious. 1669 Gale Crt. Gentiles 1. II. vii. 85
This Adramelech signifies a magnific King.
f2. Nobly lavish or munificent; = Magnifi-
cent 2. Obs.
1611 Speed Hist. CI. Brit. vni. iii. § 13. 385 And that this
Kings zeale might be further scene, by his magniticke workes
lelc.J. 1617 Mure Misc. Poems xxi. 45 A liberall hand, a
most magnifick hart. 1655 Sir W. Lower tr. de Ceriziers'
Innoc. Lord 141 He [God] is just, if he ordain us punish-
ment ; he is magnifick, if he doth us good.
3. Sumptuous, splendid ; = Magnificent 3, 4.
1490 Caxton Eneydos xvi.60 For whome folke of Moryenne ;
32
' haucmadean assemble magnyfyque of metes and of wynes
I fur toa solempnelle feste. 1541 Elyot Image Gov. 78 Finally
I the saied foure hosphalles . . were builded on the riuer of
Tyber, in the most ample and magnifike facion. 1550 J.
Coke Eng. <$• Er. Heralds (1877) 116 Considre the magni-
fique and decorate churches (of London]. 1x1631 Donne
Serm. lvi.(i64o) srVjCovernot thyextortionswith magnifique
buildings and sumptuous furniture. 1654 tr. Scudery's Curia
Pol. 38 Tis true, thy life must be short, but thy Hearse shall
be the more Magnificke. 1730-46 Thomson Autumn 134
The pillared dome magnific heaved Its ample roof. 1742
Young Nt. Th. ix. 852 And dare Earth's bold Inhabitants
deny The sumptuous, the magnific Embassy A Moment's
Audience? 1861 I. Tavlor Spir. Heb. Poetry 239 Objects
held forth in vision, for a symbolic purpose, may be stupen-
dous, or they may be magnific or splendid.
4. Imposing by vastness or dignity. Of language,
ideas, etc. : Exalted, sublime ; occas. in derisive
sense, pompous, grandiloquent.
_ 1558-66 Hist. Est. Scotl. in Wodrow Soc. Misc. (1844) 56
The Bishop sang a magnifick Mass. 1589 Puttknham
Eng. Poesie UI.V, (Arb.) 164 They be matter stately and
high, and require a stile to be lift vp . . by choyse of
wordes . . high, loftie, eloquent, and magnifik in propor-
tion. x6a8 Le Grvs tr. Barclays Aigenis 57 A man
of no common presence, which a mighty confidence made
appeare more magnifique. 1676GLANVILL Ess. in. 16 Astro-
nomy, one of the grandest and most magnifique of all those
that lie within the compass of Natural Inquiry. 1744 Aki n-
side Pleas, /mag. in. 140 He stalks, resounding in magnific
phrase The vanity of riches. 1807 Words w. Wh. Doe in.
150 Magnific limbs of withered state; A face to fear and
venerate. 1817 Coleridge Satyrane's Lett. L in Biog. Lit.
etc. (1882)240 He commenced the conversation in the most
magnific style. 1837 T. C. Grattan in New Monthly
Mag. LI. 333 The magnific hill shooting far up above the
clouds ! 1864 Cd. Words 11/1 This magnific heaving of the
bosom of the ocean. 1880 Browning Clive 34 Power..
God's gift magnific, exercised for good or ill.
f5. Of compositions, also (with mixture of sense
4) of titles, expressions, etc. : Serving to magnify
or extol ; highly honorific or eulogistic. Obs.
1548 Udall Erasm. Par. Mark xii. 84 What with theyr
magnifike and hye titles. 1641 Milton Ch. Govt. Wks. 1738
I. 30 Those magnific Odes and Hymns wherin Pindnrus
and Callimachus are in most things worthy, some others in
their frame judicious, in their matter most an end faulty.
1644 Maxwell Prerog. Chr. Kings 23 To say. .that Sover-
aignty in the King is immediately from God by approbation
or confirmation onely. .doth not sort well with the magnifick
expressionsof Holy Scripture. 1649 Earl Monm. tr. Senault's
Use Passions (1671) 355 The magnifique titles which His-
torians would give him in their Writings. 1667 Milton
/'. L. v. 770 Thrones, Dominations, Princedomes, Vertues,
Powers, If these magnific lilies yet remain Not meerly
titular.
MagnifLcal (maegni-fikal), a. Also 6-7 mag-
niflcial. [f. prec. +-al.]
f 1. Eminent, renowned, glorious. Obs.
x557 N. T. (Genev.) Epistle *iv, The magnificat and
triumphing Kyng Solomon. 1574 Life Abp. Parker To
Rdr. C vj b, The magnifienge of that magnificall seignorie
and Archipiscopall territorie off Canterburye. 1579 * WYNK
Phisicke agst. Port. 1. xxxviL 51 Pompeius .. being then
great in deede and magnificiall.
t 2. ' Royally ' liberal or bountiful, munificent.
1586 T. B. La Primaud. Er. Acad. 1. 624 Neither must he
be onely liberal, but magnifical also & sumptuous, provided
alwaies that of magnificall, he become not prodigall. 1597
A. M. tr. Guillemeaus Er. Chlrurg, 3 What is more mag-
nificall and more divine, then to recreate the afflicted. 1623
in Crt. -V Times yas. I (1849) II. 357 Sheriff Hawford hath
been very magnifical, and feasted all the king's servants.
3. Splendid, stately, sumptuous; = Magnificknt
3, 4. arch.
1538 Starkey England '11. L 176 Gudly cytes and townys, |
wytn magnyfycal and gudly housys. 1560 Bible (Genev.) |
1 Chron. xxii. 5 We must buylde an house for the Lord. '
magnifical [1611 exceeding magnificall], excellent and of 1
great fame, a 1577 ^1R '*' Smith Commw. Eng. (1609) 26 1
August and Magnifical apparell both of stuff and fashion. |
"599 Sandys Europie Spec. (1632) 152 Very magnificall and
ceremoniall in his outward comportement. 1604 Edmonds
Observ. Cxsars Comm. 25 Their funerals . . are magnificall
and sumptuous, a 1619 Foihkrbv A theom. n. xi. §3(1622)
314 They daunce a most stately and magnificall daunce. |
1890 /E. Prince Of Joyous Card iii. 363 The sight mag-
nifical, beyond desire.
4. => Magnific 4. arch, f Also, ^Magnific 5.
1572 tr. Buchanan's Detection lib, Now you hike to heare '
how this magnificall boaster of valiantnesse did acquit bym-
selfe. 1581 J. Bell H addon's A ks^o. Osor. 453 These be lofty,
glorious, Si. magnificall speeches, but besides the bare sounde 1
of wordes, no matter at all. 1582 Bentley Mon. Matrones
ill. 321 A magnifical Vow of a Queene consecrated to the j
King of heauen. 158a G. Martin Corrupt. Holy Script, j
xiv. 214 What . . could be spoken more magnifical of any
Sacrament I 1600 Holland Livy vi. xii. 247 A man that
in the hearing of his souldiours, could onely make goodly
and magnifioall Orations, a 1626 Bp. Andrewes Serm. (1661) ,
429 We (no doubt) will rise straight in our magnifical, lofty
style and say [etc.]. 1867 Tracts for the Day, Purgatory 2
A truly magnifical and stupendous act of worship. 1895
W. Patkr IVks. (1901) VIII. 71 Certain distinguished, mag-
nificat, or elect souls, vessels of election.
Magnifically (ma;gni-nkali), adv. arch. [f.
Magnifical + -ly 2.] In a 'magnific' manner;
magnificently, splendidly; in eulogistic terms.
"555 Eden Decades 139 They frendely & magnifycally '
enterteyned owr men. 1578 T. N. tr. Couq. W. India 361
The Emperour received Cortes magnilicially. 1570 Fulke I
Con/. Sanders 668 Chrysostome . . speaketh magnifically of
the crosse. 1609 Bible (Douay) Ps. cxxv[i]. a Our I^jrd !
hath done magnifically with them. 1617 Moryson I tin. III. '
113 The Venetians live sparingly. The Siennesi magnifi- !
cally. x6sj tr. Dclas-Coveras^ Don Eenise 247 Treating I
MAGNIFICATION. '
him magnifically, he began to qualifie him with the name
of sonne-in-Iaw. 1889 Sar. Rev. 11 May 562/1 A paragraph
magnifically headed ' Mr. Harrison's Return to Oxford '.
li Magnificat (ma-gni-fikivt). [L. ; 3rd peis.
sing. pres. ind. of magnificare to Magnify.]
1. The hymn of the Virgin Mary in Puke i. 46-55
(in the Vulgate beginning Magnificat anima mea
DominumJy used as a canticle at evensong or ves-
pers. Also, a musical setting of this canticle.
C1200 I'ices <f Virtues 55 £)e hali woordes Se ic habbe
iwriten on magnificat. (-1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 169
Gret criynge & ioly chauntynge bat. .lettip men fro pe sen-
tence of holy writt, as Magnyficat, sanctus & agnus dei,
pat is so broken bi newe knackynge. ? 14.. Stasyons 0/
Jems. 724 in Horstm. AltengL Leg. (1881)365 Sche[Mary]
knelyd after onne a stone Magnificat sche made anone.
1552 A*. Com. Prayer Even. Pr. (Rubric), After that, %•
nijlcat, in Engfishe as foloweth. 1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol.
V. xl. § 1 Of reading or singing. .Magnificat, Benedict us,
and Nunc Dimittis oftener than the rest of the Psalms.
1862 LOOKUP. A". Root, of Sicily 6 Robert of Sicily ..at ves-
pers, proudly sat And heard the priests chant the Magnificat.
2. trans/. A song of praise ; a ■ prean '.
1614 Jackson Creed 111. ix. 179 The lauish Magnificates of
present times. 1707 Hearnk Collect. 13 June (O. H. S.) II.
20 His magnificat upon Plato is a disparagement to his
Cause, a 1711 Ken Sion Poet. Wks. 1721 IV. 422 Philothea,
Mary-like, in Jesus joy'd And in Magnificats her days em-
ploy'd. 1896 Daily Nt-ivs 23 Apr. 5/4 M. Beurdeley de-
livered himself of a magnificat in honour of the Orleans and
MacMahon families.
3. In various proverbial phrases (translated from
Fr. : see Littre and Hatz.-Darm.). To correct
Magnificat', a byword for presumptuous fault-
finding. To correct Magnificat before one has
learnt Te Deum : to attempt that for which one
has no qualifications. Magnificat at matins:
something out of place.
1533 Elyot Knowledge Pref., Accomptyng to be in
me no lyttell presumption, that I wylle in notynge other
mens vices correct Magnificat. 154° Palsgr. tr. Acolastus
B iij, Thou Philyp fynde faute (which takest vppon the to
correct Magnificat). 1542 Udall Erasm. Apoph. 342 b,
Suche . . yl will take vrjon theim to bee doctours in those
thynges 111 whiche theimselfes haue no skille at all, for
whiche wee saie in Englyshe, to correcte Magnificat before
lie haue learned Te Deum. 1588 Br. Andrewes Semi, at
Spital (1629) 24 The note is heere all out of place . . and so,
their note comes in like Magnificat at Matins. 1622 Mabbe
tr. Alemans Guzman D'Alf. 11. 75 To looke to heare a
Magnificat at Mattens, or to seeke after the man in the
Moone. 1694 R. L'Estrangk Eablcs cccxiii. (1714) 329
Where Subjects take upon them to Correct the Magnificat,
and to prescribe to their Superiors.
t Magni ficate, ppl, a. Obs. rare. [ad. L.
magnified / -us , pa. pple. of magnificare to Mag-
nify.] Made unduly great, exaggerated.
a 1592 H. Smith Serm. (1592) 443 A magnificate opinion of
themselues and an ouerweening of their owne gifts.
t Magnificate, v. Obs. [f. ppL stem of L.
magnificare to Magnify.] trans. = Magnify v.
1598 Marston Pygmal. etc. Sat. ii. 42 [He] With that de-
paints a church reformed state, The which the female
tongues magnificate. 1599 — Sco. i'illauie 11. Proem. 192,
I cannot with swolne lines magnificate Mine owne poore
worth. 1672 Maryell Kelt. Transp. \. 295 To Magnificate
the Church with triumphal Pomp and Ceremony.
Magnification (ma^gnifik^i'Jan). [f. L*
magnificdtiCm-em , n. of action f. magnificare: see
Magnify and -ation.] The action of magnifying ;
the condition of being magnified.
1. The action of representing as great or greater ;
laudation, extolling.
1625 Jackson Creed \: xxxu. § 3 The distempered zeale
which the one bare vnto a Moses of his owne making and
magnification did empoyson hissoule(etc. J. 1663 J er. Taylor
Elites formata Wks. 1850 VIII. 292 Those words so often
used in scripture, for the magnification of faith, ' The just
shall live by faith '. 1670 G. H. Hist. Cardinals 1. 1. 3 Of
the Rodomontadoes which the Roman Theologues write in
magnification of the Pope. Ibid. 25 Looking themselves
some times in magnifications of their virtues, as false as
tedious. 1802-12 Bentham Ration. Judic. Evid. (1827)
IV. 196 The unfeigned love and indefatigable magnification
of that sham law. 1863 Lytton Caxtoniana I. 60 That
magnification which proverbially belongs to the unknown.
1879 *-HR- Rossetti Seek <y /'. 62 Frost and cold .. are in-
voked to render blessing, praise, and magnification, to the
Lord their Ordainer. 1899 Q. Rev. Jan. 82 Next to the
glorification of himself iDumas], his mission was the mag-
nification of his country.
2. The apparent enlargement of an object as seen
through a lens.
1672 Gregory in Rigaud Corr. Sci. Men (1841) IF. 245
Neither is it probable to me that the errors of ihe object
speculum are made more sensible (the magnification being
always the same) by a concave or convex speculum and an
eyeglass, c 1790 iMisotiSch.Art I. 253 If the diameters be
multiplied into one another, the product will express the
magnification of the whole visible area. 1867 J. Hogg
Microsc. 1. ii. 78 The Kelner eye-piece, while it increases the
magnification detracts from the definition. 1881 Lockyer
in Nature No. 614. 319 A perfect photograph will bear a
very considerable amount of magnification. 1896 Altbutt's
Syst. Med. 1. 83 Two giant-cells seen under high magnifica-
tion (X1515 diam.).
b. transf. Also quasi-concr. a magnified re-
production.
1833 Coleridge Tabte-t. 10 Apr., America would then be
.. Great Britain in a state of glorious magnification ! 1858
Hawthorne Er. <«j- ft. Nole-bks. (1871) I. 60 They looked
like a magnification of soiae exquisite piece of Tunbridge
MAGNIFICATIVE.
ware. 1874 ML Arnold God «, tlu Bible (1875) Introd. 21
Its divinities are magnifications of nothing unworthy.
Magnificative (uMegnHiHtiv). Gram. rare.
[f. M.IGNIFICATE V. +-IVK.] - AUGMENTATIVE sb.
187S Whitney Life Lang. xi. 214 Distinguishing always
the large, the medium, and the small individuals of a kind,
by diminutives and magnificatives.
Magnificence (nuegnrfa&s). Also 4, 6
raagniflence. [a. F. magnificence (OF. also
magnifiance), ad. L. magnificeniia, f. magnificent- :
see Magnificent and -ence.]
1. As the name of one of the ' moral virtues '
recognized in Aristotelian and scholastic ethics;
rendering Or. ntyaXoirpinfia, explained by Aris-
totle to mean liberality of expenditure combined
with good taste.
1340 Ayenb. 168 pe zixte stape of prouesse hi clepieb mag-
nificence, bke uirtue hi descriueb bous. Magnificence is
hi ziggeb of heje nyede yblissede bleuinge. c 1386 Chaucer
Pars. T. r 662 Thanne comth Magnificence, that is to seyn,
whan a man dooth and perfourneth grete werkes of good-
nesse. 1506 [see Magnificential]. a 1670 Hobbes Rhet.
ix. (168O 22 Magnificence; which is a vertue, by which
a man is apt to be at great cost. 1691 Hartcliffe Virtues
103 Magnificence . . is a Virtue.that teaches us how to observe
a Decorum in the managing of great and costly Expences.
1879 Morlf.v Burke 36 The noble mean of magnificence,
standing midway between the two extremes of vulgar osten-
tation and narrow pettiness,
f 2. Sovereign bounty or munificence. Obs.
14.. in Tnndale's Vis. (1843) 122 Graunt vs thys day of
thi magnyfycence The gold of love the franke of innocence.
1473 Proclam. Edw. IV 10 Nov. (Pat. Roll 13 Edw. IV,
Pt. 2), For which we thank most humbly His infinite magni-
ficence, c 1502 Joseph Arim. (E. E. T. S.) 51/456 Vnto the
whiche god bryng bothe you & me Of his fauour, grace, and
magnyfycence. 1508 Kennf.die Flyting 7v. Dunbar 421
Traistand to haue of his magnificence Guerdon, reward, and
benefice bedene. 163X Malinger Emperor East III. H,
His exorbitant prodigality, How ere his . . flatterers call it
Royall magnificence. 1647 Cottereu. Davila's Hist. Fr.
10 That magnificence, he [Francis I] showed towards men.
T 3. Glory ; greatness of nature or reputation.
c 1386 Chaucer Prioress" T. 22 Lady thy bountee, thy
magnificence, . . Ther may no tonge expresse in no science.
1509 Barclay Shyp of Folys (1570) 104 God by his power
and hye magnificence Made him a beast. 1545 Primer,
Third Hour E iij, Let long & hart, strength and sense,
Commende thy magnificence. x6xx Bible Acts xix. 27 So
that . . the Temple of the great goddesse Diana should be
despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed. 1667
Milton P. L.Vttt. 101 And for the Heav'ns wide Circuit,
let it speak The Makers high magnificence.
4. Snmptuousness or splendour of surroundings
or appointments.
1383 Wyclif Dan. iv. 33 [36], I am ordeyned in my king-
dam, and my magnyfience \sic : gloss or gretenesse], is addid
to me. c 1460 Fortescue Abs. A> Lint. Mon. vii. (1885) 125 It
shall nede bat the kyng . . mey make new bildynges whan
he woll, ffor his pleasure and magnificence. 1500-20 Dun-
bar Poems lxxvii. 28 Thow gart the orient kingis thrie
Offer to Chryst . . Gold, sence, and mir, . . Schawand him
king with most magnificence. 1553 Eden Treat. Newe
Irtd. (Arb.) 25 In what pompe & triumphant magnificence
he sheweth him self when he goeth to hauke or hunt.
1671 Milton P. 1\. iv. m Nor doth this grandeur and ma-
jestic show Of luxury, though call'd magnificence, ..allure
mine eye. a 17*0 Sheffield (Dk. Buckhm.) Wks. (1753) 1. 269
By these refin'd diversions, we perceive This town retains
its old magnificence. 1796 Morse Amer. Geog. II. 17 The
fur [of the ermine] forms a principal part even of royal
magnificence 1841 Trench Parables xii. (1877) 236 It was
and is part of the magnificence of Oriental princes .. to
have vast stores of costly dresses laid up. 1859 Tennyson
Enid 296 His dress a suit of fray 'd magnificence, Once fit
for feast of ceremony.
t b. An instance or particular display of magni-
ficence ; a splendid ceremony. Obs.
. a '533 LD. Berners Gold. Bk. AT. Aurel. (1546) Cvij, It
is a greatte magnifience to a man, to haue diuers sortes of
meates.^ 1615 tr. De Monfart's Surz: E. Indies 10 At this
his entrie they made him a great triumph, with a long magni-
ficence. 165a T. Wright tr. Camus' Nat. Paradox xn. 365
Such Pomp, '1 iltings, Masks, Banquets, and other Magnifi-
cences. 1670 Cotton Espernon 11. vm. 415 The Cere-
mony of this Marriage was perform'd in the Marquis de
Saint-Chaumont's House, ..but the Magnificences at the
Duke's own Lodgings. 1S74 Got't. Tongue ix. § 6 (1684) 151
With what gust and sensuality will they tell how such a jest
of theirs took, or such a magnificence was admired ?
5. Grandeur or imposing beauty of appearance,
t Also //. features constituting magnificence. Obs.
(■1430 Lydg. A/in. Poems (Percy Soc.) n This tabernacle
of most magnyfycence Whas of his byldyng. 1355 Eden
Decades To Rdr. (Arb.) 49 They . . whiche in buyldynge of
cities . . haue so ioyned magnificence with profecte. 1645
Evelyn Diary 6 May, That Cittie [Rome], with its Am-
phitheaters, Naumachia . . and other magnificences. 1667
Milton P. /.. 1. 718 Not Babilon, Nor great Alcairo such
magnificence Equal'd in all thir glories, a 1703 Po.mfret
Eleazar's Lament. Jerus. i. 10 Where's now the vast Magni.
licence, which made The Souls of Foreigners adore Thy
[ Jerusalem's] wond'rous Brightness ? i860 Tyndall Glac. 1.
xxiv. 175 The weather had been fine, and towards evening
augmented to magnificence. 1879 W. H. Bartlett Egypt
to Pal. xxvii. 537 These ruins are remarkable, both for their
great extent and magnificence [etc.].
b. of language or speech.
1697DRYDEN Virg. Georg. in. 456 The mean Matter which
my Theme affords, To embellish with Magnificence of
Words.
6. As a title of honour, applied to kings and
other distinguished persons. Obs. exc. Hist, and
as rendering of a foreign title.
Vol. VI.
33
(1278 Rolls of Farlt. I. 1/2 Magnificentie Regis mon-
strant Abbas et Conventus Bordesleg1.] c 1420 Lydg.
Assembly of Gods 82 Pluto to thy magnyfycence I shall
reherse what thys creature Eolus hath doon to me out of
mesure. 1598 Hakluyt I'oy. I. 150 The said Master
generall therefore maketh no doubt, that al the aboue
written damages .. be altogether vnknown vnto your mag-
nificence, a 1604 Hanmer Chron. Irel. (1633) 107 Your
magnificence hath beene very carefull and studious how you
might enlarge the Church of God here on earth. 1755
Magens Insurances I. 300 Illustrious Lords, Respected
Patrons ! We the underwritten skillful Calculators, chosen
and appointed by your Magnificences [etc.]. 1901 Times
20 June 5/4 In reply to the toast of his health, proposed
by the burgomaster, the [German] Emperor . . spoke as
follows: — Your magnificence .. gave us a sketch of the
development of German yachting [etc.].
Magnificency. Also 6 -centie, manyfy-
cency. [ad. L. magnificenti-a: see prec.and-EXCY.]
yl. = Magnificence in various senses. Obs.
1538 in Lett. Suppress. Monasteries (Camden) 243, 1 com-
mend me unto your good lordship, ever more thauckyng you
of your manyfycency and gret goodnes. c 1540 tr. Pol.
Verg. Eng. /list. (Camden No. 36) 219 In number of
schollers and magnificentie of colliges it is not superior.
1604 T. Wright Passions v. § iv. 244 The necessity of the
gift declared the magnificency of hir mind. 1668 Lone/.
Gaz. No. 283/1 She has been since entertained with much
State and Magnificency. 1686 F. Spence tr. I'arillas' Ho.
Media's 113 His humour was naturally prone to magnifi-
cency.
2. With a and//. A magnificent or imposingly
beautiful object, ceremony, etc. Obs. or arch,
1585 T. Washington tr. Nichola/s Voy. \. xxi. 27 The
castle, where for a magnificency were set vp 2. faire
pauillions. 1645 Evelyn Mem. (1819) I. 178 This canopy
or arch of water, I thought one of the most surprizing
magnificienctes I had ever seene. 1653 H. Cogan tr.
Pinto's Trav. xxiii. 86 The Portugals . . could not sufficiently
commend the excellent order and Gentilenesse of these
Magnificencies. 1670 G. H. Hist. Cardinals II. HI. 192 He
delights in certain magnificencies and pastimes. 1670-98
Lassels Voy. Italy II. 52 It deserves to be mentioned
among the rare Magnificencies of ancient Rome. _ 1839 J.
Wilson in Blackiv. Mag. XLV. 564 This Christian poet
journeyed religiously among the magnificencies of nature.
Magnificent (mregni"fisent), a. and sb. Also
7 erron. -ficient. [a. OF. magnificent^ f. L. magni-
ficent-j altered stem (found in the comparative
magni ficentior, after benevolentior from benevolens
= benevolus) of magnifiats} lit. doing great deeds,
f. magn-zis great : see -fic. All the senses below
were already approximately developed in Latin.]
A. adj.
1. Characterized by greatness of achievement
or by the conduct befitting lofty position. Obs.
exc. in the titular epithet the Magnificent ( = L.
magnificus) historically attached to the names of
certain distinguished rulers, as Eadmund I of
England, Sultan Solyman, Lorenzo de* Medici.
1513 More in Grafton's Chron. (1568) II. 878 Yet the
King [Hen. VII] of his magnificent minde, pardoned the
innocent and rurall people. 1602 Warner Alb. Eng. Epit.
(1612) 356 Of whom many, and some of them heere-bome
Incolents, became afterwards the most magnificent of the
Emperors. 1656 Blount Glossogr., Magnifi cent,.. that
atchieveth worthy acts,.. acting great matters. 1717 Hist.
Ace. Hungary 332 This was formerly the Bulwark of Hun-
gary, 'till taken by Soliman the Magnificent. 1795 W. Roscoe
{title) The Life of Lorenzo de' Medici, called The Magnificent.
1875 Fortnum Maiolica xi. 107 Lorenzo the magnificent.
f b. As the rendering of the customary title
(usually L. magnificus) of certain foreign officials
and official bodies. Obs.
1763 Ann. Reg. 86 The proceedings of the magnificent
council [of Geneva].
t C Proud, arrogantly ambitious. Obs,
1603 Knolles Hist. Turks (1621) 732 This Perenus
was one of the greatest peeres of Hungarie, but of a most
haughtie and magnificent mind.
2. Characterized by expenditure or munificence
on a great scale ; ' royally * lavish or munificent.
Now rare.
1579 G. Harvey Lett, to Spenser (1 580) 65 Your lauishe,
and magnificent liberalitie. a 1586 Sidxf.y Arcadia 11. (1590)
169 b, If he were magnificent, he spent much with an aspiring
intent. 1593 R. Harvey Phllaa. Ded. 21 Thus trusting to
your Lordships magnificent . . fauour. 1631 Massinger
F.mperor Eastu. i, A Prince is neuer so magnificent, As
when hee's sparing to inrich a few With th'imuries of many.
1647 Clarendon Hist. Reb. 1. § 126 Nor had his Heir cause
to complain, . .though his Expences had been very magni-
ficent,.. considering the wealth he left in Jewels, Plate,
and Furniture, a 1661 Fuller Worthies (1840) II. 313
Hampton Court was built by .. Cardinal Wolsey ; once so
magnificent in his expenses. 1667 Milton P. L. ix. 153
Man he made, and for him built Magnificent this World,
and Earth his seat. 1737 Whiston Joscphus, Antiq. xv.
ix. § 5 Herod . . bestowed presents on every one . . using
his magnificent disposition, so as his kingdom might be
the better secured. 1855 Macaulav Hist. Eng. xi. III.
24 He received from the private bounty of the magnificent
Chamberlain a pension equal to the salary which had been
withdrawn. 1868 Milman St. Paul's 332 He was munificent,
almost magnificent.
3. Of conditions of life : Characterized by
grandeur or stateliness. Of persons : Living in
splendour ; characterized by display of wealth
and ceremonial pomp.
1526 Pi/gr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 203 Delapsed and com-
mynge downefrom his magnifycent glory. 1585 T. Wash-
ington tr. Niello/ay's Voy. 1. ix. 12 b, Such was the
MAGNIFICENTLY.
beginning of the magnificent estate of Cariedtn Barbe-
rousse. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Magnificent, that lives
in great State ; stately, noble, great, fine, costly, lofty. 1709
Atterbury Serm. {Luke x. 32) 4 Whether we are not too
Magnificent and Sumptuous in our Table and Attendance.
1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. vii. II. 183 The magnificent
king who, in more than one sense, represented France.
4. Sumptuously constructed or adorned ; also, in
wider sense, imposingly beautiful, splendid.
111540 Barnes Wks. (1573) 357 That magnificent Temple
of Salomon. 1658 Hist. Christina Alessandra Q. Swed-
land 109 Of a modern structure and one of the magnifi-
centest fabriques of Europe. 1667 Milton P. L. III. 502
Karr distant hee descries Ascending by degrees magnificent
Up to the wall of Heaven a Structure high. 1687 T. Brown
Lib. Consc. in Dk. Buckingham's Wks. (1705) II. 122 She
did not delight in gaudy Liveries, and what the World calls
a Magnificient Equipage. 1701 Addison Let. fr. Ita/y 72
When Rome's exalted beauties I descry, Magnificent in
piles of ruine lye. 1725 De Foe Voy. round World (1840)
268 Two rooms., very magnificent in their way. 1756 Burkk
Subl. <y B. 11. xiii, A great profusion of things which are
splendid or valuable in themselves, is magnificent. 1841
i Lane Arab. Nts. I. 107 She then arose, and attired herself
in the most magnificent of her apparel. 1894 J. T. Fowler
Adamnan Introd. 51 Lord Dunraven's magnificent work
entitled Notes on Irish Architecture.
5. Of immaterial things, conceptions, language,
etc. : Imposing, exalted.
1639 N. N. tr. Du Bosq's Compl. Woman I. 3 There
neecfes but a pleasing voice, a magnificent tone, a sweet
accent,.. to charme those who hearken. 1665 Boyle Chras.
Rejl. Disc. Occas. A/edit. (1848) 76 Making good that
magnificent Assertion of the Apostle, That all things work
together for good to them that love God. 1701 Stanley's
, Hist. Philos. Biog. 4 Thales was thought to deserve the
\ Magnificent Title of Wise for his Noble Discoveries. 1748
; Hume Ess, ix. Brit. Govt. 72 These Considerations are apt to
make one entertain a very magnificent Idea of the British
Spirit and Love of Liberty. 1781 Cowter Truth 412 The
I song magnificent— the theme a worm ! 1781 — Tabled. 593
1 Language.. Was natural as is the flowing stream, And yet
1 magnificent, a God the theme.
6. Used to express enthusiastic admiration :
* Splendid ', wonderfully fine.
a 1704 T. Brown Praise of Drunkenness Wks. 1730 I. 37
Pray take notice of his belly, how plump and round it is, of
what a magnificent circumference. 1704 Yalden On Sir
Willoughby Aston. 348 Methinks I see a pompous tomb
arise, Beauteous the form, magnificent the size. 1858
Ruskin Arroyos ofChace (1880) I. 130 All the drawings so
kept are in magnificent preservation, i860 Tyndall Glac.
1. xii. 90 The day was magnificent. 1867 W. W. Smyth
Coal # Coal-mining 91 At Lehigh Summit mine the great
coal-bed is a magnificent seam of 50 feet.
B. sb.
f 1. An eminent personage. Obs,
1612 W. Parkes Curtaine-Dr. (1876) 20 The Courts and
mansions of the Potentates and Magnificents of the World.
2. pi. slang. A mood of haughty indignation.
1836 Marryat Midsh. Easy xxvi, Nevertheless, Jack
, walked his first watch in the ' magnificents ', as all middies
do when they cannot go on shore.
Hence f Mag-nrficent v. (nonce-ivd.), trans, to
make or proclaim great. Magnificentness, the
1 state or condition of being magnificent (1727 in
Bailey vol. II).
1656* S. H. Go/den Law 2 His mercy is above all his
works, and doth magnificent hirn.
t Magnificential, a. Obs. rare~l. [f. L.
mag/nficen/ia Magnificence + -al.] Magnificent.
1506 A'a/ender Sheph. (1892) 98 Magnyfycens is a Ioyeous
I clerenes of courage admynystrynge thynges laudable &
i magnyfycencyall, that is to saye, hye or grete.
Magnificently (maegnrfisentli), adv. [f.
1 Magnificent a. + -ly -.] In a magnificent manner.
1, With great splendour or stateliness.
1538 Lelano Itin. I. 97 The Castel stondith magnificently
I and strongely on a Rok. 1599 Life Sir T. More in
Wordsw. Ecc/. Biog. (1853) II. 93 Charles the fifth .. was
j most magnificentlie received by the cittee of London. 1659
Hammond On Ps. Ixxiii. 6 They set themselves out most
magnificently. 1709 Steele Tatler No. 49 f 7 No Persian
Prince was ever so magnificently bountiful. 1717 Lady M. W.
: Montagu Let. to C'tess Mar 10 Mar., Her house was magni-
' ficently furnished. 1725 Pope Odyss. vni. 494 And to the
feast magnificently treads. 1816 Byron Ch. Har. ni.xxviii,
The Battle's magnificently stern array ! 1849 Macaulay
: Hist. Eng. vi. II. 69 She loved to adorn herself magnifi-
cently. 1884 Lazv Times LXXVII. 402/1 The business
meetings will be held in the magnificently furnished council
chamber.
b. With grandeur or impressiveness.
1818 Shelley Let. to Mr. 4- Mrs. Gisborne 10 Tuly,
Scenery magnificently fine. 1856 Kane Arct. Expl. II.
I xxiv. 245 How magnificently the surf beats against its sides.
1877 Lady Brassey Voy. Sunbeam xv. (1878) 268 It was all
terribly grand, magnificently sublime.^
e. After a great or noble fashion.
1831 Lamb Ella Ser. 11. Etlistoniana, Waiving his great
loss as nothing, and magnificently sinking the sense of fallen
material grandeur.
2. With reference to expression : In an elevated
'■ manner, f Also, in highly laudatory terms.
1630 R. Johnsons Kingd. $ Conimiu. A iij, In like manner
I hath Botero .. beene suspected to have had a feeling of the
! Spanish Pistolets, for that hee hath written so magnificently
of that Nation. 1651 Baxter Inf. Bapt. 340 So that the
Scripture speaks more magnificently of the Church of Christ
for the extent of it, then Mr. T. doth. 1710 Dr. Whitby
Disc. in. i. § 2 (1735) 209 That Duty of which the Scripture
speaketh so magnificently. 1835 J. H. Newman Par. Serm.
(1842) II. v. 61 Writers . . talk magnificently about loving
the whole human race.
71
MAGNIFICET.
34
MAGNIPOTENT.
|| Magllificet. Obs. [L. ; 3rd pers. sing. pres.
subj. oimagnifcare to Magnify.] (See quot.)
1841 Hampson Medii ALvi Kalend. II. 254 Magnified,
a name of Midlent Thursday, taken from the fust word of
the collect.
Magnificial, obs. form of Magnifical.
fMagnificie. Obs. rare"1, [f. Magnific a. +
-ie : see -y.] Greatness, importance.
1570 Satir. Poems Reform, xix. 109 And he that is of
maist Magnificie 5°ur baner sail display.
t Magni'ficly, adv. Obs, [f. Magnific +
-LY 2.] = MaGNIFICALLY.
1538 Elyot Diet. Addit., A mpliter, largely, abundantly,
magnifikely. 1591 Sylvester Ivry 273 That.. can, as King,
magnifikly advance His faithful! Servants. 1609 Hume
Admonit. in Wodrow Soc. Misc. (1844*1 572 Yc were not
aschamed to ryde to parliament magnifickly mounted and
apparrelled.
|| MagniflCO (ma?gni-fik£?). fit. magnifico adj.
= Magnific.] An honorary descriptive title be-
stowed upon the magnates of Venice : transf. any
person in an exalted position.
1573 G. Harvey Letter-bk. (Camden) 175 A cumpanie of
sutch Italian magnificoes. 1591 Spenser M. Hubberd 665
Where the fond Ape., stalketh stately by, As if he were
some great Magnifico. 1596 Shaks. Merch. V. in. i. 282
The Duke himselfe, and the Magnificoes Of greatest port
haue all perswaded with him. 1630 R. Johnson's Kingd.
.v Commiv. 476 Hee must turne himselfe about, and not
dare to looke this Magnifico in the face. 1745 Eliza Hey-
wood Fe?nale Sped. No. 16(1748) III. 183 The mechanics
forsake their shops, to ride about the town in state like so
many magnificoes. 1845 Disraeli Sybil \1863) 15 Rocking-
ham, a virtuous magnifico, . . resolved to revive something
of the pristine purity .. of the old whig connection. 1891
Spectator 11 July, The reception, .by the populace has been
..cordial, though it is doubtful if., they know who the
magnificoes are.
b. attrib. or adj. = Magnificent, 'grand'.
1654 "Whit-lock Zootomia 41 It is a Magnifico gate^ of
spirit .. not to mend, or slack our pace, for all the barking
Currs, great or small. 1808 South ey Lett. (1856) II. 75 The
magnifico book-case is greatly increased in ricosiiy.
Magnrficous, a. rare~~u. [f. L. magnific-us
Magnific + -ot'.s.] =■= Magnificent. In mod. Diets.
Hence + Magni ficously adv. rare"'1.
1683 E. Hooker Pre/. Pordage's Mystic Dht. 10^ How
magnificously soever wee bragg. .of our Reason, or Faith.
Magnified (mre-gnifoid),///. a* [f. Magnify
+ -edT]
+ 1. Extolled, lauded. Obs.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. I. vi. 22 The magnified
Virgil. 1660 Waterhouse Arms fy Arm. 190 The illus-
trious Copies drawn by their fair and magnified hands. 1664
H. More Synopsis Proph. To Rdr. 185 Those worthily
magnified elucubrations of Mr. Joseph Mede. 1690 Locke
Hum. Und. iv. vii. § 11 They are far enough from receiv-
ing any help from the Contemplation of these, or the like
magnify *d Maxims.
2. Enlarged to the sight, lit. andfg.
1839 Penny Cycl. XV. 177/2 An instrument for enabling
the eye. .to see magnified images of small objects. 1852
Robertson Serm. Ser. m. xii. 151 This is but prudence
after all, it is but magnified selfishness carried on into
eternity. 1876 Geo. Eliot Dan. Dcr. II. xxviii. 217 Her
hands showing curves and dimples like a magnified baby's.
1899 J. Caird Fundamental Ideas Chr. I. iii. 57 Ordinary
thought finds no impossibility in representing to itself a
personality who is simply a magnified man.
Magnifier (mccgnifaiaj). [f. Magnify v. +
-ERl.f
1. One who or something which magnifies.
1550 J. Coke Eng. <$• Fr. Heralds v. (1877) 58 The
Frenchemen be great braggers, hosiers, and mangnifyers of
them selves. 1570-6 Lambarde Peramb. Kent (1826) 281
These Monks were marveylous and monstruous magnifiers,
of such deceivable trumperie. 1621 Burton Anat. Mel. 11.
it. vi. iv. (1676) 189 Mens hilaris, realties, modcrata diseta
. . is a great magnifier of honest mirth, a 1763 Shensione
Ess. (1806) 238 Imagination is a great magnifier and causes
the hopes we conceive to grow too large for their object.
2. A lens or combination of lenses used to in-
crease the apparent size of objects.
1665 Boyle Exp. Hist. Cold ix. 249 One of our Micrv>
scopes, .has been counted, .as good a Magnifier, as perhaps
any is in the world. 1759 Knight in Phil. Trans. LI. 296
Some of them, when viewed with a microscope, required a
third or fourth magnifier to see them distinctly. 1830
Herschel-.SVW. Nat. Phil. 297 Noexamination with magni-
fiers is .. sufficient to detect the ingredients. 1856 Kane
A ret. Expl. I. xiii. 144 We barely succeeded by magnifiers
in reading the verniers.
fig. 1791 Washington Lett. Wr, 1892 XII. 56 Each of
whom . . looking through a magnifier, would speak of the
greatest extent to which there was any probability of their
numbers reaching. 1813 Examiner 22 Mar. 186/2 His
Lordship may be permitted to examine the gallant Chief-
tain's actions through a magnifier. 1818 Hazlitt Eng.
Poets iv. (1870) 95 The wrong end of the magnifier is, to be
sure, held to everything.
II Magnifique. Obs. [Fr.= Magnific] Pro-
fuse in expenditure.
1759 Compl. Let. writer fed. 6) 225 The Considerable and
the Magnifique in such Sorts of Assemblies. 1775 Mme.
D'Arblay Early Diary (iSSq) II. 110 He is handsome,
tall, fat, upright, and magnifique. 1823 Bykon Juan x.
lxx, Juan, though careless, young, and magnifique And rich
in rubles, diamonds, cash, and credit.
Magnify (margnifai), v. Also 4, 6 magni-
fye, 4-6 magnefie, magnyfye, 4-7 raagnifle,
6 magnifi, mangnify, 4- magnify, [ad. L.
magnificdre (partly through F. magnifier \ cf. It.
magnifcare, Sp. magnificar)y f. magnijiats : see
Magnificent and -fy. Sense 4 is purely Eng. ; the
Rom. langs. have the word chiefly in the biblical
sense l to extol '.]
1. trans. To speak or act for the honour or glory
of (a person or thing) ; to glorify, extol, arch.
C1380 Wyclif Set. Wks. II. 2 For bei maken Cristis
wordis unworshipid and magnifien ber owne wordis.
a 1400-50 Alexander 2838 Obey be to be baratour be best
I con rede; Magnifie him with bi mouthe. 1430-40 Lydg.
Bochas ix. ii. (1554) 197 b, This was the ende of false
Machomete, . . whom Sarazins so greatly magnifie. 1508
Dunbar Poems viii. 14 Quhois force all France in fame did
magnifie. 1553 Eden Jreat. Neive Ind. (Arb.) 29 Colum-
bus .. was .. greatlye magnified with innumerable glorious
tittles. J568 Grafton Chron. II. 524 After this victorie, the
Lorde Scales, .returned to the siege, where he was.. highly
magnified and praysed. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. 1. viii.
§ 6 If the invention of the ship was thought so noble,, .how
much more are letters to be magnified, which as ships pass
through the vast seas of time. 1668-9 Pepys Diary 10 Feb.,
Here he dined, and did mightily magnify his sauce, a 1715
Bl-rnet Oivn Time (1724) I. 248 He had magnified him
highly to the King, as much the greatest man in the Scotish
Clergy. 1837 Ht. Martineau Soc. Amcr. III. 64 Sunday-
school teachers admire their pupils ; and the scholars
magnify their teachers. 1840 Macali.ay Hist. Eng. ii. 1. 191
Everywhere men magnified his valour, genius, and patriotism.
b. esp. To praise, render honour to (God), arch.
1382 Wyclif Luke i. 46 And Marie seide, My soule magny-
fieth the Lord, and my spirit hath gladid in God, myn
heelthe. c 1420 Lydg. Assembly of Gods 2102 With heuynly
spyrytes, hys name to magnyfy. 1535 Coverdale Eeelus.
xlih. 30 Prayse the Lorde, and magnifie him as inoch as ye
maye. 1864 Skeat tr. Uhland's Poems 91 When on your
knees ye humbly fell And magnified a Higher Power.
2. To make greater in size, status, importance,
or qualities ; to enlarge, augment. Now rare.
f Also, to render magnificent. Obs.
138a Wyclif Matt, xxiiL 5 Forsothe thei alargen her
filateries, and magnifie hemmys. 1390 Gower Conf. I. 143
Thanne he gan to syke For cloth of gold and for perrie,
Which him was wont to magnefie. £1430 Lydg. Compl.
BI. Knt. 428 And can hemselve now best magnify With
feyned port and false presumption. 1535 Coverdale Job
xx. 6 Though he be magnified vp to the heauen. 1598
Grenewey Tacitus, Ann. xii. vii. (1622) 162 Agrippina also
was magnified [L. augelur] with the surname of Augusta.
1611 Bible Job xix. 5 If indeed yee will magnifie your
selues against me, and plead against me my reproch. 1701
Grew Cosm. Sacra 11. v. 53 The least error in a Small
Quantity, as in a Small Circle : will, in a great one, as in
the Circles of the Heavenly Orbs, be proportionally Magni-
fy "d. 1715 Addison Freeholder No. 10 p 3 Arbitrary Power
..creates [in a man] an Ambition of magnifying Himself,
by the Exertion of such a Power in all its Instances. 1726
Butler Serm. Rolls Chap. ix. 159 The imagined Dignity of
the Person offended would scarce ever fail to magnifie the
Offence, a 1729 Congreve To Cynthia 54 Speak, ere my
Fancy magnifie my Fears. 1784 Cowper Task iv. 542 Her
head, adorned with lappets pinned aloft, And magnified
beyond all human size. 1841 Myers Cath. Th. IV. § 37*
369 The spirit of law is also represented as magnified by
the very act of superseding its letter, i860 Tyndall Clac.
I. xxvii. 210 The oblique arrangement of the crevasses also
magnified the labour by increasing the circuits.
b. intr. To become greater, nonce-use.
1814 J. Randolph 22 Mar. in Life of Jos. Quincy 350 The
curse of slavery, however,— an evil daily magnifying, great
as it alreadyis,— embitters many a moment of the Virginian
landholder.
3. trans. To represent (persons, actions, or things)
as great or greater than they are ; to exaggerate.
Now often associated with sense 4.
1759 Robertson Hist. Scot. vi. Wks. 1813 I. 399 Fame
magnified the number and progress of their troops. 1766
Goldsm. I'ic. W. xvi, It must be owned my wife.. used
every art to magnify the merit of her daughter. 1784
Cowi'ER Tiroc. 476 Each vainly magnifies his own success,
Resents his fellows, wishes it were less. 1838 Tiiirlwall
Greece xxv. III. 397 But his enemies at home magnified
the danger of Argos. 1839 Yeowell Anc. Brit. Ch. ix.
(1847) 93 Fame magnified his labours. 1841 Myers Cath.
Th. iv. 19. 276 Unquestionably external evidences, .have
been unduly magnified. 1862 Sir B. Brodie Psychol, /no.
II. iii. Si Small evils which cannot be avoided are magnified
into great ones.
4. To increase the apparent size of an object by
artifixinl means (as with a lens or microscope).
Also absol. (often with advb. accusative, to mag-
nify ten, twenty^ etc. diameters).
1665 Phil. Trans. I. 60 It would magnifie but 600 times
in Diameter. 1726 Swift Gulliver in. iii, Although their
largest Telescopes do not exceed three Feet, they magnify
much more than those of an hundred among us. 1776-96
Withering Brit. Plants (ed. 3) IV. 3 When magnified they
appear like ill-formed warts. 18x2-16 J. Smith Panorama
Sci. % Art I. 407 It is supposed that the ancient engravers
used glass globes to magnify their figures. 1837 Goring &
Pritchard Microgr. 57 You only wish to know exactly how
much it magnifies. 1868 Lockyer Elenu Astron, iii. (1879)
91 A powerful telescope will magnify an object 1,000 times.
fig- 1853 Kane Grinnelt Exp. xiv. (1856) no The effects of
fogs upon our estimation of dimension . . are well known : men
are magnified to giants. 1862 Mrs. H. Wood Mrs. Ha/lib.
III. xii. 155 111 reports never lose by carrying : the two cats
on the tiles, you know, were magnified into a hundred.
5. intr. 'A cant word for to have effect* (J.);
to signify. Now dial.
1712 Steele Sped. No. 431 r 3 My Governess . . told him
I was continually eating some Trash or other. . . But this
magnified but little with my Father. 1733 Gentl.Mag. III.
532 Now may hap, zir, what doez ael this magnify ? 1880
Antrim <•$• Dozvn Gloss, s. v., That hurt won't magnify.
Magnifying (margnifoi|in), vbl. sb. [f. Mag-
nify v. + -ing i.J The action of the verb Magnify.
c 1380 Wvclif Wks. (1880) 162 pei meyntenen anticristis
prestis and here lawis. .& magnifyenge of menuus lawis &
dispisynge of goddis lawis. 1382 — Jude 25 To God aloone
oure sauyour, bi Jhesu Crist oure Lord, glorye and mag-
nyfiying. c 1384 Chaucer H. Fame 1. 306 Of oon he wolde
have fame In magnifying of his name. 1612 Bacon Ess. ,
Praise (Arb.) 354 Too much magnifying of man or matter,
doth irritate contradiction. 1651 Hobbes Lernath. 11. xxxi.
189 Praise, and Magnifying are signified but by Words, and
Actions. 1868 J. M. Camtbell in Mem. (1877) II. xiii. 203
A growing magnifying of their office on the part of the
clergy.
h. attrib. , in magnify big power.
£1705 Berkeley Commonpl. Bk. Wks. 1871 IV. 481 The
magnifying power of glasses. 1774 M. Mackenzie Mari-
time Sum. 1 10 Write down .. what Sort of Telescope you
observed with, and its length and magnifying Power. 1807
J. E.^ Smith Phys. Bot. 14 By the help of the highest
magnifying powers.
magnifying (mK-gnifoiiirj), ppl.a. [f. Mag-
nify v. + -ing 2. J That magnifies, in various senses.
1650 Ashmole Chym. Collect. Proleg. 17 The airy and
empty glory of Mngnifying-Fame. 1901 Munsey's Mag.
(U. S.) XXV. 641/1 The microbes of disease are such minute
. . germs of life . . under the microscopist's three-hundred
magnifying lens.
b. Magnifying glass. A glass lens, or com-
bination of lenses, used to increase the apparent
size of any object seen through it.
1665 Boyle Occas. Refl. Disc. Occas. Medit. (1848) 28
Attention, like a magnifying glass, shews us . . divers par-
ticularities undiscerned by those who want that advantage.
1705 Pope Let. to Wycherley 23 June, 'Tis certain, the
greatest magnifying Glasses in the World are a Man's own
Eyes. 1859 Reeve Brittany 187 With a strong magnifying-
glass the words.. may be distinctly read.
Magniloquence (mcegni'Ukwens). [f. Mag-
niloquent: see -ence.] The quality of being
magniloquent ; lofdness of speech or expression.
1623 Cockeram, Magniloquence, proud speeches. 1656
Blolnt Glossogr., Magniloquence, ..a lofty manner of
speaking, or a discourse of great matters, a 1670 Hacket
Alp. Williams 11. (1692) 65 He [Buckingham] magnified
himself to serve the King, who did not foresee the
envy that his magniloquence bred. 1713 Bentley Rem.
Disc. Freethink. 11. § 44. 28 And our Author might have
seen, how all the Sects ridiculed this Magniloquence of
Epicurus. 1859 I. Tavlor Logic in Theol. 179 We must
discharge a mass of magniloquence and affectation. 1863
Cowden Clahke Shaks. Char, xviii. 455 Cibber. .foisted his
own bombast into the company of Shakespeare's magni-
loquence. 187a Spuiigeon Treas. Dav. Ps. lxxiii. 8 Their
language is colossal, their magniloquence ridiculous.
So f Hagrni'lociuency, in the same sense.
1615 A. Stafford Heav. Dogge 38 Neyther was this
onely Stoicall Magniloquency : hee did the great things he
spake.
Magniloquent (m^gniliTkwent), a. [f. L.
magniloqu-us (of the same meaning), f. magnus
great + -loquus speaking + -ENT.] Of persons, hence
of utterances or compositions : Lofty or ambitious
in expression, grandiloquent. Also, occas. , 'talk-
ing big ', boastful.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Magniloquent, that useth a stately
manner of speaking or wnteing. 1659 Gal* den Slight
Healers (1660) 10 Really they are no other than imperious
Hypocrites, magniloquent Alontebanks. 1849 Longf. Ka-
\ vanagh xxi. Pr. Wks. 1886 II. 545 A large basket, contain-
i ing what the Squire, .in Don Quixote, called his' fiambreras",
—that magniloquent Castilian word for cold collation. 1854
Thackeray Neivcomes I. xxiii. 222 She was a trifle more
magniloquent than usual, and entertained us with stories
of colonial governors and their ladies. 1891 Lounsbiry
Stud. Chaucer I. iv.426 If he meant intentionally to describe
j so slight a performance in so magniloquent a manner.
•lb. Misused for: Pompous, 'mouthing*.
1850 Kingsley Alt. Locke viii, I read my verses aloud in
as resonant and magniloquent a voice as I could command.
Hence Ma^niToquently adv.
1849 Eraser's Mag. XL. 12 So he, magniloquently, as
was his wont [etc.]. 1892 Stevenson Across the Plains iii.
141 To finish a study and magniloquently ticket it a picture.
fMagni'loquous, a. Obs~° [f. L. mag-
nibqu-us (see prec.) + -0U3.] m Magnil0QU£NT.
1727 in Bailey vol. II.
Magniloquy (ma:gni'l^kwi). rare. [ad. L.
magniloqtti-iuii\ Magniloquence.
1656 Blount Glossogr. 1889 Buck's Handbk. Med. Set.
VIII. 520 Of many anatomical terms the chief characteristics
are antiquity, magniloquy, and unintelligibility.
Magniot, obs. form of Manioc.
tMagnipend, v- Obs~° [ad. L. phrase
magni fendHre {magni at a great price, penctire to
esteem, lit. to weigh).] ' Much to esteeme or set
by' ^Cockeram 1623).
Magni potence. rare-1, [f. L. magnipo-
lent-em: see next and -ence.] The quality of
being ' magnipotent ' ; mighty power.
1861 Patmore in Macm. Mag. V. 114 Jehovah's mild
magnipotence Smiles to behold His children play.
f Magnipotent, a. Obs. rare. [ad. L. type
*magnipotent-em, f. magn-us great + potent-em :
see Potent a.] Possessing great power.
1680 Observ. ' Curse Ye Meroz ' 8 Though this be so magni-
potent and all-sufficient a Sermon. 1727 I)e Foe Syst.
Magic \. iii. (1840)84 Satan, as he is a spirit, is magnipotent,
but he never was omnipotent.
MAGNIROSTRATE.
35
MAGPIE.
Magllirostrate (rnxgnirp'sireX), a. [ad.
mod.L. magnirostral-us, f. magn-us great +
rostr-um beak: see -ate2.] 'Having a long
and strong beak' (Mayne Expos. Lex. 1856).
Magni sonant (nnvgnrscmant), a. rare. [ad.
late L. magnisonant-em, f. magn-us great + pr.
pple. of sonar e to Sound.] High sounding.
a 1843 Southev Doctor, Cats Greta Hall (1847) VII. 500
Rumpelstilzchen ., that strange and magnisonant appella-
tion. 1843 Carol. Wiseman Ess. (1853) III. 442 A new
city just starting from the mud, with some magnisonant
name from Egypt or Greece.
Magnitude (mre*gniti«d). [ad. L. magni-
ludo, f. magn-us great, cogn. w. Gr. /«7«y, OTcut.
* mi kilo- : see Much. Cf. OF. magnitude.']
1. The qtfality or fact of being great, in various
senses ; = Greatness.
fa. Greatness of character, rank, or position.
Also jocularly, as a title of address. Obs.
1398 TreVISA Barth. De P. R. 1. (1495) 3 Our wytte maye
be led to the consyderacyon of the gretnesse, or magnytude,
of the moost excellent bewteuous clarete dyuyne & In-
uy^yble. 1433-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) III. 117 This Nubugo-
donosor transcendede in- magnitude and fortitude HercuK s
in his actes. 1609 P>. Jonson Masque Queens Wks. 1616 I.
961 [Boadicea's] orations, .wherein is expressed all magnitude
of a spirit, breathing to the libertie and redemption of her
Countrie. 1620 Shhlton Quix. III. xxxii. 231 And, for proof
of this, let me tell your Magnitudes [etc.]. 1647 Clarendon
Hist. Reb. t, § 141 The two Secretaries of State (which were
not in those days officers of that magnitude they have been
since. .) were [etc.]. 1665 Manley Cretins'1 Low C. ll'arres
741 The United States did not omit forthwith to send an
Embassy to congratulate him [King James] for his new
access of magnitude.
b. In physical sense : Greatness of size or ex-
tent. + Of sound : Loudness. Obs.
c 1420 Patlad. on Ifusb. 1. 1066 To bey thy been biholde
hem riche and fulle, Or preve hem by their murmurs magni-
tude. 1432-50 tr. Higdeu (Rolls) I. 127 Profitable waters
and wholsome, whkhe be callede sees what for the magni-
tude of theyme and for the copious multitude of fisches.
1640 Wilkins New Planet 11. (1684) 149 Tis said, that
Magnitude does always add to the swiftness of a violent
motion. 1650 Bulwer Anthropomet. xxi. 230 That
which fails in magnitude is called smal. 1727 De Foe
Syst. Magic 1. i. (1840) 9 The height, and strength, and
magnitude of their building could only serve to make its
fall . . more terrible. 18x7 Chalmers Astron. Disc. i. (1852)
22 We have something more than the mere magnitude of
the planets to allege in favour of the idea that they are in-
habited. 1860 Tyndall Glac. 1. xi. 82 And as our eye
ranged over the broad shoulders of the mountain, .. the
conception of its magnitude grew upon us.
c. Of immaterial things : Great amount or im-
portance.
i43*-5o tr. i/igdeu (Rolls) II. 343 He [Saturnus] was.,
namede as godde of alle guddes for the magnitude of his
power. 1526 Pilgr. Per/. (\V. de W. 1531) 268b, And how the
effectes y* suche ioye of ye spiryt leueth behynde it, sheweth
y magnitude or greatnes therof. 1769 Junius Lett, xx'iii.
108 A great man,, .even in the magnitude of his crimes, finds
a rescue from contempt, a 1806 Horsley Serm. I. iv. (1816)
70 We commonly find in the ambitious man a superiority
of parts, in some measure proportioned to the magnitude of
his designs. 1844 Thirlwall Greece lx. VIII. 29 The pre-
parations, .were, .on a scale proportioned to the magnitude
of the object he had^ in view. 1861 Stanley East. C/u vi.
(1869) 189 No conversion of such magnitude [as that of Con-
stantine] had occurred since the Apostolic age.
2. Size whether great or small ; in geometrical
use, the measure or extent of a particular line3
area, volume, or angle.
1570 Billingsley Euclid \. t. i A signe or poynt . . is the
beginning of magnitude. 1599 A. M. tr. Gabclhouer's Bk.
Physicke 74/1 Mixe of this poulder the magnitude of a hasell-
nutte amongst a little Cotten. 1615 Crooke Body of Man
355 It is a Membrane enclosing the whole cauity of the
Chest, wherefore his Figure and magnitude is answerable
to that cauity. 1658 Rowland tr. Mou/ets Theat. Ins.
1080 It is a small creature, and contemptible for its magni-
tude. 1725 De Foe Voy. round World (1840) 284 As to the
magnitude of those rivers, he could say little. 1754 Sher-
lock Disc. (1759) I. iv. 159 Reason can measure the Magni-
tudes and Distances of the heavenly Bodies. 1840 Lardner
Gcam. v. 59 We can never obtain an arc of the precise value
of any one of the usual denominations of angular magni-
tude. 1854 Brewster More Worlds v. 94 The creations of
the material world, whether they be of colossal or atomic
magnitude. 1885 Watson & Burbury Math. Th. Electr.
fy Magn. I. 119 Two infinite series of images, the magni-
tudes or values of which converge.
b. quasi- concr.
1570 Dee Math. Pre/. 3 What Magnitude so euer, is Solide
or '1 hicke, is also broade, and long. . . A long magnitude, we
terme a Line. 1570 Billingsley Euclid v. ix. 141 Magni-
tudes which haue to one and the same magnitude one and
the same proportion : are equall the one to the other. 1850
Barn. Smith Arith. £ Algebra (ed. 6) 192 The term Magm-
tude or Quantity is used in Mathematics to express what-
ever is capable of increase or diminution. Thus a sum of
money is a magnitude or quantity. 1864 Kowen Logic iv,
66 A Concept is a magnitude or Quantity.
3. A class in a system of classification determined
by size. a. Each of the classes into which the
fixed stars have been arranged according to their
degree of brilliancy.
The stars ' of the first magnitude' are the most brilliant ;
the sixth magnitude' includes those that are barely visible
to the naked eye ; the seventh and lower magnitudes are
telescopic only. The classification into ' magnitudes \ origi-
nally somewhat loose, as depending on the estimate formed
by the individual observer, is now a matter of photometric
measurement. The word magnitude in this application is
a literal rendering of the Gr. jut'y<0os, used by PtoUniy.
Formerly often denoted by the symbol m, as 2.111, 3.111,
[1594BLUNDEVH. Excrc. iv. xxxi. (1636) 485 The lift shuweth
the magnitude or greatnesse of the starre, whether it be of
the first, second, or third bignesse.J a 1641 Br. Mountagu
Acts <y Men. (1642) 121 In the firmament of heaven be many
Starres; .. of the first, second, third magnitude, as they use
to speak. 1667 Milton P. L. vn, 357 He form'il the Moon
Globose, and everie magnitude of Starrs. 1690 Leyboukn
Curs. Math. 383 A star of the 1 Magnitude may be seen
when the Sun is but 12 deg. below the Horizon. 1796 Hek-
sciiELin Phil. Trans. LXXXVI. 171, 2.3 m, however, cannot
be sufficiently kept apart from 3.2 m, or either of these ex-
pressions from 3 m, or from 2 m. 1893 Sir R. Ball Story
of Sun 13 A star of about the eighth magnitude. 1902
Daily Chron. 11 Aug. 6/7 Eros will be detected by the
naked eye as a sixth magnitude star.
t b. Numismatics. Obs.
1705 Heaune Collect. 19 Dec. (O. H. S.) I. 133 The said
Coyns are all Brass of the 3d magnitude.
c. Occas. in other applications. Also, Of lite
first magnitude (fig.) : °f *ne utmost greatness or
importance.
1693 G. StEPNY Juvenal Sat. VIII. 47 Whatever lie your
Birth, you're sure to be A Peer of the First Magnitude to me.
1830 LVELL /'rinc. Gcol. I. 413 In the following year there
were one hundred and fifty-one [sc. earthquake shocks :
they were registered in four classes], of which ninety-eight
were of the first magnitude. Mod. To do this would be
a blunder of the first magnitude.
Magnitudinous (moegniti^dinss), a. [f. I..
magnitudin- (-l/ldo) Magnitude + -ous.] Char-
acterized by magnitude; involving greatness of scale.
1803 W. Taylor in Monthly Mag. XVI. 223 The inference
..is.., in its possible consequences, too magnitudinous,
to be lightly stated in words. 1826 Examiner 120/1 His
designs were bold, severe, magnitudinous. 1893 Age Mel-
bourne) iq May, It has gone abroad.. that directors .. may
plead positive ignorance of magnitudinous transactions.
t Ma'gnity, a. Obs. rare-1, [ad. L. magnit&s
i. magn-us great: sec -itv.] « Magnitude i b.
1790 Bystander 198 A fool . . excites no wonder though he
commit every moment follies of the greatest magnity.
1 Magnium. Obs. [f. Magn(esia) + -ium.]
^Magnesium; a name applied to the metal by
Sir H. Davy in 1808 and withdrawn in 181 2.
1808 [See Magnesium i]. 1812 — Chcm. Philos. 348.
Magnolia (ma'gn^i'lia). fa. mod.L. magnolia,
f. name of Pierre Magnol (latinized Jllagnolius),
professor of botany at Montpcllier, i6^S-i^i^.^
A genus of large (rarely shrubby) trees (the typical
genus of the N. O. Magnoliacea>)> cultivated for
the beauty of their foliage and (lowers.
1748 Phil. Trans. XLV. 166 The Magnolia .. tho' scarce
in Virginia, has been since found to grow in great plenty in
the North-West Parts of Pensylvania. 1751 Bartram
Obscrv. in Trait. Peusilv.^ic. 67 A great hill, clo;tthed with
hirge Magnolia, 2 feet diameter and 100 feet high. 1799
Wordsw. Ruth xi, He told of the magnolia spread High as
a cloud, high over head ! 1823 Rutteb Eonthill 90 Here
and there the beautiful magnolia displayed the exquisite
whiteness of its large blossoms. 1858 Hogg I'eg. Kingd. 24
The bark and fruit of all the Magnolias are possessed of the
same medicinal properties.
b. ' The phannacopceial name (U. S. A.) for
the bark of several species of Magnolia ' (Mayne
Expos. Lex. 1856).
C. attrib. and Comb.
a 182 1 Shelley Eragm. Unfinished Drama 146 Holding
a cup like a magnolia flower. 1897 Pullen-Burry Blotted
Out 11 Mrs. Aylesbury's magnolia-covered house.
Magnoliaceous (msegn5nli£i-j3s),<x. Bot [f.
mod.L. Magndliace-iVy f. Magnolia: see -aceoi's.]
Of or belonging to the N. O. Alagnoliacex.
1852 Th. Ross tr. Humboldfs Trav. I. vi. 213 note, Magno-
Haceous plants.
Magno'liad. Bot. [f. Magnolia + -ad.] Lind-
ley's name for : A plant of the N. O. Magnoliacew.
1846 Lindley Veg. Kingd. 417 Wintered, which do not
seem to possess any solid distinction from Magnoliads.
Magnolite (margn^hit). Min, [f. the place-
name Magnolia + -ite.] A white tellurate of
mercury found in minute acicular crystals, in the
Magnolia district of Colorado.
1877 F. A. Genth in Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc. XVII. 11S
Magnolite, a new Mineral. This highly interesting mineral
is the product of the oxydation of coloradoite,
Magnoperate (maegnp'per^t),^. rare. [Two
formations : (1) f. L. magnopere greatly (short for
magno opere) -f -ate 3; (2) f. L. magn-us great
+ oper-, opus work: after operate.]
f 1. trans. To make greater. Obs.
1610 Hopton Baculum Geod. Ep. Ded. (1614), Which will
not a little magnoperate the splendour of your well knowne
Honour, to these succeeding times.
2. intr. {nonce-use.) To work at a 'magnum opus '.
1821 Byron Let. 22 June, That is right ; keep to your
magnum opus— magnoperate away.
Magnum (margnym). [sb. use of neut. sing,
of L. magnus great.]
1. A bottle containing two quarts of wine or
spirits ; also, the measure of liquor contained in
such a bottle.
1788 Burns Prose Wks. 40 If you add a tankard of brown
stout, and superadd a magnum of right Oporto. 1816 Scott
Antiq. ii, Bearing in his hand an immense double quart bottle,
or magnum, as it is called in Scotland. 1855 Ld. Houghton
in Li/e 11S91) I. xi. 505 Tell my father we had four mag-
nums of 1841 claret on the table. 1893 Vizetelly Glances
bach I. xvii. 328 [His] weakness was a too great partiality
for . . magnums of old port. 1895 Strand Mag. X. 556/2
The party broached a magnum of whisky.
b. nonce-use. A large glass (of spirits).
1837 Dickens Pickiv. xix, They, .ordered a glass of brandy
and water all rotuid, with a magnum of extra strength, for
Mr. Samuel Weller.
2. Short for Magnum Bonum 2.
1889 Daily News 25 Nov. 7/6 Potatoes at wholesale Prices.
— H2lb. Floury Magnums, 3^. 6d.
Magnum bonum (margnom b<>""*n,pm). [neut.
sing, of Ix magnus great and bonus good.]
1. A particular kind of large yellow cooking-
plum. Also magnum bonum plum.
1721 Mortimer Hush. II. 298 The Bonum Magnum a fair
yellowish green Plumb. 1769 Mrs. Raffald Eng. Hotisckpr.
(1778) 230 To preserve Magnum Bonum Plums. 1813 Sir
\\. Davy Agric. Chem, (1S14) 257 Two fruits can scarcely
be conceived more different in colour, size, and appearance,
than the wild plum and the rich Magnum bonum. 1879
Miss Yonge Magnum Bonum 1. 183 A basket of plums, .as
unlike magnum bonums as could well be.
2. A kind of potato.
1882 Garden 4 Feb. 75/2 In . . 1S79 my employer wished me
to plant half a rood 01 ground with Magnum Bonums.
•|*3. Sc. (Meaning not clear: ? =Maonum i.)
1790 Burns Ball. Dum/rics Election, While Welsh, who
ne'er yet flinched his ground High wav'd his magnum-
bonum round With Cyclopean fury.
4. A large-barrelled steel pen.
1851 Mayhew Loud. Labour (1864) I. 287 The street-
stationers do not go beyond zs. the gross, which is for
magnum bonums.
II Magnum opus. See Opus 2.
Magnus. Obs. [var. of Manganese: cf.
Mac.vase.] Black oxide of manganese, used in
the Staffordshire potteries.
1640 Rates in Noorthouck Loudon (1773) 838/2 Malt, the
quarter \d. Magnus, the cwt. id. 1686 Plot Staffordsh.
123 The Motley-colour .. is procured by blending the Lead
With Manganese, by the Workmen call d Magnus.
t MagO-chemical, a. OSs.rare—1. [f.mago-,
comb, form of Gr. ^(170-j: see Mac us, Magic]
Pertaining to magic and chemistry.
1652 Gauls Magastrom, 307 Magical! or mago-chymicall
arts, &c
Magoll, obs. form of Mogul.
Magonell, magonneaul, obs. ff. Mangonel.
Magophony (mag^foni). rare, [ad. Gr.
fj.ayoipoi>ia, f. fxdyo-s MAGUS + <f>6vos slaughter.]
The Massacre of the Magi, a famous event in Per-
sian history. Hence trans/, or Jig.
171 1 ShafTesb. Charac. I. 86 Much less wou'd you
(my Friend !) have carry'd on this Magophony, or Priest-
Massacre, with such a barbarous Zeal.
Magor(e,Magosine,obs.ii'.Mo(;uL, Magazine.
II Magot (mse-g^t, mago). [^r.]
1. A species of ape (Macacus inuus) ; the ' tail-
less* Barbary Ape of Gibraltar and North Africa.
1607 Toi'sell Four-/. Beasts 12 There was at Paris an-
other beast called a Tartarine, and in some places a Magot
(much lyke a Baboun). 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1862)
I. vil, i. 498 The Cynocephalus, or the Magot of Puffon.
1882 A. K. Wallace in Contemp. Rez: Mar. 423 In some
few this stump is so very short that there appears to be no
tail, as in the magot of North Africa and Gibraltar.
2. A small grotesque figure of porcelain, ivory,
wood, etc. of Chinese or Japanese workmanship.
1844 Thackeray Barry Lyndon xiii, Her rooms were
crowded with hideous China magots. 1881 Saintsbury
Dryden ii. 35 This [see Ann. Mirab. st. 29] cannot be con-
sidered the happiest possible means of informing us that
the Dutch fleet was laden with spices and magots.
Magot, Magozin, obs. ft. Maggot, Magazine.
Magpie (margpoi). Also 7 magge pye,
megpye. [f. Mag sb.- + Pie 1. Cf. Maggot-pie,
Maw-1'ie.]
1. A common European bird, Pica caudata, of
the family Corvidtv, having a long pointed tail
and black-and-white plumage. It is well known for
its noisy chatter, and is often taught to speak ; its
habits of pilfering and hoarding nre proverbial,
and it is popularly regarded as a bird of ill omen.
1605 S. Rowley When You See Me C3 Ast merie as
a magge pie. 1634 Peacham Gentl. Exerc. 11. i. 108 Dis-
simulation. A Lady wearing a vizard of two faces, . . in
her right hand a magpye. 1647 R. Stapylton Jit-icnal
62 The nine daughters of Pierus..were for that saucy
ambition transformed into meg-pyes. 1664 H. More Myst.
Eniq. 333 The Loquacity of the Magpie. 1720 Gay Poems
(1745) I. 70 No magpie chatter'd, nor the painted Jay. 1751
in Hone Every-day Bk. II. 1457 No horseshoe nor magpye
shall baffle our skill. i8ai Clare Vill. Minstr. I. 159 And
magpies that chattered, no omen so black. 1835 Ti nnyson
To E. D. Maurice 19 And only hear the Magpie gossip
Garrulous under a roof of pine. 1859 Darwis Orig. Spec.
viii. (1873) 209 The magpie, so wary in England, is tame in
Norway.
b. Austral. Applied to the black-and-white
Crow-shrike (Gymnorrhind) ; also, in Tasmania,
to the genus Strepera.
1859 H. Kingsley G. Hamlyn xviii. II. 4 A magpie was
chanting his noble vesper hymn from a lofty tret-. Ibid.
xxxiii. II. 314 note, Magpie, a large, pied crow. Of all the
birds I have ever seen, the cleverest, the most grotesque,
and the mo^t musical. 1886 T. Heney Eortunatc Days 47
71-2
MAGPIETY.
The magpie swells from knoll or silent brake His loud sweet
tune. 1898 Morris Austral Eng. 277.
2. transf. An idle or impertinent chatterer.
163a Massinger & Field Fatal Dowry iv. i, I haue
waited, sir, Three houres to speake w'ee, and not take it
well, Such magpies, are admitted, whilst I daunce Attend-
ance. 1791 Burke Let, to Cliev. de Rivarol (1844) III. 211
He will not care what ..the whole flight of the magpies
and jays of philosophy, may fancy and chatter. 1838 Lett,
fr. Madras (1843) 189 The Moonshee .. is not the little
talkative magpie who told me about the language of the
planets. 1895 Scully Kafir Stories 132 He was so fond of
talking that his comrades nicknamed him 'magpie'.
3. fa- A derisive term for an Anglican bishop,
from the black chimere and white rochet forming
his ordinary ceremonial attire {obs.). b. In recent
use, a jocular name for the episcopal costume
consisting of these vestments.
[C1645 Howell Lett. Verses to Rdr., Prelats, like mag-
pies, in the Ayr had flown. 1663 Killigrew Parsons
IVedd. in. v. 114 Have you not heard of the Scriveners Wife
that. .was deliyer'd of a Mag-Pie ;. .the Mid-wife cri'd out,
'twas born a Bishop, with Tippet and white-sleeves] a X704
T. Brown IVks. (1730': I. 107 Root out of them all Anti-
Christian Tyranny of most abominable Bishops; let not
those Silk-worms and Magpies have dominion over us.
Mod. Did he wear a cope, or only his magpie 1
4. A kind of potato.
1794 Billingslev Agric. Somerset (1797) 116 The sorts
[of potatoes] cultivated are the kidney,, .magpie, rough red
[etc.]. i8ag J ml. 0/ Naturalist 31 Our chief sorts [of
potato] are pink eyes,, .magpies, and china oranges.
5. A name given to a particular variety of the
domestic pigeon.
1868 Tegetmeier Pigeons xxi. 174 Magpies are another
variety of German Toys that are well known in England.
1895 Times 16 Jan. 11/6 For the rest, the Magpies, Mack,
red, yellow, and blue. .deserve to be mentioned. 1898 Daily
News 5 Jan. 2 Mr. F. Warner has some excellent magpies.
6. slang. A halfpenny. Cf. Mag sb.'S)
1838 Dickens O. Twist viii, I'm at low-water-mark my
self— only one bob and a magpie.
7. Mil. slang. A shot from a rifle which strikes
the outermost division but one of a target, and is
signalled by a black and white flag.
1884 Times 23 July 8/1 After running through the scoring
gamut with an outer, a magpie, and a miss. 1894 Ibid.
14 July 10/1 He followed his first two bull's eyes with two
more, then came a magpie.
8. attrib. and Comb., as magpie-like adj. ; mag-
pie diver, (a) the Golden-eye Duck, Clangttla
g/attcion ; (b) the Smew, Merganser albellus ; '
magpie finch, a bird of the genus Spermestes ; \
magpie goose (see quot.) ; magpie lark, a small ;
Australian bird, Grallina picata; magpie-maki,
a species of lemur, Lemur macaco (Cent. Diet.) ; \
magpie moth, a white moth, patched with black
and some yellow spots, Abraxas grossulariata-, \
magpie perch ,see quot.) ; magpie robin = Dial- j
bird ; magpie shrike, a South American bird,
Cissopis leverianus.
1796 N em mich Polygl. Lex. Nat. Hist. v. 82o*Magpie diver,
the smew. 1882 Pavne-Gallwey Fowler in Irel. 107 Another I
local name [of the Goldeneye] is the ' Magpie Diver ', a
very descriptive one by reason of the black and white
plumage of the adult male. 1869-73 T. R. Jones CasselCs
Bk. of Birds I. 158 The "Magpie Finch is an inhabitant
of the countries in the vicinity of the river Gambia. ;
1898 Mokris Austral Eng. 278 * Magpie-Goose, a common
name for the Australian Goose, Anseranus melanoleuca,
1888 Casselfs Pict. Australasia II. 2^5 The little "magpie-
lark. 1805 T. Hakrol Scenes 0/ Li/e III. 104 What was
before black had now assumed a *magpie-like appearance.
1796 Nk.mnich Polygl. Lex. Nat. Hist. v. 820 The large
"Magpie moth, Phal. grossulariata. The small Magpie
moth, Phal. urticata. 1819 G. Samouelle 'Entomol. j
Compend. 252 Magpie moth {A braxas grossulariata). I
1890 E. A. Or.merod Injur. Insects (eu. 2) 310 The
caterpillars of the Magpie Moth sometimes do a great deal
of mischief. 1898 Morris Austral Eng. 278 *Magpic~
Perch, a West Australian, Victorian, and Tasmanian fish,
Chilodactylus gibbosus. 1839 Jerdon in Madras Jrnl. X.
263 Dial bird. ..Large or * Magpie Robin. 1781 Latham
Gen. Syu. Birds I. 192 "Magpie Shrike. Size of a Song-
thrush : length ten inches.
Hence (nonce-7ods.) Mag-pied ///. a., made like
a magpie ; Magpieish a., magpie-like.
1845 E. Warburton Crescent $ Cross I. 64 Black slaves,
magpied with white napkins round their head and loins.
1880 Daily Neius 9 Aug. 2/2 Money, which.. had been |
abstracted and disposed of 111 a magpieish spirit of mischief.
Magpiety (nuegpareti). nonce-tad. [jocular
f. Magpie, after piety.'] (Cf. quots.)
a 1845 Hood Jarvis fy Mrs. Cope ii, Not pious in its
proper sense, But chattring like a bird, Of sin and grace— j
in such a case Mag-piety 's the word. 1891 Btackw. Mag. '
CL. 4^00/2 Conceive the agony of suppressed speech when a
man is as garrulous as a magpie by nature ; and my friend
is that, though his magpiety is of an elevated sort.
Magre, variant of Maugre.
Magrei, -rey, -rie, -ry : see Maugke.
Magryme, obs. form of Megrim.
Magsmail ,margsmaen). slang. [C Mag sbA].
A street swindler, ' confidence man '.
1838 The Town 27 Jan. 276 A magsman must of necessity
be a great actor and a most studious observer of human
nature. 1866 Dickens Reprinted Pieces, Detective Police
(1868) 241 Tally-ho Thompson was a famous horse-stealer,
couper, and magsman. 1897 M. Davitt in Westm. Gaz.
30 Sept. 2/1 Almost every pos>ible kind of convict, from the
sneak-thief, .to professional magsmen.
36
II Maguari (magwa-ri). [Tupi mbagudri (Ruiz
de Montoya Tesorode la Lingua Guarani 1639).]
A South American Stork, Euxenura maguari,
with a forked tail.
1678 Ray Willughbys Ornith. 287 The American Stork,
called by the Brasilians Maguari of Marggrave. 1824
Latham Gen. Hist. Birds IX. 54 The Spaniards call it
Cicogne; the Guarinis Baguari and Maguari. 1889 P. L.
Sclater Argentine Ornith. II. 107 The Maguari Stork is
a well-known bird on the pampas.
Maguder, variant of ^1AGYDARE. Obs.
II Maguey (mse'gwt'' ; Sp. mag^-y). Forms : 6
magueans, magueis, -eiz, -aiz, maguay, 7 man-
guay, mangouay, 8 ma'y)quey. [Sp., a. ITay-
tian.] The American aloe, Agave Americana.
J555 Eden Decades 135 Magueans which is an herbe
muche lyke vnto that which is commonly cauled Sengrene or
Orpin. [The Latin haspalmarumputa Magueiorum, qrneest
lierba,ctc] i$fi6 Chilton's I'oy. in Hakluyty About Mexico. .
there groweth a certeine plant called magueis which yceldeth
wine [etc.]. 1589 I'ahke tr. Mendozns Hist. China, etc. 320
A plant called Maguey. . . They take out of this plant wine,
which is that which th» Indians doo drinke ordinarily, and
the Negros. 1604 E. GUimstonk] D'Acos/a's I/ist. Indies
v. xxix. 420 They strewd round about a great quantitie of
the boughes of Manguay, the leaves whereof are large and
pricking. 1660 F. Brooke tr. Le Blanc's Trav. 363 There
are some that furiously lash their bare shoulders with thorns
of Mangouay. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kerseyi, Maijuey or
Mayquey, an admirable Tree in New Spain, in the West-
Indies. 1712 W. Rogers I'oy. (1718) 318 Their most
remarkable plant is that call'd Maguey. 1899 Atlantic
Monthly LXXXIII. 758/1 He who has once slept upon a
mass of the shredded fibres of the maguey, or Spanish
bayonet, will not be envious of the down couches of kings.
b. altn'b., as maguey fibre, leaf, tree.
1745 P. Thomas Jrnl. Anson's Voy. 128 They call it a
Maguey Tree, and from it they get Wine, Vinegar, Honey,
Thread, Needles, Stuffs for cloathing, or Sails for Canoes
and Small Boats, and Timber for building. 1893 Outing
(U.S.) XXII. iii/i A small roll made from the fiber of the
maguey leaf. 1901 Westm. Gaz. 21 Oct. 5/1 All the maguey
fibre Mexico can produce will be taken at good prices.
II MagUS ;nV-i-g&0. PI. Magi (m/i-d^ai) ; also
4 raagy. f L., a. Gr. fidyos, a. OPersian magu-s.]
1. Hist. A member of the ancient Persian priestly
caste, said by ancient historians to have been
originally a Median tribe. Hence, in wider sense,
one skilled in Oriental magic and astrology, an
ancient magician or sorcerer.
sing, [c 1384 Chaucer //. Fame m. 184 Ther saugh I
Hermes Ballenus, Lymote, and eek Simon Magus.] 1621
Qlarles Div. Poems, Esther (1638 1 93 Tyrant Cambyses
being dead and gone,. .Mounts up a Magus, with dissembled
right. 1638 SirT. Herbert Trav. 214 Let me rather busie
my brains in quest of what a Magus was . . under which
Title, many Witches, Sorcerers . . and other Diaboliques
have cloakt their trumperies. 174a Pope Dune. IV. 516
Thy Magus, Goddess ! shall perform the rest. 1805 H. K.
White Let. 10 Nov. Remains (1816) I. 207, I have as much
expectation of gaining it, as of being elected supreme magus
over the mysteries of Mithra. 1821 Shelley Prometh. Utib.
1. 192 The Magus Zoroaster.
ptur. [c 1400 Three Kings Cologne 49 Seynt Austyn seib
pat bis word Magi in the tung of Chaldee is as moche to
seye as a Philosophre.J 1555 Watreman Fardle of Facions
ii. viL K iv b, [In Persiajtheir Magi (that is to say men
skylfull in y* secretes of nature). 1609 Holland Amm.
Marccll. xxm. vi. 231 In these tracts lye the fertile fields of
the Magi. 1614 Sylvester Bethulias Rescue v. 301 You
Parthians, Cossians, and Arabians too, By your sad Magi's
deep prophetlike Charms Sacredly counsellM. 1711 Pope
'Temp. Fame 97 There in long robes the royal Magi stand,
Grave Zoroaster waves the circling wand. 1864 PuseyZ.<t/.
Daniel vii. 418 Among the Persians, those who are wise
as to the Deity, and are its ministers, are called Magi.
b. Applied by Irish historians to the heathen
sorcerers who opposed St. Patrick.
1822 Lanigan Feci. Hist. Irel. I. 224 Leogaire . . set out..
with a_ considerable number of followers and one or two of
the principal Magi. 1845 Petrie Round Towers Irel. 11.
ii. 132 Quoted as the composition of a certain magus of the
name of Con, in the ancient Life of St. Patrick. 1887 Sir
D. O. Hunter Blair tr. A. Betlesheim's Hist. Cath. Ch.
0/ Scott. I. 72 Thereupon the Magi, or Druadh, bitterly
reproached the parents for their adoption of Christianity.
Ibid. I. 73 Broichan, the Magus of King Brudc.
C transf.
1851 Carlyi.e Sterling 11. ii. (1S72) 94 His Father, .. the
magus of the Times, had talk and argument ever ready.
2. spec. The {three) Magi: the three 'wise men*
who came from the East, bearing offerings to the
infant Christ.
1377 Langl. P. PI. B. xix. 81 Wherfore and whi wyse
men that tyme, Maistres and lettred men Magy [C. Magi]
hem called. 165s Gaule Magastrom. 13 The Magi that
came to Christ. 1656 Blolnt Glossogr., Balthasar,. .one
of the Magi, or wise-men, vulgarly called the three Kings
of Collein. «7$6-7 tr. Keystcrs Trav. (1760) I. 405 A :
golden medal, said to be among the offerings of the eastern
magi to Jesus Christ. 1839 Penny Cycl. XIV. 281 Whence
the wise men of the East who came to see Christ are called
simply Magi.
tMagUBian. Obs. rare-'1, [f. prec. + -ian.]
A magian; a follower of the magi.
1587 Goi.ding De Mornay xxxiii. 530 The Magusians . .
are giuen to Incest after the custome of their Mother country
PerMa.
Magyar (mad-var), sb. and a. [The native
name. J
A. sb.
1. An individual of that Mongoloid race, now
MAHALEB.
forming, numerically and politically, the pre-
dominant section of the inhabitants of Hungary.
1797 Townson Trav. Hungary 141 An old Magyar to be
obliged to learn, and to learn the German language ! 1828
Foreign Q. Rev. III. 20 That the Magyars settled in
1 Hungary during the ninth century is certain. 1864 Spec-
tator 438 The moment it [a British fleet] threatens Trieste
thfl Magyar will be in arms. 1878 A'. Amer. Rev. CXXVL
, 557 The Magyars received the knowledge of southern pro-
ducts and of agriculture from their Turkic neighbors.
2. The language of the Magyars ; Hungarian.
1828 Foreign Q. Rev. III. 73 Volumes written in Latin,
German and Magyar. 1866 Charnock in Aulhrop. Rev.
IV. 172 In the Magyar there is only one conjugation for all
! regular verbs. 1884 Em. de Laveleye in Con temp. Rev. Dec.
820 He . . translated Stuart Mill's ' Liberty ' into Magyar.
Comb. 1886 W. J. Tucker S. Europe 231 The Hungarian
stage, being thus limited to the Magyar-speaking popula-
tion..can never enjoy European fame.
B. adj. Of or pertaining to the Magyars, or to
tiie language of the Magyars.
1828 Foreign Q. Rev. III. 34 The letters of the Magyar
1 alphabet which require particular notice are 6 [etc.]. Ibid.
30 Scarcely a fragment remains of old Magyar minstrelsy.
1851 Mayhew Lond. Labour I. 25 The Magyar noblesse.
1888 L. Oliphant Episodes in Life Adventure 180 Divers
hospitable Magyar country-houses.
Hence Ma-g-yarism, the principles of Magyar
patriotism ; Ma -gy arize v. trans., to assimilate to
the Magyar type ; to translate (names) into Mag-
yar; hence Ma-gryarized///. a. ; Ma-gyarization ;
Magyarizing vbl. sb.
1862 Sat. Rev. 8 Feb. 158 Magyarism once meant a
tyranny of race. 1879 W. R. Moreill in Westm. Rev. Oct.,
How long this small nationality [of Slovaks] will be able to
resist Magyarisation is doubtful. 1880 Echo 23 Oct. 1/5
The Chauvinist agitators for the ' Magyarising of Com-
merce'. 1884 Em. de Laveleye in Contemp. Rev. Dec.
826 Austria Hungary can neither Magyarize nor Germanize
Bosnia. 1886 W J. Tucker E. Europe 48 Those amongst us
bearing German names Magyarise them. Ibid. 133 Govern-
ment, in the frenzy of its Magyarizing hallucinations, heralds
the Magyarizing of the name with applause. 1889 Daily
News 21 Nov. 5/3 The. .completely Magyarised family of
the Archduke Joseph. 1897 Contemp. Rev. Jan. 13 The
Roumanian subjects, .refuse to be Magyarised.
t Magydare. Obs. Also 6 maguder. fad.
L. magitaaris, magydaris, -deris, a. Gr. /xa-yiJSa/M?.]
The root of the plant laserwort; the plant itself.
1530 Palsgb. 241/2 Maguder a stalke of an herbe, chion.
1597 Gerabde Herbal n. ccclxxv. 854 It is called in Latin
Laserpitium '. in English Laserwoort and Magydare : the
gum or liquor that issueth out of the same is called Lacer.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Magydare, a sort of Herb.
Mahadee, obs. form of Mahdi.
I! Mahajun (maha'dszm). [Hindi mahdfan,
repr. Skr. mahajana great man, head of tribe or
caste.] A money-lender, usurer.
1858 J. B. Norton Topics 245 The mahajun kindly under-
takes to advance the money, c 1861 A. C. Lyall Old Pin-
daree(Y.), Down there lives a Mahajun— my father gave
hirn a bill, I have paid the knave thrice over, and here I'm
paying him still.
II Mahal (maha/1). Indian. Also7mahael,mo-
hol(l, 8-9 mahl, 9 muhal. [Urdu (Arab.) U*
mahally f. Arab, root halla to lodge.]
1. Private apartments or lodgings.
1638 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 71 Who.. leads him into the
Manael (or private lodging). 1662 J. Davies tr. Mandelslo"s
Trav. 76 He went to the Maluul, or Queens Lodgings.
1793 T. Maurice Ind. Antiq. I. 67 The mahls, the courts,
the galleries, the rooms of state, are almost endless. 1799
Wellington Suppl. Desp. (1858) I. 322, I beg that you will
desire my moonshee to write a letter to the ladies in the
mahal. 1800 Asiat. Ann. Reg., Misc. Tracts 294/1 These
inner apartments are said to have been the mahl, or private
chambers of Gundrufsein.
2. A summer house or palace.
1635 Purchas Pilgrims I. iv. 428 A Garden, and Moholl
or Summer house of the Queene Mothers. 1638 Sir T.
Herbert Trav. 159 An even delicate street .. bestrew'd
with Moholls or Summer houses. 1800 Asiat. Ann. Reg.,
Misc. Tracts \tefi Rajah Ragonaut's old mahal or house
under Goosapahar. 1834 Baboo I. xi. 200 This old dwelling
is not like the ancient Muhal of my fathers.
3. A territorial division in India; a ward of a
town. Also, a division of an estate or tract of land
for farming or hunting purposes.
1793 T. Maurice Ind. Antiq. I. 106 The soobah of Bengal
is said to consist of twenty-four circars and seven hundred
and eighty-seven mahls. 1800 Asiat. Ann. Reg., Char. 3/1
Colar is a mahl of Sera. 1815 Sir J. Malcolm Hist. Persia
II. 177 note, He was made magistrate of all the Hyderee
mahals, or wards termed Hyderee, which included more
than half the city. 1813 — Mem. Central India I. 146 note,
The first grants of twelve Mahals to Mulharjee Holkar. 1883
19M Cent. Sept. .424 The supervisors uere instructed to pre-
pare rent-rolls of each mahal, or farm. 1885 Sir W. Hunter
Imp. Gaz. India I. 349 The elephant hunting-grounds.. are
divided into several mahals, which are leased out.
Malialeb (ma'haleb). Also 6-8 macaleb, 8
mahalep, y mahlib, melub. [a. F« macaleb,
-lep (Cotgr.), a. Arab. *-**** mahlab. Cf. It.
macalepo * a kinde of perfume or swecte smell '
(Florio 1598).] A kind of cherry, Prunus Ma-
haleby the kernels of which are used by perfumers ;
the tree itself is used as a dwarf grafting-stock for
cherries.
1558 Warde tr. Alexis' Seer. 50 Take the Macaleb, whiche
are litle ^x>te and odoriferous graynes so called. 1597
MAHANT.
Gerarde Herbal in. lv. 1211 This shrubbie tree called Ma-
caleb or Mahaleb is also one of the Priucts. 1656 Blount
Glossogr. , Maealcb, the bastard Coral or Pomander ; of whose
sweet and shining black berries, chains, and bracelets are
made. I7« tr. I'omei's Hist. Drugs I. 13 Mahalep is the
Kernel of a small Berry, almost like a Cherry-Stone. 1858
Simmonus Diet. Trade, Mahlib, liiclnh, the fragrant kernels
of Primus Malialcbot Linnaeus, strung as necklaces, which
are much valued by the women of Sinde and other parts
of India. 1891 J. Wright Fruit Grower's Guide II. 120
The Mahaleb is the principal dwarfing stock.
Mahammudan, obs. form of Mohammedan.
Mahan, obs. form of Maund, Indian weight.
II Mahant (mahfnl). Indian. Also 9 mehunt.
[Hindi.] A religious superior.
1800 Asiat. Ann. Keg., Misc. Tr. 247/1 The ruling power
was., held by the priests of the Goosaigns, distinguished by
the appellation of Mchunts. 1896 Mrs. 1!. M. Choker
Village Talcs 160 A venerable Mahant, or high-priest of
the Gosains, now advanced.
II Maharaj (maharfrdj). [Hindi maharaj, f.
malm great + raj sovereignty, (in compounds)
sovereign.] =next.
1826 Hockley I'aiuiiirang HariX. n A small tent through
which all must pass before they could enter the presence of
the Ma.ha.raj. 1903 Wcstm. Gaz. 13 Aug. 8/2 Calcutta
Corporation . -the following resolution was proposed by the
Maharaj Kumar Prodyat Tagore.
II Maharajajl) (mahara^a). Also <J mau
raja(h. [Hindi maluiraja great king, f. mahd great
+ raja Raja(h.] The title of certain Indian princes.
1698 Fkyer Ace. E. India <y /'. 76 Seva Gi . . is preparing
to be install'd Mau Raja, or Arch Raja, at his Court at
Rairee. Ibid. 174 Mau Rajah. 177S Trial of Joseph I'moke
2/1, 1 went to Maha Rajah Nundocomar. 1859 Lang Wand.
Ind. 38 The Maharajah with his suite appeared.
II Maharanee (mahai5.'nf). [Hindi maharam,
f. maha great + ram queen.] The wife of a maha-
rajah.
1862 Beveridge Hist. India III. vm. vi. 472 The maha-
rajah was.. childless. His wife, the maharanee, was.. only
twelve years of age.
Mahaseer, -sur, variants of Mahseer.
Mahatma (mahartma). [ad. Skr. mahdtman
' great-souled ', f. maha great + atman soul.] In
' Esoteric Buddhism ', one of a class of persons
with preternatural powers, imagined to exist in
India and Tibet.
1884 PallMallG. 19 Aug. r/i One of Madame Blavatsky's
Mahatmas. 1888 Mme. Blavatsky Seer. Doctr. II. 173 The
Third Race had thus created the so-called Sons of Will and
Yoga, or the 'ancestors'., of all the subsequent and present
Arhats, or Mahatmas, in a truly immaculate way.
Mahayme, obs. form of Maim.
II Mahdi vmadi). Also9mohdi,mahadi,-dee,
mehdi, rnehdee. [Arab. C$*4r* mahdiy, lit. 'he
who is guided aright ', passive pple. of <jjj>,
hadd to lead in the right way.] A spiritual and
temporal leader expected by the Mohammedans to
appear in the latter days. In recent use chiefly
applied to certain insurrectionary leaders in the
Soudan from about 1880, who are alleged to have
claimed to be the predicted ' Mahdi '.
1800 Asiat. Ann. Reg., Misc. Tr. 125/1 Mahommed, who
was proclaimed Khalifat Medina in the year of the Hejira
145, and who assumed the title of Mohdi or Mahadi. 1803
T. WlNTERBOTTOM Sierra Leone I. xiv. 246 Some years ago
a celebrated impostor, who called himself Mahadee,. .made
his appearance among the Soosoos and Mandingos. 1868
J. P. Brown Dervislu-s ii. 74 It is from among the descen-
dants of 'Alee that the more devout Moslems expect the
Mehdee. 1885 'limes 20 Mar. 5/5 The desert Arabs state
that a new Mahdi has appeared in Kordofan.
Hence Ma'hdiship, the dignity or position of a
Mahdi ; Ma hdism, Ma hdi-ism, the rebel move-
ments in the Soudan about 1880-1885, and sub-
sequently, under leaders claiming to be the Mahdi ;
Ma-hdian, Ma'hdist, Ma-hdi-ist, an adherent of
a pretended Mahdi.
1884 iq//< Cent. May 8ifi The impostor who has .. laid
claim to the Mahdiship. 1884 Times (weekly ed.) 20 Aug. 1
Mahdism is essentially a Shiya doctrine. 1885 Pall Mall G.
10 J[une 3/1 Mahdi. ism is in his eyes a real danger. 1885
Daily Tel. 19 Feb. 5/2 A demonstration . . was . . made
against Metemneh, in order to draw the Mahdists off. 1885
Ibid. 21 Mar. 5/1 No hardy Mahdian got nearer than twenty
yards. 1891 Daily AVrra 18 Dec. 6/1 The invasion of
Egypt by the Mahdiists in August, 1889. 1897 Ibid.
22 Sept. 6/4 Gordon, and Sir Samuel Baker . . were even
more responsible for the rise of Soudanese Mahdism than
the Mahdi himself.
Mahe, Mahem, obs. ff. Maw sb.l, Maim.
Mahen, Maheym, obs. ff. May v., Maim.
Mahiz, obs. form of Maize.
Mahlstick, variant of Maulstick.
Mahlstrom, Ger. form of Maelstrom.
II Mahmu'di. Obs. Also 7 mammotheo, raa-
mudee, mahomedee, mamoodo, mammo(o)da,
mam(m)oodee, mahmoudi, -y, 7-8 mamooda,
8 mahmoodee, mahmudie, mahmoude. [l'ers.
l/.>j»s? mahmudi, f. the name of Shah Mahmud.\
A Persian money of account, orig. a silver coin
of the approximate value of twelve pence. Also,
a gold coin formerly circulating in India.
37
1612 R. Coverte True Rep. etc. 34 A Mammothee. .being
nine pence English. 1625 Pcrciias Pilgrims I. 523 Their
moneyes in Persia of Siluer, are the Abacee, the Mahome-
dee [etc.]. 1687 A. Lovell tr. ThcvenoCs Trav. II. 63 An
Abassi and a Mahmoudi, which is asmuch as a Chai, and
a Para. Ibid. 111. 18 There is also a Mogole Silver-Coin,
called Mahmoudy, which is worth about eleven Sols and
a half. 1783 Gladwin Ayeen Akbery I. 17 The Mahmoodee
and Mozuffery of Guzerat and Malwah. 1797 Encycl. Brit.
(ed. 3) XIV. 176/1 An abassee is worth two manmoudes.
1878 Note in Hawkins* Voy. iHakluyt Soc.) 407 The Mah-
mudi was a gold coin of Gujrat.
Maho, variant of Mahu Obs.
!|Mahoe1(mah(Ju-). Bot. AU07 8mahot,maho,
8 mono, 9 mohoe, mohaul. [Carib mahou ; the
early spelling mahot is Fr.]
1. The name of several trees. (Also mahoe-lree.'
a. A sterculiaceous tree or large shrub (Stcrculia
caribxd), a native of the West Indies, b. A mal-
vaceous shrub or tree (J'aritium tiliaceum and
P. elatum), with a wide range through tropical
countries. C. Applied with qualifications to similar
plants of various genera. (See ciuot. 1866.)
1666 J. Daviks Hist. Carib. 1st. 1. viii. 49 [tr. Rochefort
1658] Of the Tree called Mahot there are two kinds, Mahot-
franc, and Mahot d'herbe. 1671 Ogilby America 348 The
Mahot-Tree, of the Bark of which are made Laces and
Points. 1697DAMHER Voy. (1729) I. iii. 37 They make their
Lines both for fishing and striking with the Bark of Maho.
1756 P. Browne Jamaica 284 The Mountain Mohoe. .grows
to a considerable size,.. and is generally reckoned an excel-
lent timber-tree. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1S24) III. 162
Having fed upon the flowers of the mahot. .it [the iguana]
goes to repose upon the branches of the trees. 1838 Penny
Cycl. XII. 193/1 In the West Indies the whips with which
the slaves are lashed are made from the fibres of //[ibiscus]
arboreus (mohoe or mohaul). 1866 Treas. Bot. 711/1
Mahoe, blue or common, I'aritium datum. — , bombast,
OchromaLagofnis. — , Congo, Hibiscus clypeatus. — ,grey
or mountain, Paritium elatum, — , seaside, Thcspesia
populnea.
2. The wood or the fibre of some of these trees.
1897 Daily News 10 Mar. 6/3 In rods alone there was an
almost endless variety, whether of built cane,., blue mahoe,
. . or any other material.
3. attrib., as mahoe hush ; mahoe-piment, Daph-
nopsis caribsva (Grisebach Flora IV. Ind. 1864,
p. 785).
1827 Roberts Voy. Centr.Amer. 127 Some of the very low
land is covered with water, .producing only rank coarse
grass and Mohoe bushes.
I! Mahoe2 (mah^v)- [Maori.] The New Zea-
land Whitewood-tree, Melicytus ramijlorus.
1835 W. YatzAccN. Zealand^. 2)49 Mahoe {Melicytus
ramijlorus') . .grows to a height of not more than fifty feet.
1866 Treas. Bot. s.v. Melicytus, M. ramijlorus is the
Mahoe of the New Zealanders, which must not be con-
founded with the Mahoe of the West Indies.
t Maho'ganite. slang. Obs. [f. Mahogany
+ -ITE.] (See quot.^i
1825 Sporting Mag. XVI. 9 note, A mahoganite is one who
rides at a most infernal pace about the introduction of the
second bottle .. with his knees under any semicircular
mahogany fire table.
Mahoganize (mahp*gan3iz\ v. U. S. Also
mahoganyize. [f. Mahogany + -ize.] trans. (See
quot.)
1848-59 Bartlett Diet. Amer., MaJtoganyke, to paint
wood in imitation of mahogany. 1855 Ogilyie, Mahoganize.
(American.)
Mahogany (mahfgani). Also 7 mohogeney,
8 mohog(g)ony, mahogena, mahogon(e)y.
[Written mohogeney in 1671 ; of unknown origin.
The Eng. word was adopted into botanical Latin
by Linnaeus (1762) as mahagoni, and is prob. the
source of the continental forms : F. mahagoni,
moliogon (rare), It. mogano (mogogaue, mogogon,
etc.), Pg. mogno, G. mahagoni, Du. mahonie, Sw.
mahogny, Da. mahogni.
The statement that the word is Carib is founded on a mis-
reading by Von Martius : see J. Piatt, Jr. in N. $Q. 9th
Ser. VIII. 201. The only known name in the Carib lan-
guage is caoba, which has been adopted in Sp.J
1. The wood of Swietenia Mahagoni (N. O.
Cedrelacex), a tree indigenous to the tropical parts
of America, esp. Mexico, Central America, and
the West Indies. It varies in colour from yellow
to a rich red brown, is remarkably hard and 6ne-
grained, and takes a high polish. Also with quali-
fication denoting the special variety or place of
origin, as Baywood, Cuba, Honduras, Jamaica,
Spanish mahogany.
1671 Ogilbv America 338 Here [in Jamaica 1 are., the most
curious and rich sorts of Woods, as Cedar, Mohogeney,
Lignum-vita:, Ebony [etc. ]. 1703 Eond. Gaz. No. 3891/3 On
Wednesday. ., will be. .exposed to Publick Sale. ., the Cargo
of the Galeon called the Tauro . ., consisting of . . Cocoa, . .
Brazelletto, Mohogony. 1733 Bramston Man 0/ Taste 15
Say thou that do'st thy father's table praise, Was there
Mahogena in former days? <i 1746 T. Warton Poems
(1748) 109 Odious ! upon a walnut-plank to dine ! No— the
red-vein'd Mohoggony be mine ! 1817 Byron Beppo lxx,
He was a Turk, the colour of mahogany. 1842 Gwilt
Archil. (1859)487 The variety called Spanish Mahogany, and
imported from Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, and other West
India islands [etc.]. Ibid. 996 The Jamaica mahogany is
the hardest and most beautiful, i860 Jeaffreson Bk. about
Drs. I. 185 He [Gibbons] brought into domestic use the
mahogany with which one has so many pleasant associa-
MAHOGANY.
tions. 1875 Carpentry fy Join, is Oak, teak, and mahogany
should find a place in the workshop more often than they
do, the mahogany being what is often called cedar, to dis-
tinguish it from the very hard Spanish wood. The softer
and more common kind is from Honduras. 1892 Mod.
Trade Circular^ Mahogany, Mexican, 5^. to 6d. per foot,
superficial. Do., Tobasco, $kd. to jd. per foot, superficial.
b. The tree itself.
1759 Miller (lard. Did. (ed. 7) s.v. Cedrus. The second
Sort is the Mahogony, whose Wood is now well known in
England. 1846 Lindlev Veg. Kingd. 462 The bark ..of Maho-
gany \Swietenia Mahagoni) is also accounted febrifugal.
2. transf. Applied, chiefly with qualification, to
various woods resembling mahogany, and to the
trees producing them. In Australia mainly used
for various species of Eucalyptus, esp. the Jarrah
(£. marginata), and for Tristania conferla (N. O.
J/yrtacen1) : see Morris Austral Eng. (1898) 278-9.
African mahogany, Khaya Semgalensis; Bastard
mahogany, Matayba {Katonid) apd<tla\ also Eucnlyp-
tus bot ry aides 3l\\<\ Ii. marginata; East India mahogany,
Soymidafebrifuz'i \ Forest mahogany, Eucalyptus re-
siui/cra and E. microcorys; Indian mahogany, Cedreta
'Toona; Madeira mahogany, Persea iudka (bee Ma-
deira1 1); Mountain mahogany, Bdu la tenia ami Cere*-
carpus ledi/olins; Red mahogany, Eucalyptus resini.
/era ; Swamp mahogany, Eucalyptus robusta and E.
botryoides\ Whitemanogaiiy,(in Jamaka).Steuostomum
bifttrcatum', tin Australia) Eucalyptus robusta', al^o E.
pilularis. (See Treas. Bot. i860*.)
1842 Penny Cycl. XXIII. 404/2 S[u-idcu?a] Seuegalcusis
has also been formed into a new genus, Khaya, and is the
tree yielding African mahogany. 1846 Stokes Diseov.
Australia II. iv. 132 Mahogany— Jarrail— Eucalyptus-
grows on white sandy land. 1884 Pall MatiC. 22 Aug. 3/1
The main saloon is finished in white mahogany throughuut.
3. colloq. A table, esp. a dining-table.
1840 Dickens OldC. Slwp Ixvi, I had hoped, .to have seen
you three gentleman, .with your legs undtr the mahogany
in my humble parlour. 1846 Th ACKER AY Bk. Snobs xxxi,
Other families did not welcome us to their mahogany. 1848
— Van. Pair xiii, George was going .. to bring tin: supply
question on the mahogany. 1850 Elorists Jrnl. 149 Nearly
forty gathered round Mr. Lidgard's mahogany after the ex-
hibition. 1891 Mrs. Wali-ord Mischief of Monica III. 90,
I could have put my feet under his mahogany., with the
very greatest satisfaction.
4. slang and dial. a. A Cornish beverage com-
pounded of gin and treacle, b. A strong mixture
of brandy and water.
1791 Boswell Johnson an. 1781, 30 Man, They [the Cor-
nish fishermen] call it Mahogany ; and it is made of two
parts gin and one part treacle well beaten together. 1816
'Quiz' Grand Master n. 54 note, It is believed that drinking
mahogany (a strong description of brandy pauny) is the best
preventive against the sun's heat. The remedy is in general
repute in Bombay. 1823 1'. Bond Hist. E. <$- IV. Eooe 82
note, At a trial at the Cornish Assizes some years ago, a
witness . . puzzled his lordship and the council, by telling
them he was. .'eating Fair maids and drinking Mahogany'.
1852 C. J. Mathews Little Toddlekins 20 Capt. Littlepop.
I've been obliged to.. diet myself on stiff brandy and water.
Broivnsmith. Mahogany? I have got some, .. black as
coffee, strong as mustard.
5. A kind of moth, Noctua tetra.
1819 G. Samocelle Entomol. Compcnd. 370 Nodua tetra,
the Mahogany,
6. attrib. and quasi-a^'. a. Made of mahogany.
1730 W. Warren Collectanea in Willis & Clark Cambridge
(1886) I. 225 Mohogany window Seats : A Marble Table for
ye Side-board on a Mohogany Stand. 1763 Museum Rus-
ticum (ed. 2) I. 179 The world of England has been, for
some years past, running mad after mahogany furniture.
1773 Goldsm. Stoops to Conq. iv, Then there's a mahogany
table. 1864 Sala Quite Atone I. v. 75 In a recess were
three handsome mahogany desks. 1885 R. Buchanan
Annan Water ix, At one side of the room stood a large
mahogany bed.
b. Of the colour of polished mahogany, red-
dish-brown. Also absol.
1737 W. Salmon Country Builder's Estim. (ed. 2) 101
Chocolate-Colour, Mahogony-Colour, Cedar and Walnut-
tree-Colour. 1751 Smollett Per. Pie. II. lxix, Their
natural colour.. degenerated into a mahogany tint. 1761
Brit. Mag. II. 44/2 To stain Wood of a Mahogony Colour.
1823 Spirit Pubt. Jmls. (1825) 292 Molly Lowe, suffused
with mahogany blushes. 1834 'Pair's 'Mag. I. 384/1 His
testy temper and mahogany complexion obtained him credit
for being an American. 1839 tr. Eatuartine's Trav. East
103/1 Their legs and hands were . . painted a mahogany
colour. 1855 Dickens Dorrit 1. xxiv, Travelling people
usually get more or less mahogany. 1893 Stevenson Catri-
<>Ha 359 We saw he was a big fellow with a mahogany face.
7. attrib. and Comb. : simple attrib., as ma-
hogany-dust, -plank t -trade, -wood; mahogany-
brown, -red adjs. ; parasynthetic, as mahogany-
coloured, -faced adjs. Also mahogany-birch,
Betula lenta; mahogany cutter, a workman
employed in felling and trimming mahogany ;
mahogany gum, Australian, the jarrah ; maho-
gany scrub, Australian, a tract thickly covered
with 'mahogany* or jarrah trees; mahogany
tree, (a) the Swietenia Mahagoni, or any of the
trees to which the name is transferred (see 2) ;
{b) Jocularly, a dining table.
1850 Chaloner & Fleming Mahogany Tree 42, 1st of April,
when the * Mahogany Cutters' harvest may be said to com-
mence. 1875 Carpentry $ Join. 70 By "mahogany dust
and glue a nail hole may be partially hidden. 1739 *f ill
in Payne Eng. Catlt. (1889) 53 My coffin to be of *mahogany
plank. 1843 Portlock Geol. 513 The paste, . . is of a dark
red, frequently "mahogany-red, felspar. 1846 Stokes Diseov.
Australia II. vi. 231 Part of our road lay through a thick
MAHOITRE.
•mahogany scrub. 1850 Chaloner & Fleming Mahogany*
Tree Pref., The promotion of the interest:, of the * Mahogany
trade. 1747 Mortimer in Pkil. Traits. XI. IV. 599 He begins
this Set with the * Mahogony-Tree. 1847 Thackeray Maho-
gany Tree i, Little we fear Weather without, Sheltered about
The Mahogany Tree. 1875 T. Laslett Timber $ Timber
Trees 1S9 The Jarrah or Mahogany tree . . is also found in
Western Australia. 1703 Lend. Gas. No. 3S91/3 On Wed-
nesday.., will be exposed to Publick Sale Goods .. consist-
ing of .. Nicaragua and 'Mohogony Wood,. .&c.
Mahoganyize: see Mahogamze.
t Mahoitre. Obs. [ad. OF. mahustrc, -hoitre,
-heu/re.'] A padding placed in the upper part of
the sleeve of a garment for the purpose of in-
creasing the apparent breadth of the shoulders.
1834 Planche Brit. Costume 201 The shoulders were
padded out with large waddings called mahoitres. i860
I-'airholt Costume ted. 21 Glos-.., Mahoitre, . . the wadded
and upraised shoulders in fashion during the fifteenth and
sixteenth centuries.
t Mahoniery. Obs. In 4 mameri, 5 ma-
hom m^erye. [a, OF. mahomerie, f. Mahom
Mahound.] A mosque.
e 1330 Sir Beues 1350 Aboute be time of middai Out of a
mameri a sai Sarasms come gret foisoun, f>at hadde anourcd
here Mahoun. 1481 Caxtos Go*ifrey civ. 157 Our barons
had aduysed to make a grete fortresse..in a mahommerye
that the turkes bad. Ibid. cvi. 162 Oute of theyr graues in
the mahomerye.
Mahomet 'mahfm<t; in verse occas.m/i'b^met).
Forms: 4 Macamethe, 4-5 Machamete. Mac-,
Makomete, Makaniete, 4-6 Machomete, 5-6
Machomet, 6 Machamyte, Macomit e, -yt e,
Mahomet t e, -ite, 6-7 Mahumet, 6- Mahomet.
See also Mahovxd, Mumet. [Cf. F. Mahomet,
med.L. Machometus, Mahumctus* Mahomet its.]
L The popular rendering of the Arabic name
Muhammad, borne by the founder of the religion
of Islam {died 632). In literary use now largely
superseded by the more correct form Mohammed.
^1380 Wvcuf H'ks. (1SS0) 301 f>e secte of macamethe.
l- 1380 — Set. H'ks. III. 364 Aljif be fende . . medle good
wip be yvel; for bus dide Machamete in bis la we. 1:1386
Chaucer Man 0/ Lazes T. 235 The hooly lawes of oure
Alkaron, Yeuen by goddes message Makomete [v.r. Maka-
mete}. Ibid. 238 Makometcs lawe [r.r. Macometis]. 1387
Trevisa Higdeu | Rolls) I. 33 pe fifte leuynge [L. ritus] of
Sarazynes bygan vndir Makomete [1433-50 Machomete].
1400 Maundev. (1&39' xii. 131 Alkaron.. the whiche Book
Machamete toke hem. Ibid. 135 Machomet. 1547 Boorde
Introd. Knoivl. xxxvii. 1870 214, 1 am a Turk, and Macha-
m\ tes law do kepe. (Also: Macomyt(e, -iti'e.J 1600 J. Pory
tr. Leo's Africa hi. 151 Mahumets law affirmeth all kinde
of diuinations to be vaine. 16*5 Bacon Ess., Of Boldness
(Arb.) 519 If the Hill will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet
wil go to the hil. 1678 Butler Hud. in. ii. 605 To hang,
like Mah'met in the air. Or St. Ignatius, at his prayer. i8ai
Shelley Hellas 221 The moon of Mahomet Arose, and it
shall set. 1881 Sir W. Hvktek in Encycl. Brit. XII. 792/1
Muhammad commonly known as Mahomet.
t2. A quasi-deity. Obs. rare — 1.
1553 Edes Treat. Newt tn .*'. Arb.l 25 Whom they hon-
oure & reuerence as a great God is: mighti Mabumet.
t3. An idol. Obs. Cf. Maumet.
[cijos etc: see Mal.met.] tat&o Cluster PI. x. 285
For Mahomet is, both one and all, that men of Egipt Gods
can call, at your coming downe shall fall, c 1530 Ld. Ber-
ners Artk. Lyt. Bryt. (1814] 147 At the laste .. Arthur
founde two ymages of coper . . and whan Arthur sawe them,
he toke his swerde in his hande, & layde on with alt his
myght on these mahomettes. 1553 Becox Reliques of Rome
(1563) S8 Afterwarde thys doung-hel of Idolatry .. set vp
agayne her Idoles and mahomets. Ibid, 93* Brought into
our Churche Idolles and Mahomettes.
+ 4. = Mahometan*. Mohammedan. Obs. (Cf.
MaHoMITE.)
1508 Kesnedie Fly ting w. Dunbar 526 Sarazene, symo-
nyte, . . Mahomete, maue>uorne. 1533 Gal* Rickt Vay (1888)
105 The machometis and the turkis, the iowis and oder
infidelK 1601 W. Parry Trav. Sir A. Sherley 10 They are
damned Infidels and Zodomiticall Mahomets. 1747 Mem.
Xntrebian Crt II. 197 From all parts of the neighbouring
kingdom had drawn mahomets, Coptics, and idolaters.
5. A kind of pigeon. ? Obs.
(So called in allusion to the story that Mohammed had
a pigeon which used to peck corn out of his ear, in order to
make his followers believe that he received communication
from the Holy Ghost in the form of a dove.]
I1678: see Maumet] .1735 J. Moore Columbarium 51
Columba Xumidica Alba. The Mahomet. This Pigeon is
no more in Reality than a white Barb. 1765 Treat. Dom.
Pigeons 141 It is the opinion of many fanciers, that the
Bird called a mahomet is nearly of a cream colour.
Mahometan (mahumetan), a. and sb. Abo
6 Machometan. Machumetan, 7-S Mahume-
tan^, 6- Mahometan, [ad. med.L. Machome-
tdn-us, Mahomet anus, f. Machumetus, Mahomet us \
see prec. Cf. F. mahome'tain.']
A. adj. 1. = Mohammedan a.
1600 J. PoRYtr. Leo' s Africa l 10 The Mahumetan priestes
alwaies forbad the Arabians to passe over Nilus with their
armies. Ibid. 111. 165 No Mahumetan king or prince may
weare a crowne. 1714 Spe:t. No. 631 P 7 The Jewish Law,
(and the Mahometan, which in some things copies after it)
is filled with Bathings .. and other Rites. 1777 Watson
Philip II (1839' 161 Putting to death . . all the priests and
other Christians who refused to embrace the Mahometan
religion. 1850 Robertson Serm. Ser. in. it (1S72) 25 The
anticipated rewards and punishments must be of a Maho-
metan character.
ta. -TumosH. Ois.
38
1600 R. Carr {title) The Mahumetane or Turkish His- t
torie, in three Bookes.
B. Sb. A MOHAMMEIUN.
1529 Moke Dyaloge iv. Wks. 260/1 The Machometanys
beyng a sensual sect, dyd in fewe yeres draw the great part
of the world vnto it. 1600 J. Pory tr. Leo's Africa lit. 160
In old Fez neither gold nor siluer is coined, nor any Ma-
humetans are suffered to be goldsmiths. 1727*41 Chambers
CycL s.v. Mahometanism, The Mahometans account all
such as own anything of number in the divinity, to be infi-
dels or idolaters. 1841 Elphisstone Hist. Ind. I. 147 It i>
these three descriptions of persons, together with others
who have risen under the Mahometans [etc.].
Hence f M ahometa'nical * — Mohammedan a. ;
Maho -metaiiize v. trans. , to convert to Moham-
medanism.
1632 Lithgow Trav. iv. 147 The Alcoran, . . whereupon
dependeth the whole Mahometanicall Law. 1779 Swinburne
Trav. Spain xliv. 419, I am inclined to suspect that our old
structures have been new-named, and Mahometanised with-
out sufficient proof of their Arabic origin.
Mahometanism 'mah^maaniz'm). Also 7
Mahumetanism. [f. Mahometan + -ism. Cf.
F. mahome'tanisme] — Mohammedanism.
1612 Bkerewood Lang, fy Relig. x. 83 In Africk, all the
regions in a manner, that Christian religion had gained
from idolatry, Mahumetanism hath regained from Chris-
tianity. 1632 Lithgow Trav. iv. 144 They were, .initiated
in Mahometanisme. 1756-7 tr. Keyslcr's Trav. (1760) 1. 103
Even Mahometanism was preferable to Calvinism. 1840
Caklyle Heroes (1S53J 216 Mahometanism among the Arabs.
t Maho metant. rare—1. Corrupt form of Ma-
hometan, after sbs. in -ant. = Mohammedan. So
t Mabo'nietantism (also Mahtt-) ^ Mohamme-
danism.
1635 Pacitt Christianogr. 1. ii. (1636) 46 The Mahomet-
ants have but three Temples or Meskites. 1656 Blount
Glos$ogr.% Mahuntetism, or Maltumetanttsm, the Religion
and profession of Mahumet and the great Turk.
t Mahometic, a. Obs. rare. Also 7 Mahu-
nietic. [a. med.L. mahometic -us -, f. Makomet-us.
Cf. OF. mahomdtique] Mohammedan.
1585 T. Washington tr. Xicholay's I'oy. 165 Doctours of
the lawe Mahometicke. 1648-99 J. Beaumont Psyche xvn.
xii. (Grosart) II. 06 The Land of Milk and Honey lay ..
overflown With Mahumetick Poison.
t Mahome tical, a. Obs. [f. med.L. ma-
hometie-us ^see prec. +-al.] =prec.
1561 Daus tr. Bullingzr on Afoc. (1573I 126 The Papisti-
call and Mahometicall conception, wickednes and tyranny.
1601 R. Johnson Kingd. fr Comment. (1603) 227 The slaugh-
ter of the Moores by the Christians spoken of in their Ma-
hometicall legend. 1647 Fabingdox Serm. iv. 72 A Ma-
hometical Paradise of all sensual delights. 17x3 Gentl.
Instr. in. viiL (ed% 5) 435 Those Obscenities that make up
here the Mahometical Elysium of Libertines.
Mahometrcian. Obs. [(. Mahomet: see
-ICIAN. Cf. OF. mahommetiiieti.] AMohammkdan.
1588 J. Harvey Disc. Probl. 49 There continue euen to
this day ..certaine furious creatures, or mad rauing wizardes
amongst the Mahometicians.
t Mahometish, a. Obs. rare-1, [f. Ma-
homet + -ish.] = Mohammedan a.
1583 Stockeb Ciz\ Warm Lorve C. 11. 42 a, To the ende
the Mahometishe and Jeweshe religion, myght not any way
derogate from the Catholique Religion.
Maho'metism. Obs. Also 6-7 Mahumet-
ism e. Mahumatism. [f. Mahomet + -ism.] =
Mohammedanism.
1597 Beard Theatre Gods jfudgtm. (1612) 158 Their
detestable Mahumetisme and Turkish religion. 1600 W.
Watson Decacordon (1602)301 This is right Mahumetisme,
and tendeth to the ouerthrow of the Gospel and church
Catholike. 1615 G. Sandys Trav. 50 Manometisme had
not yet vtterly extinguished all good literature. 1715 }.
Chappelow Rt. way Rich (1717) 164 Far more frightful.,
than popery, slavery, mahometism, or the devil himself. 1793
Trappit. Rochons Voy. Madagascar 48 It is surprising that
Mahometism should not have made more progress in this
island.
t Maho'metist. Obs. [f. Mahomet + -ist.]
Also 6 Machumetiste, -hometiste, 6-7 Mahu-
metist, 7 Mohammetist, Mahumatist. [f. Ma-
homet + -1ST.] A M'lHAMMEDAN.
1553 Kl-fn Treat. Am Ind, (Arb.) 27 Amonge certayne
Mahumetistes are found a few Christian men. '555 —
Decades 226 If they had byn Moores (that is Macbume-
ti>te<). 1594 Blcndevil Exerx. v. viii. (1636) 549 Now as
touching their religion they be Mahometists. 1602 Fi_l-
hecke \st Pt. Parall. Introd. 21 The Portugallians make
villaines of the Mahometistes. 1603 Florio Montaigne 11.
xxix. (1632) 398 The Assassines .. are esteemed among the
Mahometists of a soveraigne devotion and puritie of
manners. 1650 Bclwer Anthropomet. 205 They educate
them very delicately, and afterwards sell them to the
Persians and other Mahumatists. 1654 Vilvain Epit. Ess.
in. w Christians, Mahometists.
t Maho'metize, v. Obs. Forms : see Ma-
homet ; also Mahemat-, Mehemetize. [f. Ma-
homet + -IZE.] a. trans. To convert to Moham-
medanism. D. intr. To act like a Mohammedan.
1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholafs Voy. \. viiL 8 The
most part, .are Christians renied,or Mahumetised. Ibid. 11.
xxi. 58 In Constantinople as also in all the other cities
Mahematised in Graxia. 1656 H. More Enthus. TrL 22
Though born a Christian, yet he did Mahomiti-e [cd. 1712
M ahometue] in this that he also did indulge plurality of wivts.
Hence f Maho'metized///. a.
1585 T. Washington tr. Xicholay's Voy. n. xxi. 59 The
Turks, Moors, and generally al the Mebemetised frequent
thither most often. |
MAHOUND.
Mahometry (mahfmetri). Obs. exc. arch.
See also Mai methy. [f. Mahomet + -by.] -Mo-
hammedanism. In the 1 6th c. sometimes misused
for - false religion ', - idolatry \
1481 Caxton Godfrey cl xxxvii. 274 Theyr mahometry and
fowle lawe of machomet. X530 Tinuale Ahsw. Marc's
Dial. Wks. (1573) 256/1 The sacrifices which God gaue
Adams sonnes were no dumme popetrie or superstitious
Mahometrie. 1561 Daus tr. Bullingcr on Apoc. (1573)
121 b, The sixt conflict or fight is of Mahometrie by
the Saracenes, Turkes, and Tartarians. 1579 Fulke Kef-
Rastel 752 It is wholesome diuinitie, to iusttne all supersti-
tion, Mahometrie and Idolatrie in the world. .to be excus-
able. 1804 Southey in Robberds Mem. W. Taylor I. 502
Fatalism is the comer-stone of Mahometry. 1890 E. John-
son Rise Christendom 339 Their mission was to.. denounce
destruction again>t Mahometry* and Jewry.
t Mahomite. Oh. [f. Mahom(et + -ite.]
A Mohammedan. (C£ Mahomet 4.)
'559 W. Cunningham Cosmogr. Gtasse 197 Christians.
Turkes, Mahomites, Caffranans, Idolaters. 1564 tr. Jt— nfi
A/ol. Ch. Eng. Hij, The Mahomytes at this day .. chuse
rather to be caled Saracenes, as though they came of Sara,
the free woman, and Abraham's wyfe. a 1618 SVUTBSTU
Minn: Peace Sonn. xxxviii, The Mahomite.. His mooned
Standards hath already pight.
Ii Mahone. Obs. Also 6 mahume, 7 mahoon,
9 maou, mahonna. [Occurs as K. mahonnc. Sp.
wahoiia, It. maona, Turk. bj.U mait'iina.] A flat-
Dottomed sailing vessel formerly used by the Turks.
1585 T. Washington tr. Xidtolay's Voy. L xxi. 27 The
gallies, foists and galliots. ., besides the great gallion and 2.
Mahumez [Fr. Mahomcz\ 1651 Howell Venice 197 Meet-
in.; with a great Fleet of Turkish Gallies and Mahoons in
the Egean Sea. 1658 Earl Monm. tr. Paruta"s liars
Cyprus 204 Vluzzali, and Piali Bashaw, put to sea.. with
150 Gallies, 30 Fliboats, and ten Mahones. 1696 Philliis
(ed. 5', Mahoon. 1858 Simmonus Diet. Trade. 1867 Smyth
Sailor's H'ord-bk., Mahone, Mahonna, or Maou.
Hence t Maho nnet [see -et].
a 1599 Hakluyfs Voy. II. 78 The number of the ships
were these : 50 galliasses, 103 gallies, as well bastards aa
subtill mahonnets.
!! Mahonia (mahiTBnia). Bot. [mod.L., f. the
name of Bernard McJ/a/'f?«, an American botanist
-1- -ia.] A genus of Berberidaceee, having ever-
green pinnate leaves ; a plant of this genus.
1829 Loudon Encycl. Plants 1055 The Berberises..
especially the species with pinnated leaves, which are some-
times called Mahonias. 1883 Harper's Mag. Apr. 731/1
Mahonias from Japan.
Mahoot, mahot/e : see Mahoe, Mahout.
Mahound mah«-nd, mahati'nd). Forms :
a. 3 Mahum, Mahun, 4. 6 Mahoune, 4-6, 8
Mahoun, 5 Mahone, Mawhown, Machoun,
5, 7 Mahowne, 6-7 Macon; j8. 4 Mahount,
6 Mahowr.de. Machound, 7 Mauhound, 6-
Mahound. [Early ME* Mahuti, Mahum, a. OF.
Mahun, Mahum, Mahont, shortened form of
Mahomet. Cf. Mahomet. Mal.met.]
1. The 'false prophet* Mohammed; in the Middle
Ages often vaguely imagined to be worshipped as
a god. (Cf. Mahomet i.) Now only arch.
c iaoo S. Eng. Leg. 1S7/101 pes bef us wole ouer-come;
Mahun, 3 wane is bi mi^te ? a 1300 Cursor M. 7458 Moglit
i euer wit me wit him ming .. I suld him sla, bi sir mahun !
[Gott. saint mahoune]. c 1380 Sir Ferumb. 4939 f>e |MM
of Mahoun y-mad of golde Wib be axe smot he oppon pe
molde. a 1400 Octouian 1092 The Sarsyns ciyde all yn
fere To hare God Mahone To help her geaunt in that fyght.
1460 Tcnvneley Myst. xxii. 408 Now by mahowne, oure
heuen kyng. C1540 J. Kedfobd Mor. Play Wit 4 Sci.
(Shales. Soc.) Ii By Mahowndes bones, ..by Mahowndes
nose. 1591 Harrington Orl. Eur. xvi. liv. 125 By Macon
and Lanfusa he doth sweare. 1596 Sfenser F. Q. vi. vii.
47 The Carle did fret And fume.. And oftentimes by
Turmagant and Mahound swore. 1600 Fairfax Tasso xii.
x. 215 Praised (quotb he) be Macon, whom we serue. 1605
TryallChev. v. ii, in Bullen a/'/. (1884) HI. 344 And Ma-
hound and Termagant come against us, weele fight with
them. 1735 Pope Donne Sat. iv. 239 The Presence seems,
with things so richly odd, The mosoue of Mahound, or some
queer Pagod. 18x5 Scott Talism. hi, Down with Mahound,
Termagaunt, and all their adherents. 1849 Jam l> Wood-
man iv, The very approach of a follower of Mahound, how-
ever, was an abomination to the good nun.
1 2. gen. A false god; an idol. (Cf. Maumet.) Obs.
c 1205 Lay. 230 Ah heo nom bene mahum [c 1275 mahun],
pe heo tolden for godd. Ibid. 8079 f>er stoden in pere temple
ten bu5*nd monnen. .bi-foren heore mahun. 1 1400 Destr.
Froy 4312 The false goddes in fere fell to be ground ; Kothe
Mawhownus & maumettes myrtild in peces. 14*6 Lydc.
De Guil. Pilgr. 17224 (Avarice tog.] Ley doun thy skryppe
and thy bordoun, And do homage to my Mabown ! c 1450
Mirour Saluacioun 1554 A grete dragon Wham alle that
landes folk held god and thare mahon.
1 3. A monster ; a hideous creature. Obs.
c 1400 Destr. Troy 77 58 There met hym pis Mawhown,
bat was so mysshap, Luyn fane in his face, as he fie wold.
1598 Florio, Mamau, a machound, a bugbeare, a raw-head
and bloodie bone.
f4. Sc. Used as a name for the devil. Also
iransf. as a term of execration applied to a man.
Obs. tfexedia/.}.
1377 Langl. P. PI. B. xm. 82 And wisshed. .That disshes
and dobleres bifor this ilke doc tour, Were molten led in his
maw and Mahoun amyddes. 1500-10 Dlnbab Poems xxvi. 6
Me thocht, amangis the feyndis fell, Mahoun gart cry ane
dance Off schrewis. Ibid, xxvii. 3 Nixt that a turnament
wes tryid» That lang befoir in hell wes cryid. In presens of
Mahvon. 1578 N. La.\ilkCo*Wm tm Jonah £p. Ded. 3 In
MAHOUT.
39
MAID.
the pestilent pollicies of that Mahound Matchiavile. 1794 I
Burns The De'ifs awa 3 The Dell cam fiddling thro' the ;
town, And danc'd awa wi' the Exciseman ; And ilka wife
ci y'd, ' Auld Mahoun, We wish you luck o' your prize, man '.
f5. attrib. or adj. Mohammedan, heathen.
1624 Fletcher Rule a Wife iv. iii, My pagan cozen, My
mighty Mahound kinsman, what quirk now? Ibid, v. v,
Who'1? this? my Mauhound cousin ?
II Mahout 'mahairt). Indian. Also 9 mahote,
mahoot, mohaut, mahouhut, mohout. [Hindi
mahaut, mahdwal.] An elephant-driver.
166a J. D.uus tr. Mandelslo's Trazt. 81 The Serrieivan
hath the oversight of the Camels, and the Mahout, that of
the Elephants/ 1799 Corse in Phil. Traits. LXXXIX. 36
not,; 1 sent for the driver [note, Or Mahote-, as he is gener-
ally called] to ask some questions concerning this elephant.
1819 Smarting Mag". IV. 174 "The scuffle between the
elephant and the "Mahout. i8z6 Hockley Paudurang
//art I. 6 A MaJtonhut, or elephant driver. 1859 Lang
Wand. India 90 The mahoot, or elephant-driver, was attired
in the most gorgeous manner. 1891 R. Kipling Life's
Handicap 307 The very best of the elephants belonged to
the very worst of the drivers or mahouts.
Mahova, niahower, var. forms of Mahwa.
II Mahratta ^mararta). Also S Moratta, Ma-
harattor, Morattoe, Mar(hNatta, Merhattah,
8-9 Mharatta, 9 Maratha. [Hindi Marhalta.']
1. One. of a warlike Hindu race occupying the
central and south-western parts of India.
1763 Scrafton Indostan (1770) 36 He was suddenly
alarmed with an invasion of eighty thousand Mharattas.
1765 Holwell Hist. Events Bengal 1. (1766) 105 These
united princes and people are those which are known by the
general name of Maharattors. 1778 R. Okme Hist. Milit.
Trans. II. 1. 32 An army of 80,000 Morattoes. 1844 H. H.
Wilson Brit. India I. 3 In the outset of the contest, native
opinion had inclined to the Mahrattas.
2. The language of the Mahrattas. =Mahrattj.
1837 Colebrooke Mite. Ess. II. 29 The Maharashtra, or
Mahratta, is the language of a nation which has in the
present century greatly enlarged its ancient limits.
3. attrib. or adj. Pertaining to the Mahrattas.
Mahratta Ditch (or Entrenchment^ : a ditch made in
1742 to protect Calcutta from invasion by Mahrattas; a
similar ditch made at Madras in 1780.
1758 Ann. Keg-. 285 There was a man who carried a large
Moratta battle-ax on his shoulder. 1778 R. Orme Hist.
Milit. Trans. II. 1. 45 The Morattoe ditch. 1781 Indian
Gaz. to Aug. (V.l, To the Proprietors and Occupiers of
Houses, .within the Mahratta Entrenchment. 1797 EticycL
Brit. (ed. 3) X. 563/2 Rajah Sahou, who considerably ex-
tended the Marhaua dominions. 1823 Sir J. Malcolm
Mem. Central India II.nsThe Mahratta Brahmins. 1842
Tennyson Locksley H. 155 Where in wild Mahratta-battle
fell my father evil-starr'd. 1858 J. M. Mitchell Mem. R.
Nesbit iii. 65 The Maratha chiefs soon claimed to be the
lords paramount of India. 1874 Lal Behari Day Gcruuda
Samanta I. iv. 25 The Calcutta cockney, who glories in the
Mahratta Ditch.
II Mahratti (maravti). Also 7 moratty, 9
niarathi, -ee, murathee. [Hindi Marhattt, f.
Marhatta : see prec.] The language of the
Mahrattas. Also attrib,
1698 Fryer Ace. E. India % P. 174 They tell their Tale in
Moratty. 1827 R. Nesbit in Mem. iii. (1858) 82, I attended
the Marat hi worship. . . I performed worship with the servants
in Marathi. 1831 J. T. Molesworth (title) A Dictionary
Murathee and English. 1868 Bellairs & Lakshman {title)
A Grammar of the Marathi Language. 1878 O. Smith Life
y. Wilson ii. (1879) 34 The New Testament in the Verna-
cular Marathee.
I! Maliseer (ma'ski). Also niahase(e)r. mah-
sir, marseir, Diets. mah(a)sur, maseer. [Hindi
mahasir, believed to represent Skr. mahaciras * big-
head'. Another Hindi name is mahasaula, of
obscure origin.] A large Indian freshwater eypri-
noid fish, Barbus tor% resembling the barbel.
1854 Hooker Himalayan Jrnls. I. xvii. 39S A fine
'Mahaser' (a very large carp). 1858 Simmonds Diet.
Trade, MaJiaseer. 1859 Lang Watui. India 3 In the
broad tributaries to the Ganges and the Jumna, may be
caught [with a fly} the mahseer, the leviathan salmon.
1880 Gum her Fishes 594 The ' Mahaseer ' of the mountain
streams of India. 1894 Pollok lucid. Tor. Sport 355
Mahseer Fishing. Ibid. 366, 1 got 277 pounds of mahseer.
t Ma*hu. Obs. Also 7 Maho. [Perh. suggested
by Mahound,] Used as the name of a devil.
1603 Harsnet Popish Impost, x. 50 Maho was generall
Dictator of hell : and yet for good manners sake, hee was
contented of his good nature to make shew, that himselfe
was vnder the check of Modu. 1605 Shaks. Lear 111. iv.
149 The Prince of Darknesse is a Gentleman. Modo he's
call'd and Mahu. Ibid. iv. i. 63 (1608 Qa) Hobbididence
Prince of dumbnes, Mahu of stealing, Modo of murder.
Mahume, variant of Mahone Obs.
Mahumetanve, variant of Mahometan.
II Mahwa (ma*wa). Also 7 mahova, mahoua,
m&wee,8-9mahwah,9mowah,mahva,rnhowa,
mahua.muohwa, raahower. [Hindi mahwa. also
mahtia, repr. Skr. madhuka, I. madhu sweet.]
1. An East Indian timber tree, Bassia latifolia
(N. O. Sapotacex) ; also Bassia butyracea ; both
species are cultivated for their Mowers and seeds.
Also mahwa-tree.
1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. hi. 73 Manguiers,
Mahova, Quieson, Caboul, and other sorts of Trees. Ibid.
94 They are Trees which they call Mahoua. 1785 C.
Hamilton in Asiat. Researches (1790) I. 300 There is a
very curious and useful tree called by the Natives of Bahar
. . the Mahwah or Mawee . . the Sanscrit name is Madhuca
or Madhudruma. Ibid., A description of the Mahwah tree.
1803 J. T. Blunt ibid. VII. 58 We encamped at a tank and
grove of Mowah trees. 1813 J. Forbes Orient. Mem. II.
451 The mowah (bassia butyracea). .attains the size of an
English oak. 1854S1MMONDSC0W//W r. Prod. Veget. Kingd.
538 Mahower {Bassia latifolia) is common in most parts of
the Bengal Presidency. The oil a good deal resembles that
last described. 1879 E. Arnold Lt. Asia VI. (1881) 140
Beneath broad-leaved mahua trees.
2. An ardent spirit distilled from the flowers of
the Mahwa tree.
1810 V. M. Williamson E. India I'ade Mecum II. 153
Shops where. . Mowah, Pariah Arrack, &c, are served out.
3. attrib. , as malnua-arrack. -butter \ -flower, -oil.
1813 J. Forbes Orient. Mem. II. 451 This by way of dis-
tinction is called mowah-arrack. 1854 Simmonds Commerc.
Prod. Vegct. Kingd. 511 Illiepie oil .and Muohwaoil. 1873
Drury Usef Plants India 70 In 1848 a quantity of Mahw.ili
oil was forwarded to the Secretary of the E. I. and China
Association. 1876 Cornh. Mag. Sept. 321 A great cup of
liquor distilled from the Mhowa flower. 1889 Syd. Sox.
Lex. t MaJiivah butter, a greenish or yellow Uh concrete
oil obtained from the seeds of Bassia latifolia,
y TWTn-'i q- (nvi'a, mai'a). Zcol. [L. maia, Gr.
naia.] A spider-crab.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Maia, ..a kind of SeaCrab-fi-h.
1865 Gosse Laud <y Sea < 1874) 81 The spider-crab, or maia ;
of little value as food, though occasionally eaten.
Mai an (m^*an). Zoo/, [f. prec. + -an.] A
crustacean of the family Maiidse. (Cf. Maioid.)
1839 Penny Cycl. XIV. 296 Maiide or Maians, the second
tribe of the family of Oxyrhynchi, according to the system
of M. Milne Edwards,
Maieh, Sc- form of Malgh.
Maid ;nv!cT , sb.l Forms : 2 meide, 2-3 mede,
3 mseide, 3-6 nieyde, mayde, 3-7 maide. 5-7
mayd, (6 mayed, 7 mad3', 6- maid, [shortened
from Maiden: nut identical with OE. miege6 (i.
magd.]
1. A girl; a young (unmarried) woman.
MAIDEN I. Now only ^\c. dial.) arch, or playful.
c 1205 Lav. 256 pa bis child was feir muche pa luuede he a
maide. 1297 R. Glouc (Rollsi 297 pis mayde isp-.uscd was
of so heye blode. c 13*0 Sir Tristr. 2702 pe maide answerd
in lede, ' per of haue pow no care '. c 1407 Lvdo. Reas. \
Sens. 151 Faire and fresh of hewe. As a mayde in hir beaute.
1546-7 Test. Ebor. {Surtees Soc.) VI. 252 Desiringe her to
be good ladie to my litle meyde, her god doughter. 1571
Abp. Grindal Articles § 54 Legacies giuen . . to other.,
godly vses as to..poore Maydes marriages. 1596 Spenser
F. Q. vi. xiL 20 She found . . That this young Mayd . . Is
her owne daughter. 1629 Milton Hymn Nath: xxii, In
vain the Tyrian Maids their wounded Thamuz mourn.
1782 Cowper 'Sweet stream'. Sweet stream.. Apt emblem
of a virtuous maid ! 1800 Coleridge Christabel 11. 238
Sweet maid,. .Thy sire and I will crush the snake! 1830
Tfnnvson Poems 142 There are no maids like English
maids So beautiful as they be. 1886 Kiflinc. Departm.
Ditties, etc. (i833) 64 ' By all I am mi-understood ! ' if the
Matron shall say, or the Maid.
b. poet, in personifications. (Kreq. in the iSth c.N
1742 Gray Adversity 27 Melancholy, silent maid, With
leaden eye. 1747 Collins Ode Passions 1 When Music,
heavenly maid, was young.
2. A virgin; spec, of the Virgin Mary (f maid
Mary) ; = Maidex 2. Obs. or arch.
a X175 Cott. Horn. 227 To ane mede be was Maria ^ehaten.
.' 1175 Lamb. Horn. 77 pet halie meide [sc. Marial c 1275
Passion our Lord 597 in O. E. Misc. 54 Vre louerd ihesu crist
be wes ibore of be meyde. c 1*90 S. Eng. Leg. 79/57 I-bore
of mayde marie, c 13*0 Sir Beues 2197 pat i ne tok neuer
wif, Boute $he were maide clene. ( 1386 Chaucer A"« .'.'.-.
T. 1470 Thou art mayde and kepere of vs alle. .And whil I
lyue a mayde I wol thee serue. c 1410 Hocclevk Moder of
iiodw Humble lady mayde modir and wyf. c 1483 Caxton
Dialogues 48/17 Who serueih our lord, And the mayde
marye. 1500-20 Dunbar Poems Ixx. 4 Thow ..Gabriell
send with the salutatioun On-to the mayd of maist humilite.
a 1529 Skelton Replyc. 47 Wks. 1843 1. 210 Wotte ye what
ye saved Of Mary, mother and mayed ? 1697 Dryden / ~irg.
Georg. iv. 479 Cydippe with Licorias, one a Maid, And one
that once had call'd Lucina's Aid. 1834 Sir H. Taylor
2nd Pt. Philip r an Artevelde v. i. (song), Quoth tongue of
neither maid nor wife To heart of neither wife nor maid.
b. Hist. As a title of Joan of Arc, The Maid
{of God, of Orleans), a rendering of F. la Burette.
a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. I'l (1809) 157 This wytch or
manly woman, (called the maide of God) the Frenchemen
greatly glorified. 1691 J. Heath E'ng. Chrou. 164 Joan,
called by the French, the Maid of God. 1762 Hume Hist.
Eng. to Hen. I'll, II. 335 marg., The maid of Orleans.
1849 Lingard Hist. Eng. (1S55) W- l- xll2 The maid of
Orleans, .led the assailants. 187s J- Gaikdner Lancaster %
York vii. (ed. 2) 130 Rumours of the. .miracles of the Maid
were repeated even in the English camp.
+ C. transf. A man that has always abstained
from sexual intercourse. (Cf. Gr. irap$o'os and
patristic L. virgo.*) Obs.
1340 Ayenb. 230 Saint Ion be ewangelist bet wes mayde
wes amang be apostles be meste belouede of oure Ihorde.
1387 Tkevisa Higden (Rolls) I. 365 A preost bat is clene
mayde, 1460 Capcrave Chron. (1858) 5 Abel,, a mayde, a
martire, killid of his brothir of pure envy. 1525 Ln.
Berners Froiss. II. cxv. [cxi.]33i He was swete, courtesse,
meke, and a mayde of body. 1601 Shaks. Tioel. N. v. i.
270 You are betroth'd both to a maid and man. 1606 B.
Jonson Hytnenxi 04 View two noble Maids Of either sexe,
to Union sacrificed, a 1641 Bp. Mountagu Acts <$• Mon.
(1642) 542 Joseph was .. a maid, never knowing woman, as
never being married before. 1710 Brit. Apollo III. No. 60.
2/2 He Dy'd a Maid.
8. An unmarried woman, spinster, f To stand
on the maid: (of a woman) to remain single. ^Xu\v
rare exc. in Old Majd.)
1603 Dekker Wonderfull Yeare E, To die maides ! O
horrible ! 1615 Chapman Odyss.\\. 52 Because thou slialt no
more stand on the Maid [iirel ourot cti bi)y TrapfoVov iatrtut].
1648 Par. Reg. St. John Maddermarket, Norwich 1 MS.), A
maid almost a hundred yeare old, buried 14 Nov. Anno
dni 1648. 1700 Dryden Sigis. % Guise. 16 For this, when
ripe for marriage, he delayed Her nuptial bands, and kept
her long a maid. 1747 General Advertiser 4 July, The
Match [at Cricket] .. between the Maids of Charlton and
the Maids of Singleton, .will be play'd in the Artillery-
Ground. 1814 Scott Wav. v, Miss Lucy St. Aubin lived
and died a maid for his sake.
4. Afemalcservantorattendant; aMAiD-SERVANT;
often with defining word prefixed as bar-f chamber-,
farm-, house-, nurse-, servant-maid, etc., q.v. ;
lady's maid see Lady 17 .
1390 GowtR Conf. I. 12S Sche. .goth to chambre and hath
conipleigned Unto a Maide which she triste. 1513 More
R/./i. Ill 1.1803) 59 That it was not princely to mary hys
owne subject,-. onely as it were a rich man that would mary
his mayde. 1567 Gude fy Godlie B. ix. yS. T. S.) 9 Thy
nychtbouris wyfe . . Thow couet not to the, . . his oxe, hi-,
maide nor page, j.658 Evelyn Diary 27 Jan., He [a child]
would .. select the most pathetic psalms, .. to rcade to his
mayde during his sicknesse. 1698 Wanley in Lett. Lit.
Men iCamden.i 253 The maid told me that Dr. Smith had
been there since I went. 1794 Mr\ Radcliffe Myst.
Vdolpho xxv, You mn^t distni-s your raaid. lady. 1835
Genii. Mag. Nov. 491 We kept no maid : — and 1 had much
to do. i860 Q. Victoria Life Highl. (i£6£) 133 The two
maids had driven over by another road in the waggonette.
1880 Olida Moths I. 39 My maid mu^-t run U]
- wear by to-morrow.
b. MaiJ-of-all-work, a female servant who does
all kinds of house-work.
1809 Malkis' Gil Bits iv. vii. ?8 An eld abigail. whom I
had formerly known as maid-of-all-work to an ac::<.->. 1848
Thackeray Trav. Loud. Wks. i£S6 XXIV. 350 The red-
haired maid-of-all-work coming out with yesterday's paper.
1887 Spectator 16 Apr. 534/2 First she is a maid of-all-work
in the family of a poor clergyman.
transf. 1858 Huxley in Life iyoo) I. xii. 153 Non-official
maid-of-all-work in Natural Science to the Government.
5. In certain American universities v.sed as a
decree-title in correspondence to Bachelor.
1885 Pall Mall G. 5 Mar. 32 The Americans .. talk of
Miss Bluestocking .. as ' Maid of Philo-ophy ', 'Maid of
Science ', ' Maid of Arts'. 1888 Hrycf Amer. Comtmv. III.
vi. cii. 445 note, Mr. D. C. Gilman. .mentions the \o.\
amwiig the degree titles awarded in some in-titutions to
women .. Laureate of Science, Proficient in Music, Maid of
Philosophy.
6. Applied dial, to various inanimate objects see
also K.D.I). . a. *= Maiden- sb.$. b. -Maidek
sb. 6. c. A clothes-horse ; = Maidejt sb. 7 b. d.
A washerwoman's dolly ; = Maiden* 7 c.
a. a 1700 P. E. Vict. Cant. Crew, Kissing the Maid, an
Engine in Scotland, and at Halifax in England.
b. 1786 Har'st Rig cxlii. 11794) 43 Lan.^ was the Har'-t
and little corn 1 And, sad mi* hance ! the Maid was si
After sunset.
C. 1795 Lond. Chron. 23 July 7;' A* if a horse, or mail
for clothes, had been thrown with violence to the ground.
d. 188a »W. Wore. Gloss. 36.
7. A name given to the Skate and Thornback
{Raia batis and R. elavata) when young. Also to
the Twait Shad, Alosafinta (in Fr. similarly called
pucelte). Cf. Maiden sb. 8.
1579 J. Jones Preset-. Bodie <$- Sotde 1. xiv. 26 Of fishes,
. . Whiting, Smelt, Maid*, Loch, Sammon. 1598 Epulario
F iiij. Take out the guts of maids or Thornebackes by the gils
with a forke or string. 1655 Moufet & Penset Healths
I/uproT'. i57Maidesareas little and tender Skates. 1714 Gay
Trivia 11. 292 The golden-belly'd Carp, the broad-hnn'd
Maid. 1769 Pennant Brit. Zool. III. 70 Their {the thorn-
backs'] young., which (as well as those of the skate> before
they are old enough to breed, are called maid*. 1851 May-
hew Lond. Labour I. 65 Piles of huge maid*, dropping
slime from the counter, are eagerly examined and bartered
for. 1862 Coi-ch Brit. Fishes'W. 122 Twait Shad. Maid.
8. Comb. : a. appositive, as maid-attendant,
-mother, -nurse, -slave, -widow, f -woman', b.
attributive, as maid-face-, c. originative, as maid-
birth, -bom adjs. ; d. parasynthetic, as maid-faeed
adj. ; e. similative, as maid-like, -pale adjs. ; also
maid -fish = sense 7 ; f maids' ale, the festival of
themaidenV guild; fmaid'shair, Galiumverum;
maids sickness - Gkeen-stcknes-.
1896 Daily Xezvs 30 Oct. 10 7 *Maid-Attendant to an
elderly or invalid lady. 1855 Bailky Mystic, etc. 91 The
pearl conceived of dew and lightning, type Of that pure
*maid-birth yet to bless the world, a 1649 Drimm. of
Hawth. Poems \Vks. (1711* 24 Mild creatures, in whose
warm crib now lies That, .holy *maid-born Wight, c 1407
Lydg. Reas. 4- Sens. 3629 Euerych hath a *mayde face Of
syghte lusty to enbrace. 1610 Healey St. Aug. Citie of
God 686 Sphinx *maid-fac'd, fetherd-foule, foure-footed
beast. 1810 Splendid Follies 1. 130 Distorting her counte-
nance to the semblance of a *maid-nsh. 1606 Sylvester Dn
Bartas 11. iv. il Magnif 1417 A Mars-like Courage in a
*Maid-like blush. 1839 Bailey Festus iii. (1852) a3 Seven
fair maidlike moons attending him Perfect his sky. 1830
Tennyson Palace of Art xxiv, The *maid-mother . . Sat
smiling, babe inarm. 1895 Daily if civs 15 May to/6 Mrs.
H. wishes to recommend her maid .. as *Maid-Xurse.
1593 Shaks. Rich. II, m. iii. o3 Ten thousand bloody
crownes of Mothers Sonnes Shall. .Change the complexion
of her *Maid-pale Peace To Scarlet Indignation. 1547
Croscombe Ch.-wardensy Atets. (Som. Rec. Soc\ [Received
from] The *maydes ayll xxij.?. \\d. 1597 G ekardk Herbal 11.
ccccxlviii. 968 In English our Ladies Bedstraw, Cheese
renning, *Maides Haire, and petie Mugwet. 1657 Coles
Adam in Eden cccxliii, It is called . . in English Ladies
Bedstraw, and sometimes Maids haire, from the finenesse
MAID.
40
MAIDEN.
of the Leaves. 1633 Ford 'Tis Pity in. ii, May bee, 'tis but
the *Maides sicknesse, an ouer-flux of youth. 1603 North's
Plutarch, Catnillus (1612) 150 Faire *maide slaues dressed
vp lilce gentlewomen. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. 11. ii. § 92 He
stayed so long, that his Church presumed him dead, and
herself a "Maid-Widow, which lawfully might receive an-
other Husband, c 13*0 Sir Beues (MS. A) 2203 And boute
be finde me *maide wimman . . Send me a^en to me fon.
t Maid, sh:1 Corrupt form of Medink, Egyptian
coin. Obs.
1674 Jeake Arith. ("1696) 134 At .. Alexandria, They ac-
compt by Ducats, either Ducat de Pargo, of 120 Maids,..
or Italian Ducat of 35 Maids.
Maid, v. [f. Maid sb.'1]
1. intr. To do maids' work ; to act as a maid.
1900 Pinero Gay Ld. Quex 1. 14 And when I got sick of
maiding, I went to Dundas's opposite, and served three
years at the hairdressing.
2. dial, = Maiden v, 2. Hence maiding-tub.
1882 W. Wore. Gloss.
Maid, obs. pa. t. and pa. pple. of Make v,
|| Maidan (maida-n). Indian. Also 7 may-dan,
medon, mei-, m(e)ydan, midan, 9 maidaun.
[Pers. tjlx^ maidan.'] An open space in or near
a town ; an esplanade or parade-ground.
1625 Purchas Pilgrims I. iv. 423 The Medon, which is a
pleasant greene, in the middest whereof is a May-pole to
hang a light on. 1662 J. Da vies tr. Olearius* Voy.Ambass.
V. (1669) 172 The Meydan, that is the great Market-place.
Ibid. 178 The Market-place, or Maydan, is large and noble.
1698 Frver Acc. E. India $■ P. 249 The Midan, or open
space before the Caun's Palace. 1845 Stocqueler //<*«<#£.
Brit. India (1854) 189 DumDum. .is aspacious cantonment,
with an extensive maidaun, or esplanade. 1879 A. Forbes
Camps, Quarters, etc. (1896) 283 Before me on the maidan
is the plain monument to Sir Mountstuart Jackson.
t Maid-child. Obs. = Maiden-child.
c 1205 Lav. 14378 He bad Hengest his dring }iuen him bat
maide-child. Ibid. 24529 Moni ma:ide child wes here, c 1375
Cursor AI. 1 1299 (Laud) For maide child [other te.vts maiden
child] as long also. C1386 Chaucer Shipmans T. 95 A
mayde child cam in hire compaignye. a 1450 Myrc 217 Also
thys mote ben hem sayde, Bobe for knaue chyldere & for
mayde, That [etc.}. 1535 Coverdale Lev. xii. 5 But yf she
beare a maydechilde [1611 maid child]. 1608 Shaks. Per.
v. iii. 6 [She] brought forth a Mayd child calld Marina.
Maiden (m<?wrn), sb. and a. Forms : 1 mees-
den, mseden, Nor thumb, mai(s)den, 2 mae^ddn,
2-3 mei-, meyden, 3 maeiden, Orm. ma^denn,
4-7 mayden, (4 mapen, 4-6 ma-, mai-, maj-,
maydan, -din(e, -don, -dun, -dyn, 6 madne,
9 maden), 3- maiden. [OE. mxgden str. neut.
= OHG, magatin (MHG. magel/n; the mod.G.
madchtn is not identical) :— OTeut. type *waga~
dtnom :— pre-Teut. *moghwotfno-m, a dim. forma-
tion (see -en) from *moghw6ti-s maiden, girl, repre-
sented by Goth, magap-s, OHG. magad (MUG.
maget, mod.G. viagd, maidservant), OS. magath
(MDu. maghety Du. maagd), OK. viaged, ms%9
maid, virgin ; related to pre-Teut. *moghu-s boy,
young man (Olrish mug slave, Avestic magu young
man), whence Goth, magus, ON. mpg-r, OS., OK.
magu. Cf. May sb.i]
A. sb.
1. A girl ; a young (unmarried) woman ; c=Maid
I. (Not now in colloquial use exc. dial,)
c 1000 Ags. Gosp. Matt. ix. 24 GaS heonun nys bys masden
[c 1 160 Hatton maegdon] dead so31tce ac heo slsepo. a 1x00
Voc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 310/9 Puella, madden, oSfle jeong
wifman. c im>5 Lav. 2214 He 110m of ban monkunne preo
swi5e feire mseidene. c 1250 Gen.fy Ex. 2749 Hirdes wul-
den Se maidenes deren, Oc moyses eW hem gan weren.
1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 4966 Alle men sal ryse ban bat
ever had life, Man and woman, mayden and wyfe. c 1375
Sc. Leg. Saints vi. {Thomas) 58 A madyne com amange
bam all of hebrow borne In-to be land, c 1400 Destr. Troy
1363 Maydons for mornyng haue bere mynde loste. <~ 1470
Henry Wallace v. 580 In Lanryk duelt a gentill woman
thar, A madyn myld. 1539 Mirr. Mag., Dk. Clarence vii,
A maiden of a noble house and old. 1601 Shaks. Airs
Weill, iii. 155 (Gods mercie maiden)dos it curd thy blood
To say I am thy mother ? 1710 Tatler No. 252 p 5 We . .
have a Boy and a Girl : The Lad Seventeen, the Maiden
Sixteen. 1853 M. Arnold Scholar-Gipsy ix, Maidens, who
from the distant hamlets come To dance around the Kyfield
elm in May. 1855 Cornwall 227 ' Maidens', as the Cornish
people term girls from :6 to 17 years of age. i86oTvndall
Glac. 1. xxiv. 173 A vigorous English maiden might have
ascended the [ice] fall without much difficulty. 1887 Bowfn
Virg., /Eneid 11. 238 Round it advance in procession un-
wedded maiden and boy.
b. A female child. Obs. exc. dial.
c iaoo Ormin 4107 To clippen swa be cnapess shapp, &
toffrenn lac forr ma^denn.
2. A virgin ; spec, of the Virgin Mary (f maiden
Alary); =Maiu a. Now rare.
a 1035 Laws of Cnnt 11. c. 52 {53) Gif hwa maeden nyd-
nxme, si guts violenter virginem opprhnat. ^1175
Lamb. Horn. 77 {>et halie meiden onswerede and seide
Quomodo [etc.], cnoo Ormin 2102 J>e$i wenndenn batt
3ho waere wif, Acc ;ho wass ma33denn dene. _ c 1290 S,
Eng. Leg. 3 '68 I -bore he was of be maydene Marie 1 c 1300
Cursor AI. 28483 (Cott.), I.. forced sum woman with nede,
and mabens reft pair mabenhede. 1387 Trevisa Higden
(Rolls) VI. 319 pe kyng 3af here lond for to bulde tweie
abbayes of maydons. c 1400 Destr. Troy 2940 J?at comes
but to harme, Gers maidnes be mart, mariage fordone, a 1400
Relig. Pieces fr. Thornton AIS. 27 Goddes sone tuke tlesche
and blode of be blyssed maydene Marie. 1470-85 Malory
Arthur xvm. xix. 760 A clene mayden I am for hym and
for alle other. 1599 Shaks. Much Ado iv. i. 88 Why then
you are no maiden.
b. trans/. A man that has always abstained from
sexual intercourse ; — Maid 2 c. Obs.
< 1300 Havelok 995 Of hodi was he mayden clene. 1377
Langl. P. PI. B. ix. 173 Maydenes and maydenes macche
50W togideres. < 1440 Jacobus Well 277 He was a munk
and priour of his hows, & a clene mayden. 1470-85 Malory
Arthur xi. xiv, Syre Percyuale. .was a parfyte clene may-
den. 1497 Bp. Alcock Mons Perfect. D iij, Y8 grete nombre
of his apostles were maydens.
3. An unmarried woman, spinster; = Maid 3.
Obs. exc. dial. Old maiden (rare) m Old maid.
To go maiden : to remain single.
1775 Tender Father I. 139 This gentlewoman was an old
maiden, and possessed many particularities, a 1802 Cruel
Sister xiv. in Child Ballads I. 128/2 Your cherry cheeks
and your yellow hair Garrd me gang maiden evermair.
4. A maid-servant, a female attendant. (Cf.
Maid 4.) arch. natXdial. f Maiden of honour —
Maid of honour.
971 Blickl. Horn. 159 Forbon bu nu sceawa bines maes-
(djenes eabmodnesse. 1*97 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 8965 Hire
maidens bro^te hire clene water euere wanne heo lete. 13. .
Coer de L. 880 The kynges doughter lay in her bower,
With her maydenys of honour. 1377 Langl. P. PI. B. v.
630 Charite and Chastite ben his chief maydenes. 1434
E. E. Wills (1882) 97 To Aneys hir mayden, a russet kyrtell.
a 1550 Freiris o/Berwik 251 in Dunbar's Poems 293 He
bad the madin kindill on the fyre. 1596 Dalrymple tr.
Leslie's Hist. Scot. n. 113 He requyres in mariage ane of
the Quenes madnes. 1611 Bible Ps. exxiii. 2 As the eyes
of a maiden [looke] vnto the hand of her inistresse. 1631
W'efver Anc. L'uneral Alon. 446 The Ladies of the Court,
and Maydens of Honor.
5. The instrument, similar to the guillotine, for-
merly used in Edinburgh for beheading criminals ;
applied occas. to the Halifax gibbet (see Gibbet i c).
1581 in Row Hist. Kirk (1842) 86, June 2, 1581. — The
Earle of Morton was beheaded with the axe of the Maiden
he himself had caused make. 1721 Ramsay Genty Tibby Hi,
My wyzen with the maiden shore. 172a Wodrow Hist.
Sujler. Ch. Scot. 1 1. 545 Falling down on his Knees upon the
Stool, [the Earl of Argyle] embraced the Maiden, .very plea-
santly. 1810 Bentham Packing (1821) 121 The Guillotine
. .(a French edition of our Halifax Maiden). 1849 Macau-
lay Hist. Eng. v. I. 565 The rude old guillotine of Scot-
laud, called the Maiden.
6. Sc. The last handful of corn cut in the harvest-
field, often rudely shaped into the figure of a girl
and decorated with ribbons (cf. Kirn- baby). Also
harvest maiden.
1786 Harst Eigcxxxvl. (1794) 42 For now the Maiden has
been win, And Winter is at last brought in. 1797 Statist.
Acc. Scotl. XIX. 550 The fortunate lass who took the
maiden was the Queen of the feast. 1814 J. Train Moun-
tain Muse 95 A former neighbour ..Who had with them
for wedding bruises run, And from them oft the harvest
maiden won.
b. The harvest-home and the feast with which
it was celebrated.
1806 A. Douglas Poems 144 (Jam.) The master has them
bidden Come back again, be't foul or fair 'Gainst gloamin',
to the Maiden. 1899 Westm. Gaz. 13 Mar. 2/1 We speak
always of our Harvest Homes as ' Maidens*.
7. t&- (See quot. 1688.) b. dial. A clothes-
horse. C. north, dial. A washerwoman's dolly.
a. 1688 R. Holme Armoury in. 286/2 The Maidens or
Damsels, the two Stands in which the Spindle turns.
b. 1859 E. Waugh ' Come whoam to thi Childvr A> Me '
28 Poems 55 So aw iron't o my clooas reet weel, An' aw
hang'd 'em o' th maiden to dry. 1881 [see maiden-maker
in 10].
C. ij$»Gentl. Mag. XXII. 32 A Machine for washing
of Linnen, called a Yorkshire Maiden. 1781 Rees Cycl.t
Alaiden.Aht name of a machine first used in Yorkshire,
and since introduced into other places, for washing of linen.
[The apparatus as described consists of a dolly fitted to
a covered wooden tub. This use of the name has app. not
survived] 1829 J. Hunter Hallamsh. Gloss., Maiden, an
instrument used in the laundry. x888 Sheffield Gloss. s.v.,
The maiden is sometimes called a peggy or dolly.
f8. The name of a fish. (? = Maid^. 8.) Obs.
1555 Eden Decades 269 Dryed fysshe as soles maydens
playces. [1624 Hkvwood Captives 11. ii. in Bullen Old Plays
(1885) IV. 145 For whom weare you a fislnnge? Mild.
Marry, for maydens;.. But, my gutts, Howe they are
sweld with sea brine V)
9. Short for maiden horse% over, ?-ace, tree (see B).
1807 Sir J. Malcolm in Lift (1856) I. xiv. 379 note, Grant
and I have two horses for the two first maidens. 1880 Times
28 Sept. 1 1/5 I Cricket] Shaw joined Selby, and when a couple
of maidens had been sent down luncheon intervened. 1894
Field 9 June 850/2 A plantation of young apple trees,
mostly maidens and two-year-olds, was badly attacked by
green aphis. 1898 StratJ'ord-on-Avon Herald 11 Feb. 4/j
The Warwickshire Hunt Cup. .. For horses
and upwards, maidens at the time of closing.
tf
The Warwickshire Hunt Cup. .. For horses five years
nd upwards, maidens at the time of closing.
10. attrib. and Comb., as maiden-blush ; maiden-
facedy tongued adjs. ; maiden-maker ; -monger ;
maiden-bark, ? the bark of saplings ; maiden-
feast, the feast after cutting the maiden (sense 6) ;
fmaiden-gear, f-geni, virginity ;fmaiden-heart,
a variety of pear ; maiden-meek a., meek as befits
a maiden ; f maiden-nut (see quot.) ; maiden-
rip Sc.= 6 ; maiden-servant — sense 4 ; maiden-
skate Sc. (see quot.) ; f maidens* light, a light
(in a church) maintained by maidens ; t maidens'
milk = Lac Vieginis ; maiden-widowed a.,
nonce-u'd.y widowed while still a maiden.
1831 Planting 92 in Lib. Use/. Knowl., Husb. Ill, Tiller
or Tellar, a shoot selected . . to stand . . for *maiden bark.
1605 Breton Soules Immort. Crowne (Grosart) 7/2 She
shewes her there the *Maiden-btush complection, Betwixt
the cherrie Red, and snowie White. 1655 Gurnall Chr. in
Ann. versei4. ix. (1669) 36/2 His Maiden-Mush modesty will
not suffer him to declare his sin. 1861 J. Ruffini Dr. An-
tonio i, The maidenblush clearness of the skin. 1567 Golding
Ovid's Alet. vii. (1593) »5i Boreas sonnes had chaste Away
the *maiden-faced foules that did the vittels waste. 1797
Statist. Acc. Scotl. XIX. 550 It was, till very lately, the
custom to give what was called a *Maiden Feast, upon the
finishing of the harvest. 1719 D'Urfey Pills I. 130 My
father takes me for a Saint, Tho' weary of my *Maiden
Geer. 1612 Drayton Poly-olb. x. 148 Chaste Winifrid : who
chose Before her *mayden-gem she forcibly would lose [etc.].
17*1 Mortimer Huso. II. 295 The Lewis Pear, or by some
the *Maiden-heart. 1881 Instr. Census Clerks (1885) 143
*Maiden Maker (Clothes Horse). 1847 Tennyson Princess
in. 118 Yet *maiden-meek, I prayed Concealment, a 1625
Fletcher Custom of Country 1. i, This thing you study to
betray your child to. This *Maiden-monger. 1884 Knight
Diet. Aleck. Suppt., * Maiden Nut, the inner one of two nuts
on the same screw ; the outer is the jam-nut . 1882 J. Walker
Jaunt to Auld Reekie, etc. 12 She grips some stalks and
twists the *maiden-rip In triple strands. 1533 GAD Richt
Vay ( 1 888) 11 Thou sal noth desir thy nichtburs wiff*madin
seruand beist or ony thing quhilk pertenis to hime. 1741
Richardson Pamela (1824) I. iv. iglfthe wench, (for so she
calls us maiden -servants) takes care of herself she'll improve.
1547-8 in Swayne Sarum Church-w. Acc. (1896) 27s For
viij li. of wex for the *Maydens light v.r. 1810 Neill List
Fishes 28 (Jam.) The young both of the Thornback and the
Skate are denominated * Maiden -skate. a> 1400-50 Stockh.
Med. MS. 4 A water bat is clepyd *maydinis mylke. 1507
Shaks. Lover's Compl. 100 *Maiden tongu'd he was, and
thereof free. 159a — Rom. $ Jul. in. ii. 135, I a Maid, die
' Maiden-widowed.
b. Invariousplant-names; +maiden-lip(s, ■£>///-
nospermunt Lappula; f maiden mercury, a name
for male plants of A/ercurialis annua ; maiden oak,
Qucrats sessiliflora\ maiden pink, Dianthus del-
toides ; maiden plum (tree), a name given to two
West Indian trees, (a) Comocladia integrifolia, (b)
Chrysobalanus\ maiden rose = Maiden's blush;
t maidens* honesty, Clematis vitalba. Also
Maidenhair, Maidenweed.
1589 Rider Bibl. Schol. 1748 *Maiden lips, or tasil, lap-
pago. 1578 Lyte Dodoens 1. hi. 78 This kinde may be called
in English. .Daughters Phyllon, or *Mayden Mercury. 1848
Phytotogist III. 883 note, The Quercus sessiliflora they
(woodmen] call White Oak and *Maiden Oak. 1755 B.
Stillingfl. Cal. Flora 7 July, Pinks, *maiden, Dianthus
deltoides. 1776-96 Withering Brit. Plants (ed. 3) II. 410
Maiden Pink. Sandy meadows, pastures, and heaths. 1882
J. Hardy in Proc. Berw. Nat. Club IX. 476 At Makerstoun
Crags .. the spindle-tree, maiden-pink,, .and the common
feverfew grew. 1715 Sloane Jamaica II. 131 The *Maiden-
Plumb-Tree. 1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. App. 318 Maiden
Plumb, Chrysobalanus. 1864GRISEBACH Flora W.Ind.-jZs
Maiden-plum, Comocladia integrifolia. 1837 G. Darlev
Sylvia 102 Here's a garland of red *maiden-roses for you.
183a Miss Mitford Village Ser. v. 89 She has just as much
colour as any woman ought to have — the maiden-rose tint.
a 1691 Aubrey Nat. Hist. Wilts {1847) 49 Wild vetch,
^maiden's honesty, polypodium [etc.]. 1691 Ray Ibid. 50
Calver-keys, hare's-parseley, mayden's-honesty.are countrey
names unknown to me.
B. adj. (from appositive and attributive uses
of the sb.). Cf. ViBGlN.
I, Literal uses.
1. Appositive uses. a. Unmarried ; now chiefly
in ?naiden aunt, ladyi sister, f b. Of a child :
Female; see Maiden-child {obs.), fc. Virgin;
sometimes said of men {obs.),
a 1300 Cursor M. 5546 (Colt.) f>e knau barns .. bai suld . .
sla, pe maiden barns ]>ai suld lat ga. 1300-1400///./. 21019
(Gutt.) Iohn, maiden saint, iam brober, [was] mar luued wid
crist pan ani ober. 1303 R. Brunne Hatidl. Synne 6080 5>'f
an husbond chyldryn haue, One or two, mayden or knaue.
crii+Guy li'arw. (A.) 196 And euerich knijt [ches] his leman
Ofbat gentil maiden wiman. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicho-
layysVoy. 1. viii. 8 b. The Moorishe women and mayden slaues.
1589 Plttenham Eng. Poesic in. (Arb.) 192 To blazon foorth
the Brytton mayden Q ueene. 1591 Shaks. i Hen. VI, iv. vii.
38 Thou Maiden youth, be vanquisht by a Maide. 1640 Wits
Recreat. § 166 She will, .sit at dinner like a mayden-bride.
1647 Tbapp Comm. Alatt. xxvii. 60 A new tomb it was, and
fit it should be for that virgin body, or mai den -corpse, as
one calls it. 1758 Johnson Idler No. 24 p 5 Maiden aunts
with small fortunes. 1765 in Waghorn Cricket Scores
(1899) 59 A cricket-match was played .. by eleven married
against eleven maiden women. 1777 Sheridan Sch. Scand.
iv. i, Here, now, is a maiden sister of his. 1798 Monthly
Mag. VI. 75 [Died] At Windsor Castle, Mrs. Hannah
Corbett, a maiden lady. 185a Rock Ch. of Fathers III. 1.
269 The girl-like maiden-mother bowed down before the crib.
2. Of or pertaining to a maiden, or to maiden-
hood ; befitting a maiden, having the qualities of
a maiden. Maiden name : the surname borne by
a married woman before her marriage.
1591 Shaks. i Hen. VI, n. iv. 47, I pluck this pale and
maiden blossom here. Ibid. v. iv. 52 Joan of Arc. Whose
Maiden-blood, thus rigorously effus'd, Will cry for Ven-
geance at the Gates of Heauen. 159a — Rom. <y Jul. n. ii.
86 The maske of night is on my face, Else would a Maiden
blush bepaint my cheeke. 1601 — Twel. N. v. i. 262 He
bring you to a Captaine in this Towne, Where lye my
maiden weeds. 161J — Hen. VIII, iv. ii. 169 Strew me
ouer With Maiden Flowers, that all the world may know
I was a chaste Wife, to my Graue. 1648 Hf.rrick Hesper.,
To Anne Soatne, The meanest part of her Smells like the
maiden -pomander. 1700 Drvden Cinyras -V Myrrha 113
The tender sire who saw her blush and cry Ascrib'd it all to
maiden-modesty. 1773 Life N. Frowde 5, I was baptized
by her [the mother's] maiden Name Neville. 1814 Scott
MAIDEN.
41
MAIDENHEAD.
Ld. of Isles i. iv, Wake, Maid of Lorn ! the moments My,
Which yet that maiden-name allow. 1844 Diskaixi Con*
ingsby v. vi, Not.. a word that could call forth a maiden
hlush.
y. Of female animals : Uncoupled, unmated.
1840 Boston Advertiser 30 June 3/4, I killed two sheep ;
one was a maiden ewe, and the other a wether. 1885 Hell's
Life 15 June 1/1 To he Sold, Two Maiden Three Year Old
Fillies, 189a Stratford-on-Avon Herald 18 Nov. 4/1 To
the owner and feeder of the best Pair of. . Maiden Sows.
II. Figurative uses.
4. That has yielded no results, a. Of an assize,
circuit, session : Formerly, one at which no prisoner
was condemned to death ; now, one at which there
are no cases for trial, b. Of a game, esp. Cricket
of an over : One in which no runs are scored, c.
Of a tide : One on which no vessels enter or leave
the dock. d. (See quot.)
a. a 1700 B. E. Dtct, Cant. Crew, Maiden-sessions, when
none are Har.g'd. 1742 Centl. Mag, July 386 Ended the
sessions at the Old Bailey, which proved a maiden one, none
having been capitally convicted. 1826 Scott Jml. 17 Apr.,
The judge was presented with a pair of white gloves, in
consideration of its being a maiden circuit. 1847 Hai.liwei.l
s.v., Maiden-assize. 1868 Daily Tel. 16 Apr., It is nearly
half a century since there has been a maiden sessions at
Oxford.
b- 1598 Fi.okio s.v. Marcio,. .a lurch or a maiden set at
any game. 1864 Daily Tel. 16 May, Half-a-dozen ' maiden
overs' in succession, every ball dead on the middle stump,
and yet played steadily back again to the bowler. 1893 W.
S. Gilbert Utopia 11, An occasional 'maiden over",
C i8gy Daily Tel. 30 Nov. ic/a Hull.— There was to-day
a maiden tide, no vessel being able either to enter or to leave,
owing to the storm and flood.
d. 1900 New Cent. Rev. VII. 374, 7 was called the
maiden number, because within the decade it has no factors
or product.
e. Of a horse, etc. : That has never won a prize.
Hence of a prize or a race : Offered or open to
maiden horses, etc.
1760 R. Hebkr Horse Matches ix. 40 All Maiden Horses
favoured 2 lb. 1856 ' Stonchengb ' Brit, Sports n. 1. xni.
(ed. 2) 364 A Maiden horse or mare is one that has never
won. 1886 York Herald 10 Aug. 7/5 Two Miles .Maiden
Bicycle Handicap. 1896 Daily News 1 7 July 3/4 The maiden
class for horses that have never won a first prize before.
5. That has not been conquered, tried, worked,
etc. a. Of a town, castle, fortress, etc. : That has
never been taken, ' virgin'.
The appellation Maiden Castle (quot. 1639) given to Edin-
burgh prob. did not originally mean 'virgin fortress', as in
Geoffrey of Monmouth (12th c.) ft appears as Castrum Pit-
ellarum, ' maidens' castle '. Several ancient earthworks in
England are also called Maiden Castle: the sense may pos-
sibly be 'a fortress so strong as to be capable of being de-
fended by maidens ' ; there may have been an allusion to
some forgotten legend. Cf. the equivalent Ger. name
Magdeburg*
1593 Smaks. Lucr. 408 Her breasts .. A paire of maiden
worlds vnconquered. i6ox J. Wheeler 'Treat. Comm. 30
Toumay..at that time termed the Maiden Citie. 1631 j.
Taylor (Water P.) Tarn Fort. /f//t't7(Halliw.) 9 Victone
forsook him for ever since he ransacked the maiden town of
Magdenburg. 1639 Dkumm. of Hawtji. Sp.for Edinburgh
Wks. (1711) 216 Relieving king James III. when he was
beleaguer'd in his maiden-castle. 1648 J. BOND Fschol 27
Those parts of the Kingdome which had hitherto been un-
toucht, the Mayden Counties, as they call them, have been
now most of all defloured. 1756 Nicest 6r. Tour, France
IV. 26 [Abbeville] is called The maiden town, because it
was never taken by an enemy. 1802 Wordsw. Sonn.
Extinct. Venet. Repub., She was a maiden City, bright and
free.
b. Of a plant or tree : (a) That has grown from
seed, not from a stock; {b) That has not been
budded, lopped, pruned, or transplanted.
a 1649 Drumm. of Hawth, Tonus Wks. (1711) 22/1 Though
envy, avarice, time, your tombs throw down, With maiden-
lawrells nature will them crown. 1655 Moufkt & Bennet
Health's Itnprov. (1746) 320 The unset Leek, or Maiden-
leek, is not so hot as the knopped ones. 1763 Burn
Elect. Law II. 413 Maiden trees of beech proceeding from
stools above 20 years growth. 1803 R, W. Dickson Pract.
Agric. 1095 In cutting-wood one madett standard is left
to each lugg or forty-nine square yards. 1832 Planting
91 in Lib. Usef. Knowl, Hush. III. Maiden-plant.— A
young tree raised from seed, in opposition to one produced
from an old root or stub. 1900 Brit. Med. Jml. No. 2080.
1367 The child so suffering [from congenital hernia] is passed
naked through a cleft maiden ash on a Sunday morning
at sunrise.
c. Of soil, metals, etc. : That has never been
disturbed, ploughed, or worked. Also maiden-
wax, * virgin' wax ( = F. are vierge, Dn. maagden-
was), wax taken from the comb without melting.
1622 Mai.ynes Anc. Law-Mcrch. 259 There is Mayden-
gold so called because it was never in the fire. 1726 Leoni
Albcrti s Archit. 1. 50/2 Cramps doneoverwith Maiden-wax
..never rot. 1776 G. Sf.mi-le Building in Water 34 You
work on fresh maiden Ground, that has not been fouled or
incumbered with Stones. 1812 Sir R. Hoare Anc. South
11 Jits. 1 6 Maiden downs, by which I mean all land untouched
by the plough. 1849 Florist 43 Refreshing my beds annually
with a few barrowfuls of maiden earth mixed with pig or
horse dung. 1878 Archxol. Cantiana XII. 8 I found the
earth was almost entirely maiden soil. 1897 Daily News
23 Apr. 3/1 Much of it [coal] was in its ' maiden state '—that
is, had not been worked over in the past.
d. Of a soldier, etc. ; also of a weapon : Untried.
1603 Drayton Odes xvii. 102 Though but a Maiden
Knight. 1647 Clarendon Hist. Reb. vi. § 291 The Horse
he put under the Command of his Brother, the Lord John
Somerset, a maiden Soldier too. 1834 L. Ritchie Wand.
Vol. VI.
by Seine 15 He bad not as yet fleshed his maiden sword.
1838 Lytton Alice iv. v, The air rather of a martyr than a
maiden placeman. 1842 Tennyson SirGalahadfa A maiden
knight — tome is given Such hope, I know not fear,
6. That is the first of its kind ; made, used, etc.
for the first time. Occas. in sense early, earliest.
Maiden-speech : the first speech delivered in the
House by a member of parliament.
IS55 W. Watkkman Fardle Facions Pref. 20 He but
borowyng their woordes, bryngeth it foorthe for a mayden
booke. 1622 Cuius Stat. Sewers v. (1647) 219 Your Reader
took in hand to read upon a Maiden-law, which never
before this time abide [sic] his Exposition in any Inns of
Court. . 1645 HOWELL Lett. (1650) II. 122, I send one of
the maiden Copies heerwith to attend you. 1786 Wolcot
(P, Pindar) Odes to R. Ai's ii, But not a single maiden dish,
poor gentleman, of flesh or fish. 1794 Hist. \\\ Ann. Reg.
61 Mr. Canning, In his maiden speech (according to the
technical language of the house) said [etc.]. 1798 Sporting
Mag- XII. 4 A maiden deer was turned out at Tower Hill.
1799 G. Smith Laboratory II. 261 The usual baits are the
tail-part of a maiden lob-worm, a 1813 A. Wilson Foresters
Poet. Wks. (1846) 211 Fresh on his maiden cruise to see
the world. 1813 Vancouver Agric. Devon 213 The maiden
bite of the artificial grasses and white clover, 1825 Col.
Hawker Diary (1893) I. 284 This was my maiden day at
English black game shooting. 1842 H. Rogers Ess, (1874)
I. i. 4 The same year was signalised by his maiden publica-
tion. 1843 Le 1'V.vrk Life Trav. Phys. I. 1. i. 20 It was at
this time, .that I took my maiden fee. 1883 Casselfs Fan/.
Mag. Aug. 527/2 In the second year the planter gets a very
small crop called the maiden-crop. 1884 Times (weekly ed.)
31 Oct. 19/4 The. .new steamship., sailed from Plymouth.,
on her maiden trip to the Antipodes. 1001 Scotsman 11 Mar.
8/7 The. .steamer. .was on her maiden voyage from London
to China.
Maiden (ntfi'd'n), v. [f. Maiden sb.]
1 1. In phr. 'Jo maiden it : to act like a maiden ;
to be coy. Obs.
1597-8 Bp. Hall Sat. III. iii. 5 Forbad I mayden'd it, as
many use, Loath for to graunt, but leather to refuse.
2. trans, {dial.) To wash clothes with a
'maiden'. 1 fence maidening-pot, -tub.
1839 BYWATER Sheffield Dial. 132 Salla do yo pull toud
maidnin tub tot table. 1890 Sheffield Daily Tel. 11 Apr.
7/1 The child was standing near a maidening pot half full
of water.
t Maiden-child. Obs. A female child. (Cf.
Maid-child.)
C893 K. &LFRED Oros. I. x. § 2 Eft bonne ha wif heora
beam cendon, bonne feddonhie pa ma:dencild. c 1200 Okm in
7897, & ma^dennchild bitacnebb uss W'ac mahht i gode
dedess. c 1250 Gen, ty Ex. 2574 Do bad monophis pharaun
. . leten Se mayden childre huen. < 1440 Bone Flor. 31 A
feyre lady he had to wyfe, That., dyed of a maydyn chylde.
1587 Fleming; Contn. Holinshcd III. 1999/1 Leaving but
one maiden-child and princesse. 1643 J. Steer tr. Exp.
Chyrurg. ix. 42 There was a Maiden childe, of the age of
two yeares.
Maidenhair ^m",'d,n|lnj',i\ A lso6-7 maiden's
hair. [f. Maiden sb. + Hair.]
1. The name of certain ferns having fine hair-
like stalks and delicate fronds. a. Adia'ntum
Capillus-veneris, called also black or True Maiden-
hair ; formerly much used in medicine.
1 1450 ME. Med, Bk. (Heinrich) 102 Take . . verueyne,
maydenher [etc.], 1549 Compl. Scot. vi. 67, I sau madyn
hayr, of the quhilk ane siropmaid of it is remeid contrar the
infectione of the melt. 1562 Turner Hcrbalu. 157 b, Tricho-
manes (that is our English Maydens heare) is supposed to
haue the same vertue that the Lumbardy Maydens heare
hath. 1507 Gerarde Herbal u. cccclvii. 982-3 True Maiden
haire. . . the right Maiden haire groweth vpon wals . . it is
a stranger in Englande. .. In English black Maiden haire,
and Venus haire. 1697 Trvon Way to Health xv. (ed. 3) 368
Take . . a pint and half, Tincture of Saffron, and Syrup of
Maidenhair. 1785 Martvn Rousseau's Bot. xxxii. (1794) 491
True Maiden-hair. . is used or supposed to be so, in the syrup
of capillaire. 1887 E. Lyai.l Knight-Errant (1889) 87
A little lizard.. plunged into the maidenhair that fringed the
altar.
b. Asplenium Trichomanes, called also Common
or English Maidenhair.
a 1400-50 Stockh. Med. MS. 176 Maydenheer or watir-
wourt, capillus virgiuis. 1562 [see a]. 1579 Langham Card.
Health (1633) 379 Tricomanes, Polytricon or English Maiden-
haire hath ye same vertues that Capillus Veneris hath. 1597
Gerarde Herbal 11. cccclviii. 984 Of English or common
Maiden haire. 1634 Peacham Centl. Excrc. in. 11. vii. 144
June in a mantle of darke grasse greene, upon his head a gar-
landof Uents, King-cups, and Maidenshaire. 1688R. Holme
Armoury 11. 74/1 The English Maiden-hair is a small spiry
stalk with two round leaves fixed to the side [etc.]. 1760
J. Lee Introd. Bot. App. 318 Maiden-hair, English black,
Asplenium.
c. /1spleniumNuta-muraria,\Xhite Maidenhair.
1597 Gerarde Herbal it. cccclvii. 983 Wall Rue, or Rue
Maiden haire. .White Maiden haire. 1718 Quincy Compl.
Disp. 115 White Maidenhair. — It is used in Decays of the
Lungs. 1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. App. 318 Maiden-hair,
White, Asplenium. 1861 Miss Pratt Floiver. PI. VI. 213.
2. In other plant-names, a. Golden Maidenhair,
the moss Polytrichum commune.
\*fl%\srwDodoens in. Ixxi. 412 Goldylockes, Polytrichon,
or Golden Maydenheare. 1783 Martvn Rousseau's Bot,
xxxii. (1794) 493 Greater Golden Maidenhair .. is a large
sort of moss and abundant in woods, heaths and bogs.
b. The Lancashire Asphodel, Nartheciuni osst-
fragum (see quot.).
1633 Johnson Gerarde* s Herbal 1. Ixxi. 96 Another water
Asphodill, which.. in Lancashire is vsed by women to die
their haire of a yellowish colour, and therefore by them
it is termed Maiden-haire, if we may beleeue Lobell.
C. Yellow liedslraw, Galium verum.
1548 Turner Name qfHerbes (E.D.S.) 39 Gallon or gal-
lion is named in English in the North tountrey Maydens
heire. 1562 — Herbal u, 6b.
d. Ground Ivy, ATepeta Glechoma.
1657 Coles Adam in Eden xxvi. 53 Some Country people
that would have the barren Ivy to be the true Ground-Ivy,
call the other Maiden-hair.
f3. Some textile fabric. Obs.
1359 Will of Agnes Selby in Test. Ebor. (Surtees) I. 71
Lego Anabillae quondam servient! mea;..unam tuincam de
maydenhare.
f 4. ?Some kind of marking; on flowers. Obs.
?i6o7 Dav Pari. Bees xi. (1641) G 3 b, July-flowers, and
Carnations weare Leaves double strenkt with Maiden haire.
*I5. In literal sense : A maiden's hair. rare~x.
1648 Herrick Hesper., Dissuas.fr. Idleness, Play not
with the maiden-haire For each ringlet there's a snare.
6. attrib. and Comb., as f maidenhair - syrup ;
maidenhair fern = 1 ; maidenhair grass, L'riza
media; (golden) maidenhair-moss— 2 a ; maid-
enhair-spleenwort, a book-name for various
plants of the genus Asplenium (see quot. io'3^) ;
maidenhair-tree, a name for the Gingko.
1833 Penny Cycl. I. 130/1 The A[diantum] Capillus Ve-
neris, or the *maiden-hair fern. 1640 Parkinson Theatr.
Bot. 1165 Gramen tremulum medium. *Maidenhaire
grasse, or the lesser quaking grasse. 1597 Gerarde Herbal
hi. civil. 1371 Aluscus capiltaris . , Goldilocks, or Golden
* Maiden haire Mosse. 1837 Macgii.livray Withering's
Brit. Plants 383 Asplenium Triihomancs. Common
* Maidenhair Spleenwort. . . A. vtride. Green Maidenhair
Spleenwort. ., A, Adiantum-nigruw. Plack Maidenhair
Spleenwort. 1862 Ansieh Channel 1st. 11. viii. (ed. 2) 183
The a. trhhomanes or maiden-hair spleen-wort, is the most
delicate of the group, 1711 Loud. Car,. No. 4845/4, 200
half pint P.ottles of 'Maidenhair Sin up. 1773 Centl. Mag.
X LI 1 1. 338 The Ginkgo, or * Maiden- hair tree, from China,
..has been propagated by Mr. Gordon, of Mile-End. 1882
Garden 12 Aug. 145/3 The leaves bear a good deal of re-
semblance to those of the Maidenhair tree.
Maidenhead1 (m^-d'nhed). arch, ff. Maiden
sb. -t -HEAD.]
1. The state or condition of a maiden; virginity;
said occas. of a man (see MaIPEN sb. 2 b).
a 1300 Cursor M. 10S80, I herd it neuer in lijf ne ledd
Worn man her barn in maidm-bedd. ibid. 12706 Sent Ion,
be wangelist. .he liued in maiden-hede. "357 Lay Polks
Catech. 125 Iesu crist. .was sothefastely consayued of the
maiden mari,. .Without en ony mynnyng of hir maidenhede.
1423 J as. I Kingis (J. 55 Pitee was to here 'the crueltee of
that vnknyghtly dede, (Juhare was fro the bereft thi maiden-
hede, 1535 COVER DA LF Judg. xi. 38 Then wente shee with
her playefeeres, and bewayled hir mayden heade vpon the
mountaynes. 1613 Shaks. Hen. I'/II, 11. iii. 23 By my
troth, and Maidenhead, I would not be a Queene. 1697
Drvden Virg. Georg, Ded., He who carries a Maidenhead
into a Cloyster, is sometimes apt to lose it there. 1749
Kiellunc; Tom Jones xvm. -viii, A merry song which bore
some relation to matrimony and the loss of a maidenhead.
1796 Pkgge Anonym. (1809) 457 To be able to look upon
the sun, they say, is a siyn of oifc's having a maidenhead.
1885-94 R. Bridges Eros $ Psyche Teh. xxiv, His earthly
bride, Who won his love, in simple maidenhead.
f b. Phrases : to enjoy, get, have, prove, take,
win {a woman S; maidenhead', also of a woman
{rarely of a man), to keep, lose (So. tine) one's
maidenhead. Obs.
t tnj/oGen. <$■ Fx. 1852 Sichem tok hire maiden-hed. c iiao
Sir Tristr, 2:34, V loued neuer man wib mode Pot him pat
hadde mi maidenhede. r 1330. 4 misty A mil. 767 So thai plaid
in word and dede, That he wan hir maidenhede. c 1375 Sc.
Leg. Saints xviii. {Egiplciaue) 446 Myn madynned quhow I
fust tynt par. c 1400 Destr. Troy 3997 Most was hir mynde
hir maidonhede to kepe. c 1450 St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 204
Sho wepid. .bat wyked dede pat made hir lose hir mayden-
hede. 1567 Gude ty Godlie B. (S. T. S.) 146 Zit keipit scho
hir madinheid vnforlorne. 1591 Lvi.v Sappho n. i, Phcebus
in his godhead sought to get my maidenhead. 1663 Drvden
Wild Gallant Prol., As some raw squire, by tender mother
bred, 'Till one-and-twenty keeps his maidenhead. 1697 Van-
bri'gh -2nd Pt. sEsop iii. 51 sEsop. How long did you stay?
Beau. Till I had lost my maidenhead.
f2. trans/, and Jig., esp. the first stage or first-
fruits of anything; the first example, proof, trial,
or use ; also in phrases (see 1 b). Obs.
c 1412 Hoccleve De Reg. Princ. 3036 pou..be mayden-
hede of this Iuel Shalt preue anone. a 1550 Tales <%■ Quick
Ansio. xcv. (1814) 98 That he wolde gyue him leaue to
haue the maidenheed of the pyllory. 1591 Fi.okio 2nd
Fruites Ep. Ded., The maiden head of my industrie I
yeelded to a noble Mecenas (renoumed Lecester) the honor
of England, a 1592 H. Smith Ser/u. (1599) 536 God requir-
ing the first labours of his seruants, and (as I may say), the
maidenhead of euery man. 1612 (title) Parthenia, or the
Maydenhead of the first inusicke that euer was printed
for the Virginalls. a 1687 Petty Pol. Arith. i. (1691) 20
One sort of Vessels, and Rigging, where haste is requisite
for the Maidenhead of a Market. 17^5 Smollet Quix.
(1803) I. ig Others affirm, that the windmills had the maiden-
head of his valour. 1775 S. J. Pratt Liberal Opin. exxxvii.
(1783) IV. 260 He had received a present, of which, he insisted
upon it, we should have the maidenhead.
I Mai'denhead-'. Obs. [f. Maiden^. + Head.]
A representation of the head or bust of the Virgin
Mary. a. As an ornamental finish to the handle
of a spoon ; occas, , the spoon itself.
[1446 Wills A> Inv. (Surtees Soc.) I. 92 In Prompt.uario
sunt ij Coclearia argentea et deaurata .. cum ymaginjbus
Beatae Mariae in fine eorundem.] 1495 in Wadley Notes
Wills inGt. Orphan Bk. Bristol (1886) 170 [Six silver spoons]
cum Maidenheddis. [Six silver spoons] de Maidenheddis.
ifiM Test. Ebor. (Surtees) V. 162 Mariae Evers sex cocliaria
72
MAIDENHOOD.
42
MAIDY.
de arg. cum le mad ynhed ties. 1538 Bury Wills (Camden)
134 Allso I bequeth to Nycholas Esthaw my syluer pece
and iij syluer sponys w* mayeden hedes. 1567 Richmond
Wills (Surtees Soc.) 198, xiij postle spones. .J dossone lyones
and \ doss, madinehedes.
b. Her. As a bearing on a shield, etc.
1615 Heywood Four* Prentises Wks. 1874 II. 239 God-
freyes shield, hauing a Maidenhead with a Crowne in it.
1618 J. Taylor (Water P.) Pennyless Pilgr. A 4 b, 1 . . went
that night as farre as Islington, There did I finde. .A May-
denhead of twenty hue yeeres old, Hut surely it was painted,
. .And for a signe or wonder, hang'd at' dore. 1728 S. Kent
Banner Display d II. 764 Crest, on a Torce of his Colours,
a maidenhead proper, enclos'd in a Ring of Gold.
Maidenhood (nvWl'nhud). Forms : see
Maiden sb. and -hood. [OE. mxgdenhdd, f. m teg-
den Maiden + -had -hood.] The condition of
being a maiden ; the time of life during which one
is a maiden. Formerly also — Maidenhead x 1 b
and 2, in phrases to have, hold, keep, .to, etc. (ones)
maidenhood.
(1900 Cynewulp Crist 1419 J>a ic sylf Restas maga in
modor, peah waes hyre niEe^denhad sejhwaes onwal^. c 1200
Vices ty Virtues 55 pat hie ne behiet hire maidenhad seure
mo to healden. c iwkOrmin 46 Forr maidenhad & widd-
wesshad & weddlac birrb ben clene. a 1225 Ancr. R. 54
Heo leas hire meidenhod, & was imaked hore. c 1290 S.
Eng. Leg. 380/137 For $e habbez jeot ouwer Maiden*
hod. 136a Langl. P. PI. A. 1. 158 >e naue no more merit
In Masse ne In houres pen Malkyn of hir May den hod, pat
no Mon desyrep. 1388 Wyci.ie Luke ii. 36 [She] hadde
lyued with hir hoselxmde seuene }eer fro hir maydynhod.
1 1450 Lonelich Grail xxix. 150 For Maydenhod is In this
maner trewly, that felte neuere man fleschly,. .but virginite
is An heighere tiling, c 1575 Balfour's Prac ticks 67S The
Lord of the ground sail have the maidenhood of all maidenis
..dwelland on the ground. 1591 Shaks. i Hen. VI, iv. vi.
17 The irefull Bastard Orleance, that drew blood From thee
my Hoy, and had the Maidenhood Of thy first fight, I soone
encountred. a 1603 [see MaiueslessJ. 1641 Earl Monm.
tr. Biondts Civil Warres 11. 83 No maidenhood was unde-
fiowred, nor marriage bed unviolated. 18461 . G. Prowf.it
Prometheus Bound 40 In loveless maidenhood outworn.
1858 Hawthorne Fr. $ It. Jrnls. I, 226 There is . . a very
pleasant atmosphere of maidenhood about her. 1863 Wool-
ner My Beautiful Lady In trod. 5 A man. .who has found
H^. .daughter. -Fallen from her maidenhood.
Maidenish (m*?*'d*nif). a. [f. Maiden sb. +
-ish.] Resembling a maiden, characteristic of a
maiden. Used in depreciatory sense.
1749 Fielding Tom Jones vi. vii, 'Come, come*, says
Western, 'none of your maidenish airs'. 181$ Zehtca I.
172 Do not let one word of this rhodoniontade come within
ken of your maidenish aunts. 1825 New Monthly Mag.
XV. 299 A pretty affectation of maidenish coyness.
Comb. 1789 Anna Seward Lett. (1811 I II. 250 But, Lord !
what a pale, maidenishdooking animal for a voluptuary !
Maidenism nv'd'niz'm). rare. [f. Maiden j£.
+ -ism.] Maidenish bearing and behaviour ; a
maidenish notion or peculiarity.
1790 Anna Seward LetJ. (181 1 I III. 38 When he confessed
these maidenisms, I despaired of his suiting the pleasant,
prancing, pop-gun situation of butler at Prior's Lea. 1825
Gentl. Mag. XCV. 1. 626 The elegant simplicity and delicate
maidenism of the pretty Miriam Gray.
t Mavdenkin. Obs~l [f. Maiden^. + -kin.]
-=Maidkin.
l 1330 Arth. <y Merlin G71 (KOlbing"tTo ligge bi a maiden-
kin &: bi^eten a child her in. c 1440 [see MaidkinJ.
t Maidenless, a. nonee-tvd, [f. Maiden;.?.
+ -less.] Not truly ' maiden*.
a 1603 T. Cartwright Coufut. Rhem. N. T. (1618) 39 The
Greeke Church, which neuer liked of the maidenlesse maiden-
hood of their Priests.
Maidenlike, <*. and adv. [f. Maiden sb. +
-like.] a. adj. Such as is usual with maidens;
befitting a maiden, fb. adv. After the manner of
maidens. Obs.
15.. Robin Conscience 318 in Had. E. P. P. III. 246 To
clatter and flatter is no maidenlike way. a 1548 Hall Chron.,
Hen. VI 183 The yong erle of Rutland, .scace of y* age of
.xii. yeres, a faire gentleman and a maydenlike person. 1589
Fleming Virg. Georg. 1. 15 If sheouercast vpon hir face a
virgins rednesse Or blushing maidenlike. 163a Lithcow
Trav. in. 96 He was maiden-like brought vp amongst the
Kings daughters, 1825 J. Neal Bro. Jonathan II. 179 Our
boy contrived . . to do a multitude of .. pretty, maiden-like
things. 1834 Lytton Pompeii 23 Her manners are not
maidenlike. 1847 Tennyson Princess iv. 73 And maidenlike
as far As I could ape their treble, did I sing.
Maidenliness (m^-'d'nlines). [f. Maidenly
+ -NE8S.] The quality of being maidenly ; the
behaviour proper to a maiden.
1555 W. Watreman Bardie Facialis App. 326 Any man
of a shamefaced maindenlines [sic], 1583 IUbington Cow*
tnaundm. (1615) 42 Silence is ignorance, modesty is too much
maidenlinesse. 1617 Rider's Vict., Virginalitas, Maiden-
linesse. 1868 Pusey Serm. Pharisaism 13 Those who used
to furnish our ideal of maidenliness and purity. 1879 G.
Meredith Egoist I. x. 193 That fair childish maidenliness
had ceased.
Maidenly (m^-d'nli), a. and adv. [f. Maiden
sb. + -LT.J A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to a maiden, or to maiden-
hood. In early use = Virgin a.
1450-1530 Myrr. our Lad ye 112 Whyche shulde be con-
ceyued and borne of thy maidenly body. 158a Kentlf.y
Mon. Matrones Pref. Bj, Even from their tender and
maidenlie yeeres, to spend their time . . in the studies of
noble and approved sciences. 1871 R. Ki.i.is tr. Catullus
lx-iv. 78 J 'axed of her youthful array, her maidenly bloom
fresh -glowing. 189a Temple Bar May 114 The maidenly
curve of her bust
b. nonce-use. (Cf. Maiden a. 6.)
1823 Uyron Juan xiii. xc, An orator,. .Who had deliver'd
well a very set Smooth speech, his first and maidenly trans-
gression.
f2. Of persons: Resembling a maiden in action
or bearing. Characterized by a maiden's qualities,
e. g. gentleness, modesty, timidity. Obs.
1523 Skelton Garl. Laurel 865 Lyke to Aryna maydenly
of porte. 1549 Chaloner Erasmus on Folly A ij, Shall one
of those shamefast and maidenly men not sticke than to
displaie his pecockes fethers? 1592 Greene Gioatsn: Wit
(1617)!) 3 b,RIy brother is a maidenly Hatcheler. 1597SHAKS.
2 Hen. IV, 11. ti. 82 Wherefore blush you now? what a
Maidenly man at Armes are you become ? 1655 Gurnall
C hr. in Arm, verse 14. iii. (1669) 8/2 They, .were so maidenly
and fearful, as not to venture down their hills, for fear of
drowning. 167a Marvf.ll Reh. Tramp. 1. 4 < )ur author is
very maidenly, and condescends to his JJookseller not with-
out some reluctance.
3. Of qualities, actions, etc. : Proper to, or
characteristic of a maiden.
1532 More Confut. Tindale Wks. 626/1 To learne of hys
lemman some very maidenly shamefastenes. 1590 Shaks.
Mids. N. in. ii. 217 And will you rent our ancient loue
asunder, To ioyne with men in scorning your poore friend ?
It is not friendly, 'tis not maidenly. 1748 Richardson
Clarissa (1811) II. 68 A confession, that all your past be-
haviour was maidenly reserve only. 1849 James Wood-
man xxii, She. .with maidenly modesty retired till she had
the sanction of her guardian's presence. 1884 Contemp.
Rep. Oct. 547 The manner in which Miss Victoria Dare..
captures Lord Dunbeg..is not exactly maidenly.
B. adv. After the fashion of a maiden ; in a
maidenly manner.
1596 Harincton Metam. Ajax (1S13) 20, I that maidenly
to write was wont. 1625 Gonsalvio s Sp. Inquis. 59 Bend-
ing her head downeward maidenly. 1844 Mrs. drowning
Crcnvnedfy Wedded, Her looks turned maidenly to ground.
1889 F. M, Crawford Greifenstein I. ii. 39 She was.. away
from the world,, .and maidenly ignorant of all it contained.
i Maiclenman. Obs. [f. Maiden j^. + Man
sbA] A maiden, virgin.
c 893 K. /Elfred Ores. 1. xiv. § 1 Mesiane noldon Saet
Laecedemonia ma^denmenn mid heora ofreden. c 1000
Sax. Leechd. Ill, 42 Ga J>a:niie an maclen man to and ho
hit on his sweoran. < 1200 ( )hmin 2085 Sannte Mar^e. .wass
a;fre ma33dennmann. a 1310 in Wright Lyric P. 82 For
nou thou wost of moder fare thou thou be clene maydeu mon.
Maiden's blush.
1. Used as a name for a delicate pink colour.
Hence, a rose of this colour.
Cf. maiden blush, s.v. Maiden A. 10.
1648 Hekrick Hesper., Epithat. Sir C. Carrttf, But for
prick-madam, and for gentle-heart, And soft maidens-blush,
the bride Makes holy these. 1661 Peacham Compl. Gent.
{ed. 3) 156 Of the signification of Colours. Maidens-blush,
[signifieth] Envy. 1750 G. Hughes Barbadoes 226 From
which Place rise several many-leav'd Flowers, of a Maiden 's-
blush. 1882 Garden 19 Aug. 168/2 The Maiden's Blush
Rose, once so popular, but now seldom met with.
2. A small geometrid moth, Ephyra pitnetaria.
1869 E. Newman Brit. Moths 73.
Maidenship (m^-d'njip). [f. Maiden- sb. +
-ship.] The personality of a maiden; chiefly in
Your Maidenshif, as a playful form of address.
160a Rowlands Tis Merrie 22 Vour Mayden-ship takes
Liquor in too nice. 1637 Heywood Royall Kingxw. 1. E 2 b,
Yes if it please your Maidenship. 1756 Mrs. F. Brooke Old
Maid No. 0. 64 Your maidenship has opened a channel,
through which my thoughts may flow. 1831 Eraser's Mag.
IV. 183 We trust that their chaste maidenships the Muses
will not suffer much of this metrical rubbish to fall in our way.
1 Maiden weed. Obs. [In sense I fox*maythen~
weed (see Maythen) ; in sense 2 f. Maiden sdJ]
1. = Maidweed.
1490 Promp. Pan'. (Pynson) [see Maidweed quot. 1:1440].
1530 Palsgr. 241/2 Maydenwede. 1591 Percivall Sp. Vict,,
Ervato, maidenweeds, hogfenell, /Ywi»<fa««w. 159a R. D.
Hypnerotomachia 29 A garland.. of hitter alisander com-
mixt with dead leaves of maydenweede. 1607 Topsell
Four-f. Beasts (1658) 39 Castoreum. . procure th sleep, they
being anointed with it, maiden-weed, and conserve of roses.
1718 Rowe tr. Lucan 404 Wound-wort and Maiden-weed
perfume the Air.
2. *= Maidenhair i a.
IS«4 Crete Herball 'xxxvii, Adianthos. Maydenweede.
t Mai deux. Obs. Also 5 madeus, maydese,
ma aydeus. [OF. in aide dens *God help me'.]
In phrase So ?naideux = i so help me God*.
a 1400-50 Alexander 729 'So madeus1 [Ashm.MS. Sa ma
aydeus], quod pis oper man. Ibid. 4446 And maydese jit.
Ibid. 5024 ■ So maideux ', quod be mone-tree.
t Mai'dhead. Obs. [f. Maid sb. + -head.] =
Maidenhead1.
1390 Gower Conf. II. 341 The beaute of his face streited
He hath, and threste out bothe hise yhen, That alle wommen
whiche him syhen Thanne afterward, of him ne roghte. And
thus his maidehiede he boghte. 1567 Gude <fr Godlie B.
(S. T. S.) 146 note, Yet keipit shee her maid-heid vnforlorne.
Maidhood (m£id,hud). [f. Maid sb. + -hood.
In the earliest examples repr. OE. mseg{e)j>-h(idt
f. mxg(e)P (see Madden sb.).] ^Maidenhood.
a 900 O. E, Martyrol. 31 May 88 Heo on ma:g5hade hire
lif geendade. c 1200 Okmin 2497 Babe leddenn i ma^bhad
All berflre lif till ende. ciaoo Trin. Coll. Horn. 21 Ne hire
maidhod ne was awemned. a 1225 St. Marher. 3 Ich habbe
a deore ajmstan ant ich hit habbe ijeuen be mi meidhad ich
meane. 1601 Shaks. Twel. N. in. 1. 162. 1604 — Oth. t. i.
171 I< there not Charmrs By which the propertie of Youth,
and Maidhood May be abus'd ? 1800 Helena Wells Con-
stant ia Neville (ed. 2) II. 159 As by a matron the airs and
graces of maidhood would be relinquished. 1881 W. Wilkins
Songs of Study 154 The innocence of her maidhood.
Maidie: see Maidy.
Maidish. (m^-dij"), a. [f. Maid sb. + -ish.] =
Maidenish.
1872 Grosart Donne's Poems I. 22 note, The delays of
maidish indecision. 1895 Crockett Men of Moss Hags
xxxvi. 258 From a maidish and natural liking for a young
and unmarried man.
f Mai'dkin. Oi>s.—° In 5 maydekin. [f.
Maid sb. + -kin.] A little maid.
c 1440 Promp. Pan: %\$fz Maydekin, or lytylle mayde
(//., y.,maydyn kyn\ puelta.
Maidling (nmlHa). nonce-wd. [f. Maid sb.
+ -ling.] A little maid.
In quot. 1831 coined to render MHG. niagetteiii, which is
not really equivalent in formation.
1831 Cahi.m.f. Misc. Ess. (1857.1 II. 226 She let it [her hair]
flow down, The lovely maidling. 1896 J 'ail Matt Mag. Sept.
30 The dissonant pipings of ten charity maidbngs.
t Mai'dly, a. Obs. [f. Maid sb. + -ly *.] Re-
sembling a maid.
1563 B. Googe Eglogs, etc. (Arb.) 71 O Cowards all, and
maydly men of Courage faynt and weake. 1565 Satir.
Poems Reform, i. 376 Howe the Fren^he Kinge in marag
did endowe me w,h Koyall right, amadlie wydowe.
Maid Marian. Also 6 mayd(e-, mawd-,
-marion, 7 -marrian, -marrion, -morion. A
female personage in the May-game and morris-
dance. In the later forms of the story of Robin
Hood she appears as the companion of the outlaw,
the association having prob. been suggested by
the fact that the two were both represented in the
May-day pageants.
' 1525 Barclay Eclog iv. (1570) Cvj, Yet would I gladly
heare nowe some mery fit Of mayde Marion, or els of Robin
hood. 1575 Laneham Let. (1871) 22 A liuely morisdauns
according loo the auncient manner, six daunserz, Mawd-
marion, and the fool. 1589 Pasquifs Ret. Biij b, Martin
..is the Mayd-marian, trimlie drest vppe in a cast Gowne,
and a Kercher. 1596 Shaks. i Hen. IV, 111. iii. 129 For
Woomandiood, Maid-marian may be the Deputies wife of
the Ward to thee. 165a C. B. Stapylton Herodian 65
Train'd Bands are Pamp'red like unto Maidmarians. 1656
Blount Glossogr. s.v., Moriseo, a Boy dressed in a Girles
habit, whom they call the Maid Marrian. 1696 Phillips,
Maid Marrion, or Morion, a 1699 Temple Of Health <y
Long Life Wks. 1720 I. 277 A Sett of Morrice Dancers,
composed of Ten Men who danced, a Maid Marian, and
a Tabor and Pipe. [Misquoted by Johnson, who in con-
sequence explains Maidmarian as 'a kind of dance', an
error which is copied in later Diets.]
Maid of honour.
1. An unmarried lady, usually of noble birth,
who attends upon a queen or princess.
c 1586 Ctess Pembroke Pi, xlv. vii, Her maides of honor
shall on her attend. 1646 Chashaw Sosp. a%Herode xlii,
The foul queen's most abhorred maids of honour . . stand to
wait upon her. 1711 Steele Sped. No. 109 f 4 The Action
at the Tilt-yard you may be sure won the fair Lady, who
was a Maid of Honour. 1756-7 tr. Keysler's Trav. (1760)
IV. 189 Another court-festivity is at the marriage of one of
the empress's maids of honour. 184a Tennyson Day Vreaiu
80 The maid-of-honour blooming fair.
2. A kind of cheesecake sold at Richmond, Surrey.
1769 Public Advertiser 11 Mar. 3/3 Almond and Lemon
Cheescakes, Maid of Honour, Sweetmeat Tarts. 1836 T.
Hook G. Gurneyl. no What are called cheesecakes else-
where, are here called maids of honour. 1865 Reader
i6Sept 311/2 A maid-of-honour, fresh from the cuisine o( the
Star and Garter, is relishable with its adjuncts.
Hence Maid-of-honourshlp nonce-wd.
1896 A. Dobson in Longm. Mag. Sept. 456 Her Maid-of-
Honourship came to an end with her marriage.
Maidservant, [f. Maid sb. + Servant.] A
female servant, usually a domestic servant.
1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 83 A mayde seruaunt,
thrall and bonde, all naked, fylthy, and deformed. 1600 J.
Pory tr. Leo's Africa vii. 287 All the women of this region
except maid-seruants go with their faces couered. a 1687
Petty Pol. Arith. (1690)101 The Wages given to the poorest
Maid-Servant in the Countrey .. is -xos. per annum. 1849
Mrs.Carlyle Lett. II. 68 The maid-servant met me at the
front door. 1876 T. Hardy Ethelberta (1890) 395 One of
the pretty maid-servants.
Maidsweet : see Meadsweet.
t Maidweed. Obs. Also 5-6 mayde-, 6
mayd-, made-. [For *maithe-, *maythc'%vced :
see Maythe.] a. Stinking Camomile, Anthemis
Cotnla. b. Red Maidiveed, Red or Purple Camo-
mile, Adonis autumnalis. (Cf. Mayweed.)
c 1440 Promp. Pan: 319/2 Mayde wede, herbe, or maythys
{MS. S. maydewode, /'. maydenwede), ruelissa, amnmsca.
1548 Turner Names of Herbes (E.D.S.) 14 They call it in
Englishe red mathes, alij, red mayde wed,alij purple camo-
myle. Ibid. 60 Stynkyng maydweede. 1551 — Herbal
1. Dij, Dyuers thynke, that heranthemon is the herbe:
whych is called of the herbaryes, amarisca rubra : and of
oure countre men, red mathe, or red made wede. «66o
Lt'PTON 1000 Notable Things vm. § 46. 202 Which Maid-
weed is a stinking herb, having a flower like a Daysie.
Maidy (m^-'di). dial. Also maidie. [f. Maid
sb. : see -ie and -\\] ' A little maid.
1880 T. Hardy Trumpet-Major I. iii. 57 You and maidy
Anne must come in, if it be only for half an hour. 1882
W, S. Gilbert Iolanthe (1886) 32 If you go in You're
sure to win — Yours will be the charming maidie. 1891 T.
Hardy Tess (1900) 47/2 ' Is it so, maidy P he said.
Maied, obs. f. Meadj/'.i ; pa. ppl. of May v. Obs.
Maierom(e, obs. form of Makjokam.
MAIEUTIC.
43
MAIL.
Maiest- : see Majest-.
Maiester, obs. form of Master.
Maieutic (nvuw'tik), a. (and sb.). Also 7
raajeutie. [ad. Gr. ixaitvTw-is {lit. ' obstetric ' :
usedyTf. by Socrates), f. nmtviaSat to act as a mid-
wife, f. \iaxa midwife.] Pertaining to (intellectual)
midwifery, i.e. to the Socratic process of assisting
a person to bring out into clear consciousness
conceptions previously latent in his mind.
1655 Stanley Hist. Philos., Plato xv. 46 Of Platonitk
Discourse there are two kinds, Hyphegetick and Exegetick
[of which a sub-division is called] Majeutick. 1856 W. A.
Butler Hist. Ane. Philos. I. 374 The method of Socrates
is. .essentially a ' maieutic' or obstetric method. 1868 Can.
temp. Rev. VII. la Teaching botany . . by what he truly
calls a maieutic process, drawing out intelligence before com-
municating knowledge. _l88j Sat. Rev. 23 Sept. 415/2 Ex-
amples of Mr. Cory's stimulating and maieutic method of
dealing with history. 1886 SvMONDS Reuaiss. It., Cath.
React. (1898) VII. xi. 176 Their maieutic ingenuity was vain.
b. sb. pi. The maieutic method.
1885 W. H. Payne tr. Compayri's Hist. Pedagogy 23
Maieutics, or the art of giving birth to ideas.
I Maieutical, a. Obs. rare-1, [f. prec. +
-at..] =prec. adj.
1678 Cudwobth Inlell. Syst. 1. v. 693 Yet is all humane
teaching but maieutical or obstetricious.
Maigne, Maigne, -ie, obs. ff. Mains., Meynik.
Maigre (mt'i-gsr), sb. Also () meagre, [a. F.
maigre] A large fish, Scixita aquila, common
in the Mediterranean.
The Megyr of Promfi. Parv. is prob. unconnected.
'835 Jenyns Man. Brit. Vert. Anim. 352 Scixna Aouila
Cuv. (Maigre*. 1836 Yarrell Brit. Fislies I. 90 The
Maigre. Ibid. 92 Three fishermen once took twenty
Maigres by a single sweep of their net. 1880 Gunthek
Fishes 430 Sciaena aquila . . not rarely reaches the British
coasts, where it is known as ' Meagre '. 1883 Fisheries
Exhib. Catal. (ed. 4) 118 Skeleton of Maigre or Royal Fish.
II Maigre (mt'gr, m^-gaj), a. [F. maigre, lit.
lean : see Meagre a.]
1. Of articles of diet, esp. soup : Not containing
flesh or the juices of flesh; proper for 'maigre'
days.
1787 P. Beckeokd Lett.fr. Italy (1805) I- 36s A common
maigre dish in this country. 1806 H. Hunter Culina
(ed. 3) 58 For want of this precaution, the soup has a maigre
taste. Ibid. 122 In this receipt for a maigre soup, much is
left to the taste of the Cook. 1831 Scott Q. Duriv. Introd.
57 The soup, although bearing the term maigre, . . was most
delicately flavoured.
2. Applied to those days on which, in the Roman
Church, abstinence from flesh is enjoined.
1683 Robinson in Ray's Corr. (1848) 132 Most of the in-
habitants here, do generally eat it in Lent, and upon maigre
days. 1768 Pennant Zool. I. 68 The Romish church per-
nuts the use of it [otter] on maigre-days. 1879 R. Luuuocis
launa of Norfolk 77 Sustenance upon maigre days.
to. To eat, keep, live maigre: to live on ' maitrre'
diet. Obs. s
1739 H. Waltole Corr. (1S20) I. t8 A greater penance
than eating maigre. 1764 — Lett., to G. Montagu 18 June
(1S46) I V. 429, I must keep maigre. 1764 Smollett France
* 1 -?/",•"• (l766) 340 A good catholic, who lives maigre
one half of the year. 1778 Han. More Let. in W. Roberts
Mem. (1834) I. 136 At last he [the doctor] consented on con-
dition that I should.. live maigre and drink no wine.
Maigre, obs. form of Meagre.
Maii, -ij, obs. forms of May (the month).
Maik, Maikless, Sc. ff. Make sb., Makeless. j
Mail (rrwil), sbA Forms : 4-7 maill(e, maile,
4-5 mayll(e, Sc. mailje, (5 mailye, 6 Sc. mail-
yie), 5 mayl, 5-8 mayle, 4- mail ; //. 4 mailez,
5 maylez, -is, -us, malys, Sc. maily(h)eis, 5-6
mail5eis, -^ies. [a. F. maille (whence MDu.
maelge,Dn. malie)--L. macula spot, mesh of a net.]
1 1. One of the metal rings or plates of which
mail-armour was composed. Obs.
c 1320 Sir Bcucs 2836 Al to-brosten is ventaile, And of his
,pn! *a.l*>"nd ma'le. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace
(Rolls) 13807 Ne hauberk [was ber] non, wyth maille gret,
Pat his spere ne borow schet. c 1420 Anlurs of Arth.
(Camden Soc.) xi, Syxti maylisand moe, The squrd squappes
"ri T r. ,,4?<L L/de""S DJSC- 25* (Kaluga) And an haubeVk
bn?t pat richely was adijt With mailes bikke and smale.
"r1.? j°u AS CE"eis v- "• 91 As solden mail3eis hir scabs
gll terandbrycht. 1597 A. U. lr. Guiltemeau's Fr.C/iirurg.
130/2 lo drawe out any..May!es which mighte remayne
stitckinge [stc\ in the Woundc. 161 1 Cotgr , Amu-let, a
TuHi/' «mS V8 °-f m?yle' *T* Phillips (ed. Kersey),
Mail, a httle Iron-nng for Armour.
fig. 15*9 Coverdale, etc. Erasm. Par. Eph. vi. 10-17
tor the breste plate, put on innocencie and righteousnes, to
„,7JlI^r'nWf parSes "l,?™' mynd safe and 5Ure w''h the
mayles of vertue and godlines.
+ b. Proverb. (Literally from OFr.) Obs.
'S'L?KENE. Dc Y,erb- Sign. s.v. Hawbert, The common
nLk"an melkle "* "^ an ''a^ergion, monie littles
to. Jransf. pi. The scales (of a fish). Obs. rare.
hi'^U^T u&° 0SP°i:". (.889) 303 And at the bothe
his elboweshe [the monstre] hadde wyngesryght brode and
grete of fysshes mayles wherwith he swymmed.
A. collect. Armour composed of interlaced rings
or chain-work or of overlapping plates fastened
upon a groundwork. Coal of mail: see Coat sb. 5.
i,Cf. CH\w-mail, YLXTE-mail, RiXG-mail.)
c 1374 Chaucer Troylus v. 1559 Achilles thorwgh the
maylle, And thorwgh the body gan bym for to ryve. c 1386
— Clerk's T. 1146 Though thyn housbonde armed be in
maille. c 1400 Destr. Troy 1 1 107 Sho was bare of hir breast
to be bright mayll. 1460 Lybeaits Disc. i23o(Kaluza) Hys
foinen wer well boun, To perce his acketoun, Gipell, maile
and plate. 1*465 Marc. Pastun in P. Lett. II. 190 A standard
of mayle. 1513 Douglas sFrtcis xn. ii. 95 Abowt his
schuldris assais his hawbryk fyne, Of burnist mail!. 1552
Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 130 A jack of plett, steilbonet,
splent slevis, ofmailyie or plait. 1600 J. Poky tr._ Leo's
Africa 21 Their armour.. certaine shirts of male verie long
and streight. 1667 Milton /'. L. VI. 368 Mangl'd with
gastly wounds through Plate and Maile. 1810 Cami'Beli.
Ballads vii, Every bosom shook Beneath it's iron mail. 1838
I.YiTON Leila v. i. 49 The king was armed cap-a-picd 111
mail. 1877 Morris Sigurd 4 Through the glimmering
thicket the linked mail rang out.
t b. A piece of mail-armour. Obs.
1606 Shaks. Tr. a> Cr. lit iii. 152 To hang Quite out of
fashion, like a rustic male. 1607 ToPSELL Foitrf. Beasts
zoo The trunk of the elephant was couered with a maile for
defence. 1617 Murvson Itin. ill. 25 They presently arme
al their bodies, and . . their very shinbones, and hinder parts,
with males of Iron.
c. trans/, of the protective shell or scales of
certain animals.
1714 Gay Pan III. 179 For this .. His clouded Mail the
Tortoise shall resign. 1833 Tennyson Two Voices iv, To-
day I saw the dragon-fly. . . From head to tail Came out
clear plates of sapphire mail. 1849 M. Arnold Forsaken
Merman, Where the sea-snakes coil and twine, Dry their
mail and bask in the brine. 1885 R. L. & F. STEVENSON
Dynamiter 106 The mail of a boiled lobster.
A. Jig.
1813 J. N. Erewer Beaut. Eng. II. 77 The antiquaries
who have entered the lists, have come cased up in the mail
of prejudice. 1866 H.Taylor Poems, Autumnal Vespers
j8 In stiff December's mail. 1866 G. Macdonald Ann. Q.
Neighb. xxxiL (1878) 547 She was clad in the mail of
endurance.
3. A * web ' in the eye. [So F. maille (Cotgr.) ;
cf. Macula quot. c 1400.] Obs. exc. dial.
1601 Holland Pliny (1634) II. 312 Which eie-satue they
say, serues also for the mailles or spots [L. argema\. .in the
ties. 1847 Halliwlll, J/(»7, a defect in vision. Devon.
1 4. A hole tor the passage of a lace, clasp, or
other fastening of a garment ; an eyelet-hole, ' eye ' .
Alsoy%". Obs.
<ri47o Henrvson Garm. Gudc LaJeis 15 Poems (1865) 8
Hir kirtill suld be of dene Constance, Lasit with lestim lufe,
The mailyheis of continuance For nevir to remufe. 1530
Palsgr. 241/2 Mayle that receyveth the claspe of agowne
into it, forte. 157a Satir. Poems Reform, xxxiii. 25 My
Sleifis wer of to borrow and len glaidlie; My Lais and
MaUzies of trew permanence. 1588 Thomas Out. (i6oo\
Orbieulus, the male or rundle thorough which the latchet of
the shoe passeth. 1607 Parley- Urease (1877) 16 And day
by day this lace a mayle doth bate.
b. spec, in Weaving. (See quots.)
_ 1731 Mortimer in Phil. Trans. XXXVII. 106 Every
Thread of the Warp goes through a small Brass Ring called
a Male. 1831 G. R. Porter Silk Manuf.iib A modem
improvement substitutes for the loops small metallic eyes,
through which the warp threads are passed, . . these eyes are
called mails. 1835 Webster Rhymes 152 (E. D. D.) Temper
yer ilka thrum and thread, Yea, whether they wimple thro'
a head, Or thro' a mail.
5. Hawking. The breast- feathers of a hawk when
the feathers are full-grown. Occas. applied to
the plumage of other birds.
i486 Bk. St. Albans A vij, Hawkes haue White maill,
Canuas maill or Rede mail!. And som call Rede maill Iren
mayll. White maill is soone knawe, Canuas maill is
betwene white maill and Iron maill. And Iron maill is
varri Rede. Ibid. A vij b, A Goshawke nor a tercell in thare
sore aage haue nott thair mayles named hot it is calde
their plumage, and after the cote it is calde theyr Maill.
1530 Palsgr. 241/2 Mayle of a hziul:e,greu£lure. 1575 [see
Mailed ppl. a. 4]. 1614 Makkham Cheap Husb. (1623) 135
His [adunghill cock's] eyes round and great, the colour
answering the colour of his plume or male. 1655 Walton
Angler (1661) 107 The wings made of the blackish mail
of the Drake. 1678 IViltughby's Omithol. App. 398 The
Mail of a Hawk is the Breast or Plumage of the Breast
in reference to its colour : So they say a Hawk changes the
mail, or is white-maild, &c. 1686 Blome Gentt. Recr. n.
182/1 The little Dun-flye hath his Body made of Dun-
Wooll, and his Wings of the Mayle of a Partridge. 1852
R. F. Burton Falconry Valley oflndusv'm. 76 Full breast,
covered with regular mail. Note. The ' mails ' are the breast
feathers.
b. (See quot. : cf. Mailed///, a. 4b.)
17*7 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Mail, a Speck on the Feathers
of Birds.
6. Rope-making. (See quot. 1 794.)
1750 Blanckley Nav. Expositor, Mails, are made of Iron,
and interwoven, not unlike a Chain ; they are for rubbing
off the loose Hemp which remains on Lines or white Cord-
age after it is made. 1794 Rigging % Seamanship 55 Mail,
to rub off the loose hemp that remains on white cordage, is
a kind of steel chain-work, flat, and fastened upon leather,
about nine-inches long and seven-inches broad. 1867 Smyth
Sailor's Word-bit,
7. attrib. and Comb.y as mail-armour, -coal,
-plate, -quilt, -sark, -shirt, -work; instrumental,
as mail-clati, -covered, -sheathed adjs. ; mail net
(see quot.) ; mail-shell, a name for the genus
Chiton (Smyth Sailor's Word-bk. 1867).
1868 G. Stephens Runic Man. I. 184 The ring-like dots—
which I take to be a conventional representation of ^mail-
armour. 1777 R. Potter tr. yEschylus, Persians 515 Thy
*mail-clad horse. 1805 Scott Last Minstr. 1. v, Ten
squires,_ ten yeomen, mail-clad men. 1862 Ansikh Channel
I si. \. ii. (ed. 2) 24 Should an attack be made with mail-
clad ships. 1653 Ukquhart Rabelais 1. xi, He ..would
have the *Mait-coats to be made link after link. 1803
Byron On Leaving Neiustead Abbey ii, The *mail-cover'd
Barons. 1773 J. Campbell Mod. Falconry 262 * Male-
feathers, those on the breast. 1875 Knight Diet. Mech.,
* Mail-net, a form of loom-made net, which is a combina-
tion of common gauze and whip-net in the same fabric.
1771 Mickle tr. Camoens' Lusiad in. (1776) 128 Vain were
the *mail-p!ates of Granada's bands. Ibia.i. 47 There clasp-
ing greaves, and plated "mail-quilts strong. 1838 Longk.
Beo7yulf's Exp. //tort 76 The Weather people . . their
*mail-sarks shook. 1850 Ogii.vie, * Mall-sheathed. 181 7
Scott Harold 1. ix. 16 Wilt thou .. Lay down thy "mail-
shirt for clothing of hair. 1869 BoUTELL Arms <y Arm. vii.
107 This mail shirt, or hauberk, was fitted almost tightly to
the person. Ibid. ii. 18 The cuirass, .was formed, .of inter-
woven *mail-work.
Mail {me'A), sb:1 Now only .9c. Forms: 1-3
mal, 3 mol, 3-6 male, 5 maile, 7 maille, 7-8
meal, 5-7, 9 maill, 6- mail. [Late OE. mal, a.
ON. wtzVneut., speech, agreement -OE. (poet.) miel
speech ; prob. a contracted form of the word which
appears asOIIG.,OS. mahal assembly, judgement,
treaty, OE. madcl meeting, discussion, Goth, mafl
meeting-place. (Cf. MalluM.) In sense, how-
ever, the Eng. word seems rather to represent the
ON. derivative male wk. masc, contract, stipula-
tion, stipulated pay; cf. Ormin's male accus.
The word has survived only in Sc. and northern dialects,
and hence its phonetic form is northern. If it had come
down in midland or southern use its form would have been
mole (m(jul).]
1. Payment, tax, tribute, rent. Mails and duties
(sec quot. 1S61). Cf. Black mail.
O. E. Chron. an. 1086 Se cyng sealde his land swa deore
to male swa heo deorost mihte. c 1200 Okmin 10188 Forrbi
badd hem m Saiint Johan . . sammnenn la^helike & rihht Jje
kingess rihhte male, c 1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 179 And
giet ne wile be louerd ben paid mid his rihete mol. t 1275
XI Pains Hell 161 in O. E. Misc. 151 Of heom hi token
vnriht mol. a 1300 Cursor M. 5J7'\ I giue him woningsted
to wale For euer-mare, wii-outen male. 1396 in Scottish
Antiq. XIV. 217 The forsayd Seller Jone sal haf the malys
ofOuchtyrtyre. 1430-31 RollsofFarlt. IV. 376/1 That no
maile of siclie certificate made, .put to ony prejudice, .any
persone. £1480 Henkyson Mor. pab. mi. {IVolffy Lamb)
x.v, Scantlie may he purches by his maill To leif vpon dry
breid. 1549 Comfit. Scot. xv. 123 1'he malis and fcrmis of
the grond. .is hychtit to sic ane price. 1746-7 Act 20 Geo. II,
c. 43 g 17 Recovering and uplifting from the vassals. .the
mails and duties or rents and profits thereof, a 1768 Erskine
Inst. in. vii. § 20 (1773) 529 The arrears of rent, or, in our
law-style, of mails and duties, prescribe, if [etc.]. 1824 Scott
Rcdgauntlet Let. xi, The rental-book. .Ixjre evidence against
the Goodman of Prinirose-Knowe, as behind the hand with
his mails and duties. 1861 W. Bell Diet. Law Scot, s.v.,
Maills and Duties are the rents of an estate, whether in
money or grain ; hence, an action for the rents of an estate
. -is termed an action of maills and duties. 1900 Crockeit
Little Anna Mark viii, He carried a great sum about with
him, being the rents and mails of all his New Milns
property.
b. With word prefixed, as borough, feu, grass,
house mail ; land mail : see Lakd sb. \i; silver
mail, rent paid in money.
1424 Sc. Acts Jas. I, c. 8 All be gret and smal custumys
& burovmaills of be Realme. 1479-1752 Grass mail [see
Grass sb.1 12]. 1566-67 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 499
He. . wes in possessioun . . of the hous maill occupiit be the
saidis tennentis. 1585 Reg. Privy Council Scot. Ser. 1. IV.
14 To mak pament of his few maills. 1597 Skene De I 'erb.
Sign., s.v. Firmarius, Firma signifies the duty quhilk the
tennent paies to the landis-lord, quhidder it be siluer-maill,
victual!, or vther duetie. 1609 — Reg. M^aj. 125 Gif thy
mail-man will not pay to thee the house maill at the teriue.
1640 Baillie Lett. (1841) I. 272 Our house maills evcrie week
above eleven pound Sterling.
c. fig. To pay the mail ^to pay the penalty.
1807 Hogg Mount. Bard 199 Poet. Wks. {1838J II. 263 My
sister. . By Lairistan foully was betrayed, And roundly has
he payed the mail.
2. attrib. and Comb., as mail-payer, paying',
mail-duty, rent; mail-free a. and adv., free of
rent, exempt from payment of rent ; mail garden,
' a garden, the products of which are raised for
sale (Jam.) (hence mail -gardener) ; mail-man,
one who pays rent, a tenant ; mailmart, a cow sent
in payment of rent ; mail-rooms//., rented rooms.
1638 Extracts Burgh Rec. Glasgoru (1876) L 392 That na
burges .. sett or promeis to sett for *maill dewtie or vther-
wayes, . . wntill [etc.], 1818 Scott Hrt. Midi, viii, Deans . .
contrived to maintain his ground upon the estate by regular
payment of mail-duties. 1471^!^^ Dom. Audit. 10/2 *MaIe
fre fore be formale pait be him to pe said Alexander. 1638
Rutherford Lett. iii. (1664) 14 Many. .of you ..have been
like a tennent that sitteth mealfree. 1798 J. Naismyth Agric.
Clydesd. vi. 101 The "mail gardens around the city of Glasgow.
1820 Scott Abbot xxxv, The candle shines from the house of
Blinkhoolie, the*mailgardener. 1480 Henryson Mor. Fab.
xn. (IVolffy L^amb) xiv, The pure people.. As *maill-men,
marchandis, and all lawboreris. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 113
Na Mail-man, or Fermour, may thirle his Lord of his fria
tenement. 1445 Exch. Rolls Scot. V. 213 Lez *mailmartis
insule de Bute. 1597 Skene De Verb. Sign., Firmarius,
ane *mail-payer, ane mailer, or mail-man. 1724 Ramsay
Vision ix, Mailpayers wiss it to the devil. 1581 Reg. Privy
Council Scot. Ser. 1. III. 417 Throw the quhilk waist, *maill-
paying, and tyning of the proffites of the saidis landis, he
is utterlie wrakktt. c 1626 in W. K. Tweedie Set. Biog.
(1845) 1. 351 He warned me from the rest of my "mail-rooms
in Salt-coats and East Mains.
Mail (mJil), sb.Z Forms: 3-S male, 5 maylle,
5-6 mayle, maile, 6 maale, 6- mail. [ME.
male, a. OF. male (F. maile) — Pr., Sp., Pg., It.
72-2
MAIL.
ma/a; of Teut. origin: cf. OHG. malha (MHG.
ma/hc ), MDu. male (Du. maa/)J]
1. A bag, pack, or wallet; a travelling bag. Now
only 5V. and U.S. in //. = baggage.
C 1205 Lay. 3543 Ich be wulle bi-tache a male riche. c 1300
Havelok 48 A man that bore, .gold upon hijs bac, In a male
with or blac. £1320 Sir Bettes 1297 Inou} a leide him be-
fore, Bred and flesc out of is male, c 1386 Chaucer Can.
Yeom. Pro/. 13 A male tweyfold on hiscroper lay. 1489-90
Plumpton Corr. 89 Robart, my servant .. is large to ryde
afore my male, and ouer weyghty for my horse. 1552 Act
5 fy 6 Edw. Vft c. 15 § 2 Such as make Males, Bougets,
"Leather Pots, ..or any other Wares of Leather. 1567 K.
Edwards Damon %■ Pithias F ij, Who inuented these
monsters [breeches] first, did it to a gostly ende, To haue
a male readie to put in other folkes stufie. 1609 Bible
(Douay) 1 Kings ix. 7 The bread is spent in our males.
1632 Deloney Thomas of Reacting xi, G4, They .. take
away the mans apparell, as also his money, In his male or
cap-case. 1670 Cotton Espemon n. vii, 335 His Jewels
..were lock'd up in a little iron Chest, and carried in a
Male. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Mai/, . .also a kind of
Port-mantle, Sack or Trunk to travel with. 1820 Scott
Abbot xxxv'm, They charged me with bearing letters for the
Queen, and searched my mail. 1893 Stevenson Catriona
xvii. 190 He . . emptied out his mails upon the floor that I
might have a change of clothes.
tb. As a measure of quantity. Obs. wit1,
1502 Arnolde Chron. (1811) 191 Wulle is bought by the
sacke by the tod by the stone and by the mayle.
t C / ra n sf. and fig. Obs.
c 1250 Gen. 8f Ex. 22 Quhu lucifer. .[Bronte mankinde in
sinne and bale] And held hem sperd in helles male, c 1386
Chaucer Parson's Pro/. 26 Vnbokele and shewe vs what
is in thy Male, c 1430 LvDG. Bochas ix. iii. (1494) E vij/i If
ye shall tell youre owne tale. .Ye wylt vnclose but a lytyll
male, Shewe of youre vices but a small parcele. 1450 Myrc
1343 Art thou I-wonet to go to the ale To fulle there thy
fowle male.
2. A bag or packet of letters or dispatches for
conveyance by post, more fully mail of Utters ;
thence, the letters or dispatches so conveyed {obs'.).
The mail, the postal matter, collectively, conveyed
from office to office.
1654 Ord. Office Postage Lett. § 8 To have in readiness
one good Horse or Mare to receive and carry the Male of
Letters. .. That no other person (besides the Post that
carrieth the Male) be suffered to ride Post with the Male.
1684 Loud. Gaz. No. 190^/2 Our Pacquet-Boats put to Sea
yesterday with the Mads for Calais. 1692 Luttrell Brief
Re/. (1857) II. 489 Yesterday a Flanders mail of an old date,
confirms the several repulses of the enemy. 1746 Smollett
Reproof 160 With all the horrors of prophetic dread That
rack his bosom while the mail is read. 1767 Colman Eng.
Mcrch. 1. i, I collect the articles of news from the other
papers, .. translate the mails, write occasional letters [etc.].
1776 C. Carroll frnl. (1845) 53 Dr. Franklin found in
the Canada mail, which he opened, a letter for General
Schuyler. 1782 Cowper Expostulation 6q& Now think,..
If the new mail thy merchants now receive, Or expectation
of the next, give leave. 1792 Stat. U. S. I, vii. § 17 (1856)
I. 237 That if any person, .shall rob any carrier of the mail
. .of such mail, or if any person shall rob the mail, in which
letters are sent to be conveyed by post, .or shall steal such
mail. 1794 Ibid. 1. xxiii. § 26 (1856) I. 365 And the letters
so received shall be formed into a mail, sealed up, and di-
rected to the postmaster of the port. 1838 Act i «y 2 Vict,
c. 98 § 5_ The Mails or Post Letter Bags so to be carried
..by Railways. 1852 Hawthorne Amer. Nole-Bks. {1883)
424 The regular passenger-boat is now coining in, and
probably brings the mail. 1873 Black /V. T/tule vii, Every-
thing will be as right as the mail. 1883 Whitakcr's At*
vtanack 384 [Postal Guide.] India. — Mails made up every
Friday evening at the rate of 5*/. per ioz. 1893 Daily News
22 Sept 6/5 Little incidents of camp life in the East, as the
arrival and distribution of a mail of letters.
b. U.S. (A person's) batch of letters.
1890 T. L. James in Railways Amer. 319 That official
was opening his mail. 1901 Itarper's Mag. GIL 784/1
Stormheld b his mail that day. .found a despatch : ' Unex-
pectedly called home'.
3. The person, vehicle, or train that carries the
mail or postal matter ; often short for mail coach f
mail train, etc. Hence, the method or system
of transmission of letters by post; the official
conveyance or dispatch of postal matter ; the Post.
Sousednow in U. S. In England the word in ordinary
use is limited to the dispatch ofletters abroad, as the Indian
mai/, etc., or as_ short for mail-train, as the down tnai/t
night mail. It is retained as the official word for the dis-
patch and delivery of inland letters where the general public
use Post.
1654 Ord. Office Postage Lett. § 2 The said John Manley
.. shall, .safely and faithfully carry all.. Letters and Dis-
patches, .and that by the Common, Ordinary Male or other
speedy and safe passage. 1692 Luttrell Brief Ret. (1857!
II. 489 One letter by the last mail sayes, the king intended
to fight the enemy Satturday 7 night last. 1720 Lotui. Gaz.
No. 5850/2 The Bristol Mail was robbed. 1778 Abigail
Adams in Earn. Lett. (1876) 343 Four or five sheets of paper,
written to you by the last mail, were destroyed when the
vessel was taken. 1794 Coleridge Lett. 26 Sept. (1895) I.
86, I . .sent them off by the mail directed to Mrs. Southey.
1822-56 De Quincey Confess. Wks. 1890 III. 348 The mails
were, .made so strong as to be the heaviest of all carriages.
1831 in Par/. Papers (1831-2) XLV. 128 b, When it is per-
mitted in England for the mails to take parcels on the road.
1842 Tennyson Walking to the Mail 102, I fear That we
shall miss the mail. 1864 J. H. Newman Apologia 96 While
waiting for the down mail to Falmouth. 1880 Print. Trades
Jrnl. No. 30. 34 Tender and brittle, and hardly bears its
journey through the mail. 1886 P. Robinson Valley Teeto-
tum Trees 71 Justin time to catch the night-mail to London.
1888 Amer. Humorist 2 June 3/2 Why didn't he send his
poem hy mail? 1891 37^/1 Kept. Postm.-General 5 Sixty-
four additional direct Parcel Mails between London and
44
other places have been established in the year. 1900 Post
Office Guide 1 Jan. 14 When intended for despatch by a
particular mail they should.. be presented for registration
half an hour before the closing of the letter-box for that mail.
b. Short for mail coach or van (on a wilway).
1862 Building News 6 June 389/2, 555 Locomotives and
Tenders. 494 First Class Mails.
4. attrib. and Comb.: a. (sense 1) simple attrib.,
chiefly obsolete, as mail-band, -girl, -girth, -horse,
-lock, -man, -panel, -pillion, -saddle, -trunk; also
objective, as mail-maker.
*S*$ Test. Ebor. (Surtees) V. 69 A male wyth ij *male
bandys. 1607 Toi'SELL Eourf. Beasts (1658) 155 The females
[sl. elephants] carry over their calves upon their snowis, ..
bindingthem fast with their truncks, like as with ropes or
'male girts. 1673 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. vii.
(1890) 384 For a *male-girth and tabbs is. 6d. c 1440 Promp.
Parv. 323/1 *Male horse, gerulus. 1469 Househ. Ord.
(1790) 97 A maile horse and a botell horse whiche the
made-man shall keepe. 1673 \%th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm.
App. vii. (1890) 384 For a "male-lock and a letter, 8d. 1311
Cat. Lett.-Bks. Loud., Lett-Bk. D. (1902) 74 [The same
day, John Morice] *melmakere, [admitted], c 1515 Cocke
LorelCs B. 9 Masones, male makers, and merbelers. 1469
*Maile-man [see mail horse], 1392 Earl Derby's Exp.
(Camden) 152 Pro iij capistris et *male panel. 1639 T. de
Grey Compt. Horsem. 216 A galled backe commeth.. with
the.. pack-saddle or *male-pilliun. 1686 Land. Gaz. No.
2130/4 A black Gelding.. a little hurt of his back with a
Mail-pillion. 1833 M. Scott Tom Cringle xi. (1842) 257 His
portmanteau behind him on a mail-piilion. 1378--9 Durh.
Ace. Rolls (Surtees) 388 In una 4malesadill empt. iss. \V)d.
1414-15 /bid. 184, j Malesadil. a 1726 Vanbkugh Joitm.
Lond. 1. i. 81 My lady.. laid on four *mail-trunks, besides
the great deal-box.
b. (sense 2) simple attrib., e. g. in the names
of vehicles employed to carry the mail, as mail
boat, diligence, gig, packet, schooner^ ship, steamer,
wagon ; also mail-carrier, letter, matter, room,
time ; mail-bag, a large bag in which the mail
is carried ; mail-box, (a) a box in which the
mail-bags were placed on a mail-coach; {b)
U. S., a letter-box ; mail-car, {a) a railway car
in which the mail is carried ; (/') Ire/and, an
' outside car * used for conveyance of the mails ;
mail-cart, (a) a vehicle in which the mail is car-
ried by road; also attrib.; (b) a light vehicle to
carry children, made with shafts to be drawn or
pushed by hand; mail-catcher U.S. (see quot.
1890); mail contractor, one who contracts witli
the government for the conveyance of the mail ;
mail-guard, the guard of a mail-coach ; mail
horn, a long horn used by the guard of a mail-
coach ; f mail-maker, an official in the General
Letter-Office; mail-man, one who carries the
mail ; mail-master U.S., -officer (see quot. 1855) ;
mail-phaeton, a high two-seated phaeton (q-v.)
drawn by a pair of horses; mail-pouch {U.S.)y a
locked leather mail-bag; mail-rack (U.S.), a
letter-rack ; mail-rider, a mail-carrier ; mail-
road, -route, the road or route by which the mail
is regularly conveyed ; mail-runner, a mail-car-
rier (in India); mail sack (U.S.), a canvas bag
used for the conveyance of the mail ; f mail-
setting a., that robs the mail; mail-stage (U.S.)
= Mail-coach ; mail-train, a fast train which
carries the mails. Also Mail-coach.
1840 Longf. in Life (1891) I. 358 There were three insides
besides myself, and a dozen *mail-bags. 1855 Hyde Clarke
Diet., ^Mail-boat. 1895 A. H. Norway P.-O. Packet Ser.
vice i. 3 The Post-Office selected Falmouth in 1688 as the
point of embarkation, .for the., mail boats. 1810 in J. W.
Hyde Roy. Mail iii. (1885) 34 The bags of letters, .were
stolen from the *mail-box. .whilst the horses were changing.
1842 S. C. Hall Ireland II. 77 *Mail-cars. 1889 Ch. Times
27 Dec. 1227 The regular train consists of two sleepers, . .and
enough mad-cars to contain the mail. 1709 Stat. U. S. in.
.\liii. § 13 (1856) I. 736 The receipt and delivery of letters on
the way, between post-offices, shall not be required of the
*mail -carriers. 1901 N. Amer. Rev. Feb. 289 The useful-
ness of fast steamships as mail-carriers. 1837 Act 7 Will. IV
$ 1 Vict. c. 33 § 18 No Mail Coach, Mail Diligence, or
*Mail Cart conveying . . any Mail or Bag of Letters in Ireland.
1893 H. Joyce Hist. Post Office xiii. 316 The London Mail-
Cart and Van Service. 1903 G. IV. R. Time Tables, Parcels
and Goods Arrangem., Perambulators and Children's Mail
Carts. 1884 Knight Diet. Mcch. Suppl., * ^Mail-catcher.
1890 T. L. James in Rai/ways Amer. 326 The letter car is
provided with a 'mail catcher ', which is placed at a small
door through which mail pouches are snatched from con-
veniently placed posts at wayside stations where stops are
not made. 1830 Act 1 1 Geo. IV % 1 Will. IV, c. 68 'Mail
Contractors, Stage Coach Proprietors [etc.]. 1837 *Mail
Diligence [see mail-cart], 1887 C. F. Holder Living
Lights 119 John Stewart, who for many years drove a "mail-
gig between Dunkeld and Aberfeldy. 1790 Wolcot (P.
Pindar) Advice to Euture Laureat Wks. 1812 II. 341 The
*Mail guard To load his blunderbuss and blow his horn.
1844 Mail Guard [see mail-train). 1852 K. S. Surtees
Sponge's Sp. Tour (1893) 299 The shrill twang, twang, twang,
of the now almost forgotten *maiI-hom. 1799 Stat. U. S.
111. xliii. § 15 I1856) I. 737 If any person, .shall secrete, em-
bezzle or destroy any such *mail letter or packet. 1735-55
J. Chamderlayne St. Gt. Brit. 11. iii, List of Officers in
General Letter-Office. [Two] *Mail-makers. 1881 Mrs.
C. Praed Policy <y P. I. i. 9 Tom Dungie, the 'mailman, . .
had just removed his saddle with its load of brown leather
post-bags. 1889 Westm. Gaz. 5 Sept. 8/1 The mails are still
conveyed for the most part upon the heads and backs of native
mailmen. 1855 Hyde Clarke Diet., "Mail-master, officer
MAIL.
having charge of the mail. 1875 A tlantic Monthly XXXV.
98/1 The *mail matter can be classified into letters, daily
papers [etc.]. 1882 Floyer Unexpl. Baluchistan 138 The
*mail-officer passed us with the mails [in a boat]. 1844
Rowland Hill State Penny Postage 16 The net expense of
the *Mail packets to these Islands, .amounted in 1840-41 to
about 7000/. 1857 G. A. Lawrence Guy Livingstone viii.
64 We were driving over in his *mail-phaelon. 1890 T. L.
James in Railways Amer. 312 The *mail pouch just thrown
from the car. 1896 Cosmopolitan XX. 406 Near one of the
doors.. is.. the -mail-rack. 1897 Outing (U. S.) XXIX.
385/1 These Turkish *mail-riders.. drive two horses loaded
with the mail-bags at a gallop in front of them. 1837 Row-
land Hill /'. O. Reform 29 The cost of transit afong the
'mail-roads.. being so trifling. 1882 OciLVlB, ^Mail-room.
1891 Pall Mall G. 27 Aug. 7/2 The mail-room occupies the
place of what was formerly the second saloon. 1840 Penny
Cycl. XVIII. 457/2 Sorting [letters] according to the dif-
ferent "mail-routes. 1892 R. Kii-ling Barrack-r. Ballads
121 Up the hill to Simoorie. .The bags on his shoulder, the
*mail-runner trudges. iSzz Ace. Establ. Gen. P.-O. Part.
Pap. XVIII. 166 b, Hire of Seven *Mail Schooners in the
West Indies ,£5,100. ci68& JVew Let any vm. in Coll.Poems
Popery (1689) 8/1 A Turncoat, "Mail-setting, King-killing
Rascal. 1891 Act 54 a> 55 Vict. c. 31 § 2 The master of a
Pritish *mail ship, .when carrying mails to or from any port
[etc.]. Ibid. § 10 This Act may be cited as the Mail Snips
Act, 1891. 1803 M. Cutler in Life, Jrnls. $ Corr. (1888)
II. 135 At 8 o'clock at night, set out in the *mail stage.
1866 Sala Let. 11 Apr. in Frith Antobiog. (1888) III. 255
All the wonderful people you see on board the *mail-
st earner. 1841 Thackeray Eatal Boots xi, In the evening,
after *mail-time, I [a letter-carrier] went hack to my mamma
and sister. 1844 Act 7 $ 8 Vict. c. 85 § 11 It shall be also
lawful for the Postmaster General to send any Mail Guard
with Hags, .by any Trains other than a "Mail Train. 1890
T. L. James in Railways Amer. 325 The big lumbering
*mail wagons which are familiar sights in the streets of the
metropolis [New Voik].
Mail, -f<M Obs. exc. Hist. Also 6 Sc. mal;e, 9
maille. fa. AF. mayle,QV. maille, meaii/e (whence
MDu. maetge) :— late L. *melaliea : see Medal.]
1. A halfpenny.
[129a Pjritton 1. xxxi. § 2 Quant a ii. s. vi. d. dune soit le
poys liiii. s. iiii. d. mayle ferling. 1379 Rolls of Parlt. III.
64/2 De faire ordeiner Mayles & Ferthinges, pur paier pur
les petites mesures. 1415 Act 3 Hen. V, Et ces quest trove
bon argent pr estre illoeques ferrez & coynez en mayls
Engleys.] 1570 Saiir. Poems Reform, xiii. 125 5e left him
nocht ane Mnl^e or Deneir. 1707 Fleetwood Chron. Prec.
Pief., Till about 1544, the Silver Money of England con-
sisted of Groats, Half-Groats, Pence, Half-Pence (called,
of old, Mails) and Farthings. 1890 Service Thir Nolan-
dums ix. 67 Gold Pennies and Mailles, Lozenge Lions letc.].
2. Maille noble : a gold coin of the reign of
Edw. Ill ; a half-noble.
[1344 in Rymer/'>/rVra(i7o8) V. 416/1 Et une autre Monoie
d"Or, Currante la piece pur Quarante Deners d'Esterlings,
que serraapptlle Maille Noble.] 1884 Kkxxqh Gold Coins i&.
I Mail, sb.5 Obs. exc. as alien word (may).
Also 7 maill(e; and see Mall. [a. F. mail:—
L. malleus hammer. Cf. Du. matte.] The game
of pall-mall ; a place where the game was played ;
hence (from the 'Mail1 at Paris), apubliepromenade
bordered by trees. The Mail (in St. James's Park,
London): now called the Mall.
1644 Evelyn Diary 8 May, Recreating myself sometimes
at the maill, and sometymes about the towne. (See ante,
■z May, where the word appears as mall.) 1670 Lassels
i 'oy. Italy I. 29 Going out of the house, you find a handsome
Mail, and rare Ponds of water. 1703 Addison Italy 217
A Highway .. near as long and as broad as the Mail in
St. James's Park. [1903 Westm. Gaz. u Feb. 1/3 A long
r mail of elms looks down into the gulf]
b. High Mail: - high Mall (see Mall sh.x 4).
1676 I^theredge Man of Mode 111. iii, 'Tis now but high
Mad, Madam, the most entertaining Time of all the Evening.
Mail (m<?*l\ zj.1 [f. Mail j&lj partly back-
formation from Mailed a.] trans. To clothe or
arm with or as with mail.
1795 Southey Joan of Arc v. 4 The martial Maid arose.
She mail'd her limbs ; The white plumes nodded o'er her
helmed head. 1848 Lytton I /a ro/d (1Z62) 58, I will .. ask
what Englishmen are there who^vill aim shaft or spear at
this breast, never mailed against England. 1858 Longf.
Warden Cimjue Ports, A single warrior, In sombre harness
mailed.
Mail (nv'l), v.'* Sc. [f. Mail sb.-~\ trans. To
rent, pay rent for. Hence Mailed///, a.
1425 Sc. Acts Jos. /(1814) II. 12/2 Ande gif it be a man at
mala be hous & birnis it reklesly he sal amende be scaitb efter
his power. 1877 Alexander Notes ty Sk. 8(E.D.D.) A lone
woman or two in a * mailt-house *.
Mail (mt7il), v.z [Of obscure origin: sense 2
may possibly be the original use. Cf. Mail sb.1
and sb. :*]
fl. trans. To tie («/), wrap up (goods, a parcel,
etc.) ; to envelop. Also fig. Obs.
In the early 17th c. often in expressions like 'mailed in
armour', with allusion to Mails/'.1
[1548-78 implied in Mailing vbl. sb.1] 1570 Foxi -•/. .y M.
(ed. 2) III. 1644/1 It [g_oldand silver] was matted about with
mattes and mayled in httell bundels about ij. foote long. 1588
Parke tr. Mcndoza's Hist. China 209 [A present] was mailed
and sealed and so sent vnto the viceroy of Aucbeo. 1593
Siiaks. 2 Hen. VI, 11. iv. 31 Me thinkes I should not thus be
led along, Mayl'dvp in shame, with Papers on my back. 1598
Drayton Heroic. Ep. xiii. 59 How could it be, those that were
wont to stand, To see my pompe.. Should after see meemayld
vp in a sheete, Doe shameful! penance. 1601 Weever Mirr.
Mart. C iv, Then ledde I warre niailde vp in sheetes of
brasse. 1619 Let. fr. Eactors at Sural to the E. I. C. in
Embassy Sir T. Roe (Hakl.) 517 To whom wee have
delivered a box sealed, maled, and covered. 1653 in T.
IJ'f.
MAIL.
Fowler Hist, C. C. C. (O. H. S.) 228 A basket mal'd up
with Cords. 1657 Trai-p Ccnim. Ezra^ ix. 11 Who .. do
miserably mail themselves in the filthiness of leudnesse.
1060 K. Bkookf. tr. Le Blanc's Trav. 225 Three hundred
Elephants follow richly mail'd with Sea-wolfskins.
2. spec, ill Hawking. (See quot. 1SS3.)
157S TUBBEJtV. Faulconric 295 Mayle your hawke fast.
c 1610 Ueaum. & Vl. Pliitastcr v. iv, Prince, by your leave
I'le have a Sursingle, And Male you like a Hawke. 1623
1'l.ETCiiKR & Rowi.EV Maid in Mill in. iii, If you had ..
handled her as men do unmand Hawks, Cast her, and malde
her up in Rood clean linnen. 1883 HarTING Gloss. Per/. Bk.
Kepinge Sparhaivkcs 44 To mail a hawk, i. e. to wrap her up
it) a handkerchief, .cither to tame her,, .or to keep her quiet
during an operation.
Mail (m,"il), v.* U. S. [f. Mail sb.'i (senses
2> 3)0 traits. To send Ijy post, to post.
1828-31 Webster, Mail, to inclose in a wrapper and direct
to a post-olTice. We say, letters were mailed 'for Philadelphia.
1850 OciLVlE, Mail, to post letters, papers, &Ct 1862 Mom.
Star 14 Oct., The Federal Post-office department has issued
a notice that any letter mailed with stamps at all soiled or
defaced will be treated as unpaid. 1872 O. W. Holmes Poet
Break/.-t. iii. 89 Those creatures, .who mail the newspaper
which has the article we bad much better not have seen. 1875
Atlantic Monthly XXXV. 98/2 They mail 244,000,000 letters
a year.
Mail, (Hal. var. Meal ; Sc. f. Mole (spot).
Mailable (m^-lab'l), a. U. S. [f. Mail vA +
-able.] That may be sent through the post.
1845 Stat. U. S. 11. xliii. § 10 (1856) V. 736 Any letter . .
or other mailable matter whatsoever. 1886 Pall Mall G.
3 Sept. 14/1 Any one in the United States can send any
mailable matter to any post-office, .for immediate delivery.
Mai 1-coach. [Mail sbJ 2]
1. A slage-coaeh used primarily for the convey-
ance of the mail. In recent use, a coach employed
by the Post Office for carrying parcels by road.
The mail-coach system was introduced by John Palmer in
1784, and was superseded by the railway.
1787 Han. More Let. Iv'alpolc ]u\y Mem. (1834) II. 77 Mail
coaches, which come to others, come not to me. 1797 Encycl.
Brit. (ed. 3) V. 86/2 Mail-coaches, are stage-coaches of a
particular construction to prevent overturns ; and for a
certain consideration carry his majesty's mails. 1813 Act 53
Geo. Ill, c. 68 § 6 All letters and Packets which be shall con-
vey, carry or send Post, in or by any Mail Coach or Carriage.
1896 4?«</ Refit. Pesi/n. -General 5 There has been no exten-
sion this year of the system of night mail coaches for the
conveyance of parcels. 1899 Cassell's Mag. 404/2 The mail-
coaches [for 'road-borne 'parcels], .with their swiftly trotting
teams and armed guards.
attrib. 1813 Byron Let. to Moore 22 Aug., In a ' mail-coach
copy1 of the Edinburgh, I perceive The Giaour is second
article. The numbers are still in the Leith smack. 1815
Ibid. 10 Jan., Scott's ' Lord of the Isles' is out— 'the mail-
coach copy ' I have, by special licence, of Murray. 1832 Ace.
Establ.Gcn. P.-O. Pari. Pap. XVIII. 175 To eight pair of
best mail coach lamps ,£12 12s. 1885 J. W. Hyde Hoy. Mail
iii. (ed: 2) 65 Yet the mail-coach days had charms and
attractions for travellers.
2. A railway carriage carrying the mail.
1838 Act 1 ,r 2 / 'ict. c. 98 § i2 If the Company, .shall refuse
to carry on their Railway any Mail Coaches [etc.]. 1890
T. L. James in Railways^ Amcr. 335 The fifth. .car is the
last mail coach on the train.
Mailed (miM), a. [f. Mail j//.i + -ei> -.]
f 1. Covered with or composed of mail or plates
of metal. Obs.
1382 Wyclip 1 Sam. xvii. 5 And he was clothid with a
maylid [Vulg. s<]namata\ hawberioun. — 1 Mace. vi. 35
A thousand men stoden 1113 in mailid to gidre hauberi-
ownes [Vulg. in lorieis coueatcnatis]. 1450 W. Lomner in
Fasten Lett. 1. 125 Oon . . toke awey his gown of russet, and
hisdobelette of velvet mayled. 1513 Douglas .Eneis ix. xi.
92 The dowbyll malyt traste hawbryk. 158a Stanyhurst
J&nei* III. (Arb.) 85 A shirt mayled with gould. 1597 A. M.
tr. Guillemcau's Er. Chirurg. 7/2 We muste consider, if it be
a mayled doublete, how manye mayles are wantinge. 1856
R. A. Valghan Mystics (i860) I. 170 The mailed glove [is)
manfully hurled in his teeth.
2. Armed with mail, mail-clad. Of a vessel :
Iron-clad.
1596 Shaks. 1 Hen. IV, iv. i. 1 16 The mayled Mars shall on
his Altar sit Vp to the eares in blood. 1607 — Cor. I. iii. 38 His
bloody brow With his mail'd hand, then wiping.forth he goes.
1773-83 Hoole Orl. Fur. xi.vi. root He.. stands with point
addrest To pierce the mailed side or plated brest. 1827
Keble Chr. Y. Adv. Slind., A crown'd monarch's mailed
breast, i860 Tknxent Story Guns 111. i. (1864) 229 None of
the mailed gun-boats.. were ready in time. 18S3 Woolner
My Beautiful I^ady 137 When Norman William . . with
charge of mailed horse and showers Of steel won England.
1897 Times 17 Dec. 7/1 [tr. Emp. Will. II of Germany] But
should any one essay to detract from our just rights or to
injure us, then up and at him with your mailed fist [G.fahre
darein nut gepauzertcr Eaust].
fig- »799 Campbell Pleas. Hope 11. 10 In self-adoring pride
securely mail'd. 1850 Blackie .-Uschylus II. 230 With con-
stancy mailed for the fight. 1870 Bryant Iliad I. 1. 9 Thou
mailed in impudence [1. 149 dratSetV eiriei/ieVf].
3. trans/, of animals, etc. : Having a skin or
protective covering resembling mail-armour.
Mailed-clucks, the family Stierogcnid;e of fishes.
1681 Grew Musxum 117 The Mailed-fish, Cataphractus
Sehonvddi. 1828 Stark Elem. Nat. Hist. I. 489 Centriseus,
Lin. Back mailed with long scaly plates. 1834 MOIlrtrie
Cu-.ncrs Auim. Kingd. 195 Ijucca Loricala;. The family
of the Mailed-Cheeks. 1838SWMNSON Nat. Hist. Fishes. elc.
I. 330 I he I.oricarinx or mailed cat-fish. 1839 Ibid. II. 21
'I he Holocenlrinx, or mailed-perches. 1854 Owen Skel. t*
Teeth 3 The ball-proof character of the skin of the largest
of these mailed examples. 1860G0SSE Rom. Nat. Hist. 290
lhe mailed and glittering beings that shoot along like ani-
mated beams of light.
45
4. Of a hawk: Having mail or breast-feathers
(of a specified colour).
1575 Turberv. Faulconrie 34 They are ordinarily of foure
mayles, eyther blancke, russet, brownc, or turtle maylde, and
some pure white maylde. 1672 Josselyn New Bug. Rarities
11 The Osprcy, which in this Country is white mail'd. 1683
Land. Gaz. No. 1799/4 A large black Mayled, whole
Feathered, and thorough mewed Falcon,
f b. Speckled or spotted. Obs.
1611 Cotgr. s. v. Maitte, Perdrix maillee, a maylde,
menild, or spotted Partridge. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey),
Mailed, full of Specks, or speckled, as the Feathers of
Hawks, Partridges, &c. or as the Furrs of some wild Beasts
are. [So 1726 Diet. Rust. (ed. 3) ; 1727 Bailey vol. II.]
Mail eiss, Sc. variant of M A lease Obs.
Mailer1 (m£**lai). Sc, Also 5-6 mailler,
malar, 8 mealier, [f. Mail sb.'- + -eh '.]
1. One who pays rent; also, see quots, 1792-3.
1452 in Tytlcr Hist. Scot. (1864) II. 387 All the tenants and
maillcrs being within my lands quatsomever sail remane with
thair tacks and mating quhile Whitsonday come a year.
c 1470 Henryson A/or. Fab. xii. {Wolftf Lamb) xix, Lordis,
that hes land be goddis lane, And settis to the mailleris ane
village. 1565 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 358 Gif ony
malaris, takkismeii, rentalaris or commonis sal nappiti to be
slane. 1597 Skene De Verb. Sign., Firmarius, ane mail-
payer, ane mailer. 179a Statist. Ace. Scot/. II. 560 A species
of cottagers, here [sc. co. Ross) called mcalleis, who build a
small house for themselves, on a waste piece of ground,
with the consent of the proprietor, and there, are ready to
hire themselves out as day-labourers. 1793 Ibid. VII. 254
Two classes, tenants and cottagers; or, as the latter are
called here [co. Ross and Inverness] mailers. 1894 Liberal
1 Dec. 69 His farm stock was better cared for than those of
any other mailer in Netherclugh.
f2. ? = Landlord. Obs.
1456 Sir G. Have La;a Anns iS.T.S.) 103 Crist in men that
ar duelland in the mistrouaml meiiis housi* under nialis stild
be lele to thair malaris and obeisand.
Mailer- (m*i"lw). c'.S. [f. Mail vA and sb.%
+ -ER l.J
1. One who mails or dispatches by post.
1884-94 J. T. Perry in \V. F. Crafts Sabb.fr Man (ed. 7)
328 Editors and compositors are kept up until the small
hours on Sunday morning; presMiien and mailers for an
hour or two later. 1887 Bureau Statist. Labour, New
York 490 Newspaper mailers.
2. A boat which carries the mail ; a mail-boat.
1883 Century Mac. Nov. 160/1 Showing the skill and good
control On Transatlantic Mailers.
3. —Mailing machine. 1902 in Webster Suppl.
Mail ess, Sc. variant of Malease Obs.
Mailet, obs. form of Mallet.
Mailhouris, Sc. variant of Maleurous Obs.
Mailing (m^Hig), sb. Sc. Also 5 malyn,
5-7 mailling, 6 maling, 8 mealing, 8-y mailin,
mailen. [f. Mail sb.'- + -inu ].]
1. A rented farm.
1452 [see Mailer1 i]. _ 1459 Peebles Charters^ etc. (1S72)
132 That neuir nan of hym nahis sed com in that malyn agan.
c 1470 Hknrvson Mor. Fab. xii, {lV'ol/i<f Lamb) xvii, Thay
gif na rak, Dot ouer his held his mailling will thay tak.
1562 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 222 Thair landis, fische-
ingis, malingis, rowmes, and possessions. 1674 W. Ccn-
NiNGfiAM Diary 24 Aug. (1887) 3 John Murdie who dwells in
a mailling neir by. 1725 Ramsay Gentle She/>h. v. iii, And
to your heirs, I give, in endless feu, The mailens ye possess.
a 1818 Macneill Poems (1844) 78 Greenswaird hows, and
dainty mealing. 1824 Scott Rctlgauntlet ch. xx, I had
two or three bonnie bits of mailings amang the closes. 1843
Hardy in Proc. Bcrw. Nat. Club II. No. 11. 64 The farmer
and his family, .managed their limited mailings, without ex-
trinsic aid.
2. The rent paid for a farm.
1725 Ramsay Gentle Sheph. 11. i, Nor sbor'd to raise Our
mailens when we put on Sunday claes. 1768R0SS Ilelenore
1. 13 Our house is happed, an' our mailen paid. 1818 Scott
II rt. Midi, viii, Let the creatures stay at a moderate mailing.
3. The term during which a tenant possesses a
farm (Jam.).
1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 113 Nor }U is he prejudged in bis
right be the deed of his Fermour, done be him in the time
of his mailling.
t Marling, vbl.sbA Obs. [£ Mail 9.8+ -wo1.]
The action of tying or wrapping up. (attrib.}
1531 Privy Purse Exp. Hen. VIII (1827) 159 Item for
mayling Clothes and Cordes to trusse the same stuf. 1548
I^udlcno Churchiv. Ace. (Camden) 35 Item, for iij. maylinge
coordes to hange up the vaile in the quyre afore the alter.
1558 Lane. Wills (1857) I. 177 On malinge sheete of canvas
xij'1. 1569 Bury Wills (Camd. Soc.) 155 A malyn lyne withe
my woadfat coveryings. 1578 Richmond Wills (Surtees) 2S2
A capp case, a malynge cover.
Mailing (m^'liij), vH. sbfi U. S. [f. Mail b.*]
The action of sending by mail; posting. Also
attrib., as mailing machine, table.
1871 Amcr. Etteyct. Print, (etl. Ringwalt) 292/2 Mailing
Machines, contrivances. . to facilitate the operation of direct-
ing newspapers. 1884 Knight Diet. Mccli. Suppl., Mailing
Table, a table at which mail matter is distributed to the
mail bags. 1900 Daily Neivs 8 Jan. 3/1 Up to the time of
mailing no particulars are to hand.
Maill(e, obs. f. Mail, Male ; obs. Sc. f. Meal.
II Maillechort (may'JJr). [Fr. ; said to be i.
the names of the inventors, Maillot and Chorier.]
An alloy of zinc, copper, and nickel.
1851 Watts tr. GmclbCs Handbk. Chem. V. 497. 1895
United Serz'ice Mag. Feb. 456 Bullet, No. 12. Material,
Maillechort.
Mailless (nrw>l|Us), a. [f. Mail rf.i + -LEsa.]
\\ ithout mail-armour; not protected with mail.
MAIM.
1817 Scott Harold nr. viii, Unshielded, mail-less, on he
goes. 1848 Lytton Harold \x. iii, Let each shaft be aimed
at whatever space in my mailless body I leave unguarded.
Maillet, obs. form of Mallet.
tMaill(e)y. Obs. [Cf. OF. tnaillic ^ravcle
(Vfinc gravel), w/oi/marl, maillierXo marl inland).]
1747 Uooson Miners Dt'ct.s.v. Stone, Madly Stone...
Maiiley, is a softer sort of Lime very dusty, and will cut
pritty well.
Maill eys, Sc. variant of Malkase Obs.
Mailteth, var. Mkltith Sc.
t Mailure. Obs, rare—1, [f. Mail sb} + -uhk,
after OK. emmailleureA Mail-armour, mail.
c 1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode \. cxx. 086<y) 62 Thou shuldest
wite that this armure [the gorgeer] is maad of double
mailure (14=6 Lydg, maylle; Y . cmmaiilcure\
tMaily. a. Obs. rare—1. [?a. OF. maittU
speckled. Hut cf. Mealy a."\ 'Sense uncertain.,
1610 Markham Masttrp. 1. x. 27 His [the horse's] colour
is..darke bay, with mayly nose [edd. 1^36-75 mayly mouth].
Mailyeis, obs. form of Malice.
Maim (mt7irn), sb. Obs. or arch. Forms : a. 4
maheym, 4, 6-S maime, 5 mayra, 57 maymc,
6 mamc, mahayme, 6- maim; (3. 5-6 mnyue,
6 7 maine. Sec also MAYHEM and Maxyie.
[ME. maheym, mayitc, a. OF. mayhem, mahaing,
Main, etc. (for the forms see Godef.), also fern.
meshaigne, maaigne ; vbl. sb. related to mahaignier
Maim v. Cf. It. magagna^\ An injury to the body
which causes the loss of a limb, or of the use of it ;
a mutilation, or mutilating wound, f In early use
more widely, any lasting wound or bodily injury.
1340 Aycnb. 135 He is ase be y-niaymcd ate uorche of [>e
( herche bet ne heb nunc ssame uor to sscawy alle his maimes
to alle }'on bet her guob. c 1430 Syr Gcner. (Roxb.) 3432 In
wcrre somtyme a wound had he, A mayme in the nam me
behind the kne. c i^o Promp, Ptirz'. 320/1 Mayne, or hurte
(//.,/'., mayme), mutilacio. a 1450 Rut. de la 'J'our(iStS) 9
Thorughe whiehe misauenture the lady was one-yed. And
for that foule mayme her husbonde kiste away his hertc
from his wyff. 1496 Dives $■ /Viw/.iYv*. de W.) v. xviii. 221/2
Ther shoble no man serue at goddes aulter that had ony
gieate foule mayme. ijiig Horman / 'nig. 14 b, Xo man that
..hath a mahayme or a blemmysshe, that maketh hym vn-
goodly, shall take orders. 1552 Elyot Diet., Coloboma, the
mayme or Ia<_ke of any niembre of the body, a 1568 Ascuam
Sc/iotcm. ii. (Arb.) 14S Asa foote of wood is a plaineshewof
a manifest maime. 1601 Holland Pliny L 170 His Col-
leagues, .would not permit him to be at the solenine sacri-
fices, because he bad a maim, and wanted a lim. 1653
Holcroft Procopius i. 26 The Law excluded him, for his
mayme of an eye. 1712 Steele Sped. No. 474 f 3 The
more Maims this llrotherhood [of huntsmen] shall have met
with, the easier will their Conversation (low. 1741 Kichaku-
SON Pamela (1S24) I. 87 These bruises and maims that I
have gotten. 1764 Foote Mayor o/G. 1. Wks. 1799 I. 162
Maims, bruises, contusions, dislocations,, .may likely ensue.
b. Jn generalized sense: Loss or permanent dis-
ablement of a limb. In early use, any serious
bodily injury.
C1386CHALC1-:]; Pars. T.y 551 Forpeyneissentbytbcright-
wys sonde of god,, .be it Meselric, or Maheym 01 maladie.
14.. in 'PundaWs Vis. (1S43) 91 Hytcureth sores hyt heleth
euery wownd And saveth men fro maym of swyrd and sper.
c 1450 Merlin 161 God VS deffende fro deth tins day and fro
mayme. 1529 m I 'ieary's Anat. (1888) App.xiv. 255 Personts
. .whiche ysin perell of deth or mayne. 1876 ISanckoi-t Hist.
U.S. I. x. 326 A crowd gathered round the scaffold when
Prynne and Bastwick and Burton were to suffer maim.
C. transf. ?a\<\fig. Mutilation or loss of some
essential part ; a grave defect, blemish, or disable-
ment ; an injury or hurt of any kind.
1543 Grafton* Coutn. Harding Pref. xii, Whiche booker,
if they had neuer been set out, It had been a greale maime
to our knowlage. 1577 HARRISON England u. v. (1877) 1. 111
It is accounted a maime in anie one oi them [thecleargiej not
tobeexactlie seene in theGicekeand Hebrue. 1594 Hooker
E'cel. Pol. iv. xii. § 6 It was a weakenes in the Christian
I ewes, and a maime of Judgement in them, that they thought
the Gentiles polluted by the eating of those meates [etc.].
1596 Shaks. i Hen. IV, iv. i. 42 Wor. Your Father's sick-
nesse is a mayme to vs. Hotsp. A perillous Gash, a very
Limme lopt off. 1602 Makston Antonio's Rev. 1. iv, Cast
my life In a dead sleepe, whilst lawe cuts off yon maine,
Von putred ulcer of my rolall bloode. 1610 Holland
Camden's Brit. I. 679 This without any maime of the name
is called at this day Bod-vari, that is Mansion-Vari. a 1627
Hayward Edw. VI (1630) 47 A noble writer in our time
esteemes it to be a mayme in historic that acts of Parliament
should not bee recited, a 1661 Fuller // 'orthics (1840) I.
xxv. 99 They are so eminent in their generations, that their
omission would make a maim in history. 1689-90 Temile
Eu.y Learning Wks. 1731 I. 168 The last Maim given to
Learning, has been by the Scorn of Pedantry. 1704 Swift
T. Tub i, But the greatest Maim given to that general
reception, which the writings of our society have formerly
received, .hath been a superficial vein among many readers.
Maim (m^im), a. rare. Also 5 mayn, 7
maime. [Related to prec. : cf. OF. mehaignc,
mod.F. dial, mtfcaig/ie (Godef.).] = Maimed.
Not in any F,ng. Diet.
citfSPict. Voc. in Wr.-Wulcker 791/18 Hie mutulatus,
a mayn. 1653 Holcroft Procopius Pref. A 3, It hath since
been the fate of this . . to be exposed maime, and mangled
to the world. 1687 Mikge Eng.-Fr. Diet., Maim, curtailed
of any member, manchot, estropic. 1760 Baketti Fng.-
/tab. Diet. 1865 tr. Strauss's New Life Jesus I. 1. 3J3
Such a thing could not properly be expected of the poor
and the maim. 1880 World 19 May 6 Refuges for the halt,
the maim, the sick, and the blind. 1881 Stevenson Moral.
Profess. Lett, in Fortn. Rev. Apr., His own life being maim,
some of them are not admitted in his theory.
-
MAIM.
Maim (ttffm), v. Forms: a. 3-7 mayme, 4
mahayme, 5 mayheime, 5-6 raayra, raeyme,
6 meyheme, mayhime, mayhme, 6-7 maihme,
5- maim. £.4maynhe,5 meygne, 5 7 mayn(e,
6-7 main(e; see also Sc. Manyie v. [ME.
maynhe, mayn, etc. (and, with assimilation to
Maim sb., mahayme, mayme, etc.), a. OK. ma-
haignier, mayner, etc. (see Godef. for forms) = Pr.
maganhar, It. magagnare, mcd.L. mahemiare.
The ulterior origin is uncertain : the conjectures of
Diez and others have little probability.] trans.
To deprive of the use of some member ; to mutilate,
cripple, f In early use more widely, to disable,
wound, cause bodily hurt or disfigurement to.
1297 R. Glouc (Rolls) 5853 Hii velle & to brusede some
anon to debe & some ymaymed [v. r. maymed] & some
yhurt. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 305 Was no man
Inglis maynhed no dede bat day. a 1350 St Andrew 38 in
Horstm. Altcngl. Leg. (iSSri 132 And eghen sight j>ai toke
fro sum, And sum croked, bat pai might noghtga: And all
pat thai mahayinid swa [etc.]. 1393 Langu P. Ft. C. xxi.
387 Ho so hitteth out a mannes eye . . Othere eny manere
memhre maymeth other hurteth. c \\(x> Lanfranc' s Cirurg.
313 A mannes nose is sumtyme to-broken, .. & if it be
longe or he haue ony help, panne he schal be maymed
for euermore. c 1400 Destr. Troy xxv. 10012 Mony of
bo Mirmydons maynet fur eucr. r 1450 St. Cnthbcrt
(Surtees) 7843 Some pai hedid, some pai mayne. 1470-85
Malory Arthur n. x, Kynge Arthur slewe that daye xx
knyghtes is. maymed xl. 1528 More Dint, Hcrcsycs
iv. xiv. Wks. 277^2 And destroy as that sect hath done
many a good religious house, spoyled, meyhemed, & slaine
many a good vertuous man [etc.L 1530 Palsgr. 617/1,
I mayne, or 1 mayne one, I take the use ofone of his lymmes
from bytn. iS7+tr. Littleton's 7V««r^4ob,TheLordemaye
not mayme hysvillayne. 1604 Shaks. Oth. v. i. 27, I am
niaym'd for euer: Helpe boa: Murther, murthcr. 1622 R,,
Hawkins Voy. S. Sea lix. 137 Sometimes the winde of the
shott ouerthroweth one, and the splinters.. mayne and hurt
others. 1635 R. N. Camden's Hist. Eliz. Introd., Better it is
t hat a member be joyned to the head, though it be maymed,
thai quite cut off. a 1674 Clarendon Hist. Feb. xiv. § 140
Who had lost his father and had been himself maimed in
the King'sservice. 1769 Blackstone Comm. iv. xv. 206
By the antient law of England he that maimed any man,
whereby he lost any part of his body, was sentenced to lose
the like part. 179a Burke Let. Sir If. Langrishc Wks.
1842 I. 546 Nocturnal assemblies for the purpose of pulling
down hedges,., firing barns, maiming cattle. 1867 Lady
Herbert Cradle L. 1. 26 They maim themselves in every
way to escape it [conscription]. 1868 AY/, to Govt, U. S.
Munitions War 182 Thousands who have lost limbs alto-
gether, . . have done the State . . good service after they were
maimed.
^>\flS' To mutilate, cripple, render powerless
or essentially incomplete ; f to deprive of.
c 1386 Chaucer Wife's T. 276 For of onre eldres may we
no thyng clayme, But temporel thyng, bat man may hurte
and mayme. c 1400 Rom. Rose 5317 For it maymeth, in
many wyse, Syke hertis with coveityse. 1562 Cooi-er
Ausw. Def. Truth iii. 21b, Hee that altereth or taketh
away any doth alter and maime christes institution. 1563
B. Googe Eglogs* etc. (Arb.) 102 A Creature maymde of
Reasons parte. 1593 Shaks. 2 lien. VI, iv. ii. 172 Thereby
is England main'd And faine to go with a staffe. 1613 —
Hen. V/lf, in. ii. 312 You wrought to be a Legate, by
which power You maini'd the Jurisdiction of all Bishops.
1682 Dryuen Religio Laid 279 For since the original
Scripture has been lost, All copies disagreeing, maimed the
most. 1759 Franklin Ess. Wks. 1840 III. 399 To abridge
would be to maim one of the most lively pieces that liberty
ever inspired. 1767 Harte Medit. T. a Kempis 117 But
ah ! their neighbour's pittance maims their field. 1823
Scott Peveril xv, That .. act of royalty and supreme
jurisdiction, the consequences of which maimed my estate
so cruelly. 1868 M. Pattison Academ. Org. 6 The House
passed the Government Bill, maiming it in vital points in
its passage through Committee.
Maimed (nvimd), ///. a. [f. Maim v. +
-ed 1.] Mutilated, crippled, injured : see the verb.
a 1400-50 Alexander 4544 Lo, to so many mayned gods
;our menbris ;e dele. 1578 Nottingham Rcc. IV. 176, iiij.
meymed men that cum fourth of Eyrland. 1591 Spenser
M. Hubberd 272 But my late maymed limbs "lack wonted
might To doo their kindly services. 1625 Bacon Ess.,
Greatness h'ingd. (Arb.) 491 Hospitals for Maimed Soldiers.
1638 Junius Paint. Ancients 42 They stand and stare upon
such maimed creatures as want either legges or amies. 1720
1>e Foe Capf. Singleton xi. (1840) 198 This maimed man.
1864-7 Geo. Eliot Sp. Gipsy 1. (1868) 4 A maimed giant
in his agony.
\>.fig.
157" Billincslf.y Euclid vii. Introd. 1S3 Geometric
boroweth of it [Arithmetic] principles,.. and is as it were
maymed without it. 1602 Shaks. Ham. v. i. 242 Who is
that they follow, And with such maimed rites? 1877
J. D. Chambers Divine Worship 308 In such a maimed
and dislocated form. 1900 S. Phillips Paolo A> h'rancesca 1.
26 All these maime'd wants and thwarted thoughts.
C. alisol.
1340 Aycnb. 135 [see Maim si.]. Ibid. 141 po he hedde
ypreched and y-ued bet uolk and be zike and be ymamtd
y-held. c 14.20 Chron. Vilod. 1098 For leuer here was be
pore to fede, pe maymot, be seke to wasshe & hele. 1526
Tindale Matt. xv. 31 In so moche that the people wondred,
to se..the maymed whole. 1764 FootV Mayor o/G. 1.
Wks. 1799 I. 162 Is it your Worship's will that I lend a
ministrtng hand to the maim'd? 1848 Mrs. Jameson^c*-.
•V Leg. Art II. 298 The sick and maimed who are healed
by her intercession.
t Mai'medly, adv. Obs. [-ly -.] In .1 maimed
manner.
1596 Nashe Saffron Il'aldeuWks. (Grosart) III. 47 Being
aboue 2 yeres since maimedly translated into the French
46
tongue. 1508 Hakluyt's Voy. I. 614, I rather leaue it out
altogether, then presume to doe it maymedly. 1680 II. More
Apocal. Apoc. 154 Some strictures there were,.. but hinted
very maimedly, obscurely and interruptedly.
Mainiedness (mt^-mednes). [-ness.] The
condition of being maimed {lit. andy^O.
1607 Hieron Wks. I. 122 He will see such weakenesse,. .
such maimednesse, such imperfection, in his best perform-
ances^ 1613 Purciias Pilgrimage 11. vii. (1614) 135 The
conditions required in the High Priest, as that he should
not haue the bodily defects of Blindnesse, lamenesse,
maymednesse, &c. 1886 Ruskin Prxtcrita I. xii. 425 So
much did its sullenness and mainiedness pollute the meagre
sacrifice.
Maimer (m£*mai). [f. Maim z>. + -xb).] One
who maims or mutilates.
1530 Palsgr. 241/2 Maymer of men, mvtilatevr. 1769
Blackstone Comm. IV. 13 If a man maliciously should
put out the remaining eye of him who had lost one before,
it is too slight a punishment for the maimer to lose only
one of his. 1884 Atlienxum 9 Feb. 1S2/1 Terrorists and
maimers of cattle.
Maiming (Wi'min), vbL sb. [-nro*.] The
action of the verb Maim.
a 1400-50 Alexander 40S8 J>an wald his pepill & his
princes haue past ouir be bourne, And m"i5t no^t for be
morsure & maynyng of bestis. a 1568 Ascham Scholem. n.
(Arb.) 99 To the marring and raaymng of the Scholer in
learning. 160a Fuliiecke 1st Pt. Parall. 78 The opinion
of M. Brooke is that hee may beate him if hee cannot other-
wise escape without stripes or wounds or mayming. 1727
Swift Let. Eng. Tongue Wks. 1755 II. 1. 188 Another
cause., which hath contributed .. to the maiming of our
language, is a foolish opinion, .. that we ought to spell
exactly a.s we speak. 1768-74 Tucker Lt. Nat. (18341 II.
43 Inevitable evils are .. such as sudden deaths, maimings,
or other bodily hurts by the stroke of lightning.
Maimonidean (maim^nidran), Maimo-
nidian (maimoni'dian), a. (sb.). [f. L. Maimo-
uid-cs + -an, -ian.] a. Pertaining to the Jewish
theologian Maimonides (Aldshc,t ben Maymon
1 135-1204). b. sb. An adherent of Maimonides.
1864 Chambcrs^s Encycl. VI. 273 The. .spiritualistic Mai-
monidian and the ' literal Talmudistic schools. 1876
Scuiller-Szinessy Ctital. Ilcbr. MSS. Cambr. I. 1S7 The
so-called Maimonidean school. 1882-3 ScHAFF Encycl.
Relig. Kttoivl. II. 13S8 Judaism was soon divided into the
Maimonidians and Anti-Maimonidians. 1886 Encycl. Brit.
XX. 283/2 The Maimonidean controversy.
Maimonist (mai-mJnist). [f. Maimon-ides
(see prec.) + -I8T.] An adherent of Maimonides.
1881 Friedlandes Maimonides'' Guide 0/ Perplexed I.
Life 35 _The controversy between Maimonists and anti-
Maimonists.
Main (m£ln), sbX Forms: 1 msesen, maesn,
2-4 mein, (3 Lay. msoin), 3-4 meyn, 3-6 raayn,
4-6 Sc. mane, 4-7 maine, mayne, 3- main.
[OE. nieVgen, — OS. megin^ OIIG. magan, megin,
ON. magji, megn, megin, f. root *mag- : see May
v., Might jA]
I. 1. Physical strength, force, or power. Obs.
cxc. in phr. with might and main (see 2).
PcoiwtlfjBg Se be manna wss ina:^ene strengest. c 1205
Lay. 26698 t>er he finden mihte be his main wolde fondien
hond ajan honde. c 1275 Luue Ron 69 in O. E. Misc. 55
Ector wip his scharpe meyne. ?ci32^ Old Age x. in
E. E. P. (1862) 149, I spend, an marrit is mi main. 1375
Barbour Bruce \. 444 The king. .went till Ingland. .With
mony man off mekill mayn. Ibid. vi. 318 Thair chiftane
Wes of sic heit and of sic mane, That [etc.]. 1460 Lybeatts
Disc. iKaluza) 560 He nadde main ne mi}t. c 1470 Henry
Wallace 1. 320 Hyr eldest son, that mekill was of mayn.
1501 Douglas Pal. Hon. 111. Ixxvi, Thay witli speir, with
swordis, and with kniues, In just battell war fundin maist
of mane. 1590 Stknser /'*. Q. \. vii. 11 He gan aduauncc
With huge force and insupportable mayne.
fb. fig.y and in immaterial applications. Obs.
a 1300 Cursor M. 21051 (Cott.) O treind wandes gold he
wroght . . And efter-ward wit crisis main J>am turnd to pair
kind egain. 1390 Gowkr Con/. III. 4 Love is of so gret
a main, That . . Ther mai nothing his miht withstonde.
c 1440 York Myst. xx. 123 J>ou arte nowthir of myght ne
mayne To kenne it as a clerke may knawe. 1549-62
Sternhold & H. Ps. xciii. 1 And he lo shew his strength
and maine, hath girt himselfe with might.
f C. trans/. Of things : Power, virtue, efficacy.
c 1000 Sax. Lccchd. I. 94 ponne ys seo a;rre [wyrt] hwitrc,
& heo hxf3 bas imegnu. c 1320 Sit Trtstr. 1581 Sche com
wip adrink of main.
2. Phrases, f With {mid) or in all one's main,
with main, %vith all, great or mickle main (in M E.
poetry often used as a metrical stopgap or tag) :
with the utmost strength or vigour one is capable
of. t To set one's main to : to apply all one's
energies to. f To do one's main : to do one's ut-
most, one's best. With might and main, -\tuith
main and might, f Vfith mood and main, etc. : see
Might sb., Mood sb. See also Amain.
c 1175 Lamb. Horn. 123 Luuian we hine mid aire beorte. .
mid alle meine. C1290 6'. Eng. Leg. I. 104/113 A bousend
men with al heore main on hire gonne drawe. 1 1314 Guy
Wanv. (A.) 884 Gii-.pe stede toke bi the reyn, & lepe vp
wib gret meyn. c 1320 Sir Trtstr. 1083 Tristrem smot wi(»
main, c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints iv. (Jacobus) 299 He gert fele
knychtis. .pryk efter pame in al par mayne. Ibid, xxvii.
(Machor) 8, I wald fayne,..set my mayne sunie thing to
say of sancte inoryse. c 1375 Cursor M. 1076 (Fairf.)
<)uen he [sc. Cain] had his brober slayne To hide him he dide
his mayne. c 1450 St* Cnthbcrt (Surtees) 4048 He thanked
fod with all his mayne. c 1460 Towncley Myst. xv. lot
'ell me, loseph, with mayn, youre red. 1542 Becon Potat.
Lent Divb, That ye cleue stedfastly with all mayne to the
MAIN.
promyses which [etc.]. a 1568 Wyfc of Auchicrmuchty vii,
Than owt he ran in all his mane.
f3. A host of men ; a (military) force. Obs.
a xooo A ndreas S76 We 5a;r heahfa;deras halige oncneowon
& martyra majjen unlytel. 10. . O. E. Chron. an. 1004 Deer
wa;rtS East Engla folces seo yld of slafcen, ac £if l^t ^"He
man^en baere wa;re, ne eodan hi nsefre eft to scipon swa hi
sylfessedon. 1297 R. Glouc (Rolls) 8999 William courtehese
he made of pe verste wardein & in be oper bilunde he was
him sulf mid al is main.
II. Senses arising from absol. uses of Main a.
4. ellipt. for main land, Mainland, arch.
'555 Kden Decades 351 At three leaques off the mayne,
there is xv. fadome. 1577-87 Holinsheu Chron. I. 43/2
This Hand, which for the quaniitie thereof maie well lie
called a maine, although it be inuironed about with the
Ocean sea. 1600 J.^ Poky tr. Leo's Africa 50 Not far from
the main are certaine dry and rockie isles. 1698 Fryer
Ace. E. India *V P. 14 The most traded Empories here,
are St. _ Augustine on the Island [Madagascar], and
Mosambique 011 the Main. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 11 f 5
The Achilles, in some distress, put into a Creek on the
Main of America. 1823 Byron Juan \\\. xxxi, Their
Delhis mann'd some boats and. .tried to make a landing on
the main. 1839 Thiklwall Greece VI. 1. 196 The island . .
was separated from the main by a channel half a mile
broad. 1891 J. Winsor Columbus xiii. 290 He was anxious
to make a thorough examination of Cuba, which was a part
of the neighboring main of Cathay, as he was ready to
suppose.
b. Short for Spanish Main, q. v.
1890 Cokbett Sir F. Drake iii. 33 Drake, .sailed once
more for the Mai^ 1897 Henley ffawt/torn «T Lavender,
etc. (1901) 95 The (rim Slaver. .Held. .Her musky course
from Benin to the Main, And back again for niggers.
6. ellipt. for Main ska: The high sea, the open
ocean. Now poet.
>579 80 North Plutarch, C. Marius (1595) 468 The
winde stoode full against them comming from the maine
[ 1' . lc ucnt se tourna dn coste de la pleitie mer\. 1601 R.
Johnson Kingd. *f Commw. (1603) 211 They dare not
venter into the maine, but houering by the shore, timerously
saile from one place to another. 1695 Woodward Hist.
Earth 1. 27 The Tides and Storms . . affect only the super-
ficial parts of the Ocean, .. but never reach the greater
I >epths, or disturb the bottom of the Main. 1698 Froger
I'oy. 65 A gentle Breeze came off from the Main [ F. du
large], 1731 PorE Ep. Burlington 198 Bid the broad Arch
the dang rous Flood contain, The Mole projected break
the roaring Main. 1764 Goldsm. Trav. 410 To traverse
climes beyond the western main. 1847 Tennyson Princess
\ 11. 21 As one that climbs a peak to gaze O'er land and main.
Jig. 1597 R. Johnson Champions (1608J 11. Addr., But hav-
ing better hope I boldly leade thee to this mayne from this
doubtfull floude where I rebt. 1602 Marston Ant. <y Mel.
iv. Wks. 1S56 1. 46 Launched out Into the surgy maine of
government. 1839 Longf. Ps. of Life viii, Sailing o'er life's
solemn main.
+ b. trans/. A broad expanse, poet. Obs.
c 1600SHAKS. Sonn. Ix. 5 Natiuity once in the maine of light,
Crawles to maturity. 1667 Milton P. L. x. 257 Adventrou?.
work, ..to found a path Over this Maine from Hell lo that
new World Where Satan now prevailes.
6. The most important part of some business,
subject, argument, or the like ; the chief matter or
principal thing in hand. (Cf. Main j/v* i b.)
1602 Shaks. Dam. w. ii, 56, I doubt it is no other, but the
maine, His Fathers death, and our o'er-hasty^ Marriage.
1615 tr. De M^onfarfs Su-nn E. Indies Pref. B lij, Neyther
doth he stand vpon any other vayne particulars, but directly
goeth to the maine. 1650 Baxter Saints' A*. 1. ii. § 1 (1651)
192 If I should here enter upon that task.. I should make
too broad a digression, and set upon a work as large as the
iiiaiti, for whose sake I .should undertake it. 1663 Cowley
Country-Mouse 5 Frugal, and grave, and careful of the
Main. 170a Eng. Theophrast. 132 We let the Main go,
while we grasp at the accessories. 1716-20 Lelt.fr. Mist's
Jml. (1722) I. 244 She complied with your last Advice, as
lo the Main.
b. Phrases : in, \/or, "\on, f upon the main :
for the most part ; in all essential points ; mainly.
a 1628 Preston A'eiu Cor't. (1634) 12 Holy men have that
apprehension in the maine, but not in a constant tenour at
all times. 1639 Fuller Holy War 1. xvi. (1840) 28 As long
us they agree in the main, we need not be much moved
with their petty dissen.sions. 1662 H. Moke Philos. Writ.
Pref. Gen. p. vi, Being carried captive by the power of reason
into a true belief of things for the main. 1697 J. Sergeant
Solid Philos. 80 Whence, upon the main, is clearly dis-
covered, how all true Philosophy is nothing but the know-
ledge of Things. 1699 Ben'i ley That. 49 Generally and for
the main he resided at Crotona. 1711 Steele Sped.
No. 118 F 3, I do not know whether in the main I am the
worse for having loved her. 1748 Richardson Clarissa
{1811) II. 145 If Nancy did not think well of you upon the
main. 1799 in Spirit Tub. Jrnls. III. 394 John is, uj>on
the main, no foot. 1832 J. C. Hake P/iitol. Mus. I. 163
note, Since writing the above I have found a reading agree-
ing on the main with mine in the edition of Asconius by
Paulus Maiuitius. 1840 Dickens OldC. Shop lvi, Mr. Swi-
veller being in the main a good-natured fellow. i8g3 R. Wil-
liams in Traill Social Eng. i. 31 In the main, therefore, the
leading ideas of the heathen Celt were those of heathen
nations generally.
c. Const. 0/ The chief or principal part (<7/"some
whole, material or immaterial) ; the important or
essential point. Phr. f the main 0/ all.
1595 Daniel QV. Wars 111. xxxvii, I know you know how
much the thing doth touch The maine of all your states,
your blood, your seed. 1601 Sir W. Cornwallis Disc.
Seneca (1631) M 1112, It is no charity to giue so violently as
may waste the maine of an estate. 1631 Heywood -2nd Pt.
Maid of West 11. Wks. 1874 II. 363 Why that's the main of
all : all without his freedome That we can aime at's nothing.
1647 May Hist. Pari. 1. viii. 104 It was not onely agreed
that their Ships . . should be restored . . but for the maine of all,
it was resolved upon by both houses, to give the full summeof
MAIN.
47
MAIN.
£300000. 1653 Holcroft /V<w////.r 11.33 FJutthe maine ofall:
studies he not (etc.]? 1683 Cave Ecclcsiastici, Chrysostom
501 The main of the Church was destroyed [by fire] in three
hours space. 1693 Mem. Cnt. Teckely iv. 49 He assaulted
them in the Front with the main of his Army. 1711 Addison
Sped. No. 47 P 9 The Persons we laugh at may in the main
of their Characters he much wiser Men than our selves.
1750 Johnson Rambler No. 68 f 3 The main of life is
composed of small incidents. 1781 Wf.si.kv Wks. (1S72) IV.
215 He has sufficiently proved the main of his hypothesis.
1845 Stephen Comm. Laws Eng. (1874) I. 119 If a lord had
a parcel of land detached from the mam of his estate. 1880
Bi.ackmoke Mary Anerley II. xvi 279 The main of their
cargo was landed. 1880 Annie R. Ellis Sylvestra II. 275
She told him the main of the morning's news. 1903 Contcmp.
Rev, Feb. 190 The main of us have never set eyes upon
a Dane before.
f 7. The object aimed at ; end, purpose. Obs.
Perh. orig. a term of archery. Cf. Main sb.3 2.
rti6io Healev Epictetus Man. (1636) 6 The ayme of
appetite, is to attaine what it affecteth, and the maine of
dislike is to avoide what it disliketh. x6io W. Folkingham
Art of Survey To Kdr. 3, I ayme not at the Racke nor the
Slack, the qualified Meane is the Maine of my Marke. 1623
Webster Duchess Malji II, i, Bos. You say you would
fain be taken for an eminent courtier? Cast. 'Tis the very
main of my ambition. 1633 B. Jonson Tale of a Tub \\\.
iv, Wee have by this meanes disappointed him, And that
was all the maine I aimed at. 1652 R. BoREHAH Country'
mans Catech. i. 1 This Happinesse (or the Salvation of our
Soules) being the maine of all our enlarged desires. 1657
Sparkow Bk. Com, Prayer 173 Therefore differing so much
in the main of the Feast, they would not comply with
them.
8. A principal channel, duct, or conductor for
conveying water, sewage, gas, or electricity, e. g.
along the street of a town. (Cf. main drain,
1707-12 s.v. Main a. 8 b.)
1727 Bradley Earn. Diet. s.v. Building, Where any Stock-
Blocks of Wood with Plugs, or any Fire-Cocks, were made
and hVd on any Mains [etc.]. 176a Ann. Reg. 120/1 Wooden
pipes were inserted into the mains in almost every street.
1808 Murdoch in Phil. Trans. XCVIII. 125 The gas.. is
conveyed by iron pipes into .. ga/ometers, . . previous to its
being conveyed through other pipes, called mains, to the
mill. 1835 Loudon Encycl. Agric. 658 The use of both the
large and small mains is to feed the various trenches with
water, which branch out into all parts of the meadow. 1871
Tvndall Fragm. Set. {1879) II. xvi. 449 The electric mam
carrying the outgoing current. 1894 Nat. Observer 189/2
Take the case of a lead-pipe led into a block of houses from
the iron main. 1895 S. P. Thompson & E. Thomas Electr.
Tab. .y Mem. 4 In factory wiring it is often preferred to
keep the positive and negative mains far apart.
fig. 1865 Masson Rec. Brit. Philos. i. 15 It is not only
Britain . . that the writer accuses of this folly of not drawing
its philosophy from the main.
b. In jocular phr. To turn on the main, to
begin to weep copiously.
1837 Ifrnnrim Pickw. xvi, Blessed if I don't think he's
got a main in his head as is always turned on. 1857
Bradley (C. Bede) Verdant Green in. xi. 90 You've no idea
how she turned on the main, and did the briny ! 1878
M. C. Jackson Chaperon's Cares I. x. 128 The mains were
turned on, and tears flowed until weeping became infectious.
9. Short for mainsail (obs.), mainmast.
1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. I. 373 Tha led thame in with
musall, fuk, and mane. 1894 Times 7 Apr. 7/3 All the
ships . . were gaily decked with bunting, the German flag
flying at the main. 1903 Blackw. Mag. Apr. 523/1 Skiffs
with well-reefed mains scudded for sheltering creeks.
10. techn. a. ? A principal vein of mineral, b.
A main line of railway.
1867 Musgrave Nooks $ Corners II. 2 A wide main of
this mineral lies beneath the stupendous masses of dark
blueish rock. 1893 Daily News 8 June 2/3 The railway will
be a double main.
Main (m^'n), sb2 Se. and north. Alsosmayn;
//. 6 may nis, man is , maines, 7 maynea , mainnes,
8 mainae. [Aphetic f. Domain, Demesne.]
fl. Mains or main lands - demesne lands. Obs.
1454 En 14AI Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. in. 10 The
sayde Androw Ker sal gyff. .-tyl the sayde Thorn Robson. .
his mayn landis of Hownum. 1577-95 Descr. Isles Scot,
in Skene Celtic Scot. III. App. 436 The said John Stewart
hes it all under maynes.
2. //. The farm attached to a mansion house ;
a home farm. (Now esp. retained in Scotland in
the names of farms, e. g. the Mains of Forthar.)
1533 Clyfford in St. Papers Hen. VIII, IV. 633
Wher we brynt theis townes that is to wite, Sesfurth ..
Sesfurth Mayns, Mows Mayns .. Cavertone Mayns [etc.].
1573-4 Reg- Privy Council Scot. Ser. 1. II. 320 The landis
mains and cornis of Sanct Thomas Chapell. a 1578 Lindesay
(Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.) I. 226 }e sail haue the
manis of Kirkforther for it. 1589 Wills % Inv. N. C.
(Surtees 1S60) 164, I geue to Mathew Forster,..Edderstoun
east hall, and the maynis thairofT. 1597 Skene De Verb.
Sign,t Mauerivm, . . ane mainnes, or domaine landes, . .
Because they ar laboured and inhabited be the Lorde, and
propnetar of the samin. 1606 in North Riding Rec. (1884)
I. 48 John Dodsworth of Massam Maynes. 1766 W. Gordon
Gen Counhngdw. 468 The tenants and Mainse fall now to
be debited for crop 1765. 1769 De Foe's Tour Gt. Brit.
IV. 72 Every Nobleman's House [in Scotland] hath what
they call the Mains, where their Land-labourers, Grooms,
and every Body belonging to the Stable and Poultry,
reside. 1814 Scott IVav. xv, That the Bailie should send
his own three milk cows down to the mains for the use of
the Baron s family. 1834 H. Miller Scenes fy Leg. xxvii.
(1857) 398 He was employed.. at the Mains of Invergordon.
Main (mt7in), sb.% Also 6-7 maine, mayne.
[Of obscure history.
From the early use in antithesis with by (which seems in the
game of hazard to have meant the same as cliance in the
later language) the word would appear to be an absolute
or elliptical application of Main a. (Cf. Main chance.)
The usual view that the word is a. F. main 'hand ' has no
evidence; quot. c 1685-8 in sense 3 prob, embodies a mere
etymological speculation.]
1. In the game of hazard, a number (from five
to nine inclusive) called by the ' caster ' before the
dice are thrown.
' If lie " throws in ", or "nicks ", he wins the sum played for
from the banker or " setter ". . .If the caster" throws out " by
throwing aces, or deuce, ace (called crabs), he loses.. . If the
caster neither nicks nor throws out, the number thrown is
his "chance", and he keeps on throwing till either the
chance comes up, when he wins, or till the main comes up,
when he loses' {Encycl. Brit, s.v. Hazarii),
1580 Ld, Ofealkv in Stanyhurst /Eneis, etc. (Arb.) 153, I
loathe too see them [sc. dire-players [sweare. .,\Vhen they the
mayne haue lost ; Forgetting al thee byes, that weare With
God and holyegoast. 1580 Lylv F uplines I. \rh.) 289 Not vn-
lyke the vseof foule gamesters, who hauing lost the maine by
true Judgement, thiuke to face it out with a false oath. 1598
Barckley Felic. Man Pref., Diceplayers, that game more by
the bye then by the maine. a 1635 Corbet Poems (1807)
12S Amongst the gamsters, where they name thee [the pox]
thicke At the last maine, or the last pocky nicke. 1665
Earl Dokset Song written at Sea vii, To pass our tedious
Hours away, We throw a merry Main. 1684 Otway
Atheist ill. i, The Main was Seven, and the Cliance Four.
1726 Art <y Myst. of Gaming Exposed 29 Loaded or
Scooped Dice are. .changed as often as the Main anil
Chance, or Occasion requires. 1731 Fielding Mod. Husb.
11. x. La. Char. Eleven mains together, Modern; you are
a devil. Air. Gaywit. She lias always great luck at
Hazard. 1777 Colman E.pil. Sheridan's Sch. Scand. (1883)
76 Seven's the main. 1837 Thackeray Ravenswing viii,
He likes to throw a main of an evening. 1881 Shokthoise
y. Ingtesaut {1882) II. 306 Come and take your chances in
the next main. 1894 M askelyne Sharps t, Flats 255 The
first throw made by the player is called the 'main '.
fb. fig. esp. coupled with or in antithesis to by
(seellv sb.- 1). Obs.
*3&7> '580 Isee Bv*£.a ij. 1589 Warner Alb. Eng. Prose
Addit. 155 Whatsoeuer thy play be in Affrick, let hence-
forth the Mayne be Italic 1593 Shaks. 2 Hen. II,
I. i. 2o3 Then lets make hast away, And looke vnto the
maine. 1595 Maroccus Ext. (Percy Soc. ) 12 Horse. No,
no, his minde was on the twentieth dale of the moucth fol-
lowing, when his money was due. Bankcs. Tis good to
haue an eie to the maine. 1596 Shaks. i Hen. IV. iv. i. 47
To set so rich a mayne On the nice hazard of one doubt full
houre. 1602 Daniel Civ. Wars vii. xxv, The doubtful Dye
of War cast at the Main Is such as one bad Chance may
lose you all. 1612 R. Dabokne Chr. turrid Turke 8 Deale
Merchant-like, put it vpon one maine, And throw at all.
1676 Towekson Decalogue 462 Recreations .. must con-
sequently be.. used as things on the by and not as the main.
1781 Westm. Mag. IX. 604 When each grave Senator the
sport promotes, And throws the main with— cogg'd and
loaded votes.
f 2. A match (at archery, boxing, bowls). Obs.
Cf. Main sb.1 7. But in the first quot. a maine may pos-
sibly be Amain cutv,
1589 Nashe Martins Months Mind To Rdr. C3b, To
shoote a maine for the vpshot, at the fairest mnrkes of
all. 181a Sporting Mag. XXXIX. 19 The champion has won
a main, and certainly Molineux could have no chariot in
any combat with him, 1886 Cheshire Gloss. s.v., A main
at bowls is a match played by a number of couples, the
winners again playing in couples against each other till one
man is left the victor. [Cf. Welsh main in 3.]
3. A match fought between cocks. Hence occas.
a number of cocks engaged in a match. Welsh
main (see quot. 1770) ; trans/, (see quot. 1886).
[c 1685-8 MS. LJfe of Aldtrman Barnes in I'rand Pop.
Antiq. {1813) I. 481 His chief Recreation was Cock-fighting.
..One Cock particularly he had, called 'Spang Counter',
which came off victor in a great many battles a la main.
1716 Lond. Gaz. No. 5429/4 There will he I!y-I!attles, . .
And in the Afternoon will begin the main Match.] 1760 R.
Hebek Horse Matches ix. 154 A Main of Cocks were
fought between the D. of Cleveland and Ld. Northumber-
land. 1770 S. Pegge in Archarolcgia (1775) I. 149 The
Welsh-main consists, we will suppose of sixteen pair of
cocks ; of these the sixteen conquerors are pitted a second
time; the eight conquerors of these are pitted a third time;
the four conquerors the fourth time; and lastly, the two
conquerors of these are pitted a fifth time. 1828 Scott
F. M. Perth xxi, Laying schemes for massacring men on
Palm Sunday, as if he were backing a Welsh main, where
all must fight to death. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng. xvii.
IV. 57 The dexterity with which he .. turned conversation
away from matters of state to a main of cocks or the
pedigree of a racehorse. 1880 Jefferies Gr. Feme F. 59
He could swear and drink no more, nor fight a main of
cocks every Sunday afternoon on his dining room table.
1886 Cheshire Gloss, s.v., There is also the term Welsh
main, applied in a secondary sense to voting : voting until
two only are left in, and then for those two alone. 1890
H. Frederic Lawton Girl 33, I've seen dog-fights and
cock-mains in England.
Main (m^n), sb* Also 7 meane. [a. F. main.]
f 1. Her. The hand. Obs.
1688 R. Holme Armoury i. 103/2 Our old English terms
were.. Maine for Hand. Meane Dexter for R. Hand.
2. ' A banker's shovel for coin' (Knight 1875).
Cf. F. main, 'pelle de tule, a manche de bois tres-court*
(Littre).
Main (m^n),a. Forms: [1 mas3en-],3 msein,
4-7 mayn, 5 Se. mane, 5-7 mayne, 6-7 maine,
maigne, 5- main. [Prob. partly repr. OE.
mtegen- (Main sb.1) in compounds, and partly an
adoption of the cognate ON. megenn, megn adj.,
strong, powerful; in some uses (e.g. in Main sea
= ON. megensid?-) it seems to represent ON.
?negen- ( = Main sb.1) in compounds.
It is doubtful whether the development of the Eng. word
owes anything to the influence of OF. maine, maigne
great :— L. magnns. The ( )Fr. word is purely poetical, and
occurs chiefly as an epithet of kings and nobles; it may
prob. have influenced the use of main by ME. poets, but
the only unequivocal evidence of its adoption is the 15th c. Sc.
Ale.xandir the mane, Charlis the mane (see Mane a.).]
1. Strong, vigorous, mighty; possessed of, mani-
festing, or exerting, great physical strength 01
force, fa. Said of acts or activities which imply
force or energy. Obs.
[Beou'ulf 1519 (dr.) M;exeiirses for^eaf hildebille.] 13..
Can'. <y Gr. Knt. 336 No more mate ne dismayd for hys
mayn dintez. 1:1400 Destr, l'?oy 6gi$ He myst of be man
with his mayn dynt. c 1600 in Boys' Whs. (1629) 626 Jesu
thy loue within me is so maine, .. That with thy loue m,y
heart is well nigh rent. 1629 Maxu ell tr. Iterodian (16 55'
273 If they be driven to fly, or pursue the eneime, their long
loose garments are a maine let to them. 1641 Baker Chron.
(1660)87 Ibis was a main blow to Prince Lewis, and the
last of his battels in England. 1644 DjGBV Mans Soul
(1645) 33 These two powcifull motives . . have so maine an
influence in mens actions. 1653 II. Moke Antid, .-lilt. 11.
viii. (1712) 6a Without main violence done to our Faculties
we can in no wise deny it. 1667 Milton /'. L. VI. 243 Soar-
ing 011 main wing. 1671 — Samson 1634 Those two massie
Pillars That to the arched roof gave main support. 1671
II. Fot'Lis Hist. Rom. Treasons III. ii. 136 She also gave
a main stroke against Cecchino.
b. As an epithet offeree, strength, etc. : Kxerted
to the full, sheer. Esp. in phr. by (or •fwith)
main force; + similarly, by or with main strength,
dint, power, courage, importunity, labour, fll'ith
main logic by sheer force of reasoning.
[Beowulf sdyZ (fir.) |»a ^en guScyning niieida xt'iim'^c,
niaesenstrengo, sK.>h luldehtlle. a 1000 Guthtac 1105 iLlr.)
pas werus stihtung, mod & msegencraft.] 1542 Hfxon
Christinas Banq. F viij, Therfore ought all men. .with all
mayne & ftancke courage to apply themselues to the dili-
gent practyse of good wurkes. 1579 Lvi.y En/hues (Arb. )
ni Loue creepeth into the minde by priuie craft, and
kecpeth his holde by maine courage. 1579 Ft'I.KK Re/.
Rastel 734 M. K. hath gotten the day, and that with maine
logike. 1593 Shaks. 2 Hen. VI, 1. i. 20S '1 bat Maine, which
by maine force VVarwicke did winne. 1605 Vemstecan I'ci.
Inietl. iii. (1628) 56 By meere valour and maine force of
amies they attained vnto their desired habitation. 1613
Shaks. Hen. I'll/, 11. ii. 7 A man of my Lord Caidi nails, by
Commission, and maine power tooke 'em from me. 1651
I Iobbes G/T't. Sf Soc. iii. S 9. 43 Each one.. is supposM, with
all his main might, to intend the procurement of those
things which are necessary to his own preservation. 1655
Fuller Ch. Hist. 11. v. § 46 Next Night they on afresh ; and,
with main Force, plucked up the ponderous C'oflin upon the
Pavement, a 1680 Butleb Rem. (1751;) II. 68 To pioseeute
his suit, till lia-rgcover it against him by main Importunity.
1687 LoVKi.L tr. Thevenots Trav. 1. 18 They [old Galleys]
were carried by main strength over the Isthmus of Corinth.
1697 tr. Le Comte*s Mem. a> Rem. China iv. (1737) 103 By
main labour they drained the water. 1755 Smollett Qnix.
(1803) II. 182 We were. .by main dint of rowing kept from
running a-ground. 1810 Scott Lady of L. 1. xxiv, Yel with
main strength his strokes he drew. 1849 Macaulay Hist.
Eng. i. I. 123 To restrain his musqiieteers and dragoons
from invading by main force the pulpits of ministers.
+ c. Ol motion, etc. : Swift, speedy, rapid.
A main pace or speed = at full speed. Obs.
1577-87 Holinshei) t"//?-<?«. (1807-8) II. 254 They were con-
stramd. .to run awaie a maine pase. 1581 Savii.E Tacitus,
Hist, iv, xi. (1591) 175 With a maine course [he] drewe the
whole manage of affaires into his owne handes. 1607 Mark-
ham Caval. III. x. 51 Some Horsemen, .wil. .hreake into a
maine chace and so giue their Horse a sweat e. 1609 Dekker
Ravens Aim. C, Citizens, Schollers and Saylers thinke a
horse neuer goes fast enough though he run a maine gallop.
a 1625 Fletcher Cust. Country 1. i, We saw e'm Making
with all maine speed to 'th port. 1632 ]. Haywako tr.
Biondis Eromena 4 Gallopping a maine speede out of the
Quirie.
+ d. By or with main hand', with a strong
hand, forcibly. Obs.
1567 Fenton Trag. Disc. Ep. Ded., Vet, brydlinge wythe
maine hand, the humour of theyr inordinate luste. 1583
Golding Calvin on Dent, lxxii. 444 God therefore must be
faine to ouermaster vs, and to tame vs by maine hande.
t e. Of drink : Potent. Of a voice or cry :
Loud. Of a fit, a storm : Violent. Obs.
13.. Gaw. <y Gr. Knt, 497 pa; men ben mery in mynde,
quen bay han mayn drynk. 1582 Stanyhurst /Eneis in.
(Arb.) 72 With mayne noise lifted to the slayne soule lastlye
we shouted. 1611 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. ix. xv. (16231 810
[He] made towards his Pages with a maine cry. 1627 Abp.
Ahbot Narr. in Rushw. Hist. Coll. (1659) '• 449 My main
fit of the Stone did call upon me to get me to the Countrey.
1628 Digby Voy. Medit. (1868) 51 It was a maine storme.
t 2. Of an army, host, multitude : Great in num-
bers ; numerous; * mighty'; powerful in arms.
In i6-i7th c, the usual epithet distinctive of a
complete and equipped army, as opposed to small
or irregular forces. Main battle : a pitched battle,
as opposed to mere skirmishing. Obs.
[a 900 Cynewule Crist 877 (Gr.) Swa on syne beor^ somod
up cymeo" ma^enfolc micel.] a 1400-50 Alexander 3018
He had of men out of mynde many mayn hundreth. 1529
More Dyaloge m. Wks. 227/2 That company, wherof there
is such a main multitude, c 1540 tr. Pot. Verg. Eng. Hist.
(Camden No. 29) 42 Returned againe with a mayne hoste
to relieve his people. 1555 Eden Decades 116 They goo
foorth .. with a mayne armye of purpose to hunt for men.
1368 Grafton Chron. II. 497 And first the warre beganne
by light skirmishes, but after it proceeded into mayne
battles. 1583 Stocker Civ. Warres Lowe C. 1. 29 King
Philip.. determined.. to come downe. .with a mayne force.
1602 Marston Ant. % Met. 111. Wks. 1856 I. 33 Huge troups
of barbed steeds, Maine squares of pikes, millions of hargue-
MAIN.
48
MAIN.
bush. 1601 Carew Cornwall (1769) 149 To withstand any
great Navie or maigne invasion. 1612 Daviks Why Interna,
etc. 19 This young Prince.. with a traine of yong Noble-
men and Gentlemen,, .but not with any maine army, came
ouer to take possession of his new Patrimony. i62oShelton
Quix. iv. iii. II. 34 My Father knew that this Giant, .would
pass with a main power into my Land.
3. Of material things, animals, etc. : Of great
size or bulk. (Sometimes connoting strength,
resisting power, or the like.) Obs. exc. dial,
[Beowulf '3091 (Gr.) Ic on ofoste &efeng micle mid mun-
dum ma^enhyrdenne hord^estreona. a 1000 Boeth. Mctr.
v. 16 05 him on innan felS muntes ma^enstan.] c 1205 Lav.
15292 ^Knne muchelne ma;in clubbe he bar an his rugge.
13. . Gau>. Iff Gr. Knt. 187 \>e mane of J>at mayn hors. c 1400
Destr. Troy 8748 The triet stones.. lemet so light, bat ledes
might se A bout e midnyght merke as with mayn torches.
a 1400-50 Alexander 3932 pan mys out of bis marras as any
mayn foxes Come furth. 1604 K. G[rimstone] D'Acostas
Hist. Indies iv. iv. 212 In their Temples they set vppe maine
Images of pure golde. 1607 Walkington Opt. Glass 125
Hoist vp to the ridge of a maine billow, c 1630 Risdon
Surv. Devon § 329 (1811) 340 A man of extraordinary
strength and stature. A main stone,, .by him thrown a far
distance, witnesseth the one. 1667 Milton P. L. vi. 654
Themselves invaded next, and on thir heads Main Promon-
tories flung. 1850 Gower Dial, in Proc. Philol. Soc. IV.
232 Main, strong, fine (of growing crops). 1883 Hampshire
Gloss. s.v., ' What a great main pond ! *
b. Of quantity or amount : Large. Obs. exc. dial.
1609 Holland Amm. Marcell. xxii. vii. 199 A maine
deale of water breaketh forth. 1868 in N. $ Q. 4th Ser. II.
287 My vowles eat a main deal of barley. 1894 Raymond
Love <y Quiet Life iv. 34 He axed a main lot o questions.
4. Said of a considerable, uninterrupted stretch
of land or water; occas. also of void space. See
Mainland, Main sea.
a 1548 Hall Citron., Hen, J 'III (1550) 258 The army., so
returned home by land, through all the mayn contry of
Scotlande. 1553 Eden Treat. Nrwe Ind. (Ark) 7 The
mayne South sea. 1577 R, WiLLES Eden's Decades Pref.
1 The disconery of Peru, in the maigne west Indish lande.
1630 R. Johnson's Kingd. $ Comntw. 119 Upon the West,
the South, and the North, the maine Ocean incomuasseth it.
1660 tr. Amyra/dus' Treat, cone. Relig. III. viii. 481 An
infinite essence, .diffus'd infinitely in the mane space, beyond
the world. 1667 Milton P. L. ill. 83 Whom no bounds
Prescrib'd, no barrs of Hell.. nor yet the main Abyss Wide
interrupt can hold. Ibid. vn. 279 Over all the faceof Earth
Main Ocean flow'd. 1867 Smyth Sailors IVord-bk., Main-
ice, a body of impenetrable ice apparently detached from the
land, but immovable.
+ b. Of earth, rock: Forming the principal or
entire mass ; 'solid'. Obs.
1538 Lki.and I tin, V. 79 Penbroke . . standith on a veri
maine Rocki Ground. 1586 Waknf.r Alb. Eng. 1. vi. (1589)
18 The entrance is so straite, Cut out the rough maine stonie
Rocke. 1615 G. Sandys Trap. 174 In the vineyards are
sundry places of buriall hewne out of the maine rocke. 1632
Llthgow Trav. 11. 56 The large promontore. .eight miles in
length, being the face of a square and maine Rocke. 1638
Junius Paint. Ancients 68 Fountaines gushing forth out of
a main rock. 1647 Striggk Anglia Rediv. 111. i. (1854) 133
Sir Charles Lloyd . . had added to the strength of its natural
situation, .having cut out of the main earth several works.
+ c. Of main white \ mainly of white. Obs,
1523 FnzHF.RB. Husb. § 68 Put. .to your coloured mares
of mayne whyte, ahorse of colour of mayn whyte.
f 5. Of an affair, event, etc.: Highly important ;
having great results or important consequences;
momentous. Rarely const, to. Obs.
1581 Mulcastf.r Positions Ep. Ded. (1887)4 Many and
maine affaires of your estate. 1602 Warner Alb. Eng.
Epit., Hasten we to our purposed prosecution of State
matters, mainer, and of more note. 1613 Shaks. Hen. VIII,
111. ii. 215 What croste Diuell Made me put this maine
Secret in the Packet I sent the King? a 1619 Fletcher
Mad Lover in. 1, 'Tis a maine worke and full of feare. a 1626
Bacon New Ail. (1900) 19 So you see, by this maine
Accident of Time, wee lost our TrafTique with the Americans.
1643 Milton Divorce IL be. Wks. 1851 IV. 8$ In competi-
tion with higher things, as religion and charity in mainest
matters. 1667 — /*. L. vi. 471 That, which thou aright
lieleivst so main to our success. 1671 — P. R. I. 1 12 They
all commit the care And management of this main enter-
prize To him their great Dictator.
b. Of a person: Great, mighty (in power, rank
or position), rare.
[a gooCYNKWULK Crist m? (Gr-> Waldendescyme, maexen-
cyninges.] c 1400 Destr. Troy 10290 The Mirmydons hade
mynd of be mayne troiell. Ibid. 10294 But inony of bo
Mirmydons be mayn knight slogh. 1623 Fletcher &
Rowley Maid in Mill 111. ii, How dare you (Sirrha), 'gainst
so main a person, A man of so much Noble note and honour,
Put up this base complaint ?
6. Of things in general, qualities, conditions,
actions, etc. : Very great (in degree, value, etc.) ;
highly remarkable (for some quality indicated by
the sb.) ; very great or considerable of its kind.
(Occas. in superlative^) Obs. exc. dial.
[c 1000 Ags. Go$p. Matt. xxv. 31 ponne mannes sunu cymS
on hys maifcen-brymme.] 13.. Gaw. fyGr. Knt. 94 Of sum
mayn meruayle, bat he myjt trawe. c 1400 Destr. Troy
8807 pen bos maistersgert make, all with mayncrafte, Fovre
lampis full light, a 1400-50 Alexander ym J>ai wi;tly
him sente . . Of mony & of mekill quat mayn giftis. 1565
Jewel Def. Apol. (161 1) 41 And this he reckoneth for a
great maine lie. 1573 G. Harvey Letter-bk. (Camden) 23
Slain evils you know must have main remmedies. 1600 H icy-
wood 1st Pt. Edw. IV, Wks. 1874 I. 32 Affaires, I mean, of
so maine consequence, a 1619 Fletcher Mad Lover 11.
ii, And to purchase This day the company of one deare
Custard, Or a messe of Rice ap Thomas, needs a maine wit.
1634 Relat. Ld. Baltimore s Plantat. (1865) 8 The losse of
pmch linnen, and amongst the rest, I lost the best of mine
which is a very maine losse in these parts. 1638 Featly
Strict. Lyndovi, 11. 1 1 And indeed this is one of our mainest
exceptions against the Roman Church. a 1656 Usshek
Ann. vi. (1658) 96 Cyaxares and Cyrus, inarch against the
Babylonian King and Croesus, and gain a main Victory
against them. 1668 H. More Div. Dial. II. 437 He pro-
fesses he understands clearly the truth of severall Prophecies
of the mainest concernment. 167* Marvell Rclt.Transp.
1. 80 We shall find ere we have done that there is still a
mainer reason. 1815 Scott Guy M. v, It's a main untruth.
1883 Stevenson Treas. Isl. 11. xii. (1886) 95 It [the island]
were a main place for pirates once.
b. With sb. indicating a person or agent : Great,
remarkable, or pre-eminent for the quality or
characteristics indicated. Obs. exc. dial,
c 1400 Destr. Troy 12260 Thelamon. .manast horn mightily
as his mayn fos. 1642 Rogers Naaman 346 That carnal!
reason is a maine enemy to all the matters of revealed
truths. 1654 WHITLOCK Zootomia 497 Many a one that in
his own conceit is a main Husband, and is forward enough
to call some. .prodigal), will l>ee found to live, as I said, but
in another Street of it. 1691 Woon Ath. Ox on, II. 328
Mathew Hazard .. a main Incendiary in the Reljcllion.
1777 Sheridan Trip Scarb. v. ii, 1 am a main bungler at a
long story, i860 Penrupdocke Content 31 (E. D. D.) Vow
be a main fool.
"|C. Main and . , . = Main adv. (Cf. fine
and . ., nice and . . .) dial.
1762 Collins Misc. 13 iHalliw.) Observing Dick looked
main and blue. 1863 Mrs. G ask ell Sylvia's L. xxh II.
121 T'shop is doing main an' well. 1895' Rosemary' Chil-
ternsv. 163 He 's a main an' bad, and I believe as 'ee's took
for death.
7. Chief in size or extent ; constituting the bulk
or principal part; the chief part of (that which is
denoted by the sb.). Alain body, + battle, the body
of troops which form the bulk of an army or armed
force, marching between the vanguard and the rear.
1593 Shaks. 3 Hen. VI. u i. 8 Ix)rd Clifford and Lord
StalTord all a-brest Charg'd our maine Hattailes Front. 1600
— A. V. L. 111. v. 103 To gleane the broken eares after the
man That the maine haruest reapes. 1603 Knolles Hist.
Turks (1621) 195 In the maine battell he stood himselfe; the
vaimtgard was conducted by Temurtases, 1640 Fuller
Joseph's Coat (1867) n The apostle, commending the
Corinthians, meaneth the main and general body of the
church, though there might be many stragglers justly to be
reproved. 1642 Rogers Naaman To Rdr., Into which the
maine sap of the root is carried. 1670 Cotton Esperuou 1.
in. iii The King of Navarre commanded the Vant -Guard
of the Army, and his Majesty himself the main Battel, reserv-
ing the command of the Rear for the Duke of Espernon.
1687 T. BROWN Saints in Uproar Wks. 1730 I. 78 Whether
you march 'd in one main body, or in several columns. 1761
Hume Hist. Eng. II. xxvii. 131 Lord Howard led the main
body of the first line. 1775 Johnson Let. to Mrs. 'Titrate
1 Aug., Our business is to pursue their main army, and dis-
perse it by a decisive battle, 1807 Southey Espriella's
Lett. I. 277 Of the baptismal names the main proportion
are Saxon and Norman. 1812 Wellington Disp. 28 July
in Examiner 24 Aug. 535/2 The main Iwxly of the allied
army is., on the Adajaand Zapardiel rivers. 1849 Macau lay
Hist, Eng. iv. I. 456 The sturdy country gentlemen who
formed the main strength of the Tory party.
f b. Referring or pertaining to all or the ma-
jority; general. Obs.
'599 Shaks. Hen. V, 1. ii. 144 We do not meane the cours-
ing snatchers onely, Put feare the maine intendment of the
Scot. 1602 — Ham, 1. iii. 28 Which is no further, Then the
maine voyce of Denmarkc goes withall. 1613 — Hen. I Til,
IV. i. 31 lly the maine assent Of all these learned men, she
was diuore'd. cx6i8 Fletcher Queen 0/ Corinth n. iii,
For I am nothing now but a maine pestilence Able to poy-
son all. a 1638 Meuk //'a\j. (1672) 761 There may be some
Pradudiaof some particulars converted upon other motives,
as a forerunner of the great and main Conversion.
8. Great or important above others of the kind ; of
pre-eminent importance ; principal, chief, leading.
1588 J. Udall Demonstr. Discipl. (Arb.) 42 They fight
hard against this, because it striketh at a maine pillar of
their kingdome. 1594 Hooker Eccl. Pol. iv. i. § 2 In every
grand or main public duty which God retmirethat the hands
of his Church. 1602 Shaks. Ham. 1. i. 105 And this (I take
it) Is the maine Motiue of our Preparations. 1618 BOLTOM
Florns (1636) 47 Capua, .once accounted after Rome, and
Carthage, the third maine City of the World. 1633 l!r.
Hall Occas. Medit. 138 Every parcell thereof shall seeme
maine and essentiall. 1651 Hobhes Leviatti. in. xxxiv. 210
Submission to that main Article of Christian faith, that
Jesus is the Christ. 1667 Milton P. L. 11. 121 If what was
urg'd Main reason to perswade immediate Warr, Did not
disswade me most. 1732 Law Serious C. i. (ed. 2) 15 They
are like Heathens in alTthe main and chief articles of their
lives. 1779 Sheridan Critic if, ii, Let your under-plot have
as little connection with your main-plot as possible. 1852
H. Rogers Eel. Faith (1853) 166, I went carefully over all
the main points of the argument, i860 Tynoall. Glac. II.
xxi. 341 Mr. Thomson's main thought was familiar to ine
long before his first communication, .appeared. i86«; Lf.cky
Ration. II. v. 178 The main champions of tyrannicide were
the Jesuits. 1867 Frekman Norm. Cong. (1876) I. App. 779
The statements may be grouped under two main heads.
b. Chief or principal in permanent relation to
others of the same kind or group. In many
collocations, e.g. main drain, road, street, saver,
pipe, stream, root, line (of a railway), sometimes
written with a hyphen.
a 1490 Uotoner Itin. (Nasmith 1778) 260 The hyest toure
called the mayn, id est myghtyest toure aboue all the iiii
towres. 1551-60 Inv. in H. Hall Eliz. Soc. (1887) 151 Twoo
great standing chestes withe one mayne cheste. 1568
Grafton Chron. II. 23 The maine roofe of the great Church
of Sarisbury was consumed and brent with light nyng. 1610
W. Folkingham Art of Survey 11. v. 55 Plant not the Table
at euery Angle, but, . .extend from some fewe Maine Angles
..Base lines., for Boundaries. 1615 W. Law son Country
Housew. Gard. (1626* 15, I vtterly dislike the opinion of
those great Gardiners, that . . would haue the maine roots
cut away. 16x7-18 in Swayne Sarum Church-iv. Ace.
( 1896) 167 Mendinge one of the maine pypes of the Organ.
1667 Milton P. L. iv. 233 The neather Flood,, .now divided
into four main Streames. 1707-12 Mortimer Husb. (1721)
I. 23 Make your main Drains wide and deep enough to
carry off the Water from the whole Level. 1741-3 Wesley
Extract of Jrnl. (1749) 117 They made no more stop 'till
they had carried me thro' the main-street, from one end of
the town to the other. 1818 Scott Hrt. Midi, vii,
Opening.. the wicket of the main-gate. 1820 W. Irving
Sketch Bk. I. 50 After turning from the main road up a
narrow lane. 1840 Dickens Barn. Rudge lxvii, They
meant to cut off the main-pipes, so that there might be no
water. 1858 Lytton What will he do 1. i, The main street
was lined with booths. 1865 Troi.lopk Belton Est. vii. 74
At Taunton there branched away from the mainline that
line which was to take her to Perivale. 1876 Encycl. Brit.
IV. 467/2 A rate of fall of 1 in 120.. is desirable, .for a main
sewer. 1878 Act 41 (V 42 Vict. c. 77 § 15 Where it appears
to any highway authority that any highway . . ought to
become a main road by reason of its being a medium of com-
munication between great towns [etc.]. 1879 Sir G. Scott
Lect. Archil. I. 195 An eastern transept, in addition to that
at the main crossing. 1884 Bower & Scott De Bary's
Phauer. 357 The subsidiary roots., in this class., usually far
exceed the main-roots in thickness. 1889 Spectator 9 Mar.
331/2 The burglar who leaves the back-door open forescape
in case the policeman should enter by the main entrance.
f9. Main food', a. High water, b. A large
or full-flowing body of water. Also main tide
(in quot. /£■.). c. The ocean or Main sea. Obs.
c 1303 Reg. Pal. Duvelm. (Rolls) HI. 40 Et eadem aqua
mensurari debet a le mainflod, quando eadem aqua ita rluit
uLsit plena de bank' en bank'. 1311 Ibid. I. 8 Eadem aqua
mensurari debet ad mayne flod. 1549-62 Stehnholu & H.
Ps, cxiv. 8, I meane the God which from hard rocks Doth
cause mayne flouds appeare. 1555 W. Watreman Fardte
Facions Pref. n Riuers, and maigne floudes, whichc.ouer-
flowed the neighboured aboute. 1596 Shaks. Merch. V. IV.
i. 72 You may as well go stand vpon the beach, And bid the
maine flood baite his vsuall height. 1596 Dalrymple tr.
Leslie's Hist. Scot. I. 35 Quhatevir land is betueine thir
twa mane fludes Forth southward, and Tai northward, Fife
is called. 1605 Camden Rem. (1637) 13 If I should but
enter into consideration thereof, I should be over-whelmed
with maine tides of matter.
10. Naut, in the sense 'pertaining to, connected
with, or near the mainmast or mainsail*, as main-
bonnet, -boom, -bo7i'lines, -bridles, -capstan, -chains,
f -dryiige (?), -hatch, -hatchway, -hold, -jeers,
\ -knight, -lifts, -parrels, -pendant t -rigging, -royal,
-royal-mast, -shrouds, -spencer, studding-sail,
-tack, -taeklej -truck, -truss, -tyes. Also Main-
BKACE, etc.
1485 Naval Ace. Hen. VII (1896) 37 Mayne shrowdes.
Ibid. 39 Maine perells. Ibid. 47 Mainestaies. .Maynetyes.
Ibid. 48 Mayne trusses. Ibid., Mayne takkes. Ibid.,
Mayne lyfts. Ibid., Mayne Bowlynes, Ibid. 53 Mayne
drynges. 1495 Ibid. 198 Mayne Jeres. 1626 Capt. Smith
Accid. Yng. Seamen 14 The maine-shroudes and chaines.
Ibid. 15 The maine bowling and bridles. 1635 Brereton
Trav. (Chethain Soc.) 125 The Sailors did in all haste take
down the lower part of the main-sail and the foresail, which
they call the main-bowline or main bonnet. 1678 Phillii's
(ed. 4) s.v., Fore-knight and Main-knight, in Navigation
are two short thick pieces of Wood carved, with the head of
a Man fast bolted to the Beams upon the second Deck. 1712
W. Rogers Voy. 34 He was lashd to the Main-Gears and
drub'd. 1748 Ansoti's I'oy. 1. viii. 80 Two of our main-
shrouds, .broke. Ibid. x. 99 We. .lost a main studding-sail-
boom. 1769 Falconer Diet. Marine (1780) Bbb 3 b, The
main-boom of a brig, sloop, or schooner. 1772-84 Cook I \y.
(1790) V. 1914 The main-tack of the Discovery gave way.
1833 Marryat /'. Simple xv, The second lieutenant went
up the main-rUiging. 1835 Sik J. Ross Narr. -zud Voy.
vi. 87 The main and fore hatchway. 1858 Simmonds
Diet. Trade, Chain-plates.. take their name from the mast
and are hence called fore-chains, main-chains, or mizen-
chains. 1861 Sat. Rev. 22 June 635 Entire freedom from
dizziness.. is possessed by every sailor who mounts to the
maintruck of a man-of-war. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-
bk., Main-tackle, a large and strong tackle, hooked occasion-
ally upon the main pendant. 1872 Blackmokk Maid of
Skcr (1881) 46 The ship had no canvas left, except some
tatters of the fore-topsail, and a piece of the main-royals.
1897 R. Kipling Captains Courageous iii. 62 Uncle Sailers
..sat stiffly on the main-hatch.
11. Special collocations in technical use (mostly
hyphened) : main-bar (seequot.); main-breadth,
main half-breadth (see quots.) ; main centre
(see qnot.) ; main couple Arch., the principal
truss in a roof; main earth, the chief 4 earth' in
which the fox kennels ; t main-holder (see quot.);
main keel, the principal keel of a ship, as distin-
guished from the false keel and the kelson ; main-
master (? supposed by Disraeli to be a miner's
word for a colliery owner') ; main-piece Ship-
building, (a) * the principal piece of timber in
a rudder ' ; (b) ■ the strong horizontal beam of
a windlass* (Smyth Sailors Word-bk. 1867);
(e) 'the principal piece of the head' (Knight
1875) ; main-plate, the principal plate of a lock ;
main-post Shipbuilding, the stern-post ; t main-
shire, ?an old name for Warwickshire; main-
transom Shipbuilding = wing-transom (Smyth) ;
main-wale Naut., the lower wale (Smyth) ;
main-way, the gangway or principal passage in
a mine ; main word, the term adopted in this
MAIN.
dictionary to designate a word of sufficient im-
portance to be regarded as a principal word, as
distinguished from a subordinate word or a com-
bination (see Preface pp. xviii-xix) ; main-work
Fortify 'the enceinte or principal works inclosing
the body of the place * (Knight Diet. Mech. 1S75).
1897 F.ncyci. Sport I. 341 (Driving), * Main-bar, the cross
timber fixed to the pole-head, from which hang the swing-bars
or leadingbars. e 1850 Rudim. Navig. (Weale) \-y>*Main-
hreadth, the broadest part of the ship at any particular timber
orframe. 1797 Kncyct. />'77V.(ed.3)XVII. 378/1 Main half
breadth, is a section of the ship at its broadest part, c 1850
Rudim. Navig. (Weale) 130 Main half breadth, half of the
main breadth. 1858 R. Murray Marine Engines (ed. 3) 231
*Main centre, in side-lever engines, is the strong shaft upon
which the side levers vibrate. 1842 Gwilt A rchit. Gloss. 958
The *maincouplesanswer to the trusses. 1897 Encyel. Sport
I. 582 (Hunting), *Main ^w/Z/.thefox' sown lair and breeding
place. 1688 R. Holme Armoury n. 84/1 In the Root there
is The "Main-holder, which is that part of the root next the
tree. 1769 Falconer Diet. Marine^ (1780) s.y. Keel, The
false-keel, which is also very useful in preserving the lower
side of the *main keel. 1845 Disraeli Sybil in. i, It's as
easy for a miner to speak to a ^main-master, as it is for me
to pick coal with this here clay, c 1850 Rudim. Navig.
(Weale) 144 It [the rudder] is formed of several pieces of
timber, of which the *main piece is generally of oak. 1867
Smyth Sailor's Word-bk., Main-piece, the strong horizontal
* beam of the windlass. 1677 Moxom Mech. Exerc. 22 Cut
out of an Iron plate with a Cold Chissel the size and shape
of the *Main-Plate. C1850 Rudim. Navig. (Weale) 131
M tin f>ost. 1626 B. Jonson Masque of Owls, Though
that have been a fit Of our *main-shire wit. 1769 Fal-
coner Diet. Marine (1780) s.v. Walts. They are usually
distinguished into the *main-wale and the channel-wale.
1881 Raymond Mining Gloss., *Maimuay, a gangway or
principal passage. 1892 Daily Navs 3 Mar. 5/7 Counting
( mainways ', passages, and cuttings of all descriptions. 1833
Straith Fortif. 3 Detached works are those which it some-
times becomes necessary to construct beyond the range of
the defensive musketry of the *main works.
Main (m^n), adv. Now dial. [f. Main" a.
Cf. similar use of mighty ; also the use of ON.
megen- ( = Main sbA) in megenhatr very cheerful,
megenmildr very mild, megenvel very well.]
Very, exceedingly. (After the 17th c. chiefly in
representations of rustic or illiterate speech.)
1632 St. Papers Chas. 1, 17 May No. 216 fol. 56 I(Hampsh.
Gloss.), Sparing the Toppes of the Trees, which yeeld maine
good knees. 1647 Lilly Chr. Astral, xxxviii. 220 A maine
strong argument. #1700 B. E. Diet. Cant. Crew s.v., Main-
good, very good. 1741 Richardson Pamela I. 201 Ay, said
the Idiot, she is main good Company, Madam; no wonder
you miss her. 1754 Foote Knights it. i. (1765) 40 Waiter.
Would you chuse any refreshment? Suck. A draught of
ale, friend, for I'm main dry. 1794 Godwin Cat. Williams 40,
I know, your honour, that it is main foolish of me to talk to
you thus. 1828 Scott Jrnl. II. 149, I was main stupid
indeed, and much disposed to sleep, 1872 Punch 31 Aug.
91/1 Beg your pardon, sir ; but I be main deaf, to lie sure,
1897 Baring-Gould Bladys of the Steuponey viii, TheStew-
poney is a great house, and ours is a main little one.
Main, obs. f. Mane, Moan. Maina, var. Mina-.
Main-brace '. Naut. [See Matn#. and Brace
5/;. 3] The brace attached to the main-yard.
1487 Naval Ace. Hen. JV/11896) 67 Mayne brases. 1626
Capt. Smith Accid, Vug. Seamen 28 Ease your mayne
brases. 1801 Col. Stewart Narr. in Nicolas Disp.
Nelson (1845) IV. 309 By another shot several of the Marines,
while hauling on the main-brace shared the same fate. 1840
K. H. Dana Bef. Mast xxiii. 69 All the rest of the crew.,
tallied on to the main brace.
b. Araut. slang. To splice the main-brace : to
serve out 'grog'; hence, to drink freely.
1805 Naval Chron. XIII. 480 Now splice the main brace.
1833 Marryat P. Simple xv, Mr. Falcon, splice the main-
brace, and call the watch. 1836 Ht. Martineau Antobiog.
(1877) II. App. 480 Yesterday the captain shouted, for the
first time, 'Splice the main-brace'.
Mai'n-brace '-. [See Main a. and Brace sb.2]
A principal brace; Mech. in a system of braces,
that which resists the main strain.
1794 W. Ff.lton Carriages {1801) 1. 210 Main braces.. Are
what the body [of the coach] hangs by. 1870 Spons Diet.
Engin. II. 679 (Bridges) In Fig. 1394, U is the upper chord
. .M, main-brace.
Main chance. [Main a.]
■\- 1, A term in the game of Hazard ; - Main
sb.% 1. In quots. only fig. or allusive, a. The
venture or course of action from which most is
hoped ; the likeliest course to obtain success. To
stand to the main chance : ? to take one's own risk.
To look, have an eye, etc., to the main chance : to
use one's best endeavours, be solicitous (for some
object), b. The general probability with regard
to a future event or the success of an undertaking.
c. The most important point risked or at stake ;
also, the general outcome of a series of events;
the whole fortunes of a person, a nation, etc. Obs.
1579 Lyly Euphnes (Arb.) 104 Good Father either con-
tent your selfe with my choice [sc. of a husband], or lette
mee stande to the maine chaunce. 1587 Holinshed Chron.
Scot. 300 Nothing could be either more fond or foolish, than
to fight at pleasure of the enimie, and to set all on a maine
chance at his will and appointment. 1591 Greene Disc.
Coosnage (1592) C3 When their other trades fail.. then to
maintaine the main chance, they vse the benefite of their
wiues or friends. 1593 Nashe Four Lett. Confut. 84
Haue an eie to the maine-chaunce, for so sooner shall they
vnderstand what thou hast said by mee of them, but theyle
goe neere to haue thee about the eares for this geare. 1597
Vol. VI,
49
I Shaks. 2 Hen. IV, in. 1. 83 A man may prophecie With a
i neere ayme, of the maine chance of things, As yet not come
' to Life. 1600 Holland Livy ix. xviii. 327 Every one should
have lived and died according to the fatall course of his
owne severall destinie, without the hazard of the whole and
maine chance [L, summa rerum]. Ibid, xxi. xvi, 402 So
ashamed in themselves they were, ..and so mightily feared
the losse of the verie maine chance at home, as if the enemie
had beene already at the gates of the cittie. 1610 — Cam-
den s Brit. 1. 22 With whom the Romans for many yeeres
maintained war,, .for the very main-chance of life and living.
1625 I'lkchas Pilgrims 11. 1822 It behoued the Bashaw to
looke to the main chance for the quenching of the Fire. 1655
Fuller Ch. Hist. in. i. § 5 Vet witball he was carefull of
the main chance to keep the essentials of his Crown. 1703
, Collier Ess. II. 67 None so fit to prescribe, to direct the
enterprise, and secure the main-chance.
2. That which is of principal importance in life ;
' now esp. the opportunity of enriching oneself or
of getting gain ; one's own interests. (Often in
I phr. to have an eye to, be careful of the main
chance?)
1584 R. W. Three Ladies Land. 1. E ij b, Trust me thou
art as craftie to haue an eye to the mayne chaunce : As the
Taylor that out of seuen yardes stole one and a halfe of
durance. 1644 Hr. H all Serm. Rem. Wks. (1660) II, 136 Shall
we he Iesse carefull of the m.iin-chance, even of the eternal
inheritance of Heaven? 1693 Drydew Persius\\. (1697)497
Be careful still of the main Chance, my Son. 1698 Collier
Ess. Mor.Subj. 11. (ed. 3) 136 Wise men will, .take care oft lie
main Chance, and provide for Accident sand Age. 1751 John-
son Rambler No. 1 16 P 6 My Master., had all the good quali-
ties which naturally arise from a close and unwearied atten-
tion to the main chance. 1767 G ray in C'"';'. w. Nichol/s (1843)
69 Come quickly, if the main chance will suffer you, or I will
know the reason why. 1828 Lights £ Shades II. 159 A
Scotchman looks only to the main-chance. 1902 L. Stephen
Stud. Biographer IV. i. 36 It. .cannot he said that an eye
for the main chance is inconsistent with the poetical
character.
Maincheat, obs. form of Manchet.
Main-course. Naut. ? Obs, [See Main a.
and Course sb. 32.] = Mainsail.
C1515 Cocke LorelVs B. (Percy Soc.) 12 Some y» longe
bote dyde launce, some mende yu corse, Mayne corfe [read
corse] toke in a refe byforce. 1610 Shaks. Temp. \. \. 38
Down v«th the top-Mast ; yare, lower, lower, bring her to
Try with Maine-course. 1626 Cait. Smith Accid. Yng.
Seamen 16 The maine course or a paire of courses. 1687
B. Randolph Archipelago 102 Towards break of day we
handed our main course, but before it was well secured the
storm came. 1719 De Fop; Crusoe (1858) 11. ii, Having no
sails to work the ship with, but a main course [etc.], 1867
Smyth Sailors Word-bk.
Main-deck. Naitt. [See Main a. and Deck
sb. 2, 2 b.] a. In a man-of-war, the deck next
below the spar-deck, b. In a merchantman, that
part of the upper deck which lies between the
poop and the forecastle.
1748 Anson's Voy. in, vii. 360 The crew, .were drawn up
underarms on the main-deck. 1798 Anti-Jacobin No. 33
(1852) 189 We walk the main-deck. 1824 W. Irving T. Trav.
(1849) 416 There was a shout of victory from the main-deck.
1833 Marryat P. Simple vi, Washing down the main-deck.
attrib. 1868 Rep. to Govt. U. S. Munit. War26f That part
of the ship supported by and below the main-deck beams.
c. fig. Used for : The main body or chief
representatives (of).
1847 De Quincey Secret Societies Wks. 1863 VI. 258 No
round-robins, signed by the whole maindeck of the Platonic
Academy.
f Maine, sb. Obs. Also 5-6 mayne, Sc. mane,
6-7 mayn. [Aphetic f. demaine in Pain-demaine,
Demeine. (Cf. Manchet.)] Used attrib. in the
following terms : a. Maine bread, occas. (Sc.)
breid of mane (?also simply mane, quot. C1470),
bread of the finest quality ; - Pain-demaine, De-
meine. (The city of York was once famous for
a kind of bread so called.)
1443 Burgh Rec. Edinb. (1869) I. 7 It is. .ordanit that na
ba.vter baik na mayne breid to sell frahine furthwart, saiffing
allenarly at Witsounday [etc.]. c 1470 Hknryson Mor. Fab.
11. xviii. (ed. Laing), And mane full fyne scho brocht in steid
I of eeill. 1509 Test. Ebor. (Surtees) V. 5 And at tharbe ,
I skallapis of mayne breid. ?«iS5o Freiris Benvik 160 in
I Dunbar's Poems (1893) 290 And eik ane creill full of breid of
mane. Ibid. 376 Mayne breid. 1572 J. Jones Bathes Buck-
stone 9 b, But these and all other the mayne bread of York
, excelleth, for that it is of the finest floure of the Wheat
; well tempered, a 1578 Lindesay (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot.
j (S. T. S.) I. 337 Quhyte breid, maine breid, and gingebreid.
1584 Cogan Haven Health iv. (1636) 25 Good bread is
made thereof, especially that of Yorke, which they call Maine
1 bread. 1622 in J. J. Cartwright Cha£t. Hist. Yks. (1872)
I 281 Bakers, .disobedient in not bakeinge of mayn bread
I beinge an auncient mistery used in this cittie and in no
j other citties of this kingdome.
b. Maine flour, flour of the finest quality.
Maine multure, the portion of 'maine flour'
payable as multure.
a 1483 Liber Niger in Househ. Ord. (1790) 70 One yoman
! in this office [of Bakehouse] for the kinge's mouthe recevyng
; the mayne floure of the Sergeaunt, by tayle. 1523 Burgh
\ Rec. Edinb. (1869) I. 217 The baillies and counsall ordanis
all the maisteris of the baxter craft till content and pay to
the fermoraris thair mayne mutter, that is to say, of ilk iiij
laid that thai brek aboue ane pek of mayne flour, and gif
thai brek les to pay na thing. 1524-5 Ibid. 220 Als thai
ordane the saidis baxteris to pay the mayne flour to the saidis
fermoraris as vs and Wont hes bene in tymes bygane.
t Maine, v. Naut. Obs. Also mayne. [Aphetic
j f. Amain(e v.~\ trans. To lower (a sail).
MAINLAND.
! 1517 Torkington Pilgr. (1884) 59 He made vs to mayne,
that ys to sey stryk Downe ower sayles. 1579 T. Stk\ ens
irt Hakhiyfs Voy. (1599) II. 11. 99 When it is tempest almost
intolerable for other ships, and maketh them maine all their
sailes, these hoise vp, and saile excellent well.
Maine, obs. form of Mane, Meinie.
Maineath, variant of Manath Obs.
Maiixferre. Obs. exc. Hist. Also 5 mayne-
fere,7maineleere,maxnefaire, (S-o.//fVAmane-,
manifaire). [Perh. rcpr. F. mainfern'e (iron-chid
hand) or main-ele-fer (hand of iron) : the latter
occurs in this sense in Viollet-lc-T)uc Diet. Mobilier
fra/rcais (iSyq.) V. 449.] Some piece of armour ;
prob. the gauntlet for the lell arm, of which
. examples are preserved.
t 1470 in Arch eologia XVII. 292 A maynefere with a
ryngge. #1548 Hall Chron., Hen. IV 12 Some had the
niainferres, the close gantlettes the qmssettes the flancardes
dropped & gutted with red. 1631 in Archxologia XXXVI 1.
486 The horse's furniture being a saddle, barbe, crinett,. .
and for the man 2 gran gardes, 2 pa^gardes, 2 mainefeeres,
2 peer of vambraces [etc.]. 1660 Surv. Armoury Tower in
Archatologia XI. 99 Masking armor complete, reported to be
made lor king Henry the Seventh. .. Slainefaires, russet,
white. 1786 Grose Ane. Artnour y> [Writes the word as
nianefure, and erroneously refers it to Mank sb. ; hence
he treats it as synonymous with Crinikrf. So in Mryrick
1824. 1 1830 James Pamleyx, With his chanfron, snaffle-bit,
manifaire, and tinted poitrel. 1844 — Agincourt I. 77.
1 Mainful, a. Obs. In 3 meinfuT(e, 4 mayn-
ful. [f. Main j^.1 + -ful.] Powerful, mighty.
« 1225 Leg. Kath. 1097 purh -J? he is drihtin meinful .^
almihti. a 1225 Juliana 35 Lef me bat ich mute mihti
meinfule godd iseon him i-.cheomet. 13.. E. E. A /tit. P.
A. 109^ Ry^tas he maynful mone con rys, Er Jtcnne be day
! glem dryue al doun. Ibid. ¥•. 1730.
Main-guard.
1. Fortif. The keep of a castle ; also, the build -
! ing within a fortress in which the ' main-guard '
(sense 2 b) is lodged. Also fig.
1653 E. Watkkiigusk .-//('/. Learn. Pref., Nothing. . is ^j
I great a security to the main-guard of Religion, as well to
provide for her out-ports & lines of learning. 1662 Pepvs
Diary 19 Dec, With the Lieutenant's leave set them to
work in the garden, in the corner against the mayneguatd.
1690 Loud. (ia::. No. 2544/2 They passed the Ditch, and
made themselvt-s Masters of the Main-guard. 1778 Eng.
(iazelteer (ed. 2) s.v. Marlborough, The keep or main guard
of the castle. 1902 Daily Chron. 3 Mar. 3/1 The hideous
new main-guard which has been built close to the White
; Tower.
2. Mil. a. = Grand guard 2. b. (See quot. 187^1.)
1706 Phillips 'ed. Kerrey) s.v. Guard, Main Guard, (in
the Field) is a considerable Body of Horse sent out to the
H<-ad of the Camp to secure the Army, by diligently guard-
ing all the Avenues or Passages that lead to it. 1797 Encycl.
! fi>it.(cd. 3) VIII. 170/2 Main Guard, is that from which
all other guards are detached. 1876 Vovle & Stevenson
MHit. Diet, (ed, 3) s.v., Large forts or fortresses have a
main guard chosen from the troops garrisoning them, under
which guard all disturbers of the peace, drunkards, &c, are
placed.
Maingy, obs. form of Mangy a.
Mainland (rn/i'nlsend). Forms : see Main a.
I and Land sb.1 ; also 4-5 Sc. mauland. [See
Majn a. 4. Cf. ON. megenland.']
1. That continuous body of land which includes
the greater part of a country or territory, in contra-
distinction to the portions outlying as islands or
peninsulas, f Formerly occas. = land as opposed
to sea, terra fir -ma; also in ME. poetry, great ex-
tent of country, wide territory.
1375 Barbour Bruce in. 389 And then he thocht, but mar
delay, In-to the manland till arywe. ? a 1400 Morte Art/i.
427 And merke sythene over the mounttez in-to his mayne
londez. Ibid. 4071 This was a mache vn-mete, . .To melle
with that multitude in thase man londis. c 1470 Henry
Wallace x. 1015 Na man was left all this mayn land
[ -- Scotland] within, a 1490 Botoner Itin. (Nasmith
1778) 153 Insula Prestholm .. distat a le mayn lond circa
spacium duarum arcuum. 1511 Glvlforde Pilgr. (1851)
11 There be ij. stronge castelles stondynge upon two
rokkes . . and the Turkes mayne lande lyeth within .ij. or
.iij. myle of theym. 1527 K. Thorne in Hakluyt Voy.
I (1589) 253 It appeareth the said land that we found and the
j Indies to be all one maine land. 1530 Palsgr. 242/1 Mayne-
; land, terre ferine. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. (1858) I. 100
Befoir wes medow and mane land, Quhair now is nocht hot
salt, water and sand. 1600 E. Blount tr. Conestaggio 2 It
contains in circuit 850 miles, whereof 400 run along the Sea
shore, the rest is maine land. 1604E. G[rimstone] D'Acosta's
Hist. Indies 1. vi. 20 The Isles of Acores, Cape Verd and
others, . .are not above three hundred leagues or five hundred
from the Mayne land. 1719 De Foe Crusoe 1. xv, Friday,
the weather being very serene, looks very earnestly towards
the main land. 1838 Thirlwall Greece II. xii. 83 The
ancient iEolian cities on the main-land, .amounted to eleven.
1878 Huxley Physiogr. 168 Pillars of chalk have thus been
separated from the mainland.
b. Applied to the largest island of the Sbetlands
I and to the largest island of the Orkneys (Pomona).
1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. I. 63 Pomonia,
j quhilke is of sik a boundes that the inhabitouris calles it the
i mayne land. 1822 Scorr Pirate i, That long, narrow, and
' irregular island, usually called the Mainland of Zetland.
1846 M^Culloch Ace. Brit. Empire (1854) I. 315 There are
; about a dozen principal islands : Pomona, or the mainland,
being decidedly the largest.
2. attrib.
1810 Scott Lady of L. 111. xii, When it [sc. the boat] had
I 73
MAINLESS.
50
MAINPRISE.
neared the mainland hill. 1867 Symc's Aw Bot. (ed. 3)
VII. 49 Extending east to Sussex and mainland Hants.
1895 Westm. Gaz. 24 Oct. 4/2 The possible recognition by
mainland Powers of the Cubans as belligerents.
T3. (See quot.) Obs.
1686 Plot Staffordsh. ix. 341 A mixt sort of land, either
of Clay and Gravel, or Clay and Sand. .this, .they call in
the Moorelands their Main-land, which is indeed the best
they have.
Hence Mainlander, a dweller on the mainland.
i860 Palfrey Hist. Ne-w Eng. II. 359 The mainlanders
and the ishuiders. i88z A. J. Evans in A rcha?ologia~X.lN 'III.
17 We find a self-governing community, waging war with
the Illyrian mainlanders. 1897 Mary Kingsley IV. Africa
56 A thing that differentiates them more than any other
characteristic from the mainlanders.
I Mainless, a. Obs. [f. OE. mtercnUas, f.
mxjpn Main sb.*- + -le'as -less.] Powerless.
c 1000 /Elfric Gloss, in Wr.-Wulcker 162/24 Enerrtis,
ma^enleas. cisao Bestiary 128 He is lene and mainles.
II Main levee. [Fr. = (literally) 'raised hand '.]
Replevin.
1653 Sir R. Browne in Evelynys Diary, etc. (1S79) IV.
291 Captain Anthonio hath. .by this means obtained main-
levee of all the goods arrested.
"Mainly (rm'i-nli), adv. Forms : 3 mainliche,
5 maineliche, manly, 4-7 maynly, g-6 raayne-
ly, -lie, 6-7 mainely, 7- mainly, [f. Main a.
+ -LY 2.]
1 1. Of physical actions : \\ ith force, vigour, or
violence; mightily, vigorously, violently. Obs.
.1275 Lay. 1915, I grop bine bi ban gurdle, and hine
mainliche heof. Ibid. 14705 To-gadere hit come and main-
Hebe on-slowe. a 1400-50 Alexander 2042 Fra morne to be
mirke ni^t maynly bacocken [Dub/. MS. manly bai feghtyn].
1582 Stanyhubst ACneis iv. fArb.) 103 Not to the sky
maynely, but neere sea meanelye she [se. a bird] flickreth.
1586 Marlowe 1st Pt. Tamburl. 11. i. (1590) B2I), Such
breadth of shoulders as might mainely beare Olde Atlas
burthen. 1590 Spenser F. Q. 1. vii. 12 The geaunt strooke
so maynly mercilesse, That could have overthrowne a stony
towre. 1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 163 When he
would rid the ground of some wilde bushes, ..he laieth at
them mainely with his grubbing hooke or mattocke. 1621
Lady M. Wroth Urania 553 A terrible, fierce and mighty
boare, issued out of the wood, running mainly at Amphil-
anthus. 1640 tr. Verdere's Rom. Rem. III. 50 One of
them took his Scimitar. .and. .strook so mainly at his head,
that [etc.]. 1656 M. Ben Ishaf.l Find. Judxorum in Phenix
(1708) II. 396 Every day the Jews [they] mainly strike, and
buffet, shamefully spitting on them.
b. Of the production of sound : Lustily, loudly.
e-1275 Lav. 808 He. .his horn mainliche bleu. 13.. R. E.
A Hit. P. B. 1427 Maynly his marschal be mayster vpon
calles. 1563 Homilies 11. Passion 11. (1640) 184 He cried
mainely out against sinners. 1631 Wekver Arte Funeral
Mon. 15 They., cried out mainly. 1881 Slow IViltsh.
Rhymes 123 Mainly he did roar.
t c. Of expression, thought : Vehemently,
strongly ; earnestly, eagerly. Obs.
c 1400 Destr. Troy 13860 This mild of his moder so mainly
dessiret, bat [etc.]. a 1400-50 Alexander 1217 pan was ser
Meliager moued & maynly [Dubl. MS. manly] debatis.
Ibid. 34?4 My mekill mi^tfull gods I maynly 30W swere.
1588 J. UdaLL Demonstr. Discipl. (Arb.) 76 Men mainly
suspected of notorious transgressions. 1611 Speed Hist.
Gi. Brit. ix. xvb (1623) 847 His.. opinion.. was as mainely
opposed by the Cardinall.
f 2. In a great degree ; greatly, considerably,
very much, a great deal. Also occas. entirely,
perfectly. Obs.
c 1400-50 Alexander 934 His men & all be Messadones
full maynly ware siourbed. 1562 J. Heywood Prov. <$-
Epigr. (1867) in Thou fleest that vice not meanly nor
barely, But mainely, scrupulously. 1602 Shaks. Ham. iv.
vii. 9 As by your Safety, Wisedome, all things else, You
mainly were stirr'd vp. 1605 — Lear iv. vii. 65, I am
mainely ignorant What place this is. 1616 Beaum. & Fl.
Scornful Lady 11. i, The people are so mainely giuen to
spoonemeate. 1617 Fletcher Mad Lover in. iv, Still she
eyes him inainlie. 1628 Dicbv Voy. Medit. (1868J 6 Per-
ceiuing she \sc. a ship] gott mainely of vs wee gaue ouer
our chace. 170a Farquhar Inconstant 11. i, I like her
mainly. 177a I*ootf. Nabob 111. Wks. 1799 II. 318 Things are
mainly changed since we were boys. 1800 Lamb Lett. vi.
to Manning 51, I think we should suit one another mainly,
fb. Abundantly, copiously ; lavishly. Obs.
1618 J. Bullokar in Farr S. P. Jas. I (1847^ 29l Tfcb
precious liquor.. Whose sweet-distilling drops full mainly
showres Adowne his neck. 163a Lithgow Trav. 1. 25 This
Prouince is mainely watered through the middle with
stately Po. Ibid. ix. 381 Danser tooke the presence of the
Bashaw for a great fauour, and mainely feasted him with
good cheare.
c. Used as an intensive with adjs. and advs. =
Very, exceedingly. = Main adv. Now dial.
1670 Eachard Cont. Clergy 127 This invention pleases
some mainly well. 1684 Bcnyan Pilgr. 11. 191 She ioveth
Banqueting, and Feasting mainly well. 1718 D'Urfev
Grecian Heroines', ii, I like mine mainly well, faith. 1748
Smollett Rod. Rand. xxiv. (1760) I. 193 The captain was
mainly wroth, and would certainly have done him a mis-
chief. 1890 Glouc. Gloss., Main, Mainly, very, exceedingly.
3. For the most part ; in the main ; as the chief
thing, chiefly, principally.
1667 Milton /'. L. xi. 519 Ungovern'd appetite,, .a brutish
vice, Inductive mainly to the sin of Eve. 1695 Woodward
Nat. Hist. Earth iv. 188 The metallick. .matter, .was. .ori-
ginally, .interspersed, .amongst the.. Matter, whereof the
said Strata mainly consist. 1820 Marshall Const. Opin.
(1839) 218 The cause depends mainly on the validity of this
act. 1874 Green Short Hist. iv. § 3. 183 The body of com-
missioners which the King nominated were mainly Scotch.
I 1894 J. T. Fowi.fr Adamnan Introd. 15 It is with Ireland
that we are mainly concerned.
Mainmast (m^'nmust, -mast), [f. Main a.
(sense 10) + Mast.] The principal mast in a ship.
15. . [see tjj. 1596 Si'ENSKR Pies. St. Ireland Wks. (Globe)
666/2 So that he might sitt, as it were, at the very mayne
mast of his shipp. 161 1 Shaks. U'int. 7". in, iii. 94 The Sbippe
boaring the Moone with her maine Mast. 1634 BjUUUETOH
Trav. iChetham Soc.) 169 The main-mast which is placed
almost in the middle of the ship. 1748 Anson s Foy. 11. iv. 161
We convened the fore-mast of the Victualler into a main-mast
for the Tryal Sloop. 1764 Veitch in Phil. Trans. LIV.
2S7 Sometimes the name of main-mast is applied to all the
three pieces as they stand erected, and sometimes to the
lower piece, or part of the mast only: anil when they are
distinguished severally, they are called the main-mast,
main top-mast, and main-top-gallant-mast. 1855 Browhikg
By the Fireside iii, Out we slip To cut from the hazels by
the creek A mainmast for our ship.
b. at/rib., as mainmast-top, -tree.
15.. Sir Andrew Barton xxii. in Surtees Misc. (188S) 70
Pie hange them al on my mayn mast tree. 1768-74 Tucker
LI. Nat. (1834) II- 18 A sailor ordered up the main-mast
top to descry ships,
jMainmission. Obs. rare~~x. [a. OF. main-
mission {1461), refashioning of manumission after
main hand.] Mam mission.
risoo Medwall Nature (Brandb 166 Thou bast now
lybertye and nedest no mayn-myssyon.
t Main-mi'zeu. Aaut. Obs. [f. Main a.
(sense 10) + Mizkn.] a. ? A spanker, b. The
foremost of the two mizen masts formerly in use.
(Also main mizen mas/, sail.)
i486 Naval Ace. Hen. I'll (1896) 14 A Mayne Meson
mast for the said Ship. Ibid. 43 Mayne meson sailes.
C1515 Cocke Lore/Is B. (Percy Soc), Some pulde at the
beryll, some sprede y- mayne myssyll. 1704 J. Harris
Lex. Techu. s.v. Alissen-Mast, Some great Ships require
two [mizens]; then that next the Main-mast is the Main-
mi-sen.
t Mainmort. Obs. [a. F. mainnwrte *= Dead-
hand.] a. = Mortmain. b. French Feudal
Law (see quot. 1727-41).
1598 Dallington Meth. Trav. Eiijb, Nominations of
Chappels, goods of Main-snort, fifts of Lands sold. [1727-41
CHAMBERS ('yd.. Maiu-Morte, a term in some' antient
customs, still obtaining in Burgundy, signifying a right
which the lord has, 011 the death of the chief of a family
that is Mainmortable, of taking the best moveable in the
house.]
Mainmortable (nvinm^utabl), a. and sb.
Hist. [a. F. mainmortable^ f. mainmorte : see
prec] A. adj. Applied to serfs (in France) who
were not at liberty to alienate their possessions
if they died childless ; also to their possessions.
[1727-41: see prec] 1779 Genii. Mag. XLIX. 544 The
maiumortable heritages, situated in our lands and signiories.
1889 M. Betham-Edwards Introd. A. Young's Trav.
France 21 These bond-servants .. were up to that time
mainmortable.
B. sb. A i mainmortable * serf.
jjjgGentl. Mag. XLIX. 545 We ordain that the Droit
de Suite over mainmortables shall henceforth be abolished
and suppressed. 1882 W. Ii. Weedbh Soc. Law Labor 84
The lords . . held the right of pursuit, by which they could
follow a mainmortable who had abandoned the land.
Marnour, ma'nner. Obs. exc. Hist, or arch.
Forms : 5 menowr, manor, fi-8 nianer, (6 raay-
ner, -tire, 6-7 maynour, 7 manoir), 7-8 Law
; Diets, manour, meinor, -our(e, 6- mainour,
manner. [a. AF. mcinot/re, mainottre, mai-
noevere, a. OF. inaneuvret lit. * hand-work': see
Manoeuvre.
From the etymology, it would seem probable that the
original sense was 'the act or fact (of a crime)', as in 2
below. The AFr. examples, however, already show the con-
crete sense as in 1. The phrase fris oz> mainoure (' taken
with the mainour' ; =capta cum manuopere, Fleta, c 1290)
seems to have been framed to render the OE. set haebbendre
handa gefangen \ see Hand-habfnd a. Since the 16th c.
the word has in non-technical use often been confused with
Manner sb., and assimilated to that word in spelling.]
1. Law. The stolen thing which is found in a
thief's possession when lie is arrested : chiefly in
phr. taken, found with the mainour.
I1275 Act 3 Edw. 1 1 Stat. Westm. 1. c. 15 Tozque sunt pns
ov meinoure. 1311 Act 5 Edw. II, Ordin.c. 19 Qe desormes
nul ne soit pris ne enprisone pur vert ne pur veneson, si il ne
j soit trove ove mainoure. 1399 Liber Cnst. 487 Et quod
I pra^dictus Dux. .haberet quascunque bona et catalla vocata
'manuopera' capta vel capienda cum quacunque persona
infra . . feoda praidicta.] ?i473 Plumpton Cor?: (Camden)
26 One Richard of the liurgh, that had take and led away
feloniously certaine ky and other cattell .. was take and
arested with the s:iid manor att Spofford, whearat they yett
remaine. 1481 Caxton Reynard (Arb.) 8 Yet al bad he
courtoys hanged whan he fonde hym with the menowr,
he had not moche mysdon ne trespaced. 1550 Latimer
Serm. bef. Edw. VI, Div, Euen as a theefe that is taken
with the manner when [ed, 1584 that] he stealeth. 1551
Robinson tr. More's (/top. 1. (1895) 69 Moneye fownde
abowte them shoulde betraye the robberye. They shoulde
be no soner taken wyth the maner, but furth wyth they
shoulde be punysshed. 1597 Shaks. 2 Hen. IV, 11. iv. 347
O Villaine, thou stolest a Cup of Sacke eighteene yeeres
agoe, and were taken with the manner. 1607 Co well
Interpr., Mainour, alias Manour, alias Meinoure, signifieth
in our common lawe, the thing that a theefe taketh away or
stealeth. 1769 Blackstone Comm. IN. 303 When a thief
was taken with the mainour, that is, with the thing stolen
upon him, in inanu. 1838-42 Arnold Hist. Rome (1846) I.
xiv. 293 note, No power could bail a thief taken with the
manner, that is, with the thing stolen upon him. 1867 Pear-
son Hist. Eng. I. 274 The thief overtaken with the mainour
might be killed.
2. With (later in) the mainour (usually manner) :
in the act of doing something unlawful, ( in fla-
grante delicto'.
1530 Pai.sgr. 752/1, I take with the maner, as a thefe is
taken with thefte, or a person in the doyng of any other
acte, j'e prens sur le faict. 1566 Pasguiue in a Traunce
107 Whether fryers . . hauing bene so often taken with the
maner to vse deceyte,. .be therefore any more to be trusted
afterwarde. 1579 Fcrmes of the Lawe 144 b (s.v. Maynour\,
We commonly e vse to saye when we finde one doing of
an vnlawfull act, that wee tooke him wyth the mainour,
or manner. 1597 Beard Theat?-e God's Judgem. (1612) 46
Being taken in the manner, the Christians stoned him to
death. 1609 Holland Amm. Marcel/, xxi. ii. 168 [He]
committed those and such like outrages, .but being taken
with the manoir and convict, he forbare and abstained.
1611 Bible Nitm. v. 13 If. .a man lye with her carnally,. .
and there be no witnesse against her, neither she be taken
with the maner [etc.]. 1615CROOKE Body of Man 282 They
feigne that when Venus and Mars were in bed together, they
were deprehended or taken in the manner, as we say, by
Mercury. 1760-72 H. Brooke FoolofQual. (1809) IV. 124,
I held it beneath me to be caught in the manner. 182S
Scott F. M. Perth xii, ' Ha ! my jolly Smith \ he said, ' have
I caught thee in the manner?' 1866 Chamb. Jrn/. No. 28.
261 If he were taken in the actor mainour.
f Mainpernable, a. Obs. [a. AF. main-
pernable, *mainprenabte, f. mainprendre : see
Mainprise sb.] Capable of being mainprized.
1 133° -Act 4 Edw. Ill, c. 2 Sils ne soyent meynpernables
par la lei.] 1487 Act 3 Hen. VII, c. 3 Dyverse persones
such as wer not maynprnable ware oftymes leten to bailie
and maynprise. 1630 in Rushw. Hist. Coll. (1659) I. 27
Although he did nothing, he is not main-pernable until the
King sent his pleasure, because he was armed and furiously
disposed. 1647 Sir R. Holbourne Freeholders1 Grand
j Inquest 34 The penalty for detaining a Prisoner that is
mainpernable is a Fine at the Kings Pleasure. 1772 Junius
Lett, lxviii. 342 In the two preceding statutes, the words
bailable, replevisable, and mainpernable, are used synonym-
ously.
Mainpernor. Law. Obs. exc. Hist, or arch.
Forms : 3-4 meynpernour, 4 mein-, mene-
pernour, 4, 7, S mainpernor, 5 mayn pern our,
meynpurnour, 5-7, 9 mainpemour, 6 mayne-
perner, 6-7 mainperner, 7 mainepernour,
manipernor. [a. AF. mainpemour =QY . *main-
prenor, -preneur, agent-n . f. mainprendre : see
Mainprize sb. Cf. Majjucaptou.] A surety for
a prisoner's appearance in court on a specified day ;
one who gives mainprize for another. (Alsoy/^.)
For the alleged distinction between mainpernor and bail
see quot. 1768. With regard to the etymological misap-
prehensions in quots. 1607 and 1768, see Mainprize 2.
1 1292 Bkitton i. ii. § 6 Les nouns des meynpemours, solom
ceo qe il troverunt par le verdit, face enrouler. 1336-7 Ait
1 Edw. Ill, Stat. \. c. 8, & le nouns des meinpernours face
liverer a mesmes les verders, a respoundre en eir devant
Justices.] 136a Langi.. P. PI. A. iv. 99 That Meede moste
be meynpernour Reson heo bi-sou3te. c 1412 Hoccleve
De Reg. Princ. 2399 And to prison he gooth ; he gette no
l>ettre, Til his mainpemour his arrest vnfettre. 1459 Rolls
' of Par/t.V. 368/1 Unto the tyme that they have founde
suerte of im Meynpurnours. a 1548 Hall Citron.* Hen. IV
I 12 b, Thou knowest wel enough that I am thy pledge
j borowe and mayneperner, body for body, and land for
I goodes in open parliament. 1586 J. Hooker Hist. Irel. in
! it olinshed II. 72/1 [They] became mainpernours for the said
carle of Desmond, that he should come into England, and
abide such triall as the law would award. 1607 Cowell
interpr. s.v. Mainprise, They that do thus vndertake for
any, are called Mainpernours, because they do receiue him
into their hands. 1647 N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. 1. liii.
('739) 94 Mainperners are not to be punished as Principals,
unless they be parties or privies to the failing of the Prin-
cipal. 1768 Blackstone Comm. III. 128 Mainpernors differ
from bail, in that a man's bail may imprison or surrender
him up before the stipulated day of appearance; main-
pernors can do neither, but are barely sureties for his
appearance at the day: bail are only sureties, that the party
be answerable for the special matter for which they stipu-
late; mainpernors are bound to produce him to answer all
charges whatsoever. 1837 Sir F. Palgrave Norm, ty Eng.
II. 691 If any friend had pledged himself to the assurance
that., the fine young Duke had always conducted himself
j with strictly edifying propriety we should say. .a bold main-
pemour was he,
H See quot. (Prob. some error.)
1631 Weever Anc. Funeral Mon. 342 Officers belonging
, to these Staples, were Maiors, Constables, Mainpernors.
i Mainport. Obs. Also 7 manport, maine-
porto, maynport. [Of obscure origin : possibly
f. F. maint L. manus hand, and F. porter, L.
por/dre to carry.] (See quot. 1670-91.)
1664 Spelman Gloss. s.v., Vicaria de Wragby consjstit in
toto Altaragio & in ceragio vulgariter diet. iVaxskot, in
panibus vulgariter diet. Manport. Ibid., Mainport. 1670-91
Bloint Lazu Diet., Maine-Porte (in manu portaium), is
a small tribute (commonly of Loaves of Bread) which in
some places the Parishioners pay to the Rector of their
Church, in recompence for certain Tythes. 1677 Thoroton
Antiq. Nottingh. 474 They also . . assigned him [the Vicar
of Blytb] many small matters in which the Vicarage was to
consist, as. .in the Bread which is called Maynport.
Mainprize (m^nproiz), sb. Obs. exc. /List.
Forms : 4 meynprize, 4-5 meyn-, maynprise,
-pryse, 5 main-, maympris, maynprice, Vmaun-
prese, 5-6 maynpris(e, 6 -prize, mempria, 6-7
main(e)prise, 7- mainprize. [a. AF., OF.
: mein-, mainprise, n. of action f. mainprendre (f.
MAINPRIZE.
51
MAINTAIN.
main \xan<k+ prendre to take : see Prize j£.), the
equivalent of the med.L. manucapcre, lit. 'to take
in the hand', hence 'to assume responsibility,
pledge oneself'.
The Latinized form mciuprisa, in the general sense ( under-
taking, promise under penalties ', is cited by Du Cange from
an English charter of 1174.]
1. gen. The action of making oneself legally
responsible for the fulfilment of a contract or
undertaking by another person ; suretyship.
1447 Water/. Arch, in 10M Rep. Hist. MSS. Coniut.
App. v. 297 No citsayn or freman shal receve none estrauu-
gers in pledge or maynprice for ony bargaine. la 1500 in
Aknoi.uk Chron. (1811) 24 That. .an English Marchaunt
bee not amytted into the fraunches of y* cite of any craflc
but be Mempris of vi good men and sufficyent of the crafte.
2. spec. The action of procuring the release of a
prisoner by becoming surety ('mainpernor') for
his appearance in court at a specified time. Chiefly
in phr. to let or receive to (or in) mainprize, to
deliver upon (or by) mainprize, to nim under main-
prize [^AF. laisser par, mettre par mey uprise"].
Without bail or mainprise: with no permission to
obtain release by finding sureties. Writ of main-
prize see quot. 1768.
By the legal antiquaries of the 16th c, the ' taking in hand1
etymologically implied by AF. mainprise* med. L. manu-
eaptio, was supposed to denote the act of 'receiving into
friendly custody' the person who would otherwise have
been committed to prison (cf. Bail s&A 3), and the later
definitions of mainprise and mainpernor, e.g. those of
Cowell and Blackstone (see Mainpernor) are worded in
accordance with this misapprehension.
[izqz BUTTON i. xviii. § 1 Les aloygneours soint mis par
meynprise jekes en heyre des Justices.] 1377 LAHGL. /'.
PL B. xx. 17 Nede anon ri^te nymeth hym vnder meyn-
pryse. a 1400 Pride of Life (Brandl, 1898) 370 per [in hell)
ne fallit ne maynpris ne supersidias. c 1400 Gamelyn 744,
I bidde him to maynpris [v.r. maympris] that tliou graunte
him me Til the nexte sitting of deliveraunce. 1414 Rolls of
Parlt. IV. 57/2 Sith the tyme that I was resseyved to meyn-
pryse. 1433 Ibid. 258/2 Imprisnementof a moneth, withoute
bailie or mainpris. 1444 Ibid. V. 107/1 To abide in Prison. .
withoute lettyng to maynprise, or in any other wise to goat
large. 1509 Barclay Shyp of Folys (1570) 4 There shal! be
no bayle nor treating of mainprise. 1554 Act 1 $ 2 Phil.
.y Mary c. 13 § 1 The same Justices to be presente together
at the tyme of the said Bailement or Mayneprise. 1577
Northurooke Dicing' (1843) 1 37 They should bee committed
to the gaole without bayle or mainprise, for the space of
three monethes. 1586 J. Hookkr Hist. tret, in Holinshed II.
71/2 He afterward deliuered him vpon mainprise of these
suerties whose names insue. i6iz Da vies Why Ireland,
etc. 202 Though the Earle of Desmond were left [sic] to
Mainprise, vpon condition hee should appeare before the
King by a certain day. 4x625 Sir H. Finch Law (1636)
446 At writ of mainprise to set at liberty one baileable
finding baile. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. iv. ii. § 4 (Petit, agst.
LolRlrds) That they. .be. .put in Prison, without being de-
livered in Bail, or otherwise, except by good and sufficient
mainprise, to be taken before the Chancellour of England.
1744 Act 17 Geo. It, c. 40 § xo There to remain without Bail
or Mainprize, until Payment be made. 1768 Blackstone
Comm. III. 128 The writ of mainprize.. is a writ directed
to the sheriff, .commanding him to take sureties for the
prisoners appearance, usually called mainpernors, and to
set him at large, a 1845 Barham Ingot. Leg. Ser. lit. House
Warming, Taken to jail., without mainprise or bail.
b. fig. and in fig. contexts.
1412-20 Lvdg. Chron. Troy in. xxv, That of the death
stode tho vnder a reste, Without maynpryse sothly as of Jyfe.
1631 Heylin St. George 42 Without hope of Bayle, or any
mercie of mainprise; he must be in Hell. 1636 FKATLY
Clavis Myst. xxii. 290 No baile or mainprize from this
common prison of all mankinde, the grave. 1663 Cowley
Cutter Colman St. u. iv, Come on ; I'll send thee presently
to Erebus ; Without either Bail or Main-prize. 1698 Fryer
Ace. E. India $■ P. 13 Had she [the ship] given way never
so little, we must have sunk without Bail or Mainprize.
3. concr. One's mainpernor or mainpernors.
136a Langl. /'. Pt. A. iv. 75 And he amendes make let
meynprize him liaue. 1678 Butler Hud. in. L 60 He there-
fore.. Resolv'd to leave the Squire for Bail And Mainprize
for him to the Goal. 1847 Sir H. Taylor Eve of Conquest
Wks. 1864 III. 211 He greatly grudged This mainprize of
my loyalty to let loose.
t Mainprize, v. Law. Obs. Forms: 4 mayn-
pris, 4-5 -prise, -pryse, meynprise, (5 mayn-
price, -prese , meyme-, maym-, mempryse,
mem-, menprise, maynsprise), 7 mainprise,
-prize, [f. prec] trans. To procure or grant the
release of (a prisoner) by mainprize ; to accept
mainpernors for the appearance of. Often y*^.
£133° R. Bkunnk Chron.(iZio) 138 Bot if he to ber bay-
lifes makly's sikernesse, pat bei wille him maynp[r]is. 1377
Langl. /'. PI. B. iv. 170 Mede shal nou^te meynprise 30W bi
the Mane of heuene ! 1393 Ibid. C. xxt. 189 God hath . .
grautited to al mankynde, Mercy, my raster, and me to
maynprise hem alle. C1440 Promp. Pan;. 320/1 Mayn-
prysyd, or menprisyd {MS. K. maynsprisid, MS. S. maym-
prysyd, or memprisyd), manucaptus, fidejussus. a 1500
Medwall Nature (Brandl) n. iI23 God . . Dyd vs . . wyth
hys own blode maynpryce And vs redemed fro paynes endles.
1598 Manwood Lowes Forest 1. 167. 1681 W. Robkrtson
Phraseol. Gen. (1693) 857 To mainprize, vadimonio ob-
stringcre.
% Erroneously used for Misprize.
(The error prob. arose from association of the first syllable
with OF. meins, mains less; cf. the spelling maynsprisid
in the King's College MS. of Promp. Pan:]
C1450 Lydg. & Burgh Secrces 2219 He is so trewe no
good man may hym mempryse.
Hence f Mainprizingf vfoi. sl>. Muntkize sb.
Also f Mai'nprizer = MaISTEBNOR,
c 1440 Promp. Pare. 320/2 Maynprisynge, nianucapyt)io.
Ibid., Maynprisowre, mancipator [? iiiauucaptor], fide-
jussor. 1610 Holland's Camden's Brit. 11. 176 There was
the Earle of Vlster enlarged, who .. found mainprisers or
sureties to answer the writs of law.
Mainrent, Mains Sc. : see Manned, Main sbf>
Mainsail (mi1*ns^lJ m£i*ns1)« Naut. [See
Main a. 10.] The principal sail of a ship. a. In
square-rigged vessels, the sail which is bent to the
main-yard. b. In fore-and-aft rigged vessels, the
sail which is set on the after part of the mainmast.
1485 Naval Ace. Hen. VII (1896)40 Mayne sailes. c 1515
Cocke Lorell's B. (Percy Soc) 12 Some howysed the mayne
sayle. 1536 Tindale Ads xxvii. 40 They . . hoysed vppe
the mayne sayle to the wynde. 1626 Caft. Smith Aeet'd.
Vng. Seamen 6 The Younkers are the yong men called Fore-
mast men, to..Furle, and Sling the maine Saile. 1772 84
Cook I'oy. (1790) I. 151 It blew a storm from the east,..
which compelled us to bring the ship to, under her mainsail.
1783 Wolcot (P. Pindar) Odes to ii. A.'s vii. Wks. 1812 I.
65 Broad as the Mainsail of a man of war. 1794 Rigging
$ Seamanship II. 319 Raise tacks and sheets, and mam s.iil
haul. 1835 Sir J. Ross Narr. -2nd I'oy. iii. 33 The close-
reefed mainsail. 1873 Black Pr. Thuie (1874) 5 there was
just enough wind to catch the brown mainsail.
attrib. 1549 Cotnpl. Scotl. vi. 40 Hail out the mane sail
boulene.
Jig. 1579 Fui.kk Hi-skins' Part. 29 He tnueyeth with
mayn sayle of op'Jil rayling against the people.
Mainschot, Sc. variant of Manchet.
Main sea. arch. [See Main a. 4. Cf. ON.
megeusio-r.'] The high sea; — Main sbA 5.
1526 Pilgr. Per/: iW. de W. 1531) 181 b, No more. .than
a particular ryuer is to be compared to y° mayne see. 1573
Tusskk llusb. (187S) 30 At cliange or at full, come it late
or else soone, Maine sea is at highest, at midnight and
noone. 1617 Mdkyson /////, 1. 312 In the maine Sea, greater
Dolphins, and in greater number, did play about our ship.
1623 Cockeram, Ocean, the vniuersall maine Sea. 1695
Woodward Nat. Hist. Earth 27 '1'he Pelagir, or those
kinds of Shells which naturally have their abude at main-
sea, and which therefore are now never Hung up upon the
Shores. 1709 STEELE Tatter No. 12 P 22 The starving
Wolves along the main Sea prowl. 1876 Swinburne
Erechtheus 1699 Who shall meet The wind's whole soul and
might of the main sea Full in the face of battle.
Jig. 1570-6 Lamhakde I'eramb. Kent 236 The maine Sea^
of sinne and iniquitie, wherein the worlde . . was almost
whole t«V] drenched. 1575-85 Abp, Sandys Serin, xviii.
211 Through the middest 01 sundrte maine seas of troubles
and afflictions.
Main-sheet, mainsheet. Naut.
1. The rope which secures the mainsail when set.
1485 Naval Ace. Hen. VII (1896) 48 Mayne shetes. a 1637
1!. Jonson Discoif., De orattonis digit., The main-sheet and
the boulin, 1694 Ace. Sev. Late Voy. 1. (1711) 163 We ..
veered out the main-Sheet to ware the Ship. 1762 Falconer
Shipwr. 11. 27 Let the main-sheet fly ! 1862 Marsh Eng.
Lang. xi. 164 A sailor will not be likely to interlard his go-
ashore talk with clew-lines, main-sheets, and halliards.
fig> a '575 Gascoignk Dan Bartholomew Posies Flowers
So Yet hauld I in the mayne-sheate of the minde.
b. attrib. , as mains keet-b lock, -/torse.
1867 Smyth Sailors lVordd>k.t Mainshecl-horse, a kind
of iron dog fixed at the middle of a wooden beam, stretching
across a craft's stern, from one quarter stanchion to the
other; on it the tuainsheet-bloek travels.
2. Jamaica slang. (See first quot.)
1882 Pall Mall G. 2q May 4/2 Main-sheet is weak rum-
and-water .. and it seems to derive its quaintly expressive
name from the native habit of taking constant pulls at it all
day long, 1890 Hlaclcv. Mag. June 784 An old man invited
to have a drink of mainsheet.
Mainspring (m<.7i*n,sprin). [Main a. S b.]
1. A principal sprint; in a piece of mechanism.
a. In a gun-lock, the spring which drives the
hammer. (Alsoy%r.)
a 1616 Beaum. & Fl. Custom of Country in. iii, Hee's joule
i'th touch-hole; and recoiles againe, The main spring's
weakned that holds up his cock. 1824 Col. Hawker Instr.
Vng. Sport sm. (ed. 3) 42 The mainspring to be well regu-
lated should at first pull up very hard. 1828 Scott F. M.
Perth vi, How now, Smith, is thy mainspring rusted?
b. The principal coiled spring of a watch, clock,
or other piece of mechanism.
1591 Sylvester Du Bartas I. vii. 162 God's the main
spring, that maketh every way All the small wheels of this
great Engin play. 1763 T. Mudce 'Ph. Improv. Watches
(1709) 12 The wheel that communicates the force of the
mam-spring to the balance. 1830 Kater & Lakoner Meek.
xiv. 195 In watches and portable chronometers, ..a spiral
spring, called the mainspring, is the moving power. 1869
Noad Electricity 381 Levers are released, and the machinery
of the telegraph worked by mainsprings, are [sic] left free to
rotate.
2. fig. The chief motive power ; the main in-
centive.
C1695 J. Miller Descr. New Vork (1843) 30 It being
proposed that the bishop himself who shall be sent over be
the main-spring and mover in this work. 1799 Nelson 21
Apr, in Nicolas Disp. (1846) VII. p. clxxx, I am here the
mainspring which keeps all things in proper train. 1823
IJyron fuati ix. Ixxiii, Some heathenish philosophers Make
love the main-spring of the universe. 1850 Merivai.k Pom.
Emp. (1865) I. i. 23 The cupidity which animated individuals
was . . the mainspring of the political factions of the time.
1888 Hurgon 12 Gd. Men II. x. 287 Truth.. was the very
mainspring, .which actuated everything he thought, or said,
or did.
3. attrib., as mainspring cramp (in a gun-lock),
hook, punch, winder (in a watch).
1844 Rtgul. ,y Ord. Army 96 note, One Main-Spring
Cramp. 1884 F. J. Britten Watch % Clockm. 16s Main
Spring Hook.. Main Spring Punch- .Main Spring Winder.
Mainstay (sm^n,st^)- [See Main a. 8, 10.]
1. Naut* The stay which extends from the main-
top to the foot of the foremast.
1485 Naval Ace. Hen. VII (1896) 37 Cablettes for the
mayne slay. 1626 Cur. Smith Acctd. Vng. Seamen 14
The tacklings are the fore stay, the maine stay. 1709 Land.
Gaz. No. 4521/2 Having, .our Shrouds and Back-stays cut to
pieces; as al-.o our Main and False-stay.
b. attrib. ; mairistaysail, a storm-sail set on
the mainstay.
1742 Woodroofe in Hauways I'rav. (1762) I. 11. wiii.
rx» We furled the foresail, and lay to under a mainstaysail.
1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk.y Main-staysail.
2. Chief support; that on which one mainly relies.
1787 Jefferson Writ. (1859) II. 163 The points of contact
and connection with this country, which I consider as our
surest mainstay under every event. 1839-40 \V. Irving
// olfcrPs A'. (1855) 207 This maxim, which has been pretty
much my mainstay throughout life. 1861 Hems Tom
Bro?vn at O.r/'. iv. ,1809) ;,, The host, .was uiie of the main-
stays of the "College boat-club. 1865 Tvlor Early Hist.
Man. vii. 150 Direct record is the mainstay of History.
1867 Freeman Norm. Canq. (1876^ I. vi. 458 The Norman
I tulce was the mainstay of the French kingdom.
t Mahistrong , a. Obs. [( )E. nuxgenstrang :
see Main sb.{ and Stiiong a.] Strong in power.
a 1000 Piddles Ixxxvii. 3 (Gr.) J^n folgade mae^enstrong
»^ mundrof. ('1205 J. ay. ^7751 peos ueoren on moncunne
eorles main stronge.
Mainswear, obs. form of Manswear,
Mai lit 'inJ'nt', a. rare, (pseudo-arch.) [a. K.
maintJ\ Many, numerous.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), ii faint, .. an old Word for
many, several. 1801 Mookk Ping 170 Ifow Austin was a
reverend man, Who acted wonders maim. 1866 J. B. Rose
Eel. fy Gecrg. Virg. 70 View ihe wide world and ran:-.
maint of man. — tr. Ovid's Met. 77 Ah me, ah me, there'.-,
maint an honest dame, Brought by fictitious Joves to grief
and shame.
Maintain,: Obs. In ^maynterne,-teyn,e,
-teygne, -tyen(ef -tiene, 6 maintene, -taine.
[f. next vb., after F. maint ic/r]
1. Bearing, deportment, behaviour.
1470-85 Malory Arthurs, ii. 163 He-.holdeth the most
noble courte of the world, alle other kynges ne prynces
inaye not compare vnto his noble mayntene. 1471 CaxtON
Recuyell (ed. Sommer) 124 He bad not the maynteygne of
a yoman or of a seruaunt. Ibid. 130 (She] began to wexe
reed and to kse her mayntyene and contenance whan she
sawe hym. 1481 — Myrr. 111. \. 15; Atte longc, Nature
may not suffre dyuerse mayntenes vnresonable. c 1500
Melusine 20J The king lecomforted bis peuple by his
wnfrjby contenaunce & valyaunt mayn ten. 1578 Proctors
Gorg. Gallery N iv, Joy were to here their prety wordes,
and sweet maintain [1 read maintain] to see, And how all
day they passe the time, til darknes dimmes the skye.
2. Maintenance, support.
1483 in Rymer Eoedera X 1 1 . f 1 7 1 1 ) 174/1 To the upholde,
maynteyne and encrease of their both Kstatis against alle
Persones. 1599 Porter Angry Worn. Abingt. (Percy Soc.)
16 The mettell of our minds, Having the temper of true
reason in them, Aflfoordes a better edge of argument For
the maintaine of our familiar loues Then the soft leaden
wit of women can.
Maintain (m^tnt^i'n, m^ht^i'n), v. Forms:
3-6 main ten e, maynten(e, 4-5 mayne tene,
4-6mein-, meyntene, 4-5 meynetene, 4-6man-
tene, GSc. manteane. 4-5 mentene, -teene ; 3-7
main-, mayntein(e, -teyn(e, 5-6 mainteigne}
4-6 mein-, meyntein(e, -teyn(e, 4-5 meyne-
teyne, 3-6 mantein(e, -teyn^e, 6 manteigne,
4-6 menteyn(e, -teine ; 4-5 mayntyn(e, maln-
tiene,meintiene,6-7 -5'f.mantine; 4-6 6V.man-,
maynteme, -teym^e ; 5 mayntan ; 5-7 main-,
mayntayn(e, -taine, 0 man-, mainetayne, 4-6
mentayne, 8 Sc, mentain, 6- maintain. [NIE.
maiutene, -let'ne, a. F. maintenir (OF. 3 sing. pres.
ind. -tient, -tent, subj. -teigne, -tiegne), =Vr. man-
lener, meutener, Sp. mantener, Pg. mauler, It.
mantenere\—\: phrase manu tenere, lit. 'to hold
in one's hand ' (manu abl. of manus hand ; latere
to hold). Cf. Du. maiuteneeren (from Fr.).]
f 1. trans. To practise habitually (an action, a
virtue or vice) ; to observe (a rule, custom). Obs.
(Z1250 Owl <y Night. (Cotton) 759 Ich kan wit and song
manteine [Jesus MS. reads mony eine] Ne triste ich to
non ober maine. 1303 R. Brunne Handl. Syune 6558 pou
art vnbuxum, And manteynest an euyl custum. a 1340
Hampole Psalter xxvii. 5 f>a sail bai be punyst bat first
fyndes bairn, and all bat oyses bairn & mayntens \>3.\m [sc.
ill deeds]. C1375 Cursor M. 2454 (Fairf.) Pa folk ware fulle
of misdede and maynteined wrang and wikkedhede. c 1400
Destr. Troy 2049 How bai maintene bere malis with manas
& pride. 1550 Crowley Last Trumpet 1287 Thou wilt.,
mayntayne outragiouse playe, Tylthou haue spent both
lande and fee. 1611 Bible Titus iii. 14 And let ours also
learne to maintaine good workes [Gr. Kakwv ipytov n-po-
io-raaBat] for necessarie vses, that they be not vnfruitfull.
2. fa. gen. To go on with, continue, persevere
in (an undertaking). Also occas. to go on with
the use of (something). Obs.
1375 Barbour Bruce a. 189 Frendis, and frendschip pui-
chesand, To maynteym that he had begunnyn. c 1386
Chaucer Knt's T. 920 A proud despitous man That wol
ma>Titeyne that he first bigan. i5»6 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de
W. 1531) 14 Lest they sbolde waxe febl« afterwarde, and
73-2
MAINTAIN.
52
MAINTAIN.
so to be not able to mayntayne theyr iourney. 1545 Ascham
Toxoph. To Gentlem. Eng. (Arb.) 19 Some shooters take in
hande stronger bowes, than they be able to niayntayne.
b. To carry on, keep up, prosecute (a war, fight,
siege, contest).
e 1350 Witt, Palerne 3002 How heie walles were broke . .
^at bei mijt no more meintene be sege. 1375 Barbour
Bruce x. 184 Quhill at thar rout, .. Cum for to maynteme
the melle. Ibid. xm. 280 Thai that wicht war and hardy,
. .At gret myschef mantemyt the f.cht. a 1400 A'. Brunne's
Chrou. Wace (Rolls) 5464 V schal vndertake [Petyt MS.
sail maynten forbe] J?ys were, c 1400 Rom. Rose 3550,
1 pray you . . For to mayntene no lenger here, Such cruel
werre agayn your man. 1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm.
137 Than had Charles Duke of Savoye, a certen space
maynteyned warre against the Citie of Geneva. 1665 Man*
ley Grotius' Low C. Warres 277 To.. raise a Siege which
is so strongly setled and maintained. 1697 Dryden Virg.
Gcorg. iv. 128 Long the doubtful Combat they maintain,
'Till one prevails (for one can only Reign). 1828 Scott
F. M. Perth xxix, It is false. .1 ..will maintain the combat
with him that shall call it true.
c. To carry on (an action at law) ; to have
ground for sustaining (an action).
1463-4 Rolls of Parlt. V. 506/2 To haue and maynten
Action or Actions of Dette. 1512 Act 3 Hen. VIll% c. 1 § 4
Any maner of accion ..to be . . mayntened aycnst any of
the Kingis Subgiettes. 1620 J. Wilkinson Coroners $
S'terifcs 67 No sherife shall suffer a Barreter to maintaine
any actions or quarrels in their countie courts. x8x8 Cruise
Digest (ed. 2) II. 417 This Court granted an injunction
against him, though no action whatsoever could be main-
tained at law. 1892 Law Times Rep. LXVII. 142/1 In
order to maintain an action of deceit there must be moral
delinquency on the part of the person proceeded against.
d. To continue in, preserve, retain (a physical
or mental condition, a position, attitude, etc.), in
spite of disturbing influences.
1837 Disraeli Venetia 1. .\, Lady Annabel for some time
maintained complete silence. 1856 Vhovdk Hist. Eng.(iSjS)
I. i. 10 The old English organization maintained its full
activity. 1869 Freeman Norm. Com/. (1876) III. xi. 3 The
English writers maintain a sort of sullen silence. 1879
R. K. Douglas Confucianism iii. 72 The Sage, .maintains
a perfect uprightness and pursues the heavenly way without
the slightest deflection. 1898 [G. W. E. Russell] Coll. ty
Recoil, x. 131 Amidst all this hurly burly Pitt maintained a
stately. .reserve.
e. To keep up (friendly relations, correspond-
ence).
1622 Bacon Hen. Vll 240 When they [sc. ambassadors]
were returned, they did commonly maintatne Intelligence
with him. 1706 Hearne Collect. 2 Apr. (O. H. S.) I. 215 He
is . . much addicted to maintain Correspondence. 1718
Freethinker No. 79 P 5 A brotherly Correspondence was
maintained with all the Foreign Protestant Churches.
f3. To keep a stock of. Obs. rarv~\ [A fre-
quent sense in OFr.]
c 1483 Caxton Dialogues 6/29 Who wyne wyll mayntene
Behoueth to haue selers And a lowe chambre.
4. To keep up, preserve, cause to continue in
being (a state of things, a condition or activity,
etc.) ; to keep vigorous, effective, or unimpaired;
to guard from loss or derogation.
C 1330 R. BruHNB Citron. (1810) 60 Eldolf, bisshop of Bath,
be pes inayntend & helde. c 1350 Will. Paleme 2676
Meyntenes 3U 3011 re manchip manh a while. 1375 Barbour
Bruce xx, 605 The law sa Weill mantemyt he, And held in
pess swa the cuntre. <. 1440 York Myst. xvii. 310, I rede
we reste a thrawe, For to maynteyne our myght. a 1535
More Edw. V (1641! 29 He .. had holpe to maintaine a
long continued grudge. 1581 Mulcaster Positions vL
(1837J 42 How health is maintained, and disease auoided.
1651 Hobbes Leviath. n. xxx. 175 It is the Office of the
Soveraign, to maintain those Rights entire. 1675 H. Ne-
vile tr. Mackiavelli's Prince iii. (1883) 16 Maintaining to
them their old condition. 174a Hume Ess. i. v. (1777) I. 35
All men are sensible of the necessity of justice to maintain
peace and order. 1855 Bain Senses % Int. it i. § 6 (1864^ 77
Nervous influence is required for maintaining the breathing
action. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng. xi. III. 43 All that was
necessary for the purpose of maintaining military discipline.
1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 28 As he had a reputation to
maintain.
b. With concrete obj. : To preserve in existence.
1659 Pearson Creed (1839) 220 We are still preserved by his
power, and as he made us, so doth he maintain us. 1715
De Foe Earn. Instruct. 1. i. (184O I. 17 And the same
power preserves and maintains all things.
5. To cause to continue in a specified state, rela-
tion, or position, f to secure the continuance of (a
possession) to a person {obs.) ; to secure (a person)
in continued possession of property.
1300-1400 ^v, Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) App. XX. 70 J>e
amperessc.made him ob swere To meinteini engelond to
hure. c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 24 To procure, norische,
& meyntene cristen soulis in good gouernaile and holy lif.
1800 Addison Amcr. Law Rep. 274 Young contended
that McCulloch.. ought to be maintained in possession of
the land. 1874 Carpenter;!/*:///. P/iys. i.ii. §68 (1879)71 The
limb was maintained in this state of tension for several
seconds. 1879 Casselfs Techn. Educ. IV. 72/2 That the
tools shall be maintained in proper position upon the rest.
b. Comm. To keep (stock) from decline in price.
1881 Daily News 8 July 6/1 American railroads are not
quite maintained. 1892 Daily Tel. 5 Sept. 4/6 Consols rose
i per cent, and English railways were maintained.
f 6. To keep in good order, to rule, sway (a
people> country) ; to preserve in (a state of peace,
etc.). Obs.
C1375 Lay Folks Mass Bk. (MS. B.) 365 J>at bai be wele
mavntenande hore states in alle godnesse, and reule bo folk
In rightwisnesse. 1375 Barbour Bruce xm. 709 God grant
' that thai, .maynteyme the land, And hald the folk weill to
warrand. Ibid. xvi. 34 Vardams in [his] absens maid he,
For till manteym weill the cuntre. 11533 Ld. Berners
Huou lxvi. 228, I have, .maynteyned the countre in peace
& rest and good iustyce. 1535 Coverdale Ecclus. xxxviii.
32 Without these maye not the cities be manteyned, in-
habited ner occupied. 1602 S. Patericke {title) A Discovrse
. vpon the meanes of wel governing and maintaining in good
peace, a Kingdome, or other Principalitie.
f7. refl. a. To bear or conduct oneself (in a
specified manner). Obs.
1375 Barbour Bruce 11. 486 Bot always, as A man off"
: mayn,-He mayntemyt him full manlyly. l 1400 MAUHDSV.
I (1839) xiv. 155 Thei gon often tyme in sowd, to help of other
' Kynges, in here Werres . . : and thei meyntenen hem self
right vygouresly. 1481 Caxton Godfrey botvi heoiling.
How Tancre mayntenyd hym moche wel in conqueryng
contrees. 1530 Palsgr. 617/1 You shall se me mayntayne
my selfe so honestly that you shall prayse me.
t b. To continue in an action or state ; to keep
oneself resolutely in a specified state (indicated by
' adj. complement). Obs.
1481 Caxton Godfrey clxxviii. 262 They shold alle goo
vnto the mount of Olyuet, And they shold mayntene them
! this day in fastyng. 1597 Bacon Ess., Faction (Arb.) 76
Great men that haue str-.-ugth in themselues were better to
maintaine themselues indifferent and neutrall.
8. a. To support (one's state in life) by expen-
diture, etc. b. To sustain (life) by nourishment.
1375 Bahhour Bruce x. 77*) The king,.. to manteym his
slat, him gaff Rentis and landis fair eneuch. C1386CHAUCER
Kn.'i's T. 583 Of his chambre he made hym a Squier And
gaf him gold to mayntene his degree. 1495 Act 11 Hen. I'll,
c. 39 He hath not yerely revenues to maynteyn honorably
and convenyently the astate of a Duke. 1584 Cogan Haven
Health iii. 1.1636) 23 Nature hath taught all living creatures
to secke by sustenance to maintaine their lives. 1592 No-
body <*r Someb. in Simpson Sch. Shahs. I. 289 Nobody takes
them in, provides them harbor, Maintaines their ruind for-
tunes at his charge. 1593 Siiaks. 2 Hen. I'l, iv. x. 24 Suf-
liceth, that I haue maintaines my state. 1614 Earl Stir-
ling Doomes-day vm. xU. (1637) ioy Whil'st old (and poore
perchance) with toyle and strife, Glad iby his labour) to
maintaine his life. 1647-8 Con ekell Davild's Hist. Fr.
' (1678) 11 Finding the narrowness of his fortune could not
maintain the greatness of his Birth. 1856 Frolde Hist.
Eng. (1858) I. i. 52 The first condition of a worthy life was
the ability to maintain it in independence. 1856 Sir B.
Bkouie Psychol. I'ii/. I. v. 187 Food is required because
life cannot be maintained without it.
•\ c. To bear the expense of, afford. Obs.
la 1366 Chaucer Rom. Rose 1144 And Richesse mighte it
wel susteue And hir dispenses wel mayntene. 1596 Shaks.
Tain. Shr. v. i. 79 What cernes it you, if I weare Pearle
and gold : 1 thank my good Father, I am able to maintaine
it. 1605 Loud. Prodigal 1. i, But honesty maintains not
a French hood, Goes very seldom in a chain of gold.
0. To provide with livelihood; to furnish with
means of subsistence or necessaries of life ; to bear
the expenses of (a person) for living, education,
etc. Also, fto keep (a person) in (^clothing).
a 1400 Cursor M. 28961 (Cott. Galba) For ay be more man
is of elde, be more men aw... for to do him almus dede and
mayntene him for sawl mede. 1487 Dietary to in Barbour s
> BrucC, etc. (1870) 539 Eftir thi power maynteme ay thihous-
hald. 1546 Supplic. Poore Commons (E. E. T. S.) 80 Suche
possessionem as. .vsed to maintain their ownechyldren, and
some of ours, tolernyng. 158a N. Licit EFiKLDtr. Castanheda's
Conq. E. Ind. 1. ii. 6 These people doe mainteine themselues
with rootes of hearbes, . .and whale fish. 1676 Lady Cha-
worth in xith Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 31 (It]
frights Sir Carr Scrope. .from marying her, saying his estate
will scarce maintaine her in clothes. 1709 TatlerNo. 101 r 1,
150/. per Annum, which would very handsomely maintain me
and my little family. 1749 Fielding Tom Jones XVIII. vii,
I believe you bred the young man up, and maintained him
at the university. 1770 Goldsm. Des. I 'ill. 58 A time there
was, ere England's griefs began, When every rood of ground
; maintained its man. 1816 Scott Antiq. xxvi, I maun hae a
man that can nainteen his wife. 1838 JaMM Robber vii,
Sufficient to maintain me in comfort and independence as a
gentleman.
fb. To provide for the ( keep1 of (an animal),
1576 Flkming tr. Caius' Dogs iv. u88o) 28 And therfore
were certain dogges founde and maintained at the common
costes and charges of the Citizens of Rome in the place called
Capitolium. 167a Petty Pol. Attat. (1691) 53 AnOxof6or 7
years old . . will be maintained with two Acres of good Pasture.
10. To pay for the keeping up of, bear the ex-
pense of; to keep supplied or equipped (e.g. a ship,
I a garrison) ; to keep (a light) burning by supply of
I fuel ; to keep (a road, building) in repair.
1389 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 27 pis light bey hoten & a-vowed
, to kepyn & myntenyn [sic]. Ibid. 62 To meyteyn [tic] wit-al
a lythe brennynge in ye chyrche of sent Jame. I533~4 Act
, 25 Hen. Villi c. 8 Euerie person . . hauinge anie of the
saide landes. .shall, .sufficiently meintein the pauement of
the said waye. ^1578 Lindesay (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot.
(S. T. S.) I- 227 Witht tua schipis weill mantenitt and ar-
taillzeit. 1600 J. Pory tr. Leo's Africa v. 237 Here is
an hospitall maintained at the common charges of the
towne, to entertaine strangers that passe by. 161 x Bidlk
1 Esdras iv. 52 Tenne talents yeerely, to maintaine the burnt
offerings vpon the Altar euery day. 1617 Moryson Itin. 1. 55
The States maintained some men of warre in this Inland
Sea. a 1687 Petty Pol. Arith. (1690) 77 The annual charge
of maintaining the Shipping of England, by new Buildings
and Preparations. 1707 J. Chamberlayne St. Gt. Brit. in.
I ix. 341 They.. maintain Lectures upon the Holy Sacrament
of the Lord's Supper, almost every Lord's Day Evening.
1725 De Foe Voy. round^ World (1840) 280 Strong forts
erected .. and strong garrisons maintained in them. 1846
J. Baxter Libr. Pract. Agric. (ed. 4) II. 233 Stone, wood,
and iron, are the materials principally employed in making
and maintaining roads. 1861 M. Pattison Bit. (1889) I.
I 48 The Germans . . maintained in it [thb church] an altar.
b. To furnish the means for conducting (a suit
or action at law). Cf. 12 d.
[c 1380 : see 11.] 1540 A ct 32 He n. VI I L c- 9 § 3 That no
maner of personne. .doo herafter unlaufully maineteyne or
cause or procure any unlaufull mayntenance in any action.
1769 Ulackstone Comm. IV. 134 A man may however main-
tain the suit of his near kinsman, servant, or poor neighbour,
out of charity and compassion, with impunity. 1843 Meeson
•y iVclsbys Exchcq. Rep. (1844) XI. 676 The defendants
resisted and maintained, supported, &c such defences and
resistance.
11. To back up, stand, give one's support to,
defend, uphold (a cause, something established,
one's side or interest, etc.).
c 13*0 Sir Beues (A.) 4123 We redeb meintene }our parti.
<; 1330 R. Bkunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 6528 pe Frensche
..rysen ajeyn Conan to fight ; Bot Conan mtyntende wel
his right. 1375 liAKBOCK Bruce x. 2S9 He byet honor
and largess, And ay mantemyt richtwi^ne-. c 1380 Wyclif
1 Scl. Whs. III. 322 Alle bat taken and meyntenen false
causes ben cursed grevously. .. Also lurdis holdynge grele
! lovedaies, and bi here lordischip meyntenenge be fals
jiert, for money frendischip or favour, fallen opynly in bis
curs, and so don men of lawe, wib alle false witnesses bat
meyntenen falsenesse a^enst treube, wityngly or unwit-
tyngly. -1420 Lyoc. Assembly of Gods 747 Vertew dyd
hys be>y peyne Pepyll to reyse hys quarell to menteyne.
t 1440 York Myst. xxxviii. 11, 13 pat we may-ntayne and
stand berby bat werke all-way. Cajph. 5's, sir, bat dede
schall we mayntayne, By lawe it was done all be-dene.
1482 Surtces Misc. (1888) 40 Every trew Cristen man . . is
bunden forto supporte and maynteyn y" trewth. 1513
Douglas Aimis xi. xii. 114 By hurtis frill fur to manteym
thar rycht 1535 Cuvehuale Ps. ix. 4 Fur thou hast man-
teyned my right and my cause. 1558 Knox First Blast
lArh.) 8 Suche as oght to mainteine the truth and veritie of
God. 1560 Dals tr. Slcidane's Comm. 122 The true & noi-
some doctrine is. .every where oppressed, ..and opencrymes
: mainteined. 1638 R. Bakek ti. Balzac's Lett. (vol. II.) 16
The cause I maintaine is the cause of my Prince and Coun-
try. 1667 Milton /'. /,. VI. 30 Who single hast mamtaind
1 Against revolted multitudes the Cause Of Truth. 1678
Butler Hud, in. iii. 584 H' had..us'd two equal ways of
gaining : By hindring Justice, or maintaining. 179a Burke
Let. to Sir II. Langrishe Wits. 1842 I. 548 First, the king
swears he will maintain, to the utmost of his power, ' the
laws of God '.
12. To uphold, back up, stand by, support the
■ cause of (a person, party, etc.) ; to defend, protect,
; assist; to support or uphold in (an action), arch.
a 1300 Cursor JSI. 7374 His sede and his barntem Ouer al
men 1 sal maintein. t-1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls)
16661 Cadwaladre batl Iuorhis sone, & Iny his neuew.
' wende & wone In to Bretaigne, & meintene efte po bat
were of Bretons lefte '. 1340 Hamiole Pr. Cousc. 1108 Ur
he sal J?e tane of bam mayntene And be tother despyse
(Matt. vi. 24k C1350 Will. Palerne 2698 Sche. .preyed ful
, pitousli to pe prince of heuene,..to mayntene hire & help,
bat hire foos for no cas wib fors hire conquerede. c 1460
Tcrzoneley Myst. xxvi. 96 To mayntene vs euermore ye aw.
1470-85 Malokv Arthur xv. i, To mayntene his neuewe
ageynst the myghty Erie. 1530 Palsgr. 438/2, I assyste,
or stande by, or mayntayne a person in doynge of a dede.
a 1553 Udall Royster D. v. v. (Arb.) 84 We must to make
vs mirth, maintaine hym all we can. 1576 Fleming Panopl.
F.pist. 383 One frend to take another frendes part, to defend
and maintaine him against backbiting. 1593 Shaks. 2 Hen.
VI, 1. i. 161 Iesu maintaine your Royall Excellence, a 1604
HAMMER Chron. Ircl. (1633) 31 His three sonnes.. formerly
' went into Ireland to maintaine one of the factions. 1625
Bacon Ess., Frktuiship (Arb.) 171 He.. would often main-
! taiue Plantianus, in doing Affronts to his Son. 1883 Gar-
diner Hist. Eng. II. xix. 328 In spite of all, lames was still
ready to maintain Somerset against his ill-willers hi public,
if he expostulated with him in private.
+ b. In bad sense : To give support or counten-
ance to evil-doers ; to aid or abet in (wrong-
I doing) ; to back up in (error or wickedness). Obs.
1362 Langl. P. PI. A. hi. 232 To meyntene misdoers meede
thei taken. 1377 Ibid. B. 111. 90 Of alle suche sellers syluer
to take, . . Ringes or other ricchesse, the regrateres to mayne-
! tene. c 1380 WTCUF Sel. Wks. III. 323 Officeris bat meyn-
, tenen obere men in synne. 1390 Langl. Rich. Redeles 111.
1 311 Thus is the lawe louyd thoru myjbty lordis willys,
That meyneteyne myssdoevs more than other peple. c 1400
Maundev. (Roxb.) xxxiv. 155 A fende . . tellez jam many
thinges,..for to mayntene bam in baire mawmetry and baire
errour. c 1430 Freemasonry 255 To lere him so that for no
mon No fals mantenans he take hym apun Ny maynteine
hys felows yn here synne For no good that he my$ht wynne.
1528 Northumberland in Si. Papers Hen. I III, IV. 514
Also I can not perceyve that any redresse can be maid
i uppon the Borders, for the Kyng of Scottes doth maynteyn
all the theves and rebelles of the same. 155a Latimek
Serm. Lincolnsh. iii. (15621 81 O crafty deuil : he went
away, not for feare of the holy water, but because he would
mayntaine men in errour and foolishnes.
-f*c. With inf. : To assist, encourage, incite (to
do something, esp. something evil ;, to support or
uphold (in doing it). Obs.
c 1325 Poem times Ediu. II (Percy Soc.^ xxxvii, He shal
1 be maintend full wel To lede a sory life. 1362 Langl. /'. PI.
A. 111. 145 Prouendreres, perstms, preosles Iieo nieynteneth,
To holde lemmons and lotebyes al heor lyf-dayes. Ibid. A
iv. 42 He meynteneth his men to morthere myn owne. 1393
Ibid. C. xvni. 234 The pope. .That with moneye menteyneih
men to werren vp-on cristine. 1546 J. Alen in St, Papers
Hen. VIII, III. 577 The Justices nephew maynteyned the
burgesses of the Newcastell, to take from me a paicell of
pasture. 1626 Scogin's fests'm Hazl. Sltaks. Jcst-bks. (1864)
124 When the king's servants had espied him, they did main-
taine their dogges to runne at Scogin.
d. Law. To give support to (a suitor) in an
, action in which one is not concerned. Cf. 10 b;
also Maintenance 6.
1716 W. Hawiuns Pleas Crown 1. 249 Of this second kind
MAINTAINABLE.
53
MAINTENANCE.
of Maintenance there seem to be three Species : . . 2. Where
one maintains one Side, to have Part of the Thing in Suit,
which is called Champerty. Ibid. 252 A Man may lawfully
maintain those who are infeoffed of Lands in Trust for him
in any Action concerning those Lands. 1836 Bingham's
New Cases Co/urn. Picas II. 650 The Defendant .. has
voluntarily and officiously undertaken to maintain the
Plaintiff in a suit with which the Defendant has no connec-
tion. 1886 Law Rep. 17 Q. B. D. 504 The present action
was brought by the plaintiff against the defendant to re-
cover the 118/. on the ground that he had 'maintained'
Nailer in the former action.
13. To hold, keep, defend (a place, position,
possession) against hostility or attack, actual or
threatened. Phr. To maintain one* $ ground {often
Jig.). Also refl. = to make a stand, defend one's
position ; similarly f to maintain one's own.
(-1350 Will. Paleme 3642 William say ber ober side of
fers & so breme, bat his men mfat noujt meyntene here
owne. « 1400-50 Alexander 1972 Mi^t bou be marches so
Messedoyne mayntene bi-sclfe. 1513 Douglas Mneis iv.
v. 81 And now that secund Paris, .. By reif mantemys hir
suld ouris be. 1595 Daniel Civ. Wars iv. xlvi. 75 b, Bed-
ford who our onely hold maintaind. 1595 Shaks. John nr.
iv. 136 A Scepter snatch'd with an vnruly hand Must be as
boysterously maintain'd as gain'd. 1599 — Hen. V, in. vi.
95 Flu. The Duke of Exeter ha's very gallantly maintain'd
the Pridge. 1615 G. Sandys Trav. 217 A fort maintained by
a small garrison of Moores. 1624 Fletcher Rule a Wife
in. v. (1640) 37 Leon.. .1 stand upon the ground of mine own
honor, And will maintaine it. 1660 F. Brooke tr. La Blanc's
Trav. 15 There are four avenues cut through the Mountain,
easie to be maintained. 1736 Butler Anal. 1. iii. Wks.
1874 I. 63 In this case then, brute force might more than
maintain its ground against reason. 1748 Gray Alliance
88 An Iron race the mountain cliffs maintain. 1792 Anccd.
W. Pitt I. xviii. 283 The King of Prussia, though surrounded
by his numerous enemies, maintained himself with astonish-
ing skill and valour. 1849 James Woodman iv, She main-
tained her ground, although the Moor rode close up to her
with Iris companions. 1853 J- **. Newman Hist, Sk, (1873)
II. 1. iv. 178 Venice .. by a system cf jealous and odious
tyranny, . . continued to maintain its ground. 1893 Sir L.
Griffin in lgthCeut. Nov. 684 Our subsidies and open sup-
port have enabled Abdur Rahman Khan to maintain him-
self against his many enemies.
14. To support or uphold in speech or argument ;
to defend (an opinion, statement, tenet, etc.); to
assert the truth of, contend to be true or right.
1340 Hami'ole Pr. Consc. 3080 Yhit has men herd som
clerkes maynte[ne] Swilk an opinion, als I wene, pat a saule
[etc.]. C1380 Wyclif Set. Wks. HI. 323 Clerkis bat don
evyl and meyntene it hi sotilte of word, t-1449 Pecock
Repr. 1. i. 5 Alle the othere vntiewe opiniouns and holding is
.. muste needis..lacke it wherbi thei mitten in eny colour
or semyng be mentened, holde, and supported, c 1450 Pistill
of Susan (MS. I) 220 pies wordes bat we say, On bis wom-
man verray, J?at wil we mayntan for aye. 1512 Act 4
Hen. VIII) c. 19 Preamble, The seid Frensche Kyng ..
alway erronyously defendyng & maynteynyng his seid
obstynate opynyons agayne the unitye of the holye Churche.
1530 Palsgr. 617/1 And he ones saye a thyng, he wyll
mayntayne it to dye for it. 1616 R. C. Times' Whistle
v. 2120 What phisitian .. would .. such a lye maintaine?
1651 HoiiUEs Levlath. n.xxx. 180 The doctrines maintained
by so many Preachers. 1686 Horneck Crucif. Jesus xi.
205 This point they do so stiffly, and so uncharitably main-
tain. 1772-84 Cook Voy. (1790) V. 1649 They also, in some
degree, maintain our old doctrine of planetary influence.
1856 Wmately Bacon's Ess. i. 10 It is not enough to believe
what you maintain ; you must maintain what you believe,
and maintain it because you believe it.
b. With clause : To affirm, assert, or contend
{that). With obj. and infm. : To assert (some-
thing) to be (etc.) ; + also in passive.
c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 10 5if bei seyn and meyntenen
in scole and obere placis bat be wordis of holy writt ben
false. 1594 Hooker Eccl. Pol. in. viii. § 13 Because we
maintaine that in scripture we are taught all things neces-
sary vnto saluation. 1605 Shaks. Lear 1. ii. 77, I haue
heard him oft maintaine it to be fit, that [etc.]. 1646 Sir
T. Browne Pseud. Ep. in. xxiv. 169 Some [animalsj there
are in the Land which were never maintained to be in the
Sea, as Panthers, Hyaena's [etc.]. 1652 Needham tr. Sei-
dell's Mare Cl. 203 It is mainteined by divers learned Men
that these were the ruins of the same Tower. 1682 DRVDEN
Medal 86 He .. Maintains the Multitude can never err.
1729 Butler Scrm. Wks. 1874 II. Pref. 24 The Epicureans. .
maintained that absence of pain was the highest happiness.
1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. ii. I. 195 The country, he main-
tained, would never be well governed till [etc.]. 1875
Jowett Plato (ed. 2) V. 222 Pleasure and pain I maintain
to be the first perceptions of children.
fl5. ?To hold upright. Obs. rare—1.
1661 Morgan Sph. Gentry in. vi. 61 Vert, a Flower-pot
Argent maintaining Gilliflowers Gules.
f 16. ? To stand for, represent. Obs. rare—1.
1588 SHAKS. L.L. L.y. ii. 902 This side is litems, Winter,
This I er, the Spring: the one maintained by the Owle,
I h other by the Guckow.
Maintainable (nwkl-, EB&t£'*o£bT), a. Also
5 mayntenable,6 raayn-, mainteinable, 7 main-
tenable, [f. Maintain v. + -able.]
1. That can be maintained, kept up, held, de-
fended, etc. ; esp. of an opinion, an action at law.
1439 i^olls o/Parlt. V. 22/1 No action to be mayntenable
ayenste the seid named Executours. 1541 Act 33 Hen. VIII,
c. 21 § 1 Wordes vttered by them .. not mainteinable in
your lawes. 1559 m Strype Ann. Re/. (1824) I. 11. App. viii.
427 No suite forany cause rysinge within the realme,mayn-
teinable in any place out of the realm. 1586 A. Day Bng,
Secretary 1. (1625) 88 A matter sinisterly suggested unto
you against mee without any maintainable reason. 1602
t ulbecke 1st PL Parall. 68 Your exception is good, and
maintenable by our Law. 1648 tr. Senault's Paraphr.
Job 338 Doe you thinke that your Propositions are main-
taineable? 1680 Lond. Gaz. No. 1522/3 His Excellency
called a Council of War, where it was judged, That the Out
Forts were not maintainable. 1777 Hamilton Wks. (1886)
VII. 483 To effect this would require a chain of posts, and
such a number of men at each as would never be practicable
or maintainable, but to an "immense army. 1826 Southey
Lett, (1856) III. 527, I think he extends the inspiration of
Scripture further than is maintainable. 1837 Sir N. C.
Tindal in Binghani's New Cases I. 99, I think this action
is maintainable against the husband and wife jointly. 1873
M. Arnold Lit. <jj- Dogma (1876) 350 It is a maintainable
thesis that the allegorising of the Fathers is right.
f 2. Affording a livelihood. Obs. rare*
1583 Stubbes Auat. Abus. n. (1S82.) 84 May a pastor ..
(having a maintainable liuing allowed him of his flock)
preach in other places for monie ? Ibid. 88.
Hence Maintai nableness.
1727 in Bailey vol. II. 1865 Pail Mali G. 11 Nov. 6 The
point in favour of the maintainableness of the action - - had
been argued by two able counsel.
Maintain er (m^n-, m&it^i'nax). Forms: 4-5
mayn-, raeyntenour(e, 4-6 -tener, 5 -tenowre,
-tenor,-tynour,-teynour,6maintener,-tenour,
main-, mayntayner, -temour, -teiner, -teyner,
,5V. main-, man-, menteiner, -teinar, -tenar,
-teaner, 7 .SV. mainteener, 9 {Law) maintainor,
6- maintainer. [ME. mayntenour,^.. AF. mayn-
tenour, OF. maintencor, agent-n. f. maintenir
Maintain v. ; the mod. word is a new formation
on Maintain v. + -er 1.]
1. One who upholds, defends, guards, keeps in
being, preserves unharmed (a cause, right, state of
things, etc.).
c 1420 Lydg. Assembly of Gods 918 Mayntenours of ryght,
. . Distroyers of errour. 1447 Bokenham Seyntys (Roxb.) 186
Of crystene feyth a meynteynour. 1514 Barclay Cyt. $
Uploudysh/n. (Percy Soc.) 34 O where be rulers meynteyners
of justyce. 1526 Tin-dale Matt. v. 9 Blessed are the mayn-
tayners of peace. 1579 E. K. in Spenser's Sheph. Cat. Ep.
Ded., Ma. Phi. Sidney, a special fauourer & maintainer of all
kind of learning, c 1635 Mure Ps. xvi. 6 Mainteener of my
lote thow arL 1639 Cokaine Masque Dram. Wks. (1874) 1 1 A
great maintainer Of our great-grand -father's virtue— hospi-
tality. 1749 Fielding Tom Jones in. iii, The maintainers
of all the different Sects in the world. 1781 Johnson Life
Cave Wks. IV. 529 A tenacious maintainer, though not a
clamorous demander of his right. 1824 Miss Mitford Vil-
lage Ser. 1. 66 She a school-mistress, a keeper of silence,
a maintainer of discipline ! 1840 Trtrlwall Greece lix. VII.
321 Polysperchon. .appears as the maintainer of the rights
of Hercules. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) III. 124 The main-
tainer of justice, .is aiming at strengthening the man.
h. In bad sense : One who fosters or supports
(wrong-doing, sedition, false quarrels, etc.).
1393 Langl. P. Pi. C. iv. 288 Mede ys euennore a meyn-
teuour of gyle. 14x3 Pilgr. Sozole (Caxton 1483) in. iv. 53
Ye laweours and maynteners of wrong, c 1420 Lydg. As-
sembly of Gods 677 Meyntenours of* querelles, horryble
lyers. 1502 Arnolde Chron. (181 1) 90 Mayn tener of quarels
..or other comon mysdoers. 1545 Krinklow Comptaynt
19b, Thei be maynteyners of discord for their priuate hikers
sake. 1567 Satir. Poems Reform, iv. 88 Fostararis of falset
. . Mantenaris of murther. 1575-85 Abp. Sandys Senu. iv.
74 All breeders and maintainers of sedition.
c. Something which maintains or preserves.
1574 Newton Health Mag. 23 Breade and Wyne, two of the
cheefest mainteiners of mans life. 1655 Molfet & Bennet
Health's Improv. (1746) 374 Outward Heat draweth out
their inward Moisture, which should be the Maintainer and
Food of their Heat natural. 1696 Tbyon Misc. i. 3 The
Volatile Spirit . . is the Essential Life of every thing, and is
the maintainer of its Colour.
2. One who upholds or supports in speech or
argument, one who contends for the truth or
validity of (a doctrine, assertion, tenet, etc.).
1560 Daus tr. Sleidaues Comiu. 82 The maynteners of
that doctrine, are nother called nor hearde. 1561 T. Nor-
ton Calvin's Inst. m. 306 This opinion, .hath had greate
mainteiners. 1691 Wood Ath. Oxon. I. 349 He was..aprm-
cipal maintainer of Protestancy. 1738 Wakburton Div.
Legal. I. 404 The Maintainers of the Immateriality of the
Divine Substance were likewise divided into two Parties.
1754 Edwards E'reed. IVillw. xii. 275 Epicurus, .maintained
no such Doctrine of Necessity, but was the greatest Main-
tainer of Contingence. 1845 Jebb Gen. Law in Encycl.
Melrop. (1847) NL 702/1 To quiet the violent contest of two
honest maintainers of contrary opinions. 1868 M. Pattison
Academ. Org. v. 154 The conservative maintainers of the
4 status in quo ' ought to have been called upon to justify. .
what had actually taken place.
+ 3. One who gives aid, countenance, or support
to another ; a defender and helper. Obs.
c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 3222 Now bou
comest to reue vs our [socour], pat scholdest ben oure mayn-
tenour. c 1.6,00 Laud Troy Bk. 17056 For now lesen thei
her mayntenoure And alle the gode that thei owe. c 1440
Promp. Parv. 320/2 Mayntenowre, ma?iutcntor, defensor,
supportator, faulor. 1535 Coyerdale Ezek. xxx. 6 The
maynteyners of the londe of Egipte shal fall. 1578 Chr.
Prayers in Priv. Prayers (1851) 504 Thou, Lord, art my
maintainer, and the holder up of my head. 1686 Goad
Cetest. Bodies 1. ix. 28 Seeing he acts by dependance on
Him, as allthe Rest do, we must compare None of them
to their Maintainer.
tb. In bad sense: One who aids and abets another
in wrong-doing or error. Obs.
c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1S10) 255 Edward bei cald &
teld, j>at he was mayntenoure, pe robbed he all held, as a
resceyuour. c 1380 Wyclif Set. Wks. III. 318 Alle resset-
tours and meynteneris of siche [sc. thieves] wityngly ben
cursed, c 1440 Jacob's Well 59 Heretykes . . & alle here
mayntenourys or fauourerys. 1495 Act 11 Hen. VIIy c. 10
§ a The mayntenours of him or theym so mysdoing. 1560
Daus tr. Sleidaues Comm. 456 b, The counsel! of Calcedonie
deposed Dioscorides the maynteyner of Eutyches from his
Byshoprike. 1566-7 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 497 Ane
mantenar of wickit and brokin men. 1570 Act 13 Etiz. c. 2
§ 2 All.. Aydors, Comforters, or Maynteyners of anye the
said. .Offendors. 1588 A. KiNGtr. Cauisius Catech. 141 Main-
tenurs and patrons of euil doars. 1614 Raleigh Hist. World
11. (1634) 467 The Conspirators had neither any mighty
partakers in their fact, nor strong maintainers of their per-
sons. 1660 R. Coke Power $ Sub/. 233 The aiders, main-
tainers and concealers, who shall not within twenty daies..
disclose the same to some Justice of Peace.
4. La%v. One who unlawfully supports a suit in
which he is not concerned. Cf. Maintenance 6.
1399 Langl. Rich. Rcdctes 11. 78 That no manere meyn-
tcnour shulde merkis here, Ne haue lordis leuere the lawe
to apeire. 1503 Wi7 rg Hen. VII, c. 13 Punishment of the
Maintainers and Embracers of the Jurors. 1531-2 Act 23
lieu. VIII, c. 3 Vnlawfull maintenours einbrasours and
Jurours. 1875 Stubbs Const. Hist. (1896) III. xxi. 550 The
maintainers of false causes, whether they were barons or
lawyers, became very early the object of severe legislation.
1898 Encycl. Lazus Eng. ted. Renton) VIII. 74 The main-
tainor must have some special interest other than that of the
public at large.
5. One who provides (a person) with the requi-
sites of life ; j one who keeps a mistress.
1632 Massingeh City Madam iv. ii, Be assur'd first Of a
new maintainer e're you cashire the old one. 1650 Bulwek
Authropomet. 199 The Clergie, who are the chief main-
tainers of the.ie (Janimedes. 1692 Washington tr. Miitoii's
Def. Pop. iii. Wks. 1851 VIII. 76 Plato would not have..
the People [called] Servants, but Maintainers of their Magi-
strates, because they give Meat, Drink, and Wages to their
Kings themselves. 1870 Echo 12 Nov., Every thief his
own maintainer, every prisoner his own reformer.
f 6. ? A mine-owner. Obs.
1747 Hooson Miner's Diet. V iij, I could wi.-,h that some
of the Cross Carping Maintainers might try the difference
of these two Airs.
7. Watch-making. An apparatus for keeping the
movement of a clock or watch from being inter-
rupted during the process of winding.
1884 F. J. Britten Watch § Clock///. 167 In some of
Arnold's watches is a continuous maintainer.
Maintaining, vbl. sb. [im;1.-]
1. The action ol the verb Maintain ; mainten-
ance, support, etc.
c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 100 porgh Anselm may[n]-
tenyng was be contek ent. c 1380 Wyclif Set. Wks. III.
322 In alle pis fals meynteuyng bei holden wib \>c fend
a^enst God. 1395 Purvey Rcmonstrti//ce (lB^i) 87 Vnworthi
to haue ony benefice othir mayntenynge in the rewme.
1490-91 in Swayne San/m Church-w. Ace. (1896) 37 To the
maynteynyngeof the light before the rode, x.\iji'. yi, oh. 1592
Greene Art Connycatch. in. 2 Except they applied them-
selues to such honest trades, .as might witnesse their main-
taining was by true and honest meancs. 1643 Milton
Divorce viii. Wks. 1851 IV, 21 To the strict maintaining of
a generall and religious command. 1794 S. Williams Ver-
mont 232 They were at all times ready, .to contribute their
full proportion towards the maintaining the present just war.
1890 ' K. Boldrewood ' Col. Reformer (1891) 107 The reach-
ing and maintaining of an independent pastoral position.
f2. Bearing, demeanour, behaviour. Obs.
c 1477 Caxton Jason 5 The broder of kyng Eson.. there
beyng present could not holde ne kepe his mayntening. 1483
— G. de ia Tour Prol., A fayr wyff . . whiche had know-
leche of alle honoure, alle good, and fayre mayntenyng. 1530
Palsgr. 241/2 Mayntenyng, port.
3. attrib.'. maintaining power, in a watch or
clock, the power which keeps the motion continuous
(cf. Maintainer 7); so maintaining wheel —
going-zvheel (Knight Diet. Meek. Suppl. 1884).
1766 A. Gumming Clock <y Watch Work 138 Care is to be
taken to acquire in all watches as great a maintaining
power as circumstances can admit. 1825 J. Nicholson
Operat. Mechanic 519 The swing- wheel, .is constantly urged
forward by the maintaining power, which is supplied by a
small weight. 1884 F. J. Britten Watch <y Clock;//. 123
Another feature of Huyghens' clock is the maintaining
power.
t Maintainment. Obs. rare. [f. Maintain
v. + -mem1.] Maintenance.
c 1485 Dighy Myst. (1882) v. 708 Therfor thei be expedient
to these meny of maynte[n]nient. 1543 Plnttfpton Con:
tCamden) 244 Sir Christopher Bird, person, who honestly
did kepe the cure under the forsaid late person, and the
maintenment of God service.
Maintenance (m^-ntenans). ■ Forms: 4-5
meyn-, meintenaunce, -ance, meyntynaunce,
menteynaunce, 4-6 mayntenaunce, -ance, 5
mayntenanse, mayntnaunce, mantenans, 5-6
maynetenaunce,6maintaynance,main-,mayn-
tenans, -tennance,-tennence,mantei(g; nance,
6-7 mantenance, 6-8 maintainance, 4- main-
tenance, [a. F. maintenance, f. maintenir: see
Maintain p, and -ance. Cf. Pr. manteuensa,Sp.
manteneneia, Pg. mantenca, It. manlc/ienza.]
1 1. Bearing, deportment, demeanour, behaviour.
c 1369 Chaucer Dethe Blaunche 834 She had so stedfaste
countenaunce, So noble porte and meyntenaunce. 1430-40
Lydg. Bochas viii. (1494) D v b, Where there be summe that
wrongly it werrey, Holde therageyne by frowarde mayn-
te[n]aunce. 1579 Spenser Sheph. Cat. Sept. 169 For all their
craft is in their countenaunce, They bene so graue and full
of mayntenaunce. 1596 Shaks. i Hen. IV, v. iv. 22, I saw
him hold Lord Percy at the point, With lustier maintenance
then I did looke for Of such an vngrowne Warriour.
2. The action of upholding or keeping in being (a
cause, right, state of things, government, etc.) ; the
state or fact of being upheld or sustained; f that
which upholds, means of sustentation.
MAHTTElfANCE.
141J PUrr. Smlt (Caxtoo itiV iv. xxxiL it Hatha of
.Julie be -
the the lift kaadK.
Home liyaUte L Wkw 105/1 For tW mniMntmmct of tteyr
MKfcmtll, iu0 Siamctt EnfLutd u L 25 To apply and in-
mywtlfctolhtn
e
d*eaing forward ofthe
true c/.MMiyn »ek, i$4*-« (Mar. ■ /& CV*v, Prmyerf Commu-
nion, The womUnutact of Godde* (roe religion and venue.
1570 l/omi/at n. Agst. Pelellion rv. (1640J 302 .So hatha frao-
udc Religion need of Mich furious maintenance* a* is kebcl-
lion. i&a Lvlv Euphues <Arb,j m idknesee U . . ye sole
Matnunstmcc of yonmtil aifoctton. 199s SrcKtex Teares 0/
Muu$ 338 Ho every where they role and tyrannize, For
their usurped kingdom** maintenaunce, 1661 Addrt fr.
//rhtone \n Lend. Gaz. No. 1029/7 Whatever we can do for
and toward* the Support, f'rewer vaiion, and maintainancc
«/ the ju%t Rights and Prerogative of Vour Majesty. 1*71
Emu Phibt, Eng. '/>mgue \ M Where there u a central
literature, there u a cwtillt provi*ion for the maintenance
of uniformity even though word* are changing their muk.
3. The action of keeping in effective condition, in
working order, in rej>air, etc. ; the keeping up of
(a building, light, institution, body of troops, etc.;
by the supply of funds or 'needful provision; the
slate or fact of being so kejrt up ; means or pro-
vision for keeping up.
« 1400 FoKTUcee /4/w, 4 Lint. Man, vt (tevji) rzo It U
>rie that the kyngc be alway riche, wich may not \m
wUbowl he haue revenue* suAcianl for the yerely mayn-
ai lit* estate, 1481 90 Howard llouteh. Pki.
149 Vat the mayntenaiuc of the laaapa . . spent
xiiij. riuartei of oyle iijaf. oh. 1546 Mem. Hipon (Sur-
••' 111 1 Certeti Undei bcloagynge .. to the Mayne-
tenaunce of diver* and syndrye Chauntriez in the Mine
Churche, 15*7 Hj.mi\o ' >»ttn. Hollnshed III. 1 537/1
That which wa. doone . , nude an excellent rode or har-
h foi the time itcontinued,and had maintenance. 161 1
Hi»i.u 7'ratul. /'re/. pa Again*! Church-maintenance and
allowance ,ri( a* the Embaaaador* and mei ienger»
•-f ihe great King '/ King* should \>k furnished. i6i6Si;hh™
& Ma* km. Country /arm 10 Vour House. .will be. .of
ce, pr< eruation, and lafetie, if you en-
uiron it round about with water. 1665 Bumyan Holy < itit
. Having thun shewed us this City. .he now comes to
hhew 1. hei Pre 1 ion arid Maintenance! wherewith she
j 1 < pi in bafety, lif«-, peace ."''l comfort 1775 Buskr
1 ana/, Attar, wl III. 100 Secondly, that they liad acted
Ityully and laudably in their grant* of money, and their
maintenance of troop*. 1844 II. II. Wilson llrit, India
111. 407 A luril.'i .' n|iji- -.tiaiion wan f>uh»c«iucntly author-
i'-l, in urdet Uj enwre the maintenance of the contirv-
it hoTke, which the Goekwar wait bound l»y treaty to
p up I <r the service of the British Government. 1861
M. Pa 1 1 1 -.on /:*>. 1 t'f.'^t) I. 47 'I he maintenance ami repair
of the nurtlieru gate, Buhop >gatc, was kMigned to them.
I 4. The carrying on (of a war) by furnishing
supplies. 06s,
1496 7 .-It/ 17 //en. If/, <. is! 6 The scid xv***. .»halh«
. levyed hi id poled far muyntenance uf the same Wcrre.
1543 4 Act 15 /////. II l/t c. la Inektimahle cottci cliarges
1 peno 1 . for the inaiutcnaunce of his warres*
i*6. The action of giving aid, countenance, or
support to (a person in what he does). Obs,
13,. K. B, A Itit , /'. II. iM 1'or marrynf of maryages &
mayntnaunce of schrtwaz. 1377 Lancl. /'. /'/. II. v. 251
I. 'iii' .u,.v run. I'*rdei» for loin: of h< r itiayntttiuiuncei
. 14*5 l:n,\ < ••>!■/. Int. m Al OUTC ' im my , . hath I-brogbl
vnkeu f-ilt vp-on vr,, thai the harmc wi- h lie had no power
to don vs liym-i>elf, throgh belpe of ham a: mayntenaunca,
1 Hi betti j myght brynge to curl. 159a Gikknk Up*/.
( ourtier K, Sildome was there any pleat put In btfori that
• patarl vi luat breeebst, for bui maintaynanci inuentcd
strangs controutrslts. «i6oo Momtoohkbii Mite, /'oetns
xxv. 14 And I ».all l*e thy taruand, 111 hik bort l'u merit thy
mj Hn • , il I iu;iy.
6. Thi action of wrongfully aiding and a (jetting
litigation; spec, su. filiation of a suit or suitor
at law by a parly who has no interest in the
I' lnii; , or who acts from any improper motive.
(< 1. Maintain v. 2d.)
I M*i-a Nolls ■■/ I'm It. I. ,>: j (/ilvoillcenquerreconirnt u
la mayntanaaaot le dlt Contt cle ptn sou Uanoir.] 1389 in
BugtUildl 1 1$7 ft) M |''-i hhullcn niakyn no mcyntenauncc ne
« onli'N , ,,, i, %m \ n pt kynuis right ne|>c comoun lawe, 1399
K»iu 0/ /'ttr/t. III. ^sa/j Boom aMn.ahavi takra myen
men by i itei sefii 'ana by mwynttnanft ftf nntrtlti- 1 14*0
LVDO) I I WM A/)',-/ f, A«V 0gg I iuoolain, Ciwdty, I'.J.e- Mayn-
tenaunce, Trcwjii, Ahiihion, ^ J*cty ilryhry. 11430 / ree-
maumry f 34 Thill '<" BO im.n, No fuln inatilcn.nih he take
hyi'i gpejh M47 A'«'/A >■/ i'artt. V. 130/1 liygn-lt: nii^lit,
m.iyiiti -ii.uini |, BJld othri uiuluc incorirs. 1460 //■/</. 374/2
In an action ol iiutyuttuiuiiuce. 1467 111 /wo;, (iilth (1M71.)
100 Ult '!" atlorncrs. .truly to tijtci:iiti< ihci olln i- ,,-, tin
laws rsqtUiith w*om meg Dtcnatim a, n 1 hafnpwtya, or oon>
Nllyngi ther i li.uinli.' 1 to v*e t-ny fal . a< 1 yous. i',.ji
I sMh.Miin \>Jteion (163$) 1 -7 Thai hs lhall DOt by him-
hclfe, oi hy .11 1 y i.lli. 1, mil \| ,,iuh ii.uk r, Of other tiling.
"Imi li iii ly <1i .in 1 In- 1 he course of the Common Law. i6a8
(.Hi (>n t.itt. iok b, Maintenance . . ilgnhleth in Law,
■ tajtlnj in hanoi i»;iiitiy vp \>x vpnofolng of quarrola
and m£ . to ii" dl hull. on 1 <>i hTndrani 1 of oommon
right. 1787 BSKTHAM /V/. l'.\itrv \ii. Il8 ('hauipcrty U
inn a partlculai modiflcatlon of this sin of Malntenanoa,
1836 Him; flaw's AY..' Cat** Comm, /'/ens II. DJfl If the
1 '< i. nil, uit waj not privy to the publication of the libel, he
was a h.iM.'.rt to tbs seUon brought aaalnst the Plaintiff,
ami in niuln t.iUii.- lo iinlrinnity I tn I'Lunhlt against the
COStt WSJ guilty of in. uiiirii. mi <■. 1875 I'umk (,'tiius IV.
■■■I 1] 611 I'nl' .. ill' .1 .i.'.niiiriit savoui ol Maintenance,
in.nli- with ih. ii< .i, -11 1. 1 1 ting litigation. 1883
A'./, 11 '/A-/'. 1 Mi. nil. ui^li v NfwilfKiitc.TllS
action was foj inalntsnancs. 1886 /,i:v AV/., 17 Q,3J), 104
Tin: ,n I 1 'II >'■ 1 ' 1 .11.; M to It-i o\ii il.un.1.1 . m.i isioilfd lo
''" 1 '1. 1 1 1 'I 'Il l'\ " .' ol (hi- u'i-IVihLuiI'-. ' 111. tint < nance ' of
1. ne N .till 1 in .01 .utioiiwlmh hn bad brotisjtM rjltrnTl the
l>Uintiii laasSia ¥ Pollock Lmwf/Ttrta jiiuh sareni
m in. null u. on 1 1, 01 aiding a party In RUgatloo witboutcitbvi
54
interest in the scat, or lawful cause of kindred, affection, or
charity for aiding hi—, it,. akin to malsriom prosecntion and
other abases of legal process., . Actions for maintenance are
in modern times rare though possible.
7. The action of providing (a person) with the
requisites of life ; the fact or state of being so pro-
vided. Also, that which supports or maintains
a person with livelihood, means of subsistence ;
the amount provided for a person's livelihood.
1369 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 4 He schal )eue somwhat in
maintenance' of pe bretherhede. a 1400-50 Alexander 1179
Kather to thole pe mavntenanoe of the Messedoyns & of
|re meri Greku, pan paim of Persy to pay. 1540 Act 32
l/eu. V/j/.K. 14 Ihe nauy. .is. .the maintenaunce of many
master* mariners and Ma men. 15S1 Muixasi eb Position*
xxxvW. iiZZj) 148 Will ye haue the multitude waxe, where
the maintenance waines? 1591 Shaks. Two Cent. 1. iii. 68
What maintenance be from his friends receiues, Like exhibi-
tion thou fchalt haue from me. 159a Uabisgton Notes
Genesis i. Wks. (1632) 6 The pride of some, who cannot abide
to haue any.. come neere them in any circumstance of life or
maintenance. 1600 Haklcvt Voy. (1810) III. 555 This
Maiz i* the greatest maintenance which the Indian hath.
1612 W00OALX Surg. Mate Wks. (1653,1 Ep. Salut. 2, I was
forced for my maintenance to follow the practice of the cure
of the Plague. 1645 Keatlv Dippers Dipt (1646J 133 Some
lands, profits, and emoluments, assigned for the maintcn-
ance of the Minislery. c 1701 Cibbkb I^ove Makes a Matt
11. i. 22 hnough to give him Books, and a moderate Main-
tainance. 1709 Swot Adv. Relig., They are not under a
necessity of making learning their maintenance. 173a Law
Serious C. viii, (ed. 2) 114 The parish allowance to such
people, K very seldom a comfortable maintenance. 1818
Ckcise Digest (ed. 1) VI. 117 In case he should have any
children by her, to provide for their maintenance. 1840
Macaulav Ess. tC live (1887) 560 The civil servants were
clearly entitled to a maintenance out of the revenue. 1863
Mamv HowiTT /'. /''renter's Greece II. xxi. 297 The Greek
convent houses are chiefly houses of maintenance for poor
men and women.
b. .Separate maintenance : support given by a
husband to a wife when the parties are separated.
1722 Jm. Foe CoL Jack it^o) 211 She demanded a sepa-
rate maintenance. 1777 Sheridan Sck, Stand. 1. i, She has
l>cen the cause of six matches being broken off,.. nine aepa>
rate maintenances, and two divorces.
8. The act of supporting or upholding in speech
or argument; assertion of the truth or validity of
(an opinion! plea, tenet).
1533 Mowk /hf'cll. Salem Wks. poo/a For herein see I
none other shyft for this good man, but for the maintenance
of his matter to .say, that in the common law [etc.}. 1560
Daus tr. Slfittanc's Comtn. 22 b, The J)uke .. aunswereth,
that it was never his intent \<> defende Luthers doctrine by
his maintenaunce. 156a Child- Marriages 195 This depo-
nent did colourably declare (for the nuuntenaunca of his
matter) that he had sundry witnesses. 1691' L. H\ ale) A cc.Neio
Invent. 20, What lias been severally offered and asserted. .
in Maintenance of their different Conceptions touching the
Kvil now enquired into. 1875 H. K. Revnolds in Ex-
positor I. 308 He could never have apjjealcd, as he did, to
the authority of I'aul in maintenance of his own peculiar
opinions.
9. Cap (or + hat) of maintenance : a kind of hat
<ir cap formerly worn as a symbol of official dignity
or high rank, or carried before a sovereign or a
high dignitary in processions.
'Ihe sense of maintenance here is obscure. Cf. the apt),
equivalent tap 0/ estate, cap of dignity (see Cai- sl>. 4 0. *n
ihe earliest example {c 1485) the hat 0/ main tenant e is worn
by I lie men 1 bets of the Holbonj Ouest. Aflei ward* the cap
of maintenance i.i mentioned by contemporaries as having
been ^iven by the 1'ope thrice to Henry VII and once to
Henry VIII ; in 1S51 it is referred to as one of the insignia
of a prince. In the 17th c. and later it appears chiefly as
borne, together with the sword, before the Lord Mayor, and
before the Sovereign at his coronation. A kind of cap, with
two points like horns behind, Iwrne in the arms of certain
families either as a charge or in the place of a wreath, is de-
scribed by heralds as a ' cap of maintenance ' : cf. quot. 1700.
( 1485 Digfy Myst. (1882) v. 727 {Stage direct.) Here en-
Irithe v). lorours in a sute gownyde with hoodes a-bowte
her ncclkesj, hattcs of mayntenaunce ther-v|H>nc. 1489
WllOI hi si. iv Chron. (187O I. a A capp of ntayntenance
brouaht from Home to the Kinge. 1551 Kuihnson tr. Marc's
Utop. 11. (1895) 333-4 Nor the prince hymselfe is not knowen
from the other. . oy a crown or diademe or cappe of main-
ten. nun e. 1577-87 Holinsiiku Chron. III. 1122,, 1 They
bad two caps of maintenance likewise borne before them :
whereof thfl aarls of Arnndell baVS the one, and the earle of
Shrewcsburie the oilier. 1614 K.Tailok /log hath lost Pearl
in. E3D. As if a females fauour could not beobteyn'd by any,
hut he that weares the Cap of maintenance. 162a J. Taylor
(Watt? P.) I civ Merry Wherry- Ferry I'oy. Wks. (i(>jo) il.
1 3/2 A Sword, a Cap of maintenance, a ftface . . Are borne
borers the Maior, and Aldermen. 163a Massinghr City
Madam iv. i, I see Lord Mayor written on his forehead;
The Cap of Maintenance and ClUs Sword Horn up in stats
befcfl him. 1639 Mavnk City Match I, iii, Think, man, how
it may In lime.. raise thee 'I o the sword and cap of inain-
I chain e. 1656 in Jewitt & Hope Corporation Plate (1895) I.
1>. Ixxviit, [Cromwell granted to Salisbury that the Sword-
Kitrer should bear a sword and) Wears a Cap of Mayntenance
before the Maior of ihe said Citie for the tyme being. 1698
Kkvik Ace, P. India a /'. is8 A high Red Velvet Cap,
plaited at Top like .1 Cap of Maintenance. 1700 CoNCaSVI
II \iv of World 111. -wiii, l bey |a pair of horns] may prove
.1 1 KB of iiiaintenance to you still. 171* Mandkvillk Fab.
Pees (17251 1. 177 If my lord mayor had nothing to defend
himself but his great t wo-handed swoid, the huge cap of
iii.tinleiiance. and bis gilded mace. 1736 Dkakk Eboracum
1. \i. -'j 3 The SwOrd bsarsi hatha hat of maintenance, wliich
he wears only on Clnistmas day,, .and on the high tlays of
• Iriiuiity. 1808 Scon Mann. iv. vii, His cap of inaiiiten-
auce was graced With the p I heron's plum*. 1875 Sunns
Con if /list. HI. xx. 414 It became the rule for a duke
iu Ih; cieaud by lire iiitding on of the swoid, the bestowal
MAIN-TOPMAST.
of a golden sod, and the imposition of a cap of maintenance
and urdet of gold. [Under Edw. Ill ; but the document
cited has per impositionem cappx^
tb. jocularly ^with allusion to sense 7). Obs.
1597 \st Pt. Return fr. Pamass. u I 389 Take us with
thee^for wee muste provide us a poore capp of mantenance.
T Maintenant, adv. Obs. Forms: 4 meign-
tenaunt, 5 meyn-. mayntenauiit(e, 6 mantey-
nent. maintenaunt. [a. OF. maintenant in the
same sense 'in mod.F. = now), f. main hand +
tenant, pr. pple. of tenir to hold.] At once, im-
mediately.
13 . .K. A lis. 530a That on Iep on a lyoun, And to ground
hymthrewadoun.Andhymastrangledmeigntenaunt. rai4oo
Arthur 383 (TheyJ broute Arthour Mej-ntenaunt Euen by-
fore pegyant. a 1470 TirroFT Cxsar'w. (1530)6 They dely-
vered maynienaunte one parte and the remnaunt wyth in
fewdayes. a 1548 Hall Chron. (1809)660 The Frenchmen . .
alighted as though they would geve a*saut maintenant. 159a
W in \st Pt. Symbol. { 44 C, Luerie estate is either executed
maintenant, or executorie by limitation of vse. 1598 Child-
Marriages 166, 2 packet es, .. which were maintenaunt..
deliuered to Mr. John Francis to be posted bens.
t Maintenantly, adv. Obs. [-ly*.] =prec.
i5a8 Si, Papers Hen. X//1, IV. 497 If thaye maye chace
theim ons out of Scotland, ihoughe thaye . . manteynentlie
retourne again after he be departed, yet [etc.). 1577-87
HoLiNSHtD Chron. III. 822/1 Monsieur de la Palice, and
monsieur de Imbrecourt . . were put to their ransomes, and
licenced maintenance to depart vpon their word.
\ Used with etymological allusion.
155a Hlloet, Sell a thing before wytnesse, or by delyuer-
yngepossession mayntenantly to the buyer . . , manciple dare.
li Mai lite 11 on (mxht^noh;. The name of the
Marquise de Maintenon, secretly married to
Louis XIV in 1685; used attrib. in names of
things arbitrarily called after her, as Maintenon
bonnet \ c/iop, cutlet; Maintenon cross [ ■ F. main-
tenon], a cross with a diamond at the extremity
of each limb, worn as an ornament.
[17x0 Swift Jrnt /<?.V/c//rtSOct.,Wehadaneckof mutton
dressed a la Maintenon^ that the dog could not eat.]
1805 Sporting Mag. XXV. 226 Veal cutlets, haricoed
mutton, maintenon chops. 1836 Mark vat Three Cutters v,
'And what else, sir?' ' Maintenon cutlets, my lord.' 1836-7
DsCKKHS Sk. Boz, Talcs viii, Mr. Alexander Trott sat down
to a fried sole, maintenon cutlet, Madeira, and sundries.
1884 West. Daily Press 13 June 7/6 The popular form of
bonnet is that called ' Maintenon *.
MainteH0US^mt"i'nten3s),r7. Law. rare, [irreg.
f. Mainten(ance) + -ous.] Relating to, or of the
nature of, maintenance.
1898 Encyct. Laws Eng. (ed. Renton) VIII. 75 A main-
tenous agreement is- illegal and therefore void.
t Maintenue. Obs. rare—1, [a. F. maintetittCy
t maintenir to Maintain.] = Maintenance 6.
1390 Gown Con/. III. 380 To seche and loke how that it
is Touchende of the chevalerie, ..That of here large retenue
The lond is ful of maintenue, Which causith that the comune
right In fewc contrees slant upright.
Main-top (m^n,tpp). Naut. [SeeMAixa.io.]
The Top ofa mainmast; a platform just above
the head of the lower mainmast. Often used loosely
for main- topgallant-masthead.
1485 Naval Ace. I/en. VII (1806) 48 Mayne toppe-. 158a
N. LiuiLHELD tr. Castanheda's Com/. E. //id. t. xxviii. 70 b,
The king with his owne hand did deliver it unto the Cap-
table General), for to hestowe it in his maine toppe. 1637
Cai'T. Smith Seaman" s Cram. x\\\. 62 The Admiral! of each
squadron.. doth carry in their maine tops, flags of sundry
colours. 1785 Dk Foe Voy. round World (1840) 308 The
man at the main-lop, who was ordered to look out. 1835
MAKRYAT fac. Eaithjf. xvii, When I was captain of the main-
top in the I,a Minerve. 1W7 Standard 21 Sept. 5/7 The war
vessels, .each flying the British ensign at the maintop.
b. attrib. (sometimes *=' belonging to the main-
topsnil ';, as main-top borvline, -man, shroud.
i6a6 Cam. Smith Aaid. Vug. Seamen 14 The maine top
shroudes. < i860 H. Stuart Seaman's Catech. 79 The
duties of fore or main-topmen in their respective tops are
much the same. 1867 Smvih Sailor's 11 ord-fk., Main-top
Botvline, the bowline of the main-topsail. 1882 Standard
1 Dec. 3/6 There were no maintopmen on deck.
Main- topgallant (nu"in,t^pga"lant). Xaut.
[See Main a. 10 and Topgallant.] Used attrib.
in main- topgallant-mast, the mast above the
main-topmast ; similarly in main-topgallant- mast'
headt -sail {-yard), -yard, etc.
i6a6 Capt. Smith Accid. Yng, Seamen 13 The maine top
gallant sayle yeard. 1693 OUVEB in Phil. Trans. XVII.
912 Our Main Tup-Gallant .Mast was split in pieces. 1748
Anson's Voy. n. x. 239 One of the Captains .. carries the
royal standard of Spain at the main-topgallant masthead.
1760 C Johnston Chrysal (1822) II. 233 To hand the main-
top-gallant sail in a storm at midnight. 1790 BeatSOM
Nov. ty Mil. Mem. II. 41 1 The man on the main-top-gallanl-
yard of the Rochester. 1876 EneycL Brit. XXI. 153/1 On
the main-mast we have the main-course or main-sail, main-
iop-s.nl, main topgallant nail, and the main-royal.
AX aiu -top mast (nu-'nit^'pmast, -most). jXant.
Also 5 mane-. [See Main a. 10 and Toi'Mast.]
The mast next above the lower mainmast.
1495 Naval Ace. lien. I'll (1896) 269 The mane toppe
Baaaee* i6a6 CaJT. Smith Accid. Vng. Seamen i-\ 1634
Bai Rl POM f'r.w (Chatham SocJ 169 Upon the mainmast
. . there is also placed, .the main top mast. 176a Falconer
Shiptcr. in. 584 While, In the general wreck, the faithful
stay Drags the main-topmast from its post away. 1833 M.
Scott Tom Criueic xvi. (1859) 4:4 Her mainUpmasi was
gOlM dfiaS by the cap.
MAIN-TOPSAIL.
b. altrib. : main-top-mast-head, -staysail.
1671 Lend. Gaz. No. 683/3, 3 English Seamen ran up to
his Muin-top-mast-head, and took down his Pendant. 1779
F. Hebvey Nov. Hist. II. 157 He is said to have passed
through the Channel, with a broom at his main-top-mast
head. 1866 Daily Tel. 6 Feb. 3/3 At eight o'clock the
maintopmast-staysail was carried away.
Main-topsail (m<Tin|t(i-psc7'l, -s'l). Naut.
[See Main a. 10.] The sail above the mainsail.
1618 Xe;os of R anleigk (1844I 16 If the Maister. .bid heaue
out the maine Top-saile. 1748 AnsotCs Voy. 11. v. 170 The
weather proved squally, and we split our maintop-sail. 1884
Par Eustace 137 Her main topsail is shivering.
b. attrib., as main-topsail bowline, brace, hal-
yard, rigging, sheet, lye, yard.
i6j6 Capt. Smith Acad. Vng. Seamen 12 The maine top
sayle yeard. Ibid. 14 The maine top sayle hallyards, . . the
maine top sayle sheats, ..the maine top sayle braces. Ibid.
|j The maine top sayle bowlin. 1800 Asia/. Attn. A't-c.,
Chron. 66, '1 Our maintop-sail tye was shot away. 1813
Examiner 26 Apr. 261/2 The [American frigate] Constitu-
tion suffered severely, ..having, .both maintopsail-yards. .
badly shot. 1854 Mrs. Gaskell North <$• .S". xiv, Some
sailors being aloft in the maintopsail rigging.
Main-ward, mainward. [Main «.]
1 1. The main body of an army. Obs.
1563-87 Foxe .4..y M. (1596) 46/2 As well my va ward, main-
ward, as rereward. 1581 Styward Mart. Discipl. n. 122
The which. .are to be diuided into three battailes : the
Voward, the Maineward, and the Rereward battaile. 1591
Garrard's Art IVarre 184 When the fronts were wearied
the Mainward and Rereward succeeded.
2. The principal ward of a lock, fastened to the
main-plate.
1677 Moxon Mcch. E.vcrc. No. 2. 23 The true Place of
the Main-ward. 1688 R. Holme Armoury in. 301/2 The
Maine ward [of a key] is that on the lower side the Hit.
1875 Knight Diet. Mecli. 1 339/1, U is a ward-lock key. .The
various parts are, — .1, the main-ward, or bridge-ward.
Mainy, variant of Mkinie, company.
Main-yard ^mJ'niyaid). A'aitl. [SeeM.ux<7.
10.] The yard on which the mainsail is extended.
1485 A'aral Ace. Hen. VII (1896) 37 Brasse pendaunts
for the mayne yerdes. c 157a Gascoigne Mask Posies (1575)
Flowers 48 His eares cut from his head, they set_ him in
a chayre, And from a maine yard hoisted him aloft into the
ayrc ia*7 Capt. Smith Seaman's Gram. iii. 16 Suppose
the ship be 76. foot at the Keele, her maine yard must be
21. yards in length, and in thicknesse but 17. inches. 1824
J. Symmons tr. sEsc/tyltts' Again. 59 Ship against ship, with
crashing mainyards roll'd. 1840 R. H. Dana Be/. Mast
xvii. 46 We got a whip on the main-yard.
b. altrib., as main-yard-arm, -rope ; main-yard
man Naut. slang (see quot.).
1497 Xa:al Ace. lien. VII (1896) 307, ij mayne yerde
Ropes. 176a Falconer Shipwr. 111. 665 Some, from the
mam-yard-arm impetuous thrown. 1867 Smyth Sailor's
lVord4>k., Main-yard Men, those in the doctor's list.
Maioid (m^foid). a. and sb. Zool. [f. Maia +
-om.] A. adj. Of or pertaining to the genus
Maia or family Maiidex or superfamily Maioidca-
of crabs. B. sb. A maioid crab.
1851 Dana in Amer. Jrnl. Sci. Ser. 11. XI. 425 On the
Classification of the Maioid Crustacea or Oxyrhyncha.
1852 — Crust. 1.48 Small antennary space, as in the Maioids.
Hence Maioi dean a. and sb. = prec.
185a Dana Crust. 1. 51 The Maioidean series passes down
from the Parthenopinea.
Maior, obs. form of Major and Mayor.
Maioral, -alitie, obs. ff. Mayoral, -alty.
Maioram, -ane, -on, obs. forms of Marjoram.
Maiour, obs. form of Major and Mayor.
Mair, northern form of More, and (Night)uare.
Mair, Mair- : see Mayor, Mayor-.
t Mairatour, adv. Sc. Obs. Forms : see
Atour. [f. mair More + Atolr.] Moreover.
1513 Douglas eEneis in. vi. 14S And mairatour, gif outhir
wit, or fame, Or traist may be [etc.]. 155a Lyndesay
Monarche 6155 And, mairattour, thay sail feill sic ane smell
Surmountyng far the fleure of earthly flowris. 1596 Dal-
kymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. iv. 225 He mairattouer
honouret christe in his Preistes. 1819 \V. Tennant Papistry
Storm'd (1827) 77 And mairattour, .. He did dislike baith
Pape and Deil.
Mairch, obs. Sc. form of March sb. and v.
II Maire (ma'ir«\ Also mairi. [Maori.] A
name for several New Zealand trees with heavy
close-grained wood : a. Santalum cunninghami ;
b. Olea of various species ; c. Eugenia maire.
1835 W. Vate Ace. X. Zealand (ed. 2) 4I Mairi— a tree of
the Podocarpus species, growing from forty to sixty feet
high. 1883 J. Hector Hamlbk. X. Zealand 132, 133
1 -Morris) Maire-a small tree ten to fifteen feet high ; . . wood
hard, close-grained, heavy.. Black maire, N.O. "Jasminex;
also Maire-rau-nui, Olea Cunuiiighamii.
Maire, obs. form of Mayor, More.
Mairmaid, Mairman: see Mermaid, -man.
Mairouer, -ir, obs. Sc. forms of Moreover.
Mairt : see Mart.
Mais, Maischloch, obs. ff. Mess, Mashloch.
Maise, variant of Mease sb.z
Maise, Maisels, obs. ff. Maize, Measles.
t Maison. Sc. Obs. Also 6 maiaoun. [a. F.
maison.'] A house.
1570 Satir. Poems Reform, x. 412 With all foull vice thou
ties defylde yair Maisoun. a 1625 Sir J. Semple Pieklooth
f<rr Pope in Harp Renfrew. Ser. 11. (1873) 19, I can but. .
seek my meat through many an unknown Maison. •
55
Maison, obs. form of Mason.
Maiaon-dieu : see Measondue Hist., hospital.
|| Maisonnette (mc^z^ne't). Usually mis-
spelt maisonette. [Fr., diminutive of maison
house.] A small house.
1818 Lady Morgan Autobiog. (1859) 27 The Charlevilles
have exchanged their maisonette in Berkeley Square for
Queensberry House. 1880 Ouida Moths I. 234 They all lived
in a little maisonette in the park.
Maiss, variant of Mease v. Sc, to sooihe.
Maist, northern form of Most.
Maister : see Master.
Maist er el 1. Obs. 7'are — 1. [f. maister ;
M aster + -EiA] An imp or familiar.
165a Gaule Magastrom. 25 Who is a consulter with farm-
liar spirits? What? he that hath, .confariation with a petty
Maisterell? Ibid. 179 How many magicians, .. have had
their.. maisterels, and ministrels, their imps, and familiars.
Maisteresse: see Mai.strice Obs., Mistress.
Maistery, niaistir : see Mastery, Master.
Maistre, obs. form of Master, Mastery.
Maistres ^se, obs. form of Mistress.
Maistri, obs. form of Mastery.
t Maistrice. Chiefly Sc. Obs. Forms : 4-5
mastrice, -is, mais-, maystries, -yes, -yse, 5-6
mastres, 4-6 maistres, 5-6 maistrice. 7 mais-
teresse. [a. OK. maist rise ;mod.F. maitrise), f.
maitre Master. In 16—1 7th c. confused with the
pi. of Mastery, q. v.] = Mastery in various
senses; superiority, superior force or skill ; a deed
of might or skill, a feat. 7o make maistrice : to
display one's power or skill.
a 1300 Cursor M. T4611 Quar es nu..bis prophet e. .Nil sal
he sceu vs his maistris. 13.. A'. Aits. 5591 By maLstres, be
werres he conquerde. 1375 IIarhour Bruce iv. 524 And
it, that ouris said be of richt, Throu thair mastrice thai
occupy. Ibid.w. 566 The hund did than sa gret mastris,
That he [etc.]. a 1400 J 'is! iii of Susan 227 He was.. More
niijti inon ben we his Maistris to Make, c 1400 Sowdone
Hah. 3117 Lenger durste thay no maystryes make, Thai
were so sore agaste. c 1400 Rom. Rose 4172 And eek
amidde this purpryse Was maad a tour of grct maistryse.
,1 1400-50 Alexander 333 J>e renkc.Gase him doune..
Furthe to make his maistryse and mose in his arte, c 1460
Toioneley Myst. xxv. 232 Tell me in this tydewhat mastres
thou makys here. . 1470 Henry Wallace x. 696 Quhat
Sotheroun thai ourtak Contrar the Scottis com neuir mais-
trice to male 1526 Tindalk 1 Cor. ix, 25 Every man that
proveth mastres abstaineth from all thynges. ( 1560 A.
Scott Poems (S.'r. S.) vi. S So hive garris sober wenien small
Get maistrice our grit men of gud. 1680 Aubrey in Lett.
i'.min. Persons (1S13) III. 566 Notwithstanding his great
witt and maisteresse in rhetorique etc. he will oftentimes be
guilty of mispelling in English.
f Maistrie, r\ Oh. [ad. OF. maistrier, f.
maistre Master s/k] trans. = Master v.
c 1412 Hoccleve De Reg. Princ, 1S45 Naght is his goost
maistried With daunger. Ibid. 4603 Of so seekly a con-
dicioun, That it may by no cure be maistryed. 1481 Cax-
ton Myrr. 1. v. 26 They [sc. unlearned clerks) be called
maistres wrongfully, for vanyte mai^tryeth them. ("153a
Du Wes Introd. Fr. in Palsgr. 950 Maistrier, to mastry.
Maistrie, obs. form of Mastery.
Mais try (m^i-stri). Indian. Also maistri.
mistry. [Hindi mistrl, corruption of Pg. mestre
master.] A master-workman, a foreman ; applied
also to a skilled workman, e. g. a cook, a tailor.
1798 Wellington in Owen Mrq. Weltestey's Desp. (1877)
765 These are to be had in any number by making advances
to the bullock owners or maistnes. 1849 E. B. Eas twick Dry
Leaves 135 The head maistri, or builder, had discovered . .
that some of the workmen had deserted. 1880 C. R. M^ark-
h.km Pernv. Bark 1,62'l'he usual method ofobtaining labourers
is to employ a native maistry% who engages to enlist a fixed
number of coolies.
Maistry ;e,Maistur, obs.ff. Mastery,Masteb.
Mait, Sc. form of Mate sb., a.t and v.
Maiter, Maith, obs. ff. Matter, Maize.
Maith, Sc. variant of Mathe, maggot.
Mai then, Maithes: see Maythex, Maythe.
Maitles, obs. variant of Mightless.
I! Maitre d'liotel (niftr* d^tgl). Also 6 maistre
d'hostell. [Fr. phrase = ' house-master '.] A head
domestic, a major-domo, a steward or butler.
1540 in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. m. III. 252 Tannagel, the
maistre d'hostell with vij persons. 1695 Earl of Perth
Lett. (Camden) 64 A marquise who is his maitre d'hStelle
[Meant for a fern. !]. 1704 Addison Italy (1705)488 His
chief Lay-Officer is the Grand Maitre d^HOtel or High
Steward of the Houshold. 1769 Ann. Reg. 104 His royal
highness gave to the maitre de hotel who was charged with
it [a present] a gold snuff-box. 1849 Thackeray Pendennis
lxxv (iriit.), Frederic Lightfoot, formerly maitre dhdtel in
the service of Sir Francis Clavering.
t Maitrise, »« Obs. rare~x. [ad. F. maitristr,
f. maitrise : see Maistrice.] trans. To make one-
self master of, to conquer.
1636 Brathwait Rom. Emp. 125 Hee recovered France
newly over-run and maiti ised by the Barbarians.
Maize (m<T»z). Forms : 6 maith, mayis, 6-S
mais, maiz, (7 maes, maix, maijs, maze, mass,
S maez), 7-S mayz(e, 7-8 mays, ^9 mais^e), 7-
maize. Also 6 in mod.L. form maizium. [a.
Sp. maiz (formerly also mahiz, mahis, mayz), a
word of the Cuban dialect, the pronunciation of
which is rendered by Oviedo inSp. orthography as
MAIZENA.
maisi or majisi\ prob. identical with the Arawak
(Guiana) marisi, and the Carib ( mdrichi, bled
cVlnde' (Breton, Did.Caraibe,\(&$). Cf. Y.mais,
in 16th c. mahiz (1555 in Hatz.-Darm.).]
1. An American graminaceous plant [Zea Mays)
or the grain produced by it ; = Indian Corn.
a. The plant.
1585 T. Washington tr. Nieholay's Voy. 1. xviii. 21 In
steed of corn they sow Maith [Er. Us sement dn Maith],
which is a kind of grosse Mill. 1613 Pirchas Pilgrimage
VI. i. 561 The fields of Mais the great stalkes whereof
were trodden downe. 1613 K. Harcourt Voy. to Guiana
?S There is a kind uf great wheat, called Maix, of some
it is called Guinea wheat. 1672 Jossflvn New Eng.
Rarities 17 They [Racoons] feed upon Ma^s, and do
infest our Indian Corn very much. 1674 — Voy. AV:c Pug.
- 1 Maze, otherwise called Turkie-wheat, or rather Indian-
wheat, because it came first from thence. 1742 CoLLIKS
AW. iii. 6 'Tis sweet, .to. .scent the breathing maize at set-
ting day. 1861 Tvlor Anahuac ix. 228 The Mexii ans were
cultivating maize and tobacco when the Spaniards invaded
the country.
b. The grain.
1555 Eden Decades 3 This kynde of grayne they call
maizium. c 1565 Si>arkk Sir J. 1 1 ait-kins' 2nd I 'oy. in Hak-
ittyt (15S9) 540 Mayis maketh good sauury bread. 1594 K.
Ashley tr, Leys ic Roy 15 b, Throughout the western Islands
they make bread of a kind of wheat called Mahiz, 1596
Raleigh Discov. Gviana 3 It hath also for bread sufficient
Mais, Cassaui. 1600 Haklcvt Voy. (1S10' III. 602 A come
i. died Mai/, in bignesse of a pease, the eaie whereuf is much
like to a tea-ell. <*i6*6 Bacon Med. Rew.W'ks. iS^; III. 828
'lake of Indian mat/ half a pound. 1732 Akbl ihnot Ruies
0/ Diet i. 250 Mays is not so ea-ily brought to Fermentation.
1832 / 'eg. Subst. Pood 101 Maize is said to contain no gluten.
and little, .saccharine matter. 1855 Loncf. iiia'.v. xvil. 159
'i hey. . Beat to death poor Pau-1'uk-Keewis, Pounded him
as maize is pounded. xZ^Ccntury Mag. Apr. S49 The first
generations of English-Americans subsisted mainly on maize.
2. Water maize [Sp. maiz de/a^tta^Ahe I 'ictoria
regia, so called because of its farinaceous seeds
(Treas. Bot. 1S66) ; Mountain maize, the genus
Ombrophytum (Miller Plant n. 18S4).
3. Adopted as the name of one of the coal-tar
colours, a pale yellow resembling that i»f maize.
1890 Thokpk Diet. Appl. them. I. 263 The sodium salt of
azoxystilbene-disulphonic acid, .known in commerce a- ' sun
yellow ' or ' maize '.
4. attrib. and Comb., as maize-beer, -bread, -cob,
•colour, -cutter, -ear, -field, -jlottr, -garden, -grain,
-grits, -harvest, -meal, -oil, -plant, -stalk, -starch,
•straw, -trough, -whiskey, maize-coloured, -Jed
adjs. ; maize-husking, maize-poisoning vbl. sbs.;
maize-bird, an American blackbird of the sub-
family Agel&inse, esp. Agekeus phaniceus, so called
from its fondness for maize; maize-cream, a de-
coction or gruel of maize or maize-meal; maize-
eater, a South American maize-bird ; maize-smut,
a destructive fungus ({'stilago Maydis) attacking
the maize-plant; maize-thief =wa/c^-^/';c/; maize-
yellow, a yellow like that of maize.
1887 Moloney Forestry IV, Afr. 450 In South America a
kind of beer called Chica or *Maize beer is made from the
grain. 1837SW ainson Nat. Hist. Birds II. iooTheAgelainar,
or 'maize-birds. 1855 Kincsley li'estu: No! xxv, Baskets
. .freighted with. .*maize-bread. 1890 O. CraWFURD Round
Cat. Portugal 197 Now the broad fields of maize are cut
and the *maize-cobs garnered. 1862 O'Neill Diet. Calico
Printing, etc., * Maize colour, a low toned yellow orange.
1861 Englishwom. Dow. Mag. III. 263/1 One skein of gold
or *maize-coloured Russia braid. 1626 Bacon Sylva $ 49
Indian Maiz.. must be throughly boyled, and made into a
*Maiz-Creame, like a Barley Creame. 1855 Loncf. Hia:v.
xni. 41 Wagemin, the thief of cornfields ! Paimosaid, who
steals the *maize-ear 1 1894 Times iweekly ed.) 2 Feb. 89 3
The wheat-fed pork of the North West may yet compete
with the 'maize-fed pork of Chicago. 1771 J. R. Forster tr.
Kalni's Traz: X. Amer. II. 77 They [birds] assemble by
thousands in the *maize-fields, and live at discretion. 1855
Longf. Hiaw. xni. 21 All around the happy village Stood
the maize-fields. 1843 Ywescott Mexico U850' 1. 131 Pastry,
for which their *maize-flour and sugar supplied ample mate-
rials. 1899 Wfrner Capt. 0/ Locusts 263 They .. carried
her to the grove beyond the * maize-gardens. 1880 C. R.
Markham Perm: Bark 479 The grains (of Cuzco maize] are
four or five times the size of ordinary *maize grains. 1901
Oxford Times 9 Mar. 7/1 [The advertisers] have never
used any. /maize-grits, or any other substitute for either
malt or hops. 1828 P. Cunningham N. S. Wales (ed. 3) II.
22, 1 chanced to stop for the night at the house of a gentle-
man during the * maize- harvest. Ibid. 293 Their diet.,
[should] consist principally of *maize meal. 1871 Kingsley
At Last xvi, The Red Indians looked on Mondamin, the
*maize-plant, as a gift of a god. 189^7 A UbutVs Syst. Med. 1 1.
801 The special characters of *maize poisoning may be due
to some peculiarity in the chemical structure of this grain
itself. 1896 P. A. Brice Econ. Hist. Virginia I. 167
Except the juice sucked from the crushed fibre of the
*maizestalk, they had no knowledge of any spirits. 1887
Moloney Forestry IV. A/r. 450 The finer qualities of
* Maize starch are largely used as a substitute for arrow root.
1886 W. J. Tucker E. Europe 299 A hole in the *maize-
straw thatched roofs served as chimney. 177a J. R. Forster
tr. A'alm's Trav. X. Amer. I. 372 The laws of Pensylvania
..have settled a premium of three-pence a dozen for dead
*maize thieves. 1853 K. O. Morris Hist. Brit. Birds III.
9 Red-winged maize-bird.. .Maize-thief. 1851 Mayne Reid
Scalp Hunt. xiii. 98 Your horse is standing at the "maize-
trough. 1893 Leland Mem. I. 13 'Maize- whiskey could be
bought then for fifteen cents a gallon.
Maizena m^zfmV. [Arbitrarily f. Maize.]
Maize-starch prepared for use as food. Also attrib.
1862 in Rep. Juries Exhib. 1862 (1863) m. A. 13. 1862
MAIZER.
Mrs. Hawthorne in A'. Hawthorne f, Wife (1885) II. 326,
I carried to Mrs. Alcott early this morning some maizena
blanc-mange. 01875 F. Oates Matabele Land (1889) 24
Made into a pudding with maizena.
Mai'zer. [f. Maize + -er l.] A maize-bird.
1837 Swainson Nat. Hist. Birds II. 275 Subfam. Aglainx
[i.e. Agelxinx] Maizers.
II Maja (ma*xa). [Sp., fern, of Majo1.] A
Spanish woman who dresses gaily. Also attrib.
1831 [see Majo']. 1840 Longf. Sp. Stud. 11. i, Now bring
me, dear Dolores, mybasquifla, My richest maja dress.
Majerom, obs. form of Marjoram.
Majesta rian, a. nonce-wd. [f. Majestt +
-(man.] Used humorously for: (Her) Majesty's.
1857C1.OUGH Poems, etc. (1869) I. us He '* to liave a deer-
stalking party to-morrow, Lord Adolphus Fitzclarence, and
other majestarian officers.
t Mai estate. Obs. rare~x* [ad. L. miijes-
tdtem Majesty.] Majesty.
1533 Gau Richt I' ay (1888} 3a Thir iii persons ar equal
in power maiestate and in ewer lestyng.
Majestatic (maedgestse'tik), a. Now rare.
[ad. med.L. majestatic -us, f. mdjcstat- Majesty.]
Pertaining to the majesty of God. Cf. Majestical 2.
1659 Hammond On Ps. Ixxxv. 9 The glorious majestatick
presence or inhabitation of God. 1695 Bp. Patrick Comm.
Gen. iii. 8 They heard the Voice of the Lord.. .The Sound of
the Majestatick Presence, or the Glory of the Ix>rd. a 1711
Ken Hymns Evang. Poet. Wks. 1721 I. 14 To gain a tran-
sient beatifick sight, Of Jesus rob'd in Majestatick Light.
1756 Amory Buttcle {\^^o\ II, 53 We must distinguish ..
between the essential and the majestatic presence of God.
So : Majestatical a., in the same sense.
a 1694 J. Scott Wks, (1718) II. 493 He placed a great
Part of the Glory of his Majestatical Presence in the Taber-
nacle.
f Majestative, a- Obs."0 [ad. lateL. majes-
tattv-Us, f. majestat- MAJESTY : see -ive.] Majestic.
1656 in Blount Gtossogr.
Hence i'Majestativeness. Obs.~~°
1727 in Bailey vol. II.
Majesterialty, Majesteryeall: see Magist-.
Majestic (midjcstik), a. [f. Majesty + -ic]
Possessing or characterized by majesty; of impos-
ing dignity or grandeur, a. Of persons, their at-
tributes, etc.
1610 G. Fletcher Christ*s Vict. \. xvi, Bowing her self
with a majestique air. a 1652 Bhohe Queene's Exch. 1. i.
Wks. 1873 III. 45S Your no less prudent than Majestick
Father With power 8: policy enrich t this Land, a 1700
Dryden Elower % LeqfijG Hut in the midst was seen A
lady of a more majestic mien. 1725 Db Foe Voy. round
World (1840) 132 He was grave and majestic, and carried it
something like a king. 1807 Chabbe Par. Keg. in. 812 His
stride majestic and his frown severe. 1856 Froudb Hist.
Eug. (1858) I. ii. 173 Amidst the easy freedom of his address,
his manner remained majestic. 1866 Liddon Bamp. Lect.
v. (1875) 225 St. John is spiritually as simple as he is intel-
lectually majestic. 1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Ixxxvi. 1
Lovely to many a man is Quintia ; shapely, majestic, Stately,
to me.
Comb. 1870 L'Estranck Miss Mitford I. vi. 168 A fine
majestic-looking old woman of sixty.
b. Of things material and immaterial.
1601 Shaks. Jul. C. 1. ii. 130 It doth amaze me, A man of
such a feeble temper should So get the start of the Maies-
ticke world. 1610 — Temp. IV. 1. 118 This is a most maies-
ticke vision. 1664 Evelyn Sytva iv. (1679) 33 No Tree what-
soever, becoming long Walks and Avenues, comparably to
this Majestick plant [the Elm], a 1704 T. Brown Prol.
1st Sat. Persius Wks. ed. 1730 I. 51 Virgil's great majestick
lines, 1741 Young A7. Th. in. iyj This Heav'n-assum'd
majestic Robe of Earth, He deign d to wear. 1794 Mrs.
Radcliffe Afyst. Udolpho i. The view was bounded by the
majestic Pyrenees. 1833-6 J. H. Newman Hist. Sk. (1873)
I. iv. i. 360 There they lAmbrosian chants] are in use still,
in all the majestic austerity which gave them their original
power. 1879 Geo. Eliot Theo. Such ii. 32 Clad in the ma-
jestic folds of the himation.
Hence + Maje'sticness, majesty.
a 1643 Cartwright To C 'less Carlisle 24 Such a.. Lovely,
self-arm'd, naked Majestickness. 1685 H. More ///«$/>., etc.
263 Which is a marvellous manner of Transition .. sutable
to the usual Majestickness of this Book of the Apocalypse.
Majestical .rnad^e'stikal), a. Now chiefly
poet. [Formed as prec. : see -ical.]
1. = Majestic, a. Of persons, their attributes,
etc. (occas. ironical).
1589 Horsey Trav. (Hak!. Soc.) App. 295 Kynore [tread
Kyuore=coverJ my good lord, with thy princely wisdome
and majestyecall clemency this unwilling* faulte comytted.
1593 NASH I Christ's T. Ded. 2 All those maiesticall wit
fuiestalling worthies of your sexe. 1617 Moryson /tin. 11.
99 His person and carriage was most comely, and (if I may
use the word)t Maiesticall. 1652-62 Heylin Cosmogr. 1.
(1682) 207 Their gate is. .very stately and majestical. 1663
Cowley Ess., Greatness (16S8) ik If] were ever to fall in
love again., it would be, I think, with Prettiness, rather
than with Majestical Beauty. 1781 Justamond Priv. Life
Leivis XV, II. 214 His entrance .. was splendid and ma-
jestical. 1821 Byron Sardan. 11. i. 532 His marble face
majestical Frowns. 1866 J. H. Newman Gerontius iv. 30 j
And therefore is it, in respect of man. Those fallen ones
show so majestical. 1876 Bancroft Hist. V. S. I. iv. ioi |
A grave and majestical countenance.
b. Of things material and immaterial.
1579 Lvi.y Euphues I'Arb.) 161 What can we beholde more
noble then the world. .? what more maiesticall to the sight,
or more constant in substance? a 1586 Sidney A pot. Poetrie \
(Arb.) 65 Theyr Playes . . thrust in Clownes by head and
shoulders, to play a part in maiesticall matters. i6ai Burton
Anat. Mel. 1. f. 11. iv. (1651I 17 Suppose you were now \
brought into some. .Majestical Palace. 1651 N. Bacon
56
J Disc. Govt. 11. xL (1739) 5S War is ever terrible, but if just
and well governed, majestical. 1693 Dryden Ess., Orig.
Satire {ed. Ker) II. 107 The first six lines of the stanza
seem majestical and severe. 1851 Longf. Gold. Leg. v. Inn
at Genoa 4 It is the sea,.. Silent, majestical and slow. 1867
M. Arnold Celtic Lit. 61 An older architecture, greater,
cunninger, more majestical.
1 2. = Majestatic. Obs.
1581 E. Campion in Confer, in. (1584) RIj, S. Augustine
excludeth not by maiestical presence al bodily presence.
1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. Iv. § 6 If his Maiesticall body
haue now any such new property. 1633 Bp. Hall Hard
Texts, O. T. 291 It pleased the Lord to represent unto me
a cleare signe of the majesticall presence of the Sonne of
God, sitting on high, upon a glorious throne, a 1638 Mede
IVks. (1672) 639 The proper place where the Majestical
Glory is revealed, is the Heavens. 1675 Brooks Gold. Key
I Wks. 1867 V. 526 The presence of God with his people is
very majestical. a 1680 Charnock Attrib. 6^(1682)257
I Heaven] Tis the Court of his Majestical presence.
Hence t Maje -sticalness, majesty.
1613 peel. Arriv. C. Haga at Constantinople 14 The
Maiesticalnesse of Our Royall and Princely State. 1652
Kirkman Clerio fy Lozia 78 This splendid greatness of a
maid surpassed the inagesticalness of the purest French
Lillies of King Henry the third. 1727 Bailey vol. II.
Majestically 'mad^e-stikali), adv. [f. Ma-
jestic, -ICAl : see -ically.] In a majestic manner ;
with majesty, imposing dignity or grandeur.
1596 Shaks. i Hen. IV, n. iv. 479 If thou do'st it halfe so
grauely, so majestically [etc.]. 1670 Clarendon Contempt,
Ps, Tracts (1727) 568 If princes would., majestically sup-
press haughty and impetuous transgressors. 1697 Dryden
sEneid IX. 35 Silent they move; majestically slow, Like
ebbing Nile, or Ganges in his flow. 1725 Pope Odyss. VL
158 He bends his way Majestically fierce, to seize his prey.
1853 J. H. Newman Hist. Si. (1873I II. 1. iii. 126 The great
stream of the Po . . flows majestically through its length.
1896 Law Times C. 489/2 Inglis . . stalked majestically out
; of Court, looking neither to the right hand nor to the left.
t Majestify, v. Obs. rare*1, [f. Majesty +
•fy.] trans. To make majestic.
1616 Lane Cont. Sqr.s 'T. xil. (1887) 24 Vppon his helme
a plume of white and redd maiestifyed his pace.
Maje*stuous, a. rare. Also ?majestious. [a.
F. majestucux, f. majeste Majesty, after volup-
tueux VonrpTUOoa.] Majestic
1685 Gracian's Courtiers Orac. 65 The other [employ-
ments] are more majestuous, and as such, attract more
veneration. 1864 Carlyle Eredk. Gi. IV. 252 That voice
' sombre and majestious '.
Majesty (mae'dgdsti). Forms : 4-5 magestee,
4-6 moi-,maj-f mageste, (5 maiestee,magiste),
5-6 magestie, -y, 5-7 maiesty, majestie, (6
maiestye, majistye), 6-7 maiestie, (7majiste),
6- majesty, [a. F. majesty ad. L. majestat-em,
, majestas, f. *yn&jes-t ablant-var, o{*majos-(inajtts,
major-em greater : see Major) + -tat- : see -TY.
Cf. Pr« mai-t tnajestat, It. magestd, maesta', Sp. ,
majestad, Pg. magestade\ also G. majestat, Du.
majesteit.]
1. The dignity or greatness of a sovereign ;
sovereign power, sovereignty. Also comr. or semi-
concr. The person or personality of a sovereign.
1375 Barbour Bruce 1. 431 [Edward I loquitur] Hys fadyr
. . wes agayne my maieste. c 1400 Destr. Troy 2632 A ! no-
bill kyng & nomekowthe ! .. Let mene to your maiesty be
mynde of my tale, c 1460 Fortescue Afrs. <$• Lim. Men. vii.
(1885) 125 He [sc. the king] woll .. hie also horses off grete
price . . and do other suche nobell and grete costes, as bi-
Mtith is roiall mageste. 1489 Caxton Eaytes of A. I. vi. 13
The subget fereth to offende the mageste of his souerayn
lorde. 1513 Ld. Berners Eroiss. I. OCzliii 362 By our
ryall mage.sty and segnory, we commaunde you [etc.]. 1528
Roy Rede me, etc. (Arb.l 29 Fye apon his maieste and
renowne Clayminge on erthe to be in Christis stead. 1595
Shaks. John ii. i. 480 Why answer not the double Maiesties,
This friendly treatie of our threat tied Towne. 1606 — Ant. j
<$• CI. 111. iii. 2 Good Maiestie : Herod of Iury dare not looke
vpon you. 1726-31 Tindal Kaphas Hist. Eug. (174$) II, |
xvii. 126 She was a sovereign queen and would do nothing
prejudicial to Royal Majesty. 178a Wolcot in J. J. Rogers !
Opie fy Works (1878) 22 The King came in after, with a
skip; (not a very proper pace I think for Majesty). 1849
Macaulay Hist. Eng. iv. I. 508 A man who was daily seen
at the palace, and who was known to have free access to
majesty. 1883 Earl Rosf.bery Sp. at Edinh. 21 July, The
buried paraphernalia of dead majesty.
b. spec. The greatness and glory of God. (The
earliest use in Eng.)
a 1300 Sarmun lvi. in E. E. P. (1862) 7 Bobe god and man
in mageste be hei} king aboue vs alle. a 1340 Hampole
Psalter xx. 5 He sail appere In mageste. la 1366 Chaucer
Rom. Rose 1339 God that sit in magestee. 1390 Gower
Conf. I. 195 0 hihe mageste, Which sest the point of every
trowthe. 1470-85 Malory Arthur xvii. xxi. 721 To see the .
blessid Trynyte. .and the mageste of oure lord Ihesu Cmt
1526 Pilgr. Perf tW. de W. 1531) 18 b, He y' wyll serche j
the secrete Maiestye of God by natural! reason. 1611 Bible I
Heh. viii. 1. 1629 Milton Christ's Nativ. ii, That far-
beaming blaze of Majesty. 1695 Br. Patrick Comnt, Gen. iii. 8
The Voice of the Ix>rd. . . The Sound of the Divine Majesty's
approach, a 1729 S. Clarke Serm, Ixxxiii.Wks. 1738 I. 517
The Supereminent Glory and Majesty of God. 1881 Bible ■
(R. V.) Luke ix. 43 And they were all astonished at the
majesty [Gr. neyaAei(>r*lTI» Tindale, etc. mighty power] of
God. 1892 Westcott Gospel of Life Pref. 22 The incompre-
hensible majesty of God and His infinite love.
c. transf. andy£§\
1567 Gude $■ Godlie B. (S. T. S.) 78 Christ come full humill
and full low, Us to exalt in Afniestie. 1596 Dalrymple ;
tr. Leslies Hist. Scot. x. 382 To contemne the Maiestie, '
diminise the authorise of the Kirk. 1663 Charleton Chor, ,
MAJESTY.
f Gigant. 13 So great devotion and reverence toward the
majesty of Truth. 1668 Culpepper & Cole Barthol. Anat.
it. vi. 106 It were contrary to the Majesty of the principal
Part, to be moved by another whether it will or no. 1712
Addison Sp*ct. No. 327 p 14 The natural Majesty of Adam.
1863 Woolner My Beautiful Lady 135 The worth and
majesty of England's name.
d. Rom, Hist. Used to render the equivalent
L. majestas in the sense : The sovereign power and
dignity of the Roman people, esp. considered with
reference to offences against it. (Cf. Lese-majesty.)
1565 Cooper Thesaurus, Actio maiestatis, an action for
the breakyng of the honour and maiestie of any great or
heade officer. 1581 Savile Tacitus, Hist. 1. Ixxvii. (1591)
43 Crime of Majesty and treason. 1862 Merivale Rom.
Emp. xliv. (1865) V. 248 Under the empire the law of ma-
jesty was the legal protection thrown round the person of
the chief of the state.
2. Preceded by a possessive, your, his, her, the
king's, the queen's; sometimes with a qualifying
epithet, as {most) sacred, gracious, f royal. Used
as an honorific title in speaking to or of a king,
queen, emperor, or empress. In this use Your
Majesty is a respectful substitute for the pronoun
you, and His, I/er Majesty (abbreviated H. M.)
may be either prefixed to such designations as the
A'ing, the Queen, King Edward VII, etc., or
substituted for them ; so, in modern use, Their
Majesties, when more than one royal person is
meant. Also, with distinguishing epithet : His,
Her Imperial Majesty (abbreviated H. I. M.), said
of an emperor or empress ; His Britannic Majesty
(abbreviated H. B.M.), the King of Great Britain
(and Ireland) ; His Catholic Majesty, the King of
Spain ; His Most Christian Majesty (Hist.), the
King of France ; in jocular language, His Satanic
Majesty, the Devil, Satan.
This use, common to all the Rom. langs., and from them
adopted into all the living Teut. langs., descends from the
Latin of the later Roman empire {tna, vestra majestas).
In England it occurs, in its Latin form, from the 12th c,
though examples of the vernacular form are not met with
before the 15th c. It was not until the 17th c. that your
majesty entirely superseded the other customary forms of
address to the sovereign. Henry VI 1 1 and Queen Elizabeth
were often addressed as' Your Grace ' and ' Your Highness*,
and the latter alternates with ' Your Majesty * in the dedica-
tion of the Bible of 161 1 to James I.
The English syntax of this word (as of the other abstract
nouns similarly employed as titles, e.g. highness, lordship,
grace, excellency) is somewhat inconsistent. Although
Your Majesty, like His. Her Majesty, requires the follow-
ing verb to be in the 3rd person sing, to agree with the sb.,
this principle of concord is not applied to the pronouns, as
in Fr. and some other langs. The neuter pronouns it, its,
which, cannot be used with reference to a foregoing {Your,
His, Her) Majesty ; either the titular phrase must be re-
peated, or the pronoun must be the same as if the simple
furm (' you ', or ' the king ', ' the queen ') had been used
instead of the periphrastic form,
I1171 Addr. Kings Clerks to Hen. II in Mat. Hist. T.
Becket (1885) VII. 471 Noverit vestra Majestas, qnod (etc.).]
*433 Rolls ofParlt. IV. 444/2 Plese it to your Rial Mageste.
1536 in Speed Hht. Gt. Brit, (1632) 1025 The Kings most
roiall Magestj-. 1585 Whitgii-t in Fuller Ch. Hist. ix. vi.
§ 24 To the Queens most excellent Majesty. May it please
your Majesty to be advertised that notwithstanding the
charge of late given by your Highness to the lower House
of Parliament fete.]. 1596 SpENSER.S7<z/<r Irel, (Globe) 661/1
The great good which shall growe to her Majestie, should
. . readely drawe on her Highnes to the undertaking of the
enterprise. 1624 in Arch&ologia XLVIII. 211 Given by
the King's Ma,iu..to one Bonner. 1660 Blount {title)
Boscobe! or the History of Hi' Sacred Majesties most
miraculous preservation after the Battle of Worcester. 1678
Bunyan Pilgr. 1, 143 One of his Majesties Judges. 1761
Cruoen Cone. Bib. Ded. to King, 1 doubt not but your
Majesty will pardon my forbearing to enter upon your
valuable personal accomplishments. £1777 Bcrke Addr.
to A'ing Wks. IX. 183 Your Majesty was touched with a
sense of so great a disaster. 1804 M. Cutler in Life, Jrnts.
^ Corr. (1888) III. 171 This morning, paid the high homage
of my respects to his Democratic Majesty, the President.
1881 Jas. Grant Cameron tans I. ii. 23 Before summoning
his sable majesty. 1884 G. Fleming (Julia Fletcher) Ves-
tjfi* I. iv. 131 His Majesty, King Humbert, will hold a
fraud review of his troops. 1888 Maj-lkson" Mem. {ed. 2)
I. 295 His Majesty the King of Hawaii.
f3. The external magnificence befitting a sove-
reign. Obs.
1481 Caxton Godfrey xxxix. 77 Themperour satte in his
mageste, and the barons aboute hym. 1667 Milton P. L.
II. 266 Heav'ns all-ruling Sire. .with the Majesty of dark-
ness round Covers his Throne.
4. Kingly or queenly dignity of look, bearing,
or appearance ; impressive stateliness of aspect or
demeanour.
1531 Elvotl7w.ii. ii.The fountaine of all excellent maners
is Maiestie, which.. is proprelie a beautie or comelynesse in
his countenance^ langage and gesture apt to his dignite, and
accomodate to time, place, and company. 1540 Coverdale,
etc. Erasm, Par. 2 Cor. 58 A weake bodye, wherin there is
no maiestye. 1603 Knolles Hist. Turks (1621) 1161 AVith
a faire countenance, and a majestie full of mildnesse. 1667
Milton P. L. xi. 232, I descne. .One of the heav'nly Host,
and by his Gate .. some great Potentate .. such Majestie
Invests him coming. 1710 Steele Toiler No. 115 P 1
[Nicolini] commanded the Attention of the Audience with
the Majesty of his Appearance. 1836 Kingsley Lett. (1878)
I. 34 His looks were majesty, and his tongue justice. 1848
Dickens Dombey xxx, Edith was there in all her majesty
pi brow and figure.
MAJO.
57
MAJOR.
b. trans/. Of natural objects, buildings, etc.
1555 Kdf.n Decades To Rdr. (Arb.) 50 The contemplation
of goddes workes & maiestie of nature. 1563 Cooper The-
saurus s.v. Maiestas, the maiestie and goodly sight of a
place. 1570-6 Lambardk Peramb. Kent (1826) 281 A shrine,
of golde and of great Maiestie. 1667 MiLTOH P. L. IV. 607
The Moot) Rising in clouded Majestic 182a BvKOM Heaven
■V Earth 1. iii, Your rugged majesty <>f rocks And toppling
trees. 1830 J. G. Strutt Sylva Brit. 6 The funereal majesty
of the cedar or the yew. 1879 TsNKINSON Guide Eng. Lakes
(ed. 6) 159 At the foot of Skiddaw, which stands forth in all
its majesty.
e. sarcastically.
1588 Greene Pandosto (1607) 21 The goodman seeing his
wife in her maiestie, with her mace in her hand, thought it
was time to bowe for fear of blowes.
5. Impressive stateliness of character, expression,
or action.
1597 Morley Introd. Mus. 114 Those per arsin <v fhesin,
which of all other Canons carie both most difrjcultie, and
most maiestie. 166a Stillincfl. O rig. Sm r. ni.i. §2 Hence
it is that Moses with so much Majesty and Authority begins
the History of the Creation, with, In the beginning [etc.].
1709 Felton Ctassics U718) 16 The Romans have left no
Tragedies behind them, that may compare with the Majesty
of the Grecian Stage. 1809-10 Coleridgr Friend (186$) 131
Imposing only by the majesty of plain dealing. 1871 H.
Macmillan True Fine vi. (1872) 260 Every thing in nature
partakes of the majesty of measured progressiveness and
slowness.
6. A canopy over a hearse. Obs. exc. Hist.
1483 Funeral ofEdw. IV in Lett Rich. Ill (Rolls) I. 7
A blacke magestie, clothe of sarsenet drawen with vj coursers
traped with blacke velvet. 15.. MS.Cott. Tib. E viij. in
Strutt Mann. <y Customs (1776) III. 162 If he be an earle he
must have a majeste and valence fringed. 1546 in Strype
Eccl. Mem. II. 11. App. A. 6 [A] stately herse of nine prin-
cipals with double stories and a costly Majesty. 1849 Rock
Ch. of Feathers II. vii. 408 This tester-like covering [of the
hearse] was known as the ' majesty \ 1850 Gloss. Terms
Arc/iit. I. 250.
7. Religions Art. (See quots.)
Cf. med.L. majestas (see Du Cange), OF. mayste, 'image
de la Vierge ' (Godefroy), It. maesta.
1485 Caxton Paris fy Vienne(Roxb. Libr. 1868) 27 A lytel
chamber whyche .. was an oratory, where as was the ma-
geste [F. la maieste] of our Lord Ihesu Cryst vpon a lytel
aulter. 1847 Eastlake Mater. Hist. Oil Painting I. 171
note, The only existing document relating to Cimabue shows
that he was employed in 1301 . . on a mosaic ' Majesty ' in
the tribune of the Duomo at Pisa. Ibid. 480 The central
picture . . generally represented a ' Majesty *, or enthroned
Madonna. 1850 Neale East. Ch. Introd. I. 238 The dome
[of St. Sophia at Constantinople] was covered with mosaic
of glass: the summit, as usual, representing a Majesty. 1854
Fair holt Diet. Terms Art, Majesty, . . a representation of
the Saviour seated in glory on a throne, and giving his bene-
diction, encompassed with the nimbus called Vesica Piscis,
and surrounded by cherubim and the four evangelistic
symbols, with the A and P.. 187a Gloss. Eccl. Terms (ed.
Shipley), Majesty, a picture of God the Father enthroned
as a pope, with a tiara on His head, and with the other
persons of the Blessed Trinity portrayed or symbolized . 1883
J. G. Waller in Arcfisologia XLIX. 200 'The Majesty',
a term of ancient use, is given to the figure of Our Lord
seated within an aureole, holding up the right hand in act
of benediction, in the other a book or orb.
8. Her. (See quot.)
1828-40 Kerry Encycl. Her. I, Majesty, this term is
applied to the eagle when crowned, and holding a sceptre.
It is then blazoned an eagle in her Majesty.
9. attrih. : f majesty scutcheon, (app.) an
escutcheon bearing the royal arms.
172a Loud. Gaz. No. 6084/2 A Chair of State .. with a
Majesty Scutcheon over it.
Hence t Majestysliip nonce-wd. = Majesty 2.
1594 Lodge & Greene Looking Glasse (1598) E 3 b, Nay
and please your maiesti-ship for proofe he was my childe,
search the parish booke.
Majeutic, variant of Maieutic.
Maji, variant of magi, pi. of Magus.
II Majo1 (nuvxo)- [Sp. ; cf. Ma.ta.] A Spanish
dandy of the lower classes. Also attrih.
183a \V. Irving Athambra (r8g6) 134 [.The Balcony), Majos
and majas, the beaux and belles of the lower classes, in
their Andalusian dresses. 184s Ford Handbk. Spain 1.
146 The Majo, the F'igaro of our theatres, is entirely in
word and deed of Moorish origin ; . . he is the local dandy. . .
The Majo glitters in velvets and filigree buttons, tags and
tassels. 1883 l.D. Saltoun Scraps I. ii. 192, I had bought
a full Spanish majo costume, .and at a distance might have
been mistaken for a Spanish dandy.
Majo - (me~t-(\£o). Also S murjoe, S-9 majoe.
A West Indian shrub, Picramnia Antidcsma.
Majo hitlers (see quot. 1866).
a 1726 H. Uarham Hortns Americanus (1794) 96 Majoe,
or Maeary Hitter. This admirable plant hath its name from
Majoe, an old negro woman,, .who, with a simple decoction,
did wonderful cures. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XIV. 727/2
There is only one species (of Picramnia], viz. the antidesma,
or murjoe bush. 1866 Trcas. Bot. 886/2 In the West Indies
the negroes use an infusion of Picramnia Antidesma, a
shrub about eight feet high, as a cure for colic and other
complaints, under the name of Majo-bitters.
Majolica, maiolica (mad.^'lika, may^lika).
Also 6 maiolique. [a. It. maiolica whence F.
majotiaue, ma'ioUque).
According to J. C. Scaliger Exoteric. Exercit. (1557) 136,
the best ware of thui kind was said to be made in the island
of Majorca (called Majolica in the 14th c : see Du Cange) ;
if this statement be correct, the word is prob. derived from
the name of the island.]
1. A term applied originally to a fine kind of
Italian pottery coated with an opaque white enamel
Vol. VI.
ornamented with metallic colours ; but later ap-
plied to all kinds of glazed Italian ware, beautifully
ornamented and richly coloured, also called faience
and Kaffaelle ware. Also, a modern imitation
ware coated with a coloured enamel and decorated.
1555 Eden Decades 238 The finewhyte earthc cauled Por-
cellana, of the which are made the earthen dysshes of the
woorke of Maiolica. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nkholay*s
Voy. 1. xi. 13 Two great platters of Maiolique [printed
MacoliqueJ. 1856 J. C. Robinson Soulagcs Collect. 50
The pieces .. which, in the fifteenth century, were curtly
termed by the Italians ' Majorca ' or * Majorica ', and thence
by corruption 'Majolica ', a term which, .ultimately obtained
a place in the language, and was applied indiscriminately
to all kinds of glazed earthenware. 1875 Fortnum Maiolica
20 The general term ' Maiolica ', also spelt ' Majolica *, has
long been and is still erroneously applied to all varieties of
glazed earthenware of Italian origin. We have seen that
it was not so originally but that the term was restricted to
the lustred wares.
attrib. 1861 Our English Home 153 Majolica dishes
were every day more in request. 186a Catat. Internal.
Exhib. II. xxv. 120/2 Modern Majolica Ware. 1873 Mrs.
Pau.iser tr. yacquemarVs Ceramic Art 245 In the first
years of the sixteenth century, a Florentine artist carried
the majolica art into Spain.
fb. (See quot.) Obs.
1508 R. Haydockk tr. l.omazzo n1.iv.9q Reddes are made . .
of the red earth called Maiolica, otherwise browneof spaine.
2. (See quot.)
1866 Lawrence tr. Cotta"s Rocks Class. 283 Majolica, a
white compact limestone.
II Majoon (m&dgw'n). Also 8 majum, 9 majun,
madjoon, -oun. [(Urdu and Turk.) a. Arab,
tjy^*"* maejuni] An intoxicating confection
made of the leaves of the Indian hemp, poppy-
seed, nux vomica, and other ingredients.
1781 Let. in Ld. Lindsay Lives Lindsays (1840) IV. 222
Our ill-favoured guard brought us a dose of majum each,
and obliged us to eat it. 1819T. Hope Anast. (1820) I. xi.216
The ample dose of madjoon he had just swallowed. 1858
Sjmmonds Diet. Trade, Majoon. 1883 H. H. Kane in
Harper's Mag. Nov. 946/1 Small black lozenges, consisting
of the resin of hemp, henbane, crushed datura seeds, butter,
and honey, and known in India as Majoon, amongst the
Moors as El Mogeu.
Major (nwi'd^ai), sb^- [a. F. major, short for
serpent -major, SEROKANT-MAJOE, which like some
other military titles originally designated a much
higher grade than at present.]
1. In the army : An officer next below the rank
of a lieutenant-colonel and above that of a captain.
jl/ajor of (a) brigade = brigade-major.
{1579 Digges Strat'tot. 105 Item, the Sergeant Maior, by
his office, is to appoint euerie Captayne his place.] 1643
Whitelocke Mem. 70 Major Gunter was shot dead in the
filace. 1647 Clarendon Hist. Rebell. vn. § 34 Whereof the
ord Digby . . colonel Wagstaffe, and major Legg, were the
chief of the wounded, a 1671 Ln. Fairfax Mem. (1690) 88
Major Fairfax, who was Major to his regiment, had at least
30 wounds, of which he dyed at York. 1675 Baxter Cath.
Theol, 11. xui. 294 Major Danvers, an Anabaptist. 1706
Phillips (ed. Kersey), Major of a Brigade, an Officer,
either of Horse or Foot, who receiving Orders, and the
Word from the Major General, gives them to the Major of
each Regiment. 1781 T. Simes Milit. Guide (ed. 3) 9 The
Majors of Brigade go every day to receive the orders from
the Adjutant-general. Ibid. 11 When the encampment is to
be formed, the General Officers, Brigade-majors, Aid-de-
camps, &c. are appointed in public orders to their several
posts and stations. 1833 Markyat P. Simple xx, The major
commandant and the officers retired to consult. 1844
Regul. fy Ord. Army 69 No Officer shall be promoted to
the Rank of Major, until he has been six years in the
Service.
b. Brigade-, Fort-, Town-major, etc. : see the
prefixed words.
2. A kind of wig (see quot. (-1770). Also major
tuig. Obs. exc. Hist.
1753 Smollett Cnt. Fathom (1784) 162/1 His tye-wig de-
generated into a major, c 1770 y. Granger's Lett. (1815)
280 A full wig tied back in one curl is a Major, in two curls
is a Brigadier. 1783 Mackenzie Lounger No. 4 An em-
broidered waistcoat with very large flaps, a major wig, long
ruffles nicely plaited. 18*3 Mirror of Lit. 12 July II. 115/1
Lander made his [the poet Thomson's] majors and bobs.
3. Angling. The name of an artificial salmon fly.
1867 F. Francis A nglingx. 302.
Major (m^'d^ai), a. and sb.% Also 4 maiour,
6-7 maior. [a. L. major nom. sing. masc. and
fern. (neut. majus; declension stem major-), used
as comparative of viagttus great, to the root of
which it is referred by most philologists, though
the phonology is not quite clear.
Cf. OF. viaire, obj.-case maor, maiour, Pr. majer, tnaer,
obj.-case major, Sp. mayor, Pg. major, mor, It. maggiore ;
also the learned forms F. ma/'eur, major, used in certain
specific senses, and perh. the proximate source of some of
the Eng. uses below. Cf. Mayor.)
A. adj.
I. = Greater in certain applications. (Not fol-
lowed by than.)
1. Used as the distinctive epithet of the greater
(in various senses) of two things, species, etc., that
have a common designation ; also applied to those
members of a class that form a subdivision on the
ground of being greater than the rest ; opposed to
minor. Chiefly in certain special collocations
which originated in med. or mod.L. ; in most of
these greater may be substituted, e.g. in major
excommunication , orders, prophets (see those sbs.).
+ Major FcUoio (Cambridge) : a senior Fellow.
Jl/ajor epilepsy : epilepsy proper, as distinguished
from the ' petit mat.
Much less common than the corresponding use of Minor.
Occasional uses (as * major poet ') are sometimes suggested
by antithesis with the recognized collocations oftninor.
a 1400 Stac. Rome 475 At seinte Marie pe maiour [ = Santa
Maria Maggiore, Rome] per is a chirche of grtt honour.
1597 Skene De Verb. Sign. s.v. Homagittm, [Homage]
sulde be maid be the vassall being minor, or maior, to his
ouer-lorde. 1660 Trapp (title) A Commentary or Exposition
upon The four Major Prophets. 1670 Walton Lives iv. 21
He was made Minor Fellow in the year 1609.. .Major Fellow
of the Colledge, March 15. 1615. 1727-41 Chambers Cycl.
s. v. Orders, Sacred, or Major Orders, we have already ob-
served, are three : viz. those of deacon, priest, and bi-hop.
1883-5 Catholic Diet. (ed. 3) s. v. Excomnuinication, The
major excommunication deprives of all ecclesiastical com-
munion, and is equivalent in substance to anathema. Ibid.
s. v., The superior ranks of the sacred ministry — bishops,
priests, deacons, and subdeacons — are said to have major
orders. Before the thirteenth century thesubdiaconate was
one of the minor orders, 1887 Freeman Exeter iii. 63
There is not much to note in the nomenclature of these
churches... Saint Mary Major .. takes also the English
shape of St. Mary More. 1898 Allbutfs Syst. Med. V.
846 An increased circulation in the cutaneous an a and
sweating, as we see in the major epilepsy. 1901 Scotsman
9 Sept. 7/1 Miller made a declaration before the sheriff, but
will probably have to make another on the major charge of
causing Durham's death.
b. Prosody. Used to distinguish the longer of
two types of verse hearing a common name.
1883 G. A. Simcox Hist. Lat, Lit. II. 356 St. Agnes,
whose legend is given in very spirited major alcaics.
C. Football. Major point : a goal (opposed to
minor point, i. e. a try).
1896 Field 4 Jan. 22/2 Mcllwaine registered a try and
Boas bringing off the major point, Belfast left off winner-.
by a goal and a try to a goal.
2. Logic. Major term : the term which enters
into the predicate of the conclusion of a syllogism.
Major premiss, proposition', that premiss of a
syllogism that contains the major term.
a 1533 Frith IVks. 147/1 Now of this maior or first propo-
sition thus vnder>tand, doth the conclusion folowe directly.
1661 Cowi.ev Verses 3- Ess., Cromivell (1669) 66 Your last
argument is such (when reduced to Syllogism) that the
Major Proposition of it would make strange work in the
World if it were received for truth, i860 Abp. Thomson
Laws Th. § 93. 164 That premiss in which the predicate
(major term) is compared with the middle, was formerly
called the Major premiss. 1871 Morley Crit. Misc. Ser. 1.
Cartyle (1878) 168 A man of genius is at liberty to assume
all his major premisses.
3. Math, and Astron. fa. (See quot. 1571-) Obs.
b. Major axis : the axis (of a conic section) which
passes through the foci ; also called transverse axis.
f Major circle = great circle (see Ciuclk 2).
1571 Diggks Pantom. iv. X iv b, If the side of Icosae-
dron be a line rational!, the dimetient of the compre-
hending sphere shalbe an irrationall line called Maior.
Ibid., The semi-dimetiente of that circle wheron the
body is framed will be an irrationall, called of Euclide
Maior. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Efi. 11. ii. 62 The
true meridian is a major circle passing through the poles
of the world, and the Zenith or Vortex of any place,
exactly dividing the East from the West. 1834 MOSE-
lf.y Astron. lxxxviii. (ed. 4) 231 The larger axis of the
ellipse, which is the orbit of a planet, being called its axis
major. i86z Catal. Internal. Exhib. II. xi. 15 The differ-
ence between major and minor axis being 012 of an inch.
1883 Leudesdorf Cremona's Proj. Geoui. 275 The polar
reciprocal of an ellipse (hyperbola) with respect to a circle
having its centre at a focus and its radius equal to half the
minor (conjugate) axis is the circle described on the major
(transverse) axis as diameter.
4. Mus. a. Applied to intervals greater l>y a
chromatic semitone than those called minor, i.e.
to the normal or perfect intervals ; as major third,
sixth, seventh (and, in occasional recent use, major
fourth and fifth, commonly called perfect fourth
andffth). Hence also applied to the note distant
by a major interval from a given note. Also, in
acoustical theory, applied to the larger of two
intervals differing by a minute quantity, as major
tone (vibration-ratio g, being greater by a comma
than the minor tone, V)- *>• Applied to a common
chord or triad containing a major third between
the root and the second note ; hence to a cadence
ending on such a chord. C. Denoting those keys,
or that mode, in which the scale has a major third
(and also a major sixth or seventh). (In naming
a key, major follows the letter, as C major.)
1694 W. Holder Harmony (173') 49 If A to B ^ as
5 to 4, they sound a Ditone, or Third Major. Ibid. 50,
| sound a Third Major, .. % a Sixth Major. Ibid. 114 In
Diatonic Music there is but one sort of Hemitone . . call'd
Hemitone Major, whose Ration is 16 to 15.. .There are two
sorts of Tones ; viz. Major, and Minor. Ibid. 130 Seventh
Major, 15 to 8. 01734 North Lives (1742) 298 He makes
great Ado about dividing Tones Major, Tones Minor,
Dieses and Commas, with the Quantities of them. 1806
Cai.lcott Mus. Gram. 11. i. 98 The Major Second . . does
not consist of two equal parts. 1811 Busbv Did. Mus.
s.v. Key, The natural keys of C major and A minor. 1848
Rimbault First Bk. Piano. 37 Every Major Key has its
relative Minor ; that is to say, a piece with the same signa-
ture may be written either in a Major or a Minor mode,
74
MAJOR.
according to the position of the Key-note. 1866 Engel
Nat. Mus. ii. 25 The major and minor scales. 1887 I.rown.
ing Parleying!, Ch. Avisonx'iu, Blare it forth, bold C major !
1898 Stajner & Barrktt Diet. Mus. Terms s.v. Interval,
The pertinacity with which professors adhere to the ex-
pression perfect fifth and fe r/ect fourth, and abhor the term
major fifth and major fourth.
5. That constitutes the majority ; now only with
part, portion, or other sbs. of like meaning. For-
merly (rare) in predicative use : f Preponderating
in quantity.
1594 Hooker F.cel. Pol. IV. xiii. § 9 When they are the
major part of a general assembly. 1599 li. Jonson Cyn-
thia's Rev. 11. _ iii, The more generall, or maior part of
opinion goes with the face, and (simply) respects nothing
else. 1621 Elsing Debates Ho. Lords (Camden) 85 The
House to debate the doubte, . . and, if the major part
doubte, yt may be re-comitted. 1630 R. Johnson's Kingd.
Ar Commw. 118 For the Major part it is barren. 1649
N. Hacos Disc. Govt. Fug. i. xlvii. (1739) 79 That they
all had votes, and that the major number concluded the
matter. 1703 Maundrell Journ. Jerus. (1732) 26 The
major part ofthe City lies between two Hills. 1743 Lond.
ft Country Brew. III. (ed. 2) 243 Not only the Fceces, but
the whole Body of the Drink will consequently oppose the
Remedy, and if they be Major, the Attempt will prove
abortive. 1774 T. Hutchinson Diary 3 Oct. (1884) I. 254
A person had the major vote for Alderman. .. Another
person . . had the minor vote in the election. 1700 Umfre-
vim.h Hudson's Hay 16 After wandering about . . for the
major part ofthe day. 1818 Jas. Mill Brit. India I. v. ii.
374 The major party deemed it an important article of the
duty of the Supreme Council. 1866 Crump Banking i. 25
It will be found, in by far the major part of these failures.
t 6. Used for : Paramount to all other claims.
1606 Shaks. Tr. ff Cr. v. i. 49 My maior vow lyes heere ;
this lie obay.
7. Following the sb. qualified, a. In certain
combinations adopted from Fr., as in Quart,
Quint, Tierce major : see Quart sbfi, Quint si.2,
Tierce, and in military titles, as Ditru-MAJoit,
Skrgeant-major, surgeon-major. So (jocularly)
poet-major, b. Bob-major (Bell-ringing) : see Hob
sbfi c. In boys' schools, appended to a surname
to distinguish the elder (or the one who has been
longest in the school) of two namesakes.
1616 B. Jonson Fv. Man in Hum. I. i, One is a Rimer
sir, o' your owne batch, your owne leuin ; but doth think
himselfe Poet-maior, o' the towne. 18G6 Routledge's Ev.
Boy's Ann. Mar. 146 Brown major had a trick of bringing
up unpleasant topics.
II. 8. I if full age; out of (one's) minority.
1646 Howell Lewis XIII 27 [It] was an open . . attempt
upon his authoritie now that he is declar'd Major, a 1649
TJrumm. of Hawth. Hist. Jas. II, Wks. (1711) 21 A king of
France is declared to be of full years and major the four-
teenth of his age. 1745 De Foe's Eng. Tradesman (1841)
I. ii. 12 At which time 1 arrived to Man's estate, and be-
came Major. 1787 Charlotte Smith Rom. Real Life I.
162 The Chevalier de Villiers being major, might marry
Julie de Lalande. 1840 Thackerav Yellowplush Mem.,
Mr. Deuceace at Paris viii, We are both major, you know ;
so that the ceremony of a guardian's consent is unnecessary.
189a Gillespie Bar's Priv. Intern. Law (ed. 2) 312 A
Dutch minor, who is by the law of Belgium major, cannot
dispose of his real property in Belgium without [etc.].
b. fig. in Sc. Proverb.
1808 Forsyth Beauties Sco/l. V. 220 The double stone
dike or wall . . makes at once a complete fence, or, as is
sometimes said, ' it is major the day it is born '.
B. sb.
1. In occasional uses : A ' major ' individual of j
a specified class. Cf. A. 1.
1626 Bacon Sylva § 839 tnarg., Experiment Solitary,
touching Alterations, which may be called Maiors. 1660
Trial Regie. 12 If He [the King] be Supreme, there is
neither Major, nor Superior. 1897 Daily News 20 Mar. 5/2
The minors [sc. poets], and many who esteem themselves
majors, are constantly on offer.
2. Logic. The major premiss in a syllogism.
1530 Palsgr. 467/1 Of that major graunted he brought in
foure or fyve conclusions. 153a More Answ. Frith Wks.
840/1 In this argument hee begynneth with (shoulde) in the
maior, and than in the minor and the conclusion turneth
into (can). 1634 Cannk Necess. Separ. 91, I need not here :
take D. Laitons compasse, to fetch the Bishops Major, and
the Separatists minor, to make vp an entire Syllogisme of
separation. 1696 Vanbrugh Relapse v. iii, Thou art out
in thy logic. Thy major is true, but thy minor is false.
1717 Prior Alma 111.78 Can syllogism set things right?
No : majors soon with minors fight. 1849 Macaulav Hist.
Eng. x. 1 1. 629 They cared little whether their major agreed
with their conclusion.
3. Mus. Short for major key, mode, etc. : see A. 4.
«797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XII. 547 note. Such another
piece [is], .upon C, with sol, ut, and its major. 1818 Bushy ;
Gram. Mas. 360 The transition, .from any Minor key to its
relative Major. Ibid. 363 A Minor key (may be said to be
relatedl to the same key in the Major.
4. One who has ' come of age'.
1616 J. Castle in Crt. H Times Jas. I (1848) I. 431 Every
man that is once knighted is ipso'/acto made a major, and
sui juris. 1754 Shkbbeare Matrimony (1766) II. 280 In
France . . the Major, whether Man or Woman, who marries
a Minor, is punished with Death, a 1845 Hoou Snij/ing
a Birthday vii, I'm free to give my I O U, Sign, draw,
accept, as majors do.
5. As an official title. (Cf. Major si.'1) || a.
The (Latin) designation of the superior in certain
brotherhoods, b. The designation of some uni- i
versity official at Oxford. Obs. exc. Hist.
O. i88a-3 Schaff Encycl. Relig. Kncnol. II. 1025 Even
the smaller ones [brotherhoods] had their superior or major.
58
b. 1716 Amherst Terrx Fit. No. 10. 51 Having saunter'd
a pretty while along the quadrangle, impatient of the lec-
turer's delay, I ask'd the major (who is an officer belonging
to the schools! whether it was usual now and then to slip
a lecture or so.
Major (Mlt'dfM), v. dial. [f. Major sbX\
1. intr. To walk with an important air; to strut.
Also with about, up and down.
1814 Scott Wav. xlii, Mr. Waverley's wearied mf major-
ing yonder afore the muclde pier-glass. 1822 — Pirate xxx,
She. .majors up and down my house as if she was mistress
of it. 1832 — St. Rouati's xx, Can it be for the puir body
M'Durk's health to major about [1824 to gang about] in the
tartans like a tobacconist's sign in a frosty morning? 1892
Monthly Packet May 548 The African dove.. goes 'major-
ing ' about to very lively tunes of its own.
2. trans. To bully, domineer over.
1829 Examiner 17/1 In majoring, hectoring, and bullying
subalterns, he will be found peremptory enough.
Major, -al(iyty, obs. ff. Mayor, Mayoralty.
Majoram, -an;e, obs. ff. Marjoram.
II Majorat (ma.^ra). Continental Law. [Fr.,
ad. med.L. mdjordtus (iv-stem1, f. L. major-em
Majors, in the sense 'elder': see -ate1.] The
right of primogeniture ; also, an estate attached to
the right of primogeniture.
1841 W. Spalding Italy % It. 1st. III. 83 That restoration
of hereditary aristocracy which was effected in France, took
place in Italy likewise, by a decree of 1808, bestowing on
the sovereign the power of conferring titles, and allowing
the nobles so created to institute majorats, or devises of
lands in favour of their eldest sons, or others whom they
might select to transmit their honours. 1853 Whewell
Grotius 1. 379 The same rule holds with regard to the
majorats in that kingdom [Castile]. 1879 Baring-Gould
Germany I. 54 In Bavaria, the noble families are allowed
by law to found fresh majorats, i.e. fresh families with en-
tailed estates.
Majorate (m^wl^ar^t), sb. rare—°. [f. Major
jA1 + -atk! ; cf. F. majorat in the same sense.]
The rank or office of a major; a majority.
1822 Booth Analyt. Diet. 127 That [sc. the rank or office]
of a Major is a Majorate, or a Majority.
t Majorate, 7'. Obs. rare"1, [f. med.L. ma-
jorat-, ppL stem of mdjdrare, f. L. major-em
greater: see Major a.] trans. To make greater;
to cause to increase or develop.
1636 Bloint Glossogr., Majorate, to make greater. 1660
Howell Parley 142 The Embryo . . proceeds to majoration
and augmentation accordingly ; And it is . . an absurdity to
think, that the Infant after conception should be majorated
by the influence of any other Soul then that from whom he
received his formation.
+ Majora'tion. Obs. [a. med.L. mdjdrdtidn-
em, n. of action f. mdjdrdre : see prec] The
action of increasing or intensifying ; esf>. in Med.
1626 Bacon Sylva § 154 So that there be five wayes..of
Majoration of Sounds. 1659 Genii. Calling viii. § 16 The
Physicians indeed talk of a method of curing some Diseases
by Majoration. 1660 [see Majorate v.]. 1673 Lady's Call.
11. ii. §9 Some, .as if they thought Jealousy were to be cured
by majoration, have . .don things to inflame it.
Major-domo (m^d^iid^-iru?). Forms : 6
maiordome, -domo, mayordome, 7 mayor-
domo, (7 major-dome, mayordom), 7- major
domo, fad. Sp. mayordomo, It. maggiordomo
(whence F. majordome), ad. med.L. major domus
1 chief of the house ' {major subst. use of major
greater, Major a. ; domus gen. of domus house),
the title of the highest official of the royal house-
hold under the Merovingians, commonly rendered
'mayor of the palace' (see Mayor).] In early
use, the chief official of an Italian or Spanish
princely household, often discharging some of the
functions of a minister of state. Subsequently ap-
plied also (in accordance with later It. and Sp.
use) to the head servant of a wealthy household in
foreign countries, and in more or less playful use
to an English house-steward or butler.
1580 Puttknham F.ng. Poesie 111. iv. (Arb.) 20 How was it
possible that Homer .. should so exactly set foorth ..as
some great Princes maiordome . . the order . . of royal ban-
kets[etc.]? Ibid. 158 Maior-domo: in truth this word is
borrowed of the Spaniard and Italian, and therefore new
and not vsuall, but to them that are acquainted with the
affaires of Court. .. A man might haue said in steade of
Maior-domo .. the riyht English word {Lord Steward).
1598 Barret Theor. Warres Gloss. 251 Mayordome, is with
the Italian and Spaniard, the steward of a house; but in
war he is the steward and Guardian of the munition for
warre. c 1645 Howell Lett. in. viii. (1650) 50 He is Mayor-
domo Lord steward to the Infante Cardinal!. Ibid. 111. xv.
60 As one to be his Mayordom (his Steward), another to be
Master of the Horse. 1674 Govt. Tongue viii. § 11 Whose
designs are so humble, as not to aspire above a major-domo,
or some such domestic preferment. 1692 Lond. Gaz. No.
2820/3 The Marquis de la Puebla, Major-Dome to the King
of Spain. 1725 De Foe I'oy. round World (1840) 253 He
and his major-domo would go along with me. 1814 Scott
IVav. ix, The major-domo, for such he was, and indisputably
the second officer of state in the barony, . .laid down his spade.
[1823 Byron yuan x. lxx, His Maggior Duomo, a smart,
subtle Greek. 1845 Darwin Voy. Nat. xii. 255 The mayor-
domo of the Hacienda was good enough to give me a guide.]
1855 Motley Dutch Rep. (1861) II. 260 His Major-domo
had previously been permitted to furnish his master's table
with provisions dressed by his own cook. [1876 if, Amer. j
Rev. CXX1II. 45 A king, averse to marriage, commanded
his maggiordomo to remain single.]
MAJORITY.
lib. In etymological sense ■ chief of the house'.
1649 Tir. Taylor Gt. Exemf>. Pref., [Mankind] were forced
: to divide their dwellings, and this they did by families
j especially, the great father being the Major domo to all
, his minors. Ibid. 11. vii. 34 God was the Major domo, the
Master of those assemblies. .21716 South 12 Serm. (1727)
VI. 340 Let him have nothing to do with any House or
family (tho* never so great and so much in Power) where
the Devil is Major Domo and governs all.
HenceMa*jor-domoship,theofficeofmajor-domo.
1772 NtGKNTtr. Hist Friar Gerund I. 87 When the uncle
of the house served any majordomoship [Sp. scrvia alguna
mayordomia]. 1889 Pall Malt G. 30 Jan. 6/1 A successor
to whom he could hand over the Imperial Major-domoship.
Majoress, obs. form of Mayoress.
Major-general. Mil. [a. F. major-ghtiral,
where major is the sb. and ge'ne'ral the adj. Cf.
G. genera/major. The fuller form sergeant-major
genera/ is earlier in Eng. use ; sergeant major
major occurs in Sir J. Smyth Instr. Observ. i>>
Orders Milit. (1595) 60, 61.]
1. An officer of the lowest grade of general
officers, ranking below a lieutenant-general.
1642 WhitflockeA/cw. 65 The city bands marched forth.,
under the command of major-general Skippon. 1647 Clar-
endon Hist. Rebetl. vii. § 86 James Chudleigh, the major
general of the rebels. 1710 Lond. Gaz. No. 4723/2 The
Brigadiers Juel and Daa were created Majors-General. 1806
Gazetteer Scott, (ed. 2) Introd. 35 The military establishment
of Scotland consists of a lieutenant general, three major
generals [etc.]. 1849 W. Irving Goldsmith 279 He had ..
been promoted to the rank of major-general in 1745.
2. Hist. The title given to the officers placed in
command of the twelve administrative districts
into which England was divided in Cromwell's
system of military government (1655-1657).
1655.WHITELOCKE Mem. 634 The protector told them [the
mayor and common council) the reasons of his appointing
major-generals in the several counties, as a means to pre-
serve the peace, to suppress wickedness [etc.]. 1655 Crom-
well in 'Phurloe's St. Papers (17 42) III. 486 We. .do hereby
constitute . . you the said major general Disbrowe to be major
general of all the militia forces raised and to be raised within
the counties of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Wilts,
and Gloucester.
Hence Major-generalcy, the office or rank of
major-general ; Ma'jor-gre*neralHhip - prec; also
Hist, the district commanded by a major-general.
1670 Hobbes Behemoth iv. (1682)307 He (Cromwell] divided
England into eleven Major-Generalships. 1845 Carlyle
Cromwell (187 1) IV. 245 Now their Major Generalcies have
all proved failures. 1885 U. S. Grant Mem. II. xlv. 98, I . .
strongly recommended him for a major-generalcy. 1898
Daily News 28N0V. 5/1 His bravery on the field of Omdur-
man has won him his Major-Generalship.
Majoris, obs. form of Mayoress.
Majorism (mtT'-d33rizm). [f. Major (see
below) + -ism.] The opinions held by Georg
Major (1502-74), a German Protestant, whomain-
. tained that good works are necessary for salvation.
So Ma'jorist, a follower of Major. Majoristic
a., pertaining to Majorism or to the Majorists.
1845 Encycl. Metro/. XIII. 475/1 These which are called
I the Majoristic and Synergistic controversies greatly agitated
i the Lutheran body. 1857 Pusey Doctr. Real Presence
(1869) 77 At the Conference at Worms a.d. 1557,. .Flacius
wrote to Christiern King of Denmark : 'another maintains
Majorism on the necessity of works to salvation'. 1874
Blunt Diet. Sects etc., Majorists, the followers of Major
in his controversy with Amsdorf. 1882-3 Schaff Encycl.
Relig. Knoivl. III. 1827 The Weimar Lonfntatio (15591 in
which synergism, majorism, adiaphorism, etc., are confuted.
Majority imad^'riti). [a. F. majorite\ ad.
med.L. majoritdt-em, f. L. mdjdr-em Major a.
Cf. Sp. mayoridad, Pg. maioridade, It. maggiorild.']
f 1. The state or fact of being greater ; supe-
riority; pre-eminence. Obs.
1552 Latimkr Serm. SS. Simon <\ 'Jude's Day (1584) 267
Nowe abideth fayth, hope, and lone, euen these three ; but
the chiefe of these is loue. There be some learned men
whiche expound this maioritie of which S. Paule speaketh
here for diuturnitie. 1577 tr. Bullinger*s Decades (1592)
866 It may be prooued that that maiority [i. e. the primacy
of Rome] as they call it, hath not the originall from the
sonne of God. 1596 Shaks. i Hen. IVt 111. ii. 109. 1597
Bacon Colours Good <$- Enill v. E 5 b, It is not plurality
of partes without maiority of partes that maketh the totall
greater. 1641 ' Smectymnuus' Ans70. (1653) 53 This particu-
larization of Peter did not import any singular preheminence
or majoritieof power to Peter more then to the other Apostles.
1677 Gale Crt. Gentiles iv. 280 In Eternitie there is no
divisibilitie : no majoritie or minoritie. 1690 Leybourn
Curs. Math. I. 335 Of Algebra. Symbols of Majority >,
Minority <, ^Equality = [etc.]. 1727-41 Chambers Cycl.
s. v. Character, j> Is the sign of majority, or of the excess
of one quantity beyond another.
2. The state of being major or of full age.
1565 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 370 Quhen we ar at oure
full majoritie, sail we be brocht bak to the stait of pupillis
and minoris. 1579 Fenton Guicciard. 1. U599) 19 At what
time Phillip being risen to his maioritie, might in good
validitie confirme the accord past. X632 Lithgow Trav.
A 1 b, [These] being begunne in Your hopefull Infancy, are
DOW finally accomplished in the fulnesse of V'our thrice
blessed Majority. 1842 J. D. Chambers Jurisd.High Crt.
Chancery over Infants m. 506 So where the settlement
executed is the completion of a treaty entered into during
minority, without the sanction of the Court, there is juris-
diction to control that after majority. 1867 John Bull
7 Sept. 628/2 The Majority of Mr. C L. A... has been cele-
brated during the week in the good old English style at the
family seat. 1892 GlL^BSPtK Bars I'riv. Intern. Law (ed. 2)
MAJORIZE.
59
MAKE.
I
k
_ i A Cuban of twenty-two years of age, who by the law of
ts own country would not attain majority till twenty-five.
3. The greater number or part ; a number which
is more than half the whole number; spec, the
larger party voting together in a deliberative as-
sembly or electoral body.
Absolute majority. A number of votes received by one
candidate which is more than half the total number polled,
or than half the number of electors.
1691 Norris Pract. Disc. 102 Measures of Right and
Wrong are not always to be concluded from the consent of
Majority; for you see here, that Vice has by much the Ma-
jority of its side, c 1714 Pope, etc. Mem. M. Seriblcrus xii.
Wks. 1741 H. 47 In a House of Commons all things are
determhi'd by a Majority. 1714 SwiFT Pres, State Affairs
Wks. 1751 IV. 264 The Queen, finding herself and the Ma-
jority of her Kingdom gro\vn weary of the Avarice and
Insolence, .of her former Ministers. 1759 Robertson Hist,
Scot. vi. Wks. 1813 I. 413 War was chosen by a majority
of voices. 1793 Btacksione's Comm.X. 181 In the hou^e of
commons the speaker never votes but when there is an
equality without his casting vote, which in that case creates
a majority. 1821 Byron Tzuo Foscari 1. i, The majority In
council were against you. 1844 Ld. Brougham Brit. Const.
xv. (1862) 228 A majority of seven to five soon after [1640J
decided that the levying ship money was legal. 1856 Frouue
Hist. Eng. (1858) I. iii. 247 The clergy commanded an actual
majority in that [Upper] House from their own body, i860
Mill Rcpr. Gov. (1865) 16/1 At some period .. almost every
people, now civilized, have consisted, in majority, of slaves.
1882 Nature XXVI. 389 The majority of the coral which
I [HaeckelJ collected was obtained by divers.
b. with adj., as great, vast, etc.
1710 Hoadly Orig. Civ. Govt. 154 The People of the
Earth, that is, a vast Majority of Mankind, are represented
by Moses, as voluntarily journeying from one part of the
Earth to another. 1759 Robertson Hist. Scott. I. n. 97 A
considerable majority declared for the treaty. 1818 Cruise
Digest V. 244 It was determined by a great majority of all
the Judges, .that [etc.]. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 315
In the great majority of those towns, .no courtly candidate
could dare to show his face. 1875 Scrivener Led. Text
N. Test. 5 Nor in the vast majority of instances does it
exist. 1903 Jos. Conn Fulness of Time y\. 161 What sup-
ported., the claims of Holy Church did not to the great
majority require proof.
c. The majority : the dead. Chiefly in the
phrases to join the majority, to go or pass over to
the majority. [After L. phrase abiit ad p/ures.]
1719 Young Rcocnge iv. i, Life is the desart, life the soli-
tude ; Death joins us to the great majority. 1764 Loud.
Mag. Nov. 581 ' Oh, no, it is all over with me ; I am going,
as fast as possible, to join the majority.'— —.4<iT pturcs.
1837 Carlyle Misc. Ess., Mirabeau (1840) V. 200 This
M11 abeau's work then is done. .. He has gone over to the
majority: Abiit ad /lures. 1883 Longm. Mag. Dec. 179 He
had passed over to the majority.. we should see his face no
more. 1889 T. A. Trollope What I remember III. 61 He,
too, alas ! has joined the majority.
4. The number by which, in voting, the votes cast
on one side exceed those cast on the other.
a 1743 Ld. Hervey Mem. (1848) II. 253 All the lists made
by the Prince's people gave him a majority of near forty.
1765 Ann. Reg. 41/1 This motion .. passed in the negative
by a very large majority. 1775 Ibid. \\%*fz The motion ..
was carried upon a division, .by the majority of sixty. 1838
Thiklwall Greece xxx. IV. 135 This motion was carried,
..by a very small majority. 1879 McCarthy <?it/« Times II.
xix. 59 A majority of forty-six was given for the resolution.
f5. Ancestry. [After L. majores ancestors.]
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 111. xvi. 146 Of evill
parents, an evill generation, a posterity not unlike their
majority.
6. [Properly a distinct word: ad. F. majority
(.major Major sb,1] The rank or office of a major.
1776 fa Harpers Mag. (1883) Sept. 546/2 Appointed to
the Majority in the 2* Reg1. 1800 Asiat. Ann. Reg., Char.
45/2 M. D'Auband had been named to a Majority in the
isle of Bourbon. 1814 Scott Wavi xli, I am surprised that
the Prince should have offered you a majority, when he
knows very well that nothing short of lieutenant-colonel
will satisfy others. 1900 Daily News 11 Sept. 5/7 He was
. .promoted to a half-pay majority.
7. attrib. and Comb.
1891 W. S. Lilly Shibboleths 113 Party politics, .are mere
majority-mongering. 1903 Daily Chron. 17 Jan. 3/2 A ma-
jority dinner at which our hero .. is entertaining the elite
of London,
Majowze(m^-d33r3iz),z;. [LMajor^.2 + -izk.]
1. intr. To attain pone's) majority ; tocomeofa^e.
1896 C F. Keary Herbert Vanlennert i. 5, I didn't know
you had regularly come of age . . I imagined that you didn't
majorize till twenty-five or something of that sort.
2. Rugby Football. To convert a try into a goal,
i.e. to increase the points from three to five.
Majorlame, Majoron, obs. ff. Maujokam.
Majorship (Wi-d^jfip). [f. Major sbX +
-ship.] The office or rank of a major ; majority.
1717 Nno Hampsh. Prop, Papers (1868) II. 710 Majr
ieter Wear ..asked pardon for his so doing: whereupon
the Govr pronounced him restored to his Major-ship. 1865
Comh. Mag. Aug. 172 This provost of Dublin is said, in
a political crisis, to have squeezed from Lord Townshend
a majorship of dragoons. 1873 Howe lls Foregone Concl.
xviii. 294 lhe colonelcies are .. inaccessible, .. and so are
the lieutenant-colonelcies ; but a majorship, now—.
U Used jocularly as a title.
*795 Jemima I. 108 What I know must not be known to
man. .until his Majorship. .has had some sport with his son.
Majum, majun : see Majoon.
Majuscular (mad^-ski/Hai), a. Pahwgr. [f.
L. mdjuscul-us : see next and -ar.] Of the nature
of a majuscule ; composed of majuscules.
(1825 L. Hunt Redi's Bacchus in Tuscany 21 In the
beverage bold Let's renew us and grow muscular ; And for
those who're getting old, Glasses get of size majuscular
(orig. vetri tnajusculi).] 1864 W. H. Black Anc. Bibl.
Chronogr. 8 The great or las they are called by critics)
majuscular letters. 1895 H. Rkynolds Anc. Dice. Exeter
iv. 111 It is impossible to mistake that firm majuscular sign
manual.
Majuscule (mad.^zrskittl), a. and sb. [a. F.
majuscule, ad. L. majuscula (sc. littcra), fern, of
majuscutus somewhat larger, dim. of major (neut.
majus) : see Major a.]
A. adj. fa. Printing. Of a letter: Capital. Obs.
b. Palxogr. Of a letter: Large (whether capital or
uncial). Also, written in majuscules.
1727-41 CiiAMniiRS Cycl. s.v. Letter, Printers distinguish
their letters into capital, majuscule, initial or upper-case
letters . . and minuscule, small, or under-case letters. 1850
Madden tr. Silvcstrc's Univ. Palieogr. I. 140 To the first
class [inscriptions] belong the capital or square majuscule
characters; to the second [books], the uncial characters
(which are majuscules intermixed with rounded letters) ;
and to the third [documents], the conjoined, cursive writing.
1885 E. M. Thompson in Encycl. Brit. XVIII. 145 In Latin
majuscule writing there exist both capitals and uncials. 1892
— Gr. <y Lat, Palseogr. xiv. 196 Early majuscule MSS.
B. sb. f a. Printing. A large or capital letter.
Obs. b. Palxogr. A large letter, whether capital or
uncial.
1825 W. Hamilton Diet. Terms Arts $ Sci., Majuscules,
in Printing, large letters, sometimes ornamented, usually
placed at the beginning of chapters. 1850 [see A above].
1851 Sir F. Palurave .\'<»v«. <v Eng. I. 433 A few firm
majuscules inscribed by Roman Power. 1892 E. M. THOMP-
SON Gr. # Lat. Palseogr. viii. 117 In both Greek and Latin
1 sialography, large letters are called 'majuscules'; small
etters, 'minuscules'.
Mak, obs. and dial, variant of Make sb. and v.
Makable (nv'^kab'l), a. Also makeable.
[f. Make v. + -aisle.] That can be made.
c 1449 Pecock Rtpr. it. i. 134 It is a treuthe doable or
makeable. 1678 Cudworth Intell. Syst. 1. ii. § 9. 70 The
Accidents .. are all makeable and destroyable, gcntrable
and corruptible. 1832 ll'estm. Rer>. XVII. 22 The quantity
of goods makeable, is quite a distinct thing from the quan-
tity of goods saleable. 1865 Cari.yle Frettk. Gt. XVI. xi.
(1872) VI. 273 Plenty of editions made or makable by a little
surreptitious legerdemain.
Mak-a-doo: see Make-a-do Obs.
Makadowe, variant of Mock ado Oh.
t Ma'kande. Obs. [a. ON. makiudi; cf. mod.
Icel. I makindum at one's ease.] Comfort, ease.
a 1400 Parlt. 3 Ages 278 And aftir irkede me with this and
ese was me leuerc As man in his medill elde his inakande
wolde haue.
Makar(e, obs. form of Maker.
Makdome: see Makedom Sc.
Make (mJik), sb.1 Obs. exc. dial. Forms: a.
1 semaca, 2 5emace, 3 imake. £. 2- make ;
also 4-9 north, mak, (5 mac, 6 mack, maike),
6-9 Sc, maik. [OK. gemaca wk. masc, cor-
responds to OS. gimaco, fellow, equal, OHO.
gimahho 'socius' (fern, gimahha wife) :— OTeut.
type *gamakon~y subst. form of *gamako- adj.
(OE. gema'c equal, well-matched, OHG. gimah fit,
matched, convenient, MHG.^W; appertaining,
belonging, like, mod. G. gemach easy, comfortable,
MDu. gemac appertaining, also agreeable, quiet,
calm), f. *ga- Y- prefix (expressing the notions of
conjunction and mutual relation) + *mako-t app.
primarily meaning 'fit, suitable*, whence *makbjo-
Make v. The simple stem occurs (though perh.
through loss of the prefix) in ON. mak-r (only in
compar. and superl.) fitting, easy, comfortable,
make wk. masc., mate, match, equal (Sw. make,
Da. mage consort, like), mod.Dn. mak tame, docile,
gentle. The root has not been traced outside Teut.
As the prefix^- of sbs. was universally lost in early ME.,
the mod. form is the normal representative of OE. remaca.
The currency of the word may, however, esp. in northern
dialects, be due to adoption of ON. make. Cf. the cognate
Match sb.]
1. An (or one's) equal, peer, match ; (one's) like.
In ME, freq. in phr. but (any) make*
a. c 1000 /Elfkic Gram. i.x. (Z.) 43 Hie ft hxc ct hoc par,
Semaca. a 1300 Florin $ Bl. 77 (Cott. Vitell. MS.) In worle
nes nere non pine imake of no winimon.
6. a 1300 Cursor M. 19656 O prechhig had he \sc. Saul of
Tarsus] na mak. C13750Y. Leg. Saints xviii. {Egipciane)
543 For I wes gyrne but ony mak pat sawlis put to lestand
vrak. i. 1460 Towncley Myst. ii. 442 Yit knew I neuer thi
make. 1509 Barclay S/tyP of Folys (1874) II. 235 Lo yonder
same is he Whiche without make thynketh hym wyse to be.
1596 Dalrymplk tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. I. 45 Elgin, quhair
is sa noble and notable a kirke in beutie and decore that
with vs it hes na make, c 1620 MukeJ)V;/«. i, Admir'd, but
maik, euin in a thowsand thingis. 1717 Ramsay FSlegy on
L.ucky Wood ix, She has na left her mak behind her. 1724
— Tea-t. Misc. (1733) '• 2$ Your Tocher it sail be good
There's nane salt hae it's maik. 1893 Northumbld. Gloss.,
Make, an equal, one that is matched or mated with another.
+ b. The make, the like. Sc\ Obs.
153S Stewart Cron. Scot. III. 436 Traist weilL.sen God
can do the maik Onto ?our self. 1539 Extracts Aberd.
Reg. (1844) I. 160 Gif euer scho dois the maik in tyme
cumyii£. 1560 Rolland Crt. Venus, 11. 896 In mappamond
the maik is not perchance.
2. An image, rare.
a. c 1205 Lay. 1S206 pe king lette wurchen tweien imaken
[c 1275 ymagesl, tweien gulden draken.
/3. 1890 J. Service Tkir Nolauduvts xiv. 101 They made
wee maiks oot o' clay, .of them that had thortered them.
3. A mate, companion, {occas. applied to the
opponent with whom a fighter is matched.)
a. a 1175 Cott. Horn. 221 Uton whrcan him jcniace him
to fultume and to froure.
0. a 1225 Ancr. R. 114 Ne bco hu nout Guis fere ne Gius
make uorte birlen him so. c 1386 Cn.\t;< er Knt.'s P. 1698
And if so be the chtcftayn be take On outlier syde or elle-
sleen his make, a 1400-50 Alexander 5430 A tunic bai
turnay to-gedire, Ilkane mellis with his make Sc so bare
many dies. 1598 Fkokio, Sotio, a companion, a fellow, a
make. 1721 Ramsay Anszv. Bunhet 18 When honour'd
Burchet and his niaikes are pleas'd . . With my corn-pipe.
1886 Cheshire. Gloss., Make, a mate or companion.
4. Of animals, esp. birds: A mate (male or female).
a. c 1000 /Eluuc Gen. vi. 19 And of eallum nytenum
calles tlaesces tweien ^emacan bu kttst in to bam arce.
a 1175 Cott. Horn. 225 Ic ge^aderi .. of fugel cynne simle
3tinacan bat hi eft to fostre bien.
ft. C1200 Okmin 1276 Era halt hire make Us i\,vd Ne
kupehj? 3I10 [be turrtle) nan obcrr. 1390 Gower Con/. I. 45
That was in the Monthe of Maii, Whan every bird hath
chose his make, c 1430 Lvdg. Miu. Poems (Percy Soc.)
*53 Nyghtyngi^ales al nyght syiigen and wake, For long
absence .. of his make. 1542-5 Brink low Lament. U874J
117 The vypar .. destroyeth her make or male in the con-
cepcyon. 1579 Lyi.y Euphues (Arb.)97 The Wolfe chooseth
him for hir make that hath or doth endure most travayll for
hir sake. 1611 Cotgk. s.v. Muge, The female Mullet will
rather be caught by fishermen then abandon her Make.
5. Of human beings : A mate, consort ; a hus-
band or wife, lover or mistress.
a 1240 Lo/srng in Cott. Horn, 209 Iesu . . of be eadie
mciden iboren Maria bet is meiden and bute make moder.
a 1250 Owl a- Night. 1159 Ober bat wif leost hire make.
a 1300 Cursor M. 4668 pe king lum did a wijf to tak, Might
assener, a doghii mak. c 1374 Chaucer Compi. Mars 154
God yif every wyghte joy of his make ! c 1380 Sir Ferumb.
2086 Wolde he be my worldly make & wedde mc to wyue.
c 1460 Toivnelcy Myst. i. 1S7 A rib I from the take, therof
shall be maide thi make, a 1586 Sidney A rcadia 1. (1500)
4 b, Like a widdow bailing lost her make. 1596 Spienskr
/■'. Q. iv. ii. 30 And each nut farre behinde him had bis
make, To weete, two ladies of most goodly hew, 1626 1!.
Tonson Masque of Owls, Where their Maides, and their
Makes, At dancing*, and Wakes, Had their Napkins and
poses. 1725 Ramsay Gentle Sheph. 1. ii, Whensoe'er they
[sc. men] slight their maiks at hame. 1890 Clone. Gloss.,
Make, mate, companion, lover. 1893 Northumbld. Gloss.,
Maik, make, . . a companion, consort, mate.
Make (nitMk), sb? Also {Sc. and north. 4 <)
mak, 6 mayck, 7-9 mack, 9 maik. [f. Make z'.1]
f 1. Doing, action ; esp. (Sc.) manner, style (of
action, behaviour, spcech\ Obs.
a 1300- 1400 Cursor M. 1 878S (Gott.) His kin newill he noght
forsake, Bot it be thoiu vr aueu make [Cott. sake], c 1375
Sc. Leg. Saints lit. (Andreas) 790 Quhen scho saw be haly
man one bat mak de. c 1470 Henky Wallace x. 554 To
rcwll the ost on a gud mak. 1500-20 Dunbar Poems xiii. 1
Ane morlandis man of vplandis mak. 1535 Stewart Cron.
Scot. I. 614 Commanding him opone the samin mak [etc.].
2; The manner in which a thing is made. a. Of
a product of art or manufacture : Style of con-
struction, kind of composition.
c 1375 Sc. L.cg. Saint s'w.yBeriholomcus) 224 Bundyne with
chenjeis of fule mak. 1390 Gower Cott/. II. 204 He let tuo
cofres make Of o semblance and of o make, a 1400-50
Alexander 3218 [He] was on be make of bat mote no^t
mcrvalled a litill. (11500 Medwall Nature 1065 (Brand!)
A doublet of the new make. 1699 L. Wafer Voy. (1729)
306 The other houses and churches arc pretty handsome
after the Spanish make. 1710 Hiarse Collect. 7 May
(O. H. S.) II. 3S7 The make of the Letters . . appear not . .
ancient. 1760 Brown Compl. Farmer II. 8 This depends
much upon the make of the plough. 1833 Hr. Martineau
Brooke Farm viii. 104 The caps and bonnets were of quite
a new make. 1854 W. Collins Hide $ Seek III. 186 After
suggesting that the candle might have gone out through
some defect in the make of it. 1868 Joynson Metals 32
A great variety of what are technically called 'makes' of
iron are produced in a wide range of degrees of hardness.
1889 Anthonys Photogr. Bull. II. 80 Use a slow make of
bromide paper.
b. Of a natural object: Form or composition,
structure, constitution. Often of the body : ( Build \
14.. How Good Wi/e taught Dan. 126 in Barbour's Bruce,
etc. (1870) 529 Flawm nocht na fluriss that vill fade, To
mend the mak that g_od has made, a 1600 Montgomerie
Misc. Poems li. 37 Gif she had bene into the dayis auld,
Quhen Jupiter the schap of bull did tak .. Sum greater
mayck, I wait, he had gart mak, Hir to haue stollin be his
slichtis quent. 1665 Boyle Occas. Re/l. Disc. (1848) 64 The
Leaves . . of a Tree, . . are of a more solid Texture . . than
the Blossoms, which seem to be of a slighter make. 1697
Damher Voy. (1729) I. 537 Their Faces are of a flat ova!
Figure, of the Negro make. 17x9 Freethinker No. 148 f 2
A Greek virgin, of exquisite Make and Feature. 174a
Young Nt. T/i. ix. 868-9 Nature .. gave A Make to Man
directive of his Thought; A Make set upright. 1751 D.
Jefferies Treat. Diamonds (ed. 2) 23 A right knowledge
of the true make of Diamonds. 1792 Burns Lady Mary
Ann iv, Young Charlie Cochran was the sprout of an aik,
Bonic, and bloomin' and straught was its make. 1812
Byron Juan v. xi, He had an English look ; that is, was
square In make, of a complexion white and ruddy. 1822-34
Gootfs Study Med. (ed. 4) III. 32 The apparently isolated
molecules found in the make of the polype and various
worms. 1832 Hr. Marti&ieau Li/e in Wilds iv. 46 Look at
his delicate hands and slight make. 1886 Rlskin Pr.rterita
I. 291 The Jura rock, balanced in the make of it between
chalk and marble. 1894 Mrs. H. Ward Marcella II. 301
A huge man, with the make and muscles of a prize-fighter.
74-2
MAKE,
60
MAKE.
c. Of immaterial things : Form, fashion; hence,
Sort, character, nature (passing into 4).
1660 Cowley Ode Restoration xiv, All the Weapons
malice e'r could try, Of all the sev'ral makes of wicked
Policy. 1673 Lady s Call. 1. iv. § 9 Mutual visits, .should
flow from a real kindness, but if those now in use be sifted,
how few will be found of that make? 1679 J. Goodman
Penit. Pard. 1. i. (1713) 15 The make and fabrick of a
Parable. 1857 Buckle Civiliz. I. vii. 397 A corresponding
change, in the very form and make of our literature. 1890
Harper's Mag. Mar. 524/2, I did not know just the make
and manner of his trouble.
+ d. All of a make, of one make : of the same
character throughout. Obs.
1674 N. Fairfax Bulk fy Selv. 72 There being nothing in
the Tube to hinder. Why should not the man fall further,
the air of the Well being all of a make? 1682 Grew Exp.
Luctatiou Introd.,The Experiments mayseem too numerous
to be of one make. 1684 N. S. Crit. Enq. Edit. Bible
xxvii. 241 St. Jerotn's Translation .. is not all of a make,
but hath some little mixture of the Ancient or Italian.
3. Mental or moral constitution, disposition, or
character.
1674 N. Fairfax Bulk ff Selv. To Rdr., Deeming there
were more in the World of my make. 1676 Towersov
Decalogue 89 A gesture .. us'd even by good men towards
those of the same make with themselves. 1713 Steklk
Guard. No. 13 F 4 Mr. William, the next brother, is not of
this smooth make. 1748 Richardson Clarissa IV. 153,
I, who, as to my will, and impatience, and so forth, am of
the true lady-make ! 1765 Li>. Holland Let. 19 July in
Jesse G. Selwyn (1843) I. 387 You are not of a make to be
a confidant there. 1806-7 J. Beresford Miseries Hutu.
Lift (1826) 1. x, You are happily of a hardy and contentious
make. 1877 Ruskin Fors Clav. vii. 106 Giotto was, in the
make of him, and contents, a very much stronger .. man
than Titian.
4. Kind, sort, species, dial.
1740 J. Collier (Tim Bobbin) View Lane. Dial. Wks.
(1862) 62 I'r freetn't aw macks o weys. 1785 Span. Rivals
8 Why, mun, he's of all macks of sorts. 1788 W. Marshall
Yorksk. II. 341 Gloss., Alack, sort, species; as, what mack
of corn, or stock? 1839 Brockett N. C. Gloss, (ed. 2),
Macks, sorts, fashions — makes. ( A little o* a' macks '.
5. The action or process of making or manu-
facture. Now rare exc. teehn.
1743 J. Morris Scrm. ii. 38 He created the vast universe,
that he might impart such degrees of happiness and per-
fection to the several orders of beings, as are suitable to the
end of their make. 1805 W. Taylor in Ann. Rev. III. 47
It appears that the make of linen began in Spain. — in
Monthly Mag. XX. 147 One of your correspondents in-
quired concerning the make- of marbled soap, 1879 Brown-
ing Ned Bratts 132 He taught himself the make Of laces,
tagged and tough. 1890 Jacob! Printing xxxi. 250 Papers
. . torn or broken in the ' make '—as the manufacture is
technically termed.
b. Qualified by an adj. or possessive denoting the
source of manufacture or the manufacturer, often
with mixture of sense 2 a implying the style or
quality associated with such an origin.
1873 Athenaeum 19 Apr. 508/3 A cast-iron chain of the old
Sussex make. 1884 7Y///M (weekly ed.) 29 Feb. 5/7 A pocket
. . of American make. Mod. Are these shoes your own
make?
6. Amount manufactured; quantity produced.
1865 Pall Mall G. 27 June 5 The make of puddled iron
has been materially reduced at many of the works. 1884
W. H. Greenwood Steel <V Iron viii. 174 The economy in
fuel and increased make per furnace, effected by the intro-
duction of the hot blast. 1886 Times 20 Aug. 1 1/2 The make
of pig iron in the United Kingdom over the first six months
of the year shows a decrease of 270,321 tons.
7. slang. ' A successful theft or swindle * {Slang
Diet. i860). Cf. Make vA 29b.
8. On the make : intent on profit or advancement.
slang, (orig. U. S.)
1890 Pall Mall G. 6 Sept. 2/1 Suppose, .that I am a man,
as our American cousins say, ' on the make '—suppose that
I have parliamentary ambitions. 1893 Nation (N. Y.)g Mar.
172/2 The men who wanted offices rather than the triumph
of great principles, those who were ' on the make ' in politics.
1898 Henley Loud. Types, Bus-driver, Being stony broke,
Lives lustily ; is ever on the make.
9. Electr. The action of making contact in an
electric circuit ; the position in which contact is
made (in phr. at make).
1875 F. Gcthrie Magn. fy Electr. § 235 The automatic
make and break. 189a Gloss. Electrical Terms in Lightning
7 Jan. (Suppl.), Make and Break. .. The words are some-
times used as substantives denoting the action of making or
breaking contact thus ' at make ', ' at break '. 1898 Engin.
Mag. XVI. 120/2 The interruptions corresponding to the
make and break of a telegraph key.
Make, sb$ slang and dial. Also 6 meke, 9
Sc. maik, raaick. [Cf. Mag sd.3] A halfpenny.
a 1547 Wy W*y to Spyttcl-ho. in Hazlitt E, P. P. IV. 69
Docked the dell for a coper meke. 1567 Harman Caveat
Giij, A make, a halfepenny. 1618 B. Holyday Techno-
gamia 11. vi, Good Sir, if you be a Gentry coue, vouchsafe
some small Win or but a Make, for wee haue neither
Lowre, nor Libbeg, nor Libkin. 1826 Scott Woodst. xxxvi,
I take it ; for a make to a million. 185a in Beveridge Poets
Clackmannan. (1885) 66 That wasca'd threepence, twamaiks
frae a groat. 1880 Jamieson, Maik,. .still a cant term in the
West of S., especially among boys when bargain-making.
Make ;m^>k), ?».t Pa. t. and pa. pple. made
(m^d). Forms: Inf a. 1 macian, (1 macan, 2
macen, macie), 2-,^makiant,-ie(n,3-4maky(3)ef
-130, maki, (imprr. mac), 3-5 maken {Ormin
makenn), 4-6 (9 dial.) mak, (5 makyn.also 9 dial.
mtak), 5-6 mack, (6 Se. maik(e, mek), 3- make.
0. 4-6 ma, (4 man), 9 dial, maa, may. Pr*s.
ind. 2nd and $rd sing. ; and//, ^conti acted north-
ern forms) 4-5 mas(s, mays(s, mains, 4-6 mais,
(5 mase, mace, maise). l\ist. ind. a. 1-2 ma-
code, 2-3 makede, v2 mac(h)ede, 3 makode),
2-5 maket, 3-5 (7) maked, (4 makked). /3.
3- made ; also 3 maude, 4-5 mad, maad(e, 4-6
Sc, maid, (3mede, 4madde, 6mayd). Pa.ppte.
a. 1 jemacod, 2-3 imaked(e, (2 ^emaked,
imacad, 3 imaket), 3-5 ymaked, (4 -yd, imake) ;
2 makiet, 3 Ormin makedd, 3-5 maked, (4
maket, strong makyn), 4-5 makid. fi. 3-4
imad, ymad, 4-5 ymaad, 4-5 (7) ymade; 3-5
mad, 4-5 maad, 4-6 Sc. maid, (5 madde, 6 Se.
maed, maide), 4- made. [Com. WGer. : OE.
macian = OFris. makia, OS. macon (,LG., Du.
maken). OHG. mahhon (MHG., mod.G. machen),
app. f. *mako- fit, suitable (see Make s6A). On
this view the primary sense would be * to fit,
arrange ' ; but in the earliest known stages of the
WGer. tongues the verb corresponded generally to
the h.facere in such of its senses as were not ex-
pressed by Do. The MSw.wa^a to make, construct
(mod.Sw. make to move), Da. mage ta manage,
arrange, appear to have been adopted from LG.
Many senses which later Eng. shares with continental
Teut. are not recorded in OE., or not until near the end of
that period ; possibly the vb. originally had some of these
meanings, but was displaced in the literary dialect by
synonyms. Materials are wanting for a genealogical arrange-
ment of the senses ; the order of the main branches in the
following scheme has been adopted on grounds of con-
venience. The word is not very frequent in OE. ; the most
prominent uses are in causative and factitive applications
(see 48, 49, 52) and in the phrase hit macian. ' to make it *=
to act, behave (see 68).J
I. Senses in which the object of the verb is a
product or result.
*To bring into existence by construction or
elaboration. (Not common until late in OE. ;
the h.facere is usually rendered by ^ewyrcan.)
1. trans. To produce (a material thing) by com-
bination of parts, or by giving a certain form to
a portion of matter ; to construct, frame, fashion.
Formerly common in various applications in which vbs. of
more specific meaning are now almost universally employed ;
used, e. g. for to build or erect a house, town, column, ship,
to paint a picture, to carve or sculpture a statue.
1056-66 Inscr. Kirkdale Ch., Yks., He hit let macan
newan from grvnde. a 1100 Gere/a in Anglia (1886) IX.
261 Fiscwer and mylne macian. C1154 OE. Chron. an.
1137 In mani of be castles wa:ron lof & grin .. bat was sua
maced [etc.]. c 1205 Lay. 1037 Heo makeden tunes. Ibid.
27876 He..lette makien beren riche and swide maren.
c izy>Gen, ,5- Ex. 3541 Mac vs godes foren us to gon. c 1320
Sir Tristr. 2765 pis forest wil y felle And caste! wil y ma.
c 1330 K. Brunne Chron. (1810) 336 He mad a coruen kyng.
1375 Barbour Bruce xi. 368 Ane vax-cayme that beis mais.
1377 Langl. P. PI. B. vi. 191 An heep of heremites..ketten
here copes and courtptes hem made. 138a Wyclif Ps. ciii.
[civ.] 17 There sparewis shul make nestis. a 1400-50 Alex-
ander 2587 He. .mas a brig ouire be bourne of Baryes with
cheynes. 1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) I. 163 Men off Phenici.i
.. made [L. condideruul] the cites of Sidon and of Tyrus.
1470-85 Malory Arthur Table (n. vii.), Kyng Marke . .
maad a tombe ouer them. 1530 Palsgr. 617/1, I make hym
a gowne, a house, a cappe, or suche lyke. Ibid. 621/2,
I make cockes of haye. 1571 Satir. Poems Reform, xxviii.
99 To Magnifiemy name I maid ane Stepill. 1687 A. Lovell
tr. Thevenct's Trav. 1. 208 The Franciscan Friars had made
some Rooms there for the convenience of Pilgrims. 1686
Aguonby Painting Illnstr. Explan. Terms s. v. Antique,
All the Works of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture that
have been made in the Time of the Antient Greeks. 1751
R. Paltock P. XVilkins xlv. (1883) 132/2 One of the colambs
being making a house to reside in. a 1774 Goldsm. Hist.
Greece I. 172 They caused a statue of Jupiter to be made at
the general expence. 1774 — Nat. Hist. (1776) VIII. 41
As birds sometimes are seen to make their nests. 1849
Chaiubers*s Inform. II. 719/2 The machine being.. com-
posed of the parts in ordinary use, only made circular. 1852
Robertson Scrm. Ser. 111. xii. 147 The beaver makes its
hole, the bee makes its cell. 1865 M. Arnold Ess. Crit. vi.
195 That dress, made full, as you've got it, suits you.
IT An apparent sense 'to represent by graphic or
plastic art* occasionally arises from the practice of
applying the name of the thing portrayed to its
representation.
a 1300-1400 Cursor M. 23216 (Gott.) Na mar. .pan painted
fire . . pat on wagh wit man war mad right [Cott. pat apon
awagh war wroght]. J850 Dickens Dav. Co/>p. xx, It was
a startling likeness.. .The painter hadn't made the scar, but
/ made it. 1859 Tennyson Vivien 329, I took his brush
and blotted out the bird, And made a Gardener putting in
a graff.
b. Const, of out of with (the material or com-
ponent parts). See also 4.
13.. Coer de L. 2648 Torches maad with wex ful cleer.
1382 Wyclif Exod. xxxii. 4 He. .made of hem a }otun calf.
1633 P. Fletcher Poet. Misc. 62 My little pipe of seven
reeds ymade. a 1774 Goldsm. Surv. Exp. Phitos. (1776)
II. 239 Burning instruments . . are usually made with glass.
— tr. Scarrons Com. Romance (1775) I. 31 A., pair of
breeches .. which he had given to this botcher, to make out
of them a more fashionable suit. 1791 J. Townsesd yourn.
Spain (1792) III. 118 Buskins .. which are made with the
esparto rush. 1859 H. T. Ellis Hong Kong to Manilla
148 An Indian can make almost anything out of bamboo.
C. absol. in phr. make or mend. Also, of a
ii
craftsman : To make the article which he pro-
duces for specified persons.
1851 Mayhew Loud. Labour (1864) II. 34/1 Those who
make or mend, and who must make or mend so cheaply that
the veriest vagrant may be their customer [etc.]. 1856
Househ. Words XIV. 420/2, 1 do not make, or mend, or mar.
1862 Temple Bar VI. 4S2 He makes for Count This and
Prince That, and they never want their coats altered.
d. slang. As good (or clever, etc.) as they make
them : as good (etc.) as possible.
187 . Broadside Ball, title (Farmer), As good as they make
'em. 1889 G. Allen Tents ofShem iii. I. 51, I like them—
thorough ladies,, .and as clever as they make them.
e. In various trades, applied spec, to some one"
of the operations constituting the process of manu-
facture.
1888 Arts 4- Crafts Catal. 82 The volume passes into the
hands of the * forwarder ', who ' makes ' the back. 1900
Eng. Dial. Diet., Make, to put the soles on boots or shoes.
2. With a substance as object : To produce by
the combination of ingredients, by extraction from
a source, or by the modification of some other
substance by mechanical or chemical processes.
Const, from, out of (the source or original sub-
stance), of \witk (the ingredients).
c 1200 Ormin ^So^iffbatt tu willt makenn laf, bu bresshesst
tine sharfess. £1230 Hali Mcid. 33 Hit greue& be se swi5e
bat tu wilt .. makien puisun. c 1386 Chaucer Can. Yeom.
Prol. <y T, 259 Cley maad with hors and mannes heer, and
oille Of Tartre. c 1400 Laufranc's Cirurg. 14 A medicyn
maad in oon nianer bat worchibdyuerseffectis. 1471 Ripley
Cotup. Alch. Adm. viii. in Ashm. (1652) 191 Many Amalgame
dyd I make. 1552 Huloet, Make mortar, concinnare tut um.
1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholayys Voy. 1. xiv. 15 A small
round fruite ..Of which the Inhabitants .. make oyle. 1611
Bible Ecclus. xlix. 1 The perfume yl is made by the arte of
the Apothecarie. 1669 Sturmy Mariner's Mag. v. xii. 67 To
make Red Powder. 1698 Phil. Trans. XX. 291 The way of
making Pitch, Tarr, Rosin and Turpentine. 1710 Hearnh
Collect. (O. H. S.) III. 30 Mr. William Stallenge-.was the
first Author of making silk in England. 1853 Ure Diet.
Arts, etc. II. 728 The patent plan of Sir. William Onions
of making cast steel seems worthy of adoption.
b. spec. To produce (an article of food or drink)
by culinary or other operations. To make meat
(obs. cxc. dial.) : to prepare food.
Some of the examples placed here might appear to belong
to branch II ; but originally meat was taken to mean the
food as prepared. (Similarly in to make tea or coffee.')
c 1000 .^Flfric Gen. xxvii. 9 Bring me twa ba betstan tyc-
cenu, bat ic macije mete binum fa;der ba^r of [Vu!g. tit fa-
ciam ex eis escas patri tuo\. 1297 R. Glolc. (Rolls) 8339
Wo bat mi3te . . sebe & Make potage. a 1300 Cursor M.
1497 pe hits to kepe and ma be mett. 13. . E. E, Allit. P.
5. 625 pre mettez of mele menge & ma kakez. c 1440 in
Househ. Ord. (1790) 461 As men maken ruschewes. 1463
Bury Wills (Camden) 32 In leeffull tyme to make her mete
in the chymeny. a 1589 R. Tomson in Hakluyt's Voy. 581
The bread they make there, is certaine cakes made of rootes.
1603 Dekkek & Chettle Grissit iv. ii. (Shaks. Soc.) 59
Giissil shall go make pap, and I'll lick the skillet. 1747
Mrs. Glasse Cookery (1767) 215 To make a boiled loaf.
1846 Dickens Cricket I. 15 Only let me make the tea first,
John. 1850 — Dav. Copp. xxiii, I then made her. .a glass of
hot white wine and water, and a slice of toast cut into long
thin strips. 2886 Besant Children Gibeon 11. xix, The cloth
was spread, and she was making the tea.
3. Said of God as Creator; with reference both
to material and to spiritual objects. Also occas.
of Nature, and in passive with the agent unspecified.
c 1175 Lamb. Horn. 139 Sunnendai weren engles makede of
godes mude. t 1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 222 He makeS be
nsses in pe sa be fueles on be lofte. c 1230 Hali Mtid. 45
Ich chulle halde me hal burh be grace of godd, as cunde me
makede. 1297 R. Glolc. (Rolls) 478 pre bousend & four
score & bre ;er Fram bat be world was verst imad. a 1300
Cursor M. 345 He pat mad [e 1375 Eairf. maket] al thing o
noght. 1382 Wyclii- Gen. i. 16 And God made two greet
li}t 3yuerys. . 1449 Pecock Repr. 11. 146 God that made
the world and alle thingis that ben in it. 1609 Bible
(Douay) II. Index, Light, an accident made the first day.
1660 tr. Amyratdus' Treat, tone. Relig. 11. vi. 241 Nature
ha's not made us of Iron. 1667 Milton I*. L. ix. 137. 1742
Voung AY. Th. iv. 828 Truth, eldest Daughter of the Deity;
Truth, of his Council, when he made the Worlds. 1852
Mrs. Stowe Uncle Tom's C. xx. 205 'Do you know who
made you?' ' Nobody, as I knows on,' said the child. . .' I
spect I grow'd. Don't think nobody never made me.'
b. With compl. or advb. phrase, denoting the
form or condition of the creature, or the purpose
or object of creation. Hence in passive, to be
naturally fitted or destined (const, for, to with inf.).
CX175 Lamb. Horn. 79 po bet wtrcn iinaktde engles in
houene, and fellen ut for hoie wrechede. c 1250 Gen. fy Ex.
122 Of euerile ou^ti of euerile sed, Was eioe mad moder of
sped, a 1300- 1400 Cursor M. 12370 (Gott.) }c bat he has
made to men,. .And bat eftir his aunen ymage. 1382 Wyclif
Mark ii. 27 The Sabote is maad for man, and nat a man
for the Sabote. c 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 121
Highe and lowe were made of 00 nature, a 1533 Ld. Ber-
ners Huon Hx. 206 We be all made to dye. 1593 Shaks.
2 Hen. VI, v. 1. 7 This hand was made to handle nought
but Gold. 1607 — Cor. 1. i. 211 They said . . that dogges
must eate, That meate was made for mouths. 1697 Dryden
Virg. Georg. 111. 259 The Calf, by Nature .. made To turn
the Glebe. 1712 Steele Sped. No. 515 r 6 Indeed, Gatty,
we [sc. women} are made for Man. 17*5 De Foe Earn.
Instruct. 1. 1. (1841) I. 13 Did God make me to serve him ?
1732 Poi'E Ess. Man 1. 39 Ask. .why oaks are made Taller
or stronger than the weeds they shade. 1784 Burns (title)
Man was made to mourn. 1822 Cobhett Weekly Reg.
30 Mar. 778 It is true enough, that God made all the
women ; but he did not make them all players. 1854 Bkew-
siek More Worlds xiii. 202 Man was not made for the planet
MAKE.
61
MAKE.
—but the planet was made for man. 1870 Dickkns E. Drood I
ii, She. .said that she had^ become your pupil, and that you ,
were made for your vocation.
c. pass. To be (zvell, etc.) made : said of the
bodily frame.
a 1310 in Wright Lyric P. 36 Heo hath . . Body ant brest
wel mad al. 1375 Barbour Bruce 1. 385 Bot off lymmys he
wes weill maid, a 1400-50 Alexander 3921 Then come a I
beste . . Mad & merkid as a Meere. c 1402 Lydg. Compt,
Bl. Knt. 163 Of brede and lengthe So wel y-mad by good
proporcioun. 1483 Caxton G. de la Tour (1868) 168 To
seme to the folkes syght better maad and fayrer of body.
1886 A del. Sergeant No Saint I. 1. i. 3 His frame was
broad and strongly made.
4. To be made of: to have been fashioned
(whether by art or nature) out of (certain materials);
to have as its material, constituents, or component
parts ; to consist or be composed of.
c 1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 145 Ane box ^emaked of marbel-
stone. c tagoSt. Michael 666 in S. Fug. Leg. I. 318 Of bis
foure elemenz ech quic bing I -make is. 1307 Elegy Ediv. I,
viii, The holy crois ymad of tre. c 1374 Chaucer Booth. 1.
pr. i. 2 (Camb. MS.) Hyr clothes weren maked of riht delye
thredes. C1400 Maundev. (Roxb.) ii. 6 pe table, .was made
of olyue. 1449 Pkcock Re/>r. 1. 8 An argument if he be fnl
and foormal, which is clepid a sillogisme, is mad of twey pro-
posiciouns. 1500-20 Dunbar Pocmsxxi. 46 Toungis now are
maid of quhyte quhaill bone, And hairtis ar maid of hard
flynt stone. 1530 Palsgr. 318/1 Made of cristall, cristatin.
1542 Udall Erasm. Apoph. 255 b, I found Home made but
ofbricke, and I will leaue it of marble. 1633 Massinger >
Guardian 1. i, I am made of other clay. 1669 Sturmy
Mariner's Mag. v. xii. 66 Cords made of Hemp. 1827
MirrorW. 164/1 Books aren't made of Stilton cheese. 1892
Argosy Oct. 312 The drums were made of metal.
+ b. To be 'compact' of (certain qualities). Obs. ,
tri374 Chaucer Booth, it. pr. iv. 27 (Camb. MS.) A man
maked alle of sapyence and vertu. 1611 Shaks. Cymb. 111.
v. 33 She looke[s]vs like A thing more made of malice, then
of duty.
5. To compose, write as the author (a book,
poem, or other literary work, + a letter). Formerly
often (now only as a rare archaism) with the title
of a work as obj. ; in mod. use chiefly in the phrase
to make verses {poetry, etc.). Also said with refer-
ence to musical composition.
The mod. usage is difficult to reduce to rule. It is common
to speak of ( making ' a sonnet or an epigram ; but it would
sound odd to speak of 'making' a tragedy or a novel,
except with some added phrase, as in ' Some one has made
a tragedy on this subject*.
c 1175 Lamb. Horn. 125 Da songes. .bo3 makede of bcre
heouenliche blisse be us wes iopenad on bisse timan. c 1200
Trin. Coll. Horn. 71 On be godspelle be sein lucas makede.
c 1205 Lay. 32 He nom pa Englisca boc ba makede seint
Beda. a 1300 Cursor M. 87 Of hir to mak bath rim and
sang. 1375 Barbour Bruce I. 33 Off thaim I thynk this .
buk to ma. 1377 Langl. P. PI. B. v. 415 I haue leuere
here an harlotrie. .pan al bat euere Marke made, Mathew, ,
John, & lucas. 1485 Caxton in Malory's Arthur Pref.
2 Alle suche bookes as been maad of hym ben fayned and
fables. 1508 Dunbar Poems iv. 66 Clerk cf Tranent.. That
maid the anteris of Gawane. 1530 Palsgr. 617/2, I make
a booke, as a clerke dothe.. . Is your boke made yet ? Ibid.
625/1, I wyll go make a letter. Ibid. 630/2, I make the
dytie of a songe. 1612 Bacon Ess., Beauty (Arb.) 210
As a Mnshian that maketh an excellent aire in Musick.
1612 Brinslev Lud. Lit. xiv. (1627) 190 How to make
Verses with delight and certainety. 1650 Howell Gi-
raffi's Rev. Naples 1. 127 Cavalier Ohm Fonseca . .
who us'd to make epitaphs. 1699 Bentley Phat. an
Philoctetes, which was not made till sixscore years after
Phalaris's death. 1787 J. Ramsay in Bums' Wks. II. 117
He has made words to one or two of them [sc. tunes]. 1803
tr. P. Le Brun's Mons. Botte I. 6 Would you .. have me
marry a woman that makes verses ? 1819 Crabbe T. of
Hall x, I penn'd some notes, and might a book have made,
But I had no connection with the trade. 1889 D. Hamnay
Capt. Marryat 100 Travellers who came to spy out the land,
and make a book about it. 1894 W. Morris Wood beyond
World colophon, Here ends the tale of the Wood beyond
the World made by William Morris.
f b. absol. or intr. To compose verses ; to write
poetry; to rime. (Cf. Maker 5.) Obs.
1377 Langl. P. PI. B. xii. 22 To solacen hym sum tyme
as I do whan I make, c 1385 Chaucer L. G. W. Prof. 60
Ye lovers that can make of sentement. c 1392 — Compl,
Venus 82 Graunson, flour of hem that make in Fraunce.
1500-20 Dunbar Poems lxxviii. 2 My heid did }ak ^ester-
nicht. This day to mak that I na micht. 1579 Spenser ;
S/teph. Cal. Apr. 19 And hath he skill to make so excellent?
1612 Drayton Poly-olb. iv. 59, Those who scarce have seene
a booke Most skilfully will make. i6*a Wither Mistr.
Philar. Postscr. N 8, I make to please my selfe, and not
for them. 1864 Dasent Jest <$• Earnest (1873) II. 303 Thou
art a good skald, .if thou canst 'make 'no worse than Glum.
t c. To make Latin or Latins : to write Latin
competition. Obs.
c 1500, a 1568, 1607 [see Latin sb. 4]. 1612 Brinslev Pos.
Parts {1669) 'jo Directions to make Latine. 1675 E. Coles ,
(title) Nolens volens, or you shall make Latin whether you
Will or no.
d. To draw up (a legal document).
136a LAMS. P. PI. A. 11. 58 Now Simonye and Siuyle I
stondep forb bobe, Vn-Foldyng be Feffement bat Fatsnes
made. 1476 .Surtees Misc. (1890) 35 Made in the yere of !
our Lorde millesimo cccclxxvj. 1484Caxton Eableso/Poge !
v;, Whanne he was . . at the poynt of dethe he wold make \
his testament. 15 .. Doun by ane Rever as I rod 71 in :
Dunbar s Poems 307 Quhill Deid he hint him be the back, I
.. And lute him nocht his testment mack. 1519 Rec. All-
hallows* Barking in Rimbault Hist. Organ 56 This enden-
ture made the yere of our lorde god m1 v<^ xix. 1658-9 Bur- i
ton's Diary (1828) IV. 45 Put the case, that none but ser- I
vants be at making their master's will. 1697 G. Dallas ]
Syst. Stiles 1 The foresaid Clause made anent payment of ]
Annual rents. Ibid. 7 [A] Writ made by way of Contract.
1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XVIII. 395/1 If he recovers, he
may alter his dispositions, and have time to make a written
will. 1823 Greville Mem. (1875) I. 64 In 1810 the King
made another will, but. .he always put off signing it. 1903
Spectator 31 Oct. 704/2 Daulac. .and his companions made
their wills, confessed, and received the sacrament.
6. To put together materials for (a fire) and set
them alight.
c 1205 Lay. 1 186 He makede bi bon weofede a swiffe wun-
sum fur. 1375 Barbour Bruce iv. 561 Luk on na viss the
fyre he ma. 1565 Cooper Thesaurus s.v. Faccre, Bustum,
to make a funeral fyer. tc 1558 [see Fire sb. 3]. 1603 Dek-
ker & Ciiettle Grissil 1, i, (Shaks. Soc.) 15 Master, I ha\e
made a good fire. 1687 A. Loveli. tr. Thcvcnots Trav. 1.
225 They made great Fires all along the Coast. 1844 E<
Waruurton Crcsc. fy Cross II. ioi, I .. ordered the other
[Arab] to make a fire instantly.
7. To set apart and prepare the site for (a garden,
park, road, etc.).
1382 Wyclif Amos'xx. 14 Thei shuln make gardyns. 1727-
41 Chambers Cycl.s.v. Road, Artificial Road is that made
by labour of the hand, either of earth or masonry. 1804
Charlotte Smith Conversations, etc. I. 93 We had made
gardens of our own. 1818 Order in Willis & Clark Cam-
bridge (1886) I. 573 The making a walk from the New
Bridge along the new Plantation. 1866 M. Arnold Thyrsis
i, How changed is here each spot man makes or fills !
** In wider sense : To cause to exist, to produce.
8. To cause the existence of (a material thing or
a physical phenomenon) by some action ; to inflict
(a wound) ; to produce (a hole, a mark, a sound,
etc.). So to make melody \ minstrelsy ; to make a
note, etc. : see the sbs.
c 1200 Trin. Coll. I lout. 33 pe wundes bat hie on him
makeden. a 1300 Cursor M. 17288+101 pe eitheuuoke &
made sown, c 1420 Anturs of Arth. 125 (Douce MS.) pe
grisly goost made a gryrne here. 1530 Palsgr. 617/2 The
droppes of water with ofte fallynge make the hole in a
marbyll stone. Ibid., What a cherme these byrdes make.
1589 Puttenham Eng. Poesie 11. x[i], (Arb.) 103 Make me. .
so many strokes or lines with your pen as ye would haue
your song containc verses. 1601 Shaks. Jul. C. I. i. 49
Haue you not made an Vniuersall shout? 1680 Cotton
Compl. Gamester x. (ed. 2) 85 Although the best of other
eyes shall not discern where any mark was made. 1687
A. Lovell tr. 'T/tevenot's Trav. 1. m Great claps of Thun-
der, which .. made with the heating of the waves, a fearful
noise. 1820 J. Gifford Compl. Eng. Lawyer 11. xiii. 219 If
any person shall make a hole in such ship. 1842 Tennyson
Mortc d* Arthur 137 The great brand Made lightnings in
the splendour of the moon. 1886 Pall Mall G. 15 July
6/1 To make his cross upon the ballot paper.
+ b. impers. with reference to weather. [Cf. F.
il fait chaud, ilfait obscitr.'] Obs. rare.
a 1300 Cursor M. 11658 Gret hete in wildernts it made.
1654 WH1TBLOCKE Stued, Ambassy (1772) I. 165 Vett made
it darke before they were from table.
9. To produce by action, bring about (a condition
of things, a state of feeling).
For to make ado, fa coil, (a) commotion, fun, a fuss,
game, an impression, t a matter, a pother, a roiv, a sensa-
tion, sport, a stir : see the sbs.
CI122 O. E. Chron. an. 1052 (MS. E.) Hi macodon msest
bet unseht betweonan Godwine eorle & bam cynge. 1352
Minot Poems viii. 34 pe Franche men..mase grete dray
when bai er dight. c 1386 Chaucer Sqr.'s T. 210 It is
rather lyk An apparence y-maad by som Magyk. c 1400
Destr. Troy 4213 Lamydon. .was fader to the freike that
oflens inas. c 1449 Pecock Rep>: Prol. 3 Tho Warners, .ban
therbi maad ful miche indignaciouu. c 1475 RaufCoil^car
172 Mak na mair stryfe. 1530 Palsgr. 619/1, I make a
rcvell, I make a do. 1573 Barbt Ah'. M 48 To make strife
and debate, concire vet concitate litcs. 1611 Cotgr., Faire
le Diable de vauvert, . . to make a hurlyburly. 1650
Baxter Saints' R. iv. (1651) 36 The sufferings which we do
make our selves, have usually issues answerable to their
causes. 1813 Byron Br.Abydos 11. xx, He makesa solitude,
and calls it — peace ! 1897 A. I). Innes Macattlay's Ess.
Clive (Pitt Press) 128 Buying up all the rice — in the trade-
jargon of tr>day * making a corner \
+ b. Const, dat. of the person or with to, unto-.
To cause (something) to happen to or fall to the
lot of (a person) ; to cause (a person) to experience
(something) ; to bring into a person's possession or
power. Obs.
a 1000 Cxdutou's Gen. 755 (Gr.) Eac is hearm gode mod-
sor^ xemacod. ciooo/Klkrjc Jndg. xvi, 25 pa txedun hi^
sume pait Samson nioste him macian sum gamen. 1303 K.
Brunnk Itandt. Synne 3939 Jyf bou make one so hard stresse
pat hys godnesse wexe pe lesse. a 1310 in Wright Lyric P.
31 Al wrong y wrohte for a wyf, that made us wo in world
ful wyde. c 1375, C 1386 [see Game sb. 1]. a 1400 Cursor
M. 28630 (Cott. Galba) Two maners of mending makes men
mede. 1483 Caxton G.de la Tour F vij, This queue, .made
unto the peple grete dyuersytees. 1590 Spenser E. Q. i. viii.
34 He. .Then ..from his arme did reach Those keyes, and
made himselfe free enterance. 1610 li. Jonson Atch. in. ii,
Euen the med'cinall vse shall make you a faction, And party
in the retime. 1629 R. Hill Pathw. Piety 1. 184 If we have
made them any offence. 1690 Locke Govt, 11. v. § 39 Labour
coidd make Men distinct titles to several parcels of it [sc. the
Worldl- 1725 Ramsay Gentle Sheph. u. iii, The last wind
made Claud a roofless barn.
c. To make peace, \gritht fsib: (a) to bring
about a condition of peace; (b) to conclude a
treaty of peace.
CI122 O. E. Chron. an. 1086 (MS. E.) Betwyx oorurn
bingum nis na to forgytane ba;t gode fri'A pe he macode on
pisan lande. c 1154 Ibid. an. ir.10 p 11 He dide god iusti.se
& makede pais. 11175 Cott. Horn. 243 Wi3 wain we ne
mu^e griS ne sibbe niacie. a 1310 in Wright Lyric P. 100
Jesu Crist, thou be mi bote, so boun icham to make my pees.
1390 Gower Conf. I. 12 To make pes bet wen the kynges
After the lawe of cbarite. c 1410 Hoccleve Mother of God
78 By thee, lady, y-makid is the pees Betwixt Angels and
men. 1590 Spenser /•'. Q, 11. iii. 9 So happy peace they made
and faire accord. 1651 Hobbes Lcviath. ill. xl. 253 The
Supreme Power of making War and Peace, was in the
Priest. 1849 Macau lav Hist. Eng. vii. II. 224 He now
made his peace, and went as far in servility as he had ever
done in faction. 1863 H. Cox Instil. III. ii. 596 The sole
prerogative of the Crown of making peace and war.
d. To make place, room, way : see the sbs.
*i\ e. In the 14— 15th c. the passive often renders
1 L.Jieri ( to begin to exist', ' to take place ', or (after
; Hellenistic Gr. yiyptaOai) [ to be'. Cf. 4S f, 49 e.
1382 Wvclip Luke iii. 3 The word of the Lord is maad on
I John, c 1400 Maundev. (1839) v. 40 That gret Babyloyne,
, where the Dyversitc of Langages was first made.
10. To give rise to; to have as a result or con-
' sequence ; to be the cause of. Very common in
I proverbs. Also in phrases to make a difference,
fa wonder. To make work: to occasion the neces-
sity for work to be done ; to give trouble.
! c 1 175 Lamb. Horn, 103 Auaricia. .heo macaS rcaflac. .and
! lesunge. ^1330 Halt Moid. 17 Kise maked beof. 137s
Barbour Bruce II. 330 God may rycht weill our werdis dele ;
i For multitud maiss na victory. 1533 Elyot Cast. Helthe
(1539) 54 The meate that shall make syckenesse, muste tiat a
lyttell excede the exquisite measure. 1565 COOPFR Thesaurus
s. v. Eacere, Vse maketh a custome. 1573 Baret A Iv. M 49
Old age maketh wrinckles. 1597 Bacon Cottiers Good .y
Evill (Arb.) 154 The second blow makes the fray, The
second word makes the bargame. 1630 B. Jonson New Inn
I. {iuil.) A heavy purse makes a light heart. 1655 Wooo
Ltfe 12 Oct. (O.H.S.) I. 199 It made a great wonder, that a
maid should be in love with such a person as he. 1662
Gerbier Principles 14 Too many Staires and back-Doore.-.
makes Thieves and Whores. 1668K. Steele Husbandman s
Calling vi. (1672) 176 Except infants that make work, he will
have all the rest do some work or other. 1738 Su n-r/W. Con-
versat. 39 One Fool makes many. 1759 Brown Compl.
Farmer qr Dry weather makes plenty of honty. 1791 Gent I.
Mag. 22/2 It makes very little difference, with which of the
acids the ether is composed. 1834 /Jr/V. llusb. I. s6(U.K.S.)
A very common opinion among farmers, that ' high rents
make good farmers '.
f b. With it as obj.: To be the cause of the
fact stated or supposed. Obs.
c 1375 Cursor M. 18788 (Fairf.) His kin ne wille he no^t for-
sake hot if bai hit ham -sehien make [Cott. bot it be thoru bair
aun sake]. 1362 Langl. /'. PI. A. x. 55 In Monties Brayn
..he [sc. Inwit] is Bremest, But 511 blod hit make. 1377
Ibid. B. v. 420, I nam nou^te shryuen some tyme but if
sekenesse it make. 1393 Ibid. C. xt. 157 Man is. .semblable
in soule to god bote yf synne hit make. Ibid. XXI. 326.
11. Cram. Of a word: To 'form' (a certain case,
tense, etc.) in a specified manner; to change into
(a specified foim) when inflected. [After l^jacertJ]
c 1000 /Kliric Grant, viii. (Z.) 21 Seo forme declinatio..
macad hire genitiwm on ae. 1886 T. Le M. Douse lutrod.
Gothic 167 Wahsj'a.. makes in the present 2 p[etson] singu-
lar] wahseis.
12. To establish (a rule, ordinance) ; to enact
(a law); to impose (a rate); fto found, institute
(a religions order, etc.).
c 1124 0. E. Chron., an. o6j (Laud MS.) He macode
b;er twa abbotrice, an of muneca o5er of nunua. a 1225
Ancr. R. 6 peos riwle is imaked nout of monnes fund-
leas, auh is of godes hestes. c 1300 Havclok 31 Gode
lawes He dede maken.an ful wel holden. a 1300 Cursor M
11189 Ouer al pe werld he mad statut. c 1380 Wyclif Wks.
11880) 2 Here ordris maad of synful men. 1423 Rolls of
Parlt. IV. 257/2 To grauute, ordeyne, and mak by estatut.
1542 Udali. Erasnt, Apoph. 275 [They] made a lawe that
[etc.]. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 517 Certeine ordinaunces,
made by the Maior and Aldermen of London. 1765 Black-
stone Comnt. I. ii. 142 In all tyrannical governments.,
the right of both making and enforcing the laws, is vested
in one and the same man. 1845 St ephen Comm. Laws Eng.
II. 356 Poor rates made in respect of the premises. 1875
Stubbs Const. Hist. (1896) II. xvii. 614 The theory that the
laws were made or enacted by the king with the consent of
the lords and at the petition of the commons. 1898 Encycl.
Laws Eng. VIII. 70 A receiving order is ' made 'on the day
it is pronounced, not when it is drawn up.
fb. To arrange, fix the time and place for (a
match) ; to institute (games). Obs.
.1 1568 Ascham Scholem. II. (Arb.) 125 The games running,
wrestling, and shoting, that Achilles maketh in Homer, with
the selfe same games that ASneas maketh in Virgil. 1676
Ladv Chaworth in vzth Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v.
32 They have made four matches to be run at Newmarket.
1703 Loud. Com, No. 3905/4 There is a Cock-Match made
between the Counties of Surrey and Sussex. 1752 Ains-
worth Lat. Eng. Did. s. v., To make a match for fighting,
Ccrtaiuctt instituerc.
13. Uses arising from' ellipsis of obj. in the fac-
titive senses (branch III), a. To create by elec-
tion, appointment, or ordination ; to appoint (an
officer), ordain (a priest, etc.).
1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 58 Voure kinges hii made bo in bis
kinedom. 1340 Ayenb. 42 Dingnetes bet me makeb be
chyczinge. c 1400 Rule St. Benet 145 The Method of inake-
ing a Nunn. a 1400-50 Alexander 3441 pe prouynce pi^t is
in pes Sc princes ere maked. 1422 Rolls of Parlt. IV. 176
Such officers, and all othre, be maad by advys. 1500-20
Dunbar Poems xiv, 46 Sa mony jugeis and lordis now maid
of lait. 1553 Bk. Com. Prayer Ordination, The fourme
and maner of makynge and consecratynge, Bishoppes,
Priestes, and Deacons. 1585 Act 27 Eliz. c. 2 § 1 Priestes,
which have bene. .made, .beyonde the Seas, by or according
to the Order.. of the Roinishe Church. 1641 BAKEnChrou.
(1660) 148 He [Rich. II] then made nine Knights, and
created four Earls. 1762 Goldsm. Cit. IV. lxxiv, When the
Tartars make a Lama, their first care is to place him in a dark
corner of the temple. 1810 Wellington Let. to Lt. Col.
MAKE.
Torrcns m Gurw. Desp. (1838) VI. 326,1 ..have not the
power of making even a Corporal.
b. JVattl. To promote in rank : occas. into a
particular ship.
i79S^KLSON26Dec.in Nicolas DispAti^ II. 123 My late
Hrst- Lieutenant is now a Captain, made by the Admiralty,
for the services of the Agamemnon. J798 Jane Austen
Lttl. (1884) I. '90 Frank is made. Me was yesterday raised
to the rank of Commander, a 1817 — I'crsuas. I. 256 When
he came home from the Cape,— just made into the Grap.
pier. 1833 Marrvat P. Simple xxxviii, 1 had now served
my time as midshipman, . .and I thought that I had a better
chance of being made in England than abroad. 1867 Smyth
Sailor's Word-bk., Made, a professional term for having
obtained a commission, or being promoted.
c. gen. To cause a person or persons to become
(what is specified by the object).
To make friends is first recorded in idiomatic phrases (.see
Friend si. 6 b) in which the (presumably) original force of
the verb is obscured.
1594 Hooker Eccl. Pol. lit. i. § 9 If they be no Chris-
tians, how make they Christians [by baptism] ? 1597 Shaks.
2 Hen. IV, 1. i. 214 (Jet Posts, and Letters, and make
Friends with speed. 1610 B. Jonson Alch. 111. ii, There
you haue made a friend. 1711 Addison Sped. No. 47 T 7
For these Ten Years successively he has not made le>s
than an Hundred April Fools. 1720 Ozell V'ertot's Rom.
Refi. I. vi. 343 [He] made a great Number of Prisoners.
1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. vi. II. 97 He. .tried, .to make
as few enemies as possible. 1859-60 J. H, Newman Hist.
St. (1873)111. ll.il 237 He was.. a man to make both friends
and enemies.
+ d. To translate, ' render '. Olis. (Cf. make
English, 48.)
1519 More Dyalogue III. Wks. 233/2 The clergie hath not
forboden the byble to bee made and readde in englishe. 1612
Brinsley Pos. Parts (1669) 130 This word of, coming after
a verb, is made by a Preposition.
e. To fix (a price). Now only Comm,
1567 Gude ffGodlie Ball., ' The Wind blaiviscauld', The
theif Judas did greit trespas, That Christ for siluer sauld :
Hot Preistis will tak, and his price mak, For les be mony
fauld. 1751 Ainsworth Eitg.-Lat. Diet. s. v., To make a
price, Prctium alicui re i /ace re vel indiccre. 1895 A. J.
Wilson Gloss. Terms Stock Exelu, To make a Price. \
A dealer is said to ' make a price ' when he slates the price
at which he is prepared to buy and the one at which he is :
ready to sell a particular security.
14. To prepare or provide (a meal, feast) for
guests ; to give (a dinner, etc.). Obs. exc. arch.
ciooo Ags. Gosp. Matt. xxii. 2 Heofona rice ys selic 7,k-
wurden bam cyninge be macude hys suna gyfata [qui fecit '
niiptiasfiliosiio]. ciza$ Lay. 14425 pe king makede ueorme,
swiSe store (c 1175 feste). c 1380 WVCUF Set. Wks. III.
416 In his two feestis bat he maked by myracle, he fed bo
puple. 1382 — Luke \\v. 12 Whanne thou makist a mete,
ether souper. a 1400 50 Alexander 831 pou mas be slike
a. m.angery & macchis changis. 1483 Caxton G. de la Tour
G viij b, She made grete dyners to the poure peple. a 1548
Hall Citron., Hen. VIII 21 So he made them a banket and
thei departed. 1682, 1814 [see Feast sb. 3]. 1762 Goi.dsm.
Nash Wks. (Globe) 525/1 People of fashion make public
breakfasts at the assembly-houses, to which they invite their
acquaintances. 1867 M. Arnold Obermann once more, He \
made a feast, drank fierce and fast, And crown'd his hair !
with flowers.
15. To form by collection of individuals.
+ a. To get together (a party, a force) ; to muster
or raise (troops). Also/V make a head: see Head
sb. 52 b. Obs.
13. . Cocr de L. 1251 The kyng comaundyd . . At London
to make a parlement. 1387 Trevtsa Iligden (Rolls) VII.
in At Oxenforde he made a parlement. a 1400-50 A lex-
auder 2210^ Alexander. .all a-boute be cite, Makis foure
thousand with flanes & bowis. c 1420 Lvdg. Assembly of
Gods 1055 He seyde pleynly he Vertu wold forsake, And
in Vyce hys quarell all hys power make. 1470-85 Ma-
lory Arthur xxi. xxii. 839 Wherfore Syr Mordred made a
parlemente and called the lordes togyder. 1523 Ld. ISkk-
ners Eroiss. I. xxviii. 42 These lordes be thei that may
make moost men of warre in short space of any that I
know. 1594 Shaks. Rich. Ill, lv. iv. 449 The greatest
strength and power that he can make. 1607 — Cor. v. i. 37.
1617 Moryson Itin. 111. 266 The Sweitzers can make six
score thousand foote for the defence of their owne Country.
1647 Cotterell tr. Davilds Hist. Jr. I. 50 The Duke of
Guise sent forth Jaques d'Aubon..and James Savoy. .with
all the horse they could make, a 1715 IK-rnet Own Time >
(172$) I. 407 Lord Danby saw his error, of neglecting the
leading men, and reckoning upon a majority, such as could
be made.
b. In parliamentary phrase, To make a House :
to ensure the presence of the number (now 40) of i
members required for a regularly constituted sitting
of the House (of Commons). Also said of the i
members. Similarly, to make a quorum.
1648 Dr. Denton 7 Dec. in F. P. Verney Mem. Verney
Family (1892-9) II. 395 Most of the secured members lay in
Hell last night, and are now gone to the generall. There is
scarce enough left free to make a house. 1775 [see House
j*.1 4d). 1830 Examiner 409/2 Twice this week have i
Ministers failed to make a House of Commons. 1864 Spec-
tator 7 May 529 A Bill which., will before long interest :
every taxpayer, was interrupted by mere official carelessness '
as to 'making a House'. 1884 Manch. Exam. 15 May 5/4 A j
House was made to-day promptly at a quarter-past 12 o'clock.
0, Sporting. To make a bag: to kill a number
of game on a shooting expedition. To make the
bag: said of the sportsman who contributes most
to the total of game killed.
1863, 1867 [see Bags*. 9]. 1889 Coruhill Mag. XIII. 209
Sir Allan is making the bag. That is the third time he has
wiped Sir Joseph's eye.
d. Betting. To make a book : to arrange a series
62
of bets referring to one and the same race or 'event ','
with odds calculated with a view to a probable
gain on the whole transaction.
1828 Hood Miss Kilmansegg, Honeymoon, Of making a
book how he made a stir. 1856 'Stonkhenge ' Brit. Rural
Sports 11. 1. xiii. § 137 It dous not always happen thai the
person laying the odds makes a book. 1892 Cassclfs Sat.
J ml. 28 May 859/1 There certainly is a way of making a
book ' by which the layer of odds must win.
fl6. To bring forth (fruit, blossom) ; to have as
a product. Obs.
1375 Barbour Bruce v. 9 The treis begouth to ma Burgeonys
and brycht blwmys alsua. 1382 Wyclip Matt. vii. 17 So
euery good tree makith good fruytis. c 1380 — Serin. Scl.
Wks. I. 166. C1400 Apot. Loll. 4. 1604 E. G[rimstone]
ITAcosteCs Hist. Indies iv. xxxii. 296 In new Spaine, there
are some vignes which beare grapes, and yet make no wine.
b. To make water ; i urine [ m F. /aire de Veati\ :
to urinate. (See the sbs.)
+17. Of a mother: To give birth to (young). Of
a father: To beget. Obs. [So ¥. /aire.]
1362 Langl, P. PL A. x. 164 pe cursede Mud bat Caym
haf> I-niaket. 1483 Caxton 67. de la Tour G viij b, This
good lady Rachel as she had made a child she forthwith
..gaf thankyngis of it to god. 1484 — Eabtes of Aisop IL iv,
A sowe whiche weptc.for the grete payne that she felte by
; cause she wold make her young pygges. c 1500 Mclitsine
102 She made a fayre child that was her second sonne.
18. Used with const. 0/ ox out 0/ (by extension of
the notion in sense 1 b), to designate the action
, of causing what is denoted by the regimen of the
prep, to become what is denoted by the object of
: the verb.
So in many phrases, as to make a business, practice, trade
i of; to make an example, a fool of ; to make an ass, a beast,
' an exhibition of oneself \ for illustration see the sbs.
CI175 Lamb. Horn. 103 pa. .scinne. .bet is ihaten forni-
catio, .mace5 ofcristesleoman heoranna leoman. c 12100 Vices
<r Virtues 137 Of here wombe hie makieS here godd. c 1205
Lay. 13674 Heo..wulle5..makienkingof ane Peohte. a 1300
Cursor M. 1 34 19 Vr drightin . . made pain of hair water win.
Ibid. 18790 pat we vr fa mak of vr freind. c 1330 Assump.
Virg. 671 Ihesu crist..Of a wilde hounde hah made a lomb,
1530 Tindale Pract. Prel. Ciij, And thus of one enipyre was
madetwayne. 1563 Foxk A. tyM. 1711/1 There was 110 more
behindc, to make a very Iphigenia of her, but her offer yng
vp vpon the aultar of the scaffolde. 1610 Shaks. Temp. i.
ii. 101, 169. 1611 Cotgr., Eaire estat de. .to vse, or make
a practise of. 1667 Milton /'. L. 1. 255 The mind.. Can
make a Heav'n of Hell, a Hell of Heav'n. 1686 Horneck
Crucif. Jesus xiv. 331 Such a person must not make a trade
of repenting and sinning. 1707 Curios, in Husb. ty Gard.
Pref. 5 The Heathens, who made Gods of the very Onions
that grew in their Gardens. 1759 Sterne Tr. Shandy II.
ii, I beg only you will make no strangers of yourselves.
1859 Tennyson Lancelot <y Elaine 912 Such service have
ye done me, that I make My will of yours. 1889 J. K.
Jerome Three Men in Boat 206 Montmorency made an
awful ass of himself. 1892 Mrs. H. Ward IX Grieve 11. vii,
He was making a friend of her. 1894 Emily Lawless Mael-
cho I. ii. 32 He was not going to make a show of himself.
b. in indirect passive.
*7AB [see Fool sb.i 3]. 1742 Richardson Pamela III. 92
I will attend yoUj^altho' I doubt I am to be made a Shew
of. 1766 Goldsm. Vic. IV. xxxi, She was now made an
honest woman of. 1803 Pic Nic No. 4 (1806) I. 140 They
must be made an example of.
c. AVith idiomatic 0/ it.
1660 Ingelo Bentiv. A Ur. 1. {1682) 55 They were going to
make a Day of it in Sports and Musick upon the Water.
1752 Ainsworth Eng.-Lat. Diet. s. v., You have made a
good day's work of it, 1789 Charlotte Smith Ethclinde
(.1814) III. 162 A bad history, a bad history, I am afraid,
that young man has made of it. 1809 Malkin Gil Bias
iv. vi. f 8 He is going to make a night of it. Ibid. x. x.
P 12, I made but one nap of it all night. 1844 Dickens
Mart. Chuz. v, I always supposed that Mrs. Lupin and you
would make a match of it. 1855 Costello ^Vor. Screen 90,
made a clean breast of it to Desiree. 1856 Whyte Mel-
ville Kate Cov. vi, I . . had a great mind to make a bolt of j
it and run up-stairs.
d. To make (muc/i, /itt/e, something, nothing, j
etc.) 0/: to derive (much or little) advantage from ; 1
to turn to (much or little) account.
To make the best, the most o/\ see Best sb., Most sb.
1643 Tram* Comm. Gen. xxxii. 12 A flye can make little of
■ flower ; but a bee will not off, till he hath the sweet thyme
out of it. 1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. 1. 229 They
Boarded her again the third time, but could make nothing
on't. 1707 Curios, in Husb. «y Gard. 202, I set about the '
work..resolv'd to. .be certain whether I could make any-
thing of it or not. 173a Li>. Tyrawly in Buccleuch MSS. '
(Hist. MSS. Comm.) I. 381 Unless you have two Moletta-
men. .you won't be able to make anything at all of her \sc. \
a boat), with any hands you'll get. 1870 Rogers /fist.
Gleanings Ser. ii. 246 Calumny made something of his re- j
latious with William Tooke. 1884 W. C. SMITH Kildrostan j
59 They hold the place which once the chieftain held, And
what have they made of it ?
e. To make a hash, mess, muddle of: to fail
grossly in, bungle (a business). See the sbs.
f. To make . . o/\ to do . . with. Sc. [Cf. F.
* qu'avcz-vous fait de . . '.]
1824 Miss Ferrier Inher. Ixxiii, It was inconceivable, too,
what he made of himself all day.
***To frame in thought or representation.
19. To form within the mind ; to give conceptual j
existence to. a. To entertain (doubt, scruple, l
question, etc.) in the mind ; to formulate mentally ;
to form (a judgement).
To make conscience: see Conscience 11. To make a |
difference: see Difference sb. 5.
MAKE.
'375 Bahuocr Bruce 1. 249 Than mayss clcikis questioun,
..That [etc.]. a 14*5 Cursor M. 23846 (Trin.) From hit
may we no way scape for no wile hat we con make. 1565
Cooper Thesaurus s. v. Facere, Controuersiam, to propose
as doubtfull : to make doubt of. 1583-1875 [sec Question
**. 5> >586-i875 Ne Doubt sdJ 4 a]. 1661 Bovle Style of
Script. ( 1675) 228 The more scruple I would make to rob them.
1709 Berkeley Th. Vision § 3 The estimate wc make of the
distance of objects. 1721 Perry Daggenh. Breach 4 Per-
sons, who may be able to make a Judgment of the Truth of
what I relate. 1844 Eraser's Mag. XXX. 98 1, I make no
doubt every one ..has practised similar stratagems. 1870
Lowell Study Wind. 229 The judgement of him [Chaucer]
which we make from his works. 1885-94 R. Bridges E>os <y
Psyche May xiii, She made no wonder how the wonder was.
b. To make \ great, etc.) account, + count, f es-
teem, f estimation, f reckoning, T regard, f store 0/:
to have a" high opinion of, set store by. (Chiefly
obs. or arch.)
*393i etc [see Account sb. 12]. 1484, etc. [see Count sb.1
5l« '539 Cromwell in Merriman Life $ Lett. (1002) II.
244 His Maieste wold neither make store of them ne bestowe
a t«0 penys for their conveyance hither. 1576 Fleming
Panopl. Epist. 95, I would haue you make ful reckoning of
al my counsel, c 1586 C'tess Pembroke Ps. cxix. ii, Such
regard of thee I make. For feare of thee my flesh doth
quake. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. 11. xv. § 2, I make no
more estimation of rt pealing a number of names or words
upon once hearing., than [ttc.|. 1652 J. Wright tr. Camus"
i\at. Paradox xi. 308 The same cause made Amiclea dis-
dain the esteem which Liante made of her. 1654-66 Earl
Orrery Part/ten. (1676) 508 You will demonstrate how
little esteem you make of a Wife. 1877 Si-urgeon Serm.
XXIII. 402 What fools we were to make such count of
momentary, transient pleasures ! 1884 Mks. Oliphant Sir
Tom II. vii. 114 A poor girl .. unnoticed, made no more
account of than the chair upon which she sat.
c. To recognize in classification (a certain num-
ber of kinds, species, etc.).
156a WinJet Cert. Tractates Wks. 1888 I. 12 The wickit
dum pastour, of the quhilk we mak thre kyndis. 1617
Moryson Itin. 1. 90 It aboundeth with sea birds, whereof
the Venetian writers make two hundred kinds. 1621 Bur-
ton Auat. Mel. 1. ii. 1. ii. (1676) 26/2 Our School-men.,
make nine kinds of bad Spirits. 1678 Cudworth Intell.
Syst. 37 Anaxagoras . . made Bony and Fleshy Atoms, . .
which he supposed to exist, .alwaies immutably the same.
d. legal. To formulate, set out (a case, title).
1883 Cotton in Law Rep., 9 Prob. Div. 25 It would be
better, .for the party alleging undue influence to. .shew with
reasonable particularity the nature of the case he intends to
make. 1891 Law Rep., Weekly Notes 77/2 The new trus-
tees were therefore validly appointed, and could make a
good title.
20. Used with const. 0/ (cf. 18, of which this
may be viewed as a figurative application) : To
regard (what is denoted by the regimen of the
prep.) as being (what the object of the verb de-
notes) ; to arrive at (a particular amount or quan-
tity) as the result of calculation or estimation ;
to assign (a meaning) to a statement, expression,
representation, etc., or (a cause, motive, or reason)
for actions or phenomena. Often with interrog.
or indef. pronoun as obj.
For to make head or tail (also top or tail) of, to make
sense of, see the sbs.
1531 Tindale E.tp. 1 fohn v. (1538) 59b, Yf thou burnest
bloude and fat together to please God, what other thynge
doest thou make of God, than one that had lust to smell to
burnt flotesse? 1565 Randolph in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. 1.
IL 203 Suspicious men, or suche as are geven of all thyngs
to mayke the worst. 1609 Holland Amm. Marcell. 316,
I wote not wel what to make of this : the text I suspect be
faultie. a 1654 Selden Tablc-t. (Arb.) 20 When it come.-,
among the Common People, Lord, what Gear do they make
of it! 1776 C. Lee in Sparks Corr. Atner. Rez: (1853) '*
157, I know not what to make of this apathy on so important
a subject. 1833 D. Macmili.an in Life ii. (1882) 16 He has
gone to Edinburgh now. I don't know what to make of
him. 1861 Dickens Gt. Expect, xxiv, What do you make
of four times five? 1887 L. Carroll Game of Logic i. § 1.
10 What would you make of such a Proposition as ' The
Cake you have given me is nice ' ? Is it Particular or Uni-
versal ?
21. To make (much, little, nothing, etc.) 0/: to
have a (high, low, etc.) opinion of; to value at a
(high, low, etc.) rate ; to treat with (much, no, etc.)
consideration. To make much of: often, to treat
with marked courtesy and show of affection ; also
in indirect passive. To make nothing 0/ (doing
something) : to find no difficulty in or feel no
scruples at (cf. 51 c).
To make light of, f to make slight of : see Light rt.1 13 d
(b), Slight.
a 1300 Cursor M. 23860 Quen noght es mad of crists word.
c 1305 Si, Dunstau 46 in E. E. P. (1862) 35 A gret ordey-
nour he was And makede moche of god c reuie. 1470 85
Malory Arthur ix. xviii. 365 The more she made of nym,
the more was his payne. c 1500 Melusine 302 Whan geflray
with the grete toth herd that the geaunt made so lytel of
hym. a 1548 Hall Chron., Edw. IV220 She had nothyng
more to be beloved, nothyng more derer, nor nothynge to be
made more of. 1610 Shaks. Temp. 1. ii. 333. 1612 Shelton
Don Qnix. iv. i, (1620) 282, I was one of the most made of
and cherished daughters that euer father brought vp. i6az
Bacon lien. VII (ed. Lumby) 40 He was very honourably
entertained, and extremely much made on by the Pope.
1711 Addison Sficct. No. 57 r 3 She talks of Hounds and
Horses, and makes nothing of leaping over a Six-bar Gate.
1823 Byron yuan x. Ivi, Whate'er the cause, the church
made little of it. 1838 Lytton Alice 11. ii, No queen could
be more made of. 1888 W. J. Knox Little Child of
Staffcrton \. \z The child was petted and made much of.
MAKE.
63
MAKE.
b. intr. To make of-. + [a] To esteem (well or
ill) ; to treat as if. . . Obs. (b) To value highly ;
to treat with great consideration ; — to make much
of; also in indirect passive. Obs. exc. dial.
1375 Harbour Bntce xvi. 592 The king aucht welll to ma Of
$ow. c 1449 Pecock Kepr. 1. xiii. 69 Thou^ the oold l.iwe was
good to the kepers therof, ^it was not so good as thei maden
therof. a 1529 Skelton Magnyf. 174, I am Lyberte, made
of in euery nacion. a 1533 Ln. Hkrners Gold. Bk. M.
Aurel. (1546) KK j b, And that that some setteth Uttell by,
other make of. a 1546 Bale Latter Exam. A. Askeiu (1547)
22 b, It was an abhomynable shame vnto hym to make no
belter of the eternall worde of God, than of his slenderlye
conceyued fantasye. 1601 Dent Patlnu. Heaven 77 An
,. Hawke, which a man holdeth upon his fist, stroketh
her, maketh of her. 1607 Shaks. Cor. iv. v. 203. 1631
Celestina (1894) 142 You make of me, as if I had been
borne but yesterday. 1725 Ramsay Gentle Shcph. 1. ii, Their
freatest wish, Is to be made of, and obtain a kiss, a 1825
'orbv Vac. E. Angtia s. v., To make on, to caress, to dis-
tinguish by particular attention. 1828 Mrs. Carlvle 20
Aug. in New Lett. (1903) I. 29 Everyone here is trying to
make my stay agreeable to me ! Indeed, I have not been so
made of since very long ago.
22. Araut. To descry or discern as from the top
of a mast or tower; to come in sight of; —make
out (91 1). f To make (an object) for : to discern
it to be (something), f Also to make . . to be.
c 1565 Sparkr in Hakluyt's Voy. (1589) 536 Wee had sight
of an Island, which we made to be Iamaica. c 1600 Nor-
den Spec. Brit., Cornw. (1728) 96 A place whence they
discouer ships at sea which they call makinge a sayle.
1628 Digbv Voy. Mectit. (1868) 4 Which afterwardes wee
made to be a small Frenchman. Ibid. 33, I descryed a
sayle which I made for a sattie. 1666 Pepys Diary 1 June,
At his coming into port, he could make another ship of
the King's coming in. 1669 Stukmy Mariners Mag. To
Rdr., The Lizard being, .the first Land made at their return
home. Ibid. iv. i. 139 [He] at last made the Coasts of Bra-
silia. 1708 Land. Gaz. No. 4422/7 It was thought proper
that this Ship should godown to make them perfectly. 171a
W. Rogers Voy. (1718) 292, I order'd the pinnace to be
mann'd and arm'd, and sent her away to make what she was.
1725 De Foe Voy. round World (1840) 7 We . . made the
Coast of Galway, in Ireland, the 10th. 1760 C. Johnston
Chrysal (1822) II. 250 The man at the masthead had made
the land. 1833 Marry at/*. Simple li, We made Barbadoes
without any further adventure, and were about ten miles off
the bay. 1840 R. H. Dana Be/. Mast xxxii. 124 If we could
make land, we should know where we were. 189a ' R.
Boldrewood ' Col. Reformer (1891) 171 Poor Grant made
the light, sometime after nightfall.
**** Said of constituent parts or material.
23. To amount to. Also, of the latest item in
an enumeration, to bring up the sum to (a certain
amount).
a 1225 Ancr. R. 96 (Corpus MS.) preo halpenes makeS a
peni. c 1386 Chaucer Parson's P. p 288 The proverbe seith :
that manyesmale makenagreet. c 1400 Malndev. (Roxb.)
xx. 90 Of whilke mynutes LX. makez a degre. 1545
Rates of Custome Ho. diijb, One Flemisshe elle makithe
iii. quarters of a yarde englisshe. 1589 Putteniiam Eng.
Poesie n. x[i.] (Arb.) 99 These ten litle meeters make but
one Exameter at length. 1596 Shaks. % Hen. fV, iv. ii. 6
This Bottle makes an Angell. 1601 ? Marston Pasquil «y-
Kath. 1. 66 Many a small make a great. 1672 Vii.liers
(Dk. Buckhm.) Rehearsal hi. i. (Arb.) 69 Nine Taylors make
but one man. 1724; De Foe Mem. Cavalier (1840) 35 All
which did not make thirty thousand men. 1825 New
Monthly Mag. XIV. 330 How many birds would this
make in the course of the day? 1875 J. Southward Diet.
Typogr. s.v., In casting-off copy or matter it is said that it
' makes ' so much— a galley, a stickful, &c— that is occupies
so much space. 1892 Sat. Rev. 12 Nov. 562/1 Twice one
makes two.^ 1897 Fl. Marryat Blood Vampire iv, 'E's a
regular business man and knows *ow many beans make five !
24. Of an adjunct or feature : To be sufficient to
constitute; to be the essential criterion of. In
proverbial or quasi-proverbial uses, mainly in
negative contexts.
1340 Ayenb. 165 pe clobinge ne makeb na?t bane monek,
ne be armes bane kny;t. c 1430 Ereemasonry 726 Code
maners maken a man. 1546 Heywood Prov. (1867) 57
One swalowe maketh not sommer. i6iiCotgr. s.v. Moiue,
The Cowle makes not the Monke. 1649 Lovelace Poems
(1864) 119 Stone walls doe not a prison make, Nor iron
bars a cage. 1734 Pope Ess. Man iv. 203 Worth makes the
man, and want of it, the fellow. 1859 Tennyson Guinevere
479 And courtliness, and the desire of fame, And love of
truth, and all that makes a man. 1861 Temple Bar III. 256
Along beard does not make a philosopher. 1893 National
Observer 7 Oct. 531/2 One actress does not make a play.
25. To amount to, count as, avail, signify (much,
little, nothing, etc.) in relation to the question
under consideration. (Cf.74.) Const, for, to. Now
rare. To make no matter (somewhat arch.) : to
make no difference, not to matter, f What maketh
matter but that . . ? m ' What hinders that . . ? '
1456 Sir G. Haye Law Arms (S. T. S.) 283 And suppos
sum ignoraunt men wald say gold is metall and na coloure,
that makis nocht. 1478 W. Paston in P. Lett. III. 237,
I beseche yow to sende me a hose clothe, . . how corse so
eyer it be it makyth no matyr. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot.
II. 383 Quhat makis that to the? 1549 Latimer Serm.
/ toughers (Arb.) 18 In deede it toucheth not monkerie, nor
maketh any thyng at all for any such matter. 1563 Man
Musculns Commonpl, 284 What maketh matter but that the
Jewe, which is so often washed in the lawe, might be washed
agayne if he come to Christ? 1574 VVhitgift De/. Answ.
11. 106 I hose things which., make something to exhort vnto
a better life 1606 Shaks. Ant. * CI. n. vi. 126, I thinke
the policy of that purpose, made more in the Marriage, than
the loue of the parties. 1611 Bible TransL Pref r 3 The
course which he intended made much for the glory of God.
1631 Gouge God's Arrows nr. § 9. 202 Circumstances make
much to the goodnessc or badnesse of an action. 1697 C.
Leslie Snake in Grass (ed. 2) 299 That he was a Loose
Man, ftc. which makes nothing to the business. 1728
Ramsay Last Sp. Miser xxix, Away his wretched spirit
flew, It maksnae where. 1768 Sterne Sent. Jonrn. (1778)
II. 70 (Passport) By what magic he could (etc.) makes
nothing in this account. 1768 Ross Hvlenore (1789) 85
Maksua, quo she, gin I my hazard talc 1808-80 Jamikson
s.v. Makt It makes na, it does not signify, it is of no conse- j
quence ; sometimes as one word, maksna. 1862 Trench
Mirac. xxxiii. 456 It makes something for the current
opinion that. .Nathanael. .is Bartholomew., thus to find him
named.. in the midst of some of the very chiefest Apostles.
+ b. Of arguments or evidence : To avail 'much,
little, etc.) for, against (an opinion or a disputant).
1579 Fulkk Hcskins' Part. 333 These,. sentences, .make
nothing for him, but much against him. a 1649 Charles I. ,
Ills. 177, I believe this argument makes little for you.
1660 tr. Amyratdiis* Treat. Religious ill. ii. 331 That makes
nothing against us. 1690 Locke Hum. Una*. 1. iii. § 3 Wks.
1727 I. n But this makes nothing for Innate Characters on j
the Mind.
26. To count as, have the position of, ' form ', j
be (a part or unit in an aggregate, a particular ]
member in an ordinal series). To make one (of) :
often, to take part in a combined action, be present
at a meeting, etc. ; also, to assimilate oneself to
the company one joins,
x375 Harbour Bruce xi. 340 He said, the rerward he vald '
ma. 1523 Fitzherb. Husb. § 120 Whan these three be
mette, if ye hadde a potycarye to make the fourthe [etc].
1542 Udall Krasm. Apofili. 86 He would .. not refuse to
make one at a mannes table. 1634 Fom> /*. \Varbeek 11. iii,
There have been Irish hubbubs, when 1 have made one too.
1658 Jer. Taylor Let. in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. ■
App. v. 5 Her duty to you .. does apparently make a very
great part of her religion to God. 1711 BuDGF.LL Sped.
No. 77 P 5, I always make one of the Company I am in.
1826 Kirby & Si*. Entomol. III. xxxiv. 485 It is marked
out into three triangles, the postnasus making a fourth. ,
1850 Dickens Dav. Copp. xx, It would be worth a journey. .
to see that sort of people together, and to make one of 'em.
1869 Freeman Norm. Com]. (1876) III. xii. 179 To make
one of the illustrious gathering. 1892 Cornh. Mag. Dec. !
566, I was number thirteen, and you came in and made the
fourteenth.
27. To be the material or components of ; to be
made or converted into ; to serve for.
1620-5$ I. )oxi:s Stone-IIc/tg (1725) 45 The Stones making
the Portico within. 1661 Boyle Style of Script. (1675) 53
Where there's nothing but choice (lowers, .. they will make
a good posie. 1699 T. Brown in R. L'Kstrange Erasiu.
Colloq. 20 She was fit to have made a Spouse for Jupiter
himself. 1703 Moxon Meek. E.verc. 114 Pieces that are in-
tended to make the Frames for small Pictures. 1712 Anin-
son Sped. No. 414 r 4 Fields of Corn make a pleasant Pro-
spect. 1724 Swift Stella's Birthday, Merry folks, who want :
by chance A pair to make a country dance. j768Colosm.
Goodn. Man 1. (end), I am told he makes a very hamlsome
corpse and becomes his coffin prodigiously. 1797 Encycl.
Brit. (ed. 3) VIII. 485/2 Such as are kept to make red
herrings are washed in great vats in fresh water. 1838
Lytton Leila in. iii, One of the vaults which made the
mighty cemetery of the Monarchs of Granada. 1887 A.
Birrell Obiter Dicta Ser. 11. 70 Poor authors . . with their
pockets full of the bad eggs that should have made their
breakfasts. 1890 ' R. Boldrewood ' Col. Reformer (1891)
94 He's steady enough to make a wheeler in a coach. 1890
Statutard 5 Nov. 5/1 [He] had much to say that will make
unpleasant reading for the Liberal wirepullers.
b. To admit of being made into.
c 1420 Paltadins on Hnsb. iv. 457 The gourde is good this
citur nygh to sowe, Whos vynes brent maath askes for hem
sete. 1577 B. Googe Hcresbach's Husb. in. (1586) 152
Neither is their.. a beast that makes more dishes. 1592
Kyd Sp. Trag. in. vi. 69 Doost thou think to Hue till his
olde doublet will make thee a new trusse? 1598 Shaks.
Merty IV, 1. iii. 18 An old Cloake makes a new Ierkin. 1605
1st Pt. Jeronimo in. i. 43 My hose will scarse make thee a
standing coller. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. u. v. 87
A pint of salt of tartar, exposed unto a moist aire,.. will
make far more liquor, .then the former measure will contain.
1787 Beckeord Lelt.fr. Italy (1805) I. 365 They [frogs]
make a good soup, and not a bad fricassee.
28. Of persons : To become by development or
training. Also, with obj. a sb. qualified by good,
bad, or other adj. of praise or the contrary : To
perform (well, ill, etc.) the part or function of.
157a Middelmore in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. 11. III. 8,
I think he [the Duke of Anjou] will make as rare a prince
as any is in Christendome. 1591 Shaks. i Hen. VI iv. vu.
44 Doubtlesse he would haue made a noble Knight. 1677
Miec.e Eng.-Er. Diet, s.v., These men might make good
Soldiers if they were well disciplined. 1726-7 Pope Th. j
var. Subj. in Swift's Wks. (1751) V. 262 For a King to
make an amiable character, he needs only to be a man of
common honesty, well advised. 1736 Berkeley Disc, to
Magistr. Wks. III. 412 The young rake makes an old
infidel. 1828 Examiner 244/1 Mr. Kean, jun. will never
make so great an actor as his father. 1844 H. Stephens
Bk. of Farm II. 89 The shepherd knowing the flock makes .
their best drover. 1870 E. Peacock Ratf Skirl. III. 25 As '
the times then went, Mr. Earl made a very fair pastor. |
1885 J. Payn Luck of Darrells I. viii. 125 She will make
him a good wife.
*****To gain, acquire.
29. To gain, acquire, or earn (money, reputation,
etc.) by labour, business, or the like. Const, of,
out of. Phr. f to make {one"s) advantage (see An- j
vantage sb. 5 b), increment of; to make a (or one's) ■
fortune (see Fortune sb. 6) ; to make capital out of
(see Capital sb. 3d); to make a living ( see Living
vbl. sb. 3) ; to make a name (for oneself). SeeNAUE^. j
£1315 Shoreham iii. 294 In londe suche his many a bef
pat y-now hym makej\ 138a Wyclif Jer. xxxii. 20 Thou
madist to thee a name. 1472 Paston Lett. III. 71, I trusie
be Ester to make of money.. at the leest 1. marke. 1546
<>. Johnson in Ellis Orig. Lett. S^r. 11. II. 175 lie^ides the
monney that I shal make of the said wares. 1583 Stocker
Ct'v. lVa?-res Loive C. 11. 64 [They] furnished him with all
the money they were able to make. 1588 Parke tr Meud^~,u's
Hist, China 45 Then may the husband afterwardes sell his
wife for a slave, and make money of her for the dowrie he
gaue her. 1604 Shaks. Oth. 1, iii. 361. 1632 Lithcow
Trav. 1. 64 This little He maketh yearely. .onely of Currants
160000 Chickins [—sequins], 1632 Sherwood, To make
money of, vetuire. 1706 E. Ward Wooden World Piss.
(1708) Advt., Making a Profit at the Ex pence of other Men.
1821 Byron yuan 111. Ixxxv, His muse maile increment of
anything, From the high lyric down to the low rational.
1823 J. 1!adcock Dom. Amusem. 28 More than he oould
probably hopt; to make by any transaction in the Alley.
1840 Macaulay Ess., Clive OSS7) 555 A great quantity of
wealth is made by English functionaries in India;. .and
what is made is slowly, hardly, and honestly earned.
1842 Horkow Bible in Spain xiii. (Pelh. Libr.) 97 [They]
had buried., a steal booty which they had made in Portugal.
1863 F.din. Rex: CXVI 1. 417 The nun complain that without
it [sc. blasting] they cannot 'make wages'. 1887 Kurkin
Pr.e/erita II. 33? LH«d would often, for the mere pleasure of
playing a trick, lose a customer without making a penny
by him. 1889 T. Gift Not for the Night-time 83, I . made
a name as a successful artist. 1895 Bookman Oct. 16/2, I
know several gentlemen in Paris. .who make a very good
living by hawking these nightingales ronnd the cafes.
b. ^/i7;/^and dial. To steal.
a 1700 I!. V.. Diet. Cant. Crew, Made, Stolen. / Made
this Knife at a bent, I stole it deaverly. 1740 DYCHE &
Pardon Did., Make . . also to steal or convey privately
away. 1865 Daily Tel. 27 Oct. 5/1 'The same day', he
continued, 'we only made [i.e. stole] a leg of pork from t?,
Harrow-road ' [etc.). 1866 Mansi ni.n Sch. Life (1870) 46
In the matter of certain articles . . supplied by the College
[Winchester), we n-m] to put a liberal interpretation on the
eighth commandment ..and it was considered fair 'to make
(#. e. take) them if you could. 1881 /.</■ titersh. Gloss.
C. To fetch (a certain juice).
1868 J'ml. R. Agrk, Soc. Ser. 11. IV. u. 289 One [bullock]
..made 60/. in a W'oburn auction. 1896 Athenaeum No.
356*;. 382/r Matthew's Bible, 1517, made 11/. 15$.
30. Cards. To win or ■ take ' (a trick" ; to play to
advantage (a certain card). Also intr. of a card :
to take a trick.
1608 L. Machin Dumb Knight iv. II 4 You are a double
game, and I am no lesse, theres an hundred, & all cards
made but one knaue. 1742 Hoyi.k Whist 39 In the third
round you make your Queen. Ibid. 50 You probably make
two Tricks in it by this Method of Play. 1876 '(.ait.
Crawley ' Card Players' Man. 61 If your partner hold the
ace and another, you have a good chance of making the
entire suit. 1878 H. II. Gibbs Ombre 24 He will endeavour
to make one trirk only. 1879 Cavendish Card Est., etc.
160 His partner., has his last trump drawn, and the ace
and king of diamonds make. Ibid. 197 'the fourth hand
made the king.
b. Various uses in games: To secure 'a certain
score) ; to score (a point in the game) ; to perform
(a particular stroke; successfully.
1680 Cotton Compt. Gamester (ed. 2) 78 You may make
Pairs, Sequences, Hush, Fifteens, Pair-Royals, [etc.J Ibid.
89 If one and thirty be not made, then he that play'd last
and is nearest one and thirty without making out, must
set up one. 1825 Honk Every-day Bk. I. 868 Give him
a foot of wall, and he was sure to make the ball. 1849
Chambers's Inform. People II. 652/1 The game is deter-
mined by the number uf runs made in two innings by
each player. 1857 Hughes Tom Brown 11. viii, John-
son's batting [is] worthy of the occasion. He makes here
a two, and there a one, managing to keep the ball to him-
self. 1873 Pennett & ' Cavendish ' Billiards 339 To make
the hazard, play at the shoulder of the pocket. 1874 J. D.
Heath Croquet Player 53 It being much easier to roll up
to and make the peg, than to get into position for a hoop,
from a long distance. 1890 Field 31 May 784/3 He made
ten fours, six threes, and two twos.
31. To gain, ( put on ' (weight). Also of a tree,
to produce a growth of (timber), lo make water
(Naut.) : to take in water by a leak : see Water sb.
1832 Withers in Planting (L. U. K.) vik 78 note, The
manured tree made .. one foot one-third of timber in each
year. 1846 Jml. R. Agric. Soc. VII. 11. 393 Two of them
made twenty stones each in sixteen weeks.
II. To subject to operation ; to elaborate ; to
put in order.
f32. To handle, manage, use (OE. only); to
treat, deal with in a particular way. Obs.
c 1000 /Elfric Gen. iv, 21 Iubal, be wscs faider . . basra be
organan macodun [Vulg. canentium cithara et organo}.
c 1175 Lamb. Horn. 121 pet folc be bine bus makede knewede
to-foren him on bismer. < 1250 Gen. .y Ex. 2515 Hise liche
was spice-like maked, And longe egipte-like waked.
1 33. To bring to a specified condition, reduce to.
Phr. to make to death ; to make away (see 84 a-c),
make out of the wayy make //^;/r^ = make away
with. Obs.
£■1175 Lamb. Horn. 85 Hwense we habbeS imaked bene
licome to ber saule bihoue. ^1220 Bestiary 154 Kedi..to
deren er to ded maken. 1390 Gower Conf 1. 13 Whan thei
tothilkeastat ben made, a 1400-50 Alexander 2741 pare mas
bou be to malicole, 1530 Palso*. 631/1, 1 make to the !>owe,
as we make a yonge persone to our mynde. 1535 Cover-
oale 2 Chron. xxxiv. 4 Molten ymages brake he in peces
and made them to dust. 1551 Robinson tr. More's Utop.
11. vii. (1895) 230 If they should hastiely put them to death,
and make them out of the waye. 1603 I!. Jonson Sejanns
11. ii, It is as daungerous to make them hence, If nothing
but their birth be their offence. 1605 — Volpone iv, v,
Haue they made you to this ! 1692 K. L'Estranc;e Jose-
MAKE.
Phus, Antiq. xii. xv. (1733) 325 [He] told him that .. that
Man must be made out of the way.
34. fa. reji. To set oneself, get ready (to do
something) ; to prepare for. Obs. (Chiefly Sc.)
136a Langl. P. PI. A. vii. 103 Vche mon in his inaner
made him to done. 1375 Barbour Bruce xn. 252 Thai ..
Mais thame to ficht. 1390 Gower Con/. I. 188 And to the
bed with that lie yede..And made him there forto seche.
< 1470 Henry Wallace x\\. 846 The Irland folk than maid
thaim for the flycht. 1500-20 Di/nbar Poems liii. 46 To the
danceing soun he him maid, IS3S Covrrdale Ps. cxix.
[cxx.J 7, I laboured for peace, but when I spake therof,
they made them to battayl. — Fzek. xx. 8 Then I made
me to poure my mdignacion ouer them, a 157a Knox Hist.
Re/. Wks. 1846 I. 175 Whill the portar maid him for de-
fence, his head was brokin. 1630 Ri tiierford Lett. (186?)
I. 64 Christ is putting on His clothes and making Him, like
an illhandled stranger, to go to other lands.
b. intr. To attempt or ' offer ' (to do something).
1880 Antrim $ Down Gloss. s.v., He made to strike
me. 1889 Universal Rev. Oct. 256 The beauty of this
blossom drew the man's soul, and he made to pluck it. 1900
S. Phillips Paolo $ Franc. 11. ii. {Stage dir.). He makes
to follow, then stops. 190a Daily Chron. 25 Aug. 9/3 He
got very excited, and made to catch hold of her dress.
35. With ellipsis of verb of motion : To prepare
to go ; to proceed in a certain direction, f a. refl.
'535 Covf.rdale i Sam. xvii. 41 The Phillstyne wente forth,
and made him to Uauid. — Nahum ii. 3 His charettes
are as fyre, when he maketh him forwarde. 163a Lithgow
Trav. vi. 261 At the breach of day, we sixe made vs for
the mountaine.
b. intr. for refl., with adv. or advb. phr. (Often,
to make towards — .) See also make away, make
forth, etc.
1488 [see make over, g2e], 154a [see make upon, 8iJ.
1558 [see make out, 91 m]. 1570 Satir. Poems Reform, xii.
174 Mak of the towne. 1573 Ibid. xlii. 16 Thir twa vnto
Sanctandrois maid. 1586-93 Marlowe Dido 1. ii, There is a
place, Hesperia.. Thither made we. 1588 Housh. Phitos. in
Kyd's Wis. (1901) 242 Hut making neerer to his Father, he
whispred to him [etc.]. 1611 Bible Acts xxvii. 40 They.,
made toward shore. 1639 Fuller Holy Warn, xxviii. (1647)
80 Hence Conrade made forward to Iconium. 1645 R. Pail-
lie Lett. <y Jrnls. (Bannatyne Club) II. 305 Our army., is
in good case. They are now making over the Severne. 1694
Lond. Gaz. No. 2961/1 The Weymouth .. left the rest of
the homeward bound .. Fleet .. off the Lizard, making up
the Channel. 1760-72 H. Brooke Pool o/Qual. (1809) II.
93 Let us make home the best we can. 1790 Beatson Nav.
$• A/tlit. Mem. II. 194 Notwithstanding that the ship of
the line and the frigate . . were now within a league of him,
and making to his assistance. 1812 Capt. Hili.yar in
Examiner (1813) 18 Jan. 43/2 Twelve .. were thrown over-
board when making from us. 1840 Dickens Barn. Rndge
lix, He .. made straight towards a distant light. 1878 W.
Black Green Past. xliv. 356 We see an immense flock of
geese making up the stream. 1883 Stevenson Treas. 1st,
in. xiv. ii2, I made steadily but slowly towards them.
36. To prepare (a bed) for sleeping in.
[Cf. G. ein bett machen, F./at're tot lit. In this use the
vb. had originally the sense of branch I, as the sb. meant
not a permanent article of furniture, but a prepared place
for repose, which does not exist until 'made'.]
c 1390 S. Brendan 128 inS. Eng. Leg. I. 223 Beddesberwere
al }are ymaked er here soper were ido. c 1300 Havelok 658
Hwan he hauede eten, and was fed, Grim dede maken a ful
fayr bed. c 1385 Chalxer L. G. W. Prol. 205, I bad men
shulde my couche make. C1440 York Myst. xlviii. 298 ?e
brought me of be beste, And made my bedde full esyly.
1530 Palsgr. 617/2 Make your bedde a dayes or you go out
of your chamber. 1750 J. Ray Rcbell. (1758) M5 After I
was gone, .the Chambermaid went to make my Bed. 1784
Abigail Adams Lett. (1848) 157 Not one of us could make
her own bed, put on or take off her shoes, or even lift a
finger. 1889 Mrs. E. Kennard Landing a Prize III. iv. 78
She knows now to make a bed.. and cook a dinner.
37. To shut, close, bar (a door). Now arch,
and dial.
c iago Beket 2062 in S. Eng. Leg. I. 165 Some wolden
makien be doren bo heo bat folk i-sei3e. 1590 Shaks. Com.
Err. 111. i. 93 Why at this time the doors are made against
you. 1600 — A. Y. L. iv. i. 162 Make the doores vpon a
womans wit, and it will out at the casement. 1613 Chap-
man Rev. Bnssy IVAmbois Plays 1873 II. 175 All dores are
sure made. X641 Hindi-: J. Briten lxiii. 210 Leaving neither
Cooke nor Butler behinde him, nor any of his servants, hut
two or three to make the doores, and tend the house. 1871
R. Ellis tr. Catullus xxxii. 5 See no jealousy make the gate
against me.
38. In the phrase to make hay, primarily used
in sense 2, but also applied spec, to that part of
the operation which consists in turning over and
exposing to the sun the grass after it is mown.
(See Hay sb.1 3 for the phrase and its uses.)
Hence by extension, to subject (certain kinds of
crops) to this treatment. Also intr. for passive.
*5*3 Fitzherbert Hush, §25 Good teddynge is the chiefe
poynte to make good hey. 1546, 1673, 1703 [see Hay sb.1 3].
1707-18 Mortimer liusb. (1721.) I. 35 'Ihey seldom have
Weather good enough to make the last Crop well. 1778
[W. Marshall] Minutes Agric. 26 July 1775 Perhaps, hay
makes faster in heaps . . than is generally imagined, a i8as
Forbv i'oc, E. Atiglia s.v. Make, sb.t We . . talk of * mak-
ing the crop of peas'. Indeed, every crop, howsoever
severed from the soil, and left upon it to dry, is said to be
made when it is in a tit state to be carried. 1847 Jrul. R .
Agric. Soc. VIII. 11. 300 If it is not made too much, it will
be pretty good hay. 186a Ibid. XXIII. 63 The swampy
meadows are chielly ' made ' in that month. 1865 Ibid.
Ser. 11. I. 11. 248 The straw must be carefully ' made '. 1892
Field 19 Mar. 424/2 The man who expects one variety of
..corn, to 'make' — i.e., to get fit for stacking exactly as
another would, will he rewarded hy a ' rick afire ',
64
f39. To prepare (fish) for the market, by curing
or packing. Obs.
1555 Sc. Acts Mary (1814^ II. 49.8/1 The haill burrowis of
the west cuntrie . . hes . . resortit to the fisching of Loch
Fyne . . for making of hering . . certaine cuntrie men . . hes
rasit ane greit custume of euerie last of maid hering that
ar tane in the said Loch. 1690 Child Disc. Trade (1694} 3
The fish which our English m:ike in Newfoundland . . often
prove false and deceitfully made; and our pilchards from the
West-Country false packed. 1809 [see Making vbl. sb.1 2].
"t* 40. To make a man's heard : see Beard sb. 1 e.
41. dial. To hew or shape (timber) ; to cut up
(wood) into faggots or for firewood.
14.. Voc. in Wr.-W flicker 582/6 Faculo, to make faget.
1466 Yatton Chur^h-w, Air. (Som. Rec. Soc.j 104 For inak-
yng tymbyr, and makyng of steches. 1607 T. Cocks Diary
(1901) 2/1 Payde to Win. Tybbold. .for felling and making
my wood, xvs. 1886 in Elworthv W. Som. Word-bk.
1891 It art land Gloss., Make wood, to make wood into
faggots.
42. EccL To ' mix * (the chalice) at the offertory
in the Eucharist.
71540 Bk. Ceremonies (MS. Cott. Cleop. E. 5. If. 280) Of-
fertory..at which tyme the Mynyster. .maketh the chalice,
myxyng the water with the wyne. 189a J. WicKHAM Lbgg in
Trans. St. Paul's Ecclesiol. Soc. III. 78 The liturgical mo-
ment of the making of the chalice in certain western rites.
43. Cards. To shuffle. [Cf. F.fairc.]
1876 A. Campbell-Walker Correct Card (1880) Gloss,
p. xii, To make the cards means to shuffle. 190a Lit. Alden-
11 am Game 0/ Ombre 85 The Baron makes the cards, and
hands them to Belinda.
44. Naut. To make sail : (a) to spread a sail or
sails; hence, to start on a voyage; to set sail, to
sail ; (d) to spread additional sails in order to in-
crease the ship's speed. (See also Sail sb.) Also
T to make the tackling.
c 1450 Pilgrims' Sea- Voy. in Ret. Ant. I. 2 The mastyr
commaundeth .. To hys shypmen .. To dresse hem sone
about the mast, Theyr takelyng to make. 1517 Torking-
ton Pilgr. (1884) 15 We mad sayle with scace Wynde. 1634
Sir T. Herbert Trav. 182 Both rowing and making large
saile. 1890 Clark Russell Ocean Trag. I. iii. 50 The men
. .were making sail upon the yacht nimbly.
45. To train (a hawk, dog, horse). Also with
defining phr., as for the river, to the hood, t Also
. (in Turbervile) To make (a hawk) flying (cf. the
factitive sense 48).
c 1400 Master of Game (MS. Digby 182) xiii, Forto entre
and make houndes. < 1450 Bk. Jlawkyng'in Ret. Ant. I.
297 Then is your hawke made as towchyng to perteriches.
1530 Palsgr. 645/1, I have nosylled my yonge dogge to
daye at a beare, he his made forever. 1575'IYRBRRV. f'aul-
conrie 121 If you would make your hawke to the Crane,
take a Nyasse Falcon gentle. ..And when you would make
hir fleeing, lette hir flee from the fiste, and succour hir
quickely. For you muste haue dogges made for the purpose,
whiche may helpe and succoure hir sooner than a man can
doe. Ibid. 1-21 If you woulde make your liawke fleing to
the Partridge, or Feasant, when she is reclaimed and made,
then [etc.]. 1590 Cokaine Treat. Hunting B j b, Stopping
alt the holes, saving two or three, which must be set with
Foxe pursenets, to take a yong Cubbe, to make your Terriars
withall. 1673 Boyle Ess, Effluviums in. iv. 29 A studious
person that was Keeper of a Red-dear-park and vers'd in
making Blood-hounds. 1696 Sir W. Hope tr. Sotteysetl's
Compl. Horscm. title-p., The best method of Breeding and
Backing of Colts, Makingtheir Mouths[etc.J. 1711 Addison
Sped. No. 108 P3 A Setting-dog that he has made himself.
1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) VIII. 345 If she [a hawk] be made
for the river. 1879 Jefferies Wild Li/e inS. C. vii. 136 Some
of the lesser men who ' make ' hunters, and ride not only for
pleasure but possible profit from the sale. 1897 Encycl. Sport
1- 373 (Falconry) Make to the Hood, to accustom a hawk to
the hood.
trans/. 15*6 Skelton Magny/ 1592 Wolde money, trowest
thou, make suche one to the call ? C1600 Bacon Disc. Helps
/«/V//./V7tv;\rWks.(Spedding) VII. 100 It was many degrees
too hot for any man, not made to it, to breathe or take in.
fb. To prepare (a person) for a business; to
make acquainted, initiate, * prime*. Obs. rare.
1598 B. Jonson Ev. Man in Hum. iv. ix, Come, let's be-
fore, and make the Iustice, Captaine. 1603 — Sejanus 11.
i, But let Drusus drug Be first prepar'd. Evd. W ere Lyg-
dus made, that's done. 1634 Nero 11. in Bullen O. PI. 1.
41 Rufus, the Captaine of the Guard, 's with us, And divers
other oth' Prxtorian band Already made.
46. To effect or secure the success or advance-
ment of; to * be the making of ; chiefly, to endow
(a person) with fortune or prosperity ; to render in-
dependent, set up (esp. in pass.', cf. Made ppl. a.*f).
1375 Barbour Bruce 1. 510 And rycht mayss oft the feble
wycht. 1460 Paston Lett. I. 535 That yf the Lords . . now
discessid myte haf standyn in governans, that Fortesku ..
and he, schuld be made for evir. 1579 Lylv Enphues (Arb.)
104 It is the eye of the master that fatteth the horse, and
the loue of the woeman, that maketh the man. 1598 B.
Jonson Ev. Man in Hum. 11. ii, Veni, vidi, vici, 1 may
say with Captayne Caesar, I am made for euer, ifaith.
1604 Shaks. Oth. v. i. 127. 111614 I*- Dyke Myst. Set/-
deceiving (ed. 8) 51 If riches bee that that makes men happy
(according to the foolish phrase men vse when such things
befall one, O he is made !). 1675 Brooks Gold. Rey Wks.
1867 V. 182 If you embrace him, you are made for ever;
but if you reject him, you perish for ever. 173a Berkeley
Alciphr. 11. §2 [That] what one man loses another gets, and
that, consequently, as many are made as ruined. 1854 J. S. C.
Abbott Napoleon (1888) II. xxi, 396 Victory made Napo-
leon, Victory unmade him. 1888 B. W. Richardson Son
o/a Star II. ii. 6 Let him take up a person, and that person
is made. 1890 Sat. Rev. 8 Feb. 161/2 Bismarck has made
Germany.
b. Proverbial phrase. To make or mar (occas.
MAKE.
make or break) : to cause either the complete suc-
cess or the ruin of (a person or thing). Also absoL
c 1430 Lvdg. Assembly 0/ Gods 556 Neptunus, that dothe
Iwthe make & marre. 154a Udall Erasm. Apoph. 267 b,
Declaring that he was vtterly mynded to put al in hasards
to make or marre, & to bee manne or mous. 1591 Har-
ington Orl. Fur. v. xix. 33 In vaine I seeke my dukes
oue to expound, The more I seeke to make the more
I mard. 1596 Spenser F. Q. iv. i. 29 That one did make
the other mard againe. 1613 Day Festivals vii. (1615) 206
That Part of a Woman which either makes all, or marres
all, I meane her Tongue. 1650 Trapp Comm. Lev. xvi. 33
It beeing the manner that either make's, or mar's an action.
1840 Dickens Barn. Rudge iii, I always tell my girl to
make sure beforehand that she has a good man and true,
and the chance will neither make her nor break her. 1885
Mrs. C. Praed Affinities II. xii. 5 As for Lady Romer's
scheme, it is not my business to make or mar it. 1889
Stevenson Master 0/ B. x. 267 Not that you should make
and mar l>ehind my hack. 189a Chamb. Jrnl, 2 Apr. 216/1
A man is made or marred by his wife.
C. dial. To bring up, provide for children.
1785 Ramsay Gent. Sheph. 1. ii, To mak' them brats then
ye maun toil and spin. 1893 F.vg. Dial. Diet., Make 23, to
foster (Warwicksh.).
47. To make one's soul (Anglo-Irish) : *to devote
one's efforts to the saving of one's soul ; to repent
and be converted.
1836 inC. ForsterZ//ir Bp. Jebb n. (ed. 2) 112 'Make your
soul ; there is no time to lose ; you will die next November.'
1851 Mayhew Lond. Labour (1S64) II. 51 'What's all you
can get here compared to making your Suwl?'
III. To cause to be or become (something
specified).
48. With adj. as compl. : To cause to be, render.
To make English : to translate into English. For to make
even, /ast, good, ready, sure, unready, void, waste ; to
make it hot, warm, make things lively : see the adjs.
c 1000 ^Flfric Horn. II. 88 Hi. .heora lufijendne ^emaciab
weli^ne ecelice. CI17S £<*"'b. Horn. 101 pe oferlifa on
hete and on wete macaobene mon unhalne. c 1200 Ormin
995 Smeredd wel wibb elesaew & makedd fatt & nesshe.
c iaos Lav. 10591 Al pat lond heo makeden west. 1397 R.
Glol'C (Rolls) 412 }'<> hii adde al bar imad be contrei al
ahoute. CX330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 11567 Idel-
nesse makep man ful slow, c 1386 Chaucer Pars. 7\
P 75 Thrugh synne ther he was free now is he maked
bonde. 1483 Caxton G. de la Tour Fvijb, At theyr
requeste god maad her hole ageyne. 1530 Palsgr. 617/2
He made me more a frayde than I was these twelve
monethes. 1549 Latimer Serm. Ploughers (Arb.) 20 Mak-
ing them supple herted. xoao T. Granger Div. Logike
Aivb, Each Reader may this Garden make his owne. 1664
Evelyn {title) Parallel of the Antient Architecture with the
Modern, written by Roland Freart, made English for the
benefit of builders by J. Evelyn. 1693 Drydf.n Juvenal
(1697) Ded. 54 In making these two Authors English.
1709 Berkeley Th. Vision § 119 Any theories of virion
hitherto made public. 1768 Golosm. Good-n. Man m, What
makes the bread rising ?. .What makes the mutton fivepence
a pound? 1781 Gibbon Decl. 4- F. xviii. (1869) I. 496 The
elephants, made furious by their wounds, encreased the dis-
order. 1829 Scott Jrnl. 8 June, God make me thankful
for so cheering a prospect ! 1847 MarryatC/(/7[7V. A'. Forest
xvii, On that score you may make your mind easy. 1883
Century Mag. XXVI. 239/1 You'll only make bad worse.
b. with pa. pple. as compl. Now chiefly with
known, acquainted, felt, heard, understood ; a pa.
pple. which implies the performance of an action
is now rarely used without a preceding to be,
a 1300 E. E. Psalter cii[ij. 7 Kouthe made he to Moises
his waies wele. a 1300 Cursor M. 26666 Propre pat es bat
bou ma knaun nan oper plightes bot bin aim. c 1384 Chaucer
//. Fame 1. 155 The greke Synon With his fals forswerynge
..Made the hors broght in-to troye. 1387 Trevisa Higden
(Rolls) V. 391 He made alle be hedes and lymes of maw-
mettes i-kut of. c 1500 Melusine (1895) 153 Thus makyng
his woundeopend. 1647 W. Browne Polcxander \\. iv. Pf p
ab, Polexander. .going away, as if afraid, strove to make it
believed he had nad no advantage ore Almanzor. a 1641
Bp. Mountagu Acts ff Mon. (1642) 263 She.. secretly made
Cleopatra acquainted with it. 1759 Johnson Rasselas xvi,
His generosity made him courted by many dependents. 181a
Sir H. Davy Chem. Philos. 24 Glauber at Amsterdam about
1640 made known several neutral salts. 1818 Houholse
Italy (1859) II* App. P>. 319 The opposition of a whole life
against the nobles made him regarded by all the lower
classes, as the great partizan of the democracy. i8a7 Solthey
Hist. Renins. War II. 208 The neighbourhood of Ferrol
has made it [Vigo] neglected as a naval station. 1836 J, H.
Newman Lett. (1891) II. 202 Their coming from you will
make them lie, sermons] read. 1891 Leeds Merc. 27 Apr.
4/4 If the miners made their power felt.
f C. with predicative phr. as compl. To make
(a place) in one's way : to direct one's journey so
as to pass by or through it. Obs,
a 1300 Cursor M. 2605 Agar was made wit child in hi.
Ibid. 9744 For sothfastnes algat sal i At an a-cord mak wit
merci. i47o-8sMalory.<4>-M/^ xviii. xx. 761 Nowhaihdethe
made vs two at debate for your loue. 1533 Ln. Pernees
Froiss. I. cl. 73 b, I thynke he neuer made the frenche kyng of
knowledge therof. 1530 Palsgr. 627/1 It were a good dede
by policye to make them of affynite. 1560 Dais tr. Slei-
dane's Comm. 428 He was not as yet made at one with him.
1601 Lyly Loues Metam. v. iv. 12 (Bond) Vou might haue
made me a [ = of] counsell of your loues. 1611 Bible Rom.
iv. 14 Faith is made voide, and the promise made of none
effect. 1673 Newton in Rigaud Corr. Sci. Men (1841) II.
361 Mr. Gregory is at London, and intends to make Cam-
bridge in his way into Scotland. 1676 Hale Contempt. 1. 186
This makes him at a point with these sollicitations, peremp-
tory to conclude [etc.). 1767 S. Paterson Another Trav.
1. 51, I made every bookseller's shop in my way. 1800 Lamb
Let. to Manning 16 Oct. (Ainger 1888) L 144, I wish you
had made London in your way.
MAKE.
65
MAKE.
d. ahsoL or with obj. omitted. (For idiomatic
phrases with adjs., as make ready, \ short, sure,
see these words.)
c 1330 S/tC. Gy de Wamvyke 835 Anober manere wasshing
Makeb cfene of alle bing. 1398 Trf.visa Barth. De P. R.
xix. Ixiii. (1495) 899 The substaunce of wheye is watry and
makyth thynne. c 1400 Lanfranc's Cirttrg, 6 Of resolueres
& manere of vndoynge ft makynge nessche. 1535 CovKft-
dalf. Pro-,', x. 4 Aii ydle hande maketh poore, but aquycke
laboringe liande maketh riche. 17S4 RiCHARDSON Graudison
IV. iv. 29 Make happy ; and be happy.
e. with refl. pron. as obj. To make oneself
scarce : see Scarck a,
a 1175 Cott. Horn. 233 Se hlaford . . dranc and macedc bine
wel bliSe mid his. c 1250 Gen. $ Ex. 1591 For-di he maked
him sti5 & strong. C 1320 Sir Wist. 144 pai busked and
maked hem boun. 13.. Gaw. <$• Gr. A'ut. 1885 He mace
hym as mery among be fre lady es,.. As neuer he did hot bat
daye. 1496 Dives fy Paup. vii. iv. (W. de W.) 280/1 Make
the plesaunt in speche to the congregacyon of poore folke.
1621 T. Williamson tr. Goulart's Wise I'leillard Kp. Ded.
A iij, That I may not make my selfe otherwise knowne vnto
your worship, then by [etc.]. 1632 LlTHOOW Trav. III. 199
I'me there arriud, and eftsoones made me bound For the
Venetian Consul. 1647 W. Browne Potexander 1. 11. 54
Concealing his ,. Countrey, [he] made himselfe taken for
a kinsman of the last Cacique. 1773 Goldsm. Stoops to
Cony, iv, With cunning and malice enough to make himself
merry with all our embarrassments. 1779 Sheridan Critic
1. ii, Here are two very civil gentlemen trying to make them-
selves understood. 1846 Dickens Cricket i. 15 Take the
precious darling, Tilly, while I make myself of some use.
a 1859 De Quincey Posth. Whs. (1891) I. 108 This Parker
had a ' knack ' at making himself odious. 1876 A. S. Palmer
Leaves fr. Wordhunters Notebk. x'\. 266 Many diseases first
make themselves felt in the 'dead of night'. 1888 P.. W.
Richardson Son of a Star II. v. 72 They make themselves
quite at home.
H f. In passive as a literalism for *Lt fieri = to
become. (Cf. ge, 49 e.)
a 1300 E. E. Psalter ci. 7 Like am I made to pellicane of
annesse. 13.. / 'rose Psalter lii. 4 Hij ben made inprofitable.
49. With sb. as complement, a. To cause (a
person or thing) to be or become (what is denoted
by the complement).
c 1000 ^Elfric Horn. II. 82 pone oe he a^rehtende martyr
jemacode. C1200 Trim, Coll. Horn. 61 f>o be was turnd fro
him and makede him Heme bere he hadde er louerd iben.
a izz$ After. R. 54 Heo leas hire meidenhod, & was imaked
hore. c 1305 -SV. Andrew 5 in E, E. P, 11862) 98 Come, he
seide, after me and ic wole 30U make Manfischers. 1362
Lancl. /'. PL A. Prol. 36 Hole Iapers and langelers Iudas
Children, Founden hem Fantasyes and fooles hem maaden.
1382 Wyclif Matt. xxi. 13 Forsothe ^e ban made it a denne
of thefes. c 1430 Lydg. Chichev. $ Bye. vii, These husbandes,
whiche theyr wyfes Maken maystresses of theyr lives. 1571
Reg. Gild Co. Chr. York (1872) 230 note, That he may bringe
him upp, and maike him a man. 1583 Stocker Civ. Warres
Lowe C. iv. 6 The true enheritors . . are disturbed, made no
bodies, or vtterly dishenerited of their due succession. 1603
Dekkf.r & Chettle Grissilw ii. (Sliaks. Soc.) 3i It's pity
that fellow was not made a soldier, a 1708 Devkridge Thes.
Theol. (171 1) III. 298 To make onesself a slave for he knows
not whom. 1849 Macaulay ///>/. Eitg. ii. 1. 171 The defeat
which made him again a wanderer. 1890 T. r. Tout Hist.
Eng.fr. 1689, 26 This sentence made the noisy doctor a
popular hero.
b. spec. To appoint to the office of; to raise to
the dignity of; to create (a person) a noble, etc.*
c 1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 59 He hadde maked adam louerd
ouer bis middelherd. c 1290 Bcket 241 in S, Eng. Leg. I.
113 He makede him chaunceler. C1374 Chaucer Boeth.
It. pr. iii. 25 (Camb. MS.) The remenbraunce of thilke day
bat thow saye thi two sones makyd conseileres. 1470-85
Malory Arthur Table (ix, ix), How.. Syr Launcelot ..was
made knyght of the rounde table. 1564 Child Marr. 132
He askid hym. .whom he wold make his executour. a 1568
Asckam Scholem. n. (Arb.) 136 Therefore did soin .. cause
hedge priestes fette oute of the con trie, to be made fellowes
in the vniuersitie. #1715 Uurnet Own Time (1724) I. 147
One Sir George Mackenzie, since made Lord Tarbot and
Earl of Cromarty. 1849 Macau lay Hist. Eng. iv. I. 447
He was made Chamberlain to the Queen. 1890 T. F. Tout
Hist. E11g.fr. 1689, 18 She made Marlborough a duke.
c. To determine (a thing, occas. a person) to be
(what is expressed by the compl.) ; to establish or
set down as (a law, penalty, etc.). Often with the
compl. qualified by a possessive: To take as
(one's business, boast, prey, abode, object, etc.).
Sometimes with it as formal obj., explained by a following
inf. or clause.
1500-20 Dunbar Poems xi. 46 Thy Ransonner, with
woundis fyve, Mak thy plycht anker. 1594 Hooker Eccl.
Pol. 1. xi. § 2 Unless the last good o( all . . be also infinite,
we do evil in making it our end. 1611 Bible Gen. xlvii. 26
And Ioseph made it a law . . that Pharaoh should haue the
fift part. 1630 Ussiier Lett (1686) 434 If he fail, I must
make you my last refuge. 1659 Burtons Diary (1828) IV.
442 No reasoning by scripture will convince them ; for they
make that but a nose of wax. 1663 Flagellum orO. Cromwell
(ed.a) 10 He made it no Punctilio to invite his Roysters te
a Barrel of Drink, and give it them at the charge of his Host.
1683 ApoL Prot. France Pref. t They, .make it the utmost
penalty.. so much as to attempt a departure. 1738 Gray
Imit. Propertius 11. i. 14 That the soft Subject of my Song
I make. 1821 Clare Fill. Minstr. I. 177 Make my cot thy
home. 1842 Borrow Bible in Spain xii. (Pelh. Libr.) 83, I
am not one of those who.. make it a constant practice to dis-
parage the higher orders. 1882 Stevenson New A rab. N!s.
(18S4) 179, I made it my pride to keep aloof. 1885 Edgar
Old Ch. Life Scotl. 273 The malediction of a parent was
made a capital offence. 1893 LmnoN, etc. Life Pusey I. xv.
342 To make the reality and value of sacramental grace a
main interest of his life.
d. To transform, transmute, or fashion into
Vol. VI,
something else. Chiefly \n passive, after L. fieri,
Obs, or arch. : the notion is usually expressed by
to make . . into (see 50), or, with reversed construc-
tion, to make . . of (see 18).
c 1200 < Jkmin 19201 Godess Word iss makedd flsesh. 1382
Wyclif Matt. iv. 3 5>f thou be Goddis sone, say that these
stoons be made looues. c 1386 Chaucer A'nt.'s T. 1207
There saugh I Attheon an hert ymaked. x6n BiBLE fsa.
xiii. 15, I will make the riuers Hands, a 1708 Bf.yf.ridge
Thes. Theol. (1710) II. 222 The Word .. how made flesh?
%Q. In passive as a literalism for L. fieri = to
become. (Cf. 9 e, 48 f.)
1382 Wyclif i Cor, xiii. ir Whanne I was maad man.
ff. In early use, a dative preceded by to (in
OE. rarely a simple dative) occurs in place of the
complementary accusative. Obs,
1 1000 ./Elfric De Vet. Test. (Gr.) 2 [Lucifer] wolde ..
burh raodtgnesse bine macian to gode. — Gen. xii. 2 Ic
maci^e be mycelre ma^oe [Vulg. fuiam te in gentein
viagnam\. c 1175 Land: Hotu. 103 Heo [sc. pride] macode
englas to ateliche deoflan. < 1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 193
Talewise men . . maken wrong to rihte and riht to wronge.
i 1205 Lay. 29985 Heo makeden to kinge Cadwan bene
kene. 13.. A". Horn 522 (Ritson) Horn .. made hem alle
to knyhte.
50. Const, into. To convert by process of manu-
facture or otherwise into something else ; to work
upon (materials') so as to produce (something).
1583 Leg. Pp. St. Androis 568 He causit an talyeour
turneit [a cloak] and mak it Into wich maill [ — 'into the said
portmanteau']. 1617 Moryson I tin. 111. 115 Fresh curds
newly pressed, and made into little cheeses. 1710 I'kidfaix
Orig. Tithes ii. 76 The Grapes made into Wine, the Olives
into Oyl. 1791 in R. W. Dickson Pracf, Agric. (1805) I. 486
Mowing the first crop 026. Making it into hay 020. 1820
W. Irving Sketch Bk. (1849) 286 note, Sometimes it [the
peacock] was made into a pie. 1895 19/// Cent. Aug. 329
You think that The Wages of Sin might be made into a
play. 1900 Jknks Hist. Politics vii. (ed. 2) 60 The wife and
daughters of the shepherd, .make the milk of the herds into
butter and cheese.
intr. for passive. 1893 Iltustr. Sport, fy Dram. News
8 Apr. 165/2 A little corner flap-table which makes into a
good-sized square when the flap is up.
b. To arrange, divide, or combine so as to form.
1849 J ml. R. Agric. Soc. X. I. 134 The wheaten straw is
carefully made into bundles. 1879 Miss Yonge Cameos Ser.
IV. xvi. 169 Worcester was suppressed and made into an
archdeaconry. 1888 G. GissiNG Life's Morning Ill.xix.
no The shopman put them aside, to be made into a parcel.
51. To regard as, consider or compute to be ; to
describe or represent as (so-and-so) ; to cause to
appear as. (Cf, 56.) a. with sb. as compl.
a 1225 After, R. 224 Seinte Powel cleopeS hine ' angclum
lucis ' bet is, engel of liht vor swuch he make3 him ofte.
a 1400 SirPtrc. 1086 What knyghtees that,. .That thou niase
of thy menyngc? 1500-20 Dunbar Poems xxii. 36 Thocht
I in court be maid re fuss. 1560 DaUS tr. Sleidane's Com tit.
3 In graunting of the same [he] maketh the byshop of Rome
a great Prince. 1649 Milton Eikon. v. Wks. (1847) 289/1
Was this becoming such a saint as they would make him?
1699 T. Baker Rejl. Learning xiii. 161 He is not that Goose
and Ass that Valla would make him. a 1700 Dryden Ovid's
Me i. XV. Argt. Fables (1700) 503 Ovid.. makes Numa the
Schollar of Pythagoras. 1707 Curios, in Husb. $ Gard.
Pref. 5 The Peripateticks. .made Nature a Goddess. 1849
Tail's Mag. XVI. 279/2 Some argue that they are Picts,
and some make them Northmen. 1865 Dickens Alut. F'r.
in. xiii, What time may you make it, Mr. Twemlow? 1892
Field 27 Feb. 302/1 The distance travelled I make by the
map five miles.
b. with adj., f pa. pple., or f phrase as compl.
1 581 Pettie Guazzo"s Civ. Conv. 1. (1586) 17 b, To saie, y*
euerie man should haue an eie onelie to his owne affaires,
is nothing else but to make man like to beasts. 1599 Thynne
Animadv. (1875) 32 Not withstandinge that Hollybande,
in his frenche-Englishe dictionarye, make yt of the valewe
of a duckett. 1676 Hohbes Iliad Pref. (1686) 4 Homer
begins not his Iliad with the injury done by Paris but makesit
related by Menelaus. a 1687 Petty /W. Arith. x. (1600)117
The King's Subjects are not in so bad a condition as discon-
tented Men would make them. 1736 Lediard Life Marl-
borough II. 201 The Enemy's Army is not so numerous as
they make it. i863 Lockyer Guillemin's Heavens (ed. 3)
493 This climate . is not so bad .. as some Anglophobes
would make it. 1879 M. J. Guest Led. Hist. Eng. xiv. 128
Macbeth is not half so bad as the play makes him.
C. 7o make nothing {to do something) : to look
upon it as no great thing, not to stick at it. (Cf. 21.)
1675 H. More in R. Ward Life (1710) 245 If a Man make
nothing to halt and faulter in the first. .Sin. 0:1716 South
Sertn. (1843) II. vii. 105 One of the greatest.. courage, who
makes nothing to look death and danger in the face. 1720
De Poe Capt. Singleton v.(i84o) 89 Ten men. .took up one
of the canoes, and made nothing to carry it.
T" d. refl. with sb. or adj. as compl. : To main-
tain or pretend that one is (so-and-so). Obs. (Cf.
make o//tt 91 j.)
a 1225 Ancr. R, 128 Ant te valse ancre. .makieS ham [sic]
oSre ben ha beo5. a 1300 Cursor M. 14684 pou mas be godd,
and bou art man. 1382 Wyclif John viii. 53 Whom makist
thou thi silf? .1440 P'toris $ Bl. 76 (Trentham MS.) Y
rede eke pat be maydens moder make hur seek. 1533 in
Strype Eccl. Mem. (1721) 1. 1. xxi. 152 The same Act may be
. .set up on every church door, .to the intent that no parson
..nor any other of the king's subjects, shall make themselves
ignorant thereof. 1535 Coverdai.e 2 Sam. xiii. 6 So Amnion
layed him downe, and made him sicke. 1648 Jenkyn Blind
Guide \. 13 He makes himself a ballad-maker.
e. Make it so (Naut. phr.) : see quot. 1867.
Also to make noon, etc.
1835 Marryat Olla Podr. xiv, The master reported that
the heavens intimated that it was twelve o'clock; and.. I
ordered him to 'make it so'. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-
bk., Make it so, the order of a commander to confirm the
time, sunrise, noon, or sunset, reported to him by the officer
of the watch. 1892 Stevenson & Osrournk Wrecker x\\.
203 Noon was made ; the captain dined.
IV. Causative uses.
52. With dependent clause: To cause (some-
thing to happen) ; to bring it about {that something
happens). Obs. exc. arch.
exooo MtVRicEjrod, v. 21 £e habbaS. .fcemacod k^t },is
wyllaS us mid hyra swurdum ofslean. c 1122 O. E. Ch>on.
an. 1075 ptet landfolc him tojeanes comen & ^einacodon bset
he naht ne dyde. c 1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 31 Dus deuel eggeS
adch man on his herte, and macaS bat he wule do pat he
him to teihte. . 1386 CllAUCBR Sompn. T. 176 The clen-
nesse and the fastynge of vs freres Maketh bat crist accepteth
oure preyeres. c 1470 Henry Wallace x. 141 This makis it,
thow art cled with our men. r 1485 Digby Myst. v. 5S1 That
mase, that all vnkunnynge I disdeyne. 1526 Tindale John
xi. 37 Coulde not he which openned the eyes of the blynde
have made also that this man shulde not haue deyed? 1632
Lithgow Trav. ix. 381 This.. maketh that the Hennes with
them are so innumerable. 1674 Marvell Cott. Wks. 1872-5
II. 418 Sir Jeremy being out of town, .makes that I can not
returns any proper or perfect answer, a 1715 Burnet Own
7Yw# (1724) I. 197 The Convocation being no more neces-
sary to the Crown, this made that there was less regard had
to them afterwards. 1885 Mrs. Lynn Linton Chr. Kirk-
land III. viii. 271 That well-known law, so disastrous to
stock-raisers, which makes that, when the breed has been
brought to the highest possible point of perfection, it stops.
53. With obj. and inf. : To cause a person or
thing to do something ; to have something done to
a person or thing, a. const, inf. without to: now
normally used only when both make and the de-
pendent verb are in the active voice ; otherwise arch.
CI17S Lamb. Horn. 159 Swa maked be halie gast be Moil
bi-halden up to houene. a 1225 Juliana 38 Ich makede |>eii
wittie ysaye beon isahet burh ant burh to deaoe. 1297 R.
Glouc. 1 Rolls' 7669 King willam adauntede bat folc of walis
& made horn bere him truage. a 1300 Cursor M. 8175 Als
a lische bou made me fere. 1340 Aycnl: 47 Hy. ,dt)tep ham
be more quay nteliche . . uor to maki musi be foles to ham.
1390 Gower Conf. I. 202 At Knaresburgn be nyhtes tuo
'1 he kinges Moder made him duelle. c 1450 Merlin 29 The
kynge made hem alle be Shett in a strongs house, 14. . in
Hist. Colt. Citizen Loud. (Camden) 104 The cane was made
stonde stylle. 1502 Ord. Crysten Men iW. de W. 1506) 1.
iii. ?i Our lorde yl..this present worlde shall make brenne
byfyre. 1567 Gude «$• Godlie />'. i.S.T.S.)64 Trew Faith, Lord,
mak vs fang. 1600 W. Watson Decacordon (1602) 343 Pius
Quintus. .was made beleeue that the Duke of Norfolke was
a Catholike. 1650 Baxter Saints'' R. iv. 1,16511 36 What
made Peter deny his Lord? 1680 Rlhnet Rochester 142
He hat! made it be read so often to him that he had got it
by heart, 1736 Butler Anal. 1. v. r 8 Their character is
formed and made appear. 1738 SwiFT Pol. Conversat. 29, I
wonder what makes these Bells ring. 1814 Mrs. J. West
Alicia de Lacy IV. 275 He made quail the courage of the
heroic prince. 1847 Marryat Childr, N. Forest iii, Now
I'll cut up the onions, for they will make your eyes water.
1896 A. E. Housman Shropshire Lad iii, Vou will.. make
the foes of England He sorry you were born.
b. const, inf. with to, -\for to: now normally
used only when make is in the passive voice ;
otherwise somewhat arch.
c 1200 Trin, Colt. Horn. 11 f»e deuel.. makecS be unbile-
fulle man to leuen swilche wi3eles. a 1225 Ancr. R. 224 Of
ben o5er holie monne bet he makede uorte ileuen bet he
was engel. 1377 Langl. /\ PI, B. Prol. 113 Mi;t of be
comunes made hym [a king] to regne. (.1386CHALCER Pars.
T. P 540 Flaterye. .maketh a man to enhauncen his herte.
^1449 Pecock Repr. Prol. 2 [They] han therhi maad ful miche
indignacioun . . forto rise and be contynued in manie per-
soones. c 1489 Caxton Blanchardyn xlviii. 185 He shal
to morowe make hym to be hanged, a 1533 Ld. Behnfrs
Huott lviii. 196 He made to be cryed through the cyte,
that euery man shotde make him redy. 1597 Hookkr
Fleet. Pol. v. xxxv. 72 He therefore which made vs to Hue
hath also taught vs to pray. 1603 Siiaks. Mcas. for M. in.
ii. 254, 1 am made to vnderstand, that you haue lent him
visitation. 1616 S. Ward Coalefr. Altar (1627) 62 Violent
affections haue made the dumbe to finde a tongue. 1746 W.
Lewis Chem. 31 note, Many such phenomena may be easily
made to appear.. by exposing solutions of. .metals [etc.].
1859 F. E. Paget Curate of Cumberworth 153 Making the
dust to fly in all directions. 1889 Frol:de TwoChiefs Dun-
boy ix. no A bath, .made the lame to walk and the blind to
see. 1893 6Va//«V 29 Apr. 458/1 A Budget which maketh the
Opposition to jeer. 1896 A. E. Housman Shropshire Lad
xxxiii, I think the love I bear you Should make you not to
die. Mod. The two statements can hardly be made to agree.
c. In proverbial phrases : to make both ends
meet (End sb, 24), ones hair stand on end, etc.
1534 More Comf. agst. Trib. 11. v. (1847) 10° He made my
own hair stand up upon my head. 1623 Heminge 8: Condell
1st Folio S/taks. To Rdr., Censure will not driue a Trade,
or make the lacke go. 1748 Richardson Clarissa IV. 92
And thus went he on for twelve years, and tho' he had a
good estate, hardly making both ends meet. Ibid. 187
Money makes the mare to go. 1809 Malkin Gil Bias vi. ii.
P 1 With such a sum .. it might be said, without boasting,
that we knew how to make both ends meet. 1825 J. Neal
Bro. Jonathan I. 94 He'd make the feathers fly.. I believe.
fd. with ellipsis of an indef. obj. ^e.g. one).
(Cf. Do v. B. 23, Gab v. 2 d.) Obs.
c 1302 Pol. Songs (Camden) 191 We shule flo the Conyng,
ant make roste is loyne. c 1385 Chaucer L. G. W. zi66
{ Ariadne) He made his ship a londe for to sette. a 1425
Cursor M. 6615 (Trin.) {>is golden calf he made [oilier texts
did, gartj to brest to peces. a 1450 R'nt. de la Tour (1868)
6 Whanne her fader wost she was with childe, he made cast
her in to the riuer. 1500-20 Di nbar Poems Ixiv. 14 Thjs
gentill herte. .Quhois petewous deithe dois to my hart sic
pane That I wald mak to plant his rute agane. 1560 White-
horne Ar.'e Warredsjz) 71 Manytimes the saying backe,
backe, hath made to ruinate an armie.
75
MAKE.
6G
MAKE.
e. To make believe : f (a) [after Y.faire voire]
to cause people to believe (chiefly with clause)
(obs.) ; (b) in mod. use, to pretend to do something ;
to simulate a belief /^a/; now often (said, e.g., of
children in play), to subject oneself voluntarily to
the illusion that. (Now often hyphened.)
1390 Gower Conf.l. 231 And thus Fa crere makth believe So
that fulofte he hath deceived. 1643 Trapp Comm. Gen. xix. 2
If Solomon sinned not in making beleeve he would do that
which was unlawful to be done. 1716 C'tess Cowper Diary
U864) 6.$ Some Passages were wrote on purpose to make
believe it was Sir R. Steele. 1738 tr. Guar,zo's Art Con-
versation 31 Solitude .. makes believe Things that have no
Existence but in the Brain. 1748 Richardson Clarissa
(1811) III. 250 A false letter, .macking believe as how her
she-curzen ..was coming to see her. 1773 GouxBM. Stools
to Cong, iv, You were so nice and so busy with your Shake-
bags and Goose-greens, that I thought you could never be
making believe. 1806 Si'RR Winter in Lond. I. 141 He
makes believe to work a little now and then, when he's
well enough. 1840 Dickens Barn. Fudge xvii. When I
shut my eyes and make-believe to slumber. 1862 Kingsi.ev
Water-Bab. n, We will make believe that there are fairies
in the world. 1874 Micklethwaite Modern Far. Churches
99 Do not make-believe with a shabby-genteel substitute.
1890 Spectator 15 Mar., To make believe that the country
is excited about a discussion which [etc.].
54. To constrain (a person) to do something,
by an exercise of influence, authority, or actual or
threatened violence ; to compel, force. (7>isnow
always omitted before the inf. when make is active ;
m i6-i7th c. this rule was not always followed.)
c 1592 Marlowe %to of Malta iv. iv, 1'le make him send
me half he has, & glad he scapes so too. 1592 Greene Upst.
Courtier Wks. (Grosart) XI. 227, I will make thee do me
homage. 1593 Shaks. 3 Hen. VI, I. i. 142 He rose against him,
being his Soueraigne, And made him to resigne his Crowne
perforce. 1646 Fuller Wounded Consc. (1841) 311 Man can
neither make him to whom he speaks, to hear what he says,
or believe what he hears. 1662 Strype in Lett. Lit. Men
(Camden) 179 He made me stay and sup with him. 1721-2
Wodrow Suffer. Ch. Scot. (1837) II. 11. xiii. § 5. 456 '2 Sir, we
will cause a sharper thing make you confess. 1852 Thacke-
ray Esmond 1. v, Harry, .made her bring a light and wake
my lady. 1879 M. J. Guest Lect. Hist. Fng. x. 89 The
Church made him do penance for it.
b. with ellipsis of the inf. Common colloq.
1888 Times 11 Aug. 9 5 The enemy will not play the game
according to the rules, and there are none to make him.
f55. With ellipsis of the vb. of motion: To
send or cause to go in a specified direction. Obs.
rare. Cf. make forth 87b, make oat 91 a (c).
13.. Evang. Micod. 86 in Herrig Archiv LIU. 393 Tyll
Alexander . . In message was I made. 1601 Holland Pliny
I. 195 Anniball. .made [L. m/'sit] after him certaine light
horsemen to ouertake him.
56. To consider, represent, or allege to be or do
something. (Cf. 51.)
1594 Hooker Eccl. Pol. 1. viii. § 5 This did the very
heathens themselves obscurely insinuate, by making Themis
. .to be the daughter of heaven and earth. 1662 Stillingfl.
Orig. Sacr. 1. i. $ 20 Parius. .makes his coming to Greece
to be in the time of Hellen. 1687 BtiRNBT Kept. Varillas
144 Varillas must be Sublime in every thing, so he makes
him to have lived till he was 99. 1724 Ramsay Some Con-
tents of ' Ei'ergreen ' i, Balantyne. .Makis Vertew triumph.
1825 Xerv Monthly Mag. XIV. 543 Your sight is better than
mine, what do you make that bird to be? 1868 Freeman
.Vor/n. Conq. (1876) II. App. 631 Most of the Chronicles
make Richard die in 1026. 1875 Sayce in Encycl. Brit. III.
182/2 Even the estimate of Ctesias, however, would make
Babylon cover a space of about 100 square miles.
f b. To show or allege that something is the case.
1555 Watreman Fardle of Facions 1. v. 50 All whiche their
doynges, dooe manifestly make, that thei came of the Ae-
thiopes. 1586-7 Q. Ei.iz. Let. to Jas. VI (Camden Soc.)
44 Vet the[y] wyl make that her [Mary's] life may be saved
and myne safe, wiche wold God wer true.
V. To do, perform, accomplish.
57. From the 1 2th c. make (corresponding to L.
facert, F. /aire) has been extensively used with a
noun of action as object, where the older language
would have used the verb gewyrcan (Work) or
d6n (Do), f a. In various obsolete uses : To work
<,a miracle) ; to commit (a sin, crime, fault), * tell*
(a lie); to do (justice, mercy); to give (alms). Obs.
c 1000 ^Elfric Jos. ii. 12 SweriaS me. .baet 3c don eft wi5
me swilce mildheortnisse, swa ic macode wiS eow [L.
quomodo ego misericord! am feci vobiscum\. c 1154 O. E.
Chron.ZLn. 1137 P7 He maket bur ure Drihtin wunderlice
Si, manifaeldlice miracles, c 1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 29 |>enne
bu almesse makest. 1297 R. Glolc. (Rolls) 163 Telle
me ssal herafterward of pes wondres . . & hou hii were
verst imaked. a 1300 Cursor M. 28120 And titter wald i
lesyng make, j>an man my worde vn-treu to take. Ibid.
28777 Vnnait is bat almusthing pat bou be mas of reuid
thing. C1320 Sir Tristr. 343 A tresoun per was made.
1377 Lasgl. P. PI. B. v. 73 On owre lady he cryed, To
make mercy for his misdedes. < 1400 Land Troy Bk.
(E.E.T.S.) 10478 He made Achilles leue his chace, That he
no lenger mordur mace, c 1400 Maundev. {1839) xxv. 261
That was a gret Myracle, that God made for hem. 1459
Peebles Charters etc. (1872) 133 Thai haf ordanit .. for the
faut that he made, that lie pay to the tolbuth xs. 1483 Cax-
ros 6". de la Tour F v b, That such justyce should be made
of Aman as [eta]. 1500-20 Dunbar Poems xlix. 43 The
murtherer ay mvrthour mais. a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon
xxxvii. 116 Huon thus beyng in dyspleasure with hym
selfe for the lye that he made. 1621 Boltom Stat. Irel.
16 The Sheriffe of the county shall .. make levy of the
money aforesaid. 1x1715 Burnet Chun Time (1724) I. 149
His design being.. to. .save himself from the malice and lies
of others, and not to make lies of any.
b. To wage (War). So to make -j- battle, (a)
fight, fan army (=» expedition}. Also, *t*to serve
or take part in (a campaign).
c 1205 Lay. 627 Stal fiht heo makeden. c 1460 Fortescie
Abs. <$- Lim. Mon. vi. (1885) 123 For the brekynge off an
armye when any shall be made ayen hym apon (»e see. 1530
Palsgr. 620/1 He made batayle agaynst hym tenne yerts.
1542 Udall F.rasm. Apoph. 262 b, Sylla . . who made ciuile
battail wl Marius. 1594 Kyd Con:ciia iv. i. 131 These
Nations did he purposely prouoke, To make an Armie for
his after-ayde Against the Romans. 1647 [see Campaign
sb. 3l- 1749 Fielding Tom Jo/us \ 11. xi, (He] told the latter
many entertaining stories of his campaigns, though in reality
he had never made any. 1814 SoOTT H a:\ x, Mr. Brad-
wardine-.made some campaigns in foreign service. 1858
Thackeray / 'irgin. vii, To make the campaign was the
dearest wish of Harry's life.
C. To perform (a bodily movement or gesture,
e.g. one expressive of respect or of contempt).
For to make a (or cneys) btKt\ make courtesy, tnmhe a
curtsy, make a face {at), make horns at, make a teg, make
(an) obeisance, a salaam, see the sbs.
C 1400 Maundev. <Roxb.) xxvi. 122 [>ai do grete wirschepe
also to be Sonne, and mase many knelinges berto. 1484,
etc. (see Obeisance 3]. 1508 Dunbar Tua Mari/'t Wemen
117 Quhen I heir nemmyt his name, than mak I nyne crocis.
1570, etc [see Face sb. 6 bl 1583 Golding Calvin on Deut.
clxii. 1003 They make but a figge at it. 1632 Massinger &
Field Fatal Dv.ory v. \\, The people, apt to mocke calamity,
..made no homes at me. 1719-18051^6 Honour sb. 5b].
1734 tr. Kollin's Anc. Hist. (1827) I. 66 Jumping, skipping
and making variety of strange unnatural motions. 1776
Trial of Nundocomar iof-2, I.. made my salam to him.
1847 Marryat Childr. A". Forest xxvii, The King . . made
- a low obeisance to the window where they were standing.
d. To enter into, conclude (a bargain, contract^.
So, to make a marriage (now only legal).
c 1250 Gen. .y Ex. 1269 He bad him maken siker plrjt Of
luue and trew'fte. a 1300 Cursor M. 10781 pe spusail bat
was mad bar. 1362 Langl. P. PI. A. H. 26 To-Morwe worth
be Mariage 1-mad. 1508 Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen 56
God gif matrimony were made to mell for ane yeir. 1530
Pai.sgr. 586/2, I holde it, as we saye whan we make hargen.
1535 Coverdale 1 Kings iii. 1 Salomon made mariage with
Pharao the kynge of Kgipte, & toke Pharaos doughter.
1606 Shaks. Ant. <y CI. 11. iii. 39 Though I make this mar-
riage for my peace. 1651 Hobbes Lcviath. Rev. & Concl.
391 A Contract lawfully made, cannot lawfully be broken.
a 1715 Burnet Own Time (1724) I. 562 The marriage that
was now made with the brother of Denmark. 172a De Foe
Relig. Courtsh. 1. i. (1S401 8 Have you been both making
your bargains ? 1845 Stephen Comm. Laws Eng. (1874J 11.
261 Having thus shown how marriage may be made.
e. Eccl. in curtain phrases, as to make {one's)
confession, f To make the sacrament : to celebrate
the Eucharist (obs.). To make one's Communion :
to communicate. Also, to perform, * do ' (penance).
[C1320R. Brijnne Mcdit. 196 Heseyd, 'make£ bys yn my
mende'.] 11380 Wvcuf Wks. uSSo) 327 Confessioun bat
man makibofsynne is made of man in twomaners. Summe
is mad oonly to god. ..And sum confessioun is made to
man. 1:1400 Maundev. (1839) vii. 80 Thei maken here
Sacrement of the Awtier, seyenge, Pater noster, and other
Preyeres. C1511 \st Eng. Bk. Amer. (Arb.) Introd. 31/1
They make the sacrament in broune brede. 1585 T. Wash-
ington U.Nkliolafs Voy. iv. xix. 133b, Making their sacra-
ment according to the Roman maner, with a round cake.
1705 Bp. Wilson in Keble Life \i\. (1863) 233 To make one
Sunday's penance apiece in penitential habit in Kirk
Michael Church. 1888 W. J. Knox-Little Child of Staf
ferton xii. 151 He intended to make his confession that
night and to make his Communion in the morning.
f. With reference to locomotion or travel, in
phrases to make an excursion, an expedition, a
journey, a pace, a passage, a progress, a step (bow
rare;, a tour, a trip, a voyage, f to make one's
course, + to make return ( = to come back), to
make one's way, to make a circuit : see the sbs.
English idiom is app. capricious in excluding many
locutions which would seem to be parallel with these; we
cannot, e. g. use wake with obj. a ride, a iva/k (cf. G. nan
Spaziergang machen).
c 1290 [see Course sb. a]. 1340 Hami-ole Pr. Consc. 6377
pe son and be mone bair course mas. a 1548 Hall Chron.
Ediu. IV 209 And as the kyng with sayle and ower was
makynge his course as fast as coulde be possible. 1646 Sir
T. Browne Pseud. Ep. vi. v. 291 If we imagine the Sun to
make his Course out of the Eclyptick. 1828 J. H. Moore
Pract. Kavi%. (ed. 20) 102 A ship from the Lizard makes her
course S. 39 W.
g. To deliver orally. Now only to make a
speech, an oration ; formerly also f to make (a)
sermon. (See the sbs.)
f h. 73? make memory (min, mind, minning) :
to commemorate, record (see the sbs.). Obs.
t i. ? absot. To have effect, operate. Obs.
1303 R. Bri nan Handt. Synne 557 Beleuewyl make pere
be uurde no my^t may take.
58. In questions introduced by an objective what,
e.g. What make you ^m?.?^ What are you doing
here? What is your business, right, or purpose?
Now arch. (Common in i6-i7th c.)
13. . Cursor M. 10090 (Cott.) pe folk . ..Thoght ferli quat
wit bis he madde [Fair/. Wondird what he was a-bowte].
a 1400-50 Alexander 2908 Bedis buske be to bat ell quat
makis [v. r. mase] bou here? c 1435 Torr. Portugal 2151
What makist thou in this contre? 1535 Coverdale jfudg.
xviii. 3 Who broughte y* hither? What makest thou here?
x6oi Marston Pasquil \ A'ath. 11. 66 Alas, good aged sir,
what make you vp? 1602 Kyo Sp. 'Frag. in. xii. (A).
24 Hier. What make you with your torches in the
darke? a 1616 Beaum. & Fl. Cust. Country 111. iii,
What made you wand) ing So late i' th' night ? 1677 .
Wood Life (O.H.S.) II. 399 The proctor met him and ask'd
him what he made out so late. 1693 Dryden Persius v.
(1697) 482 Friend, What dost thou make a Shipboard?
1715-20 Pope Iliad xvi. 247 If that dire fury must for ever
bora, What make we here2 1823 Scott Quentin D. xxi.
What should my daughter make here at such an onslaught ?
1842 IUriiam ImgoL Leg. Ser. 11. Misadf. Margate. 1 saw
a little vulgar Boy— I said, 'What make you here?'
b. Hence, by inversion of the preceding con-
struction: What makes you here? taken as if «=
* What causes you to be here?' (Cf. branch IV.)
1658 R. Fkanck. Xorth. Mem. (1694) 2S What makes him
there? 1676 Etheredge Man of .Mode v. i, Footman.
Madam, Mr. Dorimant ! Lot: What makes him here? 1688
Shadwell Sqr. A Isatia 1, What makes you abroad so early ?
1797 CoLERiixiE Christabel 1, What makes her in the wood
so late A furlong from the castle gate?
59. With sbs. expressing the action of vbs.
(whether etymologically cognate or not), make
forms innumerable phrases approximately equiva-
lent in sense to those verbs. In some of these
phrases the obj. -noun appears always without
qualifying word; in others it may be preceded by
the indefinite article, or by a possessive adj. relating
to the subject of the sentence. When standing
alone, the combination of make with its object is
equivalent to a verb used intr. or absol. ; but in
many instances the obj. -noun admits or requires
construction with of, and this addition converts the
phrase into the equivalent of a transitive verb. In
this Dictionary these phrases are usually illustrated
(and if necessary explained) under their respective
sbs. ; but a selection of them is given here in order
to exhibit the variety of applications. (For the
illustration of those phrases which are enumerated
without quotations, see the sbs.)
Many of the ME. phrases of this type are literal render-
ings of phrases with l^facere or Y.faire, the sb. being often
adopted from one of those languages. In early use a gerund
in -ing was often the obj. of make, but this is now rare.
a. The following are still more or less in use :
To 7uake an abatement, {one's) ainkte. abstraction,
an aehurwledgement . an acquisition, an address, an
advance, (an) affumation,an allegation, (an) allow-
ance, an animadversion, {atT answer, an appeal, an
(also^wV) appearance, (an) application, an ascent,
an assault, an assay, an assertion, (an) assurance,
atonement, an attack, an attempt, (an) avowal,
an award, a beginning, a bid, a blunder, (a, one's)
boast, a calculation, a call, a challenge, a change,
(a) choice, (a) claim, a climb, a comment, a com-
parison, a complaint, a computation, a cut, a
dash, a defence, delay, a demonstration, a dis-
covery, a donation, an endeavour, an entrance, an
error, an essay, an excavation, (an) exception,
(an) exchange, {an) excuse, an experiment, an ex-
planation, a find, a gift, a grant, haste, an incision,
(an) inquiry, inquisition, intercession^ joke, lamen-
tation, a landing, mention, a mistake, a motion,
mourning, a move, narration, (ans oath, (an) objec-
tion, an observation, an offer, an offering, a (one's)
petition, pretence, pretension, (a) proclamation, (a)
profession, a proffer, progress, a promise, proof a
proposal, a proposition, a protest, provision, a re-
covery, a remark, (a) reply, reprisals, (a) request,
resistance, restitution, (a) retreat, a sacrifice, a sale,
(a) search, {a) shift, a shot, slaughter, a slip, a
stand, a start, a stay, a surrender, a transition, a
translation, (a) trial, use, one's vaunt, a venture,
a vow.
a 1225 A tier. R. 6 Non ancre bi mine read ne schal makien
professiun. .bute breo binges, t 1320.SW Benes2i$ (MS. A.)
A prikede out be-fore is ost, For pride and for make host
1' 1384 Chaixer H. Fame 11. 416 For whom was maked moch
compleynt. 1500-20 Di'nbar Poems ix. 85 To proper curat
to mak confessioun trew. 1530 Palsgr. 621/1, I make
clayme to a thyng by processe of the lawe. a 1533 Li>.
Berners Huon xxxii. 96 Agaynst that Gyaunt thou canst
make no resystence. 1563 4 AV^. Privy Council Scot. i.
256 In presence of the Queins Majestic .comperit Johne
Erie of Athole, and maid this offer underspecihu. 1616 R. C
Times' Whistle v. 1886 Let's make a challenge. 1640
Habington Ediv. IV 3 Hee..lookt about, where he mi^ht
on the best advantage make experience of his fortune. 1660
Ingelo Benth'. 4- Ur. 11. (1682) 164 The obedient Theo-
prepians made appearance at the time appointed. 1669
Stlrmy Mariner's Mag. 1. ii. 25 This Observation was first
made by Thales Milesius. 1680 Aubrey in Lett. Eminent
Persons (1813) III. 386 'Twas a minute watch, wlb wch he
made his experiments, a 1687 Sir W. Petty in Hate's Ace.
New Invent. 132 We shall . .make someanimadversion> u|x<u
each of the three great branches of that Expence. 1711 Ad-
dison Sped. No. 1 P 5 There is no Place of general Resort,
wherein 1 do not make my Appearance, a 17x5 Buknei
Own Time (1724) I. 361 The House of Commons resolved., to
make an address to the King. 1796 Nelson ii Sept. in Nico-
las Disp. (1846) VII. p. cxi, To make reprisals for the value
of the property. 1836 Calhoun Sp. 9 Mar., Wks. 1864 II.
483 Whenever the attempt shall be made to abolish slavery.
1842 Borkow Bible in Spain xxvii. (Pelh. Libr.) 192 He ad-
vised me to. .obtain permission to make excavations. 1849
Macallay Hist. £ng. iii. I. 340 note, I have made allowance
for the increase. 1867 Mill Subj. Women (i860) 98 Let us
at first make entire abstraction of all psychological con-
siderations tending to show, that [etc.L 1870 E. Peacock
Half Skirl. III. 199 No explanation had been made. 1870
MAKE.
Dickens E. Drood iii. The rest [of the streets! being mostly
disappointing yards with, .no thoroughfare — exception made
of the Cathedral-close. 1879 M. Arnold Mixed Ess. 340
That astonishing recovery which France has made since her
defeat. 1883 Century Mag. XXVI. 245/1 IHe] made a cut
at something in the water. 1887 Ridkr Haggard Jess xxviii,
Still the old man made no comment.
f b. The following are examples of the obsolete
uses : To make abode ( hut cf . to make one's abode) ,
abstinence, (an) assembly, one's avaunt, avaunt-
mcut, baptizing, bodeword, a boon ( ■= prayer), cease,
delaying, ending, experience, an exposition, one's
flitting, a gathering, greeting, hesitation, a hunt,
information, an invitation, a kneeling, a meeting,
menace, mourning, muster, ockering, an operation,
(one's) orison, overdoing, portage, plaint, prayer,
process, procession, ransoming, one's recourse, refuge,
residence, revenge, roos, rosing, shenv, showing,
sojourn, spare, speaking, store, supply, supplying,
tarrying, watch, witnessing, yelp ()elp— boast).
c 1154 O. E. Chron. an. 1137 F 2 pa macod he his gadering
an Oxene ford, c laoo Trin. Colt. Horn. 91 Elhc cri.stene man
make5 bis dai procession fro chirche to chirche. c 1205 Lay.
26451 For seuere heo jelp makier5. a 1300 Cursor M 8126
J>ei. .made ilkan pair orison. Ibid. 12274 Quell be angell hir
bodewoid made. [bid. 12518 pai. .to bethleem bair flitting
made. Ibid. 12776 pat he now suilk baptiszing mass. Ibid.
13104 For to mak ending o mi tale. Ibid. 14334 Til fader
his he made a bon. Ibid. 2S817P0U batokering mas wit man.
c 1330 K. Hrunne Chron. (Rolls) 11669, & of pis bey make
auauntement. 1340 Ayenb. 240 Sobrete lokepmesureinemete
and ine drinke pet me ne maki overdoingc. 13.. Childh.
Jesus 1527 pat noman ne mi^te make delayingue Of bingbat
he wolde don. c 1375 So. Leg. Saints xxxiii. (George) 797 Am-
brose to bis mais witnesing. * 1400 Maundev. (1839) v. 44
There he made the Expositioun of Dremes. 1449 Molls of
Parlt. V. 147/2 Of the which offenses, they hadde be .. re-
quired., to make cesse. 1483 Caxton G. de la Tour H iij,
They, .fasted and made abstynence. 1535 COVBRDALK Ps.
xl. 17 Make no longe tarienge o my God. 1563 Homilies
11. Kogat. Week 11. (1859) 480 The Wise Man. .made his re-
course to God for it. 1632 Holland Cyrupxdia 102 As
touching the money in coine .. they would then make part-
agethereof. x7isDESAGULiERs/'»t'i/w//r.i37 Make several
Chymical Operations. a 171$ Uurnet Own Time (1734) I.
595 The Pope, .made great returns of money into Germany.
1769 Goldsm. Hist. Rome (1786) I. 106 Veturia, the mother
of Coriolanus, at first made some hesitation to undertake so
pious a work. 1771 — Hist. Eng. IV. 161 A French officer,
who had made some useful informations relative to the
affairs of France. 1821 J. Fowler frnl. (1898) 69 To morrow
the Indeans make a Hunt.
60. To eat (a meal).
1542 Udall Erasm, Apopb. 127 On a tyme Diogenes
made al his dyner with Oliues onely. 1577 B. Googe
Heresbach's Husb. I. (1586) 15 That they make not to great
meales, but eate little and often. 1662 J. Daviks tr. Olea-
rius* Voy. Ambass. 270 Some times our people made but
one meal a day. 1742 Yorsi; At. I'b. v. 465 There take
large draughts; makeherchief banquet there. 1859 Jei-hson
Hrittany xix. 311 As 1 made my delicious and refreshing
luncheon of green figs. 1864 Lemon Loved at last I. vi. 145,
I never made a better dinner in my life. 1800 Longm. Mag.
July 254 He made his simple morning meat.
61. To offer, present, render, f Formerly in
many specific applications : to ' do ' (homage,
fealty) ; to ' pay ' (some mark of respect) ; to ren-
der (support, aid); to present (a person's 'com-
pliments ') ; to propound (a question) ; to give (an
instance, notice, a reason, warning) (obs.). Also
in to make amends, t asseth, satisfaction : see the
sbs. Const, to or dative.
The phr. to make love (see Love sb. 6 g) may perh. be re-
ferred to this sense.
a 1300 Cursor M. 20620 Al heuen court sal scrue be, To
mak |pe manred. c 1330 R. Bkunnk Chron. Wmci (Rolls)
6461 Conan made hym ber fewte. 137s Barhoi'r Bruce v.
297 And he him-self first homage maid. Ibid. 502 lhai maid
hun mony tyme varnyng. C137S St. Leg. Saints xxxvi.
(Baptista) 352 He bad baiin..sic demand hym ma [etc.].
c 1400, etc. [see Fealty 2]. 1426 Lydg. De Guit. Pilgr.
3298 Makynge to hyr thys questyoun. 1450 Notts of Parlt.
V. 212/1 Therof made notice to the seid Evan Aprice. 1473
Sin J. Paston in P. Lett. III. 84, I made yowr answer tothe
(fiends off Mestresse Jane Godnoston accordyng to yowr
mstrucions. 1500-20 Kennedie Elyting w. Dunbar 4-0
Homage to Edward Langschankis maid thy kyn. 1523 Ld.
Berners Eroiss. I. cexxxviii. 344 They. .came.. and made
homage to kynge Dampeter. 1539 Cromwell 21 Jan. in Mer-
runan Life ,y Lett. (1902) II. 169 To make supports subven-
tipn and confort unto them to resist his malice. 1582 V,.
Martin Disco-j. Corrupt. Script, ii. 29 And make vs a good
reason why you put the word, traditions, here. JS99
1.. JONSON Ev. Man out of bis Humour 11. i, Why He
make you an Instance : your Citie wiues [etc.]. 1654-66
Earl Orrery Earthen. (r676) 660 He had but one desire
more to make me. 1719 James (the Pretender) Let. in
I Carson s 76th Catal. (1894) 33 Pray make him my kind
compliments 1761 Hume Hist. Eng. Il.xxvii. 127 He made
warning of the danger to his master. 1800 Addison Amer.
Law hep. 286 Brackenridge. .made two questions.
b. To make head [ = Y.faire tttA : see Head sb.
aisSo Kingesmyll Couft. Satan (1578) 8 If thou couldest
make head against him. 1577-87, etc. [see Head sb. 52 a].
c. Law. Of a court, a judge : To render, give
(a decision, judgement).
'Il?'n!,"«l in England; still common in America'
(Sir h. Pollock).
1804 1 ,,. F...DON Vesey's Rep. X. 121, I am not aware that
such a decision has been made since that case.
1 62. To entertain or manifest (certain emotions).
To make gladness, glee, joy, merriment, mirth:
67
to rejoice, be merry. To make care; to be careful
or anxious. To tnake dole ', sorrow, to mourn. Obs.
c iaos Lav. 1795 Muchel wes ba murde be bat folc makode.
1297 R. Gi.ouc. (Rolls) 7820 He hiqi sulf deol inou & sorwc
made al so. ax 300 Cursor- A/. 11031 (Cott.) Again him [he]
madgladnesanglu. a 1 300-1400 Ibid. 17974 (Goti.) Ful mekil
ioy bai made i-wis, t 1400 Laud Troy Bk. (E.K.T.S.)
9957 Kny^tcs kene that ben of Troye, Now make murihe
and mochel Ioye. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes ofAymon vi. 140
The gretc sorowe that the poure Knightes made fortheyr
brother. 1513 Douglas sEncis x. i. 107 As for Ene, for-
suyth, I mak 11a cayr. 1570 Satir. Poems Reform, xii. 200
The Feynd mak cair, I say na mair. 1590 Si-enser I<\ Q.
iii. i. 57 Some to make loue, some to make merynieut.
b. To make (a) mock, f scorn (at, of) : see the sbs.
63. To put forth (an effort). Also, f to make
labour, pain, f To make force (at, etc.) : see
FOKCE sb.1 2 2 b.
1456 Sir G. Ham; La-.o Arms (S.T.S.) 38 He maid grete
payne to ger that langage of Latyne sprede. c 1489, etc.
[see Ekfokt j/>. 2]. 1491, etc. [see Labour s/\ 5b]. 1596
Dalrymplk tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. I. 6 Ciif mair labour and
industrie war maid. 1597 Beard Tltcalre Cods Judgem.
(1612) 297 The dog. .instantly made force at him. .as a man
would dot: at his inn; tall eneniie. 1871 Smii.es Charae. i.
(1876) 11 Every honest effort made in an upward direction.
64. In certain phrases, used for : To incur,
suffer (something undesirable). So to make f ex-
pense, f wreck, shipwreck (arch.), a toss (?obs.
exc. in commercial use : cf. sense 29).
Kor to make {good ox bad) iveather (Nam.), see Weather.
M53 Rolls Parlt. V. 268/1 All theire costes, expenses and
Iostez, made and suffred by hem in this partie. 1526 Tindai.k
1 Jim. i. 19 Some.. as concernynge fayth have made ship-
wracke. 1563 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 239 All e.xpensissis
maid in., pleyingofthesaid cans. 1577-87 HomnshedCV/w/.-.
(1807-8)11. 218 Everie person making wrecke by sea, and
comming alive to land. 1609 G. Benson Scrm. 7 May 5 If
you . . make wrack neyther vpon the Rockes, nor vpon tlie
Sandes, neyther vppon open nor secret sinnes. 1626 C.
I*otter tr. Sarf>Ps Hist. Quarrels 99 They could not con-
tinue to make such expence, nor to furnish so many persons
with Vestiments. 1640 tr. i'crderc's Rom. Rom. III. 199
They could not learn any news of the losse they had made.
a 1715 Burnet Own Time (1724) I. 251 Roth England and
Holland had made a great loss both in ships and treasure.
f b. Hence (chiefly Sc.)t to defray, provide for
(expenses, costs). Obs.
C1460 Foktescue Abs. fy Lint, Man. v. (1885) 118 YfT
a kynge be pore, he shall bi ne^cessite make his expences. .
by creaunce and borowynge. 1473 Ld. Treas. Ace. Scot.
(1877) I. 46 Geviti to Wil Oliphant .. to mak his e.xpensis
xx It, IS74 t\eg. Privy Council Scot. 1 1. 388 The said Robert
oblist him to mak the said Williames reasonable expens^is,
and to pay the same to him.
65. To accomplish (a distance) by travelling, etc.
i564-5 N. Wotton in Burgon Life Gresham (18^9) II. 7",
I made a-foote vi myles ere I came to Dunkerke. 1662 J.
Davies tr. Olearius' Voy. Ambass. 2 It's violence hindred
us not from keeping on our course, and making fifteen
Leagues that night. 1687 A. Lovi.i.l tr. Thevenot's Trav.
1. 270 When the Wind blew so hard, that we made nine or
ten Miles an hour. 1768 Boyer Eng.-Pr. Diet. s.v., They
make sometimes ten fathom at one leap. 1856 Olmsted
Slave States 16 The boat makes 55 miles in 3$ hours. 1899
Pall Matt Mag. Mar. 373, I could get no boat farther than
Kirkcaldy, so I must make the distance on foot.
b. orig. jVaul. To reach (a place) in travelling,
come to, arrive at ; slang to catch (a train, etc.).
c 1624 Waller Pr.Charles at Sant' Anders 148 From the
stern of some good ship appears A friendly light. ..New
courage, .they take, And, climbing o'er the waves, that
taper make. 1641 Evelyn Diary 12 Oct., Tho' not far from
Dover, we could not make the Peere till 4 in the afternoon.
1697 I )ryden sfcneid 1. 227 The weary Trojans ply their
shatter'd Oars To nenrest Land, and make the Libian
Shoars. 1708 L,ond. Gas. No. 4481/3 The West-India Fleet
and Coasters, .. not being able to make Torbay, . . were all
forced .. to the Westward, a 1774 Goldsm. tr. Scarrou's
Com. Romance (1775) II. 103 We forced open the prison
gates, and.. made the mountains on the borders ofValentia.
1805 Pike Sources Miss/'ss. (1810) 39, 1 determined to attempt
to make the river, and for that purpose took a due .south
course. 1827 J. F. Cooper Prairie I. xvii. 245 It will be
wise to make a cover, lest the Sons of the Squatter should
be out skirting on our trail. 1828 Snorting Mag. XXL 322
She [a coach] . . started at ten, and made the White Horse,
Fetter Lane, at four precisely. 188a Sala Amer. Revis.
(1885) 360 We made Chicago at 7.30 on Sunday morning.
1885 Howells Silas Lapltam (1S9O L 137 He.. jumped
on board the steamboat . . 'Just made it ', he said.
66. In phrases like to make long hours (i.e to
work many hours in the day). Also, to make good
time : to accomplish a distance in a short time.
1887 I. R. Ranche Life Montana 140 We drove to Three
Forks, .in an hour and twenty minutes. Jem calls it four-
teen miles, so I think we made good time. 1890 Standard
17 Mar. 3/1 At present, .the colliers., make very short time.
Mod. I made a very long day last Friday.
•[67. ta. To * play' (the fool) (obs.) b. =I)o
v. 11 j, in to make the agreeable (lobs.) [After
Y.faire.']
1529 Lyndesay Complaynt 236 Sum maid the fule, and
sum did flatter. 1841 Lever C. O Motley vi. 31 Sir George
Dashwood was ' making the agreeable ' to the guests. 1867
H. KiNGSt-EY Silcote o/S. xviii, The best thing you can do
is to. .begin to make the agreeable to the eldest MissGranby.
VI. To behave, act, or move (in a specified way).
t 68. To make it (with adv. or advb. phr. denot-
ing manner) : to act, behave. Obs.
c888 K. ^lered lioeth. Tit. vii, & sa:de him bispell hu
he hit macian sceolde jif he heora be^en beon sceolde.
c 1000 -Eli kic Horn. II. 354 Sua he hit maeode on his life. '
MAKE.
' >387 Trevisa Higdeu (Roll*) VII. 27 pe kyng . . made it as
1 bey were nou^t wroob [L. dissimulato odio). la 1500 Peblis
! to the Play viii, Quhat neidis you to maik it sua?
tb. With adj. as complement. To make it coy,
j nice, proud, quaint, stout, strange, tough : to be-
have in a coy, proud, etc., manner ^see the adjs.).
To make it goodly : to give oneself airs.
1611 Cotc;r., Faire la fetite boitche, to mince, or simper
it ; to make it goodly.
69. Hence intr. (the obj, it being omitted; ; in
OE. with adv. ; later witli adj., in to make bold,
! free, fglad, merry, fnice, + strange (see the adjs.;.
a 1000 Institutes of Polity xv. in Thorpe Laws II. 322
Riht is ba;t mynecena mynsterlice macian.
70. To make as if, as though (arch, as) : to be-
have as if; hence, to pretend that. Cf. 34 b.
[1387: see 68.] a 1450 Knt. de ta Pour (18681 77 The
prince . . made as they he hadde take none hede therof.
153° Palsgk. r>55 '2, I patter with the lyppes, as one dothe
that maketh as though he prayed and duthe nat. 11533
Ld. Ber neks Ifuon Ixv. -2.1-2. Make as though ye were dys-
pleasydwith hym. a 1553 Udall Roysttr ]). i.ii. (Arb.) 1 ;,
I wyfl make a- I sawe him not. 1603 Knolles Hist. Turks
(1621)41 Whkh reproachfull speech the Emperour put up in
silence, making as ifhee had not heard it. 1611 Biblr Josh.
\ in. 15 And Ioshuaand all Israel made as if they were beaten
before them, and fled. 1720 De Foe Capt. Singleton xvii.
(1840) 290 Thou makest as if those poor savage wretches
could do mighty things. 175a Ch ester k. Lett. (1792) III.
2<')4, I am very glad (to use a vulgar expression; that you
make as if you were not well, though you really are. 1851
Longe. Gold. Leg. in, He. .beckons, and makes as he would
1 speak. 1889 Diet. Nat. Biog. XVII. 59/2 Edward at first
intended, or made as though he intended, to [etc.]
71. To have to do with (a person or thing); to in-
terfere in (a matter) ; chiefly in collocation with
meddle, dial.
1564 Child Marr. (1897) 123, I will neither make nor
medle with her. 1661 Pepys Diary -j Nov., Pegg Kite now
hath declared she will have the beggarly rogue the weaver;
and so we are resolved neither to meddle nor make with
her. 1662 Livingstone in WodrowSel. Biog. '1^45) I. 208
He thinks he will only preach against Poprie^ and not make
with other controversies. 1756 Toloekv y Hist. 2 Orphans
1. 146 And so, Sir, pray don't meddle nor make with the maids.
1834 Landob Pxam.Shaks.\\'V%. 1853 II.298/1 The business
is a ticklish one : I like not overmuch to meddle and make
therein. 1849 C. Bronte Shirley xxi, Mooie may settle
his own matters henceforward for me ; I'll neither meddle
nor make with them further.
72. Xaut. Of the flood or ebb tide (fin early use
passive, or perh. intr. conjugated with be) : To
begin to flow or ebb respectively ; also, to be in
; progress. Hence of the tide : To How towards the
land ; to rise ; also, to flow in a specified direction.
1651 Ciias. II in Hone livery-day Bk. I. 1716 Just as the
tide off ebb was made. 1708 Lond.Gaz. No. 4422/7 The
Tide of Flood being made, and there proving little Wind,
we were oblig'd to Anchor. 1719 De Foe Crusoe \. xiii,
The tide made to the westward. Ibid., The tide beginning
' to make home again. 1776 C. Carroll Jrnl. (1845) 4°
About nine o'clock at night, the tide making, we weighed
anchor. 1840 Mabkyat Poor Jack !, The flood tide made.
a 1861 Clolgh ' Saynot^ the Struggle' 11 Far back, through
creeks and inlets making, Comes silent, flooding in, the
I main. 1875 Beoeord Sai'loPs Pocket Bk. v. (ed. 2) 169
! When the stream makes to the Eastward at Spithead, the
i waterfalls at Southampton. 1883 Stevenson Treas. 1st.
. iv. xvii. (18S6) 135 The ebb was now making.
73. Of land, landscape, etc.: fa. Naut. To
\ have a certain form or appearance ; to look like
I (obs.). b. U.S. and Colonial. To extend in a
I certain direction. (Cf. 91 n.)
1743 Bulkeley &. Cummins Voy. S. Seas 151 Two Ledges
of Kocks, running two Leagues out from a Point of Land
which makes like an old Castle. 1748 Anson's Voy. w. xii.
\ 260 There appears a hummock, which at first makes like an
island. 1770 Sir I. Banks Jrnl. 17 May 11896) 270 At sun-
set the land made in one bank, over which nothing could be
1 seen. 1787 Jeeeerson Writ. (1859) II. 136 Spurs, or rami-
fications of high mountains, making down from the Alps.
1808 Pike Sources Mississ. 11. (1810) 192 A copse of woods,
which made down a considerable distance from the moun-
tains. 1890 Melbourne Argus 16 June 6/1 Wherever slides
are abundant, or two make from east and west.
74. Of arguments, evidence, influences : To be
effective, ' tell ' (on one side or the other). (Cf. 25,
■ 25 b.) Chiefly with for (flo, with), against (see
j 76 a, 78 a, 79 a, 82 a). [Cf. h.facere cum, facere
\ contra.]
1892 Sat. Rev. 2 Jan. 1/1 He had the highest opinion of
. . precedents — when they made in his own favour. 1893
Sketch 1 Feb. 14/1 All these things . . make in favour of
Mr. Gladstone.
VII. With prepositions in specialized senses (all
intransitive).
75. Make after — . To go in pursuit of, to
pursue, follow, arch. (Cf. 35 b.)
1590 Greene Orpjuirion Wks. (Grosart) XII. 54 Acestes
. . made after the King of Lidia, as fast as his men were able
to march. 1600 Abp. Abhot Exp. Jonah 177 When they
were so pursued and made after by the chariots and horse-
men of the Egyptians. 1688 Bcnyan Heav. Footman (1886)
148 There is never a poor soul that is going to heaven, but
the devil, the law, sin, death and hell makes after that soul.
1748 AnsotCs Voy. m. v. 336 His people made after them,
in hopes of finding out their retreat. 1856 Vaughan/I/jj77'<:j
(i860) I. vi. viii. 261 As he flounders about, out tumbles the
book ; he lets go his staff, and makes after it.
76. Make against — . a. To be unfavourable
to ; to militate or ' tell ' against. (Cf. 74.)
75-2
MAKE.
68
MAKE.
a 1540 Barnes ll'ks. (1573)315/1 Thetexte makethagaynst J
the Pope. 1648 Milton Observ. Art. Peace Wks. 1738 I.
355 The third Reason which they use, makes against them.
1668 Culpepper & Culk Barthol. A not. 1. xxviii.65 Ocular
Experience makes against this. 1713 I'.ekkfley Itytas <y
Phil Sii. Wks. 1871 I. 345 That which makes equally against
two contradictory opinions can be a proof against neither. (
1855 Prescott Philip //, I. 11. iii. 179 He sought out what-
ever could make against the orthodoxy of the new prelate.
1890 Sat. Rev. 8 Pel). 165/2 Figures, if you carefully select .
those which make for you, and as carefully ignore those !
which make against you, can. .be made to prove anything. ,
fb. To make a hostile movement towards; to
go to attack. Obs. (Of. 35 b.)
i6z8 Hohbks TtiHcyd. I. (1629) 26 The Corey raean's vnder- [
standing that they {the Corinthians] made against them [m <
Tf(T0oi'ro ai)Toi«; TT^oankeoi'Ta^].
77. Make at — . To approach in order to or
as if to attack or seize; to make a hostile move-
ment towards. (Cf. 35 b.) Now somewhat arch.
1637 R. Ashley tr. Malvczzis David Persecuted 247
There hath beene one, that seeing no other remedy, made
at the soveraignty it selfe. 1671 Hatton Corr. (Camden) 61 i
Immediately, the cowe made at him. 1698 Fryer Acc. E. '
India <y P. 162, I was made at by an unsizable Snake. 1712
Steele Sped. No. 450 r 1 All men ..make at the same com-
mon thing, Mony. 1787 Best Augliug(ed. 2) 24 When you '
dip for chub, roach, and dace, move your fly very slow when
you see them make at it. 1858 Thokeau Maine W. ii. :
(1869)153 A very small black puppy rushed into the room
and made at the Governor's feet. 1867 J. B. Rose tr.
i'irgils AEneid 261 Volscens . . with his unsheathed sword
Made at Euryalus. 1889 Fr. A.Kemble Far Away vi. 55
He made at me with an evident intention of striking me.
78. Make for — . a. To operate in favour of, !
be favourable to ; to tend to the advancement or
progress of; to favour, further, aid. (Cf. 74-)
1517 Torkington P'tlgr. (1884) 59 The wynde made well
for vs in ower way. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 1 b,
Ioynynge also therto the goostly exercyse and experyence
of goostly fathers, as I thought them to make moost for my
purpose. 15*6 Tindale Rom. xiv. 19 Let vs folowe tho
thinges which make for peace. 1593 Nashe Foure Lett.
Con/. Wks. (Grosart) II. 201 But, say wee should l>eleeue it,
what doth it make for thee? 1612 Bacon Ess., Atheism
(Arb.) 332 None denie there U a God, but those for whom
it maketh that there were no God. 1639 N. N. tr. D11
Bosq's Compl. Woman 1, Pref. Fivb, Is there any thing
that makes more for him, then that theyupbrayd him with?
1684 T. Goddard Plato's Demon 273 How our Author
augments, or diminisheth . . the truth of things, as they make
most convenient for his purpose. 1690 Nokris Beatitudes
(1694) I. 103 A Doctrin .. such as makes neither for the
Honour of God, nor for the Safety of Man. 1711 Steele
Sped. No. 158 Fi Out of a firm Regard for Impartiality I
print these Letters, let them make for me or not. 1754
Richardson Grand ison (1781) II. xxi. 219 The behaviour
makes not for your honour. 1831 T. L. Peacock Crotchet
C. vii. 140 Vour story makes for my side of the question.
1881 Stevenson Virg. Puerisque 24 Whatever makes for
lounging and contentment, makes just so surely for domestic
happiness. iSyo^ec Make against j6a]. 1894 7 Yw<*.? 25 May
9/5 The forces and conditions which make for sea power.
b. To proceed or direct one's course towards;
to go in the direction of; also, to assail, ' go for \
Not frequent before the 19th c.
1590 Marlowe Edw. II, iv. vi, I see our soules are fleeting
hence; Make for a new life, man. 1633 P. Fletcher Elisa
!. xli, And glorious Angels on their wings it [sc. a soul]
taking, . . for heaven making. 1748 Ausoti's Voy. n. v. 170
One of these [ships] .. made directly for us. 1791 Mrs.
Inchbald Simple Story IV. xi'u 151 Sandford, ..without a
word in reply, made for the door. 1831 Carlyle Soft, Res.
it. vi, The wounded eagle is said to make for its own eyrie.
1859 H. Kingsley G. llamlyn xxii. (i860) 169 Don't . . get
frightened ; make for the shore. 1874 Green Short Hist.
iii. § 6. 145 They had hardly Landed at Dover before they
made straight for London. 1878 Browning La Saisiaz 55
We made for home together. 1893 Chamb. Jrnl. 15 July
434/1 They will at once ' make for ' each other's eyes.
fc. To pretend, assert. (In quots. absol. and
in indirect pass?) Obs.
152a More De quat. noviss. Wks. 72/2 This medicyne
thoughe thou make a sovvre face at it, is not so bytter as
thou make^te for. 1529 — - Dyaloge 1 it. Wks. 222/1 Whyther
Luthers matters bee so madde as they bee made for, that
shall we see hereafter.
79. Make to — . + a. To tend or contribute to ;
to be favourable or conducive to ; to go to support.
(Cf. 74.) Obs.
15*8 Gardiner in Pocock Rec. Re/. I.li. 124 Such reasons
as seemed to make to the contrary. 1561 Daus tr. Bui-
linger on Apoc. (1573) 97 All thynges that may make to life
and saluati in. 1585-7 T. Rogers 39 Art. xix. (1625) g2
This maketh to the strengthning of vs against those Popish
assertions of Viguerius. 1638 Rawley tr. Bacon's Life fy
Death {1651) 12 In every corruptible Body, Quantity maketh
much to the Conservation of the whole. 173* Neal Hist.
Purit. I. 159 Making more to seemliness..or edification,
f b. To be pertinent or applicable to. Obs.
c 1645 Howell Lett. I. 1. xxxi, That Hair is but an excre-
mentitious thing, and makes not to this purpose. 1726
Leoni tr. Albertis Archit. II. 84/2 Those things which are
most obvious, and make more immediately to the subject in
hand.
f c. To go in the direction of, proceed towards.
a 1568 Wy/e 0/ ' Auchtermuchty 114 Then vp scho gat ane
mekle rung, And the gudman maid to the dur. 1600 Disc.
Gowrt'e Cousp.'m Moyses Mem. (1755) 266 Tho court making
to their horses, as his highnesse selfe was. 1602 Marston
Antonio's Rev. I. i, Maria, Geuoas dutchesse, makes to court.
1694 Acc. Scv. Late Voy. 11. (1711) 20 When the Ice comes
floating in too hard,, .then the Ships make to the Harbours.
1780 CoYS Russ. Disc. 192 He cut his way through the
troops.. and made to the banks of the IrtUh.
Make toward s — : see 35 b.
80. Make unto — . = make to, 79 c.
1570-6 W. Lambarde Peramb. Kent (1826) 131 Since
Dover is not many niyles off.. let us make unto it. 1592
Shaks. I'en. % Ad. 5 Sick-thoughted Venus makes amaine
vntohun. 1603 Drayton Heroic. Ep. xxi. 31 Unto the Ship
she makes, which she discovers.
t 81. Make upon — . - make at, 77. Obs.
1542 Udall Erasm. Afioph. 264 b, He made vpon these
pirates, whom . . he tooke and subdued. 1606 G. W[oou-
cocke] Hist. Ivstine 11. 8 The king vnderstanding .. that
they made vpon him in such»speedy manner, fledde for feare.
1727 Philip Quarll (1816) 37 Seeing themselves made upon
by a pirate.
82. Make with — . f a. To side with, make
common cause with. Of things: To tell in favour
of. (Cf. 74.) Obs.
1559 Morwyng Ez'onym. 250 The description following
maketh with me [L. mtrnm/er^/atit]. 1597 Hooker Eccl.
Pol. V. vii. § 3 Antiquity, custom, and consent ..making
with that which law doth establish, are themselves most
sufficient reasons to uphold the same. 1600 Holland Livy
vui. xxxiv. 306 There made with young Fabius, and tooke
his part, the majestie and countenance of the Senat [L. !
stabat cum eo senatus tnaieslas], 1608 I). T. Ess. Pol. <y !
Mar. 19 b, It is the nature, and propertie of Passions, euen to I
make those thinges make with them, «i6i7Uayne Led.
(1634) 273 So farre as outward things make with salvation,
t b. To grapple with, select as one's adversary.
•1 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VIII 21b, The Lorde Ad-
mirall made with the greate ship of Depe, and chased h«:r
stil. Ibid. 122 The vj shippes perceiuyng that, left their
chace & made with the Barke of Sandwyche.
*t*c. (See sense 7T0 Obs.
VIII. With adverbs in specialized senses.
1 83. Make again, trans. To make good, re-
pair, restore. Obs.
ri433 in Willis & Clark Cambridge (1886) II. 429 That
I they] .. do make ayein the grete pipe of the said conduyt
in wyse as was afore. 1471 Caxton Recuyell (ed. Sommer)
149 The harnoys broken was made agayn and amended.
1565 Cooi-er 'Thesaurus, Reparator, one that repayreth or
maketh agayne.
84. Make away. (Now superseded in the tran-
sitive senses by make away with.) +a. trans.
To put (a person) out of the way, put to death ;
also, to put an end to (a person's life). (Cf.33.) Obs.
Common in lo-ijth c.
1566 Pasquine in Trauncc 58 b, Saint Dominick ., was
treating with them for the burning of Heretiques, or how
by some other deuise to make them away. 1590 Marlowe
Edw. II, 11. ii, Why then weele haue him priuily made
away. 1593 Shaks. 2 Hen. VI, in. i. 167 To make away
my guiltlesse Life. 1621 Burton Anal. Mel. in. ii. v.
i* (1651) 544 Constantine Despota, made away Catharine
his wife., for the love of a base Scriveners daughter.
a 1656 Up. Hall Rem. Wks. (1660) 415 Wicked harlots who
. . have made away their stolen birth. 1713 Addison Guard.
No. 105 r 4 What Multitude of Infants have been made
away by those who brought them into the World. 1760-72
H. Brooke Fool o/Qual. (1809) I. 142 They would. .make
him away by pistol, or poison.
re/l. 1581 Pettie Guazzo's Civ. Conv. I. (1586) 4 b, Other
sortes . . that haue made themselues awaie by the meanes
either of water, or fire, or sword. 1654 Gataker Disc.
Afiol. 58, I was there told by the Physician, that I must
wnollie forbear Preaching, unless I would wilfullie make
away my self. C1684 Ro.vb. Ball. (r886)VI. 621 She, for
love of the Groom, fell into Despair, and in conclusion made
herself away. 1698 Christ Exalted § 61. 50 They would
make away themselves immediately, if possible.
fb. To destroy (a thing). Obs.
1566 in Peacock Eng. Ch. Furniture (1866) 66 A Mass
book w,h all such books of papistrie ar abolished made awaie
and defaced. £1600 Shaks. Sonn. xi, If all were minded
so, the times should cease And threescoore yeare would
make the world away. 1650 TRApr Comtn. Lev. xiii. 47
Instruments of idolatrie .. are to bee destroied, and made
awaie.
f C. To alienate or transfer to another's posses-
sion ; to dispose of, get rid of. Obs.
1580 Hollyband Trcas. Fr. Tang, Alienation, alienation
or making away. 1600 J. Pory tr. Leo's A/rka Introd. 41
Their slaues which they cannot make away for a good
round price, they sell vnto the butchers, a 1640 Waller
On Friendship betzv. Sacharissa $ Atnoret 16 Debters ..,
When they never mean to pay, . . To some friend make all
away. 1741 Richardson Pamela II. 21 Will you, said he,
on your Honour, let me see them uncurtail'd, and not offer
to make them away? 1855 Milman Lat. Christ, xw. i.
(1864) IX. 15 If usurped, or its usufruct, if not the fee, frau-
dulently made away, it [Church property] had in many
cases widely extended itself by purchase.
d. intr. To go away suddenly or hastily, run
away ; = make off, 89 d.
1600 B. Jonson Cynthia"s Rev. 1. i, Deare sparke of
beautie, make not so fast away. 1639 Fuller Holy War
v. v. (1640) 237 If there be five to one, it is interpreted
wisdome not coward lincsse, to make away from them.
1787 'G. Gambado' Acad. Horsemen 42 His horse made
away with him whilst Gimcrack was running a match.
1883 Black Yolande II. xii. 217 Then they set out for
home; Duncan and the gillies making away for a sort of
ford. 1891 Cornh. Mag. Jan. 108 The people.. are making
away as fast as they can.
85. Make away with. a. To put out of the
way ; - 84 a. Often euphemistic for : To kill.
1502 Townlev in Plumpton Corr. (Camden) 164 There
was a servant of yours, and a kynsman of myne, was mys-
chevously made away with. 1583 Stubbhs Anat. Abns. it.
(1882) 55 For mony I am persuaded they [physicians] can
make away with any whom they haue accesse vnto. 1628 tr.
Mathieifs Power/. Fav. 11 Tiberius had resolued to make
away with Gcrmanicus. 1756-7 tr. Kcyslcr's Trar. (1760)
I. 108 His relations pretend that he was made away with by
poison. 1862 Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc. XXIII. 242 The owl
nightly makes away with more mice than the very best of
cats. 1886 Stevenson Dr. Jekyll viii, He was made away
with, eight days ago, when we heard him cry out upon the
name of God.
re/l. 1666-7 Ptrvs Diary 24 Feb., It seems she .. hath
endeavoured to make away with herself often. 1768 Goldsm.
Good-n. Man I, These were the very words of Dick Doleful
to me not a week before he made away with himself.
1856 Reaue Never too LatexW, He was a lunatic, and would
have made away with himself anywhere.
b. To remove from its rightful place or owner-
ship ; to get rid of; to dissipate, squander ( « 84 c) ;
to destroy fraudulently.
1691 tr. Emilianne's Frauds Rom. Monks (ed. 3) 407 It
will not be difficult to conceive, how the Roman Clergy can
make away with these vast Revenues they are possessed of.
1760-72 H. Brooke Fool o/Qual. (1809) I. 142 They would
..make away with the effects. 1781 D. Williams tr.
lroltaire"s Dram. Wks. II. 132, I will make away with my
castle and dowry to support the cause. 1843 Carlyle
Past $ Pr. 11. 1, 'Thirteen pence sterling', this was what
the Convent got from Lackland, for all the victuals he and
bis had made away with. 1849 Macallay Hist. Eng. x.
II. 572 He had burned the writs, made away with the
seal [etc]. 1873 Ad 36 & 37 Vid. c. 77 § 26 If any person
designedly makes away with.. any thing issued to him as
a volunteer. 1883 Kami. S. Macqcoid Her Sailor Love
III. vii. iv. 115 It's an ugly thing to make away with a letter.
1892 Temple Bar Nov. 298 Hendrik had made away with
his stepbrother's money.
86. Make down. a. Sc. To make down a bed:
1 to fold down the bed-clothes, so as to make it
ready for being entered* (Jam.).
1816 Scott Antiq. xxv, We'se mak ye down a bed at the
lodge. ^1835 Hogg Tales <$- Si. (1837) III. 199 Betty, my
dear, make down the bed.
b. colloq. To refashion so as tofitasmallerwearer.
Mod. The eldest girl's frocks can be made down for her
sisters.
87. Make forth, t a. trans. To complete the
preparation or equipment of. Sc,
1496 Ld. Treas. Acc. Scot. (1877) I. 261 Item, gevin be
the Lard of Balgony to maik furth this coit, iij ellis of
vellous. 1497 Ibid. 339 Item, giffin to Thorn Barkar and
Johne Lam to pas to Home, to mak furth the artail^ery
there iiij lib. iiij s.
fb. To send forth. (Cf. sense 55.) Obs.
ri470 Gau>. <$• Got. 120, I rede ye mak furth ane man,
mekar of mude.
t c. To issue (a commission, debenture). Obs.
1640 tr. Vcrdere^s Rom. Rom. III. 213 This great Monarch
. .made forth Commissions. 1666 in zoth Rep. Hist. AISS.
Comm. App. v. 6 His Majestie's Auditor-Generall shall
make forth debentures for what is due to the petitioner.
•fd. intr. To go forward, advance, set out;
(of a boat) to put out. Obs,
1594 Kyd Cornelia v. 241 When Wolues..Make forth
amongst the flock. 1599 Shaks. Hen. V, 11. iv. 5. 1601 —
Jul. C. v. i. 25. a 1610 Heai.ey Cebes (1636) 149 As shippes
doe, that having unlaided their fraught make presently forth
for a new voiage. 1625 Bacon Ess., Usury (Arb.) 542 To
prouide, that while we make forth, to that which is better,
we meet not, with that which is worse, a 1626 — New
All. (1900) 2 Ther made forth to us a small Boate.
88. Make in. fa. trans. ?To carry in. (Cf.
make out, 91 a.) Obs.
a 1483 Liber Niger in llousck. Ord. (1790) 25 Lett it alwey
be remembered to make in the Kiuges doggettes. .as often
as it pleseth the King the prince to come or goe.
b. intr. To go in towards a particular point ;
to intervene in an action; to join in a fray; t to
strike in in a conversation ; in Hawking (see quot.
1897).
1575 TVrberv. Faulconrie 161 Unhood your Hawke, to
the end that when she espieth the Hearon she may ftee hir :
and if she do so, make in apace to succour hir. (-1611
Chapman //iWxv.492 While these made-in [Gr. MiacwHtyi],
to spoyle his armes. 1612 Dkayton Poly-olb. viii. 456 Small
Marbrooke maketh-in, to her [sc. the Severn s] inticing Deej>e.
1622 Beaum. & Fl. Sea Voy. 1. i, We have discover'd the
land,sir; pray let's make in! 1634 Massingek Very Woman
v. iii, Make in, loggerhead ; my son fights like a dragon. 1656
EARLMoNM.tr. BoccalinVs Advts./r. Parnass. n.lvii. (1674)
209 To the succor whereof, all the inhabitants along the River
side made in. 1828 Scott /'". M. Perth xxx, During this mo-
ment of delay, Ramorney whispered to Dwining, ' Make in,
knave, with some objection'. 18650. K. Berkeley Z/# II.
281 It is ever a gallant gentleman who thus makes in. 1891
Longm. Mag. Sept. 500 The larger galleons made in at once
for Corunna. 1897 Encycl. Sport I. 373 (Falconry) Makein
(of the falconer), to go up to a hawk after it has killed.
89. Make off. f a. trans. To dispose of. Obs.
a 1649 Winthrop ATeu> Eng. (1S53) II, 15 He could not
subsist here, and thereupon made off his estate.
b. Whaling. (See quot.)
i82oScoRESBY^/t7/t; Reg. 1 1. 304 The operation of making-
^..consists of freeing the fat from all extraneous sub-
stances, ..then cutting it into small pieces, and putting it in
casks through the bung-holes.
C. Farming. To fatten (lambs) for the market.
1851 Jml. R. Agric. Soc. XII. 11. 395 Whenever farmers
make off their own flock instead of selling their Iamb-hogs
to feeders, they choose a small breed. 185a Ibid. XIII. 1.
60 The Iambs are., made off fat, early in the summer. 1868
Ibid. Ser. 11. IV. 11. 264 No store stock.. is ever sold, every-
thing being made off for the butcher.
d. intr. To depart or leave a place suddenly,
often with a disparaging implication ; to hasten or
tun away ; to decamp, ' bolt '.
1709 Steele Tatter No. 85 p 5 My Sister took this
Occasion to make off. 1787 ' G. Gambado ' Acad. Horsemen
MAKE.
69
MAKE.
(1809) 29 Should your horse prove, what is properly termed
too many for you, and make off. 1805 Log of II. M. S.
Bcllcisle 21 Oct. in Nicolas Disp. Nelson (1846) VII. 164
uo.'e, Several of the Enemy's ships making off toleeward.
1847 Marry at Childr. N Eorcst xi, [He] perceived that
the hull had not made off with the rest of the cattle. 1889
G. Gissing Nether World I. xii. 272 He. .made off at a run.
e. To make off with : to decamp with (some-
thing) in one's possession. Also, to make off with
oneself "^-d.
1820 I- Gii-tord Compl. Eng. Lawyer \\. xiii. 216 Although
the thief do not (mite make off with them. 1856 J. H.
Newman Callista xxviii. 249 He was quite easy about
Agellius, who had, as he considered, successfully made off
with himself. 1865 Dickens Mut, Fr, Hi. vii, Mr. Wegg
had seen the minion surreptitiously making off with that
bottle. 1890 Standard 14 Apr. 2/6 The girl had made off
with her employer's money.
90. Make on. a. trans. To make fa fire), dial.
1634 RUTHERFORD Lett. (1862) I. no The Lord is making
on a fire in Jerusalem. 1777 Sir M. Hunter Jrnt. (1894)
26 We had got.. a fire made on in our little room. 1885
Howkli.s Silas Lapham (1891) I. 65 I'll be the death of
that darkey, .if he don't stop making on such a fire. 1893
fllitslr. Land. News Christm. No. 23/2 To ' make on ' a good
fire at nightfall.
b. intr. To go forward, proceed ; to hasten on.
1608 Y&rktk. Trag. 1. viii. 214 Up, up and struggle to
thy horse ; make on. 1622 Bacon Hen. VII 35 The Earle
of Lincolncresolued to make on where the King was, and
to giue him battaile. a 1677 Kakkow Semi, Wks. 1716 I. 2
He that knows his way. .makes on merrily and carelessly. .
to his journey's end. 1719 Dk Foe Crusoe 1. jii, We made
011 to the southward. 1849 M. Arnold Sick King Bokhara,
Send him away, Sirs, and make on. 1890 Graphic Summer
No. 24/2 He made on in his headlong flight.
91. Make out. fa. trans. In various physical
senses: (a) tr. L. exstruere, to build up; ib) to
take or carry out (cf. make in, 88 a) ; (c) to send
out (cf. sense 55) ; (d) to throw out (cards) from
one's hand - lay out (Lay vA 56 k). Obs. ^
1382 Wvclif Prov. xiv. 1 The wise womman bildeth vp
hir hous; the vnwise the maadout [Vulg. exstructam\. -shal
destro3e. ^1483 Liber Niger in Househ. Ord. (1790) 71
Noe yoman of this office, .to here or make oute of this office
any breade but by knowledge of the brevour. 1560 Davs
tr. Sleidane's Comm. 109 He fel into the lappes of our
horsemen, which were made out [L.fueraut emissi] to kepe
hym from the spoyle. 1568 Grafton Chron. I. 142 The
Londoners hearing of their doings, made out a certaine
number of men of armes, who.. put the Danes from that
Tower. 1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 343 He., made
out certaine pinnaces, .for to observe what, -landing places
there were. 1680 Cotton Compl. Gamester viii. (ed. 2) 76
He that deals makes out the best Cards he can for his
Crib, and the other the worst.
b. To draw up (a list, a document, etc.) ; to
make a draft of; to write out (a bill, cheque, etc.).
1465 Marg. Paston in P. Lett. II. 218 They have mad
oute bothe warantes and snpersedias. 1472-3 Rolls of
Parlt. VI. 42/1 So alwey that every of the seid Writtes be
made oute xx daies or more, afore the seid day of appar-
aunce lymyted. 1770 P. Burton Pratt. Crt. Exdieq. 18
The Inquiry is made out by the Clerk in Court, who pays
only Two Shillings to the Master for signing, &c. 1793
Sm eaton Edystone L. § 278, I was myself forming and
making out the necessary designs for.. the balcony. 1801
tr. GabriellCs Myst. Hush. I. 125 His Lordship.. inquired
whether he had paid the bill. ' It is being made out, I am
informed, Sir.' 1825 New Monthly Mag. XVI. 557 The
Duke had obliged the Duchess to receive Lady Denham
as one of her ladies of the bedchamber ; but just before her
appointment was made out, she died. 1885 Mrs. C. L.
Pirkis Lady Lovelace I. xvi. 237 The cheque which I had
made out. 1893 Law Times XCV, 34/2 The accounts gene-
rally took some three or four weeks to make out.
c. (a) To succeed in accomplishing ; to effect,
achieve. Now Se. Also absol. in certain games :
To make the score prescribed by the rules as bring-
ing the game to an end.
*535 Coverdale Ecctus. xxxviii. 28 He hath set his minde
there vpon, that he wyll make out hisworke. 1634 Massin-
ger Very Woman in, v, Now she is at a cold scent. Make
out your doubles, Mistress. O well hunted, That's she. 1680
Cotton Compl. GamesterifXX. 2) 89 And if one and thirty be
not made, then he that play'dlast and is nearest one and thirty
without making outt> must set up one. 1706 De Foe Jure
Div. 1. 17 note. To implore the Gods that he might never
enter that City, which they foresaw he would act the Fury
in, and fill it with Blood and Slaughter, which he effectually
made out. 1774 Kamks Hist. Man II. xi. II. 65 People
there tin a populous city] seldom make out the usual time
of life. 1824 Miss Ferrier Inker, xxiv, I shall make out
my visit to you yet. 1827 Examiner 246/1 Harley, as too
frequently happens to this mercurial comedian, has to make
out his own part of a roguish innkeeper as well as he is able.
1840 Carlyle Heroes v. (1858) 309 Byron, born rich and
noble, made-out even less than Burns, poor and plebeian.
(6) To manage, make shift, to do something.
Also absol. to make shift, get along; to succeed,
thrive; to get on (well, badly). Also to make it
cut. Chiefly U. S.
1609 Jonson Silent Woman v. i, It is the price and esti-
mation of your vertue only, that hath cmbarqu'd nice to
this aduenture; and I could not but make out to tell you.
1776 Abigail Adams in Earn. Lett. (1876) 180, I would not
have you anxious about me. I make out better than I did.
1776 I. Adams ibid. 231 Amidst these interruptions, how shall
I make out to write a letter? 1807 P. Gass Jml. 92 We ..
made out to get enough of drift wood to cook with. 1809
W. Irving Knkkerb. (1861) 42 She made out to accomplish
her voyage m a very few months, and came to anchor at
the mouth of the Hudson. 1820 — in Life <* Lett. (1864)
II. 30, I wish you would .. let me know .. how you and
Murray make out together. 1851 Hawthorne in N.
Hawthorne $ Wife {1885) I. 396 To whom is Dora married,
and how is she making out'.' 1861 DicKEHBtr/. Ex feet. x.\i,
I am rather bare here, but I hope you'll be able to make
out tolerably well till Monday. 1891 Harper's Mag. Mar.
574/1, ' I don't believe you will be satisfied in heaven*, you
will find it too monotonous'. 'Ob, I shall make out, I'm
sure'. 1804 Outing (U. S.) XXIV. 253/2, I have made out
to sleep with tolerable comfort in a cave.
d. fTo compensate (a lack, defect, disadvan-
tage) ; to supply (what is wanting ; to supply the
deficiencies of, to eke out. 0/>s. Also intr. ^?rarc)
to make up, compensate ^v.
1629 Earle Microcosm., Insolent Man (Arb.) 83 Such
men are of no merit at all : but make out in pride what they
want in worth. 1642 Sift T. Browne Kelig. Med. 1. (1896)
19 Our wills must be our performances, and our intents make
out our Actions. 1649 Milton Eikon. xxiv. 196 One mans
defects cannot be made out . . by another mans abilities.
1665 Dryden lud. Emp. iv. i. (1668) 39 Make out the rest, -
I am disorder 'd so I know not farther what to say or do :
— Hut answer me to what you think I meant. 1699 T. Brown
in R. L'Estrange Erasm. Coltoq. 42 And if such a Disaster
happeu'd to him, he did not fail to make it out one way or
other at Home. 1700 TYRRELL Hist. hng. II. 847 When
the Lyon's Skin alone would not serve turn, he knew how
to make it out with that of the Fox. 1709-10 Si mv.x.v. Tatter
No. 128 P5 What I want in Length, 1 make out in Breadth.
1801 tr. GabriellCs Myst, Husb. III. 104 [She] only
lamented she had not something better to offer them, but
promised to make it out at dinner. 1850 L. Hunt in Tail's
Mag. XVII. 570/2 Conscious of not having all tlie strength
he wished, he endeavoured to make out for it by violence
and pretension. 1891 Leeds Merc. 3 Oct. 3/7 [They] are
becoming listless and indifferent, supposing that someone
will make out for them.
+ e. Of an item in a series : To complete (a
certain total) ; also, of several items, to amount
collectively to. Obs.
1535 Coverdale Ezck. i. 2 The fifth daye off the Moneth
made out the fyfth yeare off kynge Ioachims captiuyte.
1571-z Reg. Privy Council Scot. Ser. 1. II. 112 The sowme
of fyve hundrith and fifty merkis, with the thrid of the
provestrie of Methven, niakand out in the haill V" merkis.
f. To make complete ; to get together with
difficulty or by degrees.
1791 Burke App. Whigs Wks. VI. 48 They, .must make
out a scanty subsistence with the labour of their hands.
1828-32 Webster s. v., He promised to pay, but was not able
to make out the money or the whole sum. 1861 Dickens
Gt. Expect, xxxvii, He by little and little made out this ele-
gant and beautiful property. 1879 M. Pattison Milton
xii. 162 Adding to them, with a view to make out a volume,
his college exercises.
g. To fill up or while away (the time) with
some occupation. lObs.
1809 Malkjn Gil Bias m. vi. r 1 To make the most of
the precious moments, and., to make out the time agreeably.
1813 Jane Austen Lett. (1884) II. 196 We were obliged to
saunter about anywhere, .to make out the time. 1849 Ami.
Smith Pottleton Leg. (repr.i 76 To doze, or otherwise make
out the time, until the first train went back.
h. To represent or delineate clearly or in detail ;
now only in Art. f Also of things ; To form the
figure of (pbs.).
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. in. xxiv. 170 Hippopo-
tamus., so little resembleth an horse, that, .in all, except the
feet, it better makes out a swine. 1647 Salt.marsh Spark.
Glory (1847J 127 God., would make out himself in an image
in this Creation. 1674 N. Fairfax Bulk $ Sclv. 117 It may
I be objected, That a wheel of manifold rims whirl'd ui>on its
1 axletree, would make out uneven bows of circles, 1784 J.
! Barky in Led. Paint, v. (1848) 179 All the parts of objects
exposed to the light, .appear more made out and determined,
i than the parts in shadow. iSz$ Neiu Monthly Mag. XV.
! 534 Its dumb show is very eloquent and impressive; its
! story is fully made out to the eye. 1862 Thornbury Turner
1 I. 190 The foliage of the ash-trees in the foreground is not
J at alf made out, but is washed in .. with hardly any details.
1875 Tvrwhitt Handbk. Pict. Art (ed. 2) 194 Proceed to
make out the two distant hills by putting in quick triangular
..touches. Ibid,, That want is expressed by the words
'making out'. That is to say, you want additional facts,
principally of form.
i. To establish by evidence, argument, or inves-
\ tigation ; to demonstrate, prove. Also colloq.
I esp. in How do you make that out /— Uy what pro-
[ cess do you arrive at that conclusion ? Also with
J clause as obj.
1658 Sir 1'. Browne Hydriot. i. f 5 If it could be made
! out that Adam was buried near Damascus. 1660 tr. A/tiy-
'■ raldus' Treat, cone. Relig. 11. iii. 197 They are.. at a loss
i ..to make out whence they learn't that God is powerful.
1662 Stillingfl. Grig. Sacr. in. iv. § 13 What they only
touch at, we shall endeavour to make out more at large.
1664 Power Exp. P/tilos. 1. 29 That all Vegetables have
a constant perspiration, the continual dispersion of their
odour makes out. __ 1794 Palev Evid. 11. vi. § 36 (1817)
165 That in truth it was so, is made out b^ a variety of
examples which the writings of Josephus furnish. 1803 Pic
Nic No. 4 (1806) I. 144 How do these gentlemen make out
their case? 1883 Law Rep. 11 Q. Bench Div. 597 A subor-
dinate judge is liable to an action for slander, if malice is
clearly made out. 1887 I*. Carroll Game of Logic iv. 93
'That lets me into a little fact about you, you know!*
'Why, how do you make that out? You never heard me
play the organ?* 1892 Sat. Rev. 8 Oct. 419/2 It would be
easy to make out a strong case for the contention.
j. To claim to have proved, or to try to prove
(something to be true) ; to make to appear, to
represent, pretend. With clause as obj., or with
obj. and complement, or inf.
1658-9 Burton's Diary (1828) IV. 43 There is a Petition
in some person's hands touching this business. They make
it out that their right was \\\ the time of Henry VI. 183a
Examiner 17/2 What, Sir, would you make me out a
Radical? 1855 Phkscoi r Philip II, iv. (1857) 65 Making
him out.. as much of an Englishman as possible. 1861
Mrs. H. Wood East Lynnc in. xiii, It seems they want to
make out now that Dick never murdered Haljijonti. 1872
Butler Ercwhon viii. 63, I certainly did not make myself
out to be any betler than I was. 1873 l'[A,:K Er. Thiilc xi,
177 She is not nearly so soft as she tries to make out. 1891
Spectator 30 May, Kir. Hutton was certainly careless as t<j
figures, though not so careless as Dr. Abbott makes out.
1902 A. E. W. Mason Lour Leathers xiv. t ; ;, ' I was not
thinking of that*, Ethne exclaimed, 'when I asked why we
must wait. That makes me out mo^t selfish '.
k. To find out the meaning of; to discover the
drift of ; to arrive at an understanding of ; to inter-
pret for oneself"; to decipher, succeed in leading;
+ to understand or ' take ' (an author) in a par-
ticular way (<?£*'.); to understand the behaviour
of (a person). Also (with clause or obj. and inf.),
to discover, find out.
1646 Snt T. Browne Pseud. Ep. w. i. ^77 By this
Chronology are many Greeke authors to be understood ;
and thus is Martiuus Crusius to be made out, when [etc.].
1688 Boylk Pinal Causes Nat. Tilings iv. 141 To suppose
Him to have made such things for a particular end, which we
cannot make out to be in any considerable measure worthy
of his wisdom. 1709 Felton Dissert. C lassie ks (1718) 145
Your Antiquaries make out the most ancient Medals from
a letter and some Pieces of Letters, . . with great Difficulty
to be discerned upon the Face or Reverse. 1773 Goldsm.
She Stoops to Con>/. iv. (Globe) 669/1, I would nut lose
the rest of it [se. a letter] for a guinea. Here, mother,
do you make it out. 1794 'G. Gambado' Ann. Horsemen
xvii. (1809) ij5 His shouts (which, from what I can
make out from the Girl's imitations of them, much re-
sembled the war-hoops of the Indians). 1859 Jkphson
Brittany iii. 35 He could not make out what the police
wanted. 1863 Bagehot Biog. Stud. 20S To those who had
an opportunity of accurately observing Sir George Lewis
there was no difficulty in making him out. 1867 Freeman
Norm. Cong. (1876) I. vi. 528 As far as it is possible to make
out anything from the tangled mazes of history and legend.
1875 Jowktt Plato (ed. 2) I. 193, I made out, as I thought,
that he was a stranger with whom you were talking. 1883
Sir N. Lindley in Law Times Rep. (1884) XLIX. 727/1
They are clearly inviting the public to come and buy, both
wholesale and retail, as far as I can make out.
1. To discern or discover visually ; to succeed
in perceiving or identifying (something not easily
visible). Also with clause as obj., and with obj.
and inf. or complement. (Cf. 22.)
1754 Richardson Grandison (1776) VI. 193, 1 always think
when I see those badgerly virgins fond of a parrot,. .or a
lap dog, that their imagination makes out husband and
children in their animals. 1805 Sir E. Berry 13 Oct. in
Nicolas Disp. Nelson (1846) VII. 117 note, The ship that
bore down to us I soon made out to be a Three-decker.
1847 Marryat Childr. N. Eorest xi, At last he thought that
he could make out a human figure lying at the bottom [of
the pit]. 1872 Black Adv. Phaeton xxx. 406 Minute dots
that you can make out to be sheep. 1889 Doyle Micah
Clarke xxxi. 325 By the aid of a glass I was able to make
out their lines and camp. 1891 Temple Bar Dec. 581 In
the darkness he made out a shed by the path.
m. intr. To go, start, or sally fortli ; to get
away, to escape. ? Now only dial.
1558 Phaer Aincid iv. (1573) L ij b, Set sailes aloft, make
out with ores, in ships, in boates, in frames, c 1583 Hayes
in HakluyCs Voy. 11589) 692 Making out from this danger,
we sownded one while seuen fathome, then fiue fathome,
then [etc.]. ..At last we recouered. .in some despaire, to sea
roome enough. 1601 Siiaks. Twel. N. 11. v. 65 Seauen of
my people with an obedient start, make out for him. a 1632
T. Taylor God^s Judgem. t. n. xviii. (1642) 240 The Lion
made out for his prey, a 1703 Burkitt On N. 'P., Luke ii.
20 A gracious soul no sooner hears where Christ is, but
instantly makes out after him. 1847 L. Hunt Men, Women,
fy B. I. ix. 153 Poor Abbott.. rushes forth for the second
time, and makes out as fast as he can for a third coffee-house.
1884 ' R. Boldrewood' Melb. Memories xxii. 157 The ruder
portion of the herd ' made out ' that way.
n. To extend in a particular direction or for a
specified distance. (Cf. 73 b.) rare.
1743 Pococke Dcscr. of East I. 25 From the north end . .
the foot of the hill makes out to the river, i860 Merc.
Marine Mag. VII. 198 At the N. W. end of Sail Nicolas
heavy breakers make out 2% miles.
92. Make over. a. trans. To hand over (pro-
perly, by a formal agreement) ; to transfer the pos-
session of (a thing) from oneself to another.
1546 0. Johnson in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. ir. II. 178 When
she doeth intend to occupie her monney she will lett me
knowe for to write to Robert Androwe to make it over.
1651 Baxter Inf. Bapt. 13 The mercies that Christ hath
purchased for their Children, and made over to them.
1762-71 H. Wali'oi.e Vertnc's A need. Paint. {1786) III.
270 Being persuaded to make it [a fortune] over to his son.
1879 M. J. Guest Led. Hist. Eng. xxi. 206 He made over
the whole free kingdom of England to the Pope. 1883
Black Yolande III. xiii. 249 It is all settled now, and the
land made over to its rightful possessor. 1893 Fohbes-
Mitchkll Remin. Gt. Mutiny 180 My prisoner had no
sooner been made over to me than (etc.].
+ b. spec. 'To settle in the hands of trustees'
(J.) ; also absol. Obs.
1650 May Old Couple iv. (1658) 33 All your widowes
of Aldermen, that marry Lords, of late, Make over their
estates, and by that meanes, Retaine a power to curbe their
lordly husbands. 1678 Butler Hud. m. i. 670 And Widows,
who have try'd one Lover, Trust none again, 'till th'have
made over. Ibid. 1193.
f c. To remove from one place to another. Obs.
1713 Addison Guard. No. 121 r 5 My waist .. is reduced
to the depth of four inches by what I have already made
pver to my neck.
MAKE.
d. To remake, refashion. Now only U.S.
1698 Collier Ess. A/or. Sub/. 11. (1703) 59 Age and youtli
can never be made over or adjusted. Nothing but lime
can take away years or give them. 1883 How ells Woman's
Reason x\\. II. 4 She made over all her bonnets and dresses.
1884 Lowell Democr., etc. (1887) 26 We have taken from
Europe . . the must turbulent of her people, and have made
them over into good citizens. 1899 K. W. Trine /« Tu/ie
iviHi the Infinite (1903) 50 That the entire human structure
can l>e completely changed, made over, within a period of
less than one year.
t e. intr. - come over (Come 66 a). Oh.
1488 Paston Lett. III. 344 And they had nott seylyd not
paste vj. leges butt they aspied a Frencheman, and the
Frencheman mad over to them.
+ 93. Make through, intr. Togo through. Oh.
1606 Marston Sophonisba 11. ii. Wks. 1856 I. 172 Then
amaine Make through to Scipio; he yields safe abodes.
1628 Rutherford Lett. (1S62) I. 42, I doubt not but that,
if hell were betwixt you and Christ, as a river which ye
behoved to cross ere you could come at Him, but ye would
willingly put in your foot and make through to be at Him.
1825 80 Jamieson, To Mak thr<nv w?% to finish, to come to
a conclusion, after surmounting all difficulties; as, 'He
maid throw wi' his sermon after an unco pingle '.
f 94. Make to. intr. To set to work. St. Oh.
*S&3 \Vinvkt_ Wks. (1890) II. 4 Quhilkis being done.,
makis he to without delay. 1570 Satir. Poems Reform.
x\\. gi First on the fcildis mak scnortly to. 1572 Ibid. xxxi.
12 How sone I vnderstude the cace, I maid me to firsthand.
a 1662 R. Baillie Lett. (17751 II. 36 (Jam.) Sundry other
shires are making to.
+ 95. Make together, trans. To compound.
J53S Coverdalk Ecclits. xlix. 1 Whan the Apotecary
maketli many precious swete sinellynge thinges together.
96. Makeup. + a. trans. To build, erect (a
tower, city, etc.'. Obs.
(1400 Dcstr. Troy 275 Argus made vp a mekyll ship.
c 1400 Rom. Rose 701x5 And he couthe thurgh his sleight Do
tnaken up a tour of height, c 1450 Merlin 39 Thai) com-
aunded Vortiger the werkeiuen to make vp the toure the
strengtst that'myght be devised. 1490 Caxton Eneydos
xvi. 63 He fonde eneas . . all ocupyed for to make vp the
cytee of cartage.
+ b. To build up (a bank, etc.) again where it has
fallen away; to repair (an earthwork, fence, etc.)
by filling up gaps. Oh.
1468 Peebles Charters etc. (1872) 158 Mychell of Forest
sail mak wp hys syd dyk fra his hern to the yet wythin viij
tlayis. 1553 Wriothesley Chron. (Camden) II. 102 The
worke. .was begun to be made up agayn with breke. 1576
in \V. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxford 385 By the default of
the . . Cytie in not meakinge up the . . bancks. 1585 T.
Washington1 tr. Niclwlays Voy. I. xix. 22b, That whiche
was beaten downe . . the assieged made vp againe. 1603
Kxolles Hist. Turks (1621) 863 The Christians in the
meane time made up their breaches with earth, fete] 1611
Bible Ezek. xiii. 5 Yee haue not gone vp into the gaps,
neither made vp the hedge for the house of Israel.
c. To supply (deficiencies) ; to make complete.
(a) To fill up what is wanting to ; to supply the
deficiencies of; to complete (a given number,
quantity, period, etc.). + Also pass, to be made up,
to be completed in form or growth.
a 1568 Ascham Scholem, 11. (Arb.) 138 Now to know, what
Author doth medle onelie with some one., member of elo-
quence, and who doth perfitelie make vp the whole bodie.
1594 Hooker Ecct. Pol. 1. xiv. § 2 Before the full and com-
plete measure of things necessarie be made vp. Ibid. 11. viii.
$ 5 Whatsoeuer to make vp the doctrine of mans saluation
is added, as in supply of the scriptures vnsufficiencie, we
reiect it. 1579 IJkakd Theatre God's Judgem. (1612) 490
( He] passing that night in great distresse, the next day made
vp his wicked and miserable end. 1594 Shaks. Rich. Ill,
1. i. 21 Sent before my time Into this breathing World, scarse
halfe made vp. 1611 — Cynib. iv. ii. 109 Being scarse made
vp, I meane to man. 1612 Bacon Ess., Beauty (Arb.) 212
For no youtli can be comely, but by pardon, and considering
the youth, as to make vp the coniHnesse. 1629 Milton
Hymn Nativ. xiii, And with your ninefold harmony Make
up full consort to th' Angelike symphony. 1641 J. Jackson
True Evang. T. 11. 137 Lastly, I will make up the Decade
with a meaner person,. .Elizabeth Folks. 1651 Life Father
Satpi (1676) 28 Not only from being verst, but consummate,
and made up in all sorts of Learning. _ 1656 Cowley
Pax-ideis 1. Note 14 There are some Places in him [Virgil],
which I dare almost swear have been made up . . by the pulid
Officiousness of some Grammarians. 1793 Regal Rambler
47 Paper is thrown in to make up the weight. 1879
' Cavendish ' Card Essays, etc. 189 When people are asked
to make up a rubber. 1888 J. Pavn Myst. Mirbridge I. v.
S4 He will make up our game of lawn tennis .. three is
always an awkward number. 1892 Monthly Packet May
575 They, .decided to sell the cow in order to make up the
rent. 1894 R. Bridges Feast of Bacchus 1. 234 'Twill make
our numbers up.
(/') +To bring up to (a given number, expressed
by numeral compl.) sobs.). Also, to raise (a sum)
to a larger sum.
1629 J. Cole Of Death 195 His deceased children were |
alive still in heaven; and the ten more given him here,
made them up twenty. 1719 Dk Foe Crusoe (1840) IL vt !
124 At first, I distributed linen sufficient to make every one
of them four shirts; and, at the Spaniard's request, after-
wards made them up six. 1890 Hlustr. Loud. Ncivs 28 June
814/3 He makes up the income of his wife. .;o ,£2000 per
annum.
(7) To make good, to compensate for (some-
thing that is wanting) ; to supply (a deficiency).
Fhrascs, to make up {lost) ground, leeway.
1538 Klyot L>ict.t Snhpieo . . To make vp that whiche
lacketh, 1660 Ingelo licntiv. <y Vr. |, (1682) 27 This he
performed with such accurate Skill, that it made up whatso-
ever he wanted of Force. 1688 Buknet Lett. Pres. St. Italy
KM The Clergy, .had neither learning nor verluc but made
70
up all Defects by a slavish Obsequiousness. 1711 Addison
Sped. No. 127 F 2 What they have lost in Height they
make up in Breadth. 1766 Golds m. Vic. IV. iv, What the
conversation wanted in wit was made up in laughter. 1812
I.. y\.Hh\\KiasC less <\ Gertr. IV. lxviii. 25 [The Almighty]
never forgets us*, it's all made up to us one time or the
other. 1837 Ord. <y Reg. Harvard Univ. 10 Recitations
omitted may be made up with the assent of the Instructer,
at any time within the term, in which they occur. 1862
Temple Bar VI. 397 Should the confessor order him to
make up the injury done to the treasury? 188a Edna
Lvall Donovan xiii, He had large arrears of sleep to make
up. 1890 Sat. Rev. 31 May 668/2 After getting a very
indifferent start, she made up ground at the Bushes. 1890
Illnsir. Sport, fy Dram. A'ews 10 May 279/2 The huntsman
. . is now rapidly making up lost ground.
{d) intr. To compensate /#/-, atoneySv.
1711 Steele Sped. No. 33 T 1 Daphne.. found her self
obliged to acquire some Accomplishments to make up for
the want of those Attractions. 1774 Foote Cozeners m. ii.
(177S) 70 You may renew hostilities and make up for lost
time, as soon as you are out of the house. 1856 J. H. New-
man CVx/Z/j/rt (1885) 274 If we have been wanting in due
consideration for him, we now trust to make up for it. 1859
Jephson Brittany ii. 16 A lovely view made up to me for
the sights and smells. 1879 Dowden Sout hey v. 132 Southey
made up in weight for what was wanting in measure. 1889
Mrs, E. Kennard Landing a Prize I. xi. 191 She does not
attempt to make up for lost ground.
d. traits. To fill up (an opening or gap) ; to
stop up ,a hole or passage) ; to shut or fasten up
(a door, a house). Now chiefly dial.
1582 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxford 435 Nayles
and woorkmanshippe to make uppe the hole in the walle.
1603 B. JoHSON Scjanus I. ii, We must make up our eares
'gainst these assaults Of charming tongues. 1655 Stanley
Hist. Philos. (1687) 12/2 Some say that the old channel
was quite made up. 1719 De Foe Crusoe 1. iv, I made up
the entrance, which till now 1 had left open. 1841 Trench
Parables (1803) 334 The house is made up for the night,
barred and bolted. 1886 Chesh. Gloss., Make ttp.,$ to
repair, to close up. 'You mun mak yon gap up*. 1886
S. IF. Line. Gloss, s.v., 'The silt soon maks up the pipes'.
1889 N. W. Line. Gloss., Make up. (1) To fasten up. To
shut up. 1891 Law Times XC. 395/1 The hind proceeded
to make up the gap by placing wooden rails on the side
next the glebe land.
e. f To close up (a letter) ; to wrap up (an
article) ; to put together (a parcel) of goods.
1626 Massingek Row. Actor iv. i, 1 brib'd the boy that
didconuey the letter, And, hauing perus'd it, made it vp
againe. 1709 Brit. Apollo II. No. 70. 3/2 [Paper] to make
up Soap in. 1823 Examiner 802/2, I was making up a
parcel. 1832 Ibid. 617/1 Mails will be made up at the
Post-office for.. Lisbon every Tuesday. 1889 Stevenson
MasttrofB. x.277 Making up bis portmanteau for a voyage.
f. To put together, construct, compound.
(a) To put together a substance or material into
a particular form : the obj. being either the word
denoting the substance or that denoting the form.
1530 Palsgk. 632/1 Nowe that I have made up my cockes
I wyll carye in as fast as I can. 1727 Arbuthnot Tables
Attc. Coins etc. 304 A Catapotium is a Medicine that is..
most commonly made up in Pills. 1852 Jrnl. R. Aerie.
Soc. XIII. 1. 40 If proper care is taken in 'making up' the
butter formed from cream slightly acescent. 1859 Ibid.
XX. 1. 45 The hay is sometimes made up into bundles.
1861 Temple Bar III. 250 Some curious tricks of the trade
are practised in making up false hair. Ibid. 254 The best
coiffeurs ..having a secret of making up a lady's head to
last for three months.
(//) To make (a garment, etc.) by fitting and
sewing pieces of material cut out for the purpose ;
also, to (it together (pieces of material) to form a
garment, etc. ; to make (cloth) into clothing.
167a in Willis & Clark Cambridge (1886) II. 295 For
making up y Sarcenet Curtain. 1672 Villiers (Dk.
Buckhm.) Rehearsal in. i. (Arb.) 69 [A tailor says] If I
can't make up all the work I cut out, I shan't want Journey-
men to help me. 1709 Lend. Gaz. No. 4577/4 A wrought
Gown stitch'd upon Last-India Dimety,. .not.. made up.
1789 Mrs. Piozzi Joum. France I. 184 A skeleton wire
upon the head; such as we use to make up hats. 1789
Wolcot (P. Pindar) Fxpost. Odes xi, Like mercers had
variety of stuff For such whose turn it was to be made up.
1855 Mrs. Carlyle Lett. II. 268 Took the black silk.. to
Catchpool. .that it might be made up. 1863 Earl Lytton
RingofAmasisvW. (1890) luHotlnriU making up some
bandages for his hand. 1879 M. J. Gcest Lcct. Hist. Eug.
xxx. 301 They pay twenty-five times as much for making
up the dress as the cloth cost at first.
(*") quasi-passive. To admit of being made up.
1861 Mrs. H. Wood E. Lynne 11. vii, Her striped silk,
turned, will make up as handsome as ever. 189a Sat. Rev.
10 Dec. 682/1 It is a modest, unobtrusive stone, and makes
up so well with diamonds, that [etc.].
(d) trans. To compound (a substance, medi-
cine, etc.) of different ingredients ; to mix (dough).
1649 CuLi'ErPER (title) Physical Directory; a Translation
of ihe Dispensatory .. imposed upon all the Apothecaries
of England to make up their Medicines by. 1699 Evelyn
Acetaria 18 Omlets, made up with Cream. 1718 Free-
thinker No. 97 p 8, I make up my own Medicines. 1824
Examiner 10/1 fShe] is in the habit of making up medi-
cines for the poor. 1829 Ibid. 589/2 J'he prescription was
made up by Mr. Snow's assistant 1844 Jrnl. R. Agric.
Soc. V. 1. 3 A description of flour called ' cowens,' used by
the bakers for making up their dough. 185a Mks. Stowe
Uncle Tom's C. xiii. 115 Rachel now took down a snowy
moulding-board, and. .proceeded quietly to make up some
biscuits. 1883 Howells JVoman's Reason xi. I. 216 I'll give
you a tonic. Make you up a bottle and send it to you.
(e) To get together, collect (a company, a sum
of money) ; to furnish by contributions from dif-
ferent sources.
MAKE.
I '593 Shaks. 2 Hen. VI, 11. i. 40 Make up no factious
numbers for the matter. 1654 tr. Scudery's Curia Pol. 106
To imbezell the treasure of the State, and so make up
Bankes for private uses. 1691 Locke Consid. Lower, hi-
terest {ifxyz) 92 How will the Farmer be able to make up his
Rent at Quarter Day? c 1718 Prior Ladle 158 The miser
must make up his plum. 1837 Penny Cycl. IX. 435/1 Nor
was this an expensive company made up for the new house ;
for all, or nearly, all of the performers, .had belonged to
the old one. 1846 C. St. John Wild Sports Highl. 27 It
requires quick shooting and good walking to make up a
handsome bag. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eug. xv. III. 547 Tu
contribute of their substance in order to make up a purse
for Jeffreys. _ 1880 Goldw. Smith Cowper ii. 22 His rela-
tions . . combined to make up a little income for him. 1887
Baking-Gould Gaverocks II. xxv. 59 We used to make up
parties to read plays, each taking a part.
(/) Printing. To arrange into columns or pages.
1771 LUOEOMBS Printing 380 Having made up the Head
of the first page, we cut it off by a rule. Ibid., The first
page being made up to the length of the number of lines of
which it is to consist. 1896 T. L. De Vinne Moxon's
Meek. Exerc, Printing 421 The compositor was required
to make up his page as soon as it was composed.
(jr) To put (coaches, etc.) together to form a
train ; also, to put (a train) together.
1864 Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc. XXV. n. 372 The waggons ..
were made up into trains. 1889 Scribner's Mag. May 581/2
The train once made 'up ',..its progress, .is comparatively
simple.
iji) f Formerly, to lay and light (a hie). Now,
to add fuel to (a tire already burning^ so as to keep
it at a proper ' height \
178S M*«- Fletcher in Wesley's Serm. Ivii. Wks. (1827)
IX. 28 The servant came in to make up the fire. 1801
Charlotte Smith Lett. Solit. Wand. I. 93 The usual hour
of bringing candles, and making up the fire, was certainly
past. Ibid. II. 168 The daughter of the poor man under
whose roof she was made up a fire in the wretched room
assigned to her. 1861 Dickens Gt. Expect, liii, I made up
the fire which was still burning. 1889 Mrs. OLiPHANT/Vf>r
Gentleman \\. x. 172, ' I might at least find a decent fire.'
' I'll make it up in a moment, Edward. A little wood will
make it all right1.
g. To compose, compile.
i^z) To put together in <\ue form ; to compile,
draw up (a list, document, etc.).
c '374 Chaucer Troytus ill. 291 <34o> And day is set, the
chartres up to make. 155a Huloet, Make vp, scrtbo. 1613
Shaks. Hen. VIII, 1. i. 75 He makes vp the File Of all the
Gentry-. 1662 Graunt Bills of Mortality 1 1 On Wednesday
the general Accompt is made up, and Printed. 1885 Act 48
Vict. c. 16. § 6 Every future valuation roll to be made up in
any county. 1891 Sat. Rev. 8 Aug. 163/1 The averages of
the season, made up to Saturday last.
{b) To compose (a book, sermon). Oh. or dial.
1630 Usshek Lett. (1686) 434 The History* of Gottes-
chalcus,. .which lam now a making up. 1825-80 Jamieson,
To mak up, . 4. To compose ; as, ' The minister's thrang
matin' up his sermon.'
(c) To concoct, invent, fabricate (a story, lie).
Also, to compose (verses, etc.) impromptu; to im-
provise.
1825-80 in Jamieson. 1847 Marrvat Childr. M. Forest
xiv, Well, the story was not badly made up. 1879 M. J.
Guest Lcct. Hist. Eng. iv. 28 People began to make up
a history of the Unions. 1889 Mrs. H. I.. Cameron Lost
Wi/e II. iv. 47 One can easily make up some plausible
reason. 1891 Mrs. S. Edwards Seer. Princess II. i. 1 He
sang his verses as he made them up. 1891 Strand Mat;.
II. 502/2 Make it up out of your head. 1893 R. Kiiling
Many Invent. 98, I made up a whole lot of new things to
go into the story.
h. Said of component parts, (a) Of quantities,
individuals : To form (a certain sum or total) either
by themselves or with others. Now rare.
1504 in Buty Wilts (Camden) 96 As mych lond more as
shall makuppe the valo1, of xj marc" by yeer w* the seid
londes in Watton. 1543-3 Act3j& 35 Hen. VIII, c. 5. S 1 2
As muche of the two partes residue, as shall accompHshe
and make vp a full thirde parte. 1588 Shaks. L. L. L. iv.
iii. 207 That you three fooles, lackt nice foole, to make vp
the messe. 1602 Marston Ant. fy Mel. 11. Wks. 1856 I. 27,
I have nineteene mistresses alreadie, and I not much dis-
deigne that thou shold'st make up the ful score. 1641
IJromk Jov. Crew 1. Wks. 1873 III. 358 Cash ; which added
Unto your former Banck,makesupinall ..Twelve thou>and
and odd pounds. 1662 Stillingfl. Orig. Sacr. 1. v § 2
Reckoning three Generations to make up a century. 1748
Richardson Clarissa III. 321 These four [gentlemen), with
, Mrs. Sinclair, Miss Partington,.. Mr. Lovelace, and myself,
made up the company, i860 Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc. XXI. 11.
450 The sums, .do not quite make up 100.
{b) To form the components of; to constitute,
; compose ; to contribute to the formation of; to go
1 to form or produce. Freq. in passive to he made
up (of certain parts).
159a Shaks. Row.$ Jul. v. i. 48 Old cakes of Roses Wei e
thinly scattered, to make vp a shew. 1593 — 3 Hen. VI, 1. iv.
25 The Sands are numbred, that makes vp my Life. 1634
Sir T. Herbert Trqz'. 2 Men and manners, wliich make
up a Librarie to themselves. 1660 F. 1!rooke tr. Le Blanc's
Trav. 63 The River . . is pleasant and large, and helps to
make up a good haven. 1688 Burnet Lett. Pres. St.
Italy 129, I have writ you a very loose sort of a Letter, all
made up of digressions. 1693 Drvden Disc. Satire Ess.
(ed. Ker) 1 1. 45 Satyrus, that mixed kind of animal, . . made
up lietwixt a man and a goat. 1711 Steele Sped. No. 152
P 3 1'hese are the People who make up the Gross of the
Soldiery. 1711 Swift Let. cone, Sacram. Test Misc. 335
The Parties among us are made upon one side of Moderate
Whigs, and on the other, of Presbyterians. 1712 Berkeley
' Pass. Obed. Wks. III. 107 An audience almost wholly made
I up of young persons. 1713 Addison Cato iv. iii. 48 He was all
1 made up of Love and Charms. 1834 J. H. Newman Par.
MAKE.
71
MAKE-.
Stmt* (1837) I. xxi. 316 Soul and body make up one man.
1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. i. I. 131 The few members who
made up what was contemptuously called the Rump of the
House of Commons. 1861 Mrs. Cari.vle Lett. III. 81
Ramsgate . . is made up of narrow, steep, confused streets.
1867 Freeman Norm. Coma, (1876) I. App. 756 The force
was made up of men of all nations. 1889 Rath. S. Mac-
ni:oii> Roger Ferron 1. 122 Life is made up of tiny trifles.
1890 Temple Bar Feb. 168 All in short that goes to make up
..an Englishman's ideal of felicity.
i. To prepare.
f(a) To attire (a person) suitably for receiving
guests, etc. Obs.
1602 Dekker Satirom. K4 b, WatTerrill, th'art ill suited,
ill made vp, In Sable collours. 1633 1>. Jonson Tale oj
Tub i. iv, The bravest, richest, and the properest, man A
Taylor could makeup. 1634 Massinger Very Woman 1.
i, red, 'Morrow sister, Do I not come unseasonably ?
At. Why good brother? Fed, Because you are not yet
fully made up, Nor fit for visitation.
{p) (csp. Theatr.) To prepare (an actor) for the
impersonation of a character by dressing him in
an appropriate costume and disguising his features
by means of false hair, cosmetics, etc. (chiefly refl.
and pass.).
1809 Malkin Gil Bias nt. ix. f 2, I made myself up, ..
with the barber's aid, as a sort of middle man between
Don Ca:sar and Oil l!las. Ibid. IV. vii. p 5 Just as he
had done making himself up [said of an old beau at his
toilette]. iB^\ P/tck 30 (Farmer) My young ambition sadly
I resign, — My mind and face made up for first old men.
1859 Lang Wand. India 362 The General was very old,
close upon eighty ; but he was ' made up ' to represent
a gentleman of about forty. 1862 Temple Bar VI. 339 His
face is marvellously 'made up'. 1891 New Rev, Aug. 176
They have no teeth ; they have skins that would make
a lemon look white J. .But the maid makes them up ; and
people say how handsome they arc.
(c ) intr. for refl.
1838 Dickens Hick, Kick, xxv, Mr. Crummies .. had ..
1 made up ' for the part by arraying himself in a theatrical
wig letc.j. 1862 Temple Bar VI. 340 Mr. Sothern 'makes
up ' so very darkly as to appear almost Jewish. 1879 Sai.a
Paris herself again (ed. 4) II. ii. 2S He had ' made up' for
the part of a distressed poet. 1890 Sat. Rev. 22 Nov. 591/2
When she went off with Paris, he had by magic arts made
up as Menelaus, and she thought he was her husband.
(d) To arrange (the features) so as to produce
a particular expression. To make up one's mouth :
see Mouth sb. Now V, S.
1641 Brome yo7'iallCrew iv. i, Make up your face quickly.
[The person addressed has been weeping.] Here conns
one of the Servants, I suppose. 1828-32 Wkhster s. v., To
assume a particular form of features ; as, to make up a face ;
whence, to make up a lip, is to pout.
{e) To get (.a horse, etc.) into good condition
for selling ; to fatten. Also intr, for pass, (Cf.
make off, 89 c.)
1794 Sporting Mag. IV. 20S He thoroughly understands
(what is termed by dealers) making np a horse. 184a Jrnl.
R. Agric. Soc. III. it. 217 All the lambs being made up for
the butcher. 1857 Ibid. XVIII. 1. 19 The majority .. buy
them as colts ; when fit for the collar, .. make them up for
the London brewers. 1867 Ibid. Ser. 11. III. n. 533 If they
[fowls] have been 'sent along 'with Indian corn [etc.],..
they will make up to nearly 2 lbs. heavier.
(/) To prepare, put in order (a bed) for a par-
ticular occasion. Also, to put (a room) in order ;
to ' do up ' (? local),
1824 Examiner 45/2 [She] desired witness to make up the
bed in her room. 1879 Miss Yonge Cameos Ser. iv. xxxii.
346 She had a couch made up for her on deck. 1889 \V.
Westall Birch Dene I. xiii. 178 We might. .make you up
a bed on the office floor. 1891 Blackw. Mag. CL. 506/2
'Where have you made up Mr. Smith's room'? 'In the
north wing, sir*. 1894 G. Moore Esther Waters 102
Esther said she would make up her room, and when that
was done she insisted on helping her mother with the house-
work.
{g) To get up (linen), rare.
1890 Blackw. Mag. CXLVIII, 56/1 They can make up
linen execrably.
(//) To bring (spirits) to a required degree of
strength by adding water ; to ( lower \
i7"5 G. Smith Distilling 77 When you have made up
your goods to the quantity and quality you intend. 1731
P. Shaw Ess, A rtif. Phiios. 89 To keep out of the Spirit the
grosser Od of the Faints; and instead of these, to makeup
as they call it, to Proof, with pure distill'd or simple water'
1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp. s. v. Making-up, When it is
necessary to make up waters lower than proof, they are
generally cloudy,
j. To set out the items of (an account) in order;
to-add up and balance (an account).
147a J. Paston in P Lett. III. 32, 1 porpose to make up my
byllys clere and send yow the copyse. 1607 Shaks. Cor. i.
1. 148 Yet I can make my Awdit vp, that [etc.]. a 1729
J. Rogers iq Serm .11. (1735) 33 He was to make up his
Accounts with his Lord. 1742 Richardson Pamela 111,
250 A Desk, at which sometimes Mr. Jonathan makes up
his running Accounts to Mr. Longman. 1749 Fielding,
Pom Jones v. *fiL Who but an atheist could think of
3Km! / £°r]d W-Ithout havinS first made UP his account ?
1858 Jrnl. R.Agrtc. Soc. XIX. 1. 123 A farmer's accounts
7J- i- e marde UP once a year. 1889 Mary E. Carter
Mrs. Severn 1. 1. 1. 27 Her husband.. made up the trades-
men s books 1892 J. Adam Commerc. Corresp. 22 It is cus-
tomary for the banker to make up, or balance, the current
account at the end of each half-year.
k. To make up one's mind-, to come to a deci-
sion or conclusion; often const, inf. or clause.
Also (nonce-uses), to make up one's resolution fa
determination. Hence, with extended meaning,
to make up one's mind for > to, or to do (something) :
to be reconciled to the thought of, to be pre-
pared for. '\ Also in passive : ? = ' to have one's
mind made up* for.
'595 SHAKS. John II. i. 541, I know she is not for this
match made vp. [Otherwise in modern editions.] 1606
— 'Pr. <y Cr. 11. ii, 170 To make vp a free determination
'Twixt right and wrong. 1821 Examiner 363/1 In winter
people make up their minds for the worst and go. 1830
Ibid. 663/2 The King has quite made up his mind to the
loss of Belgium. 1847 Mahkvat Childr. A". Forest xiv,
Edward made up his resolution to join the army. 1849
Macaulay Hist. Eng.'x. I. 107 He. .had wisely made up his
mind to what cosld no longer lit; avoided. 1859 Mill
Liberty v. (1865) 62/2 If the government would make up its
mind to require for every child a good education. 1883
Stevenson I'reas. Isl. iv. xvii. We had all quietly made up
our minds to treat him like one of ourselves. 1887 Ruskin
Prveterita II. 1S9, I believe he made up his mind that I was
heartless and selfish.
t (//) absol, ?' To come to a decision ' (Schmidt).
1605 Shaks, Lear 1. i. 209 Pardon me, Royall Sir, Elec-
tion makes not vp in such conditions.
1. To settle, arrange. (a) To arrange, settle
(a marriage, etc.) ; to conclude i'a treaty).
1562 Child-Marr. (1897) 75 Hie the consent of their frendes,
who made vp the manage betwixe them. 1607 Shaks. ( 'or.
V. iii. 140 lie Blest For making vp this peace. 1879 M. ),
Guest Led. Hist. Eng. xxxvin. 384 Edward tried to make
up a kind of peace between them. 1890 Univ. Rev. Feb.
282 The best marriages are those which are made up by
sympathetic and understanding friends.
(/») To settle (a dispute, etc.) ; to end (a quarrel)
by reconciliation.
1699 T. Brown Erasm. Colloq. 6j What passes between
two People is much easier made up, than when once it has
taken Air. 1727 A. Hamilton NewAcc. E. hid. 1 1, xxxvii
62 Mediators in making up Cases of Debate and Contention.
1773 Foote Bankrupt in. Wks. 1799 H. 133 And now this
difference is whole and composed, let me try if I can't make
up the other. 1828 Scott F. M. Perth xxi, Perhaps the
feud may be made up without farther fighting or difficulty.
1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng. xix. IV. 301 That two.. gentle-
men should be deputed to wait on Her Majesty and try to
make matters up. 1870 Rogers Hist. Cleanings Ser. 11. 230
He had made up his differences with Fox.
(e) intr. (also often to make it up). To be
reconciled after a dispute ; to become friends again.
1669 R. Montagu in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm. 1
I. 441 You had made up with the Duke of York without his
knowledge. 1748 Richardson Clarissa IV. 26 If I should
he obliged to make up with him again, I shall think I am
always doing myself a spight. 1749 Fielding Tom Jones
vii. v, I beseech you.. that you will endeavour to make it
up with my aunt. 1837 Thackeray Yellowplnsh i, There
we were, quarrelling and making up. .by turns. 1887 Mrs.
C. L, Pirkis Dateless Bargain II. xviii. 232 We've kissed
and made it up again. 1892 Stevenson & L. Os bourne
Wrecker xix. 288 We.. had quarrelled and made up.
m. To make the fortune of, enrich, dial.
1786 Scotland's Glory <y Shame 11. 53 He'll make you up
for ever. 1829 Hogg Sheph. Cat. viii. I. 230 Your master
will soon be sic a rich man now, that we 'II a' be made up.
n. intr. (a) To advance in a certain direction ;
now only in to make up /<?, to draw near to, approach.
Also occas. of the tide : To /low up a river (cf. 72).
1595 Shaks. John lit. ii. 5 Philip make vp. 1596 Ediv. Ill,
iv. vii. 31 Make up once more with me ; the twentieth part
Of those that Hue, are men inow to quaile The feeble hand-
full on the aduerse part. 1611 Heywood Gold. Age v. Wks.
1874 III. 75 Let's make vp to his rescue. 1622 Fletcher
Span. Cnr, 1. i, There I would follow you as a guid to
honour, Though all the horrours of the Vvarre made up To
stop mypassage. 1632 Massinger Maid 0/ Hon. iv. i, Hell,
stoppe their brawling throats ; againe J make up And cudgel
them into jelly. 1678 Bunyan Pitgr. I. 38 He espied two Men
come tumbling over the Wall,, .and they made up a pace to
him. 1725 De Foe Voy. round World (1840) 104 With in-
tent to have endeavoured to make up into the latitude of
50 or 6o°. 1809 Malkin Gil Bias x. viii. p 9 Impatient to
know, ..he made up to me immediately. 1855 Costello
Slor. Screen 87, I saw her make up to the lady I have de-
scribed. 1898 Daily News 25 March 8/3 There was very
little water in the river as the tide was only just beginning
to make up.
(J>) To make up to (fig.) : to make advances to
(a person) ; to pay court or make love to.
1781 D. Williams tr. Voltaire's Dram. Wks. II. 25 She
ogles me still, or I'm mistaken ; I'll e'en make up to her.
1809 Malkin Gil Bias vn. i. p 2 They made up to Don
Csesar or his son at once, without currying my favour as
the channel of all good graces. 1842 S. Lover Handy
Andy ii. 22 Tom's making up to the widow. 1848 Thack-
eray Van. Fair x\\, Young Bullock,, .who had been making
up to Miss Maria the last two seasons. 1889 Stevenson
Master of B. i. 8, I have it by all accounts that Mr. Henry
was more made up to from that hour.
£$" Key to phrases, etc.
Uses of passive 3, 3 b, 3 c, 4 ; (=L. Jieri) ge, 48 f, 49 d, e;
refl. (wither or inf.) 34 a, 35 ; impers. (of the weather) 8 b ;
(it) maksna Sc, 25; intr. ( — compose poetry) 5b, (-go) 35 b;
see also 69-74.
What make you here? 58; what do you make of. .?2o.
^] Make or mar, make or break 46b; make or mend ic;
meddle or make with 71. If Proverbs and proverbial phrases
occur in senses 1 d, 10, 24, 53 c.
Make account of 19b; )n acquainted 48b; msdooj m after
75 J ** again 83 ; /// against 76 ; m the agreeable 67 ; in alms
57 a; j>i amends 61 ; m an army 57 b; m as if, as though 70 ;
M an ass of oneself 18 ; in asseth 61 ; m at 77 ; 111 away 84 ;
m away with 85; m a bag 15 c; in a bargain 57 d ; in
battle 57 b; m one's beard 40; m a beast of oneself 18; m
a bed 36; in believe 53c; in the best of 18 d; in bold 69 ; m
a book 5, 15 d ; m a (or one's) bow 57 c ; m a business of 18 ;
m (it) one's business 49 c ; m a campaign 57 b ; in capital
! out of 29 ; m ( = score with) a card 30; m the cards 43 ; m
\ care 62 ; m a case 19 d ; m the chalice 42 ; in a child 17 ;
I in a circuit 57 f ; in coffee 2 b ; m a coil, a commotion 9 ; m
j one's Communion 57 e ; m one's compliments 61 ; m (ones)
; confession 57 e; m conscience 19 a ; m a contract 57 d ; m
a corner (in) 9 ; w count of 19 b ; m one's course 57 f; '/;/ a
i covenant 57 d ; 111 it coy 68 b ; m a decision 61 c ; ma dif-
ference 10,19a; vi 1 -eat) a dinner 60; w(-train) adog 45 ;
;«dole62; m (-shut) a door 37; m (no) doubt 19a; wdown
86; m an effort 63; /// English 48; m esteem, estimation
' (of) 19 b ; m even 48 ; m an example of 18 ; m an excursion
57 f; ;;/ an exhibition of oneself 18; 7// an expedition 57 f;
in expense 64, one's expenses 64 b ; m a face (at) 57 c ; in
fast 48 ; m a fault 57 a ; m fea>y 61 ; /;/ a feast 14 ; 1,1 felt
48 b; m (a) fight 57 b ; «/ a fire 6; ;// (-prepare) fish i9 ;
m a fool of iS ; ;// for 25, 25 b, 78 ; m force (at) 63 ; /// forth
87 ; m a fortune 29 ; m free 69 ; in friends 13 c; /// (some-
thing) from 2; ;// (bring forth) fruit 16; '/// fun, a fuss,
game 9; m games 12 b; w/a garden 7; tit glad 69 ; ///glad-
ness, glee 62 ; in good 48 ; /;/ it goodly 68 b ; /// a hash of
i8e; w (-train) a hawk 45 ; m hay 38 ; whead6ib; ma
head 15 a; in head or tail of 20 ; m heard 48 b; whence
33; /// a hole 8 ; /// homage 61 ; ///horns 57c; m ( train) a
horse 45 ; /// it hot 48 ; /// (long) hours 66 ; /// a House 1 5 b ;
/// an impression 9; /// in S8 ; /// in one's way 48 c; ///
1 - give) an instance 61 ; /// (something) into 50, 50]) ; /// it
i cause it to be so) 10b; in it one's boast, business, etc.
49 c ; ///it (coy, etc.) 68, 68 b ; /// it so 51 e ; /// n journey
57 f; ///joy 62; m a judgement 19a, 61 c; ///known 48 b;
m labour 63 ; m l.atinis 5c; /// a law 12; ///a leg 57c; m
a iir 57 a ; m light of 21 ; /// like ( ;look like) 7; a;"/// little
ofi8d,2i; tit things lively 48 ; 7// a living 29; ///a loss 64;
/// love 61 ; m a mark 8 ; tn a marriage 57 d ; /// (—arrange) a
match 12b; in (no) matter ?5 ; ;// a meal 60 ; /// ( prepare)
meat 2 b; w melody 8; tit memory 57 h ; w mercy 57a; m
merriment 62; 111 merry 69; in a mess of iSe; /// mind
57 h ; /// minstrelsy 8 ; m a miracle 57 a ; m mirth 62 ; in (a)
mock (of) 62 b; 111 money 29; 111 the most of 18 d; m much
of 18 d, 21 ; /// a muddle of 18 e; /// a name (for oneself) 29 ;
in (it) nice 68 b, 69; in a noise, a note 8; /// nothing of iSd,
21; ///nothing to do ( not to hesitate) 51c; /// (-give!
notice 61 ; /// (an) obeisance 57 c; /// .. of" 1 b. 2,^, 4b, 18;
i - esteem) 21 h ; w .. of it 18 c ; /// off 89 ; /// on 90 ; //; one
(of) 26 ; /// an oration 57 g ; /// an order, ordinance 12 ; m
out 91 ; /// . . out of 1 b, 2, 18 ; /// out of the way 33 ; /// over
94 ; /// a pace 57 f ; in pain 63 ; /// a park 7 ; m a passage
57 f; ///peace 9c; in penance 57 e ; tit place gd; tn a prac-
ticeofi8; ///a profit 29 ; /// a progress 57f; tn it proud,
quaint 68 b ; /// question 19 a; /// ( propound) a question
in ; tu a quorum 15b; /// (--impose) a rate 12; w/readj 48,
48d; ///(-give) a reason 61 ; «/ reckoning, regard of 19 b ;
/// (a) reputation 29 ; /// return (-come back) 57 f; /// a road
7 ; m room gd ; /// a row 9 ; /// a rule 12 ; w runs y> b ; /./
the sacrament 57 c ; /// sail 44 ; /// a salaam 57 c; /// satis-
faction 61 ; /// oneself scarce 48c ; /// a score 30 b; /// scorn
(of) 62b; ///scruple 19a; /// a sensation 9 ; ///sense of 20 ;
in a sermon 57 g ; /// shipwreck 64 ; /// short 4S d ; //; slight 1 >t
21 ; /// something of 18 d ; /// sorrow 62 ; /// one's soul 47 ;
/// a sound 8 ; /// a speech 57 g ; /// sport 9 ; m a step 57 f ;
/// a stir 9; /// store of (-value highly) 19 h ; /// (it) stout,
strange 68 b, 69 ; m sure 48, 48 d ; /// the tackling 44 ; /// tea
2 b; /« that.. { = bring it about that) 52, { -show or allege that)
56b; /// through 93 ; ///timber 31,41; /// (good, short, etc.)
time 66 ; /// a title 19 d; m to (J>>ep.) 79, (adv.) 94; m
( = bring or reduce) to (a condition) 33; /// (one) to iking,
etc.) 49c; m (—attempt) to do 34 b; /// together 95 ; ///top
or tail of 20 ; /// it tough 68 b; ///a tour 57 f; ///towards
35b; /// a trade of 18 ; /// a trick 30; /// a trip 57 f; ///
understood 48 b ; /// unready 48 ; /// unto 80 ; /// up 911 ; tit
upon 81 ; /// urine 16 b; /// verses 5 ; /// void 48 ; /// a voyage
57 f ; /// war 57 b ; /// it warm 48 ; in (- give) warning 61 ;
/// waste 48 ; /// water 16b, 31 ; /// way 91! ; /// one's way
57 f ; /// weight 31 ; /// a will 3d; /// with 82, 71 ; /// . . with
ib, 2; 111 a wonder 10; ;// wood 31, 41 ; /// work 10; /// a
wound 8 ; /// wreck 64.
For many other phrases, with nouns expressing the action
of a verb, see the lists in 59 and 59 b.
fMake, z'-~ Obs. Alsoo^V. maik. [f. Make
sbX\ trans, and intr. To mate, pair, match.
1463 Bury Wills (Camden) 23, I wille she haue..my flat
pece enchased to make with a salt saler of sylver. 1513
Douglas AKneis iv. Prol. 53 The snaw quhite dow oft to
the gray maik will. 1522 Mnndus et Infans (Manly) 262
50 fell a fyghter in felde was there neuer yfounde. To me
no man is makyde.
Make: see Mawk, Meak, Meek.
Make-, the stem of Make vA in combination,
chiefly with a sb. as the second element, occas. with
an adj. or adv., as in the following (chiefly nonce-
wds.) : +make-braser [?cf. Brace z/.^],?one who
domineers or blusters; f make-debate = Make-
bate; make-faith nonce-wd.% something that serves
for faith; make-falcon - Make-hawk ; fmake-
fire, an incendiary; f make- fray, a raiser of
quarrels; + make-God a., applied as a derisive
term to Romish priests ; + make-king = King-
maker ; f make -law a., law-giving; f make-
mirth — Make-sport; make play = Make-sport ;
make-queen, a queen-maker; make-rime, a
phrase introduced merely for the sake of rime ;
make-shame a.y causing shame ; f make-strife
— Makebate ; make-talk, something said for the
mere sake of talking; make-wages (see quot.) ;
make-way, an event which leads up to another.
c 1515 Cocke LoretVs B. 11 Surmowsers, yll thynkers, and
*make brasers. 1741 Richardson Earn. Lett. Iv. (ed. 7) 68
The busy Whisperings of officious *Make-debates. 1825
Coleridge Aids Rejl. {1848) I. 336 Thousands of sober,and
in their way pious, Christians will echo the words,.. and
adopt the doctrine for their *make-faith. 1575 Turberv.
Eaulconrie 160 By. .calling of them to the lewre with other
'make Falcons, that is to say, a cast at once, to the end they
may accustom and aquaint themselues one with another.
1560 Dai.'s iv-Sleidane^s Comm. 179 The seuerall confession
of euery one of these "make fyers [I* incendiariil 1598
MAKE-A-DO.
Bp. Hall Sat. iv. iv. 31 If brabling *Make-fray, at ech
Fay re and Sise, Picks quarrels for to shew his valiantise.
1705 Hickeringill Priest-cr. i. (1721) 12 Not only the
*Make-(Jod Pope, but the Make-God Priest. 1611 Speed
Theat. Gt. Brit, xxvii. (1614) 53/1 That stout -make-king
Richard Nevil Earle of Warwicke. 1631 Weeyer Anc.
Funeral Mon. 705 Warwicke (the Mars and Make-King
of England). 1582 Stanyhukst /Ends iv. (Arb.) 96 First
to Ceres *Make1aw [L. legtfer.p], too Phoebus, then to
Ly»us. 1656 Earl Monm. tr. Bouatt'nfs Advts. fr. Par-
nass. 2fl8 Court officers, princes favorits, 'make-mirths,
flatterers. 159a Nashe P. Penilesse Wks. (Grosart) II. 69
Our Poets and Writers about London whome thou hast
called piperly *Make-plaies and Make-bates. 1655 Fuller
/fist. Camb. (1840) 186 As Neville earl of Warwick was the
make-king, so this Dudley earl of Warwick- .was the *make-
queen. 1893 Athenxum 14 Oct. 516/2 The sorry *make-
rhymes ' I wis *, ' I trow ', ' I weet ', make their appearance
now and again. 1850 S. G. Osborne Glean. 78 This make-
shift, *make-shame system. 1617 Minsheu Due tor s.v., A
Make-bate, * make-strife, or contentious person, 1856 Arciid.
Allen Led. Ladies 211 A sort of complimentary observa-
tion, mere words of course, an unreal piece of *make-talk.
1884 H. Spencer in Content?. Rev. Apr. 463 There had
grown up the practice of paying out of the rates a part of
the wages of eacli farm-servant — ''make-wages', as the sum
was called. 1894 Ckeighton Hist. Papacy 11897) V. v. xv.
151 The intrigues of Cardinal Rovere. .led to the election of
Pius III as a "make-way to his own election.
t Make-a-do. Obs. [f. Make v.1 * Ado.]
1. A ' to-do ', uproar, stir.
1575 Gamut. Gurton 1. iii, What deuyll make-a-doe is this
betweeue our dame and thee?
2. One who is fond of making a to-do.
1589 R. Harvey PI. Pen. (1590) 8, I will nicke-name no
bodie : I am none of these tuft mockadoo mak-a-dooes.
Makebate (m/i'kb^t). Also 8 raakebait.
[f. Makr©.1 + Batkj3A]
1. One who or something which creates conten-
tion or discord ; a breeder of strife. (Common
in 1 6th- 17th cent.) arch.
1529 More Suppl. Soulys Wks. 296/2 They agree better
together, then to fal at variance for y wild wordes of suehe
a malicious make-bate. 01586 Sidney Arcadia 11.(1590)221
Disdaining this fellow should play the preacher, who had
bin one of the cbiefest make-bates. 1613 Purchas Pilgrim-
age VI. iv. 576 It was not likely they would joyne in con-
spiracie, whom Religion (the most mortall make-bate) bad
disioyned, 1655 Gurnall, Chr. in Arm. 1. 145 Satan, who is
the great make-hale between God and the soul, a 1703
Burkitt On N. 'P., Jas. iv. 1 Lust within is the make-bait
of all societies and communities without. 1710 Swift Ex-
aminer No. 15 F 5 Like a couple of makebates, who inflame
small quarrels by a thousand stories. 1821 Scott Kenihv.
xxxvi, I thank Heaven, I am no make-bate or informer.
1849 Macaulay Hht. Eug.\\. II.22 Barillon was. .directed
to act, with all possible precautions against detection, the
part of a makebate. 1896 Saintsbury Hist, igf/i Cent. Lit.
iv. 1S5 He [Hazlitt] appears to have played the part of iire.
brand and makebate in the John Scott duel referred to.
f 2. The breeding of quarrels, mischief- making.
1626 Bernard Isle of Man (1627) 207 Selfeloue, Makebate,
and Vnmercifuluesse.
f3. a. Gerarde's name for the.Yellow Jasmine,
Jasminum fruticam. b. A book-name for Greek
Valerian, Pokmonium cceruleum. Obs.
1597 Gerardb Herbal 111. xiv. 1128 Of the shrub Trefoile,
called also Makebate. 1611 Cotgr. s.v. Polemoine. 1866
Treas. Pot. 71 1/2 Makebate, Potemonium cceruleum.
f 4. attrib. passing into adj. Obs.
1582 Stanyhurst Mneis 11. (Arb.) 62 Thee bane of vs
Troians, of Greeks thee mak bate Erinnys. 1622 Row-
lands Gd. N fives A> Bail 31 Which she in inemorie would
>\\\\ retaine, And cross the deuill in his make-hate veine.
167s T, Tully Let. to Baxter 14 Your own make-bate
Novelties.
Make-belief, rare. -next.
Substituted by some writers for Make-believe; the
formation of the latter, being misunderstood, was imagined
to be incorrect
1833-40 J. H. Newman Ch. of Fathers (1842) 372 Evil
Spirits, .are but actors in a play, changing their appearance
and frightening children by their tumult and their make-
belief. 1854 Lett, of American (ed. Landor) 17 Creeds and
lichens grow in the extremities of his (the Tzar's] froren
regions ; farther to the southwest, beliefs are make-beliefs.
1858 Freeman Hist. Ess. Ser. 11. ii. (1873) 85 The early in-
stitutions of a nation may fail of fully carrying out their
ends, but there is no make-belief as to what those ends are.
1873 Hamerton Intell. Life vti. i. (1876) 229 A sort of make-
belief lady.
Make-belie:ve. [The phr. make believe (see
Makk v.1 53 e) used subst. (Cf. Fackere.)]
1. Pretence.
1811 L. M. Hawkins Ctess <y Gertr. (1812) IV. 62, I was
drest like Minerva,. .and then the little ones came and wor-
shipped me : 'twas all make-believe, you see. iSii Morn.
Chron. y Apr., Her mourning is all make-believe, She's
gay as any linnet, 1818 Lamb Three Friends, Not that
she did really grieve It was only make believe. 1855 H.
Rogers Ess. {1874) II. vii. 331 This great empire is rotten
. .ceremony, etiquette, conventionality, insincerity, — ' make
believe", in short, — constitute it. 1888 Times 23 June 17/2
The public does not object to magic in small quantities. It
is quite ready to join in the game of ' make-believe '.
b. in particularized sense.
1825 Coleridge Aids Rejl. 11848) I. 56 [To practise pray-
ing] as a species of animal-magnetism to be brought about by
. .a temporary make-believe on the part of the self-magnet-
izer ! 1862 Sala Accepted A ddr. 191 The world is full of
make-believes. 1887 Jessoh* Arcady viii. 234 That old-
fashioned place of resort.. the village green, has become a
mere make-believe now.
2. One who mnke^ believe or pretends.
1863 S. Wilbereokck Sp. Missions (1874) 2 Do not be an
72
idler and make-believe in the work. 1865 Trollope Bclton
Est. xv. 171 The ordinary make-believes of society, saying
little civil speeches and not going beyond them.
3. attrib. passing into adj . Of the nature of make-
believe.
1824 Miss Mitford Village Ser. 1. 248 That was a make-
believe thing, compared with this. 1852 Gladstone Glean.
IV. xlii. 96 Here again I am met with a make-believe reply.
1877 T. A. Trollope Life Pitts IX, II. 111. iii. 3 The re-
publicans and their make-believe government. 1890 ' R.
Boldrewood1 Col. Reformer (1891) 138 The hour's talk
and make-believe school.
So Make-believer, -believing- [f. phrase make
believe\
1884 N. Amer. Rev. CXXXVIII. 443 A volume which
believers, unbelievers, misbelievers, and make-believers
would unite in neglecting or condemning. 1899 Miss
Harraden Fowler 125 Children, .not tiring easily of their
many make-believings.
Ma'kedom. Sc. ? Obs. Also 5-6 makdome.
[App. f. either Mack a. or Make sb.* + -dom ; but
the formation is somewhat anomalous, esp. for so
early a period.] Form, shape; esp. elegant form,
shapeliness, comeliness ; rarely cotter.
c 1470 Henrv Wallace ix. 358 Bathe statur and curage,
Maner, makdome, thar fassoun and thar wesage. 1508
Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen 73 To manifest my makdome
to multitude of pepill. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. II. 125
Without makdome vther oflym or Hth. 1585 Jas. I, Ess.
Poesie (Arb.) 65 Be warre ze descryue zour Loues makdome,
or her fairnes. a 1586 Montgomerie Misc. Poems 1. 13
Fair forme, and face angelicall, . . Makdome, and proper
meml>eris all Sa perfyte. a 1810 Findlav in Ford Harp
Perthsh. (1893) 419 Von stalwart makedom I ken richt weel.
t Make-fare. Obs.—° An alleged name for the
hare. c 1300 Names of Hare in Rel. Ant. I. 134.
Make-game. [Cf. Make-sport.] One who
or that which furnishes matter for amusement;
hence, a laughing-stock, butt.
1762 Bickerstaffe Love in Village n. x. (1765) 44, I am
1 the make-game of the whole village upon your account.
1797 Mrs. M. Rohinsom Walsingham 1. 280, I thought my-
self the mere make-yame of a giddy girl. 1806 Sporting
Mag. XXVI I. 197 A new discovery or invention, by way of
I make-game I suppose. 1817 Godwin Mandeville 1. 263
1 was treated as nothing, a flouting -stock and a make-game.
Make-hawk. Falconry. [See Makk vA 45.]
A hawk employed to teach young ones.
1575 Turbekv. Faulconrie 113 If at be first you inure hir
with a make hawke a good Hearoner. 1674 N. Cox Gentl.
Rccreat. (1677) 203 Never fly your Faulcon again at a Hern
unless with a Make-hawk well entred. 1773 J. Campbell
Mod. Falconry 262. 1852 K. F. BusrOM Falconry in Valley
1 Indus v. 61 note, A make-hawk is a staunch bird, or one
accustomed to fly at a particular kind of game, used to ' head
t he pack ' when more than a cast are thrown up at once. 1891
Harting Bill. Accipiir. 226.
Makeless, a. Obs. exc. dial. Forms: see
Makk sb.1 [f. Make sb.* +-LBS8,]
1. Without an equal ; matchless, peerless.
a 1225 SI, Marher. 17 pis is ure cunde, makelese meiden.
a 1300 Cursor M. 121 19 And bof boil wen make-less to be,
pat nan in lare sat teche be. ("1374 Chalxer Troylus 1. 116
(172) In bewte erst so stood she makeles. c 1450 Holland
Hoivlat 902 He thocht him maid on the mold makless of
mycht. 1470-85 Malory Arthur x. lxxiii. 540 It is quene
Isoud that oute taken my lady your quene she is makeles.
1500-20 I ivti^KK Poems \x\v. 52 Wylcum ! mygolk ofmaiie-
land, Mychirrie and my maiklesmun^oun. i*fi$Mirr.Mag.,
Buckingh. xiii, A makeles prynce in ryches and in myght.
c 1615 Mure Misc. Poems ii. 33 Mackles dame, qubom all ye
world admires. 1674-91 Rav N.C. Words, Make, match;
makeless, matchless. 1829 Urockett N. C. Gloss, (ed. 2),
Makeless, matchless, without an equal.
2. Mateless ; wifeless, husbandless, widowed.
c 1425 .SVtvm Sag. (P.) 3307 The 3onge that helpe hyr for
to lyve. He schal have that he dies, And the holde go
makeless. 1513 Douglas yE/teis vin. Prol. 32 To mak her
maikles of hir man. c 1600 Shaks. Sonn. \x, The world
will waile thee like a makelesse wife. 1825-80 Jamieson,
s.v. Maikless, The mother's a makeless bird.
Make-peace. [See Make z>.t 9c] One who
or something which makes peace ; a peace-maker.
Also attrib.
1516 Fabvas Chrou. (1811) II. 439 It was not longe after or
the Scottis. .callyd hir lane make peace. 1552 T. Karnabe
in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. 11. II. 202, I knowe a towne in
Normandye . . is now a second Rone, & yt is the verye
gulfe,gulet and mouthe of the See, and a make-peace yf we
hadde yt. 1593 Shaks. Rich. If, 1. i. 160. 1601 Daniel
Civ. Wars vi. xliv. (1609) 154 When make-tieace Hymen
shall Bring the conioyned aduerse powers to bed. 1657 \V.
Coles Adam in Eden ccexx. 594 The civill uses whereunto
the Birch tree serveth are many, as for the punishment of
Children, .for it hath an admirable influence upon them, to
quiet them when they are out of Order, and therefore some
call it Make-peace. 1836 [G. K. Inman] Sir Orfeo 13 Sir
Orfeo might have gone l'o seek his make-peace wife alone.
1855 Miss Sewell Cleve Hall I. 388 Fanny, who was the
make-peace of the family, found a place for him at the table.
Maker m^'kaj). Also (4 makiere, -yere),
4-5 raacare, makare, -ere, 4-6 makar, (6 Sc.
mackar, makkar, makker). [f.MAKKZ'J + -SB '.]
1. One who fashions, constructs, prepares for use,
or manufactures; a manufacturer, spec, in certain
trades (see, e. g., quot. 181)2).
a 1300 Cursor M. 11036 Hijs lauerd he kneu welwel biforn
pat he wasof hismoder born [cf. Z«^i.4iJ,..pe maker kneu
his hand-were, c 1374 Chaucer Troylus 1.685 (741) It is
seyd man maketh ofte a yerde With which be makere is
hym self heten. C1375.S7-. Leg. Saints xxxiii. (George) 403
J>i godis. .ar mad bot of handis of men. .bar makaris nobir
MAKER.
gifand na hele. c 1440 Promp. Par:: 319/1 Macare,_/W/(?r,
plasmator. 1511-2 Act 3 Hen. VIII, c. 6 § 3 The maker
merchaunt or byer of eny wollen clothes called Bastardes.
1530 Palsgb. 242/1 Maker of haye to cockes. Ibid., Maker
of naylles. 1550 Latimer Last Serm. he/. Edw. VI (1562)
129 They be bothe Wood mongers and makers of cooles.
1611 Bible I so. xiv. 16 Makers of idoles. 1672 Petty Pol.
Anat. 116911 65, I valued an Irish Cabbin at the number of
days food, which the Maker spent in building of it. 1726 tr.
Gregory's Astron. I. 259 The Makers of these Instruments
have fitted an Ecliptic to it. 1858 Gkeenf.r Gunnery 314
The display of artistically constructed guns by the French
makers in their Great Exposition of 1855. 1859 Lang Wand.
India 384 We procured some honey, which is taken from its
makers in a very singular manner. 1873 J. H. Newman
Idea University Def. 47 The maker of a bridle or an epau-
let. 189a Labour Commission Gloss., Makers, the workmen
who receive the tops and then complete the making of band-
sewn boots and shoes. The term is also applied to those
who make the bottom (with the exception of the finishing)
of a rivetted or machine-made boot.
b. with prefixed sb., forming many compounds,
q. v. under the first element or as Main words.
14.. Nom. in Wr.-Wulcker 685/15 Hie campan.irius, a
helmaker. Ibid. 686/35 Hie annlarius, a ryngmaker. 1502
in Cov. Corp. Chr. Plays (E.E.T.S.) App. ii. 104 The wholl
body of the craft of the tylmakers of Stoke. 1696 W. Der-
HAM (title) The Artificial Clock-maker. 1711 Lond. Gaz.
No. 4833/3 Tho. Morse, ..a Mathematical Instrument-
maker. 190a Daily Chron. 17 Sept. 6/6 The necktie-makers
and the artificial-flower-makeis.
2. Qualified by the, a possessive, or an attrib. phr. :
Applied to God as the Creator of the universe.
(Now with capital M.)
a 1300 Cursor M. 17875 pis ilke 11^1 forsobe is he bat maker
is of lastyng li^t. 1340 Ayeub. 251 [>e herte . . y-zi^b hire
zelue and hire makiere. Ibid. 262, 1 leue ine god uader
almi^ti makere of heuene and of erbe. c 1400 Destr. Troy
Prol. 1 Maistur in mageste, maker of Alle. c 1440 Promp.
Parv. 319/1 Macareof noghte, as God only, creator, c 1470
Henry Wallace v. 229 Flayt by him self to the Makar off
buffe. ? 1507 Commnnyc. (W. de W.) B ij, I was made to
knowe my maker And to loue hym oner all thynge. 1535
Coverdale Ps. xciv. [xcv.] 6 Let vs knele before the Lorde
oure maker. 1599 Sir J. Davies Nosce Teipsunt 54 O what is
man (great maker of mankind). 1629 Milton Hymn Nativ.
ii, Confounded, that her Makers eyes Should look so neer upon
her foul deformities. 1718 Watts Hymn \, Nature with
open volume stands, To spread her Maker's praise abroad.
1827 K.EBLE Chr. V., Septuag. iii, The glorious sky embrac-
ing all Is like the Maker's love. 1871 CARLVLEin Mrs. C.'s
Lett. II. 221 Pious to God the Maker and to all He had
made.
+ b. To receive ones Maker: to receive the
Communion. Hence applied to the consecrated
Host in the mass. Obs.
1539 T. Perv in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. 11. II. 145 That hys
Grace .. recewythe hys maker yerlye acording to the lawd-
ebwll usse. .of owr holly mother Chwrche. 1634 M<ilory*s
Morte Arthur (1816) II. 100 Then he received his Maker
[Malory x. lxii. 520 his creatoure] : and, when he was dead
[etc.]. 1635 Pagitt Christianogr. 51 Henry Stephens
writeth of a Dogge, that did eat 80 o( their Hoasts, or
Makers, in one morning.
3. One who composes a book, draws up a docu-
ment, frames a law, or the like.
a 1340 Hampole Psalter xvii. 13 f>e haly gast .. bat is
makere of haly writ, c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints x. {Mathou)
566 Makare of be saltere. 1485 Act 1 Hen. I II, c. 7 The
Maker of any such Warrant. 1495 Act 11 Hen. VII, c. 8
Which actc.is so obscure, .that the true entent of the
makers therof cannot, .be undrestond. 1594 Hooker Eccl.
Pot. hi. ix. § 1 Lawes for the Church are not made as they
should be, vnles the makers follow such direction as they
ought to be guided by. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) V, 229
The makers of the act.
b. with prefixed sb. (Cf. 1 b.)
1678 Bi'tler Hud. 111. ii. 274 Sp'ritual Affidavit makers.
1719 Dl F01: Crusoe 11. xv, Our map-makers, .do not agree.
1902 Grkenough & Kittredge Words 181 A controlling
effect on the action of the early language-makers.
4. In various immaterial senses : One who brings
about or produces a condition, effect, state of mind,
etc.; a creator or producer (of); t one who ap-
points to an office ; t a contriver.
< 1430 Syr Genet: (Roxb.) 2682, I dar wel swere That Ma-
lachias is chief maker With soin treason vs to betray, c 152a
Bp. Fox »n Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. 11. II. 6 The Kyng that
was my maker and proinotur to the dignytie that I..doo
occupye. a 1568 Ascham Scholem. 1. (Arb.) 68 You be in
deed, makers or marrers, of all mens maners within the
Realme. Ibid. 85 The greatest makers of loue, the daylie
daliers. 1568 (Irakton Chron. II. 751 They, .perceiuyng
that the Castell of Barwicke was the onely maker of the
peace. 1617 Morvson Itiu. 1. 205 The maker of the bar-
gaine. a 1625 Sir H. Finch Law (1636) 409 All mainteyners,
conspirators, makers of confederate. 1714 Poi*k L,et. to
Mrs. T. Blount Lett. (1737) 133 Her makers of visits and
complements. 1858 Longf. M. Standish it. 66, I am a maker
of war, and not a maker of phrases. 1871 Smiles Charac.
i. 22 Great workers and great thinkers are the true maker-.
of history.
b. with prefixed sb. (Cf. lb.)
1601 Sir W. Cornwallis Disc. Seneca (1631) 56 Death or
destiny or any of those period makers. 1719 D'Ukfey t'it/s
II. 341 Whodully think all Foreigners Man-makers, Send out
their Booby Sons to France, to Dress. 1827 Hone Every-day
Bt. II. 12 Drink is.. the widow-maker of their wives. 1876
t tuiDA Winter City ii. 16 The calumny-makers.
5. A poet. Obs. exc. arch. (Cf. Gr. not-nTT}?.)
1387-8 T. Usk Test. Love in. iv. (Skeat) 1. 258 In wit and
in good reason of sentenoe, he [Chaucer J passeth al other
makers, t'1400 Beryn 2462, I woll nat feyn oon woord,
as makers doon to ryme. i47«-*5 Malory Arthur x.
Ixxxiv. 562 There is no maker can reherce the tenthe parte.
1500-20' Dinhak Poems iv. 45, I see that makaris amang
MAKE-READY.
the laif Playis heir ther pageant, syne gois to graif.
Ibid. liii. 22 Than cam in Dunbar the Mackar [v. r. mak-
kerl. 1577-87 HoUXHUD Cluon. II. 42/2 Owen Odewhee,
a preacher, anil a maker in Irish. 1581 Sidney Apol. Poctnc
(Art ) 24 Wherein I know not, whether by lucke or wisedomc,
wee Englishmen haue mette with the Greekes, in calling
him a maker. 1756-8Z J. Warton Ess. Pope U. 98 Here all
is in life and motion ; here we behold the true Poet or Maker.
1876 Besant & Rice Gold. Butterfly iii. 27 ' You find your
pleasure in reading divine poetry ', said the Maker softly.
1878 Grosart Introd. It. Mores Poems 46/1 To reinscribe
the venerable name of Henry More among our real Makers
and Singers.
f6. Cards. (See quot. 1754.) Obs.
'753 Scots Mag. XV. 74/2 You'd rather hold— two aces and
a maker. 1754 ' Gvi.es Smith ' Refl. Card-playing 14 (Brag)
Here the Power of the Knave is so great, that he is usually
called a Maker. The Meaning is, that, whatever Company
he comes into, he is enabled to make himself one of them. He
is a Queen, with Queens ; a King, with Kings ; and an Ace,
with Aces. , ,
7. ' The person who signs a promissory note
(Wharton Law Lex. 1848).
8. With an adv. : niaker-up, one who ' makes
up' in various senses (esp. in technical use).
1535 Coveroale Isa. lvut 12 Thou shalt be called the maker
vp of hedges. 1846 Trench Mirac. xxix. (1862)412 A maker-
up of the narrative from laterand insecure traditions. 1884 \V.
S. 1!. McLaren Spinning Woollen $ Worsted 64 One or two
men, called ' makers-up ', are employed for each box to keep
drawing the wool through their hands, making it into a kind
of 'lap''. 1891 Daily Ne-.vs 16 Jan. 8/4 Wanted, overseer,
in country printing office. . . Good maker-up. 1892 Labour
Commission Gloss.s. v., After the bodies and partsof Britannia
metal goods have been shaped.. the maker-up puts them
together.
rIenee(nonce-wds.^Ma-keress, a female maker ol
something(in comb. irni-maieress); Makership,
the office of a maker or creator.
1857 Househ. Words XVI. 40/2 Brick-makers and brick,
makeresses jolting up and down on planks. 1863 F. Hali. in
Reader 24 Jan. 95 We should much like to know.. whether
the Magian sage [Zoroaster] seems to have had any idea of
Makership apart from a material cause.
Make-ready, [f. phr. to make ready (see
Ready a. III).]
1. = Ready C. 2.
1830 Marryat King's Own ii, The captain ..brought his
men to the ' make ready ', and they were about to present.
2. Printing. {U.S.) The operation of ' making
ready' (see Ready a. 15b); the result thereby
obtained; the sheet on which the overlays are
pasted for printing a particular form of type.
1887 Sci. Amer. 25 June 405/1 It is a safe rule to keep the
make-ready of every type job until the job has been distri-
buted.
Makerell(e, obs. form of Mackerel.
Makeshift (mi-i-kijift). [f. phr. to make shift
(see Shift sb.).~\
1 1. One who is given to making shifts ; a shifty
person, a rogue. Obs.
1565 J. Halle Hist. Exposl. B bb iij, Not Ionge after came
thither a makeshifte, with two men wayghting on hym, . .
Dragging that he was a profounde phisicien. 1573 Tusser
Husb. (1878) 43 At night if it shine, out trudgeth Hew make
shift, with hooke and with line. 1598 Barret Tlieor.
Warres 1. i. 7 The subtill make-shift, is preferred before
the silent man. 1602 F. Herring Auatomyes 23 The Col-
ledge is now become the Common Inne of Make-shifts and
Impostors. 1608 Middleton Trick to catch Old one n. i,
[He] whom but last day he proclaimed rioter, penurious
make-shift, despised brothel-master.
2. That with which one makes shift ; a temporary
substitute of an inferior kind. (Cf. B. 2.)
1802-12 Bentham Ration, Judic. Evid. (1827) V. 408
Jurisprudential law is the miserable makeshift of inexpe-
rienced ages. 1822 Lamb Elia Ser. 1. Roast PigtThe cot-
tage was a sorry antediluvian make-shift of a building. 1850
W. Irving Goldsmith xiii. 153 Goldsmith continued to con-
sider literature a mere make-shift. 1873 Burton Hist. Scot.
I. i. 27 They hated patchwork and makeshifts. 1899
Baring-Gould Bk. of West I. xiii. 230 The Maypole is
a makeshift for an actual tree.
3. The action of making shift.
1870 Daily News 27 Oct., There is . , so much clever make-
shift to be accomplished that [etc.].
B. attrib. or as adj.
+ 1. Of persons : Shifty, roguish. Obs.
1592 Greene (title) Groatsworth of Witte : bovght with a
million of Repentance : Describing the Folly of Youth, the
falshood of alake-shift Flatterers.
2. With which one makes shift ; serving as a
temporary and inferior substitute.
1683 Moxon Mech. Exerc., Printing*, ad init., A make-
shift slovenly contrivance. 1757 Mrs. Griffith Lett. Henry
.y Frances (1767) III. 44, I readily grant, that these make-
shift Pleasures fall short.. of mutual Delight. 1809 Mal-
kin Gil Bias vii. v. F 5 After our make-shift dinner..! will
treat you with a couple of bottles. 1876 Geo. Eliot Dan.
Der. 1. iii, With . . everything make-shift about us, . . what
was the use of my being anything ?
b. transf. Characterized by makeshifts.
1824 Lamb Elia Ser. ll. Capl. Jackson, Your honest aims
at grandeur, your makeshift efforts of magnificence. 1854
M RS. Gaskell Xorth A> S. xvi, How will Margaret bear our
makeshift poverty after the thorough comfort and luxury in
Harley Street? 1887 Hissey Holiday on Road 333 Patched
and repaired in a happy makeshift way.
Hence Ma'ke-shiftness, the condition of being a
makeshift ; Ma'ke-shifty a., of the nature of or
characterized by makeshift ; whence Ma- ke-shi fti-
ness.
Vol. VI.
73
1858 Lady CaMKIMG in Hare T-.oo Noble Lives (1893) II.
422 The hospitals at Allahabad are rather make-shifty. 1866
Q. Rev. July 224 The make-shifty and hap-hazard loose-
ness with which some 800,000 black semi-barbarians were.,
admitted to the full civil lights of English citizens. 1887
Ruskin Pruteritall. 267 Partly through laziness and make-
shiftiness. . I never opened the midmost wall, though it con-
siderably fretted me. 1892 Black A> White 12 Mar. 346/1
He hated, .the make-shiftness of poverty.
t Make-sport. Obs. [See Make v\ 9.] One
who or something which provides sport for others ;
hence, a laughing-stock.
1611 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. VIII. ii. § 12. 381 To aduen-
ture himselfe among the Danish Host, as a base Minstrell
and contemptible Make-sport, a 1625 Fletcher Chances
in. i, My patience, .must be your make-sport now. 1640
Quarles Enchirid. III. xliv, Let not mirth be thy profession,
lest thou become a Make-sport, a 1661 Fuller Worthies
(1840) II. 455 Being made the make-sport in all plays fur
a coward.
b. attrib. or as adj. Providing sport ; mocking.
1582 Stanyiiurst SEueis I. (Art.) 41 Let make sport
Bacchus [L. txtitiae Bacchus dator], .be present. 1600 T.
Weei.kes Madrigals oj '5 A> 6 Parts ix. C 1, The make sport
Cuckow, and the Quaile. 1621 Bp. Mountagu Diatril.r 11
No. .mad prankes playd by any toyish or make-sport diuels
in the vault.
Ma'ke-up. [f. phr. make up (see Make v. t 96,.]
1. The manner in which something is made up,
put together, or composed ; composition, constitu-
tion.
1821 Examiner 708/1 Some national distinctions in the
make-up of French and English minds. 1864 H. Spencer
Hlustr. Univ. Progr. 62 Something in the pattern or make-
up of their clothes. 1891 Field 5 Dec. 865/3 Our Cambridge
correspondent describes the practice, .and gives the make
up of the crews. 1896 Allbutt's Syst. Med. I. 169 There
maybe an inherited defect in the 'make-up' of one par-
ticular tissue.
2. Chiefly Theatr. An appearance of face, dress,
etc. assumed in order to impersonate a character.
1858 Geo. Eliot in Cross Life (1885) II, 61 The Zouaves,
with their wondrous make-ups as women. 1862 Dickens
Lett. 16 Mar. (1880) II. 177 Add to this a perfectly pic-
turesque and romantic 'make up '. .and you have the leading
virtues of the impersonation. 1872 Punch 19 Oct. 163/1
His make-up was admirable, his playing of the first and last
act well-nigh faultless. 1882 Besant Revolt of man iii. 61
In her make-up she studiously affected .. the vigour and
strength of middle life.
b. concr. Cosmetics, paint, etc. used by actors
in making up.
1886 All Year Sound 2S Aug. 78 The whole tribe of Cos-
metics, curtly designated in theatrical parlance as 'make-
up '. 1888 Pall Mall G. 27 Jan. 2/1, I . . asked for a towel
and soap to wash my make-up off.
C. Style of costume, get-up. rare.
1883 Daily News 6 Sept. 2/2 The mongrel cross-country
make-up indulged in for the Spa promenade.
3. Printing. The process of making up type into
columns or pages; the matter so made up. Also,
an editor's selection of articles to form a number of
a periodical.
1852 Smedley L. Arundel xv, That is the ' make-up ', as
we call it, of the third and fourth sheets of the Magazine.
1884 in Cassclls Eneycl. Did. 1899 Daily News 23 May
10/5 Compositor 1 Society) seeks situation. All-round jobbing,
posters, make up, etc.
4. A made-up story ; an invention or fiction.
1844 Ai.b. Smith Adv. Mr. Ledbury lv. (1886) 167 'The
whole story is one of the most singular make-ups that ever
attained universal credence. 1877 Spurgeon Serttt. XXIII.
101 Have you undergone a great transformation ? The ne-
cessity for it is no make-up of mine, remember.
5. A compensation, rare.
1859 W. Chadwick Life De Foe\\. 309 He was taken into
diplomatic service by Harley, as a make-up.. for his forced
neglect of his pamphleteer while confined in Newgate.
6. attrib. in theatrical use, as (sense 2) make-up
man, room, (sense 2 b) make-up box, tray.
1885 J. K. Jerome On the Stage 93 A ' make-up ' box,
a dressing-case, writing-case, etc., etc., made a pretty big
pile. 1889 Pall Mall G. 29 Oct. 3/1 On it are placed
candles, a looking-glass, a ' make up ' tray [etc.]. 1896
Living Topics Mag. (N. Y.) Jan. io5Thebest stage manager
in England, as well as the best make-up man and character
delineator. 1900 Daily Neivs 15 Nov. 6/1 Some curious
illustrations are derived from the ' make-up room '.
Make-weight, makeweight (mfl-kiw^t).
[See Make v.1 23.]
1. A comparatively small quantity added to make
up a certain weight ; spec, a small candle. (See
early quots.)
1S95 Kf.nnf.tt Par. Antiq. Gloss, s. v. Puila, In the
North a Puttock -candle is the least in the pound, put in to
make weight, call'd..in Kent a make-weight. 1764 Oxf.
Sausage 56 Dire Want of..chearful Candle (save the
Make-Weight's Gleam Haply remaining). 1787 Grose.
Prov. Gloss., Make-weight, a small candle thrown in to
complete the pound. N. 1866 Jevons Coal Quest, (ed. 2)
261 A large part of our shipping would thus have to leave
our ports half empty, or in ballast, unless there were some
makeweight or natural supply of bulky cargo as back
carriage.
transf. 1785 Grose Diet. I'ulg. Tongue, Make weight,
a small candle, a term applied to a little slender man.
2. fig. A person or thing of insignificant value
thrown in to make up a deficiency or fill a gap.
1776 Paine Com. Sense (1791) 33 By her dependence on
Britain she [America] is made the make-weight in the scale
of British politics. 1796 Burke Regie. Peace iii. Wks. VIII.
418 The mines, .are now thrown in as a make-weight in the
scale. 1809 Malkin Gil Bias vn. vii. T 21 She praised me
MAKING.
up to the skies, and held all the actresses in Madrid as mere
makeweights in the scale. 1825 Coleridge Aids Reft.
(1848) I. 188 Those semi. pagan Christians who regarded
revelation as a mere make. weight to their boasted religion
of nature. 1838 Dickens Nich. Nick, xix, The colonel
was in conversation with somebody, who appeared to be
a make-weight, and was not introduced at all. 1838-9
Hali.am Hist. Lit. IV. lv. vi. § 43. 284 An incestuous
passion brought forward as the make-weight of a plot, to eke
out a fifth act. 1864 Pusey Led. Daniel vi. 393, 1 cannot
..use Divine authority as a makeweight to human proof.
3. A counterbalancing weight, counterpoise.
1787 Jefferson Writ. (1853) **• 10^ His devotion to the
principles of pure despotism, renders him unaffectionate to
our governments. His fear of England makes him value
us as a make weight. 1855 Kincslev Westtv. Hot xxviii,
'But the prize?' 'Ah! that was no small make-weight
to our disasters, after all'. 1886 Symonds Senaiss. It.,
Cath. Read. II. xi. 307 Perhaps it maybe argued that
the fulsome promises on which those miserable vassals found
their hopes, are make-weights for such miseries.
4. attrib. or as adj. Serving as a make-weight.
i70i J. Philips Splendid ShillinggZ The glimmering light
Of make-weight candle. 1793 Anna Seward Lett. (1811)
III. 248 It is no custom of Shakespeare's to give us merely
makeweight epithets. 1852 R. S. Surtees Sponge's Sp.
Tour xl. 219 Men ..admit of no makeweight, or merely
ornamental dishes.
Maki (m<f'-ki, mteki). [repr. Malagasy ' maka,
a species of lemur' (Richardson Malag. Did.
1885).] The French name of the Lemur, formerly
current in English. (Cf. Macaco -.)
1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1824) II. 160 The maki kind in
some measure seems to unite the fox and the monkey. 1797
Encyd.Brit. (ed. i) IX. 785/2 The catta, or ring-tailed maki,
inhabits Madagascar and the neighbouring i>le>. 1839
Penny C ye I. XIII. 419/ 1 The Makis, or Macaucos, properly
so called, Lemur.
Makiere, obs. form of Makek.
Makim-, niakinboy : see Mackenboy.
Making nv'-kirp, vbl. sb.l [OK. macung, f.
macian : see Make z>.1 and -ING '.]
1. The action of Make 2v.l in its various senses :
fabrication, production, pieparation ; institution,
appointment ; doing, performance (of a specified
action) ; conversion into, causing to become some-
thing ; etc. (See the vb.) Also occas. the process
of being made.
aii.23 O. E. Ckron. an. not purh bes macungc.se eorl
Rotbert . . J;is land mid unfrioe sesohte. a 1300 Cursor M.
1551 Quen sa felc yeier ar wroken oute . . ['e planetes all ar
went again O pair first making in to be state. 1377 Langl.
P. PI. B. ill. 62, I sbal . . Wowes do whitten and wyn-
dowes glasen, Do peynten and purtraye and paye for be
makynge. C1440 Hylton Seala Pcrf. (W. de W. 1.194)
11. xxxiv, We be beholde to loue Ihu moche for oure
makynge but more for our ayenbyenge. 1483 Rolls of
Parlt.Xl. 254/1 Sith the tymes of makynge of the seid
Acts of Atteinders. 1529 Rasteli. Pastime of People (181 1)
148 The makynge of Westmyster halle. 1553 Ckanmer Let.
to Q. Mary'va Coverdale Lett. Martyrs 11564) 1 If by any
meanes it had bene in me to haue letted the makyng
of that will. 1578 Late Dodoens 1. vii. 13 Of thisherbe
they make Axsen, whiche is vsed for the making of
glasses. 1611 Bible Transl. Pref. 1 To motion the
making of a new Law for the abrogating of an old. 1625
Hart Anat. I'r. 11. i. 55 Whether the vrine were thinne at
the first making or not. 1662 Stillingfl. Orig. Sacr. in. iv.
§ 5 Many causes concurred to the making of this Deluge.
1667 Milton /'. L. ill. 113. 1703 Moxon Mech. Exerc. 239
Most Counties in England afford Earth for the making of
Bricks, a 1715 Burnet O-.un lime (17241 I. 320 They set it
..up for a maxim, that the making of a Stadtholder was the
giving up their liberty. 1738 Swift Pol. Conversat. 52,
1 think she was cut out for a Gentlewoman, but she was
spoil'd in the making. 1823 J. Badcock Dom. A musem. 29
Whitening and plaister of Paris, .whiten the flour, and con-
tribute to its adhesion in making. 1828 in Picton L'pool
Mimic. Rec. (18861 II. 343 In the making of the purchases.
1842 Tennyson Morte D Arthur 203 Since the making of
the world. 1875 F. Guthrie Magn. 0, Elcctr. § 236 If it be
desired to get a still more nimble making and breaking of
thecircuit. 1891 Law Rep. Weekly Notes 138/1 The making
of the Codicil. 1897 Daily News 4 Jan. 3/4 There was a
general move up in all the ranks of the force, accompanied
by the ' making ' of several engineers.
b. Often used gerundially as the second member
of an objective combination, as biscuit-, carpet-,
debate-, gift-, ice-, imposition-, war-making, etc.
See also Book-making. Haymaking, etc.
c^ooZaWj^wv-iW. 3U3lnsor\veanddele-makyngLenges
non honour. Ibid. 14538 With-oute any debate-makyng.
C1449 Pecock Repr. (Rolls) II. 552 With this trust thei
helden hem content and paied in her 3ifte making. 1523 Lb.
Berners Eroiss. I. civ. 187 Such as were at the imposiclon
makyng. 1560 Daus tr. Steidane's Comm. 116 b, They
take in hande also an other peace making. 1614 T. Godwin
Moses * Aaron (1641) 142 Their Apotheosis, or god-making
Ceremonies. 1768 Sterne Sent. Joum., Montriul 111, His
talents of drum-beating and spatterdash-making. 1863
Trevelyan Compet. Wallah (1866) 182 An early effort of
the Public Works Department in the canal-making line.
1880 Morris in Mackail Life (1899) 1 1. 5 The art of Carpet-
making is dead, or dying fast. 1891 T. Hardy less xxix,
At skimmings, at butter-makings, at cheese-makings.
C. Qualified by a possessive, in phr. of (so-and-
so's) making=mac\e by (so and so). In predica-
tive use sometimes with omission of of.
1470-85 MiLom Arthur x. Ixii. 519, I kyng Hermaunce. .
; am slayn. .thurs. two knyghtes. .of myn own bryngyng vp
' and of myn owne makyng. 1500-20 Dunbar Poems xlvi. 55
His creature of his awin making. 7 CIS26 Frith Dtsput.
\ Pnrgat. To Rdr. (? .533) A iv b, I haue sent you such bokes
as you wrote for, and one moo of Rastels makinge. 1611
MAKING.
74
MAL-.
Bible Trausl. Pre/, r 13 [They] doc either make new Trans-
lations thernselues, or follow new ones of other mens making.
a 1654 Sbldsm Table-t. (Arb.) 35 The Laws of the Church
are most Favourable to the Church, because they were the
Churches own making. 1676 Lady Chaworth in \ith Rep.
Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 28 'Twas a match of his friends
and not his owne making, a ijooY)hy den Cinyras fy Myrrha
52 Man a Slave of his own making lives. 1709 Steele
Tatler No. 44 f 3 The Statuary, who fell in Love with the
Image of his own making. 1828 Carlvle Misc. (1857) I. 206
A poet of Nature's own making. 1894 Hall Caine Manx-
man 111. xvii. 183 The marriage was not of her making.
d. (To be) in making, a-making, now usually
to be making: (to be) in course of being made.
£1430 P/lgr. Lyf Manhode (1869) 19 All manere of far-
delles maad and in makinge. 1480 Caxton Citron. Eng.
ccviii. 190 That bisshop had in london a fayre toure in
makynge. 1535 CoVERDALK 2 Mace. i. 23 All the prestes
prayed, whyle the sacrifice was a makynge. 1605 Shaks.
Macb. in. iv. 34 The Feast is sold That Is not often
vouch'd, while 'tis a making. 1702 Royal Procianr. 8 Mar.
in Loud. Gaz. No. 3790/4 Corn or Grain making into
Malt. 1761 Hume Hist. Eng: III. liv. 171 Provisions of
arms were making beyond the sea. 1767 Mrs. S. Penning-
yon Lett. HI. 177 This .. gentleman .. informed her of the
use that was making of her letters. 1791 Washington Lett.
Writ. 1892 XII. 54 Those changes, which are either making,
or contemplated. 1793 Copper-Plate Mag. No. 22 This
ancient place, .is watered by the River Soar,, .now making
navigable. 1816 Shelley Lett. Pr. Wks. 1888 I. 341 The
hay was making under the trees. 1857 Kingsley Misc.,
Th. Gravel-pit II. 381 When the South- Western Railway
was in making. 1891 Graphic 31 Oct. 526/3 That good
prices are making for English cheese argues good quality.
e. In the making : used adjectively (in imitation
of Milton) to designate something as existing in
an undeveloped state.
1644 Milton Areop. (Arb.) 69 Opinion in good men is but
knowledge in the making. 1876 Geo. Ei.iot Dan. Der.
Ixiv, His opinion . . may be our virtue in the making. 1879
Mauds ley Pathol. Minds\, 282 Evil is good in the making
as vice is virtue in the making. 1889 D. Hannay Caft.
Marryat vii. 99 Unless the [newspaper] correspondent lias
seen history in the making. iS<y> Guardian a6 Nov. 189^/3
It is a great soul in the making.
2. spec, in technical uses: The training or bring-
ing to the required condition (of an animal) ; the
preparation (of hay; ; the curing (of fish).
1390 GoWKft Con/. II. 161 He tawhte men . . the makinge
Of Oxen, and of hois the same. 1523 Fitzherb. Husb. § 25
A man maye speke of makynge of hey, andgettyngeof corne,
but god disposeth and ordreth all thynge. 1615 Latham
Falconry (1633) 12 Forget not all this time of her making
..to walke round about her, using your voice, and giving
her many bits with your hand. 1809 Kendall Traz\ II.
xlvii. 154 The curing, or as it is called, the making of the
fi>h. 1893 Field 17 June 904/3 The light swath is converted
from grass to hay in a few hours without any 'making'.
1902 Daily Chron. 21 July 3/1 Ponies that only require
' making ' in order to become valuable.
t 3. Poetical composition ; poetizing, versifying.
Also//. = poetical compositions, poems. Obs.
c 1330 R. BRVSNF.Chron. IVace (Rolls) 129 For pis makyng
I will no mede hot gude prayere when 3e it rede, c 1374
Chaucer Troylus v. 1789 Hut litel bok no makyng how
nenuye But subgit be to alle poesye. C1375 XI Pains
Hell 352 in 0. E. Misc. 222 Meruel 3c not of his makyng.
1377 Langl. P. PI. B. XII. 16 J>ow medlest be with mak-
ynges and my^test go sey bi sauter. c 1430 Lydg. Min.
Poems (Percy Soc.) 128, I the refreyn tooke, Of hym
that was in makyng soverayne, My maister Chaucier.
1567 Drant Horace, Ep. To Rdr. *v, Elim flames, and gue
gawes, ..are soner rapte vp thenne are those which be
lettered and Clarkly makings. 1589 Puttenham Eng.
Pocsie in. xix. (Arb.) 247 A noble gentleman and much de-
lighted in vulgar making. 1614J. Davies Eclogue 19 (Gro-
sart) For, fro thy Makings, milke, and mellie, flowes To
feed the Songster-swaines with Arts soot-meats.
f4. Testamentary disposition. [» MDu. mak-
inge.] Obs.
1621 in Braseuose Coll. Muniments (MS.) 22/12, I charge
myne executors that the same [money] bee payed according
to my makinge.
5. Advancement, success. Obs. exc. in phr. To
be the making of : to be what ensures the success of
(a person or thing).
c 1470 G. Ashby Active Policy 731 A man to be preferred to
honour Of fee or office to his grete makyng. 1496-7 Plnmp-
ton Corr. (Camden) 124 Your good and discret answere may
be my making. x6aa Mabhe tr. AlematCs Guzman (CAl/.
11. 215 They [women] are the making or the marring of their
house, a 1680 Butler Rem. 1,1759) II. 31 A lucky Repartee
hit upon by Chance may be the making of a Man. 1749
Fielding Tom Jones viii. xi, The fine gentleman, .. who
doth so much honour to his family and is to be the making
of it. 1871 Smiles Charac. xi. (1876) 324 A wife may be the
making or the unmaking of the best of men.
-f*6. The way in which a thing is made; style of
construction ; conformation, form, sha]>e, build,
1 make \ Obs.
1393 Langl. P. PL C. xiv. 193
for man, as in makynge, Is most yi
werkes, Whi [etc.]. 1398 Trevisa Bartk. De P. R. xvm.
ix. (1495) 763 Congrcs and Elys ben lyke to serpentes in
makynge. 1-1400 Destr. Troy 9774, I . . am febiller be fer
ben pe fre prinse, Both of myght. & of makyng, & of mayn
strenkith. 1466 in Willis & Clark Cambridge (1886) III. 93
The same dores and wyndowes shalbe like of strength and
makyng of the dores and wyndowes of the other newscoles.
1494 in Somerset Medieval Wilts (1901) 323 A newe mete-
cloth of Lankeshire making. 1533 Fitzherb. Husb. § 2
There be plowes of dyuers makynges in dyuers countreys.
1534 More On Passion Wks. 1304/1 That oyntment truly
made was veri costly : which was the cause that the true
making was lesse vsed. 1599 Hakluyt Voy. II. I. 103 In
colour, eating, and making like a Makarell. 164a Shirley
f'er-fore meruaileb me
iche pe in wit and in
f Sisters v. i. (1652) 49, I see the greatest men are flesh And
blood, our souls are much upon a making. 1636 Heylin
Surv, France 54 There are erected, .[nine] hansome Crosses
of stone; all of a making. 1660 Act 12 Chas. J I, c. 4.
1 Subed. s.v. Buckrams, Buckrams of French making. 1662
1 J. Davies tr. Olearius' Voy. Ambass. 263 Another sort of
insect of a making much like a Spider. 1669 Stubmy
Mariner's Mag. 11. 45 A general and particular Descrip-
tion, Making, and Use of all the.. Instruments.
■ft), with reference to a literary production ; in
I quots. = version, edition. Obs.
1382 Wyclif Prov. Pro]., Masloch, that Ebrues Parablis,
the comun making [St. Jerome vulgata editio] Prouerbis
ctepeth. 1482 Caxton Higden's Polychron. Prohemye,
Polychronicon. .emprynted & sette in forme by me William
Caxton and a lytel embelysshed fro tholde makyng.
+ c. Of persons: Bodily form or appearance;
build, 'make*. Obs.
c 1430 Generydes 4555 By his making He is ful like to my
derling. 1587 Fleming Cont. Holinshed III. 355/1 Some
I ..esteemed him a man for making well proportioned. 1590
Shaks. Com. Err. iv. ii. 22 Stigmaticall in making worse
in minde. 1609 Holland/?;/////. Marcell. 282 Higge he was
of making, and withall verie tall. 1 1640 Lovely North.
Lasse iii. in Child Ballads IV. 208/2, I was so greatly taken
with his speech, and with his comely making.
f d. Mental or moral character; = Makej£.- 3.
1647 Clarendon Hist. Ret. 1. § 120 William earl of Pem-
broke was next, a man of another mould and making.
7. concr. Something that has been made; fa
created thing, creature (obs.) ; a product of manu-
facture. Also, the quantity made at one time.
1340 Aycnb. 92 pet bet body of man is be meste poure
makynge .. and be spirit of man .. ys .. be he^este ssepbe
bet may by. 1645 Shetland Witch Trial in Hibbert Descr.
Shetl. Isles (18221 594 You did thereby marr and undo twa
whole makings of the said bear, quhilk never did good. 1823
J. Hadcock /)('»/. ^lwK^w.i39Whatever quantity is required
for any particular job of work should be made all at one
time ; no two makings coming away alike, but depending
entirely upon accident. Ibid. 150 Cut your making into
cakes. 1882 Ogilvie, Making .. 2. What has been made,
especially at one time ; as, the whole making is before you.
1890 Century Diet, s.v., A making of bread.
b. //. Earnings, profits, colloq.
1837 Ht. Martineau Soc. Amer. III. 122 That a wife
shall possess half, or a large part, of her husband's earnings
or makings. 1892 Cassetfs Sat. Jml. 21 Sept. 13/3 My
makings in the way of tips bringing in on an average about
twice that sum. 1900 Daily News 10 Feb. 2/4 'Makings',
in the way of tips, had been very poor.
8. The material out of which something may be
made; the potentiality of becoming something;
in phr. to have or be the makingis of. . .
1613 Shaks. Hen. VIII, iv. i. 87 She had all the Royall
makings of a Quecne. 1837 Dickens Fickw. xxxvii, He
seemed to have the makings of a very nice fellow about
him. 1857 Lawrence Guy Liv. iii. 17 There was the making
of a good rider in many of them. 1858 Trollope Dr. Thome
I. v. 124 He's the making of a very nice horse, I don't
doubt. 1861 W. H. Russell in Times 24 Sept., They are
not an army, but they are the making, as we say, of a
splendid one. 1886 American XII. 134 This Bavarian king
was the making of a fine man when he was young. 1887
H. Smart Cleverly won ii. 16 There was possibly the mak-
ings of a great cross-country horse in her.
9. //. in Coal-mining. (See quots.)
1851 Greenwell Coat-trade Terms Northumb. fy Durh.
36 Makings. — The small coals hewed out in kirving. 1883
Gresley Gloss. Coal Mining, Makings, the slack and dirt
made in holing.
10. Comb. a. attributive : making -cylinder, in
a paper-making machine, the cylinder on which
the pulp is felted into a sheet (distinguished from
the beating cylinder and the drying cylinder) ;
making-felt, 'that felt of a cylinder paper-machine
on which the web of pulp is taken from the mak-
ing-cylinder ' (Knight); making-iron (now often
confused with meaking-iron : see Meaktno), a kind
of grooved chisel used by caulkers to finish off
seams.
1769 Falconer Diet. Marine (1780) 11, Cat/at double, a
caulker's making-iron. 1846 Young Naut. Diet. s.v. Caulk.
b. With following adv. or adj., forming nouns of
action corresponding to phrasal combinations of
the lb., as making-off, -out, -over, Making-up ;
making-good ; making-merry rare = Merry-mak-
ing ; making-ready, preparation (for technical
uses see Ready a. Ill) ; also attrih. Also making-
as-if nonce-wd. (cf. Make v.1 70), pretence, make-
believe.
138a Wyclif John xix. 14 It was the makinge redy, or
euyn, of pask. 1530 Palsgr. 242/1 Makyng redy, parure.
1674 N. Fairfax Bulk $■ Selv. 118 For the better making
out of which, we are to bethink our selves, that [etc]. Ibid.
129 We shall find that begetting the like, is making over of
springs. 1813 L. Hunt in Examiner 3 May 273/2 That
ordinary and vulgar state-cunning,— that wretched making-
asif. 1815 J. Laing Voy. Spitzbergen (1822) 99 The process of
paring and barrelling up the blubber, is termed making off.
1822 Scott Peveril iv, A making-merry in the house of
Tirzah. 1846 Young Naut. Diet. s.v. Flensing, The blubber
. . is cut into square pieces and stowed in the hold ; after-
wards, these are. .cut into smaller pieces to be stowed away
in casks ; this latter process is termed making-off. 1874
Southward Pract. Print, xlv. (ed. 4) 413 Place the sheet [of
paper] . . on the making-ready board. 1881 Young Every Man
his own Mechanic § 1386 All making good as it is technically
called— i. e. patching up holes in old plastering — used to be
done with plaster. 1887 Goode, etc. Fisheries U. S. Sect. v.
II. 286 Paring and barreling blubber, termed making-off.
t Making, vbl. sb.% Obs. [f. Make z/.2 +
-lire*.] Mating, matchmaking.
1608 Middleton Trick to Catch Old One 111. iii, My
Vncle comes with Gentlemen, his friends, And tis vpon a
making.
Making (m^-kirj), ppl. a. rare. [f. Make v.^
+ -ing 1.] That makes (in various senses) ; + pro-
ductive, creative; f money-making, prosperous.
1434 Misyn Mending Life 126 With swetnes of pe god-
hede & warmnes of Makand lyght. 1592 West 1st Ft.
Symbol. § 46 A, Instruments, .of their effects be either con-
stitutiue and making, or remissorie and Hberatorie. 1760-72
H. Brooke FoolofQual. (1809) III. 118 You are an indus-
trious and a making young man. a 1774 Goldsm. Surv.
Exp. Philos. (1776) I. 31 When artificial magnets are made
by rubbing, each pole in the making magnet begets its
sympathetic pole of a different name in the newly made
magnet. 1903 Daily Chron. 18 Nov. 8/6 Artificial Florist.—
Wanted a good making forewoman.
Makings, obs. form of Mackins.
Making-up. In the various senses of make
up (see Makk z».1 96) ; completion ; compounding,
composition ; reconciliation ; dressing up and dis-
guising for the impersonation of a character; the
balancing of accounts at the end of a certain period.
1593 Abp. Bancroft Dauug. Posit, iv. x. 168 Of purpose
to haue drawen Lancaster vnto them, for the making vp of
a quaternion. 1620 Massingek & Field Fatal Dowry m.
i, Thy Taylor,. .Can bring more to the making vp of a man,
Then can be hop'd from thee. 1671 Blagrave Astrol. Fhy-
sick (title-p.i, Directing the way to Distil and Extract their
Vertues and making up of Medicines. 1674 N. Fairfax
Bulk $ Selv. 39 The finites that go to the making up of an
infinite. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp,, Making Up, a term
used by the distillers to express the bringing spirits up to
a certain standard of strength by the addition of water,
1840 Carlvle Heroes ii, Any making-up of his mind. 1864
D. W. Thompson Day Dreams Schoolm. (ed. 2) 231 Then
will we promise to be good; we will throw tiny arms half
round papa's neck .. O the bliss of making up! 1869
Mrs. H. Wood R. Yorke xxv. II. 226 That lady, .had abso-
lute need of artistic aid in the matter of making-up. 1884
McLaren Spinning Woollen § Worsted 65 The master
should therefore insist on his 'making up' being done
thoroughly. 1890 Daily News 23 Dec. 5/4 The herring
boats came in from sea at Lowestoft la^t week, and the pro-
cess of 'making-up ' being now concluded [etc.], iZgzIbid.
10 May 7/3 From ten to twenty millions have been added
to the market value of Sto:k Exchange securities since the
last making-up.
b. at t rib.
1883 Howells Woman's Reas. x. I. 206 I've written him
a making-up letter. 1887 Fall Mall G. 12 Oct. 12/1 The
following table shows the drop since the last making-up
price. 1890 Ibid, a Sept. 7/2 Since the last ' making up '
day most of the movements in the Home Railway market
have been favourable to operators for the rise. 1895 A. J.
Wilson Gloss. Terms Stock E.rch., Making up Prices, the
prices fixed on the first and second days of the settlement
for the purposes of continuing or carrying over transactions.
The prices at which transactions continued to the following
account are settled. 1900 Daily News 3 Dec. 2/5 The shiit
and making-up factories are. .very well engaged.
Makins, obs. form of Mackins.
Makkar, -er, obs. Sc. forms of Maker.
Makkers, dial, form of Mackins.
Makrelvl, obs. form of Mackerel l and 2.
t Makrelty. Obs. Also makrellty, maclarte.
[Metathetic alteration of MDu. makelardie ti. make-
/are broker: see Mackeler.] Brokerage.
1495 in H 'a ly burton's Ledger ^(1867) 106 Item makrellty 8 g.
1498 Ibid. 124 Item for makrelty of the 2 sekis to Peter
Rekeyr, 5s. 1499 Ibid. 225 Item for maclarte, ilk sek xxx g.
t Makron. Obs.~° [? corruption of Malkin.]
= Malkin 3.
1573 Babet Alv. M 56 A Makron or colerake. Rutabulum.
Makyere, obs. form of Maker.
Mai. Obs. [F. and It. ma/.] -Evil sb.l 7b.
1745 Pococke Descr. East II. i. 151 Among the English
it [a disorder in which blotches break out on the body] goes
by the name of the Mai of Aleppo. 1756 A. Russell Nat
Hist. Aleppo [262 A cutaneous disease . . has acquired the
name of II mal cP Aleppo or Aleppo evil.] 264 The third kind
of Mal. .begins like the two others, but [etc.].
Mal- (miel), prefix, formerly often written
male- (but pronounced as one syll.), chiefly re-
presents the ¥. mal adv. :— L. male ill, badly;
rarely, as in malta/ent, it represents the OF. ma/
adj. :— L. mains bad. In its advb. use the prefix
occurs in many adoptions from Fr., which are
sometimes combinations with vbs., as ma/treat;
sometimes nouns of action formed from such com-
binations, as malfeasance ; and sometimes combina-
tions with adjs., where the prefix serves to reverse
the favourable connotation of the word, as mal-
adroit, malcontent. In imitation of these adopted
words, mal- has from the 1 6th c. been prefixed to
many Eng. words, to convey the sense * ill ',
'wrong', 'improper(ly)'. The words thus modi-
fied are chiefly nouns of action, as in malpractice ,
and many physiological terms, as malassimilation,
malformation; occasionally adjs. and vbs., as in
malodorous, malapprop?-iate. The formations that
have a permanent character are treated in their
alphabetical places ; examples of the frequent use
of the prefix in the creation of nonce-words are
mal-accident , -application^ -appointment, -associa-
MALABAR.
Hon, -cultivation, -development, -direction, -feeling,
■hygiene, -identification, -institution, -instruction,
-operation, -publication, -reasoning, -use, -volition ;
maladjusted, -conceited, -created, -discontented, '
-shapen adjs.
1608 H. Clapham Errour on Left Hand it) Master Mal-
content, me thinks you are maiconceited. 169* Rhode
Island Col. Rec. (1858) III. 288 Some male-discontented
persons. 1714 J. FoRTBSCUB-AxAND l-'ortescue's Absol. <y
Lim. Mon. Pref. 13 It is owing to Passion and Interest, and
not to the Male-Institution of the Law. 1715 M. Dames
Allien. Brit. I. 10 The Expression and Malepublication of
the respective criminal Contents of such Scandalous Libels.
1799 R. Warner Walk (1800) 6 There are no limits to the
vicious conceptions, malassociations, and wild incongruities
of false taste. 1803 Spirit rub. frills. VI 1. 22 If, however,
it so happens that either mal-accident or your own discre-
tion . . has prevented letc] 1808 E. S. Barkei t Miss-led
General 125 These malappointments took place ..when
the army had ceased to be a matter of mere parade. 1822
Mrs. E. Nathan l.aiigrcath I. 81 This maloperation of
the affections.. m iy be best prevented, .by that wholesome
species of dissipation. 1824 Examiner 413/2 A man I never
saw and therefore could have no malfceling towards. 1839
Bla lew. Mag. XLV. 812 Fearful gropings to imitate what
they render malcreated and hideous. 1840 Mill Diss. f,
Disc. (1859! I. 94 The question often is, what is least preju-
dicial to the intellect, uncultivation or malcullivation. 1841
Gen. P. Thompson Exerc. (1842) VI. 161 That mal-reasoning
which makes men expect [etc.]. 1843 7rnl. R. Agric. Soc. 1 V.
1. 192 The abuse, however, or rather mal-use, of an article
is no argument against it. a 1849 Poe Whs. 1864 III. 369
The heart is stirred, and the mind does not lament its
mal-instruction. 1855 Miss Cobbk Intuit. Mor. 135 He
proceeds . . to guard against its malapplication by arguing
that [etc.]. 1870 0. W. Holmes Mechanism in Til. A/ Mar.
in Old Vol. Life (1893) 305 So to rate the gravity of a
mal-volition by its consequences is the merest sensational
materialism. 1886 W. Graham Sol. Problem 18 Society.,
maladjusted and ' out of joint ' in its social relations a id
parts. 1887 Harper's Mag. May 952 Beggars abound,
hideously malshapen. 1888 T. Gill in Amer. Naturalist
Oct. 926 Incredible as such a malidentification on the part
of Pictet must appear. 1898 Allbutt's Syst. Med. V. 614
Intensified and fostered by conditions of malhygiene. 1899
Ibid. VII. 116 The maldirectioii of movement is much in-
creased when th'i aid of the sight is denied. Ibid. 732 The
altered shapes of cells, regarded by Sachs as evidence of
congenital nlaldevelopment.
Malabar (mse'labiu), the name of a sea-board
district in theSAV. of Hindostan, used attributively
in the names of various plants, vegetable products,
etc Malabar bark, the genus Ochna (CasseWs
lincycl. Diet. 1885) ; Malabar catmint, a labiate
plant, Anisomeles malabarica, used in India as a
tonic and febrifuge ; Malabar laurel, Melastoma
malabathrica (see quot.) ; Malabar leaf, Cinna-
momum mahibathrum ; Malabar nightshade, the
chenopodiaceous genus Basella ; Malabar nut, an
acanthaeeous plant, fusticia Adhatoda ; Malab vr-
oil, an oil obtained from the livers of various fishes
found on the Malabar coast ; Malabar plum, the
jamrosade or rose -apple, Eugenia jambos (Jambosa
vulgaris); Malabar rose, a shrubby East Indian
rose-mallow, Hibiscus rosa-malabarica.
1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp. App., Malabar. nut, .. the
English name of a genus of plants, called by botanists
Adhatoda. 1787 tr. Linnceits' Fain. Plants I. 202 Basella.
Malabar Nightshade. 1813 Ainslie Ma'. Med. Hindostan
99 Malabar Cat Mint. Nepela Malabarica. Lin. 18x6-20
T. Green Univ. Herbal I. i6j Basella Rubra, Red Mala-
bar Nightshade. Ibid. 777 fusticia Adhatoda, Malabar
Nut. 1840 Paxton Bot. Diet., Malabar Leaf, see Cinna-
iitommii .ilalabatrum. . . Malabar Rose, see Hibiscus Rosa
malabarica. 1855 Ogilvie Suppl., Malabar Plum. 1882
Garden 1 Apr. 215/1 Melastoma malabathrica .. is a com-
mon plant in Malabar, where it is used in much the same,
way as the common Laurel is here; hence the name Mala-
bar Laurel. 1883 Simmonds Diet. Use/. Auini., Malabar
Oil-Sardine {Clupea longiceps). Large quantities of oil are
made from this fish on the coast of Malabar.
II Malabathrum ;m£elabre-J)rem). Hist. Also
malobathrum, mala-, malobathrou. [L. mala-,
malobathrum, -on, a. Gr. iidAa-, ua\6@a.9pov, a.
Skr. tamd'.apattra, f. lamata (Hindi tamal) the
name of various trees (see below) f pattra leaf.]
An aromatic leaf mentioned by ancient writers ; a
perfumed ointment prepared from this.
The Hindi tamal, Skr. tamdla (which is the source
of the Gr. and L. word), is applied to the tree Xan-
tltochymus pictorius, and also to various species of Cin-
namomum, two of which have been named C. Mala-
batkrum and C. Taitala. The ' malabathrum ' of antiquity
was prob. the leaf of one or more species of Ciiinaiiiomum.
The identification with the betel leaf (Skr. tdmbula, Hindi
tambdl: is erroneous.
1601 Holland Pliny I. 378 We are beholden moreover to
Syria for Malobathrum. .. .rEgypt is more fruitfull of this
hearbe than Syria. And yet there commeth a better kind
thereof from India than both of these countries. Ibid. 379
The perfume or smell that Malobathrum or the leafe yeeld-
eth when it is boiled in wine, passeth all others. 1625 Pur-
chas Pilgrims I. I. i. 43 Amomum, Ginger, Malabathrum,
Ammoniake. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Malobathrum.
1883 tr. Wellhausen's Proleg. Hist. Israel 391 The culti-
vation of the malabathron in Syria. 1886 Sheldon tr.
Flaubert's Salammbb 16 For your enjoyment bread,
meat, oil, and malobathrum were provided from the store-
houses.
Malable, obs. form of Malleable.
t Malacado'uian. Obs. [app. f. some cor-
ruption of MELOCOTON + -IAN.] — MYBOBALAN.
75
1608 Closet for Ladies 4 To preserue Mirabolans or Mala- '
cadonians. Take your Malacadonians and stone them.
Malaca-tawney, obs. f. Mulligatawny.
Malacaton, -catoon, var. ff. Melocoton.
Malacca (malarka). The name of a town and
district on the Malay peninsula in the S.L. of Asia ;
used attrib. in some names of plants and vegetable-
products. Malacca apple = Malay apple (see Ma-
lav at.); Malacca bean, the fruit of the Scmccarpus
Anacaniium or marking-nut of India (see also
Molucca) ; Malacca cane (also simply Malacca),
a walking-cane of a rich brown colour, often clouded
or mottled, made of the stem of the palm Calamus
Scipionum.
i6ii Coicic, Aitacarde, th' East Indian fruit called Ana*
cardium, or Beane of Malaca. 1855 Ogilvie Suppl, Ma-
lacca beau. 1856 SeemANN Hist. Palms 131 The well-known
' Malacca Canes' . . do not occur about Malacca itself, but
are imported from Siak, on the opposite coast of Sumatra.
1871 Good Words XII. 431 It takes an expert to detect
a real from a painted Malacca. 1871 Kingslev At Last
xvi, That with, .bright flesh-coloured fruit, [is] a Malacca-
apple, or perhaps a Rose-apple. 1885 Lady Bkassey The
Trades 135 The malacca apple with its bright magenta
flowers.
t Malace. Obs. rare~". [ad. L. malacia a
calm at sen. a. Gr. paXania ; cf. Malacia.] 'A
calnie at Sea' (Cockeram 1623^.
Malachatauni, variant of Mulligatawny.
Malachite (moe'laksit). Forms : a. 4 melo-
chites, 8 malachites, molochites. P. 6-7 melo
chite, (8 malachquite), 7- malachite, [a. OF.
melochite, F. malachite, ad. L. "malachites, molo-
chites, Gr. ♦/j.nA.axiVr/.', * pnXo\hr]S, a stone (peril,
our malachite) resembling the leaf of the mallow
in colour, f. /iaKaxi), H°^"XV -Qe mallow.] II) drous
carbonate of copper, occurring as a mineral of a
beuitiful green colour, susceptible of a high polish;
it is often made into ornamental articles. Also, an
example or specimen of this mineral.
1398 Trevtsa Barth. De P. R. xvi. Ixvii. (1495) 574 Melo-
cbites is a grene stone lyke to Smaragdus and hath that
name of the colour of malewes. 1567 MapleT Gr. Forest
15 b, The Melochite is a greene Gem, much like to the Snia
ragde. 1656 Blount Glossogr., Malachite {malachites), a
stone of a dark green colour. 175&-7 tr. Keysler's Treat.
(1760) I. 56 Remarkable stones,.. as crystal, dragons-blood,
malachites, asteria's. 1844 Disraeli Coningsbyi. iv, Colossal
vases of malachite presented by emperors.
b. /Slue malachite — Azubitb i.
1821 Jameson Man. Mineral. 98 Blue Malachite, or Blue
Copper.
c. attrib. ; sometimes quasi-af)'. = of the colour
of malachite. Malachite-green, (<?) = malachite;
(b) a dye of the colour of malachite.
* 1880 Frisweli. in Soc. of Arts frnl. 445 The well-known
methyl green .. is now .. replaced by the malachite green,
discovered by Oscar Doebner. 1899 Cagnev tr. Jakscll's
Clin. Diagu. v. (ed. 4) 157 Koster has recently employed
malachite-green with good results as a test for hydrochloric
acid. 1900 F. Anstkv Brass Bottle i. 3 Against a back-
ground of lapis lazuli and malachite sea.
II Malacia (maU~'-fia). rath. [L. malacia
(stomachi), Gr. piaXania softness, f. paXanis soft.]
a. Morbid softening of a tissue or part. b. De-
praved or fanciful appetite, as in chlorosis or preg-
nancy or dirt-eating. (Syd. Soc. Lex. 18S9.)
1657 Physical Diet., Malacia,. .a corrupt appetite,. .which
is the cause of longings in women. 1706 Phillips, Malacia,
. .a queasiness, or squeamishness of Stomach. . . Also a ten-
derness of Body. 1866 A. Flint Princ. Med. (1880) 511
Malacia denotes a morbid craving for certain articles of food
or articles which are not devoid of nutrition, whereas pica
denotes a desire for innutritions substances.
Malacic (malarsiM , a. [f. Malac-ia + -10.]
Of or pertaining to malacia. 1890 in Century Diet.
: Malacissant, <•■ Obs. rare. [ad. L. mala-
cissant-em, pies. pple. of malaciss are, ad. Gr.
fiaKaici^-civ, f. paXaxbs soft.] Softening.
1638 Rawley tr. Bacon's Life s, Death (1651) 64 The Diet
Malacissant or Suppling. 1640 G, Watts tr. Bacon's Ad7'.
Learn, iv. ii. 203 Malacissant and mollifying Qualities.
t Ma:lacissa"tion. Obs. rare. [ad. L. mala-
cissdtion-em, n. of action f. malacissare : see prec]
The action of making soft or supple.
1638 Rawley tr. Bacon's Life <r Death (1651) 48 As
touching the Malacissation, or Mollifying of the Members,
we shall speak afterward. Ibid. 50.
Malacoderm (mre'lakfldojm), a. and sb. Nat.
Hist. [f. Gr. fi.aXa.Ko-s soft + Sippa skin.] A. adj.
Having a soft skin. B. sb. A soft-skinned animal ;
an animal of any of the various groups called
Malacodermata {-derma, -dermi) , viz. : a. one of
the two divisions of Reptiles, opposed to Sclero-
dermata ; b. a tribe of beetles, including the fire-
flies ; C. the sea-anemones.
1835 Kirby Hab. A> Inst. Auim. II. xxii. 414 Though the
Malacoderm, or soft-coated Reptiles, appear the legitimate
successors of the Fishes. 1866 Intett. Observ. No. 56. 134
This curious elongate Malacoderm [an insect]. 1880 Pascoe
Zool. Classif. (ed. 2) 139 The Malacoderms [ = Telephorid.c].
Malacodermatous (mailakflda-imatss) , a.
Nat. Hist. [f. mod.L. Malacodermata neut. pi.
(f. Gr. nahaKos soft + tiipua skin) + -ous.] Pertain-
MALACOTOMY.
ing to the Malacodermata in any of the applica-
tions of the term : see prec.
1856 in Mayne Expos. Lex. ; and ill recent Diets.
MalacoderniOUS (ma-lakodoMmasj, a. Nat.
Hist. [f. Gr. pa.KaKohtpp.os soft-skinned (f. piaXanus
soft + hippia skin) + -ous.] Soft-skinned ; = Mala-
coderm A.
1856 in Mayne Expos. Lex.', and in recent Diets.
Malaoolious, variant of Melancholious Obs.
Malacolite ^mrc'laWUit). Min. [ad.F.ff/a/a-
colithc Abildgaard 1800 in Ann. de Chimie xxxii.
196: 'pierre molle'), f. Gr. naXaKo-s soft + AiSos
stone : see -lite.] A synonym of diopside.
1823 Phillips Mineral. Index, Malacolite. 1859 Page
Haildbk. Geol. Terms, Malacolite, known also as Sahlite ;
a variety of augite of various shades of green, and of a
vitreous or sub pearly lustre.
Malacology (majlakc'ludgi . [a.F . malacobgie
(De Blainville 1825, who says that it is shott for
malacozoolcgic), f. Gr. pia\aicu-s soft + -log v.] The
science which treats of the formation and habits of
soft-bodied animals or molluscs.
1836 Blackw. Mag. XXXIX. 306 We have also seen your
book upon shells, or rather upon malacology. 1857 Wood
Coiiini. Obj. Seashore 14 This branch of Natural History
has leaped at once out of the mere childish toy of conclio-
logy into the maturer science of malacology.
b. humorously. The substance of a mollusc.
1854 Badiia.m I/alieitt. 38 Men took a great pride. .in
fattening their different coquillages, not so much .. with a
view to the increase of the malacology within, as to produce
enormous shells. 1855 Eraser's Mac- 1.1. 548 Sometimes
after mousing a snail till it ha-, put its head out. .they fly at
and peck off a little mouthful of its malacology.
Hence Malacolo-glcal a., pertaining to mala-
cology. Malaco'logist, one versed in malacology.
1847-54 Webster, Metleteologist. 1881 Amer. Naturalist
Sept. 704 Papers bearing on malacological topics. 1895
Eain. Rei'. ' let. 358 The recently instituted Malacological
Society of London. Ibid., A malacologist is concerned first
with the molluscous animal.
MalaCOpterygian (nuvlakcpteiidjian", a.
and sb. [f. mod.L. malacopterygi-i (f. Gr. /raAa/to s
-iriTcpvy-, TtTtpv!} wing) + -ax.] a. adj. Of or
pertaining to the Malacoptcrygii or soft-finned
fishes, b. sb. One of the Malacoptcrygii.
1835 Kihby Hab.fi Ins/. Anim. II. xxi. 392 Malacopte
rygian or soft-rayed Fishes. Ibid., Apode Malacoptery-
gians. 1843 Lowe Fishes Madeira Introd. 13 The second
series of the true fishes, called Malacopterygians or Soft-
fumed. 1876 Beneden's Anim. Parasites 7 A sea anemone
living on good terms with a Malacopterygian fish.
MalaCOpterygiouS (mtvdak(/pteri-d,z.3s), a.
[formed as prec. + -ous.] = Malacopterygian a.
1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp. s.v. Amutodytes, The fish is of
the malacopterygious or soft-finned kind. 1875 F.ncycl.
Brit. I. 31/1 Al'domiiiales or Abdominal Fishes, a sub-
division of the Malacopterygious Order.
11 MalaC0Ste01l(ma.lakf -st/jfii). Path. [mod.L.
f. Gr. jiaAa/r-os soft + beniov bone.] = Osteo-
malacia.
1801 Med. frill. V '. 50 In .. cases where malacosteon has
made such dreadful ravages in the female constitution.
1877 tr. rou Ziemssen's Cycl. Med. XVI. 226.
Malacostomous (mselakp-sttfaws), a. [f.
mod.L. malacoslom us (Kay's Willughby 1686 ; f.
Gr. paKaKo-s soft + <nop-a mouth) + -ous.] Of
fishes : Having a soft mouth (i. e. toothless jaws) ;
leather-mouthed.
1753 in Chambers Cycl. Supp. 177s in Ash ; and in mod.
Diets.
MalaCOStracan (rmirlak^rstrakan), a. and sb.
[f. mod.L. malacostraca pi., Gr. ptaXaKoarpaKa,
neut. pi. of paKaKoorpaKos soft-shelled (f. ixaXaxus
soft + ooTpciKov shell) + -ax.] a. adj. Of or be-
longing to the Malacostraca, one of the orders
of the Crustacea, b. sb. An individual of this
order.
1835 Kihby Hob. .r Inst. Anim. II. xiv. 18 He [Dr. Leach]
further subdivides . . the Crustaceans into Entomostracans
and Malacostracan-. 1859 Darwin Orig. Spec. xiv. (1878)
390 The whole great malacostracan order. 1893 Shipley
Zool. Invertebr'ata 280 The characteristic Malacostracan
excretory gland is found opening on the second antenna;.
Malacostracology (mse ULtyfetraVlSdji). [I.
mod.L. malacostraca (^see Malacostuacan) +
-ology.] The science which treats of the Mala-
costraca. 1847-54 in Webster. 185s in Ogilvie Suppl.
Hence Malaco^stracological a., pertaining to
malacostracology ; Malaco straco logist, one
versed in this science. 1890 in Century Diet.
Malacostracons (maclakf strakas), a. [f.
mod.L. malacostraca(see Malacostuacan) + -ous.]
= Malacostuacan a.
1845 Encycl. Metro/. XXV. 2 The Malacostracous Crus-
taceans of Latreille and Edwards. 1877 Huxley Anat. Inv.
Anim. vii. 375 A malacostracous crustacean.
MalaCOtOmy (ma;laVtomi). [f. Gr. paXaxo-s
soft + -ro/ti'a cutting.] The anatomy of soft-bodied
animals, e. g. the Mollusca.
1879 in Rossiter Diet. Sei. Terms.
Hence Malacoto'niic a., pertaining to mala-
cotomy ; Malaco-tomist, one versed in mala-
cotomy In some recent Diets.
76-2
MALACOZOIC.
Mulacoton, -oon, -oun, var. Mklocoton.
Malacozoic (nue lakaztm-ik;, a. [f. mod.L.
malacozoa (f. Gr. fiaKa/cos soft + flfcj* an animal)
+ -IC.] Of or pertaining to the Malacozoa or soft-
bodied animals, e. g. the Mollusca. Malacozoic
series : I Iuxley's term for the series of animals from
the lowest Polyzoa to the highest molluscs.
1877 Huxley Anat. Inv. Anim. xii. 679.
Ma:laC020Oid. [formed as prec. + -OID.]
i86z Dana Man. GeoL (1863) 749 Malacozooids ; or Mol-
lusk-like Protozoans, as the Rhizopods.
MalaCO-ZOOlogy (mce-lakJ|Zt^'16d3i). [a. F.
malacozoologie (De Blainville 1S25), f. mod.L.
malacozoa (see Malacozoic and -ology) ; cf. Zoo-
logy.] -^ Malacology.
1856 in Mayne Expos. Lex. 1902 Catal. Lib. Univ. Mu-
seum, Oxford.
t Malaxtic, a. and sb. ? Obs. [ad. Gr. fia\a-
ktik-os, f. fxaka.K~} stem of nakaoouv to soften,
cogn. w. fia\aicus soft.] a. adj. Adapted to soften;
emollient, b. sb. An emollient medicine. Hence
Mala-ctical a., in the same sense.
1541 R. Copland Galyen's Terap. 2 C ij, A salue malactyke.
1657 loMUNsoN Refiou's Disp. 35 Some [purge] by molli-
fying as most malacticks. Ibid. 200 A malactical and mol-
litive medicament and a Malagm do not at all differ. 1684
tr. Bonet's Moc. Compit vn. 253 Ammoniack, or some other
Malaciick, must be applied. 1727 Bradley Fam. Diet. s.v.
Gargarism, Others [Gargarisms]..are malactick and diges-
tive. 1889 in Syd, Soc. Lex.
fMalacy, anglicized form of Malacia.
1656 in Blount Glossogr. 1658-96 in Phillips.
Maladaptation (ma^teda-pt^'Jan). [f. Mal-
prefix + Adaptation.] Faulty adaptation.
1877 W. K. Clifford Led. % Ess. (1879) H. 273 The silly
maladaptations in organic nature are seen to be steps towards
the improvement or discarding of imperfect organs.
Mai address, anglicized form of Maladhksse.
t Malade. Obs. [a. F. malade : see Malady.]
A sick person, an invalid.
1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 271 b/2 And the malades and seke
men refused their medycyne and heler. 1651 tr. De-las-
Coveras Don Fenise 8 They carried the Malade unto Pole-
ron s house.
Maladerie. Obs. exc. Hist. In 5 maledery,
mallardri. [a. OF. maladerie (mod.F. corruptly
z/ialadrerie, after ladre leper), f. malade sick.] A
hospital, esp. for lepers.
A leper hospital near Sandwich is mentioned in various
15th c. wills as Me Maldrye ' (140&), * the Maldery ' (1492),
'the Mullery' (14991 ; a modern lease has 'Mauldry'.
1461 Rolls 0/ Parlt. V. 472/2 The Hospitall of the holy
Innocentes called the mallardri. 1494 Fabyan Chron. vn.
470 The maledery of Le Longe Iumell. 1903 Jeans Mur-
ray's Handbk. Lincsh. (ed. 2} 64 Just outside the gate [sc.
Bar Gate, Lincoln] is ' Malandery field ' so called from the
Maladerie, or Hospital for lepers, founded by Remigius.
Maladichte, -dicte : see Maledight.
f Mala dious, a. Obs. [f. Malady + -ous ; cf.
OF. maloilieux.'] = next.
1607 Walkington Opt. Glass 18 The soule her selfe as
maladious feeles some want of her exeellencie.
Maladive (mae'l&div), a rare. Also 5 -if.
[a. F. maladifi -ive, f. malade: see Malady.] Of,
pertaining to, or affected with sickness, sickly.
1481 Botoner Tulle on Old Age (Caxton) Cj, They haue
their bodyes seke & maladif. 1605 Daniel QueeiCs Ar-
cadia 1. i. (1606} B, Our holesome climate growne more
maladiue. 1865 Argosy I. 33 He can confound nervousness
with indigestion, and make it odious by maladive associa-
tions innumerable. 1879 Fabrar St. Paul II. 216 note,
TheArminian [theory], which regards hereditary corruption
not as sin or guilt, but as infirmity, a maladive condition.
i Maladize, v. Obs. rare^1. [f. Malady sb.
+ -IZE.] traits. To affect with a malady or mala-
dies. Only in pa. pple.
x79° J- Williams Shrove Tuesday in A Cabinet, etc.
(1794) 28 In Courts or Camps, or Maladis'd or Sound.
Mal-adjusted : see Mal- prefix.
Maladjustment (maeladswstment). [f. Mal-
+ Adjustment.] Faulty adjustment.
1833 Chalmeus Const. Man 1. vii. (1834) II. 7 This mal-
adjustment between the voice that nature gives forth on the
right of property, and the voice that arbitrary law gives
forth upon it. 1878 Newcomb Pop. Astron. m. iii. 297
They may also arise from a slight maladjustment of the
lenses of the eye-piece. 1899 AllbuWs Syst. Med. VIII.
274 Whether the maladjustment is corrigible.
Maladminister (mrelaedmi-nistoA v. [f.
Mm- prefix + Administer.] trans. To administer,
execute, or manage inefficiently or badly.
1703 Harcourt in Ld. Campbell Chancellors (1857) V.
cxviii. 365 The government is mal-administered by corrupt
peisons. 1808 G. Edwards Tract. Plan iii. 45 As those in-
teiests might be mal-administered. 1895 Roosevelt in
Atlantic Monthly Feb. 245 We will never allow the cry of
party to be used as a shield in the defense of a man who
maladministers the law.
Maladministration (mKd&dmiinstr^'Jan).
Also 7-9 male-, [f. Mal- prefix + Administra-
tion.] Faulty administration ; inefficient or im-
proper management of affairs, esp. public affairs.
1644 Heylin Stumbling-block Tracts (i6$i) 681 The people
had not only power to elect their Magistrates, but to call them
also to accompt, in case of mal-administration. 1647 Salt-
HARSH Spark. Glory (1847) 161 Independency, Presbytery,
Baptism,, .and all other male-administrations. 1735 Bol-
76
ingbroke Lett. Hist. ii. (1752)36 King James's mal-adminis-
tration rendered a revolution necessary and practicable.
1809 Kendall Trav. 1. iv. 26 Call any court or magistrate
. . to an account for any misdemeanor or male administration.
1863 H. Cox Instit. 111. viii. 711 The maladministration of
the army had been the subject of complaints.
b. occas. The irregular administration of a reli-
gious rite.
<t 1655 Vines Lord's Supp. (1677) 259 So that their mal-
administration bring not epidemick judgements upon us.
So Maladministrator, one who is guilty of
maladministration.
1866 Q. Rev. Oct. 547 Maladministration in every depart-
ment begins.. the moment the maladministrators can say,
' Blame us as you please, but you cannot supplant us \
II Maladresse (maladre's). Also in anglicized
form maladdress. [a. F. maladresse., noun of
quality to maladroit', see Mai.adkoit.] Want of
dexterity or tact ; awkwardness.
1804 Eugenia de Acton Tale without Title II. 152
Without the least maladresse, they visited in the family, as
if nothing material had occurred. 1862 Merivale Rom.
Emp. xlii. (1865) V. 149 His behaviour was in striking con-
trast both with the reserve of Augustus and the mal-address
of Tiberius. 1870 Miss Broughton Red as Rose I. viii.
158 An unlucky footman . . had the maladresse to drop three
spoons that he was carrying upon a tray.
Mal a droit (mae'ladroit), a. [a. F. maladroit :
see Mal- and Adroit a.] Wanting in adroitness
or dexterity; awkward, bungling, clumsy.
1685 Cotton tr. Montaigne 1. xxiv. (1711) I. 179 When he
comes back from School, .there is nothing so aukward and
maladroit. 1731 in Bailey vol. II. 1845 Carlyle Cromwell
(1871) IV. 79 Maladroit ship-carpenters. 1848 Clolgh
Amours de Voy. I. 205 My bookish and maladroit manners.
1898 J. E. C. Bodley France II. iv. iv. 380 The fortunes of
a maladroit faction.
Hence Ma ladroitly adv., Maladroitness.
1673 Dryden Marr. a la Mode w. i, Doing all things so mal
a droitly [sic]. 1781 Jl'stamond Prfar. Life Lezvis A'V, II.
212 His maladroitness was soon the cause of his Sovereign's
losing the castles. 1827 Cari.yle Misc., Rt'chter (1869) 4
They rather testify, however maladroitly, that the Germans
have felt their lo>s. 1862 Merivai.e Rom. Emp. xlv, (1865)
V. 318 With his usual maladroitness, the terms he used were ,
such as seemed to imply a feeling of jealousy.
f Maladve nture. Obs. Also 5 male aven-
ture, 9 mal-aventure. [OK. malaventure : see
Mal- and Adventuke.] a. A lawless proceeding,
an escapade, b. An unlucky undertaking; amis-
adventure.
c 1470 Harding Chron. clxvii. iii, Ryotous lyuyng and
male auentures. 1471 Caxton Recnyell (Sommer) I. 293 [He]
ran vnto the rescouse to his maleauenture. 159a Nashe P.
Penilesse (Shaks. Soc.) 33 Trye if you can tempt Enuie to
embark himselfe in the maladuenture. 1800 A. Carlyle
Autobiog. 305 Youth and good spirits made us convert all
maladventures into fun. 1815 Zetuca II. 2 Charged with
all the mal-aventures, it seemed to be considered in the
duties of her post to have overcome.
Malady (maj'ladi). Forms : 3-7 maladi(e,
-ye, (5 malade, -idy), 4-6 raaledie, -dy(e, 6
raelady, 6- malady ; pi. 5 maledius, 6 mala-
deis, 4- maladies, [a. F. maladie, f. malade
sick = Pr. malapte, malaute :— late L. male habitus
(L. male ill, habitus pa. pple. of habere to have) ;
cf. the Vulgate male habens ( •« Gr. kxlkws (xaiv)
Luke vii. 2.]
1. + a. Ill health, sickness, disease {obs.). b. A
specific kind of ill health, an ailment, a disease.
c 1250 Kent. Serm. in O. E. Misc. 31 He was i-warisd
of his maladie. c 1320 Sir Bcues tMS. A.) 3921 God . .heled
him of his maladie. 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 701 Fevyr,
dropsy, and Iaunys, Tysyk, goute, and other maladys.
a 1400-50 Alexander 2127 Amendid of hire malidy his
moder he fyndis. 1433 Rolls of Parlt. IV. 424/1 For ma-
ladie, or for any other resonable cause. < 1440 Lonelich
t7r<«7xxxvi. 200 They knew not fulliche his Malade. 1480
Caxton Chron. Eng. v. (1520) 44 b/i He sayd he wolde
helpe the kynge of his malady a 1533 Ld. Bkrners Huon
Ix. 210 She tooke there such a maladye that she dyed therof.
1549 Conipl. Scot. vi. 57 In dangeir of diucrs maladeis, as
of fluxis, caterris, collie, and gut. 1588 Shaks. L.L. L. iv.
iii. 295 Abstinence ingenders maladies. 1647 Trait Marr&iv
Gd. Authors in Comm. Ep. 614 Q- Elizabeth, .knew, that
much meat, much malady. 1789 W. Bucfian Dom. Med.
(1790) 137 Those who breathe the impure air of cities, have
many maladies to which the more happy rustics are entire
strangers. 187X Naphkys Prev. $ Cure Dis. in. ii. 619 The
vast number of maladies which may attack our bodies.
personified. 1563 Sackville Induct. Mirr. Mag. xlix,
And fast by him pale Maladie was plaste, Sore sicke in bed,
her colour al forgone.
2. fig. A morbid or depraved condition (e.g. of
mind, morals, social arrangements, etc.) ; some-
thing that calls for a remedy. (Cf. Disease 2.)
13.. Minor Poems fr. Vernon MS. 239/686 To helen
vs of seuen Maledius. 1x385 Chaccer L. G. IV. 1379
IlyPsip.y Thow ne feltist malady Save foul delyt. 1390
Gower Conf II. 142 That ilke unsely maladie, The which
is cleped Jelousie. c 1410 Hoccleve Mother of God 117
JSeeth leches of our synful maladie. 1500-20 Dunbar
Poems xxii. 56 May nane remeid my melady Sa Weill
as je, schir, veraly. 1563 Homilies 11. Rebellion 1. {1859)
555 Such lewd remedies being far worse than any other
maladies and disorders that can be in the body of a com-
monwealth. 1647 May Hist. Parlt. 1. iv. 41 Not hoping
..so quick a call of a nationall Synod, as the present ma- j
lady required. 1687 Dkydkn Hind <\ P. m. 69 The matron
was not slow to find What sort of malady had seized her 1
mind. 1751 Johnson Rambler No 87 F 6 The cure of our
intellectual maladies 1786-7 IJonnycastle Astron. i. 5 |
MALAGMA.
Astrology is another malady of weak minds. 1829 Carlylk
Misc. 110571 II- "6 Our spiritual maladies are but of Opinion.
1891 E. Kinglake Australian at H. 17 A clerk's calling
is not the only one overdone. That of the governess suffers
from the same malady.
II Mala fide (mei'le fardz"), adv. and a. [L.
maid fide m * in bad faith \ Cf. Bona fide.]
A. adv. In bad faith. B. adj. Chiefly with agent
nouns : Acting in bad faith ; pretended, not genuine,
sham. Mala fide possessor : one who holds by a
title which he knows to be bad.
[1561 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 180 The said Thomas
was in mala fide be intrometting with the gudis libellit.]
1681 Visct. Stair Instit. 1. vii. (1693) 64 It extends to
the Fruits which he hath enjoyed, mala ftde. 1808
Bentham Sc. Reform 7 On the part of mala fide suitors
^suitors conscious of being in the wrong). 1875 Posie
Gaius n. (ed. 2) 203 The mala fide possessor, .acquires no
property in the consumed fruits. 1901 Scotsman 2 Oct. 9/3
The authorities of the Excise have taken no action, .to deal
with the mala-fide and proprietary clubs.
II Mala fides (roMi fol'dft). Law. [L, mala
fulcs bad faith.] Bad faith, intent to deceive.
1681 Visct. Stair Instit. 11. xii. (1693) 354 Bona fides is
presumed, unless a contrary Probation, or vehement Pre-
sumption be for mala fides. 1802-12 P.lntham Ration.
Judic. Evid. (1827) III. 623 At the peril of extra costs in
case of mala fides. X885 Ld. Coleridge in Lazu Rep. 15
Q. Hench Div. 137 Absence of mala fides., is not enough.
Malafiges, sb. pi. ? U. 5. [a. Da. malefijtje,
matefietje, dim. of malefijt, of obscure origin:
? connected with F. male'fique Malefic a.] 'A
sailors1 name for a small sea-bird supposed to
appear before a storm : apparently, the stormy
petrel or Mother Carey's chicken ' {Cent. Vict.).
Malaga (mse'laga). Also 7 malaca. raal(l)igo,
mallago(e, -egoe, -igo^e, 8 malago. The name of
a seaport in the south of Spain. Used attrib., as in
Malaga raisins^ sack, wine. Also as sb. (short for
Malaga wine), a white wine exported from Malaga.
1608 Day La7o Trickes I. ii. (1881) 21 He put al my lone
into one quart of Maligo. 1623 J.Taylor (Water P.) Praise
Hempseed Wks. (1630) in. 65^ Braue Wine Merchants,
little were your gaine, By Mallegoes, Canaries Sacke from
Spa'me. 1623 Middleton & Rowley Span. Gipsy in. i. (1653)
E 1 b, Peter see me shall wash thy noule, And Malligo
Glasses fox thee. 1656 Blount Glossogr., Malaga or Ma-
laca Sack. 1686 Wood £*>(O.H.S.) III. 199 Before the
warr nothing but sack and mallagoes were drunk and claret
not at all. 1698 Phil. Trans. XX. 291 A Grocer's Basket.
such as they put up their Malaga Raisins in. 1768 Pigoi 1
in Phil. Trans. LXI. 287, I exposed, .a wine glass half full
of Malaga wine. 1806 A. Hunter Cutina (ed. 3) 45 To
each gallon put two pounds of Malaga raisins a little chopped
1887 Pater Imag. Portr. 2 The lad .left untasted the
glass of Malaga which was offered to him.
Comb. 1898 P. M anson 'Prop. Diseases ii. 64 His urine has
become very dark in colour, perhaps malaga-coloured.
IVIalagash (mse'l&gsej), «.and sb. Also Mal-
(l)egass, 8-9 Malegash. See also Madagass.
[var. of next. Cf. F. Malgache.] a. adj. Of or
pertaining to Madagascar, b. sb. A native of
Madagascar; also as plural.
1711 tr. Cauches Voy. Madagascar 40 In the Province of
Mat at an, Neighbouring on that of the Mallegasses or Made-
gasses. Ibid. 56 The Malegasses. 1793 Trait tr. Rochons
Voy. Madagascar 40 The Malegashes know but two ways of
dressing their meat. Ibid. 52 The Malegash language. 1833
Owen Voy. Afr., Arabia fy Madagascar II. ix. 100 A large
population of Malegash and Arabs. Ibid., The style of their
buildings, .is one-half Arab and the other Malegash.
Malagasy (mxlagarsi), a. and sb. [Used in
the native lang., but believed to be an altered form
of a foreign appellation vof obscure origin; repre-
sented by the variants Madecass, Madagass, whence
the name Madagascar.
In the Malagasy language the unstressed vowels are
' whispered ', and the s before i or y approaches the sound
off; hence the European form Malagash.)
A. adj. Of or pertaining to Madagascar, its
inhabitants, language, etc. B. sb. a. A native of
Madagascar; also as plu ral. b. The language
spoken there.
*835 J- J- Freeman (title) A Dictionary of the Malagasy
language, 1839 W. Ellis Hist. Madagascar I. 112 The
flours of the Malagasy houses are generally covered with
red and yellow rush mats. Ibid. 145 The physical, moral
and intellectual peculiarities of the Malagasy, /bid. 184
This .. conveys as much to a Malagasy as the heartiest
thrice-repeated cheer does to an Englishman. 1839 J* J-
Frkeman ibid. 496 A prefix, in Malay, Pen, in Malagasy,
mpan. 1878 W. E. Cousins Malagasy Lang, m Phil. Soc.
Tram. 311 The Malagasy is undoubtedly a genuine member
of the Malayo- Polynesian family. 1883 lllustr. Miss. Neivs
Mar. 27 The Malagasy Christians may truly be called ' Bible
Christians'. Show the Malagasy chapter and verse.. and
they are satisfied. _ 1898 A. Lang Making of Relig. v. 92
The Malagasies.. divine by crystals.
Malagatany, -tawny, obs. ff. Mulligatawny.
tMala'gma, Med. Obs. PI. malagmata.
Also in anglicized form 6-7 malagme, 7 malagm.
[late I*, a. Gr. nakayfta, f. ixakaouav to assuage.]
An emollient plaster.
1541 K. Coim.and Galycns Tcrap. 2 C ii, A malagme (that
is to wyt a salue malactyke*. 1643 Tlckney Balme of G.
X2 Their Malagmata and Lenitives. 1657 Tomlinson Re-
nous Disp. 200 A malactical and moIHtive medicament and
a Malagm do not at all differ. 1748 tr. Veg. Fenatus' Dis-
temp. Horses 188 You should make use of a Malagma, or of
MALAGUETTA.
a Caustick. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp., Malagma,. .very
often the malagnia's consisted only of gums dissolved in wine.
Malagru-gi,o)rous, a. jocular. [? Distortion
of It. malaguroso, unfortunate. But cf. Sc. mala-
gritized ' rumpled, disordered' (E.D.D.).] Dismal,
lugubrious. Hence Malagrirgrously adv.
1818 Lockhart in Blackw. Mag. I II. 407 He writes more
malagrugrouslythan Dante. 1826/rW. XX. 327 Helooketli
inalagrugorous and world- wearied. 1839 Lockhart Ballan-
tyne-humbug 106 A certain malagrugrous exposition of his
own views, .drawn up by James Ballantyne in. . 1826.
Malaguetta (msel&ge-ta). Forms: 6 man-
guetta,manegete,7mellegette,7-8malegutta,8
malaget, malaghetta, malagato, malegetta, 8-9 !
malaguette, 9 mauiguette, malaguet(a, raele-
guet(t)a, 7- malaguetta. [Of obscure origin.
App. identical with the med.L. melegeta, the name of
a spice mentioned c 1214 in connexion with cloves and car-
damoms, and said a r33i to be among the productions of
Java (see Dti Cange). Both the authors cited are Italian,
and in i486 Simon a Cordo (Clavis Sanationis) explains the
word as a diminutive of It. melica millet, remarking that
the grains resemble those of millet. This seems probable ;
but if the word be of European origin, it has either been
adopted in a corrupt form into some West African langs., or
confused with a native word, the source of the earliest Eng.
form and of the F. mauiguette. In 1599 Towrson (Hakl.
Voy. II. ii- 27), in a list of phrases from the lang. of Guinea,
gives ' mauegete a/oye, graines ynough '. Miss M. Kingsley,
Wnt A/r- Studies (1899) ii. 57. says that in the native
lang. at Cape Palmas the name is cmaneauetta, but that as
the name is very local (the more usual word is luaizauzag),
a European origin is possible.]
The capsules or seeds of Amomum Mehguetla of
West Africa, used as a spice and in medicine;
also known as Grains of Paradise and Guinea
Grains. (Cf. Cardamom.)
1568 M. Hacket tr. Thevet's Ne:u Found World 26 In
Ginney the fruit that is most rife and common.. is named
Manguetta. 1670 Ogilby Africa 413 Graines of paradise
..which the natives call Mellegette. 1670 tr. Villaufs
Guinea 101 They call not Pepper . . Grain, with the Hol-
landers, but Malaguetta, with us. 170s Bosman Guineaxm.
(1721) 216 Malaget, otherwise called the Grains of Para-
dise. Hid. xvi. 28s Malagueta, otherwise called Paradice-
Grains, or Guinea Pepper. 1788 Ci.akkson Impol. Slave
Tr. 13 The first [pepper] that was discovered or imported,
was malaguetta, or grains of Paradise.
b. ait rib., as malaguetta pepper.
1745 Astley's Voy. II. 520 The Malaghetta, Grain, or
Pepper Coast. 1788 J. Matthews Sierra Leoue 58 The
Malagato Pepper, or Grains of Paradise. 1863 R. F. Burton
Wand. W. A/r. II. 37 By the Dutch they were called
Guinea Grains; by the trade Malaguetta Pepper. 1877
R. H. Major Disco-.'. Pr. Henry xi. 170 The natives
brought . . Malaguette pepper in grain and in its pods as it
grew. 1899 Mary Kingsley West A/r. Stud. ii. 57 Mele-
guetta pepper.
Malahack (mte-laha?k; , v. dial, trans. To
cut or carve badly.
a 1825 Forby Voc. E. Anglia, Malahack r'.,..to cut or
carve in an awkward and slovenly manner. 1866 Lowell
BigltnoP. Introd., [Words New Eng. dial.] Malahack, to cut
up hastily or awkwardly. 1893 Broad .\'or/. (ed. Cozens.
Hardy) 54, I heard of a donkey purchased for little money
on account of some injury ; but ' it was not so malahacked
as to be jammucked for all that '.
Malahane. Obs. rare-1. [Irish mulachdn
a kind of soft cheese.]
1656 S. Holland Zara 17 Stewd Prunes, bread made
of Malahane [margin, Bread made of Cruds. See the Irish
Dictionary], And Honey fetcht from Sugar Cane.
II Malaise (moe'Uiz, Fr. malfz). [F. malaise, f.
OK. mal adj., bad, ill + aise Ease sb.'] A condition
of bodily uneasiness or discomfort, csp. a condition
of bodily suffering or lassitude, without the de-
velopment of specific disease. (Cf. Malease.)
1768 Ld. Chesterf. Let. to Bp. Cheucvix 25 June Misc.
Wks (1777) II. 532, I feel what the French call a general
mal-aise, and what we call in Ireland an unwellness. 1857
G. Bird's Urin. Deposits (ed. 5) 211 A young man.. who
. .became a patient of Dr. Garrod's for general malaise. 1870
Holmes' Syst. Surg. (ed. 2) IV. 218 Loss of appetite and a
general sensation of malaise. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med.
VII. 740 The illness begins. .with general malaise and
feverishness.
b. fig.
1883 St. James's Gaz. 27 Dec. 3/1 There will be, first, a
universal malaise ; then Hie loss of the faculties of govern-
ment and self-defence. 1885 Wool Trait Circular, The
Wool Market has not escaped the influence of an almost
universal commercial malaise.
Malakatoon(e, variant of Mei.ocoton.
Malakoff (mse'lak^f). [The name of a fortifi-
cation erected by the Russians at Sevastopol, and
captured by the French, S Sept., 1855.]
1 1. A crinoline. Obs. [So in Fr. : see Le Figaro
22 Sept. 1885, 1/3.]
1861 Lady Chattkrton Man. Ld. Gambler I. ii. 27 Eng-
lishwomen have witnessed the superior circumference of
their Gallic sisters, in the palmy days of ' Malakoffs '.
2. A particular form of four-handed dominoes.
1870 R out ledge's Ev. Boys Ann. Nov. 671 Calling the
restricted game the 'Malakoff', leaving the wider game the
old title of Sebastopol.
3. (See quot.)
1883 Simmonds Did. Use/. Anhn., Malal-off, a. sma\\ round
cream cheese made in Gournay, France.
Malambo (mali^'mbo). The aromatic bark
of Croton malambo-, a euphorbiaceous shrub of
77
Venezuela and New Granada, used in medicine and |
perfumery. Also malambo bark.
1816 Jrnl. Sci. !, Arts I. 59 The Malambo bark, which |
the French have lately introduced into their materia medica, ,
Malaneolius, Malanc h)oly(e, obs. ff.
Melancholious, Melancholy.
Malander, malleiider (ma-lendoa . Now
only//. Forms: 5 malawnder, 6 malaiidre,
malandrie, 6-8 malender, 7 mallander, 8 ma1.-
lendar, 6- malander, 7 mallender. [a. F.
malaiidre a sore in a horse's knee, ad. L. malan-
dria (neut. pi. and fern, sing.).] A dry scabby
eruption behind the knee in horses, t a- sing- Obs.
C1400 Promp. Pant. 323/1 Malawnder, sekeness. morbus.
1523 FiTZHBRB. Ilusb. § 94 A malander is an yl sorance..
and appereth. .in the bendynge of the knee behynde. 1530
PalsgR. 176 Malcndre, a malaiidre, a sore. Ibid. 242/1
Malandrie, sicknesse, malandre. 1607 ToPSELL Pour-/.
Beasts (1658) 313 A Malander is a kinde of Scab growing.,
overthwart the bent of the knee. 1614 Makkham Cheap
Ilusb. 32 Of the Mallandar, Sellander...Crowne-scabs, and
such like. 1639 T. DS Grey Compl. Horscm. 6 Subject to
mainge, mallender, sellender. .or any other the like sorances.
1759 BROWN Compl. Farmer 18 For a Mallendar. Take
bay-salt, gunpowder [etc.]. 1835 Penny Cycl. III. 422,1
Spavin and mullendcr [sic] are of very rare occurrence.
attrib. 1688 Loud. Gaz. No. 2408/4 The hair clipped close
on the Mallender place of the near Leg.
b. pi.
1601 Holland Pliny II. 335 marg., Lichenes: some take
them for the Malanders. 1607 Makkham Laval. 1. (1617)
20 The best keepers cannot preserve them from scratches,
paines and mallanders. 1762 Crazy Tales 74 Withouten
splint, or malanders, or grease. 1884 Sat. Rev. 5 July 27/2
It is a breach of a warranty of soundness if the warranted
horse suffers from . . mallenders.
Hence MaTandered, ///. a., affected with ma-
landers.
1696 Lend. Gaz. No. 3248/4 A strong. .Rigil Horse, ..ma-
leuder'd on the near leg.
t Malandryn. Obs. rare-', [a. F. malan-
drin = It. ma/anJriiio.] A highwayman, a robber.
1460 Cavgrave Chrou. (Rolls) 309 Jon was broute to the
Councelle in the same aray thei toke him, in schort clothis,
lich a Malandryn.
Malapert (mae'lapait), a. and sb. Obs. esc.
arch, forms: 5 maleapert, maleperte, 5-7
malapart, 6 malaperte, malepeirt, maloperte,
mallaparte, 6-7 malepart, malipert, malipart,
mallapert, 6-8 malepert, 7 maleparte, malle-
part, mallipart, mally part, malapart, 5- mala-
pert, [a. OF. malapert, used by E. Deschamps
as the contrary of appert ^ espert clever, able (:— L.
cxpertus Expert a.). Here mal has (as in mal-
adroit, malcontent) the effect of reversing a favour-
able signification ; but the Eng. sense of the com-
pound points to its having been apprehended as if
f. mal (in the sense ' improperly ') + apert bold,
outspoken, insolent (see Apert a. j).]
A. adj. Of persons, their qualities, actions, etc. :
Presumptuous, impudent, 'saucy'.
c 14M Lydg. Assembly o/Gods 503 They swere gret othes
for the noonys Her lawe to dyspyce, that was so malapert.
c 1430 — Mill. Poems (Percy Soc.) 166 Maleapert of chiere
and of visage, c 1440 Jacob's Well 148 pe secunde is yeyn
woordys, male-apert, in iangeling. 1513 Douglas ,-kuci.s
IX. i. 7 Hir madyne Iris from hevin sendis sche io the
bald Turnus, malapert and stout. 1529 More Dyaloge III.
Wks. 227/1 His malepert boldnes might peraduenture be pun-
ished. 1367 Drant Horace, lip. I. xviii. F vj, Be perte, and
cleare in countinaunce, not malipert, and light. iooiShaks.
TvjcI. M. iv. i. 47, I must haue an < )unce or two of this mala-
pert blood from you. 1609 BlBLE(Douay) I'rov. vii. 15T akmg
theyong-man she kisseth him.and with malepert countenance
speaket'h fayre. 1633 T. Stafford Pac. Hit'. I. Ul. (1810)253,
1 haue uterly rooted those malepart bowes out of the orchard
of my country. 1640 Broue Sparagus Garden II. 111. Wks.
1873 III. 141 With dry jests to maule the mallipart st lesser
ones.. out o' the pit of wit. Ibid. 11. v. 148 Yes Malipert
Jack, I have heard that he has scene her. 1671 H. JJOULIS
Hist. Rom. Treas. VI. iii. 382 In the mean time the Presby-
terian Kirk grow very mallypart. 1738 tr. Guazzos Art
Conversation 151 b, They ought not to suffer the Honour
and Degree of Gentry to be disgraced by the Presumption
of malapert Clowns. 1763 Brit. Mag. IV. 296 The officer
who uttered the first malapert sentence, was put under
arrest 1825 Scott Betrothed viii, You are too malapert
for a young maiden. 1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan 40 If
I was malapert, 'Twere fitter to rebuke than second me.
quasi-a.iV. 1609 B. Jokson Sit. Worn. IV. iv, It angred me
: to the soule, to heare 'hem beginne to talke so malepert.
B. sb. A presumptuous or ' saucy ' person.
1622 R. Hawkins Voy. S. Sea (1847) 165 Such malaperts
deserve . . to have their spoyle taken from them. 1709 Steele
Taller No. 143 T 1 The Malapert knew well enough I
laughed at her. 1765 G. Com an Comedies 0/ Tereucc 292
Away, you malapert ! Your frowardness Had well nigh
ruined me.
Ma-lapertly, adv. Obs. exc. arch. [f. as prec.
+ -I.V-.] In a malapert manner.
1447 Bokenham Seyntys (Roxb.) 252 How darst thou, .so
! malapertly Hym nemelyn ageyn in my presence, c 1460
j Play Sacram. 637'Syr tint art ontawght . . to pere in my
I presence thus malepertly. 1563-87 Foxe A. I, M. (1596)
38/1 He, not reuerentlie, but more maliperthe than was
requisite . . rushed into the judgment place. 1643 Burkoughes
Exp. Hosea i. ( 1652) 1 52 They should . . not speak mallapert ly,
but with all reverence and submission, :72s Kibpatrick
Relig. Ord. Norwidi (1845) 191 They talked malapertly to
several prelates.
MALAPROPOS.
Malapertness. Obs. exc. arch. [f. Mala-
FKKT a. + -NESS.] The quality of being malapert.
1430-40 Lydg. Bochas iv. xv. (1494) pvib, Moost cruelte
and vengeaunce in lowe blode with malapertnesse and in-
discrecion. J.563 N. Winzet Wis. (1890) II. 24 The niale-
peirtnes of prophane noueltie. 1579-80 North Plutarch,
Alex. Gt. (1595) 745 Clitus.. would not giue ouer his im-
pudencie and malapertenesse. 1657 Thorn ley tr. Lougus'
Daphnis -y Chloe 17 Daphnis was vext to see the horn broke,
and that kind of malepertnesse of the Goat. 168a Bunyan
Holy War 92 Yet he had for his malapertness, one of his
legs broken. 1752 Carte Ilist.Eug. III. 422 Such was their
malapertness that great disorders would have ensued.
Malapplieation : see Mal- prefix.
Malappropriate (ma-laprdu-priiA), a. [f.
Mal- + Appropriate a.] Ill-suited, inappropriate.
1851 De Quincey I.d. Carlisle on Pope Wks. 1859 XIII.
13 If a prize bad been offered for a bad and malappropriate
subject, none worse could have been suggested. 1883 St.
James's Gaz. 28 Apr. 4 Much eloquent (if rather malappro-
priate) language about religious liberty.
Malappropriate .mxlapnra-priieit), v. [f.
Mal- + Appropriate v.] trans. To misapply.
1847 E. Bronte Wnthcring Heights xxxii. (1850) 268 She
thrust the hearth-brush into the grates in mistake for the
poker, and mal-appropriated several other articles of her craft.
Malappropriation (mrelapr^priiifi-Jsn). [I.
Mal- + Appropriation.] The action of malappro-
priating ; misapplication.
1848 LyttoN Harold XL vi. 283 A charge of mal appro-
priation, whether of pay or of booty, was brought against
him. 1855 M11. man Lai. Chi: ix. \ii. IV. 1 ;;-■ The mal-
appropriation of a large sum deposited in another quarter.
I! Mala praxis (m.'Ha prae-ksis). Law. [mod.
L. mala, fern, of mains bad, wrong + praxis : see
Praxis. Cf. M.u.i'kams.] = Malpractice i a.
(11733 Raymond Cases King's Bench (1775! I. 214 'the
court resolved, that mala praxis is a great misdemeanor
and offence at common law.. because it breaks the trust
which the party has placed in the physician, lending directly
to his destruction. 1768 Blackstom. Comm. 1 1 1. 122. 1865
A. S. Taylor Pract. Med. Jurispr. (18731 I. 15 A charge of
malapraxis is sometimes raised against a medical man in
consequence of the death of a patient.
Malaprop [mse'laprpp), sb. and a. [from the
name of Mrs. Malaprop (suggested by Malapropos ,
a character in Sheridan's play of The Rivals 'J77i-)>
remarkable for her misuse of words.] a. sb.
= Malapropism. b. adj. = Malapbopian.
1823 Ediu. Rev. XXXIX. 171 An agreeable intermixture
ofmalaprops. ^oDKCjlTNCEY-Srye I. Wks. 1S90X. 152 But
observe.. the total absence of all malaprop picturesqueness
that might have defeated its deadly action upon the nervous
system. 1878 Bain Ednc. as Science ix. 329 A malaprop use
of words. 1887 Athenaeum 5 Feb. 189/1 The expression
' on suffrage ', a delightful malaprop for ' on sufferance '.
Malapropian (mselaprirpian, -pnm'pian), a.
[f. prec. + -iax.] Of the nature of a malapropism ;
given to malapropisms.
i860 Geo. Eliot in Cross Life (1885) II. 263 Mr. Lewes is
sending what a Malapropian friend once called a ' missile
to Sara. 1898 Spectator 16 Apr. 539/2 'I here is a latent
shrewdness in his malapropian talk which is quite dehghtlul.
Malapropism (moc-laprtjpiz'm). [f. Mala-
prop 4. -ism!] Ludicrous misuse of words ; an
instance of this.
1849 C. Bronte Shirley II. vi. 145 A malapropism which
rumour had not failed to repeat. 1887 Spectator^ Apr. 49;/ 1
'that mental haziness which has its outcome in malapropism.
1890 Harper's Mag. Apr. 664'! Lemaitre has reproached
Shakespeare for his love of Malapropisms.
Malapropoism ;msd*pr<5'p<riz'm). nonce-wd.
[f. next + -ism.] Ludicrous misapplication of lan-
guage ; an instance of this ; = Malapropism.
1834 Mar. Edgewortii Helen xxv, Sadly annoyed he is
sometimes by her mal-apropoisms. 1893 A. Dobson in
l.ongm. Mag. Aug. 371 Not even the Malapropoism ot
Sheridan or Dickens is quite as riotously diverting.
II Malapropos (malaprorw.maelseptfpou-).^.,
a. and sb. Variously written mal a propos, mal
a propos, mal a-propos, t malapropo, mal
apropos, malapropos. [F. mal a propos, f. mal ill
+ « to apropos purpose: see Mal- and APROPOS.]
A. adv. In an inopportune or awkward manner;
unseasonably, inappropriately.
1668 Dryden Ess. Dram. 28 They do it not so unseason-
ably, or mal a propos as we. 1673 — Mart, a la Mode v. I,
How durst you interrupt me so mat a propos. 1679 Mrs.
Bi tin Feign d Curtizau IV. i, Thou dost come out with
things so malapropo. i75°-i Mrs. Delany Let. to Mrs.
Deiues 5 Jan., Family affairs .. sometimes will break in
malapropos. 1823 Byron Juan VI. Ixxxiv One whohad no
sin to show Save that of dreaming once mal-a-propos . 1831
Praed Bridal 0/ Belmont Poems (1S64) I. 175 Some people
have a knack, we know, Of saying things mal-a-propos.
B. adj. Inopportune, inappropriate.
II vi 4 His malapropos answers indicated that one impor-
tant subject engrossed his thoughts. 1894 H. N >»£*•"*
Girl's Rom. 41 Feeling very bilter ..towards this intruder
for coming at such a mal-a-propos moment.
C. sb. Something inopportune or inappropriate.
1868 Bain Ment. ff Mor.Sci. 488 Aristotle is happily un-
embroiled with the modem controversy. I he mat-apropos
, of ' Freedom ' had not been applied to voluntary action.
MALAPTERURUS.
Malapterurus mxlivptetii*r£s). Zool. PL
-uri ;-u^-rai). [mod.L. (Laeepede 1803), badly
f. Gr. fj.a\attos soft + irrtpov wing + oupd tail.] A
genus of catfishes, certain species of which (esp.
M. electrkus of the Nile) have the property of giving
an electric shock when handled.
1834 tr. Cinder's Anim. Kingd. II. 187. 1848 Carpenter
Anim. /'Ays. ix. (1872) 341. 1892 Daily News 11 Jan. 3/2
Malapteruri. or 'thunder fishes' as they are called by the
Arabs.
Malar mt^laj),<7. (and.f£.) Ana/, fad. mod.L.
mdldr-is, f. L. mala jaw, cheek bone, cheek, prob.
related to the synonym maxilla as a/a {:—*ak-sld)
to axilla. Cf. F. malaire.]
A. adj. Of or belonging to the cheek. Malar
bone, the cheek bone.
1782 A. Monro Anat. 97 A very rough triangular surface
is extended downward.-* and outwards, to be connected to
the cheek-bone ; and therefore may be called the malar
process. 1840 G. V. Ellis Anat. gj The nerve divides into
two brandies, a nialarand temporal. 1870 Rollkston Anim.
Life 6 The whole length of the malar arch. 1892 Mivarf
Etem. Oruitkol. 142 At the lower margin of the cheek is a
narrow linear space known as the malar region.
B. sb. (or absol.) The cheek bone.
1866 Hi'xlky Preh. Rem. Caithn. 120 The facial bones
short a id small ; the malars flat. 1881 Mivart Cat 74 The
malar is a rather small, lamellar bone which forms the most
prominent part of the cheek.
Malar, variant of Mailer* St.
Malard(e, obs. form of Mallard.
Malaria (m&le**ri&). [a. It. mat aria for
mala aria, lit. 'bad air'.] The unwholesome
condition of the atmosphere which results from
the exhalations of marshy districts. Hence used
as thj name of a class of intermittent and remittent
fevers formerly supposed to proceed from this cause,
but now known to be caused by the bite of a ;
mosquito of the genus Anopheles, by which the i
germs of the disease are conveyed,
1740 H. Walpole Corr. (1820^ I. 68 A horrid thing called
the malaria, that comes to Rome every summer and kills
one. 1801 Charlotte Smith Lett. Solit. Wand. II. 56
He hail prolonged our stay at the season of the mal-aria.
1813 J. Forsyth Rem. Excurs. Italy 266 This mal'aria
is an evil more active than the Romans, and continues
to increase. 1843 Pkescott Mexico in. i. (1864) 131 The
same burning sun. .calls forth the pestilent malaria, with its
train of bilious disorders. 1866 A. Flint Priuc. Med. (1880)
no Periodical fever, commonly known as malaria. 1875
Mirivai.e Gen. Hist. Rome Ixxviii. (1877) 656 The malaria
of the Campagna. .induced the citizens. .to reside perma-
nently within their walls.
b. trans/. andyfo
1829 Southey Sir T. More II. 94 Practical irrelig'on is
thus produced even in those who escape the malaria of in-
fidelity. _ 1855 Thackeray Newcomes II. 19 She was a mal-
aria to him, poisoning his atmosphere. 1862 T. C. Grattan
Beaten Paths II. 350 A sort of moral malaria pervading
society and carrying off many victims.
c. at/rib. and Comb., as malaria season, etc. ;
malaria bearing, infected adjs. ; malaria fever,
an intermittent or remittent fever prevalent in
marshy or swampy districts, esp. in tropical coun-
tries ; malaria germ, a protozoal organism cap-
able of becoming parasitic and causing the disease
known as malaria ; so malaria parasite.
1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VIII. 917 The *malaria-bearing
mosquito. 1818 Shelley Ess. ty Lett. (1852) II. 106 A
* malaria fever, caught in the Pontine Marshes. 1832
Blackw. Mag. Oct. 525 '2 Life [in Padua] creeps away..
in having the Malaria fever in summer, and the pleurisy in
winter [etc.]. 1898 P. Manson 'Prop. Dis. v. 97 The mosquito,
■ . the alternative host of the*malaria germ. 1899 Allbutfs
Sysi, Med. VIII. 947 Mosquitoes reared from the eg^s of
"malaria-infected insects. 1898 P. Manson Trop. Dis. i. 1
The *malaria parasite. This organism is by far the most
important disease agency in tropical pathology. 1821 Byron
Let. 1 Oct. in Moore Lett. <y Jrnls. (1830) II. 542, I staid out
too late for this "malaria season.
Malarial (maleVrial), a. and sb. [f. prec. +
-al.] A. adj.
1. Inrected with malaria; malarious.
1847 in Websteh. 1870 Pail Mall G. 26 Aug. 5 The ma-
laiiil plains of India. 1883 Harpers Mag. Feb. 419/1
Malarial swamps made it unsafe for him to stay there. 1900
Brit. Med. Jrnl. No. 2041. 301 In this circulation of the
contagion the presence of malarial man is indispensable.
2. Belonging to, or of the nature of, malaria.
1861 H. Macmillan Pootn. Nature 222 Malarial and epi-
demic fevers. 1871 Napheys/Vw. f«f Cure Dis. 1. in. 100 The
malarial poison is the atmosphere. 1875 H. C. Wood Pherap.
(1879) 75 The wonderful power qniiua has upon all forms of
malarial disease.
B. sb. One who suffers from or is subject to
attacks of malaria.
1898 P. Manson Prop. Dis._ h'i. 86 In many nialarials de-
pressing influences., are sufficient to provoke relapse of fever.
Malarialist .male^rialist). rare. [f. prec. +
-1ST.] One who studies malarial diseases.
1884 Harper's Mag. Aug. 441/2 According as one is a
sanitarian, a chemist, or a malarialist.
Malarian (malc>rian), a. [f. Malaria + -an.]
Pertaining to or causing malaria ; malarial.
1834 <',ooiCs Study Med. fed. 4) I. 573 The peculiar effect ,
of a malarian poison. 1870 Tennyson Golden Supper 151
A flat malarian world of reed and rush ! 1887 Ruskin \
78
Prxterita II. 256 There was no malarian taint or other
malignity in it [the fever].
JWCalariated .male^-ri^ted), ///. a. [f. Ma-
laria + -ate 3 + -ED 1.] Infected with malaria.
1897 A lllmti's Syst. Med. II. 729 note, He has succeeded
in giving malarial fever to healthy men by administering to
th in water in which malariated mosquitoes had died.
Malari'genous, «. rare. [Badly f. Malaria
+ -gen + -01 s.] That carries or spreads malaria.
1900 Brit. Med. Jrnl. No. 2041. 301 The malarigenous
mosquitos. *
Mala rioifl, a, rare—°. [f. Malaria + -on>.]
* Resembling maliria' (Syd. Soe. Lex. 18S9).
Malariologist. rare. [f. Malakia + -(o)lo-
glst.] One who studies malaria.
1900 Brit. Med. Jrnl. No. 2041. 324 The importance of
these labours of the Roman malariologists 15 beginning to
be appreciated by the Italian Government.
Malarious (mile-rifti), a. [f. Malaria +
-ols.] Infected with malaria ; of the nature of or
producing malaria.
^34 Cycl. Pract. Med. III. 61/1 Jungle-fever l> as common
a name for malarious disease m southern latitudes as
marsh-fever is in Europe. 1847 Webstkr, Malarious, per-
taining to, or infected by malaria. 1861 Miss Bcalfokt
EgypL Sep. -y Syr. Shr. I. vii. 153 Deadly the fever of the
malarious plain on which the little town stands. 1864 Gd.
Words Feb. 123 F. E. Barnard caught a malarious fever.
1871 KiNcisi.EY in Life ^1877) II. 370 To enforce., a sanitary
reform in town and country .. till there is not a fever alley
or a malarious ditch left in any British city. 1897 Altbttit's
Sysi. Med. II. 1085 If. .the patient [is], .neither malarious,
anamic nor scorbutic. i8gg/bid. VTII. 942 When a mosquito
ingests the blood of a malarious subject.
Jig. 1870 Lowell Among my Bks. Ser. I. 341 In judging
Rousseau, it would be unfair not to take note of the mala-
rious atmosphere in which he grew up.
Malarrangeiuent. [f. Mal- + Arrange-
ment.] Kaulty arrangement.
1853 *• W. Newman Odes oj Horace Pref. 7 Nothing but
the fact that Horace is chiefly read.. for the mere language
..can make the existing malarrangement endurable. 1865
Athenaeum 16 Sept. 365/1 Here is another specimen of mal-
arrangement [of facts].
tMalasade. Cookery. Obs. Also 5 malesade,
mes e^ade. [f. OF. malaxe, f. malaxer ' to blend,
and beat together, as egges ' (Cotgr. : see Malax-
ate v.) + -ADE.] An old dish composed chiefly of
lried eggs sofiened with butter.
c 1430 Two Cookerydks. 42-3 Meselade. Take Eyroun
[etc,]. . . An to euery good meslade take a bowsand [reatl
dd = 12] Eyroun or 1110. t 1450 Ibid. 83-4 Malasade...
And to euery malesade, take [etc.]. [Cf. quot. 1753 s. v.
Malax v, 2.]
Ma lassimila'tion. [f. M vl- + Assimila-
tion.] Imperfect assimilation ; esp, in Path, im-
perfect absorption of nutriment into the system.
1865 Readier 29 July 125/2 Viewed in the light of the
science of nature or a true physiology, it [the doctrine of
substitution] is at best only niabassimilation. 1875 B.
Meadows Clin. Observ. 43 'Eczema *,.. associated with
dyspepsia, mal-assimilation, and hepatic disorder. 1897
Allbutt's Syst. Med. II. 484 A mala.similation of oxygen
by the nervous system.
Malassoes, -assus, obs. forms of Molasses.
Malate (m<?'*h?t). Chem. Also S-9 -at. [f.
Mal-ic a. + -ate *.] A salt of malic acid.
1794 G. Adams Nat. a> Exp. Philos. I. App. 547 Malats— j
but little known. 1801 Med. Jrnl. V. 19S Cit. Vaquelm has |
discovered in the common house leek .. a great quantity of i
malat of lime (malate de chaux). 1807 Thomson Chem. '
(ed. 3) II. 309 Malic acid . . forms salts known by the name of
malatcs. 1876 Haki.ev Mat. Med. (ed. 6) 214 Malate of I
Iron is. .prescribed in the old Prus->ian Pharmacopoeia.
Malato, obs. form of Mulatto.
t Malax, v. Obs. Also 5-7 malaxe. [ad. L. '
malax are; see Malaxate. Cf. F. malaxer.}
1. trans. To rub or knead (a plaster, etc.) to \
softness.
< 1400 Lai 1 franc 's Cirurg. 132 Whanne bin houdis ben I
anoyntid_ wi(l> oile of rosis, malaxe it [sc. a plaster] longe j
tyme togidere. 1543 Traheron Vigo's Chirurg. 111. i. vi. 93 \
Strayn them, and make a cerote wyth whyte waxe, and j
malaxe it in cowes mylke. 1597 Lowe Chirurg. (1634) 323 I
Using on the wound the emplaister Diacalciteos malaxed
in wine. 1639 J. W. tr. Guibert's Char. Physic. 11. 117 I
Powder all the medicaments severally, then mixe . . and '
l>eate and malaxe them into a mass. 1693 N. Staphokst
tr. Rauwolfs Trav. East in Ray's Journ. Low C. (1738)
II. 21 He . . toucheth and stretdieth your joints again in
such a manner, as if he did malax a planter. 1754-64
SmblLH Midwl/. I. Introd. 36 A poultice of barley-meal
malaxed with oil must be applied.
2. To soften. (Said of a material agent.)
1534 T. Johnson Parry's Chirurg. x.xvi. xiii. 11678)637 !
A mollifying Medicin .. malaxeth or softeneth hardned
bodies. 1753 Smollett Cf, Pathom (1784) 116 1 The major,
who complained that his appetite had forsaken him, amused
himself with some forty hard eggs, malaxed with salt butter.
Hence t Malaxing///, a.
1638 A. Read Chirurg. ii. 12 Unlesse fomentation with
some moystning and malaxing liquor be used.
I Malaxable, a. Obs. [f. Malax v. + -able.]
That may be softened.
176a tr. Busching's Syst. Geog. I. 41 These are firm, com- \
pact bodies, which are not malaxable in water or oil.
1 Malaxate (mnlaksa^). [Fr.J f. malaxer
MALAX v.} ' The operation of kneading and work- '•
ing the unbaked clay of which pottery is to be
made^Ov*/. Diet, lSyo). j
MALAYAN.
Malaxate (mse-l&ks^t;, V. [f. ppl. stem of L.
malaxdre, ad. Gr. nakaoouv, to make soft, related
\ to fiaXa/cus soft : see -ate.]
1. trans. To knead to softness; to make soft by
, mixing or rubbing.
1657 Tomlinson Renou's Disp. 126 Materials malaxated
in honey. 1755 in Johnson. 1853 Sover Fantroph. 172
. As soon as it has been malaxated . . it is put into brown
freestone pots.
t 2. To soften by means of an emollient Obs.
1735 Ferguson in Phil. Trans. XL. 426 The Abdomen
was stuped twice a Day.., and after stuping it was always
malaxated with an emollient Liniment.
Malaxation (mada'kst'ijsn). [ad. L. malaxa-
t ion-em, n. of action f. malaxdre to Malaxate.
Cf. F. malaxation.'] The action of reducing to a
soft mass by kneading or rolling.
1657 Tomlinson Renou's Disp. 126 Being by malaxation
coagulated. 1706 I'hii.lips (ed. Kersey , Malaxation, the
working of Pills, and especially Planters, with other things,
v ith the hand ; a Pestle, or other Instrument. 1894 Pimes
1 IV b. 5/4 He said ' malaxation ', or mixing by robing, was
practically the same as kneading.
b. Ent. (See quot.)
1898 Pi ckham Solitary Wasps ji The stinging being
completed, she [a wasp] proceeded to the process known u
1: alaxation, which consists in repeatedly squeezing the
i.eck of the caterpillar, or other victim [to be used as living
food for young wasps], between the mandibles.
Malaxator (mseda-ks^t^i). [f. Malaxate v.
+ -on.] 'A mixing-mill. A cylinder having a
rotating shaft and stirring arms to incorporate
materials' (Knight Diet. Meek. 1875).
1884 in Cassclfs Encycl. Diet. 1890 in Century Dut.
Malaxe, variant of Malax Obs.
Malay (mal/i*), sb, and a. Also 6 Malayo,
Melayo, S Malaya. [rtpr. the native name,
Malay *AL* maldyu!\ A. sb.
1. One of a race predominating in Malacca and
the Eastern Archipelago, a Malayan ; more strictly
one of those who call themselves by this name and
speak the Malay language.
1598 \Y. Phillips tr. LinsJwten xviii. 31/2 The Malayos
[1 »u. De Malayos] of Malacca say, that the first origiuall or
beginning of Malacca hath bene but of late yeares. 1727
A. Hamilton New Ace. E. Ind. II. xliii. 121 The Natives
of the Island are, as most other Malayas, very treacherous.
1840 Penny Cycl. XVIII. 328/1 In person the Malays are
short, squat, and robust. 1847 Tennyson Princess 11. 142
The highest is the measure of the man, And not the Kaffir,
Hottentot, Malay. 1867 Spectator 26 Jan. 101/1 As..
murderous as a quick-tenipeied Malay. 1883 Miss Bird
Golden Chersonese Introd. 17 The Malays proper inhabit
the Malay Peninsula, and almost all the coast regions of
llorneo and Sumatra.
2. The language spoken by the Malays; the
Malay language. (Cf. Malays.)
1598 W. Phillips tr. Linschoten xviii. 31/2 And this speech
called Melayo [Du. Malayo] is reported to be the most
courteous and seemelie speech of all the Orient 1883 Miss
Piku Golden Chersonese Introd. 19 Malay is the lingua
franca of the Straits Settlements. 1883 Encycl. Brit. XV.
325/1 Malay is essentially, .a dissyllabic language.
3. Short for Malay fowl.
1830 ' E. Moubkav ' Dom. Poultry (ed. 6) 17 The Chitta-
gong or Malay, another Indian variety. 1867 Tegetmeier
Poultry Bk. 76 The plumage in Malays is short and close.
B. Oil/. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of,
the Malays or their country.
1779 Forrest V'oy. N. Guinea 8 They knew not a word
of the Malay tongue. 1840 PennyCycl. XVIII. 328 i Words
..derived from the Malay language. i85oGordonCumming
S. Africa {1902) 34/2 Handkerchiefs, .of a striped red and
green colour, usually called Malay handkerchiefs. 1883 Miss
BlRO Golden Chersonese Introd. 23 Cock-fighting.. is the
popular Malay sport.
D. In the names of plants, animals, etc. native in
the Malay l'eninsula, e. g. Malay apple, a myrta-
ccous \Ttt,Jambosa {Eugenia) malaccensis, with
an edible fruit ; Malay camphor, Borneo camphor
(see Borneo) ; Malay cat (see quot. 1S81); Malay
fowl, a large variety of domestic fowl introduced
from the Malay peninsula; Malay porcupine,
Atherura fascieulata ; Malay tapir, the Asiatic
or Indian Tapir, Tapirus malayanus.
1820 Sir S. Raffles in Trans. Linnean Soc. (1822) XIII.
270 The Malay Tapir resembles in form the American.
1829 Loudon Encycl. Plants 416 Eugenia malaccensis.
Malay Apple-tr. 1833 W. U. Dickson Poultry (1847) 9
The Malay, or Chittagong Fowl. These fowls have re-
markably long legs, and large bones. ..The colour of the
feathers is black, or vevy dark brown, streaked with yellow.
1837 Penny Cycl. IX. 163/1 It is commonly called Malay
Camphor, or Camphor of Barus, from the port of Sumatra
whence it is mostly shipped. 1840 Paxton Bot. Dict.^
Malay Apple, see Jambosa malaccensis. 1849 D. J. Buownk
Amcr. Poultry Vard $j The Kulm, or Great Malay Fowl.
1873 L. Wrm;ht lllusir. Bk. Poultry x.xi. 297 The fine>t
breed of Malay Game cock (using the word Malay in this
case to express locality, and not the breed now so-called).
1881 Mivaht Cat i. 7 In Pegu, Siam, and Burmah, there i>
a race of cats — the Malay Cat— with tails only of half the
ordinary length.
Malayan (mal^'an), a. and sb. [f. Malay
-t- -an*.] A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to the Malays or the Malay
archipelago.
1668 Wilkins Real Char. 1. ii. 10 That whuh seems to be
MALAYO-.
the newest Language in the World, is the Malayan. 1668 I
T. Hvdk Let. to Boyle 23 Feb. in B.'s ll'ks. (1744) V. 592'!
The printing of St. Luke and the Acts in the Malayan letter,
would make about thirty sheets. 1842 Prichard KM Hut.
Man 22 The Malayan or Polynesian race. 1847 '1 knnyson
Princess 2r The cursed Malayan crease, and battle-Clubs
From the isles of palm. 1864 — Aylmcrs /■'. 463 My lady s
cousin . . Ran a Malayan amuck against the times.
b. in the names of various animals, products,
etc. of the Malay archipelago, as Malayan Sun)
Bear, Helarctos ( O'rsus) malayanus ; Malayan
camphor, porcupine, tapir = Malay camphor, etc.
1824 T. Hcrsi iKl.n Zool. Researches Java, Tapirus Ma-
layanus. . . In the month of September, 1820, the first speci-
men of the Malayan Tapir was received in England from
Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles. 1826 — in Zool. Jrnl. 11.
222 In the year 1819 a specimen of the Malayan I.ear ob-
tained at liencoolen, was brought to England. 1855 W. b.
Dallas Zool. II. 486 The Malayan Sun Bear.
2. Of or belonging to the variety of domestic
fowl known as the Malay.
t88s TeGKTMEIER in Bncycl. Brit. XIX. 64s '1 Malayan
Fowls.— The .Malayan type has been long recognized as of
Eastern origin.
B. sb. 1. -Malay sb. i.
1398 W. Phillips tr. Linschoten xviii. 31/2 And all the
Malaiens [l)u. die Malayeu], as well men as women, are
very amorous. . . And hee that dwelleth in India, and can
not speake the Malayans [Du. dese Malayen men] speach,
wil hardly with vs learne the French tongue. 1796 Morse
Amer. Gcog.W. 561 The inhabitants, .go under the name of
Malayans.' 1902 Blackw. Mag. Nov. 620/2 The one Malayan
who has ever displayed commanding ability.
2. = Malay sb. 2.
1688 T. Hyijf Let. to Boyle 25 Oct. in B.'s Wks. (1744)
V. 592/1 We have in Dutch and Malayan a grammar and
two vocabularies. 1883 M iss Bird Golden Chersonese I ntrod.
1 5 There is a very strong resemblance between their dialects
and pure Malayan.
Mala'yo-, used as combining form of Malay ;
chiefly in Malayo-Polynesian a., the designation
of the race to which the Malays and most of the
Polynesians belong, and of the group of allied
languages including Malay and the Polynesian
dialects.
1842 Prichard AW. Hist. Man 327, I shall term these
people the Malayo-Polynesian. .race. 1878 W. E. Cousins
Malagasy Lang, in Trans. Phil. Soc. 303 The Malayo- I
Polynesian languages. Ibid. 426 ff.
Malayo, obs. form of Malay.
t Malays. Obs. [a. Du. Makisch. Cf. F.
malais.] The Malay language.
1779 Forrest I'oy. N. Guinea 8 They soon learnt to
speak Malays.
Malaysian (maV^siSn), a. [f. Malaysia, a
name given by some geographers to the Malay
archipelago + -an.] Of or belonging to Malaysia.
1883 Encycl. Brit. XV. 324/2 This astonishing expansion
of the Malaysian peoples throughout the Oceanic area, i
1884 Q. Rev. Apr. 3 52 The principal . . actors in the life
drama of the Malaysian stage.
t Mal-behaviour. Obs. rare. In quots. male-.
Improper behaviour.
1721 Amherst Terrx Fil. No. 45 (1726) 247, I am the
only person.. who has forfeited his fellowship for male-
behaviour. 1736. Ena. into Frauds 0/ Factors 0/ S. S. Co.
56 And as to the present Directors, the Male Behaviour of
Mr. Woolley, and others, plainly declare, that [etc.].
Malbouehe, variant of Mai.eiiocche Obs.
MalchrtS (marlkfc). Antiq. [a. F. malchus,
in both senses a use of the name of Malchus (John
xviii. 10) whose ear St. Peter cut off with a sword.]
1. ' A short cutting-sword' {Cent. Did. 1890).
2. (See quot.)
1883 Mollett Diet. Art ft Archxol., Malchus, an old
term for a confessional having only one stool for penitents;
it signified that which has only one ear, from the fact that i
Malchus, Caiaphas' servant, was deprived of bis right ear j
by Peter .
Malconduct (mrel|kf>-nd»kt), sb. Also 8
male-, [f. M.VL- + Conduct sb.'] Improper con- I
duct ; esp. improper or dishonest administration of
an office, business, etc.
1741 Johnson Pari. Deb. in Gentl. Mag. XI. 414 The
Male-conduct of the Right Hon. Gentleman. 17^7 Monitor
No. 92 II. 395 To distinguish between men disgraced for
mal-conduct; and ministers displaced who [etc.]. 1778 Gouv. '
Morris in Sparks Life ff Writ. (1832) I. 201 He must be con- j
victedofmalconduct.beforehecanberemoved. 1798NELSON
13 Nov. in Nicolas Disf. (1845) III. 171 Instances of the
greatest mal-conduct of persons in office. 1799 Ibid. 4 Feb. !
255 Ihe malconduct of the Maltese has caused the enterprise
to fail. 1804 M. Cutler in Ufe, etc. (1888) II. 157 Some
evidence, of mal-conduct or specific charges, was called for.
Hence f Malconduct v. intr. rare, to be guilty
of malconduct.
1801 E. Gerry in jV. Eng. Hist. J, Gen. Register (1896)
L. 27 Its own government . . having removed from office,
such as it conceived had malconducted.
Ma:lco:nforma'tioii. [See Mai.-.] Bad or
faulty conformation.
1776 T. Vercival Ess. III. 282 The disease is neither owing
to inflammation, nor to any mal-conformation of the parts.
1831 Sir F. Palgrave Norm, f, Eng. I. 136 The inherent
malconformation of the Carlovingian Empire. 1858 Di:
Quincey Language Wks. IX. 91 A sentence.. is capable of
multiform beauty, and liable to a whole nosology of mal- .
conformations. 1871 Darwin Dese. Man I. i. 9 Is man j
subject to similar malconformations?
79
Malconstrtrction. [See Mal-.] Faulty
construction.
1809111 Spirit Pub, Jruls. XIII. 65 'A roarer'; that is,
a horse, which, owing to a ma l-con struct ion of the organs,
makes a roaring noise, 1858 Greener Gunnery 105 The
only failures Mr. Krupp has made. .have arisen from mal-
construction. 1897 Trans. Amer. Pediatric Soc. IX, no
There is a very material malconstruction of the diaphragm.
Malcontent mcc'lk^ntent), a. and sb. Also
6-9 maleconteut. [a. OF. malcontent : see M.u.-
and Content a,]
A. adj. Discontented, dissatisfied. Now chiefly
in political use : Actively discontented ; indisposed
to acquiesce in the existing administration of affairs
(e.g. of the state, of a party, etc.); inclined to
rebellion or mutiny ; restless and disaffected.
1586 B. Young Guazzo's Civ. Conv. iv. 201 b, If the Ape is
malecontent for want of a taile. 1593 Shaks. 3 Hen. t'l,
iv. i. 10 How like you our Choyce, That you stand pensiue,
as halfe malecontent? 1601 F.Godwin B/>s. of Eng. 116 He
quickly began to grow malcontent, and. .entred at last into
a conspiracie. 1673 Temple Observ. United Prov. Wks.
1731 I. 19 At this time began to be form'd the Male-content
Party in the Low-Countries. 1679 J. Goodman Penit.Pard.
I. iv. (1713) 86 He presently grows male-content with his
condition. iy6g A?w. Reg, 4/2 This malcontent temper of
the Grecian Christians. 1816 Scott Old Mori, vii, Lady
Margaret Uellenden had returned, in romantic phrase, male-
content, and full of heaviness. 1827 Hali-AM Const. Hist.
(1876) III. xv, 146 The malecontent whigs were now [1701]
so consolidated with the tories as in general to bear their
name. 1892 Stkvi'.nson Across the Plains 234 He has ever
since been malcontent with literature.
B. sb.
1. A malcontent person (see A).
1581 L. Aldersev in Hakluyt Voy. (1589) 177 Besides the
perill of the Malcontents, who were vpon both sides of the
riuer [Rhine]. 1581 Pettie Guazzo's Civ. Conv. in. (1586'
152, I thinke they haue hist cause to be mal contents, who
knowing themsehies to be sufficient men. .are. .used by their
father like children. 1587 Holinsued Chron. III. 10/2 The
onelie place wherein all the- mal-contents [ed. 1577 Rebels!
of his realme had their refuge. 1668 R. Steeli: Husband-
man's Calling v. (1672) 67 No, sayes the male-content, if
things bad sorted to my mind, it had been far better than
it is. 1687 Drvden Hind <y P. in. 662 Your sons are male-
contents, but yet are true, As fa:' as non-resistance makes
'em so. 1759 Rohektson Hist. Scot. in. Wks. 1813 I. 258
The malecontents bad not yet openly taken up arms. 1841
Trench Parables (1860)416 He expostulates with the mal-
content. 1874 Green Short Hist. ix. §7. 662 The leading
malcontents. . were already calling on him to interfere in arms.
f2. The state of being discontented. Obs.
[Really a distinct word : see Content sb.]
1591 Troub. Raigne K.John 11611) 39 We must obscure
this inonewith melodic, Least worser wrack ensue our male-
content. 163a Lithgow Trav. 1. 6 Let me enter into con-
sideration of the intractable passage of my malecontents past.
1643 Milton Divorce 11. xx. Wks. 1851 IV. 119 A necessity
of sadnesse and malecontent. 1658 Sir T. Browne Hydriot.
v. 25 Content to be nothing, or never to have been, which
was beyond the male- con tent of Job, who cursed not the
day of his life, but his nativity. 1663 Flagellum or O. Cro/n-
tvell (1672) 29 Rash and blind Furies, that made way to the
unobserved advancement of this private Male-content.
t Malconte'nted, {pa.pp/e.and)a. Obs. Also
male-. [Partly f. prec. adj. + -ed 1 ; partly f. Mal-
+ Contented ■/.]
1. As pa. pple. Made malcontent, rare-'1.
1584 Leycestcrs Commw. (1641) 150 Noble men of the
Realm, who live abroad.. much iniured and malcontented
by his insolencie.
2. = Malcontent a.
c 1586 C'tfss Pembroke Ps. lxxiii. vi, For what purpose
was it . . For me to fume with malecontented heart ? 1593-4
Sylvester Profit Imprisonm. 541 Murmuring 'gainst the
Lord, with male-contented voyce. 1600 Heywood 1st Pt.
Edw. IV (1613) A 4, To him the malcontented commons
ilocke, From euery part of Sussex. 1614 Jackson Creed in.
xxxii. § 3 If men male-contented with this present, may haue
sweete promises of euerlasting happinesse in the life to come.
1622 Bacon Hen. VII 39 For the better securing of his
estate, against mutinous and malcontented Subjects. 1696
Luttreix Brief Rel. (1857) IV. 119 '*"ne restlesse attempts
of the malecontented party, a 1716 South Serm. Sev. Occas.
(1744) VII. 289 To satisfy or silence this malecontented
Enquiry.
Hence f Malconte'ntedly adv.
1630 R. Johnson's Kingd.$ Commw. 231 The Portugals. .
live male-contentedly under his obedience and government.
1755 Johnson, Maleconteutedly.
Malconte'iitedness. Obs. Also male-.
[See -ness.] The state of being malcontented.
1601 Deacon & Walker Spirits # Divels 349 In an onelie
malcontentednes, rather against the persons of some in
authoritie then in any true mindednes towards reformation.
a 1639 Wotton in Reliq. (1685) 659 The Pope appear'd not
pubhckly, . .for a kind of malecontentedness with his own
action. 17x2 Addison Sped. No. 445 f 5, 1 fear they would
ascribe the laying down my Paper, on such an Occasion, to
a Spirit of Malcontentedness.
Personified. 1626 Bernard Isle of Man (1627) 67 Where
sullen Male-contentednesse sits,
Malcontentisni. rare~K [-ism.] - prec.
1813 Examiner 3 May 288/1 A sign of malcontentism.
MaTcontently. a. rare~°. [f. Malcontent
a. + -LY ^.] In a malcontent manner.
In some recent Diets.
i Malcoiiteiitmeilt. Obs. Also male-, [a.
OF '.malcontentevient: cf. Mal- and Contentment.]
The condition of being malcontent.
1587 Holinshed Scot. Chron. 446/2 They had.. by vni-
uersal! male-contentment of the people.. procured a great
MALE.
distraction of the kings leeges hearts. 1588 Kvo llouseh.
Phil. Wks. (1901) 252 Vppon the malcontentment of the
minde followes the. .weakenes of the bodie. 1606 P.p. W.
Bari.ow Serm. 21 Sept. E, Their ground was Malecontent-
merit,.. because they could not he made Bishops. 1637-50
in Row Hist. Kirk (1842) 28S So he put in fifty merks with
shame and great malcontentment.
Mal-convenance. rare. [quasi-Fr.,f. phr. mal
convenir to be unsuitable.] Defective adaptation.
1835 Chalmers Xat. Theol. (1S49) I. 11. iii. 266 Any nral-
convenance which is incompatible with life cannot.. be pre-
sented to observation.
II Mal-crasis (msel|kr£i-sis). Path. rare. [f.
Mal- + C basis.] A faulty combination of con-
stituents.
1854 JonksSc Sif.v. Pat hot. A not. 115 Inflammations which
arise in consequence of a mal-crasis of the blood.
I Maldathait. Obs. Also 4 maid at. [a. OK.
maldehait: see Mal- and Dahet.] 'May he hove
misfortune' ; Dahet.
a 1300 Cursor M. 16290 (Cott.) For bi mis-salt bat all has
herd maldathait [Cott. maldat] qua be spare.
II Mal de flanc. Obs. [It.] Disease of the side.
< 1290 llecket 90T in .S*. Eng. Leg. 132 \>e bischop thomas
lay, In be syknesse of maldenanke.
|j Mal de nier. [Fr.] Sea-sickness.
1778 J. Adams Diary 19 Feb., Wks. 1851 III. 98 The mal
do tuer seems to be merely the effect of agitation. 1899
Gouley LyrafrivolaG He notes his qualms with care, And
bids the public know 'em In 'Thoughts on Mal deMer' Or
1 Nausea : a Poem".
I Maldisailt. Obs. Also 6 maledizant. [a.
F. maldisant, f. mal ill + disant, pr. pple. of dirt
to say.] An evil-speaker, slanderer.
1598' 1' 1.0K10 Ital. Diet, a 6 He is to blame., that will
be wittie in another mans booke. How then will scoffing
readers scape this marke of a maledizant? 1617 Minsheu
Dlictor s. v., A Maldisant or euiil speaker. 1661 liuuNi
Glossogr. (ed. 2), Maldisant, an evil speaker, a backbiter.
Maldonite (mg'ldonait). Min. [Named in
1S76 by L'bich, from Maldon, Victoria, its locality :
see -itk.] A variety of gold, containing bismuth.
1870 Amer. Jrnl. Sci. Ser. 11. L. 272 Maldonite, or Bis-
muthic Gold.
Malduck (maldok). [?f. mall - Maw sb? +
Dick sb. Hut cf. Mallemuck.] A name, in tin-
Shetland Isles, for the Fulmar.
1802 G. Montagu Ornith. Diet. (1833) 315 Malduck. 1806
P. Neill Tour Orkney t, Shell. 198 Malniock, Mallemuck,
or Mallduck, Fulmar, Procellaria glacialis.— Appears in ihe
friths of Orkney, and voes of Shetland.
Maldy. Sc. '1 Obs. ' A coarse woollen cloth of
grey or mixed colour' (Jam. Sttppl.). Also attrib.
1588-9 Extracts Ree. Glasgow (1S76) 12S In the first, ane
cloik of maldy, price thrie puridis : .. ane pair oi maldy
schankis [etc.].
t Male, j/'.1 Obs. Also Mfi.e. [ad.L. mal-us
apple-tree, malum apple.] An apple ; an apple-
tree. Also Comb, as male-apple, -apple-tree.
a 1400 Song Solomon \\\. 3] in Rel. Ant. I. 40 As the male
is plentiuouse of apples . . so is my derlyng among sones.
c 1420 Pallad. on Httsb^ Tabula, Male appeltreen. Male
applis. Ibid. XI. 259 This mone also the male [orig. Mali] is
sett to sprynge; This male is sette in londis hoot S: drie.
Male (ni<"'l , a. and sb.2 Forms: 5, 7 masle,
4 madle, mawl, maal, maule ; Sc. 5-6 maill, (1
mail, 7 maile ; 4- male. (See also Mascle a.)
[a. 1 >F\ male, masle (mod.F". m&le), earlier mascle :—
L. masculus (f. mas male person, male), whence
Masculine a. Cf. I'r. mascle, Sp., Fg. macho,
It. maschio.
The spelling masle wan the prevailing one in Law French,
and in legal use appears in Eng. down to the 17th c. Sir
T. Browne is the only non-legal writer of the 17th c. who
uses it : doubtless as suggesting the original Latin etymon. J
A. adj.
I. Of or belonging to the sex which begets off-
spring, or performs the fecundating function of
generation.
1. a. of persons. In Law. Heir, issue, line,
tail male. (In early, esp. legal use, often pi. ma '«.)
1375 Barbour Bruce xx. 130 Gif it fell that his sone Davy
Deit but air male of his body Gottyn. 1377 Langl. /'. /'/.
B. xvi. 236, I circumcised,. my meyne and alle bat male
were. 1382 [see' Female a 1]. e 1450 Merlin 88 She is now
leide down in his bedde of a childe male. 1450 Rolls 0/
Parlt. V. 188/1 To hym and to his heires masles of his body-
lawfully begoten. 1463 Bury Wills (Camden) 25 And for
defawte of yssew male of the seid Robert than I wil John
Baret. .haue it, to hym and to his eyres male, la 1500 Sir
Benes 3392 (Pynson) Yonge male chyldren two. c 1500 Melu-
sine 18 He begate on her many children males. 1563 W1N5ET
Four Scoir Thre Quest. Wks. 1888 I. 82 The maill barne
nocht circumcidit the auchtin day. 1595 Shaks. John 111.
iv. 76Caine,the first male-childe. 1613— Hen. V1II,\\.\.\.
r89 My Ladies wombe. .conceiu'd a male-child by me. 1614
ScLDEN Titles Hon. 196 Reseruing..the reuersion to them-
seluesin default of heires masles. 1647-8 Cottf.rf.ll Davila's
Hist. Fr. (1678) 6 In the male-line of their Predecessors.
1752 Hume Pol. Disc. x. 166 All masters discourage the
marrying of their male servants. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2)
VI. 315 An estate in tail male was vested in Edmund Hicks,
as heir male of the body of Launcelot Hicks. 1847 Tennyson
Princess Prol. 151,1 would make it death For any male thing
but to peep at us.
b. of animals.
c 1400 Master of Game xxxiv. (MS. Digby 182), She [the
hare] ober while is male . . and obere while is female, c 1440
Promp. Parv. 323/1 Male, best or fowle, no femel, masculus.
01500 [see Female a. 1 bj. 1530 Palsgr. 242 i Male gote,
MALE.
80
MALEBOTJCHE.
lave. 1607 Shaks. Cor. v. iv. 30 There is no more mercy in ,
him, then there is milke in a male-Tyger. 1797 Encycl. Brit. '
(ed. 3) VII. 258/1 This operation [castration] may be per-
formed both on male and female fish. 1855 W. S. Dallas
Syst. Nat. Hist. I. 348 In the autumn, male and female
insects are found, furnished with perfect generative organs.
1902 Oxford Times 22 Feb. 2/1 For sale. .3 hens and 1 male
bird.
absot. 1390 Gower Con/. II. 45 Sche sih the bestes in j
her kinde, . . The madle go with the femele.
e. In male \ kind (also attrib.), sex (see Sex).
1382 Wycuf Luke ii. 23 For ech male kynde openynge
the wombe to go out, schal be clepid hooly to the Lord. 1530
Palsgr. 318/1 Male of the male kynde, viasle. 1598 GuiLPfN
Skt'al. Sat. iv. (Grosart) 51 A male-kind sparrow once mis-
tooke his nest And fled for harbour to faire Liuias breast:
1611 Cotgr., Masculeyte, Manhood, or the male kind. 1681
R. Knox Hist. Ceylon 41 The Malekind may come and see
him, but no Women are admitted, a 1682 Sir T. Browne
Tracts 119 A smaller bird Tercellene or Tassel of the masle ,
sex. 1727 Bailey vol. II, Male-kind.
d. Said of the reproductive organs of this sex.
1607 Topsell Four-/. Beasts (1658) 254 They took from
them [stoned horses] their male parts. 1836-9 Todd Cycl.
A Hat. II. 140/1 The male-duct, .terminates at the anterior
extremity of the body. 1888 Rollkston & Jackson Anim.
Life 472 Neomenia carinata [a mollusc] has been said to
possess lateral male ducts.
e. Used jocularly to qualify female designations, j
e. g. male aunt = uncle ; male bawd = pander,
etc. ; also to qualify female conditions, as male
widowhood, the condition of being a widower.
1597 Shaks. 2 Hen. IV% iv. iii. 100 They fall into a kinde
of Male Greene-sicknesse. 1607 Tourneur Rev. Trag. 1. ii,
When base male-Bawdes kept Centinell at staire-head. 1681
Otway Soldier's Fort. 11. i, Your Go-between, your Male-
Baud there. 1712 Steele Sped. No. 288 r 1 Which has given
me Encouragement to describe a certain Species of Mankind
under the Denomination of Male jilts. Ibid, P2 They whom
my correspondent calls Male Coquets, shall hereafter be
called Fribblers. Ibid. No. 320 P 1 You have published the
Term Male-Coquets. 1712 Francham ibid. No. 520 F 1, I
cannot but recommend the Subject of Male Widowhood to
you. 1755 J. Shehbeare Lydia (1769) I, 59 When a new
work is advertised, the male and female ladies, .immediately
conclude it cannot be worth the reading. 1770-93 [see
Coquette i c]. 1781 Mme. D'Arblay Diary II. 87 He is
an actual Male prude ! 1821 Lamb F.lia Ser. 1. My rela-
tions, Male aunts, as somebody calls them, 1 had none— to
remember.
f. Comb.
1587 Golding De M or nay vi. 63 God., who is also Minde,
8c life and Light, and Malefemale [marg. appei66y,\v<;], begat 1
or bred Logon the Speach. 1603 B. Jonson Sej'anus II. ii.
(1605) D3b,That male-spirited Dame, Their Mother. 1774
Westm. Mag. II. 453 You will see behind a Perfumer's
counter.. a Male-Female Thing of this sort.
2. With reference to the vegetable kingdom, a.
Said of certain plants (of dioecious genera) the |
llowers of which contain only the fecundating or- 1
gans. Subsequently said also of the fecundating
organs of plants, and of flowers containing only
organs of this kind.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xvii. ii. {1495) 597 Yf . . the
rynde of a male pahne be put to the leuys of the female . .
thefruyte. .shall be the sooner rype. a 1400 Stockh. Medical
MS. ii. 715 in AngUa XVIII. 324 In a vesselL.Putte hem,
& bou schalt sene Wyche is femel & wyche is male. 1600
J. Porv tr. Leo's Africa vi. 268 Of date-trees some are male
and some are female. 1789 G.White Selborne v. (1853) 209
This is a male tree, which in the spring sheds clouds of dust,
and fills the atmosphere around with its farina. 1791 Gentl.
Mag. 2/2 The catkins which appear in January are the male
parts of a nut-tree. 1796 Withering Brit. PI. (ed. 3) I. 188
In the Ribes alpinum, the male and female flowers are some-
times found on different plants. 1871 Kingsi.ev At Last'i, In
the midst of the yard grew, side by side, . . a male and female
Papaw. 1875 Bennett & Dyer tr. Sachs' Bot. 448 The
resemblance of the male flowers to the inflorescenceof Equi-
setum is as striking [etc.]. 1880 Gray Struct. Bot.\\.% 1.163
The Stamens are the male or fertilizing organs of a flower.
b. Applied to certain plants to which sex was
formerly attributed on account of some peculiarity
of habit, colour, etc. Male fern, Asplenium
(JVephrodium) Fitix-mas ; also attrib,
1562 Turner Herbal 11. 3 The vertues of the male feme.
1597 Gerarde Herbal n.cclxix.( 1633) 773 The male Mullein
or Higtaper hath broad leaves. 1639 T. de Grey Compl.
Horseman 319 Take the root of male brake or fearn. 1718
Quincy Compl. Disp. 133 Paul's Betony or Male Speedwell.
1779 M. Unuerwood Dis. Childr. (ed. 4) I. 147 The male
fern alone is reckoned a specific [for worms]. 1838 Lindley
Flora Med. 512 Purga. Macho, or Male Jalap. 1871 Kingslev
At Last v, Here and there a young one [palm] springing up
like a gigantic crown of male-fern. 1877 tr, von Ziemsseri's
Cycl. Med. VII. 702 Male fern-root.
II. 3, Of or pertaining to a man or men, or to
male animals ; peculiar to or characteristic of men ;
composed or consisting of men.
a 1631 Donne Progr. Soul 1. 12 By thy male force is all
wee have begot. 1682 R. Burton Admir. Curios. (1684)
67 It was after altered into a Male-Nunnery. 1684 T.
Burnet Th. Earth 1. 198 The ancients.. have suppos'd that
there was something of an aithereal element in the male-
geniture. 1710-n Swift Jnil. to Stella 26 Feb., They
keep as good female company as I do male. 1784 Cowi'ER
Task vi. 233 Profaned,.. under various names, Female and
male. 1804-5 Wokdsw. Prelude m. ^6 Trinity's loquacious
clock.. told the hours Twice over with a male and female
voice. 1871 Darwin Desc. Man (1888) 393 The common
drake .. after the breeding season is well known to lose
his male plumage for a period of three months. 1900 Daily
Neius 18 Sept. 4/6 A case filled with moths whose right wings
belong to the male coloration. 1903 Westm. Gaz. 3 Feb. 9/1
It is intended to form a male voice choir.
b. Appropriate or adapted to the use of a man.
1788 J. Ware in Mem. Med. Soc. II. 336 Strictures on the
Use of the Male Catheter. 1828 Sir A. Halliday Pres. St.
Lunatics 98, 1 Matron for Male Hospital. 1898 AllbntCs
Syst. Med. V. 986 A large soft rubber male catheter.
III. iransf. Applied to various material and
immaterial things, denoting superiority, strength,
greatness, or the like.
t 4. In occasional applications. Obs.
c 1645 Howell Lett. (1650) I. 371 As in France, so in all
other wine countries, the white is called the female, and the
claret or red wine is called the male, because commonly it
hath more sulphur, body, and heat in it. 1649 Blithe Eng.
Improv. Impr. ix. (1653) 48, I shall provoke unto the best
Improvement, and where there can be a Male-Improvement
offer not to the Common-Wealth a Female. 1667 Milton P.L.
viii. 150 Other Suns perhaps With their attendant Moons
thou wilt descrie Communicating Male and Female Light.
f5. a. Said of precious stones, on account of
depth, brilliance or other accident of colour; also
of other stones, with reference to their hardness or
other esteemed qualities. [Gr. dpprjvy L. mascuhis.']
£-1400 Maundev. (1839) xiv. 158 Thet [the dyamandes]
growen to gedre, male and femele. 1681 Grew Musxum
290 The Sardius or Cornelian, . . The best, by some called
'1 he Male. Ibid. 297 The Florid Male Eagle-Stone. 1726
Leoni Albert? s An hit. 1. 58/2 The Stones found in Rivers,
which are call'd Male ones, . . grow dry immediately when . .
taken out of the water. 1853 Browning Saul viu, Ix>rdly
male-sapphires.
+ b. Used to distinguish the harder and more
compact kind of sand or gravel. Obs.
1601 Holland Pliny II. 409 The hard and compact gravel I
called the Male gravell [L. sabulum juasculum). 1610 W.
Folkingham Art of Survey iv. Concl. 87 A faire Pond . .
springing from the West forth of a male grauell. 1726
Leoni Albertis Archil. II. 105/2 The male-sand [It. sal>-
Hone maschid\ and the hard grit are sure to afford the best
of water. 1813 Vancouver Agric. Devon 65 The male or
bastard tin-stone is found, .on Dartmoor.
\Q. Male incense. [So in L.and Fr.] A superior
quality of incense, known by the greater size of the
' tears' in which it is collected; frankincense. Obs.
1598 W. Phillip tr.Littscho ten's Voy. 1. lxxu.no Frankin-
sence is of two sorts, one white, that is round and like vnto
drops, which is the best, and called the masle; the other
blacke. 1647 Herrick Noble Numb., Dirge Jephthah's Dau.
xiii, May Virgins, when they come to mourn, Male-Incense
burn Upon thine Altar ! 1727-41 Chambers Cycl. s.v.
L'rankincense, Male incense, or olibanum.
7. Of rime: = Mahci;li.\k.
1581 Sidney Apol. Poetrie (Arb.) 71 The French. hath
both the Male [ryme], as Bon, Son, and the Female, as
I'iaise, Taise. 1841 Penny Cycl. XIX. 486/1 These mono-
syllable or last-syllable rhymes are called male rhymes.
1896 S. W. Barnum I'ocab. Eng. Rhymes (ed. 2) Introd. 16
Part I consists of single or male rhymes.
8. Said of the external layer of bark on a tree.
1884 [see Female A. 8]._
IV. 9. A distinctive epithet for that part of an
instrument or contrivance which is adapted to
penetrate or fill the corresponding female part.
a 1856 H. Miller in Footpr. Creator (1874) 342 The male
half of the hinge belongs to the head, and the female half to
the jaw. 1884 IJritten li'atchfy Clockm. 274 Steel runners
with male centres are handy when turning bouchons. 1889
Mayne's Med. Voc, Female . . the part of a double-limbed
instrument which receives the male or corresponding part.
b. (See quot.)
1688 R. Holme Armoury in. xil. 433/1 There Is no differ-
ence between the male and female Trepan, but for the pin
in the middle which the female wants.
C. Male gauge : the outer gauge or screw of a
printing press, Male scrav : the spiral pin or rod
which fits the spirally bored circular socket of the
* female ' screw.
1669 IIovle Contn, New Exp. 11. (1682) 11 A Female Screw,
to receive the Male-screw of the Stop-cock. 1683 Moxon
Meek. Exerc.f Printing xix. 170 So as the Male-Gages may
fall into the Female-Gages. 182a Imison.Sc/. $ Artl.+Z The
first is called the Male or outside screw. 1827 Faraday
Chem. Manip. xv. 361 Their use is to connect together
stop-cocks . . terminated by male screws. 1856 C. Carey in
Abr. Specif. Patents, Writ. Instr. (1869) 210 At each of
the four angles of one is fixed an upright male screw.
B. J*.
1. A male animal.
13. . /•;. E. Allil. P. B. 337 Ayboumeng with pe malez be
mete ho-bestez. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. vi. xii.
(1495) 196 In all kynde of beestes the male is more crafti.
1590 Shaks. Com. Err. 11. i. 19 The beasts, the fishes, and
the winged fowles Are their males subjects. 1596 Nashe
Saffron Walden Ep. Ded. A 2, Musing Dick, that studied
a whole yeare to know which was the male and female of
red herrings. 1688 R. Holme Armoury 11. 236/1 A Boc-
caret [Hawk] is the Male of a Boccarell. 1697 Dryden
Virg. Georg. in. 420 The furious Mare, Barr'd from the
Male, is frantick with Despair. 1774 Golds.m. Nat. Hist.
(1776) III. 314 There are some of the males who attach
themselves to the female. 1802 Paley Nat. Theol. xix.
(ed. 2) 363 The glow-worm is a female caterpillar ; the male
of which is a fly. 1857 Househ. Words 19 Dec. 16 No less
than sixteen of these Tittle animals (all males).
jig. 1871 Morley Crit. Misc. Ser. 1. Carlyle (1878) 175
Carlylism is the male of Byronism.
2. A male person ; a boy or man. Only in ex-
pressed or implied antithesis with female.
13.. E. E. A Hit. P. B. 695 Vch male mas his mach a
man as hymseluen. 1375 Barbour Bruce 1. 60 For thar
mycht succed na female, Cmhill foundyn mycht be ony
male. 1382 Wyclif Rom. 1. 27 The mawlis [gloss or men]
the kyndeli vss of womman forsakyn. c 141s Hoccleve De
Reg. Princ. 565 The ende is deb of male & of femele. 1593
Shaks. 3 Hen. I'l, 11. 1. 42 You lone the Breeder better than
the Male. 1609 Skene Reg. May. 36 Sic heires being
mailes, the perfite age is twentie ane zeares. 1614 Selden
Titles Hon. 73 That [crown] of Pharaoh was only for
masles, not for fenunin capacitie. 1667 Milton /'. /,. xn,
168 Whence of guests he makes them slaves Inhospitably,
and kills their infant Males. 1809 in Earl Malmesburys
Lett. (1870) II. 204, 1 am the only male here that is not gone
hunting. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng. xv. III. 574 Every
male in the kingdom who had attained the age of sixteen.
1868 Freeman Norm. Conq. (1876) II. x. 481 Every male
who resisted was put to the sword.
b. occas. A male plant. (Cf. A. 2, 2 b.)
1548 Turner Names of Herbes (E.D.S.) 12 [Pimpernel.]
The male hath a crimsin floure, & the female hath a blewe
floure. 1600 J. Pory tr. Leo's Africa vi. 268 The flowers of
the female will not open, vnlesse the boughes and flowers
of the male be ioined vnto them. 1646 Sir T. Browne
Pseud. Ep. 11. vi. 94 Herbalists . . naming that the masle,
whose leaves are lighter.
3. A ' male ' precious stone. (Cf. A. 5 a.)
1727-41 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Sapphire,. .Different colours
constitute different kinds thereof ; the deepest blues being
esteemed males, and the whitest females. 1750 tr. Leo.
nardus' Mirr. Stones 152 A milder flame is assigned to the
females, but a yellower and more fervent to the males.
t Male, sb.?' Obs. A word of obscure origin and
meaning, occurring in certain phrases. TJie male
wryes or wrings', something is wrong, there is
a state of hardship. To wring (a person) on the
males : to cause trouble to. (Quot. a 1 500 is
obscure, perh. texlually corrupt.)
( 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 43 The male so
wryes, That no kunnyng may prevayl.. Ayens a wommans
wytt. la 1500 Wisdom 669 in Digby Myst. 163 Ther
pouert is the male wry, though right be, he shall neuer re-
newe. c 1522 Skelton Why «a//oCVttr*75,Thecountrynge
at Cales Wrang vs on the males. — Colyn Cloute 688 And
so they blere your eye, That ye can not espye Howe the
male dothe wrye. — PhyllyP Sparoive 700 Yet there was
a thyng That made the male to wryng.
Male, obs. form of Mail, Meal, Mole.
Male-, prefix : see Mal-.
Maladministration, Maleapert, etc. : see
Mala-.
Malease. Obs. Forms: 3malees, malisce,
3-4 maless, 3-5 males, 4 malis, male-ese, .SV\
mail eiss, mail ess, 4-5 mal ese, 5 male eese,
mayll easse, male ease, 6 Se. maill eys. [a.
OF. malaise : see Malaise.]
1. Absence of ease; uneasiness, discomfort; in-
convenience, annoyance; disquiet; distress, trouble.
a 1300 Cursor M. 6300 Wit pair danger, sir moyses, Oft
bai did him haue malees. Ibid. 6788 Widues ne barns
faderles Do yee na wrang, ne na males, t 1300 A'. Alts.
7366 Beter is, lyte to have in ese, Then muche to have in
malese. 1377 Lancl. P. PI. B. XIII. 76 What myschief and
inalese Cryst for man tholed. a 1400 Relig. Pieces fr.
Thornton MS. 18 Euer mare when bou erte at male-eese
ban he comforthes he. 1470-85 Malory Artk. viu. xli. 338
A syr yet shalle I shewe you faueour in your male ease.
2. Disease, sickness.
a 1300 Cursor M 23161 Oft 1 was wit malisce [oilier texts
malese] mette, Bot for you was me neuer bett. 1375 Bar-
fol'R Bruce xx. 73, 75 Ane male ess tuk hym so sare, . . His
mail eiss of ane fundyng Begouth. 1388 Wyclif Matt. iv.
24 Thei brou^ten to hym alle that weren at maleese. 1500-20
Dunbar Poems xxix. 34 This malice, That with sic panis
prickillis me. 1513 Douglas sEneis xn. i. 114 Quha wald
wyth cujt of medycync hym meys, The moir encressys and
growis his maill eys.
Male aventure : see Maladvf.ntuke.
II Malebolge (makty-^d:^). [It. Malebolge, f.
male pi. fern, of malo evil + bolge pi, of bolgia lit.
* budget \ (The sing, form malebolgia has oc-
casionally been used by Eng. writers.)] The name
given by Dante to his eighth circle in Hell, con-
sisting of ten rock-bound concentric circular
trenches, designated ' bolge *. Used trans/., chiefly
with allusion either to the pool of fdth in the
second ' bolgia ' (Canto xviii), or to the boiling
pitch in the fifth ' bolgia ' (Canto xxi).
1861 Brricsf. Hon-: Eng. Cat/tedr. 19th C. vii. 250 The
malebolge of stock-brick and cement in which we have been
so long wandering. 1884 Q, Rev. Apr. 350 We. .look down
into a boiling malebolgia of stenm and sulphur. 1894 Scots-
man 12 July, The channt-ls that feed this devouring male-
bolge are the newspapers and the telegraph offices.
Hence Malelao'lgian, Malebolgic adjs., of or
resembling the Malebolge.
1883 Harper's Mag. June 121/T, I confess having felt a. .
reluctance to immerse myself in this malebolgjan mass of peat
mud. 1883 Pall MallG. 16 Oct. 1/2 This Malebolgic pool
of London's misery.
! Malebouclie. Obs. Also6Maleboush. [a.
OF. Malebouche (lit. 'evil mouth'), the name of
an allegorical personage in Le Roman de la Rose
[c 1 200-30) ; called ' Wikkid-Tonge' in Rom. Rose
7357*] ^v** speaking personified.
1390 Gowkr Conf. I. 172 Malebouche, Whos tunge neither
pyl ne crouche Mai hyre, so that he pronounce A plein
good word, c 1402 Lyug. Compl. Bt. Knt. 260 And Male-
bouche gan first the tale telle. C1460 Sir R. Ros La Belle
Dame 741 Male-bouche in courte hath gret comaundement.
1593-4 Churchyard Rebuke to Rebellion in Nichols Progr.
III. 239 Ne wit nor skill, can scape the scowling scorne Of
bold male boush, that like ban-dog doth ball.
Maleee, obs. form of Maltce.
Malecontent, etc. : see Malcontent, etc.
MALEDICENCY.
Malecoto(o)n, variant of Melocoton.
Maledery, variant of Maladerie.
tMaledicency. Obs. rare. [f. next : see-ENCY.] ;
The practice or habit of speaking evil.
1653 R. Baillie Dissnas. find. (1655) 57 marg., One
ground of my patience of M. Ts. maledicency. 1723 Attf.r-
bury Ansiv. Consici. Spirit Luther 69 We are now to have
a Tast of the maledicency of Luther's Spirit from his Book
against Henry the 8th.
Ma.1pflicent (mcel/clai'sent), a. and sb. Now
rare. Also "crron. -dioant. [ad. L. maledicent-
em, pr. pple. of tnaledicere to speak evil of, orig.
two words, Wit ill x,Av.v»v tn sppnk snv.1
A. adj. Given to evil-speaking. Also, of utter-
ances : Of the nature of evil-speaking, slanderous.
1599 Sandys Europx Spec. (1632) 93 Possessed with v so
furious, so maledicent, and so slovenly spirits. 1678 Lud-
wohtii Intell. Syst. 1. iv. § 16. 284 You can boldly insert into
her Verses, Many, and those Maledicent things of your own.
1837 Cari.ylf. Fr.Rev. I.vti.x, The maledicent Bodyguard,
getting .better malediction than he gave. 1846 Hare ,1/m-
sion Com/. Pref. (1850) 12 Ignorance .. when it is maledi-
cent, is sure to find a credulous auditory.
B. sb. One who speaks evil of another.
1657 Havre Killing is M. Pref. i Tiberius., who otherwise
was merciful to Male-dicants.
Maledict (mre-lfdikt), a. (sb.) arch. [ad. L.
maledictus, pa. pple. of maledicere: see prec]
Accursed. Also as s/i., an accursed person.
«I550 Image Hypocr. in Skellon's Wks. (1843) II. 441/1
For some be Benedictes With many maledictes. 1867
I.oxGK. tr. Dante's Inferno v. 42 As the wings of starlings
bear them on In the cold season in large band and full, So
doth that blast the spirits maledict.
Maledict (marlMikt), v. [f. L. maledict-, ppl.
stem of malcdirfre: see Maledicent.] trans.
To address with maledictions, curse, execrate.
1780 in F. Moore Songs Atner. Rev. (1856) 333 Thy name
should now be maledicted. 1898 T. Hardy Wessex Poems
36, I can but maledict her. 1901 Contemp. Rev. Mar. 425
Their gods were.. to be crushed, broken, maledicted.
Maledicted (marMUkttd), ppl. a. [f. prec.
+ -ED >.] Accursed ; evil-spoken of.
1727 Bailey vol. II, Maledicted, cursed or banned. 1864
Sai-A in Daily Tel. 19 Oct., The scurvy maledicted money
which never did any one any good. 1890 Daily Mews
13 Oct. 6/5 This much maledicted article of attire.
Maledi'Ctine, a. and sb. Parody of Benedic-
ta*«; Slier marenniwii
1641 R. Baillie rarall. Liturgy TO. Massbk. Pref. 5 Till that
cruell maledictine Monk.. had massacred 2000. .opposers.
1654 Gavton Pleas. Notes I, viii. 31 And left poor Sancho
. .a Monke, but of the order of the Maledictines.
Malediction (moelMi'kfan). Also 5 male-
dieoyoun, -dyooion, 5-6 -dieeion, 6 -diceyon.
[ad. L. maledictionem, n. of action f. maledicere :
see Maledicent a. Cf. Malison.]
1. The utterance of a curse ; the condition of
being under a ban or curse.
1447 Bokenham Seyntys (Roxb.) 49 Tyl assoylled thou be
Of this legal malediccyoun. 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 179/2
He was moche angry & gaue his nialediccion & curse to the
temple. i5*6TiNDAi.E(7rt/. iii. 10 For as many as are under
the dedes of the lawe are vnder nialediccion. 1528 Moke
Dyalogue 1. xvii. Wks. 139 And after he sheweth the male-
diccions that shall fall therevpon. 1599 Hakluyt Vcy. II.
I. 93 He gaue his malediction or curse to his children and
successours. 1605 Shaks. Lear I. ii. 160 (1608 Qo.) Menaces
and maledictions against King and nobles. 1671 Milton
Samson 978. 1796 H. Hunter tr. St.-Pierre's Stud. Nat.
(1799) III. 485 They tried to persuade her to pronounce a
malediction upon Alcibi.ides. 1828 Scott F. M. Perth xix,
I taunted him, ridiculed him, loaded him with maledictions.
1851 Longf. Gold. Leg. 1, The malediction Of my affliction
Is taken from me. 1855 Milman Lat. Chr. ix. vi. (1864) V.
292 His progress instead of being a blessing to the land was
deemed a malediction.
2. Reviling, slander ; the condition of being re-
viled or slandered.
1526 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 182 b, Thou art and
euer hast ben free from all malediccyon and opprobry. 1659
Stanley Hist. Philos. xm. (1701) 618/2 Giving no man a
just cause of contumely or malediction. 1885 Edgar Old
Ch. Life Scotl. 273 In the year 1661 the malediction of a
parent was made a capital offence in Scotland.
Maledictory (moeirdi-ktsri), a. [f. L. male-
diet- (see Malediction) + -orv.] Of the nature
of, or resembling a malediction.
182a Blackzv. Mag. II. 593 This manful and maledictory
Manifesto. 1887 Temple Par Apr. 478 With maledictory
groans and ejaculations.
t Maledight, a. and pple. Obs. Also 3 male-
dith, 4-5 malediht, 5 maladichte, maledict,
maladiete. [ad. L. maledictus, pa. pple. of male-
dicere : see Maledicent. The form is perh.
influenced by association with ME. diht, pa. pple.
of dihtcn Dight z>.] Cursed, accursed.
a 1300 Cursor M. 891 (Cott.) pou worm, bou sal be male-
dight. Ibid. 2074 pu art and sal be maledith [rime-word
sith = sight]. Ibid. 2136 Cham be maledight. Ibid. 10266
Biclepis bat man for maledight [c 1375 Fair/, maladiete ;
a 1300-1400 Gott. malediht] f>at has na barn. Ibid. 13336
Na wrenches o be maledight [c 1375 Fair/, maladiete].
Ibid. 22034 Maledight [a 1400 Edinb. maladichte].
Hence f Maledight v. (in pa. t. maledight), trans.
to curse.
a 1300 Cursor M. 2478 pai war put in a fole plight bat god
and man bam maledight.
Vol. VI.
81
Maledius, obs. pi. of Malady.
Maledizant, variant of Maldisant Obs.
Mal-education. ran. [See Mai.-.] I
perfect or misdirected education.
1848 tr. Richter's I^evana 8 Mere establishments for mal-
education. 1867 Emerson Lett, f Sue. Aims, Progr. Cult.
Wks. (Bohn) III. 233 The obstructions of their mal-forma-
tion and mal-education shall be trained away.
Male ease, eese, variants of Malease Obs.
Male engin(e, engyne, var. ff. Malenoin Obs.
t Male entente. Obs. [a. OF. male entente :
see Mal- prefix and Intent sb."\ Evil intention.
c 1450 Guy Warm. (Camb.) 5370 That the dewke in hys
parlement Hym forgeue hys maleentente.
Malees, male-ese, variants of Malease Obs.
t Malefact. Obs. [ad. L. malefactum, neut.
pa. pple. of malefaclre to do wrong, f. male ill +
fiicere to do.] A malefaction, offence.
1534 Act 26 Hen. VIII, c. 6 § 1 Wilful burning of houses,
& other scelerous dedes and abhominable malefactis. I556"7
.4^3-4 Phil, ft Mary'm Bolton. 9 tat. Irel. (1621)256 Brought
to answer to the law for that malefact. 1632 LlTHOOW Trav.
x. 457 Hee demanded me. .what malefact I was guilty of?
Malefaction (mail/Tarkfan). [ad. L. male-
factidnem,n.ot action i.malefacere : see prec] Evil-
doing ; an instance of evil-doing, a criminal act.
1602 Shaks. Ham. II. ii. 621 Guilty Creatures . . Haue . .
Bene strooke so to the soule, that presently They haue pro-
claim'd their Malefactions. 1624 HeYWOOD Captives ill. ii.
in liullen O. PI. IV. 162 And all thy malefactions crownd
with lyes. 1793 J. Williams Mem. W. Hastings 20 That
overbearing tide of prejudice, which would .. come rushing
down even upon innocence when charged with malefactions.
1805 'I'. Holcroft Bryan Perdue I. 70 The vice of gaining
was not the only malefaction of my father. 1900 Daily Tel.
27 Aug. 6/2 The misery caused by their malefaction.
b. occas. An act of wrong or injury to a person.
1879 H. Spencer Data 0/ Ethics xi. § 72. 194 Such dis-
regard of self as brings on suffering, bodily or mental, is a
malefaction to others
t Malefactions, a. Obs.— [f. Malefaction
+ -ous.] Wicked, criminal.
1660 Hexham, Misdadigh, Ill-doing, Malefactions, Offen-
sive, or Criminall.
Malefactor (ma=i/fa>kt^j). Also 5 malfae-
teur, 5-7 malefactour, 6 mallefaetore. Cf.
Mai.fetour. [a. L. malefactor, agent-n. f. male-
facere: see Malefact.]
1. One guilty of a heinous offence against the
law ; a felon, a criminal.
c 1440 Gesta Rom. I. xvi. 56 (Add. MS.) Anon thei entred
the forest and sone the malefactours mette hem. 1471 Caxton
Recuyell (Sommer) I. 16 He dyde iustyce on malfacteurs.
1582 lilBLF. (Rheims) Luke xxiil. 32 And there were led also
other two malefactours with him, tobe executed. 1585 T.
Washington tr. A'icholay's Voy. 1. xvi. 17 The great place. .
wher the malefactors are punished. 1606 Shaks. An t. iy CI. 11.
v. 53. 1649 Bp.Reynolds llosea iv. 88 Leade them forth ..as
. .malefactours to execution. 1719 De Foe Crusoe 1. iii, A
Malefactor, who has the Halter about his Neck. 1796
Morse Amer. Gcog. II. 27 For the most atrocious crimes.,
the malefactor is broken upon the wheel. 1862 H. SrEN-
CER First Priuc. II. xix. § 153 (1875) 421 By a malefactor,
we now understand a convicted criminal, which is far from
being the acceptation of evil-doer.
trans/. 1693 Drvden Jf«r'cw«r'vi.(io97)i44lftheir Barking
Dog disturb her ease . . Th'unmanner'd Malefactor is ar-
raign'd. 1697 — Virg. Georg. II. 523 For this the Male-
factor Goat was laid On Bacchus' Altar, and his Forfeit paid.
2. An evil-doer ; one who does ill towards
another ; esp. in antithesis with benefactor.
1483 Caxton Cato G vj, Hit is better that the malefactour
juge hym selfe than that another shold juge hym. 1603
Shaks. Mcas. /or M. 11. i. 52 Benefactors? Well: What
Benefactors are they? Are they not Malefactors? 1634
W. Tirwhvt tr. Balzac's Lett. (vol. I) 45 God . . doth some-
limes punish Malefactors, without observing the formes of
justice. »6ss Fuller Hist. Camb. v. § 19 margin, King
Edward the fourth a malefactour to this Colledge. 1760-72
H. Brooke Foolo/Qnal. xi. (1792) II. i2r Goodman Warm-
house . . rode much at his ease by the chariot of his male-
factor. i860 Emerson Comt. Li/e, Considerations Wks.
1 (Bohn) II.414 Mankind divides itself into two classes,—
> benefactors and malefactors. 1864 Pusf.y Led. Daniel vi.
2 ,6 That later king, who . . was called from his deeds,
Kakergetes, ' malefactor'.
Malefactory (mselffse'ktari), a. rare-1. [As
if ad. L. *malejactoriits, f. malefactor : see prec.
and -OHY.] Evil-doing.
1871 G. Meredith //. Richmond III. 122 The Grange
lived on its own solid substance, defying malefactory Radi-
cal tricksters.
Malefactress (marl/fiektri-s). [f. Male-
factor, + -ess.] A female malefactor.
1647 Fanshawe tr. Pastor Fido (1676) 123 She dies a
Malefactress. 1797 Mark Noble Mem. Ho. Medici xv.
285 Bianca [was buried] with the ignominy and contempt of
a malefactress, and a beggar. 1850 Hawthorne Scarlet
L. ii. (1883) 71 We women . . should have the handling of
such malefactresses as this Hester Prynne.
t Malefactnre. Obs. [f. L. malefact-, male-
facere: see Malefact and -ure.] = Malefaction.
1635 Heywood Hierarch. vn. 412 The Putred Fountainc
and bitumenous Well, From whence all Vice and Malefac-
tures swell. 1652 Gaule Magastrom. 57 Whether it be in
all their Art to elude them, as concerning the obnoxious-
ness of guilt, crime, offence or malefacture?
Malefeazaace.-fesour : see Malfeasance,-or.
I Mal-effect. Obs. [See Mal-.] Evil effect.
1686 Goad Cetest. Bodies ill. iii. 473 The Mai-Effects of
i Discord being Infinite.
MALEFICENT.
Malefic (male-fik), a. and sb. Also 7, 9 male-
flck, 7 malefique. [ad. L. malefic-us (also mali-
Jictts), f. male ill + -fiats : see -fic. Cf. F. male.
fique, Sp. malefico, l'g., It. malefico.]
A. adj. Productive of disaster or evil ; baleful
in effect or purpose. Said esp. of stellar influences
and magical arts or practices.
1652 Gaule Magastrom. 263 Neither could the malefick
starres impell the Brachmans to malefice or malefacture.
1686 Goad Celest. Bodies in. i. 388 We shall point out . .
Constellations .. that are Malefique. 1796 H. Hunter tr.
St.-Pierre's Stud. Nat. (1799) I. 584 Whether the embryons
of their fruits do not disclose . . harsh oppositions, which
give warning of their malefic characters. 1809 A. Henry
Trav. 124 A man who charged him with having brought
his brother to death by malefic arts. 1841 Borrow /in-
call I. viii. I. 145 Practices equally malefic as the crime
imputed to them. 1851 Maviikw Lend. Labour I. 105 The
slackness of certain periodic trades. . land] want of employ-
ment, .have a doubly malefic effect. 1879 Farrar St. Paul
I. 383 It belonged to the malefic arts of which they may well
have heard from Roman visitors.
B. sb. a./lstrol. Amaleficaspectorbody. fb.One
who practices malefic arts; a malign wizard. Obs.
1652 Gaule Magastrom. 139 A conjunction of all the
maleficks that are named in their [planetarians] art. Ibid.
174 Most arrant inchanters, sorcerers, veneficks, maleficks,
wi/zards, and witches in the world. 1819 J. Wilson Diet.
Astral., Malefics, doers of evil : Saturn and Mars. Ibid.,
A retrograde malefic would be rendered by it \sc. retro-
gradation] more innoxious.
Hence f Male'flcness.
1727 Bailey vol. II, Male/ichttess, injuriousness.
I Male'fical, a. Obs. rare. [Formed as prec.
+ -AL.l = Malefic a.
1615 Crooke Body of Man 342 The threatnings of the
Starres and their maieficall influence. 1647 Lilly Chr.
Astrol. lxvii. 411 Whether there arise. .any maieficall fixed
Starres. 1652 Gaule Magastrom. 349 A certaine maieficall
sorcerer., made all the locks fall off and doors fly open.
Hence Male'flcally adv., in a malefic manner.
1652 Gaule Magastrom. 279 Magicians, .malefically im-
precating, and veuefically murdering [etc.]. 1881 R. A.
Proctor in Cornh. Mag. Dec. 700 Believing, .that comets
act malefically by their direct influence on the air.
Maleficate(male'fikfit),z>. rare-*, [f. MALE-
FIC a. + -ate; cf. med.L. malefudre. Cf. Mai.k-
ficiate v.] trans. To bewitch.
1827 Sir H. Taylor Isaac Comnenus 11. iv. 87 What will
not a man do when once he is maleficated ?
Malefice (marUfis). Also 5 -fyce. [ad. I..
maleficium,i. malefic-its Malefic. Cf. F. malefice.]
1. A wicked enchantment ; sorcery, arch.
C1374 Chaucer Booth. 1. pr. iv. 12 (Camb. MS.) They
trowen bat I haue had affinite to malefice or enchauntement
[1.. affines/uisse videmur male/icio]. 1483 Caxton Gold.
Leg. 203/2 Seynt Peter, .disclosed all his (Simon Magus')
malefyces. 1652 Gaule Magastrom. 100 Malefice and
sorcery. 1700 G. Hickfs Let. 19 June Pepys Diary (1879)
VI. 202 The discovery of witches, and their malefices and
enchantments. 1865 Cornh. Mag. XI. 471 That he should
die by the malefice of a sorcerer.
2. An evil deed ; mischief. Obs. or arch.
1591 Spenser 71/. Hnbberd 1153 He crammed them with
crumbs of Benefices, And fild their mouthes with meeds of
malefices. 1611 J. Davies (HereO Sco. Folly (Grosart) 38/1
So to the curat tis a malefice, But to the patron still a
benefice. 1689 tr. Buchanan's De Jure Regui 52 They
use to be highly offended with robbers, and that very justly,
if any of them in their malefices pretend the King's name.
1867 P. B. St. John Sno-.u Ship v. 47 Of man, his tricks
and malefices, there was no sign.
f3. In astrological sense: Malefic character. Obs.
1652 Gaule Magastrom. 77 Made to consist by the stars,
and to thrive, or dwindle away, according to the benefice, or
malefice, of their influence.
Maleficence (male-fisens). [ad. L. malefi-
centia, f. maleficus Malefic: cf. Magnificence.]
1. Evil-doing ; rarely, an act of evil-doing.
1598 J. Keeper tr. Remits Court. Acad. 252 Povertie
bringeth foorth seditions and maleficences, a 1670 Hackkt
Abp. Williams 11. (1692) 85 The Bishopof Lincoln, .fell into
trouble . . for want of a parliament to keep him from malefi-
cence. 1830 Bf.ntham Opjc. Apt. Maximized Pref. 25
note, The correspondent closeness of connection between
maleficence.. and punishment. 1865J.GROTE Treat. Mor.
Ideas xi. (1876) 244 By ' maleficence' I mean the attempt
to give pain, as such, to others. 1865 Carlyle Fredh: Gt.
xix. viii. (1872) VII 1. 249 Who the perpetrator of this Parisian
maleficence was, remained dark.
2. Malefic character ; harmfulness.
170 H. Hunter tr. St.-Pierre's Stud. Nat. (1799) II. 3*
Inorder to express the maleficent character of a venomous
plant, she combines in it clashing oppositions of the forms
and colours which are the indications of that maleficence.
1830 Westm. Rev. XIII. 428 He takes in hand Matchless
Constitution's plan. Not sufficient for him is its malefi-
cence—he adds to it (etc.]. 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. II.
884 There is still in such [formerly malarious] districts some
remnant of maleficence.
Maleficent (male'fisent), a. [f. L. maleficent-,
altered stem (cf. Magnificent) of maleficus Male-
fic «.]
1. Of things and spiritual agencies: Working
harm, hurtful, malefic. Const, to.
1678 Cudworth Intell. Syst. 1. iv. § 13. 219 That before the
. . Formation of the World, there was Unformed and disor-
derly Matter existing (from Eternity) together with a Male-
ficent SouL 1786 tr. Beck/ords Vathek (1868) 107 Our
people have fled, and left us at the mercy of maleficent
spirits. 1793 Hist, in Ann. Reg. r82 Principles maleficent
to all government and order. 1833 Kirby Hab. t, Inst.
77
MALEFICIAL.
Anim. II, xvi. 86 Whether these animals are really as vene-
mous and maleficent as they were said to be of old., seems
very doubtful. 1846 Grotf. Greece 1. xvi, I. 565 Beneficent
and maleficent demons. 1867 Sala Ft. Waterloo to Penins.
I. 255 It dispenses maleficent gases, and is always going out
at the wrong time. 1900 W. L. Courtney Idea Trag. 67
The mundane sphere in which the beneficent and maleficent
forces are warring.
2. Of persons, their acts and dispositions : Wrong-
doing, criminal.
1760 tr. VattclPs Law Nat. n. v. § 70 Let us apply to the
unjust, what we have said above of a mischievous, or male-
ficent nation. 1811-31 Behtham Ess, Lang. Wks. 1843
VIII. 316 The sort of act thus described is a maleficent act.
1829 — Justice ■V Cod. Petit. 50 No man is maleficent with-
out a motive.
t Maleficial, a. Obs. [f. L. malefici-um (see
Malkpick) + -AL.J Malefic, maleficent.
1601 Holland Pliny II. 231 Such sorceries and maleficiall
poisons, as men haue deuised. .to the mischiefe of their own
kind. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. in. vi. § 14 A law so maleficial
unto them. 1811-31 Bentham Ess. Lang. Wks. 1843 VIII.
319/1 Formation of new words on the ground of analogy.
Example, .from beneficial, maleficial.
t Maleficiate, ppl. a. Obs. [a. med.L. male-
ficidt-us, pa. pple. of maleficiare : see next.] Be-
witched ; spec, rendered impotent by spells.
(11613 Overbury A IVife, etc. (1638)317 This cures the
Maleficiate. 1626 Rawlky in Bacon's Sylva To Rdr.,
Mens mindes, being bound ; and (as it were) Maleficiate, by
the Charmesofdeceiuing Notionsand Theories. 1649 J. H.
Motion to Pari. Adz: Learn. 4 You being loosed from those
charmes wherewith you., were maleficiate, began to act
powerfully. 1653 R. Sanders Physiogn. 171 Unable for
Venery, cold and maleficiate as to generation.
Maleficiate,". Obs. [f. med.L. maleficial-,
ppl. stem of maleficiare, f. L. malefici-um Male-
fice.] trans. To bewitch ; spec, to render im-
potent by spells. Hence f Malefieiated ppl. a.,
+ Maleficiating vbl. sb. and ppl. a.
1621 Burton Anat. Mel. 1. iii. 1. ii, A third, .fears all old
A'omen as witches,, .every person comes near him is malefi-
eiated. 1626 Kacon ,S>/z'rt 1 888 marg.-, Experiment Solitary
touching Maleficiaiing. 1646 Gaulb Cases Consc. 174 Nut
only in regard of their Maleficiating mischiefes, hut also of
Gods judgments. 1651 BiGCS /few Disp. 179 To maleficiate
a humor in any part of the Head, a 1693 UrquharCs
Ral-elais tit. Jtxxt, 257 Drugs, .which make the Taker cold,
malefieiated.
t Maleficia tion. Obs. [n. of action f. prec.
vb. : see -ATION.] The action of ' maleficiating '.
1649 Bp. Hall Cases Consc. (1650) 379 A preceding, irre-
mediable im potency, . . whether by way of perpetuall male-
Relation, or casualty. 1902 Konrath Shorehavfs Poems
214 [Accidental impotence] was generally ascribed to male-
ficiation.
1 Maleficious, a. Obs. rare. [f. L. mah-
fici-um M alefice + -ODS.] Of the nature of witch-
craft. Hence t Maleficiousness.
*547 Boorde Brer. Health $ 119 Which herbe..doth
repeil suche malyfycyousnes or spintes. 1684 tr. Bond's
Merc. Compit. ix. 326 If any thing superstitious or malefi-
cious come from the wickedness of the Devil.
t Male-fidian. noncc-wd. [f. L. male amiss +■
fid-is faith +-IAN*.] A misbeliever.
1659 H. L'Estsangb Alliance Dip. Off. 447 Against male-
fid ians, as well as against nulli-fidians, and soli-fidtans
heaven's gates are certainly kept close barred.
Malefique, obs. form of Malefic a.
t Male fortune. Obs. [a. F. male fortune
{mate fern, of mat adj., evil).] =* Misfortune.
I470-8s Malory Arthur w. x\'u 356 Somtyme he was
putte to the werse by male fortune. Hid. ix. xxxiv. 392 Syr
Launcelot by male fortune stroke sir Tristram on the syde.
f Malegerent, a. Obs. rare-'0, [f. L. male ill
+ gerent-y pr. pple. o{ gerfre to conduct (oneself).]
1727 Bailey vol. II, Malegerent, ill-behaving, unthrifty,
improvident.
Malegetta, -gutta, obs. ff. Malaguetta.
Malegrefe, -greve: see Maugre.
Ma-le-grubbles, obs. form of Mulligrubs.
Maleheui\'e, variant of Malheur Obs.
Maleheureux, variant of Maleurous Ohs,
Maleheurte, -hurte, var. ff. Maleurte Obs.
Maleic (mal/'ik),«. Chem. [ad. F. maltique
(I'elouze 1834); formed by alteration of malique
Malic, to indicate that this acid was related to
malic acid.] Alaleic acid: a product of the dry
distillation of malic acid,
1838 T. Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies 55, 1873 Watts
Fcnvnes1 Chem. fed. 11) 725 The volatile acid produced with
fumaric acid is called maleic acid.
Also Maleinic = Maleic. (Cf. G. male'in satire.)
1889 in Syd. Sue. Lex.
Male ingine, ingyne, var. ff. Malengin Obs.
Male-institution: see Mal- prefix.
t Male journey. Obs. [a. OF. male journee
'evil day'.j An unfortunate battle.
1455 Paston L.ett. I. 345 The Lord Cromwell wold have
excused hym self of all the steryng or moevyng of the male
journey of Seynt Albones. 1461 Rolls of Parlt. V. 492/1
Your true Liegemen, .which were not ayen. .youre. . Fader,
at the Felde and male journey of Wakefeld.
Malekin, variant of ^lALKIN.
t Male niorte. Obs. [?a. AF. *mal mort lit.
' dead evil '.] = Mormal.
c 1400 Master 0/ Came (MS. Digby 1S2) xii, Houndes ,.
haue be male morte in hir nosethrylles.
82
Malene(h" olye, -li'o,-lia, obs. ff. Melancholy.
Malenooleous, -lious, obs. ff. Mj lancholiois.
Malencler, obs. form of Malandeb.
Maleness (nvi-lnes). [f. Male a. + -ness.]
fa. 'Masculine' or vigorous character; mascu-
linity (ofo.). b. Thequality of being of the male sex.
1663 Sir G. Mackenzie Relig. Stoic 144 The Vatican of
paganism cannot, for the male-ness of its stile, match that
matchless Book of Genesis. 1889 Geddks & Thomson Evol.
Sex xiii. 179 The [paithenogenetic] female cell has a certain
maleness about it. 1900 Pop. Sci. Monthly Feh. 486 The
differences are the external expression of maleness and
femaleness.
I Malengin. Ohs. Forms : 4-7 malengin,
5 male ingyr.e, 5-6 male engyne, malengyne,
5, 7 malengyn, 6 male engin, mallengyn,
malingen, male-ingine, malengine, 6-7 male
engine, [a. OK. malengin, f. mal evil (see Mal-)
+ engin contrivance, Lxcine si.] Evil machina-
tion, ill-intent ; fraud, deceit, guile.
1390 Gower Con/. II. 138 So mat men knowe, how the
florin Was motler ferst of malengin. 1426 in /;. E. With
(1882) 70 Wiihoute fraude or male engyne. 1470-85 Ma-
lory A rthurxvm. v. 733 For good loue she bad vs to dyner
and not for no male engyne. 150a Arnoi.de Chron. 88 b/i
He was a good & an honest marchaunt without fraude
or malengyne. 1529 Act 21 Hen. I'll I, c. 13 By any Manner
of Means, Fraud, or Male Engine, c 1540 tr. Pol. Verg.
Ens: Hist. iCamden No. 36) 226 Whoe, preventinge his Male
Enyine, invaded his bowndes. 1590 Stenser F. Q. in. i.
53 Priefe Of such malengine and rineforgerye. x6xi Sl'EEn
Hist. Gt. Brit. ix. vii. § 5. 514 The same in good faith
keepe, and without mal-F^ngyn. 1641 Milton Reform. 1.
Wks. 1851 III. 8 When the Protectors P.rother .. through
private malice and mal-engin was to lose his life. 1726
Avliffe Paragon 315 All Presumption of Fraud and Male-
engine ceases through the authority of the Judge.
% b. Misused for : ? Ruin ; ?evil genius.
1601 Bp. W. Barlow Defence 59 An opinion which is the
verie male-engine of all sound diuinitie.
II Mal-entendu [malantandif), a. and sb.
[Kr., f. vial ill + entendu understood.] fa. aJj.
Mistaken, misapprehended. Ohs. b. sh. A mis-
understanding.
?l6i6 Raleigh Let. in E. Edwards Life (1868) II.
Introd. p. Ixii, I take it.. for a libertie mal entendu to be
removed out of this steddy Tower into a rowling shipp.
1780 H. Walpole Zrf/. (1858) VII. 448 By some mal-entendu
it was packed up in his heavy baggage. 1824 Hfber .Var-
lative (1828) II. xvi. 127, I suspect that several mal-enlendus
of this kind have occurred. 1893 F. Adams Neva Egypt 217
Things culminated in a stupid mal-entendu with the Times
correspondent.
II Maleo (marl/io). [Native name, applied to
various megapode birds in the Malay Archipelago.
Written by Valentijn 1726 in Du. spelling moeleoc,
malleoe.] A megapode bird, Megacephalon malco,
inhabiting Celebes.
1869 A. R. Wallace Malay Arckip. I. 413 One specimen
of the large and interesting Maleo.
! Maleolent. a. Ohs. rare-1, [ad. I., male
oknt-em {male ill 4- pr. pple of olere to smell). J
' That hath an ill smell' (I'/iys. Diet. 16^7).
J6S7 Tomlinson Renon's Disp. 212 Those that are not
familiar, unpleasant and maleolent. 1727 in Bailey vol. II.
Male-ominous, variant of Mal-ominols.
Malerde, obs. form of Mallard.
Malerous'e, variant of Maleurous Ohs.
Males, Malescun: see Malease, Malison.
Mal ese, variant of Malease Ohs.
Maleson'e, -esoune, obs. forms of Malison.
Maless, Malesse : seeM.u.EAsi: Obs., Malice.
Male stream, -strom, obs. ff. Maelstrom.
tMalesuete, a. Ohs. rate—", [ad. <]uasi-L.
*wale suet-its {wale ill, sin'lns accustomed).]
1727 B.mlev vol. II,' Malesucte, that has contracted an
ill Habit or Custom.
Malesun, obs. form of Malison.
Malet, variant of Mallet.
Maletalent, -if, var. ff. Maltai.ent, -ivk.
[Maletent, bad reading for next in the transl.
('543) °f ^ct 25 Edm. I, c. 7 (the AF. orig. has
male ttntle) ; thence copied into vaiious Law Diets.]
t Maletolt. Law. Ohs. Forms : 6 maltot,
(1, 9 maltote, 7 maletot, 7, 9 maltolt, 7 male-
tool, 8-9 maletolt, maltolto, 9 maletote, male-
toute. [a. AF. malc/011/e, OF. mallol/e, maletoule
(mod.F. ma/toti\ hence Du. wrt//W), repr. med.L.
mala lolta {mala fern., evil, tolta tax, f. toll-, med.L.
ppl. stem of L. tallere, OF. lolir, tondre to take) ;
cl. It. malatolta, OPg. malalosla.'] An unjust or
burdensome tax.
1514 Mem. Constables Tournay in Strype Eccl. Mem.
(1721) I. App. iv. 8 In Calais.. no maltot is demaunded . . :
wheras we of the king's garrison of Tournay pay for every
tun of wine 405. sterling maltot. a 1618 Raleigh Prerog.
Pari. (1628) 32 The Ring [Richard II] bad giuen him a
subsedy upon wools, called a Maletot. 1627 Sir R. Cotton
Viexu Reign Hen. Ill 23 They blame him . . to haue vndone
the trade of Merchants by bringing in Maletools and heauy
customes. 1844 I.d. Brocgiiam Brit. Const, xiii. (1862) 180
[Richard II] had recourse to forced loans, and to . . the
Maletolteof bis grandfather. 1884 Dowell Taxation*, ii.
I. 133 The King and counsel authorised an impost ; but this
subsequently formed the subject of complaint as a maletoute.
MALEVOLENT.
I 1901 Ros\ Graham S. Gilbert of Sewpringham 126 The
' maltuies. .levied on the export of wool by the Crown.
Maleure, variant oi Malheur Obs.
t Maleured, a. Obs. In 6 male vryd. [f.
*malettr Malheur + -ed -.] Ill-fortuned.
a 1529 Skelton Agit. Scottes in Wks. 1843 I. 185 Male
vryd was your fals entent.
Maleureus, Maleurite : see Maleirols,
! Malecrtef.
t Maleurous, a. Obs. Forms : 5 maleureus,
I malewreus, malerouse, maleurouse, 5-6 male-
, rous, maleheureux, 6 Sc. malewrus, mail-
; houris, malheurius. [a. OF. maleitros, -eus,
-ous (mod.F. malheureux)^ f. mvlcur (mod.F.
malheur) : see Malheur. Cf. Uenei-rous.]
Unhappy, unfoitunate,
1471 Caxton P. ecuje It iSommer) 1. 162 The maleureus & vn-
happy saturne. c 1475 Partenay 6473 All gloi ius patriarkes in
breue,. .Iffl thaimfor-gatte I were malerous. f 1477 Caxton
Jason 17 The right malerouse king was constrayned to. .calle
his knightes unt6 his ayde. Ibid, no What wil ye don with
this malerous and pyteus thilde. 1513 Douglas Aineis xi.
Prol. 150 Rycht so, quha vertuus was, and fallis thai fro, Of
verray ressoune malewrus hait is he. 1533 Bel lend en
Livy\. viii. (S.T.S.) 1. 47 Viherissa mailhouris \>n\ na felicite
myeht follow be hare ope racloun. 1553 Kennedy Commend.
Tract, in M'odrcnv Soc. Misc. (1844J 152 The malheurius
prince sail w;.rie the tyme,
t Maleurtee. Obs. Also 5 maleurte, male-
h;e)urte, maluerte, 6 mallewrite, maleurite,
-itie, malurit(e. [OF. tnaletirte misfortune,
f. malei/r; see Malheur and -ty.] Misfortune.
1471 Caxton P. ecuyell Sommer) II. 690 Hysmalehurteand
gretevnhappynesse. 1474 — Chesse II. v. D viij b, Thiscyteof
romc.is peruerted and tomed in to maleheurte and thyse
euylles. Ibid. in. vii. Ij, Thys drede surmounteth alle other
maleurtees and euylles, for it is maleurte of drede nyght and
day. 1481 — (:od/?ry (1893) 203 They vnderstonde not yet
the maluerte that they be in. 1533 Uellenden Livy iv. xii.
(S.T.S.) II. 86 Dredand |>e sammyn chance & mallewrite
[v.r. maleurite] to fall to bare tovn. Ibid. 96 Repre\ ing
bame bat bai loist bare curage for sa small trubill and
maluritee [v.r. malurite] of fortoun. 1546 Thirlby in St.
Pafiers I/en. VIII, XI. 397 This is my maleuritie.
Malevesyn, obs. variant of Malvoisie.
Malevolence (male-v<)lens). Also 5-6mali-,
malyvblence, 6 malevolens. [a. OF. mali-,
malevolence , ad. L. ?nali-t tnalevolentia, f. male-
volentem : see Malevolent.] The attribute of
being malevolent ; the wishing or the disposition
to wish evil to others; ill-will.
(-1489 Caxton Blanchardyn xli. 153 The grete malyuo-
lence or euyll wylle that he had. 1509 Barclay Shyf>
of Folys (1570) 16 Wo be to them who by maUuolence
Slaunder or defame any creature. 1573 Laneham Let.
65 Too him that ..either of ignorauns. .or els of maleuolens
woold make any doout. 1605 Siiaks. Macb. 111. vi. 28 The
maleuolente of Fortune. 1688 Norris Theory Love 1. ii. 15
A willing evil to some person or thing, which we call Malice
or Malevolence. 171a Steele Sprct. No. 422 P4 The Male-
volence, which is too general towards those who exrell. 1789
Belsham Fss. II. xl. 510 The reputation of Hooker . . rises
far above the reach of M r. Burke's malevolence. 1838 I-ytton
Caltieron i, This prudent frankness disarmed malevolence on
the score of birth. 1885 L'pool Daily Post 1 June 5/3 Every
obstacle which partisan malevolence could create he has
had to encounter.
b. Sarcastically suggested as a more appropriate
term for Hknevolence 4.
I ■/ 1548 Hai l Chron., Fd7c. IV. 226 b, The kyng.. called
this graunt of money a benevolence, not withstanding that
many with grudge and maleuolence gave great sutnmes
toward that new founde benevolence.] 159a Stow Ann ,
nu. 1473. 701 The king. .called this grant of money a Bene-
uolence, notwithstanding that many grudged therat and
called it a Maleuolence. 1640 Ld. J. Digby Sp. in Ho.
Com. 9 Nov. 4 The granting of Subsidies*, aid that under
so preposterous a name as of a Benevolence, for that which
is a Malevolence indeed.
f Malevoleiicy. Ols. [ad. L mal^olentia :
see prec. and -encv.] ■« Malevolence.
^1662 HCYUM Land 1. in. (1668) 240 This was the first
taste which they gave the King of their malevolency to-
wards his Person. 1714 Vow. Let. to Addison 10 Oct., Mny
I hope that some late matevolencies have lost their effect?
Malevolent (malevJlent), a. and sb. Also 6
maly-, malivolent. [a. OF. mativolenl, ad. L.
maU't malevolent-em, f. male ill -, volent-em willing,
pr. pple. civelle to will, wish.] A. adj.
1. Of persons, their feelings and actions: Desirous
of evil to others; entertaining, actuated by, or in-
dicative of ill-will ; disposed or addicted to ill-will.
1509 Barclay Shyp 0/ Folys (1874) II..216 The honour of
hym that is absent . . Is hurt and distayned by worde
malyuolent. 1528 Roy Rede me, etc. (Arb.) 118 Iudas the
traytour malivolent Whiche betrayed Christ to the lues.
1593 Nabhe ChrisVs T. 66 Malicious and maleuolent are
they, that will exclude anyone Arte, .from bearing witnesse
of (iod. 1645 1'agitt Heresiogr. (1661) 72 They are as
malevolent to Dutch and French Churches as to us. 1664
H. More Myst. Into., Apol. 561 [To] disenable malevolent
men from doing the free and ingenuous undeserved mischief.
1689 in IVood's Life ix Nov. (O. H.S.) III. 314 Some
malivolent people have lately defaced King William's
picture in the Guild-hall. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 172
F 4 Whoever rises.. will have many malevolent gazers at
his eminence. 1833 Keblf. Ser/n. vi. (1848) 143 The.,
malevolent feeling of disgust,, .which is apt to lay hold on
sensitive minds. 1841 Macaulay Fss., IV. Hastings (1851)
599 The keen, severe, and even malevolent scrutiny to
which his whole public life was subjected. 1894 S Wey-
MALEVOLENTLY.
(■897)
His lean malevolent
man Under Red Rob
fate.. chilled me.
tb. transf.
17J9 London & Wisk Compl. Card, xxv, For securing of
. .tender Greens and Plants from malevolent Winds.
+2. Astrol. Exercising an evil or baleful influence.
1593 R. HaRVEY Phitad. 56 Some infortunate and male-
volent configuration of mouable skies and starres. 1691
Dkvden K. Arthur V. 44 At length I have thee in my
Arms ; Tho our Malevolent Stars have strugled hard, And
held us long asunder. 1696 PHILLIPS (ed. 5), Malevolent
Planets, Saturn and Mars.
b. transf. and fig.
1596 Shaks. 1 Hen. IV, 1. i. 97 This is Worcester, Maleuo-
lent to you in all Aspects. 1672 Sir T. Browne Lett.
Friend § 4 Death hath not only particular Stars in Heaven,
hut Malevolent Places on Earth. 1685 Bovle Eni]. Notion
Nat. iv. 83 The malevolent aspect, that the vulgar notion
of nature, .may have on religion.
B. sb.
f 1. A person of evil wishes or designs. Obs.
1595 Danikl Civ. Wars IV. xxxi. (1609) 95 They durst
not ..present, .their defences, in respect He was incenst by
some maleuolent. J637 Laud Sp. in Starr Chamber Ded.
a 2, Mr. Prinn. .[will] scarce find such a Malevolent as him-
selfe against State and Church. 1654 H. L'Estrange
Clias. I (1655) 127 Notwithstanding .. these close insinua-
tions by these turbulent malevolents, the Act passed. 1670
in Somers Tracts I. 3 Which his malevolents affirmed to be
an emblem of himself.
1 2. Astrol. An evil influence. Obs.
1651 Culpepper Astrol. Jndgem. Dis. (1658) 150 They
are both afflicted by malevolents, the Moon by Conjunction
of Saturn, and the Sun by Conjunction of Mars.
Malevolently (male-vcUentli), adv. [f. prec.
+ -ly -.] In a malevolent manner.
1615 T. Adams IVhite Devill 16 If a levy.. wold force
your benevolence it comes malevolently from you. 1640
Howell Dodona's Cr. 114 The gracious Oke. .did vindicat
him from those aspersions malevolently cast upon him.
1792 Geddes tr. Bible Pref. 7 The serpent, .malevolently
persuaded the woman to eatof the fruit. 1897 Makv Kings-
ley W. Africa 585 They stagger about on the ground,
buying malevolently.
Malevolentness. rare—", [f. Malevolent
+ -ness.] ^ Malevolence. 1727 in Bailey voL II.
+ Malevolo. Obs. rare—1. [a. It. malcvolo,
ad. L. malevolus: see next.] A malevolent person.
1648 Brit. Bellman 2 Many Plots were discovered .. in
which.. ye Malevolos, might have claimed the chiefest
Livery, as Beelzebubs nearest Attendants.
t Malevolous, a. Obs. Also 6 malivolus,
malyvolus. [f. L. malevol-us (f. L. male ill +
vol , vtlle to wish) + -ous.] = Malevolent i.
1536 Bellenden Cron. Scot. (1821) II. 274 Ane wickit and
malivolus man, namit Edrik. 1547 Boorde Brcv. Health
lxix. 29 b, This impediment doth come, .of some malyvolus
humoure. 1588 J. Hakvey Disc. Probl. 108 We neede not
greatly recke, or care for his maleuolous intention. 1652
Gauls Magastrom. 223 They caution straitly to. observe
the planet, benevolous or malevolous. 1679 C. Nesse
Antid.agst. Popery 102 Satan is a malevolous adversary.
1727 Wakburton Traetsiil&y) 128 These malevolous Critics.
Malewe, obs. form of Mallow.
Malewr(e)us, variant of Maleurous a. Obs.
Malexeciltion. Also 7 male-execution.
[See Mal-.] Bad execution or administration.
1689 Trial Pritchard v. Papiilou 6 Nov. an. 1684. 9 That
were a Misfesance, or a Male-execution of their Office.
1848 in Craig, a 1852 D. Webster cited in Webster 1854.
Maleyee, -ys, obs. forms of Malice.
Malfeasance (majlfrzans). Also 7 male-
feazance, 8 malefeasance, 8-9 malfaisance,
9 malfesanee. [a. AF. *nialfaisance (cf. mod.F.
malfaisance), f. Of. malfaisant : see next.]
1. Law. Evil-doing ; spec, official misconduct on
the part of one in public employment.
1696 Land. Gaz. No. 3242/4 Special Bars in Case, viz...
Slander,. -Mis feazance, Male-feazance [etc.]. 1765 Black-
stone CoiHin. I. 393 Statutes, which declare the benefice
void, for some nonfeasance or neglect, or else some male-
feasance or crime. 1827 Hallam Const. Hist. (1876) II.
viii. 32 Thus corruption, breach of trust, and malfeasance in
public affairs .. came .. under the cognizance of the star-
chamber. 1839 J. Story Law Bailments 123 The same
rule which is applied by the common law to cases of mal-
fesanee, governs also cases of negligent execution of a
gratuitous trust or agency. 1885 Spectator 8 Aug. 1041/1
The protection of Hastings, whom he had charged with
various malfeasances. 1892 Times (weekly ed.) 4 Nov. 4/1
Various charges of malfeasance.
2. gen. Wrong-doing ; an instance of this. rare.
1856 Emerson Eng. Traits xv. 260 A relentless inquisition
..turns the glare of this solar microscope fthe newspaper]
on every malfaisance. i860 — Cond. Life, Consid. Wks.
(Bohnl II. 415 Nature turns all malfaisance to good.
Malfeasant (rruelfrzant), a. and sb. Also 9
malfaisant. [a. F. malfaisant, f. mal ill, Mal-,
■yfaisant, pr. pple. oifaire to do.] a. adj. Evil-
doing, b. sb. An evil-doer, a criminal.
1809 E. S. Barrett Setting Sun I. 31 Christians (soi-
disant but mal-faisant followers of the mild doctrines of
Christ). 1882 Mokley R. Cobden xxiv. (1902) 84/1 Mal-
feasants on board a British ship should not be seized but.,
demanded from the Consul.
"I'Malfeasor. Obs. Forms: 4-5 mal(e)fesour,
mau-, mawfesour, 5 maffaisour. [a. OF. mal-
faisor, agent-n. f. mal faire : see prec] An evil-
doer, a malefactor.
6 1330 K. Batumi Chron. (i8iuj jn pe maufesouis ateynl,
83
& cursed ouer be nape. 14. . in Hist. Coll. Citizen London
(Camden) 99 Hoolye fur to forgevyn alle the malefe.sourys
or evylle doers of hem dwellynge in the same cylte. 1401
Pol. Poems (Roll.s) II. 85 Al iiianer mawfesours shuldeu
ben unponnishid. 1424 Pas ton Lett. I. 12 Certeyns maf-
faisours, felons, and brekeres of the kynges peas vnknowyn.
t Malfetour. Obs. [a. OK. malfctor (mod. F.
malfaiteur) :— L. male] 'actor-em,'] — Malefactor.
(-1450 Lonelich Grail xxxvi. 335 They supposide Every-
chon.,that it hadde be sum Malfetour that was for-Iogged.
Malformation, [f. Mal- + Formation.]
Faulty or anomalous formation or btrueture of
parts, esp. of a living body.
1800 Med. Jrnt. III. 397 Case of extraordinary Mal-
formation in a Foetus, .by T. Pole. 1844 Duiton Deafness
116 Where the auditory nerve i> perfect, and there is no
congenital malformation. 1872 J . Bryant Pract. Surg. 126
A malformation of the septum nasi.
fig. 1855 Macau lay Hist. Eng. xiii. III. 377 li [the army]
ceased to exist,, .not in consequence of any great blow from
without, hut bya natural dissolution, the effect of internal
malformation.
Malformed, a. [f. Mal- + Formed///, a.]
Badly formed; marked by malformation.
1817 Lawrence Led. (1823) no It is admitted that an
ideot with a malformed brain has no mind. 1836-9 Toon
Cycl. Anat. II. 633/1 Children with hearts so malformed
live three, four, or five days. 1872 O. W. HoLMES Poet
Breakf.-t, viii. (1885) 205 Malformed salmon, .can be sup-
plied. 1879 St. Georges Hosfi. Rep. IX. 631 both the teeth
were malformed, hollow, and smaller than natural.
h. transf. andySg".
1867 Swinburne Ess. $ Stud. (1S75) hi; These first poems
of Mr. Morris were not malformed. 18720. W. Holmes Poet
Breakf.-t. viii. 264 You do not get such a malformed char-
acter as that without a long chain of causes. 1899 Daily
News 21 July 8/6 Malformed and tainted human nature.
t MalgO'vernance. Obs. rare- l. In 7 male-
governance, [f. Mal- + Governance.] =next.
1673 H. Stubbes Farther Vimi. Dutch War App. 92
They saw disorders to encrease there upon the male-
governance of that pretended Parliament.
Malgo'verament. Also 7 male-, [f. Mal-
+ Government.] Bad government.
a 1653 Golge Comm. Heb. xi. 32 Yet doth not that phrase
intend, that he gave over the whole government to them,
much lesse that he justified them in their male-government.
1848 Eraser's Mag. XXXVII. 146 Any degree of mal-
government and misery. 1880 V. L. Cameron Our Future
Highway II. xv. 340 The country is much richer, .notwith-
standing its mal-govemment.
Malgrace (moelgrtfi's). [Orig.twowords,a.OK.
male grace {male fem. of mal 'evil, grace Grace sb).]
+ 1. Disfavour. Obs.
e 1425 Seven Sag. (P.l 2108 And he answerd ryght in the
place, ' Maugre' have thou and male grace !' 1639 Spottis-
wood Hist. Ch. Scot. vi. (1677) 326 The Rebels^ or others
known to be in his Majesties malgrace. 1714 Fortescle-
Alanu Note in Fortescue's Abs. <v Lint. Mon. ?$Afagre..
signifies the same as mal-grace, disfavour, or ill-will.
2. Something unbecoming, pseudo-arch.
1882 G. Macdonald Weighed % Wanting iv. I. 57 May
these not see in us some malgrace which it needs the gentle-
ness of Christ to get over and forget?
I Malgra'cious, a. Obs. rare. Also 5 mau-
graeious. [a. OF. malgracieux, maugraciettjc :
see Mal- and Gracious a.] a. Ill-favoured, un-
comely, b. Ungracious, disobliging.
1390 Gower Con/. II. 149 His [Vulcanus] figure Bothe of
visage and of stature Is lothly and malgracious. C1430
Pilgr. Lyf Manhode it. lxxxv. (1869 106 A vile old oon, and
maugracious [F. maugracieuse] and hideous, that j sih not
bifore. 1471 Caxton Recuyell (ed. Sommer) I. 68 The moo
prayers that they made vnto Tytan, the more fonde they
hym vncourtoys felon and malgracyous. a 1500 Colkelbie
Sow 131 A malgratious millare, A berward, a brawlar.
I! Malgra-do, prep. Obs. [It. malgrado : see
Maugre and cf. next.] In spite of. Also with of.
1590 Marlowe Edw. II, 11. v, Malgrado all your beards.
1590 Lodge Rosalind (1887) 166 To force Phoebe to fancy
the shepherd, malgrado the resolution of her mind. 1590
Gkeene Orl. Fur. (1599) H, What I haue said, He pawne
my sword, To seale it on the shield of him that dares Mal-
grado of his honour, combate me.
ii Malgre (malgnO.^/. [Fr. : see Maugre.]
In spite of, notwithstanding. (In first quot. without
regimen.)
1608 Bp. Hall Efiist. iv. iv. 363 Woe were vs, if our safelie
depended vpon your hopes, or his [sc. the pope's] mercies.
Blessed be that God, which malgre hath made and kept vs
happie. a 1734 North Exoju. i. i. § 29 (1740) 28 Our late
Sovereign, who, malgre all his endeavours to the Contrary
is yet.. of glorious Memory. 1769 Hirst in Phil. Trans.
LIX. 232 To. .acknowledge conviction, malgre all preju-
dice and preconceived opinion. 18x4 Sir R. Wilson Priv.
Diary (1861) II. 302, I went .. to the opera, malgre the
gutters and spouts. f 1815 Byron in Moore Life (1838)
2S1/2, I went (malgre that I ought to have stayed at home
in sackcloth. .) to. .my private box. 1878 L. W, M. Lock-
hart Mine is T/n'ne 1 1, xxxv. 313 The ' fowler ' . -went forth,
accordingly, malgre his sister's remonstrances.
Malgyk, obs. form of Magic.
II Malheur. Obs. Also 5 maleheure, mal-
eure, malure, 6 mallure, 7 malheure, male-
heur. [Fr., earlier maleur, f. mal evil + cur
fortune :— L. augurium Augury.] Misfortune.
1471 Caxton Recuyell (Sommer) I. 268 Yf my maleheure
and mysauenture renne vpon me. Ibid. II. 490, I haue mal-
eure and myshappe. a 1500 Chaucer's Dream 601, 1 wofull
wight full of malure, Am worse than dead. 1560 A. Scott
Poems xvi. 3 The mornyng and the grit mallure Can nane de-
MALICE.
1 vyne. 1602 J. Cecil in Arehpriesl Controv. (Camden) II. 206
We recurred to God and our blessed lad ye that they woulde
diverte this malheure from vs. 1673 Drydeh Marr. a la
Mode v. j, Ay, 'tis long of you that this Malheur is fall n
upon me. 1682 C. Irvine Hist. Scott. Nontencl. Ded. *vj b,
Seldome ever any Maleheur befell them. 1770 Fitziatkick
in J. H. Jesse C. Selwyn <y Contemp. (1843) II. 3.6, I am
heartily sorry for your inallieur. 1792 P.lviua II. 65, I had
no opportunity to acquaint her with my malheur.
Malheurius, So. variant ol Malkubous Obs.
Malic (m^'lik), a. Chan, [a. F. malique, f.
1 ,. mal- urn apple.] Malic acid : an acid (C4H6( ) a )
derived from the apple, the berries ol the moun-
tain-ash, and many other fruits.
1797 Eucycl. Brit.ied. 3) XV II I. 871/1 The citric and malic
adds which I have found in wine. 1801 Encpct. Brit, Suppl.
led. 3) I. 326/1 Scheele discovered a peculiar acid.. which,
because it is found most abundantly in apples, has Leu
calk*! malic acid. 1813 Sir H. Davy Agric. Chem. (1814)
107 Malic Acid may be obtained from the juice of a;. pic-,
barberries, plums, elderberries [etc.J. 1897 Allbutt's Syst.
Med. II. £43 Cider contains malic acid.
Malice ;mce-lis), sb. Forms: 4 malyes, ma-
leys, 4 5 raalis, malece, 4, 6 malias, maleyee,
4 6 malys, malyce, 5 malyhs, mailyeis, 5 6
malesse, malise, malles, 6 mallyce, malei.se,
6-7 mallice, 3- malice, [a. F. malice recorded
from 1 2th c), ad. L. malitia, f. mal-its bad.
(Cf. Sp., Pg. malia'a, It. mathia.)
Some of the early forms are coincident with those ol
Mai. ease ; in some senses the two words seem to have been
sometimes confused.]
+ 1, Bad quality, badness; chiefly in moral sense,
wickedness. Obs.
a 1300 Cursor M. 1555 Mikel malice was first in man Hot
neiur forwit sua mikel as ban. a 1340 Hampole Psalter
v. 1 Halykirke bat prayes to be departid fra pe malice of be
warld. 13.. E.E. Allit.P. B. 518 Al isbemynde of be man
to malyce enclyned. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints 1. (A'ateriucYn
Scho ;ed and sad. .sir king, Resone requeris :.\>at bu knaw
bi malyes & with-draw now sic sendee fra bU goddis fais,
bat be dissawis. 1398 Tkevisa Barth. De P. R. xvn. ii.
(1495) 596 To make a wylde tree chaunge out of malyce in
to goodnes. c 1400 Macndev. (Koxb.) ix. 33 pai er . . full
of all maner of wickedness and malice, c 1420 Pallad. on
Husb. 1. 264 The malice of that Iond, or cause of drede. That
wyntir with his shouris may of dryue. 1477 Earl Rivers
(Caxton) Dieies 14 Make your children lerne good in their
youthe or they falle to malice. 1594 Carew Huarte's Pa am.
Wits (1596) 278 In man there is no power which hath tokens
to descry the goodnesse or malice of his object. 1600 Abp.
Abbot Exp. Jonah 10 When, .they returned to their malice
as a dog to his vomit, it [Nineveh] was destroyed. 1605
Bacon Adv. Learn. 1. v. § 1 It seemeth the children vf
time do take after the nature and malice of the father.
f 2. Power to harm, harmfulness; harmful action
or effect. Of a disease, a poison, etc. : Virulence.
c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880)457 Neper |?e word of ber prelat
ne be word of ber somenour han somyene maliss wibhem bat
[etc.]. 1390 Gower Conf. I. 266 The water of a welle Of fyr
abateth the malice. 1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) I. 339 Venym
and poysoun. .leseb his malys anon as he pas^ep be myddel
of |?esee. 1528 Fayxvl SaZerne's Regim. Oivb, Suche wync
doth aiay the malice of y8 meate. 1544 Phaer Regim. Lyfe
(1560) S viijb, It is a singular remedy, to remove y6 malice
[of a canker] in a short while. 1555 W. Watreman Fardle
Facions 11. i. 114 Myrrhe, whose smoke is so unholsome, that
excepte thei withstode the malice therof with the perfume of
styrax [etc.]. 1595 Shaks. John 11. i. 251 Our Cannons
malice vainly shall be spent. 1614 Raleigh Hist. World
II. v. iii. § 6. 374 The malice of a great Armie is broken
..in a great Siege. <z 1619 Fothehby Atheom. n. \. § 4
(1622) 242 The malice of the sicknesse surpassing all the
helpe of the most approved medicines. 1655 Culpepper,
etc. Riverius iv. vii. 116 These Evacuations, .come, .from
the malice of the matter of the Disease. 1685 Dryden
Threnod. August. 177 Undaunted Csesar underwent The
malice of their [sc. the physicians'] art.
+ 3. Astrol. The baleful influence of certain stars.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. vm. xxii. (Helmingham
MS.), pe malice of a malicious sterre is y-temprid. .by pre-
sence of a goodly sterre. 1563 Hyll Art Garden. (1593) 20
Throgh some malice of the celestial bodies.
4. The desire to injure another person ; active
ill-will or hatred. In mod. use sometimes in weaker
sense : Sportively ( mischievous ' intent, desire to
tease (cf. F. malice).
1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 12027 He ne dude it vor non vuel
' ne malice bi speke er. 1390 Gower Conf. I. 62 He that was
a Lomb beforn Is thanne a Wolf, and thus malice Under
the colour of justice Is hid. <r 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems
1 (Percy Soc.) 23 The wolf of malys.. Upon the lambe com-
pleynyd ageyn reson. 1477 Snrtees Misc. (1890) 35 A
: man.. was notyd and diftamyd-.be veray malesse, y* he
: shudbe a Skotte. 1500-20 Dcnuar Poems lix. 3 A refyng
( sone of rakyng Muris Hes magellit my making, throw
1 his maliss. 1593 Shaks. 2 Hen. VI^ in. ii. 23 God forbid
: any Malice should preuayle. 1601 Bp. W. Barlow Serin.
Paules Crosse Pref. 7 Malice marres logike and charitie
both. 1091 Hartclifpe Virtues 381 When we think of..
'. the malice of our Spiritual Adversaries; we are apt to de-
spond. 1781 Gibbon Decl. % F. xix. II. 132 He furnished
the malice of his enemies with the arms of truth. 1825
I Coleridge Aids Rejf. xxxi. (1836) 100 The slanders .. may
i be the implements, not the inventions of Malice. 1849
! Macaulay Hist. Eng. ix. II. 495 Then the archbishop,
1 with that gentle and temperate malice which inflicts the
deepest wounds, said [*tc.]. 1871 Morley Voltaire (1886)
' 5 The rank vocabulary of malice and hate.
b. Occas. personified.
1601 Shaks. Twel. N. 1. v. 196 Yet (by the verie phangs
; of malice, I sweare) I am not that I play. 1781 Cowper
1 Hope 559 The blot For every dart that malice ever shot.
C. Phrase. To bear malice ; to feel ill-will ; now
1 77-2
MALICE.
usually, lo cherish revengeful or unfriendly feelings
on account of some injury. Const, to or dative ;
also f against, f toward.
»53° Palsgr. 450/1, I bcare grutche or malyce agaynst a
person, je Porte malice. 1560 Dals tr. Sleidane's Comm.
112, I have tolde you..howe Duke George of Saxony, bare
malice. 157a Lament. Lady Scot. 43 in Satir. Poems
Reform, xxxiii, The malice greit, that ilk to vther beiris.
1613 Shaks. Hen. Villi 11. i. 62 The Law I beare no malltce
for my death. 1838 Lytton Calderon iii, I bear no malice
to him for that, your highness, a 1846 Landor I mag. Conv.
Wks. I. 15, I never bear malice toward those who try to
reduce me to their own dimensions, 1875 Mrs. Randolph
W. Hyacinth I. 72, I believe you bear malice still.
d. fig. Attributed to fortune, or impersonal
agencies.
1660 F. Brooke tr. Le Blatters Trav. 268 Often exposed
to the malice of weather, but more to the malice of men.
1797 Mrs. Radcuffe Italian ii. (1826) 15 He defied the
utmost malice of future fortune, a 1859 DeQuincey Dream
Fugue Wks. 1897 XIII. 320 The deeps opened ahead in
malice to receive her.
f e. Misused for: Anger. Obs. rare*1.
1538 Bale God's Promises in Dodsley 0. PL (1780) I. 19
Tell me, blessed Lorde, where wyll thy great malyce light.
+ 5. Malicious conduct ; a^malicious act or device.
1390 Gower Conf. III. 207 A thousendfold welmore he
soghte Thanne afterward to do malice. 14.. Story of Alex-
ander 7 in Wars Alex. (E. E. T. S.) 279 But I schewe to
you bat I hate frawdez & maleces. 1413 Pilgr. Sowle (Cax-
ton 1483) 1. ii. 3 The performyng of malyce standyth nought
in thy power, but the purposyng of malyce is thyne owne
properte. C1440 York Myst. xvii. 317 Herowde the kyng
has malise ment. 1454 Fasten Lett. I. 273 Thes vengeable
malics don to hir and me. c 1470 Henry Wallace ix. 562
He. .now agayn begynnys a malice new. 1607 Shaks. Cor.
11. ii. 36 To report otherwise, were a Mallice, that.. would
plucke. .rebuke from euery Eare that heard it. 1669 R.Mon-
tagu in Buccleuch MS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.) I. 449 The
French look upon this as an art and malice of the Spaniard
to destroy the trade.
6. Law. a. Wrongful intention generally.
b. That kind of evil intent which constitutes
the aggravation of guilt distinctive of certain
offences {esp. of murder), or which deprives some
act, on the face of it unlawful, of a justification or
excuse that might otherwise have been allowed.
The first meaning mentioned under b was originally ex-
pressed by the AF. phrase malice purpense or prepense, which
in modern legal language appears as malice prepense (see
Prepense rt.Jand in the translated form malice aforethought.
In early use the phrase occurs in many anglicized forms:
malice prepensed, purpenscd, prctenscd (a.ho prepensed, etc.
malice) ', occasional variants found in non-technical writers
are malice propense (17th c), malice prepensive (Fielding),
malice perpended (Charles Lamb*. For examples see the
various adjs.
See also quots. 1825-1901 below, and quot. 1889 s.v. Mali-
ciously 4. It is not possible to frame any such general
definition as would show what legally constitutes ' malice '
or proof of ' malice ' in particular kinds of cases.
1547 Act 1 Edw. VI, c. 12 § 9 No parsone. .convicted of
murder of malyse prepensed. Ibid., Or shall stande willfullie
or of malyce muett. a 1625 Sir H. Finch Law (1636) 215
Murder is Man-slaughter upon former malice : which wee
call prepensed malice. 1670-1 Act 22 A> 23 Chas. II, c. 1
§ 6 If any person . . on purpose and of malice forethought
.. shall [etc.]. 1716 W. Hawkins Pleas Crown 1. 88 The
Murther of a Person by one who was his Servant, upon
Malice conceived during the Service. 18x7 W. Selwyn
Laiu Nisi Prius (ed. 4) 1 1. 997 To support this action, malice
. .must be alleged and proved. 1825 Justice Bayley Z»*«>-zk>
wall fy Cresnucll Eep.lV. 255 Malice in common acceptation
means ill-will against a person, but in its legal sense it meansa
wrongful act done intentionally without just cause or excuse.
1871 Markby Etem. Law (1874) § 226 In the bestknowndefi-
nitions of malice it is scarcely distinguishable from intention.
1898 W. F. Craies in Encycl. Laws Eng. VIII. 77 The
meaning of the term malice (malitia) in English law has
beena question of much difficulty and controversy.. . It
certainly has different meanings with respect to responsi-
bility for civil wrongs and responsibility for crime. 1901
Sir F. Pollock Law of Torts (ed. 6) 24 Such abuse [of
privilege allowed by law on special occasions and for special
purposes, where the act is done not in good faith or for the
advancement of justice, but from evil motives such as per-
sonal enmity] is called ' malice ' or ' express malice ', and
deprives the act of justification. . . The words ' malice , ' mali-
cious', and 'maliciously' were formerly used in pleading,
and thence in forensic and judicial language, in many places
where they were superfluous.
t Malice, a. Obs. rare. [f. prec. Cf. OF.
malicement maliciously.] Full of wrath or ill-will.
C 1475 Parienay 3446 So inly malice, full of wrath and yre.
Ibid. 3537 But Raymounde malice And full angry was.
J Ma lice, v. Obs. [I. Malice sb.]
1. trans. To regard with malice ; to seek or de-
sire to injure.
a 1547 Surrey Compl. loner that defied loue in Toilet's
Misc. (Arb.) 8 Thou blinded god (quoth I) forgeue me this
offense, Vnwillingly [ed. 2 Vnwittingly] I went about to
malice thy pretense. 1553 Latimer Serm. 3rd Snttd. aft,
Epiph. (1584)314 They would not beleue in hym, but de-
spised and maliced him. 1599 B. Jonson Ev. Man out of
Hum. v. vii. (1600) Q iiij b, I am so Jarre from malicing their
states That I begin to pittie them. 1600 Holland Livy
xlii. xv. 1124 But above all other he maliced Eumcnes most
[L. Eumeni ante omnes infestus erat]. 1621 Lady M.
Wroth Urania 183 At last his sister grew to malice bis
respect to me. 1653 Baxter Chr. Concord 47, I know they
will malice our Union in this Country. 1659 Puller App.
Inf. Innoc. (1840) 299 For the Papists, though I malice not
their persons, , . yet I do. .dislike their errors. 1686 W. de
Britaine Hunt. Prud. xvii. 80 None are less Maliced or
more applauded than he, who is thought rather happy than
84
able. 1694 E. Elys in Lett. Sev. Subj. 94 To have an Aver-
sion to the Notion . . is to Malice or Hate God.
2. intr. To entertain malice. Also const, at.
1587 Turberv. Trag. T. (1837) 243 Yet fortune seemde to
grutche And malice at her featurd shape. 159s Kyd Sp.
Trag. in. i, My guiltles death will be aueng'd on thee,.. that
hath malisde thus.
Hence Ma-liced ///. a., Malicing vbt. sb.
1601 B. Jonson Poetaster Induct. 10 Your forc't stings
Would hide them selues within his malic"t sides. 1604
Daniel Funeral Poem Earl Devonsh., Without any private
malicing, Or public grievance, a 1640 W. Fenner Sacrifice
Faithf. (1648) 50 Go on in drinking, whoring, ..and dicing,
hating and malicing, fretting and chafing. 1643 ' F. Gre-
ville ' Five Yrs. Jas. I 73 It concerneth not onely the de-
struction of the maliced man, but of every man.
Malice, variant of Malease Obs.
Maliceful (mse-lisful), a. Chiefly dial. : see
K.D.D. [f. Malice sb. ■+ -fll.] = Malicious.
1839 Poe Fall Ho. Usher Wks. 1864 I. 306 The hermit ..
was of an obstinate and maliceful turn. 1893 Nat. Observer
25 Mar. 468 1 Being maliceful of humour I praised that smile.
t Maliceless, a. Obs. [f. Malice sb. + -less.]
Without malice.
a 1618 Sylvester tr. Panaretus 827 Wks.fGrosart) II. 131
When.. bad advice (though malice-lesse) Ruins the Friend
to whom it meant Redresse. a 1684 Leighton Comm. 1 Pet.
(1850) 204 How few there are that have truly maliceless hearts.
Malicho : see Miching malicho.
Malicious (malrjas), a. Forms : 3 malicius,
4 malycyouse, 4, 6 maliciouse, 5 malicous,
malycyowse, maleciouse, 5-6 malycyous, mali-
tius, 5-7 malycious, 6 malysyous, malyciouse,
malycieux, malicyous, 6-7 malitious, 4- mali-
cious, [a. OF. malicius (mod.F. malicieux), ad.
L. malitiosus, f. malitia : see Malice sb. and -ous.
Cf. Sp. malicioso, It. malizioso."]
1. Of persons, their dispositions, etc. : Given to
malice; addicted to sentiments or acts of ill-will.
Now sometimes in milder sense : Given to sportive
mischief; inclined to tease.
a\zz$Ancr. E. 2to pe attri neddre [sleaS] alle beo ont-
fule,& alle beoluoWeic-oncked [AAV. Titus patbeon malicius
&. liSere a^ain o3ere]. ,1 1325 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg.
(1878) 143 Why artow so malicious Toward god & toward
ous. c 1440 Jacob's Well 90 pe angry, fell, & malycyous
man wayteth his leysere, to wrekyn his tene at wylle. 1551
T. Wilson Logike (1580) 17 When one for lucre beareth a
faire face outwardly, and feedeth inwardly a malicious
stomacke. 1607 Shaks. Cor. 1. 1. §1 Either you must Con-
fesse your selues wondrous Malicious, Or be accus'd of
Folly. 1623 Bingham Xenophon 20 In case any man shewed
him kindnesse, or were malitious against him, he would doe
all he could, to goe beyond him in either of both. 1667
Milton P. L. ix. 253 Thou knowst . .what malicious Foe. .
seeks to work us woe and shame By sly assault. 1689-90
\V 'ood Life 12 Mar. (O. H.S.) III. 327 Two malitious fellowes
were found sticking up a libel! reflecting on the fast. 17*7
De Foe Hist. Appar. iii. (1840) 23 He is still in being, and
still the same malicious Devil. 1880 Ouida Moths xiii. II.
57 She was not very clever, but she was very malicious,
which is more successful with society.
Comb. 1642 Vicars God in Mount (1644) 55 A most im-
pious and malicious-hearted fellow. 1842 Borrow Bible in
Spain xxi, A. .malicious-looking urchin of about fifteen.
T t>. Wicked, evil-disposed. Obs.
13.. E. E. AlUt. P. C. 508 So mony malicious mon as
mournez ber-inne. c 1440 Alph. Talcs (E.K.T.S.) 3S Amicus
hard tell bat his fadur was dead, & att malicious men wold
take his heritage fro hym. c 1477 Caxton Jason 43 Women
one and other properly to speke ben malicious in her werkes.
c. absol.
1535 Cover dale Ps. ix. [x.] 15 Break thou y* arme off the
vngodly and malycious, search out the wickednesse which
he hath done. 1563 Homilies 11. Disobedience v. {1859) 5^5
A few ambitious and malicious are the authors, .of rebellion.
1581 Pettie tr. Gnazzo's Civ. Conv. I. (1586) 17 1'he high
judgement of God wil not faile you, ..against the malitious.
1745 H. Wali-ole Lett. (1846) II. 27 A few malicious, who
would have countenanced her to vex him. 1814 Cary
Dante's Purgatory vi. 84 While now thy living ones In thee
abide not without war ; and one Malicious gnaws another.
2. Of things, qualities, etc. : Proceeding from or
characterized by malice. In early use often : + Evil,
wicked. Now sometimes used in a weakened
sense: Sportively 'mischievous'. (Cf. Malice sb. 4.)
a 1340 Hampole Psalter iii. 7 pe tethe of synful ere be
malycyouse gnawyngs of bakbiters. C1380 Wyclif Set.
Wks. III. 21 pe malicious bisynes of bis world. < 1400
Destr. 7V0J/4894 We. .manast his messanger with malicous
pride, a 1533 Ld. Bekners Huon lxxxiii. 261 Gerarde, who
by his malysyous entent hath done this treason. 1573 G.
Harvey Lette>-bk. (Camden) 48 A mani of sutch glorius
brags and malitius words, utterid of purpose. 1591 Shaks.
1 Hen. VI, iv. i. 7 Esteeme none.. your Foes, but such as
shall pretend Malicious practises against his State. 1651
Nicholas Papers (Camden) ^73 The private whisper of a ma-
licious groundlesse Ive. 1727 De Foe Syst. Magic 1. iv. 97
We are sure the Devil does communicate his malicious Pro-
posals of Mischief to Mankind. 1855 Macau lay Hist. Eng.
xxii. IV. 733 Those who felt thus bad learned with malicious
delight that the First Lord of the Treasury was named in
the confession.
t b. Stem, fierce. Obs.
1485 Caxton Chas. Gt. 26 He.. had hys syghtand regarde
fyers & malycyous.
3. Law. Characterized by ' malice prepense ', as
in malicious damage, mischief, prosecution, slander,
striking, waste.
[1312 Bolls oj Parlt. I. 282/2 Qi amercient les malicious
Plemtifs.J 1530-x Act 22 Hen. VIII, c. n Every suche per-
verse & malicyous cuttyng downe & brekyng up of any
MALIFORM.
parte or partes of the sayde Dykes. 1541-2 Act 33 Hen. VIII,
c. 12 § 1 Murders manslaughters and other malicious strik-
inges. 1765 Blackstone Comm. I. viiL 126 A special action
on the case for a false and malicious prosecution. 1769 Ibid.
IV. xiv. 243 Malicious mischief, or damage, is the next
species of injury to private property. 1785 Paley Mor.
Philos. in. 11. am. 236 Malicious slander is the relating of
either truth or falshood, with a conscious purpose of creating
misery. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) I. 156 Cutting down
trees planted for shelter or ornament ; or any other kind of
malicious waste. 1839 Penny C*cL XIV. 331/1 Injuries to
private property .. committed with the malicious intention
of injuring the owner of such property. 1866 Mr. Baron
Martin in IJ pool Merc. 18 Aug., Any wrongful act, done in-
tentionally, without just cause or excuse, was a malicious act.
f 4. Astrol. Of baleful promise. Obs.
1413 Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton 1483) v. xi. 102 These seuen
signes were malicious to oure glorious sonne.
f5. Med. Malignant, virulent. Obs.
c 1400 Lanfrancs Cirnrg. 207 pere comeb maiue pustnli>,
& summe herof ben ful malicious after pe malice of be 111a-
tere. 1559 Morwyng Evouym. 58 Thinges. .destilled in lead
I judge them altogether to be disalowed ; because of the. .
malicious qualities of the leade. 1598 Florio, Tumore,..
a rising of flesh by some malicious matter or ill humour.
a 1720 Woodward in Simv's Sunt. (1720) I. 1. xxviii. 240/2
Infe.sted by those so fatal and malicious Maladies.
f 6. Clever, artful. Obs.
ai45o Knt. de la Tour (1868) 8 And thus she Ieued tille
she was weddid to a knight, wyse and malicious, that had
knowlache of her maners. 1590 Spenser /'. Q. 1. viii. 23 As
a Castle .. By subtile engins and malitious slight Is under-
mined.
Maliciously (rrjali'Jasli),^. [f.prec. + -LY -.]
1. In a spirit of malice or ill-will ; occas. with
sportive ( malice \ In early use also : f Wickedly.
1382 Wyclif Dan. xiii. 43 These thingus, whiche these
maliciously maken to gydre a^einus me. c 1440 Jacob s
Well 14 We denounce acursed alle bo bat malycyously de-
priue of here ryght .. holy cherche, 1555 W. Watrlman
Fardle Facions Pref. 15 It hadde been much better for
them, neuer..to haue knowen the waie of truthe, then, .so
rashely and maliciously to haue forsaken it. 1619 Dalton
Country Just. lxxv. (1630) 191 Taunts or songs malitiously
repeated or sung. 17x0 Tailer'So. 235 P2 This kind Parent
..is maliciously thankful that none of her Girls are like any
of her Neighbours. 1838 Dickens Nich. Nt'ck. xiii, * Wen
Nickleby ', said Squeers, eyeing him maliciously, ' you think
he has run away'. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. viii. II. 381
Wright maliciously told the counsel for the defence that they
had only themselves to thank.
f2. Violently. Obs.
c 1470 Lament. Mary Magd. xviii, Thei him assailed so
maliciouslie With their scourges and strokes beastiall. 1606
Shaks. Ant. % CI. in. xiii. 179, I will be trebble-smewed,
hearted, breath'd, And fight maliciously. 161X — Hint. T.
1. it 321 A lingring Dram, that should not worke Mali-
ciously, like Poyson.
t 3. Unprupitiously, unfavourably. Obs.
1677 Earl Orhkry Art of I Var 100 Unless the Wind blows
maliciously.
4. Law. With 'malice prepense'.
1421 in Calr. Proc. Chanc. Q. Eliz. I. (1827) Introd. 17
John Wetiiy. .malycyouslych ymagenyd him toslee. 1530-1
Act 22 Hen. I' III, c. 11 Dyvers evyll dysposed per*
sonnes. . maliciously at dyverse and sondry tymes hathe cuttc
cast downe and broken up dyvers parties of the Dyke.
1670-1 Act 22 <y 23 Chas. II, c. 7 § 1 Where, .any person. .
shall in the night time malitiously unlawfully and willingly
burnc.any Ricks (etc.]. 1716 W. Hawkins Pleas Crown
1. 106 He may be indicted as having maliciously burned
the House of B. 1885 Law Rep. Weekly Notes 72/1 The
maliciously procuring a bankruptcy is not actionable unless
the adjudication is set aside. 1889 Ld. Justice Bowen 23
Q. B. Div. 612 ' Maliciously '. .implies an intention to do
an act which is wrongful, to the detriment of another.
Maliciousness (mali-Jasnes). [f. Malicious
a. + -ness.] The quality or condition of being
malicious; malevolence, spitefulness. f Of wounds
or poison : Virulence, malignity.
a 1450 Paston Lett. I. 97 Other cause he had non to him
as fer as I kan knawe, hot awnly for the malisMousness that
he hath unto me. 1535 Covkkdale i Mace. vii. 42 Punysh
him, acordinge to his maliciousnesse. 1555 Eden De<ades
« The maliciousties of the veneme consumed. Ibid. 122
The malyciousnesse of the venemous wounde. 1600 Sur-
fi.et Country Farm vi. xiii. 751 If there be many bay trees
planted, .all the maliciousnesof the mists will fall vpon their
boughes. 1682 Luttrell Brief Eel. (1857) I. 238 Thecourt
being fully satisfied with, .the maliciousnesse of the prose-
cution. 1791-1823 D'Iskaeli Cur. Lit. (1866) 291/1 Who
seems much embarrassed by their tiny maliciousness.
Malicole, -coly, obs. forms of Melancholy.
II MalicO'rium. Obs. [L., f. mdl-um apple +
corium skin, leather.] The rind of the pome-
granate fruit (used medicinally and in the arts).
1727-41 in Cumbers Cycl. s. v. Pomegranate. 1866 in
Treas. Bot. 712/1. In mod. Diets,
Maliferous ^maliferos), a. [f. L. mal~us
bad : see -FEitots.] Bringing, or producing evil;
unwholesome, insalubrious.
1727 Bailey vol. II, Maliferous. i860 Russell Diary
India I. 72 That gallant, fine-hearted soldier who .. fell
a victim to the maliferous climate of China. 1890 A. F.
Baillie Kurrachee vii. 116 He is gazetted to another ap-
pointment, .in some other District, where the climate is
maliferous, and life is a misery. 1894 Ten Vrs.' Work Out-
cast London (Lond. Congreg. Union pamphlet) 44 Poor
children . . being fortified against the maliferous influences in
the midst of which they have to live.
Maliform (m^i'lif^rm), a, [a. V. maliforme
apple-shaped, f. L. mdl-um apple: see -form.]
Having the form of an apple.
1856 in Mayne Expos. Lex. 1889 in Syd. Soc. Lex.
MALIGAR.
tMaligar. Obs. [C£ K. ma/ingn:] A choice [
kind of apple. Also attrib. '
1600 Surflet Country Farm HI, xiix. 528 Apples .. of
a pleasant smell and delightsome taste, . . the heroet, . .
maligar, rambur [etc.]- 1611 COTGR. (s.v. Malingre\ Pomnic
de mallngrc., a sowrish apple, tcarmed, the Maligar apple.
1664 Evelyn Art/. IIort.,May u°79) 16 Apples... Pepins,
. .Gilly-flower-apples, the Maligar, &c. 1707-12 Mortimer
Husb. (1721) II. 369.
Malign (maUi'n), a. Forms: 4-7 maligne,
5 malyng. 6 malygne, 7- malign, [a. OF. ma-
)ignef matin (mod.F. matin), ad. L. maligntis
evil-disposed, f. mal-us evil. Cf. Benign a.}
1. Of persons and their dispositions : Character-
ized by ill-will ; desiring, or rejoicing in, the suffer-
ing of others ; malignant, malevolent. Now rare.
61450 Miroar Saluacioun 1602 Synnere vile & maligne.
c 1485 Digby Myst. in. 428 Spirits malyngny. [? Meant for
L. spiritus maligni.} Ibid. 434 How, how, spirits malyng.
1583 Stubbes Anat. Abus. 1. Ep. Ded. (1877) 6 Whose
gentle fauour. .shall counterpoyse .. the maligne stomacks
and steam countenances of the other. 1667 Milton P. L.
iv. 503, vii. 189. 1674 Govt. Tongue VI. § 10 Some tempers
are so malign, that they wish ill to all, and believe ill of all.
1747 Wesley Char. Methodist 9 The Love of God has puri-
fied his heart, .from every unkind Temper or malign Affec-
tion. i79oCo\vi'er Odyss. XX. 344 Guiltless of heart piercing
scoffs Malign. 1862 Lytton Sir. Story I. 190 Or whether
he was actuated by a malign and impish desire to upset the
established laws of decorum.
absol. 1557 Sarum Primer, Dirige I j, The maligne [L.
malignus; Pa, v. 6] shall not dwell neare thee.
2. Of things: Evil in nature and effects; baleful,
gravely injurious, f Of sin : Heinous.
c 1315 Shoreham Poems i. 411 So feawe stondeb styf To
fyttea^enis senile Maligne. Ibid. 1999 Treube hys, bat ber
no gile be pourwe spousebreche maligne. 1500-20 Dunbar
Poems Ixxxv. 17 All thing maling we dovne thring, Be sicht
of his signakle. 1594 Plat Je*well-ho. m. 18 We shall finde
the hop farre to exceede the wormwood in his maligne
qualitie. 1603 Florio Montaigne m. xii. (1632) 586 It [War]
is of so ruinous and maligne a Nature ; that together with
all things els, she ruineth her selfe, 0:1716 South Serm.
(1717) V. 434 A dark malign Shade always obscuring and
eclipsing them. 1693 Sir T. P. Blount Nat. Hist. n6
Meconium is the courser and weaker [Gum], yet the more
malign. 1727 Harte Ps. cvii. 13 Poems 236 The broad ex-
pance of heav'n Their canopy, the ground of damp malign,
Their bed nocturnal. 1854 Loncf. Catazvba Wine ix,
A poison malign Is such Borgia wine. 1871 R. Ellis tr.
Catullus lxviii. 101 Tomb'd in Troy the malign, in Troy the
^unholy reposing. 1888 Bryce Amcr. Comimv. III. cxv.
663 A struggle between two forces, the one beneficent, the
other malign.
3. Of diseases : Malignant.
1541 R. Copland Galyens Tcrap. 2 D ij b, Suche an vlcere.
I call it entyerly malygne & cacoethes. 1563 T. Gale An-
t/dot. 11. 12 This vnguent is good against old and maligne
vlcers. 1623 Bacon Hen. VII (1876) 12 A malign vapour
Hew to the heart, and seized the vital spirits. 1671 Sal-
mon Syn. Med. in. xxii. 415 It quencheth thirst, and abates
the heat of Malign Feavers. 1899 AllbutCs Syst. Atcd.Vlll.
S13 In cases of so-called ' precocious malign' syphilis.
4. Astrol. Having a baleful influence or effect.
1626 Bacon Sylva § 353 Saturn which is a planet Maligne.
1652 Gaule Magastrom. 85 Whether the planets have ..
those prime elementary qualities . . in such different measures
..as to make some of them benign, others of them malign in
their influences [etc.]. 1667 Milton P.L, vi. 313 Two Planets
rushing from aspect maligne Of fiercest opposition. 1738
Wesley Ps. cxxi. v, Thee the Moon's malignest Ray Shall
never blast by Night.
b. trans/.
1605 Bacon Adv. Learn, n. Ded. § 8 This dedicating of
foundations and dotations to professory learning hath ..
had a malign aspect and influence upon the growth of
sciences. 1842 S. Lover Handy Andy xvi. 147 The Genius
of Disaster, with aspect malign, waved her sable wand.
Malign (rnabi'n), v. Forms : 5 malyngne,
5-6 -ygno, 5-7 -igne, 6 Sc. malligne, malyng,
6-7 Sc, maling, 6- malign, [a. OF. malignier,
maliner to plot, deceive, ad. L. malign-are lo do
or contrive maliciously, f. malignus Malign a.]
f 1. intr. To speak evil, inveigh {against). Obs.
1426 Lydg. in Pol. Peems (Rolls) II. 135 Age'ms which
nomaa may maligne, But that he stondith in the veray
ligne, . . as descendid is Of the stok and blode of seint
Lowys. — DeGuil. PUgr. 20391 And who that euere ageyn
malygnes, They be but markys [etc.]. 1526 PUgr. Per/.
(W. de W. 1531) 223 Luther and his adherentes, that moost
of all maligneth agaynst this present article. 1549 Compl.
Scot. iv. 30 Parchance sum inuyful detrakkers vii maling
contrar me, sayand that [etc.].
+ 2. To entertain malice or ill-will. Const.
against^ at. Obs.
1494 Fabyan Chron. v. cxxiv. 103 Euer after they ma-
lygned agayne Theodobeit. 1530 Palsgk. 632/1, I malygne
agaynst one, I beare hym nialyce. 1577-87 Hoi.inshed
Chron. III. 865/1, I nothing maligne for that you haue
doone to me. 1652 C. B. Stapylton Herodian. xvn. 142
Maligning much at this her Daughters Honour.
t 3. To plot; to contrive {against). Obs.
1430-40 Lydg. Bochas ix. i. (1494) Evb, Whan any king-
dom fyll in rebellyon Or gan malygne ageyn rome toun.
'i 1450 Paston Lett. I. 96 Hugh Wythom hath said he wold
be in rest and peese with me, and not to maligne agayn me
otherwise than lawe and right wold. 1494 Fabyan Chron.
v. cii. 77 Thyse .ii. Bretherne newely maligned agayn theyr
neuwe Theodobert,. .and cntendyd by theyr nialyce to by-
reue hym of the Lordshyp of Austracy. 1539 Cromwell in
Merriman Life % Lett. 21 Jan. (1902) II. 168 The said bishop
.. contynually studyeth and maligneth, howe he might an-
noye or grevc hym. a 1578 Lindesay (Pitscottie) Chron.
Scet.{S. T. S.J II.85 They.. still mallignitaganis the quene.
85
f 4. trans. To regard with hatred or Bitter dislike. \
Also, to resent, take amiss. Obs.
1513 More Rich, fit Wks. 37/1 The Queene and the Lordes
of her bloode whiche highlye maligned the kyngeskinred.
1560 Becon Catech. Wks. 1564 I. 411 b, S. Stephen, .did so
litle malign his enemies, that he did not only frely forgeue
them, but"he also prayed vntoGodfor them, a 1594 Kyd Sp.
Trag. m. ii. 34 What cause had they Horatio to maligne?
1604 R. Cawurky Table Alfih., Maligne, to hate, with pur-
pose to hurt. 1611 SPEED Thcat. Gt. Brit. xlvi. (1614) 92/1
The people of Dublin sent for him, and made him their
king, which Mure-card King of Ireland maligning raised
war. 1662 Stili.INGFL. Or'tg. Sacr. n. i. § 4 Can we think that
a Nation and religion so maligned as the Jewi>h w-ere,
could have escaped discovery, if (etc.]. 1667 South Twelve
Serm. U697) II. 35 An ungrounded, odious, detestable In-
terest, so heartily, and so justly maligned.
+ 5. To regard with envy; to grudge, begrudge.
Very frequent during the 17th c.
1590 NASHE Almond for Tarrat 3 Didst thou so muche
malign the Micce>seful thriuings of the Gospell, that thou
shouldst filche thyselfe. .into our gouernement '! 1594 Kvi>
Cornelia [V. it 75 And rendring thanks to heauen as we goe,
For hrideling those that dyd maligne our glory. Lets to the
Capitoll. 1599 Hakluyt / 'ay. 11. 1. 2S5 The Kingof Spaine,
.. maligning the quiet trafique which they vsed to and in
the dominions, .vnder the obedience of^the Great Turke,
had [etc.]. 1611 Biule Ecclus. xlv. 18 Strangers conspired
together against him, and maligned [Gr. t^/Awaai'] him in
the wildernesse. 1638 H. Shirley Mart. Souldier 111. iv.
in Bullen O. /'/. I. 218 No, no; the envious Gods Maligne
our happinesse. 1645 Milton Colast._ Wks. (1847) 228/2
This odious fool, .maligning that anything should be spoke
or understood above his own genuine baseness. 1653 H.
Cogan tr. Pinto's Trav. lvi. 220 They reap no benefit by
their maligning the prosperity of others. 1706 Phillips (ed.
Kersey), To Malign, to envy ; as 'To malign one's Happiness.
tb. fig. Obs.
1601 ? Mars-ion Pasquil fif Kath. 11. 165 But now no more,
bright day mahngs our loue. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage 111.
i. 18S The scarcitie of wood and water, with the barrennes.se
of the Soyle .. shew how it is maligned of the Elements.
1661 Boyle Style 0/ Script. U675) 87 Those Grounds,
whose Surface bears no Fruit-Trees, (too much malign'd by
the Arsenical and resembling fumes).
6. To speak ill of (one), to traduce, slander.
1647 Clarendon Hist. Reb. 1. § 189 He was always ma-
ligned and persecuted by those who were of the Calvinian
faction. 1718 Entertainer No. 30. 205 He is represented as
a Tyrant and his Ministers malign'd of Persecution, a 1758
J. Edwards Hist. Redempt. ill. ii. (1793) 35° N° religion
ever was so maligned, age after age. 1831 Brewster Nc7v-
ton (1S55) II. xv. 47 The party who had first disturbed the
tranquillity of science by maligning its most distinguished
ornament. 188a Miss Bkaddon Mt. Royal II. x. 238, I
don't want to malign a man who has treated me with ex-
ceptional kindness and cordiality.
Malignance m&lrgnans). [f. Malignant a. :
see -ancl.] ^Malignancy.
1641 Milton Ch. Gozd. n. Hi. Wks. 1S51 III. 171 The
minister.. speeds him betimes to overtake that diffus'd ma-
lignance with some gentle potion of admonishment. 1743
Fielding J. Wild in. x, They discharge all their ma-
lignance outwardly. 1804 Anna Sewakd Lett. (1S11) VI.
157 Its satire, which gratifies human malignance. 1895
Chamb. Jrul. XII. 6^6/2 This is on a piece w;ith Brant
Dalton's cowardly malignance toward one who is fighting
for him.
Malignancy (mali-gnansi). [f. Malignant**. :
see -ANCV.] The quality of being malignant.
1. Disaffection to rightful authority. Obs. exc.
Hist, as the hostile designation for sympathy with
the royalist cause. (Cf. Malignant B.)
1644 {title) Medicine for Malignancy: or Parliament Pill
serving to Purge out the Malignant humours of men dis-
affected to the Republic. 1645 in Greenshields Annals
Lesmahagoiv (1864) 153 The Lady Marquesse of Douglasse,
..being gravely examined aneut her malignancie and ob-
stinate continewance in the profession of poperie, 1647
May Hist. Part. 11. i. 3 The malignancy, which at that
time began to appear in people. 1649 Milton Eikon.ix.
Wks. 1851 III. 404 Many of the Lords and some few of
the Commons, either intie'd away by the King, or oyeraw'd
: by the sence of thir own Malignancy not prevailing, de-
serted the Parlament. 1660 Burney Kt'pS. Atopoe Ep. Ded.
(1661) 2 Each holy text that mentioned a king, was then
a note of Malignancy.
2. Path. Of a disease, morbid growth, etc. (Cf.
Malignant A. 2.) ■
1685 Evelyn Mrs. Godolph'tn 148 There now appearing
a kind of Erisypulus. .the malignancy grew desperate. 1706
Phillips (ed. Kersey\ Malignancy, malignant Nature or
Quality ; as The Malignancy of a Feaver. 1724 De Foe
\ Mem. Cavalier ^1840) 26 A slow, .fever, .turned to a burning
i malignancy. 1826 S. Cootek First Lines Surg. (ed. 5)
1 202 It cannot be cured without an operation J but it is quite
free from malignancy. 1898 J. Hutchinson in Arch. Surg.
\ IX. 295 The tumour., was .. so suggestive of malignancy
i that amputation was contemplated.
3. Malign or baleful character; unpropitiousness;
noxiousness, deleteriousness.
1601 Shaks. Tivel. N. 11. i. 4 My starres shine darkely
ouer me ; the malignancie of my fate, might perhaps dis-
temper yours. 1656 Stanley Hist. Philos. v. 11701) 207/2
, Jupiter [is placed} next Saturn, to abate his Malignancy.
1727 Swift What passed in London Wks. 1755 III. 1. 187
There might be a pestilential malignancy in the air, oc-
| casioned by the comet.
4. Malignant or intensely malevolent disposition ;
envenomed hostility; desire to inflict injury or suf-
fering.
1640 Howell ZJ^w's Grove 109 His eldest Graff suc-
ceeded him awhile in Royall favour; but he quickly fell,
by the malignancie of great ones. 1683 Dryden Life
Plutarch 43 The mcer malignancy of a spirit delighted
MALIGNANT.
naturally in mischief. 1706 Reflex, upon Ridit itle 390 Pene-
tration gives ber more artifice and malignancy. 178a Eliz.
Blower Geo. Bateman III. 118 The malignancy of dis-
appointed playwrights. 1856 Froude Hist. Fng. (1858) I. i.
17 A war unequalled in history for its fierce and determined
malignancy. 1897 Maky Kingsley W. Africa 505 If a
man were.. shot with an arrow, the cause of death is clearly
the malignancy of the person using these weapons.
5. An instanceof malignancy; a malignant quality.
1652 Bp. Hall Myst Godl. § 7. 34 O Saviour, abundantly
justified in the spirit against all the malignancit:"- of men and
Devils ! 1672 Grew Idea Philos. Hist. Plants § 3 What may
best correct their Malignancies, or inforte their Virtues. 1869
Blshnell Won:. Suffrage vii. 141 They let in also little
malignancies that are poisonous. 1899 l>aily AVti 1 , Ma>
8/5 1 he merits of who^e members compensate for the ma-
lignancies of their [golf] course.
Malignant ^mali'gnant),**. and sb. [ad late
I,, mahgnant-em^ pr. pplc. of maligftare% -art to
<l(i mischief, injure maliciously (see Malign v. .
Cf. 1 IF. malignant.
Scu^e 1 is derived from the use of maliguantcs in the Vul-
gate as the rendering of Heb. C"'^0 myirS-iiii, pr. pple.
of ""in here"e. to do evil ito) : see Malign v. Senses .-4
represent u^es of the L. malignus: sec Malign a.]
A. adj.
f 1. Disposed to rebel against Clod or against
constituted authority; disaffected, malcontent. Obs.
The church malignant: a patristic designation fur the
followers of antichrist, often applied by the early Protestants
to the Church of Rome. Cf. F. eglise malignante in Guilc-
froy. (Alluding to Ps. xxv[ij. 5, Vulg. ecelesiaui malignau-
tutiu, Lug. Bible ' the congregation of euill doers '.)
1542 5 Br ink low Lament. (1874) 116 Your other brethern
uf the Komishe churches, or church malygnant. 1548UDALL
F.rasm. Par. Pref. to Kdr., Whosoeuer is not of an extreme
inalignaunt stomake against the due settyng forth oft Jodde^
woorde. 1553 Kennedy Compend. Tract, in Wodroiv Soc,
Misc. (1S44) 115 The Kirk malignant, a 1563 Becon God's
Word ^ Man's It/v. Wks. 1563 III. 394 Mans inuention is
the execrable rule of the children of Satans kingdome, that
is, of y« Church malignant. 1604 Shaks. Oth. v. ii. .,=, .; In
Aleppo once, Where a malignant, and a Turbond-Turke
Beate a Venetian, and tradue'd the State. 1621 Br. Moun-
tagu Diatrike 312, I have good cause to ranke you with
the formost of those malignant ones. 1659 J. ARROWSMiTH
Chain Princ. 173 Logicians say of this particle Not, that it
is of a malignant nature; Divines know that the malignant
Church is much built up by such negatives.
absol. 1778 Br. Lowth Transl. Isaiah xxix. 24 (ed. 12I
54 The malignant [A.V. They that murmured] shall attend
to instruction. 1846 J. Baxter Libr. Tract. Agric. (ed. 4)
I. p. xvii, Excesses in which the malignant indulged under
the guise of patriotism [c 1832].
b. spec. Applied between 1641 and 1660 by the
supporters of the Parliament and the Common-
wealth to their adversaries. (See H. b.)
164: Rcmonstr. St. Kingd. 11 The unexpected recon-
ciliation was most acceptable to all the Kingdome. e.xeeii
to the malignant partie, whereof the Archbishop and the
Earle of St[r]afford being heads, they and their faction
begun [etc.]. Ibid. 24 Thus with Eliah, we are called by
this malignant party the troublers of the State. 1642 J.
M[arsii] Argt. cone. Militia 28 The Parliament defend the
king and kingdom ; and the malignant party use all their
skill to make both miserable. 1659 Clarke Papers (Camden)
IV. 169 Mannaged wholly by the Cavaleere Malignant
party. 1708 Swift Sacram. Test Wks. 1755 II. 1. 133 In
those times, when the church of England was malignant.
C. In 1642 Charles I retorted the application of
the epithet upon the Parliamentary party.
1642 Chas. I Sp. 27 Sept. in Rushw. Hist. Coll. (1721) V.
21 How I have been dealt with by a Powerful malignant
Party in this Kingdom, whose Designs are no less than to
destroy my Person and Crown. 1642 Declar. Lords $ Com.
ibid. 42 Whereas the Parliament, under the Name of a
'Malignant Party, is charged with an Endeavour to. .corrupt
the Allegiance of the King's Subjects.
2. Of a disease : Characterized by extreme viru-
lence; exceptionally contagious or infections.
Now chiefly used as the distinctive epithet of a
definite variely of a disease, as in malignant
cholera, malignant small-pox, etc.
Malignant growth, tumour: in mod. use applied to car-
cinomata and sarcomata, forming a class 'characterized by
their rapidity of growth, . . by the extension to the lym-
phatic glands, and l)v their recurrence in situ and in distant
organs after removal ' {Syd. Soc. Lex.).
1568 Skeyne The Pest A iij, Quhilk is generit within vs,
or of vther causisfthan the air] is callit ane Malignant feuer.
1601 Shaks. Alts Well n. i. 114 Hearing your high Maiestie
is toucht With that malignant cause. 1608 Topsell Ser-
pents (1658) 629 The malignant symptomes were all evacu-
ated. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Malignant Disease, is
that which rages more vehemently, and continues longer
than its Nature seems to incline. Ibid. s.v. 'Tumour, Ma-
lignant Tumours, those that are always accompany'd with
extraordinary and dreadful Symptoms, a 1776 K. James
Din. Fevers (1778) 130 That species of sore throat which is
ridiculously called malignant. 1799 Med. frnl. II. 499 The
malignant small-pox, which prevailed . .during the year 1798.
1804 Aueknethy Surg. Obs. 45 The wound degenerated into
a malignant ulcer. 1807-26 S. Coopek First Lines Surg.
(ed. 5) 60 The malignant or gangrenous erysipelas. 1873
T. H. Green Introd. Palhol.(ed. 2) 108 The malignant pro-
perties of a tumour may manifest themselves either in the
tissues immediately adjacent to it or . . in more distant part>.
Ibid. 157 'Cancerous' and 'malignant ' have come to be
regarded by many as synonymous terms. 1885 West. Daily
Press 19 Jan. 7/5 The woolsorters' disease, known also as
splenic fever, malignant pustule, and Siberian plague. 1897
Altbutt's Syst. Med. II. 104 Several forms of malignant
measles are met with. 1898 j. Hutchinson in Arch. Surg.
IX. 327 There was no definite history of tuberculosis or cf
malignant growths in the family.
MALIGNANTLY.
86
MAL-INFORTUNED.
b. absol. A malignant fever.
1825 Good Study Med. (ed. 2) II. 164 It is the febris
gast rico-uervosa of Professor Frank, who justly regards it
as an intense variety of the ordinary autumnal malignant
of temperate climates.
3. Having an evil influence. Chiefly Astrol. and
with reference to magical agencies — Malign
(whence transf. in malignant aspect). Formerly
also of material substances, plants, etc. : Poisonous,
deleterious.
1591 Shaks. i Hen. VI> iv. v. 6 O malignant and ill-
boading Starres, — Two Gent. in. i. 238 No more : vnles
the next word that thou speak'st Haue some malignant
power vpon my life. 1608 I). '1*. T[lvil] Ess. Pol. fy Mor.
21 b, The malignant aspect of any person in authority to-
wards his inferiour, is thought a sufficient warrant for euery
man to wrong him. 1654 Bramhall Just Vind. vi. (1661)
146 Where the influence of Religion is malignant. 1667
Milton P. L. x. 662 Taught the fixt Thir influence malig-
nant when to showre. 1691 Ray Creation I. (1652) 103 The
noxious and malignant Plants. 1692 — Disc. 11. (1732) 106
Melted Snow which gives it [the water] that malignant
Quality. 1704 Swift Batt. Bks. Wks. 1751 I. 210 An atra-
mentous Quality of most malignant Nature was seen to
distil from his Lip>. 175a Young Brothers 1. i, A comet,
with malignant blaze, Denouncing ruin. 1756 Burke Vind.
Nat, Soc. Wks. I. 70 The close vapour of these malignant
minerals. 1765 T. Hutchinson Hist. Mass. I. 150 A witch
. . charged with having . . a malignant touch. 1799 Camp-
hell Pleas. Hope 1. 34 Every woe, Shot from malignant
Stars to earth below. 1822 Good Study Med. 1 1. 221 Attended
by nurses or midwives, who had previously attended the
latter [i. e. puerperal patients] without sufficiently changing
their malignant dress. 1876 Freeman Norm. Com/. V. x.viv.
381 The malignant genius of Flambard. 1887 Ruskin Prst*
tcrita II. 38 The bise, now first letting one feel what ma-
lignant wind could be.
absol. 1800 Coleridge Piccolom. 1. ii, This is your Venus !
and the sole malignant [orig. der Maleficus\ The only one
that hanneth you, is Doubt.
4. Characterized by malignity or intense ill-will;
keenly desirous of the suffering or misfortune- of
another, or of others generally.
1592 tr. Junius on Rev. ix. 3 The malignant spirits
invading the world. 1594 Shaks. Rick. HI, 11. ii. 52 Two
Mirrors of his Princely semblance, Are crack'd in pieces, by
malignant death. 1613 — Hen. VIII, 1. ii. 141 His will is
most malignant, and it stretches Beyond you to your friends.
1625 Bacon Ess., Envy (Arb.) 513 Cains Enuy, was the
more vile, and Malignant, towards his brother Abel. 1667
Milton P. L. xii. 538 So shall the World goe on, To go >d
malignant, to bad men benigne. 1751 Johnson Rambler
No. 87 P 12 An author cannot.. be often suspected of any
malignant intention to insult his readers with his know-
ledge or his wit. 1778 Johnson in Boswell Life (1831) IV.
140 An old gentleman who was absolutely malignant.
He really wished evil to others, and rejoiced at it. 1792
Burke Lett., to R. Burke {1844) III. 368 It is full of the
most malignant insinuations. 1866 Dk. Argyll Reign Law
vi. (1871,1 278 The loving may become malignant : the simple-
minded may become suspicious. 1897 Mary Kingsley IK
Africa 505 Death was always the consequence of the action
of some malignant spirit.
fb. Wickedly dispose!, obstinately criminal.
1784 Cowpkk Task n 15O But where all Stand chargeable
with guilt, ..God.. May punish, if He please, the less, to
warn The more malignant.
B. sb. One who is disaffected towards rightful
authority, a malcontent, f In early use also: One
who is ill-disposed toward true religion.
1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. ii. § 4 There are of these wise
malignants some, who have vouchsafed it [religion] their
marvellous favourable countenance. 1617 Halks Serin. 29
Diverse mahgnants there are, who lie in wait to espie where
our reasons on which we build are weake. 1716 Addison
Freeholder No. 8 f 2 One may .. discover, among the
Malignant* of the Sex, a face that seems to have been natur- ,
ally designed for a Whig lady.. .Would the pretty Malcon-
tent be persuaded to love her King and Country, it would
[etc.]. 1776 Trumbull in Sparks Corr. A mer. Rev. (1853)!.
269 Our internal malignants may be permitted to do many
injurious and insidious things. 1862 Mlrivale Rom. Emp.
(1865) VII. lix. 243 Once more he charged Josephus to sum-
mon the malignants. 1884 J. Colborne Hicks Pasha 115
It is suggested to us by the Egyptian officers that these
woods are full of malignants.
b. Used by opponents as a designation for a
member of the party which supported Charles I ,
against the Parliament; a Royalist, Cavalier. Also,
in religious sense, applied by Puritans and Cove-
nanters to their ecclesiastical adversaries. (The
two applications are often coincident. ) Now Hist. '
1642 Chas. I Declar. in Rushw. Hist. Coll. (1721) V. 76
That to be a Traitor (which is defined, and every Man
understands) should be no Crime; and to be called a Ma-
lignant (which no Body knows the Meaning of) should
be Ground enough for close Imprisonment? 1642-3 Earl
ok Newcastle Declar. ibid. 134 The second Charge is, That
my Army consists of Papists and other Malignants. 1644
Quarles Barnabas <y />'. 128 His studied prayers shew him
to l>e a high malignant. 1644 Weekly Intelt. No. 68. 548
The country is full of Malignants. 1651 Baxter Inf. Bapt.
233, I undertake, .to defend the. .Dominion of my Lord,
whose name is King^ of Kings ..{not onely the greatest of
Kings, as some Malignants do interpret it, as if others were,
though lesser, yet not subordinate). 1670 — Cure Ch.Div.
Pref. 11. % 6 He was no Malignant nor intended to gird at
Godliness. 1743 J. Glas Treat. Lords Supper 11. iii. 34 11m
holy One of God passed for a Deceiver and a Samaritan,
or malignant. 1874 Green Short Hist. viii. § 10. 567 Catho-
lics and ' Malignants ', as those who had fought for the King
were called, were alone excluded from the franchise.
Malignantly (mali'gnantK), adv. [f. Malig- ,
NANT a. + -LY -.] In a malignant manner.
1606 Wakner All; Eng. xvi. ci. 401 Nor beate we here ma-
lignantly at sacred Beauties Luster. 1607 Shaks. Cor. n. iii.
191 If he should still malignantly remaine Fast Foe toth'
Plebetj. 1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 211 [One tree] I tasted
of, which., malignantly bit and wronged my mouth and lips.
1745 W. Thompson Sickness 1. 337 Malignantly delighted,
dire Disease Surveys the glittering pest, and grimly smiles.
1855 Macallay Hist. Eng. xvii. IV. 50 Her powers of
seduction and intimidation were malignantly extolled.
b. Jn the manner of a malignant.
1645 Answ. Prynnes Quest. Ch. Govt, in Prynne Irish
Discov. Wand. Blazing Stars 42 The greatest part.. are
thought to be Popishly or Malignantly inclined.
t Mali'gnantness. 06s.-° [f. Malignant a.
+ -ness.] = Malignancy.
1727 Bailey vol. II, Malignant ness, hurtfulness, mis-
chievousness, malignant nature or quality, ill-will.
Malignation (mailign^i-Jon). Also 5 raalig-
nacion, malynacyon. [n. of action f. late L.
malignare : see Malign v.]
1 1. Feeling of dislike or ill-will. Obs.
c 1470 Harding Chron. vi. i, So stronge then was this
generacion None durst it noye for theyr malignacion. c 1485
D'gby Myst. (1882) ill. 128 J>at..ony moteryng aijens me
make with malynacyon.
t 2. V A malefic incantation. Obs.
i6$z(j.\\jLEMagastroiu. 269Carpocrates. .used, .malig na-
tions, inductions, illictations, &c
3. The action of maligning or slandering, rare.
1836 Mrs. Gore Mrs. Armytage III. 21 Mrs. Armytage
. .suffered him to proceed with his malignations. 1843 G. 5.
Faber Sacr. Caleud. Prophecy (1844) I. p. xvi, An Extensive
Suppression of Evidence which stood opposed to the author's
purpose of malignation.
t Maliglie. Obs. Forms: 5 malygny, ma-
lynge, malyngne. [a. OF. maligne sb.,f. maligne
Malign a.] Malice, wickedness.
a 1460 Gregorys Chron. in Hist. Coll. Citizen Lond.
(Camden) 125 Welle and trewly whythe owte any fraude or
malygny {Chron. in Julius B. i reads malengyne]. Ibid.
150 With owte fraude, desepsyon, and malynge. (1485
Digby Myst. (18821 hi, 720 pat we may com to your blysse
gloryfyed from malyngne.
Iff aligner (maldrnai). Also 5 malyngnour.
[f. Malign v. + -ek*.] One who maligns, in various
senses of the vb. ; f one who bears ill-will (obs.) ;
a traducer, slanderer.
c 1425 Found. St. Bartholomew's (E.E.T.S.) 16 (He] ^aue
sharpe sentence a^enste contrary malyngnours. i$z6 Pilgr.
Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 218 b, I have hated the congregacyon
of maligners [ - Ps. xxv. 17 Vulg. ccclcsiam malignant ium\.
c 1557 Abp. Parker Ps. xxxvii. ioj Maligners all shall haue
a fall, They shall be all deepe rooted out. [Cf. Vulgate :
qui malignant it r, exterminabuntur.] 1621 Br. Mount ag u
Diatribx 483 Maligners at, and detayners of the Church-
Portion in Tithes. 1624 Gait. Smith Virginia m. xi. 86
A most crafty fellow and his ancient M aligner. 1742
Richardson Pamela IV. 220 In abetter Sense I speak it
than the Maligner spoke it of Job. 1889 Sat. Rev. 23 Mar.
335/1 He might handle the maligners of quiet women and
men as they deserve.
Malignify (mili'gnifoi), v. rare. [f. L. ma-
lign-tts malign + -ficare : see -FT.] trans. To
render malign.
1613 Jackson Creed 1. xxx. § 4. 206 Stubbornenesse is but
a strong hope malignified, or..growne wilde and out of
kinde. 1638 Chillingw. Relig. Prot. 1. Answ. Pref. § 29 As
they [errors] were qualified or malignified with good or bad
circumstances. 1829 Southey Sir T. More I. 258 So dread-
ful are the effects of a strong faith malignified.
Mali'gning, ///. a. [f. Malign v. + -ing -.]
That maligns (see the vb.).
1425 Found. St. Bartholomew's (E. E. T. S.) 49 The
malignyng ennemy went his way. 1687 Shadwell Juvenal
x. 171 Vows from the maligning Gods obtein'd. 1871 R.
Ki.lis tr. Catullus v. 2 Sour severity, tongue of eld ma-
ligning.
t Mali'gnions, tf. Obs. rare-1, [f. Maligna.
+ -1006. Cf. It. maligtioso.'] Of malicious speech.
1578 Florio 1st Fruites Ep. Ded., Being bold under your
honours patronage to shield me with defence against such
carping, blustering, and malignious tongues.
Malignity (mali'gniti). Also 4 malignitee,
malygmtee, 6 malygnyte, malignite, malyg-
nitie, 7 raalignitie. [a. OF. malignity ad. L.
malignitas, f. malignus Malign a. : see -ity.]
1. Wicked and deep-rooted ill-will or hatred ;
intense and persistent desire to cause suffering to
another person ; propensity to this feeling.
c 1386 Chaucer Pars. T. r 439 Thannc comth malignitee
thurgh which a man anoyeth his neiyhebor priuely. iS33"4
Act 25 Hen. VIII, c. 12 Persons.. whiche beare malice and
malignite to al the kinges procedinges in the said deuorse.
1593 R. Harvey Philad. 17 Jealousie and malignity are
two blinde guids. 1611 Biblh Transl. Pref r 3 Neither is
there any likelihood, that enuie and malignitie died, and
were buried with the ancient. 1641 Remoustr. St. Kingd.
3 The Commons , . do yet finde an abounding Malignity,
and opposition in those parties, and factions, who have
been the cause of those evils. 177S Johnson Let. to Mrs.
Thrale 21 July. There are few things that are worthy of
anger, and still fewer that can justify malignity. 1797 Mrs.
Kadclh-fe Italian iv. (1826)25 A dark malignity overspread
the features of the monk. 1803 Wellington in Gurw.
Desp. (1837) II. 300 The falsehood and malignity of the
charge. 1818 Hazlitt Eng. Poets iii. (1870) 84 Satan is
Dot the principle of malignity, or of abstract love of evil.
1849 Macaulav Hist. Hug. i. I. 87 He. .felt towards those
whom he had deserted that peculiar malignity which has,
in all ages, been characteristic of apostates. 1862 Stanley
Jew. Ch. (1877) I. v. 92 His flight is occasioned rather by
t!ie malignity of his countrymen than by the enmity of the
Egyptians.
b. //. Malignant feelings or actions.
a 1529 Skelton Col. Cloute 541 Raylynge haynously And
dysdaynously Of preestly dygnytes, But theyr malygnyttj-.
1607 Carpenter Plaine Mans Plough 212 Nor would the'*
Diuell .. surcease .. his cursed malignities against Christ.
1861 Holland Less. Life xv. 220 If they, .clothe these black
malignities in silken phrases we hear them with a certain
kind of pleasure.
2. Wickedness, heinousness, arch.
>S34 More Comf. agst. Trib. 11. Wks. 1 199/2 We.. are
consumed & wasted & come to nought in our malygnitie.
1654 Bkamhall Just Vind. iii. (1661) 33 A title, .laid aside
by Protestants, not so much for any malignity that was in it,
as for the ill sounds sake. 1684 Contempt. St. Man 11. x.
(1699) 235 So great is the Malignity of a Mortal Sin. 1702
Eng. Thci'phrast. 180 We imitate the good out of emulation,
and the bad out of our natural corruption and malignity.
i860 Pusly Min. Proph. 178 The more God reveals to any,
what He Is, . . the more utter malignity it is . . to have indeed
said to Him, 'On Thy terms I will have none of Thee*.
3. Noxiousness, deleteriousness. arch.
1605 TiMME Quersii. 1. xv. 77 Coagulated salts or tartar..
doe reach to the uppermost degree of their malignity. 1617
Moryson Itin. 1. 250 They say, that the Owes of the Sea
doe here much increase the malignitie of the aire. 1626
Bacon Sylva § 74, I conceive that Opium and the like, make
the Spirits flie rather by Malignity, than by Cold. 1656
Evelyn Diary 11850) I. 316 Cinders .. deprived of their
sulphur and arsenic malignity. 1705 Addison Italy 230 The
Sides of the Grotto are mark'd with Green, as high as the
Malignity of the Vapour reaches. 1712 — Sped. No. 457 r 3
The Lady Blast. .has such a particular Malignity in her
Whisper, that it blights like an Easterly Wind. 1707-12
Mortimer Husb. (1721) 1. 251 Some propose to Macerate
them [acorns] in Water first, to extract their Malignity. 1777
Blkke Lett, to Sheriffs of Bristol Wks. III. 1^6 The other
[statute] ifor a partial suspension of the Habeas Corptu)
appears to me of a much deeper malignity. 1858 Hawthorne
Fr. fy It.Note-Bks. 11872) I. 54 The atmosphere certainly ha
a peculiar quality of malignity.
4. c
Of diseases or wounds : Malignant character,
malignancy.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. n. iii. 73 Wounds which
are made with weapons excited by the Loadstone, contract
a malignity, and become of more difficult cure. 1670 Walton
Lives 111. 225 He fell into a long and sharp sickness, .from
the malignity of which he was never recovered. 1747
Berkeley Tar-xvater in PlagueWks. III. 481 An erysipelas,
which sbeweth a degree of malignity nearest to the plague.
1759 RoutLKTSOti Hist. Scot. iv. Wks. 18 13 I. 300 The vigour of
his constitution surmounted the malignity of his disease. 1806
Med. Jrnl. XV, 311 The natural small-pox, which almost
every year desolated Mexico and Peru, has lost its malignity
in those climates. 1865 Coruh, Mag. XI. 59^; Typhus fever
..has assumed unwonted activity and malignity. 1897
Allbutt's Syst. Med. IV. 836 Early implication of neigh-
bouring portions of the larynx, .points to malignity.
Malignly [m&brnli), adv. [f. Malign a. +
-ly -.] In a malign manner.
1. YVith malicious or evil intention.
1543 Bale Yet a Course Rom. Fox 52 Soche are euermore
the vnworthye wayes of thys worlde, malygnelye to blame
menne for ther wele doynge. 1670 Milton Hist. Eng. v.
Ethelwolf The Eastern and worst part was malignly afforded
to the Father. 173^ Pope Hor. F.pist. 11. i. 339 Vet lest you
think I . .praise malignly Arts I cannot reach, Let me [etc.].
1741 Smenstonk Judgm. Hercules 117 Her thoughts, to
other's charms malignly blind. 1876 G. Meredith Beauch.
Career II. v. 74 The object malignly called the Briton.
1881 Mrs. C. Pkaed Policy $ P. II. 36 The old manchuckled
malignly.
2. Unpropitiously, perniciously. x8«8 in Webster.
Malignment (malainment). rare. [f. Ma-
lign v. + -MKNT.] The act of maligning.
1885 Century Mag. XXX. 675 That recrimination and
malignment of motive.
t Mali'gHOUS, a. Obs. rare'-1, [f. L. malign-
us Malign a. + -oua.] = Malignant.
1610 Barrolgii Meth. Physick v. xi. (1617) 294 It mightily
dtscusseth the malignous humour which exciteth the Car-
buncle.
II Mall If (mse'lik). [Arab. cDU fualik, pr. pple.
of malaka to possess, rule.] The chief or head-
man of a village or other community in parts uf
India and Central Asia.
1855 H. H. Wilson Gloss. Judic. A- Rev. Terms, Malik, . .
a master, an owner{..or a person having a beneficial and
hereditary interest in the revenue paid Ity the cultivators,
and responsible to the government for its snare"; hence con-
sidered applicable, in Bengal, to Zamindars, and in the
north-west provinces to the head man of a village. 1897
Daily News 14 June 5/7 Two maliks were sent ahead by
him to Maizar. 1901 Scotsman 11 Mar. 9/1 Government
has been giving a good round sum to the Maliks yearly.
Hence || Malikana (mxlika"na\ a pension or re-
taining fee paid to an Indian chief or headman.
1846 H. H. Wilson Brit. India II. 140 He was accordingly
allowed to reside at Puri,. .upon a yearly malikana.
Malilla, malillio, variant forms of Manille.
Malincolia, -coly(e,obs.ff. Mklancholia,-ly.
Malincolyous, obs. form of Melancholious.
IVEal-influeiice. [See Mal-.] Evil influence.
1792 Anna Seward Lett. (1S11) III. 117 The mal-iufluence
upon your nerves from marine damps. 1796 Ibid. IV. 289
The mal-influence of a violent cold. 1822 De Quincey Con-
fas. App. 199 Opium, .having left the body weaker.. and
thus predisposed to any mal-influence whatever.
t Mal-infortuned,///. a. Obs. [f. Mal- +
7) Enfortune v. + -ED1.] Ill-fortuned.
1475 Bk. Noblesse (Roxb.) 17 The male-infortuncd journey
at Bouge*e. [Cf. Male-joukney.]
MALINGER.
87
MALL.
Mallng, obs. f. Mailing .SV., Maltcx v.
Malingen, variant of Malknxtv Obs.
Malinger (mali-ngsj) , v. [f. F. malingrt sickly,
ailing ^formerly 'sore, scabbie, ongHe, loathsome*,
Cotgr.) ; of obscure origin.] inlr. To pretend
illness, or to produce or protract disease, in order
to escape duty ; said esp. of soldiers and sailors.
i8zo E. T. LrscoMBH Pratt. Obs. Means Preserv. Health
Sold. 83 Formerly, it was ulcers of the leg-;, which wen;
most usually produced by artificial means by soldiers.,
disposed to malinger. 1844 Macaulav /•$$., Chatham, Some
were half inclined to suspect that he was, to use a military
phrase, malingering. 1872 Bhowninq Ftfine lxxvi, Be sick
by stealth, Nor traffic with disease— malingering in health !
1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VII. 150 The question comes to
he, whether the patient, .is malingering.
Malingerer (mili'ngarw). [f. Malinger v.
f-EB1.] One who malingers.
1783 Grcse Ditt. Vutg. Tongue. Malingerer, a military
term for one who under pretence of sickness evades his duty.
1843 GaVIN Feigned $ Factitious Dis. 13 Soldiers and sailors
feigning disease are commonly designated as malingerers or
skulkers. 1899 Allbutfs Syst. Med. Villi 157 The crew
of incapables and malingerers who infest our hospitals, our
asylums, and our gaols.
Malingering (malrrjgarin), vbl. sb. [See
-ING1.] The action of the verb Malinger.
1861 T. J. Graham Pract. Med. 602 There are three con-
ditions from which it is important to distinguish it— from
apoplexy, from hysteria, and. .from malingering. 1899 All-
butt's Syst. Med. VII. 150 Malingering is generally easily de-
tected by one who is accustomed to examine nervous cases.
Mali*ngering,///. a. [lMalixgeik\ + -r»o2.]
That malingers.
1865 Carlyle Fredk. Gt. XIV. viii (1872) V. 261 Karl
Edzard, Prince of East Friesland. long a weak malingering
creature, died, rather suddenly. 1894 H Nishet Busk Girl's
Rom. 60 [He] mopes a"bout like a malingering lag.
Malingery (malrrjgari). [f. Malinger v, +
-y.] ■ Malingkbing vbl, sb.
1847-54 in Webster ; and in later Diets,
Malinowskite(mcelin^*vsk9it). Mitt, [Named
in 1876 by A. Raimondi after E. Mali now ski.] A
variety of tetrahedrite, containing lead and silver.
1882 Dana Man. Mineral. $ Lithol. (ed. 4) 136.
t Mal-intentionee. Obs, In quot. male-.
[ad. F. mal'intcntionttf) f. mal (see Mal-) + inten-
tiomit intentioned.] An evil-intentioned person.
a 1734 North Exam. in. vii. § 41 (1740^ 532 There was
another Agent, .qualified to treat with the Male Intentionees
in F-ngland.
Malipart, -pert, variant forms of Malapert.
Malipede (ime'lipfd). Zool. [f. mod.L. mala
jaw + fed- y pes foot] Any one of the last two pairs
of cephalic appendages in the chilopods.
1883 Packard m Proc. Amer. Phil. Soc. June 201 The
second pair of malipedes, or last pair of mouth-appendage<,
are the poison fangs. — in Ann. $ Mag. Nat. Hist. Now
342 We therefore propose the term malipedes..for the fourth
and fifth pair of cephalic appendages.
Hence Malipedal (mali*p/dal),a. -ZW., pertaining
to the malipedes of chilopods.
1883 Packard in Proc. Amer. Phil. Soc. June 201 The
tergum of the fourth segment, or second malipedal segment.
— in Ann. $■ Mag. Nat. Hist. Nov. 343 The second mali-
pedal tergite.
II Malis (m^i-lis). Path. Obs. [mod.L. malts,
a. Gr. /iaAu a disease in horses and asses (the late
L. malleus 'glanders', may perh. be identical). In
medical Latin, malis has been used as a generic
term (with various specific designations) for para-
sitic skin diseases.] = Glanders.
1607 Topsell Four-/. Beasts (1658) 60 The Malis or
Glaunders.. .The humors which annoy the body of oxen are
many. The first is a moist one called Malls, issuing at the
nose.
Malis, malisce, variant ff. Malease Obs,
Malis(e, obs. form of Malice.
Malism (nvi-liz'm). [f. L. mal-us bad, evil +
-ism, after pessimism.'] The doctrine that this
world is an evil one.
1883 Edgewortii in Academy 17 Mar. 182/3 Mr. Barlow
decides in favour of Pessimism, or rather ' Malism ', the pre-
ponderance of evil over good. 1883 ft. Goodwin Set. •$• Faith
243 Malism, to use a convenient expression, is acknowledged
on all hands; while against pessimism [etc.], 1887 Cheyne
Job fy Solomon 201 Koheleth, though theoretically perhaps
an optimist, constantly relapses into a more congenial
' malism '. 1896 Tollemache y owe ft 91 Towett's optimism
verges on pessimism, or, let us say, his Donism verges on
malism.
Malison (mce-lisan), sb. arch, and dial. Forms :
4 malisun(e , malysun , malesun , maliscun .
maleseun, malicun, malicoun, 4-5 malyson(e,
malisoun(e, 4-6 malysoun, 5-6 maleso(u)n(e, 6
malisone, 7 mallison, 4- malison, [a. OF.
maleison :— L. malediction-em Malediction.]
1. A curse, malediction.
a 1300 Cursor M. 2051 His malison on bam he laid, c 1300
Havelok 426 Haue he the malisun to-day Of alle bat eure
speken may ! c 1320 iSfir Stmts 3696, I praie Mahoun par
fore JCOI be is malisoun. C1450 Mirour Saluacionn 580
The malison of oure for-modere shuld tome to benedictionne.
1583 &V& PP> St. Androis 283 Schoendit, And left hir mali-
sone, consider, To Lowrie, and the land together. 1586 Dur-
ham De/>os (Surtees> 319 He answered, God's malison light
on him, for he haith beggered me. 1691 Ray Coll, Words,
-1ST.]
Gloss. Northanhymb. 146 Mallison, q.d. Malediction, v.
Bcnuison. 1721 Ramsay Luiky Spence xvi, My malison
light.. On them that drink and dinna pay. 1808 Scot r
Marmion v. xxv, A minstrel's malison is said. 1861 Goldw.
Smith Irish Hist. 43 Their malison was almost as terrible
as the curse of a priest. 1865 Kingsley Hercw. xiii, Fare-
well, and my malison abide with thee !
f 2. The state or condition of being cursed. Obs,
c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xliii. {Cecile) 277 Sa man, hat ves in
malysone, mycht bar chese lestand benysone.
3. dial. A plague, torment. Also with sb. pre-
fixed, as cat-malison (see Cat sb. 18), horse-malison
one who is cruel to horses. (See E. D. D.)
t Malison (mse'lisan), v. Sc. Obs. [f. prec. sb.]
trans. To curse ; to pronounce a malediction upon.
1588 A. King Xx.Canisius' Catech. in Cat//. Tract. (S.T.S.)
215 To malesone any, by geuing tharne to the deuil, in
visching thame sicknes, deathe or any euill. 1675 in Edgar
Old Ch. Life Scott. (1885) ly^noU, [A woman confessed that
she] malinsount [another woman].
Maliss, obs. form of Malice.
Malist (m?i*list). [f. h.mal-u s bad, evil-
One who holds the doctrine of malism.
1882 J. W. Barlow Ultim. Pessimism 5 So we see that
Optimist and Pessimist are no longer suitable names. . ; and
the positive forms Bonistand Malist would certainly be more
appropriate. 1887CHFYXE yob*,- Solomon 202 Bad as things
are, he does not believe that the world is getting worse and
worse, .he is a ' malist '. *
Malistic (mali-stik), a. [f. Malist + -ic]
Pertaining to or favouring malism.
1896 Tollemache ¥oiuettg$ After putting side by side the
bomstic and malistic sayings of Jowett.
Maliti o)us, obs. form of Malicious.
Malivolence, -ent, -us: sceMALE\*OLEKCE,etc.
Malke, obs. form of Mawk.
Malkin, niawkin (rag-kin). Obs. exc. dial.
Forms: a. 3 malekin, 4-7 malkyn, 5 malkyne,
6-8 maulkin, 7 maulken, malkiue, malking,
mol-kin, 4- malkin. p. 6 maukyn, mawkine,
6-9 maukin, 6 S mauking, 8 .SV. mawking,
6- mawkin. [A familiar diminutive of Matilda %
Maud (ME. Maalde, Malde) : see -kin.]
fl. Used as a female personal name; applied
typically to a woman of the lower classes, esp. in
various proverbial expressions. Obs.
C1275 Lute/ Scrmun 54 in O. E. Misc. 188 Ne beos
prude ^ungemen pat luuiep malekin, And beos prude maid*
enes pat luuieb Ianekin. 1362 Langl. P. PI. A. r. 158 ^e
naue no more movit in masse ne in homes Then Malkyn of
hire maydenhod that no mon desyreth. c 1386 Chaucer
Man of Law's Pro/, 30 It wol nat come agayn with outen
drede Na moore than wole Malkynes maydenhede Whan she
hath lost it in hir wantownesse. c 1440 Promp. Pa>-z>. 323/2
Malkyne, or Maw t, propyr name. .Matildis. 1546 J. Hey*
wood Prov. (1867) 26 Whan I wyld the any other where to
go, Tushe, there was no mo maydes but malkyn tho. 1564
MARTtALL Treat. Cross iv. 67 A goodly reason by S. Mary,
not much vnlieke to an old mother Maukyns talk. 1579
CJossoN Sch, Abuse (Arb.) 37 There are more houses then
Par ishe Churches, more maydes then Maulkin. 1602 Rbeton
U'oiid. worth Hearing (Grosart) 8/2 Holding out her chinne
and drawing in her mouth (lyke Malkins olde Mare). 167a
Ray Prov, n3 There are more maids then maukin.
f b. The proper name of a female spectre or
demon. (In 17th. c. app. associated with sense 5 a.)
c 1207 Rad. de Coggeshai.l Chroti. Aug/. (Rolls) 120- 1
[A spectre in the form of a female child said that it was
called 'Malekin ]. 1604 Middleton Witch nr. Hi, Fire.
Hark, haik, the Catt sings a brave treble in Her owne lan-
guage, lice, (going up) Now I goe, now I flie, Malkin my
sweete spirit and \. 1605 Shaks. Macb. \. i. 9, I come,
(iray-Malkin !
fc. = Maid Marian. Obs.
1619 Fletcher M. Thomas 11. it, Vou must turne tippet,
And suddenly . . Put on the shape of order and humanity, Or
you must marry Malkyn the May I.ady.
2. An untidy female, tsp. a servant or country
wench ; a slut, slattern, drab ; occas. a lewd woman.
a. 1586 Warner Alb. Eng. II. iv. (1612) 41 Euen Carters
Malkines will disdaine when Gentrie will digest. 1604
Middleton Ant $ Sight. To Rdr., None can iustly ex-
cept at me but some riotous vomiting Kit, or some Gentle-
man-swallowing Mol-kin. 1607 Shaks. Cor. 11. i. 224 The
Kitchin Malkin pinnes Her richest Lockram 'bout her
rcechie necke. 1652 J. Wright tr. Camus'1 Nat. Paradox
vi. 114, I should bee too long if I should relate in what
manner those subtile Wits inveagled the simplicity of those
silly Maulkins. For I haue heard these Court-Ladies allow
Large pensions to their Paramors. 1762 Loud. Mag. Apr.
205/1 Now monst'rous in hoop, now trapish, and walking
With your petticoats clung to your heels, like a maulkin.
1871 Tennyson Last Toum. teq The swineherd's malkin.
3. 1600 Breton Pasouill's Mad-Cappe (1626) B, The
Chuflethat sits and champes upon his chaffe May have his
Mawkin kisse him like a mare, a 1623 Fletcher Chances
in. 1, Thou took'st me up at every word I spoke, As I had
been a Mawkin, a Sort Gillian. 1702V axbrugh E'alse Friend
1. i, The dull heavy-tail'd maukin melts him down with her
modesty, a 1745 Swift Ballyspellin (Answ.) viii. Wks. 1765
XIV. 231 Your mawktns there, smocks hempen wear. 1847
Tknnvson Princess v. 25 A draggled mawkin, ..That tends
her bristled grunters in the sludge.
attrib. 164a Milton Apol. Smect. vi. 33 Her maukin
knuckles were never shapen to that royal 1 buskin,
f b. An effeminate man. Obs.
1468 Medulla Gram, in Promp. Parv. 323/2 Gallinacius,
i. homo debilis, a malkyn, and a capoun.
3. A mop; a bundle of rags fastened to the end
of a stick; esp. that used to clean out a baker's
oven, Obs. exc. dial.
a. 14., I'oe. in Wr.-Wiilcker 616/12 Tersorium, a swe-
pelles (a malkyn). c 1440 Promp. Parr'. 323/2 Malkyne,
niappyl, or oven swepare, . . dossorium, tersorium. 1590
[Tarlton] News Purgat. Shaks. Soc.) 59 He helde be-
tweene both his hands a durly malkin, such as Bakers
sweepe their ovens withal!. 1596 Nashe Saffron W olden
135 Shee will, .haue a handful! of his beard, .fur a maulkin
or wispe to wype her shooes with. 1611 Cotgr., \ uandr/e,
a maulkin, or the clowt wherewith an Ouen is made cleane.
1620 Markham Fartw, Hush. (1625) 96 lilacke, foule, and
ugly like bakers malkins. 1792 Wolcot iP. Pindar) Bojal
1 Tour Wks. 1812 III. 324 Of Royalty the Purple Robe so
j grand They to a Malkin turn, to wipe their shoes. 1796
I Grose's Diet. Vu/g. Tongue (ed. 31, Malkin or Matdkin,. .
I also a parcel of rags fastened to the end of a stick, to clean
i an oven. 1880 Jefferies Gt, Estate 153 The malkin, being
; wetted, (leaned out the ashes [from the oven].
ft. 1580 HoLLVBAND Treas. Er. Tung., Waudree, or es-
eouilton, the clout wherewith they dense or sweepe the
Ouen, called a Maukin. 1598 R. Bernard tr. Terence,
Eunuch iv. vii, Dost thou think to fight with a mauking
j that thou bringst it hither. 1607 Dekker Knts, Conjur.
I (1842) 42 A beard filthier then a bakers mawkin that he
■ sweepes his ouen. 1630 J. Taylor (.Water P.' yacke-a-l.ent
I Wks. 1. 1 1 5/1 An Ensigne made of a piece of a Bakers
I mawkin fixed vpon a Broom e-statYe. 1694 Blrnaby Sat.
■ Petronius Arbiter 84 Do you remember ..the Story of
Ulysses, how a Cyclop put his Thumb out of Joint with a
Mawkin '( 1727 Bradley Earn. Did. s. v. Bake-house, Peels,
Cole-Rakes, Maukins.
b. Nattt. ' A joint-staff sj onge, for cleaning out
: apiece of ordnance* (Smyth Sailor s IVord-bk.).
4. A scarecrow (also_/^.); a ragged puppet or
grotesque effigy; a 'guy'. Obs. exc. dial.
a. 1633 T. Adams E.xp. 2 Peter ii. 7 I. 632 A Malking
flights a child, a man contemnes it. 1638 Nabbes Cot.
I Card. v. vi. 71, Ralph. . . What are you Sir? Spruce. A
Gentleman Vsher. Ralph. You're a Malkin of mock-
Gentry, made up of silke and vaine-glory. 1640 — Bride 1.
iv, You malkin of suburb authority set up only to flight
crows, a 1700 I!. E. Diet. Cant. Crezv, Malkin or Maukin %
a scarecrow, a 1734 North Exam. 11. iv. $ 5 (1740)233
Then he mounted up the Maulkin to be viewed round,
though nothing was to be seen or understood of it from him,
1 more than of a si are Crow, that is the Rags and Trumpery
it was garnishtd with, 1748 Earthquake Peru \. 82 A
Basket from which issued a Puppet, or Maulkin. 1866
■ Kingsley Hereto. II. iv. 65 He must fight it out henceforth
, not with a straw malkin like thee.
$. 1687 CONCREYE Old Bath. 111. vi, Thou Maukin, made
j up of the Shreds and Pairings of his [thy Master's] supei-
■ tluous Fopperies. 1710 Brit, Apollo II. No. £6. 3/1 Were
j you hang'd for a Mauking on a Tree. 1710 Swift Jrnl. to
Stella 13 Dec, Dressing up a hat on a stick and calling it
liar ley ; then, .discharging a pistol wiih the other [hand] at
; the maukin. 1712 Pol. Ball, (i860) II. 121 Vou for jour
' bonfires maw kins dress'd On good Queen Bess's day. 1742
i H. Wali'Oik Lett. II. Mann (1834) I. 124 The first thing
I beheld was a Mawkin in a chair, with three footmen and
a label on the breast inscribed Lady Mary. 1776 S. J.
■ Pratt Pupil Picas, (ed. 2) 1. lviii. 236 And Dost thou, after
all, boggle at a shallow— a maukin at conscience? 1791
Beck FORD tr. Pop. Tales Germans II. 82 Just .. a mawkin
( suspended amongst pease to scare away the \oracious
1 sparrows. 1818 Lamb luconven. Jr. being Hanged, Like
a maukin, fit only to scare away buds. 1859 Geo. Eliot
! A. Bede \\, You knew no more .. than the mawkin i' the
I field. i8c.8 Rider Hacgard in Longm. Mag. Dec. 127
Hood promises to set up some mawk ins to fright them.
Comb, a 1700 II. E. Diet. Cant. Crew s. v., Hence Malkin-
trash, for one in a rueful Dress, enough to Fright one.
5. As a designation for certain animals: some-
times as quasi-proper name. a. A cat. dial.
Grimalkin occurs in Baldwin s Beware the Cat, 1561-82.
1673 Cotton Voy. hcl. it. Poems (1689! 182 We went, and
e'er Malkin could well lick her ear. .forsooth, we were there.
1785 Grose Diet, Vutg. Tongue, Malkin, or Maulkin, a
general name for a cat. 1876 Whitby Gloss.
"b. Sc. and north, dial. A hare.
1724 Ramsay Teat. Misc. (1733) I. 61 Skipping like a maw-
king. 1785 Burns Vision \. i, The sun had clos'd the winter
day, .. An' hunger'd Maukin taen her way To kail-yards
green. 1786 — Tarn Samson's Elegy vii, Ye Maukins, cock
your fud fu' braw, Withouten dread. 1793 in Lockhait
Scott vii, I'll send ye a maukin the morn, man. 1818
Blackw. Mag. IV. 65 He [a sportsman] would probably be
as much gratified by the discovery of mawkin, as the Astro-
nomer would be by the discovery of a constellation. 1895
Crockett Men of Moss Hags xl vii, Once they raised, as it
had been a poor maukin, a young lad that ran from thtm.
Mall1 (m§l). Also 7 mell, 8 maul. [A
special application of mall} Maul j/\>, in the
17th c. taken to represent certain contemporary
senses of the F. mail, which is etymologically
identical with the Eng. word. Cf. Pall-mall.]
1. The mallet (cf. Maul sb.* 2) used in the game
of ' mall ' or ' pall-mall ' ; = Pall-mall r.
i66z Order-bk. Gen. Mouck 26 Apr. in N. <y Q. 9th Ser.
VIII. 14/2 That noe persons shall after play carry their
malls out of S. James s Parke without leave of the said
keeper. 1706 Phillips {ed. Kersey\ Mall, .. the Instru-
ment with which the Ball is struck is also called a Mall.
1711 Addison Sped. No. 195 p 1 He took an hollow Ball of
Wood. .He likewise took a Mall. 1884 J. Payne Tales Jr.
Arabic I. 123 The king's son was playing in the exercise-
ground with the ball and mall.
2. A certain game ; = Pall-mall 2.
1646 Evelyn Diary iChandos ed.) 193 Having seene this
field and play'd a game at Mall. 1675 Cotton Scoffer
Scojt 103 But playing with the Boy at Mall,.. I strooke
the Ball .. A pretty height into the Air. 1796 Morse
Amer. Geog. II. 154 The diversion [gofTJ .. resembles
that of the Mall, which was common in England in the
middle of the last century. 1868 \V. J. Whitmore Croquet
Tact. 4 The Mall received its name from having been
appropriated to the purpose of playing at mall.
MALL.
fb. Applied to polo; = Pall-mall 2 b. Obs.
1662 J. Davies tr. Olearius' Voy. Antbass. 297 A certain
Game, which the Persians call Kuitskaukan, which is a kind
of Mall. 1687 A. Lovell tr. Thez'enot's Trav. 11. 79 There
are two Hanks, .which serve for playing at the mall on hor>e
back, and the bowl must go betwixt those Banks.
3. The alley in which the game of ' mall ' was
played. -Pall-mall 3.
1644 EVELYN Diary 2 May, The mall [at Tours] without
comparison is the noblest in Europe. . . Here we play'd
a party or two. a 1687 Waller On St. James's Park
64 No sooner has he touched the flying ball But 'tis
already more than half the Mall. 1687 R. Fkbrier Jrnl.
34 (Camd. Soc. Misc. IX.), There are several handsome
walks, one whereof .. is a decayed Mell. 1706 Phillips
(ed. Kersey s. v., The Instrument .. is also termed a Mall,
and the Place where the Gamesters play. 1812 Cohbett in
Examiner 19 Oct. 671/1 Noble Ladies, who graciously con-
descended to become housekeepers and sweepers of malls.
4. The Mall; a walk bordered by trees in St.
James's Park, London, which was originally a
* mall ' in sense 3, and was a fashionable promenade
in the 17-iSthc. f High Mall; the time when the
throng of promenaders in the Mall was at its height ;
also trans/., ? a fashionable assembly in the open air.
1674 J. D. little) The Mall: or the Modish Lovers. A
Comedy. Ibid. 1. ii, I will be in the Mall, as soon as it
begins to lie dark, if I can get from my husband. 1676
IJ'L'kfey Mad. Fickle in. i, You may repair that inconve-
nience in the Mall to night Sir. 1706 Reflex, upon Ridi-
cule 128 We see them in the Maul and in the Park walking,
giggling, with their sparks. 1710 Palmer Proverbs 203
The intrigues of the mall and the playhouse. 171a Sped.
No. 437 p 4 Were you to see Gatty walk the Park at high
.Mall. 1727 Viy.lwxg LoT'eiu Sev.ilfasq. 1. iv, Well, gentle-
men, are you for the Mall this morning? 1752 A. Murphy
Gray's Inn Jrnl. No. 9 In St. James's Park, at high Mall, on
Sunday next. Ibid., High Mall at the Bedford Coffee- House
To-morrow Evening. 1775 Sheridan Rir-als 11. i, I've tra-
velled like a comet, with a tail of dust ..as long as the Mall.
1778 [W. Marshall] Mimtics Agric, Digest 5 She re-
sembles a. .cottage-bred Country-housewife, .parading the
Mall of Taste amidst modern Petits-Maitres. 1816 J. Scott
Vis. Paris (ed. 5) 64 He appeals to the smooth and level
mall, and the carefully preserved canal of St. James's Park,
b. transf. A sheltered walk serving as a pro-
menade ; in some towns adopted as a proper name.
fCf. F. mail, used in various towns for a shaded walk,
which in many instances was orig. an alley for playing mall.]
1737 Karl of Oxford in Portland Papers (Hist. MSS.
Comm.) VI. 169 The churchyard is well planted, the walks
gravelled ; this is the Mall for the beaux and belles of
Chelmsford. 1752 Mrs. Dblanv Lett., to Mrs. Denies 134
It is the mall of Drogheda. 1808 Norfolk Tour, Nonvuk
(ed. 6) 248 The new walk or mall from the bars by the work-
house to Gannock-gates. 1838 Longf. in Life (1891) I. 298
Afterwards walked in the Mall [Boston, U. S.] in the cool
of the evening. 1883 F. M. Crawford Mr. Isaacs i. 7
Such of the changing crowd on the verandah and on the
mall [at Simla] as caught my attention.
5. Comb., as (sense 1) mall-maker \ (sense 3)
mall-kee/>er.
1708 Luttrf.ll Brief Rcl. (1857) VI. 354 Mrs. Masham,
mall keeper of St. James's Park, worth 500/. per ann. 1901
T. J. Jrakf.s in N. $ Q. 9th Ser. VII. 353/1 The mall-maker's
shop was on the same road.
Mall-. Hist, rare"1, [ad. med.L. mallumt
-us; see Mallum and Mail sb.~] A convention
or assembly among the Franks.
1855 Milman Lat. Ckr, iv. x. (iS^'i II. 441 Councils,
which had been as frequent as diets or malls, ceased.
Mall : see Maul, Maw.
Mallagatoon, obs. form of Melocoton.
Mallan, obs. form of Malm.
Mallancoly, obs. form of Mklaxcholy.
Mallander,Mallany : sccMalandek, Malmv.
Mallard (marllid). Forms : 4 maular, 4-5
mawlard, maulard e, 4-6 malarde, 4, 8 malard,
5 malerde, mavelard, maud-, mawdelard(e,
5-6 mallarde, 6 mallert, mallerde, 7 mallerd,
mallet, 4- mallard, [a. OF. malart, mallart
wild drake; of obscure origin.
The conjecture given in Hatz.-Darm. that it represents the
OHG. male proper name Made/ hart is remarkably sup-
ported by the evidence of the Eng. form maud-, mawdelard,
which, however, has not been found in OK. The bird may I
under this name have figured as a personage in some lost j
example of the Germanic ' beast-epic '. Another hypothesis is
that the word Is f. OK. masle, male Malk/i. 4- -«>Y,-akd", but j
against this there is the objection that the form maslart does
not occur until late, though the word is recorded from the ,
iattac.1
1. The male of the wild duck (A?tas boscas)* •
f Formerly often applied also to the male of the ;
domesticated variety ; m Dkake2.
c 1330 Arth. $ Merl. 4140 pe cherl bent his bowe sone & l
smot a doke mididone, & wip a bolt afterward Anon he hitt
a maulard. 14.. i'oc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 563/46 Anatus,
a mallard. 1533-4 Ac* 25 Hen- VI 1 1% c. n § 1 Duckes,
mallardes, wigeons, teales, wildgeeseand diuers other kinde
of wildfowle. 1601 Holland Pliny II. 383 To stay a flux
of the belly, the bloud of Mallards or Drakes is thought also
to be singular good. 1606 Shaks. Ant. <y CI. in. x. 20 The
Noble ruine of her Magicke, Anthony, Claps on his Sea- ;
wing, and (like a doting Mallard) ..flyes after her. 1776 Ann. I
Reg. 152 The old duck left them Ithe eggs], but soon after
returned with the maUard. 1861 G. F. Berkeley Sportsm.
W. Prairies xx. 332, I walked to within shot of some
straggling wild ducks, and killed a very fine mallard. _ 1893
Newton Diet. Birds 168 Technically the term Duck is re-
stricted to the female, the male being called Drake, and
in one species Mallard.
88
2. Used for either sex : A wild drake or duck.
I t Formerly also applied to the domestic variety.
1314 in Wardr. Ace. 8 Ediv. II 21/12, 1 mallard 4^/.
1348 Durham Ace. Rolls (Surtees) 43 In v Mallard do-
| mestic. et v Mallard de Ryuer et xiiij perdicibus, WVys. xd.
i ob. c 1400 Siege of "Troy 1070 in Archiv neu. Spr. LXXII.
j 38 Plover, partriche and wyld P.ores. .With Malardes wylde
1 and fesaunt. c 1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 181 Anoynte be
\ placewib grece of a maulard. C1420 Liber Cocorum (1862)
^ 27 With bo grece of bo mawdelarde bou sethe horn, c 1440
Promp. Parv. 323 '1 Malarde, byrde <or mavelarde). i486
I Bk. St. Albans d ij b, Take a tame Malarde and set hym
in a fayr playn. 1502 Arnolds Chrou. 91 Also yf ony per-
| sone kepe or norrysh hoggis oxen kyen or mallardis with
in the ward in noyng of ther neyhbours. 1657 Tomlinson
Renou's Disp. 1. viii. 13 The Mallet [rendering of L. anas],
1751 Johnson Rambler No. 138 ? 8 Shooting mallards in the
fens. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. III. 2S3 The Mallard is
probably the stock of which our tame breed is the product.
i860 Gosse Rom. Nat. Hist. 199 Our own wild-duck or
mallard is a shy bird. 1894 J. Skelton Table-t. Shirley
(1895) 64 The frost is so hard that woodcock and mallard are
driven from inland copses and marshes to the open springs.
b. The flesh of this bird.
c 1440 Douce MS. 55 If. 14 Cast it in a pott and fressh
broth, .and of canell and [dropping Hurl. 4016] of the ma-
larde Si lete hem buille. 14.. in Househ. Ord. (1790) 441
Sause neyger for Maudelard roasted. 1513 Bk. Keruynge
in Babces Bk. 278 In the fyrst course, potage, befe, . .
with goose, capon, mallarde, swanne, or fesande. 1555 W.
, W^atreman Far die Facions 1. v. 53 Quaile, and mallard,
are not but for the richer sorte. 1607 Dkkkkr & Webster
Westw. Hoe 1. i, They, .loue Mallard and Teale in the fall,
and Woodcocke in winter.
e. alt rib., as mallard drake.
1772 J. R. Forstfr in Phil. Tram. LXII. 419 Anas. 53
Boschas. .Mallard Drake.
3. The Mallard: a festival celebrated on the
14th Jan. at All Souls College, Oxford (see quots.).
Also at I rib.
1632 Am1. Abbot in M. Burrows Worthies All Souls viii.
(1874) 126 Civil men should never so far forget themselves
under pretence of a foolish Mallard as to do things barbarously
unbecoming. 1722-3 Hi-arse Diary 18 Jan., Last Monday,
the 14th inst.. .was All Souls college Mallard, at which time
'tis usual with the fellows and their friends to have a supper,
and to sit up all night drinking and singing. Their song is
the mallard, and formerly they used to ramble about the
college with sticks and poles, &c. in cpuest of the mallard.
. .They tell you the custom arose from a swinging old mal-
lard, that had been lost at the foundation of the college, and
found many years after in the sink. 1801 Bi>. Heber Let.
15 Jan. in Life \ 1 830) I. 25 A very severe cold which I caught
by getting out ofbed..tosee the celebration of the famous
All Souls' mallard feast.. . I had thus a full view of the Lord
Mallard and about forty fellows, in a kind of procession on
the library roof. 1899 C. G. Robertson All Souls Coll.
102 The song of the mallard \which is still sung at the col-
lege Gaudies).
Mallardite (mce-lajdait). Min. [Named, by
A. Carnot, 1S79, alter E. Mallard; see -ite.] A
hydrous sulphate of manganese, found in colourless,
fibrous masses (Chester Vict. Navies Min. 1S96).
1883 Meddle in Encycl. Brit. XVI. 401/2.
Mallassus, obs. form of Molasses.
Mallatto, obs. form of MULATTO.
Malle, obs. f. Mailj^.3, Maul s6At sb.2 and v.
Malleability (mxd^abi'litt). [f. Malle-
able 4- -it v.] The property of being malleable.
1690 Locke Hum. Und. m. vi. § 6. 210 Supposing the
nominal Essence of Gold, to be a Body of such a peculiar
Colour and Weight, with Malleability and Fusibility. 1762
tr. Busching's Syst. Geog. I. 45 The Noble metals are Ixxiies
of the greatest Malleability. 1830 Herschel Stud. Nat.
Phil. 238 Malleability is again another quality of solids,
especially metals, quite distinct from toughness. 1890 Sir
K. Abel Pres. Addr. Brit. Assoc, in Nature 4 Sept., The
existence in steel of proportions [of manganese] ranging
from o"i up to about 2*75 per cent, improves its strength
and malleability.
b. fig. Capacity for being fashioned or adapted.
1877 Burroughs Taxation 402 Malleability. . is one of the
. .characteristics of the common law. 1880 Oltda Moths I.
viii. 190 You are old-fashioned, pedantic, unpleasant, .. you
have no malleability.
IMCalleable (mse'lfiftb'l), a. Also 4-6 malli-
able, 5 malyable, mallyable, 7 malable, S mai-
lable, [a. OF. malleable t ad. I.. *malteabil-iss f.
L. malleare to Mallfate : see -able.]
1. Having the property (possessed by certain
substances, esp. metals) of being deprived of form
by hammering or pressure, without a tendency or
capacity to return to it, or to fracture.
Malleable iron ; iron which has been decarburized by oxi-
dation under prolonged heat and rendered capable of being
malleated in a slight degree.
c 1386 Chaucer Can. \ 'eom. Prol. $ T. 577 Make as good
siluer and as fyn As ther is any in youre purse or myn. .and
make it malliable. < 1407 Lvin;. Reas. fi,- Sens. 6814 Men
ban nat maken yt plicable Nor forge yt to be Malliable.
c 1450 Lydg. & Burgh Secrees 2125 Science nor Crafft
to hym was delectable, but to forge malyable mataylle.
1568 Grafton Chron. I. 123 A certeyn craftes man had
found out the Art of. .melting of Glasse in such sort, as he
made the same malliable. 1692 Luttkell Brief Ret. (1857) 1
II. 365 An invention to melt and make malleable a sort of
oar found among the tinn mines. 1794 Sullivan View Nat.
I. 469 Metals are malleable or ductile under the hammer. ]
1822 Imison Sci. <V Art II. 95 Zinc is very little malleable,
except when heated. 1825 J. Nicholson Operat. Mechanic
650 The ease with which cast-iron can be made into any
required shape has.. given to rails of that material a de-
cided superiority over those of malleable-iron. 1881 Sir J.
Evans Anc. Bronze Inipl. 11 One alloy of copper and tin is
MALLEE.
I rendered most malleable by rapid cooling. 1889 G. Findlay
! Eng. Railway 40 The first malleable iron rail was patented
by J. Birkenshaw, in 1820. 1898 Engineering Mag. XVI.
105 Examples, .are found in malleable -iron castings.
U b. In etymological sense. Of stone : That
may be dressed with a hammer.
1665 J. V/ ebb Stone-Heug (1725* 209 When the Stones were
once down. . . Men might, as they found them more or less
malleable, for their own Ad vantage., make Use of them.
2. trans/, andy?^. Capable of being fashioned
or adapted.
1612 Ld. Rochester in Bncclench MSS. (Hist. MSS.
Comm.) I. 119 Your enemies have objected, .that you are too
violent, which signifies in Court language not malleable to
their use. 1663 Butler Hud. 1. i. 182 He. .could tell. .Who
first made Musick malleable. 1796 Hi rke Regie. Peace
iii. 32 We grow more malleable under their blows. 1802
VVolcot (P. Pindar) Horrors Bribery Wks. 1812 V. 211
Courtiers .. Were made of very malleable matter. 1849
H. Rogers Ess. (1874) I. 227 To seize a language in its
rude state, and compel it., to become a malleable material of
thought, is the exclusive prerogative of the highest species
of minds. 1882 Times 21 July 10 The Chancellorship of the
Duchy so remoulded would cease to be malleable; it would
cease to be caf&ble of discharging unappropriated duties.
Malleableize.malleablize (mse li^ab'laiz),
v. [f. prec. + -izk.] trans. To render malleable.
1882 in Ogilvte. 1884 C. G W. Lock Workshop Receipts
Ser. in. 251/2 The castings will be full of small holes after
they have been malleableized.
Malleableness (marl/^ab'lnes). [Formed as
prec. + -ness.] ■= Malleability.
1644 Prerogative Anatomized 6 It was conceiv'd that the
tame Kingdome of England . . would quickly coole again, and
be redue'd to its former malleablenesse. 1690 Locke Hum.
Und. in. x. (1695) 283 Malleableness. .is inseparable from
the real Essence of Gold. 1731 in Bailey (vol. II.).
Mallear (marl/iai), a. [ad. mod.L. malledris,
f. Malleus.] Pertaining to the malleus.
1889 in Syd. Soc. Lex.
Malleate (marl/Vt), a. Z00L [ad. mod.L.
malledt-ns, f. Malleus.] Furnished with a malleus.
1884 C. T. Hudson in Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. XXIV. 351.
1886 Hudson & Gosse Rotifera I. 31 Hydatinadx. .trophi
malleate.
Malleate (mre-l^t), v. Now rare. [f. L.
Mallcal-, y>p\. stem of malleare, f. malle-us hammer.]
trans. To beat with a hammer ; spec, to beat (metal)
thin or flat.
1597 A. M. tr. Guillemeaus Fr. Ckirurg. 51/1 Allthoughe
the same [corslet] be beaten and malleated ^mothe agayne.
J599 — *r. Gabclhouers Bk. Physicke 113/2 Take it out,
and malleate it till it wexe as thin as the backe of a
knife. 1659 Gauden Slight Heaters (1660) 55 A crackt
silver vessell, is sooner sodered and new burnished, then a
new one malleated out of the rough mass or wedge of metal.
1713 Derham Phys.-Theol. v. i. 307 Tubal-Cain was .. the
first that found the Art of Melting and Malleating Metals.
absol. 1659 Stanley Hist. Philos. xm. (1701) 580/1 Some
Metals,, .by reason of the solidity they had acquired, might
be made fit to malleate, or to strike, or for other uses.
fig. 1627-47 Fei.tham/?<*W7'«ii. xcix.447 Many have been
abused, by being malleated in their troublesome fear. 1660
Gauden GocTsGt. Demonstr. iS Some points may by long
Orations be dike gold) malleated and extended tosuchgreat
latitudes of diffused expressions, as make them verycomber-
som. 1647 Faringdon Serm. (1672) I. 413 We cannot find one
[circumstance] which was not as a hammer to malleate and
soften his stony heart. 1647 **• Moke Song of Soul 111.
App. xxx, And pox and pestilence do malleate.
Malleated (mx-l/V'^d),///. a. rare. [f. prec.
+ -ed I.] Wrought with a hammer ; also, marked
or dented as with a hammer.
1656 Blount Gtossogr., Malleated, .. wrought or beaten
with the hammer or beetk-. 1881 Watson in Jrnl. Linn.
Soc. XV. 246 The surface is faintly malleated in a somewhat
disorderly fashion.
Malleation (ma-l/i^Jan). [ad. late L. mal-
leation-em, f. malleare: see Malleate v.]
1. The action of malleating or condition of being
malleated. Now rare.
1596 Plat Jeivell-ho. m. 85 Abiding both the touch, mal-
leation, and coppell. 1610 B. Jonson Aid/. 11. v, St-/:
What's the proper passion of Mettalls? Fac. Malleation.
1696 |. EoWAftDB Demonstr. Exist. God 1. 139 An ounce of
it may be bo extended by malleation, that it will take up
ten acres. 1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) II. 104 An ag-
glutinated mass susceptible of Malleation.
fg. 1654 Gavton Pleas. A'otes 111. i. 67 His Squire, who by
often malleations . . and threshings, might in good time be
beaten out into the forme of a gentileman. 1792 Sir P.
Francis Let. 21 Jan. in Burke's Corr. (1844) III. 377 Some
of us .. have been humming our brains for an inscription ;
but what signifies malleation without fire?
2. A mark or dent resembling one produced by
hammering on metal.
1881 Watson in Jrnl. Linn. Soc. XV. 246 Besides the
larger system of malleations there is a second system a good
deal smaller and more irregular.
3. Path. A convulsive disorder characterized by
the hammering one part of the body against another;
occurring as a symptom in chorea and insanity.
1822-34 Good's Study Med. (ed. 4) III. 394 The convul-
sion is often accompanied with a peculiar kind of percussion
. . resembling the malleation we have already had occasion
to describe. \^^Allbutt'>s Syst. Med. VIII. 106 A patient
may be constantly making bowing movements (salutation
spasm >, or hammering (malleation).
Mallecho: see Miching malicho.
llMallee1 (mg*!/'. Anglo-Indian. Also 8-9
molly, 9 ruoUie, mollee, mtillie, mali, maul(ly).
MALLEE.
89
MALLOW.
[Hindi jndlf.] One of the gardener caste in India ;
hence any native gardener.
1759 Wages tariff \\\ Long Set. Sec, Ft. William (1869)
1S2 (Y.) House Molly. .2 Ks. 1810 T. Williamson E. hut
Vade Mecum I. 261 The Manly, or gardener, next claims
attention. Ibid. 263 It would surprize an European to see
with what precision maullies sow and cover their seeds.
a 1825 D. Johnson Observ. Dis. India in Good Study
Med. (1825) III. 425 Such people as have their feet and
hands frequently in cold water or earth, such as . . Dobys
(washerwomen) and Mollies (gardeners) in the upper pro-
vinces of India. 1879 Mrs. A. E.James Ind. Housch. Man-
agem. 63 We soon got a mallee, or gardener, and a garden-
coolie. 1886 R. Kipling Departnu Ditties (1899) 34 He shall
see the inallie steals the slab For currie-gnnder, and for
goats the grass.
Mallee a (m8e*l*). Als0 malle- [Native
Australian.] Any one of several scrubby species
of eucalyptus which flourish in the desert parts of
South Australia and Victoria; esp. Eucalyptus
dumosa and E. oleosa. Also, the ( scrub' or thicket
formed by these trees. Mallee bird, fowl, hen,
an Australian mound-bird, Leipoa ocellata.
1848 W. Westgarth Austral. Felix 73 Laap, a sweet
exudation from the leaf of the mallee {Eucalyptus dumosa).
1857 Howitt Taltangettaxn. II. 2 This Mallee scrub. .con-
sists of a dense wood of a dwarf species of gum-tree. 1898
' R. Boldrewood ' Rom. Cauvass Tozvn 37 Far off, amidst
the sea-like expanse of the mallee.. rise sombre, sharply-
defined peaks and ranges.
Mallei, pi. of Malleus.
Malleiform (mx-Utfpim), a. [ad. mod.L.
malleiform-is, f. malleus hammer : see -form.]
Having the form of a hammer.
1856 in Mayne Expos. Lex, 1877 Huxley Anat. Inv.
Anim. v. 238 In some species of Polynue, the parapodiagive
rise.. to large, richly ciliated, malleiform tubercles.
Mallein (m^e-b'|in). Also -ine. [f. L. malle-us
glanders + -in.] A sterilized culture of the bacillus
of glanders, used for the inoculation of that disease.
1892 Daily News 29 Sept. 6/6 They [sc. glandered horses] are
inoculated by him with a virus called malleine. 1902 G. S.
Woodhead in Fncycl. Brit. XXXI/532/1 The glanders ba-
cillus grows best in the presence of oxygen ;. . it then appears
to have the power of forming toxin. . . This poison (mallein)
is used for the purpose of diagnosing the presence of glan-
ders, /bid , The mallein test.
Mallemaro'king. Naul. [f.Du. mallemerok
foolish woman, tomboy, f. mal foolish + merok,
marok, marot, a. F. ?narotte * object of foolish
affection ' (Littr6).] (See quot.)
1867 Smyth Sailor's ll'ord-bk., Mallemarokhig, the visiting
and carousing of seamen in the Greenland ships.
II Mallemuck. Also 7-8 mallemucke, 9 mal-
lemak, -muk(ke, mollymawk, -maulk, malle-
moke, -mock, -muk, malmock. [a. Du. mallemok,
f. mal foolish + mok gull ; cf. the synonymous
??iallemeeuw. Hence G. mallemuck (1675), F.
malamoque^\ The fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis ;
also applied to other similar or nearly related birds.
1694 tr. Marten's Voy. Spitzb. (1711) 100 Of the Malle-
mucke. a 1705 Ray Syu. method. Avium (1713) 130 Wagel-
lus Cornubiensium.. Mallemuck. 1776 Pennant Zool. II.
464. 1815 J. Laing Voy. Spitzbergen (1822) 81 The Green-
landeis account the flesh of the Mallemukke good food.
1880 Standajd 20 May 3 Flocks of mallemokes. 1892 E.
Reeves Homeward Bound 103 Cape pigeons and molly-
mawks. 1898 Spectator 13 Aug. 208 The ' mallyinoke ', which
comes nearest to the albatross in size and beauty.
Malle nder, obs. form of Malander.
Mallengyn, variant of Malengin Obs.
Malleo-incudal (mx-b^inki^-dal),^ Anat.
[f. 7/ia/leo-, Malleus + L. incud-em Incus + -al.]
Pertaining jointly to the malleus and the incus.
1877 Burnett Ear 75 The articulating surfaces for the
malleo-incudal joint.
Malleolar (maebVlii, mce-hVlaj), et. Anat.
[f. Malleol-us + -ar.] Pertaining to the malleolus.
1842 E. Wilson Auat. I'ade M. (ed. 2) 325 The malleolar
arteries are distributed to the ankle-joint. 1890 Gr\y Anat,
(ed. 12) 591 The malleolar arteries supply the ankle-joint.
II Malleolus (m&UVlys). PI. -i. Also in
Anglicized form malleol. [L. malleolus^ dim. of
malleus hammer.]
1. Anat. Either of the two bony eminences of
the leg bone at the ankle. (The internal malleus
belongs to the tibia, the external m. to the fibula.)
1693 lUancard's Phys. Diet. (ed. 2), Malleolus or Malleus,
is Twofold, external, . . Or internal, . . these make the Ancle.
1758 J. S. tr. Le Dran's Observ. Surg. (1771) 355 The
external Malleol remained very large. 1879 St. George's
Hosp, Rep, IX. 742 It is also very bad. .behind the malleoli,
especially the internal malleolus. 1893 A. S. Eccles Sciatica
9 Between the inner malleolus and the heel.
2. Hort. A layer which when separated from the
parent stem presents a hammer-shape.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Malleolus,, .a Sprout growing
out of a Branch, which grew out it self but the Year before.
1839 Lindley Introd. Bot. (ed. 3) 84 The layer was called
malleolus, which literally signifies a hammer.
t 3. Antiq. A kind of fire-dart. Obs.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Malleoli, were certain Devices
made of combustible Matter. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp.
1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) X. 480/2.
Malleoramate (ma?l/>,r,?i'mc[t'), a. Zool. [f.
malleo-, used as comb, form of Malleus + Ram-us
Vol. VI.
+ -ate3.] In rotifers : Having the mallei fixed by
unci to the rami.
1884 C. T. Hudson in Q. Jrnt. Microsc. Sci. XXIV. 352.
1886 Hudson & Gosse Kotijera I. 30 Melicertidee . . trophi
malleo-ramate.
Malles, obs. form of Malice.
Mallet (mre'let), sb.1 Forms: 5 mai^et,
mailet, maylet(te, -leot, -lat, 5-6 maillot, 6
mayllet, mallette, 6-7 malet, 6- mallet, [a. F.
maillet wooden hammer, dim. of mail Maul sbX\
1. A kind of hammer, normally of wood, but
sometimes of other materials, smaller than a maul
or beetle. It has many diverse forms, according
to the purpose for which it is used.
The mason's mallet is a broad, nearly cylindrical mass of
wood, with a short handle set perpendicularly in the middle
of the upper surface, and is used for driving a cold chisel ;
a similar implement is used for driving wedges. The
carpenter's mallet for driving a chisel or gouge has usually
a massive square or barrel-shaped head.
c 1425 Wyntoun Chron. in. i. 104 pe nayl pan til his hewide
scho set, And straikon fast wibe bat maillet. C1440 Tronip.
Parv. 323/1 Malyet, betyl. c 1475 Pict. Foe. in Wr.-Wiilcker
805/16 Hie porticulus, a maylat. 1523 Fitzherb. Hush,
§ 136 A mallet to dryue the knyfe and thy wedge in-to the
tree. 1560 Daus tr. Sleidmie's Cowm. 343 b, The bishop
striketh on the gate with a golden mallet. 1577 B. Googe
/leresbacli's Hush, n. (1586) 108 b, For Pullies . . and
Mallettes, the meetest are the wilde Oliue, the Boxe. 1600
Holland Livy xxvii. xlix. 664 A carpenters chissell and
a mallet. 1660 Hoyle New Exp. Phys. Mech. xx. 146
The Vessel.. was warily.. struck in divers places with a
Wooden Mallet. 1666 Dryden^ww. Mirab. cxlvi, Their
left hand does the caulking-iron guide, The rattling mallet
with the right they lift. 1683 Moxon Mech. Exerc. II. 30
Printers Mallets have a Cilindrick Head, and a round
Handle. 1720 Gay Poems (1745) I. 34 The weighty mallet
deals resounding blows. 1828 Scott Tales Grandfather
Ser. 11. xviii, Mitchell, .endured nine blows of the mallet with
the utmost fnmness. 1844 H.Stf.I'HF-ns Bk. Farm i26oThe
stake e is driven into the ground by the wooden mallet, i860
Eng. <y For. Mitt. Gloss. (Cornw. Terms), Mallet, an instru-
ment used with the borer. 1873 Knight Diet. Mech. II.
1749 s.v. Plugger, The electric mallet is an automatic dental
instrument for condensing the filling or plug in a tooth by
a rapid succession of strokes imparted by means of electro-
magnetism. 1895 Arnold & Sons Catal. Surg, histr. 107
Mallet for use with Osteotomy Chisel, boxwood.
b. Games, (a) The wooden hammer used for
striking the balls in the game of croquet ; also
trans/, (with qualifying adj.), one who wields the
mallet, a croquet-player. (b) The ' stick ' used
at polo.
1868 Chambers's Encycl. X. 483/2 [Croquet] The Mallets
should be light and handy; with ash shafts, and boxwood or
ash heads. The heads of the mallets are of various shapes —
as the dice-box, which is the most common shape ; the plane-
convex, the hammer-head, and the cue-shape. 1877 Mar.
M. Grant Sun-Maid ix, liube was the 'crack ' mallet of the
[croquet] club. 1868 Holme Lee B. Godfrey lxi, She . . dropped
her mallet. 1897 Outing (U.S.) XXX. 483/1 The mallets or
sticks [in Polo] are generally of malacca cane.
c. slang. The fist.
1821 Sporting Mag. VIII. 234 PoweL.went to work with
his mallets at a tremendous rate.
*f-d. Phrase. As sad (i.e. dull) as any mallet.
1645 Milton Colast. Wks. 1851 IV. 357, I amaze me,
though the fancy of this doubt be as obtuse and sad as any
mallet, how the Licenser could sleep out all this.
*f*e. fig. A person or agency that smites, beats
down or crushes. Obs. [After L. malleus, F. mail-
let : cf. Hammer sb. 1 b.]
1525 Lu. Berners Froiss. II. clxxxvi. [clxxxii.] 232 The
malettes were laide downe, to the entent to kepe vnder the
parisyence. 1561 T. Norton Calvin's Inst. n. v. (1634) 138
Sometimes like a mallet, to strike the Israelites. 1577-87
Holinshed Chron. (1807-8) II. 430 A verie mallet of such
strangers as sought preferment in this realme by the popes
provisions. 1384 R. Scot Discov. Witchcr. xvi. i. (1886) 396
The booke called A Mallet to braine witches. 1823 [see
Malletek].
f 2. A mace. Obs.
c 1475 Partenay 4698 A [s]quare maillet the Geant gan
bold. Ibid. 4716 No-thyng was he wurth, right noght
myght he do, Where cursedly had done with his maillet
soo. c 1500 Melitsine 329 The Geaunt..held in his hand
a gret mayllet. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. cccxcvii.
278 b, Also they had seruantes right well harnessed, bearynge
great malettes of yron and stele, to confounde helmes.
f3. Antiq. = Malleolus 3. Obs.
1541 Paynel Catiline, Cicero's Orat. xviii. 32 b, Let them
leaue lying in awayte about the consuls house,, .to prepare
mallettes and torches to set fyre on the citie. /bid. note,
Mallettes were lyke arrowes whiche were caste burnynge.
4. A distemper in cattle. ? Obs.
1600 Surflet Country Farm 1. xxiii. 132 The stithie,
hapning to the oxe, being otherwise called a mallet or
hammer. 1688 R. Holme Armouty 11. 172/2 Diseases in
Cows. ..The Stithie, or the Mallet, or Hammer.
5. Anat. m Malleus i.
1796 in Nemnich Polygtotten-Lex. v. 1877 Burnett Ear
68 The malleus, or mallet, received its name from Vesalius.
6. attrib. and Comb., as mallet-form , -head, -pate,
-paw; mal let- shaped w§.\ f mallet-fish (seequot.);
mallet-flower, any plant of the genus Tupistra
(Cent. Diet.) ; mallet -headed (oyster) , an oyster
of the genus Malleus ; mallet-shoot, a hammer-
shaped slip of a tree or shrub for planting.
1611 Cotgr,, Cag-uole, the rauenous, and ougly dogfish,
called (of the fashion of his head) the "Mallet-fish, a 1697
Aubeev Lives, Hobbes (1898) I. 348 His head was . . of
a "mallet-forme (approved by the physiologers). 1707-12
I Mortimer Husb. (1721) II. 59 Which Wood is useful for..
I "Mallet-heads [etc.]. .being very hard and durable. 1897
I Outing (U .S.) XXX. 483/1 The mallet-head now used [in
Polo] is generally cigar-shaped, 2 inches thick and 8 or 9
inches long. I753ChambersC>7.6'/.'//>.s.v. Ostrea,'l'he mal-
1 leum, or brachiated oister ; called the "mallet-headed oister.
: 1823 Blackiv. Mag. XIV. 520 As for the "mallet-pate, pii>-
I eye Chinese. 1902 N. Howard Kiartan 50 What ! Art thou
\ mum? Old tramp, old "mallet-paw [addressing Th or]. 1901
N. $ Q. 9th Ser. VIII. 215/1 A "mallet-shaped head for
i driving in the stakes of the sheepfold. 1745 tr. Cohtmel/a^s
\ Husb. in. xvii, They so planted the ' mallet-shoot, that some
. part of the old branch did stick to the young one. 1879 Lewis
& Short Lat. Diet., Malleolus,, .a mallet-shoot for planting.
t Mallet, sb£ Obs. rare^1. In mod. Diets.
I malet. [ad. Sp. maieta = ¥. mallette, dim. of malle
Mail sb.:i] A little bag or portmanteau.
1612 Shelton Quix. in. ix. (1620) 207 Sancho past ouer
the mallet, without leauing a corner of it, or the cushion
vnsearched. 1847 Webster (citing Shelton), Malet, a little
bag or budget ; a portmanteau.
Mallet (ma-let), v. Obs. exc. arch. [lMallkt
, sb.l] trans. To beat, hammer ; lit. and fig.
1594 Lvlv Mother Bombie 11. i. 59 (Bond) My head is full
of hammers, and they haue so mafetted my wit, that I am
almost a malcontent, a 1633 Austin Medit. (1635) 108
They Malletted him with their cruell Fists; as if he had bin
Brasse indeede. 1 1840 Mrs. Browning Lett, to R. //. Home
(1877) I. iii. 19 Your Elizabethan fashion of malleting down
your metaphors., produces a diction of extraordinary power.
Mallet, erron. form of Mallahd.
Malleted (nire-leted), ppl. a. [f. Mallkt v. +
'■. -kd',] a. Fixed as if by hammering, b. Struck
with a mallet.
1582 Stanvhlrst JEneis in. (Arb.) 91 His oane light.
That stood in his lowring front gloommish malleted onlye.
1833 Mrs. Browning Prometh. Bound Poems 1850 I. 145
The clank of the iron, the malleted blow.
Malleter (mse'letai). nonce-iud. [f. Mallkt
■ v. + -ek 1. j One who beats, as with a mallet.
1823 Btackw. Mag. XIV. 212 You ask me to be the
. .reviewer of the reviews- the mallet of the nialleters.
Malleting (mse'letirj), vbl. sb. [f. Mallkt v.
+ -ing !.] The action of striking with a mallet.
1872 L. I'. Meredith Teeth (1878) 87 In filling very large
■ cavities requiring a great deal of pressure and malleting,
there is [etc.].
Malleurite, variant of Malkurte Obs.
II Malleus (mae-l^^s). Anat. PI. -ei (-^ai).
[L, : lit. 'hammer'.]
1. The outermost of the three small bones (mal-
leus, incus, and stapes) in the ear of mammals,
which transmits the vibrations of the tympanum
to the incus or ' anvil ' : = Hammer 2 d.
1669 Holder Elem. Speech 162 The Malleus lies along
fixed to the Tympanum. 1705 Phil. Trans. XXV. 1982
The head of the Malleus lyes hid in the beginning of the
: Sinus Mastoideus. 1761 P. Morant ibid. LII. 264 A
young lad.. had the malleus of each ear..dropt out. 1840
G. V. Ellis Anat. 284 The laxator tympani, or great
external muscle of the malleus. 1881 Mivart Cat 299 One
such suspends the Malleus from the wall of the tympanum.
2. One of two organs of the ' trophi ' or mouth-
apparatus in Rotifera, which work upon the incus.
1850 Gosse in Trans. Microscop. Soc. (1852) III. 94 The
implements of mastication, .consist of two bent jaws, which
work upon a central table, and have been likened to a pair
! of hammers working on an anvil ; I shall therefore name the
\ working arms the mallei, and the central table the incus.
1877 Huxley Anat. /nv. Anim. iv. 188. 1888 Roli.eston &
I Jackson Anim. Life 633.
3. Zool. A genus of molluscs of the family Avi-
\ culidse (Hammer-shells or Hammer-oysters).
1839 Penny Cycl. XIV. 334/2. 1878 Bell Gegenbaur's
■ Cotnp. Anat. 329 Malleus, Avicula, [etc.] .. have an organ
! [byssus-secreting gland] of this kind.
Mallice, obs. form of Malice.
Mallico: see Miching malicho.
Malligo, Mallilla, obs. ff. Malaga, Manille.
t Maflok e. Obs. [repr. Irish mallacht, a. L.
J maledict- (see Malediction) : cf. ON. hjannak
I (once) from Irish bennacht benediction.] Cursing.
a 1300 E. E. Psalter ix. 28 Of whas mallok \v. r. malloke,
i malloc] his mouth ful is. /bid. xiii. 3, cviii. 16.
Mallophagan (mad^fagan), a. and sb. Zool.
[Formed as next: see -ax.] a. adj. =next. b.
I sb. An individual of the group Mallopkaga.
In mod. Diets.
MallophagOUS (mceV'iagss), a. Ent. [f.
: mod.L. mallophag-us, pi. (f. Gr. ftaWos lock of
j wool + -cf>ayos that eats) + -oua.] Of an insect :
Devouring wool, hair, feathers, etc. ; applied to
\he Mallopkaga, agroup of apodous parasitic insects.
1890 A thenseum 1 1 Oct. 487/3 A specimen of Ornithomyia
avicularia,. .to which there were firmly adhering . . several
specimens of a mallophagous insect.
Mallow (mae'ltm). Forms : 1 mealuwe, mal-
wa, mealwe, mealewe, 1, 5 malwe, 3-5 malue,
! 4-5 malve, 5 maloo, malewe, 6 rnallo, malew,
malowe, 6-7 mallowe, 6- mallow. [OE. mea-
luwe wk. fern., a. L. matva ; prob. related in some
way to the synonymous Gr. pahaxy, pokoxv* C£
Du. malve, maluive, G. malve, OF. malve (mod.F.
mauve), It., Sp., Pg. matva. Cf. Maul sb.'1, Maw,]
1, (Also pi., const, as sing.) A common wild
plant, Malva sy Ivestris (N. O. Malvacsx), having
hairy stems and leaves and deeply-cleft reddish-
78
MALLOW.
purple flowers; it is very mucilaginous. Also called
Common, Field, Wild Mallow. In extended use,
any plant of the genu Malva.
c iooo >Elfbic Gloss, in Wr.-Wiilcker 135/27 Malua, malwe,
uel numiMBkilif CMO Sax. Leeclui. II. 194 Leahtric &
inealwan & hsenne flaesc. Ibid. 214 Eft wildre mealwan
seawes bry lytle bollan fullan. c 1265 I'oc. Names PI. in
Wr.-Wiilcker 559/3 Malua, inalue. c 1380 Wvclif Sertn.
Sel. Wks. II. 194 It growib to a tree, as done malues in sum
contre. c\\*o Liber Cocorvm (1862)47 Kedde nettel crop and
malues grene. C1450 ME. Med. Bk. (Heinrich) 151 Tak
bausones grece, wylde malwe.. & pimpernel. 1573 Tusser
Husb. (1878) 72 Dig garden, stroy mallow. 1573-80 Barkt
Alv. M 77 Mallowes,this herb groweth in gardens, and in vn-
tilled places. 1597 Gerarde Herbal II, ccexxxvii. 784 The
wilde Mallowe hath broade leaues somewhat rounde [etc J.
1605 B, Jomson Volpone 1. i, A thresher, .dares not taste the
smallest graine, But feedes on mallowes. 1610 Shaks.
Temp. 11. i. 144. 1611 Cotgr. s. v. Maulve, The white
Mallow. ..The field Mallow, wild Mallow; our ordinarie
Mallow. 1783 Crabbe Village 1, Hardy and high .. The
slimy mallow waves her silky leaf. 1855 Tennyson Brook
46 Many a fairy foreland set With willow-weed and mallow.
1855 E. Smith Bot. in Syst. Nat. Hist. I. 117 In the Gera-
nium and the Mallows the whole [of the stamensjare united.
1876 Harley Mat. Med. (ed. 6) 709 The Mallow is found
in most parts of Europe.
2. With qualification applied to various malva-
ceous plants : + Crisp(ed, Curled( -leaved) mal-
low, Malva crispa ; f Cut mallow = Vervain mal-
low ; Dwarf mallow, M. rotitndifolia ; French
mallow, Lavatera Olbia ; Indian mallow, (a)
Abiitilon Avicennx ; (Jb) any plant of the genera
Urena or Sida ; Rose mallow, (a) see 5 ; (£) the
genus Hibiscus, esp. //. Mosclieutos ; Shrub
(f Shrubbed, f Shrubby) mallow, Hibiscus
syriacus ; f Thorny mallow, Hibiscus Sab-
dariffa ; Tree mallow, Lavatera arborea ; Vene-
tian, Venice mallow, Hibiscus Trionum\ Ver-
vain mallow, M. Alcea\ Yellow mallow —
Indian mallow. See also Jews' mallow (JEW 3d),
Marsh mallow, Musk mallow.
c 1265 Voc Names PI. inWr.»Wfllcker 558/1 Malua cri\s\-
/>ia, sorepemalue [sic], c 1450 ME. Med. Bk. (Heinrich) 225
Tak be rote of altea,. .& be crysp malwe, & hoilealle in wyn
or in ale. 1548 Turner Names of Herbes (1881) 10 It may
be named Veruen mallowe, or cut mallowe. Ibid. 50 It is
tailed in englishe french Mallowe. 1578 Lytf. Dodoens v.
xxiv. 581 The small wilde Hocke, or Dwarffe Mallowe. 1597
Gerarde Herbal n. cccxxxviii. 788 Althxa arborescens.
Tree Mallowe. Ibid., Alth&a frntexClusii. Shrubbed Mal-
lowe. Ibid., The shrubbie Mallowe riseth vp like vnto a
hedge bush. Ibid. It. ccexxxix. 790 Althaea lutea. Yellow
Mallowe... It is called AbutHon. Ibid, cccxl. 791 Alcea
I'eregrina. Venice Mallowe. Sabdarifa. Thorney Mal-
lowe. 1611 Cotgr., Mattlve grande, the great Mallow, or
tree Mallow. 1620 VENNBS Via Recta vii. 144 The best and
wholsomest of them is the curled Mallow. 1707-ia Mor-
timer Husb. (1721) II. 180 Althaea Fruticosa, or Shrub-
Mallow. 1754 Catal. Seeds in Font. Rose of Kilravock
(Spalding Club) 427 Tree-mallow, a shrub. Ibid. 428
Curled-leaved mallow. . . Abutilon, (Indian mallow). 1760
J. Lee Introd. Bot. App. 318 Mallow, Yellow, Sida. 1785
Martym Rousseau's Bot. xxiv. 344 Dwarf Mallow. Ibid.
345 Vervain Mallow. 1846-50 A. Wood Class-bk. Bot. 207
M[alva] Crispa. Curled or Crisped -leaved Mallow. 1866
Treas. Bot., Hibiscus, the Rose-mallow family. Ibid.665/1
L[avatera] arborea, the Sea or Tree Mallow, is a common
south-west European plant.
3. = Marsh mallow, Alth&a officinalis. Called
also Water, White Mallow.
14. . in Ret. Ant. I. 53 Tak the white malue, and bryn hit.
1483 Cutli. Augl. 226/2 A Malue, altea. 1548 Turner
Names 0/ Herbes (E.D.S.) 11 Althea . . in Englishe marish
mallowe or water mallowe. 1597 Gerarde Herbal it.
cccxxxviii. 789 In English marsh Mallowe, moorish Mal-
lowe, and white Mallowe.
4. The Syrian Mallow, Hibiscus syriacus.
a 1387 Siuon. Barthol. (Anecd. Oxon.) 24 Herba siriaca,
i.malve. c 1450 Aiphita (Anecd. Oxon.) in Malua siriaca,
. .malewe. 1754 Catal. Seeds in Fam. Rose 0/ Kilravock
(Spalding Club) 427 Ketmia, (Syrian mallow). 1797 Encycl.
Brit. (ed. 3) VIII. 498/2 Hibiscus, Syrian mallow.
5. Garden or Rose Mallow, the hollyhock, AltJuva
rosea.
1577 B. Googk Heresbaclis Husb. 11. (1586) 61 It is Hol-
Hoke, or Garden Mallow. i597GERARUK//i'rZ»a/n. ccexxxvi.
782 Of the garden Mallow called Hollihocke. 1707-12 Mor-
timer Husb. 11721) II. 229 Mallows of the Garden, is a fair
large Flower,, .the time of its (lowering is in August and
September. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp. s. v. Malva, The
rose Mallow, or, as we call it, the hollyoak.
0. The leaf or fibre of the mallow used for writ-
ing upon.
1656 Cowley Davideis I. Note 54 They did anciently
write too upon Mallows. [1797 Encycl. Brit. (cd. 3) X. 504/1
Paper from the mallows may be used.]
7. attrib. and Comb., as mallow colour, family,
flower ', leaf, plant, t?-ibe, water; mallow-Jlowered
adj.; mallows red (see quot.) ; mallow rose,
Hibiscus Mosclieutos ; mallow tree = tree mallow
(see 2) ; mallow wort, a plant of the N. O. Mai'
voces.
1611 Cotgr,, Presme tf Esmaraude, a. .course Emerauld ;
. .some, .of a thicke, or troubled 'mallow colour. 1857 A.
Gray First Less. Bot. (1866) 109 In the corolla of Geranium
..and of the *MalIow Family. 1611 Cotgr., Gris viotant,
*Mallow-flowercolour. 1871 Kinuslev At Last xvi, Ochro
— a purple-stemmed *mallow-flowered plant, c 1400 Lan-
franc's Ct'rurg. 56 Take *malowe leues ft leues of violet.
1816 Hentham Chrestom. 325 A "mallow plant, with a flower
on it. 1862 O'Neill Diet. Calico Printing, etc. s.v. Mallow,
90
The ordinary ' ''mallows red ' is exactly the same as dark
! crimson. 1840 Paxton Bot. Diet., "Mallow rose, see Hibis-
cus moscliatus (sicj. 1741 Compl. Fam. -Piece 11. iii. 374
! Trees and Shrubs which are now in Flower, as. . "Mallow
j Tree, Arbor Judx [etc.l. 1846 J. Baxter Libr. Pract.
i Agric. (ed. 4) I. 125 The *mal!ow tribe are characterized by
containing, .mucilaginous matter. 1853 Hesslow Diet. Bot.
1 Terms (1856), Maivacex . . the Mallow Tribe. 1898 Eva
Lucres Gen. Nursing x. (1900) 122 *Mallow water and
camomile flower water are made in the same way. 1845
, Lindley Sch. Bot. 45 *Mallowworts, or Malvads. 1866
Treas. Bot. 665/1 Like the rest of mallowworts the Tree
Mallow contains.. mucilaginous matter.
II Mallum [nix l/>m), mallus (mce'lite). Hist.
■ [med.L. mallum, -us, ad. OFrankish *mall-t con-
tracted form of OTeut. *maplo~ (Goth, mapl meet*
1 ing-place, OE. m;i'6el meeting, discussion, OIIG.,
I OS. w/aAa/assembly, judgement, speech). CLMail
I j^.2,Mall-.] The hundred-court among the Franks.
I (By modern historians sometimes used as the name
1 of a common Germanic institution, and so attributed
! to the Anglo-Saxons.)
1844 Ld. Brougham Brit. Const, iii. (1S62) 54 There was
'. a popular infusion occasionally in the King's mallum, or
\ council. 1851 Sir F. Palgrave Norm. <y Fng. 1. 400 The
mallum, the Shire-moot, could not be convened. 1874
Stubbs Const. Hist. I. iii. § 25. 55 From the decisions of the
mallus there is no appeal, except to the king himself.
Mallure, variant of Malheur Obs.
t Mally, a. Obs. [Cf. Du. 'een regte malic
moeder', ' malle, ouwe vader' {Wh. cl. nederl. Taal,
s.v. Malar]}.).] Foolishly fond.
1592 Babington Notes Genesis xx.xiv. 5 (1596) 251 Blanda
fiairum segnes fauit indulgentia natos. A mallie father
maketh a wicked childe.
Mallyce, obs. form of Malice.
Malm(mam),^. Also4,o malme,6maund(?),
7 raaurae, mawme, mame, main, 8 raaum, mal-
lan. [OK. inealm-, in comb, mealmstan ^see 3) and
in the deriv. mealmiht sandy ; cogn.w.ON. malm-r
(Tcel. mdlmr, OSw. malmbcr, S\v., Da. malm) ore,
metal,Goth.wtf/w<jmasc.,sand; aparallel formation
from another grade of the root is OS., OHG. melm
dust; f. root *mel-, mal- to grind : see Meal*£.]
1. a. A soft friable rock consisting largely of
chalky material, b. The light loamy soil formed
by the disintegration of this rock.
1477 Rolls o/Parlt.y\. 189/2 The Vaynes called the Malme
or Marie and Chalke, liyng comenly in the grounde. 1579-80
North Plutarch, A le.xander (1 595) 737 The earth spued out
continually a kind of maund or chalkie clay somewhat ly-
quid. 1607 J. Norden Sitrv. Dial. v. 229 In part of Ham-
■ shire they haue another kind of earth, . . the slub of the riuer
' of Auon, which they call Mawme. 1670 J. Smith Fng.
Improv. Revhtd 15 You shall lay or bestow 200 Cartload of
I the best slimy or fattest Marie or Mame on each or every Acre
■ ofLand. i677pLOTc7^0r</i7(.iv.69,I found a soft stone there-
| about called Maume, of a whitish colour, a 1697 Aubrey
I Nat. Hist. Wilts (1847) 107 The soile of the dowries I take
I generally to be a white earth or mawme. 1697 Vie-w Penal
Laws 239 It shall likewise be tryedand severed from Stones,
j Main, Marie, and Challc 1719 Strachey in Phil. Trans.
XXX. 969 These Clives vary much in Hardness, in some
j places being little harder than Malm or Loom. 1743 Need-
ham ibid. XLII. 634 This Bed of Malm lies in a Valley, at
: the Foot of a long Ridge of Chalky Downs. 1747 Hooson
( Miner's Diet. M ij, Mallan, this is of divers Colours, . . and
I always Soft. 1787 G. White Selborue 1.2 The gardens, .con-
i sist of a warm, forward, crumbling mould, called black malm.
! Ibid. 4 A range of fair enclosures, consisting of what is
j called white malm. 1825 Cobbet r Rnr. Rides (1853I 207 The
j lanes were very deep ; the wet malme just about the colour
of rye-meal mixed up with water. 1851 Jml. R. Agric.
Soc. XII. 11. 481 Mamie, a white marl containing an ad-
mixture of clay. 1881 Whitehead Hops 21 A peculiar
fertile clay, known locally as ' malm *. 1885 Hinde in Phil.
Trans. CLXXVT.413 The beds, .have been described under
the local names of malm, firestone [etc.].
2. Short for malm-brick.
1858 Sl-yring's Builders' Prices (ed. 48) 66 Points to groins
of common stocks . . Ditto of Malms. i88z Young Every
Alan his mvn Mechanic § 1152 Malms are made of a finer
clay. 1895 Oracle Encycl. I. 500/1 ' Marls' or ' Malms' is
the name given to the best bricks.
3. attrib. : malm-brick, the best kind of brick
(so malm cutter, pavior, stock) ; malm-rock =
sense 1 a; also Geol. — Gkeensand i c; malm-
stone = sense I a.
£893 K./Elfred Oros. iv. xiii. §5 Mon heardlicegnidebone
hnescestan mealmstan aefterpami [etc.]. 1824 Mech. Mag.
ffo, 33. 77 Bricks .. which are used for facing buildings,
called malm stock Bricks. Ibid. 78 The earth and other in-
gredients, with which the soil for malm Bricks are composed.
1833 Lyeix Princ. Geol. III. 292 The upper green-sand
('firestone', or 'malm rock', as it is sometimes calledi is
almost absent. 1842 Malm cutter [see Cutter sb.1 7]. 1843
Mech. Mag. XXXIX. 192 The difference between malm
paviors and stocks was fifteen or twenty shillings per thou-
sand. 18^8 Skyring''s Builders' Prices (ed. 48) 65 Picked
stock facings.. Seconds malm ditto. 1859 A. C Ramsay
Catal. Rock Spec, (i860) 53 A very fine . . sandstone, locally
termed ' Malm-rock'. 1876 YhGV.Adv. Text-bk.Geol. xviii.
349 'Malm rock*, a soft silicious substance, containing a
large percentage of soluble silica. 1889 Q. jml. Geol. Soc.
XLV. 406 In the more siliceous malmstones fragments of
siliceous sponge-spicnles are abundant. 1894 Jml. Royal
Agric. Soc. June 391 The persistence of the Malmstone
over a very wide extent of the Upper Greensand of England
is a noteworthy fact.
Malm (mam, mgm), a. dial. Forms: 7-8
moam, 9 mome, 7-y mawm, 7- maum. [f. root
MALMSEY.
of Malm sb. ; for the sense cf. the cognate Mklch,
Mellow adjs.] Mellow, soft.
1691 Ray A7. t>. Words (K. EX S.), Moam, vel Maum,
maturomitis, mellow. 1788 Marshall Rural Econ. E. Vks.
(E. D. S.), Maum, mellow, attended with a degree of dry-
ness. 1829 Brockett Gloss. N. Cy. Words (ed. 2), Maum,
Maumy, mellow, soft. Mome, soft, smooth, conjoining the
idea of sweetness. 1869 Lonsdale Gloss., Maum, Mawm,
(1) mellow. (2) Gentle, quiet. 1876 // hitby Gloss., Maum,
Mome, or Maumy, mellow ; insipid.
Malm (mam), v.1 Also 7 marra. [f. Malm
sb.] trans, fa. To treat (land) with malm {obs.).
b. To convert (clay) into artificial malm for brick-
making; tocover (brick-earth) with artificial malm.
Hence Maimed///, a., Maiming vbl. sb.
1619-21 Norden's Surv,, Duchy of Lane, in North Riding
Rec. Soc. (1894) I. 24 Fra Scapphow till the west ende of
Langhow Bran even suth til the nether syde manned land.
1850 Dobson Mauuf. Bricks fy Tiles 1. 26 The malm or
maimed brick-earth . . is turned over wiih the spade. Ibid.
11. 3 The brick-earth . . may be maimed, i. e. covered with arti-
ficial malm. 1876 A. ti. Macdowall Brick in Encycl. Brit.
IV. 280/1 The most common mode of preparing the clay, in
the London district, is that of maiming, .an artificial malm
is made by mixing chalk and clay, previously reduced to
pulp, and allowing the mixture to consolidate by evaporation.
t Malm, z>.- Obs. In 7 mawme, o maum. [f.
Malm a.] intr. To become soft.
1641 Best Farm. Bks. (Surtees) 107 Then they water it
[earth], and lette it lye three or fowerdayes to mawme. 1825
Jamikson, Maum, to soften and swell by means of rain, or
from being steeped in water ; to become mellow. Malt is
said to maum, when steeped.
Ii Malmag (mx'lmsegl. [Appears as malmay
in Blumentritt's vocabulary of the Sp. dialect
of the Philippines, 1882.] The Spectre, Tarsius
speclrum,a small lemuroid animal, native of Borneo
and the Philippines.
1838 Cuming in Zool. Soc. Proc. VI. 67 The Malmag is a
small animal living under the roots of trees [in the Philip-
pines]. 1871 Casselfs Nat. Hist. I. 248 The Spectre Tarsier,
or Tarsius. The Malmag.
Malmaison (maelm^'zpn). Hort. [Short for
Souvenirs de Malmaison (Fr. ' recollections of
Malmaison', the palace at which the empress
Josephine held her court), originally (and still)
the name of a delicate variety of blush rose, and
transferred to the carnation from some notion of
resemblance.] A variety of the carnation.
1892 Carnation Manual 149 The Malmaison Carnations
can be classed with the tree or perpetual types. 1896
Ashhy-Stekky Tale Thomas (1903) 53 '2 The three ladies in
their fresh crisp morning dresses, their Malmaison carnations,
and their warm-coloured wraps. 1900 Bk, Gardening 708
Carnations are divided into three groups : (r) Show, (2) Tree
or Perpetuals, and (3) Malmaisons. Ibid. 709 Malmaisons. .
Sorts : These are all varieties obtained from the original
Souvenir de la Malmaison. 1901 Daily Chron. 20 July 10/3
[The bridesmaids] carried conventional bouquets of pink
and sulphur malmaisons.
t Malmarsh. Obs. dial. [? var. or corruption
of Mallemuck.] = Fulmar.
1833 Montagu's Orntth. Did. 315.
Malmaset, obs. form of Marmoset.
t Malmeny. Obs. Forms : 4 mawraenny,
-nienee, 5 momene, maumen(y)e, mawmene,
■many, -meny, malmany(e, menye, malmens,
mammenye, -ony, mameny, 5-6 mamony. [Oi
obscure origin. Connexion with F. malmener 'to
maltreat* seems unlikely. The receipt might sug-
gest derivation from Malmsey or its source.] A
dish in old cookery.
'.'1300 Forme of Cury xx. (1780) 19 Mawmenee. Take
a pottel of wyne grekeand ii pounde of sugar [etc. J. Ibid.
exciv. 88 For to make Mawmenny. c 14*0 Liber Cocorum
(1862) 26 For to make momene. c 1430 Two Cookery-bks. 22
Maumenye ryalle. .. Mammenye bastarde. Ibid. 48 Mal-
menye Furnez...with the wete dyssche ley be maliuenye &
be cofyns. a 1450 Tourn. Tottenham, Feest v. in 1 1 a/1.
E, P. P. III. 94 Ther was gryndulstones in gravy And myl-
stones in mawmany. 1513 Bk. Keruynge in Babees Bk.
(1868) 275 And the seconde course, lussell with mamony.
Malmigiiatte (mselminyre t). [ad. mod.L,
malmignattus, ad. Corsican malmignatto, f. It.
vialo bad + mignatto (cf. ' mignatta a horse-leach,
a bloud-sucker, mignatti a kind of silke-wormes ',
Florio 1611).] A spider, Theridion (Lalrodectus)
malmignattus.
(1699 KAT in Phil. Trans. XXI. 57 The Island of Corsica
. . breeds venemous Spiders, called by the Inhabitants Taran-
tola or Malmignatto.] 1882 Cassell's Nat. Hist. VI. 176
The Malmignatte. .is almost half an inch long [etc.]. Ibid.
383 Index, Mahnigiiatte Spider.
t Ma lmish, a. Obs. [f. Malm (?sb. or a.) +
-XHL] ? Resembling malm; ? somewhat 'malm'
or soft.
a 17M Lisle Observ. Husb. 99 (K. D. S.) A heavy matmish
sort of clay.
Malmoutrye, variant of Maumetry Obs.
Malmsey (ma'mzi). Forms : 5 malmesyne,
5-6 malmasye, 57 malmesey, 6 malmesay,
malmyse, malmesye, mammesey, malmesee,
mamulsye, raawlmsey, 6-7 malmesie, malm
sie, 7 malmesy, 5- malmsey, [ad. (? through
OF. or Pr. *malmesie : cf. Bearnais marmuste)
med.L. malmasia • I )iefenbach\ a corruption of
MALMY.
91
MALT.
the Or. place-name Vlovt pliaoia (Monemvasia) ;
cf. MDu. malemcseye, MLG. malmesie, MIIG.
malmaskr (in 15th c. latinized malmasctum),
MDa. malme'sye. The parallel corruption Malvasia
has given rise to the OF. and ME. malvcsie as a
name for the wine : see Malvoisie.]
1. A strong sweet wine, originally the product of
the neighbourhood of Monemvasia (Napoli di Mal-
vasia) in the Morea ; but now obtained from Spain,
the Azores, and the islands of Madeira and the
Canaries, as well as from Greece.
14.. Maun./vHousch. F.xp. (Koxb.) 456 A bote of malmc-
sey and a federbed. ?CI475 Sijr. loifC Dtgre 754, \c
■ball bane rumney and nialmesyne {rime wynel 1513
More Hist. Rich. Ill Wks. 37/1 Attainted was hee by
parliament and judged to the death, and thereupon hastely
drouned in a Butt of Malmescy. IS31"1 Aa 23 Hen. VIII,
c. 7 No nialmeseis Romeneis sackes nor other swete wynes
shalbe reteiled aboue xii.d. the gallon. 1549-5° in Fowler ,
Hist. C. C. C.(O.H.S.) 356 Several small charges for mam- '
mesey. 1572 J. Jonks Rallies Buckstont 10 With Sugar, j
or whyte Mamulsyesof Madera, a myas of good Ale, a caw-
dell or Alebury. 1621 Burton Atiat. Mel. 1. ii. 1. i. 93 All
black Wines.. as Muscadine, Malmesie,. .Broune bastard,
Metheglen, and the like. 1772-84 Cook's Voy. (1790) IV.
1223 Canary sack, .which the French call Vin de Malvcsie,
and we.. name Malmsey. 1814 W. M. Leake R escarches
in Greece 197 note, The place [Monemvasia] being cele-
brated for the fine wines produced in the neighbourhood,
Malvasia changed to Malvoisie in French, and Malmsey in
English, came to be applied to many of the rich wines of the
Archipelago, Greece, and other countries. 1843 Penny Cycl.
XXVII. 465/2 The original Malmsey of the Grecian Archi-
pelago, that of Madeira [etc.]. 1871 E. C. G. Murray
Member for Paris III. 115 A second brother statesman . .
had just been treating himself to a glass of Malmsey. 1880
Maan. Mag. XLI. 236 Malmsey was formerly the produce
of those parts only [Candia and Greece). 189S Army «f
Navy Co-op. List 166 Choice Old Malmsey.
b. attrib., as malmsey-butt, -cup; malmsey-
face, a face inflamed by drink ; malmsey madeira,
a malmsey wine made in Madeira; malmsey-
nose (see quots. 159", a 1700).
1588 Lane, ff Chesh. Wills III. 138 One Mawlmsey cupp
\vlh cover all guylt. 1594 Shaks. Rich. Ill, I. iv. 161 Throw
bin) into the Malmesey-Butte. 1597 — 2 lien. IV, it. i. 42
Yonder he comes, and that arrant Malniesey-N'ose Bardolfe.
1611 Cotgr. s. v. Visage, A mustulent, or maumsie face. 1684
OTWAYAthcistv.i, This Malmsey nose of mine. «i70oB. E.
Diet. Cant. Crew, Malmesey-nose, a jolly, red Nose. 1723
Loud. Ca-J. No. 6173/3 There will be no other Malmsey
Madera Wine landed this Year. 1858 Homans Cycl. Comm.
1974/1 Malmsey Madeira.
2. A kind of grape, from which the wine Malm-
sey was originally made.
1511 Guylforde Pilgr. (Camden) 12 Vpon that hyll is a
cyte called Malsasia, where firste grewe Malmasye, and yet
dolhe. 1603 Knolles Hist. Turks (1621) 86S It is now most
famous, .for the good Malmesey which there groweth. 1615
G. Sandys Trav. 224 Muscadines and Malmesies, those
kindes of grapes brought hither first from Arabia.
Malmy (raa-mi), a.1 Also 7-8 maumy, S mal-
lany, 9 maulmy. [f. Malm sb. + -I '.]
1. Of a loamy character.
1677 Plot Oxfordsh. ix. 240 If the Land be of that sort
they call Maumy, consisting of a mixture of White-clay and
Chalk, and somwhat of Sand. 1744-50 W. Ellis Mod. Hits-
bandm. I. 1. ii. 36'1'heChalk and Mould are so mixed together
that in Hertfordshire we call it a Maumy Earth. 1858 7'v"'-
A'. Agric. Soc. XIX. II. 279 Parts of Norfolk— particularly
the while malmy soils — were unkind for turnips. 1880 Riicyd.
Brit. XI. 430/2 The eastern portion [of Hampshire], .is a
grey sandy loam provincially called 'malmy' land.
1 2. Resembling a stratum or vein of malmstone.
1747 Hooson Miner's Diet. M ij. Ore lying in it [mallan]
is as Bullets and naked Lumps., and rare to be seen after the
manner of a Kib; hence we say Mallany Gear, or Stuff, when
the vein inclines to that kind.
Malmy {ma'mi, mg-mi) , a.- dial. Also maumy.
[f. MALM a. + -Y.] Mellow ; soft and insipid ;
f also_/?(,r.
1728 tVodrow Corr. (1843) III. 403 You'll probably think
I am too soft and malmy now. 1825 Jamieson, Maumie,
mellow. 1829, 1876 [see Malm a.].
Main, obs. form of M.u.M.
Malnutrition (m;vlni«tri-Jan). [f. Mal- +
Nutrition.] Insufficient nutrition.
1862 Coruh. Mag. VI. 323 Diseases of which the starting
point is mal-nutrilion. 1899 Allbnll's Syst. Med. VIII. 183
Mental disorder may arise from temporary malnutrition of
the fore-brain.
Malobathrum, variant of Mai.abathium.
Mal-observance. [f- Mal- + Observance.]
( Ibservance of a wrong kind.
1822 P. Beauchami' (G. Grote) Anal. Injl. Nat. Relig.
(1875! 75 Mal-observance, like unbelief, includes non-observ-
ance. 18.. Dr. Beog in Crafts Sabb. for Man (1894! 182
[Working men] wish for something more pungent than a
museum in their malobservance of the Sabbath.
Mal-observa°tion. Defective observation.
1886 Maudsi.ev Nat. Causes <y Supcrnat. Secmings 50
The common malobservation which, taking note of agreeing,
takes no note of contradicting, instances. 1895 J. N. MASKE-
lyne in Daily Chrou. 29 Oct. 3/4 A charge of either mal-
observation or collective hallucination on the part of a large
Bomber of eminent men.
Malocotoon, variant of Melocoton.
Malodorous (maeUfdfiras), a. [f. Mal- +
Odorous.] Evil-smelling, lit. and fig.
1850 Cahlvle Laller-d. Pamph. it. 27 This malodorous
phosphorescence of post-mortem sentimenlalism. 1856 G.
Wilson Gateways Ktto-ol. (1859) 83 If. .some inal-odorous
body had been mixed with the incense. 1889 J. Ashton
!■ teel xv'm. 230 The river retaliated in such kind, as to become
a malodorous anil offensive nuisance. 1891 Law Times XC.
459/2 This malodorous litigation.
Hence Malodorously adv., Malodorousness.
1886 Giillemard Cruise Marchesa II. 124 As for mal-
odourousness, it is perhaps one of the few points in which
the resemblance between the two cities fails. 1903 Illaekio.
Mag. July 19/1 The missile malodorously discharged itself.
Malodour (msdflrdai). [f. Mal- + Odour.]
An evil smell, a stench.
1825 Southey in Q. Rev. XXXI. 3S0 In vain did the fair
traveller hope to escape from that omnipresent mal-odour.
1858 Carlvle Fredk. Gt. v. ii. I. 544 Putrid fermentation
ending, after the endurance of much malodour, in mere zero
to you and to every one.
t Mal-O'minous, a. Obs. In 7 male-ominous,
[f. Mal- + Ominous.] Of evil omen.
1658 tr. Bergerac's Satyr. Char. xii. 42, I saw it encom-
pass! by a million of male-ominous creatures.
Malonic (malfnik), a. Chcm. [a. F. malo-
nique (Dcssaignes 185S in Comptcs Kendits XLVII.
76), arbitrarily altered from malique Mai.-k'.] In
Malonic acid: an acid obtained by the oxidation
of malic acid.
1859 Waits tr. Gmeliu's Handl'k. Chcm. XIII. 560. 1888
RemseN Org. Chcm. 204 Treated with an alkali, barbituric
acid breaks up into malonic acid and urea.
Mal-organization. [f. Mal- + Organiza-
tion.] Faulty organization.
1841 Gresley C. Lever-i^o He will not be condemned for
his nial-organisation.. but because he did not act according to
bis conscience. 186s Helps Orgatiiz. Daily Life 37. 1889
20/A Century (N. Y.) Apr. 13 The root of the evil is in the
malorganization of society.
Mal-organized, a. [f. Mal- + Organized
///. a.] Faultily organized.
1862 Helps Orgauiz. Daily Life 112 Of course a thing
may be elaborate but yet mal-organized.
Malosses,Malotto,obs.ff.MoLASsES,Mri.ATTo.
Malpighiaceous (ma3lpigi|**>,Jas),a. Bet. [a.
mod.L. Malpighia a genus of plants (f. name of
Marcello Malpighi (162S-94) an Italian phy-
sician) + -aceols.] Pertaining to or characteristic
of the N. O. Malpighiaeeie.
1835 LlNDLEY I nt rod. Bot. (18481 1. 156 Malpighiaceous and
glandular hairs. 1839 Penny Cycl. XIV. 341/1 In many
species [of Malpighiaceae] the hairs are attached to the
leaves, &c. by the middle ; so that hairs of that description
have acquired the name of Malpighiaceous.
Malpighiad. Bot. [Seeprccand-AD.] I.ind-
ley's term for : A plant of the N. O. Malpighiacese.
1846 Lisdley Veg. Kingd, 3S8.
Malpighian (moelprgian), a. Anat. and Bot.
[f. Malpighi (sue MALPIGHIACEOUS) + -AN.]
1. Anal. The distinctive epithet of ccttain struc-
tures discovered by Malpighi, and of others con-
nected with these.
Malpighian bodies, corpuscles: certain minute bodies in
the substance of the kidney. Malpighian corpuscles 0/ the
spleen : the lymphatic corpuscles of that organ. Malpighian
capsules (see quot. 1866). Malpighian layer: the inner
layer of the epidermis. Malpighian pyramids :' the medul-
lary substance of the kidney, consisting of palish red coloured,
striated conical masses. Malpighian tubules : the urini-
ferous tubes of which the kidney is for the most part made
up. Malpighian tuft : a vascular glomerule of convoluted
capillary blood-vessels in the kidney.
1847-9 Todd Cycl. Anat. IV. 244 The Malpighian bodies
consist of a rounded mass of minute blood-vessels. 1848
Ouain's Anat. (ed. 5) II. 1088 These little vesicles or cap-
sules, formerly known as the Malpighian corpuscles of the
spleen, were discovered in the pig by Malpighi. Ibid. 1191
These [small round dark red points] are the Malpighian
bodies or corpuscles of the kidney. Ibid. 1196 Others look
on a Malpighian tuft as merely an example of an artery
breaking up into a rete mirabile. 1866 Huxley Phys. v.
§ 9 The tubules [of the kidney), .terminate in dilatations.,
called Malpighian capsules. 1877 — Auat.^ Inv. Anim. vii.
393 The intestine is provided with Malpighian tubule-. 1878
Ioster Bk. Phys. it. (18891 687 The epidermis consists of
. .an inner soft layer, the Malpighian layer [etc.]. 1890 H.
Gray Anat. (ed. 12)942 The tubuli nrini/eri .. finally termi-
nate at the apices of the Malpighian pyramids.
2. Bot. ill Malpighian cells : see quot.
1900 B. D.Jackson Gloss. Bot. Terms 152/1 Malpighian
Cells, those which compose the outer layer of the seed in
Malpighiaceae.
t Malpleasant, a. Obs. [f. Mal- + Pleasant,
after F. malplaisaiit."] Unpleasant, disagreeable.
c 153a Du Wes Inlrod. Pr. in Palsgr. 1077 Nat to be
tedious nor malpleasant, 1 remitte it to an other tyme. 1592
Con'starlf. Souu. vm. ii. But I, that nowe baue draune
Mal-pleasant breath [etc.].
Malposed (madptfu-zd), ///. a. [f. Mal- +
-posed, after transposed, etc. Cf. next.] Wrongly
placed.
1900 Lancet 31 Mar. 939/2 Mr. George J. Goldie demon-
strated the usefulness of the x rays in.. the regulation of
teeth malposed in the jaw.
Malposition, [f. Mal- + Position.] Mis-
placement ; the condition of being wrongly placed.
1862 Trollope .V, Amer. I. 145 There are edifices, .which
cry aloud to the gods by the force of their own ugliness
and malposition. 1868 Peard Water-farm. xi. 110 These
. .curiosities were often rendered, .useless by malposition.
b. spec, in Obstetrics. Faulty position of a part
or organ, esp. of the foetus in the uterus.
1836-9 Todd Cycl. Anat. II. 631/1 The apex of the heart
adhered to the palate; but .. the malposition appears to
have been owing to a morbid adhesion of the umbilical
cord to the head. 1859 Ibid. V. 683/2 An extreme degree
of anti-version [of the uterus]. ..This malposition materially
impedes labour. 1881 Lb Come Sight 20 Malpositions of
the eye, such as squinting. 1899 Alibutt's Syst. Med. VII.
735 The length and difficulty of the labour, due to deformity
in the mother or to malposition of the child.
Malpractice, [f. Mal- + Practice.]
1. Law. a,. Improper treatment or culpable neglect
of a patient by the physician.
1671 MavnWARING Anc. ft Mod. Proet. Phys. 20 Well then,
you Prescriber in the mode of male-Practice. 1694 W.
Salmon Bate's Dispens. (1713) 252/1, I give this Relation.,
to convince.. those Homicides [Pretenders to Physick] of
their Barbarity and Mai-Practice. 1751 Smollett Per.
Pie. (1779) II. Ixx. 250 The malpractice of a surgeon. 1816
A. C. Hutchison Pract. Obs. Surg. (1826) 181 This boy is
dangerously ill, and likely to die, in consequence of such
malpractice. 1863 Holland Lett. Joneses xx, 286 A pro-
fessional brother, prosecuted for malpractice, is always sure
you will do what you can to clear him.
b. Illegal action by which a person seeks to
benefit himself at the cost of others, while in a
position of trust.
1758 Ann. Reg. 85 He was charged for male-practices in
the management of his command abroad. 1768 Blackstone
Comm. 111. 408 King Edward. .found it necessary, .to pro-
secute his judges for their corruption and other mal-practices.
1773 Genii. Mag. X I.I 1 1. 199 Charges of extortion, and
other mal-practices, had been brought against a British sub-
ject, 1855 Macallay Hist. ling. xv. III. 528 The mal-
practices, which had done more than the exhalations of the
marshes of Dundalk to destroy the efficiency of the English
troops, were [etc.]. 1895 Pop. St i. Monthly Sept. 717 Malprac-
tices begin with the prospectus and continue till liquidation.
2. gen, A criminal or overtly mischievous action ;
wrong-doing, misconduct.
1772-84 Cook's Voy. (1790) I. 136 When another canoe was
struck for their mal-practices, the natives behaved in the
same manner. 1812 Chron. in Ann. Reg. 19 The outrages
. .have assumed a more decided character than at any period
since the commencement of the malpractises. 1848 Clough
Amours de Voy. It. 273, I tremble for something factitious,
Some malpractice of heart and illegitimate process. 1851
Thackeray KUldeburys on Rhine (ed. 2) 73 Fanny was
almost ready to tell fibs to screen her brother's malpractii es
from her mamma. 1884 J. Colhorne Hicks Pasha 79 We
took pains, .to correct the malpractice of the men.
Ma:l-practitioner. [Mal-+Practitiom:r.]
A corrupt or culpably incompetent practitioner (of
law or medicine).
1800 DlBDIN yewfif Doctor I. i. The wisdom of our ancestors
has provided a remedy for the mistakes of mal-praclilioners
in. .an English jury.
Malpraxis (maelprccksis). [f. Mal- + dr.
Trpclfis Praxis. Cf. Mala praxis.] a. ^Mal-
practice 1 a. b. = Malpractice i b.
i860 N. S'yd. Soc. Year-bk. Med. if- Surg, for 1859. 431
A midwife and an accoucheur were accused of malpraxis.
1866 Arnould Mar. Insur. ii. iii. (ed. 3) II. 594 Such mal-
praxis as amounts to a denial of justice. 1891 Lancet 3 Oct.
758 Served with a legal process by some scoundrelly man or
woman for an alleged malpraxis.
Malpresentation. Obstet. [f. Mal- + Pre-
sentation.] Abnormal presentation at childbirth.
1899 Lancet 14 Oct. 1021/1 If a malpresentation were dia-
gnosed it might be necessary to correct it by manipulation.
Malpropri'ety. [f.MAL- + PBop»iBTY.] Want
of proper condition ; disorderliness.
1888 E. Eggleston Graysons xvii. 1S8 The whole interior
had a harmonious air of sloth, stupidity, and malpropriety.
Malscre, obs. form of Masker v.
+ Ma'lshave. Obs. Forms : 1 meelseeafa, 2
meeslesceafa, 4 malsehave, 5 malschawe. [OF.
mselsceafa J mil- ; the first element may, if the
vowel be short, becogn.w. ON. mfl-r (Sw. mal-, Da.
mfl), Goth, maid morh ; the second element (cf.
sccaja plane) is cogn. w. Shave v., but the intended
sense of the compound is not clear.] A caterpillar.
1000 /Eli-ric Gram. Gloss. (Z.) 310 Eruea, nuelsceafa.
t 1150 Vox. in Wr.-Wiilcker 544/13 liruca, masslesceafa,
1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) VI. 19 panne as be grete tlye
folweb be tras of be malsehave [MS. />' malschawe, Cttxton
malshawe, L, crucam] so after ober woo com be pestilence
of be Ismaelites.
Malshrag (marlfraeg). Obs. cxc. dial. Forms
(see E. D. U.) : 9 maleshag, malley-, mallishag,
maltshag, moleshag, 5, 9 Yorksh. malshrag.
[App. a corruption of prec, after Shrau. Other
corrupt forms in mod. dialects, influenced by
Scrawl v. ( = crazvl) are maivl- scrawl, malscral,
maskell.] A caterpillar.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xvui. xviii. (1495) 777 A
malshrag that gnawyth caul leuys. Ibid, xlvii. 808 Of mal-
shraggescomythand bredylh butterflyes. 1881 Isle of Wight
Gloss., Mallishag, a caterpillar. 1883 Haiupsh. Gloss., Male-
shag, a caterpillar. 1890 Gtonc. Gloss., Moleshag, a sort of
grub or caterpillar.
Malskre, obs. f. Masker v. dial., to bewilder.
Malstick, variant of Maulstick.
Malt (mjilt), sb. Forms : 1 mealt, 6-8 (9 Sc.)
mault, 6 maulte, K-6 malto, (7 mawlt), 8-9
Sc. and north, dial, maut, I- malt. [Com.
Tent. : OE. mealt - OS. malt (Du. mottl), OHG.
(MHO., mod.G.) male, ON. (Sw., Da.) mall:-
OTeut. *titaltos- nettt., whence Finnish mallas (from
1 78-2
MALT.
92
MALT.
which the declension of the OTeut. word is inferred )
and OS1. mlato ; related to the adj. OTeut. *mallo-
or *maltu- (=-Skr. mrdii) represented in OHG.,
MHG. malt soft, ON. malt-r rotten; from the root
of Melt, Smelt vbs.]
1. Barley or other grain prepared for brewing or
distilling by steeping, germinating and kiln-drying,
or by gelatinization, etc.
a 700 Epiual Gloss. 136 Bratiitm, malt. 835 Charter in
0. E. Texts 448, Ic bidde & bebeode swxlc monn se
<S«et min lond hebbe cScet he adce Jere a^efe oem hi^um ;et
folcanstane l ambra maltes. 11.. Vac. in Wr.-Wiilcker
548/44 Bracium, malt. 1375 Barbour Bruce v. 398 All the
vittale..As quhet, flour, meill, and malt, In the vyne-sellar
gert he bryng. 1377 Langl. P. PI. B. Prot. 197 For many
mannus malt we mys wolde destruye. c 1386 Chaucer
Sompn. T. 38 Yif hym a busshel whete, Malt, or Reye. 1455
Potts of Parlt. V. 324/2 All Bruers . . bought their malt
in ye open marketts. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. III. 61
The starkest aill of malt that mycht be browin. 1589
Pappe zv. Hatchet Cij, As honest a woman as euer burnt
malt. 1605 Shaks. Learut. ii. 82 When Brewers marre their
Malt with water, a 1618 Sylvester Tobacco Battered 748
Taverns, Tap-houses !.. Most sinfully hath Mault been
sunken heer In nappy Ale, and double-double-Beer. 1696-7
Act 8 <y 9 Will* /ft, c. 22 {title) An Act for granting to His
Majesty certain Duties upon Malt [etc.]. 171a Addison Spect.
No. 269 p 8, I allow a double Quantity of Malt to my small
Beer. 1725 Ramsay Gentle Sluph. 11. i, Yestreen I brew'd
a bow of niaut. 1818 Scott llrt. Midi, xiii, They were a
bad pack — steal'd meat and mault, and loot the carters magg
the coals. 1871 Tyndall Eragm. Set. (1879) II, xii. 256
The malt is crisp to the teeth, and decidedly sweeter to the
taste then the original barley, 1885 H. Stores Malt fy
Malting- xii. 168 Gelatinised Malt. Until very recently malt
was made, commercially, by germination solely, and almost
exclusively from barley. Since the repeal of the Malt Duties
numerous other methods of manufacture ha vebeen at tempted,
. .and many other varieties of grain have been malted.
b. with qualifying word, as barley, cat, wheal
malt ; brown, etc., malt (see quot. 1839); Palent
malt (see quot. 1 S30). Blown malt (see quot. I S76).
1532 Test. Ebnr. (Surtees) VI. 34 A quarten barley mault.
1568 in W. H. Turner Select. Pec. Oxford (1880) 325 Neany
brewer. .grinde their wheate malte in. .any other mill. 1707
Moktimer llusb. xii. 278 In Kent, where they commonly
Brew with one half Oat-malt, and the other half Barly-malt.
1743 Lond. <v Country Brew. tit. (ed. 2) 179 It is a common
Saying, that there is brought to London the worst of brown
Malt, and the best of Pale. 1830 M. Donovan Dom. Econ.
1. 87 The deep brown malt, now in use under the name of
patent malt, is made by roasting malt, .in the same manner
as coffee is roasted, until it become blackish brown. 1839
Ure Diet. Arts 95 According to the colour and the degree
of drying, malt is distributed into three sorts ; pale, yellow,
and brown.. .The black malt used by the porter brewer, .is
partially charred. 1876 Etuycl. Brit. IV. 270/1 Brown or
porter malt . . is sometimes called ' blown malt ', from its dis-
tended appearance. Ibid. 271/1 Americans are now making
beer largely from maize meal and maize malt.
c. Extract of malt, a preparation of malt used
as a food for invalids. See malt extract in 5.
1871 W. AiTKEM Set. <y Tract. Med. (ed. 6) II. 913 The
extract of malt.. may be prepared by any pharmaceutical
chemist. 1889 Syd. Soc. Lex. s. v.. Extract 0/ Malt ..
is prepared by digesting malt with water, straining, and
evaporating the product to the consistency of thick honey.
It contains diastase, and so acts as a digestive ferment, as
well as being itself nutritious,
2. Proverbs and Phrases. The malt is above the
meal (f rarely wheat, bere, water), said of a person
under the influence of drink. Soft fire makes sweet
malt, an admonition to be gentle or merciful.
1546 J. Hey wood Prov. (1867) 5 Soft fire maketh sweete
malte. Ibid. 25 Malt is aboue wheate with him, market
men saie. 1601 Dknt Pathiv. Heaven 249 Soft and faire,
sir. .. Soft fire maketh sweet mault. 1626 Breton Pan-
tastickes B3 Haruest. Malt is now aboue wheat with
a number of mad people, 1670 Ray Prov. 295 [Scottish
Proverbs.) The malt is above the heir. 1678 Ibid.
(ed. 2) 87 Proverbiall Periphrases of one drunk. ..The
malt is above the water. 17*1 Kelly Scot* Prov. 320 The
Malt's above the Meal with you. That is, you are drunk.
1816 Scott Old Mort. iv, When the malt begins to get
aboon the meal, .they are like to quarrel. 1858 M. Porteous
Sottter Johnny 10 He was a sturdy stalwart chiel, ..Fond
o' his maut aboon his meal.
3. transf. Used for : Malt liquor, slang or colloq.
1718 Ramsay Christ's Kirk Gr. in. xi, The bauld billy
took his maut, And scour'd atT healths anew. 1823 'Jon
Bee * Slang, Malt, the chief ingredient of beer, has been
used figuratively for the beer itself. ' A shovel of malt ', is
a pot of porter. 18x8 Lytion Pclham xxiii, I rejected
malt with the air of his majesty, and formed a violent
affection for maraschino. 1861 Hughes Tom Broivn at
Oxf. i, I am naturallya thirsty soul, and cannot often resist
the malt myself. 1861 Lever One of Them xxvi, 'And will
again, old boy ', cried Hawke, finishing oft" the other s malt.
4. attrib. and Comb. a. attrib. quasi-tfa^'. in the
sense 'brewed' or 'distilled from malt*, as malt-
drink, -spirits, whisky.
1707 Mortimer Husb. xii. 276 To improve our English
Liquors, .in our Southern Parts where they have generally
very bad Malt-drink. 1714^ Manokvjlle Fab. Bees (1725) I.
118 A beggar may make himself as drunk with stale-beer or
malt-spirits, as a lord with Burgundy. 1731 P. Shaw Ess.
Artif Philos. 97 Malt-Low-wines, prepared in the common
way, are exceeding nauseous. 1839 Ure Diet. Arts 402
The distiller of malt whiskey calculates on obtaining two
gallons of proof spirits from one bushel of malt.
b. Simple attrib., as mall-bag, -bam, -barrow,
-cellar, -chamber, -com, -gamer, -market, -meal,
-rake, -shovel, -sleep, + -spout, -store, -trade.
1415-16 Durham Aec. Polls (Surteesl 612 Item pro factura
de lez "maltbagges, is. (at. 1753 W. Maitland//«/. Edinb.
11. 151/1 "Malt-barns, Breweries [etc.]. 1885H. Stopes Malt
ff Malting xvi. 264 *Malt-barrows vary considerably in
shape, manufacture, and use. 1576 Reg. Privy Council Scot.
Ser. 1. II. 578 To sell thair malt, .in thair *malt sellaris at
hame. 1676 in Taylor Wakefield Manor (1886) 109 Cum..
brasio, anglice "malt chambers. 1581 \V. Stafford Exam.
Compt. 11.(1876) 46 It pleaseth vs. .nothing at all, which
buy most both breade-corne and "malt-corne for our peny.
"453-4 Durham Ace. Polls (Surtees) 634 [Operantibus] super
reparacionem..de le Whetgarner et le "Maltgarner, 1455
Polls of Parlt. V. 324/2 Thus is ye *Malt markett lost.
1622 Malynes Anc. Law-Menh. 231 Casting "Mault meale,
or Beane meale vpon the same. 1884 Knight Diet. Mech.
Suppl., * Malt Rake, a hand tool used in stirring malt on
the kiln floor. 1688 R. Holme Armoury in. 331/1 He
beareth Gules, a .. *Malt Shovel, Argent. 1577 in Rogers
Agric. A> Prices (1866J III. 580 "Malt skep. 1334-5 Dur-
ham Ace. Rolls (Surtees) 526 In 1 coreo equino empt. pro
Ie"Maltspout in Bracina. 1885 H. Stopes Malt <y Malting
xiii. 183 *M alt -stores, and granaries. 1707 Mortimer llusb.
xii. 276, I shall .- for the Conveniency of the "Malt Trade,
add a particular sort of Mill that [etc.].
c. objective, as malt- making, -roasting; malt-
carrier, -seller. Also M ALT- MAKER,
1708 Lond. Gaz. No. 4447/4 A "Malt-Carrier. 1455 Rolls
of Parlt. V. 324/2 People., nowe.. for noon occupation of
"Malt makynge be in grete idelnesse. 1885 H. Stopes
Malt <j Malting xvii. 292 The monopoly of "malt-roasting,
created by the numerous stringent Acts of Parliament.
d. instrumental (sense 3), as f malt-conceived ',
-inspired, -mad adjs.
1579 G. Harvey Letter-hk. (Camden) 67 Sum newe de-
visid interlude, or sum *Maltconceived Comedye, 1838
Rodger Poems (1897)24 (E.D.D.) A set o' *maut-inspired
whims That end in perfect smoke. 1621 Fletcher Pilgrim
in. vi, Peace, thou heathenish Drunkard, Peace for shame.
These English are so *Malt-mad ;. .when they have a Fruit-
ful Year of Barly there, the whole Island's thus.
5. Special comb. : fmalt-book, an account-book
for the collections of malt-tax; f malt boud =
Malt-worm i ; malt-bree Sc, malt liquor ; malt-
bruiser, a mill for bruising or crushing malt ;
f malt-bug = Malt-wokm 2 ; malt-crusher, a
small crusher for testing samples of malt ; malt-
distiller, one who distils spirits from malt; so
malt-distillery, f («) the action or art of the malt-
distiller (obs.) ; (b) a place where malt spirits are dis-
tilled ; malt-dryer (see quot.); malt extract, a
saccharine and mucilaginous substance obtained
from wort ; also -extract of malt (see 1 c) ; malt-
factor, a dealer in malt ; malt-floor, (a) a floor
upon which the malt is spread to germinate ; (b)
(see quot. 1858) ; malt food, food composed of or
combined with extract of malt ; + malt-gavel =
malt shot ; malt grid, grinder (see quots.) ;
malt-kiln, a kiln in which the malt is dried after
'steeping' and 'couching'; malt liquor, liquor
made from malt by fermentation as opposed to
distillation, as ale, beer, stout, etc. ; malt-loft, the
place where prepared malt is stored ; malt-lottery,
a lottery promoted by authority of Parliament in
1697 with the malt duty as security ; + malt-mare
(cf. Malt horse); fmalt master = Maltstek;
malt-mill, a mill for grinding or crushing malt ;
f malt-money, money paid as a tax on the making
of malt ; malt office, a malt house, malting ;
f malt-officer, a coltector of malt-tax ; malt-
oil (see quot.); +ma.lt-penny - malt money;
f malt pie jocular, drink, liquor; malt plough,
an implement for turning the malt when upon
the malt-floor ; malt poultice (see quot.) ;
malt-querns sb. pi., dial, (see quot. 1877) ; malt
roaster, a machine for roasting malt on a small
scale; malt roller (see quot.); malt sack, a
sack of or for malt ; malt-screen, a utensil for
screening or sifting malt ; f malt shot, a duty paid
for the privilege of making malt [OE. mealtgescot
(Wulfstan)] ; malt-sieve = malt-screen; malt-
silver, {a) —malt-money; (b) Sc. (see quot. 1825-
80); f malt-stiller ■ malt-distiller; malt-sugar
— Maltose ; malt-surrogate, ■ any substitute . .
used in the manufacture of beer in place of a part
of the malt' (Cent. Diet.); malt-tails, the roots
and shoots of dried malt, - Malt-comes ; malt-
tap (see quot.) ; malt-tax, a tax on malt, imposed
by Parliament irt 1697, repealed and superseded by
the beer-duty in 1880; malt tea, 'the liquid in-
fusion of the mash in brewing ' (Cent. Diet. 1890) ;
malt ticket, a ticket for a share in the malt-lottery ; ,
also attrib. ; malt trader, -turner (see quots.) ; I
malt vinegar, vinegar made from the fermentation
of malt ; malt wash, the wash or wort obtained
in distilling from grain. Also Malt dust, Malt
house, etc.
1710 J. Chambehlayne St. Gt. Brit. n. 111. 505 Edward,
chief Examiner of the Country Officers "Malt- Books, e 1440
Promp. Parv. 323/2 *"Malte bowde (or wevyl), gurgulio.
1780 W. Fokbks Dominic 6 Keep very far frae Bacchus'
reach, He drowned a' my cares to preach Wi' his *ma't- 1
bree. 1796 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) X. 490/1 "Malt-bruiser, or I
Bruising-mill. 1577 Hakkison England 1. u. xi. 8s b/2 It j
is incredible to say how our "Maultbuggeslug at this liquor.
1885 H. Stoies Malt <y Malting xvii. 284 Small "malt-
erushers are very generally used. 1753 Scots Mag. Feb.
96/2 The "malt-distillers advertised, Feb. 19, that they
would not receive or pay them (counterfeit halfpence] for
the future. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Snpp., *Malt Distillery.
. .The art is to convert fermented M;ilt liquors into a clear
inflammable spirit. 1839 Ure Diet. Arts 401 The.. produce
of malt distilleries. 1875 Knight Diet. Mech., 'Malt-dryer,
a device to hasten the drying of malt by artificial heat. 1839
Ure Diet. Arts 100 The specific gravities of solutions of
''malt extract. 1897 Roberts Digest. a> Diet 223 Malt ex-
tracts are essentially infusions of malt concentrated by
evaporation to the consistency of a thick treacle. 1704 Lond.
Gaz. No. 4035/4 Richard Haley and Samuel Wallis, 'Mault-
factors. 1707 Mortimer Husb. xii. 259 Empty the Corn
from the Cistern into the ''Malt-floor. 1858 SimmondsZ?/W.
'/'route, Malt floor, a perforated floor in the .. malt-kiln,
through which the heat ascends from the furnace l>elow,
and dries the barley laid upon it. 1896 Atlbutt's Syst. Med.
I. 403 If milk be rejected, *malt foocf is generally available.
x.. . Custumal Mepham, Kent in Somner Treat. Gavelkind
(1660) 27 De xxj. sum. iiij. bush, de *Maltgavel. 1889 Bar-
nard .Voted Breweries I. 62 The malt receiving room, .con-
tains two "malt grids, .with strong wire screens at the bottom,
through which the malt passes to the mills in the room
below. 1858 Simmonds Diet. Tiade, * Malt-grinder, a ma-
chine for crushing or cutting m;ilted barley. 1538 Lav ion in
Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. m. III. 212 Therbe here, .many "malte
kylnes. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eug, xiii. III. 324 Four or
five hundred houses, two churches, twelve maltkilns, crowded
close together. 1693 Loud. Gaz. No. 2868/2 An Additional
Excise upon "Malt Liquors. 1786 Cowrer Let to Utnvin
Wks. (ed. Southey) VI, 5 Government is too much in-
terested in the consumption of malt-liquor to reduce the
number of venders. 1897 Altbutt's Syst. Med. II. 228 To
those in the habit of drinking malt liquors, stout and bitter
ale may be given. 168a True Protest. Mercury No. 162.
2/1 *Mault-Lofts, Hop-Lofts [etc.]. 1839 Ure Diet. Arts
no The malt for the supply of the brewery is stored in vas>t
granaries or malt-lofts. 1697 Lond. Gaz. No 3316/4 Lost. .,
two 10/. Tickets belonging to the 'Malt Lottery. 1594
Lyly Moth. Bomb. iv. ii, It was a verie good horse. . . If one
ranne him, he woulde simper and mump, as though he had
gone a wooing to a *maltmare at Rochester. 1612 T. Adams
White Devil (1613) 49 The markets are hoysed vp, if the
poore cannot reach the price, the *Mault-master wil. 1607
Nokden Sum. Dial. in. 108 Any customarie Water-mill,
..Griest-mill, *Mault-mill. .or any other kind of mill. 1707
Lond. Gaz. No. 4293/3 Malt-Milne, and all Conveniencies
fit for a Common Brewer. 1600 in N. <y Q. 6th Ser. (1882)
V. 88/2 Here followeth a general Rate of the *Malte Money
due to the Church. 1800 Hull Advertiser 12 July 2 3 A . .
brick and tiled *Malt-oflice . . capable of .steeping and drying
at once fourteen quarters. 1737 J. Chambehlavne Si. Gt.
Brit. (ed. 33) 11. 84 The Excise and yMalt-Otficers Country
Books. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Snpp. s. v. Matt, The odious
taste of the *Malt oil will be distinguished. 1... Rental
Pastry Manor, Kent in Somner Treat. Gavelkind (1660)
27 *Malt-peny. 1600 Heywood 1st Pt. Eetw. IV (1613)
Bjb, See how S. Katherines smokes, wipe slaues your
eies, And whet your stomackes for the good *mault pies.
1885 H. Stopes Malt <y Matting xvii. 289 Several forms of
*malt-p!oughs are known and used. 1856 Mayne Expos.
I^ex., *Malt Poultice, common name for the Cataplasma
dynes. 1586 Spenser Will in Grosart 6W Wks. I. p. xvii,
I give and bequetheunto Johon Spenser., one payre of "malt
wyrnes. 1877 N. W. Littc. Gloss., Malt-oucants, (1) stones
for grinding malt ; (2) a mill with steel crushers for the
same purpose. 1858 Simmonds Diet. Trade, * Malt roaster
Maker, a manufacturer of machines for roasting barley on
a small scale. 1885 H. Stopes Matt A> Malting xii. 164
Every brewer in Germany has his own malt-roaster. 1839
Ure Diet. Arts 113 The * malt- rollers, or machines for
bruising the grains of the malt, 1530 Pausur. 601/2 She
layde upon him lyke a *maulte sacke. 1885 H. Siori-.s
Malt <y Malting xvii. 293 Malt- and barley-sacks usually
hold one comb or four bushels. 1... Rental Eastry
Manor, Kent in Somner Treat. Gavclkitui (1660) 27 De
''Malt-shot termino circumcisionis Domini xxd. 1885 H.
Srons Maltty Malting xvii. 295*Malt-screen> for separation
of all combes and other matters, and also for grading. 1388-9
Abingdon Rolls (Camden) 57, ij "mal^yues. a 1472 in
Carlut. Walt, de Norvico MS. (White Kennett MS. note in
Cenvelfs Intcrpr. 1701 (Bodl. copy) s.v. Molsilver, Dabit pro
.. "Maltsilveradfestum Nat. Domini 111 <-/ob. 1825-80 Jamie-
son, Maut-siller. 1. Literally, money for malt. 2. Most
frequently used in a figurative sense; as, 'That's ill paid
maut-siller'; a proverbial phrase signifying, that a benefit
has been ill requited. 1731 P. Shaw Ess. Artif. Philos.
99 Which should encourage the "Malt-Stiller to be careful
and intelligent in this business. 1862 Miller Ele/u. Chem.
III. 83 *Malt sugar (Ci2H|^Oi2). 1900 R. Hutchison
Food 263 The remaining sugars of this group are malt-sugar,
or maltose, and milk-sugar,or lactose. \74\L0nd. ^Country
Prevj. in. (ed. 2) 179 By that and the Help of the "Malt
Tails, he [the Maltster] fills the Bushel with a great deal of
Show and little good Malt. 1854 Miss Baker Northamfrt.
Gloss., * Malt-tap, the wicker stiainer that is put in the
mash vat, to prevent the grains passing through the tap.
1711 Let. to Sachez'erel n The levying the Land-Tax and
"•Malt-Tax. 1840 Thackeray Jolly Jack iv, When village
Solons cursed the Lords, And called the malt-lax sinful.
1697 Lond. Gaz. No. 3318/4 Lost or mi.slaid. .four "Malt-
Tickets. 1880 Act 43 <y 44 Vict. c. 20 Interpretation of
terms. ' *MaIt trader ' means and includes a maltster or
maker of malt, a dealer in malt, a roaster of malt, a brswer
of beer for sale, and a vinegar maker. 1884 Knight Diet.
Mech. Suppl., * Malt Turner, a mechanical arrangement for
turning the malt while being heated in the kiln. 1858 Sim-
monds Diet. Trade, * Malt-vinegar. 1729 G. Smith Fermen-
tation 27 The practice of fermenting all Molosses and "Malt-
wash, without any previous Iwiling. 1839 Ure Diet. Arts
91 A peculiar volatile oil of a concrete nature, which is ob-
tained during the process of distilling fermented malt wash.
Malt (mplt), v. [t. Malt sb.]
1. trans. To convert (grain) into malt. AUo absol.
e 1440 Promp. Pan: 324/1 Maltyn, or make malt, brasio.
1608 Nottingham Rec. IV. 289 Order to be gyven to euerie
maltster . . to forbeare buyinge of barley to mawlt. 1616
MALTA.
93
MALTHUSIAN.
Surfl. & Markh. Country Farm 559 These Oates being
maulted, as you mault Barley, make a verie good mault.
1636 in Bncckuck MSS. (Hist. MSS.Comm.) I. 275 Sundry
abuses by them in buying barley.. and in malting it at un-
seasonable times. 1753 Chambkks Cyct. Supp. s. v., The
whole grain (of maize) will not this way be malted or ren-
dered tender or floury. 1889 Barnard Noted Breweries
I.56 [These brewers] malt every week 7,600 quarters.. of
barley.
b. intr. To admit of being malted.
1766 Compl. Farmer s.v.. Old barley, mixed with that of
the last harvest, does not malt well. 1870 YEATS Nat. Hut.
Comm. 48 Scotch barley, .does nut malt well.
2. trausf. {pass, and intr.) Of seeds: To come
to the condition of malt owing to germination
being checked by drought,
1733 Tull Horse-Hoeing Hush. xiv. 166 If they [St. Foin
seeds] are not cover'd, they will be Malted Note. We say
it is Malted when it lies above Ground, and sends out its
Root, which is killed by the Air. 1763 Museum Rust. (ed. 2)
I. 210 Turnep-seed..if it is not covered as soon as sown.,
will sprout prematurely, malt, or mould. 1861 Jrnl. R.
Agric. Soc. XXII. 11. 418 After the seeds have become satu-
rated with moisluie, the dry weather returns, and they be-
come ' malted . 1873 Mocgridgk Ants <y Spiders 1 26 The
seeds are thus in effect malted, the starch being changed
into sugar.
3. trans. To make (liquor) with malt.
1605 CamDEM Rem. 235 A man of worship, whose beere
was better hopped than maulted. 1621 J. Taylor (Water
P) Taylors Goose Wks. (1630) 1. 105/1 She is.. better two
dayes salted For then she'll try if Ale or Beere be malted.
4. intr. To drink malt liquor, vulgar.
1813 Col. Hawker Diary (1893) 1.68 We. .stopped to malt
at all the hedge alehouses. 1825 Ne-.u Monthly Mag. XIV.
180 Lord U— too declares he saw her malting the same
evening. 1835 Marryat Jac. Faith/, xxv, 'Well, I malts',
said Tom, reaching a pot of porter, and taking a long pull.
1840 Hood Kilmansegg, Btrtk xxi, She drank nothing
lower than Curacoa,. . And, on principle, never malted.
Malt, obs. pa. t. of Melt v.
Malta (m^Tta). The name of an island in the
Mediterranean, now a dependency of Great Britain.
Used alt rib. y as f Malta cross « Maltese cross;
Malta fever, a complicated fever of long dura-
tion, common in Malta and other places in the
Mediterranean; Malta fungus ;see quot. 1S70;
cf. Maltese mushroom).
1651 Malta cross [see Cross sb. 19]. 1723 J- Coats Did.
Her., Malta-cross, so call'd because worn by the Knights
of that Order. 1866 Wood in Edtn. Med. Jrnl. I. 60
Malta Fever. 1870 H. Sicduall Malta 340 Cynomorium
coccineum (L.) sErk elgeneral{Ma\t.),\.he curious so-called
Malta fungus, which grows abundantly on the General's
Rock, off Gozo. 1897 Allbutt's Sysl. Med. II. 463 notey
Some nosologists object to the term Malta Fever.
T Ma'ltalent. Obs. Forms : 4-5 mautalent,
5 raautelent ; 5-6 matalent, 5 matelent, 6 ma-
tilent, raatulat ; 5 maltalente, 5-7 maletalent,
(5 male talente, 6 Sc. mailtalent), 4-7 (9 arch.)
maltalenfc. [a. OF. maltalent {inant-y mat-)i i.
mal evil (see Mal-) + talent disposition, temper
(see Talent).] Ill-will, malevolence.
e 1320 Sir Bates (MS. A) 3978 Sire Beues bo, veraiment
For-?af him alle is mautalent. 13. . A.". Alls. 906 To his ost
sone he went. Ful of ire and maltalent. c 1440 Fartonope
4499 That my lady hath hyr maletalent Me forgyfen. C1450
Merlin 339 The Geaunte. .gnasshed his teth and rolled his
iyen, that were grete swollen for ire and mautelent {printed
mantelent] that he had. c 1470 Henry Wallace iv. 465
Vpon the hed^ him straik in matelent. 1481 Caxton
Godfrey clxxviii. 262 And how they pardonned eche other
theyr mal talentes and euyll wylles. 1513 Douglas sEtieis
1. i. (title), Junois wraith and mailtalent. 1560 Rolland
Crt. Venus 11. 332 Thay grew in matilent. 1590 Spensi:r
/*. Q, m. iv. 61 With heavy look, and lumpish pace, that
plaine In him bewraid great grudge and maltalent. a 1648
Ld. Herbert Hen. VIII (1683) 103 Hut not on this part
only did the French shew their Mai-Talent, a 1649 Drumm.
of Hawth. Jets. / Wks. (1711) 14 He had ever a male-
talent against the king since the adjudging of the earldom
of Strathern from his nephew Miles. 1828 Scott F. M.
Perth xii, That is the lot of them that the Black Douglas
bears mal-talent against.
IT b. As adj. Ill-tempered.
a 1578 LiNDESAY(Pitscottie)C/*>w*.1y<;^.(S.T S.) II. 43 King
Harrie brunt as fyre and grew so matulat in anger that [etc.].
t Maltalentive, a. Obs. rare. In 5 male-
talentif, matelentif. [a. OF. maltalcntify f.
maltalent'. see prec. and -ive.] Bearing * mal-
talent ' ; malevolent.
■ 1450 Merlin 219 The! rode in a-monge theire enmyes
wroth and matelentif. Ibid. 338 And ronne to-geder wroth
and maletalentif that oon a-gein that other.
Maltase (m^-lt^s). Chem. [f. Malt sb. + -ase,
after diastase.] (See quot.)
1899 lqth Cent. No. 265. 412 note, It [sucrase] is now named
maltase, the termination in -ase being reserved for the names
of all liquid ferments, or rather enzymes.
Maltate (mjWta). Chem. [f. Malt sb. +
-ate O (See quot.)
1885 H. Stopks Matt <y Malting xi. 140 Maltose combines
with lime to form calcic maltate, the solution of which is
laevo -rotatory us are those of other maltates.
Malt-COmes, sb. pi. (rarely sing.). The dried
radicles which are separated from the grain in the
kiln-drying process of mailing; =Come sb.2
c 1440 Promp. Parv. 324/1 Malte comys. 1770-4 A. Hun-
ter Georg. Ess. (1803) I. 427, I manured a piece of land
with maltcombs. 1787 Marshall E. Norfolk (1795) I. 35
Rapecake is also in good esteem [as manure], .as are Malt-
' coombs. 1874 W. Williams Vet. Med. 555 Flatulent colic.
. .Its causes are— food, .such as. .a mixture of maltcums and
brewers grains. 1877 N. IV. Line. Gloss , Matt-comb, the
dried sprouts, refuse used by some people to pack bacon in
to keep Hies away.
So Malt-comings dial, (in the same sense).
si 1728 Kexnett Lattsd. MS. 1033 (Promp.Parv, 334 «<?/*),
Malt comes, or malt comings, the little beards or shoots,
when malt begins to run, or come; Yorkshire. 1893 Nor-
thumberld. Gloss., Malt-cummins.
Malt-dust. The refuse, consisting chiefly ol
the dried radicles or ' comes ', which falls from the
grain in the process of malting.
1512 MS. Aec, St. John's Hosp., Canterb., Payd for malt
dowst for to dobe wyth. i6zo Narkham Fareiv. Hush, xiv.
no Some are perswaded that this come or malt dust, is a
great breeder of the worme or weeuell. 1707 Moktimkk
Hush. vi.g4 Mault-dust is an enricher ofbarreii I. and. 1849
Cobden Speeches 20 One of the ablest farmers in the country
. .told me he bought great quantities of malt-dust, which he
mixes.. with the food he gives to his Iambs. 1875 Watts
, Dh t.Chem. 2nd Suppl. 765 The malt is. .screened to remove
the radicle and plumule, which constitute malt-dust.
Malte, obs. pa. t. Mklt.
Malted (malted),///, a. [f. Malt v. + -EI) '.]
1. Made into malt; rarely in narrower sense,
1 that has germinated in the process of malting.
1676 Grew A fiat. Flowers ii. § 15 As we use to dry Maulted
Barly over a warm Killn. 1692 W, Y-woktii Distillation 9
Others Ferment Malted Wheat and Malt, and so Distill.
1702 Luttrell Brief Ret. (1837) V. 249 The commons read
a ad time, and committed the bill for encouraging the con-
sumption of malted coin. 1745 DodsleY Agric. I. 131
Trifles II. [04 To mash the malted barley, and extract Its
flavour'd strength. 1844 T. J.Graham Dom. Med. 180 V>- er
made from an infusion of malted groats, or malted rye. 1846
J. Baxter Lihr. Pract. Agric. (ed. 4) I. 133 Saccharine..
may be extracted either from malted or raw grain.
2. Combined with extract of malt.
1896 Yeo Food 536 And first, with regard to the use of
Malt extracts and Malted food in general. 1898 Daily News
11 Aug, 5/6 A few jars of beef extract, malted milk, &c.
Malteil (rmVlt'n), v. Sc. rare. [f. Malt sb. +
-EN*r>.] intr. To undergo malting, to malt.
1806 Forsyth Beauties Scott. IV. 67 When barley and
common bear or big have been cultivated for some time in
a mixed state, they spring and ripen and malten equally.
1825-80 Jamieson, To Mauieu, Mawten, to begin to spring ;
a term applied to grain, when steeped in order to be con-
verted into malt.
Ma- Iter. Obs. exc. dial. Also 5 maltar, 7
maulter. [f. Malt v. + -ER1.] A maltster.
C 1440 Promp. Pari'. 324/1 MaUleie, or maltestere (//.,
/'., maltar), brasiatrix, brasiaior. 1630 in J. Hutchins Hist.
Dorset (ed. 3) II. 338/2 Brewers. Maulters. Bakers. 1848
W. Barnes Poems Rur. Life (ed. 2) Gloss., Matter; rightly
used Instead of maltster, which is properly a woman matter,
Maltese (mpltrz), a. and sb. sing, and //.
Also 9 sing. Maltee {vulgar), 7 pi. Malteses. [f.
Malta + -ESE. Cf. It. maileseA A. adj.
1. a. Of or pertaining to Malta and its inhabi-
tants, b. Pertaining to the Knights of Malta.
1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) X. 491/1 At the first landing of the
Maltese knights. Ibid. 401/2 The attempt, .proved unsuc-
cessful through the base avarice of the Maltese forces. 1837
G. C. Lewis Lett. 3 Apr. (1870) 77 The vulgar adjective
from Malta, used by sailors and others in the island is
Maltee. 1839 Penny Cyct. XIV. 350/1 The Maltese people
at length obtained the fulfilment of their wishes. 1869
Rogers Hist. Gleanings I. 97 The legend of the Maltese
money ran — uon xs sed fides.
2. Special collocations : Maltese cat, a fancy
variety of the domestic cat (see quot. 1902) ; Mal-
tese cross, see Cross sb. 18 ; also, see quots. 18S4
and 1890; Maltese dog1, a fancy breed of spaniels
(see quot. 1864); Maltese guipure, lace (see
quots.) ; Maltese mushroom, the fungus Cyno-
morium coccineum (formerly Fungus melitensis),
found in the islands of Malta and Gozo ; Maltese
orange, stone, vulture (see quots.).
1857 inJV. <y (?. 2nd Ser. IV. 247 A New York merchant
recently sent for a cargo of * Maltese cats from that cele-
brated island. 1902 * Dick Whittington* Cat Manual ii.
32 There is a strain of short-haired blue cats known as Mal-
tese cats, which used to be extremely popular in America.
1877 W. Jones Finger-ring 373 A *Maltese cross in red on
a black ground. 1884 F. J. Britten Watch and Cloekm.
247 The wheel of the going barrel stop work.. is called in-
differently a star wheel or a Maltese cross. 1890 Billings
Nat. Med. Diet., Maltese cross, square compress cut out at the
corners in form of a Maltese cross. 1796 Nkmnicii Poly-
glotten-t.ex. v, The hairy ^Maltese dog. Cams Melitaeus.
The small Maltese dog.. Cam's brevipUis. 1864 Chambers'1 s
Encycl. VI. 287/1 Maltese Dog, a small kind of spaniel,
with roundish muzzle, and long, silky, generally white hair.
1902 Mrs. Pallisers Hist. Lace 392 At this time [1S51] was
introduced the ^Maltese guipures,, .a variety grafted on the
old Maltese. 1882 Caulkeild Si. Sawakd Diet. Needlework
340 The manufacture of * Maltese Lace is not confined to
Malta. 1900 Mrs. K. N. Jackson Hand-made Lace 180
Maltese I.ace. A bobbin-made lace, which has been made
in Malta ever since the commencement of the sixteenth cen-
tury. 1902 Mrs. Pallisers Hist. Lace 87 note, There is no
corroboration of Mrs. Palliser's statement above that lace
was ever made in Malta; if so, it would have been of the
Genoese geometrical kind, of which Lady Hamilton Chich-
ester adapted the designs and evolved what is now known as
Maltese lace. 1816-20 T. Grekn Univ. Herbal I. 320/1 It
is commonly said that the *Maltese red oranges are budded
on the pomegranate. 1884 Encycl. Brit. XVII. 812/1 ' Mal-
tese or 'Blood' oranges, much grown in southern Italy,
are distinguished by the deep-red tint of the pulp. 1858
Si.M,\iONDsZ?/i/. Trade,* Maltese stone, asoft stone quarried
in Malta, used for carving, and for making large jars, &c.
1781 Latham Gen. Synopsis Birds I. 15 "Maltese Vulture.
. .This bird inhabits many parts of Europe, chiefly the island
of Malta. 1843 PcnnyCycl. XXVI. 472/1 Neophron pcreno-
pterus. , .This is the.. Maltese Vulture of Latham.
B. sb.
1. a. A native or an inhabitant of Malta, b.
A Knight of Malta.
1615 < i. Sandys 1'rav. 2^7 With him a Maltese, whose
father was an English man. Ibid, J54 The Malteses are
little lesse tawnie then the Moores. 1624 MASSING ER Rene-
gado 11. v, Your fellow Firats Sir, the bold Malteze Whom
with your lookes you lliinke to quell. 1651 HoWELI. / 'enh <
195 The Malteses [the Knights of Malta] having made
pii/.: of them, arriv'd afterwards in Candy. 1797 Encycl.
Brit. (ed. 3) X. 492/2 The Maltese still continued i" behave
with their usual valour against the Turks. 1838 J. L. Si 1.
iiiins Trav. Greece^ etc. 41/1 An old Maltese, who spoke
I rem h and Italian.
2. The language of the natives of Malta, a cor-
rupt Arabic.
1828 Foreign Q. Rev. III. 321 The affinity between the
Maltese and the languages of the neighbouring continent.
1839 Penny Cyct. XIV. 346/1 'The mother-tongue of the
people, the Maltese, has continued in use.
3. Short lor Maltese lace.
1900 Mrs. F. N. Jackson Hand-made I.ace 180 In Ceylon
the natives work a kind of Maltese. 1902 Mrs. PallisCr\
lltst. Lace 88 Much Maltese is made in the orphanage in
.. Gozo.
Hence fMaltcsian sb., a Maltese.
1656 Hioint Clossogr., Mattesian, an Inhabitant of the
Island Malta.
Maltha (marlba). Also anglicized 5 malthe.
[a. L. maltha, a. (ir. paXQa, /<«A0t; mixture of wax
and pitch.]
1. A kind of cement made by mixing pitch and
wax, or lime and sand, witli other ingredients.
( 1420 Vallad. <>u Husb. 1. 1115 Conuenyent hitistoknowe,
of bathis. . what malthls hute iS; colde Are able, . .To make
hit houl and watir wel to holde. 1601 Holland Pliny II.
5')5 Concerning Maltha, it was wont to be made of quake
and new lime: for they took-: the limestone and quetiLhe<l it
in wine, which done, presently they punned it with swincs
grease and figs. 1703 Moxon Mech. Eocerc. 243 There is
other Morter .. very hard and durable, as may l;e seen at
Rome,, .which is called Maltha, from a kind of bitumen Dug
there ; . . But their Cement differs from both the Malthas in
Composition and use. 1847 Smeaton Builder's Man. 123
Maltha, or Greek Mastic. This is made by mixing lime and
sand, .and making it into a proper consistency with milk or
size, instead of water.
2. The name anciently given to some viscid form
of bitumen; applied by Kirwan to the 'semi-
compact ' variety of ' mineral pitch ' or asphaltum,
and by later mineralogists variously to ' mineral
tar' and to ozocerite (Kirwan's ' mineral tallow1).
1601 Holland Pliny I. 46 In a citie of Comagene, named
Samusatis, there is a pond, yeekling forth a kind of shmie
mud (called Maltha' which will burne cleare. 1727 41
Chambers Cycl. s. v., Natural maltha is a kind of bitumen,
wherewith the Asiatics plaster their walls. 1796 Kikuan
Elem. Min. II. 46 Species IV. Mineral Pitch, Asphaltum...
Second Variety. Semi Compact. Maltha. Erdiges Lrdpech
of Werner. Its colour dark reddish, or blackish brown...
I shall denote it by the name of Maltha. 1799 W. ToOKE
Vieiv Russian Emp. I. 292, A watery vapour.. which col-
lected in pitchers is. .so richly impregnated with naphtha,
but still more with maltha, that the inhabitants take both
and use the latter as tar. 1807 T. Thomson Chem. (ed. 3) II.
455 Sea wax, or maltha, is a solid substance found on the
Baikal lake in Siberia. 1865 Watts Diet. Chem., Maltha,
the mineral tallow of Kirwan, said to have been found on
the coast of Finland. It resembles wax. 1868 Proc. A/uer.
Philos. Soc. X. 43t; Maltha, or mineral tar, ..is more nearly
allied to tar. .than to oil.
Ittalthacite (marl]>as9it). Min. Also mal-
thazite. [ad. G. malthazit (A. Kreithaupt 1S37),
f. Gr. p.akQaK-b> soft: see -itk.] A variety of
fullers' earth (Chester Diet. Min. iSqGV
1849 Watts tr. GmclbCs Haudbk. Chem. III. 419. 1883
Encycl. Brit. XVI. 424/2 Malthazite, from Steindorfel near
Bautzen.
t Malt-horse. Obs. A heavy kind of horse
used by maltsters; used occas. as a term of abuse.
1561 T. IluiJY tr. Castiglione^s Courtyer 1. E iij, To carie
a mans head so like a malthorsefor feare of ruffling his hear.
1590 Shaks. Com. Err. in. i. 32 Monie, Malthorse, Capon,
Coxcombe, Idiot. 1596— Tam.Shr. iv. i. 132. 1598 I>. Jon
son Ev. Man in Hum. 1. iii, Why he has no more uidgement
then a malt horse. 1603 Harsnkt Pop. Impost. 82 A stiffe
resty spirit, of kin (as seemes) to a maltdiorse of Ware, that
wil not out of his way. c 1616 S. Ward Coal from Altar
(1627)57 Such as hold onely a certaine stint of daily duties as
malt-horses their pace, or mill-horses their round.
M alt-house (m^ltihaus). A building in which
malt is prepared and stored ; a mailing.
c 1050 Suppl. /ElfrWs Gloss, in Wr.-Wiilcker 1S5/24 Bra-
tionarium, mealthus. 1360-1 Durham Aec. Rolls (Surtees)
563 Johanni lepemaker pro . . 4 sportis pro le Malthous.
1429 Mnuim. Magd. Coll. O.rf (1882) 16 Item, j bakhous
cum j malthous et 'le brewhous. 1577 Hakkison England 1.
in. i. 95 b/2 Beare with me gentle reader, .that leade thee.,
from a table delicately furnished, into a mustye mault house.
1692 Loud. Gaz. No. 2S00/4 A Large and convenient Brew-
house and Malthouse. 1776 Adam Smith IV. N. v. ii. 5°7
The opportunities of defrauding the revenue being much
greater in a brewery than in a malt-house. 1885 H. Stopes
Malt $■ Mailing xiii. 183 Malt-houses (or maltings).
Malthusian (mcelbi«*zian), a. and sb. [1. the
proper name A/althus -t- -ian.] A. adj.
1. Pertaining to T. K. Malthus (1 766-1835) or
his teaching (see Malthusianism).
MALTHUSIANISM.
94
MALVERSATION.
1821 Shelley Lett. P*. Wks. 1880 IV. 195 In the com-
parison of Platonic and Malthusian doctrines. 1839 Cak-
i.ylk Chartism x. (1840) 109 How often have we read in
Malthusian benefactors of the species : ' The working people
have their condition in their own hands '. 187Z W. K. GiMG
Enigmas 56 Terms on which alone, according to the Mal-
thusian theory, plenty can be secured tor all.
2. Befitting or characteristic of a Malthusian.
1891 T. Hardy Tcss 1. v. I. 65 She felt Malthusian vexation
with her mother for thoughtlessly giving her so many little
brothers and sisters.
B. sb. A follower or supporter of T. R. Malthus
in his views on population.
181a K. Solthey in Q.Rcv. VIII. 324 The Malthusiana
observe, .that the new discovery is matter of science. 1845
Mill Diss, ty Disc. (1875) II. 187 We need not wonder that :
the epithets of ' Malthusians ' and 'Political Economists'
are so often considered equivalent to hard-hearted, unfeeling,
and enemies of the poor. 1885 J. BoNAR Malthus I. i. 4 A
Malthusian is supposed to forbid all marriage.
Maltliusiauisiu maeljrifi'zUinizm). [formed
as prec. + -ISM.] The teaching of Malthus and his
followers on the question of population.
T. R. Malthus in his Essay on Population (1798) contended
that the rate of increase of the population being out of pro-
[wrtion to the increase of its means of subsistence, it should
>e checked, mainly by moral restraint. This has often been
popularly viewed as a proposal to check marriage,
1848 Mill Pol. Econ. (ed. 5) I. 450 Even Boards of Guard-
ians, .will seldom hear patiently of anything which they are
pleased to designate as Malthusianism. 1892 Nation (N. Y.)
21 Apr. 31 1/3 This religious Malthusianism is calculated to
please the economists who think that the world is too small
for mankind.
Malthirsianize, v. [f. Malthusian + -ize.]
intr. To adopt the principles of Malthus.
1893 National Observer 1 Apr. 435/2 If Britain had Mai-
thusianised, where were our colonies?
Maltin (mjWtin). Chan. [ad. F. maltin, f.
Malt sb. : see -in *.] (See quot 1872.)
1871 Watts tr. GmclbCs Ilandbk. Chcm. XVIII. 455.
1872 — Diet. Chcm. Suppl., Maltin, a nitrogenous ferment
existing, according to Dubrunfaut, in malt, and much more
active than diastase. 1883 Encycl. Brit, XV. 339/1.
Maltine (m$Ht/*n). [f. Malt $£. + -ine.]
1889 Syd. Soc. Lex., Maltine, a name given in commerce
to an extract of malt which contains dextrin, glucose, and
a variable quantity of diastase.
Malting (m^ltirj ),»£/. sb. [f. Malt v. + -ing "•.]
1. The action or process of making malt or of
converting into malt.
c 1440 Promp. Part/, 324/1 Maltynge, brasiatura (P.
brasiacio). 1467, 1585 [see 3], 1626 Bacon Sylva $ 647
Barley, (as appeareth in the Malting,) being steeped in Water
three dayes.. will sprout. 1714 Mandkvillk Fab. Pees (1725)
I. 90 The variety of labour, required in husbandry, in malt-
ing, in carriage and distillation. 1813 Vancouver Agric.
Devon 172 Malting is generally a business of itself. 1839
Urk Diet. Arts 105 Maize .. has also been employed to j
make beer; but its malting is somewhat difficult. 1883
H. Sroi'Ks Malt fy Malting xiv. 224 A comparatively new
form of malting is known as the ' pneumatic system '.
2. A Malt-house.
1846 M. A. Richardson Local Hist. Table Pic V. 30
A spacious malting, .belonging to Mr. Richard Robinson,
brewer. 1870 Daily News iS June, An old malting, situated
about nine miles from Cambridge, was burned down. 1887
W. Rye Norfolk Broads 77 A strange .. village .. chiefly
composed of mailings and other buildings connected with
beer brewing.
3. alt rib. and Comb., as malting barley, business,
district, sample, time, etc. ; malting-floor, house,
kiln, office = malt floor, house, etc.
1467 Pury Wills (Camden) 46 That the seid Denys hatie . .
esement in the maltynghows joyned thcrto. Ibid., Dmyng
maltyng tyme. 1585 Abingdon Rolls (Camden) 167 The
Malunge House. 1637 Documents agst. Prynue (Camden)
8( The inaulting business goes on, but with some restrictions.
1641 Milton Aninuulv. 58 Though they keep back their
sordid sperm. .and turne them to their malting-kils. 1723
Loud. Gaz. No. 6106/5 A large Malting Office. 1764 Mu-
seum Rust. III. li. 219 Many of the farms have malting-
offices annexed to them. 1813 Examiner 12 Apr. 240/2
Fine Malting Barley. 1834 Brit. Hush. I. 146 Inferior
malting samples frequently fetch little more than feed oats
of good quality. 1840 Cottagers Man. 10 in Libr. Use/.
Kuowl. Husb. Ill, The bruised grain, .is said to be as com-
plete as if it had lain a fortnight on the mailing-floor. 1846
M'Cullock Ace. Brit. Empire (1854) I. 189 The malting
business is extensively prosecuted at Ware.
Maltless (mfWtles), a. [f. Malt sb. + -less.]
Without malt, deficient in malt.
1828 Plackw. Mag. XXIV. 352 Weak small-beer, frothy
and maltless.
Maltlong. dial. Also moltlong, -ling. -
Anbuhy 1, Anglebekky.
1610 Mahkham Masieip. 11. Cvui. 390 The maltlong, or as
some Farriers call it, the maltworme, is a cankerous soar-
rance aboue the hoofe, iust vpon the cronet. 1704 Diet.
Rust. 1847 \iM.\.\\\v.\.\.,Moitling. 1895 E. Anglian Gloss.,
Mi'lttong, a sore or disease between or rather above the
clees of cattle (Johnson).
Ma*lt-maker. A maltster.
1455 Rolls of Parlt. V. 324/2 Thus is .. ye seid corrnuen
peple that were wonte to be Malt makers grevously hurt.
1551 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 115 The maltmakaris,
sellaris of malt, baxtaris. 1593 Nokuen spec. Brit., M'm:v
n. 14 Baldock ..yecldeth malt-makers not a few. 1691
Thvom Art Brewing (ed. 3) 52 These ill customs all Mault-
Makers ought to understand and avoid. 1753 CHAMBERS
Cycl. Supp. s.v. Malt, Our barley Malt-makers have tried
all their skill to make good Malt of it [maize].
Mailman (m/Wtms&n). A maltster.
1408 E. E. Wilts (lifer) 14 Iohn plot, Citaysyn and Mail-
man of I.mdon. 1500-20 Dunbar Poems xxxiv. 51 The
maltinan sais, 1 1 God forsaik,. .Gif ony bettir malt may be*.
1576 Gascoigne Steele Gl. H iij b, When maltemen make
vs drinke no firmentie. a 16*7 Midulkton No Wit tike
H 'omau's 111. i, I^et each man look to his part now, and not
feed Upon one dish all four on's, like plain maltmen. 1724
Dk VonE'ort. Mistress (1854) 5 He found money in cash to
pay the malt-man and the excise. 1737-8 Manch. School
Reg. (1866) I. 8 William son of Ellis Farmer of Salford,
maltman. 1889 Barnard Noted Breweries I. 55 A mess-
room and lavatory, etc., for the malt-men.
f b. Proverbial phrases. Obs.
e IS30 Ilye WaySpyttell House 62 in Hazl. E. P. P. (1866)
IV. 55 Make we Mery as longe as we can, And drynke a
pace : the deuill pay the malt man ! 1600 Rowlands Lett,
/tumours Blood Sat. vi. 53 For he that is in Malt-mans
Hall inrolde, Cares not a poynt for hunger nor for colde.
Ma lto-de*xtrin. Physiol. Chem. (See quot.)
1900 Gould Diet. Med., Maltodextrin CeHioO.?. A car-
bonhydrate, intermediate between starch and maltose.
Maltolt, variant of Maletolt Obs.
Maltose (mfHt<>us). Chem. [a. F. maltose
(Dubrunfaut), f. Malt sb.: see -08B.1 (See quot.)
186a Watts tr. Gmclin's ilandbk. Chem. XV. 338 Maltose.
The sugar produced from starch-paste by the action of malt
(or diastase) is, according to Dubrunfaut, different from
dextro-glucose. 1883 Standard 29 Nov. 3/2 Maltose is the
best. .of the sugar compounds. 1885 H. StopbS Malt <y
Malting" xi. 140 Maltose, when free from glucose sugars,
crystallises like cane-sugar or sucrose.
Maltot(e, variant of Maletolt Obs.
t Maltout. slang. Obs. (See quot.)
1785 Grose Diet. Vulg. Tongue, Maltout, a nickname for
a marine, used by sailors and soldiers of other corps, prob- 1
ably a corruption of matelot, the French word for a sailor.
t Maltreat, pa.ppte. Obs. rare— x. In 6 male-
trait. [? a. OK. mat trail, pa. pple. of maltraire
to suffer.] ? Suffered.
1592 Wyrley Armorie, Ld. Chandos 36 News him was ;
brought . .How Lord CHsson had lost his head they told And
maletrait, the French kings ire t' appease.
Maltreat (.mreltrrt), v. Also 8 maltrait,
maletreat. [a. F. maltraiter : see Mal- and
Treat v.] trans. To abuse, ill-use; to handle 1
roughly or rudely ; to ill-treat.
1708 Collikr Eurther I 'if id. I'iciv Stage 32 The Doctor
[Kilmer] agrees, .the Clergy ought by no means to be mal-
traited [Dr. Kilmer had used the word ' abu^'d 'J and ridi-
cul'd on the Stage. 1739 Gibber Apol. (1756) I. 61 This in-
dignity cast upon a gentleman only for having maltreated \
a player was[etc.]. 1759STLRNE Tr. Shandy II. xvii, Yorick,
indeed, was never better served in his life !— but it was a little
hard to male-treat him after, and plunder him after he was j
laid in his grave. 1859 Holland Gold E. iv. 49 It is against
the law that she turn them out of doors, or kill them, or mal- .
treat them in any way. 1868 Miss Yongk Cameos I. xxxiv.
290 The jurymen.. were often liable to be beaten and mal-
treated in revenge. 1881 Saintsbcrv Dryden 172 The !
metre, though a well-known English critic has maltreated
it of late, is a very fine one.
Hence Maltre*ated///. a.
1829 Caklvi.e Misc. (1857) II. 28 The cheerful thraldom of
this maltreated philosopher. 1864 Reader IV. 477/2 We
cannot take leave of this maltreated book without [etc.].
1901 Spectator 20 July 94/2 An unskilful physician was
imprisoned by the family of a maltreated patient.
Maltreatment (mreltrrtment). Also 8 male-
treatment, [ad. F. maltrait cment, f. maltraiter :
see prcc. and -MENT.] The action of maltreating ;
the state of being maltreated.
1721 Amhkrst Terrx Eil. Pref. (1754) 14 Nature will
sometimes rebel against principle, when it is long and griev-
ously provoked by male-treatment and oppression. 1768
Rlackstone Comm. III. viii. 140 If the beating or other
maltreatment be very enormous .. the law then gives him
a separate remedy. 18x6 Coleridge Lay Serm, (1S17) 379 ;
[They] after much contumely, .and cruel mal-treatment on
all sides, rushed out of the pile. 1845 Caklyle Cromwell I.
i. 8 From this source has proceeded our maltreatment of it
[the 17th cent. J, our miseditings, miswritings [etc.]. 1881
J. Hawthokne Fart. Eool 1. xxxv, Thus had his deliberate
maltreatment of another man's soul resulted in the loss of
bis own moral free-will.
Maltster (mfVltstaj). Forms: 4-5 maltestere,
malstere, 6 maultster, 7 maulster, 7-S malster,
7- maltster, [f. Malt sb. 4- •mi] One whose ,
occupation it is to make malt.
c 1370 80 Pitrhaw Ace. Rolls (Surtees) 328 Johannes I
Molend' Malstere. c 1440 Protnp. Paw. 324/1 Malstere, or
maltestere (//., P. maltar), brasiatrix, brasiator. 1577
Harrison Englandx. in. i. 95 b/ 2 Ye making wluroffmault]
I will her set in such order, as my skill therein may extend
vnto, (for I am scarse a good maultster). 1608 Nottingham
Rec. IV. 289 Eucrie maltster in the lowneto forbcare buyinge
of barley. 1656 S. HoUAHD /.ara (1719) 141 Dukes and ,
Marquisses fall by the Bullet or the Ax, when Dunghil-
Rakers and Maulsters out-live themselves. 1683 Luttkkll
Brief Pel. (1857) I. 262 The 23d [Junel also came out
a proclamation.. for the apprehending.. Kicluird Kumbold,
malster [etc.]. 1729 Swtvr Grand C*itcstt't>u Wks. 1 751 X. 124
Sir Arthur the Malster ! how line it will sound ! 1776 Adam
Smith W. N. v. ii. (1869) II. 489 Forthe maltster to get back
eighteen shillings in the advanced price of his malt. 1830
M. Donovan Dom. Econ. I. 79 The brewer or distiller who
is his own maltster can always protect himself. 1863 Faw-
cett Pol. Econ. iv. ii. (1876)537 The Malt Duty is nominally
paid by maltsters.
Malt-worm.
7 1. A weevil which infests malt. Obs.
c 1440 Promp. Par;'. 46/1 Uowde, malte-worme (A boude
of malte\ gnrgulio.
2. transf. One who loves malt-liquor ; a toper.
c 1550 Drinking Song \w Skeltons Wks. (1843) I. p. xf j
Then dothc she troule To me the bolle As a goode malte
worme sholde. 1580 G. Harvey Three Lett. 29 A morn-
ing bookeworm, an afternoone maltworm. 1596 Shaks.
1 Hen. IV, 11. i. 83 Mustachio-purple-hu'd Alallwormes.
1605 Tryall Cher', m. i. The whorson Mault-worm has a
throat like the burning Clyme. 1859 R. F. Burton Centr.
Afr. in Jrnl. Geog. Soc. XXIX. 367 Manyagallon must be
drunk by the veteran maltworm before intoxication. 1876
Whitby Gloss., Maut~worm, a lover of beer.
f 3. = Maltlong/ Obs. rarc~l.
1610 [see Maltlong].
Malt-wort (mfHtwtut). Forms: 1 mealt-
wurt, maltwyrt, 7 mault-, 8- malt-wort. [f.
Malt sb. + Wort 2.J = Wort 2.
e 1000 /Elfkic Gloss, m Wr.-Wiilcker 129/6 Aciunm,
mealtwurt. £1050 Voc. ibid. 356/33 Aciunm, maltwyrt.
1630 J. Taylor (Water P.) Wit $ Mirth Wks. 11. 181/2 He
..dipped some small quantity of the Lye, which he sup-
posing to be mault-wort, dranke vp. 1731 P. Shaw Ess.
A rtif. Philos. 41 The boiling down Malt- Wort to a Treacle.
( 1796 Sir J. Dalkymple Observ. Yeast-cake 4, I can make
molasses-worts as easily into cakes as malt-worts.
Malty (m/i'lti), a. [f. Malt sb. + -Y.] Jocular.
Addicted to, affected by, or containing malt (in
the form of malt liquor). Also slang, drunk.
1819 Metropolis III. 144 'Tis degrading to see. .our malty
ladies of quality. 1823 'Jon Hek ' Slang 117 'Malty1 ;
drunk, with beer, or drunkish any how, stupidly so. 185a
Dickkns Bleak Ho. xl, Those particular parts of the country
on which Doodle is at present throwing himself in an auri-
ferous and malty shower.
b. Of the nature of or resembling malt.
1830 M. Donovan Dom. Econ. I. 361 The bread would be
soft; clammy, greyish, and malty. 189* Walsh 7V«(Philad.)
100 Japan Pekoe, .smooth in liquor and ' malty ' in flavor.
Maluerte,Malure: see Malelrtke, Malheur.
Malurine (mixjdiursin).^. Omith. [ad. mod. L.
J/dtitrin-us, f. Malurus (see below).
The name Malurus (Vieillot 1816) was app, intended to
mean 'soft-tailed (bird)', repr. Or. fin\ovpos (Hesych.), f.
(idX6<; (Theocr., once) variously conjectured to mean ' white ',
' shaggy \ or ' soft ' + ovpd tail.]
Belonging to the A/alurin,v, a small group of
birds (chielly Australian) of which the typical genus
is Malurus, the Superb Warbler.
i86z Wood Illustr. Nat. Hist. II. 274 Perhaps the most
curious example of the Malurine birds is the beautiful little
Emeu Wren of Australia.
Malurit(e, variant of Maleurtee Obs.
Malvaceous (jna'hv'-jas), a. Pol. [f. late L.
matvdeeus (whence mod.L, J/alvace-;r), f. malva
mallow : see -ACEous.] Pertaining to the genus
Malva (the Mallow), or to the N.O. Alalvaiav.
1699 Phil. Trans. XXI. 64 An exact Division of Mallows,
or Malvaceous Plants. 1727 Bailey vol. II, Malvaeeous,
like, belonging to, or made with mallows. 1861 Kknti kv
Man. Bot. 209 Althxa rosea, and some other Malvaceous
Plants. 1880 C. & F. Darwin Movent. PI. 232 The leaves
in several Malvaceous genera sink at night.
Ma'lvad. Bot. [f. L. malva mallow + -ad.]
J indley's term for a plant of the N.O. MalvaccR:
1845 Lindlky Sch. Bot. 45 Mallowworts, or Malvads.
Malvady, corrupt form of Marayedi.
Malval(ma;'lval),<3. Pot. \\.\,.malva Mallow
+ -AX.] Only in Malval alliance, exogens : in
I.imlley's classification, an 'alliance* embracing
the N.O. A/alvacex and other orders.
1836 LlNOLSV Nat. Syst. Bot. (ed. 2) 92 The highest alli-
ances in regard to structure are the Malval and Melial. 1846
■— I'eg.Kiugd.ibS Malval exogens, with columnar stamens.
II Malvasia(malvasra). Alsomalvoisia. [It.:
see Malmsey. Cf. Sp., Pg. matvasia, V. malvoisie :
see Malvoisie.] «= Malmsey. Also attrih.. U
malvasia sack, and in Pg. phr. malvasia tic Madeira
t^ef malmsey madeira, s.v. Malmsey).
1839 Penny Cycl. XIV. s6a/l The wine exported is Ma-
d*jra wine and Malvasia de Madera. 1851 Hokrow i.arciij;ro
xciii. (1893) 360 There is Malvoisia sack,, .and partridge, and
beital'ko. 1895 Chamb. Jrnl. XII. 627/2 We entered the
•hailty and drank malvasia.
Malveisyn, variant of Malvoisie.
Malversation (imelva-i^ijan). [a. F. mal-
versation, f. malvcrser: see Malveuse v.] Cor-
rupt behaviour in an office, commission, employ-
ment, or position of trust ; an instance of this.
1549 Compl. Scot. \ix. 160 Quben the pepil disobeyis thy
gude doctryne tbroucht the euyl exempil of thy nialuersa-
tioue, thou sal l>e mair doubil puneist nor tha sal be. 1669
Marvki.i, Let. to Mayor of Hull Wks. 1776 I. 121 The
criminal part of what is reported by the commissioners con-
cerning his malversation in bis office. 1776-83 Jlstamonu
tr. RaynaVs Hist, lu-iies I. 370 The malversations that
prevail in the manufactures, magazines, docks and arsenals
at Batavia..ate scarcely to be paralleled. 1811 Welling-
ton Let. to Gordon 12 June in Gurw. Desp. 11838) VIII.
6 Those malversations in office ; those neglects of duly, .are
passed unnoticed. 1874 (Irefn Short Hist. viii. § ix. 561
Charges of malversation and corruption were hurled at the
members of the House.
b. Corrupt administration ^/"something.
1706 De Fok Jure Di?: Pref. 8 Bringing in a Foreign
Power to question him for Malversation of Government.
1818 HauAM Mid. Ages 11872) I. 229 The kingdom was
reduced to the utmost danger . . as much by malversation
of its government, as by the armies of Kdward III. 1839
JAMBS Louis Nil', III. 133 The inquiry into the malversa-
tion of the finances. 185a Thackkk \v Esmond 111. v, Car-
donnel was turned out of the House of Commons, .for mal-
versation of public money. 1881 BLACK Sunrise III. xi. 172
Malversation of justice amongst, those in a high grade.
MALVERSE.
95
MANTILLA.
fc. gen. Evil conduct. 0/>s. rare.
175a j. Macsparran Amcr. Dissected {1753) 12 Though
some of the Felons do reform, yet they are so few, that their
.Malversation has a bad Effect upon the Morals of the lower
Class of Inhabitants.
t Malverse, v. Obs. rare. [ad. F. malverser,
ad. L. male versarl (wale wrongly, ill, versarl to
behave, conduct oneself, passive freq. of vertere to
turn).] intr. To act corruptly in a position of trust.
1671 True Nonconf. 13 He could not, tmpune, without
danger of punishment, mal-verse, much less subvert Re-
ligion. 1714 W*. Forbes frnl. Session Pref, 8 The advocates
are subject to the authority of the Lords, who. .may censure,
fine, or debar them from their imployment for disobedience
or malversing in their office. 1733 P. Lindsay Interest
Scot. 95 If any Judge shall neglect or refuse to execute the
Law, ..or Malverse in the Exercise of it, he is [etc.].
Malvoisia: see M.u/vania.
Malvoisie (marlvoizi). Obs.exc.are/i. Forms:
4 malvesin, mauvesyn, 4-6 malvesye, 4 ;
-vesie, 5 -veisyn, mal(e)vesyn, malveseye,
•vaset, 5-6 -vasy, -vesey, 6 -vesy, -ie, -vase,
-vese, -veseie, -vesyne, -weysy, Sc. mavasy,
mawissie, mavasie, 7 malvasie, -ey, -vesie,
9 malvoisie. [a. OF. malvesie, ad. It. malvasia :
bee Malmsey. The forms with final n seem to
represent an adj. formation in OFr. : cf. med.L.
vinum mahasimtm. The 19th c. form malvoisie
is that ofmod.Fr.]
1. = Malmsey i.
1379-80 Durham Ace. Rolls (Surtees) 389 In uno pipe de
Malvesin. c 1386 Chauckr Shipmaris T. 70 With hym
broghte he a Iubbe of Maluesye And eek another, ful of fyn
vernage. a 1440 Sir Degrev. 1415 And evere sche drow horn
the wyn, Bothe the Roche and the Reyn, And the good
Malvesyn. 1500-ao Dunbar Poems xl. 14 All wyne to test
scho wald disdane Bot mavasy \v.rr. mawissie, mavasie],
she bad nane vder. 1508 Extracts Aberd. Keg. (1844) L
Pref. 2i,4 gallouneof Maluasy, price [tiur.viiu£ 1584C0GAN
Haven Health (1636) 310 You shall take Rose water, white
Rosevineger, Strong white Wine or Malvasie, of each like
much ; &c. 1828 Scott /•'. M. Perth viii, I hope you have
no more grave errand than to try if the malvoisie holds its
flavour. 1861 Dora Gkfenwell Poems 24 Flowing of the
Malvoisie And largesse clinking loud.
2. = Malmsey 2.
1517 Torkington Pilgr. (18S4) 20 Ther groweth the Voyne
that ys callyd Malweysy and muskedell. 1883 Stf.vknson
Silverado Sq. {1886) 21 He had broken ground up here with
his black malvoisies.
Malwe, obs. form of Mallow.
Maly(e;s, -ysyous, etc. : see Malice, -icious.
Maly(n)coli, etc., obs. forms of Melancholy.
Malyvolus, variant of Malevolous Obs.
Mani1 (msem). colloq. Also 6 mame, 6-7
raamme. [Not recorded before the 16th c, the
instance in Que MS. of the Chester Plays being al-
most certainly due to a late alteration of the text.
It is improbable that the word is adopted from the
Welsh main (:— Protoceltic *mammd) ; it seems
rather to have originated independently from a
sound instinctively made by young children ; simi-
lar words for 'mother' exist in many languages.
See Mamma1.] A childish (formerly also a familiar
or vulgar) word for mother; corresponding to Dad
sbA, but now more strictly confined to infantine
use or allusions to this. ^Main's loll: see Loll sb. 3.
? a 1500 (MS. 15^2) [see Dad sb}), 1573 Tusser Hji'sIk
(1878) 1 86 Yet cocking Mams, and shifting Dadsfromschooles,
Make pregnant wits to prooue vnlearned fooles. c 1580
Jekff.rib Bugbears 1. ii. 99 in Arcltiv Stud. nen. Spr.
XCVIII. (1897) 309 Oh, thies mammes are exigent, thier
daughters prankes to hide. 1590 Greene Nez>er too late
1. (1600) Pi 2, When the boy sayes, Mam, where is my
Dad, when will he come home? 1611 Cotgr., Alammam
(the voice of infants). Mam. 1675 Cotton Scoffer Scoft 80
Then of this Child hee's Syre and Dam, And it may call
him Dad and Mam. 1710 E. Ward Brit. Hud. in. 26 It
stroaks Pappa, and beats the Mam. 1757 Eliz. Griffith
Lett. betw. Henry <$• Frances (1767) II. 160 Has it [a childj
a broad, good-humoured countenance, like dad ; or a lively
eye,., and saucy look, like mam? 1816 'Quiz' Grand
Master Argt. 1. 1 The hero of the tale appears, Leaving his
dad and mam in tears. 1872 Hartley Yorks. Ditties Ser. n.
112 Whear is thi' Daddy doy ? Whear is thi" mam ?
fb, reduplicated. Obs.
1606 Sylvester Du Bartas n. iv. in. Schism 777 And
smiling sweet Mam-mam, mam-mam he cries [F. crie me a
vie me\.
t C. allrib. and Comb. Obs.
1599 Nashe Lenten Stifle Wks. (Grosart) V. 269 The
nur.se or mother Mampudding . .down she sunk to the earth.
1653 R* Carpenter Anabapt. Was/it 21 These. .Censurers
know no other Language than Mam-English, or, their
mother tongue.
tMam~. Obs. ra?'e~°. [ad. L. mamma breast.]
161 1 Florio, Mamma, a pap, a dug, a mam, a breast.
Mam, obs. form of Ma'am,
Mama, variant of Mamma1.
t Mamalone. Obs. rare"1. [Obscure ; perh. a
misreading for mamalouc (see Mameluke).]
x799 Jane Austen Lett. 8 Jan. (1884) I. 192, I am to wear
a mamalone cap instead.. .It is alt the fashion now.
Mamalueco, etc.: see Mameluco, Mameluke.
II Mamamouchi. The mock -Turkish title
pretended to have been conferred by the Sultan
upon M. Jourdain, in Moliere's play Le Bourgeois
Gentilhomme, iv. iii. Hence occas. used for: A
pompous-sounding title; also, one assuming such
a title; a ridiculous pretender to elevated dignity.
1C72 Drydf.n Assign. Prol. 30 You must have Mama-
mouchi, such a Fop As would appear a Monster in a Shop.
a 1734 North Exam. 11. iv. § 5 (17401 233 So then he drops
his mammamouchi Outside of Oates's Plot in the dark, no
more to be heard of in that Reign. 1749 H. Walpole Lett.
(1846) II. 287 This ridiculous Mamamouchi [The Duke of
Newcastle, Chancellor of Cambridge University].
Comb. 1673 Mem. Madam Charlton 12 Charlton fancies
nothing less than to be made a Duke, or some strange
Mammamouchy-Titulado.
Mamanite (m/I*raanait). Mitt. [f. Matnan,
in Persia, its locality + -ITK : so named by A. (ioebel
j in 1865.] 'A sulphate similar to polyhalite, but
J somewhat different in composition* (Chester Diet.
\ A'ames Min. 1896).
Mamay, variant of Mammee.
Mainble (marml/1), v. Obs. exc. dial. Also
3-4 mamel. [ME. mamelen, possibly repr. an
OE. *mamel/an --- OIIG. mammalon to stammer,
mutter, mod. Ger. dial, memmeln to mutter, also
to chew slowly ; an onomatopoeic formation with
frequentative suffix -LE : cf. MAMMEE, MumBLBZ>/'J.]
1. intr. To mumble or mutter ; to chatter.
ri275 Prov. Alfred 492 in O. E. Misc. 132 panne mud
: mamelit more banne hit solde. 1377 Lan<;l. J\ PI. B. v. r
Of bis tnatere I my^te mamelyful longe. Ibid. xi. 40S Adam
. .when he mameled aboute mete and entermeted to knowe
pe wisdom and be witte of god he was put fram blisse.
2. To eat lazily.
.' 182s Forbv I'oc. E. Amelia, Mamble v., to eat with
seeming indifference, as if from want of appetite.
t Ma mbler. Obs. rare—1. In 5 mammlero.
. [f. Mamble v. + -ER '.] A voluble speaker.
a 1400-50 Alexander 4498 For marcure was mansla^t a
mammlere of wordis.
t Ma mbling", vbl. sb. Obs. [f. Mamble v. y
-ing i.] ? =Mammerino 2.
1640 lip. Hai.l Chr. Moder. 11. ii. 5 He could rather lie
content the Angell of the Church of Laodicea should be quit-'
cold, then in such a mambling of profession. 1648 Manton
Spir. Languish. 16 We content ourselves with a lukewarm-
nesseanda mambling of profession midling it between Christ
■ and the world.
t Mambu. Obs. Also 8 mombu. [a. OPg.
j mambu Bamboo.] The bamboo.
1662 J. Davtks tr. Mandelslds Trav. 149 A sort of Canes,
, by the lavians called Mambu. Ibid., On the Coast of
Malabar [etcj this sort of Cane produces a drug called
j Sacar Mambus, that is, Sugar of Mambu. 1681 Grkvv
' Musxutu n. 223 Part of a sort of Mambu, a preat Indian
Cane. Ibid. 225. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3} II. 384/1 A sub-
stance called Tabaxir, or sugar of Mombu.
Mame, obs. form of Maim sb., Malm, Mam*.
Mamea, -ee, -eia, obs. ff. Mammee.
Mamel, variant of Mamble.
II Mameliere. Hist. Also 9 mammelidre,
: -illiere. [Fr. : f. mamelle breast.] A piece of
j armour consisting of a circular plate of metal cover-
! ing either breast.
1824 Mkyrick Atic. Armour III. Gloss., Mamillaria,
Mamillieres. 1834 Planch£ Brit. Costume 122 On the
breast are fastened sometimes one, sometimes two round
' plates called mamelicrcs. 1885 Fairholt Costume in Ettg.
(ed. 3) II. 277 The surcoat has openings or slits over the
; mamclieres to allow of a chain passing through.
Mamellated, variant of Mamillated///. a.
t Mamelle. Obs. Also mammill. [a. F.
, mamelle :~~\,. mamilla, dim. of mamma breast.]
I A woman's breast. Also fig.
( 1430 Hymns Virg. (1867) 1 Thi mammillis, moder, ful
weel y meene, Y had to my meete bat y my3t not niys. 1483
I Caxton Gold. Leg. 135 b/a Thenne Quyncianus. .comanded
that her brestis and mamellis shold be drawen & cntte of.
Ibid. 419/1 Nourysshed by the pnppes and mamellys of the
! Scrypture of holy chyrche.
Mameloil (m.x»nelfTn). Also mammillov),
mammelon. [a. F. mamelon nipple, f. mamelle :
i see prec]
1. A rounded eminence or hummock.
1830 Lyell Priuc. Geol. I. 206 This mammillon has been
largely (married for lime. 1848 D. Borrkk Campaign agsf.
Kabailes Algeria, Upon the summit of two mammelons. .
! two French outposts were placed. 1893 E. H. Barkkk
Wand. South. Waters 289 An isolated hill or mamelon in the
valley of the Lot.
2. A small hemispherical tubercle.
1872 Nicholson Palxont. 105 Ordinarily the tubercle con-
sists of a rounded ball or hemisphere (the ' mamelon ').
Hence Mamelonated (mce-melf 'lifted ) a., covered
with rounded protuberances.
1857 Bullock Cazeaux1 Midivif. 47 Like the latter, its
two surfaces are flattened, and it is besides slightly lobular
and mamelonated. 1872 Cohfn Dt's. Throat 243 This gives
the part a rough mamelonated appearance.
f| MameluCO (mxmeli/?k(?). Also 9 mama-
lueco. [Pg., lit. a mameluke : see next.] A cross-
breed between a white and a Brazilian Indian.
1863 Bates Nat. Amazousi. ^note, Mameluco denotes the
offspring of White with Indian ; Mulatto, that of White with
Negro. 1874 Burton Captw. Hans Stade xv. (Hakl, Soc.)
45 Mamalueco, meaning the offspring of a white man by an
Indian woman, is now obsolete 111 Sao Paulo, where Caboclo
has taken its place. 1900 Dkniker Races 0/ Man xiii. 545
The Mamelucos or PauUsts of the province of Sao Paulo
(Brazil), European and Indian half-breeds.
Mameluke (mnrmel^k). Obs. exc. Hist.
Forms: 6 mam m oluke, mam(m)eluc.k, mam-
maluke, 6-8 mamaluk, 6-9 -luke, 7 mamme
luke, mamaluch,mamelueh, mammal tick ,mam-
uluke, //. after It. form mamaluchi, mama-
luc(c)hy, 7 X mamaluc(k,S mamaluque, mame-
luc, 6- mameluke. Also 9 mamlouk, mamluk(e,
memlo(o^k. [Ultimately a. Arab. eJ»l^* mamlftk
slave, a subst. use of the pa. pple. of malaka to
possess. The Turkish pronunciation is (meml/7k~ ;
cf. med.L. mamehtc, mamehtehits (12th c), OK.
mameluzj mamelos (mod.K. mamehtk% mameloulS),
Sp., Vg. viamclucOj It. mammaluco.]
1. A member of the military body, originally
composed of Caucasian slaves, which seized the
throne of Egypt in 1254, and continued to form
ihe ruling class in that country until the early part
of the 19th century.
The Mameluke sultans reigned from 1254 to 1517, when
the Ottoman Sultan Selini I assumed the sovereignty. Sub-
sequently Kgypt was governed, under the nominal rule vA a
Turkish viceroy, by 24 Mameluke beys. In 1811 the Mame-
lukes remaining after the French war wire massacred by
Mohammed Ali, pasha of Kgypt.
1511 Guylforre Pt'tgr. (Camden) 13 There was a gret<-
Ambasset of the soldans towardes Venyce, that hadde in
his companye many Mamolukes. 1529 More Py<ttoge iv.
Wks. 279/2 Mammolukes and Genisaries about y" Turk and
Soudan, haue vsed to christen their children of purpose.
1586 T. B. J, a Primaud. Jr. Acad. 1. (1594) 598 Not long
since the souldan of Cayre [was elected] out of the mamme-
lucks. 1600 j. PoRY tr. Leo's Africa V'llt. 320 Certaine
principall Mamalukes. .etierie of whom was captaine of a
thousand inferiour Mamaluks; and their ..like was to con-
duct the Soldans forces. 1648 C. Walker Hist. Independ. 1.
145 [The Egyptians lived j under vassalage to their own
Mamaluchi or Nlercenaries. 1658 Eakl Monm. tr. Paruta's
II ars Cyprus 46 It was taken by the aid <S the mamalucchy,
by James son to the same King illegitimate. 1704 Collet t.
I'oy. (Churchill) III. 5S7, 2 .Most of the Mamaluones. .were
slain. 1796 Ih'. Watson Apol. Bible vi. 59 It (Egypt] be-
came subject. .to the Matnalucs, and now is a province of
the Turkish empire. 1796 If. Hi'mter tr. St .-Pierre's Stud.
Nat. (1709) 1 1 1. 463 The twelve Beys of Egypt, chosen from
among the Mamelucs. 1801 Wellington Memorandum
in Gurw. De$p. I. ^14 Supposing that the Mamelukes should
be inclined to shake off the French yoke and to co-operate
with us. 1813 Byron Br. Abydos 1. viii, With Maugrabee
and Mamaluke, His way amid his Delis [he] took. 1845
Eliot Warburton Cresc. <y Cross vii. 57 The Mamelukes
were young Georgian or Circassian slaves.
attrib. 177a Ann. Reg. 18 The Mamaluck system. 1856
Freeman Saracens iv. (1870) 158 The Mameluke Sultans.
2. A slave (in Mohammedan countries),
1600 Hakxuyt I'oy. III. 718, I shall presently banish all
the Mamalukes and white men which dwell in any of those
Indian townes. 1836 Lane Mod. Egypt. I. 163 Few of the
Egyptians have memlooks, or male white slaves. 1844 Mem.
Babylonian P"cess II. 170 His Mamelukes, both white and
black. 1884 J. Payne Tales fr. Arabic I. 236 Now the
Fersian had a mameluke, as he were the full moon.
3. fig. A * fighting slave ' of the Pope, etc.
1531 Tindale Exp. 1 John (1538) 41 Many. .are be come
the Antichristes of Koines mamelukes. 1679 ' Tom Tickle-
voor "Trials Wakeman, etc. gWhen they were listed amongst
the Pope's Mamalukes. 1680 Bolron Papist's Oat h Secrecy
7 That Oath which lilessed Ignatius Loyola imposed upon
Ins Spiritual Mamaluks. 1833 CoLtRiDGi-: Table-t. i3 Apr.,
So long as the Bishop of Rome remains Pope, and has an
army of Mamelukes all over thewoild, we shall do very
little. 1902 Contcmp. Rev. Dec. 7SS The Assumptionists
are mere mamelukes of the Vatican.
4. allrib. : mameluke -bit, the heavy iron bit
used by the Mamelucos of Brazil (see MAMELUCO) ;
mameluke point, the long double-edged cutting
point of the Mameluke sabre ; mameluke sleeve,
a fashion of sleeve worn by women in Paris under
the First Empire.
1826 Sir F. Head Pampas 177, I.. took the iron *mame-
luke-bit out of his mouth. 1809 Ld. Valentia I'oy. III. 307
They [sabres] were all Persian, but some had been lengthened
in Egypt at both ends, so as to give the * Mameluke point,
which cuts both ways. 1898 LadV Mary Lovd tr. Uzaune's
Fashion in Pan's iii. 55 Towards the close of the [First]
Empire, when. .*mameluke sleeves, and hair dressed a t'en-
fant, struck a feudal and gothic note.
Hence Ma"meliikedomy?ilr. , the condition of being
a Mameluke or fighting slave. Mamelukery
Jig, a body of 'Mamelukes', a party of enslaved
depredators.
1824 Landor Ituag. Conv., Leopold fy du Paty Wks. 1853
I. 53/1 Our spiritual Mamelukery is as ambitious of power
and riches as if it had children to inherit them. 1900 Con-
temp. Rev. Mar. 455 The reduction of an entire nation to
intellectual serfdom and moral Mamelukedom.
Mamente, Mameny : see Mai:xiet, Malmkxy.
Mamere, variant of Mammer v.
Mameri, variant of Mahomery Obs.t mosque.
Mamey : see Mammee.
Mamie, variant of Mammee, Mammy.
|| Mamilla (imvmrla). Also 7-9 mammilla.
[L., dim. of mamma breast, teat.]
1. The. nipple of the female breast ; also, the
male ' mamma '.
1693 tr. Blancara"s P/iys. Diet. (ed. 2), Mammilla. 1706
Phillips (ed. Kersey), Mammilla, a little Breast, Tet, or
Dug. 1889 Syd. Soc. Lex.y Mammilla,. .t\\e nipple of the
mammary gland. Also, tin; male breast, or mammary gland.
MAMILLAR.
2. transf. (Anat., Hot., etc.) Any nipple-shaped |
organ or protuberance ; a papilla.
1818 Kirby & Sp. Entomot. II. 279 In these apodous walkers
the place of legs is supplied by fleshy and often retractile
mamilta or tubercles. 1828 R. Knox ir. Cloqncfs An.it.
454 There occurs on the surface of the brain .. a sort of
whitish mammilla, which seemed to be concealed IB the
interior of the nerve. 1843 J. < 1. Wilkinson tr. Swd,- it box's
Anhn. Kingd. I. Lax Glandular mammilla; or papilla:. 1866
Treas. Bot. 714/9 (Matnillaria) The mamilla:. .have little
tufts of white hair between them. 1852 HkksLOW Diet, Bot,
Terms, Mantilla (a little teat). Little granular prominences
on the surface of certain pollen. 1889 Baron in Q. Jml.
Ceol. Soc. XLV. 322 The crystals of others [sc. stones] assume
a mamillated form, the mamilla^ being covered with minute
crystals. 1889 Syd. Soc. Lex., Mammillae, . . applied to the
conical or cylindrical organs of the Arachnida,. . Also, the
papillae or apices of the Malpighian pyramids in the kidney.
Mamillar (m*Tnilli), a. In quote, mam- j
miliar, [a. L. mamillar-is, f. mamilla : sue Ma- :
villa.] = Mamillary 2.
1648 J. BEAUMOKT Psyche IV. exxi, [Osphresis loq.] By the
Mammillar Processions, I Embrace those pleasures which
my Sweets impart. 1832 Maccillivray tr. Humboldt's 1
Trav. xviii. 251 Masses of rock, .emerge from its bosom,
some of a mammillar form. 1897 Atlbutt's Sysi. Med. IV. j
716 The surface is coarsely lobular or mammillar.
Mamillariform (maemilae*rif£im), a. rare, i
[f. L, mamillari-s Mamillar + -form.] Mamilli- ,
form.
1869 Eng. Meek. 19 Nov. 225/1 A small mammi liar i form |
object.
Mamillary (mae*milari), a. Also 7 mam- ,
millarie,mammilary, 7-9 mammillary. [f. L.
mamiltaris : see Mamilla and -aby -.]
1. Of or pertaining to the breast ; also, f having
mammae.
1669 W. Simpson Hydrol. Chym. 278 The. .milky juyce,
passing, .through the inammilary conduits into the breasts.
179a Belknap Hist. New Ilampsh. III. 165 The only j
mamillary biped which we have, is the Bat 1898 AUbutt's j
Sysi. Med. V. 981 To the left of the mammillary or mid-
thoracic line.
2. Of the form of a mamma; mammiform.
Mamillary process : (a) the mastoid process of the temporal j
bone; (/')//. the metapophysis of the lumbar vertebra;; tU1 1
pi. the olfactory lobes.
1615 Crooke Body of Man 433 The mamillary processes
which are the Organes of smelling. 1650 ButWER Anthro- \
pomet. 16 The bottom of the Ear (in which place the Mam-
millary processe is). 1722 Quincv Lex. Physico-Mcd. (ed. 2)
126/1 It is the Entry to the Sinus in the Mammillary Pro-
cess. 1741 Monro Anat. Nerves (ed. 3) 39 The Mammil-
lary Processes of the Brain. 1797 M. Bajllie Morb.Anat.
(1807) 274 The mamillary portion of the kidney. 1865 Lub-
bock Preh. Times :■ y, Small mammillary elevations which
are known as Indian corn-hills. 1881 Mivart Cat 39 The
anterior process .. is termed the mammillary process, or
Metapophysis.
b. Having mammiform protuberances.
1813 Bakkwkll In trod. Geol. 355 Mammillary, with a
number of convex smooth surfaces. 1830 Lyell Print.
Ceol. I.202 Sometimes the travertin assumes precisely the
botroidal and mammillary forms, common to similar deposits,
in Auvergne. 1841 Trimmer Pract. Geol. 348 The sides of
the cells are coated with mamillary concretions. 1846 Dana
Zooph. (1848) 265 Gibbous and coarsely mammillary.
c. Mamillary brooch (Antiq.) : one consisting
of two cup-shaped pieces connected by a handle.
1862 W. R. Wii.de Catal. Gold Antiq. R. Irish Acad. 57
Mammillary Fibula;— For the sake of distinction and arrange-
ment, we have applied this term to a class of gold ornaments,
of great diversity of size, found in abundance in Ireland.
1863 D. Wilson Preh. Ann. I. 11. vi. 459 The dilated gold
ribiuse styled . . Mamillary Brooches.
Mamillate, a. Also maram-, [ad. L. mamil-
Idt-us, i. mamilla Mamilla + -ate1.] = next.
1826 Kirby & Si'. Entomol. IV. 311 Feelers {Palpi). .Mam-
millate.. when the last joint is very short, smaller than the
preceding one, and retractile within it. 1847 W. Darlington
A?ner. Weeds $ Useful PL (i860) Gloss., Mamillate, coni-
cal, with a rounded apex. 1875 Ui.aki: Zool. 38 The teeth
in Mastodon mammillate, often numerous, and with every
intermediate gradation.
Mamillated (marmikitf'cl), ppl. a. Also 8-9
mammillated, 9 mammalated, mam; m)el-
(l)ated,mammilated. [f. Mamillate a. + -ED1.]
1. Having rounded protuberances or projections ;
covered with mammiform excrescences, spec, in
Path, as a morbid condition of certain viscera ; also
Geol. and ATin.
1741 Stack in Phil. Trans. XLI. 713 The inward Mem-
brane had on its concave Surface a sort of Villoshy wrinkled
and mamillated. 1801 Bournon ibid. XCI. 172 This ore fre-
quently assumes a mamillated form. 1823 W. VllUAAVSItltrod.
Aliucral.(ti(\. 3) p. Ixxxv, A mineral presenting aggregations
of large sections of numerous small globes is termed botry-
oidal ; but when the globes are larger, and the portions are
less, and separate, the appearance is expressed by the term
mamillated. 1845 Darwin Voy. Nat. hi. (1879) 46 The mam-
millated country of Maldonado. 1865 Geikie Seen. <fr Geol.
Scot. vii. 176 The rocks are worn into smooth mammillated
outlines. 1898 AUbutt's Syst. Med. V. 920 This a merely
mammillated or corrugated surface will not do.
2. Having a nipple-shaped process or part.
1839 Sowkrby Conch. Man. 62 Mammillated, a term ap-
plied to the apex of a shell when it is rounded like a teat.
1851-6 Woodward Mollusca 119 Spire short, apex mammil-
lated. 1861 Hit.mk tr. Moquin-Tandon 11. in. v. 156 The
cases from the pistacias are. .mammelated, light, with a
turpentine flavour.
96
Mamillation (mnemiki'Jan). In qnots. mam-
millation. [f. Mamilla + -ation.]
1. The condition of being mamillated.
1856 Mavnk Expos. Lex., Mammillation. Term applied
to the appearances of little prominences like granulations
on a mucous surface, as of the stomach sometimes in Phthisis,
etc. 1877 Roberts Handlk. Med. (ed. 3) I. 120 The stomach
occasionally presents, .mammillation, softening [etc.].
2. concr. in//. Rounded bosses.
1863 A. C. Ramsay Phys. Geog.xxiv. (1878) 382 Smoothing
those large mammi Hat ions the Cumbraes. 1880 19/A Cent.
Nov. 850 The mammillations of the surface suggest that the
rocks have been ..rounded by the passage of moving ice.
MamiHiferoUS (mcemilrferos), a. [f. Ma-
milla + -(i)feroi's.] Having or bearing mamilla?.
1856 in Mayne Expos. Lex. 1889 in Syd. Soc. Lex. 189X
Athen&nm 30 May 703/1 The division of the mammalia
into a mammilliferous and a non-mammilliferous series.
Mamilliform (mami'IiffX-im), a. Also mam-
milliform, [f. Mamilla + -(i)form.] Shaped like
or resembling a mamilla ; nipple-shaped.
1843 Forbes in Proc. Berw. Nat. Club II. No._ 11. 79
Among which are . . interspersed numerous mammilliform
tubercles. 1846 Dana Zooph. (1848) 423 With mammilliform
prominences when contracted. 1888 A. S. Woodward in
Q. jml. Geol. Soc. XLIV. 147 The teeth upon this surface
are quite mammilliform. 1880 Gunther Fishes 162 The
fdaments. .are beset with mamilliform appendages.
Mamilloid (mse'miloid), a. In quot. mamra-.
[f. Mamilla + -on).] Resembling a mamilla.
1849-52 Todd Cycl. Anat. V. 925/2 The first and second
plates [of the molar] have two mammilloid summits.
Mamillose (mai'mil^s), a. [f. Mamilla +
-08E.] Having mamilliform organs or parts.
1856 in Mayne Expos. Lex. 1889 in Syd. Soc. Lex.
Mamio, obs. form of Mammee.
t Ma-mish, a. Obs. rare"1, [f. Mam sb.l +
-lKii.] Uxorious.
? a 1641 Bp. Hall WometCs Veil Rem. Wks. (1660) 240
If the Crown be set upon the head (as the husband may give
honour to the weaker vessel) yet it is a pittyful head that is
not better then the crown that adorns it. ..None but some
mamish Monsters can question it.
Mamlouk, inamluk(e, obs. ff. Mameluke.
Mamma1, mama (mama-). [A reduplicated
syllable often uttered instinctively by young chil-
dren, who are in many countries taught to use it as
their word for 'mother* (esp. where the ordinary
word in the language begins with 7n).
The Indogermanic type *mamw$, as a child's word for
mother, is found as Gr. y-a-fx^, L. mamma (whence It.
mamma), OS1., Russian MUMa, Lith. mama, Irish mam
(O'Brien); also in Welsh mam, which is the only word for
' mother ', though modr- survives in some compounds. The
F. maman (Cotgr. 161 1 tuamviam), like the earlier mam-ma
(1534 in Hatz.-Darm.),appearstobean independent adoption
of the instinctive infantine utterance; the Sp. mantd, Pg.
mamae, may perhaps be from French.
Apart from the two 16th c. quots. in which the word is
used with reference to a child's first attempt to speak, the
Eng. mamma has not been found earlier than near the end
of the 17th c, after which time it rapidly became common.
The Eng. word of the i7-i8th c. (rimed by Shadwell with
awe) prob. represents a spoken form adopted from the F.
maman ; the spelling may have been suggested by Latin or
It., or it may possibly have been originally meant to express
the native English form (roa'mS, mp'vaS), which is stilt
current in many dialects. In educated use, so far as is known,
the stress has in England always been on the last syllable ;
in the United States, however, the stress ma'mma is the more
usual ; a prevailing U. S. pronunciation is represented by
the spelling momma, occasionally used in novels. The
spelling mama, sometimes used in the iSth c, became
somewhat common after 1800, and is especially frequent m
the novels printed c 1830-50. It is now rare.]
A word employed as the equivalent of mother :
chiefly used in the vocative, or preceded by a possess,
pronoun (as * my mamma ') ; also without article
In the manner of a proper name (e.g. 'Mamma
is well') ; less usually with a, the, or in plural.
The status of the word has always been the same as that
of Papa1. In the 18th c, although ma'mma as used by
young children was probably common, mamma' seems to
have been confined to the higher classes, and among them
to have been freely used not only by children but by adults
of both sexes. In the 19th c. its use was much extended,
and among the lower middle class was a mark of gentility*.
Latterly it has in England become unfashionable, even as
used by children.
[iS55 Eden Decades 44 They were turned into frogges.aml
cryed toa, toa, that is, mama, mama, as chyldren are wont to
crye for the mothers pappe.J 1579 Lvly Euphnes (Arb.) 129
When the babe shall now begin to tattle and call hir Mamma,
with what face can she heare it of his month, vnto whom
she hath denyed Mamma? 1690 Locke Hum. Und. in. ii. §7.
191 The Ideas of the Nurse, and the Mother are well framed
in their Minds. .. The names of Nurse and Mamma, the
Child uses, determine themselves to those Persons. 1691
SHADWELL Scowrtri Epil., How can one stand in awe Of
a vain Tawdry, Amorous Mamma? 1710 E. Ward Brit.
Hud. in. 26 So the sweet Iiabe of Early Wit, To please
Mamma does Daddy beat. 1727 Gay Begg. Op. 1. viii.
(1729) it My Mama drinks double the quantity. 1728
P. Wai.kkr Life Alex. Peden in Biog. I'resb. (1827) I. 140
Our. .old Scots Names are gone out of Request; instead of
Father and Mother, Mamma and Papa, training Children
to speak Nonsense. 1748 Chesterf. Lett. (1792) II. clxxi.
132 At which I am uneasy not as a Mamma would be, but
as a Father should be. 1758 Eliz. Rose in Family Rose
Kilravock (Spald. Club) 431 Papa and mamma are well.
1773 Golds M. Stoops to Conq. v. (ed. 2) 94 Tony. Alack,
mama, it was all your own fault. 181 1 L. M, Hawkins CUess
MAMMALIA,
<v Gertr. (1812) I. 52 Poor Tom must shift with his outgrown
Coat, because Papa has just given Mama a row of pearls.
a 1S14 Fam.Potitics in. iv. in New Brit. Theatre (1814) II.
224 Edw. . . One more trial, my delightful mama. Lady Jez.
How often have I told you not to apply that vulgar appel-
lation to ineV 1819 BYRON Juan 1. xlviii, I can't but say
that his mamma was right. 1838 Lytton Alice 1. vi, You
should make your mamma take you to town. 1848 Dickens
IJombey xxxv, Florence is ready to receive her father and
her new mama. 1887 Ruskin Prgeterita II. 241 [I read
my] work to papa and mamma at breakfast next morning,
as a girl shows her sampler.
"b. Used as a prefixed title.
17.. Sir J. Marriot in Dodsley Coll. Poems (1755^ IV.
289 The cruel Fates their rage relented, And mama Venus
had consented.
C. fig. (jocular only).
1844 Thackeray May Gambols Wks. 1000 XIII. 443 The
exhibition of the New Society . . has grown to be quite as
handsome . . as that of its mamma, the old Society in Pall
Mall East.
d. Comb.\ mamma- in-law jocular = Mother-in-
law ; mamma-pian [F. maman pian~\, a ■ mother *
tubercle of the disease known as 'yaws'; a 'yaw1.
1855 Thackeray Neivcomes II. 259 Recalling some of
mam ma- in- law's dreadful expressions which make me
shudder when I hear them. 1895 Clue Holland Jap.
Wife (ed. 11) 36, I do not altogether like my mamma-in-
law. 1889 Syd. Soc. Lex., Mama pian. 1898 P. Manson
Trop. Diseases xxvii. 428 note, A large persistent yaw is
sometimes known as the 'mother', 'grandmother 'or
' mama-pian '.
HenceMamma12'.,tocallbythenameof 'mamma'.
1748 RicHARDSONC/ar/«a(i8n) III. 359 Pris. willMamma-
up Mrs. Sinclair.
|| Mamma -(manna). P/.-Sd. [L.] The milk-
secreting organ of the female in man and the other
mammalia. Also the corresponding but non-secret-
ing structure in males.
C1050 Prudentius Gloss, in Germam'a (1878) XI. 401 In
Papillas, an mamman. 1693 in tr. Blancard's Phys. Did.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Mamma, a Ureast, Pap, or Teat.
1727 Bailey vol. II, Mamma [with anatomists], a Preast,
Pap or Teat; also a Dug in Cattle. 1795 [see Mammary i J.
1804 Abernethy Surg. Obs. 21 In the mamma they [the
vessels] seem to be rather large than numerous. 1845
Chambers Vestiges (ed. 4) 198 The mamma: of the human
female.. also exist in the male. 1871 Darwin Desc. Man
I. i. 17 The mamma; of male quadrupeds. 1887 Butlin
in Brit. Med. Jml. I. 573/1 The very free removal of the
mamma ..recommended by Mr. Banks [etc.]. 1887 Athe-
naeum 8 Jan. 66/2 The pectoral position of the mamma m
the Sirenia..gave rise to the legend of the mermaid.
t Ma'mmaday. Obs. [Of obscure origin : cf.
mod. dial, mamaay (Line.) 'a sweetmeat made of
boiled sugar'.] ? Nurse's milk, 'pap' (jig.)* Also
attrib. b. As a term of contempt : A ' milksop*.
1589 G. Harvey Pierces Super. (1593) 74 Nothing, but
pure Mammaday, and a fewe morsels of fly-blowne Euphu-
lsme, somewhat nicely minced for puling stnmackes. Ibid.
1 36 This M.-fmmaday hath excellently knocked himselfe on
the sconse with his owne hatchet. 1603 Harsnet Pop.
Impost. 29 If their Conies be Protestants, .then some holy
Ceremonies, .must be solemnly used.. to bring them to lie
betweene the sweete breasts of their holy mother the Romish
Church that the Mammaday, which shall be given them,
may doe them the more good. 1618 N. B. Courtier ty
Count tym. D 4 b, Thy meat tasts all of mammaday pudding,
which breaking at both ends, the stuffing runnes about
the Pot.
Mammfflform : see Mammiform.
Mammal (mce*mal), sb. [First used in pi. as
an anglicized form of Mammalia.] An animal of
the class mammalia.
1826 Goon BK\ Nat. II. ii. 52 As we have no fair synonym
for it [Mammalia] in our own tongue, I shall beg leave now,
as 1 have on various other occasions, to render it mammals.
184s Chambers Vestiges (ed. 4) 109 The ornithorhynchus is
a mammal receding to near the grade of birds. 1859 Dar-
win Orig. Spec. x. (.1873) 283 True mammals have been dis-
covered 111 the new red sandstone. 1859 Geo. Eliot A.
Bede vii, There is one order of beauty which seems made to
turn the heads., of all intelligent mammals, even of women.
b. attrib., as mammal fattts, form, giant.
1845 Chambers Vestiges (ed. 4) 207 In the mammal fcetus,
. .the organ has the form of a prolonged tube. Ibid., It be-
romes a full mammal heart. 1879 tr. HaeckeVs Evol. oj
Man I.i. 3 Amphibian and Mammal forms. 190a T.Gill in
Pop. Sci. Monthly Sept, 436 A whale may be alluded to as
a gigantic mammal or a mammal giant.
t Mammal, a. Obs. rare. [ad. late L. mam-
mdl-is.'] I'ertainiiig to the mamma; or breasts.
1656 Blount Glossogr. s. v. Vein, Mammal veine (vena
mammalis) is double, an inward and an outward one, dis-
tributed among the parts of the brest. [From Cotgr., / 'eine
m animate.}
Mammalated, obs. form of Mamillated a.
II Mammalia (m&nvt-lia), //. [mod.L. mam-
malia {^Linnams), neut. pi. of late L. mammalis
adj., f. mamma: see Mamma ^.J A * class' of the
animal kingdom the members of which are charac-
terized by the possession of mainmse in which milk
is secreted for the nourishment of the young.
The Mammalia are divided into the placental and the
implacental mammalia (see the adjs.), the latter comprising
only the marsupials and monotremes. Except the mono-
tremes, the mammalia are all viviparous.
1773 Encycl. Brit. III. 362/2 The First Class, Mam-
malia, is subdivided into 7 Orders. 1817 Lawrence Lec-
tures (1823) 101 In the mammalia, .we descend from man
to the whale or seal. 183* Df. la Bfxhe Geol. Man.
(ed. 2) 297 The remains of mammalia have not yet been
MAMMALIAN.
detected in tlie cretaceous group. i88r Mivart in Nature I
No. 615 . 337 We and beasts constitute . . the class Mammalia.
Manimalial, a. noncc-wd. = Mammalian.
1835 T. Hook G. Gurney in Jftto Monthly Mag. XLIV.
167 Men, women, and children, not to speak of animals,
ornithological and mammalial.
Mammalian (mawi'lian), a. and St. [t.
Mammalia + -an.]
A. adj. Of or belonging to the mammalia.
1851 D. Wilson Archceol. ff Preh. Aim. Scot/. I. i. 22 Ex.
tensive discoveries of mammalian remains. 1855 W. S. Dal-
las in Syst. Nat. Hist. II. 375 Host of the bones in the
Mammalian skeleton are solid. 1880 HAUGHTON/Vy'i.C^S?.
iii. 81 The lower forms of Mammalian life.
B. sb. One of the mammalia.
1835 Kirby Hak ty Inst. Animals II. xxiv. 515 The bears,
the foxes, and other Mammalians. 1865 Farrar Chapt.
Lang. 15 The action is as instinctive to them as sucking
is to every infant mammalian.
Mammaliferous (msanSU-fiSras), a. Geo!.
[f. Mammali-a + -FEROUS.] Containing mam-
malian remains.
1851 Richardson's Geol. x. 336 The mammaliferous crag
consists of shelly beds of sand [etc.). 1857 H. Miller Tat.
Rocks ii. 79 Not until the great mammaliferous period it
fairly ushered in, do either the bats or the whales make their
appearance in creation.
".(Loosely used for Mammalian.
1873 J. Gf.ikie Gt. Ice Age xi. 150 The strata containing
mammaliferous remains.
Mammality (msemarliti). rare—1, [f. Mam-
mal + -ity.] The attribute of being mammalian.
1899 J. Fiske Through Nature to God it. xi. 125 The
Australian duck-bill, a relic of the most ancient incipient
mammality, is still oviparous.
Mammalogical (msemSl<rdjik41), a. [f.
Mammalogy + -ical; after F. mammalogique.']
Pertaining to mammalogy.
1856 Mayne Expos. Lex. 1859 Owen Classif. Mammalia
34 .Mammalogical systems which . . have been proposed. 1879
tr. De Quatrejages' Human Spec. 163 Agassiz thus destroys
the homogeneity of the mammalogical fauna.
Mammalogist (mjfrmgyl&dgUt). [f. Mam-
malogy + -1ST; after F. mammalogiste.~\ One
versed in mammalogy.
1839 Penny Cycl. XIV. 353/1 Aldrovandus, Jonston, and
the rest of that class of mammalogists, seem to have followed
Gesner. 1883 Academy 1 Dec. 365/3 [Cites the word as a
' neologism ' from F.ncycl. A mericand].
Mammalogy (mimrelodji). [irreg. f. Mam-
malia + -logy ; after F. mammalogfe.] The science
of mammals.
1835 PenuyCycl. III. 229/1 Fischer, the most recent writer
upon mammalogy, enumerates eleven different species of
baboons. 1854 Owen Skel. /, Teeth in Circ. Sci., Organ.
Nat. I. 301 The Systematic Mammalogies.
Mammaluck, -luke, obs. ff. Mameluke.
Mam-mam, reduplication of Mam L ,
Mammary (marmari), a. [f. L. mamma (see
Mamma *) t -ary !.]
1. Of or belonging to the mamma or breast, j
Also «W.=mammary artery.
1682 T. Gibson Anat. (1697) 2r It has Arteries and Veins
from the Mammary, and Epigastrick, and from those of the
Midriff, or the Phrenick. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Mam.
mary Vessels, the Arteries and Veins that pass thro' the
Muscles and Glands, or Kernels of the Breasts. 1795 Home
in Phil. Trans. LXXXV. 230 The mammary branches run
superficially under the false belly till they reach the mammre.
1831 R. Knox Cloquet's Anat. 831 The mammary gland.
1834 Eraser's Mag. X. 535 The women . . are remarkable for
the same mammary exuberance. 1862 H. W. Fuller JJis.
Leungs 4 The mammary is bounded above by the third rib.
1901 Brit. Med. Jrnl. No. 2097 Epit. Med. Lit. 38 The
third left rib was resected, the internal mammary ligatured.
2. Having the form of a mamma. + Mammary
sarcoma (see quot. 18S9).
1804 Med. Jrnl. XII. 466 Below are small mammary
projections about to be the outlets to the cysts beneath
them. 1807-26 S. Cooper First Lines Surg. (ed. 5' I9r
When the tumour is known.. to be either a mammary, a
tuberculated, or medullary sarcoma, care should be taken
[etc.J. 1889 Syd. Soc. Lex., Mammary sarcoma, an old
name for one of the denser varieties of sarcoma . . from its
resemblance on section to a portion of mammary gland.
Mammate (marmot), a. [ad. L. mammat-ns,
i. mamma Mamma 2 + -ate 2.] Having mammae.
1856 Mayne Expos. I^ex., Mam matus,.. having mamma:
or breasts : mammate. [In mod. Diets.]
Mammato- (msemfi'to), used as comb, form
of L. mammatus (see prec.1, in meteorological
terms descriptive of clouds which have the form of
rounded festoons, as mammato-cirrus , -cumulus.
1880 Ley in Nature 1 Jan. 211/1 In the first sketch 'cu-
mulus' is shown with ' fracto-cumulus ' ; .. in the third the
characteristic base of ' mammato-cumulus '; and in the fourth
that of ' mammato-cirrus'. 4'
t Ma'mmeated, a. Obs. —°. [f. L. mammeat-
us (irreg. f. mamma breast) + -ED l.J = Mammate.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Mammeated, that hath Paps or
Teats, or that hath great ones. [In mod. Diets.]
Mammee (mremr). Forms : 6 mamea, ma-
meia, mamio, 7 mamay(n, mamme, mammet,
S mamie, mammey, 7-9 mamey, mamee, 9
maumee, mammy, 7- mammee. [In Sp. mamey,
from Haytian ; cf. F. mamey, mammie (Ae latter
from mod.L. Mammea, introduced by Linnaeus).]
1. A large tree {Mammea americana, N. O.
Vol. VI.
97
Cuttifcrm) of tropical America (now almost na- I
turalized in parts of tropical Africa and Asia),
which bears a large fruit with a yellow pulp of
pleasant taste. Also, the fruit of this tree.
1572 Hawks in Hakluyt's Voy. (1600) III. 464 Fruits of
the countrey. .as plantans. sapotes, . .mamios, limons [etc.].
1588N. U.Voy. T.CavendishmHakluyt(\$x))i-i\¥\nMM\s,
mameias, pineaples, oranges and limons. 1593 J. White in
llakluyt (1600) III. 282 Yong plants of Orenges, Pines,
Mameas, and Plantanos, to set at Virginia. 1604 E. G[rim-
stone] D' A costa's Hist, indies iv. xxiv. 278 These Mamayes,
Guayauos, and Paltos, be the Indians peaches, apples, and
peares. 1672 R. BloME Dcscr. Jamaica 25 Pome-granates,
Cocar-Nuts, Limes, Guavars, Mammes, Alumee-Supotas
[etc.]. 1684 Bucaniers 0/ America 1. ii. n Some of the
most ordinary [Fruits], .are.. Mamayns, Ananaes. 1685 1..
Wafer i'oy. (1729) 301 The Samballoes are low, flat, sandy
islands, covered with a variety of trees ; especially with
Mammees, Sapadilloes, and Manchineel. 1697 Dampif.r
I'oy. (17291 I. 187 The Mammet is a large, tall, and straight-
bodied tree [etc.]. 1760-72 Juan >, Ulloa's Voy. (ed. 3)
I. 76 The Mameis are of the same colour as the sapotes.
1764 Grainger Sugar Cane IV. 502 Thee, verdant mammey,
first her song shall praise. 1852 T'h. Ross Humboldt's Trav.
I. iv. 153 The Delta.. is a fertile plain covered with Mam-
mees, Sapotas (achras),..and other plants. 1866 Mary B.
Clarke Mosses jr. Rolling Stone r20 And zapotas, rough
and brown, With the mamey and the mango, Cast their
luscious sweetness down.
2. = Mammee-sapota.
1866 Treas. Bot. 715/1 Mammee, Lucnma mammosum.
3. attrib., as mammee-stone, -tree : mammee- ,
apple = sense 1 ; African mammee-a. (see quot. I
1887); mammee-sapota, the marmalade tree, j
I.ucuma mammosa, or its fruit.
1683 J. Poyntz Tobago 9 The *Mamme Apple grows to
the Magnitude of a Pound Pear.. .Then there's the Mamme
Supporter, much of the same Nature with the former.
1796 Stedman Surinam II. xix. 73 Among many other
excellent fruits, I observed one which is here called the
Mammee apple. 1829 Gen. P. Thompson Exerc. (1842) I.
144 They will send a deputation . . to give every honest
woman a shaddock and a mamee-apple for her little boys.
1863 R. F. Burton IVand. IV. A/r. II. 34 Custard-apples,
guavas, ..maumee-apples. 1887 Moloney Foresti y IV. AJr. |
280 African Mammee apple {Ochrocarpus a/ricanus), a tree
40 to 50 feet high. 1683 *Mamme Supporter [see mammee
apple}. 1697 Dampier Voy. (1729) 1. 203 The Mammee-
Sappota Tree is different from the Mammee described at
the Island of Tobago, a 1726 H. Barham Hortus A liter.
Index (1794), Mammee-sapota, Achras sapota. 1864 Grise-
bach Flora IV. hid. 785 Mammee-Sapota, Lucnma mam-
mosa. 1681 Grew Mnsieum 11. r9o A Great *Mammee-stone
. . A little Mammee-stone . . A round Mammee-stone. 1693
Phil. Trans. XVII. 620 The *Mammee-Tree of the West-
Indies. 1725 Sloank Jamaica II. 123 The Mammee-tree
.. is above sixty Foot high [etc.]. 1871 Tvlor Prim. Cult.
II. 56 The delicious fruit of the mamey trees.
Mammelated, variant of Mamillated.
Mammeliere, variant of Mamklikre.
Mammellated, obs. form of Mamillated a.
Mammelon, variant of Mamelon.
Mammeluek, -luke, obs. ff. Mameluke.
Mammenye, variant of Malmeny Obs.
t Hammer, v. Obs. Forms : 5 memere, ma-
mere, 6 mamber, mam(m)or, 6- mammer. [An
imitative formation (with frequentative suffix -er) ;
cf. mamble, mumble, stammer.
It is doubtful whether this has any connexion with the
OE. mamrian occurring in Ps. (Thorpe) Ixiii. 5 (hair hi
namriat! man & unriht = Vulg. scrutantes scrntinio), app.
meaning ' to devise, think of ', or with the master sb., found
as a gloss on sopor sleep.]
inlr. a. To stammer, mutter, b. To vacillate,
waver, be undecided.
14.. Anturs oj Arth. iro (Douce MS.) Hit marred, hit
memered, hit mused for madde. c 142S Voc. in Wr.-Wiilcker
668/26 Mutulare, to mamere [cf. Ags. Glosses ibid. 447/30
' Mutulat, stommeteS 'i.e. stammers], a 1555 Bradford
in Coverdale Lett. Mart. (1564) 3r3 Tyl he [sc. Adam] forsoke
god.. began to mamber of the truth, & to frame hymselfe
outwardly to doe that which his conscience reproued in-
wardly., til then, I say, god did not departe and leaue him
to himselfe. 1566 Dkant Horace, Sat. 11. iii. G v b. Yea
when she daygnes to sende for hym, then mammeryng he
dothe doute, What should I go? 1604 Shaks. Oth. ill. iii.
70, I wonder in my Soule What you would aske me, that
I should deny, Or stand so mam'ring on ? 1617 Collins
', Dej. Bp. Ely 11. vii. 254 Would you haue them to mammer,
as Elias said merrily once of Baal, Perhaps he is gone to
■ warre,..so perhaps he is gone to Purgatory? 1842 Aker-
man IViltsh. Gloss., Mammered, perplexed.
t Ma-mmering, vbl. sb. Obs. [ + -ing ».]
1. A stammering, muttering.
c 1425 Voc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 668/27 HtC mntnlatio, mamer-
yng. 1567 Harman Caveat (1869I 72 [He] drank to his
wyfe and fell to his mammerings and mounched a pace.
2. A state of doubt, hesitation, or perplexity;
chiefly in phr. in a mammering.
1532 More Conjut. Tindale Wks. 343/1 He was in a mamer-
ing whether he would retourne agayn ouer the sea. 1533 —
Apol. xlii. ibid. 91T/2 Y° matter was in a mamering before y9
changa,was made. 1537 St. Papers Hen. VIII, I. 527 The
people in all partes.. are very wylde,. .at no stay, but in a
mamoring, what they may do. 1579 W. Wilkinson Conjut.
Eamilye oj Love 8 b, God . . keepe us from falling away from
the truth, or standing in mammering therof. 1609 [Bp. W.
Barlow] Anszv. Nameless Lath. 115 Hee. .did protest euen
while matters were in a mammering. 1612 R. Carpenter
Soules Sent. 72 The carnall man stands here at a mammering
and maruelling how it can bee done. 1639 Horn & Rob. Gate
I Lang. Unl. xc. I 886 The one goes on forward, .without
respit, the other staggers (is in a mammering).
MAMMOLB.
t Ma'mmering, ///. a. Obs. [f. Mammer v.
+ -1KG-.] Hesitating.
1581 J. Bell Haddon's Answ. Osor. 358 This doctrine
doth abolish quite the doctrine of the law, of repentaunce,. .
and commaundeth a mammering doubtfulnesse.
I Ma'mmery. Obs. rare—1. In 6 mamorie.
[f. Mammer v. + -v.] = Mammering sb.
1578 H. Wotton Courtlie Controzi. Cupid's Cautels To
Rdr., My quill remayned long (as men say) in a mamorie,
quiuering in my quaking fingers, before I durst presume to
publishe these my fantasies.
Mammet, obs. f. Mammee ; variant of Maumet.
Mammetrous, -try.var. ff. Maumetrous, -try.
Mammey, Mammie, see Mammee, Mammy.
Mammifer (marmif3.i). Now rare. [a. F.
mammife're, orig. used in pi. as ad. mod.L. mam-
mifera: see next.] = Mammal sb.
1832 Lyell Princ. Geol. II. 91 The terrestrial mammifers.
1877 Dawson Orig. World 356 The carnivorous mammifer.
||Mammifera(nir£mi'feia). rare. [mod.L. neut.
pi. of *mammifer adj., f. L. mamma isee Mamma -)
+ -fer bearing. (Substituted by French naturalists
a 1800 for Linnteus' mammalia).] = Mammalia.
1827 R. Jameson tr. Cnvier's Theory Earth (ed. 5) 294
Among all these mammifera.. there has not been a single
quadrumanous animal.
Mammiferous (maemi-fer3s\ a. [f. as prec.
+ -ous : see -ferous.]
1. = Mammalian a.
1803 Med. Jrnl. IX. 495 The. .larger mammiferous animals.
1833 Lyell Princ. Geol. III. 59 None of the associated
mammiferous remains belong to species which now exist.
1850 H. Miller Footpr. Crcat. viii. (1874) 148 A more exact
resemblance to the mammiferous tail. 1859 Darwin Orig.
Spec. x. (1878) 271 Mammiferous remains.
2. Of a part of the body : learing the mammse.
1878 Bell tr. Gegenbaur's Comp. Anat. 422 The marsu-
pium. .encloses the mammiferous region of the abdomen.
Mammiform (macmifpam), a. Also incor-
rectly mammseform (7'reas. Bot. 1866). [f. L.
mamma Mamma - + -(i)form: cf. F. mammiforme.']
Having the form of a mamma or breast.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Mastoidei,. .the Mammiform,
or Dug-like processes. 1843 Fokbes in /'roc. Berw. i\at.
Club II. No. it. 79 The upper series bear from one to four
mammiform tubercles. iBjB Ann. <s Mag. Nat. Hist. Nov.
393 Numerous large mammiform tubercles.
Mammill, variant of Mamelle Obs.
Mammilla, -ar, -ate, etc. : see Mamill-.
Mammillon, variant of Mamelon.
Mammitis (msemaitis). Path. [f. Mamma^
+ -IMS.] Inflammation of the mammary gland.
1872 F. G. Thomas Bis. Women (ed. 3) 103 At other times
their proper tissue becomes inflamed, as we see that of the
breast do in mammitis. 1889 in Syd. Soc. Lex.
Mammlere, variant of Mambler Obs.
Mammock (mre-mak), sb. arch, and dial, (see
E. U. D.). Also 6-7 mammoeke, 7 mamock. [Of
obscure origin : formed with the dim. suffix -ock.]
A scrap, shred, broken 01 torn piece. AHo fig.
a 1529 Skelton Col. Cloute 654 Whan mammockes was
your meate, With moldy hrede to eate. c 1600 Day Begg.
Bed-nail Gr. iv. i, Let me be torn into mammocks with
wilde Bears if [etc.]. 1607 Walkincto.n" Opt. Glass 62 Small
mammocks of stone, .of the bignesse of dice. 1633 T. Adams
Exp. -2 Peter T.5. icoGodregardeth not the mammockes of our
sacrifices. 1651 Ocilby ,-£50/(1665) 137 Their Masking Sutes
are all in niamocks tore, a 1722 Lisle Hnsb. (1752) 247
Large cattle, .will make mammocks, that they will leave and
not eat. 1828 Scott F. M. Perth xxxiii, I say, cut him to
mammocks upon the spot ! 1870 Morris Ea?-thly Par. II.
111. 40 This gangrel thief thought fit to tread The grass to
mammocks by my head 1
Mammock (mse-msk), v. Now chiefly dial.
(see E. D. D.). [f. Mammock sb.] trans. To
break, cut, or tear into fragments or shreds.
1607 Shaks. (Tor. 1. iii. 71 Hee did so set his teeth, and
teare it. Oh, I warrant how he mammockt it. 1641 Milton
Reform. 1. Wks. 1851 III. 17 The obscene, and surfeted
Priest scruples not to paw, and marnmock the sacramentall
bread. 1670 Covel Diary (Hakl. Soc.) 262 This was ready
mammockt and cut to our hands. 1764 Francis Lett. (1901)
] I. 65 After being all mammocked the fish were sent down to
be boiled. 1852 Eraser's Mag. XLV. 523 The soft parts are
j cut., and mammocked in every conceivable way. 18B8 Jrnl.
Amer. Folk-tore I. No. 2 A colored man.. frequently com-
plains that the cows ' mammock the hay ' so badly.
jig. 1806-7 J. Beresford Miseries Hum. Lije (1826) vn.
lxix, Hearing your favourite poem ..mammocked by the
• mouth of a forward Puppy. 1865 Knight Sch. Hist. Eng. 1.
660 He [Garrick] mangled Shakspere. And he patched the
mammock'd plays with tawdry rags. 1890 A thenxum 29
Mar. 400/2 One or two lines have to be mammocked to fit
them into the new arrangement.
Mammoda, variant of Mahmudi Obs.
MammodiS, ?//■ ? US. ? Obs. [app. a. Urdu
(Pers.) mahmftdi a sort of fine muslin, 1. Mahmud:
see Mahmudi.] (See quots.)
1828 Webster, Mammodis, coarse, plain Indian muslins.
1889 Century Diet., Mammodis, n. pi., Cotton cloths from
India; commonly applied to the plain ones only.
Mammoid (mx-moid), a. [1. Mamma - + -oid.]
Resembling a mamma.
1774 Darwin in Phil. Trans. LX1V. 349 The mammoid
process of the temporal bone.
Mammole i.mre-mo«l). The edible fruit of
Opuntia Tuna (Syd. Soc. Lex. 1889).
Mammoluke, obs. form of Mameluke.
79
MAMMON.
Mammon (mte'man). Also 4, 6 Mammona,
6 mammonde, mammony. [a. late L. ma{?>t -
mona masc. (Vulg.), ma{m)mon (Diefenb.), a. Gr.
(N.T.) na/wvas (late texts naafuuvai), a. Aramaic
poo mamon, n:ioo mamond riches, gain (frequent in
the Targums). Hence also Syriac mSmuna, Goth.
mammona \vk. masc, mod. F. mammon, mammone.
The N. T. phrase ^a^wi-a? ir\$ aSucta? (Eng. version
'mammon of unrighteousness'; earlier versions, 'mammon
of iniquity ', ' wicked mammon ', etc.) represents exactly the
Aramaic mamon di-r'shaS-, ' riches or gain of wickedness '
(Targ. Hah. ii. g\ and approximately the more common
mamon di-sliaar, * riches of falsehood '.]
1. The Aramaic word for ' riches ', occurring in
the Greek text of Matt. vi. 24 and Luke xvi. 9-13,
and retained in the Vulgate. Owing to the quasi-
peisonification in these passages, the word was
taken by mediaeval writers as the proper name of
the devil of covctonsness. This use appears in
English in the 1416th c, and was revived by
Milton {P. L. 1. 67S, 11. 228). The word does
not occur in the N. T. translations of Wyclif and
Purvey (who substitute richessis), but it was used
by Tindale (1526-34) and subsequent translators,
with the exception of those of the Geneva version.
From the 16th c. onwards it has been current in
English, usually with more or less of personifica-
tion, as a term of opprobrium for wealth regarded
as an idol or as an evil influence.
1362 Langl. /'. PI. A. ix. 81 He. .with Mammonas moneye
hath maked him frendes. 1502 Ord. Crysten Men (W. de
W. 1506) 11. xi. 117 A deuyll named Mammona made unto
the couetous man .vi. commaundementes. 1526 Pilgr. Per/.
(W. de \V. 1531) 281b, No persone may seme god eternal,
& also ye mammonde of iniquite, which is golde 8; syluer
& other rychesse. 1530 Latimer Let. to Hen. VIII in
Eoxe A. S, M. (1563) 1346/1 Thys wycked Mammon, the
goodesof thys worlde, whyche is their God. 1618 lip. Halt.
Right. Mammon 64 1 he foolish Siluer-smiths may shout out,
Great is Mammon of the worldlings. 1620 1 . Granger
Div. Logike 102 He is the slaue of muddy Mammon. 1683
Tryon Way to Health xix. (1697) 418 Miserly Parents
sacrificing their Children to Mammon is a wretched Idolatry.
1732 Pope F.p. Bathurit 171 Who sees pale Mammon pine
amidst his store. 1773 Observ. State Poor 49 Eyes fasci-
nated by Mammon the god of this world. 1781 Cowter
Charity 45 Mammon makes the world his legatee Through
fear, not love. 1836 Kebi.e Dissent ii. in Lyra Apost., A
creed. -By Mammon's touch new moulded o'er and o'er.
b. Sometimes jocularly for ' money '.
1706 E. Ward Wooden World Diss. 117081 101 While his
Mammon lasts, he's a mad Fellow.
2. attrib. and Comb, an mammon gospel, worship,
■worshipper ; mammon-blinded, worshipping adjs.
1826 K. Irving Babylon II. 413 We. .are now a Mammon-
worshipping people. 1843 Cari.vle Past $ I'r. in. ii, We
. .with our Mammon-Gospel, have come to strange conclu-
sions. /rW., Verily Mammon-worship is a melancholy creed.
Ibid. iv. viii. When Mammon-worshippers here and there
begin to be God-worshippers. 1851 KlNGSLEV Yeast vi. 108
However Mammon-blinded, he was kindly and upright.
1899 W. R. Inge Clir. Mysticism viii. 317 The sweet in-
fluences of the home deprive even mammon-worship of half
its grossness.
Mammon, obs. variant of Mammoth sb.
Mammondom (marmandam). [f. Mammon
+ -dom.] The realm or domain of mammon.
1861 Sala in Temple Bar I. 304 All the gold of Mammon.
dom could not. .bring cheerful warmth.
t Mammonet. Obs. [ad. med.L. mammonttus
(Promp. Parv. 327/1, Wr.-Wulcker 594/30), 'mar-
moset', f. mammon monkey.] A kind of monkey.
1607 Topsell Four-/. Beasts 7 Mammonets are lesse then
an Ape,. .having_a long and hairy taile.
Mammoniacal (mrcmanarakal), a. tioitce-wd.
[f. Mammon: after demoniacal.] =next.
1848 Thackeray Bk. Snobs, Cornel. Observ., All English
society is cursed by this mammoniacal superstition.
Manimonic (BMOyaik), a. nome-zud. [f.
Mammon + -ic] Of or pertaining to mammon.
1837 Erasers Mag. XV. 362 The mammonic hydra.
Mammonish (mae-manij), a. [f. Mammon +
-ish.] Influenced by or devoted to mammon.
*o8?7A'-D' ?M,TH Let- '" Arc'"1- Singleton Wks. 1859 II.
258/1 lhis, it will be said, is a Mammonish view of the
subject. 1840 Carlvle Heroes vi. (1858) 349 A great black
devouring world not Christian, but Mammonish, Devilish
"43 — Pasts, Pr. 111. ix 1851 T. Parker in Weiss Life 4
Corr. I. 381 Unitarian ministers have.. generally congrega-
tions more mammonish. .than the orthodox congregations.
Mammonism (marmaniz'm). [f. Mammon +
-ism. (C£ G. mammoni'smits.)] Devotion to the
pursuit of riches.
1843 Carlyi.e Past f, Pr. 1. v, In whirlwinds of fire, you
and your Mammonisms, Dilettantisms [etc.].. shall disap-
pear! Jhd. 11. xvi, If. .all except Mammonism be a vaiii
grimace. 1897 Price Hughes in Daily Netus 15 Nov. 2/4 It
was necessary to protect the Lord's Day against Mammonism.
Mammonist (marmanist). [f. Mammon + ;
-1ST. Cf. obs. Da. mammom'sl.'] A worshipper
of mammon ; one who sets his heart on riches.
1550 Crowley In/orm. f, Petit. 13 b, Let them no more be
named Christians,, .but Mammonistes after Mammon whose
badge they beare. 1560 Becon Catech. IV, Wks. 1564 I. 415
They are all Mammonistes and worldlinges. 1667 Causes
Decay Chr. Piety v. 105 Let him come to the converted
Mammonist, and ask him which he linds the better Trea-
98
' sury, his own Coffer or the poor mans Bowels. 1702 C.
Mather Magn. Chr. Ill, 209 The Gains of Mammonists.
1817 Coleridge ' Blessed are ye that Sinu' 78 The. . world -
honoured company of Christian Mammonists. 1886 W.
Graham Sbc. Probl. 459 The mammonist money-maker.
Mammonistic (miemsni'stik), a. rare. [f.
prcc. + -ic] After the manner of a mammonist.
1882 G. Macdonald Castle Warlock III. xxiv. 333 The
Usual mammonistic feeling of the enormous importance of
money. 1893 Chicago Advance 27 Apr., A mammonistic age.
Mammonite (ms-manait). [f. Mammon +
-ITS.] = MAMMONIST.
1712 E. Ward Misc. Writ. III. 11. 55 Your Hands are the
Mammonites that convey unlawful Gain out of other Peoples
Pockets into your own Till. 1841 Hor. Smith Moneyed
Man 1 1 1. 263 The gold failed, and the mammonites vanished.
attrib. 1850 Kingslev Alt. Locke x. (1874)84 It suits the
venal Mammonite press.. to jumble them together. 1855
TENNYSON Maud I. i. 12 When a Mammonite mother kills
her babe for a burial fee. 1861 Macm. Mag. V. 120 [TheyJ
are said to be invaded by the mammonite spirit.
Mammonitish. (nwmaoahij), a. [f. Mam-
monite + -ish.] Mammon-like.
1615 J. Taylor (Water P.) Urania lx. Wks. (1630) 6/2
Avarice . . makes his Mammonitish God his gaine. 1841 Hor.
Smith Moneyed Man 1 1. 254 May the result of her nuptials
be worthy, .the Mammonitish spirit in which they originate 1
MammonizationCma^manai/vFi-Jan). ran: [f.
next + -ATioN.] The action of mammonizing.
18. . Meth. Quart. Rev. (Worcester i860).
Mamnionize (mrrrmanaiz),^. rare. [f. Mam-
mon r -IZK.J Irons. To influence through mammon.
1819 ' R. Rabelais ' Abeillard t,- Heloisa x. 314 One half
too have been canoniz'd, Having Old Nick thus mammoniz'd,
As to build structures unto God [etc.],
Mammono'latry. nonce-wd. [f. Mammon +
-(o lathy.] The worship of mammon.
1820 Coleridge in Lit. Rem. (1839) IV. 98 [This] is im-
pudence and Mammonolatry to boot.
Mammontrie, variant of Maumetry Obs.
Mammony, variant of Malmeny Obs.
Mammooda, -dee, variants of Mahmudi Obs.
Mammoring, variant of Mammering vb. sb.
Mammose (maein*s), a. [ad. L. mammos-us:
see Mamma - and -OSE.] Having breast-like pro-
tuberances.
1856 Mayne Expos. L.ex. 1857 Asa Gray Less. Bot.
Gloss., Mammose'. breast-shaped.
Mammoth (marm^b), sb. and a. Also 8
mammuth, mamant, maman, mamont, mam-
mon, mammot, (manrmoht), 8-9 mammouth.
[a. Russian fMaMMOTB mammot, whence mam-
motovoi host mammoth's bones (I.udolf Gram.
A'ttss. 1696, p. 92) ; now M;iMann> mamant.
Hence also F. mammouth. f mamant, \ mammon!.
The word is of obscure origin ; the alleged Tartar
word mama ' earth ' (usually cited as the etymon)
is not known to exist.] A. sb.
1. A large extinct species of elephant (Elephas
pn'migenius) formerly native in Europe and north-
ern Asia ; its remains are frequently found in the
alluvial deposits in Siberia.
[1698 tr. Ludolf in A. Brand's Emb. Muscovy into China
122 The Mammotovoy, which is dug out of the Earth in
Siberia.) 1706 tr. Ides' Trav. vi. 26 The old Siberian Russians
affirm that the Mammuth is very like the Elephant. 1738
tr. Strahlenberg's Descr. Russia xiii. 403 The Russian
Mammoth certainly came from the word Behemot. 1763
J. Bell Trav. Asia II. 148 Tartars., have seen this creature,
called mammon, at the dawn of day, near lakes and rivers.
Ibid., That kind of ivory called, in this country, mammon's
horn. 1807 J. Barlow Columb. 1. 705 Where mammoth
grazed the renovating groves. 1824 Byron De/. Trans/
III. i. 55 "I'was sport . .To go forth, with a pine For a spear,
'gainst the mammoth. 1863 A. C. Ramsay Rhys. Ceog. xxviii.
(1878)463 Man, the Mammoth, and other extinct mammalia,
were contemporaneous.
b. attrib. and Comb., as mammoth horn, ivory,
tusk ; mammoth-wise adv.
1843 Zoologist I. 2 By the name of mammoth horns the
Siberians designate the fossil tusks which are so numerous
. .throughout the northern districts. 1868 Swinburne Blake
247 The spinal skeleton,, .shaped mammoth-wise, in grovel-
ling involution of limb. 1879 Lubbock Sci. I*ect. v. 150 A
fragment of mammoth-tusk-. 1903 Expositor June 460
Wrought objects of mammoth ivory.
C. U. S. Often applied to the fossil mastodon.
1816 J. Scott I 'is. Paris (ed. 5) 296 The Siberian Mammoth,
or Elephant, and the American Alammoth, or Mastodonton.
1834 McMurtrie Cnvier's Auim. Kingd. 98 The Mammoth
has been completely destroyed.. . Its remains are found.,
throughout all parts of North America. 1850 Lyell "2nd
Visit U.S. II. 197 The fossil remains of the mammoth (aname
commonly applied in the United States to the mastodon).
2. fig. Something of huge size (cf. B).
1894 Cornh. Mag. Mar. 269 Bayle's ' Dictionnaire Histo-
rique ', 5 vols, folio, or any kindred mammoth among books.
B. adj. Comparable to the mammoth in size;
huge, gigantic.
1814 Sin R. Wilson Priv. Diary II. 309 The dancing very
bad ; the performers all had mammoth legs. 1820 Kfats
Hyperion 1. 164 But one of the whole mammoth-brood still
kept His sovereignty. 1822 J. Flint Lett. Amer. 309 note,
The great cave in Kentucky is called the Mammoth Cave,
although none of the remains of that animal have been
round ip it. 1850 Scoresby Cheevers Whalem. Adv. iii.
(1859) 36 The whale was thus got hold of, and the mammoth
carcass secured to the ship. 1854 J. S. C. Abbott Napoleon
(1855) I. xv. 262 All the streets of the mammoth metropolis.
MAMTTQUE.
I 1874 Raymond Statist. Mines >, Mining 505 The Mammoth
vein itself is about 23 feet thick. 1806 il'estm. Gaz. 20 June
7/1 Yorkshire made another mammoth score.
b. Mammoth po-u-der (see quot. 1875) ; Mam-
moth-tree, the Sequoia {Wellinglonia) gigantea, a
large coniferous tree, native of California.
1866 Treas. Bot. 1051/1 The Wellinglonia of our gardens,
and the Big or Mammoth-tree of the Americans. 1875
Knight Diet. Mech. s.v. Gunpowder, For very heavy ord-
nance a much larger grained powder. .called mammoth
powder, was introduced by the late General T. J. Rodman
Mammothee, variant of Mahmudi Obs.
t Mammothrept. Obs. [ad. late L. mam-
mothrept-us (Augustine), a. Gr. /ta/t^ofyer/Tos
brought up by one's grandmother, f. /idjipr/ grand-
mother + Spt-nTos vbl. adj., f. rpicpuv to bring up.]
A spoilt child ; a nursling.
'599 B. Jonson Cynthia's Rev. tr. iii, Amo...How like
you it, sir t—Hed. Verie well in troth.— Amo. But very well I
O. You are a meere mammothrept in judgement. 1609 J.
Davies Holy Roode (1878) 15 And for we are the Mammo-
threpts of Sinne, Crosse vs with Christ, to weane our joys
therein. 1651 Biggs NcwDisp. r 55 If he be but an Academick,
though a meer mammothrept, and perhaps a Midas.
I liy lirathwait misused (from misunderstanding
1 of quot. 1599 above) for: A severe critic.
1617 Bratiiwait Smoaking Age O 2 b, Or what strict
Mamothrept that man should bee, Who has done Chaucer
such an injurie. 1635 — A read. Pr.atj These be the fruits
of all severe mammolhrepts who relish nothing but justice.
Mammotry, variant of Malmetry Obs.
II Mammilla (ma-mWla). Also (anglicized or
after Fr.) mammule. [L. mammula a little teat,
dim. of mamma Mamma 2.] = Manilla.
1816 Kirbv & Sp. Entomol. (1843) I. 344 Two additional
spinners (or mammulae) peculiar to this species. 1856 Mayne
Expos. Lex., Mammula . .a maniniule.
Hence Mammular, Mammulose adjs., consist-
ing of or having mammuloe.
1826 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. 111. xxix. 155 The grub of a
beetle, .whose body is margined on each side by eight
triangular fleshy mammular processes. 1889 Syd. Sot.
Lex., Mammulose.
Mammy (mse-mi). Also 7-9 -ie. [dim. of
Mam 1 : see -v.]
1. A child's word for mother.
1523 Skelton Garl. Laurel 974 Your mammy and your
dady Brought forth a godely babi ! 1560 Nice Wanton 452
(Manly), All this our Mammy would take in good worth.
1562 PHAERyEWn' vin. Ziijb, Their mammies teats they
lap with hungry lipps. 1611 Florio, Mamma, ..a breast.
Also Mam(i Mother-mine, or Mammie. 1719 D'Urfev Pills
V.^ 18 She'll be a Mammy before it is long. 1773 Mme.
D'Arblay Let. to Crisp in Flarly Diary, I.. proceed to be
sorry and glad that you and your Mammy have been ill
and are better. 1793 Burns Bonny yean 5 And ay she
wrought her mammie's wark, And ay she sang sae merrilie.
1842 S. Lover Handy Andy i, Andy grew up in mischief and
Ihe admiration of his mammy.
b. Comb., as mammy-sick a. {contemptuous),
distressed at being separated from (one's) mother.
1836-48 B. D. Walsh Aristoph., Clouds in. iii, The town
Will pronounce you a mammy-sick coddle. 1885 J. C.
Jeaffreson Real Shelley I. 51 A shy. .mammy-sick lad.
2. In the southern United States, esp. before the
abolition of slavery : A coloured woman having
the care of white children.
1859 Bartlett Diet. Amer., Mammy, the term of en-
dearment used by white children to their negro nurses and
to old family servants. 1887 T. N. Page Ole Virginia
(1893) 164 The old mammies and uncles who were our com-
panions and comrades. 1901 R. ]>. Evans Sailor's Log i. 3
Like most Southern children, I was brought up and cared
for by a ' black mammy '.
Mamo rae^mo). [Hawaiian.] The sickle-
billed Sunbird, Drepanis pacifica, a native of the
Sandwich Islands, having rich yellow feathers.
1891 S. B. Wilson & A. H. Evans Birds Sandwich Isl. 11,
Drepanis paci/ca. Mamo.. -This wreath, .is made entirely
of Mamo feathers. 1893 Newton Diet. Birds 225 lhe
Mamo iDrepanis\ whose beautiful feathers .. have led to
its extirpation.
Mainony, variant of Malmeny Obs.
Mamooda,-dee, -do, variants of Mahmudi Obs.
Mamoring, vaiiant of Mammkring vbl. sb.
Mamoutrie, variant of Maumetry Obs.
llMampalon (roeiapiVo), [? Native name.
Mr. W. W. Skeat rejects the suggested connexion with
Malay tikus ambaug-bulan, the name of a Malaccan viverra
(Rames in Ltnu. Soc. Trans. X11I. 273).]
A small viverrine mammal, Cynogale bennetti, of
semi-aquatic habits, native of Borneo.
1843 J. E. Gray List Specim. Mammalia Brit. Mus. 53
The Mampalon, Cynogale Benncttii Gray. 1885 Riverside
Nat. Hist. U888) V. 440 The Mampalon. .has webbed feet,
a very short, cylindrical tail [etc.).
Mamsell (mxmze-1). colloq. [a. F. mam'selle,
contraction of Mademoiselle.] = Mademoi-
selle 3.
1843 Thackeray Fitz-Boodle Papers Pref., I shall take
care, Mamsell, that you return to Switzerland.
Mamudee, variant of Mahmudi.
Mamuluke, obs. form of Mameluke.
Mamunt, obs. variant of Moment.
t Maimrque. Obs. [a. F. mamuque (Du
l?artas), ad. Sp. mamuco (Lopez de Gomara
1552-3), the source of which is the cornipt form
Mamuco Diata occurring in the Cologne edition
MAMZER.
(Jan. 1533-4) of Max. Transylvanus De Moluccis,
where the Rome edition of Nov. 1523 has the more
correct Manuaodiata: see Mani'comata.] A
fabulous bird, the description of which is founded
on erroneous accounts of the Bird of Paradise.
1501 Sylvester Du Bartas 1. v. 803 But note we now,
towards the rich Moluques, Those passing strange and
wondrous (birds) Mamuimes. .. b ood-less they live; for th
Aire alonely feeds them : Wing-less they fly. 1606 Ibid 11.
iv 11 Magnificence 288 To th' everBowrs her oft a-lolt
t'advance, The light Mamuquw winglesse wings she has.
t Mamzer. Obs. [a. late L. mamzer, a Heb.
word (iio-j) adopted hy the Vulgate in Deut.
xxiii. 2 (where it appears with the gloss ' id est
de scorto natus'), and hence frequently used in the
Middle Ages.] A bastard.
lS6a Winzet Cert. Tractates Wks. 1888 I. 43 Thair suld
nocht be sa niony..scabbit Moabites, Amomtes, and sclan-
derous Mamzeres. .maid preistis. 1612 Br. Haul Serin, v.
60 Whatever become of these Mamzers, which do thus
exclude themselves from the congregation of God [etc.].
186S Kinosley Herevj. II. iv. 73 The only power that is,
whom I see in England, .is William the Mamzer.
Man (man\ sb.1 Forms : Nottt. (Acc.)fing. 1-4
raann, (1 raonn, manna.), 1-5, 8-9 dial, mon,
4-6 manne, .&._niftnG, (5 moon), I - man. Nam.
(Ate.) Plural. 1--4 menn, 2 mnen(n, 3 mannes,
mannen, 4-5 6V. mene, (5 menne, 6 men), 1-
meu. Genitive sing. a. 1 -J monnes, 1-6 mannes,
manes, mones, 4 -0
1-3
Dative
111:11111:1 11,
4 monnis, -ys, minimis,
manis, mannys, 4-7 mannis, mans, 6- man s.
0. uiiinflected (north:) 4 5 man, 5 mane. Genitive
plural, a. 1-3 manna, monna, 2 monnan, 2-3
manne(n, monne(n. H. 3-6 monnes, 4 menes,
-ys, 4-6 mennis, -ys, 6 meuis, 4-8 mens, 8-9
men's. 7. 2 mennen, 4 mennene, menne.
5. uiiinflected (north) 4 men. Dative sing.
men, (1 menne), 3-4 manne, monne.
plural, o. 1-2 mannum, monnum. 2
monnan, 2-3Tnanne(n, monne(n. 0. 3 men-
nen, 3-4 menne. [Com. Teut. : OE. man(n,
mon(n (pi. and dat. sing. men(n), also rarely manna
wk. masc, corresponds to OFris. man, mon, OS.
man .inflected matin-, pi. man), Du. man (pi. in
MDu. manne, man, in mod.Du. mannen, rarely
mans), OHG. man sing, and pi. (MHG. mann
sing, and pi., mod.G. mann, pi. manner), ON.
inatj-r, \B.\C[y mann-r, accns.maiin, genitive maims,
pi. menn, rarely meSr, mieSr (Sw. man, pi. man,
Da. mand, pi. mnnii), Goth, manna, accus. man-
nans, genit. mans, pi. mans, manitaus.' The forms
in the various Teut. langs. belong to two declen-
sional stems, the OTeut. forms of which would be
*mann- and *maniion-. (The ON. man str. neut.,
slave, may possibly be related, but the connexion
is doubtful.) The OE. plural menn is the regular
descendant of OTeut. *manniz, and the dative myin
of OTeut. *manni, from the cons.-stcm *mann-.
It was formerly regarded as certain (on the ground of the
supposed correspondence with Skr. mann man) that the mi
of *maun- was derived from an original nw. The now
prevailing view/is that the second n represents the zero-
grade of the sujinx of a stem of which the Gothic form would
be " tuanan-. This hypothesis accounts for the otherwise
obscure form maua- which the word assumes in Gothic
compounds \ if it be correct, the Teut. word and the Skr.
mann cannot have any nearer relation than that of inde-
pendent derivatives of a common root. They have been
usually referred to the Indogermanic 'men-, 'man-, to think
(see Mind sb.), so that the primary meaning of the sb. would
refer to intelligence as the distinctive characteristic of human
beings as contrasted with brutes. Many scholars, however,
regard this as intrinsically unlikely to have been the original
sense, though no plausible alternative explanation has been
suggested.
In all the Teut. langs. the word had the twofold sense of
1 human being ' and ' adult male human being ', though excv
in Eng. it has been mainly superseded in the former sense
by a derivative (Ger., Du. mensch, Sw. menniska, Da.
menneske: cf. Mannish s/'.).]
. I. 1. A human being (irrespective of sex or age);
— h. homo. In OE. the prevailing sense.
f a. In many OE. instances, and in a few of
later date, used explicitly as a designation equally
applicable to either sex. Obs.
In OE. the words distinctive of sex were zver and wtf,
ivzpman and lotfman.
971 Blickl. Horn, 9 Heofonrices duru . . belocen standeb
burh pa cerestan men. c 1000 zElfric Gram. ix. (Z.) 36 Hie et^
hate homo. .a;z,5er is mall se wer xe wif. ( 1000 — Saints'
Lives \lii. 185 [St. Agatha says:] Ealaou mill drihten peine to
menn gesceope. c 1000 Sax. Leechd. 1 1 . 332 ^if wife to swipe
offlowe sio monaS xecynd, x,enim niwe horses tord [etc.]. .p
se mon swajte swibe. c nzi O. E. Chron. an. 639 (Laud
MS.), pics dohter wees xehaten Ercongota halifemne &
wundorlic man. c 132s Mctr. Horn. 155 And yef thaie [the
husband and wife] nht riche men ware. Ibid. 156 Wit tua
men [Simeon and Anna], that him comly grette. 1597 J.
King On Jonas 1161S) 480 The Lord had but one paire of
men in Paradise. 1752 Hume Pol. Disc. x. 159 There is in
all men, both male and female, a desire and power of genera-
tion more active than is ever universally exerted. 1793
Burke Lett., to Comte de Mercy ' (1844) FV. M4 Such a
deplorable havoc is made in the minds of men (both sexes)
in France, ..that [etc].
99
b. In the surviving use, the sense ' person '
occurs only in general or indefinite applications
(e.g. with adjs. like every, any, no, and often in
the plural, esp. with all, any, some, many, few,
etc.) ; in modern apprehension man as thus used
primarily denotes the male sex, though by impli-
cation referring also to women.
The gradual development of the use of the unambiguous
synonyms body, person, one, and (for the plural)_A>«-i.f,>.<i/V<-,
has greatly narrowed the currency of man 111 this sense j
it is now literary and proverbial rather than colloquial.
Z825 Vesp. Hymns i. 8 in 0. E. Texts 401 Ic uteode
onge^u fremoes cynnes men [I., exivi obviam alieuigeu.i,].
cow Lindisf. Cosp. Malt. xii. 19 Ne inheres amis mon
[c 1000 A ft. Cosp. nan man] in worOum stefn his. Ibid. xvi.
ii Huelcne cueoas menn sie sunu monnes? c 1000 zElffig
Saints' Lives X. 191 Hwset eom ic manna bait ic mihte god
forbeodan? c 11^ Lamb. Horn. 3 ?if oniman seld eawiht.
Ibid. 39 We for=.eueol ban monne be us to agulleO. Ibid. 127
He wes imacad 10 monne ilicnesse. c 1200 Trin. L oil. Horn.
139 He lurnde ut of be burh into wilderne and fro mennes
wunienge to wilde deores. c 1290 .9. Eng. Leg. I. 201,. '112
Icb habbe i-sunegut manne mest. ,11300 Cursor M. leg
Scho prais ai for sinful menu. 1377 Lisa. . I . It. B. 1 10I.
197 For many maniuis malt we mys wolde destruye. 1390
GoWER Cm/. I. 2 That of the lasse or of the more Som man
mai lyke of that I wryte. 1393 I.angl. P. PI. C. XIV. 46 Ac
yf be marchaunt make hus way ouere incline come. < 1450
Merlin 262 Acompanye uf yonge Gentllmen that bcth high
mennes soues. ,14,60 FoRTESCUE Abs. If Lim. Mon. vn.
(1SS51 125 Off somiue man is highness shall haue more
thanke (lor money then (for lande. c 1475 Pan/ Loifyar
46 Men callis me Rauf Coil,ear. 1577 B. Googe Heresbach s
Hnsb. l (1586) 15 We must remember that seruantes be
men. 1592 Shaks. Pom. fir Jul. in. i- 59- '«3» Sanderson
Serin, 14 Measuring oiher mens actions and consciences.
1634 Bp. Hall Contempt., .V. /'. IV. iii, I regard not the
body; the soul is the man. 1764 Reiu Inquiry vi. § 7 Wks.
I. 142/2 No man can be sure. .that it has the same appear-
ance to him as it has to another man. 185s Iennyson
Brook 33 For men may come and men may go, But I go 011
for ever.
c. Used indefinitely without article.
Chiefly in negative contexts.also in proverbial collocations,
as in the traditional inn sign ' Entertainment for man and
I38» WycLIF John vii. 46 Neuer" man spak so, as this
spekilh. [Similarly in all later versions.] c 1450 Miroiir
Saliiacioun 1363 Out of a bille a stune with out mans
hande was kylte. 1523 Cromwell Sp. 111 Mernman Lijc
ff Lett. (1902) I. 31 Vf yt had bene possible by mannys
industry. 1530 PalsgR. 710/1 He deserveth it as lytell as
ever dyd man. 1596 DalrYMPLE tr. Leslies Hist. Scot.
I. 41 Be ony slauchtir, or ony schedmg of mains bluile.
1600 J. Poky tr. Leo's Africa 41 They haue shambles
of inans-flesh as wee bane of beetles and muttons. 1754
Richardson Graudison II. iv. 48, I never fear'd man, since
I could write man. 1847 Tennyson Princess 111. 118, 1 was
courteous, eve:y phrase well-oil'd, As man's could be.
Prim. The wind that blows from the east Is neither good
for man nor beast. . , • ,
d. Used preilicatively without article in phr. to
be, become- be made man : to have or assume human
nature.
CI
ami
357 Lay Folks' Catcch. (T.) 26 Iesu cnst..toke flesh
blode, and become man. 1377LANGL. P. PI. B. v. 493 j'i
sone..bicam man of a mayde. 1413 l'!/Sr. Sowle 11. xlll.
(1859) 48 Thou man byoome thy selfe, for mannes netle.
1540 Bk. Com. Prayer, Aihan. Creed. 1574 Whitcift
Strm. bef. Eliz. (17141 11 Whether the Pope be God or
man or a meane betwixt both! 1605 Shaks. Leariu.ll.
45 Since I was man, . . Such groanes of roaring W Hide,
and Raine, I neucr Remember to haue heard. 1049
J. Eccleston ir. Tollmen's Kpist. ii. § 57- 3° It was for the
soules sake that God became man. 1898 A. G. Moriimi-.k
Calk. Faith A Practice II. vii. 186 The theologians, .have
taught that our Lord as Man had three kinds of knowledge.
• 2. In abstract or generic sense, without article :
The human creature regarded abstractly, and per-
sonified as an individual; human beingscollectively;
the human race or species ; mankind. In Zoology :
The human creature or race viewed as a genus
{Homo : in the present classification consisting of
only one species, //". sapiens) of animals.
In OE. a few examples occur with the definite article.
The Eng. use of the word as a quasi-proper name, without
article, differs from ihe practice of most of the modem
European langs. (cf. F. I'twmme, G. der mensch\ and from
the usage of Eng. itself with regard to other generic names
of animals : cf. ' the anatomical structure of man and that
of the lion'. ,
c 825 lesp. Psalter \ iii. 5 Hwet is mon [Thorpe se mann]
Sail 3emyndi5 8u sie his? c 1000 Ags. Cosp. Mark 1L 27
Reste-dee;, waes jeworht for ba men, naes se man for Bam
reste-d^se. c 1175 Lamb. Horn. 59 Hit wes for mon alle
binge he makede. C1250 Gen. t, Ex. 753 For mannes
sinne ous it is went, a 1300 Cursor M. 552 Mall es clepid
be Iesse werld. c 1380 Wyclif Sit, Wks. HI. 376 po prin-
cipal poynt and ende of Crislis dyinge. .was to save monnis
\ soule. C1440 York Myst. xxi. 84 Kynde of man is freele.
C1450 tr. De Imitalione 1. xix, For man purposib & god
disposip. 1577 Vautrouillier Luther on Ep. Cat. 2 Mans
weakenes and miserie is so great, that [etc.]. 1619 Purchas
Microcosm, viii. 90 This Centre is enuironed with a Circle,
called /ra, of many colours in Man onely. 1732 PorE Ess.
Man 11. 2 The proper study of Mankind is Man. 1774
Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) II. 132 Man is said to live with-
out food for seven days. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) X. 507/2
In the Systema Naturz, Man (Homo) is ranked as a dis-
tinct genus of the Primates. 1829 Carlyle Misc. (1857) I.
269 Alan is not only a -vorking but a talking animal. 1845
R. Chambers I'estiges ed. 4) 234 The brain of Man. 1859
Lowell Villa Franca 14 Men are weak, but Man is strong.
3. a. In niblica! and Theol. use, with inner,
inward, outer, T utter, outward, used to denote
MAN.
the spiritual and material parts (respectively') of a
human person; also with old, new, to denote the
spiritual condition of those who are unregeuerate
and those who are regenerate, b. Hence inner,
outer, lower man are jocularly used to denote parts
of the physical frame of a person.
nooo, etc. [see Inner a. -,). 1382 Wyclif i Pet. iii. 4 The
hid man of bene [1535 CoveruaLE y inwarde-man of y»
hert]. 1382, etc [see Old Man 2]. 1587 GoLDlNG De
Mornav xtv. 214 In the inward man there are las ye would
say) three men, the liuing, the sensiliue, and the reasonable.
1840 Dickens Barn. Pudge xli, Gabriel's lower man was
clothed in military gear. 1843 l.i: Fevre Life Trav. Phys.
I I v. 83 The outer was forgotten in tie inner man.
II. 4. z\n adult male person, a. With special
reference to sex.
, 1000 .Eli Kic Saints' I. 'roes ii. 78 He . sjede hyre Jewislice
Invaet heo man lie iras. c izoo (Jkmin 2 .09 Jho wass liannd-
fesst an god mann pan Josaip uass jehatenn. axmAncr.
P 286 Ert tu so wro6 wio mon oScr wio wummoil bet [etc.] (
, 1375 Se. Leg. Saints x. 'Matkou) 347 Manage.. to cople
man & vcmene. 1377 Langl. /'. PI. B. xlv. 164 As a mayde
for mannes loue her moder forsaketh. 1387 1 rev isa Higiten
iRollsj VI. 421 O mayde mennene drede [Caxton mennes,
L. O terror rirgo virorum). 1508 Dunbar lua Manit
ll'eiuen 42 Sen 3e war nicnis wyl'fis. 1603 Philolus lxxxi,
Sour douchter. Ant mannis claithis hes on lur tane. 1605
Shaks. Lear 11. iv. 281 Let not womens weapons, water
drops, Staine my minis cheekes. 1632 Lithgow Trav. ill.
116 They spcake . . here the Hebrew tongue, man, woman
and child. 1671 Lady M. Bertie in nth Rep. Hist, .l/.so'.
Comiii. App. v. =3 Ihe Dutchesse .. was very fine in ..a
short mans coat very richly laced. 1728-9 Mrs. DelanY in
Life A> Coir. 191 Every man took the woman he liked best
to dance country-dances. 1880 G. Meredith Tragic Com.
(1881 5 Men (the jury of householders empanelled to deliver
verdicts upon the ways of women).
\ context itally = ' man-child '. Obs.
1578 T. N. tr. Com/. II '. India 155 Their Priests sacrificed
ten children of three ye.ires of age,, hue of these children
were menne, and the other fiue wemen.
b. generically (without article: cf. 2). Ihe
male human being. Also predicatively (cf. id).
1591 S11 \ks. Two Cent. v. iv. 1 10 Were man Hut Constant,
he were perfect. 1601 — All's Weill, i. 1^3 Man is eneiiue
to virginitie. 1832 Coleridge in Life Sir IP. Hamilton
(1882) I 543 Man's heart must he in his bead. Woman s
head must be in her heart. 1847 Tennyson Princess VII.
259 Woman is not undevelopt man, Hut diverse. 1859
— 1 'ivicn 630 Man ! is he man at all, who knows and wink, ?
1897 Mary Kingsley //'". Africa 318 As for the men well
of course they would marry any lady of any tribe, if she
had a pretty face,, .that's just man's way.
C. With special reference to adult age. Some-
times : A male who has attained his majority.
Man and boy (aclvb. phr.) : from boyhood upwards,
f To write man : to be entitled by years to call
oneself a man. y (To grow up, etc.; to man : to
man's estate, to adult age.
<ZI200 Moral Ode 117 Al bet ech Mon haueS ldon
so33en he com to monne. CI200 Ormin 8053 -Willi batt
I wass litell child Ice held o childess baewess, & son suinm
ice wass wexenn mann, pa fladi I childess cosstess. 1390
GoWER Con/'. I. 344 He began to clepe and calle, As he
which come was to manne. 1500-20 Dunbar Poems xix. 14
Thus will thay say, bailh man and lad. 1530 PaCsgr. 863, 2
From mans state, des aige parfaict. 1543' AsCHAH
Toxoph. (Arb.) 100 In sliding both man and boye is
in one opinion, that [etc.]. 1600 J. Lane Tom Tel-troth
(Shaks. Soc.) 43 When chast Adonis came to mans
estate. 1601 Shaks. Alts Well 11. iii. 208, I must tell
thee sirrah, I write Man : to which title age cannot bring
thee. 1602 — Ham. V. i. 177 11604 Q°-)> l l,aue bten
Sexten heere man and boy thirty yeeres. 1622 Mabue tr.
A /email's Guzman d'Alf. 1. 146 Albeit I did write man,
yet I was but a young Lad to speake of. 1654 Cromwell
in Whitelocke's Mem. (1853) IV. 170 They thought it more
noble to die by the hand of a man than of a stripling. 1712
Addison Spect. No. 453 ' When all thy Mercies' vi, Thine
: Arm unseen convey'd me safe And led me up to Man.
1729 T. Cooke Tales, Proposals, etc. 18 Their Friendship
early in their Youth began, Encreasing dayly as they rose
to Man. 1754 [see ic|. 1798 Southey Eng. Eclogues
i Poet Wks. 1838 III. 3 I've lived here, man and boy, In
this same parish, well nigh the full age Of man. 1802
Wofdsw 'My heart leaps up', The Child is father of Ihe
Man. 1837 Dickens Pickiv. xxiv, An elderly gentleman 111
top-boots, who had been, .a peace officer, man and boy, for
half a century.
d. without express contrast. (The man is occa-
sionally used for ' he ', with a slight implication of
depreciation, sympathy, or other feeling; similarly
the good man, the poor man, etc. So also colloq.
in expressions like ' the late man ', ' the present
man', etc., referring to the former or present holder
of an office or position.)
CH75 Lamb. Horn. 31 Blucjeliche be mon wile gan to
scrifte and segge be preosle b=t he haueS ireaueo and .stolen.
c 1200 Vices * Virtues 45 Pnestes and munekes and bese
hadede mannen. c 1290 Beiet 302 in ->. Eng Leg l. 115
]>e guode Man seint thomas. a 1300 Cursor M. 4828 (Cotl.)
We ar all a man [v. rr. an monnes, a manes, 0011 monnes
harn-teme. <n375-^- Leg.Saiutsx (Petrus) 1.4 lo theophd
sanct paule askyt fane, quhy Pat he >at wrech.t inane held
swa in presone. a 1400 Pistill of Susan 227 He was boi hch
and bieee,. .More mijti mon pen we his Maistns to Make.
'1449 Polls ofParll. V. U7/2 A man horsed, and armed 1.1
brykanders. 01674 Clarendon Hist. P,b. xv. §38 And
there is no question the man [se. Cromwell] was 111 gieat
agony, and in his own mind he did heartily desire lo be king.
1725 Bolingbroke On Parlies Ded. 27 You may pass . . tor
a Man of extreme good Parts, and for a Minister of much
! Experience. 1760-72 H. Brooke Fool of Qual. 08oqi I. 24
i The man in gibbets who hung by the road. 1837 O. A.
79-2
\
MAN.
100
MAN.
Brownson in Ht. Martineau Soc. Anter. III. 347 With the I
discerning it has already become more honourable to call
one simply a man than a gentleman. 1851 Thackeray
Eng. Hutu. vi. (1876) 357 [He] was hand and glove with
some of the best men in town. 1871 Diskaeli I'iv. Grey n.
xvi, If the forty country gentlemen who follow.. our friend
Sir Herdmore. .were to declare their opposition to any par-
ticular tax, the present men would be beaten. [Not in ed. 1, ,
1826.] 1879 Meredith Egoist xiii. (1889) 116 Sir Willoughby
was flattered and satisfied.. .A steady look of hers had of
late perplexed the man, and he was comforted by [etc.]
Mod. The late earl was not much liked ; the new man
seems to be more popular.
e. Used in the vocative by way of introducing a 1
remark, or parenthetically, now usually implying
contempt or impatience ; dialectally (in stresses '
forms mun, min) it is in common use as a meaning- ;
less expletive, being used in addressing both males
and females. Also, man alive ! (see Alive 2 b).
a 1400 Pistill 0/ Susan 315 Mon, bi be muche god, ..
Vndur a Cyne-.my seluen 1 hir se. 1530 Palsgr. 661/2
Plucke up thy herte, man, for Goddes sake. 1589
Hay any Work 1 Heere be non but frends man. 1591
Shaks. Two Gent, iu iii. 44 Tut, man. 1703 Vanbrlgh
Country-ho. 11, Char, [to Mar/ane] You see I can keep
a secret— I am no girl, mun. 177a Gent/, Mag. XLII. 191
'Twas quite to'ther thing, mun twas all complaisance. 1773
Goldsm. Stoops to Conq. v. Wks. (Globe) 672/2 Tony. Why,
that's it, mon. 1826 Disraeli Viv. Greyxv. iv, Hah ! what—
what's all this ! Here, read it, read it, man. 1890 Besant
Demoniac vi. 69 Why, man, with such a vice as yours, you
would love your life too well.
f. Little man : a jocular expression for a young
male child. Similarly young man (see Young).
c 1380 Wvclif Serm. Sel. Wks. I. 399 Jesus tokc a litil
child.. .Crist tuke bis litil man, and putte him in myddil of
apostlis. 1468 Paston Lett. II. 319, I beseche yow that ye
wolbe good mastras to my lytyll man, and to se that he go
to scole. 1598 Shaks. Merry W. iv. i. 8 He but bring my
yong-man here to Schoole. 1772 Johnson Let. to Langton
14 Mar. in Boswell, I congratulate you and Lady Rothes
on your little man, and hope you will all be many years
happy together. 1854 Thackeray Newcomes Ixxx, Give's
black figure striding over the snow., the little man. .perched
on his father's shoulder.
g. A man; used quasi-pronominally = 'one*
(ME. Man, Men, Me indef. pro/is.) or * any one',
but implying a reference to the male sex only. So
fa man's self, a man's own: in i6-i7thc. often
= the modern 'oneself, ' one's own*.
c 1478 Caxton's Bk. Curtesye 283 Who that vsith a niannes
tale to breke Letteth vncurteysly alle the audyence. c 1485
Digby Myst, 1. 465 Her, virgynes, as many as a man wyll,
shall holde tapers in ther handes. 1597 Bacon Ess., Honour
-5- Reput. (Arb.) 70 Enuic.is best extinguished by declaring
a mans selfe in his ends, rather to seeke merite then fame.
1610 Shaks. Temp. 11. ii. 41 Misery acquaints a man with
strange bed-fellowes. 1625 Bacon Ess., Praise (Arb.) 357
To Praise a Mans selfe, cannot be Decent.. : But to Praise
a Mans Office or Profession, he may doe it with Good
Grace. 1637 Heylin Answ. Burton 53 A man would
think that you had said enough against your soueraigne.
1705 Addison Italy 14 A Man would expect.. to find some
considerable Antiquities. 184a Tennyson You ask me,
why, tho ill at ease 8 The land, where . .A man may speak
the thing he will.
h. In the followingphr. with thesense' individual
(male) person': man by man, between man and
man, man for man, man to man, per man, as one
man (app. orig. a Hebraism = unanimously, with
one accord, f altogether), to a man ( = without
exception : see 'To prep.).
1381 Wyclif i Esdr. ii. 64 Al the multitude as o man
[Vulg. quasi units, 1535 Coverdale as one man, later ver-
s/ons together, Heb. into] two and fourti thousend thre ,
hundrid and sixti. Ibid. iii. 2 Thanne is gedered the puple
asoon[i388asoman, Vulg. t/nasiz-ir units, 1535 Coverdale
and i6ixasone man, Heb. ITMt 0*)Q] in to Jerusalem. 1517
Torkington PUgr. (1884) 23 Ther Screvener. .wrytyngower
namys man by man. 1535 Coverdale jtudg. xx. 8 So all the
people gat them vp as one man. 1577 F. de L'islc's Leg.
Ciij, The lord of Rochefort. .was on a time chalenged man
to man.. by Francis Duke of Guise. 1611 Bible Josh. vii. I
14 The housholdes which the Lord shall take, shal come
man by man. 1615 Bi:dwki.i. Arab. Trudg., Talby, These j
..are authorized to draw writings betweene man and man.
1677 Hubbard Narrative 1.(1865) 101 [HeJ said they would
fight it out to the la^t Man. 1708 Land. Gaz. No. 4482/2
That the Prisoners taken on either side be exchanged Man
for Man. 171a Steele Sped. No. 444 p 1 The ordinary
Quack-Doctors .. are to a Man Impostors. 1809 Malkin
Gil Bias x. x. P 39 The balance of justice, between man and
man. 1827 Southey Hist. Renins. War II. 48 With no ,
farther ammunition than ten rounds per man more. 1846
Tennyson Golden Year 35 And light shall spread, and
man be likcr man. 1893 K. Kipling Barrack-r. Ballads
11 Man for man the fuzzy knocked us 'oiler.
i. As a man : (considered) in respect of his
personal character, as distinguished e.g. from his
achievements, abilities or learning, rank or wealth,
etc. Similarly The man : what one is merely ' as
a man ' ; the person in his human (as distinguished
from his professional, etc.) capacity or character.
1674 Wychkrlly Plain-dealer 1. i, I weigh the man, not his
Title. 1706 K Ward Wooden World Diss. (1708) 45 There's
as great a Difference betwixt the Man and the Priest, as
betwixt the Duchess upon the Stage, and her behind the
Scenes. 1709 Poi'E Ess. Crit. 523 Nor in the Critic let the
Man be lost. 174a Young Nt. Th. vm. 242 A Father's ,
Heart Is tender, tho' the Man's is made of Stone. 1771
Mackenzie Man Peel. xxxv. (1803) 73, I cannot throw off
the man so much, as to rejoice at our conquests in India. ]
x8ia Antigaltnan Monitor 17 May 558/3 The high csti- |
mation they entertained of the merits of that illustrious
pei son, both as a Minister and a man. 1856 Emerson Eng.
Traits x, The incessant repetition of the same hand-work
dwarfs the man, robs him of his strength, wit, and versa-
tility, to make a pin-polisher, a buckle-maker, or any other
specialty. 1879 B. Taylor Stud. Germ, Lit. 174 We feel
that the man must have been greater than his works.
j. The [very) man (ellipt. in predicative use) :
the man intended by some previous allusion ; the
man most suitable/^* some office, work, or need ;
the kind of man qualified or likely to do something,
f Also jocularly said of a thing {obs.)> The
man for Die (colloq.yi>r my money, see Money):
the man whom I should choose to employ or sup-
port ; often as an emphatic expression of approval.
'535 Coverdale 2 Sam. xii. 7 Thou art euen the man.
1573 Tlssek Ihtsb. (1878) 28 When Easter comes, who
knowes not than, that Veale and Bakon is the man?
1588 Shaks. L. L. L. iv. ii. 127 Ouiddius Naso was the man.
1599 — Much Ado 11. i. 123 You could neuer doe him so ill
well, vnlesse you were the very man. 1678 Lady Cha worth
in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 49 The House met
to-day and are violent upon chussinga new Speaker and Sir
Sawyer is lyke to be the man. 1849 Macaui.ay Hist. Eng.
x. II. 549 Lauzun was in every respect the man for the
present emergency.
k. With possessive, my, your, etc. man: the
person who can fulfil one's requirements, or with
whom one has to do.
1611 Bible i Kings xx. 20 And they slew euery one his
man [He/'. ' a man his man ']. 1679 Dkyden Trail. A> Cre>s.
II. iii, If Hector be to fight with any Greek, He knows his
man. 1787 ' G. Gambado ' Acad. Horsemen (1809) 34 A horse
has various methods of getting rid of his man, 1811 Byron
Hints fr. Hor. 53 For gallygaskins Slowshears is your man;
But coats must claim another artisan. 1821 — Juan IV,
xlix, His man was floor'd,and helpless at his foot. 1830
Chron. in Ann. Reg. 11831) 165/1 He.. did not fire for some
seconds, until he had fairly covered his man. 1833 Makrvat
P. Simple x, Our sailors had every one seized bis man.
a 1845 Hood Agric. Distress vi, ' Nine pund ' says he, ' and
I'm your man . 1855 Kingsley Westw. Ho!\, And who
don't agree, let him choose his weapons, and I'm his man.
1864 Lemon Loved at last II. 228 Mr. Rasper entered the
room.. .Cecil knew his man,— he merely bowed to him.
1. To be ones own man : (a) to have command
or control of oneself; to be in full possession of
one's senses, faculties, or powers.
1556 in Strype Eccl. Mem. (1721) III. 11. App. Iviii. 197
When you were lunatike and not your owne man. 156a
Chitd-Marr. 79 This respondent, .fell into such sorowe that
he was not his owne man. a 1635 Nalnton Fragm. Reg.
(Arb.) 14 The king ever called her his sweetest and dearest
Sister, and was scarce his own man, She being absent. 1748
Richardson Clarissa (1768) IV. 362 Faith, Jack, thou hadst
half undone me with thy nonsense. .. But I think I am my
own man again. 1859 Thackeray Virgin, xxxvi, I ate a bit
at six o'clock, and drunk a deal of small beer, and I am
almost my own man again now. 1902 Daily Graphic 27 Oct.
3/1 To many hundreds of thousands, .the Royal progress on
Saturday will be as a sign, .that the King is indeed his own
man again.
{b) To be at one's own disposal, to be one's
own master.
1608 Willet Hexapla E.iod. 461 So might the seruant be
suld. .being not his owne man, but to be disposed uf at the
will of his master, a 1610 Healey Cebes (1630) 138 Yet
brought he al their fury under and now is become bis owne
man. 1773 Golusm. Stoops to Cono. v. iii, So Constance
Neville may marry whom she pleases, and Tony Lumpkin
is his own man again. 1839 Luckhart Scott (1869) II. xiv.
263 After breakfast, a couple of hours more were given to
his solitary tasks, and by noon he [Scott] was, as he used to
say, 'his own man'. 1843 Borrow Bible in Spain xlii.
(Pelh. Libr.) 287 Pardon me for not being quite frank to-
wards you.. but I dare not; 1 am not now my own man.
m. Prefixed to a name. The man (so-and-so) :
the man previously known or mentioned as bearing
the specified name (cf. F. te nommi In legal use);
sometimes with contemptuous emphasis ; so, still
more emphatically, thai man [so-and-so). Also
(every, not a) man Jack 'written also man-Jack,
man jack, man-jack, manjack) : see Jack sdJ 2 c ;
and occas. (nonce-substitutions) man John, man
Jonathan (in speaking of Americans].
1826 ScOTT Woods t. xvi, Know'st thou not .. that I have
followed the man Cromwell as close as a dog follows his
master. 1833 Mrs. F. Trollope Dom. Manners A me*: (cd.4)
II. 65 Everyman Jonathan of them sets off again full gallop.
1844 Dickens Chimes ii. (1845) 64, I am very much indebted
to you for your courtesy in t ' nan William
Kern. 1849 Blackio. Mag. 0 ien were all
embarked— the sick, the wou >hn of them.
1864 I.kmon Loved at Last III ould be the
man Kiddy, do not admit hi
n. With qualification del ationality,
birthplace, dwelling-pin hich a man
belongs or the person (c rvice he is.
£950- [see Englishman]. (Ufi w. in O. E.
Misc. 26 Herodes. .was micl da . men. c 117s
Passion Our Lord 286 ibid. 4.^ on o}>er her
com gon And seyde siker t-u ei) 1 ' in - .. alilewis mon.
a 1300 Cursor M. 19385 Sua '' ' iens tale, )>ut
[etc.]. a 1400 Pistill of Su ' e men of hir
i-iiurf r-nmeii til liir *-ri cliln \\ vlat 542 ReS-
court comen til hir cri. .
kewand it agane the helhit
242/2 Man of Turkey, Tun
The men of Sucoth. 1693
Iniskilling-Man, and had ei
a Breakfast. 1701 De Fot
ton'd out the Country to
11. 42 Ye men of Gades. 1!
bhips .ut out uf near. And
1530 Palsgb.
Jndg. viii. 15
2 He was an
Irish Men for
152 He Can-
■'iANDOR Gebir
nee i, F01 my
.k.
o. Qualified by university, Oxford, Cambridge,
etc., applied to one who is or has been a member
of a (particular) university, public school, etc.
>573 G. Harvey Lett.-Bk. (Camd.) 54 He is a Pern-
brook Hal man, ergo a good schollar. 1580 Si'ENSER &
Harvey {title) Three proper, and wittie, familiar Letters
passed between two Vniuersitie men. 1687 Aldworth
in Magd. Coll. ^ Jas. If (O.H.S.) 42 Dr. Haddon was
a Cainbr. man. c 17*0 Prior EpH. to Plwdra <f- Hippol. 3
An Oxford man, extremely read in Greek. 1796 in Whibley
In Cap fy Gown (1S89) 88 Ye Johnishe men, that have no
other care, Save onelie [etc.]. 1853 C. BkdE Verdant Green
1. iii, The thought that he was going to be an Oxford man.
1866 John Bull 24 Mar. 202/1 All old Westminster men. .
will regret to hear [etc.]. 1882 J. L. G. Mowat Sinon.
Harthot. (Anecd. Oxon.> 2 He gives the authority of Brian
Twyne for stating that he was an Oxford man.
p. With prefixed noun (sometimes in the gen.
case) man is used to denote {a) one who is con-
nected with a certain place, building, profession,
business, society, etc., as assembly-man, Banbury
man, barman, bondsman, clergyman, churchman,
country man, exciseman, harvestman, Inns of Court
man, journeyman, linesman, Paul's man, post-
man, railway man, salesman, waterman, etc. ;
{b) one who uses or is skilled in the use of an
implement or the like, as ax-man, brake-man,
canoe-man, hammer-man, lathe-man, penman,
swordsman, etc. ; (c) a trader in or manufacturer of
an article, as ale-man, coal-man, ice-man, lead-man,
milk-man, oil- man, pork-man, rag-and-bone man,
timber-man, etc. These combs, are treated under
the prefixed words, or in their alphabetical place
as Main words. In those which have come to be
apprehended as single words (whether written with
or without a hyphen) the pronunciation is (-niaen}.
q. For best man, handy man, reading man,
sick man, etc., see the adjs. ; also Dead man,
Freeman, New man, Old man, Red-man.
115. Applied to beings other than human, e.g.
God, the Devil, Death. Obs.
c 1510 Lytell Geste Robyn Hode ccxl, For god is holde a
ryghtwys man. c 1550 Lusty Juventtts (c 1560) C ij, He wyl
say that God is a good man. 1588 1st Pt. Jeronimo 11. iii,
Your the last man 1 thought on, saue the diuell. 1592
Shaks. Rom. <y Jul. 111. iii. 42 (2nd Qo., 1599), Flies may do
this, but I from this must flie : They are freemen, but I am
banished. 1599 — Much Ado ill. v. 40. 1625 B. Jonson
Staple of N. 1. Inteiinean, Expectation. But was the Diuell
a proper man, Gossip? Mirth. As fine a gentleman, of his
inches, as euer I saw trusted to the Stage. 17. . Pope, etc
Mem. of P. P. in Swift's Wks. (1751) V. 241 Do all we can,
Death is a Man, That never spareth none.
t b. In certain plays printed in the 17th c, to
escape the penalties against profane language on
the stage, man was substituted in oaths for God.
1633 B. Jonson Tale of Tub 11. i, For the passion of man,
hold. Ibid., Breath of man !
6. In a pregnant sense: An adult male eminently
endowed with manly qualities. Also phr. to play
the man (also t men).
14.. Prov. Gd. Counsel 76 in Q. EUz. Acad. (18691 7°
Grace and good manersmakyp A man. 1526 Tindale iCor.
xvi. 13. 1530 Palsgr. 435/1 Havel nat acquit me lyke a man?
1548 Udall, etc. Erasm. Par. Mark \. 12-15 Thou haste here
behaued thystlfe valiauntly, and played the tuanne a while.
1560 Daus tr. Slcidaue's Comm. 86 b, That they should play
the men. 1598 Makston Sco. Yillanic vii, A man, a man,
a kingdome for a man ! 1721 R. Wodkow Sujff. Ch. Scot.
(1838) I. 1. v. § 2. 394/1 The boys endured their punishment
like men and Christians. 1734 Poi-k Ei*, Man iv. 203
Worth makes the man, and want of it, the fellow. 1864
Trevllyan Compet. Wallah (1866) 299 How their sire
played the man in the time of the great troubles. 1900
Mokley Cromwell v. vii. 453 Of that pettish egotism which
regards a step taken on advice as a humiliation, he [Crom-
well] had not a trace ; he was a man.
b. iVan oj men : a man of supreme excellence.
1594 Marlowe & Nashe Dido in iii, That man of men.
1606 Shaks. Ant. <y CI. 1. v. 72. 1623 Massingek Bond-
man I. iii, Corinth .. hath vouchsafed to kud vs Her man
of men, Timoleon, to defend Our Country 1671 Mil-
ion P. R. 1. 122 This man of men, attested Sou of God
1821 Scott Keuihv. 1. iii. 47 Wilt thou suffei this guest ol
guests, this man of men.. to fall into the ineslie-. of thy
nephew? 1887 IJkuwning Parleyings, Chas. Avison xvi,
Pym, the man of men !
fC. Put for: Manliness, courage. Obs.
1602 Makston Ant. <y Mel. 1. Wks. 1856 I. 15 Heape up
thy powers, double all thy man. 1605 Shaks. Lear 11. iv.
42 Hauing more man then wit about me.
7. A person of position, importance, or note.
In phr. a man or a mouse : either ' made' or ruined.
AlftOt to make (a 'person) a man: to ensure his
prosperity or success.
[With a man or a mouse cf. the Ger. maun und maus.\
154* Scholc Ho. Women 386 in Ha/1. E.P.P. IV. 120
Fear not, she saith vnto her sj-ouse, A man or a Mouse
whether be ye. 1542 Uoall Erasm. Apopk. 267 b, He was
vtterly mynded to put a! in hasard to make or marre, &
to bee_ manne or mous. 1584 R. Scot Discov. Witchcr.
xv. xvii. (1886) 357 Applie it, and thou shalt be made a man
for ever, c 1622 Fletcher: Love's Cure 11. ii, Your Father
has committed you to my charge, and I will make a man,
or a mouse on you. 1624 Sanderson Serm. I. 251 [To] set
him upon his legs, and make him a man for ever. 1671
Tm.loison Serm. (vol. I.) 227 What poor man could not
cheerfully carry a great burthen of Gold . . thereby to be made
a man for e\er. 1859 LftVES D. Dunn w, The game is
made. Ked. thiitv-iwo. Now for it. Grog, man 01 a mouse.
MAN.
my boy. Mouse it is ! 1869 Tlnnyson North. Farmer, |
N. S. ii, Don't thou kn.iw that a man mun be eitlier a man
or a mouse ?
8. A husband. Now only .V. and </W., exc. in i
phr. wa« arulwife. (Cf. Goodman 2 b.)
« 1300 Cursor It. 2 n 55 If fader sagh his sun bare, . . pe wijf
hir man or man his wijf. 138a Wyclif Gen. ilL 16 Thow shalt
be vndre power of thi man [ij88 hosebonde). 1471 KIFLEV
Com*. Alch. Ep. i. in Aahm. (1652) 116 Our Man, our Wife.
1567 Glide S, Godlie B. (S. T. S.) 188 God send euene Priest aue
wyfe, And euerie Numie ane man. 1633 Ford ' Tit Pity
iv. i, Be not amaz'd ; nor blush, young lovely bnde, I come
not to defraud you of your man. 1724 Ramsay ' Tins is no
my aitt House' iii, To make me still a prudent spouse And
let my man command ay. 1749 I'na.uiNG Tom Jones 1. xii.
In less than a month the captain and his lady were man and
wife. iSat Clam VilL Afiustr. II. «i Th« iwary wife . .
Sits up in bed to strike her man a light. 1842 I ennyson
Dornt, He. .often thought ' I'll make them man and wife .
1889 ISakrie Windmv in Thrums 108 Wor would Nancey
take it kindly if I called her man names.
b. A lover, suitor. V dial.
1874 T. Hauuy Far/r. Mad. Crowd xxxi, Go and marry
your man— go on ! 1898 Hksant Orange Girl 11. xiv, You've
put my man in prison— the properest man in St. Giles's.
9. A Liegeman or vassal. Now Hist. + In
ME. poetry often used fig., e.g. of a lover.
c iiai 0. E. Chrou. an. iu72 ( Laud MS.) Se cyng Melcolm
. .griSede wio pone cyng Willelm . .& his man waes. c 117S
/.ami. Horn. 33 Gif bu me dest won and wit beon anes
Iauerdes men. CI205 LAY. 4300 per fore his mon he biconl
& hairdsumnesse him solde don. a 1310 in Wright Lyric P.
93 To the [seinte Marie] y crie ant calle, thou here me for
thi man. 1423 Jas. I Kingis Q. lxiii, Quhen sail ;owr
merci rew vpon 50wr man, Quhois seruice is 3H vncouth vnto
sow? c 1465 Eng. Chron. (Camden 1850) 44 The Erl
Douglas of Scotland cam in to Englond, & was swore to the
king for to be his trew manne. a 1533 Ld. Berneks i/uo/i
xiv. 150 To become my man, and to do me homage. 1609
Skene Reg. Mai. 42 b, Homage suld be made in this maner,
that is, the maker therof, sail become his over-lords man
[etc.]. c 1670 Hobbes Duil Com. LamsWi^a) 93 The Tenant
shall hold his Hands together between the Hands of his
landlord, and shall say thus; I become your Man from
this day forth. 1871 Freeman Norm. Com;. (1876) IV. xviii.
129 By taking service in William's army he had become the
man of the Duke of the Normans.
10. a. A manservant ; a valet.
Man Friday : a servile follower or attendant ; a factotum
or servant of all work. (The allusion is to Robinson Crusoe's
servant, whom he usually refers to as ' my man Friday ' .)
13. . Guy IVarw. (A.) 393 pou bat art a garsoun, & art mi
man, & man schalt be. 1377 Langl. P. PI. B. 70X1. 40 Ac
bis maister ne his man no manere flesshe eten. 1381
Rolls of Parlt. III. 113/1 Johannes Pope, Taverners-man.
1463 Bury Wills (Camden) 16 To Raffe Otle sumtyme my
man a blak gownne. 148S Bk. St. Albans E vj b, The
mayster to his man makyth his Roys. 1500-20 Dunbar
Poems xv. 19 To serve and leif in beggartie To man and
maistir is baith schame. 1617 Mokysom /tin. in. 151 A
Gentleman and his Man shall spend as much_, as if he were
accompanied with another Gentleman and his Man. 1638
T. Randolph Amyntes Dram.-Pers., Jocastus, a fantastic
shepherd and a fairy knight, Bromius, his man, a blunt
clown. 1639 J. ENDECOTrin Massachusetts Hist. Coll. Ser.
IV. (1863) VI. 136 One Samuel Eale, a man of Mr. Nathan
Rogers, which Nele hath caryed with him. 1728 Swift
My Latiy's Lament. 174 Find out.. who's master, who's
man. 1791 Charlotte Smith Celestina IV. 117 There was
no possibility of his man giving Willoughby notice. 1870
Ramsay Remin. vL (ed. 18) 209 Another functionary of a
country parish is usually called the minister's man. 1885
G. Allen Baiylon xix, Awkward, when people mistake your
man for your nephew. 1887 A theuxiim 16 Apr. 504/3 Count
von Rechberg, . . was Prince Bismarck's man Friday.
b. Man-of-all-work : jocular formation after
maid-of- all-work ^see Maid sb. 4 b).
1830 Miss Mitioru Village Ser. iv. 27S Mrs. Villars's
man-of-all-work, Joseph. ^ 1836 F. Mahoney Rel. Father
Proui (1859) 73 A genius infinitely superior even to the man-
of-all-work at Ravensworth Castle, the never-to be-forgotten
Caleb Balderstone. 1896 Furnivall Eng. Cono./rcl. p. vii,
But illness prevented him ; and so I (as the Society's man-
of-all-work) bad to take the book up.
c. In wider sense, as the correlative of master.
In recent use commonly applied (chiefly in//.) to
workmen in contradistinction to their employers.
1 1375 .yV. Leg. Saints xlu (A/athias) 127 l\idas}>anebe-come
his mane, K; mad hisdwelling with hympane. [1486,1500 20,
1728 : see a.] i860 Nat. Assoc. Soc. Sci., Ref>. Coium.
Trades' Soc. 109 The masters had locked out the men . .
from seventeen factories. 187a Brassey Work a> Wages i.
6 The masters had found it necessary . . to reduce the rate of
wages ; but the men . .refused to accept the reduction.
11. Applied (chisfly in //.) to the members of a
fighting force ; now csp. to the common soldiers as
distinguished from the officers.
> 1205 Lay. 636 pe king of his monnen nionie busend hes.
c' 1450 Merlin 214 Ther were, .moo than a thousande me[n]
slayn. 1535 Covekijale /*:.". xviii. 29 In the I can discomfit an
boost of men. 1536 Wkiothesley Chron. (Camden) I. 57 The
King sent the duke of Norfolke, with an armie of menu.
1622 Donne Serm. 15 Sept. 11 Should God haue stayd to
leuie and arme. .men enow to discomfit Sennacherib? 1630
R . Johnson's Kingd. fy Commiv. 1 1 1 Foure thousand men
would have made a shrewd adventure to have taken his
Indies from him. 1878 Tennyson Revenge 10 I've ninety
men and more that are lying sick ashore. i88oWhekler
Short Hist. India 604 The English had lost more than 2,400
officers and men.
12. In university and public-school language,
an undergraduate or student (as contrasted with
a graduate or a don). Cf. 4 p.
1803 Gradas ail Cantair. 89 At Cambridge, and, eke, at
Oxford, every stripling is accounted a Man from the mo-
ment of his putting on the gown and cap. 1811 Lex.
101
Balatron., Man .Cambridge), any undergraduate from
fifteen to thirty. As a man of Emanuel— a young member
of Emanuel. 1874 Lays Mod. Oxford 43 Every bulldog
when be spies a Man without a gown, Promptly chases
him and tries a- Main to run him down. 1897 Barkf.re
& Leland Diet. Stung II. 103/1 [At Winchester Coll.]
When a master wishes a ' man ' to taste the sweets of a flog-
ging he tells him to order Ins name to.
III. Transferred uses.
13. Applied to any image or portrait of a man,
or to anything bearing a resemblance to a human
figure. Man of straw (fig.) : see Straw sb.
1636T. Randall in Ann. Duircncia{i%Tj) 17'1'hcy looke
like yonder man of wood, that stands To bound the limits of
the Parish lands.
14. With qualification used for: A ship. See
also Man-of-wah, Indiaman, Merchantman, etc.
1473 J' PAST0N ln l*' Felt. III. 81 A few Frenchmen be
whyrlyng on the coasts, so that there no fishers go out. 1558
W. TowRSON in Hakluyt I'oy. (1589) 125 The Christopher
being the headmost & the weathermost man, went roome
with the Admiral!. 1665 Lond.Gaz. No. 3/4 They chased
a Barbadoes and a Jamaica man into Limrick. a 1700 B. E.
Diet. Cant. Crew, Taut, ..Musi of a Ship or Man. 1709
[see East India]. 1712-1844 [see Indiaman]. 1778 H. Wat-
POLE Last Jmls. (1859) II. 284 The Brest fleet was sailed,
twenty-eight inen-of-lhe-line. 1788 J. May Jrnl. <y Lett.
(1873I 33 In order to put them on board the Kentucky-man.
15. One of the pieces used in chess, draughts,
and backgammon. (Cf. Chessmen and Meinie.)
1562 Rowuotham Pleas, tr Wittie Play of Cheats A ij,
As if thei had the che>le-bourde and men in their handes.
1562 J. Heywood Prov. tf Epigr. (1867) no Eche other
caste thou bearest a man to many. 1611 Cotgr., Dame,
..a man at Tables, or Draughts. 1668 Dryden Fss.
Dram. Poesy (1889) 77 Like a skilful chess-player by little
and little he draws out his men. 1735 Blrtin Chess vi,
Never croud your game by too many men in one place.
1806-7 J- Bkresioru Miseries Hum. Life Vt. xxxi,_ On
asking for a back-gammon-board seeing one brought in in
ruins, the men half lust and the dice quite. 1865 Dickens
Mitt. Fr. ii, iv, The hutfing of Miss Bella, and the loss of
three of her men at a swoop.
16. In Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lons-
dale, a cairn or pile of stones marking a summit or
prominent point of a mountain ; cf. Low Man,
Jligli Man as local names lor particular cairns, also
applied to portions of the mountains themselves.
1800 WoRDSW. Rural Archit. 6 And there they built up,
without mortar or lime, A Man on the peak of the Crag.
1871 L. Stephen Playgr. Eur. (1894) vii. 166 A stone man
or cairn. 1897 O. G. Jones Rock-climbing 68 They reached
the Low Man, as the nearly horizontal crest of the first huge
buttress is called, /bid. 243 Then to the right conies the
actual Pillar Rock, the ' High Man'. Ibid., The Low Man,
the immense buttiess that from below hides the true summit
altogether.
17. The obverse of a coin used in tossing.
[Originally, the side of a penny which has the king's head,
the ' woman' being the side with the figure of Britannia.]
1828 ' Bee' Living i'ict. London 241 The person calling
for 'man' or 'woman'. 1858 Househ. Words 4 Dec. 1/2
Up goes the dollar.. .' Heads or tails? Man or woman?'
IV. Phrases and combinations.
18. Matt enters into an almost unlimited number
of phraseological collocations in which it is con-
nected by a preposition with another sb. denoting
quality, character, occupation, or profession ; e. g.
t m. of after-wits, m. of antipathies, in. of chaff,
111. of character, f in. of charge, m. of dignity,
m. of feeling, in. of glee, in. of healing, in. of
honour, in. of nothing to do, in. of office, in. of
peace, in. of practice, m. of preferment, in. of pro-
perty, m. of rank, 111. of sense, in. of talent, in. of
theory, in. of title, m. of weight, m. of -wisdom,
m. of years ; also t man with the beard, a
drinking mug on which a bearded man was repre-
sented ; man of Belial, a worthless or wicked
man (cf. 1 Samuel xxv. 25); +man in black, a
clergyman; man of blood (a Hebraism , one who
is laden with bloodguiltiness ; man in blue, a
policeman (Farmer Slang 1896); fman of cabi-
nets, an antiquarian ; man-in-the-cars, the U. S.
1 equivalent of ' man-in-the-street ' ; f man of the
j church, an ecclesiastic - Churchman i ; fman
of the long coat —gentleman of the Long KOBE ;
fman of death (a Hebraism', one worthy to be
I put to death ; man of the earth U.S., the wild
I potato vine, Ipomsea pandurata; man of God
1 (OE. and early ME. godes man(n, a Hebraism),
a man devoted to the service of God, (a) a
j saint, (b) an ecclesiastic ; man of Kent (see quot.
i 17S7, and cf. Kentish a.) ; fman in the oak, a
spirit supposed to inhabit an oak ; + man of
Rome, the Pope. For man of business, in. of
clouts, m. of colour, m. of fashion, m. of figure, in.
of (his) hands, in. of the house, in. of letters, m. of
mark, in. of means, m. of motley, m. of numbers,
m. of quality, in. of religion, m. of service, m. of
sin, m. of sorrows, in. in the street, m. about town,
in. of the town, m. of wax, m. of the wood(s, in.
of one'' s word, m. of few or many words, tn. of
worship, see these sbs. Also lady's or ladies' man
(see Lady sb. 17) ; f -world's man (see Would) ;
Man-oi-law, Man at this woiu-d, etc
MAN.
1652-62 Hlylin tosmogr, in. (1677) 13/1 The People of
this Country were, .said to be also the Inventors of Augury
. .And yet for the most part "men of after- wits. 1837 Hist, in
Ann. Peg. (1838) 4r2/i William the 4th was not a *man of
antipathies. 1614 13. Jonson Barth. Fair iv. iii, He has
wrashled so long with the bottle here, that the "man with
the heard hash almosht streek up hUh heclsh. 1692 Cent/.
Jrnl. May 5 The ''Man in black makes but one of two in
less than halfanHour. 1382 W\cuv 2 Saw. xvi^Goout, gu
outjthou^manofbloodis [161 1 bloody man, marg. Hehr. man
of blood). 1605 Siiaks. Mncb. in. iv. 126 The secret'st man
of Blood. 1648 [see Blood sb. 3]. 1698 M. Lister Jourtt.
Parti (1600) 58 The Vulgar Name, by which those * Men of
Cabinets distinguish them \s..Dcs Latn/is. 1888 Bhy<.k
Amer. Commiv. III. iv. Ixxvi, 7 That representative of
public opinion whom Americans call ' the *man in the cars'.
1709 Wokdsw. Poet's Kpit. 14 Or art thou one of gallant
pride, A Soldier and no "man of chaff? 1746 Rep. Cond.
Sir y. Cope 115 General Keith.. is a **Man of Character \
1590 Sir J. Smyth Disc. Weapons Ded. 9 All great Cap-
tames, CliR'ftaincs, and "men of charge. 1523 Ld, Bekneks
/•'miss. I. clxii. 199 *Men of the Churche that cometh and
-oeth for treaty of peace. 1530 Palsgr. 318/1 Man of the
churche, caUsiastiquc. 1579 Fknton Guicciard. \. (1599)
45Certaine *men uf the long coate (so are called in Frauncc
Lawyers, Doctors, and men of Iustice). 1535 Covfrdai.k
1 Ki'igsW, 26 Thou art a*manof deeth. 164a Ess. oj a King
in Bacon's Wks. (1858) VI. 596 Not to suffer a man of death
to live, a 1300 Cursor M. 27170 *Man of office or digmte,. .
werlds man, or clerc, or closterer. 1846-50 A. Wood < 7ass-/-i:
Bot. 442 Wild Potato. *Man-of-the-Earth. 1771 H. Mac-
KENziL-(//V/t'.The*Manof Feeling. I799Wori>sw. Fountain
20 The dear old Man,. .The grey-haired *man of glee, a 900
tr. Bxdas Hist. iv. xxv[i], (1^90) 352 pa^eswearc se *Gude>
mon semninga. c 1200 Moral Ode 266 in Trin.ColL Horn ,
He nolde ihere godes men ban he sat at his biede. 1382
Wyclik 2 Tim. iii. 17 [16] That the man of God be perfyt,
lerud to al good werk. 1 1450 St. Cuthbcrt (Surteesi 3588
Spak to paim be goddis man. 1658 Sir T. Browne Hy-
driot. v. (1896) 180 The man of God lives longer without
a tomb, than any by one. 1748 Thomson Cast, fudoi.
i. lxix, A little, round, fat, oily man of God. 1814 Cary
Dante, Paradise XIII. 30 The wondrous life Of the meek
man of God [St. Francis]. 1847 James Convict II. 195 As
soon as the *nian of healing was gone,, .he sprang up in his
bed, hurried on his clothes [etc.]. 1577 tr. Bullingers Dc-
auks (1592) 193 *Men of honours letters, or some such like
stuffe. 1641 S. D'Lwes in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden) 169
Like a brave gentleman and man of honour. 1711 Aooison
Sped. No. 99 P 10 If every one that fought a Duel were to
stand in the Pillory, it would quickly lessen the Number of
these imaginary Men of Honour. 1787 Gkosi; Prov. Gloss.
s. v. Kent, All the inhabitants of Kent east of the river,
Medway, are called *Men of Kent,. .the rest of the inha-
bitants of the county are stiled Kentish-men. 1861 C. Bede
New Rector x. 104 The 'Men of Kent', you know, were
never conquered ! 1719 De Foe Crusoe 11. x, Like a *man
of nothing to do. 1584 R. Scot Discm. Witchcr. vii. xv.
(1886) 122 Robin Goodfellow, the spoome, the mare, the
*manintheoke. i6o4Middi.kton Witch i.ii, Dwarfes, Imps,
theSpoone,tlie Mare, the Man i'lh'oake ; theHell-waine.the
Fire-drake, the Puckle. 1611 Bible Ps. cxx. 7, I am for
peace [marg. Or, a *man of peace]. 1843 Carlylk Past -V
Fr. hi. v, This.. almost stupid *Man of Practice, pitted
against some light adroit Man of Theory. 1698 Money
Masters all Things, etc. 131 The ugly and crippled were
the only "Men of Preferment. 1861 M. Pattison Ess.
(1889) I. 45 When no *man of rank or property was safe.
1581 J. Walker in Confer, iv. (1584) Z iij b, He. .hath .. fled
to the *man of Rome. 1711 Steele Sped. No. 153 f 4 It
is thus in the life of a "Man of Sense, a short Life is suffi-
cient to manifest himself a Man of Honour and Virtue.
1843 MozLEY Fss. (1878) I. 156 The acuteness, point,
and clearness which his controversial writings show, give
him . . an undoubted rank as a 'man of talent. 163Z Mas-
singer City Madam 1. ii, A sin your *man of title Is
seldom guiltie of. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng. xii. III. 153
If any *man of weight, .would., explain the state of things.
1742 young Nt.Th. v. 775 The 'Man of Wisdom is the 'Man
of Years.
19. Obvious combinations : a. simple attrib. and
appositive, as man-angel, -beast, -devil, -dinner,
-dog, 'excellence, -famine, -fiend, -fish, -flesh, -fly,
\ -miratic, -monster, -nature, -plague, -power, -satyr,
^service.
aiyu Ken Hymnotheo Poet. Wks. 1721 III. 315 A new
extemporaneous Race Of those *Man-Angels peopled the
whole place. 1633 Ford Love's Sat r. iv. i, Some strangely-
shaped "man-beast. 1648 Hunting of Fox 38 That Man-
lxast, the Major of London, t 1600 Timon 1. iv. (Shaks.
Soc.) 16 His name is Philargurus, a ■ man-devill. 1832 Miss
Miitokd Village Ser. v. 88 An odious 'man-dinner at the
Clarendon. 1884 Chamb. Jrnl. 10 May 304/2 The "Man-
dog came from Russia, and was for a long time exhibited in
Paris. 1887 G. Meredith Ballads <y P. 19 The man-dog
for hts mistress thinks, Not less her faithful dog. 1711
Shaftesh. Charac. (1737) II. 305 In such a tender frame, as
is indeed wonderfully commodious to support that *man-
excellence of thought and reason. 1876 T. Hardy Ethel-
bcrta (1800) 262, I. .found a husband before the present
*inan-famine began. 1638 Fokd Ladys Trial m. i. There
is no valour in tugging with a *man-fiend. 1892 C R. B.
Barrett Essex Highways, etc. 139 The catching .- of
a *man-fish, or sea-monster, in the reign of Henry II.
i8iz Sporting Mag. XXXIX. 17 Crib having been known
to be the best bit of *manflesh nature ever cast in her
mould. 1833 F0Nin.AN0.uE Eng. under Seven Administ.
(1837) II. 403 The injustice of depriving the planters of
their property in man-flesh without compensation. 1832
Miss Miteoki) Village Ser. v. Si The sedan-chair— a much
more dignified conveyance,. than any of the race of flies,
whether horse-fly or* man-fly. 1898G. Mekedith Odes Tr.
Hist. 34 Sure of the blade that served the great *mun-
1 miracle [Napoleon]. 1610 Shaks. TdMrjA. m. ii. 14 My
I * man-Monster hath drown'd his tongue in sacke. 1784
! Cowter Task vi. 499. 1895 How to get Married 107 Her
j knowledge of *man-nature. a 1649 Dri mm. of Hawth.
) Poems Wks. (171 1) 37/1 Who have no law to their ambitions
i will, But ("man-plagues !) born are humane blood to spill.
I x86a H. Splncer First Princ. iu xiv. § 114 (1875) 325 When
MAN.
horse-power and *man-puwer were alone employed. 1898
Century Mag. July 346 Jinrikisha,— those most fascina-
ting man-power carnages. 1780 Chron. in Ann. Reg.
196/2 A large fierce animal which Mr. Atkins affirmed to be
a centaur.. it proved to be a *Man satyr. 186a Ansted
Channel 1st. IV. xxiv. (ed. 2) 552 Every male between the
ages of seventeen and sixty-five in Jersey,.. is bound to
render ^man-service to the Crown.
b. appositive, passing into adj. — * male , as
man cook, Man-chili>, Manservant; in comb,
with a female designation, as man nunc, Man-
midwife ; occas. with names of animals, as man
scat. (Cf. 22 a.)
1530 Palsgr. 242 '2 Man lover, amant. ^ Ibid., Man nourse,
novrricicr. 1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslies Hist. Scot, vn. S
The manbarnes following of him sail be heyires. 1624 Hey-
wood Captives 1. i, The inan-inakarel and marchant of
madens fleshe. 1640 BftOMB Antipodes IV. iv, Enter women
and man-scold. 1734 Berkeley Let. to Prior 30 Apr. in
Eraser Life vi. (1871) 227 A man-cook would be a great con-
venience to us. 1746 H. Wau'Oi.k Lett. (1846) II. 147 The
principal man-dancer. 1754-64 Smelue Midwif. I. Introd.
55 The lives of many women and children were saved by
the skill of the man-practitioner. 1886 Emma Marshall
Tower on Cliff v. 68 If ever there was a man-witch, it's Sir
Thomas Cooke. 1889 Barrib Window in Thrums 99 Every
man-body and woman-body on the farm. 1901 Munsey's
Mag. (U.S.) XXV. 355/2 Frequently a man seal will swim
out to a lady seal [etc.].
C. In phrasal comb, used attrib., as one-man
show, two-man rule, etc.
1597 SllAKS. 2 Hen. IV, 1. ii. 255 If I do, tillop me with a
ihree-man-Beetle. 1883 [see One 33]. 1891 Times 6 Oct. 7/5
'One-nian'photographicexhibition^. 1900 Si rW. Harcourt
in IVestm. Gaz. 24 Aug. 6/1 Their forefathers had renounced
one-man ride, and they were not likely to go back to two-man
rule. 190a Daily Chron. 16 July 9/1 A couple of four-man
teams.
d. objective and objective gen., as man-con-
tairur, -destroyer., f -fisher, -maker, -marrer,
-moulder, -murderer, -planter, -pleaser, -stealer,
■suhduer, -thief , -trapper \ man-abhorring, -baiting,
■catching, -compelling, -degrading, -destroying, -de-
vouring, -fearing, -maiming, making, -mimicking,
-pleasing, -selling, -stealing, -supporting vbl. fibs.
andppl.adjs.; man-idolatry }f-pteasanee, f -stealth;
man-worthy adj. (hence --worthiness). (Cf. 22 b.)
1846 Prowett Pronteth. Bound 33 The bands Of ^man-
abhorring Amazons. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. iv. i. § 8
To see this *man-baiting, alt people of all kindes flock'd
together. 1876 T. Harijy Ethelberta (1890) 291 A harassing
mistrust of her *man-compelling power. 17XX Shaftesb.
Charac. (1737) II. 373 This mansion-globe, this ^man-
container. 1788 Cowpek Negro's Compl. 46 Our suffer-
ings, since ye brought us To the *man-degrading mart.
1824 J. Symmons tr. Aeschylus' Agam. 137 Nor turn thy
wrath 'gainst Helen, that she was a *man-destroyer. 1743
Blair Grave 210 Th" oppressive, sturdy, *Man-destroying
Villains. 1864 Kingsley Rom. fy Tent. \. (1875) 14 A mighty
"man-devouring ogre. 1881 Bridge-it Hist. Holy Eucharist
Gt. Brit. II. 297 Free from 'man-fearing and man -pleasing.
c 1305 St. Andrew 6 in E. E. P. (1862) 98 Come, he seide,
after me : and ic wole 30U make *Manfischers. 1647 H.
Moke .Song of Soul n. ii. m. iv, Nor fore'd conceit, nor
^man-idolatry. 1809 Sporting Mag. XXXIII. 63 The royal
and martial games of cock-fighting, bull-baiting, and *man-
maiming. 1649 G. Daniel Trinarch., Rich. II, eclxviii, In
his want Pittied, perhaps by Maiestie, who now Was a
'Man-Maker. 1901 G. Meredith Reading of Life, etc. 7
Maid-preserver, man-maker, a 1600 B. Jonson Case is
Altered v. i, Gold, gold, *man-making gold. 1675 Cotton
Scoffer Scoft 25 Some say that Man-making was no
treason. 1684 Otway Atheist v. i, What, Manslaying !
when all my thoughts were upon Manmaking. 1902
Edin. Rev. Jan. 30 All the man-making pastimes of Eton
boys, a 1500 Colkelbie Sow 149 And a *man merrour,
An evill wylfis mirrour. 1711 Shaftesb. Charac. (1737) II.
203 How the dangerous *man-moulder wou'd proceed ; and
what wou'd be the event of his tampering, a 1300 Cursor
M. 17303 (Cott.) 3e *man mortheraris] so crus. 1656 Trapi*
Comm. Gal. i. 10 Dastardliness and *man-pleasance. 1564
Brief Exam. **** b, This is very sore judgement, to con-
demne all your brethren for *manpleaseis. 17*7 Swift
State /ret. Wks. 1755 V. 11. 169 A man-pleaser at the
expence of all honour, conscience, and truth. 1669 Bax-
ter Poiver Mag. <y Ch. Past. 1. (1671) 16 No ^nan-
pleasing, no worldly honour to invite them, i860 Gen.
P. Thompson Audi Alt. III. exxxvii. no This is what
you call your Crown ; it can shake hands with *man-
selling. 1582 N. T. (Rhem.) 1 Tim. \. 10 To *inan-stealers,
to Hers, to periured persons. 1884 S. E. Dawson llandbk.
Dom. Canada i-jt. It was as man-stealers that Europeans
made their debut upon this continent. 1577 tr. Bullinger's
Decades (1592) 395 The offence called Plagium, that is "man-
stealing. 1769 Blackstone Comm. IV. Index, Manstealing.
1638 Maths Lucian (1664) 3S2 Are you not affraid he should
accuse you of 'Man-stealth, and summon you before the
Areopagus? 1899 R. Wiuteing 5 John St. 272 Woman, as
the man-subduer. 1856 Kane Arct. E.rpl. I. xxvi. 343
It had a bad look, this "man-supporting August ice. C890
Laws of ASlfred c. 9 § 2 Man 1511 witu maran Sonne o3ru ;
nu sint ealle Xelice butan "manbeofe, exx scitt. 1863 Dicey
Federal St. II. 254 This nation. .has for two generations
been the accomplice of man-thieves. 1815 Zeluca III. 167,
I hope I shall not be marked out as a * man-trapper for my
friend as well as myself. 18. . Coleridge (Webster), A
better and more 'manworthy order of things. 1841 Emer-
son Method of Nat. Wks. 1875 II. 233 How all that is called
talents and success in our noisy capitals, becomes buzz and
din before this *man- worthiness.
e. instrumental, as man-created, -devised, 'en-
slaved, -girdled, -made, -named, -taught ppl. adjs.
1849 Saxe Times 149 Mitres and thrones are *man-created
things. 1547 Life dbp. Canterb. To Rdr. Fijb, This
Church off Englande allowinge no "mandeuised order off
tegular ministerie. 1871 L. F. Bukr .;./ Fidem xi. 207
102
Man-devised religion, a 1873 I.ytton Pausanias (1876) 67
In the city one is the god-born, the other the * man-enslaved.
1847 Tennyson Princess V. 419 Almost our maids were
better at their homes, Than thus "man-girdled here, a 1718
Penn Life Wks. 1726 I. 170 What I meant by Clergy, viz.
A * Man-made and Mercenary Ministry. 1839 Bailey Festus
xxxiii. (1848) 356 Man-made gods. 1836 Mbs. Buowning
Poet's Vaiv n. xv, Stars— revealed to man, And *man-nained.
1884 J. Tait Mind in Matter (1892) 304 The apostle Paul
did not consider himself *man-taught.
f. puasynthetic, similative, originative, or pre-
dicative, as man-bodied, -born, -breasted, -grown,
-high, -minded, -shaped, \ -turned adjs.; man-
fashion adv.
1880 S. Lanier Sunrise 19 Sweet burly-bark'd, 'man-
bodied Tree. 1839 Bailey Festus xix. US52) 301 All theo-
sophic lore Of * man-horn, or angelic mind. 1859 Tennyson
Guinevere 244 And strong *man-breasted things stood from
the sea. 1890 L. C. D'Oyle Notches 32 She.. rode *man
fashion. [1587 Golding De Moruay xvii. 320 Not_ being a
babe or ayoong childe, but being come to yeercs of discretion
and a *mangrowne.] 1:1640 J. Smyth Lives Berkeley* (1883)1.
168 His owne sonnes now man-growne. 1883 Blackw. Mag.
June 800 He was man-grown and in the Scottish service in
France between 1420 and 1430. 1679 Moxon Mech, Excrc.
r64 Part of the Battlement being Breast high ._. the other
part 'Man-high, to secure Men from the shot of their enemies.
1837 Longp. Frithiof's Homestead 4 Man-high was waving
the rye-field. 184a Tennyson Talking Oak 51 When his [sc.
Hen. VIII's] *inan-ininded offset rose To chase the deer at
five. 1855 A. de Veke Foetus 1 20 That love, or none, is fit for
one *Man-shaped like thee. 1871 Duncan in CasselCs Nat.
Hist. I. 6 'the man-shaped, or anthropomorphous apes.
1615 Chapman Odyss. 1. 205 In a throne, he plac'd The
vman-tumd Goddesse.
20. Special comb. : man-ape, an anthropoid
ape ; + man-bane, an opprobrious name for to-
bacco ; man-bound a., ' detained in port in con-
sequence of being sliort of complement ' (Smyth
Sailor's Word-bk. 1867) ; man-broker = Ckimp
sb.1 2 (ibid.) ; man-ear U. S., a kind of car used for
carrying miners up and down the steeply inclined
shafts of mines on I .ake Superior (Cent. Diet. 1 890) ;
f man-case, nonce-zvd. for ' body ' ; + man-eatch
v., to trap (men) ; man-catcher, (a) one who
catches or traps men ; (b) an instrument used in
New Guinea for catching men (sec quot. 1898);
so man-catching vbl. sb. ; man-crab (see quot.) ;
man-dealer, a slave-dealer ; f man-dream
[Dkeam ii.1], human joy,loudmirth; man-engine,
a kind of lift for lowering and raising miners in a
shaft, consisting essentially of a reciprocating vertical
rod with platforms at intervals ; t man-entered a.,
initiated into manhood ; f man-fish Her. = Meu-
m ax ; man-fungus, a fungus of the genus Geaster;
an earth-star ( Treas. Bot. 1866); f man-huckster
nonce-ivd. (applied to a 'mistress of the malestews');
man-keeper local, the water newt, Lissotriton
punctatus; fman-leech, a whore; fman-litter,
a sedan chair ; man-machine = man-engine ;
f man-mender, a surgeon ; man-mercer, one
who deals in man's wear; man-merchandise,
slave-dealing; + man-miln .Sir., a hand-mill for
grinding ; j man-minister, a chaplain ; man-
monkey, an anthropoid ape ; man-mountain, the
name given to Gulliver by the Lilliputians ; hence
allusively ; man-mountainism ; man orchis,
(a) also green man-orchis or greenman orchis,
the greenish-flowered orchid, Aceras anlhropo-
phora; (b) Orchis mascula ; \ man peach, a va-
riety of peach ; man-rail (see quot.) ; man-root,
the American Ipom&a leptophylla (Cent. Diet.) ;
man-rope A'aut., one of the ropes on each side of
a gangway or ladder, used in ascending and descend-
ing a ship s side, etc. ; fman-state, the age at which
a Roman youth assumed the toga virilis ; f man-
steida. Sc, supplied with men; man-sty [aiter pig-
sty], a dwelling-house or hut unfit for human habi-
tation; t man-thews, human customs, manners ;
man-trade, the slave-trade (cf. man-dealer); man-
way U. S. Mining, ' a small passage used by work-
men, but not for transportation' (Raymond Mining
Gloss. 18S1) ; manweed, fuller's teazel, Dipsacus
fttllonum ; f man-wood a., ' man-mad ', madly
desirous of a man ; + man-worth (see quot. 1670).
1878 N. Amer. Rev. CXXVII. 44 The myriads of years
which have elapsed since the *man-apes began to stand up-
right, a 1618 Sylvester Tobacco Battered 515 Th' Heat
and Drought of th' Herb American Being intensive (fitter
callM *Man-bane). 1630 J. Tayluk (Water P.) Proclama-
tion Wits. 11. 252/1 A foule contagious, stinking Manbane
weede. 1655 Fuller Ch* Hist. HI. vii. § 13 He had an
handsome *maa-case. 1682 Hickekingill Black Non-Conf.
B, Bespatter them, Trepan them, Teague them, Tafiee them,
and *Man-catch them. 170a C. Mathek Magn. Chr. vii. 63
Captain, .fell into the Hands of these desperate [Indian]
^Man-catchers. 1898 Dublin Fev. July 170 Another instru-
ment of capture is the ' man-catcher ', a flexible rattan
fastened at one end in a loop, into which a sharp spike pro-
trudes. As it is slipped over the foe, a sudden jerk is
given to it, which causes the latter to impale the base of the
skull. 1681 E. Hickeringill {title) The Horrid Sin of
* Man-catching : a Sermon on Jer. v. 25, 26. 177a Rutty
Nat. Hist. Dublin I. 375 Cancer latipes Koudeletti, a
small shell-fish about the bigness of a wall-nut, which has
MAN.
something like the delineation of a human face upon it,
whence it has been sometimes called the *Man-Crab. i860
Gen. P. Thompson Audi Alt. III. exxxvii. no The Trans-
atlantic 'man-dealer. Beoivulf 1264 He[Cain] bafa^gewat,
morjjre jemearcod *mandream Heon, westen warode. c 1205
Lay. 23945 pa aras be mon-drem [c 1275 mannes drem] bat
be wolde dunede a-?en. 1865 Morn. Star 7 Jan., In a few
mines the "man-engine, which hoists and lowers the men,
has been introduced. 188* Raymond Mining Gloss., Man-
mai/iiue or Man-engine, Corn, and Derb. 1607 Shaks. Cor.
11. ii. 103 His Pupill age *Man-entred thus. 1688 R. Holme
Armoury 11. 360/1 A Mere-man, or a Man-marine, or a *Man-
fish. .by others termed a Triton, a 1625 Beaum. & Fl. Cus-
tom Country v. v, Be so, and no more, you *man-huckster.
1824 Mactaggart GaiioT'id. Ftuycl. 392 He was fond of
drinking filthy fluids, and his belly gave birth to some
asks and * man-keepers. 1825-80 Jamieson, Man-keeper, a
name given to the newt . . by the inhabitants of Dumfr.
and Roxb., because they believe that it waits 011 the adder
U) warn man of his danger. 1687 Sldley Bcllamira iv.
i, Thou punk, thou cockatrice, thou *man-leech, that suck'st
their marrow and their money. 1640 Brome Sparagus
Garden 11. ii, A couple of lusty able bodied men.. carry
mee in a *Man-litter into the great bed at Ware. 1855
T. R. L[kifchilu] Cornwall Mines 279 Where they descend
by the *man-machines their journey is easy both down
and up. a 164 1 Suckling Goblins 1. (1648J 15 A *Man-
mender, .. Has broatht me in so many places, All the
Liquor in my body will run out. 1703 Brit. Apollo No. 3
Man-menders then had noble pay— Which we call sur-
geons to this day. 1837 Miss Mm ford Country Stories
(1850) 99 What business had he in a great shop? a *man-
nRTcer's they call it. 1788 CuwrtR Let. to Lady llesketh
16 Feb., It being impossible to alledge an argument on be-
half of ''man-merchandize that can deserve a hearing. 1566
Inv, R. H'ardr. (1815) 173 Ane "mann-miln for making of
poulder, with thre mortaris. 1580 Ibid. 302 Ane man myln
with all hir ganging geir. 1715 M. Davies A then. Brit. I.
52 Richard Paicc.was at first but a *Mann-minister to
Thomas Langton Bishop of Winchester. 1782 Miss Burnky
Cecilia xi. x, Why you won't pretend you did not hear
Miss Beverley say you were the truest ourang outang, or
*nian-nionkey, she ever knew 7 1716 Swift Gulliver 1.
ii, In the Right Coat Pocket of the Great *Man-Moun-
tain (.for so I interpret the Quinbus Flestrhi). a 1861
Mrs. Browning Bk. Poets Poems i8qo V. 204 While Gower
may blame *his fortune', .for the dry specimen crumbled
off from his *manmountainism. 1776 Withering Bot.
A rraiigem. Vegetables 1 1. 543 * Man Orchis. 1868 Paxtons
Bot. Diet., Green-man orchis. See Aceras anthropophera.
188a Garden 27 May 365/3 The popular name of Man
Orchis given to Aceras anthropophora is certainly well be-
stowed, as a resemblance to a hanging man in the singular
flowers of this plant is very apparent. 1664 Evelyn Kal.
Jlort., Aug. (1679) 22 Roman Peach, *Man Peach, Quince
Peach [etc.]. 1871 Routledge's Ev. Boy's Ann. Dec. 24 Along
each side of the boiler b fixed a hand-rail, called a *man-rail.
1769 Falconer Diet. Marine 11. (1780) Tire-veilles, the 'man-
ropes, or entering-ropesoftheside. 1851 H. Melville Whale
viii. 42 With both hands grasping the ornamental knobs of
the man-ropes. 1558 Phaer Mneid Life Virgil (1573) Aiij,
When he was thirteene yeere of age, he receaued the gar-
ment of *manstate. 1610 Healey St, Aug. Citie of God
140 He tooke on his gowne of man-state, a 1578 Lindesay
(Pitscottie) Chron. Scot (S.T.S.) I. 228Thrie greit scheipis
weill ' man steid, Weill wittallit and artaillzeit. 1799 Southey
Comm.-pi. Bk. IV. 518 The most miserable and beastly
collection of *man-sties I ever beheld. 1887 Pall Mall G.
4 May 5/1 The unutterable 'man-sties' which do duty
for labourers' cottages. .1000 Juliana 410 f>xt he '"mon-
beawum minum lif^e. a 1250 Prov. A^lfred 432 in 0. E.
Misc. 128 pe hwile hit is lutel ler him monbewes [later
text monnis bewis]. X760 J. Philmore [title) Two Dialogues
on the *Man-Trade. 1828 Burtons Diary III. ?$% note.
This lettered barbarian, .. in the genuine spirit of the
man-trade, 'hoped never to see our negroes in America
become Christians '. 1829 Glo7-etJs Hist. Derby I. 108 Dip-
sacusfullonum, *manweed or fuller's teasel. 1579-80 North
Plutarch Lycurgus § Nnma (1595)84 Andromanes; tosay,
"manwood [printed manhood, corrected in ed. 1612]. a 1586
Sidney Arcadia 11. (1598) 229 Women man-wood, & men
effeminate. < 1000 Laws Hlothxre <V Eadric c. 1 jif
maunes esne eorlcuudne mannan ofslKhb.. se agend pone
banan a^efe, and do baer brio ,man-wyrb to. 1670-91 Blount
Law Diet., Maniuorth, the price or value of a Man's Life or
Head ; every Man, according to his degree, being rated at
a certain price, according whereunto, satisfaction was, of
old, made to his Lord, for the killing him.
21. Combinations with man's : f man's age =
Man-age; f man's blood, (a) a kind of thistle;
(&) the Gr. avhpoaatfxov, 'a kind of St. John's
wort, with blood-red juice' (Liddell and Scott);
fman's-bond, a slave, bondsman, in quot. collect,
sing.; man's enemy, the Devil; f man's kind
= Mankind; f man's meat, food for men ; also
trans/, in indecent sense; man's mercer (see
quot.) ; f man's motherwort = Palma Chkistj ;
fman's queller, an executioner (cf. Manljublleb).
XS94 T. B. La Prhnaud. Fr. Aeatt. 11. To Rdr., The bodie
of man in the third part of his age, commonly called *mans'
age [etc.]. 1601 Holland Pliny II. 98 Acoma, marg., A
kind of thistle: some call it *Mans bloud. Ibid. 275 Some
cal this herbe Androsffiinon, marg. Mans bloud. 1611
Flokio, Acoma, a thistle called Mans blood, t 1330 R.
Bkunne Chron. (1610) 115 Now er \>he bot ^mansboud,
rascaile of refous. ax8oo Laird of ll'aristoun v. in Child
Ballads IV. 31/1 At her richt hand There stood *Man"s
Enemy, a 1300 Cursor M. 14909 For he be time sais com-
mand nei, bar he for *mans kind wil dei. 1390 Gower Conf.
II. 264 And what hir liste, ..Sche dede . . That pa.sseth
over manneskinde. 1475 Bk. Noblesse (Roxb.) 30 They
finding bothe horsmete and *mannysmete to youre soudeours.
1586 J. Hooker Hist. Irel. in Holinshed II. 166/2 In
dooing of his seruice, he shall take horsse-meat, and mans-
meat where he list. 1629 Burton Babel no Bethel 46, 1 will
not envy him, so long as I feed on that which is sound and
mans meate (as we say'. 1664 Falkland Marriage Night
11. i. ij But U she Mans meat? I .. can scarcely digest
MAN.
one in her Teens. 1760 Foote Minor 11. (1767) 53 Here
she has brought a pretty piece of man's meat already ;
as sweet as a nosegay, and as ripe as a cherry. 1803 S.
Pegge Awed. Bng, Lang. 267 A "man's mercer — One who
furnishes small articles to taylors', as twist, buckram, stay
tape. 1597 Gerarde Herbal App., *Mans motherwort is
Pahna Cristi. c 1450 Mirour Saluacioun 3270 Qwene
Thamare.. Whilk Cirus. .*mannes qwellere hevedid.
22. Combinations with men : a. appositive, serv-
ing as plurals of combs, with man (see 19 a, b, and
main words, e.g. Man-child). Also Men-folk,
Men-kind.
[138a Wyclif yoelxxx. 9 A lie Men-filters [Vulg. viri bclla-
iWy?.s] cum to, and steyvp.] 161 1 Bible Etc/, ii.8 Men singers
and women angers. 1632 Lithgow Trav. x. 463 O strange
inhumanity of Men-monster Manglers ! 1646 M. Lluellin
{title} Men-miracles with other Poemes. 1687 T. Brown
Saints in IfyroarWks. 1730 I. 72 Both among the Men-
Saints and Women-Saints. 1739 Cibber Apol. (1756) I. 105
Those other men actors who.. were equally famous in the
lower life of comedy. 1741 Richardson Pamela (1824) I.
179 Do you, Beck, help Pamela to 'tend us; we will have
no men-fellows, a 1745 Swift Direct. Serv. ii. (1745) 36
The Custom began . . to keep Men Cooks, and generally
of the French Nation. 1814 Sir R. Wilson Pr. Diary
II. 346 His holiness made his entrance yesterday, drawn
by men cattle. 1864 Puskv Led. Daniel vii. 442 Large
colossi and very long men-sphinxes. 1892 H. Reeves
Homeward Pound 141 We had a dispute which were men
Cingalese and which women.
b. objective, instrumental, etc., synonymous with
the corresp. combs, with man (see I9d,e and
main words, e. g. Man-eater).
1692 Bentley Boyle Led. 125 Those mountainous kind
of animals and "men-bearing trees. 1682 S. Pordage Medal
Rev, 274 Rebels and Traytors they will still Create, And
are 'Men-Catchers of the highest rate. 1599 Hakluvt I 'oy,
II. 11. 104 Which made them beleeue that we were cruel!
people and *men-eaters. 1710DE Foe Crusoe 1. xiii, They..
being men-eaters. 1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (Table) 328
Anzigues, a *men-eating Nation. 1619 A. Newman Pleas.
Vis, (1840) 42 They have such *men-inchanting features.
c 1550 Cheke Matt, iv. 19 Come after me and J wil maak
yow *menfischers. 1895 Churchman No. 185. 268 *Men-
rishing is most difficult work, but He who bade us go has
likewise said 'I am with you'. 1553 T. Wilson Rhet. 51
Such *menfiesht vilaynes make small accompte for killynge
anye one. 1834 Tait's Mag. I. 124 The ''men-hunters found
a Guahibi mother, with three children. 183a Miss Mitford
Village Ser. v. 337 The *men-like bathing women. 1753
Foote Bng. in Paris 1. Wks. 1799 I. 33 All the fraternity of
"men-makers..; taylors, peruquiers, natters, hosiers. 1619
Fletcher M. Thomas 11. iii, Whither goe all these *men-
menders, these Physicians? 1526 Tindale Eph. vi. 6 Not
with service in the eye sight, as 'men pleasars. 1615 Hieron
Wks. I. 604 Such a time-seruing, *men-pleasing, forsaking
of flockes. 1632 Sanderson Serm. (1681J II. 19 S. Paul,
who in one place professeth men-pleasing,, .taking it in the
better sense. 1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 9333 Robl»eors..&
manquellars [MS, B. *menquellares]. 1422 tr. Secret a
Secret., Priv. Priv. 164 Traytouris, and rebelle, trew men
quelleris. 1563-87 Foxe A. <$■ M, (1596) 70/2 Which all
were esteemed as men quellers. a 1300 E. E. Psalter
lviii. 3 And *men-slaers, sauve me fra ba. 1380 Lay
Folks Ca.'ech, 736 (Lamb. MS.) Bakbyters and sowers
of fals lesynggys .. am wykkyd men-sleers. c 1450 St.
Cuthbert (Suttees) 810 Menslaers, robbours. 1526 Tindale
1 Tim. 1. ro To *menstealcrs : to lyars and to periured.
a 1677 Hale Hist. Placit. Cor. (1736) I. 9 Men-stealers
were punished with death, i860 Pusey Min. Proph. 134
The Tyrians. .were slave-dealers, and in the earliest time,
men-stealers. 1796 Mrs. M. Robinson Angelina I. 36 The
*men-trappers rushed in, and they forced him away. 1865
). H. Incraiiam Pillar of Fire (1872) 164 We are still
idolaters, that is, mere *men -worshippers.
23. Combinations with mens-, fmens-kiud^
Men-kind, f menskins, of the male sex.
1534 Will Sir W. Butler (Somerset Ho.), Euerye of my
seruauntes aswell menskynes as womenskynnes. 1592 Kvd
Sp. Trag. in. v. 3 Wee mens-kinde, in our minoritie, are
like women in their vncertaintie.
t Man, sb.% Obs. [OK. man str. neut. = OS.
mbt, OUG. mem, ON. mem :— OTeut. *mainom,
neut. of *maino- adj.: see Man a.] Wickedness.
Also Comb. t f man deed, wicked act.
Beowulf 978 Dxr abidan sceal maga mane fah miclan
domes, c iooo Ags. Ps. (Th.) cxviii. 69 Ys nu nuenfcfeald
ofer me man and unriht oferhydi^ra. 1 1000 J'hccuix 457
[He] leahtras dwsescej? mirce mandaede. ctvjS Lamb.
Horn. 99 Deofles gast wissaS to sun nan and to mandeden.
f 1200 Ormin 4478 patt tu be loke wel fra man Inn abess &
1 uittness.
t Man, sb.% Obs. Also 5 mane. [a. late L.
man (Vulgate), a. Ileb, p.] = Manna.
a 1300- 1400 Cursor M. 6384 (Gott.) J>ai called it in pair
langag man [Cott. manna]. 1382 Wvclif Exod. xvi. 31 The
hows of Yrael elepide the name of it man. c 1485 E. E.
Misc. (Warton CI. 1856) 14 O Crystes modyre, That feede
3eure chyld with the heyvynly mane. 1604 Hieron Wks. I.
500 As soone as they came into the promised land, the man
ceased. 1644 Z. Boyd Card. Zion in Z ion's Flowers (1855)
App. 1 1/2 To' Egyptian hotch potch which God's Israel
Preferr'd to Man, their whilom— Angel's food.
t Man, a. Obs. [OE. man = MHG. metn, ON.
meimi :— OTeut. *maino- : according to some
scholars a pa. pple. from the Indogermanic root
*mei-t *moi- to change.] Wicked,
c 1000 Ags. Ps. (Th.) liv. 15 ForSain. .on hiora rmdle [is]
man mwit-staef. a 1300 Cursor M. 6848 Athes noiber
sothfast ne man [cf. Manath].
t Man, indef. pron. Obs. Also mon. See
also the weakened forms Men, Me indef, prons.
[OE. www, mon = OS., OHG. (MHG., G.) man ;
an unstressed form of Man sb.v\ -One 21.
303
Beowulf 3176 J>ast mon his winedryhten wordum herge.
riooo Ags. Gosp. Matt. xiv. 11 And man brohte ba his
heafod on anum disce. C1175 Lamb. Horn. 139 Muchel
man ach to wurben bis halie dei. c 1220 Bestiary 267 ^et
is wunder of Sis wirm more oanne man weneS. c 1250 Gen.
A> Ex. 1488 A mete 5at man callen lentil gete. 1340 Aycnb.
86 Yef man dede bet kuead to-yeans wylle : hit nere non
zenne. a 1375 Treat. Mass 2 in Lay Folks Mass Bk. App.
iv. 128 Hou mon scholde here hys masse.
Man (msen), v. Forms: 1 mannian, 4-6
manne, 6-7 mann, 6- man. [OE. mannian, f.
mann Man sb\ Cf. MLG., MDu., Du., MHG.,
mod.G. mannen, ON., Sw. manna, Da. marnfe.']
1. trans. {Mil. and JVaut.) To furnish (a fort,
ship, etc.) with a force or company of men to serve
or defend it. Said also of the men.
(-1122 O. E. Citron, an. 10S7 (M.S. E.) Heora aelc ferde to
his castele & bone mannoden. c 1450 St. Cuthbert (Surtees)
5876 With' halfe pair men bis schip bai mande. 1480 Caxton
Chron. Eng. ccxliii. 2S8 The tlire carrikkes were lade with
dyuerse marchaundyse and wel y manned. 1494 Fabyan
Chron. vii. ccxix. 241 Kyng Wyllyam also made. iiii. Stronge
Castelles, . . and manned theym with Normayns. 1592
Nobody $ Someb. in Simpson Sch. Shaks. (1878.) I. 328 Man
the Court gates, barricade al the streets. 1596 Dalrymplk
tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. is.. 155 Tha schot out the capitan
Erskin, and manit the nous. 1600 Holland Livy vi. 90
Every man cried Alarm, ran up to the walls to man them.
1627 Capt. Smith Seaman's Gram. vi. 27 Man the Boat is
to put a Gang of men . . into her. c 1645 T. Tully Siege of
Carlisle (1840) 5 He found the other side [of the river]
manned wlil regiments of hors and foot. 1694 Motteux
Rabelais iv. xxiv. (1737) 101 Man the Pinnace, and get her
by the Ship's Side. 1781 Gibbon Decl. § F. xlv. (1869) II.
711 The ramparts were manned. 1795 Nelson 21 Mar. in
Nicolas Disp. (1845) II. 20 A Fleet half manned, and in
every respect inferior to the Enemy. 1833 Marryat P.
Simple xi, At last the frigate was full manned. 1861
Hughes Tom Brown at Oxf. xiv. (1889) 134 The Oriel
boat was manned chiefly by okl oars. 1865 Carlyle P'redk.
Gt. xiv. ii. (1872) V. 165 The garrison of Eger.. barely mans
its own works. 1874 Green Short Hist, vii. § 6. 410 The
English ships, .were manned with 9000 hardy seamen. 1876
Vovle & Stevenson Milit. Did., To man, this term is
commonly used in artillery to signify the arming of a
battery with men, ready for action. 1885 U. S. Grant
Pers. Mem. I. xxi. 292 One hundred nun left to man the
guns in the fort.
absol, 1713 Si eele Guard. No. 170 p 21 It is very rare if
the French ever make use of any other ships than their
own ; they victual and man cheaper than we.
b. Naut. To place men at or on (a particular
part of a ship), as at the capstan to heave anchor,
or on the yards to salute a distinguished person.
.Said also of the men.
1697 Tutchin Search Honesty v. 16 The Boatswain's
whistle, and they Man the Side. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey)
s.v., Man the Capstan. .. Man well the Top... Man the
Ladder. 1743 BuLKEI.BV & CuMMIHS Voy. S. Seas 174
He came close by our Vessel, we mann'd her, and gave him
three Cheers. 1796 Log ' Agamemnon ' 19 Jan. in Nicolas
Disp. Arelson (1846) VII. p. xxxii, Manned Ship and cheered
Sir John Jervis. 1817 Byron Beppo xxvi, A better seaman
never yet did man yard. 1840 K. H. Dana Bef. Mast xv.
41 We manned the windlass, and hove, and hove away.
187s Bedford Sailor's Pocket Bk. vii. (ed. 2) 282 As soon
as the signal is perceived by those on shore, the whip, .will
be manned, and the hawser hauled off by it to the wreck.
TC. To equip and send (a boat, occas. an army)
with its complement of men in a certain direction
(out j forth) after ..). Obs.
1494 FabyanC//?v«. vi. clxxiii. 169 V" Londoners, .manned
out a certayne nombre of men of armys. 1556 W. Towrson
in Hakluyt Voy. (1589) 99 We manned out our Skiffe in
like case to laye him aboorde. 16x1 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit.
ix. xiii. 599 The Townesmen of Portsmouth and Dart
maund [read mannd] forth a few ships at their owne perill
and charge, a 1659 Osborn Ess. ii. Wks. (1673) 558 When
God Mans out his Hosts, the Poor are found in the Forlorn
Hope. 1698 Frvkr Ace. E. India 3 P. 51 We had mann'd
three Boats after them. 1719 De Foe Crusoe n. xi, I..
manned out the pinnace. 11774 Goldsm. Hist. Greece I.
320 Lysander at first manned out a few ships.
1 2. To supply with inhabitants ; to people. Obs.
(•1400 Maundev. (1839) xviii. 187 This Vie is fulle wel in-
habyted, and fulle wel manned. 1433 Polls of Par It. IV.
445/1 Howe you re Tonne, .is wele enhabited and manned,
a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VI 156b, The Englishemen wer
not of puyssaunce, either to man the tounes..or to inbabite
the count rey. 1598 Sylvester Du Bartas n. i. iv. Handle-
crafts 272 Man-kind with fruitfull Race began A little corner
of the World to Man. Ibid. 11. ii. 11. Babylon 185.
f b. nonce-use. To fill up with men. Obs.
1596 Spenser F.Q. vi. xi. 46 [ He] slew the formost that came
first to hand So long till all the entry was with bodies mand.
f 3. To provide (a person) with followers or
attendants. Obs.
14.. Sir Beues 3080 (MS. S.), {He] armed him foot hot
And manned him welle in a bot. 1536 Skelton Magnyf.
441 Counterfet capytaynes by me are mande. 1597 Shaks.
2 Hen. IV, 1. ii. 18 Thou art fitter to be worne in my cap,
then to wait at my heeles. I was never mann'd with an
Agot till now. Ibid. 66. 1606 Chapman Mons. D' Olive
Plays 1873 I. 221 To be mand with one bare Page and a
Pandare. 1621 Bi\ Mountagu Diatribse 446 Such roysters
and rake-shames as Mars is manned with, Hercules is not
said to be attended withall. 1752 Fielding Ameliaix. ix,
Come along, Jack, I have seen her before ; but she is too
well manned already.
b. f To furnish (horses) with riders (obs.). Also
(Australian) ,to catch hold of and restrain (a horse).
J53S Coverdale 2 Kings xviii. 23, I wil geue y° two
thousande horses, let se yf thou be able to man them. 1655
E. Terry Voy. E. Ind. 411 To have horses alwayes in
MAN.
readinesse well mann'd. 1890 (R. Boldrewood ' Ctfi Re-
former (1891) 193 Man the horses, Eachin !
4. To fill (a post, office, etc.) with a man or men.
1821 SouTHEY in Q. Rev. XXV. 295 The pulpits were
manned with seditious preachers. 1822 J. W. Croker in
t'. Papers 25 Aug., No Government .. was ever better
manned in the subordinate departments than ours. 1900
Blackw. Mag. Jan. 37/1 There are often twenty to thirty
of these committees to be manned in a session.
f5. To escort (a person, esp. a woman V Obs.
1567 Drant Horace, Pp. vi. Dij, A cut throte rutterkin
. .Who will, and dare retche forthe his hande, and man the
throughe the croude. 1580 Lyly Euphues (Arb.) 291 She
saide : will you not manne vs Fidus, being sd proper a man ?
1599 Porter Angry Worn. Abingt. (Percy Soc.l 61 Thou
knowest that Barnses wife And I am foes : now, man me to
her house. 1607 Dekker & Webster Northw. Heft iv. F 1 b,
Wife, on with your ryding suite, and.. let my Prentice get
vp before thee, and man thee to Ware. 1688 R. Holme
Armoury in. 71/1 A Waiting Man. .goeth abroad with his ..
Mistriss as a Companion, Manning or taking her by the
hand in all dangerous places.
f6. a. rcfl. To play the man. Obs.
c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 224 ]»ei manned l>am so
boldely, on bam had non entre.
fb. To man it out : to hear up manfully. Obs.
1668 Drvden All for Love 11. i, Weil, I must Man it out.
7. To make manly or courageous; to brace up ;
to fortify the spirits or strengthen the courage of.
Chiefly refl.
1617 Fletcher Valentinian 11. iv, Good your Grace,
Retire, and man your selfe. 1630 A'. Jolmsons Kingd. .v
Commw. 26 Courage, is able at a pinch to man up it selfe.
Ibid. 31 The conscience is an active sparke, and can easily
man up all the powers of soule and body. 1668 Drydln
A/t for Lore 1. i, My Soul's up in Arms, And Mans each
part about me. 1707 Mrs. Centlivre Cruet Gift in, I feel
my spirits gather to my heart, And man it out with courage
for the tryal. 1711 Apdison Sped. No. 164 r 5 Theodosius
having manned his Soul with proper Thoughts and Re-
flections. 1810 Scott Lady of L. v. x, He mann'd himself
with dauntless air. 1813 Byron Corsair 11. iii, Submissive,
yet with self-possession mann'd. 1883 J. Hawthorne Dust
xxvii. 225 So he manned himself, and said, quietly and
firmly: 'Though [etc.]'. 1875 Kmi-rson Lett. ,y Soc. Aims
ix. 238 Only that is poetry which cleansesand mans me. 1881
Mrs. C Praed Policy s, P. II. 251 He had manned himself
to the sacrifice of his dearest hopes.
8. To invest with manly qualities or aspect; to
make man-like. rare.
1615 Chapman < fdyss. ix. 6S3 One Vlysses ; who I thought
was mand With great and goodly personage [Gr. <j>ojtcl /n'yar
ku\ (coAbi]. 1616-61 H01.YDAV Persiits 2S9 The different
seasons of his life, and so liper age, might easily more man
his countenance. 1839 Bailey Festus viii. (1848) 78, I am
a man in love, I cried; My heart was early manned. 1883
E. Pennell-Elmhirst Cream Leicestersh. 152 We manned
ourselves in breeches and gaiters.
t b. 7b be manned: to be made man. Obs.
1577 tr. Buiiingers Decades Introd., Who for vs men,.,
was incarnate and manned [L hutuanatns\. 1677 Gilimn
Demonol. (1S67) 1C7 Just like the ravings of H. Nicholas,
David George, and others, who. .discourse of being 'godded
with God ',. .and of God's being ' manned with them '.
9. To he the master of; to manage, rule. Obs.
exc. dial, (see K. I). 1).).
c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. IVace (Rolls) 6436 To manne
Armoriche [v. r. to haf a reume] bou were worthi. 1597-8
lip. Hall Sat. IV, vi. 18 Who like a cot-queene freezeth at
the rocke, While his breach't dame doth man the forren
stock. 1637 Ri'tiierford Lett. (1S62) I. 337 Happy is your
sold if Christ man the house . . and command all.
10. falconry. To accustom (a hawk, occas. other
hirds) to the presence of men. Hence [transf and
gen.) to make tame or tractable.
[The spelling mained in quot. 16^2, if not a mere misprint,
seems intended to suggest derivation from F. main hand.]
1575 Turbf.rv. Paulconrie 79 To the ende your hawke
may be the better manned and the sooner reclaimed. 1590
Greene Mourn. Garm. (1616I 53 There are no Hawks
sooner manned then they of India. 1590 — Orl. Fur. (1599)
2 Those siluer Doues, That wanton Venus manth vpon her
fist. 1596 Shaks. Tarn, Shr. ix. i. 196 Another way I haue
to man my Haggard, To make her come, and know her
Keepers call. 1607 Markham Caval. 11. (1617) 30 After
your horse is thus mand, and made gentle to be drest, shod,
and handled. 1621 liuRTON Anal. Mel. 11. ii. iv. (1651) 26S
Some reclaime Ravens, Castrils, Pies &c. and man them for
their pleasures. 1632 Guillim's Heraldry (ed. 2) 227 Birds
or fowles of Prey that are throughly mained and brought
to the fist. 1633 Massinger Guardian I. i, A cast of
Haggard Falcons, by me man'd. 1668 Shadwell Sullen
Trovers v. Wks. 1720 I. 98 Must people then be tam'd into
marriage, as they man Hawks with watching ?_ 1881 Macm.
Mag. Nov. 39 He [the young hawk] is 'carried' for some
hours amongst men, children, dogs, and horses.. ; and by
this means,, .is soon 'manned'.
Hence Manned///, a., Ma'nning vbl. sb.
1548 Privy Council Acts (1890) II. 172 To William Pures,
for rigging of his ship,.. and for mannyng of her. 1580
Lyly Euphues (Arb.) 372 Hawkes that waxe haggard by
manning. 1617 Moryson Itin. 111. 141 Shropshire, .was a
fortified and manned frontyer against the Welsh. 1651
Hobbes Leviath. n. xxii. 120 For. .victualling and manning
of ships. 1685 Boyle Enq. Notion Nat. vii. 330 Like a
manned boat, where, . . there is an intelligent being that ..
steers it, or otherwise guides it. 1765 Blackstone Comm.
I. vii. 255 The sole prerogative as well of erecting, as
manning and governing of which, belongs to the king in
his capacity of general of the kingdom. 1810 Scott Lady
ofL. 11. xvi, Four manned and masted barges.
Man, var. Maun v.t must ; var. Maund sb.2, an
Indian weight ; obs. north, j,. Moan z\
Manaass, obs. form of Menack v.
MANABLE.
t Ma'nable, a. Obs. [f. Max v. + -able.] Of I
marriageable age.
1607 Middleton Fam. Love iv. iv, Had you not been so !
manable, here are some would have saved you that labour.
1623 Fletcher & Rowley Maid in Mill 11. i, Shee's man-
able, is she not?
Manablins, variant of Manavilins.
II Manaca (m?e*naka). [A Brazilian word, re-
corded in 1648 by Marcgrave Hist. Nat. BrasiL
69.] A Brazilian plant, Franciscea unijlora, the
prepared root of which, known as * vegetable
mercury*, is used in medicine.
1866 in Treas. Bot. 1889 in Syd. Soc. Lex.
Manaee, obs. form of Menace sb. and v.
Mana*chanite, obs. var. Menaccanite Min.
Manachy, obs. form of Manjchee.
Manacle (marnak:'l),.r£. Forms : 4 manykil, 1
manykle, 4-5 manycle, 4-7 manicle, 5 mana- !
kelle, 6 manakle, mannicle, Sc. mannakill, 7 '
manucle, 4- manacle. [ME. manicle, a. OF. j
manide handcuff (also, as in mod.F., gauntlet, j
handguard),ad.L.Mfl«*V7//alittlehand(also,handle
of a plough, in med.L. gauntlet), dim. of mantis
hand. The late forms have the ending assimilated
to that of words like spectacle, oracle, miracle.']
1. A fetter for the hand; usually//.
a 1340 Ham pole Psalter cxlix. 8 For to byndc.be nobils
of bairn in manykils of yryn. a 1400 Distill of Susan 176
While domus men were dempt *pis dede to clare Marred in
Manicles bat made wer newe. 1513 Douglas Mneis II. iii.
147 And, first of all, the mannakillis and hard bandis
Chargit he lows of this ilk mannis bandis. 1590 Webbe
Trav. (Arb.) 20 Our handes fastned with a payre of man-
acles. 1607 Shaks. Cor. 1. ix. 57 Wee'le put you (Like one
that meanes his proper harme) in Manacles, Then reason
safely with you. 1734 tr. Rollins Anc. Hist. (1827) I. 362
Twenty thousand pair of manacles were found. 1838 Lytton
Leila 11. vii, Four soldiers, .bearing with them one whose
manacles proclaimed him a prisoner. 1897 A. Balfour By
Stroke 0/ Sword xii. 43/2 The men .. fastened my wrists
together with manacles.
% b. pi. in wider sense : Fetters, shackles.
1838 Prescott Ferd. % Is. 1. xi. (1842) I. 459 Their limbs
loaded with heavy manacles.
C. Jig. Chiefly//., bonds, restraints.
1587 Golding De Mornay xvii. 271 That [the body] which
was given it [the soulj for an instrument, is become Man-
icles and Stocks. 1603 Shaks. Meas.for M. H. iv. 93 The
Manacles Of the all-building-Law. 1611 — - Cymb. 1. i. 122
For my sake weare this [sc. a bracelet], It is a Manacle of
Loue. 1654 Whitlock Zootomia 27 No Poet durst have
fetcht his Fancy so farr, as to call Prayer the Manicles
of the Almighty, had not God himselfe.. confessed it. 1670
Moral State Eng. 94 The Widow, .is alwaies ready to hold
out her hand for new manacles. 1677 Govt. Venice 3 They
continued to elect a Prince, but with such manacles and
restrictions, that they left him scarce any thing but the
Title. 185a M. Arnold Morality, I [Nature] knew not
yet the gauge of time, Nor wore the manacles of space.
1 2. trans/. A tether or shackle for a horse. Ohs.
1556-68 Withals Diet. 38 b/2 The manakle for a horse
nose, postomis. 1607 Topsf.ll Four-/. Beasts 304 Bind with
a manicle his [the horse's] fore-legge to the hinder-leg on the
contrary side. Ibid. 321 There is a kind of Manicle for the
pasternes of Horsses.
Manacle (mse'nak'l), v. Also 4 mankle, 5
manycle, 6 manakyll, mannacle,6-7 manicle, 7
manakell, manackle, 8 Sc, mancle. [f. prec. sb.]
1. trans. To fetter or confine (the hands) ; to
felter with handcuffs.
c 1306 Song Exec. Sir S. Eraser in Pol. Songs (Camden)
218 Y-fetered were ys legges under his horse wonibe ; Bothe
with yrn ant with stel mankled were ys honde. 14.. Voc.
in Wr.-W nicker 594/39 Manicnto, to manycle. 1483 Cath.
Angl. 227 To Manacle, man/care. 1530 Palsgr. 632/2,
I manakyll a suspecte person to make hym to confesse
thynges.. . And he will nat confesse it manakyll hym, for
undouted be is gylty. 1534 Bkrners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel.
Bb viij b, Anone thou manacleste oure handes. 1622
J. Taylor (Water P.) 'FhiefWks. (1630) n. 124/2 Thieues
are mana) ."..' when tbey are found. 1630 Wadsworth
Pilgr. 41 Their masters manicling their hands before for
feare they should make an insurrection. 1791 Cowpf.r Iliad
xxi. 38 Manacling their hands Behind them fast with their
own tunic-strings. 18 18 Scott I/rt. Midi, iii, Porteous..
ordered him to be manacled. 1878 Masque Poets 27 Roman
hands Can never manaclealiveThe daughter oft he Ptolomies.
b. loosely. To fetter; to fasten, secure.
1582 Stanvhurst /Eneis 1. (Arb.) 27 Thee gates of warfare
wyl then bee mannacled hardly With Steele bunch chayne
knob. 1593 Shaks. 2 Hen. VI, v. i. 149 Wee'l bate thy Bears
to death, And manacle the Berard in their Cliaines. 1610 —
Temp. 1. ii. 461 He manacle thy necke and feete together.
2. fig. (Very common in the 17th c.)
1577 F. de L'isWs Legendarie Pref. A iv b, I . .being sur-
prised, and as it were manided with an ineuitable let.
1610 Donne Pseudo-martyr 322 It seemes that the Pope
..when he would fetter and manacle them [sc. Princes]
in perplexities . . is content to send his Breues. 1625
Carpenter Ceog. Del. 11. vii. (1635) 106 What should
hinder the Red Sea to ouerflow all Egypt — vnlesse it were
manicled with the Creatours power ? 1649 Lovelace Poems
(1S64) 99 Griefe too can manakell the minde. 1660 Milton
Free Commiv. Wks. 1851 V. 440 A number of yew Injunc-
tions to manacle the native Liberty of Mankind. 1721
R\ms ay Scribblers Lashed SZ An ancle Or foot is seen, might
monarchs mancle. 1858 Bright Sp., Reform 21 Dec (1876)
307 Men who seem to be manacled by the triumph of 1832.
Hence Ma-nacled ppl. a., Ma*nacling vbl. sb.
1563-87 Foxe A. <V M. (1596) 936/2 He remained so long
manicled that his haire was folded togither, 1586 A. Day
104
Eng. Secretary 1. (1625) 138 His manacled and benummed I
olde joynts. i5$o Vind. Hammond's Addr. 31 The infinite j
goodnesse of God.. is a manicling, or restraining his Omni-
potence. 1845 Ford Handbk. Spain 1. 535 At the corner are
figures of manacled Indians. 1861 Sat, Rev. 23 Nov. 523 I
A packed Assembly, reported by a manacled press.
Manacy, obs. form of Manatee.
Manage (marnecl^),.^. Forms: a. 6-7 man-
nage, 7 man(n)adge, 6- manage. Also (in
senses 1-3) Manege. 0. 7 mennage, 6- me- \
nage, (9 erron. m6nage\ [ad. It. maneggio
(peril, through the F. manege, now -ige\ but Fr.
lexicographers have not found the word earlier
than in Cotgr. 1611), vbl. sb. f. maneggiare: see
Manage v. The earliest Eng. examples show as- ;
similation of the ending to the frequent suffix -age ;
but in senses 1-3 the Fr. spelling was introduced
ill the 17th c, and is now usual: see Mankge. i
The 0 forms prob. arose from a confusion, on the |
part of Eng. writers, of this word with F. menage
act of leading, f. mener to lead ; there is also some
evidence of confusion with F. minage household : j
see Menage.]
1. The training, handling, and directing of a horse
in its paces ; a training to good paces. The
manage : the art of training and managing horses.
Obs. exc. arch. (Now usually Manege.)
o. a 1586 SiDXv.YAstr. <$• Stella Sonn.( / onjny /ww',He
..now hath made me to his hand so right, That in the
Manage my selfe takes delight. 1596 Shaks. i Hen. IV, n.
iii. 52 Speake tearmes of manage to thy bounding Steed.
161a Two Noble K. v. iv, The hot horse. .Forgets schoole
dooing, being therein traind And of kind mannadge. 1667
Duchhss Newcastle Life Dk. of N. (1886) 11. 99 His chief
pastime and divertisement consisted in the manage of the
two afore-mentioned horses. 1715-20 Pope Iliad XV. 823
A horseman. .(SkilPd in the manage of the bounding steed).
1864 Lond. Rev. 28 May, It is the menage, the education
of the animal, that gives him half his value. 1876 Dowden
Poems 67, I know the careless grace My Perseus wears in
manage of the steed.
$. 1760-72 H. Brooke Fool of Qua! . (1809) IV. 137 [He]
rode out with him, and taught him the menage. 1833 J.
Holland Manuf. Metal \\. 313 What in the language of
the minage is called the line of the banquet.
b. trans/, and Jig.
a. 1596 DRAVTONZ-^^w^iii. 507 And put Me forth upon my
full Careere, On places slipperie, and my manage ill. 1608
Shaks. Per. iv. vi. 69 My Lord, shees not pac'ste yet, you
must take some paines to worke her to your mannage.
1691 J. Wilson Belphegor 1. iii, Do but bring him to the
right manage at first ; humour him in every thing, . . and the
rest follows. 1739 Wakburton Comm. Pope^s Ess. Man in
Hist. Wks. Learned I. 92 Till the Horse and the Ox come
to know why they undergo such different Manage and For-
tunes in the Hand of Man. 1755 Young Centaur v. 227
Beasts of so gross a class as they [certain persons mentioned]
choose to rank with, scarce deserve to be brought to the
Manage.
0. 1590 Spenser /". Q. m. xii. 22 The winged god him selfe
Came riding on a Lion ravenous, Taught to obay the menage
of that Elfe. 1742 Yoing Nt. T/i. ir. 491 Rude thought runs
wild in contemplation's field *, Converse, the menage, breaks
it to the bit Of due restraint. 1902 F. E. Schelling Kng.
Chrou. Play 240 The great horse of the Spenserian allegory
had a pace beyond his [sc Dekker's] menage.
2. The action and paces to which a horse is trained
in the riding-school ; any of the separate move-
ments or evolutions characteristic of a horse so
trained; spec, a short gallop at full speed. Obs.
exc. arch.
a. 1577-87 HoLiNSHEn Chron. III. 1033/2 They were better
practised to fetch in booties, than to make their manage
or careire. 1589 Pasouills Couutrrc. Aiij, It should seeme
by the manages my beast made, that hee knewe his Maister
had a speciall peece of seruice in hande. 1589 Pas-
quills Ret. C ij D, Howe souldier-like hee made an ende
of his manage with a double rest. 1600 Shaks. A. }'. L. 1.
i. 13 His horses, .are taught their mannage. 1611 Cotgr.,
Air, ..in horsemanship, a doing, or stirring manage, or
manage raised aboue ground, a demy air, a certaine
curuet, or manage, wherein the halfe of a horse is in the
aire, the other on the ground. Ibid., Passade,, .the manage
for combat, or souldiots manage. 1614 Markham Cheap
//u.d: 1. ii. (1668) 26 Manage with rest, and manage without
rest, manage with single turns, and manage with double
turns. 1659 Dk. Newcastle Let. in Life (1886) 361 One
ofmyhorses of manage which will be the quietest, .he or
any man can have. 1770 IJaretti Journ. fr. Lond. to
Genoa (ed. 3) I. 175 By Bellem there is a noble structnre..
where the King's horses are educated for the manage. 1805
Wordsw. Prtlude x. 78 The horse is taught his manage.
p. 1617 Bp. Hkia.Quo i'ailis? § 13 The horse is a noble
creature. ..There is a double kinde of menage..— one for
seruice, the other for pleasure. 1645 Evelyn Diary 3 Feb ,
One of his sons riding the menage with that address.. as I
had never seen any thing approach it. 1770 Langhorne
Plutarch (1879) II. 640/1 She trained her youth as the colt
is trained to the menage.
3. An enclosed space for the training of saddle-
horses and for the practice of horsemanship; a
riding-school.
a. 1655 Stanley Hist. Philos. XXL. (1701) 103/1 How many
courses will the manage hold? 1684 Evelyn Diary 18 Dec,
To see the young gallants do their exercise, Mr. Faubert
having newly rail'd in a manage. 1756 Nlgent Gr. Tour
Germany II. 432 The bishop has built a manage or riding
house. 1811 Edw. Earl Clarendons Relig. ($■ Policy Advt.,
Henry Viscount Cornbury. .by a codicil to his will, dated
Aug. 10. 1751. left divers MSS. of his great grandfather
Edward Earl of Clarendon, .with a direction that the money
to arise from the. .publication, .should be employed ' as a
MANAGE.
beginning of a Fund for supporting a Manage or Academy
for riding . . in Oxford.
attrib. 1848 KlNGSLEY Saint's Trag. I. 1. 192 They are
waiting For you in the manage-school, to give your judg-
ment On that new Norman mare.
0. 1684 Scanderbcg Reitiv. i. 7 He diligently applied him-
self to the best Exercises, as frequenting the Academies,
Fencing, the Menage, &c.
4. The skilful handling of {a. weapon, etc.).
a. £x6n Chapman Iliad n. 460 For the manage of his lance
he generall praise did winne. 1633 Ford Broken H. tv. iii.
The Sonne of Venus hath bequeathe his quiuer To Ithocles
his manage. 1687 Lond. Cat. No. 2276/5 The Satisfaction
of seeing what. .Address he had in the manage of his Horse
and Arms. 1710 Mrs. Manlev romtr of Love vi. (1741)
332 To learn his Exercises, .and the Manage of the Sword.
13. 1670 Moral State Eng. 145 Each striving to go beyond
the other., in the dextrous, .menage of his Weapon.
f5. The action or manner of managing; manage-
ment ; conduct (of affairs) ; administration, direc-
tion, control. Obs.
a. 1581 Savile Tacitus' Hist. iv. v. (1612I 143 Mutianus..
drewe the whole manage of affaires into his owne handes.
1591 Kyd Sol. ff Pers. 111. i. 119 Wilt thou be our Lieutenant
there, And further vs in manage of these wars? 1596 Shaks.
Merch. V. in. iv. 25 Lorenso I commit into your hands,
The husbandry and mannage of my house. i6ja Bacon Ess.,
Youth <Y Age (Arb.J 258 Young men in the conduct and
mannage of Actions, embrace more then they can hold. 1617
Hales Serin. i7The greatnesse of the businesse, the manage
of which they vndertake. 16+1 — Cold. Rem., Tract on
Schism (1673) 1 Howsoever, in the common manage, Here-
sie and Schisme are but ridiculous terms. 1665 Manlev
Crotius' Low C. Warns 667 That they might, .consult of
the further manage of the War. 1683 Kennett tr. Erasm.
on folly (1709) 104 St. Peter had the keys given to him, and
that by our Saviour himself, who had never entrusted him,
except he had known him capable of their manage and cus-
tody. 1697 Collier Ess. Mor. Suit'. I. U7091 48 The Manage
of his Employment is not prescribed by the Rector. 1756
Toldervv Hist. 2 Orphans I. 95 His opinion was not more
against her humour, than his manage of it was to her mind.
0. 1665 Walton Life Hooker 39 [Q. Elizabeth] having ex-
perimented his wisdom. .in the menage of her affairs. .she
made him archbishop of Canterbury, /bid. 83 Revenge is
so pleasing, that man is hardly persuaded to submit the
menage of it to the., wisdom of his Creator. 1673 Dryden
Marr. a la Mode I. i, For the mennage of a Family, I know
it better than any Lady in Sicily, a 1683 Oldham Poet.
Wks, (1686) 103 Fools. .Who. .justly forfeit all that praise. .
Which we by our wise menage from a sin can raise. 1710
J. Palmer J'rov. 7 Among all the errors. .in our menage,
nothing is more dangerous than entring into bonds.
f b. Power of management. Obs.
1639 N. N. tr. Du Bostj's Comfl. Woman I. 40 The spirits
which are without manage, in their enterprises, are also
without courage in their afflictions.
f c. An administrative duty or office. Obs.
1651 Life Father Sarpi (\b-jb) 21 [He] gave him employ-
ment in Congregations and other manages more frequently
than was usual.
t 6. Bearing, demeanour, conduct. Obs.
1593 G. Harvev ivnti Let. H 4 b, His talke was sweet,
his ( irder fine ; his whole menage braue.
1 7. Treatment of persons or of material. Obs.
1608 Chapman Byrons Trag. Plays 1873 II. 283 There is
one sort of manadge for the Great, Another for inferiour. 1626
P.acon Sylva § 327 Quick-silver will not endure the Man-
nage of the Fire.
t 8. A design. Obs.
1681 Glanvill Saddnasmns I. 30 The policy and menages
of the Instruments of darkness. Ibid. 82 Our ignorance of
the reasons and menages of Providence.
t Man-age. Obs. [f. Man sbA + Are sb.] The
age at which one becomes a man ; one's majority.
1611 W. Sclater Key (1629) 172 Of youth they say, it must
haue his swinge : when manage comes, inariage_ will bring
staicdnesse. a 1653 GouGB Comm. Ht'b. i. 10 In his Infancy.
..Ill his Man-age. ..After his Resurrection... In the time
of his Ascention. 1674 J. B[rian] Hat-.-.-Home ii. 7 In
Childhood, Youth, and Man-age.
Manage (mseiiidj), v. Forms: a. fi manege,
mannadge, 67 mannage, 6- manage. 0. <> 8
menage. [Recorded earlier than the cognate
Manage sb., and prob. directly ad. It. maneggiare
to handle, esp. to manage or train (horses) = Sp.
manejar, F. manier :— vulgar L.. type *maniJiare,
f. L. mantis (It., Sp. mano, F. main) hand.
Although tlv- etymological form mnnige appears in our
earliest example, the ending was, as in the sb., already in
the t6lh c. assimilated to the common suffix -age. '1 lie form
mt-nagi' in early examples is taken from the sb. ; but in the
late 17th and early iBthc. it was chiefly used where the
sense closely approaches that pf the F. menager to use care-
fully, to husband, spare, f. meiuige household. This Kr. vb.
certainly influenced the sense-development of the Eng. word :
indeed, in the writings of Dryden and his contem[>oraries,
there are frequent instances of manage (as well as of Mtsusft)
which can only be regarded as conscious gallicisms.]
1. trans. To handle, train, or direct ^a horse) in
his paces ; to put through the exercises of the
manege. Now merged in the wider senses 2 and 7.
a. 1561 T. Hobv tr. Castigliotie's Courlyer I. (1577) D v b,
It is the peculiar prayse of vs Italians.. to manege wyth
reason, especially rough horses. 1586 li. Young Cuazzo's
Civ. Conv. tv. 226 Behold how . . Lorde Frederike . . rid on his
horse, .sometimes with curuettes. .did so manage him, that
it was a meruailous. .spectacle to the beholders.^ 163a J.
Hayward tr. Biondi's Eromena 6 Having a while gently
mannaged him [the horse] without finding nim anyway dis-
obedient, 1645 G. Daniel Poems Wks. 1 1. 25 How shall we
Spend the Day? Manage the lustie Steed? Or see the
Eager Hounds pursue the pray? 1754 Berenger tr. Bonr-
OT/a/'i//w/./r,OT-KOT.(l77i)I.i59They[thehorses]allhaving
i been carefully handled, dressed, or managed as we call it.
MANAGE.
p. 1590 Swan F. Q. I. vil. 37 A goodly person, and 1
could menage faire His stubborn* steed with curbed canon
bitt. 1683 T. Hoy Agaihocles S An Hard-mouth'd Beast,
for slacken'd Raines unfitt, And must be menag'd with the i
Spur and Bitt.
ft), intr. Of a horse: To perform the exercises
of the manege. Also in narrower sense, to run a
( manage' (see Manage sb. 1). Obs.
1591 Sviarsirr Dh Bar/as 1. v. 348 A large and mighty-
limbed Steed Can never manage half so readily As Spanish
jennet. 1607 Makkham Caval. 1. (1617) 16 Being able to ■
f>nsse a short cairiere, to manage, beat a coruet and such j
ike. 16:4 — Cheap Hush, 1. ii. (166S) 25 You shall then teach ;
him to manage which is the only posture for the use of the
Sword on Horseback. 1614 Sylvester Bethulia's Rescue
1. 41 The Horse Which standing still too-long. .Forgets to ,
manage. 1650 Earl Monm. tr. Senault's Man become I
Guilty 271 He [man] taught the horse to manage, and forced
the noblest of creatures to endure the bit and spur. 1719
D'Urff.v Pills IV. 10 [A horse speaks.] I could both Man-
age, Stop and Turn.
2. trans. To handle, wield, make use of (a weapon,
tool, implement, etc.). Often in phr. j to manage
arms m to fight. Now only, to regulate one's use
of (a weapon, instrument, etc.) with greater or less
success, to make(it)serve one's purpose(well or ill).
a. ( 1586CTFSS Pembroke /V. cxuv.i, Prau'd bee the Lord
of might,.. By whom my hands doe tight, My fingers manage
amies. 1586 Marlowe 1st Pt. Tamburl. in. i, Hut if. .lie
be so mad to manage Armes with me, Then stay thou with
him. 1591 Shaks. Two Gent. ill. i. 247 Hope is a loners
staflTe, walke hence with that And manage it, against de-
spairing thoughts. 1592 — Rom. <y- Jul. 1. i. 76 1'ut vp thy
Sword, Or manage it to part these men with me. 1603
Knolles Hist. Turks (1621) 1191 These soldiors. . mannag-
ing their armes, whitest others hanged theirs by the wals.
1656 Earl Monm. tr. Boccalini's Advts.fr. Pamass. 11. xiv.
(1674) 153 [TheyJ consume themselves in continual man-
aging their Pen. 1659 Pearson Creed (1839) 450 The scrip-
tures to prove these attributes, .are so many, that to manage
them against the exceptions of the adversaries, would take
up too much room. 1678 Moxon Meek. Excrc. 73 This way
of handling may seem a preposterous posture to mannage
an Iron Tool in. 1706 E. Ward Wooden World Diss.
(1708) 104 He trusts most to his Head, ..and does manage
it with as much Skill and Force, as any Hull or Ram. 187a
Tknnyson Gareth $ Lynette 1316 But Lancelot on him
urged.. How best to manage horse, lance, sword and shield.
1894 Yku.KiStnd.Gt. Musiciafis,Sc/iHl'ert 224'rhe Herman . .
however much he manages his language can never make it
as purely beautiful in sound as an Italian.
. 0. »59° Spenser F. Q. ii. ix. 27 A comely personage, That
in his hand a white rod menaged. 1670 Covf.l Diary
(Hakluyt Soc.) 218, I. .understand that these [stone balls], .
have been in like manner menaged,. .as particularly one of
them over Adrianople gate, .was menaged just before Ma-
homet 3d who. .rewarded the man well.
fb. intr. To operate, manoeuvre with. Obs.
1591 Grfenf. Art Conny Catch, [i. Pref. 2 Though I can-
not as he mannadge with my courtlax.
c. trans. To ' handle ', work (a ship or boat).
1600 Hakluyt Voy. III. 525 Our men.. died continually, ]
and.. we were scant ly able to manage [1589 manure] our |
shippe. 1801 Strutt Sports $ Past. 11. 11. 81 The success of the I
champion depended upon the skilfulness of those who man- I
aged the boat. 18*3 T. C. Gratton High-ways fy By-ways
(ed. 2) I.9 One solitary barge, managed by a single boatman,
was working its way against the current.
3. To conduct or carry on (a war, a business, an
undertaking, an operation). Now with more pre-
cise notion : To carry on successfully or the con-
trary; to control the course of (affairs) by one's
own action.
a. 1579 Fkktoh Guicdard. (161 8) 309 With great danger we
managed warre many yeares against the most cruell Tyrant
of the Turkes. 1600 Fairfax Tasso 1. li. 29 But let vs
menage war with blowes, like knights. 1611 Shaks. Wint.
T. iv. ii. 17 Thou hauing made me Businesses, (which
none (without thee) can sufficiently manage). 1665 Glan-
vill Scepsis Sci. iv. 19 As unconceivable, .as that a blind
man should manage a game at Chess, or Marshal an Army.
^1667 Cowley Mrs. K. Philips iii, The Trade of Glory
manag'd by the Pen.. Does bring in but small Profit to us
Men. 1678 Wanley Wond. Lit. World v. ii. § 50. 471/r
Theodora, .after the death of Constantine, managed for two
years the affairs of the Empire. Ibid. § 84. 472/2 He him-
self was a Prince unactive, managing the Wars by his prin-
cipal Bassa's. 1720 De Foe Capt. Singleton vi. (1840) 97
Our surgeon was very skilful in managing their cure. 1798
Jane Austen Lett. (1884) I. 173 Mary does not manage
matters in such a way as to make me want to lay in myself.
1818 Lady Morgan Autobiog. (1859) 60 So you see, my dear
Olivia, they manage these things better in France. 1841
Macaulay Ess., Warren Hastings (The Trial), When Par-
liament met in the following winter, the Commons proceeded
to elect a committee for managing the impeachment. 1861
M. Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 47 By a committee of nine, .all
the affairs of the little world were managed.
ft 1597 Hooker Peel. Pol. v. lxxvii. § 1, 227 Who should
giue them their commission but he whose most inward af-
faires they menage? Ibid, lxxxi. § 4. 259 They are able to
dispose and menage their owne affaires.
fb. To fulfil the duties of (an office). Obs.
a 1627 Hayward Pour V. Eliz. (Camden) 54 About 140
passed under the sword and amonge them 12 of name, either
for nobilitie of birth and state, or for honorable places they
mannaged in the armie.
c. To work out (in literary treatment).
1697 Drvpen Ded. Mneis Ess. (Ker) II. 162, I was loath
to be informed . . how a tragedy should be contrived and
managed, in better verse.. than I could teach others. 1714
Pope Rape Lock Ep. Ded., The character of Belinda, as it
is now manag'd, resembles you in nothing but in Beauty.
1776 Mickle Diss. Lusiad (1778) p. ccxviii, If the man of
taste.. will be pleased to mark how the genius of a Virgil
lias managed a war after a Homer.
Vol. VI.
105
d. absol. To conduct affairs. Also, fto plot,
scheme, intrigue.
1603 Holland Pit/larch's Mor. 229 He that enterteineth
many friends, must of necessitie be conformable to them all :
namely. .with ambitious citizens, to sue and manage for
offices {etc.]. 1693 Dryden JitveitatsSat. x. 537 Intrust thy
Fortune to the I'ow'rs above. Leave them to manage for thee,
and to grant What their unerring Wisdom sees thee want. 1791
Mrs. KadcL-IFFB Rom. Forest iv, If I had not managed
very cleverly, they would have found me out. 1860-1 Flo,
Nightingale Nursing y* It is as impossible in a book to
teach a person in charge of sick how to manage, as it is to
teach her how to nurse. 1864 Tennyson Grandmother ii.
Her father. .Hadn't a head to manage, and drank himself
into his grave.
e. intr. {quasi-pass. ) To admit of being managed.
162$}**. Jettison Staple of Neivsiv. i, Is't a Cleare businesses
will it mannage well ? My name must not be vs'd else.
4. trans. To control and direct the affairs of
(a household, institution, state, etc.) ; to take charge
of, attend to (cattle, etc.).
a. 1609 Sir T. Smith's Commit: Eng. 1. xxiv. 34 To speake
of the Commonwealth, or policy of England it is gouerned,
administered, and mannaged [edd. 1583, 1584, 1589, 1594
manured] by three sorts of persons. 1709 in Picton Lfool
Miotic. Rec. (18861 1 1. 75 'trustees for manageing and takeing
care of the said charity schoole. 1857 Ri skin/V/. Peon. Art
15 If the household were rightly managed. 1865 Dickens
Mat. Fr. 1. viii, There are no estates to manage. 1881
Jowett Thucyd. I. 190, I have remarked again and again
thai a democracy cannot manage an empire.
/3. 1670 Moral State Eng. 90 You must bid fair for her
[an Heiress) to those who menage her. 1703 MaundrelL
fourn. Jerus. (1732) 28 What Intervals of time they have
..in menaging of their Flocks.
5. To administer, regulate the use or expenditure
of (finances, provisions, etc.).
1649 Bp. Reynolds Hosea \. 51 Mannage every one of his
gifts to the closing of those miserable breaches which threaten
an inundation of calamine upon us all. 1683 Brit. Spec. 78
Besides these the Comes sacrarum largitiomim, who managed
the Emperors Finances. 18x8 Jas. Mill Brit. India II. iv.
iv. 155 The provisions. .bad been managed without economy.
absol. 184a S. Atkinson Chancery Pract. -z-jo In every
order directing the appointment of a receiver of landed
estate, there shall be inserted a direction that such receiver
shall manage as well as let and set.
6. To deal with or treat carefully ; to use spar-
ingly or with judgement ; to husband (one's health,
life, money, etc.). [Cf. V. manager.'] ? Obs.
1649 Bp. Hall Cases Consc. (1650) 72 Now the same God
that hath ordained Soveraigne powers to judge of, and pro-
tect the life of others, hath given weighty charge to every
man to tender and manage his owne. 1673 Dryden Mary.
a la Mode Prol. 24 [She] manages her last half-crown with
care, And trudges to the Mall on foot for air. 1697
AKncid xi. 1090 He spurs amidst the foes, Not managing
the life he meant to lose. 1697 Collier Ess. Mor. Snbj. 11.
(17.03) 30 A man, as he manages himself, may die old at
thirty, and a child at fourscore. 1701 Swift Contests Nobles
<V Comm. Wks. 1755 II. 1. 43 Vet we may manage a sickly
constitution; and preserve a strong one. 1736 — Gulliver
iv. vii, I began to.. think the Honour of my own Kind not
worth managing. 1733-4 Berkeley Let. to Prior 17 Mar.
Wks. 1871 IV. 218, I am obliged to manage my health, and
I have many things to do.
fb. To treat (persons) with indulgence or con-
sideration. Also abso/.t to alter one's conduct from
fear of giving offence. [ = F. mhtager^\ Obs.
1714 Swift Let. to Bolingbroke 7 Aug., I do not find there
is any intention of managing you in the least. 1727 Old-
mixon Clarendon $ Whitlock Comp. 281 If the Parliament
of England had manag'd them with the least Complacencey.
1796 Burke Regie. Peace i. Wks. VIII. 147 He temporized ;
he managed.
7. To control, cause to submit to one's rule
(persons, animals, etc.).
1594 Marlowe & Nashe Dido 1. i, And full three Sommers
likewise shall he waste In mannaging those fierce barbarian
mindes. 1657 Jer. Taylor Friendship (ed. 2) 194 Our
absolution does but. .comfort and instruct your Conscience,
direct and manage it. 1694 Addison St. Cecilia's Day,
Musick . . With unexpected eloquence can move And manage
all the Man with secret art. 1834 Macaulay Pss., Pitt
(18S7) 317 What probability was there that a mere drudge
would be able to manage a large and stormy assembly ?
1856 Emerson Png. Traits, Race Wks. (Bohn) II. 32 His
attachment to the horse arises from the courage and address
required to manage it. 1866 G. Macdonai.d Ann. Q. Neighb.
ix. (1878) 166 My mother, .was the only one that ever could
manage him.
8. To bring (a person) to consent to one's wishes by
artifice, flattery, or judicious suggestion of motives.
o. 1706-7 Farquhar Beaux Strut. 11. i, London, dear
London is the Place for managing and breaking a Hus-
band. 171a Steele Sped. No. 444 p 4 The Art of manag-
ing Mankind, is only to make them stare a little. 1777 A.
Hamilton Wks. (1886) VII. 483 He managed them with a
good deal of address, and sent them away perfectly satisfied.
1826 Disraeli Viv. Grey m. i, Managing mankind, by
studying their tempers and humouring their weaknesses.
1840 Lytton Money v. iii, I have managed even Sharp.
1849 Macaulay Hist. Png. vii. II. 223 The chief agent who
was employed by the government to manage the Presby-
terians was Vincent Alsop. 1866 Geo. Eliot P. Holt (1868)
24 Managing one's husband is some pleasure.
0. 1673 Walker Educ. (1683) 92 He embraceth the lies
and flatteries of such as thereby gain and menage him.
fb. Const, to with inf., towards. Obs.
a. a 1715 Burnet Own Time (1724) I. 580 He. .was so
frighted, that he was easily managed to pretend to discover
any thing that was suggested to him.
p. 1692 R. L'Estrange fosephns, Antiq. vn. x. (1733) 187
With certain Hints how they were to menage the Heads of
the Tribe of Judah towards his Restauratiou.
MANAGEABLENESS.
9. To operate Upon, manipulate for a purpose
(f const, to with inf.) ; to till land).
1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. 1. i. § Ir. r, As much as one plow
can handsomely manage. 1726 Pun-: Odyss. xxiv. 303 Who
then thy master, say ? and whose the land So dress'd and
manag'd by thy skilful hand? 1765 A. Dickson Treat.
Agric.(pd. 2140 It may be increased by managing the soil in
such a manner, as to enable it to attract this food in greater
plenty.
b. To adulterate, sophisticate; to ' doctor'.
1820 Blackiv. Mag. VI. 540 The art of managing or, ac-
cording to the familiar phrase, doctoring wines.
f 10. a. To convey by mechanism or contriv-
ance, b. Naut. 'Jo manage out: to equip and
send out (a boat). Cf. to man out. Obs.
a. 1650 Fuli.kr Pisgah 423 How can we conceive that
these solid stones. . were managed hither.. over a moun-
tainous Country ?
b. 1638 J. Underhill Netosfr. Atner. in 3 Mass. Hist.
Colt. (1837) VI. 18 He bad managed out a pinnace.
11. To bring to pass by contrivance; hence, to
succeed in accomplishing. Also, with inf. as obj.(or
ellipsis of this) ; often ironically, to be so unskilful
or unlucky as to do something (cf. Contrive v. 6).
1722 De Foe Relig. Courtsh. 1. i. (1840) 29 What, says h'e,
child, is to be done in the affair while I am gone ?. . I know
not bow it will he managed, but I believe she will see him
no more. 1838 Macreadv Diary 3 Aug. Remin. (1875* II.
117, 1 findl managed to lose. .,£2,500. 1854 Dickens Hard
T, II. vii, She is sharp enough; she could manage to coax
it out of him, if she chose. 1879 McCarthy Own Times II.
xxi.v. 4'->o His plays are among the very ftw modern pro-
ductions which manage to keep the stage. 1883 Stevf nsoN
Treas. 1st. 111. xiv. (1S86) 112 My. .obvious duty was to
draw as close as I could manage. 1895 Bookman Oct.
33/1 After gaining any diplomatic success he managed to
neutralise the effects of it by some act of fatuous folly.
b. absol. To succeed (under disadvantages) in
accomplishing one's task; to 'make shift*, con-
trive to get on with what is hardly adequate, colloq.
1899 Speaker 29 July 107/1 ' The press of work fairly be-
wilders me', he writes., but he managed almost without a
hitch. Mod. I think I might manage with another yard of
material.
12. With can or be able, to cope with the diffi-
culties of; to succeed in using, dealing with, etc. ;
to ' tackle*.
[1655 • see 9.] 1825 I. amr Rita Ser. 11. Superann. Man, It
seemed to me that I had more time on my hands than 1 could
ever manage. 1903 Blackwood's Mac- Dec. 805/1 [I can]
occasionally manage places which are too much for the
average smpe-shooter,
Manage, variant of M EN AGE Obs.
Manageability (maened^abt-lfti). [f. next :
see -rrv.J The quality or condition of being
manageable ; manageableness.
1857 Buckle CiviUz. I. ii. 98 We have to look. .at what
may be called the manageability of Nature. 1879 W. II.
White in Casselfs Teckn. Ednc. IV. 348/2 The limit will be
determined by considerations of manageability.
Manageable (mse'nedgab'l), a. Also 7 man-
nageable, maneggiable. [f. Manage z>.+-able.
Cf. MAN TABLE.] That can be managed; amenable
to control or guidance, tractable; admitting of
being wielded, manipulated, or administered, work-
able; capable of being accomplished by contri-
vance.
1598 Florio, Maneggieuote, manageable, that may be
handled. 1603 Florio tr. Montaigne 11. xii. 280 To them
[beasts] as their proper share we leave the essentiall, the man-
eagable[ 1632 manageable: ¥.maniables\ and palpable goods,
as peace, rest, . .and health. 1618 Bolton tr. Plorus (1656) 73
Italy was now brought under, and made mannageable. 1625
Bacon Ess., Viciss. Things (Arb.) 576 The Conditions of
Weapons., are. .That the Carriage may be Light and Manage-
able; and the like. 1636 E. DkcKv.stv.Machiavel *s Disc. Livy
I. 32 If thou wouldst make a numerous and warlike people
. .thou mak'st them of such a temper, that they shall never
be maneggiable at thy will. 1662 J. Davies tr. Olearius'
Voy. Ambass. 253 The Chariot was drawn by two white
Oxen, which, .were as swift and manageable as our horses.
a i&jn Halk Prim. Orig. Mam, iv. vi. 346 The first Con-
stitution and Order of things is not in Rec or Nature
manageable by such a Law. 1712 Steele Sped. No. 479
P 5 They who learn to keep a good Seat on horseback,
mount the least managable they can get. 1740 J. Clark*:
Pdnc. Youth (ed. 3) 201 When the Number of Boys in a
Class, arises above half a Dozen, . .they become less manage-
able. 1748 Anson's Voy. 11. x. 241 It is one convenience of
their jars that they are much more manageable than casks.
1798 Hull Advertiser 4 Aug. 2/4 A gunboat, .being very
manageable in a strong tideway. 1856 Mrs. Browning
Aur. Leigh 1. 370 A meek and manageable child. 1866
Odling Anim. them. 14 Only a few of these metallic
chlorides can be vaporised at manageable temperatures.
1884 Mauch. Exam. 9 June 4/7 The right of the Chancellor
of the Exchequer compulsorily to pay off two.. classes of
Three per Cent, stocks in manageable amounts.
Manageableness (ma.-nedgab'lnes). [f. prec.
+ -NES8.J The attribute of being manageable.
1661 Bovr.E Physiol. Ess. (1669) 104 Which Disagreement
..may., be imputed to the greater or less exactness and
manageableness of the Instruments employ'd. 1694 Phil.
Trans. XVIII. 266 He thinks that the Excellency of the
Creek Poetry might at first proceed from the manageableness
of the Greek Language. 1768-74 Tucker LI. Nat. (1834)
II. 78 The ox, the horse, and the sheep have docility and
manageableness given them for their characteristic. 1818
Cobbett Pot. Reg. XXXIII. 414 The manageableness of
her means.. will always keep England at the head of the
nations of the world. 1903 Contemp. Rev. Sept. 393 The
MANAGEABLY.
receptivity and the manageableness of the child are at their
maximam within the first fifteen minutes of school hours.
Manageably (mse'ned^abli),^/^. [f. Manage-
able + -lv M In a manageable manner.
1830 Herschel Stud. Nat. Phil. 63 In the expansive force
of gases, liberated slowly and manageably from chemical
mixtures, we have a host of., powerful energies. 1890
Universal Rev. Sept. 159 The amount of really effective
power which they can manageably wield at need.
Managed (mre-nedgd), ///. a. Also 7 man-
naged, menaged, 9 (in sense 1) maneged. [f.
Manage v. + -ed *.]
1. Trained to the manege, arch.
1591 Greene Maidens Dreame xxi, Men might his stable
full of coursers see, Trotters whose manag'd looks would
som afright. 1644 Evelyn Diary 27 Feb., The Tennis
Court, and Cavalerizzo for the menag'd horses, are also
observable. 1687 Sedley Bcllamira v. Wks. 1722 II. 163
He.. rides three manag'd Horses every Morning. 172a
Lond. Gaz. No. 6087/4 A bright dun manag'd Stone Horse
. . has been standing at John Hambrow's. 1773 Johnson in
Bos well 24 Sept., A Frenchman goes out upon a managed
horse, and capers in the field. 1816 Scott Old Mart. xv\t
Making his managed horse keep time by bounds and curvets
to the tune which he whistled. 1835 Leckford Recoil. 148
Bestriding a maneged horse.
2. Controlled, conducted, administered. Chiefly
with advs., as well-, ill~managed.
1611 Cotgr., Amesnage", Managed, gouerned, ordered,
settled, as a household.
f3. Falsified, 'cooked'. Obs.
1810 Sporting Mag. XXXVI. 279 The mysterious and
confused kind of evidence given by this paymaster and the
production of those managed papers.
4. Of demeanour, expressions, etc. : Nicely re-
strained, measured. Now rare.
In Burke's use = F. minagi.
1770 Burke Pres. Discont. Wks. 1842 I. 129 Throughout
it was a satire, though in terms managed and decent enough,
on the politicks of the former reign. 1771 — Corr. (1844) I.
291 A behaviour, rather too reserved and managed for the
purposes of opposition. 1819 Crabbe T. 0/ Hall x, Well I
can call to mind the managed air. .That in a dubious balance
held the mind. 1898 Academy 8 Oct. 23/1 A man of tireless
energy, of managed affections.
Mauagee (msened^f'). nonce-wd. [f. Manage
v. + -EE.] The person who is managed.
1847 Helps Friends in C. Ser. 1. 1, vii, When the manager
and the managee are both of the same mind.
Management (marnedsment). Also 7 man-
nagemeut, menagement. [f. Manage v. + -me\t;
in the 17-iSth c. the development of meaning was
influenced by association with the F. managements f.
mfnager^sez the etymological note to Manage z».).]
1. The action or manner of managing, in senses
of the vb. ; the application of skill or care in the
manipulation, use, treatment, or control (of things
or persons), or in the conduct (of an enterprise,
operation, etc.). t In early use sometimes in plural.
1398 Y lorio, A fanegglo, ..management, businesse, handling,
negotiation. 1601 R. Johnson Kingd. fy Commomv. (1603)
256 Those, .expences which are daiely laide out.. for the
mannagements of so many warres. 1603 Holland Plu-
tarcli's Mor. 230 In contracts and management of State
affaires. 1657 R. Ligon Barbadoes 1,1673) 23, I had time
enough to improve my self, in the knowledge of the man-
agement of a Plantation of this bulk. 1673 O. Walker
Educ. (1677) 65 Over looked, not strictly watched unless
there is reason to suspect some ill menagement. 1678
Moxon Mech. Exerc. 98 The Top-man observing to guide
the Saw exactly in the line;.. and the Pit-man drawing it
. . down ; but not so low that the upper and lower Handles
of the Saw sink below both their managements. 1736
Butler Anal. 1. iii. Wks. 1874 I. 52 Tranquillity, satisfaction,
..being the natural consequences of prudent management
of ourselves, and our affairs. 1796 Hoksley Serm. I. xi.
(1812) 239 The holy angels are employed upon extraordinary
occasions in the affairs of men, and the management of this
sublunary world. 1828 Macaulay Dryden in Edinb. Rev.
"an. 26 In the management of the heroic couplet Dryden
ias never been equalled. 183a Ht. Martineau Life in
Wilds v. 66, I do not see why these skins should not make
us caps and waistcoats, under Fulton's good management.
1834 J. Busby Vineyards France <$• Sp. 133 The same care
has been extended to the making and subsequent manage-
ment of their wine. 1865 D. G. Mitchell Wet Days 16
(Cent.) Management of the household, management of flocks,
of servants, of land, and of property in general.
b. spec. The working or cultivation (of land) ;
hence dial, the process of manuring ; cotter, manure.
(See E. D. D. s.vv. Managements Manishment.)
fc. An instance of managing; an administra-
tive act. Obs.
1609 Tourneur Funcratt Poeme Sir F. I'ere 34 His ways
..and intents In private and in publique managements.
1615 BRATn\VAiT.S/r(0//a^p(i878) 137 Thou Saint of Albion,
Who had thy auncient consecration From thy religious
mannagements, as farre Disperst, as Turke or Christian
alantejcl are. a 1618 Sylvester MaidetCs Blush 658 His
faithfull diligence And mature Wisdome in all managements.
■1671 Evelyn Diary 14 Nov., Sir Cha. Wheeler, late Governor
of the Leeward Islands, having ben complain Yl of for many
indiscreete managements, it was resolved.. to advise his
Majesty to remove him. 1676 Glanvill Ess. iv. 34 By
inquiry into God's Works, we discover continually, how
little we can comprehend of his Ways and Menagements.
f d. Manner of proceeding. Obs.
1649 Bp. Hall Cases Consc. (1650) 35 When some covetous
extortioner.. buys up the whole'lading of the ship, that he
may . . sell . . at pleasure. . : The true judgment of which
action, & the degrees of the malignity of it, must be fetcht
• .from the management of the buyer, a 17x5 Burnet Own
i
106
Time (1724) I. 217 By this management of his the thing
grew publick.
2. The use of contrivance, prudence, or ingenuity
for effecting some purpose ; often in unfavourable
sense, implying deceit or trickery.
1666 DvTDU Ann. Mirab. Ace. of Poem § 4, I repose
upon your management what is dearest to me, my fame
and reputation. 1711 in Picton L'pool Munic. Rec. (1886)
II. 4 Attempts have been. .made, .to vacate and sett aside
the present charter by the management of Mr. Henry
Richmond. 1798 Washington Let. Writ. 1893 XIV. 63 If
there has been any management in the business, it has been
concealed from me. 1842 Borrow Bible in Spain xlviii.
(Pelh. Lihr.) 330 Through the management of Antonio,
however, I procured one of the two chests. 1881 Jowett
Thucyd. I. 118 We rely not upon management or trickery,
but upon our own hearts and hands. 1888 Br\C& Attter.
Commw. II. xl. 102 Talent for intrigue or 'management'
usually counts for more than debating power.
f b. A contrivance, device ; in bad sense, a piece
of trickery. Obs.
1736 Neve Builders Diet. Pref. 8 The little Artifices, and
low Managements, by which some Men in the Bookselling
Trade, .have, .discredited their Business. ij^S Anson's I'oy.
It. viii. 220 By this management we never wanted turtle for
the . . four months . . we continued at sea.
1 3. A negotiation. To be in a management :
to be engaged in negotiations with. Obs.
1705 Addison Italy 456 They say too that he [the Duke
of Savoy] had greatManagementswithseveral Ecclesiasticks
before he turn'd Hermite. ^1715 Burnet Own Time (1724)
I. 346 Yet, while he made a base complying speech in
favour of the Court, and of the war, he was in a secret
management with another party.
4. Power of managing; administrative skill;
also, +taet, ingenuity.
a 171$ Burnet Own Time (1724) I. 189 He was a very
frudent man, and had such a management with it, that
never knew any Clergy-man so universally esteemed.
1760 Ann. Reg. 53 The argument was conducted with
great management and address. 1809 Malkin Gil Bias
in. iii. f 4 If you have management enough to worm your-
self into his confidence.
f 5. Indulgence or consideration shown towards
a person ; politic moderation in the conduct of a
case; an instance of this. [ = Y. management.] Obs.
1727 Oldmixon Clarendon <y W hillock comp. 325-6
Decency seem'd to require a little more Management,
considering he [Clarendon] was Cromwell's profess'd Enemy.
0x743 Ld. Hervey Mem. (1848) II. 257 He feared.. lest
the King and Queen, who hated their son. .might construe
it to be a management for their son in Sir Robert Walpole,
and never forgive it him. Ibid. 291 Sir Robert, .thought
their suspicions of his having had any management or
tenderness towards their son were most unjust. 1765 H.
Walpole Otranto iii, The herald, who with so little man-
agement had questioned the title of Manfred. 1771 Burke
Lett., to C. To7vnshend (1844) I. 268 When I have any thing
to object to persons in power, ..I use no sort of manage-
ments towards them. 1773 Ibid. 432, I suppose this design
of Lord Temple's is one cause of his management in oppo-
sition, in order to conciliate the Tories. 1790 Ibid. III.
135 You certainly do not always convey to me your opinions
with the greatest tenderness and management. 1818 J as.
Mill Brit. India II. iv. iii no Suraja Dowla..was too
ignorant and headstrong to use management with his dislikes.
6. collect. A governing body, e.g. a committee,
board of directors, board of control, board of
governors, of any institution or business.
1739 Cibber Apol. x. 273 Drury-Lane, under a particular
Menagement. 1847 Illustr. Lond. News 10 July 27/2
Wherever they entered into engagements, the managements
speak in high terms of their honourable conduct. 1864
Morn. Star 26 May 4 These 'authorised offices' do not pro-
fess to be ' authorised ' by the management. 190a Eliz. L.
Banks Newspaper Girl 201 There are many necessary
outlays which the management of the paper would not pay.
7. attrib., as (sense 1} management committee,
expenses, share.
1903 Westw.Gaz. 12 Oct. 10/1 A member of the * Manage-
ment Committee of the National Liberal Club. 1901 Daily
Chron. 14 Aug. 4/3 The leaders of the men say this is due
to heavy *management expenses. X900 Daily News 20 Nov.
2/3 The existing 200 one pound *management shares would
be divided into a thousand 4s. management shares.
Hence Managements! a.} pertaining to the
management.
1885 igth Cent. June 1061 Each manager reduces inanage-
mental expenses so far as lies in his power.
Manager .jnce'nedgoj). Also 7 menager. [f.
Manage p. + -ek 1.]
1. One who manages (something specified) ; fthe
wielder (of a weapon), + the person who wages
(a war) ; the conductor (of an affair). Now rare
in general sense : see 2, 3.
1588 Shaks. L. L. L. 1. ii. 188 Adue Valour, rust Rapier,
bee still Drum, for your manager is in loue. 1590 — Mids.
N. v. i. 35 Where is our vsuall manager of mirth? What
Rcuels are in hand ? xsg8 Florio, Maneggiatdre, a man-
ager, a handler. x6ia Bp. Hall Imprese of God n. Wks.
(1625) 452 Warre .. hath .. two directors — Iustice and
Charity'. Iustice, that requires both authoritie in the
menager, and innocence in menaging. 1711 Hickes Two
Treat. Christ. I'riesth,(i%47) II. 16 The priest is the common
manager, .of sacred affairs betwixt God and the people.
2. Chiefly with qualifying adj. : One skilled in
managing affairs, money, etc.
X670 Cotton Espernon 1. 11. 60 Her Estate therefore
requir'd both a discreet manager to husband it, and
a man well furnish'd with money, to disengage it. 1684
Dk. York in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. 1. III. 330, I must
recommend to you both to be good managers, and to be
sure to live within what you have 1710 meele latter
MANAGERIAL.
No. 248 p 6 A Man of Business in good Company, who
gives an Account of his Abilities, .is hardly more insupport-
able than her they call a Notable Woman, and a Manager.
1728 Yol'no Love Fame vi. 181 Julia's a manager; she's
born for rule; And knows her wiser husband is a fool. 1738
Pope Epil. Sat. 1. 21 An artful Manager, that crept between
His Friend and Shame, and was a kind of Screen. 1806 A.
Hunter Culina (ed. 2) 271 She is not what is called a good
manager. 1871 C Gibbon Lack of Gold ii, Everybody
owned that she was a capital manager. 1884 Leeds Mercury
30 Apr. 4/6 The government Whips .. seem incapable of
contending with the astute managers on the other side.
3. One whose office it is to manage a business
establishment or a public institution.
Chiefly in certain specific applications : One who conducts
a theatre or other place of amusement; one employed to
take charge of the working of a bank, factory, mine, or
other mercantile or industrial establishment, or of some
particular department of such an establishment ; one who
has charge of the financial arrangements and the mechanical
production of a newspaper, as distinguished from the matters
which come within the province of the editor ; a person, or
one of a body of persons, responsible for the general working
of a public institution (in recent English use chiefly of an
elementary school).
1705 Addison Italy 443 The Manager opens his Sluce
every Night, and distributes the Water into what Quarters
of the Town he pleases. 1741 Richardson Pamela II. 341,
I think, continued he, that little Kentish Purchase wants
a Manager. 1764 Oxf. Sausage 38 Some who of old could
Tastes and Fashions guide, Controul the Manager and awe
the Play'r. 1779 Sheridan Critic I. i, Now that the
manager has monopolized the Opera House, haven't we
the signors and signoras calling here. 1809 Med. Jrnl.
XXI. 173 Your physician has thought it his duty to propose
to the [workhouse] managers, the vaccination of the whole
number. 1840 Carlvle Heroes iii. (1858) 269 This is our
poor Warwickshire Peasant, who rose to be Manager of
a Playhouse. 1865 Fawcett Pol. Econ. 1. vi. 77 In a joint-
stock company, all depends upon the manager or agent.
1870 Act 33 <$• 34 Vict. c. 75 § 3 The term 'managers'
includes all persons who have the management of any
elementary school. 1885 Mabel Collins Prettiest Woman
viii, Then we can see the author, the manager.
4. One of several members of either house of
parliament appointed for the performance of some
specified duty connected with the functions of the
two houses; esp. the arranging a conference be-
tween the two houses, and the presenting of articles
of impeachment.
1666-7 Marvell Corr. Wks. 1872-5 II. 209 We went up
to the Lords to manage the impeachment against Lord
Mordaunt. Our managers observed that he sat in the
House. 1710 [St. Leger] Managers Pro <y Con (ed. 3)
4 To Him and to Me, He and the Council seem'd to
be the Managers for the Pretender; and the Commons
Managers seem'd only to be of Council for the Queen and
the Nation. 1791 ISlrke App. Whigs Wks. VI. 157 Mr.
Walpole (afterwards Sir Robert) was one of the managers on
this occasion. 1817 Pari. Deb. 4 At the conference the
managers for the Lords,, .communicated to those for the
Commons the Address just agreed to. X840 Penny Cyct.
XVII. 277/2 The conference [between Lords and Commons]
is conducted by 'Managers' for both houses. Ibid. 2-jg/i
The managers should confine themselves to charges con-
tained in the articles of impeachment. 1841 Macaulay
£ss.t Warren Hastings (The Trial), The House decided
that Francis should not be a manager.. .The managers,
with Burke at their head, appeared 111 full dress... Nor,
though surrounded by such men, did the youngest manager
pass unnoticed. 1855 — Hist. Ettg. xviii. IV. 124 Roches-
ter, in the Painted Chamber, delivered to the managers
of the I^ower House a copy of the Treaty of Limerick. 1863
H. Cox Instit. I. ix. 152 The number of members of the
Commons named managers of a conference is double that
of the Lords. Ibid. 11. vi. 471 For the prosecution of the
trial managers are appointed by the House of Commons.
5. Law. A person appointed, ordinarily by a
court of chancery, to control, carry on and account
for any business which may have fallen into the
hands of the court for the benefit of creditors or
others : usually receiver ami manager.
1793 F. Vesev jr. Chancery Rep. I. 139 Motion for an
order, that the manager of an estate in one of the West
India islands should give security faithfully to manage the
estate [etc.]. 1811 Jacob f Walkers Chancery Rep. I. 299
Praying.. that in the meantime a receiver and manager
might be appointed. 1817 F. Vesev jr. Chancery Rep.
(ed. 2) XIX. 146 A Motion was made.. for a reference to
the Master to appoint a Manager and Receiver. 1880 Laiv
Rep. 14 Ch. Div. 645 This was a petition .. praying for the
appointment by the Court of a manager of the undertaking
of the Manchester and Milford Railway. 1880 Ibid. 655
When you come to give proper weight to .. the ordinary
course of the Court of Chancery in appointing a receiver as
distinguished from a manager.
Manageress (mornedsares). [f. prec. + -kss.]
A woman manager, e.g. of a theatre or hotel.
1797 Mrs, A. M. Hennett Beggar Girt (1813) I. 20 The
lady manageress's benefit had been stuck up at every door
in the parish. 1819 Scott Fam. Lett. 23 Aug. (1894) II. 52
A play of Joanna Itaillie's which she has sent to Mrs. Siddons
(our manageress). 1885 Miss P>raddon Wyl/ard's Weird
III. 81 Mdlle. Duprez..wan known and welcomed with
friendliest greeting by manageress and head waiter. 1902
Eliz. L. Banks Newspaper Girl 105, 1 had given a false
name and false address to the manageress of the laundry.
Managerial (msenddg!«flriftl)] a. [f. as prec.
+ -;i)al.] Of or pertaining to, or characteristic
of, a manager, esp. the manager of a theatre.
1767 A. Campbell Lexiph. 145 The latter were to be set
off with all our inimitable Garrick's managerial art,. .and
judicious cast of parts. 1807 in Spirit Pub. Jmls. XL 370
They hail a scheme which promises them relief from man-
agerial neglect and popular damnation. 1854 Dickens
MANAGERSHIP.
Hard T. 11. i, She usually embellished with her genteel
presence a managerial board-room over the public office.
1895 Tima (weekly ed.) 27 Sept. 778/1 To force the note of
approbation at the close, by means of a managerial speech.
1895 Tablet 10 Aug. 230 The question of the managerial
authority has attracted a great deal of public attention.
Hence Managerially adv., in the manner 01
capacity of, or in relation to, a manager.
1882 Daily News g Mar. 2/3 The Croydon March Meeting,
which finished as well as it commenced, managerially and
financially speaking. 1002 Westm. Gaz. 15 Jan. 10/3 He
was. .managerially connected with a London theatre.
Managerie, obs. form of Menaqibik.
managership (mse'nedgsjjip). [f. Mahagjsb
+ -SHIP.]
1. The office or position of a manager.
1883 frnl. Etiitc. XVIII. 151 A local managership of a
life insurance company. 189Z Daily Xe-.os 8 Mar. 6/1
Their chances are better than, .before the qualifications for
manager-ships became the subject of national law.
2. The control of a manager.
1864 Reader 24 Dec. 792/1 Under the most energetic and
intelligent managership and stage-managership.
+ Managery. Obs. Also 7-8 menagery, -ie,
(7 menagry), manadgery, mannagery, 8 man-
(n)agry. [f. Manage sb. or v. + -EBY; but in
many examples influenced in sense by K. mtnaetrie
(t domestic administration): see Menagebie.]
1. Domestic or agricultural administration or
economy.
1633 J. Dose tr. Aril teas' Hist. Septuagint 74 The
Peasants therefore are very careful!, .in their. . Menagery. .
by reason whereof, .the region is all planted with Fruite
trees. 1677 Grew Aunt. Seeds iii. § 1 The next step of
Natures Managery, relates chiefly to the Growth of the
Seed when it is sow'n. 1740 Lauv Pomfret Lett. (1805) II.
214 The sacred cells, and all the managery Of holy nuns in
their retreats, I see. 1720 Strvpe Sttm/s Surv. I. 1. xxvi.
185/1 These Men that thus spake against the Managery of
this Hospital, a 1734 North Life Ld. Keeper Guilford
(1742) 133 And with all this Menagery and Provision, no
one.. could observe any Thing more to do there, than in
any other Nobleman's House.
b. Husbanding or judicious use of resources;
economy.
1673 O. Walker Educ. 11. vii. 280 There is also required
good menagery.or making your penny go further then another
mans. 1705 Stanhope Paraphr. II. 410 Managery is an
Ornament and an Advantage to our Charity. 1705 Tate
Triumph xii, They blest the Managry of those Supplies.
2. The art of managing (weapons, instruments).
1654 Whitlock Zootomies 55 Making Shirts and Smocks
for the Poore, and such like Managery of their Needle or
Wheelc. 1667 Deeay Chr. Piety v. 100 No expert General
will bring a company of raw, untrain'd men into the Field,
but will . . teach them the ready managery of their Weapons.
1693 Wai.i.is in Phil. Trans. XVII. 846 This I thought fit
to recommend to your Consideration, who do so well under-
stand Telescopes, and the managery of them.
3. The function of managing or administering ;
managership ; an administrative office.
1643 Heylin Rebels Catech. 14 Men who. .ingrossed unto
themselves the principal managery of the Common-wealth.
1650 R. Stapylton Strada's Lcnu C. Warrcs v. 137 This
Expedient was committed to the managerie of a Spanish
Merchant. 1660 WATBRHOUSE Arms A Arm. 152 In affaires
of warre and peace, in Manadgery of Ecclesiastical, Civil,
Naval and Land Trusts, a 1734 North Life Dudley North
(1744) t5° He thought that, in such a Managery, there was
so much of Trust, that, of Necessity, they must be, more
or less, cheated.
4. Cunning or adroit management ; an instance
of this.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. VII xvi. 371 However
husbanded by Art, and the wisest menagery of that most
subtile impostor. 1679 Evekard Prot. Princes Europe 9
If France had not . . been assured by his managery and
tampering with some corrupt Ministers of that Crown, that
(etc.]. 1689 Moody Assizes 25 My Lords Threats and
other Managery, so disposed the Jury, that.. they brought
the Lady in Guilty, a 1734 North Exam. v. iv. § 17 (1740)
241 Bedloe held him in Hand so craftily that, at last, he
got him fast in the Trap. It was a nice Managery, and
may be shewed for a Pattern.
5. a. Horsemanship: = Manage sb. 1. b. A
place of exercise for horses : = Manage si. 3.
1685 Cotton tr. Montaigne 1. xxxviii. (1711) I/347 In
Menagery, Study, Hunting and all other Exercises, Men
are to proceed to the utmost Limits of Pleasure. 1782 I.
Adams Diary Wks. 1851 III. 208 The menagerie, where
they exercise the horses, is near the end of the stables.
6. ? Management of health, hygienic treatment.
1697 R. Peirce Bath Mem. 1. ix. 213 The Cautious and
orderly Managery of Women.. in bathing, and drinking
these Waters, have such .. successful Effects.
Managery, obs. form of Menagebie.
Managing (mai-ned^i^, vbl. sb. [-ING1.] The
action of the vb. Manage.
«579 J- Stlbbes Gaping Gul/Djh, Then will he.Jeaue
thys poore prouence to the mannaging of a viceroy. 1590
Sipenser F. Q. 11. iv. s The knight, that aye with foe In
layre defence and goodly menaging Of amies was wont to
1 ' Mi1?93 Nashe Christs T. 57 b, Wee kicke and winche,
and W1U by no meanes endure his managing. 1596 Drayton
Legends ni. 579 He Me notice gave, What the proud Barons
"ad in managing. 1607 Huron Wks. I. 407 The well
oruring and managing of the wife is the glory of the
husband. 1607 Bp. Hali. Holy Observ. 1. (1609) 20 A charit-
able vntrueth, and an vncharitable truth, and an vnwise
inenaging of trueth or lone, are all to bee carefully auoyded.
1681-2 Prideaux in Fox Bourne Locke (1876) I. viii. 470
Certainly there is some whig intrigue a-managing. 1682
Lusyan Holy War 172 The handling of their arms, the
107
managing of their weapons uf war, were marvellous taking
to Mansoul and me. 1707 MoRTiMEtt Hash. (1721) I. Avijb,
The Way of ordering and managing of Fowls. 1711 Light
to Blind in \oth AY/. Hist. MSS. Com/it. App. v. 144 Their
..officers signalized themselves in manageing of this last
contention.
Ma'naging, ///. a. [-1NG -'.] That manages.
1. Addicted to scheming or to assuming the direc-
tion of affairs.
a 1715 Burnet Own Time (1724) I. 475 She got him to he
brought out of prison, and carried him to the Countess of
Powis, a zealous managing Papist. 1848 Tuw.ki.kay Van.
Fair xxxu'i, That brisk, managing, lively, imperious woman.
2. Skilful anddiligent in management; economical.
1754 Richardson Grandison (1S11) I. xiv. 89 Sir John
spoke of him as a managing man, as to his fortune. 1797
'J'. Wkight Autobiog. (1864) 41 He was at this time as
careful, sober, and managing a man as any in the neighbour-
hood. 1825 Esther Hewlett Cottage Comforts v. 36 A
managing young woman, when she goes to the shop. .will
take care to look about her. 1894 H. Nisbet Bush Girl's
Row. 25 With the advent of the charming and managing
Kathleen, he drew no more upon his sadly-diminished
capital.
S. Having executive control.
1766 LifeofQuin\\. (1887) 30 The general conditions were,
1 two hundred pounds a year to each managing actor, and a
clear benefit. 1847 DiSRAELI Tancred 11. i\, You want a
first rate managing man. 1897 Havelock-Wii.son Sp. Ho.
Com in, 25 Jan., lie did not say that, .managing owners sent
J ships to sea for the purpose of gaining by insurance. 1903
Euz. L. Basks Xewsf>aper Girl 36 The managing-editor was
i an ex-Confederate colonel. Mod. The managing committee
of the society.
I Maiiakin. Antiq, [Cf. F. manic le, man i '(///■:,
h. manicula : see Manacle sb.] An alleged name
for a kind of glove worn by soldiers in the twelfth
century.
1824 Meyrick Anc. Armour I. 25 The hauberk. . is, with
its hood, of the same piece but with sleeves fitting clo^e
to the arms, terminating with gloves, manakins, or mufflers,
which cover the outsides of the hands and fingers.
Manakin: see Manikin.
Manance, -anse, -anss, obs. ff. Menace.
t Manant, a.i Obs. [a. OF. manant rich.]
Opulent, powerful.
1422 tr. Secreta Secret., Priv, Prt'v. 155 The more ryche
man he and manaunt, the more hym be-howyth that he
be vmbethoght.
t Manant, «.- Obs.—° [ad. L. mdnant-em,
pres. pple. of manare to flow.]
1727 Bailey vol. II, Manant, flowing or running.
t Manaiitie. Obs. In 4 manauutie. [a.
OF, manantici f. manant inhabitant.] A dwelling.
* »33° R- Brunmi Chrou. (1810) 325 And in his pes to lyue,
and haf ber manauutie.
Manaple, obs. form of Maniple
Manar, obs. form of Manor, Manure.
Manarolins, variant of Manavilins.
Manarvel ;,mana\ivel), v. JVaut. slang. [Of
obscure origin : related to Manavilins either as its
source or as a back-formation from it.] (See quot.)
1867 Smyth Sailors Word-bk., To Manarz'el, to pilfer
small stores.
Manas(e, -ass(e, -as(s)h, obs. ff. Menace.
f Manat. Obs. [Cf. men/tot, monnit, the min-
now (E.D.D.).] Some kind of fish.
1610 Folkingham Art Surv. iv. iii. 83 Fishing.. in Fresh
waters; as for Samon, Trout, Carpe, Pike, Manat, Breame, .
. . Minnowes, Crea-fish.
Manat, obs. form of Manatee.
Man-at-arms. Orig. man-of-arms. [tr.OF.
A o m me d' armes, komme d armes.'] A soldier, war- ,
rior ; spec, a heavy-armed soldier on horseback.
1390 Gower Con/. III. 2 He is a noble man of armes.
c 1430 Syr Getter. (Roxb.) 3425 Of men of armes thei hroght
x thousand,. .And of othir men of fote also Thre thousand.
1439 Rolls of Par It. V. 33/2 Noo Souldiours, Man' of Armes, j
nor Archer. 1500-20 Dunuar Poems lxiii. 7 Men of armes, \
and vai^eand knychtis. 1530 Palsgr. 242/2 Man of amies, '
a horse man, lance. Ibid. 244/2 Men of armes, gens dartues.
1581 PETTHI Guazzo's Civ. Conv. m. (1586) 161 Two
brothers, .both men at armes, and in pay with the King.
1598 Barret Tltcor. Warres 141 The Man at Armes is ;
armed complete, with his cuyrasses of proofe [etc.]. ., well
mounted vpon a strong and couragious horse. 1630 A*.
JohnsotC 's Kingd. <y Commiv. iogTheyareableto bring to the
field 2000. men at Armes, and infinite troopes of light Horse- '
men. 1795 Southev Joan of Arc vi. 300 A man-at-arms j
upon a barded steed. 1814 Scott Ld. of Isles \i. xii, His ■
men-at-arms bear mace and lance. 1838 Thirlwall Greece j
xvi. II. 334 Besides the 35,000 helots who attended the j
Spartans, each man of arms in the rest of the army was ac- |
companied by one light armed. 1874 Eoutell Arms $ j
Arm.iL 35.
fig. 1871 Mokley Voltaire (1SS6) 9 Each controversial
man-at-arms.
Manatee (mseoltf). Zool. Forms: 6-7 '
manat, manaty, 6-9 manati, 7 rnannatee, man- j
entine, manacy, mannaty, manitte, 7-8 man- j
ate, mannati, 8 mannasy, mannasi, manatea, ;
manatae, minati, manatie, manattee, 9 man- ,
nittee, manatin, 7- manatee, [a. Sp. manati j
(Oviedoi535),a.Caribw(7«^//^^'(RaymondJireton
Diet. Caratbc, 1665), Cf. mod. L. mandtus (Hon- j
delet De Pise. Mar. 1554, xvi. xviii), whence F. |
t manat (Cotgr.), manat c (Littre), It. mamitto
(Florio).
MANAVILINS.
The word wm commonly identified with the I., maud t us
'furnished with hands', the animal having tins somewhat
resembling hands.]
1. A large aquatic herbivorous cetacean of the
genus A/a 11a t us (order Sircnia), esp. M. ameri-
canus ; it inhabits the shallow waters of rivers and
estuaries on the Atlantic shores within the tropics.
Called also Lamantin.
1555 Edbm Decades ijo A yongc fyslie of the kynde of
those huge mon-ters of the sea which e thiubabitours caule
Manati. 1568 Hacket TheveCs New found World lxxi.
115 Among the which [fish] there is one named Manat)-.
1591 Sylvester Dit Bartas 1. ii. 1243 The Indian Manat
and the Mullet float U'r Mountain tops, where erst the
bearded Goat Did bound and brouz. 1634 Sir T. Hek-
klkt Trav. 212 The Mannalee or Cow-fish for taste and
shape can pose both feeders and beholders. 1684 Bncanicrs
Anter, 1 1 1. vii. 82 A certain Animal, which the Spaniards
call Manentines, and the Dutch, Sea-Cows. 1735 I.Atkins
Voy. Guinea 42 Fit haunts for the Manatea and Crocodile.
1799 W, Tooke View Russian Eittp. I. 204 Sea-bears,
manaiisand other sea-animals frequent these shores in herds.
1843 Penny Cyd. XXVII. 289/1 The American Manatee is
of rounded form, and has been compared to a leathern bottle
or wine-skin. 1883 Moloney IV. African Fisheries %% (Fish.
Kxh. Publ.) The flesh of the manatee is much appreciated by
the natives, resembling a combination of veal and pork.
2. Northern manatee, the edentulous animal
Rhytina Stcllcri, formerly existing in the Behring
Straits, f Saint Helena manatee, app. some
kind of seal.
1697 1 >ampier Voy. (17291 I. 547, I found the Santa Hel-
Icna Manatee to be, by their shapes, .those Creatures called
Sea-lyons. 1855 W. S. Dallas in Syst. Aat. Hist. II. 413
The Rhytina Stelleri, or Northern Manatee, which like
the Dodo, has become extinct.
3. atln'b. and Cowb.}2LS manateC'Catching\ man-
atee-grass, a marine plant of the "West Indies, Tha-
lassia tesludinum\ manatee-hide, a whip made
of the hide of the manatee ; manatee leather,
leather made from the hide of the manatee ;
manatee strap, a strap made of manatee leather;
manatee-trap, a trap for harpooning manatees.
1843 Penny Cycl. XXVII. 2S9/2 The sport of *manatee-
catching, thus conducted, is described as highly diverting.
1696 S loan k fatal. Plant. yatuat\a<, Alga Juucea,. ,*Man-
ati Grasse. 1871 Kixcsuiv A t last i, A bottom of white sand,
bedded here and therewith the short manati-grass. 1855 —
Westw. Hoi xxv, The driver applied the 'manati-bide
across his loins, once, twice, with fearful force. 1836 Mac-
GILLIVRAY tr. Humboldt's I'ra7. xviii. 258 She was scourged
with straps of "manatee leather. 1682 T. A. Carolina 32
With one of these Manaty Strapps I have .seen a Bar of Iron
cut and dented. 1883 Moloney IV. African Fisheries 27
'Manatee-trap.. . Briefly described it is a harpoon of heavy
wood tipped with iron, suspended by a string .. from the
cross-piece of a supporting wooden framework.
i Manat h. Obs. Forms: 1 mdn-at5, 2-3
manap, mon-oHS, 4 mane-ap, maineath. [OE.
ma ft- ao, f. man Man sb.- + ad Oath ; cf. the equi-
valent OS. ;/^V(MDu. ma'nect), OIIG. (MHG.,
mod.G.) meineui, ON. meineidr (Da. and S\v.
mened). The normal mod. form would be *moan-
cat/i,'] False oath, perjury.
a 1000 Laws sEthelstau 1. c. 25 Sebe man-acS [v.r. ma-mne-
aft] sweri^e. CI175 Lamb. Horn. 49 Alse beos men doft he
liggeo" inne eubruche and ine glutenerie and ine manaSas.
a 1200 Ofmin 4480 patt tu lie swere nan manah Forr lufe
ne forr e33e. c 1200 Triu. Coll. Horn. 215 On is leasing,
ooer is mon-o5. a 1300 Cursor M. 27833 Fals foluing, fals
wittnesing, Vnknaun lage, manati) [c 1375 Fairfi mane-ab,
a 1400 Cotton Galba maineath], and lesing.
Manati, manatin: see Manatee.
Manatine (marnatain), a. [ad. mod.L. type
mandtinus, f. mandtus -Manatee : see -ine.] Re-
sembling, or related to, the manatee ; manatoid.
In some recent Diets.
t Mana'tion. Obs. rare. [ad. L. manat ion- em ^
f. manare to flow.] The action of flowing out.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Mauatiott, a flowing, or running
a trickling down. 1755 Johnson, Mattalion, the act of
issuing from something else. 1814 Bkackenridge Views
Louisiana 288 Without speech, how could we ever com-
municate to each other, that we possess reasoning powers—
a manation of the divine essence"?
Manatoid ^marnatoid^, a. and sb. [ad. mod.L.
mandtoides, f. mandtus Manatee : see -om] a.
adj. Resembling the manatee, b. sb. One of the
Manatoidea. In some recent Diets.
Manattee, -atu, -aty : see Manatee.
Manance, -aunce, -ze, -ause: see Menace.
Manavilins, manavlins (manarvilinz,
manarvlinz), sb. pi. slang. Also malhavelina
{Whitby Gloss. , 1876), manablins, manarolins,
menavelings. [Of obscure origin: app. a vbl.
sb. in -iNG K Cf. Manahvel v.] Small matters,
odds and ends ; articles supplementary to the or-
dinary fare.
1865 Ilottcn's Slang Diet., Manablins, broken victuals.
Menavelings, odd money remaining after the daily accounts
are made up at a railway booking-oflice,— usually divided
among the clerks. 1887 G. B. Goode Fisheries of U. S.
Sect. v. II. 228 To the above-mentioned fare should be
added,. .the 'manarolins [? read manarvlins] of the whale-
men—that is, fresh meat, vegetables, milk, butter, eggs, and
fruits. 1889 ' R. Boldkewood ' Robbery under Arms xxii,
He'd a stool and table too . . this Robinson Crusoe cove. No
end of manavilins either. 190a E. B. Kennedy Black Police
MANBOTE.
(J/icensl.v'ii'i.ioi Odds and ends.. are described in theCulony
by the one useful old naval word ' manavlins ', a term which
embraces every small thing.
Manayr(e, obs. form of Manor.
Manbote (mse'nb^t). Obs. exc. Hist. [OE.
mannbot, f. mann Man st>.1 + bot Boot sb.*} A
tine paid to an overlord for the loss of a man.
a iooo Laws of I tie c 70 Mt twyhyndum were mon sceal
sellan to monbote xxx. scitl., act vi, hyiidum Ixxx. scitt, xt
twelfhyndum cxx. Ibid. c. 76 Sie sio maj£bot and sio man-
bot gelic. a 1201 HovEDEN Chronica (Rolls) II. 224 Man-
bote in Denelaga, et de villano et de Scot man, duodecim
horas; de libens antem hominibus tres marcas. 1656 in
Blount Glossogr. 1872 E. W. Robertson Hist, Ess. Introd.
35 A number of the more important members of the class
had evidently been enrolled in the ranks of the feudal
nobility and their manbote was ' reckoned in gold \
Mane, variant of Mank Obs.
i; Mancando jnankandtf). A/us. [It. --lacking,
failing] A direction indicating a decrescendo, or
lessening of lone, in an already soft passage (Grove
Diet. Mus. 1 880). 1811 in Busby Diet. Mus. (ed. 3).
I Maiica'tion. Obs. [ad. med.L. mancat ion-
em, n. of action f. mancare to mutilate, f. mancus
one-handed, maimed.] Maiming, mutilation.
1727 Earbery tr. Burners St. Dead S6 This brings me to
the next Dispute, how far Mancatiun destroys this Identity;
for as a River, by being divided into many Streams, may
lose its Name. So would Wan, if he could be supposed
split into Halves.
Mance, Manch, obs. ff. Manse, Munch.
Ma 11c lie l, maunche (munj . Forms: 5 pi.
mangys (J/er.)t 7 manch, 6-7 maunch, 8-9
rnaunche, 4, 6-9 manche. [a. F« manche, fern. =
Pr. manga, mancha, Sp., Pg. manga'.— L. manica,
f. man-us hand.]
1. A sleeve. Obs. exc. as applied by antiquaries
to the form of sleeve imitated in the heraldic
' manche' : see 2.
1391 Earl Derby's Exp. (Camden) 90 Et per mantis eius-
dem a brawderere pro j manche, pro frenges et laces pro vsu
domini, viij marc. pr. 1602 Segar Hon. Mil. <y Ciz>. 11, xi.
71/2 He shalbe apparelled in a blew gowne, with the
Manches open in the mauer of a Priest. 1688 R. Holme
Armoury in. 256 A Maunch or Sleeve of the newest Fashion,
being now io use of the great Gallants of our times. ..It..
may fitly, .be termed the Hounds Ear Maunch.
attrib. 1877 Encycl. Brit. VI. 465/2 Tunics.. with long
and loosely flowing skirts, and having the ' rnaunche ' sleeves.
2. Her. A sleeve used as a charge, esp. the hang-
ing sleeve of the 14th c.
[(,1250 Roll in PlanckPt Pursuit: Arms (ed. 1873) 153
Reginald de Moun, de goules ou ting manche d'argent.]
i486 Bk. St. Albans. Her. b iiij b, mangys be called in
armys a sleue. 159a Wykley Armorie, Ld. Chanties 83 Sir
Hue Hastings, armd gold, we do redeem. With gulie maunch
and siluer labell on. 1610 GuiLLIM Heraldry \w. vii. 205
Hee beareth Gules, a Dexter Anne habited with a Maunch,
Ermine, the handle holding a Elowre de Lice, Or. 1640
Yokke Union Hon., Names <y Arises 53 Thory. Argent
ou a bend sable, 3 manches of the first. 1648 Herrick
Hesper. 349 That Bar, this Bend ; that Eess, this Cheveron ;
This Manch, that Moone [etc]. 1688 R. Holme Armoury
ill. 257/1 A Queens Maunch erected A. Pinked or Slashed
G. with an hand out of it. .is the Crest of Gollnitz of Swa-
bish. 1780 Edmosdson Heraldry II. Gloss., Manche, a
sleeve.. .Some of our English Writers call it, though im-
properly, Maunche. 1864 BouthLl Her. Hist, fy Pop. xiv.
(ed. 3) 151 Hastings or, a manche gu. 1868 Cussans Her.
vii. (1893) 118 Manche, or Maunche : A hanging sleeve.
b. Manche maltalc [ad. F. manche mat tailUe,
lit. ' ill-cut sleeve'], an irregularly shaped manche.
^1550 in Baring-Gould & Twigge West. Armory (1898) 1
Achim : Ar : a manch maltaile sab. 1562 LsiQH Armorie
176 He beareth Gr, a Manche maltale Geules. 157a Bosse-
well Armorie 11. 89. (1610 Guillim Heraldry iv. vii. 205
Maunch. .of some Armorists, is termed Manche mat tailee,
Quasi manica male ialliata, as an ill shapen Sleeue.]
Hence f Maiiched a. Obs., having a (half)
1 manche ' or sleeve.
1688 R. Holme Armoury m. 257 A This is a Maunch half
Maunched,_ being a close sleeve, with another open or wide
sleeve coming over it, even to the bending of the Elbow.
This was in fashion about the year 1620 and 1644.
II Manche a (man/). [F. manche masc, lit.
'handle* = Sp., Pg. mango. It. manico :— popular
L. *manicum, f. man-us hand.] (See quot.)
1876 Stainer & Barrett Diet. Mus. Terms, Manche, the
neck of a violin or guitar, &c.
Manche 3. [a. Malayalam manji.] A large
fiat-bottomed boat with one mast, used on the
Malabar coast for landing cargoes. (Cf. Manchua.)
1855 in Ogilvie, Suppl. 1862 Bevebidge Hist. India I.
1. x. 237 Manche of Calicut. A boat used on the Malabar
coast, having a flat bottom, rendering it suitable for crossing
the bars at the mouths of rivers.
Manche: see Munch.
Mancheat^e, obs. form of Manchet.
Manchenille, obs. form of Manchineel.
Manche-present, var. Maunch-fresent.
II Mancheron (mahJ;?rori). Also 8 raanceron.
[Fr., f. manche sleeve, Manche1.] a. Fr. Her.
A sleeve used as a bearing, b. Trimming on the
upper part of the sleeve of a woman's dress.
1725 Coats Diet. Her., Mancheron is a Sleeve, as us'd
indifferently with Manche by French Heralds, and signifies
any Sort of Sleeve, not to be conlin'd to that in particular
which we commonly call by the Name of Mamhe. 1727
108
Bailey vol. II, Manccron (with French i/cral.), a sleeve
used indifferently with Manche, and signifies any sort of
sleeve. 1835 Court Mag. VI. p. ix/i Velvet mancherons of
the shell form, edged with blond lace.
Manchester (mariiitjestaj). The name of a
large city in Lancashire, the chief centre of the
cotton manufacture.
1. Used attrib. or as adj. chiefly in the names of
various cotton goods produced there, as Manches-
ter cottons, etc. Also Manchester-man (see quot.
1851). Manchester wares, cotton goods manu-
factured at Manchester ; hence Manchester ware-
house, -warehouseman.
1552 Act 5 <y 6 Edw. VI, c. 6 § 1 All and everie Cottonnes
called Manchester Lancashire and Chesshire Cottonnes. . .
And . . all Clothes called Manchester Rugges otherwise
named Frices. 1580 R. Hitchcock Pol. Plat F ij, At Rone
in Fraunce..be solde our Englishe wares, as Welche and
Manchester Cottons [etc.]. 1704 Jrnt. Ho. Comm. 27 Jan.
499/2 Linnen and Woollen cloth and other goods called Man-
chester Wares. 176a Lond.Chron. i8-2oMar. XI. 266/2 Blue
Manchester velvets, with gold cords.. are generally the uni-
form of Bum-bailiffs [etc.]. 1794W. Felton Carriages\ 1 Soil
I. 24 A strong Manchester tape, called web. 1795 J. Aikin
Deser. Manchester 183 When the Manchester trade l>egan
to extend. 1851 Mayhew Loud. Labour (18641 I. 419/1 The
packmen are sometimes called Manchester-men. These are
the men whom I have described as the sellers of shirtings,
sheetings, &c 1851 mltlustr. Lotul. News (1854) 5 Aug. 119/1
[Occupations of People.] Manchester-warehouseman. 1858
SiM.MONDS Diet. Trade, Manchester and Glasgow Wart-
house, a sale depository for all kinds of cotton goods. 1899
Daily News 9 Jan. 2/4 Unlawfully applying a certain false
trade description to 'Manchester linen '.
b. In the names of various colours, as Man-
chester black, brown, yelloiv.
1862 O'Neill Diet. Calico Printing, etc. 24 What was
called Manchester black, was obtained by first steeping in
galls or sumac, then [etc.). 1870 J. W. Sclatek Man.
Colours 113 Manchester Yellow (Jauned'Or, Naphthylamine
Yellow), the most splendid yellow colouring matter known,
prepared from napthalin. a 1873 Crace-Calvkrt Dyeing,
etc. (1876) 472 ' Manchester yellow ' or ' Martius' yellow',.,
gives a very pure gold colour on silk and wool.
2. Manchester School: a name first applied by
Disraeli to the body of politicians, led by Cobden
and Bright, who, before the repeal of the Corn
Laws, held their meetings at Manchester and advo-
cated the principles of free trade. It was after-
wards extended by their opponents to the party
who supported those leaders on other questions of
policy. Also, in Manchester policy, etc., used deri-
sively to designate a policy ol laissez-faire and self-
interest.
1848 DisKAEi-t Sp. Ho. Comm. 10 Mar., in Hansard 417 The
great leaders of the school of Manchester, .laid down this
principle, that you were to buy in the cheapest and sell
in the dearest market. 1849 — Sp. 6 July ibid. 1495, I say
the Manchester school. I have a right to use that phrase,
for I gave them that name. I gave it them with all respect.
1851 Bright in G. B. Smith Life <y Sp. (1881) I. 345 [In an
address to his constituents.] Now, we are called the ' Man-
chester Party ', and our policy is the ' Manchester policy ',
and this building I suppose is the schoolroom of the 'Man-
chester School '. I do not repudiate that name at all. I
think it is an honour [etc.]. 1881 Moklev Cobden I. vi. 151
When we look back upon the affairs of that time [1854], we
see that there were two policies open. Lord Palmerston's
was one, the Manchester policy was the other. 188a J. Rae
in Contemp. Rev. Jan. 101 They repudiate the Manchester
idolatry of self-interest. 1902 B. Kiud West. Civiliz. xi.
405 The inherent tendency of all economic evils to cure
themselves if simply left alone— the characteristic doctrine
of the Manchester school of thought in England.
3. absol. or sb. Some kind of cotton fabric.
1777 Mme. D'Akblav Early Diary (1889) II. 169 Betsy. .
had a very showy striped pink and white Manchester. 1799
W. Tooke View Russian Emp. III. 509 Cotton-manufac-
tories, .make. .coarse muslin, manchester,..&c.
4. slang. The tongue. ? Obs.
1812 in j. H. Vaux Flash Diet. 1820 Lond. Mag. I. 26/1
If, instead of bidding her hold her niauchester, he had
attended to her advice. 1823 Grose's Diet. Vulgar Tongue.
Hence Ma nchesterdom [formed after G. Man-
chesterthum, a word used by German socialists]
= next; Manchesterism, the principles advocated
by or attributed to the * Manchester school ' ;
Ma'nchesterist,one who supports Manchesterism.
1882 J. Rae in Contemp. Rcz>. Jan. 101 Much of his
[Todt's] work is devoted to show the. .inner antagonism of
Christianity and Manchesterdom. . . The merely nominal
Christian.. is always a spiritual Manchestrist, worshipping
laissez/aire, laissez alter, with his whole soul. 1885 Shuttle-
worth in Pall Mall G. 29 Nov. 10/1 Manchesterism, which
enriched the few at the e.'apense of the many. 1898 J. A.
Hobson Rnskin vl 134 Manchesterism, which is sometimes
taken as the type of commercial selfishness.
Manchet (marnitjet). Obs. exc. dial, or Hist.
Forms : 5-7 manchett, 6-7 maunchet, (5 man-
chete, manged, mengyd, maynchett, raaun-
chett, 6 mayngate, mancheat(e), .5V. manshote,
7 maincheat, Sc. mainschot, meaneschot,
7, 9 dial, manchent, 8 dial, manshut, 9 man-
chetto, dial, marichun, manshun (etc. : see
E. D. D.), 5- manchet. [Of doubtful origin.
At Rouen, a ring-shaped cake of bread (in ordinary Fr.
called couroune) is known as manchette, lit. 'cuff' (Robin
Patois normand, and Littre Suppl.), but this name (which
may be of recent origin) is obviously descriptive of shape,
while the Eng. word in early use denotes a certain quality of
MANCHETTE.
bread. The identity of sense with Paindkmaine, Demeine,
mainc-brcad (see Maine sb.) suggests the possibility of ety-
mological connexion with those words. The word might
represent an AF. diminutive f. *demenche : — L. dominica,
or it might be an Eng. compound f. Maine sa.+ Cheat j£.2;
but either supposition involves some difficulties,]
+ 1. The finest kind of wheaten bread; = Pain-
dkmaine. Obs.
.1420 Liber Cocorum (1862) 53 pou tost shyves ofgode
manchete,..benneSa wee horn withsugur. c 1450 [see Cheat
sb.2]. 1467 Maun. <$- Househ. E,vp. (Roxb.J 409 Item, my
mastyr paid at Douer for drynkenge pottes, glasses, and for
manchett to haue to the schippe, v.s. 1540-1 Elyot
Image Gov. 84 He woulde eate a good quantitee of milke,
sopped with fine manchet. 1567 Golding Ovids Met. xi.
(1593) 261 His officers., set downe sundrie sorts of meate and
mancheat thereupon. 1577 Hakrison England 111. i. in
Itoliushed M vij b, Of breade made of wheat we haue sundry
sortes.. wherof the first and most excellent is the manchet,
which we commonlye call white breade, in latin primarius
Pants. 1620 Vlnner Via Recta L 20 Our manchet..
is made of fine flower of wheat, hauing in it no leauen, but
in steede thereof a little barme. 1698 Fryer Ace. E. India
ff P. 157 The finest Manchet it may be in the World is
made here IGoab 1736 Bailey Housh. Diet. 62 The best
and principal bread is Manchet, which isorder'd as follows.
*[ 1791 Grose Olio (1796) 304 They eat some manchet, and
had five shillings worth of liquor,
f b. trans/. Obs. rare.
1590 Harrough Meth. Physt'ek in. vii. (1617) no Giue
them [of a doglike appetite] manchet made of fat broths
without hony.
c. fig. Used in Hanmer's translation of Eusebius
nnd copied or used allusively by later historians.
1577 Hanmer Ane. Eccl. Hist. 111. xxxii. 55 [Ignatius
said :] In so much that I am the wheate of God, I am to be
grinded with the teeth of beastes, that I may be founde
pure breade or fine manchet [L. ut mundus panis inueniar.
Gr. iva. Katfapbs apT<K tvptdto toO XpiffToGJ. 1610 Boys Wks.
(1622) 229. 1630 Brathwait Eng. Gentlem. (1641) 230. 1642
Fl'i.ler Holy <y Prof. St. in. xx. 206. 1650 S. Clarke Eccl.
Hist. (1654)1. 3. 1702 C. Mather Magu. Chr. vn. 5.
2. A small loaf or roll of the finest wheaten bread.
Now only arch, or dial.
The bread was moulded into small loaves, round and
flattish, or into rolls, thicker in the middle than at the ends.
1481 Caxton Reynard (Arb.) 68 Tho gaf I hym acopel of
maynchettis with swete butter. 11483 Liber Niger in
Househ. Ord. (1790) 22 The Kyng for his brekefast, two
looves made into four maunchetts. 1562-3 in Swayne Sarum
Church-w. Ace. (1896) 107 Mayngates and Cakes, vji'. 1629
Burgh Recs. Stirling (1887) 1. 163 That nabaxteris. .sell ony
meaneschottis. .bottaccordingtotbepaiceandpryceofquhyt
bread. 1655M0UFETS: BENNET/jVa/M\s Improv. (1746) 340
Bread.. of middle size between Gentlemens Rolls or little
Manchets, and the great Loaves used in Yeomen's Houses.
1660 Manch. Court Leet Rcc. (1887) IV. 277 Raph Burd^all
for Makeingmanchetts too light. 1688 R. Holme Armoury
in. 293/2 A Rowle, a Manchet, a Wigg, is White Bread
moulded long ways, and thick in the middle. 1747 Mrs.
Glasse Cookery ix. 109 A French Manchet does best ;
but there are little Loaves made on purpose for the Use.
1781 J. Hutton Tour to Caves Gloss., Manshut, a load
[read loaf] of bread. 1840 Barham Ingot. Leg. Sen I. St.
Xiiholas xlii, And a manchette of bread.. And a cup o' the
best. 1870 Morris /Earthly Par. I. I. 204 Ripe fruits and
wheaten manchets fine.
fig- r53* Tindale Exp. \ John (1537) 76 That mouthe
haue they stopped with a leuended maunchet of theyr pha-
risaycall gloses.
b. A cake of the form of a manchet.
1562 Bi'Lleyn Bk. Simples i\>, The pouder thereof [ani-
seedej, wyth the pouders of Fenell [etc.] . . tempered with
Wheate flower, water and red Wyue, and so baked in man-
chets or cakes. 1570 B. Googe Pop. Kingd. tv. 45 And after
with the selfe same wine are little mancnets [orig. paslilli]
made, Agaynst the boystrous winter stormes.
c. Her. The representation of a manchet of
bread used as a bearing.
1640 Yokke Union Hon., Names <$• Armes 43 Gentry of
Lincolneshire. Pyster. argent, on a peele sable, 3 manchets
proper. 1688 R. Holme Armoury in. 293/2 He beareth
('■ules, a Rowl or Manchet, and a Loaf of Bread, Or. 1780
Eumondson Heraldry II. Gloss. 1847 in Gloss. Her.
3. attrib., as manchet bread, cake,jiour, loaf.
c 1430 Two Cookery Bks. 43 Take mengyd [ MS. Douce
mayned] Flowre. c 1450 Ibid. 83 Then take manged brede
[MS. Douce maynche brede] or paynman. 1542 Boorde
Dyetaty xi. (1870) 258, I do loue manchet breade. 1551
Bible 1 Kings iv. 22 And Salamons fode was in one day
thyrtie quarters of manchet floure [Vulg. simiiu;], 1595
Duncan App. Etymol. (E. D. S.) 74 Simt'la, manshote
flour. 1620 Venner Via Recta 1. 20, I reiect not the vse
of leauen, to the making either of manchet bread or of
greater loaues. 174a Jarvis Quix. 1. iv. xxxi. (1885) 178
Winnowed by her hands it made the finest manchet bread.
a 1847 Johntiie Faa iv. in Sheldon Minstr. Eng. Border yi^
The KarL.Gied them red wine and manchet cake. 1859
Tennyson Geraint fy Enid 389 And Enid brought sweet
cakes to make them cheer, And . . manchet bread. 1881 N. ^r
Q. 6th Ser. III. 430/1 The manchet loaf [in W. Cornwall] is
in shape very much like an ordinary French roll, i.e. it is
an oblong lump of dough which rises in the middle.
II Manchette * (manjgt). [Fr., dim. of manche
sleeve, Manche 1.] A kind of trimming worn
round the lower part of the sleeve of a woman's
dress. Also trans/.
1835 Court Mag. VI. p. xiv/i A blond manchette of the
antique form, looped in front by a bow of white satin
riband terminates the sleeve. 1880 Webster Suppl.,. Man-
chette, an ornamental ruffle or cuff. 1898 Wcstm. Gaz.
3 May 8/2 The hair., has to be fashioned out into bracelets
or inanchettes by the canine coiffeurs.
il Manchette -. Obs. [ - Y. manchette (Littre
Suppl.), a negro-Fr. corruption of Sp. machete
Matchet.] ^ Matchet,
MAN-CHILD.
1761 Char, in Ann. Reg. 3/2 A kind of very short sabre I
called Manchette [by the Buccaneers of St. Domingo]. 1804 '
tr. Pigitenard's Zoflora I. 89 Negroes . . armed only witb
manchettes. Note, A kind of sabre with which the negroes
trim the hedges in America.
Man-child. Plural men-children, f man-
chylder(yn. A male child.
a 1400 Octouian 101 Vppon Florence.. He gette and wan
Two man-chylderyn. c 1430 Syr Tryam. 1 707 Man chylder
had they twoo. 14.. Sir Beucs 3640 (MS. C) Man chyldur
[A knaue children, M men children] had sche two. 1471
Caxton Recuycll (Sommer) I. 15 To espyc.yf his wife
broght forth men children. 1535 Coverdale Gen. xvii. 10
Euery manchilde whan it is eight dayes olde, shalbe cir-
ciuncyded. 1590 Spenser E.Q. ii. i. 51 Luciiia came: a
manchild forth I brought. 1605 Shaks. Macb. I. vii. 72 Bring
forth Men-Children onely : Fro thy vndaunted Mettle should
compose Nothing but Malts. 1700 Congke\ e Way of
World iv. v, I denounce against all strait lacing, squeezing
for a shape, till you mould my boy's head like a sugar-loaf,
and instead of a man-child, make me father of a crooked
billet. 1877 Black Green Past. iii. (1878) 23, I don't be-
lieve there is a man-child born in the town but you begin
to wonder what the Government will do for him.
Hence f Man childhood.
a 1618 Svlvkstkr St. Levis 85 When Heav'ns assign'd
him to his Father's Throne ; And to the hands of his Mau-
Childehood left The glorious Burthen of this Scepter's heft.
Manchineel (m;cn|tj"iiu '!). Forms : 7 manci-
nell, manchonelo, -chioneel , -chi onell, -tionell,
-zanilla, manchinelo, 7-8 man9anilla, 8 raan-
sanillo, man9anillo, -chinello, mansaneel,
manchaneel, mangeneel, manchenille, -eel,
manchinelle, -ello, machinel, 8-9 machineel,
manchineal, 9 machinelle, manchioneal, man-
zanillo, 7- manchineel. fa. K. mancenille, a.
Sp. manuutilla, dim. of manzana apple, altered
form of OSp. mazana ( = l'g. mazdd) :— I., matidna
(neut. pi., %c.poma, mala) a kind of apple, named
from the Roman gens MatiaJ]
1. A West Indian tree, Jlippomanc ALancinella,
having a poisonous and caustic milky sap, and i
acrid fruit somewhat resembling an apple. Also
manchineel tree (see 2).
1630 [see 2]. 1657 I, icon Barbados 68 And as this tree's
poysou is in her sap, so the Mantionell's is in her fruit.
167a Blome Descr. Jamaica 27 Here is the Manchonele,
which is a kind of a Crab, so common in all the Caribbee
Isles. 1747 Catksby in Phil. Trans. XL1V. 603 These
Plants, .grow on large Trees ; particularly Mahogony, Sap-
padillo, Mancanilla, &c. 1777 Robertson J list. Amer.
(1783) II. ioi In other parts of America, they employ the
jutce of the manchenille,. .and it operates with no less fatal
activity. 1703 W. Mavor Chr. Politics 18 The Tree of
Liberty, which has proved more baneful than the Manchineel
to those who have sought tts shade. 1801 Southky Thalaba
ix. xxiii, With the mandrake and the manchineel She builds
her pile accurst. 1871 Kingslky At Last i, We learnt to
distinguish the poisonous Manchineel.
b. Bastard manchineel, a West Indian tree,
Camera/- iajati/olia.
1838 Lindley Flora Med. 537 Cameraria latifolia. . .
Bastard Manchineel tree. 1864GRISEBACH flora W. hid. 7S5.
c. A poison obtained from the manchineel tree.
1891 ' J. Evelyn ' Baffled Vengeance iii. 35 Putting a pinch
of manchineel or some other poison in his chocolate.
d. The wood of the machineel tree.
1683 J. Poyntz Tobago 30 Manchioncel, is a sort of Timber
for Plank, and Sheathing.
2. attrib., as manchineel apple , bush, tree.
1630 Cait. Smith Trav. <y Adv. 55 The *MancinelI apple.
1750 G. Hughes Barhadocs 123 The pulp of these Man-
chaneel apples. 1871 Kingsley At Last vi, To feel our
way. .cautiously. .past the *Manrhineel bush. 1696 Phil-
lips (ed. 5), * Manchinelo Tree, a Tree that grows wild in the
woods of Jamaica. 1707 Sloane Jamaica I. p. exx, In
felling a mansanillo tree.. some of the milk spurted into
his eye. ij66Chrou. in Ann. Peg. 100/2 A very rich crim-
son die, from a preparation of the fruit of the manchineal
tree. 1830 Lindley Nat. Syst. Bot. 105 The famous Man-
chineel tree.. is said to be so poisonous, that persons have
died from merely sleeping beneath its shade.
Manchip, obs. form of Manship.
Maneh- present, var. Maunch-pkesent.
Manchun, dial, form of Manchet.
Mancinism (marnsiniz'm). rare. [ad. It.
mancinismo, f. mancino left-handed : see -ISH.]
The state or condition of being left-sided.
1890 H. Ellis Criminal iii. in Anatomical mancinism is
not necessarily related with motor mancinism.
Mancio\tOn, obs. form of Mansion.
Mane ip able (marnsipabT), a. Roman Law.
[ad. L. type *mancipdbilis, f. mancipdre : see Man-
cipate 9. and -able.] That may be conveyed or
transferred by mancipation.
1875 Poste Gains 11. (ed. 2) § 22 Property in things man-
cipablcis conveyed by mancipation. 1876 Abdy & Walker
Xx.Ulpian xix. viii. 392 By usucapion we obtain the owner-
ship of things both mancipable and non-mancipable.
Mancipal, obs. form of Manciple.
Maiicipant (mse'nsipant). Roman Law. [ad.
L. manapant-em, pr. pple. of mancipdre : see
Mancipate v. and -ant.] One who disposes of
property by mancipation.
1880 Muirhead Gains I. § 119 The coin, .he then gives to
the mancipant or party from whom the slave is being
received.
'\ Mancipate, pa. pple. and ppl. a. Obs. [ad.
109
L. mancipat-us, pa. pple. of mancipdre : see next.] |
Made subject (to),
1502 Arnolde Chron. oob/2 The said gengemi was taken
and to prison mancipate. 1577 HoLlHSHED Chron. Eng.
192/1 As they whiche though they were partly free, yet
in some poynt remayned styll as thrall and mancipate to
the subjection of the Englishmen. 1687 Renwick Serm.%
etc. (1776) 531 All are to be mancipate and enslaved to it.
Mancipate [mse'nsiptf't), v. [f. L. mancipal-,
ppl. stem of mancipdre, f. man-its hand + root of
capere to take.]
I. Roman L.azu. (trans.') To hand over by the
formality of Mancipation.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Mancipate, to deliver possession,
to give the right to another, to -sell for money. 1870 Aiu>y &
Walker tr. Gains 1. cxx. 40 In this maimer persons, both
slaves and free, are mancipated. Ibid, exxi, Rut estates
can be mancipated when at a distance. 1880 Muirhead
Gaius t. § 132 The father again mancipates him either lo
the same person.. or to a different one— it is the usual prac-
tice to mancipate to the same.
f 2. To make subject, enslave. Chiefly with lo,
unto. Often trans/. vccAjig. Obs.
1574 Newton Health Mag. Pref., For their sakes .. that
live of them selves freely and are not enthralled or mancipated
to the inconveniences abovesaide. 1621 Burton Anat. Mel.x.
ii. iv. vi. (1651) 160 They voluntarily main Spate, and sell
themselves, .to rich men toavoid hunger and beggery. 1633
\V. Sthuther True Happiness Ep., Aristotle .. disputed
much of Vertue ; but proved miserable in his life, and with
the rest mancipated vertue unto pleasure. 1644 H. Parker
Jus Pop. 23 When the election ..of Judges, Commanders
and Counsellors of State is requested, 'tis answered that this
is tomancipate the Crowne. a i6yy Hale Prim. Ortg. Man.
1. ii. 47 Which cannot be done by Plants, who are main i-
pated and fixed to the place of their station or growth,
a 1713 EllwooD Autobiog. U855) 187 One to soft music man-
cipates his ear. 1755 Johnson, Slave, one mancipated to a
master. 1756 Monitor No. 41 (1760) I. 397 What brought
Gaveston to the block? but his mancipattng the king.
H b. (See qtiot.) 1623 Cocker am, Mam/pate, to tame.
f 3. To devote or consecrate to. Obs.
1715 M. Da vies At/ten. Brit. I. 77 Monday is Mancipated
to the Invocation of Saints. 1829 J. Donovan tr. Catech.
Council Trent II. vii. Quest. 18 Know thai thou art man-
cipated [ed. 2 (1839) altered to 'devoted': L. maiteipari]
to light the lights of the Church, in the Name of the Lord.
•14. Misused for Emancipate. Obs. rare— l.
Cf. med.L. mane/patio (in l)u Cange).
a 1677 Barrow .SVrw/.Wks. 16S6 II. 212 Such a dispensation
is a pupillage, and a slavery, which he [man] earnestly must
desire to be redeemed and mancipated from.
Hence Ma'ncipating///. a.
1819 II. Busk Vestriad in. 537 Coarcted by your man-
cipating spell.
Mancipation (maensip^-Jan), [ad. L. tuanci-
pdtidn-em} n. of action f. mancipdre to Makcipatjs.]
1. The ceremonial process by which certain kinds
of property (designated as res mancipi) were trans-
ferred (see quot. 1SS0).
1656 IJlount Glossogr., Mancipation, a manner of selling
before witnesses with sundry ceremonies, ccc. 1774 Halli-
eax Anal. Rom. Civ, Laiv 24 By the old Roman laws Aliena-
tion of things Corporeal was of two kinds. 1. Mancipation,
2. Tradition. The former related to such things as were
called Res Mancipi. 1849 Coequhoun Rom. Civ. Law § 558
1. 474 The emption on the part of the husband was done in
the same form as the usual quiritian mancipations. 1880
MuiRHKAD Ulpianxlx. § 3 Mancipation is a mode of aliena-
tion peculiar to res mancipi, and is performed by recital of
certain words of style, in presence of a balance-holder and
five witnesses.
2. gen. The action of enslaving; the state of being
enslaved.
1577 tr. BulUngers Decades ill. viL 395/1 If. .any bondman
were desirous to staychis voluntarie bondage should be
confirmed by the ceremonie of Mancipation. 1637 Gil-
lksi'IE F.ng. Pop. Cerent, in. viii. 169 The consecration
and mancipation of him to the holy Mhustery. 1643 Plain
English 9 The mancipation of themselves to the promis-
cuous service of the Queen. 1649 Jer. Taylor Gt. E.xemp.
II. viii. 68 They who fall away, .intoacontradictory state of
sinne and mancipation. 1663 \V \TY.v.\\o\:svXomm. J-'ortescue
187 They [the Romans], .prevailed against all mankinde to
their Mancipation under them.
113. (See quot.) 1623 Cockeram, Mancipation, a taming.
Mancipative (msenripAiy), a. Roman Law.
[f. Mancipate v. + -ive.] = next.
1875 Poste Gaius 11. 182 The mancipative will, or will by
bronze and scale, probably began to supersede the older form
as soon as the Twelve Tables had given legal force to the
nuncupative part of mancipation.
Mancipatory (maensipAari), a. Roman Law.
[f. Mancipate v, + -OBI J Pertaining or involving
mancipation.
x86i M aine.-J nc. Law vi. (1876) 1 1 2 The Mancipatory Testa-
ment by which the nniversitas juris devolved at once and
unimpaired. 1880 Mvnnn:.\D Gains m.§ 167 Except when he
[a slave] expressly stipulates or takes by mancipatory con-
veyance [etc. 1. Ibid. iv. § 131 An actio ex empto for man-
cipatory conveyance to us of lands we have bought.
Mancipee (mxnsipr). [irreg. f. Mancu\ate)
v. + -ee.] The person to whom the property is
transferred by mancipation.
1880 Muirhead Gains 1. § 123 Persons mancipated by
parents.. are appropriated by the mancipee with the very
same words with which he would appropriate a slave.
Manciple (marnsipU). Forms : 4 maunciple,
(5 mawnciple, -cypylle, 6 mansebyll), 5-6
mancyple, (7 mansiple, 8 mancipal), 3- man-
ciple, [a. OF. manciple, mancipe ^for the ending
MANCTJS.
cf. principle, participle), ad. L. mancipi um, f.
manus hand + root of capere to take.
In classical L. mancipium meant acquisition by purchase,
absolute ownership, hence concr. a slave. In med.L. it
meant also the office or function of a manccps or buyer in
of stores tin late I -. this word sometimes denoted the man-
ager of a public bakery : so in late (lr. form jmy*ai£). It
may be conjectured that in monastic use the word denoting
the office was applied dike many similar terms) to the person
charged with it, and that this application ii the source of
sense 1 below, which seems nut to be known in OF.]
1. An officer ot servant who purchases provisions
for a college, an inn of court, a monastery, etc.
a izz$Ant r. R. in 4 [>e }iure glutun is besfeondes manciple.
Uor he stikc^ euer ioe celere, ooVr ioe kuchene. His heorte
is ioc disches. [Prob. a misunderstanding of a T.at. original
which had mancipium in the .sense of bondservant, slave. 1
c 1386 Chaucer Pro/. 567 A gentil maunciple was ther of a
temple Of which Achatours myghte take exemple (Tor to be
wise in byynge of vitaille. 1401 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 98
Oones I was a manciple at Mertoun halle, 1482 Monk of
Evesham (Arb.) 49 And thoo thyngys that were neces^arye
to the ornamentys of alle the chyrche,. .y wolde dylygently
orden therfore, as y had be hys famylyar seruante and
niawucypylle. 1530 in W. H. Turner Select. Ree. Oxford
7S The.. Proctors requyrd the. .xxVof the mansebytl. Ibid.
89 Gunter beyng a mancyple to scolers. 1641 Milton Re-
form. 11. 84 Furnish't with no mure experience then they
learnt betweene the Cool:, and the manciple. 1660 VA'o.ii >
Life vO.H.S.) I. 352 At Queen's Coll. Oxon is every year
a bore's bead provided by the manciple against Xtmasday.
1721-z Amherst Terrx /*>V.No. 1 1 (1754*63 Kather William
. .made him manciple of his college, a sinecure worth twenty
pounds a year. 1821 Lamu Elia Ser. 1. Old Benchers I. '/'..
I remember, .the took applying to him [Jackson], .for in-
structions how to write down edge bone of beef. ._. He decided
the orthography, .[and].. dismissed the manciple ifoi the
time) learned and happy. 1848 J. H. Newman Loss <y Gain
(1853) 67 In came the manciple with the dinner paper, which
Mr. Vincent had formally to run his eye over. 1891 Jhtily
J\'cws 26 Dec. 2/5 The ancient ceremony of serving up a
boar's head at Queen's College was duly observed yesterday.
. .A splendid specimen, weighing upwards of sixty pounds,
had been prepared by the College manciple. 1893 Fowi.kk
Hist. C. C. C. (O.H.S.) 458 note, The offices of First Cook
and Manciple were now [1868) combined. 1897 D. Mac-
leank Pcmbr. Cell. iii. (O.H.S.) 32 He [the principal] did
not cater for the aularians. This was done by an upper
servant or manciple, * wise in buying of vitaille ', who was
sometimes a scholar.
trans/'. 1744 M. Uishop Life $ Adv. 169 Finding that the
Barrack I was to be in had four Beds, we.. took it by turns
to officiate as Manciple.
•r2. A bondslave, Servant. | - L. mancipium.}
1387 Tkevisa///a,</i-«i Rolls) VI I. 277 And anon he was made
|>e enemyes maunciple [7,. ille mancipium hostis effecius\.
< 1440 Hylton Seal* Perf. (YV. de W. 14^41 it. vi, The same
falleth to a Jewe or to a sarracyne the whyche or they ben
ei ystened ame nought but mancyplc-s of belle. 1537 Cuom-
\\Kt.L in Meniman Life -V Lett. (1902J II. 89 Euery man
well perceyuethe the difference betwyxt a franke, a holy, a
godly, a generall cownsaill, and an assemblie of ambicious
manciples, of men sworne lo pope's lu^tes and gaynes.
1563-87 Foxk A. \ J/. (1596) 294/2 For is not the king or
England our [se. the pope's] vassal! ? and to saie more, our
manciple or page. [1611 Floiuo, Mancipio, a manciple,
a bondman, a thrall, a vassal).]
Hence Ma-nciplesliip, the office of a manciple.
1642 />'. N. C. Muniments 28. 135 To perform his manciple ■
ship faithfully.
Mancipular (rmcnsi'pi//liuv , a. rare—*. [Badlyf.
Manciple + -ah, after pianipular.'] Of a manciple.
1846 Lanook tmag. Conv., Crotwwell $ Sir O. Crounvcll
Wks. 1853 II. 230/1 Ye should leave unto them, in full pro-
priety, the mancipular office of discharging the account.
Manck, variant of Mank Obs.
ManCO (maj'rjk^). Se. Also 8-9 mankie, 8
raaunkie,9 maiik(e)y. [Shortened form of Cala-
manco.] - Calamanco. In quots. allrib.
«I779(D. Gkaham] Hist. Buck- Haven 5 [Shejmade coarse
claiths, and callicoe mancoes [ed. 17S2 mutches]. 1790
J. Johnson's Scots Musical Mus. if I. 223 The lasses..
With mankie facings on their gown. _ 1824 Mactagcakt
Gallovid.Encycl., Mankie, an ancient kind of worsted stuff,
much glazed, worn by females. i8z8 Moik Mansie Wauch
.\x. 297 Kelow which was a checked short gown of gingham
stripe, and a green glazed manco petticoat. 1864 A. Leigh-
ton .Ityst.lJg. Edinb. I.1SS6) 261 [She] dressed herself in her
mankey gown and red plaid.
Maneorn, var. Mang-corn Obs, cxc. dial.
Mancoustan, obs. form of Mangusteen.
t MancOWC. Obs.~° A baboon. (The foim
is curiously suggestive of monkey, which, however,
has not been found before the 16th c.)
14.. Nom. in Wr.-Wulcker 700/25 Hie sinozephalus, a
mancowe.
MailCUS (marrjk#s). Obs. cxc. Hist. Forms:
1 raancus, ;-(j raancus. PL 1 mancses, mane-
sas, mancusas, mancos, 2 maiike, 7'^ nian-
cuses, 7-9 mancusses. [OK. mancus masc, ■
OS. mancus (glossing bazanticum, aureus), OHG.
*mane/ius, ace. pi. manchussa (glossing solidosy
aureos,philippos). The med.L. form mancu(s)sus
occurs frequently in documents belonging to Ger-
many, France, Italy, and Spain, and in one ex-
ample in Du Cange it means some kind of ornament
worn by a woman.] An Old English money of
account of the value of thirty pence.
The statement sometimes made that mancus was also used
to denote a unit of weight is based on misinterpretation of
certain passages in which the word occurs.
8iz in Haddan & Stubbs Councils III. 57° l>ro eJus lar£a
-MANCY.
pecuniarum remuneratione hoc est centum et viginti VI.
inancosas. c iooo £lpR!C Cram, xlviii. [Z.) 296 Fif pene$as
^emacia'd a?nne scylling and |>rit t i?; petwga Eenne mancus.
c 1000 — Saints' Lives xxxiii. 132 Heo..nam mid hire fifti?;
mancsas. a 1100 \ViltefWulfgat\n Birch Cart. Sax. (1893*
III. 653, XX. mancses guides, a 1200 Moral Ode 70 And be
5e mare ne mai don do hit mid his gode bonke Alse wel se
be he haueS golde fele manke. 1614 Camden Rem. (ed. 2)
200 Thirty of these pence.. made a Mancus, which some
think to be all one with a Marke. ..They reckoned these
Mancuse,or Mancus both in golde and siluer. 1655 Fuller
Ch. Hist. 11. iv. § 1 He sent his Holinesse 120 Mancusesfor a
Present. 1761 Hume Hist. Eng. I. ii. 41 He made a per-
petual grant of three hundred mancuses a year to that see.
i8ig Scott Ivanhoe xv, ' These dog- Jews ! ' said he.. .' They
might have flung me a mancus or two'. 1848 Lytton
Harold 1. iii, What in mancusses and pence Clapa lacked
of the price. i85o Hook Lives Alps. (1S69) I. v. 241 When
a person of high rank was buried.. a mancus of gold.. was
paid. 1875 Jevons Money \X\\. 71. 1887 C. F. Keary Coins,
Ags. Ser. Introd. 34 The Mancus (pi. Mancusas) or Man-
cos... \\. was a coin of denomination in use upon the Con-
tinent quite as much as in England, and may have been
imported into this country from abroad. 1899 Gruebkr
Handbk. Coins Introd. 9.
-mancy, a terminal element, repr. OF. -mancie,
late L. -mantia, Gr. ftavrtia divination, f. fiavrtv-
€00ai to prophesy, f. fidvrts prophet, diviner. Some
of the words with this ending go back to com-
pounds recorded in classical or post-classical Greek,
as chiromancy, necromancy ', omithomancy, pyro-
mancy ; others appear in late or med.Lat,, and re-
present regularly formed compounds which prob.
existed in late Gr., or were formed by persons
familiar with that language, as geomancy, hydro-
mancy ; others have been formed after the revival
of Greek learning on assumed Gr. types, as crys-
lallomancy, lithomancy. No hybrid compound of
-mancy seems to have been admitted into general
Eng. use: for some suggested formations of this type
see quot. 1709- The related adjs. end in -mantjc.
(1420 Lydg. Assembly of Gods 869 Adryomancy, tEno-
mancy, with Pyromancy, Fysenancy also, and Pawraestry,
1709 J. Stevens tr. Quevcdds Com. Wks. (ed. 2) 374 There
are lines in the Neck, the Forehead, the Lips, the Hams,
the Elbows, and the bottom of the liuttocks..and therefore
..as there is Chiromancy, there ought to be Frontimancy,
Collimancy, Pedimancy, Natimancy,
tMand, sbA Obs. rare"1. [?a. OF. mand,
mant, vbl. noun f. mandcr: see Mand v.~\ A
question .
14.. Ipotis (MS. Ashm. 61, If. 87), The einperour..Askyd
a mand of \>e chyld Why [etc.].
Mand (msend), so.2 [a. Hindi mandua. Cf.
Man-grass.] An Indian grass of thegen us Eleusine.
1862 Chambers s Encycl. IV. 6/2 Eleusine corocana, an
Indian species, called Natchnee and Nagla Ragee, also
Mand and Murwa.
tMand, v. Obs. fa. OF. manden—L. man-
dated] trans, a. To send forth, b. To send for.
C. To command.
a 1310 in Wright Lyric P. 44 The mone mandeth hire
lybt. 1483 Caxton Calo C iv b, He maunded and sente for
hyr pa rentes, c 1500 Melusine 18 [Thanne the Erie Emery]
manded & desyred a moth fayre company. Ibid. 73 Alayn
manded or sunt fov a grete foyson of hys frendes. 1589
Wakner Alb. Eng. VI, xxx. (1612) 147 Aske whatso else I
hauc to giue, thous maunde it for a kis.
Mand: see Maund.
Mandsean (rnarnd/,an),a. and sd. Also Man-
dean, Mendsean. [f. Mandaean Aramaic N^tnao
mandayyd (a rendering of Gr. yvwartKot Gnostics :
f. ni:no manddknowledge, - late Heb.jno maddac,
i.yadae to know) + -an.] A. adj. The designation
of a Gnostic sect still surviving in Mesopotamia,
and of the Aramaic dialect to which their sacred
books are written. B. sb. a. A member of the
Mand asaa sect. b. The Mandxan language.
1875 Light foot Comm, Col. 165 note. These Mandeans
are a rapidly diminishing sect living in the region about the
Tigris. 1883 K. Kesslkr in Encycl. Brit. XV. 467/2 Man-
damns, also known as Sabians, Nasora:ans, or St. John's
Christians, an Oriental .sect of great antiquity. Ibid. 468/1
note, Mandsean MSS. occur in the ttiitish Museum [etc.].
Ibtd. 468/2 Primal Life, who is properly speaking the Man-
dsean god. 1886 Ibid. XXI. 649/1 There is a close re-
semblance between Mandsean and the language of the Baby-
lonian Talmud. 1900 Daily News 15 Aug. 6/2 A large
number of Hebrew and Mandsean vases., were discovered.
Mandaite (marnd^ait), sb. and a. Also
Mendaite. [See prec. and -itk.] — Mandjkax.
1881 SAYCE in Encycl. Brit. XIII. 117/1 The Mendaite
inscription of twenty lines discovered in a tomb at Abu-
Shadr in south Babylonia. 1900 Pilot 23 June 515/2 Magic
bowls with inscriptions in Syriac, Chaldsean, and Mandaite.
t Mandanient. Obs. rare- \ [ad. L. man-
dament-um, f. mandd-rc to command: cf. Mand-
MENT.] Injunction, command.
1834 Sir H. TAYLOR Artevelde 1. in. in, But Virtue!
where is that indissolute chain Which to thy anchor'd nian-
daments eterne The floating soul shall grapple !
II Mandamus (mxnd^-imvs), sb. Law. [L.
= 'we command', 1st pers. pi. pres. ind. of man-
dare to command.] A term ' originally applied
gcnerically to a number of ancient writs, letters
missive, or mandates, issued by the sovereign,
directing the performance of certain acts*, but
110
afterwards restricted to the judicial writ (called
'the high prerogative writ of mandamus') issued
in the King's name from the Court of King's
Bench (now, from the Crown side of the King's
Bench Division of the High Court of Justice) and
directed to an inferior court, a corporation, an
officer, etc., commanding some specified thing to
be done. ' Its general object is to enforce the
performance of some public duty in respect of
which there is no other specific legal remedy1
(G. II. B. Kenrick in Encycl. Laws Eng. s.v.).
[1378 Polls 0/ 'Par It. III. 51/2, Par force d'un mandamus a
lui directe] 1535 tr. Natnra Brevium (1544) 171 b, There
is fyue inaners of enqueres ordeined after the death of the
kynges tenaunte.. .The fyft is Mandamus, and that is after
the yere. 1588 Udall Diotrcphes (Arb.)z7 Let no Colledge
chuse his owne head, but let him haue a Mandamus, pro-
cured from the Queene. 1611 Coicm., Maudat, A Mandate,
or Mandamus for the preferment of one to a Benefice. 1641
Termes de la Ley 199 Mandamus is a Writ that goes to the
Escheator for the finding of an office after the death of one
that died the Kings Tenant. 1664 J. Worthington Mede's
' Wks. Life (1672) 37 The Colledge had privy notice of a
, Stranger who had got a Mandamus for a Fellowship, either
\ Fallen or Falling. 1672 Manley Coivcll's Interpr.. Manda-
mus is also a Charge to the Sheriff", to take into the Kings
I hands all the Lands and Tenements of the Kings Widow,
i that against her Oath formerly given, marryeth without the
i Kings consent. 1736 F. Drake Eboracum 185 The royal
authority has frequently interposed, and constituted a mayor
I by a mandamus. 1865 Morn. Star 3 Feb., You may find it
j necessary to apply to the Court of Queen's Bench for a man-
damus against me. 1857 Longf. New Eng. Trag., Endi-
j cott iv. ii, Here is the King's Mandamus, taking from us..
I all power to punish Quakers.
fig' x775 Sheridan St, Pair. Day 11. iv, Death's a debt ;
, his mandamus binds all alike.
fb. attrib. = Appointed by a mandamus.
1687 IjUttukll Brief Pel. (1857) I. 421 The new mandamus
! fellowes [of Magdalen]. 1776 J. Adams in Earn. Lett. (1876)
\ 216 A Mandamus Counsellor of New Jersey. 1876 Ban-
[ croft Hist. U.S. IV. iv. 339 Councillors, called mandamus
, councillors from their appointment by the crown.
Hence Mandamus v* trans., to serve with a
mandamus.
1823 New Monthly Mag. VIII. 496 If I do not ferk you
out of all likelihood of ringing the beauty, why mandamus
me ! 1886 Daily Tel. 30 Mar. 5/3 Without waiting to be
' mandarin used ' the Vestry sent to the dust Contractor.
Maildant (marndant), a. and sb. Also 7 -ent.
[ad. L. mandant -em, pres. pple. of mandare to
command, to send forth : see Mandate.]
t A. adj. Phys. Of an organ (chiefly in member
mandant = mod.L. membrum jnandans) : That is
the source of impulse ; often said of the brain. Obs.
1543 Trahfron Vigo's Chirnrg. II. xvii 63 b, The fourth
intentyon which is to comforte the membre mandant [L.
membrum mandaus) that is to say, from which the mattier
commeth by deriuation. 1544 Phaer Begim. Life (1553)
I v b, They are all deriued from the member mandant, that
is to saye, the brayne. 1650 Bulwek Anthropontct. (1653J
190 There are many that drink without the moving of
Transghuition ; but that which they drink descends as if it
were poured into a tankard. In this case they need no
mandent member. 1670 Mavnwaring Physician's PePos.
32 Neither the nutritive juyces are. .conveighed, nor ex-
crementitious parts separated.. but . .regurgitate upon the
mandant viscera. 1684 tr. Bouefs Merc. Compit. xv. 528
Care must be taken of the Head as the part Mandant.
B. sb. Law. =Mandatok.
1681 Visct. Staib Instit. 1. xii. (1693) 108 A Desire, War-
rand, or Order, upon the part of the Mandant to the Man-
datar. a 1768 Erskind Instit. in. iii. § 31 (1773) II. 457
Mandate, . .where it signifies a mutual contract, includes
not only the act of the mandant who employs, but the ac-
ceptance of the mandatary. 1818 Coleurookf. Obligations
120 If. .a mandate be given for the benefit of the mandant
himself or of a third party. 1842 M'Glasman SheriffCrls.
Scotl. § 589. 154 A mandant may revoke his mandate at
pleasure. 1875 Poste Gains in. Comm. (ed. 2) 430 Another
case in which a guarantor and guarantee stand In the rela-
tion of mandant and mandatary is delegaiio.
|| Mandarah (miv'ndara). [Arabic ija^
mandarah, lit. * place for seeing ', f. nadara to see.]
In the East, a * parlour' for receiving visitors.
1865 J. H. Ingkaham Pillar of Eire (187.2) 206 An open
court, 011 the right side of which was the mandara for visi-
tor>. 1893 Star 4 Feb. 1/6 A Turkish mandarah or re-
ception room.
Mandarin1 (marndarin). Also 6 maudeline,
mandorijn, 7 mandarim, 7-8 mandorin, 7-9
mandarine, 8 mandareen. [a. Pg, mandarim,
a. Malay ntantri, a. Hindi manlrii—Skr. manlrin
counsellor, f. mantra counsel, f. root man to think.]
1. A generic name for all grades of Chinese
officials ; there are nine ranks, each of which is
distinguished by a particular kind of 'button'.
(The Chinese name is Awan.) f Formerly ex-
tended to other Asiatic officials.
1589 PARKS tr. Mendoza's Hist. China 11. 11. iii. 252 The
Mandelines of the sea, which be certaine bulges appointed
to giue aduice of all BOcb matters to the gouernor. 1598 \V.
Phillu's Linschotcn 1. xxiii. 39 Such are they that serue in
euery Towne, and hauc the gouernmciit of the same.. .They
are called Loitias, and Maudorijus. 1604 E. G[kimsioni;]
ITAcosta's Hist. Indies v. xvt* 370 The Mandarins or
ministers of Iustice (in China], 1685 Ckowne Sir C. Nice
in. Dram. Wks. 1874 III. 304 He will needs be attended
like an Indian mandarine or lord. 1713 Pope Let. to Gay
23 Aug., In China ; where it is ordinary for a Mandarine to
MANDARIN.
fan himself cool after a debate. 1727 A. Hamilton New
Ace. E. Ind. II. 43 Every Province or City [ Burma) has a
Mandereen or Deputy residing at Court. 1813 Examiner
22 Mar. 187/2 A Mandarine of the first class, i860 All
Year Pound No. 71. 504 The inferior 'one button' man-
darins.
b. A toy representing a grotesque seated figure
in Chinese costume, so contrived as to continue
nodding for a long time after it is shaken.
1839 E. D. Clarke 'Prav. Russia etc. 13/1 It reminds one
of those Chinese mandarin images seen upon the chimney-
pieces of old houses, which, when set a-going, continue
nodding.
2. The language spoken in China by officials and
educated people generally.
[1604: see mandarin tongue in 4.] 1727-41 Chambers
Cycl. s.v., Their publick officers, as notaries, lawyers,
judges, and chief magistrates, write and speak the Man-
darin. 1731 Lai lev vol. II, JIandariu, the language spoken
by the Mandarins and in the court of China.
3. Short for mandarin porcelain.
1873 Mrs. Palliser tr. Jacquemart's Ceram.Art 96 The
Red Mandarin of the third section.. The shagreened and
gauffered Mandarins.
4. attrib., as (sense 1) mandarin boat, dignity,
governor, promotion, sepulchre; (sense 2) mandarin
Chinese, dialect, glossary, language, tongue;
T mandarin broth (see quot.) ; mandarin cap,
a child's cap resembling that worn by a mandarin;
mandarin cat, ? a kind of Angora cat ; mandarin
duck, a duck of bright and variegated plumage,
Aix galericulata, native to China ; mandarin hat,
one shaped like that worn by mandarins ; man-
darin jar, a jar of mandarin porcelain ; mandarin
porcelain, Japanese porcelain decorated with
figures of mandarins ; mandarin sleeve, a wide
loose sleeve copied from the sleeves of the dress of
mandarins (Cent. Diet. 1890); mandarin vase,
a vase of mandarin porcelain.
1749 Anson's Voy. in. vii. 369 Two *Mandarine boats
came on board from Macao. 1863 Rkade Hard Cask I. vii.
197 A gorgeous mandarin boat.. rowed with forty paddles
by an armed crew. 1794 Barham Hortns Aiuer. 123 Sir
H. Sloane saith, that Mr. James Cunningham wrote to liim
from China,, .informing him that the bean, or *mandarin
broth, so frequently mentioned in the Dutch Embassy.,
is only an emulsion made of the seeds of sesamum and hot
water. i860 Thackeray Pound. Papers (1863) 106,
De Jnvcntute, Children with. .*mandann caps. 1752 H.
Wali'OLE Lett. (1846) II. 425 *Mandarin cats fishing for
gold fish. 1895 C S. Horne Story of L.M.S. 124 Certain
Roman Catholic Chinamen are found willing to impart to
him as much of the *Mandarm Chinese as they can. 1848
S. W. Williams Middle Kingdom I. x. 489 The court
language, the kivan kwa, or *mandarin dialect. 1813
Examiner 26 Apr. 266/2 We think the Chammish Majesty,
and the *Mandarin dignity were.. libelled. 1797 Encycl.
Brit. (ed. 3) I. 664/1 (Anas), The galericulata, or Chinese
teal of Edwards, has a hanging crest [etc.). . .The English in
China give it the name of *mandarin duck. 1861 Jane R.
Eukins Chinese Scenes (186^) 207 A *Mandarin Glossary.
1749 Ausoti's Voy. in. vii. 365 The *Mandariie Governor of
Janson. 1882 Harpers Mag. III. 331 On the May gala
day [of the Fish House at Schuylkill] the two *mandarm hats
j . .aredecorated with (lowers. 1873 Mks. Palliser tr. Jacque-
; mart's Ceram. Art 97 *Mandarin jar. i860 Jane R.
Edkins Chinese Scenes (1863) 165 My husband's knowledge
j of their language (the "Mandarin). 1873 Mrs. Palliser
tr. JacquemarCs Ceram. Art 95 The "Mandarin porce-
lain. 1874 R. Tvkwiiitt Sketch Club 6 Earnest expectation
i of firsts, fellowships, and ^mandarin promotion. 1665 Sir
[ T. Hekbkrt Prav. (1677) 375 Paquin..in which are. .24000
*Mandarin [1638 MandannsJ Sepulchers. 1604 E. G[rim-
l stone] ITAcosta's Hist. Indies vi. v. 441 They call it the
i "Mandarin tongue, which requires a mans age to be con-
j ceived. 1727-41 Cham hers Cj'tV. s.v., The Mandarin tongue,
or the language of the court. 1894 'Dimes 22 Feb. 6/1 Four
*mandarin vases and covers.
Hence Ma'ndarindom, mandarins collectively.
Mandariness, a mandarin's wife. Mandari'nic
a., pertaining to a mandarin (Webster 1864).
Ma'ndarinism, the mandarin system, government
by mandarins. Ma'ndarinize v. trans., to make
a mandarin of. Ma ndarinship, the position,
1 oflice, or rank of a mandarin,
1897 Blaclnv. Mag. Dec. 837/1 The most decisive battle
! ever waged between British officials and *Mandarindom.
1809 Laics Lett. ix. to Manning 87 How do you like the
*Mandarinesses? 1853 Lieuek Civ. Liberty vii. 60 The whole
Chinese code .. under a systematic *mandarinism, is per-
I vaded by the principle of ^etc.]. 1891 Critic (U. S.) 5 Sept.
115/1 Is China always tc be the land of.. girl infanticide and
sceptical mandarinism? 1879 Baring-Gould Germany I.
35 In theCelestial Empire, the exaltation of a man to be
a mandarin- *niandarinises — excuse the expression — all his
forefathers. 1712 Perquisite Monger 20 He advane'd him
to a *mandarinship of the first Rank. 1802 Bkntham Mem.
<V Corr. Wks. 1843 X. 384 The appointment to a man-
darinslup. 1898 Spectator^ Apr. 502/2 Mandarinship is not
hereditary.
Mandarin ■', mandarine (marndarin, -in).
[_K. mandarine (1878 in Diet. Acad.): perh. f.
Mandarin ', the colour of the fruit being compared
to that of the yellow silk robes of Chinese officials.]
1. A small flattened deep-coloured orange, with
sweet-flavoured pulp and thin easily-separable
rind. Also mandarin orange.
1816-20 T. Grken Univ. Herbal I. 316/2 They [Chinese]
have also the four-season or everlasting orange . . ; the large
clove or mandarine ; and the small clove or mandarine.
MANDARINATE.
j834 G. Bennett Wand. New South Wales, etc. II. 72 The
Citrus nobilis or Mandarin orange. 1886 New Zealand
Herald % Nov. 12/4 Oranges,, .lemons,., mandarins. 1892
Daily News 16 Dec. 5/6 She accepted the gift of two man-
darines from a peasant woman.
attrib. 189a Daily News 27 May 5/6 The orchards are
full of orange and mandarine blossom. 1895 Workman
Algerian Mem. 46 Orange, mandarin, and lemon groves.
2. A colour (obtained from coal-tar) resembling
that of the mandarin orange. Also mandarin-
orange , -yellow.
1883 CassclVs Font. Mag. Nov. 755/1 There are three
new dominant colours — Mandarin, a rich yellow like the
rind of a Mandarin orange. 1890 Thorpe Diet. Applied
Chan. I. 239 Methyl Orange; Hclianthin ; Orange III ;
Gold Orange; Mandarin Orange. 1898 Daily News 4 Aug.
6/4Teagown . . made of grass-lawn over mandarin yellow silk.
3. A liqueur.
1882 Encycl. Brit. XIV. 687/1 Noyeau,..trappistine..
bene'dictine .. peppermint liqueur, .. mandarine, par fait
amour [etc.]. 1903 Smart Set IX. 68/2 [He] ordered some
mandarin liqueur, which Ferdinand presently produced in
a flask of gold.
Mandarin, obs. variant of Mandolin.
Mandarin ate (mse*nd£rin<*t). [f. Mandarin
+ -ate1.] a. The position or office of a man-
darin, b. The body of mandarins ; mandarins
collectively, c. Government by mandarins.
1727-41 CHAMBERS Cycl. s.v. Mandarin, The Mandarinate
is not hereditary, nor are any raised to it hut men of letters.
1800 Asiat. Ann. Reg., Chron. 120/2 The sale of the
niandarinates and public employs of the empire. 1889
Times 27 Sept. 13/4 The civil office controls the members
of the mandarinate both as regards pay and promotion.
d. trans/,
1884 J. Rae Contemp. Socialism 383 With the socialist
mandarinate, the interest lies the other way, and the
tendency of the head officials would be to multiply their
subordinates.
Ma'ndarining, vbl. sb. [f. Mandakin2 +
-ing !.] The process of giving an orange colour
to silk or wool by the action of nitric acid.
1852-4 Cycl. Use/. Arts (ed. Tomlinson 1866) I. 531/2.
Mandat, obs. form of Mandate.
t Mandatar. Sc. Obs. [ad. F. mandataire
Mandatary.] =next.
1681 Visct. Stair Instil. 1. xii. (1693) 108 The manage-
ment of the Mandant given to the Trust of the Mandatar.
Ibid. 109 The singular and personal fitness of the Mandatar
is chosen by the Mandator, and so cannot without his
consent be altered.
Mandatary (mse*ndat&ri). [ad. L. mandat ari-
as, f. mandatum Mandate : see -akv.]
1 1. One who is appointed to a benefice by a papal
mandate. Obs.
1611 Cotgr., Mandataire, a Mandatarie ; one that comes
to a Benefice by a Mandamus. 1726 Avliffr Parergon
117 A Mandatary, to whom the Pope has.. given a Man-
date for a Benefice.
2. One to whom a mandate is given. Chiefly
in Law : see Mandate 3.
1656 in Blount Glossogr. 1754 Erskine Princ. Sc. Law
(1809) 315 The mandatary is at liberty not to accept of
the mandate, a 1768 — Instil, ill. hi. § 34 (1773) II. 458
Where a number of mandataries are named by a proprietor
for the management of the same affair. 1793 Helen M.
Williams France I. App. ii. 266 (Jod.) When the majesty
of the people is violated by attempts committed against its
mandataries. 1826 Kent Comm. (1873) II. xl. 571 If the
mandatary undertakes to carry the article from one place to
another. 1848 Sh and Pract. Crt. Sess. I. 154 It never seems
to have been disputed that a foreigner not in the country is
bound to have a mandatary. 1861 Sat, Rev. 30 Mar. 307/2
For the consideration of a hundred pounds a year, . . the
Ionian legislator views himself as the mandatary of the
nation.
Mandate (ma^nd^t), sb. Also 6 mandet,
6-8 mandat. [ad. L. ?nandat-um, neut. pa. pple.
of mandd-re to command, enjoin, commit. Cf. F.
mandat.]
L gen. A command, order, injunction. Now
poet, and rhetorical.
1576 Fleming tr. Cains' Dogs 12 The theeuishe Dogge,
..at the mandate and bydding of his master fieereth and
leereth abroade in the night. 1604 Shaks. Ot/t. iv. i. 270 Sir
I obey the Mandate, And will returne to Venice. 1623 Bacon
Ess., Sed/'t. $ Troub. (Arb.) 395 Cauilling vpon Mandates
and Directions, is a kinde of shaking off the yoake. 1681
Drydf.n Abs. § Ac/tit. ir. 917 The royal mandate issues
forth, Dashing at once their treason, zeal, and mirth. 1760
Johnson Idler No. 99 P 7 He speaks, and his mandate is
obeyed. 1797 Mrs. Radcliffe Italian vi, She immediately
obeyed the mandate of the abbess. 1814 Scott Ld. of Isles
IV. xxx, Some friend shall bear Our mandate with despatch
and care. 1843 Carlvle Past <V Pr. iv. iv, The mandate
of God to His creature man is : Work ! 1859 Mill Liberty
i. (1865) 3/1 Society can and does execute its own mandates.
1887 Bowen Virg. sEneid iv. 237 Let him to sea ; my man-
date is this ; be the messenger thou.
2. spec. A judicial or legal command from a .
superior to an inferior ; in early English law, ]
a command of the king and his justices addressed ]
to a court to control a suit ; in U.S. Law, ' the 1
document promulgated upon the decision of an '
appeal or writ of error, as by the Supreme Court of
the United States, directing what shall be done in I
the court below' (Cent. Diet.).
1552 Forme 0/ Makyng Bishoppes, etc. B 4, Then shall ,
the Archbishop demaund the king's mandate for the conse- 1
cration, and cause it to be read. 1588-9 Act 31 Eliz. c. 9 j
ill
§ 1 Everye suche Bisshopp or Chauncelor.. shall by his or
their Mandat directed to the Sherieff of the saide Countie
Palantyne, cause Proclamacion to be made of the sanies
Writtes. 1507 Sir K. Cecil in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. 1. III.
44 She [Q. Elizabeth] therfor tooke upon her, by mandat,
to prohibite him and his Count rets. a 1623 Swinburne
S/cusals (1686) 172 A general Mandate to contract Marriage
is not sufficient, unless his Ratification, which made the
Mandate, do follow. 1656 Blount Glossogr., Mandate. .In
our Common Law it is a commandeinent judicial of the
King or his Justices to have any thing done for the dispatch
of Justice. 1669 J. Chamiierlayne t'res. St, Eng. 11, 40
Next goes forth a Mandate from the Archbishop to the
Archdeacon of his Province, to instal the Bishop elected,
confirmed and consecrated. 1798 Fekriar Illustr. Sterne
v. 153 All that was now wanting, was a mandate from the
Elector, to authorize the completion of the marriage. 1845
S. Austin Ranke's Hist. Kef. II. 129 [He] obtained.. a
mandate wherein the princes were required to restore all
his castles to him. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. vi. 11. 126
A similar change had recently been effected in England by
judicial sentences : but in Scotland a simple mandate of
the prince was thought sufficient. 1871 DiXON 'lower III.
xi. 109 He was recalled, .by a royal mandate to his place
in the House of Lords. 1887 T. Roosevelt 'P. II. Denton
v. 113 Towards the close of Adams's term, Georgia had bid
defiance to the mandates of the Supreme Court.
b. A papal rescript, csp. with reference to prefer-
ment to a benefice (see quot. 1727-41).
1611 COTGR., Mandat, A Mandate, or Mandamus for the
preferment of one to a IJenelice. 1727-41 Chambers Cycl.%
Mandate, Mandatum, in the canon law, denotes a rescript
of the pope, by which he commands some ordinary, collator,
or presenter, to put the person there nominated in possession
of the first benefice vacant in his collation. 1790 BuRKR
Ft. Rev. Wks. V. 71 Mandates for deposing Sovereigns were
sealed with the Signet of ' the Fisherman '. 1848 Wharton
Law Lex. 1871 Miss Yonge Cameos II. xxi. 235 A man-
date came from Pope Innocent fur the King's excommuni-
cation,
c. A command from the sovereign to elect a
fellow of a college or to confer a degree. Hist.
1617 Moryson I tin. 1. 1, I., was chosen Fellow of the said
College by Cnieene Elizabeths Mandat. .71628 T. Grevil
Sidney (1652) 223 Her [Q. KHz.] Universities were troubled
with few Mandates. 1665 J. Buck in Peacock Stat,
Cambridge (.1841) App. li. p. Ixxxvii, If any Mandates are
brought for Degrees in the Vacation time, then this or the
like Grace is propounded to the Caput Senatus. 1761 J.
Bennet Ascham's Eng. Wks. Life 15 The young man was
made by the Queen's mandate fellow of a college in Cam-
bridge,
d. Roman Hist. An imperial command sent to
the governor of a province.
1883 S. Amos Rom. Civ. Law 83 Mandates, or instructions
to public officials, usually the emperor's ' Legates '. Ibid.,
Most of the mandates of which a record is preserved relate
to criminal law or police matters.
+ e. A pastoral letter. [=F. mandement.'] Obs.
1763 Ann. Reg. 120 The archbishop of Paris .. lately
published a mandate, or pastoral letter, to the people of his
diocese. 1824 Watt Bib I. Brit. II. 767 /•, Pompignan,
John George le Franc. .Archbishop of Vienna. . Mandates
prohibiting the reading of the Works of Rousseau and the
Abbe Raynal.
3. a. Roman Laxv. A commission by which one
person (called the Mandator) requested another
(called the viandaiarhis : see Mandatary) to act
for him gratuitously, undertaking to indemnify him
against loss. Action 0/ mandate = L. actio man-
dat i, an action at law for the non-performance of
a contract.
1756 G. Harris tr. Justinian's Instil. lit. xxvii. § 1. 87 A
mandate is given solely for the benefit of the mandator,
when he requires the mandatary to transact his business, to
buy lands, or to become a surety for him. Ibid. § 13. 91 If
a man gives his cloaths to a fuller, that they may be
cleaned, or to a taylor, that they may be mended, and there
is no agreement or promise made, an action of mandate
will lie. 1870 Aimv & Walker tr. Cains in. civ. 222 A
mandate arises, whether we give a commission for our own
benefit or for another person's. 1883 S. Amos Rom. Civ. Law
236 By what has been called a qualified mandate {man-
datum qualijicatuvi) a person induced another to repose
credit in a -third person, and to that extent the principal
became a sort of surety.
b. Scots Law. * A contract by which one employs
another to act for him in the management of his
affairs, or in some particular department of them,
of which employment the person accepts, and agrees
to act' (W. Kell Diet. Law Scot. 1S61).
1681 Visct. Stair Instil. 1. xii. (1693) 108 The Terms in
which Mandats or Commissions are expressed. 1753
Stewart's Trial 165 And deposes, that he gave no allow-
ance or mandate to the pannel to make any application at
Edinburgh against the removing. 1842 M^Glashan Sheriff
Crts. Scot. § 575. 151 A mandate authorizing litigation or
diligence to be carried on in name of a party who is out of the
kingdom. 1870 Bell's Comment. Laiu Scot. (ed. 7) I. 516
The extent of a factor's authority and his powers are to be
gathered from the mandate under which he acts.
c. A contract of bailment by which the man-
datary undertakes to perform gratuitously some
service in respect of a thing committed to his keep-
ing by the mandator.
1781 Sir W. Jones Law Bailments 53 The great distinc-
tion then between a mandate and a deposit is, that the
former lies in fesance, and the latter simply in custody.
1883 Encycl. Brit. (ed. q) XV. 472 Mandate is retained by
Story and others to signify the contract more generally
known as gratuitous bailment.
4. Politics. [After F. mandat.'] The instruction
or commission as to policy supposed to be given
MANDATORY.
by the electors to a parliament or one of its mem-
bers. Also trans/.
1796 Morse Amer. Geog. II. 375 [France] The members of
the legislative body are not the representatives of the depart-
ment which has chosen them, but of the whole nation, and
no mandate instructions can be given them. 1880 McCarthy
Own Times IV. 554 It would almost seem as if the present
school of fiction is, to borrow a phrase from French politics,
exhausting its mandate. 1901 Daily News 27 Mar. 4/4
Strictly speaking,, .there is no such thing in England as
a mandate. Lord Salisbury was the first to introduce into
English politics that essentially Jacobinical phrase. 1902
Contemp. Rez\ Dec. 809 No practical politician can desire
to lay too much stress upon the mandate theory of a general
election.
5. attrib. =MaUKDY, in mandate bread, man-
dale money, Mandate 'L'hursday.
1546 Mem. Ripou (Surtees) III. 11 He payth' yerlie for
breade wyne and. waxe wl thexpeiiccz of Mandet Thursday
x li. 1657 Sparrow Rationale Bk\ ( om. Pr. 157 Hence it is
called Dies mandat i, Mandate or Maundy Thursday. 1797
Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) X. 6S7/1 Maundy Thursday, is the
Thursday in Passion week ; which was called Maundy or
Mandate Thursday. 1841 Hampson Med. .Evih'at. I. 185
The bread given to the poor on Maunday Thursday was
named mandate bread mandat i panes in the monasteries;
as the coin given was called maundate [sic] money.
Mandate (mjend^-t), v, [1. L. mandat-, ppl.
stem of mandare to enjoin, command.]
1. trans. To command. Obs. rare~°.
1623 Cockekam, Mandate, to command.
2. To commit (one's sermon) to memory. Sc.
1724 R. Wodrow Life J. Wodroiv (1828) 33 After I have
mandated my exercises. 1796 Simeon Gospel Message
Pref. 3 He [Abp. Seeker] then proceeds to express his dis-
approbation of what is called Mandating of Sermons, or
repeating them from memory. This custom prevails much
among foreign Divines, and throughout the whole Church of
Si otland. i860 j. Brown Let. jt. Cairns in Horse Subs.
(1865) 97 His sermons being laboriously prepared, loudly
mandated, .. and then delivered with the utmost vehemence
and rapidity. 1893 Crockett Stickit Minister (1894) 135
He rose and walked his study, 'mandating' his opening
sentences with appropriate gestures.
Mandatee*. rare. [f. Mandate sb. + -ee.]
= Mandatary.
1774 Hai.liiax Anal. Rom. Civ. Law 64 A Commission
might be constituted fur the Benefit, .of the Mandator and
Mandatee. Ibid. 86 A Proctor was 1. Extrajudicial, other-
wise called a Mandatee.
Maiida tion. [f. Mandate v.: see-ATio.v]
The aetion of committing (a sermon; to memory.
1867 J. Macfarlane Mem. T. Archer i. 15 Some of the
most acceptable ministers of the Gospel have been known
to regard ' mandation ' as a process of slow murder.
mandative MiKX"n<lativ\ a. [ad. late L. man-
dativ-us, f. mandare to command : see Mandate sb.
and -ative.] Pertaining to command ; occas. used
in Grammar to render L. modus mandatives, de-
noting the imperative use of the future.
1651 J. Rocket Chr. Subject x. § 3 (1658) 114 Though
servants have not a mandative power to lay their strict
injunctions upon their Masters. 1845 Stoodart Gram. \\\
Encycl. Metrop. (1847) I. 51/1 [Kinds of Mood] imperative,
mandative, conjunctive, subjunctive [etc.].
!l Mandator (msend^'t^j). Laxv. [I., agent-n.
f. mandare (see Mandate).] One who gives a
mandate {esp. in the legal senses'.
1681 Visct. Stair Instil, I. xii. 1169?) no As to the special
kinds of Mandats, they are either express, or tacit, to one
Mandatar,. .for the Mandators behove, or in the Name of
the Mandator. 1726 Avliffe Parergon 53 A Person is said
to be a Client to his Advocate, but a Master and a Man-
dator to his Proctor. 1752 Scots Mag. (1753) (^ct- 511/2
Himself the mandator and accomplice. 1793 J. Williams
Calm Exam., etc 49 Every legal Mandator, should be a
law expounder, not a law-maker. 1839 J. Story Law Bail-
vtents 142 The mandator, .contracts to reimburse the man-
datary for all expenses and charges reasonably incurred in
the execution of the trust. 1875 Poste Coins 111. Comm.
(ed. 2) 401 Solidary Intercession is exemplified by the Man-
dator in the contract called mandatum ipialifuatum.
Mandatory (mce'ndatari), a. and sb. [ad.
late L. mandatdrins, f. mandator: see prec.]
A. adj. Of the nature of, pertaining to, or con-
veying a command or mandate.
1576 Fleming Pampl. Fpist. Uivb, An epistle hortatorie,
accusatorie, . . mandatorie. a 1600 Hooker Feci. PoI.mu
iii. § 1 A superiority of power mandatory, judicial, and co-
ercive over other Ministers. 1611 Spked /list. Gt, Brit. ix.
xv. § 115. 801 Mandatory letters were sent by King Charles
into Picardy, to put all places that held for him in those
quarters into Henries possession, a 1680 Chaknock Attrib.
God (1834) I. 727 We behold, in the life of Christ, a con-
formity to the Mandatory part of the law. 1726 Ayliffe
Parergon 358 Of a Mandatory Writ, in Latin stiled a Man-
damns. Ibid., Several .Mandatory Writs have been granted.
1863 H. Cox Instil. 111. viii. 716 A mandatory writ was
issued to a serjeant-at-arms. 1900 Wvndham Sp. Ho.
Comm. 15 Feb., The proposals .. were enabling and not man-
datory.
b. Of actions : Obligatory in consequence of a
command. Const, upon.
1818 Jas. Mill Brit. India II. v. ix. 696 The regular com-
munication to the councils of all correspondence was ren-
dered mandatory upon the Governor-General. 1891 Boston
Daily Globe 24 Mar. 5/6 The bill makes it mandatory upon
the-judge to impose a fine of $500.
B. sb. One to whom a mandate is given ; =* Man-
datary.
1661 Fell in Hammond's Wks. (1674) '■ I-'fe i4.1'lne
Visitors] sending their mandatory with a Musquetier to
MANDATUM.
Dr. Hammond's lodging, commanded him to appear before
them. 1711 Hickes Two Treat. Chr. Priesth. [1847) ii. 17
A priest . .is an advocate, mediator, intercessor,, .vicegerent,
mandatory, interpellate. 1795 tr. Mercians Frapn. Pol..\
I list. I.4 ja The monarch wit lube mandatoriesof his Supreme,
tutelar and beneficent, authority. 1833 Auson Hist. Europe
(1849-50) II. vii. § 70. 182 If the people are violently alarmed,
is it the part of their mandatories to refuse to hear them ?
1842 M'Glasuan Sheriff CrU. Scot. § 582. 153 The man-
datory to be sisted must be a responsible person. i86z Act
25 & 26 Vict. c. 97 § 20 To nominate.. any person as the
mandatory of such . . proprietor, to attend, act, and vote at
any meeting. 1898 BOOLBY France I.I. ii. 141 Ecclesiastics
regard themselves sometimes as the mandatories of a foreign
potentate.
^{b. Used for Mandate, c. Something with
the function of commanding.
1839 Tames Lout's ATI', II. 340 A Mandatory., was issued
. .by Masaniello, requiring every citizen to take arms. 1865
Bush NELL Vicar. Sacr. in, iv. (1866) 249 In itself, what we
call law is impersonal, a cold mandatory of abstraction.
Mandatum (msend^'t^m), [L] —Man-
date sb.
1586 J. H00KF.R Hist. Irel. 87/1 in Holinshed II, Sud-
denlie commeth from the cardinal] a mandatum to execute
Kildare. 1587 Fleming Contn ■. It 'olinsked 'III. 1 306/1 Simon
Mepham, then archbishop of Canturburie, sent Ids man-
datum to this bishop, that he would visit his church. 1594
T. H. La Primaud. Fr. Acad. 11. 652 They obtain so many
letters of commaundement, so manie mandatums one in
anothers necke, that [etc.].
Mande, obs. form of Maundy.
Mandelic (msendedik), a. Chem. [f. G. man-
del almond + -ic] Mandelic acid (G. mandelsaure) :
an acid formed by the action of hydrochloric acid
upon amygdalin.
1844 Fownes Chem. 430. 1885 Remsen Org. Cheat. (1888) 292.
Mandell, variant of Mandill Obs.
Mandellion, variant of Mandilion.
I! Mandelstein (ma'ndaljuin). Geo/. Also
anglicized mandelstone. [G., f. mandel almond
+ stein stone.] = Amygdaloid sb.
1799 Kirwan Ceol. Ess. 202 Mandelstein (or Amygdaloid^.
1852 f h. Ross Humboldt's Trav. I. i. 35 The porous basalt
which passes into mandelstein.
Mandement, variant of Mandment Obs.
Manderelle, -il, obs. forms of Mandrel.
Mandet, obs. variant of Mandate.
[Mandevi(l :le, corruption (in Planche,Fairholt,
and recent Diets.) of Mantkyil Obs.']
I Mandglorye. Obs, rare. Also mond-.
[a. OF. mandegloire (cf. mod.F. main de gloire
Hand of glory), corruption of mandrcgort Man-
DRAGOBA.] Mandragora.
1483 Caxton Cato 3 b, An ensample of the pouldre of
mondglorye and how hit maketh to slepe. 1489 — Faytes
0/ A. 11. iv. 97 Certein herbe that is called mandglorye.
Mandible (marndib'l), sb. Now only Anat.
and Zool. Also 7 -uble, 7-8 -able. [ad. late L.
mandibular -itlitm, f. mandcre to masticate. Cf.
OF. mandible, mod.F. -mandibule.] A jaw or jaw-
bone ; esp. the lower jaw (in mammals and fishes).
1548-77 Yicary Anat. v. (1888) 41 The bones.. of the
Cheekes, be two:., of the vpper Mandibile, two. c 1560
Misogomts in. iii. 82 (Brand!) A neighbour* of yours Which
is payned in hir mandible with a wormetone toth. 1623
Cockeram, Manduble, tlie iaw-bone wherein the teeth be
set. 1674 Josselvn Voy. New Fug. 185 Rub the mandible
with it. c 1675 R. Cbomwell Let. in F.ng. Hist. Rev. (1898)
XIII. 93 The nose of the skull, with an upper mandable.
1707 Sloane Jamaica I. p. exxxii, The swelling, .being not
so much in the throat, as mandibles and cheeks. 1770 O.
White Setborue x.vvii. 76 With their upper mandible, which
is much longer than their lower, they [hedgehogs] bore
under the plant. 1854 Emerson Lett. <y Soc. Aims, Comic
YVks. (Bohn) III, 210 To put something for mastication
between the upper and lower mandibles. 187a Mivart
F.lem. Anat. 86 The lower jawbone, or Mandible, consists
of a curved osseous band.
b. In birds, (usually) either part, upper or lower,
of the beak ; but by some restricted to the lower
jaw (see quot. 1893).
1686 Plot Staffordsh. 234 The Mandibles [of a Raven]
crossing one another, like those of the.. Crossbill. 1766 Pen-
nant ZoolA 1768) II.477 A loose skin, .reaches from the upper
mandible round the eyes ("of the cormorant]. 1845 Darwin
Voy. Nat. vii. (1879) 137 The lower mandible, differently from
every other bird, is an inch and a half longer than the upper.
1865 LIVINGSTONE Zambesi iv. 100 Flocks of scissor-bills..
ploughing the water with their lower mandibles. 1893
NEWTON Diet. Birds 534 Mandible (Lat. Mandibula), the
lower jaw in Birds. Ibid. 539 Maxilla, a rather slender bone
. .forming part of the lateral margin of what is often called
the Upper Mandible.
C. In insects, either half of the upper or anterior
pair of jaws.
1826 Kirhy & Si\ Entomol. III. 429 The mandibles close
the mouth on each side under the labrum or upper-lip.
1859 Darwin Orig. Spec. W. (1873) 69 Male stag-beetles
sometimes bear wounds from the huge mandibles of other
males. 1874 Lubbock Wild Flowers i. 13 The mouth of an
insect is composed of an upper lip, an under Up, a pair of
anterior jaws or mandibles.
t Mandible (marndibM), a, Obs. rare. [ad.
L. *mandibil-ist f. mandere to chew : see -ible.]
Capable of being chewed or eaten.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Mandible, eatable, or that may be
eaten. 1671-80 R. Head Fug, Rogue 1. iv. (1680) 39 Their
Geese, Hens, Pigs, or any such mandible thing we met with.
112
II Mandibula (mrendi-bi/rla). Anat. and Zool.
[L.] = Mandible sb.
1704 Harris Lex. TecAn., Mandibula,. .the Jaw, is either
Upper or Lower. 1798 Aezelii s in Trans. Linn. Soc. IV.
255 The Maudibnlx are toothless and without sheaths.
1826 K.IRBV & Si-. F.tttomol. III. 417 Upper- and under-
jaws (mandibular and maxitlx). 1855 Gosse in Phil. 'Trans.
CXLVI. 447 The dental organs in Rot if era are true man-
dibular and maxillae.
Mandibular (msendrbiiiflaj), a. [f. Man-
dibula + -ah,] Belonging to, connected with, or
forming part of a mandible.
1654 Gayton Pleas. Notes in. vi. 103 The many parts,
joynts, sinews [etc.] . . guttural!, dental), mandibular, &c.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Mandibular Muscles, the
Muscles that belong to the Lower Jaw. 1816 Kirhy & Sr.
Entomol. 11818) II. 275 Besides their mandibular hooks,
some of these grubs supply the want of legs by means of
claws at their anus. 1875 Blake Zool. 2 In nearly all
mammals teeth exist in a single row on the. .mandibular
bones. 1891 Flower & Lydekker Introd. Mammals 171
The mandibular symphysis is ankylosed.
Mandibulary (maendi-bi^Uri), a. rare.
[Formed as prec. + -auv.] ■* prec.
1653 Urqlhart Rabelais 1. xxxviii, The mandibulary
sinew or nerve of the jaw. 1880 Gi'N iiikr Fishes 56^ Two
pairs of mandibulary barbels. 1887 — in Encyct. Brit. XXI I.
1S9/1 The mandibulary symphysis is not by suture but by an
elastic band.
Mandibulate (msendi'bii&l^t), a. and sb. Knt.
[ad. mod.L. mandibuldlus : see Mandibula and
-ATE2.]
A. adj.
1. Provided with mandibles : applied to a group
of insects (the Alandibulald) which have the organs
of the mouth adapted for mastication.
1826 Kikby & Sp. Entomol. III. 462 The maxillae of the
mandibulate hexapods. 1835 Kirhy Hob. A> Inst. Ani/n.
II. xx. 316 Metabolians. .are considered, .as constituting
two Sections which are denominated Haustellate and Man-
dibulate Insects. 1874 Luhuock Orig. fy Met. Ins. v. g2
The strongly mandibulate form which prevails among the
larvae of Coleoptera.
2. Of organs : Adapted for mastication.
1835 Kirijv /lab. k,- Inst. An/'///. II. xx. 316 The instrument
of suction in a Haustellate mouth consists of pieces, .analo-
gous to those employed in mastication in a Mandibulate one.
1838 Fenny Cycl. X. 494/2 He//ti/>tera.. wilh mandibulate
mouths.
B. sb. A mandibulate insect. In recent Diets.
So Mandi nutated a., in the same sense.
1836-9 Todd Cycl. Anat. II. 855/2 Fabricius. .divided
Insects into .. the Mandibulated. .and the Haustellated.
1864 Clia/zibers's Encycl.W .2ggMandibulala,mandihuU\icd
or masticating Inserts.
Maiidibuliform (m:endi'bi771iff>im), a. Ent.
[ad. mod.L, mandibuliformis, f. mandibula Man-
dible : see -form.] Shaped like a mandible.
1826 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. III. 127 They, .catch the prey
at which they aim by means of the maiidibuliform plates.
Ibid. IV. 310. 1856 in Mayne Expos. Lex.
Mandiblllo- (mrendrbitfu?), irreg. combining
form (see -o-) of L. mandibula Mandible, used
in compounds with the sense 'pertaining to the
mandible (and some other part)', as n/andibalo-
hyoid, -maxillary , -suspensorial adjs.
1870 Rolleston Anitn. Life 105 The mandtbulo-maxillary
apodema. 1875 Huxlky in Fncycl. Brit. I. 760/1 The
hyosuspensorial and mandibulo-suspensorial ligaments.
Mandibulous (mrcndi'bi//tos), a. rare. Knt.
j [f. Mandibula + -ouh.] Mandibular.
1835-6 Todd Cycl. Anat. I. 209/1 The mandibulous hook
I of spiders.
II Maildil (mayndil). Also 7 mendil. [Arabic
, JjJ^-o mindllf mandilt sash, turban-cloth, hand-
kerchief, ad. L. mantile (see Mantle sb.).] A
turban.
1662 J. Davies tr. Oleariusy Voy. Ambass. v. (1669) 214
The Nlendils and Mianbends, that is, the Turbant and
Girdle, of Gold Brocado. 1665 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (1677)
133 His Turbant or Mandil was of finest white silk inter-
woven with gold. 1731 Bailey vol. II, Mandil, a sort of
cap or turbant worn by the Persians.
Sffandilion (mxndi'li(Tn). Obs. exc. Hist. Also
6 mandilyon, rnaundi lion, 6-7 mandilian,
-illian, 7 -ellion, -ylian, (? madilion). [a. F.
mandillon (16th c), ad. It. mandiglione, augmen-
tative f. mandiglia : see Mandill.] A loose coat
or cassock, in later times sleeveless, formerly worn
by soldiers and men-servants as a kind of overcoat.
1577 Dee Relat. Spir. 1. (1650) 154 The men have things
on their shoulders of beasts' skins, as instead of a Jerkin or
a Mandillion. 1587 Fleming Contn. Holinshed III. 1287/2
Their vniuersall liuerie was a mandilion of purple taffata,
laid about with siluer lase. 1599 Dallam Trav. (Ilakl.
Soc.) 74 Their coats were like a soldier's mandilyon. 1610
Holland Camden's Frit. (1637) 249 He had a mandilian or
cassocke, garnished with the bishops armes. 1615G. Sandys
Trav. 230 In time of warre they (the Kniglits of Malta!
weare crimson mandilions-.over their armour. 1688 U.
Holme Armoury m. 18/2 He beareth Or, a Mandilion
Azure. 1696, 1706 Phillips, i860 [see Mantevil]. 1895
j. Brown Pilgrim Fathers x. 280 Hooks and eyes for
' maudilions', these being garments large and full of folds,
with which soldiers wrapped themselves against the cold.
t Mandill. Obs. Also 7 mandell, mandle.
[a. F. mandil (1516th c, now mandille), a. Sp.,
Pg. mandil (cf. Pr. mandil-s table-cloth), a. Arab.
MANDRAGON.
mandil\ see Mandil.] A loose coat or over-
coat.
1579 fnv. R. lVardr.(i$i$) 281 Ane pair of breikis of blew
velvott with ane mandill thairto brodent with gold. 1661
A. Haig Ace. in J. Russell llaigs (1881) 471 A suett o*
cloeths, with a mandell. 1662 Ibid. 472 Kor making a mandle
sute and furnertur.
Mandioeia: see Manioc.
t Mandition. Obs. rarem~t, [irreg. f. L. man-
dare to command + -ition.] An injunction.
1597 Pitgr. Pamass. Ill, 344 My uncle, .sent mee yester-
day a letter and this mandition ..'Studie not these vaine
arts of Khetorique, Poetrie and Philosophic'.
Mandle, obs. f. Mandill, Mantkl, Mantle.
Mandly, rare obs. form of Manly.
•(■ Mandment. Obs. Forms: 3-6 mande-
ment, raaundement, 4-5 mawndement, 4-6
mandment, 5-6 maundment. [a. OK. mande-
ment\— late L. manddmentum, f. mandare to com-
mand. The word is orig. trisyllabic (cf. Com-
mandment) ; the disyllabic forms are character-
istically northern.] A commandment, an order ;
that which is commanded. Also, the action ot
commanding, command, rule.
1297 R. Glolc. (Rolls) 401 1 pis was a prout mandement &
an heiuol dede. c 1357 Lay Folks Catech. 549 Who brekys
be fyrste maundement. Prowde men wordly men and
fleschly men. 1375 Barbour Bruce iv. 332 His men his
mandment has all done. ,1 1400 50 Alexander 4237 To pe
modi kynge of Messedone pis maundment I write, c 144a
Promp. Patz>. 330/2 Mawndement, mandatum, preteptn/u.
< 1460 Asiibv Active Policy 654 Kuery day he ware of that
extremite Not to be hasty in mandement. X467-8 Rolls
0/ Parlt. V. 583/1 All Ketornes of Writtes, Preceptes,
Maundements and Billes. 1539 Cromwkll Let. 16 Apr.,
in Merriman Life <y Lett. (1902) II. 211 Themperour hathe
not consented to the popes desires nor that his Mande-
mentes shuld be published. 1553 Douglas' /Ends x. Prol.
162 Forquhay thy mandmentis [151 3 mandat] kepis in accord,
Bene ane with the, not in substance bot grace. 1567 Reg.
Privy Council Scot. I. 567 Gevand..oure full plane power,
speciall mandment. .and charge, to compeir.
Mandola (msend^-la), mandora (msen-
doo'ra). Also 9 {rare) mandura. [a. It. mandola,
mandora. Cf. V. mandore, mandole, and see Ban-
dore, Pandora 2, Mandohe.] A larger variety
of the mandolin.
1758 J. Ci.ei'HAne in Earn. Rose Kilr. (Spald. Club) 461 If
you have once made some progress on the spinet, .the man-
dola will be an easy acquisition. 18*5 L. Hunt Bacchus
in Tuscany 850 Play to me too On the mandola. 1825
Fosbrooke Eucycl. Antio. I. 628 The Pandura was of the
lute kind, the Mandura a lesser lute. 1880 A. J. Hu-kins in
Grove Diet. Mux. II. 204 It Ithe mandoline] is. .less in size
than the Mandela or Mandura, a much scarcer instrument.
1895 Daily News 22 May 7/3 Three mandolas(or mandoras1,
eighteen guitars, .and a ba^'-s guitar.
Mandolin, -ine (roae*nd4iin)« Also 8 man-
darin ; and in It. form mandolino. [ad. F.
mandoline, ad. It. mandolino, dim. of mandola (see
prec.).] A musical instrument of the lute kind
having from four to six metal strings stretched upon
a deeply-rounded body.
1707 in Ashton Soc. Life Q. Anne (1882) II. 38 Stgnior
Conti will play, .on the Mandoline, an instrument not known
yet, 1758 J. Ci.ki'iiam in Earn. Rose Kilr. (Spald. Club) 461
The guitarre, or the mandolino, as it is called here by our
London ladies. 1766 Smollktt Trav. 122 An excellent per-
former on the lute and mandolin. 1783 Mmk. D'Arbi.ay
Diary 1 Jan., A solo air, accompanied by the mandoline,. .
has a mighty pretty effect. 1796 Pwcat Anonym. (1800) 104
When the instrument now coming into use is called a Man-
darin, we are led to think it to be something used by the
Chinese Lords or Mandarins; but the truer pronunciation
is Mandolin. 1856 Mrs. C. Clarke tr. Berlioz' Instrument.
70 The mandolinhas almost fallen into desuetude at present.
1863 Sala About Shrimpington 102 A mandolin all covered
with lacquer work.
Hence Mandoliniat.aperformcron the mandolin.
1888 Daily Neivs 14 May 3/3 A company of Neapolitan
mandolinists and singers.
Mandom (marndam). rare"1, [f. Man sb.1 +
-dom.] The realm of man.
1844 Mrs. Browning Drama 0/ Exile Poems 1850 I. 72
Without this rule of mandom, ye would perish— beast by
beast Devouring.
Mandora : see Mandola.
Mandore (mrciidoVj). [ad. F. mandore, ad.
It. mandora.] =* Mandola.
1823 Roscor Sismondts Lit. South Eur. (1846) I. v. 125
A Jongleur. .must ..play on the citole and mandore. 1898
Zancwill Dreamers Ghetto i. 26 Amulets in the shape of
miniature mandores or four-stringed lutes.
II Mandorla (miend^jla). Religious Art. [It.
■ * almond '.] An almond-shaped panel or decora-
tive space.
1883 C. C. Perkins Hal. Sculpture Introd. 20 Christ seated
within a mandorla. 1895 M. K. Jamus Abbey St. Edmund
at Buty 51 At top is Christ in a mandorla seated full-face
with a book.
Mandrag(e, -dragge, obs. forms of M a ndka k k.
t Mandragoii. Obs. [app. an altered form
of mandrag Mandrake, after dragon.] =Man-
dkake.
1580 Hollyrand Treas. Fr. Toug, De la mandragore, an
herbe called Mandragon. 1597 Gi:kari>k Herbal \\. lx. 281
In English we call it Mandrake, Mandrage, and Mandragon.
1611 Cotgk., Mandragore, Mandrake, Mandrage, Man-
dragon.
MANDRAGORA.
Mandragora (mandrse'gora). Forms: a. I-
mandragora, 3 mandragores,6-7 raandragoras.
#. (in anglicized form) 4 pi, mandragoris, 6
mandragor, -er, 8-9 -ore. [late L. mandragora
{mandragoras Pliny), a. Gr. fiavdpayopas.']
1. a. The plant Mandrake. Now only Hist,
b. Bot. The genus to which this plant belongs.
C. Since Shakspere, taken as the type of a narcotic.
In Shaks. Ant. \ CI. 1. v. 4 the First Folio has the misprint
mandragoru, whence perh. mandragorn in Scott's Kenil-
worth (1821) I. xii. 311. Cf. however Mandragon.
c 1000 Sax. Leechd. 1 . 244 Deos wyrt be man mandragornm
nemneb. c 1220 Bestiary 613 A gres, 5e name is mandragores.
1388 Wvclif Song- Sol. vii. 13 Mandrogoris han 3oue her
odour in oure satis. 1398 Trevisa Earth. De P. R. xvn.
civ. (Tollem. MS.), They bat diggen mandragora be besy to
be war of contrarye wynde, 1535 Covkrdalk Gen. xxx. 14
Ruben wente out.. and founde Mandragoras in the felde.
1542 BoOftDB Dyetary xx. (1870) 281 Mandragor doth helpe
a woman to conception. 1578 Lyte Dodoens m. Ixxxiv. 438
The greene and fresh leauea of Mandragoras. 1604 Shaks.
Oth, in, iii. 330 Not Poppy, nor Mandragora, Nor all the
drowsie Syrrups of the world Shall euer [etc.]. X605
Chapman, etc. Eastward Hoe v. i, I hauc.drunke Lethe
and Mandragora to forget you. 1623 Webster Duchess of
Malfi iv. ii, Come violent death, Seme for Mandragora to
make me sleepe. 1738 Common Sense 1 1. 4 The Drug call'd
Mandragore. 1830(1 alt Laurie T. v. xi. (1849) 242 Earnest
employment is the best mandragora for an aching heart.
1855 Thackeray Newcomes II. 19 He dosed himself with
poppy, and mandragora, and blue pill. 1876 Karrar Marlb,
Serm. vi. 56 The river of oblivion of sin repented of, the
true mandragora for every guilty and sleepless soul.
atlrib. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xvn. cxii. (1495) 675
Oyle of Mandragora apples. i8a6W.Amst.IE Materia Indie a
1. 208 The anodyne and soporific qualities of the mandragore
root. 1832 Cari.yle Corn-law Rhymes Misc. 1857 III. 161
Her Ariel Melodies, and mystic mandragora Moans.
b. = mandrake wine,
1844 Mrs. Browning Dead Pan \\, Have the Pygmies made
you drunken, Bathing in mandragora Your divine pale lips . . ?
f 2. Chinese mandragoras ; ginseng.
1727-41 Chambers Cycl, s.v.
Hence Mandragorite, one who is habitually
under the narcotic influence of mandragora.
1895 Funk's Standard Diet. 1902 Webster Suppl.
Mandrague (marndw-g). A kind of large
fishing-net.
1851 Erasers Mag. XLIII. 252 The park of nets forming
the modern mandrague. 1855 W. S. Dallas in Syst. Nat.
Hist. II. 49 The Tunny. .is captured by means of a large
net, called a mandrague.
' Mandrake (mae'ndw-k). Forms : a. 4-6 man-
dragge, 4-7 -drage, 6-7 -drag, (6 raendrage).
(9. 5- mandrake, (4 mondrake, 5,7 mandrak).
[ME. mandrag{g)e (cf. MDu. mandrage, man-
dragre), a shortening of Mandragora; the form
mandrake {mondrake), though recorded earlier than
-drage, is prob. due to association with drake.]
1. Any plant of the genus Mandragora, native
to Southern Europe and the East, and charac-
terized by very short stems, thick, fleshy, often
forked, roots, and fetid lance-shaped leaves.
The mandrake is poisonous, having emetic and narcotic
properties, and was formerly used medicinally. The forked
root is thought to resemble the human form, and was fabled
to utter a deadly shriek when plucked up from the ground.
The notion indicated in the narrative of Genesis xxx, that
the fruit when eaten by women promotes conception, is said
still to survive in Palestine.
a, 1382 Wvclif Gen, xxx. 14 Ruben goon out In tyme of
wheet heruest into the feeld, fonde mandraggis [1388 man-
dragis]. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 324/2 Mandragge, herbe, . .
mandragora. 1562 Leigh A rmorie (1 597) 99 b, He beareth
Argent, a mandrage proper. 1580 Lvly Euphues (Arb.) 473
1 hey that feare theyr Vines will make too sharpe wine, must
..graft next to them Mandrage [ed. 1581 Mendrage], which
causeth the grape to be more pleasaunt. 1594 — Moth.
Bomb. v. iii, Your sonne Memphis, had a moale vnder his
««•:.. you shall see it taken away with the iuyce of man-
drage. 1601 Holland Pliny II. 235 In the digging vp of
the root of Mandrage, there are some ceremonies obserued.
1607 Toi'sell Fonr-f. Beasts (1658) 330 Oyl of Mandrag
. .bindeth together, .bones being either shivered or broken.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Mandrake or Mandrage.
P. a 1310 in Wright Lyric P. 26 Muge he is ant mondrake.
C 1450 ME. Med. Bk. (Heinrich) 231 Leues of mandrake. '
' 1475 Pict. Voc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 787/4 Hec maudracora,
a mandrak. 1560 Bible (Geneva) Gen. xxx. 14 Reuben..
found mandrakes [marg. Which is a kinde of herbe, whose
rote hath a certeine likenes of y* figure of a man] in the ;
held. 1592 Shaks. Rom. £ Jul. iv. iii. 47 And shrikes like 1
Mandrakes tome out of the earth. 1593 — 2 Hen. VI, in. ii. |
310. 1600 Hevwood 2nd Pt. Edw. IV Wks. 1874 I. 154
The mandrakes shrieks are music to their cries. 1610 Donne
Pseudo-martyr Pref. c iij, Annibal, to entrappe and surprise
his enemies, mingled their wine with Mandrake, whose
operation is betwixt sleepe and poyson. 1635 [Glapthornk]
Lady Motherx. ii. in Bullen O. PL II. 106 Horrid grots and
mossie graves, Where the mandraks hideous howles Wel-
come bodies voide of soules. 171a tr. Pomefs Hist. Drugs
i- 80 The Mandrake is a Plant without a Stem. 1879 J.
I imbs in Cassell's Techn. Ednc. IV. 106/1 The Greeks and
the Romans used the root of the mandrake to cause in- '
sensibility to pain.
t b. in allusive and fig. uses : (a) as a term of
abuse; {b) a narcotic ; {c) a noisome growth.
1508 Kennedie Flyting w. Dunbar 29 Mandrag, mym- .
merkin, maid maister bot in mowis. a 1585 Montgomerie ,
Llyting 71 Trot, tyke, to a tow, mandrage but myance. ;
•593 G. Harvey Pierce's Super. Wks. (Grosart) II. 293 Cor-
iect the Mandrake of scurrility with the myrrhe of curtesie. 1
"597 Shaks. 2 Hen. IV, 1. ii. 67 Thou horson Mandrake. ,
Vol. VI. l
113
I 1604 Dekkfr Honest Wh, Wks. 1873 II. 9 Gods my life,
hee's a very mandrake. x6io J. Mason Turk 11. i, Thou
that amongst a hundred thousand dreames Crownd with a
wreath of mandrakes sitst as Queene. 1636 Davenant Wits
iv. 1, He stands as if his Legs had taken root ; A very Man-
drake ! 1649 Jer. TavLOH Gt. E.u/up. 1. iv. 132 When we
lust after mandrakes and deliciousness of exteriour minis-
tries. 1660 R. L'E strange Plea for Limited Monarchy 7
Our laws [se. during the Commonwealth] have been Man-
drakes of a Nights growth. 1676 Marvell Gen. Councils
Wks. 1875 IV. 101 If they have a mind to pull up that
mandrake, it were advisable, .to chuse out a dog for that
imployment.
2. The root of White Bryony : see quots.
1585 Lupton Thons. Notable Th. in. xliii. (1505) 61 The
counterfeat Mandrag which hath bene sold by decey tiers for
much money. 1597 Gfrarde Herbal n. 1.x. 281 The idle-
drones that haue little or nothing to do but eate and drinke,
haue bestowed some of their time in earning the rootes of
Brionie, forming them to the shape of men & women ; which
falsifying practise hath confirmed the errour amongst the
simple.. people, who haue taken them vpon their report to
be the true Mandrakes. 1657 W. Coles Adam in Eden
exci. 300 The Root [of Briony] somtimes groweth to the
bigness of a Childe of a yeare old, so that it hath been by
some cut into the forme of a Man, and called a Mandrake,
being set againe into the Earth. 1785 Martvn Rousseau's
Bot. xvL (1794) 197 These pretended Mandrakes are said to
be roots of Angelica or Bryony.
3. U. S. The May-apple, Podophyllum peltalum,
184S -50 Mrs. Lincoln Led. Bot. App, 143/2 Podophyllum
pdtatum {wild mandrake, may-apple}. 1887 Family Physi-
cian 872 Mandrake, may apple, or hog apple.
4. atlrib., as mandrake juice, root ; mandrake
apple, the fruit of the mandrake; f mandrake
shriek (see sense 1, note) ; mandrake wine (see
quot. 1753 for mandrake root).
1563 T. Gale Antidot. 1. i. 1 b, Of simple medicines reper-
cussiue these are some . ."Mandrage apples, & itise. 1603
Sir C. Heydon Jud. Astral, xx. 417 Rachel enuying her
sister Leahs fertilitie importuned Mandrag apples, to sup-
plie her barrennesse. e 159a Marlowe few of Malta v.
(1633) I 2, I dranke of Poppy, and cold ^mandrake juyce.
1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp., M andragorites Vinnm, Man-
drake ll'iue, a sort of medicinal impregnation of wine with
the virtues of "Mandrake root. 1824 Hen. Phillips Flora
Hist. I. 354 The Mandrake root is an anodyne and soporific.
1620 Dekker Dreamt Wks. (Grosart) III. 39 Being mounted
on a Spirits back, which ran With *M and rake-shrikes, and
like a Lubrican. 1621 Burton Anat. Mel. 11. ii. vi. i. (1651)
293 A friends counsel is a charm, like "mandrake wine. 1753
[see Mandrake root],
Mandram (mse'ndrsem). West Indian. Also
mandrang. (See quot. 1756.)
1756 P. Browne Jamaica 177 Thtre is a mixture made
and used in some of our colonies called Mandram,. .which
seldom fails to provoke an appetite in the most languid
stomachs. The ingredients are sliced cucumbers, eschalots
cut very small, a little lime juice, and Madeira wine with a
few pods of bird pepper. 1814 Lunan Hortus Jamaicensis
I. 358 The mixture called man-dram is made from these
peppers. 1841 Orderson Creoleana xiv. 148 The 'punch
and mandram ' had been handed round. 1845 Miss Acton
Mod. Cookery 313 Mandrang or Mandram. (West Indian
Receipt.) Chop together, very small, two moderate-sized
cucumbers [etc.].
Mandrel, mandril (moendrel, -IT). Forms: !
6 manderelle, 7-9 maundril(T, mandrel, -il,
(8 manderil, mandrell, maundrell, 9mandrill).
[Usually believed to be an alteration of F. man-
drin y which has the senses 3 and 4 below. The Fr.
word, however, has not been traced earlier than
1690, and is of obscure origin.]
1. A miner's pick.
1516 Test. Ebor. (Surtees) V. 80 Item xlvj manderelles ij.j.
\\\}.d. A gryndstone & cruke xd. Item ij spayddys & a
shulle vjd. 1686 Plot Staffordsh. 306 But he. .by the help
of his Maundrill, by degrees so wrought away the earth
over head.. that [etc.]. 1747 Hooson Miners Diet. M iij,
Mandrel, a Tool made after the manner of a Hack, but i
more Strong and Square, having both ends Sharp, Scjuare
Points. 1771 Fletcher Checks Wks. 1795 II. 126 An igno-
rant collier, as great a stranger to your metaphysics as you
are to his mandrell. i860 Eng. <y For. Min. Gloss. {Derby
Terms), Maundrill, a pick for various purposes, but gene-
rally used to undermine. 1881 Raymond Alining Gloss.,
Mandril,. .Mauudril, Derb. and S. Wales, a prying pick
with two prongs.
1 2. Some instrument used by arrow- makers. Obs.
1659 Howell Partic. Vocab. § 51 A maundrel, and bick-
hornd, smoothing floates [etc.].. .Les outils de Varcher.
3. In a lathe, an arbor or axis to which work is j
secured while it is being turned. Also applied to j
a similar part in a circular saw or cutter.
1665 Phil. Trans. I. 58 To give to the Axis or to the 1
Mandril.. that little Inclination. 1677 Moxon Mech.Exerc. \
(1703) 190 There is another sort of Mandrels called Hollow j
Mandrels. 1731 Bailey vol. II, Manderil, a kind of wooden
pulley, that is part of a turner's leath, of which there are
several kinds, as flat, hollow, pin and skrew manderils. 1786
/'/;//. Trans. LXXVI. 25, I turned it.. upon my great lathe
in the air (that is, upon the epd of the mandrel). 1796 Mokse
Amer.Geog. I. 452 The manoeril is moved by a band wheel.
1812-16 J. Smith Panorama Sci. fy Art 1. 12 If the mandrel
of a lathe were made of the best steel, sufficiently hard to
wear well in the collar, it would be snapped by a sudden
check. 1879 R. S. Ball in Cassell's Techn. Ednc. vii. 62 1
By means of the band the pulley G, on what is called the
' mandril ' of the lathe, is made to turn rapidly.
4. A cylindrical rod, core, or axis round which
metal or other material is forged, cast, moulded,
or shaped.
1790 in Abridg. Specif. Patents, Metallic Pipes, etc. (1874)
2, 1 cast the lead in lengths,, .this is put upon a polished
MANDTJCATION.
' rod or round maundrell of iron or any other metal, such
maundrells being made of different lengths and diameters.
1812-16 J. Smith Panorama Sci. $■ Art I. 17 The bole
may be finished.. by hammering it at a low heat upon a
smooth mandrel or pin. 1825 J. Nicholson Operat. Mechanic
364 When the pipe is cast, and the metal is set, this mandrel
1 is drawn out of the mould, and another of smaller diameter
h substituted. 1839 Musketry Instr. 49 Roll the stiff paper
lightly about 2h times round the ' mandrel '. 1881 Gkeenkr
Gun 50 Their early barrels appear to have been made from
one broad band of metal rolled over a mandril.
5. atlrib.
1825 J. Nicholson Operat. Mechanic 325 This weight.,
operates to keep the mandrel-band tight. 1875 Knight
Diet. Mech., Mandrel-lathe, a lathe adapted for turning
hollow work, which is clasped by a chuck on the end of the
mandrel in the head-stock. 1888 Hasluck Model Engin.
liandybk. (1900) 58 The mandrel-cone centre point.
Hence Ma*ndrel v. trans., to operate upon with
mandrels {Cent. Vict. 1S90).
Mandriarch. (mx-ndri,njk\ [ad. It. mandri-
archa, a. late Gr. fiavSpiapxys, f. fiavSpta, (Jr.
ixdvbpa fold, monastery. Cf. ARCHIMANDRITE.]
A ruler or founder of a monastic order.
1371 Maria F. Rossetti Shadow of Dante 205 The second
dividing line, which consists of holy Mandriarchs; S. Francis,
S. Benedict^S. Augustine being alone named.
Mandrill (msc-ndril). Also -il. [app. f. Man
.f/'.1 + Drill sb.'->] The largest, most hideous, and
most ferocious of the baboons, Cynocephalus
maimon or mormon, a native of Western Africa.
1744 W. Smith Voy. Guinea 51 A strange sort of animal,
called by the white men in this country [Sierra Leone] Man-
drill, but why it is so called I know not,, .except it he for
their near resemblance to a human creature, though nothing
at all like an Ape. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. IV. vii. 214
The largest of the baboon kind is the Mandril; an ugly
disgusting animal. 1840 Cuvier's Anim. Kingd. 59 The
Mandrill Baboon {Sim. maimon and mormon). — Greyish
brown, inclining to olive above ; . .cheeks blue and furrowed.
1863 Huxley Man's Place Nat. 1. 10. 1898 Daily Nezos
12 Dec. 9/1 The blue-faced Mandril.
Ma'ndrite. rare—1, [ad. Gr. ^avSptTTjs (cf.
Archimandrite), f. puvhpa fold.] (See quot.)
1844 W. Kay in J. H. Newman Plenty s Eccles. Hist. III.
81 note, A mandrite would at first be a person who lived in
a solitary cave.
II Mandritta (msendri-ta). Fencing, Obs. [al-
tered from It. mandril to, mandiritto} f. mano
dritta right hand.] A cut from right to left.
'595 Saviolo Practice 1. 10 b, Cannot euery one of him*
selfe without teaching giue a mandritta? 1603 Dekker
Wonderfull Yeare I) 4, Hees the best Fencer in the world :
.. He has his Mandrittaes, imbrocataes, stramazones and
stoccataes at his fingers ends. 1855 Kingsley IVestw. Hoi
iii, Wiping mandritta [sic], closing embrocata, And all the
cant of the honourable fencing mystery.
Manducable (mae'ndirfkab'i), a. Obs, ox arch.
[ad. L. type *mandficabil-is, f. mandftcd-re; see
next and -able.] Capable of being manducated ;
eatable.
1614 W. B. Philosopher's Banquet (ed. 2) 37 They are
scarce manducable. 1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 213 Tor*
toyses, (in which I haue seene aboue a thousand Egges,
great and manducable). 1656 Blount Glossogr. ri8ia
Coleridge in Lit. Rem. (1838) III. 351 If tangible by
Thomas's fingers, why not by his teeth, that is, manducable?
Manducate (mse'nditfk^t), v. [f. ppl. stem
of L. mandftcd-re to chew : see -ate 3.] trans. To
chew, eat. Hence Ma-nducated///. a.
1623 Cockeram, Manducate, to eat. 1624 F. White Repl.
Fisher 490 To manducate, that is, to chew or swallow, and
to let the Element receiued, passe into their stomach. 1654
Jer. Taylor Real Pres. 147 Either we manducate the acci-
dents only, or else the substance of bread, or the substance
of Christs body. 1657 Tomlinson Renou's Disp. 24-2 Being
manducated, they confirm loose teeth. 1727 in Bailey vol. II.
1822 Blackw. Mag. XI. 161 Whate'er front-tooth can bite,
and grinders manducate. 1826 Goon Bk. Nat. (1834) I. 276
The.. manducated food. 1876 E. Mellor Priesth. iv. 179
The literal interpreters, .supposing that our Saviour referred
to bread which could be manducated in the ordinary manner.
M a 11 due a tioil (maendiwkiF-'J'anj. [ad. L. man-
dfudtion-em, n. of action of mattduca-re to Man-
ducate. Cf. F. jnanducation (Theol.).]
1. The action of eating. Chiefly Theol. (follow-
ing the patristic use of L. manducatio), the term
applied (usually with qualification, as carnaly cor-
poral, literal, oral, real, sacramental, spiritual) to
the act of participation in the Eucharist.
1551 Gardiner Explic. True Cath. Faith ob.The mysterie
of corporall manducation. 1553 Kennedy Compend. Tract.
in Wodrmu Soc. Misc. (1844) 167 He makis mentioun baith
of spirituale and reale manducatioun. 1397 Hooker Bed.
Pol. v. lxvii. § 9 A Literall, Corporall and Orall manduca-
tion of the very substance of his flesh and bloud. 1649
Jer. Taylor Gt. Exemp. xv. § 17 After the manducation
of the Paschal lamb it was the custom of the nation to
sit down to a second supper. 1660 — Duct. Dubit. it. iii.
rule 12 § ii Sacramental manducation. 1737 Waterland
Eucharist (ed. 2) 453 None give so great advantage to the
Figurists, as those that contend for oral manducation. 1821
Lamb Elia Ser. 1. Grace bef meat, The received ritual having
prescribed these forms to the solitary ceremony of manduca-
tion. 1833 Rock Hierurg. (1892) 1. 197 A manducation of His
real flesh and blood. 1850 E. H. Browne Exp. 39 Articles
xxviii. § 1 (1874) 679 Did they intend a spiritual manducation
an eating spiritually and a drinking in by the soul of the
life-giving efficacy of the Body broken and the Blood shed ?
2. The action of chewing.
1650 Bulwer Anthropomet. 139 They who chaw not well,
81
c
MANDUCATORY.
114
MANES.
or . . passe over the triple order of nianducation, are ill
nourished. 1746 R. James Introd. Monfefs Health's Int-
prof. 2 Manducation, or Chewing, is performed by means of
the Biventer, or Digastric Muscles. 1826 Kirbv & Si'.
Kntomol. III. 416 The tropin or organs of manducation.
1852 Dana Crust. 11. 991 The mandible has a lateral process
for manducation. 1877 Huxlky Anat. Inv. Anim. i. 69
Powerful apparatus for the seizure and manducation of vege-
table and animal prey.
Manducatory (m:e'ndi/7kat3ri), a. Chiefly
Phys. [f. L. manditcdt- (see Manducate) +-OEY.]
Pertaining to or fitted for manducation.
1814 Sch. Gd. Living 40 Their noble perseverance, In ful-
filling with so much courage their manducatory functions.
1850 H. Miller Footpr. Great, iv. (1874) 62 The framework
through which an important class of functions, manducatory
and respiratory, are performed. 1870 Rolleston Anim.
Life no [It] consists of the manducatory ganglion fused
with one thoracic ganglion. 1877 Huxley Anat. Inv. Anim.
vi. 256 The. .manducatory appendages (gnathites).
Mandura: see Mandola.
Mandy, obs. form of Maundy.
Mane (m^'ii), sb. Forms: I manu, 4, 6 maane,
6 mayn, Sc. (raoue), meane, 6-7 mayne, maine,
7 maune, 7, 8 main, 4- mane. [OE. manu str.
fem. = MDu. mane (chiefly pi. manen; so in mod.
Du.), OHG. mana fern. ;MHG. mane* man fern,
and masc, mod.G. mdhne fern, with irregular
umlaut), ON. mgn fern. (gen. manar\ Sw., Da.
man) :— OTeut. *ma?ia. The Scandinavian langs.
have also a dim. form prob. from LG. : Da. manke
mane, Sw. manke, Icel. makki nape of the neck.
The primary sense of the OTeut. word must have been
' neck ' : cf. OE. menc masc, OS. tueni, OHO. menni pi.,
ornament for the neck ; L. month necklace; Olrish main-
neck (in muin-torc collar), muiucc (~ Gaulish (j-aviaK-qs,
Polybius) collar, muinel (— Welsh nnvnivgl) neck, mong
(= Welsh twang) mane; Skr. tuanyd nape of the neck.]
1. A growth of long hair on the back of the neck
and the shoulders, characteristic of various animals,
esp. the horse and lion ; a similar growth on other
animals.
Formerly sometimes used (e.g. in quots. 1470-85, 1501, 1661)
for the part on which the mane grows.
a 800 Erfurt Gloss. 1182 yuba, setes porci et leonis caba-
lique: manu, brystre. 13.. Gaiv. $ Gr. K?it. 187 pe mane
of bat mayn hors much to hit lyke. c 1380 Sir I- 'crumb. 244
Pat gode hors blesseile he |x>, & lonely strek ys mane. 1398
Trf-Visa Barth. De P. R. XVI II. xl. (1495) 801 The maare is
prowde and hath joye of her maane. 1470-85 Malory
Arthur ill. viii, The hole body of hyr lay before hym on his
hors mane. 1501 Douglas Pal. Hon. 1. xii, Out throw the
wod come rydand catmes twane, Ane on ane asse, a widdie
about his mone, The vther raid ane hiddeous hors vpone.
1567 Maplbt Gr. Forest 74 b, There is also another kinde
of wilde Oxe or Bull, called. .Bonasus, a little shorter than
our Bull, but more thickly set, and hath his Mane like to
our Horse. 1606 Shaks. Tr. <y Cr. ill. iii. 224 And the
weake wanton Cupid Shall . . like a dew drop from the Lyons
mane. Be shooke to ayrie ayre. 1661 Loyell Hist. Anim.
\ A/in. Introd., Horses have most haire upon the mane,
lions upon their .shoulders. 1667 Milton P. L. vii. 497 The
Serpent . . with brazen Eyes And hairie Main terrific.
#1719 Aduison tr. Ovid Wks. 1753 I. 157 Half dead with
sudden fear he dropt the reins ; The horses felt 'em loose
upon their mains. X774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) III.
1^87 It [the genettj has also along the back a kind of mane
or longish hair, which forms a black streak from the
head to the tail. 1828 Stark Etem. Nat. Hist I. 45 Full
Bottom Monkey. With a mane upon the neck, shoulders,
and top of the back. 1863-5 J. Thomson Sunday at
Hampstead vii, One stroked with careless hand a lion's
mane. 1883 G. Stables Our Friend the Dog vii. 60 Mane,
the feather on shoulders of Collie and Newfoundland, and
that on the front of the chest of Blenheims.
Jig. 1818 Byron Ch. Har. iv. clxxxiv, And I have loved
thee, Ocean L.And laid my hand upon thy mane— as 1 do
here.
b. transf. Applied to a person's long hair.
cl'ilS Sc Leg. Saints xlix. (Tecla) 164 His mane in hir
hand scho wan, & rawe of it a gret part done. 1647 Ward
Simp. Cobleryz Men use not to wearesuch manes, i860 Geo.
Eliot Mill on Fl. 1. iii, Maggie.. looked over the book,
eagerly seizing one corner and tossing back her mane. 1881
Scribners Mag. XXI. 71/2 Her. .red rippling mane falling
about her. 1895 Zangwill Master 11. ii. 135 Matt moved
back towards his easel, passing a little dark man with a mane.
c. A tuft of hair attached to an artificial fly.
1867 F. Francis Angling xi. (1880) 407 The Owenmore
[Salmon Fly]. . . Manes of mohair from the back of each joint
. . ; just under, as a support to each mane, is tied in a feather
from the breast of the Indian crow.
2. The hackles on the neck of a game cock. ? Obs.
1614 Markham Cheap Husb. 11. i. no His mayne or necke-
feathers would bee very long, bright, and shining, couering
from his head to his shoulders. 1727 Bradley Fatn. Diet.
s.v. Cock, His eyes round and great, the colour answerable
to the colour of his plume or Main.
3. Agric. A ridge or tuft of grass or stubble, left
by the mowers.
1523 Fitzherb. Husb. § 23 Take hede that thy mower mow
clene and . . leaue not a mane bytwene. 1601 Holland Pliny
I. 595 Those tufts and manes which the mowiers passed
over and left standing behind them. 1840 Jml. R. Agric.
Soc. I. iv. 444 In using the scythe for barley and oats, the
great art is to leave a short ' mane ' or ridge of stubble, so
that the ears of corn may rest thereon.
4. attrib., as mane-like adj.; mane-comb, a comb
for the horse's mane ; + mane-piece, ? = Crinl&re ;
mane-sheet (see quot.).
1564 in Rogers Agric. <y Prices III. 577/1 *Mane comb.
T573 Ti'sskr Husb. (1878) 315 A currie combe, mainecombe,
and whip for a Jade, a 1613 Ovf.iuhjry Characters, Ostler
Wks. (1856) 72 His mane-comb is a spinners card turned out
of service. 1879 Mrs. A. E. James Ind. Househ. Managem.
67 Curry-combs, scrapers, mane-combs, and the rest of the
usual stable paraphernalia. 1864 Tknnyson Aylmer's Field
68 Eager eyes that.. beamed Beneath a *manelike mass of
rolling gold. 1753 Hanway Traz: (1762) I. in. xxxvii. 172
Bridles . . mounted with silver, with a *mane-piece of plate.
1727 Bailey vol. II, -Mane-sheet (with Grooms), is a cover-
ing for the Upper-part of a Horse's Head.
tMane,^^. Obs. Also 6 maine, magne. [a.
OF. maine ymaigne, magne\—\.. magnum great.] In
Chairlis the matte, Charles the Great, Charlemagne.
r 1475 Rauf Coil$ear 205 Thus said gentill Charlis the
Mane To the Coil3ear. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. II. 344
Chairlis the Mane, the quhilk wes king of France, ,. To king
Achay ane herald he hes send. 1552 Reg. Privy Council
Scot. I. 129 Sen the tyme of Achaus kyng of Scotland and
Chairlis the Maine king of France. 1596 Dalrymple tr.
Leslie's Hist. Scot. I. 264 The king, Charles the Magne.
Mane, obs. f. Main, Maine, Man, Many, Mean
a. ; north, f. Moan ; variant of Maun (=must).
-mane (m^n), the ending of certain words
adopted from Fr., as Anglomane, bibliomane, which
have the general sense ' one who has a mania for
(something) \ and are formed on assumed Gr.
types in -fmvr)s : see Mania. The words of this
formation have never become entirely naturalized in
Eng., the meaning being preferably expressed by
formations in -maniac.
1832 tr. 'Pour Genu. Prince III. xi. 306 She is almost as
great a 'parkomane' as myself. Ibid. IV. iii. 145.
Maneall, obs. form of Menial a.
Ma'il-ea^ter. [Man sb.^] One who eats men.
1. A cannibal.
1600 J. Poky tr. Leo's Africa Introd. 31 They are man-
eaters, and couragious in battaile. 1617 Hieron Wks.
(1619-20) II. 103 How foule is the sinne of oppression, when
the practisers of it are likened to man-eaters, that Hue vpon
flesh? 1681 T. Flatman Hcraclitus Ridens No. 28 (1713)
I. 180 They may talk of Jews, Turks, Pagans, Infidels,
Canibals, Man-eaters, Killcraps. 1705 Hickekingill Priest-
cr. 1. (1721)33 There are Cannibals or Maneaters. 1837 M.
Donovan Dom. Leon. II. 44 A stout ferocious-looking
fellow.. was pointed out to me as a celebrated marksman
and man-eater. 1854 Old Story-Teller, Golden Roebuck 61
The man-eater's mouth watered for human food.
2. An animal that eats or has a propensity for
eating men ; colloq. a horse given to biting.
1840 E. E. Napier Scenes fy Sports in For. Lands I. v. 140
The larger horses, .are leggy, under-limbed, and, as far as
vice goes, regular man-eaters. 1879 Mrs. A. E. James Ind.
House ft. Managem. 68 Some horses in India are called
' man-eaters ', and have to be blindfolded while you mount,
or they would bite you. 1883 F, Day Indian Fish 51 (Fish.
Exh. Publ.) The common crocodile, Crocodilus palustris
and C". porosus. .often termed man-eaters.
b. A man-eating shark ; esp. Carcharodon ron-
deleii. Also man-eater shark.
1837 Hawthorne Twice-told T. (1851) II. xviii. 259 To
ascertain that the maneater [sc. a shark] had already met his
own death. 1882 Jordan & Gilbert Pishes N. Amer. 30
{Bull. U.S. Nat. Mas. No. 16) Man-eater Shark. 1884 G. B.
Goode, etc. Nat. Hist. Use/. Aquatic Anim. I. 671 A Shark
closely related to our Man-eater.
e. In India, a man-eating tiger. Applied also
to lions and hyenas.
1862 J. Greenwood Wild Sports 191 It marks the spot
where., fell one of the most terrible 'man-eaters' the world
ever saw. 1881 J. Grant Cavteronians I. iv. 60 Sir Piers. .
thought it very slow work compared with.. potting a man-
cater from a howdah.
attrib. 1850 R. G. Cumming Hunters Life S. Afr. (1902)
134/1 A bloodthirsty man-eater lion.
3. local U.S. a. A large salamander, b. The
dobson or hellgrammite {Cent. Did. 1S90).
1859 Bartlett Diet. Amer., s.v. Water-Dogs, In Penn-
sylvania and the Eastern States they [various species of
salamanders] are called Spring-keepers and Man-eaters.
So Ma n-ea ting- vol, sb. and///, a.
1607 Hieron Wks. I. 4j7 A raging, and (as I may terme
it) a man-eating pestilence. 161* Bkerewood Lang. $
Relig. x. 87 The Anzichi, being an idolatrous and man-
eating nation. 1871 J. Forsyth Highl. India 321 When
a panther takes to man-eating, he is a far more terrible
scourge than a tiger. 1880 Chamb. Jrul. 15 May 316/2
Man-eating tigers.. are.. rare in British India.
Mane-ath, variant of Manath Oh,
Manece, obs. form of Menace.
Maned (m/*nd), ///. a. Also 4 imaned (cf.
OE. gempn), 6 maaned. [f. Mane sb. + -ei>-.]
Having a mane : also with prefixed word, as /ong-
maned. In Her. — CbiKRD.
13. . Sir Beues (MS. A) 2667 He was bope leib and grim ;
A was i-maned ase a stede. 1530 Palsgr. 318/1 Maaned as
an horse, creinu. 1580 Stow Chron. 7 This forrest some-
times bred white Bulles, long maned like Lions. 1607
lopsELL Four-f. Beasts (1658J 569 The Hyena is said to be
rough and maned. 1780 Edmondson Heraldry II. Gloss.,
Matted, is said of a horse, unicorn, or other beast, whose
mane is of a different tincture from its body. 1791 Cowpek
Wad \\n. 49 Swift, bra7en-hoofed, and maned with wavy
gold. 1818 Keats Endym. 11. 644 Four maned lions hale
The sluggish wheels. 1862 Fraser's Mag. July 59 The
Feshtall is the maned moufflon of the Atlas. 1864 Boutf.ll
Her. Hist, f Pop. xvii. (ed. 3) 281 An unicorn arg., armed
maned and unguled or. 1895 Scullv Kafir Stories 91
A large, black-maned Hon. 1903 Q. Rev. Jan. 45 The maned
or red wolf of Brazil.
b. transf. of plants.
1578 I,yte Dodoens 111. lxxii. 417 Passeflower. .hath rough j
heane stemmes, all iagged, . .sometimes thicke maned.
C- fig-
1866 Symonds Sk. Italy \. (1874) 9 Huge waves crystalline
in their transparency, and maned with fleecy spray.
Manede, variant of Manhead Obs.
Maneer, obs. form of Manner.
Manefaire : see Mainfeure.
II Manege, manege (man^). [Fr. form of
the word earlier adopted as Manage sb.]
1. A riding school. (Cf. Manage sb.)
1644 Evelyn Diary 25 Oct., The Prince has a stable of
the finest horses of all countries,, .which are continually
exercised in the manege. 1705 Addison Italy 521, I saw
here the largest Manege that I have met with any where
else. 1756 H. Walpole Lett., to Bentley Aug. (1857) III.
3a The horseman Duke's manege is converted into a lofty
stable. 1799 J. Adams {title) Analysis of Horsemanship,
teaching the Whole Art of Riding in the Manege. 1833
Regul. Inslr. Cavalry 1. 40 It is. .desirable that all Cavalry
should be often exercised in Open Manege. Ibid. 41 The
Troops. .are to be drilled, .in the Open Manege.
2. The movements proper to a trained horse ;
the art or practice of training and managing horses ;
horsemanship. (Cf. Manage sb. 1.)
1776 Gibbon Decl. $ F. ix. (1869) I. 182 Practised in the
skilful evolutions of the Roman manege. 1791 Beckforo
Pop. Tales Germans I. 242 A knightly steed, well instructed
in the manege. 18x4 Scott Wav. (1816) I. vii. 94 Already
a good horseman, he was now initiated into the arts of the
manege. 1826 — Woodst. III. i. 12 He seemed a champion
of the menage, fit to have reined Bucephalus himself.
Manege, obs. form of Manage v.
Maneggiable, obs. form of Manageable.
II Maneh. (maw). Heb. Antiq. [Heb. Plvd
mdneh (the pi. is rendered ' pounds ' in 1 Kings x.
17): see Mina.] A Hebrew coin and weight,
equal to from sixty to one hundred shekels.
1611 Bible Ezek. xlv. 12 And the shekell shall be twentie
Gerahs : twenty shekels, flue and twentie shekels, fifteene
shekels shall be your Maneh. 1899 Savce Early Israel \\.
260 The maneh was divided into sixty shekels.
Maneir, obs. form of Manner.
Manekin, obs. form of Manikin.
Mane-kynd, obs. Sc. form of Mankind.
Manel, obs. form of Manilla 1.
Maneless (nvi'n,les), a. [f. Mane sb. +
•LES8.] Without or destitute of a mane.
Maneless lion ofGuzerat : see Lion i.
1828 Stark Elcm. Nat. Hist. I. 106 Common Sea Bear.
Fur brown ; males maneless. 1833 Smee in Trans. Zool.
Soc. (1835) 1. 165 The maneless Lion of Guzerat. X870ORTON
Andes <y Amazons vi. (1876) 105 The puma, or maneless
American lion. 1893 A" <y. Nat. Hist.{td. Lydekker) I. 361 It
may be that some adult specimens of the Indian lion are
maneless; yet well-maned examples have been killed.
Manellio, obs. form of Manilla1.
Manentine, obs. form of Manatee,
Manequin(e, obs. form of Manikin.
Maner(e, obs. fT. Manner, Manor, Manuke.
Maneresse, obs. form of Minoress.
Manerial (manle'rial), a. ? Obs. [f. med.L.
maneri-u?n Manor^-al.] =» Manorial a.
1765 Blackstone Comtu. I. 106 The landed property of
the Atholl family, their manerial rights and emoluments,
and the patronage of the bishoprick. 1791 J.Collinson///V/.
Somerset II. 47 The manerial province of this place is vested
in J. F. Luttrell. 1818 Hallam Mid. Ages n. 11.(1819) '• 244
The manerial court of every vavassor represented in minia-
ture that of his sovereign. Ibid. ix. n. III. 420 Stones . .
were employed in the construction of manerial houses. 1839
Penny Cycl. XIV. 388/iThe lord's fee, or manerial seigniory.
Maneriall, obs. Sc. form of Mineral.
Manerlik, obs. form of Mannerly.
t Manery. Obs. rare"1. Also6mannery. [ad,
med.L. maneri-um Manor.] A mansion or manor.
14.. in Becon Reliqncs of Rome {1563) 254 Houses of holy
church, graunges, personages, or vicanes, or any maneries
of mens of holy church. 1598 Hall Sat. vn. 36 Get the
fee-simple of fayre manneryes.
II Manes (nv^n/z), sb. fl. [L. manes pi.
By some scholars supposed to be the pi. of O Latin mam's
good (cf. im-manis cruel).]
1. The deified souls of departed ancestors (as
beneficent spirits ; opposed to larv<v and /emures,
the malevolent shades of the Lower World). Also,
the spirit, ' shade* of a departed person, considered
as an object of homage or reverence, or as demand-
ing to be propitiated by vengeance.
1390 Gower Ccrnf II. 173 Thei hadden goddes, ..And tho
he name Manes hihten, To whom ful gret honour thei
dihten. 1609 Holland Amm. Marcell. xv. vii. 43 As if
they meant with Romane bloud to sacrifice unto their wicked
Manes. 1670 Drvuf.n i.^ Ft. Conq. Granada iv. ii, The
manes of my son shall smile this day, While I, in blood, my
vows of vengeance pay. 1703 Pope Thebais 752 Let eternal
fame Attend thy Manes, and preserve thy name. 170a Burkk
Corr. (1844) III. 3S1 The Chevalier may owe it to the manes
of the fallen nobility.. to put his name to his own defence
and theirs. 1869 LsCKY Europ. Mor. (1877) I. ii. 272 The
games were, .intended as human sacrifices to appease the
Mams of the dead. 1880 Huxley Sci. $ Cult. 1. (1881I 1
We may hope that the manes of the burnt-out philosopher
were then finally appeased.
fig. 1673 Remarqnes Humours Town 18 The delight, or
the torment of reflections, being the Manes of past actions.
1726 C D'Anvers Craftsm. No. 2 (1727) 20 It is indeed only
the manes of departed Liberty which makes the loss of the
substance more grievous to us.
H 2. Taken in the sense of ' mortal remains ' (? by
association w'wX^.manereXo remain); hence transf.
MANESS.
115
MANGANESIC.
1707 Curios, in Husb. <V Card. 336 A certain Polander shut
up the Manes of Plan tain Glaw Vessels.
Manes^h, obs. form of Menace.
Maness (mce-nes). rare. Also 6 raannea, 7
manness. [f- Man so^ + _ESS] Woman as the
feminine of man.
1594 ' • '•• fjft Primmtiei. Fr. Acad. II. 24 The man said,
Tliis nowe is bone uf my bones, and flesh of my flesh : she
shall be called mannes, or mannish, because she was taken
out of man. 1643 Trapp Comm. Gen, ii. 23 [She shall be
called Woman] or Manness, of Man, as I shah of Ish. 1855
Bailey Sfir. J.egeud'm Mystic, etc. (ed. 2) 130 Taught the
/Edenk mysteries of man And maness.
Maness, obs. form of Menace.
Manesuere, manesweir,obs. ff. M answear v .
Maneto, obs. form of Manitou.
Manetti(mnene'ti). I fort. [Named after Xavier
Manctti (1 723-1 784), a botanist of Monza.] A very
vigorous dwarf variety of rose much used as a stock ;
also Manetti rose.
[1843T. Rivers Rose Amateur's Guide (ed. 3) 113 nate. The
..Rosa Manettii..I received a few years ago from Italy.
1846 Ibid, (ed. 4) 150 It.. seems to flourish on the Manettii
stock letter than on its own roots.) 1854 //'id. (ed. 5) 182 The
only method.. is to employ the Manetli Rose as a stock.
1869 Hot.t£ Bk. Roses 204 The Manetti will grow luxuri-
antly where the Ilrier will not grow at all.
Maneuver, variant of Manoeuvre.
Manful (marnful), a. Also 4 monful, 5
man(n)fulle, 5 7 manfull. [f. Man sbA + -FUL.]
1. Characterized by manly courage and resolu-
tion ; brave, resolute.
a 1300-1400 Cursor M. 8306 (Gfitt.) Werrour art bu, man-
ful wight, And many man slayn wid Hi hand. 1399 Langl.
Rich. Rvdeles in. 103 They mornyd ffor the morthir of
manffull kny}tis. 1422 tr. Secrcta Secret., Priv. Priv. 170
Summenhymcallythacorageousman.oramanfulman. 1513
Bradshaw.S7. Werburgew. 412 The inhabitauntes of it man-
full and liberal!. 1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 36 Astouteand
manful minde. 1641 Earl Monm. tr. Biondi's Civil Warres
iv. 76 They were inforced after twelve dayes manfull defence
to surrender themselves upon discretion. 1865 Carlyle
Fredk. Gt. xvn. iii. (1872) VII. 27 Blakeney and Garrison
stood to their guns in a manful manner. 1879 Morley Burke
189 A manful attempt was made to get the new constitution to
work in the winter of 1791-92. 1891 Swinburne Stud.
Prose (y Poc try ( 1 894) 18 The manful good sense which seems
naturally to accompany a manly tenderness of nature.
f2. In occasional uses. a. Stately in appear-
ance, b. Befitting a man, manly. Obs.
149$ Festival! (W.deW. 151 5) 78 b, Thomas was as manfull
in his araye, for he was clothed in y' best and rychest clothe.
1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. vn. ii. $ 15 [He] being shooting at
Butts, (a manfull, and healthfull Pastime..).
f 3. Comb. : manful-hardy a., brave (hence
■hardiness). Obs.
<i43oLydg. Compi. Bt. Knt. 417 Shedingof blode, ne man-
ful bardinesse. 1541 Udall Erastn. .ipJph. 15 Such as be
manful hardye [orig. fortes]. Ibid. Pref. **ii, Concernyng
mannefull hardynesse [orig.forlitudincm].
Manfully (marnfuli), adv. [f. Manful a. +
-ly ^.] In a manful manner ; with manly courage
or resolution, bravely, valiantly.
< 1400 Meiayne 1240 This day wirke bou Manfully With
thi nobill Chcualry. c 1430 Life St. A'ath. (1884) 57 Drede
not .. bou . . welbeloued queene vn to god but do manfully.
*553 Fuen Treat. Neive hid. (Arb.) 31 He manfullye de-
fended him selfe in battayl. 1611 Bible 2 Mace. ix. 10 Let
vs die manfully for our brethren. 1782 Cowi'ER Gilpin 76
Then over all.. His long red cloak, well brush 'd and neat,
He manfully did throw. 1839 Thiklwall Greece xlviii. VI.
141 The Greeks .. continued to fight manfully. 1849 Ma-
caulay Hist. Eng. i. I. 50 Bishop Hooper, who died man-
fully at Gloucester for his religion, i860 Tvndall Glac. 1.
xxvii, 219 The labour was enormous, but it was manfully
and cheerfully done.
+ b. Honourably. Obs.
1591 Shaks. Two Gent. iv. i. 27, 1 kil'd a man, whose death
I much repent, But yet I slew him manfully, in fight.
Manfulness (mse-nfulnes). [f. Manful +
-NEss.] The quality of being manful.
c 1400 Beryn 2693 But his grete wisdom, & his manfulness.
1546 Bale Eng. I 'otarics 1. (1548) 49 b, Daniel than Byshop
of Wynchestre sent thys wenefride to romc wyth hys letters
of commendacyon for hys manfulnesse there shewed. 1681
R. Knox Hist. Ceylon 134 The Metal and Manfulness of
these men. 1833 Hr. Martineau L.oom # Lugger 1. v. 91
It took all my manfulness from me to see you so near the
edge of the cliff. 1868 Vjsct. Strangford Selections (1869I
1 1. 336 Sir Samuel, as good a type of manfulness and power
in speech and action as one would ever wish to see.
t Mang, v.1 Sc. and ?wrth. Obs. a. trans. To
bewilder, lead astray, b. intr. To be bewildered,
go wrong ; to go mad.
c 1440 York Myst. xlii. 132 What sate }e men? alias ! for
tene I trowe 3e mang. 1x1510 Douglas A". Hart 104 And
all that couth attene the castell neir, It made thame for to
mer amiss, and mang. 1513 — JEneis vm. Prol. 16 Musing
marris our myrth half mangit allmost. 1562 A. Scott Poems
(S.T.S.) i. 79 To mend bat men3e hes sa monye mangit God
gif be grace, a 1600 Montgomerie Afisc. Poems xlvii. 9
Resave, vhill than, a harte lyk for to mang. 1768 Ross in
Whitelaw Bk. Sc. Song (1875) 360/2 She chokit and boakit,
and cried like to mang.
t Mang. v~ slang. Obs. (See quot.)
1812 J, H. Vai'x Flash Diet., Mang, to speak or talk.
Mang, variant of Mono sb. and v.
W Manga (ma'rjga). [Sp. manga lit. ' sleeve '
:— L. tnanica'. see Manche1.]
1. A flowing robe, worn from the shoulders.
1831 Mayne Reid Scalp Hunt. vii. 55 It was purely a
Mexican costume, and consisted of a purple manga. 1889
Amelia E. Bark Woven of Love <r Glory xiii. 301 It was a
grand moving picture of handsome men in scarlet and gold —
uf graceful mangas and waving plumes.
2. The silk case used to cover a processional or
other cross when not in use (Sp. manga de cruz).
1890 in Century Diet.
Manga, obs. form of Mango.
Mangabey (marngau*7' ). Nat. Hist. [The
name ot a region of Madagascar, erron. given by
Huff on to a species of Cercoccbits inhabiting the
west coast of Africa.] A monkey of the Airican
genus Cercocebus ; esp. the Sooty Mangabey, Cer-
eoeebus fitliginosus.
1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. IV. vii. 234 The fourth of this
[the monkey] kind is the Mangabey. .. It is a native of
Madagascar. 1879 W. I,ai'di:r Lindsay Mind Lffiver Aniiu.
II.83 A sooty mangabey (monkey) had acquired a good
number of bad habits.
II Mangal (,manga*l). A^so 9 manggall, ^in
Diets.) mankal. [Turkish Jliil* mangal (also
written JlcJl* manual).] A kind of brazier.
a 1814 Sorceress n. ii. in New Brit. 'Theatre III. 13 Another
room in the Palace; in the midst a Manggall with tire
burning. 1851 Offic. CataL (,t. Exkib. 111. 1398 Brass
mangal or bra/ier : — Manufactured by Mardiios Tombakdgi,
Constantinople, exhibitor.
Mangalin, variant of Maxcelin Obs.
Mangal wurzel, obs. var. Mangel-wurzel.
Mangan-, rcpr. Manganese (G. mangan in
many compound names of minerals, chiefly adopted
from German (see A. II. Chester Diet. Mitt., 1896),
as mangan-amphibole = Rhodonite ; raangan-
apatite, a variety of apatite containing manganese ;
manganblende — ALABANDITE; manganbrucite,
a variety of biucite containing much manganese;
manganchlorite, a manganiferous variety of
el inochlore ; maugancolumbite, a variety of
columbite in which the iron is largely replaced by
manganese; manganhedonbergite, a mangani-
lerous variety of hedenbergite ; manganpectolite,
a manganiferous variety of pcctolitc ; mangautan-
talite, a variety of tantalitc in which manganese
largely replaces the iron. (Cf. Mangano-.)
1861 P»ristow(7/<>,«. Mineral., ' * Mangan-amphibole. 1892
Dana Syst. Mineral. 764 *Manganapatite. .contains man-
ganese replacing calcium. 1836 T. Thomson Outl. Min.,
Geol., etc. I. 510 Sulpburet of Manganese. "Manganblende.
Swartzerz. 1887 Daw Man. Mineral. A> Petrogr. (ed. 4) 224
* Manganbrucite is a manganesian variety. 1892 — Syst.
Min. 648 *Manganchlorit. 1898 — ■ Text-bk. Mineral. 474
Manganchlorite, a chlorite from the Harstig mine near
Pajsberg, Sweden. 1890 Century Diet., * Mangancolnm-
bite. 1887 Dana Man. Mineral. $ Petrogr. (ed. 4) 267
*Manganhedenbergite. .contains 6 to 7 p,c. of manganese
protoxide. 1892 — Syst. Min. 373 *Manganpectolith. 1898
— Textbk. Mineral. 395 Manganpectolite. 1884 Casselts
Encycl. Diet., * Manganskterite. 1887 Dana Man. Mineral,
fir Petrogr. (ed. 4) 202 *Mangantantalite contains more
manganese than iron.
Manganato (mae-ggan^t). Chem. [f. Man-
GAN-IC + -ate.] A salt of manganic acid.
1839 Fenny Cycl. XIV. 382/2 Manganate of potash is
easily prepared. 1891 Thorpe Diet. Appi. Chem. II. 500/1
All manganates. .oxidise hydrochloric acid.
!lManganeisen(ma-ngan|3i:z'n). Min. [Ger.,
f. mangan manganese + eisen iron.] =Kekko-
MANGANESE. 1881 [see Ferro-].
Manganel(l, variant of Mangonel.
Manganeous : see Manganous.
t Mangane-sane. Chem. Obs. [f. Manga-
nese 4- -ane 2 a.] Chloride of manganese.
1818 Henry Elem. Chem. (ed. 8) II. 65.
t Mangancsate. Chem. Obs. [f. Mangane-
sic + -ate.] - Manganate.
1819 Brande Man. Chem. 228 Manganesate of potassa.
Manganese (marngan/z). Also 7 manganes,
9 manganoze. [a. F. manganese (i6thc), a. It.
manganese^ one of the many corrupt forms of L.
magnesia', see Magnesia 2. The word appears
in Ger. as mangan (hence Du. mangaan, S\v. man-
gan). Cf. obs. F. mangane.]
1. A black mineral (now recognized as an oxide
of a metal, to which its name has been transferred :
see sense 2), used from ancient times in glass-
making, and now in many industrial processes.
Also called black manganese, + glass-maker 's
manganese. The name has been also applied with
qualification to other ores of the metal : grey m.,
--- Manganite 1 ; horn m., eorneous m. [G. horn-
mangan, Jasche], an impure manganese silicate akin
to photicite ; red m., = Rodochkosite ; white ra.,
manganese carbonate.
As the name is in chemical use now restricted to the metal
(sense 2), its older application survives only in commercial
and industrial use. The black manganese of commerce is
usually a mixture of various oxides, but the term is con-
sidered to apply esp. to manganese dioxide, MnOz, which is
the valuable ingredient in the mixture.
1676 C0LE8, Manganese (in colour and weight like the
loadstone), the most general ingredient of glass, a 1682 Sir
T. Browne Pseud. P.p. 11. iii. (t686) 52 In the^ making of
glass it hath been an ancient practice to cast in pieces of
magnet, or perhaps manganes. 1755 Gent I. Mag. XXV. 540
Our Manganese, supposed an iron ore, appears from some
experiments to contain no iron. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3)
X. 528/1 This substance, commonly called black or glass-
maker's manganese, is scarcely any other thing than the calx
ofanewsemiinetal. iSfyChanibers's Encycl. VI. 301/2 The
bino vide, or peroxide, is the black manganese of commerce,
and thepyrotusite of mineralogists. 1865 Watts Diet. Chem.
I II. 808 Grey A lauga nese, a term sometimes applied to man-
ganite and pyrolusite. 1883 Encycl. Brit. XV J. 398/1 Diet-
togitt iRed Manganese). Ibid. 417/1 Allagite and Horn
Manganese are mere mixtures.
2. Chem. The metallic element (symbol Mn)
ul which ' black manganese ' is the oxide.
It is of a greyish white colour and a bard friable texture.
somewhat resembling iron, but having no economic use in
the metallic form.
1783 Withering tr. Bergmans Outl. Mineral. 114 Manga-
nesium or Manganese.. .This new metal is soluble in all
the acid--. 1807 J. Murray Syst. t hem. III. 423 The name
Manganese, which was formerly given to the'native oxide,
is now appropriated to the metal. 1812 Sir H. Davy Chem.
Philos. 49 J he properties of manganese, which was an-
nounced as a peculiar metal by Kaim in 1770, were minutely
investigated by Scheele and Bergman. 1816 P. Cleaveland
Mineral. 544 Manganese, which is with great difficulty ob-
tained in a metallic state, has a grayish white color with
some lustre. 1879 C. A. Cameron inCassell's Techn. Ed/te.
1. 15 Manganese is a metal somewhat allied to iron.
3. attrib. and Comb., as manganese metal, mine,
ore, salt; manganese alum, (a Chem.: see Alum
3 ; (/') A/in, =ArJOHNlTE ; manganese blende
*= Alabandite ; manganese bronze, a, a bronze
dye, b) an alloy of copper and zinc with man-
ganese; manganese brown, a brown dye, con-
sisting of manganic hydrate obtained by various
processes ; manganese copper * manganese
bronze; manganese epidote «= I'ikhmontitk ;
manganese garnet Spehsaktite; manganese
glance - AlabanUJTE ; manganese glass, glass
in the manufacture of which manganese has been
used; manganese green, an unstable green dye
derived from manganate of barium ; manganese
spar = Rhodonite; also Rhodochkohitk; man-
ganese steel, a malleable mixture of iron and
manganese ; manganese violet, the purple colour
derived from manganese, used in the decoration of
pottery and porcelain ; manganese vitriol = Kai -
skhitk, a sulphate of magnesium and manganese.
1842 T. Graham Elem. Chem. 519 Iron alum, "manganese
alum, and chrome alum. 1820 R. Jameson Syst. Mineral.
led. 3) III. 406 Prismatic "Manganese Blende. 1839 Urk
Diet. Arts, etc. 235 *Mangane-»e bionze, buff and green.
1883 P. M. J'arrons in Rep. Brit. Assoc. 382 The manga-
i-ese bronze has a great advantage over steel. Ibid. 383
') hat the manganese bronze propellers are incorrodible, ..
lias now been proved. 1841 J. Graham Elem. Chem. '1842)
533 *Manganese brown. 1902 1-ncycl. Brit. (ed. 10) XXVI I,
564, art. Dyeing, Manganese brown is applied in wool, silk,
and cotton dyeing. 1883 Encycl. Brit. XVI. 409/2 Pied-
montite or * Manganese Epidote, brownish violet, from St.
Marcel, has 20 per cent, of manganese peroxide. 1865 Watts
Diet. Chem. III. 817 "Manganese-glance, syn. with Man-
ganese-blende. 1875 tr, I'oget's Chem. Light .wii. 269 Ex-
planation of the change of "manganese-glass. 1882 Spans
Encycl. Arts, Manuf etc. V. 1549 [Recipe for making!
•Manganese Green. 1883 Encycl. Brit. XV. 480/1 ♦Manga-
nese metal is grey, like cast iron. 1839 Penny Cycl. XIV.
381/1 It occurs in Devonshire, Cornwall, in the Harz, and
most "manganese mines. 1795 W. Nicholson Diet. Chem.il.
596 This new "manganese ore was found among the iron
mines of Sem. 1821 R, Jameson Man. Mineral. 255 Pris-
matic Manganese-Ore, or Black Manganese-Ore. Ibid. 256
Prismatoidal Manganese-Ore, or Grey Manganese-Ore. 1802
T. Thomson Syst. Chem. III. 88 The oxides of "manganese
salts. 1821 R. Jameson Man. Mineral. 325 *Manganese-
Spar. (Baryte.) 1865 VJKTi&Dict.Chem.llt. 817 Manganese-
spar, syn. with Diallogite. Native carbonate of manganese.
1883 Encycl. Brit. XVI. 417/1 Rhodonite (Manganese Spar).
1895 Daily News 16 Sept. 2/7 *Manganese steel is being used
..in the manufacture of shovels. igozEncycl. Brit. XXXI.
772 A metaphosphate of manganese which goes under the
name of Niirnberg or *manganese violet. 1884 H. Hauerman
Descr. Mineral. 298 The mineral described as Eauserite or
* Manganese Vitriol, from Herrengrund, in Hungary.
"b. In names of salts.
1877 Kingzett Alkali Trade 209 Manganese chloride.
1882 Dana Man. Mineral. % Lithol. (ed. 4) 188 Pyrolusite
— Manganese Dioxide. Ibid. 191 Rhodochrosite— Man-
ganese Carbonate.
Manganeseous : see under Manganesic.
Manganesian (mseng&nrztfto), a. [f. Man-
ganese + -IAN.] Pertaining to manganese, or
characterized by its presence.
1795 W. Nicholson Diet. Chem. II. 596 This powdery
manganesian ore. 1837 J. T. Smith tr. Ificafs Mortars 2
The argillaceous, magnesian,. .manganesian [etc., varieties
of limestone].
tMangane*sic, * Obs. [f. Manganese +
-ic] Manganesic acid— manganic acid. Similarly
Mang,ane-siate, = Manganate ; Mang-anes(e)-
tnm acid, manganous acid ; Manganesite, man-
ganite.
1819 Brande Man. Chem. 226 Manganesic acid. 1823
Henry Elem. Chem. (ed. 9) II. 10 The proportions being
100 metal and 96-847 oxygen, constituting manganeseous
acid; the green salt, therefore, is a vtanganesite of potassa.
The red compound, .contains an acid which may be called
the manganesic* and its compounds manganesiates. 1828
Webster, Manganesious (citing Henry).
81 — 2
MANGANESUM.
II Manganesum, -sium. Chem. Obs. [mod.
L., f. Manganese.] = Makuanese 2.
1783 [see Manganese 2]. 1786 tr. Scheele's Client. Ess. 67
On Manganese, Manganesium, or Magnesia Vitrariorum.
1 774. 1812 Sir H. Daw Cliem. Plulos. 367 Manganesum was
first procured in its pure form by Kaim and Gahn, between
1770 and 1775. 1876 Haeley Mat. Med. (ed. 6) 195 Man-
ganesium was discovered by Gahn in 1774.
Manganetic mrer)gane'tik),a. rare-". [Badly
f. Manganese, after magnetic] = Manganifekous.
In mod. Diets.
Mangani- (marrjgani), earlier manganid-
[cf. Fehri-], used Chem. in names of certain
cyanogen compounds, indicating the presence of
manganese in its ' manganic ' or highest degree of
valency (cf. Mangano-2). Manganieyanhydric
(or -cyanic) acid, H3MnCy6. Maugauicyanide,
a salt of this acid.
185a WATTs'tr. Gmeliu's Handbk. Chem. VII. 426 Man-
gamdeyanid of cadmium. 1876 [see Mangano--.] 1889
Mokley& MuiR Watts' Diet. Chem. II. 342.
Manganic (majqgarnik), a. Chem. [f. Man-
gan-ese + -ic] Applied to compounds con-
taining manganese in its highest valency. Man-
ganic acid: an acid (H.2Mn04) not known exc. in
combination with alkalis, with which it forms
manganates.
1836 Branob Chem. (ed. 4) 633 Manganic acid. 1877
Kisgzett Attcali Trade 209 Manganic chloride. 1878
Abney Photogr. (i83i) 72 The permanganate is decomposed
. -and insoluble manganic oxide is precipitated on the image.
Manganiferous (mserjgiwferas), a. Mm.
[f. Mangan-ese + -(i)ferous.] Containing or
yielding manganese.
1851 Watts tr. Gmeliu's Handbk. Chem. V. 300 Man-
ganiferous Magnetic Iron-ore. 1877 Nature XV. 57 The
Deep-sea Manganiferous Muds.
Manganin .mse'rjganin). Metallurgy, [f. Man-
gan-ese + -IN '.] An alloy of copper, manganese
and nickel, much used in the construction of stan-
dard resistance coils.
1901 J. J. Thomson in Encycl. Brit. XXVIII. 7.
Mangauite (maj-rjganait). [f. Mangan-ese
+ -ite. Cf. F. manganite.']
1. A/in. A hydrated sesquioxide of manganese,
occurring massive and in pseudo-crystals ; grey
manganese ore.
1827 Haidinger in Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinb. (1831) XI.
t22 Prismatoidal Manganese-ore. Manganite. Ibid. 125
The name of Manganite, proposed for this species, is formed
in allusion to the metal which it contains. 1836 T. Thom-
son Otttl. Min., Ceol., etc. I. 502 Manganite. Hydrous
sesquioxide of manganese. 1858 Fownes' Man. Chem. (ed. 7)
307 This compound occurs in nature as braunite, and in the
state of hydrate as manganite.
2. Chem. A salt of manganous acid.
i85s Watts Diet. Chem. III. 818 Salts which may be
called manganites. 1877 Kingzett Atkali Trade 209 This
latter body, .forms what Mr. Weldon has termed manganite
of magnesium (MgMnO;,).
Hence Mangani tic a., containing manganite.
1886 Pall Mail G. 6 Mar. 5/2 A very considerable forma-
tion of ntanganitic ore,
II Manganium (m^rjg^inicm). Chem. rare—".
[mod.L.,T. Mangan-ese. SoFr.] ^Manganese 2.
1850 in Ogilvie. 1856 Mayne Expos. Lex.t Manganium,
a term proposed by Berzelius for manganese.
Manganize (.marnganaiz), v. rare. [f. Man-
gan-ese + -ize.] trans. To treat or prepare with
manganese. Hence Ma'nganized///. a.
1875 R. F. Martin tr. Havrez1 Winding Mach. 13 Flat
ropes, made of inanganised steel.
Ma'ngano- ', used as combining form of Man-
ganese in the construction of the names of certain
minerals containing that element (see A. H. Chester
Did. Min. 1896): manganocalcite, a calciferous
variety of rhodochrosite ; also occas. — Spartaite ;
manganocolumbite = Mangancoi.umbite ; man-
ganomagnetite - Jacobsite ; manganophyllite,
a manganiferous variety of biotite ; mangano-
siderite, a ferriferous variety of rhodochrosite ;
manganostibiite, antimoniate of manganese oc-
curring in small black grains ; manganotantalite
= mangantantalite ; + manganowolframito —
HiJBNERITE. (Cf. MANGAN-.)
1853 Brooke & Miller Phillips' Mineral. 678 Mangano-
calcite. 1877 Dana Text-bk. Mineral. 290 Manganophyllite.
1887 — Man. Mineral. a> Petrogr. (ed. 4) 206 Manganostibiite
contains both arsenic and antimony. 189a — Syst. Mineral.
731 Manganotantalite. 1898 — Te xt-bk. Mineral. 491 Man-
ganocolumbite.
Ma'ngano- -, used Chem. in names of com-
pounds containing manganese with its lower or
• manganous ' degree of valency (cf. Mangani-).
1876 Encycl. Brit. V. 535/2 Chromt-cyanides and man-
gano- and mangani-cyanides, isomorphous vvith the corre-
sponding iron compounds. 1889 Morley & Mum Walts'
Diet. Chem. II. 328 Manganocyanic acid (or mangano-
cyanhydric acid) HiMnCyg.
t Man'ganolite. Min. Obs. [f. Mangano-
+ Gr. Ai&»- -lite.] =- Rhodonite.
1884 Cassclfs Encycl. Did. 1896 A. H. Chester Diet. Min.
Manganosite fmarrjganosait). Min. [ad. G.
manganosit, I. mangan Manganese.] Protoxide
116
of manganese, occurring in small green octahedral j
crystals which turn black on exposure to the air.
1887 Dana Man. Mineral, § Petrogr. (ed. 4) 206.
1 Mangano so-manganic, a. Chem. Obs.
[ad. modX. manganoso-manganicus (Berzelius) :
cf. Manganous and Manganic] Having a formula
which is the sum of that of a ' manganous ' and
that of a 'manganic' compound. Mangancso-
manganic oxide : red oxide of manganese, Mn3C>4.
1845 Parnell Chan. Anal, 331 Manganoso-manganic
oxide. 1865 Watts Diet. Chem. IV. 801 Manganese occurs
..as manganic and manganoso-manganic oxide.
Manganous (marijganss), a. Also 9 manga-
neous. [f. Mangan-ese + -ous.] a. Ofthenature ■
of, or containing, manganese, b. Chem. Contain-
ing manganese with its lower valency.
1823 Henry Elem. Chem.(ed 9) II. 11 The constitution of
the manganeous acid. 1842 T. Graham Elem. < hem. 530 1
Protoxide of manganese, Manganous oxide. 1884 H. Balek-
mam Dcscr. Mineral. 51 Manganous sulphide. 1884 Health
Exhib. Catal. 49/2 Patent Manganous Carbon Filters of
various kinds. 1891 Thorpe Diet. Appl. Client. II. 499'i :
One-sixth of the weight of the manganous chloride employed. ;
Mangas : see Mango.
Mangastan, -stene, obs.formsofMANGOSTEEN. j
Mange (m^nds), shl Forms: a. 5 maniew(e,
manyew, 6-7 maugie, 7 maungie, mangy. '
£. 6 maunge, 7 mainge, 6- mange. [Late ME.
manjewe, a. OF. manjue, mangcue itch (also in
the sense 'eating'), vbl. sb. f. manjuer = mangier
(mod.l\ manger) to eat. Cf. F. iL'mangerio itch.]
1. A cutaneous disease analogous to the itch in \
man, occurring in many hairy and woolly animals,
and caused by an arachnidan parasite. Also some-
times loosely, a dirty, scabby or scurfy condition
of the skin. Flying, quick, red, scabby mange,
varieties of this disease.
a. C1400 Master of Game (MS.Digby 182) xii, J?e houndes
also hath an ober sicknesse, bat is cleped be Maniewe [Bodl. !
MS. manyew]. Unci., pat ober manere of maniewe is cleped
be fleynge maniewe. Ibid., pat one is cleped quyc maniewes,
be wliiche pileth be houndes. 1575 Turberv. Fantcouric
363, I place the Mangie firste, as the capital! enemie to the
quiete and beautie of a brave spanell. 1598 Yong Diana
306 The luniper oile may neuer helpe my flockes, With
lothsome mangie being ouerrun. 1604 E. G[rimstone]
D'Acostas Hist. Indies VI. xv. 465 If the mangie or the
scurvie. .take any beast, they were presently commaunded
to bury it quicke. 1624 Heywood Captives 11. ii. in Bullen
O. PI. IV, Tig good phi.->ick To cure thee of the mangy.
1647 R. Stai'Ylton Juvenal 141 The dogs whose mangy
eats away his haire.
^. 1540 Act 32 Hen. VIII, c. 13 § 9 Anye horse, geld-
ynge or mare infecte with suappe or mange. 1601 Hol-
land Pltny II. 450 The scurvie thicke roufe in the farcins
or mange of horses. 1623 J. Taylor (Water P.) Praise !
Hetupseed Wks. ( 1630! in, 66/1 G;uigrenaes, Vlcers, wounds, I
and mortall stabs, Illiaca passioes, Megrims, Mumps,
or Mange. 1663 Butler Hud. 1. 1. 612 And tell what
Crisis does Divine The Rot in Sheep, the Mange in 1
Swine. 1667 T. Coxe in Phil. Trans. II. 451, I procured i
an old Mungrell Curr, all over-run with the Mainge. i
1683 TRYON Way to Health 88 At last they [sheen] j
will break out with a Mainge or Scab. 1750 Rutty in (
Phil. Trans. LI. 473 It cures the mange in horses, and
the itch in men, by bathing. 1832 Scott Pant. Lett. 4 Sept.
(1894) II. xviii. 149 As it was, I came off with a fit of the
mange, and it was a good escape. 1843 Youatt Horse (1848)
379 Mange in cattle has been propagated to the horse. 1858
— Dog 367 The Scabby Mange is a frequent form which
this disease assumes. It assumes a pustular and scabby
form in the red mange. 1868 Regul, ty Ord. Army p 567 !
The veterinary Surgeon will inspect all the horses of the
detachments for the detection of Mange.
■\%Jig. A restless desire. (Cf. Itch 2.) Obs.
1648 Hekrick Hesper., A Country Life 22 Those that have
the itch Of craving more are never rich. These things thou
know'st to' th 'height, and dost prevent That plague [MS.
Ashm. 38. p. 90 Mange], because thou art content, a 1680
Rochester Sess. Poets 56 Don Carlos his Pockets so amply
had fill'd, That his Mange was quite cur'd. 1789 Wolcot
(P. Pindar) Expost. Odes x. 22 The Love of Flattery is the
Soul's rank Mange. 1790 — Ep. to Sylv. Urban, If yet
thy head possess the Mange of Writing.
f Mange, s&f* Obs. [? f. Mange v.]
1. A meal.
ti 1605 Montgomerie Chcrrie fy Slac (revision) ni, I saw
the hurcheon and the hare In hidlings hirpling heir and
thair, To mak thair morning mange.
2. A food for animals.
161 1 Markham Cottntr. Content. \. i. (1668) 12 The best
food is to give them Mange, made either of ground Outs,
Barley Meale, Branne, or Mill-dust. Ibid. 13 Meat which
if it be sweet is called the Mange, if otherwise Carrion or
Garbage. 1615 — E'tg. Housew. U660) 177 Nor is there any :
more . . excellent meat for Swine in the time of sickne.s>e,
then a mange made of ground Oates and sweet Whey.
t Mange, <*■ Obs. rare. Also 5 manyew,
6 maunge. Cf. Manged a. [f. Mange sby\
Having the mange ; =- Mangy.
c 1410 Master 0/ Game (MS. Digby 182) xii, Anoynt be j
hounde berwith as he is maniewed {Bodl. MS. manyew], j
1537 Matthew Lev. xxu 20 Wether he be..gogeleyed, or !
maunge, or skaulde. Ibid. xxii. 22 Whether it. .haue awen, (
or be maunge, or scabbed. 1547 Hooper Answ. Bp. Win*
ehesters Bk. L4 b, Tosauehymfitr. a dog] he wax not mange.
t Mange, v. Obs. Also 4, 6 maunge. [a.
OF. mangier, manjuer (mod.F. manger) to eat :— ,
L.manducdre: see Manducate &.] trans. To eat. 1
Hence f Manging vbl. sb.
MAN GE L- WURZEL.
1362 Langl. P. PL A. ix. 245 pei han I-Maunget ouur
muche \?a.t makeb hem grone ofte. < 1460 Towneley Myst.
xn. 232 And two swyne gronys, All a hare hot the tonys,we
myster no sponys here, at oure mangyng. 158a Stanvhurst
&neis 111. (Arb.) 83 Feare not thee manging fortold of burd-
seat in hunger, Thee fats thee passage shal smooth. Ibid.
iv. 117 Yea the lad Ascanius wel I might haue slaughtered,
after At tabel of the father too set thee chield to be maunged.
t Manged, a. Obs. [f. Mange sb.* + -ed-.]
Suffering iiom mange. C1410 [see Mange a.].
i Manged, ///. a. Obs. [f. Mang v. + -EU1.]
? Rendered stupid or helpless.
1508 Kennkdie E'lytiugiv. Dunbar 546 Hangit, mangit,
eddir-stangit, stryndie stultorum. 1508 Dunbar Tua ntariit
H'enten 118 Than mak I nyne crocis, To keip me fia the
cummerans of that carll mangit. i5*3 Douglas ,-Eneis in.
v. 52 To the ground half mangit fell sche doun. 1535
Stewart Cron. Scot. II. 632 Vther sum war of ane vther
kynd, Richt mad 8: mangit, wod out of thair mynd. 1571
Saiir. Foetus Reform. xx>\ 137 Aske at be leving Lord,
That hanged, or manged, Mot ilk man mak his end. a 1600
Montgomerie Misc. Poems xxiv. 42, I sitt and sighis all
soliter and sad, Half mangd in mynd, almost as I war mad.
Manged, obs. form of Manchet.
Mangee, obs. form of Manjee.
Mangel (ma.-rjg'l), mangold (mce-ngould).
Short forMANGEL-wrRZEL. Also attrib. and Comb.,
as mangel field , grower \ mangel beetle, a small
blue- black beetle {Silpha opaca) whose larva feeds
upon mangel-wurzel ; mangel-fly, Anthomyia belie.
a. 1877 A*. W. Line. Gloss., Mangles, mangold wurzel.
1883 Harper's Mag. Apr. 652/1 A cow gets daily one
bushel of sliced mangel. 1889 Tennyson Owd Pod 14 All
on it now Goan into mangles an' tonups. 1893 Mom. Post
8 Mar. 8/2 A pest mentioned, .in these reports is the pigmy
mangel beetle, and mangel growers are requested to keep a
watchful eye upon the young roots.
0. 1856 Fanner's Mag. Jan. 62 Some swedes and yellow-
globe mangolds grown by H.R.H. Prince Albert. 1882
Garden 14 Jan. 23/3 Mangold fly. .the pest of our Mangold
fields in the j>rub state. 1884 Times (weekly ed.) 19 Sept.
6/3 Nowhere in Ireland have I seen finer crops of hay and
oats, of turnip^ and mangold.
II Mangelin. Obs. Also 6 mangiar, mange-
lyn, mangiallin, mangalin. [a. Telugu man-
jdli— Tamil manjddi.] A weight formerly used
in Southern India and Ceylon for weighing
precious stones, varying, apparently according to
the district, from half a carat to two carats.
1555 Eden Decaties 234 A poyse or weight which they
caule Mangiar, which wayeth two Tarre, and two thyrdes,
which amount to two thyrdes or thirde partes of one caratte.
1584 W. Bakret in HakluyCs Voy. (1599) II. 1. 274 Another
sort of weight called Mangiallins, which is 5 graines of
Venice weight. 1598 W. Phillip Linschoten \. lxxxv. 133
Sometimes they find Diamonds of one hundred and two
hundred Mangelyns.and more. 1615 lr.Dc M on/art's Surv.
E. Indies 35 It waigheth 198. Mangelins, and each Man-
gelin waigheth fiue graines. 1678 J. Pun. ins tr. 'Paver-
nier's Trav. 11. 11. xiv. 140 At the Mine of Raolconda they
weigh by Mangelins, a Mangelin being one Carat and three
quarters, that is seven Grains.
Mangel - wurzel, mangold - wurzel
(mK-rjg'I-,nix"rjg(nd|Wi>*.tzT). Forms: a. 8 mangle
wurzel, mangel wurtz, mangal wurzel, 9
mangel worsal, -wursel, mangol wurtzel,
mangul wurzel, 8-9 mangel-wurzel \crron.
-wurzel). $. 8-9 mangold- wurzel, (9 -wurtzel).
[a. G, mangold-wurzel (corruptly mangehvnrzcl),
f. mangold beet + wurzel root.
The corrupt form mangelivurzel (in Lng. now the pre-
vailing form) suggested, or was suggested by, a pseudo-
etyinological association with G. mangel want, whence in
the i8lh and early 19th c. the name was often mistranslated
' root of scarcity ' (and in Kr. racine de disette). The origin
of G. mangold (MHG. mangolt) has not been determined:
it may be an application of the OHG. personal name ;)/«««-
gott. The G. word has passed into other langs. : cf. Da.
mangold, It. manigoldo.]
A variety of beet, with a root larger than that of
the garden beet ; cultivated as a food for cattle.
(Regarded by some botanists as a hybrid between the red
and the white beet.)
r. 1779 [>ee 1>]. 1787 (title' Xr. Abbe de (.'uinmereH's Account
of the culture and use of the Mangel Wurzel. 1787 Gentl.
Mag. Nov. 963/1 The Mangel Wurtz {Wurzel, you call it.) or
Root of Scarcity. 1788 Wolcot (P. Pindar) Peters Prophecy
Wks. (1823)237/1 Beets, in whose just applauses we are hoarse
all ; Such are the wondrous powers of mangel worsal. 1844
H. Sievhens Bk. Farm III. 76^, 1 sowed the common long
red or marbled mangel-wurzel. 1881 H. Tanner Set. Agrie.
Pract. Iviii. 288 The Mangel wurzel. .obtained by the im-
provement of the Sea- Beet (Beta Marititna).
0. 1800 Med. JrnL III. 8 Mangold Wurzel, or Root of
Scarcity. 1856 Farmer s Mag. Jan. 77 Mangold wurtzel.
b. attrib. and Comb., as mangel-wurzel beet,
leaf, plant ; mangel-wurzel fly, a small dipterous
insect {Anthomyia betx) the larva of which feeds
on beet leaves ; mangel-wurzel potato, a coarse
variety of potato used as food for cattle.
1779 HAWK ft Ahercrombie Unh. Gardener (1797) X b,
The Mangel Wurzel Beet. 1851 H. Stephens Bk. Farm
(ed. 2) II. 92/1 The mangold-wurzel plant.. is attacked by
the larva of a beetle, . .Silpha opaca. Ibid., The ultimate
effect of these attacks on the mangold-wurzel leaves is not
serious. 1862 Q. Jml. Microseop. Sci. II. 230 The Man-
gold-wurzel Fly. 1875 Encycl. Brit. I. 365/2 There are
several varieties of the potato, such as ' yams ', ' lumpers ',
1 mangel-wurzel potato', &c, which, although unfit for human
food, are much relished by cattle.
Mangeneol, obs. form of Manchineel.
MANGER.
117
MANGLE.
Mangenel(e, obs. form of Mangonel.
Manger (mei'nd&i), sb.1 Forms: 4 manyour,
maniore, mawnger, maungour,^ 5 maniure,
maniowre, mangeour, mawngeur, mawn-
jowre, 6 mangeor, maungere, mangier, 4-
raanger. [a. K. mangeoire (in 12th c. written
maingeure) = Pr. manjadotra, Catal. menjadora,
Pg. manjadoura, It. mangiatoia :— vulgar L. type
*manducdtdria, f. mandfteare (F. manger) to eat.]
1. A box or trough in a stable or cowhouse, from
which horses and cattle eat. (Chiefly used for
those kinds of food which cannot be placed, like
hay and straw, in the rack above.)
c i3I$Shoreham/Vw.t(E.E.T.S.) i2o/i45peoxeandasse
in hare manyour. ^ 1330 R. Bkunne Chron. Wacc (Rolls)
11182 Bordes broughte, cordes is: cables, & made mangers
[v.r. maniores] to stande in stables. a. 1400 Sir Fere. 441 A
mawnger ther he fande Come therin lyggande, Therto his
mere he bande. c 1440 Promf. Parv. 325/1 Maniure (S., P.
maniowre), mansorium, presepium, C., F., presepe. 1465
Paston Lett. II. 254 An hows to ley inne hey and straw,
and cost yow not but making of a rakand a mangeour. 1526
Tindale Luke ii. 7 She .. wrapped hym in swadlynge
cloothes, and layed hym in a manger [so 158a Rhcims and
1611 ; WvcLiFcracche, Geneva cretche : see Cratch shy ib].
1552 Am'. Hamilton Caiech. (1884) 24 The Asse has knawin
the mangier of his maister. 1629 Milton Christ's Xativ. 31
While the Heav'n-born-childe All meanly wrapt in the rude
manger lies. 1791 Mrs. Radcuffe Rom. Forest ii, My
horse, I believe, smelt the corn in the manger by the rate he
went at. 1868 Regit I. <r Ord. Army r 570 To prevent in-
fection., the rack and manger, are to be scoured with soft
soap and hot water.
b. Used as the symbol of the Nativity.
1838 Jackson tr. Krummachers Etisha xiit. 294 The
blissful mystery of the manger and the Cross.
c. Phr. In hack {heck) ami manger: see Hack
sb.* 2, Heck sb.1 3 ; Rack and manger; see Rack
J-/'.* 3 b, C, d. Also DuG-IN-THJS-MANGEK.
f2. Astron. ( = L. Pnvsa'pe.) The name of a
nebulous tract in the constellation Cancer. Obs.
1551 Recorde Cast. Kn&ivl. (1556) 265 After Gemini
foloweth Cancer containing 8 stars, beside a cloudy tract
which is named ya Manger or Crybbe.
3. Xaut. A small berthing in the bows of a ship-
of-war, intended to keep the water entering the
hawse-holes from flooding the deck,
1627 Capt. Smith Seaman* s Gram. ii. 10 A circle of planke
cither abaft or before the maine Mast called the Manger.
Ibid., The Bits . . are . . placed abaft the Manger in the
ships loofe. 1836 E. Howard A*. Ree/ir xYxii, The manger,
that part of the main-deck directly under the forecastle.
1867 in Smyth Sailor's Word-bk. 466.
4. at t rid. and Comb., as manger- cradled adj. ;
manger-board (see quot.) ; manger-doggish-
ness nonce-wd., the character of a dog-in-the-
manger ; manger-door, the outlet from a ship's
manger ; manger-food, -meat, food which may
properly be placed in the manger for cattle ;
manger-scupper, an aperture for carrying off
water from a ship's manger.
1867 Smyth Sailor's Word'bk., Manger, a small berthing
in the bows, .separated on the after part from the rest of the
deck by the *manger-board, a strong coaming rather higher
than the hawse-holes. 1620 Dekker Dreamt 9 The *Man-
ger-Cradled Babe, the Begger borne, The poorest Worme
on earth, the Heighth of Scorne. a 1631 Donne To Ctess
Huntingdon 14 Poems (1633) 91 As such a starre which Magi
led to view The manger-cradled infant, God below. 1860
Tkolloi'E Fraiuhy P. xxxi, Is not that *manger-doggishness
one of the most common phases of the human heart '( 1802 J.
Anfhev in Naval Chron. VII. 48 A man was. .sentry at the
*manger-door. 1805 R. W. Dickson Pract. Agric. II. 599
A *manger food for the labouring teams. 1744-50 W. Ellis
Mod, Httsbaudm. 1. 11. 41 The best Sort of Pease for* Manger-
meat. 1834 Brit. Ilttsb. I. 141 The whole of this food is
given as manger-meat, no part of it being put into the rack.
c 1850 Rudim. Navig, (Weale) 131 The water is returned
into the sea by the *manger-scuppers.
Hence Ma'ngerful, a quantity that fills a manger.
1875 Chr. G. Rossetti Goblin Market, etc. 221 A breast-
ful of milk And a mangerful of hay.
t Manger, sb? Obs. [a. OP', mangier to eat
(the inf. used as sb.). Cf. Gramaungeke.] A
sumptuous meal ; a banquet.
In the later quots. the word may be a jocular use of
Manger sb.1
[13 •• MJnor Poems fr. Vernon MS. xxx. 566 And benne
hope bodi and soule i-fere Schai wende to the graunt Man-
gere.] c 1420 Laud Troy Bk. 24 That gestoures often dos
uf hem gestes At mangeres and at grete ffestes. (1460
Towneley Myst. xii. 201, I am worthy the wyne, me thynk
it good skyll, My seruyse I tyne, I fare full yll, At youre
manger*. 1548 Latimer Floughers (Arb.) 26 They are so
troubeled wyth Lordelye lyuyuge. .mounchynge in their
maungers..that they canne not attende it. 1605 Chapman,
etc. Eastward Ho 1 iv. i, Farewell thou home of hunger
that calbt th' Innes a court to their Manger.
b. A prepared dish. Manger blanc-BiAxc-
mange(r.
>S74 Hellowes Gueuaras Fatu. Ep. (1584) 98 They set
before her.. Manger blank, Pasties, Tarts, and other vari-
able kuide of gluttonies. 1601 Holland Pliny I. 346 A
certain manger or broth made of their [barbels'] liuers.
1676 Lady Fanshawe Mem. {1830) 209 Cakes, cheese, and
excellent sweetmeats, especially manger blanc.
t Manger, v. Obs. rare~0. [a. F. manger (inf.).]
J613 R. Cawdrey Table Alp/i. (ed. 3), Manger, to eate.
Mangering: see List of spurious words.
+ Mangery. Obs. Forms : 4-5 ma(u)ngeri,
mangery, 4-6 mangerie, 5 maungery, raan-
gere, mawngery, mangrie, maynerey, 56 Sc.
maniory, 6 Sc. mangeory. [a. OF. mangerie, f.
mangier (mod.F. manger) to eat.]
1. A banquet ; a ceremonial feast ; a series of
festivities.
a 1300 Cursor M. 15198 Til be lauerd o bat hus Yee sai
on mi parti, pat he yow wald len sum place, To mak vr
mangeri. 13.. E. E. Atlit. P. I!. 1365 Such a mangerie to
make be man was atttsed. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxxvi. {Bap
tista\ 501 [He] mad gret mangery bairn to, As afFerit kyng
to do. c 1400 Laud Troy Bk. 244 Til thre dayes were fulh
paast, This mangeri then so longe laast. cx^moStr Ama-
dace [Camden] lv, Ther weddut he that lady brigte, The
maungery last a faurtenyjte, With schaftes for to schake.
1422 tr. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv. 153 Wher ben thay
that helde the grete festes and grete mangries makid? (1425
Wyntoun Cron. 11. xi. 101 1 Andane vgsum maniory Off wlat-
sum corssis and vgly. '/C1475 Sqr. lowe Degre 1098 That
worthy wedding for to se, And come vnto that mangeri;.
1513 Douglas AKncis xm. ix. 5 Onon the bankat and the
mangeory For fest ryall according, by and by.
2. Banqueting, luxurious eating.
a 1470 Tii' 1 oft Orat.G. Flamincus (Caxlon 1481) F ivb'i,
Supposes! thou with thy ^leep reste ydelnesse wyne mangerie
lustes vnshamefastnes to get that worshipful fame which
they gate. ^1470 Henkyson Mor. Fab. 11. {Town <y C.
Mouse) x.wii, Thy mangerie is mingit all with cair, Thy
guse is gude, thy gansell sour as gall.
3. Board ; necessary food.
1596 NASHE Saffron Waldeu 119 The Minister then seru-
mg at Saint Albanes in Wood-street, .satisfied the House
for his lodging and Mangerie.
Mangestain, obs. form of Mangosteen.
Mangey, variant of Mangy.
Manggall, Manggo : sec Manoal, Mango.
Mangiallin, mangiar, vars. Mangelin Obs.
Mangie, obs. f. Mange $b.\ Mangy, Manjkk.
Mangier, obs. form of Manger sb.i
Mangily (me^'ndgili), adv. In 7 mangely.
[f, MANGE sb.'1 + -(l)LY -.] In a mangy manner.
c 1620 Fletcher & Massinger False One n. iii, Oh, this
soundea mangely.. and scurvely in a Souldiers mouth.
Manginess (m^'nd^ints). [f. Mangy a. +
-NKSS.] The condition of being mangy.
c 1400 Master of Game (MS. Digby 182) xii, per is 1 1 1 1 .
maners of maniewenesse [Boat. MS. manyewnesse]. 1535
CoVERDALE Dent. XXVU1. 27 The I.orde shal smyte the.,
with scalle, and maungynesse. ^1571 Jewel Oh i Thcss.
<i6ii) 99 Who hath not heard of the patience of lob?..
his body stricken with a scurfe or mangines. 1579 Lang-
ham Gard. Health (1633) 279 Fur the white scurfe, leapry,
. .manginesse. .&c. 161 iCotgk.,. '/«/</£.• S. Rock, .an itching
manginesse. 1725 Braulky Fam. Diet. s.v. Rules for buy-
ing a Horse, To have much Hair on the Mane, denotes in-
tolerable Dulness ;..and to be without none, .shews the
Worm in the Mane, the Itch, or else plain Manginess.
t Mangle, sbA Obs. [f. *mang/et Mongle v.]
In mangle : in a melee.
13.. A'. A lis. 7412 While they weore so in mangle, Theo
Vndiens gan gangle.
Mangle 'marng'l), sb.' [a. Sp. mangle (Oviedo
lh6b) '• sce Manguove.] =MangKove. Also
alt rib., as mangle- bark, tree.
[1597 Hartwkll tr. Pigafettas Congo iv. 24 The. . barke
of the tree which is called Manghi. (Orig. di quell'alborc
nomato manghi.)] 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage vni. ii. (1614)
733 Mangle is the name of a Tree, which multiplieth itselfe
into a wood. [Cf. ibid. 698 ftiarg. : Andrew Battell saith,
That the tree which thus strangely multiplies itselfe is
called the Manga tree.] 1693 Phil. Trans. XVII. 621 Two
sorts of the Mangle-Tree, of the Arbor de Raiz kind,
though no Figg. 1760-72 tr. Juan <$ Ultoa*s Voy. (ed. 3)
I. 171 In its neighbourhood [Guayaquil], .are great num-
bers of mangles, or mangrove trees. 1824 tr. Spink fy Mar-
lins* Trav. Brazil I. 217 note, The mangle or mangrove tree.
1885 U. S. Cons. Rep. No. 50. 268 (Cent.) Mangle-bark
ib principally used in tanning leather.
Mangle (mpe'rjgT , sb?> [a. Du. mangel masc.
( — G. mangel fern., recorded from the 18th c),
app, short for the synonymous mangelstok, f. stem
of mangelen to mangle, f. MDu. mange (— MHG.,
mod.G. mange), a mangle, in early use also a
mangonel. The Du. and G. word is ultimately
from the Gr. ft&fyarw (see Mangonel), but its
history has not been precisely traced : cf. the
meil.L. forms mango, manga. For the sense cf.
It. mangano, 'a kinde of presse to press buckrom,
fustian, or died linnen cloth, to make it have a
luster or glasse' (Florio 1598).] A machine for
rolling and pressing linen and cotton clothing etc.
after washing; in its older form, an oblong rect-
angular wooden chest filled with stones, worked
backwards and forwards by a rack and pinion
arrangement ;or, earlier, by straps wound round a
roller worked by a handle), and resting upon two
cylinders, which were thus rolled with great pres-
sure over the fabric spread upon a polished table
beneath ; now consisting of two or more cylinders
working one upon another. Cf. Calender sb.1 2.
The possession of a mangle, for the use of which a small
sum was charged, is, among the poorer class of English cot-
lagers, a common means of earning money. The question
'Has your mother sold her mangle ?' (quot. 1836-7) was at
one time the commonest piece of 'chaff' used by London
itreet-boys.
1774 in Titles Patents (1854) I. 193 A grant unto Hugh
Oxenham, . .carpenter and mangle maker, of his new invented
mangle of an entirely new construction, .to answer all the
purposes of mangles without the incumbrance of weight.
1793 Regal Rambler 73, I might mention the mangle, aho
a curious machine, for pressing fine linen. 1836-7 Dickens
Sk. Boz, Scenes xx, The only answer we obtained was a
playful inquiry whether our maternal parent had disposed
of her mangle. 1891 Hardy Noble Dames 186 While she,
like a mangle, would start on a sudden in a contrary course,
and end where she began.
b. altrib., as mangle -keeper, -maker, -room,
worker; mangle-wheel, a wheel which, by an
ingenious adjustment of rack and pinion, causes the
movable part of a mangle to travel backwards and
forwards, while the wheel itself rotates in only one
direction ; applied also to a similar wheel in textile
machines ; similarly mangle pinion, rack.
1774 Mangle maker [see above). 1799 H nil Advertiser 12
Oct. 1/1 A very excellent Mansion House . . with . . mangle
room._ 1839 Ure. Diet, Arts, etc. 798 The mangle wheel, has
been introduced., into the machinery of the textile manufac-
tures. 1858 SiMHONUS Diet. Trade, Mangle-keeper, the
owner of a mangle; a smoother of linen. 1875 Knight Diet.
Meeh. 1383/2 Mangle-rack, a rack having teeth on opposite
sides, engaged by a pinion which meshes with the opposite
sides alternately. 1884 McLaken Spinning 141 By a series
of wheels the mangle pinion shaft A A is worked, which
drives the mangle pinion x, and this drives the mangle wheel.
1891 Labour Com mission Gloss., Mangle Workers, the atten-
dants at the mangles used for finishing jute and linen fabrics.
Mangle (mjrijg'l), z:1 Also 5 6 mangel, 6
mangyll. [ad. At '. mangier, mahangler ,cf. metl.L.
mangulare in a Fr. document of 1361), app. a
frequentative form of mahaignier : see Maim v.
But cf. obs. F. mangonner 'to mangle or dis-
figure by mangling' (Cotgr.).]
1. trans. To hack, cut, or lacerate (a person or
his members} by repeated blows; to reduce, by
cutting, tearing, or crushing, to a more or less
unrecognizable condition, f Formerly sometimes,
to mutilate, t Also with out.
C1400 pesir, Troy 5704 Who. .Were. .Martrid &murthrid,
manglit in pesev. fi45oAfrr#K445Thecristinneuercessed to
killeand to sle, and mangeled alle that thei myght take. 1526
Pitgr. Perf (W. de W. 1531) 257b, The. .ble^ed body thus
mangled, torneei rent, lyenge in y lappa of that gloryous vir-
gyn his mother. 1574 Hello\^ ,ts G ueuara 's Fam. F.p, (15S4)
339 Uut the Moores. mangled him and his men in peeces.
1600 Rowlands Lett. Humours Blood 11. 8 Or Mincepic-
like lie mangle out the slaue. 1611 Bible 2 Mace. vii. 1 s,
Now when this man was dead also, they tormented and
mangled the fourth in like maner. 1632 J. Poky in Ellis
Orig. Lett. Ser. 11. III. 272 It mist his eyes, yet it pitifully
mangled his visage. 1678 Wanley World. Lit. World v.
ii. § 68. 471/2 His beautiful Empress, whom a young Bur-
gundian. .had most dopitefully mangled, cutting off both
her Nose and Ears. 1791 Gouv. Mokkis in Sparks Life <V
Writ. (1832) II. 13S Next morning two men were lanterned
and mangled in the Parisian taste. 18*9 Scoit Anne of G.
ii, I will see my Arthur once more, ere the wolf and the
e;igle mangle him. 1855 Macaclay Hist. Eug. xxii. IV. 737
A human head was found severed from the body, .and .so
frightfully mangled that no feature could be recognised.
absol. 1818 Shellly Rev. Islam vi. iv, The red artillery's
bolt mangling among them falls.
b. trans/, andy?^.
1579 Lyly Enphues (Arb.) 106 Both so mangled with re-
pulse..and almost murthered by disdaine, that [etc.], 1592
Siiaks. Rom. (V Jul. ill. iii. 51 How hast thou the hart.. To
mangle me with that word, banished ? 1713 Silei.e Guard.
No. 17 P to The Lock Hospital .. is a receptacle for all
sufferers mangled by this iniquity.
2. To cut or hack (a material thing) in a rough
manner, so as to damage and disfigure ; f to divide
into rough or ragged parts.
1530 Pai.sgk. 632/2, I mangle a thyng, I di>fygure it with
cuttyngof it in peces or without order.. . Vou have mangylled
this meate horrybly, it is nat to sette afore no honest man
now. 1578 Lyik Dodoens iv. l.xiv. 526 Cotton Thistel..
beareth great large leaucs ai to mangled and cut by the
edges. 1610 Holland tr. CamdeiCs Scot. 37 The country
runneth out m length and breadth, all mangled with fishfull
pools ; and in some places with rising mountaines. 1638
Junius Paint. Ancients 177 They did respect gennnes more
than to mangle them with cutting. 1746 Smolleit Reproof
124 Butlo ! a swarm of harpies intervene, To ravage, mangle,
and pollute the scene ! 1784 Cowper Tiroc. 303 The bench
on which we sat while deep employed, Though mangled,
hacked, and hewed, not yet destroyed.
3. fig. Now chiefly : To render (words) almost
unrecognizable by mispronunciation ; to spoil by
gross blundering or falsification (a quotation, the
text of an author). Formerly often (now rarely) :
To mutilate, deprive of essential parts, subject to
cruel injury.
1533 Sir T. More Confut. Tindale 11. iv. Wks. 538/2
Tindal thai haue no cause to saye that I deface hys gaye
goodlye tale, by mangling of his matter. 1559 Bp. Scot
in Strype Ann. Ref. 1170a) I. n. App. x. 448 The reste
of the Sacraments, which be eyther clearly taken awaye,
or else mangled .. by this newe booke. 1592 Shaks.
Rom. <$ Jul. in. ii. 99 Ah poore my Lord, what tongue
shall smooth thy name, When I thy three houres wife
haue mangled it. 1607 — Cor. in. i. 158 Your dishonor
Mangles true judgement. 1641 Milton Auimadv. \. Wks.
1851 III. i8g Remember how they mangle our Britttsh
names abroad, a 1683 Sidney Disc. Govt. in. xlvi. (1704!
420 Queen Elizabeth, .did not go about to mangle Acts of
Parliament. 1700 Dryden Fables Pref., Wks. iGlobe) 503
It was also necessary sometimes to restore the sense of
Chaucer, which was lost or mangled in the errors of the
press. 1738 SWOT Pol. Conversat. Introd. S4 Such a Pro-
MANGLE.
ject . . wuuld intolerably mangle my Scheme. 1768-74 Tucker I
Lt. Nat. 1,1834) II. 443 Go to an Italian opera and you will
hear the singers so clip and mangle their words, that.. you
will lose even the little sense they contain. 1873 Dixon Tivo
(f teens I. tv. iii. 191 To give up Rouen and Bordeaux would
be to mangle France. 1901 Athena>um 27 July 121/1 Why
mangle Virgil with a stupid ' hac mortalia tangunt ' ?
absol. 1641 Milton Ch.Govt. 1. vi. Wks, 1851 III. 122 If
schisme parted the congregations before, now it rent and
mangl'd, now it rag'd.
Mangle (mse-qgT), v.- [f. Mangle sb?> or
pern, a. Du. mange/en = G. mangeln^]
1. trans. To press smooth with a mangle.
1775 Ash Suppl., Mangle, to smooth linen by means of a
mangle. 1790 in Abridg. Specif. Patents, Pleaching, etc.
(1859) 51 A machine or machines for mangling and washing
every article made of linen [etc.] that will bear washing.
1798 Trans. Sac. Arts XVI. 303 The Model of a machine
for Mangling Linen. 1810 Splendid Follies I. 119 Mrs.
Squasham desired her humble duty, and had had them [se.
clothes] mangled... Mangle the d— 1 !.. exclaimed Sponge.
..I'll mangle every bone in her skin. 1837 Dickens Pickiv.
xv, Might have got up my linen as I came along..— queer
thing to have it mangled when it's on one.
2. To beat (lead) flat on a roller.
1880 Lomas Alkali Trade 28 The process of mangling
[lead].. consists in rolling the sheet tightly round a wooden
mandril,, .beating it meanwhile .. with the plumber's mallet.
Mangled (mse'rjg'ld), ///. a.1 [f. Mangle v.1
+ -Ki) l.] In senses of the vb.
1561 T. Norton Calvin's Inst. 1. 42 Yet are they not
ashamed to picke out certa'me mangled sentences.^ 1564
Becon Wks. I. Gen. Pref. Biv, He is a mangled minister,
which eyther teachetn well & liueth euil, or liueth wel and
teacheth euill. 1627 Dkayton Agincourt 33 These [birds]
came in deed On their owne mangled Carkases to feed. 1641
Milton Animado.x. Wks. 1831 III. 194 The mangl'd pieces
of a gash't Serpent. 1668 Culpepper & Cole Bart hoi . Anat.
11. xi. 124 According as the Voice comes to the Ear, intire
or mangled. 1719 De Foe Crusoe 11. ix, Their poor mangled
comrade. 1770 Junius Lett. Pref. 13 A multitude of spurious,
mangled publications of the Letters 0/ Junius. 1779
Forrest Voy. N. Guinea 64, I took him by the hand, and,
pointing to the mangled anchor, laughed. 1841 DTsraeli
A nun. Lit. {1867) 546 Most of our old plays come before us
in a corrupt and mangled state. 1869 FREEMAN Norm. Conq,
1.18751 III. xi. 31 The mangled form of the martyr of Evesham.
Hence f Mangledly adv., in a mangled manner.
1657 Sergeant Schism Dispach't 466 Hut why. .do you
go about to show that I put not down the Authors words
aright, but mangledly and corruptly.
Mangled (mse'Qgl'd) , ppl a.2 [f. Mangle v.'1
+ -KJjl.J Pressed in a mangle.
1775 in Ash Suppl. 1855 Thackeray Ncwcomes v, A..
freshly mangled surplice.
Mangier (mae-rjglai). [f. Mangle v.1 + -ek'.]
1. One who mangles, in various senses of the vb.
In the first quot. the identity of the word is doubtful : cf.
Monger sb.
1561-2 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 201 Charge all and
sindry fiescheouris and manglaris of flesche. 1581 J. Bell
/laddou's Answ. Osor. 10.4 They be nothyng els but..
111 anglers and spoylers of the best part and power of Gods
Grace. 1583 NoWELL & \V. Dav Rep. Conference iv. Cam-
pion 14 Campion, .hath charged vs as rasers, manglers, and
spoylers of the holy Scriptures. 1624 Gataker Transubst.
61 Hee speaketh in these wordes. .which this mangier of him
omitteth. a 1723 Tickell To Sir G. Kneller 48 After thee
may rise an impious line, Coarse manglers of the human face
divine. 1800-24 CAMPBELL To Mem. of Span. Patriots v,
Manglers of the martyr's earthly frame !
2. ? U. S. A mincing-machine.
1875 Knight Diet. Mech. 1383/2 Mangier, a machine for
grinding meat, to render it more easy to masticate or to stew.
Mangier- (marngUa). [f. Mangle p.8 + -eh1.]
1. One who smoothes fabric in a mangle.
a 1845 Hood To Scotch Girl 12 This industrious part Of
waslier, wearer, mangier, presser, stamper. 1885 R. L. &
F. Stevenson Dynamiter ii. 9 A ticket announcing the
business of the mangier.
2. An appliance for mangling clothes (forming
part of a composite machine).
1882 Echo 17 May 7 (advt.) Unrivalled 'Villa' washer,
wringer, and mangier.
Mangling (marrjglirj), vbl. sb£ [f. Mangle
v.1 + -inu *.] The action of Mangle v.l
a 1652 J. Smith Set. Disc. ix. 407 Without any mincing or
mangling of the words. 1727 Swift Let. Eug. Tongue Wks,
1755 II. 1. 188 Most of the books we see now-a-days, are full
of those manglings and abbreviations. 1807 Med. J ml.
XVII. 245 He did not intend to declare positively, that the
mangling of a vesicle, .could not. .produce so much mischief.
1902 Daily Chron. 29 Mar. 5/1 The mangling of British
names by French newspapers is an old story.
Mangling (mxTjglirj), vbl. sb? [f. Mangle
v.'2- + -IHG !.] The pressing of linen, etc., in a
mangle. Also attrib.
1775 in Ash Suppl. 1824 in Spirit Pub. Jruls. (1825)
181 He has commenced business in Drury-Lane, in the
Mangling Department. 1833 J. Holland Manuf. Metal 1 1.
254 By this machine the operation of mangling was well
enough done.
Mangling (marngHrj),///. a. rare. [f. Mangle
Z/.1 + -1NG-.] That mangles, in the senses of the vb.
1592 Suaks. Ven. fy Ad. 1065 And then she reprehends her
mangling eye, That makes more gashes, where no breach
should be. 1794 Southey Sonn. Slave Trade iii, Gasping he
lies.. While that inhuman driver lifts on high The mangling
scourge. 1813 Scott Rokeby vi. xxxiii, As mute as fox
'mongst mangling hounds.
Hence Manglingly adv., in a mangling manner.
1608 T. Morton Preamb. Encounter 13 Repeating the
Latuie, yet but manglingly.
118
Mangnel(e, obi. form of Mangonel.
Mangnifyer, obi. form of Magnifier.
Mango (mxTjgo";, sbA PI. mangoes, -gos
(iruL-rjgouz). Forms: 6-7 manga s, 7 rnangue,
manggo, mengue, 7 mango ,e. [a. I'g. manga
whence K. tnangtu, t mengue, mod. I.. mangKh)as,
the source of some Eng. forms', a. Malay maijga,
a. Tamil man-hay {man mango-tree + hay =• fruit).]
1. The fruit of Mangifera indica (N.O. Attacar-
tliaeex), a tree extensively cultivated in India and
other tropical countries ; it is a fleshy drupe, with
more or less of a turpentine flavour; the best
kinds are highly esteemed for eating ripe ; the
green fruit is used for pickles and conserves.
1582 N. Lichefield tr. Castanhcda's Cow/. E. Ind. I. xvi.42
The one .sort of these (fruit!,] is called Lacas {read lacas] and
the other Mangas. 1598 \V. PhiluI' Linschotcn 1. Ii. 94 The
Mangas is inwardly yealowish, but in cutting it is waterish. . .
'the season when Mangas are ripe is in Lent. 1655TERKV I 'oy.
A'. India 96 Another most excellent Fruit they have, called
a Manggo. 1681 Drydem Pro/., 'Gallants, a bashful poet'
28 Mangos and berries, whose nourishment is little, 'Though
not for food, are yet preserved for pickle. 1727 Arbcthnot
John Bull Postscr.ch. x, How helong'd for Mangos, Spices
and Indian Birds-Nests. 1891 S. Dickinson in Boston
[Mass.) Jntl, 21 Feb. 5/3 Bananas, pineapples, mangoes,
and grenadillos are plentiful in Fiji.
2. The tree producing this fruit.
1678 J. Phillips tr. Tavcrniers Trav. 11. 1. iv. 34 All
along the high-way, there grows a vast number of great
'Frees, which they call Mangues. 1693 Phil, 'Brans. XVII.
68 ; We have a compleat History' of that Fruniferous Tree,
called Mango by the English, c X796 T. Twining Trav.
Au/er. (1894) 172 It appears to me that the cajoor-tree of
Bengal might be successfully introduced into the Southern
Stales, as also possibly the mango. 1825 Ccttll. Mag. XCV.
1. 318 The mango, with the 'bread-fruit tree' was brought
litre [i. e. Jamaica] from Otaheite, about 30 years ago. 1871
Kincsley At Last ii, Handsome houses, .embowered in
mangos, tamarinds, and palmistes. 1903 Pilot 22 Aug. 173/1
Long groves of palm and mango and bamboo.
3. With prefixed word, applied to various other
trees and their fruits, as mountain mango, China
flava (West Indies) ; t water-mango {Barbados),
some West Indian fruit-tree (see quot. 1 700) ;
West India Mango, the anchovy pear {Grias
cauli/lora) ; wild mango (tree), {a) the bread-
tree of Western Africa {Irvingia barleri) ; {b) —
mountain mango ; {c) Spondias mangifera of India.
1700 PlukenET Manlissa(i76g 126 Manghas aqua: Ameri-
cana, folio subrotuudo, Barbadensilms Water Mangoes dicta.
1774 Long Hist, Jamaica III. 810 Anchovy Fear or West
India Mango. 1813 W. AlNSLIE Mai, Med. 1 1 indostan 222
Wild Mango. Spondias Mangifera. Lin.. .This fruit has
got its name from its resemblance to a Mango. 1866 'J'reas.
Bot. 628/1 The drupaceous fruits of two at least of the three
species [of Irvingia] known are edible, and known under the
name of Wild Mangos. I6id. 717/1 Mango.. Mountain or
Wild, Clusiaflava. 1878 H. M. St tinley Dark Cont. II.
xiii. 365 Wild mango-tree.
4. Cookery. A pickle, esp. of melons or cucum-
bers, resembling that made of green mangoes.
(Cf. Mango v.)
1699 Evelvn Acolaria App., Mango of Cucumbers. Hid.,
To make a Mango with them [i.e. walnuts]. 1728 E. S[mith]
Coinpl. Housew. (ed. 2) 59 To make Melon Mangoes. 1828-
32 Webster, Mango, a green muskmelon pickled. 1845 Miss
Acton Mod. Cookery (ed. 2) 503 The peaches may be con-
verted into excellent mangoes by [etc.]. 1859 Bart Lett Diet.
Avier., Mango. We apply this name to a green musk-
melon stuffed with horse-radish, ..etc., and then pickled.
5. Short for mango-bird, mango-fish.
1819 Ref.s Cycl., Mango, in Ornithology, a species of
'Brochilus. 1879 Rossiter Diet. Sci. Terms, Mango.. 2.
A fi^h — Polyne/uns risua.
6. attrib, and Comb., as mango blossom, bud,
-chutney, -fruit , grove , pickle, -seed, -spray, -tree;
mango-bird, (a) an oriole ( Oriolus kundoo~), native
of India ; {b) a humming-bird {Lampornis mango\
native of Jamaica ; mango-fish, a golden-coloured
fish, Polyncmus paradiseus or risua, inhabiting the
tropical seas between India and the Malay archi-
pelago ; the tupsce ; mango-fool, a dish made of
mangoes beaten to a pulp and mixed with cream
or milk ; mango-ginger, the pungent root of an
East Indian plant {Curcuma Amadd) nearly allied
to turmeric ; maugo-humming-bird, Lampornis
mango; mango-showers, ' used in Madras for
showers which fall in March and April, when the
mangoes begin to ripen ' (Y.) ; mango-tope, a
grove or plantation of mangoes ; mango (tree)
trick, an Indian juggling trick in which a mango-
tree appears to spring up and bear fruit within an
hour or two.
1738 Albin Nat. Hist. Birds III. 45 This Bird I had by
the Name of the "Mango Bird, which I believe to be an
imposed ^ Name : It is one of the Humming Birds. 1839
Jerdon in Madras Jrnl. X. 262 Oriolus melanocephalus L.
— Black headed Mango bird or Oriole. 1841 Elthinstone
Hist. Ind. I. 289 The languid odour of the*mangoe blossoms.
1861 Dora Greenwelc Poems 104 The *Mango buds grow
pale. _ 1751 G. Edwards Nat. Hist. Birds, etc. iv. 208, 1 be-
lieve it is call'd a *Mango-Fish, because it is of the Colour
that Fruit bears when ripe. 1835 Macaulav in Trevelyan
Life (1876) I. 420 We support nature, .by means of plenty of
eggs, mango-fish, snipe-pies, and frequently a hot beef-steak.
I 1864 Trevelvan Compel. Wallah (1866) 117 Roast kid and
MANGONISM.
mint-sauce, and *mango-fool. 1681 K. Knox Hist. Ceylon 1
A Tree the Natives call Ambo, (which bears the * Mango-
fruit). 1840 Paxton Bot. Diet , *Mango ginger, see Cur-
cuma Amada. 1800 Asiat. Ann. Peg., Misc. Tr. 256 A
pretty thick *m?tngoe grove, on the south-west end of the
town. 178a Latham Gen. Syn. Birds II. 758 *Mango Hum-
ming-Hird. 1699 Kvelvn Aceiaria 22 The *Mango Pickle.
1903 Blactov. Mag. Apr. 467/2 A spearhead, .shaped like a
'mango-seed. 1879 K. Arnold Lt. Asia (1889) 37 In the
* mango sprays The sun-birds flashed. 1800 Asiat. Ann.
Peg., Misc. Tr. 200 The *mangoe tope in the middle of the
village. 1687 A. LovELt.tr. Thevenot's 'Trav. 11. 175 "Mango-
Trees. 1698 Fkveb Ace. E. India <y P. 192 Others [Juglers]
presented a Mock-Creation of a Mango-Tree. 1888 Scien-
tific American 26 May 327/1 The celebrated *Mango tree
ttick. 1889 S. Laing Probl. P'utiuc vii. 182 The *mango
and other tricks of Indian jugglers.
Mango, sb.'- Obs. rare~x. [a. L. mango.']
A slave dealer.
1601 IJ. Jonson Poc taster w. i, And your fat Foole there, my
Mango, bring him too [cf. supra, Vou mangonizing slave].
Mango (mrcTig<?n), sb.3 (See quot.)
1870 J. W. Slater Man. Colours 114 Mango,* name given
in the linen districts of Ireland to bleaching-powder and
bleaching liquor.
Mango, v. Cookery. Obs. [f. Mango j/'.1]
trans. To pickle as green mangoes are pickled.
1728 E. SiiTl 11 Compl. Houseiv. (ed. 2) 63 To mangoCucum-
bcrs. Cut a little Slip out of the side of the Cucumber [etc.].
Man-god.
1. One who is both man and God, or is both a
man and a god. (Cf. God-man.)
When applied to Christ now written with capital initials.
J597 J- Payne Royal Exeh. 45 Yt may be sayde that
Mario was the Mother of God, in asmoche as he was Man-
god. 1720 Welton Suffer. Son of God II. xxix. 750 Can
any one behold this Man-God, after He had given such in-
fallible Proofs of His Divinity,.. and not stand amaz'd at the
1 tepths of the Divine Councils? 1839 Hailey P'estus xxii.
(1852) 396 The Lord, Man-God, re-appears. 1864 Kingslev
Pom. A> Tent. 81 A Divus Caesar, the man-god by whose head
all nations swore, 1865 tr. Strauss'1 Neiv I^ife Jesus II. 11.
xcili. 377 The Man-God of ecclesiastical doctrine. 1878 D.
P.ui cicali.t in N. Amer. Rev. CXXVL 51 Prometheus, in
the eyes of the Greek, was a man-god.
2. occas. a. A deified man. b. A god having
the form of a man.
1826 Gen. P. Thompson Exerc. (1842) III. 381 The Chris-
tian world was sunk in the worship . . of men-gods, and
women-gods. 1878 N. Amer. Rev. CXXVI I. 50 The old idol-
aters cut down a tree and made a man-god figure out of it.
Mangold -wurzel : see Mangel(-wurzel).
Mangole, obs. form of Mangonkl.
II Mangona (mjcrjg^na). [med.L. : see next.]
— Mangonel.
1856 Ecclcsiologist XVII. 116 The tre'huchet . . is another
name for the mangona — an engine for discharging stones.
[In some recent Dicts.J
Mangonel (marng^hel). Obs.exc.//ist. Forms:
a. 3 mangonele, 3-4 -genel, 4 -gunel, -genele,
-gurnele, 4-5 mangnel, 5 maungenele, man-
gonelle, 7 -ell, raanchonel, y manganel(l, 4-
mangonel. 0. 3 magnel, 4 -nale, 4-5 -nelle,
^maggGnell, magonneaul, maygnelle, 6-7 ma-
gonel(l. 7. 5 mangole. [a. OF. mangonel, also
mangonclle fern. r,mod.F. mangonneau ; cf. Pr. man-
ganel, It. manganelld), dim. f. late L. mangona,
mangonum, mangon-em} ad. Gr. payyavov an
engine of war, a pulley, etc. : see Mangle sb.]
A military engine used for casting stones and other
missiles against an enemy^ position.
rii94 in J. Hodgson Pipe Rolls Cumbld., etc. (1847) 173
Pro Maisremo ad Petrarium et Mangunell', vjs.J 1297 R.
Gi.ouc. (Rolls) 8124 {>at me ne mi^te no3t ise bote arwen &
flon, & stones out of Hperen & of magnels al so. a 1300 in
/'c/. Songs (Camden) 69 He saisede the mulne for a caste!,
. . He wende that the sayles were mangonel. 13. . A'. A tit.
1208 Alisaundre heom asailed fast, And with mangnelis
to heom cast, c 1330 Arth. <y Mcrl. 2430 (Kolbing), Our
King Vterpendragon Him asailed.. wib mangunels caste-
inge. < 1400 tr. Sccrcta Secret. , Gov. Lordsh. 111 And if
boa shall assayll castels, vse Instruments castyng stones, as
Mangoles or Perrerers. c 1400 Rom. Rose 6279 WUhouten
stroke it mot be take Of trepeget or mangonel. 1489 Cax-
ion Faytes of A. 11. xxxv. 154 The deffence aienst the
said engyns were gode mangonnelles & grete bombardes.
i$99Tn\KXEAuimadv. (1875)41 The trepegettandmagonell
: beinge all one. 1605 Camden Rem. (1657) 205 Our nation
! had the practice.. of mangonels.. wherewith they used to
i cast mil-stones. 1795 Southey Joan of Arc vnt. 158 O'er
the bayle . . The assailants pass'd with all their mangonels.
1819 Scott Ivanhoc xxvii. You may win the wall in spite
b.jth of bow and mangonel. 1877 Miss Yonge Cameos III.
viii. 68 He had only yielded it because his duchess was
fiightened by the mangonels of the besiegers.
t Ma'ngonism. Obs. [a. F. mangonisme, f. L.
mangon-, mango broker, dealer in vamped goods :
see -ISM.]
1. (See quot.)
1656 Blount Glossogr. [copying Cotgr.], Mangonism, the
craft of pampering, trimming or setting out saleable things.
2. A method of treating plants contrary to nature
in order to produce changes in their growth.
1691 Evelyn h'al. Hort., March 41 Let Gentlemen and
1 Ladies, .trust little by Mangonisme, Insuccations, or Medi-
cine to alter the Species, or indeed the Forms and Shapes
uf Flowers considerably. 1693 — De la Quint. Compl. Card.
Diet. s. v. ax7za Lisle Husb. (1752)136 The flower or fruit,
either in bulk or number, may not equally succeed by such
I mangouisiu.
MANGONIST.
tBEa'ngonist. Ol>s. [f. L. mangon- (see prec.)
+ -ist.] One who furbishes up inferior wares for
sale.
1605 Marston Dutch Courtesan I, A 4, The common bo-
some of a money Creature, One that sels humane flesh :
a Mangonist. 1698 Money masters alt Things 77 The Man-
gonJK does feed and grahh his Horse, In hopes that In:
thereby may fill his I'urse.
f Ma ngonization. Obs. [f. next + -atiox.]
The action of * mangonizing' or tricking out for sale.
1660 Fisher Rnsticks Alarm Wks. (1679) 382 Was there
ever the like piece of. .meer Mangonization of matters made
before by any Master in Israel as this, 1678 Cudvvorth
Intell. Syst. 1. iv. § 15. 281 A kind of Mangonization of it
[paganism] to render it more vendible and plausible.
t MailgOllize, v. Obs. [ad. late L. mangdni-
zare> f. L. mangon-, mango ^see Manoonism).]
1. trans. To furbish up (inferior wares) for sale.
1623 Cockeham, Mangonize, to polish for better sale. 1656
Ulount Giossogr., Mangonize.
2. intr. To traffic in slaves.
\6oi B. Jon'son Poetaster in. \, No you mangonizing slaue,
I will not part from 'hem.
t Mangony. Obs. rare~x. [ad. L. mangonium,
f. mangon- (see prec.).] — MangoniSU i and 2.
1623 Cockkram, Manganic, the Art to make things sale-
able. 1657 Tomlinson Rcuou's Ih'sp. 229 [Hortensian Mal-
lows] which by culture and mangony will grow to a tree-.
Mangoost,Mangoi\ see Mongoose, Mangour.
Mangosteen (marng^st/h). Forms : 6 man-
gestain, 7 mancoustan, mangosthan, man-
gustan, S mangastan, mangostane, mangous-
tan, S-9 mangostan, mangusteen, 9 man-
gostin,mangoostan, mangastene, mangostein,
8- mangosteen. La. Malay ^x~Sk*a mangttslan.]
1. The fruit of the East Indian tree Carcinia
Mangostana (N. O. Guttiferx). It is about the
size of an apple, with a thick reddish-brown rind,
and a white juicy pulp of delicious flavour.
1598 \V. Phillip tr. Linschoten 1, liv. 96/2 There are yet
other fruites, as Brindoijns, Durijndois, Iamboloens, Man-
gestains, and other such like fruites. 1660 F, Brooke tr,
Le Blanc's Trav. 87 Durions, Mancoustan, and Bananes.
1707 Flnnell Voy. x. 286 The Mangastan is about the big-
ness of a Golden-Runnet. 1797 Sir G. Staunton Macart-
neys F.mb. China I. 274 In March, among other fruits, the
mangosteen was ripe. 1806 Barrow Vey. Cochin China 1S5
Mangoostan. 1845 Darwin Voy. Nat. xx. 455 Mangostin.
185a F. A. Kkalb Resid. Siam xii. 194 That prince of all
earthly fruits, the mangostein.
2. The tiee producing this fruit.
1734 Zollman in Phil. Trans. XXXVIII. 232 The Man-
gostans is a kind of Bomiferous 'free, which grows in the
Molucca Islands. 1797 Monthly Mag. III. 208 Martin had
introduced into the botanic garden there (Cayenne] the
Ravengara, the Mangoustan, the Clove tree (etc.]. 1871
Kingsley At Last v, A group of young Mangosteens.
3. Wild mangosteen (tree), Embryopteris gltt-
tinifera,
1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp. s.v., There is a sort of wild
Mangoustan, called by the Portuguese, mato, which grows
in the woods both in the East Indies and in America. 1866
Treas. Bot. 7x7/1. 1885 G. S. Forbes Wild Life in Canara
42 Near at hand were two or three wild mangosteen trees,
Mangoiiay, obs. form of Maguey.
II Mangour. Obs. Also 6 manger, 7 man-
gur. [Turkish Jtu viangir (Rcdhouse).] An
obsolete Turkish copper coin.
1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. nr, xxii. 112 b,
A Mangor, which is the 8. part of an Aspie. 1617 Morvson
///«. 1.293 Sixteene brasse Mangouri made one silver Asper.
1683 T. Smith Ace. City Prusa in Misc. Cur. (1708) III. 65
A Mangur is an ugly old Copper Piece. 1687 A. Lovf.ll tr.
Thei-enoP s Trav. 1. 67 They have also half Quadrins, which
they call Mangours. Ibid. 11. 158. 1696 tr. Dit Mont's Voy.
Lez-ant xx'iv. 329 He made a very considerable Addition to
the usual Profits of that Office, by inventing .. a certain
Copper Coin, call'd Mangours.
Mangoust(e, obs. form of Mongoose.
Ma'll-grass. IV. Indies. [Cf. Mand jM : but
the currency of an East-Indian word in Barbados
in 1672 would need explanation.] The name in
Barbados for the gramineous plant Ek.usine indica.
1672 R. Blomr Descr. Jamaica, etc. 77 (Barbados The
Mangrass-Tree, which is of an exceeding greatness. 1848
Schombirgk Hist. Barbados 586 Elcusina indica,. .Man
Grass.
Mangrel, Mangrie : see Mongrel, Mangert.
Mangrove1 (nue-rjgrJuv). Also 7 raangrowe,
inangrave. [Of obscure history. Synonymous
words app. connected are IV. mangue (16th a),
Sp. mangle (Oviedo 1535, who applies it to S.
American species), whence K mangle* (16th a),
later mangle (now applied to the fruit only, the
name of the tree being manglier). The Malay
niangi-mangi mangrove (not now current in the
Malay Peninsula, but recorded in early Diets.) is
usually regarded as the ultimate source, but it is
difficult to account on this view for the early ap-
pearance of Sp. mangle referring to America. The
Eng. forms mangrowe, -grave are unexplained (but
cf. the word-play in quot. 1613) ; the mod. form is
doubtless due to assimilation to Grove sb.]
1. Any tree or shrub of the genus Khizophora,
119
or the allied genus Bruguiera (N. O. Rhizophora-
cem) ; esp. the Common Mangrove, R. Mangle.
The genus Rhizofhora is extensively represented in both
hemispheres. The species are all tropical, growing in the
mud on the sea-shore down to low- water-mark ; they have
large masses of interlacing roots above ground, which inter-
cept mud and weeds, and thus cati^e the land to encroach
on the sea. Red mangrove (see also 2d): a name given to
a West Indian variety of the Common Mangrove, formerly
separated as A*. Candel; also in Australia, to Bruguiera
rheedii.
1613 W. C. Plain Descr. Barmudas Fab, Amongst all
the rest there growes a kinde of tree called Mangrowes,
they grow very strangely, & would make a man wonder to
see the manner of their growing. 1657 K. Licon Barbadoes
72 The mangrave is a tree of such note as she must not be
forgotten. 1697 Dampier Voy. I. 151 Low swampy Land,
overgrown with Red Mangroves. 1772-84 Cook's I 'vy. (1790)
I. 193 A large lagoon, by the sides of which grows the true
mangrove, such as is found in the West-Indies. 1845 Dar-
win Voy. Nat. xxi.498 The channel.. was bordered on each
side by mangroves, which sprang like a miniature forest out
of the greasy mud-banks. 1889 Maiden Use/. Native Plants
316 Bruguiera Rheedii. .Red Mangrove.
ULigon's description of the 'mangrave' confuses
it (as Sloane pointed out) with the Mahoe (see
MahoeI i). Hence some later writers have ap-
plied the name mangrove-tree to the Mahoe.
2. Applied, on account of similarity of habit and
appearance, to various other plants, a. Any tree
or shiub of the genus AvicenniaCH.O. Verbenacex ,
esp. the White Mangrove (.-/. officinalis) found in
Brazil and Australasia, and the Jilack or Olive
Mangrove (.-/. nitidd) of tropical America and
Africa, b. Button mangrove, a small \V. African
tree, Conocarpus actus \. < ). Combretace&X Also
called Zaragoza mangrove ( Treas. Bot. 1S66). c.
"White mangrove, Lagtmeularia raccwosa (N. < >.
Combretace&, found in the West Indies, d. In
Australasia (sec Morris Austral Eng. lSgS^ used
with various qualifications in the names of certain
plants indigenous or cultivated there, as milky
mangrove, Exavcaria Agallocha (N. (). Euphor-
biacex) \ native mangrove (in Tasmania), a legu-
minous tree, Acacia longifolia ; red mangrove
(see also 1), Heritiera littoralis (N. O. Stercu-
liacete); river mangrove, an East Indian tree,
Aigiceras majas (N, O. A/yrsincr), naturalized in
Australia; rope mangrove, llibisats arborcus.
1683 J. Povntz Tobago 29 White Mangrove is of little use,
save only to make Hopes with. 1697 Dampier Voy. I. 54
The black Mangrove is the largest Tree. 1750 (I, Hughes
Barbados 199 It is called the Rope-Mangrove, from the I sr
that is made of the Hark of it to make Ropes or Halters fur
Cattle. 1830 LlNDLEV Nat. Syst. Bot. 238 Avicenni;t to-
mentosa, the White Mangrove of Uracil. 1887 Molonlv
Forestry IV. A/r. 352 Button Mangrove {Cotiocarpus ereeta,
Jacq.). 1889 Maidkn Use/. Native Plants 555 Heritiera
littoralis . .' Red Mangrove ' of Queensland.
3. alt rib., as mangrove bark, bush, jungle, root,
S7camp} thicket, tree, wood; mangrove cascabel,
a South American rattlesnake; mangrove crab,
some kind of crustacean of Jamaica ; mangrove
cuckoo, a North American cuckoo, Coccyzus
minor ; mangrove family, the Rhizophoracew ;
mangrove fly, a West African dipterous insect,
Chrysops dimidiatus ; mangrove-grape (tree)
? Obs.t ? Coccoloba uvifera ; mangrove-hen, in
Jamaica, a species of rail, probably Rait us longi-
rostris\ mangrove-myrtle, an Indian myrtaceous .
tree, Barringtonia acutangula ; mangrove oyster, j
an edible oyster which grows upon the submerged |
roots of mangroves ; mangrove snapper, a spa-
roid fish, Lutjanus aurornbens, native of the West
Indies and the adjacent coast of America north-
ward to South Carolina ; mangrove tannin, a
soluble extract of the bark of the mangrove.
1792 Act 32 Geo. Ill, c. 49 § 2 Red ^Mangrove Bark is
subject to a Duty. 1897 A llbutfs Syst. Med. II. 1085, 1 have
tried many other drugs, .including. . mangrove bark. 1796
MoRSi:^///m Ceog. I. 718 Low sandy islands and marshes, !
covered with *mangrove bushes. 1871 Kingslev At Last '
xiii, We found . . two large snakes. . .They were, the Negros
told us, ' DormiHons', or '*Mangrove Cascabel ', a species as
yet, I believe, undescribed. 17516 P. Rrown'k Ja?)iaica{i^q) \
422 The * Mangrove-Crab. This species is very common.
1782 Latham Gen. Syn. Birds I. 11. 537 ^Mangrove Cuckow.
1859 S. F. Baird Catal. N. Amer. Birds 71 (Smithsonian
Misc. Collect. II) Coccygus minor Cab. Mangrove Cuckoo.
1883 Moloney IV. A/r. Fisheries 42 (Fish. Exh. Publ.), The
trees on which oysters are usually to be found in the tropics
are of the *mangrove family. 1897 A llbu it's Syst. Med. II. .
1067 A blood-sucking dipterous insect— Chrysops dimidiatus
the ' "mangrove fly*. 1696 Sloane Caial. Plant, yamaica
184 The ^Mangrove Grape-tree. 1753 Chambers Cycl.
Supp. App., Mangrove-grape [identified with the Guaja-
bara or 'seaside-grape']. 1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. App.
313 Grape, Mangrove, Polygonum. 1842 Hill in Gbsse '
Birds yamaica (1847I 367, I .. found that the *Mangrove-
hens had been searching for small crabs. 1849 E. B. East-
wick Dry Leaves 210 The North Point of the Richel
mouth, which is covered with "mangrove jungle. 1847
Leichhardt Jrnl. Overland Exped. ix. 289 As its foliage
and the manner of its growth resemble the mangrove, we ;
called it the *mangrove-myrtle. 1683 J. Povntz Tobago ,
23 The *Mangrove Oyster. 1883 Moloney IV. A/r.
Fisheries 42 (Fish. Exh. Publ.), Mangrove oysters are not
as much sought after as bed or rock oysters. 1699 Dampier i
MAN-HANDLE.
Voy. II. n. 17 The 'Mangrove-Roots that grow by the sides
of the Creeks are loaden with them [sc. Oysters]. 1734
Mortimer in Phil. Trans. XXXVIII. 316 The *Mangrove
Snapper [/'/// /tvr'Suapper]. Itis esteemed prettygood Food.
1884G. 11. Goooi:, etc. Nat. Hist. Use/ Aquatic Auim. 1. 397
'I he ' Mangrove Snapper' of Charleston., is a much more
slender.. fish. 1851-6" Woodward Mollnsca 29S In the mud
of rivers, and in "mangrove swamps. 1894 Nation (N.Y.i
6 Sept. 176/3 "Mangrove-tannin comes principally from India.
1851 H. Melvillk Whale xii. 61 A low tongue of land,
covered with ^mangrove thickets. 1672 W. Hit.hes Amer.
Physician 98 This tree is [in Jamaica] most familiarly called
the "Mangrove-Tree, or by some the Oyster-Tree. 1697
Dampier Voy. I. 54 There are 3 sorts of Mangrove-Trees,
black, red and white. 1855 Kingsley IVestiv. Ho I xx, A
low line of "mangrove-wood, backed by primaeval foic-st.
Mangrove-. An alleged name of a fish.
i8z8 32 in Webster (citing Pennant).
Manguay, obs. form of Maguey.
tl Mangue (mrerjg). [a. F. mangue, porh. a
colonial shortening of Mangouste MoXGOOSE.] The
Kisiman.sk (Crossarchtts obsatrus).
1840 Cuvi'er's Anim. A'ingd. 93 The Mangue. .. Has the
muzzle, teeth, pouch, and gait of the Surikate. 1843 Penny
Cycl. XXVI. 409/1.
Mangue, Mangunel : seeMAM;o, Mangonel.
Mangur, -gurnele : see Mangouh, Mangonel.
Mangustan, -een, vars. Mangosteen.
Mangy (Wi'nd^i), a. Alio C mangyo, 6 7
maungy, mangie, 7 maingy, 7, 9 niangey. [f.
Mange sb. + -v.]
1. Having the mange ; of the nature of or caused
by the mange, fin 16-1 7th c. also of human
beings or their ailments : Scabby obs.).
c 1540 Heywood Four P. P. ( '23 A goodly thynge for
doer's that he mangy. 1571 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec.
O. v/ord (1880J 336 Any kynde of mangy cattle or horses in-
fected wth the glaunders of the chyne. 1614 Markham
Cheap Hush. 1. \l. 29 If the Mayne he mangie you shall
annoynt it with Jlutter and llrimstone. 1647 Trai-p Comm.
Jas. i. 25 So shalt thou see thy face. .so shamefully saucy,
mangy, pocky and scahhed. 1683 Tryon Way to Health
63 Many Leperousand Mangy Diseases. 1688 Persec. Pied-
mont 40 By continual lying.. these poor People were be-
come so mangy, that their very skin .. parted from their
Flesh, c 1720 W. (Iibson Farrier's Guide 11. xlix. (17.18)
1-5 Rub the Mangy places gently with a woollen Cloth.
1743 Bui.kklev & Cummins Voy. S. Seas 131 They had a
mangey Dog. 1806 Med. Jml. XV. 157 In my last com-
munication, 1 made a few remarks on Dr. Rowley's ox-faced
boy ; in my present I propose to give a short account of his
mangey girl. 1889 J. K. Jerome 'Three Men in Boa' 207 A
French poodle,, .mangy about the middle.
Jig. 1606 Dekkek Sev. Sinnes vi. (Arb.) 39 And.. being
rubd with quicksiluer, which they loue because they haue
mangy consciences.
Comb. 1609 Dekker Guts Home-bk.x. 3 To shew that
you truly loath this polluted and mangy-fisted world.
2. Squalid, poverty-stricken, shabby, 'seedy'.
a 1529 Skelton Dk. Albany ij8 Euer to rernayne In
wretched beggary And maungy misery. 1546 Bale Rng.
Votaries 1. (1550) 32 He [hauynge]nothynge of them agayne
but a mangye monkes cowle and hys buryall in Paules.
1594 Nasme L'n/ort. Trav. 1 Pantofies. .mangie at the toe-;,
1) ke an Ape about the mouth. 1844 Thackeray Contrib. to
Punch Wks. (Biog. ed.) VI. 81 The Royal Palace ..resembles
Newgate whitewashed and standing on a sort of mangy
desert. 1859 Sala 'Twice round Clock (i36i) 172 It is full of
bad smells, mangy little shops,, .and bad characters, i860
MavhbW I'pp. Rhine ii. § i. 62 The. .gardens are little
better than a mangey coppice. 1883 Longm. Mag. July
258 A mangy old cloth coat is preferred. 1886 H. F. Lester
Under two Fig Trees 177 A sprig or two of mangy grass.
3. Used as a general term of contempt : Beggarly,
mean, 'lousy'. Very common in the 17th c.
1538 Bale Thre Lawes E vij b, The lorde doth not regarde
Your mangy mutterynge. a 1625 Fletcher // 'omatCs
Prize iv. i. You have abused me. .such a way that shames
the name of Husband, Such a malicious-mangy way. a 1653
G. Daniel Idylls hi. 124 If some bolder wakes The Mangie
Scribe tells what y» Pigeon speakes. 1694 Motteux Rabe-
lais iv. lxvi. (1737)271 Thou mangy Noddy-peak !
Mangy, obs. form of Mange sb?-
Mangys, obs. pi. of Manche.
Mangzie, variant of Manyie Sc, Obs.
Manhad(d)en, variant of Menhaden.
Man-ha'ndle, v. [f. Man sb.1 + Handle v. ;
in sense 3 cf. dial, manangle (Devon) to mangle,
which may belong to Mangle v. (AF. mah angler).']
f 1. trans. To handle or wield a tool. Obs.
1457 R. Fannande Mon. Christ's Hosp. Abingdon x'u'i,
The Mattok was man-handeled right wele a whyle.
2. Araut., etc. ( To move by force of men, with-
out levers or tackles* (Adm. Smyth).
1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk. 1894 Times 27 Jan. 10/2
The larger weapons will be worked by electricity, but are
also capable of being man-handled. 1902 Blackw. Mag. Mar.
331/2 I'm going to man-handle my gun down the slope.
1903 Daily Chron. rg Feb. 3/3 Stalwart Punjabis.. hand out
bags of stores, . . or manhandle a fractious, restive animal.
3. slang. To handle roughly; to pull or hustle
about.
1865 Hotter? s Slang Diet., Man-handle, to use a person
roughly, as to take him prisoner, turn him out of a room,
give him a beating. 1886 Century Mag. Apr. 905/1 Two of
our roughs began to haze him : but they mistook their call-
ing, and in two minutes were so mauled and manhandled
that it was reported aft. 1888 Clark Russell Death Ship
II. 253, I. .was for. .manhandling him, ghost or no ghost.
1891 Kipling Light that /ailed h\, I'll catch you and man-
handle you, and you'll die. 1894 R. H. Davis Bug. Cousins
MAN-HATER.
24 The cry of 'WelsherV. which sometime'; on an English I
race-course means death from man-handling.
Man-hater. A hater of mankind; a misan-
thrope. Also orcas., a hater of the male sex.
1579-80 North Plutarch, Alcib. (1598) 218 Timon sur-
named Misanthropus (as who would say, Loup-garou, or the
manhater). 1641 Milton Ch. Govt. XL Concl. 60 What will
these man-haters yet with more despight and mischiefe do?
1678 Shadwei.l (title) The History of Timon of Athens, the
Man-hater. 1714 Mandf.ville Fab. Bees (1725) I. 386,
j would have no sagacious critick pronounce me a man-
hater... I am a great lover of company. 1750 Goldsm. /V.
Learn, vi, Rousseau, of Geneva, a professed man-hater.
1827 Cablvle Germ. Lit. in Misc. Ess. (1872) 1. 32 Ihe
grimmest manhaters . . will l>e found in ahundance. 1885
Stevenson Pr. Otto 11. ii. 85 Essentially he is to be numbered
among the man-haters. 1896 Wesim.Gaz. 5 Mar. 3/3 It is in
no way true that we are man-haters and discontented women.
t Ma llhead. Obs. Forms: 3 manede, mon-
heade, ^manhede. 3 6 manhed, 4manhiede,
Se. manheide, 4-5 monhede, 4-6 St. manheid,
5 monhedde, 6 manheed, 6-7 manhead. [f.
"Man sb} + -heap. Cf. Manhood.]
1. The state of being human; the condition of
belonging to humanity ; human nature.
c 1220 Bestiary 690 He. .drow'ing Solede in lire manhede. 1
1340 Hampole Pr. Co/isc. 5253 pe gude men sal se hym in
manhed ban, With be godhed, als God and man. ^1350
Will. Palerue 4390 Sone schal be puple se bi semli face, In
manhede & in minde as it out to bene. 1390 Cower Conf.
1, 144 Forthi, my Sone, tak good hiede So forto lede thi
manhiede, That thou ne be noght lich a beste. c 1440
Hyi.ton Scala Per/. (W. de W. 1494) 11. xxx, For in oure
lorde Jhesu are two kyndes,the manhede and the godhede.
1450-1530 Myrr, our Ladye 228 For anon the godhed was ,
unyed to the'manhed in the vyrgyns wombe. 1543 Bf.con
New Years Gift Wks. 1564 I. 177 b, He only receaued his
fleshe and manhed of Mary. 1588 A. King tr. Camsius
Catech,, Cert. Prayers 26 b, Luke, 0 maist meike maker, on
the manheid of thy weal beloued sone, and haue mercie
vpon thy warkmanshipe.
b. Human shape or form.
C1330 A'ing of Tars 426 The blake hound.. .To hire spac
in monhede, In whit ennure as a kniht. _ _ ^
2. The quality of being manly ; manhood ; viri- j
lity; courage, valour.
£1*75 Lav. 24671 Bote he were Juries ifonded in fihte, and
his manedeicudand him seolf icnowe. c 1350 Will.Paterue
431 Me binkes, bi his menskful maneres & his man-hede,
bat he is kome of god kin. 1375 Barbour Bruce 1. 402 Bot
off manheid and mekill mycht, Till Ector dar I nane comper.
ciqzoAntitrsofArth. 351 Here comnies ane errant kni^te ;
J)o him resone and ri^te, For bi manhede. c 1475 Par-
tc?iav 92 He wold pieue his vertu and manhede With noble
kuightes and peple wortbi. 1500-20 Dunbar Poems xlvi.
82 Lufe is causs of honour ay, Luve makis cowardis man-
heid to purchass. 1567 Satir. Poems Reform, iv. 148
Samson also, for manheid and prudence, All Israeli that had
in gouernance, Dalila desauit in vnder couertoure.
b. Manly dignity ; the dignity of manhood.
c 1290 .9. Eng. Leg.' 1. 74 106 He was bo be cuyndeste
englische man J?at was of enie manhede. c 1320 Sir Tristn
1840 Lesen y mot mi manhed Or 3eld ysonde me fro.
3. Homage.
1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 5197 Hii dude him anon hor man-
hede, & ne contekede nammore. Ibid. 8716 Peruore monie
heyemen ne dude him none manhede.
4. Humanity, humaneness, kindness.
1382 Wvci.if Titus iii. 4 The benygnyte, and humanite,
or manhed, of our sauyour God._ 1387 Trkvisa Higden
(Rolls) III. 429 Alisaundre dede it nou^t for love but for
manhede [1432-50 manhode, L. uon amoris sed humanitaiis
ca%isa\ C1450 St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 1415 Cuthbert wel-
comed him with manhede.
Man-hole. A hole or opening in a floor,
pavement, boiler, sewer, etc., through which a
man may pass to gain access to certain parts.
Also, a recess in a wall, etc., used as a place of
refuge, e. g, to avoid passing trains ; a hole in a
covered boat or canoe for the accommodation of
a rower or paddler.
1793 Smeaton Edystone L. § 274 The center stone was
made large enough to admit of an opening, from floor to
floor, or Man-Hole, to be made through it. 1839 R. S.
Robinson A7aut. Steam Eng. 120 In the crown of the boiler
is a large circular opening, called a man hole. 1841 Penny
Cycl. XXI. 318/1 To make apertures or man-holes .. to
enable persons.. to enter and cleanse the sewers. 1853
Kane Grinnell Exp. (1856) 477 The pah, or man-hole, as we
would term it, is very nearly in the centre [of the kayak].
c t86o H. Stuart Seaman's Catech. 61 They are sent down
the main hatchway by a strop and toggle in the man-hole.
1881 Raymond Mining Gloss., Man-hole, Corn. The hole
in a sollar through which men pass upon the ladder or from
one ladder to the next. 1892 E. Reeves H omeivard Bound
119 Each rower sits in a manhole [of a ( decked ' boat]. 1893
Law Times XCV. 204/2 His horse's foot struck the cover
of a manhole in the middle of the road, and it fell.
attrib. 1844 H. Stephens Bk. Earm II. 316 The man-
hole door. 1884 Health Exhib. Catal. 55/2 Patent Venti-
lating Man-hole Cover for Sewers. 1900 Engineering Mag.
xix. J42/2 Manhole plates., in the shape of ovals.
Mailhood ;mse*nhud). Forms : see Man sby
and -hood.
L The state or condition of being human ;
human nature.
a 1225 Leg. Kath. 986 J>e godcundnesse of godd, for men-
nesse of his monhad. 1340 Ayenb. 12 pe bridde article, .be-
longed to be zone as to j>e manhode ; pet is to zigge ase bet
he is mandyadlich. c 1511 1st Eng. Bk. Amer. (Arb.) Introd,
30/2 They say that in christo is alone the godhed without
the manhod. 1529 More Dyaloge I. Wks. 155/2 All y*
textes that seme to make him lesse, be nothynge to be
120
vnderstanden of his godhedde, but of his manhode onely.
1548-9 (Mar.) Bk. Com. Prayer Athan. Creed, Equall to the
father as touchyng his Godhead : and inferior to the father
as touchyng his manhode. Ibid., By takyng of the manhode
into God. 1067 Milton P. L. ill. 314 Therefore thy Humi-
liation shall exalt With thee thy Manhood also to this
Throne; Here shall thou sit incarnate. 1703 Ko\ra /-air
I'enil. 1. i. 222 Keep.. A little Pity to distinguish Manhood
Lest other Men. .should, .judge you to be numberdwith
the Brutes. 1848 R. I. Wilberforce Doctr. Incarn. xv.
(1852) 440 That real manhood of Christ our Lord, which
hinds Him at this moment to collective humanity. 1865
Lowfll Harvard Comment. Ode iv, Yea, Manhood hath a
wider span And larger privilege of life than man.
b. The dignity of man.
citpaArtli.tf Mcrl. (Line. Inn MS.) 1172 (K.'ilbingl 5ef
y telle bis folk by fore, How bat bow ware gete and bore,
panne schal hit sprynge wide and brode, pen hastow lore
}>y manhod.
2. The state of being a man : a. as opposed to
childhood ; b. as opposed to womanhood.
1300 Gowfh Conf. I. t8s This Elda triste in special Upon
a knyht, whom fro childhode He hadde updrawe into man-
hode. 1601 Wf.ever Mirr. Marl. C j b, When riper yeares
and manhoode made vs strong, Then we knew much, and
more still would be showing. 1611 Shaks. Cymb. m. iv. 195
Pit. [To Imogen, about to disguise herself.] To some shade,
And fit you to your Manhood. 1667 Milton /'. L. x. 148
Was shee made thy guide, Superior, or but equal, that to
her Thou didst resigne thy Manhood. Ibid. XI. 246 His
starrie Helnie unbuckl'd shew'd him prime In Manhood
where Youth ended. 1715 Watts Logic 1. vi. § 6 Methuselah,
when he was nine hundred and sixty Years old,.. was the
same Person as when he was in his full Vigour of Manhood,
or when he was an Infant, newly born. 1856 Froude Hist.
Eng. (1858) I. ii. 109 Children, as they grew to manhood,
inherited the duty of revenging their fathers' deaths. 1882
A. W. Ward Dickens iv. 86 One likes to think of him in
these years of vigorous manhood.
Jig. 1630 R. Johnsons Kingd. ft Comma, 138 The three
ages of France : her child-hood, till Pepin : her man-hood,
till Capet ; her old age, till now. 1841 M vers C'arVi. Th. 111.
§ 34. 123 Is it a disposition befitting spiritual manhood? Is
it not characteristically childish ?
3. The qualities eminently becoming a man;
manliness, courage, valour, arch.
1377 Langl. /'. PL B. 111. 184 5it I may as I my3te menske
the with ;iftes, And mayntene thi manhode more than
thow knoweste. £"1392 Chaucer Compt. Venus 4 Remem-
braunce Upon the manhod and the worthinesse, . . Of him
whos I am al, whyl I may dure, c 140a Lydg. Compl. BI.
Knt. 333 Notwithstondyng his manhode and his myght,
Love unto him did ful grete unright. 1530 Palsgr. 500/2
Whan he is well whyttelled, he wyll crake goodly of his
manhode. 1577-87 Holinshed Citron. I. 30/1 The Britain!
aswell with constant manhood, as skilful! practise,.. auoided
and beat from them the arrowes and darts. 1590 Shaks.
Midt. N. in. ii. 412 Follow my voice, we'l try no manhood
here. 1600 Holland Livy xxv. Argt. 544 That province
had beene quite lost, but for the singular manhood and In-
dustrie of L. Martius a knight of Rome. 1618 Rowlands
Night Raven (1620) 29 Tom of his manhood boasts That he
like butter-flies esteemes all Ghoasts. 1829 Hood Fug.
A ram xvi, There was a manhood in her look That murder
could not kill. 1853 Whittier Hero 75 Peace hath higher
tests of manhood Than battle ever knew.
t4. Humanity, humaneness. Obs.
1432-50 [see Manhf.ad 4, quot. 1387]. 1470-85 Malory
Arthur v. x. 177 And so wyll I yfthouwylt socoure and
ayde me that I maye be crystned and byleue on god. And
therof I requyre the of thy manhode. 1555 Watreman
Fardle Facions II. iii. 126 Suche tendrcnes had been shewen
to two, or three [children], as the mothers loked for, and
manhode. .doth require. 1571 Golding Calvin on Pi. lxix.
27 Inasmuche as manhod willeth to succour the afflicted.
t 5. Homage. Obs.
1340 Ayenb. 19 He ys wel renay bet bet land bet he halt of
his lhorde deth in-to be hond of his uyende, and deb him
manhode. Ibid., He deb manhode to the dyeule, and be-
comb his brel. v
6. Men collectively; the adult male members
of a population, nation, or the like.
1588 Copy Let. sent to Mendoza 27 The Lord Strange,
the Earls sonne, and all the manhood of Lancashire and
Cheshire, would goe ouer the Seas and fetch the Earle home.
1601 Holland Pliny I. 15 The whole manhood of Greece
j fought the hattell of Salamis. 1609 — A mm. Marcel/. 115
I There followed a multitude of all sorts and degrees, picked
I and chosen out of the manhood of the nations adjoyning.
1640 Yorkk Union Hon., Battells 1 In the Rere-guard was
the Duke himselfe, with his whole manhoode of Normans.
7. attrib. : manhood suffrage, that form of
popular election in which the suffrage is granted
to all male citizens of lawful age not disqualified
by crime, insanity, etc.
1873 tr. Strauss'' Old Faith <y New lxxxi. 329. 1877 R.
Lowe in Fortn. Rev. Dec. 728.
Maii-hu:llter. A hunter of men ; usually a
contemptuous term for cannibals, slave-dealers,
brigands, or the like.
1555 Eden Decades 142 marg.. Manhunters. 1819 Metro-
polis II. 210 All blood-suckers and man hunters, be they
adders, blood-bounds, bailiffs, or even certain attornies. 1851
Mayne Reid Scalp Hunt. xxiv. 179 It was a picture such
I as may be seen only in a bivouac of guerilleros, of brigands,
I of man-hunters. 1892 Zangwh.l Btyiv Mystery 23 The
hardened old man-hunter's voice was not free from a tremor.
So Man-hunting sb. and a. ; also Man-huntrf.
1555 E den Decades To Rdr., A pray to those manhuntynge
woolues. /bid. 142 All the whiche gyue them seines onely
to manhuntynge. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk., Man.
hunting, the impress service. 1881 Besant & Rice Chapl.
0/ Fleet I. 203 One time there was the mischievous practice
of man-hunting. 1807 Daily AVh<s 9 Mar. 6/1 Those regions
of man-hunts and hideous blood orgies. 1898 Ibid. 31 Dec.
-MANIA.
1 2/3 The man-hunting trials promoted by the Association of
Bloodhound Breeders.
Maui (ma'ni). Also 8 many, 9 mannee. [a.
Sp. mani | Pineda) ; prob. from some S. American
language.]
1. A South American earth-nut (see quot. 1866).
1717 tr. Frezier's Voy. 186 They have .. a Sort of Fruit
there [at Pisco], which grows in a Cod that does not rise
out of the Earth . . The Inhabitants call it Many. Ibid.,
marg., Many Fruit. 1760-72 tr. Juan A> Ulloa's Voy. (ed. 3)
I. 78 Another fruit, called mani, is produced by a small
plant. It is of the size and shape of a pine cone. 1825
(lentl. Mag. XCV. I. 318 The Jack-fruit, sweet sops, sour
sops, mannees [etc.J. 1866 Treat. Bot. 717/2 Mani, ..a
Spanish name of the Ground Nut, Arachis hypogsca.
2. A South American tree (see quot. 1866).
1866 Treat. Bot. 757/1 M[oronobea] coccinea, the Hog
Gum tree. ,. In Guiana and Brazil, where it is called Mam
or Oanani, the natives make torches with it. 1800 Asiat.
Ann. Reg., Misc. Tr. 75 note, The mani-tree, which yields
a timber that is almost imperishable.
Mania (m/'nia). [a. L. mania, a. Gr. itavia,
related to iixuvtoBcn (:—*ma>tye-) to be mad, f.
wk. -grade of the Indogermanic root *»ten-, repre-
| sented in many words referring to mental states,
emotions, etc. (cf. esp. Gr. input rage, pivot mood,
passion): see Mind sb. In I4-I7th c. rarely in
the Fr. form Manif..]
1. Nosology. Mental derangement characterized by
great excitement , extravagant delusions and halluci-
nations, and, in its acute stage, by great violence.
c 1400 Lan/ranc s Cirurg. 266, & wibinne .iij. daies Mania
come to hir and was oute of hir witt. 1547 Boorde Brrv.
Health cexx. (1557) 75 Mania is the greke. In latin it is
named /usania or Furor. In Englishe it is named a mad-
liesor wodnes lyke a wylde beaste. 1650 Bulwf.r Anthro-
pomet. 207 Some in Mania or Melancholy madnesse, have
attempted the same. 1788 (A. Pasquin ' Childr. Thespis
(1792) 62 As the Magi their fou! incantations prepare, And
with seeds of the mania impregnate the. air ! 1853 Gar-
pf.nter Princ. Hum. Physiol, (ed. 4) § 830 The state of
Mania.. is usually characterized by the combination of
complete derangement of the intellectual powers, with pas-
1 sionate excitement upon every point which in the least degree
affects the feelings.
b. Applied rarely to a similar condition in
lower animals.
1607 Toi'SELL Four-/. Beasts (1658) 272, I judged him
[ahorse] to be vexed with a melancholy madness called of the
Physitians Mania, or rather Melancholia. 1879 W. L.
Lindsay Mind I.cnuer Anim. I. 97 They_[bees] are. .liable
to. .temporary epidemic excitement, delirium, or mania.
C. Inspired frenzy or madness, rare.
1886 C. A. P.riggs Messianic Profit, i. 12 Tie prophetic
mania comes upon a man like Saul.
2. Great excitement or enthusiasm resembling
! madness. Chiefly with a or the: A vehement
passion or desire; also, in weaker sense (after F.
manie), a ' craze', 'rage'. Const, for, of. Also,
i a period of great excitement affecting a body of
persons.
1689 Evelyn Corr. (1879) III. 443 So vaine a thing it is to
set ones heart vpon any thing of this nature with that
passion & mania, that unsatiable Earle. .did, to the detri-
ment of his estate and family. 1791-1823 D'Israeli Cur.
Lit. (1858) III. 303 At the restoration of letters,, .there pre-
vailed a mania for burying spurious antiquities. 1807 C. W.
J anson Stranger Amer. 385 The mania of land speculation.
1815 W. H. Ireland Scribbleomania 243 Catalogues, with a
few annotations on the mania of portrait collectors. 1837
Ht. Martineau Soc. Amer. III. 199, I was told at Wash-
ington..that 'the people of New England do good by
mania'. 1855 Macallay Hist. Eng. xix. IV. 322 A mania
of which the symptoms were essentially the same with those
of the mania of 1720. .seized the public mind. 1878JEVONS
' Print. Pol. Leon. 122 A prudent man would never inve-.t 111
1 any new thing during a mania or bubble. 1879 McC'arthy
Own Times II. xxiii. 196 He had a detestation for demo-
cratic doctrines which almost amounted to a mania. 1884
Gilmour Mongols 149 The mania which possesses the Mon-
gols for making pilgrimages.
b. with qualifying word prefixed, indicating the
kind of 'mania', as railway, tulip mania, etc.
1777 in A'. F. Hist, t, Cen. Reg. (1872) XXVI. 259 The
; rage for building in England .. is somewhat similar to the
tulip mania in Holland. 1796 Morse Amer. Ceog. 1.
1 600 During the rage of the paper currency mania. 1896
Godey's Mas;. (U. S.) Apr. 448/1 The heart mania has ex-
tended to the watch, a favorite design showing two linked
hearts set with pearls. 1903 Daily Citron. 13 Oct. 5/1 In
the last decade of that century a canal mania raged, in many
ways resembling the railway mania of some sixty years ago.
-mania, a terminal element, repr. Gr. pavia
Mania in composition.
There were in Gr. a few compounds in -tiavia (rare and
chiefly post-classical),expressing the general sense 'a certain
kind of madness ', or ' the state of being mad after some ob-
ject', and corresponding as nouns of quality or condition to
the related adjs. (a much more frequent _ formation) in
-liai-iiv ■ ' -mad '. Examples are yvvaticoftaria mad passion
for women, cpiatonavia love-madness, Iviro^avia mad love for
horses, vSpwaria ' water- madness', hydrophobia. In the
16th and 17th c. a number of quasi-Greek compounds de-
noting species of mania, were invented and used in medical
I.atin, and some of these, as nymphomania, have been
adopted in Eng. Other technical or quasi-technical words,
formed in the 19th c, are kleptomania, lypemanta, megalo-
mania. In the i7-i8th c. the currency of F. mame in the
sense of a ' craze ' or passion (e. g. for some pursuit, or the
collection of some class of objects) suggested the formation
of a nutrlber of quasi-Gr. compounds such as bibliomaute
mania for books, metromanie mania for metre, melon/ante
MANIABLE.
121
MANIE.
mania for song I and hybrid formations such as Anglovianie
mania for things English, tulipomanie mania for tulips.
Several of these words have been adopted in Eng. with the
ending -mania, and in the 19th c. it became somewhat
common to invent nonce-words with this ending. Examples
are bancomania, a craze for establishing banks ; Graio-
mania [L. Grai-us Greek], passion for things Greek ; Ita-
lomania, wild enthusiasm for Italy ; Queenomania,
(applied by Southey to the popular devotion to the cause
of Queen Caroline); scribbleomania, a craze for scrib-
bling. The sbs. in -mania have, actually or potentially,
correlative sbs. in -maniac; the words in -mane are of
rare occurrence, and are viewed as Gallicisms.
1788 Tri/?erNo. 8. 104 Till the wide Nugae- mania spread.
1792 Coleridge Lett. (1895) I. 35, I never had the scribble-
mania stronger on me than for these last three or four
days. 1815 [W. H. Ireland] {title), Scribbleomania. 1820
Southey in Life <$■ Corr. (1850) V. 53 The Queenomania
will probably die away ere long. 1837 Blackw.Mag. XLI.
848 During all the late fury of land-jobbing schemes in
the west, of building extravagances in the east, of banco-
mania everywhere, ..the cotton manufacture alone remains
unscathed. 1855 Maurice Learn. % Work. 254 This . . would
be a fair representation of the motives and arguments winch
created the Roman Graiophobia. And the Roman Graio-
mania in the young men will have had as intelligible an
explanation, i860 Lr>. Derby in Ld. Malmesburys Mem,
(1884) II. 213 His Italomania and his Free Trade policy.
f Ma'lliable, a. Obs. Also 6-7 manyable,
(7 manuyable, maineable). [a. OF. maniable,
f. manier to handle ( = It. maneggiare : see Man-
age v.), f. L. manus hand.]
1. Easy to handle ; flexible, pliable, workable.
1484 Caxton Chivalry 64 Gauntelots. .to receyue the
strokes yf it were so that his other armures manyable faylled ;
to hym. 1520 St. Papers Hen. VIII, VI. 55 note, For the j
nymble handlyngwheroff[thesworde] Hehatheor knowythe
no feate, but thowght it not manyable, and callyd the Admi- j
rail, and cawsed hym to feell the weght therofT. 1590 Sir J.
Smyth Disc. Weapons 4 b, Short, strong, and light arming
daggers are more maniable. t6io Donne Pseudo-martyr
140 Those instruments of battery .. were left off . . because
they were not so maniable and tractable, and apt for trans- I
portation, as these are. a x6ia Raleigh To P. Henry Rem.
(1661) 251 If she [a ship] be bigger she will be of lesse us«,
..lesse nimble, lesse mannyable. 1633 R. Ashley Barn's
Cochin China D ivb, It [the elephant s trunk] is so flexible j
and maniable that he extendeth and turneth it as he list.
1654 Earl Monm. tr. BentivogliVs Warrs Flanders 183
The earth about it is everywhere manyable, so as Trenches
may easily be made. 1727 Bradley ram. Diet. s.v. Gim-
bels, Your Business only is to make the Paste firm, and to
knead it well ; if it be not maniable, and that if you cannot
draw it with your Hands, .you must beat it in a Mortar.
b. Of a person or his attributes : Manageable, ■
tractable.
^1596-1604 Bacon Helps Intel!. Powers Wks. 1859 VII. I
100 And as to the will of Man, it is that which is most mani-
able and obedient as that which admitteth most medicines j
to cure and alter it. 1605 — Adv. Learn. \. ii. § 8 Learning ,
doth make the minds of men gentle, generous, maniable, ]
and pliant to government. 1628 Le Grys tr. Barclay s Ar- j
genis 275 This rage, which was . . not maniable by any pru-
dence or counsel!. 1630 Lbmnard Charron"s Wisd, 11. ix. !
§ 3. 334 To be supple and maniable, to know how to rise |
and fall, to bring himselfe into order, when there is need.
2. That may be handled or felt, palpable.
1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 27/1 He is not manyable ne may
not be handled, c 1520 Andrews Noble Ly/e I. xlii. I iij,
The Mottc.is a maniable worm, and yet it hydeth him in
y' clothe that it can scantly be sene. 1665 J. Sergeant
Sure Footing t\ Actions, Sacraments, and all other outward
shows which could be invented to make such mysteries
maniable. 1686 Cotton tr. Montaigne If. 11. xii. 261 We
. .leave to them [Beasts] for their Divident, Essential, Ma-
niable, and Palpable Goods, as Peace, Repose [etc.].
Maniac (m^'niifek), a. and sb. Forms: 7
raaniacque, 7 8 maniack, S- maniac. [ad.
late L. maniac-tts (as if a. Or. */*ai-m/c-i>s\ f. fiavla
Mania. Cf. K. maniaqnel\ A. adj.
1. Affected with mania ; raving with madness.
1604 R. Cawdrey Table Alf>h., Maniacqxte, mad, brahie
sick. 1817 Shelley Rev. Islam x. xlii, So, she scourged
forth ihe maniac multitude To rear this pyramid. 1825
Scott Talism. xviii, My words shall be those of the maniac
outcast which I am.
trans/. 1856 Bryant Serenade x, The maniac winds, di-
vorcing The turtle from his mate.
2. Of, pertaining to, or characterized by mania ;
belonging to or characteristic of a maniac.
1727 Kinneir in Phi! Trans. XXXV. 347, I ..us'd Cam-
phire in Maniac Disorders. 1817 Byron Lam. o/Tasso\\\,
The. .maniac cry Of minds and bodies in captivity. 1850
Robertson Serm. Ser. ill. iii. (1872) 35 Like maniac ravings.
1879 Geo. Eliot Col!. Break/. P. 236 To gaze with mania-:
stare.
b. Characterized by wild excitement ; frantic.
1809 Jefferson Writ. (1830) IV. 127 In the present ma-
niac state of Europe. 1840 Dickens Oid C. Shop xxxiv,
The performance of a maniac hornpipe. 1862 R. Vaughan
Noncon/ormity 320 To the government this maniac pro-
ceeding was a godsend.
B. sb. One who is affected with mania.
a 1763 Shenstonf. Fieg. xvi. xxvi, Scornful she spoke,
and, heedless of reply The lovely maniac bounded o'er the
plain. 1775 H. Farmer Demoniacs N. T. 1. viii. 143 All
their [sc. demoniacs'] symptoms agree with those of epilep-
tics and maniacs, who fancied they had evil spirits within
them. 1784 Cowper Task 11. 663 And 'tis a fearful spec-
tacle to see So many maniacs dancing in their chains. 1828
Scott F. M. Perth xxix, His eye rolled like that of a ma-
niac in his fever fit. 1877 Black Green Past, xxxvi, As
though he half expected this maniac to turn and bite him.
b. attrib. and Comb., as in maniac-like adv. ; also
apposttively as in maniac -maiden.
Vol. VI.
1821 Shelley Prometh. Unb. iv. 470, I, a most enamoured
maiden. .Maniac-like around thee move. 1845 G. Murray
Isla/ord 149 The maniac-maiden singeth aye Of love.
-maniac : see -mania.
Maniacal (manarakal), a. [f. Maniac + -AL.]
1. Affected with mania. Also absol.
1678 CuDWOKTH Intell. Syst. I. v. 704 When maniacal per-
sons .. speak in languages which they had never learnt.
1800 Med. Jrni. IV. 106 Another patient, .became de-
cidedly and violently maniacal. 1865 W, H. O. Sankey
Mental D is. iii. (1866) 71 Maniacal patients are not neces-
sarily irascible... The maniacal will answer, but speedily
ramble again from the point.
2. Of, belonging to or of the nature of mania ;
characteristic of a maniac.
1701 Grew Cosm. Sacra in. i. 89 Epilepsys, and Maniacal
Lunacies, do usually conform.. to the Age of the Moon.
1748 Hartley Observ. Man it. iv. § 3. 384 Maniacal and
other Disorders. 1841 Ue Quincey Cicero Wks. VI. 196
The extravagant, almost maniacal, assertion. 1866 Cornh.
Mag. Aug. 227 In maniacal frenzy. 1899 Crockett Kit
Kennedy 405 With a quick access of maniacal strength, the
prisoner cast his guards, .from him.
Hence Mani'acally adv.
1846 E. B. Barrett 10 July in Lett. R. Proponing #
K. B. B. (1899) II. 323 Poor Haydon ! Think what an agony
life was to him..— the man seeing maniacally in all men
the assassins of his fame! i860 \V. Collins Worn. White
xiii. 77 An expression of maniacally intense hatred and fear.
1894 Sala Things Seen II. 79 He usually came home., either
boisterously, lyrically, pugihstically, or maniacally drunk.
Maniack, -acque, obs. forms of Maniac.
il Manica (maj-nika). [L. ; cf. Manchk.] A
sleeve {obs. rare ~°), Manica Ilippocratis—- Hippo-
crates' sleeve: see HlPPOCRAS 2, Hippocrates.
Hence fManicated a., sleeved {obs. rare~°).
1641 French Distil! ii. (1651) 46 Let the Liquor runne
through a bagge called Manita Hippocrati's made of white
Gotten. 1671 Grew Anat. Plants 1. ii. § 23 The Sap..
through this, as through a Manica Hippocratis, is still
more finely filtred. 1727 Bailky vol. II, Manica, a Sleeve,
Gantlet or Glove. L. Ibid., Manicated, wearing a Sleeve,
Glove or Gantlet.
Manicate (marnik^t), a. Bot. [ad. I., mani-
cat-us furnished with sleeves.] (See quot.)
183a LiNDLEY/«r>W. Bot. 39 Hairs also give the following
names to the surface of any thing : — Mani< ate, when inter-
woven into a mass that can be easily separated from the
surface. 1866 in J'reas. Bot.
Manichaean, Manicliean (msenikrSn), a.
and sb. Also 6 Maniehiau. [f. L. Manichwus
(see Manichee) + -an.]
A. adj. Of or pertaining to the Manichees or
their doctrine ; characteristic of a Manichee.
1638 Chillingw. Relig. Trot. 1. Pref. § 1 If any tiling
more then ordinary might be said in defence of the Mani-
chean Doctrine. 1710 Bdrkklky Princ. Hum. Knczvl.
§ 154 Favourers of Atheismorthe Manichean Heresy. 1784
Cowper Task v. 444 As dreadful as the Manichean God.
Ador'd through fear, strong only to destroy. 1851 1). Wil-
son Preh. Ann. (1S63) II. iv. ii. 230 Manichean symbols
being introduced on such monuments. 1855 Milman Lat.
Chr. ix. viii. (1864) V. 385 In another respect the followers
of Peter, de Brueys rejected the usages of the Church, but
in no rigid or ascetic, and therefore 110 Manichean spirit.
B. sb. = Manichee.
1556 Clement in Strype Fee! Mem. (1721) III. App. Ixi.
214 Arians Eutichians Mani:hians. .and all other herttikes.
1686 Horneck Cruci/. Jesus xi. 203 The Marcionites and
Manichaeans of old, who taught, that Christ had no real or
substantial body. 1739 S. Boyse Deity 98 Could the wild
Manichaean own that guide, The good would triumph, and
the ill subside! 1793 D. Stewart Outl. Men: Philos. 11. ii.
§ 203 The Manicheans account for the mixture of good and
evil in the universe, by the opposite agencies of two co-
eternal and independent principles. 1869 Lecky Furop.
Mor. (1877) I. iii. 426 St. Augustine relates that when he
was a Manichaean, his mother for a time refused even to sit
at the same table with her erring child.
b. transf.
1873 MoHi.EY Rousseau II. x. 39 Rousseau was never
a manichaean towards nature. To him she was all good and
bounteous. 1885 Times (weekly ed.) 29 May 12/3 As they
are not Manicheans, it follows that nothing exists but what
is good.
Manicliseanize, manicheanize (mceni-
kf-anaiz),^. [f. prec. + -izr.] a. intr. To incline
to Manichean opinions, b. trans. To introduce
Manichaean principles into. Hence Mamicharan-
ized pp I. a., Mamichee'anizing vbl. sb.
1838 G. S. Faber Inquiry 236 note. The articles wherein
they were charged with manicheanising. 1865 Pall Mall (>.
8 Sept. 10/2 The adherents of a Manichaeanised Christianity.
Manichseism, Manicheism (mwni-
k/tiz'm). Also 7 Manichisme. [f. Manichmts
(see Manichee) + -ism.] The doctrine or prin-
ciples of the Manichees.
i6»6[ Featley] tr. ParalleTD b, This Doctrine bringeth into
the Church Manichisme. 1679 T. Puller Moderat.Ch.Eug.
vi. 143 Which doctrine of J. S. is condemned, .as the pith of
Manicheism. 1756-82 J. Warton Fss. Pope (ed. 4) II. ix.
100 The gloomy and uncomfortable scheme of Scepticism
and Manicheism. 1853 Maurice Profit. $■ Kings vi.
97 The Manichaeism which would lead us to think that
evil may at last triumph, or hold a divided empire with God.
1861 Pearson Farly\ Mid. Ages 143 The charge of Mani-
cheism was brought against the promoters of celibacy. 1871
Tylor Prim. Cult. II. 300 Manichaeism.. is based on the
doctrine of two antagonistic principles of good and evil.
Manichseist (marnikz'iist). rare — 1, [f. as
prec. + 1st.] = Manichee.
1880 T. A. Spalding Fliz. Denumol. 17 The second prin-
ciple is that of the Manichreists ; the division of spirits into
hostile camps, good and evil.
Manichean, -ize : see Manich.ean, -ize.
Manichee (mrenikr). Also 4//. Manaches,
6 Manichey,//.Mani-,Manycheis)ManacheisJ
7 Manachy. [ad. late L. Manichxus, late Gr. Mavi-
xatos, from the name of the founder of the sect
(variously recorded as Manes and Manichseus) who
lived in Persia in the 3rd century after Christ.]
An adherent of a religious system widely accepted
from the third to the fifth century, composed of
Gnostic Christian, Mazdean, and pagan elements.
The special feature of the system which the name chiefly
suggests to modern readers is the duahstic theology, accord-
ing to which Satan was represented as co-eternal with God.
a 1380 St. Augustine 103 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (187S)
63 pe Manichees bat hereiykes weren. Ibid, 576 Austin.,
duercom be Manaches erryng. 1533 More Debeil Salem
v. Wks. 939/2 For a cerlaine sorte there wer of the heietikcs
that wer the Manicheis. 1560 Dais tr. Sleidane^s Com/it.
91 Whan the Arrians,. .and the Manycheis, sowed abn.ade
their opinions. 1594 Hooki.k Fee! Pol. iv. vii. § 2 Kausttis
the Manichey. 1641 HiNDE J. Bruen v. 15 Augustine con-
fesseth of himselfe, he was first a Manachy before he was
a Preacher. 1649 Jfr. Taylor Gt. Fxemp. 1. iv. 130 A
Manichee (a ha.retick, that denyed God to be the maker of
things visible). 170a Echard Fee! Hist. (17 10' 644 Pope
Leo said that the Devil reigned in all other heresies, but
had rais'd his very throne in that of the Manichees. 1833
J. H. NEWMAN Arians n. iv. (1876J 195 The Manichees con-
sidered the Son and Spirit as necessary emanations from
the Father. 1842 Browning Solil. Sp. Cloister vii, If I trip
him just a-dying. .Spin him round and send him flying On
to hell, a Manichee '(
Manichian, obs. form of Manichean.
Maiiichorcl tmEe-nikpid). Obs. exc. Hist.
Forms: 7 8 manieordion, 8 -ium, (7 many-
cord), 7 9 manicord, 8- manichord. [a. F.
ma??icori!e, manichoniion, conuptly a. med.L.
*monochordiu»!, monocordums a. late G r. ^ovo-
XopStov, Gr. fwvoxopSuv MuNncHoiii) ; the word was
perh. associated by popular etymology with L.
planus hand. Cf. It. mana-, manicordo (Florio).]
-Clavichord.
i6ii Cotgr., Moupchordiser des doigts, to quauer with the
fingers, to wag or play with them, as if he touched a Mani-
eordion. 1668 in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Connn. App. vii.
37M Paid.. for Ketty's Many-cords 01 0600. 1670 Ibid. 3S1
For a moneths teaching of Katy and Alice on the barpsi-
callsand manicordsoi 0000. 1710 in E. W. Dunbar Soc. Lije
(1865) 15, I can play on the Treble and Gambo, Viol, Virgi-
nelles and Manichords. 1730-6 Bailey (folio), Manicordintti,
a musical instrument in form of a spinet. 1823 Roscof. tr.
Sismondi's Lit, Fur. (1846) I. v. 128 The manicord, or
claricorde, was a sort of spinet resembling the virginals.
1830 Mrs. Hray Fit* o/F. xvii. (1884) 148 She has a cutious
hand at the lute, and the manichord.
Manicle, obs. form of Manacle.
f Ma'llicon. Obs. [a. L. manicon, Gr. paviKov,
f. root of fiavia Mania, naiveaBai to be insane.]
A kind of nightshade, supposed to cause madness.
1678 Butler Hud. in. i. 324 Bewitch Hermetick-men to
run Stark staring mad with Manicon. 1727 Bailey vol. II,
Manicon, an HcrbcalPd also Dorjchuion,^ Kind of Night-
shade.
Manicord, -cordion, -ium : see Manichord.
Manicure (mae-nikiuor), sb. [a. F. manicure
(1S77 in Littie" SitppL Add.), f. L. manus hand +
cftra care. Cf. the earlier pedicure^
1. One who professionally undertakes the care
and treatment of the hands and finger-nails.
1880 Melbourne Bulletin 12 Nov. 7/3 When one has not
been endowed with a perfect hand at birth,.. the skill of a
manicure will improve it. 1887 Finck Rom. Love fy Pers.
Beauty II. 230 Manicures use acids in their shops, but the
lemon is quite as good. 1893 F. M. Crawford Marion
Darehe I. 41 Hands., which neither ordinary scrubbing nor
the care of the manicure can ever keep clean.
2. The treatment and care of the hands and
finger-nails.
1887 Finck Rom. Love 4- Pers, Beauty II. 230 There are
not nearly as many secrets in manicure as people imagine.
1900 Pinero Gay Ld. Quex 1. 2 The instruments and toilet
necessaries employed in the process of manicure.
attrib. 1890 Pall Mall G. 6 Jan. 6/1 A set of manicure
instruments. 1900 Pinero Gay Ld. Quex 1. 1 The scene
represents a manicure establishment in New Bond Street.
Manicure (marnikiuei), v. [f. prec] trans.
To apply manicure treatment to. Also absol.
Hence Ma'nicured///. a., Ma*nicuring vbl. sb.
1889 Century Mag. Oct. 873/1 Where the mother's hands
washed and cooked, . . the daughter's shall . . be soft and
' manicured ' and daintily gloved. 1893 Black § White
1 Apr. 384/2 [She] does her mistress's hair and manicures
her. 1897 Violet Hunt Unkist, Unkind! xiii. (ed. 2) 246
Holding out a pretty manicured hand. 1900 Pinero Gay
Ld. Quex iv. 176 The young gentleman, his manicuring
being done, has risen.
Manicurist (marnikiuerist). [f. Manicure +
-1st.] = Manicure^, i.
1889 Columbus (Ohio) Disp. 25 May, Ladies who patronize
the manicurist. 1900 Nattire LXII. 294/2 The surgeons,
though they had ceased to rank with manicurists and bar-
bers, were often little better than bone-setters.
Manido, variant of Manitou.
t Manie. Obs. [a. F. manie, ad. L. mania.
Cf. Pr., It., Pg. mania, Sp. mania.] = Mania.
c 1386 Chaucer A'nt.'s T. 516 Manye-Engendred of humour
malencolik. 1308 Sylvester Du Bartas n. i. m. Furies
82
MANIFEST.
351 So this fell Fury, for forerunners, sends Maine and
Phrenzie to suborne her friends. 1623 Cockeram, Mame,
a disease in the head cal'd madnesse.
Mania, var. Mf.inie, company, obs. f. Many.
Manier, obs. form of Manner, Manure.
Maniew(e, obs. form of Mange sbA
Manifacture, obs. f. Manufacture.
Manifest (manifest), sb. [a. F. manifeste vbl.
sb., f. manifester to Manifest. Cf. Sp. manifesto,
Pg., It. manifesto, of similar formation, though
accidentally coinciding in form with the adj.]
1. gen. A manifestation, indication. Now rare.
1561 T. Norton Calvin's Inst. II, viii. 119 He iudgelli that
maner of swearing to be a manifest [I.. argiimentum\ ot
manifest falling from his allegance. c 1640 J. SMYTH Lsves
Berkeleys (1S83) I. 38 For restoring due honor to the dust ot
this Lord Robert, I present his posterilye with theis tuelue
manifests thereof. 1650 H. Brooke Conserv. Health 230
To give some manifest of a desire of good to the person we
are angry withal. 1883 E. C. Stedman in Century Mag.
XXV. 873 Such a writer must he judged by . . his books ; . .
the parol evidence of no associate can weigh against his
written manifest for an instant.
1 2. A public proclamation or declaration ; an
open statement ; a manifesto. Obs.
1618 Dirt. Demeanour Raleigh 1 lint for Actions, that are
built vpon sure and solide grounds (such as his Maiesties
are), it belongeth to them, to bee published by open mam- ,
fests. 1641 Chas. I, Sp. in Rushw. Hist. Cell. III. (1692) I.
30S My Nephew, the Prince Elector Palatine.. hath desired
me.. to make a Manifest in my Name. 1667 Waterhouse
Fire Lond. 126 His Proclamations and Manifests against
Prophaneness. 1670 Cotton Espernon 1. 11. 75 There was I
p.inted a Manifest, subscrib'd by the Cardinal of l'.ourbon,
as Head of the League. 1693 Dryden Iliad 1. 473 But you, I
authentic!: Witnesses I bring, Of this my Manifest : I hat
never more This Hand shall combate on the crooked Shore.
'739 Col. Kcc. Pennsylv. IV. 382 After having laid the
IJueen's Manifest before the Assembly, declaring her De-
signs against Canada. 1752 Carte Hist. Eng. III. App. ;
820 Murray and the others, .publishing manifests to alarm ,
the nation, .were driven., out of the kingdom.
3. The list of a ship's cargo, signed by the master, j
for the information and use of officers of Customs, j
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), A Manifest (in Traffick), a
Draught of a Master of a Ship's Cargo, shewing what
is due to him for Fraight from every Person, to whom |
the Goods in his Ship belong, f 1744 in Hanway Trav. \
(1762) I. v. lxxi. 327 The said commander ..shall .. make
oath, that such . . goods . .were . . put on board . . as in the
said certificate or manifest is mentioned. 1800 ColqUHOUN
Comm. Thames xiv. 309 No Goods shall be imported . .
unless the Master of the Vessel has on board a Manifest
signed by himself, containing the names of all the Ports
[etc.]. 1884 Munch. Exam. 21 Mar. 4/6 If the. .quantities
turned out differ from the manifest by one half package, the
merchant is fined, the ship and its cargo confiscated. 1873
Act 36<5-37 Vict. c. 88Sched. I, Such rice.. not being entered
on the manifest as part of the cargo.
Manifest (manifest), a. [ad. L. manifestus,
earlier manufestus, believed to be f. maims hand
+ *festus struck (cf. infestus dangerous), f. root
found in offendere, de-fendcre. The primary sense
would thus be 'palpable'. Cf. F. manifeste, Sp.
manifesto, Pg., It. manifesto.']
1. Clearly revealed to the eye, mind, or judge-
ment ; open to view or comprehension ; obvious.
c 1374 Chaucer Bocth. in. pr. x. 72 (Camb. MS.) Thanne
is it manyfest and opyn bat by the getynge of diuinite men
ben maked blysful. c 1450 Holland Hoivlat 255 It neidis
nocht to renewe all myn vnhele, Sen it was menit to }our
mynd, and maid manifest. 1535 Coverdale i Esdras ii. 18
He it knowne and manifest to our lorde the kynge, that the
Iewes. .begynne to buylde it [the city] agayne. 1555 in
Hakluyt Voy. I. 262 The better and also manifester testifica-
tion of the truetli. 1581 J. Hell Hadiion's Ansiu. Osor.
458 b, Three manyfest lyes about one poore platter. 1611
Bible John ix. 3 That the works of God should be made
manifest in him. 1671 Milton Samson 997 She's gone, a
manifest Serpent by her sting. 1711 Steele Sped. No. 71
r 10 The contrary is so manifest, that I cannot think you in
earnest. 171a tr. Pomct's Hist. Drugs I. 179 A Gum that
is. .glewyinthe Mouth, without manifest Taste. 1837 Goring
& Pritchard Microgr. 181 It is a manifest and visible error.
i860 Tyndall Glac. 1. iii. 26 In many places. .the mass
showed manifest signs of lateral pressure. 1867 F. W. H.
Myers St. Paid 10 Rise and be manifest, o Morning Star!
t 2. Having evident signs of; evidently possessed
of ax guilty of [After the Latin construction with
genitive.] Obs.
1681 Dryden Al'S. cy Achit. 1. 204 Now, manifest of crimes
contrived long since, He stood a bold defiance with his
Prince. 1700 — Pal. a> Arc. II. 623 Calisto there stood
manifest of shame. 1725 Pope Odyss. 1. 277 Thus manifest
of right, I build my claim Sure-founded on a fair Maternal
fame,
f 3. As adv. = Manifestly. Obs.
c 1391 Chaucer Astrol. 11. § 26 The excellence of the spere
solide, amonges other noble conclusiouns, shewyth Mani-
feste the diuerse assenciouns of signes in diuerse places.
Manifest (nue'nifest), v. Also 5 ma(g)ny-
fest. [ad. F. manifest-er, or L. manifest-are, f.
manifest-us (see prec). Cf. Sp., Pg. manifestar,
It. manifestare.]
1. trans. To make evident to the eye or to the
understanding ; to show plainly, disclose, reveal.
c 1374 Chaucer Bocth. it. pr. vii. 44 (Camb. MS.), Thinken
ye to manyfesten yowre renoun and don yowre name to ben
bom forth '! 1483 Caxton Cato E viij, The synnes ben ofte
hydde for a tyme but afterward . . they are knowen and
manyfestyd. 1484 — Fables of At/once xi. (1889) 281 The
yonge man manyfested or descouered vnto her alle his
122
courage and herte. 1508 Dunbar Tua Mariit IVe'nen 73
To manifest my makdome to multitude of pepill. 1582 N. I.
(Rhem.) John ii. 11 He manifested I1611 manifested torth]
his glorie. 1598 Shaks. Merry IV. IV. vl. 15 The mirth
whereof so larded with my matter, That neither (singly) can
be manifested Without the shew of both. 1602 Marston
Antonio's Rev. iv. iii, Who riseth up to manifest her guilt ;
1611 Hible 1 John iv. 9 In this was manifested the loue ot
God towards vs. 1622 R. Hawkins Voy. S. Sea (1847) 17b
The sunnes rising manifested unto us our errour. 1654
Bramhall Just Viud. iii. (1661) 31 Whether the Act. .were
operative or declarative, creating new right, or manifesting
or restoring old right. 1736 Bui ler Anal. I. 111. Wks. 1874
I. 49 He manifests himself to us under the character of^a
righteous governor. 1841 Myers Cath. 'III. IV. § 3. 1
llgnieous guvemui. .w». .......... -. - - -
Nature manifests itself to us only through our senses. 187S
Manning Mission H. Ghost viii. 210 He created our souls
to manifest the light of His image.
b. Cf things : To be evidence of, prove, attest.
1508 Dunbar Flytingt,* Thy frawart phisnomy Dois mani-
fest thy malice to all men. 1607 Shaks. Cor. 11. 11. 14 tor
Coriolanus neyther to care whether they loue, or hate him,
manifests the true knowledge he ha's in their disposition.
a 1674 Clarendon Sun: Lcviath. (1676) 125 The instance
he makes of a Princes subduing an other people.. should
manifest to him the contrary. 1804 Abernethy Surg. Obs. ,
37 This remark is manifested by the present, as well as by j
many other cases in surgery.
0. witli obj. a clause or accus. with inf., or fcompl.
1507 Shaks. 2 Hen. IV, iv. v. 105 Thy Life did manifest, 1
thou lou'dst me not. 1643 Sir T. Browne Relig. Med. 1.
§ 22 No man will be able to prove it, when, from the process |
of the Text, I can manifest it maybe otherwise. 1659 Pear-
son 0<wr'(i839) 324 That it was actually so. .the place itself !
will not manifest. 1667 in Picton l.'pool Mimic. Rcc. (1883) |
I. 269 Neither.. bowles or boxe had any inscripcion, mani- I
fisting them to be the gift of any p'ticular p'son. c 1680
Beveridge Scrm. (1729) I. 476 It is by this chiefly that we
manifest ourselves to be christians. 1688 R. Holme Armoury
111 326/2 The Triangle will presently manifest whether the |
place be higher or lower than your Eye. 1711 Steele Sped.
No. 153 r 4 It is thus in the Life of a Man of Sense, a short
Life is sufficient to manifest himself a Man of Honour and
Virtue. 1756 P. Browne Jamaica 97, I have not yet seen
the capsula: of this plant, and place it here only from the
habit, which seems to manifest it of this tribe.
1 2. To expound, unfold, clear up (a matter).
1530 Pai.sgr. 632/2, I manyfest, I make a thyng clere or
open... It is nat for all men to manyfest this mater. 1629
S'herlogenl'osh 5 They, .manifested their Cause also ynto
the Burgers of the Brabandish head Towns. 1669 Gale
Crt. Gentiles 1. 111. x. 108 An oration, if it does not manifest
the mater, loseth its designe.
3. a. To display (a quality, condition, feeling,
etc.) by one's action or behaviour ; to give evidence
of possessing, reveal the presence of, evince.
1567 Satir. Poems Reform, xiv. 67 He Abrahamis Failh,
but feir, profest ; He Dauidis mercy manifest. 1664 Power
Exp. Philos. II. 103 A large Bladder, full blown, will weigh
more then itself emptied, and manifest this inequality upon
a ticklish pair of scales. 178a Cow per Friendship 112 They
manifest their whole life through The needle's deviations
too, Their love is so precarious. 1801 Med. Jrnl. V. 436
No influence, during that time, was manifested by the medi-
cine. 1814 Cary Dante, Par. ix. 18 The eyes Of Beatrice
..manifested forth Approval of my wish. 1825 Lytton
Zicci 8 Glyndon had also manifested a graceful faculty for
verse. 1847 Grote Greece 11. xl. (1862) III. 434 The Medes
. . manifested great personal bravery. 1853 Bright Sp., India
3 June (1876) 2 When the noble Lord made that announce-
ment, considerable dissatisfaction was manifested on both
sides of the House. t
b. refl. Of a thing : To reveal itself as existing
or operative. Similarly in pass.
1808 Med. Jrnl. XIX. 137 No tendency, in general, to
dysentery, manifested itself at this time. 1871 Ii. Stewart
Heat (ed. 2) § 303 This heat . . does not as a rule manifest
itself by producing any increase of temperature, i860 Tyn-
dall Glac. I. xx. 142 A strong polar action was manifested at
many points of the surrounding rocks. 1876 Bristowe ,7*
A> Pratt. Med. (1878) 151 The first symptoms are said 10 have
manifested themselves on the seventh or eighth day.
4. To record or enumerate in a ship's manifest.
1541 Act 33 Hen. VIII, c. 7 The double value of the saidc
mettall so declared and manifested, i860 Merc. Marine
Mag. VII. 120 Should a Captain manifest more packages
than there are on board the ship, . . he shall pay on each
package so manifested. 1902 Daily Chron. 6 June 5/2
Every passenger is 'manifested' at the point of departure
and various particulars about him set out.
5. intr. To make a ' manifestation ' or public
expression of opinion.
1898 Daily JVflH 21 Feb. 5/6 In this astonishing country
a gentleman of repute chooses his own time for going to
prison, and is aided by the courtesy of the authorities in
manifesting against the Court which condemned him. Ibid.
I 26 Sept. 4/4 Public opinion in France manifests entirely in
I the opposite direction. 1899 Ibid. 12 June 7/5 The object
of the occupants being to manifest there for Loubet.
6. Spiritualism. Of a ghost or spirit (reft, and
intr.) : To reveal its presence, make an appearance.
1858 Hawthorne Fr. f, It. Nole-Bks. (1871) II. 171 Other
seances were held in her bed-chamber, at which good and
holy spirits manifested themselves. 1898 Daily News 29
Mar. 6/1 A certain ' Dr. Phinuit ', who, however, for some
time has not manifested at all. 1900 IVcstm. Gas. 22 Dec.
2/2 She locks the skeleton up in the cuplward, and imme-
diately the ghost manifests with renewed vigour.
7. Hist. In Spanish law, to protect (a person) by
a ' manifestation '. (See Manifestation 4.)
1818 Hallam Mid. Ages iv. (1868) 279 'To manifest^ any-
one ', says the writer so often quoted [viz. Zurita], ' is to
wrest him from the hands of the royal officers that he may
not suffer any illegal violence. Ibid. 280 note [tr. Zurita], Li
such cases only the Justiciary of Aragon, when recourse is
had to him, interposes by manifesting the person arrested.
MANIFESTATION.
Manifestable (mcenife-stab'l), a. Also 7
erron. manifestible. [f. Manifest v. + -am*.]
Capable of being manifested.
a 1512 Fabyan Chron. vn. 682 The forsaid storyes been
manyfesiable. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 11. ii. 58
This is manifestible in long and thin plates of steel. 1713
Nelson Life of 'Bull 331 A difference in the divine nature
of the Son from that of the Father, the one manifestable,
the other not manifestable. 1809 Coleridge Friend (1866)
338 If a law of naturc.be manifestable only in and to an
intelligent spirit.
Manifestant (mrenife'stant). [ad. L. mani-
feslant-em, pr. pple. of manifestare : see -ant.]
One who manifests or demonstrates in public.
1880 Daily Ne-.vs 25 May 5/7 A manifestation with no
manifestants, and but few spectators. 1894 Daily^ Tel. 28
June 8/2 The manifestants, however, were quickly dispersed
by the police.
t Manifestarian. Obs. App. a religions sect.
1647 Ward Simp. Colder 11 If there be roome in England
for [among others] Arminians, Manifestarians [etc.]. 1689
R. Ware Foxes A> Firebrands in. 108 These Sectaries., he as
follows. 1. Independents. .6. Manifestarians, or Arminians.
Manifestation (msenifest<?''f3n). [ad. late
L. manifestation-em, n. of action f. manifestare to
Manifest. Cf. F. manifestation, Sp. manifesta-
cion, It. manifeslazione.]
1. The action of manifesting or the fact of being
manifested ; the demonstration, revelation, or dis-
play of the existence, presence, qualities, or nature
of some person or thing, f Also, exposition, ex-
planation.
1432-50 tr. Iligden (Rolls) V. 405 Tylle hit was made open
by the manifestacion of a notable signe wheder parte awe
to be folowede. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 15311 21 b, Of
this manifestacyon or metynge of our lorde, speketh saynt
Julian. 1532 More Confut. Tindale Wks. 371/2, I.haue
spoken of this matter somwhat y" more at large, for y*
manifestacion of their great blindnesse. 1570-6 Lambarde
I'cramb. Kent (1826) 297 The matter .. requirelh more
wordes for the manifestation thereof than I may now af-
foorde. 1594 T. B. La Primaud. Fr. Acad. II. 201 The
growing vp of mans body, and of the manifestation by little
and little of the powers of the soule. 1685 Baxter Paraph >\
N. 'P., Acts i. 3 He shewed himself to them by unquestion-
able manifestation, at several times in the forty days space.
1864 BoWEM Logic ix. 288 What we mean by Personal Iden-
tity is sameness of substance under great differences of
phenomenal manifestation. 1884 JrntiViG-iCroker Papersl.
viii. 226 His friends dreaded that at his funeral there would
be some manifestation of. .ill-feeling.
b. An instance of this ; hence, concr. or semi-
concr. that by which something is manifested.
1785 Palf.y Mor. a> Polit. Philos. VI. x. (1786) 573 Certain
credited manifestations of the divine will. 1794 Sullivan
View Nat. II. 418 The universe is in the aggregate, a mani-
festation of the attributes of God. 1833 J. H. Newman
Arians 11. ii. (1876) 153 The Jewish Scriptures introduce to
our notice certain peculiar Attributes or Manifestations.. of
the Deity. 1838 Dickens Nich. Nick, xv, Various odd
' manifestations of surprise and delight. 1858 Gladstone
Homer II. iii. 180 Jupiter is. .the supreme manifestation of
; Power and knowledge. 1861 Stanley East. Ch. ix. (1869I
284 The third great historical manifestation of the Oriental
1 Church is the formation of the Russian Church. 1867 Max
Muller Chips (1880) I. Pref. 10 The first manifestation of
thought is speech.
c. Reel. Applied to the action of making known
to another the state of one's conscience.
1657 Penit. Conf.vn. 134 Let that manifestation be granted
to tie confession, c 1826 Doyle in W. J. Fitz-Patnck Life
(1880) I. 523 A rule which requires that each of the sisters. .
should manifest on a certain day in each month to the
female Superior the slate of their conscience, which. .you
know would be carried to such a length that the manifesta-
tion would include secret temptations [etc.]; in a word,
that the manifestation was in fact the same as the subse-
quent sacramental confession to the priest.
2. A public act on the part of a government in-
tended as a display of its power and determination
to enforce some demand; also, a collective action
(e.g. a procession, public meeting, wearing of
badges, etc.) adopted by a political party, etc., for
the sake of calling attention to its views.
1844 H. H. Wilson Brit. India III. 55 The principal
manifestation of Ihe British power was directed against
Rangoon. 1875 Helps Soc. Press, iii. 57 Instead ot dis-
countenancing such political manifestations.
3. In the language of spiritualists, a phenomenon
or number of phenomena by which the presence of
a spirit is supposed to be rendered perceptible.
1853 H. Spicer Sights *t Sounds 88 In. .1850. .Cincinnati
first became the scene of manifestations through recognised
media, i860 All Year Round No. 66. 373 Some of the
lielievers were quite overpowered with this ' manifestation '.
4. Hist. In Spanish law, a process by which an
accused person might be protected from the ani-
mus and precipitate action of judges and removed
to a special prison out of their reach. Also, the
prison provided for this purpose ( = Sp. carcel de
los manifestados).
1769 Robertson Chas. /'(1796) I. in. 140 He could remove
the party accused to the Manifestation or prison of the
State. 1818 Hallam Mid. Ages iv. (1868) 280 note, 1 his
process [sc. jurisfirma], and that which is called manifesta-
tion have been the chief powers of the Justiciary [of Aragon],
ever since the commencement of that magistracy.
Hence Manlfestational a., of or pertaining to
(a) manifestation ; Manifesta'tionist, one who
believes in manifestation.
MANIFESTATIVE.
123
MANIFOLD.
1865 Masson Ree. Brtt. Philos. iv. 296 To these beliefs |
the manifest aiionists . - have sought to add a doctrine. 1893
Fairbairn Christ in Mod. Theol. 11. 11. !. iv. 308 No theory
of manifestational forms and aspects can satisfy the con-
ditions. _ ,
Manifestative (mrcnife'stativ), a. [ad. scho-
lastic 1.. manifestaiiv-us, f. L. manifestare \ see |
Manifest v. and -ative. Cf. F. manifeslatif] '
Having the function or quality of manifesting or ;
showing forth.
164a T. Goodwin Heart Christ in Heaven 132 The dc- I
structlon of which enemies will adde to the manifestative
glory of his kingdome. 1654 Jer. Taylor Real Pres. 167
The shape, the colour, the bignesse, the motion of a man,
are manifestative, and declarative of a humane substance.
1738 Jon. Edwards Discourses Import. Subj. 1 10'I'he Apostle
James seems to use the word justify for Manifestative
'Justification. 1854 Tait's Mag. XX I. 663 Lotty's tempera-
ment was of the manifestative order. 1875 J. M orison in |
Expositor 1. 120 Our Lord is the manifestative eradiation of
the Divine glory [Heb. i. 3].
Hence Manifestatively adv., in a manifestative ,
manner ; in respect of manifestation.
1652 Stkrky Eng. Deliv. North. Fresh, 4 That Distinction
of Glorifying God essentially, and manifestatively. c 1670
O. Heywood Diaries, etc. (i83i) II. 329 All the attributes
of God are manifestatively glorifyed in this work. 1726
E. Erskine Stmt. Wks. 1871 I. 274 This is not to be un-
derstood of God essentially but manifestatively. 1855 Tait's
Mag. XXII. 422 Many women do love as eagerly, as
manifestatively, as outspokenly, as pursuingly— as Caroline
Helstone is said to have done.
t Manifestator. Obs. [a. late L. manifes-
tator, agent-n. f. manifestare.'] — Manifestek.
1609 Hp. W, Barlow Ansiv. Nameless Cath. 23 We referre
him againe to . . the True Manifestator of their i$£quiuocation.
Manifested (msenifested), ppL a. [f. Mani-
fest v. + -ED *.] Made manifest.
1603 Shaks. Meas. for M. iv. ii. 169 To make you vnder-
stand this in a manifested effect, I craue but fou re daies
respit. a 1653 Gouge Comm. Heb. xi. 35 It is against Gods
Truth, against Gods manifested will. 1899 U'estm. Gaz.
12 June 8/2 The vocal contributions of Miss M. B. . .deserved
the manifested appreciation of the audience.
Hence Manifestedness rare, the state of having
been manifested. In mod. Diets.
Manifester (marnifcstpi). [f. Manifest v. +
-IB '.] One who or that which manifests.
1612 Woodall Surg. Mate Wks. 11653) 35 I'ne Author or
manifester of this Linament was [etc.]. 1613 Middleton
Triumphs Truth Wks. (Bullen) VII. 240 Zeal, .as he is the
manifester of Truth, he is likewise the chastistr of Ignorance.
1660 tr. Paracelsus'' A rchidoxis 11. 83 The one is alwaies the
sign and manifester of the other. 1862 F. H all Hindu Philos.
Syst. 91 Will and other like qualities are their own mani-
festers. 1863 J. G. Murphy Comm. Gen. xv. 1, 1, Jehovah.,
the Manifester of myself to man.
tManifesteress. Obs. rare"1, [f. Mani-
fester + -ess.] A female manifester.
1662 Sparkow tr. Bchme's Rem. Wks.., Apol. cone. Perfec-
tion 63 A Manifestercsse of the Power.
Manifesting (mx'nifestin.), vbl. sb. [-ing V]
The action of the vb. Manifest.
1603 Knolles Hist. Turks (1638) 132 It shall not be amisse
. .for the more manifesting of that . . which . . followeth a
little farther to fetch his race. 1685 Baxter Paraphr. N. T.%
Mark iv. 22 Light is for the manifesting of all things.
Manifesting, ///. a. [-ing ^.] Thai mani-
fests.
1888 Gladstone in 19/A Cent. May 787 Those who . .
desire to retain what was manifested, but to thrust aside
the manifesting Person. 1902 Fairbairn Philos. Ckr. Relig.
11. 1. i. 326 This incarnate Word, this manifested and mani-
festing God, the evangelist identified with Jesus.
Manifestive ,moc-nifesttv),fl. rare. [f. Mani-
fest v. + -ivk.] - Manifestative.
1846 ^ir W. Hamilton Reids Wks. 771 note, On sense,
experience, induction, it [this knowledge] is dependent, as
on its exciting, ..manifestive,. .occasional cause. 1867 Bailey
Univ. Hymn 7 Hidden in Himself, self manifestive cause.
Manifestly (mce'nifestli), adv. [f. Manifest
a. + -ly -.] a. In a manifest manner. (Now rare.)
b. Used to qualify a statement : As is manifest,
evidently, unmistakably.
1477 Earl Rivers (Caxton) Dictes 11 By the whiche he
hath many festely shewed vnto them the secretis of the lawe.
1484 Caxton Fables of Poge v, The lymmes. .were shewed
manyfestly. 1509-10 Act 1 Hen. VI It, c. 6 Preamble, It is
manefestely knuwen that.. forged informacions have ben
pursued. x6ia Bacon Ess., Great Place (Arb.) 288 Who-
soeuer. .changelh manifestly, without manifest cause, giueth
suspition of corruption. 1620 T. Granger Div. Logike 308
Sometimes the Proposition it selfe of an Oration, or Epistle
is not manifestly expressed, but couertly insinuated. 1711
Steele Spcct, No. 43 p 3 The Design and Transactions of too
many Clubs are trifling, and manifestly of no Consequence to
the Nation. 1759 Robertson Hist. Scot. 1. Wks. 1813 I. 76
The treaty was still so manifestly of advantage to England.
i860 Tyndall Glac. i. xxii. 152 Fear was manifestly getting
Jhe better of him. 1878 Lecky Eng. in iZtti C. I. iii. 422
Their cause was manifestly lost.
Manifestness (marnifestnes). [-NESS.] The
quality or eondition of bein^ manifest.
1589 Ridhr Bibl. Scho/., Manifestnesse, evidentta. lyzy
Bailey vol. II, Manifestness, plainness, &c. to be seen,
&c. 1877 Lkgge Confucius 293 Such is the manifestness of
what is minute !
Manifesto (majnife'sto), sb. [a. It. mani-
festo-, see Manifest sb.]
t 1. A proof, a piece of evidence. Obs.
1644 Bulwer Chirol. $ Chiron, (title-p.), Consisting of the
N.iturall Expressions, digested by Art in the Hand,.. by
HUtoricall Manifesto's, exemplified out of the Authentique
Registers of Common Life. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud.
Ep. in. xvii. 148 Succeeding yeares produced the manifesto
or evidence of their virilities. 1674 Staveley Rom. Horse-
leach (1769) Ep. Ded., Matters of fact drawn from the most
authentic registers and manifestos of time. 1683 E. Hookek
Pre/. Pordage's Mystic Div. 99 For here Hec maketh and
giveth a Diaphanous Manifesto and perspicuous Demonstra-
tion. 1686 Goad Celcst. Bodies II. xii. 331, I reckon that
discourse is so plain, it carryeth its Manifesto with it.
2. A public declaration or proclamation, usually
issued by or with the sanction of a sovereign prince
or state, or by an individual or body of individuals
whose proceedings are of public importance, for
the purpose of making known past actions, and
explaining the reasons or motives for actions an-
nounced as forthcoming.
1647 Ward Simp. Cobler 50 It were good if States would
let People know so much before hand, by some safe woven
manifesto. 1651 tr. Life Father Sarpi 102 To the citation
he made answer by a Manifesto. 1670 Cot ion Fspernon
\. 1. 38 At the same time a Manifesto was publish 'd by the
Cardinal of Bourbon. 1775 E. Allen in Sparks Corr.
Amer. Rev. (1853) '■ 4°3> I- .delivered the General's written
manifesto to the Chiefs. 18x6 Singer Hist. Cards 63 Mani-
festoes issued by several of the emperors. 1839 Blackio.
Mag. XLV. 217 The manifestoes of modern agrarianisni.
1855 Milman Eat. Chr. VII. ii. (1S641 IV. 85 He addressed
a spiritual manifesto to all Christendom. 1897 McCarthy
Own Times fr. 1880 x. 204 Mr. Gladstone issued a manifesto
in the form of an address to the electors of Midlothian.
3. Comb., as manifesto-like adj.
1819 Metropolis 1. 1 j His manifesto-like annunciation, that
he should marry a very rich heiress.
Manifesto (ma:nife'st0\ v. rare. [f. prec]
intr. To issue a manifesto or manifestos,
1748 Richardson Clarissa (1811) VIII. 261, I am to be
inanifestocd against, though no prince. 1837 Carlylk Fr.
Rev. II. VI. iii. Serene Highnesses who sit there piotocolling,
and manifestoing, and consoling mankind.
Hence Manifestoing vbl. sb.
1858 Caki.vle Fredk. Gt. in. xiv. (1872) I. 230 Treaties
enough, and conferences, and pleadings, manifestoings.
Ibid. xvi. 334 George Wilhelm followed his old scheme,
peace at any price.. and except complaining, petitioning,
and manifestoing, studiously did nothing.
Manifold (marnif<7uld), a., adv., and sb. Now
literary. Forms: a. 1 manis-, monij, mscnis-,
meni5f(e aid, 1-2 meenifeald, 2 manifald, 2-3
-feald, 2-6 monifald, (4 monyfaulde), 4-5
many-, monyfald(e, (6 many-, mony-, monie-
fauld}. £. 1 meni 3)f8old, -feld, 3-4 manifeld.
7. v2 monifold, 3 maniuold, mani3efold), 3-7,
9 manyfold, (4 manye-), 4-6 manyfolde (5
maniefoold, mony-, manye-, 6 manniefolde),
6-7 manifolde, (7 manyfould), 3- manifold.
[Common Teut. : OE. manigfcald^- OFris. manich-
fald, OS. managfald (MLG. mannichvolt, MDu.
mcnkhvoitfr, OHG. manacfalt (MUG. mancevalt,
mod.G. mannigfaU), ON. margfaldr (OSw. margh-
falder, mangfalder, Sw. mdngfalt), Goth, manag-
falps: see Many a. and -fold. A form with adj.
suffix (=■ -y) occurs as MLG. mannichvoldcch,
MDu. menichvotidich (Du. mcnigvitldig) , G. man-
nichfallig, Sw. mangfaldigt Da. mangfoldic/i.]
A. adj.
1. Varied or diverse in appearance, form, or
character; having various forms, features, relations,
applications, etc. ; f complex.
In OE. used Gram, for ' plural ' (/El.FRIC Gram. viii).
ciooo ^Klkkic Horn. I. 448 pes pistol is swi3e inein'5-
feald us to ^ereccenne. c 1050 Voc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 448/21
Multimedam, mani^fealdne. c 1175 Lamb. Horn. 145 Alle
we beo5 in monifald wawe ine bisse wreche liue. a 1225
Ancr. R. 176 Vor ber beo3 uttre & inre [uondunges] ; &
eiSer is moniuold. a 1240 Ureisun in Colt. Horn. 193 Mid
ham is muruhfte moniuold wi5-ute teone and treie. 1382
Wyclif i Pet.W. 10 As goode dispenderes of the manyfolde
grace of God. 1430 Rolls of /'aril. IV.377/^Thehorribiliteof
his so manyfolde Treson. i535Covlki>.\lk It isd.vn.22 Inhir
is ye sprete of vnderstandinge, which is holy, manifolde, one
onely.sotyll. 1570 Vek Math. Prof 17 Chorographie. .is in
practise manifolde, and in vse very ample. 1603 Danill
Pauegyr. to A'ing, etc. To Lady Margaret 25 He sees the
face of Right t" appeare as manyfold As are the passions of
vncerlaine man. 1667 Milton P. L. x. 16 Which they not
obeying, Incurr'd. .the penaltie, And manifold in sin, de-
serv'd to fall. 1784 COWTER Task v. 769 This changeful life,
So manifold in cares, whose everyday Brings its own evil
with it. 1832 Lkwis Use <y Ab. Pot. Terms Introd. 12 The
truth is one, error is manifold. 1849 Macallay Hist. Eng.
iv. I. 497 He hated the Puritan sects with a manifold hatred,
theological and political, hereditary and personal. 1865
W. G. Palgrave Arabia I. 424 Coffee though one in nam«
is manifold in fact. 1865 Swinburne Poems <y Ballads,
Hcsperia 21 Profound and manifold flower.
D. Qualifying a personal designation: That is
such in many ways or in many relations ; entitled
to the name on many grounds. Also {notice-uses)
of persons: Many-minded, variable; having many
diverse capacities.
ciaoo Trin. Colt. Horn. 187 Twifold ofter manifold is be
man be nis stcdefast ne on dade ne on speche ne on bolide.
1601 Shaks. All's Well iv. iii. 265 The manifold Linguist,
and the army-potent soulditr. 1605 — Lear v. iii. 114 Jf
any man of (itialitie.. will mainlaine vpon Edmund, .that he
is a manifold Traitor. 1694 Congreve Double Dealer y.
xxiv, Secure that manifold villain. 1842 Mozley in Brit.
Critic XXXI. 173 Like a man who is at once clear-headed
and manifold, if we may be allowed the word, in his ideas.
1885 R. Bridges Nero \\. iii, To sit upon their rare, succes-
sive thrones, A manifold Augusta !
c. In. technical and commercial use.
1851 Offic. Catat. Gt. Exhib. II. 597 A manifold bell-null
constructed on an entirely new plan, by which one pull is
made to ring bells in any number of rooms. 1857 Tre-
gelles tr. Gcscnius* Heb. Lex. s. v. 2)>V,Ambubaja (i.e. tibi-
etna Hon), .a double or manifold pipe, an instrument com-
posed of many pipes. 1879 Stainer Music of Bible 95 Two
classes of 'manifold-pipes' can exist, the one. .a collection
ofjlauti (ravcrsi, the other, .vfjlutes a bet. 1900 // estm.
Gaz. 25 May 4/2 A model military balloon of the regula-
tion-varnished manifold goldbeatcr's-skin variety.
2. Qualifying a plural sb. (for collective noun) :
Numerous and varied ; of many kinds or varieties,
f Formerly simply : Numerous, many.
c 1000 /Klfkic Gen. xiii. 6 Heora aehta w;cion menfefaelde.
C 1175 Lamb. Horn. 11 Muchel is us bennc neod . . su ioe
adreden ure monifolde sunne. c 1250 Gen. -y Ex. 2502 And
his kin wexen mani^e-foUl, e 1290 .V. Eng, Leg. I. 29^/179
pat folk cam mani-folde A-boute Theofle in eche side.
? <i 1390 Chaucer Proverbes i, What shut thise clothes many-
fold, I,o! this hole somers day? a 1400 Cursor M. 27887
iCott. Galba) Dronkinhedc. -And mase meschefes ful many
falde. 1475 Bk. Noblesse (Roxb.) 41 Considering so many
fulde tymeswe haue ben deceived. 1535 Cover DALE Ps. ciii.
?4 O I.orde, how manifolde are thy worke>. 1548-9 (Mar.)
Bk. Com. Prayer Collect 4th Sund. Easter, The sondery
and manifold chaunges of the worlde. 1586 A. Day Eng.
Secretary 1. {1625) 114 You will runne into such vntrniely
sorrowes as with manifold teares will hardly be washed.
1588 A. King tr. Cauisius' Catech. 86 b, Quhat fruict haue
we of yis sacrament being deulie receauit? Veiray gryt and
monifald. 1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. Ixviii. § 6 Her mani-
folde varieties m rites and Ceremonies of Religion. 1605 in
io//t Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 372 The manyfould
downefalles into synne. 1736 Uutlkr Anal.\. iii. Wks. 1S74
I. 47 The manifold appearances of design and of final causes,
in the constitution of the world. 1784 CowrKK Task hi. 624
So manifold, all pleasing in their kind, All healthful, arc the
employs of rural life. 1844 Stanley Arnold (1858) I. Pref.
1 The manifold kindnesses with which they have assisted
me. 1849 Macallay Hist. Eng. vi. II. 146 Clarendon wa>
overwhelmed by manifold vexations. 1880 Gf.ikie Phys.
Geog. ii. x. 67 It is from this circulation of water that all the
manifold phenomena of clouds, rain, snow, rivers, glaciers,
and lakes arise.
f3. Math, ^Multiple. Manifold to — a mul-
tiple of. Obs.
1557 Recokde Whetst. P-ivb, There is one kinde of pro-
portion, that is named multiplex, or manyfolde. 1660 Bar-
row Euclid vii. Post. 1 That numbers equal or manifold to
any number may be taken at pleasure.
% 4. How manifold! ( - how many 4- -fold) : Of
how many kinds? Obs. rare'-1.
1594 Bltjndevil Exerc. III. 1. viii. (1636) 287 How manifold
is the moving of this heaven? The moving of this heaven
. .is threefold.
B. adv.
+ 1. In many ways, modes, degrees, etc. ; in first
quot. ""in many pieces. Obs.
13.. Guy IVanv. (A.) 4024 Alle bai hadde to-broken his
scheld, & his brini to-rent manifeld. 1340 Hampole Pr.
Cause. 3250 pair payn es turned manyfalde, Now er bai in
hete, and now in calde. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xl. {Ninian)
413 God bai lowtt mony-fald for bis merwale. c 1400 Lan-
franc's drnrg. 261; pou muste make a plate of iren..|at
mote be fooldid maniefoold in be forseid ligature. £1450
Lonelicii Grail xMl 4 How that Nasciens bis writ gan be-
holde, and there-Onne loked ful Many folde. 1567 Gude Ar
Godlie A (S.T. S.) 122 Sinnand rycht mony fald. 1500
Spenser /''. Q. 1. xii. 12 Then when his daughter deare he
does behold, Her dearely doth imbrace, and kisseth mani-
fold. 1593 Tcll-TrotlCs N. V. Gift (1876) 44 Thus shall
Ioues followers be thrise happy, and thus Robin goodfellowes
well-willers, in imitating his care, bee manifolde blessed.
f b. In the proportion of many to one. [The
etymological sense.] Obs.
161 1 Uible Luke xviii. 30 Who shall not receiue manifold
more in this present time.
C. absol. and sb.1
+ 1. Phr. Ly (rarely on) manifold: many times
over; in the proportion of many to one. Obs.
1303 R. BruMME Handl. Synne 6900 He byeb byn almes on
manyfolde. 1390G0WEK t"V«/IL i86Wherof the man. .Slant
more worth.. Than he stod erst be manyfold. 11400 Vivainc^
Caw. 607 More Curtaysi Pand he . . mar conforth, by mony
falde, Than Colgrevance had him of table. 1415 Hoccleve
To Sir J. Oldcastle 58 Thofiense . . Was nat so greet as thy 11
by many fold. 1567 Gude % Godlie B. (S.T.S.) 191 The theif
Judas did greit trespas, That Christ for siluer sauld : Bot
Preistis wil tak, and his price niak, For les be mony fauld.
1596 Raleigh Discov.Gviana Aiv,The countreyhath more
quantity of Gold by manifolde, then the best parte* of the
Indies.
2. That which is manifold.
a. spec. In the Kantian philosophy, the sum of the
particulars furnished by sense before they have been
: unified by the synthesis of the understanding.
This renders G. vtannigfaltigcs, mannigfaltigkeit. Some
earlier English translations of Kant's works have Mllti-
1 akious. Multiple, Multiplex.
185s Meiklkjohn tr. Kant's Crit. Pure Reason 63^ By
means of the synthetical unity of the manifold in intuition.
! 1877 K. Cairo Philos. Kant II. i. 199 The activity of the
mind must bring with it certain principles of relation, under
which the manifold of sense must be brought.
b. gen.
1856 R. A. Vauchan Mystics {i860) I. 65 His aiiy should
rather be.. instead of going out into the Manifold, to for-
sake it for the One. 1874 Sayce Compar. Philol. vl 243
1 Out of the manifold comes the simple, out of the multitu-
' 83- a
MANIFOLD.
dinous the single. 1889 Skkine Mem. E. Hiring 256 The |
chosen abstraction which gathers up into a focus the mani-
fold of human duty, experience, and hope. 1902 Q. Per.
Oct. 496 The picturesque manifold of life.
3. Math. = Manifoldness 2.
1890 in Century Diet. 1902 B. A. W. Russell in Encycl.
Brit. XXVIII. 666/1 RiemamVs work contains two funda-
mental conceptions, that of a manifold, and that of the
measure of curvature of a continuous manifold possessed of
what he calls flatness in the smallest parts.. .Conceptions of
magnitude, he explains, are only possible where we have
a general conception capable of determination in various
ways. The manifold consists of all these various determina-
tions, each of which is an element of the manifold. 1902
G. 13. Mathews ibid. XXXI. 281/2 A manifold may consist
of a single element.
4. A copy made by a manifold-writer.
1884 in CasseWs Encycl. Diet.
5. Meek, (See quot.)
1891 Patterson Naut. Diet. 332 Manifold, a pipe or
chamber to which are connected several branch suction
pipes with their valves and one or more main suctions to
pump.
D. Comb.: manifold letter-book (see quot. '
1869); manifold-paper, carbonized paper used in
making several copies of a writing at one time ; 1
manifold writer, an apparatus fitted with car-
bonized paper for making copies of a writing; so
manifold writing.
1808 R. Wedgwood in Abr/'dg. Specif. Patents, Writ.
Instr. (1869) 14 A.. pen and stylographic manifold writer.
1851 in lllustr. Loud. News 5 Aug. (1854) 119/1 (Occu-
pations of People) Manifold-paper-maker. 1862 \V. Clark
in Abr. Specif Patents^ Writ. Instr. (1869) 319 An im-
proved apparatus for manifold writing. 1869 Ibid. 275
Improvement in arranging manifold letter books. The
patentee arranges leaves of copying and common writing
paper alternately, and binds them together. 187a Pont-
iedges Ev. Boy's Ann. Dec. 12/1 The principle of the ,
manifold writer, the great friend of newspaper reporters. |
1876 Preece & Sivbwright Telegraphy 289 The office copy ,
is 111 pencil, the public copy in manifold writing.
Manifold, sb.'1 dial. Also manifolds : for I
Forms see E. D. D. [f. Many a. + Fold sb.x Cf. ■
G. mannigfalt] The intestines or bowels ; spec.
the manypHes or third stomach of a ruminant.
C1280 Monifauldes [see ChitterUNG i]. 1774 Goldsm.
Nat. lltst. III. i. 4 The third stomach, .which is called the
manyfold, from the number of its leaves. 1855 Robinson
Whitby Gloss. , Moneyfawd, . . the countryman's term for a
cow's stomach. 1864 Webster, Manifolds, the third stomach
of a ruminant animal. {Local. U. S.) 1869 Lonsdale Gloss.,
Manifolds, the intestines. 1889 N. W. Line. Gloss, (ed. 2),
Manifold, the stomach ; the bowels of man and the lower
animals.
Manifold (marnifauld), v. Also 3 mani-
uolden, 4 north, many-, manifald. [OK.
manizfealdian (.Sweet), mmnigfealdian (cf. ge-
manig-, gem&nig-, gemcnigfealdian, -fieldan) —
OHG. managfalton, manacfallan (MUG. manac*
valten, mod.G. mannichj fatten) , f. the adj.: see Mani-
fold a. The word became obs. in ME., and has
recently been formed afresh from the adj.] trans.
To make manifold, multiply, rare exc. as in b.
1 1000 in Napier O. E. Glosses 5215 Atnplifieare, maeni-
feal[dian]. 41225 After. P. 402 He wule. .moniuolden in
011 bis deorewurde grace. ^1300 E. E. Psalter xxxvii. 20
And man if aided ere bai [L. muttiplicati sunt] for-bi Whilk
hated me wickeli. 41340 Ham polk Psalter xv. 3 Many faldid
ere thaire seknesis. 1767 [see manifolded below]. 1889
Chicago Advance io Sept., Manifolding its appliances,
spiritual, educational, and social. 1903 Agnes M. Clekke
/'robl. Astrophysics 45 The solitary success of 1S96 was
manifolded a year and a half later.
b. spec. To multiply impressions or copies of,
as by a manifold-writer. Also absol.
1865 [see manifolded below]. 1879 tr. Busch's Bismarck
II. 138 Afterwards I write, on the Chief's instructions, two
articles, to be manifolded (one. die sick vervielfaltigen
sollen). 1879 Print. Trades Jml. No. 28. 25 Paper of
velvet-like quality, impregnated so as to manifold with ex-
treme ease. 1881 Times 27 July 10 The Home Secretary
received such precise and timely information that he was
enabled to have it manifolded. 1902 Eliz. L. Banks Nezvs-
paper Girl 122, I filled three sheets of paper with it ; then
I got carbon and manifolded it.
Hence Ma'nifolded pp/.a., Manifolding vbl. sb.
I'jd'j S. Patkrson Another Trav. II. 206 Has manifolded
homebred mischief marred thy rest ? 1865 Knight Passages
Work. Life Ill.viii. 162 The untiring Reuter appears.,
with manifolded copies of his telegram. 1892 Daily Neivs
20 June 11/4 Reporter wanted. . .Used to manifolding. 1901
Blackw. Mag. June 802/1 Tins manifolding process would
augment in something like geometrical progression.
Manifoldly (nueniJMdli). adv. Now only
literary. [OE. manigfealdlice, f. manigfeald
Manifold: see -ly 2.] In manifold ways ; -\occas.
in the proportion of many to one.
^825 Vesp. Psalter Ixii. 2 M/iltiplicifer, monigfaldlice.
C950 Lindisf. Gosp. John x. 10 Abundantius, monigfal[d]-
lice, c 1450 Miro/tr Saluacioun 3318 Mankynde . . cryed
to tioddc nianyfaldly. 1549 Covekdau:, etc. Erasm. Par.
1 Tim. 10 The deuilles snares (which he layeth manyfoldely).
1599 Sandys Europm Spec. (1632) 177 The proportion, .is
manifoldly inferiour, not one to twenty. 1605 Hacon Adv.
Learn. 11. ii. § 13 So also is there another kind of history
manifoldly mixed, and that is history of cosmography. 1669
Worlidge Syst. Agric. (1681) 38 Good Culture doth infinite-
ly meliorate the Land,.. and manifoldly repay the expence
and labour bestowed thereon. 1825 Colkkidge Aids Reft.
83 The manifoldly intelligent ant tribes. 1855 Plsev D01.tr.
Heal Presence Note A. 27 These are divided manifoldly, in
124
that some understand by conversion identity of place . .
others. .an order of succession. 1873 A. W. Ward tr. Cur-
tius Hist. Greece 1. I. i. 8 The country is so manifoldly
broken up, that it becomes a succession of peninsulas.
Manifoldness («wnMMdn*»). [OK. mamg-
fealdnis, f. manigfeald Manifold: see -ness.]
1. The quality or condition of being manifold ;
varied character ; multiplicity.
6-950 Lindisf. Cos/. Matt. xii. 34 Ex abundantia cordis,
from monixfaldnisse hearta. c logo I'oc. in Wr.-Wiilcker
469/14 Perplexitans [read perplex itas\ nianifealdnes. 161 1
Cotgk., Mullicuple, a manifoldnesse, great multiplication.
a 1631 Donne Serin. Ixiii. 632 In the manifoldnesse, and in
the weightinesse, and in the everlastingnesse thereof Uc. of
Fire and Wormes]. 1809-10 Coleridge /•V;V«<r\ed. 3) III. 145
The inordinate number and manifoldness of facts and pheno-
mena. 1877 K. Cairo Philos. Kant II. viii. 347 The con-
sciousness of self, .as one in all the manifoldness and differ-
ence of its perceptions. 1894 T. H.Ward Eng. Poets, Clough
I V. 590 dough's poetry, marked as so much of it is by inde-
cision and manifoldness of view.
2. Math. iSee quots.) Cf. Manifold C. 3.
(A transl. of Riemann's mannig/altigkeit.)
1873 Cliitord tr. Riemann's Btiscs of Geom. in Nature
VIII. 14-17. 1876 Nature bin) XV. 515/1 We see. .that
. . the conception of space is a particular variety of a wider
and more genera! conception. This wider conception, of
which time and space are particular varieties, it has been
proposed to denote by the term niani/olitiicss. 1883 Chky-
stal in Encycl. Brit. XV. 629 One word has recently come
into use which is very convenient, inasmuch as it draws atten-
tion . . to theprime objectof mathematical contemplation, viz.
' manifoldness'. ..The assemblage of points on a surface is
a twofold manifoldness; the assemblage of points in tridi-
mensional space is a threefold manifoldness ; the values of a
continuous function of u arguments are M-fold manifoldness.
Manifolclwise, adv. Obs. or arch. [See
-wise.] In various ways.
[c 1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 207 He haueS cfle agilt . . and a
manifeld wise.} c 1440 Promp. Pan'. 335/1 Mauyfolde wyse,
multipharie, mullipliciter. 1545 Kavnold Byrth Man-
kynde r8[The] branches and amies, .manifold wise dispersid,
spred, and connnyxt. Ibid. 21 Small .. vaynes.reuoluing
them self in & out a thousand fold and manifoldwiseintricat
together.
Maniform (m;fniff»jm), a.1 [ad. mod.L.
maniform-is , f. L. manus hand : see -fokm.] Hav-
ing the form of a hand; hand-shaped; Ent. chelate.
i8a6 Kiuuv & Sl\ Entomol. IV. 310 Maniform. When
they [palpi] are chelate or furnished w ith a finger and thumb.
1856 in Mayne Expos. Lex., and in mod. Diets.
Maniform (marnifpjm), a.* [liadly f. maui-
( «= Many a., as in Manifold) + -FORM.] Multiform.
183s New .Monthly Mag. XL1II. 298 Their avenues of
enjoyment are their maniform sympathies. 1863 Reade
HardCasli III. 117 He favoured Julia and Edward with a
full account of the maniform enormities he had detected
them in.
Manify (maeiiiW), v. rare [f. Man sty +
-IFT.j trans. To make man-like.
1799 Anna Seward Zc«. (1811) V. 220, I have always seen
genius manilied, and imagination, or fancy, womanized.
1894 Forum (N. Y.) Sept. 101 Most women in America
seem to be— what shall 1 call it ?— mnnified.
t Maniglion. Obs. [ad. It. maniglione, aug-
mentative of maniglio, maniglia bracelet. Cf.
Manilla '.] - Dolphin 6 a.
1704 Harris Lex. Tcchn. s.v. Ordnance.
Mania, obs. f. Many. Manihot, var. Manioc.
Manikin vmarnikin). Forms : 6 manneken,
8 manekin, manequine, 9 mannakin, man-
nequin, 7- manakin, man(n)ikin. [a. I)u.
manneken, dim. of man Man sb.1 : see -kin. App.
first taken from Du. in sense 2 b ; some of the
forms represent the Fr. spelling //lanna/uin.]
1. A little man (often contemptuous) ; a dwarf,
pygmy. K\*ofig.
1601 Shaks. r?ccl. N. m. ii. 57 This is a deere Manakin to
you Sir Toby. 1609 B. Jonson Sit. Wont. 1. iii, I), that's a
precious Manniki» ! 1653 Dissert, de Pace iv. 18 Shall we
little manikins prescribe a Taw to his most free arbitrement ?
a 1700 B. E. Diet. Cant. Crew, Mannikinl a Dwarf. 176a
Beattie Pigm. A> Cranes 97 Manikins with haughty step
advance. 1840 W. H. Ainskorth 'Power Lonei. n. XXXV,
1 What is it ?' replied the good-humoured giant, yawning as
if he would have swallowed the teazing mannikin. 1843
Lytton Last Bar. 111. viii, Gloucester, the lynx-eyed man-
nikin, is there. 1894 Q. Rev. Jan. 213 Men become undig-
nified and little-minded, local manikins.
2. fa. gat, A little figure of a man. Obs.
1601 Holland Pliny II. 484 Prettie images or niannikins
resembling cookes, which he termed Magiriscia. 1629 in
Archxologia XLVIII. 212 One gilt shipp and cover with a
manikin on the topp.
b. An artist's lay figure.
1570 Dee Math. Pre/. 32 Thus, of a Manneken (as the
Dutch painters terme it) in the same Symmetric, may a
Giant be made. 1730-6 Bailey (folio), Matietjuine (with
Painters, &c), a little statue or model usually made of wax
or wood, the junctures whereof are so contrived, that it may
be put into any attitude at pleasure. 1762-71 H. Wali'ole
Vertuc's Auecd. Paint. (1786) V. 38 The use of the manekin
or layman for disposing draperies. 1850 Leitch tr. C. O.
Mutter's .'Inc. Art § 69 (ed. 2) 38 These wooden figures . .
had decidedly more resemblance to puppets (uianequins)
than to works of cultivated plastic art. 1858 Sim.monds Diet.
'J'rade, Manci/uin, an artist's model of wood or wax. 1900
Dr. Dillon in Gd. Words July 451/2 ' He [the Tsar) is as
wiry as a mannequin \ said an officer to me.
C. A model of the human body used for exhibit-
ing the anatomical structure or for demonstrating
surgical operations.
MANILLA.
1831 E. Baldwin Ann. Yale Coll. 263 The dry prepara-
tions, and particularly an apparatus called a manikin, are
used for the demonstrations. This manikin is a very perfect
and ingenious piece of mechanism, constructed in Paris,
representing a male figure of the full size. 1895 Arnold A>
Sous' Catat. Surg. Instr. 523 Obstetric Manikin including
a natural female pelvis, with leather foetus and placenta.
3. (Usually in the form manakin. One of the
small and usually gaily-coloured birds of the pas-
serine family Pipridx, inhabiting the tropical
region of America.
Hence, or from the Du. source, the mod.L. Manacus
designating one genus of this family.
Crested, Golden, Peruvian, Rock Manakin, species of the
genus Rupicola. Spotted Manakin, the Australian Par-
dalotus punetatus or diamond-bird.
1743 Edwards Nat. Hist. Birds I. 21 The Golden-headed
Black Tit-mouse. . . I have seen Dutch Drawings of these
Birds, entitled, Manakins, which is a name the Hollanders
give to some European Birds also. 1774 Golds.m. Nat.
Hist. (1776) V. 354 The beauty of the little tribe of Mani-
kin birds. 1781 Pennant Genera 0/ Birds 64 Crested
Manakin. .Golden-headed Manakin. 1782 Latham Gen.
Syn. Birds II. 11. 519 Peruvian Manakin. Ibid. 534
Tuneful Manakin. 1825 Waterton Wand. S. Atner.
(1882) 26 When the fruit of the fig is ripe the manikin
is on the tree from morn till eve. 183a Macgillivray
tr. Humboldt's Trav. xix. 282 The rocks, among which
the Golden Manakin (Pipra ru/>icola\ one of the most
beautiful birds of the tropics, builds its nest. 1840 Penny
Cycl. XVIII. 178/2 The spotted manakins of New Holland.
1855 Kingsley Wcstw. Hot xxiii, The rock manakin, with
its saffron plumage. 1896 Newton Diet. Birds 892 (Article
Song), The whip-cracking of the Manakin.
4. attrib. or as adj. Dwarf, pygmy, diminutive,
undersized ; puny.
1840 Hood Kilmanmgg% Birth i, One little manikin thing
Survives to wear many a wrinkle. 1844D1SRAELI Coningsby
11. i, The manikin grasp of the English ministry. 1863 W. C.
Baldwin A/r. Hunting 380, I have shot . . a splendid old
manikin ostrich. Ibid. 410, I shot a very fine old manikin
lion. 1884 D. G. Mitchell Wet days f, Lesser P., Theo-
critus 22 Boors indeed ; but they are live boors, and not
manikin shepherds. 1898 J. Hollingshead Gaiety Chron.
i i. 2 Unlike Shakespeare, I have preserved the result of my
j mannikin efforts.
Manikin, -kinnes, var. Manykin, -kins. Obs.
ManiFl, manilio : see next and Manillk.
Manilla 1 (mani-la). Forms : a. 6 manillio,
! 6-7 -ellio, 7 -ilio, -illia, 6- manilla. 0. 6
■ manil, -el, 8 me-, manille. [Sp., ^ l'g. manilha,
It. maniglia; according to some a dim. of L.
manus hand ; others refer it to L. montlia, pi. of
mmile collar, necklace.] A ring of metal worn
on the arm or wrist by some African tribes and
used as a medium of exchange.
1556 W. Towrson in Hakluyt Voy. (1589) 101 We carried
certain basons, manels, etc. . . We solde them both basons and
I manellios. 1558 Ibid. i3oManilsof brasse and sonieof lead.
1598 W. Phili.H' tr. I.inschoten 1. xlvi. 86/1 The women weare
manillas, or arme bracelets therof, ten or twelue about each
arme. 1625 PuRCHAS Pilgrims I. IV. 418 About her wrists,
tenne or twelue Manillias of Siluer. 1665 Sir T. Herbert
Trav. (1677) 23 Of no small esteem are Bracelets, Copper-
chains, or Manellios. 1711 LocK.YER.-ia. Trade India 276
A Manilla is a solid Piece of Gold, of two or three Ounces
Weight, worn in a Ring round the Wrist. 1731 Bailey vol. II,
Manille, Menille.'m Africa) one of the principal commodities
carried to those coasts by the Europeans to traffick with the
] Negroes in exchange for slaves. 1803 I, Wintekuottom
I Sierra Leone I. vi. 100 Upon their arms they [the native
women aliout Sierra Leone] wear large silver rings or brace-
lets, called manillas. 1851 D. Wilson Archxol. Scott. 309
Manillas.. are regularly manufactured at Birmingham for
the African traders.
Manilla-, Manila (mani-la). [Native name :
the form Manila is correct, but rare exc. in geo-
graphical use.]
1. The name of the capital of the I'hilippine
Islands, used attrib. in the specific names of pro-
ducts of those islands, as Manilla copal, grass,
tobacco, wood; also Manilla man, a native of
the Philippines.
1697 DaMiiek i'oy. I. 304 The Frier sent us aboard .. 50/.
of afanila Tobacco. 174S P. Thomas "Jml. Anson s I oy.
158 The celebrated Manila Wood, wilh which ihey build
their Apaculpa Ships. 1849 Blackw. Mag. May 606 One
was a fine, stout, middle-aged man, with immense whiskers
and a cap of Manilla grass, a large blue jacket [etc.]. 1886
Spectator 6 Feb. 166/2 The two 'coolies were palpably
; ' Manilla men ', and not coolies,— that is, were half-caste
sailors from Manilla. .
2. (In full Manilla hemp.) A fibrous material,
obtained from the leaves of Musa textilis (see
Abaca), from which are made ropes, matting,
textile fabrics, paper, etc. Hence Manilla cable,
hat, paper, rope. etc.
1834 G. Bennett Wand. N. S. Wales I. xxl. 427 Manilla
mat-bags. 1855 Royle Fibrous Plants India 48 He had
some made into rope, which very much resembled Manilla
rope. Ibid. 65 Manilla Hemp. 1862 Catal. luternat
Eehib. II. xix. 17 Manilla and coir mattings. Ibid. 18
Manilla and other cordage. 1870 Veat.s Nat. But. Lomm.
203 Manilla Hemp, .produces a woody fibre.. ; the elc14a.1t
Manilla hats are manufactured from 11. 1873 J. Richards
Wood-working Factories 141 A layer of plain manilla paper.
1893 Westm. Caz. 20 July 4 2 Her captain had her big 15m.
manila cable paid out to the Olyinpia. 1897 Daily News
24 May 2/3 Tows, hemps, and flaxes meet with a ready
market, .the finest Manillas making.. £16 per ton.
3. (In full Manilla cheroot.) A kind ol cheroot
I manufactured in Manila.
MANILLE.
125
MANIPULATE.
1839 Marryat Phant. Ship, xxxii, On the evening of the
third day, as they were smoking their Manilla cheroots.
1858 Simmonds Did. Trade, Manilas, a name for a kind of
cheroots made m the Philippines. 1881 Hkdderwick Villa
by the Sea ioi, I will whifta sad Manilla.
Manille (manrl). Cards. Forms: 7 mal-
(l)illio, 9 raalilla, 8 manil(i;io, mauill, <S
manille. [Corruptly a. Sp. matilla, dim. of mala
used in the same sense (prob. fem. of ma/o bad;.]
In quadrille and ombre, the second best trump or
honour (being the deuce of a black suit or the seven
of a red suit).
1674 Cotton Coittfil. Gamester (16S0) 70 Of the Mack there
is first the Spadillo, or Ace of Spades; the Mallillio or
black Deuce, the Basto or Ace of Clubs. 1710-it SwiFT
y>-nl. to Stella 25 Feb., I had . . often two black acts
without a manilio. 1712-14 Pope Rape Lock in. 51 Spa-
dillio first - . Led off two captive trumps, and swept the
board. As many more Manillio fore'd to yield. 1794 Sport-
ing Mag. IV. 201 The manille, or black deuce is the second
[trump]. 1816 Singer Hist. Cards 266 The second Matador
[at Ombre] is called Manilla, or Malilla;..it is the seven in
a red suit, and the deuce in black, the seven being the lowest
card in red. 1851 Thackeray ling. Hum. iv, Alwut as nun h
time as ladies of that age spent over spadille and manille.
1874 H. H. Gibbs Ombre it ir In all Suits, when Trumps,
the lowest card takes rank as Second Honour. It is called
Manille.
Manille, manillia, obs. forms of Manilla1.
Manillio, obs. form of Manilla', Manille.
Man in the moon.
1. The fancied semblance of a man (or a man's
face) in the disk of the moon. Proverbial phr.
Aro more than the man in the moon.
a 1310 in Wright Lyric I'. 112 Men in the mono stolid
ant strit, on is hot forke is burthen lie bereth. a 1548 Ham.
Citron.^ Rich. Ill 37 When the quene had heard thisfrendely
mocion (which was as farre from her thought as the man that
the rude people saie is in the moone). 156a J. Heywooo
Prov.Sf Epigr.(iS6y) 205 Wee say (not the woman) the man in
the moone. 1578 Abp. Parker Orr. (Parker Soc.) 4o.iHeis
no more my kinsman than the man in the moon. i6ioShaks.
Temp. n. ii. 141, I was the Man ith' Moone, when time was.
1676 Marvell Mr. Smirk* 12 Which he knows no more then
the Man in the Moon. ^ 172a De Foe Col. Jack {1846) 266, I
thought no more of being serious., than I thought of being
a man in the moon. 1840 Marryat Olla Podr. (Rtldg.) 227
Gum. Then you don't know how things are settled 1 Jet.
No more than the man in the moon.
allusively. 1695 Cosgreve Love for L. 11. v, Thy Wife is
a Constellation of Virtues ; she's the Moon, and thou art the
Man in the Moon.
2. Referred to as the type of an imaginary person.
In recent use, a jocular name for a pretendedly unknown
person whosupplies money for illicit expenditure at elections.
1596 Nashe Saffron Waldcn Wks. (Grosart) III. 175 Nott
est inventus : there's no such man to be found ; let them
that haue the Commission for the Concealments looke after
it, or the Man in the Moone put for it. 1621 Laud Serm.
19 June 24 It is not now sufficient that the Iewes shall be
. . conuerted. . . But these conuerted Iewes must meet out of
all Nations : the ten Tribes, as well as the rest. . .Good God,
what a fine people haue we here ? Men in the Moone.
1866 John Bull 1 Sept. 584/1 [The witness] created some
amusement by his description of Mr. Mum, the man in the
moon, who, he said, was a necessary consequence of a Totnes
election. 1881 Rep, Oxf Elect. Comm., At in. Evid. 230
One of the first things Mr. M. said to me was, * You know
I am not a " man in the moon "... I am simply come to see
that the money is spent properly '. 1882 Standard 14 Jan.
5/2 Hundreds of highly respectable Parliamentary agents
were ready towink at the presence of the 'Man in the Moon'.
Manioc (marnipk). Forms : a. 6-9 manihot,
7 manyot, magniot. 0. 7- mandioc, manioc,
(7 manyoc,mandioque, 8 maniock, 9 maguoc).
7. 7 maudihoca, 7, 9 mandioca, 9 manioc(c)a.
[repr. Tupi mandioca, Guarani mandio, which de-
notes the root of the plant, the leaves being called
in Tupi mauisoba, the stalk maniba or maniva,
and the juice manipuera (Burton Highlands of
Brazil, 1869, II. 351).
The form manihot, adopted in botanical L. as the specific
name, appears to be a Fr. spelling with silent t. The spell-
ing manioch occurs in Fr. in 1614 (Claude d' Abbeville
Mission en Maragnan 229),]
The plant Cassava, q.v. (gems Manihot, for-
mcAy Jatropha). Also, the meal made from it.
a. 1368 HACKKT tr. ThevcCs Nau found World Iviii. 93
lhe Americanes make meale of those rootes that are called
Manihot [Fr. orig. (1558) Manihot]. 1611 E. Aston tr. Boc
inns' Mann. A> Cast. 501 Rootes of Urasite called Aypi and
Manyot. 1698 Fboghk Tty. ii3TheirfieldsofMaesand Mag-
niot. 1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. App. 318 Manihot. Jatropha.
1802 (see PI 1881 Daily News 12 Dec. 3/5 A species of
manihot, from which the ceara rubber was obtained.
0. 1660 F. Brooke tr. Le Blanc's Trav. 399 Mandioc
a root is their chiefestdiet, whereof they make flower. 1666
J. Davies tr. Hist. Caribby hi. 50 A small tree called Man-
yoc, by some Manyot, and by others Mandioque. 1683
Lorrain MureCs Funeral Rite 132 Thou mightest have
lived so well, ..thou didst want neither Manioc, nor Pota-
to s. 1783 Justamond tr. RaynaVs Hist. Indies V. 321 The
manioc is a plant which is propagated by slips. 1802 Naval
Chrou. Mill. 149 Manihot, magnoc, or manioc, is a plant
which grows in America and the West Indies. 183a Vcg.
■Subst. Food 157 The juice of Mandioc is. .fermented with
..molasses, .. into an intoxicating liquor. 1857 Living-
stone Trav. xvii. 302 Manioc, which is looked upon here
as the staff of life. 1871 Kingslev AtLastxvl, The famous
Cassava.or Manioc, the old food of the Indians, poisonous
till its juice is squeezed out in a curious spiral grass basket.
y. 1613 Pukchas Pilgrimage (1614)841 The roots of Man-
dioca hud almost killed them all, but by a peece of Vni-
t comes home they were preserved. 1663 BoYLB Usef F.xp.
i Nat. Philos. \. v. 121 The root Maudihoca, that abounds with
a very potent Poison. 1863 Hates Nat. Amazons x. (1864)
I 324 A superior kind of meal is manufactured at Ega of the
I sweet mandioca (Manihot Aypi). 1892 Daily News 20 Feb.
J 5/1 He found thousands of Sauba ants carrying off his store
of mandioca.
b. attrib., as manioc bread, bush, flour, meal,
patch, plant, plantation, root, worm.
1681 Grew Musieum 11. 223 In Brasile, either eaten by
themselves, or with their Mandioca-Flower. 1777 W. Ro-
bertson Hist. A mer. I. iv. 397 The art of extracting an
intoxicating liquor from maize or the manioc root. 1792
Mar. Riddeli. Voy, Madeira 03 The jatropa manioc, or
manioc plant. 1803 Edit*. Rev. 111. 89 A worm . .well known
to [West Indian] planters as the Manioc or Indigo worm.
1816 Sol'they in Q. Rev. XVI. 370 A vessel laden with
mandioc flour from the south. 1866 Treas. Bot. 718/1 Cas-
sava or Mandiocca meal. 1897 Mary Kincslky Iv*. Africa
I 209 This manioc meal is the staple food.
! Manion {-many one): see Many.
Maniorable, erron. form of Manubable.
Maniore, -owre, -ory: see Mamjkh, -euy.
Maniple (mse'nip'l). Forms: (?4), 7 man a -
ple, 6 raainipul, manypule, manyple, Sc. mani-
pil, 7 -pul, 7-S -pule, (7, y manuple), 6 mani-
ple, [a. OK. maniple (more commonly manipulc
as in mod.Fr.), ad. L. manipul-us handful, troop
of soldiers, f. mantis hand + *//-, weak form of root
*p/e- to fill (as in planus full).
In med.L. manipHlus was also used in sense 3 below.
Henschel's Du Cange has several isolated instances in which
vtaniputus and the related manifiula seem to have meant
* something carried in the hand , the latter is applied to
n workman's tool (?a trowel), ?a stafV, an apron ", the former
is applied to a bowl of some kind. There are also instances
! of manipulus, manipnla, in the sense 'servant '.]
fl. A handful, lit. and/y. Obs.
1632 B. JohsON Magu. Lady 1. 1, I ha' seen him waite at
; Court, there, with his Maniples Of papers, and petitions.
165* Biggs New Disp. r 80 Why is not a manipule of 1'ur-
i selane equivalent to two grains of opium, when [etc.]. 1657
Tomlinson Return's Disp. 136 A maniple with the medicks
I is as much as can be contained in a hand. 1658 Sir 'J'.
Browne Hydriot. Ep. DecL, With much excuse we bring
1 these low delights, and poor maniples to your Treasure.
1688 R. Holme Armoury in. 442/1 A Manuple or great
HandfuII. 1694 Westmacott Script. Herb. (1695J 75 [Flax]
when ripe, 'tis pulled and set up in maniples, or Large hand-
: fuls, to dry them. 175a Ainsworth Lat. Diet., A maniple
(.handful) Manipulus. 1829 Examiner 371/2 Look at the
mere maniples of people who say, speaking of themselves,
the Church !
tl b. Whimsically used for: The hand.
1833 Erasers Mag. VIII. 658 His two unhallowed and
incarnadine maniples of reeking digits. 1893 ( Iunter Miss
Dividetuis 16 Ferdie finds his hand grasped warmly in a set
of bronzed maniples.
2. Roman Antiq. A subdivision of the Roman
legion, of which a cohort contained three, number-
ing 120 men each among the hastati and principes,
and 60 each among the triarii.
1533 Bellenden Livy It. (S. T. S.) I. 148 The tothir
! consul.. Ischit furth..with certane manipillis of armyt men.
1629 Maxwell tr. Herodian (1635) 271 The light armed
; souldiers had lanes made between the several! Maniples to
; sally forth as occasion served. 1658 Sir T. Browne Card.
\ Cyrus ii, Thus were the maniples and cohorts of the Hastiti,
Principes and Triarii placed in their bodies. 184a Arnold
Hist. Rome III. 100 The Roman velites..were soon driven
back upon the hastati and principes, and passed through the
intervals of the maniples lo the rear. 1876 Encycl. Brit.
IV, 75% Two 'maniples' or divisions of 60 men each.
attrib. 1891 Nettleshii'& "6\^\i\sSeyffcrt's Diet. Class.
AntUj. 347/1 A further important novelty introduced by
Marios was the use of the cohort-formation, instead of the
maniple- formation.
f b. In modern warfare, a small band of soldiers
of more or less definite number. Obs.
1574 H. G. Briefe Tables G ij, Thou, for to cause that the
raye 111 aye gowith an euennesse, shake cause this maniple
to go by fiue in a rankc in breadth. 1598 Barret Thcor.
Warres ill. ii. 46 A Maniple is here called so many rankes
throughout the battell, as the battell is in length, at so
many per ranke as they march in ordinance or array. Ibid.,
Any part of shot or pikes, that be drawne a part, to be set to
defend any straight, or to scarmush, may also bee called a
Maniple. 1617 Moryson Itt'n. 11. 66 Captaine Blanydiuided i
his men into three Maniples. 1627 Capt. Smith Seaman's
Gram. xiii. 62 They vse to martiall .. those squadrons in '
rankes like Manaples, which is foure square. 1641 Baker
Chron. (1679) 232/2 The Rereward .. consisting of two :
thousand mingled Weapons, with two wings of Horsemen,
..all of them cast into square maniples. 1644 Milton
Areop. (Arb.) 70 Untill hee see our small divided maniples
cutting through at every angle of his ill united and un-
weildy brigade.
3. Eccl. In the Western Church, one of the |
Kucharistic vestments, consisting now of a strip
of stuff from two to four feet in length and worn
suspended from the left arm near the wrist by the
celebrant, deacon, and subdeacon : said to have
been orig. a napkin held in the left hand for the
purpose of wiping the tears shed for the sins of
the people; -Fanox I. (For a later interpreta-
tion of its symbolism see quot. c 1532.)
The words used on putting on the maniple, ' Merear, Do-
mine, portare manipulum fletus et doloris', look like a re-
miniscence of Ps. cxxv[i], 6 (Vulg.), and it seems possible
( that the term may have originated from this formula. (So, J
as one of several suggestions, in Durandus Rationale in.
I vi, De Manipulo; heexplains ' manipulus'as =prxmium.) \
! 1346 in Heath Grocers Comp. (1869) 49 note, l'n veste.
merit sainct, aube, manaple, stole et chesible. 1519 Hokman
Vulg. 16 b, Fyrst do on the amys, than the albe.than the
gyrdell, than the manyple, than the stoole, than the chesy-
byll. ti5« Du Wks Introd. Fr. in lHilsgr. 1068 The ma-
nypule doth sygnifye the same [corde) wherof his preciouse
handes were bounde. 1620 Melton Astrolog. 16 Albes,
Copes, and Maniples. 1774 T. West Antiq. bnmess (18051
361 With a stole about his neck, and a maniple on his left
arm. 1849 Rock Ch. of Fathers I. v. 424 The Anglo-
Saxons, .wore the maniple, as we do now, on the left wrist.
1853 Hook Ch. Diet. (1871) 474 The maniple or manuple
was originally a Strip of linen suspended from the left arm
of the priest, and used to wipe away the perspiration from
the face. 1885 K. W. 1>i\on Hist. Ch. Eng, III. 190 Ac-
cording to the old offices, the deacons to be ordained were
presented in amice, alb, girdle and maniple.
fb. App. used for: A wristlet or cuff. Obs.~°
1611 Coigk., Manchon ifhermincs, a Maniple charged, ur
powdered, with Ermines.
4. Maniple of the curates [Keel. 1.. manipulus
euratorum]: a book containing a brief summary
of certain ecclesiastical canons.
1706 tr, Dupin's Eccl. Hist. 16M C. II. iv. vii. 42; That
Parish Priests shall, .have a Bible with Commentaries and
the Maniple of the Curates.
Manipliea: sec Manypues.
Manipulable (mani'pitflabT;, a. rare^1. [f.
late L. manipulate to Manipulate: see -able.]
Capable of being manipulated.
188! Brit. Trade Jrnl. XIX. 335 The substance, .has to
be rendered manipulable.
Manipular (mani-pi/Slai), a. (sb,). [ad. I..
manipuiar-is f 1. manipul-us Maniple.] A. adj.
1. Pertaining to the maniple in the ancient
Roman army; characterized by formation in
maniples.
1623 Bingham Xenophon etc., Lipsius* Comp. 6 The ma-
nipular Battalion insinuated it selfe into the void spaces, and
so ouerthrew the Phalange. '1656 Blount Gtossogr., Maui-
putar, belonging to a band of men. 1833 in Philol. Mu-
seum II. 479 The earliest constitution of the manipular
legion. 1886 Pki.iiam in Encycl. Brit. XX. 746/2 In the new
manipular system, with its three lines, no regard was paid
to civic distinctions.
2. Of the form of a sheaf, rare.
1805-17 R. Jameson Char. Miu. (ed. 3) 133 Manipular or
sheaf-like. Consists of a number of crystals that diverge
towards both ends, and are narrower 111 the middle, thus
resembling a .sheaf.
3. Of or pertaining to manipulation or handling.
The sense is not ctymologically justifiable, being due to
association with Manipulate z>.
1831 Eraser's Mag. IV. 92 Such an unequivocal manipular
token of resentment. 1841-4 Emerson Fss.Svr. 1. i. (1876) 16
What the former age has epitomized into a formula or rule
for manipular convenience. 1849 Lytton Ca~xtons it. xi.
Iviii, Denoting, symbolically, how he would like to do with
Uncle Jack, could he once get him safe and snug under his
manipular operations. 185a J. Marti neau Phases of Faith
Ess.! etc. (1891) III. 7 Hence the invariable presence of some
physical element in all that it [sc. Catholicism] looks upon
as venerable. Its rites are a manipular invocation of God.
Hence Mani-pularly adv., in a 'manipular'
form (cf. sense 2 above).
1804 R. Jameson Syst. Miu. (1816) I. 305 The crystals are
sometimes manipularly and scopiformly aggregated.
B. sb. A soldier of a maniple.
1862 Merivale Rom. Emp.(iB6s) VII. IvL 91 The emperor
himself, ..regardless of the military indecorum, expostulated
and reasoned with his manipulars.
Mani'pulary, a. rare-1, [ad. L. manipu-
/dri-s: see prec. and -aky -.] = MANIPULAR a. 1.
1780 Cox e Russ. Disc. 222 Military ensigns representing
hands.. .These hands resemble the manipulary standards of
the Romans.
Manipulate (m&ri'pMfoit), V. [App. a back-
formation from Manipulation: cf. K. ntanipuler
{a 1S14 in 13. dc St.-Pierre Harmonies), It. manipo-
tare, manipu/are * to krripe or claspe with the hands ;
also to reduce into bottles or handfuls, to bundle
vp* (Florio i6u); a med.L. maniputare is given
in Henschel's Du Cange, with a single quot., in
which it app. means ' to lead by the hand '.]
1. trans. To handle, estp. with dexterity ; to
manage, work, or treat by manual (and, by exten-
sion, any mechanical) means.
1831 Carlyle Sart. Res. in. x, Ur else, shut up in private
Oratories, [they] meditate and manipulate the substances
derived from her [the earth). 1850 — Lalter-d. Pamph. ii.
(1872) 44 Fraternity, .has gone on, till it found itself unex-
pectedly manipulating guillotines by its chosen Robespierres.
18S5 H. Si'Kncer Princ. Psychol. (1872) II. vn. lii. 335
The hand has ben moulded into fitness for manipulating
things. 1862 Burton Bk. Hunter (1863) 154 A turner with
a piece of wood in his lathe, which he can manipulate to his
liking. 1870 Echo 11 Nov., The time, .when a photograph
was admired simply because it was cleverly manipulated.
1876 C. M. Davies Uuorth, Lond, (ed. 2) 179 He had pro-
mised., that he would refrain from manipulating con-
tagious cases.
b. absol. or intr, in Chem. (cf. Manipulation 2).
1827 Faraday Chem. Mauip. Introd. 4 Of two person's
having otherwise equal talents., the one who manipulates
best will very soon be in advance of the other.
2. To operate upon with the mind or intelligence;
to handle or treat (questions, artistic matter, re-
sources, etc.) with skill.
1856 Dove Logic Chr. Faith 1. ii. 68 Philosophy (as
hitherto manipulated) has been an attempt to do [etc. J. 1864
MANIPULATION.
Sat. Rev. 31 Dec. 789/2 Nor arc the questions, .pleasant
ones to manipulate. 1864 Bowen Logic 1. 22 Readily mani-
pulated in thought. 1875 Ouselky Harmony in. 41 This
(the third inversion of the added ninth] is perhaps.. the
easiest to manipulate. 1879 Fkoude Cxsar xiii. 185 Crassus
understood nothing beyond the art of manipulating money.
3. To manage by dexterous contrivance or influ-
ence ; esp. to treat unfairly or insidiously for one's
own advantage.
1864 Carlvle Fredk. Gt. xn. xi. (1872) IV. 260 He had got
his Electors manipulated, tickled to his purpose. \866Totnes
Elect. Comm., Mi*, livid. (1867) 73 Then who had manipu-
lated Hill senior at the former elections? 1875 J. Morison
in Expositor 1. 358 The hypothesis that the quotation has
been., freely manipulated. 1893 ChaMBRRLAIM Sp. Ho.
Comm. 10 Apr., It will l>e possible for firms to manipu-
late their books. 1894 J. Fiske Hist. Amur. 399 Boardsof
canvassers were appointed for determining the results of
disputed elections by manipulating the figures in counting
the votes.
Hence Manipulated ///. a., Mani'pulating
vbl. sb.
1887 Pall MallG. 3 Jan. 10/1 A Frenchman disposed of
upwards of four thousand pounds' worth of manipulated
diamonds in this country. 1892 Athenmum 4 June 722/1
This manipulating of a language. 1899 Allbutt's Syst.
Med. VII. 749 This method is believed to produce tempo-
rary anaemia of the brain by causing a determination of
blood to the manipulated parts.
Manipulation (m£nipif*I#"Jan). [a. F. mani-
pulation ~$\>. manipulation > Pg. manipulacao, It.
manipolazione, ad. mod.L. type ^manipulation-cm,
f. * manipula re ( -It. manipolare, F. manipuler:
see Manipulate v.), f. L. manipulus handful.]
fl. The method of digging silver ore. Obs.
The sole sense recognized in Eng. Diets, down to and in-
cluding Todd, 1818.
1727-41 Chambers Cycl., Manipulation, a term used in the
mines, to signify the manner of digging the silver, ccc. out
of the earth. 1731 in Bailey vol. II.
2. Chem. The method of handling apparatus,
etc. in experiments. In Pharmacy, ' the prepara-
tion of drugs' (Webster 1828-32).
1796 Kirwan Elan. Min. (ed. 2) II. 482 It is only by an
exact similarity in all the essential puints of Manipulation,
that results exactly similar can be expected. 1805 w. Saun-
ders Min. Waters 354 The various sources of inaccuracy
to which chemical manipulations are liable. 1827 Faraday
in B.Jones' Life (1870) I. 396 The word manipulation,.,
though not usual in ordinary language, is so peculiarly ex-
pressive of the great object of these lectures, that I could
not hesitate a moment to use it. 1854 Ronalds & Richard-
son Cheat. Tcchnol. (ed. 2) I. 4S The average amount of
ash obtained by laboratory manipulation.
3. gen. The handling of objects for a particular
purpose; manual management; in Surgery, the
manual examination of a part of the body. Also,
making motions with the hand, manual action.
1826 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. IV. 1. 536 However tedious
some of the foregoing manipulations may seem, they are. .
much less so than those required in several other branches
of Natural History. 1846 GREENES Sci. Cunncry 403 The
manipulation of this musket. 1852 Mrs. Stowe Uncle
Toms C. xx. 207 In the zeal of her manipulations, the young
disciple had contrived to snatch a pair of gloves and a
ribbon, which she had adroitly slipped into her sleeves.
1853 Faber All for T't'jftfj' (1854) 246 A profound reverence for
all the benedictions of the Church, for her sacraments, forms,
and manipulations. 1872 F. G. Thomas Pis. Women (ed. 3)
72 Conjoined manipulation is of great importance. 1878
A. H. Makkham Gt. Frozen Sea xv. 206 To handle deli-
cate instruments, the manipulation of which, even in a tem-
perate climate, requires the utmost care. 1879 J. J. Young
Ceram. Art 41 In Oriental work. .we. .find skill in manipu-
lation, similitude in drawing, and beauty in color.
4. The act of operating upon or managing persons
or things with dexterity ; esp. with disparaging
implication, unfair management or treatment (of
documents, etc.).
<8z8 Sir W. Napii-r Penins. War I. 6 The organization
of Napoleon's army was simple, the administration vigorous,
the manipulations well contrived. 1843 RusKiM Mod. Paint.
II. 111. ii. § 10 The exquisite manipulation of the master
gives to each atom of the multitude its own character and
expression. 1864 Bowen Logic xi. 364 No manipulation,
no analysis, of these Truths previously demonstrated would
enable him to evolve from them . . the measure of this
particular angle. 1875 Stuuus Const. Hist. II. xvii. 611
The third estate.. was only too susceptible of royal ma-
nipulation. 1883 Stubbs"1 Merc. Circular 8 Nov. 982/2 The
shirtings which are not susceptible of manipulation with
clay and sizing.
Manipulative (manrpi/nativ),dr. [f. Mani-
pulate v . : see -ative.] Of, pertaining to, con-
cerning, or involving manipulation.
1836 1. TAYLOR Phys. Theory Another Life (1857) 154 A
wonder of skill, .as well as of manipulative execution. 1854
J. Scoffer* in Orr's Circ. Sci., Chem. 390 The manipulative
details required .. belong to the department of organic
chemistry. 1862 Smiles Engineers II. 132 The workmen
of that place [Birmingham] are still superior to most others
in executing machinery requiring manipulative skill. 1881
Roscoe in Nature XXIII. 599 IJunsen's untiring energy
and wonderful manipulative power. 1890 Spectator 1 Nov.
615/^ One of those cunning feats of manipulative skill
peculiar to the Oriental.
Manipulator (manrpitfU'itai). [a. mod.L.
type * manipulator, f. *manipuldre (see Manipu-
lation). Cf. F. manipulateur.]
1. One who manipulates, in various senses.
1851 H. Mayo Pop. Supcrstit. (ed. 2) 90 The state into
which mesmeric manipulators first plunge the patient. 1858
126
Ruskin Arrows of Chace (1S80) I. 14° As manipulators,
none but the four men whom I have named, .were equal to
Turner. 1864 See. Sci. Rev. 8 Science is nothing without
experiment and a little practice will soon enable the teacher
to become a successful manipulator. 1899 Allbutt's Syst.
Med. VI. 69 An experienced surgical manipulator. 1902
J. S. Phillimore Sophocles In trod. 79 A* a manipulator of
language we compare him [Sophocles] with Virgil.
b. With disparaging implication.
1864 Mom. Star 8 June 4 By the judicious application ot
patronage to an editorial statr a clever manipulator may
gain for himself a character to which he has no title [etc.J.
1891 E. Peacock N. Brendon 1. 2S5 A principal manipulator
of the persecution company. t
2. An instrument used to facilitate manipulation.
spec a. The transmitting instrument attached to the dial-
telegraph (1875 Knight Diet. Mech.). b. In photography,
a device for holding plates without handling them (ibid.
Suppl.). C. An exercising machine for rubbing or pummel-
ling the body (ibid.), d. A machine for manipulating blooms
of iron or steel, e. An instrument used by those who
instruct the deaf in the articulation of sounds.
i860 G. IJ. Prescott Electr. Telcgr. vi. 97^ Fig. 48 is an
instrument for bringing any number of batteries into circuit
at pleasure, ..It is called a manipulator. 1886-7 Miss L. D.
Richards Proc. Amer. Instruct. Deaf "235, I use the mani-
pulator very little. 1888 Set* Amer. 15 Sept. 166/2 An
Improved Ingot Manipulator.
Manipulatory (m&ni-puifl&tari), a. [f. Mani-
pulate v. : see -ohy.] Pertaining to or involving
manipulation.
1827 Faraday Chem. Manip. i. 24 A notion of the most
necessary furniture of a small laboratory, .may. .be gathered
from the manipulatory parts of the present work. 1838
Moore Mem. (1856) VII. 225 To accompany him to the
North London Hospital . . to see Dr, Elliotson's manipulatory
experiments. 1881 Tyndall Ess. Floating Matter of Air
233 Even with considerable care and fairly disciplined
manipulatory skill, success is not invariable. 1893 Brit.
J ml. Photogr. 24 Nov. 748/2 In addition to photographic
and manipulatory difficulties, the nausea of sea-sickness.,
has to be contended against.
Manipule, Manir, obs. ff. Maniple, Manner.
II Manis (mtTi'nis). Zool. [mod.L. (Linnaeus),
said to be an assumed sing, of Manes.] The typical
genus of the family Manidm (scaly ant-eaters) ;
any individual of this genus, a pangolin.
1770 Phil. Trans. LX. 36 A new Species of the Manis, or
Scaly Lizard. 1802 Bingley Anim. Biog. (1813) I. 125 Of
the manis tribe. 1850 R. G. Cumming Hunter's LifeS. Afr.
(ed. 2) I. 247 The manis is met with throughout the interior
of South Africa, but it is rare. 187a Mivart Elcm. Anat.
ii. (1873) 58 The long tailed Pangolin or Manis.
Mania, -isch, obs. Sc. forms of Menace.
Manish, Maniske, obs. ff. Mannish, Manx.
Manitology (mseroV18dgi). [f. next +
-(o)logy.] 1 he branch of study that is concerned
with the belief in manitous.
1851 Schoolcraft hid. Tribes U.S. I. 34 The doctrine of
Manitoes, or what may be denominated Manitology. 1881
Dorman Orig. Prim. Superst. vi. 222 Totemism is ex-
plained by manitology, or the worship of manitous.
II Manitou (msenittt). Also 7 maneto, S
menitto, 8-9 manitoo, 9 manito, manitu, (-ido),
moneto. [Algonquin manito, manitu.
According to Dr. Trumbull {Trans. Amer. Philol. Assoc.
1876, p. 167) ma/tit is the active pple. of a vb. meaning to
surpass, while manitu contains a predicative suffix, and so
is equivalent to 'he or it is manit'. In 1587 Hariot says
that the Indians of Virginia ' beleeue that there are many
gods, which they call Mantoac ' (Hakluyt III. 276).]
Among some American Indians, a spirit (of good
or of evil) which is an object of religious awe or
reverence; also, anything which is regarded as
having supernatural power, as a fetish.
1698 G. Thomas Pcnsitvania (1848) 2 They offer their
first Fruits to a Maneto, or stippos'd Deity. 1701C.W0u.KY
yrnl. N. York (i860) 37 They are of opinion that when they
have ill success in their hunting, fishing, &c. their Menitto
is the cause of it. 1804 C. B. Brown tr. Volneys I'ieiu Soil
U. S. 416 First, they believe in a great Manito, or genius,
who rules the world or universe, tinder his supreme power
are numberless Manitos, who traverse earth and air, and
govern all things. 1817 j. Bradbury Trav. Amer. 24 The
Indians, .often apply this term Manitou to uncommon or
singular productions of nature which they highly venerate.
1856 Bryant PaintedCup iii, The gentle Manitou of (lowers.
i860 Schoolcraft Ind. Tribes U. S. V. 74 When a turtle,
bird, quadruped, or other form of animated nature is adopted
as the guardian spirit or moneto. 1895 W. J. Hoffman
Begin. Writing 77 Fig. 31 represents the otter as a spirit or
manido. 1899 yrnl. Authropol. Inst. I. 140 His Manitu
or spirit, in trappers' jargon his medicine.
Manitrunk (mamitnwjk). Ent. [f. L. mantis
taken in the sense ' fore-leg ' 4- trunc-us trunk.]
The anterior segment of the thorax.
1826 Kirby & Si\ Entomol. III. 531 The first segment [of
the trunk], because it bears the fore legs, 1 have named
manitrunk {manitruncus).
Manitu : see Manitou.
Maniure ( — manjure), obs. form of Manger.
Manjack (maeHdjsw).' A large West Indian
tree, Cordia macrophylla or C. elliptka.
1864 (ikisebach Flora W. Ind. 7S5 Manjack, Cordia
macrophylla.
Man-jack : see Man sb.1 4 m, and Jack sb.1 2 c.
Manjak (rase*nd38ek). West Indian. Also 7
mountjack, 7-8 munjack. (See quot. 1902.)
1657 Ligon Barbados 101 Another gummy substance there
i=, .. called Mountjack. 1683 J. Poyntz Tobago 37 This
Munjack is nothing else than a Confirmation or Coagula-
MAN-KILLER.
tion of the Tarr. .into a more solid body, which Munjack
[etc.]. 1903 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 10J XXVI. 145 (Barbados),
The only mineral product is ' manjak ', or glance-pitch, a
form of asphalt, which occurs in the older rocks of the Scot-
land district.
II Manjee (ma^nd^i"). Also 7 mangee, 8 -gie,
9 manjy. [Hindi mdnj/ii.] * The master or
steersman of a boat or any native river-craft * (Y.).
1683 Sir W. Hedges Diary (Hakl. Soc.) 1. 89 Which made
our Mangee or Steerman advise us to fasten our boat in
some Creeke. 1781 India Caz. (V.), The principal Gaut
Mangies of Calcutta have entered into engagements at the
Police office to supply all Persons that apply there with
Boats. 1810 T. Williamson E. Ind. Vade-Mccitm I. 283
The Manjy, Goleeah, and Dandy, are the steers-man, bow-
man, and common rower in a boat, respectively. 1845
Stocqueler Hiind-bk. Brit. India (1854) 257 Few manjees,
or .steersmen of boats, leave the city without [etc.].
t IVCank, sb.1 Sc Obs. [app. a. F. mangue, f.
manquer to lack.] Want.
1500-20 Dunbar Poems xxxi. 12 He that hes for his awin
genjie Ane plesand prop, but mank or men^ie, And schuttis
syne [etc.]. 1718 Ramsay Christ's Kirk Or. ml xxiii, They
drank, Till, .in their maws there was nae mank. 1776 Herd
Scottish Songs Gloss,, Mank, a want.
f Mank, sb'2- Obs. (See quot.)
1683 Tryon Way to Health 284 Those fiery Steems [in
food], which are of an hot griping windy Nature, and causing
a Mank or Scurvey in the Blood.
t Mank, a. Obs. Chiefly Sc* Also 6 manke,
7 manc(k. [a. OK. mane, mam/ue:—h. mancus
maimed.] Maimed, mutilated, defective.
1513 Douglas sEneis v. Prol. 51 His febil! proU bene
mank and mutilait. 1559 Br. Scot in Strype Ann. Ref.
I. 11. App. vii. 410 The churche of Christe was not perfecte,
but rather a manke bod ye without a head. 1658 J. Durham
Exp. Rev. xiii. v. (1660) 570 There is one thing yet to be
cleared, without which all that is said seemeth to be manck.
1659 Fuller App. Iny. Innoc. hi. 54 If the Bishops sit
as a Third-estate, then Statutes made without them are
mane and defective. 1722 Wodroiv Corr. (1843) H. 622
When that mank volume comes over, I shall send one com-
plete. 1723 McWaru Couteudiugs Pref. 12 Mr. Wodrow in
his large, but mank and partial History [etc.].
Mank (mrcnk), v. Obs. exc. Se. [? f. Mank a. ;
cf. late (chiefly Frankish) L. maneare to mutilate,
f. mancus : see Mank a.\ trans. To maim, man-
gle, mutilate.
a 1400-50 Alexander 4100 Bot alto-mankid hire with
maces &melHs of Iren. c 1440 Promp. Pan'. 325/ 'i Mankkyn,
or maynyn, mutilo. c 1^70 Henry Wallace vie. 307 The
myddyll off ane he mankit ner in twa. 1501 Douglas Pal.
Hon. in. -\cii, Thay wretchis. .That honour mankit and
bonestie mischeuit. 1573 Satir. Poems Reform, xl. 322 Let
nouther lufe of friend, nor feir of fais, Mufe 30W to mank
3011 r Message. 1637-50 Row Hist. Kirk (1842) 133 Ordour
may be taken with them who hes mutilated and manked
the Kirk's Registers. 1731 Plain Reasons for Presbyterians
dissenting n6 It was past into an Act very quickly, lam'd
and mank'd as it was. 1825-80 Jamieson, Mank.. 2. To
spoil or impair in any way.
Hence Manked ///. a. (whence Markedly adv.,
in a mutilated fashion ; *h Ma-nkedhead, disabled
condition), Ma'nking vbl. sb.
a 1300 Cursor M. 27884 Quen [man] es ouerlaid wit
drunkenliede, ban in his mankidhed,. .es turnd al into best
state, c 1440 Promp. Parv. 325/1 Mankyngc, or maymynge,
mutilacio. 1513 Douglas sEneis x. vi. 117 The rycht arm,
from the schulder al to rent, Apon the niankyt sennonys
hyngis by. 1553 Kknnldy Compcnd. Tract, in Wodrcny
Soc. Misc. (1844) 171 Thou sail understand, that thir wordis
ar mankitlie allegit. a 1585 Montgomery Flyiing\^ With
mightie, manked, mangled meiu-r. 1671 True Nonconf. 288
Its mancking and confounding of Holy Scripture.
Mankal, Manke : see Mangal, Mancus.
M;i 11-keeii, a. [f. Man slO + Keen a.
Recorded later than the synonymous uses of mankine,
Mankind a., but possibly its original form.]
L Of animals {rarely of persons): Inclined to attack
men; fierce, savage. (See Keen a. 2 c.) "Now dial.
1568 Hist. Jacob <■(• Esau n. ii. Cjb, What? are you
numkene now* I recken it best I, To bind your handes
behind you euen as ye lye. Esau. Nay haue mercy on me,
and let me not perishe. 1607 R. C[arlw] tr. Fstr,>w<-'s
World of Wonders 263 He cured a man-keene wolfe.. by-
making the signe of the crosse. 1625 Jackson Creed v. vii.
§ 3 Boares and Bulls.. grow often wilde, fierce, or niankene.
1632 Sanderson Serm. 203 (If after all that they [dogs] stilt
continue mankeen) knocke out their teeth. 1643 Herle
Answ. Fernet How hard the Scripture is in yeelding any
of its sincere milke for babes to these mankeene Gyants.
1737 Bracken Farriery Impr. (1757) II. 83 If we are
over-kind to them [horses], it is more likely to make them
Man-keen (as we say) than better conditioned. 1893
Northumbld. Gloss. s.v., Cattle are termed mankeen when
they attack human beings.
fb. absol. or as so. A savage animal. Obs.
1757 Mrs. Griffith Lett. Henry «y Frances (1767) II. 281,
I have got so far on my journey, having bought a horse for
my servant... It is a mankeen in miniature.
2. Of women : Very fond of men. Now dial.
1683 G. Meriton Vorkcs. Dialogue 1 7 Sheesgane Eighteen
And few but at that Age they are Man keen. 1876 Whitby
Gloss., Fellow-fond, Man-eras'd, Man-fond, Man-keen, love
smitten. ' She's desperate man-keen ', very fond of the men.
1889 N. W. Line. Gloss, (ed. 2).
Mankes, obs. form of Manx.
Mankey, niankie, var. Manco Sc.
Ma'n-kUler. A killer of men ; a homicide.
C1440 Gcsta Rom. xxvi. 141 (Harl. MS.), Whenne they
[the knights] were putte oute of the palyse, some of hem. .
bicoine thevis, some man-killers, a 1533 Ld. Bernkrs Gold.
Bk. M. A urcl. (1546) G ij b, Such as accompanyeth with man
MANKIN.
127
MANLY.
kyllers and murtherers. 1660 R. Coke Justice I'ind.
49 The Inhabitants of Switzerland . . who . . have . .continued
Mercenary Man-killers to the interests of the Pope. 1895
Pall Mall G* 29 July 11/2 Even in those regions, where
expert man-killers are by no means scarce, the style of
shooting is altogether different from that of target shooting.
1899 Daily News ra June 9/3 The new Mark IV. bullet,
known among experts as ' The Man-killer '.
So Man-killing" vbl. sb. and adj.
1693 Dkyden Persia* iii. (1697) 446 A Spark, like thee, of
the Man-killing Trade. 1880 Cltamb. Jrnl. 15 May 316/2
These cattle-devouring tigers, .seldom take to man-killing.
1891 A. Forbes in Daily News 29 Dec. 2/1 The mankilling
power of artillery. 1899 Times 27 Sept. 6/2 A new inven-
tion, either man-killing or labour-saving.
tMa'llkin1. 06s. Forms: see Man sb.1 and
Kin sbJ [OE. won-, mancyniii, f. man Maxj/j,1
±cynn Kli'iM] a. The human race, mankind.
b. A race of men, a people, C. rare. Human nature.
Beowulf wo Ac he nine feor forwraec . . mancynne fram.
971 Btitkl. I tout. 129 for ealles maiicynnes hade. < ' iooo
VKleric Judg. Protein., lifter bam J>e Iosue . . bat man*
kyn sebrohte • t0 Pam behatenan earde. a 1175 Colt.
Horn. 225 Ic wille fordon al mancinn mid watere. ciaoo
Trin. Coll. Horn. 19 Vre louerd he is cleped helende, for bat
he manken alesede. C1275 Passion our Lord 11 in O. E.
Misc. 37 prytty wyntre and more he wes among Monkunne.
a 1300 Cursor Al. 18433 Adam, fader of al man-kin.
c 1330 Florice <y Bl. (1857) 700 %'if manken hit tholi might
Twies I schold die with right. 13.. F. F. Allit. P. A. 636
Ino3e is knawen bat man-kyn grcte, Fyrst was wro^t to
blysse parfyt. 13.. Minor Poems fr. Vernon MS. yj/4
And al soffrede swete Ihesu ffbr monkunne sake bat sorwe.
Mankin - marnkin). [f. Man sb.* + -kin.] A
diminutive or puny man ; a manikin.
1820 Byron Let to Murray 12 Oct. Lett. $ Jrnls. (1901)
V. 96 No more Keats, 1 entreat :.. there is no bearing the
drivelling idiotism of the Mankin. 1831 Carlylk Sart. Res.
11. ii^The Mankin feels that he is a born Man.
Mankind, sb. and a.1 [f. Man sb.1 4- Kind sb.
Cf. maris &ind (Man sb.1 21).] A. sb.
I. (Now mx'nkahid.) 1. The human species.
Now only collect. Human beings in general. (First
in Cursor M. ; it superseded the older Mankin 1.)
Formerly sometimes with sing, verb, or referred to with
sing. masc. pronoun ; now construed only as plural.
a 1300 Cursor M. 9372 pe fader of heuen Dight his dere
sun to send, Vntil erth, or flesche to ta for to bring man-
kind o wa. (1380 Wyci.if.SV/. IVks. III. 143 If monkynde
in bo stat of innocense. .schulde not be ydel hot serve his
God htsily. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De /'. A', xvi. Ixxi. (1495)
576 Onichius..hath in itself colour medelyd lyke the naylle
ofmankinde. c 1420 Lwg. A ssend'ly o/Gods 1762'l'hus was
mankynde delyueryd from hys foon. 1480 Caxton Descr.
Brit. 6 In Britayne ben hoot welles well arayed and adressyd
to the vse of mankynde. 1541 R. Coi-lano Guydon's Quest.
Chirurg. D ij, Howe many in nombre are all the bones in a
body of mankynde? 1560 Dacs tr. Sleidane's Comm. 25
Sathan the ennemye of almankinde. 1587 Goldinq De
Mornay xvi. 258 The great number of diseases wherwith
mankinde is pained. i6ioShaks. Temp. v. i. 183 How many
goodly creatures are there here ? How beauteous mankinde
is? 1651 Hobuks Leviath. n. xxvi. 139 A Law of Nature,
equally obliging all man-kind. 1726 Butler Semi, Hum.
Nat. iii. Wks. 1874 II. 33 Allowing that mankind hath
the rule of right within himself, a 1J74 Goldsm. Hist.
Greece I. 202 Mankind never suffer any work to be lost
which tends to make them more wise or happy. 1809 Svn,
Smith Scrm. I. 405 To study mankind aright, we must ob-
serve, no less the circumstances in which he is placed, than
[etc.]. 1825 Lytton FalklanH 14 Thrown early among
mankind, I should early have imbibed their feelings. 1902
Gkf.enough & Kittredge Words 158 The history of lan-
guage is the history of mankind,
f2. The nature of man ; human nature. Chiefly
in phr. to take {ox fang) mankind. Obs.
a 1300 Cursor M. 17288 + 43 Our lord ^oght to tak man-
kynd and bring vus oute of woo. 1375 Kakbour Bruce iv.
530 And mankynd biddis vs that we To procur vengeans
besy be. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xvi. (Magdalena) 242, & how
mane-kynd pat he can fange. c 1449 Pecocic Repr. n. xvi.
245 God descended into mankinde, and . . couplid to Mm a
singuler mankinde. 1493 Festivall (W. de \V. 1515) 94
That our lorde had taken mankynde. 1567 Gude <y Godlie
B. (S. T. S.) 67 He come from heuin, and tuke mankynde.
fb. Human feeling, humanity. Obs. rare—1.
1603 B. Jonson Sejanus v. x, O you, whose mindes are
good, And have not fore'd all mankind, from your brests.
II. 3. (Now marnksind.) The male sex; per-
sons of the male sex. (Cf. Men-kind.)
1526 Tindale 1 Cor. vi. 9 Abusars of themselves with the
mankynde. 1573 L. Lloyd Marraiv 0/ Hist (1653) 141 If
any mankind will enter therein.. he shall.. be bereft of his
senses. And if any womankind. .go into that water, she
[etc.]. a 1581 Bp. R. Cox Injunctions, Their chyldren and
seruauntes both mankinde and womankinde. 1611 Shaks.
Witt. T. 1. ii. 109 Should all despaire That haue reuolted
Wiues, the tenth of Mankind Would hang themselves. 1632
Lithgow Trav. iv. 155 Without admission of any man-kind
in their company. 1874 Trollope Lady Anna ix. 67 The
infinite simplicity and silliness of mankind and womankind
at large.
B. adj.
fl. Human. Obs.
1584 R. Scot Discov. Wiichcr. xv. xii. 412, I coniure you
. .ye infernall kings, .to appeare. .in faire forme and shape
of mankind kings.
t2. Male. Obs.
ifi33 Massinger Guardian 1. ii, I keep no mankind ser-
vant in my house, In fear my chastity may be suspected.
1638 Ford Lady's Trial 11. ii, Sir, consider My sex; were
I mankind, my sword should quit A wounded honour.
1 3. Of women : Masculine, virago-like. Obs.
Sometimes indistinguishable from Mankind a.3
1585 Higins Junius Nomendator 19 Virago, a manly
woman, or a mankind woman. 1591 H. Smith Prepar.
Marr. (Field) 61 A mankind woman is a monster, that is,
halfe a woman and halfe a man. 1598 Florid, Brijaida, a
bould, shamelesse, mankinde, virago woman. 1599 Portkk
Angry II 'om. Abingt. (Percy Soc.) 62 Why, she is mankind ;
therefore thou mayest strike her. 1607S11AKS. Cor. iv. ii. 16
Virg. You shall stay too. I would I bad the power To say
so to my Husband. Stein. Are you mankinde? i'olum. 1
foole, is that a shame. 1607 Beaumont ll'oman-Hater
in. i, Are women growne so mankind ? must they be wooing?
1619 Fletcher Al. Thomas IV. vi, 'Twas a sound knock
she gave me, A plaguy mankinde girle. 1633 Life Long
Meg 0/ Westminster (1&16) 22 For that bee had heard shec
was so mankind as to beat all she met withall, he would try
her manhood.
t Ma'nkind, a.2 Obs. Also 6 mankiii(e. [Of
obscure origin : possibly a perversion of Man KEEN,
though that form does not appear in our quots. till
later.] Infuriated, furious, fierce, mad. Mankeen.
1519 Horman i'ulg. 127 He set dogges, that were man-
kynde [L. canibus ej/eratis] vpoti the man to be all to torne.
a 1553 L'dai.i. Royster D. iv. viii. t Arb.i 77 Come away, by
the matte she is mankine [rime mine]. I durst aduenture the
lusse of my right hande, If shoe dyd not slee hir other bus*
bande. 1598-9 Bp. Hall in Marston's Sco. Villanie in, x.
(1599) Hid, I askM Phisitions what theyr (omisell was
l*'or a mad dogge or for a mankind Asse? 1605 Chapman
All /''ootesWks. 1873 I. 167 Good Signor Cornelio be not
too mankinde against your wife. 1632 Massincfr City
Madam ill. i, You biach, Are you turn'd mankind? 1672
J osselvx Arriv Rug. Rarities 13 They [Bears], .are never
mankind, i.e. fierce, but in rutting time.
Hence fMankindly mlv.t cruelly, ferociously.
1606 Sir G. Goosecappe n. i. in Bullen O. PI. III. 30 You
drive maids afore you, . .as mankindelie as if you had taken
a surfet of our Sex lately.
Mankle, Manks, obs. ff. Manacle v.t Manx.
Manky, variant of Manco Sc.
Manless (moe'nles), a. ff. Man sb* + -lfsh.]
1. Having no men ^either in the sense of human
t>cin^s or in that of adult male persons\ Also
(nonce-use), having no *men ' at chess.
c 1050 Suppl. /Elfric s Gtoss.\\\ Wr.-WulLker 186/1 Parie-
t'mac, roflease and monlease eaide wcallas. a 1400 Sir Peri .
17S7 My modir alle manles Keved I thare ! a 1626 Bacon
Consid. War with Spain (1629) 31 It was no more but a
stratagem of iireboats manlessu and sent vpon them by the
fauour of the wind in the night time. 1640 R. Baillib Lett.
iy Jrnls. (1S41) I. 270, I went forward with my companie
manless. c 1640 Game at Ckasse 2.- in Maidment Bk. Scot.
Pasquils (1868) 99 For still mismet and manles lousse the
game. 1(1670 Spaldino Troub. Clias. / (1S291 112 His
majesty's lieges should.. flee the covenant, and leave the
cause manless. 1816 1!vkon Darkness 71 The world was
void,. .Seasonless, herbless, treeless, manless, lifekss, A lump
of death. 1834 Wkangham Homcrics 22 When Amazonia's
manless kind Their plains o'er-ran. 1863 W. Coky Lett <y
Jrnls. (1897) 90 A humble, respectable, manless cottage.
1880 Blackzv. Mag. Feb. 244 A melancholy expanse, treeless,
dwellingless, manless.
f2. a. Unmanly, effeminate. Obs.
111529 Skelton Sp. Parrot 384 O causeles cowardes, O
hartles hardynes ! C) manles manbod, enfayntyd all with
fere! c 1611 Chapman Iliad 111. 30 O heauen, that thou
hadst neare bene borne, Or (being so manlesse) neuer liu'd,
to beare mans noblest state, The nuptial! honor. Ibid. xv.
319 The throtes of dogs shall graue His manlesse Urns. 1621
Quarles Div. Poems, Esther (1717) 136 To yield The right
and safe possession of the Shield, Was foul reproach, and
manless cowardize. 1653 Watekhouse Apol. Learn. 82
That pusillanimity and manless subjugation, which by many
ill our Age scornfully is called Priest-riddcnness.
fb. Inhuman. Obs.
ci6ixChapman Iliad ix. 64 A hater of societie. .being
stuft, with manlesse crueltie.
Hence f Ma'nlessly adv., in a manless manner ;
f Ma-nlessness, cowardice.
1607 Chapman Bussy UAmbois Plays 1873 II. 94 Let her
wounds Manlesly digd in her, be easd and cur'd. 1667
Waterhouse Fire Loud. 92 That Dread and pavid man-
lessness, that seised the Inhabitants.
Manli, manlich, obs. forms of Manly.
t Manlihead. Obs. Also 3 manliched, 5
manlyhed(e, 6 manlihed. [f. Manly a. + -head.]
1. The condition of being human.
c 1250 Gen. fy Ex. 23 Til god srid him in manliched. 1413
Pilgr. Soiule (Caxton) iv. xxix. (1859) 62 Ryght as an Image
that nought hath of manlyhede, but only of lykenesse, by
maner of shap withouten.
2. Virility, bravery, courage.
1422-83 Pol. Poems in Archseologia XXIX. 331 That
saue alle Englond by his manly-hede. c 1475 Partenay
4352 And how this Geant bold Thens into a caue fled for
fere and drede, Within the quike roche for all hys manlyhed.
1594 Carew Tasso (1881) 43 Fame hath through ech part
of Kgypt spred The tidings cleare of your great manlihed.
Maillihood (mx-nlihud). rare. [f. Manly a.
+ -hood.] Manliness.
1641 Earl Monm. tr. Biondi's Civil IVarres 11. 72 In
such a case he would shew that manlihood which men.,
void of judgement might now tax in him. 1819 Coleridgk
Lett. (1895) II. 699 Light, manlihood, simplicity, whole-
ness. These are the entelechy of Phidian Genius. 1887
D. C. Murray & Herman Traveller Returns iv. 56 The
man-fool.. will not phase the woman-fool out of his manli-
hood but by falling into her likeness. 1889 Atalanta Mag.
Apr. 464/2 The earnestness and manlihood of the Eliza-
bethan age.
Manlike (marnbik'i, a. (adv.) Also 5-6 -lyke.
[f. Man sb.1 + Like a.]
1. Having the qualities or characteristics proper
to a man as distinguished from a woman' or child.
Of women : Having masculine qualities ; mannish.
c 1450 Holland Hcnulat 155 Thai apperit to the Pape and
present thaim aye Fair farrand and fre, ..And manlyke.
< 1470 Harding Chron. exen, iii, He then ar est.. The lorde
Cobham full trewe and also manlyke, 1579 J. Stubbes
Gaping Gu/f D vij b, The smal reckoning which that man-
like nation makes of Fraunce. 1605 Camden Rem. (1637)
95 Dido, A Phoenician name, signifying a manlike woman.
1715-20 Pope Iliad 111. 249 Against the manlike Amazons
we stood. 1871 Smiles Charac. xi. 300 Men are sometimes
womanlike, and women ave sometimes manlike.
b. Belonging to or befitting a man; manly,
masculine.
1561 T. Noijton Calvin's Inst. iv. xx. (1634)733 That among
Christians may be a common shew of religion, and among
men may be man-like civilitie. 1612 Drayton Poly-olt: xvii.
342 Elizabeth,. Digressing from her Sex, with Man-like
gouernment This Hand kept in awe. 1624 Capt. Smith
i'irgifu'a 11. ;i The men bestow their times in fishing, hunt-
ing, wanes, and sin Ii man-like exercises. 1678 CoTTERKLL
Davila's Hist. Jr. w The (Jueen, a woman of a manlike
D647 p. 23 manly] spirit and subtil wit. 1728 Ai organ
Algiers I. iv. 108 Why then are the Africans alone to be
called Savages and Barbarians for shewing a manlike Kesent-
ment. 1736 Shknstonk / 'erses to Lady 7 Get. 21 In glaring
Chloe's man-like Taste and Mien, Are the gross splendors
of the Tulip seen. 1839 Carlvi.k Chartism iii. (185S,) 15 It
is for a manlike place, .mi this world, .that he struggles. 1895
H. S. MkrRIMAN Grey I.aJy 11. xiv. (1902) 335 From long
association with men she had learnt a manlike reticence.
2. Resembling a man.
1590 T. X11. son- in Antiquary XIII. 54 h Whose form you
see is monstrous, strange and rare, Before a manlike shape,
behinde a fishes fell. 1604 Rowlands Looke to it 19 Man-like
in shape, in manners but a beast. 1667 Milton/'. L. viii. 471
Under his forming hands a Creature grew, Manlike, but
different sex, so lovly faire. 1863 1 1 uxley Man's Place Nat.
104 The strut Uiral differences between Man and the Manlike
apes. 1899 W. H. Fi kness Folk Lore Borneo 21 When he
stood upon the ground, he met a man-like being.
3. As adv. =ManFULLY.
1577 Hellowes Gueuara^s Chron. 34 Lucius Me tell us..
fought so valiantly ami manlike, that be left, .one only person.
1592 Siuw Annals 4y> loh. Ball . .biddeth them . .stand man-
like together in trueth And helpe truth, and truth shall helpe
you. 1837 Emerson Misc. (1884)84 So is the danger a danger
still ; so is the fear worse. Manlike let him turn and face it.
1843CARLVLK PastSf Pr. iv. iv, To have neither superior nor
inferior, nor equal, united manlike to you.
lknce Manlikely adv., Maniikeness.
1742 Willison Balm o/i Ulead viii. (1800IS.; The true motive
of Christian love is a maniikeness and love to Christ more
than to you. 1873 IJ. Bkooks Are:o Start* in Life xii. 209
Who does not rejoice that his divine Master could be man-
likely indignant? 1885 G. Meredith Diana I. xv. 322 She
distinguished that he could only suppose, manlikely, one bad
cause for the division. 1903 FAIRBAIRN in Contcmf>. Rev.
Jan. 10 He saw. .into the godlikeness of man and the man-
likeness of God.
Manlily (mre-nlili), adv. Also 4-5 -lyly, -lely,
-lelie. [f. Manly a. + -i.v -.] In a manly manner.
1375 Barbour Bruce n. 4S6 Bot always, as a man off mayn,
He mayntemyt him full manlyly. c 1440 Alph. Tales 114
His enmy come in manlelie agayns hym. 1896 Abp. Benson
Jrnl. 7 June in Life (1S09) II. 715 [Holy Communion] tin-
ritually, but so solemnly and manlily administered by Whe-
welL Seilgwick, Martin, and their peers.
Manliness (mcenliius). [f. Manly + -ness.]
I. The state or quality of beint' manly ; the
possession of manly vigour, or ol those virtues
characteristic of a man.
1375 Barbour Bruce ix. 77 His vrechidnes so in thamegais,
That thai thalr manlynes sail tyne Throu vrechidnes of his
( ovyne. c 1450 Lyug. & Burgh Secrets 2603 Colour reed
Causyd of blood pure, Issigneof strengtheand greet manly-
nesse. 1569 Colding Heminges Post. 23 Stephan was.. full
of grace and manlynesse [orig. fortitudine\. 1596 Spenser
/*'. Q. iv. vii. 45 Vet weend, by secret signes of manlinesse. .
That he whilome some gentle swaine had beene. 1673 Re-
marques Humours Town A iv b, A person who.. should
value the innocence and manliness of a Country one [/. e.
life], 1770 Golosm. Des. Vill. 384 Whilst her fond husband
strove to lend relief In all the silent manline* of grief. 1880
Trolloi'e Duke's Children I. iii. 33 He was dark, with..
that expression of manliness. . which women love the best.
t2. Humanity; human kindness. Obs.
138a Wyclif 2 Mace. xiv. 9 Thi manlynesse [Vulg. humani*
tatem tuam] shewid to alle men.
t Ma'iiling. Obs. [-ling1.] A little man.
a 1637 B. Jonson Discov., Cens. Seal, in Lil. Germ.,
Augustus often called him his wittie Manling (for the
littlenes of his stature), 17.. Fashion 65 in Dodsley Coll.
Poems (1755) III. 276 'Tis meaner (cries the manling) to
command A conquering host . . Than furl fair Flavia's fan,
or lead a dance.
Manly (mae^nli), a. For forms see Man sb.1
and -ly J : also 5 Sc. mandly. Superl. 4 raan-
lokest. [f. Man sb.1 + -ly 1.]
I I. Belonging to human beings ; human. Obs.
c 1200 Vices # Virtues 43 For none winde of mannliche
fandinge. a 1225 Ancr. R. 112 Swuc grure he hefde in his
monliche vlesche a3ein pe stronge deorewur3e pinen tet he
schulde drien. 1387-8 T. Usk 'Test Love 11. iv. (Skeat) I. 46
The ilke three wares of Hues, .whichcarne bynames cleped,
bestialliche, resonabliche, [and manlich. Resonablich] is ver-
tuous. Manlich is worldlich. <r 1422 Hoccleve Jereslausts
IVife 783 Be nat abassht it manly is to synne, But feendly
is longe lye ther-ynne. 1491 Caxton Vitas Pair. (W. de W.
1495) 1. xcviii. 130 b/i The ordenaunces that I haue yeue to
them for to kepe, ben manly in asmoche as I that am a man
haue enioyned them to kepe them. 1554 Knox Fort for
Afflicted (1580) A 8 Wee haue another schoolemaister then
manly reason. 1625 Gill Sacr. Philos. n. 134 Hee [Satan]
thought that God should rather dwell in the being of the
Angels . . then dwelling in the tabernacle of the manly being.
MANLY.
128
MANNA.
2. Possessing the virtues proper to a man as
distinguished from a woman or child; chiefly,
courageous, independent in spirit, frank, upright.
a 1225 Ancr. R. 272 Wummon is be reisun, bet U, wittes
simile hwon hit UhStTCDcSeS, bet schulde beon monlich &
stalewarde & kcne ine treowe bileaue. e 1350 //'///. Palerne
3325 pei. .hadden gret ioye ba so manli a man wold mele in
here side. Ibid. 3419 pe stiward had a newe but of 30ns;
age, on be manlokest man bat men shold of heren. c 1450
St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 7507 He was honest and manly.
c 1470 Henry Wallace vi. 785 Lykly he was, rycht fair and
weill farrand, Mandly and stout. 1535 Coverdale i Sam.
iv. 9 lie stronge now and manly ye Philistynes.. .Be manly
and fighte. 1606 Shaks. Tr. $ (V. iv. v. 104 Manly as
Hector, but more dangerous. 1632 Litiigow Trav, ix. 421
A proud Nobility, a familiar and manly (Gentry. 1791 Mrs.
Raimtlu-ke Rom. Forest v, His person was manly, and his
air military. 1800 Foster in Life <y Corr. (1S46) 1. 124 It is
more manly to confess than to extenuate. 1856 Emerson
Eug. Traits, Race Wks. (HohnJ II. 30 They [the English)
are" rather manly than warlike. 1879 L. Stephen Hours in
Library III. 62 He [Fielding] was manly to the last.
b. Of a woman : Possessing qualities or attri-
butes regarded as characteristic of a man.
£1511 is/ Eug. Bk. Amer. (Arb.) Introd. 33/1 These
women be very manly in fytynge and hardy. 11548 Hall
Chron., Hen. VI 113b, This wytch or manly woman.. the
Frenchenien greatly glorified, a 1592 Greene Jas. II ", iv.
iv, Dorot. How looke I, Nano? like a man or no? Nano.
If not a man, yet like a manlie shrowe. 1774 Foote Cozeners
id. Wks. 1799 II. 186 As to fortune, she is totally careless in
that. ..How manly that is it] a woman! 1824 W, Irving
T. Trav. I. 42 My aunt Mas a lady of large frame, .she was
..a very manly woman.
c. trans/', andy?^.
1697 Drvden Virg. Georg. 11.70 The Vigour of the Native
Earth Maintains the Plant, and makes a Manly IJirth. 1799
J. Robertson Agric. Perth 470 The house of Auchtertyre,
with a manly front of cut granite. 1801 Sk. Paris as it was
II. xliv. 86 The architecture has certainly lost that gloomy
tint which gave to this building a manly arid respectable
character. 1864 Lowell Fireside Trav. 1 25 It [iron] is a
manly metal, with no sordid associations like gold or silver.
3. Of things, qualities, etc. : Befitting or belong-
ing to a man ; masculine.
c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxxi. {Eugenia) 191 [>o bu he a
woman, manlyk ar bi dedis al. 1398 Tbevisa Barth. De P.
R.v. xlviii. (1495! 165 Vf the ballok stones he kut of inanely
strength passyth and male complexion chan^yth in tofemall
complexion. 1459 Rolls of Parlt.V. 348/2 Exortation. .made
. .in so witty, so knyghtly, so manly, in so comfortable wise.
1592 Shaks. Mills. IV. 111. ii. 157. — Rom. <y- Jut. m. ii. 53,
1 saw the wound, ..here on his manly brest. 1617M0KYSON
/tin. m. 48 The Germans speech is said to be manly, the
Frenchmans sweet and fluent. 1671 Milton P. R. k. 225
Therefore with manlier objects we must try His constancy.
1681 Dryden Abs. (J- Ac/iit. 1. 22 His conscious destiny made
way, By manly beauty to imperial sway, a 1704 T. Ukown
Praise Drunkenness Wks. 1730 I. 37 The drunkards voice is
hoarse and manly, not like the squeaking trils of an Eunuch.
1851 Mavme Reio Scalp Hunt. liii. 401 In my earlier life
1 was addicted to what are termed ' manly sports '. 1894
Gladstone Odes of Horace in. xxiv. 54 Train we these
minds effeminate With thoughts and ways of manlier state.
f4. Humane, charitable; generous. Obs.
1377 Eangl. /'. PI. B. v. 260 Artow manlyche amonge thi
nei^bores of thi mete and drynke?
t5. Having the attributes of a (liege) man; sub-
servient. Obs.
C1380 Wvclif Wks. (1880) 65 And also :jif bei 3eucn a
henefis for men ben of here kyn, .. or ellis for be clerk is
manly to be lord in gay clobinge, . . or ony obere veyn iapis.
t 6. * Grown up*; adult, mature. Obs,
'579 V7. Wilkinson Confut. Eamilye of Lone, Heret.
AJfirm. b j b, Not that they should alwayes remaine as su-l>-
ject thereunder [the ordinance of the Lord], but vntill ihe
appointed tyme, vntill the manly old age "in the godly vnder-
standing of the holy word. 1621 T. Williamson tr. Gou-
tart's Wise Vieillard 14 Those men .. with the sinnes of
their middle and manly age, doe fdl vp the measure of their
iniquities with the vices of a shamelesse old a^e. 1647 J kr.
Taylor Lib. Proph. xviii. 244 If the Infant vow be invalid
tiil the Manly confirmation. 1691 Wood Ath. O.xon. I. 6
William Galeon. .did in his Manly Years take upon hiin the
Habit of the Friers of the Order of St. Austin.
7. Comb., as manly- minded adj.
1818 Moore Mem. (1853) H. 163 We.. walked home in the
evening. Scully a good, honest, manly-minded fellow.
Manly unarnli), adv. For forms see Man sb.l
and -ly -. [f. Man sb.1 + -ly ^ ; in OK. mannUee.\
1. In a manly manner; like a man; manfully,
courageously, with valour or energy. *iObs. or arch.
In ME. alliterative poetry often used expletively.
Bcozuulf 1046 Swa man-lice nut-re peodeu, hord-weard
haileba heabo-ra:sas jeald mearum ond madnium. £1205
Lay. 26855 And haehte heom amor^en monliche arisen.
a 1225 A tit r. R. $-21 HoldeS on ine swuche reste bet ^e longe
berefter muwen ine Godes seruise be monluker swinken.
a 1300 E. E. Ps. xxx-. 31 Dos manlike, and your hert
strenghbed be. a lyn Cursor M. 21341 Man [he is] quits he
manli him ledis. _ 1382 Wyclie i Mace, vi. 31 Thei maden
engynys, and thei wenten out,.. and fou^ten manly. < 1400
Destr. Troy 7227 He met horn full monly with his mayn
dynttes. c 1400 Maundey. (Roxb.) xxi. 94 J>e kyng hase all
way agayne-standen him and putt him offmannely. 1586
Marlowe 1st Pt. Tamburl. m. ii, Faith, and, Techelles, it
was manly done, 1607 Rowlanos Gny Warw. 41 The ugly
beast . . Comes at him manly, with most dreadful paws.
1632 Litiigow Trav. v. 231 Our Souldiers.. stood manly
to it, with their Howes and Arrowes. 1755 Johnson, Manly
adv., with courage like a man.
f2. Like a human being, a. Humanely, cour-
teously; generously, b. After the fashion of
fallen man ; unregenerately. Obs.
1377 Lamol, /'. Pt. Ii, x. 87 Who-so hath moche, spt-ne
manliche so meneth Thobie. 1382 Wvclif 2 Mace. ix. 27
Forsothe Ytrist, hym todomyldly, and manly, or curteysly.
— Acts xxvii. 3 Iulius tretynge manly [gloss, or kurteysly]
Poule sufTVideYor to go to frendis. 1547 Hooj-er Declar.
Christ iv. X> ij. Let hym tary style in the doctrine of man
and lyue as manly and carnally as he list.
f3. Excellently, ' bravely \ Obs.
1605 Shaks. ATaeb. iv. iii. 235 This time goes manly: Come
go we to the King, our Power is ready, Our lacke is nothing
but our leaue.
Ma'n-mi'dwife. Now rare, PI. men-mid-
wives. A man who assists women in childbirth ;
an accoucheur. h\%ofig.
1625 B. Jonson Staple of N. Induct., There are a set of
gamesters within, in trauell of a thing call'd a Play, .. and
they haue intreated me to he their Man-Midwife, the Pro-
logue. 1638 Sickling Aglaura (1646,1 5 That old doting
man-mid-wife Time. 1727 Bradley Fam. Diet. s.y. After-
Birth, That which Chirurgeons and Men-Midwives call
Placenta. 1783 S. F. Simmons in Med. Commun. I. 176
Dr. I!land, physician man-midwife to the Westminster
General Dispensary. 1797 Directory Sheffield Z\ Hodgson,
John, surgeon, and man-midwife. 1807 Robinson Archieol.
Grarca v. xiv. 476 The ancient Athenians used only men-
mid wives.
Hence Man -midwifery, the practice or occupa-
tion of a man-midwife.
1681 T. Flatman Heraclitus Ridens No. 14 Jest. ..But
you promised me I should see Mr. Character brought to bed.
Earn. That you shall presently, of a Premunire at least, by
the help of his own man-midwifery. 1684 Earl Koscom.
Ess. Transl. Verse 244 A Quack (.too scandalously Mean to
Name) Had, by Man-Midwifery, got Wealth and Fame.
1790 P. Thicknkssk ( title) Man-Midwifery Analyzed.
Mail-milliner. PI. men-, man-milliners.
A man who makes or vends millinery ; ' hence, a
man who is busied with trifling occupations or
embellishments* (Webster).
1792 Floyd in Southey Life A. BellyiZ^) I. 439 Many un-
fortunate young gentlemen are put into the army'by their bar-
barous friends, .. who have not constitutions for a inan-mtl-
liner. 1796 Southey Lett. fr. Spain (1799) 223, 1 look upon
a Man milliner not only as one of the most despicable mem-
bers of society, hut as one of the most injurious. 1807
Sporting Mag. XXIX. 185 The plaintiff is a Haberdasher
and Man-milliner living in Piccadilly. 1813 Examiner
1 Feb. 76/2 Some men milliners deprecate the employment
of women. 1814 H azlitt Pol. Ess. (1819) 66 The Morning
Herald sheds tears of joy over the fashionable virtues of the
rising generation, and finds that we shall make better man-
milliners, better lacqueys, and better courtiers than ever.
1839 T. Hook Birth, Deaths, etc. I. ii. 53 He's an empty-
paled fellow, and as conceited as a man-milliner. 1901
il'estm. Gaz. 5 Feb. 5/2 One of the leading man-niilliners
hopes the strike [of ladies' tailors in Paris] will succeed.
attn'b. 1850 Thackf.ray Contrib. to Punch Wks. l Hjogr.
ed.) VI. 691 One of those twopenny-halfpenny men-milliner
moralists.
Ma n-mi'llinery. A contemptuous term for
clothing or apparel (e.g. uniforms, ecclesiastical
vestments) to which men devote their attention
trivially or unworthily (as is supposed).
1819 Scott Let. to y. Richardson 22 Aug. in Lockhart,
There goes as much to the man-millinery of a young officer
of hussars as to th;tf of an heiress on her bridal day. 1846
Ecclesiologist Ser. 11. V. 31 Those who.. call the ecclesio-
logical movement ' manmillinery '.
Manna l (mne*na). Also 1 monna, 2-3 manne,
4 maua. [a. late L. manna neut. indecl. (later
also fern, a stem), a. Hellenistic Gr. ftavva neut.
indecl. (LXX and N. T.), ad. (? through Aramaic
manna) Heb. p man (whence Gr. ftav, L. man,
occurring more frequently than the longer form
in the LXX and Vulgate O. T. : see Man sb.ty.
G. Ehers {Durch Gosen turn Sinai), gives plausible reasons
for believing that the Ancient Egyptian manuu denoted
the exudation of Tamarix gallica. As the Arab, maun
has the same sense, it seems possible that the Heb. word
may represent the name anciently current in the Sinaitic
wilderness for this natural product, which in many respects
agrees with the description of the miraculous manna, and
which is still locally regarded as a dew falling from the sky.
„ The etymological tradition or conjecture preserved in Ex.
xvi. 15 represents the word as having originated from the
question man hit I 'what is it* (in Aramaic or supposed
archaic Heb.), which grammatically admits of being inter-
preted ' It is man'. (Cf. the Vulgate, I. c. : Dixerunt ad
invicem : Manhu, quod interpretatur, 'quid est hoc?1) _
The word has been adopted in most versions of the Itible,
and appears in figurative uses in the literature of most of the
countnesof Christendom. Cf.Uoth ,OHG.(MHG.,mod.G.),
Du.,Sw., It. manna, F. manne, Sp. maud, Pg. mannd.
Whether the Gr. y.drva, L. manna, fern., meaning a grain
of frankincense (sense 9 belowt, is connected with this word
is uncertain, though an oriental origin for it is probable.]
I. liiblical and allusive uses.
1. The substance miraculously supplied as food
to the Children of Israel during their progress
through the Wilderness. (See Exodus xvi.)
c 897 K. Alfred Gregory's Past. C. xvii. 124 And eac sceal
bion on Oaein hreostum oa-s monnan swetnes. e 1000 . l*.u- kit
Exod. xvi. 31 And nemdon pone mete Manna, c 1x75
Lamb. Horn, 141 Sunnedei god sende manna from houene.
tisoo Trin. Coll. Horn. 99 He let hem reine manne to bi-
liue and gef hem bred of heuene. c 1330 AssumP. Virg.
(P..M. MS.) 768-9 Thei ouerturned bat ilke stone ; Bodi bei
founde ber none ; Hut bei sawe in bat stede j>ana Liand as
it were a mana. That manna bitokned hure clene lyf.
c 1400 Maunoev. (Roxb.) iv. 12 In be toumbe of sayne Iohn
men may fynd na thyng hot manna. £1586 C'tess Pem-
broke Ps, i.xxvm. x, He .. bade the cloudes ambrosian
manna rain. 1651 C. Cartwricht Cert. Relig. 1. 124 The
Apostle there calleth Manna spiiituall m<-at.yet was Manna
a materiall thing. 1756-7 tr. Eeysler's Trav. (1760) II. 183
And on the reverse the pot of manna, or, as others will have
it, the censor. 2842 J. H. Newman Par. Sirm. VI. xi. 156
The manna in the wilderness was a real gift.
b. trans/, andyi^.
iS93 0» Harvey Precursor Pierces Super. Wks. (Grosart)
II. 12 To make choice of. .the most vertuous hearbes of
Philosophic,.. and the mostheauenly manna of Diuinitie.
1596 Shaks. Merch. K v. i. 294 Faire Ladies you drop
Manna in the way Of stamed people. 1667 Milton P. L.
11. 113 His Tongue Dropt Manna, and could make the worse
appear The better reason. 1684 Otway A tlieist 1. i, Do you
dispise your own Manna indeed, and long after Quails?
1822 Lamb Elia Ser. 1. Roast Pig, The lean, no lean, but a
kind of animal manna. 1890 R. IJkidges Shorter Poems in.
London Snow, They gathered up the crystal manna to freeze
Their tongues with tasting, their hands with snow-balling.
2. Spiritual nourishment; food divinely supplied,
whether for mind or body, esp. the holy eucharist.
1381 Wvclif Rev. ii. 17 To the ouercomynge I shal ^iue
manna hid, or aungelmete. [Similarly 1535 Coveroale and
1611,] (• 1450 tr. De Imitatione in. xl. no To be victour is
yoven manna. 1654 Jer. Taylor Real Pres. 58 The word
of God, the most honourable and eldest of things is called
Manna. 1843 Neale Hymns for ^7^(1863)47 Let not Thy
Manna fail me at the last. 1861 Hymns A. <$• M. No. 314
('O food that weary pilgrims love'), O bread of Angel-hosts
alwve, O Manna of the Saints.
f 3. [After F. manne.] a. A valuable staple of
food. Obs. (^nonce-use!)
1693 Evelyn De la Quint. Com/I. Gard. I. 55 It is us'd in
the Winter time to cover Fig-Trees, Artichokes, Succories,
Selery, &c. Which are all Manna's of great Value in Gard'n-
ing. Ibid. II. 194 Lettuces are Plants that are.. commonly
seen in our Kitchen-Gardens, and are indeed the most useful
Manna of them.
b. (See quots.)
1816 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. [x. (1818) I. 284 Between the
10th and 15th of August is the time when those [sc. Ephe-
mera] of the Seine and Marne-.are expected by the fisher-
men, who call them manna. 1864 httell. Observ. No. 33.
151 Ephemerae, .commonly known by the name of Manna.
II. In J'harmacyj etc.
4. A sweet pale yellow or whitish concrete juice
obtained from incisions in the bark of the Manna-
ash, Fraximts Omus, chiefly in Calabria and
Sicily ; used in medicine as a gentle laxative. Also,
a similar exudation obtained from other plants.
[c 1400 Lan franc' s Cirurg. 182 Cole hem, & resolue beron
cassia fistula jj., thamarindorum, manne ana £ss., & boile hem
a litil togidere.] 1533 Elyot Cast. Helthe{,\$\\) 58 Pourgers
of Choler : . . Manna vi drammes at the leaste, and soo to xxv,
in the brothe of a henne or capon. 1543 Tkaheron Vigo's
( him? g., In tcrpr. Strange Words, Manna isadewe thicked,
and fallynge in certayne places vpon trees, . . and vsed for
purgations. 1660 F. Urooke tr. Le Blanc's Trav. 4 Upon
the Mount Libanus. .you may find the Manna, or Celestial
dew, which I . . took for snow. 1698 Fryer Ace. E. India <y
/'. 241 This Manna is White and Granulated, and . . I think
not inferior to the Calabrian. 1764 C'm m i- v\ . Lett, to God-
son (1800) 354, I made him take a little manna, which has
done him good. 1797 Eneycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XIV. 764/2 Some
manna was gathered from the green leaves [of a pine], but
it could never be condensed. 1822 34 Goodss Study Med.
led. 4) IV. 344 It [juice of birch-tree] is easily obtained by
wounding the trunk, and when fresh is a sweetish and
limpid tluid in its concrete state affording a brownish manna.
1830 Lindi.ey Nat. Syst. Bot. 92 The Manna of Arabia is
produced by several species of Hedysarum. 1856 Stanley
Sinai <r Pal. i. ii. 69 Feathery tamarisks, .on whose leaves
is found what the Arabs call manna.
b. with qualifying word, as cane, canulated,fat,
JIake, flaky, lachrymatory manna ; Calabrian, Le-
vanly Sicilian, Syrian, Tolfa manna ; Australian
manna, a secretion of certain species of Kucalyp-
tus, esp. E. viminatis ; Briancon manna, a sub-
stance secreted by the common larch; Hebrew
Jews', Mount Sinai, Persian manna, the pro-
duct of Alhaga maurorttm or of Tamarix gallica
var. mannifera\ lerp manna = Lekp ; Madagas-
car manna = Dulcitr.
1611 Cotgr., Manne de Calahre, Calabrian Manna; the
l»est and most lasting Manna. . . Manne de Cotton . . the
worse kind of Leuant Manna, and the worst of all others.
1727-41 Chambers Cycl. s. v., Formerly the Syrian manna
was in the most repute, but now it gives way to the Cala-
brian. 1753 Ibid. Supp., Manna Mastich/'na. . . This is what
we usually know, .under the name of Alarm a Persieum, or
Persian Manna, which is at this time in use in medicine in
the East. 1797 Eneycl. Brit. (ed. 3) X. 537/2 The larger
pieces, called flake manna, are usually preferred. Ibid. 538/2
Ibis is the best kind, and by the people of [Sicily] is called
lachrymatory ox cane manna. Ibid., The Sicilian manna is
dearer and more esteemed than that of Calabria. 1811 A. T.
Thomson Lond. Disp. (1818) 179 It is collected in baskets,
and known under the name of manna grassa, fat manna. . .
A finer kind of manna is procured, which is called canulated
or flaky manna, manna in cannoli. 1839 Penny Cycl. XIV.
386/1 The kind which is most abundant is by the Arabs
called toornujbeen, which is often translated ' Persian manna '.
Ibid. 386/2 A sweetish exudation is produced on the larch
(Larix europea), which forms the Manna brigantiaca, or
Briancon Manna of some Pharmacopoeias. 1864 Chambers"
Eneycl. VI. 307/2 The manna of the^ Israelites .. appears
probably., to have been the saccharine substance called
Mount Sinai Manna. 1883 Eneycl. Brit. XV. 493/2 The
I.erp manna of Australia is of animal origin.
e. Manna in sorts [= F. manne en sortes,
pharmaceutical L. manna in sortibtts], manna in
tears [ = K. manne en larmes'\ : see tjuots.
1853 Royle Man. Mat. Med. (ed. 2) 542 Manna in tears
is a pure kind, in bright and roundish white grains. . . Inferior
kinds are in smaller pieces, ..and often intermixed with im-
MANNA.
129
MANNER.
purities. These are called Manna in sorts, Fat Manna,
Tolfa Manna, &c. 1866 Treas. Hot. 823/2 The inferior
[kind], or 'manna in sorts ' [is obtained] from cuts [in the
stem of the Ash] near the ground.
f 5. In early Chemistry : A white powder. Obs.
1694 Salmon Bate's Vispens. (1713) 200/1 This is the same
Medicine which is call'd Manna of Lead by Schroder. 1706
Phillips (ed. Kersey), s.\\, Chymical Manna, a Substance
distill'd from Precipitate, whiter than Snow.
6. (la full Poland or Polish manna = F. manne
de Pologne.) = Manna seeds (see 9).
1785 Mahtyn Rousseau's Hot. xiii. {1794) 139 The seeds of
rhis [Festuca ///titans] . . appear there under the name of
Manna. 1864 Chambers' Encycl. VI. 308/1 They [the seeds]
. .are very palatable and nutritious, and are known in shups
as Polish Manna, Manna Seeds, and Manna Croup. 1866
Treas. Hot. 718/2 Manna, Poland. Glyceriajluitans.
7. A species of grass, Setaria (Pam'cum) italica,
belter known as Italian or Hungarian millet,
originally native of Asia, but now extensively cul-
tivated for fodder in Kurope and South Africa.
1897 Agile. Jrnl. C. Good Hope X. 108 You have done the
sensible thing in sending a specimen of your so-called
Manna for identification. . . Well, it is Setaria italica, Beauv.,
in one of its varieties.
f 8. A grain (of frankincense); frankincense in
grains. Obs.
[Strictly another word : a. Gr. txdvva, I,, manna, fem. a
stem : see etymological note above.]
1601 Holland Pliny I. 367 As for the small crams or frag-
ments [of incense] which fall off by shaking, we called
Manna, (/. Thnris). 1753 Chambkks Cycl. Snpp., Manna
Thuris, the Manna of Frankincense, a term used by the
ancient physicians to express such small pieces of frankin-
cense, .as broke off. .in carriage.
9. attrib. and Commas manna-dew ,-meal\ manna-
bearing, -eating, -like, -yielding adjs. ; manna ash
(tree), the tree Fraxinus Omits ; manna-grass,
•j- (<*) ■« DBW-GBA88 ; (b) the aquatic grass Glyeeria
Jlnitans ; manna-groats : see Manna-OBOUP ;
manna lichen, either of the lichens Lecanora
esculenta and L.affinis ; manna-mead, a fermented
beverage obtained from manna; manna seeds, the
seeds of manna-grass, Glyeeria Jlnitans ; manna
sugar = Mannitk ; manna tree = manna ash. Also
Manna-croup.
1715 J. Pbtiver in Phil. Trans. XXIX. 238 This . . more
resembles our "Manna Ash. 189a Pall Mall G. 21 July 3/1
The slanting lights which played through manna-ash, acacia-
hedge, and tamarisk. 1864 Chambers'' Fncycl.Vl. 307 There
are several other manna-yielding plants besides the ash,
especially the 'manna-bearing Eucalyptus. 1819 Keats La
Belle Dame vii, She found me roots of relish sweet, And
honey wild, and *manna*dew, 1875 E. White Life in
Christ in. xvii. (1878) 218 The physical death, died by the
'manna-eating fathers. 1597 Gkrardf, Herbal I. xx. § 1. 26
In English it may be called Manna grasse, or Dew grasse.
1759 B. Stiu.ingfl. tr. Gedners Use Curiosity in Misc.
Tracts (1762) 182 The seed of the flote or manna grass, affords
a very pleasing . . nourishment to man. 1847 i) Arlington
Amer. Weeds (i860) 381 Floating Glyeeria. Manna-grass.
1864 Reader No. 85. 205/2 Authors who have described the
*manna-lichen. 1874 Lisle Carr Jud. Gtvynne I. vii. 235
As he listened to these *manna-like words. 1753 Chambers
Cycl. Supp., Manna,., the spirituous part of the * manna-
mead. 1810 C. R. Maturin Melmoth (1892) III. xxviii. 115
They partook of this *manna-meal, — this food that seemed
to have dropped from heaven. ' 1764 Mtts. Rusticnm II.
lxxxviii.3ooThe seeds of this grass [flote fescue] are gathered
yearly in Poland, . . and sold under the name of *manna-
seeds. 1836 Brandk Client. 906 Mannite ; *Manna-Sugar.
1770 Phil. Trans. EX. 233 The * Manna tree., is a kind of
ash tree. 1773 Brydone Sicily xxxvii. (1809) 353 The manna-
tree is esteemed the most profitable. 1864 *Manna-yielding
[see manna-bearing- above].
Hence Ma'nna'd a. (nonce-ivd.) [-ed2], sweet-
ened as with manna ; honeyed.
1776 Micklk tr. Camoeus' Lusiadix. 377 Enraged, he sees
..each, for some base interest of his own, With Flattery's
manna'd lips assail the throne.
llMa'nna2. Obs. rare-1. [Hellenistic Gr.
H&vva, v.r. ftavaa (Vulg. manna, manaa)t occurring
ireq. in the LXX as a transliteration of Heb.
nn:o minhdh offering, sacrifice. Cf. Syriac fllU* ]
138a Wyclif Bantch i. 10 Makep manaa [1388 Make ^e
sacrifice]. x6n Bible ibid., Prepare yee manna [margin,
Gr. corruptly for Mincha, a meat offering].
Mannace, obs. form of Menace.
Manna-croup (maeii&kr&p). [ad. Russian
Maimaa Kpyna (mannaya fem. adj. 'pertaining to
manna *, krupa groats), or the equivalent in some
other Slavonic language. The Ger. synonym is
mannagriitze {griitze = Qkw sb.2).] a. A coarse
granular meal consisting of the large hard grains
of wheat-flour retained in the bolting-machine, or
in the grooves of the grinding-stones, after the
fine flour has passed through, used lor making
puddings, soups, etc. b. A similar meal made from
the seeds of the manna-grass, Glyeeria Jlnitans.
1855 Ogilvie Supfl. , Manna Croup, a granular preparation
of wheat-flour deprived of bran. 1864 Chambers' Encycl. VI.
307/2 Manna Croup, or Manna Groats, a kind of semolina,
prepared in Russia, usually from the hard wheats of Odessa
and Taganrog... Another kind is made by husking the small
grain of the aquatic grass, Glyeeria ft uitans. 187a Sowerby
Fng.Bot.W. 08 Floating Meadow-Grass...In several parts
of Germany this grass is cultivated for its seeds, which form
the manna croup of the shops.
MCannadge, obs. form of Manage.
Vol. VI.
Mannage, -ery, obs. forms of Manage, -ery.
Mannakin, variant of Manikin.
Mannance, mannas(s, obs. ff. Menace.
Mannasi, -asy, obs. forms of Manatee.
Mannatee, -ti, -ty, obs. forms of Manatee.
Mannee, variant of Mam.
Mannequin, variant of Manikin.
Manner (mse'nai), s&A Forms: 2-6 manere,
3 7 maner, (4 maneer, manyere), 4-5 manar,
4-6 maneir, (5 manur, raoner(e, 6 manoure,
manier, Sc, manir, manieir, 6, 8 Sc. mainer,
7 mannor}, 4 manner, [a. AK. manere (OF.
matiiere, mod.r, maniere) — Pr. maneira^ manieira, |
maniera, Sp. manera. Pg. maneira, It. maniera,
repr. a popular L. type *man{tt)ifriat app. an
elliptical or absolute use of the fem. of L. manu-
arius belonging to the hand, f. manns hand (cf.
OF., Pr. manier, Sp. manero carried in the hand,
It. maniero manageable, tractable) ; the primary
sense would thus be ' mode of handling \ The Fr.
word has passed into most of the Tent, langs. :
cf. OFria, maniere, MDu. maniere, meniert Hu.
manier), MHG. maniere \(\. manier , Sw, »w«/r,
Da. maner.
The word early became the recognized translation of the I,.
modus anil wjt, and its sense-development lias been affected
by assimilation in meaning to both these words.]
1. The way in which something is done or takes
place ; method of action ; mode of procedure.
Chiefly in phr. formed with preps. ;'// (fon, iby, .
ajter) this manner (=thus), in what manner
( = how), in divers manners, \in good manner,
etc. t In manner that : so that.
c i«75 Lav. 18983 pes binges weren forbriht in bilke manere
idiht [c 1205 bus weoren idihte], 1197 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 502
In bis manere iwisCorineus bi wan cornwaile to him. 1340
.ly.nb. 51 Ine vif maneres me zenegeb be mete and be
drinke. 1390 Goweh Con/. III. 24 So as sche mai in good
manere Hir honour and her name save. 11420 Lvdc. As-
sembly of Gods 5 Musyng on a maner how that I myght
make Reason & Sensualyte in oon to acorde. c 1450 Merlin
2 We yede and as^aied hym in alle the martlrs that we
cowden. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. lix. 80 heading, Howe
therle of Heynault assayled the fortresse of Mortayne in
Picardy by dyuers maners, 1530 Palscr. 750/1, I have no
joy to be taken up of you on this maner. 1557 N. T.
i,Geneva) Heb. i. 1 God spake at sondrie Lymes & in diners
maners in the olde tyme to our fathers by the Prophetes.
1601 Shaks. Jut. C. iv. iii. 189 For certaine she is dead, and
by strange manner. 161 1 BlBLR Neh. vi. 4 They sent vnto me
foure times, . .and I answered them after thesame maner. 1646
1 ////<■) The True Mannor and Forme of the Proceeding to the
Kunerallof..the Earle of Essex. 1647-8 Coti vmy.\.\. I >a7-i Id s
Hist. Fr. (1678) 21 They disposed the order of their Council
in manner as followeth. 1766 Goi.dsm. / 't'c. //*. x,We should
go there in as proper a manner as possible; not altogether
like the scrubs about us. 1791 Mrs. Radci.iffk Rom. Forest
iv, [He] sometimes thanked her in a manner more earnest
than was usual with him. 1850 Mrs. Jameson Leg. Monast.
(Vfi'. (1863) 52 Chanting the divine services according to the
Gregorian manner. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) IV. 227 The
mathematician . . is not capable of giving a reason in the
same manner as the dialectician.
b. /;/ {fon) like manner, also f like manner :
in a similar way, similarly, f In, by no manner,
also f no manner; not in any way, not at all.
c 1325 Spec. Gy JVarzv. 628 He. .pat nele be meke in none
manere. 1382 Wvclif Matt. xxi. 36 Eftsones he sente other
seruauntis, mo than the firste, and liche maner [1388 in lijk
maner, Vulg. similiter] thei diden to hem. 14.. I'oc. in
Wr.-Wiilcker 598/11 Nullatenus, no manere. 1470-85 Ma-
lory Arthur 1. xv. 56 Whan syr Arthur sawe the batail
wold not be endyd by no maner. 1556 Lauder Tractate 259
Than can }e be no maner want Gold. 1563 WinJet Four
Scoir Thre Quest. Wks. 1888 I. 81 Baptim onlyke maner
makis ws saif. 1611 Bible Transl. Pre/.rS In like maner,
Vlpilas is reported.. to haue translated the Scriptures into
the Gothicke tongue. 1820 Shelley Hymn to Mercury l.\i,
He averred . . that he did neither see Or even had in any
manner heard Of my lost cows. 1863 \jOXX.AmHq. Man 25
Among other characters, the diminished thickness of" the
bones [etc.]. . are relied on ; and in like manner, the dimin-
ished size of the horns of the bull.
C. Const, of with, gerund or noun of action (arch.) .
Manner oj speaking fperh. after. F. maniere de
parler] : form of expression. In a manner oj
speaking: so to speak.
c 1391 Chaucer Astrol. u. § 3 Yif it be after the middel of
the day, set the degree of thy sonne up-011 the west side ;
tak this manere of setting for a general rewle. 153a Tindale
Exp. Matt. v. 38-42 (? 1550) 42 To turne y° other cheke is a
maner of spekynge and not be vnderstand as the words
sound. 1593 Shaks. Rich. II, v. vi. 9 The manner of their
taking may appeare At large discoursed in this paper heere.
1597 Morley Introd. Mns. 45 This is OV VMM maner of
pricking and setting downe of the Proportions. 1632 San-
dekson Sertn. 47 Obserue secondly the Apostles maner of
speech. 1729 Butler Serin. Pref., A manner of speaking
not loose and undeterminate, but clear and distinct. 1763
Goldsm. Misc. Hrks. (1837) I. 549 A more just manner of
thinking and expressing. 1809 Roland Fencing 118 The
manner of executing it was [etc.]. 1890 ' R. Boldrewood '
Col. Reformer (1891) 219 The cattle. .has been, in a manner
of speaking, neglected.
d. Gram. Adverb oj manner: one which answers,
or which is equivalent to, the question how ?
1727-41 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Adverb, Adverbs .. may be
reduced under the general classes of Adverbs of time, of
place3 of order, of quantity, of quality, of manner [etc.]. 1872
R. Morris Engl. Accid. 193 Adverbs of. . Manner or Quality,
as well, wisely [etc.].
f 2. Phe manner of : the state of the case with
respect to 'a person, thin^ or event) ; the char
acter, disposition, or nature of. (Also occas.
without of.) Obs.
r 1330 R. Brusne Chron. Wait (Rolls) i5864(Lo!' sche
Mtide, ' wlier he comeb here ! ' & telde of 1'ellit al be manere.
1 1330 — Chron. (1810) 275 A niessengeie bei sent, to telle
alle be manere, To be Scottis he went, and said as }e may
here. 1426 Lvdc. DeGuil. Pilgr. 6710 In that myrour dyde
1 se The maner hool off the cyte. 1470-85 Malory Arthur
x. Ixiii. 522 Syre Palomyiles told Hermynde alle the manere
and how they slewe sir Lamorak. 1523 Ld. Birsers Froiss.
I. xvii. 18 heading, Here the hystory speketh of the maner of
the Scottis, ami howe they can wane. 1530 Palscr. 707/.?.
I scryve a thyng, I discrybe the maner of it. *j 1557 Mrs. M.
Basset tr. Mores Treat. Passion M.'s Wks. 13^/2 As hys
trespas was a great deale more heynous, so was the manoure
of hys well deseruyd ende, muche more pyteous, 1653 H.
Cogan tr. /*i'/to's Trav. v.i. ;o There was a .. conflict be-
tween them, hut. . I aia not alio to deliver the manner of it.
1665 Btnyan Holy Citte 50 I he-^e words . . give us also t<>
understand the manner of her strength.
tb. In the) manner of: alter the fashion of.
in the guise of, in the same way as. Obs.
< 1386 Chaucer Pars. T. f 256 (Harl. MS.) pay so wed e
nf fige Icues in maner of biecbes. i486 1504 in W. Denton
ting, in \$th Cent. (i8S8> Note D 318 My lord bysaiopc
.. dyd stand in maner of a wauereyng niynd. a 1533 Ld.
I'krners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. 1154') K v, There came a
Centuryon in maner of a messa^er with great haste. 1585
T. Washington* tr. Nicholay's Voy. II. xxi. 58 h. A purse
.. which hce holdeth in his hande in manner of a gloue.
1659 Pearson ( reed 11839) 358 The grave to him is in the
manner of a womb to bring him forth. 1720 SiHvrr Stinu's
i.ond. vi. i. 8/1 To make a I>ra^on in Manner of a Standard
or KuM;.;n of certain red Samitt.
3. Customary mode of acting or behaviour,
whether of an individual or of a community ;
habitual practice; usage, custom, fashion. Now
only literary or arch.
Phr. t For the manner-, in accordance with the fashion.
a 1225 Artcr. R. 6 Vor bi mot J?eos riwle chaungen hire
mi>iiche efter euch ones manere. a 1300 Cursor M. 4067 All
luted him on hair maner. 13. . Gaiv. <y Gr. Kttt. 90 Anober
maner meued him eke, bat he bui^ nobelay had nonien.
( 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880! 156 Where goode prestis traueilen
faste to lerne goddis lawe, bei gon for be manere to cyuyle
or canon. 1420 Anturs of Art h. 498 pe lordes by-lyue
horn to list ledes With many seriant of mace, as was be
manere. c 1510 Lyt. Gcste Roiyn //ode viii, A good maner
than bad Robyn. .Euery daye..Thre messes wolde he here.
a 1533 Ld. Bkkners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. 11 5461 Llvij, Them
that be of a meke and still maner. 1598 W. Phillip tr. Lin-
schoten 1, xcii. 163/2 And now I will shew vnto you the man-
ner that is vsed in the ships, when they sayle home againe.
1611 IJiBLE Jer. xxii. 21 This hath bin thy maner from thy
youth, that thou obeyedst not my voice. 1674 tr. Schejfers
Lapland qo, I shall add the figures of both Sexes habited
after their manner. 1710 Pridealx Orig. Tithes App. 3 The
people. .lay claim to customary manners of Tithing [etc.].
1853 Kingsley J/ypatia xiii. 155 She suddenly and silently,
after the manner of mastiffs, sprang upon them. 1875 Jowrn
Plato (ed. 2) I.259 Here Ctesippus, as his manner was, buist
into a roar of laughter.
b. To the manner bom : in Shaks., destined by
one's birth to be subject to the (specified) custom.
In later echoes often ; Seeming to be congenitally
fitted for some position or employment.
1602 Shaks. Ham. 1. iv. 15 (Qo. 1604) But to my minde,
though I am natiue heere And to the manner borne, it is a
custome More honourd in the breach, then the obseruance.
1893 Times 26 Apr. 9/5 Yankee experts to the manner born.
4. collecl.pl. t&. A person's habitual behaviour
or conduct, esp. in reference to its moral aspect ;
moral character, morals. Obs.
a 1225 Ancr. R. 218 Hwonne a mon haueS neoweliche wif
iled horn, he nime5 ?eme al softeliche of hire maneres. c 1369
Chaucer Dethe Blaunche 1014 She vsed gladly to do wele
These were hir maners euerydele. c 1410 Sir Cleges 21 The
pore pepull he wold releve And no man wold he greve, Meke
of maners was hee. 1509 Barclay S hyp of Folys 118 An
olde prouerbe . . Sayth that good lyfe and maners makyth
man. 1535 Coverdale i Cor. xv. 33 Euell speakinges cor-
ruppe good maners. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's
I'oy. 1. xviii. 21 [He] changed his good maners and vertues
into most vitious tyrannies. 1596 Shaks. Merch. V. n. iii.
19 Though I am a daughter to his blood, 1 am not to his
manners. 1641 J. Jackson True Evang. T. 1. 6 The turn-
ing of fierce and brutall men . . unto sweet . . and sociable
manners. 1757 Johnson Rambler No. 172 fi Nothing has
been longer observed, than that a change of fortune causes
a change of manners. 1794 Mrs. Radcliffe Myst. Udotyho
\, In the few ornaments of the apartments that characterized
the manners of its inhabitants.
ft). In a more abstract sense: Conduct in its
moral aspect; also, morality as a subject of study;
the moral code embodied in general custom or
sentiment. Obs.
1589 Nashe Attat. Absurd. 42 Socrates who reduced all
Philosophy vnto the manners, sayd, that this was the
greatest wisedome, to distinguish good and euill thinges.
1597 Bacon Ess. Ep. Ded. (Arb) 4 Nothing . . contrane or
infectious to the state of Religion, or manners. 1644 Milton
Areop. (Arb.) 76 That also which is impious or evil abso-
lutely either against faith or maners no law can possibly
permit. i666Tillotson Ritle of Faith 1. iii. Wks. 1742 1 IV.
571 Had they believed not the scriptures hut something
else to have been the rule of faith and manners. 1767 A.
Young Farmers Lett, to People i8i It is manners alone
which increase or decrease the number of people. 1776
Gibbon Decl. % F. ix. (1869) I. 179 Divorces were prohibited
by manners rather than by laws.
MANNER.
130
MANNER.
C. The modes of life, customary rules of beha-
viour, conditions of society, prevailing in a people.
1340-70 Alex, fy Dhui. 199 We han, ludus, of 3our lif
listned ful ofte, pat inichil ben 3our manerus fiam opur men
varied. 1590 Shaks. Com. Err.xSx. 12 lie view the manners
of the towne, Peruse the traders, gaze vpon the buildings.
1605 Camden Rem. 146 Many approoved customes, lawes,
maners, fashions, and phrases have the English al waves
borrowed of their neighbours the French. 1718 Lady M.W.
Montagu Lett, to C'tess Mar 10 Mar., Those, .tales, .are
a real representation of the manners here. 1841 D'lsKAELl
Amen. Lit. {1867) 582 Of all our dramatists, Jonson. .alone
professed to study the. .manners of the age. 1870 Rogfrs
Hist. Gleanings Ser. 11. 199 Contemporary novels are good
evidence of manners.
d. Good 'manners', customs, or way of living.
1579 Lyly Euphues (Arb.) 148 We should not speake of
manners or vertue to those whose mindes are infected with
vice. 1596 Shaks. i Hen. IV, m. i. 184 Defect of Manners,
want of Gouernment. 1802 Wordsw. Sonn. Milton, Oh !
raise us up, return to us again ; And give us manners, virtue,
freedom, power.
j e. Literary criticism. Character, distinctive
varieties of disposition and temperament, as por-
trayed in epic or dramatic poetry; the portraiture
of character, viewed as one of the constituent ele-
ments of poetic art. (After Aristotle's use of %0rj.)
1695 Dryden Parallel Poetry <$■ Paint. Ess. (Ker) II. 132
The persons and action of a farce are all unnatural, and the
manners false, that is, inconsisting with the characters of
mankind. 1700 — Pref, Fables, The Words are the Colour-
ing of the Work, which . . is last to be consider'd. The
Design,, .the Manners, and the Thoughts, are all before it.
1712 Addison Sped. No. 273 p 1 This is Aristotle's Method
of considering, first the Fable, and secondly the Manners;
or, as we generally call them in English, the Fable and the
Characters. 1737-41 Chambers Cycl. J780 Harris Philol.
Enq. Wks. (1841) 434 When the principal persons of any
drama preserve such a consistency of conduct,, .that . .we
conjecture what they will do hereafter from what they have
done already, such persons in poetry may be said to have
manners, for by this, and this only, are poetic manners con-
stituted.
+ f. Habits (of animals). Cf.¥.fftcsurs. Obs.
1576 Fleming tr. Cains' Dogges A iv, The sundry sortes of
Englishe dogges he discouereth so euidently, . . their manners
he openeth so manifestly. 1661 Lovell///j/, Anim. <y Min.
Introd., As for their nature and manners, they [serpents]
have their poyson in the taile. 1796 Morse Amer. Geog. I.
202 In his manners he [the racoon] resembles the squirrel.
5. Outward bearing, deportment, or style of ad-
dress. With reference to a speaker: Characteristic
style of attitude, gesture, and utterance.
rti3ooC«r.sw./l/,24078Sothinspeche,in maner mild. £"1374
Chaucer Anel, ty Arc. 249 Voure obscrvaunce and so
lowe manere. 1390 Gower Con/1 III. 64 Sche tok good
hiede of his manere, And wondreth why he dede so. 1534
More Com/, agst. Prib. n. Wks. 1 200/1 Arrogant maner,
high solayn solemne port, ouerlooking the poore in woorde
and countenance. 1557 Potters Misc. (Arb.) 234, 1 see well
. .by thy lokes and thy manere,.. That thou art stuffed full
of wo. 1856 Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) II. vi. 109 Something
in the boy's man .er attracted the banker's interest. 1888
T. E. Kebbel Cnbbe v. 87 His manner to women seems to
have been of the kind called philandering.
b. A distinguished or fashionable air.
1694 C ingreve Double Dealer 11. ii, Cynt. A Manner!
what's that, Madam? L. Froth. Some distinguishing
Quality, as for example, the Belle-air or Brillant of Mr.
Brisk ;. .or something of his own, that should look a little
Jene-tcay-quoysh. 1773 Goldsm. Stoops to Conq, II, Wks.
(Globe) 656/2 We country persons can have no manner at
all. ..But who can have a manner, who has never seen, .such
places where the nobility chiefly resort ? 1883 Grant White
IV. Adams B3 Her manners were quite as good as Lady Bore-
ham's; and her manner was as superior as that of the so-called
Venus of Milo might be to that of the Venus of a burlesque.
6. //. (f formerly also sing.) External behaviour
in social intercourse, estimated as good or bad
according to its degree of politeness or of con-
formity to the accepted standard of propriety.
^1385 Chaucer Lt G. W. 1504 Hypsip., Sche .. knew by
hyre manyere . . That it were gentil men of gret degre. 1530
Palsgr. 415/1 Thoughe thou do me good, it is not good
maner to abrayde me therof. 1593 G. Harvey Precursor
Pierces Super. Wks. (Grosart) II. 9 Some of vs are not so
deuoide of good manner, but we .. will euer be jtrest to in-
terteine Curtesie with curtesie. 1604 Shaks. Oth. v. i. 94
These bloody accidents must excuse my Manners, That so
neglected you. 1617 Moryson Itin. 1. 208 They hold it ill
manners that one should touch the meat with his hand.
1711 Steele Sped. No. 53 r 5 The Women lost their Wit,
and the Men their good Manners. 1791 Gentl. Mag. 20/2
The young minister would become a pattern to the man-
ners as well as to the morals of his neighbourhood. 1855
Macaulay Hist. Eng. xii. III. 168 His manners and conver-
sation were those of a gentleman who had been bred in the
most polite. .of all Courts. 1874 Green Short Hist. \\i. §8.
443 Hugh, .was In manners and bearing an Englishman.
b. transf. Of a horse : Action.
1861 Whyte Mki.vji.le Mkt Harb. 20 There's some legs —
there's some hocks and thighs [..Carries his own head, too ;
and if you could see his manners !
7. Polite behaviour or deportment ; habits indica-
tive of good breeding. In//. ; + rarely sing.
CX374 Chaucer Compl. Mars 294 Compleyneth her that
euere hath had yow dere, Compleyneth beaute, fredom
and manere. 1563-87 Foxe A. <$• M. (K. O.), It is no man-
ners to [etc.]. 1588 Kyd Househ. Phil. Wks. {1901) 254
That which for manner sake wee are wont to doe to others.
1605 Shaks. Lear v. Hi. 234 The time will not allow the
complement^ Which very manners vrges. 1610 Bible (Douay)
Ecclus. xxxi. 17 Leaue of first, for maners sake, andexceede
not. a 1652 Bromf. Queen <y Concub. in. vii. (1659) 61 Cur.
Wilt thou be a Scholar? Andr. After you is manners.
Cur. Now by mine intellect, discreetly spoken. 1663 Dry-
den Wild Gallant 111. i, Have you no more manners than
to overlook a man when he's a writing? 1760-72 H. Brooke
Fool o/Qual. (1809) II. 117 He pressed us so earnestly to
dinner, that we could not, in manners, refuse him. 1828
Scott F. M. Perth viii, Our manners would have taught us
to tarry till your lordship had invited us. 1875 Jowett
Plato, Gorgias (ed. 2) II. 331 There is a great want of
manners in bringing the argument to such a pass,
b. Forms of politeness or respect. Obs. exc. arch.
or dial, in To do or make one's manners.
1596 Shaks. Tain. Shr. \. \. 247, I aduise you vse your
manners discreetly in all kind of companies. 1601 — All's
Wellw. v. 93 Madam, I was thinking with what manners
I might safely be admitted. 1701 De Foe True-born Eng.
11. 143 But like our Modern Quakers of the Town, Expect
your Manners, and return you none. 1824 in Spirit Pub.
J mis. (1825) 226 Having done their manners to his Worship,
Mr. Dennis Macarthy proceeded to question his beloved.
1825 J. Neal Pro. Jonathan I. 138 Declaring, with a bow,
or a bob, that ' nobody needn't plague themselves. .; ' and—
making their manners, once more — 'and, whether or no'
[etc.]. 1863 Mrs. Gaskell Sylvia's L. ii. (ed. 2) I. 30, I
humbly make my manners, missus.
8. a. Method or style of execution in art or
literature. In literary application often contrasted
with matter.)
1662 Evelyn Chalcogr. iii. 30 They..ruin'd all those
..excellent Works, whereever they became Masters, intro-
ducing their lame, and wretched manner, in all those Arts
which they pretended to restore. 1664 — tr. I-reart's
Parallel Arc hit. ii. ioTheheroick and gigantine manner of
this Order [the Doric! - discovering a certain masculine and
natural beauty, which is properly that the French call la
grand Maniere. 1695 Dryden Parallel Poetry § Paint.
Ess. (Ker) II. 123 Plato himself is accustomed to write
loftily, imitating, as the critics tell us, the manner of Homer.
1708 Addison Let. in Ann. Reg. (1778) XXI. 176/2 The
whole is concluded by a nightingale, that has a much
better voice than Mrs. Tofts, and something of the Italian
manner in her divisions. 1754 Gray Let. to Wharton
13 Aug., He [Kent] introduced a mix'd Style, which now
goes by the name of the Battey-I.angley-Manner. 1780
Coutfr Table 'P. 542 Manner is all in all, whatever is writ,
The substitute for genius, sense, and wit. 1824 Dibdin
Libr. Comp. p. iv, Miniature engravings in the line man-
ner. 1837 Penny Cycl. IX. 440/1 Goltzius .. imparted a
boldness to engraving which forms a striking contrast to the
neat stiff manner of his predecessors. 1850 Blackie s&s-
chylus I. Pref. 7 Poetry is distinguished from prose more by
the manner than by the matter. 1878 R. W. Dale Lect.
Preach, vi. 178 Lord Macaulay 's manner is very contagious.
b. spec. The method or style characteristic of
a particular artist, etc. ; often in unfavourable sense
= mannerism.
1706 Art 0/ Pain tiug{ 1 744) 316 He at last degenerated into
what we tall manner, and very seldom consulted nature. 1797
Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3)X. 538/2 Manner, in painting. .But the
best painter is he who has no manner at all. 1813 Examiner
10 May 299/2 Most Artists have what is denominated aman-
ner,uu!ike the unobtrusiveness of Nature. 1837 Penny Cycl.
I X. 440/2 The great excellence of his works in other respects
was enhanced by the absence of all manner, except such
as belonged to the painter after whom he engraved. 1855
Bain Senses ty Int. in. ii. § 19 (1864) 485 Let a composer
vary his works as he may, there is a manner that usually
sits upon every one of them.
c. One of the several distinct methods of an
artist, which mark phases or periods in his career.
1727-52 Chambers Cycl. s.v., The curious in pictures, .dis-
tinguish readily. . between the antient and the new manner
of the same painter. 1762-71 H. Walpole Vertue' s Anecd.
Paint. (1786) I. 85 A picture of Raphael in Ids first manner.
1867 Barry Sir C. Barry iv. 97 The building which most
distinctly marks his ' second manner '. 1902 Daily Chron.
22 Apr. 3/1 Mr. Henderson's attempt to divide Wagner's
works into four styles or manners is rather misleading.
9. Species, kind, sort, f Formerly often with
ellipsis of of. Now only arch, in What manner
of . . .? (f corruptly, what manner a . , . ?)
The origin of the ellipsis of (jA which appears very early)
is that manner was used in the place of the older Kin sb.lt
and succeeded to its syntax : see Kin sb.1 6 b.
c 1175 Lamb. Horn. 51 Crabbe is an manere of fissce in here
sea. c 1290 St Brendan 719 in S. Eng. Leg. I. 239 3wane
ore louerd eche. manere men to him haueth i-drawe. a 1300
Cursor M. 6765 Cow or shepe hors or obur maner ofa^t.
C1374 Chaucer Compl. Mars 116 She ne founde ne saugh
no maner wyght. c 1400 Maundfv. (Roxb.) Pref. 3 Whare
dwelles many diuerse maners of folke. € 1400 Destr. Troy
102 A maner of men, mermydons callid. 1456 Sir G. Have
Law Arms (S. T. S.) 13 He sett him in ane othir maner
fassoun to procede. 1470-85 Malory Arthur x\n. Hi. 692
His bones be of suche a maner of kynde that [etc.]. 1528
Tindale Par. Wicked Mammon 6 They fele no maner work-
ynge of the spyryte. 1549 Latimer 1st Serm. be/. Ediv. I 7
(Arb.) 27 God prescrybid vnto them an order, howe thefy]
shulde chose their kyn.^, and what manner a man he shoulde
be. 1600 Fairfax Tasso xvn. iii. 296 Come say imy muse)
what manner times these weare. 1611 Shaks. Wint. 'P.
iv. iii. 89 What manner of Fellow was hee that robb'd you?
1651 Hobues Leviath. 1. x. 46 Kings, .gave divers manners
of Scutchions, to such as went forth to the War. 1674 Plav-
fokd Skill Mus. 11. 101 There are three sorts of Bass-Viols,
as there are three manners of ways in playing. 1690 W.
Walker Idiomat. Anglo-Lat. 289, I believe you can tell
what a manner of father I have. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2)
I. 234 What manner of man was he who came up to you and
censured philosophy?
b. sing, with plural construction (cf. Kind sb.
14 b), qualified by a//, many, thesey or a numeral,
f In early use often with ellipsis of of. Now only
in all manner of= all sorts of.
All manner was down to the 16th c. often written al-
moner ; ihesemanner also occurs as one word.
a 1225 Ancr. R. 10 per beoft two dolen to two manere of
men. c 1320 Cast. Lore 1596 Thethrettenyth day all maner
men Shull dyen. 1471 Hist. Arriv. Edw. IV (Camden; 34
Thes manar of writings. 1485 Act 1 Hen. VII, c. 10 § 9
To have and enjoie ahnaner seisours forfaitures and penal-
tees. 1525 Ld. Berneks Froiss. II. ccvi. [ccii.] 633 In many
inaner of wayes. 1526 Tindale Matt. x. 1 To heale all
maner of sicknesses and all maner off deseases. 1542 Udall
Erasm.Apoph. 142 These-maner monstres. i$$6Chron. Gr.
Friars (Camden) 79 Dyschargyd from the crowne and from
almaner of possessions of the kynge thtir fader. 1593 Shaks.
Rich. II, iv. i. 296 These external! manner of Laments. 1609
Hieron Wks. (1614) 1. 11 These maner speakings doe neces-
sarily imply proceeding, a 1613 Ibid. 181 These manner of
speeches the Scripture vseth. 1612 Bp. Andrewes Serm.
Nativity vii. (1629) 54 Many manner waies. 1644 Hevlin
Stumbling-block Tracts (1681)696, 1 shall endeavour to make
[that] good by two manner of proofs. 1732 Law Serious C.
iii. (ed. 2) 33 Xo practise all manner of righteousness. 1853-8
Hawthorne Eng. Xote-Bks. (1879) II. 27 The English nose
. .disports itself in all manner of irregularity. 1875 Jowett
Plato (ed. 2) I. 69 Hippothales changed into all manner of
colours with delight.
f e. In adj. phrases used predicatively. Obs.
c 1475 Pict. Voc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 767/9 Hec mnsca, a
fflye,aile maner. 1534 Whitinton Jutlyes 0/nces 1. (1540)4
Every questyon of Offyce is two maner [L. duplex].
d. A'o (or any) manner of . . . : often used peri-
phrastically for 'no, any (person or thing) what-
ever', (f Formerly also with ellipsis o(of) By
no (or any) manner cf means : see Means.
c 1420 Lydc. A sscmbly o/Gcds 600 No maner of thyngcan
hym hurt. 1426 Fastou Lett. I. 25, I herdc.no maner
lykly ne credible evidence. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I.
lxxv. 96 Ther abode alyue no maner a person. 1533 Cran-
mkr Let. to Duchess Norfolk in Misc. Writ. (Parker Soc.)
II. 255 When it shall be by any manner way void. 1583
Reg. Privy Council Scot. Ser. 1. III. 604 As pertening in na
maner of way to the said George. 1606 G. W[oodcocke]
Hist. Ivstine VII. 35 It had full scope and passage, without
any manner interruption, a 1687 Petty Pol. Arith. viii.
(1691) 107 Which I wi>h were true, but find no manner of
reason to believe. 1704 Swift Mech. Operat. Spirit Misc.
(1711) 275, I have had no manner of Time to digest it into
Order. 1884 Manch. Exam. 13 May 5/2 There can be no
manner of doubt as to the terms of his instructions.
fe. 1'hr. In, on, by this (or what, any, such,
etc.) manner of wise = in this (etc.) way ; also freq.
with ellipsis of of and occas. of the initial prep. Obs.
c 1340 Hami'Ole Prose Tr. 14 One pis manerewyse pe more
joy and blysse sail it bafe in heuene. 1390 Gower Con/. I.
78 Thurgh sleyhte of Calcas. .It wan be such a maner wise.
1422 Rolls o/Parlt. IV. 176/1 The paiements in eny maner
wyse maad. 1499 in Lett. Rich. Ill <y Hen. VII (Rolls) I.
132 Nor suffre hym in any maner of wise to abide. C1510
More/'/ckj Wks. 26 b, Wewote not howe soone, nor in what
manerwise. £'1530 Tindai.f. Pathw. Sciipt. Wks. (1573)
382/2 Christ standeth vs in double stede, and vs serueth two
inaner wise. 1588 Pakkf. tr. Meudoza's Hist. China 81 By
way of phisicke they do permit, to comfort themselues with
some conserues. ..But wine in no maner of wise.
10. In a manner (formerly t in manner) : in
some way, in some degree, so to speak, as it were.
Also, \\.o a considerable degree, almost entirely,
very nearly(^j.). Similarly, f/'w some good manner.
< 1420 Lydg. Assembly 0/ Gods 1075 The slepyi grasse
made many of hem fall, And from thense in maner depart
sodeynly. 1502 Qrd. Crysten Men (W. de W. 1506) I. in. 25
[They] ben uncrystened & made as in maner forsakynge
theyr fayth. 1545 Ascham Toxoph. (Arb.) 34 The Persians
which vnder Cyrus conquered in a maner all the worlde.
1560 Dais tr. Sleidane'sComm. 323 b, They, .found in man-
ner nothing. 1584 Cogan Havm Health ccxliii. (1636)
316 There dyed in the same disease in manner within sixe
daies space .. eight hundred persons. 1588 A. King tr,
Canisius' Catech. 96 The worthy fruicts of pamance,
quhair be we recompense (at the least in amainer)the. .sinnes
of our former lyf. 1606 Holland Sueton. 32 Of these mur-
derers, there was not one in manner that either survived
him aboue three yeares. 16x5 W. Lawson Country Housnv.
Gard. (1623) 12 Fruits are. desired of so many (nay, in a
manner of all) and yet few will. .take paines to prouide
them. i6i9SiRT).CARLETON/,^/.in Eng. qGervt. (Camden)
44 His busines is in some good manner prepared for him.
1737 Whiston Josephus, Hist. Pref. § 1 The war. .hath been
the greatest, in a manner of those that ever were heard of.
1790 IUirke fir. RC71. 148 Our education is in a manner wholly,
in the hands of ecclesiastics. 1838 Arnold Hist. Rome I.
v. 74 The poorest citizens, .were considered in a manner as
supernumeraries. 1875 T. W. Higginson Hist. U. S. ix. 65
Massachusetts, being first settled, was in a manner the
parent of these later colonies.
f 11. a. Reason, cause, b. The condition upon
which something is done. Obs.
1390G0WFR Con/. III. 12 Why men pleigneth After the
court,.. I wol the tellen the manere. 1:1425 Fug. Conq.
Del. 8 He was delyuered owt of preson on this manere,
that he & Morice. .shold.. wend in to Irland. c 1430 Syr
Gi-uer. (Roxb.) 2882 Sore he hated the prisonerc, I can not
tel! for what maner.
f 12. [ = L. modus.~\ Measure, moderation. In
manner : in due measure. Cf. OF. maniere
'moderation, mesure' (Godefroy). Obs.
In quot. 13S2 a mere literalism.
1382 Wyclif Prvtr. xxiii. 4 But to thi prudence put maner
[Vulg. pone modum]. 1390 Gower Con/. III. 157 By this
ensample a king mai lere, That forto yive is in manere.
1309 — /;/ Praise 0/ Peace 53 Bot yit it mot be tempred in
manere. 1502 Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W. 1506) 11. viii. 106
Without maner it attemperaunce no vertue is perfyte.
f 13. 7 0 find the manners to : to find means to.
To make no manner to [cf. OY.faire maniere de] :
to give no sign of (doing something). Obs.
C1477 Caxton Jason 51 b, He sholde fynde the maners if
he might to sende him in to the yle. 1523 Ld. Bfrners
Froiss. I. cxix. 141 The erle of Derby made no maner to
MANNER.
131
MANNISH.
rescue theym. «MQ$M Hmm hi. 175 He wokie go & . -
fynde the maner to speake with her.
fl4. A musical mode. [L. modus.} Obs. rare-1.
1382 Wvclif Ecclns. xliv. 5 In ther wisdam sechende the
musyk manerys [Vulg. modes musiios]. _
15. &M& (objective), as manner-pterctng *&y ;
manners-bit ^a/. (see quot.) ; manners-like ado.,
in a mannerly way; t manners-painting ///. a.,
that depicts contemporary' manners'; so fmanner-
painter (nonce-'od.).
1829 J. Hunter Hallamsh. Gloss., "Manners-bit^ a portion
of a di>h left by the guests that the host may not feel him-
self reproached for insufficient preparation, a 1845 Hood
Last Man viii, Full *manner's-like he tendered the dram.
1807 Coleridge Lett. (1895) 516 The character of the latter
[Chaucer] as a * manner- pair iter. 1727-46 Thomson Summer
1577 Chaucer, whose native *manners-painting verse [etc.].
1752 A. Murphy Cray's Inn Jml. No. 20 The Manners-
painting Hand of Hogarth. 1786 Hurns Vision 11. xix,
I taught thy manners-painting strains, The loves, the ways
of simple swains. 1776 Mickle tr. Camoens' Lusiad via
(1778) 369 His fraudful art, though veil'd in deep disguise,
Shone bright to Gann's 'manner-piercing eyes.
Manner, sb.'1 : see Mainour.
Manner, obs. form of Manor, Manure.
Mannerable, a. Obs. exc. dial. [f. Mannkr
sb.1 + -able.] \Yell-manneted.
e 1460 J. Russell Bk. Nurture 1113 In a manerable mer-
shalle be connynge is moost commendable. Ibid, n 15
If bey haue gentille chere & gydynge manerable. 1886
Elworthy W. Som. Word-Bk.
Mannerance, obs. form of Manurance.
Mannered (marnaid), a. [f. Manner s&J- +
-ED 2.]
1. Having manners of a specified kind (indicated
by an advb. phr., or by a prefixed adj. or adv., as
evil-, gentle-, rough-, rude-, simple-mannered ;
Ill-mannered, Well-mannered).
1377 Langl. P. PL B. it. 23 And Mede is manered after
hym ri^te as kynde axeth. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes ofAymon
xx. 448 He is not manered like a gentyll man. 1603 Owkn
Pembrokeshire v, v 1 S9 1 ) 41, I finde..Pembrokshere to be
worst manred and hardest to find personable. 1608 Shaks.
Per. in. iii. 17 Beseeching you togiue her Princely training,
that she may be manere'd as she is borne. 1673 Temple
Observ. Netherl. iv. 137 A people differently bred and man-
ner'd from the Traders. i8ai Byron Juan in. xli, He was
the mildest manner'd man That ever scuttled ship or cut a
throat. 1837 Ht. Martineau Sac. Amer. III. 103 The
Americans are better mannered than others, in as far as they
reverence intellect more than wealth and fashion. 1879 (1.
Macdonald Sir Gibbie III. ix. 145 He was well-dressed,
and mannered like a gentleman. 1880 Disraeli Endym.
III. iii. 25 The most sweetly mannered gentleman alive.
fb. Of a literary production : Exhibiting 'man-
ners' 01 character. (Cf. Horace, A. /'. 319 mora-
taque recte fabu/a.) Obs.
1755 Grainger Solitude 215 Then know thyself, the human
mind survey .. Hence Inspiration plans his manner'd lays.
1789 T. Twining A ristotle's Treat. Poetry (1812) II. 232
The moral, or rather mannered Tragedy (for we seem to
want a word here).
f2. Well-behaved, Well-mannered. Alsotransf.
(of a dwelling). Obs.
c 1450 Holland Hoivlat 240 Mansweit, but malice, man-
erit and meike. 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 150 b/i Lerne of
marye to be manerd and fere ful to all men. 1560 Rolland
Crt, Venus 11. 121 Thair manerit Mans sa perfyit and pre-
clair, Knuirond all aboit with hailsum air. 1568 T. Howell
Netve Sonets (1879) 157 Who are more feate or trim traind
vp, then manerd seruents are?
3. Characterized by manner or mannerism, esp.
in art or literature.
1801 Fuslli in Lect. Paint, ii. (1848) 300 The mannered
and feeble etchings of Theodore van Tulden. 1861 Thorn-
bury Turner I. 157 The colour has a slightly greenish-blue
tinge, which is mannered, but not unpleastng. 1884 Hawkis
Musical Life II. 633 That Spohr was too doctrinaire and
mannered, .. most musicians will allow. 1896 Mackail
Lat. Lit. (ed. 2) 101 That passages in it [the ^Eneid] here
and there are mannered, and even flat, is true.
t4. Moderate, within bounds. Obs. rare^1.
143S Misyn Fire of Love 94 Lufe..of kynsmen, if it be
vn-manerd, fleschly affeccione it is cald . . ; And if it be manerd,
kyndely it is calde.
t Ma'nnerhood. Obs. rare—1, [f. Manner
sb} + -hood.] ? Orderly condition, good order.
162a Bacon Hen. VII 74 This did wonderfully concerne
the Might and Manner-hood of the Kingdome.
t Ma'nnering. Obs. [f. Manner^.1 + -INU1.]
Training in manners.
1581 Mulcaster Positions v. (1887) 28 But this mannering
of them is not for teachers alone. Ibld.xu 59 The manering
and training vp of youth.
Mannering, obs. form of Manuring.
Mannerism (maynariz'my [f. Manner sb.1
+ -ism. Cf. F. manUrisme (Littre Supp/.).] Ex-
cessive or affected addiction to a distinctive manner
or method of treatment, esp. in art and literature.
1803 Edin. Rez\ 1 1. 246 Mr. Stewart's style . . has character
without mannerism, or eccentricity. 18*3 DTsraeli Cur.
Lit. Ser. 11. I. 39 Art. .sinks into mannerism, and wantons
into affectation. 1873 Symonds Grk. Poets v. 152 At the
time of Pindar poetry was sinking into mannerism.
b. An instance of this; a habitual peculiarity
of action, expression, artistic manipulation, etc.,
characteristic of a person ; a ( trick of manner '.
1819 Coleridge in Lit. Rem. (1836) II. 378 Hints obiter
are : — not . . to permit beauties by repetition to become man-
nerisms. 1873 Black Pr. Thule xi. 178 Her harsh way of
saying things.. is only a mannerism. 1893 Times 29 Apr.
13/3 He has abandoned hi^ mannerism* and been content to
make a beautiful picture.
Mannerist mse'iiarisf). Also 8 manierest.
[f. Manner ^.1 + -ist. Cf. F. maniSristc,'] One
who is addicted to mannerism.
1695 Dryden Dufrest'cys Art J'aint. 151 Tho>e [Painters]
whom we may call Mannerists, and who repeat five or six
times over in the same Picture the same Hairs uf a Head.
1716 K. Graham Short Ace. Painters (ed. 2) 361 Pietro
Berettini of Cortona. . . He is allow 'd to have been the most
agreeable Mannerist, that any Age has produe'd. 1751
Warburton .Votes on Pole's unit. Hor. Ep. 11. i. 145 This
excellent Colourist [Lely] . . was an excessive Manierest.
1821 Byron 6 Jan. in Moore Lett. <y frnls. (1830) II. 399
The Italian comedian Vestris. .. Somewhat of a mannerist ;
but excellent in broad comedy. 1871 Lowell Pope Pr. Wks.
1890 IV. 27 Wordsworth, .came at a time when the school
which Pope founded had degenerated into a mob of man-
nerists. 1880 Disraeli Endym. xlix, Every one to a certain
degree is a mannerist ; every one has his ways.
Manner is tic (mcensri'stik), a. [f. prcc. + -ic]
Characterized by mannerism.
1837 J. H. Newman Lett. (1891) II. 237 The danger which
..at present besets the Apostolical movement of getting pe-
culiar in externals, i.e. formal, manneristic, &c 1869 Lever
Boy of Norcotts xiv. 107 Even with a first rate artist you
need change, otherwise your dinners become manneristic.
So Manneri stical a.
1830 Eraser's Mag. II. 464 TOf an actress] Her general
style is manneristical. 1864 Daily Tel. 27 Sept., Those
curious and manneristical, but masculine, productions by
which he [Landor] will be remembered.
Jffa*inierize, v. rare. [f. Manner sb.'1 + -ize,
after mannerism.] trans. To make manneristic.
1887 Saintsbury Hist. Eliza/'. Lit. ix. (1890) 328 A..man-
nerising of the ver^e. 1899 IVestm. Caz. 1 Feb. 4/1 Long
runs tend to mannerize the actor— if I may use such a word.
Mannerless (marnailes), a. [f. Manner^.1
+ -less.] Without manners; unmannerly.
t 1460 Ros Belle Dame sans Mcrci 714 IfTe I medlyd with
Mche, or other mo Hit might be called pyte maner-Ies. 1581
Pettie Guazzo's Civ. Com: 11. (1586) 113 They will become
careles^e, mannerlesse, and lesse readie to commendable
enterprises. 168a Shadwell Lane. Witches 1. Wks. 1720
III. 230 Thou fresh, insipid, witless, mannerless knight.
1864 Daily Tel. 4 Oct., fHe] may not.. necessarily be a
morose and mannerless hog.
Mannerliness (mse'nailiries). [f. next +
-NE.sw.] The quality of being mannerly.
1625 PURCHAS Pilgrims II. 1657 They eate all greedily
and in haste, holding it mannerliness not to be long in
eating, a 1677 Hale Prim. Orig. Man. 1. i. 34 Out of a
piece of mannerliness and respect to God. 1874 T. Hardy
Earfr. Mad. Crowd ix, Earnestness which conMsted half
of genuine feeling and half of mannerliness.
Mannerly (ma^najli , a. [f. Manner *£.! +
-LV 1.]
1 1. Seemly, decent, respectable, modest. Obs.
13. . Gaw.'fy G>: Knt. 1656 Mony abel songez. & carolez
newe, With alle be manerly merbe bat mon may of telle.
1398 Tkevisa Barth. De P. K. VI. xiii. (1495) 198 A good
spouse and wyfe is.. manerly [L. modesta] in clothynge.
1523 Pest. Ebor. (Surtees) V. 171 As moche clothe as shall
make them a manerly garmente. 1526 Tindale i Tint. ii.
9 That they arraye them selves in manerly (1534 comlye]
aparell with shamfastnes. 1596 Harington Metam. Ajax
{1814) 4 A tale, .more merry than mannerly. 1600 Holland
Livy 111. xxvi. 106 But first he brushed off the dust, and
wiped away his sweat, and made himselfe somewhat man-
nerly. 1647 N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. I. xliv. (1739) 72 [He]
possessed himself of the long-desired prey; and yet he did
it in a mannerly way. 1655 Fuller Ch. liist. ix. vi. § 19
A modest, and manerly, («//Vw) a crafty, and cunning begging
of a contribution of the Catholick party. 1697 Collier
Immor. Stage ii. (169S) 72 A very' mannerly story !
+ 2. Moral, well-conducted. Obs.
.1400 tr. Secreia Secret., Govt. Lordsh. 62 Techinges ful
^pecyals and manerlys [L. moral/a]. 1535 Coverhalk
1 Pirn. iii. 2 A Biszhoppe must be.. sober di>crete, manerly,
harberous. 1549 Coverdale, etc. Erasm. Par. 1 Tim. 2 This
Timothee beyng an honest manierly towarde yonge man and
well learned in holy scriptures.
3. Of persons, their actions, etc. : Characterized
by good manners ; well-mannered; polite.
a 1529 Skelton Wks. (Dyce) I. 28 Manerly Margery Mylk
and Ale. 1573T1 sser Husb. (1878) 1 75 That pewter is neuer for
manerly feastes, that daily doth serue so vnmanerly beastes.
1584 1st Voy. Virginia in Hakluyfs Voy. (1589) 729 In their
behauiour as mannerly, and ciuill, as any of Europe, a 1639
W. Whateley Prototypes \\\. xxxix. (1640) 5 Learne how to
carry yourselves to your Parents *, if they call you, come, and
give them dutifull and mannerly answers. 1676 Wycherlev
PI. Dealer 11. (1735) 51 Be you mannerly to her, because
you are to pretend only to be her squire. 1742 Fielding
y. Andrews iv. ix, The little boy. .was chid by his mother
for not being more mannerly. 182a Scott Nigel i, Jin Vin,
was so full of his gibes, and his jeers,, .and so mannerly all
the while. 1887 Spectator 2 Apr. 458/2 Criticism must be
truthful, but it may also be mannerly.
Ma*nnerly, adv. [f. Manner sb*1 + -ly 2.]
+ 1. In a seemly manner, decently, becomingly,
properly. Obs.
13. . E. E. Altit. P. B. 91 Ful manerly with marchal mad
fur to sitte. 1375 Barbour Bruce in. 72 He mycht, mar
manerlik, Lyknyt hym to Gaudifer de Laryss. c 1460
J. Rlssell Bk. i\'urtureg22 Kover with a keuerlyte clenly
£at bed so manerly made. 1493 in Somerset Medieval Wills
(1901) 306 Myn executours according to reason manerly for
there labour rewarded. 1577 B. Googe Heresbac/i's Ilusb.
(1586) 125 They [asses] be very apt to be taught, so as at
this day in Alcayre you shall have them daunce very
manerly. 1596 in Harington s Metam. Ajax Let. to Author
Aiijb,Asyouhaue told in verseabaudy tale or twoinOrland
mannerly. 1615 Ckooke Body of Man 65 Aristotle calleth
them la\La,..wt call it mannerly the seate. 1621-31 Laud
SeV. Serm. (1847) 9 ^u^h a superior [as God] cannot be
tailed into the Assembly mannerly, but by ' prayer '. 1647
Trapp Comm. Rom. xtii, 13 Let us walk honestly. Hand-
somely, fashionably, mannerly, with an holy shamefacediies.
2. With good manners; politely, courteously.
1519 HORMAN / ~ulg. 62 Whether thou do a tliynge in iape
or in ernest do it maner lye. 1535 Co\ ekoale Ecclus. xx.xi. 16
Mate the t hinge that is set before the, manerly. 161 1 Shaks.
Cymb. 111. vi. 92 When we haue supp'd Wee'l mannerly de-
mand thee of thy Story. 1677 Hale ( ontcmpl. 11. 88 Lust
must not be mannerly treated withal), but flatly derived, 1704
Norris Ideal World 11. xu. 471 We are afraid iest she should
have too many [guests], and accordingly very mannerly
withdraw, 1832 Ht. Martineatj Hill <$■ Valley vii. no It
would be well if be behaved himself a little more mannerly.
f3. Morally. Obs.
1566 Arts <y Constit. Scotl. To Rdr. ►£* iij, Gif thay will not
onlie leif, hot als maner! ie, weill, and godlie leif.
1 Ma'iinoriiess. Obs. rare— K [f. Manneiu^.1
+ -NESS.] Moderation.
1382 Wvciii Prov. xxii. 4'Tbe ende of man nern esse [ij88
temperaunce, Vulg. modestia-] the died of the Lord.
Mannersome msenajsam), a. dial. [f.
M ANKER sb.1 + -some.] Mannerly.
1876 Black more Crijps xxvin, Mary was obliged to bite
her tongue to keep it in any way mannersome. 1887
Springhavcn (ed. 4) II. vii. 81 He bad always known her to
be kind and gentle, and what the old people called ' manner-
some', to every living body. 1895 Outing (U. S.) XXVI.
65/1 Canady's a slick-spoken feller 'bout 1111111111', 'an a man-
nersome feller, too.
Mannery : sec Manery Obs.
Mannes, obs. form of Maness.
t Ma'nness. Obs. In 3 mannesse, mennesse,
[app. f. Man j£.1 + NEss; Ihe umlaut form seems
to be due to the analogy of meitnisk, Mannish a]
Human nature.
a 1225 Leg. Kath. 1118 pah he were dedlich, burh \- he
mon wes, onont his mennes-e [MS. C mannesse], & deide.
I Mannet. Obs. nonee-wd. [f. Man sb.1 -t- -et,
dim. suffix.] A little man.
1630 IS. Jonson New Inn iv. i, A slight Man-net, to port
her, vp, and downe.
Mannicle, obs. form of Manacle.
Mannide (mscnaid). Chem. [f. Manna1 +
-IDE.] A syrupy substance obtained by heating
manmte with butyric acid.
1862 Watt s tr. GtneliiCi Handbk. Chem. XV. 368 Mannide,
..Berthelot (18561. 1892 Morley & Mum Watts Did.
Chem., Mannide CaHioO,. Second anhydride of mannite.
Mannie (mse'ni). Sc. Also raanny. [f. Man
sb. + -IE, dim. suffix.] A little man ; also applied
(as a term of endearment) to a little boy.
1823 Lockhart Reg. Dalton !. 11. i. 193 A decent, little auld
manny, in . velveteen breeches, a 1828 in P. Buchan Ball.
N. Scotl. (1S28) II. 103 Then spake the auld laird o' King-
caussie, A canty auld mannie was he. 1886 Stevenson
Kidnapped '9 What'll like be your business, mannie V
Manniferous (msenrferas), a. [f. mod.L.
mannijer ( + manna Manna + -fer bearing) + -oi'S:
see -FKROU3.] a. Yielding manna ^Mayne Expos.
Lex. 1856}. b. Causing the production of manna.
(Said of insects.) In recent Diets.
Mannikin: see Manikin.
Manning (mae-nirj), vbl.sb. ff. Man v. + -ing 1.]
1. The action of furnishing (a ship, etc.) with
men. Also cotter,, the complement of men, crew.
1633 T. Stafford Pac. Hib. 11. vui. (1810) 320 For the
manning and making good of that Citie. 1748 Anson's Voy.
11. iv. 160 A number, greatly insufficient for the manning of
the Centurion. 1849 Macaulav Hist. Eng. ii. I. 203 Money
destined for the equipping and manning of the fleet. 1896
Pall Malt Mag. May 108, I reckon I've lost two days' coal
for her [sc. coal-boat] and two days' wages and grub for
her manning.
b. (See quot.)
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Manning of the Ship, (in Sea-
Language) is when a Ship is to shew abroad all her Men.
2. The action of taming a hawk (see Man v. 10).
1580 Lvlv Euphues (Arh.) 372 Hawkes that waxe haggard
by manning, are to be cast off. 1644 Digby Nat. Bodies
xxxvii. (1658) 395 No whit more extraordinary, then a fawk-
ners manning of a hawk.
3. attrib. and Comb. : manning-piece jocular
(see quot. 1834") ; manning-scale (see quot. 18911.
1834 L. Hunt in Loud. Jml. I. 172/1) * am standing with
my manning-piece by a hedge... You cannot say fowling-
piece, when it is mm that are to be brought down. 1891
Labour Commission Gloss., Manning Scale, a scale which
fixes the minimum number of seamen to be employed on a
vessel. 1896 Sir C. Dilke in Daily Netus 6 Mar. 2/3
A very severe strain was put upon the manning powers of
the Admiralty.
Manniparous (mani'p&ra*), a. [f. mod.L.
mannipar-us + -ous : see Manna and -pauous.]
a. Of insects : Causing the flow of manna (Mayne
Expos. Lex. 1856). b. Bearing or exuding manna
(Webster Suppl. 1902).
f MyaiKMk, sb. Obs. Tn 1-2 mennisc, 2-3
mannisshe, mannisse, mennisse. [OE. mennisc,
properly neut. of mennisc adj. : see next. In other
Teut. langs. the wk. masc. form of the adj. is used
subst. in the sense * human beino;': cf. OFris.
manniska, menska, OS. mennisco (MDu. mensche,
Du. menseh), OHG. mennisko (mod.G. mcnsch).\
People ; a class of persons.
80-2
MANNISH.
132
MANOEUVRE.
971 Blickl. Horn. 175 J?is is ban mennisc be ealle mine
d;eda mid heora wordum onweudan. a U75 Cot/. Horn.
225 pa wear'ft ba redlice micel mennisc jewexon. c 1*00
Triti. Coll. Horn. 39 Dese fower mannfcshe. .bed bat erf be
bo herdes ouerwuakeden. Ibid. 163 Dis lond be ich nu of
speke is bat mennisse be nu HueS. Ibid. 165 Swo do5 bis
mannishe flie5 frain iuele to werse.
Mannish, (mse'nij), a. Forms: a. 1 mennisc.
2 mennesc, 3 mennish, Orm. mennisske ; ft,
4 mannys(s)h, (5 mannisshe, monyssh), 5-6
mannishe, -ysshe, (6 manish, 9 man-ish), 3,
5- mannish. [OE. mennisc m OS. mannisc, men-
nisCj OHG. mennisc (MHG. mennisch), Goth.
mannisks :— OTeut. *mannisho-, f. *mann Man sb.1
+ -isko- -ISH1. In the 13th c. the root vowel was
already frequently assimilated to that of Man sbA
In many uses the existing word must be regarded as a
new formation on Man sb.l+ -ish ■ ; but it is hardly possible
to separate the instances of this from those of the word
inherited from OTeut.] *
fl. Of or belonging to the human species; pro-
per to or characteristic of mankind ; human. Obs.
(888 K. /Elfked Boeth. xxxiii. § 1 ForSam ba fif eall nan
mennisc man fullice habban ne 111355 3a huile fete.]. ^897
— Gregory's Pas*. C. xi. 70 Ne jegripe eow naefre nan
costung buton mennescu. c 1175 Lamb. Horn. 91 God cwed
..be he walde his gast asenden ofer mennesc nesc 11200
Ormin 218 He. Jet te posstless sen himm wel Inn hiss men-
nisske kinde. C1386 Chaucer Mflib. r 298 The prouerbe
seith that for to do synne is mannyssh. 1390 Gower Con/.
III. 52 It was as in figure Most lich to mannyssh creature,
Hot as of beaute hevenelich. 1567 Dhant Horace, Epist. 1.
xiii. E iij, More meete tobearc.Then here in courte in man-
nishe shape The Asses part to plaie. 1674 N. Fairfax Bulk
<5- Selv. 183 At the ending of the world there must be stuff
enough left, unmade up into Manish bodies, wherewith to
frame a new heaven and new earth.
2. Of a woman, her attributes, etc. : Resembling
a man, man-like, masculine. Chiefly contemptuous.
c 1374 Chaucer Troylus 1. 228 (384) Butalle hit limes so wel
answeringe Weren to womanhode, that creature Was neuer
lasse mannissh in seminge. £1430 Lvdg. Kcas. <y Sens.
6183 God forbede That ther sholde in womanhede lien any
monyssh tache at al. 1430*40 — Bochas vi. i. (1494) t y b, \
Nowe was she mannyssh nenve was she femynyne. a 1450
Knt. de la Tour { 1868) 136 It is saide, a woman that is not
humble and pitous she is mannishe and not womanly, whiche
is a uice in womanhode to be rude or of hautinge courage.
1594 Carew Huarte's Exam. Wits xv. ii6j6) 269 She re-
taineth a mannish fashion . . in her words, as in all her motions.
1606 Shaks. Tr. fy Cr. in, iii. 217 A woman impudent and
mannish growne, Is not more loth'd, then an effeminate man.
1615CR00KE Body of Manila Her bodye grew mannish and
hairie. 1653 Holcroft Proapius, Goth. Wars iv. 121 They
. .who think that there was neuer any such Mannish race of
women. 1791 Mme. D'Ar b lay /?/Viry Aug., Women, .strolling
along with wide mannish strides. 1824 Miss Mitkord F/V/agr
Ser. 1. 239 She spoke in a loud deep mannish voice. 1886
Swinburne Misc. 235 The mannish woman was a nobler as
well as a stronger creature than the womanish man.
3. Pertaining to or characteristic of a grown
man (often opposed to childish) ; aping or simu-
lating manhood or the characteristics of a man.
1530 Palsgr. 318/1 Mannysshe or manlyke, virt't. 1600
Shaks. A. V. L. \. iii. 123 Bos[alinti.]..Weele haue a swash-
ing and a marshall outside, As manie other mannish cowards
haue, That doe outface it with their semblances. 1611 —
Cyinb. iv. ii. 236 And let vs(Polidore) though nowourvoyces
Haue got the mannish cracke, sing him to'th'ground As
once to our Mother. 1647 S. Sheppard -znd Pt. Commit tee-
Man C. 1. ii, His chin has. .a little downe, enough to give
notice to the world, he now growes mannish. 1784 Cowper
Tiroc. 208 Childish in mischief only and in noise, Else of a ,
mannish growth. 182a Lamb Etta Ser. 1. Old Benchers of
Inner /"..Why must every thing smack of man and mannish V j
Is the world all grown up? 1876 Farrar Marlb. Scrm,
xxxvi. 369 By manly I mean all that is eager, hearty, fear- j
less, modest, pure ; by mannish I mean that which apes the '
poorest externals of the lowest types of men.
4. Characteristic (chiefly in blameworthy or ludi-
crous respects) of a man as distinguished from a
woman.
1748 Richardson Clarissa I. viii, With an air of mannish
superiority, he seems rather to pity the bashful girl. 1836
Mrs. S. C Hall in New Monthly Mag. XLVII. 427 True
to his_man-ish nature, there was a mingling of selfishness \
with his love. 188a Hinsdale Garfield <y Educ. n. 407 The
foremost students had no mannish pride that made them
hesitate to ask her assistance. 1884 Lady Waterford in
Hare Two Noble Lives (1893) III. 428 Oh ! what a mannish 1
room I waited in... Hats and caps of all sorts, fishing |
baskets, &c.
*!5. —Mankind «.2 Obs. rare.
1530 Palsgr. 427/2, I am mannysshe, as a beest is that is
accoustumed to byte or devoure men. Je suis humain. It
is a mannysshe l>eest : cest une beste" amorcee.
1 6. quasi-adfe. Like a man. Obs.
1 1386 Chaucer Merch. T. 292 Men moste enquere . . Wher :
she be. .Or riche, or poore, or elles mannyssh wood.
Hence + Menniscle$c [see -laik], rare~\
humanity; Ma'nnishly rtw'f., in a mannish manner.
(-1200 Ormin 85 He sennde uss-.His Sune-.To takenn
tire mennisscle5;c..To lesenn mannkinn. 1867 Bushnell j
Mor. Uses Dark Th. 287 Some of the least of them march i
out mannishly in columns and fight pitched battles.
Mannishness (mx'nifnes). [f. Mannish a. +
-NESS.]
1 1. The state of being in human form ; humanity.
(Said chiefly of Christ.) Obs.
a 900 tr. B<rda*s Hist. in. xv. [xxi.l C1890) 220 Ymb syx hund
wintra & hreo & fiftig from Drihtnes menniscnesse. a 1175
Colt. Horn. 227 Ni worhte he bah nane wndre openlice er
[ ban be he was britti wintre an bara mennisnisse. c 1100
Ormin 1373 paer Cristess mennisscnesse Drannc daebess
I drinnch o rodetreo Korr urewojhededess. 1674 N. Fairfax
Bulk fy Seh'. 11 Such a tang of manishness, or a mingle
mangle of half man, half world.
2. The quality of being mannish, in various senses.
161a Bp. Hall Imprcse of God 11. Witt. (1625) 457 The
painted faces, and mannishne.sse . . of the one sex, the factious
hollownesse-.in the other. 1883 Pall Mail G. 16 June 4/2
But now., all the exclusive mannishness of the colleges
seems fast melting away before the new invasion [of women].
1886 Miss Braddon One Thing Xcedful xi, The masculine
woman is proud of her mannishness.
Mannisse, variant of Manness Obs.
Mannitan (mas'nitan). Chem. Also -ane.
[f. next + -an.] A syrupy fluid, C6Hl2Oa, obtained
by heating mannite.
1857 Mil her Elem. Chem. III. 384 Mannitane. 186a Watts
tr. Gmelins Handbk. Chem. XV. 369 Mannitan.
Mannite vmx*nait). Chem. [XMann-aI + -rr£]
A substance, C6H14()6, obtained chieHy from
manna ; — Mannitol. Also called Manna-jw^vz/-,
and rarely mannite- sugar,
1830 Lindlev Nat. Syst. Bot. 224 The sweetness of this
substance [Manna] is.. due.. to a distinct principle, called
Mannite. 1880 Garrou & Baxter Mat. Med. {ed. 8) 222
It contains a resin, .besides starch and mannite sugar. 1883
Encycl. Brit. XV. 493/2 In Italy mannite is prepared for
sale in the shape of small cunes.
Mannitic (maenrtik), a. Chem. [f. Mannite
+ -ic] Derived from mannite. Mannitic acid
vsee quot. 1865).
1862 Watts tr. GmcluCs Handbk. Chem. XV. 369 Mannitic
ethers. 1865 — Diet. Chem. Ill, S-5 Mannitic acidy
CflHlsOT,an acid produced, together with mannitose, by the
oxidation of mannite under the influence of platinum-black.
1876 tr. Schiitzenberger" s Ecrmcnt. 192 These gummy and
mannitic ferments.
Mannitie : see Mannity.
Mannitol (marnitfl). Chem. [f. Mannite +
-ol.] ~ Mannite.
1902 Encycl. Brit. XXVI. 721/1 Mannitol is proved to be
a hexhydric alcohol, C«Hg(OH)6, by its conversion into a
hexanitiate.
Mannitose (mae*nit*w). Chem. [f. Mannite
+ -o.se.] A substance, C6H1306, isomeric with
glucose, obtained from mannite.
186a Watts tr. Gmelins Handbk. Chem. XV. 339 When
mannite is oxidised under the influence of platinum-black
[etc.], an unfermentable substance and a fermentable sugar
(mannitose) are produced. 1865 (see Mannitic a,}.
Mannittee, obs. form of Manatee.
t Mannity. nonce-wd. In 7 mannitie. [f.
Man s&.l + -ity.] The community of men.
16*1 Molle Camerar. Liz: Libr.ni. v. 165 And therefore
was it well said of a Pagan Philosopher, .that he gaue not
his almes to that man, or to this, out to all the masse of
man-kind . . : not to a man, but to the mannitie, if it be law-
full to vse such a word.
Mannor, -our, -ure, obs. ff. Manner, Manor,
Manure.
t Manny, a. Falcmry. Obs. [f, Man v. (sense
10) 4- -v.] Of a hawk : Manned, tame.
x773 J.Campbell Mod. Falconry 262 Managing, the making
of a hawk manny or tame.
Manny, obs. f. Many ; var. Mannie Sc.
Mannyable, variant of Maniahle Obs.
Manoeuvre (mani«-vaj, man«'vai), sb. Also 5
maanovre, 8-9 maneuver, 9 L ,'. S. manceuver.
[a. F. manccitvre (OF. also manuevre, maneuvre,
1 3th c.) = Pr. manovra, Sp. maniobra, Pg, manobra,
It. tnanovra :— late L. matwpera, vbl. sb. from
manoperare : see Manoeuvre v., which occurs in
Fr. earlier than the sb. The OFr. word is repre-
sented in Eng. by Mainour and Manure sbs.]
t L Hand-labour. Obs. rare ~ l.
1479 Ricart Calendar (Camden) 28 This yere [24 H. 1 1 1 J
was the Trenche y-made and y-caste of the ryvere,. .by the
maanovre of alle the Cominalte.
2. Mil. and Naval. The planned or regulated
movement or evolution of troops or vessels of war;
a strategic movement or change of position ; a
device in navigation ; exercise or a movement in
military or naval tactics.
1758 Misc. in Ann. Keg. 373/2 Coup de main, and Ma*
turtnoe, might be excusable in Marshal Saxe, u he was in
the service of France..; but we cannot see what apology can
be made for our officers lugging them in.., as a sudden
stroke might have done for one, and a proper motion for the
other. 1778 If, Cutler in Life, etc (1888) I. 66 The army
was ordered.. to embark and re-embark in the boats, that
they might the better understand such a maneuver. 1793
J. Trapp tr. Kochon's Voy. Madagascar Prelim. Disc. 54 All
manoeuvres became useless, and the ship was on the point
of going down, when the Captain cast an anchor in such a
manner as gave him hopes she would bear on some high
flats. This manoeuvre proved successful. 1795 Nelson 13
Mar. in Nicolas Disp. (1845) II. 13 The infant all were fired,
braced up our after-yards, put the helm a-port, and stood
after her again. This manoeuvre we practised till one p.m.
1837 Gurwood Wellington Desp. IV. 1 Major General
Sir Arthur Wellesley was appointed to the command of a
brigade, .to the discipline, manoeuvre and minute details of
which he paid the most scrupulous attention. 1853 Sir H.
Douglas Milit. Bridges (ed. 3) 119 The manoeuvre of with-
drawing a bridge, by wheeling it, entire, alongside the bank.
1881 Jowett Thucyd. I. 156 The manoeuvres suited to fast-
sailing vessels, such as breaking of the line or returning to
the charge, cannot be practised in a narrow space. 1889
I Infantry Drill 189 Manoeuvre represents the application of
the drill to the circumstances of supposed or actual conflict
with an enemy.
b. Skilful management or working of; operation.
1834-47 J. S. Macallav Eield Fort /f (1851) 129 The pieces
of timber, laid across the sluice-gate for the manoeuvre of the
levers. 1867 Smyth Sailor's VVord-bk., Manoeuvre, a dex-
j terous management of anything connected with the ship.
3. An agile or skilful movement made (by a
person, animal, etc.) with intent to deceive or elude.
1774 J. Bryant Mythol. II. 468 The whole was attended
with shouts, and screams, and every frantic manoeuvre. 1828
Scott E. M. Perth xxiii, At length, whether weary of these
manoeuvres, or [etc.]. . Bonthron heaved uphisaxe for a down.
right blow. 1845 Darwin Voy. Nat. ii. (18791 37 When still
further disturbed, it practises a most curious manoeuvre.
iZ&$Ccntury Mag. July 379/* And as he [the fish] fell back
with a loud splash he dropped upon the line, by which
maneuver he would have succeeded in tearing out the hook
had the line still l.een taut.
4. transf. and Jig. An artfully contrived plan ;
an adroit move ; an ingenious expedient or artifice ;
also, management of affairs by scheming.
1774 J. Adams in Earn. Lett. (1876) 12 These Acts of Par-
liament and ministerial manoeuvres will injure me. X790 —
li'ks. (1854) IX. 566 If the time should ever come when cor-
ruption shall be added to intrigue and manoeuvre in elec-
tions, a 1797 BURKS Sp. Durat. Parlts. Wks. 1812 V. 377
The whole effect of the Bill is. .here to fix their magazines
and places of arms, and thus to make them the principal..
theatre of their manoeuvres for securing a determined ma-
jority in Parliament. 1809 Mar. Edceworth Maturiwring
vii, In the midst of these multiplied manoeuvres, Mrs. Beau-
mont sat with ease. 183a Lytton Eugene A. 11. vii, He
was capital, however, about the tricks he had played his
'■ creditors,— such manoeuvres, — such escapes ! 1850 Bohn's
Handbk. Games 414 (Draughts) He who gives the draw .shall
not occasion any unnecessary delay by uselessly repeating
the same inanceuwes. 1864 Standard 18 Apr. 6 To this day
they always speak of that Reform Bill as if ft had been a dis-
honest manoeuvre. 1886 Rvskis Pneterita I. 309 Watching
the instrumental manoeuvres of the [military] band.
f 5. A method or manner of working. Obs.
1770 Monthly Rev. 537 The different tools and manoeuvres
of the joiner and turner. 1783 Pott Chirurg. Wks. II. 78
It is one of those manoeuvres which can be learnt only by
observation and practice. 1796 C. Marshall Garden, v.
: (1813) 65 Many manoeuvres of intercropping are made by
them as sowing or planting between rows. 1789 H.Wali'ole
Lett., to H. More Sept. (1840) VI. 351, I do not understand
the manoeuvre of sugar.
6. atlrib. and Comb.
1807 Act 60-1 Vict. c. 43 §4 Whenever an Order in Council
is made under this Act a commission (in this Act called the
Military Manoeuvres Commission' shall be formed. Ibid.
S 10 This Act may be cited as the Military Manoeuvres Act,
I 1897. 1897 Daily Neivs 8 Nov. 4/7 Every torpedo, it seems,
is sent out from the factory with two heads- a ' manoeuvre
head \ . .and another, intended for real warfare.
Manoeuvre (mani/7'voi, man/rvoj), v. Forms :
see prec. sb. [ad. F. manauvrer, OK. tnanuvrer
(1 itn cent.) = Sp. maniobrar, Pg. manobrar :— late
L. manoperare for L. man/1 opera ri to work with the
hand {manfi, abl. oi mantis hand ; opera nt see
Opekatez/.).]
1. intr. Mil. and Naval. To perform manoeuvres
; or evolutions ; to make movements or changes of
position in the disposition of troops, vessels, etc.
Also to mana-uvre it.
'777 J- Adams in Earn. Lett. (1876) 303 Washington will
manoeuvre it with him a good deal to avoid it. 1795 Nelson
21 Mar. in Nicolas Disp. (1845) II. 21 Providence .. pre-
serving my poor brave fellows, who worked the Ship in
manoeuvring about his [sc. the enemy's] stern and quarters.
1797 Eucyd. Brit. (ed. 3) XVIII. 290/2 The two divisions
might again manoeuvre another way. 1803 Wellington in
Gurw. Desp. (1837I II. 331, I. .determined to manoeuvre by
my left, and push the enemy upon the nullah. 1833 Strap H
Eortif.Si A great extent of ground, .upon which to man-
oeuvre and fight to advantage. 1885 Law Times Pep. LI 1 1.
12/1 There would be no culpability on the part of the officer
in command of the other ship in not manoeuvring for this
porting.
b. transf. Mdlfe, esp. : To employ stratagem,
to manage by artifice, to scheme. Also occas. with
adv. or prep. ; To contrive to get (away front).
1809 Mar. Edgeworth Manoeuvring i, I remember her
manoeuvring to gain a husband, and then manoeuvring to
manage him. 1814 Jane Austen Lett. (1884) II. 279, I had
not to manoeuvre away from her. 1837 W. Irving Capt.
/ujftnevitle 1. 177 After manoeuvring so as to get within shot,
they fired, but merely wounded him [a buffalo]. 1861 May
Const. Hist. (1863) I. i. 13 When ministers, not of his own
choice, were in office, he plotted and manoeuvred until he
overthrew them.
C. trans, with prep. To drive or entice into or
out of by manoeuvring ; to make (one's way) into
by manoeuvring.
1886 Miss Braddon One Thing Needful vi, I am not going
to be manoeuvred into a marriage with Clarice. 1888 Cen-
tury Mag. Sept. 673-1 He had simply maiirruvred the enemy
out of position. 1899 Daily News 13 Dec. 7 6 If an enemy
has elaborately fortified a particular position it is one of the
most important duties of a General not. .to attack him in
it, but., to manoeuvre him out of it. 1903 Blackw.Mag. Oct.
497/2 He had manoeuvred his way into the Painted Chamber.
2. trans. Mil. and Naval. To cause (troops or
vessels) to perform evolutions or manoeuvres ; to
alter the position or formation of for strategic pur-
poses; to 'handle' (a boat).
'777 J- Adams in Earn. Lett. 11876) 282 Mr. Howe, by the
last advices, was manoeuvring his fleet and army in such a
manner as to give us expectations of an expedition some*
MANCBTJVRER.
133
MANOR.
where. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XVIII. 276/2 To Man.
reuvre the Line of Hattle. ..In this place it is intended to
point out some of the various evolutions that are, or may he,
performed by a fleet which is already formed in line of
battle. 1811 Wellington in Gtirw. Desp. (1838) VII. 583 We
do what we please now with the Portuguese troops : we
manoeuvre them under fire equally with our own. 1884 Pae
Eustace 140 Crippled as they were by tattered sails and
severed ropes, they could not manoeuvre the vessel. 1886
Graphic 28 Aug. 210/1 The best method of manoeuvring
them [torpedo boats]. ™
b. transf. and fig. To manipulate or conduct
adroitly with a view to a purpose. Also occas. to
effect by stratagem.
1815 Zeluca II. 142 Zeluca. .manoeuvred her praise, with a
skilful eye to the feelings it was intended to create and in-
vigorate. i8ao J . Jekyll Corn (1 894) 97 The Mother Bankes
affects not to nave manoeuvred her son's match with the
Chancellor's daughter. 1823 Examiner 63^/1 The stage is
..said to afford great facilities for manoeuvring the scenery.
1857 Autobiog. Lutfullah v, He frequently manoeuvred his
horse across my way and behind me, in such a manner as
to show that he derided me. 1885 J. Martineau Types
Et/i. Th. I. 150 A doctrine which so manoeuvred the three
substances, without relinquishing any of them. 1898 Wettm.
Caz. 28 J uly 3/2 Thus manoeuvred, a sailor hat can be worn
minus the veil.
Hence Manceirvred, Manceirvring///. adjs.
1832 Marry at N. Forsterxxx], Their mother was a selfish,
. . manoeuvring woman. 1889 Harper's Mag. June 79/1 The
power to see a great deal through a very small opening in
the skilfully manoeuvred bandage. 1900 St. Bakbe Mod.
Spain 41 The beast [sc. a bulll wheels round, and, charging,
rips out the entrails of an ill-manoeuvred horse.
Manoeuvrer vmaniw*vrai). Alsomanoeuverer.
[f. Manieuvke V. + -SB1.]
1. One who manteuvres.
1800 A. Carlyle A utobiog. 30S He had told him that Byng,
though a much admired commander and manoeuvrer of a
fleet, would shun fighting. 1809 Mar. Edgeworth Man-
<ru7'ring ijThis charming widow Beaumont is a mattceuvrer.
We can't well make an English word of it. 1824 Miss
Mitford Village Ser. 1. 98 Her sister was a match-making
lady, a manoeuvrer. 1884 C. L* Pirkis Jud. Wynne I. xvil
2i2 Your quiet, reserved girls are generally the sly, clever
manoeuvrers.
2. An implement for manoeuvring.
18. . Engineer J .Wl}. 214 (Cent.) Different forms of simple,
balanced, and divided rudders were then described, includ-
ing. .Thomson's stern-way manceuverer.
Manoeuvring (mani»*vrirj), vbl. sb. [f. Max-
ieuvkk v. + -iN(i J.J The action of Manoeuvre v.
1787 I. Lanumann tr. Klein. Tacticks in. 170 The advanc-
ing and manoeuvring with a line, will never he well per-
formed, if the battalions are not so perfectly well exercised.
1858 Carlyle Fredk, Gt, ix. x. II. 530 The Campaign passed
into a series of advancing*, retreating* [etc.], painful
inanouivrings, 011 both sides of the Rhine. 1883 R. Botw.
■Smith Life Ld. Lawrence I. 178 The reputation which John
Lawrence acquired., by the masterly manoeuvring of a small
body of police.
attrib. 1877 Daily News 5 Oct. 5/3 Their principal army
U wanting in manoeuvring power.
Man-of-arms : see Man-at-arms.
Man-of-law. arch. [Cf. F. homme de lot and
Lawman.] A man skilled in law ; a lawyer.
1340, C 1386 [see Law sb.x 7]. < 144s Promp. Parv. 325/2
Manneof law, furisperilus}scriba. 1491 Acta Dom.Concil.
(1839) 206/2 Dauid balfour of carraldstoune wes man of law
for or said Souerane lord in be said mater. 1530 Palsgu.
500/1 Whan a man of lawe maketh a reason peremtorie, it
can nat be contrepleted. 1582 Bentley Men. Matrones w.
-?S O Jesus Christ,, .thou being my man of law, didst excuse
and sueake for me. 1636 Massinger Bashf. Lover 1. i. He . .
pays his fees as duly As ever Usurer did in a bad cause, To
Ins man of law. 1841 R. P. Wakd De Clifford II. xvi. 172
Another man of law. .now came in, straight from the magis-
trates' chamber. 1899 Crockett Kit Kennedy 251 Ebenezer
Fleming, W. S., was a wary man-of-law.
Man of the world, f a. A secular person
{fibs.), b. In religious use (after l's. xvii. 14^, a
worldly or irreligious person, c. A man who is in-
structed and experienced in the ways of the world
and is prepared to accept its conventions.
c woo Vices A> Virtues 7 5if menn of 5e world hes healdeS
for hali menu. 1535 Co\ eroale Ps. xvi[i]. 14 From the men
off the worlde, which haue their portion in this life [so 1611;
the Prayer-book version differs]. 1749 Fielding 'font Jones
xiv. viii, This gentleman whom Mr Jones now visited, was
what they call a man of the world ; that is to say, a man
who directs his conduct in this world as one, who being
fully persuaded there is no other, is resolved to make the
most of this. 1778 Mme. D'Akblay Early Diary (1889) II.
244 A true, fashionable, unprincipled man of the world. 1876
Leslie Stephen Hrs. in Library ^Ser. n.) 209 Butler's sad-
ness..is that of a recluse, and Johnson's that of a man of
the world. 1891 Spectator 31 Jan. 164/1 Lord Hannen has
always shown himself, in the best sense of the word, a man
of the world.
attrib. in pi. C1823 Byron To Mrs. in Moore Life
# Lett, (i860) 574 All my others are men-of-the-world friend-
ships.
Hence Man-of-the-worldish. a., Man-of-the-
worldism, Man-of-the- worldly a. (whence
Man*of-the-worldliness).
1867 Contemp. Rev. VI. 394 A wide-awake, man-ofthe-
jvorld-ish commonsense. 1868 Ibid. VII, 132 This bred in
him a sort of cynical man-of-the-worldism. 1890 Academy
27 Sept. 268/2 The man-of-the- worldly sagacity of Teddy
Rudall. 1891 Saintsbuky tr. Schcrers Ess. 218 Beaconsfield
. .has less substance, but more man-of-the- worldliness.
Man-of-war (ma^navw^u). PI. men-of-war.
[In sense 1 app. after F. homme de guerre ; for
sense 2 cf. Max sb.l 12.]
1. A fighting man ; a soldier, warrior. Obs. exc.
arch, or jocular.
1449 Rolls of Parlt. V. 148/1 They desired to have nombre
of Men of werre made lesse. 1508 Kennedie Flyting w.
Dunbar 466 Had thai bene prouuait sa of schote of gone
By men of were but perile thay had past. 1535 Coverdale
Exod. xv. 3 The Lorde is the right man of warre [»6n a man
of warre [lit. from Heb.)\. 1577 B. Googe HeresbaclCs itusb.
111. (1586} 114b, Souldiers and men of war, desire a fierse
Horse. 1608 Extracts Burgh Rec. Glasgow (1876) I. 287
The saidis bailleis, . . hieing convenit for outreiking of thair
men of weir to thair His .. hes delyverit the armour follow-
ing, .. to the said men of weir . . viz. to Jhone Hammiltoun
ane hagbit and flassis [etc.]. 1626 C. Potter tr. Sarpi's Hist. ,
(Quarrels 330 The Leuies of men of Warre within the State
of Milan euery day increased. 1698 Farc»i"har Love* Bottle
1. (1609) 3, I dread these blustring Men of War, the Officers.
1840 lh acker AY Catherine vi, The men of war had clearly
the best of it. 1869 Blackmori: Lorna D. Ixviii, The dis-
tinguished man of war. .Master Bloxham.
2. A vessel equipped for warfare ; an armed ship
belonging to the recognized navy of a country.
1484 W. Ckly in C. Tapers (Camden) 144 As he cam to j
Callez wardd ij men of warre of Frensche inett w* hym and !
fawght w1 hym. 1594 (7/tv//m///1.ir Xcwesfr. Levant Seas in !
Collier lllustr. Old Eng. Lit. (1S66) I. 4 In sightof the King 1
of Spaynes men of warre, which were twenty two sayles.
1680 Debates in Parlt. (1681) 120 It (Tangier] will always
be Serviceable, as well for our Men of War to resort to. .as j
for the protection of our Merchant-men. 1759 Ann. Reg. 36
A fresh water harbour, capable of containing an hundred men |
of war of the line. 1887 Bisan r The World went, etc. iii. 28 j
If he who has commanded a man-of-war is not to have his
own way in everything, who should?
attrib. 1748 Anson's Voy. ill. x. 415 At Canton. .we saw
no more than four men of war junks. 1859 All Year Rountl \
No. 22. 519 The man-of-war brig. 1867 Smyth Sailor's '
IVord'bJb., Man-of-war fashion, a state of order, tidiness,
and good discipline,.
b. occas. A man-of-war's man (see c).
1599 Nashe Lenten Stuffs 27 Hee is first broken to the ,
Sea in the Herring mans Skiffe. .once liartned thus, hee will
needes be a man of warre. .and weare a siluer Whistle. 1884
H. Colli scwoon Under Mi tear Flag xxiv . 25S My father. .
led the way to the library, with the skipper following. ..When
the man-o'-war rejoined us, the first thing he did was [etc.].
c. Man-of-war ' s-man : a sailor serving on a
man-of-war.
1840 K. H. Dana Bef Mast xx. 60 [He) was a singular
mixture of the man-of-war Vman and Puritan. 1875 Bedford
Sailor's Pocket Bk.w (ed. 2) 152 A man-of-war's man should
lose no opportunity of volunteering to lay out targets.
f3. (In full man-of-war bird or hawk.) The
frigate-bird, Fregata aquila. Also applied to the
albatross and occas. to species of skua (Newton).
1657 Ligon Barbados 61 There is a Bird they call, a Man
of war, and he is much bigger than a Heron. 1707 Sloane
Jamaica I. 30 We saw here several Tropick- Birds, and
Men of War Birds. 1789 P. Browne Jamaica 4S3 The
Man-of-war Bird ; or the dark-coloured Alcyon with a
slender forked tail. i86z Wood Nat. His!. II. 762 The
well-known Frigate Bird, Sea Hawk, or Man-of-War Bird.
1885 Riverside Nat, Hist. (188S) IV. 184 The 'man-of-war
hawk', as they [frigate-birds] are often called.
4. Portuguese man-of-war: A marine hydrozoan
of the genus Physalia ; so called from the fact of
its floating on the surface of the sea with a sail-like
crest displayed.
1707 Sloane Jamaica I. 7 What the Seamen call a Caravel
or Portuguese Man of War, which seems to be a Zoophytuin,
or of a middle Nature between a Plant and an Animal.
1883 Harpers Mag. Jan. 1S8/2 The Portuguese man-of-war
(physalia) with its long azure tentacles.
5. Alining. (See quots.)
i860 Eng. fy For. Mitt. Gloss. (S. Staffs.), Man-o'-war, a
small pillar left in some critical situation in a side of work.
Manoir(e, ol>s. form of Manor.
Manometer (miiym/tai). [ad. F. mano-
melre, f. Gr. fiavu-s thin, rare + ptrpov measure.]
An instrument for ascertaining the elastic force of
gases or vapours. Flame manometer : — ' mano-
metric capsule' (vsee Man'ometiuc).
[1706 Varignon in Mem. de VAcad. Roy.des Sciences 300
Manometre, ou machine pour trouver la rapport des rarete's
ou rarefactions de l'air nature! d'un meme lieu en diffe'rents
terns ou [etc.].] 1730 Bailey (fol.) Manometer^ Manoscope,
an Instrument to measure or shew the Alterations in the
Rarity and Density of the Air. 1774 Phipi'S Voy. N. Pole
App. 128 Description of the Manometer, constructed by
Mr. Ramsden. 1823 Blackw. Mag. XIV. 513 You see in
it the indications of forthcoming storms, .against Ministers,
to whom it consequently acts as a manometer. 1867
W. W. Smyth Coal <y Coal-mining 221 In order to test the
different densities of the currents on opposite sides of a
brattice, ..a manometer or water-gauge is employed. 1875
D. Thomson Acoustics in Encycl. Brit. I. 115 The Flame
Manometer. 1880 J. W. Legg Bile 203 If the aorta be
connected with a manometer, the number and force of the
pulsations of the heart can be easily registered. 1899 All-
butt's Syst. Med. VII. 239 This glass tube, .is attached, by
a T-tube, to a pressure-bottle and a mercury manometer.
Manometric (msaimetrik), a. [f. prec. +
-ic. Cf. Y. manome'trique^ Of, pertaining to, or
made with the manometer. Manometric capsule :
an apparatus devised by Koenig for analysing
sounds by means of the alterations produced in the
forms of flames by aerial vibrations; so mano- J
metric flame.
1873 A. E. Dolbear in G. Prescott Sp. Telephone (1879) j
262 While engaged in making a manometric flame capsule. (
1898 Allbutt's Syst. Med. V. ^64 Manometric observations
reveal no increase of pressure in the auricle at the moment
of closure of the auriculo- ventricular valves. |
Manometrical (msen^nie'trikal), a. [f. as
prec. + -AL.] =pree.
1777 Rov in Phil. Trans. LXVII. 689 The manometrical
experiments were made subsequently to the chief part of
the barometrical observations. 1879 P. Smith Glaucoma
96 In the case of the living human eye the manometrical
test is inapplicable.
Manor ^mce'naj). Forms: 3-6 maner, 4
manayre, 45 manere, 5 mano i)re, manoyr(e,
-ayr, manure, 5-6 manoir, f> 7 manner, 6-8
manour, 6-o.mannor, 7 S man n our. 6 manor,
[a. OF, manoir dwelling, habitation, subst. use of
manoir inf., to dwell :— L. manere to remain.
Latinized as mancrium in France and England as early
as the nth c. ; subsequently watteria oecurs in general
continental use.]
fl. A mansion, habitation ; .1 country residence ;
the principal house of an estate, 'capital messuage*.
A surviving trace of this use appears in the designations
of certain ancient manor-houses, e.g. Wingheld Manor,
Worksop Manor ; the houses so named are of course locally
known as 'the Manor'.
< 1200 Bcket 524 in .V. Eng. Leg. I. 121 Ich hole ov euerech-
one, pat ;e beon bat ilke dai At mi maner at Clarindone.
1297 K. Glouc. (Rolls) 10231 pe bissop of el! & be king sone
wende To a maner ber biside. 1375 Bakbour Bruce xvi.
357 In the hawch of lyntoun-le He gert thame mak a fair
maner. 1377 I.anci. /'. /'/. 1!. x. 308 Ac now is religioun a
ryder, a rowmcr hi stretes,..A piiker on a palfray from
manere to manere. i 1400 Malnijev. (KoxbO \xi. 95 Of bir
rede/ bai make hare houses and inaneres and schippez and
baire ober nece>sarie>. < 1450 T>k. Curtasye 601 in Babees
Bk. 197 Of \.e rcsayuer speke wylle I, J>at. . ouer-seys castels,
nianeis a-boute. 1470-85 Mai.oky Arthur vi. ix. 195 Whan
that ye come within yonder manayr I am sure ye shal fynde
ther many kny^tes of the round table. 1530 I'ai.sgb. 242/2
Manner a dwellyng place, maison de ftaisance. 1549
Latimer Pioughers (Arb.) ^6 They are so troubeled wytn
l.ordelye lyuyngc, . .and muylynge in their gaye manuures
..that they canne not attende it. 1556 Chrou. Gr. Friars
(Camden) 26 Thys yere the kynge byldyd new hys maner of
.Shene. 1561 J. Dolman {tide) Those fyve Ouesiiones, which
. .Cicero disputed in his Manor of Tusculanum. 1610 His-
trio-til. v. 2i6They havcruinVl Churches, Townes, F>urn't
goodly Manours, and indeed lay'd wast All the whole Country.
fb. Jig. An abode or resting place. Obs.
1362 Lakgl. /'. PI. A. vi. 76 pe Mot is of Merci he maner
al abouten, And alle be wallcs hep of wit toholde uil peroute.
( 1369 Chaucer Del he Blantiche 1004 'JVouthe him selfe,..
Had chose his maner principal In her that was his restyng
place. 1413 Pilgr. Soivle (Caxton 1483) 111. x. 56 This
pytte is the chyef and the manoyr of helle that is clepid
Abissus. 1576 Fleming Fanppi. Epist. 178, I shal be con-
strained, to entertaine some of them into the manour of my
memorie.
1 2. The mansion of a lord with the land belonging
to it ; hence, a landed possession. Obs.
11292 Britton 11. xix. § 4 Car en une vile porrount estre
plusours paroches, et en une paroche plusours maners, et
hameletz plusours porrount apendre a un maner.] < 1330
K. Brunnb Chrou. IVace (Rolls) 7431 pe |cyng gaf Hengist
faire maners. 13. . F. E. Atiit. P. A. 1028 penne helde vch
sware of bis manayre, Twelue forlonge space er euer hit
fon. 138a Wyclip John W. 5 Therfore Jhesu cam in to a
citee of Samarie,..bisydis the manere [L. pra-diii/n), . . that
Jacob }af to Joseph, his sone. 1:1410 Sir C leges 62 His
maners he ded to wede sett. 1470-85 Malory Arthur iv.
xii. 134, I wylle that ye gyue vnto your broder alle the hole
manoir with the appertenaunce vnder thys forme, that sir
Ontzelake hold the manoir of vow and yerely to gyue yow
a palfrey to rj de vpon. 1600 SMAKS. AW 3 Well in. ii. 10, I
know a man that had this tricke of melancholy hold [sold]
a goodly Mannor for a song.
3. A unit of English territorial organization,
originally of the nature of a feudal lordship.
The doctrine of the lawyers of the 17th c. is that a manor
consists essentially of land held m demesne by the lord, to
which is attached a seignory over freehold tenants sufficient
in number (the minimum is variously stated as two or three)
to constitute the court, called at a relatively late time the
court-baron, which the lord b bound to hold and the tenants
to attend. (The manor was often defined from the point of
view of its relation -to the lord, as an estate in land consisting
of demesnes and services.) This restriction of the meaning of
the word is destitute of early authority (though the kind of
complex estate described probablyexisted from the 12th cen-
tury), but is the basis of the present application. As the
status of tenant in fee under a mesne lord is practically
obsolete, a manor now consists of the lord's demesne (if any
exists) and of lands from the holders of which he has the
right to exact certain fees and fines, and within which he
has certain privileges. A 'court customary' is held in all
manors where there are copyhold or customary tenants of
the demesne. A manor is usually named from the principal
township, as ' the manor of Barnstaple '.
1538 tr. LittlctotCs 'Tenures (1544) i8b, In dyuerslordshyps
& maners there is suche custome. 1601 Fllbecke isI Pt.
Pa roll. 18 A manor is an inheritance of auncient continuance
consisting of demesnes & sendees, perquisites, casualties,
things appendant and regardant, customes, liberties, Sec.
1605 Camden Rem. 221 A Mannor of a hundred tenements.
1608-28 Risdon Xote Bk. (1897) 124 Unto him the king
gave Constanc, his base daughter, with the mannor of South
J awton. 1620 J. Wilkinson Court Lect 141 If the Lord
purchase their Lands, the Manor is destroyed. 1670 Cotton
EsPemon 11. v. 235 This Ancient and Illustrious Family, are
possessors of many goodly Mannors in Guienne. 1731 Gentl.
Mag. I. 351 The Scholars, according to Custom, hunted a
Ram, by which, the Provost and Fellows [of Eton] hold
a Manor. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3>X. 543/2 By an ancient
custom of this manor [Mansfield], the heirs were declared
of age as soon as born. 181a Combe Picturesque xxn.
(Chandos ed.) 86 You'll see what game my manor yields.
1818 Hallam Mid. Ages viii. (1868) 428 Few of English
birth continued to enjoy entire manors, even by a mesne
tenure. 1890 Sik F. Pollock Oxford Lect. 117 In the
MANOR-HOUSE.
English manor the community is the oldest element, and the |
lordship a newer one.
fig. 1819 W. Lawrence Comp. Anat. ii. (1844) 28 The ,
manor of living nature is so ample, that all may be allowed
to sport on it freely.
b. With qualifications. Assessionable manor,
one of the manors into which the duchy of Corn-
wall is divided, to which commissioners are ap-
pointed periodically for the purpose of assessing
them, or letting them on the best terms; custom-
ary manor see quot.) ; reputed manor, manor
by reputation, a manor which has lost its mano-
rial status by expiry of some necessary adjunct ;
manor in ancient demesne, a manor which at
the time of the Conquest formed part of the royal
domain ; manor in gross, a manor from which
the demesne has been separated, leaving only the
incorporeal hereditaments to the lord.
1607 Cowel Interpr. s.v. Matter, A man may haue a maner
in grosse (as the law termeth it) that is, the right and interest
of a court BarOtl with the perquisites thereunto belonging :
and another or others haue euery foote of the land thereunto
belonging. 1839 Penny Cycl. XIV. 388/1 In the assession-
able manors, parcel of the duchy of Cornwall, customary
estates for years still subsist. Ibid. 389/1 Such an estate is
however more frequently called 'a manor by reputation'.
Ibid, 389/2 The estate of the grantor, which., would consist
of the mansion and the other ungranted portions of the
villenage, with the services of the grantees appendant there-
to, was called a customary manor. 1890 Sir F. Pollock
Oxford Led. 1 r 4 A * reputed manor * will serve as well as a
real manor for most purposes.
c. Lord of the manor, the person or corporation
having the seignorial rights of a manor.
1605 Order 0/ keeping a Court Lect 29 b, Note that all the
vacant and wast land within the Manour, is to the Lord of
the Manour. 1719 W. Wood Surv. Trade 309 It is most
strange and unaccountable Policy in many Lords of Man-
nors. 176s Blackstone Comm. I. xii. 387 All lords of
manors, or barons, that held of the king in capite, had seats
in the great council. 1817 W. Sklwvn Laiv Nisi Prius
(ed. 4) II. 834 Lords of manors are distinguished from other
landowners with respect to the game. 1858 W. Aknot Laws
fr. Heaven Ser. 11. xxix. 237 The lord of the manor passed by.
d. In some of the American colonies, authority
was given by royal charter for the creation of
'manors' after the English model, with courls-
baron and seignorial rights. The Dutch governors
of what is now the State of New York also granted
' manors', with certain hereditary privileges now
abolished. (See quot. 1870 and Patroon 4.) The
term still continues to be applied to certain districts
in the U. S. which were ' manors ' in colonial times.
1639 Act in Arch. Maryland i\%Z$ I. 71 Punishment of
death shall be inflicted on a Lord of a Mannour by be-
heading. 1681 Chas. II Charter granted to Pcnn § 19 We
give and grant Licence unto the said William Penn, and
his Heirs, [etc.].. to erect any Parcels of Land within the
Province aforesaid into Manors. . ; and in every of the said
Manors to have and to hold a Court- Baron [etc.]. 1691
Acts of Assembly New York (17 19) 2 The several Cities,
Towns, Counties, Shires, Divisions, or Manors of this Pro-
vince. Ibid. 69 Being a Free-holder in any Manor, Liberty,
Jurisdiction, Precinct, or Out-Plantation. 1870 BuKMix
Law Diet. s. v., In American Law, a manor is a tract held of
a proprietor by a fee-farm rent in money or in kind, and de-
scending to oldest son, who in New York is called a patroon.
1883 Encycl. Amcr. I. 198 The manors, as the grants of the
early Dutch rulers of New Netherland were called, have
disappeared under the pressure of republican institutions.
4. atlrib., as manor-court, -farm, -hall, law, lord,
-pew, -yard. Also Manou-house, Manor-flack.
1786 \V. Gilpin Mount. <y Lakes Cumbld. (1788) II. 231
His *manor-courts are kept with great strictness. 1890
Snt I\ Pollock Oxford Lect. 130 It will not do, therefore,
to assume that the manor court was made out of an older
township court. 1824 Miss Mitfokd Village Ser. n. 51 It
hath been anciently a great * manor-farm or court-house.
1856 Emerson Ettg. Traits, Stonchenge Wks. (ttohn) II. 126
It {Wilton Hall] is.. esteemed a noble specimen of the
English *manor-hall. 1887 Athenxiumo Aug. 235/3 Books
on *manor law became common. 1899 G. M. Trevelyan
Engl. Age Wycliffe 339 If Lollard preachers had attacked
. .the rights of the *manor lords, they soon ceased to do so.
1892 J. C. Blomeield Hist. Heyford 46 Pews of different
sizes, with the *manor-pew overtopping the rest. 1667
Duchess Of Newcastle /,//£ Dk. of N. m. (1886) 158 The
enemy., made a passage into the *manor-yard.
Manor-house (maynsiihaus;. [f. Manor +
Hotj.se shX\ The mansion of the lord of a manor.
*575 Gascoigne Posies, Herbs 147 Better Fermers fast,
than Manour houses fall. 1588 Shaks. L. L. L. i. i. 208.
1625 Massinger New Way iv. i, How far Sir Giles,, .hold
you it to be From your Mannor house to this of my Lady
Alworths. 1768-71 H. Walpolk Vertue^s Anecd. Paint.
(1786) III. 161 Salmon, .mentions a Dr. Morecroft, . .as
architect of the manor-house of Fitzwalters. 1832 Lvtton
Eugene A. 1. vi, Several days elapsed before the family uf the
manor-house encountered Aram again.
Manorial (mano-j'rial),^. [f. Manor + -(i)al.]
Of or pertaining to a manor or manors; incidental
to a manor. (Cf. Manerial.)
1785 Paley Mor. # Polit. Philos. vi. xi. (1786) 634 This
tenure [the right of common] is also usually embarrassed by
the interference of manorial claims. 1794 Soctiiey Wat
Tyler in. i. Poet. Wks. II. 47 They have, .demanded the
abolition of personal slavery, vassalage and manorial rights.
1876 ISanckokt Hist. U.S. III. iii. 332 His tomb in the old
manorial church. 1876 Digbv Real Prop. i. § 1. 8 These
functions devolved in later times partly on the manorial
court. 1890 Sik F. Pollock Oxford Lect. 129 The admin-
istration of a manorial domain.
134
Hence Mano 'rialism, the manorial system ;
Manorializing vol. sb., making manorial (attrib.
in quot.).
1897 Maitland Domesday <S- Beyond 138 We shall have
the utmost difficulty if we would go behind manorialism.
1898 — 'Township * Borough 45 A time when the feudal-
izing and manorializing processes are at work.
Ma*nor-place. arch. = Manor-house.
1426 Act Jas. I Scot. (1814) II. 13,2 In be quhilk landis in
auld tymes ^are was castellis fortalycis & maner placis.
c 1470 Henkyson Mor. Tab. x. (Fox 4- Wolf) xxiii, Than to
ane manure [z'.r. manore] plate thay hyit in haist. 1509
H.uves Past. Pleas, xxxiv. tPercy Soc.) 175 Tyll that we
came unto a manour place, Moted about under a woode
syde. 1578 Timme Caluine on Gen. 241 Moses noteth here
Nimrod's manour place. 1688 Dallas Syst. Stiles (1697J
703 Letters for giving up and delivery of the said Castles,
. .Mannor-places, and other houses pertaining to the said
Hishoprick. J791 Newte Tour Eng. 3- Scot. 171 It was the
mansion, or manor-place of the Barony of Philorth. 1875
W. MTlwkaith Guide Wigtownshire 90 The tower, for-
talice, manor-place, yards, and orchards of Chappell.
Manor-seat, [f- Manor + -Seat sbX\ -
MANOR-HOUSE. 1828-32 in Webster; and in later Diets.
t Ma'norship. Obs. [ + -ship.] - Manor 3.
1778 Eng. Gazetteer \<z<\. 2), Market-Street, .is a manorship
in the parishes of Goldington, Studham, and Flamstead.
Manoscope (rnae'n&k^ap). Physics, [a. F.
manoscope, f. Or. ftavo-s i^see Manometer) +
-scope.] - Manometer.
1730 [see Manometer}. 1823 J. Mitchell Viet. Math.
<$• Pkys. Sci., Manometer,. At is sometimes called mano-
scope. 1875 Knight Vict. Mech. 1384.
Hence Manoscopy ran'—0, the science which is
concerned with the determination of the density of
vapours and gases. 1864 in Webster ; and in later Diets.
Manour(e, obs. ff. Manner, Manor, Manure.
Manoyr(e, obs. form of Manor.
t Manqualm. Obs. [OE. manncwealm : see
Man shy and Qualm sb.1] Plague, pestilence.
a goo O. PS. Chron. an. 664 J.»y ilean jeare wits micel man
cuealm. c 1205 Lav. 390S J>a\;r after com swulke mon-qualm
£ lute ha;r cwike befden. 1297 K. Glolc (Rolls) Ss^o So
gret manqualm bat monimon al vnburcd lay. a 1340 Ham-
I'OLE Psalter \. 1 Moryn or manqwalm . . bat nerand corompis
all men.
t Ma"nquell, v. Obs. rare—1. [Ilack-forma-
tion from next.] trans. To murder.
a 1548 Hall Chron., Edw. IV, 221b, Whom. .they that
stode about., murthered & pitiously manquelled.
t Ma*n<iuelle. Obs. rare-1. [:-OK. type
*manncwella, f. mann Man sb.* + *avella (with
agent-suffix -a).] A murderer.
c 1250 Lutcl soth Serm. 28 in 0. E. Misc. iSO Robberes
and reueres and be monquelle.
Manqueller (marnkwetai). Obs. exc. arch.
[f. Man sb.1 + Queller.] A manslayer, murderer.
C 1290 Beket 436 in S. Eng. Leg. I. 119 pat a luber bef,
a manquellare hadde a so li}t dom. a 1300 Cursor M.
2205 Nem.brot..O babilon king..Reuer and man-queller.
C 1380 Wyclii- Set. Wks, III. 383 |>us bei ben. .monquelleres
of pore men, whose lyvelode pel awey taken fro bom. c 1450
Mirour Saluadoun 2365 Semey [— Shimei] callid Dauul
man of IJelial and manqwhellere. 1529 More Dyaloge in.
Wks. 244/1 No wise manne wer there that woulde put al
weapons away because manquellers misuse them. *597
Shaks. 2 Hen. IV, 11. i. 58 Thou art a honyseed, a Man-
queller, and a woman-queller. 1632 I. L. Womens Eights
343 If a man were slaine . .and another man receiued the man-
queller. 1681 W, KouKKimyx Pliraseol. Gen. (1693) 863 A man-
queller ; homnida. 1870 Bkyant Iliad 1. 1. 14 While multi-
tudes are perishing by the hand Of Hector, the man-queller.
b. An executioner. (Cf. Manslayer b.)
c 1300 Seyn Julian (MS. A^hmole) 185 Com uorb he sede
my manquellare.. And smyt of hire heued. 1382 Wvclik
Mark vi. 27 A manquellere sent [Vulg. misso spicnlatore].
t Manqnelling, vbL sb. [f. Man sbA + Quel-
ling vbl. sb.'] Manslaughter, homicide.
C1380 Wvclif Whs. (1880) 9 pis ilke fals religious is gilty
of befte and manquellyng also, c 1440 Promp. Pan'. 325/2
Mannqwellynge,or mauslawlur,. .homieidium. 1551 Bibll'
(Hyll) Deut. xix. note, Here are shewed ii. maners of man-
quelling, one done wyllingly. .the other vnwyllingly. 1587
Gollung Dc Momay xx. 312 That which is Leachcraft in
one Country, is not manquellingin another.
Manques, obs. form of Manx.
t Ma'nred. (2^. Forms: a. iman(n)r£oden(n,
3 monredeu, -rseidene, -raddene, 3, 5 man-,
monradene, 5 manredyn, 6-7 manratten,
-rydden. Also Sc. 4-9 Manuent. J3. 2-6manred;
also 3-4 -rede, 4 -rade, 6 -ryd, -rode, 7 -roode.
[OE. manwiklenj f. mann Man sb.1 + -neden -BSD.]
1. Homage. Phr. to do or make, to take, fang, or
nim manred.
«. c'iooo /Klikic yosh. ix. 11 pa cwardon ure frind, bxt
we comon to eowre manra;dene. .1122 O. E. Chron. an.
1 1 15 He dyde bxt ealle ba heafodmam on Normandi^ dydon
manraeden . .his sunu Willelme. c 1205 Lay. 6240 Ah eower
monradene [c 1275 manradene] ich wulle fon. a 1300
St. Gregory 784 in Archiv Stud. neu. Spr. LVII. 784 Man-
redene, bat was to sayne To be boxum to his hond. c 1420
Anturs ofArth. 642 Here I make be releyse, . . And sibene
make the monradene.
fi. fiiS4 O. E. Chron. an. 1137 Hi hadden him manred
maked & athes suoren. e 1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 351/20 Heo
wende a-boute ope al hire loud and nam hire nianrede [MS.
manrade]. a 1300 I'loriz § Bl. 395 His manrede bit schalt
fonge. a 1300 Cursor M. 20620 Suet moder..al heuen court
sal serue be, To mak be manred. c 1300 Harrow. Hell 88
Monrade dude y him me do. 1679 Eakl So.MLuviLLfc-l/tw.
MANSE.
Somen-illes (1815) I. 75 To be obleidged and bound.. in
mandred,..to be with one another in all at-tiones.
2. Vassals collectively; the men whom a lord
can call upon in time of war. Hence gen. a supply
of men for purposes of warfare.
13. . A". Alls. 4665 Pays he dude anon grede To al Daries
manrede. C1400 Laud Troy Bk. 18596 He is ded and his
kynred, And alle his frendis &his manred. 1543 Wharton
in Sig P&Pers Hen. VIII, V. 311 In Northumbreland wher
manryd of men er. 159 Cheke Hurt Sedit. u 641) 54 By
destruction of Shieres, loosing of haruest, . . decaying of
manrode. c 1350-1665 Elodden L'/'eld (Percy F0H0J sL 95 [I
geeve thee againe] The manrydden \Harl. 367 manratten]
of Lancashire.. Att thy bidding euer to bee. 1559 Abi-.
Pahkek Corr. (Parker Soc.) 99 Where the manred with the
manors is withdrawn from us, that we be njjt.. charged with
the setting forth of men of war. 1610 Holland Camdens
Brit., Scot. 11. 17 John Commin the mightiest man for
manred and retinew in all Scotland. 1630 R. Johnsons
Kingd. <V Commw. 22 A good Manroode is an inexhaustible
stocke. By populous armies did the Northerne Nations
. .overrunue farre greater Nations than their owne.
3. The position of leader of fighting men ; the
' conduct5 (of an army).
1528 St Pampers Hen. VIII, I. 315 As schuld be seen moste
expedient for the orderyng the men, and the manred theroff.
1570-6 Lambarde Pcramb. Kent (1826) 453 That Gentle-
man, that had the manred (as some yet call it) or the office,
to lead the men, of a Towne, or Parish, 1581 in Jeanes
Catal. Berkeley Chart. (1892) 227 The manred, rule,govern-
ment, leading and commandment of all his servauntes [etc.].
f4. Carnal intercourse. Obs. rare- ''.
t 1205 Lav. 2591 1 He wolde mon-radene [ti375 manradene]
habben wi5 ban maidene.
Manredyn, variant of prec.
Maiirent (marnrent1. Sc. Now Hist, [Sc.
form of Manked: see -ltED.
It is doubtful wheiher the form goes back to the 14th c,
as the MSS. of Barbour were written in 1487-9, and in one
passage MS. E has the older form manredyn.]
1. Homage: = Manred i.
1375 Barbour Bruce xvi. 303 The kingis. .of the Erysch-
rye..thair manrent [MS. E manredyn] till him can ma.
1457 Sc Acts Jas. II (1814) II. 50 At na man duellande
w'in burghe be fundyn in manrent. e 1470 Golagros 4- Gaw.
1218 Now wil I be obeyand, And make the manrent with
hand, c 1560 A. Scott Poems (S. T. S.J xxxiii. tj Quhatjs
thy manrent but mischeif ? 1681 Visct. Stair Instil. I. it
{1693) 19 There was formerlya kind of Bondage in Scotland,
called Man-rent, whereby free persons became the Bond-
men or Followers of. . their Patrons and Defenders.
b. Band (or bond) of manrent (see quot. 1597).
1528 in St, Papers Hen. VIII, IV. 499 He usit our auto-
rite . . aganis our Baronis, and uyer our liegis yat wald nocht
entir in band of manrent to him. 1538 in Black Bk. Pay-
mouth etc. (Bannatyne CI.) 181 Mutual Bond of Manrent
and help between Johne Campbell of Glenurquhay and
Archibald Campbell of Glenlyoune against all men. 1597
Skene De Verb. Sign. s. v. Homaginm, It is a bande of man-
rent, quhen ony person promisis to serue ane vther, in sik
sorte, that he sail be friend to all his friends, and foe to all
his foes, against all deadly, a 1649 Drumm. of Hawth.
Hist. Jas. V, Wks. (1711) 82 How the great houses of Scot-
land were so joined and linked together, by kindred, alli-
ances, bonds of service, or man-rent. 1759 Robertson
Hist. Scot. 1. (1802) I. 231 Associations, which when made
with their equals, were called 'leagues of mutual defence' ;
and when with their inferiors, ' bonds of manrent '. a 1862
Buckle Civiliz. (1869) III. it 65.
2. = Manked 2, 3.
1536 BeLLKNDSM Crou. Scot. xiv. vii, Tliair hicht and gret
pissance, baith in manrent and landis, was sa suspect to the
kingis . . that [etc.]. 1577-95 Dtser. Isles Scot, in Skene
Celtic Scot. (1880) III. App. 435 McCowle of Lorn hes the
stewartship of the haill lie and manrent thairof. 1583 Reg.
Pray Council Scot. Ser. 1. III. 614 Havandcommandiment
of the manrent of all and sindrie his Hienes lieges. 1586
Fekne Blaz. Gentrie 126 The greatnessc of his reuenewe^
and manrents.
Manrc\o)de, -ryd, variants of Maniied Obs.
-mans, an unexplained suffix frequent in the
words of thieves' slanjjj recorded in the 16th c. as
irackmans hedge, darkmans QJgfat, lightmans day,
harmans the stocks, riiffmans a hedge.
Mansale, variant of Manzil.
Mansaneel.mansanillcv.bs. ff. Manchinem..
Mansard (mie'nsiud). Arch. [a. F. mansarde
(toil en mansarde) , f. name of Francois Mansard,
French architect, 1598-1666.] A form of curb-
roof, in which each face of the roof has two slopes,
the lower one steeper than the upper. Usually
mansard roof.
1734 Builder's Diet. II. s. v. Roof Tins last is particularly
called a Mansard, from M. Mansard, a famous French
Architect, the Inventor. 1842 Gvvtlt Archil. 547 The Man-
sard roof, . . with us called a Curb roof. 1873 Miss Thackeray
Whs. (1891)1. 18 They lived in a tall house, with a mansard
roof. 1880 'Mark Twain' Tramp Abroad I. 32 Foreign
youth . . go to the University to put a mansard roof on
their whole general education.
b. (See quot. and Booby sb. 3.)
1882 Kemi' Yacht <y Boat Sailing (ed. 3) 552 Mansard, an
American term for a booby hatch.
Mansclawth, variant of Manslaught Obs.
Manse (mseos), sb. [ad. med.L. (Law and
Keel.) mansits, manswn, mansa dwelling, house;
also, a quantity of land considered sufficient for the
support of a family (cf. Hide sb.~)7 f. L. mans-,
ppl. stem of mane re to dwell, remain. Cf. mod.F.
(Hist.) manse; the popular representatives of the
Latin word in Rom. are OF. mest Vi.} Catal. mas.]
MANSE.
135
MANSION.
fl. A mansion house or * capital messuage*.
(Cf. Manor i.) Obs.
1490 Acta Dom. Condi. (1839) 149/1 pe auld mansiounc
|»at William Inglia has in talc & twaakei is Hand besid \>e said
manss. 1513 Douglas /Ends vm, vi. 1 18 At thir ilk Pettis
heyr The conquerour entrit, douchty Hercules, This sobyr
mans ressauit hym, but les. 1781 Warton Hist, Kiddington
(1783) 30 This lady died at her capital manse at Fencot near
Bicester in 11A. [1848 Lytton H avoid si, i, And I shall
be at his own favourite manse over the water at sunset.]
2. A measure of land regarded as sufficient for
the support of a family. Obs. exc. Hist.
In tin's tense the Eng. form of the word appears to occur
only with reference to ecclesiastical endowments.
1597 Sk&mr / V / 'erb. Sign. s. v. Mansus, Carolus Magnus,
to the effect that the Ministers of the wordeof God suld not
perish be hunger or povertie, gaue to ilke Kirke ane manse.
1625 in Cramond Ann. Banff (1893) II. 24 Anent the minis-
ters mans being now desolat of building, and he excusing his
inhabilitie to repair the samyn. 1794 W. Tindal Evesham 4
The names of those Manses or farms next follow which the
founder acquired for the fust endowment of his monastery.
1844 Lingaki) Anglo-Sax. Ch. I. iv. 162 Let an entire manse
..be assigned to each church. 1855 Milman Lat. Chr, Iv.
iii. (1864) II. 253 A monastery founded at Kipon and endowed
with xxx manses of land, i860 Hook Lives A/ps. (1869) I,
v. 287 That there be given to the servants of God. .a certain
hereditary portion of the lands possessed by persons of every
degree, that is to say, the tenth manse.
3. An ecclesiastical residence, whether parochial
or collegiate ; now esp. the house allocated to or
occupied by the minister of a parish in Scotland ;
sometimes applied to the residences provided fur
ministers of the congregational, presbyterian, and
other denominations in Uritain and the U. S.
1534 Act 25 Hen. VIII in Stat, Ire/, (1621) 77 To have
and to hold the same mance, glebe lands, aliereges, . . and all
other the premisses. 1583 in Munint. Irvine (iSoo1) I. 222
To provyd ane sufficient manse and yard to the said min-
ister. 1683 G. Martin Re/iq. Divi Andrcx vii. § 3 (1797)
104 The castle of St, Andrews.. had been the Bishop of
St. Andrews his manse. 1710 Chamberlavjje Pres. St. Gt.
Brit. 11. in. 435 They [Scottish Presbyterian ministers] are
provided with convenient Manses ii. e. Parsonage Houses).
1754 Erskine Prim, Sc. Law 1. (1809) 56 Under a manse
are comprehended stable, barn, and byre, with a garden.
1791 Boswkll Johnson 20 Aug. an. 1773, The manse, as the
parsonage -ho use is called in Scotland, was close by. 1805
T. D. Whitakf.r Hist. Craven 5, I would ask, whether.. it
were possible to devise a method of supporting an incum-
bent equally wise and proper with that of a manse, glebe,
and tithes. 1816 Scott Old Mart, xxvii, Poundtext bade
adieu to his companions, and travelled forward alone to his
own manse, i860 G. H. Kingsley I'ac. Tour 121 If the
Sutherland inn is full.. you can always get a bed some-
where, often at the manse.
•[ 4. Confused with F. mense [ad. I,. mensa table],
sometimes written manse (Littre ) : The revenue of
an abbey or of an ecclesiastic. Obs.
1710 T. Goodwin Life Bp. Stil/iugjl. 101 He gives a
learned account of the Manse and Maintenance settled
upon each parish-priest. 1747 Cartb Hist. Eng. I. 245 The
monasteries, whose abbatial manse, or the revenue of the
abbot was annexed to the bishoprick.
t Manse, v. Obs. Also 4 mance, monse.
[Short for Amanse v.] trans. To excommunicate,
to curse. Hence Mansed///. a.
c 1200 Ormin 10522 A55 whannse preostess mannsenn her
& sha;denn ba fra Criste |>at opennlike onngainess Crist All
be^re bannkess wibbrenn. c 127S XI Pains 0/ Hell 259 in
O, E. Misc. 154 Ober weren Maused hi nome. 13. . .V. E.
Leg. (MS. Eodl. 779) in Herrig Archiv LXXXIT. 347/75
To mancy him was swjve lob..perfore he tau^t cristin to
hate mansinge. 13.. E. E. A Hit. P. B. 774 He syttez ber
in Sodomis, J?y servaunt so pouere Among bo mansed men
bat han be much greued. 1377 Langl. P. PL B. it. 39 And
now worth bis Mede ymaried al to a mansed scbrewe. 1399
— Rich. Rede/es in. 105 pe[y] mouside |»e marchall iTor his
myssedede. 14.. Sege Jerusalem 154 For bat mansed man
[sc. Judas] Mathie bey chossyn.
Mansebyll, obs. form of Manciple.
Mansell: see Masurl.
Man-servant. PI. men-servants. A male
servant.
1551 Bible (Hyll) 2 Rings v. 26 Is it a tyme..to receaue
garments, . .oxen, shepe, nienseruantes and maydeseruants ?
1611 Bible Gen. xxiv. 35 Hee hath giuen him flocks, and
heards, . . men seruants, and mayd seruants. 163a Sher-
wood, A man-servant, serviteitr. 1729 Saift Direct. Serv.
viii, It is highly improper for Men Servants to know that
fine Ladies have Occasion for such Utensils. 1784 Johnson
Willy To the use of Francis Barber, my man-servant, a
negro. 190a T. M.' Lindsay Ch. <V Ministry in Early Cent.
viii. 355 The boy or man servant who followed his master
when the latter went out of his house.
Mansfield (marnsfzld). Mirt. A magnesio-
calciferous sandstone from near Mansfield in Not-
tinghamshire, used for building. Also attrih.
184a Gwilt Archil. 478 Mansfield, or C. Lindley's Red
[Sandstone]. t 1866 Ecclesiologist XXVII. 105 Good con-
structive colour by means of red Mansfield will be intro-
duced externally.
Manship (mse-njip). Forms: 1 manscipe,
3 mannshipe, monscipe, monschipe, 4 man-
sehippe, maushupe, manscip, manschipo,
manchip, 5 manschyp, manshyp, menschepe,
5, 7» 9 manship. [OE. manscipe : see Man sb.1
and -ship. Cf. G. mannsc/iaft,]
1*1. Humanity, kindness ; courtesy, civility. Obs.
rtiooo tr. Pope Sergius' Let. to Aldhetm in Birch Cart.
Sax. I. 155 Manscipe ^yfan be bearfendum & selbeodi^um
[L. humanitatem peregrin is ei egentibus impenderc]. e 1330
Arth. .$• Mcri. 7654 (Kulbing\ ' Whiderwostow, Ywain, for
miloue?' 'Dame, to seche min em Arthour, Of him to
afong be anour Of wi^tschippe & cheualrie, & leren man-
schippe & curteisie !' 1303 Langl. P. PL C. XIII. 105
For eche frend fedeb ober and fondeb how he may quite
Meles and manshupes eche a ryche man ober.
T 2. Homage, worsiiip ; honour, dignity. Obs.
a 1175 Colt. Horn. 235 ( Mi ic fader ham wer his mi man-
siipe[— Mai. i. 6 Vulg. ubi est honor mens t\. c 1200 Or-
min 19014 Forr burrh bait manness sawle iss lie WibbGodd
inn onnlicnesse, p;er Jnirrh ma^^ tit ben nemmnedd maun,
& wibb mannshipe wurrbedd. c 1205 Lav. 62^4 We wulleo
bine men beon June mon-scipe herien. c 1275 Ibid, 1351x1 Ich
011 wolle wel bt-wite mid mochetere mansipe. a 1300 ( 'nrsor
M. 12565 And queii he suld to manscip ga, . .All (>ai felascip
him bar. 13.. Guy Warw. (A.) i623 He him underfen^
with worthschipe And dede him miche manschipe [Cains
MS. honour full manly], c 1330 Arth. \ Me?-/. 3634 (K.r.1-
bing\ We he)» redi in al bing, Anon to go wib king Arthour,
To his manschipe & his honour ! Ibid. 6827 Fur Icm-r hem
were he ded, sikerliche, In manschippe & in treu|'c, pan
euer more Hue In rewbe. c 1450 Cast. Perseverance i E. I'.. T.S.I
74 We mustyr ^nu with mcnschciH-", ec Freyne 3011 of Frely
frenchepe.
f 3. Manly courage, valour ; manliness. Obs.
c 1205 Lav. 3846 He fi^ede mid monschipe to ward Mar-
gane his m;t;ie. 13.. CoerdeL. 1848 Mariners arm your
ships And do up your man^hijis. r 1350 // ///. Paicrne 2676
Meyntenes ^it 3011 re manchip manli a while, til goil of his
grcte mi^t gotl tyding vs sende. Ibid. -',137 Men, far aoure
manchipe na more bat sufiVeb, hut wendep ou^t wi^tli «: wib
3our fonmeteb. ciqoaSegc Jerusalem 777 More manschyp
wer hit ^it mercy [to] by-seche, pan met les marr ber no my 31
helpys. 1465 Pas ton Lett. II. 254 And how that ever ye
do, hold up your manship.
4. The condition of being a man. Obs. exc. in
7ioncc-nsc. f Also concr.i a man.
a 1300 Cursor M. 9849 Hot he war ferliful to call if bou it
sagh, and sua moght fill, bat in a man all manscip war, Wit-
vten le^s, wit-vten mare. 1600 Look about you C 4, Will
you premise me to bring no maides To set vppon my litle
manship there? 1899 II 'estm. Ga:. 27 June i/j He is too
proud of his superior manship to allow it.
Hence fMa'nshiply adv., faithful lyas a liegeman.
13.. Guy ll'aru: (A.! 124 His lord he serued. . In al bing
manschipeliche. c 1425 Eng. Com], Ire/. 92 The follce of J>e
londe, manshyply hym shold \ptake, & worthly as lorde.
Manshun, -shut, dial, forms of IVIaxchkt.
t Maiising, vbl. sb. Obs. Also 3 mansingue,
mansinge, 4 manzinge, 5 mansynge. [f. Maksk
v. + -ING.] Cursing.
c 1290 S. Bug, Leg. I. 2S/50 Anon with his mansingue al bat
on half dachste a-doun. 1297 R. Glocc. vKolls) q6£6 pe
hridtie was 3uf eni man in mansinge were ihrou;t & subbe
come to amendement 11 e a}e ri^te nere no^t. 1340 Ayenh.
148 panne behoueb come bet zuord hit uor to dele ober be
manzinge ober he hotinge out of contraye. c 1425 Eng.
Conq. Irel. 136 Thay..lyiyl tel of othes 8c of mansynge.
Mansion (marnfon), sb. Forms : 4-5 man-
sioun, 4-7 mansyoiij (4 mansyun, 5 man-
syowne, manson, 6 mansyone), 4-5 mancioun,
(moncion), 4-6 mancion, mancyon, (5 men-
cion), 6 mantioun, manchion, 6, S mantion,
5-6 mansione, 4- mansion, [a. OF. piansion
(13th c), now only in certain technical senses (see
4 and 5 below), ad. L, mansion-emy n. of action f.
manere to remain, dwell. Cf. Sp. mansion, Pg.
mansao, It. mansione.
The regular representative of the L. word in Fr.is maison
house ( = Pr. maiso'-s) ; the It. magioue and the OSp. mayson
house, mod.Sp. meson inn, are adopted from Fr.]
fl. The action of remaining, abiding, dwelling,
or staying in a place. Phr. to have, keep, make,
take (one's) mansion^ to dwell, abide. Also, per-
manence or continuance in a position or state.
a 1340 Hamtole Psalter v. 8 pai entire in till godis house
of heuen, and takis baire ioy and b:ure mansyon eftire baire
perfeccioun. 1377 Langl. /', PL B. xiv. 216 Pryde in
ricchesse regneth rather ban in pouerte, Arst in be Maister
han in be man some mansioun he hath, c 1400 Rom. Rose
4908 If he there make his mansioun For toahydeprofessioun.
(1485 Pigly Myst. (1S82) in. 1461 In his name, lord, I be-
seche he, with-In bi lond to have my mancyon. 1560 Dals
tr. Sleidane's Comm. 340 The other [chappell], and the fore-
said Haulles, the Cardinals have theyr mansion. 1576 Gas-
coignh Steele Gtas G iv, That malice make, no mansion in
their minds. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. 11. vii. § 7 That the
solidness of the earth is for the station and mansion of living
creatures. 1607 Shaks. Timon \. i. ?i8 Timon hath made
his euerlasting Mansion Vpon the Beached Verge of the
salt Flood. ci6u Chai'Man Iliad in. Comm. 48 Who euer
saw true learning, wisdome, or wit, vouchsafe mansion in
any proud, vaineglorious, and braggartly spirit. 1637 H.
Sydenham Serm, 11. 35 Sitting presupposes stab'ilitie and
mansion. 1667 Dknham On Coivley 14 These poets near
our Princes sleep, And in one grave their mansion keep.
1677 Gale Crt. Gentiles iv. 280 We have not a word which
properly signifies the stable mansion of Eternitie. 1696
Tate & Brady Ps. cxliii. 3 To Darkness chas'd and fore'd
to seek A Mansion with the dead. 1710 Steele Taller
No. 1S2 f 1 The Visages of those in whom Love, Rage,
Anger, Jealousy or Envy, have their frequent Mansions.
172Z Wollaston Relig. Nat. ix. 212 The soul.. must be
freed from the laws of bodies, and fall under some other,
which will carry it to some proper mansion, or state.
2. A place where one stays or dwells; a place
of abode, an abiding-place. Now arch.
c 1386 Chaucer Knt.'s P. 1 116 The grete temple of Mars
in Trace Ther as Mars hath his souereyn mansion, c 1420
Lydg. Assembly of Gods 2089 The triumphall guerdoun That
God reserueth to euery creature, aboue in hys celestiall
mansioun. 1567 Gude S, Gcdlic B. (S.T.S.) 96 Thow sail
hehald him, and his mantioun Be hrocht to nocht. 1590
Spenser F. Q. ii. iii. 4r. 1612 M. Lok P. Martyr's Hist.
IV. Indies in Hakluyt (1812) V. 167 Colonies or mansions
of the Spaniardes. 1632 LiTHGOW Tr
4i
This
comparable mansion [sc. Venice] is the only Paraxon of
all Cities in the World. 1667 Milton P. L. viii. 296 'J hy
Mansion wants thee, Adam, rise. 1725 Pope Odyss. v. 85
On whose high brandies, waving with the storm, The birds
of broadest wing their mansion form. 1764 Goldsm, Trav.
167 Where the bleak Swiss their stormy mansion tread.
T774 — Nat. H/st. {\-]-jt<) IV. 30 It sometimes happens
that its little mansion [sc. the squirrel's nest] is attacked
by a deadly and powerful foe. 1777 How arm Prisons Ene;.
1 1780* 25 That the penitent should . he driven again. . to the
practice which soon brings him hark to hi-- former mansion.
1371 k. Ellis tr. Catullus lxviii. 3^ Rome i- alone my life's
centre, a mansion of In -inc.
t b. Chiefly//.) A separate dwelling-place,
lodging, or apartment in a large house or enclosure.
-1400 Maindev. (1839) v- 41 ■'^"ll thoughe it be 1 lepl the
Tour of Habiloyne, -it natheles there were ordeyned with
inne many Mansiouns and many gret duellynge J'lace^.
1432-50 tr. Higden (Roils) 1. 1 > 5 T'he kyn^es" palice, with
mansiones for his men. Ibid. II. 235 And also mansiones
and other chamhris |in Noah's Ark], 1553 Eden Treat.
Nave //id. 1 Ailo 33 They came to a low cotage. .hailing in
it two mans!( ns, in one of ye which were women and children
and in the other only men. 1697 Potter Antiq. Greet e IV.
xiii. J 17 15) tio (irecian Houses were usually divided into
two Paits, in which the Men and women had distinct Man-
C. /runs/', and fig.
(1384 Chauceh II. tame 11. 246 Thus euery tbinge by
thys reason Hath his propre mansyon To which [it] seketli
to repaire. 1555 Eden Decades 265 This sea at certeyne
tymes of the yeare. .dryuelh furth his increase to seke newe
mansions. 1687 Drvden Hind $ P. 11.71 Suppose. .The
certain mansion were not yet assigned: The doubtful resi-
dence no proof can bring Against the plain existence of the
thing. 1777 Johnson Let. to Mrs. 7 h rate 29 Oct., Oxford,
the mansion of the liberal arts. 1798 Wordsw. Tin/em
Abbey 140 When thy mind Shall be a mansion for all lo\ el y
forms. 1821 Lamu Elia Ser. 1. Old fy New Sehoo/m., My
head has not many mansions, nor spacious.
d. Used in//, to translate Gr. ftovai, Vulg. man-
siones, in John xiv. 2. Hence allusively.
a 1340 Ham pole Psalter cxlix. 5 |>ai sail be fayn in baire
dennys, [>at is, in sere mansyuns of heuen. 1526 Tinhai.e
John xiv. 2 In my fathers housse are many mansions, a 1805
Paley Serm. xxxv. I1810) 526 In the habitations of life are
many mansions ; rewards of various orders and degrees, pro-
portioned to our various degrees of virtue and exertion here.
1845 Fitzball Mariiana 11. 16 Oh ! that angels now might
waft him To the mansions of the blest !
e. Used in //. for the abodes of Hell.
1629 Milton Nativ. 140 Hell it self will pass away, And
leave her dolorous mansions to the peering day. 1607 DrvdeS
I irg. Georg. IV. 691 Th' Infernal Mansions nodding seem
to dance [orig. Quin ip.wr stupuere domus, etc.].
3. A structure or edifice serving as a dwelling or
lodging place, fa. gen. A house, tent, etc. Obs.
a 1340 Ham pole Psalter xiv. 1 Tabernakile propirly is
he mansyon of feghtand men and passand. 1412-20 Lydg.
Chron. Troy it. xi, Euery paleys and euery mansyowne
Of marbell were. 1444 Hies. VI in Willis & Clark Cam-
bridge (1S86) I. 340 A mansion or hospicium . .called Saynt
Johanes Hostel. 1495 Act 11 Hen. I'll, c. 0 § 2 Every
mese and mancion or dwelling place within the lordship.
1509 Brasenose Coll. Munim„ Wycombe M. 16 One Tene-
ment or Mansion called the Lyon, a 1548 Hall Chron.,
Rich. Ill '28 b, Withpitefull scrichessherepleneshyd the hole
mancion. #1653 Gouge Comm. Heb. in. (1655) 35 We
usually call the Mansions which are here [Heb. xi. 9] stiled,
'Tabernacles', Tents. X770 Goldsm. Des. Fill. 140 The
village preacher's modest mansion. 1781 Cowpek Let. to
Univin 25 Aug., The building we inhabit consists of two
mansions.
b. In early use : The chief residence of a lord ;
the * capital messuage ' of a manor, a manor-house.
Hence, in later use, a large and stately residence.
a 1512 Fabyan Willm Chron. (1811) Pref. 3 If it happen
me to decesse at my mansion called Halstedys. 1513 Brad-
shaw St. Werburge 1. 2614 Whiche place somtyme was the
kynges mansyon, Translated toanabbay by her commaundy-
ment. 1597 Shaks. 2 Hen. IV, in. ii. 351 The Case of a
Treble Hoeboy was a Mansion for him : a Court, c 1630
Risdon* Sttrv. Devon § 41 (1S10) 44 A fair dwelling house,
which he maketh his mansion. 1641 Termes de la Ley 109
Mansion {Mausio) is in our law most commonly taken for
the chief messuage, .of the Lord of a Mannor, the Manner
house where he doth most remain. 1807 Wordsw. \Vh, Doe
vii. 25 The lordly Mansion of its pride Is stripped. 1841
W. Spalding Italy $ It. Isl. III. 159 The QuirinaJ Mount. .
contains on its .summits and skirts several of the most mag-
nificent Roman mansions. 1855 Macaclav Hist. Eng: xiii.
III. 364 At length the weary fugitives came in sight of
Weems Castle. The proprietor of the mansion was a friend
to the new government. 1865 Dublin Univ. Mag. I. 24
The fussy mistress of the ' mansion '.. as in Brighton they
call a lodging house. 1866 M. Arnold Thyrsis i, The vil-
lage street its haunted mansion lacks. 1893 IVeslm. Gaz.
27 Oct. i/r What are called mansions— a mansion is a house
with a back staircase — are a drug in the market.
C. The residence provided for an ecclesiastic.
1451 Rolls 0/ Par It. V. 221/2 Which Houses the Deans
of the seide Chapell have hadd for theire mansion. 1559
Queen s Injuuct. IJ, All . . Parsons, Vicars, & Clarkes, bailing
Churches, chappels, or Mansions within this Deanrie.
d. fig. (e. g. of the body as enclosing the souP.
1526 Tindalf 2 Cor. v. i Oure erihy mancion wherin we
now dwell. Ibid. 2 Desyrtnge to be clothed with oure
mansion which is from heven. 1596 Kdm. Ill, 11. ii, Shall
the large limit of fair Britany By me be overthrown, and
shall I not Master this little mansion of myself. 1611 Shaks.
Cymb. ni. iv. 70 The innocent Mansion of my Loue (my
Heart). 1617 Morvson Itin. 11. 296, I neuer saw a braue
Ftptrit part more mildly from the old mansion, then his did,
MANSION.
136
MAN-SLAYING.
e. Used in pi. as the designation of the large
buildings, divided into ' fiats ', which began to be
erected in London about 1S60.
1901 Daily Chron. 17 June 5/2 The inhabitants of Corn-
wall Mansions, finding that the word is now applied to less
than ultra-select blocks of residences, have petitioned the
Kensington Council to change the name to Cornwall-place.
f4. A halting-place in a journey; the distance
between two halting-places ; a stage. Obs.
1382 Wyclif Exod, xvii. 1 Thanne goon forth al the multi-
tude of the tones of Vrael fro the desert of Syn, bi her man-
siouns [Vulg. per mans/ones sua$\. 1483 Caxton Gold,
£•*£• 11 h 'l'he fyrst mansion that they made was by the
ryuer of tygre. 1613 Pukchas Pilgrimage 111. i. 191 Eight
mansions from thence is the Region of Frankincense. 16x4
Raleigh Hist. World u. (1634) 222 From Marah he removed
to Elim, the sixth Mansion, a march of eight miles. 1737
Whistom Josephus, Antiq. XVL ix. § 2 Herod. .in three
days time marched seven mansions [Gr. vraOfiow].
5. Astro!, a. * House sbl 8. b. Each of the
twenty-eight divisions of the ecliptic, which are
occupied by the moon on successive days.
c 1386 Chaucer Sqr.'s T. 42 Phebus the sonne ..was . . in
his mansion In Aries. — Frankl. T. 402 The eighte and
twenty mansions That longen to the moone. 1430-40 Lvdc.
Bochas vii. iv. (1494) B ij, Jupiter, .within the fissh helde
ihohismancion. 1509 Hawks Past. Pleas, xvm. (Percy Soc.)
77 J)yane . . Entred the Crab, her propre mancyon. 155*
Lvndesay Monarch* 6120 Als cleir As flammand Phebus in
his Mantioun. 1690 Leybourn Curs. Math. 385 The divid-
ing of the Heavens into XII. Mansions or Houses. 1879
Proctor in Contemp. Rev. June 419 The Chaldaean astro-
nomy has not the twenty-eight lunar mansions.
t 6. Formerly used Hist, to render med.L. mama,
manstts a hide of land : see Manse sl>. 2. Obs.
c 1450 St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 8329 Fyften mansyons in
lyndesay He gaf to him and his for ay. 1513 Bradshaw'57.
// erbitrgc 1. 564 He gaue a certayne mansyon To the pro-
uynce of Lyndesy. 1647 N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. 1. xi.
''739) J9 Yet could not the Tenth Hide, Tenth Mansion, or
Tenth part of the Kingdom be granted. 1809 Bawdwen
Domesday Bk. 331 Three mansions, in which are situate
eleven houses yielding four shillings and seven-pence.
7. attrib., as + mansion-globe ; f mansion -seat,
a place of abode, dwelling-place ; also, the chief
residence of a landed proprietor. Also Mansion-
house, Mansion-place.
1618 Bolton tr. Floras (1636) 41 The City which the
Fates ordained to l>e the mansion Seat of men, and gods.
1711 Shaktesb. Charac. (1737) II. 373 Vet is this man-
sion-globe, this man-container, of a much narrower compass
even than other its fellow-wanderers of our system. 1751
Chesterf. Lett. (1792) III. 224 A certain district of ground
immediately contiguous to the mansion seat of a family.
1771 Mrs. Griffith Hist. Lady Barton III. 201 Castle
W — . .the mansion-seat where my father then resided.
t Mansion, v. Obs. rare. [f. prec. sb.] intr.
To dwell, reside.
a 1638 Mede Par. Peter (1642) 16 Visible as the clouds of
heaven, . . and other meteors ; as also the rest of the creatures
mansioniug therein, aiju Ken ChHstophil Poet. Wks.
1721 I. 430 Love, when Faith sees my Jesus near, Will say,
'Tis good to mansion here.
Mansicmal (mre'nfanal), a. ra?-e~\ [f. Man-
sion sb. + -al.] Of or pertaining to a mansion.
1813 ' /Edituus ' Metr. Remarks 9 Our Mansional-house
is the genuine descendant of the Castle. Ibid. 12 The Bowed
Mansional Window.
Mansionary (mse'njanari), a. and sb. [ad.
med.L. mansiondrins : see -ART.]
A. adj. Staying or dwelling in a place, perma-
nently abiding, resident. ? Obs.
1447 Bokenham Seyntys (Roxb.) 144 Phebus wych no
wher is mansonarye Stedefastly but ych daye doth varye
H is herberwe among the syngnys twelve. 1717-41 Chambers
Cycl. s.v. Canon, Foreign Canons were such as did not
officiate in the Canonries to which they belonged. — To these
were opposed Mansionary Canons, or Canons Residentiary,
B. sb. Ecd. 1. A custodian of a church.
1708-21 Bingham Orig. Eccl. vm. vii. § n Wks. 1840 II.
476 The mansionaries, or keepers of the church. 1893 month
July 364 A mansionary of the church presented him [the
Pope) with a reed on which was a lighted taper.
f 2. An endowment for a chantry-priest. [med.L.
7nansionaria : see Du Cange.]
1651 Howell Venice 174 If the pains of Purgatory are
sayed to be but temporary, wherefore shold the simplicity
of peeple be perswaded to bequeath in the behalf of their
souls perpetuall Legacies and Mansionaries?
Mansioned (marnj^nd), ///. a. {nonee-wd.)
[f. Mansion sb. + -ED 2.] Furnished with mansions.
1828 J.Wilson in Blacfav. Mag. XXIII. 819 We surveyed
..county upon county, of rich, merry, sylvan England,
mansioned, abbeyed, towered.
Mansion-house, f a. A dwelling-house, a
house in which a person resides. Obs.
1533 Act 24 Hen. VIII, c. 5 Any suche evill disposed
persone. .attempting, .burgularly to breke Mansion houses.
1563 in Vicary's Anat. (1888) App. 111. 164 Every mansion
howse of this Cyty that..shalbe visited this Sommer season
with the plage. 1577 Harrison England w. xiL (1877) 1. 237
The mansion houses of our countrie townes. .are builded m
such sort generallie, as that they haue neither dairie, stable,
nor bruehouse annexed vnto them vnder the same roofe.
1638 in T. Lechford Note-Bk. (1885) 54 All that parte of
one new mansion house in Boston, .wch lyes to the south
end. 167a Coivelfs Interpr. s.v. House, Those that dig for
Salt-peter, shall not dig in the Mansion-house of any Subject
without his assent. 1712 Steele Sped. No. 264 F 2 He
took his present Lodging in St. John Street, at the Mansion-
House of a Taylor's Widow. 1718 in G. Sheldon Hist.
Deerfield, Mass. (1895) I. 499 We propose that they. .shall
. . Build each man a Mansion house upon their house lots.
1755 in F. Chase Hist, Dartmouth Coll. (1891) I. n A
certain lott of Laud. .with a Mantion House thereon.
jig. 159a R. D. Hypnerotomachia 75 b, This place was the
Mansion-house of Voluptuousnes. 1644 Mil. ton Areop.
(Arb.) 69 A City of refuge, the mansion house of liberty.
b. The house of the lord of a manor, the chief
residence of a landed proprietor ; hence (now only
U. S.), a large house of good appearance.
1641 Evelyn Diary (init.), Wotton, the mansion house of
my father, left him by my grandfather. 1651 G. W. tr.
Cowers Inst. 149 The Wife also shall have.. her lodging in
her Husbands cheife Mansion house for 40. dayes. 1711
Low/. Gaz. No. 4893/4 The Capital Messuage or Mansion-
House, called Newborrough-Hall. 1725 De Foe Voy. round
World (1840) 290 Our good Chilian's mansion-house or
palace. 178a V. Knox Ess. (1819) III. exxi. 15 The landed
gentry usually possess a share of pride fully proportionate
to their estate and mansion house. 1848 Shand Pract. Crt.
S,-ss. II. 607 Where there is a proper mansion-house on a
landed-estate, the eldest heir-portioner is entitled to that
mansion-house, i860 0. W. Holmes Elsie V. v. (1861) 43
In this street were most of the great houses, or ' mansion-
houses ', as it was usual to call them. ..A New-England
' mansion-house' is naturally square, with dormer windows.
1899 Crockett Kit Kennedy iv. 32 The bunch of trees,
under which nestled the mansion-house of Kirkoswald.
c. An official residence; fesp. that belonging
to the benefice of an ecclesiastic. Now spec, the
official residence of the Lord Mayor of London.
1546 Mem. Ripen (Surtees) III. 14 The Mansion house of
the saide vicars, a 1600 Hookek Eccl. Pol. vn. xxiv. § 13
The Executors of Bishops are sued if their Mansion house
be suffered to go to decay. 1609 Mem. Ripon (Surtees 1
III. 335 The Mansion House of the Prebendary which is
situate in Rippon. 1738 Kngwler Straffordes Lett. Ded.,
Repairing of Churches and building Mansion-houses for
Ministers. 1766 Entice Hist, Lond. etc. IV. 359 The lord-
mayor's Mansion-house, a modern edifice begun in 1739 and
finished in 1753. 1835 Thirlwall Greece I. viii. 331 The
Temple of Fear was erected near the mansion-house of the
ephors. 1880 Daily News 18 Dec. 4/5 A conference, .took
place yesterday afternoon in the Egyptian Hall of the
Mansion House, the Lord Mayor presiding.
t Mansion-place. Obs. A dwelling-place,
place of abode; a mansion-house; the chief seat
of a landed proprietor. K\%<yfig,
1473 Rolls ofParlt. VI. 91/2 An Inne, Mansion place or
Beledyng. 15*3 Fitzherb. Surv. 31b, Whan the tenaunt
shall do homage to his chefe lorde of whome he holdeth his
chefe maner or mancyon place, c 1540 Boorde The hoke
jor to Leme A ij b, Who soeuer that wyl buylde a mansyon
place or howse. 1548 Gest Pr. Masse Av, A christian
& faithful hart.. which.. is the temple of the holy ghoste
& the mansyon place of the blessed trynitie. ^1630 Risdon
Surv. Devon § 56 (1810) 59 [He] built there a fair house,
and made it his mansion place. 1650 Bulwer A?ithrofiomct,
60 The imperial seat and mansion place of wisdome.
b. A halting-place : = Mansion 5.
1608 Willet Hexapla Exod. 190 Kibroth hatauah, which
was their next mansion place.
Mansionry (mre-nfanri). rare. Also 7 man-
sonry. [f. Mansion sb. + -iw.] ? Mansions col-
lectively. In Shaks. perh. mispr. for masonry.
1605 Shaks. Macb. 1. vi. 5 This Guest of Summer, The
Temple-haunting Barlet does approue, By his loued Man-
sonry, that the Heauens breath Smells wooingly here. 1876
Browning St. Martinis Summer x, Durable mansionry.
Mansiple, obs. form of Manciple.
Mansitude, obs. variant of Mansuetude.
t Manslaugllt. Obs. Forms : a. 1 mann-
slyht, mansleeht, -sleht(e, -sliht, mon(n)slieht,
-slyht, monsliht, 1-2 manslyht, 2 monsleht, 3
man-, monslau^t, -slseht, -slecht, -sleiht, 3-4
-sleahte, 3-5 -sla^tfe, 4 -slau^te, -slauht.
-slawhte, 4-5 -slaghte, -slaught(e, -slauht,
-slawt(te. £. {Kentish and E. AngHan) 4 man-
sla^pe, -sle3))e, 5 mansclawth, -slautn. [OE.
(Anglian) SMMM-, mptinsfsehl, (WS.) -stieht, -slihlt
f. mann Man sb.1 + sla?7it, slie/it, masc, act of kill-
ing:—OTeut. *s!a!iii-z, f. *sla!t- to strike, kill:
see Slay v. Cf. OS., OHG. mans!ahta str. fern.]
1. Manslaughter, homicide.
C897 K. ^Elered Gregory's Past. C. xxi. 166 Se to anra
Sara burja £efHh5, Sonne ma.-^ he beon orsorj 3aas mon-
slihtes. a 1000 Confess. Peccat. iB.-T.I, Manslieht. 1 1175
Lamb. Horn. 103 Heo macaS monslehtas. c 1205 Lay. 27826
Muchel mon-slaeht wes bere. a 1225 Ancr. R. 210 Nis bis 1
strong monsleiht, of golnesse awakened? < 1250 Kent.
Serm. in 0. E. Misc. 30 Lecherie spusbreche Roberie I
Manslechtes. 1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 8125 Muche was be
mansla^t pat bere was ido. a 1315 Shoreham Poems
(E.E.T.S.) 94/249 5ef per hys mansle^be pur. 1390 Gower ;
Con/, I. 364 Now mai men se moerdre and manslawhte.
1426 Audelay Poems 2 Monsla^t with a rewful Steven Hit
askys vengans. <■ 1450 Cov. Myst. xxxii. (Shaks. Soc.) 312 I
Delyvere us the theff Barabas, That for mansclawth presonde \
was. 1469 in \ath Rep. Hist. MSS. Comnt. App. v. 307 If
ony man. .make ony affray, manslaught, other kyllyng, by
his owne foly and not in defennce.
2. A murderer.
<i 1300 Ten Cotnmandm. in E. E. P. (1862) 16 Mansla^t
bou ne be. c 1315 Shoreham Poems (E.E.T.S.) 94/261
Man ye suche mansle3pen beb. 1340 Ayenh. 171 Me ssel |
grede to god merci ase his byef ase his mansla^be. a 1400-
50 Alexander 4498 Marcure was mansla^t.
Manslaughter (mocnslgtsi). Forms : see
Slaughter sb. Also 4mans-slaghter, 4-5 manes-
slaghter, [f. Man j<U + Slaughter.]
1. f a. The killing of a human being by a human
being ; homicide ; chiefly criminal homicide, esp.
murder. Obs,
a 1300 Cursor M. 25457 O mans-slaghter had i na mak.
c 1374 Chaucer Former Age 64 In owre dayes nis but
covetyse. . Poyson and manslawhtre. C1386 — Pars. 7\?49i
Spiritueel manslaughter is in vj. thynges. a 1400 Relig.
Pieces fr. 'Thornton MS. 25 per es manes-slaghter of hand,
of tunge, of herte. 1462 Paston Lett. II. 83, I herd nevyr
sey of so myche robry and manslawter in thys contre as is
now within a lytyll tyme. 1581 Lambarde Eiren. n. vii.
(1588) 223 Using Manslaughter, as a sort of Felonie that
comprehendeth under it all maner of felonious Homicide
whatsoeuer. 1601-2 Fulbecke 1st Pt. Parall. 92 Man-
slaughter se de/endendo is, where [etc.]. 1611 Hible 2 Es-
dras 1. 26 Your feete are swift to commit manslaughter.
b. The 'slaughtering' of human beings; de-
struction of human life.
ci 450 Merlin 244 Ther was a stronge bataile and grete
man-slaughter on both sithes. 1532 Moke Con/tit. Tindate
Wks. 352/2 What distruccion and man slaughter they haue
caused. 1667 Milton P. L. xi. 689 To overcome in Battel,
. and bring home spoils with infinite Man-slaughter. 1880
T. Hodgkin Italy % Inv. I. i. Introd. 14 It [sc. an army)
soon ceases to be an efficient instrument even for its own
purpose of scientific manslaughter. 1898 GwiMfttC Tlxk-
well in iglhCent. Aug. 253 (art.) Commercial manslaughter.
2. Law. A species of criminal homicide of a
lower degree of criminality tha n murder ; now defined
as criminal homicide without malice aforethought.
In etymological meaning there is no difference between
manslaughter and homicide (L. homicidium, F. homicide,
both used in early Eng. law-books). In its modem technical
use, manslaughter corresponds generally to the * simple ho-
micide' of early Law French and Law Latin writers, whicli
was used in contradistinction to ' murder ' (though the dis-
tinction is not identical with the modern one), and ordi-
narily implied criminality.
According to the modem interpretation, manslaughter is
committed when one person causes the death of another
either intentionally in the heat of passion under certain kinds
of provocation, or Unintentionally by culpable negligence
or as a consequence of some unlawful act.
In Scotland the term corresponding to manslaughter is
'culpable homicide'.
1447 Rolls 0/ Par It. V. 137/2 Robberies, Murthers, maye-
hemes and manslaut'. 1538 Starkey F.n gland n. ni. 197
Robbery, .wyth murdur and mansloughtur. 1601-2 Ful-
becke 1st Pt. Parall. 90 You seeme under your first member,
which is the wilful killing of a man of malice forethought, to
comprehend manslaughter, which is done in the heate and
furie of anger and sodaine falling out. 1625 Hart Anat.
Ur. 11. xi. 122, I cannot see any iust cause why it should
not bee pronounced gniltie of man-slaughter at the least, if
not of murther. a 1732 Boston Crook in Lot (1805) 21 Such
as men-slaughter, purely casual, as when one hewing wood,
kills his neighbour with the head of the ax slipping from the
helve. 1769 Blackstone Comm. IV. 190 In this there are
also degrees of guilt, which divide the offence into man-
slaughter, and murder. 1847 James Convict xx, The fore-
man returned a verdict of Manslaughter* against Edward
Dudley. 1898 Daily JVev>s 17 Jan. 6/6 The young man.,
who was convicted on Friday of manslaughter of a woman.
Hence Manslaug-hterous a. [-01s], of the nature
of manslaughter, inclined for manslaughter.
1883 Pall Mall G. 6 Jan. 5 A murderous or even a man-
slaughterous part. 1898 N. fy Q. 9th Ser. 1. 183/1 A descrip-
tion which makes one feel almost manslaughterous.
Manslaugliterer. [f. Man jW + Slaurht-
erkk.] One who slaughters men.
1848 BiCKi.Ev Iliad ^93 Mars, man-slaughterer.
Ma n-slauglitering,//. ■ "- That slaughters
human beings. So Manslaughtering vbl, sb.
c 1705 Berkeley Cave of Dun more Wks. 1871 IV. 50S
Ireland seems the freest country in the world from such
manslaughtering animals. 1848 Buckley Iliad 127 Battles
and man-slaughterings. 1876 Swinburne Erechtheus (ed. 2)
475 Sickles of man-slaughtering edge.
Manslauht,-auth,-awt(te: see Manslaught.
Manslayer (ni^nsh"*i|3i). Forms: seeSLAYER;
also 5 monsle(e)r. One who kills a man; a
homicide ; occas. one who commits manslaughter.
a 1300 Cursor M. 16441 }>e man-slaer, he barabas. c 1375
Sc. Leg. Saints xxx. (Theodera) 258 Sa ma bu be sauf fra
hel quhare man-slaare sal ay duel. < 1425 Audelay A'l
Pains of Hell 37 in 0, E. Misc. 211 pese were proud men,. .
Extortioners, monslers, robbid mone one. i$M6Pilgr. Per/.
(W. de W. 1531) 238 b, He that hateth his brother is a man-
sleer. 1611 Bible Num.xxxv. 12. 1635 Visct. Wentworth
in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. 11. III. 286 They that made me the
manslayer of the E. of Sl. Albans, will impute my Lo.
Mountnorris unto me for willfull and plaine murther. 1741
Richardson Pamela II. 281 All your Airs breathe as strongly
of the Manslayer, as of the Libertine. 1835 Thiklwall
Greece I. vi. 171 That the manslayer withdrew into a foreign
land and did not return to his country, till [etc.J.
■fb. An executioner. Ohs. rare"1.
c 1380 Wyclif Serm. Sel. Wks. I. 388 pe kyng. .sente for
a man-sleere [Mark vi. 27 J.
So t Mansla5e Eariy ME. [OE. slagi slayer].
C 1000 ^Elfric Dent. v. 17 Ne beo bu manslaga. c 1175
Lamb. Horn. 53 Ahbah heo beoS . . monshvjen for heosla^eo
heore a^ene saule. n 1225 St Marher. 11 Ichabbe isehen
bene burs of helle. .ant te monslahe islein.
Man-Slaying, vbl. sb. Also 5 manea-
slayuge. The action of killing a man ; homi-
cide. So Man-slaying //>/. a.
c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 238 Wrong opprcssynge of pore
men axib vengaunce of god, as dob wrong mansleynge.
a 1400 Relig. Pieces fr. Thornton MS. 25 Manes-slaynge of
hande es when a mane slaes anober with his handes. 1526
Pilgr. Perf, (W. de W. 1531) 239 And so. .in the other vyces
of mansleynge and false testimony. x6«S F. Hering Cert.
Rules a ij b, The rage of this manslaying Hydra [the
Plague]. 1876 Gladstone Homeric Syuchr. 55 Battles and
mnn-slayings landroctasiai). 1880 Freeman in Stephens Life
(1895) II. 198 He chose the man-slaying trade.
MANSORIOUS.
Mansleahte, etc., var. ff. Manslaught Obs.
Manson, obs. f. Mansion, Monsoon.
f MailSO'rious, a. Obs. rare. [f. mod.L.
mansori-us pertaining to chewing (f. mans-, ppl.
stem of mandere to chew, eat) + -OU8.] The dis-
tinctive epithet of the masseter muscle.
1578 Banistrr Hist. Man 1. ir The mansortous, or eatyng
Muscle.
Mansound, obs. form of Monsoon.
t Mansuefy, v, Obs.~° [ad. L. mansne-
facere, f. mansue-, mansuescere (see MANS0ETK) +
facZre: see -fy.] trans. To tame (Cockeram 1623'.
Hence Manauefaction [see -faction], ' a taming
or making gentle' (Bailey vol. II, 1727).
Mans net e (msenswrt, mae'nswA), a. Obs. or
arch. Forms: 4-8mansuete, 5 6-swete,6-sweit,
6-7 -suet. [ad. L. mansi/Pt-us, pa. pple, of man-
suesctVe to tame, become tame, f. man-US hand +
suescPre to accustom, become accustomed (see
Custom). Cf. OF. mansuet(e, Sp., Pg., It. man-
sueto.] Gentle, mild ; tame, not wild or fierce.
c 1374 Chauckr Troylus v. 194 Shc.stod forth mewet
mylde and mansuete. .1450 Holland Howlat 83 That is
the plesant Pacok,. .manswct and mure. 1535 Stewart
Cron. Scot. III. 400 Ane fair ^oung man . . Mansweit and
meik. 1621 S. Ward Life of Faith 66 Of Wohush and
dogged makes the Will Lamb-like and Doue-like : of wild
and haggard, morigerous and mansuete. 1660 F. Brook k
tr. Le Blanc s Trav. 26 He kept this fish in a Pond, .and
delighted much to feed him with his own hand, the fish
being very mansuete. 1691 Ray Creation (1701)132 This
holds not only in domestic and mansuete birds . . but also in
the wild. 171a Wollaston Relig. Nat. ix. 1 76 It will oblige
men., not to be proud., but candid, placable, mansuete. 1861
J. Brown Horse Subs. Ser. I. 415 Our. .clever, and not over-
mansuete friend ' Fuge Medicos '.
Hence fMansuetely adv., gently, mildly.
C1460 J. Russell Bk. Nurture 887 Than pray yours
souereyn with wordus mansuetely to coin to a good fyre.
fMansuetie. Obs.rare~x. = Mansuetude.
1592 Wyrley Armorie, Ld. Chandos 105 More praisefult
vertue in a conquerer Then mansuetie is none to be found.
Mansuetude (mse-nswitiwd). arch. Also 6
mansuetud, -swetude, 7 mansitude, -sutude.
[ad. L. mansuetftdo, i. mansuettts ; see Mansuete
and -tude. Cf. F. mansuetude (from 13th c. ;
earlier mansuetnme).'] Gentleness, meekness.
1 1386 Chaucer Pars. T. F 580 The remedye agayns Ire
is a vertu that men clepen Mansuetude, that is Debon-
airetee. c 1460 Ashby Active Policy 880 Auoidyug al ven-
geance &displesance With al mansuetude conuenient. 1526
Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 97 b, Mansuetude or myldnes.
1681 Rycaut tr. Crucian's Critick 1 36 A Lion . . whose fierce-
ness had been lately turned to the Mansitude of a Lamb.
1799 W. Tooke / "ie^v Russian Emp. II. 222 Their mansue-
tude and readiness to concur in all measures adopted by
the government. 1869 Browning Ring fy Bk. vm. 660 Our
Lord Himself, made all of mansuetude.
t Manswear, sb. Obs. In i mfinswara,
-swora, 3 manswore, monsware. [OK. man-
swara = ON. meinsvare wk. masc. ; related to
next.] A perjurer.
971 Blickl. Horn. 61 Myrpran,& manswaran. c 1205 Lav.
4149 Ne mai neuere mon sware mon-scipe longe a;jen. c 1275
Ibid. 22139 Bote he were so vuel bi-3ete pat he were louerd-
swike o)>er to his louerd man-swore.
Manswear (mse'nswe-'i), v. Obs. exc. arch.
and dial. Fa. t. -swore, pa. pple. -sworn. In
1 manswerian, 5 manesuere, 5-6 mensweare,
6 manesweir, mansweare, -swere, mannsuere,
mensuer, -suir, -sweir, 9 mainswear. [OK.
mdnswyian (pa. t. -swor, pa. pple. -sworen\ f.
man Man sb.2 + sw$rian to Swear. Cf. Manath.]
1. intr. To swear falsely.
1... Eccl. Inst. c. 21 in Thorpe Laws II. 416 Ne sweri^e
he bylaws pe he man-swerve. 1583 Leg. BJ>. St. Androis
843 The man mensueris he saw sic thing. 1855 Robinson
Whitby Gloss. , Mainsivear, to swear falsely.
2. reft. To perjure oneself.
CI375 St. Leg. Saints xxvi. {Nycholas) 839 pe quhilk, fra
he mansuorn hym had, tuk his staf & mad na bad. 1456
Sir G. Have Law Arms (S.T.S.) 248 What wit warit. .that
he suld brek his lautee to manesuere him for company.
1535 Coverdale IVisd. xiv. 28 Either they, .prophecie lyes,
or lyue vngodly, or els lightly mansweare them seines.
1567 Satir. Poems Reform, ii. 5 Willfullie yai man yame
selves mensuir. a 1622 J. Welch in Burton Scot Abr. 1,1864^
I. v. 286 He caused to take out of the grave the carcass of
Formosus, who had mansworn himself, c 18x7 Hogg Talcs
fy Sk. V. 259, I made it clear.. that Major Creighton and
Mr. John Hay had both man-sworn themselves,
fo. trans. To swear falsely by (a god). Obs.
1533 Bellenden Livy 111. (1822) 237 The pepil war nocht
sa necligent in thay dayis as thay ar now to manswere thare
Goddis, or to fals thare wourdis. 1567 Gude fy Godlie B.
(S.T.S.) 74 Than man I outher reif or steill, Or than my
Goddis name manesweir.
U 4. To renounce on oath, forswear. Obs.
1500-20 Dunbar Poems xxvu. 90 Thir new maid knychtis
lay bayth in swoun, And did all armes mensweir. 1596
Dalrympi-e tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. ix. 231 Normond Gourlai
conlirmet that al heresie he had mensworne afor ony man.
t Manswearing, vbl. sb. Obs. [f. Man-
swear v. + -tng 1.] Perjury.
c 1440 Alph. Tales 329 Twa cetisens of Colayn confessid
bairn of..manesweryng. l^j^Reg. Privy Council Scot. Ser.
1. II. 368 Under the pane of infamy, repruif, manswering
and tinsall of perpetuall traist and credite. 1605 in Fitcairti's
Vol. VI.
137
1 Crtm. Trials II. 454 Dilaitit of Periurie and mensweiring
of thame selffis.
Mansweit, -swete, etc. : see Mansuete, ate.
Mansworn (marnsw^in), ///. a. and sb. [pa.
pple. of Manswear v.] A. adj. Forsworn, per-
jured. Obs. exc. St, and north, dial.
a 1300 Cursor M. 25794 Monsuorn man to petre loke, pat
thris on a night crist for-soke. c 1400 \'?uaine <>■ Gato. 39 ;8
Tithandes tel i yow biforn, Other sal my lady be manesworn.
14S6 Sir G. Have Law Arms (S.T.S.) 87 For outhir, mon
he be manesuorne or tyne his awin heretage. 1500 20
Dunrar Poems xxxiv. 100 The Deuill said then, 'Of
commoun la All mensworne folk man cum to me'. C1569
Durham Defios. (Surtees) 89 Such maynsworn harlotts as
thou art kepes me from it. c 1610 in Row Hist. Kirk (1842)
305 Thou art a mensworn man. 1650 Hohart Rep. 126
Slater brought an action of the case against Franks for
saying, Thou art a maiivsworne Lad, and a bankrupt Lad.
..It stood upon the word Maine-sworne : against which it
was said, that it was an unknowne word in these parts, and
of an uncertaine sense, though in the North parts it was un-
derstood to he as much as perjured, as forsworne with his
hand upon the book. 1725 Ramsay Gent. Sheph. n, iv,
Mony lads will swear, And be mansworn to twa in half
a year. 1818 Scott Hrt. Midi, xv, I shall be man-sworn
in the very thing in which my testimony is wanted. 1893
Stevenson Catriona xiii. 145 Pre.stongrange promised me
my life ; if he's to he mansworn, here I'll have to die.
absol. a 1300 Cursor M. 23112 Murthereres and niunsuorn
als.
f B. sb. Perjury. Obs.
1456 Sir G. Have Law Arms (S.T.S.) 273 [He] ualde..
accus him of the crime of manesuorne.
tMant, sb.1 Obs. [a. F. manic fern., ad. Pr.
mania, cogn. w. Sp., It., Pg. manto; see Mantle
sb. In the first quot. repr. Sp. manto. Cf. Manta.1
a. A mantilla, b. — Manteau i.
1651 tr. De-las-Coveras' Don Fenise 238 He. .told him.,
to return to the Inne to fetch the three Ladies who were
there, making them, .put their Mants upon them ithat is a
great vail which the women have in Spain,, .which covereth
all their bodies unto their heels). 1694 Echard Plautus
95 What a confounded Jargon o' names!. .There's your light
Man t plated, your St iff-bodied-Gown,&c. 1709 Tatler^ 0.32
P 2 Her blue Mant and Petticoat is her Azure Dre^s. 1752
A. Murphv Gray's Inn Jrnl. No. 2 To recal a straggling
Hair, to settle the Tucker, or compose the Mant.
Mant (mtent), sb.2 Sc. [f. Mant v.\ A slam-
mer ; an impediment in the speech.
1839 J. M. Wilson 'Pales Border V. 189 The former
havipg what we call in Scotland a mant, a sullen visage,
and a brawling temper. 1S94 P. H. Hi'Ntkr "James In-
wick ii. 19 That ane said he had a mant, an' the tither ane
that he clippit his words.
Mant (m£ent), v. Sc. Also 6 mante, 8-9
maunt. [app. of Gaelic origin. Cf. Gaelic and
Irish fnanniach toothless, stammering, f. M Irish
mant gum.] trans, and intr. To stammer.
1562 A. Scott Poems (S. T. S.) i. 92 Thai tyrit God. .With
owktie abitis to augment t>air rentafis, Mantand mort mom-
lingis mixt w* monye leis. 1629 Z. llovn Last Battell 985
Hee who manteth or stammereth in his speach. 1716 Ram-
say On Wit 12 There was a manting lad in Fife, Wha..
never manted when he sang. 1873 Guidman /nglismaill 33
Noo an1 than he mantit in his sang.
Hence Mantingf vhl. sb. and ppl. a. Also Ma-n-
ter, a stammerer.
1506 in Ld. Treas. Ace. Scotl. (1901) III. 199 Item, to
mantand Adam to pas to Dunbertane with ane writing of
the Kingis. a 1585 Polwart Flyting w. Montgomerie 775
Mad manter, vaine vaunter. (71625 Sir J. Se.mple Pick-
tooth for Pope in Harp Renfrew Ser. 11. (1873) 24 Its but
the Matrons manting. i7i6[see Mant7' ]. 1789 I). David-
son Seasons 77 Auld mantin Michael's daughter.
II Manta (mccnta). [Sp. mania blanket.]
1. A wrap or cloak worn by Spaniards.
1697 C'tess D' Annoys Trav. (1706) 112 When they opened
their manta's, the Hght of the moon made the glory of their
Gold and Precious Stones appear. 1845 Ford Handbk.
Spain 1. 31 Some substitute the ' mantas \ which most
Spaniards carry with them when on their travels. This is
a gay-coloured Oriental-looking striped blanket, or rather
plaid. 1902 E. L. Banks Newspaper Girl 24 It was at first
suggested that I should don the manta, the national female
garment of Peru.
b. A horse-cloth.
1828 W. Irving in Life § Lett. (1864) II. 306 They. .He
on the mantas of their mules and horses.
2. The Spanish-American name for a fish of the
genus Ccratoptera. Also manta-fish.
1760-72 yuan fy Ulloa's Y'oy. (ed. 3) 1. 130 The mantas or
quilts. . .The name manta has not been improperly given to
this fish.. ; for being broad and long like a quilt, it wraps
its fins round a man, or any other animal,.. and immedi-
ately squeezes it to death. 1783 Justamond tr. Rayuafs
Hist. Indies IV. 180 The manta fish. 1794 Morse Amer.
Geog. 576 (Mexico.) The fish common to both oceans are,
whales, dolphins, ..manitis, mantas, porpoises [etc.].
3. =Mantelf.t 2.
1829 W. Irving Cong. Granada I. xxix. 264 Seizing their
mantas, or portable bulwarks, . . they made a gallant assault.
1843 Prescott Mexico v. ii. (1864) 280 It was called a
manta, and was contrived somewhat on the principle of the
mantelets used in the wars of the Middle Ages,
4. In, Mining: a. A sackful or blanketful of
mineral, b. A mineral placer.
1860 Eng. fy Foreign Mining Gloss. Span. Terms 109
Manta, a blanket, or horse cloth, used to contain ores or
tools. 1874 Raymond Statist. Mines fy Mining 318 They
pass through three rich streaks or tnautas.
Mantalet, obs. form of Mantelet.
Mantayne, obs. form of Maintain.
7-9
see
MANTEL.
Mante, see Mantz-.( Mantik; obs. pa. t. Moan v.
Manteane, obs. Sc. form of Maintain.
Mantean. Obs. exc. Hist. Forms: a. 7-S
mantoe, 7-9 manto; Ii. 7 mantou, -ow,
manteau. [a. K. mantean :— L. mantellum :
' Mantle sb.}
1. (See quot. 1706.)
a. 1678 Ri'TLKR Ihtd. ill. i. 700 Jealous piques, Which th*
Ancients wisely signify'd By th' yellow mantos of the
. bride. 1691 Fmilianne's I rands Rom. Monks (ed. 3)
408 Womens Cloaths ; as Mantoe's, Stays and Petticoats.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Mantoe or Mantua Gown, (Fr.)
a loose upper Garment, now generally worn by Women,
instead of a straight-body'd Gown, c 1720 Dk. Montagu
in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.) I. 367 The women
..with their mantoes stuck out behind. 1729-30 Lady
I Stanley in Mrs. Delany's Life fy Corr. 11861) I. 235 Your
\ sister Pendarvis sends you your manto and petticoat to be
a bridesmaid.
I fl. 1671 Shadwkll Humorist 1. 2 A delicate white Mantou.
1687 MlEGE Gt. Fr. Diet. 11, Mantow, a sort of Women's
Gown. 1690 Evelyn Mmidus Mntiebris 2 Three Manteaus,
nor can Madam less Provision have for due undress. 1702
Addison' Dial. Medals (1727) 17 An Antiquary will scorn to
mention . . a petticoat or a manteau. 1793 Residence in
France (1797) I. 291 The ladies, equipped only in a short
: manteau and petticoat. 1816 Scott Old Mort. ix, Tell my
gentlewoman to bring my black scarf and manteau.
b. at/rib., as manteau girdle, gown.
1682 True Protest. Mercury No. 162. 2/2 Lost a Flowerd
j silk Manto Gown, 1690 Evelyn Mundus Muliebris 3
j A Manteau Girdle.
|| 2. trans/. The plumage of a falcon.
1852 R. F. Burton Falconry in Valley of Indus vii. 74
i Grease of all kinds injures the manteau. [footnote] Coat
I or plumage.
Hence Manteau'd a., dressed in a manteau.
( 1788 'A. Pasquin ' Childr. Thespis (1792) 43 Her vests
I mend her frame, as the harp tunes the wind; She is man-
1 teau'd fallacious before and behind.
t Manteau-maker. Obs. (superseded by the
incorrect Mantua-maker). [See Manteau.] One
who makes women's robes; a dressmaker.
1699 Luttrell Bfief Rel. (1857) IV. 551 Mrs. Potter, the
manteau maker,.. is still in custody of a messenger. 1702
Farquhar Twin Rivals iv. i. (1703) 45 One of 'em is a
Manto-maker. 1795 Gentl. Mag. LXV. 11. 979 A man of
distinguished abilities as a milliner and manteau-maker.
II Manteca (manuka). Obs. Also 7manteque,
mantegue, 8 mantecu. [Sp. ?tianteca ( = Pg.
?nanleiga, of obscure origin) butter, also applied
to other fatty substances. Cf.F. manti'que (BufTon),
also mantegue (corruptly mante'gne').] A kind of
butter or substitute for butter.
The Sp. manteca de puerco (hog's lard) occurs in R. Haw-
kins Voy. S. Sea (1593-1622).
1660 F. Brooke tr. Le Blanc's Trav. 8 They brought in.,
their melted butter called Manteque. 1687 A. Loveli. tr.
ThevenoVs Trav. 1. 165 A great deal of Mantegue or a kind
of Butter comes running out at the holes. 1743 Pococke
Descr. East I. 186 note, They carry in them (vases] the
butter called Mantecu. 1748 Earthquake of Peru iii. 271
The Use of what they call Manteca, being Hogs-lard and
Beef-suet, which they use instead of Butter.
t Mantee'l. Obs. Forms : 5 manteill, (7-8
Diets, mantile), 8 manteil, -teel(e. [app. a. F.
manti//ef ad. Sp. mantilla*, see Mantilla.]
1. A soldier's cloak or mantle.
C1470HENBY Wallace xi. 242 A gret manteill about his
hand can ta, And his gud suerd. [1636 Blount Gtossogr.,
Mantile or Mantle, a kind of cloak which Souldieisin times
past used in Winter.
2. Some kind of cape or mantle worn by ladies.
1733 Mrs. Delanyiu Life fy Corr. (1861) I. 424, I am sick
of nianteils, and I have two by me. 1752 Fielding Covent
Gard. Jrnl. 9 May, Ladies, .covered their lovely necks with
a cloak ; this, being routed by the enemy [the vulgar], was
exchanged for the manteel. 1786 Burns Holy Fair 11, Twa
had manteeles o' dolefu' black, But ane wi' lyart lining.
t Mantegar. Obs. Also 8 manteger,- tyger,
-tiger. [Perh. a use of mantegre, -tyger^ corrupt
form of Manticore.] Some kind of baboon.
The descriptions suggest the mandrill, from which however
the 18th c. naturalists considered it distinct.
1704 Tyson in Phil. Trans. XXV. 1571 The Mantegar is
an Animal not described as I know of by any Author, c 1714
Arbuthnot, etc. Mem. M. Scriblerus 1. xiv. (1743) 46 The
glaring Cat-a-mountain . . and the Man-mimicking Man-
teger. 1755 Hist. Descr. Toiver Loud. 24 There is likewise
a young Man Tyger, a curious Animal of astonishing
Strength [etc.]. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) X. 544/2 Man-
tegar, or Man-tiger,.. is the tufted ape.
Mantegre : see Manticohe.
Mantegue, variant of Manteca.
Manteigne, mantein(e, obs. ff. Maintain.
Manteil(l, variant of Manteel Obs.
Mantel (mse'nt'l), sb. Forms : 5 mayntelle,
man telle, 5-6 manteil, 6 mantalle, St. mantil(l,
6-9 mantle, 7 mandle, 6- mantel. [Variant of
Mantle sb. ; the senses of both Eng. words are
adopted from the F. manteau.']
f 1. — Mantelet 2 a. Obs.
1489 Caxton FavtcsofA. 11. xiv. 118 Mayntelles and bar-
bakanes of tymbre shal be made fast to the batelmentes.
Ibid. xxii. 1 35 Six grete mantelles for thesaid six grete gonnes.
1497 Naval Ace. Hen. VII (1896) 99 Barres of iren for the
grete manteil. 1523 T,d. Berners Froiss. I. cclxxxviiL 431
The Englysshmen ordayned mantels and other instrumentes
84
MANTEL.
138
MANTILLA.
of warr, wherby to aproche nere to the walles. Ibid, cccxxxii .
519 They of the hoost caused to be made dyuers mantels of
assaute. 1549 Compl. Scot. vi. 41 Paueis veil the top vitht
pauesis and mantillis. 1566 W. wMEM Voy. Fenner in Hak-
luyt's Voy. (1599) II. n. 59 We sent to laud a boate or skiffe
wherein were eight persons,.. and they caried with them
two harquebusses, two targets and a mantell.
2. in Comb, f mantel-wall Sc> a rampart,
breastwork, or parapet
1513 Douglas Mneis ix. Hi. 159 Quhat meyn thai be this
myddill mantill wall? Ibid. xn. Prol. 24 The twinkling
stremowris of the orient.. Bet doun the skyis dowdy man-
till wall. 1609 Chron. Perth (Maitland Club) 12 The great
wind blew down the stanes of the mantil wall of the kirk.
3. a. The piece of timber or stone supporting the
masonry above a fireplace ; » Mantel-tree i . ? Obs.
1519 Church™. Ace. St. dies, Reading (ed. Nash) 6 For
ij° mantells for ij° chymneys ijs. viijV. 1561 in G. Roberts
Soc. Hist. South. Eng. (1856) 359 It was commanded to
John Somer to amend his mantalle, payne of v shillings.
1734 Builder's Diet. II, Mantle, .is the lower Part of the
Chimney, or that Part laid across the Jambs. 1774 Act 14
Geo. ill, c. 78 § 45 The Back of every Chimney to be built . .
at least thirteen Inches thick from the Hearth, to the Height
of twelve Inches above the Mantle. 1824 T. Tredgold
Warm. Pnbl. Build, (ed. 2) 236 A high mantle has some
advantage in producing a more effectual ventilation,
b. «= Mantelpiece i.
153* >n J- Bayley Tower Land. (1821) I. App. 31 Firste, a
new worke wrought in the kynges dynyng chambre, a man-
tell of waynscot wrought w< antyk sett over the chymney
there. 1663 Gerbier Counsel 22 The Chimney-mantles
ought to be all of Stone or Marble. 1890 H. Frederic Law-
ton Girl vi. 41 The massive carved side-board and the
ponderous mantel.
c. = Mantelshelf.
174a Phil. Trans. XLII. 75 When it is in the Sun in
Summer, and upon the Mantle of the Chimney in Winter. .
it becomes perfect Soap in Four or Five Days. 1865 Mrs.
Whitney Gayworthys I. 275 Rebecca set the light upon
the mantel, and took her to the bedside.
d. atlrib., zsmantel-clock, -glass \ also Mantel-
board, -PIECE, -SHELF, -TREE.
1884 F. J. Britten Watch $ Clockm. 193 It occasionally
happens in mantel clocks that.. the pendulum is just too
long for the case. 1892 B. Hinton Lords Return 190 Ad-
justing his necktie at the mantel-glass.
t Mantel, v. Obs. Also 5 mantelle, 7 mantle,
[f. Mantel sb. Cf. OK. manteler.] trans. To
protect with or as with a mantel.
1475 Bk. Noblesse (Roxb.) 20 Mantelle, fortifie, and make
yow strong ayenst the power of youre said adversaries of
Fraunce. 1612 Proc. Virginia in Capt. Smith's Wks. (Arb.)
117 They conducted vs to their pallizadoed towne, man-
telled with the barkes of trees. 1624 Wotton Archit. it. 108
The Italians applie it [plastic] to the manteling of Chimneys,
with great Figures. i68z WHELER Journ. Greece 1. 8 Its
Bastions, .are well, .mantled with hewen stone.
Mantel, obs. form of Mantle.
Ma'litel-board. A wideshelf of wood, usually
draped, fixed upon the mantelshelf.
1885 Insir. Census Clerks 1881, 53 Mantel Board Maker.
1887 D. C. Murray Old Blazer's Hero viii. 127 Dropping
his elbows noiselessly on the mantel-board.
Mantelet, mantlet (mantlet). Forms : 5
mauntolet, mantilett, 5-6 mantilet, 6 man-
tellet(t, 8 mautalet, 9 man toilette, 6, 8-9 mant-
let, 4- mantelet. [a. OF. mantelet, dim. of
mantel (F. manteaii) Mantle, Mantel sbs. Cf.
It. mantelletto.']
1. A kind of short, loose, sleeveless cape, cloak,
or mantle covering the shoulders.
CJ386 Chaucer Knt.'s T. 1305 A Mantelet vp on his
shulder hangynge Bretful of Rubies reede. 1440 Test. Ebor.
(Surtees) II. 76 Item lego. .Johannae Hawnserd, sorori mtae,
unam mantilet cum quatuos barbys et duobus forhedes.
Katerina^ ThornyfT unam mantilett. 1740 tr. De Mouhy's
Fort. Country Maid (1741) I. 224 She had.. a coarse red
Mantelet over her Shoulders, adorned with Shells. 1772-84
Cook's Voy. (1790) IV. 1375 Mantalets composed of feathers,
so. .beautifully arranged, as even our English ladies would
not disdain to wear. 1844 Thackeray Little Trav. Wks.
(Biogr. ed.) VI. 275 A lady in a little lace mantelet. 1887
Daily Neivs 8 July 7/6 Coloured Velvet and Jet Mantelets.
tb. = Mantelletta. Obs.
160a Segar Hon. Mil. 4- Civ. 11. xvii. 89 The Soueraigne,
Cardinals, Prelats, Commanders, and Officers, by Order..
wearing Mantels and Mantelets, .goe to the Church to heare
the Euensong. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Mantelet, a
short Purple Mantle which the Bishops of France wear over
their Rochet upon some Occasions.
f C. A woollen covering for a horse. Obs.
a 1440 Sir Degrev. 1182 Greyth myn hors on hore gere
And lok that thei be gay; That they be trapped a get In
topteler and mauntolet. a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VIII
76 The whiche horse was Trapped in a Mantellet.
2. a. Mil. Ji. movable shelter used to cover the
approach of men-at-arms when besieging a forti-
fied place. (Cf. Mantel sb. 1.) Obs. exc. Hist.
1524 in Hakluyt Voy. (1599) II. 1. 82 Beside the sayd man-
tellets that shot against the wall of England and Spaine
with great bombards, were two mantellets in an hie place
..in the which were certaine double gunnes [etc.]. 1603
North's Plutarch* Miltiades (1612) 1230 Then hau'mg
set vp his Gabions and Mantelets, he came neare the wals,
I73I J- Gray Gunnery Pref. 10 The most considerable ..
answer nearly to our Penthouses, Mantlets, Galleries, and
Blinds. 1819 Scott Ivanhoe xxvii, They bring forward
mantelets and pavisses, and the archers muster on the
skirts of the wood. 1885 Bible (R. V.) Nahum ii. 5 They
]uake haste to the wall thereof and the mantelet is prepared.
1894 F. D. Swift Jas. I of Ara^on 275 Another instrument
common in siege operations of this period, was the Mantlet.
b. A screen or curtain, now usually of rope,
to protect men working a gun from an enemy's
bullets ; with fortress guns mounted in casemates,
serving also to prevent the smoke from the gun
when fired from entering the casemate.
1859 Gentl. Mag. I. 123 The Russians returned to the use
of the old cannon mantlet in the Crimean war. 1879 Nugent
in Encycl. Brit. IX. 453 ' Mantlets '. .are now invariably
made of this material [sc. rope].
e. A bullet-proof shelter from which firing
results can be observed and signalled.
1874 Proc. Nat. Rifle Assoc. 94 The markers, .must retire
into their mantelets as soon as the 1st gun.. is discharged.
1880 Daily Tel. 9 Dec, Officers, in telegraphic communica-
tion with the firing-points, will be posted in mantlets before
the targets.
II Ma'nteline. rare. [F. manteline a mantle.]
A short mantle or cape.
1843 Lytton Last Bar. 1. vi, In these times, the scholar
must creep under the knight's manteline.
II Mantelletta (mamttde*ta). PI. mantel-
lette. [It. ?nantellelta, dim. oimantello Mantle
sb. Cf. med.L. mantelletwn.] (See quot. 1897.)
1853 Dai.f. tr. Baldeschis Ceremonial 6 These latter should
wear stoles of the colour of the day; and if Prelates the
mozetta, or mantelletta. 1897 Cat/i. Diet. (ed. 5), Mantel-
letta, a vestment made of silk or woollen stuff, open but
fastened in front, reaching almost to the knees. ..It is worn
by cardinals, bishops, abbots, and the 4 prelati * of the
Roman Court [etc.]... The mantellette of cardinals are of
three colours.
Mantelpiece, [f. Mantel sb. + Piece sb.}
1. The Mantel (3 a) with its supports ; the
ornamental structure of wood, marble, etc., above
and around a fireplace. Also rarely = Mantel 3 a.
1686 Loud. Gaz. No. 2197/4 A New Art or Invention of
Making, Marbling, Veining, and Finishing of Mantle-pieces
for Chimneys. 1851 Tlrnek Dom. Archit. 1. 14 At Conings-
burgh castle the opening of the chimney issquare, with shafts
in the jambs, and what is called a straight arch, that is, the
mantel-piece is formed of several stones joggled together.
2. - Mantelshelf. Also attrib.
1827 G. Beauclf-rk Journ. Marocco viii. 92 A French
mantle-piece clock. i860 All Year Round 572 The looking-
glass over the mantelpiece. 1892 Zangvsill Childr. Ghetto
I. 46 The mantelpiece mirror was bordered with yellow
scalloped paper.
Mantelshelf, [f- Mantel sb. + Shelf.]
That projecting part of a mantelpiece which serves
as a shelf.
1828-32 in Webster. 1833 Loudon Encycl. Cottage A rchit.
1073. 1838 Dickens O. Twist viii, A frying-pan. .which
was secured to the mantelshelf by a string. 1888' Bernard '
Fr. World to Cloister i. 9 He stood up, leaning against
the mantleshelf.
transf. 1897 O. G. Jones Rock-climbing 263 Close up
against the wall that blocked the head of the gully, a long
stride was to be taken across to a narrow ' mantelshelf on
the other side.
Mantel-tree. [f. Mantel sb. + Tree.]
1. A beam across the opening of a fireplace,
serving as a lintel to support the masonry above
(Parker, 1850). In later use, a stone or arch
serving the same purpose.
1482 Nottingham Rec. II. 332 Pro uno mantiltr', ad valen.
tiam \)s. i486 Ibid. III. 2^6 For enbowyng of a mantell'
tree. 1583 Julke Defence iii. 122 He might shewe vs the
mantilltree of a chimney, and a brasse pot hanging ouer
the fire. 1606 Wily Beguiled K 2, Old Grandsir Thick-
skin, you that sit there as melancholy as a mantletree.
1649 K. Hodgks Plain. Direct. 14 Hee hang'd his mantle
upon the mantil tree of the chimney. 1703 Moxon Mech.
Exerc. 273 Semi-Oval Arches, .are sometimes made.. over
Kitchin-Chimnies, instead of Mantle-trees. 1789 P. Smyth
tr. Aldrich's A rchit. (1818} 121 The apertures are limited
by two jambs, and the mantle-tree. i8xx Self Instructor
1 39 The chimney . . upright over the mantle tree.
2. = Mantelpiece i, 2.
1634 Brereton Trav. (Chetham Soc.) 7 All the walls most
richly gilded,.. rich marble mantle-tree. 1641 Hinde %
Bruen 116, I comming once into his chamber and finding
over the Mantletree a paire of new Cards. 1781 Cowpi-.k
Charity 460 No charity but alms aught values she, Except
in porcelain on her mantel-tree. 1902 E. Philpotts River
13 For lack of mantel-tree Nicholas had nailed up a shelf to
hold certain heirlooms.
Manteme, mantene, obs. forms of Maintain.
Manteque, variant of Manteca.
M ant evil. Obs. exc. Hist. Also 9 corruptly
mandevil^l)e. [Perh. a mistake for some form
of Manteel.] A loose coat formerly worn by
soldiers and menservants. (Cf. Mandilion.)
1688 R. Holme Armoury in. 96/2 A Mandilion, or Madi-
Hon, or of old a Mantevil. 1834 Planche Brit. Costume
267 Coats and jerkins, ..some loose, which they called man-
dillians. [Note] Mandevilles, which Randal Holmes de-
scribes as a loose hanging garment, i860 Fairholt Costume
Gloss, (ed. 2) 526 Mandevile, or Mandilion.
Manteym(e, manteyn(e, obs. ff. Maintain.
Mantic (mse'ntik),^. rare~l. [ad. Gr.fiavTucrj
{sc. rixvr) art), fem. of imvriicos : see next.] The
art or science of divination.
[1727 Bailev vol. II, Mantice, divination or foretelling
things to come.] 1891 Mrs. Coi.ver-Fergusson tr. De La
Saussaye's Man. Sci. Relig. xvi. 137 The history of re-
ligion is full of mantic [rendering G. die Mantik\
Mantic (mse*ntik), a. [ad. Gr. ^tavriuls, f.
fiavTi? prophet, diviner, lit. one affected by divine
madness, f. root man- : see Mania.] Pertaining
to divination or prophecy.
1850 Mrs. Browning Prometh. Bound 553, I fixed the
various rules of mantic art. 1858 Trench Synon. N. T.
vi. (1876) 21 Revelation knows nothing of this mantic fury.
So Mantical a. = Mantic; Mantically adv. ;
Manticism, the practice of divination.
1588 J. Harvey Mr Probl. 26 Any manticall, or magicall
..hypothesis whatsoeuer. 1652 Gaule Magastrom. To
Astronomers, This disquisition . . abhors. . to end with any
thing that is manticall. 1861 McCaul Aids to Faith iii.
81 It is useless, .to go to the manticism of the heathen to
get light as to the nature of Hebrew prophecy. 1903 Sel-
wyn in Expositor Apr. 288 There is not a scrap of evidence
to show that the bishops of Asia, .accused the Montanists
of being mantically inclined.
-mantic, repr. Gr. fiavTwus (see prec.) in com-
bination, is the ending of adjs. related to sbs. in
-mancy, as in geomantic, pertaining to geomancy,
hydromantie , pertaining to hydromancy, etc.
Manticore (marntikooj). Obs. exc. Hist.
Also 4, 7-9 mantichora, 5 mantissera, 5, 7-9
mantieora, 6 mantycoi\e, 7 martichore, 7-8
marticora ; #. (sense 2) 7 mantegre, 7-S man-
tyger, 8-9 montegre, 9 mautiger. [ad. L.
vianticora, repr. Gr. fiavrtx^pf-s, a corrupt reading
in Aristotle^V^.^«/?//.(qnotingCtesias), where the
better MSS. have fxaprtxdpas (another var. is/japno-
xwpas , app. an OPersian word for * man-eater*, f.
martiya- man (mod.Pers. j_« viard) + root xVar~
(Zend y^araiti, mod. Pers. ^^ xurden) to eat.]
1. A fabulous monster having the body of a lion,
the head of a man, porcupine's quills, and the tail
or sting of a scorpion. (Cf. Mante<jar,Mantiger.)
13.. A". A lis. 7094 Ther he fond addren, and Mone-
cores, And a feolle worm, Cales, and Manticorts. 1398
Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xviu. i. (1495) 740 Mantichora.
1481 Caxton Myrr. e vij b, Another maner of bestes ther is
in ynde that ben callyd mantieora. 1494 Will of E burton
(Somerset Ho.), A standing cuppe of syluer with a couering
with a straunge best called a mantissera enprinted in the
botome. a 1529 Skelton /'. Sparenve 294 The mantycors
of the montaynes Myght fede them on thy braynes. 1601
Holland Pliny I. 206. 1607 G. Wilkins Miseries En-
forced Mart: 12 b, Mantichoras, monstrous heastes, enemies
to mankinde, that ha double rowes of teeth in their mouthes.
1646 Howell Lewis A'lll 174 The Beast Marticora which
is of a red colour, and hath the head of a man lancing out
sharpe prickles from behind. 1656 Hi.ovnt Glossogr., Mar-
tichore. 1863 Kincslev Water Bab. 166 Unicorns, fire-
drakes, manticoras.
2. Her. A monster represented with the body
of a beast of prey, the head of a man with spiral or
curved horns, and sometimes the feet of a dragon.
c 1600 in Baring-Gould & Twigge West. Armory (1898)89
Radforde '. Sa : 3 mantygers arg. 1610 Guillim Heraldry
in. xxv. (i6n) 183 Mantegres, Satyrs, Monkfishes,. .and
whatsoeuer other double shaped animall [etc.]. 1766 Pornv
Her. (1777) 196 The Montegre. 1780 Edmonoson Heraldry
II. Gloss., Moft-tyger, or Mantnor.t. 1894 Barker Gloss.
Her. 519 The Nlantiger or I^ampago, called by writers
Montegre and Mantieora, also occurs.
t Manti-culate, v. Obs. rare"0, [f. ppl.
stem of L. manticttlarJ to steal, act cunningly, f.
manticula bag, purse.] (See quot.)
1656 Blount Glossogr., Manticnlate, to do a thing closly,
as to pick a purse. 1676 in Coles.
t Manticulation. Obs. rare~°. [ad. L. man-
tiittlation-em, f. manticuhln : seeprec.J (See quot.)
1623 Cockeram, Manticulation, deceitfull conueyance,
Mantid (rme-ntid). Knt. [f. Mantis: see
-ii>3,] A mantis.
1895 Athenxnm 30 Mar. 412/2 A species of a mantid,
Pseudocreobotra wahlbergi, . . from . . Natal.
i Mautie, inante. Se> [? Shortened a. F.
dtmenti, or perh. a. OK. mente lie.] -La sbA 2 b.
a 1578 Lindksay (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.) II. 48
The cardinall ansuerit furieousHe againe and gif the lie and
maute [MS, I. mantiel
Man-tiger, nowrr Hftf a. A man resembling
a tiger in ferocity. b. A * lycanthrope ' who
assumes the form of a tiger.
a 165a Brome Queenes Exchange n. iii. Wks. 1873 III. 494
We have hitherto PassM by these man-Tygers, these wolvish
Outlaws safely. 1871 Tvlor Prim. Cult. (1873) I. 102 The
Lavas of Birma, supposed to be the broken-down remains
of a cultured race, and dreaded as man-tigers.
Mantiger : see Mantegar, Manticore.
Mantil(l, obs. f. Mantel, Mantle, Manteel.
Mantile, variant of Manteel Obs.
Mantilet ;t, obs. form of Mantelet.
Mantilla (maantila). Also 9 mantillo.
[a. Sp. mantilla, dim. of mania: see Mantle sb.]
1. A large veil worn over a woman's head, and
covering the shoulders.
1717 tr. Frezier"s I 'oy. 259 They use that they call Man-
tilla for an Undress, to appear the more modest ; and it
is a Sort of Cloak, or Mantle, round at the Kottom, of a
dark Colour, edg'd with Black Taffety. 1770 Gentl. Mag.
XL. 530 A muslm or cambric veil called a mantilla, which
hides the head and the upper part of their bodies. 1816
Lady Morgan F. Macarthy (1819) III- in. 126 Lady Clan-
care . . had exchanged her coarse unbecoming costume of the
morning for a black Spanish dress and mantillo. 188* Ve
Wind 1 Equator 129 The graceful mantilla is gradually but
surely giving way to the Parisian bonnet.
MANTINIMENT.
attrib. 1884 Cross Life Geo. Eliot III. 297 The abundant
hair, .was draped with lace, arranged mantilla-fashion.
2. A small cape or mantle.
1859 i^Wfifc Rev. CIX. 310 A smart bonnet, a silk dress, a
mantilla, and a parasol for Sundays, i860 Motley Net fur I,
II. xvi. 263 Sir Francis Vere— conspicuous in the throng, in
his red mantilla.
3. A deep draping 0f iace attached to the edge
of a corsage.
1835 Court Mag.VI. p.ix 2 The c<w-Jrt<£tf..istrimmed with
a mantilla, or else in the pelerine style, with blond lace.
Hence Mantilla'd a., clad in a mantilla.
1853 G. J. Cavley Las Alforjas I. 49 The stream of
cloaked and mantilla'd figures passing through the Calle de
Velasquez.
Mantine, obs. Sc. form of Maintaix.
t Mantiniment. Obs. [ad. Sp. mantcni-
mitnto m Maintaixment.] Maintenance.
1588 Parke tr. Mendoza's Hist. China 7 They doo sowe
rice, which is a common victuall or mantiniment vnto all
people of the kingdome.
Mantion, obs. form of Mansion.
Mantionell, obs. form of Manciuneel.
II Mantis (mscntis). Ent. [mod.L., a. Gr.
H&vtis prophet, diviner (also, some insect) : see
M antic a.\ An orthopterous insect of the genus
Mantis or family Mantida' ; esp. the Praying
Mantis, M. religiosa, which holds its forelegs in a
position suggesting hands folded in prayer.
1658 J. R. tr. MoffetVs Theat. Insects 982, I have seen
only three kinds [of the lesser Locusts], .they are called
Mantes, foretellers. Ibid. 983 Of this Italian Mantis. . Ron*
deletius makes mention. 1703 Dampier /'Vy. (1729) III. 427
The green Mantiss..Uke a Locust. 1706 Phillips (ed.
Kersey), Mantis, ..an Insect call'd The praying Locust.
180a Bingley Anim. Biog. (1813) III. 156 The Orator
Mantis. 1870 Mateer Travancore (1871) 90 Locusts, grass-
hoppers, mantises, etc. abound. 1895 E. W. Gosse Crit.
Kit-Kats 290 That quaint insect, the praying mantis.
b. attrib., as mantis-crab, -shrimp, a stomato-
podous crustacean, 6"</«///a;//a«//Vand other species.
1850 A. White List Crustacea Brit. Mus. 46 Squitla
Desmarestii, The Mantis Crab. 1871 T. R. Jones Anim.
Kingd. (ed. 4) 449 The Squitla mantis or Mantis-Shrimp.
1884 G. B. Goout, etc. Nat. Hist. Use/. Aquatic Anim.
I. 823 The Mantis Shrimp, or Sea Mantis — Squitla ent'
Pusa, Say.
Mantissa (msenti'sa). [a. L. mantissa, man-
tisa makeweight ; said to be of Etruscan origin.]
fl. An addition of comparatively small impor-
tance, esp. to a literary effort or discourse. Obs.
1641 Maistehton Serm. 20 Trifles, which. .should, .as a
mantissa or an overplus be cast in at their bargain. 1642
Cudworth Lord's Supper i. (1676) 5 It will not be now
amiss, if we add, as a Mantissa to that discourse, something
of the Custom of the Heathens. 1671 True Nonconf. 5
Spurning at the righteousnes of Jesus Christ, and aspiring
to adde a Mantissa, an addition of your own, to his sole
purchase.
2. Math. The decimal part of a logarithm.
("1865 Circ. Sci. I. 519/1 The decimal part of a logarithm
is called the mantissa : the whole number 'is called the
characteristic .
Mantissera, obs. form of Manticore.
Mantle (mae'ntT), sb. Forms : 1-5 mentel, 2-7
mantel, 3-6 mantil, 4 mantal, -tyle, mentil(e,
4-5 mantyl, 4-6 mantell, mantill, 5 mantyll(e,
mauntil, 5-6 mantelle, 6 mauntelle, mantyll,
7 maudle, 3, 5- mantle. See also Manteau,
Mantua. [Introduced from two sources. (1) OE.
mentel masc. :— prehistoric *manlilo-z, ad. (after
the native suffix -ilo- : see -el) h. manteltum,
mantelum cloak, whence also O Kris, mentet, OHG.
mantal, -dal (MHG. mantel, mandel, mod.G.
mantel), ON. myttull (OSw. mantol, mantul,
mod.Sw., Da. mantel), M Irish mataL (2) In the
1 2th c. the word was taken up again in the OFr.
form mantel 'mod. F. manteau: see Manteau);
cf. Pr. mantel cloak, It. mantello cloak. A special
group of senses taken from the Fr. is now dis- .
tinguished by the spelling Mantel.
According to most philologists, the L. mantellum cloak
is more correctly written mantelum, and is etymologically
identical with mantelum, utanlelium, mantilium, matttele,
mantile table-cloth, towel. (Cf. Sp. manteles pi., table-
linen ; also Manteel.) On this supposition, the word must
have been mistaken for a dim., and so have given rise by
back-formation to the late L. mantum (7th e.t, *manta,
whence Sp., Pg., It. manto, mattta, F. manle, and the
diminutives Sp. mantilla (see Mantilla), Pg. mantillui,
It. manliglia.)
1. A loose sleeveless cloak of varying length.
The name was applied indifferently to the outer covering
of men, women, and children, and at times acquired a specific
application to one garment or another. Now its use is re-
stricted to a cloak of silk or fine cloth worn by ladies ; to
the robe of state worn by kings, princes, and other persons
of exalted and defined station ; and to an infant's outer robe.
^"897 K. Alfred Gregory s Past. C. x.wiiL 197 He. .for-
cearf his mentles asnne lxppan. a iooo Ags. Voc. in Wr.-
Wulcker 2 10/26 Colobium, . . mentel. c 1200 Trin. Coll. Horn.
163 pe meshakele of medeme fustane and hire mentel grene
oSer burnet. c 1200 Vices % Virtues 127 Se be benimd fte
pine kiertel, ^if him bine mantel, c 1205 Lay. 14755 He nom
aenne spere-sca:ft..& dude a bene amde aenne mantel hende.
c 1250 Gen. $ Ex. 2033 Dis mentel ic wio-held for-5i, To
tawnen [5e] 3e so5e her-bi. a 1300 Cursor M. 16619 pai ,
clede him wit a mantel rede, c 1380 Sir Ferumb. 1242 Vnder
mi mantd sche hidde be staf. c 1420 Lydg. Assembly of l
139
1 Gods 267 And next vnto hym. .Sate the goddese Diana, in
a mantell fyne. 1505 in Ld. Treas. Ace. Scotl. (1901) III.
168 Item, for ane mantill to Johne, fule, of Abirdene, ixs.
1590 Shaks. Mids. N. v. i. 143 As she fled, her mantle she
did fall. 16x3 — Hen. VIII, v. v. Stage-direct., The
Childe richly habited in a Mantle. 1700 Dryden Flower
iff Leaf 348 Attired in mantles all the knights were seen.
J735 Dyche & Pardon Diet., Mantle, . . also the upper-
most Garment that Nurses wrap up young Infants in before
they coat 'em. _ 1742 Young Nt. Th. VI. 302 Fools, indeed,
drop the man in their account, And vote the mantle into
majesty. 1837 w* Irving Capt. Bonneville 1 1. 196 A mantle
about four feet square, formed of strips of rabbit skins.
1904 Heme Notcs-2% July 181 The summer mantle is always
a difficult garment to find.
b. Applied (often with qualification Irish man-
tle) to a kind of blanket or plaid worn until the
17th c. by the rustic Irish, often as theironly covering.
c 1470 Henry Wallace 1. 217 Ane Ersche mantill it war
thi kynd to wer. 1582 Rates Custome Ho. F v b, Mantels
called Irish mantles the pair. 1596 Spenser State Iret.
Wks. (Globe) 631 The out-lawe..wandring in wast places.,
maketh bis mantell his howse. 1688 R. Holme Armoury
111. 232/2 A Brackin, or Irish Mantle.
c. Used allusively with reference to the descent
of Elijah's mantle (2 Kings ii. 13).
1789 Helsham Ess. I. xii. 229 The sacred mantle which de-
scended from Shakespeare to Milton. 186s M. Arnold Ess,
Crit. (1875) 183 On Heine, .incomparably the largest por-
tion of Goethe's mantle fell.
fd. To take the mantle and the ring: a sym-
bolical act used to express the taking of a vow of
chastity (properly, by a widow). Obs.
1424 in E. E. Wilts (1682) 60 If she take be mantel and be
rynge, and avowe chastite. c 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy
Soc.) 34 She wol perhappous maken hir avowe, That she
wol take the mantle and the ryng. 1574 J. Studley tr.
Bale's Pageant Popes To Rdr., How can that foundation
stand which is made of Popes miters, Cardinals hats, ..rot -
chets, chrismes, mantel & the ringe [etc.].
t G. Apostle's mantle : the kind of mantle which
the Apostles were commonly depicted as wearing.
[1496 Dives <fr Paup. 1st Comm. vii. (W. de W.) b j b, The
apostles comonly. .ben paynted with manteles. .and a man-
tele is a louse clothynge not faste to the bod ye but louse. J
a 1586 Sidney Arcadia v. (1598) 447 A long cloake after the
fashion of that which we call the Apostles mantle.
ff. White mantles ( — ordo albornm mantel-
lorn m : see Ou Cange) : the Teutonic Order. Obs.
c 1500 Mclusine 20 [He] toke on hym the ordre & Religion
of the whit mantelles.
g. Her. m Mantling vbl. sb. 2.
1577 Harkison England 11. v. (1877* 1. 1:0 The crest with
mantels to the helme belonging. 1815 Scon Guy M. xlii,
The mantle upon the panels [of Mr. Glossitis coach] only
bore a plain cipher of G. G. 1864 Boutell Her. Hist,
-V /'('/. xiv. 170 Two or more shields may be grouped to-
gether by placing them upon a mantle of crimson velvet.
2. trans/, and Jig. Something that enfolds, en-
wraps or encloses ; a covering.
a. of immaterial things.
c 1386 Chaucer Merch. T. 554 Night with his Mantel hat
is derk and rude Gan ouersprede the Hemysperie aboute.
c 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 9 With a mantelle of
prudens clad thou be. 1526 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W, 153O
78 To be hyd vnder y6 mantell of mekenes. 1593 Shaks.
3 Hen. VI, iv. ii. 22 Well couer'd with the Nights black
Mantle. 1659 R.USHW. Hist. Colt. I. 607 We have cast
a mantle on what was done last Parliament. 1667 Milton
P. L. iv. 609 The Moon..unvaild her peerless light And
o're the dark her Silver Mantle threw. 1742 Young Nt, Th.
iv. 386 How is night's sable mantle labour'd o'er. 1817
Chalmers Astron. Disc. vi. (1852) 132 A mantle of deep
obscurity rests on the government of God.
b. of material things.
c 1470 Henry Wallace ix. 23 Fresch Flora hir floury man-
till spreid. 1593 Drayton Eclogues x. 5 The Groves. .In
mossie Mantles sadly seem'd to mourne. 1829 Scott Anne
of G. iii, Ruins, over which vegetation had thrown a wild
mantle of ivy. 1839MURCHISON Silur.Syst. i.xxxvi. 484 The
elliptical shaped mass of the Wren's ne^t is.. composed of
an exterior mantle of pure and impure limestone. 1859
Tennyson Merlin <y V. 105 [She] drew The vast and shaggy
mantle of his beard Across her neck and bosom to her knee.
1878 Huxley Physiogr. 189 The ejected matter has fallen..
in conical layers, each forming a mantle thrown irregularly
over the preceding layer.
fC. spec. The foam that covers the surface of
liquor; the green vegetable coating on standing
water. (Cf. Mantle v. 4.) Obs.
1601 Holland Pliny I. 426 The flower or mantle which the
wine casteth up to the top [h.jlos z'ini]. 1605 Shaks. Lear
111. iv. 139 Poore Tom, that, .drinkesthe green Mantle of the
standing Poole.
t3. A kind of woollen cloth ; a blanket of this
material. Chiefly with qualification, e. g. Paris
mantle. Obs.
[1410 Rolls of Par It. III. 637/2 Les Worstedes appellez
mantelles sengles, demy doubles, 8: doubles.] 1485 Waterf.
Arch, in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 318 [They]
shat syll no manere fryse, nor mantill to no manere foreyne.
1538 Klyot Diet., Gausape, a mantell to caste on a bedde.
1545 Rates Custome Ho. c ij b, Paris mantyls the pece. 1582
ibid. A v, Blankets called Paris mantles, red or coloured the
peece xiii.j. \\\\.d. Blankets called Paris Mantles, white
the peece xj.
+ 4. A measure of quantity of furs, containing
from 30 to 100 skins according to size. Obs.
* In that work [Halyburton's Ledger] the words Mantil
und pane, though not identical in meaning, are used to de- '
note the same number of skins' (Jam. SuppL).
1473 in Ld. Treas. Ace. Scotl. (1877) I. 15 Item coft fra
Will Sinclare v mantill of banes to lyne a syde gowne to the
mantle.
t King. 1490 Ibid. 190 Item.. for iij mantillis of fwn;eis. 1545
Rates Custome Ho. b ij b, Foxe skynnes the pane or mantel
v'us. viri.d.. . Fytcheues the pane or mantell v.s. Ibid, dj,
White kydes the mantell ij.s. 1662 Irish Act 14 <$• 15
Chets. II, c. 8 (Rates Inwards), Furs vocat. Foxes the pain or
mantle 15s.
5. Mech. A covering, envelope or shade employed
in various mechanical contrivances, a. A linen
or other cloth employed in the swarming of bees.
b. The leather hood of an open carriage, c. (See
quot.) d. Founding. A porous clay matrix.
e. Building. The outer covering of a wall, of a
different material from its inner portion ^Knight
Diet. Mech. 1S75). f. The outer wall and casing
of an iron blast furnace, above the hearth'(Raymond
Alining Gloss.), g. A tubular wick or hood made
by saturating cotton net or other fabric with various
; oxides, and then removing the fibre by burning,
leaving a fragile lace-like tube which, fixed around
) a burning gas jet, becomes incandescent and emits
; a brilliant light.
a. 1609 C. Butler Fern, Mou. v. (1623) Mj, Your Hiue
being fitted and dressed.. you must haue also in a readi-
nesse a Mantle, a Rest, and a Brush. The Mantle may be
a sheet, or halfe-sheet, or other linnen cloth, an ell square at
the least. 1707 Mortimer Ilusb. (1721) I. 274 Bring them
1 [the swarms] together, >haking the Bees out of one Hive on
the Mantle whereon the other Hive stands.
b. 1794 W, Felton Carriages (1801) I. 107 The mantle,
of which there are various shapes, is introduced only as an
; ornament. When mantles are much furled [etc.],
C- 1875 Knight Diet. Mech. 1385 1 Mantle, an inclosed
chute which leads the water from a fore-bay to a water-wheel.
d. 1875 Knight Diet. Mech. 1385/1 The mantle and pat-
( tern are baked, the wax runs off [etc.].
g. 1887 Pall Mall G, 18 Mar. 12/1 His [Welsbach's] in-
vention consists in fixing around the flame of a special form
of gas burner a tubular wick or hood of open cotton fabric,
termed the mantle.
0. fool. The external fold of skin which in most
molluscs encloses the viscera. Applied also to
similar sacs or integuments, as the tunic of an
ascidian. (Cf. Pallium 3 b and Cloak 4.)
c 1460 J. RUSSELL Bk. Nurture 625 pe whelke looke bat . .
his pyntill & gutt almond & mantilie, awey her fro ye pitt.
1828 STARK Elcm. Nat. Hist. II. 7 Cephalopoda.— Lower
part of the hotly contained in a bag-shaped mantle. 1855
W. S. Dallas in Syst, Nat. Hist. 419 The animals forming
one of these colonies [compound Tunicatd\ are usually
united by their mantles. 1874 Carpenter Jteut. P/tys. r.
ii. § 45 An Ascidian consists.. of an external membranous
bag or ' mantle ', within which is a Muscular envelope.
7. Anal, (a) The name given by Reicnert to
the covering portion of the hemisphere-vesicle in
the brain, (b) The Panniculus carnosus, a layer
of fatty subcutaneous membrane connecting the
true skin with the subjacent tissue.
1885 in CasseWs Encycl. Diet. 1889 in Syd. Soc. Lex.
8. Bot. + a. — Ocbea {obs.). b. The growing
cortical covering of the peiiblem, or primary cortex
in a growing point.
1671-82 Grew Anat. Plants 1. iv. § 17 (1682) 32 Where
none of all the Protection^ above-named are convenient,
then the Membranes of the Leaves by continuation in their
first forming .. are drawn out into so many Mantles or
Veils ; as in Docks, Snakeweed, etc. 1884 Bower & Scott
De Bary's Phaner. 13 Each one of the inner layers, .of this
mantle has its initial group above the apex of the plerome.
9. Ornith. The plumage of the back and folded
wings when distinct in colour, etc. from the fest.
(So K. manteau.)
1840 Cuvier's Anim. Kingd. 263 The Barnacle Goose ,.
with a grey mantle. 1894 R. B. Sharpe Handbk. Birds
Gt. Brit. I. 90 Sandy rufous, broadly streaked with black,
except on the mantle.
10. = Mantling vbl. sb. 5 b. rare.
1897 Blackmore Dariclxii. 1 1 1 ' Young Earls ! ' exclaimed
Grace, with an innocence i>o pure that it required a little
mantle on her cheeks.
11. attrib. and Comb.: a. (sense 1) as mantle-
button, -cutter, -Jold, -\-lace, flap, maker, veil,
worker ; also mantle-making sb. (whence by back-
formation mantle-make vb.), mantle-like adj.,
mantle-wise adv. ; mantle-knot , an ornament in the
form of a clasp, composed of a number of precious
stones [cf. F. uceudde diamants] ; t mantle-wind,
the wind produced by a winnowing-sheet.
1681 in Thanes of Caiodor (Spald. Club) 354, 7 duz.
*mandle buttounis^2, 2s. 1884 B'ham Daily Post 23 f"eD-
3/5 'Mantle-cutter.— Wanted a superior Cutter and Fitter.
1814 Scott Ld. of Isles 11. xi, Whence the brooch of burning
gold, That clasps the Chieftain's "mantle-fold. 1896 Star
3 Oct. 2/4 A splendid collection of diamonds, .is to be sold.
..The collection includes two "mantle-knots which belonged
to the Empress Eugenie. 1480 Wardr. Ace. Ediv. 7^(1830)
136 "Mantell lace of blue silk, c 1350 St. Mary Magd. 573
in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (18S1) 87 It [a child] lurked vnder
be *mantill lapp. 1888 PaCCS & Pye-Smitii Princ Med.
(ed. 2) I. 81 An almost fibrous *mantl^ike sheath. 1885
C. L. Pirkis Lady Lovelace L xviii. 268 The invitation of
a large Paris firm to go across the Channel and *mantle-
inake for English customers. 1552 Hlloet, * Mantle-maker,
bracearius. 1903 Daily Chron. 24 Feb. 8/5 Girls wanted ..
to learn dress and 'mantle making. 1879 E. Watertom
yVt7*s///a«Vz«a89Theviiiantle-veilofourLadyeatChartres.
1688 "Mantle Wind [see Mantle v. 8]. c 1530 Crt. of Love
243 In sondry clothing, *mantil-wyse full wyde, They were
arrayed. 1599 Sandys EuropaeSpec. (1632) 225 They weare
certeine ornaments of embrodered linnen cast mantle-wise
84-2
MANTLE.
about their shoulders. 1862 0. P. Sckui-u I'ohanos (ed- s) '
170 The greater part.. spread thunselves mantlewise over ,
its surface and slopes.
b. (sense 2 b) as mantle-rock Geo/., a super-
ficlal deposit.
189s J. W. Powell in Physiogr. Processes (Nat. Geogr.
Monographs I. No. 1. 14) The materials may be called '
*mantTe rocks or superficial deposits.
c. (sense 6) as mantle border, fin, flap, fold,
fringe, lobe, margin, sac ; mantle-breathers, the j
Palliobranchiata or Brachiopoda; mantle-breath- :
ing a., palliobranchiate.
1837 Penny Cyrf. VII. 96/2 * Mantle-border smooth, but
with tufts of hair at the lateral extremities of each plate. 1881 \
CasscWs Nat. Hist. V. 258 De Blainville's subsequently
proposed title of ' "mantle-breathers'. Ibid., The Brachio-
poda, or ^mantle-breathing bivalves. 1835-6 Todd Cycl. :
Anat. I. 523/1 Octopods. .characterized by the absence of ,
"mantle-fins. 1878 BbU. GegenbauSs Con//. Anat. 322 As |
development goes on, the *mantle-foId becomes less intim-
ately connected with the body. 1855 W. S. Dallas in Syst. j
Nat. Hist. I. 430 The *mant!e lobes are free all round.
1835-6 Todd Cycl. Anat. I. 533/1 The * mantle-sac U almost
wholly filled with the viscera.
Mantle (mse-nt'l), »■ [f. Mantle j*. Cf. OF.
manteler\ also Mantel iv.]
1. trans. To clothe or wrap in or as In a mantle.
Also with up, over.
c 1450 Mirour Saluaeioun 2312 Whareforc thay mantlid
bym in swylk coloure for scorne. 1600 Fairfax Tasso XV.
Ixi, And her faire lockes. .she gan at large vnfold ; Which
falling long and thicke, and spreading wide, The iuorie soft
and white, mantled in gold. 1624 Hkywood Gunaik. I. 25
Canina lookcs to them [infants] in their swathing bands,
whilst they are hound up and mantled. 1685 BunvAN
Pharisee $ Publican 18 He came into the Temple mantled ,
tip in his own good things. 1813 Scott Kokeby 1. vi, The
buff-coat, in ample fold Mantles his form's gigantic mould. '
1881 M. Arnold IVeshn. Abbey x,'Y\\<t mourning-stole no
more Mantled her form. 1883 Cat/i. Diet. 84/1 The priest,
mantled with the veil, makes the sign of the cross.
b. By Milton used of wings. Also absoU
1667 Milton P.L. v. 279 The pair [of wings] that clad
Each shoulder broad, came mantling 0'ie his brest With
regal Ornament. Ibid. vu. 439 The Swan with Arched
neck Between her white wings mantling proudly, Rowes Her
state with Oarie feet.
2. transf. zsAfig. To cover or conceal ; to ob-
scure; to enfold, embrace, encircle or surround;
to envelop; fto * cloak', palliate (a fault).
c 1400 Apol. Loll. 104 pei lifen worldly, & hitlun per vicis
wib a. veyn hht of better lif, & mantel it wib a name of
ymaginid religioun. C1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode II. exxti.
(iS6j) 121 It was maad-.for to mantelle with my defautes
and consele myne vnthriftes. 1589 Greehe Meuaphon
(Arb.) 68 A frown that was able to mantle the world with
an eternal! night. 1610 Shaks. Temp. v. i. 67 Their rising
sences Begin to chace the ignorant fumes that mantle Their
clearer reason. 1650 T. Vaughan Anthroposophia 15 The
Earth was so overcast, and Mantl'd with the Water, that
no part thereof was to be seen. 169s tr. Sallust 303 (Orat.
Lepidi) Prosperity wonderfully obscures and mantles Vice.
"743 J- Davidson Mneid vm. 247 Night. .with her dusky
wings mantles the sky. 1830 J. G. Strutt Sylva Brit. 60
Its venerable trunk is richly mantled with ivy. i860 Pusev
Mitt. Propk. 275 A film comes over the eyes, and the brain
is, as it were, mantled over. 1890 Daily Neivs 31 Jan. 5/5 The
mountains thus brilliantly mantled and capped with snow.
absol. 1586 Warner Alb. ling. 11. xi. (1612) 49 The cloudes
that mantling ride vpon the racking skie.
3. Falconry, rcfl. and intr. To spread first one
wing and then the other over the corresponding
outstretched leg for exercise, as a perched hawk
does. Obs. exc. Hist.
i486 Bk. St. A tbans a vj b, She mantelHth and not stretchith
whan she puttith her leges from hiroon after an other : and
hir wynges folow after hier legges then she dooth mantill hir.
C1575 Per/. Bk. A'tpinge Sparhawkcs (Harting, 1886) 10
Let her styre, rouse, mantle, or warbile a wnile. 1596
Spenser F. Q. vi. ii. 32 Ne is ther hauke which mantleth
her on pearch, . . But I the measure of her flight doe search.
1610 Guillim Heraldry in. xx. (1660) 223 She [a hawk]
mantleth [etc.]. 1853 R. V. Burton Falconry Valley Indus
iiL 32 The Shikrah, who was quietly ' mantling ' upon a clear
branch in a nice sunny place.
At- "595 Spenser Sonu. Ixxii, There my fraile fancy, fed
with full delight, Doth bath in blisse, and mantleth most
at Ease.
Hb. transf. Of a horse: To bridle.
1664 Cotton Scarron. 1. 79 Mantling like Mare in Martin-
gale, She thus reply'd.
4. intr. Of liquids : To be or become covered
with a coating or scum ; to form a sparkling * head *
or froth ; to cream.
i6a6 Bacon Sylva § 46 It drinketh fresh, flowreth and
mantleth excedingly. 1669 Worlidge Syst. Agric. (1681)
53 the Bran of Wheat, a little thereof boiled in our ordinary
Beer, maketh it Mantle, or Flower in the Cup when it
is poured out._ 1707-ia Mortimer Husb. (1721) II. 333
Your Cyder will acquire a fine briskness, and mantle in
the Glass. 1785 Pope Odyss. x. 378 The poison mantled in
the golden bowl. 1822 Shelley Triumph Life 359 In her
right hand she bore a crystal glass, Mantling with bright
Nepenthe. 1878 B. Taylor Deukalion 11. iii. 73 As the
remnant-wine in cup Fast shall fill and mantle up.
b. transf tiajjg*
1596 Shaks. Merck. V. 1. i. 89 There are a sort of men,
whose visages Do creame and mantle like a standing pond.
1809 Campbell O'Connor's Child xiv, The green oblivious
flood That mantles by your walls. 1813 Shelley Q. Mab
vm. 115 Health floats amid the gentle atmosphere, Glows
in the fruits, and mantles on the stream. 1846 Keble
Lyralnnoc. (1873) 55 A golden Chalice standing by, — What
mantles there, is life or death.
140
fc. 1 fig. To 'bubble' with desire. (Cf. Man- i
tling///. a. 3.) Obs.
1657 Thornley tr. Longus' Daphnis >t Chloe 162 When
Daphnis saw it, he mantled to be at it.
5. Of the blood : To suffuse the cheeks with a
blush. Said also of a blush, etc. (rarely trans.).
Of the face : To be suffused with glowing colour,
to flush.
1707 [see Mantling ppl. a. 4]. 1766 Goldsm. Hermit xxii,
Surpro'd he sees new beauties rise, Swift mantling to the
view. 1808 Scott Mann. in. xvii, The blood that mantles
ill her cheeks. 1809 W. Irving Knickcrb. II. iv. (1820) 118
The rosy blush of mom began to mantle 111 the east. 1813
SHELLEY Q. Mab vm. 37 Such joy as when a lover. .Sees her
unfaded cheek Glow mantling in first luxury of health. 1870
Disraeli Lothair ix, Her rich face mantling with emotion.
1884 Punch 16 Feb. 76/2 With downcast eyes and faint
blush mantling his thoughtful brow.
6. intr. To form a mantle or covering ; to spread
or be extended over a surface.
1634-1770 [see Mantling///, a. 2]. 1810 Scott Lady o/L.
1. xix, And seldom o'er a breast so fair, Mantled a plaid with
modest care. 1813 Com BE PictHmqut xix. (Chandos) 71
The vine mantling on the thatch. 1830 Lyell Princ. Geol.
I. 342 As countless beds of sand and scoriae constitute the
greater part of the whole mass, these may sometimes mantle
continuously round the whole cone.
7. dial. (See quots.)
1674-91 Ray .V. C. Words 46 To Mantle, kindly to em-
brace. 1869 Lonsdale Gloss., Mantle, to embrace kindly.
f8. (Seequot.) Obs.
1688 R. Holme Armoury 111. 74/1 Mantling, or Mantle
Wind, is to make Wind with a Winnow sheet, or course
cloth held by two persons.
9. trans. In alum manufacture : To cover (an
incandescent heap of alum ore) with a coating of
ashes in order to shelter it from the weather.
1879 Spoil's Eneyel. Arts, Mann/., etc. I. 327.
Mantle : see Mantel sb. and v.
Mantled (mte-nt'ld), ///. a. [f. Mantle sb.
and v. + -ED.]
1. Covered with or as with a mantle.
155a Huloet, Mantled, or cladde in a mantle, palliains.
1579 Spenser Sheph. Cat. Nov. 128 The mantled medowes
mourne, Theyr sondry colours tourne. 1610 Shaks. Temp.
IV. i. 182, I left them I'th' filthy mantled poole beyond your
Cell. 1816 L. Hcnt Rimini 1. 177 The steeds also make a
mantled show. 1896 H. O. Forbes Handbk. Primates I.
202 The Mantled Howler. Atouatta palliata.
2. Her. Adorned with a lambrequin or mantling.
157a Bossewell Armorie II. 86 Manteled Azure. 1678
Lond. Gaz. No. 1332/4 His crest an helmet mantled.
MantleleSS (marnt'l|les), a. In 4mantal-les.
[f. Mantle sb. + -less.] Without a mantle.
13.. K. A lis. 204 Dame 01impias..rod, al mantal-Ies.
+ Ma'ntleman. Obs. =next.
1633 T. Si Ai lord Pae. Hib. m. xiv. 351 Cormock . .creepeth
in his shirt out of the window, where were divers mantle-
men wayting of purpose to receive him.
tMa'ntler. Obs. [f. Mantle sb. + -er 1.] One
of the poor Irish of the 15— 1 ^th c. whose clothing
j consisted of a single ' mantle ' or ' plaid '.
1653 A. Wilson jtas. 1 192 In Antwerp they pictured the
Queen of Bohemia like a poor Irish Mantlet.
Mantlet, variant of Mantelet.
Mantling (marntlin), vbl. sb. [f. Mantle v.
\ + -ING '.]
fl. The action of making a mantle. Obs.
1507-8 in Ld. Treas. Aee. Scott. (1902J IV. 30 Item, for
mantilling of the said skinnis and lynyng of the goun, xxs.
2. Her. The ornamental accessory of drapery or
scroll-work frequently depicted behind and around
an achievement ; a lambrequin ; cf. Mantle ji. 1 g.
1591 Percivall Sp. Diet., Follajes, mantelling in amies,
(lorishing, Mangonizatio. 1610 Guillim Heraldry vl. v.
(161 1) 267 Our now common received Mantelings vsed for
the adorning of achievements. Ibid., These . . may be more
fitly termed flourishings than Mantelings. X708 AVtc / Vrrc
Lond. II. 553/1 One [monument], .composed of white Mar-
ble, adorned with a Mantling. 1803 Ccssans Handbk. Her.
\ (ed. 4) xv. iqi The Mantlings of Knights and Esquires are
commonly depicted as depending from the helmet.
3. -Mantelpiece 1.
1861 Maem. Mag. IV. 129/2 The mantlings or frames of
fire-places.
4. What serves the purpose of a mantle ; a pro-
! tective or ornamental covering ; a wrappage, en-
1 velope.
165a Loveday tr. Calprcnede's Cassandra 111. 182 His
j Mantling trayling to the ground, was also of a light Golden-
| Tissue. 16*7-77 Fkltham Resolves li. lxvi. 298 The troubles
1 . .which are as it were the Thorns and Mantlings wherewith
a Crown is lined. 1671 Grew Anat. Plants iv. § 16 The Stalk
. giving the same Protection here, which in other Plants by
the Leaves, or some particular Mantling, is contriv'd. a 1734
North Lives (1826) HI. 201 At home with us a private
person divested of all his mantlings.
5. a. Of a liquor, etc. : The action of foaming or
'creaming'; a\±o jig. b. A blush or suffusion of
colour produced by emotion.
1697 Jer. Collier Ess. Mor. Sub/. (1703) 11. 198 "I'is
' a Happiness without a. Fund: 'Tis no more than a little
mantling of the Spirits upon stirring. 1754 Richardson
Grandisen (ij&i) I. xvi. 101 Such sensible, such good-natured
mantlings. 1865 Dickens Mut. Ft: 1. viii, There had been
a momentary mantling in the face of the man as he made
the last answer.
6. The action of a hawk that mantles: see
I Mantle v. 3.
MAN TRY.
»773 J- Campbell Mod. Falconry 262 Mantling, the
lowering of a hawk's wings down to her feet. 1831 J. P.
Kennedy Swallow B. xxvi. (i860) 230 He [the hawk] alter-
nately stretched out first one wing, and then the other, along
his leg,— in the action known by the name of mantling.
7. Material for making mantles.
1893 Times 10 July 4/3 Novelties in coatings, suitings, and
mantlings.
8. Alum-making. (See Mantle v. 9.)
1879 Spoils' Fncycl. Arts, Mann/., etc. I. 327 When the
jH-ocess is complete, a thicker ' mantling ' is laid on.
Mantling, ppl. a. [f. Mantle v. + -ing -.]
1. Of liquids: Gathering a scum or coating;
sparkling to a ' head '. Also transf.
1633 P. Fletcher Purple 1st. 1. xxili, The mantling
stream Encounter'd by the tides.. Of 's way doth doubtful!
seem. (11718 Penn Maxims Wks. 1726 I. 829 'Tis not
often, though it [wit] be lively and mantling, that it carries
a great Body with it. 1732 Pope Hor. Sat. 11. ii. 8 And the
brain dances to the mantling bowl. 1822 Lamb Pita Ser.
11. Con/. Drunkard, It were enough to make him_ dash the
sparkling beverage to the earth in all the pride of its
mantling temptation. 1851 Hawthorne Twice-told 'P.,
Hollow 0/ Three Hills, They were said to stand around the
mantling pool, disturbing its putrid waters.
2. That spreads and covers ; enveloping.
1634 M ilton Comus 294, 1 saw them under a green mantling
vine That crawls along the side of yon small hill. 1716 Gay
Trivia II. 54 You'll sometimes meet a fop, of nicest tread,
Whose mantling peruke veils his empty head. 1768 Sir
W. Jones Solium Poems (1777) 4 Where mantling darkness
spreads her dragon wing. 1770 Goldsm. Des. VM. 132 The
brook with mantling cresses spread. 186a G. P. Scrope
Volcanos (ed. 2) 164 The mantling beds or currents of lava
that compose a large part of its substance. 1883 G. Allen
in Nature 29 Mar. 514/1 The hop type belongs rather to
mantling than to mere twining climbers.
f 3. Eagerly desiring. (Cf. Mantle v. 4 c.) Obs.
1657 Thornley tr. Longus' Daphnis ff Chloe 42 The
mantling Goats skipt and leapt.
4. Of the blood : Suffusing the face. Of the
cheeks : Becoming suffused with heightened colour.
1707 E. Smith Phxdra $ Hipp. 11. (1709) 13 when man-
tling Blood Glow'd in his lovely Cheeks. 181a Crabbe
Tales, The Confidant (init.), And, at the distant hint or dark
surmise, The blood into the mantling cheek would rise.
1872 Black Adv. Phaeton xxiii. 324 This girl with the
mantling colour in her cheek.
II Manto (marntd). [It. or Sp. manto.} A
(Spanish, etc.) cloak or mantle. (See also Man-
TEAU.)
1679 Rycaut St. Grk. Ch. 96 The G. Signor . . presents him
with a white Horse, a Manto or blacke Coole [etc.]. 1867
Miss Yonge Six Cushions xi. 90 A place that, .suggested
Spanish cavaliers, with short manto, broad sombrero [etc.].
Mantoa, Mantoe : see Mantua, Mantead.
t Manttvlogy. Obs. rare. [Badly f. Gr. /ioW-is
adiviner + -olugy.] The art or practice of divination.
1774 Guthrie's Geog. Gram. (ed. 4) 125 That remarkable
mantology, or gift of prophecy, which distinguishes the
inhabitants of the Hebrides under the name of second sight.
1783 W. F. Martyn Geog. Mag. II. 423. 1828 in Webster.
So Manto logist, ' one skilled in mantology or
divination ; a diviner, prophet '.
1864 in Webster ; and in recent Diets,
Manton (marntan). A fowling-piece made
by Joseph Manton (?i 766-1S35), a noted gunsmith.
Also Joe Manton.
1816 Scott Antiq. xxxix, It's a capital piece ; it's a Joe
Manton, that cost forty guineas. 1859 Lever Dav. Dunn
xiii. 113 Every now and then you'll find a firelock in the
hands that once held a double-barrelled Manton.
t MantOOn. Obs. rare-'. [V ad. It. mantonc,
augmentative of manto cloak.] VA large cloak.
1623 Webster Deuils Law ease 1. ii. B4b, I do heare
there are Bawds abroad, That bring Cut-works, & Man-
toons, & conuey Letters To such young Gentlewomen.
t Mantoplicee. Oh. rare— '. [K. manteau
plissi! pleated cloak.] 1672 Sh adwell Miser 1. 16.
Mantou, -ow, variant ff. of Manteau Obs.
II Mantra (ma= ntra). Indian. Also 9 man-
tram. [Skr. mantra, lit. 'instrument of thought',
: f. man to think.] A sacred text or passage, esp.
one from the Vedas used as a prayer or incantation.
1808 Colebrooke Vedas in Asiat. Res. VIII. 391 The
' import of any mantra in the Indian scriptures, is generally
found to be a prayer, containing either a petition to a deity,
I or else thanksgiving, praise, and adoration. 1817 tr. Dubois'
1 Mann. People India xi. 77 The pretended virtues of the
Mantra or Mantram. 1883 Monier- Williams Relig. PA. <y
Li/c India i. 8 These Mantras or hymns were arranged in
three principal collections.
Man-trap. A trap for catching men, esp. one
for catching trespassers in private grounds.
1788 Wolcot (P. Pindar) Peter's Pension Wks. 1812 II. 18
Your Man-traps, guards of goose and duck And cock and
hens. 1791 Boswell Johnson 20 Mar. an. 1776, He should
have warned us of our danger, before we entered his garden
of flowery eloquence, by advertising, ' Spring-guns and men-
traps set here '. 1880 Browning Clive 24 Did no writing on
the wall Warn me 'Trespasser, 'ware man-traps !'
trans/. za\<\fig. 1773 Goldsm. Stoops to Conq. in. Wks.
(Globe) 663/2 There's Mrs. Mantrap, Lady Betty Blackleg
[etc.]. 1840 Dickens Barn. Rudge xiii, Mrs. Varden, re-
garding the Maypole as a sort of human man-trap, or decoy
for husbands. 1846 Greener Sci. Gunnery 197 Were you to
bawl in the ears of those employed ill the construction [of
certain guns],, .you would not affect nor abate one, in the
number of these infernal man-traps.
+ Mantry. Oh. rare-". - Mantel-tree.
1530 Palsgr. 243/1 Mantry of a chimney, manteav de
I cticytiine'*.
MANTUA.
Maiitua (marntiwa). Also 7 mantoa. [Cor-
rnption of Manteau, due to association with the
place-name Mantua.
Perh. mantua silk, and the fabric referred to 111 2 below,
may have been called from the place-name, which seems to
occur attrib. in the following : a 1618 Pk. Rates H 3 b, Hose
of Cruell vocat. Mantua hose, the paire, iiijs.]
1. A loose gown, worn by women in 1 7-1 8th c.
= Manteau 1.
1678 Lond. Gaz. No. 12S7/4 One rich flowred Mantua
lined with black, with a pair of very tine laced Sleeves.
1688 R. Holme Armoury in. 95/2 A Mantua, is a kind of
loose Coat without any stayes in it. 1693 Southekne
Maids Last Prayer in. i, He has not seen me in my
new Mantoa yet. 1711 Steele Sped. No. 80 F 3 Hrunetta
..came to a public Ball in a plain black Silk Mantua.
172a Dk Foe Col. Jack (1840) 278 A mantua of a better
kind of calico. 1858 Thackeray Virgin, xxxii, The girls
went off straight way to get together their best calamancoes,
. .mantuas, clocked stockings, and high-heeled shoes.
f 2. A material; ? = mantua silk.
1709 Lond. Gaz. No. 4540/6 The best broad Italian colour'd
Mantua's at 65. gd. per Yard. 1766 W. Gordon Gen.
Counting-ho. 426, 20 yards mantua. 1787 Anderson Orig.
Commerce II. 569 The silks called alamodes and lustrings
were entirely owing to them [Fr. refugees of c 1685] ; also
brocades, sattins, black and coloured mantuas.
3. attrib., as manlua-cloth, gown* petticoat ', silk.
1706 PHILLIPS (ed. Kersey), Mautoe, or Jtautua-Goivn,
a loose upper Garment, now generally worn by Women,
instead of a straight-bod y'd Gown. 1731 in Planche' Cycl.
Costume (1S76) I. 363 A rose-coloured paduasoy mantua,
lined with a rich Mantua silk of the same colour. 1755
Stkype Stoiv's Surv. (ed. 6) II. v. xxx.561/1 It must be a
very poor Woman that has not a Suit of Mantua Silk.,
to appear abroad in on Holydays. 176 . in J. P. Malcom
Manners Lond. (1810) II. 347 A scarlet -flowered damask
Mantua Petticoat. 1882 Caulfeild & Saward Diet. Needle*
ivork, Mantua Cloths, a term employed in trade to denote
every description of cloth suitable for mantles, cloaks [etc.].
Mantua-maker. Obs. exc. Hist, or arch.
One who makes mantuas ; later, a dress-maker.
1694 Motteux Rabelais v. 237 Mantuamaker. 1712 Bcd-
gell Spect. No. 277 F 11 The most celebrated Tyre-women
and Mantua-makers in Paris. 1841 in Hodder Life L.d.
Shaftesb. (1S86) I. 328 An enquiry into the state and treat-
ment of the wretched milliners and mantua-makers. 1886
Bvnner A. Surriagc xv. 165 Get on your hat and go with
me to the mantua-maker.
So Mantua-makingf vbl. sb. and///, a.
a 1704 T. Brown Walk round London (1709) 41 That vir-
tuous Profession Mantua-making. 1760-72 H. Brooke Foot
o/Qual. (1809) III. 76, I must soon quit my mantuamaking
business. 1824 Miss Mitford Viiiagc Ser. 1. 287 The young
mantua-making school -mistresses.
Mantuail (marnti«an), a. and sb. [ad. L.
Manludn-uSy f. Mantua : see -an.]
A. adj. Of or belonging to Mantua, a city in
northern Italy near which Virgil was born ; hence,
of or pertaining to Virgil, Virgilian. The Mantuail
A/use, Sxvan, Virgil.
1709 Pope Ess. Crit 129 Still with itself compar'd, his [sc.
Homer's] text peruse; And let your comment be th6 Mantuan
Muse. 1780 Cowpek Tabled. 557 Ages elapsed ere Homer's
lamp appeared, And ages ere the Mantuan Swan was heard.
B. sb. A native or inhabitant of Mantua. The
Mantuan — Virgil.
1649OGILBY Virgil,B ucolicks (i6Si)'u note, Virgil , .amongst
other Mantuans, ejected out of his Inheritance, went to
Rome for redress. 1827 G. Darley Sylz'ia (1892) 186 Who
[sc. Milton] from the Mantuan's bleeding crown Tore the
presumptuous laurel down.
Mantyger, variant of Manteuar, Mantiuohe.
t Mamiable, a. Obs. rare. [a. OF. manuable,
f. L. manu- hand : see -able. Cf. Maniable.]
1. That may be handled easily.
1594 Blundevil Exerc. vn. xii. (1636) 665 The yard thereof
is of so great a length, as it is not manuable in a ship. Ibid.
Most manuable, and therewith very light of carriage.
2. Of money: ?Of handy size.
1638 Sir R. Cotton Abstr. Rcc. Tower 26 If wee marke
but of the great quantities from the penny downward since
H. 8. time stamped, how few remain. Whereas of all the
Coynes from three pence upwards which are manuable (or
manual!) plenty passe still in daily payment.
Manual (mce*ni»al), a. and sb. Forms : 5-8
manuel, (5 manuele), 57 manuell, 5-6 man-
uelle, manwell, manuale, 6-7 manuall, 6-
manual. [ad. (the earlier form through F.
manuel) L. manudlis pertaining to the hand ; the
neut. manuale was used subst. in class. L. for * a
book-cover', in late L. for a handbook. Cf. Sp.,
Pg. manual, It. manuale adjs. and sbs.]
A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to the hand or hands; done
or performed with the hands. Now esp. of (phy-
sical) labour, an occupation, etc., as opposed to
mental, theoretical.
1406 Hocclevk La Mate Regie 364 And of thy manuel
labour, as I weene, Thy lucre is swich, bat it vnnethe is
*eene. 1532-3 /it/ 24 Hen. Vlltt c. 4 Marchaundyse, made
and broughte . . into this realme, redye wroughte by manuall
occupacion. 1593 Kale Dialling Aiij, Beseeching the
Lord (who hath endued you with extraordinary knoledge
m all Manuall Sciences) to finish [etc.]. 1597 A, M. tr. Guil-
lemeaiis Fr.Chirurg. iq/\ Which eradication requireth a
longe continued manuall operation. 1675 Baxter Cath.
Theol. 1. 66 By manual Apprehension or Executive Elec-
tion (As a man taketh a woman to wife'. 1725 Pope Odyss.
xv. 338 Patron of industry and manual arts. 1804 Earl
141
Lauderd. Pub. Wealth (1819) 346 The superior efficacy of
the application of capital, .over the most improved manual
dexterity. 1857 RuSKIN Pol. Econ. Art Addenda 192 All
youths of whatever rank, ought to learn some manual trade
thoroughly. 1865 Tylor Early Hist. Man. iv. 66, I ex-
pressed my ideas by manual signs. 1868 Sir K. Pmillimore
in Law Rip., Adm. «y EccL II. 199 The second prayer-
book of Edward VI. omitted all reference to the manual
acts, ordered in the first and last prayer-books, attending
the consecration of the holy elements.
b. Of a signature, etc. : Autograph. Chiefly in
Sign manual ; also in obsolete phrases formed after
it, as seal m. , subscription ///., manual stamp.
1522 Extracts A herd. Reg. {1S44) I. 101 In witnett of the
qunilk) we haue causit our commond seill to be appensit to
this present assedatioun, togidder with the subscriptioun
manuel of our commissaris handis. 1563 Reg. Privy Council
Scot. I. 254 Anent the Quenis Majesteis lettres past undir
hir signet and subscriptioun manual. 1592 Shaks. I'cu. .y
Ad. 516 Which purchase if thou make, for feare of slips, Set
thy seale manuell on my wax-red lips. 1632 LlTHGOW Trav.
1. 17 Their names, and manuall subscriptions. 1644 Milton
Areop. 23 Much lease. .that it should be uncurrant without
their manuall stamp.
f c. Compute manual { = L. computus manualis) :
a mediaeval treatise on the art of reckoning on
the hands the dates of Church feasts, etc., and
containing many mnemonic nonsense-verses. Obs,
In the verse referred to, Adam degebai ergo cijos adrifos
(sic), the 12 syllables stand for the 12 months.
1533 More Anew. Nameless Heret. iv. viii. (1534) 207 b,
The commen verse of the compute manuell, Ergo ciphos
adrifcx.
d. Of a weapon, tool, etc. : That is used or
worked with the hand or hands. Now rare except
in manual {fire) engine as distinguished from
steam {fire) engine.
1591 Garrard's Art Warre 184 Ye strength of their
manual weapons. 1601 Holland Pliny I. 4S1 Of this
Smilax are made certain manuell writing-tables. 1632 LlTH-
GOW Trav. x. 433 They deluc, hollow, and turne ouer the
ground, with manuall. .instruments. 1888 Merryweather
Eire Brigade Handbk. ix. 98 Manual Fire Engines. . .There
is. .no better manual engine, .than that known as the London
Brigade pattern.
e. Mil. Manual exercise, exercise or drill in
handling a musket or rifle.
1760 (title) New Manual Exercise As Performed byHis
Majesty's Dragoons, Foot-guards, Foot, Artillery, Marines.
1802 C. James Milit. Diet., Manual Exercise, is the exer-
cise of the musket, independent of powder and ball.
f. Manual alphabet : the finger alphabet.
Manual method: 'a method of instructing the
deaf which mainly employs the manual alphabet
and signs for communicating ideas, as distinguished
from the oral method* (Webster 1902).
2. Law. Of occupation, possession : Actual, in
one's own hands, not merely prospective, f Hence
of a thing possessed (see quot. 1607).
1538 tr. Littleton's Tenures (1544) 3 b, Of suche thynges
as a man maye haue a manuel occupacyon [AF. vn manuel
occupacion) : possession or resceyte, as of landes, tene-
mentes, rentes and such other. . . But of suche thynges that
lye nat in manuell occupacyon [AF. en tiet manuell occupa-
tion] Sec. as of auouson of a church, .there he shal [etc].
1567 Staunford A'iug's Prcrog. 54 But heruppon is there a
distinction to be made, whether that yl the king is entitled
vnto by office be a thinge manuell and whereof profit maye
bee taken forthwith after the findinge of the office or not.
1581 Lambarde Eiren. n. vii. (1588) 274 If he [sc. the theefe]
take the purse in his hand, and then cut the girdle, & after-
ward let them fal, that wil proue him a Felon, because he
had a manuel possession of the purse remoueel from the
person. 1607 Cow ell Interfir. s. v., Manuel, is a thing
whereof present profit may be made. .. And a thing not
manuell is that, whereof no present profit may be made, but
hereafter, when it falleth. 1628 Coke On Litt. 17 Such
things whereof a man may have manuell occupation or pos-
session. 1766 Blackstone Comm. II. 392 The law . .extends
this possession farther than the mere manual occupation.
f 3. Of money : = Manuable 2.
1638 [see Manuable 2],
4. That works with the hands, arch.
1658 Sir T. Browne Card. Cyrus i. 93 Not only a Lord of
Gardens, but a manuall planter thereof. 1687 Connect. Col.
Rec. (1859) III. 407 Butchers, bakers, ..barbers, millers and
masons, with all other manual persons. iS$iCakl\le Sterling
m.iv. (1872)204 He quite agreed with me as to the., necessity
and difficulty of doing something effectual for so satisfying
the manual multitude as not to overthrow all legal security.
f 5. Furnished with hands. Obs.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. vn. ii. 343 Parts of the
seed do seeme to containe the Idea and power of the whole ;
so parents deprived of hands, beget manual! issues.
6. Of a book, etc. : Of the nature of a manual ;
intended to be kept at hand for reference.
1881 Westcott & Hort Greek Test. Introd. § 20 We
agreed to commence the formation of a manual text for our
own use.
B. sb.
1. A small book for handy use. a. In the mediaeval
Church, a book containing the forms to be observed
by priestsin the administration of thesacraments, etc.
(corresponding to the present Ritualc Romanian).
1431 Med. Rcc. City Ch. (E. E. T. S.) 29 Also ij legendes
& a manwell & a Ordynall. c 1440 Protnp. Farv. 325/2
Manuele, booke to minster wythe the sacranientys, iiiauitnU.
1549 Act 3 Hi 4 Ediv. VI, c. 10 § 1 That all Hookes called . .
Processionalles, Manuelles, . . shalbe . . abollished. ^853
Rock Ch. of Fathers IV. xii. 213 The Manual had in it all
the services that a parish priest has to perform.
MANUARY.
' b. A concise treatise, an abridgement, a hand-
book. Often used as a title lor books.
1533 {title) A booke called in latyn Enchiridion militis
christian!, and in engtysshe the manuell of the christen
knyght..made by. .Erasmus. 1565 Grafton {title) A Man-
uell of the Chronicles of Englande. 1663 Gerbier Counsel
jb, If in your Building, you want instructions for your
Clark; pray let him make use of this Manual. 1788 I'rikst-
ley Lett. Hist. iv. xxv. 196 The.. Speculum Saxouicum,
which is an excellent manuel of the old laws of the ancient
Saxons. 1879 FroudE Caesar iv. 36 A Greek manual of the
art of war.
f2. Method of operating or working. Obs.
1597 A. M. tr. Guittemcau" $ Er. Chirurg. 26/1 We must
vse the manuall of Chyrurgerye thervnto, ether by cuttinge
<>r inscisione. 1656 tr. Valentine's Will 11. iii. 98 All
these mixed impurities can be separated from it with arti-
ficial Manuals, and with little ado it may be brought into
a perfect state.
3. Short for manual exercise, see Manual a. 1 d.
1762 Sterne Tr. Shandy V. xxxii, The corporal went
through his manual with exactness. 1899 Ruling Stalky
198, I know the drill — all except the manual.
4. t a. pi. 'Manual' tools (see A. 1 d) {pbs.\
b. Short for manual fire-engine.
1683 J. PoYNTZ Tobago 38 Manuals with other things
necessary for Planting. 1872 Routledgc's Ev. Hoy's Ann.
156/2 Manuals, steamers.and floating batteries. i886JAt«i--'/.
Exam. 8 Jan. 6/1 Steamers and manuals from all parts of
the metropolis arrived at the fire.
5. A key-board of an organ played with the
hands, as distinguished from the pedals.
1852 Seidel Organ 33 Every organ has two. .key-boards ;
the one managed by the hands, and hence called ' the
manual ' [etc.]. 1880 1'".. J. Hopkins in Grove Du t. Mas. II.
606/1 Thus an organ with one Manual and separate Pedal
generally has at the least one coupler ' Manual to Pedal '.
b. ' In a musical instrument, a key or lever for
the hands or fingers ; a digital' {Cent. Did. 1890).
C. attrib.
1852 Seidei, Organ 49 These pedal-palates have much
harder work to do than the manual-palates, ibid. 67 A copula
which connects two manuals with each other is called a man-
ual-copula. 1881 C. A. Edwards Organs vi. 67 There may
be. .four, or even more, manual claviers to an organ, though
there is usually only one pedal clavier. Ibid. 69 The pedal
keys. .are. .much larger than the manual keys.
Maiuialism (mx-ni«aliz'm). rare-1. [f.
MANUAL + -ISM.] The action or process of teach-
ing by means of the manual alphabet.
1883 Amer. Ann. Dcaffy Dumb Apr. 93 Go utterly voice-
less through all his life, with the mental education which
inanualism can at least give him.
Manualist (mx'niwalist). [f. Manual + -irt.]
1. f a. One who works or labours with the hands
{obs.). b. (See quot. 1 861.)
1592 R. 1 >. tt ypucrotomachia 18 b, The chiefe inuention . .
resteth in the . architect, but the labour and working therof
to the vulgar and common sort of mannalists [sic] and ser-
uants to the architect. 1706 Phillits (ed. Kerrey), Man-
ualist, a Handicrafts-man, or Artificer. 1861 Mayhew
L.oud. Labour III. 104 When I [a juggler] was in Ireland
they called me a 'manualist'.
2. ' One who uses or advocates the use of the
manual method of teaching the deaf (Webster 1902).
1883 Amer. Ann. DeaffyDnmb Apr. 79 In the judgment
of most manualists there can be no question that this fa<_t
alone,of prior speech,establishes such an important difference.
3. One who compiles a manual or handbook.
1897 Dublin Rev. July 227 It is apparently the fashion at
the present time to despise manuals and manualists.
Manualizatioil (mccmw/alsiz^Jgn). rare~\
The action of using the hands.
1887 Sat, Rev. 31 Dec. S90 A trick performed solely by
means of personal skill and dexterity of manualization is,
of course, conjuring in excclsis.
Manually ^marniwali), adv. [f. Manuals. +
-lv *.]
1. With or by means of the hand or hands ; by
the operation of the hands; by manual labour.
1471 Riplky Comp. A left. Ep. ii. in Ashm. (1652) 112 Which
thyng is not wrought manually, But naturally. 1506 in
Mem. Hen. VII (Rolls) 297 Both kings. .went up to the
high altar, and there sware upon the holy B>angelists,
canon of the mass by them manually touched. 1874 Farrar
Christ vii. (1884)40 And while they were occupied manu-
ally, we have positive evidence that these years were not
neglected intellectually. 1877 J. D. Chambers Divine
Worship 199 The Presbyters manually should hand each
Penitent to the Archdeacon.
2. Laiv. Personally, actually. (Cf. Manual a. 2.)
1628 Coke On Litt. 17 That which is manually occupied,
manured and possessed.
3. With regard to the hands.
1882 Sala Amer. Rcz'is. (1885) 185 An obliging waiter.,
facially and manually as black as the Ace of Spades.
Maimary (mxmi/fari), ci. and sb. [ad. L.
mauudrius, f. manu-s hand : see -aky *.] A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to the hand ; performed by
or with the hands ; -~ Manual a. 1. Also, applied
to the hands. Obs. exc. in affected use.
1576 Woolton Chr. Manual I>\'}, Artes both lyberall, and
mutuary. 1579 bvcv Euphucs (Arb.) 158 Manuary era ft e*.
1599 A- "■ tr* Gabclhouer's Bk. Physicke 263/2 An excellent
Kandevngvente.. . An other Manvarye vnctione. 1609 Bi\
\\M.\.HolyObscrv. 1.9 You shall rarely finde a man eminent
in sundry faculties of minde, or sundry manuarie trades.
1612 Brinslev Lud. IJt. p. xv, The holy Ghost challengeth
the faculty euen of manuary skill to his owne gifte. 1656
Blount Glossogr., Manuary, gotten by handy labor, or that
fils the hand, i860 Med. Times 4 Feb. 118, 2 Agitated mis-
MANUBALIST.
tresses institute manuary inspections among the Soyerkias [
of the basement.
t 2. That works with the hands. 06s.
1652 C. 13. Stapylton Hcrodian xm. lit Then Bridges
built and Stones and Morter carry, As if he were a Work-
man Manuary. 1678 CuuwMUa Intcll. Syst. t. i. § 45- 54
A subordinate instrument of the divine wisdom, and the
manuary opificer or executioner of it.
B. sb.
1 1. One who works with his hands. Obs.
1581 Ml-lcaster Positions xxxix. (18S7) 197 The common
is deuided into niarchauntes and manuaries generally.
a 1656 Br. Mux. Rem. Witt. (1660) 151 Gifts of tongues., and
the like, which do no more argue a right to the son-ship of
God, then the Manuaries infused skill of Bezaleel and Aho-
liab could prove them Saints.
t 2. Manual work ; handicraft trade. 06s.
156: Mlt.caster Positions V. (1887) 35 Whose vse [sc. of
Drawing] all modelling, all mathematikes, all manuaries do
tinde and confesse to be to so notorious and so needefull.
Ibid. 197 [After the words quoted under sense I.] Mer-
chandise containeth vnder it all those which Hue . by buying
and selling: Manuarie those whose handywork is their
ware. 1616 [see Mancbiary sb.].
to. ? An amanuensis. 06s.
1613S1R E. Honv Counter-snorkel Itseemeth. .my Manu-
aries haste, or the Printers misprision, hath turned go into
(setfl as if the same had been continued.
1 4. A factory. 06s.
1625 in Reg. Privy Council Scot. Ser. II. I. 159 By making
of societies or manuaries in all the principal! burrowis for
making of stuffes and other wairis.
[T. An alleged sense ' consecrated glove given
in recent Diets., is evolved from misunderstanding
of the following passage. (In the original Latin
manuarias and the other words are adjs. agreeing
with indulgentias.)
1537 tr. Latimer's Strut. bef.Convoc. Dj b, Some brought '
forth .. pardons, & these of wonderfull varietie, some sta-
tionaries ..some Manuaries for handlers of reliques, some
pedlaries for pilgrimes.]
Manubalist(e. Antiq. [ad. late L. type ma-
nuballisla, f. L. manus hand + Ballista ; after
arcuballista Arbalest.] A kind of cross-bow.
1867 in Smyth Sailor s WordJih. 467. In some mod. Diets.
t Manubial, a. 06s. rare—", [ad. L. manu-
Hal-is, f. manuln-x pi., spoils of war.] Belonging
or having reference to the spoils of war.
1674 Blount Glossogr. (ed. 4) Manubial, belonging to a
prey or booty. 17*1 in Bailev. 1830 Ogilvie, Manubietl'
column, a column adorned with trophies and spoils.
t Manubiary, a. and s6. 06s. rare. [ad. L.
manubiarius adj., f. manubi-m (see prec.).]
A. adj. Pertaining to the spoils of war.
1658 Phillips Manubiary, belonging to the spoil or prey.
1727-51 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Column, Manubiary Column,
a column adorned with trophies, built in imitation of trees,
whereon the spoils of enemies were antiently hung.
B. s6. a. The trade of plunder, b. One who
lives by plunder.
1616 J. Deacon Tobacco Tortured 65 Tobacco fumes are
able. .to transform nobilitie into gentrie, gentrie into yeo-
manrie,. .manuarie into manubiarie, manubiarie into [etc.].
1623C0CKKRAM Manubiarie, one that hath part of the prey.
Mauubrial (mSniabrial), a. Anat. [f. L.
Manubri-um 4- -al.] Of or pertaining to a manu-
brium (in various senses).
1835-6 Todd Cycl. Anat. I. 282/1 This mesial process [of
the sternum in certain birds] we shall term the inanubrial
process. 1809 A llbutfs Syst. Med. VI. 389 If this [the per.
elusion of the heart] be normal. .then any substernal or
manubrial dulness which can be clearly defined as separate
from this must be taken as of great significance.
Manubriated (mani«-bri|*<ted) , ///. a. [f. L.
mamdiriat-us (f. mamt6rium : see next) + -ED.]
Having a manubrium. 1890 in Cent /try Diet.
I! Manubrium (mani>rbri|i>m). PL manu-
bria, manubriums. [L. manu6rium a haft]
1 1. A handle or haft. 06s.
1660 Boyi.e New Exp. Phys. Mecli. Proem. 14 The third
piece of this Pump, namely, the handle or manubrium.
2. Anat. and Zoot. a. The broad upper division
of the sternum of mammals, with which the two
first ribs articulate, b. A small tapering curved
or twisted bony process of the malleus of the ear
in man and many mammals, c. A small process,
often bifurcate, at the root of the keel of the
sternum in birds, d. The lower part of the mal-
leus in rotifers, e. A peduncle which depends
from the roof of the gonocalyx of hydroids or of
the swimming-bell of medusae.
1848 Quain's Anal. (ed. 5) I. 101 The first division of the
sternum (manubrium or handle) is broader and thicker than
the other. 1855 Gosse in Phil. Trans. CXLVI. 426 The
inferior portion of the malleus, which I shall call the manu-
brium, is an irregularly-curved piece [etc.]. Ibid. 427 The
manubria move also at the same time. 1885 Romanes Jtlly-
Fish 306 Unlike the manubriums of most of the other
Medusae [etc.]. 1800 Coles Field «r Cen.Oruit/iol. 214 The
sternum.. develops in the middle line in front a beak-like
process called the rostrum or manubrium.
3. Bot. A process projecting from each of the
shields forming the inner wall of the antheridium
in characeous plants.
1875 Bennett & Dyer tr. Sachs' Bot. 285 Fig. 198 . . B a
manubrium with its head.
142
Ma'nucapt, v. nonce-wd. [f. med.L. manu-
capt-us taken by the hand : cf. next.] trans. To
direct by a writ of manucaption.
1898 Contemp. Rer. Dec 883 The burgess who was ' manu-
capted ' to appear at Westminster.
Manucaption (mfeni»karpj;)n). Law. 06s. exc.
Hist. [ad. med.L. manucaption-cm, noun of action
f. manu capere, lit. to 'take by the hand'; cf.
Mainprise.] a. » Mainprise, b. A writ direct-
ing the bringing in of a person charged with a
felony, who was debarred from being admitted to
bail by the sheriff or any inferior magistrate.
1588 Fralnce Laiviers Log. 1. xii. 55 Bailernent, maine-
prise or manucaption, and replevine. .they bee indifferently
used to expresse that suretie which the prisoner is to nnde.
1508 MANwoonAnicM /'orcstxxtv. § 5(1615) 240 All pledges
and Manucaptors which haue day by their Manucaption
before the lustice of the forest. 1875 Stlbbs Const. Hist.
II. xv. 235 The manucaption or production of two sureties.
Manncaptor [mxaitikarptai). Law. 06s. exc.
Llist. Also 1 mani-. [a. med.L. mamtcaptor,
agent-n. f. manu capcre: seeprec] = Mainpernor.
[1523 in W. H. Turner Select. Rcc. Oxford (1880) 34 As
also the goods and cattail, surtus and manucaptores.] 1581
Lambarde Eircil. ll. ii. (15S8) 109 For some forme com-
niaundeth him to take sufficient manucaptors .. so that hee
will lie answerable for it at his owne perill. 1620 I. Wilkin-
son Coroners $ Slieri/cs 30 The principals, manicaptors or
sureties shall make their fine. 1878 Stlbbs Const. Hist.
I I I . xx. 425 For each of them manucaptors or bailsmen were
provided.
Manncode (marni/lkomi). [a. F. manucode
(Huffon), short f. mod.L. vtamtcodiata: see next.]
t a. A bird of paradise (06s.). b. Any bird of
either of the genera Manucodia and Dionygama, 1
inhabiting the Papuan region, and formerly classed
with the Birds of Paradise.
The F. manncode was originally applied to all the birds
of the old genus Mauucodiata (the genus Paradisca of
Linnaeus), and in this use was occas. employed by English
writers. The generic name Manucodia (? a misprint for j
Mauucodiata} was used by Boddaert 1783 in describing a
species since discovered to belong to a distinct genus, tor :
which English ornithologists adopted Boddaert's name. In
English manucode was then restricted to the birds of this
genus, which has since been divided into two.
1835 tr. Lesson's Voy. in Penny Cycl. IV. 422/1 The manu-
code presented itself twice in our shooting excursions, and
we killed the male and female. 1881 Daily Kc'.us 22 Apr. 2/3 (
The green manucode (manucodia chulybeia).
T Manncodiata. 06s. Also 6 manueeodiata,
7manueadite. [a. mod.L. mauucodidla, ad. Malay
\±>\$s <jpU mdnuq dewdta 'bird of the gods '. Cf.
Mamuque.] A bird of paradise.
[1523 Maximilianus Transylv. F/ist. D iv b, Auiculam
uero Manueeodiata appellauerunt.] 1555 Eden Decades, etc.
229b,These Moores are of opinion that these byrdes coonime
frome the heauenlye Paradyse, and therfore caule them
Manueeodiata, that is the byrdes of god. 1613 Plrchas
Pilgrimage (1614) 538 The Moores.. call them Mauucodiata,
or holy birds. 1623 Cockeram hi, Manucadite, the bird of
Paradise. 1601 Ray C>ra//e« I. (1692) 147'l'he Manucodiata,
or Bird of Paradise.
t Manndnce, v. 06s. [ad. L. manu diicere to
lead by the hand.] trans. To lead, guide, direct.
1657 W. Mokice Cocna ffuasi Kowrj Def. xxviii. 275 There
is nothing in the context that may incline and manuduce to
such an interpretation. 1686 Goad Celest. Bodies To Rdr. 1
Contemplation of the Heavens conduced to the First, and
therefore must manuduce to the Second.
t Manuducent, a. and s6. 06s. [ad. L.
i/tanfi ducent-em, pres. pple. of manu duci~rc (see
prec.).] A. adj. Guiding, directing. rare— \
1677 Gale Crt. Gentiles lv. 494 The Greek Fathers, who
terme medicinal efficacious grace, the spring of this super-
natural infusion ..' manuducent and assistent grace'.
B. s6. A guide, manuductor. rare— \
1615 J. Robinson Planum, to Manuduction To Rdr., in
Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. 4th Ser. I. 166 Needful it were in a
matter of this, .weight, that the inauuducent or bandleader,
should guide men by the plain., way of the Scriptures.
t Manuduct, v. 06s. rare. [f. L. manft,s.h\.
ui manus hand + duct-, Dpi, stem of duce~ie to lead.]
.trans. To lead or guide by the hand. Also^t,'.
1641 H. L'Estrange God's Sal'bath 20 Adam and the suc-
ceeding Patriarchs (who. .were manuducted and guided by
an inerring spirit) [etc.]. 1672 Sir C. Wyvill Triple Crcnvn
164 At length, that Saint manuducts him into three or four
sorts of Purgatories.
Manuduction (mwkrirkfao). Also6man-
duccyon. [ad. med.L. manuductidn-em, n. of
action f. manu dftccre to lead by hand.]
1. The action of leading, guiding, or introducing;
guidance, introduction, direction.
1502 Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W. 1506) lv. xxvii. 317 By
the meane manduccyon of thynges corporalles & sensyUus
a man may come unto the contemplacyon of spyrytualles.
1624 F. White Kepi. Fisher 514 Vertuous actions haue
reference (not of desert, but of disposition, and instrumental!
efficiencieormanuductionltobeatitude. 1642 Sir E. Dering
Sp. on Relig. xvi. 85 Voung Students . . wander for want of
manuduction. 1723 Pres. St. Russia I. 18 Well stored with
Money, but without any Instruction or Manuduction. 1872
Buckie Lays Highl. Introd. 54 Well satisfied if he has ac-
complished..even one third of the ground over which he lias
accepted my hurried manuduction. 1896 Gudstone Stud.
Subsid. Butler 88 The insight of anticipation which, without
a manuduction (if the term may be allowed) by natural
science, enabled him to forecast [etc.].
MANUFACTORY.
2. Means or instrument of guidance ; a guide or
introduction.
1624 F. White Repl. Fisher 586 He ascribelh no more
vnto it, than to be a manuduction and guider to sauing
veritie. 1625 T. James tfitlc) A manuduction or introduc-
tion unto divinitie. 1713 Nelson Life Bp. Bull xvii. (1827)
84 He sent it [his book] abroad . . that it might serve as a
manuduction to the candidates of divinity.
+ 3. A manual process or operation. 06s. rare— '.
1778 Pkyce Miu. Cornub. Contents iv, ii, The various
Manuductions used in dressing of Copper and Lead Ores.
t Manuductive (moeni»<d»-ktiv),a. 06s. [ad.
L. type "mamlducliv-us, f. manu duclre : see
Manuduction.] That leads by the hand.
1626 W. Fennek Hidden Manna (1652) 2 There must be
a special manu-ductive teaching. 1633 Ames Agst. Cerent.
11. 151 If by accessorie worship he meaneth that which is
appointed by man.. (which his manuductive interpretation
beareth) then [etc.].
t Manuductor. 06s. [ad. L. type *manu-
duclor-em, agent-n. from manu ducere : see Manu-
duction.] A guide, director.
1657 Thornley tr. Longus' Daphnis $ Chloe (1893) 98 But
thou, art kept alive and saved for us, in design to make us
happy by more helps and manuductors to our Age. 1677
Gilpin Denwnal. (1867) 378 The former opinion of Satan's
taking of Christ, as a manuductor or guide, seems every
way unreasonable.
b. spec. The conductor of a band or choir.
1785 Blrney Mus. Perform. Westm. Abb. 15 This Com-
memoration is., the first instance . .of any band, at all
numerous, performing in a similar situation, without the
assistance of a Manu-ductor, to regulate the measure. 1852
Hook Ch. Diet., Manuductor. . was an officer who . . gave the
signal to the choristers to sing,, .beat the time [etc.].
Manuductory (mnjniHdoktori), a. [Formed
as prec. : see" -ORY.] Leading by or as by the
hand ; that leads up to or towards.
1694 Westmacott Script. Herb. Ep. Ded. 5 These are the
Manuductory Things, that Constitute an Expert and Real
Artist. 1851 Chr. Wordsworth Occas. Serm. Ser. II. 34
They did not recognise this, its manuductory and pro-
visional character.
Manuel, -ell(e, obs. forms of Manual.
t Manuensis. 06s. = Amanuensis.
1720 [A. Pennecltk] (titlci Song of Songs.. Written.. by
Solomon. .The inspired Manuensis of the Holy Ghost.
Manuer, obs. form of Manure v.
t Manufact, a. and s6. 06s. [ad. late L.
manufact-us {Vulg. Acts vii. 48), f. manu, abl. of
manus hand + /actus made.]
A. adj. ' Made with hands '.
'539 Man. Prayers Y iv, We haue not the shewe bread of
the Temple, for that manufact temple and the golden table
are passed.
B. s6. The act of manufacturing, manufacture.
1690 D'Ukfey Collin's Walk ill. 105 And lay the Ensigns
of their pride, Their Silken Ornaments aside ; Which would
have been a wholsome Act T'encourage Woolen Manufact.
1691 Maydman Nov. Speeul. 312 Trie Decrease of our
Wollen Manufacts.. . A great part of the Linen Manufact is
done by Women and Children.
t Manufaction. 06s. [n. of action f. L.
manu facfre {manu, abl. of manus hand, faccrc to
make) to make by hand.] Manufacture.
1602 Proclam. in Moryson's I tin. 11. (1617) 263 We con-
ceiue that there wanteth as yet for a time sufficient com-
modities of the growth or manufaction of this kingdome,
wherewith to maintainetrafficke. 1730/V1/V. Trans. XXXVI.
286 Thus from Castor, by a certain Manufaction, may be
prepared an Oil sweeter than that of Cinnamon.
tManufactor. Obs. [agent-n. f. L. manft
fache to make by hand : cf. Manufacture.] A
manufacturer or artificer.
a 1649 Drcmm. oe Hawih. 7ns. I Wks (1711)8 The king .
drew unto him the best artisans and manufactors. ? 1667
Sir T. Browne Brampton I'rns Miscell. (1712) 6 Inscrip-
tions commonly signified . . the Name of the Artificer, or
Manufactor of such Vessels. 1812 J. J. Henry Camp. agst.
Quebec 224 The vanilla of South America has been applied
by the Spanish manufactors of tobacco in various ways.
Manufactorage, var. Manufacturage.
Manufactory ;mani«fe-kt6ri), s6. Also 7
-faetry, 7-8 -factury. [ad. L. types *manfifactgna,
-orium, f. manu faclre : see Manufactor and
-oitvl.]
f 1. Something that is produced by labour, m
Manufacture 2. 06s.
,11618 Raleigh Obs. Trade in Rem. (1661) 1B6 Other
Manufactories vendible to the number of about one thousand.
1685 Land. Gas. No. 2009/8 An Engine . . for Beautifying of
Cloth. .Bays and all Woollen Manufactory, a 1734 North
Exam. ill. vi. § 56 (1740) 464 The Manufactury and Product
of England. 1776 Paine Com. Sense (1791) 55 We ought to
view the building a fleet as an article of commerce, it beinc
the natural manufactory of this country. 1786 Lady Jer-
mngham in f. Lett. (1896) I. 37 A very fine sliver gown. It
is a new Norwich manufactury.
t 2. The production of manufactured goods. 06s.
a 1618 Raleigh Obs. TradcPrel. in Rem. (1661) 164 There-
by to bring Manufactory into the Kingdome, and to set on
work all sorts of people. 1657 R. Carpenter Astrol. 5
Mechanical, inferiour, ami earthly Arts, pertaining to Manu-
faetry, were invented by Cain and his Children. 1762STERNE
Ft . J tlimfJ YI I lii. Tn irrnt the machine to the improve-
ment and better manufactory of the Arts and Sciences.
1 1812 I. J. Henry Camp. agst. Quebec 79 All neatly and
I warmly clothed in woolen, apparently of their own manu-
j factory. 1828 Souihey Ess. (1832) II. 332 The introduction
of the linen manufactory is another instance.
fig. 1846 G. S. Faber Lett. Tractar. Sccess. 21; The
MANUFACTORY.
143
MANUMISABLE.
deliberate manufactory of falsehood seems to be a regular part
of the Popish system.
3. A factory or workshop. Also with prefixed
word, as cotton, milk manufactory.
169s Luttkf.ll Brit'/ Ret. (1857) II. 524 The queens manu-
factury in the Strand. 1817 Honk Every-day Bk. II. 591
Milk manufactories usurp the place Of., dairies. 1879
Cassell's Techn. Educ. ill. 130/2 If the goods are fresh from
the manufactory.
f Manufactory, a. Obs. [ad. L. \y\K*manri-
factorius, f. manu facfre : cf. prec] Pertaining to,
or of the nature of, manufacture ; engaged in manu-
facture.
1630 Lord Banians 70 Servile and manufactory men that
should serve the uses of the world in the handicrafts. 1704
Swift Tate Tub § 2 A Sort of Idol, who. .did daily create
Men by a Kind of Manufactory Operation. 1741 AVrc
Hampsh. Prov. Papers (1871) p. Ixxvi, The manufactory
notes of a Combination of Persons in the other Government.
M anuf act ur able (mrcni/ffre'ktiurabT), a.
[f. Mantfactukb v. + -able.] Capable of being
manufactured. A\so fig.
1784 Alchorse in Phil. Trans. LXXIV. 466 The bar ob-
tained was no less inanufacturable than at first. 1893 Scrib-
ner's Mag. Aug. 15^/1 Talent is innate and not manu-
facturable.
t Manufacturage. Obs. Also7-orage. [f.
MANUFACTiMtE sb. + -age.] Manufacture.
1665 Dudley Metaltum Martis (1854* 31 Lesse profitable
to him that makes it into manufactorage, and lesse profitable
tohimthatuseth it. 1686 Vi.oTStaJfordsh. 162 More indeed to
the Masters profit, but less to him that has the manufactorage
of it. 1691 Land. Gaz. No. 2670/4 For the Encouraging
a Brandy Manufacturage in England.
Manufactural (rareniz/fx^tiural), a. [f.
Manufacture sb. + -al.] Pertaining to manu-
facture.
1789 Morse Amer. Geog. 00 Some of our manufactural
advantages and prospects, ibid. 91 Pennsylvania has con-
fessedly taken the lead, .in manufactural improvements. 1852
S. Bailey IHtC. 77. x88t Daily News 30 Aug., The next
process, and indeed the first in a manufactural sense, is that
of converting the rough timber into a state for use.
Manufacture (mteniwfarktiuj), sb. Also 7
manifacture, mannifacture. [a. F. manufacture
fifith c.), ad. med.L. *manufactura, f. manft
facere {manit, abl. of manus hand; facere to make).
Cf. Sp., Pg. manufactura, It. manifattura.~\
1. f a- The action or process of making by hand.
1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. !. vi.§2 It is not set down that God
said, Let there be heaven and earth, . . but actually, that God
made heaven and earth : the one carrying the style of a
manufacture, and the other of a. .decree.
b. The action or process of making articles or
material (in modern use, on a large scale) by the
application of physical labour or mechanical power.
162s Bacon Hen. VII 215 This Law pointed at a true
Principle ; That where forraine materials are but Super-
fluities, forraine Manufactures should bee prohibited1. For
that will either banish the Superfluitie, or gain the Manu-
facture. 1765 A. Dickson Treat. Agric. (ed. 2) 477 The
custom of using sand in the manufacture of brick. 1835 Ukk
Philos. Manuf. 1 The most perfect manufacture is that which
dispenses entirely with manual labour. 1892 Gardiner Stud.
Hist. Eng. 8 The tin which they needed for the manufacture
of bronze.
c. A particular branch or form of productive
industry. Often with prefixed sb., as limn, woollen,
worsted manufacture.
1683 J. Poyntz {title) The Present Prospect of the famous
and fertile Island of Tobago. With a Description of the
Situation, Growth, Fertility and Manufacture of the said
Island. 1670 Sir S. Crowe in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm.
App. v. 15 If that manifacture [sc. of hangings] had beene
under my charge. 1776 Adam Smith //'. N. iv. ix. (1869) II.
262 By means of trade and manufactures, a greater quantity
of subsistence can be annually imported. 1796 MorskWww.
Geog. II. 490 The late [Portuguese] minister of state, . .found
it impracticable to raise a glass manufacture into conse-
quence. 1835 Ure Philos. Manvf. 33 The capitalist has
merely to state., the nature of his manufacture,., when he
will be furnished with, .estimates. 1843 Penny Cycl. XXVII.
555/2 The connection between employers and employed,
buyers and sellers, in the woollen and worsted manufactures.
d. fig. Attributed to a quasi-personified natural
agent.
1880 Haughton Phys. Geog. v. 204 The conditions to be
fulfilled by a continent, for the successful manufacture of
rivers, are [etc.],
e. Phrase. Of {home, foreign, English, etc.)
manufacture; manufactured at home, abroad, etc.
1669STURMY Mariner's Mag., Penalties 3- Forfeit. 1 Goods
of the growth, production, and manufacture of Asia. 1844
Mem. Babylonian P'cess II. 168 Beschir sat on a handsome
chair .. of English manufacture. 1846 McCclloch Acc.
BritEmpire (1854) II. 35 A single article, either of domestic
or foreign growth or manufacture, 1894 Idler Sept. 130 A
small brass cannon of very antique pattern and manufacture.
f. Applied to the mechanical production or ex-
ternal ( getting up ' of books.
1887 Gladstone in Daily News 10 Jan. 6/1 The most
interesting of all manufactures, in my judgment, is the
manufacture, apart from the production, of books. 1897
Daily News 30 J une 6/3 A credit . . to the fine art of what the
publishers call the manufacture of books.
g. In depreciatory sense, applied to production
involving mere mechanical labour, as contrasted
with that which requires intellect. A\so fig. ap-
plied, e.g., to literary work of a ( soulless or me-
chanical kind, or to the deliberate fabrication of
false statements on a large scale for the market.
1829 Carlyle Misc., Germ. Playivr. (1840) II. 92 Herein
lies the difference between creation and manufacture. 1869
Ruskin O. 0/ Air § 104 While manufacture is the work of
hands only, art is the work of the whole spirit of man. 1872
— Eagle's N. % 88 Ignorance discontented, and dexterous,
..imitating what it cannot enjoy, produces the most loath-
some forms of manufacture.
2. concr. fa. A product of hand-labour; a
person's handiwork. Alsoy?^. Ol>s.
1567 N. Sander Treat. Images viii. 72 Vet the image is
rather a manufacture, to wit, a thing wrought vpon a crea-
ture by the artificers hand, then a seueral creature of it self.
1656 Earl Monm. tr. BoccalinPs Advts.fr. Pamass. 78
Liberty may be rather said to be a Divine Manifacture,
then any humane work. 1726 Pofk Odyss. xx. 254 Thy
manufacture, man.
atirib, 1700 Dryden Fables, Baucis <V Philemon 14
Heav'ns Pow'r is Infinite : Earth, Air, and Sea, The Manu-
facture Mass, the making Pow'r obey.
b. An article or material produced by the appli-
cation of physical labour or mechanical power,
t Formerly also collect, sing.
1611 Donnk Paneg. I'erses in Coryat's Crudities, If they
stoope lower yet and vent our wares Home-manufactures, tu
thicke popular faires. 1651 Hobbes Leviath. 11. xxiv. 127
By selling the Manifactures, whereof the Materials [etc.].
a 1715 Burnet Own Time (1724) I. 229 The inhabitants.,
brought with them a great deal of manufacture, which was
lying on the hands of the clothiers and others, 1725 1 * 1 :
Foe / 'oy. round World (1840) 276 Colchester baize, a coarse
rug-like manufacture. 1809 Kendall Trav. II. xlvi. 132
The manufacture, of the process of which the following is
the outline, is sea-salt. 1890 Spectator 26 Apr., The com-
mercial proposals were at once rejected as giving them dear
manufactures.
C. In depreciatory sense : Something produced
by mere mechanical industry, or made to supply
the demand of the market.
1871 Palghave Lyr. Poems 135 The tale and the legend
were gay Manufactures well wrought for the day.
f 3. Working with the hands ; a manual occu-
pation, handicraft. Obs.
1615 Burc.es Pers, Tithes 7 Such as line vpon Trade, or
other Bargaining, or Manu-facture. 1638 Sir T. Herbert
Trav. (ed. 2) 45 The other propbaner sort, the men of
warre and manifactures, have [etc.], 1647 Ward Simp.
Cobler (1843) 57 Doth it become you. .to. .take up the
Manufacture of cutting your Subjects throats ? 1660 Boston
Rec. (1877) II. 156 No person shall, .occupy any manufacture
or science, till hee hath compleated 21 years of age. 1699
Lister Joitrn. Paris 63 A private Anatomy Room is to one
not accustomed to this kind of Manufacture, very irksome.
1 4. A manufacturing establishment or. business ;
a factory. Obs.
1653 H. Cogan tr. Pinto's Trav. xi. 35 Having seen, .the
Custom-house, the River, the Army, the Manufactures,
stores of Powder, and other particulars, .she was lodged in
a fair house. 1704 De Foe in 15M Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm.
App. iv. 88 All my prospects were built on a manufacture I
had erected in Essex. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Mann-
fact ure ,..M$q a Workhouse, or Place where such Works
are carry'd on. 1783 Justamond tr. Raynafs Hist. Indies
I. 370 The malversations that prevail in the manufactures,
magazines, docks and arsenals at Batavia.
Manufacture (ma^nh/farktitu), v. [f. prec.
Cf. F. manuf actw'er, It. manifatturare , med.L.
mamfaclurdre.]
1. trans. To work up (material) into forms suit-
able for use.
1683 Tryon Way to Health 81 Milk likewise altered and
Manufactur'd (if I may call it so) by the good House-Wives
Art and Industry, yields many other sorts of good Food.
1683 Brit. Spec. 13 Very fine WoolL.but being manufac-
tured into Cloth and Stuffs, is dispersed all over the World.
1727 Swift Pet. Colliers Wks. 1755 III. 1. 131 Totally pro-
hibit the confining and manufacturing the sun-beams for
any of the useful purposes of life. 1842 J. Aiton Domest.
Econ. (1857) 217 The method of manufacturing milk just
described— that is, of churning the whole into butter.
b. transf. To elaborate or work up (literary
material).
1761 Gibbon Jrnl, 4 Aug. Misc. Wks. (1796) I. 107 It may
afford such a fund of materials as I desire, which have not
yet been properly manufactured.
2. To make or fabricate from material ; to pro-
duce by labour (now esp. on a large scale).
175S '" Johnson. 1778 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 2) II. 1015/1 Of
the bark, .of a tree which they vsWpocrou they manufacture
excellent matting. 1878 Jevons Prim. Pol. Econ. 25 We
cannot manufacture any goods unless we have some matter
to work upon.
b. transf. Said of natural agencies.
1876 Bristowe Th. A Prnct. Med. (1878) 876 The liver,
besides manufacturing bile, is an organ for[etc.J. 1899 All-
butt's Syst. Med. VIII. 464 Poisons manufactured within
the system can act in a similar manner.
3. fig. In disparaging sense : To ' fabricate ', in-
vent fictitiously; also, to produce (literary work,
etc.) by mere mechanical industry.
176a Gibbon Misc. Wks. (i8r4) IV. no The speech is
evidently manufactured by the historian. 1771 Junhts
Lett. 1. 259 He seems to manufacture his verses for the sole
use of the hero. 1777 Hamilton Wks. (1886) VII. 512
Prisoners .. know very well how to manufacture stories
calculated to serve the purposes of the side they belong to.
1876 Trevei.van Macaulay I. iii. 134 He was fond of setting
himself to manufacture conceits resembling those on the
heroes of the Trojan War. 1880 Manch. Guard. 15 Dec,
The numerous outrages which have been reported, many of
which he declared were ' manufactured '. 1902 B. L. Gilder-
slekvk in Amer. Jrnl. Philol. .Will. 449 The ancients
1 manufactured a hostility between Homer and Hesiod, Pin-
dar and Bakchylides, Aischylos and Sophocles.
4. intr. To permit of being manufactured.
1763 Museum Ritsticum I. 12 The flax thus managed
dresses and manufactures much belter.
Manufactured imxni7/fie'ktiiiid),///. a. [f,
Maxlfactuhe V. + -ED >.]
1. Fabricated from raw material.
1680 W. Love in Deb. Parlt. (16S1) 63 And it cannot be
expected, that the Indians should grow weary, of exchanging
their Manufactured Goods for our Gold and Silver. 1776
Adam Smith W, X. iv. ix. (1869) 1 1. 263 A trading and manu-
facturing country naturally purchases with a small pan of
its manufactured produce, a great part of the rude produce
of other countries. 1885 A thenmum 17 Oct. 500/2 [The J age
..brings manufactured articles to every man's door.
2. Fraudulently invented or brought into existence.
1866 Totues Elect. Comm.,Miu. Evid. (1867) 77 They were
manufactured votes. 1903 Daily Chron. 24 Feb. 5/5 A inure
manufactured and basele->s claim was never set up.
Manufacturer (maeni//fa;kuurai). [f. Manu-
facture v. + -kk '. Cf. F. mamtfacturier.]
f 1. An artificer, an operative in a manufactory.
1719 W. Wood Sun'. 'Trade 312 Those who differ from
the Established Church are generally of the lowest Rank,
Mechanicks, Artificers and Manufacturers. 1776 Adam
Smith W. N. 1. x. I. (1S69) I. 107 The wages of mechanics,
artificers, and manufacturers should be somewhat higher
than those of common labourers. 1812 Gen. Hist, in Ann.
Reg. 38 The distresses which had driven the poor manu-
facturers [of Nottingham] to acts of out rage. 1849 Macau lay
Hist. Eng. iii. (185S) I. 433 A shilling a day was the pay to
which the English manufacturer then [in i63o] thought
hin^elf entitled.
2. One who employs workmen for manufacturing :
the owner of a manufactory.
1752 Hume Ess. cy Treat. (1777) II. 05 A manufacturer
reckons upon the labour of his servants. 183a Hahhaci;
Econ. Manuf. xiii. (ed. 3) 121 The magnitude of the order
made it worth his while to turn manufacturer. 1901 Daily
Nnvs 22 Mar. 3/2 It is the duty of a manufacturer to charge
the highest price he can get.
b. With qualifying word, as cloth, flannel manu-
facturer.
1842 Uisciioff Woollen Manuf . II. 120 John Nussey, cloth
manufacturer, Birstal, Yorkshire. ..Jacob Tweedale, flannel
manufacturer, Rochdale.
3. transf and jig.
1802 J. Ritson Arte. Eng. Mctr, Rom. I. p. cix, In what
manner this ingenious editour conducted himself in tliis
patch'd up publication wil be evident from the following
parallel, which may be useful to future manufacturers in
this line. 1847 Emkkson* Repr. Men, Napoleon Wks. (Bonn)
I. 378 The men of letters he slighted; 'they were manu-
facturers of phrases '.
Hence Mannfa'cturess, a female manufacturer,
or the wife of a manufacturer. A\so fig.
1822 Blackvu. Mag. XII. 657 * Buildresses of the lofty
rhyme', or manufacturesses of fancy goods in verse. 1881
M. A. Lewis Two Pretty G. III. 14 A good-humoured
homely body, as far as possible removed from the typical
rich manufacturess.
Manufacturing (ma?ni//fa''ktiurirj), vbl. sb.
[-ing!.] The action of the vb. Manukactuke.
1690 Child Disc. Trade 178 Where there is little Manu-
facturing, ..the profit of Plantations, viz. the greatest part
thereof will not redound to the Mother-Kingdom. 1757
Foote Author 1. Wks. 1799 I. 134, I have a larger cargo of
my own manufacturing. 1865 Morn. Star 3 May, The
roasting of ore and the manufacturing of arsenic. 1893
A thenamm 23 Sept. 412/2 The mere manufacturing of poetry.
attrib. 1834 Peel in Croker Papers (1884) 24 Mar., Those
gave the most reluctant votes whose Constituencies were
most of a manufacturing character. 1896 Daily News 13 Jan.
7/5 Gas and manufacturing fuel and all kinds of coke are
selling freely.
Manufacturing (ma?ni/ffc-ktiurin.\ ppl. a.
[-1NG2.] Engaged or concerned in manufacture.
1774 J. Tucker Four Tracts Contents 1, A rich manu-
facturing Country. 1776 [see Manufactured i\. 18*5 M°Cul-
locii Pol. Econ. n. i. 72 Labour, is said to be agricultural,
manufacturing, or commercial. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng.
IV*. 127 Throughout the country, but especially in the
capital, in the seaports and in the manufacturing towns.
||Manuka(man;7'ka; Jl/aorinm-nuVa.'). [Maori.]
A name for several Australasian trees and shrubs
of the genus Leptospermum (N.O. Myrtacex^,
which yield a very hard, dark, close-grained and
heavy wood, and an aromatic leaf sometimes em-
ployed as a substitute for tea : a. Red manuka of
New Zealand, Leptospermum scoparium. b. White
manuka of New Zealand, L. ericoides. c. Manuka
of Tasmania (Tea tree), L. lanigerum. Also attrib.
1840 J. S. Polack Mann. N. Zealanders II. 258 This
wood, called by the southern tribes Manuka, is remarkably-
hard and durable. 1851 Mrs. Wilson Neiv Zealand 46
Manuka, a very hard dark closegrained and heavy wood.
attrib. 187s Wood & Lapham // ait ing for Mail 38 A bit
of deal board, fastened on a Manuka pole.
Manul (ma-nul). [Said by Pallas to be a
Kirghiz word.] A cat, Felis manul, native of the
steppes of Siberia and Tartary.
1871 Cassell's Nat. Hist. II. 59 The Manul seems to re-
place the common Wild Cat in Northern Asia.
Manument, variant of Manyment Sc. Obs.
t Manumisable, a. Obs. rare~l. [L Manu-
misk v. + -able.] Capable of being released from
a burden or obligation.
"773 Gentl. Mag. XLIII. 76 Copyholds .. may be an-
nihilated by making them manumisable, upon paying a.
certain number of year1; r«nts.
MANUMISE.
t Manumise, mauumiss, -'. Obs. Forms: |
6-7 manumiss(e, manumysej mannuraise, 6-9 j
manumise, 7-9 manumise. [f. L. manumiss-^ 1
ppl. stem of manumittcre to Manumit. The form |
manumise arises from assimilation to eommise, \
f remise, promise] - Manumit v.
1523 Fitziierb. Surv. 26b, It were a charytable dede..to j
manumise them that be bonde. 1581 J . Ky.i.lH addon's Ans:>:
Osor. 147 Mans Freewill .. beyng manumyscd .. by Gods
grace. 1638 Coke On Lift. I. 137 b, If a villeine be manu-
mised. 1637 Gillespie ling. Pop. Cerent, Ep. Bb, They
manumisse and set free the Simony,, .of some of their owne
side. 1708 Collier Eccl. Hist. 1. 11. 113/2 If a Slave is forc'd
to work upon the Sunday by his Master's Order, let him be
manumiz'd. 1769 Boston News-Lei. 7 Sept. 2/2 A mulatto
named Dick, formerly a slave to Air. d* Harriet te, but
afterwards manumised,..has disappeared. x8ia SOOTHEY
Omniana I. 321 Neither is it uncommon for themen slaves
to purchase and manurmze their wives. 1819 G. S. Faber
Dispensations (1823) II. ill The dead are no longer the
object of God's.. moral government, being manumised or
set free from it as a slave was manumised or set free from
the service of his master.
Hence tManumiaed///.fl.,tManumisingr'/'/.^.
1541 Pavnel Catiline xxxii. 51 '>> P. Umbrenus, a man
manumised. 1579-80 Nokth Plutarch, Publicola (1595) i11
The perfect manumissing and freeing of bondmen, is called
i'indictn. 16Z4 IT. Scott] Law/uln. Ketherl. Warre 25
Exhort you them to proceed as they are best able, .for the
preservation and manunusing of their owne lives and liberty.
1627 Hakewill Apol. (1630) 420 The daughter of a manu-
missed slave. 1796 Stedman Surinam I. i. 17 Two black
soldiers, manumized slaves.
tManumiss,.^. Obs. [ad.lumanumiss-ustpa..
pple. of manumittere to Manumit.] A freed slave.
1658 Hkomhall Treat. Specters I. 12 Trallianus a Manu-
misse of the Emperour Adrian.
Manumission (maeiuwmrjan), Obs. exc. Hist.
[a. F. manumission ■, ad. L. manumission-em ', noun
of action f. L. manumittere : see Manumit z\]
I. The action of manumitting, or the fact of being
manumitted ; formal release from slavery or servi-
tude; an act or instance of this.
Charter, deed, tetter, writ of manumission', a written
grant of personal freedom by a feudal superior ; alao./t£.
1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) I. 89 The peple ofJParthia..
ainonge whom seruauntes be habundante, for thei haue not
their manumission. 1523 FiTZHEBB, Surv, 26 Many noble
men.. haue made to dyuers of the sayd bonde men manu-
missions. 1591 Lambahde Archeion (1635) 108 That Great
Charter of the Liberties of England, (which I may call the
first Letters of Manumission of the people of this Realme
[etc.]). 1610 Willet Hexapla Dan. 178 The manumission
and deliuerance of the I ewes, 1625 Massisger Ncio Way
Epil., Nor we, Nor he that wrote the Comedie, can be free
Without your Mannumission. 1628 Coke On Litt.% 204. 137
Manumission is properly when the Lord makes a deed to
his villeine to enfranchise him by this word {Manumit-
tere) which is the same as to put him out of the hands and
power of another. 1658 Cleveland Rustic Rampant Wks.
(1687)480 Lister sends on Embassy. .the Lord Morley..
to obtain Charters of Manumission, and Pardon. 1737 J.
Chamberlayne St. Gt. Brit. 1. in. v. 182 Servants in the
Saxon Times were properly Slaves, and very many Instances
of their Manumissions are stilt extant. it66 Blackstonk
Comm. II. vi. 94 Villeins might be enfranchised by manu-
mission, which is either express or implied : express, as
where a man granted to the villein a deed o( manumission.
1796 Mouse Amer. Geog. I. 231 Societies for the manumission
of slaves. 1827 Pollok Course T. vn, The writ of manu-
mission, signed By God's own signature. 1862 Tkollopf.
Orley F. x. (ed. 4) 69 He had been no Old Bailey lawyer,
devoting himself to the manumission of murderers.
attrib. 1894 H. Gardknkk Unojf. Patriot 97 When the
manumission papers came, Katherine sent LeRoy..to tell
the negroes to come to the ' big house '.
b. transf. andyFf.
1549 Coverdale, etc. Erasm . Par. 1 Tim. 16 They are
set at lybertye by manumission from the lordeshyp of synne.
c 1645 How ell Lett. (1655) IV. xix. 45 Languages by a re-
gardless adoption of soni new words, and manumission of
old do often vary. 1779-81 Johnson L. P., Addison Wks.
III. 82 It is not unlikely that Addison was first seduced to
excess by the manumission he obtained from the servile
timidity of his sober hours.
^1 c. Misused for * initiation.'
1596 Nashk SaJ/ron-watden K4b Vpon his first manumis-
sion in the mysterie of Logique, because he obseru'd Ergo
was the. .driu'n home stab of the Syllogisme, hee [etc.].
■f* 2. Graduation, laureation. Se. Obt,
1604 in Cral'fl'rd Hist. Univ. Ediu. 62 The Primar calling
the candidates before him, ..perfurmeth the ceremony, by
imposition of an bonnet (the badge of manumission) upon
the head of every one of the candidats.
Manumissive, a. Civil Law. [f. L. manu-
miss-y ppl. stem of manumittere to Manumit + -ivk.
Concerned with manumitting.
1 871 Poste Gains 1. 82 Acquisition of manumissive capacity.
1 Mauumit, . Obs. [f. Manumit v. (?as if
pa. pple.).] A freed bondman.
1615 G. Sandys Trav. 276 Effected by the labor of twenty
thousand manumitts.
Manumit (maeni/zmrt), v. [ad. L. mam'tmitt-
fre, ante-class, manu emilttrre, lit. to send iwrth from
one's 'hand', i.e. from one's control. Cf. OF.
mamtmetre> manumiter, Sp. manumitir, It. mano-,
manimeftere.]
1. trans. To release from slavery ; to release from
bondage or servitude; to set free.
1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) VI. 283 But this Kenulphus..
manumitte this kynge at the hie awter. '1 1538 Leland I tin.
II. 55 One of the Erles of Cornewalle henag them secretly
144
to lament their state, manumittid them for Mony. 1590
Swinburne Testaments 196 If the testator do make his owne
villeine executor, he doth manumit, .his villeine from bond-
age. 1649 Jkr. Tavlor Gt. Exemp. it. Disc. ix. 10S Christian
masters were not bound to manumit their slaves. ^1671
Ld. Fairfax Mem. in Arb. Gamer VIM. 574, I thought lit
to manumit the Lord Capel, the Lord Norwich, Slc. over to
the Parliament. 1757 Burke A hridgm. F.ng. Hist. 11. 11. \V ks.
X. 267 The clergy.. manumitted their new vassals. 1840
Pob Gold Bug Wks. 1864 I.93 An old negro, called Jupiter,
who had lieen manumitted, before the reverses of the family.
b. /rails/, and fig.
1594 Nashe Unfort. Trav. I 2 b, My hand and my knife
shall manumit mee out of the horrour of minde I endure.
1598 Marston Pygmal. etc. Reactio 66 Come, manumit
thy plumie pinion, And scower the sword of Eluish cham-
pion. 1644 -R. St.fvi.tok Juvenal vi. 523 The Matron of
the wheele in councell sits, Whose needle now her Lady
manumits. 1653 Gai den Hierasp. 27 Striplings, .which
have but lately been manumitted from the rod and ferula.
1877 Sparrow Serin, iv. 43 A bondage to Satan, from which
none can manumit us but the Son.
absol. 174. Young Nt. Th. IV. 667 Happy Day ! that
breaks our Chain ; That manumits ; that calls from Exile
home. 1880 Muirheao Gains I. § 36 It is not every man
who pleases that can manumit.
1 2. To graduate or confer a degree upon. St. Obs.
1607 in Ckaufukd Hist. Univ. Kdin. 65 The 20th class . .
were manumitted with the magisteriall dignity, some 27 in
number. 1635 ibid. 126 The 47th class . . were solemnly
manumitted in the lower hall of the Colledge.
Hence Manumi-tted, Manumitting- ///. ndjs.
Also Manumi'tter, one who manumits.
1616 Holvdav Fersins v. 214 Knowst thou no other Master,
hut he whom The Manumitting rod did free thee from ?
1685 Cotton tr. Montaigne (1711) I. xxiii. 159 A mean
manumitted slave. 1693 W. Bowles in Dryden s Juvenal
v. (1697) 108 At last thou wilt .. receive the manumitting
Blow On thy shav'd slavish Head. 1863 Whyte Melville
Gladiators I. 55 These manumitted slaves were usually
bound by the ties of interest. 1865 Mozley Mirac. vii. 145
The Church was the great manumitter and improver of the
condition of the serf. 187S Poste Gains I. (ed. 2) § 39 The
motives valid when the manumitting owner is under twenty,
are admissible when the manumitted slave is under thirty.
Mainimotive (mseniwmfttiv),*. [f. L. man ft,
abl. of mantis hand + Motive a.] Of a vehicle :
Propelled by mechanism worked by hand.
1831 Mechanics' Mag. XIV. 389 Some communications iir
the Magazine on manumotive carriages. 1889 Spectator 12
Oct., Steam-carriages, ..and manumotive cars.
Manumotor f,mseni#m#>"taii). [f. L. manu,
abl. of mamts hand + Motor.] A carriage pro-
pelled by mechanism worked by hand.
1844 [see Pedomotor]. In recent Diets.
Manuple, obs. f. Maniple.
t Manuporter. Obs. rare-". [(. L. mani'i
by hand -rfortdre to carry + -er ' : cf. Porter sb.]
One who carries by strength of hand.
1688 K. Holme Armoury in. 71/2 The Manuporter is him
that bears or carries any thing by strength of hands ; and
such are Packing Porters.
t Manuprisor. Obs. [Altered form of M.UN-
rrusER, after L. man ft, abl. of maims hand.] «•
Mainpernor.
1695 Kennett Par. Antio. ix. 419 The said Sir Eubulo. .
was ManuprLsor or Security for Hugh Spencer. 1710 ).
Harris Lex. Techn. II, Manu-prisor, one who was Bail-
pledge or Security for another Person.
Manurable (maniri>rab'l\ a. Also 7 mayno-
rable, maniorable (corruptly for *mainorable\
manureable. [f. Manure v. + -able.]
T 1. Law. Admitting of being held in corporeal
possession. Obs.
1628 Coke On I.itt. 47 If a man demiseth the vesture or
herbage of his land, he may reserue a rent, for that the thing
is maynorable. Ibid. 142 A Rent seruice cannot be reserued
out of any inheritance but such as is nianiirable, whereinlo
the Lord may enter and take a distresse, as in Lands and
Tenements, Reuersions, Remainders, and as some haue
said, out of the herbage of lands. 1767 Comyns Digest s.v.
/'lender C 35 If he alledges Seisin of Things manurable, as
of Lands, Tenements, ..&c. he shall say [etc.]. If of Thing!
not manurable, as of an Advowson &c. he shall say [etc.].
1 2. Of land : That can be worked or cultivated.
1630 A'. Johnson's Kingd. <y Commit: 544 The residue,
except the sand, is made manurable, either for feeding of
Caltell or Camels, a 1676 Hale De Jure Maris 1. vi. In
llatgravc's Tracts (1787) I. 26 For the most part the lands
covered with these fluxes are dry and maniorable. 1756 P.
Browne Jamaica 13 They laid a tax of five shillings per
acre on all manurable lands that should not be forthwith
opened and cultivated.
3. That can be manured or fertilized.
I 1828-32 in Webster ; and in later Diets.
t Manvrrage. Obs. rare. [f. Manure v. +
i -age.- Cf. OK. iiianouvrage.] Occupation or cul-
tivation of land.
1586 Warner Alb. Bag. ill. xiv. (1589) 56 Now, of the
Couquerour this Isle had Brutaine vnto name, And with his
j Troianes Brule began manura^e of the same. 1796.1/iwW;/
Gulth'er 107 No one . . should !>e allowed to work on the
1 farm, while under my course of manurage.
Manurance (mannwrans). Also 5 menur-
ance, manneranee, (> manuraunce. [f. Manure
: v. + -ANCE.]
1. Tenure, occupation (of land or other property) ;
control, management. Now only in Law.
1468 Taston Lett. II. 331 Dischargyng hym utterly of the
menurance, occupacion, and receyt of the revenuez. 1468
! Foils of Parlt. VI. 231/2 Accions for th' occupacion aud
MANURE.
manneranee of any of the seid premisses. 1538 Fitzherb.
Just. Teas 1 16 b, Meses landes or tenementes in theyrowne
manuraunce and occupacion. 1604 Suppl. Masse Priests i.
B 3, How can they delight in peace and order and good
manurance of the countrey? 1726 Ayliffe Parergon 508 So
long as the land continued in the Manurance of the Religious
Persons themselves.
2. t Cultivation (of land), tillage {obs.) ; manuring.
157* J- Jones Bathes Buckstone Ded. 2 Men liuing on the
fruits of the Earth, without any manurance, as beasts.
41630 RisnON Sum. Devon § 1 (1810) 15 It is subject to
thorns and briers, (if manurance did not prevent it). 1760
Burn Eccles. Lain (1797) III. 210 [To] buy and sell corn
and cattle for the only manurance, tillage, and pasturage of
such farms. 1805 R. W. Dickson Pract. Agric. App. v. 1240
The Pra;dial Tithes are such as arise from the land spon-
taneously or by manurance. 1854 Thorf.au H'alden vii.
(1863) 177 See if they will not grow in this soil even with
less toil and manurance.
+ b. fig. Cultivation or training (of the character
or faculties). Obs.
1594 Carkw Huarte's Exam. Wits xiv. 242 The Turks
..caused the Vniuersitie of Athens to passe vnto Paris...
And (thus through want of manurance) so many galkurt wits
. .are vtterly perished. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. It. xix. § 2
The culture and manurance of minds in youth hath such
a forcible.. operacion, as [etc.]. 1615 J. Dyke Myst. Self-
deceit 46 We should be loath to trust a Beare or Wolfe. .
though by culture and manurance_ in their youth, their
inlwme fiercenesse be somewhat mitigated.
Manure (maniu»u) , sb. Also 6 menar, maner,
-oure, maynor, -ure, 6-7 meano(u)r, 7 manier,
manner, [f. Manure v.
Stressed manure as late as 1784, though manure occurs
in Dryden. Some mod. dialects have imae'naJ).]
1. Dung or compost spread over or mixed with
soil to fertilizejt. •
1549 in Willis & Clark Cambridge (1886) II. 4»o The
seyde College dothc.laye ther mucke and meanor..apon
the foreseyde common grene. 1579 Nottingham Fee. IV.
190 Wee present Jhon Broune (ij</.) for layinge menar in
they strett. 1598 Br. Hall Sat. v. i. 59 Tho many a lode
of Marie and Manure led, Reuiu'd his barren leas, that ear>t
lay dead. 1651 Mauch. Court Feet Fee. (1887) IV. 53 Thomas
Miliington hath made a trespas vpon Mri* Hallywell by
laieinge manier. .vnto her frc-eehold in St. Mariegate. 1664
Evelyn Sylva (1679) 10 To barren ground with toyle large
meanour add. 1697 Dryden I'irg. Georg. 11. 475 In depth of
Earth secure Thy cover'd Plants, and dung with hot Manure.
1760 Brown Compl. Farmer 11. 3 The best manure for
meadows is the bottom of hay-mows and hay-stacks. 1784
Cowpek Task ill. 517 The warm and genial earth that hides
The smoking manure, and o'erspreads it all. 1858 Glenny
Card. Everyday Bk. 56/2 The runners are to be planted out
in beds of rich manure.
f2. The action of manuring'; cultivation. Obs.
1677 Plot Oxfordsh. 154 As to the manure of it, some sow
but two bushels on the Statute Acre. 1696 Whiston Th.
Earth IV. (1722) 352 The Toil, Tillage and Manure of the
Husbandman, .must have been in the Primitive state very
facile.
3. attrib. and Comb.
1766 Museum Fnsticum VI. 32 The five-coultered, or.,
manure-plough. 1832 Scoreby Farm Fep. 27 in Fib?: Usef.
Knoiol. Hush. Ill, The manure-hill should be made in a
compact form, and banked up square. 1844 H. Stephens Bk.
Farm 1 1. 648 The profits of the manure-dealer must lie much
greater than those of the farmer. 1865 F'lorist's Jml. 10
Water them freely with manure water, made with decayed
sheep's dung. 1887 Spectators Oct. 1342 The manure-heap
[was] removed to a reasonable distance.
Manure (maniu>j)) v. Also 5 maynoyre,
manour, maynour(e. raenure, mannor, 6 man-
(n)er, manar, -or, 7 mannure. [a. AF. niayn-
tvtrtr to work with the hands = OF. manoiivrer :
see Manoeuvre v.]
fl. trans. To hold, occupy (land, property) ; to
have the tenure of; to administer, manage. Obs.
a 1400-50 Alexander 837* (Dubl. MS.) All be marche of
massydon he manours dene. 1430-31 Rolls of Parlt. IV.
385/2 The saide tenauntz and lond holders dar not inhabite,
niaynour nor occupye the saide Toun. 1457 Peebles Charters,
etc. (1872) ii9Thegud wif sal mannor thirthyngysqwil scho
lefis. a 1577 Sir T. Smith Commw. Eng 1 1. xxiv. (1589)43 To
speake of the Common wealth, .of England, it is gouerned,
administered and manured by three sortes of persons. 1581
Pettif. Guazzo's Civ. Conv. lit. ( 1 586) 148 b, They cannot
manner their children well, vnlesse they haue a rod in their
hand. 1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. I. IV. 208 To
the Britanis delyuering it [the kingdome] to manure and
inhabite [L. Hritannisque incolendum tradidil). 1628 Coke
(hi Lilt. 17 That which is manually occupied, manured and
possessed. 1645 Milton Tetrach. Wks. 1851 IV. 231 (Matt,
xix. 8) Christ only told us that from the beginning it was not
so; that is to. say not so as the Pharises manur'd the busines.
i b. To inhabit (a place). Also absol. Obs.
c 1595 Capt. Wyatt A'. Dudley's i'oy. IV. Ind. (Hakl.
Soc.) 16 Not marveilinge that he founde noe inhabitante
manuring* in that uninhabitable desarte. 1698 Fryer Ace.
/■:. India ff P. 67 Beyond it is Parell . . to which appertains
Siam, manured by Columbeens, Husbandmen.
+ 2. To till, cultivate (land). Obs.
1 a 1400 Morte A rth. 2507 A mede . . Mawene and un-made,
maynoyrede bolt lyttylle. 1513 Douglas ACneis iv. v. 72
^ont woman ..quham to we For to manure gave the strand
of the sea [L. cui litus arandum . .dedimns], 1592 Wills A>
lnv. N. C. (Surtees) 1 1. 214 To my mother, .ij ackers of medow
..and all her land to be mannered. 1601 R. Johnson Kinrd.
fir Commw. (1603)231 Hee manureth his owne fields with nis
owne slaves and cattle. 1671 tr. Frejus' I'oy. Mauritania
28 We saw all the Countrey manured and green. 1700 Astry
tr. Saavedra-Faxardo II. 148 A barren Sand, not capable
of being manur'd by either Spade or Plow. 1741 C'tess
Pomfret Corr. (1805) III. 250 A beautiful vale, inhabited,
manured, and planted. 1774 Golusm. Nat. Hist. (1776) 111.
MANURED.
145
MANTJTENTION.
i6r He Is at the trouble neither of manuring his grounds,
nor bringing in his harvests.
f b. To cultivate, train, rear (a plant). Obs.
163a Sir T. Hawkins tr. Mathieu's Unhappy Prosperitie
259 Omitting nothing in the sollicitous care of exact educa-
tion, by manuring her as a plant. 1639 Filler//*?/^ IVariu
xi. (1840) 64 Who like a nut tree must be manured by beating.
1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp. s.v. Oost, The people who
manure hops.
t c. ife with retention of the literal phraseology.
1561 T. Norton Calvin's Inst. iv. xiv. {1634) 633 The worile
of God., if it light upon a soul manured with the hand of the
heavenly spirit, it will bee most fruitfull. 1645 Z. Boyd Holy
Songs in ZiotCs Elotuers (1 855) App. 1 3/ 1 Manure your heart
with diligence, and in it sow good seed.
f d. To cultivate, train (the body or mind, etc.).
r 1540 tr. Pol. Verg. Eng. Hist. (Camden No. 36) 10 Those
Scotts which inhabit the southe, beinge farre the beste parte,
are well manured. 1607 J. Carpenter Plaine Mans Plough
9 O Father.. manure our worke without, and prepare our
mindes within. 1641 Milton Animadv.x'iix. Wks. 1851 III.
229 It is. .his own painfull study, .that manures and improves
his ministerial! gifts, a 1781 R. Challonf.r Medit. (1843) I.
24 To manure you., with his word, his graces, and his
sacraments.
fe. To practise, devote oneself to. Obs.
1596 Dalrymple \x Leslie's Hist. Scot. I. 10 Thay manure
Justice [L. instt'tiatn colnnt].
3. To enrich (land) with manure; to apply manure
to; to supply with fertilizing material.
I|mN 'ashe Lent. Stuff bi Retailing theyr dung to manure
landes. 1601 7 M arston Pasqnilfy Kath. 1. 99 Onely to scrape
A heape of muck : to fatten and manure The barren vertues
of my progenie. a 1653 Gouge Co/utn. Hcb. xiii. 20 Sheep
are in every thing profitable. Their wool and skin for cloth-
ing,., their dung for manuring ground. 1680 Dodweix On
Sanchoniathon (1691^ 109 The Slime it brought along with it,
manured the Land for Corn. 1703 Moxon meek. Exert. 242
Lime also is useful . . to Manure Land with. 1713 Addison
Cato 11. i, The Corps of half her Senate Manure the Fields
of Thessaly. a 1862 Buckle Misc. Wks. (1872) I. 571 The
land was inclosed, drained, and manured.
ahsol. {Jig.) 1851 Thackeray Eng. Hum. Wks. (Riogr.
Ed.) II. 483 He had not worked crop after crop from his
brain, manuring hastily, sub-soiling indifferently.
b. To spread or spill like manure, nonce-use.
1592 Kvd Sol. «y Pers. 1. v. 36 So many valiant Rassowes
slaine, Whose bloud hath bin manured to their earth.
f4. a. To work upon with the hand; to work
up = Manoeuvre v. Obs.
1431 in Madox Fortnul. Anglic. (1702) 331 John has selled
..alle the Undenvodde . . to hewe, kutte downe, occupie,
brynne, and maynoure, and lede away.. unto the ende of
foure yere. 1575 Laneham Let. 50 Horn, .being neyther so
churlish in weyght az iz mettall : nor so froward and brytl
too manure, az stone.
jb. To manoeuvre (a ship). Obs.
1569 Sir J. Hawkins Voy. GvyneavA fin., We were scant lye
able to manure oure ship.
Manure, obs. form of Manor.
Manured (manifold),///, a. [f. Manure v.
+ -edI.] fa. Cultivated, tilled ; (of plants) cul-
tivated as opposed to 'wild1 (obs.). b. Dressed
with manure or other fertilizer.
1551 Turner Herbal 1. Ki, It growethinrankeand manored
groundes. 1562 Ibid, It, 80 The gardin or sowen or manered
carot. 1596 Nashe Saffron IValden 102 A dampe (like the
smoake of a Cannon) from the fat manured earth . . (being the
buriall place of fiue parishes). 1677 Plot Oxfordsh. 155
Manured bastard Saffron. 1746-7 Hervey Medit. (1818) 146
If God * seal up the bottles of heaven'.. the best manured
plot becomes a barren desart. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) II.
384/1 Aruudo. . . t. The phragmitis, or common marsh reed.
. . 2. The debax, or manured reed. 1896 A llbittfs Syst. Med.
I.763 It [the tetanus bacillus] .. is especially associated with
the stable and with manured fields.
I Manureless,<7. Obs. rare-1, [-less.] With-
out * manure* or cultivation.
x595 T. Williams in Chapman Ovid's Bang. Sense To
Author, Vngratefull Farmers of the Muses land, That. .Let
it manureles and unfenced stand.
t Manure ment. Obs. [f. Manure v. +
-ment.] Cnltivation (lit. said Jig.).
(11639 Wottom Sum Educ. in Reliq. (1651) 319 The
manurement of Wits is like thatof Soyles. 1707 J. Archdale
Descr.^ Carolina 9 Its natural Fertility and easy Manure-
ment, is apt to make the People incline to Sloth.
Manurer (maniuVrsa). [f. Manure v. + -er1.]
One who manures ; + a cultivator, tiller ; an occu-
pier of land (obs.) ; a fertilizer of land. lit. ta\dfig.
1560-1 1 st Bk. Discipl. Ch.Scot. viii. (1 836) 53 The labourers
and manurers of the ground. 1569 Act n Eliz. in Bolton
Stat.lrel. (1621)301 That the inhabitants, manurers, or occu-
pyers of the same doe bearc.such charges [etc.], 1607
Hieron Wks. I. 233 He is .. the continuall dresser and
manurer of His church. 1705 Bosman Guinea 16 A Land
which yields its Manurers as plentiful a Crop as they can
wish. 1829 E. Jesse Jrnt. Nat. 340 This animal [the earth-
worm] destined to be the natural manurer of the soil.
Manurial fmanifwriaT), a. [irreg.f.MAxuitE j£.
+ -UL.] Pertaining to, or of the nature of manure.
t86i Chemical Neivs IV. 184 Sewage, .retaining its manu-
rial qualities. 1884 F. I. Lloyd Set. Agric. 151 Sawdust
itself possesses no manurial value.
Manuring (maniu»'rirj), vbl. sb. Forms: see
the vb. [f. Manure Z/. + -ING*.] fa. Occupation,
tenure, -fb. Cultivation, tillage. C. Fertilization
by means of manure ; + occas. concr. = manure.
1436 Rolls o/Parlt. IV. 500/1 Fermours, and other men
35 u#syn menurynS of lond. 1550 J. Coke Eng. % Fr.
Heralds § 204 (1877) 116 Parte of them may be put to tylth,
manuring and habitacion. 1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Hush
Vol. VI.
it. (1586) 80 Cmier it either with olde doling, or with the
newest of any other kind of mannering. 1667 Milton P.L.
iv. 629 Yon flourie Arbors, yonder Allies green.. That mock
our scant manuring. 17*6 Shklvockk Voy. round World
no Almost every family have all the necessaries of life of
their own manuring and feeding. 187a Ykats Techn. Hist.
Comm. 216 In every system of manuring, the chemical com-
position of the manure is that which constitutes its agri-
cultural importance.
attrib. 1849 J. F. Johnston Ex/. Agric. 97 It may not
l>e the same., with other manuring substances.
Manuring, ///. a. [f. Manure v. + -ing-.]
That manures, in various senses of the vb.
1635 Swan Spec. M. vi. § 2 (1643) 202 When their Nilus
overflowed or when it first began to diffuse an ample portion
of manuring bountie into the lap of the land. 1641 Milton
Ch. Govt. 1. vi. Wks. 1851 III. 125 The manuring hand of the
Tiller, a 1647 Habington Sur7'. II 'ores, in Worcs. Hist.
Soc. Proc. 11. 218 Chaunging. .thys shyre from a wildernes
of savage beastes to the freedomeof manurynge husbandry.
I1 Manns (mil*D#%). [L. manus hand.]
1. Anat. The terminal or distal segment of the
fore limb of a vertebrate animal. Also, the claw
or prehensile organ of a crustacean ; Eni.^ the
tarsus of the anterior leg; Ichth., the pectoral fin.
i8z6 KirbV & Sp. Entomol. xxxv. III. 681 Tarsus or
Manus. ..The last portion of the leg. 1867 Mivart in Phil.
Trans. CLVII. 29Q note, I think it better, in a scientific
treatise. .{to adopt] for the anterior extremity (the carpus
and all beyond it) the term manus, and for the homotypal
posterior segment the term pes. 1878 Bel'. Gegenbanrs
Comp. Anat. 481 In Birds. .the reduction of the manus is
still more marked. 1886 Athenaeum 20 Feb. 268/1 The
bones of the fore-arm and manus [in the chick] are longer
than the corresponding segments of the leg and foot.
2. Roman Law. The power or authority of a
husband over his wife.
1854 CoLQUHOUN Rom. Civ, Law § 2424 III. 664 The
husband derived this jurisdiction from the Manus. 1871
Posjf. Gains 77 A filiusiamilias was capable of civil wedlock,
but had no manus.
f3. ManuaChristi[L. — ' hand of Christ' (lathe,
in Du Cange)], see quot. 1706. Obs.
1516 Th. Ai.fn Let. to Earl Shrewsbury in Lett. <y Pap.
Hen. VIII, II. 522, I have sent your lordship by this bearer
one lb. of manus Christi. 1528 Hf.nnf.gr Let. to Wolsey
28 June, ibid. IV. 1938 Manws cresty. 1682 R. Burton
Admir. Curios. (1684) 30 He. .administred Manus Christi,
and the like Cordials. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Manus
Christi, refined Sugar boil'd with Rose-water, or that of
Violets, or Cinamon ; a sort of Cordial for very weak Persons.
t Manuscribe, v. Obs. [f. L. man it, abl. of
manus hand + scribere to write: see MANUSCRIPT
and cf. transcribe 9 etc.] trans. To write with one's
(own) hand.
1649 Faithf. Portr. Loyal Subj. 4 Divers, who have seen
the Original Copy, Manuscrib'd by the King himself.
Manuscript (marni?/|Skiipt), a. and sb. [ad.
med.L. manuscriptus, f. h. man/1, abl. of manus
hand + scriplus, pa. pple. ai scribe re to write. Cf.
F. manuscritj It. manoscrilto, Sp. manuscrito, Pg.
tnanuscripto.
Med.L. had only the neut. manftscriptum used sb. for a
document written with a person's own hand (cf. Chirograph).
In the sense of written ' as opposed to' printed ', the adj. has
been common in mod. L. from the 15th c.,but has usually been
written (more correctly) as two words, manu scriptus.]
A. adj. Written by hand, not printed. Abbre-
viated MS.
'597 {title) Certaine Wort bye Manvscript Poems of great
Antiquitie. .now first published By J. S. 1601 R. Johnson
Kingd. (^ Commw. (1603) 185 According to manuscript rela-
tions, and report of trauellers. 1625 Bp. Mountagu App.
Caesar 185 Origen in his Dialogue against the Marcionites,
which I have manuscript. 1774 Warton Hist. Eng. Poetry
(1778) II. (Addit. to vol. I)d 2, There is a manuscript copy of
the poem, on vellum, in Trinity college library at Oxford.
1776 Adam Smith IV. N, 1. xi. m. (1869) I. 220 Several other
very well authenticated, though manuscript, accounts. 1856
Emerson Eng. Traits, Univ. Wks. (Bohn) II. 90 The manu-
script Plato . . brought by Dr. Clarke from Egypt. 1893 £«7°
Times XCV. 10/2 Only the manuscript parts of the .. pro-
posal were read over to the assured, not the printed matter.
B. sb.
L A book, document, or the like, written by
hand ; a writing of any kind, as distinguished from
printed matter. Abbreviated MS., pi. MSS.
a. esp. A book, document.etc, written before the
general adoption of printing in a country ; a written
copy of an ancient author or book.
1600 J. Porv tr. Leo's Africa vn. 288 Hither are brought
diuers manuscripts or written bookes out of Barbaric 1607
Topsell Four-/. Beasts (1658) 186 These lesser were found
pictured in an old manuscript in Germany, which book did
intreat of the Holy Land. 1615 G. Sandys Trav. 82 In these
Monasteries many excellent manu-scriptshaue been preserued.
1774 Warton Hist. Eng. Poetry (1778) II. 49 This translation
..is now among the royal manuscripts in the British Museum.
1845 Graves Rom. Law in Encycl. Metrop. II. 765/1 The
text of Tilius was taken from a Vatican manuscript.. from
which all other existing manuscripts of the work are copied.
1861 Wright Ess. Archseol. II. xix. 130 The earlier illumi-
nated manuscripts are chiefly copies of the Scriptures.
b. gen. A written composition which has not
been printed. Often, an author's written ' copy *
as distinguished from the print of the same.
1607 Beaum. & Fl, Woman-hater iv. ii, Mer, I do knowe
sufficiently, their shop-bookes cannot saue them ; there is
a further end — . Pan. Oh : Sir, much may be done by mane-
script [sic], Mer. I do confesse it Sir, prouided still they
be canonicoll. a 1631 Donne Valediction to his Bk. 10 Study
' our manuscripts, those miriads Of letters which haue past
'twixt thee and me. 1651 Baxter Inf. Bapt. 91, I took it
out of his own Manuscript sent to me. 1692 {title) The
Works Of.. Mr. John Bunyan,..The First Volume, Contain-
ing Ten of his Excellent Manuscripts prepared for the Press
before his Death, never before Printed. 1791 BoswELL yohn-
w« 30 Mar. an. 1778, The Life of Sir Robert Sibbald..in the
original manuscript in his own hand writing. 1796 H.
HuNTMt tr. St.-Picrre's Stud. Nat. (1799) III. 611 After
having received my manuscript they delayed putting it to the
press under various pretexts. 1884 Froldf. CarlyWs Life
Lond. (1890) I. 27 John Mill, .borrowed the manuscript [of
' French Revolution 'J as it was thrown off, that he might
make notes and suggestions.
C. transf. and fig.
1622 Massinger & Dekker Virg. Mart. 11. ii, Thou art
the Manuscript Where Antoninus writesdowne all his secrets.
1634 Ql-arlf.s (title) Mildreiados. To the Blessed Memory
of that faire Manuscript of Vertue. . Mildred, La. Lvckyn.
1859 FitzGerald tr. Omar Ixxii, Alas, that Spring should
vanish with the Rose ! That Youth's sweet-scented Manu-
script should close !
d. attrib,
1770 Portf.us Life Seeker 47 (S."s Serm. vol. I.) He ex-
pended upwards of ^300 in arranging and improving the
Manuscript Library at Lambeth. 18.. Oxf. Univ. Cat.,
Bodleian Library. . .Special Assistant in the MS. Department.
2. Written characters or written documents in
general; * writing' as opposed to 'print*. In
manuscript : in written form, written (not printed .
1875 Helps Soc. Press, iii. 35 If you look at the side-notes
in manuscript of some book possessed by our book-loving
ancestors. 1875 Scrivener Led. Text N. 'J est. 7 All exist-
ing copies of Scripture whether in manuscript or printed,
b. (A person's) 'hand ' or handwriting.
a 1849 Poe Purloined Letter (end) Wks. 1S65 I. 2S0 He is
well acquainted with my MS. 1853 Mrs. Gore Dean's
. Dau. III. 1S2 My friend Mordaunt's clerkly manuscript and
lengthy style.
Mannscriptal (mse'niwiskriptal), a. rare.
[f. prec. sb. + -AL.] Of or pertaining to a manu-
script or manuscripts ; found or occurring in a
manuscript.
i6^\\\ si macott Script. Herb. 165 Ptolomy Philadelphia
..hearing how Attalus King of Pergamus, by the benefit
of this Egyptian Paper, strived to excel him in Manuscriptal
Magnificence, prohibited the carrying of it out of /Egypt.
a 1763 Byrom Crit. Rem., Epist. to Friend 43 Having hut
one of all the Roman Lyrics To feed their Taste for slavish
Panegyrics, The more absurd the Manuscriptal Letter, They
paint, from thence, some fancy 'd Beauty better. 1801 Stritt
Spo?ls tjr Past. 1. i. 4 The representation of a Saxon chief-
tain,., taken from a manuscriptal painting.
Maims crip t ion (mxniwiskri-pjan). rare, [f.
L. manu% abl. of manus hand + scription-ei^ n. of
action f. scribcre to write.] The action of writing
by hand ; that which is written by hand, a written
inscription, nonce-uses.
1800 Lamb Let. to Manning vn Final Mem. (1848) I. iv. 121
Manning's Algebra with a neat manuscription in the blank
leaf, running thus ' From the Author'. 1835-8 S. R. MaiT-
laud Dark Ages (1844* 416 The press does a great deal, and
might do a great deal more. It could easily as far outdo its
present self, as it now outdoes manuscription.
f Manuscriptor. Obs. rare—1, [f. L. manu
(see prec.) + script or t agent-n. f. scribcre to write.]
The writer of a manuscript.
1698 Christ Exalted % 113. 90 The Rebuker turns quick,
and plays at sharp with the Manuscriptor, and accosts him
for saying. What [etc.].
Manuscri-ptural, a. rare. [f. Manuscript
, (after scriptural)^ = Manuscriptal.
1856 R. A. Vaughan Mystics (i860) I. vi. vii. 242 Don't
you think Atherton has a very manuscriptural air to-night?
1874 Riley 4th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. 451/2 Minutiae of
\ manuscriptural knowledge.
Ma*nusculpt. nonce-wd. [f. L. manu (see
: Manuscript) + sculpt-us, pa. pple. of scu/pere to
' carve.] An inscription carved or engraved by hand.
a 1859 Df. Quincrv Mem. Chronol. Posth. Wks. 1893 II. 115
Amongst a people so illiterate, how could manuscripts or
1 mnnusculpts excite the interest which is necessary to their
I conservation?
t MailUSCUlpture. Obs. rare—1. [(.'L.manu
' (see Manuscript) + Sculpture.] Carviag or en-
, graving by hand ; in quot.yS^.
1704 Norris Ideal World 11. vii. 365 These images de-
scribed, as is supposed by the manusculpture or peinture of
light in the fund of the eye.
Manustupra-tion. rare. Etymologizing altera-
tion of Masturbation.
1832 Jas. Copland Diet. Pract. Med. (1858) III. 441/2,
s. v. Pollution. 1889 in Century Diet.
I Mauutenency. Obs. [ad. med.L. manu-
1 tenentia ( = F. maintenance) , f. manfttenent-em,
pr. pple. of manii tenere : see Maintain v. Cf.
OF. Manutenence.] The action of holding in
, the hand or upholding; support, maintenance.
1633 T. Adams Exp. 2 Peter iii. 17. 14S4 Nothing can
keepe a man from wandring but the manutenency of God.
1659 J. Arrowsmith Chain Princ. 453 As when a man holds
I a staff in his hand, let him but take away his manutenencie,
the staff falls immediately to the ground. 1699 J. Barry
Reviznng Cordial Ded. (1802) 13, [I] who am to this very
day kept alive and upheld by that divine manutenency.
Manutention (mseni«te*nf3n). [In sense r,
ad. med.L. tnanfitention-em, n. of action f. L.
manu tenere (see Maintain v.) ; in sense 2, a new
formation from the same L. phrase.]
85
MANTJTERGIUM.
146
MANY.
fl. The action of upholding or maintaining,
maintenance. Obs.
1603 Florio Montaigne i. xxii. (1632) 53 Christian religion
hath all the markes of . . justice . . , but none more apparent
than the exact commendation of obedience due unto magis-
trates, and manutention of policies. 1657 Trapp Comm.
Job xii. 16 All creatures subsist meerly by his manutention.
2. The action of holding by the hand. rare.
1854 Bucknill in 8M Rep. Comm. Lunacy App. G 126 The
plan of manutension [sic], or holding violent patients for
a long time by the hands of attendants,
|| Manutergium (uMenurtS-jd^Uto). Eccl.
[L., f. mamis hand + tergfre to wipe.] A toweL
1774 T. West Antiq. Furness (1805) 72 And over it hung
the manutergium, on each side the cistern.
f Manu-traet. Obs. [f. L. matin, abl. of
matins hand + tract-urn, neut. pa. pple. of trahtre
to draw.] What is traced by hand.
1660 N. C. Ded. Verses in T. Forde Love's Labyrinth,
How far short comes the needle of the pen! .. Let spleen it
self judge cithers manu-tract : Their female works can't
speak, thy male-words Act.
II Mauvantara (m&nvae'ntara). Also manw-.
[Skr., f. Alatiu + antara period.] In Hindu cos-
mology: One of the 14 periods, each presided
over by a special 'Manu' or cosmic deity, which
make up a Kalpa.
1830 Lveu. Princ. Geol. I. ii. 6 There has been a long suc-
cession of manwantaras or periods. 1834 Nat. Philos. III.
Astron. App. 117 (Usef. Knowl. Soc.) The Kalpa was sub-
divided into 14 Manwantaras, each of 308448000 years with
the addition of 1728000 years to make up the Kalpa.
Manvell, obs. form of Manual.
Manward (marnwaid), adv. and a. [See
-wakd.] A. adv. (In early use to manward, also
to memvard.) a. Towards man, in the direction
of man. b. In relation to man.
c 1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode iv. iv. (1869) 176 Sithe bat man
hath ouercome pee, bou shuldest not afterward be so boistous
to manward. 1536 Tindale Titttsiu. 4 After that thekynd-
nes and love of oure saveoure to manwarde apered. 1594
Hooker Eccl. Pol. 1. viii. § 7 It is the root out of which all
lawes of duty to men-ward haue grown. 1643 J. Eaton
Honey-c. Free Justif. 38 Shee hath put on Christ himselfe,
to God-ward by Justification ; and to man- ward by Sancti-
fication. 1816 Scott Antiq. xxxi, Mr. BlattergowL.was
nevertheless a good man, in the old Scottish presbyterian
fhrase, God-ward and man-ward. 1865 Lowell Thorean
r. Wks. 1890 1.368 Emerson, .has drawn steadily manward
and worldward.
B. adj. Tending or directed towards man.
1867 Monsell Our New Vicar 84 'Priest' and 'Altar
speak aihis God-ward office : ' Minister' and ' Lord's Table*
refer to nis man-ward ministrations. 190a Fairbairn Pliilos.
Chr.Relig. 11. 111. ii. 543 His manward activities and relations.
Manwell, obs, form of Manual.
Man-woman. fB,. A hermaphrodite. Obs.
b. notice-use. One who combines the virtues of
both sexes. C. A mannish woman.
1587 Golding De Mornay xxvi. 458 Concerning the crea-
tion of Man, the /Egyptians say hee was created both Male
and female. Herevpon Plato gathereth that he was a Man-
woman or Herkinalson [Fr. Hermaphrodite']. 1736 Field-
ing Pasquin 11. i, We shall see Fairbelly, the strange man-
woman. 1889 Tennyson On one who affected an effeminate
manner, But, friend, man-woman is not woman-man. 1894
Idler Sept. 194 That stage of progress has been passed, and,
as an outcome, we have the * Emancipated Woman ', or
' Man-Woman '.
Manx (mserjks),a. and sb. Forms: 6maniske,
7 manques, 7-9 raanks, 9 mankes, manx.
[Metathetic a. ON. *mansk-r (whence directly the
16th c. form maniske), f. Man- (nom. Mon\—
*Manu, a. Olrish Mann), the Isle of Man.]
A. adj. Of or pertaining to the Isle of Man, its
inhabitants, language, etc.
157J A ct 14 Eliz. c. 5 § 34 Yf any suche Maniske or Iryshe
Vacabounde or Beggar ben alredy or shall at any tyme here-
after be set on Land in any parte of England or of Wales.
1630 A*, Johnson's Kingd. % Comtmv. 67 Scaliger never
heard of the Manks language, spoken by ours of the He of
Man. 1765 Ann. Reg. 61 Books of devotion in the Manks
tongue, i860 A It Year Round No. 68. 420, 1 believe a Manx
sermon is now seldom heard.
b. Manx cat : a tailless variety of the domestic
cat, indigenous to the Isle of Man. Manx cod/in ;
a kind of apple. Manx penny : a coin stamped
with the device of three legs arranged in a form
suggestive of a Catherine wheel. Manx puffin or
shearwater^ Puffinus angiorum.
1678 Ray's PVillughby's Ornith. Index, Puffin 325. Manks
Puffin 333. 1818 in Trans. Horticult. Soc. (1826) III. 320
Manx Codlin. 1835 Jenyns Man. Brit. Vertebr. 285 Procel-
tmria Angiorum, femm. (Manks Shearwater). 1859 Wood
Nat. Hist. 1. 202 The Manx Cat . . possessing hardly a vestige
of a tail, a 1881 Carlyle in Hatper^s Mag. (1883) Nov.
877/1 [He] hadn't the heart to.. watch a woman, .making
a Manx penny of herself.
B. sb.
1. (As pi.) The people of the Isle of Man.
1688 R. Holme Armoury 111. 233/1 The Manks or Man-
ings [are] a people that inhabit the Isle of Man. 1809 Ace.
Isle 0/ Alan 74 The Manks pay a decent and feeling regard
to the memory of their deceased friends. 1899 J. MacTaggart
Mackinnon $ Bards 68 The Englishman, the Welsh, the
Manx, The artless Irishman, the Scot.
2. The Celtic language spoken in the Isle of Man.
167a Petty Pol. Anat. (1691) 106 The Language of Ireland
in like that of the North of Scotland, in many things like
the Welch and Manques. 170a W. Sachevf.rell Acc. Isle
of Man 8 In the Northern part of the Island they speak
a deeper Manks, as they call it, than in the South. 1835
Cregeen Manks Diet. Pref., The Manks is now seldom
spoken or written in its original purity. 1839 W. Gill Kelly's
ManksGram. Introd. 9 In the schools throughout the Island
the Manx has ceased to be taught.
3. A Manx cat.
1889 Daily News 23 Oct. 7/1 A solitary couple of Manxes
[at a cat-show].
Hence Ma'nxman, Ma-nxwoman, a native of
the Isle of Man.
170a W. Sacheverell Acc. Isle 0/ Man 113 Michael, a
Manksman, a Person of great Merit and Exemplary Life.
i8« Scott Peveritv, Born a Mankesman — bred and nursed
in the island. 1894 Hall Caine (title) The Manxman.
Many (me*ni), a. and sb. Forms: 1 mani3,
monis, msenis, manes-, raoni-, 2-3 mani},
monij, 2-5 moni, 3-4 mani, meni, 3-6 manye,
mony (also 4-9 Sc), 3-7 manie, (4 meyne, 4-5
mane, mono, 4-6 meny, -ie,.6 raonye, menny,
meany(e, -ie, meyney, meinie, 6-9 Sc. monie, 8
manny), 4- many. Comp. 5 manyer. Super/.
(chiefly^V.) 6 moni-, monyest,-ast, 6-7 manyest,
6-8 raaniest. [Common Teut.: OE. manig, moni?
corresponds to OFris. man(i)cht monich, monech,
OS. manag (MDu. metuch, Du. metrig), OHG.
manag, tnenig (MUG. manec, waneg-, mod.G.
matuh\ OSw. mangher (Sw. mangen, Da. mange ;
the ON. word is marg-r, the etymological identity
of which is uncertain ; But ON. has tnengi sb.,
multitude, a derivative of the Com. Teut. adj.),
Goth.manag-s:— OTeut.*matiago-:— Indogermanic
*motwg/io-j whence 0S1. miinogn (Russian Mlioriii) ;
an ablaut variant exists in Olrish menicc abundant
(mod. Irish minic, Gaelic minig frequent, Welsh
mynych often).
OE. had a derivative sb., menigeo, menigu multitude —
OS. menigi (MDu. tnenige, mem*), OHG. manegtt menegi
(MHO. menege, mod.G. menge>, ON. mengi, Goth. man-
agei : — OTeut. * maitaghi- wk. fern., f. *manago- (see above).
The OK. sb.,- however, did not survive into ME., and the
modern substantival use of many, though agreeing in sense
with OE. tuenigeo, was a new development which has not
been found earlier than the 16th c]
A. adj. The adjectival designation of great in-
definite number.
1. Used distributively with a sing, (Formerly
sometimes combined with a plural verb.)
fa. with sb. in sing, without article. Obs,
Many time adv. phr. : see Time sb.
Beoiuulf 838 ©a waes..ymb 5a ^ifhealle guorinc monis-
c 893 K. Alfred Oros. 1. i. § 23 pa;t Estland is swySe mycel,
& faer bi5 swyoe manij burh. c «aoo Ormin 3076 Itt wass
forr manij da3£ Mi cwiddedd burhh prophetess. t 1290
S. Eng. Leg, I. 16/512 Mani miracle pare feol a-day. a 1300
Cursor M. 2901 Mani man [Fair/, mony mon, Gott. Mani
a man, Trim. Mony men], for ouer-wele, pam-self can
nober faand ne fell. 1375 Barbour Bruce I. 411 Thiddir-
wart went mony baroune. c 140a Lvdg. Comfit. Bl. Knt.
v, The floures, of many dyvers hewe. c 1470 Henry Wal-
lace 11. 26 Til mony Scot thai did full gret suppris. 1583
Babington Cojitmandm. viii. (1590) 352 Countenance beares
out many euill counselled till [etc.].
b. with an or a prefixed to the sb. Sometimes
reduplicated for emphasis, many and many a,
f many a many.
This many a {day, year) : see Tins. Many a time (and
often) : see Time so.
£1205 Lay. 5132 Al pa twa ferden of moni ane ea:rde.
c U75 XI Pains of Hell 244 in O. E. Misc. 154 par-inne is
monyon hungri hund. c 1330 R. Brlnne Chron. Wace
(Rolls) 15442 Ost hey gadered of mania man. 1390 Gower
Conf. I. 5 Love, which doth many a wonder And many a
wys man hath put under, c 1450 Merlin 56 Pendragon
was ther deed, and many a-nother gode baron. 1c 1475 Sqr.
loive Degre 373 Many a page Have become men bymariage.
1S95 Shaks. John I. i. 183 A foot of Honor better than I
was, But many a many foot of Land the worse. 163a Mil-
ton V Allegro 95 To many a youth, and many a maid. 1692
L'Estrange Fables xxxviii. 41 He's Beset with Enemies.,
the Meanest of which is not without Many and Many a
Way to the Wreaking of a Malice. 17x9 De Foe Crusoe 1.
xi, This wall I was many a weary month in finishing. 1809
Malkin Gil Bias w. ii. p 3 Many a more unlikely thing has
happened. 1853 M. Arnold Scholar-Gipsy x, When ..
many a scythe in sunshine flames. 1889 Browning Let.
to Tennyson 5 Aug., In its hope that for many and many a
year we may have your very self among us.
C. Many one (in ME. written as one word,
manijon, manion} manyon, etc.) : serving instead
of the absolute or elliptical use of the sing. adj.
In poetical use, often placed after a plural sb.
Now only Sc. (mony ane).
c 1150 Gen. <$• Ex. 630 Of hem [sc. kine] ben tudered mamm-
on. C1375 *T. Leg. Saints iii. [Andreas) 2g$ [|>aij mad
kirkis mony ane. 1390 Gowek Conf. I. 56 Thus ful manyon
Deceived were. 1430-40 Lvdg. Boclias (1558) 34 b, Bochas
reherseth of wyves many one, Which, .were ful contrarius.
1535 Coverdale Ps. yi\. 2 Many one there be that saye off
my soule [etc.L 1567 Gude 4- Godlie B. (S.T.S.) 43 With
meruellis greit and mony one. 1622 S. Ward Life of Faith
in Death (1627) 53 Many one hath acknowledged to my selfe
the like. 179a Burns Country Lassie ii, It's ye hae wooers
mony ane. a 1814 Sulieman 11. iii. in New Brit. TheatreW.
24 As many one can show. 1818 Scott Hrt. Midi, v, There's
mony ane wad hae thought themselves affronted, if [etc].
d. Many a(n) one : m* many a person'. Now
chiefly colloq. t^so placed after a plural sb.
1509 Barclay Ship of Fools (1874) II. 297 Thy apparayle
Aleyed gayly with perles many a one. 154a Udall Krasm.
Apoph. 144 b, The selfe same woordes maye bee well spoken
of many an one. 1548 Udall, etc. Erasm. Par. Mark 88
This swete sauour. .causeth many a one to desyer that they
may be admitted. 1556 Olde Antichrist 167 b, The cause
of the greatest wickednesse that can be the undoing to many
a one. 1869 Freeman Norm. Conq. (1876) III. xii. 156 Many
an one carried off his two or three goodly steeds. Mod. 1
know many a one who would be glad of the chance.
e. predicatively. Only with inversion, in the
phrase Many is (or 'was) the . Now dial.
i»97 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 209 Mani was bat gode bodi bat
aslawe was be/e. c 1300 S. Nicholas 431 in S. Eng. Leg.
I. 252 Meni is be faire miracle bat of seint Nicholas is. 13. .
Coer de L. 4931 Manye was the hethene man, With Saladyn
that come than. 1870 Mrs. Phelps Hedged In xviii. 269
An' mony's the time I've warned him o' the consequences.
2. With//, sb. In ME. often coupled with Felk a.
Many times, many ways, {on) many wise, advb. phr. : see
the sbs. These or this many years (etc.) : see This.
0900 tr. Baeda^s Hist. I. xiii. [xxiii.] (1890) 54 Ba^t he
sende Agustinum & oore monije munecas mid hine c 1175
Lamb. Horn. 97 Ealle bas ping and moni$e oSre de3 pe
hali5a gast. 01225 St* Marher. 1 Weren monie martirs..
to deailSes misltche idon. c 1305, etc. [see Fele B. i]. c 1375
Cursor Af. 19515 (Fairf.) Miraclisdide he mani fele [earlier
texts fele only]. 1386 Rolls of ParluMX. 225/1 To
the .. Lordes .. compleynen .. the folklSf the Mercerye
of London . . of many wronges subtiles. a 1400-50 Alex-
ander 1005 We hafe fame to be fi$t . . mony fele wynter.
c 1425 [see Fele B. i]. c 1450 Merlin 56 Merlin wente to
his maister Blase.. and tolde hym many thinges. 1513
Douglas sEueis vn. ii. 15 The birdis seir of mony diuers
hewis. 1556 Aurelio iV Isab. N 5 A litell courte, where the
kinge helde menney Lions. 158a Lyly Let. to Burleigh
Wks. (ed. Bond) I. 28, 1 will not troble your honorable eares
with so meinie idle wordes. 160a Shaks. Ham. 111. iii. 9 To
keepe those many many bodies safe. 1603 Florio Montaigtie
1. ix. 17 The opposite of Truth hath many-many shapes.
1644 Evelyn Diary 10 Nov., The famous statue of the
Gladiator . . so much follow'd by all the rare artists, as the
many copies testifie. < 1710 Burnet Autobiog, in Snppl.
to Hist. (1902) 474, I loved solitude .. and so I avoided
manny tentations. X839 Thjrlwall Lett. (1881) I. 157 The
translation which I made many years back. 1870 Dickens
E. Drood ii, We must drink many happy returns to her.
Proverbial phr. 1631 Capt. Smith Advts. un-exp. Plan-
ters 28 But we see many men many minds, and still new
Lords, new lawes.
+ b. Followed by a possessive or a superlative.
1606 G. W[oodcocke] Hist. Ivstine xvi. 66 Among manie
their honorable actions, this one thing especiall, is woorthy
to be recorded. 1606 Shaks. Ant. fy CI. 1. ii. 189 The
Letters.. Of many our contriuing Friends. 1607 — Timon
hi. vi. 11. 1646 H. Lawrence Comm. Angells 61 Many the
best and most things were lost to them.
c. Placed after the sb. (cf. 1 c, 1 d). /^/.and arch.
c 1320 Bestiary 556 In 8e se senden selcuoes manie. 1536
Tindale i Cor. viii. 5 As there be goddes many and lordes
many. [So 1611.] 1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus lxit. 51 Many
a wistful boy, and maidens many desire it.
d. predicatively. arch.
a 1425 Cursor M.('li in.) 12577 Mony are his childehedes I of
tolde Done ar he were tuelue yeer olde. 1508 Dunbar Tua
mariit IVemen 74 To . . blaw my bewtie on breid,quhair bernis
warmony. i596SfENSER»S7a/<? Irel. Wks. (Globe)63i/i The
inconveniences that therby doe arise are much more many.
1598 Drayton Heroic. Ep. xiv. 57 And if thou know'st, they
many were before, By time increasing, they must needs be
more. 1611 Bible Ps, xxxiv. 19 Many are the afflictions of
the righteous. 177* Withering Brit. Plants (1796) I. 314
Seeds many, roundish. 1846 Trench Mirac. Introd. (1862)
1 Where we have to do with aught which in many ways is
significant, the names also will inevitably be many, since no
one will exhaust all its meaning.
3. ellipt. and absol. in plural sense : Many indi-
viduals of the kind specified (often followed by
cf); also (as quasi-pronoun), many persons.
Beowulf 2091 He mec \>xr on innan unsynmjne dior
daedfruma^edon wolde mantra sumne. cioooAgs. Ps. (Th.)
iii. 1 Monije cweda3 to minum mode, baet hit naebbe nane
ha;le aet his Gode. c 1x75 Cott. Horn. 225 And were swi&e
maneje on yfele awende. 1297 R. Glouc (Rolls) 11392
Manie flowe in to be water & some toward be see. c 1400
Destr. Troy 12264 [>ai keppit horn in company with knightes
enarmit, And Vlixes also with angardly mone. 1567 Map-
let Gr. Forest 9 b, We be many of us cut off before we come
to olde age. 1580 Lupton Sivqila 120 Many with vs spends
their goods, and leaues their lands scantly to such good vses.
1738 Swift Pol. Conversat. 39, I see, one Fool makes many.
1794 Nelson 8 July in Nicolas Disp. (1845) I. 429 They
will from using as many again as is necessary be soon short
of that article. 1845 M. Pattison Em, (1889) I. 22 He had
but one voice amongst many. 1871 Morley Voltaire (tBBt)
6 Many of his ideas.. did not belong to him peculiarly.
II b. with a for of. Obs.
c 1400 Maundev.(i839) xxvii. 278 There weren in that place
many a dyverse thinges. isai Lu. Berners Froiss. I. cexv.
271 They, .defoyled many a damoselles.
+ c. in possessive form manys. Obs.
1598 Grenewey Tacitus, Ann. iv. xiii. (1622) 110 Which
was cause of manies ouerthrow. < 1600 Shaks. Sonn. xciii,
In manies lookes the falce hearts history Is writ.
d. The many ( = Gk. ol iroXXo*) : the great body
of people ; the multitude. Cf. the few.
i5a6 Pilg. Perf (W. de W. 1531) 147 b, Howy« many for
lacke of morufyenge tasteth not of this feest. 1688 Norris
Theory Love 11. i. 76 An old Rule, that we may talk with the
Many, but must think with the Few. 1790 Burke ./rr..A,<?z'. 75
The manyare not capable of making this calculation. 1809-10
Coleridoe Friend (1865) 75 The folly and foolish self-
opinion of the half-instructed many. 184a Tennyson Day-
Dream, A rrival ii, The many fail : the one succeeds. 1879
M. Arnold Mixed Ess., Democr. 39 It was the many who
relished those arts [of ancient Athens].
MANY.
f4. Phr. On {in) many, into many parts, many
times, manifold. Obs.
(:888 K+MmXD Boeth, xxxiii. § i God is anfeald & unto-
daelendlic, beah bine dysi^e men on 1113:1113 todaden. 1401
Pol. Poems (Rolls.i II. 47 As the prophetes of Acliab wer
multiplied in many.
5. When qualified by As, How, So, Too (q. v. for
further treatment), the adj. has a weakened sense,
expressing the notion of number in the abstract.
With //. sb. \ also ellipt. and absol. = ' (as, etc.)
many persons '.
,1000 Xaxvxc Interrog. Sigetvulfi (Maclean 1883) 66
On hu mane^um wisum is Codes weorcV 1382 WycLIf
Luke xi. 8 He schaL.^yue to hym, how manye [1388 as
many as] he hath nedefu!. a 1400-50 Alexander 124 As
many Besandis on his bake as he here nihjt, 1471 Fasten
Lett. III. 5 Ye shall send me. .asse moneof my men asse can
com. 1638 Junius Paint. Ancients 25 So did he then con-
sider..how many armed men. .might be required. 1714
Swift Pres. Stale Affairs Wks. 1755 I [. 1. 204, I have heard
a physician pronounce, .that he had cured so many patients
of malignant fevers. 1807 Crabbe Ncivspapcr 219 As many
words as make an even line; As many lines, as fill a row
complete ; As many rows as furnish up a sheet.
fb. In com par. and superl. manier, maniest
( — more, most or very many). Frequent in Sc. Obs.
1422 tr. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv. 214 Thou mayste vn-
dyrstonde of man ye r, othyr fewere. c 1440 Jacob's U 'ell 111
pe heremyte flytted his celle fyve myle ferthcre fro be welle,
for to makyn be uianyere steppys, to haue he more mede.
1500-20 Dunbar PoentsWm. 2 Off benefice.. Quha monyast
hes makis inaist requeist. 1548 Turner Names o/Hcrbes 56
The maniest that I have sene was in Kent. 1560 in Dunlop
Coll. Confess. Faith (1722) II. 639 The maniest Votes, with-
out Respect of Persone,hath the first Place in the Eldarschip.
1583 Reg. Privy Council Scot. III. 576 With sax horsmen at
the monyast. 1597 Mouldy Introd. Mas. 119 Hee who could
bring in maniest of them was counted the iollyest fellowe.
1676 \V. Row Contn. Blair's Autvbiog. xii. (1848) 437 The
Prelates are now busied to fill the places of outed ministers
especially in the west where maniest were outed. 1728 V.
Walker Life Peden (ed. 3) Pref.,This has had the maniest
good Effects. 1794 Hope's New Metlu Fencing Law x.
232-3 Whoever . .shall, .have beat maniest, shall be declared
..to have gain'd the Prize.
C. As many as: used idiomatically for ' all who'.
Very common in the Bible translations beginning with
Tindalet by whom it was app. Introduced as a literal render-
ing of o<roi. (One earlier instance occurs in the second
Wyclif version in Acts xiii. 48, where the Vulgate has the
literalism quotquot instead of quicumqne. The use in Luke
xi. 8 is not to the point, because there oVoi, qnolqnot% as
many as, have their literal sense.) Now oh. or arch.
15*6 Tindale Rom. ii. 12 And as many as haue synned vnder
the lawe shalbe iudged by the lawe. 1667 Milton P. L.
111. 289 So in thee, .shall be restor'd As many as are restor'd.
d. As many : the same number of.
c 1400 [see As adv. A. 5I. 1748 Smollett Rod. Rand, viii,
He found means to cut me[when shaving] in three places, inas
many strokes. 1801 W. Dui'RE Neolog. Fr. Diet. 131 [The
hectolitre] contains an hundred and five pintes, equal to as
many english quarts. Mod, He made twenty blunders in
about as many lines.
e. One too many : used predicatively of some-
thing not wanted.
1590 Shaks. Com. F.rr. in. i. 35 When one is one too many,
goe get thee from the dure. 1592 — Rom. .y Jul. \. i. 135
Being one too many by my weary selfe. 1748 Richardson
Clarissa II. v. 26 He believes he has in me one sister too
many for his interest. 1849 Lvtton Caxtons xn. vi. (head-
ing), The confession of a youth who, in the Old World, finds
himself one too many. 1865 Whyte Melville Cerise (1866)
I. xv. 232 The Marquise was . . left planted as one too many.
f. Too many fori more than a match for.
(Properly predicated of pi. subject, but in more or
less jocular use said of a single person or thing.)
1692 R. L'Estkange Fal'lcs xxxv. 35 They come to Vie
Power and Expence with Those that are too High and too
many for them. 1708 Deplor. State New Eng. 16 in SewaWs
Diary (1S79) II. 114* Your Governour. .has been too many
for you. 1722 DeFoeCW. 7^(18401 319 We were too many
for them, for we run out our guns. .and. .they retired. 1787
' G. Gambado'. Acad. Horsemen (1809) 29 Should your horse
prove, what is properly termed too many for you, and make
orf.( 1863 J. C. Jeah-kkson Sir Everards Dau. 113 You
can't rob me— I am too many for you ! . . You're a clever one
—but you're no match for me. 1872 Hahdwick Trad,
Lane. 189 On one occasion, however, the fiends were nearly
' too many ' for the eternal toiler.
6. Comb. a. parasynthetic (unlimited in number),
a%many-acred,-angled,-belled,-blossomed,-branched,
-celled, -chambered, -cobwebbed, -coloured, -cornered,
-coultered, -eared, -eyed, -flowered, -folded, -forked,
■formed, -fountained, -gifted, -handed, -horned,
-hued, -knotted, -languaged, -layered, -leaved,
-lived, -lobed, -mouthed, -nationed, -parted, -peopled,
-pillared, -pointed, -rowed, -seated (hence many-
seatedness), -seeded, -spangled, -steepled, -stringed,
-syllabled, -tailed, -tinted,- toned, -tongued, -towered,
-tnbed, -tubed, -valved, -voiced, -weathered, -tain-
dowed, -wintered, -ycared adjs.
1812 G. Colman Two Parsons xxvii, A *many-acred. .ass,
the squire. 1640 C. Harvey Communion 'Table iv, Square,
oval, many-angled, long, or round. 1850 Thackeray Pen-
denms xln,The doors are *many belled. 1840 Mrs. Norton
Dream, etc. 238 The *many-blossom'd spring. 1861 Bent-
ley Man. Bot. 424 *Many-celled spore-cases. 1868 E. P.
Wkiuht Ocean World 'iv. 83 They [Foraminifera] are gener-
ally many-chambered. 1859 Tennyson Geraiutfy Enid'tfn
ine dusky-rafterd *many-cobweb'd Hall. 1747 Johnson
Vrttry Lane Prol. 3 Each change of *many-colourM life
he drew. 1821 Shelley Adonais lii, Like a dome of many-
147
coloured glass. 1665 Dryden Indian Fmf>. n. i, Those
"many cornered minds, Where women's crooked fancy turns
and winds. 1731 Tlll Horse-Hot iug Husb. xx. 299 The
*many-coulter'd Plows. 1749 Fielding Tom Jones vm.ix,
That many-eyed, many-tongued, many-mouthed, *many-
eared Monster of Virgil. 1766 Complete Farmer s.v. Seed
6 S 1/2 Each plant of the many eared wheat. 1655 Moufkt
& Bennet Health's Impr. 3 *Many-e'ide Osiris. 1889 A. K.
Wallace Darwinism (1890) 15 The potato.. so well adapted
to spread by means of its many-eyed tubers. 1789 J. Pil-
kington View Derbysh. I. 386 Erica mult/flora, **Many-
llowered Heath. 1590 Si-ensek F. Q. 11. iii. 1 His..*many-
folded shield he bound about his wrest. 1819 Shelley
Julian <y Maddalo 76 Where the swift sun yet paused in
his descent Among the many-folded hills. 1697 **■ Leslie
Snake in Grass (ed. 2) 66 A "many-forked and involved In-
fallibility, r 1586 C'tess Pembroke Ps. lxxii. iii, While of
sad night the "many-formed queene Decreas'd shall grow.
183a Tennyson iEnonc Poems (1833) 53 U mother Ida,
*manyfountained Ida. 1868 J. H. Newman Verses X'ar.
Occas. 108 The "many-gifted man. 1649 G. Daniel Trin-
arch,, Hen. IV c\\\, This *Many-handed botlie moc hands
lost Then [etc.]. 1852 Kinosley Atuiromeda 58 Twyformed,
many-handed, terrible, shapeless. 1842 Blschoff Woollen
Manuf. II. 290 The *many-horned sheep. 1812 Byron Ch.
Har. 11. lvii, The Turk, the Greek, the Albanian and the
Moor, Here mingled in their *many hued array. 1842
Tennyson Morte cC Arthur 63 The *many-knotted water-
flags. 1655 Fuller Hist. Camb. 123 The * many Lauguaged-
Bible. 1884 Bower & Scott Dc Bary's Phaner. 33 A much
stronger "many-layered epidermis. 1605 Sylvester Du
Bartas ii, iii. 111. Law 42 The *many-leaved locks Of thriv-
ing Charvel. 1876 Geo. Eliot Dan. Der. III. xlviii, The
poor ship with its *many-lived anguish. 1830 Lindley
Nat. Syst. Bot. 180 A plaited *many-lobed corolla. 1749
*Many-mouthed [see many-eared]. 1598 Sylvester Du
Bartas 11. i. 111. Furies 326 *Many-nam'd poyson, minister
of Death. ci6ii Chapman Iliad 11. 497 These *many
nation 'd men. 1830 Lindley Nat. Syst. Bot. 176 Solitary
flowers, .. and *many-parted calyx. 1828 Landor I mag.
Conz'., Nenoph. <y Cyrus III. 366 He waves his paternal
blessing over the "many-peopled world. 1740 Dyer Ruins
of Rome 10 The ''many-pillar'd Portal. 1835-6 Todd Cycl.
Anat. I.472 The teeth [of Seals], sharp and *many-pointed.
1875 Bennett & Dyer tr. Sachs' Bot. 176 The ''many-rowed
flower-heads of the sunflower. 1808 Bentham Sc. Reform
36 The "many-seated has given place to single stated judi-
cature. 1830 — Corr. Wks. 1843 XL 40 *Many-seated-
ness. 1776-96 Withering Brit. Plants (ed. 3) II, 246
Loniccra. .*many-seeded. 1742 Blair Grave 135 Where
hast thou hid thy *many-spangled head ? 1797 Cole-
ridge Lime- Tree Bower 22 The *many-steepled tract
magnificent Of hilly fields. 185a H. Rogers Eel. Faith
(,853)37 A *many-stringed lyre. 1635 Hkyv>oud Hierarch.
VI- 355 Words *Many-syllabl'd, ofobscure sence. 1766
Sharp in Phil. Trans. LVII. 85 The ■many-tailed bandage.
1831 Carlyle Sart. Res. 11. v, A ^many-tinted, radiant
Aurora. 1812 Byron Ch. Har. 11. Tambourgi vii, Let her
bring from her chamber her *many-toned lyre. i749*Many-
tongued [see many-eared). 1881 Henty Cornet of Horse
xvii. (1888) 179 That many-tongued body the allied army.
1598 Sylvester Du Bartas 11. ii. in. Colonics 77 And
Nineve. .Above them [might] raise her *many-towred Crest.
183a Tennyson Lady ofShalott i, To many-tower'd Game-
lot. 1768-74 Tucker /,/. Nat. (1834) I. 581 The *many-
tribed weeds of the field. 1866 Geo. Eliot F\ Holt i, The
>many-tubed honeysuckle. 1851 Richardson's Geol. viii.
(1855) 259 The Balanida; have a complicated, *many-valved
shell. 1816 Shelley Alastor66g A bright stream Once fed
with *many- voiced waves. 1794 ^>outhky Son/t.^ Etch. Rain-
bo7i't The day, Changeful ancl *many-weather'd. 1832 J. P.
Kennedy Swallow B. (i860) 16 A plain, "many-windowed
edifice of brick. 1842 Tennyson L^oeksley Hall 68 The
"many- win ter'd crow, a 1618 Sylvester Job Triumph. 771
So, Wisdome shall be to the *many-year'd.
b. poet, with pres. pples. ^and occas. pa. pples.)
in quasi-advb. sense ^' in many ways, many times,
much ', as many-beaming, -bleating, -blossoming,
-meaning, -mingled, -mingling, -sounding, -turn-
ing, -twinkling, -wandering, -winding adjs.
'! 1818 Shelley Homers Hymn to Moon 6 Where'er she
spreads her *many-beaming wings. 1728-46 Thomson Spring
834 Around him feeds his *many-bleating flock. 1864
Tennyson Boadkea 43 *Many-blossoming Paradises. 1825
Coleridge Aids Re/?, (1848) I. 24 That *many-meaning and
too commonly misapplied expression. 1811 W. R. Spencer
Poemsy The *many-mingled cries. 1821 Shelley Epipsych.
358 Their many-mingled influence. i86t Dora Green-
well Poems 129 Run in one the *many-minglhig hues.
1745 Warton Pleas. Melanch. 198 The *many-sounding
organ peals on high. 1728-46 Thomson Spring 157 The
*many-twinkling leaves Of aspen tall. 1827 KEBLEtV*r. Y.
2nd Sund. after Trin., The many-twinkling smile of Ocean.
1820 Shelley Let. to Maria Gisb. 262 Clouds. .Piloted by
the *many-wandering blast. 1812 Byron Ch. Har. \. xx,
Then slowly climb the "many-winding way.
c. Special combinations : many- berry, a name
for the American hackberry {Cent. Diet.) ; fraany-
feet (-foot), (a) ~ Polype; (b) a general name
for earwigs, woodliee, etc. ; many-root(s, the
plant Kuellia tuberosa, native to Mexico and the
West Indies; fMany Saints' Day ? uonce-wd.j
a name for Pentecost ; many-seed, a Barbados
plant of the genusjussiaea.
1847 W. Darlington Amer. Weeds fy Useful PL {i860) 294
Hack-berry. *Many-berry. 1591 Sylvester Du Bartas
1. v. 87 Th' inky Cuttles, and the *Many-feet. Ibid. 218
The.. Many-foot, that fain A dainty feast of Oyster-flesh
would gain. 1601 Holland Pliny L 351 Some sea-fishes,
. .haue eight legs : namely, Manyfeet, Pourcuttles, Cuttles.
1658 Rowland Moufefs Theat. Ins. 1045 The Scolopen-
dta:, and Juli, and Cheeselips. .are called Many-feet. 1.706
Phillii-s, Ozmia, a sort of the Fish Pourcontrel or Many-
feet. 1750 G. Hughes Barbados 210 The *Many-Roots.
Tins Plant derives its Name from the great number of its
Roots. 1858 Simmonds Did. Trade, Many-root^ a name
for the Uuellia tuberosa. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. ui. Ded.,
MANYFULL.
Those three thousand gained (on *Many. Saints-day) by
Saint Peter, at Jerusalem. 1750 G. Hughes Barbados 212
* Many-Seed. I have given this Plant a name from its many
Seeds. 1848 Scho.mbl'rgk Hist. Barbados 618.
B. quasi-J^. and sb.
1. quasi-j£. On the analogy of a few (sec Few 2),
a lias from the 16th c. been prefixed to many when
followed by a pi. sb. or used absol. in plural sense.
In such collocations many formally admits of being
interpreted as a sb., meaning (a great number'.
This interpretation is somewhat strained when a
many is immediately followed by a pi. sb., because
the ellipsis of of which must be assumed, is ab-
normal ; but in the other cases it presents no diffi-
culty, and it would often be impossible to deter-
mine whether in the consciousness of the speaker
the word is an adj. used absol. in pi., or a genuine
sb. Confusion with Mkinie, of which there are
many traces in the 16th c, seems to have con-
tributed to cause the word in this use to be appre-
hended as a sb. Often with prefixed adj. as in
a f considerable, good, great, ipretty, f jolly many ;
also f no small many.
a. with pl.sb. (or people) immediately following.
In this u^c a many hardly differs in sense from ///any, and
is now sumewhat rare in literary us*;, though a good many,
a great many, are common colloquially.
1590 Marlowe Edw. II, iv. ii, 'though a many friends
Are made a way. 1614 Day Festivals xi. (1615) 300 l here
are in this Israel, the Sacred Scriptures of God, a many,
many Widowcs. a 1643 J. Shute Judgem. <y Mercy (1645)
180 Hee were a mad man that to Secure himselfe horn the
Fire, would pile a many Lillcts hetweene him and the flame.
1653 H. More Antid. Ath. (1662) 97 Amany such miracles.
1690 Luttrkll Brief R el. (1857) II. 126 And great many
men were at work upon the fortifications. 1776 Trial of
Nntidocomar 23/2 A great many people have seen him
besides. 1807 CKABBfc Par. Reg. lit. 76S The rates are high ;
we have a- many poor. 1813 Sic. Character (ed. 21 I. 205 It
is a good many years since I have seen him. 1832 Tknnyson
Miller's Dau. 219 They have not shed a many tears, J >ear
eyes. 1841 Cailin N. Amer. /«<■/. (1844) II. xlviii. 122 They
use a vast many beads, 1884 Alauch. Exam. 17 May 4/8
There are a great many schools, .of technicology scattered
over the Continent.
b. Const, of', now only followed by a definite
sb. or pronoun. (Some early quots. may belong
to Mkinie.)
1525 Ld. IlhKNKRs Froiss. II. x.viv. 64 Benelh in the courte
hesawea great many of asses. 1530 Palscr. 721/1 s.v. Slyde,
A menye of brokes [?'«£- tas dcruisscaux]. is6oWhiiehornk
Arte Warre 60 Caius Snlpitius . . set a greate many of
Sackes vpon Mules. 1584 R. Scot Discov. Witchcr. xn. iii.
(1886) 176 If Incubus could be^et Merlins among us, we
should have a jollie manie of cold prophets. 1652 Gaule
Magastrom. 352 He. .had invited a many of his kindred and
friends. 1656 Earl Monm. tr. Boccalints Advts.fr. Parnass.
n. xxiv. (1674) 173 An infinite many of men. 1711 Addison
Sped. No. 37 F i, I had an Opportunity of turning over a
great many of her Books. 1716 B. Church Hist. Philip's
War (1865) I. 127 He pick'd up a considerable many of their
Women and Children. 1840 P. Parley s Ann, 183 A many of
them played the truant on purpose to see the soldiers go
through their manoeuvres. 1852 Thackkrav Esmond 1. iii,
This was chiefly of the Catholic gentry, of whom there were
a pretty many in the country.
c. ellipt. and absol. (Quots. 1556 and 1564 may
belong to Meinie.)
[1556O1.UE A ntichrist 6T0 the undoing of a great meanye.
1564 Lkcon Display. Popish Mass Wks. ill. 47 b, Ye
praye for Philippe and Chenye, mo than a good meany.l
1599 Shaks. Heft. V} hi. vii. 79 Const. And yet my Sky shall
not want [sc. stars]. Dolph. That may be, for you beare a
many superfluously. 1604 Hieron H'ks. I. 507 These and
the like are the thoughts and speeches of no small many.
1611 Ii. Jonson Catiline To Rdr., The commendation of
good things may fall within a many, their approbation but
in a few. 1788 T. Taylor Proclus1 Comm. (1792) I. Diss,
p. xcv, Plato is ignorantly accused by a many, for affirming
that [etc]. 1875 Higginson Hist. U. S. viii. 64 A good
many died of hardship and fatigue. 1888 Brycio Amer.
Commiv. III. cih 438 But even in the East a good many may
come from straitened homes.
f2. sb. App. by confusion with Meinie, used
for: Company, host, flock; (one's) retinue or
following. Obs.
1563-87 Foxk A. <fr M. (1596) 1609/2 We are . . mur-
thered downe like a manie of sheep. 1579 Spfnser Sheph.
Cat. May 23 Before them yode a lusty Tabrere, That
to the many a Home pype playel. 1586 Warner Alb. Eng.
1. v. (1589) 14 Those cruell Lions., which haue deuoured
those Heards I had, and with my Manie's blood lmbrud
their fierce deuouring chappes. 1596 SrtNSKR F\ Q. v. xi. 3
And forth he far'd with all his many bad. 1609 C. Butler
Fern. Mon. v. (1623) Lij,The manie begins to march along;
thronging one another for haste. 1700 Drydkn Pal. fy
Arcite in. 545 The chiefs divide And wheeling east and
west before their many ride.
3. Pliilos. A multitude, plurality. Opposed to me.
a 1619 Fotherby Atheom. 11. x. § 4 (1622) 309 AM Ones,
and all Manyes, all wholes, all parts. 1788 T. Taylor
Proclus' Comm. (1792) I. Diss. p. xxiv, One idea, throughout
all manys, wrapt up in one. 1864 Bowen Logic u 4 The
Understanding has been called the unifying faculty, by
which the many is reduced to unity;
Many- : see Mani-.
Manyew, obs. form of Mange.
t Ma'nyfull, a. Obs. [f. Many + -ful.] Abun-
dant. (Also const, of.)
c 1440 Jacob's Well 262 Many-full of woordys [marg.
multilo<niium]...He bat hath manye woordys faryth as a
65-2
MANYGATES.
fuul bat ^ellyth his chaffare wyth-outen wy^te and mesure.
1526 in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. in. II. 80 All this mater I
remytte unto your highe wisdome and manyfull goodnes.
t Ma nygate s. Obs. [See Gate sb.2 9 b.]
In many ways.
1375 Barbour Bruce I. 338 Knasvlage off moiiy statis May
qulule awail3e full mony gatis. c 1420 Lay Folks Mass Bk.,
York Hours 35 Many fals witnes, pai wryed hym many gate.
Many-lieaded, a. (Stress variable.) Having
many heads. Often applied derisively to the people
or populace (the many-headed beast or monster,
after Hor. Ep. 1. i. 76 Belua mulionim es eapitum),
a 1586 Sidney Arcadia 11. (1590) 220 O weak trust of the
many-headed multitude. 1590 Spenser F. Q. i. viii. 6 The
proud Duessa..High mounted on her many headed beast.
1595 Daniel Civ. Wars 11. xii, This many-headed monster
Multitude. ci6ix Chapman Iliaii\. 478 That many-headed
hill. 1680 G. HlCKBS Spirit of Popery 2 That Many-
headed Pope the Presbyterian Government. 1737 Pove
Hor. Ep. 11. i. 305 The many-headed Monster of the Pit.
1819 Ld. J. Russkll in Hansards Pari, Deb. XLI. 1105
Are we then to conclude, .that Somers [etc.] expelled a king
in order to set up a many-headed tyranny? 1849 Tennyson
' You might have won' 20 Keep nothing sacred : 'tis but
just The many-headed beast should know. 1852 Henslow
Diet. Bot. Terms, Many-headed, when many distinct buds
are seated on the crown of a root.
b. absol. ( — 'the many-headed multitude1.)
1837 Dickens Pickw. xlx, The playful disposition of the
many- headed.
I!;..-- Manyhea'dedness.
1827 Hare Guesses (1859) 96 A Review, — which, among
diverge other qualities of Cerberus, has that of many-headed-
ness. 1889 Spectator 5 Oct., The many-headedness of a
Parliament.
i Ma nyhecle. Obs. Also mani-. [f. Many
+ -hede, -head.] Multitude.
a 1300 /:'. E. Psalter c!, 2 Loves him after mani-hede [Vulg.
secundum multitudinem] of his mikelnesse, a 1400 Relig.
Pieces fr. Thornton MS. 45 Por-bi bat anehede ts gude and
manyhede alswa, bare-fore it behouede nede bat anehede
and manyhede bathe ware in G.jdd.
t Ma'nyie, me'nyie, sb. St. Obs. Also 5
mau5e, ? meniye, 6 men$ie, menze, 6-7 manzie,
7 menzie, mangzie. [f. next vb.] = Maim sb.
1456 Sir G. Have Laiu Arms (S.T.S.) it6 Quha ever
strykis with wappin or othir villaynis man^e. £1470 Henry-
son Mor. Fad. v, {Pari. Beasts) xxxv, This wretchit wolf
weipand thus on h^ went, Of this meniye markand to get
renieid. 1500-30 Dunbar Poc/usxxi. 12 He that hes for nis
awin gen;itj Ane plesand prop, but mank or menzie. 1589
R. Bruce Serm. (1591J Y 3 b, Without a notable inconvenient
ather to body or soule, or to boath, without a notable menze,
as we speak. 1597 Skene De Verb. Sign., Machamivm, . .
from the auld Prench worde Mehaigne, quhilk we call,
Manzie. hurt, mutilation [etc.]. 1609 — Reg, Maj. in, x.
51 b, Gif the seller did sell to the buyer ane thing, as
without anie fault or menzie. Ibid. Table 86 b, Mangzie.
I Manyie, menyie, v. Se. Obs. Also 4-5
raenije, 6 menjie, mainzie. [a. OK mahaignier:
see Maim v.] = Maim v.
a 1400 Trojan War 11. 2131 Woundand, men^eand, and
slaand. 1500-ao Dunbar Poems Lxxvni. 3 So sair the
magryme dois me me^ie. 1597 Skene De Verb. Signif.
s.v. Maehamium, He quha is mainzied, hes ane just cause
to excuse himselfe fra singular battel!.
t Ma-nykin, ma nykins, a. Obs. Forms :
1 manesra cynna, 2-3 monies cunnes, kunnes,
kinnes, 3 mani cunnes, kinnes, -kine(s, 4
many kyn(nes, mani-, mony-kin, 5 manykins,
trron. -kingis. [Repr. early ME. monies kinnes
(genit. sing, of Many a. and Kin sbA) ; in OE.
the synonymous pi. genitive manegra cynna occurs.]
Of many kinds.
a 900 [see Kin sb.1 6 bj. c 1000 Ags. Ps. (Th.) x. 7 Drihten
onsent manejra cynna witu. c 1175 Lamb. Horn. 103 Heo
[sc. anger] inacaS monslehtas and monies cunnes ufel. tizao
Bestiary 460 Manikines 3ing. c U75 Lay. 1292 per bi-won
Brutus mani kine binges, c 1375 Cursor M, 27412 (Pairf.)
Manikin bing him mat be-tide [Cotton Por nakin case bat
mai tide], a 1400-50 A te, roWcr 3864 Creuesses of manykins
hewis. Ibid. 4530 Minerua was a maistres of many kingis
[sic] werkis.
t Ma'nyment. Sc. Obs. Also manument.
[a. F. maniement, f. manier to handle.] Man-
agement.
iS°7 Reg. Privy Council Scot. Ser. 1. 1. 514 Sen hit Hienes
arryvall. .and taking of the manyment and governament of
the effaiis thairof on hir awin persoun. Ibid. II. 161 The
maister of his Hienes awin Cunyiehouse or sic utheris as ha-,
the manyment thairof. 1600 Sc, Acts Jos. I'l (1816) IV.
245, 1 The saidis James and maister Jobne had the govern-
ment and manument of his haill rentis, leving, andaffairis.
Manyness (me'iiinOs). rare. [f. Many r
-Ni:.ss.] Plurality, numerosity.
1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 115 Be multiplication, or manynes
of Hynes. 1886 Hall& Jastrow in Mind Jan. 60 The sense
of manyness. .acts as a stimulus to us to bend all available
energy to tally as fast as possible.
Manyot, Manyour : obs. ff. Manioc, Mangek.
Manyplies (me'niphiz), sb. pL Chiefly dial.
Forms: b monyple, 8-9 manyplus, 9 monny-,
moni-, mani-, manyplies. [f. Many+//;Vj, pi.
of Ply, fold. Cf. Manifold(s sb.2] The omasum
or third stomach of a ruminant. Also, jocularly
the stomach of a man.
1774 Lambe Hist. Battell Flodden Notes 70 Monyple, a
N. C. word. 1782 A. Monro Covtpar. Anat. (ed. 3) 39
Omasum, vulgo the manyplus. 1B03 Prize Ess. Ht'ghl. Soc.
Scotl. II, 218 In the fold of the second [sic] stomach or
148
monnyplies. 1833 M. Scon Tcm Cringle xii. (1859) 268
As if he feared Hie very exertion of uttering a word or two
might unsettle his moniplies. 1840 Penny Cycl. XVII. 82/1
The third stomach, the manyplus. 1861 Hume tr. Moouin-
Tandon Ii. 1. 43 In all the ruminating animals there are
four stomachs : the ingluvies ; . . the reticulum ; . . the omasum
or many-plies ; and the abomasum.
Manys^ch, obs. form of Menace v.
Many-Sided, a. (Stress variable.)
1. Having many sides ; multilateral.
1660 Bakrow Euclid 1. Def. xxii, Many-hided figures are
such as are contained under more right lines than four.
a 182a Shelley Def. Poetry V*. Wks. 1888 II. 16 The drama
..is a prismatic and many-sided mirror. 1847 S.meaton
Builder's Man. 172 To find the area of irregular polygons,
or many-sided figures.
2. Jig. Having many aspects, bearings, capacities,
or possibilities. (Suggested by Ger. vielseitzg.)
1843 Gladstone Glean. (1879) V. 37 Of many-sided aspect.
x868 — Juv. Mundi x. (1870) 402 With many-sided intelli-
gence. 1882 Pakrar Early Chr. II. 337 Since Christianity
is manysided. 1892 Gardiner Students Hist. Eng. 489
Raleigh was- .a many-sided man ; soldier, sailor, statesman,
historian, and poet.
Hence Manysidedness.
1833 Lyiton Eng. <y English (ed. 2) II. 97 Wordsworth. .
has not, it is true, 'the many-sidedness' of Gothe. 1837
C. LoPFT Self-formation I. 275 It tends to give him the
decantatum illud of the Germans, .. manysidedness. 1866
Sat. A'er'. 19 May 584/1 What men gain in manysidedness
it is said they are losing in vigour. 1870 Lowell Among
my Bis. Ser. 1. (1873) 345 The many-sidedness of truth.
Manyssh, -yssyche, obs. IT. Menace v.
Manyways adv. : see Way.
t Many-wliat. Obs. Forms : 3 mani5whatt,
moniwhat, 4 mani-, mony-quat(t, -what. [See
What and cf. anywhat, someiuhat.] Many things.
c 1200 Ormin 1028 Enngless. .wibb be bisscopp spaekenn
O Godess hallfe off luani^whaU. a xzz^Atur. R. 352 Hore
liflode is herre, uor pilegrim eileo monihwat. a 1300 Cursor
M. 12598 (Cott.) Desputand tuix bairn he salt, And bai him
asked mani-quat [z: rr. many quat, maniquatt, mony what).
MCa'ny-wliere. rare. Also 4 maniquar(e,
6-7 (with advb. s) many wheres. [f. Many +
Where.] In many places.
a 1300 Cursor M. 21723 Bot has bitid oft mani quar, pat
less folk ouercummen be mar. 1565 Jewel Repl. Harding
(161 1) 433 This kinde of Praier.. was many wheres receiued.
^1656 Bp. Hall Rem. Wks. (1660) 289 It.. can no more
according to the natural being even of a body glorified be
many wheres at once. 1902 Llubock Scenery Eng. 52
Smoothed and polished rocks occur also ' many-where , if I
may coin the word.
M anywise adv. : see Wise sb.
II Maiizanilla (mamzanrla, Sp. man]>anrlva .
fSp., f. manzanilla camomile.] A kind of dry and
ight sherry with a somewhat bitter flavour.
1843 Eenny Cycl. XXVII. 466/1 Manzanilla, which is the
favourite wine of the Spaniards. 187a Thudichum& Dupke
'Treat. Wine 653 Some descriptions of Manzanilla wine.
Manzanilla, -illo : see Manchineel.
II Manzanita (mcenzan/ta, Sp. manj>an/"ta).
[Sp., dim. of manzana apple.] One of the berry-
bearing shrubs of the genus Arctostaphylos found
in the United States; the bearberry. Also allrib.
187J C. King Mountain. Sierra AW', ii. 36 The reverence
due to the Giver of manzanita berries.
Manzie: see Manyie St. Obs.
II Manzil (mwnzil). Forms: 7 manzeil,-eel,
munsel, menzill, 9 mansale, munzil, -el, man-
zil. [Arab, (hence Pers., Urdu) Ju-« tnanzil}{. na-
;a/tftodescend, alight.] a. A halting-place, b. The
distance between two halting-places, a stage.
1634 StR T. Hehhekt Trav. 55 Our next nights Manzei!
was at Gogoam. 1698 Pkvek Ace. E. India <y /'. 231 In the
middle of the Munsel {i.e. a whole Day's Journy) theButler
alights. 1840 J. B. Phaser Koordistan I. iv. 98 Pixing my
first day's munzil.. at a village. .ten miles from Ooshnoo.
1880 L.'Wallace Ben AWL (1881) 8 On the desert, distance
is . . measured . . by the saat, or hour, and the manzil, or halt.
[| Ma*nzO. Obs. rare. [It.] Biill-beef.
1594 Cakkw Huartc's Exam. Wits (1616J 305 Cowes fle.-di,
Manzo, bread of red graine,..the Sonne engendred vjxm
these, shall haue strength like a bull, but withal), bee.. of a
beastly wit.
Manzy, Sc. form of Meinie.
Maon: see Mahone, MaokD8.
Maori (ma-6ri, maua-ri), sb. (a.) PL Maori,
Maori^e;S. [The native name: said to mean
* of the usual kind* (Morris Austral Eng.).]
1. An individual of the brown race inhabiting
New Zealand. Also attrib. or adj. pertaining to
this race or their language ; absol. the language.
1843 Penny ■Cycl. XXVII. 752/1 The natives call themselves
maori (aborigines), in contradistinction to the foreigners, or
pakea. 1845 E. J. Wakefield Advent. N. Zealand I. vi.
174 The Maori language.. possesses., but few words whkh
express abstract ideas. ..The Maori, as made a written
language, is pronounced in the same way as German or
Spanish. 1854 Goi.oer Pigeons Partt. 34 Through bush
and clearinu' searching for ye Pull of the thoughts of shooting
Maori. 1884 Century Mag. XXVII. 9x9 Crowds of Maoris
..thronged the streets.
b. Comb., in names of plants and animals (see
Morris Austral Eng. 1898) : Maori cabbage,
the wild cabbage of New Zealand ; Maori-chief,
a New Zealand Flathead fish, Notothenia ; Maori-
MAP.
head, a kind of stdge ; Maori-hen, the Weka or
Wood-hen of New Zealand, Ocydromus.
2. A New South Wales fish, Coris lineolatus.
1882 Tenison- Woods Fish <V Fisheries N. S. Wales 74.
1883 E. P. Ramsay Food Fishes N.S. Wales 25 (Fish.
Exhib. Publ.) The ' Maori ' {Coris lineolatus), a most varied
and beautifully marked fish, of a rich vermilion.
Maormor : see Mokmaok.
Map (miep), sb.1 Also 6-7 mappe, G-8 mapp.
[ad. L. mappa, iu class.L. 'table-cloth, napkin ',
but in med.L. used trans/, in the combination
vtappa mundi (see Mappemonde).
Cf. the synonymous OP. /nappe (rare; al*o in Rousseau
ci77o>, Sp. vtapa> Pg. mappa, G. mappe (obs. : the mod.
sense ' portfolio ' is not directly connected). J
1. A representation of the earth's surface or a
pait of it, its physical and political features, etc..
or of the heavens, delineated on a flat surface of
paper or other material, each point in the drawing
corresponding to a geographical or celestial position
according to a definite scale or projection.
A hydrographical map is now more usually called a chart
(formerly \card).
1527 R. Thokne in Hakluyt I'oy. (1589) 257 To make a
bigger and a better mappe. 1589 G. Harvey Piercers
Super. Wks. (Grosart) II. 130 The great Mapp of Mercator.
1601 Shaks. Tivel. N. in. ii. 84 He does smile his face into
more lynes, then is in the new Mappe, with the augmen-
tation of the Indies. 1625 N. Carpenter Geog. Del. 1. vii.
(1635) 166 A Geographical! Mappe is a plaine Table,
wherein the Lineaments of the Terrestriall Spheare are
expressed. 1760 Johnson Idler No. 07 P5 A rivulet not
marked in the maps. 1867 W. W. Smyth Coal 4- Coal-
mining 44 On examination of a geological map it will be
seen that [etc. J.
b. trans/. + A table, cliart (obs.). Also (nonce-
use), applied to a mental conception of the ar-
rangement of something.
1626 [Peatley] tr. Parallel. To Rdr. Aiij, Errors.. which,
collected into a small map, they exhibite. 1855 Bain.SV»jc>
<y Int. 111. L § 43 (1864) 398 By a hurt on the ribs we come
to connect feelings in the chest with the place on our map
of the body.
c. A tract of country spread out like a map.
1784 Cowi'ER Task 1. 321 A spacious map Of hill and valley
interpos'd between.
d. A figure resembling a map in form or outline.
1822 Good Study Med. IV. 571 Motley dandriff. Scaliness
in diffuse maps of irregular outline, and diverse colours.
2. jig. A detailed representation in epitome ; a
circumstantial account of a state of things. Very
common in the 17th c. ; now rare or Obs.
c 1586 Ctkss Pemukoke Ps. cxi.ii. \} My voice, [O Lord],
. . Before thy face my cases mapp it laieth. 1607 Rowlands
Guy Wartv. 59 Who in her Pace a Map of sorrow wears, A
countenance compos'd all mournful, sad. 1647 Saltmarsh
.Sparkles Glory (1847) 2 So as man is all created excellency
in the map or abridgment. 1791 Bukke Lett., to R. Burke
(1844) III. 227, I don't know the map of their situation.
t b. The embodiment or incarnation (0/2. virtue,
vice, character, etc.) ; the very picture or image 0/
i^So Sp. mapa.) Obs. (Common in the 17th c.)
a 1591 H. Smith Siuf. Man's Search Six Serm. (16x4) E,
What were man if he were once left to himselfe? A map of
misery. 1606 Chatman Mons. D'Olive Plays 1873 I. 200
Parewell the true mappe of a gull. 1698 Pkver Ace. E.
India .y P. 83 They are the absolute map of sordidness,
fareing hardly, and professing fairly.
T C. An aggregation, multitude. Obs.
a 1593 Gkeene Selimus Wks. (Grosart) XIV. 199 In whose
high thoughts A map of many valures is erahnfiM. 1597
Midhleton Iv'tsd. Solo/itopt xv. 12 My soul, saitli lie, is but
a map of shows, No substance, but a shadow for to please.
1 3. [V After L. ma/pa ; cf. G. mappe portfolio.]
? A wrapper. Obs.
1608 Toi'sull Serpents 220 But some then will demaund,
where had Pope Alexander .. that map or net at Rome
wherin (it is said) the napkin of our Sauiour Christ is pre-
serued.
4. attrib. and Comb., as map- i graver, -maker,
-making, -monger, -mounter, -seller ; maf-like
adj. ; map butterfly, a butterfly with map-like
markings; map-flapping Mil., the process of trans-
mitting by flag-signals the outline of a map (or
other drawing) ; map lichen, a lichen, Lecidea
^cographica, the thallus of which has markings
resembling a map ; map-measurer, an instrument
for measuring distances on maps (Knight Diet.
Mcch. 1875) ; map-meter - prec. ; map-turtle,
an American turtle, Malaclem my s geographic us, so
called from the markings of the shell {Cent. Diet.).
1894 E. H. Aitken Naturalist on Prowl 50 The delicately
devised *Map Butterfly, Cyrestis thyodamas. 1886 Longttt.
Ma?. Peb., tart.) *Map-flapping. 1662 Evelyn Chatcogr.
Contents, Chart and * Map-gravers. 1796 Nemnich Polygl.
Lex. Nat. Hist., *Map lichen. Lichen geographicus. 1775
Romans Florida App. 77 Our wise *map-makers. .have
corrupted itintoPonio bay. 1867 Farkes' Cata I. Instruments
30 Opisometer or *Map Meter. 1639 Puller Holy Warx.
xiv. (1840) 267 Agreat "mapmonger.. undertook to travelover
England by help of his maps. 1858 Simmonds Diet. Trade,
* Map-mounter, a workman who backs maps with canvas,
varnishes and fixes them on rollers [etc.]. 1710 Land. Gaz.
No. 4685/4 Sold by C. Browne, Print and *Map-seller.
Hence Ma'pless a., without maps.
1659 Puller App. Inj. Innoc. 1. 5 Mr. Camden's Britania.
His first Edition was a Babe in a little.. Octavo ;. .the third,
a Youth in a Quarto (but Map-less). 1889 T. Hodgkin
Dynasty of Theodosius i$x Their deficiency of light cavalry
MAP.
149
MAR.
prevented them from. .obtaining,
the much-needed information.
those maple^s days, f
Map, sb-~ dial. (Se.) [Cf. map vb., to nibble
(E. D. D.).] A rabbit. Hence Mappie (E. D. D.),
f Mapkin in the same sense.
1416 in Rot. Fat. § Claus. Cancel. Hib. Cat. (1828) I. 213/1
Rex assignavit Johannem Baxter. . ad capiendum, emendum,
& arrestandum quascunque pelles de martryns, mappekyns,
cuniculorum [etc.]. 1825-80 Jamieson, Ma/, lit., nibbler, a
name sometimes given to a rabbit.
Map (mrep), vA Inflected mapped 'macpt\
mapping, [f. Map sb.1 Cf. Sp. mapar, G.
mappie re n.]
1. trans. To make a map of; to represent or
delineate on a map.
1602 Warnkk Alb. E.ng. xii. Ixxi. (1612) 297 Not moop't at
home, but mapping Lands. 1847 Gkote Greece 11. xxvi.
{1862) III. 19 Thrace, which is even now imperfectly known
and badly mapped. 1849 MacaulaY Hist. Eng, hi. I. 411
While he, on the rock of Saint Helena, mapped the con-
stellations of the southern hemisphere.
absol. 1901 R. Kipling Kim xii. 321 They will plot and
survey and map of course.
b. trans/, andy^. Obs.
1586 Warner Alb. Eng. vi. xxxii. (1589) 143 Of which
letigious Famelies here mapped be the Lines. 1611 Shaks.
Cytub. iv. i. 1, I am neere to th' place where they should
meet, if Pisanio haue mapp'd it truely. 1889 Rider Hag-
gard in Illustr. Lond. News 23 Feb. 237/1 The form of
a man. .vaguely mapped upon the twilight.
c. pass. Of a landscape : To be extended to the
eye as in a map.
1845 Darwin Voy. Nat. xix. (1852) 449 To the south the
broken land and water.. was mapped with clearness before
us. 1850 Clough Dipsychus Ii. v.
d. To map doivn : to set down or delineate, as
in a map.
1868 Helps Realmak xiv. (1876) 379 He is just the sort of
quiet, observant fellow to be mapping all our characters
down.
2. Map out. a. To represent in detail on a map.
(11656 lip. Hall Rem. Wks. (1660) 387 Hcthinkes it
not needful to map out before the Traveller every Town
and Village of all the Shires through which he should pass.
k. fg- t (a) To record minutely (obs.). (b) To
plan out (a course of conduct or behaviour), to
divide up (a period of time) into sections allotted
to different occupations.
1619 Hales Lett. .Synod Dort 15 Jan. in Gold. Rem.
(1673) 11. 76 One amongst them there is who hath taken the
paines to Mappe out your behaviour since your fir.-,t
footing in the Synod. 1883 F. M. Crawford Dr. Claudius
v, A woman of her position probably., mapped out her year
among her friends. 1891 Law Times XCII. 130/1 These
volumes.. map out before us the whole law affecting the
marriage contract.
c. To divide (a country) into districts, as by lines
on a map.
i860 Motley Netherl. vi868) I. i. 5 The territory of these
countries was mapped out by no visible lines. 1870 E.
Peacock Ralf Skirl. II. 248 The Continent was not then
mapped out with tourists' routes.
t Map, v.* Obs. rare-'1, [? cogn. with Mope v.]
trans. To bewilder.
c 1425 Festivals 175 in Leg, Rood (1871) 216 Oure lady. .
lay still doted and dased As a womman mapped and mased.
Map : see also Moi\
Mapamond(e, obs. form of Mapfjuiondb.
Mapkin : see Map sb$
Maple (m^'p'l). Also 4-5 mapil(l, -ul(le, -el,
7 mayple. [OK.* mapel* maput, only in mapeltre'oxo
Maple-tkee, and in mapulder of the same meaning :
cf. OS. mapulder (Gallee), MLG. mapeldom.
The late ON. mgpnr-r (rare-1) seems to be an alteration
of the Eng. word after the synonymous but unconnected
ON.mpsnrr: see M.\2ER. Beside the OTeut. type *maplo-
represented in the Kng. and OS. word, there was a synony-
mous *mailo- represented in OHG. ma??allrat mod.G.
maszhotder; the relation between these two forms has not
been explained.]
1. Any of the trees or shrubs of the genus Acer,
flourishing in northern temperate regions, many
of which are grown for shade or ornament, some
valued for their "wood, and some for a sugar pro-
duct. The Common Maple is Acer campestre.
The fruit of these trees is a double-winged samara
or ' key \
770 [see Maple-trek]. ? a 1366 Chaucer Rom. Rose 1384
Maples, asshe, 00k, a.sp, planes longe. c 1386 — A'tttSs T.
2065 Mapul. 1590 Si'Knser F. Q. 1. i. 9 The Maple seeldom
inward sound. 163a T. Morion New Eng. Canaan 11. ii.
(1637) 65 Mayple,. .very excellent, for bowles. 173a Gentl.
Mag. II. 673 The Maple blushing gratifies the Sight. 1856
Whittikr Ranger v, Silver birches, golden-hooded, Set with
maples, crimson-blooded.
b. With qualifying word, applied to various
species of the genus Acer : e. g.
Bird's-eye Maple (cf. 2) = sugar maple; Black or
Black Sugar Maple, A. nigrum; Cretan Maple,./.
creticum\ Dwarf Maple, A.glabrum (Cent. Diet. 1890);
Uoose-foot Maple ^ striped vtaplc iib'id.); Great or
Greater Maple = sycamore maple; Hairy Maple, A.
barbatum ; Hard Wlap\e=sugtlr maple ; Italian Maple,
A. Opalus; Montpellier Maple, A. monspessulanum,
found in southernFrance ; Mountain Maple, A . spicatum,
found on mountains in North America ; Norway Maple,
A. platanoides; Red or Red-flowering, Scarlet or
acarlet flowering VLa.rtletA.rubrwu; Rock Maple
sugar maple ; Silver, Silver-leaved, or White Maple,
A. dasycarpum, of eastern North America; Soft Maple,
' either the red or the silver maple ' (Cent. Diet.) ; Striped
Maple, A. pennsyivanieum (or striatum^, moosewood ;
Sugar Maple, A. saccharinum of North America, which
yields maple-sugar ; Swamp Maple — red maple; Syca-
more Maple, A. Fseudo-platanus (see Sycamore'; Vine
Maple, A. eircinatum (Cent. Diet.). Also Ash-leaved
Maple, any tree of the genus Negundo; box -elder.
1597 Gkrarde Herbal 111. cxii. 1300 The great Maple, not
rightly called the Sycomore tree, .is a stranger in Kngland.
1797 Encycl. Frit. (ed. 3) s.v. Acer. 1800 Med. Jml. IV.
246 The sugar and silver maple, Acer saccharinum, and A.
dasycarpon. 1866 Freas. Fot. 1876 Hukroighs Winter
Sunshine (1895.1 93 Soft maple makes a very fine white sugar.
2. The wood of any of these trees. IUrdy s-eye
■maple (see IJikp's-eye 4). Curled maple: a wood
in which the grain is much undulated or contorted,
obtained from the broad-leaved, red, and sugar
maples. Mottled, Russian maple (sec quot. 1^75).
1396-7 Durham Ace. Rolls (Surtees) 214, ix sawsars de
Mapill. 1663 Cowley Ess., Agric. Wks. 1710 II. 714 He
seats him in a Throne of Maple. 1664 Evelyn Sylva x. 28
The Maple, .was of old held in equal estimation almost with
the Citron; especially the Bruscum, the French-Maple,
and the l'eacocks-tail-Maple. 1805 Wordsw. Fret. 1. 515
The naked table, snow-white deal, Cherry or maple. 1847
W. Darlington Amer. Weeds, etc. (i860) 92 The wood uf
the Red Maple — e.specially that variety or form of it, known
as Curled Maple. 1875 dre's Diet. Artsl II. 2 16 The Russian
maple is thought to be the wood of a birch tree.. .The bird's
eye maple is the American variety.. .The mottled maple is
a commoner variety.
3. alt rib. and Comb., as maple grove, leaf, f warr
( ^ knot in treei, wood; quasi-odjr. with sense ' made
of maple wood ', as in maple chair, cup, dish. Also
f maple biscuit, some kind of confectionery;
T maple block, a block of maple wood on which
tobacconists cut tobacco; maple-borer, an insect
which bores the wood of maples (Cent, Diet. 1890; ;
maple bush, the mountain maple, Acer spicatum ;
maple disease, a disease of certain maples caused
by the fungus Phyllosticta acericola {Cent. Diet.);
maple eye, in graining, an eye-shaped mark like
those found in maple wood; f maple face, a
spotted face ; so maple-faced adj. ; maple grey,
a kind of grey pea; maple-honey U.S., the un-
crystallizcd part of the sap of the sugar maple
(Hartlett Diet, Amer. 1859) ; maple key, the
fruit of a maple-tree (see Key sb.1 14); maple
kuob (see quot.) ; maple molasses, syrup U.S.,
a syrup obtained by evaporating maple sap or dis-
solving maple sugar {Cent. Diet.); maple rounci-
val, a kind of rouncival pea (cf. vtaplc grey);
maple sugar, the sugar obtained by evaporation
from the sap of certain maples; maple sugary,
a maple sugar factory. Also Maple-root, -tree.
*755 Mem. Capt. P. Drake II. ii 1. 45 A Flask of Pontack,
. .with Cakes, *Maple Biscuits, and other Sweetmeats [at
Allost, in Flanders]. 1610 B. Jonson Aleh. 1. iii, He has his
*maple block, his siluer tongs. 1821 Schoolckait J'rav.
162 The small red twigs of the..*maple bush. 1649 Ogilhv
sErteis vm. (1684) 292 A *MapIe Chair, graced with a Lion's
Skin. 1679 Blount Anc. Fenures 7 The service of present-
ing the king with three *Maple-Cups on the day of his
Coronation. 1634 Milton Comus 391 Who would rob a
Hermit of his Weeds, His few Books, or his Beads, or xMaple
pish? 1873 E. Spon Workshop Receipts Ser. 1. 424/2 Put
in the *maple eyes by hand. 1633 B. Jonson Falc of Tub
11. i, What ! Rowle-powle ! *Maple-face ! All felfowes !
1650 Uulwkk Anthropomct. 159 Ere long these adulterate
Colours will moulder, and then the old maple-Face ap-
fieares. 1607 Middletqn L'ive Gallants iv. vii, Von un-
ucky, ^maple-faced rascal. 1805 R. W. Dickson Praet.
Agric. II. 583 The Marlborough gray, the horn gray, the
*maple gray. 1876 Encycl. Brit. IV. 773/2 A *maple grove
. .is. .regarded as a valuable feature on a Canadian farm.
1664 Evelyn Kal. Hort., Oct. (1679) 26 Ashen, Sycomor,
and_ *MapIe keys. 1858 Homans Cycl. Co/nm. 1316/1 In
addition to the above-named varieties [curled and bird's- i
eye maples], two other kinds occur in the wens, or ex-
crescences, which grow on the trunk or roots of this tree.
..The most valuable variety is known by the name of '
Variegated *Maple-knob. 1418 A". /i. Wills{iZ&2) $6 Wroght I
wit *mapil leues and fret of .iij. foill. 1900 Daily News j
1 Jan- 3/2 The Canadians ; the wearers of the maple leaf
ij6z Mills Syst. Fract. Husb. I. 466 The green and the
'maple rouncivals require a stronger soil than the white.
1784 J. Belknap in F. Papers {1877) II. 1S1 A sauce composed
of raspberries, cream, and *maple sugar. 1890 E. W. Gossk
/'. //. Gosse 95 A log-hut. .a young *maple-sugary, and four
tons of hay. 1579 Spensi:k Sheph. Cat. Aug. 26 A mazer
ywrought of the "Maple Warre. 17. . MortiMer Husb. (J.),
Of the rottenest *maple wood burnt to ashes they make a
strong lye. 1805 Med. Jml. XIV. 172 Maple wood is..
much used for the lathe.
Hence Mapled (mt''*p'lu) a., grown with maple?.
1851 Whittier Chapel of Hermits 371 This mapled ridge
shall Horeb be.
Maple, variant of Mapfle Obs., a mop.
Maple-root. The root of the maple, formerly
used medicinally.
1523 Skelton Gart. Laurel ^1377 [In the list of his own
compoMtions.] The Murnyng of the mapely rote. 1609
T. RaveuscrofCs J'ammclia xxx'i. C 3 b, My Ladle's gone to
Canterbury, S. Thomas be her boote. Shee met with Kate
of Malmsbury, why weepst thou maple roote? 1640 Par-
kinson Fheat. Fot. xvi. xxvi. 1427 Or Maple roote in pouther
made Take oft in Wine, a present med'eine knowne.
Maple-tree. = Maple i.
770 in Birch Cart. Sax. (1885) I. 290 Of f>am syrf treowe
in p ruj' mapel treow in forweard werdune. c 1425 Foe. in
Wr.-Wiilcker 646/19 Hec ascer, mnpulletre. 1579 I \iy
Euphues (Arbj 100 Is not..dunge [taken] out of the Maple
tree by the Scorpion? 1859 Geo. Eliot A. liede ii, As Dinah
walked, .towards the cart under the maple-tree.
Mapold, -olt, mappel : sec Mapfle Obs.
Mappemonde nuepmJu-nd). Now only Hist.
Forms : 4-5 mappemounde, mapamor.d(e, 6
mappamou nd, y mappemonde. [a. F. mappe-
monde, ad. med.L. mappa mundt map of the world.
Cf. mod.Pr. mapomoundo, Sp. maptimitndi.'] The
map of the world ; in early quots., the world itself.
138. Cual'clr To Rosemoitnde 2 Madame, ye ben of al
beautc shryne As fer as cercled is the mappemounde [MS.
mapamonde]. 1390G0WLK Conf.lll. 102 And sette proprely
the bounde Aftre the forme of Mappemounde. < 1450 Hoi -
land llowlat 328 Marchonis in the mapamond. .nixt dukis
in dignite. 1533 Bkllknden Livy Biol, ii. The twynklaud
>temis about pe mappamound. 1560 Holland Crt. r'enns
u. 125 Of all palice it was the luniinair, That euer }it was
maid on Mappamond. 1864 Major in Arch<eotoc,ia XI,. t
Memoir on a Mappemonde by Leonardo da Vinci. 1891
J. Winsok Colmnbus ii. 61 The mappemonde, which was
drawn in 1500, by one of Columbus's pilots, Juan de la
Cosa.
Mapper, [f. Map vl + -eb V] A mnp-mnkcr.
1635 Person Varieties 1. 44 Our modeme N'avi^aiur> and
Mappers. 1883 Burton & Camekon Gold Coast I. ii. 32
Columbus. .lived as a mapper with his father-in-law.
SoMappery [contemptuous), the making ol maps.
1606 Shaks. Tr. -V O, 1. iii. ^05 They call this Bed-worke,
Mapp'ry, Closset- Warre, 1840 East's Mac;. VII. 411 Pro-
tocols, .and what not, the mere mappery and paper projection
of what has bad, or may have, some relation to a dee<l.
Mapping .nW\<ti) J'bl.sb. [f'.MAPt'.l +-INI,'.]
The action of Map r.1 ; the drawing of maps, map-
making; planning. Also with out, down.
1775 in Asu Suppi. _ 1849 Mlkchison Situria v. 93 Cor-
rections being made iii ibe mapping of faults and strata,
1856 Mrs. Browning Anr. Leigh i.\. S38 Less mapping out
of matter to be saved, i860 Geo. Eliot Mill on EL 11. i,
When the miller talked of 'mapping1 and 'summing' in
a vague and diffident manner. 1868 Lockyer tr. Guiilemin's
Heavens (ed. 3) 300 The actual mapping down of the spectra
of several of the brightest stars.
at t rib. 1866 W. V. Stanley Math. Drawing I tut r. 12 A
very tine kind of writing-pen, termed a mapping pen.
Ma'ppist. rare. [i.Mapz'.i + -ist.] ^Mappek.
<i 1618 Sylvester Little Farias 311 Learned Mappists»on
a Taper small, I>raw (in Abbrjdgement) the whole Type of
all. 1888 Academy 28 Jan. 63/3 The mappist Collins (all.
the river between Oxford and Wallmgford the Isis.
I Mapple. Obs. In 5 mappel. mapolt, -old,
6 maple, [a pp. ad. late L. mappula (? in mo-
nastic use), dim. of mappa napkin : sec Map sh.x,
Mop sb.] A mop.
c 1440 Frotup. Fa>~\ 325/2 Mappel, idem quod Malkyn.
1466 Mann, .y Hansen. E.xp. i,Ro\b.i ^46 Thrommes for
pyche mapoltes. i486 Naval Ace. Hen. ^7/(1896) 16 Shepe
skynnes for mapoldes. 1599 Nashe Lenten Stuffe Ped.
A 2 With Cales beards, as broade as scullers maples, that
they make cleane their buates with.
Mappy, a. [f. Map jiM + -y.] Like a map.
1861 Thoknhuky Fnruer (1B62) I, 230 He had a horror of
what he said Wilson called ' being too mappy '. 1873 Miss
Broughton Nancy III. 152 A dead colourless flat, dotted
with little round trees, ..one of those mappy views, that
lack even the beauties of a map.
Mapul(le, obs. form of Maple.
Maquaroon, obs. form of Macaroon.
Maquerel, -el(l)a: see Mackekel 1 and 2.
Ii Ma qui (maki"). Also 8mague, [Chilian Sp.]
The Chilian shrub Aristotetia Ma qui (N.O. Till-
accsy), yielding a valuable fibre, and producing
berries often used in the adulteration of wine.
1704 Ovallc^s Chili in Churchill's Voyages III. 48 There
are also trees call'd Magues. 1809 tr. Molina's Nat. Hist.
Chili I. 37 The maqui, a species of cornel, i860 Freas. Fot.
710/2 Maqui (Fr. J, Aristotetia. 1890 Daily News 5 Feb. 5/4
The Chilian Consul-General expresses his opinion that the
attention of our farmers will soon be called to the cultivation
of the plant known in Chili as the Maqui. ..The sudden
demand for the dried Maqui berry in France is., not without
significance.
Mar (mai), sb. Also 3 mer\e, 6 marr, 7 marre.
[f. Mar v.]
fl. A hindrance, obstruction; an impediment in
speech. Obs.
a 1300 Cursor M. 67 For ban sal mede witouten mere, lie
mettc for dede or bettur or were. Ibid. 24803 A gret resun
wel sceu he cuth, wit-vten ani mer in uiuili. 1653 R. Bailme
D/'ssuas. Find. (1655) 43 The main marre ol their labour
was the common error of Independency. 1824MACTAGGARI'
Gallovid. Encycl., Maunt, to speak thick and fast ; to have
a marr in the speech.
2. Something that mars or impairs; a drawback
to. In early use, f a fault, rare.
1551 Ascua.m Lit to E. Raven 18 May Eng. Whs. (1761)
384^, I trust my will to write shall match the mairs I make
111 it. 1876 Dk. Edinburgh in Daily News 1 May 2/6 The
only mar to the pleasure I feel in again hoisting the pennant.
1901 Fail Mali Mag. Sept. 70/1 It was no mar to the day
for Koderic to share Miss Allan thus.
Mar (miu), v. Forms: 1 merran, mierran,
ruirran, myrran, 3 msere, 3-5 merre, 3-6 mer(e,
3-7 marre, 3-8 marr, 4 mire, 5-7 mare, 4- mar.
[Com. Teut. OK. myran corresponds to OFris.
meria to hinder (only once, in 3rd pers. sing. pres.
ind. meert), OS. merrian to cause to stumble or
err, to hinder (MLG., MDu. merren to hinder,
MAR.
also" intr. to loiter, mod.Du. marten to fasten, tie
up, to loiter), OllG. marten, mcrrcn to hinder,
disturb (MHG. merren to hinder, also intr. to
linger, delay), ON. mcrja to bruise, crush, Goth.
maty'an to cause to stumble, offend. A parallel
formation from the same Teut. root *iuarz- appears
in OE. mearrian to go astray, err, MUG. marren
to linger, loiter. The Teut. word was adopted in
Romanic as OF. marrir to lose (one's way), to
lead astray, perplex, afflict, distress (mod.F. only
in pa.pple mam grieved), It. smarrire to bewilder,
Sp. marrido adj., grieved.
According to some philologists, the OTeut. marzjan is
formally equivalent to Skr. marsaya-, causative stem of mrf
to forget (Indogernianic root *nicrs-, whence Lith. mtrsztt
to forget) ; the root may have had a wider sense than that
preserved in Skr. and Lith.]
f 1. tians. To hamper, hinder, interfere with,
interrupt or stop (a person, event or thing). Obs.
i looo -Elfkic Exod. v. 4 Hwi inirraS ^it bis folc frani
heora weorcum? a 1300 Cursor M. 2254 N"w we bum vs
sped sa ferr Vr wil may he noght vs merr. c 137S Sc. Leg.
Saints xiii. {Marcus) 75 Sathanas sal nocht mare me. c 144°
York Myst. xli. 100 Hot thowe, myghty Lorde,my mornyng
mar ! Mar ye, for it shulde me well pay, So happy to se
hyme yf I warr. ijiJ'Douglas .-Ends x. vn. 173 So thyk
in stayll all marry! wolx the rout, Oneys mycht ony turn
hys hand about To weyld his wappin. 1530 Palsgr. 705/2
If these hordes shrinks, all my purpose is marred. 1578 Ban-
ister Hist, Man (in. 109 Mouyng is marred, when, .solution
of continuitie is made. 1590 Sir J. Smyth Disc. Wtapms_ 3
I n case anie horseman . . should bee wounded .. his fighting for
that day were marred. 1727 A. Hamilton New Ace. E.
/nd. I. xxv. 308 [He] had certainly dispatched him, if a
large Brass Lamp which was burning over his Head, had
not marred the Blow. 1817 Carlyle tr. Tuck's Elves.
Germ. Rom. II. 121 'Then we shall see which of us is
swifter'. "Done", said Mary, and began to run; 'for we
shall not mar one another by the way' [orig. so hinder nwir
uns audi nicht auf dcmselbeii Wcgt\. 1849 Chambers's
Inform. 1 1. 653/2 [Glasgow regulations for Bowls.] If a bowl
is accidentally marred by an opponent, it shall be in the
option of the party playing to let it rest, or play it over again.
2. To spoil, impair, a. With obj. a material
thing : To damage so as to render useless ; to de-
stroy or impair the quality of. Now rare. Also
in OE. f to waste, squander (property).
C897 K. .Elfred Gregory's Past. C. xliv. 325 Dylais mon
unnytlice mierre 3a;t Salt he ha:t>be. 13.. E. E. Allil. J'.
C. 474 pen wakened be wyse of his wyl dremes, & blusched
to his wodbynde pat bropely was marred, c 1400 Destr.
Troy 5700 But his shippes. .rut on a Kocke, & rent all to
peses, pat mony was mard & the men drownet. 1483 Caxton
G. de la Tour H iij b, Wyn taken ouer mesure. .marreth
and corrupteth the good blood. 1530 Palsgr. 458/2 You
have blotted this shete of paper so sore that it is marred.
? 1538 Leland /tin. VI I. 47 Fische Garthes marre the Haven.
1562 Turner Baths 1 The bathes of brimstone hurte the
stomack and mar it. 161 1 Bible Mark ii. 22 The wine is
spilled, and the bottles will bee marred. 1612 Brinsley
Lud. Lit. 252 Making inarkes vnder euery hard word in
each page, without marring our bookes. a 1677 Barrow
Serin. YVks. 1716 I. 22 There is ever some dead fly in our
box, which marreth our ointment. 1728 Young Love Fame
iv. 52 Thunder mars small beer, and weak discourse, a 1848
K. W. Hamilton Rcw. /y Punishm. vii. (1853) 336 The
vessel is so marred that it cannot be repaired. 1878 BltOWM*
ing La Saisiaz 36 The breath is not the flute, Both together
make the music ; either marred and all is mute.
b. With immaterial obj.: To impair fatally,
ruin. Often in proverbial antithesis with make
(see Make ei.l 46 b) or Menu v. In mod. use with
somewhat lighter sense : To detract from the per-
fection or completeness of.
c 1230 l/ali Meid. 9 Adam & eue . . merden ure cunde. /bid:
43 Sone so bu telles te betere bell an o5er..bu manes ti
meidenhad [MS. Bodley merrest bin meiShad]. a 1300
Cursor M. 17988 Harde hab he werred me alayn, And
myche marred of iny mayn. c 1440 York Myst. xxiii. 87 It
marres my myght. a 1568 Ascuam Scholeul. 1. (Arb.) 34
Some wittes, moderate enough by nature, be many tymes
mail 1c by ouer moch studie. Ibid., Galene sailh, moch
Musick marreth mens maners. 1579 W. Wilkinson Confut.
Familye o/Loue 4 An euill exposition marreth the text. 1605
Shaks. Lear I. iv. 369 Striuing to better, oft we marre what's
well. 1616 Surfu & Markh. Country Farm n It marreth
the voice, bringing Hoarsenesse, and a little Cough. 1624
Wot TON Arehit. 1. 23 It will marre all the mirth in the
House. 1719 Young Revenge iv. i, There they'll revel, and
exult to find Him sleep so fast, who else would marr their
joys, a 1732 Boston Crook in Lot (1805) 4 What God sees
meet to mar, one will not be able to mend in his lot.
1744 Harris Three Treat. 1. iii. (1765) 172 The Dread of
them may inarr the Rectitude of our Purposes. 1833 Hi.
Martineau Briery Creek v. 99, I cannot mar iny satisfaction
by groundless doubts. 1867 Lady Herbert Cradle L. \ iii.
212 The pleasure of -shopping was marred by the surliness of
the inhabitants. 1896 a. ey Q. 8th Ser. IX. 160/1 Though
marred by eccentricities and extravagances of language, the
play has genuine dramatic fibre.
fc. Phrases. To mar all: to act so as to prevent
a project or operation from being carried to a suc-
cessful issue ; to ' spoil everything', to act badly.
To mar (one's) market : see Market sb. 4 c. Obs.
.1420 Liber Cocornin (1862) 57 5if bou cast salt per to,
iwys pou marres alle, so have I blis. 1535 Coverdale fudg.
ii. 19 Whan the iudge dyed, they turned backe, and marred
all more then their fathers. 1624 Caff. Smith Virginia 90 As
they had beene troublesome at Sea, began againe to marie
all ashore.
f d. intr. for reff. To become deteriorated ; to
spoil ; to perish. Obs.
150
( 1230 Halt Meid. 13 pat ha be. hire limcn Sc hire wittes) 1
ne merren ne formealten burh licomliche lustes 1 flesche
fulfte. 13 . . E. E. A llit. I'. C. 1 72 Lo al synkes in his synne
& for his sake marres ! c 1440 J 'ork Myst. i. 93 My mlghte
and my mayne es all marrande, Helpe, felawes, 111 fay the I
am fallande. 1530 Palsgr. 638/1 The besle thyng in the
worlde, if it be myskept, will marre in processe of lyme.
1609 C. Builer Fern. Mon. i. (1623) C iv, The Host. .could
not choose in that space but melt and marre.
3. trans. To harm, injure (a person, etc.). a. To
inflict destructive bodily harm upon, hi later
use, to mangle, disfigure (now arch.).
1.1205 Lav. 1903 Vfele he [a wrestler] bine im-erde ah na
wiht he bit ne mende. Ibid. 22345 Aroures men lelteli fleou
vnimete flan and merden Irisc folc, & bit swioe ualden.
< 1400 Destr. Troy 5553 What mighty were inarrit, & martrid
lu dethe. c 1470 Got. <f Caiv. 96 yuhy has thow marrit my
man, with maistri to mene I c 1489 Caxton Solutes ofAytiwn
vi. 140 Goo backe agen, & marre not your horse about
noughte. 1530 Palsgr. 598/2 And you lieale his legge up
afore you kyil the deed flesshe quyte you marre hym for
ever. 1535 Coverdale /sa. iii. 15 Wherfore do ye oppresse
my people, and marre y faces of the innocciites? 1575
Tukbekv. I'encrie 21 You may kepe ihem from going out,
and that other dogs do not byte them, or that they be troden
upon or marred with mens feete. 1656 Clt.fefer Eng.
Physic, enlarged 59, I am confident . . That if _ you mar the
very Apple of their [young swallows'] Eyes with a Needle,
she shal recover them again. 1692 Ray Disc. 1. iv. (1713)
57 Those. .Embryos may, by a violent cause, be marred or
deformed in the womb. 1812 Scott Let. to Miss J. Baillie
17 Jan., in Lockhart, The watchword of these young heroes
. . was — Mar him. 1845-6 Trench /litis. Led. Ser. 11. vi. 233
Some limbs of bis body broken off and some marred and
battered by the. -waves. 1887 BoWEM Virg. sEneid VI. 495
Noble Deiphobus here he beholds, all mangled and marred,
fb. To ruin, damage seriously (a person, his
fortunes, etc.). Often in antithesis with mend. Obs.
ti35o Will. Palerne 1171 Hei}h king of heuene . . ne
fauore nou3t my fo IMS. so my] bat falsly me so marres.
c 1304 P. PI. Crede 66 pe foles foundeden hem-self freres of
the Pye, And maken hem mendynauns & marre be puple.
(.1400 Destr. Troy 720 Soche a maiden to mar bat be most
louet ! t 1440 York Myst. xxvii. 119 The fende is wrothe
with Jou and me, And will 3011 marre if bat he may. 1560
Becon Sick Man's Salve Wks. II. 220b, Thys sycknesse
hath vtterly marred me. 1607 Shaks. Lear 1. i. 97 Mend
your speach..!est it mar your fortunes. _ 1611 Bible fee.
xiii. 9 After this maner will I marre the pride of ludah. 1614
Chamberlain Let. in Court ft Times Jos. I, I. 320 The par-
liament will mend him or quite mar him. 1616 R. C Times'
Whistle III. 1151 But now this boy. .doth all his fortunes
marre. 1622 R. Hawkins Voy. S. Sea (1847) '°4 Pitlie
marreth the whole cittie.
c. To ruin or damage morally. Obs. exc. dial.
to 'spoil' a child by indulgence: cf. Marked///, a.
1530 Palsgr. 483/1 You cherysshe this chylde so moche
that you shal marre him. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. 1. ii. § 1
That it [learning] doth marre and peruert mens dispositions
for matter of gouernment and policie. a 1639 W. Whateley
Prototypes 11. (1640) 153 Those that have these good abilities,
must take heede of marrying [sic] themselves, and defiling
them by being proud of them. 1684 Wood Life 9 Oct.
(O.H.S.) III. 114 Digby Lord Gerard., was utterly mar'd
by keeping company with base lewd fellowes.
1 4. To confuse, bewilder ; to perplex, trouble ;
to grieve, distress. [Cf. OF. marrir.'] Obs.
13.. Cursor M. 15725 Ful merred war bai in pair mode.
a 1310 in Wright Lyric P. vii. 29 On molde y waxe mad,
a maide marreth me. c 1350 Will. Palerne 884 He ferd
as a iii.is.m1 man an marred nei^ honde. c 1375 Sc. Leg.
Saints vi. ('Thomas) 354 He.. Is lyk a man bat merknes
merryse. c 1485 Digby Myst. IV. 1054 To blame ye are,
With this iledly sorow your-self to inarre. 1535 Stewart
Cron. Scot. II. 523 O mad monstour 1 marrit out of thi mynd.
1590 Spenser F. Q. 111. x. 31 But minds of mortal! men are
muchell mard And mov'd amisse with massy mucks unmeet
regard. 1603 Philotus cxlviii, As ane out of bis mynde or
marrit, He hes mee of his hous debarrit.
t 5. intr. To err ; to go astray ; to be or become
bewildered or confused. Obs.
1' 950 Liudisf. Gosp. Matt. xxii. 29 xie merras vel Re
duellas [Vulg. crratis). c 1420 Autitrs o/Arth. no (Douce
MS.) Hit marred, hit BMmomd, hit mused for madde.
11440 York Myst. xliv. 166, i Doct. pai are drounken, all
l>es men^e, Of muste or wyne, I wolle warande. ii Doct.
Nowe certis bis was wele saide, pat makis per mynde to
inarre. (tM RaitfCoillearzi Aniang thaymyrk Montanis
sa madlie thay mer. a 1510 Douglas A", //art 1. 104 All
that couth attene the caslell neir, It made lhalile for to mer
amiss, and mang.
Mar, obs. f. Mayor, Mere sbs. ; More sb. and a.
Mar-, vbl. stem, prefixed to sbs., forming sbs.
(chiefly 1 7th cent, nonce- wds. ) , with sense ' one who
or something which mars', and adjs., with sense
' that mars ' ; as mar-all sb. and adj., mar-Jeast,
' -good, -hawk, -joy ; mar-right adj. ; + mar-tail,
a derisive term for a prostitute. Also Marplot.
l6n Florio, Ser sparecchia, a *mar-all, a spoile-all, a
busic-headed fellow, a 1625 Fletcher Chances I. i, And
what now Meane they to study, Anthony, Morall Philosophy,
, After their mar-all women? 182X Scott Kenilw. i, I will
drink a round . . rather than be termed a *mar-feast. 1647
1 Tkafp Coiiuti. Rev. iii. 2 Hypocrisie, that pernicious "mar-
good. 1575 Tlrberv. Faitlconrie 142 Such a man.. shall
seldome prove a perfecte falconer but a "marrebawke. 111628
1 F. Gkkvil Ataham IV. i, He hath no good : you have 110 ill
; but he: This *Marre-rigbt yieUliug's honors Tyranny.
c 1620 Fletcher Chances lv. ii, Well, my sweet mistress,
well, good madam "martaile !
b. esfi.iu mar-prelate, first used inthe pseudonym
'Martin Marprelale', adopted by the writer or
writers of certain tracts issued in J 588-9, which
gave rise to a fierce controversy ; hence attrib., as
MARABOUT.
Marprclate conltvvcrsy, tracts ; also Marprelate
v., to inveigh in the style of ' Marprelate' ; Mar-
prelatist,a//>-tf. belonging to the Marprelatcparty.
Also in many nonce-words occurring in the Mar-
prelate tracts or in later works referring to them.
1588 J/arprcl. Epist. (Arb.) 20 You are called Elmar, but
you may be belter called marelmcbauing cut them all
downe. 1589 MarMartiuc 6 Hee might have cald bimselfe
Mar-preest. 1589 /lay any Work (1844) 32 As for Mar-
church, and Mar-religion, they haue [etc.]. /bid. 44 You
Mar-prince, Mar-law, Mar-magestrate. 1636 H. Sydenham
Serin. Sol. Occ. (1637) 270 Those tongues which . . Mar-
Prelated . . of old against the Ecclesiasticke Hierarchy.
1862 R. Vaughan Nonconformity 56 T'he notorious Mai-
pielale tracts. 1879 Sat. Rev. 6 Sept. 298 The series of
marprelatist characterizations of the contemporary Anglican
episcopate.
Mara ' (mara). A large hare-like cavy, Doli-
cholis patachonica, native of Patagonia.
1833 Penny Cycl. I. 214/2 The Mara or Patagonian Cavy.
1859W00D Nat. Hist. 1. 578.
I Mara - (ma-ra). [Skr. Mara, f. /;;/• to die.]
The '.Satan' of Buddhist mjthology.
1871 Alabaster Wheel of Law p. xliii, 'the aniiy of Mara,
the evil one. 1879 Sir E. Arnold/,/. Asia vl. xix. 159 T'he
leu chief Sins came— Mara's mighty ones, Angels of evil.
t Marabas. -V''. Obs. [After F. bonnet a la
marrabaise (Rabelais'), from OK. marrabais ' crypto-
Judrieus', Marraxo.] attrib., in marabas bonnet
' a large flat cap' ( Jam.).
1538 Burgh. Rec. Edin. (1871) II. 91 To ilk ane of the said
7 ofneeris ane marabas bonet with ane quhyte fedder. 1539
Ld. '/'reus. Ace. in Pilcairn Crint. Trials I. 297* Ane Mar-
rabas Bonett.
Marabbofr,h,-abbutt,-abot(e:seeMARABouT.
Marablane, obs. form of Myrobalan.
Marabou ' (marrabK). Also marabout,
marabu. [a. F. marabou(t, app. repr. a vulgar
Arabic use of murabit hermit, Marabout. ' The
stork is said to be iMrabt, i.e. holy' (Pagni in
Dozy Suppl. aux Dictt. arabes, s.v. murabit).']
1. A large stork or heron, Leptoptilus marabou
or crumenifer, a native of Western Africa. Now
applied also to the adjutant-bird of India, Lepto-
ptilus dubius or argala. Also marabou stork.
1826 Denhaiti * Clapperlon's Trav. N. If Central Africa
App. 203 M . Temminck . . has given it [sc. this African
species) the name of Argala, while for the Indian bird,.,
he proposes the name of Marabou. We have ventured to
reverse the order of these names;.. we have assigned the
African species the title of Marabou, which . . is a word
peculiar to Africa. 1861 Du Chaillu Equat. Afr. xiv. 223
The ugly marabouts, from whose tails our ladies get the . .
feathers for their bonnets. 1872 Baker Nile Tribut. xi.
175, I shot a crocodile, and a marabou stork.
2. A luft or plume of the soft white downy
feathers found under the wings and tail of these
birds, used for trimming hats and dresses. Also
marabou feather, plume. Also collect, sing.,
trimming made of these feathers.
1823 Repos. A rts, etc. Ser. ill. I. 57 A good many [hats] are
trimmed with marabouts only. /bid. 184 Marabout plumes.
1828 Lady Granville Lett. (1894) 11. 15 Lady George 111
a toque with marabouts. 1839 Thackeray Second Led.
Fine A rts ii. Wks. 1900XHI. 276 A marabou feather which
she wears in her turban. 1884 /lluslr. Loud. News 11 Oct.
338/3 Ladies who rejoice in the soft fluffy white feather
trimming called marabout.
transf. 1862 H. Marryat Year in Sweden II. 444 Birch
varies the scene with its drooping marabouts.
3. An exceptionally white kind of raw silk which
can be dyed without first removing the natural gum.
1835 Ure Philos. Manuf. 248 It is only a finishing degree
of twist which marabout receives after dyeing. 1879 Cos-
sells Tcchn. Educ. IX. 155 Marabout is silk thrown twice.
II Marabou '-'. [Louisiana Fr.] (See quot.)
1859 Bakileit Diet. Amcr., Marabou, the variety of
negro which springs from a mulatto and a grille.
II Marabout (mariSbflt). Forms: 7 mari-
bot(t, marybot, -buck, morabit, marabot, mo-
rabot, marabou, 8 marabbot^h, marabbutt,
marahbut, marabote, marbut, 9 marabut, 7-
marabout. [repr. Arab. Ja)^* 'murabit hermit,
monk. The mod. Eng. form is from Fr. Cf. Pg.
marabulc, Sp. morabilo.]
1. A Mohammedan hermit or monk, particularly
amongst the Moors and lierbers of North Africa.
a 1621 R. JousoN in Purchas Pilgrims (1625) II. ix. .572
Their Marybucks or Bassareas, are their Priests or Reli-
gious persons, e .645 How ell Lett. (.650) I. xi. .. ■ T heir
Hoggies, Magitians and Manbotts. were tamprlng with
thehll Spirit of the Air. 1660 F. Brooke tr. Le biancs
Trav. .5 Ina certain place there, the Maralwuls immolate
at this lime. 1704 J- *™ £<£ Mohammetaiis ,2 The
Marabbot or Saint. .863 R. K Burton Wami. W. Afr. I.
172 The Marabut, who docs not drink, and the Soninkl, or
Sonalki, who does. .903 *" J- DlLL.ON "I 9**** ,,"''''•
Feb. 281 Marabouts foretold the coming of divine wrath.
2. A shrine marking the burial-place of a mara-
bout. .. „ . , .,
1859 J. W. Blakesley 4 Months Alg._ u. 25 Besides the
mosques, there are several marabouts in Algiers and the
neighbourhood. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk., Marabut
I . . Small edifices on Barbary headlands, occupied by a priest.
1S81 Times 10 May 5 The French troops took yesterday the
Sidi-Adallah-Ben-Djemel, which is the most venerated mara-
. bout in all Tunis.
MARABUTO.
Marabout, marabu : see Marabou'.
t Marabuto. Naut. Oh. Also marabut. [a.
Sp. marabuto, also maraguto.~\ A jib-sail.
l6ai Mabbe tr. A /email's Guzman d'Alf.u.ll.x. loiThey
tooke out another lesser one [sc. sail] which they call Mara-
buto. .which is a kinde of triangular)' sayle. 1659 Howell
Lex., Vocal*, vi, The marabut, a triangular kind of sayl lie-
longing to a Carvel, it marabuto. 1867 Smyth .Sailor's
Ward-it., Marabut, a sail which galleys hoisted in bad
weather.
Maracaibo (mrcrakai bo). Name of the north-
ern province of Venezuela, used attributively in
Maracaibo-balsam, a copaiba obtained from
Copaifera officinalis ; Maracaibo-bark, the bark
of Cinchona tucujensis. 1889 in Syd. Soc. Lex.
|| Maracan (mxrakre-n). Also 8 maraeana.
[a. Tupi maraeana.'] A Brazilian macaw.
'753 Chambers Cycl. Supp., Maraeana. 1828-31 Webster,
Maracan. In mod. Diets.
Maraee, obs. form of Mabish.
UMaraCOCk.marrakpk). Oh.exc.f/isl. Forms :
7 maricock, maracoeo, -eoko, amaracoc, 7-8
maracoc, 8 maracot, marococ, mareor, 7-
maracock. [From the Virginian dialect of Algon-
quin.] The fruit of certain American passion-
flowers, esp. the 'may-pop', PassiJIora incarnala,
native of Virginia, and the granadilla, PassiJIora
quadrangularis, of Brazil and the West Indies.
Also the plant itself.
1612 Strachev Virginia (HakJ. Soc.) 60 The maricock
apple. 1612 Capt. Smith Virginia 17 They plant also
Maracocks a wild fruit like a lemmon. 1649 Per/. Descr.
Virginia (1837) 18 Fruits they have, Strawberries.. Mara-
cokos [etc. ]. 1660 Sharrock Vegetables 34 The Amaracoc
or Passion flower. 1704 Diet. Rust, ft Urb. s.v. March,
Toward the end [of March] sow . . Marcors or Passion-
Flower. 1707 Curios, in Husb. <y Card. 285 The Maracot
is a Plant that creeps like Ivy. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp.
s.v. Granadilla, The common granadilla, called the maracot
and passion flower. 1896 P. A. Bruce Econ. Hist. Virginia
I. 08 In addition, there were . . maracocks or mayapples,
beans and pumpkins.
II Marae (mara^-). Also 9 marai. [Poly-
nesian.] An altar or sacred enclosure at whicli
human sacrifices are offered amongst the Tahitians
and other Polynesians.
1814 W. Brown Hist. Propag. Chr. II. 350 Many were the
marais and altars reared at hiscommand. 1865TVLOR Early
Hist. Man. iii. 46 A large white cloth, spread on the pave-
ment of a marae.
Marag, obs. form of Marriage.
II Marah (ma'ra). Also 4-5 marath, 4 mara,
5 marra. [Ileb. mo viclrcV1, fern, of io mar
bitter.] The Heb. word for ' bitter ' or ' bitterness ',
used as a proper name in two different applications
(Exod. xv and Ruth i : see below) ; hence used in
allusions to the Scripture passages.
[1382 Wyci.if Exod. xv. 23 Thei mya.ten not drynk the
watris of Marath, forthi that thei weren bitter ; wherfor and
a couenable name he putte to the place, clepynge it Mara,
that is, bitlernes. — Ruth i. 20 Ne clepe \t ine Noemy,
that is to sey, fayr, but clepith me Mara, that is, bittir. ] 14 . .
Hoccleve Wts. (E. E.T. S.) III. p. xlii, Wei may men call
or name me ' marra ' Fro hen[ne]s forth. 1678 1 'ug. Man's
Call. 13 The young man by mistake fondly calls it Naomi,
and says it is pleasant. The elder by dear-t>ought experi-
ence finds it Marah, and cries out ' Oh ! it is bitter ! ' 1831
Macaulay Ess* Byron (1887) 168 Never had any writer so
vast a command of the whole eloquence of scorn, misan-
thropy, and despair. That Marah was never dry. 1852
Longf. feu: Cemetery at Newport 40 The wasting famine
of the heart they fed, And slaked- its thirst with marah of
their tears.
Marahbut, obs. form of Marabout.
Marai, Marais : see Mahae, Marish.
Marakina, variant of Marikina.
Marakle, obs. form of Miracle.
II Marai (ma'ral). [A Tartar word.] The Cas-
pian or Persian red deer, Cervus marai.
1863 Mrs. Atkinson TartarSteppes viii. 181, I must now
tell you of a marai we had. 1894 Roy. Nat. Hist. (ed. Lydek-
ker) II. 348 In the Caspian provinces of Persia, .. the red
deer group is represented by the marai (Cervus marai).
Maram, variant of Marram, reed-grass.
Maramotto, obs. form of Marmot sl>.
Maramuffe : see Marry-mufp Oh.
II Maranatha (mreranarba). [In Gr. form
Hapava&a ; the Aramaic form is variously conjec-
tured to be WW pD maran Mia ' Our Lord has
come', or Ml n:to mardnd 'Ihd 'O our Lord,
come thou'.] An Aramaic phrase occurring in
I Cor. xvi. 22 ; often erroneously regarded as com-
posing with the word that precedes it in the text
a formula of imprecation, Anathema maranatha.
Hence (as an abbreviation of this formula) used
siibst. for : A terrible curse.
Coverdale's spelling (see below) is a corruption of Luther's
maharam motha, which represents the fictitious Heb.
nmo Cirro molwrdm mavtktlh ' devoted to death '.
138a Wvci.if i Cor. xvi. 22 If ony man loued not onre
Lord Jhesu Crist, !>e he cursid, Maranatha, that is, in the
comynge of the Lord. 1526 Tindale ibid., Anathema
maranatha. 1535 Coverdalf. ibid., Anathema Maharan
Matha. 1604 R. Cawdrev Table Alph., Maranatha, ac-
cursed. 1640 Bp. Hall Chr. Moder. 11. iv. 20 Those who. .
shall invent , . pernicious doctrines, . . are worthy of a Maran.
151
atha, and the lowest hell. 1721 Bailev, Maranatha, the
highest Degree of Excommunication. 1882 Farrar Early
Chr. I. ix. 193 How does the writer meet their objections?
Not by thundering forth with yet deeper conviction Maran-
atha, but [etc. J.
Marane, Marang : see Maruano, Merinoue.
Maranism, -ismus, obs. ff. M arranism, -ismus.
I Maranite. Min. Obs. [ad.G. maranil (Link
1S01), f. name of the Sierra de Mario (Portugal; :
see -ite.] = Chiastomte.
1884 in CasselTs Encycl. Diet. 1896 in Chester Diet.
Min. 167.
t Marailt. Pot. Obs. [Anglicized form of
next.] Lindley's name for any plant of the old
N.O. Marantaccx.
1846 Lindley Veg. K'ingd. 168.
II Maranta (marse'nta). Pol. [mod.L. (Plunder
1703), f. the name of Bartolomineo Maranta of
Venosa, a )6th c. writer on medicinal plants.]
A genus of herbaceous plants native of tropical
America ; a plant of this genus.
1812 J. Smyth Tract, of Customs (1821) 29 Arrow Root,
produced from a Plant called Maranta, is a farinaceous
alimentary root. 1882 Garden 14 Jan. 20/1 Fine foliaged
plants, such as Marantas, Crotons [etc. J. 1899 Rodway
Guiana Wilds 32 She made a cup of a maranta leaf.
I Marantaxeous, a. Pot. Oh. [f. mod.L.
Marantdeeie, f. Maranta : see -ACKOUS.] Per-
taining to the (obsolete) N.O. Marantacete of whicli
Maranta was the typical genus.
1863 Bates Nat. Amazons iv. (1864) S4 A long, flexible
cylinder made of the peel of a marantaceous plant, plaited
into the proper form.
Marantic (mar.-e'ntik), a. Path. [ad. Gr.
fxapavriKoi, f. fiapalvai* to wither, waste away.]
Pertaining to, or of the nature of, marasmus.
1866 A, Flint Trine. Med. (18S0) 2S Marantic thrombi.
1899 Allbutt's Syst, Med. VII. 594 Marantic thrombosis.
Maras, variant of Marish.
II Marasca (marce'ski). Also 9 marazque,
I marasque. [It. marasca, aphetic f. amarasca,
\ f. amaro bitter.] A small black cherry, Primus
avium, grown in Dalmatia, and esp. about Zara,
for the distilling of maraschino.
1864 Chambers's Encycl. VI. 146/2 Maraschino is dis-
tilled from cherries, .a very firm delicately-flavoured variety,
called Marazques, . . is used. 1889 Syd. Soc. Lex., Marasi a
cherry, a cultivated variety of the cherry.
Marasehal, obs. form of Marshal.
II Maraschino (mseraskPnc). Also 8 mari-
schini, maresehini, 8-9 mareschino, mara-
squin, 9 maresquino. [It. f. marasca : see prec.
Cf. F. marastpiin, whence some of the Eng. forms.]
A liqueur distilled from the marasca cherry.
1791-3 in Spirit Tub. Jrnls. (1799) I. 321 Hob-a-nobbed in
some right marasuuin. 1793 Europ. Mag. XX1II. 466 Such
fine liqueurs with nectar may compare, From Marischini to
the Vin Musca. 1796 Mrs. M. Robinson Angelina I. 297
After they had drank their mareschino, Lady Selina ordered
tea. 1797 Southey Lett. Resid. Spain 394 He. .regularly
after dinner drank a bottle of maresehini, and lived in peace
with all men. 1818 Moore Fudge Earn. Taris (ed. 8) 83
Divine maresquino, which — Lord, how one swallows I
1831 Society I. 104, I recommend this Mareschino. 1842
! Barham lugol. Leg. Ser. II. Blasphemer's Warn., Maras-
quin, Curac oa, Kirschen Wasser, Noyeau. 1875 Jas. Grant
One of the 600 I. vii. 98 The mocha and maraschino.
b. atlrib., as maraschino jelly, fundi.
1820 Shelley (Edipns 11. ii. 31 Give me a glass of Mara-
schino punch. 1850 Thackeray Tendennis 1 1, i. 6 Did you
taste the plombiere, ma'am, and the maraschino jelly ?
t Marasnie. Obs. [a. F. marasme.] - Ma-
rasmus.
1625 Hart Anal. Ur. it. vii. 95 It is againe sometimes an
Hecticke, which endeth in a Marasme. 1714 Phil. Trans.
XXIX. 76 About the 40th day he dy'd of his Marasme.
Marasmic (mara'zmik), a. [f. Marasm-us +
-IC] Pertaining to or arising from marasmus;
suffering from marasmus.
1876 tr. Wagner's Gen. Pathol, (ed. 6) 582 Emaciation and
a series of marasmic conditions set in. J899 A llbittt's Syst.
Med. VI. 587 She became progressively marasmic.
Marasmoid (mar.-e'zmoid), a. Med. [f. Ma-
rasm-us + -OID.] Resembling marasmus.
189s in Flint's Stand. Diet. 190a in Cassf.li. Suppl.
Marasmolite (mane'zmJtait). Min. [f. Gr.
Hapaajioi decay : see -lite.] A ' rotten 'sphalerite
or zinc blende, containing free sulphur.
1851 C U. Sheparo in Troc. Amer. Assoc. Adv. Sci. IV.
315 Marasmolite. Primary form, cube [etc.].
MarasniOUS (maras'zmas), a. [I. Marasm-us
+ -OUS.] Resembling or of the nature of marasmus.
1856 in Mavne Elxpos. Lex. 1889 in Syd. Soc. Lex.
II Marasmus (mara:'zmi<s). [mod.L., a. Gr.
napaafws, f. naoaivdv to wither, waste.] Wasting
away of the body.
1656 Trapp Comi'u. fob xix. 20 (r657) 171 Now, alas, I lie
under a miserable Marasmus. 1661 Lovell Hist. Anim.
ff Min. 29 Diverse having kept them in their beds, have got
an hectick feaver or marasmus thereby. 1753 N. Torkiano
Gangr. Sore Throat 76 How often was I apprehensive, Miss
Blossac would fall into a Marasmus or a Languor ? 1837
Syd. Smith Let. Archd. Singleton Wks. 1859 If; a68/2
Everybody has their favourite death : some delight in
apoplexy, and others prefer marasmus. 1856 Athenxum
26 Apr. 515 The milk itself has been yielded by stalled cows
dying of marasmus.
MARAUDING.
b. trans/, andyfy-.
1681 Nevii.e Plato Red/':'. 24, I am one of those Unskilful
Persons, that cannot discern a Slate Marasmus, when the
danger is so far off. 1885 tr. llehu's Wand. PI. <y Anim. 23
The notion that there is any such thing as a senile maras-
mus of nature.
Marasque, variant of Marasca (cherry).
Marasquin, variant of Maraschino.
Marasse, variant of Marish.
Marathi, obs. form of Mahratti.
Marathonian (mseraj^mian), a. [f. L.
Marathoni-us (f. Marathon) 4- -AN.] Of or per-
taining to Marathon, or to the battle of Marathon
(490 B.C.) in which Athens defeated the Persians.
Also sb., a native of Marathon.
1767 [W. L. Lewis] Statins' Thebaid XII. 1082 But as the
Son of A'.geus high display'd The Spear of Marathonian
Oak, whose Shade O'erhangs the Foe. 1797 Encycl. Brit.
fed. 3) X. 552 The Marathonians worship those who were
slain in the battle. 1871 SwiNBURNR Songs bef Sunrise,
Eve of Revol. ion Sea, have thy ports not beard Some
Marathonian word? 1875 Browning Aristoph. Apol. 136
The Marathonian muscle, nerved of old To maul the Mede.
t Maratism. Obs. [f. name of Jean Paul
Marat, a leader in the French Revolution, assas-
sinated by Charlotte Corday in 1793: see -ism.]
The anarchic doctrines advocated by Marat. Also
1'Maratist, one who supports these doctrines.
t Maratize v. trans, (nonce-wd.), to assassinate as
Marat was assassinated.
1793 A. Vot/NG h'.xamp. France led. 3) 157 The red hot
Maratism of the miscreant Society. 1794 Sporting Mag.
IV. 106 In pursuit of Robespierre, whom she vowed to
Mar.itise in due time. 1795 Barruel Hist. Clergy during
French Rev. 323 ( )ne must have spent four years in France
amidst the Constitutionalists, the Girondins, the Maratists,
anil the Jacobins of every description, 10 conceive [etc.].
1798 Jefferson Writ. (1859) IV. 254, I have contemplated
even* event which the Maratists of the day perpetrate.
Maraud (miro'd), sb. rare. [a. Y. maraude,
f. marauder : see Maraud r\] The action of raid-
ins; or plundering. Also in phr. On the maraud:
intent on plundering.
1837 W. Irving Capt. Bonneville II. tsi It was the hour
for Indian maraud. 1839-40 — Wolfert's R. (1855) 9 He
bad an Indian's sagacity in discovering when the enemy
was on the maraud. 1884 St. Nicholas XL 534 Certain
neighboring tribes that make maraud upon them.
Maraud (marg'd), v. Also 8 marodo. [a. 1-'.
marauder, f. maraud rogue, vagabond.
Cf. Sp. merodcar to maraud, merode masc, act of maraud-
ing; also (1. marodiren to maraud, marodc adj., worn out
with marching (said orig. of stragglers belonging to an
army), jnarode fern., act of marauding, marodebruder,
marodereiter straggler, deserter, 'the Fr. words were
adopted in German in the 17th c, and were punningly
associated with the name of Count Merode, an imperialist
general in the Thirty Years' War, whose troops were nolo-
rious for want of discipline.]
1. intr. To make a raid for the purpose of plun-
dering. Const, on, upon.
1711 AnnisoN Spat. No. 165 7 5 They met with a Party of
French that had been Marauding. 1711 Mrs. Centlivrk
Marplot I. i, Ask your Brother, Don Lopez, who will have
it that you send your eyes a maroding for English forage.
1813 Scott Trierm. 11. i, The Saxon stern, the pagan Dane,
Maraud on Britain's shores again. 1856 Dove Logic Chr.
Faith IV. ii. S 5. 229 He [the Arab] will no longer maraud, be-
cause..he is placing himself in danger of being marauded
upon.
b. trans/. To go about pilfering.
1770 Monthly Rev. 132 A flea.. Upon a taylor's neck w;as
taken Marauding for a dinner. 1816 Scott Antiq. xxxiv,
Juno— who, though formally banished from the parlour,
failed not to maraud about the out-settlements. 1844 Ld.
Brougham A. Lund I. v. 138 He was an old offender, prob-
ably come from Marseilles to maraud at the Candlemas
fair of Nismes.
2. trans. To plunder ; to harry.
1829 W. Irving Chron. Granada I. xii. 112 The tract of
country they intended to maraud was far in the Moorish
territories. 1894 (1. Moore Esther Waters 321 One is al-
ways marauding the other's territory.
Marauder (marydsr). Also 7-S mar-oder.
[f. Maraud v. + -er j ; after F. maraudeur.]
One who roves in quest of plunder ; a freebooter,
plunderer.
1698 [R. Ferguson] View Eccles. 89 To be a Maroder and
Pillager upon the street and Field of Humane Credit and
Reputation is worse, .than to turn common Padders. 1712
Land. Gaz. No. 5031/5 A Band of Maroders, consisting of
Men of several Nations. 1782 Vallancey Collect. De Rebus
Hibernicis No. 10. 72 note. To keep the cattle safe by
night from moroders \sic\. 1808 Sir J. Moore in Jas. Moore
Camp, in Spain (1809) 19 He is determined to shew _ no
mercy to plunderers and marauders. 1870 Burton Hist.
Scot. (1873) VI. lxx. 212 The marauders hovered round
them like vultures round a wounded man.
b. trans/, (e.g. of animals).
1764 Grainger Sugar Cane 11. 79 Some place decoys, nor
will they not avail, Replete with roasted crabs ; in every
grove These fell marauders gnaw. 1847 H. Miller First
Impr. v. (iS6i) 65 Exposed to every hungry marauder of
the deep. 1861 Trollopk Urley F. xxii, The raisins shall be-
come the prey of those audacious marauders only who dare
to face the presence of the ghost.
Marauding (margtlirj), vbl. sb. [f. Maraud
■v. + -INO 1.] The action of the vb. Maraud.
1755 Connoisseur No. 58 p 3 They might also be of great
use in maroding, or getting in forage. 1839 W. Irving tl ot-
fert's R. (1855) 7 The yeomanry who had suffered from
MARAUDING.
these maraudings. 1858 Fkoitde Hist. Eng. IV. xviii. 4
A population who' were trained from their cradles in licensed
marauding.
attrih. 1764 Goldsm. Hist. Eng. in Left, I. 128 The history
of a maroding party in one of our modern gazettes. 1879
Froi'de Caesar x. 11 8 H is campaign was not a marauding raid.
Marauding, ///. a. fnw -■] That marau<ls.
1798 Malthus Popul. (1817) I. 184 .Surrounded by ma-
rauding neighhours. 1874 I„ Stephen Hours in Library
(1892) II. vii. 227 He watches the marauding sparrows.
Maravedi (maeravt7Wli). Obs. exc. Hist,
Forms: 5, 7 maravedis, 6 marivade, marvedie,
marvadie, 7 marvedi,marvedee,myravid, mer-
viade,maravidi,S marevedi, 7 errtm, malvady.
7- maravedi. [n.Sp. maravedi ( = Yg.maravedim),
a derivative of Arab. ^Jo>L« Murdbitln (pi. of
murdbit : see Marabout), the name of a Moorish
dynasty (usually designated the Aimoravidcs, this
being the same word preceded by the Arabic article)
which reigned at Cordova 1087-1147.]
1. An old Spanish gold coin, weighing about
60 grains and of the value of fourteen shillings.
1643 PRYHHK $9°* Fewer Pari. App. 64 Imposing 5. Ma-
ravidis of gold for every person. 1700 Astrv tr. Saavedra-
Faxardo II. 138 Henry III. who tax'd 'em at live Mar-
vedees of Gold apiece.
2. A former Spanish copper coin and money of
account, valued at about \ of a penny sterling.
J 1430 in Purchas Pilgrims 11625) *!• VIII. 1230 And then
into Spayne fear ye schon, lakkes ben ther of little prise:
For there beginneth the Marauedisez, 1540 Act 32
Hen. VIII, c. 14, lxx. maruadies, which is ,xi. d. and the
third parte of a peny starlyng. 1606 Heywood Chall. for
Beauty II. i. (1636) C 3 If you distrust his word, take mine,
which will passe in Spaine for more Myravids, then the best
Squiers in England for Farthing-tokens. 1690 Dhyoen Don
Sebastian I. (1692) 14, I ask for him la slave] a thousand
Crowns. \st Ater. Thou mean's! a thousand Marvedis.
1706 Phillips, Malvady, a Spanish coin, of which about 13
make one Farthing. [Some error : J/araiW/iisalso given,
with the correct valued 17*8 Morgan AlgicrsW. v. 313 He
never parted with a maravedi but with the view of pocketing
a Ducat, if not a Doblon. 1819 Scott Ivanhoe xxxiii, I will
strip thee of every maravedi thou hast in the world, a 1839
Praed Poems (1864) II. 408 He flung the Slave who moved
the lid A purse of maravedis. 1891 J. Winsor Columbus
ix. 209 He promised a silken jacket, beside the income of
ten thousand maravedis.
Maray (man?'"). [? Native Australian.] An
Australian food-fish, Clupea sagax, closely resem-
bling the pilchard.
1882 Tenison-Woods Fish <y Fisheries N. S. Wales 147
The ' maray ' (Clupea sagax) is a very rich, oily, well tasted
fish of the herring family.
Marazque, variant of Marasca (cherry).
Marber, marbir : see next.
Marble (maub'l), sb. Forms : a. 3-7 marbre,
4 maubre, 5 marbir, 6 marber, marbyr. 0.
3-5 marbel, 4 merbel, -ul, 4-5 marbil, 4-6
marbyl, -ul, 5 marboll, -ole, -elle, -ylle, -ulle,
-ille, merbyl, 5-6 marbill, -yll, -ull, 6 marbel 1,
4- marble. [ME. marbre, marble, a. F. marbre,
(OF. rarely marble, malbre by dissimilation) = Pr.
marme-s, Sp. mdrmol, Pg. marmore, It. marmo,
Roumanian marmure :— L. marmor, ad. or cogn.
w. Gr. napfiapm shining stone, marble (prob. orig.
an adj. 'sparkling ', whence nappaipav to sparkle).
The L. word was adopted early into theTeut. langs. : OE.
marma (in comb. marm-), OHG. marmnl (MHG., mod.G.
marmet, also marmor), MDu. manner, marmcl, more
commonly marber, marbel from Fr. (mod.Du. marmer
marble, marmet ' marble ' to play with), ON. marmart '.]
I. The simple word.
1. Limestone in a crystalline (or, less strictly, also
a granular) state and capable of taking a polish.
There are many varieties of this stone (see b),
which is much used in sculpture and architecture.
When used without qualification, the word suggests either
the pure white varieties commonly employed 111 sculpture
(hence often referred to as a type of whiteness), or those with
mottled or variegated surface (cf. senses 5, 7 e).
a. c 1390 S. Eng. Leg. I. 240/315 In one toumbe of Marbre
he was i-leid. 1390 Gower Con/. II. 124 A tumbe riche..
Of marbre and etc of jaspre stones. 1585 T. Washington
tr. NicJwlays Voy. iv. xxv, A great bridge of stone of Mar-
bre. it 1693 Urquharfs Rabelais m. xxviii. 227 The most
durable Marbre or Porphyr.
0. [c 1200 : see Marble-stone.] 1-1320 Sir Bcues 4609
A faire chapel of marbel fin. f 1330 K- Brunne Chron.
(1810) 341 Of marble is be stone, & purtreied per he lies.
c 1400 Maundev. (Roxb.) iii. 9 All be pliers er of marbill.
1474 Caxton Chesse 92 Also colde and harde as marbyl).
l553 Eden Treat. Neiue Ind. (Arb.) 25 Ouer this ryuer is
a very fayre bridge of marhle. 1617 Moryson /tin. 1. 162
All the pauement is most beautifull of ingrauen Marble.
1794 Mrs. Radcliffe Myst. Udolpho xv, From the portico
they passed a noble hall to a staircase of marble. 1857
Ruskin Pol. Eton. Art i. 46 Marble. .lasts quite as long as
granite, and is much softer to work.
Proverb. 1593 Shaks. 3 Hen. VI, UL ii. 50 Hee plyes her
hard, and much Raine weares the Marble.
b. With qualifying word : (a) an adj. denoting
colour or appearance, e.g. black, fibrous, Green
(i2<X),grey, Red (17c), variegated t while ?narble\
{b) a proper name denoting the locality in which
it is found, e. g. Ajrican, Carrara, Derbyshire),
Egyptian, English, Genoese, Italian, Kilkenny^
Parian, Pentelican, Portsoy, Vurbeck marble ; {c)
152
applied to substances resembling or made to imitate
marble, as f brimstone marble, a preparation of
brimstone in imitation of marble; metallic mar-
ble, native sulphate of barium (Syd. Soc. Lex.
1889). See also Ureccia, Hrocatella, Cipollin,
Fire (B. 5), Forest (sb. 5), Landscape (5),
LUMACHELLA, MADREPORE (4), ONYX (4), RUIN,
Serpentine, Shell, Vkrd antique marble,
(a) a 1300 Cursor M. 8288 Vnder bis tre. . A stapul was o
marbul grai. C1386 Chaucer A'nt.'s T. 1035 A gate of
Marbul whit. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy.
ii. i, A harde slipperie rocke of black marber. 1624 Capt.
Smith Virginia iv. 126 Noplace hath more white and blew
Marble than here. 1659 Howell Lex., Vocab. xxvi, The
Marble gentle, viz. the whitest hard marble. . Serpentine or
streaked Marble [etc.]. a 1728 Woodward Fossils (1729) 1. 1.
21 Black Marble.
(b) 1681 Grew Mus.ru m ill. vi. 316 Two pieces of ./Egyp-
tian Marble. Ibid., A Piece of the worst sort of Cornish
Marble, used for Lime. 1727-41 Chambers Cycl.s,\., Der-
byshire Marble is variously clouded and diversified with
brown, a 1728 Woodward Fossils L (1729) I. 20 The white
Genoese Marble. Ibid. 25 The common white Carara
marble. 1891 T. Hardy 'Jess (1900) 8/1 With your effigies
under Purbeck-marble canopies.
(c) 1753 Chambers Cycl. Sitfip. s.v. Brimstone, Brimstone
Marble, a preparation of brimstone in imitation of marble.
c. A kind or variety of marble.
1640 Wilkins New Planet H. (1672) 119 That this rocky
Substance is a Loadstone, rather than a Jaspis, Adamant,
Marble, or any other. 1813 BakEWRLL Introd. Geol. (1815)
87 Very beautiful marbles occur [in England] which will re-
ceive a high polish. 1879 Rutlev Study Rocks iii. 20 Lime-
stones . . capable of receiving a polish are called marbles.
d. Taken as a type of something hard, inflexible,
durable, or smooth.
1586 Whitney Choice 0/ Emblems 183 In marble harde
our harmes wee alwayes graue. 1588 Shaks. Jit. A. 11. iii.
144 The milke thou suckst from her did turne to Marble.
1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 638 Writing all injuries in
marble. 1620 Stuetnam arraigned G 4 b, Can you behold
this sacred Cabinet,. .And not let fall a teare : you are
vnkind. Not Marhle but would wet at such a sight. 1812
Miss MlTFORDin L' Estrange Life (1870)!. vi. 219 Sir Charles
Grandison. .is a man of marble, or rather a man of snow.
1818 Shelley Rosal. a> Helen 1252 The liquid marble of
the windless lake. 1886 Miss Braddon One Thing Need-
ful ix, She had done all in her power to deter Clarice;..
but Clarice had made up her mind to be a marchioness, and
she was marble.
e. The stone as being the material of which a
tomb or tombstone is made. poet. (Cf. 2 b.)
1613 Shaks. Hen. VIII, III. ii. 434 When I am forgotten. .
And sleeps in dull cold Marble. 1757 Gray Epit. on Mrs.
Jane Clerke 1 Lo ! where the silent marble weeps, A friend,
a wife, a mother sleeps. 1850 Tfnnvson In Mem. lxvi[i],
Thy marble bright in dark appears.
2. A piece, block, or slab of marble ; a marble
monument j + a marble vessel. Also Jig.
-1290 Becket 21 18 in S. Eng. Leg. I. 167 pe point of is
swerd brak In pe Marbre ato. c 1380 Sir Ferumb, 5701 To
a gret holw marbre was he bro^t, .. Whych was wonyd beo
fillid wyb wyn. 1590 Spenser F. Q. m. v. 33 The soveraine
weede betwixt two marbles plaine Shee pownded small.
1644 Evelyn Diary 22 Oct., The vacant stayrecase, marbles,
statues [etc. J. 1715 Leoni Palladia's Archil. (1742) II. 62
An Inscription on a Marble. 1865 Kingsley Hereto, x, The
blood stained marbles of the Amphitheatre.
f b. A marble tomb or tombstone. Obs.
C1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 230 At Westmynstere he
lis toumbed richely, In a marble bis of him is mad story.
'' 'S^ LD- Berners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546) It ij b, In
the felde of Elinos, vnder a marble, is the pouders of Sysifo
Seteno. 1640 Glapthorne J.adies Priviledge iv. Plays 1874
1 1. 141 My Ancestors, whose dust Would 'a broke through
the Marbles, to revenge To me this fatall infamy. 1730
Pope Epit. Fenton 1 This modest Stone, what few vain
Marbles can, May truly say, here lies an honest Man.
C. Antiq. {pi.) Applied, with specific qualifica-
tion, to certain collections of sculptures, etc. ; e.g.
Arundel, Arnndelt'an, or Oxford marbles, a collection of
sculptures and inscribed stones made by the Earl of Arundel
(died 1646) and presented to the University of Oxford.
Elgin marbles, a collection (now in the British Museum) of
ancient sculptures from the Parthenon, which was brought to
England by Lord Elgin and sold by him to the nation in 1816.
[1624 J. Selden (title) Marmora Amndeliana.\ 1667
Evelyn Diary 19 Sept., To London with Mr. Hen. Howard
of Norfolk, of whom I obtain'd the gift of his Arundelian
Marbles. 1727-41 Chambers Cycl. s.v., Arundel Marbles,
..or the Oxford Marbles. 1817 Keats {title) On the Elgin
Marbles. 1833 J'enny Cycl. I. 142/1 The ^Eginetan, added
to the Athenian, and Phigaleian marbles which we possess
in the British Museum, would have formed a complete
specimen of Grecian sculpture, as applied to the decoration
of temples.
3. techn. [ = F. marbre.] a. A slab of marble
used forgrinding paints on; b. Aprinter'simposing-
stone (Knight Vict. Mech. 1875) ; c. = Marver.
1698 Phil. Trans. XX. 466 Which they grind upon a
Marble, such as Painters use. 1745 De Coetlogon Univ.
Hist. Arts <r Set. II. 3 To give it [the glass] a Polish, we
roll it to and fro on a Stone, or Marble.
4. [ = G., Du. marmel.] A little ball (varying
from about \ inch to an inch in diameter), origin-
ally made of marble, now usually of baked clay,
porcelain, or composition, used in a children's
game ; hence in //. the game itself. Also a similar
ball (e. g. of glass) used in other games.
In playing the game, a number of marbles are arranged
in a ring (or sometimes in a row), from which the players
attempt to dislodge them by 'shooting' a marble at them
with the finger and thumb.
MARBLE.
1694-5 J. Houghton Collect. Husb. # Trade No. 189
(1727) II. 29 The next are marbles for boys to play with.
1709 Steele Tatter No. 112 r 3 A Game of Marbles, not
unlike our modern Taw. 1702 S. Rogers P'leas. Mem. l
142 On yon gray stone, .we shot the marble thro' the ring.
1866 K. Chamhers Ess. Ser, 11. 3 There was the floor on
which.. I had played at marbles, a pattern in the carpet
serving as the ring. 1885 Netu Bk, Sports 301 Marbles is
not the popular game it once was.
+ 5. A mottled or dappled colour resembling that
of variegated marble ; hence, a cloth of such a
colour. (Cf. 7 e.) Obs.
1520 Mem. Ripon (Surtees) III. 274 Pro xiij virg. panni
lanei coloris marble. 1541 z Act 33 Hen. VIII, c. 18 Ker-
seies..of the colours ofulack, marble, russet, and white.
1549 Act 34-4 Edw. VI, c. 2 § 1 Russets, Musters, Marbles,
Grayes, Royes, and suche lyke colors. 1555 Richmond.
Wills (Surtees) 86 A yard of marble xxd. 1720 Strype
Slow's Surv. Land. (1754) I. L xxix. 297/1 In a livery
of grey Marble.
b. Bookbinding. The marbled pattern or paper
used in ornamenting books.
1699 Wanley in Lett. Lit. M en (Camden) 277 In knowing
what sort of Paper is in use, ..or to please myself.. with
looking on the fine colors, marbles, &c. 1817 Dibdin Bib-
liogr. Decameron II. 532 In lieu of gilt, you may.. order
marble coloured edges : but gilt upon the marble — oh! 'tis
the very luxury— the ' ne plus ultra ' of the hibliopegistic art !
1823 Bookbinder's Compt. Instructor 28 Common Marble.
Ibid. 29 Transparent Marble. Ibid. 30 Egyptian Marble..
Purple Marble. .Stone Marble. Ibid. 31 Rice Marble..
Chinese Marble. .Red Marble. Ibid. 32 Wainscoat Marble.
f6. /A a. French marbles : syphilis. Obs.
[1 Corruption of F. viorbilles 'the small pockes' (Cotgr.VJ
a 1592 Greene J'hieves falling out (1615) C3, Looke into
the Spittles, aad Hospitalles, there you shall see men dis-
eased of the French Marbles.
b. As Iransl. of L. marmor : A stony concretion
in the joints of a horse.
1748 tr. Renatus* Distemp. Horses 190 Oftentimes in the
knees or joints there arises either a Phlegmon, or Marbles,
or Puffs or Wind-galls.
II. Attrib. and Comb.
7. attrib. passing into adj. a. Made or consist-
ing of marble. (For the corresp. parasy_nthetic
adjs. see 8 c.) Also, like that of marble.
13. . Coer de L. 6182 He leet make a marbyl ymage. 1382
Wyclif Esther i. 6 Thei weren vnderset with marbil pileeris.
1577 Ii. Googe Heresbach's Husb. 1. (1586) 8 Suche stately
dwellinges and marble floores. 1646 Evelyn Diary (? Apr.),
A marble Madona like a Colosse. 1747 Mrs. Glasse Cookery
ix. 78 Take a Quart of Almonds, .and beat them in a Marble
Mortar. 1852 M. Arnold Empedocles 11. 88 Herflush'd feet
glow on the marble floor.
b. White, hard, cold, or rigid like marble.
(Rarely used predicatively.) Hence in parasyn-
thetic adjs. marble-breasted, -hearted, -minded.
1591 Florio ind Fruites 43 P. Oh filthie .. fashion of
some Englishmen, to ride with these hard, straight, and little
saddles. T. They are English toyes, to vse . . such marble
pinching sadles [Ital. gueste seile warmoree], 1593 Shaks.
3 Hen, VI, 111. i. 38 Her teares will pierce into a MaAle
heart. 1601 — Twel. N. v. i. 127 The Marble-brested Ti-
rant. 1611 — li'iut. 7". v. ii. 98 Who was most Marble,
there changed colour. 1612 Drayton Poly-olb. ii. 94 Her
Marble-minded breast, a 1618 Sylvester Wood mans Bear
lxxv. (Grosart) II. 312 Moan I must for never was Marble-
hearted Mermidon But would moan [etc.]. 1675 South
12 Serm. (1692) 570 His Marble, obdurate Heart. 1784
Unfortunate Sensibility I. 175 What is virtue? is it a
certain marble-mindedness, the elder brother of insensibility.
1812 Hyron Ch. liar. 11. xxxiii, That seeming marble-heart.
1817 Shelley Rev. Islam \\. xxxiii, Her marble brow, and
eager lips. 1818 — Rosal. <y Helen 186 His fancy on that
spring would float, If some invisible breeze might stir Its
marble calm. 1875 Jowrtt Plato (ed. 2) II. 102 Under
the marble exterior of Greek literature was concealed a
soul thrilling with spiritual emotion.
c. Knduring as marble, or as if carved in marble.
1596 Fitz-Geeeray Sir F. Drake (1881) 27 Cease to eter-
nize in your marble verse The fals of fortune-tossed Vene-
rists. 1682 Sir T. Browne Chr. Mor. 111. § 17 They write
not their obligations in sandy but marble memories.
d. poet. Smooth as marble. (Cf. L. marmo-
renm tetjuor.) Hence marble Jaced adj.
1557-8 Phaer AKneid vi. R iij b, All what marblefacyd
seas conteines of monstrous fries. 1667 Milton P. L. ill.
564 Through the pure marble Air.
e. Of a variegated or mottled colour (+ occas.
used predicatively) ; marbled, f Also, made of
cloth or stuff of such a colour (see 5). Hence
marble-coloured, -covered, -edged adjs.
c 1430 Two Cookerybks. 29 Caste ber-to Saunderys & Saf-
roun, & Joke it be marbylte [Ashmole MS. marbelyj. Ibid.
34 Take a lytyl Saunderys Si a lytyl Safroun, & make it a
marbyl coloure. 1539 Test, Ebor. (Surtees) VI. 91 To Wil-
liam Cay my marbill jacket. 1545 Ibid. 230 My marbell
colered cote. 159J Lane. Wills III. 54, 1 geve Willm Cooke
my marble hose. 1703 Lond. Gaz. No. 3930/4 An Alma-
nack, .wtth a Marble Vellum Cover. 1705 Ibid. No. 4108/3,
77 half Chests of Marble-Soap. 1808 Han. More Calebs II.
74 Countless marble-covered octavos. 1811 Self Instructor
120, 3-thread fine marble stockings. 1817 Dibdin Bibliogr.
Decameron II. 533 The peau de veau of the French, with
gilt upon marble edges ! 1876 Rock Text. Fabr. vii. 76
Marble silk had a weft of several colours so woven as to
make the whole web look like marble.
ft Marble colours : used Jig. by Drummond to
express ostentatious splendour. Obs,
1613 Drumm. of Hawth. Cypress Grove Wks. (1711) 118
The marble colours of., funeral pomp, a 1649 — Hist.
Jas. Ill, ibid. 41 The marble colours of false greatness.
8. Obvious combinations, a. attributive (of, per-
taining to, or concerned with marble), as marble
MARBLE.
i" grift mart, -mason, -mill, -quarry, saw ; (used
in the game of marbles) as marhk- ring ; b.
objective, as marble-cutter, -polisher , -worker \ c.
parasynthetic and instrumental, as marble-arched,
-chequered, -imaged, -paved, -piled, -pillared, -ribbed,
-sculptured adjs. ; d. similative, as marble-constant,
-hard, -like, -looking, -"white adjs. ; marble-wise adv.
1636 G. Sandys Paraphr. Ps. viii. 9 The ^marble-arched
Skie. 1879 F. W. Robinson Coward Consc. 1. iv, Across
the "marble-cheque red hall. 1606 Siiaks. Ant, /f- CI. v.
ii. 240 Now from head to foote I am *MarbIe constant.
1611 Cotgr., Marbrier. A *marble-cutter. c 14*) Pallad.
on Husb. 1. 405 With *marbul greet ygrounde & mixt with
lyme. a 1618 Sylvester Elegy H, Parvis iGrosart) II.
328 In his stone-breast no pitie moves relenting, Rough and
remorselesse, more then *marble-hard. 183a [R. Catter-
mole] Beckett, etc. 179 With ail thy high and *marble-
imaged line. 1530 Palsgr. 318/1 *Marbylyke, of the coloure
of marbyll. 1854 J. S. C. Abbott Napoleon (1855) I. ix. 163
He could impress a marble-like immovableness upon his
features. 1846 De Quincey Antigone Wks. 1863 VIII. 221
The unchanging expression in the *marble-looking mask.
1818 Byron Ch. liar, iv. 1, The paltry jargon of the "marble
mart. 1816 J. Smith Panorama Set. $ Art II. 808 The
plasterers, "marble-masons, and other artisans who use this
article. 1835 Ure Phiios. Manuf. 58 Sawing compre-
hends every species of mill .. such as. .marble-mills, 181a
Byron Ch. liar. \\. Ixii, In 'marble-paved pavilion. 1777
Warton Poems 45 What though no *marble-piled bust
Adorn his desolated dust. 1754 Armstrong Forced Marr.
v. iv. Misc. (1770) II. no This *marble-pillar'd castle. 1756
Burke Subl. <y 11. Introd., Wks. I. 113 In the question
about the tables, the *inarble-polisher will unquestionably
determine the most accurately. 1887 J. C. Harris Free Joe,
etc. (1888) 127 To invest money in Georgia "marble-quarries.
1810 Shelley Toiver of Famine 11 Each *marble-ribbed
roof. 1821 Clare / 'ill. Minstr. I. 5 The ( I spy ', ' halloo ',
and the *marble-ring. 1875 Knight Diet. Mech. 1 393/1
*MarbIe-Saw, 1844 Mrs. Browning Brtnvn Rosary in. xii,
He knelt like a child "marble-sculptured and white. 1877
A. B. Edwards Up Nile xxii. 720 The quarried cliffs of
Toora, *marble.white. 1687 Miegr Fr. Eng. Diet. s. v.,
To marble Paper, to paint it *marble-wise with several
Colours. 1875 Knight Diet. Mech. 1393/2 * Marble-worker's
Files.
9. Special comb. : f marble butterfly, ? =
marbled white \ f marble-crab, a crab having a
marbled or mottled shell; f marble dew, some
imaginary antaphrodisiac ; f marble-flint, ? flint
having a mottled appearance ; marble gall, a gall
made by the insect Cynips Kollari ; marble leg,
'the pale shining leg of Phlegmasia dolens* (Syd.
Soc. Lex.) ; marble-paper, paper coloured in
imitation of marble ; marble paste, a white
porcelain paste used for casts of statues (in recent
Diets. : a transl. of F. p&te de marbre) ; marble
seal, Phoca fetida ; marble veal {Cookery), potted
veal interspersed with lumps of tongue, having a
mottled surface when cut ; marble-wood, (a) see
quot. 1 753 ; {b) a large East Indian tree, Diospyros
Kurzii, having a variegated wood {Cent, Diet,) ;
{c) an Australian tree, Olea paniculata, having
mottled timber (Morris Austral Eng.),
1749 B. Wilkes Eng. Moths $ Butter/lies 52 The Mar-
mons, or *Marble- Butterfly. 1796 Nemnich Polygl. Lex.
Nat. Hist, Marble-butterfly. Pap. Galathea. The black-
eyed Marble butterfly. Papilio Semele. 1668 Charleton
Onomast. Zoicon 176 Cancer.. Marmoratus sive Varius
(quod testa tegitur . . maculis viridibus, caeruleis, albis, nigris,
cmereis. . >, the *Marble Crab, a 1621 Beaum. & Ft.. Thi-
erry * Theod. in. i, The teares of mandrake and the*marble
dew, Mixt in my draught, haue quencht my natural heate.
1633 Massinger Guardian in. i, I would. .bathe myself,
night by night, in marble dew. x686 Phil. Trans. XVI. 27
Burnt 'Marble-flintquench'din Vinegar. t99» Garden iaOcL.
334/2 The*Marbleand Artichoke galls are formed frombuds.
1680 Lend. Gaz. No. 1566/4 Two Books .. covered with
* Marble Papar. 1737 Berkeley Letter Wks. 1871 IV. 247,
1 would have these pamphlets covered with marble paper
pasted on white paper. 1862 Catal. Internat. Exhib. II.
XXWii, 5 Marble papers. 1896 J. W. Kirkaldv & E. C.
Pollard tr. Boas* Text Bk. Zool 519 The Ringed or
*Biarble Seal {Ph.fa-tida). 1789 Farley Lend, Art Cookery
ii.iii.4ed. 6)27* "Marble veal. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp.,
MarbU Wood, a name given by the people of some parts
of America to the lignum rhodium, or rose-wood, from the
heart of the tree being sometimes variegated like Marble.
Marble (majb'1), v. [f. Marble sb, Cf. F.
marbrer.]
1. trans. To stain or colour (paper, edges of
books, soap, etc.) so as to give the appearance I
of variegated marble.
1683 Loud. Gaz. No. 1874/4 A. .strong leather Pad-saddle
marbled. 1686 Plot Staffordsh. 123 Which two colours
they break with a wire brush, much after the manner they
doe when they marble paper. 1714 Gay Sheph. Week 11.
13 Marbled with Sage the hard'ning Cheese she press'd.
17*5 Bradley Fa/n. Diet. s. v. Potage, Marbling it with
very brown Veal-Gravy. 1846 Ruskin Mod. Paint. 1. 11. vi.
i- § 19 With about as much intelligence or feeling of art as
a house-painter has in marbling a wainscot. 1885 J. Pavm
Talk of Town II. 228 Liquids used by bookbinders in
marbling covers.
b. Tomake(adesign)bythe process of marbling.
1885 C. G. W. Lock Workshop Receipts Ser. iv. 267/1 Take
..a green calf and marble a tree upon it.
2. To make white like marble, rare.
1791 H. Walpole Let. to Han. More 29 Sept., Mrs. Por-
teuss accident. .may have marbled her complexion, but
I am persuaded has not altered her. .good-humoured coun- '.
tenance. 1878 R. Taylor Deukalion 11. Hi. 67 Thy features,
marbled by the moon.
Vol, VI.
153
I +3. To pickle (fish). Obs.
[1598,1611: see Marl w.8] x66i Rabisha Cookery Dis-
1 sccted 14 To Marble Suwls, Plaice, Flounders, Smelts.
Marbled (ma\ib'ld), ppL a. [f. Marble sb.
and 7'. + -Ei>.]
1. In various occasional uses : Portrayed in
marble ; having buildings or sculptures of marble ;
turned into marble {Jig-) ', decorated or covered
1 with marble.
1599 STORED Wolsey C 4 b, Looke how the God of Wis-
I dome marbled stands, Bestowing Laurel wreathes. 1760-72
I H. Brooke Fool of Qual. (1809) III. 143 Marbled effigies
and monumental deposits of the renowned. 1821 Byron
j fuan in. Ixxxvi, xvi, Place me on Sunium's marbled steep.
1844 Ld. Houghton Mem. Many Scenes, Scott at Tomb of
\ Stuarts 132 His marbled form will meet the attentive eye.
1851 G. Meredith Sleeping City 109 A marbled City planted
I there With all its pageants and despair. 1885 H. O. Forbes
! A'at. Wand. E. Arc/tip. 6 Fine residences, .conspicuous by
the blaze of light that lit up their pillared and marbled fronts.
2. Variegated in colour like certain marbles.
a. Coloured or stained by a technical process with
variegated patterns.
1671 Boyle Usef Nat. Phiios. IL iv. 14 Those fine Covers
of Books that, for their resemblance to speck Id Marble, are
wont to be call'd Marbled. 1699 Wanley in Lett. Lit. Men
I (Camden) 276 Common marbled paper. 471769 S. Davies
Whalley in Dodsley Coll. Poems (1782) V. 106 Variety of
' troops.. In marbled regimentals. 1885 C. G.W. Lock Work-
shop Receipts Ser. iv. 242/r The edge of marbled books
: should correspond with their marbled ends.
b. Veined, mottled, or dappled {with markings
of various colours). Chiefly Nat, Hist, and Path.
1694 Ace. Sev, Late Voy. 11. 18 The snow was marbcl'd,
and look'd as if it were boughs and branches of Trees. 1719
D'Urfey /*///>( 1 872) VI. 557 At the break of morning light,
When the marbled Sky looks gay. 1818 Art Preserv. Feet
\S\ If the chilblain is merely neglected, the skin, .becomes
livid and of a marbled appearance. 1890 Woodbury Encycl.
Photogr., Marbled Prints, a defect in printing.. .The prints
appear, .unevenly marked, somewhat resembling the ap-
pearance of marble. 1899 Allhutt's Syst. Med. VIII. 462
It [i. e. an eruption on the skin] may be uniform, or figured,
or marbled.
C. Of meat : Having the lean streaked with thin
layers of fat. (A sign of the best quality.)
1770-4 A. Hunter Georg, Ess. (1803) IV. 355 There is no
better sign of good flesh, than when it is marbled. 1834
Vouatt Cattle 270 The meat is finely marbled and well-
flavoured.
3. Used as the specific designation of various
animals and plants which have mottled or dappled
markings (freq. = L. specific name marmoratus, -a).
Marbled beauty, the moth Bryophila perla ; marbled
green, the moth Bryophila glandifera ; marbled white
(.butterfly), A rge galathea ; marbled rose (seeRosE^.).
1699 Petiver Musei Petiver. 33 The white marbled female
Butterfly. 1707 Mortimer Husb. (1721) II. 164 The Marbled
Rose, ..its Leaves are larger, of a light red Colour marbled
and veined. xZ^oCuviers Anim. Kingd. 95 The. .Marbled j
Cat {F[elis] marmoraia). 1844 H. Stephens Bk. Farm
III. 762 The common long red or marbled mangel-wurzel.
1867 H. T. Stainton Brit. Butterflies % Moths in. 31 The
Marbled White Butterfly. J bid. vi. 66 The Marbled Beauty.
1870 Eng. Mech. 25 Feb. 571/2 The Marbled Green {Bryo- ,
phila glandifera). iSy6Entycl. Brit. IV. 595/2 The Marbled
White (Arge galathea) is the species often met with in I
Britain.
Marbleize (maub'biz), v. U. S. [f. Marble i
sb. + -IZE.] trans. To colour in imitation of marble; i
— Marble v.
1875 Knight Diet. Mech. 1391/2 Marbleizing Slate,
coloring its surface in imitation of variegated marble. 1884
Advt., All white andmarbleized.. wrought-iron hollow ware.
1888 Howells Annie Kilburn xi. 114 The marbleised iron
shelf . . supported two glass vases. 1892 Harper s Mag.
936/2 Soap of a marbleized reddish color.
Marbleuess (maub'lnes). rare—1, [f. Mar-
ble sb. + -NESS.] Hardness like that of marble.
1629 Donne 26 Serin. (1661) 65 Myholy sighs, .have worn
out my Marble Heart, that is, the Marbleness of my heart.
Marbler [ ma'ibU-i). Also 5 marbyler, mer-
bler, 6 marbular, merbeler, 5-6, 8 marbeler.
[f. Marble sb. and v. + -ER1. Cf. F. marbrier .
(= senses 1, 2), marbreur (sense 3).]
1. A quarryman or hewer of marble. ? Obs,
1457 in Dugdale Wanuicksh. (1656) 355 Iolm Bourde of
Corn Castle, in the County of Dorset, Marbler. 1478
Church-iv. Ace. St. Andrew's East Cheap in Brit. Mag.
XXXII. 37 Item to a Marbeler for hauyng oute of a Mar-
byll Ston iiijd. 1538 Lhland /tin. 1. 94 (1768) I. 88 Marble,
wont to be taken up . . by Marbelersof Barnardes Castelle and
of Egleston. 1885 Harper's Mag. Jan. 243/1 The quarriers,
or ' marblers ', as they are called in the old papers relating
to the body [at Purbeck].
1 2. One who carves, or works in, marble ; a
sculptor. Obs.
1469-70 Fabric Rolls York Minster (Surtees) 73 Robert
Spillesby . . equitanti pro les merblers . . 375. $d. (11470
TiPTOFT Oral. G. Flammeus (Caxton 1481) He [Socrates]
had to his moder a mydwyf and to his fader a marbyler.
1538 Leland Itin, VII. 25 Many Marbelers working in
Alabaster. 1649 Fuller Jttst Man's Funeral 23 Let..
the most accurate Marbler erect the Monument. 1720
Strype S tow's Surz>. Lond, (1754) II. v. xiv. 312/1 The
Company called by_ the name of Marblers for their ex-
cellent knowledge.. in the art of insculpting Personages for
tombs. x868 Stanley Westtn. Abb. Hi. 153 [Preparation for
Henry VI's tomb, an. 1472 J The ' marbler ' (or, as we should
now say, the statuary).
3. One who marbles paper, etc. Also, an instru-
mart used for marbling paper. j
MARC.
1 1835 J. Hankett Biblhpegia 206. 1885 Crank Bookbind.
for Amateurs 97 Of all the varieties of gum, there is but
one that is of any use to the marbler. -gum tragacanth 1800
ZAEHNSDORF Bookbinding 75 Leo's Mechanical Marblers
Ma'rble-Stoiie. Obs. exc. dial. Forms : see
Marble sb. ; also Marm-stone. [Cf. ehalkstone,
limestone] = Marble; a marble floor, monument)
tomb, etc.
C1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 145 Hie [marie magdalene] .. nam
ane box gemaked of marbelstone. « 1225 Leg. Kath. 1480
pu schalt habben . .of marbrestan a temple. 1297 R. Glouc
(Rolls) 9787 pe point of is suerd brec in be marbrestonatuo!
r 1386 Chaucer Prioress' T. 229 In a temple of Marbul
stones cleere Enclosen they bis litel body sweete. r 1430
Lydg. Minor Poems (Percy Soc.) 50 Harde to lyke hony
out of a marble stone. 1530 Palsgr. 530/1 Water by often
droppyng may make a hole in a marbyll stone. 1585 T
Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. 1. vi, In the middest of
the pauement which was of Marber stone. 1682 Creech
Lucretius (1683) 94 If that's an 111, why not as great an
one To be opprest with Earth, or Marble-stone ? 1896 A. E.
Housman Shropshire Lad li, I met a statue standing still.
Still in marble stone stoodhe, And st edfastly he lookedat me.
Marblet [maublet). [f. Marble sb. + -et, after
iheF.marbrt?.'] A South American lizard, rolychrits
marmoratits.
1840 Cuvier's Anim. Kingd. 276 The Marblets .. have
palatal teeth, and femoral pores, like the Iguanas. 1800 in
Cent. Did.
Marbling (maublin.), vbl. sb. [{. Marble v.
+ -iNu L] 'The action of the vb. Marble.
1. The process, practice, or art of staining paper,
etc. with variegated colours in imitation or con-
ventional imitation of marble.
i$86 Lond. Gaz. No. 2197/4 A New Art.. of Making,
Marbling, Veining, and Finishing of Mantle-pieces. 1731
Bailey vol. II, Marbling of Hooks (in Book-binding) the
sprinkling them with colours on the outside. 1753 in Pa-
tents Specif, Skins etc. (1872) 3 For the making, marbling,
veining [etc.] any linen, silks, canvas, paper, and leather.
1901 Daily Chron, 3 Dec. 9/6 Graining and Marbling
wanted.
2. concr. Colouring or marking resembling that
of marble, or some conventional imitation of it.
1727-52 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Porcelain, There is. .a kind
of marbled porcelain, which is not made by applying the
marblings with the pencil. 1774 <Joi hsm. Nat. /list. VII.
7 The only marblings, which appear in its body, are the
colour of the food, which is seen through its transparent
intestines. 1883 Solon Art Old Eng. /'otter 93 Agate-ware
was a complicated process; the marbling, instead of being
produced on the surface, went through the body. 1894 R. B.
Sharif Handbk. Birds Gt. Brit. (1896) 1. 97 Marblings and
spots of light brown or reddish-brown. 1897 A l/butt's Syst.
Med, II. 103 In children infested by tleas or lice the general
tint of the rash may be deepened by very numerous petechia;
or by 'marbling '.
3. A marble-like incrustation. ra)-e.
1872 C. King Mountain. Sierra Net', i. 21 The summit
piercing through a marbling of perpetual snow up to the
height of ten thousand feet.
4. Comb, : marbling-rod, the rod or pole used
in the apparatus for glazing marbled paper; mar-
bling trough, the trough into which the paper is
dipped in the process of marbling.
1835 Hannett Bibliopegia 82 After this they [the books]
must be glaired equally over, and when dry placed upon
the marbling rods, the sides of the books extending over,
and the leaves hanging between. Ibid. 184 The marbling
trough is generally made of oak.
Marblish (maublij"), a.
[f. Marble
sb. + -ish l.J Resembling marble.
182(5 Moore Mem. (1854) V. 8q The smooth, marblish,
effeminate colouring.
Marbly (rnaubli), a. Also 5 raarbely, 7 mar-
blie. [f. Marble sb. + -t.] Resembling, or having
the appearance of, marble. Hence, rigid, cold, or
calm like marble.
1439 [see Marble sb. 7 e, quot. c 1430]. a 1619 Fotiierby
A meant, n. i. § 4 (1622) 179 Whatsoeuer Monsters strange,
in marbly Seas doe breed. 1635 Swan Spec. M. vi. (1643)
299 Salt-gem.. is also called stonie, marblie Salt, a 1814
Mermaid 11. i. in New Brit. Theatre II. 486 The marbly
lustre of her skin. 1843 Browning Bishop orders his tomb
75 And have I not. .mistresses with great smooth marbly
limbs? 1856 Stanley Sinai $ Pal. i. (1858.) 69 Above the
blue sea rose the white marbly terraces. 1858 G. Mac-
donald Phantasies (1878) II. xiv. 33 The marbly stillness
of thousands of years.
Marbole, -boll, marbre, obs. ff. Marble.
f Marbryn e, a. Obs. [a. OF. marbrin, f.
marbre Marble sb.] Of marble.
1319 in Riley Mem. (1868) 131. a 1400-50 Alexander 4353
Ne mote ne marbryn werkis. 1490 Caxton Eneydos xxi. 74
Her wymmen..bare her in-to her chambre inarbryne.
Marbul(l, Marbular : see Marblk, Marbler.
Marbut, obs. form of Marabout.
Marbyl(l, -yr, -yler: see Marble, Marbler.
Marc (mfuk). Also 7 marre, mare : and sec
Murk. [a. F. marc, explained by Hat/.-Darm.
as a vbl. noun f. marcher in the sense ■ to crush '.
The c in the Fr. word is mute, even before a vowel ; hence
prob. the 17th c. Eng. forms marre, mare. \
The refuse which remains after the pressure of
grapes or other fruits.
1601 Holland Pliny II. 530 The marre [ed. 1634 mare] or
refuse of grapes after they be pressed. 1670 Evelyn Sylva
viib (ed. 2) 56 The Lees, or Marc of the Pressing [oil from
walnuts] is excellent to fatten Hogs with. 1707 Si.oane
Jamaica I. p. xlv, The Marc or remainder of the Sugar
MAECAN.
Canes after the juice is squeezed out. 1707 Curios, in Hush.
«y Gard. 138 Marc of Olives after they are press'd. 185a
Morfit Tanning Q Currying{t&S3)45 i'be marc, or pressed
cake, which still retains some tannin, is made to yield it.
1883 K. Haldank Workshop Receipts Ser. ii. 10/2 The juice
ana the refuse (' marc >) are fermented.
b. attrib. : marc brandy, brandy distilled from
marc.
185a Fownes Man. Elem. Chem. (18631 512 The fusel-oil
of the marc-brandy of the South of France.
Marc, obs. form of Mark, Marque.
Mareal, variant of Mercal.
Marc an (ma-xkan), a. [f. L. Marc-its Mark +
-an.] Pertaining to the Gospel of St. Mark.
190a J. A. Robinson Study oj Gospels iv. heading, The use
of the non-Marcan Document by St. Matthew and St. Luke.
1903 H. B. Swete in Expositor June 415 The Marcam
tradition.
t Marcantant. Obs. rare"1. [Corruption of
It. mercatanle.] A merchant.
1596 Shaks. Tant. Shr. iv. ii. 63 Tra. What is he..?
Bio. Master, a Marcantant [so Folios and Qo. \ Pope reads
mercantant, Capell mercatante], or a pedant.
t Marcasin e. Obs. rare. Also marcassiu.
[ = F. marcassin (Cotgr.).] = next.
1601 Holland Pliny II. 509 These two Marcassms. Ibid.
588 There is another fire stone going under the name of
Pyrites or Marcasin. Ibid., These Marcasines.
Marcasite (maukasait). Min. Also 5 mar-
kasit, 5-8 marchasite, 6 -it, marcazite, 6-7
-quesite, 7 -quisat^e, merquisate, marchesit(e,
-gasite, 7-8 -caait, -c(h)assite, 8 -kasite. Also
in mod.L. form 7-8 marcasites, (7 margaaites).
[ad. med.L. marcasTta (whence F. marcassite, Sp.
?nargiiesita,\t.marcassita,marchesiia),apY).iormtd
with suffix L. -ita, Gr. -/ri/s, -ite1.
The etymology is obscure, as the Arabic marqashlthd or
viarqashita, often cited as the source, is probably adopted
from some European language.]
1. Pyrites, esp. the crystallized forms of iron
pyrites used in the i8th c. for ornaments ; by some
restricted to the arsenical varieties of pyrites ; in
recent use, white iron pyrites (iron disulphide).
For the vague notion attached to the word in prescientific
chemistry, see quots. 1616 and 1727-52. The ' marcasites ' of
gold and silver seem to have been specimens of copper and
iroa pyrites with the lustre of gold and silver, and hence
wrongly supposed to contain traces of those metals.
1471 Ripley Comp. Alch. Ep. i, in Ashm. (1652) 116 Our
Marchasite, our Magnete, and our Lead. 157a J. Jones
Bathes 0/ Bath 11. 20 Copper, Iron, and Marquesite. 1610
B. Jonson Alch. 11. iii, Your marchesite, your tutie, your
magnesia. 1616 Bullokar Eng. ExPos., Marchasite,
a stone participating with the nature of some mettall, yet
in so small quantity, that the mettall cannot be melted
from it, but will vapour away in smoake, the stone turning
to ashes. 1684 tr. Bonet's Merc. Compit. xix. 852 Glass of
Antimony .. is nothing but the meer Marchasite of Lead.
1695 Woodward Nat. Hist. Earth iv. 172 A common Mar-
casite or Pyrites shall have the Colour of Gold most exactly ;
..and yet., yield nothing of worth, but Vitriol, and a little
Sulphur. fjzy-$* Chambers Cycl., Marcasite, Marcasita, a
sort of metallic mineral, supposed by many to be the seed or
first matter of metals. On this principle, there should be as
many different marcasites as metals.. .There are only three
kinds in the shops, which are called, marcasite of gold, of
silver, and of copper : though some repute the loadstone to
be a marcasite of iron ; bismuth, marcasite of tin; andzink,
or spelter, marcasite of lead, a i7a8 Woodward Fossils 1.
(1729) I. 17a, 1 could never perceive any Arsenic in the
Pyritae ; in which they differ from the Alarcasits, most of
which contain more or less of that Mineral. 1778 Won lfe
in Phil. Trans. LXIX. 15 The Derbyshire and Eckton
Cauk, which is commonly covered with copper marcassite.
1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) II. 256 Arsenical Pyrites or
Marcassite. 1836-41 Brande Chem. (ed. 5) 861 Bismuth
was sometimes called Marcasite. 1844 Browning Colombo's
Birthday 1. 344 Yon gray urn's veritable marcasite, The
Pope's gift. 1865 Watts Diet. Chem. III. 851 Marcasite,
white Iron Pyrites. 1879 Rutlkv Study Rocks x. 157^ Mar-
casite resembles pyrites, except that it crystallises in the
rhombic system.
attrib. 1588 Lucar Colloq. Arte Shooting App. 17 The
marchasite stone. 1601 Holland Pliny II. 558 It commeth
of a certaine marquesit stone, wherupon also they call it
Chalcitis. a 1788 Woodward Fossils 1. (1729) I. 181 The
Marcasite Grains are of a bright Yellow.
2. A piece or specimen of marcasite; an orna-
ment made of crystallized iron pyrites. -
Formerly used for striking a light : cf. Firestone i.
1555 Eden Decades 115 margin, Marchasites are flowers
of metals by the colours wherof the kyndes of metals are
knowen. 1682 N. O. Boileau's Lutrin in. 54 From his
Pocket He takes his Marchasite, begins to knock it With
hardntd Steel, out springs an Active spark. 1773 Goldsm.
Stoops to Conq. 111. 1, Half the ladies of our acquaintance,
., carry their jewels to town, and bring nothing but paste
and marcasites hack. 1877 W. Jones Finger-ring 307
Two hearts surmounted by a crown . .set with marcasites.
Hence Marcasi'tal {rare"1'), Marcasi'tical
adjs., pertaining to or containing marcasite.
1670 Boyle Tracts Cosm. Qual. etc. iv. 21 A great quan-
tity of marchasiticall Earth, if I may so call it. 1731 Bailey
vol. II, Marcasital [ed. 1737 Marcasi'tical], of or pertaining
to marcasites. 1779 Phil. Trans. LXIX. 30 On one side
there was a slight marcasitical coating.
II Marcassin (majkEesin). Jler. [Fr.] A young
wild boar, used as a charge.
1787 in Bailey vol. II. 1847 Gloss. Heraldry, Marcassiu,
a young wild boar, distinguished from an old one by having
its tail hanging down instead of twisted.
Marcassin, variant of Marcasin(e.
154
Marcassite, obs. form of Marcasite.
Marcatt(e, Marce, obs. ff. Market, Mars.
I Marceline l (ma\ise1in). Also marcelline
{Diets.). [Fr.] A silk fabric used for linings.
1835 Court Mag. VI. p. ii/i The breakfast dress is lined
with coloured marceline.
Marceline * (ina\iselin). A/in. [a. F. mar-
celine (Bcudant), f. name of St. Marcel, Piedmont.]
A siliceous oxide of manganese.
1849 I- Nicol Man. Min. 1883 Encyct. Brit. XVI. 387/2
Marceline has violet tarnish.
Marcella, marsella (mruse-la). [Anglicized
pronunciation of Marseilles.] A kind of twilled
cotton or linen cloth used for waistcoats, etc.
1812 Chron. in Ann. Reg. 81/2 In black silk stockings,
black small clothes, Marcella waistcoat, and dressing gown.
i86x Eug. Worn. Don/. Mag. HI. 263/1 The waistcoat may
be made either in white silk or marcella. 1882 Caulfeild &
Saward Diet. Needlework, Marcella or Marsella, a de-
scription of cotton Quilting or coarse Pique,. .for making
toilet covers, dressing table mats, and other articles.
Marcellian (majse'lian). Eccl. [ad. med.L.
Marcellian-us, f. Alarcellus.] A follower of Mar-
cellus, bishop of Ancyra in the fourth century, who
is said to have held heretical views resembling
Sabellianism. Hence MarceTlianism.
1607 T. Rogers 39 Art. (1625) 6 Some denyed the Trinity
..: sodid..theMarcellians. 17*7-41 Chambers Cycl., Mar-
ce/lianism, the doctrine and opinions of the Marcellians.
Marcerye, obs. form of Mercery.
Marces, obs. pi. of March sb.%
Marcescent (maise*sent), a. (sb.) Bot. [ad.
L. marcescent-cm , pr. pple. of marcescZre, inceptive
f. marcere to be faint or languid.] Of parts of a
plant : Withering but not falling off.
1727 Bailey vol. 11. 1777 Robson Brit. Flora 29, 32. 1870
Bentlev Alan. Bot. (ed. 2) 222 When it is persistent and as-
sumes a shrivelled or withered appearance, it is marcescent,
b. sb. A plant having marcescent parts.
1859 Todd Cycl. Anat. V. 254/2 A singlecell of the leaf
of a marcescent . .is seen still to contain a primordial vesicle.
Hence Marcescence [see -ence], marcescent
condition.
1857 Todd Cycl. Anat. V. 232/2 Cessation of vegetation
and marcescence. 1890 Temple Bar Nov. 443 They^ are
ugly in their marcescence and scent incipient putrefaction.
i Marcescible, a. Obs.—° In early Diets.
spelt marcessible. [a. F. marcescible (in 16th c.
written marcessible), f. marcescfre : see Marcescent
and -ble.] Liable to wither or fade. Hence
Marce'scibleness, Marcescibi'lity.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Marcessible, apt or easie to rot or
putrifie. 1717 Bailey vol. II, Marcessibility, a pining away,
a Consumption. 1731 ibid., Marcessibleness, withering or
fading nature.
Marcgrave : see Margrave.
+ March, sbA Obs. Forms: 1 merici, merice,
[Northttmb. meric), merece, merce, mearce, 4-7
merche, 6 mar ch(e. [OF. merece str. masc. =OS.
(glosses) merk, merka (MLG. merk masc.), G. merk
masc, MSw. mcirke, merkie fern., Da. merke.]
Smallage or wild celery, Apium graveolens.
a 700 Epinal Gloss. 24 Apio, merici. a 800 Corpus Gloss.
182 Apio, merice. c 1000 Sa 1 . Leechd. II. 134 Genim merce
nioboweardne. c 1000 ^Elfric Gram. (Z.) 27 Apiaster, merce.
1398TREVISA Barth. De P. R. xvn. xiii. (Helmingham MS.),
Merche is calde Apium. 1545 Elvot Diet., Hipposelinon,
some suppose it to bee the herhe called smallache, or marche.
1561 Turner Herbal 11. 68 b, Hipposelinon hath leues lyke
vnto march or smalache, but roughe. 157a Bossewell
Armorie 11. 76b, A Pyle in poyncte betwene two slippes of
Merche, verte. 1578 Lyte Dodoens v. xlii. 606 Of Marish
Parsley, March or Smallache. 163a GuilUnfs Heraldry iv.
xvi. (ed. 2) 353 Apium. .is called in English Merche.
March.(maitJ),j^.2 Forms: 3-4Marz,4Mars,
3 Marrch, Mearch, 4-7 Marche, (6 Sc. Merche),
4- March. [Early ME. marc/it a. AF. marche
(Gaimar), OF. marchie (Godefr. Compl.), a north-
eastern var, of the more usual marz, mars (mod. F.
mars) :— L. Martium (nom. Martins sc. mensis, lit.
month of Mars), whence also Pr. martz, mars, Sp,
marzo, Pg. marco, It. marzo, OHG. Merzo (MHG.
Merze, mod.G. Afiirz), Ml)u. maerte, merle (modDu.
Afaart), Sw. Afars, Da. A/artst late Gr. Mdpnos.]
1. The third month of the year in the Julian and
Gregorian calendar. Abbreviated Mar.
In the Roman pre-Julian calendar it was the first month,
and originally began at the vernal equinox.
[C1050 Menologium 36 Hrime ^ehyrsted, ha*olscurum
f.cvft geond middan^eard MartiusreSe, Hlydahealic] c isoo
Ormin 1891 pat wass i Marrch, ace Marrch wass pa Neh
all gan ut till ende.^ a 1225 Juliana 79 pe fowrtuoe Ka-
lende of mearch bat is seo3oen. a 1300 Cursor M. 10926 pe
dai bat hir was send bis saand O marz [c 1375 Fair/.
march] be fiue and tuentiand. CX386 Chaucer Nun's
Pr. T. 368 The Monthe in which the world bigan That
highte Marche. 1390 Goweii Con/. III. 371 And afterward
the time is schapc, To frost, to Snow,.. Til eft that Mars
be com ayein. c 1440 Promp. Parr. 326^1 Marche, monythe,
marcius. 150020 Dunbar Poetus Ixiv. 11 Merche, with
his cauld blastis keyne^Hes slane this gentill herbe. 1601
Shaks. Jul. C. 111. 1. 1 Cars. The Ides of March are come.
Sooth. I Caesar, but not gone. 1711 Swift Jmi. to Stella
26 Mar., I forgot to wish you yesterday a happy New Year.
You know the twenty-fifth of March is the first day of
the year. 1870 Morris Earthly Par. I. 1. 103^ Welcome,
MARCH.
O March ! whose kindly days and dry Make April ready fot
the throstle's song.
Personifit'd. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. ix. xi. (1495^
355 Marche ispaynted as it were agardyner. 1821 Shellev
Dirge /or IV^riv, March with grief doth howl and rave.
1842 Tennvson Gardeners Dau. 28 Love. .made, .that hair
More black than ashbuds in the front of March.
b. Proverbs. (See also 2 a, 2 b.)
1598 II. Jonson Case is Altered v. iv. (1609) K, Marche
faire al, for a faire March is worth a kings ransome. 1614
Fletcher Wi/c /or Month 11. L Me. I would chuse March,
for 1 would come in like a Lion. To. liut you'ld go out
like a Lamb, when you went to hanging, a 163a G. Her-
bert Jacula Prudent. 739 February makes a bridge and
March breakes it. 1678 Ray Pror. (ed. 2) 44 March many
weathers.
2. attrib. and Comb. : a. simple attrib., as Alarch
air, dnst, morning, wind.
1863 Tennvson Welcome Alexandra 16 Clash, ye hells,
in the merry *March air ! c 1530 Hkywood Play 0/ It 'ether
622 (Hrandlj One bushell of 'march dust is worth a kynges
raunsome. 1557'l'ussER 100 Points Hnsb. cii, A bushel of
Marche dust, worth raunsomes of gold. 1685 Boyle Salubr.
Air iii. (1690) 55 It is proverbially said in England, that a
Peck of March Dust is worth a King's Ransom : So un-
frequent is dry Weather during that Month, in our Climate.
1833 Tennvson May Queen Concl. vii, All in the wild
*.Vlarch-morning I heard the angels call. 1530 Palshr.
484/1, I chyppe, as ones handes do,.. with the *Marche-
wyndc 1846 Denhanfs Coll. Prw. (Percy Soc.) 36 March
winds and April showers Bring forth May flowers.
b. Special comb. : March ale, beer, a strong
ale or beer brewed in March ; also attrib. ; March
brown, a fly used in angling ; f March chick
trans/., applied to a precocious youth ; March
hare, a proverbial type of madness (see Hare
sb. I b) ; t March mad ■ mad as a March hare ;
March moth, the moth of a caterpillar infesting
plum trees (see quot.) ; March violet [cf. OF.
violette de Mars'], the common garden violet, Viola
odorata ; also attrib.
163a Lithgow Trav. in. 106 Strong *March-Ale, surpass-
ing fine Aqua-vita?. 1576-7 Acts Privy Council 298 lleare
., commonly called *March beere. <i 1704 T. Hrown Last
Qbsemator in Collect. Poerns (1705) 101 Hast with thee
brought some. .Protestant March-jleer, to raise my Fancy?
1856 ' Stonehence' Brit. Rural Sports 245 The *March-
Hrown. 1863 Ouida Held in Bondage (1870) 8 Flinging
his March brown into the stream. 1599 Shaks. Much Ado
1. iii. 58 A very forward *March-chicke. 14. . BlcnvboVs Test.
(MS. Rawl. C 86 If. m b), Thanne pey begynne to swere
and to stare, And be as braynles as a *Marshe hare. 1526
Skelton Magny/. 930 As mery as a Marche hare, a 1529
— Replycacion 35, I saye, thou madde Marche hare, a 1619
Fletcher Mad Loz'er 1. i, Keep him darke, He will run
"March mad else, a 1625 — Noble Gent. 1. i, He is March
mad : Farewell Monsieur. 1890 Miss E. A. Ormerod Injur.
Insects (ed. 2) 335 "March Moth. Anisopteryx sescutaria,
Schiff. 1578 Lyte Dodoens 11. i. 148 The sweete Violet
is called . .in English Violets the garden Violet, the sweete
Violet, and the *Marche Violet. 1601 HoLLAND/V;«yII. 621
It turneth into a March Violet colour.
March (militj"), sb^ Forms: 3-7 marche,
6-7 Sc, merch(e, 3- march. PI. 1 , 4-6 marchis,
5 marchez, -ys, 6 marces, marchesse, triarchies,
Sc. marchis, merche(i)s, mer(s)chis, mairches,
4- marches, [a. F. ?narcke fem., a Com. Kom.
\vord = Pr., Sp., Pg., It. marca, ad. Teut, *tnark&
(OHG., OS. markat OE. mearc) : see Mark sb.*]
1. Boundary, frontier, border, a. The border or
frontier of a country. Hence, a tract of land on
the border of a country, or a tract of debatable
land separating one country from another. Often
collect, plural, esp. with reference to the portions
of England bordering respectively on Scotland and
on Wales. Now Hist, and arch.
In early examples the March (0/ Wales) is an etymological
rendering of Mercia. Court o/(the) Marches: seequot. 1848.
< 1290.S. Eng. Leg. I. 345/2 He was kyng in Engelonde:
of be Marche of Walis. xa97 R. Gcouc. (Rolls) 60 pe king
of westsex and of kent & of norbhomber . . & J>e kyng of be
march bat was here amidde. 1375 Rarboi^r Bruce xvi. 357
Of the marchis than had he The gouernale and the pouste.
1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) II. 61 Schroysbury is a citee
vppon Seuarn in be marche of Engelond ancf of Wales.
a 1400-50 Alexander 913 pan was a man in Messadone in
t>e marche duellid, A proued prince. 14*5 Rolls 0/ Par It.
IV. 276/2 Wardeyns of oure Est and West Marches. 15*3
Ld. Herners Froiss. I. exxxvii. 165 The quene of Englande
.. was as thanne in the marchesse of the Northe, about
Yorke. 1532-3 Act 24 Hen. I'll I, c. 12 f 2 Any personne
.. resiaunte .. within any the Kinges saide Dominions or
Marches of the same. 1560 Daus tr. Sleidane"s Comm. 50
Henry Zutphan was put to death . . by them of Dietmary,
which is in the marces of Germany. 1577-87 Holinshed
Chron. III. 1213/1 The lord Hunsdon lord warden of the
east marches, and gouernor of Rerwike. 1584 Whitgift
Let. to Burleigh in Fuller Ch. Hist. ix. (1655) 157 Sure I am
it is most usuall in the Court of the Marches (Arches rather)
whereof I have the best experience, xooa Warner Alb.
Eng. Epit. (1612) 355 The Pictes . . then occupying those
parts which we now call the middle Marches, betwixt the
English and Scots. 1612 Dravton Poly-olb. vii. 8 The
Herefordian floods . . with their superfluous waste Manure
the batfull March. C1630 Risdon Snrv. Devon §225(18101
238 And 'twas 'twixt Uritts and Saxons made the march.
1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. ix. vi. § 51 This Oath .. is usually
tendered in Chancery, Court of Requests, Councel of
Marches, and Councel in the North. 1848 Wharton Lazv
Lex. s.v.t Court of Marches, an abolished tribunal in Wales,
where pleas of debt or damages, not above the value of 50/.,
were tried and determined. 1859 Tennvson Geraint <r
Enid 41 He craved a fair permission to depart And there
MARCH.
155
MARCH.
defend his marches. 1867 Fkkkman Norm, Cone, (1S76) I.
jv. 157 Granted in fief ..as a inarch or border territory. 1875
Stubbs Const. Hist. II. xvi. 345 Hugh came into collision
with . . the rest of the rival lords of the marches.
b. The boundary of an estate; the boundary
dividing one estate from another. Chiefly Sc,
1540 in 5th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. 609/1 The rycht
meithis and merchis is and salbe . . betuix the said is landis.
1637-50 Row Hist. Kirk (YVodrow Soc.) 196 No man shall
ever let me see where any of the apostles sat as judges to
other men, or to sett in marches, or to divyde men's lands.
1818 Hogg Broivnie of B. vii, It was. .in the march between
two lairds* lands, that he preached that day. 1839 Dk
Qlmncey Recoil. Lakes Wks. 1862 II. 2 Woodlands, .inter-
vening the different estates with natural sylvan marches.
1886 Act 49 <V 50 Vict. c. 29 § 21 Any questions relating to
the boundaries or marches between crofters' holdings.
tc. A boundary mark, landmark. Obs.
151* Douglas ASneis xn. xiv. 30 Ane aid crag stane ..
Quhilk . . was Hggand neyr, A inarche set in that grund. .
Of twa feildis. 1577 Holinshed Citron., Hist. Scot. 255/2
In the middest of Stanemoore there shall be a Crosse set vp,
with the king of Englandes image on the one side, and
the king of Scotlands on the other, to signifie that the one
is marche to England, and the other to Scotland.
iLfig.
1637 Rutherford Lett. Ixxxn. (1862) I. 207 When., ye
are in the utmost, .border of time and shall put your foot
within the march of eternity. 1786 A. Gib Sacred Contempt.
269 A march ought to be fixed between his private and his
public obedience. 1879 G. Macdonald P. Fabtr III. xvi.
265 Over the march of two worlds, that of the imagination,
and that of fact, her soul hovered fluttering.
e. To redd, rid, ride the marches : see Redd z;.-
2 c, RlD v., Ride v .
t 2. Used for: Country, territory. [Cf. L. fines.]
13.. K. Alt's. 3019 He hath y-wonne . . 1 heo marche of
Fraunse, and of Spayne, And Tolouse, and eke Almayne.
1377 Lahcl. P. PI. B. xv. 438 And borw myracles .. al bat
marche he (Austyn] torned to cryst. 1470-85 Malokv
Arthur 1. x, Vlfius & Brasdas . . shold haue suche chere as
myghte be made them in tho marchys. c 1489 Caxton
Sonnes of Aymon vi. 138 Rlessed be the hour that ye were
borne, and cam in to thyse marches.
3. In renderings of continental names of terri-
tories, fa. Applied to the Mark of Brandenburg
(06s.). b. =It. Marca (see quot. 1875).
1716 Lgohi AlbertCs Archit. I. 30/2 In the March of
Ancona,. -they find a white Stone, which [etc.]. 1758 Ann.
Reg. 20 Richlieu . . made his way into .. the old marche of
Brandenburg. 1875 Encycl. Brit. II. 9/2 Ancona . . forms
part of the old district of the Marches, which passed from
the dominion of the Pope to that of Victor Emmanuel in
i860. The Marches comprise the March of Ancona on the
north and the March of Fermo on the south.
4. ait rib. and Comb., as (sense 1 b) march-balk,
•dike, -ditch, -fence, -line, (sense 1 a) march f cap-
tain, f cause, t garrison, law, -treason (arch.) ;
t march-day, ? a court held to try cases of infrac-
tion of border laws; f march-gat (?Gate sb.'-\
? a way across a frontier ; + march parts, -party,
the marches ; f march-ward, * a warden of the
marches' (Webster 1864). Also March-land,
March-man, March-stone.
1683 Fountain halts Decis. Lets. Comic. Session (1759) I.
224 In regard the witness had deponed upon her tilling
andriveingout the vmarch-bnlk. 1 537 St. Papers Hen. I'll I,
II. 452 Every of His Gracis subjectis, having landes in
like places of daungier, bee orderid to departe therwith
to *marche capitayns. 1538 I hid. III. 37 Marches capi-
taynes. 1537 I hid. 489 That ther were, in every marche,
wardens . . whiche shulde have auctorytye . . to here and
redresse all robberyes, *marche causeis[etc.J. 1900 A. Lang
Hist, Scot, I. x. 293 In ruling the Borders, making raids
and holding '■■March-days. 1794 R. Heron Gen. Vie%v
Hebudat 90 Let the landlords take upon themselves the
expence of building every where sufficient "'march-dykes.
1830 \V. Carleton Traits Peas. (1843) I. 118 This river . .
was the *march ditch, or incrin between our farms. 1882
Belts Diet. Law Scot. 610/2 A tenant, .is bound, .to main-
tain * march-fences erected by the landlord during the lease.
1537 St, Papers Hen. VIII, II. 429 Distrusting to commytt
the custodie of dyvers of the "marche garrisons to any of
this landes birthe. a 1400-50 Alexander 5076 He leuys all
be *march gats I neuend ;ow before. 1612 Daviks Why
Ireland, etc. 123 That no Englishman be ruled in the de-
finition of their debates by the ^March-Law or the Brehon
Law. 1886 G. Macdonald Wltafs Mine's Mine III. ix. 158
If he did not everywhere know where the *march-line fell,
at least he knew perfectly where it ought to fall. 14..
Chevy Chase 120 (Skeat) For towe such captayns as slayne
wear thear on the *march parti shall neuer be non. Ibid.
1 38 Ther was neuer a tym on the * marche partes [etc. 1 1805
Scott Last Minstr. iv. xxiv, We claim from thee William
of Deloraine, That he may suffer * march-treason pain.
March. (rniut|), sbA Also 6 martch. [a. F.
marche, vbl. noun from marcher: see March z>.2]
I. Action of marching.
1. Mil. The action of marching ; the regular
forward movement together and in time of a body
of troops. Also, the orderly forward movement
of a company, an exploring party, a procession, etc.
1590 Sm J. Smyth Disc. Weapons Ded. 8 Also, whereas
it hath been the vse of all great Captainos and Chieftaines,
vpon anie long march and enterprise intended. 1591 Shaks.
1 Hen, VI, iv. iii. 8 Two mightier Troopes . .Which ioyn'd
with him, and made their march for Bordeaux. 1667 Milton
P. L. v. 775 For whom all this haste Of midnight march.
1672 Sir W. Talbot {title) The Discoveries of John I^derer,
in three several Marches from Virginia to the West of
Carolina. 1781 Simes Mil.Gnide (ed. 3) 12 They [pioneers]
are to. .make preparations for the march of the army. 1837
W. Irving Copt, Bonneville I. 159 A march of three or four
days . . brought Captain Bonneville to . . Jackson's Hole.
1850 Ukote Greece II. lxx. (1888) VII. 270 Three days of
additional march brought them to the Euphrates.
b. Phrases. Column of march (see quot. 1876).
Line of march', direction or route of marching;
transf, course of travelling, way. In (fa full,
march, on or upon (a or their) march : marching.
1639 Articles Mil. Diseipl. 11 Every man is to keep his
own rank and file upon the march. 1667 Milton /'. /.. 1.
413 When he entie'd Israel in Sittini on their march from
Nile. 1707 Lond. Gaz. No. 4353/1 The Duke of Savoy's
Army are in a full March for this Place. 1734 tr. Rollings
A tic. Hist. (1827) II. 11. ii. 2 They attacked the Cartha-
ginians, who were upon their march. 1780 A. Hamilton
Wks. (1886) VIII. 11 All the army is in march toward you.
1781 Simes Milit. Guide (ed. 3) 12 The routes must be so
formed, that no column cross another on the inarch. 1835
W. Irving Tour Prairies xviii, They crossed the line of
our inarch without ..perceiving us. 1844 H. H. Wilson
Brit. India II. 236 Detachments of the 65th regiment, ..
on their march to join the 4th division, i860 Tvnoall
Glac. 1. xxvii. 202 The snow above us, broke across, forming
a fissure parallel to our line of march. 1875 Jowett Plato
(ed. 2) III. 414 Whether in actual battle or on a march.
1876 Voyle & Stevenson Milit. Diet.. Column of March,
a formation assumed by troops on the line of march.
c. Applied to steady progression of animals on
a long journey. Also, with reference to persons,
a long and toilsome walk.
1691 Ray Creation 11. (1692) 124 The swiftness and con-
tinuance of the march, for which this Animal [the camel} is
almost indefatigable. 1697 Drydkn Virg. Georg. iv. 86 The
Motions of their hasty Flight attend ; And know to Floods,
or Woods, their airy March they [Bees] l>end. 1705 Addi-
son Italy 238 We came to the Roots of the Mountain, and
had a very troublesome March to gain the Top of it. 183a
Lytton Eugene A. 1. ii, I have had a long march of it.
1888 Harpers Mag. July 198/2, I knew they [sc. elephants]
would be on the march again before daylight.
d. In comb, with following adv., forming nouns
of action to phrases of the verb, as march out, a
sortie; march past (see quot. 1876).
1863 Illustr. Lond.Nen.us 27 June 706/1 During the inarch
past the band played. 1869 A. W. Ward tr. Curtins1 Hist.
Greece II. m. i. 273 Themistocles insisted upon a second
march-out against the enemy. 1876 Voyle & Stevenson
Mtlit. Diet., March Past, an expression made use of when
a regiment or any larger body of men pass in review order
before the sovereign or reviewing officer.
2. transf. tund fig. Advance, forward movement,
progress. Also, course or direction of advance.
a. With reference to the * journey ' of life.
a 1625 Fletcher Hum. Lieut. III. v, Our lives are but our
martches to our graves. 1804 Campbell Soldier's Dream
iv, I flew to the pleasant fields travers'd so oft In life's
morning march, when my bosom was young. 1816 Byron
Ch, Har. in. xcviii, We may resume The march of our exist-
ence. 1871 Morlev Voltaire (1886) 6 Voltaire's march was
prepared for him, before he was born.
b. Of physical things.
1683 A. Snaps Anat. Horse 1. xxviii. 63 [The Veins] con-
tinue their march through the Allantoides to the Chorion.. .
Their [sc. Arteries] march and insertions are the same with
those of the Vein. 1704 COWPBB Needless Alarm 29 The
sun, accomplishing his early march. 1899 Allhutt's Syst.
Med. VI. 108 Mediastinal cancer, .makes its onward march
involving whatever may come in its path. Ibid. VII. 260
Then followed a march of a sensation of pins and needles
down the opposite side of the body. Ibid. 290 No exact
description is given of the march of the spasms.
C. Of time, events, population, etc.
a 1797 H.Wai.pole Mem. Geo. Ill (1845)1. 1.3 The regular
march of history. 1798 Malthl's Poput. (1817) II. 40 l'he
march of the population in both periods seems to have been
nearly the same. 1833 Lamb Elia Ser. it. Pref., He did not
conform to the march of time. 1833 Erasers Mag. VIII.
343 The common person [is] sadly puzzled to understand
the ordonnance and march of the ploL 185a Grote Greece
11. Ixxii. (1856) IX. 259 Doubtless each [Lysandrian Dek-
archy] had its own peculiar march : some were less tyran-
nical; but perhaps some even more tyrannical [than the
Thirty at Athens]. 1871 Freeman Norm. Com/. (1876) IV.
xviii. 108 These Northumbrian disturbances had little
bearing on the general march of events.
d. Of knowledge, etc., esp. in the phrase march
of intellect or mind. Also attrib.
Very common (esp. in ironical allusion) between 1827 ithe
date of the foundation of the Society for the Diffusion of
Useful Knowledge) and 1850.
1827 Gentl. Mag. XCVII. 11. p. ii, What is ' the march of
intellect '—The mighty march of mind ? 1833 R. H. Froude
Rem. (1838) I. 309, I tried hard to get up the march-of-nund
phraseology about pictures and statues. 1844 S. R. Mait-
land Dark Ages 185 He was quite a march-of-intellect
man. 185a Tennyson Ode Wellington 167 And drill the
raw world for the march of mind, Till crowds at length be
sane and crowns be just.
3. Alii. The portion of marching done continu-
ously; the distance covered by troops in one clay.
Forced march : see Forced///. a. 3.
1594 Shaks. Rich. Ill, v. ii. 13 From Tamworth thither,
is but one dayes march. 1650 R. Stai-ylton Straita's
Low C* Warres vn. 77 He by long Marches passing the
Rhine came to Delph in Holland. 1724 De Foe Mem.
Cavalier (1840) 171 It gave the king a full day's march of
him. 1813 Wellington in Gurw. Desp. (1838) X. 431 The
army are. .within two or three marches oftheEbro. 1895
United Scrvhe Mag. July 430 The precautions for the
night march to prevent a light from being seen.
fig. 1845 Longk. Belfry of Bruges, Carillon, Still I heard
those magic numbers, As they loud proclaimed the Might
And stolen marches of the night.
b. Phrases. To {gain, get) ft march on or upon :
to get ahead of to the extent of a march. To steal
a march (on or upon) : to gain a march by stealth ;
often fig.
1707 Lond. Gaz. No 4353/3 His Royal Highness hath
gain'd a March upon Monsieur de Guebriant. 1745 H. Wal-
tole Lett. (1846) II. 59 The young Pretender, .has got a
march on General Cope. 1833 Markyat P. Simple xxu'i,
We must be off early,, .and steal a long march upon them.
4. The regular and uniform step of a body of
men, esp. oi troops. Also with qualifying adj., as
double, quick, slow march. See also Quick MARCH 1.
1773-83 Hoole Qrl, Eur. xvi. 566 So loud their march,
the Scots suspended hear, They leave their ranks and stain
their fame with fear. 1820 Shelley Ode to Naples 127
Hear ye the march as of the Earth-born Forms Arrayed
against the everliving Gods ? 1889 Infantry Drill 25 The
length of which [plummet-string], .must be as follows for
the different degrees of march. Ibid. 29 The Slow March.
Ibid. 31 The Quick March. Ibid. 32 The Double March.
b. fig. Diverse: Rhythmic movement.
1635-56 Cowley Davideis 1. 450 Till all the Parts and
Words their Places take And with just Marches Verse and
Musick make. 1737 Pope Hor. Epist. it. i, 269 But Dryden
taught to join The varying verse, the full resounding line,
The long majestic march, atid Energy divine.
5. Mil. A beating of the drum in a particular
rhythm as an accompaniment to the marching of
troops.
c 157a Gascoignk Fruites Wane, L'enuoie, If drummes
once sounde a lustie martch in deede, Then farewell bookes,
for he will trudge with speede. 1617 MoRYSON /tin. in. 267
A man can hardly distinguish belweene the beating of the
drums of the Sweitzers, and Germans, saue that the former
march is more graue and slow. 1727-41 Chambers Cycl. S.V.
Drum, There are divers beats of the Drum : as the march,
double march, assembly, charge [etc.]. 1781 SlMES Milit.
Guide led. 3) 12 The general beats at 2 ; the assemble* at 3 ;
and the march in 20 minutes after. Ibid., The drummers
are to beat a march, and fifers play at the head of the line.
Q. Mus. A tunc or composition of marked rhythm
(of which the rhythmical drum-beats, sense 5,
originally formed the essential, and still often
form a subsidiary, part', designed to accompany
the marching of troops, etc. ; also any composition
of similar character and form ; usually in common
time, and with a subsidiary intermediate section or
'trio*. So also march past. Dead march', see
DEAD D. 2 ; also funeral march. Rogue's march,
wedding march (see Rogue, Wedding).
1603 Dkkker King's Eutcrt. (1604) E 2, Nine Trumpets,
and a Kettle Drum, did very sprightly & actiuely sound
the Danish March. 1706 AooisoN Rosamond 1. iv, 'Tis
Henry's March! the tune I know. 17x0 Dancing' Master
II. 29 Duke of Marlborough's March. Ibid. 221 The foot-
guards march : Or, Boatswain William's Delight. 1784
Cowper Task iv. 647 He hates the field, in which no fife
or drum Attends him, drives his cattle to a march [etc.].
1 8m Byron Werner iv. i. 272 I'll play you King GustavuV
march. 1839 Longp. Psalm of Life iv, Our hearts .. Still,
like muffled drums, are beating Funeral marches to the
grave. 1876 Voyle & Stevenson Milit. Diet. 244/1 Each
regiment in the British service has its special march for
marching past. 1896 Newnham-Davis Three Men <V a God
77, 1 could hear Kelley . . whistling the regimental march-past.
b. attrib., as in march-movement , -time,
1864 Browning D1s aliter visum viii, Schumann's oHr
music-maker now; Has his march-movement youth and
mouth ?
7. Euchre. (See quot.) [Cf. It. marcio (a lurch
or maiden set at any game ' (Florio).]
1886 Euchre; hotv to play it 108 March, where all the
tricks are made by one side. 1895 in Funk's Stand, Did.
(with phrase to make a march).
II. Various senses adopted from F. marche.
+ 8. Foot-print (of an otter). Obs. rare— h (Cf.
Mark sb.1 13 c.)
c 1410 Master of Game {MS. Digby 182) x, Men clepeth
bat pe siepes or be marches of be Otyr, as men clepeth be
traces of be herte.
9. Chess, etc. The move of a ' man *.
1672 BARBIES Sauls Earn, Game Chesse iv, ^yhat is the
draught or marche of each peece. 1850 Bonus Haud/k.
Games 503 (Polish Draughtsj The march of the Pawn.. is
the same as in the English game.
Jig* ^7 Greene Carde of E ancle (1593) E, Houer'mg
betweene feare and hope, hee began the assault with this
march. Madame (quoth he) for that [etc.].
10. Weaving. (See quot.)
1875 Knight Diet. Mech. 1393/2 March (Weaving), one of
the short laths laid across the treadles under the shafts.
March. (majtJ"), z».l Forms : 4 marchen, 4-6
marche, 6 Sc, mairch, mearch, 6-7 merch, 5
march. [In sense I, a. OF. marchir, f. marche
March *M Tn sense 2, f. March sK* \ cf. obs. F.
marcher to bound ^Rabelais).]
1. inir. To border upon; to have a common
frontier with. Formerly also + const, to, unto.
Said of countries, estates, etc., and hence of their
rulers, owners, or inhabitants.
c Xj3o R. Brusse Chrou. Wace (Rolls) 7929 He graunted
hem panne to haue Southsex, Oxenfordschire, & Middelsex,
ffor pey marchen vpon Kent. 137S Barbour Bruce \. 99
Till occupy Landis, that war till him marcheand. ta 1411
I ,yog. Two Merck. 16 This riche lond . . With Sorry marchith
toward thorient. 1481 Caxton Myrr. 11. ii. 66 Europe.,
endureth fro the weste unto the north, Sc marcheth vnto
Asie. 15x5 St, Papers Hen. VIII, II. 19 Orayly is the
stiongeyst Iryshe rebell that marcheyth with the countye
of Meathe. c 1530 Ld. Berners Arth. Lyt. Bryt. (1814) 100
Ioynynge to thys erledome there marched a duchy. 1598
Hakluvt Voy. I. 65 The .. Don, vpon the banke whereof
86-2
MARCH.
156
MARCHING.
marcheth a certain prince. 1818 Scott Hrl. Midi, xxviii,
She displayed so much kindness to Jeanie Deans, (because
she herself, being a Merse woman, marched with Mid-
Lothian, in which Jeanie was born) [etc.]. 1822 Galt Pro.
vost xl. (1868) 117 A piece of ground that marched with the
spot whereon it was intended to construct the new building.
1883 Arnold- Forster in 19//; Cent. Sept. 399 Nor do they
refrain from fighting because they march on each other and
do a good business across the frontier. 1889 Tunes 25 Feb.
9/4 The frontiers of Dakota, Montana, and Washington
march with the Canadian Dominion.
+ b. ? To join. Obs.
The quots. may possibly belong to March v.-
1377 Langl. P. Pi. B. lJrol. 63 Many of bis mai.stres Freris
mowe clothen hem at lykyng, For here money and marchan-
dise marchen [1362 meeten ofte] togideres. a 1578 Lindksay
iPilscottie) Citron. Scot. (S. T. 6.) I. 270 The Inglischemen
war all come ower the brige and the wangaird was neir
mearchant togither. Then the trumpitis blew .. and the
uangairdis ioynitt togither.
f 2. ? To serve for the defence of a frontier. Obs.
1577-87 Harrison England 1. xU. in Holinshed, At this
Poulruan is a tower of force, marching against the tower
on Fawy side.
f3. trans. To fix the bounds of; to mark the
boundaries of with landmarks. Sc. Obs.
1541 Aberdeen Reg. XVII. (Jam.), The Baillie ordanit the
lynaris to pass to the ground of the said tenement, and lyne
and marche the same. 1588 Burgh Pec. Glasgow (1876)
I. 121 And to stob and merche the samyn [landis] that the
quantitie may be knawin. 1659 A. Hay Diary (S. H. S.)
42, [I] did set fut-stons and meich and meith all the propertie
of Locarthill wher it is contiguous wl Symontoun.
March (maatj), v.1 Also 6 mersh, merch,
6-7 martch. [a. F. marcher ', orig. to tread, tram-
ple (12th c), hence, to walk. In the specific mili-
tary application the word has been adopted not
only in Eng. but in other European langs., as Sp.,
Pg. marchar, It. mar Hare, G. marschiren, Du.
marcheren, Da. marsckere, Sw\ marschera.
The etymology of F. marcher \% obscure; the prevailing
view is that the oldest recorded sense ' to trample ' was de-
veloped from a sense ' to hammer \ and that the word repre-
sents a Gaulish Latin */uarcdre, f. L. marcus hammer.)
1. intr. To walk in a military manner with
regular and measured tread ; of a body of men or
troops, to walk in step, to go forward with a
regular and uniform movement. Also, to begin to
walk in step ; to start on a march, to set out from
quarters. Also with advbs., as away, forth, for-
ward, off, on, out, past.
? i$\$Scotish Field 146 in Percy Foi. I. 2i9Thenhebowneth
him bold lye ouer the broad waters, ft manlye him Marcheth
[Lyme MS. (Chetham Misc. 1856 II) reatis marketh) to
the Mill feelde. (11548 Hall Chron., Rich, III 39 The
duke with all his power mershed through the forest of
deane. 1591 Garrard's Art ilza>re 54 They, .which march
in the formost ranckes. 1617 Moryson /tin. m. 267 When
they are to march, the law commands them to lay aside all
priuate quarrels. 1710 Lond. Gaz. No. 4710/1 The Garrison
marched out.. in the Forenoon. 174a Poie Dune. iv. 101
There march'd the bard and blockhead, side by side. 1781
SiMKS Milit. Guide (ed. 31 12 The army marches to-morrow.
Ibid., The field-pieces inarch with the columns. 1828 Scot r
F. M. Perth xxxiv, The champions were now ordered to
march in their turns around the lists. 1844 H. H. Wilson
Brit. India II. 453 The troops marched against the Arabs.
1855 Tennyson Maud 1. v. 10 Singing of men that in battle
array, . . March with banner and bugle and fife. To the
death, i860 Iitustr. Land. News 23 June 59S/3 When her
Majesty returns to the Royal standard the volunteers will
march past in quick time.
t b. Conjugated with be. Obs,
1597 Shaks. 2 Hen. IV, n. i. 187 Fifteene hundred Foot,
fiue hundred Horse Are march'd vp to my Lord of Lan-
caster. 1648 Hamilton Papers (Camden) 206 His tertia,
consisting of 5 regiments, is alreadie marcht. 1707 Freind
Peterborozv's Cond. Sp. (ed. 2, corrected; 220, 1 hope Collonel
Wills is March'd.
C. fig.
1684 T. Hockin Gods Decrees 352 In the camp, where sin
and vice did march uncontroul'd. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg.
in. 370 The spumy Waves proclaim the watry War; And
mounting upwards, with a mighty Roar, March onwards, and
insult the rocky Shoar. 1711 Addison Spect. No. 34 P 11
Having thus taken my Resolutions to march on boldly in
the Cause of Virtue and good Sense.
d. quasi-lrans. To go upon (a warfare) ; to
traverse (a distance) in marching. Also rarely
trans, by ellipsis of prep.
1619 Sir J. Sempill Sacrilege Handled App. 38 Whether
we march a Warfare in our Conquering Word, Dieu et mon
droit ; If [etc.]. 1813 T. Busby Lucretius I. in. 1240 He. .
bade his legion march the briny main. 1884 J. Colborne
Hicks Pasha 27 Forty-five miles have to be traversed ; this
will be marched in three days.
e. Mil. Used in the imperative as a word of
command. Also march on.
'593 Shaks. Rich. If, m. Hi. 61 March on, and marke
King Richard how he lookes. 1760 New Manual Exerc.
(ed. 3) 4 On the Word March, the Officers stepping off with
their Left-feet [etc.]. 183a Regul. fustr. Cavalry in. 116
Walk, Trot, or Gallop, March. 1833 Ibid. 1. 21 The word
March, given singly, at all times denotes that ' slow time '
is to be taken.
2. To walk in a steady or deliberate manner; to
go, proceed, travel. Also with advbs., as off, on, out.
157a Lament. Lady Scotland '332 in Satir.Pocnts Reform.
xxxiii, ' Becaus', quod thay, * that ;e alone tuik Pryde, And
thocht that we suldnot marche 50W besyde '. 1585 T. Wash-
ington tr. Nichotay's r'oy. n. xxv. 66 If a man did see
them (Graecian women] as they do march, he woulde take
them to be Nymphcs. 1594 T. B. La Primaud. Fr.
Acaii. n. 409 That God hath made them men, and not
beastes ramping on the earth, or marching vpon all foure.
1604 E. GLrimstone] D'Acosta's Hist. Indies 1. iii. 13 In
my trauell passing the great gulfes of the Ocean, and
marching by other regions of so strange lands. 1634 W.
Tirwhyt tr. Balzac's Lett. (vol. D77 From thence I march
into a meddow. 1735 Pope Donne Sat. iv. 249 Thus fin-
ish'd,..They march, to prate their hour before the Fair.
1770 Mme. D'Arblay Early Diary 7 Feb., Tea being over,
we marched into a larger room, and minuets were begun.
1810 Splendid Follies 1. 156 Do march on and shew the
village lions. 185a Mrs. Stowk Uncle Tom's C. xxv, Miss
Ophelia marched straight to her own chamber. 1896 A. E.
Housman Shropshire Lad xvii, Now in Maytime to the
wicket Out I march with bat and pad.
Jig. 1 1586 C'tess Pembroke Ps. l. vii, Loe, thou see'st
I march another pace And come with truth thy falshood to
disclose.
3. In various transf. and fig. senses, a. Of in-
animate things : To travel, go with a steady and
regular movement.
1604 E. G[rimstone] D'Acostds Hist. Indies 1. ii. 7 This
space and region by which they faine that stars do con-
tinually march and rowle. 163a Lithgow Trav. ix. 392,
I haue seene in an euening march along for Recreation
aboue 60 coaches. 185a Clolgh Songs in Absence i. 6
Without a strain the great ship marches by.
b. To advance, make progress. Also to march on.
1648 J. Beaumont Psyche 111. lxiii, So wrought this
nimble Artist, and admir'd Her self to see the Work march
on so fast. 1856 Kane A ret. Expl. I. xvii. 200 His symp-
toms marched rapidly to their result. 1868 J. H. Blunt
Rcf. Ch. Eng. I. 250 After this events marched quickly.
i88a Serjt. Ballantine Expcr. ii. 14 Bricks and mortar,
marching in all directions, have eaten up many a green field.
1884 Pall Mall G. 12 Aug. 3/1 The Congress at Versailles
is at last beginning to march. 1889 Skrine Mem. E. Hiring
203 It was the president who made the enterprise march.
+ e. To be assigned to a specified rank or position
in a series ; to * rank ' with, after, etc. Obs.
1600 E. Blount tr. Coucstaggio 69 Making them march
in one degree of equall Justice with their inferiours. 16*5
Hart Anat. Ur. 1. iv. 37 My purpose is, first to propound
some reasons against the same : and in the next place shall
march some authorities of the learned. 1630 R. Johnson's
Kiugd. ty Comtttw. 96 Nor are our Cities of sufficiencie to
march in the first ranke of magnificence. 1640 Bp. Hall
Episc. in. i. 208 These [Elders] sometimes marched with the
highest offices; 50 we have Elders and Iudges, .. Princes
and Elders.
fd. To march off: (a) to become a bankrupt;
(b) to die. Obs.
1683 Luttrell Brief Ret. (1857) '■ "51 Mr. Temple, an
eminent banker.., is lately broke for £150,000, and tis
thought severall of that calling will march off also. 1693-4
Wood Life Jan. (O. H. S.1 III. 441 Lord Sidney, .was taken
also with a fit, and would have marched off, had it not been
for. .Dr. Radciiffhis physitian.
4. trans, (causativelyj. To cause to march or
move in military order.
1595 Shaks. John in, i. 246 [Shall we) Vn-sweare faith
sworne, and on the marriage bed Of smiling peace to march a
bloody hoast? j6aa in Buccteuch MSS. (Hist. MSS.Comm.)
I. 527 There are great numbers both of horse and foot raised
and inarched into divers parts of this our Kingdom. 1701
Luttrkll Brief Ret. (1857) V. 9 That they may be ready to
march them on any occasion. 1734 Ds Foe Me m. Cavalier
(1840) 66 As they were wheeled, or marched, or retreated
by their officers.
b. To cause (a person) to walk or go, to force-
to go, to conduct. Also to march off.
1884 Afanch. Exam. 4 June 4/7 Many a Persian peasant
..has been marched off captive by Turcoman slave-raiders.
1896' M. Field' Attilaw. 45, I should be glad to march you
to the gate.
March, obs. or dial, form of Marsh.
Marchal(e, -all, obs. forms of Marshal.
Marehalsey, -sy(e, eta, vars. Marsh alcy, -sea.
Marchand, -ant, etc.: see Merchant, etc.
II Marchantia (maikce"ntia). [mod.L. : f. the
name of a French botanist N. Marchant {a 167S).]
A genus of plants including the liverwort (M. poly-
tnorpha) ; a plant of this genus.
i86x H. Macmillan Footn. Nature 51 The most interest-
ing of all the scale-mosses is the common marchantia or
liverwort {Marchantia polymorpha).
Marchas(s)ite, obs. forms of Marcasite.
Marchasye, obs. form of Marshalsea.
Marchaulcy, -ausy: see Makshalcy, -sea.
Marchaund, -aunt, etc.: see Merchant, etc
Marche : see March sbA, wild celery.
Marcheis, obs. pi. March sb:1, obs. f. Marquis.
Marchell, obs. form of Marshal.
Marcher1 ;mautj3j). Obs. exc. Hist. Also 5
marchere, marcheyre, marchowr, 5-6 roar-
chier, 5, 7 marchour, 7 murcheour, -iour. [f.
March jA~ + -er; there may have been an AF.
*marchier.']
+ 1. One whose territory adjoins that of another.
Const, to. [Cf. med.L. marchio.~\ Obs.
c 1440 Partonope 5044, 5047 Ther ys no lord that now ys heere
Bat he ys in lond A marchere To som of lords afore sayd.
Eche of hem therfore wold be wyll payde To haue hym a
kyng to whom he ys marcheyre.
2. An inhabitant of a march or border district.
1470 in \oth Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 308 Who that
ever marchour, be he I rishe or Inglish . . if such marchour take
ony chalaunge or action againste ony man duellyng within
the saide citie. 1607 Cowell Inlerpr., Marchers, be the
noble men dwelling on the Marches of Wales or Scotland :
who in times past, had their priuate lawes, much like as if
they had beene Kings. x6ia Davies Why Ireland, etc.
(1787) 132 And euery lord of a country') and euery marcher,
made war and peace at his pleasure. i6zi Bolton Stat.
/re/. Kp. Ded. a 4 b, Many of those Stat. .. concerning
Marchiors. .are. .repealed, ibid. 14 The said Marcheour>
..doe guide the said Irish enemies and their theeues into
the English countrey. 01648 Lu. Herbert //en. U'/lf
(1683) 492 That Marchers should dwell upon their March
Lands. 175a Carte Hist. Fug. III. 166 Sir Thomas Whar-
ton and Sir W. Musgrave advancing against them with a
body of marchers they fell into confusion. 1856 Frouue
Hist. Eng. II. 269 The robber chief instantly rose and
attacked the pale. The Marchers opened their lines to give
his banditti free passage.
b. Lord Marcher (pi. Lords Marchers'), a lord
who enjoyed royal liberties and had exclusive juris-
diction over territory in the marches which he
obtained by border warfare. Hence Lordship
Marcher, territory so obtained and held.
1449 Rolls of Parlt V. 151 '1 The Lordes Marchiers, of
the whiche such misdoers. .holden ther Londes. 1535-6
Act 27 Hen. V///, c 26 § 19 The Lordes Marchers..
have used to putt their tenauntes within their Lordshippes
Marchers under suche common maynprise [etc]. 1614 Sel-
DEN Titles Hon. 216 The ancient Lords Marchers of Wales.. .
Of these Marchers mention is in the Statute of Prerogative :
Exceptis Fcodis Comitum 9f Baronum de Marchia.
01648 Ld. Herbert Hen. K///(i683) 435 Insomuch, that
in at>out some 141 Lordships Marchers.. many strange and
discrepant Customs were practised. 1700 Tyrrell /list.
Eng. II. 913 A day.. was assigned for. .the Lords Marchers
to appoint Arbitrators. 1863 Sat. Rev. 384 While the Lords
Marchers did the border this good service, they grew apace
in powers of combined action.
t c. Earl Marcher : used for Margrave.
1630 A'. Johnfon's Kiugd. fy Commw. 402 Saros Patak,
where the Palatine or Earle-marcher of that part of Hun-
garia. .usually keeps his residence.
f 3. A border-territory or march. Obs.
1475^*. Noblesse (Roxb.) 45 Carenten, and Valoigney,
withe alio othir forteressis and villages in that marcher.
4. attrib., as marcher-baron, -lord, -town.
1570-6 Lambarde Pereunb. Kent (1826) 187 It is a fron-
tier, and MarchierTowneof thisShyre. 1841 Hartshorns
Salop. Antiq. 497* Marcher Lords. Ibid. 498 This policy
led to the erection of the Marcher Lordships. 1877 Green
Hist. Eng. People 1. 305 Indignities which the Marcher-lords
had offered to the body of the great Earl. 1887 Diet. Nat.
Biog. XL 72/2 Representing the marcher barons.
Hence Ma'rchership, the office of Lord Marcher.
1859 Parker Turners Dom. Archil. III. it. vii. 372 All
this area was parcelled out into marcherships, holding from
the English crown 'by the sword* only. 1875 Stl'bbs
Const. Hist. II. xvi. 341 Wales, where the chief marcher-
ships were in the hands of the great English earls.
Marcher2 (mautjaj). [f. Makch z^ + 'Er'.]
1. One who marches or walks. Chiefly with adjs.
of qualification.
t 1611 Chapman /Had xix. 162 Thirst, hunger, . .take away
a marcher's knees, a 1661 Holvday Juvenal (1673) 23
What nettle thus, great marcher (L. Gradive}, does inflame
Thy nephews? 1809 Sir J. Moore 10 Jan. in Jas. Moore
Camp. Spain 199 Soldiers who pretend to be bad marchers.
1869 E. A. Pakkes Pract. Hygiene (ed. 3) 394 The best
marchers are men of middle size.
i 2. Some part of a draw-net. Obs.
1717 Bradley Fam. Diet. s. v. Dratv Net, Fasten it, by
1 1 tting some of the Ends of the Marcher //. against the
Slick //.
Marches, obs. form of Marquis.
11 Marcliesa (marktv*za). [It. : fem. of Mar-
chess.] in Italy: A marchioness.
1797 Mrs. Raocliefe Italian i, The Marchesa had ob-
served his absence. 1878 L. W. M. Lock hart Mine is
I hine I. iv. 75 The favourite maid of an Italian marchesa.
Marchesal : see Marquisal.
II Marchese [mzxVe-ie),sb. [It.: see Marquis.]
In Italy : A marquis.
1517 Torkington Pilgr. (1884) ii All these thyngs I sawe
whanne they war shewyd to the Marchose {tread Mar-
chese] of Mantua. 1754 Richardson Grandison (ed. 8vo) III.
ii. 14 The Marchese della Porretta..is a nobleman of great
merit. 1797 Mrs. Radcliiee Italian i, But the Marchese
did not return home till after Vincentio. 1806 Charlotte
Dacre Zofioya I. 2 At this time the Marchese di Loredani
had been married seventeen years.
t Marchese, ^. Obs, [ad. obs. Y. marchiser
(Cotgr.),f. ///ff/r//i\MARCHJA.2] intr. -Marchzj.*
1535 Ld. Hkkners Froiss. II. xxii. 48 Which countie
. . marchesed on the countre of Tholousin.
Marchese, obs. form of Marshalsea.
Marchesit(e, obs. forms of Marcasite.
Marchesse, obs. pi. of March ja.:[
Marchet, obs. form of Market, Merchet.
Marchier, obs. form of Marcher1.
Marchies, obs. pL of March sb.*
Marching (ma\itjir/), vbLsb. [f. March v.2
+ -ing '.] '1 he action of March v.'" ; an instance
of this.
1560 Uible (Genev.) 1 Mace. vi. 41 All they that heard the
noyce of their multitude, and the marching of the companie,
..were astonished. 1617 Moryson Itin. iv. iv. iii. (1903)
379 No people .. vseth lesse Ceremonyes and Pompous
shewes or marchings, in festiuall solemmtyes than those of
the Vnited Provinces. 17*4 De Foe Mem. Cavalier (1840)
53 The discipline and order of their marchings, camping,
and exercise was excellent. 1855 Browning An Epistle^
The country-side is all on fire With rumours of a marching
hitherward. 1861 W. H. Russell in Times 24 Sept., The
drills., are still of the most elementary character, but their
marching is very good indeed.
MABCHING.
157
MARCIONIST.
fb. The move of a chess-man. Obs. rare"1.
1562 Rowboiham Play of C beasts A vij, Bcholde here his
march inges, and his libertie prouided that he haue had tio
checke.
c. Marching-past. The action of performing the
1 march past ' (March sbA 1 d). Also attrib,
1833 Regul. lustf. Cavalry 1. 37 In marching past, the
Lieutenant-Colonel is to 1>e in front of the leading Troop.
i860 Ulustr. Loud. News 23 June 59S/3 During the march-
ing past the Staff, .will be drawn up opposite the Royal
standard. 1896 Newnham-Davis Three Men <y a God izo
On marching-past parade.
d. attrib. and Comb.: marching day, front, music ',
parade; fmarching malady, ? (of a horse) illness
caused by travelling; marching money (see quot. ; ;
marching order, equipment for marching ; //.,
orders to march.
1781 Simes Milit. Guide (ed. 3) 8 On 'marching days, he
follows the Major-general of the day with the encampment.
1888 Encycl. Brit. XXIV. 362/2 The men marched eight
abreast. .. This unusually wide *niarching front was taken
up by the infantry. 1621 J. Taylor (Water P.) Taylors
Motto A 4 b marg., I will turne Farrier. I doe not thinke
that any Horse-leech can blazon such a pedigree of •march-
ing maladies. 1837 Coll. Warrants <y Regul. Army (1844)
7 A daily Allowance in South Britain of *Marching Money
. . as the payment to the Innkeeper for the hot meal which
he is required to furnish to the Soldier. 1853 Stocqi;eler
Mil. Encycl., Marching Money, the additional pay which
officers and soldiers receive for the purpose of covering the
expenses necessarily incurred when marching from one place
to another. 1866 Carlyle Inaug. Addr. 197 A kind of
road-melody or *marching-music of mankind. 1867 Smyth
Sailors Word-bk. , * Marching order. A soldier fully
equipped, .carries from 30 to 35 lbs. In service marching
order., he carries nearly 50 lbs. But heavy marching order
..was yet heavier. 1848 Thackeray I 'an. Fair xx, The
Duke's in Belgium already, and we expect marching orders
every day. 1791 Bentham Panopt. Postscr. 168 Even the
roof of the building, mijjht. .be made to answer the purpose
of a [prisoner's] "marching parade.
t Marching, ppl a.l Obs. [f. March z>.i +
-WO3.] That marches or adjoins; that serves as
a march.
1444 Rett* o/Parlt. V. 108/1 The seide Shire of North-
umberland, is marchyng to the Scottes the Kynges Ene-
myes. 1548 Udall Erasm. Par. Luke v. 33 He was as
a marchyng bordre betwene the lawe y* should afterward
ceasse, & the libertee of the ghospell shortely after to arise.
1577 Harrison England in. iv. in Holius/u-d 103/2 In old
tynie he onelie was called Marquise, Qui habuit tcrram
limitaneam, a marching prouince vpon the enimies coun-
treis.
Marching (maMtJirj), ppl. a.1 [f. March v.-
+ -ing -'.J That marches.
1. Mil. That marches or is used in marching.
Marching regiment (see quot. 1802).
1667 in iotk Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. A pp. v. 31 Your
petitioners were directed by the Lieutenant of his Majesties
Ordnance to make a marching barricade, to carry six small
gunns. 1690 Luttrell Brief Ret. (1857) II. 2 He should
provide two hospitalls. ., a fixt one and a marching one.
*775 Sheridan Rivals m. i, This is my return, .for putting
him, at twelve years old, into a marching regiment. 180a
C. James Milit. Diet., Marching Regiments, a term given
to those corps who had not any permanent quarters, but
were liable to be sent not only from one end of Great
Britain to the other, but to the most distant of her posses-
sions abroad. 1883 Pall Mall G. 7 Dec. 3/1 All this does
not mean that the Mahdi will have an effective marching
army wherewith to advance on Egypt. 1885 Athen<vum
18 Apr. 502/: From the point of view of the inarching soldier
the physical aspect of the country .. is far from attractive.
2. Progressive.
184a J. Aiton Domcst. Econ. (1857) 56 These pushing,
marching, money-making times.
tMarchion. Obs. In 4 marchiun, 5 Sc.
marchon, raerschion. [ad. med.L. marchion-emt
f. marca Mark, March sb.s (The med.L. equiva-
lent of Marquis.)] A captain of the marches.
a 1380 Si, Augustine 1609 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1878)
89 Men of Papye Weren itake. .Of be marchiun of Malaspyu
And in a prison put. c 1450 Holland Hmulat 328 Goiss
Halkis war..Marchonis in the mapamond. Ibid. 685 Mer-
schionisof mychtis.
tMarchionat. Obs. mnr*. [ad. med.L.
tnarchiondt-usi f. marchidn-em : see prec] Mar-
quisate or ' march ' (of Ancona).
"449 Pbcock Rcpr. in. xiii. 359 Matilde a greet ladi
which 3af the greet .. marchionat of Anchon to the pope.
Marchioness (maujanes). Also 7 -esse, -isse,
marquionesse. [ad. med.L. marchionissa, f. mar-
chion-e/n : sec Marchion and -BBS,]
1. The wife or widow of a marquis, or a lady
holding in her own right the position equal to
that of marquis.
Utoivn Rymer' s Fccdcra XIV. 477/1 Cum.. Domina Anna,
tunc Marchionissa Penbrochia:, nunc vero Regina]. 15..
Bk. Precedence in Q. Eliz. Acad, (i860) 14 Item, a dukes
daughter is borne a Marchionesse. Ibid. 15 A Marquesse
must goe after his Creation.., and the Marchionesse his
wife according to the same. 1611 Cotgr., Marquise, a
Marchionesse. 1613 Shaks., etc. Hen. VIII, 11. iii. 63 The
.^"gsMaiesty . . Doe's purpose honour to you no lesse flow-
r&* d Marcnionesse of Pembrooke. 1615 Thomas Lai.
Dict.,Prasses limitaneus,a marques, or marquionesse. C1630
KisDON Surv. Devon § 312 (1810) 324 The lady marchioness
ot Winton. 1631 B. Jonson Underwoods c. Elegy on Lady
rtrwV"1' Shee was the LadV Jane» and Marchionisse
Ut Winchester; the Heralds can tell this. 1829 Lytton
Disowned xl, His day with the beautiful marchioness was
over. 1883 Encycl. Brit. XV. 565/1 His [a marquis*] wife,
' who also is ' most honourable ', is a marchioness, and is styled
' my lady marchioness '.
b. allusive, A maid-of-all-work.
[1840 Dickens Old C. Shop lvii, ' To make it seem more
real and pleasant, I shall call you the Marchioness, do you
hear?' The small servant nodded.] 1883 Sai.a in lllustr.
Lond. A' 24 Nov. 499/1 A little bit of a maid-of-all-work...
This 'Marchioness ..has., been the object of the most
astounding ' manifestations '. 1885 ' J. S. Winter ' Booties'
Baby ii. 36 To develop into the unnaturally widened and
unkempt band of a ' Marchioness'.
2. A kind of pear. (Cf. Marciuis 4, Marquise 2.)
1706 London & Wise Retired Card. I. 32 The Marchioness.
..'Tis very butterish, and of a sweet Muskish Juice. 1875
Hogg Fruit Man. (ed. 4) 479.
3. A size of slate measuring 22 inches by 11, or
20 by 1 2.
1878' D. C, Davies Stale <y Slate Quarrying 136 Prin-
cesses . . Duchesses . . Marchionesses . . Countesses.
Marchiour, obs. form of Marcher 1.
Marchis, obs. pi. March sb*, obs. f. Marquis.
Marchiun, variant of Marchion Obs.
Ma'rch-land. [& March sb.% r Land s6, (OE.
had mearc-land in the same sense.)] Land com-
prising the marches of a country; a border territory;
border-land, frontier-land.
1536 St. Papers Hen. VI If, 1 1. 369 Litle ynough . . for the
surveiyng of the Kinges marche landes. 1611 Speed Hist.
Gt. Brit. ix. viij. § 36. 552 Some march-lands betwixt two
neighbour-Nations. 1869 Freeman Norm. Conq. (1876) III.
xiii. 315 A warrior from the marchland of Tours and Blois.
1893 T. F. Tout Edward I, xi. 186 In the great marchland
of Glamorgan one Morgan broke out in rebellion.
March-man. Obs. t\c. Hist. Also 5 marches-
man, ff. March sb.'-> + Man sb.]
1. An inhabitant of the marches or borders.
a 1400-50 A lexandcr 2540 Awaterc.pat with ba marches-
men [Dublin MS. marche-men] Mocian was batten. 1494
Fabyan Chron. vii. 634 They., gatheryd to them a stronge
hoost of men, as of Marchemen and other. 1586 Ferne
Blaz.Gentrie 136 In the old Teutch or Dutch speach be
was called a Manjuier, that is to saye the marche- man or
frontier man. 1617 Drayton Agincourt, etc. 9 Of March-
men mustring a rebellious Band, Henry againe his South-
erne people prest. 1805 Scott Last M'tnstr. 1. xxx, Now
Bowden Moor the march-man won, And sternly shook his
plumed head. 1889 Rcskin Prxtcrita III. 172 The march-
men, .of Cheviot.
2. = Marksman 4 (see quot. 1S13 there).
Marchon, variant of Marchion Obs,
Marchour, obs. form of Marcher \
Marchpane (ma*xtfp**n), marzipan (ma'jzi-
pae'n). Forms: a. 5, 8 marchpayne, 6 marche
payne, -pane, (martspaine, martchpane\
march pain, (-payine, -pine), 7 marchpayn,
(6, 9 marchpan), 6-7 marchpaine, 6- march-
pane. 0. 6-7 mazapane. 7. 6 marzepaine,
9 marzipan, (marzapane, marcipan). [Occurs
as Ft masscpain (in 16th c. marcepain). It. marza-
pane, Sp. mauipan, Pg. macapao, Ger. marzipan
{jnartzepan 152 1, glossing pants marciits), Du.
marsepein {marcepain in 1 486), Da., Sw. marsipan;
the Kng. forms come from various continental
sources. In recent times the sweetmeat has been
known chiefly as imported from Germany ; hence
the Ger. form marzipan has at least equal currency
with the traditional Kng. form.
The word is believed to have come into the other Rom.
langs. from Italian. Its etymology is obscure. What seems
to be the same word occurs in various Rom. forms and in
med.L. with the senses 'small box', 'a certain mediaeval
weight ', and ' a mediaeval coin '. Kluyver, in Zcitschr.f.
deutsche IVort/orschuug)u\y 1904, ingeniously tries to prove
that the last-mentioned sense is the source of all the others.
He identifies the word with med.L. matapanus, a Venetian
coin bearing a figure of Christ on a throne (Du Cange), and
suggests that it represents Arab, mauthabdn ' a king that
sits still ' (Lane\ which he conjectures to have been used by
Saracens as a derisive name for this coin.]
1. a. A kind of confectionery composed of a paste
of pounded almonds, sugar, etc., made up into
small cakes or moulded into ornamental forms.
a. 1536 Withals Did. (1568) 49V2 Deyntie dysshes as
marche payne, tartes, &c, Bellaria. 1587 Harrison Eng-
land n.vi. (1877) 1. 148 Marchpaine wrought with no small
curiositie. 159a Shaks. Rom. $ Jul. 1. v. 9. ? 1606 Drayton
Poems Lyr. <y Past., Eel. iv. E 1 b, The silke well couth
she twist and twine, And make the fine Marchpine. 1615
Markham Fug. Honseiv. (1660) 93 To make the best March-
pane, take the best Jordan Almonds. 17*5 Bradley Fam.
Diet. s.v., The Paste in that which they call the Royal
March-Pane. 1848 Oxenford tr, Goethe s A utobiog. (Bean)
I. 64 The tarts, biscuits, marchpane and sweet wine. 1884
Health Exhib.Catal. 151/2 Marchpane and other cakes
and confectionery made with honey. 1901 Board of Trade \
fml. 11 July 84 The ediblearticle known variously as 'march-
pane \ ' marzipan ', or ' marcipan ', which consists of. . flour, [
sugar, almonds, &c, made in fancy forms. .is. .dutiable.
P. 1598 Florio, Pasta,, .marchpane, or mazapane.
■y. 1866 Howells Venct. Life xviii. 278 A cake called '
marzapane. 1897 Daily fftWS 23 Nov. 2/1 The stuff. . smelt
very much like the sweetmeat called marzipan.
b. A cake or shaped piece of this composition, j
o. 1494 Fabyan Chron. vn. 587 A march payne gar- !
nysshed with dyuerse fygures of aungellys. 1517 TORKIMG- !
ton Pilgr. (1884) 13 The Duke sent to the Pilgryms gret j
basons full of Marchepanys. 1548 Udall Erasm. Par. Luke
vii. 25 Wylde honey and Iocustes hathe he preferred before
the martspaines and other swete delycates of kynges. 1616
ScKt'L. & Makkh. Country Farm 585 Marchpanes are made
1 of verie little flower, but with addition of greater quantitie
of Filberds, Pine Nuts, Pistaces, Almonds, and ro>ed Sugar.
, 1735 Bradley Fam. Diet. s. v. Tourte, For a Sugar'd Pan-
pie .. take five or six Biskets, Marchpanes, or Macaroons
[etc.]. 1853 Soykr Pantroph. 288 Begin by covering the
whole of the base with a layer of marchpans. i88z Miss
Yonge Unknown to Hist. I. 254 All the ladies and serving
women were called on to concoct pa>ties. ., cakes and march-
panes. 1884 Health Exhib. fatal. 151/2 Polish Honey
Cakes, Marchpanes, and Chocolate.
! 0. 1657 Tom lin son Renou's Disp. 106 A certain kinde of
; condite which is called Pasta Regia or a Mazapane.
y. 154a Udall Erasm. Apoph. 128 To feede of tartes and
marzepaines, the meates of denty mouthed persones.
f c. Jig. Chiefly as the type of something de-
; licious or exquisite. Obs.
1592 G. Harvey Four Lett. 5 Raylnig was the Ypo-
! eras of the drunken rimester : and Quipping the Marche-
pane of the madde libeller. 1599 B. Jonson Cynthia's Rev.
iv. i, Mor. I was then esteemd— . Phi. The very March-
pane of the Court, I warrant? 1613 Beauw. & Fu Cox-
comb iv. iii, You are very curious of your hand... Let me see
it ? Ay marry, here's a hand of march-pane, a 165a Bbomk
City Wit iv. ii. You have your Kickshaws, your Players
Marchpaines ; all shew and no meat.
2. attrib.
1587 Fleming Conlu. Holinskcd III. 1355/1 A verie
statelie tragedie named Dido, wherein the quaenes banket
..was liuelie described in a marchpaine patterne. 1602
Sir H. Platt Delights for Ladies (1611) B 4 b, To make
an excellent Marchpane paste to print off in molds for ban-
queting dishes. 1616 R. C. Times' Whistle vi. 2771 Candid
eringoes, and rich marchpaine stuffe. 1891 'J. S. Winter'
Lumley iv. 31 Marzipan bon-bons.
fb. quasi-ad/. with the sense : Dainty, superfine.
'598-9 B. Jonson Case is Altered iv. iv, A march painc
wench. 1640 Glapthorne Wit in Constable v. What would
you've done With two such March-pane husbands? 1649
G. Daniel Trinarch., Hen. V, cccl.wj, Let not these March-
pane follies Dull your Sence To better rellish.
Hence t March panado v. [see Panada], trans.
■to mould, after the manner of marchpane.
1650 B. Discolliminium 46 The constitution of my body
was a cleare transparent Marmulate. .March Panado'd. into
the shape of a strait Gentleman.
March Stone. Chiefly Sc. and north, dial.
[f. March sb.% + Stone sb. Cf. Markstone.] A
stone set up to mark the boundary of an estate.
1536 Laing Charters (1899) 108 To the merch steane with
ane croce on the heid theiron. 1587 in A. Peterkin Notes
Ork. <y Zctl. (1S22) 127 They to set down march-stane-.
thereafter to stand for ever. 1639 Dectar. Chas. I Tumults
Scot. 164 What is the use of merch-stones upon Iwrders of
Lands, the like use hath Confessions of Faith in the Kirk.
1789 Brand Hist. Newcastle X. 461 Round the moor the
march-stones, i.e. the boundary-stones, are placed a little
within the hedge. 1899 Shetland News 29 Apr. (L. D. D.),
I sat me doon apon a mairch stane.
Marchys, obs. pi. of March sb.'-'*
Marciable, variant of Merciable a. Obs*
Marcial, -ian: see Marshal, Martial, -ian.
Marciatou. Med. Obs. Also 6 mart-, f med.L.
marciaton (Du Cange).] Some kind of unguent.
c 1550 Lloyd Trcas. Health K ij b, Washe thy handes, or
anoyntethemwyth Martiaton. Ibid.O'vq, Take of marciaton,
waxe, pitche, ship rosen [etc.]. 1856 in Mayne Expos. Lex.
t Ma*rcid, a. Obs. [ad. JL. mara'd-us, withered,
f. marce-re to wither.]
1. a. Withered, wasted, decayed, rotten, b.
Weak, feeble, exhausted.
1656 Bloc nt Glossogr., Marcid, withered, rotten, feeble,
Itther. 1657 Tomlinson Renou's Disp. 503 Poppies heads. .
must be cocted till they be flaccid and marcid. 1693 Bowles
in DrydctCs Juvenal v. (1697) 101 He on bis own Fish
pours the noblest Oil.. That to your marcid dying Herbs
assign'd, By the rank smell and taste betrays its Kind. 1822
T. Taylor Apuleius 85 She dismissed her marcid eyes [L.
marceutes oculos] to sleep. Ibid. 260 Sleep surrounding me,
again oppressed my marcid mind [L. marcentem anituum).
2. Marcid fever\ a fever that causes wasting.
1666 Harvey Morb. Augl. ii. (1672 ) 6 The softer and
moister parts being thus melted away, the Febrii heat con-
tinuing its adustion upon the dryer fleshy parts, changes
into a Marcid Feaver. 1684 tr. Bonet's Merc. Compit. xix.
814 In Hectick and other marcid. . Fevers, Venesection is to
be rejected.
f Marcidious, a. Obs. rare~°. [f. Marcid +
-I0U8.1 (See quots.)
1656 Blount Glossogr., Marcidious, very rotten, feeble,
&c. 1775 Ash, Marcidious% lean, withered.
t Marcidity. Obs. rare—0, [f. Marcid + -ity.]
Wasted or withered condition.
1658 Philliis, Marcidity, a withering away, rottennesse.
1775 Ash, Marcidity, leanness, the want of flesh.
Marcie, Marcill, obs. ff. Mercy, Martial.
Marc ion is ill (ma'jj'^nism). Eccl. [f. Marcion
+ -1SM.] The doctrine of the Marcionites.
1882 Salmon in Smith's Diet. Chr. Biogr. III. 821/2 If
we accept this as the original form of Marcionism, Marcion
owed more to the older Gnostics than we should otherwise
have supposed.
Marcionist (ma'jJ'JnisO. EccL Also 6 erron.
Martionist. [ad. late L. Marcionisl-a, late Gr.
MapntojvtdTrj'i : see next and -1ST.] =Mauciomte.
1546 Garoiskr Declar. Art. Joye $0 And then the Arryane
maye be saued by his fay the, and. .the Marcyoniste by hys
faythe. 1584 R. Scot Discov. Witchcr. i. i. (1886)2 The
Martionists acknowledged one God the authour of good
things, and another the ordeiner of evill. 1882-3 Schaff
Encycl. Relt'g. Know?. II. 1402 Theodoret tells us, that, .he
had converted more than one thousand Marcionists.
attrib, 1875 Expositor 434 The Marcionist party.
/
MARCIONITE.
Marcionite . ma-jjVnait). Eccl. Wiod erron.
Maroianite. [ad. late L. Marcionit-a, f. Marcion :
see -ite.] An adherent of the sect founded at
Rome in the 2nd century by Marcion of Sinope.
Marcion accepted as sacred books ten of St. Paul's epistles
and a garbled form of the gospel of Luke, and regarded the
creation of the material world and the revelation of the Old
Testament as the work of a finite and imperfect God, whose
authority is abrogated by the manifestation of the supreme
God in Jesus Christ. He discouraged marriage, and in-
culcated the most rigorous asceticism.
aiS40 Bum /Mm. (1573) 315/2 'l'he Marcianites, they re-
ceiue uo man to bee a Christen man, excepte hee forsweare
maryage. 1594 Hooker Seel. Pol.w: xi. § 9 Slanderers of the
Law and Prophets, such as Marcionites & Manichees were.
1660 Jer. Taylor Ductor Ditbit. 11. iii. rule 14. 8 (1676)363.
1883 Ch. Q. Re-.'. XV. 394 By Encratites and Marcionites
intoxicating liquors would have been denounced.
attrib. 1885 R. W. Dixon Hist. Ch. Eng. III. 288 It is
not unlike the Marcionite heretics.
Hence Marcioni'tic, Marcionitish a., of or
pertaining to the Marcionites; Marcionlti'sm.the
doctrines of the Marcionites.
1874 Supernal. Relig. II. II. vii. 86 Much of the Mar-
cionltish text was more original than the Canonical. 1875
W. Sanday in Forttt. Rev. June 859 The Marcionitic Gospel.
1804 Thinker Mag. VI. 355 This is a modern Marcionitism.
Mareipan : see Marchpane.
Marck, obs. form of Mark.
Marconi (majkrra'ni). The name of the in-
ventor of a system of wireless telegraphy ; used
attrib. in designations of this system, and things
connected therewith.
1897 Daily Xews 10 June 5/2 The new Marconi system of
signalling. . . Marconi messages have been sent between
Penarth and Brean Down. 1898 R. Kerr Wireless TeU-gr.
97 [The box] contains a small Marconi receiver. Ibid. 104
The filings in the Marconi coherer.
Hence Marco'nigram, a wireless telegram;
Marco'nigraph, the apparatus used for transmit-
ting these messages; Marconism, the theory or
practice of Marconi's telegraphy.
190a Daily C/iron. 30 Jan. 6/4 When do you expect to
start sending Marconigrams at commercial rates across the
Atlantic? 1903 Westm. Gaz. 7 Feb. 9/1 Installations of
Marconism on the sea-coasts. Ibid.. A monopoly of Mar-
conism and cable-methods. 1903 Daily Chron. 21 Mar. 5/2
A school for Marconigraph operators.
Marcor (maulcpi). Also 7 -our. [a. L. manor,
f. martin : see Marciil] f a. gen. Decay (obs.).
b. Path. Emaciation or wasting of the body.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. in. ix. 124 The resolution
and languor ensuing that act in some, the extenuation and
marcour in others. 1657 Tomlinson Rcnou's Disp. 160 That
they may be long conserved without putretude and mar-
cour. i665 Harvey Morb. Angl. ii. 11 The said Marcor
may likewise be caused by famine. 1741 A. Monro Anal.
ted. 3) 61 Marcor and Atrophia of the whole Body. [1876
tr. Wagner's Gen. Pathol. 287 Simple emaciation, macies,
emaciatio, manor, . . is distinguished from . . tabes.)
Marcosian jnarkiiu'zian ) , i/'. and a. Hist. [f.
Eccl. Gr. yiapKui<ji-os (Epiphanius; app. f. Syriac
Marqfis Marcus) + -AN.] a. sb. An adherent of a
Gnostic religious system founded by a certain
Marcus in the 2nd century ; known mainly from the
account by Irenaeus. b. adj. Belonging to this sect.
1587 T. Rogers 39 Art. 11. 29 Some, as the Marcosians, at
the ministration of Baptisme haue vsed certaine Hebrue
wordes. 1708 Bingham Orig. Eccl. xl. ii. § 1 Those who
were called Marcosian heretics. 1875 Lighteoot Coium.
Col. 209A The baptismal formula of the Marcosians.
Marcour, Mares, obs. forms of Marcor, Maus.
Mareure, -ry, obs. forms of Mercury.
Marcussotte, var. Marquisotte Obs.
Marcyable, -al(l : see Martiable, Martial.
Marcylite (mausibit). [f. the name of Uen.
K. B. Many, its discoverer (1854) + -lite.] An
impure or decomposed form of copper pyrites from
the Red River district of Louisiana.
1884 in Cassell. 1896 in Chester Diet. Names Min.
Marcz, obs. form of Mars.
Mard, -er : see Marred, Merd, Marter.
Mare x (me«i). Forms : 1 myre, mire, 1 , 3-6
mere, 4 mure, maare, 4-5 mer, meer(e, 6 St.
meir, meyr, 6-7 meare, 7 St, meire, 8 mear,
1- mare. [OE. mgre (\VS. mTere, myre) wk.
fem. = OFris., MLG., MDu. mer[r)ie (mod.Du.
merrie), OHG. meriha (MUG. meriche, merhe,
mod.G. with altered sense mii/ire jade), ON. merr
str. fem. (Sw. miirr, Ha. mxr):— OTcut. *marhjS(n)-,
f. *marho-z horse (OE. mearh, OHG. marah,
MHG. marc, ON. marr) :— pre-Teut. *marko-s ( =
Gaulish jihpKav ace. sing., Pausanias X. xix ; Irish,
Gael, marc, Welsh march)/]
1. The female of any equine animal (as the horse,
ass, or zebra), but esp. applied to the female of
the domestic horse (Eqtius caballus).
a 000 tr. Breda's Hist. in. xii. [xiv.] (1800) 196 Cwist 6a
b<ct be sy leofre ba;re myran sunu bonne p;et Godes beam ?
c 1000 ^Klfkic Gloss, in Wr.-Wiilcker 119/36 Eoua, man,
C117S Lamb. Horn. 85 He brohte hine uppen his werue
[ = jutuentum Luke x. 34] bet is unorne mare, c 1*90 Beckct
n6t in .S\ Eng. Leg. I. 139 po wende forth a man, bat with
him code : and huyrde him a mere, For an Englichs peni.
t 1386 Chauckr Reeve's T. 161 Youre hors goth to the fen
With wilde mares. 1398 Trevisa Barth, De P. R. XVII. xl.
158
(1495) 8ot A maare foolylh stondynge and louyth her coltes 1
passynge other beestys. a 1400-50 Alexander 2851 Meens ,
ci mulis & all maner of bestis. 14.. Norn, in Wr.-Wulcker
607/34 H" e°ua< a mer- Ibid- W tIcc WV*Hh a wvld
mer. 1467 in Bug. Gilds (1870) 371 No horsez ner marys
stande in the markett. IS49 Cmnpl. .Scot. vi. 39 Baytht
horse & nieyris did fast nee, & the foils nechyr. 1576 ■"
Ripou Ch. Acts (Surteesl 377 An old meare. 1594 in Black
Bk. Taymouth (Bannatyne CI.) 298 Off greit meirris . xlvl ;
off twa yeir auld hors, v...Off greit means xxxvm..off
yeir auld meiris, iiii. 1615 Ckooke Body of Man 334 A
Hitch whelps at foure moneths ; a Mare Foales the ninth.
/11774 G01.USM. tr. Scarrou's Com. Romance (1775) I. 295
A park, where he kept mares for breed. 1855 Thackeray
Ne-.fcomcs II. 152 He comes to me with another letter and
a face as long as my mare's.
U Used for : The mother, dam (of a horse).
<ti4oo Octouian 1416 Thys ys a stede of Arabyc.An
vnycorn .. Begat hyt thare : A rabyte. .Therto was mare.
b. In various proverbial phrases.
Grey mare: see Grey a. 4 b.
1546 J- Heywood Prcn: (1867) 43 Of auncient fathers she
tooke no cure nor care, She was to them, as koy as a crokers
mare. Ibid. 62 This biteth the mare by the thumbe, as
thcysey. 1561 A. Scott Poems (S.T.S.) i. 142'l'heheidismen
lies 'cor mundum' in pair mouth, Hot nevir w> niynd to gif
be man his meir. 1500 Shaks. Mids. N. in. ii. 463- "597 —
2 Hen. II ', II. i. 47 How now ? whose Mare's dead ? what s
the matter? 1606 Choice, Chance, etc. (Grosart) 68 Can
seeme as sober as a Millers Mare, And cannot blush at any
villany. 1607 Ace. Christmas Prince (1816) 40 Now Night
growesold, yet walkes here in his trappinge Till Daye come
catch him, as Mosse his graymare, nappinge. 1611 Coigr.,
.•l,7W/n>Kr'irw,atvnawares..vnlookedfor; napping.as Mosse
tooke his Mare. 1659 Howell Lex., Prcr.i. 6/2 Money
makes the grey Mare to go. 1698 Money Masters A 11 Things
3 [Money] Makes the old Wife trot, and makes the Mare to
go. 1817 T. Ckeevey in C. Papers (1904) II. 123 No tidings
of the Beau yet ! but he must have his mare again.
c. Applied contemptuously to a woman.
1303 R. Brunne Hand!. Synne 7980 And shame hyt ys
euer ay whare To be kalled ' a prestes mare '. 1508 Ken-
NED1E Flytiugw. Dunbar 261 This Dewlbeir, generit of a
meir of Mar, wes Corspatrik, Erie of Merche.
2. traits/, in various applications, chiefly with
implication of a metaphorical ' riding.'
a. The gallows. ? Obs.
»S68 Fulwell Like will to like C iv, This peece of land
wherto you inheritours are : Is called the land of the two
legged mare. 1685 Roxb. Ball. V. 600 Should it.. be bis
Fate (as needs be must fear) To leap from low Pillory up
the Mare, She'll swear she had never such rider before.
1694 Motteux Rabelais v. iv. (1737) 14 The two or three-
legg'd Mare that groans for them. 1834 H. Ainsworth
Rookwood ill. v, Here's to the three leg'd mare. Ibid., For
the Mare-with-three-legs, boys, I care not a rap.
fb. The ■wild mare: (a) a see-saw; (b) a wooden
frame on which soldiers were made to ' ride ' for
punishment ; = Horse sb. 6 b (also wooden, timber
mare). Shoeing the wild mare : some childish
Christmas game. Obs.
a 1586 Sidney Arcadia 11. (1500) 211b, Bestriding the
mast, I gat . . towards him, after such manner as boies are
wont, (if euer you saw that sport) when they ride the wild
mare. 1609 Armin Maids of More-Ct.(iWo) 92 Christinas
gambuls, father, shooing the wilde mare, a x6«s Fletcher
Woman's Prise 11. v, She should ride the wild Mare once
a week, she should, a 1670 Spalding Troub. Chas. I
(Spalding Club 1850) I. 290 Ane tymber meir, quhairvpone
runnaget knaves and runaway soldjouris souk! ryde. Ibid.
295 He.. syne rode the meir, to his gryte hurt and pane.
1680 [J. Speed) Bait upon Batt 5 Our Batt can. .play. .At
..Shooing the wild Mare. 1819 Scott Leg. Montr, xiv,
He had an hour's ride on the wooden mare for his pains.
■f C. Hick's mare (see quot.\ Obs.
1585 Higins Junius' Nomenclator, Oscillatio . .a kind of
gambol called the haltering of Hix mare.
II For S/iants's mare (i.e. one's own legs as a
means of conveyance) see Shank.
3. dial. (See qnots.)
1670 Blount Glossogr. (ed. 3) s. v.j To cry the mare is an
ancient custom in Herefordshire, viz. when each husband-
man is reaping the last of his Corn, the Work-men leave a
few blades standing, and tye the tops of them together,
which is the Marc, and then stand at a distance, and throw
their Siccles at it, and he that cuts the knot has the
prize [etc.]. 1883 Burne & Jackson Shropsh. Folk-lore
271 Crying, calling, or shouting the mare, is a ceremony
performed by the men of that farm which is the first in any
parish or district to finish the harvest.
4. St. a. A kind of trestle used by masons, b. A
bricklayer's hod.
a. 1651 Burgh Rccs. Stirling (1889) 306 For half a hunder
11. tillcs to mak the meare. l8si Galt Ann. Parish xxxvi.
295 The three were seated aloft, on a high stage, prepared
on purpose, with two mares and scaffold-deals, borrowed
from Mr. Trowel the mason.
b. i8«3 Tennant Card. Beaton v. iv. 135, I think I set
my apron and my mare as weel as you your apparel.
5. A particular throw in wrestling. Also flying
mare (si. flying horse s.v. Flying,///, a. 1 d).
1602 Carevv Cornwall 76 Many sleights and tricks apper-
taine hereunto [' wrastling '] . . Such are the Trip, fore-Trip, . .
the Mare and diners other like. 1612 Drayton Poly-olb.^ i.
245 Or by the girdles graspt they practise with the hip,
The forward, backward, falx, the mare, the turtle, the trip.
'754 [sec Flying fipl. a. 1 d]. 1863 Thornbury True as
Steel III. 40 An old wrestling trick, well known as 'the
flying mare '.
6. attrib. and Comb. a. appositive, as mare colt,
foal, mule.
1513 Fitzherb. I/usb. § 68 At the foolynge tynie I haue
vpon one daye a horse fole, and on the nexte day, or seconde,
a mare fole. 153* J. Catvoord in Weaver Wells Wills
MABECHAL.
(1890) 74 A bullock of one yere hold, and.a mare collt. 1600
Surelet Countrie Fanne 1. xxx. 200 The mare-mules are
..longer liuers then the horse-mules. 1886 Birton Arab.
JVts. (Lady B.'s ed.) I. 232 He came up, riding a mare-mule.
b. simple attrib., as mare-head; objective, mare-
milker, mare-stealing; similativc, mare-faced,
-headed, adjs. Also mareful St., as much as a
hod will hold (cf. 4 b) ; mare grass, grazing-grass
sufficient to feed one mare ; t mare roiling, the
condition of rutting in a stallion ; f mare-wood a.,
mare-mad (of a stallion).
1685 Loud. Gaz. No. 2036/8 A light dapple Gray Gelding,
. . long pastemd, . . and a little * Mare-fac'd. 1813 Tennant
Card. Beaton v. iv. 155 I've a "marefu' o' as good lime
here as ever cam out o a lime-kill. 1523 Fitzherb. Snrv.
3 A horse grasse or a *mare grasse maye be dere ynoughe
twelfe pens or twentie pens by y* yere. 1709 Land. Gaz.
No. 46J3/4 A .. Gelding, .. with a thickish *Mare Head.
1684 Ibid. No. 1950/4 A Black Nag, about 14 hands high,..
"Mareheaded, and Rat-tailed. 1847 Grote Greece 11. xvii.
III. 317 Other tribes, .whom the poet knows as milk-eaters
and 'mare-milkers. 1589 Fleming Virg. Georg. m- 41 Th'
horsmastcrs earnest be Before the time (of *marerolling).
1664 Evblvm Sylva (1776) 564 The severity of our laws
against *Mare-stealing. 1613 Plrchas Pilgrimage M. i. 464
In the Spring they are "mare-wood.
C. Combinations with mare's, as mare's-milk;
f mare's evil, a disease ; mare's fat dial., =
Fleabane ; mare's son, a horse.
c 1400 MaUndev. (1839) xxiii. 253 A Cuppe fulle of Mares
mylk. 1649 Eng. Farrier G ij, The *Mares Evill. a 1825
Forby Voc. E. Anglia, *Mare's-fat, Inula dysenterica Lin.
1598 "Mare's milk [see Cosmos2). X607-1876 [see Koumiss].
1470-85 Malory Arthur ix. iii. 342, I calle my self neuer
the wers knyght whan a "marys sone fayleth me. Ibid. XX.
xxii. 837 Vf tnys marys sone hath faylled me, wyt thou
wel a kynges sone and a uuenes sone shal not fayile the.
t Mare 2. Obs. Also 1 msere, mere, 6 meare,
maare, 6-7 St. mair. [OE. mare wk. fem. = MLG.
Murmasc. and fem.,MDu.»/are,w/r:«-masc.,OHG.
mara fem. (MHG. mar, mare masc. and fem.,
mod.G. dial, tnahr masc.), ON. mara fem. (Sw.
mara, Da. mare) :— OTeut. *maron-, -on- ; cogn.
w. the synonymous Polish mora, Czech rnura.
The Tent, word is the source of OF. mare, ap-
pearing also in the compound caucltemar nightmate,
{. cauc/ur, to trample.]
1. A kind of goblin supposed to produce night-
mare by sitting on the chest of the sleeper; the
nightmare itself.
a 700 EpinalGloss. 558 Incuba, maere. c 1000 Sax. Leechd.
II. 140 Gif mon mare ride; xenim elehtran. 14.. Voc. in
Wr.-Wiilcker 597/37 The mare ('. Epialles. C1440 Promt.
Parv. 326/1 Mare, or ny?hte mare, cpialtes. c 1500 Roivlis
Cursing 65 in Laing Auc. Poet. Scot., The mowlis, and in
thair sleip the mair. 156a Bllleyn Def. agst. Sickness,
Sicke men 70 l'he verie cause is, liyng or slepyng on their
backe. And not through the mare, or night spirit, as thei
term it. 1565 Cooper Thesaurus S.V., Epkialtes, the disease
called the maare. a 1585 Montgomerie Flyting 319 The
mair and the migraine, with the meathes in the melt. 1616
Bacon Sylva § 966 The Incubus, which we call the Mare.
1617 Drayton Kymphidia vii, And Mab.. by night Bestrids
young Folkes that lye vpright, (In elder Times the Mare
that hight). 1755 in Johnson.
b. transf. The 'blues', melancholy.
a 1529 Skelton E. Rummyng 110 Now away the mare
And let vs sley care, it 1536 Intcrl. Beauty «f Gd. Prop.
Worn. A ij, Tush, syr, lie mery, let pas awey the mare. 161 1
T. Ravcnscroft's Melismata vi, Eigh ho, away the Marc,
let vs set aside all care.
2. A spectre, hag.
c 1440 Promp. Pan: 326/1 Mare, or wyche, magus, inaga,
; sagana. a 1519 Skelton P. Sparmv 76 From Medusa,
i that mare, That Iyke a fende doth stare.
3. Comb, in mare-hag: see Hag sb.1
1638 Ford Fancies iv. i, Out mare-hag mule ! avaunt I
tMare'1. Obs. (See quot.)
1688 R. Holme Armoury ill. 288/2 If in the Reeling of
the Yarn upon the Reel, they chance to lay a thred cross or
contrary to the true way of Reeling : it is in our Countrey
termed a Mare.
Mare : see Mar, Marc, Mayor, Mere, More.
Mareag(e, -agh, obs. forms of Marriage.
Mareblob (mej-jblpb). Obs. exc. dial. Also 7
-blab , 9 mere-blob. [? f. mare Mere sb. + Blob. ]
The marsh-marigold.
1649 Blithe Eng. Improv. Impr. (1653) 19 That corrupt
feeding, or springy moisture, that breeds and feeds the
Rush, Flag, and Mareblab. 1866 Treas. Bot. 721/2 Mare-
blobs, Caltha palustris.
t Marechal. Obs. In 7 marshal, S mare-
chelle.mareschal, 8-9 mareohale, -ehall,-chale.
[App. some kind of application of F. mare'chal
marshal, or marechale marshal's wife. But cf. Sp.
marcial an aromatic powder.] a. A scent or
perfume, b. A hair powder scented with this.
Also attrib.
1676 Shadwell Virtuoso III. 55, I have . . Frangipand,
Neroly, Tuberose, Jessimine, and Marshal. 1 1687 Sedi.ey
Bellamira 1. 2, I gave her but a dozen pair of Marshal
Gloves. Ibid. 6 Her Gloves right Marshal. 1778 Sheridan
Camp 11. iii, Battle-powder mixed with marechelle. 178a
[T. VaughanI Fashionable Follies I. Ixxxix. 136 She could
not bear the smell of marechale powder. 1788 Anna Seward
Lett. (1811) II. 91 [A wig] powdered with inarechall. 1790
Trans. Soe. Arts VIII. 218 Powdered, they [the leaves of
Cinnamon 1 are a good aromatic species, or niareschal per-
fume. 1810 Hermit in London V. 35 Marechale powder,
MAREKANITE.
pomatum and perfume. 1851 Munuy Our Antipodes (1857)
129 White, brown, and whity-brown subjects, in ._. silks and
satins, mats and blankets, shark's oil and marechale.
Mareehjeuen, var. Mokyeve, ' morning-gift '.
Maree, Marees: see Marrow sb}, Mabish.
Maregolde, -grave: see Marigold, Margrave.
Marejeuen, var. Mokyeve, 'morning-gift'.
Mareing, obs. form of Mabbying vbl. sb.
Mareis, variant of Maris Obs., womb.
Mareis h, obs. forms of Mabish.
Mareit, obs. pa. t. and pa. pple. of Mabbt v.
Marekanite (mser/"kan3it). Mitt. [Named
by Pallas 1 793, from the Siberian river Marckanka :
see -ite.] Pearl-stone.
i8ai J. Mawf. New Catal. Mill. (ed. 4) 91.
Marekin, -kyn(e, variants of Maroquin Obs.
Marelady, 1 misprint : see May-lady.
Mareleyne, variant of Margeline Obs.
Maremaid, -man, obs. ff. Mermaid, -man.
II Maremma (mare'ma). PI. maremme. [a.
it.maremma, ' acountryby the sea shore' (Baretti).]
Low marshy insalubrious country by the sea shore.
183a tr. Sisimmdi's Hal. Rep. vii. 170 Telamone, a port in
the maremma of Sienna. 1866 Rl'skin Eth. Dust 227 The
steady increase of deadly maremma round Pisa and Venice.
b. trails/. The malarial exhalations of a ma-
remma. In mod. Diets.
Hence Maremmatic, Maremmese adjs., lie-
longing to a maremma. In recent Diets.
Maremusset, obs. form of Marmoset.
Marenell, Marenor : see Mahin.vl, -er.
Marenga, variant of Morenga.
Marennin vmare'nin). [f. Marenn-es, the
name of a district in France : see -in'.] A peculiar
pigment which gives to the Marennes oysters their
characteristic green colour.
1885 E. Ray Lankester in Q. J™!. Microsc. Sci. XXVI.
87, 1 propose henceforward to speak of the blue pigment of
Navicula ostrearia as Marennin. 1898 Nat. Science Nov.
294 Other forms of greenness .. have no connection with
copper, but depend upon the presence of a special pigment,
Marennin.
Mares, obs. form of Marish.
Mareschal, -cy, -sy, obs. ff. Marshal, -cy.
Mareschini, -no, obs. ff. Maraschino.
Mareshall, -elsey : see Marshal, -alsea.
Mare's-nest. [Mare1. Cf. ^horse-nest,
which is recorded earlier (Horse sb. 2").] Ori-
ginally in the fig. phrase to have found a mare's
nest ; to imagine that one has discovered something
wonderful, which in fact has no existence. Hence,
an illusory discovery, esp. one that is much vaunted
and displays foolish credulity.
a 1619 Fletcher Bonduca v. 11, Why dost thou laugh ?
What Mares nest hast thou found? 1738 Swift Pol. Con.
versat. 51 You have found a Mare's Nest. 1840 Hood Up
the Rhine Pref. 1 Such Critics as are fond of climbing up
a Mat de Cocagne for a Mare's Nest at the top. 189a Times
(weekly ed.) 21 Oct. 18/2 Colonel S.'s discovery is a mere
mare's nest.
r Con/used use. 1857 J. W. Croker in C. Papers 1 Feb.
(1884) I. iii. 83 Tierney was ashamed of himself to be taken
in such a mare's nest.
Hence Mare's-nest v. to go after mare's-nests.
1859 Lever Dav. Dunn xv. 134 He'salways mare's nesting.
Marespike, variant of Morrispike.
Maresquino, obs. form of Maraschino.
Maress(e, marest, obs. forms of Mabish.
Maresshall, obs. form of Marshal.
Mare's tail, mares-tail (me^uzt^l).
1. Acommon book-name foraquatic or marsh plants
of the N. O. Haloragcx, esp. Hippuris vulgaris,
formerly called Female Horsetail (see Horsetail
2 b) ; often wrongly applied to the cryptogamous
genus Equisetum (Horsetail 2). Also attrib.
176a Hudson PI. Anglica 2 Hippuris .. Anglis Mare's-
tail. 1864 Tennvson Aylmer's p. 92 The petty marestait
forest, fairy pines. 1868 Sir J. Hooker Addr. in Rep.
Brit. Assoc, p. lxv, The existing family of Equisetacex . .
contained previously but one genus, that of the common
mare's tails of our river-banks and woods. 1879 Jefferies
Wild Life in S. Co. 374 On the shore, where it is marshy,
the mares-tail flourishes.
2. pi. Long straight streaks of cirrus, supposed
to foretoken stormy weather.
177S Dalrvmple in Phil. Trans. LXVIII. 408, A. M. sky-
mares tails. 1853 Kane Grinnell Exp. xxix. (1856) 246 It
resembled the mackerel fleeces and mare's tails of our
summer skies at home. 1895 Edin. Rev. Apr. 534 It is the
cloud known to seamen . . as ' goats' hair' or ' mares' tails '.
attrib. 1886 Huxlky in 19M Cent. XIX. 202 The wildest
streaks of marestail clouds in the sky.
8. Anat. Rendering mod.L. cauda equina, the
name given to a bundle of nerves at the lower
extremity of the spine. In some recent Diets.
Maretine, obs. form of Maritime.
Marevedi, obs. form of Mabavedi.
Marew, obs. form of Marrow sb.1
Mareye, Mareys(e, obs. ff. Marry, Marish.
Marfaylle, obs. form of Mabvel.
Mar-fire (ma'afai^1). dial. Also mer-. fapp.
a half-translated adoption of ON, viattru-eldr,
159
mprit-eldr (Da. morild) phosphorescence, esp. in
the sea (according to Vigf. ■= *maura-eldr, ' ants*
fire\ but form and sense are both difficult ; Torp
and Falk connect the first element with words
denoting putrescence). The Kng. forms might
however represent an OE. type *m£re-fyr, ( sea-
fire \] Phosphorescence on the sea.
1887 Hall Caine Dtemsfer xi. 74 When we're lying at
anchor, ..ami the stars just niakin a peep, and the moon,
and the mar-fire. 1891 Northittnbld. Gloss., Mer-firc, the
luminous appearance of the sea at night. 1894 R. Leigmton
1 1 'read Golden Fleece 31 There hean't much mar-fire moving.
Marfounder: see Mokfounj>kk.
Margfv,majg% Now-rtW. Alsomurg. [?Shortfor
MaBGAUET. Cf, the synonymous margan, morgan
(K.D.1).).] Stinking Camomile, Anthcmis Cotula.
(Also pi.: cf. maythes.)
1609 C. Bl)TLER J- cm. Man. vi. H 2, The most stinking and
poysonful weeds, as redweed, marges [warg. Mathers or
May- weed], henbane. 1883 It 'amps/t. Gloss. tMargt..Ming,
A nthentis/a'tida.
Margaceous (majg£*f3*), a. rare-1, [f. L.
vtarga marl : see -ACE0U8.] Marly.
1804 J. Parkinson Organ. Rent. 1. 423 The soft margaceous
. .matter, on the borders of lakes.
Margant, obs. form of Mahgent.
Mar gar ate (mavigarAt \ Chevi. [f. Margar-ic
+ -ate.] A salt of margaric acid.
1819 BramDK Chem. vii. §0. 455 [Margaritic acid] unites
with potassa in two proportion*. . .These compounds have
been termed margarates of potassa. 1897 AtlbutVs Sjsf.
Med, IV. 235 Margarate, stearate, and palmitate of lime.
Margareit, obs. form ot Margarite K
Margaret (ma'igaret). Also 3 Marherete,
Maregrete, 4 [Magote], Margret, Mergret^,
4-6 margarete, 5 -ette, 6 -ite. [a. OF. Mar-
garete, •ite (mod.F. Marguerite), ad. late L.
Margarita, a female name, an application of I..
margarita pearl : see MaBQARITKI.J
1. A female name.
1^1300 Cursor M. 25456 (Cott.) Wit magote and wit ma-
riori.] 136a I-angl. /'. /'/. A. iv. 37 Hon lie Rauitchede. .
Mergrete of hire Maydenhod. c 1380 WVCUP WAs, 11880.
205 Sussanne, katerine, margare [r1. r. margarete], anneys.
a 1649 DlVMM. of Hawth. /'oems,An Kpitaph of one named
Margaret. In shells and gold pearls are not kept alone,
A Margaret here lies beneath a stone. 1696 PiiiM.irs(ed. 5),
Margarety (Greek) Pearl ; the Christian Name of divers
Women, contracted Marget.
+ 2. A daisy; esp. Belli $ peremiis-. called also
herb Margaret (see Herb sb. 7 b), Alargarefs herb,
brave Margaret. (Cf. Marguebitk.) Obs.
(According to French etymologists, this use of F. mar-
guerite is not from the personal name, but comes directly
from the sense ' pearl ' (see Margarite1), having reference
to the appearance of the flower (?or bud). It has, however,
commonly been associated with the proper name : hence in
recent times Daisy has been current in England as a pet-
name for Margaret.]
a 1500 Assemb. Ladies 57 With margarettes growing in
ordinaunce. 1503 H awes Examp. I 'irt. xn. xxii, ltryngynge
me a floure called the margarete. 1597 Gbrardb Herbal
11. exciii. 5 1 2 The Daisie is called . . of some llerba Marga-
rita: or Margarites herbe. a 1607 Lyte MS, Jiotes in Do-
doens iBibl. Mus. Brit. 442, h. 9) p. 126 (Britten 8c Hoik),
Brave Margaret. 1640 Parkinson Theat. Bot. Table, Mar-
garites herbe or Daysies.
3. A variety of apple, and also of pear.
1664 Evelyn Kal. llort. July (1679) 2° The Margaret-
apple. 1707 Mortimer liusb. U721) II. 294 The Margaret,
the Maudlin, the Cluster Pear. 1834 Penny Cyct. II. 190/1
{Atpte) Early red Margaret.
4. A magpie; *= Madge* 2.
1854 Miss Baker Northampt. Gloss. II. 2. 1890 Cent.
Diet.
5. U.S. m Margate-fish. Abo margaret- grunt
(Cent. Diet.). Bastard margaret (see quot.).
1903 J. A. Henshall Jiass, etc, 330 The Sailor's Choice
(Hxmulon Parra). This grunt is sometimes called bastard
margaret by the Key West fisherman.
Margaret(e, -ette, obs. ff. Margarite h
t Margaretton. Obs. (See Diamargariton in
Dia- pref?)
i4&$Digby Afyst, in. 339 Dya, galonga, ambra, and also
margaret ton.
Margari, variant of Margery Obs., a pearl.
Margaric (majgae*rik), a. Chem. [mod. f. Gr.
fidpyap-oy = fxapyap'iTTjs pearl + -ic, in reference to
the pearly lustre of the crystals or scales.] In
Margaric acid : f a. orig. the name (acide mar-
garique) given by Chevreul to one of the three
fatty acids {oleic, margaric, stearic), the glyceryl
derivatives of which (olein, margarin, stearin) were
thought by him to form the chief constituents of
animal fats. The composition assigned to margaric
acid was (reduced to the new notation) Cl7H3l02.
So inargaric ether. Obs.
It was shown by Heintz in 1852 {Jourtt. Prakt. Chem.
LXVI. 1) that the three fatty acids of animal fat are the
oleic, palmitic, and stearic, and that the ' margaric ' of
Chevreul was really a mixture of palmitic (CieHsaOa) and
stearic acid (C18H36O2) ; and in this use the name is now
obs., though it remained long in popular manuals, and its
former prevalence is commemorated in the names Marga-
rine and Oleo-marcarine.
1819 J. CI. Children Chem. Anal. 314 Margaric acid was
obtained from hog's lard by Chevreul in 1813. 1836 Brande
margarite.
Chem. ill. vii. § 12 (ed. 4) 962 Margaric Acid, so named
from its pearly lustre, . . bears a striking resemblance to
stearic acid. It is obtained by decomposing the margarate
of potassa. 1863 Fownks Chem. {ed. 9) 533 Margaric ether
is prepared by a similar mode of proceeding, t 1865
Lethkbv in Circ. Sci. \. 95/2 Margaric, ..and other. .Fatty
Acids, are obtained from the oils.
b. By recent chemists, applied lo an acid of
composition C,71I,,<>2, artificially prepared.
1865 8 Watts Diet. Chcm. III. 852 Margaric acid forms
white crystals, melting at 59*9°, and solidifying in crystal-
line scales oil cooling. 1891 Thorpe Diet. Appl. Chew.
II. 101/2 Margaric acid C16H33COOH maybe formed by
boiling margonitrile with alcoholic potash. 1892 Morley&
Mlth Walts Diet. Chem. 111. 194. 1899 E. F. Smith
Richter's ( hgdii.Chcm. 1 . 250 Margaric Acid, CnHgiOftdoes
not apparently exist naturally in the fats. It is made in an
artificial way by boiling cetyl cyanide with caustic potash.
Margarin (margarin). Chem. Also -ino.
[ad. V. margarine (Chevreul), {.margari que M.\n-
GAiuc : see -in.] The margarate of glyceryl or
glyceride of margaric acid, t a. Originally applied
to a fatty substance contained in certain animal and
vegetable oils, supposed to be the glyceride of the
'margaric acid' of Chevreul, really a mixture of
stearin and palmitin. Obs. b. Now, the glyceride
of margaric acid in its later application (see prec.
1)). Also attrib.
1836 BRANDE Chem. III. vii. § 12 (ed. 4) 963 Margarine.
This substance forms a part of mutton-suet, hogs'-lard, and
some other animal fats. 1852 Watts tr. Cmelin's Handbk.
Chcm. VII. 237 Human fat (a mixture of margarin and
olein). (-1865 Lethkbv in Circ. Sci. I. 93/1 We have.,
tallow and its derivatives stearine and stearic acid, marga-
rine and margaric acid. 1878 Elteycl. Brit. VI. 104/2 The
oil [cod-liver oil] contains olein and margarin. 1899 Cagney
tr. Jahsch's Clin. Diagn. iv. (ed. 4) 1 36 Fatty Crystals 1 Mar-
garine needles). — These are seen chiefly in putrid bronchitis
and pulmonary gangrene.
Margarine (maugar/h). [a. F. margarine, a
misapplication of the chemical term : see prec]
The legal name (by Act 50 ii: 51 Vict. c. 29., for
any substitute for butter, made from OLEOMAR-
GARINE vtpv.), and for 'all substances, whether
compound or otherwise, prepared in imitation of
butter', and offered for sale. (Cf. IU.ttkkine.)
1873 U.S. Patent Specif. No. r4tx>i2. 1876 World V.
No. 111. 12 Margarine is no novelty; it was brought out
two or three years ago in Faris. 1887 Earl Wemvss in
Times 4 Aug. 8/3 On Friday next the great fight ' Butterine
versus Margarine ' will come off in the Lords. 1.888 Times
3 Jan. 4/5 After adopting successively the names 'oleo-
margarine ', ' butterine ', and ' margarine ', Parliament
Anally, after several struggles, resolved on the last. Ibid.
9/4 Margarine, as we formally record this morning, has
begun its actual legislative existence. 1888 Lancet 1.1 Jan.
83/1 The word ' margarine ' is, from a scientific point of
view, inappropriate.
b. attrib., as margarine factory ; Margarine
Act, Act 50 & 51 Vict. (iS8;) c. 29, by which
the name margarine is given to butter imitations.
1887 Act 50 tf 51 VUt. c. 29 § 1 This Act may be cited as
the Margarine Act, 1887. 1895 Wcstm. Gaz. 11 Sept. 3/2
Other particulars about the margarine factories.
C. attrib. = sham, ' bogus '.
1891 F. S. Haden in lglh Cent. May 780 One of those
things which I fear I must call a 'margarine ' substitute for
an etching. 1897 Sir W. Hakcocrt in Daily A'r-.t>si6 Nov.
3/3 Take care you do not get margarine Liberalism.
Margaritacean (majgarit^-Jian;. a. and sb.
Conch. [(. mod.L. Margaritiice-a, f. L. margarita
pearl + -AN.] a. adj. Belonging to 'he Margari-
lacea, De Blainville's third family of lamellibran-
chiates. b. sb. A bivalve of this family.
In recent Diets.
Margaritaceous (margaritajas), a. Kat.
Hist. |T. mod.L. margaritdceus, f. margarita : see
-aceous.] Pearly.
1826 Kikbv & Sp. Eiitomol. IV. 282 Margaritaceous. . .
Glossy white with changeable tints of purple, green, and
blue. 1842 Johnston in Proc. Berw. A'at. Club II. No. 10.
35 Shell cinereous, . . interior magaritaceous.
Margaritate (ma-jgaritf't). Chem. [f. Mar-
garitic : see -ate 1.] A salt of margaritic acid.
1839 Penny Cycl. XIV. 414/1.
Margarite ' (maugarait). Obs. exc. arch.
Also 4-6 margaret, -it, -yte, 5 margrite, mar-
guarite, -garette, 6 margareit, -garete, -grete,
mergreit. [a.OF. margarite (mod.F. marguerite),
ad. L. margarita (whence OF. margerie Margery,
Sp. margarita, It. margarita, margherila),tA. Gr.
HapyapiTrjs (also fiapiapnti or tiapyaph Aiflos, and
simply rmpyapis\ f. pidpyapov pearl, napyapos
pearl-oyster + -irr/t: see -ite. In the early Tart.
langs. the word was adopted with etymologizing
perversion: the Goth. marikreitus (from the Greek),
is influenced by man'-, marei sea, while the WGer.
forms, OF. mpegrot, -grota, OS. merigri{o)ta ,
OHG. mcrigreot,, marigreor,, MHG. mergrie*,(e,
are altered so as to express the sense ' sea-pebble '.
The word is prob. adopted from some oriental lang.
(Pliny refers to it as ' barbarous ') : cf. Skr. manjarl cluster
of flowers, also (according to the Indian lexicographers)
pearl, cogn. w. tnan/u beautiful. The Pahlavl rnarvarlt
(:-*>«ars/-), Pers. rnemdrid, Syriac marganlthA (whence
Arab, marj'dn) are prob. from Greek.]
MARGARITE.
1. A pearl. Now only arch.
[c iooo Ags. Cos/. Matt. .\iii. 46 pa he funde paet an
deorwyroe meregrot.] 1310 in Wright Lyric P. v. 26 The
myht of the margarite haveth this may mere. 1383 Wvclif
Matt. vii. 6 Nether sende a,e Jour margaritis [gloss^ or
preciouse stoonys] hefore swyne. a 1450 Nut. tic la Tour
(1868) 163 A precious margarite, the whiche is abrifiht thinge,
rounde, white, and clene. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. II.
367 'J'he relict of Sanct Andro . . Adornit wes..With dia-
monds ding, and mat-gratis mony one. 1567 MaH.IT Gr.
Forest 14 The Margaret of all Gemmes, those which l>e in
their kindes white, is esteemed the chiefest. 1698 Fryer
Ace. E. India 1, I'. 321, I have taken out of these Shell-hsh
many Margarita. '177* Nugent tr. Hist. Friar Gerund
I. 207 That margarite or pearl, .in a dissolution or which..
Cleopatra drank Anthony's health. 1885 R. F. Burton
Arab. Kts. (18871 111. 327 A collar set with margarites and
rubies.
at trip. 1387-8 T. Usk Vest. Lore lit. 1. (Skeat) 1. 35
A Margarit perle, that is so precious a geme with clere and
litell. 1598 Toftf. Alba (1880) 20 Rich Margarite Pearle.
il b. Taken to mean ' precious stone '.
C1430 Lvnc. A/in. Poems (Percy Soc.) 188 Men shuld not
put a precious margarite, As rubies, saphires, . .Emeraudes
ner rounde perles whight, To-fore rude swyne.
C. As the type of something precious : cf. pearl.
a 1450 Knt. de'la Tour[iib$) 157 Thesowle is the precious
marguarite vnto God. IS49 Compl. Scot. 1 Mane queen of
Scotlande, the margareit and perle of pnncessis. 163s
Bkathwait Five Senses, etc. in Arcliaka (1815) II. 37
Meantime, that precious margarite, incased in this art-
aflected cabinet, may lose her lustre.
1 2. (See Margaret 2.) Oh.
Hence t Margari-tal a., pearl-like.
a 1618 Sylvester Sean. xii. Wks. (Grosart) II. 323/2 The
margaritall-gem For praise deserves thy name.
Margarite- .maugarait). Mitt. [f. Gr. pap-
yapov pearl + -ITE.] ' Pearl mica ', a hydrous
silicate found in scales having a pearly lustre.
1813 W. Phillips Introd. .Win. (ed. 3) 208 Margarite.
This mineral is in the mass of a greyish white colour. .. It
has lately been brought into this country from the Tyrol.
Margaritic (miugaritik), a. Chem. [f. L.
margartta pearl + -ic] Margaritic acid: fa. used
for Chevreul's acide margarique (Margaric a)
(oh.) ; b. the name (<r. margaritiquc) given by
Hussy to one of the fatty acids resulting from the
saponification of castor oil.
1819 Brands Chem. vii. § 9. 45s A peculiar acid, called by
Chevreul, from its pearly appearance, margaritic acid.
Margaritiferous (maugaritHeras), a. [f.
L. margaritifer (Pliny), f. margarita Margarite:
see -ferous.] Producing pearls. Also (nonce-use" ,
wearing pearls.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Margaritiferous. 1682 T. A. Caro-
lina 26 Some of which [oysters] are margiriteferotis [sic].
1838 New Monthly Mag. LI 1 1. 554 The margaritiferous
reader. 1839S0WERBY Conch. Man. 63. 1887 Standard 30
Apr. 5/2 Rut it is only within comparatively recent times that
Western Australia has been known to be margaritiferous.
Margaritite (maugaritait). [f. Margarite
+ -ITE.J A fossil pearl-producing shell.
In recent Diets,
Margarodite (ma'igar&lsit). Min. [ad. G.
margarodit (Schafh'autl, 1843), f. late Gr. pap-
-yapwfir/s pearly, f. piapyapov pearl: see -ITK1 2b.]
A variety of potash mica having a pearly lustre.
1849 Watts tr. Gmelin's Haudbk. Chem. III. 451 Marga-
rodite forms the matrix of the black tourmaline from the
Zillerthal. 1854 Dana Syst. Min. (ed. 4) II. 223.
Margaron, -one (majgar^n, -dm). Chem.
[ail. F. margarone (Bussy 183a), f. margarique
Margaric : see -one.] A solid fatty substance
crystallizing in pearly scales, formed by the distilla-
tion of margaric acid with lime.
1834 Lomi. A> F.dinb. Philos. Mag. V. .153 On Margaron,
Stearon, and Oleon. 1836 BlANDI Chem. 111. vii. § 12 (ed. 4)
063 Margarone. 1863 Bowses Chem. (ed. 9) 533 A fatty
body, incapable of saponification, termed margarone.
Margary, variant of Margf.ry Oh., a pearl.
Margasite, obs. form of M arcasite.
Margate-fish., Margate-grunt. [Of
obscure origin : variants given in Diets, are market-,
maggot-fish and margaret-grunt. Cf. Margaret
5.] A pearly-white fish, Hstmitlon album, found
in the Gulf of Mexico.
1734 Mortimer in Phil. Trans. XXXVIII. 315 Perca
marina Gibbosa cinerea. The Margate-Fish. This is
esteem'd very good Meat. 1775 Romans Florida App. 19
Margate-fish, rock-fish [etc.l. 1903 J. A. Hf.nsiiali. Bass,
etc. 328 The Margate-fish {Hjrmulon album". Themargate-
fish, or margate grunt, is the largest of the family.
II Margaux (ma'jgtra, ft. margo\ Also 8
raargose, margou. Claretmanufacturedinthecom-
mune of Margaux, department of Gironde, France.
1705 Loud. Gaz. No. 4128/4, 230 Hogsheads of new Pontac
and Margose Wine. 17*5 Weested Oikographia 12 Nor
Margou, stor'd in Priestly Cells, That on the Palate grate-
ful dwells. 1734 Sheridan Let. to Swift 16 Aug. S.'s Wks.
1841 II. 724, I drink right French margose. 1858 Homans
Diet. Comm. 192 (Bordeaux) The third-rate wines comprise
those called /'auillac, Margaux, St. Jullien, St. F.siephe,
St. Kmilion, etc.
Margay (ma-Jg<;i). [a. F. margay (Buffon),
altered from margaia (Claude d'Abbeville 1614),
an inexact representation of Tupi mbaraca'ia.] A
South American tiger cat, Felis tigrina.
1781 Smellie tr. Buffon U791) VII, 249 The Margay, or
160
Cayenne Cat. 1838 Hunter tr. Azara's Qnadrup. Para-
guay 239 Buffon describes a margay, which name, after
Abbeville, he derives from, .maragaya, the appellation he
supposes to be given to it in Brazil. 1859 Wood A at.
Hist. I. 185 The Margay is a very handsome example of
the Tiger Cats.
Marge (maids), sb. Now foe/, or rhet. [ad.
F. marge:— L. margin-cm Margin.]
1. = Margin sb. 1.
1551 Records Patlm. Kncr.ul. 11. lxxvi, The marge or
edge of the circumference of the circle. 1596 Sl'ENSER F. Q.
iv viii. 61 As by the flowrie marge On a fresh streame I
with that Elfe did play. 161a Dravton Poly-olb.'n. 25 So
pleasantlie in-il'd on mighty Neptune's marge. 17S3 War-
ton Approach of Summer 92 Near the rush d marge of
Cherwell's flood. 1805 Wordsiv. Prelude VIII. 459 The
western marge of Thurston-mere. 1849 M . Arnold Strayed
Reveller 16 The ivy-wreath'd marge Of thy cup. 1898 W.
K. Johnson Jena J'enebr. 72 By the marble marge of un-
stirred wells.
b. of immaterial things.
1876 Farrar Marlb. Serm. vi. 59 That great future which
blooms.. beyond the marge of death. 1878 Browning La
Saisiaz 70 Mind to-morrow's early meeting ! We must have
our journey marge Ample for the wayside wonders.
2. = Margin 2. rare.
1577 Hanmer Anc. Feci. Hist. VI. xii. 370 (mare.) In the
marge of the Greeke copie there was written as followeth.
1657 J. Sergeant Schism Dispach't 74 As cited in the
marge by himself. 1859 Tf.nnvson Vivien 519 Every page
having an ample marge.
Hence Marge v. Irons., to fringe, edge.
185a Fraser's Mag. XLVI. 166 Little bays, roarged with j
printless yellow sands.
Margeant, obs. form of Margent.
Margelene, obs. form of Marjoram.
t Margeliue. Oh. Also 7 margellane, mare-
leyne, morgeline. [Corruption of F. morgehne
' ivie duckweed, Henne-bit ; also, the small, or fine
Chickweed; also, Pimpernel' (.Cotgr.).
Cooper 1565 (s.v. Anagallis) gives rnargelina as Latin. :
F. morgeline is :-L. moraa gallinx, lit. ' hen's bite ' (cf. :
Henbit).]
The Scarlet Pimpernel, Anagallis arvensis.
1571 Huloet (ed. Higins), Margeliue an herbe, asyla. ■
1601 Holland Pliny II. 234 They haue recourse .. to an
herbe for remedy called in Greeke Asyla, and by vs in Latine
Ferus oculus (;. the wild and cruell eie, or Margellane).
1611 Cotgr., Mauvais ail, Ivie Chickweed, Morgeline,
Henbit. 1648 Hexham, Roodt Guychelheyl, Red Mareleyne,
an herbe. 1783 Ainsworth J.at. Diet. (ed. Morell) v, Asyla,
. . an herb wherewith cattle cure themselves, when they have
eaten of pimpernel, or margeline.
Margent (maud sent), sb. Now arch, aadpoet.
Also 5-6 margente,6 mergent(e, 7 marg(e)ant,
-gint. [Altered form of Margin sb. ; cf. ancient,
pageant, peasant, pheasant, tyrant.']
1. = Margin sb. 1.
1538 Klyot Diet., Margo, the brymme or edge of euery
thynge, the margent. 1553 Eden Treat. Ntuv Ind.(\rb.)2$
Grauen Lions on euery syde adourning the rayles or highest
inargentes of the same. 1596 Spenser /•'. Q. v. x. 3 From
th' utmost brinke of the Armericke shore Unto the margent
of the Molucas. 1634 Milton Comus 232 By slow Meander's
margent green. 1649 Jer. Taylor Gt. Exemp. 11. S 12. 39
Jesus sate himself down upon the margent of Jacob's well.
174a Gray Ode Eton 23 Say father Thames, for thou hast
seen Full many a sprightly race Disporting on thy margent
green. 1837 Miss Mitford Country Stories (1850) 107
Coppices with wide turfy inargents on either side. 1853
G. Johnston Nat. Hist. E. Bord. I. 157 It .. often hides
midst brushwood on the margent of a burn. 1901 Henley
Hawthorn <y Lavender 6 From reluctant woods.. And
sering margents, forced To lie lean and bare.
fig. 1679 Puller Moder. Ch. Fug. (1843) 329 By catching
at some little scattered parts, of the skirts and margent of
the cause.
2. = Margin sb. 2.
e 1485 Digby Myst. iv. 273 Looke How many bludy letters
beyn writes in his buke, Small margente her is. 153a Mure
Coufut. Barnes Mil. Wks. 776/1 And thys bimselfe confesseth
in the inergent of his lwoke. 1555 Eden Decades 188
Whiche the lymmers of bookes are accustomed to paynte
on the margentes of churche bookes. 1588 Shaks. /-. L. L.
v. ii. 8 A sheet of paper Writ on bota sides the leafe, mar-
gent and all. 161a Brinsley Lud. Lit. 71 Let them learne
euery rule .. and the summes of the rules which are set in
the margents. 1645 Milton Colast. Wks. 1851 IV. 345
A big margent, littei'd and overlaid with crude and huthil'd
quotations. 1711 Sewel Hist. Quakers (1795) I. ;v. 364
We have seen some of your laws, that have many Scriptures
in the margent. 1834 Landor I-lxam. Shaks. Wks. 1853 II.
282/2 Such were the very words ; I wrote them down with
two signs in the margent.
b. The margin of a book as being the place for
a commentary upon or summary of the text ; hence,
the commentary or summary itself.
1579 W. Wilkinson Confut. Familye of Louc 48 These
his vayne payntyngs of his margent, shall hereafter make
his cause more odious. 1589 Lyly Pappe ii'. Hatchet Wks.
1902 III. 413 Beware my Comment, tis odds the margent
shall bee as full as the text. 159a Shaks. Rom. A> Jul. 1.
iii. 86 And what obscur'd in this faire volume lies, Find
written in the Margent of his eyes. 160a — Ham. v. ii. 162.
1657 Austen Fruit Trees 1. 18 As the Margint renders it.
1733 SWIFT Brother Protest. Wks. 1755 IV. I. 182 That
blockhead. .Who knows in law nor text, nor margent.
3. = Margin sb. 4 a.
1678 Moxon Mec/t. Fxerc. 106 The Middle Rail hath
commonly two breadth* of the Margent of the Stile. Ibid.
1 10. 1823 [see Margin sb. 3 a].
4. at/rib. (or quasi-adj. = marginal).
1555 Eden Decades Contents ad fin., Reade the margente
notes of the same. 1643 R* Saltonstall To Winthrop
MARGIN
(Cent.), Margent notes upon a French text. 1811 W. R.
Spencer Poems 113 The margent thistles of the Tweed.
lience + Margent v. trans. , to insert as a marginal
note, to add marginal notes to.
1610 R. Niccols Eng. Eliza To Rdr., I present it in one
whole entire Hymne, distinguishing it only by succession
of yeares, which 1 haue margenled through the whole storie.
1662 3 Pepvs Diary 23 Jan., Finishing the inargenting of
my Navy-Manuscript.
Margerain, -ome, -yn, obs. ff. Marjoram.
■i Margery. Obs. Also4margari, -ary,-yrye,
mariari, -iori, 4-5 margerie, -ye. [a. OF. mar-
gerie:—\.. margaritamc see Margarite'.] A
pearl. Chiefly attrib. in margery pearl, stone.
13.. Propr. Sanct. (Vernon MS.) in Herrig Archiv
LXXXI. 113/16 He fond a precious Margari-ston. 136a
Langl. P. II. A. XI. 9 Noli mittere margeri-perles Among
hogges. 13. . E. E. A Hit. P. A. 1036 f>e portalez pyked of
rych platez & vch »,ate °f a margyr>'e. A parfyt perle bat
neuer fatez. c nyaPilgr. LyfManhodt I. ci. (1869) 55 It is
thing michel more worth than a margerye, and more pre-
cious. 1530 Palsgr. 243 '1 Margery perle, uacle.
t Ma'rgery-pra'ter. Cant. Oh. Also 7
mergery-. A hen.
1567 Har.man Caveat 83. l6aa Fletcher Beggar's Bush
v. 1, Or inergery-praters, Rogers, And Tibs o' th' buttry.
1641 Brome Jpv. Crcv ll. F 3, Here's Grunter and Bleater,
with Tib of the Buttry, And Margery Prater, all drest
without sluttry. a 1700 B. E. Diet. Cant. Crew.
Margh(e, Marghty, obs. ff. Marrow sb>, -y.
Marten, obs. form of Morn.
Margin (ma-rd^in), sb. Also 4-6 mar-, mer-
gryn(e, 4-7 margine, (6 mergin, S'c. mairgeane) ;
and seeM.ARGENT. [ad.L. margin-em (nom.margo),
cogn. w. Mark j*.1 A single instance of OF. margine
(15th c.) is cited by Godefr. Cf. F. %arge (see
Marge), Sp. mdrgen, Yg. margem, It. margine.
The word was little used in the 17th c, its place being
taken by Margent.]
1. That part of a surface which lies immediately
within its boundary, esp. when in some way marked
off or distinguished from the rest of the surface ; also,
the space immediately adjacent to a well, a river,
or piece of water ; an edge, border, or brink.
138a Wvclif Exod. xxviii. 24 The rynges that ben in the
mergyns of it [Vulg. tuarginibus ; 1388 brynkisj. 1 1391
Chalcek Astro/. L I SI The names of the sterres lien writen
in the Margyn of the riet. 1463-4 Rolls ofParlt. V. 501 '2
In the utter partie of the mergyne of the same cloth. 1530
Palsgr. 243/1 Margyn or brinke of any thyng, bort ; riue.
1739 S. Sharp Surg. Introd. 4 All the Advantage to be
gathered from it is only from the Evenness of its Margin.
1774 M. Mackenzie Maritime Surv. iv. 41 On the Margin
of a Lake, close to the Edge of the Water. 1805 South ey
Madoc in IK vii, Between the mountain-liase And the
green margin of the waters, i860 Tyndai.l Gtae. 1. v. 40
The chasms at the margin of the glacier. 1870 F. R. Wilson
Ch. Lindisf.T,\ Tweedmouth Church stands upon the margin
of the Tweed. 1887 Moloney Forestry If ■'. Afr. 426 Limited
to swampy lowlands or margins of lagoons.
b. Kat. Hist. Applied either to the contour or
boundary line of a body, or to a distinct border
differing in texture, etc. from the main body.
1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. 1. xi. (1765) 24 The Variations of
the Calyx in respect to .. its Equality, Mai gin and Apex,
or Top. 1807 26 S. Cooper First Lines Surg. [ed. 5) 467
At the very point where the spermatic cord emerges from
under the lower margin of the transverse muscle. 1861
Bestley Man. Bot. 133 The lines connecting the base and
apex of the leaf are called the edges or margins, or collec-
tively the circumscription. 1871 L. P. Meredith 'Teeth
(1878) 240 One of his upper incisors broken entirely off at
the margin of the gum.
fc. A boundary. Obs.
c 1586 C'tess Pembroke Ps. xcviii. ii, [God's promise]
evVy margine of this earthy spheare Now sees performed.
2. fig. a. A condition which closely approximates
to the limit below or beyond which something
ceases to be possible or desirable.
1863 Fawcf.tt/W. Ecim. 11. iii. 141 In any given condition
of a country there is some land which will just pay for cul-
tivation if it is let at a nominal rent. Thus, as it were,
a margin of cultivation is marked, below which the cultiva-
tion of land cannot descend, unless some circumstances
should occur which should either induce men to be satisfied
with smaller profits, or should increase the productiveness
of land. 1869 Rogers Adam Smith's IV. N. I. 11. iii. 335
lute. No tax can be levied from those who are on the
margin of bare subsistence.
b. Aii amount (of space, time, money, material,
etc.) allowed or available in addition to what is
estimated to be strictly necessary for a certain
purpose, and serving as a provision for unforeseen
contingencies, or admitting of being applied to
other purposes.
185a E. Warrurton Daricn Introd. I. 5 The purchase of
an annuity. . secured to him an ample supply for his simple
wants, and left him besides a wide margin for the charities
in which his brave old heart delighted. 1858 Froidi: Hist.
Eng. III. xiii. 145 The King, in his instructions, left a wide
margin of discretion to the generals. 1865 Mll.L Pol. Econ.
(ed. 6) IV. iv. § 5 The fall of profits would be retarded if
money wages did not rise, or rose in a less degree ; but the
margin which can be gained by a deterioration of the la-
bourer's condition is a very narrow one. 1865 Dickens
Mut. Fr. in. vi, Within a certain margin of hours. 1866
Rogers Agric. I, Prices I. iv. 81 The narrow margin of
profit had been reduced to a minimum. 1873 Hamketon
Intetl. Lift v. iii. (18751 190 The shortening of the hours of
labour may afford some margin of leisure.
MARGIN.
c. Stockbroking and Comm. (<*) A certain sum
deposited by a speculative seller or buyer with his
broker to cover the risk of loss on a transaction on
account. (b) U. S. ' A deposit made by each of
two brokers, parties to a contract, when one is
called up (as it is termed) by the other' {Cent.
Diet. 1S90).
i88z Pall Mall G. 15 July 5/1 Egyptian Unified bonds
went crawling down to below 48, and alarmed bankers were
sending after their ' margins '. 1883 St. Julius's Gas, 1 Nov.,
In Liverpool sales of cotton for future delivery are made
without any deposit of 'margins'. 1885 Harper's Mag.
Mar. 611/1 The speculators were .. caught without any
margin. 1888 BtYCR Amer. Commw. III. xcii. 288 Ohio
punishes by fine and imprisonment the offering to sell
'options' or exhibiting any quotations of the prices of
' margins', 'futures' or 'options'. 1902 H'cstm.Gaz. 11 Nov.
1 1/3 The bulk of the shares in what are called the specula-
tive lines are held by speculators on margin.
d. Life- insurance. = Loading vbl. sb, 3.
1881 [see Loading vbl, sb. 3].
3. The space on a page between the extreme edge
and the main body of written or printed matter,
often partly taken up with notes, references, illu-
minations, or the like. Often in narrower sense,
applied to the margins at the sides of the page
(' inner ' and ( outer ' margins) as distinguished from
the ' head ' and ' foot.'
136a Langl. P. PI. A. vill. 20 Marchauns in bis Margin
{of a bull] hedden mony^eres [of pardon]. 1398 Trkvisa
Ilarth. De P. R. xv. xxiv, (1495) 497 Loke in the nexte
pagyn in thende of the mergyn. 153a MORE Con/ut. Barnes
yiii. Wks. 756/2, I lette passe that he noteth in the margine
these woordes how a manne maye knowe the church. 1589
Reg. Privy Council Scot. IV. 442 Thay wer nocht contenit
In the body of the said principall letter . . hot interlynnit on
the mairgeane thairof. 1611 IIible Trans I, Pre/, r 15 Some
peraduenture would haue no varietie of sences to be set in
the margine. i6ai Up. Mountagu Diatribx 219 For this
we haue Scripture and Fathers in the margine. 1783 John-
son in Boswell 1 May, I know when I have been writing
verses, I have run my finger down the margin, to see how ,
many i had made, and how few I had to make. 1817
DnmiN Bibliogr. Decani. II. 471 Hooks with larger margins
are no where to be found. 1831 LoHCP. Gold, Leg. IV. Scrip,
torhtm, I . . will sketch her thus, in her quiet nook, For the
margin of my Gospel book.
b. The annotations placed in the margin of a
work (cf. MABGKNT 2 b) ; in quot. trans/., an ex-
planatory indication.
1824 Hogg Com/. Sinner 83 She viewed Mrs. Logan with
a stern, steady gaze, as if reading her features as a margin
to her intellect.
4. a. Joinery, The flat part of the stiles and
rails of framed work. b. Building. ' That part
of the upper side of a course of slates which appears
uncovered by the next superior course ' (Gwilt).
[1678: see M argent sb. 3. J 1823 P. Nicholson Pract.
Build. 226 Margins or Margents. — The flat part of the stiles
and rails of framed work. 1855 F. Rf.innel Masons % etc.
Assist. 70 The part of the back of every course which is
exposed to the eye is called the margin of that course.
5. alt 'rib. , as margin-cell \ light, sand; margin
draft, draught = Draft sb. 6 a (Ogilvie 1850);
margin line Naut, (see quot.); margin-tailed^.,
having a marginate tail {Cent. Diet.).
188a Vines Sachs' Bot. 142 This wall intersects the dividing
wall of the vmargin-cell previously formed. 1858 Skyrings
Builders' Prices (ed. 48) 34 Deal cased frames, .with "margin
lights or rail, c 1850 Rudim. Xavig. (Weale) 131 * Margin
Hue, a line or edge parallel to the upper side of the wing
transom, and about five inches below it, at which place ter-
minate all the butts of the bottom planks abaft. 1820 Kulth
Hyperion \. 15 Along the "margin-sand large foot-marks
went.
Hence Ma-rgiiiless a., having no margin.
1839 D. Macmillan Mem. (1882) 89, I have "had to cut
away all the margin. . . This marginless volume. . will be [etc. J.
Margin (maudlin), v. [f. prec. sb. Cf. late
L. marginare, F. marginer.']
1. trans. To furnish with marginal notes ; to
annotate or summarize in the margin.
1607 Hieron De/ence 1. 78 Though it be his use, to margin
his English, with greek or latin or both. 1616 Sir T. Rok
Jrnl. 4 Sept. (1899) 260, 1 receiued my Articles back from
Asaph chan, who tooke now att last many exceptions, and
margined them with his Pen in most Insolent sort. 1651
C Cartwright Cert. Relig. 1. 52 If any man may be per-
mitted to appeale to Scriptures : margind with his own notes.
« 1734 North Exam. 1. i. § 7 (1740) iS These he deals
forth.. as the notable Matters, margined for better Notice.
188s E. S. Ffoulkes Prim. Consecr. iv. 73 Of the four
prayers margined by Mr. Hammond as ' Recital of the work
of Redemption, Words of Institution, Confession of Faith,
and the Great Oblation ', not a trace occurs in S. Cyril.
2. To specify in the margin of a page.
c 1640 J. SMYTH Lives Berkeleys (1883) £ 294 Whereto add
these records here margined. 1868 Voice 0/ Truth May
117 There are no fewer than 2283 articles, all numbered,
n«neA 3nt* tiie PIaces tne>' came "OH. carefully margined.
3. To provide with a margin, edge, or bonier.
Freq. in pass,
1715 tr. Pancirollus' Rerum Mem. I. iv. ii. 158 Hats..
were margin'd with Brims, as a commodious Shelter. 1725
H. Bourne Antiq, Vitlgares 65 If its water was. .margin'd
with the tender grass. 1797 Mrs. Radci.iffe Italian xix.
102/1 Entering the little bay, where the hamlet margined
the beach, i860 G0S8S Row. Nat. Hist. 35 The broad belt
of reeds which margined the river. 1865 Pall Mall G.
16 Sept., A vellum pamphlet .. each leaf of which was
numbered and neatly margined with red ink. 1883 F. M.
Vol. VI.
161
Ckawford Dr. Claudius 1, A variety of mathematical
figures, margined all round with odd-looking equations.
b. Nat. Hist, and rath. (Cf. Margin st>. 1 b.)
1840 Cu7'ier's Anim. Kingd. 244 The feathers margined
with greyish during the winter. Ibid. 249 The membranes
margining the toes. 1849 J. E. Gray Catat. S/ecim. Snakes
Brit. Mus. 113 The upper band-like, transverse, like a
frontal, margining the rostral. 1881 J. S. Gardner in Nature
XXIII.251 The leaves are smaller, .the parenchyma re-
duced to a narrow expansion margining each vein. 1898
J. Hutchinson Arch. Surg. IX. 125 [The eruption] con-
sisted of patches which were not abruptly margined.
4. Stockbroking. To deposit a ' margin ' upon
(stock). Also intr. in To margin up (U.S.) ; to
provide additional * margin* when what has been
paid is insufficient.
18.. Amer. Economist III. 176 (Cent.) The concern then
had §42,500,000 locked up on Bourse, having trebled its
liabilities in the vain attempt to margin up after a fall begun
in September, 1881. 1896 li'estm. Gaz. 4 Aug. 7/3 The
banks are indifferent, as the stocks held are securely
margined.
Marginal ma'id^inal), a. andsb. [ad. mod. I..
tnarginalis, f. margin-, margo, M. vrgin s/>. Cf. F.
marginal.'] A. adj.
1. Written or printed in the margin of a page, as
marginal note, reference. Hence marginal bible,
one with marginal notes.
1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 34 margin, Thes words are
..made plaine, in the first Epistle, Li. 6. in a marginal I
note. 1611 CoTGii. s.v. Marc, Looke the next marginal I
word. 1641 MlLTON Ch. G0vt.1v 41 To club quotations
with men whose learning and beleif lies in marginal stuffings.
a 1656 Hales Gold. Rem. (1673) 288 That so you may bring
them [sc. scattered notes] together by marginal references.
1683 MoxoH Mech. Exerc, Printing xxii. F5 Marginal
Notes come down the side (or sides, If the Page have two
Columns). /1173a T. Boston Crook in Lot (1805) 78 Here
there is a line reading, and a marginal. 1733 NEM. Hist.
Pun't. II. 48 Mr. Canne, author of the Marginal References
to the Bible, i860 Dickens Lett. (18801 II. 113, I thought
the marginal references overdone. 1885^^48 Vict. c. 15
Sched. ii. Precept § 35 You are .. to publish . . the register
with your marginal additions. 1903 Expositor July 1 Fuller
lists .. in what are called ' marginal bibles'.
fb. Marginal finger: a 'finger' or hand set in
the margin to call attention to something ; hznecjig.
1604, Dekkbk Honest Wh, Wks. 1873 II. 6 Let it stand
Within the Wizards booke (the kalendar) Markt with a
marginal 1 finger. 163a Massinger & Field Fatal Dowry
III. i, To haue mens marginall fingers point At Charaloys,
as a lamented story !
2. Pertaining to an edge, border, or boundary ;
situated at the extreme edge (of an area, mass, etc.).
1658 Phillips, Marginal, belonging to the margin or
margent, i. the brink or brim of any thing. 1831 Brewster
Optics vi. 54 The central parts of the lens . . refract the rays
too little, and the marginal parts too much. 187a Black
Adz\ Phaeton vii. 100 A marginal growth of willow and flag.
188a Garden 25 Mar. 202/2 Lobelias .. are most useful, as
marginal plants for flower beds and borders. 1893 Lane-
Poole Aureugzib xii. 190 The extreme point south of Trichi-
nopoly, and the marginal possessions of the Portuguese.
b. Nat. Hist. (Cf. Margin sb. i b.)
1776-96 Withering Brit, Plants (ed. 3) IV. 97, I never
observed the seeds exposed 111 the marginal sinusses. 1800
Phil. Trans, XC. 436 When the marginal lips are brought
together, the animal will have a considerable power of
suction. 1859 ). K. Greene Man. Anim. Kingd., Protozoa
20 To send forth pseudopodia through the marginal pores.
1875 BBMMBTT & Dyke tr. Sachs' Bot. 298 Adventitious
shoots, arising in the thalloid forms from cells of the older
marginal parts.
3. That is on the ' margin *, or close to the limit,
below or beyond which something ceases to be
possible or desirable.
1887 Daily News 23 May 2/8 Competition is as keen as
ever and prices as marginal as they can be. 1890 Marshall
Princ. Econ. in. iii. (1898) 168 That part of the thing which
he is only just induced to purchase may be called his
marginal purchase, because he is on the margin of doubt
whether it is worth his while to incur the outlay required to
obtain it. And the utility of his marginal purchase may be
called the marginal utility of the thing to him. 1903
F. W. H. Mvkrs Hum. Personality I. Introd. 14 They
speak of ' fringes ' of ordinary consciousness ; of ' marginal '
associations.
B. sb. A marginal note, reference, or decoration.
Now rare.
1602 2nd Pt. Return/r. Parnass. 1. it. 248 For Lodge and
Watson, men of some desert, Yet subiect to a Critticks
marginall. 1618 J. Smyth Lives Berkeleys (1883) II. 205
What great services hee often did against the French,, .the
marginall will informe his posterity. 1641 ' Smectymnuus '
Vind. Ansiv. § 4. 59 Doth not the Marginall tell you.. that
the holy Church was founded in the state of Prelacie ? 1743
Emerson Fluxions 34 The Values of the Marginals on the
left. 1884 Times (weekly ed.) 10 Oct. 7/4 The text is printed
in old black letter type, with pictorial headings and marginals.
Hence Ma'rginal v. trans., to enter in the margin
of a book ; to add marginal notes to.
1618 j. Smyth Lives Berkeleys (1883) I. 212 The records
here marginald. 1787 Kkntham Wks. (1843) X. 170, I am
marginaling Essai sur les Recompenses, All I have to say
. .is marginaled and ready for reading.
II Marginalia (miud^in^'lia), sb. pi. [L. neut.
pi. of margindlis Marginal.] Marginal notes.
183a Coleridge Let. 22 Apr. (1895) II. 761 A facsimile of
John Asgill's tracts with a life and copious notes, to which
I would affix Postilla et Marginalia, a 1849 Poe (title)
Marginalia. 1853 Lockhart in Croker Papers (1884) III.
xxviii. 294, I have read some slips of Moore, and when I
get a larger portion will send you a set with marginalia.
marginicidal.
1891 LWinsor Columbus i. 7 Some manuscript marginalia
found in three different books . . are also remnants of the
autographs of Columbus.
Marginalic (maKrjinee'lik), a. nome-wd. Sug-
gestive of ' marginalia '.
01849 Po* Marginalia Wks. r864 III. 484 A model of
manners, with a richly marginalic air.
Marginalize (maud.^inabiz), v. rare. [f.
Makcinai, + -izk.] trans, and intr. To make
marginal notes (upon).
a 183a BEKTHAM Mem. \ Cerr. Wks. 1843 X. 68, I used.,
to marginalize and make notes on cards. 187Z F. Jacox
Aspects 0/ Authorship r02 Augustine's Confessions . .\vz
[Alip. I.eighton] similarly marginalized. Ibid, 112W/V, Byron
could marginalize with similar fertility and facility.
Marginally (ma'adginali), adv. [f. Marginal
+ -I.V-J In the margin of a page; as a marginal
note ; Bot. towards the margin.
1601 Iir. W. Barlow De/ence 218 That text of S. Paul
marginally misalleaged. ai68a Sir T. Browne Tracts 7
Still retained at least marginally in some translations. 1882
WOLSELEY in Standard 9 Sept. 2/1, I advanced with the
troops marginally noted. 1884 BoWEK & Scott De Iiarys
Vhaner. 3oi_ In Ginkgo the two bundles which pass from
the petiole into the lamina, branch repeatedly into mar-
ginally directed forks.
Marginant (maudjinant), a. Bot. [ad. L.
marginant-cm, pr. pple. of marginare to Margin.]
Becoming marginate. In recent Diets.
Marginate {mi-iAgaieV., a. J\'at. J/ist. and
Path. [ad. I., marginat-us . pa. pple. of viar-
ginare, 1. margin- Margin s/k] Having a distinct
margin, marginated.
1777 konsoN Brit. Flora 35 Marginate, having a leafy
border. 1822 J. Mawe ll'odarch's Conchol. (ed. 2> p. xiii,
Marginate (in Univalves), having the sides of the shell
thickened ; (in Bivalves), surrounded with an elevated mar-
gin. 1826 Kirbv & Sr. Entoiuol. IV. 327 Marginate...
When an impressed line or channel separates the edge of
the prothorax from the rest of its surface, and so forms a
margin. _ 1874 Cookk /'/ingi 57 The marginate species. 1897
All/Pitt's .Syst. Med. III. 50 The erythemas occur chiefly
in children, in marginate, papular, or urticarious forms.
Marginate (ma-idziiu-it), v. [f. L. marginal-,
ppl. stem at marginare, (. margin- Margin s/>.~\
fl. trans. To annotate with marginal notes.
1609 Bp. W. Barlow Anno, Nameless Cath. 335 That
speech is vsed but onely in one of those places, marginated
by his Maiestie.
2. To furnish with a margin or border.
1623 CoCKERAM, Marginate, to make brimmes or mar-
gents. 1880 k. B. Watson in Jrnl. Linn. Soc. XV. too
Suture sharply impressed, .being marginated on its upper
side by a minute flat surface. 1881 ibid. 440 Marginaling
the suture below is a line thread.
Marginated (maudsin^tcd), ///. a. [f. L.
marginat-us, pa. pple. of marginare (see prec.) +
-KD-.] •= Marginate a.
1727 Bailey vol. II. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp. s. v.
Lycoperdon, The smooth, oblong and inwardly marginated
lycoperdon. 1802 BlNCLEV Anim. Biog. (1813) III. 145 The
marginated water-beetle. 1839 Sowerbv Conch. Man. 62
Marginated, having an edge or border thicker than the rest
of the shell. 1849 L). J. Browne Amer. Poultry I'd. (1858)
53 Golden Hamburgh fowls . . of barred or marginated
markings.
Margination (maidginf'-Jsn). [f. Marginate
v. : see -ation.] A marginated appearance or
marking.
1896 A llbutt's Syst. Med. 1. 69 The so-called ' margination'
of leucocytes. Ibid. 71 A commencing margination of the
white corpuscles was discernable. 1898 Sir H. Howorth
in Archxol. Jrnl. LV. 128 Obvious either from the nature
of the print or from distinctly-marked margination.
t Marginean, a. Obs.~" [f.late L. margine-us
(f. margin- Margin sb.) + -an.] Marginal.
1656 Blocnt Glossogr.
Margined (maud^ind), a. and ///. a. [f.
Margin sb. or v. + -ed.] Having a margin, esp.
one of a specified kind ; chiefly Nat. Hist, ^often
as pple. followed by ' with ') ; fiol. applied to
seeds having a distinct projecting edge.
In spec, names of animals it represents L. marginatus.
1826 Kirbv & Sp. Entomol. III. xxix. 97 The mar-
gined egg just mentioned. 1828 Stark Elem. Nat. Hist.
I. 212 Wings and tail black, margined with gray. 1832
Pop. Zool. 390 The Margined Tortoise ( Testudo Marginata).
1844 J. E. Grav Catat. Tortoises, etc. Brit. Mus. 61 The
Margined Crocodile, Crocodilus marginatus. 1882 M.
Arnold Irish Ess. 245 Books shapely, well printed, well
margined. 1897 A llbutt's Syst . Med. II. 280 If it be ery.
thema the redness will shew itself in abruptly margined
patches.
Marginellacean(majd,z,inel,?'-Jan),<7. Conch.
[f. moaX..Marginellaeea , i. Marginella (see below),
f. margin-, margo Margin sb.] Pertaining to the
Marginellacea or Marginellidm, a family of gas-
teropods. So Margine'llid, a gasteropod of the
family Marginellidie ; Marg-ine-lliform a., having
the form of a gasteropod of the genus Marginella ;
MarglneTloid a., resembling the genus Mar-
ginella. In recent Diets.
Marginicidal (maud^inisai^dal),*?. Bot. [f. L.
marginlj)-, margo (see Margin sb.) +-cid-, weak-
ened root of cxdere to cut + -al.] (See quot.)
1889 Syd. Soc. Lex. 1900 B. D. Jackson Closs. Bot.
Terms, Marginicidal, dehiscent by the disjunction of the
united margins of the carpels, a form of septicidal dehiscence.
87
MARGINIFORM.
Marginiform (marfptii^m] , "■ [a'l • mod.L.
margimform-is : see Margin sb. and -form.] Re-
sembling or forming a margin.
1856 Maynk Expos. Lex, Margini/ormis... Applied by
H. Cassini to the appendices of the pericliniuiu of the
Syiian/hcrcr, when they resemble a border : marginiform.
1890 Century Diet, (citing Coils).
Margining fma\id/,inin ). [f. Margin sb. or v.
+ -i.NGi.l Margins collectively; edging of a dis-
tinct colour or texture from the main body.
In recent Diets.
Ma
M
ffia:rginiro-stral, «.<>«;'//;. [f.l*margin(i,- \
ari;in st. + rostr-um beak + -AL.J Of feathers:
Growing round the basal margin of the bill.
1837 MacgiLLIVRAY Hist. Brit. Birds I. 80.
Margint, obs. form of Margf.nt.
Margon, obs. f. Murgeon rf.i.dirt, earth.
Margorie, margorum, obs. ff. Marjoram.
|j Margosa (maJg^si). [Short for Pg. amar-
gosa. fern, of amargoso bitter.] An Fast Indian
tree,' A zadirachla indica {Melia Azadirachla), yield-
ing a bitter oil ; also called neon.
1813 Ainsi.ie Mat. Med. Hindostan 127 A certain portion
of Margosa oil. 1846 Lindley Veg. h'iugd. 464 It is sup-
posed that the Melia Azedarachta, or neem-tree of India,
possesses febrifugal properties ;. .it is also called the Mar-
gosa-tree. 1871 Matker Travancort 98.
Margose, margou, obs. forms of Margaux.
Margravate (mavgr/vft). [f- next + -ate '.]
= Maruraviatb.
1802 Brookes' Gazetteer fed. 12), Lusatia, a margravate of
Germany. 1864 BuBTON Scot Air. I. v. 260 Inexhaustible
varieties of palatinates, margravates [etc.].
Margrave (maMgr^v). Hist. Also 6 mer-
grave. 6-8 mare-, 7-9 markgrave, 9 mar(k)-
graf. [a. MDu. markgrave [rnod.Vn. markgraaf),
= OI1G. marcgrSvo (MUG. markgrave, mod.G.
markgraf), lit. 'count of a mark or border terri-
tory': see Mark sb* and Grave sb.* Cf. med.L.
margrdvius, F. margrave.] A German title, orig.
given to the military governor of a border province;
subsequently the hereditary title of the p.inces of
certain states of the Holy Roman Empire.
Rendered in Latin by marchio ; in Fr. and Eng. formerly
sometimes by marquis.
1551 Rouinson tr. More's Utop. i. (1895) 23 The chiefe and
the head of them was the Marcgraue (as they cal him). 1568
Grafton Citron. II. 84 All such Rulers of townes or
Countries as are nere the sea, are called Mergraue, as at
this day in Andwarpe. 1577-87 Holinshed Chron. III.
j 208/2 Christopher prince and margrave of Baden. 1614
Selden Titles Hon. 209, 213, 221. 1617 Moryson /tin. ill.
236 The Margraue (or Marquis) of Brandeburg is.. the last
of the Electors, but more powerfull then any of them in the
number of Vassals. 1605 Loud. Caz. No. 3130/2 The Mar.
grave of Bareilh is still at Amsterdam. 1790 Wolcot (P.
i'indar) Adv. to Fut. Laureat Wks. 1812 II. 335 Emperors,
Electors, dead to hospitality, Margraves and miserable
Dukes. 1855 Motley Dutch Rep. (1861) I. 472 John van
Immerzeel, Margrave of Antwerp.
Hence Ma-rgravely, Margra'vial adjs., per-
taining to a margrave.
176a tr. Busching's Syst. Geog. V. 378 The marggravial
territory of Onolzbach. 1865 J. Skelton (' Shirley ') Cam-
paigner at home vii. 136 Many royal, margravely, princely
crimes. 1876 Tinslcy's Mag. XIX. 61 In the grand duchy
of Baden, in the fair margravial land.
Margraviate(niajgr<?i-vi|A). [ad. med.L. type
*margrdvidtus, f. margrdvius Margrave.] The
territory ruled by a margrave.
170a Loud. Gat. No. 3870/2 They proceeded to the Mar-
graviate of Anspach. 1870 Burton Hist. Scot. (1873) VI.
lxx. 206 German grand-duchies and margraviates.
Margravine (maugr/vin). Also 7 -inne. [a.
Da. markgravin (= G. markgrdjin) fern, of mark-
£77w/.Mari:R.\.ve. Cf .¥. margravine.] The wife
of a margrave.
1692 Loud' Gaz. No. 2738/3 There is a Discourse of a
Marriage being proposed between his Electoral Highness
and the Margravinne of Anspach. 1753 Hanwav Trav.
(1762) I. vu. xcii. 423 He placed the margravine of Bareith
at his right hand.
Margrete, -rite, obs. forms of MargariteL
Margthe, obs. form of Marrow sb.1
Marguarite, obs. form of Margarite 1.
Marguerite (marieirft). [a. F. marguerite
(see Margaret 2), originally the name of the
daisy {Ileitis perennis) and hence applied to larger
flowers of similar shape.]
1. The common Daisy {Bellis perennis). rare—".
1866 in Treas, Bot. 1878-86 Britten & Holland Plant-
«., Margaret's Herb, or Marguerite. In recent Diets.
2. Tire Ox-eye Daisy, Chrysanthemum Leucan-
themum ; also C.frtttestens or Paris Daisy. Blue
Marguerite, Agathn-a (De/ris) ca'lestis.
1866 Miss Thackeray Vilfage on Cliff-s\\. (1867) 218 A
drawer in the bureau where she had already thrown some
dead marguerites. 1882 Garden 18 Feb. 122/1 Flowers of
the blue Marguerite {Agathxa ccelest/s). Ibid.^ 16 Dec.
526/1 Paris Daisies, or white Marguerites, constitute just
now one of the chief features in the gardens at Chiswick.
Margullie, v. Sc. Also murgullie. [a. OF.
margul\l)ier, -goillier to roll in the mud, soil,
pollute, bruise, mutilate.] trans. ' To spoil, to
destroy, to mangle ; to mar any business ' (Jam.).
162
1721 Ramsay Address to Town Council i, They spoil'd my '
sense, and staw my cash, My muse's pride murgully'd. 1774
C. Keith Farmer's Ha' Ivii, Nature, unhurt by thrawart
man, And nae niai gullied by chicane. 1836 J. Struthf.rs ^
Dvchmont in. 142 Wasting time murgullying Greek.
Margyrye, variant of Margery Obs. (pearl).
Marhatta, obs. variant of Mahratta.
Marhen^iue, variant of Moryeve Obs.
Mari, obs. f. Marrow si.1. Marry, Mary.
Mariable, Mariage, etc.: see M.\RRiABLE,ete.
Maria-glass. Min. Anglicized formof Marien -
gi.as (Chester Diet. Names Min. 1896).
t Maria-groschen. Obs. In 7 -grosh(en.
[ad. G. Mariengroschen, f. Marien- Mary + G_Ro-
SOBEH.j AGerman coinequivalenttoeightpfennigs.
1617 Moryson /tin. I. 35 Here each man paid..seuen
maria-groshen for meat. Ibid. 286 At Brunswicke a Doller
was worth six and thirty Maria Grosh, which are of equall
value with foure and twenty siluer Misen Grosh.
t Marial'. Obs. rare-1. Some herb.
i486 Bk. St. Albans C vj b, Take Fenell Maryall and
Kersis ilich nioch.
t Marial-. Obs. [ad. med.L. martdle, neut. of
marialis, f. Maria Mary : see -al. Cf. Sp. marial.']
Something written in praise of the Virgin Mary.
1622 H. Ward Christ All in All (1627) 12 They giue it
[ = ascribe honour] to the blessed Virgin, in the Closes of
their riming Marials.
Marialite (me>rial3it). Min. [ad.G. marialit,
peril, f. Maria Mary, on account of its whiteness :
see -lite.] A silicate of aluminium, calcium and
sodium, found near Naples ; also = HaUymte.
1854 Dana Syst. Min. (ed. 4) 1 1. 230 Hauyne . . Marialite,
Ryllo. 1870 Rutley Study 0/ Rocks x. 112 The species
meionite and marialite are closely related to scapolite. 1896
Chester Diet. Names Min.
Marian (me»"rian), sb.1
1. A female name ; in quot. applied to a light
woman. See also Maid Marian.
1367 Harman Caveat 62 Hee. .ofTeres the same closely to
this manerly marian.
2. Marians (occas. Marian) Violet [repr. med.L.
Viola Mariana], Coventry Marian, rarely simply
Marian: Canterbury Bells, Campanula Medium.
1578 Lyte Dodoens n. xx. 171 Whan they be close, they
haue fyue crestes or playtes like the Belfloures, or Couentrie
Marians. Ibid. xxii. 173 Of Marians violet, or Couentrie
Belles. 1629 Parkinson Farad, in Sole (1656) 357 We call
it generally.. Coventry Bels. Some call it Marian, and
some Mercuries Violets. 1658 Phillips, Maricts, a sort of
violets, called also Marian Violets.
Marian (me»-rian), al*- and sb.- [f. L. Maria
Mary + -an.] A. adj.
1. Pertaining to the Virgin Mary, or characterized
by special devotion to her.
1701 \title) An Account of Livonia with a Relation of the
Rise, Progress, and Decay of the Marian Teutonick Order.
1829 Southey Sir T. More II. 106 The propagandists of
the Monkish and Marian religion. 1865 Pusey Truth PSng.
Ch. 120 In Spain and Portugal devotion to the Blessed
Virgin is in its natural home. They are familiarly called
Marian Kingdoms.
2. Pertaining to Mary Queen of England or her
time (I.553-58)-
1608 Willet //e.rapla Exod. 61 The late daies of the
Marian persecution in England. 165s Fuller Ch. Hist.
VII. i. § 29 Of all the Marian-MartyrsTHooper, and Ridley
suffered with most torture. 1849 MacaulAY Hist. Eng. v.
I. 647 In this way, with the help of some invention and
exaggeration, was formed a copious supplement to the
Marian tnartyrology.
3. Relating to Mary Queen of Scots (1542-87).
190a A. Lang Hist. Scot. II. x. 267 A Marian conspiracy
worked by Lennox.
B. sb.
1. A worshipper, or devotee of the Virgin Mary.
1635 A. Stafford Fern. Glory 223 Till they are good
Marians, they shall never be good Christians ; while they
derogate from the dignity of the Mother, they cannot truely
honour the Sonne. 1693 Emitianne's Hist. Mouast. Ord.
in. 287 [The Teutonic knights] built there.. a Church in
honour of the Virgin Mary, from whence they were called
Marianes. 1699 T. Dorrington Pres. St. Relig. 5S It would
. . be no hard and unjust Appellation, if one should call the
People of that Communion rather Marians than Christians.
2. An adherent of Mary Queen of Scots ; also,
one who takes her side in historical discussion.
1893 Athenaeum 1 1 Nov. 653/2 For twenty years Mr. Skelton
has been known as a prominent Marian. 190a A. Lantj
Hist. Scot. 1 1. xii. 293 Sir Robert Melville, a strong Marian,
had organised the business.
Also Marianic a. - Marian a. 1.
1845 G. B. Cheever Wand. Pilgrim lix. (1848) 311 The
artful mixture of the Gospel scheme of redemption . . in this
Marianic system.
Marian (mc*ltfn), al- (and sb.Z) [ad. L.
Marian-its, f. Mari-us (see below).] a. adj. Of
or pertaining to Gaius Marius, a famous Roman
general (died 86 B.c.1, or his party, b. sb. A
follower of Marius. (In the first quot. the pi. is
used instead of Marinses.)
1579-80 North Plutarch, Ctesar (1896) V. 1 Sylla told
them againe, that, .there were many Marians in that young
boy [Julius Ca;sar]. 1797 F.ncycl. Brit. (ed. 31 XVI. 375/2
Sertorius, one of the generals of the Marian faction. 184a
Penny Cycl. XXIII. 253/2 After this defeat of the Marian
party, Sulla repealed the laws of Sulpicius.
Marian (me-vrian), a.?< [f. Maridnus : see
MARIGOLD.
below.] Used to designate a method of lithotomy,
introduced by Marianus Sanctus in 1524.
1839 Penny Cycl. XIV. 52/1 Apparatus Major, or Marian
Method. Ibid., The Marian section. 1889 . Syd. Soe. Lex.
s.v. Lithotomy, Marian L., the older form of median
lithotomy.
Marianism.(nic>'rianiz'm). rare~'. [f Marian
a.1-*- -ism.] =next.
1845 G. B. Cheever Wand. Pilgrim xxtv. (184S) 159 Our
Mother who art in heaven (says this great system of Marian-
ism, instead of Christianity).
t Maria'nity. Obs. rare-1, [f. Marian <t.'
after Christianity.] A religious system based upon
the cnltus of the Virgin Mary.
1677 W, Hi'ghks Man of Sin 11. iii. 50, I think the World
hath much nicknam'd l»th the Romanists, and their Re-
ligion likewise. This, at the best ought to be called Mari-
anity, and not Christianity.
I Marianclatry. Obs. rare. [f. Marian a.1
+-(p)LATBY.] =MarioL.\try. SoMarianolatrist
= Mahiolater.
1736 Bailey (folio) Pref., Marianalatrists [sic]. 1755
Amoky Mem. (1766) II. 188 If they had not blended with
this religion a maiianolatory [sici ibid. 193 A mariauo-
latry, a demonolatry [etc.].
Mariari, variant of Margery Obs.
t Maria-tree. Obs. [ - Sp. drbol de Maria
' tiee of Mary '.] The tolu tree.
1745 P. Thomas Jrnl. Anson's I'oy. 168 The Maria-Tree
is lofty, and its Leaves not quite unlike the Bay, but larger
and thicker. I76c-7a tr. Juan A- Ulloa's I'oy. (ed. 3) I. 48
The cedar, the maria, and the balsam tree.
Maribone, obs. form of Marrowbone.
Maribot(t, obs. forms of Marabout.
Marice, Mariche, var. ff. Maris, Marish.
!l Mariche. Obs. rare'. [It. mariche pi., in
G. Botero Benese Relationi (1605) 1. i. 1 23, nhence
the passage is taken.] A beast alleged to exist in
Cambodia (see quot.).
1613 Pchchas Pilgrimage (1614) 459 In these parts [r< .
Camboia, Siam, etc.] arc huge woods, harbours of Lions,
Tigers, Ownces, and Mariches, which haue Maidens faces
and Scorpions tailes.
Maricock, obs. form of Maracock.
MaricolOUS vmari'kiytas), a. [f. L. mari-.
mare sea + -coins inhabiting, colere to inhabit.]
Inhabiting the sea. In recent Diets.
II Marid (mse-rid). [repr. two Arabic forms :
j.U md'rid pr. pple. of marada to rebel, and Jj^«
mari'd, f. the same root.] Tn Mohammedan
demonology, a jinn of the most powerful class.
1839 Lane Arab. Nts. (1859) I. 72 When the Marid heard
these words of the fisherman, he said, There is no deity but
God ! 1880 J. Payne Alaeddin 92 Alaeddin looked and
saw a Marid.
Marie, obs. f. Marrow sb.1, Marry, Mary.
Mariege, obs. form of Marriage.
II Marienglas. Also 8 -glass. [Ger., i.
Marien, comb. f. Marie Mary + glas Glass.]
A name applied to mica and selenite.
176a tr. Busching's Syst. Geog. I. 380 The famous Ma-
rienglass, called by some Muscovy glass, or ising-glass.
Ibid. 474 Marienglas. 1799 W. Tooke Vim Russian Emp.
I. 358 A window of glass or marienglass.
Marierim, -om(e, -um, obs. ff. Marjoram.
t Mariet. Obs. In 6 mariette. [a. t. marietle,
f. Marie Mary.] The Canterbury Bell, Campanula
Medium.
1597 Gerarde Herbal \i. cix. 363 Couentrie bels are called
in Latin Viola Mariana, or Mercuries violets, ..and of
some Mariettes. 1611 Cotgr., Mariets, Mariets, Marians
Violets, Couentrie bells. 1658 [see Mahian sb.' 2].
Marigenous (marid.z/nas), a. [f. L. mare
sea + -gen -I- -ous.] Produced in or by the sea.
1599 R. Linche Fount. Anc. Fiction N iv b, One of those
Tritons . . (or as wee may tearm them) marigenous men.
1709 Kirwan Ceot. Ess. v. 224 Secondary or epizootic moun-
tains. These are either marigenous or alluvial. 1843HLMBLE
Diet. Geol.. etc.
Marigh, obs. form of Marrow sb*
Marigold (marrigMd). Forms : 4, 6-7 mary-
gould, 4-6 marigolde, 5-9 marygold, 6 mary-,
maregolde,marigoulde,marygowles, Sc. mari-
guild, 7 marry-gold, 6 marigold, [f. the proper
name Mary (presumably with references to the
Virgin Mary) + Gold sb*
Cf. MDu. marienbloemkijn, MLG. marienblome, ' Mary's
flower ', rendering solsequium in glossaries.]
1. The name of several plants having golden or
bright yellow flowers.
a. A plant of the genus Calendula (N. O. Com-
posilte), esp. C. officinalis, common in country
gardens ; it has some medicinal properties ; its
fiowers were formerly made into a conserve, and
are still sometimes used as a flavouring for sou]),
and to give a yellow colour to cheese.
The property possessed by the flower of opening when the
sun shines (whence the L. name solsequium, F. sonci' was
often referred to by writers of the i6-i7th c.
13. . in Med. Wis. 14M C. (ed. Henslow) 81 Take. .1 qua-
tron of mary-goulden. a 1400 in Reliq. Ant. I. 55 Another
drynk to wounde : tak confery, marigolde, matfelon [etc.].
14.. Stoane MS. 5 in Promp. Parv. 361 note. Solsequium,
Rodewort. oper marygoldys. !lS"6 Grete Ilerhill cxxxi.
MARIGOLD.
163
MARINE.
C itendula. Mary gowles, or ruddcs. 1578 Lvtb Dodocns
11. xiil. 164 The conserue that is made of the fioures of Mary-
goIdes..cureth the trembling. .of the harte. 1594 Nashe
Hnfort. Trav. 9 The Marigold, which opens and shuts with
the Sunne. 1597 Gekardk Herbal w. ccxliii. 6ooCalendula
mtdtiflora orbiculata. Double Globe Marigolde. I bid, (30$
Calendula alpina. Mountaine Marigold, a 1613 Overburv
A Wife., etc. (1638) 70 His wit, like the Marigold, openeth
with the sun. 1714 hwSheph. Week 1. 46 Fair is the ; Mary-
gold, for Pottage meet. 1848 Dickens Dombey viii, The
small front-gardens had the unaccountable property of pro-
ducing nothing but Marigolds. 1849 Macau LAV Hist. Eng.
iii. I. 321 They.. brewed gooseberry wine, cured marigolds,
and made the crust for the venison pasty.
fig. {allusive.) 1558 [Halks] Oral. Q. Eliz. in Foxe
A. fy M. (1631) III. xii. 977/1 Men.. who were Marigoldes,
that followed Maries mad affections.
b. Any plant of the genus Tageles, native to South
America and Mexico, also grown in India and
China, and much cultivated in gardens. African
Marigold, T.ereeta; French Marigold, T.patula.
1548, 1578 [see French A. 5 a]. 1597 Gkrarde Herbal u.
ccxlvi. 609 There be extant at this day flue sorts of Ttirkie
Gilliflowers or African Marigolds. 16x1 Cotgr., Oeillct
d'/rtdc, the Turkic, or Affrican Marigold, or Gilliflower ;
also, the French Marigold, or Gingioliue flower (which is
the single kind of the Affrican). ij8^Mari\s Rousseau's Bot.
xxvi. (1704) 395 French and African Marigolds, two of the
gaudy annuals of the flower-garden. 1895 Mrs. I'. M.
Croker Village Tales (1896) 150 Wreaths of evil-smelling
marigolds (that noxious flower so amazingly dear to the
native of India).
c. Chrysanthemum segetum ; usually Corn-maki-
goli), zK^o field, wild, yellow marigold.
1578 Lyte Dodocns 11. xxxiii. 190 Of Goldenfloure, or the
wild Marygolde. 1597, etc. [see Corn marigold]. x8*8
Keats Endym. 11, 397 Kipe October's faded marigolds.
1838 Maey Howitt Birds \ El., Harvest- Field El. ii, The
poppy red, the marigold, The buglos brightly blue.
d. Applied with qualification to plants of other
genera. fMarigold of Peru, the sunflower, Jleli-
anthus ; Cape M., any plant of the genus Dimor-
photheca (Cent. Diet. 1890^; Fetid M., Dysodia
ehrysanthemoides{\hi*\.)\ + Spanish M., Anemone
toro/iaria; Water M., Bidens Bee kit (Treas, Bot.
1866); West Indian M., Wedetia eartwa (ibid.).
For bur, Jig marigold see the first words. Also
Marsh Marigold.
1597 Gerarde Herbal 11. ccxlvii. 612 Of the flower of the
Sunne, or the Marigolde of Peru. 1629 Parkinson Parad.
in Sole xxv. (1656) 207 The great double Windflower of
Constantinople. .. Some gentlewomen call this Anemone,
The Spanish Marigold.
2. An ornamental representation of the flower.
1634 in Ane. Invent. (Halliw. 1S54) 24 One other Hnnen
sweete-bagge imbroydered with mary golds.
3. A variety of apple (in full marigold apple) :
see quot. 1 676. ? Obs.
1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. 87 We haue at this day
that are cheefe in price the Pippin, the Roniet, the Pome-
royal, the Marligold [sic], 1664 Evelyn Kal. Hart., Jan.
(1679) 8 Winter-Queening, Marigold, Harvey-apple. 1676
Worlidge Vinetum Brit. 40 The Marigold-apple (some-
times called Johns Pearmain, the Kate-apple, and the Onion-
apple). Ibid. 159 The Marigold-Apple (so called from its
being marked in even stripes in the form of a Marigold).
f4. slang. A gold coin ; a sovereign. Obs.
1663 Cowley Cutter ofColeman-st. u. iii, Aur. Give but
a Bill under your Hand to pay me five hundred Pounds
when [etc]... Pun. .. I'll .. presently go put five hundred
Marygolds in a Purse for you.
t5. ? Some yellow enamel. Obs.
15*9 in Wills Doctors* Comm. (Camden) 19 A mullett of
dyamountes set in maregolde.
6. A small cake garnished with almonds and
currant jelly, made to resemble the flower.
1896 Sun 11 Dec. 1/7 Those dainty little cakes called
' marigolds'.
7. attrib. and Comb., as marigold arrangement,
colour, flower, leap; marigold apple (see 3);
marigold bird, finch, the golden-crested wren or
kinglet, Regit! us cristatus ; f marigold sunflower,
Gerarde's name for the 'female' sunflower; fmari-
gold {flower) water, a decoction of marigold
flowers ; marigold window Artk^tam window.
1899 Cagney tr. Jaksch's Clin. Diagu. i. (ed. 4) 65 Where
the segments are fewer.. and result in the characteristic
^marigold arrangement, the diagnosis ot quartan fever may
be made. 1772 Rutty JVat. Hist. Dub/in I. 313 Nettle
creeper or " Marigold Bird, from the fine crown on its head,
of the colour of a Marigold flower. 1774 Goldsm. Nat.
Hist. (1776) VIII. 56 A gummy fluid, of a *marigold colour.
1828 Fleming Brit. Auini. 72 Golden-crested Wren.. * Mary-
gold Finch. 1366 Painteh Pal. Picas. I. 32 The flaring
*marigold floure, which in the inoste feruent heate of the
sommers day, doth appeare most glorious. 1747 Wesi.ey
Print. Physic (1762) 89 Eat Marigold Flowers daily as a
Sallad. C1450 ME. Med. Bk. (Heinrich) 169 Tak *mari-
yolde Ieues..& do ber to a good quantyte of hony. 1597
Gekarde Herbal 11, ccxlvii. 614 The female or 'Marigolde
Sunne flower hath a thicke and wooddie roote. 165* T.
Cademan Distiller of Loud. 12 Aa. Calendula', *Mangold-
water. 1692 V-woHTH Art Distill. 78 Aqua Catcudularum,
or, Marigold Water. 1696 Salmon Fam.-Dict. (ed. a), Mari-
gold-Water,. .This is an excellent Water for Inflamed Eyes.
..Marigold-flower* Water. 1736 F. Drake Eboracum il. U.
529 A fine piece of masonry [in York MtnsterJ in form uf a
wheel, or as Mr. Turre writes a niarygold, from whence it is
called the *marygold window. 1837 R. I>. Winklks French
Cathedrals 7 A rose or marigold window is placed over the
central opening.
Marigot (meeTigpt). [F. marigot (Littre).]
In Western Africa, a side channel of a river.
1759 tr. Adansou's Voy. Senegal in PinkcrtotCs Collect.
(1814) XVI. 610 Before 1 could get thither, I was obliged to
cross two marigots \ these are rivulets with which the whole
^ country is intersected. 1864 R. F. Burton Dahome X. 35
Passing up a marigot or branch channel, worn down by
porters' feet to a deep wet ditch. 1894 Q. Rev, July 273
The French troops, .crossed 172 ' marigots ', with steep banks
and full of water.
Marigrapll (marrigraf). [f. L. maj'i-, mare
sea + -GHAPH.J An instrument for automatically
recording the rise and fall of the tide ; a tide-
gauge. Hence Marigra'phic a., pertaining to or
obtained by a marigraph. Also Marigram [see
-gram], a record made by the marigraph. {In recent
Diets.)
1858 Simmonds Diet. Trade, Marigraph. 1884 Set. Amcr.
Suppl. 28 June 7067/3 For registering the height of the tide
at every instant, hydrographic services generally adopt quite
a simple marigraph.
Mariguild, obs. Sc. form of Mamgold.
Mariit, obs. form of Married.
Mariken, -kin, variants of Maroquin Obs.
II Marikin = next. (In recent Diets.)
II Marikin a (mserikrna). Also S marikini, y
marakina. [rcpr. Topi miriquina • the form
marihina conies (through Uuffon) from Claude
d'Abbeville Mission en Maregnan 1614.] A small
South American monkey, the silky tamarin, Midas
rosalia, having silky golden-yellow hair.
1774 Goldsm. Mat. Hist. IV. 237 The fourth is the Mart-
kina ; with a mane round the neck, and a bunch of hair at
the end of the tail, like a lion. 1854 H. G. Dalton Brit.
Guiana (1855) II. 452 The Marakina or Silky Tamarin.
1893 Mivakt Types Anini. Life ^1894) 3^ The marikina or
silky marmoset is clothed with furof a golden yellow.
+ Marill,?'. O/tf. y-MARTNATEZM^Cf.MARLZV1')
1651 T. Y>.\KK\.R.Art of Angling (1653) 14 Baked Trouts,
Trouts marilled.
II Marimba (mari*mbu\ [Congo.] A kind of
xylophone, used by natives in Africa.
1704 tr. Merolla^s I'oy. Congo I. in Churchilfs I'oy. I. 69^
The Instrument most in request us'd by the Abundi. . is the
Marimba 1 it consists of sixteen Calabashes orderly plac'd
along the middle between two side-boards join'd together,
or a long frame, hanging about a Man's Neck with a Thong.
1866 Livingstone Last Jrnls. (1873) I. xii. 305 Marimbas
and square drums formed the bands. 187s MoNTEIRo An-
gola II. 138 The Marimba is the musical instrument par
excellence of the natives of Angola.
II Marimonda (mxrim^'nda). [American Sp.,
prob. from some native lang.] A spider-monkey
of tropical America, A teles behebuth.
1758 J. ADAMS tr. fuan # Vlloas Voy. v. i, These forests
[near Caracol] are. .infested with snakes and monkeys, par-
ticularly a kind called Marimondas. 1871 Kingslky At Last
xvii, The very fine Marimonda .. now dying, I fear, in the
Zoological Gardens at Bristol.
II Marina ' (marina). Also erron.marino. [It.
andSp. : fern, oi marina Marine rt.] A promenade
or esplanade by the sea.
1805 W. Irving in Life ^ Lett. (1864^ I. 106 The whole
town was immediately in an uproar; the Marino was
crowded with spectators. 1869 LONGF. in Life (1891) III.
1 jo Then w-e landed at the Marina [at Capri] amid a noisy
crowd of men, women, and donkeys. 1901 Scribner's Mag.
1 XXIX. 441/1 We were gently wafted over the bar in a
} lighter and deposited,, .on the marina of Rabat.
Marina (marrna). Dyeing. (See quot.)
1874 Ckookes Ilandhk. Dyeing 232 The madder., is next
dried in the sun, and after this treatment is known as
Marina.
Marinade (mxrinJi'd), sb. [a. F. marinade j
ad. Sp. mariuadat f. marinar (= It, marinarey ¥.
mariner) to pickle in brine, f. marino Marine a.]
1. A pickle, generally composed of wine and
vinegar, with herbs and spices, in which fish or
meat is steeped ; also, the fish or meat thus pickled.
1704 Diet. Kust. (17 -26) Hhiij b, Marinade, a pickled Meat
either of Flesh or Fish. 1725 B&ADLKY ham. Diet. s. v.,
A Marinade of Veal serves to garnish farced Breasts of Veal.
l/>id.,To the End that the Marinade may penetrate into the
Flesh. 1859 F. B. Pagkt Curate Cnmberivorth, etc. 243 In
making the marinade in which it is to be stewed, she hail
1 fallen into the heresy of using red wine only. 1863 ' OuiDA '
Held in Bondage II. ii. 40 Of course they will', said Do
Vigne, eating his marinade leisurely. 1877 Cosset fs Diet.
Cookery 408 Prepare a marinade [for fish] by boiling together
I . . vinegar . . an union in rings, and some cayenne and salt.
2. A cake made of the edible core of the cabbage-
palm In the West Indies.
1888 Harpers Mag. Aug. 327/2 Those delicious Utile
cakes called marinades, which you hear the colored peddlers
calling out for sale.
Marinade (mx*rin6'id\ v. [f. Mabihads sb.]
trans. To steep in marinade ; to marinate. Hence
Ma'rinaded///. <z., Ma'rinading vol. sb.
c 1683 J. Collins .SW/ <y Fishery 120 To Marine or preserve
Fish.. after the Italian manner, called Marinading. 1727
Hkadi.ky Fain. Diet. s.v. Breast, To Marinade a Breast of
Veal ; cut it into great Slices, marinade them in Vinegar
[etc.]. 1807 SikH. DAVY Rem. (185?) 68, lam much obliged
to you for the marinaded pilchard*. 1901 Daily Neivs
15 June 6/2 Should a close, stifling day arrive, . . any meat
that cannot at once be cooked should be marinaded.
t Marinado, v. Obs. [f. *marinado sb., cor-
1 ruption of Sp. marinada Maiunauk sb.] m prcc.
1 e 1682 J, Collins .Salt <V Fishery 108 Signior Dominico is
noted fur the many sorts of Fish, which he Marines, or
renders Marinado'd.
t Marinage. Obs. — 1 [f. Marine^. + -age;
— Sp. marinage. (OF. had marinage adj., mari-
time, and sb., seaman.)] Seamanship.
1511 Guvlforde Pilgr. (Camden) 63 The wynde fell som-
what mete to put vs, with helpe and crafte of marynage,
from the shore.
t Mari'nal, a. and sb. Obs. Forms : 4-6
marinel, 6 mariuell, -enell, marynal, -el, 6-7
marinall, 7 -al. [a. OF. marinal, -el, adj. and
sb. , ad .med.L. pwrindlis f. L.mat iu-us Marine a. :
see -al.] A. adj. —Marine.
1. Of or pertaining to the sea ; saline.
1614 T.ADAMS Dive Us Banket 21 These, here, are Festiuall,
not Marinal] Waters. 1640 J. Gower Ovids Fest. tv. 76 The
same instinct [of love] doth guide marinall things, Which
fills with thousand fish the water-springs.
2. Nautical.
1620 tr. Boccaccio* s Decant, 52 Being no way able to com-
prehend, .what course they tooke, neither by marinal judge-
ment, or any apprehension whatsoever, a 1644 Qiakj.ks
Sit/, Recant., Sol. i.v. 21 The prudent Pilot whose marinall
skill Makes the proud windes obedient to his will.
B. sb. A mariner, sailor. Sc. and north.
1x300-1400 Cursor M. 24850 (Gott.) pe niarinelis [Coif.
mariners] war selcuth radd. >54o Aberdeen Reg. 1 1B4 t .' !•
173 To deliuer the marenellis thair feis. 1549 Compl. Scot.
vi. 42 The master gart al his marynalis & men of veyr hakl
them quiet. 1565 Durham De^os. (Surtees) 83 William Loye,
of Newcastle upon Tyne, marinel I. 1596 Dalrymi'LE tr.
Leslie's Hist. Scot. x. 37S The craig, tpihilk the niarinelis
cal S. Ebbjs held.
t Marinaller. Obs. In 5 maryneller. [f.
pree. + -kr1.] A mariner.
1470 in Rye Cromer 1.1889) 156 [Will of Nichs. Kaye of
Croumer], maryneller.
Marinar, obs. form of Mariner.
tMarinary. Obs. rare. [ad. med.L. *(ars)
i marindria the art of navigation.] Seamanship;
knowledge of navigation.
1684 Bucaniers Amcr. in. (ed. 2) 45 Through their ignor-
ance in Marinary, they stranded their Vessel.
t Marinate, ppl. a. Obs. Also 7 marrionate.
[ad. It. marinate t pa. pple. of marinare: see
MARINADE sb."] Marinated.
1651-7 T. Uakkkr Art of Angling hZzo) i3 The marrionate
\ Trout, .wil keep. 1789 Far lev Loud. Art Cookery 1. xii.
(ed.6) 146 Marinate Soles. 1886 R. F. Burton Arab. Nts.
(abr. ed.' I. 115 Stews well marinate.
Marinate (marrine't;, v. Also 7 marinat,
rnar(r)ionate, marrinate. [ad. It. marinare or
F. mariner', see Marinade sb. and -ate.]
1. trans. To pickle (fish, etc.) with marinade.
^1645 Howell Lett. I. v. xxxviii, He can marinat fi>li.
1651 T. Barker Art of Angling (1653) 15 The way to mar-
rionate a Trout or other fish. 1725 Bradley Earn. Diet. s.v.
I Ervjgs, These [frogs] being marinated with Verjuice, Pepper,
Salt,.. must be fry'd till they assume a fine Colour. 1863
H. C. Pennell Augler-uat. 170 A few dozen Bleak mari-
] nated form an excellent breakfast dish.
fb. To prepare (poultry) by a certain method
of stuffing. Obs.
1747 Mrs. Glasse Cookery ii. 38 To marinate Fowls. 1805
Eliz. Raffald Eng. Housekeeper (new ed.) 136 To marinate
; a Goose.
f 2. slang. To transport over sea. Obs.
1673 R. Head Canting Acad. 16 The other was mul/d)
bang d, and the last (marrinated) transported. <' 1700 H. E.
1 Diet. Cant. Crew, Marinated, transported into some
foreign Plantation.
Marinated jna:*rin^itcd%///.(?.[f.pree. + -ED1.]
fl. Impregnated with salt ; saline. Obs.
1658 Evelyn />. Card. (1675^ 286 This [Brine] we call
Marinated water. 1674 BlOUNT Clossogr. (ed. 4), Marinated,
pertaining to the Sea, that tastes of salt water.
2. Tickled with marinade. f Of fowls (see
! Marinate v. i b).
1659 Howell Lex., Vocab. xliii, Marinated or pickled
fish, pesce marinate, 1696 Phillips ted. 5), Marinated
, EisA,.. Fhb fryed in Oyl, and then put up in Pickle^ 1725
BRADLEY Fam. Diet. s.v. Roach, A Side-dish of marinated
Roaches. 1789 Farley Lend. Art Cookery 1. \\. led. 6) 131
Fowls marinated. 1875 M. G. Pearsb Dan. Quorm 122
' Marinated pilchards.
Marine (marTn) a. and sb. Also 4 -yn, 5-6
I -yne, 7 marrine. [a. V. mariu (fern, marine)
! ™ Sp., It. marino (fem. -a), Vg. marinho :—L.
! marln-us, f. mari-, mare sea.
The present pronunciation with (-fn) instead of (-win) is due
to the influence of the Kr. fern, marine. Owing to the non-
1 occurrence of the word in rimes, it is not possible to say
when this pronunciation arose.]
A. adj.
1. Of or belonging to the sea ; existing or found
in the sea ; produced by the sea ; Zool. inhabiting
the high seas, pelagic.
Marine rainbow : a rainbow formed on sea-spray. Marine
sauce: a name for the common taver, Poiphyra vulgaris
{Treas. Bot. 1866).
£1420 Pallad. on Husb. xi. 291 Of see quyete vptaketh
they maryne Water purest. 1484 Canton Fables cfPogc v,
Ther was fond within a yrete Ryuer a monstre maryn or of
the see. 1592 Kvo Sol. * Pers. 1. iii. 80 The earth is my
Countrey, As the aire to the fowle, or the marine moisture
To the red j;uild fish. 1637 Heywood Royal Ship 28 Then,
' O you marine Gods, who with amaze On this stupendous
I works (emergent) gttte. 1727-41 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Rain-
o7-2
MARINE.
bow, The marine or sea-bow is a phamornenon sometimes
observed in a much agitated sea. 1832 De la Beche Ceol.
Man. (ed. 2) 219 Several marine shells are discovered in
these strata. 1833 Lvell Prime. Ceol. III. 745 The term
'marine alluvium is, perhaps, admissible if confined to
banks of shingle thrown up like the Chesil bank, or to
materials cast up by a wave of the sea upon the land, or
those which a submarine current has left in its track. 1855
W. S. Dallas Syst. Nat. Hist. II. 176 The Bernicle Geese
..are marine in their habits, and feed.. upon Algae [etc. 1.
1878 Huxley Physiogr. 181 Marine denudation is not
equally active at all depths of the sea.
t b. Old Chan. Applied to substances obtain-
able from the sea. Marine alkali : soda. Marine
salt: common salt, sodium chloride ; later, any salt
of 'marine acid', a chloride. Marine acid : the acid
obtained from 'marine salt', hydrochloric acid.
Dephlogisticated or oxygenated marine add or gas :
chlorine. Marine ether: chloric ether. Marine
Epsom : magnesium chloride. Marine sclenite :
calcium chloride. 06s.
160s Timme Quersit. 1. v. D 2 b, Three kindes of Salts :
namely, the marine and fixed., the Niterus .. and the Ar-
nioniac. 1758 RtlD tr. Macquer's Chyin. I. 306 The affinity
which Mercury hath with the Marine Acid. 1790 Wedgwood
in Phil. Trans. I.XXX. 313 Crystals of marine alkali, melted
and dried. 1791 Hamilton Berthollet's Dyeingl. 1. 1. iii. 46
The properties of oxygenated marine acid. 1796 Kirwan
Elein. Mill. I. 6 Nitrous selenite, heated to redness, easily
parts with its acid . .but marine selenite obstinately retains it.
Ibid. II. 33 It [fibrous salt] usually contains Marine Epsom,
which renders it deliquescent 1797 Encycl. Brit, led.3) IV.
579/1 The dephlogisticated marine acid.. does not dissolve
ice nor camphor; in which respects it differs from the common
marine acid gas. Ibid., Marine ether. Ibid. 579/2 Dephlo-
gisticated marine gas. 1800 tr. Lagrange's Client. I. 273
The muriatic acid drawn from marine salt by the sulphuric
acid. 1825 J. Nicholson Operat. Mechanic 761 Digest the
ore in marine acid.
t o. Of sculptured figures, etc. : Representing sea
gods, fishes, sea-shells, or the like. Obs.
1703 Maundkf.ll Journ. Jerus. (1732) 137 Sea-gods,, .and
other Marine Figures. 1727-41 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Foun-
tain, Marine Fountain, that composed of aquatic figures,
as sea divinities, naiads, tritons, rivers, dolphins, and other
fishes, and shells. Ibid. s.v. Freeze, Marine Freezes are
those representing sea-horses fete.].
d. ( )f a painter, etc. : That depicts sea subjects.
1883 G. H. Bouchton in Harper's Mag. Jan. 176/1 The
river Maas . . is most sketchable to a marine painter. 1889
Brvdall Art in Scot. xiv. 311 He was employed as a
marine-draughtsman.
t 2. Belonging to, or situated at, the sea-side ;
bounded by the sea ; maritime. Obs.
1610 R. Niccols Eng. Eliza in Mirr. Mag. 819 With loud
clamour to the marine shore, The armed people clustred
in thicke swarmes. 1632 Lithgow Trav. v. 189 Tripoly . .
ktanding a mile from the marine side. Ibid. vn. 353 The
marine Bourge of Molino. Ibid. vnl. 362 The marine
Prouinces which lye betweene /Egypt and Sewty. 1728
Eliza Heywood Mine, de Gomez's Belle A. (1732) II. 59
Happening in this marine Ramble, to pass by this Coast.
3. Connected with the sea in operation, scope, etc. ;
pertaining to shipping, a navy, or naval force;
relating to naval matters.
Marine board(xe quot. 1867). Marine insurance, insur-
ance against perils at sea. Also occas. in collocations where
maritime is more usual, as marine interest, marine law.
1566 Act 8 Eliz. c. 13 § 1 Men . . browght upp to Water
Crafte, most meete for her Ma11" Marine Service. 1579
Fenton Guicciard. xvl. (1599) 738 Her marine enterprises.
1630 A'. Johnsons Ki'igd. <$• Coiiumu.' 16 The Grecians they
deemed it no discredit to borrow . . from the Carthaginians
and Sicilians, the Art Marine. 1683 J. Houghton's Lett.
Husb. ft Trade IV. No. 5. 107 His Merchants are every-
where respected, and he is now one of the great Ma-
rine Princes of the World. 1765 Blackstone Comm. I.
xiii. 405 The laws of Oleron ..are received by all nations
in Europe as the ground and substruction of all their marine
constitutions. 177a Act 12 Geo. Ill, c. 67 An Act for In-
corporating the Members of a Society, commonly called
The Marine Society [founded in 1756]. 1839 Penny Cycl.
XIV. 418/2 Marine insurances differ .. from fire and life
insurances in the mode of conducting the business. 1848,
1872 [see Insurance 4]. 1858 Homans Diet. Comm. 1603/2
Wages in such cases would be contrary to the principle of
marine law— that freight is the mother of wages [etc.]. i860
{title) Reed's New Guide Book to the Local Marine Board
Examinations of Masters and Mates. 1867 Smyth Sailor's
Word-ble., Marine Boards, establishments at our different
ports for carrying into effect the provisions of the Merchant
Shipping Act.
4. Of soldiers : Serving on board ship, as marine
force, t Marine regiment ( = maritime regiment :
see Maritime a. 3I: the marines. + Marine soldier:
a marine ; so marine captain, etc. (but cf. B. 6 b).
1690 Luttrell Brie/ Ret. (1857) U.I The earls of Pem-
broke and Torrington have each a commission to raise a
marine regiment. 1699 Lett. cone. Mariners 6 The Marine
Soldiers on board receive the Wages of Sailors. 1708 Royal
Proclam. 20 May in Lond. Gaz. No. 4440/1 To the Marine-
Captains, Sea- Lieutenants and Master, shall be allowed one
Eighth Part . .The Marine-Lieutenants, Boatswain, Gunner,
Purser,, .one Eighth Part. 1713 Lond. Gaz. No. 5176/3 That
several of the Marine Soldiers .. have obtain 'd their Pen-
sions by forged . . Certificates. 1769 Falconer Did. Marine
(1780), Marine, or Marine-Forces, a body of troops em-
ployed in the sea-service, under the direction of the lords
of the admiralty. 1802 James Mitit. Diet, s.v., The marine
forces have of late years been considerably augmented.
b. slang. (See quot. and B. 4 d.)
1785 Grose Diet. Vulg. Tongue, Marine Officer, an empty
bottle, (sea wit) marine officers being held useless by the
seamen.
164
5. Used or adapted for use at sea; chiefly in
technical names of instruments, as marine baro-
meter, chronometer, galvanometer, watch.
Marine alarm, an alarm used at sea and operated by
water or wind (Knight Diet. Mcch. (1875) 55/2>; tmarine
belt (see quot. 17651 ; marine boiler, a boiler adapted tor
use in steam vessels (Knight); marine chair, a contrivance
from which the celestial bodies may be steadily observed at
sea; t marine collar, a life-preserving appliance to he
placed on the neck to keep the head out of water; marine
engine, a form of steam engine used in seagoing vessels ;
marine glue, an adhesive composition used in ship car.
1 entry (Young Naut. Diet. 1846", marine governor, the
governor of a marine engine (Knighl 1 ; marine metal (see
quot.); marine railway, ' a slip for hauling vessels on to
repair ' (Smyth Sailor's Wordbk. 1867' ; marine soap (see
quot.) ; t marine surveyor, a machine designed for mea-
suring the way of a ship.
1704 J. H \kkis Lex. Jc.hu. I, "Marine Barometer, is an
Instrument contrived by Dr. Hook, for the use of those that
would make a Philosophical Experiment at Sea. 1765
H Waipole Let. 27 Aug., There is a man who has just
invented what he calls a "marine belt ; you buckle it on, ami
walk upon the sea as you would upon a grassplot. 1891
'Triplex' (title) "Marine Boilers. 176s Chrou. 111 Ann.
Re. 86/2 Christopher Irwin, esq.; inventor of the "marine
chair. 1862 Catal. Internal. Exhib. II. xv. 66 "Marine
chronometers. 1764 in Titles Patents (1854) 148 A grant
unto William Walker. .& John Carass. .of their new invented
•marine collar & belt. 1822 Specif, of Brunei's Patent
No. 4683. 2 The "marine engine represented with its parts.
1873 F. Jlnkin Elcctr. f, Magn. xiii. § 12 (1881) 199 The
' Marine galvanometer is a galvanometer adapted for use at
sea. 1866 BRANDS & Cox Diet. A its, etc., "Marine Metal,
an alloy of lead and antimony with about two per cent, of
mercury, introduced in 1833 by Wetterstedt for sheathing
ships. 1873 E. SroN Workshop Receipts Ser. I. 381/2 This
soap [cocoanut-oil soap] is sometimes called 'marine soap, as
it will lather well with sea-water. 1767 Ann. Reg. 103 A new
•marine surveyor : the machine consists of an open tube. .011
the outside is fixed an oblique plane like a screw, upon which
the water acts so as to turn it round swifter or slower. 1854
W. K. Kelly & Tomlinson tr. Arago's Astron. (ed. 5) 161
•Marine watches, or chronometers, are of great assistance
in determining longitude.
B. sb.
1 1. [ = F. marine; cf. Marina 1.] The sea coast
or shore ; a promenade by the sea ; also, the country
or district in immediate proximity to the coast. Obs.
13. . Coer de I.. 4881 That they scholden hye Ones more
forth by the maryn To the cyte off Palestyn. a 1400 (hto-
uian 1361 Matyners hym broghte to the maryn Of Gene
cost, c 1450 Merlin 230 That . . hadde robbed . . all the ma-
ryne and the portes toward Dover. 1615 G. Sandys Trav.
245 Every evening they solace themselves along the Marine
(a place left throughout betweene the Citie wall and the
hauen). 1687 B. Randolph Archipelago 46 In the summer
time every evening the marine is full with all sorts of people
with musick, singing, and dancing. 1698 Fryer Ace. E.
India <y /'. 118 They supply the Marine with Carts drawn
by Oxen, the Ships with Wood and Water. 1703 Maundrell
Jouru. Jerus. (1810) 41 We rid out after dinner to view the
marine. It is about half an hour distant from the city.
2. [ = F. marine.'] The collective shipping, fleet,
navy, or naval service of a country ; maritime
interest as represented by ships ; sea-going vessels
collectively, esp. with reference to nationality or
class, as mercantile marine (now the chief use).
1669 R. Montagu in Bucclcuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. ConinO
I. 455 The well-regulating of all things belonging to the
marine. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey). The Marine, the
whole Body of a Navy or Fleet ; as The Officers of the
Marine. 1757 J. II. Grose Very. E. Indies 67 All these vessels
that formed the military marine of Bombay were chiefly
manned with English. 1769 Burke Late St. Nation Wks.
1842 I.98 What naval force, what naval works,and what naval
stores . . are necessary to keep our marine in a condition com-
mensurate to its great ends. 1842 Borrow Bible in Spain
xxxi, To this inconsiderable number of vessels is the present
war marine of Spain reduced. 1849 Cobden Speeches 18
France knew that America had the largest mercantile marine.
1894 C. N. Robinson Brit. Fleet 6 The Navy., has always
been based . . upon the existence of a merchant marine.
II 3. That department in the French and other con-
tinental governments which deals with naval mat-
ters, corresponding to the linglish Admiralty.
1784 Life Paul Jones (ed. 4) 24 Count D'Orvilliers trans-
mitted an account of his expedition to the Minister of the
Marine. 1835 Uke Philos. Manuf. 112 The French Minister
of Marine. 1848 W. H. Kelly tr. /, . Blanc s Hist. Ten Kill.
501 It left the ministry of public works toM . Martin (du Nord),
that of marine to M. de Rosamel. 1886 Ld. Brassey Nav.
Annual 503 The Council of the [Russian] Empire. . ordered
the Ministry of Marine to present a plan of construction.
4. One who serves on board ship, + a. A sailor,
mariner (obs.). [= F. marin.]
c 1575 J. Hooker Life Sir P. Carew (1857) 33 He had in
his ship a hundred marines, the worst of them being able to
be a master in the best ship within the realm. 1634 Bkere-
ton Trav. (Chetham Soc.) 14 If any soldier, marine, or
tradesman die.
b. A soldier who serves on board a man-of-war ;
one of a body of troops enlisted to do military
service on board ship, also at dockyards or on
shore under certain circumstances ; also in //. used
collectively. [See A. 4.]
Royal Marines, troops who serve on British men-of-war.
See also Horse-marine a.
1672 Cart. S. Taylor Let. 30 May in L. Edye Hist. R.
Marines (1S93) I. 148 Those marines of whom I soe oft have
wrote to you behaved themselves stoutly. 1703 Lond. Gaz.
No. 3912/1 A Detachment of 400 Men, and the Regiment
of Marines. 1709 Steele Tatter No. 79 P 2 An honest rough
Relation of ours.. who is a Lieutenant of Marinws. 1740
MARINER.
Lond. Mag. 413 Sir, a Soldier and a Marine are, I may say,
quite different creatures. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) III.
142 A commission in the marines. 1876 Vovl.E )v Sr evenson
Mil. Diet, s.v., The royal marines are a non-purchase Corps,
and the officers, .rise by seniority. 1894 C. N. Robinson
Brit. Fleet 478 The red-coated marine may be seen all over
the world sharing the work . . of his blue-frocked brother.
c. Phr. Tell that to the marines : a colloquial
expression of incredulity.
1823 Byron Island 11. xxi, ' Right ', quoth Ben, ' that » ill
do for the marines '. [.Vote] ' That will do for the marines,
but the sailors won't believe it ', is an old saying. 1824SCOIT
Rcdgauntlet ch. xiii, Tell that to the marines— the sailors
won't believe it. 1864 Trollope Small Ho. at Arlington
xli, Is that a story to tell to such a man as me ! You may
tell it to the marines !
d. {Dead) marine : an empty bottle, slang.
(Cf. A. 4 b.)
1831 Tkelawny Adv. Younger Son I. 48 To see their
case-bottles properly filled,— no marines among them,— with
plenty of grog in their lockers. 1880 J. B. Stephen A astral.
Bait., Drought tr Doctr., We filled a dead marine, Sir, at
the family watering-hole.
e. Naut. slang. (See quot.)
1840 R. H. Dana Bcf. Mast xvii.(i8s4> 86 note, 'Marine'
is the term applied . . to a man who is ignorant and clumsy
about seaman's work— a green-horn— a land-lubber.
5. Painting. A sea piece.
1846 Ruskin Mod. Painters (ed. 3) I. II. v. i. 340 One of
the marines of Salvator. 1884 E. Mason in Harper's Mag.
Feb. 416/1 Ruysdael's marines are easily distinguished.
6. attrib. and Comb. a. f mar/ine-set a., placed
on the sea-coast.
1632 Lithgow Trav. vn. 333, I haslned to the next
Watch-tower, marine set.
b. = Belonging to the marines, as in marine
barracks, boat, coat, officer, provost.
1727-41 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Provost, The French have a
provost-general of the marines, .besides a marine provost
111 every vessel. 1797 Nelson 17 July in Nicolas Disp.
(1845) II. 417 To put as many Marine coats or jackets on
the seamen as can be procured. 1801 Med. Jrnl. V. 204
The prodigious numbers received from the ships of war and
marine barracks, labouring under Phthisis Pulmonalis. 1867
Smyth Sailor's Word-bk., Maiine Clothing-room, a com-
partment of the after-platform, to receive the clothes and
stores of the royal marines. Ibid., Marine Officer, an
officer of the Royal Marines. Jocularly and witlessly ap-
plied to an empty bottle. 1890 F. T. Bullen Way Navy
55 A Marine boat's crew from the ' Hannibal '.
t Marine (marfn), ». Obs. [ad. F. mariner:
see Marinade sb.] trans. = Marinate v.
c 1682 J. Collins Salt */ Fishery 108 Fish, which he
Marines, or renders Marinado'd. Ibid. 120 To Marine or
preserve Fish, after the Italian manner, called Marinading.
Marined (marfnd), a. Her. [f. Marine a. +
-EI).] (See quot. 1823.)
1823 Crabb Technol. Diet., Marined, an epithet for an
animal in coat armour that has the lower part of the body
like a fish. 1847 Gloss. Heraldry s.v., Lion marined: sec
Lion poisson.
Marinel(l, var. forms of Marinal Obs.
Mariner (marnna.i). Forms : 4 marineerve,
marynare, 4-5 maroner, marynere, marener,
4, 6 marynar, 4-7 maryner, 4, (8-9) marinere,
g maryneer, marouner, maronner, 6 merriner,
maryoner, marryner, marinar, marinour, 6-7
marriner, 3- mariner, [a. AF. mariner — F.
marinier, Sp. marinero, Pg. marinheiro, It. marin-
ajo, med.l,. marinarius, f. L. marinus Marine a.]
1. One who navigates or assists in navigating a
ship ; a sailor, seaman ; in law the term includes
all persons employed on ships.
c 1290 -S". Eng. Leg. I. 320/220 Mariueres us token into
heore schipe. 13.. Metr. Horn. (Vernon M.S.) in Herrig
A rchiv LV1 1. 313 A pore schip broken marinere. 13. . Sir
Bettes (MS. A.) 2556 A dromond hii fonde ber stonde, ..
Boute pai nadde no maroner. c 1386 Chaucer Prioress' T.
Prol. 3 Now longe moote thou saille by the cost,..gentil
Maryneer! C1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 152
A blynd maryneer that doth no sterre knowe. c 1450 .1/, rliu
379 Thei . . entred in to the shippes..and hadde .. goode
inaroners hem for to gide. 1481 Caxton My rr. 11. 1. 63
Another sterre that ledeth the maronners by the see. 1517
Torkington Pilgr. (1884) 60 The Maryoners made a grett
Showte. 1S85 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. 1. xl. 13
If our inarriners had not nimbly bestirred them selues in
taking in of their sailes. 1598 Slow Sun: xxvh. (1603) 233
Sir Francis Drake, that famous Mariner. 1610 SllAKS.
Temp. v. i. 98 There shalt thou finde the Marriners asleepe
Vnder the Hatches. 1677 W. Hubbard Narrative u, 75
An Ancient Marriner yet living in these parts, a person of
good Credit. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) I. 348 Tne
mariner takes one part of the year to go from Java to the
Moluccas [etc.]. 1798 Coleridge (title) The Rime of the
Ancyent Marinere. 1817 W. Selwyn Law Nisi Prius (ed. 41
II. 1 144 No mariner shall fail in any action, ftc for the re-
I Lovery of wages, for want of such agreement being produced.
1836 W. Irving Astoria I. 40 They were to take with them
fifty or sixty men, artificers and mariners. 1858 Homans
Diet. Comm. 1693/2 Mariners are bound to contribute out
of their wages for embezzlements of the cargo, or injuries
produced by the misconduct of any of the crew. 1871
Morley Voltaire (1886) 10 Whole generations that might
have produced their share of skilful and intrepid mariners.
b. Master mariner: a 'shipmaster or captain
of a merchant vessel ' (Adm. Smyth).
1838 D. Jerrold Men Char. II. 322 Edward Seabnght,
master-mariner. 1886 Daily Tel. 23 Apr. 4/8 Most of them
[officers] the possessors of master-mariner certificates,
t c. Cant. (See quot.) Obs.
1567 Hakman Caveat 48 These Freshwater Mariners, their
MARINE STORE.
165
MARISMA
shipes were drowned in the playne of Salisbury. These
kynde of Caterpillers counterfet great losses on the sea.
f 2. spec. A fighting man on board ship; a marine.
a 164a Sir W. Monson Naval Tracts 1. (1704) 214, 500
Men at Sea, whereof 340 Mariners, 40 Gunners, 120 Sailors.
1699 {Hilt) A Letter to a Member of Parliament concerning
The four Regiments commonly called Mariners.
3. Tasmania. A bronze-coloured shell.
[Said to be a corruption of a native name n/erriua.]
1898 in Morris Austral Ping.
4. aft rib. and Comb., as mariner-like adj. ;
t mariner portage, ?a sailor's outfit; mariner's
card, compass, needle (see those words); f mari-
ner's ring, the astrolabe.
1548-67 Thomas Ital. Diet,, Mariuaresco, "mariner! ike.
1522 in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. V. 327 The
hying of "mariner portages. 1627 Hakewill A/ol. in. x.
§ 4. 263 Among other rare Inventions, that of the *Marriners
compasse is most worthy of admiration. 1605 Bacon Adv.
Learn. 11. xiii. § 1 Like as the West Indies had never been
discovered if the use of the * mariner's needle had not been
first discovered. 1574 Bourne Regiment for Sea vi. (1577)
26 b, The "Mariners Ring, called by them the Astralaby.
Hence f Mariner ship, the mariner's art.
1542 Uoali, Erasm. Apoph. 6 To sitte and holde the
stierne in a shyppe, hauyng none experience in ye feats of
marinershyp. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 90 The
Phoenicians, famous for Merchandise and Marrinership.
Marine store s.
1. pi. a. (Sectjuot. 1867.) b. Old ships* mate-
rials as an object of merchandise.
1831 J. Holland Maun/. Metal I. 144 Old iron, is col-
lected., by a class of persons calling themselves ' dealers in
marine stores'. 1852 Dickens Bleak Ho. v, A shop, over
which was written . . Krook, Dealer in Marine Stores. 1867
Smyth Sailor's Word-bk.% Marine Stores, a general term
for the ironwork, cordage, sails, provisions, and other outfit,
with which a vessel is supplied.
fig. 1858 Carlyle Fredk. Ct. vill. i. II. 295 These con-
fused Prussian History-Books, opulent in nugatory pe-
dantisms and learned marine-stores.
2. sing. A shop where marine stores are sold.
1840 MARRY AT Poor Jack xii, Old Nanny, .kept a marine
store.
3. alt rib. and Comb., as marine-store dealer, shop.
1836-9 Dickens Sk. Bos, Scenes xxi, There is not a marine-
store shop in the neighbourhood, which does not exhibit for
sale some faded articles of dramatic finery. 1869 Punch
17 July 22/1 They were marine-store dealers.
Marinism (marrniz'm). [f. Marini + -ism.]
The affected style of writing characteristic of the
Italian poet Giovanni Battista Marini [d. 1625).
1867 Pall Mall G. No. 813. 1007/2 Euphuism and Mari-
nism. 1886 Symonds Renaiss. It., Cath. React. I. ii. 71 The
Renaissance riots itself away in Marimsm, Gongorism, Eu-
phuism, and the affectations of the Hotel Rambouillet.
Marillist (marniist). [Formed as prec. + -IST.]
An imitator of Marini. Also attrib.
1838 Penny CycL XI. 297/1 The extravagant notions of
the Italian Marinists. 1864 Chambers's Encycl. VI. 328/2
The Marinist school of poetry. 1885 E, W. Oosse Shaks.
to Pope 15 Chiabrera. .disdaining the folly of the Marinists,
. .attained a position somewhat analogous to that of Cowley.
Marino: see Marina.
Mariliorania (mar/~:n6ra-ma). rare"0, [f.
Marine after panorama.] A panoramic repre-
sentation of sea views.
1847 in Webster. In mod. Diets.
II Mariola (mararJla). [eccl. L.,dim. of Afar fa
Mary. Cf. Mariole.] An image ofthe Virgin Mary.
[1299-1300 Liber Quotid. Contrarot. Garderobx (1787! 352
Quatuor mariole beate Marie.] 1876 W. Bayliss Witness
of Art 74 Fresco and canvas, mariola and shrine.
Mariolater (meerifrlaUi). [f. Gr. Mapia
Mary -f -Xarpns worshipper.] One who practises
Mariolatry.
1861 Stanley Past. Ch. ni. 109 The grand gathering of all
the Heretics of the world, Sabellians, Mariolaters, Arians.
Mariolatrous fmenip litres), a. [f. as prec.
+ -OUS.] Characterized by Mariolatry.
1844 Ecclesiologist III. 181 Mr. Close charges us with
' Mariolatrous ' doctrine. 1889 Whitehall Rev. 24 Aug. 9 One
of them preached a sermon which was considered Mariola-
trous by the Father Superior.
Mariolatry (me*ri^iatri). [f. Gr. Mapia Mary
+ karpua (see Latbja, -lathy), after Idolatry.]
The idolatrous worship of the Virgin Mary at-
tributed by opponents to Roman Catholics.
1612 T. JAMES Corrupt. Scripture II. 85 The reading, ipsa
[in Gen. iii. 15] (the best ground of their Mariolatrie). 1844
Close Reply to Arnold 36 Whether this exhibition of Mari-
olatry had destroyed many souls .. none can tell. 1874
Green Short Hist. v. $ 1. 214 The religious enthusiasm
had developed into the pretty conceits of Mariolatry.
t Mariole. Obs. [OF.] -Mariola.
C1330 R. Bkunne Chron. (1810) 94 pe Mariole [AF. La
Marye] ber sclio sat.
Mariology i^me^rip-Iodgi). Also Maryology.
[f. Gr. Map -a Mary + -ology. Cf. Christology.]
The body of dogma and pious opinion relating to
Mary as Virgin mother of the Son of God.
1857 J. S. Harford Michael Angelo I. 295 In the cycles
of the third, and of the earlier part of the fourth century,
and even later, we find nothing that can be resolved into
Maryology. 1903 Dublin Ret'. Jan. 211 Mariology is ex-
haustively treated in the four hundred and fifty pages which
are here devoted to it.
Mariolyne, obs. form of Marjoram.
Marionate, obs. form of Marinate.
Marionette (nueri^ne'O. Also 7 -onet, 9
-onnette, marrionette. [a. F. marionnette, f.
Marion, dim. of Marie Mary : see -ette. Cf. OF.
mariotte in the same sense.]
1. A puppet actuated by strings and used to
represent persons (or animals) in action.
< 1620 \V. Browne Brit. Past. m. i, A little spruce elfe
then (just of the sett Of the French dancer or such mario-
nett). 1664 Ethbbedcb Com. Rev. in. iv, Me did look to
see De Marrionete and de Jack-puddinge. 1789 Mrs.
Pl02Zl Journ. Prance I. 115 One word of solid instruction
to the ear conveys more knowledge to the mind at last than
all these marionettes presented to the eye. 1839 Longk.
Hyperion iv. iii, Quick, nervous, hinge-like motions, much
resembling those of a marionette.
fig. 1863' Oi'iDA ' Held in Bondage I. 258 Men and women
are marionettes. 1868 Hannay Stud. Thackeray (1869) 15
He did not invent a complicated intrigue and then a set of
marionettes to carry it out.
2. The buffle-headed duck, Bucepkala albeola.
1838 Audubon Orrtith. Biog. IV. 217 Buffel-headed Duck..
being known in these different districts [of the U. b.] by the
names of. .Marrionette, Dipper, and Die-dipper.
3. A mechanism at the end of the batten in a rib-
bon-loom,for actuating the racks of the shuttles, the
movements of which suggest those of a marionette.
1890 in Century Diet.
4. attrib., as marionette figure, play. player, show.
1856 K. AtVaucham Mystics (i860) I. 34 The countless
marionette figures in the brain of the theosophist. 1868
Lighteoot Pp. Philippiaus {1S691 26S In the marionette
plays of his native Spain St. Seneca takes his place by the
side of St. Petit r and St. Paul. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) V.
41 The marionette-players will please the children. 1885
'E. Garrett* (Mrs. Mayo)/!/ Any Cost ix. 152 No drama
at all, but only a very cleverly managed marionette show.
Marionite (marriJhait). Min. [f. the name
of Marion County in Arkansas + -ite.] Hydrous
carbonate of zinc.
1858 W. Elderhokst in Geol. Rep. Arkansas 153 (Chester
Diet. Min.).
Marioram, -um, obs. forms of Marjoram.
Mariori, variant of Margeky Obs.
Mariposa lily (maerip<>""sa|H:li). [f.Sp.w0rt*
posa butterfly + Lily.] A plant of the genus
Calochortus, native to California and Mexico.
1882 Garden 30 Sept. 291/1 The Mariposa Lily.
II Mariput (mse'riprt), [Native name.] The
African zoril, Zorilla capensis, a small animal of
the weasel family with black and white stripes.
Formerly named Vivcrta zorilla in accordance with the
erroneous notion that it was a kind of civet.
1828-31 in Webster; and in later Diets.
I Maris. Obs. Forms: 4-5 raarice, marys,
marrys, maris, mareis. [a. OF. marris :— L.
mdtrJce-m (see Matrix .] The womb.
11340 Hampole Psalter lvii[i]. 3 Aliend ere synful fra
maghe [MS. S marice]. c 1400 Lanfranc^s Cirurg. 94 If
bat lie be growen ..in be mareis [ MS. Add. marys] . . it is
bettere nou^t to cure be cankre pan to cure. Ibid. 209 If
be enpostym. .be in a wommans maris, pan [etc.]. 1422 tr.
SccretaSecrct.,Priv. Priv. 232Theseede wythynthe marice
is defiet. r 14. . MS. Addit. 12195 If. 158 ^Halhw.) Marrys.
Maris, obs. form of Maiush.
II Marisca (mari-ska). Path. [I,. ; lit. a coarse
fig. (For the application cf. FlCUS.)] Haemor-
rhoids, piles; also, 'an excrescence of a fleshy
nature from the eyes or eyelids ' (Syd. Soe. Lex.).
Hence Mari'scal, Mari'scous adj's. of the nature
of mariscre ; affected with marisca?.
1693 Blancard's Phys. Diet. (ed. 2), Marisca, the same
that [sic] Ficus. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Marisca, the
Hemorrhoids or Piles. 182a C>oon Study J fed. I. 347 Maris-
cal tumours.. are most common in persons who possess a
very strong action of the sphincter ani. Ibid. 348 Mariscal
excrescences. 1856 Mayne Expos. Lex., Marisca,.. applied
to a hemorrhoidal tumour, like a large fig. Ibid., Maris-
cosus, Having, or full of Marisca;: mariscous.
Mariscall, -ischal^e, obs. ff. Marshal sb.
Marischini, obs. form of Maraschino.
Marish (marrij), sb. and a.1 Obs. exc. poet, and
dial. Forms: a. 4-5 mar(r)ais s, marys(e,
mares, 4-6 mar(r^eis, -eys, 5 maryce, -ysse, -ise,
-eyse, -eyes, $-6 maress(e, marres(s(e, -ys, 5-7
marisse, 6 -ice, -is, -ese, -ees, marryce, 6-7
marris(e, marrice, 7 marraies; 4-5 marace,
maras, 4-6 marras(s, 5 marasse, 6 marrase.
0. 6 marysh, marys(s"he, marris(c)he, -ysh,
merish, 6-7, 9 marrish, 7 mareish, (marest ),
6- marish. [ME. mareis, mares, a. OF. ma-
rais, mareis (mod.F. marais) :—med.h. mariscus
a. OTeut. *marisko- Marsh sb. The origin of the
P forms is somewhat obscure ; they may represent
the occasional OF. maresche (:— med.L. ^marisca
fern.), or may possibly stand for a dialectal variant
of the native English Marsh (cf. the disyllabic
OE. myisc beside wgrsc).
The It. marese is ad. F. marais ; if independent, it would
represent a popular Iv. type *mareusis adj., the Fr. form of
which would coincide with that of mariscus.)
A. sb.
1. h Marsh.
a. C1330 R. Brlnne Chron. (1810) 325 William Waleis,. .
In mores & mareis with robberie him fedes. 13. . Coer de L.
6038 Kyng Richard garte al the Ynglys Schere rysches in
the marys. 1375 Bakbolu Bruce vi. 55 He .. vent hym
doune till a marrass. c 1400 Maunukv, i.Ko.\b.) xiv. 65 Men
may no^t wele ga bat way. .for waters and maracez bat er
pare. 1432-50 tr. Higdeu (Rolls) II. 357 A marras callede
J.erna. a 1450 k'nt. de la 'Jour 11868) 63 They yode over a
mareys for the next wave, but thei felle in the myie. c 1450
Merlin 604 Al>ove this maia>se was a chauchie. 1480
Caxton Chron. Bng.c\xx. 155 As his hors ran it stert into a
myre of mareys vp to the bely. 1501 I )olulas Pal. Hon. 1.
i\-. The soyl was nocht but manes, slike, and sand. 1535
Stewart Cron. Scot. II. 97 In mos, in marres, arid in mony
myre. 1545 Ascham To.voph. l.(Arb.) 74 Lurkyng in fenne>
and nlari^ses lyke frogges. 1601 Holland Pliny II. 4 ;i
Tortoises found in muddle waters and marraies. 1609 BlULE
(Donay) 1 Mace. ix. 45 Pankes, and marrises, and forests.
/3. 1523 Ld. Pp:km;ks Froiss. I. Iviii. 32 b, Sir Vauflart de
la Croyse, who was in the marysshe, trust>n^ .. to haue
scaped, was spyed by some that rode a longe by the marese.
1596 Ni'Knskk /''. Q. v. x. 23 These marishes and myrie Ix^ks.
In which the fearefull ewftes do build their bowres. 1611
Bible Kzck. xlvii. 11 The myrie places thereof, ami tin:
marishes thereof, shall not be healed. 1623 Lisle sKlfrii,
on O. <y -V. Test. Ded. 12 Your Forests breed you Deere,
Your Marests Fowle. 1667 Milton /'. L. xii. 6^0 As Ev'n-
ing Mist Ris'n from a River o're the marish glides. 1726
Swift On Poetry Misc. 1735 V. 166 Like a Bridge that joins
a Marish To Moorlands of a diff'rent Parish. 1765 A.
Dickson Treat. Agric. xx. (ed. -') 149 There are many
marishes in Scotland. Some have been drained. 1830
Tknnyson Dying Swan ii, Far thro' the marish green and
still The tangled water-courses slept. 1858 Mokhis Sir P.
J/arpdou's Dud 74 We struggled in a marish half the day.
1880 Times 17 Sept. S/5 [Yorkshire] In the carrs ami
marishes both corn and turnips are under water.
2. attrib.
1398 Trevisa Parth. De P. R. xix. Ixxix. (1495)910 Egges
of marreys foule ben yelowe. 1489 Caxton Paytcs of A.
1. xiv. 38 Fer from eny paluschu or mares grounde. 1625
K. Long tr. Barclay's Argents 11. ii. 71 The King's horse*
..chafed with the stinging of the marish gnats. 1658
Osbokn Adv. Son Wks. (1673) 234 Making a like use of
Scripture and Reason of State, as Marishmen do of their
Sluces, by which they keep out the Sea. 1830 Tennyson
Mariana 40 The cluster'd marish-mosses.
t b. In spec, names of plants, as marish dog-
stones (see DogstoxkV., marish mallow ^ Mahsh
Mallow, marish parsley (see Pakslky), marish
whorts (tr. Bot.L. Vaccinia pa lust rid), cranberries.
1548 Turner Names of Hcrbes (1881) xi Althea. .is named
. .in Englishe marish mallowe. 1578 Lyte Dodocns v. xlii.
607 Smallache is called .. in English, .. Marrishe Parsley.
Ibid. VI. xi. 671 We.. do cal them in Latine, Vaccinia palus-
tria, that is to say, Marrish Whorts, and Fen berries. 1597
Gerarde Herbal 1. xcviu. 157 Marish Dogs stones hath
many thicke blunt leaues next the roote.
B. adj.
1. Of the nature of a marsh, marshy ; such as is
produced in a marsh.
The ending -ish has given to the sb. used attrib. the aspect
of an adj., and has thus favoured the development of the
genuine adjectival use.
' 1543 Tkaheron Vigo's Chirurg. 11. ix. 42 He must abstains
. .from marryshe fyshes and fennie. 1578 Lyte Dodocns vi.
Ixviii. 633 This herbe groweth also in moyst marrishe places.
1600 Sirflet Country^ Farm IV. v. 637 If there be any
marrish or dead water in . . your medow : you must cause it
io..draine out. 1601 Holland Pliny II. 142 A kindof
marish or moorie Lentils. 1685 Boyle Salubr. A ir 3 Marrish
Grounds, and wet Soils are wont to be unhealthfull. 1859
Whither Proph. Sam. S avail 160 Hillside berries and
marish seeds. 1883 Stevenson Silverado Si/. 7 A wooden
footway, bridging one marish spot after another.
•j" b. Used predicatively. Obs.
1549 in Cal. Scot. Papers (1898) I. 145 Cutters of mosses
for makinge of mean landes of thos that be but marres.se.
1616 SURFL. & Markh. Country Farm 13 That [earth].,
which is watrie and marish. 1707 Sloane Jamaica I. p.
Ixxix, The country thereabout is marish and wet. 1775
Chandler Trav. Greece (1825) II. 368 The other wells are
not easily to be. .examined the spot being marish.
C- fig-
1599 Haksnet Agst. Darcll 255 He would neuer haue
.set the frame of all his cosening practises vpon that moist
and marish conceit that Somers in his fits was altogether
sencelesse. 1602 Marston Antonio's Rev. n.iii, What danke
marrish spirit But would be fyred with impatience '/ 1869
Lowell Dara 24 The frank sun of natures clear and rare
Breeds poisonous fogs in low and marish nnnds.
f 2. Salt, saline. (V A misapprehension.) Obs.
1609 /'*i'. Woman in Hum. 1. i. in Bullen 0, PL IV, That
mooving marish element, that swels and swages as it please
the Moone. 1621 Qiari.es Q. Ester K 4 b, Her cheekes
o'reflowne With marish teares.
Hence f Marishness, marshiness.
1652-62 Heylin Cosmogr. it. (168^) 107 The Marishness of
the Ground. 1678 Wanley Woud. Lit. World IV. xxvii. § 1.
409 1 Work was hindred by. .the Marishness of the Grounds.
Marish (mcVnJ\ a.8 rare. In 7 mareish.
[f. Mare sb. + -ish.] Like, or like that of, a mare.
1679 Lomt Gaz. No. 1452/4 A bay. . a little white on his
two hind fetlocks, and a Mareish head.
Marishal, obs. form of Marshal.
tMa*rishy,rt.^/^. (T.Makish^. + -y1.] Marshy.
1607 Topsell Fourf. Beasts 207 The Palustrtans or
Marishye LTephantes. 1690 J. Mackenzie Siege London-
/Jerry 24/2 Boggs, and Marishy places. 1727 A. Hamilton
New Ace. E. Ind. II. xiv. 148 The inland Country is ..
towards the Sea very low and marishy.
[| Marisma ^marrsma\ [Sp. : cLMakemmaJ
The waste lands near the Guadalquivir.
1884 A. Chai-man in Ibis Ser. v. II. 70 My next expedition
was to the 'marismas' of the Guadalquivir. Ibid. 71 In
winter the marisma abounds with wildfowl. 1889 H. Saun-
ders Man. Brit. Birds 548 The Black-winged Stdt. .breeds
..abundantly in the marismas of Southern Spain.
MARISSE.
f Marissc, V, Obs. Also 4 marissch, marissi.
[irreg, ad. F. marier MABEl t'.] trans. To marry.
(-1315 Shorkham i. 1476 Ry?t y-marisschcci schelle hy be
In heuene-ryche blysse. 1340 Ayeub. 48 pe vifte [Idtkl of
adultery] is mid wyfman ymarissetl. Ibid. 220 Wypoute bet
bet he liim mo^e marissi yeflie wyle.
Marisse, obs. form of Mauish.
Marist (me^riat). [a. F. Marist e> f. Marie
Mary : see -1ST.] A member of the Roman Catholic
Society of Mary, founded by a French priest early
in the 19th century and devoted to the work of
foreign missions and to teaching. Also attrih.
1-877 W. M'DoWALL, in Encycl. Brit. VII. 528/1 A com-
mercial academy connected with the Marist JJrotherbood,
and dedicated to St. Joseph. 1880 Daily Ncivs 1 1 Nov. 5/8
A sympathiser with the Marists. 1894 Ibid. 3 July 4/5 The
chapel of the Marist Fathers near Leicester square.
Marit, obs. form of Married.
Mar it age (mae'ritedg). Latv. [ad. med.L.
maritdgium, alatinization ofK.wcz/vV^rMARRiAC.K.]
f 1. = Dower, Dowry i, 2. Obs.
150a Arxolde Chron. 82 A wydou after y" deih of her
luisbond. .must haue maritage & her herytage whiche that
her husbond and she helde y* day of the obyt of him her
husbond. 1574 tr. Littleton's Tenures 137 If ye husbande
of the wife alien the heritage or maritage of his wife. 1609
Skene Reg, May. 29 b, Lands given as Maritage, or Tocher.
2, Hist. The right possessed by a feudal superior
(in England only by the king' of exacting a fine
for the marriage of a vassal ; also, the profits
accruing to the crown or lord from this source.
Also in L. form maritagittm.
The maritagia within a certain district were sometimes
granted to a particular person or corporation.
1563-87 Foxe A. <y .V. (1596) 251/1 Maritages which K.
John committed to his keeping at the daie of his death.
1831 Grig. Parocli. Scotia! L 283 King Robert Bruce .. in
1326 granted to the monks all wards, reliefs, maritages [etc.]
.. belonging to himself and heirs within the sheriffdom of
Roxburgh.
Marital (mse'rital), a. Also 7 -all. [ad. L.
maritaliSf f. marlt-us husband : see -AL, Cf. F.,
Sp., Pg. marital. It. mari/ale.']
1. Pertaining or relating to a husband; husbandly.
1616 Buixokar Eng. Expos- Maritally husbandjike.
1644 Maxwell Prerog. CAr. Kings 23 A woman by her
choice and consent designeth her husband, but the maritall
power and dominion is onely from Clod. 1726 Avium-;
Parergon 49 Christian Charity as well as Marital Affection.
1861 Thackeray Philip vii, The two poor sisters had had
to regulate their affections by the marital orders, and to be
warm, cool, moderate, freezing, according to their husbands'
slate for the time being.
2. Of or pertaining to marriage ; matrimonial,
connubial.
1603 Flokio Montaigne lit. v. (1632) 476 He depainu-th
her somewhat stirring for a maritall Venus. 1660 J kr. Taylor
Duct. D libit. 11. ii. rule III. §37 The I harnesses of lirolher and
Sister .. if they were not made holy and separate by a law
would easily change into Marital loves. 1840 Thackeray
Paris Sk.-bk. (1S72) 81 What a deal of marital discomfort
might have been avoided. 1858 Li>. St. Leonards Handy-
Bk. Prop. Law xii. 79 The restitution uf marital rights
would be enforced if sought for. 1902 A. 'Y womsox Lauder
•S- Lauderdale xiii. 131 Although the two Houses were in
marital relationship, tiiey were almost always at daggers
drawn.
Hence Maritality, excessive affection of a wife
for her husband (correlative to itxoriousness) ;
Ma'ritally adv.fM if married, as a married person.
1812 W. Taylor in Monthly Mag. XXXIII. 42 The ux-
orioiuness of the husband was in neither case requited by
the maritality of the wife. /1x83s BsNTHAM Deout. \Vk>.
184; I. 235 Maritality, uxorialuy, paternity, maternitv,
tilial'ity. 1869 Daily News 13 l''eb., The illegitimate chil-
dren are the offspring of people living maritally and as
quietly as married people. 1880 Daily Tel. 13 Nov., An-
other of the prisoners, Kviatkoffsky, with whom she had
been living maritally, according to Nihilist notions of ethics.
Maritan(e, obs. forms of Makitimk.
fMaritated, pa. fple. Obs~° [f. J,, mari-
tdt-us pa. pple. of marltdre to Marky : see -i:i> '.]
Having a husband ; married. 1727111 Bjuuet vol. II.
Maritayne, obs. form of Maritime.
t Marite. Ohs. [a. OK. marit (mod.K. mart)
or its source L. maritus.'] A husband.
(' 1330 K. Urunni-: Chron. (1810) 210 William he bouht to
greue, for bat grete despite, bat he wlthouten leue, bis
doubter gaf marite. 1398 T kkvjsa Barth. Dc P. K. xv. xii.
(Tollem. M S.)|>ey [the Amazons] woldecompelle here inarhes
to wende from hem.
Mari'ticrdal, a. rare. [f. L. maritus husband
+ -CIDE1 + -AL.] Husband-slaying.
1819 H. Busk Vcstrioui \\\ no Near each the steel maii-
ticidal bleeds. 1821 New Monthly Mag. II. 39,- The
inariticidal mother.
t Maritimal, a. Ohs. Also -all. [f. L. ma-
ritim-us Mahituie + -At.] = Maritime a.
1586 J. Hookkh Hist. Ir,l. in Holinshed II. 161/1 An
excellent maritiinall man. and verie expert in all seruices
at the seas. cx6n Charmas /liadxxm. 50 The friend, the
shores maritunall Sought for his bed. 1627 SPBKD England
xx\ iii. § 2 Minerall and Maritimall reuenew.
1 Mari'timate, a. Obs. [f. L. 7/iaritim-us
(see next) + -ate [? after legitimate, ultimate .]
-* Maritime. (Kreq. in Sir \V. Raleigh.)
1601 K. Johnson Kingd. <y Commw.yf Peru .. contaimth
by the maritimate coast 120- «j and 600 miles. 1614 Kalkioii
Hist. World 1. (1034) 183 This City being maritimate used
166
' all their devotions to Neptune. 1638 Sir T. Hkrbbrt Trav.
(ed. 2) 323 Ports and Villages marittimat. 1665 — Trai:
' ( '677) 352 Upon which consideration it is (as I suppose) that
Mercator stretches Aurea Chersonesus from Sumatra to
Japan, both in reference to the Isles and Coast Maritimate.
Maritime (nMrritaim), a. and sb. Forms: n.
6 myrytayne, maritayne, 7 maritan(e, maritin.
marratine, 7-S maritine ; 0. 7 marittime, 7-8
maritim, 6- maritime, [ad. L. maritim-us, f.
man'-, mare sea + suffix -limits (occurring mfini-
timus neighbouring, legitimes lawful ; also forming
superlatives as intimus inmost, ultimus last).
The 0 forms are from the L. directly or through mod.K.
maritime [cf. Sp. maritimo, Pg. maritimo, It. marittimo:
An OF. form, maritim, was corrupted, partly owing to con-
fusion of suffixes, into maritin, maritaim, maritain (latin-
ized marit 'anus), whence the a forms above.]
A. adj.
1. Of countries and peoples : Bordering on the
sea; living near the sea-coast, foeeas. predicative.
a. 1623 Cockeram. Maritan, bordering on the sea. 1627
Hakewiu. Apot. n. vi. § 3 (1630) 115 And in them specially
their maritine parts. 1632 LlTHGOW Prav. vm. 365 Tents,
filled with maritine people, that were fled hither from the
Sea coast. 1652 Earl Mosm. tr. Bentivoglw s Hist. Relat.
12 The Marratine parts of Friesland. 1667 Milton P. L.
XI. 398 Lrcoco and the less Maritine Kings Mom baza [etc.].
$. 1598 Basket Theor. Il'arres v. i. 122 If the confines
of the Kingdome bee Maritime or sea coast. 1603 Holland
PlutarclCs A/or. 489 To inhabit the maritime cities and
townes, neere unto the sea side. 1634 Sir 'J'. Herbert
Trav. 225 Brittany (a marit time part of France). 1654
Flecknoe Ten Years Prav. 19 Comparing them with the
Maritime Women of other Seas (for the most part fowl,
ugly, and weather-beaten). 1673 Temple Obserz: United
Prov. Wks. 1731 I. 44 The opening and cleansing of the
old Channel of the Rhine .. by which the Town of Leyden
would grow Maritime. 1692 Luttrell Brief Ret, (1857) II.
359 The king, before he leaves England, intends to visit all
the maritime yards. 1726 Swift Gulliver 1. v, Seamen, who
dwell in the maritime parts. 1813 Vancouver Agric. Devon
1 Devonshire is a maritime county. 1854 Milman Lat.
CAr. iv. iv. (1S64) II. 265 Though a maritime people, on
a line of seacoast, they were ignorant of the art of fishing.
b. Of animals, plants, etc. : Living or found
near the sea.
1608 ' Y ovstLL Serpents (1658) 798 There are Maritine Rocks
called Scclestr. 1763 Mills Syst. Pract.Jlusb. IV. 409
The anticnts looked upon the olive as a maritime-tree. 1807
I. E. Smith Phys. Bot. 418 Statue, .. a beautiful maritime
genus. 1856 Grikdon Life .\.\v. (1875) 319 Broccoli and
the cauliflower are modifications of the coarse maritime
cabbage. 1881 Greener Gun 525 Undrained and marshy
land is .. best suited to this bird [the lapwing], whose
habits are partly maritime.
2. Connected with the sea in relation to naviga-
tion, commerce, etc.; relating to or dealing with
matters of commerce or navigation on the sea.
Maritime insurance =1 marine insurance. Maritime
interest, premium or interest on a Iwttoinry bond. Mari-
time positions, ' the intersection of the geographical co-
ordinates of the latitudes and longitudes of places on the
globe' iSmyth Sailor's Word-bk.^ 1867). Maritime state,
that department of the state which consists of the officers
and mariners of the navy.
a. c 1615 God A- the A' ing (1663) 25 In this maritatie pas-
sage he submitteth himself unto the conduct and direction
of the pilot. 163a LmiGow Trav. vm. 362 Two thousand
and three hundred Maritine miles. 1675 Ogilby Brit.
l_)ed., You have laid open to us all those Maritin Itineraries.
1686 J. S[ergeant] Hist. Monast. Convent. 150 The Cham-
berlain .. exerciseth his Jurisdiction amongst Marriners;
and what relates to Maritine affairs.
fi. 1591 Horsey Trav. (Hakl. Soc.) 159 Novogorode and
1 Ploesco, two greatest mart maritime or traide towns . . of all
the easteren parts. 1601 R. Johnson h'ingd. ■? Commw.
(1603) 24 The Knglisli people are maruellous expert in
inaritinieactions. 1654 Karl IfoHM. tr. Jlcntivogiio's ICurrs
/■'landers 113 His want of skill in maritime affairs. 1765
Iilackstone Comiu. I. Introd. § i. 14 The spiritual and
maritime courts of this kingdom. Ibid. xiii. 405 The mari-
time state is nearly related to the former [viz. the military]:
though much more agreeable to the principles of our free
constitution. Ibid., In the maritime reign of queen BUsft-
beth. X774 M. Mackenzie Maritime Sun: \\. i. 69. 1776
friBBON Dccl. cy /*'. xiii, I. 364 I'ritain, .. already assumed
its natural and readable station of a maritime power.
1813 Wellington in Gurw. Desp. (1838) X. 361 To prevent
the enemy's maritime communication between ttayonneand
I Santofia. 1841 Penny Cyct. XXI. 406/2 A maritime insur-
ance is a contract (etc,]. 1846 Yoi NG-AVrtf/. Diet. 43 A high
rate of interest, termed Maritime Interest, or ISottomry
Premium, being charged. 1861 Lright Sp., Amcrna
I 4 Dec. (1876} y.6 Maritime law .. consists of opinions and
precedents for the most part.
3. Of a fighting force: Intended for service at sea.
T Maritime regiment : earlier name of the marines.
m, 1530 J. Coke Bug. A I'r. Heralds § 105 (1877) 90
Th'erle of Arundell .. with a pui-saunt army myrytayne
dystroyed . . all the navy of Flanders. 1653 Nissena 49
Without much weakening the Maritin forces. 1707 Fkeind
Pcterbo rorv's Coud. Sp. 180 We hope for a Maritine Force
betimes in these seas.
fl. 1668 in L. Edye Hist. Marines {t&9$) 1. 102, 2 Maritim
Rcgiiu,» consisting of i?6 Compan>'«. 1684 List Military 15
His Royal Highness the Duke of York and Albany's Mari-
time Regiment of Foot. 1839 Penny Cyct, XIV. 410/2 In
the beginning of Queen Anne's reign (1702!, six regiments
of maritime soldiers were raised.
4. Of, pertaining to, arising from, or existing in,
the sea. Now rare or Obs.
1624 F>. Jonson Neptune's Triumph Stage Direct., A
maritime Palace, or the house of Oceanus. 1663 BovLS
j Usef. Exp. Nat. PhiU-s. 11. .\iv. 252 The Maritime Air and
\ bteames. 1784 Cowtlk Task 11. ^38 That no rude savour
MARJORAM.
maritime invade The nose of nice nobility ! 1796 H, Hlntf.r
tr. St.-Picrre's Stud. Nat. (1799I II. 139 The maritime winds
unite their efforts toward the autumnal equinox. 1835 Sir
J. Ross Narr. -zndVoy.x. 67 An interesting maritime land-
scape
5. Characteristic of a seaman ; nautical.
1743 Bl'i.kfley & Ccmmins I'ov. S. Seas Ded. 5 The fol-
lowing Pages . . are written in a plain maritime Stile. 1848
Dickens Dombey iv, He was far from having a maritime
appearance. 1889 D. Hannay Cnpt. Marryat viii. 122 This
sailor had an altogether maritime ignorance of women.
B. sb.
+ 1. The sea-coast ; a country or region adjoining
tlie sea. Obs.
1591 Decl. Gt. Troubles 5 Certayne skroles or beadrolles
of names of men dwelling in sundry partes of our Countries,. .
but specially in the maritimes. 1598 Market Tluor. Warrts
Gloss. 251 Maritime is sea coast countrie, or countries ad-
ioyning vnto the sea. X635 Pagitt Christianogr. 1. ii. (1636)
83 In the south Maritime and in Ethiopia. 1657 'l'HORNl.tv
tr. LmgHJ Da/i/utis <y Chloc 75 The General . . comes up
to the maritims of Mitylene, and hostilely invades them.
t 2. A person living near tlie sea. Obs. rare ~ '.
1655 Stanley Hist. Philos. I. (1687) 27/1 Lycurgus was
head of the Country-men, Megacles of the Maritimes.
Ma ritonu-cleus. Biol. rare. [f. marito-, used
as comb. f. of L. maritus married + NucutOs.]
(See quot.)
1884 Hyatt in Froc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. XXIII. 54
Reserving, .the name of maritouucleus or married nucleus
for the renovated nucleus of the egg after its union with the
male pronucleus.
t Maritorious, a. noncexod. [Humorously f.
L. maritus husband.] Fond of one's husband.
1607 Ch-ai-man lhissy fyAnibois n. 22 Dames maritorious
ne're were meritorious.
Maritu'rient, a. nonce-wd. [Formed (in jocular
imitation of L. desideratives) on L. maritdre to
marry.] Eager to marry.
1765 Gray Let. to T. Wharton 29 Apr., Our friend, the
Precentor, who has so long been in a mariturient way, is
not yet married.
Marivade, obs. form of Mahavedi.
Marjoram (maudjarsm . Forms: a. 4-6
maiorane, 5 mageron, -am, maioron, -um, 6
maioram, -om, magerym, 67 majoram, 7 -an.
/3. (chiefly Sc.) 6 mar-, meriolyne, raaryolayn.
margelene, 7 majorlame. 7. 6. margerain,
-am, -om(e, -um, -yn, marierum, -ierom,
-ioram, -om, merierum, -geium, 6-7 mari-
erome, 7 -jerim, -jerom^e, -Jorom, -gorum, St.
margorie, 7-9 marjorum, 7- marjoram. (In
the earlier forms i "j.) [a. OF. majorane ( 1 3th c.) ,
*marjoraitie, whence Y. (from 14th c.) by dis-
similation marjolainc, - I'r. tuajorana, Sp. via-
jorana,mayora>ia,no\\ usually mtjoraun,Yg. mario-
ratta, mangcrona, It. majorana, maggioraiia,
Rumanian mXghcran, med.l.. majorana (once
majoraca or -us . The Kom. word has passed
into the Test and other langs., as Ml)u. niayokine,
margelleinc, mcicraen (mod.Du. marjoicin , MHG.
margram, meigramme, meycron, maigaron, mai-
iV an, etc. (mod.G. majoran, dial, mtjgrnmi), Sw.
me/ram, Da. mcrian, Russian (? from G.) Maopam.,
mod.Gr. /Ktr^oupafa.
The ultimate etymology is obscure. Many of the Rom.
forms appear to have been perverted by assimilation to I..
1 tmijor (It. waggiorc, Sp. mayor\ greater. There seems to
be no adequate ground for the current assumption that the
ultimate source is the I- antarattts (a. Gr. a*iopa"<K, -01'),
which was in the Middle Ages identified, peek correctly,
with marjoram.l
Any plant of the genus Origanum (N.O. I.abi-
ata.-); esp. 0. vulgarc, Wild Marjoram (Common,
Field, Throve M.), a common plant in limestone
or chalky districts, and 0. Majorana, Sweet Mar-
joram (t Marjoram gentle, t English, + Fine,
Knotted M.), an aromatic herb used in cookery.
0. Onitis is Tot or Winter Marjoram, 0. heraclc-
otiittm, Winter Sweet Matjoram.
a. 1390 Gowi.R Con/. III. 1.;.; Of Majorane bis herbe is
grounded. C 1440 From/: /'orz: 319/2 Mageram (A", maio-
rum, .V. mageron, /'., // '. niageryin, J. margeryn]. 1481
U010NEK Fullc 0/ Old Age f 5 Roseinarynes, maiorons,
gylofres. 1573 Tuiam llnsh. (1878)95 Maierom knotted,
sowe or set at the spring. 1597 Gkkarde //crba/u. ccvii.
539 Marierome is called .. in English Sweete Marierome,
Fine Marierome, and Marierome gentle ; of the best sort
Maiorane. 1601 Holland Pliny I. 38:1 Maioran,. .in Cy-
prus & at Mitylene, where great store of sweet Majoran
grows.
0. 1513 Douglas JSueis 1. x. 69 Tendir mariolyne [L.
mollis mmmrmau] and sweit flouris. 1517 Andrew Brims-
wyU) Distyll. Waters L vi b. 1570 Sattr. I'oems Reform.
xv. loThow Lauand, lurk ; lliow time, be tint; Thow Mar-
gelene, swaif. 1689 in J'/mnes o/Ca-Mlor {SyyM. Club) 353,
1 unce Majorlame, 105. .
y. Ip3 Skelton Carl. l.aurchyJ) With margerain ientyll,
The flowre of goodlyhede. c 1550 Lloyd Trcas. Health
xv. E vb, I,et thy teeth be washed with the decoction of
wildc Margerum [158s Margerainl. 1578 \.\\r. Podoens 11.
Ixix. 236 Origanum Heracteotictim. Spanish Origan.
Bastard Margerom. Origanum syluestre. Wilde Origan.
Groue Margerom. //'/'■/. S37 Marunujuibusdam. English
Margerom. 1597 Gerarde Herbal 11. ccvii. 530 The pot
Marierome is also called Winter Marierome. Ibid. ccix.
543 1 ragoriganum. Goates Marierome. 1640 Parkinson
MARK.
Theat. Hot. \* The wilde or field Marjerome. 1656 Mar-
m:rrk Terf. Cooii 11. 1 Take the tops of Time and Margerum
anil Winter Savoury, a handfull of each. 1689 in Thanes
of Cawdor (Spaid. Cluli) 352 Sweft Margorie time drap, 6i.
1760 J. Um Introd. Hot. App. 318 Marjoram, winter sweet.
1856 -Miss Mulock J. Halifax xxi. (18591 220 A plant of
wild marjoram. 188a Garden 25 Fab. 137/1 Knotted Mar.
team, sweet Savory, and Sweet Basil are much sought after
in early spring. .
b. attrib. and Comb., as marjoram bed, leaj ;
marjoram-leaved adj. Marjoram camphor, a
camphor obtained from oil of marjoram (Watts
tr. Gmeliris Handbk. Chem. i860, XIV. 379).
1821 Clark fill. Miustr. I. 115 Thy Marjoram-beds so
doubly sweet. 1811 A. T. Thomson Loud. Disf. (1818) 277
Common Marjoram leaves. 1881 Garden 4 Feb. 82, 3 The
Marjoram- leaved Toadflax.
Mark (milk), sb.l Forms 1 mearc, Anglian
mere, (also sjmierce, ssmfrce, Northumb.
meroe, meroa), 2 marc, 3-5 merk^e, (Orm.
merrke),merc(k, marck(e, 4, 7 marque, 4- mark.
[OE. mearc, Anglian mere, str. fern., boundary,
landmark, sign - OFris. merik{e, merke, boundary,
sign, OS. marka boundary (Ml)u. marie, mod.Du.
mark), OHG. marcha boundary (MHG., mod.G.
mark fern.), ON. mork (known only in the derived
sense 'forest'; S\v., Da. mark field, ground\
Goth. marka boundary,landmark :— OTeut. *markd.
A neuter form (:— OTeut. type *markom) exists in
several Teut. langs. with the senses 'sign', ' land-
mark', 'standard', etc.: MDu. mark (mod.Du.
merk), MHG. mark (mod.G. has marie fern.,
prob. influenced by F. marque'), OX., MSw. mark.
The ME. form merie (disyllable), while normally
representing the OAnglian pronunciation men,
may in part descend from OXorthumb. mtrcc (also
written merca), token, sign, and in part also from
an adoption of the equivalent OX. merit neat,
landmark, standard, sign (Sw. marie, Da. merie):—
OTeut. type *markjom, f. *markd (see above) ; it
may also, in northern dialects, represent partly the
OXorthumb. gemerce sign, token ( = \VS. gemierce,
OHG. gimerchi boundary :— OTeut. *ga-markjom),
as the prefix ge- of sbs. did not survive into ME.,
and the palatalized c in final syllables became k in
northern Eng. According to phonetic law the
ME. merke regularly became mark in mod.Eng.,
thus coalescing with the descendant of WS. mearc.
The Teut. word and its derivative vb. were early
adopted into Romanic ; the sb. appears as OF.
mere, marc masc. , F. marque fern., mark, sign, etc.,
marche (OXF. marque) boundary (see March sb.s),
Pr., Sp., Pg., It. marca mark, sign, boundary.
Some of the senses developed in F, marque have
coloured the application of the Eng. word.
The OTeut. *inark<i appears to be cogn. w. L. margo
Margin, OCeltic *inrogi- country (Gaulish brogi- in place-
names, Welsh brfl, Olrish inrnig, britigt, Persian marz
boundary. The extra-Teut. relations confirm the view
which is suggested by the evidence of Teut. itself, that the
primitive sense is ' boundary '. The order of development
of senses which appears most probable, and is assumed as
the basis of the arrangement below, is * boundary ', ' sign of
a boundary ', ' sign in general ', ' impression, trace or device
used as a sign ', ' impression, trace, etc. in general '. Some
scholars, however, have considered the sense ' visible trace '
as primitive (comparing Lith. jnargas parti-coloured), and
have supposed the sense 'boundary' to be either derived
from this or to belong to an independent word.]
I. Boundary.
1. A boundary, frontier, limit ; rarely in //.
t territories. ObsTexc. Hist, and arch.
701 in Birch Cart. Sax. (1885) I. 148 Swa be mearce to
grenmenes sti^ele . . bonon su5 andlang mearce to bes gores
sud ende. 6*1250 Gen. iff Ex. 3490 He ledde hem to 5e
muntes fot, Non but non[? readhel forSere ne mot, And on is
brooeraaron ; God bad hem oat merke ouer-gon. 1340-70^!//-
satmder 173 The marques of Molosor menskliche nee aught.
1387 Trevisa Higden iRolls) II. 45 But afterward, for be
weyes were not so sette wib certeyn markes [orig. certis limi.
tibus distinctte], be weies were vncerteyn and stryf was by-
gonne. Ibid. 103 be merkes and be meres berof [Merciajwere
in be west sideberyuer Dee..; inbeest peestsee, inthesoub
Temse. l 1400 Macndev. (1839) xiii. 144 In bat contre of
libye is the see more high ban the lond, and it semeth bat
it wolde couere the erthe, and natheles 3it it passeb not his
markes. 1447 Bokenham Seyntys (Roxb.) 36 In a wode of
the markeys of that cuntre Two hermytys dwellyd. 1494
Fab\as Citron, v. cix. 82 The meris or markis of this Kyng-
dome of North humberlande were [etc.]. 1530 Palsgr. 243/1
Marke bytwene two places, limite. 1535 Coverdale Prov.
viii. 29 He shutt the see within certayne bowndes, that y*
waters shulde not go ouer their marckes. ? 183a ' B. Corn-
wall ' (B. W. Proctor) Sea i, The Sea ! the Sea ! the open
Sea ! ..Without a mark, without a bound. 1883 Ciiamo.
Jrnl. 36 When the Marquis of Leominster was a Marquis
indeed, with a mark to guard. 1893 H knlev Song of Sword,
etc., Lond. Volitnt. iii. 22 The afflicted city, prone from mark
to mark In shameful occultation.
tb. Of immaterial things: A limit or precise
boundary line or point. Obs.
a 1000 Cxdmoris Gen. 17 19 (Gr.) pa bses uncles waes mearc
agongen. a 1225 Alter, K. 228 Auh ioe temptaciun he
haue5 iset to he ueonde a merke, ase bauh he seide — tempte
hire so ueor (etc.]. 1340 Ayenb. 223 Li^tliche huanne be
lost ne paseb naat he markes ne be zetnesses of spoushod.
t 1400 Dtitr, Troy 7696 The Sun in his Sercle set was o
lf)7
loft, At the merke of be mydday. 1435 Misyn Fire of Love
38 pou art be end of heuynes, be mark of labirs, beginyng
of fruyts. c 1449 Pkcock Repr. 1. x. 50 These craft is kepten
not to hem silf her propie and seuerel to hem silf houndis
and markis.
2. Hist. The name applied in medircval Germany
to the tract of land held in common by a village
community. Hence used by many modern scholars
to denote the tract of land similarly held by one of
the village communities of primitive Teutonic times.
Also attrib., as in mark-community, -family,
-system ; markmoot (pseudo-a/r//.), a (supposed)
assembly of the inhabitants of the ' mark \
Kemble's fancy that OK. mearc was the name of a unit of
territorial organization next below the shire (sctr or go) has
no foundation. The alleged OIL. *mearcmJt ' mark-niout \
has no existence: the mercemot occurring m a schedule of
boundaries of land at Barrow-on-Humber in 971 (Birch C.S.
No. 1270) may perh. mean 'parsley-bed', and in any case
does not admit of Kemble's interpretation.
1848 Kemble Saxons in Eng. (1S76) 1. iii. 76 As then the
word Mark is used to denote two distinct things,— a terri-
torial division and a corporate body,— so does the word G:i
or Scir denote both [etc]. 1867 Freeman Norm. Corn/.
(1876) I. iii. 84 Such a community occupies its own territory,
its mark. Ibid. 98 The unit is the Mark, roughly repre-
sented by the modern parish or manor. 1874 St u BBS Const.
Hist, (1875) I. ii. 34 We have not the mark system. Ibid. v.
84 note, That the markmoot was a court of justice . . seems
altogether improbable. Ibid. 85 It is as an owner of land,
not as a member of the mark-commnniiy, that the freeman
has rights. 1876 I>k;bv Real Prop. i. § 1. 5 Kach commu-
nity occupied a territory or mark, which was divided into
three, or rather four portions. 1887 F.din. Rev, Jan. 10 In
all Teutonic countries the same conllict was waged between
the manor and the mark.
3. Used to represent G. Mark as the proper
name of certain principalities, esp. the Mark of
.Brandenburg, f Also repr. It. Marca in the Mark
of Ancona. (Cf. March sb.'<> 3.)
1726 Leoni AlbertVs Archie. I. 65/1 The Town of Cin-
gofi..in the Mark of Ancona. 1797 Encyct. Brit, (ed. 3)
III. 514/2 They reckon in the whole Mark [of Brandenburg]
120 towns [etc.]. 1884 Harpers Mag. Apr. 690/2 The two
Frederics.. were to have the Mark.
II. An object indicating a boundary, position, etc.
f4. A pillar, post, stone, fence, etc., placed to
indicatethe position of aboundary; = LANDMARK 1.
< 1250 Gen. <y Ex. 440 Met of corn, and wi^te of fe, And
merke of felde, first fond he. c 13*0 Sir Tristr. 2710 Her
fader .. }af hem londes wide .. Markes were set hi side,
c 1330 R. BRUNNEC/m>«.(i8io) 77 Saynt Cutberte'sclerkes..
At Geruans set ber merkes, a hous be gan vpspede. c 1440
1'rotnp. Parv. 333/2 Meer, marke be-twene ij. londys, t/ieta,
uteris. 1535 Covekdale Dent, xxvii. 17 Cursed be he, yl
remoueth his neghbours mark. 1697 Dkyden Virg. Georg.
1. 193 No Fences parted Fields, nor Marks nor Bounds Bis-
tinguish'd Acres of litigious Grounds.
1 5. A stone or other monument set up or
standing as a memorial, or as a guide. Obs.
c 1000 /Elfric Exod. xxiv. 4 Moyses .. ^etimbrode twelf
mearca. c 1250 Gen. fy Ex, 1887 Iacob dalf hire and merke
dede, Sat is 5et sene on Sat stede. 1340-70 Alex, fy Dind.
1 1 39 Whan graue was pe graie ston be grime king rydus &
alle meven his men fro be marke euene. 1565 Coopf.k
Thesaurus, Cippits, a littell hill or marke called a barrow.
158a N. Lichehif.[.i> tr. Castanhedas Com/. E. hid. 1. ix.
9 b, A certaine marke or Filler, with the King of Portingales
Armes, and a Crosse. ./ 1591 H. Smith Serm. (1594) 237
Being now recouered to his right way, [he] stands like a
marke of knowledge in the turninges .. to direct al those
that passe by.
Jig. 15x1 Colet Serm. Convoc. B vb, Vnto you we loke as
vnto markes of our direction.
f 6. A standard or banner. Obs.
t 1000 iELFRic Gram. lxiv. (Z.) 71 Victricia tollite signa,
nymacS pa sisefsestan mearca. c 1205 Lav. 18869 Beornts
scullen rusien reosen heoren ma^rken [^1275 marke]. Ibid.
19099 Cador be kene seal beren bas kinges marke.
7. A target, butt, or other object set up to be
aimed at with a missile or projectile. Hence
transf.y the thing that is or may be aimed at in
shooting or throwing.
c 1105 Lay. 4229 Heorae sceaftes weoren strake of his flxsces
heo makeden here marce \c 1275 marke]. c 1305 St. Edm.
King 44 in E. PI. P. (1862) 88 Hi stode afur & bende here
bowes, & here arewes ri^te And as to a merke schote to him.
1526 Pilgr. Per/. (YV. de W. 1531) 160 The sayd arowe is
caryed to the marke. 1535 CovKRDALEZa/«. iii. 12 He hath
bent his bowe, and made me as it were a marck to shute at.
1617 Hieron Wks. II. 400 A shooter, who afarre offaymeth
at a marke in the midst of a white ; hee seeth the w hite, but
not the marke ; hee cannot hit the marke, which he seeth
not, except hee hit the white, which hee seeth. 1660 F.
Brooke tr. Le Blanc's Trav. 167 Then the hunters all
choose their marke, taking pleasure in darting their lances.
1780 Cowper Progr. Err. 570 None sends his arrow to the
mark in view, Whose hand is feeble, or his aim untrue. 1856
* Stoneiienge' Brit. Rnr. Sports 508/2 Do not look from
the mark to the arrow, and back again. 1859 Musketry
Instr. 23 To fire with accuracy it is necessary the sights
should be carefully aligned between the eye and the mark.
t b. The quarry of a hawk, etc. Obs.
1577 B. Googe HeresbacKs Ilnsb. iv. (1586) 157 b, They . .
are alwaies the fairest marke in a Hawke, or a Bussardes
eie. 1589 Greene Menaphon (Arb. ) 42 The Hobbie catcheth
no pray,ynlesse she mount beyonde her marke. 1672 Drydf.n
Afarr. a la Mode v. i, It vexes me to the heart.. to have
flown her so often to a mark, and still to he bobbed at re-
trieve. 1686 Blo.mk Gentl. Peer., llaivking v. 30 After she
hath flowen to mark, she will sit or fly according to her
mettle and nature. 1691 Drvdrn A*. Arthur in. ii, Oh,
still thou thiuk'st to fly a fool to mark.
MARK.
C. The object at which a blow or thrust is aimed ;
spec, in Pugilistic slang, the pit of the stomach,
the ' wind \ Also t Broughton s mark.
1747 J. Godfrey Set. Defence b'Yht smaller his [a fencer's]
mark is, the harder it is for him to Int. Ibid. 57 G retting
had the nearest Way of going to the Stomach (which is
what they [pugilists] tall the Mark) of any Man I knew.
1823 'J. Dee* Diet. 'Pur/, Mark (ring), the pit of the stomach
is termed 'the mark', and ' lirougluon's mark'. 1851 Bor-
row Lavengro l.vxxviii, I happened to hit Tom, of Hoptun,
in the mark, as he was coming in, so that he lost his wind.
d. fig. or in lig. context. Also slang (see quot.
1S97).
1549 Compl. Scot. xv. 123, 1 am the merk of the but, con-
trar the quhilk euere man schutis arrous of trlbulatione.
c 1586 C'tess Pembroke Ps. i.v. i, [I am] A mark to wrath.
and hate, and wrong a.ssign'd. 1608 I >. T[u\ 11 | Ess. Pol. .\
Mor. 114b, Must needes discouer the marke of his dis-
ordinate Ambition. 1742 Vol ng At. 'Ph. v. ion Death love-.
a shining Mark, a signal Blow. 1753 Discov. J. i'oulto
(ed. 2) 4 At Night the Horses came by, and he -hew'd us all
one particular Pack, and said that's your Mark. 1842 Ten-
nvson Walk. Mail 65 He thought himself A mark for all,
and shuddered lest a cry Should break his sleep by night.
1871 Blackik Pour Phases i. 10 There was something. .that
I could not fail to make If m the mark of general observation.
1871 K. Ellis tr. Catullus Ixviii. 2 Thy sad tear-scrawl'd
letter, a mark to the storm. 1897 Bakheke &_ Lelani..
Mark (Swindlers), one marked by thieves or swindlers as
easy to dupe or rob.
e. In phrases, beside, ih sides, far from, near,
short of, wide of (or ffrom the mark; to hit.
miss the mark, to attain or mi.-s some desired object
or end.
c 1350 St. Andrew 290 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. {1S81) S
In saint Andrew he had swilk trist ; And of hat merk no-
thing he myst. a 1352 Mixot Poems ix. 13 Bot now has
sir Dauid missed of his merkes. 1633 T. STAFFORD Pa,.
I/ib. 1. v. (1821^ 71 Both one and the other were besides the
marke. 1655 FULLER Ch. Hist. 11. iii. § 17 Venerable was
found out as an Expedient to accommodate the Difference,
luckily hitting the Mark, as a Title neither too high nor too
low. 1666 Pei'VS Diary 23 Sept., It cannot, I believe, be far
wide from the mark. 1749 Fielding Tom Jones xi. ix, As
when two doves,, .or as when Strephon and Phyllis (for that
comes neare>t to the mark) are retired into some pleasant
solitary grove [etc.]. 1845 M*Culloch Taxation \. iii.
; (1852) 92 It may, however, be. .very wide of the mark when
applied to the case of out-of-door labourers. 1889J. STALKER
Imago Christi ix. § 5 11891) 178 Many a preacher misses the
mark because, though lie knows books, he does not know
men. 1861 WllVTK MELVILLE Good Joy Nothing I. 146 Gil-
bert's efforts to amuse her often fell short of the mark. 1883
I ce Beside B. 5 b]. 1885 J. K. Jerome On the Stage 6 Five
or six pounds per week would be near the mark.
f. Howls. The Jack. Also, a position which
: is allowed for the jack ; ' a fair Lowling distance '
, ,see quot. 1753).
1630 J. Taylor (Water P.) Wit Sf Mirth Wks. II. 193/ _•
The marke which they ayme at hath sundry names and
' Kpithites, as a Blocke, a Jacke, and a Mistris. 1753 Cham-
\ bers Cycl. Su/p. s. v. Btriuiiug, Mark is a proper bowling
, distance, not under so many yards; and being at least a
yard and a half from the ed^e of the green. 1875 ' Stone-
iienge' Brit. Sports 111. I. iii. § 3. 683 If the leader in two
; trials shall fail to deliver the jack a mark, his opponent is
then entitled to set the mark. 1876 Encyct. Brit, IV. 180/2
A game termed carrcau . . somewhat similar to bowls, the
1 jack or mark being set up on a square stone at the end of
an alley. Ibid., ' Mark ', or ' set a mark ', means the delivery
■ of the jack at the commencement of a game.
8. A post or other object placed to indicate the
I terminal point of a race; a goal. Often fig, an
I object desired or striven for (cf. 7 d).
C1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810)271 Sir Roherd Roos of
i Weik with be Scottis fled, He set so ille his merk, bat neuer
eft he ne sped. 1535 Coverdale Phil: iii. 14, 1 forget that
which is behynde.7& preacevnto y* marck apoynted. 1555
Latimer Let. in Strype Eccl. Mem. (1822) III. 11. 305 He
that runny the at the merk doth not loke on other that stands
: by . . but lokyth altogether on the glove or merk, and on
them that ronnewith him. 1561 T. Norton Calvin's Inst.
11. viii. (1634) 187 Let this be our perpetual marke, to aide
: all men faithfully. 1642 Roceks Xaaman F.p. Ded. 3, I
j know your Honour hath long made this your marke. 1789
I Cowper Let. to Mrs. King 1 Aug., The end is in view ; I
■ seem almost to have reached the mark. 1850 Tennyson In
Mem. liii, For fear divine Philosophy Should push beyond
her mark, and be Procuress to the Lords of Hell.
9. An object on shore or at sea, which, by its
ascertained and known position, serves to guide a
; traveller proceeding in a given direction, esp. a
I -Landmark, leading-mark (?ee Leading 1 b),
Sea-mark. AlsoyT^.
[1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xvn. cxlii. (1495) 699 °fte
knottes ben made on trees and in busshes : in token and
marke of the highe waye : to shewe the certen and sure
1 waye to waye farynge men.] 14.. Sailing Direct. (Hakl.
' Soc.) 12 Yif ye go oute of Orwell waynys to the Naisse >;e
; must go south west fro the Nasse to the merkis of the spetis
' your cours is west south-west. Ibid., Bring your markis to
; gidre that the parissh steple be owte by est. the abbey of
i Seint Hosies. 1577 Stanvhurst Descr. Ircl. iii. in lioiin-
' shed, Hulke tower, which is a notable marke for pilots
1 in directing them which waie to sterne their ships [etc.].
1598 Manwood Lawes Forest \. 4 They seeme to vnder-
stand this word Mefo, a marke, for any thing that hath an
ascending from the ground vpward in height, that they call
a marke, as, a hill, a Church, a Tree, or such like. 1650
Hobbes Hum. Nat. v. § t. 44 Men that have past by a Rock
at Sea, set up some mark, thereby to remember their former
danger, and avoid it. a 1676 Hale Narr. Customes iii. in
S. A. Moore Foreshore (1888) 338 As fixing of piles, or lay-
inge in of anchors without buoyes or markes. 1708 Pekn in
i Pa, Hist. Soc, Mem, X. 190. 1 have shewn my regard to
MARK.
168
MARK.
him, and a fair mark I gave him to direct his steps. 1781 I
Justamond Prh>. Life Lcivis XV, II. 120 note. This is a
mark, sometimes made by a floating tun, sometimes by
a mast raised upon a bank. 1834 Nat. Phi'los. III. Navig.
1. iii. 9 (Useful Knowl. Soc.) The marks themselves are
called the leading marks.
III. A sign, token, indication.
10. An appearance, action, or event that indicates
something; a sign, token, symptom.
^950 Lindisf. Gosp. Mark xvi. 17 $emerca [Vulg. signa]
Sonne 5a da&e ^elefdon da sefyljeS. c woo Ormin 17982
& wha sitt iss patt takebb wipb Hiss wittness tunnderr-
fanngenn, He settebb merrke off batt he wiss Iss Godd
sobfasst i spicche. a 1225 After. R. 250 LokeS nu ^eorne,
uor his deoruwurSe luue, hvvuch one merke he leide up-
pen his icorene, boa he steih into heouene. a 1300 Cursor
M. 18330 ' Lauerd ', |>ai said, al wit a steuen, 'Als bou '
has sett pi merck in heuen O bi bUs lauerd godd [etc.].
r 1386 Chauckr Pars. T. r 819 That hooly ordre is chief of
al the tresorie of god, and his especial signe and mark of
chastitee. 1599 Shaks. Much Ado 11. iii. 255 Shee's a faire
Lady, I doe spie some markes of loue in her. 1604 E. .
0[rimstonk] D'Acosta's Hist. Indies in. xiii. 160 They ;
found peeces of blew cloth, and other markes and signes that
some men of Europe had passed there. 1669 Gale Crt. Gen-
tiles 1. Introd. 6 Is it not a great Marque of Honor. 1711
Addison Spect. No. 73 f 10 She bestows a Mark of her
Favour upon every one of them. 1725 Watts Logic 11. v. § 4
In some Reports there are more Marks of Falshood than of
Truth, and in others there are more Marks of Truth than
of Falsehood. 1748 Anson's Voy. 11. vL 192 Our people soon
observed several lights, .in the fort, and other marks of the ;
inhabitants being in great motion. 1842 Borrow Bible in
Spain lvii, His body .. exhibited every mark of strength I
and vigour, a 1862 Buckle Civiliz. U873) III. y.463 How
unusual it is to meet with anyone .. whose writings bear j
marks of. .original thought. 1884 Skeat Gamelyn Introd.
11 The 'master outlaw' in the tale of Gamelyn is left un-
named. This is a mark of a somewhat early date.
b. A characteristic property ; a distinctive |
feature, criterion; spec, in Logic (see quot. i860).
1522 More Dequat. Noviss. Wks. 73/2 He that by good !
vse and experyence, hathe in his eye the ryglite marke and
very trewe lustre of the Dyamonte. 1561 T. Norton tr.
Calvin's Inst. 1. xv. 53 Neither is their opinion to be ap-
proued, which sett the Image of God in the power of <
dominion geuen vnto him, as if be resembled God onely in
this mark, that he is fete.]. 1612 Bacon Ess., Wist/, for
Man's Self {Pith.} 184 Therefore let Princes., chuse such
seruants, as haue not this marke. a 1625 Fletcher Noble
Gent. iv. iv, Vet from this pitch can I behold my own, (From
millions of those men that have no mark). 1774 Goi.dsm. j
Nat. Hist. (1776) IV. 232 By these marks the monkies of I
either continent, may be readily distinguished from each 1
other, i860 Abp. Thomson Laws Th. § 51. 78 Those pro-
perties by which we recognise any object, and assign it a
place under some appropriate conception, are called marks. I
1884 tr. Lotze's Logic 1, iii. 89 Life without intelligence is a
possible mark of an animal, but not intelligence without
life. 1885 K. L. & F. Stevenson Dynamiter 194, I recog-
nise in you the marks of an accomplished anarch.
C. spec. A depression caused by a fold in the
enamel of a horse's incisor tooth, which by its
appearance and gradual disappearance gives some
indication of the age of the animal. (Cf. Counteh-
m.vkk, sb. 3.) Also mark of mouth.
c 1420 Pallad. on Hnsb. iv. 886 Their [horses'] myddel teeth
alxnie at too yeer age They cause, at yeeris iiij another
gage ;. .At vij yeer are alle ylike longe, The markis of their
age ar lost at seuen. 1626 Bacon Sylva § 754 At eight
yeares old, the Tooth is smooth, and the Hole gone, And
then they say ; That the Marke is out of the Horses Mouth.
1680 Lond. Gas. No. 1562/4 A Bright Bay Gelding, near
15 hands high, ..the mark out of his mouth. 1707 Curios,
in Ilusb. $■ Card. 41 We may. .say. .as the Jockeys do of
a Horse of eight or nine Years old, who has no longer cer-
tain Teeth in his Mouth; that his Mark is out. 185a K. S.
Surtees Spongers Sp. 'TourxXw, ' He's past mark of mouth ;
but I think a hunter's age has very little to do with his
worth.' 1897 Encycl. Sport I. 537 (Horse) Mark, the hollow
upon the top of a young horse's teeth which wears down
with years.
fig. and allusive. 1589 R. Harvey PI. Perc. (1590) 4 The
marke is not out of thy mouth, for thou hast a Colts tooth
in thine head still, a 1616 Beai'.m. & Fl. Wit ivithout
Money iv. v, Biscuit That bawds have rubb'd their gums
upon, like corals, To bring the mark again. 1824 Mac-
taggart GalloT'id. Encycl. s.v., Old maidens are said some-
times to have lost the mark o' mouth. 1857 G. A. Lawrence
Guy Liv. viii. 77 Two ancient virgins, long past 'mark of
mouth '.
f d. A vestige, trace. Obs.
C1325 Metr. Horn. 61 Bot of thair not yet standes merk,
In Babilony the tour yet stands. 1585 T. Washington
tr. Nicholay's Voy. iv. xxv. 141 In wluche place are the
markes of the rubies of Lacedemonia.
11. A sign affixed or impressed for distinction.
a. A device, stamp, seal, label, brand, inscrip-
tion, written character, or the like, placed upon an
article as an indication of ownership or origin, as
an attestation of quality, as a means of identifica-
tion, etc. f In early use often, the stamp or
impress of a coin.
c 1250 Gen. <y Ex. 457 He was hirde wittere and wal ; Of
merke, and kinde, and helde, & ble, sundring and sameni[n]g
ta^te he. 1377 Langl. /*. PI. B. xv. 343 |>e merke of pat
mone [sc. the lushburg] is good, ac be metal is fleble. c 1394
P. PI. C rede 17 j Wyde wyndowes..Schynen wip schapen
scheldes . . Wib merkes of marchauntes y-medled bytwene.
1420 in E. E, Wills (1882) 46 A tastour of siluer with myn
owne merke ymade in be bottom, c 1440 Promp. Parv. 334/1
Merke, tokyne, signum, caracter. 1 1450 in Eel. Ant. II.
280 Thay salle be brynte on the hippe, chapmans merke.
1477 Polls ofParlt. VI. 185/1 The merke or signe of every .
Goldsmyth, shuld be knowen to the Wardeyns of the same !
craft. 1524 Act 14 <$■ 15 Hen. Vtil% c. 3. § 9 This present act I
..for limittyng of markes to the maker of worsteds, sales,
and stamins. 1567 Harman Caveat 33 The markes shalbe
pycked out cleane, and [the clothes] conuayed craftely fare
of, to sell. 1594 T. B. La Primand. Fr. Acad. 11. 543 Hee
will appoynt to haue a stone layde vpon bis graue, in which
his name shall bee ingrauen, 8: his marke, or some such like
thing. 1607 Hf.ywood Worn. Kild w. Kindn. Wks. 1874
1 1. 142 Take with thee every thing that hath thy marke.
1617 Morvson Itin. 1. 38, I set a marke vpon these peeces,
lest I should spend them. 1687 A. Lovell tr. Ther'enot's
Trav. I. 201 We spent all Tuesday, .in getting Marks put
upon our Arms, as commonly all Pilgrims do. 1696 Phillips
ted. 5), Mark, . . Also a particular Character imprinted by
Public Authority upon several things, either for the payment
of Duties, or to prevent Adulteration. 1698 Fryer Ace. E.
India <y /*. 207 The Company's Mark upon all their Goods,
Bales, and Parcels. 1704 N orris Ideal World 11. v. 293
A mark of the artificer impressed upon his work. 1797
Directory Sheffield 137 Directory of the Manufacturers, with
their marks. 1838 Dickens O. Twist ix,I'll show you how
to take the marks out of the handkerchiefs, e 1850 Arab.
.Yts. (Rtldg.) 640 The robber quickly made a mark on the
door with some chalk he had for the purpose. 1885 Encycl.
/hit. XIX. 186 The first of these [Hall-marks] was the
King's mark—a. leopard's or lion's head crowned.
b. With prefixed defining sb., as age, cattle,
flock, gunpowder, pedigree, pitch, raddle, sheep,
wool mark. Also Kau-, Hall-, Thadk-mark.
1523 Fitzherb. Ilusb. § 52 And se that they [sheep] be
well marked, both eare marke, pitcbe marke, and radel
marke. 1573 Tusser Ilusb. (1878J 38 A sheepe marke, a tar
kettle [etc.]. 1603 Owen Pembrokeshire (1892) 56-7 As many
as they can finde by the eare marke, for woolle markes is vsed
but of few. 1607 Cowell Interpr. s.v. Clack, To clack
wool I is to cut off the sheepes marke which maketh it to
waigh less. 1802 James Mil. Diet., Mark. .Gunpowder
Marks. The different sorts of gunpowder are distinguished
by the following marks. 1833 Hr. Martineat Briery Creek
ii. 34 What about the cattle-marks? 1886 C. Scott . Sheep-
Far/uiug 147 Sheep Marking— The flock mark, the age
mark, and the pedigree mark, are all put on the ears of the
stock lambs.
c. A visible sign, as a badge, brand, etc., assumed
by or imposed on a person ; occas. in pi. f insignia.
^Christ's, Goi€ smarkjnark of clergy, of holy church : the
tonsure. Mark of the Beast : sec Rev. xvi. 2 and Beast sb. 7.
c 1200 / 'ices <S- Virtues 57 Sume o5re nime5 godes marc on
hem, wandep here claoes and naht here beawes. c 1205 Lav.
29855 Biscopesandclierckesand preostes mid godes maerkes.
c 1250 Gen. .y Ex. 1003 Quuo ne bar 5anne is merk [sc. cir-
cumcision] him on fro godes folc sulde he be don. a 1300
Cursor M. 27252 Quar he-.clething beres bat feris to clerc,
or cron bat es o clergi mere. Ibid. 29283 Qua smites preist
or clerk or ani berand cristes merk, als munk, or frer, nun,
or cbanun,. .he is cursd. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810)
130 porgh God I pe forbede to chalange any clerke In lay
courte for non nede, of holy kirke has merke, 1340HAMPO1.E
Pr. Const. 4402 Bot with pas bat had Criste forsaken And
the merk of anticrist had taken [etc.]. 138a Wyci.if Rev.
xvi. 2 The carecte or marke of the beast. 1399 Langl.
Rich. Redeles 11. 78 Me thynketh, That no manere meyn-
tenour shulde merkis here, Ne haue lordis leuere be lawe to
apeire. 1535 Covkrdale Gen. iv. 15 And the I,orde put a
marck vpon Cain. 1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 118 b,
Neyther inaye any others, than suche as have the greate
l>eastes charact, or Balles marke, be permitted to occupie
that trade of marchaundyse. 1592 Nerves fr. Scotld.,
Life <y D. Dr. Fian B, They suspecting that she had
lieene marked by the Diuell (as commonly witches are)
..found the enemies marke to l>e in her fore crag. 1604 K.
G[kimstone] irAcosta's Hist. Indies v. viii. 350 The priest
..was decked with the markes of the idoll. 1680 True
Protest. Intelligence No. 3. 1/2 One of them, as it is said,
had the Thieves mark in her hand. 1706 tr. Dupbfs Eccl.
Hist. 16th C. II. v. 4 He [Catharinus] believes the Marks of
St. Francis. 1727-51 Chambers Cycl. s. v. Herald, Their
persons are under the protection of the law of nations, when
they bear the marks of their offices publicly, i. e. the trum-
peter his trumpet, and the drummer his drum ; as the herald
his coat. 1874 Gladstone Ritualism in Contemp. Rev.
Oct. 672 [The undivided clerical waistcoat] was deemed
so distinctly Popish, that it acquired the nickname of The
Mark of the Beast '; and. .among the tailors., was familiarly
known as 'the M.B. waistcoat '. 1881 Sands Sk. Tranent
39 It was believed that Satan put a mark upon alt who had
enlisted into his service,
f cL God's marks : an appearance betokening
impending death. (See God sb. 16 c.) Ops.
e. A character made with a pen, usually a cross,
used by illiterate persons in place of a signature.
( 1020 Rule St. Benct (Logeman) lviii. 98 Oooe so5es ?;if
he na can stafas, o3er fram him xel^^en write & se nicu-
mena mearce do. 1434 in PS. Ll. Wills (1882) 102 And y
pray yowe loki thys marke and thys Seell, acorde as y Roger
wyl answere afore god. 1588 in Arber Marprel. Control: 82
William x Stanghtons marke. 1593 Shaks. 2 Hen. IT, iv.
ii. no. 1627 in BamfieliVs Poems (Arb.) Introd. 17 Peter
Serieantes his X mark. 1766 Blackstone Comm. II. xx.
305 Which custom our illiterate vulgar do . . keep up; by
signing a cross for their mark when unable to write their
names. 1851 H. Melville Whale xvlii. 100 Dost thou sign
thy name or make thy mark V
f. A written symbol.
x737 J- Ciiamberlavne St. Gt. Brit. 11. in. 150 (List Council-
men Lond.) This * Mark denotes the New Members. 1862
Ansted Channel 1st. 11. ix, (ed. 2) 200 A mark of interroga-
tion {?) [will denote] doubtful species. 1890 H. Sweet Prim.
Spoken Eng. 2 The stress-marks are put before the element
on which the stress begins. Ibid. 3 The tone-marks are put
before the word they modify.
g. {a) Goody dad mark: a written character used
by teachers, jailers, etc., in their registers as a symbol
of an instance of good or bad conduct respectively ;
hence Jig. a point noted or remembered to a
person's credit or discredit. (J?) Originally, in
schools, a vertical line placed opposite to a pupil's
name as a record of a correct answer in class or
some other point of merit, his place in the class
being determined by the number of ' marks ' which
lie obtains. Hence, the unit of the numerical
award given by a teacher or examiner to the person
whose comparative merit is to be ascertained.
1829 Lvtton Devej-eux 1. iii, I was one hundred marks
before my brother. 1837 Orders <$■ Regul. Harvard Lrniv. 8
The average of the marks given by the members of the
[examining] Committee. 1887 D. A. Low Machine Draw.
(1892) 124 Inking-in,. .and shading, ..are not required in the
examination, and receive no marks. 1891 H. Matthews in
Law Times XCII. 96/1 A convict who gains by steady
industry the maximum number of marks during each day
of his sentence. 1893 Leland Mem. I. 73 The punishments
were bad marks, and for every mark the boy was obliged to
go to bed an hour earlier than the others.
+ h. In schools, a badge worn by the pupil who
had last committed some particular fault. To
pass the mark : to get rid of the badge on detecting
a schoolfellow in the same fault ; &\so Jig. Obs.
1832 Miss Mitford Village Ser. v. 198 French was the
universal language of the house, and an English mark was
passed among the young ladies, transferred from culprit to
culprit as they were detected in the fact, and called for three
times a day, when the unlucky damsel who happened to be
in possession of the badge was amerced in the sum of three-
pence ;.. this order of demerit [was] an oval piece of wood,
with English, in large capitals engraven on its front, sus-
pended by a riband from the neck. 1849 Thackeray Pen-
deunis xxxi, Bacon liked to be treated with rudeness by
a gentleman, and used to pass it on to his inferiors as boys
pass the mark. . 1855 Mrs. Gaskell Traits fy Stories
Huguenots ad fin., I have now told all I know about the
HuguenOts. I pass the mark to some one else.
i. Pier. A small charge added to a coat of arms
as a sign of distinction ; esp. in mark oJCadescy.
1702 [see Cadency]. 17x8 Prior Henry <y Emma 49 This
lord.. Had brought back his paternal coat enlarg'd With
a new mark. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) VIII. 445 Of all
the fore mentioned marks of distinction, none but the label
is affixed on the coats of arms belonging to any of the royal
family.
j. J'reemasonry. Used attrib. (with reference to
sense 1 1 a) to designate a degree, grade, or rank
immediately superior to that of the free and ac-
cepted mason (see 23).
12. Something (e.g. a line, dot, notch, or an
object fixed or attached) intended to record or
indicate position.
Plimsolts mark : a load-line required by the Merchant
Shipping Act, 1876 (the bill for which was introduced by S.
Plimsoll, M.P. for Derby) to be placed upon the hull of a
British vessel to indicate bow far she may be loaded.
c 1460 Tcnvneley Myst . xxiii. i+SQuartus tortor. That was
well drawen that that; ffare fall hym that sopuld ! nor to haue
getten it to the marke, I trow lewde man ne clerk Nothyng
better shuld. 1530 Pai.sgr. 529/1 You have dronke to me, but
you muste drinke agayne, for you tolde me nat whether you
dranke to a marke or els al out. 1635-56 Cowley Dar'ideisiv.
Note 29 Almost all great changes in the world are used as
Marks for separation of Times. 1725 J. Bradley in Penny
Cycl. (1836))/. 320/1 Adjusted j* marktothe Plumb Line and
then y« Index stood at 8. Ibid., By this observation y'mark
is about 3" t too much south, but adjusting y mark and
plumbline I found y" Index at 8£. 1807 Hutton Course
Math. II. 59 Having set up marks at the corners, which is to
be done in all cases where there are not marks naturally ;
measure [etc.]. X870 Miss Bridg.man Rob. Lynnt I. xiii. 216
She slips the letter in her novel for a mark. 1881 Daily Tel.
28 Jan., I see PlimsolPs mark there— pretty high up, isn't it,
skipper? 1903 Daily Chron. 8 Jan. 5/2 The floods . . call
attention to the little interest that is taken by local authori-
ties as regards erecting flood-marks.
b. Naut. A measured notification on a hand
lead-line, indicated by a piece of white, blue, or
red bunting, a piece of leather or a knot.
Marks and deeps '. the method of indicating the depths on
the hand lead-line, the marks being Indicated fathoms and
the deeps estimated fathoms between the marks (Smyth
Sailor's Word-Bk. 1867).
1769 Falconer Diet. Marine (1780) s. v. Sounding, If the
mark of 5 fathoms is close to the surface of the water he
calls 'By the mark five!" cx86o H. Stuart Sea/nan's
Catech. 43 Suppose you had five fathoms of water, what
soundings would you call? By the mark five.
C. Jig., esp. in certain phrases, as to be above,
beneath, near, under, up to, within the mark", to
be above (etc.) a fixed or recognized standard.
1765 Foote Commissary Mi. (1782) 75 He is rather under
your mark, I am afraid ; not above twenty at most. 1821
Jefferson Antobiog. Writ. 1892 I. 15 He feared that
Mr. Nicholas, whose mind was not yet up to the mark
of the times, would undertake the answer. i8aa Cobbett
Weekly Reg. 2 Feb. 286 If prices fall a great deal lower
than their present mark. 1843 Borrow Bible in Spain
xliii. (Pelh. Lifer.) 298, I ..have a horse that will just suit
him ; one that is . . eight inches above the mark. 1845
M^Culloch Taxation n. vi. (1852) 270 It is, if anything,
rather below than above the mark. 1851 Mayhew Lond.
Labour I. 336/2 Say half a million turned over in a year,
Sir, . .and you're within the mark. 1861 Goschen For. Exch.
14 The indebtedness under the present hypothesis is not
excessive but under the mark. 1861 F. W. Robinson No
Church I. 309 He made the sum come pretty near the mark
—just a five pound note out. 1878 Geo. Eliot Coil. Break/'.
P. 629 A vanity Which finds the universe beneath its mark.
1887 Rider Haggaro Jess viii, John .. guessed that he
could not weigh less than seventeen stone, and he was well
within the mark at that. 1888 W. E. Norris^ Rogue ix,
There wouldn't be much excuse for me if I weren't up to the
mark. 1890 Stockton in Century Mag. Feb. 543/1 The story
don't step up to the mark.
MARK.
169
MARK.
d. Rttgby Football. The heel-mark on the
ground, made by a player who has obtained a
* fair catch '.
1867 Rugby School Football Laws 2 A Fair Catch is a
catch from a kick, or a knock on from the hand .. of the
opposite side, or a throw on, when the catcher makes a mark
with his heel. 1896 Field 1 Feb. 172/2 A mark by a Devon
man gained much relief. Ibid. 173/1 A goat had also been
kicked by Finlay from a mark. Ibid. 8 Feb. 207/1 Hughes
made his mark without success.
13. A visible trace or impression diversifying a
surface, whether produced by nature, accident, or
design, as a line, dot, written character, spot,
stain, discolouration, scar, or the like. Also with
prefixed sb., as birth-, bullet- , file-mark,
ciy$Metr. Horn. 57 Thar his throt was scorn wit knif, A
red merk was at his lyf. 1388 Wvclif Lev. xix.a8 Nether
je schulen make to 30U ony fyguris, ether markis in joure
fleisch. 1413 Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton 1483) iv. xxxvi. 84 The
honoure of suche pcrsones ben many markes of woundes.
1500-20 Dunbar Poems xiv. 19 Sic losin saikis, so mony
glengoir markis Within this land was nevir hard nor sene.
1530 Palscr. 699/1 It was scaulded whan I was yonge, but
] shall beare the marke so longe as I lyve. 1590 Shaks.
Com. Err. 1. ii. 82, 1 haue some markes of yours vpon my
pate: Some of my Mistris markes vpon my shoulders.
1593 — ■ Lucr. 538 For markes discried in mens natiuitie,
Are natures faultes, not their owne infamie. 16x3 Pur-
chas Pilgrimage vu. x. (1614) 702 Their btacke skmnes,
white eyes, and cauterised markes seeme to conspire a
dreadfull and gastly deformitie in their faces. 1687 A.
Lovell tr. Thei<enot's Trav. I, 9 The Arms of the Great
Masters, who have been wounded in Action, are to be seen
there, with marks upon them. 1805 Ring in Med. JmL XIV.
405 The marks he bore, were deemed a sufficient security
against.. the small-pox. 1828 Fleming Hist. Brit. Anim.
96 Some feathers have a dark mark in the middle. 1831
Ann. Reg.,Chrou. 112 The mark of a bunch of currants
on his breast, with which the boy was born. 1848 W. H.
Bartlett Egypt to Pal. x. (1879) 220 The long marks of
ancient cutting-tools were still seen overhead and around.
1849 Dickens Dav. Cepp. x.v, She has borne the mark ever
since, as you see;.. and she'll bear it to her grave. 1858
O. W. Holmes Ant. Breakf.d.iiS&j) 86 A bullet-mark on his
right cheek. 1868 Darwin A nim. ^ PI. II. xiii. 42 A Spanish
mule with strong zebra-like marks on its legs. 1888 Has-
luck Model Engin. llandybk. (1900) 131 File-marks running
in straight parallel lines.
b. To leave, make a mark : to leave or make a
permanent, important, or obvious impression. To
make one's mark : to attain distinction.
1857 Buckle Civiliz. I. xiii. 707 The movement was now
becoming sufficiently active to leave its marks on the writings
of far inferior men. 1867 O. W. Holmes Guard. Angel II.
v. 95 Not one promised to make such a mark in society if
she found an opening. 1868 Miss Bit addon: Dead Sea Fruit
11. ix. 211 Those little verses, .have made their mark. 1893
F. F. Moore / Forbid Banns (1899) 7 It may safely be pre-
dicted that they will make their mark in the world. 1898
Daily Ntios 11 Jan. 6/7 Politicians who have left their mark
upon the first sixty years of New Zealand's existence.
C. Hunting. Applied spec, to the footprints of
certain animals. (Cf. March sb.'-i 9.)
a 1700 B. E. Diet. Cant. Crcw% Maris, the Footing of an
Otter. 1727-51 Chambers Cycl. (s. v. Hunting).
d. Cards. (See quot.)
1876 Capt. Crawley Card Players' Man. (Quadrille) 196
Mark means the fish put down by the dealer.
1 14. Sc. A stone or cluster of stones of larger
size, placed at intervals in a jewelled chain. Obs.
*573 Reg. Privy Council Scot. II. 247 Ane chayn of rubeis
with twelf markes of dyamontis and rubeis, and ane mark
with twa rubeis.
15. That which is signified by a mark. fa.
Those who bear a particular mark or stamp {fig.);
a person's race, sect, etc. Obs.
c 1385 Chaucer Wife 5 Prol. 696 They [wommen] wolde
han writen of men moore wikkednesse Than all the mark of
Adam may redresse. 1542-5 Brink low Lament. 11 Not the
Bissbope of Rome alone, but he and all his marke with hym.
1555 jn Strype Eccl. Mem. (1721) III. App. xliv. 124 The
Magistrates and Gentlemen may have like cause against
them [Popish clergy], and al the Company of that Mark,
which . . was Cause of their Perjury.
b. A particular ' brand ', make, quality, or size
of an article.
1669 Sturmy Mariner's Mag. v. xii. 68 In regard of the
several differences of the length and marks, or Diameter of
her Base and Muzzle-ring, no certain proportion can be
generally assigned. 1758 Monthly Rev. 204 The prices of
Grinding, .and Diamond-cutting the several Marks or Sizes
[of plate-glass]. 1904 Speaker xi June 240/2 The same
mark varies so much from year to year that no one would
dare to purchase without examining a sample bale [of wool].
C. vulgar. (One's) 'style of thing', what will
suit one's needs or tastes.
1760 Foote Minor 11. (1767) 53 Hark'e, knight, did I not
tell you, old Moll was your mark. Here she hath brought
you a pretty piece of man's meat already. 1887 Hf.nlky
Culture in Slums Hi, My mark's a tidy little feed, And
Entry Irving's gallery.
1 16. A (lock or ' game ' of swans marked with
the same identifying brand. Also szvan-mark. Obs.
1482 Rolls o/Parlt. VI. 224 Markes and Games of Swannes,
In divers Count res. 1489 Wilt of N. Hardy, Unum marke de
signis. 1500 Will of R. Tyllisiuortk, All that my marke
and game of Swannys swymmyng within the Kinges ryver
of the Thamyse. 1550 Will of L. Bawdrey, \x\ the price
of a swan marke.
1 17. ? A bundle or packet of definite size. Obs.
1583 Rates Custom Ho. E iijb, Sheres for Sempsters tha
mark contayning two dosen.
18. (God) bless (ox save) the mark (or \ sample):
Voi, VL
an exclamatory phrase, prob. originally serving.
as a formula to avert an evil omen (cf. quot. 1833)
and hence used by way of apology when some-
thing horrible, disgusting, indecent or profane has
been mentioned. In mod. literary use (after some
of the examples in Shaks.), an expression of im-
patient scorn appended to a quoted expression or
to a statement of fact.
[It has been affirmed (see W. A. Henderson in IV. $• Q. 8th
ser. VII. 373) that the phrase was used by midwives at the
birth of a child bearing a ' mark *. This may possibly be
its original use: cf. quot. a 1625 below. The meaning of
' mark ' in the expression may, however, have been ' sign ' or
'omen ' (see 11). There is no foundation for the statement
copied in recent Diets, from Dr. Brewer, that the phrase was
originally used by archers.]
1591 Shaks. Two Cent. iv. iv. 21 Hee had not bin there
(blesse the marke) a pissing while, but all the chamber
smelt him. 159a — Rom. ,y Jul. 111. ii. 53 (Qo. 2, 1599), I saw
the wound, I saw it with mine eyes, God saue the marke,
here on [Qo. i, 1597 the sample, on] his manly brest. 1593
Churchyard Challenge 240 Browne and blacke I was, God
blesse the marke : Who cals me faire dooth scarce know Cheese
from chalke. 1596 Shaks. i Hen. II \ 1. iii. 56 (Qo. 1, 1598)
To see him. .talke so like a waiting-gentlewoman, Of guns,
and drums, and wounds. .God saue the mark. 1604 — Oth.
*• '• 33 (Q°- x» 1622) He in good time, must his Leiutenant
be, And I, God blesse the marke, his Worships Ancient, a 1625
Fletcher Noble Gent. iv. iv, Indeed he wasjust such another
coxcomb as your husband, God blesse the mark, and every
good manschilde. 1761 Sterne Tr. Shandy III. xxxiii, My
father, .had no more nose, my dear, saving the mark, than
there is upon the back of my hand. 1820 W. Irving Sketch
Bk.t Sleepy Hollotu (i865)44oThe motherly tea-pot sending
up its cloud of vapor from the midst — Heaven bless the
mark ! 1824 Carlvlk in Froude Life (1882)!. 261 The best
of my talents (bless the mark) shut up even from my own
poor view. 1833 Dublin Penny Jrnl. II. 23/2 ' An' they
say", remarked a third, ' that if a body swears in the wrong
wid that [the garvarryj about bis neck, his face '11 be turned
to the back of his head, God bless the mark ! ' 1849 Ja.mks
Woodman ii, God save the mark, that I should give the
name of king to one of his kindred. 1902 W. James Varie-
ties Relig. Exp. 204 note.'l'he crisis of apathetic melancholy
. .from which he emerged by the leading of Marmontel's Me-
moirs (Heaven save the mark !) anil Wordsworth's poetry.
19. A die or stamp for impressing a manufac-
turer's mark on goods. (Cf. mark-maker in 23).
IV. Remark, notice ( = senses of Note sb.).
f20. Attention, notice. Obs.
"377 Langl. /\ PI. B. xvir. 103 And may vch man se and gode
nierke take, Who is bihynde and who bifore, ami who ben on
hors. C1440 York My st. viii. 6S Of shippe-craft can I right
noght,Of thermakyng haue I no merke. ioooHoLLANDZny
VII. xxxiv. 273 All this went hee to espic.clad in a com-
mon souldiours jacket . . ; to the end, that the enemies
might not take marke of the Generall hiinselfe. 1671 Sir C.
Lyttelton in llatton Corr. (Camden) 70 One marke they
take of it is employing Sr George Downing embassador
thither. 1823 Scott I'everil ix, Little matter worthy of
mark occurred.
21. Of mark*, noteworthy, important, conspicuous.
Chiefly following a sb. ; rarely predicative. Also
of great, little ', etc. mark.
Cf. F. homme de marque (Cotgr.). The etymological allu-
sion is probably to the mark placed on goods to indicate
quality (see sense n).
1590 Nashe Pasguifs Apol. 1. Wks. (Grosart) I. 220 The
wisedome of the land, .compared our Nobilitie and men of
marke, to the flowers that stand about the Princes Crowne.
1596 Shaks. i Hen. IV, m. ii. 45 A fellow of no marke, nor
likelyhood. 1600 Holland Livyxxw. xxxiii. 609 They were
of greater marke and calling than the rest, a 1614 D. Dyke
Myst. Self-deceiving (ed. 8) 355 They grieue at those good
works of others, if of any marke, wherein they haue had no
hand themselues. 1622 S. Ward Christ All in Alt (1627) 8
This whole Vniverse, . . and all the things of mark and vse
in it,, .but for him should not have been. 1647 Mav Hist.
Part. Pref. 4 Sufferings of. .so high a mark. 1791 Birke
App. Whigs Wks. VI. 200 These are the notions which ..
several persons, and among them persons of no mean mark,
have associated themselves to propagate, i860 Longf.
Wayside Inn, K. Olaf ix. ii, A learned clerk, A man of
mark. 1861 Thackeray Four Georges i, A rascal of more
than ordinary mark. 1879 McCarthy Own Times II. xxix.
399 He still held a place of great mark in literature. 1885
Mag. Art Sept. 450/1 Granada was a place of little mark as
compared with Cordova.
22. (dial, and slang.) A mark on (something) :
one with an astonishing appetite for.
1883 Miss Braddon Golden Calf xxv. 274 Vernon was what
Rogers the butler called 'a mark on' strawberries and
cream. 1895 Downe Ballads 31 (E. D. D.) A mark on
swearin ? Ah, sir, that he be.
V. 23. attrib. and Comb. : f mark-arrow, an
arrow used only for target practice ; mark-boat, a
boat moored at a particular spot as a seamark ;
mark-book, a book for recording conduct marks;
f mark-feast, a school feast provided at the end of
the half-year from the scholars' fines for holding
the mark (sense I 1 h) ; mark-getter, a student who
obtains marks; mark-lodge, a lodge of mark
masons ; mark-maker, a maker of stamp marks ;
mark man, mark mason, mark master (mason),
a freemason holding a certain rank in mark masonry ;
mark masonry (see 1 1 j) ; f mark-mear, a boun-
dary ; marks paper, a paper for recording students*
or other merit marks ; f mark's point, the bull's-
eye of a target (fig.) ; f mark-shot, the distance
between the butts in archery ; mark tooth, the
tooth of a horse containing the mark (cf. ne);
mark- vessel, ^ m ark- boat ; f mark-white, the
bull's-eye of a target (fig.).
1527 Lane. Wills (Chetham Soc. 1854) 31, I will that the
said Percyvall.. have.. the half of my *marke aroys. 1879
Daily A'ews 7 Apr. 3/2 They paddled below the "mark-
boats, and drifted up with the tide. 1894 Outing \V, S.)
XXIV. 36/1 We were still fully two miles from the mark-boat.
1900 Wcstm.Gaz. 28 June 2/1 My *niark-book with its blank
column for disorder-marks against her name was a striking
contrast to those of the other mistresses. 1832 M iss M itfoko
Village Ser. v. 200 Readily would the whole company have
foregone all the luxuries of the *mark-feast. 1c i860 W.Cory
Lett. <y Jmls. (1897) 571 A good 'examination boy', or
*mark-getter. 1869 Earn. Rev. Oct. 554 The highest mark-
getters generally turn out well. 1898 'Mark lodge [see
mark master], 1797 Directory Sheffield 56 Cartwiight,
George, 'mark-maker, and penknife cutler. 1883 Kelly's
She/Held Directory 194 Ashmore, Cornelius, mark maker and
lettercutter. 1853OLIVRR Diet. Symbol. Masonry s.v. Mason
Afar&stThose brethren who have bten initiated into the de-
grees of "Mark-Man and "Mark-Master. Ibid., * Mark Ma-
sons. The degree of Mark-Master Mason may be considered
as appendant to that of Fellow Craft, although entirely
distinct, .from it. 1862 Builder 1 Nov. 784/3 Gunn, who
had cut out the cup, was a good mark-mason... Referring to
"mark-masonry, Mr. Gowans said [etc.]. 1898 Daily Afavs
25 Oct. 2/1 There was a distinguished gathering of Mark
Master Masons at Windsor yesterday, when the Grand Mark
Master of Lngland, the Prince of Wales, having issued a
warrant for a new "Mark Lodge to be established at Windsor,
the consecration took place at the Masonic Hall. 1582
Stanvhukst sEneis 1. (Arb.) 28 Thow seest large Affrick, thee
Moores,andTowneofAgenor,Thee Libyeland*maickinears.
1880 Plain Hints Needlework 13 This should always have a
special column in the "marks-paper. 1553 Kennedy Com*
f>cnd. Tract, in WodrcnvSoc. Misc. (1844J 102 In the under-
standingofthi.sconsistis the heale purpose, and * markis poynt
quhilkweschuteat. 1375 1! arbour Bruce xii. 33.Sch.ir Henry
of Bowme. .Com on a steid,a*merk-schot neir Befor all otliir
that thair wer. £1450 Merlin 287 Thei were putte bakke
the space of a markshote. 1626 Bacon Sylia § 754 At foure
yearesold there commeth the*Maik-Tooth,. .at eight yeares
old, the Tooth is smooth, ..and then they say; That the
Marke is out of the Horses Mouth. 1884 World 20 Aug.
22/2 The Royal London Yacht Club had. -a "maik-v<_ssel
off Lymington. 1596 Spenser !■'. Q. v. v. 35 At the *marke-
white of his hart she roved.
Mark (maak), sb.'1 Forms: 1-5 (also from
It. 8-9) marc; 4-7 marke, 5 marcke, 5-6
Sc*. merke, 5-9 Sc. merk, 3 mark. [Found in all
the Teut. and Rom. langs. ; I, ate OK. marc neut.
(9th c.), OKris. merk fern., MDu. marc fern.,
neut., masc. (Du. markmeut.), MUG. mark, marke
fern. (mod.G. mark fern.), ON. mgrk fern. (Sw.,
Da. mark) ; med.L. marca (? 9th century), marcus
(1 2th c), V. marc masc. .(nth c), Pr. marc masc,
Sp., Pg., It. marco masc, It. marca fern.
The form of the OE. word (with a not ' broken ' before re)
shows that it is not a native word ; rome scholars have sup-
posed it to be from ON., but the gender perhaps points rather
to popular Latin as the source. The proximate origin ap-
pears to be Romanic; whether the word is ultimately Teu-
tonic (connected with Mark sb.1) is doubtful.]
1. A denomination of weight formerly employed
(chiefly for gold and silver) throughout western
Europe; its actual weight varied considerably, but
it was usually regarded as equivalent to 8 ounces
(= either | or £ of a pound, according to the
meaning given to the latter term).
a. As an English or Scottish weight, or without
reference to locality. Obs. exc Hist.
886 AClfred*? Guthmiri's Peace § 2 Ealle we laetaS efen
dyrne Engliscne & Deniscne, to viii. healfmearcum [v. r.
marcum] asodenes goldes. c 1205 Lav. 22392 5et ich wulle
ma:re..aelche ?ere of mine londe seouen busand punde [thee
send] & senden heom to bine londe & sixti mark of golde.
c 1400 Destr. Troy 11724 To the grekesbus vs gyffe, to
graunt vs for pes, Twenty thowsaund thristy, brungyn to-
gedur, Markes full mighty, all of mayn gold. 1438 in E. E.
Wills (1882) in Euery cuppe weynge a mark & a half of
Troye. r'83 Caxton Gold. Leg. 189 b/i He departed
emonge them a marcke of golde. 1505 Ld. Treas. Ace.
Scot. (1900) II. 244 Quhilk weyit lv mark, and ilk mark
contenand viij unce of gold. 1530 Palsgr. 243/1 Marke
of golde or silver, ware. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 735
A hundreth Markes of siluer made 1* Plate, whereof euery
Marke is .viii. ounces sterlyng.
b. Used to represent its etymological equivalent
in various continental langs., as the name of a
foreign weight.
1731 Gentl. Mat?. I. 112 Fine silver at 24 [Dutch] Guilders
2 Stivers Banco per Mark fine. 1811 P. Kelly Univ. Cam-
bist I. 96, 4S0 Marks Cologne weight-451 Ounces English
Troy. 190a Encycl. Brit. XXVII. 11/1 In silver and copper
mining the marc (8 ounces) is commonly used to express the
richness of the metal [in Chile].
\q. In the Orkneys: see quot. 1859. Obs,
1576 in Oppress. Orkney <y Zetland (Abbotsf. CI.) 41 Lyk-
wyiss the merk of copper of auld was sauld for twa schil-
lingis of wairis, and now thai tak four schillingis thairfor.
1859 Ibid. Gloss. 127 Mark,..* weight = 8 ounces or ^ of a
Lispund or Set teen, gradually raised to 20 ounces.
2. A money of account, originally representing
the value of a mark weight of pure silver.
a. In England, after the Conquest, the ratio of
20 sterling pennies to an ounce was the basis of
computation ; hence the value of the mark became
fixed at 160 pence - 13J. 4^/. or \ of the jC sterling.
Obs. exc. Hist.
In legal use (in stating the amount of a fine) as late as
1770. Sir Roger de Coverley's use of the mode of reckoning
00
MARK.
by marks (quot. 17x2) is prob. intended as an example of an
old-fashioned habit of speech.
c 1050 0. E. Chron. an. 1040 (MS. C), Swioe Strang syld, p
man hit uneaSe acorn, jf WSM viii marc let ha. a 1200 Moral
Ode 296 3ut hi bud a wurse stede on bere belle grunde ne
sculle hi neure comen vp for marke ne for punde. 1197
R. Glouc. (Rolls) 808+ He..borewede ber uppe of him an
hondred jroisend marc, c 1386 Chaucer Par J. T. 62 By
this gaude have I wonne, yeer by yeer, An hundred mark
sith I was Pardoner, a 1400 Octonian 889 That wyf hym
taught markes and poundes ; He purueyde haukes and
houndys. c 1412 Hoccceve De Reg. Princ. 1224, Vj marc
yeerly, to scars is to sustene The charges bat I haue. 1526
Skelton Magnyf. 1121 In my purse was twenty marke.
a 1529 — Col. Chute 729 His benefyce wortlie ten pounde,
Or skante worth twenty marke. 1542 Recorde Gr. Aries
(1575) 198 Poundes, Markes, and shillings, whiche though
they haue no Coynes, yet is there no name more in vse than
they. 1607 Norden Stir-.'. Dial. IV. 173 Thirteene shillings
and foure pence, or a Marke of money. 1652 Plymouth Col.
A'«.(i855) III. 12 Leiftenant Samuell Nash, .is to haue for
his wages 20 marke p. annum. 1712 Addison Sttct. No.
269 T 5, I.. have deposited with him thirty Marks, to be
distributed among his poor Parishioners. 1771 Cent/. Mag.
XLI. 82 On the 28th of November 1770, the defendant was
brought up for judgment.. .The judgment of the Court was,
to pay ten marks (i.e. 61. 13s. 4d.) to the King.
b. In Scotland, the value of the mark was
lowered proportionately with that of the shilling
and penny, so that it represented 135. $d. Scots,
reckoned as = 13^. English. \Mark mark like
Sc. [after MDu. mark markgelike] : mark for
mark, in the same proportion.
1480 Acta Dom. Condi. 1 1839) 72/2 pat the saides Macolme
&- Arthure sail pay in like proporcioune of be said annuel,
efferand to be part of be land bat ather of bairn has, mark
mark lyke, comptand be be aid extent. 1482 Bond in
Thanes Cawdor (Spalding CI.) 66 Fyw hundreth merkis of
the usualle money of Scotlande. 1639 Drumm. of Hawth.
Consid. toParlt. Wks. (171 1) 187 Underthe pain often merks.
1710 Agreement in Family of Rose o/KUravock (Spalding
CI.) 401 Ane contract of wodseate. .seting and resing the
tenents at tuo thusand merk per chalder of free rent. 1858
M. Porteols Sonter Johnny, To Bumsyi 'Twill cost some
fowks twal hunner merk. Or aiblins near.
c. Representing the various continental forms
of the same word, as a name of foreign moneys of
account. Mark banco (Hamburg) : see Baxco.
Mark Lubish, I.ttbs: see I.ubish a.
1475 Sk. Noblesse (Roxb.) 32 I.ifelode of londes and tene-
mentis yoven in the counte of Mayne to the yerely valeu of
.x.M1. marcs yerely, whiche was .lx.M'.li. Turneis. 1523
Ld. Berners Froiss. I. xiv. 14 The kyng-.dyd gyue hym
cccc. niarkis. Ibid., The kyng. .dyd gyue to Philip of Chas-
taulxe, his chef esquyer, ..C. marke of rent yerely. 1753
Hanwav Trav. (17621 II. I. iii. 17 They [Hamburg traders)
keep their accounts in marks and schillings, sixteen schil-
lings to a mark. 1902 Encycl. Hrit. XXXI. 289/2 The first
reform in the coinage of the German Empire occurred in
1871, when the new gold money was introduced, which had
for its unit the silver mark (a money of account) of 100
pfennigs.
3. Shetland. A denomination of land, from the
feu duty formerly paid to the superior.
1774 G. Gifford in G. Low Orkney (1879) M5 The term
Pennyland. .inSchetland. .marks the quality, and according
to the value of the land, every Mark contains more or fewer
Pennies. 1793 Statist. Ace. Scotl. V. 195 note. In some
instances, a merk may be less than an acre ; in others,
perhaps, equal to two acres. 1884 Scotsman 26 July 3/1
(Shetland Advt.) Three Merks, One Ure and One-Third of
an Ure of Land.
4. As the name of a coin. (Never so used with
reference to English coinage.)
a. In Scotland, a coin of the value of 13/. qd.
Scots (see 2 b). Half-mark : a coin of the value
of 6s. So". Scots. Obs. exc. Hist.
1480 Acta Dom. Concil. (1839) 74/1, v marcis scotis for ilk
pund grete. 1570-1 Reg. Privy Council Scotl. XIV. 89
Ane silver penny to have course and passage for xiijs. iiijd.
of this realme, to be callit the merk peice, and the half of
the same for vjs. viiid., to be callit the half! merk peice.
b. Used to represent its etymological equiva-
lents in various foreign languages, as the name of
various copper and silver coins current at various
times on the Continent, esp. a modem silver coin
of the German Empire first issued in 1875, con-
taining 7716 grains troy, and worth slightly less
than the English shilling.
1727 52 Chambers Cycl. s.v., Mark is a copper-coin in
Sweden, equal to two-pence farthing sterling. 1839 Penny
Cycl. XV. 324/2 Mark, a silver coin in Hamburg. . .The
mark is worth is. 2$d. 1883 Encycl. lirit. XVI. 732 no'.e,
The substitution of the mark for the older thaler came into
force [in Germany] 1st January 1875.
\ 5. attrib. : mark pound, weight (see qnots.).
1576-77 Reg. Privy Council Scotl. II.601 Deduceing ouelie
for his panis sex schillings for the merk wecht. 17016 Phil-
lips (ed. Kersey), Mark-weight, a foreign weight commonly
of 8 Ounces ; and Mark-Pound is two such Marks, or 16
Ounces. 1902 D. Macleane Coronation 123 [The oblation
of] A ' Purse of Gold' was, until Victoria, 'a Mark weight
of gold ' — i. e. 8 ounces troy.
Mark (mark), v. Forms : 1 (meercian, mear-
cian, Northumb. mercisa), 2 merki, markian,
3 mtercen, 3-5 merke, 3-7 marke, 4 merkke,
4-6 merk, 5 marc, mirk, mork, 6 merck, 6-7
marck(e, 4- mark. [OE. mearcian = OFris.
merkia, OS. markon, gimarkon to destine, appoint,
observe, remark (MDu. marken, merken to set a
mark on, to observe, Du. merken to set a mark
170
on), OHG. marchon to limit, plan out, destine I
(mod.G. as new-formation marken to set a mark
in, stamp), ON. marka to draw the outline of,
put a mark on, observe :— OTeut. *marko/ant
f. *markd Makk sby A parallel formation from
the sb. (OTeut. *markjon) appears in OHG*
MHO. tnerchen, merken (mod.G. merken), ON.
merkja (Sw. marka, Da. merke). The Rom. langs.
have a corresponding formation from the adopted
sb. : F. marquer (which is the source of some of
the uses of the Eng. vb.), Pr., Sp., Pg. marcar,
It. marcar*.]
I. To put a mark upon.
1. trans. To trace out boundaries for; to plot
out (ground) ; to set out the ground plan of (a
building) ; fig. to plan out, design, a. simply.
(Now oxAy fig. in poetic use.)
c888 K. ^lfked Boeih. xxxix. § 6 M\c crarfteja oenc5 &
mearcaS his weorc on his mode a:r a;r he hit wyrce. c 1000
JEmK Deut. i. 33 Se. mearcode pa stowa be [Vulg. me-
tatusest locum, in quo\ xe eowre jeteld on slean sceoldon.
a isas St. Marker. 20 pu wisest wruhte of alle, markedest
eoroe, bu stores mon of sea stream, bu wissent ant weldent
of alle wihtes. 1*97 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 2500 In an harderochi
stede is buong aboute he drow & ber wibinne al to is wille
Markede place inou & rerde ber an castel. c 1384 Chaucer
//. Fame in. 13 If. .thou Wilt helpe me toschewe nowThat
in myn hede y-marked is [etc.]. 1604 E. G(rimstone]
D'Acosta's Hist. Indies IV. vi. 222 To note and marke the
mine, and so much ground in circuite for him, which the
Lawe graunts.. those that discover any mine. 1747 P. Fran-
cis //or. Sat. 1. i. 140 Some certain mean in all things may
be found, To mark our virtues, and our vices bound. 1844
[see Idea sb. 2],
b. with out.
i6ii Bible I so. xliv. 13 The carpenter stretcheth out his
rule :. .he marketh it out with the compasse, and maketh it
after the figure of a man. 1769 Goldsm. Hist. Rome (1786)
I. 411 This extraordinary man [J. Cajsar]. .had, from the :
beginning of his life, marked out a way to universal empire.
184a Borrow Bible in Spain xxx. (Pelh. Libr.) 218 To ascend
the mountain, where, no doubt, he has been marking out a
camp. 1879 Browning Martin Relph 78 And all that time
stood Rosamund Page . . Bandaged about, on the turf marked
out for the party's firing-place. 1890 ' R. Boldrewood '
! Miners Right v, 52 The Major and I. .are on our way to .
mark out that very claim.
•\ C. poet, in alliterative phrases : To fashion,
frame. Obs.
c 1400 Destr. Troy 4286 For horn wit Jacket Of l>e Godhed
giffen, bat grew from the sun, pat all mightyle made &
merket of noght. 14. . Sitgt Jems. 1 12 Pe }>ridde in heuen
myd hem is pe holy goste, Neber merked ne made bot
mene fram hem passyp. c 1420 Sir Amadace (Camden) lvii,
The fayrist kny^te, That euyr }ette I see with sy^te, Sethen
I was market mon. c 1460 T&wneley Myst. xix. 3 God, that
mayde both more and Ies, . . And merkyd man to his lyknes.
+ d. To fix the position of; to set or place (in
a particular situation). Obs.
13. . E. E. A/tit. P. A. 142 By-jonde be broke . . I hope[de]
: pat mote merked wore. /bid. B. 637 Messez of mylke he 1
merkkez bytwene.
2. To make a mark or marks on (anything) as by
drawing, stamping, impressing, applying, cutting,
or the like.
a 1035 Laws of Canute n. c. 32 (Schmtd) Gif peowman aet
bam ordale ful weorSe, mearcie man hine set bam forman
cyrre. CI175 Lamb. //om. 87 God het Moyses..bet heo
1 sculden . . merki mid ban blode hore duren. a 1300 Cursor M.
21698 To tuelue men taght bai wandes tuelue, Ilkan merked
his him-self. < 1420 Pa/lad. on Husb. 11. 401 Nowe is tyme
..The lambis and the beestis more & lesse To marke.
?i4<S6 Sir J. Paston in P. Lett. II. 293 Ther is on potte
that is morkyn ondre the bottome ij tymes with thyes letteris
M. P. 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 431 b/i He was marked or
tokened on the lyppes of hym with an hote and brennyng yron .
c 1490 — Rule St. Benet (E. E. T. S.) 136 Vf that he can not
write & marke it with his owne sygne. 1523 Fitzherb. Husb.
§ 52 Se that they [the sheep] be well marked. 1560 Daus
tr. Sleidane's Comm. 80 b, The byshoppes ministers are
wont to marke mens foreheades with Asshes. 1611 Shaks.
Cymb. in. iii. 56 My bodie's mark'd With Roman Swords.
1682 True Protest. Mercury No. 105. 2/2 He stole a Silver
Tankard, marked I. F. 1712-13 Swift Jrnl. to Stella
22 Feb., Miss is recovering [from the small-poxl. I know
not how much she will be marked. 1844 Halliwell Octa-
vian (Percy Soc.) Pref. 11 In the Cambridge manuscript,
now marked Ff. ii. 38, his name is spelt Octavyan. 1868
Dickens Uncomm. Trav. xvii, The Guard comes clambering
round to mark the tickets.
absol. 14.. Debate Carpenters Tools in Halliw. Nug<e
Poet. 15 '5e, $t\ seyd the lyne and the chalke..'! schall
merke upone the wode And kepe his mesures trew and gode '.
Mod. This pencil won't mark.
b. spec, f (rt) To embroider {obs.) ; (b) To place
an identifying mark on linen or other household
furniture by means of embroidery or stitching, or
with marking-ink.
c 1400 Emare 386 She tawghte hem to sewe and marke all
maner of sylkyn werke. 1530 Palsgr. 633/1 All my thynges
be marked with this marke. 1704 Lond. Gaz. No. 3981/4
Handkerchiefs, marked with W. 1713 Rules Lambeth Girls'
Sch. v. in N. <y Q. (1902) oth Ser. X. 256/2 They are to
be taught to Read, Write, Spin, Knit and Sew and Mark.
1888 J. Pavn Myst. Mirbridge xvii. II. 17 We are marking
the house Hnen. 1890 Sarah Tyti.er Jean Keir 42 She
marked their handkerchiefs.
c. Comm. To attach to (an article) figures or
signs indicating the price. To mark down: to
label (goods) with a lower figure; to reduce the I
indicated price of (anything).
MARK.
1894 Daily Tel. 16 Jan. 5/7 All seaborne qualities [of coal]
were marked down 3.1. per ton. 1896 Howells Impressions
,y Exp. 53 She was dressed in a. .ready-made suit, which
somehow suggested itself as having been 'marked down'.
Mod. Advt. All goods are marked in plain figures.
A. pass. Tohaveor l>ear natural marks. Alsoy?^.
r 1400 Destr. Troy 5477 His kyngdom was clene clustrit
with hilles,All merkyd with mounteyns,& with maynhylles.
1600 Mnydes Metamorph. v. i. 127 Is not this hard luck to
wander so long, And in the end to finde bis wife markt
wrong. [She has been transformed into a man.] 1697
Dryden Virg. Georg. iv. 150 The better Brood, unlike the
Bastard Crew, Are mark'd witli Roya! Streaks of shining
Hue 1855 W. S. Dallas in Syst. Nat. Hist. I. 387 The
species of the genus Argynnis . . are elegantly marked with
silvery spots.
3. To form or portray by making marks.
1390 Gower Con/. III. 123 The nynthe Signe. .Is cleped
Sagittarius, The whos figure is marked thus, A Monstre with
a bowe on honde. c 1391 Chaucer Astrol. 1. § 12 Next the
forseide Cercle of the Abe., under the cros-lyne, is marked
the scale, a 1400-50 Alexander 2636 He cled him all in
clene stele a conyschaunce ouire, pat made was A merkid
on pe messedone armes. 1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevenot"s
Trav. 1. 201 They'll have this to be the Figure of St. Jerome,
which God was pleased should be marked upon that Stone,
l>ecause of the great love he had for that place.
t 4. Used to render L. signare * to seal*. Obs.
c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt, xxvii. 66 Signantes lap'uiem,
mercandeSonestan. 1382 Wyclif John iii. 33 He that hath
takun his witnessing, hath markid that God is sothfast.
1 5. To make with the hand (the sign of the
cross) ; to make the sign of the cross upon (one's
breast, etc.), to 'cross' (oneself). Also, to invest
(a person) with the sign of the cross in token of
his joining a crusade. Obs.
c 1175 Lamb. //om. 127 Vppon heom alswa we er seiden
we sculen markian pet tacne of tere halie rode. 1303
R. Bkunne Handl. Synne 7848 pe Ijtrtlde, ne hym, ne durst
pey touche, So had he marked hym with be crouche. a X330
Otuel 891 pei markeden hem alle pre, To him pat bolededeb
on tre. c 1440 Alph. Tales 80 pan pis holie man sayd vnto
hym ; ' Bruther, Cros & mark bi harte ! what is pat att pou
spekis vnto pi selfe?' 1460 Capgrave C/trou. (Rolls) 155
Herry [III] was merkyd with the tokne of the Holy Crosse,
for to go to Jerusalem, c 1550 Battle 0/ Otterbitm xliv. in
Child Ballads III. 297 Euery man thynke on hys trewe-love,
And marke hym to theTrenite. 1577 m Victon L'poolMunic.
Rec. (1883) I. 49 First of all he did mark himself unto God.
6. fig. To designate as if by placing a mark
upon ; to destine. Const, far f to, to and inf.
+ Also with complement, to designate as being (so
and so). {Obs.)
a xooo Cxdmoris Gen. 459 (Gr.) pa him to ^ingran self
metod mancynnes mearcode selfa. 1362 Langu /'. PI. A.
xi. 253, I was markid wilhoute mercy & myn name entrid
In pe legende of lif longe er I were, c 1400 Destr. Troy
12136 My maydynhed I merk to myghtifull goddis. c 1440
York Myst. xvii. 257 Hayll ! bou marc us bi men and make
vs in mynde. 1566 Clough in Burgon Life Gresham (1839'
II. 168 Some that were his friends bade hym gett hym
awaye for that he was markyd : wheruppon he went home,
and went to his bed. 1590 Marlowe Ediv. //, 111. ii, A
boy.. Thou art not markt to manie daies on earth. 1596
Shaks. i Hen. IVy in. i. 41 These signes haue markt me
extraordinarie. 1599 — Hen. \\\\ . iii. 20 If we are markt to
die, we are enow To doe our Countreylosse. 1638 Quarles
Hieroglyph, i. 46 Ere he had life, estated in his Vrne, And
markt for death. 1750 Grav Bb& Epit. 4 Melancholy mark'd
him for her own. 1856 Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. iii. 265
The persons whom he named .. became marked at once for
persecution. 1871 Freeman Norm. Conq. (1876) IV. xviii.
154 The high ground.. which William's keen eye would at
the first glance mark as the site of the future castle. 1892
Kipling Rarrack-r. Ballads, Cleared vi/l'hey never marked
a man for death. .They only said 'intimidate '.
b. with out.
r 1400 York Myst. xxx. 519 And berfore, to go with yone
gest, Yhe marke vs out of pe manliest men. 1706 E.
Ward Wooden World Diss. (1708) 20 That lucky Youth
is certainly mark'd out for a Commission. 1818 Cruise
Digest (ed. 2) III. 345 The law will not pass him over,
and marks him out, in rei exemplum et infamiam. 1853
Lvtton My Novel \\i. xxiv, Suspected persons were naturally
marked out by Mr. Stirn, and reported to his employer.
1862 Stanley Jew. CM. (1877) I. xviii. 338 The little mantle
. .had from his earliest years marked him out as an almost
royal personage. 1871 Fheeman A'orm. Conq. (1876) IV.
xviii. 241 The men of Durham, who had been marked out
for the slaughter. 1893 Traill Social Eng. Introd. 48 The
country.. wTiich had been marked out by destiny to become
the greatest manufacturer in the world.
+ C. To mete out, allot, apportion. (Chiefly in
alliteration with meed.) Const, dot. Obs. poet.
1340*70 Alisaunder 284 Hee.. swore swifiliche his othe. .
too merken hem care. /bid. 497 With menne of Mesopotame
to mark be teene. < 1375 Cursor M. 272 tFairf.) Mirp he
merkis mon to mede. 1377 Langl. /\ PI. B. xn. 186 Wo
was hym marked that wade mote with the lewed ! c 1400
Rule St. Benet 66/678 He til vs merkes slik mede. 1 1460
'Tozmteley Myst. xx. 630 He shall no more hym godys son
call. We shall marke hym truly his mede. c 1470 Got. <y
Gazu. 807 Yone berne in the battale wil ye noght forbere, For
al the mobil on the mold, merkit to meid.
d. To separate from something else as by draw-
ing a boundary line or imposing a distinctive
mark. Now chiefly with off.
1703 Rowe Ulyss. iv. i. 1532 This Night.. Mark'd from
the rest of the Revolving Year, And set apart. 1792 Char-
lotte Smith Desmond I. 63 Amiable people of rank, .who
are no longer marked by their titles from that canaille with
which [etc.]. 1869 Tozer Highl. Turkey II. 264 The
Popular Tale is thus marked off by features of its own from
ordinary stories. 1871 G. Meredith H. Richmond \vi, I know
that this possession of hers [her courage], which identifies
her and marks her from the rest of us, would bear the ordeal
MARK.
171
MARKED.
offire. 1877 tr. Tieles Hist. Relig. 16 He marks off the
Semite.-, from them very decidedly.
7. To express or indicate by marks or signs.
a. f To indicate in writing, note. Obs. Also,
to indicate or represent by symbolic marks.
a 1000 Ptuvnix 333 Weras . . mearcia3 on niarm-stane
hwonne se d*g and seo tid dryhtum *eeawe fraetwe flyht-
hwates. a 1115 After. R. 42 peo ureisnns bet ich nabbe bute
imerked beo5 iwriten oneral. c 1374 Chaickr Bocth. ir.
met. vii. 47 (Camb. MS.) What is now bruttis or stierne
catoun ? The thynne fame yit lastinge of hir ydel names
is marked with a fewe letterys. t 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880)
387 j>ai wer not constrenyd be nede for to begge; as grete
clerkis merken vp-011 bis worde of he gospelle where criste
saib bus: 'When bu makist bine feeste, bat is', of alines,
'calle pore, feble, lame & blynde'. 1387 Tkevisa Higdcu
(Rolls) I. 41 Wherfore in bis book I schal marke as I may
how and fa what ^eres such defautes fille. a 1794 Gibbon
Autobi'og. (1896) 257 After marking the date.. the manu-
script was deposited in my bureau. 1879 PiROWKB in Ex-
positor IX. 411 He draws the chart and marks the sunken
reefs. 1890 H. Sweet Prim. Spoken Eug. 3 If a word has
two strong stresses, .both must be marked.
b. In games : To record (the points gained by
the players). Chiefly absol. and in phr. to mark
the game.
1816 Singer Playing Cards 239 If he cannot answer him
by shewing the third of them, he who asks the question
marks five points. 1861 Whvte MELVILLS Good for N. I,
1 54 John Gordon good-naturedly proposed a [billiard] match
with the young lady, if Miss Jones would come and ' mark'.
1870 ' Cavenuish ' Game of Bezique 21 Eleven counters are
required by each player— one large round one that marks
500 [etc.]. 1886 Euchre: how to play it 108 Marking
the Game, counting.
ccolloq. To markup'. toadd(an item)toatavern
score ; hence, to give credit for ; — Chalk v. 3 b.
1899 Tit-Bits 22 July 322/1, I shaved a gentleman who
asked me to mark it up.
d. absoL Of a horse : To indicate its age by
' mark of mouth '.
184a C. W. Johnson Farmer's Encycl. s.v., A horse.. is
said to mark when he shows his age by a black spot, .which
appears at about five and a half years old, in the cavities of
the corner-teeth, and is gone when he is eight years old.
e. Of a graduated instrument : To show, * re-
gister ' (so many degrees, etc.).
1882 Floyer Unexpl. Baluchistan 179 The barometer
marked 27265, being about 3,540 feet.
8. In immaterial sense : a. To make perceptible
or recognizable, by some sign or indication. D. To
manifest/ testify' (one's approval, displeasure,etc.)
by some significant act, or by reward Of punishment.
(Now only with obj. qualified by possessive.)
f Also, with clause as obj. : To indicate by action.
a. 1904 Grove's Diet. Mus. 1. 18/1 The famous instrumen-
talists of the classical school, .were accustomed to mark the
natural accent, .by a hardly perceptible prolongation of the
first note of the bar,
b. 1791 Duchess of Yorkll. gt The Kingcontinued to mark
the same degree of favor to mm as ever. 1807 C. Simeon
in Carus Mem. ty Life (1847) ix. 227 Unless God, by a
special interposition of his Providence,.. mark his own will
respecting it. 1808 Scott Marm. vi. xxvii, Eustace.. A look
and sign to Clara cast, To mark he would return. 1863 Mrs.
Gaskell Sylvia's Lovers xliii, She dusted a chair.. fur
Sylvia, sitting down herself on a three-legged stool to mark
her sense of the difference in their conditions.
9. To be a mark of or upon. a. To be an in-
dention of the position or course of.
1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. 1. 265 Pillars.. are
put there to mark the way, because it is a Desart. 1697
Dryijen Vtrg. Georg. 1. 486 The Sov'reign of the Heav'ns
has set on high The Moon, to mark the Changes of the Sky.
1762 Falconer Shipwreck (1796) I. 164 Eternal powers I
What ruins from afar Mark the fell track of desolating war.
1770 ? Logan Cuckoo ii, Hast thou a star to guide thy path
Or mark the rolling year? 1823 F. Clissold Ascent Mt.
Blanc 23 A circle of thin haze.. marked dimly the limits be-
tween heaven and earth, i860 Tyndall Gtac. 1. xxvii. 209
A withered pine on the opposite mountain marking the
other terminus. 1868 If, Arnold Sch. fy Univ. Cont. 154
Wolf's coming to Halle in 1783. .marks an era [etc.). 1809
Tozem llighl. Turkey I. 36 The lHinarhashi river, which is
marked at first by the plantation at its source, and after-
wards by the green marshes which fringe its sides. 1878
Browning La Saisiaz 17 Where the blue lake's wrinkle
marks the river's inrush pale.
b. pass. Of lines, features, etc.: To be (more or
less) strikingly noticeable. Chiefly with adverbs.
(Ct Marked ///. a.)
1824 Macaulay Mit/orifs Hist. Greece Misc. Writ, i860
I. 156 The line of demarcation between good and bad men
is so faintly marked as often to elude the most careful
investigation. 1850 LsrrcH tr. C. <>. Mutter's Anc. Art
§ 204 (ed. 2) 193 The wrinkles about the eyes and mouth
[are] strongly marked, i860 Tyndall Glac. 11. x. 280 The
junction between it and its neighlxmrs is plainly marked.
c. To be a distinguishing mark or character of
{& person, etc.) ; to be a noteworthy feature or
attendant circumstance of (an action, incident).
Often pass., to be characterized, distinguished, or
made remarkable (now only const, by .
'11661 Fuller Worthies (1662) 1. Essex 334 They being
mark'd alike in their poeticall parts [etc-1. 1791 Uoswell
Johnson an. 1744 His [Savage's] character was market! by
profligacy, insolence, and ingratitude. 1863 Fk. A. Keuiu.k
Resid. in Georgia iN. Y. ed.) 246 To-day. .my visit to the
Infirmary was marked by an event which has not occurred
before — the death of one of the poor slaves while I was
there. 1863 Cowdkn Clarke Shaks. Char. x. 253 No triumph
— no exultation, .marks her manner. 1874 Green Short
Hist, ii. § 1. 62 The long interna! tranquillity which maiked
the rule of our foreign masters. 1878 Maclear Celts ii.
(1879) 20 Solemn ceremonies marked the gathering of the
plant.
d. To diversify, be a landmark upon.
1830 Tennyson Mariana 43 For leagues no other tree did
mark The level waste, the rounding gray.
10. Mil. a. To indicate the pivots, formations,
etc. in military evolutions.
1796 fnstr. <V Peg. Cavalry (1813) 160 Its adjutant and
those of the regiments standing to its left, .will mark each
his own left, the adjutants of the regiments to its right. .will
mark each its own right [etc.]. 1889 Infantry Drill 88 If
the horses are unsteady, they [the officers] must dismount
and mark the points on foot. Ibid. 186 The assistant adju-
tants-general of the base division will mark the point of
appui, and assistant adjutants-general will mark the distant
points for their respective divisions.
b. To mark tiinc. to move the feet as in inarch-
ing but without advancing. Also trans/, and 7^.
1833 t^egul. fnstr. Cavalry t. 17 On the word Mark Time,
the foot then advancing completes its pace, after which the
cadence is continued, without gaining any ground. 1837
MACAULAY Ess., Bacon (ed. Montague) II. 200 The human
mind accordingly, instead of marching, merely marked
time. 1903 F. W. H. Myers Hum. Personality II. 296 The
Agnostic's appeal to us to halt and mark time,
II. To direct one's course or aim.
+ 11, To direct (one's way). Also rejl. and intr.,
to proceed, advance. Obs.
c M05 Lay. 5642 pa cnihtes weoren wise .. and heom
markede for3, touward Munt-giu heo ferden. Ibid. 26309
For5 ba eorles wenden. .and ma;rcoden enne waei be ouer
anne munte Irci. £1375 Se. Leg. Saints xvi. \.Magdaleua)
784 Scho til wildirnes has socht,..& yddir ewinely can hyr
mark, la 1400 . Mor tc Arth. 3595 Nowe bownes the bolde
kynge with [hisl beste knyghtes,. , Merkes ouer the mown-
taynes fulle mervaylous wayes. 14.. Henrysons Tiva Myss
195 in Banualyne MS. (1881) 965 Quhen scho was furth and
fre, scho..mirrely mirkit vnto the mvre. 1500-20 Dunbar
Poems Ixxi. 20 Oft thow hes refusit Till cum ws till, or ^it
till merk ws netr. 1513 Douglas AEneis Exclamacioun 1
Now throw the deip fast to the port I mark. 1596 Dal-
rymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot, x. 406 The Quene bard this
ausuer, quhilk quhen scho hard, she markes to Dunbar.
f 12. To aim a blow or missile at ; to strike, hit.
13. . Gaw. .5* Gr. Knt. 1592 \>e 111 on merkkez hym wel, as
bay mette fyrst, . . Hit hym vp to be holt. 1399 Langl. Rich.
Rcdetes in. 268 Rewlers of rewnies.. Were not yffuundid..
To leue al at likynge. . Hut to laboure on be lawe.-And to
merke meyntenourz with maces, la 1400 Morle Arth. 2206
He merkes thurghe the maylez the myddes in sondyre.
a 1400 Pistill of Susan 320 He [an Angel] hah brandist his
brond brennynile so bri^t. To Marke \n middel at a Mase
in more ben in bre, No lese. c 1400 Destr, Troy 7327 He
merkit hym in mydward the mydell in two, pat he felle to be
flat erthe. c 140Z Lvdc. Compl. Bl. Knt. 462 Who that is
an archer, and ys blend, Marketh nothing, but sheteth as he
wend. 1513 Douglas sEueis xn. v. 132 Of quham this dart
hit ane. .at the myddill markyt hym full rycht. 1529 Ras-
tell Pastyme (1811) 172 One marked hym with a quarell
and smote hym in the nede.
fb. intr. To aim a blow. Const, to. Also
Se. to aim, intend to do something. Obs.
a 1400 Sir Perc. 2067 By then hys swerde owt he get,
Strykes the geant withowttene lett, Merkes evene to his
nekk. £1400 Destr. Troy 7034 He merkit to Menestaus
with a mayn dynt, pat he hurlit fro his horse to be bard
erthe. c 1470 Henryson Mor. Eab. v. Part. Beasts xxxv,
Of this meniye markand to get remeid. 1570 Satir. Poems
Reform, xii. 76 Sen double murther markis to reule the
rout. 1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie** Hist. Scot. x. 399 Pre-
pareng with al . .thair harte, the destructione of the Catholik
and Romane Kirk, quhilk vttirlie tha mark to ouirthraw.
III. To notice or observe.
13. To notice or keep the eye upon (a person or
material object) ; to observe ; to watch. Now poet.
1377 Langl. P. PL B. XU. 132 Lyueres to-forn vs vseden
to marke The selkouthes that thei seighen her sones for to
teche. 146a J. Paston in P. Lett. II. 122 They ar morkyn
well inowe, and so is John Bylyngforthe. 1530 Palsgr.
730/2 Mark hym whan he daunseth, you shall__se hym
springe lyke a yonckher. 1596 Spenser E. Q. vi. ii. 5 Him
stedfastly he markt, and saw to bee A goodly youth of
amiable grace. 1667 Milton P. L. xn. 50 God who oft
descends to visit men Unseen, and through their habita-
tions walks To mark their doings. 1711 Kudgeia. Spect.
No. 1 16 9 5, I saw a Hare pop out. . . I marked the Way she
took. 1725 Pope Odyss. xvn. 448 Full well I mark'd the
features of his face. 1757 Foote Author 1. 12 He has not
mark'd me yet. 1805 Wordsw. Prelude iv. 390 So near
that.. I could mark him well, Myself unseen. 1810 Scott
Lady ofL. 11. vi, While yet he loiter'd on the spot, It seemed
as Ellen mark'd him not.
14. To consider ; to observe mentally, give lieed
or attention to. Often with well.
c 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.l 119 Marke this
in yowre mynde. 1481 Caxton Reynard(\rh.^4 He muste
.. ernestly and diligently marke wel that he redeth.
1529 Supplic. to King (E.E.T.S.) 36 Marke well what
they purpose by this estatute. 1535 Coveiu'ALE Isa. xxviii.
23 Take hede and heare my voyce, pondre and merck
my wordes wel. 1591 Shaks. i Hen. VI, 111. i. 153 And
if your Grace marke every circumstance, You haue great
reason to do Richard right. x6n Bible Ps. xxxvii.
37 Marke the perfect man, and behold the vpright : for
the end of that man is peace. 1788 Mrs. Highes Henry
<y Isabella III. 30 They had marked a more than ordinary
regard in his Lordship's behaviour to her. 1790 Norman <y j
Bertha II. 166 She recollected the husband of her former \
attendant,, .and having marked him framed for villainies !
[etc.]. 1814 Cary Dante, Paradise ir. 123 Mark me well.
1842 Miall in Sonconf. II. 8 Another feature of the times
is worth marking. 1865 Kingsley Hereto, xxii, Mark my [
words, Sir Hereward, that cunning Frenchman will treat j
with them one by one.
15. Sport, a. trans. To note and keep in mind
the sjjot to which tthe game) has retired after
having been ' put up*. Also to mark down.
When pheasants or partridges are driven from cover, and
are flying towards the guns, the beaters cry ' Mark — Over !'
c 1450 Treat. Hawking in Pel. Ant. I. 297 If she nenu; oon
rewarde her apon here foule, then merke the covey and goo
afore them somwhat. i486 Bk. St. Albans biij b, And go
after yl by laysour to the partrich that be marked and doo
as I shall tell yow here folowyng. 1749 Fielding Tom
Jones 111. ii, The birds flew into it, and were marked, (as it
is called) by the two sportsmen. 1803 Col. Hawker Diarv
11893) I. 1 We marked the former [ducks] down. 1849 E. E.
Napier Excurs. S. Africa II. 331 He now da:-hed. .up tin:
opposite bank, having marked a second flock of oxen. 1864
Cornh. Mug. X. S40 It is no good to talk of having marked
birds down, unless you have distinctly seen a certain toss
up of the wings as they pitch. 1874 J. W. Long Arner.
Wild-fmvl Shooting 154 Mark ! Let them go over. I'll call
them down. 1898 Encycl. Sport II. 92 Mark down, to
keep in view or memory the spot at which the buar went
to cover.
b. Of a hound : also absol.
1880 Carnegie Pract. 'Trap. 16 The dog marked when it
tiied the hole again. Ibid., The dog still remained marking,
SO I went back. 1890 Westm. Gaz. 17 Nov. 2/2 A fox
was then roused, .and hounds ran him ..finally marking to
ground after a gallop lasting nearly half an hour.
C. Football. (See quot. 1897.)
1887 Shearman Athletics $■ Football 317 When practic-
able he should mark the same man throughout the game,
and when the ball is thrown he should always be on the
alert. 1897 Encycl. Sport I. 429 (Football) Marking a man,
keeping clo^e to an opponent in order to hamper him if he
should receive the ball. 1901 Scotsman n Mar. 4/8 The
Scottish players, .marked the opposition too carefully to
permit of their being very troublesome.
16. absol. or intr. To take notice ; to keep watch ;
to fix vone's) attention ; to consider. Sometimes
followed by indirect question : To ascertain by
observation (w/taty whether, etc.).
1536 Tin DALE Luke'x. 36 And marke, thy cosen Elizabeth,
hath also conceaved a sonne in her olde age. 1563 T. Wil-
son Logike (1580) 61 The aunswerer muste at the firste
hearing of hys [opponent'."*] argument, marke whether it
bee made accordyng to rules of Logique, or otherwise.
a 1591 H. Smith Serm. (1637) 309 You marked when your
Master taught you your trade. 1596 Shaks. Merck, V. iv.
i- 3'3 O vpright Iudge, Marke lew, o learned Iudge. 1611
Bible i Kings xx. j Marke, I pray you, and see how this
man seeketh mischiefe. 1669 Sturmv Mariner's Mag. v.
xii. 72 Mark diligently until the Plumb-Line, .cut these
assigned degrees, .that you are to Mount the Gun by. 1781
Cowper Truth 59 The self-applauding bird, the peacock-
see, — Mark what a sumptuous Pharisee is be ! 1875 Brvce
Holy Rom. Emp. i. (ed. 5) 3 We shall mark how the new
religion, rising in the midst of a hostile power ends by em-
bracing and transforming it. 1875 JowETr Plato led. 2) I.
282 What they say is— mark, now, and see whether their
words are true — they say that the soul of man is immortal.
Mark, obs. form of Mabque, MlRK.
Markable (mSukab'l), a. Also 7marckable,
markeable. [f. Mark v. + -able.]
T 1. Worthy or capable of being marked or noted ;
remarkable. Obs. [Cf. obs. F. mart/t/able {i6lh c.).]
c 1449 Pkcock Repr. iv. iv. 447 Tho othere now seid bisch-
opis, which thei made aft ir ward out of the noumbre of
xij., as therto sowneth mkhe the processe, Acts i". c"., bi
manie therto markable word is. 1584 Leyccsters Comutonw,
(1641) 11 Such a one . . so markeable to the simplest subiect
of this Land by the publique insignes of his tyrannous pur-
pose. 1608 Hiekon Defence II. xii. 162 Some speciall &
markeable defectes in his plea, a 1645 Habington Surv.
Wore, in Wore. Hist. Soc. Proc. 11. 155 And thease which
maie see me to some scarce worth the wrytynge, to a curious
eye maye perhaps be marckable. 1651 R ale iglCs Ghost zbo
Men., illustrious and markable. .for sanctity of life.
2. Capable of receiving a mark or imprint, rare.
1862 Mrs. Crosland Mrs. Blake III. 2S8 He thought
Emily Neville a beautiful name, and now all 'markable'
gifts were so inscribed.
Hence f Ma'rkaWy adv., remarkably.
1650 Bulwer Authropomet. 262 So maikably uncertain
and giddy-headed herein are we.
Markal, variant of MlBGAL Sc. dial.
Markasit(e, obs. forms of Makcasite.
Marftfe, obs. form of Marque, MlRK.
Marked (maikt),///. a. [f. Mark v. and sbt
+ -ED.]
1. Having a visible mark. Also, impressed or
affixed as a mark ; expressed by a mark.
931 in Birch CartuL Sax. (1887) II. 358 Dzere gemearco-
dan ?ec a;t aleburnan. 1609 DoULAND Ornith. Microl. 9 Of
Keyessonie are.. marked Keyes, others are called vnmarked
Keyes. Of the marked, there are fiue principall .. which
the Ambrosians . . did mark with colours. 1617 Mokyson
Itin. 1. 227 A marked stone in the pavement. 1753 Cham-
bers Cyct, Supp. s.v. Card, Among sharpers divers sorts of
false or fraudulent cards have been contrived; as marked
cards. 1768.V. Car.Col. Rec. VII. 853 From the top of Tryon
Mountain beginning at the marked Trees thereon [etc.].
1875 Chamb. Jml. 16 Jan. 45 A number of prettily marked
ones [se. snails]. 1893 F. Anstky Voces Populi Ser. 11. 5
Herr Von K. is preparing to fire a marked half-crow-n from
a blunderbuss.
absol. i6z% Woorokphe Marrotv Er. Tongue 319/2 From
the Marckedof the Hand of God, and from Traytors Hands,
the Lord keepe vs.
b. Special collocations : marked bar, a par-
ticular form of pig-iron ; marked file, a file of
newspapers or journals upon the articles in which
the names of the writers have been recorded ;
MARKEDLY.
marked iron ■ marked bar; marked price, the
price indicated by written signs placed on goods
offered for sale ; marked proof, an impression
of an engraving in which some detail is left un-
finished as a mark of an early state of the plate.
1887 Daily News 19 Oct. 2/6 In many instances the
marked prices are clearly prohibitive. 1888 Ibid. 24 Sept.
2/7 Marked bars are almost the only class of iron that have
not been advanced. . . Most marked bar houses are in a
better position than they have been for a year or two past.
Ibid. 10 Dec. 2/8 Marked iron is unchanged. 1902 Daily
Chron. 1 Mays/2 There are many 'marked files' in the
British Museum.
2. Marked man : one whose conduct is watched
with hostile intent ; one who is kept in mind as
an object for suspicion or vengeance.
1833 Ht. Martineau Manch. Strike -\i. 125 You are a
marked man in Manchester, .. no master in any trade will ;
take you in among his men. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng.
xviii IV. 235 If they had fancied that they were marked
men, they might, .have become traitors. 1882 J. H. Blunt
Ref. Ch. Eng. II. 2S5 On the accession of Queen Mary he
naturally became a marked man.
3. Emphasized, rendered evident ; clearly defined,
easy to distinguish or recognize. Also with pre-
fixed adv., as well-, strongly- marked.
1795 Ld. Auckland Corr. (1S62) III. 281, I do not think '
the rule applicable to this case ; it was too marked and too
official. 1797 M. Baillie Morb. Anat. (1807) 72 Any well
marked example of this disease. 1802 Mar. Edgewortii
Moral T. (1816) I. vii. 42 He looked at the flower-pot with
marked disdain. 1836 J. M. Gully Magendie's Formal.
(ed. 2) 9 A quarter of a grain has generally a marked action
on a healthy man. 1841 Brewstek Mart. 5W.ii.iti. (1856)
134 We slightly resented a piece of marked incivility. 1853
Lytton My Novel x. xiv, Of those qualities enumerated
above, .. Audley Egerton only exhibited to a marked degree
—the common sense and the readiness. 1875 W. S. Hay-
ward Lave agst. World i, The third with more marked
features. 1888 Poor Nellie 82 George avoided you in the
most marked manner. 1899 Allbutfs Syst. Med. VIII. 933
The antipyrine-rash . . is not accompanied by marked fever. 1
b. Of rhythm, accent, etc.
1818 Hallam Mid. Ages ix. i. (1868) 599 Their hymns de- |
pended, for metrical effect, on the marked accents and
powerful rhymes which the Latin language affords.
Markedly (ma'ikedli), adv. [f. Marked a. j
+ -ly ^.] la a marked manner or degree.
A favourite 19th c. adverb.
1811 in Southey Life A. Bell {\%a,\} II. 389 The Bishop.. !
was markedly civil, both to myself and Davis. 1842 J. Ster-
ling Ess. etc. (1848) I. 442 The collection includes poems
of four markedly different kinds. 1899 AllbutCs Syst. Med.
VIII. 838 As a rule epithelioma of the muco-cutaneous
functions affects the glands early and markedly.
Markedness (ma\ikednes), [f. Marked a.
+ -NKS3.] The condition of being marked.
1846 Pot L. G. Clark Wks. 1864 III. no The markedness
by which he is noticeable for nothing. 1865 J.Grotb Moral
Ideals x'xx. 451 Individuality of character is markedness.
Markee,Markenes,obs.fOiARQUEEfMiRKNEss.
Marker (maukaj). [f. Mark v. + -er1. OE.
had mearcere as a gloss on L. natdrius.'}
1. O.ie who marks, a. One whose duty it is to
mark game (see Mark v. 15).
i486 Bk. St. Albans B iij b, Let yowre spanyellis fynde a
Couy of partrichys and when thay be put vpp. . ye most haue
markeris to marke som of thaym, and then cowple vp yowre
houndys. 1898 Encycl. Sport II. 75 When either of the ,
markers has marked birds, he should blow his whistle once. |
b. One who records the score in competitive I
games (e.g. tennis, billiards, etc.), or at target ]
practice, f In Cricket = scorer.
1532 More Coitfut. 7'indale Wks. 403/2 It is pitie y1 the (
man wer not made a marker of chases in some tenis play. !
1679-88 Seer. Sent. Money C/ias. <y fas. (Camden) 177 John
Webb, John and Charles Dimion, markers in the tenis courts
at Whitehall and Windsor. 1754 J. Lovh Cricket (1770) 5
Save when the [billiard] Marker bellows out, Sixloi'C. 1774
Covent-Garden Mag. Aug. 283/j [Cricket] If one of these
gentry should be appointed marker, he will favour the side
that he wishes to win. 1859 Lwi Davenport Dunn 27
Sam Crozier was a marker at a billiard-table in Tralee.
1861 Times 23 Aug., A private of the Royal Marines..
was acting as a marker at the targets during the firing of
the Volunteers. 1898 Encycl. Sport II. 242 Most games [of
rackets] at clubs, and all matches, are played under the eye
and voice of a marker who is placed in the gallery.
c. One employed to keep a record of attendances,
in a class, school, or college.
At Cambridge, a person appointed to prick off the names
of those present at the service in a college chapel.
1798 Coleridge Let. 19 Feb., Every ward [in Christ's Hos-
pital] was governed by four Monitors, . . and by four Markers.
1820 Lamb Elia Ser. 1. Christ's Hasp. 35 Yrs. ago, The
markers (those who were appointed to hear the Bible read
in the wards on Sunday morning and evening). 1849
Blackiv. Mag. May 601 His name prick'd oft" upon the
marker's roll, No twinge of conscience racks his easy soul.
1893 Month Aug. 493 There are [in a Manchester indus-
trial school] two non-commissioned officers, or monitors,
who are termed the striper and marker respectively.
d. In Welsh slate quarries: An official employed
to check the quantity of work done by the men.
1901 Daily Chron. 15 May 8/6 One man . .who occupied the
position of marker in the quarries, .turned back.
e. Mil. One who is placed as a pivot or forma-
tion mark in military evolutions.
1796 Instr. ^ Reg. Cavalry (1813} 100 Markers will always
be placed, to give the precise ground on which the counter-
march is to be made. 183a Prep. Kegut. Instr. Cavalry
172
ill. 53 The Markers to be employed for Regimental Move- I
ments are the Adjutant, the Regimental Serjeant Major, !
and one non-commissioned Officer for each Squadron.
f. One who puts a mark, stamp, brand, etc.
upon something. Marker-off: a workman who per-
forms certain processes in pianoforte scale making.
1553 Act 7 Edw. VI, c. 7 § 1 The penaltie . . dependeth . .
not upon the seller, ne maker, marker or fellor of the same
[Fuel]]. 1737 Chamberlaynes St. Gt. Brit. 11. ill. led. 33>
94 Marker of Dice, John Rollos. 1889 Work 23 Nov. I.
564/3 The business of the marker-offis. .to plane the bridges
to their proper height, mark the scale [etc.]. 1901 Daily
Chron. 3 Dec. 10/6 Piano Markers-offand Assistant Markers-
off wanted.
fg. One who notes or observes. Obs.
c 1550 Chkkk Matt. xvi. note. As in y* beginning of Orestes
of Euripides it mai appear, and els whear commuiili to a
marker hearof.
fh. slang. (See quot.) Obs.
159! Greene and PL Conn? catching Wks. (Groan*) X.
86 In Lifting Law, He that first stealeth [is] the Lift. He
that receiues it the Markar.
i. nonce-use. A marksman.
1820 Scott Monasi. xviii, The best marker may shoot a
bow's length beside.
2. An implement or tool for marking.
In many specific applications, e. g. an implement for tracing
lines on the ground in laying out garden beds preparing
for planting rows of trets, etc.; an appliance in a sewing
machine for making a crease on the cloth to serve as a guide
for stitching or folding ; a pointed tool or stylus for marking
wood to be cut.
1725 W. Halfpenny Sound Building 52 With a Marker
describe the Cross-Joints. 1870 Advt., Be'zique Playing
Cards.. with Markers. 1884 Knight Diet Mech. Suppl.
584/2 Marker. . .An implement for marking off rows on the
ground, as a guide for planting or dropping.
3. - Book-marker ^Book sb. 18).
185a Miss Mitford Recoil. II. 184, I had no marker, and
the richly bound volume closed as if instinctively. 1853
Dale tr. BaldeschVs Ceremonial 293 When carrying the
Missal, he will take care not to displace the markers.
4. slang. Something worthy to be compared.
1895 H. P. Robinson Men Born Equal 145 It ain't a
marker to what's ahead.
Market (mS'iket), s&. Forms: a. 2 (dat.), 4-6
markete, 3 [dot), rharcatte , 4 markatte, 4-6 mar-
kette, 4-6 raarkat, 4-7 marcat, -kett,6 marcatt,
(4 marked, 5 markyth(e, marget, 5-6 markit, 6
-yt,-yd,-eth,marchet, 7marquet),2-market. j8.
(chiefly St. ) 4-6 merkat, 5-8 mercat, 5-7 mercate,
(4 merkete, 5 -et, 6 -ett, -it, -yte, 7 merkate).
[Late OK. market, a. ONF. market (Central OF.
marchiet, marcliitf, mod.F. marched) = Vt. marcat-z,
Sp., Pg. mercado, It. mercato :— L. mercatu-s, f.
mercaritotra.de: see Mercantile. The Romanic
word was early adopted into the Tent, langs. : cf.
OHG. markdt, merkdt, merch&t VMHG. market,
merket, mod.G. markt), OFris. merked, Du. markt
(see Mart sb.), ON. marka&r, marknadr (Sw.
marknad, Da. marked).
It is not certain that the word was introduced into Eng-
land before the 12th c, though it occurs in documents
ostensibly of the nth and 10th centuries; even if these be
in substance genuine, they are modernized in language. J
1. The meeting or congregating together of people
for the purchase and sale of provisions or live-
stock, publicly exposed, at a fixed time and place;
the occasion, or time during which such goods are
exposed for sale ; also, the company of people at
such a meeting. + High market : the time when
the market is busiest.
After to ox from the article is very often omitted.
C1154 O. E. Chron. an. 1125 (Laud MS.) He ne mihte
cysten aenne pen! at anne market. <■ izzo Bestiary 401 De
man Sat o3er biswike<5..in mot er in market. C1380 Wvclif
Wks. (1880) 172 Prestis also ben mafrjehauntis. .& be ten
marketis [etc.}. 1413 Pilgr. Scnvle (Caxton 1483) m. vii. 54
Vsiirers wyllen nought be hyghely renomed of theyr craft ne
cryen it in the markett 1480 Caxton Chron. Eng.ccv'i. 187
He lete crye thurgh his patent in euery faire and in euery
markete of Englond. 1563 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec.
Oxford 306 Everye Satterdaye . . there shalbe a commen
markett for . . cattell. 1564 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 280
To by or sell any maner of tymmer, greit or small, hot in
oppin and plane marcattis. a 1649 Winthrop Neiv Eug.
(1853) I. 148 By order of court a mercate was erected at
Boston, to b« kept upon Thursday. 1775 S. J. Pkatt
Liberal Opin. xlviii. {1783) II. 67 There fat Smithfieldl
it is high market. 1839 Penny Cyci. XIV. 424 When
the whole bulk of the articles to be sold is brought into the
market . . , the market is called a. pitched market j when only
a small portion is brought ..it is called a sample market.
1849 Lytton C ax tons 39 My mother had coaxed Caxton to
walk with her to market. 1899 Blackiv. Mag. Jan. 45/2
A rendezvous . .where a market was opened for the Indians
in the vicinity.
fig. 1340 Aycnb. 23 J>et is be dyeules pern huermide he
bayp alle be uayre pane-worbes ine the markatte of bise
wordle. 1600 Shaks. A. Y. L. lit v. 60 Thanke heauen,
fasting, for a good mans loue ; . .Sell when you can, you are
not for all markets.
b. Phrases, more or less metaphorical. + To be
at market : to be for sale (Jit. andyf^.). To bring
to market : to offer for sale (///. 3.n<\ fig.). To bring
one's eggs (or one's hogs) to a bad market: to suffer
the failure of one's schemes. To feed (cattle) to
market: to feed for sale. To goto market: (colloi/.)
to make an attempt at something. To go (badly t etc, )
MARKET.
to market', to make a (bad, etc.) bargain. To
put into market : to make a matter of bargain
and sale, f 7a run before one's horse to market :
to count the gain before the bargain is made.
1594 Shaks. Rich, III, 1. i. 160 But yet I run before my
horse to Market 1613 Beaum. & Fl. Cupid's Rev. 1. i, We
haue brought Our eggs and muskadine to a faire market
a 16x6 — Bonduca v. 11, You have brought your hogs to a
fine market 1639 G. Daniel Pectus, x. 25 Such a Man
would bring His Soule to Mercate. 1776 Adam Smith W. N.
I. vii. I. 68 When the quantity of any commodity which is
brought to market falls short of the effectual demand. 1800
Jefferson Let. to J. Madison 4 Mar., Writ. 1854 IV. 324
H. Marshal voting of course with them, as did, and frequently
does***, of ****, who is perfectly at market. 1801 — Let. to
Monroe 24 Nov. Ibid. IV. 420 A very great extent of country,
north of the Ohio, ..is now at market. 1809 MmjujuCUM&m
II. ix. P7 The schoolmaster . . brought his eggs to a bad market.
1812 Sporting Mag. XXXIX. 23 When .. they found they
had been badly to market, thay declared themselves off. iZzx
Lamb Elia Ser. 1. Itn-berf. Symp., They seldom wait to
mature a proposition, out e'en bring it to market in the
green ear. 1844 Emerson Lect., Yng. Amer. Wks. (Bohn)
II. 300 This is the good and this the evil of trade, that it
would put everything into market. 1890 ' R. Boldrewood"
Cot. Reformer I. xi. 168 If you hadn't come forward . . the
first time he propped, he mightn't have gone to market at
all. 1893 Stevenson Catriona 156 These [sheep] being
specially fed to market.
C. Market overt (in Law) : open market ; the ex-
posal of vendible goods in an open place so that
any one who passes by may see them.
160a Fulbecke 1st Pt. Parall. 7 If a felon sell a Horse
without couin in a Market ouert, this doth alter the pro-
perty. -1766 Bi.ackstone Comm. II. xxx. 449 Market overt
in the country is only held on ..special days .. ; but in
London every day, except Sunday, is market day. 1880
Sal. Rev. 28 Feb. 281 A certain article was submitted for
analysis by its proprietors to a distinguished analyst, who
thoughtfully provided himself with another sample of it
bought in market overt.
d. Stack Exchange. (See quot. 1887.)
1880 Guide to Stock Exch. 35 The distinctions between
classes of business on the Stock Exchange are known as
' markets ', and each jobber is supposed to operate in his
own market. 1887 Encycl. Brit. XXII. 557/1 W'hat are
known as the 'markets' in the stock exchange are simply
groups of jobbers distributed here and there on the floor of
the house.
2. Law. The privilege granted to the lord of a
manor, a municipality or other body, to establish
a meeting of persons to buy and sell.
[Ja 1 066- ] 1 150 Charier of Eadweard in Kemble Cod.
Vipl. IV. 209 pset . . se abbod and 8a ^ebroSra into Kame-
sege habben 5a socne on eallen bingen ofer heom and 3at
market aH Dunham. 1464 Rolls ofParlt. V. 521/1 Courtes,
Warennes, M creates, Rentes . . to the seid Priory., belong-
yng. 1607 Cowell Intcrpr., Market, ..signifieth. .also the
liberty or priuiledge whereby a towne is enabled to keepe
a market. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) III. 276 So where
a man has a market to hold on the Saturday, and he holds
it on another day, the market shall be forfeited.
3. A public place, whether an open space or
covered building, in which cattle, provisions, etc.
are exposed for sale ; a market-place, market-house.
c 1250 Rent. Serin, in O. E. Misc. 33 So ha kam into be
Marcatte so he fond werkmen bet were idel. 13 . . A'. Alls.
1515 A temple ther was, amydde the market. C1477 Caxton
Jason 79 They began a bataile upon the market. 1511
Test. Ebor. (Surtees) VI. 4 A howse in the marketh. 1549
Contpl. Scot. xvii. 149 The comont pepil ■ - conuoyit them
to the plane mercat befor the capitol. 1718 Lady M. W.
Montagu Let. to C*tess Bristol 10 Apr., The markets are
most of them handsome squares. 187a All Year Round
13 Apr. 470/1 This charitable lady decided on building
a market.
b. With prefixed word, indicating the chief
commodity sold, as cattle, corn, fish, meat-market,
etc., for which see those words.
4. The action or business of buying and selling ;
an instance of this, a commercial transaction, a
purchase or sale ; a (good or bad) bargain, lit.
And fig. Obs. exc. in certain phrases : see c.
1525 Ld. Kerkv.ks Froiss. Il.xxxviii. 116 Lytell and lytell
we shall wynne the castells that these pyllers holde, though
they departe nowe with a good market Ibid. xci. [lxxxvii.]
272 He hadde 50 good a markette as to escape alyue. a 1548
Hall Chron., lien. VI 130 b, The remmaunt not likyng
their market, departed. 1548 Udall Erastn. Par. Luke
■ xiv. 126b, I must..goe to proue them, whether I haue
made a good mercate in bying of them or not. c 1550
Cheke Matt. xxii. 4 Y8' . . went yeer wais, sum to his own
ground, sum to his mercat. 1599 Warn. Faire Worn. I. 525
She must defer her market till to-morrow. i6zo Middleton
Chaste Maid 11. ii, Second Pro. I prithee look what market
she hath made. First Pro. Imprimis, sir, a good fat loin of
mutton. i6»5 B. Jonson Staple of N. 11. iv, What Lick-
finger? mine old host of Ram-Alley? You ha' some mercat
here. 1660 T. M. Hist. Independ. iv. 12 The Juncto..
willing to make the best of a bad market, prepare for war.
1689-90 Temple Ess. Pop. Discont. Wks. 1731 I. 257 kvery
Man speaks of the Fair as his own Market goes in it 1693
Dkyden Persius v. 201 And with Post-haste thy running
Markets make, Be sure to turn the Penny. 1699 Kikkton
Ch. Hist. (1817) 373 She hade two daughters, .. and for
these she thought she might make a better mercat in Scot-
land than in England.
t b. The marketing or selling of (a commodity).
Alsoyfjf. Obs.
1604 Shaks. Ham. iv. iv. 34 (Qo. 2) What is a man, If his
chiefe good and market of his time Be but to sleepe and
feede, a beast, no more. x68o Mokuen Geog. Red., Tar.
Airy ( 1685) 80 Some of them now grown Wealthy, by the
Market of their Slaves, . .wear Sables.
MARKET.
C- Phrases, f T° wake market : to trade, buy
and sell ; fig. to have dealings or intercourse with.
To make a or one's market of (a possession, an
occasion) : to make (it) an object or occasion of
bargaining or profit, to barter away; also, rarely,
to victimize, make illicit profit out of (a person).
To make one's market: to do one's bargaining or
dealing {lit. and fig.). To mar another s or one's
market: to spoil his or one's own trade {tit. and
fig.)* To metul one's market: to improve one's
bargain.
1340 Ayenb. 36 And huanne hy hise yzej> poure and nyed-
110! : (?anne makc|> hy mid ham marcat to do hire niedes.
a 1400-50 Alexander 421 He .sa^e, as him tho)t, Anion his
awen god in armes with his qwene, And make with hire
market as [he] a man were. 15x9 Frith Antithesis Wks.
(1573) 103/2 He that saith it is better to give our charity
to the poor-.goeth aboute to marre the Popes market.
1577 Reg. Privy Council Scot. II. 658 He . . ressavit ane coip
bill as ane marchand, gevand him licence to mak marcat in
the cuntre. i597Si'i;Nst:R.S'/<v/A. Cat. Sept. 37 They, .maktn
a market [1579-91 mart] of their good name. 1601 Dent
Pathiu. Heaven 94 So far off are you from mending your
market any whit thereby. 1605 in Burgh Ree. Glasgow
^876) I. 230 It is. .ordainit. -that it salbe leasum to owttin-
townis fleschouris ilk day in the oulk to mak markat of
flesche in this towne. 1611 Hiulk Transl. Pre/. P 17 It is
a grieuous thing lo neglect a great faire, and to seeke to
make markets afterwards, a 1635 Naunion Fragm. Reg.
{Arb.) 58 There was in him. .a humour of travelling : which
had not some wise men about him laboured to remove . . he
would (out of his natural! propension) have marred his own
market. 1681 Drvden Al>s. q Aehit. 1. 503 The next for
interest sought to .. make their Jewish markets of the
throne. 1709 S. Sewall Diary 17 Feb., Mr. Gerrish courted
Mr. Coney's daughter : and if she should have Mr. Stod-
dard, she would mend her market. 1713 Steele Guardian
No. 6 P 3 With his ready Mony the iTuilder, Mason and
Carpenter are enabled to make their Market of Gentlemen
.. who inconsiderately employ them. 1714 Gay S/wp/i.
Week Thur. 121, 1 made my market long before 'twas night,
My purse grew heavy, and my basket light. 1793 Burke
Policy A/ties Wks. VII. 171 Prussia, .thinks of nothing but
making a market of the present confusions. 1861 Heywoou
Pref. to y. Seaton's Let. (Chetham Soc.) 3 Houses here-
ditarily accustomed to make a market of their swords.
5. Sale as controlled by supply and demand;
hence, demand (for a commodity).
1689 Evelyn Diary (1827) IV. 315 They expect a quicker
mercate. 1781 Cowper Charity 522 * Tis called a Satire. . .
Strange ! how the frequent interjected dash Quickens a
market, and helps off the trash. 1848 Mill Pot. Econ. I.
111. ii. § 4. 529 The extra quantity can only find a market,
by calling forth an additional demand equal to itself. Ibid,
§ 5. 531 Had they persisted in selling all that they pro-
duced, they must have forced a market by reducing the
price. 1861 M. Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 47 Such commo-
dities, however, . . found little market as yet. 1896 Edith
Thompson in Monthly Packet Christm. No. 83 Stredza ..
has lived long enough to know that there is a market for
treason.
b. To make a market (Stock Exchange) : to in-
duce active dealing in any particular stock or shares,
by being both a buyer and a seller at about the
same price ; to bring an enterprise to the notice of
the public by interesting dealers in it (by means of
options or otherwise).
1899 ly'estm. Gas. 6 Mar. 8/1 Amongst the points in com-
pany law reform . . the next [question] will relate to the old
abuse of making a market.
6. Opportunity for buying or selling. To lose
ones market : to miss one's chance of doing busi-
ness. To overstand one's market : to stand out
about terms till the opportunity is lost.
1684 Dryden tr. Theocritus* Idyll, iii. 85 What Madman
would o'erstand his Market twice? 1691 Locke Money
Wks. 1727 II. 6 He that wants a Vessel, rather than lose
his Market, will not stick to have it at the Market-Rate.
1822 Lamb Elia Ser. 1. Mod. Gallantry, When the phrases
'antiquated virginity', and such a one has 'overstood her
market '. . shall raise immediate offence.
7. The market: the particular trade or traffic in
the commodity specified in the context. Chiefly
in in or on the market. To be in the market : (of
a person) to be a buyer ; also (of a possession) to ■
be offered for sale (so to come into the market).
To engross the market : see quot. 1872.
1678 R. Kilmer Disc. Use for Money 38 The borrowers do
trade by buying and selling in the Mercat at the same prices
that the owners of money do. 1776 Adam Smith IV. .V. i.xi. I.
265 There are commonly in the market only fourteen or fifteen
ounces of silver for one ounce of gold. 1791 Washington
Lett. Writ. 1892 XII. 66 A great quantity of bonds, thrown
suddenly into the market,, .could not but have effects the
most injurious to the credit of the U.S. 1841 Lever C.
O'Midley vi, Every imaginable species of property coming
into the market. 1864 Tennyson En. Ard. 535 Enoch..
bought Quaint monsters for the market of those times. 1866
standard 7 May 2/3 A backwardation of £ per cent, was
freely paid for the delivery of shares, such was the scarcity
of them in the market. 1872 Yeats Groivth Comm. 379
Edicts.. against engrossing trie market, i. e., buying up the
stock of any commodity in order to sell it again at an en-
hanced price. 1883 Black Yotande I. v. 89 If ever Mona-
glen comes into the market, she'll snap it up. 1890 ' R.
Bolukewood ' Col. Reformer II. xx. 169 You'd have had
your mon«y in your pocket now, and might have been in
the market for some of these, .store cattle. 1891 Cycl.Tour.
Club Monthly Gaz. Nov. 320 The only type of air tyre on
the market.
b. With specifying word prefixed. For copper-.
173
ore-, wage- market, etc., see those words. Also
Money-Makkkt.
183a Eraser's Mag. IV. 720 Even the home market was
thrown open to the goods of the stranger. 1840 Dickens
Old C. Shop xxxii, In this depressed state of the classical
market, Mrs. Jarley made extraordinary efforts to stimulate
the popular taste. 1886 C. ScOTT Sheep-F'arming 137 Sheep
intended for the fat market.
8. The rate of purchase and sale ; price in the
market, market value.
1546 J. Heywood Prov. (1867) 31 The market goth hy the
market men. 1586 A. Day Fug. Secretary 11. 1,16-5} 71, 1
hope you will haue regard to the selling of these commodi-
ties to my best aduantage, wherein I pray you doe your best
endeuour as the Market serueth. 1647 Ward Simp. Col'ler
11843) 7 They deal wisely that will stay till the Market is
fallen. 1780 Burke Sp. Econ. Reform Wks. 1 1 1. 272 These
lands at present would sell at a low market. 1800 Pitt in
G. Rose's Diaries (1860) I. 280 The market, .has. .fallen 7$,
per quarter, 1886 T. HARDY Mayor ofCasterbr. xxiii, Just
when I sold the markets went lower, and I bought up the
corn of those who had been holding back. 1890 ' R. Boi.dee-
woon' Col. Reformer (1S91) 246 The cattle having ' tupped
the market ', and sold extremely well.
fig- i 1535 Lyndesav Satyre 3186 The markit raisit bene sa
hie, That Prelats dochtours..Ar maryit with sic superflui-
ties [etc.]. 1614 Raleigh Hist. World Pref. A 4 b, For
those Kings, which haue sold the bloud of others at a low
rate ; haue but made the Market for their owne enemies, to
buy of theirs at the same price. 1650 Trait Comm. Deut.
ix. 4 We are all apt to. .set a price upon ourselves above the
market. 1751 R. Paltock A Wilkins (1884) II. xxiii. 279
For 'tis all one to her with whom she [sc. a mistress] en-
gages, so she can raise but the market by a change.
9. A place or seat of trade; a country, district,
town, etc. in which there is a demand for articles
of trade ; hence, the trade of such a country, etc.
1615 E. S. Britain's Buss in Arb. Garner III. 651 Surely
it were too great poverty for English minds., to fear to
speed worse in any market or place than they. 1752 Hume
Fss. ft Treat. (1777) I. 334 We lost the French market for
our woollen manufactures. 1821 Shelley (Edipus 11. i. 18
The failure of a foreign market for Sausages, bristles, and
blood puddings,, .is but partial. 1891 S. C. Scrivener Our
Fields <y Cities 90 Professor Scely tells us that all the wars
since 1700 have been wars for a market. . . A blustering
Yankee captain, who was lighting for a market for goods
manufactured in the Northern States.
10. attrib. and Comb. : a. simple attrib., as
market-boat, -cart, -due, -girl, -hall, -keeper, -maid,
-talk, -time, -toll; (with reference to the money-
market) as market-money, -operator, -quotation.
1858 Simmonps Diet. Tratie, "Market-boat. 1863 Corith.
Mag. Feb. 180 The market-boats bring alongside his ship
the grapes and figs with which [etc.]. 1833 Hr. Martineau
Briery Creek iii. 49 Her employer was driving his 'market-
cart. 1875 JoWETT Plato (ed. 2) III. 303 * Market and har-
bour dues. 1832 TENNYSON Latiy of Shalott 11, ii, The red
cloaks of "market girls. 1733 Lediard Sellios II. VIII. 207
They saw before them the greatest ''market-hall in I.ixa.
1835 1st Munic. Corp. Comm. Rep. App. 111. 1686 [Preston]
Other Officers of the Corporation are.. Market Looker,
"Maiket Keeper. 1578 Whetstone 1st Ft. Promos ff Cass.
iv. vi, Other 'market maydes pay downe for their meate,
But that I haue bought, on my score is set. 1606 Shaks.
Ant. <y CI. in. vi. 51 Hut you are come A Market-maid to
Rom*. 1891 G. Clare Money-Market Primer xii. 127
"Market-money, roughly speaking, is other people's money.
1895 A. J. Wilson Gloss. Stock E.vch. 62 "Market operators
are tempted by a drop in the price to sell for the fall. 1891
G. Clare Money-Market 1' rimer ix. 105 Immediately it
becomes known that gold has actually arrived, the "market-
quotation gives way. 1670 Eacharu Cont. Clergy 44 Such
things as are ridiculous, that serve for chimney and "market-
talk. 1503 Act 19 Hen. VII, c. 6 It shall be lawful . . to put
them in the Pillory all the 'Market-time. 1832 Boston
Herald 6 Mar. 4 Acts of parliament to establish the right
of * market tolls.
b. Special comb. : market basket, a large
basket used to carry provisions, etc. purchased in
the market; spec, see quot. 1884; t market-
beater ,one who idles or lounges about a market ;
market bell, a bell rung to announce the com-
mencement of a market ; market-clerk = clerk of
the market (see Clerk sb. 6 c) ; market-coin,
coin current in the market ; in quot.y?!/. ; market-
crier ? U.S. (see quot.) ; market-custom, the dues
levied on goods brought to market ; t market
dame, 'a strum pet' (Farmer); f market-dasher —
market-beater; market fair dial., a fairing or pre- :
sent from the market ; market-fish U.S., (a) fish,
esp. cod-fish, ofamarketable size(see quot.); (b) 'a '
corruption of margatc-fish' {Cent. Diet. 1890);
market-fresh a. dial, (see quot. 1841); tmarket-
friendship, a friendship in business affairs ; mar-
ket-fuddled a. dial. — market-fresh ; market-
garden, a piece of land on which vegetables are !
grown for the market ; hence markct-gardcner;
tmarket geld, t?eld (see quots.) ; market-horse
(slang), ' a horse simply kept in the betting-lists j
for the purpose of being betted against ' (Hotten's
Slang Vict. 1874); market-house, a building in
which a market is held ; a small house erected in :
a market-place for the use of market-folk ; fmar- ■
ket lash, public flogging ; in quot. fig. ; market- '
lead, in Silver-refining, that portion of the metal
which is sufficiently desilverized to be sold as lead; j
market looker (see quot. 1821) ; market-maker, |
MARKET.
t (a) a bargain-maker (obs.); (b) in the Stock Ex-
change (see 5 b); so market-making; market-
master (l'ennsylv.), an officer having supervision
of markets (Cent. Diet.); f market-match, a
match made for pecuniary gain ; market-merry a.
dial. = market -fresh ; hence market - merriness ;
T market-monger, one who engrosses the market ;
market-mongeriug, discreditable dealing in the
share-market; market-ordinary, the ordinary pro-
vided for market people ; market-peace Hist.
[ = G. marktfriede], the peace or truce which pre-
vailed in a market on market-days; market-penny,
a perquisite made by one who buys for another;
t market-plenty, plentifulness of the market ;
market pot, in Silver-refining, the last of a scries
of crystallizing pots, containing the market-lead ;
market-price, the current price which a com-
modity fetches in the market; tmarket-quality,
the quality of being a market town ; market-rate,
the current value of a commodity ; market-riggor,
one who 'rigs the market' (see Rig v.); hence
market rigging vbl. sb. ; t market runner -
market beater; f market-set- Market-place ;
•f market-sieve, V one for sifting rice for the
market; market-stall, a standing-place or booth
in a market; market stallage, the right of erecting
or the rent paid for a market-stall ; market
stance Sc.- Market-place; market-table, one
frequented by marketers ; market-trot, a steady
trot like that of a person going to market ; market-
value, current value in the market, saleable value ;
market-woman, (a) a woman who sells in the
market; ,b) with adj., one (more or less skilled
in marketing ; market-work, the growing of
produce for the market. Also Makket cross,
DAY, MAN, -PLACE, -STEAD, TOWN.
1884 Cassc/fs Fncycl. Diet.. ' Market 'basket, a basket used
by dealers in the London fruit and vegetable markets. It
contains 56 lbs. of potatoes. ,1380 Wyclip Wks. (1S80) 242
5e, boil} he be a 'market betere. c 1386 Chaucer Reeve'*
T. 16 He was a markcl-beter atte fulle. 1483 Catli. Angl.
236/1 Merketbeter, circumfoi-aitus. 1591 Shaks. i Hen. VI.
in. ii. 16 Watch. Enter, goe in, the "Market Hell is rung.
1616-61 Holyoay Persins 298 Ueing "market-dark.. He
break their earthen vessels less then measure. 1817 Colk
RIDGE Biog. Pit. 212 Words used as the arbitrary marks of
thought, our smooth "market-coin of intercourse. 1846
Worcester (citing Lee), * Market-crier, a crier of the
market. 1844 H. Stephens Bk. Farm II. 89 The .. dues
incidental to the road and markets, such as toll>, forage,
ferries, and "market-custom. 1705-7 E. Ward Hud. Rediv.
(1715) II. 11. ii. 25 Punks, Strolers, +Market Dames. ^1440
ProiNp. Pan'. 326/2 "Slarket daschare, circumfotanus.
1821 Black:v. JAre'.VIII. 433 The rogues escaped from task,
H ere take their stand, the ' "market fair ' to ask. 1894 Outing
(U.S.) XXIII. 404/1 "Market fish are those [cod] measuring
less [than 22 in.], but weighing 3 lbs. or more. 1841 Harts-
hokn'E Salop. Ant. 498 * Market-Fresh, that dubious degree
of sobriety with which farmers too commonly return home
from market. 1651 Hoijbes Govt. <r Soc. i. § 2. 4 If they
meet for Traffique, . .a certain "Market-friendship is begotten.
1895 ' M. E. F'kancis1 Frieze <y P'nstian 142 Jem.. was
not by any means ' "market-fuddled '. 1840 Penny Cyel.
XVII. 96/1 (The land] would make excellent "market-
gardens. 1865 Dickens Mut. Ft. ii. i, Where the railways
still bestride the market-gardens that will soon die under
them. 1839 Penny Cycl. XIII. 188/1 "Market-gardeners,
who raise vegetables, .for the supply of the London markets.
; ,; 1500 in Blount Laiv Diet. (1670) s.v., Et valent per
an. le Streteward & le "Marketzeld xviiis. 1684 Manley
CoTuclfs Interpr. ied. 2', Marketzeld, more truly Marhct-
gcld. It signifies Toll of the Market. 1561 Stow Eng. Chron.
(1565) 136 This yeare the "market house called the Stockes
in London was begon to be buylded. 1840 Penny Cyel.
XVII. 102/1 A town-hall [at Witney], .with a piazza under-
neath for a market-house. 1627-77 FgLTHAM Resolves 1.
lviti. 91 Every offence meets not with a "Market lash. Pri-
vate punishments sometimes gripe a man within. 1877
Raymond Statist. Mines ft Mining 181 Rich lead on the
one hand and "market-lead on the other. 1591 Manch. Court
Leet Rcc. (1885) II. 57 To delyuer . . them [the weights]
to the "marketlokers. 1821 De Quincey Richter Wks. 1863
XIII. 143 note, 'Market-lookers' is a provincial term.. for
the public officers who examine the quality of the provisions
exposed for sale. 1647 Waku Simp. Cooler 36 When Christ
whips "Market makers out of his Temple. 1340 Ayenb. 42
The vifte [twig of Simony] is ine ham bet be "markat makinde
leteb hare benefices o]>er chongeb. 1902 Westm. Ga-.
14 Jan. 5/1 He put down contracts of this kind as 'advertising'
and 'market making '. 1605 Breton Old Man's Lesson B iij b,
"Market-matches where Marriages are made without affec-
tions. 1898 Watts-Dcnton Ayhvin (1900) 143/1 The mo-
ment that he had passed into ' "market-merriness '. 1847
Halliwell Provinc, * Market-merry, tipsy. 1629 Gaule
Holy Madn. 389 A "Market-monger, Come-hoorder. 1901
Westm. Gaz. 10 Jan. 9/1 The evils of such a system
of "market mongering. 1769 Blkke Lett., to Maro.
Rockingham (1844) I. 193 The freeholders dined., at a
"market-ordinary. 187a Yeats Growth Comm. 379 I he
'market-peace afforded security to the multitudes who
congregated together. 1735 Poor Robin Observ. Oct.,
They can go to Market, buy Victuals, and spend the
"Market penny in the Morning. 1815 Paris Chit-Chat
(1816) I. 53 Your cook.. never considers her market penny
an unfair advantage. 1643 Trait Comm. Gen. xxvi. 28 The
Church of Rome borrows her mark from the "market-plenty,
or cheapness, i860 Ure's Diet. Arts (ed. 5) II. 664 The
'"market pot', c 1440 Jacob's Well 212 jif boll selle hym
derere ban be "markett prise, bou owyst to restore it. 1601
Shaks. All's Well v. m. 219. 1880 C. R. Markham Peruv.
MARKET.
174
MARKING.
Bark 434 The quinine will l>e sold at market prices. 1745
H. Wau'oi.l Let. G. Montagu m June, On the right and
left.. He two towns; the one of * market quality, and the
other with a wharf where ships come up. 1700 Prior Robe - s
Geogr. m To Those, who at the *Market-Kate Can barter
Honour for Estate. 1825 M'Culloch Pol. Econ. m. vii. 336
The market rate of wages. 1881 Goi.dw. Smith Lect. <y Ess.
179 A mere * market-rigger and money-grubber. 1897
Westm. Gaz. 23 Aug. 5 '\ The rise, .is largely attributed to
*market rigging, i486 Cath. Angl. 236/1 A Merkett ryn-
ner, eirenmforarius. 155a Latimer Serm. , St. yohn Evang.
Day (15S4) 284 It was a common stable in the "Market set.
1761 Descr. S. Carolina 8 Afterwards, by a Wire-Sieve called
a * Market-Sieve, it is separated from the broken and small
Rice. 1859 Ld, Lytton Wanderer (ed. a) 276 Those win-
dows with the 'market-stalls before. 183a Boston Herald
6 Mar. 4 "Market Stallage. 1899 Btacfciv. Mag. Jan. 46/1
The * market-stance in the wilderness was free to all comers.
1850 W. P. Scargill Eng. Sketch-Bk. 3 Such agricultural
bucks, .are generally, .the oracles of the market-table. 1856
Househ. Wds. XIII. 497/1 The ex-groom, .walked bis pony
on in silence, .breaking occasionally into a "market-trot.
1848 Mill Vol. Econ. I. in. ii. § 4. 528 There are per-
sons ready to buy, at the *market value, a greater quan-
tity than is offered for sale. 1880 C. R. Markham Verm'.
Bark 109 Bark from that district is of no market value.
155a Hui.okt, * Market \\o\\\&x\, foratia. 1624 Massinger
Varl. Love H. i, Of such as trade in the streets, ..Of pro-
gress laundresses, and marketwomen. 1755 Connoisseur
No, 91 F 2 My wife is particularly proud of being an
excellent Market-woman. 1863 Miss Braddom Eleanors
Vict, i, To buy peaches. .of the noisy market women.
Market (raauket), v. [f. Mabket j&]
1. ititr. To deal in a market, buy and sell ; to
go to market with produce ; to purchase provisions.
1635 Hevlin Sabbath 11, (1636) 214 That no man should
presume to Market on the Lords day. 1747 Mrs. Glasse
Cookery .vxi. 160 How to market. 1776 Adam Smith W. N,
1. .\i. I. 246 A contract of this kind saves the farmer the ex-
pence and trouble of marketing. 1821 Moore Mem. (1853)
III. 207 Went into town, .in order to market for to-morrow's
dinner.
2. trans. To dispose of in a market, to sell ;
also, to bring or send to market.
1649 ( i. Daniel Trhtarch., Hen. I ', xcviit.The Treasurer. .
for a Price M creates his Maister, to extend his Purse. 1657
Bp. H. King Poems m. (1843) 90 The Captiv'd Welch, in
Couples led, Were Marketted, like Cattell, by the Head.
1791 Cowi'KK Iliad XVIII, 358 Our wealth Is marketted.
1865 Paily Tel. it Aug., The Seven-thirty Loan has now
been all marketed. 1892 Times 24 Sept. 12/2 Foreign
farmers are obliged to market their corn immense distances
by rail, canal, and sea.
Marketable (mirJketabT), a. Also 7 mar-
kettable, mercatable. [f. Mahket v. + -abj-k.]
1. Capable of being marketed ; that may or can
be bought or sold ; suitable for the market ; that
finds a ready market ; that is in demand ; saleable.
1600 Shaks. A. V. L. i. ii. 103 Eos. Then shal we be newes-
cram'd. Cel. All the better: we shalbe the more Marketable.
1610 — Temp. v. i. 266 Scb. Will money buy em? Ant.
Very like: one of them Is a plaine Fish, and no doubt
marketable. 1652-62 Hevlin Cosmogr. iv. 11682) 7 They do
transport their Marketable Commodities from one place to
another. 1677 Plot Oxfordsh. 151 This Corn, .proving Mer-
catable, is now become one of the commonest grains of this
County. 1745 De Eoe's Eng. Tradesman ii. (1841) I. 16
The goods are not of a marketable goodness. 1812 Byron
Waltz F.p., Our girls being come to a marriageable (or, as
they call it, marketable) age. 1851 Brim ley Ess., Words-
worth 16a Unpossessed of any marketable talent. 1890
* R. Boldrf.wood ' Col. Reformer (1891) 241 Such fat cattle
as were up to the marketable standard.
2. Of or pertaining to buying or selling ; con-
cerned with trade. Of price, value : That may be
obtained in buying or selling.
1602 Fulbecke ij-* PL Varall. 3 If hee sende him to
Fayres or Markets, to buy, to sell, or to doe other things
markettable. 1690 Luttkkll Brief Rcl. (1857) II. 91 Their
goods unladen, and they are sent home with assurance of a
marketable price for the same. 1837 Hawthorne Twice-
told T. (1851) I. xi. 186 Being calculated to reduce the
marketable value of the true gem. 1872 Yeats Growth
Comm, 298 To enlarge the marketable area by enfranchising
other ports would violate the Navigation Act.
Hence Marketability, Marketableness, the
condition or fact of being marketable.
1809-10 Coleridge Friend {181$) II. 65 The marketable-
ness of our manufactures in foreign marts. 1877 R. G11 fen
Stock Exch. Securities 89 The difference of marketability
arising . . from the greater mass of some securities than others.
1884 Maem. Mag. Oct. 415/1 The marketability of land.
Marketably [ma\ikt'tabli),c7</j'. [f. Makket-
aklk + -ly -.] So as to be marketable.
1842 Jrnl. R. Agric.Soc. III. 11. 337 A sufficient judge of
beasts to know whether they are marketably fat or not. 1873
Contemp. Rev. XXII. 700 Meagre or turgid attempts at
being, .marketably graphic.
Market cross. A cross erected in a market-
place (see also quot. 1850).
1448 Aberdeen Reg. (1844) I. 17 John Vuket .. yheide to
the merkate corss, and opynly proclamyt the land.. to be
said. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. III. 457 Content he wes. .
In Lundoun toun cvin at the mercat corce, On fit to fecht.
1702 Loud. Gaz. No. 3806/7 The Mayor, .caused an Ox to
be roasted whole at the Market Cross. 1850 Parker Gloss.
Archil, s. v. Cross, Market crosses were usually polygonal
buildings with an open archway on each of the sides, and
vaulted within, large enough to afford shelter to a consider-
able number of persons.
Market day. The fixed day on which a
market is held.
1436 Rolls of Varlt. IV. 497/2 At every market day within
two wekes. 1593 Shaks. 2 Hen. VI, iv. ii. 62, I haue seene
him whipt three Market dayes together. 1672 Petty Vol.
Anat. 11691J 63 The number of People living within a Mar-
ket-days Journey. 1871 Cari.yle in Mrs. C.'s Lett. I. 141
It must have been Saturday,. .Carlisle market-day.
Proverb. 1695 J. Sage Article Wks. 1844 I. 235 Behold
the difference in Market-days, as we say.
Marketeer (ma.tketl-»'i). [See -EEU.]
1. One who sells in a market ; a market-dealer.
1832 Boston Herald 6 Mar. 4 Placing the permanent taxed
shopkeepers more on a level with the weekly untaxed mar-
keteers. 1847 Rohb So natter Life 1 16 The sucker marketeer
drew off a few paces, to be ready to run. 1859 Sai.a Tw.
round Clock (1861) 10 A genuine Billingsgate marketeer.
2. Racing slang. (See quot)
1874 I lot t en* s Slang Diet., Marketeer, a betting man
who devotes himself, by means of special information, to
the study of favourites, and the diseases incident to that
condition of equine life. The Marketeer is the principal
agent in all milking and knocking-out arrangements.
Marketer (mS'jketai). tU.S. [f. market v. +
-KK 1. ] One who goes to market ; one who buys or
sells in a market.
1787 M. Cutler in Life. etc. (1888} I. 271 The marketers
seemed to be all in and everything arranged. 18.. Pop.
Set. Monthly XIII. 430 (Cent.) A superficial sameness in
the appearance of meat which it is the business of a good
marketer to see through. 1900 H. Jamks Little Tour
xxiv. 166, I sat down with a hundred hungry marketers, fat,
brown, greasy men.
Marketh, obs. form of Market.
Marketing (mauketin), vbl. sb. [f. Market
V. + -IKO '.]
1. The action of the vb. Market; buying or
selling; an instance of this. Also fig.
1561 T. Norton Calvin's Inst. iv. xviii. 148 How filthy
markettinges they vse, how vnhonest gaines they make wl
their massmges. 1636 Hevi.in Sabbath 1. v. 108 All other
marketting was unlawfull on the Sabbath dayes. 1833
Lytton Eng. A> Engl. (ed. 2) I. 124 A notorious character-
istic of English society is the universal marketing of our
unmarried women. 1885 Mabki. Collins Prettiest Woman
ix,He did certain necessary marketings, and returned for her.
attrib. 1619 J. Dvke Countcrboison 24 A marketting and
a tunketting, a selling and a swilling day both.
b. The action or business of bringing or sending
(a commodity) to market.
1884 Harper's Mag. Mar. 506/1 This marketing of sup-
plies was the beginning, .of its prosperity. 1894 Daily
News 26 Jan. 5/4 Facilities for the marketing of labour in
country districts.
2. a. Something bought in the market; a purchase.
1701 Pei*ys Let. 4 Dec, Sorting and binding together my
nephew's Roman marketings, 1755 Connoisseur No. 91
F 2 Above half her marketings stink and grow musty, before
we can use them.
b. Produce to be sold in the market ; also, a
consignment of such produce.
1886 P. Fitzgerald Fatal Zero Ii. (1888I 290 The honest
creatures, .who till the soil here and bring in marketing.
1893 Times 10 July 4/6 The marketings of dairy butter have
been smaller than of late.
Marketing (ma'jketin,), ///. a. [f. Market v.
+ -ing -.] That markets, in the senses of the verb.
1851 D. Jerrold St, Giles xi. 105 Money in this marketing
world of ours may buy much. 187a Howklls Wedd. fourn.
{1892) 28 A marketing mother of a family.
Market man. One who deals in a market ;
one who goes to market to buy or sell.
1543 Udall Erasm. Apoph. 336b, As themercatemenne..
dooe bryng out a litle modicum of wheate. .in a treen dishe
/or a saumple. 1591 Shaks. i Hen. VI, v. v. 54 So wortb-
lesse Pezants bargaine for their Wiues, As market men for
Oxen. 1654 Gataker Disc Apol. 18 The Market-man
counteth that but an evil Market-day, that he hath not
gained somewhat on. 176a Ann. Reg. 127 He being always
the market-man for cheese, as he knew how to buy it good
better than any other of the family. 1868 Browning Ring
\ Bk. 1. 08 Thick -ankled girls.. made place For marketmen
glad to pitch basket down.
b. Stock exchange. (See Market sb. I d.)
1895 Westm. Gaz. 19 Jan. 7/1 Market men who attended
. .reckoned that the natural course of the shares was to fall.
Market-place. The place where a market
is held, usuallya squareorwide open spacein atown.
c 1386 Chalcf.r Merch. T. 339 As who-so toke a mirour..
And sette it in a commune market place. 1503 Act 19
Hen. I'll, c. 6 It shall l>e lawful.. in the Market-place to
put them in the Pillory all the Market-time. 1607 Shaks.
Cor. 1. v. 27 Go sound thy Trumpet in the Market place.
1756-7 tr. Keysler's Trav. {1760) III. 3 In the market-place
..is a superb bronze statue of Urban VIII. 1847 Act 10 «y n
Vict. c. 14 § 14 After the Market Place or Place for Fairs is
opened for public Use.
Marketstead (mauketsted). arch. [f. Mar-
ket sb. + Stf.au.] - Mahkkt-place.
13B6 Mem. A'//V«(Surtees) 1. 134 De unoburgagio in Ripun
in le Marketstede. c 1425 St. Mary of Oignies II. H. in
Anglia VIII. 152/17 A place in be comun marketstede.
1577 Burgh Rec.Gtasgoiv (1876) 1. 63 It is..ordanit that the
marcatt sted of gers, stray, and hay be in the New Kirk
yarde. 1650 1'ui.lkk Pisgah 11. ix. 189 The greatest place
of receipt in Samaria (which might serve them for a market*
stead*. 1870 Mokhis Earthly Par. I. I. 118 Through the
marketstead Swiftly he passed.
Market town. A town which has the privi-
lege of holding a market ; also, f a trading town.
1449 Rolls of Varlt. V. 150/2 In..inarkettownes. 1553
El>en Treat. Newe hut. (Arb.) 12 Of Calicut, the moste
famous markette towne of India. 163a Massingkk City
Madam in. iii, Here lay. . a sure deed of gift for a market
town. 171$ Gay What a"ye call it? 1. 3 They would have
burnt him at our Market Town. 1809-10 Coleriduk/'>/>«^
(1865) 148 A small market town in the south-west cf England
Markgraf, -grave : see Margkave.
llMarkhor(e(ma"Jk^j). Nat. Hist. Alsocimar-
khoor. [Pers. jp-.U mark/tor, lit. 'seipent-eater*.]
A large wild goat fapra falconet v), of a slaty
gray colour, with long spiral horns, native of the
mountainous country between Persia and Tiix-t.
1867 A. L. Adams Wand. Mat. in Ind. 213 The markhure
..is found on the mountains of Persia, Afghanistan, and..
is plentiful on the ranges round the Khyber Pass. 1868 Dar-
win Anim. $ PL I. 101 note, The Asiatic markhor. 1889
Spectator 9 Nov. 637/1 A herd of markhor.
Marking (,ma\ikirj;, vb/, sb. [f. Mark v. +
-ING I.]
1. The action of the verb Mauk.
c 1315 Shokeham Poems 15/415 |>e signe his ofbissacre-
inent Slid creyme be markinge. 1588 Shaks. L. L. L. i. i.
288, I doe confesse much of the hearing of it, but little of the
marking of it. 1672 C. Ukalk in H. Walpole Vertrte's A need.
Paint. (1786) III. 130 Much more.. then my heart cou'd
with her most carefull marking learn from his painting
either this, or Dr. Cradock's picture. 1726 I.eoni Alberti's
Archil. I. 37/1 The very marking out of the Platform ought
to be done under proper Auspices. 1840 Dickens Old C.
Shop viii, The art of needle-work, marking, and samplery,
(taught] by Miss Jane Wackles. 1904 Grove's Diet. Mus.
I. 14/1 The strong marking of the accent seems to have
been only usual in dance music.
+ b. Manner of marking ; notation. Obs.
1597 Moki.ey Introd. Mus. 90 For when they niarke tripla
of three miiiimes for a stroke, they doe most vsuallie set
these numbers before it J : which is the true marking of
sesqui altera.
f 2. -Notice, consideration. Obs.
1585 T. Washington tr. Niclwlays Voy. Ep. Ded., Doth
it not deserue diligent marking and remembring ? 1603
Knoi.les Hist. Turks {1638) 171 But it is worth the marking,
how things appointed to befall us are by no means to be
auoided.
3. concr. A mark or pattern of marks, natural or
artificial.
1382 Wyclie Kings Prol. p. 2 The Lament at iouns of
Jeremye,. with the same abicees or markyngis ben noutu-
brid [L. iisdem alphabctis vet iucisionibus sup/utantur].
1641 [see Marl 7'.1 3]. 1803 Montague Oruith. Diet. (1831)
326 These birds are subject to some variety in markings.
1837 Goring & Pritchakd Microgr. 162 No one who. .did
not know there actually were lines or markings upon it.
would suspect their existence. 1894 R. B. Shari'K Handbk.
Birds Gt. Brit. (1896) I. 42 Kggs. .exactly like those of the
Goldfinch in size and markings.
4. attrib. and Comb., as tmarking axe, an axe used
by foresters for marking trees; marking board,
(a) a board constructed to register the score in
certain games ; {b) a board in the Stock Exchange
upon which transactions are posted ; marking
cotton (see quot. 1882); marking flag, a flag
used by soldiers for marking a position ; f marking
fruit = marking nut; marking-gauge = Gauge
, sb. 11 ; marking ink, {a) an indelible ink used for
marking linen, etc. ; (b) a mixture used for marking
packing-cases and the like with a stencil or other-
wise; + marking instrument = next; marking
iron, (a) a branding iron; (b) see quot. 1747; mark-
ing-nut, the fruit of the tree Semecarpits Anacar-
(iittm, the juice of which makes an indelible black
stain on linen, etc. ; marking-nut tree, an Indian
tree which bears themarking-nut; marking-plough
(see quot. 1805) ' marking-pot, a vessel contain-
ingpaintforstencilling packages; marking-stitch,
a stitch used in marking linen, etc.; + marking-
stone, an earthy stone used for marking cattle, etc. ;
marking wheels, two wheels attached to a sowing
drill to regulate the distance between the rows;
t marking-yarn (see quot. 1744).
1384-5 Durham Ace. AWAfSurtees) 390 Pro j ^m'kyngax,
\\}d. 1856 'Ckawi.ky ' Billiards (18511) 4 A.. Thurston
table, cues, balls, and "marking board, all complete 1900
Westm. Gaz. 26 Sept. 9/1 [Stock Exchange.] The marking
lwjard should be above suspicion. 1805 K. S. Hownk in
Scribner's Mag. II. 180/2, I enclose the v marking cotton.
1883 Caci.kkii.d & Sawakd Diet. JVcedlt-Hvrk, .Marking
Cotton, an ingrain coloured sewing cotton, to be had in
Turkey-red and blue, and sold in small balls and reels. 1901
Kii'ling Kim xiii. 345 The Babu, the slack of his thin gear
snapping like a *marking-flag in the chill breeze, stood by.
1866 Treas. Bot. 722/2 * Marking fruit, Semeearpus Atta-
eardium. 1875 Knight Diet. Mech., * Marking-gage, 1710
I.ond. Gaz. No. 4719/4 Shopkeepers common Writing or
^Marking Ink. 1819 Hranue Client. 315 Nitrate of silver
..is employed for writing upon linen, under the name of
indelible or marking ink. 1888 J. Payn Myst. Mirbridre
xvii. II. 21 It won't wash out any more than that marking-
ink. 1398 Tkevisa Barth. De P. R. xvi. vii. (1495) 557
A *merkynge instrument [L. cautenum) of syluer kepyth
from stynkynge: and conifortyth feble ineinlirts. c 1420
Pallad. on Hnsb. I, 1163 Here most be ■ markyng yrons for
oure bcestis, And toolis forto gtlde, and clippe. and shere.
1538 in 10M Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. iv. 425 A mark-
yng irue to brene a convyct clerke. 168a 2nd Plea for
! Nouconf. 51 Let them receive from us some Tokens of
I Affection, and not be burnt with the Marking-ironsof Anger.
1747 Mrs. Guam Cookery ; viii. 75 Shape your Upper-cixr>t
I . .and mark it with a Marking iron for that purpose, in what
Shape you please, to be hollow and open to see the Fruit
through. 1756 Blub in Phil. Trans. XI. IX. 873 They are
known all over India by the name of *Marking-nuts. 1830
Linulev Nat. Syst. Bot. 128 Semeearpus anacardium, the
: ^marking nut-tree of commerce. 1805 R. W, Dickson Tract.
I Agric. I. 13 The Marking-Plough is an useful instrument
MARKING.
175
MARL.
for ihe purpose of straightening, as well as regulating the
distance of ridges, where the practice of drilling is in use.
1868 M. H. Smith Sunshine fy S/iadmv in N. \ ork 252 They
did the hard work, swept out the stores, made the fires, used
the 'marking-pot. 1880 Plain Hints Needlework?* The
real "marking stitch, called in old times ' Brave Bred ' stitch,
. .lasts longer. 1545 Kates Custome Ho. b vij b, ' Markynge
stone the pounde iiii.</. 1676 Wormdgf. Cyder 51 Itisgood
with a Marking-Stone or piece of Chalk, .to mark one coast
of every Tree. 1793 Tuli. Horse-Hoeing Hnsb. xxiii. 381
To a Drill that plants upon the Level, 'Marking Wheels
are necessary. 1744 Rigging $ Seamanship 55 * Marking-
yarn, a white thread, untarred, laid in rope for the king's
or East-India Company's mark.
Marking (maukirj), ///. a. [f. Mark v. +
VSQ '-.]
f 1. Observing, observant. Obs.
1577-87 Holinshed CAron. I. 178/2 It would make a dili-
gent and marking reader hoth muse and moorne. € 1580
Sidney Ps. 1. i, Night and day he calls [Gods law] to mark-
ing mind. 1605 Camden Rem. 213 Whosoever will with a
marking eie consider [etc.].
t 2. Expressive. Obs. (Quot. 1 766 may belong
to sense 1.)
1766 IJfeo/Quin i. 5 He had. .an expressive countenance ;
a marking eye ; a clearvoice. 1778 Mme. DWrblay Diary
Sept., He has repeatedly asked me to read a tragedy to him,
. .and when I ask him why, he says I have such a marking
face.
3, Mil. That marks (see Mark v. jo).
1796 Instr. <y Reg. Cavalry (1813) 32 The horses heads
of the line, and of the marking persons will then touch.
Ibid., When divisions come up.. successively into line, they
come up to the horses heads of the marking persons.
4. That characterizes or accentuates.
179S Burke Corr. (1844) IV. 319 What you are to say of
the character., of a man, must., consist rather of a few light
marking touches than of a long discussion. 1797 Mrs.
Radcliffe Italian u. (1824) 541 A full sense of the value of
birth is a marking feature in the characters of the Marchese
and Marchesa di Vivaldi. 1884 Athenaeum 30 Aug. 271/1
The tragic story of Saigo Kichinosuke's despair and death
. .for all time must be the marking incident of its history.
Hence f MaTkingly adv., attentively.
a 1586 Sidney Arcadia ir. (1598) 404 Pyrocles marking!)'
hearkened to all that Dametas said.
Markis, Markiseese : see Marquis, -quisf.ss.
Markland (maukkvnd). Sc. [f. Mark sb* +
Land.] A division of land, originally of the
annual value of a mark ; — Mark sb.'*
As ' a markland ' and ' a mark (oft land ' were equivalent,
it is often difficult to determine whether in the early examples
the combination is a compound or a syntactical collocation.
1550 in Black Bk. Tay mouth (Bannatyne CI.) 407 The
markland of Drimleyort, the half markland of Glenkinglas
[etc.]. 1774 Pennant Tour Scot, in 1772, 197 The island
is divided into marklands, each of which ought to maintain
fourteen cows and four horses. 1793 Statist. Ace. Scot.
VII. 393 The lands are reckoned by a peculiar measurement,
by what are called merks-land. Each merk-land ought to
contain 1600 square fathoms. 1884 Campbell Rec. Argyll
61 This parish, divided into 116 marklands, is [etc.].
Markless (ma-ikles), a. [f. Mark sbl +
-lks.s.] Without mark or a mark.
1834 Ld. Houghton Mem. Many Scenes, Vis. Argonauts,
A.. plain.. Trackless and markless as fresh-fallen snow.
Hence Marklessly adv., unnoticed.
1844 Thom Rhymes Weaver 39 Unkent, uncared its ruin,
Sae marklessly it grew.
Marklet (mauklet). rare*1, [f. Mark sbA
+ -let.] A little mark; in quot. fa badge.
1647 Ward Simp. Cobler (1843) 32 Souldiers use to weare
other marklets or notadoes in time of battel!.
t Markly, a. Sc. Obs. [f. Mark sb.1 + -ly K
Cf. ON. merkitiga.] Definitely.
1533 Gau Richl Krtv(i888) 69 Sanct Paul vritts .. Plane
and marklie of our lordis resurrectione.
Marklynis, obs. form of Mirkxtngs adv.
Markman (maukm&n). [f. Mark sb.1 +
Man sb.1}
fl. - Marksman i. Also fig. Obs.
1577 Stanyhurst Descr. Irel. viit. 28 in Holinshed, The
kerne, who is an ordinary souldior, vstng . . sometimes hys
peece, beyng commonly so good markemen as they will
come within a score of a great castle. 159a Shaks. Rom.
4- 7ul.i, i. 212 A right good marke man. 1654 Flecknoe
Ten Years Trav. 78 Arrows (with which they are the best
mark men in the world).
2. Anliq. A dweller in a mark (Mark sb.1 2).
1874 Stubbs Const. Hist. I. iii. 49 Each of the mark-men
has there his homestead.
Markoia, obs. form of Marquis.
Markoke, obs. form of Moorcock.
Markque, obs, form of Marque.
Markry, obs. form of Mercury.
Marksman (mauksm&n). [f. mark's, genitive
of Mark sbA + Man sb.1]
1. One skilled or practised in shooting or aiming
at a mark. (Cf. the earlier Markman.)
1660 F. Brooke tr. Le Blanc's Trav. 110 Often, the King
gives rewards to the best marks-men. 1709 Steele Taller
No. 39 p 36 A good Marks-man will be sure to hit his Man
at 20 Yards Distance. 1816 Scott Antio. xx, M'Intyre is
said to be a marksman. 1885 Manch. Exam. 14 July 4/6
The rather low records made by old marksmen on the
Common.
b. A title of merit awarded for a certain re-
cognized degree of proficiency in rifle practice.
1859 Musketry Instr. 72 Certain of the first-class shots to
be styled ' marksmen '.
2. One who marks out land.
1654 in Sir W. Petty Down Snrv. iii. (1851) 16 The ad-
measurers.. paid little for their diet and lodging, l>ounders,
marksmen, spademen, &c.
3. One who makes a mark in place of a signature.
1777 Nicholson & Bi'hn Hist. W'estmoreld, <y Cumberl.
11. 324 note, In the Original Solemn League and Covenant
. .there are abundance of marksmen, all of whom, from their
abhorrence of popery.. leave the cross unfinished. 1813C0L.
BaGWCLL Sp. Ho. Comm. 24 Feb., Of these 3000 names, none
were marksmen. 1885 T. Hughes in Law Times I, XXX.
45/1 The. .drover who signed the contract was a marksman.
4. A grade or degree amongst Orangemen.
1800 in Orange Syst. Exposed (.1823) 81, I will keep this
part of a Marksman from an Orangeman, as well as from
the ignorant. . . I will be aiding and assisting to all true
honest Orange Marksmen. 1813 Gen. Hist, in Ann. Reg.
93/2 The oath of a Marchman or Marksman, the name of one
further initiated in their secrets.
5. One who ranges competitors in a race.
1897 Encycl. Sport I. 62 s.v. Athletics.
6. (See quot.)
1901 Blacfav. Mag. Nov. 660/1 The ' Marksman '..whose
function it is to superintend the marking of the Forest Ponies.
Marksmanship, [f. prec + -ship.] The
function, quality or art of a marksman.
1859 Teukbht Ceylon II. vm. iii. 324 There is little oppor-
tunity for the display of marksmanship in an elephant bat-
tue. 1899 Daily Tel. 23 Oct. 19/2 The Cape Police, .deride
the Iioer marksmanship.
Markstone (ma\ik,su?un). Obs. exc. dial. [f.
Mark sb.1 + Stone sb. Cf. G. markslein.] A
boundary stone.
1364 Durham Halmote Rolls (Surtees) 31 Promisit quod
ipse venire faciei le inerkstans. 1535 Coverdale Gcu. xxx\.
45 Then toke Iacob a stone and set it up for a piler or
markstone. 1587 Harrison England 1. v. 12/1 in Holinshed,
The marke stone £1577 stone] which Turnus threw at /Eneas.
1610 Hkaley St. Aug. Citte of God 841 They are wont to
laycoales vnder bounders and marke-stones fur lands. 1824
Mactacgabt Gallovid. Encyci. 338 Marks lanes, stones set
up on end for marks in the days of yore, that fanners might
know the marches of their farms.
Markswoman. [Cf. Marksman*.] A woman
practised in shooting at a mark.
180a Sporting Mag. XX, 300 She is an excellent marks-
woman. 1824 Scott St. Rouau*s xviii, There might
then be room for less exalted but perhaps not less skilful
inarkswomen to try their chance.
Markworthy, a. [f. Mark sbA + Worthy
a.', after G. merkwiirdig.] Worthy of note.
18*7 Scott Napoleon i, And — mark-worthy circumstance !
til La Vendee alone was any stand made. 1865 G. Meke-
i>ith Rhoda Fleming xxviii. (1889) 236 A rather mark-
worthy young man.
Markyd, Markys, obs. ff. Market, Marquis.
Markyt, -yth(e, obs. forms of Market.
Marl (mail), sbA Also (4 marll, 6 merle),
4-9 marie, [a. OF. marie (still in dialects; re-
placed in mod.Fr. liy the variant marru) :— late L.
margila (whence OlIG. mergil, MHG., mod.G.,
Da. mergel (M On. also marl from Fr.) , Da. merge/,
Sw. mdrgel), dim. of L. marga (whence It., Sp.
marga), said by Pliny to be a Gaulish word.
It does not, however, occur in the mod. Celtic langs. : the
alleged Breton marg does not correspond phonetically; the
lireton merl is from Fr., and the Welsh marl and Irish and
Gaelic marla are from English.]
1: A kind of soil consisting principally of clay
mixed with carbonate of lime, forming a loose
unconsolidated mass, valuable as a fertilizer.
The marl of lakes is ' a white, chalky deposit consisting
of the mouldering remains of Mollusca, Entomostraca, and
partly of fresh-water alga:' (Geikie in Encycl. Brit. X. 290/2),
137a Durham Halmote Rolls (Surteesl 115 Quod nullus
eorum permittat aliquibus capere marll. 1387 Trevisa
Higden (Rolls) II. 15 In bis ilond vnder be torf of be loud
is good marl i-founde. 1393 Langl. P. PI. C. xitr. 231 Lond
ouere-layde with marie and with donge. c 1430 Pallad. on
Hnsb. x. 25 For laak of donge in sondy lond be spronge
Good marl, c 144a Promp. Paiv. 327/1 Marl, or chalke,
creta. 1313 Fitzherb. Hnsb. § 2 Some meane erthe, some
medled with marie. 1530 Palsgk. 244/2 Merle ground,
marie. 1669 W. Simpson Hydrol. Chym. 296 A more stiff
clay or marie. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. IV. 10 Chalks,
marles, and all such earths as ferment with vinegar, are
nothing more than a composition of shells. 1846 McCcl-
i.och Ace. Brit. Empire (1854) I. 183 Turnips form the basis
of the Norfolk husbandry ; and, in conjunction with marl,
may be said 'to have made the county', 1879 Casselfs
Techn. Educ. it. 67/2 Amber .. occurs .. in the Cretaceous
marls of France and Germany.
b. With qualifying word, e.g. an adj. of colour
or a word denoting the composition, preponderant
element, source, etc., as argillaceous^ blue, cal-
careous, chalky, chloritie, clay, earth, gravel, green-
sand, sandy sandy, sea, shell, white, yellow marl.
t Cushat marl (see quot. 1682); dice or steel marl
(see quots. 1682, 1766); delving or peat marl, flag,
shale, slate, or stone marl (see quots. 1682, 1707, 1762).
For chalk, lime, and paper juarl see the prefixed words.
1603 Owen Pembrokeshire (1892) 11 Claye marie, stone
marie, lyme, sande, or gravell marie. Ibid, -jx Claye Marie
soe called for difference betweene it and the sea marie. 1682
A. Martindale in J. Houghton Coll. Lett. Hnsb. fy Trade I.
121 Cowshut-Marle (so called, as I suppose, for its resem-
blance in colour to Stock-doves, or Queoca, which the Vulgar
in this Country call Cowshuts) being of a brownish colour, be-
spangled with blew veins. . .2. Stone-Marie, or Shale-Marie.. .
3. 1 'cat-Mark-, or Delving- Marie, which is.. very fat or unc-
tuous. . .4. Clay Marie, resembling it in colour, and in my Opi-
nion, being of great affinity to Clay.. .5. Steel-Marie in the
bottom of some Pits, which of it self is apt to break into little
Bodies almost Cubical. 1686 Plot Stajftardsh, iii. 120 Harder,
stony, statty sorts of Maries, at some places called Slat, at
others Dice-Marie. 1707 Moktimkr Husb. (1721)!. 87 Stone,
Slate, or Klag-marle, which is a kind of a soft Stone .. of a
blue or bluish Colour. 1762 Mills .S>j/. Tract. Husb. I. 38
'ihe marie which is usually found at the depth of about two
feet .. in wet boggy grounds .. is commonly called peat-
marle.ordelving-marle. iy66Com/lct-/'arjners M 2/2 Dice
Marie, a name given by the people of Staffordshire to a
reddish marie, that breaks into small square pieces like dice.
x799 J* Rouektson Agr/c. Perth 293 Shell marie is found
for the most part in small lakes. 1832 De la Beche Geol.
223 That the blue marls were deposited in a sea, perhaps
somewhat similar to the Mediterranean. 1834 Brit. Husb.
(L. U. K.) I.309 For all practical puipjscs, it may be suffi-
cient to divide it [shelly marlj into earth-marl and shell-
marl. 1877 Encycl. Brit. VI. 353/2 The Chloritie Marl in
the Wealden district.
c. Red marl : (a) marl of a red colour ; (^>
reddle ; (<•) Geo/, the New Red Sandstone.
C1630 Risdon Surv. Devon (1810) 4 It consists of a red
and blue marie. 1748 J. Hill Hist. Eossils 46 The Red
Maries. Ibid. 47 Soft, heavy, red Marie, call'd Common
Reddle. 1833 Lveli. Princ. Geol. III. 333 A group of red
marl and sandstone ..is found in England interposed be-
tween the lias and the carboniferous strata. 1867 W. \V.
Smvth Coal <y Coal-mining 6a On the south-east of Tain-
worth, the clearing away of the red marls reveals a coalfield.
d. Burning marl; used symbolically, after Milton,
for the torments of Hell.
1667 Milton P. L. 1. 296, 18x4 Cahv Daniels Inf. xvil,
30. 1876 Geo. Eliot Dan. Der. vm. Ixvi, It seems the un-
joyous dissipation of demons, seeking*diversion on the burn-
ing marl of perdition.
2. poet. Used generically (like clay for: Earth.
1590 Spfnskr F. Q. it. xj. 33 To seize upon bis foe Halt
lying on the marie. 1599 Shaks. Much Ado u. i. 66 To
make account of her life to a clod of waiward marie ': a 1770
Akknside Poems (1789) II. 56 Now, Hesper, guide my feet
Down the red marie with moss o'ergrovvn, 1898 Hall
Caine in Daily News 30 May 5 His feet laid hold of" the
marl and earth, his head was in the sky.
3. Short for marl-brick.
1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. <y Art I. 1S7 The marls are
made in the neighbourhood of London. 1855 F. Rki.nml
Masons, etc. Assist. 33 Maries, stocks, and place-lnicks.
4. attrib.j as marl-bed, -brick, clay, -lake, soil.
-stock; also marl-like adj.; marl-grass, Zigzay
Clover, 'Jrijolium medium ; also Red Clover; V.
pra tense ; marl slate Geol. see quot. 18") ; marl
stone Geol., argillaceous and ferruginous limestone.
which lies between the upper and lower Lias of
England. Also MABL-PIT.
1828 Fleming Hist. Anini. Kingd. 2S Hones of individuals
[pigs] are occasionally found in marl-beds, a 1670 Si'ald-
in'g Troub. thus. I (1829) 45 A.. great bed of sand, .mixed
with *marle-clay and stones. 1876 Pace Adv. Tcxidk,
Geol. xx. 411 Marl-clay., occurs as a whitish friable clay
with an admixture of lime. 1778 W. Hcoson Flora Angl.
326 Trifolinm alpestre . . perennial Trefoil, Clover, or
*Marle-grass. 1875 /.yell's /Vine. Geol. II. 111. xlviii. 573
A *marl-lake in Forfarshire. 1796 Morse Atner. Geog. 1.
171 note, A sediment of one inch of impalpable *marle-like
substance. 1877 A. H. Green Rhys. Geol. ii. § 6. 72 If the
rock [marl] splits into plates it is called "marl slate. ? 1842
Lance Cottage Farmer b Marsh, alluvial and "marl soils.
1836 Penny Cvcl. V. 409 'i *Marl stocks .. differ from the
bricks just described. 1839 Ibid. XIX. 429 i^Marlstone,
sandy, calcareous, and irony strata, which divide the upper
from the lower lias clays.
t Marl, sb.1- Obs. exc. dial. Contraction of
Marvel sb.
1609 P. Jonson Sil. Worn. in. i, Your band, and cuflTes, ..
'Tis mar'l you ha 'hem on now. 1616 R. C. Times' Whistle
Sat. v. 2132 Noe marie though he with drunkennesse dis-
pence. 1746 Exmoor Scolding (K. D. S.) 130 F.s marl who's
more vor Rigging or Rumping. .than thee art thyzel. 1886
Elwokthy W. Sotu. U'ord-bk. s.v., 'Tis a marl, howevei
'twas, they had'n all bin a killed.
Marl (mail), sb.'-'> dial. Contraction of MARBLE.
i860 Geo. Eliot MUlon Ft. v, How stodgy they [a boy's
pockets] look, Tom ! Is it marls (marbles or cobnuts?
Marl (mail^^.1 Also (5 marly, 6merl\ 5-8
marie, [f. Marl sb.1 Cf. F. mamer, MOu.
marlen, med.L. marldre.']
1. trans. To apply marl to (ground) ; to fertilize
or manure with marl.
1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) II. 15 Euere be bickere ^e
felde is i-marled, be better corn it wil here. 14.. I'oc. in
Wr.-Wiilcker 576/23 Cretiftco, to marly. 1538 Ekland /tin.
V. 90 The Sandy Grounde of sum Partes of Shropshire ..
wille not bere Corne plentifully but it be merlyd. 1625 P>.
Jonson Staple o/N. 11. iv, Who would hold any Land To
haue the trouble to marie it? 188a Jessofp in igth Cent.
748 It was a general practice to marl the land periodically.
fb. To spread (marl) as manure. Obs.
1791 Trans. Soc. Arts IX. 82 If any good marl can be
had. .it should then be well marled upon the clover root.
2. To enrich as with marl ; to manure, fertilize.
1544 tr. Littleton's Tenures 16 Vf I delyuer to a man my
shepe to dunge or marie his lande. a 1555 Uradford in
Coverdale Lett. Martyrs (1564) 462 Yf god .. beginne to
mucke and marie you : to pour hys showers vpon you [etc.|.
1651 Ogilby AKsof (1665) 135 Realms, marl'd and water d
with the fertile Nile. 1833 H. Coleridge Fields 0/ Fame,
Marl'd with bleaching bones.
f3. intr. To crumble away like marl. Obs.
1641 Best Farm. Bks. (Surtees) 70 Some advised to putte
eight pownde of pitch to a gallon of tarre, but that is thought
to make the markinge over brittle, and to breake sooner and
marie away.
1
MARL.
176
MARLY.
Marl (mail), v.2 Also 5 marlyn, 8-9 marie,
[a. Du. and LG. marten (whence Sw. m£rf*, Da.
merle), app. a frequentative f. MDu. merren to tie.]
fl. trans. To tie, noose. Obs.~n
e 1440 /Vow//, Parz>. 327/1 Marlyn, or snarlyn, illaqueo.
2. Xattt. To fasten with marline or small line;
to secure together by a succession of hall-hitches;
to wind marline or other small stuff round (a rope\
securing it with a hitch at each turn.
1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. I. i.v. Marline, Marling a
sad; is, when being so rip'ci out of the Bolt Rope, that it
cannot be sewed in again, the Sail is fasten'd by Marline . .
unto the Bolt Rope. 1769 Falconer Diet. Marine 11. (1780).
Merliner uue voile, to marie a sail to it's foot-rope. 1820
Scoresby Aec. Arctic Reg. II. 482 The two edges were
marled to two pieces of a hawser. C 1825 CHOYCH Log of
Jack Tar (1891) Sy The catamarans were made of bundles
of dry bulrushes well marled together, r i860 II. Stuart
.Seaman's Catech. 30 Marl them well down.
f Marl , 7\;t Obs.~° [Of obscure origin; cf.
Marill v.] (See quote.)
1598 Klorio, Carpiouato pesce, fish that is marlde, as they
vse at Hampton. 1611 Ibid., Aecarpionare, to souse .. fish
with vinegre to bee eaten cold, to marie fish.
Marl, v.* Obs. exc. dial. Also 7 marie, 7-9
marie. Contraction of Marvel v.
1598 B. Jonson Ev, Man in Hum. (Qo.) i.ii. 35, 1 marie, sir,
you weare such ill-fauourd course stockings, hauing so good
a leggeas you haue. a 1627 Miodi.f.ton Worn, beware Worn.
1. ii, I mar 'I my Guardianer do's not seek a wife for me. 1648
Maine Amorous Warre v. vii. 79, I mar'le, my Lord, Our
Amazons appeare not. 1705 Wolcot (P. Pindar) Royal Tour
Wks. 1812 III. 339 LThey] marie that children talk as well
as kings. 1822 ScoTT*Nigcl iii, 'I marie the skipper took
us on l>oard ', said Richie. 1886 Eiavokthy // *. Sinn, Word-
bk„ Mart.
Marl dial. : see Merelles.
Marlaceous (imul^'fas), a. [f. Maul sl>.\ +
-aceour.] Of the nature of or resembling marl.
1794 Rirwan Eleiu. Min. (ed. 2) I. 373 This marlaceous
loam may be either sandy or clayey.
Marlberry (maulbetri). U.S. A small tree,
Ardisia Pickeringia or Icacorca paniculata (N.O.
Afyrsinaceze) , native to the West Indies, etc.
In recent Diets.
Marlborough JTiaulbsrs; often mpdbro). The
name of a town in Wiltshire ; used attrib. in Marl-
borpugh chalk, ? chalk for writing with; Marl-
borough dog [from the title of the Duke of
Marlborough, owner of Blenheim Palace], a Blen-
heim spaniel (see Blenheim); Marlborough wheel
Meek., a thick ' idle wheel ' (see Idle a. 5 b).
1764 Lcnv Life (ed. 3)94 Publicans taking the Advantage of
their Companies being either in a deep Discourse, half
Drunk, or at Supper, to vse Marlborough-Chalk. 1841 R.
Willis Princ. Mechanism 205 Such a thick idle wheel is
termed a Marlborough wheel, in some districts. It is
employed in the roller frames of spinning machinery. 1861
( hambers's Encycl. II. 153 Blenheim Dog, ox Marlborough
Dog, a small and very beautiful variety of spaniel.
Marlburian (mailbiuo-rian). [f. Marlborough
(as if in form *Marlbury) + -an.] One educated
at Marlborough College.
1881 Hughes Rugby, Tennessee m. iii. 130 A nephew of
mine, aged twenty-one, a Marlburian.
t Marie (mini), dial. Obs. Also 7-8 marrel,
9 marl. ? erron. male. (See quots.)
a 1700 B. E. Diet. Cant. Crew, Marrel, a Bird about the
bigness of a Knot. 1747 Mrs. Glasse Cookery 162 How to
choose . . Goodwets, Marie, Knots, Ruffs, Gull, Dotterels,
and Wheat Ears. On ed. 1767 indexed as 'Marie, a fish,
how to chuse '.] 1864 Atkinson Prov. Names Birds, Marl,
Prov. name for Knot, Triuga Canutus. 1885 Swainson
Trot'. Names Birds 105 K.not..variousnames. .Male(Essex).
Marie, variant of Medle Obs., medlar.
Marled (maikl), ppl. a?- [f. Marl sbA or vA
+ -ed.] Manured or fertilized with marl.
1610 W. Foi.kingham Art o/Survey\. x. 32 They let and
set such Marled grounds, vnder twenty yeeres at an in-
credible rate of monies in hand. 1707 Mortimer Husb.
(1721) I. 139 All sorts of Pease love limed or marled Lands.
Marled (maild), ppl. a? Chiefly Se. Also 9
merled. [Cf. OF. merely.] Marbled, mottled,
spotted, variegated, streaked.
1603 Monipbnnie Cert. Matters Scot. K, They delight in
marled clothes, specially, that haue long stripes of sundrie
colours. 1698 Fryer Acc. E. India 4- P. 216 Agats for Hafts
of Knives, white and well marled are good. 1703 M. Mar-
tin W. 1st. Scot. 58 Marled Salmon,., being lesser then the
ordinary Salmon, and full of strong Large Scales. 1787
Burns Answ. Verses fr. Gnidwife ofWauchoPe-Honse v,
The marled plaid ye kindly spare. 1793 \oung Ann.
Agrtc, Kent XX. 266 (E. D. S.), The fine eating meat being
that which is marled flesh and spread well. 1820 BtacJht'.
Mag. VI. 56S The merled neck and smooth breast of the
Maivis. 1871 C. Gibbon Lack of Gold i, Its pale yellow
marled sheepskin binding.
Marler (maubr). dial. [f. Marl v.1 + -ER1.]
One who digs marl. Also, one who spreads marl
on land (see E. D. D.).
1808 Athenseum IV. 291 The men who are employed in
getting the marl out of these pits are termed marlers. 1810
Ann. Reg. 672 The most prevalent custom of this county
{Cheshire] is the shouting of the marlers, when any money
has been given to them.
t Marlet. Obs. Also 6 -ett(e, 7 -ot. [a. OF.
merlette the heraldic martlet, app. a dim. of merle
blackbird.] A martin or martlet.
1556 Withals Diet. (1568) sa/i A marlette, whiche is of )
the quantitee of a swalow, hauyng no feete to go, but onely
stumpes, cypsellus. 1578 Cooper Thesaurus, Cypselus,. .
a hyrde called a marlett [ed. 1565 martlette]. 1605 Shaks.
Macb. 1. vi. 5 The Temple haunting Barlet [read Marlet].
''1645 C. Morton Enquiry in Harl. Misc. (1S10) V. 499
The summer birds that breed here, as the nightingale, the
cuukow, marlot, &c. Ibid. 505 The swallow swift and mar-
let are almost always flying.
Marleyon, obs. form of Merlin.
[| Marli (mauli). Also marly. [Fr.]
1. A kind of lawn or gauze used for embroidering ;
; embroidery on this material. (Cf. QuinTIN.)
1821 H. Wilson Wonderful Char. II. 213 She sews and
! hems perfectly well, and is no less skilful in making marly.
2. The raised rim of a dish or plate.
In recent Diets.
Martian, -in, obs. forms of Merlin.
Marlin. [?Cf. Marlk.] ' Applied in the east |
1 coast of North America with qualification to any
I species of curlew or godwit ' (Newton).
1893-6 Newton Did. Birds 367 America possesses two
1 species of the genus [Limosa], the very large Marbled God-
i wit or Marlin, L. fedoa,. .and the smaller Hudsonian God-
! wit, L. hudsonica.
Marline (maulin), sb. A'auf. Forms : 5 mar-
lyne, 6 marlyn, 6-8 marlin, 7 merlin, (mart-
i ling), 7-8 merline, 7- marling, marline. [Perh.
! two synonymous words have been confused : mar-
line a. Du. marlijn (f. marren to bind + lijn Line
sb.) and marling V a. Du. marling vbl. sb. f. Marl
v.2 ( = Du. marten) + -ing 1. The two words seem to
have been confused already in Du. Cf. MLG. mer-
link, marlink (mod.LG. marlink) ; the word has
passed into other langs. asSw., Da. merling (also Sw.
merla. Da. merle) , Fr., Sp. merlin, Pg. werlim.]
Small line of two strands, used for seizings.
1485 Naval Aec. Hen. VII (1S96) 70 Canuas . . j bolte,
Saile twyncvi lb, Marlync.vi lb. 1558 in Wills $ Inv.
N. C. (Surtees No. 2) 167, xijIl> of marlyn iiij\ 1627
Capt. Smith Seaman's Gram. v. 25 Marling is a small line
of vntwisted hemp, very pliant and well tarred, to sease
the ends of Ropes from raueling out, ..if the Saile rent
out of the Boltrope, they will make it fast with marlin
till they haue leisure to mend it. 1666 Drvdf.n Ann.
Mirab. cxlviii. Some the galled ropes with dawby marling
bind. 1723 Trial Pyrates taken by Capt. Ogle 31 He.,
was down seeing and ordering her Sails out on board the
Pyrate, in particular some Marling and Housling. 1769
Falconer Diet. Marine 11. (1780), Merlin, marline, or
merline. 1886 Encycl. Brit. XXI. 604/1 Marling, soft- \
laid white line for securing sails to the bolt-rope.
Marline, v. rare~°. [f. prec. : perh. a mere
error.] trans. = Marl v.2 2.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), To Marling a Sail. [Amis-
apprehension of quot. 1704 under Marl x>* 2.] 1721 Bailky,
To Marline a Sail. 1828 in Webster ; and in later Diets.
Marline-spike, marlinspike (maulin-
spaik), sb. Also 7 marlin-spcek, 7-9 marling-,
8- marlin c spike, [orig. app. marling- spike,
i. Marling vbl. sbfi + Spike sb., the first element
being subseq. interpreted as Marline sb.]
1. Naitt. An iron tool tapering to a point, used
to separate the strands of rope in splicing, as a
lever in marling, etc.
1626 Capt. Smith Accid. Vng. Seamen 3 The P*oteswaine
is to haue the charge of all the Cordage . . sailes . . and marl-
ing spikes. 1693 K. Lyde True Acc. retaking ' Erie/td's
Adventure' 14, I look't about the Beams for a Marlin-speek,
or any thing else to strike them, withal. 1757 Smollett
Reprisal w. xv, As brisk a seaman as ever greased a marlin
spike. 1863 P. Bakrv Dockyard Econ. 178 The British sea-
man who can only fight with his fists or with a marlinspike.
b. attrib.\ marline-spike hitch, a certain hitch
used in marling (see quots.); marline-spike
seamanship l/.S.} skill in handling the marline-
spike.
1867 Smyth Sailors Word-bh., Marline-spike hitch x a
peculiar hitch in marling, made by laying the marline-spike
upon the seizing stuff, and then bringing the end of that
seizing over the standing part, so as to form a jamming
bight. 188a Nares Seamanship (ed. 6) 21 Marling-spike, or
Midshipman hitch. 1888 Harper s Mag. July 170'! Before
this is ended he has learned a great deaf of marline-spike
seamanship. 1896 United Service Mag. 187 There is not
nearly so much martin-spike seamanship as in the days of
our forefathers.
2. A sailor's name for a tropic-bird {Phaethon)
and a jager or skua-gull (Stercorarius), in allusion
to the two long pointed median tail-feathers.
1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk., Boatswain -bird, Phaeton
vthereus. ..It is distinguished by two long feathers in the
tail, called the marling-spike. 1890 Century Diet.
Marling (maulirj), vbL sb.1 [f. Marl v.l +
-iNf;i.] TheactionofMARLZ'.l; manuring with marl.
a 1400 Parll. 3 Ages 142 His rentes and his reches rekened
he fall ofte Of mukkyng of marlelyng and mendynge of
howses. 14 . . Voc. in Wr.-W flicker 576/25 Certificatio [sic],
marlyn^e. 1603 Owen Pembrokeshire (1892) 74 This kynde
of Marhnge is neclected. 1707 Mortimer Husb. (1721) I. 38
The marling of St. Foin, when 'tis almost worn out, makes
a great Improvement of it for three or four Years. 1875
Act 38 3- 39 Vict. c. 92 § 5 Where, .a tenant executes on his
holding an improvement comprised in .. claying of land,
liming of land, marling of land.
attrib. 1556 Richmond Wills (Surtees) 93 On marlyng
wembell. 1577 l»"'- 'n Hall Eliz. Soe. (1887) 153 Marling
wains.
Ma 'rling, v&L sb? A'aut. [f. Marl v.2 +
-in<; 1.] The action of Marl 71.2 Chiefly attrib. :
marling cord, -line, -twine m Marline; mar-
ling-hitch - marling-spike hitch ; f marling
iron = Marline-spike.
1485 Naval Acc. Hen. £7/{iSo6) 51 Merlyng Irenes. 1496
Ibid. 167, x lb weight marlyng Twyne. 1548 Privy Council
Acts (1890)11. 174 Marlin lyne, lx lb. 1668 J. White Rich
Cab. (ed. 4) 113 Strong canvas being.. tyed hard on a pike
with marlin cord. 1769 Falconer Diet. Marine (1780),
Marling, the act of winding any small-line, as marline, spun-
yam, packthread, &c. about a rope. 1867 Smyth Sailor's
Word'bk. s.v. Marie, To attach the foot 01 a sail to its bolt-
rope, &c., with marling hitches. Ibid., Marline-holes, holes
made for marling, or lacing the foot-rope and clues in courses
and topsails.
I Marling, vbl. sb* Obsr° [f. Marl v.^ +
-ino 1.] The action of Maul z».3
1598 Florio, Accarpionare, to dresse any maner of fish
with vinfger to be eaten colde, which at Southampton they
call marling of fish.
Marlinvg spike: see Marline-shke.
Marlion, obs. form of Merlin.
Marlite (maulait). Min. Also -yte. [f.
Marl sb.1 + -ite2.] A variety of marl which
resists the action of the air.
1794 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) I. 82 So mixed with argill
as rather to pass for marlytes. 1850 I.vkli. 2nd Visit U.S.
42 The common name for the marlite, of which this treeless
soil is composed, is ' rotten limestone'. 1879 I>ana Man.
Geol. (ed. 3) 233 Calcareous marlytes.
Hence Marlitic (majli'tik) a. rare~l, partaking
of the qualities of marlite.
1794 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) I. 361 This earth may be
pure, . .or marly, or marlitic.
Mar lock vma ubk),^. dial. A frolic, gambol ;
a piece of fun ; a sportive gesture. (See E. D. D.)
Also Marlock v. intr., to frolic, gambol.
c 1746 J. Collier (Tim Bobbin) J 'ieio Lanes. Dial. (1862)
70 He blest an he pray 'd, an mede sitch Marlocks that [etc.].
i860 Mrs. Gaskell Sylvia's L. xi, Dost ta mean to say as
my Sylvie went and demeaned herseP to dance and marlock
wf a th' fair-folk at th' ' Admiral's Head '? Ibid, xxvii, As if
thou'd send thy eyes after hUn, and he making marlocks
back at thee. 1885 E. F. Bvrbnk Entangled 1. 1. xii. 231
There's a deal less harm in the Fiend when he's marlocking
in the air than when he's harboured in th» heart.
MarloeS (maul^z), sb.pl. local. Also marleys
(see K.D.D.). [?f. MABt/*.«] Marbles.
x8*7 Sporting Mag. XX. 92 Boys.. who would play at
rnarbles (or marloes) with you. 184a G. Daniel Metric
Eng. I. ix. 191 Oh yes ! I pass my time at dumps and marloes.
Marlovian (mail^u'vian), a. (sb.) [f. the name
of the dramatist Christopher Marlowe (1564-1 59,0
+ -IAN.] a. ad/. Pertaining to or characteristic of
Marlowe, b. sb. An admirer orstudent of Marlowe.
So Marlowe sque, Ma'rlowish adjs. Also Ma'r-
lowism, the style, opinions, etc. of Marlowe.
1593 G. Harvey Pierce's Supe?: Wks. (Grosart) II. 234 No
honesty, but pure Scoggimsme ; no Religion, but precise
Marlowisme. 1798 Lamb Lett. (1888) II. 07 Your recipe for
a Turk's poison is invaluable, and truly Marlowish. 1885
J. M. Hart in Nation (N.Y.) 26 Mar. 264/3 Which of the
Alarlovians, past or present, has bethought him of the simple
device of reprinting verbatim, side by side, the editions of
1604, 1609, and 1616 ? 1887 Pall Mall Budget 28 July 30/2
This, .is Marlovian. 1896 A. W. Vemtx Mario; ve's Ediv. If,
Gloss. 124/2 The phrase ' quenchless fire ' is Marlowesque.
Marl-pit (maulpit). [f. Marl*M Cf. MDu.
marleput.] A pit from which marl is dug.
c 1386 Chauckr Miller's T. 274 He walked in the feeldes
for to prye Vp on the sterres..Til he was in a Marleput
yfalle. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 327/1 Marlpytte, or chalke-
pytte, cretarium. 1538 Leland Itin. V. 81 Sum [Pooles] be
likely-hod have begon of Marie Pittes. i6a$ Fletcher &
Shirlev Nt. Walker m. i. (1640) E 4 Or shall I drive her. .
over some rotton bridge, Or by a Marie pit side? 17^07
Mortimer Husb. (1721) I. 294 Carps delight in Marlpits.
1868 Peard Water-Farm. xv. 158 Old marl or gravel-pits.
Marly (mauli), a.1 Also 6, 8 -ey, 7-S -ie.
[f. Marl sb.* + -y.] Resembling, or partaking of
the qualities of, marl ; composed of marl ; abound-
ing with marl.
c 14*0 Ballad, cm Husb. 1. 252 Lond is best for whete If hit
be marly, thicke, and sumdel weete. 157a J. Jones Bathes
Buekstone 1 b, It should not onely bee of another collour
marly yellow, or swarty greene ; but also [etc. 1, x6i6Sl'rfl.
& Markh. Country Farm 13 All Clayes which are blacke,
gray, or marlie. 1791 W. Bartkam Carolina 183 A loose.,
sandy loam, on a clay or marley foundation. 1866 Geo.
Eliot F. Holt 3 The land around was rich and marly.
Marly (mauli), a.2 Se. and dial. Also *SV\
mirl(e)y. [See Marled ppl. a.2] Spotted,
streaked, marbled.
1711 Ramsay Tartana 161 But if behind some marly cloud
he [the sun] steal. 1790 A. Wilson Wren Poems 188 What
woe Gars thee sit mourning. .And rive thy mirley breast?
1807 Tannahill Poems (1815) 191 The mirly-breasted birds.
Marly, variant of Mauli.
Marlyn, obs. form of Marline, Merlin.
Marlyng, variant of Merltng Obs.f whiting.
Marlyon, obs. form of Merlin.
Marm : see Ma'am.
Marmaduc, -ady, ? misprints forMARAVEDi.
1571 Q. Eliz. Let. in Digges Compl. Ambuss. (1655* 41
He hath not the value of a Marmaduc in land or livelihood.
1605 Play o/Stucley I 2 b, Why should there want a Mar-
mady? a mite?
Marmadyn^o, -maide(n,obs.iT.MEBMAH>(EN.
MARMALADE.
Marmalade (nia'-imal^'d). Forms : 6 mar-
mylate, -elad, -ilat, -ilade, mormelade,marm-
let, mermelado, 6-7 marmelet(t, -alad, -alate,
6-8 marmalet, -elade, 7 marmilad, -ilitt, -alit,
-alett, -ulade, -ulate, -ulet, -aled, -eleta, -elate,
mermalade, X raarraolet, mernielade, 6- mar-
malade. [a.F. marmelade, in Colgr. mermelade,
a. Pg. marmelada, f. marmelo quince, repr. (witli
dissimilation of consonants) L. melimelum, a. Gr.
fieki/irjKov ('honey-apple', f. pi\t honey + ftrj\ov
apple) the name of some kind of apple which
was grafted on a quince. From the Pg. word are
also Sp. marmelada, It. marmellala, and (through
Fr.) G., Du. , Da. marmelade, S\v. marmelad.]
1. A preserve or confection made by boiling
fruits (orig. quinces, now usually Seville oranges)
with sugar, so as to form a consistent mass.
Often with prefixed word, as apricot, lemon, orange,
quince marmalade ; when there is no word prefixed, orange
marmalade is now commonly meant.
[1524 in Lett. ,5- Papers Hen. /'///(1870) IV. 1. 339 Pre-
sented by Hull of Exeter one box of marmalade.] 1533
F.lvot Cast, Hellhe (1541) 44 b, A piece of a quynce rosted
or in marmelade. Ibid. 79 b, Marmalade of quynces. 1580
Evlv Euphues (Arb.) 266 Therfore you must giue him leaue
after euery meale to cloase his stomacke with Loue, as
with Marmalade. l6ai Burton Anat. Mel. II. ii. 1. i, Mar-
malet of plummes, quinces &c 1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav.
168 A healing powder of Call and Marmalate of Dates. 1767
Mrs. Glass*: Cookery App. 353 Marmalade of cherries. Put
the cherries into the sugar, and boil tltem pretty fast till it
be a marmalade. 1769 Mrs. Raffald Eng. Hoiisekpr.
I1778) 223 To make Orange Marmalade. Take the clearest
Seville oranges you can get [etc.]. Ibid. 225 To make Apri-
cot Marmalade. 1845 Eliza Acton Mod. Cookery 457 Mar-
malade for the [Apple] Charlotte. Weigh three pounds of
good boiling apples, .let these stew over a gentle fire, until
they form a perfectly smooth and dry marmalade. Ibid.
489 Very fine imperatrice-plum marmalade. 1862 Anstkd
Channel 1st. IV. xxi. (ed. 2) 487 The fruit is without much
flavour,, .though it is well adapted for marmalade.
b. Proverbial andyff.
159a G. Harvev New Letter Wks. (Grosart) I. 280 Euery
Penode of her stile carrieth marmalad and sucket in the
mouth. 1607 Walkington Opt. Glass 53 The marmalade
and sucket of the Muses.
2. The fruit of Lucuma mammosa ; also, the
tree itself. Also called natural marmalade.
1797 Eucycl. Brit. (ed. 3) L 69/1 [Achras mammosa.]
Fruit.. inclosing a thick pulp called natural marmalade.
1821-2 LlNDLEY in Trans. Horticult. Soc. (1824) IV. 97
The Mammee Sapota . . is called Natural Marmalade.
1846 — Veg. Kingd. 591 The Marmalade (Achras mam-
mosa). 1866 Treas. Hot. 698/1 Lucuma mammosum..
is cultivated for the sake of its fruit, which is called Mar-
malade, or Natural Marmalade.
3. attrib. : marmalade box, (a) a box for mar-
malade; (6) the fruit of Cent/a americana =
Genipap ; f marmalade-eater, 1 one daintily
brought up ; marmalade fruit, the fruit of the
marmalade-tree ; f marmalade-madam, a strum-
pet ; marmalade-plum, the fruit of the marma-
lade-tree or the tree itself (J. Smith Diet. Pop.
Arames Plants, 1S82); marmalade-tree, the mam-
mee-sapota (see sense 2).
1624 A Itlutrp MS. in Simpkinson Washingtons (i860) App.
p. Iviii, 6 galley potts and 12 "marmalett boxes for Mrs. Se-
grave. 1796 Stedman Surinam II. xxviii. 318 A singular
kind of fruit, called here the marmalade box,.. the husk.,
opens in halves like a walnut, when the pulp appears like
that of a medlar. 1614 R. Tailor Hog hath lost Pearl
11. D, Th'art as witty a *marmaled eater as euer I conuerst
with. 1840 Schomburgk Brit. Guiana 100 The Pine-apple,
the Guava, the "Marmalade fruit. 1674 Josselyn Voy. New
Eng. 162 The Gallants a little before Sun-set walk with their
'Marmalet-Madams, as we do in Morefields. 1717 E.Ward
Wks. II. 351 More Marmulet Madams will be met strolling
in the Fields, than Honest Women in the Streets. 1866
Treas. Bot. 722/2 *Marmalade-Tree, Lucuma mammosum.
t b. quasi-adj. = ' sweet '. Obs.
1629 Massincer Picture 1. i, I cannot blame my ladies
Vnwillingnesse to part with such marmulade lips.
Hence Ma'rmalady a. (rare—1), resembling
marmalade in sweetness, etc. (in quot.^/j^.).
1602 Middleton Blurt in. i, The Frenchman you see has '
a soft mermaladie heart.
Marmala-water(maumala|W9t3j). \i.*mar-
mala corruption of Pg. marmelo : see Marmelos.]
A liquid distilled from the flowers of the mar-
melos, used in Ceylon as a perfume for sprinkling.
1857 in Balfour Cycl. India.
Marmaled, -et(t, obs. forms of Marmalade.
Marmalite, variant of Marmolite.
Marmaric (marmrc-rik), a. Also 5 -merike,
-morike, 7 -marieke. [ad. L. Marmaric-us,
adj. of Marmarica (see below).] Of or belonging
to the ancient Marmarica (now Barca) on the
north coast of Africa. So Marrnarican a., in
the same sense; sb., an inhabitant of Marmarica.
c '470 Harding Chron. xlix. i, As proude and bryme as
lyon Marmerike. Ibid, ci.xxxvn. iii, In all the world was
"° Prince hym like . . in the felde a lyon marmorike.
'593 O- Eliz. Berth, iv. met. iii. n Another the Marm[ar]i-
canhon [orig. Marmaricus leo J Chaucer has a lyoun of pe
centre of marmorike] With Tuske and paw indueth. 1607
I orsEu. Four-/. Beasts (i6SS) 359 These also are the epi-
thets of hons :— wrathful,, .violent, Marmarican. 1627 May
Vol. VI.
177
tr. Lucan m. E 2 b, Marmaricke troops the horned Ammon
prest. Ibid. Iv. G 5 b, Swift Marmancans.
t Marmaritin. Obs. rare-1. [ app. f. L, mar-
marilis a plant that grows in marble quarries, a.
Gr. /iapiMpins (not recorded in this sense), f. puxp-
futpos marble.] Some drug.
1604 MmnLETON Witch (1778) 70 Fires/on*. I have some
Mar-martin, and Mandragon. Heccaty. Marmaritin, and
Mandragora, thou wouldst say.
Marmarize (majmaraiz), v. [f. Gr. pmp-
piap-os marble + -ize.] trans. To subject to mar-
marosis. (Cf. Marmorize v.)
1893 Geikie Text-bk. Geol. iv. vin. ii. (ed. 3) 603 On the
east side of the great intrusive mass of Fair Head the chalk
is likewise marmarised.
Marmarosis (maJmaroo'sis). Geol. [f. Gr.
ptapfiap-os marble + -osi.s.] The conversion of
limestone into marble by metamorphism.
1882 Geikie 'Text-bk. Geol. iv. vm. ii. 577 Marmarosis.
Marmaset(t, -it, -assed, obs. ff. Marmoset.
Marmatite (ma-rmatait). Min. [a. G. mar-
matit,{.Marmato(S. Amer.).] A ferriferous variety
of sphalerite. 1843 Penny Cycl. XXVII. 781/2.
Marmaydien, obs. forms of Mermaid(en.
Marmazat, -et, obs. forms of Marmoset.
Marmelade, -ate, -et(t, obs. ft. Marmalade
II Marmelos (ma'im/-l<>s). [mod.L., f. Pg. mar-
melo quince.] The Bengal quince, /Egle Marmelos.
1823 Ckabb Techno!. Diet. 1866 Treas. Bot. 722/2 Mar-
melos, rEgle Marmelos. 1887 Standard 16 Sept. 5/3 On
bow many tables does the marmelos make its appearance '!
II Marniennill (marme-nil). [Icelandic ; dim.
f. mar-r sea + mann-, maS-r man.] A merman.
1805 Naval Chron. XIV. 303 It was the body of a Mar-
menill, and not that of a human being. 1863 Baring-Gould
Iceland 352 The verses sung by a mannennill, when he
was carried back to his favourite element.
Marmerike, obs. form of Marmaric.
Marmeset(te, -ot, obs. forms of Marmoset.
Marmiladfe, -at, -itt, obs. ff. Marmalade.
Marmissed, -isaet, obs. forms of Marmoset.
Marmit (maumit). dial, and Naut. t Obs.
[ad. F. marmite pot or kettle.] (See quots.)
c 1758 Inv. in Miss Jackson Shropsh. Word-bk. 2 Potts—,
1 Marmitt. 1841 HARTSHORNE.YaA>//,j Antiq. 500 Marmit,
a pot with hooks at each side. 1867 Smyth Sailors Word-
bk., Marmit, a pot fitted with a hook for hanging it to the
bars of the galley-range. 1879 Miss> Jackson Shropsh.
Word-bk., Marmint, Marmot, a three-legged iron pot —
holding about four quarts— to be hung over the fire.
II Marmiton (marmz'ton). [Fr., f. marmite
pot, kettle.] A kitchen scullion.
1754 Chesterf. Let. to Dayrolles 2 Apr., I wish . . that you
could find me at Brussels an humble marmiton, tournebroche,
or other animal, who could roast and boil decently. 1847
Disraeli Tancred 1. i, One of my marmitons has disap-
pointed me.
Marmlet, obs. form of Marmalade.
Marmol(e, variant forms of Mormal Obs.
Marmolet, obs. form of Marmalade.
Marmolite (maum^bit). Min. Also mar-
malite. [Formed by Nuttall, who refers to Gr.
Iiap/jcuptiv to shine : see -lite.] A laminated
serpentine, of a pearly lustre and pale green colour.
1822 T. Nuttall in Amer. Jml.Sci. IV. 17 A contiguous
substance which as a peculiar mineral I shall distinguish by
the name of marmalite. Ibid. 19 Marmolite. 1848 C. A.
Johns Week at /wizard 107 Rare minerals, such as marmo-
lite. 1849 Watts tr. Gmelin's Handbk. Chem. III. 395
Noble Serpentineot Ophite (together with Marmalite [etc.]).
t Marmor. Sc. Obs. Also 4, 6 -our, -ore.
[a. L. marmor Marble.] Marble. Also attrib.
c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxi. (Clement) 888 pai . . fand a kyrk
. .of marmore mad. 1596 Dalrymplf. tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot.
1. 79 This marmore stane in forme of a chyre. Ibid. 129 The
marmour chyre of Destinie. Ibid. 132 The sentences in
Marmor war hewin.
MarmoraceoilS (m armors' '/as), a. rare. [f.
L. type *marmorace-us, f. marmor Marble : see
-aceods.] Pertaining to, or like, marble.
1688 R. Holme Armoury 11. 313/1 Marmo[ra]ceous, a
Marble colour, a black blue. 1822 T. Nuttall in Amer.
Jml. Sei. IV. 18 Thismarmoraceous mineral. 1848 Maunder
Treas. Nat. Hist.
Marmorate (maumorf't), a. [ad. L. mar-
morat-ns, pa. pple. of marmordre to overlay with
marble, f. marmor Marble.]
T 1. Overlaid with or enclosed in marble. Obs.
"537 Epitaph in Fuller Worthies, Lend. 11. (1662) 205
Under this Stone closyd and marmorate Lyeth Iohn Kite.
2. Nat. Hist. Variegated or veined like marble.
1826 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. IV. 289. 1866 Treas. Bot. 722/2.
So 7 Ma'rmorated a.
1731 Bailey vol. II, Marmorated, made of, wrought in,
covered with marble.
Marmoration (miumor.f'M'sn). rare-", [ad.
late L. marmordtion-em, n. of action f. marmordre
(see prec).] (See quots.)
i66x Blount Glossogr. (ed. 2), Marmoration, a building
with marble. 1730-6 Bailey (fob), Marmoration, a covering
or laying with marble.
Marmoreal (marmo°T/al), a. poet, and rhet.
[f. L. marmore-us (f. marmor Marble) + -al.]
1. Resembling marble or a marble statue; cold,
smooth, white, etc., like marble.
MARMOSET.
I 1798 Landor Gebir Wks. 1846 II. 494 Looking recumbent
how Love's column rose Marmoreal. 1817 Shelley Rev.
Islam 1. xlix, Paving with fire the sky and the marmoreal
llocxls. 1868 Browning King \ Ilk. ix. 53 Marmoreal neck
and bosom uberous. 1892 Sat. Rev. 15 Oct. 443/1 Blank-
verse studies of merit, but somewhat cold and marmoreal in
their severity.
2. Made or composed of marble.
1825 New Monthly Mag. XIII. 181 Spurs of marble, and
marmoreal limbs. j86o W. Watson Prime's Quest, Sunset
(1892) 134 Minaret And terrace and marmoreal spire.
Hence Marmo'really adv.
1847 SlE A- UE Verb 1st Pt. Mary Tudor v. iii, Cold, but
composed, marmoreally rigid ! 1887 Saintsbury Eliz. Lit.
455 The marmoreally-finished minor poems of Ben [Jonson].
Marmorean (marmo^r/an), a. [f. L. mar-
more-us (f. marmor MabblK)+ -an.] Composed,
or made, of marble; resembling marble.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Marmorean . . , of marble, or that is
like it in colour, hardness, isx. 1836 Erasers Mag. XIV.
24 Her neck's marmorean whiteness. 1902 Speaker 1 Mar.
; 608/1 The marmorean Leconte de Lisle.
t Marmoreons, a. Obs.~° [Formed as prec.
+ -OUS.] = prec. 1727 Bailey vol. II.
Marmoric (majm<nik), a. rare-', [f. I..
marmor marble + -ic] Of marble.
1811 Pinkerton Petrology \. 130 Hardness, between mar-
moric and basaltic.
Marmorize (maum6rsiz), v. [f. L. ma/ mor +
j -ize. Cf. ¥. marmoriser and mod.L. marmori-
satio.] = Marmarize v.
1807 Geikie Anc.Volcan.es I. 32 Marir.orised limestone.
II Marmortinto (majmojti-nto). [? A mistake
for It. marmo Unto (marmo marble, tinto dyed,
coloured).] An Italian process (used in the 1 8th c.)
j of decorating walls, etc. in imitation of marble.
1844 Mech. Mag. XL. 31 The inventor of marmortinto
was born in 1762. 1854 Fairholt Diet. Art, Marmortinto.
Marmose (raa'jm«). [a. F. marmose (Buffon),
possibly from colonial Du. : cf. MDu. marmoyse,
mermoyse (see Mermoyse), marmoset, b»lieved to
be a shortening of F. marmonset.'] One of several
species of small South American opossums (as
Didelphys dorsigera and D. murind) which have
only a rudimentary pouch and carry their young
on their back.
1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1824) II. 162 An animal greatly
resembling the former [i. e. the opossum], is the Marmose.
Marmoset (ma-jm&et). Forms : 4-5 mar-
musette, marmesette, 5, (9) marmozette, -usete,
-isset, maremusset, 5-6 marmesette, -oaette,
5-7 marmeset, 6 mermoset, -osite, marmosete,
-azat, -asit, -issed, -esot, mornfosett, marmsat,
6-7 marmaset(t,6, 8 marmouset, 6-omarmozet,
(9 marmozette), 7 marmoaitie, -azet, -osat,
-uset, -ousite, -osett, mormaset, malmaset, 5-
marmoset. [a. OF. marmonset grotesque image,
in 1280 latinized marmosetum (not marmoretum as
given by Littre) ; in mod.F. the word means also
'little man'; the sense 'ape', though not found
in Fr. diets., is in provincial use (see Honnorat Diet.
Prov.). Hence MDu. marmoset in all three senses.
The origin of the Fr. word is obscure ; it has been con-
jectured to be a derivative of L. marmor marble, but the
form is not easy to account for. It can hardly be uncon-
nected with F. marmot little child (whence prob. It. mar-
mocchio), in early use also ' monkey ', ' grotesque statuette ' ;
forms app. cognate are med.L. marmonetus, mammdnetus
(Promp. Parv.), mammon-em monkey. Some have supposed
the source to be OF. merme small (:— L. minimus) ; others
have suggested that the word in the sense ' grotesque figure '
was an architectural term derived in some way from Gr.
nopfitu bugbear.]
1 1. A grotesque figure, a. Applied in scorn to
an idol. Obs.
1426 Lydg. De Guil. Pilgr. 20954 To worshepe A Mar-
moset, Wych to helpe. . Hath no puissaunce. 1563-83 Foxe
A. tjr M. II. 882/2 Get thee away from me thou naughty
person : with thy marmoset of wood.
attrib. a 1572 Knox Hist. Re/. Wks. 1846 I. 259 A mar-
mouset idolewas borrowed fra the Gray Freiris.
ft). (See quot. 1 706) Obs.~°
1687 Miege Gt. Fr. Diet. 11, Marmoset, a kind of Grotesk,
Marmouset. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Marmoset., .an
odd kind of Grotesk figure in a Building. 1736 Neve
Builder's Diet.
2. f a. In early use : Any small monkey (obs.).
b. Now restricted to the tropical American mon-
keys of the family Hapalidx (or Mididse), com-
prising two genera, Hapale (the true marmosets)
and Midas (the tamarins).
The Hapalidx are of the size of a small squirrel, have
non-prehensile bushy tails, and (in many species) long ear-
tufts or a mane of whitish hair. They are gentle and play-
ful, and make amusing pets.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xvm. L (1495) 748 Some
beestes seruyth for..mannys myrth ; as apys and marmu-
settes [MS. Bodl. marmesettes] and popyngayes. e 1400
Maunoev. (1839) xix. 210 Apes, Marmozettes [/T<7-r£.marmu-
setes; Fr. orig. marmoz], Babewynes, and many other dy verse
Bestes. c 1425 Voc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 639/32 Hie zenozephalus,
maremusset. 1519 Horman Vulg. 109 b, The marmesethath a
very longe tayle. 1551 Robinson tr. More's Utopia u. vi.
(ed. Lupton) 215 A mormosett chaunced vpon the booke ..
whychc. .plucked owte certeyne leauefi, and toore them in
pieces. 1559 W.Cunningham Cosmogr. Glasse 191 Mermo-
sites. i6i» Shaks. Temp. 11. ii. 174 The nimble Marmazet.
89
MARMOT.
x6*5 Pi'Rcmas Pilgrims \\. 1771 There are many Monkies 1
or Marmosets, that doe great hurt to the Palme trees. 1679
T. Trapham Disc. Jamaica 115 The Malmaset, as among
the Indians of the more Southern Main of America. J706
Phillips (ed. Kersey-, Marmoset, a sort of black Monkey, ;
having a shaggy Neck. 1715 tr. Panciroll us' Rentm Mem. ,
1. 11. xvi. 104 An Egyptian Cat, which we call a Marmoset,
or Monkey. 1822 Scott Nigel viii, I have seen her.. as 1
changeful as a mannozet. 1840 Cuvier%s A Htm, Kingd.
ti Marmosets (Hapale, as restricted!. 1863 BATES Nat.
A mazons 1 1 . 55 The monkeys belonged to a very pretty and
rare species, a kind of marmoset. 1893 [see Marikina].
attrib. 1851 P. H. Gosse Nat. in Jamaica 327 note, I
have heard the Marmozette Monkey {Jacchus) produce the
very same sound. 1876 ' Ouida ' Winter City viu 224 The
quick marmoset eyes of little Mme. Mila.
f 3. Applied to a person : a. to a woman or child,
as a term of endearment or playful reproach: cf.
monkey. Obs.
1526 Skelton Magnyf. 462 What, wanton, wanton, nowe
well ymet ! What, Margery Mylke Ducke, mermoset ! 1604
Dekkeb \st Pt. Honest Wit. vi. C 4 b, Saue thee little Mar-
moset : how doest thou good pretty roague? 1614 Beaum.
& FL. Wit at sev. Weap. 111. i, Sir Greg. [To his niece.]
O dissembling Marmaset ! 1754 Richardson Grandison
(1781) VII. xlus. 211 How shall I hold the little mar mouse t,
if you devour first one of my hands, then the other ?
b. to a man, as a term of abuse or contempt :
cf. ape. Sometimes (as in OF.) a favourite, ' ingle \
? a 1500 Chester Pi. x, I will., mar that misbegotten mar-
moset. 1523 Ld. Bbrhers Freiss. I. ccclxxxvu. 661 Al-
wayes the Erie hath these marmosettes about him, as Gylbert
Mahewe and his bretherne. a 1529 Skelton Agst. Gar-
nesche ii. 39 Thow mantycore, ye marmoset, gainyshte like
a Greke. a 1585 Polwart Flyting w. Montgomerie 795
Held bisset ! marmissed ! lansprezed to the lownes ! 1615
Wrkthwmt Strappado {1878) 48 See, see her cerus cheeke,
made to delight Her apple-squire, or wanton Marmosite.
1825 Scott Talism. xxiv, A king's son. .is at least a match
for this marmozet of a Marquis.
Hence fMarmose'tical a., characteristic of a
marmoset; apishly foolish.
1630 J. Taylor (Water P.) Wit % Mirth Wks. n. 187/2
A Mercers seruant espying his marmositicall Apishnesse.
Marmot (maum^t). Also 8 mar(a)motto,
marmotta, ? erron. marmout, 8-9 marmotte.
[ad. F. marmotte fern, (whence prob. Sp., Pg.
marmota, It. marmotta, also + marmotlo masc),
prob. an altered form, due to assimilation to OK.
marmotte, marmot monkey (see Makmoset), of
Kumonsch murmont :— L. type murem moults
* mountain mouse ', whence OIIG. muremunto,
murmainti , ?mtrmenli, MHG. miirmeudiu, mod.G.
dialects murmeutel, munueteu, murmelli, mod.G.
murmeltier, whence Du. mormeldicr, Da. mur-
meldyr, Sw, muryneldjur.~\
1. A rodent of the genus Arctomys or sub-family
Arctomyiuse of the squirrel family, esp. A. mar-
motta, which inhabits the Alps and the Pyrenees,
sometimes called the Alpine marmot.
With qualification applied to other animals of the same and
allied genera : f American or Maryland m., the wood-
chuck, A. monax\ Bobac or Polish m., A. hobac (see
Bobac) ; t Canadian or Quebec m., spermophilns em-
pttra ; Earless or Pouched m,t the suslik, S. citittus;
Hoary m., the whistler, A. pruinosus; i Lapland m.,
the lemming ; Prairie m., the prairie dog (genus Cynomys).
1607 Topsell Hist. Four-f. Beasts (1658) 405 Scaliger de-
scribeth them in this manner, a Marmot (satth he, for so he
tearmeth an Alpine Mouse in French) is a Beast about the
bigness of a Badger. 1704 Ray Creation n. (ed. 4) 337 The
Marmotto or Mus Alpinus, a Creature as big or bigger
than a Rabbet, which absconds all Winter. 1753 Oiamhs i;s
Cycl. Snpp., Marmotte, Marmotta, the mountain rat, a
creature very common in many parts of Europe. 1762 tr.
liusching's Syst. Gcog. 1. 495 Mice, maramottos, and wild-
fowl are their favourite dishes. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist.
(1776) IV. 38 The Marmot is .. almost as big as an hare,
but it is more corpulent than a cat, and has shorter legs.
1781 Pennant £ nadrup. II. 396 Alpine Marmot. Ibid. 397
Quebec Marmot. Ibid. 398 Maryland Marmot. Ibid., Hoary-
Marmot. Ibid. 399 Bobufc Marmot. 1796 [see Earless]. 1797
F.ncycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XII. 463^1 The monax, or American
marmot. .. The bobac, or Polish marmot. ..The empetra,
or Canadian marmot. 1861 G. F. Berkeley Sportsm. W.
Prairies xv. 259 The prairie dog or marmot. 1896 Kirkaldv
& Pollard tr. Boas' Text Bk. Zool. 529 The Pouched Mar-
mot (Spermopkitns citillus) of East Europe.
lib. In full Cape marmot, marmot of the Cape:
the Cape cony or daman, Hyrax capensis.
1861 Hulme tr. Moquin-Tandon 11. in. ii. 122 The Daman
of the Cape {Hyrax Capensis), . . commonly called . . Mar-
mot of the Cape.
2. A kind of bathing cap. [After F. marmotte.']
1897 Westm. Gaz. 22 July 3/3 The newest bathing cap is
* the marmotte '. .fastening in a knot on the forehead. 190a
Ibid. 31 July 3/2 The silk caps are a little more varied in
shape ; one sees the tammie and the marmot.
t Marmot t ane. Obs. rare. [a. OF. mar-
mottaine, corruptly repr. L. murem montauam
mountain mouse.] -Marmot i.
1601 Holland Pliny I. 216 The Rats .. of the Alpes, i.
Marmottanes, which are as bigge as Brockes or Badgers.
Ibid. 217 Such like Marmotanes there be in ^*-gypt.
Marmour, variant of Marmok .Sir. Obs.
Marmouset, -ousite, -ozet(te, marmsat,
obs. ff. Marmoset.
t M arm -stone. Obs. [OE. marmstan, also
marmanstan, f. marm marble + stdn Stone.]
Marble; a block, slab, etc. of marble.
178
971 Klickl. Horn. 203 Beforan Saere norSdura bare ciri-
cean on basm marmanstane. < 1000 jElfric Saints' Lives
xxxi. 1128 "a afylde sum cnapa pan fait unwaerlice uppon
pone mammal, cuoj Lav. 1138 [A temple] imaked of
marme staene [later text marbre stone). Ibid. 1317, 32097.
Marmulade, -ate, -et, obs. ff. Marmalade.
Marmuset(e, -ette, obs. forms of Marmoset.
II Maro (lruvro). [Polynesian.] A loin-cloth
used by certain South Sea Islanders.
177.-84 Cook's Voy. (1790) VI. 2047 A piece of thick cloth,
called the maro, about a foot in breadth, which passes be-
tween the legs, and is fastened round the waist.
Maro, obs. form of Marrow sb.1
Marocchine, -okin(e, obs. ff. Maroquin.
Marode, obs. form of Maraud.
t Maron. Obs. [a. obs. F. marron (Rabelais) ;
in med.L. mar{r)dnem.] A mountain guide.
1506 Guylforde Pilgr. (Camden) 80 We tok moyles to
stey vs vp the mountayne, and toke also marones to kepe
vs frame fallynge. 1611 Coryat Crudities 80 My authour
of this tale or figment is our Maron of Turin \marg. That
is guide or conductor). 1670-98 Lassels Voy. Italy I. 49
Marons, or men with little open chairs to carry you up and
down the hill for a crown. Ibid. 51 After two hours tugging
of our chairmen or Marons we came to the top of the hdl.
Marone, Maroner : see Maroon, Mariner.
t Maro'nian, a. Obs. [f. L. MarSn-em the
cognomen of Virgil + -UN.] Virgilian.
1648 Hkkrick Hesper., To M. Venham, Thy brave, bold,
and sweet Maronian Muse. 11693 l:rt/nhart's Kabelnis
111. x. 84 The Maronian Lottery [ong. sors Virgilianes\.
t Ma'ronist *. Obs. [f. L. Marihi-em + -1ST.]
A disciple of the poet Virgil (Publius Yergilius
Maro) ; a Virgilian student or scholar.
1597 8 Hi*. Hall Sat. 1. iv. 7 He, like some imperious
Maronist, Conjures the Muses that they him assist. 1599
j'reserv. Hen. VII (1866) 10, I would 1 were but as Ennius
to a fine Maronist.
t Maronist 2. Obs.—" Variant of Maronite.
1737 in Bailey vol. II.
Maronite (maivAiait), sb. (and a.) Also 6
Moronite. [ad. late L. Mardntta, f. Maron name
of the founder of the sect : see -ite.
There was a Syrian of this name in the 4th c, and another
in the 7th c. ; the sect was probably named from one of
these ; recent authorities favour the earlier date.]
( )ne of a sect of Syrian Christians, dwelling in the
Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon ; they were originally
Monothelites, but subsequently became united with
the Roman Chufch. Also attrib. (quasi-aa/.).
£1511 1st ling. Bk. Amer. (Arb.) Introd. 31/1 The syxte
[cristened] nacyon. . . They he named Moroniten. 1617 Moky-
son /tin. 1. 215 A Maronite Christian. 1703 Maundrki.l
Journ. Jems. (1721) 35 The Maronite Bishop of Aleppo.
1885 Cath. Diet. (ed. 3) s.v., A schism was caused through
( Jreek influence, and a Maronite Patriarch fell away. . ; Ever
since [1216] the Maronites have been steadfast Catholics.
Maronner, obs. form of Mariner.
Maroo, obs. form of Marrow sb?
Maroon (mar/Vn), sb} and a.1 Forms: 6-9
marron, 7-9 marone, S-9 marrone, 9 marroon,
7, 9 maroon, [a. F. marron, ad. It. tnarrone.]
A. sb.
fl. A large kind of sweet chestnut native to
Southern Europe; also, the tree bearing this nut.
Also marron chestnut. Obs.
1594 R. Ashlev tr. Loys le Roy 28 Dates, chestnuts, and
marrons. 1601 Holland Pliny I. 525 Such plots of ground
as do aflToord coppises of Chest-nut trees, are stored with
plants comming of marrons or nut-kemels.t 1609 Evelyn
Acetaria App. P viij, Roasted Maroons, Pistachios Pine-
Kernels [etc.). [1877 Scudder Recoil. S. Breck iii. 66 The
fine large marron chestnuts were brought to us. .for a cent
a hundred.]
2. [ = F. marron, from the quasi-adj. use as in
coitleur marron.] A particular kind of brownish-
crimson or claret colour.
1791 Hamilton BertholleCs Dyeing 1. 1. 11. i. 144 Darker
colours such as browns and marones. Ibid. 11. 11. 111. vii.
216 This gives it a cinnamon colour, or light marrone. 1835
Court Mag. VI. p. ii/i Some velvet [mantles] of maroon
and other rich winter colours. 1844 Hay La-.o Harm.
Colouring (zA. 5) 17 A series of other colours, such as brown,
marone, slate. 188. Garden 14 Oct. 347/1 A rather small
flower . . of a deep rich maroon.
b. A coal-tar dye obtained from the resinous
matters formed in the manufacture of magenta.
11873 Crack-Calvert Dyeing, etc. (1876) 432 Aniline
Maroons and Browns.
3. A firework composed of a small cubical box
of pasteboard, wrapped round with twine and
. filled with gunpowder ; it is intended to imitate
in exploding the report of a cannon.
1749 Machine /or the Fireivorks 15 Marrons, 5000. 1818
Handbill July in Pall Mall G. (1885) 5 Nov. 4/2 A bat-
tery of maroons, or imitation cannon. 1840 1 Hood A'/l-
tnansegg, Birth xviii, To have seen the maroons, And the
whirling moons. 1875 Knight Diet. Mech. 1401/2 Marron.
1884 St. James's Gaz. 13 June 10/2 The display last night
included signal maroons.. rockets, and shells.
b. Artillery. (See quot. 1876.)
1859 F. A. Griffiths Artil. Man. (1862) 282 Marroons
are boxes containing from 1 to 6 ounces of powder. 1859
M»Clintock Voy. • Fox ' in Arctic Sea i. 9 Powder for ice-
blasting, rockets, maroons, and signal-mortar were furnished
by the Board of Ordnance. 1876 Voyle & Stevenson Milit.
Diet. (ed. 3), Marroons, decorations for rockets. They are
cubes filled with grained powder, and enveloped with two
or three layers of strong twine or marline.
MAROONEB.
c. ' A bright white light used for signals in the
East Indies' (Ogilvie Suppl. 1855).
B. adj. Of the colour described in A a.
1843 James Forest Days ii, He was dressed in close-fitting
garments of a dark marone tint. 1871 Kingsley At Last
li, A most lovely Convolvulus, .with purple maroon flowers.
1876 Oltda Winter City vi. 114 They had put out her mar-
ron velvet with the ostrich feathers. 1878 Foster Phys. 11.
ii. § 3. 267 Venous blood of a dark purple or maroon colour.
Comb. 1840 Barham Ingot. Leg. Ser. 1. St. Gengnl/hus,
Good, stout maroon-colour'd leather. 1876 Harlky Mat.
Med. 233 A maroon-red precipitate.
Maroon (mar»-n), sb? and a.- Forms : 7-8
maron, 8 marone, meroon, 8- maroon, [a. F.
marron {maron in Hist. Antilles 165S, p. 322), said
to be a corruption of Sp. cimarion wild, untamed.]
A. sb.
1. One of a class of negroes, originally fugitive
slaves, living in the mountains and forests of
Dutch Guiana and the West Indies.
1 1626 Nichols SirF. Drake revived iibri) 7 TheSymerons
(a blacke people, which about eightieyeeres past, fled from the
Spaniards their Masters).] 1666 J. Da vies Hist. Caribby Isles
202 They will run away and get into the Mountains and
Forests, where they live like so many Beasts ; then they
are call'd Marons, that is to say Savages. 179$ Hist. Fur.
in Ann. Reg. (1796) 60/1 The hostilities against the free
negroes in the Island of Jamaica known by the denomina-
tion of Maroons had been carried on a long time without
effect. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) X. 694/2 (Mauritius) The
Marones, or wild negroes. 1843 Marryat M. Violet xl,
A gang of negro maroons was hanging about. 1895 Nation
kN. Y.) 8 Aug. 98/2 The savage Maroons were called in
and let loose upon the peasantry.
attrib. 1796 (title) The Proceedings of the Governor and
Assembly of Jamaica, in regard to the Maroon Negroes.
1828 G. W. Bridges Ann. Jamaica II. xv. 221 Many who
distinguished themselves in the Maroon war of Jamaica.
b. Jig. (Also attrib.)
1813 Macaulay Misc.lVrit., X. Soc. Lit. (i860) I. 22 It
will furnish a secure ambuscade behind which the Maroons
of literature may take a certain and deadly aim. a 1859
— Hist. Eng. xxiii. (i860 V. 113 A warrant of the Lord
Chief Justice broke up the Maroon village [of thieves in
Epping Forest] for a short time.
2. Southern U.S. In full matoon + frolic, party :
A pleasure party, esp. a hunting or fishing excursion
of the nature of a picnic but of longer duration.
1779 I. Angell Diary(iSgg) 59 Lt. Cook. .Come from the
Meroon frolick last night. [Editor's note : A hunting or
fishing trip, or excursion, in Southern United States, to
camp out after the manner of the West Indian Maroons.]
3. A person who is marooned.
1883 Stevenson Treas. Isl. xi. Well, what would you think?
Put em ashore like maroons?
B. adj. Run wild, having reverted to a state of
nature {Cent. Diet.). [So F. marron.]
Maroon (mar»-n), v. Also 7-8 mo-, [f. prec]
f 1. a. passive or intr. To be lost in the wilds.
b. intr. (>fig-) ? To miss one's object. Obs.
1699 Dampier Voy. II. 11. 84, I began to find that 1 was
(as we call it, 1 suppose from the Spaniards! Morooned, or
Lost, and quite out of the Hearing of my Comrades Guns.
1716-17 S. Sewall Letter-Bk. 15 Jan. II. 63, 1 had rather
myself bear part of the charge, then that the poor young
man moroon d and return home with shame and disap-
pointment.
2. trans. To put (a person) ashore and leave
him on a desolate island or coast (as was done by
the buccaneers and pirates) by way of punishment.
17.6 Brice's Weekly Jrnl. 1 July 2 He farther says, that
Lowe and Spriggs were both maroon'd, and were got among
the Muskeloo Indians. i8u Scon Pirate xxii, I was.,
condemned, -to be marooned, as the phrase goes, on one of
those little sandy, bushy islets, which are called, in the West
Indies, keys. 1891 Athenxum 17 Jan. 82 2 Magellan 'ma-
rooned ' a mutinous priest on the coast of Patagonia.
3. intr. Of slaves: To escape from service and
take to the woods and mountains.
1831 Tyerman & Bennet Voy. 8, Trav. II. Hi. 496 The
slaves [in Mauritius] sometimes maroon, as it is called,
that is, they run away from their bondage.
4. Southern U. S. To camp out for several day-,
on a pleasure party. (Cf. Maroon sb.- 2.)
[1777: ImpliedinMARO0NiNGfW.r*.2.J 1855 Haliuirton
Nat. I, Hum. Nat. 1 1. 283 He used to delight to go maroon-
ing. [Footnote.] Marooning differs from pic-nicing in this -
the former continues several days, the other lasts but one.
1871 Kingsley AtLastv'i, A bathing party of pleasant French
people, 'marooning' laspicnic-ing is called here) on the island.
5. To idle, ' hang about '.
1808 Southey Lett. (1856) II . 59 To juniperise within doors,
to maroon without. i86j Pall Malt G. 13 Nov. 2 To pur-
chase for these 300,000 blacks the liberty to squat and
maroon or to hang about the towns of the island.
Hence Maroo'ned///. a.
1883 Stevenson Treas. Isl. xv, The marooned man in his
goatskins. 1889 Clark Russell Marooned xxv, As decent
a lodging as marooned people have a right to expect.
Marooner (mar«TOi). Also 7 ? marownar.
[f. Maroon v.]
1. A buccaneer, pirate.
1661 Hickeringill Jamaicabi A few French Buckaneers,
or Hunting Marownaes [? read Marownars]. 1728-36 Bykd
Westover Papers (1841) 13 On the south shore dwelt a
marooner, that modestly called himself a hermit. 1887 H.
Pvle in Harpers Mag. Aug. 357 (art.) Buccaneers and
Marooners of the Spanish Main.
2. One who maroons persons on a desolate coast.
1881 Sat. Rev. 3 Sept. 293 The original marooners of
Ariadne were soon out of hall,
MAROONING.
179
MARQTJISAL.
b. A person left on .1 desolate island as a punish-
ment ; — MaHooN sb.- 2. In recent Diets.
3. Southern U. S. One who goes marooning
(see Maroon jA- A. 3). In recent Diets.
MaroO'ning, vbl. sb. [f. Maroon v. +■ -ing j.]
1. The action of Maroon v. 2.
1724 C. Johnson Hist. Pyrates 170 Marooning. This was
a barbarous Custom of putting the Offender on Shore, on
some desolate or uninhabited Cape or Island. idg/SSpecta- 1
tor 2 May 639 Cabot.. was apparently the inventor of the
ruthless practice called marooning.
2. The action or practice of going on a maroon-
party. Chiefly attrib. in marooning party ', season.
1777 G. Forster Voy. round World I. 165 It may be
curious to know the nature of our marooning parties, as the
seamen called them. 1814 Southev Lett. (1856) III. 425
She is very much missed here at all times, and will be still
more so when the marooning season begins. 1856 OLMSTED
Stave States 411 Two lads., had returned, .from a 'ma- ,
rooning party', with a boat-load of venison [etc.].
f Maroquin, a. and sb. Obs. Forms : 6 mary-
kyne,marekyn(e,maryskyn,marokin(e,-ockin,
7 marekin, marocchine, mariken, -kin, 7-9
mar(r)oquin, 8 meroquin. [a. F. maroquin,
orig. an adj. 'pertaining to Morocco', f. Maroc
Morocco.] a. adj. (in maroquin skins, leather ; also :
with the sense ' made of morocco ') — Morocco a.
b. sb. Morocco leather.
1511 Ld. Treas. Ace. Scot. (1902) IV. 196, v marykyne
skynnis to ane sadill and harnesing of the Kingis mule.
1546 Aberdeen Reg. (1844) I. 236 Tua Marekyne cotis,
ane reid . . ane wther blak. 1548 Ibid. XX. (Jam.\ iiij
dosoun of maryskyn skynnes. 1585 T. Washington Nicho-
lay's Voy. iv. xxv. 141 Faire maroquins and skins of al sorts.
1613 Pukchas Pilgrimage vi. xi. 518 That lether which, .is
called Marocchine. 1644 Evelyn Diary 1 Apr., Bookes, all
bound in maroquin and gilded. 1661 Sc. ActsCltas. //(1820)
VII. 253/2 Mariken skinnes made in Scotland. 1711 W.
Rogers Voy. (1718) 33 The fine Marroquin leather. 1731
Barky vol. II, Marroquin, commonly called Morocco.
1748 Smollett Rod. Rand, xxxiv, Shoes of blue meroquin.
1819 Scott Ivanhoe vii, His maroquin boots and golden
spurs. 1813 Crabb Technol. Diet., Maroccoox marroquin.
I! Marotte (man*). Also 7 marrot. [Fr.]
1. A fool's bauble, f To crown with a marotte
-■¥. coiffer d'une marotte, to make a fool of.
In the first quot. the explanation is meant derisively.
1611 R. Philips Panegyr. Verses in Coryat's Crudities
c 7 b.Thee of the Marrot worthy doe we deeme. [Marg. i.e.
Lawrell from Marrot a French Poet.] 1630 J. Taylor
(Water P.) Laugh fy be /at Wks. 11. 72/2 They crowne
thee with a Marrot or a Mard. 1840 H. Ainsworth Tower
Lond. u. xiv, This last shaft likewise hit its mark, though
Jane [the Fool] endeavoured to ward it off with her marotte.
2. A pet notion, craze.
185a Ld. Malmesbury Mem. (1884) I. 324 To be Emperor
has been his [se. Louis Napoleon's] marotte since he was
twenty years old.
Marou, -ough(e, -0113, -ouh, obs. ft". Marrow. '
Marouner,Marow\e: see Mariner, Marrow.
Marower, obs. Sc. form of Moreover.
Marowna, ? obs. form of Marooner.
Marplot i^maiipl^t), sb. and a. [See Mar-.]
A. so. One who mars or defeats a plot or design
by officious interference, or hinders the success of
any undertaking. Said also of things.
1708 Mrs. Centlivre Susie Body Dram. Pers., Marplot.
18*4 Lady Granville Lett. May (1894) I. 295 What a mar-
plot anxiety is. 1876 Geo. Eliot Dan. Der. xxxii, But
what is the use of my taking the vows and settling everything
as it should be, if that marplot Hans comes and upsets it all?
B. adj. That mars or defeats a plot or design.
1850 Kinglakk Crimea VI. ix. 230 There were some of his
fellow-countrymen . . whose marplot disclosures seemed likely
to bring down . . a new onslaught of Russian masses.
Marprelate: see Mar-.
Marque (maik). Forms : 5, 8 mark, marc,
margue (? error for marque), 6 markque, merk,
6-7 marke, 7- marque, [a. F. marqtte (OF. also
merke), ad. Pr. marca, vbl. sb. f. marcar (med.L.
marcdre) to seize as a pledge.
It is uncertain whether this is connected with Mark sb})
+ 1. Reprisals; occas. = letter of marque (see 2).
[*354 A& 27 Ediv. Ill, Stat. 2 c. 17 Purveu. .que. .nous
eions la lei de Mark & de represailles. 1417 Act 4 Hen. Vt
Stat. 2 c. 7 Quede toutz attemptatz faitz par ses ennemys..
encountre le tenure daucunes Trieuves..en les quelles nest
pas fait expresse mencion que toutz marques & reprisailles
cesseront. .nostre Signior le Roi a toutz qi lour sentiront en
tiel cas grevez,voet grauntier marque en due forme. 1 1456 Sir
G. Have Law Arms (S.T.S.) 205 Be way of mark. . ; that
is to say.. a lettre of leve to tak ony man of that contree.
Ibid. 220 The king aw to geve letter of powar to tak mark
apon thame. 1473 Rolls ofParlt. VI. 65/2 Any Sentence,
J ugement. Margue or Reprisale yeven. 1614 Selden Titles
Hon. 210 The lawes of Marque, or Reprisales.
2. Letter of marque, a. Usually pi., letters of \
marque {and reprisal). Originally, a licence
granted by a sovereign to a subject, authorizing
him to make reprisals on the subjects of a hostile
state for injuries alleged to have been done to him
by the enemy's army. In later times this became
practically a licence to fit out an armed vessel and
employ it in the capture of the merchant shipping
belonging to the enemy's subjects, the holder of ;
letters of marque being called a privateer or corsair, i
and entitled by international law to commit against |
the hostile nation acts which would otherwise have '
been condemned as piracy. Also f letters of mart : l
see Mart s£,8
So far as European nations are concerned the issue of letters
of marque was abolished by the Congress of Paris in 1856.
1447 Rolls of Parlt.V. 135 To graunte to youre saide
Besechers, letters of Marc and Reprisail. 1545 R eg. Privy
Council Scot. I. 10 Ane letter of mark gevin and grantit be
the maist cristin king of France, a 1548 Hall Citron., ,
Hen. VI 1 1 145 b, Shewyng hym how their goodes were
taken, by letters of Marke, their shippes restrained fete.].
170a Royal Dec tar. June in Lond. Gaz. No. 3815/3 Her
Majesty having Impowered the Lord High Admiral of
England to grant Letters of Marque, or Commissions for
Privateers. 1789 Constit. U. S. Art. i. § 8 Congress shall
have power, .to grant letters of marque and reprisal. 1855
Motley Dutch Rep. \i86i) II. 299 To make war upon Alva
was the leading object of all these freelxjoters, and they
were usually furnihhed by the Prince of Orange, .with letters
of marque for that purpose.
b. A ship carrying letters of marque ; a privateer.
< 1800 Miss Knight Antobiog. I. 106 A Kagiwm com-
manding a letter-of-ni.irk. 1836 Marhyat Midsh. Easy
xxxviii, As letter of marque, I shall have the right of capture.
C. attrib. in letter of marque man, ship.
1703 Lond. Gaz. No. 3910/4 A French Letter of Marque
Man. 1708 Ibid. No. 4440 2 Any such Privateer or Letter
of Marque Ship.
Marquee (majkr). Also 8 marque'e, marki,
8-9 markee. [An assumed sing. f. Marquise
apprehended as pi.] A large tent, as an officer's
field-tent, or one used at a public entertainment, ,
exhibition, or the like.
1690 Lond. Gaz. No. 2542/4 A good Marquee, two French
Tents. 1738 Lond. Ckron. 19-22 Aug. 173/3 General Aber-
crombie would not suffer any of the officers to carry any
chests, beds, or markees, with them. 1774 M. Mackenzie
Maritime Surv. 106 A Captain's Tent and Marki. 1812
Chron. in Ann. Reg. 99 The. .band was stationed in a mar-
quce on the lawn. 1831 Trei.awny Adv. Younger Son II.
118 A summer-room, exactly of the form and colour of a
markee. 1884 'Times (weekly cd.) 7 Nov. a/a The meeting
was held in a marquee erected behind the Fountain Hotel.
b. attrib., as in marquee manufacture, tent ;
marquee coop U, S., a tent-shaped hen-coop.
1775 Connect. Col. Rcc. 11890) XV. 15 Ninety marquee or
officers tents, 1834 Tail's Mag. I. 218/2 Benjamin Edg-
ington, Marquee and Tent Manufacturer. 1849 L*. J. Browne
Amer. Poultry Yd. (1855) 122 The marqueeToop.
Marques, Marquesate,etc. : see Marquis, etc.
Marquesit(e : see Marcasite.
Marquet, obs. form of Market.
Marquetry, marqueterie (mauketri).
Forms : 6 marketrey, merquetry, 7 marquet-
trie, (marhutery), 6- marqueterie, 7- mar-
quetry, (-ie). [a. F. marqueterie (j 416 in Hatz.-
Darm.), f. marqueter (1386) to variegate, f. marque
Mark sby\ Inlaid work, esp. as used for the
decoration of furniture.
1563 Shu te A rcht't. F j b, Fine woodes in marketrey. 1589
Puttenham Eng. Poesie ii. xi[i], (Arb.) 108 AH set in iner-
quetry with letters of blew Saphire and Topas artificially
cut and entermingled. 1596 Danett tr. Comiues (1614)279
The curious worke called Musaique, or Marqueterie. 1601
Holland Pliny I. 49 Marquetry and other inlaid works.
1665 Sir T. Herbert Trav. {1677) 138 Of that kind the
Arabs called Marhutery, but the Jews Mosaick. 1817 Moore
Latla R.y Veiled Propk. (ed. 2) 89 The flashing of their
swords' rich marquetry. 1847 Disraeli 'Pattered 11. xiii, .
A large table of ivory marquetry. 1881 Young Every man
his awn Mechanic § 39 Hungarian Ash. .suitable as a .
groundwork for marquetry.
b. attrib. and Comb.
1849 Thackeray Pendennis x.xxvii, Marqueterie tables. '
1851 in Hlustr. Lond. News (1854) 5 Aug. 1 19/3 Occupations
of People, .marqueterie-inlayer. 187a Oliver Elem. Pot.
11. 159 Tunbridge marquetry ware. 1879 Knight Diet. Mcch.
2803 Yacca-wood [used fori Cabinet and marquetry work.
Hence f Marquetrize v. (nonce-wd.) intr., to
make inlaid work : in quot. jig.
1610 W. Folkingham Art of Survey To Rdr. 3 What
curious-quaint Em[b]ellishments diffuse? Musaick-Mazes-
Marquetrizing Muse 1
Marquionesse, obs. form of Marchioness.
Marquis, marquessCmaukwis.-es). Forms:
4 marchis, 6 marches ; 4-5 markis, markys,
5 markesse, markeys, markois, 5-6 markyse,
markes, 6 markas, marcas, -cus, marks ; 5 mar-
quoys, marquyus, 5-6 marques, 5-7 merques,
6-7 marquesse, 6- marquess ; 5 marquys, 6
marquisse, marquise, 6-9 marquiss, 7- marquis.
[a. OK. marchis, later altered to marquis (whence
Du. markies) ; corresponding to Pr. marques, -is,
Sp. marque's, Pg. marqtiez, It. marchese ; f. Com.
Rom. marca (see March ^.3,Makk sb.1) frontier,
frontier territory + -ese :— L. -ensem suffix forming
adjs. from place-names (see -ese). The word is !
thus etymologieally an adj., the sb. understood
being that represented in Kng. by Count, so that
the title was equivalent to Margrave. The med.L. :
representative was marchionem (marchio), still pre-
served in heraldic Latin : cf. marchioness.
The prevailing spelling in literary use appears to be mar-
quis. Some newspapers, however, use marquess, and several
English nobles bearing the title always write it in this way.]
1. In various European countries, the title of the
ruler of certain territories (originally * marches' or ,
frontier districts). This gradually passed, in
Romanic-speaking countries, into a mere title in-
dicating a certain grade of noble rank, immediately
below that of duke and above that of count. In
English it is commonly used to designate a person
of this titular rank in the modern nobility of foreign
countries (though the foreign forms, It. marchese,
Sp. marques, etc. are sometimes retained), and
also Hist, as the appellation of those territorial
lords to whom it was applied in earlier times.
Formerly it was often employed (now rarely) as
the English equivalent of MARGRAVE.
13.. Guy VVanv. (A.) 5171 Herhaud of Ardern, be gode
marchis. c 1330 R. Hrunnb Chron. (18101177 pe marchis
of Mounfraunt. < 1386 Chaucer Cte>k"s T. 8 A Markys
whilom lord was of that londe. i387'I"kk\ isa IHgden (Kolh)
VI. 417 Albericus the markys [1432-50 markesse] expulsede
Saracenys from Ytaly, c 1475 Tavtcnay 6342 For distended
is fro sohyApIace, Oft" kynges, Dukes, Markois full of grace.
1503 in Lett. Rich. Ilffy Hen. F//(RollsJ I. 200 The marques
of Hraiidenburg[hc]. 1529 Rastell Paslyme (181 1) 71 The
markes Hrandonlnirgh. 1535 Harvki. in Ellis Orig. Lett.
Ser. 11. II. 75 The Marks of Guaste hath in Sicilc 150 sailis.
1552 AsCHAM Affairs of Germany (1570) 15 1), There be at
this day fiue Marchesses of Bradenburge. Ibid. 16 Marches
Albert is now at this day xxxi. yeares old. 1596 Shaks.
Mcrch. V. I. i. 125 A Venecian. .that came hither in com-
panie of the Marquesse of Mountfeirat. 1636 Brathwait
Rom. Emp. 121 Neare the suburbanc Orchards of the Mar-
quesse Castelli. 1756^-7 tr. K'eysier's Trav. (1760) III. 39
Many a spot of land not worth above fifty dollars a year
gives the title of marquis to the owners. 1867 Freeman
Norm. Conq. (1876) I. iv. 248 The Dukes, Counts and Mar-
quesses had in this way grown into sovereigns. 1871 E. C. (j.
Murkav Me tuber for Pan's II. 282 Our ex-contributor
M. Horace Gerold (the Marquis of Clairefontaine).
2. At the end of the 14th c. the title was intro-
duced into England to designate a specific degree
of the peerage, between those of duke and earl.
Late in the 15th c. this degree was adopted in the
peerage of Scotland. The title still continues,
indicating the same relative rank, in the peerage
of the United Kingdom and in those of Scotland
and Ireland. When a duke is also a marquis, his
second title is given ' by courtesy ' to his eldest son :
thus the eldest son of the Duke of Devonshire is
called ' the Marquis of Hartington*.
The title of a marquis is usually territorial in form, as
'the Marquis of Salisbury', but in some instances ' Mar-
quis ' is prefixed to a surname, as 'the Marquis Connvnllis '.
1399 Rolls of Par It. III. 452/1 The Dukes, .and the mar-
kys here present. 1445 Ibid. V. 394 William de la Pole,
than Marquoys and Erie of Suffolk. 1451 Ibid. 226/1 The
Name or Estate of Duke, Marquys or Erie. 1473 Warkw.
Chron. (Camden) 4 The Kynge made Lorde Montagu,
Marquyus Montagu. Ibid. 10 Of late tyme hade he made
hym Markes of Montagu. 15. . Bk. Precedence in Q. Eli:.
Acad. (1869) 13 Item, a Dukes Eldest sonn is Borne a Mar*
quesse, and shall goeasa Marquisse. 1509 Fisher Euneral
Serm. C'tess Richmond Wks. (1876) 293 Erles, markyses,
dukes, and princes. 1513 Mork Rich. Ill, Wks. 38/2 The
Lorde Marques Dorsette the Queues sonne by her fyrste
housebande. 1594 Shaks. Rich. Ill, t. iii. 255 Peace
Master Marquesse, you arc malapert, Your fire-new stampe
of Honor is scarce currant. 1646 Whitelocke Mem. (1853)
II. 26 The king sent orders to the marquis of Montrose to
disband his forces. 170a Rowk Tamerl. Ded., To the
Right Honourable William Lord Marquiss of Hartington.
1844 H. H. Wilson Brit. India I. 147 Information of the
death of Marquis Cornwallis arrived in England at the end
of January. 1806. 1901 Empire Rev. I. 466 First in rank
come the dukes, ..then follow in order of precedence, mar-
quises, first created by Richard II.
f3. In the i6-i7th c. often employed as a female
title, equivalent to the later Marchioness. Obs.
It is not easy to see how far this was regarded as an appli-
cation of the masculine title, and how far it was taken as an
anglici/ation of Marquise. The spelling marquess was
commonly preferred in this use, prob. through association
with the suffix -ess. Lady was often prefixed.
1503 IVilt of ICatherine L,ady Hastings (Prtrog.Crt. Canter-
bury), Marquesse Dorset. Ibid^My lady marquisse, 1527 8
Will of Lady Dorset (ibid.), I ladyCecill' marques Harring-
ton and Bonvill late the wife of the right honorable Thomas
marques Dorset. 1529 Act 21 Hen. VIII, c. 13 § 28 Any
Chaplain of any Duchess,*Marquess, Countess, Viscountess,
or Baroness. 1538 Warner in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. 1. II.
97 My lady Marques ys in the tower. 1539 Cromwell in
Mernman Life fy Lett. (1902) II. 214 The marquise hath
bene examyned, and . . albeit she pretendcth Ignorance fete],
1623 in Arch<eologia XLVI1I. 211 Given. .by the kinge's
owne hands to the Ladie Marquesse of Buckingham a cupp
of gold and cover. x6a6 Porv in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. 1.
III. 243 The Foure Englishe ladies sworne of her Bed-
chamber are the Duchesse of Buckingham, the Marques
Hamiltoun, and the Countesses of Carlile and Denbigh.
1669 Pkpvs Diary 30 Apr., My Eady Marquess of Win-
chester, Bellassis, and other great ladies. 1691 &\Emi-
lianne's Frauds Rom. Monks (ed. 3) 223 Two Ladies of
Quality, the one a Lady Marquess, and the other a Countess.
4. attrib. : marquis hat, a particular shape of
ladies' headgear ; marquis pear = Marquise 2,
Marchioness 3 ( Hogg/V/«VJ/rt«.,ed. 4, 1 875 ,p.47Q) .
Marquiss as the name of a pear occurs in London & Wise
Retired Gardner (1706) I. 48.
1901 IVt-stm. Gaz. 6 June 3/2 The Marquis, or thiee-
cornered hat, is perhaps more popular than ever.
Marquisado, variant of Marquisotte Obs.
Marquisal(ma'ikwisal),a. noncewd. Inquots.
marchesal (after the Italian form), marquesal.
fSee -AL.1 Pertaining to a marquis.
80-2
MARQUISATE.
183a Maginn in Blackw. Mag. XXXII. 426 note, The
promises of ducal and marchesril head-pieces, so copiously
and judiciously employed by the present Ministry. 1857
Trollope Bare/tester T. (i860 309 The countess, who.. had
been accustomed to sec all eyes, not royal, ducal, or mar-
ciuesal, fall before her own, paused.
Marquiaat(e, obs. forms of Makcasitk.
Marquisate (ma\ikwisrt). Also 6, 9 mar-
qu ess ate, 7 marquesad(e, -at, -quisat, -quizat,
marchasate, -esate, -isat'e. [f. Makqcis + -AW1,
after F '.mat -qui 'sat ', \\.marchesato, Sp. marquesado.']
1. The dignity or status of a marquis. Also, + a
place from which a marquis takes his title.
15.. Bk. Precedence in Q. Eliz. Acad, (1869) 15 A Mar-
quesse must goe after his Creation, and not after his mar-
quisate. 1675 Ogilbv Brit. 4 Worcester, .a city honoured
with the title of Marquisate in the Right Noble Henry
Marquess and Earl of Worcester. 1762-71 H. Walpole
Vertue's Anecd. Paint. (1786) I. 218 She restored him too
to the Marquisate of Exeter. 1844 Disraeli Coningsby 1.
ii, The very day he was raised to his Marquisate, he com-
menced sapping fresh corporations. 1902 A thenseum 26 Apr.
521/2 On the duke's death the marquessate of Douglas.,
passed to the Duke of Hamilton, as male heir.
2. In various countries of Europe : The territorial
lordship or possessions of a marquis or margrave.
X591 Pf.rcivall Sp. Diet. , Marquesado, a Marquessate.
1613 Hrerewood Lang.fy Relig.'i'o Rdr.,The marchasates
of Silesia and Drandeburge. Ibid., The marchesates of
Lusatia, Moravia [etc.]. 1630 A'. Johnsons Kingd. $
Commiu. 300 In Germany (you are to understand) a Duke-
dome may be contained within a Marquisate. 171 1 Lond.
Caz. No. 48031 An Earthquake has been felt in the Mar-
quisate of Ancona. i84aMACAULAY£^.f Fredk. o7.,Rheins-
berg is a fertile and smiling spot, in the midst of the sandy
waste of the Marquisate.
t Marquisdoin. ? Obs. [f. Marquis + -dom.]
= Marquisate.
1530 Pai.sgr. 243/2 Marquesdom, marquisat. 1586 Holin-
shf.d Chron. Scot. 284/1 Francis Scotia lord of Pine and
Mondone, and other nobles of the marquesdome of Saluce,
are descended from the Scots. 1643 Trapp Comm. Gen.
xlvi. 32 Galeacius Caracciolus. .returned to his Marques*
dom in Italy. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Marquisate or
Afarquzsedom, the Territory or Jurisdiction of a Marquess.
II Marquise (mxikf'z, Fr. markfz). In sense
3 also 8 erron. marquis. [F. marquise, fern, of
marquis, in senses 1, 2, 3.]
1. = Marchioness. Only as a title of foreign
nobility. (But cf. Marquis 3.)
1894 Nation (N. Y.) 30 Aug. 160/1 She anticipates not
only the French marquise of the last century, but even
more our American great ladies.
2. A kind of pear. (Cf. Marchioness 2.)
1706 London & Wise Retired Card Wr I.63 Owarf Pears.
. .The Marquise. 1741 Compl. Fa/n.- Piece 11. iii. 406 The.se
Pears ; [Nov.] Martin Sec, ..Sucrevert, la Marquise. 1875
Hogg Fruit. Man. (ed. 4) 479.
3. A kind of tent (see qtiot. 1788) ; - Marquee.
1783 in Conway Life T. Paine (1892) I. 197 The tables
were spread under a marquise or tent. 1788 Grosk Miltt.
Antiq. II, Descr. Plates 2 A field-officer's tent or marquis.
The word marquis and tent are promiscuously used, though
strictly speaking they are different things ; the internal part
commonly made of ticking, the marquis; the external
covering, canvas. 179a Fennell Narr. Proc. Paris 187
A great marquise was erected on the east side of the altar.
4. In full, marquise ring : A finger-ring set with
a pointed oval cluster of gems.
1885 Cassclls Encycl. Diet, Marquise-ring. 1896 Westm.
Caz. 30 Jan. 5/3 Other witnesses deposed to as to the promise
of a marquise ring. 1903 Ibid. 10 Dec. 4/2 A marquise
formed of a single diamond, or a single sapphire, or a single
ruby, is, of course,, .not very usual.
t Marquisess. Obs. [f. Marquis + -ess.]
= Marchioness.
c 1386 Chaucer Clerk's T. 227, 1 wole with othere maydens
stonde-.and se The Markysesse. 1491 Act 7 Hen. VII,
c. 16 § 13 Anne Marquisses Berkeley, a 1548 Hall Chron.,
Hen. VIII 216 Euery Marquesses put on a demy Coronal
of golde.
tMarquisina. Obs. rare-1, ft ad. It. mar-
chesina young marchioness, dim. of marchesa ; but
Sterne was prob. thinking of marckesana = mar-
chesa^ An Italian marchioness.
1768 Sterne Sent. fourn. (Rtldg.) 321 ( Translation), I was
..just entering the door of the hall, when the Marquisina
de F*** was coming out.
t Marquisotte, v. Obs. Also 6 marquesotte,
-ezate,marcussotte,marquisado, 7 merquizotte.
[f. F. marquisotle (' Barbe faille a la marquisolle,
cut after the Turkish fashion, all being shauen away
but the raustachoes/ Cotgr.).] Irans. To cut (the
beard) in the fashion described above. Also pass.
of the person, to have the beard so cut.
1567 Golding Ovuls Met. xui. 169 b, His sturre stifle
heare he kembeth. .And with a sythe dooth marcussotte his
bristled herd, c 1580 Jefff.kie Bugbears 1. iii. 81 in Archiv
Stud. neu. Spr. (1897) 3*3 ^e *s coombed and slicked and
frizeled and marquisotted. 1588 Losses Span. Navy in
Harl. Misc. (1753) I. 135 A very little Beard, marquesotted.
159* Greene De/. Conny. catching Wks. (Grosart) XI. 72
Then hee must be Marquisadod, with a side peake pendent.
1619 North's Gueuard's Diall Pr. 625/1 To see a foolish
Courtier.. have his beard merquizotted.
t Marquisship. Obs. [f. Marquis + -shii\]
=^ Marquisate.
1464 Rolls o/Parlt. V. 565/1 The markeship of the holy
Empere. 1586 Stanihurst Chron. Irel. 1 18/2 in Hotinshed,
As for the marqueship of Corke being a matter of great
180
weight [<.tc.|. 1587 Holinshed Chron. III. 1336/1 AnofTer
of the maiquesship of the sacred empire made to the mon-
sieur. 1676 Lady Fanshawe Mem. (1830) 184 We took our
leave of Cordova, lodging that night at Carpio, the Mar-
quisship of Don Lewis de Haro.
i Marquisy. Obs. rare-1. In quot. raar-
quesy. [f. Mahquis + -Y.] = Marquisate.
1586 T. I). La Primaud. Fr. Acad. 1. (1594) 561 One.
politicall communion compounded of manie villages, towne.s,
. .barronies, counties, marquesies, dukedomes.
MarqtlOis (jnaukwoiz). Surveying. [app.
a blunder for F. marquoir marking instrument,
'a sort of ruler used by tailors' (Hatz.-Darm.).]
Used allrib. in marquois scale {and triangle), an
apparatus devised for the purpose of drawing ecmi-
distant parallel lines with speed and accuracy.
Sometimes written MarquoCs, Marquois's, as if the geni-
tive of a proper name.
1834 Catalogue Instr, Troughton <y Sim/us 2 Plotting,
Marquois and Gunter's Scales. 1849 Heather Math.
Instr. 45 The pair of Marquois's scales now before us.
1878 Marks in Jrul. Franklin Inst. CV. 418 An improved
form of Marquoi's scale. 1883 W, H. Richards Text Bk.
Milit. Topogr. 153 A large rolling ruler, or the marquois
scale and triangle, is available for carrying a parallel line.
1886 Athemeum 4 Sept. 307/2 There is one . .instrument,
namely, the marquois scaler which it is rather surprising to
see omitted in this list.
t Marquot. Obs. [a. F, marquolte (Cotgr.),
now marcolte.] ' A Sucker, or young plant, that
spurts vp from the root of a vine, &c. ; or is of it
selfe rooted ' (Cotgr. 161 1).
1600 Surflet Country Farm vi. vi. 737 Howsoeuer the
plant set of a crosset may make the better foote and route,
yet for certaine it is harder to take then the marquot [orig.
la marquottc\
Marr, dial, form of Meke sb.
Marraiss, obs. forms of Marish.
Marram (marram). Also8marem, marran,
morrane, 9 maram, mar(r)um, murrain, [a. ON.
maralm-r, f. mar-r sea + haltn-r Haulm.]
1. A local name (chiefly E. Angl.) for the Sea
Keed or Bent Grass, Psamma arenaria, the routs
of which bind together and keep stable the sands
of the sea-shore in Northern Europe. Also marram-
grass, sea marram.
1640 Parkinson Theat. Hot. 1200 We in English [call
Spartum] Helme and Matweedt, but the people all along
the Coasts of Norfolke and Suffolke call it Marram. 1726
Threlkeld Syn. Stifp. Hibern. K 5, Our Country Women
in Fingall call these Morranes. 1787 W. Marshall Nor-
folk (1795) 11. 383 Gloss., Marram or Marem, Arundo
areuaria, sea-reed -grass. 1830 Lyell Princ. Geol. I. ^68
Dry sand, bound in a compact mass by the long creeping
roots of the plant called Marram. 1834 Penny Cycl. II.
427/2 Arundo arcnaria, the sea-reed or marrumgra;*.
1872 Oliver Elem. Bot. 11. 274 The Sea Maram.
i. A sand-hill grown over with this grass.
1834 Paget Nat. Hist. Yarmouth Introd. 22 The hilU of
drifted sand which form the marrams. 1867 Lyell Prim.
Geol. 11. xx. (ed. 10) I. 513 Hills of blown ^md, called ' Mar-
rams ', . . now occupy the site.
attrib. 1879 R. Lubbock Fauna of Norfolk 1 12 The marum
banks on the coast.
Marrangle, erron. form of Mekin<;ue.
1826 Miss Mitford Vill. Ser. 11. 211 My good cousin..
left it to my own senses to discover the merits of brioche and
marrangles.
II MarranO (marirno). Obs. exc. Hist. Id 6
raarrane, maranne, pi. marrany, 6-7 maran(e,
marano. [Sp. marratio, of unknown origin.] A
name applied in mediicval Spain to a christianized
Jew or Moor, esp. to one who merely professed
conversion in order to avoid persecution.
1583 Stocker Civ. Warres Lowe C. iv. 50 The women,
chose rather to drowne them selues. then to be dishonored
with so Barbarous a Maran. 1585 T. Washington tr,
Nicholay's Voy. 11. xiii. 49 An infinite multitude of Icwes
and Marannes diiuen out of Spain. Ibid. iv. xvi. 130b,
The Maranes of late banished and driuen outofSpaineand
Portugale. 1509 Sandys Europ.e Spec. (1632) 164 A sort of
people of the Marrany as they terme them, who are Jwip-
tized Jews and Moores. 1600 O. E. Repi. Libel 1. ii. 55
Those that will not suffer Christians to liue. .dispense with
apostataes, maranoes, and rinegued Turkes. Ibid. 11. iii.
58 They absoluc.most wicked rebels, yea Marans and
apostataes. 1645 Pagitt Heresiogr. (1662) 205 A very-
christened Jew, a Maran. ioox Westm. Gaz. 12 Aug. 3/1
Two years later the Crypto-Jews or Marranos of London
had acquired ' untrammelled trading rights'.
Hence + Ma'rranized ///. a., t Ma'rranism.
[1563-83 Foxe A. <V M. II. 905/1 All these thinges were
a meere Maranismus, that is, sauoured of the law of Mara-
norum.] 1611 Cotgr., Marranisi1, . . Marranized, renegaded.
1694 Motteux Rabelais v. (1737) 216 Apostates and mar-
raniz'd Miscreants. 1737 Ozell Rabelais III. 232 note,
There were several Sons and Grandsons of the Family,
which Jos. Scaliger suspected of Maranism (Judaism).
Marras, variant of Makish.
Marratine, obs. form of Makitime.
Marrch, obs. form of March j/>.1 (the month).
Marre : see Mar, Marc, Mere, a lake.
Marred (maid), ///. a. [f. Mar v. + -ED*.]
fa. Perplexed, distracted, b. Spoilt, injured.
Now rare exc. dial, of a child : 'Spoilt', peevish.
e. Disfigured, mutilated.
C1350 I Vill. Palerne 664, I am Meliors, neijh marred,
man, for bi sake. 1447 Bokenham ^<y«r>j((Horstm.) \.{Mar-
, garete) 291 Euere musynge in his marryd mood How..
MARRIAGE.
He myht bereuyn hyre hyr virginyte. 1552 Lyndesay
Monarche Prol. 2^0 Sick marde Musi^ may muk me no sup-
plee. 1611 Bible Isa. Hi. 14 His visage was so marred more
then any man. 1611 Cotgr., Manvais. .depraued, corrupt,
mard. 1790 Pennant LondoniiBi^) 358 A marble groupe..
with London and Commerce whimpering like two marred
children. 1856U1 kai.hink E. )wsb\;ry Sorrows of Geuti/ity
II. i. 2 The grandfather gave it [a baby] impatiently back
to the nurse with the observation that ' It was very marred '.
1870 Pall Mall G. 10 Dec. 12 The shadow of their marred
journey rest;, upon the souls of all the English members of
the party. 1898 W. K. Johnson Terra Tenebr. 92 Let
the marred earth tremble and pass. 1903 Blackiu. Mag.
June 632/2 With his marred face [said of a man whose nose
had been cut otfj.
Hence Marredness.
1587 Golding De Momay xvii. 275 Notwithstanding all
thismarrednesse, yet theSouleliueth. .pure and clean in God.
Marree, variant of Mkri 2, Maori war-axe.
Marreis, obs. form of Marish.
1" Marrement. Obs. rare~\ [f. Mar v. +
-ment.] Trouble, affliction.
1390 Gowkr Conf. III. 196 And thus upon his marrement
This paien hath made his preiere.
Marrer (ma'iaj). ff. Mar v. + -er1.] One
who mars ; a destroyer, injurer, spoiler.
1 1430 Lydg. Assembly of Gods 690 Marrers of mater>, and
money makers. 15*9 More Suppl. Soulys Wks. 295/1 They
be yv marrars & distroyers of the realme. 1581 Mulcastek
Positions xxxiv. (1887) 218 The deuill himselfe. .our most
suttle, and despitefull marrer. ^1619 Fotherby Atheom.
11. x. § 4 (1622) 307 One is the maker, and One is the marrer
of euery number. 1639 Fuller Holy IVarw. xviii. (1640J
lgo^His friends, the Pisans and Genoans, reviled him as the
marrer of their mart. 1830 Southey Lett. (1856) IV. 180
As for the Fitz-Romilly law-menders, makers, or marrers,
I think of these as you do. 1877 Tinsley's Mag. XXI. 203
She was no match-maker, but she was no match-marrer.
Marret, variant of Marrot, a guillemot.
Marre(y)s(se, obs. forms of Marish.
Marriable (mre'riab'l), a. Now rare. Also
5-6 mari-, maryable, 6 marryable. [a. OK.
mariable, f. mari-er to Marry.] That may be
married ; in early use = MARRiAGKAHLE.
C1440 Promp. Part'. 326/1 Maryable, .. nubilis. 1543
Graeton Contin. Harding 540 The lorde Harbarte had a
syster maryable. c 1555 Hari*seield Divorce Hen. VIII
(Camden) 154 Until that Sela came of marriable years.
1569 Aup. Parker Corr. (Parker Soc.) 352 The parties
marriable must be so allowed by two justices of the peace
or by the Ordinary. 1587 Holinsheu Chron. III. 38/1
The kings daughter . . being now viripotent or mariable.
1820 Coleruxje in Lit. Rem. (1839) IV. 150 The Reformed
Church of England with its marriable and married clergy.
Marriage (maj-rid^). Forms: 3-7mariage,
4-6 maryage, 4 mariag, 5 mareagh, maryag,
-ache, 6 marrage, marag, mar(r)yge, ma-
rie(a)ge, 7 mareag(e, mariadge, 6- marriage,
[a. V. mariage (from 12th c.) = Pr. maridatge, Sp.
maridaje (Pg. has a different formation. maridan$a))
It. maritaggio :— popular L. type *maritalicum L
maril-us husband : sec Marital a. and -age.
In Kng., as also in Fr., the word tends to be apprehended
(in accordance with a frequent function of the suffix -age)
as if it were a derivative of the related verb.]
1. The condition of being a husband or wife ; the
relation between married persons ; spousehood,
wedlock.
xvyj K. Gi.oix. (Rolls) 1400, & [he] sede ^at it was to him
grct prou ft honour To be in such mariage alied to be em-
perour. c 1400 Maundev. (Roxb.) xx. By In pat cuntree es
na mariage betwene man and womman. 1456 Sir G. Haye
Law Arms (S. T. S.) 21 tnarg., The mareagh of kyrk 11101.
1513 Bradshaw St* IVerburge 1. 1754 Many dyuers per-
sones . . Refused this worlde . . Renounsynge vayne pleasures
ryches and maryage. 1567 Gude A Godlic B. (S. T. S.) 202
Mariage is ane blissit band. 1606 U. Jonson Hymenal,
Barriers 39 Marriage Loves obiect is. 16*4 Donne Surm.
ii. 17 Nor does he dishonour Marriage that praises Virginity.
1647 Cowley Mistr., Constant ii, All Love is Marriage on
thy Lovers side, For only Death can them divide. 1767
A. Yoi;ng Banner's Lett, to People 189 Marriage wijl ever
flourish, when there is no danger of children proving an
incumbrance. 1873 Mem vale in Summary Proc. St.
Etheldreda Fest. 17 The two pillars upon which God has
founded the editice of civilized society are, after all, property
and marriage,
+ b. In certain phrases used for : The marriage
vow. Obs.
( 1386 Chaucer Wife's Prol. 710 He. .writ in his dotage
That wommen kan nat kepe hir mariage ! a 1450 A'ttt. de
la Tour (1868) 60 No man nor woman shulde. . breke her
mariage. 1530 Pai.sgr. 464/1 Thou haste broken thy mar-
ryage, tu asfaulce ton mariage.
C. Phr. with preps. In marriage (now arch.) :
in the matrimonial state, in wedlock. To give,
take in (f to, f into) marriage : to give, take as
husband or wife. + But marriage (Sc.) : unmanied.
a 1300 Cursor M. 12667 A man in mariage hirtok. c 1375
Sc. Leg. Saints xli. (Agnes) 107 My spouse . . has gifnne me
in mariage, pat neuir sal fal^e, his herytage. ci47° Henky
Wallace iv. 723 Thai . . said scho suld be weddyt with ane
knycht . . that was but mariage. 1535 Coverdale Ps.
lxxvii[i]. 63 Their maydes were not geuen to mariage. 1594
Marlowe & Nashe Dido 111. it, Why should not they then
ioyne in marriage? 1700 Dryden Pat. <$• Arc. in. IMO
Then I propose that Palamon shall be In marriage joined
with beauteous Emily. 1877 |see Give v. 5I
d. Anthropol. with defining word. Communal
marriage: the system prevailing amongst some
uncivilized peoples, by which within a small com-
MARRIAGE.
181
MARRIED.
munity all the men are regarded as married to all
the women, and vice versa ; sometimes called
group marriage. Plural marriage : polygamy.
1870 Lubbock Orig. Civitiz. 67 Communal marriage, where
every man and woman in a small community were regarded
as equally married to one another. 1880 Fison & Hownr
Kantil. % Kumat 146 Considering how easy it is to mis-
take instances of group marriage for polyandry.
2. Entrance into wedlock ; the action, or an act,
of marrying ; the ceremony or procedure by which
two persons are made husband and wife.
Civil marriage : a marriage performed by an officer of
the state, as distinguished from one that is of the nature of
a religious ceremony. Fleet marriage: see Fleet sb.- 2.
Scotch marriage : a marriage according to the Scots law,
effected by a mutual declaration before witnesses, without
other formality ; chit-fly applied to the runaway marriages
(formerly frequent) of couples who crossed from England
into Scotland in order to escape the restrictions imposed by
English law on the marriage of minors without the consent
of their guardians.
a 1300 Cursor M. 3337 pe manage pen did he male
fiitui.x rebecca and ysaac. t" 1386 Chalckk Mcrch. T. 75
Mariage is a ful greet sacrement. 1490 Caxton Eneydos
xiv. 52 Yf I wyst that thou, venus, were not of accorde for
the maryag of eneas to dydo, I shulde make hyin fyrst to
departe wythout eny respyte. c 1555 Hari-sheld Divorce
Hen. VIII (Camden) 245 St. Hierome and St. Gregone that
will not call our ladie's marriage nupttalls. 1699 T. BROWN
in A*. L' Estranges Eras"/. Colloq, (1725) 341 For when
Marriage is once legally contracted, no human Power you
know can disannul it. 1766 Blackstonb Comm. II. 334
As, when lands are conveyed to the use of A and B, after
a marriage shall be had between them. 183Z Marryat
N. Eorster xxxtv, A marriage on board of a king's ship, by
the captain, duly entered in the log-book, Is considered.,
valid. 1879 Miss Bk addon Cloven Foot xix, A good many
years ago. . I got myself entrapped into a Scotch marriage.
b. The nuptial ceremony together with the ac-
companying festivities ; a wedding. ? Obs. or arch.
c 1386 Chaucer Wife's Frol. 558, I made my visitauous
.. To pleyes of myracles and to manages. 1536 Tindale
John ii. 2 Iesus was called also and his disciples vnto the
mariage. c 1610 Women Saints 17 He reprooueth Virgins
that were present at manages.
3. A particular matrimonial alliance or union.
Cross marriage : applied to the marriage of a man to the
sister of his sister's husband.
1473 WARK w. Chron. (Camden) 3 The Erie of Warwyke was
sent into Frauuce for amaryage for the Kynge. 1539 Crom-
well in Merriman Life J, Lett.(igo2) II. 175 To induce and
persuade the kinges hieghnes..to make a crosse maryage
bitwen the yong duke of Cleves and my lady Mary. 1559
Mirr. Mag., Dk. Suffolk xi, I sought a mariage for my
soveraine Lorde. 1580 Eylv Eufihucs (Arb.) 471 Manages
are made in heauen. a 1586 Sidney Arcadia 11, (1590) 129
Euarchus made a crosse mariage also with Dorilaus his
sister. 1586 A. Day Eng. Secretary 11. (1625) 50 You haue
deliuered forth . . that . . I . . led him . . into a deceitfull mar-
riage. 1663 Dryden Rival Ladies 1. i, For hapning both to
Love each others Sisters, They have concluded it in a cross
Marriage, i860 Froude ///.si'. Eng. xxxi. (1893) V. 304 The
fears of Renard . . were occasioned by the unanimity of
Catholics and heretics in the opposition to the marriage.
Mod, They disapproved of his marriage.
fb. concr. A person viewed as a prospective
husband or wife; a (good or bad) match. Obs.
1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. ccliii. 375 The erle of Flaun-
ders . . thought that the yonge duke of Bourgoyn was a mete
mariage for her [his daughter]. 1621 Lady M. Wroth
Urania 357 He was perswaded .. to go sec a Lady, a great
marriage, and to wooe her. Ibid. 438 A great marryage
she was likely to be.
4. trans/, and Jig. (from the preceding senses).
Intimate union.
< 1420 Pallad. on Ilusb. iv. 27 Into the lond let synke
A reed right by, and bynde in mariage Hem to, lest wynde
offende her tender age. c 1570 {title) A new and Pleasauut
enterlude intituled the mariage of Witte and Science.
(11586 Sidney Arcadia 111. (1590)331 The cruel villayne
forced the sworde with another blowe to diuorce the faire
marriage of the head and body. 1613 Pvrch us Pilgrimage
iv. i. (1614) 342 They plant their Vines at the foote of great
Trees, which marriage proueth very fruitfull. a. 1693
Aubrey Lives (1898) I. Briggs 123 He considered, .the
convenience of making a mariage between those rivers.
1876 T. Hardy Ethelbcrta (1890) 68 In which of the cases
do you consider the marriage of verse and tune to have
been most successful ?
5. - Maritage 2. Obs. exc. Hist.
1459 Rolls of Parlt. V. 371/1 The Warde and Maryage
of Thomas, .belonged unto the Kyng. c 1460 Fortescl 1:
Abs. $ Lim. Mon. ix. (1S85) 130 The grete lordis off ),e
lande by reason, -off manages, purchasses, and ober titles,
shall often tymes growe to be gretter than thai be now.
rti578 Lindksay (Fitscottie) Chron. Scot. (S. T. S.) I. 62
The Earle of Douglas, .obtenit fre the King the ward and
marieage of [Annas] Dunbar. 1885 Plummer Fortescue's
A bs.fy Lim. Mon. 270 marg.y Lord's right of marriage under
the feudal system.
f6. A dowry. Obs. (Cf. Makitage 1.)
e 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 2328 Derfore y schal
inyn heritage Gyue hy sistres in mariage [Wace : en ma.
riage]. 1362 Langl. P. PI. A. 11. 50 To witnesse . , In what
manere that Meede in mariage was i-feffed. 1577-87
Holinshed Chron. III. 1131/2 He [John Gresham] gaue
also to maids mariages.
7. Cards. In certain games, e.g. bezique, the
' declaration * of a king and queen of the same
suit.
1861 Macm. Mag. Dec. 138/2 [Baziuue.]. . King and queen
of the same suit are called ' marriage ', and score two ; but
the marriage of trumps scores four. 1870 'Cavendish'
Game of Bezique 16 King and queen of any suit not trumps
(called marriage). King and queen of the trump suit (called
marriage in trumps or royal marriage).
8. attrib. and Comb., as marriage-blessing, bond,
•bower, -ceremony, chain, chamber, choice, contract,
covenant, -day, -dinner, dowry, -dues, duty, faith,
feast, fruition, -hater, -himiering adj., hour, joy,
-knell, -knot, life, -maker, market, -monger, -morn,
-morning, night, -register, -rites, state, supper, table,
-tie, -treaty, -vow. Also Marriage Act, any of the
Acts of Parliament regulating marriages (see quot);
marriage articles, an antenuptial agreement em-
bodying the terms agreed on by the parties with re-
spect torights of property and succession; fmarriage
bawd, an opprobrious term for a match-maker;
marriage bell, a church bell rung on the occasion
of a marriage in token of joy; marriage brokage,
brokerage, consideration given lor bringing about
a marriage (contracts for which are void by English
law) ; f marriage broker, an opprobrious term for
a match-maker; + marriage deed =- marriage
articles', marriage favours, l knots of white rib-
bons or bunches of white flowers, worn at weddings '
(Ogilvie Supph 1 855); fmarriage finger, the finger
on which the wedding-ring is placed ; fmarriage
gear (Sc.), f marriage good, marriage portion,
dowry ; marriage lay - marriage-song ; marriage
licence, an official permission to marry (in England,
a document granted by the ordinary or his surrogate,
authorizing a couple to be married by a clergyman
of the Church of England without the proclamation
of banns); marriage lines,acertifieateof marriage;
marriage portion, a portion or dowry, etc., given
to a bride at her marriage ; marriage-ring, a
wedding-ring; marriage service, the form of
words prescribed for the religious ceremony ot
marriage ; marriage settlement, an arrangement
made by deed in consideration of an intended
marriage, whereby cerlain property is secured for
the wife, and sometimes also for the children;
marriage-song, an epithalamium. See also Mak-
UIAGE BED.
Marriage life, marriage state, formerly common expres-
sions, are now almost superseded by married Ujc, married
state.
,753 Gentl. Mag. Sept., Contents, Accounts of the new
"inanageact. 1841 STEPHEN^ Comm. (1874) II. 246 The
principal marriage Acts now in force, are 4 Geo. IV. c. 76,
and 6 & 7 Will. IV. c. 85. 1711 Steele Sped. No. 2 f 2 1 he
Father sends up every Post Questions relating to "Marriage-
Ai ticles? Leases, and Tenures. 1698 Vanuklgh Frov. H 'ife v.
iii, My innocent lady. .turns 'mai riage-bawd to her niece.
1816 IIvron Ch. liar. 111. xxi, And all went merry us a "mar-
riage-bell. 1610 Shaks. Temp. iv. i. 106 Honor, riches, * mar-
riage blessing . . be still vpon you. 1644 M 1 [.ton Judgm. liucer
xxvii, That under pretence of the "marriage bond they be
not sold to perpetual vexations. 1831 Cahlyle Sart. Res.
lit. iii. The fair clustering flowers that over-wreathe, .the
*Mai riage-bower. a 1721 Veknon Chancery Cfses (1726) I.
412 The IJill was lo be relieved against a *Marriage Brocage
Uond. 1787 W. P. Williams Chancery Cases III. 75 note,
Cares of direct marriage brocage. 1681 Otway Soldier's
Fort. iv. i, Make me a Match-maker? a filthy *Marriage-
liroker ! 1847 Addison Law of Contracts 568 "Marriage
brokerage contracts. 1766 Chron. in Ann. Reg. 106 Thus
was she led.. to the altar, where the "marriage-ceremony
was performed. 1703 Rows Fair Pemt. 1. i, Never to load
it with the *Marriage Chain. 1611 Bible Tobit vi. 16
When thou shalt come into the *mariage chamber, c 1586
Ctess Pembroke Fs. lxxviii. xxv, The virgins live des-
pair'd of *mariage choise. 1644 Milton Judgm, Bucer
xxvi, That all holiness and faith of *marriage covenant
should be observed. 1594 Marlowe & Nashe Dido I. i,
These linked gems, My funo ware vpon her *marriage day.
1678 Bltler Hud. in. i. 834 For what can we pretend
t'inherit, Unless the *marnage-deed will bear if/ 1552
Latimer Ser/tt., Parable Kings Son (1584) 183 b, This
banket or *mariage dinner. 1603 Shaks. Meas.for M. in.
i. 230 The portion and sinew of her fortune, her #mamage
dowry. 1767 Chron. in Ann. Reg. 64 A young nobleman
..gave five guineas. .in order to. .pay the *marriage-dues.
1645 Milton Colast. Wks. (1847) 222/2 Diversity of re-
ligion breeds a greater dislike to "marriage duties than
natural disagreement. 1671 — Samson 11 15 Breaking her
I *Marriage Faith to circumvent me. 1588 Shaks. L. L. L.
i 11. 1. 40 At a *marriage feast ..saw I this Longauill.
! 17x1 Addison Sped. No. 58 P 13 To get the Measure of his
j Mistress's *Marriage- Finger. 1645 Milton Tctrach. Wks.
i 11847)207/1 (Matt. xix. 9) That a person so hatefully ex-
pelled should., be turned.. out of all *marriage fruition.
1515 in Earn. Rose ofKilravock (Spalding) 185 For the
' quhilk mariage the said Huchon Ros sail gifif sex scorof
\ Merkis of -mariage geyr. 1600 Holland Livy XUI. xxxiv.
I "34 [My wife] brought nothing with her for *marriage-
I good, but freedome of birth [etc]. 1692 D'Uriey {title)
I The *Marriage-Hater Matched. 1864 Tennyson Aytmer's
1 F. 374 This filthy *marriage-hindering Mammon. 1591
I Shaks. Two Gent. 11. iv. 179 We are betroathd : nay more,
■ our *mariage howre Determin'd of. 1594 — Rich. Ill,
' iv. iv. 330 The sweet silent houres of *Marriage< ioyes.
1693 Congreve Old Bach. v. xiii, I thought the chimes of
; verse were passed, when once the doleful *marriage-knell
j was rung. 1627 Sanderson Serm. I. 262 In the ^marriage-
' knot there is some expression and representation of the
! love-covenant betwixt Christ and His church. 1850 Ten-
nyson In Mem. Concl., Demand not thou a *marriage lay.
i 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) X. 584/1 To forge. .a_*marriage
! licence. 1836-7 Dickens St. Boz, Scenes viii, Doctors'
j Commons being .. the place where they grant marriage-
I licences to love-sick couples. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 149
iT 5 The *Marriage-Life is always an insipid, a vexatious, or
an happy Condition. 1829, 1840 *Marriage lines [see Line
sb.2 23 (]. 159* Pekcivall Sp. Vict., Casamentero, a 'mar-
riage maker. 1855 Tennyson Maud 1. xx. iii, A dinner and
then a dance For the maids and marriage-makers. 1875
Chamb. Jrnl No. 133. 54 Lord Hardwicke's Act caused quite
a flutter in the "marriage-market. i8s4TnACKERAYAV7('t-<w«r.s
I. 305 There are articles which the 'marriage-monger cannot
make to convene at all. 1842 Tennyson ' Move Eastward",
Ah, bear me with thee.. And move mc to my *m;irriage-morn.
1821 Byron Juan\. Ixxvi, The fine.st lace Which e'er set
off a "marriage-morning face. 1664 Li>. Falkland {title)
The vMariage Night. 1766 Chron. in Ann. Reg. 106 The
girl was advised to do this, that he might be iutitled to no
other 'marriage-portion than her .smock. 1797 Encycl. Brit.
(ed. 3) X. 584/1 To make a false entry into a 'marriage-
register. 1825 J. Nial Bro. Jonathan II. 154 She never
had sich a cold in all her life, as when she left her *marriage
ring off. a 1661 Holyday Juvenal vi. (1673) 91 He Acts no
new sinne, Posthumus, that sleights The ( lenius of another'*
* Marriage-Rites. 1833 Tracts for Times No. 3, p. 1 There
are persons who wish the ''Marriage-Service emended. 1712
Steele Spect. No. 272 f 1, I have a young Kinsman, .who
shall shew you the rough Draught of the "Marriage Seiile-
ment, 1597 Drayton Heroic Fp., Dk. Suffolk to Mary the
Fr. Queen 122 And in precession as they came along, with Hi-
meneus sang thy *marriage song. 1714 Spectator No. 607
F 5 Cood-Nature is a third nect^ary Ingredient in the
"Marriage-State. 1611 Bible Rev. xix. 9 Blessed are
they which are called vnto the "marriage supper of the
Lambe. 1602 Shaks. Ham. 1. ii. 1S1 The Funeral! Bakt-
meats Did coldly furnish forth the "Marriage Tables. 1693
Dryden tr. ihu'd's Met. 1. 653 Give me.. to live and die A
spotless maid, without the 'marriage-tie. 1710 Palmer Pro-
verbs 127 He that loves at first sight. -finishes a 'inarriage-
tieaty without taking so much time as [etc.]. 1598 Shaks.
Merry W. 11. ii. 258 The ward of her purity, her reputa-
tion, her *mairiage-vow.
Marriageable (marredsab'l), a. (sb.) Also
6-7 mariageable. [f. MARRIAGE +- ABLE.]
1. Of persons: Fit for marriage, of an age to marry.
c 1555 Haiushlid Divorce Hen. VIII (Camden) 174 If
you would tarry until they should be marriageable, you
should be old women ere you married. 1625 K. Long tr.
Ban lay's Argenis iv. iv. 252 There were no neighbour-
princes which were marriageable. 1712 Addison Sped.
No. 311 F 1, I am the Father of a young Heiress, whom
I begin to look upon as Marriageable. 1841 Lyiton Nt. <r
Mom. 1. i, He boasted two very pretty marriageable
daughters. 1885 J. Payn 'Talk of Town 1 1. 56 Your united
ages scarcely make up that of a marriageable man.
b. trans/. Of plants, csp. the vine : Fit to be
joined to other plants.
1663 Cowley Verses <y Ess., ' Happy the Man ' 9 Some-
times the beaut'ous Marriageable vine He to the lusty
Bridegroom Elm does joyn. 1667 Milton /'. /.. v. 217.
1824 Black-w. Mag. XVI. 2 The ruby cluster* of Bacchus him-
self, glowing amidst the foliage of some tall marriageable elm.
c. Of age (f formerly also of qualities, etc.);
Befitting marriage or the married state.
1597 T. P/YNii Royal Exth. 43^'ch mariageable tearmes
.. teacheth.. husbands and wyves to be so lyncked in love
as to lyve and love togethers most aflectionatly. 1643
Milton Divorce 1. xit, It is most sure that some. .are desti-
tute of all other mariageable gifts. 1725 Dk Foe Voy.
round World (1840I 246 Twelve years old, which the
Spaniards count marriageable. 1889 Jkssoit Coming 0/
Friars v. 228 A. .damsel, .very near the marriageable age.
2. sb. A marriageable person.
1826 Moore Mem. (1854* V. 49 Dined at Mrs. Branigan's :
a children's party in the evening, with the intermixture of
two or three rather pretty young marriageable*.
Hence Ma-rriageableness ; Marriageability
(in recent Diets.), rare"0.
1687 Miege Gt. Fr. Did. II, Marriageableness, age dttre
mane". 1727 in Bailey vol. II.
Marriage-bed. The bed used by a married
couple ; hence transf. marital intercourse, with its
rights and duties. To defile, violate the marriage-
bed: to commit adultery.
1590 Shaks. Com. Err. II. i. 27 Ad/i. This seruitude
makes you to keepe vnwed. Luci. Not this, but troubles
of the marriage bed. 1675 Tkahekne Chr. Ethics 414 The
great felicity which lovers promise to themselves, and taste
also when they meet together in the marriage-bed. 1712
Addison Sped. No. 446 r 6 We do not find any Comedy. .
raised upon the Violations of the Marriage-Bed. 1776
Adam Smith W. N. ii. iii. (1869) I. 351 The marriage-bed
of James the First of Great Britain was, a few years ago,
the ornament of an alehouse at Dunfermline. 1869 Lecky
Europ. Mor. (1877) II. iv. 7 During the period of penance,
the penitent was compelled to abstain from the marriage-
bed. 1896 A. E. Hovsmax Shropshire Ladxxviu, Ages since
the vanquished bled Round my mother's marriage-bed.
Married (mx- rid), ppl. a. [f. Marry v. + -ed1.]
1. United to another in wedlock; living in the
matrimonial state.
1362 Langl. P. PL A. x. 109 }if bou best Mon I-Mariet
. . Hold be stable. 1456 Sir G- Have Law A rms (S. T. S.)
241 The knychtis wyf ben's the privilege of hyr maryt
husband. 1526 Filgr. Perf (W. de W. 1531) 252 Kynges,
prynces, .. and maryed persones, and all christen people
[etc.]. 1606 Shaks. Ant. $ CI. 1. iii. 20 What says the
married woman? 175a Hume Pol. Disc. x. 174 Marry d
slaves., were esteem'd very inconvenient. 1897 Mary
Kinusley W. Africa 648 Your Kruboy is very much a
married man.
b- fig-
1592 Shaks. Rom. $ Jul. I. iii. 83 (2nd Qo. 1599) Examine
euery married liniament And see how one all olhcr lends
content. 1703 Pol'E Vertumnus 66 And this fair vine,
but that her arms surround Her marry'd elm, had crept
along the ground. 1856 Hkvant After a Tempest v, The
noise of war shall cease from sea to sea, And married nations
dwell in harmony.
2. Pertaining to or characteristic of married
persons or matrimony.
MARRIER.
182
MARROW.
1588 Shaks. L. L.L. v. ii. 912 Cuckow, Cuckow : O word
of feare, Vnpleasing to a married care. 1608 — Per. 11. v. 4
That for this twelue-month shee'le not vndertake A maried
life. 171a Steele Spect. No. 278 F 2 When I enter into a
married State. 1834 Blckstone {title* Married Life ;
a comedy. 1873 Miss Broughton Nancy II. 57, I put on
a silk gown.. as looking more married than the cobweb
muslins 1894 'J. S. Winter' Red-Coats 47 He. .turned to
the orderly officer and growled out, ' I wonder why the
devil the other married quarters can't be kept like this?1
Marrier (m;u'ri|3i). Also7maryer. [f. Marry
v. + -ER1.] One who marries (in various senses).
1589 Rare Tri. Love <y Fort. v. in Five Old Plays
(Roxb. CI.) 146 Youle have us marry her, heere be them
come of the marriers. 1639 Htg. Privy Council Scot. N. S.
III. 25S Persouns suspect, .of the crymes particularly under-
writ tin, viz.,. .maryers of twa wyffes. .stealers of beeskaips.
1830 Miss Mitford Village Ser. iv. 91 The Rector of Ashley,
. . the favourite marrier of the county, was wanted to tie
the hymeneal knot. 1883 Harper's Mag. June 100/2 The
determined marrier who. .chooses a Jewess.
Marrinate, -ine, etc., obs. ff. Marinate, etc.
Marring (roarig), vbl. sb. Forms : see Mar v.
[OE. miernng, miming, f. mierrau, m^rran : see
Mar v. and -ing L] The action of the verb Mar
(in various senses) ; f squandering, waste ; t hin-
drance ; injury, impairment.
C897 K. /Klfred Gregory's Past. C. xx. 149 Dylaes..se
a^ita for his goda mierringe ^ielpe. t 950 Lindisf. Gos/>.
Mark, Argt. (18711 5 Merrunga,Ji-</K<7/V>«e.y. aiyjoCttrsor M.
8779 pai fand gret merring in pair merck, pe wrightes bat
suld rais be werck. 1357 Lay Folks Catech. 124 Withouten
ony merryng of hir modirhede. 1561 Daus tr. Bullinger on
Apoc. 94 b, Of the traditions of men, and their marring of
the Scripture, ariseth darkenes. 1649 Milton Eikon. vi,
The making or the marring of any Law. i860 Plsey A fin.
Proph. 65 Alan shrinks from the violent marring of his out-
ward form.
Marring (ma-rig),///, a. [-ing2.] That mars.
Hence Marringly adv.
1831 Blackw. Mag. XXIX. 677 This open expression.,
brings out marringly the lesson. 1836 Gladstone in Morley
Life (1903) 1. 11. iii. 36 [Wordsworth] named the discrepancy
between his (Shelley's] creed and his imagination as the
marring idea of his works. 1891 K. Dowuxii Isle of Surrey
256 Mottled with marring blotches of scorbutic red.
Marrionate, obs. form of Marinate.
Marrionette, variant of Marionette.
Marriage, -ische, -ish^e, obs. ff. Marish.
Marroek, variant of Marrot.
Marroe,Marron(e: see Marrow j£.2, Maroon.
T Marroneer. Obs. [a. F. marronier, f. mar-
ron : see Maroon sb.1] A kind of chestnut-tree.
1693 Evelyn De la Quint. Compl. Card., Rcjt. Agric.
47 A Wallnut, a Marroneer, an Orange, or Cherry-Tree.
Marrocruin, obs. form of Maroquin.
Marrot (marrat). Also marroek, marrott,
morrot, murot. [Origin obscure; cf. Mukre.] A
local name for the guillemot, razor-bill, and puffin.
1710 Sibbald Hist. Fife 48 Alka Ifoieri'. Our People
call it the Marrot, the Auk or Razor-Bill. 1863 Kingsley
Water-Bab. 259 The very marrocks and dovekies have got
wings. 1880 Act 43 .5- 44 Vict. c. 35 {.Wild Birds Protect.
Act) Sched. Marrot.
Marrou, Marrouh, obs. ff. Marrow ^.-andy/'.i
Marrow (maeTtf"), sb.1 Forms ; a. 1 maers,
mers, mearh, meerh, 4 mer;, mar}, 4 5 margh(e,
(5 margthe, 6 marthe), 4-5 northern merghe,
4-6 northern, 6-9 Sc. mergh, 4-9 Sc. merch, (6
■Sf, mairch). 0. 4 maru}, mar(r)ouh, merou}.
-ow3, 4-5 marou3, 5-6 marugho, 6 marough(e,
4 merewe, 4-5 raerow(e, 5 maro, 4-5 marw\e,
(5 marwhe), 5-6 merwe, 5 marew, 4-7 marowe,
6-7 marrowe, 6- marrow. 7. 3 meari, 4-6
mary(e, (5 marigh, merryghe), 5-6 maree,
marie, 6 marry. [Com. Teut. : OE. mearg,
mearh (Anglian merg, m&rh) neut. (once masc.),
corresponds to OFris. mcrg, mcrch neut. and masc,
OS. marg (MDu. mmttkl marg-, mod.Du. merg
neut.), OHG. marg, marag neut. (MHG. man,
marg-, mod.G. mark neut.\ ON. merg-r masc.
(Sw. merg, marg, Da. marv) :— OTeut. *maigo-i—
pre-Teut. *mozglio-t corresponding to OS1., Russian
M03rL, Aveslic mazga ; the Skr. majjan is anoma-
lous, as it would point to an OAryan type with g
instead of gh.]
1. The soft vascular fatty substance usually con-
tained in the cavities of bones. (The marrow of
animals used for food is regarded as a dainty.)
InOE. the word occurs as a gloss on lucam'ca, which means
a sort of sausage ; but this was prob. a mistranslation.
a 700 Epinal Gloss., Lncanica, maerh. cyzp Corpus Gloss.
(Hessels) L294 Lucanica, ma:rh. Ibid. M 195 Medulla,
mer^. < 1000 Sax. Leechd. I. 366 Wi5..1eo3a saruin nim
leonselynde&heortesmear$. 10., Ags. I'oc. in Wr.-YV nicker
292/10 Medulla, mearh. a 1115 Juliana 58 |>at meari weol
ut imenget wi<5 blode. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xiviii {Juliana)
161 Syne hir banys sa to-quassyt, pat be self merch out passyt.
138a Wyclif Job xxi. 24 The bones of hym ben moistid with
mar3[i388merowis]. 138a — Ps.\x\\\). 15 Brent sacrifices ful
of mer} [1388 mcrow;] I shal offre to thee, c 1386 Chaucer
Pard. P. 214 Out of the harde bones knokke they The mary.
c 1400 Lan/ranc's Cirnrg. 47 pe schuldre to be elbowe
be kutt al at wo, so bat be inarie go out. 14.. Norn, in
Wr.-Wulcker 678/36 Hec medulla, margthe. 1436 Lydg.
De Guil. Pilgr. 24216 First I souke vp (for the nones) The
mary closed in the bones. £1440 Anc. Cookery in Housch.
Ord, (1790) 453 Takc.pouder of pepur, and maree, and
tempur hit togedur. c 1430 Two Cookery-bks. 44 pen take
merow, & putte it on a straynourys ende. Ibid. 51 Take
fayre Marwe, & Datys y-cutte in lj or iij & Prunez. 1513
Douglas Aineis iv. ii. 38 The subtell quent fyre Waistia
and consumis merch, banis, and lyre. iSMBPAVNELLSaleme's
Regivt. G iij, The mary of veafe. .is moste holsome. 1533
Elvot Cast. Heltlu (1539.1 31 Marowe is more dilectable
than the brayne. 1541 K. Copland Guydon's Quest, Chi-
rurg. C j b,The membres colde and moyste are the flewme,
fat or the grece, and the maroughes. 156a Bui.leyn Bk.
Simples 86 b, What saie you of Mary, whiche in some place is
called Marthe ; contained within the bone of beastes ? 1567
Golding Ovid's Met. ix. (1593) 215 The poyson even in hi*
bones the maree melts at length. x57STurberv. Faulconrie
297 That done, take suger clarified, and the Maree of a
Beefe. 1717 Prior Alma m. 214 He din'd on Lion's mar-
row, spread On toasts of ammunition-bread. 1769 Mrs.
Raffald Eng. Ilouseipr. (1778) 179 Shred half a pound of
marrow very fine. 1823 Byron yuan vn. viii, By Souvaroff,
or Anglice Suwarrow, who loved blood as an alderman loves
marrow. 1896 Ci.ii.and & Mack ay Anat. 30 Marrow is of
two kinds, the yellow.. and the red.
b. Proverbial and hyperbolical uses. (In 16th-
1 7th c. love was often said to ' burn ' or ' melt the
marrow'.)
15*0 Whitinton Vulg. (1527) 27 b, A man myghte as
soone pyke mary out of a mattock, as [etc.]. 159Z Shaks.
I'en.fy Ad. 142 My flesh is soft, and plumpe, my marrow
burning. 1594 Nashe Un/ort. Trav. \Vks. (Grosart) V. 168
They basted him with a mixture of Aqua fortis, allam water,
and Mercury sublimatum, which.. searcht him to the mar-
rowe. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. m. 428 When at the
Spring's Approach their Marrow burns.. The Mares to cliffs
of rugged Rocks repair. 1763 Churchill Duellist 1, O for a
noble curse Which might his very marrow pierce. 1798
Southey Bp, Bruno 62 His marrow grew cold at the touch
of Death. 1840 Dickens Barn. Fudge xvii, The very
marrow in my bones is cold. 1886 Kipling Depart. Ditties
(1888J 22 For twenty reeking minutes, Sir, my very marrow
froze.
c. The substance forming the spinal cord. Now
always spinal marrow.
1398 Tkevisa Barth. De P. R. v. Iviii. (1495) 174 The
1 marowe . . of the rydge bones . , is callyd Mycha amonge
( physicyens, 1533 Elyot Cast. Ifelthe I. i. (1541) 13 The
mary of the backbone. 161$ Crooke Body 0/ Matt 871
Of these Nerues . . others are deriued from the Brayne
: and the spinall Marrow. 1626 Bacon Syl-'a § 750 The Skull
hath Braines, as a kinde of Marrow, within it. The Back-
bone hath one Kinde of Marrow, which hathan Affinity with
the Braine. 1874 Carpenter Meut. Phys. 1. ii. § 61 (1879)
62 The spinal cord (commonly termed the spinal marrowj.
f d. Used (chiefly after L. medulla) for : The
pith (of a plant) ; the pulp (of a fruit). Also
marrow of wheat : a literal rendering of medulla
! iritici (Vulgate), the finest flour. Obs.
c ioooS<i x. Leechd. II. 358 Wib majan wa;rce wudu bistles
bone grenan mearh be bij> on bam heafde sele him etan mid
hatan ele. c 1340 Hampole tr. Deut. xxxii. 14 (r 21) in
Psalter (1884) 516 And gayte with merghe of whete. [Simi-
larly 138a, 1388 Wyclif and 1609 (Douay).J c 1374CHAUCF.R
Boetk. in. pr. xi. 84 (Camb. MS.), [Heroes and trees] shedyn
by hyr maryes hyr wode and hyr lark. 1398 Trevisa
Barth. De P. R. xi. vi. iTollem. MS.), He [sc. dew]. . makeb
floure, pibbe and marghe encrese in come and graynes.
( 1420 Pallad. on Hush. iv. 477 Thay seyn their bitter margh
wol chaunge swete. Ibid. xi. 236 Yf a tender tree Me kitte
at footis tweyne, and thenne hit cleue Vnto the roote, and
with an yron se The mary rased out. 156a Turner Herbal
11. A j b, It that is within, whiche they cal the marye, the
pythe, and the harte. 1567 Man.et Gr. Forest 30 The
Alder tree ..is in his Wood and inwarde Marie very soft.
i6»3 Bingham Xcnophon 31 This was the place, where the
Souldiers first fed vpon the Marrow of the Nuts of Palme.
1717 Bradley Fattt. Diet. s. v. Cive, Take some sweet
Almonds.., pound 'cm with some Vinegar, and strain 'em
thro' a Linnen-cloth. ., that you may have the Marrow or
Milk of them. 1793 Martyn l„ang. Bot., Marrow, Medulla.
The pith of a vegetable.
2. In various figurative applications.
a. Taken as the type of rich and nutritious food.
Chiefly in the Bible phrase marrow and fatness.
138a Wyclif Gen. xlv. 18 And I shal ;yue to $ow al the
goodis of Egipte, that $e eeten the mary of the toond [Vulg.
medultam Urrx\. 1535 Coveroale Ps. l\ii(i]. 5 My souTe
is satisfied euen as it were with marry & fatnesse. 1818
Hazlitt F.ng. Poets ¥1.(1870) 151 His words are of marrow —
unctuous, dropping fatness. 1845 James A. AW/iv, He left
that paper with nie, which he said must be marrow and
fatness to all well-disposed noblemen like yourself.
b. Viewed as the seat of animal vitality and
; strength.
< 1425 Seven Sag. (P.) 1685 My lordys merryghe hys
welne gone. 1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 154 If I were
in the pearle of my youth, and had in my bones marrowe
.. I wold not [etc.]. 1601 Shaks. All's Well 11. iii. 298
Spending his manlie marrow in her amies. 1602 2nd Pt.
Return fr. Parttass. iv. iii'. 1935 Spending the marrow
of their flowring age In fruitelesse poring on some worme
\ eate leafe. 1793 Holcroft tr, Lavatcr's Physiogn. xvii. 87
All English women ..appear to be composed of marrow
and nerve. <z 1823 G. Beattie John o' Amlta" (1826) 40
Alack-a-day! waesucks for John! His mergh an' mettle
; now are gone. 1847 Disraeli Sybil (Rtldg.) 315, I always
was against washing ; it takes the marrow out of a man.
1848 Lvtton Harold v. iii, The pith and marrow of manhood.
c. The inmost or central part.
c 1400 Apol. Loll. 91 Wene we not be gospel to be in wordis
of writingis, but in wit ; not in ouer face, but in Jre merowe.
1434 Misyn Mend. Li/c 118 pe inhirliest mergh of our hart is.
1549 Coverdale, etc. Erastti. Par. Jos. 28 Expressing by
j godly workes, that which he slicked fast in the marye of
j the soule. 1821 Lamb Elia Ser. t. My Relations, He never
pierces the marrow of your habits.
d. The vital or essential part ; the essence ; the
' goodness '. Formerly often in titles of books.
Often pith and marrow.
1530 Tindale Ansiv. More Pref. Wks. (1573) 247/2 He
neuer leaueth searchyng till he come at the bottome, the
pith, the quicke, the lyfe, the spirit, the marow, & very
cause why. ? 11560 Holland Seuin Seagcs 261 This was
the Mairch of the mater in deid. 1570 Billingsley Euclid
x.def. n. 232 Wherein sundeth the pith and mary of the hole
science. 1599 Broughton's Let. vii. 20 You set vpon him with
this. . Libell, wherein is contained the marrow of your wise-
dome. 1614 T. Gentleman Eng, Way to Wealth 12 They
haue sucked out all the marrow of the Mault and good
Scotsh-ale. 1640 T. B[rugis] {title) The Marrow of Physicke.
1647 Trafp {title) Meilificium Theologicum or the Marrow of
Many good Authours. 1650 S. Clark {title) The Marrow
of Ecclesiastical Historic 1653 Milton Hirelings Wks.
1851 V. 3S3 To how little purpose are all those piles of
Sermons^ .. Bodies and Marrows of Divinity, besides all
other Sciences, in our English Tongue. 1665 Bunyan Holy
Citie{i66g) 169 Christ in all his Benefits is the very Marrow,
Life and Sum of all their Teaching, a 1680 Charnock De-
light^ in Prayer Wks. (1849) 23* Delight is the marrow of
religion. 1763 Colman Deuce is in him Prol., Thus gave
at once the bards of Greece, The cream and marrow of the
piece. 1863 Merivale Rom. Emp. Iv. (1865) VII. 12 The
clients and retainers of the old nobility .. still formed the
pith and marrow of the commonwealth.
e. Short for * The Marrow of Modern Divinity*,
the title of a book (advocating strongly Calvinistic
views) written by K. F. in 1645, the condemnation
of which by the General Assembly of the Church
pf Scotland in 1720 led to a prolonged controversy.
Used attrib. as in Marrow controversy \ also
Marrow-men, the designation of those members
of the Assembly who defended the book.
17*0 T. Boston Mem. (1899) 351 The assembly's act con-
demning the Marrow. i7a5WoDROW in W.Corresp. (1843)
III. 204 The Marrow people. Ibid. 205 The Marrow affair
was ended. 1853 Burton Hist. Scot. II. 319 Those who
adhered to this document, received the party-title of the
Marrow-men. /^/V/., The Marrow controversy. 1S94CROCKETT
Lilac Sunbonnet i.12 Allan Welsh, minister of the Marrow
Kirk in the parish of Dullarg.
3. Vegetable marrow : a. A kind of gourd,
the fruit of Cuatrbita ovifera, used as a tabic
vegetable.
1816 J. Sabine in Trans. Hort. Soc. (1822) II. 255 {title 0/
Paper) A Description and Account of the Cultivation of a
Variety of Gourd called Vegetable Marrow. 188a Garden
25 Mar. 191/3 In no other country does one see so many
Vegetable Marrows as in this.
b. The fruit of the avocado, Pcrsea gratissima.
1763 [see AvocauoJ. 1866 Trems. Bot. 867/1.
4. A marrowfat pea.
1882 Garden 15 July 58/3 A dwarf round blue Marrow.
5. attrib. and Comb., as marrow-eater; mar-
row-boiling, -burning, -chilling, -eating, -freez-
ing, -like, -meltingt -piercing, -searching, -thrilling
adjs. ; marrow cell, Histology, one of a particular
class of cells (resembling enlarged white blood
corpuscles) occurring in marrow ; marrow pasty,
= marrow pie ; marrow pea, = marrowfat pea ;
marrow pie, a pie containing beef marrow ; mar-
row pudding, {a) a pudding made with (beef or
vegetable) marrow; (b) West Indian, a kind of
worm ; marrow sheath, the white matter of
Schwann surrounding the cylinder axis of a mcdul-
lated nerve fibre {Syd. Soc. Lex. 1889) ; marrow-
spoon, a spoon for extracting the marrow from
bones ; marrow -squash, an American name for
the vegetable marrow (Webster 1864).
1598 Sylvester Du Bartas 11. i. 1. Eden 5^7 Their *mar-
row-boyling loves. 159a Kvn Sol. <V Pcrs. y. iL 14 Such is
the force of *marrow burning loue. 1877 SchaVer Histol. 92
The so-called proper "marrow-cells. 1612 W. Parkes Cur-
taine-Dr. (1876) 16 Lust, the *marrow-eater of the world,
the canker of health. 159* Shaks. feu. * Ad. 741 The
"marrow-eating sicknessc, whose attaint Disorder breeds
by heating of the blood. 1894 H- Nisbet Bush Girls
R'<)u. 184 The large succulent grubs. .which the natives
enjoy either roasted or raw, delicate " marrow-like pup*.
1897 Allbtttt's Syst. Med. IV. 756 A gumma which looks
yellowish and marrow-like just before breaking down, a 1618
Sylvester Tctrastica xlvi. (Grosart) II. 27 That heart-
swelting, *Marrow-melting Fire. 1696 Salmon Fam. Diet.
(ed. 2), * Marrcnv- Pasty '. Take six Marrow-Bones [etcj.
1733 Tull Horse-Hoeing Husb. xxii. 349 Sufficient for all
sorts of Corn and Seeds which we coAmonly sow, from
*Marrow Pease to Turnep-seed. 1598 M arston Sco. i'illanie
iii. 71 Hence Holy-thistle, come sweet 'marrow pie, Inflame
our backs to itching luxurie. 1674 T. P. etc. Eng. <y Fr. Cook
157 Marrow Pyes. Take Veal, mince it [etc.]. 1616H. Jonson
Devilis anAssu.'x, No youths, disguis'd Like country-wiues,
with creame, and *marrow -puddings. 1664 Bui ler Hud. II. ii.
794 Pamper'd and edifi'd their Zeal With Marrow-puddings
many a Meal. 1789 P. Browne Jamaica 383 Kasciola
4. Marina major verucosa. The warted Marrow-Pudding.
Kasciola 5. Marina maxima glabra. The large smooth
Marrow- Pudding. 1846 D. Jerrold Mrs. Caudle xi,
And then you recollect her marrow puddings? 1617-47
Feltham Resolves 405 Wishing .. that he had such wings
as could procure his escape from death and *marrow- search-
ing Judgment. 1693 Lond. Gaz. No. 2853/4, » Sweat-meat
Spoon, 1 *Marrow Spoon, 1 Ladle and Skillet. 1795 Walker
in Phil. Trans. LXXXV. 273, I use a marrow-spoon. 1888
Fenn Dick d1 the Fens 281 A strange #marrow-thrilling cry.
Marrow (marr^u), sb.2 Obs. exc. dial. Also
5 muroo. marwe, 5-7 marow (e, 6 mar(r)ou,
marrowe, marroll . 7 marroe. [Of obscure origin.
MARROW.
183
MARRY.
The localities would seem to point to a Scandinavian
etymology, but no possible Scandinavian source is known, un-
less indeed tbe sense of the Eng. sb. can have been developed
from that of ON. wwrrQa. ' many ') friendly, communica-
tive. Phonological! y this etymon would be admissible, as
the word occurs so late that the absence of recorded forms
with guttural causes no difficulty.]
1. A companion, fellow -worker, partner, mate.
c 1440 Promp. Parv. 327/2 Mar we, or felawe yn trauayle,
socius, corner, c 1460 Tenvneley Myst. xiii. 436 Com coll
and his maroo, Tbay will nyp vs full naroo. c X470 Henryson
Mor. Pa/', xin. {Erogfy Mouse) xxii, Better but stryfe allane
to leif in le, Than to be matchit with ane wickit marrow.
1513D0UGLAS JEneis VI. ix. 9 Bot sone hym wamis Sibiila. .
His trew marrow [L. comes]. 1561 Reg. Privy Council Scot,
I. 159 That nane of thame speik nor commune of ony mater
nor round with his marrow. 1573 Tlsser Hush. (1878) 134
Yet chopping and changing I cannot commend, with theefe
and his marrow, for feare of ill end. 1577 Grange Gold.
Aphrod. Fiiib, Forsakyng his marroll [i.e. his partner in
a dance], a 1578 Lindesay tPitscottieK*/r><«/. Scot. (S.T. S.)
I. i93yuhairhewaslyand with his marrow and companioun
Sir Edward brakinberrie. 1578 Whetstone 1st Pt. Promos
% Cassand. 11. iv, Marrowes adew : God send you fayre
wether. i6ax B. Jonson Metam. Gipsies Wks. 1640 II. 68
Oh, my deare marrowes ! 1645 Rutherford Tryal $ Trt.
Faith 1.1845) 325 Faith with love cannot endure a marrow.
1822 GaLT Sir A. Wylie I. v. 37 It was nae a richt thing
o' us to be marrows in ony sic trade wi' cripple Janet. 1843
Hardy in Proc. Berw. Nat. Club II. No. 11. 54 Only two
individuals play, but they can have an indefinite number of
marrows or sidesmen, i860 Eng. <y For. Mt'u. Gloss. (New-
castle Terms), Marrow, a partner.
f b. Apparently misunderstood by Blount.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Marrow (Fr. marauld)t a fellow,
a knave, or Rascal.
2. A husband or wife. (C£ Half-marrow i.)
a 1578 LiNDESAY(Pitscottie)C//n7«..SV;<7*. (S.T. S.) II. 132,1
maryed ane puire woman to be marrow to me. 163a Ruther-
ford Lett. (1862) I. 97 Christ's fair Bride, a marrow dear to
Him. 1721 Ramsay Mary Scot iii, When Mary Scot's
become my marrow, We'll make a paradise on Yarrow. 1714
\V. Hamilton Braes of Yarrcnv\, Busk ye, busk ye, my bony
bony bride, Busk ye, busk ye, my winsome marrow. 1816
Scott Rob Roy xxxv, I hae been misdoubting your cousin
Rashleigh since ever he saw that he wasna to get Die Vernon
for his marrow.
3. One's equal or like ; one's match in a contest.
1548 Compl. Scot. xx. 173 Iulius vald nocht hef ane mar*
rou in rome, and pompeus vald nocht hef ane superior,
a 157a Knox Hist. Kef. Wks. (1846) I. 89 Thare did everie
man reaconter his marrow. 11578 Lindesay (Pitscottie)
Chron. Scot. (S. T. S.) I. 174 He contit no lord to be marrow
to him. 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1862) I. 300 You have
many marrows. 1806 ' Ian Maclaren ' Kate Carnegie 212
Ay, ye may traivel the warld ower or ye see his marrow.
D. Used of things.
1596 Dalrymi-le tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. I. 46 The toune
. . standes in sa pleisand a place, that it hes na marrow,
c 1690 N. Burn Leader-haughs 15 in Roxb. Ball. VI. 607
One house there stands on Leader side . . Men passing by do
often say in [th'J South it has no marrow. 1891 Barrik
Little Minister xv, Sam'l Fairweather has the marrows o't
on his top coat.
4. A thing which makes a pair with another.
1674 Ray N. C. Words 31 A pair of gloves or shooesarenot
marrows, i.e. fellows. 1681 Colvil Whigs Snpplic. (1751)
18 Some had bows, but wanted arrows; Some had pistols
without marrows. 1737 Ramsay Sc. Prov. (1797) 101 Your
een's no marrows. 1787 J. Beattie Scolicisms 16 My
buckles are not marrows. 1855 Robinson Whitby Gtoss.y
Marrov's, pairs to match ; fellows or equals. 1889 Barrie
Thrums xv, 138 Wearin' a pair o' boots 'at wisna marrows !
Marrow, a. 06s. exc. dial. [From the ap-
positive use of Marrow sb.~] Resembling some-
thing of the same kind.
1585 Inv. R. Wardr. (1815) 320, I ressavit of the marrow
gamissing of thir fourtene pece thre chattonis, quhilk makis
xvii in the haill. 1861 E. Waugh Birtle Carters T. 2t Aw
never sprad my e'en upo' th' marrow trick to this !
Marrow iimse'r,3a)» v. Sc. and north, [f.
Marrow j&*|
t L trans. To join, associate ; to match, pair-
Also refl. Obs.
1488 Burgh Recs. Edinb. (1869) I. 55 Sic a burges bot na
vther persoun marrow him with ane maister of substance
[etc.]. 154a Sc. Acts Mary (1814) II. 414/2 Ane to be put
and marrowit to bairn by my lord gouernour at his plesoure.
1813 Galt Entail I. xvii. 132 Charlie Walkinshaw and Bell
Fatherlans were a couple marrowed by their Maker.
b. intr. To be a partner or fellow-worker {with).
1538 Aberdeen Reg. XVI. (Jam.), To marrow and nycht-
bour with wtheris. 184a J. Aiton Domestic Econ. (1857) 152
Saunders Heavyside, with whom he marrows. 1844 Thom
Rhymes 53 Hae ye fausely strayed 'rnang misty groves, Wi'
ice- wreathed maidens to marrow. 1851 A. Maclagan Poems
280 He's wise wha marrows wi' content, Though in a
rustic biel'.
2. trans. To be a companion to ; to marry.
«7« Ramsay Mary Scot i, Did you there see me mark'd
to marrow Mary Scot the flow'r of Yarrow? 17.. Song by
a Buchan Ploughman in Burns' Wks. (1800) II. 152 Thou
shalt not sit single, but by a clear ingle I'll marrow thee,
Nancy, when thou art my ain.
3. To resemble, to be equal to; also, to produce
something equal to ; to match.
a 1586 Montgomerie Misc. Poems 1. 38 Venus .. Wald
have preferrit this paragon, As marrowit, but matche, most
meit The goldin ball to bruik alone. 1785 W. Hutton
Bran Ntnv Work L 14 (E. D. S.) On the sabbath we say
aur prayers, and the rest of the week ya day marrows an-
other. 1877 P. Burn Poems (1885) 294 A beild 1 hae that
marrows thy ain.
Marrowbone (maeTtfubtfttn'). [f. Marrow sb.1]
1. A bone containing edible marrow.
c 1386 Chaucer Prol. 380 A Cook they hadde with hem for
the nones, To boille the chiknes with the Marybones. c 1430
Two Cookery-bks. 5 Take beeff and merybonys, and boyle
yt in fayre water. 1555 W. Watkem an Eardle Eacions II.
vii. 158 The bridegronie eateth to his supper . . a litle of the
marilxme of a Chamel. 1632 T. Morton New Eng. Canaan
11. vii. (1838) 59 For daintinesse of diet they [Basse] excell
the Marybones of Beefe. 1768-74 Ticker Lt. Nat. (1834)
II. 655 There is no more reason, .why the sight of a human
skull and bones in a charnel-house should shock us more
than the sight of a calve's head or a pair of marrow-bones
in a dish. 1846 G. Warburton Hochelaga I. 155 The wretch
sucked a couple more marrow bones, and became torpid.
b. Jig. in various applications.
1554 Latimer Wks. (Parker Soc.) II. 483 Ye said upon
Saturday last, that ye could not find the mass nor the mar-
row-bones thereof in your lxx>k. 1634 S. R. Noble Soldier
I, ii. in Bullen O. PL (1882) I. 268 What I knocke out now is
the very Maribone of mirth. 1681 W. Robertson Phraseol.
Gen. (1693) 471 This is the marrow bone of the difference or
matter. 1878 A'. Amer. Rev. CXXVII. 13 The scraps and
marrow-bones of office.
2. Marrowbones and cleavers x see Cleaver1 2 b.
3.//. Jocularly: The knees. (Rarely sing:)
153a More Coufut. Tindale Wks. 727/2 Down he fel vpon
Ins mariboiies. 1667 Dkydkn & Dk. Newcastle Sir M.
Mar-all II. ii, Down on your marrowbones, and confess the
truth. 1791 WoLCOT (P. Pindar) Remonstrance i, Bring on
his marrowbones th' apostate down. 1870 Kingslky Legend
La Brea 95 Magic brings some positivists Humbly on their
marrowbone. 1888 G. Macdonald Elect Lady 108, I only
want to bring them to their marrow-bones.
b. To ride in the marrow-bone coach or stage,
to go on foot. [? With allusion to Marybone =
Maryiebone.']
1838 Monthly Mag. (Fliigel), Marrow-bone stage.
4. //. = Cross-bonks,
1832 Scott Redgauntlet ch. xiv. [xv.], I . .sailed under the
black flag and marrowbones. 1875 W. McIlwraith Guide
Wigtownshire 40 Here are the typical marrow-bones, skull,
and sandglass.
5. //. {slang). Fists as weapons ; ? pugilists.
a i6»5 Fletcher Noble Gent. m. 1. (1st fob) 35/1 The great
Hand Of Maril»ones that people call the Switzers. 1812
Sporting Mag, XL. 249 He was alike a stranger to fear in
the field of either bayonets or marrowbones. 1818 Ibid. N . S.
II. 165 The distance of twenty-four miles from Lunnun rather
damped the ardour of the Marrow-bone fraternity.
t ii. A child's game. Obs.
153a MoreCVm/W. TindaleV/ks. 574/2 Suchc.playes. .as
chyldren be woont to playe, as cheristone, mary bone [etc}.
7. attrib.y as f marroxvbonc-man (? sense 2 ? or 5),
music, pie, pudding (cf. marrow pie, pudding).
1614 B. Jonson Barth. Fair \. i, None but a scatterd couey
of Fidlers, or one of these Rag -rakers in dung-hills, or some
*Marrow-bone man at most, would haue beene vp, when thou
wert gone abroad. 1884 Graphic 13 Sept. 270/3 Making the
most unearthly ' "marrow-bone ' music on frying pans, tin
kettles and empty pails. 1595 W. W. Memecmi 1. ii. in Six
Old Plays (1799} 118 Some oysters, a *mary-bone pie or two,
some artichockes, and potato rootes. 1608 Middlf.ton Mad
World 1. ii. Bib, All ner wanton Pamphlets, as Hero and
Leander, Venus and Adonis oh two lushious mary-bone pies
for a yong married wife. 1613 Webster Deuils Law-case
I. ii. B 4 b, Let none of these come at her . . Nor the woman
with *Maribone puddings.
Marrowed (mar'rtfud), ppl.a. Also 4merghed,
meryhed. [f. Mabrow sb.1 + -ed -.]
1. Full of marrow, lit. and Jig.
a 1300 E. E. Psalter Ixv[ik 15 Oftrandes merghed [Vulg.
holocausta medullata] bede I sal To be. a 1340 Hampolk
Psalter ibid. x6xa Ainsworth Annot. Ps. Devi 15 Mar-
rowed ram mes: that is, fat and lusty. i6^4QvAm.F.sBarftabas
<r B. 1. (1651) ig They can . . devour and gurmundize . . and
wipe the guilt from off their marrowed mouths. 1654
Gataker Disc.Apol. 84 Some called Separatists.. are better
marowed, and more Evangelical, then these Pulpit Ignes-
fatui. 1840 Browning Sordellov. 500 He was fresh-sinewed
every joint, Each bone new-marrowed,
t 2. Cooked in marrow. Obs.
1633 Massinger Guardian 11, iii, Fride Frogs, Potato's
Marrow'd, Cavear [etc.].
Marrowfat (marn>»fret). [f. Marrow sb.1 +
Fat sb.] (More fully marrow/at pea.) A kind of
large rich pea. (Cf. marrow pea t Marrow sb.1 5.)
1733 Miller Gard. Diet. (ed. 2) s.v. Pisum,The Marrow-
fat or Dutch Admiral Pea. Ibid., Observing to allow the
Marrow-fats . . at least three Feet between Row and Row.
1766 Complete Farmer s.v. Pease, The marrowfat is the
best tasted of all the large kinds of peas. 1840 Barham
Ingol. Leg. Ser. 1. Tragedy, The Duchess shed tears large
as marrowfat peas. 1864 Reader 13 Aug. 191 In Jersey. .
peas attain nearly double the size of the British marrow-fat.
Marrowish (mce-nwf), a. [f. Marrow sb.1
+ -ish.] Of the nature of, or resembling, marrow.
1507 Lowe Chirurg. (1634) 143 The nerue which is soft,
and marrowish. 1621 Burton Anat. Mel. 1. i. 11. iv, The
Braine, which is a soft marrowish and white substance.
Marrowless (macules), a.1 [f. Marrow sb.1
+ -less.] Having no marrow, lit. and Jig.
1605 Shaks. Maeb. 111. iv. 94 Thy bones are marrowlesse,
thy blood is cold. 1607 Tourneur Rev. Trag. 1. i, O, that
marrow-lesse age Should stuffe the hollow Bones with
dambd desires. 1707 tr. Wks. Ctess IT Auois (1715) 45*
Break off this ungodly Match between this Marrowless Cur-
mudgeon and your young Daughter, a 1823d. Brattie John
0' Arnha' (1826) 58 They . . lent each other ruthless paiks
Athort the bare and merghless spaiks. 1877 Rosenthal
Muscles $ Nerves 104 These marrowless fibres are grey.
Marrowless, <*.2 dial. ff. Marrow sb.2 +
-less.] Without a * marrow ; companionless ;
unmarried; unequalled, unmatched; not matching,
wanting the other member of the pair, ■ odd *.
1637 Rutherford Lett. (1862) I. 433 My matchless, and
my most marrowless and marvellous Wellbeloved. 1660
Dickson Set. Writ. (1845) I. 58 Know thou art not marrow-
less in thy exercise. 1844 Cross Disruption xxiii. (E. D. D.),
A marrowless glove.
t Marrowship. Sc, Obs. [f. Marrow sb.- +
-SHIP.] Association, companionship.
15.. Abcrd. Reg. (Jam.), Throucht fait of marrowsclup or
insufficient nychtbourschip.
Marrowy (mscwoi), a. Also 4 merewi, 5
marghty, 6 marowy, 8 Sc. merchy. [f. Mabrow
sb.1 + -v1.]
1. Full of marrow. Also Jig.
1382 Wvci.if /sa. xxxiv. 6 The blod of merewi wetheres
[Vulg. medullatorum arietum], 1435 Misyn Eire of Love
75 A marghty offerynge [L. holocausta medullata ; cf. Mar-
rowed l, (11300]. 1709 BatlCE Soul Confirm. 18 (Jam.)
The Lord is reserving a merchy piece of the word of his
promise to be made out to many of his fi iends and people.
i8ao Hazi.i it Led. Dram. Lit. 79 In his Women beware
Women there is a rich marrowy vein of internal sentiment.
1882 Hoi. mes in Atlantic Monthly LI. 66 The period .. uf
marrowy and vigorous manhood.
2. Of the nature of marrow.
1541 K. Copland Guydon's Quest. Chirurg. C ij b, It U
colde and moyste, bycause it hath a marowy substaunce.
1662 J. Chandler Van HelmonCs Oriat. 185 The Brain
being wholly a marrowie part. 1764 Grainger Sugar Cane
1. 45 note. When ripe, the skin peels easily ofl", and discovers
a butyr;iceous, or rather a marrowy-like substance. 1872
J. G. Mukphy Comm. Lev. iii. 9 The tail of the broad-tailed
slu-'L-p. .consists almoit wholly of marrowy fat.
Hence t MaTrowiness (in S Sc. men/iiness).
1709 Bruce Soul Confirm. 18 (Jam.) The Israelites had
never known the merchiness of that promise, if a Red Sea
had not made it out.
i Marrube. Obs. Also 4 in Latin form mar-
rubium.5 marube. [ad. L. marrubium, peril. con-
nected with the name of tbe Latin city Man ubium
or Marruvium. Cf. OF. marubre.'] The plant
horehound, Marrubium vulgare.
1390 Gowkr Con/. III. 130 The Saphir is his propre Ston,
Marrubium his herbe also, a 1400-50 Stockh. Med. MS. 2^5
Marube or horrowne : marubiua. 1607 Topsixl Eour-f.
Beasts (1658) 69 The fat of a Calf and Marrube with the
juyce of Leeks.
Marrubiiil (m:er*7'bi|in\ Chem. [f. L, mar-
rubi-um (see prec.) +-IN. Cf. F. marubine^\ A
bitter principle obtained from Marrubium vulgare.
1871 Watts tr. Gmelin*s Handbk. Chem. XVIII. 234
Marrubiin. The bitter principle of Mar ubium vulgare.
Marrum, variant of Marram.
Marry (mieri), v. Inflected marrying, mar-
ried, r orms : 3-4 (6 Sc.) mari, 3-7 marie, 4
mari3e(n,4-5 marie(n, 4-6 marye,4~8 mary, 5
marye (n, (mary yn), 6 mareye , marry e , (mariy ) ,
6-7 marrie,6-marry. [a. F. wa;v>r = Pr.,Sp.,Po;.
maridar, It. maritare:—L. maritdre, f. maritus ppl.
adj., married i^alsoassb. masc., husband, whence F.
mari, Pr. marit-z, Sp., Pg. tnarido, It. ?narilo ; and
as sb. fern, marita married woman), f. mari- fnom.
mas) man, male ; the L. ppl. a. must have been
originally used of women, and acquired its wider
sense by a later extension,]
I. trans.
1. To join in wedlock or matrimony ; to join for
life as husband and wife ; to constitute as man and
wife according to the laws and customs of a nation.
Const, to (unto, Sc. on, upon) ; also together.
a. in passive (with ref. either to the act and
ceremony, or to the wedded state as a result).
1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 709 pe fader, .bad ire vnderstonde
To 5 wan sse wolde imaried be. 13. . E. E. A Hit. P. B. 815
His two dere do^terez. .pat wer maydenez ful meke, maryed
not }et. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xli. (Agnes) 102 pane agnes
sad hym schortly: 'certis, gud sir, maryt ame I\ c 1400
Maundev. (1839) xviii. 193 ;if a man, that is maryed, dye in
thatContrie, men buryen his Wif with him alle quyk. 1533
Bellenuen Livy 1. (S, T. S.) 100 }oung tulha, .. was
maryit on Aruns terquyne. 1536 — Cron. Scot. (1821) I.
127 The eldest of hir dochteris wes married upon. .Marius.
1536 Wriotheslev Chron. (1875) I. 43 The King was maried
secreetlie at Chelsey..to one Jane Seymor. 1603 Shaks.
Meas.for M. iv. iii. 183 They would .. haue married me
to the rotten Medlar. 17M I)e Foe Relig. Courtsh. 1. l
(1840) 4 Well, girls, you little think now, which of you all is
like to be first married. 1888 Howells Annie Kilburn xi.
133, I presume she isn't very happily married ; he's too old.
b. Said of tfce priest or other functionary who
performs the rite. Also absol.
1530 Palsgr. 633/1 What preest was it that maryed them
togyther: quel prestre/ut ce qui les marya ensemblel 1559
in Strype Ann. Ref. (1709) I. xiv. 183 As to minister the
Holy Communion to them that shall be thereto disposed,
as to mary and baptize. 1600 Shaks. A. Y. L. iv. i. 125
Come sister, you shall be the Priest, and marne vs. 1714
Gay What dye Call it 11. viii, Tell him .. that he [the
Curate]shall marry the Couple himself. 1891 Century Mag.
Nov. 64 He asked if I could marry people.
c. Marry up : to tie up or preoccupy in matri-
mony, colloq.
1832 J. Flint Lett. Amer. ■21^ I believe that the girls
there are all married up. 1857 Kingsley Two V. Ago II.
8 Married up, when a girl, to a man for whom she did not
care. 1865 — Herew. xvi, I would have married her up to
my poor boy, if he had but lived. 1865 Mrs. Carlyi.e Lett.
III. 274 My only fear about her is that she will be marned-up
away from me.
MARRY.
2. To give in marriage, cause to be married. I
Said esp. of a parent or guardian.
i*97 R.Glouc. (Rolls') 700 Ich Jwwolemariejz'. rr. marten,
marten] wel . . To pe nobloste bacheler bat bin herte wile to
stonde. c 1330 R. BftUMWtCA»v«. ll'ace (Rolls) 2338 In pys
tyme . . He mariede be obere doughtres bobe. c 1386 CHAUCU
Clerk's T. 1074 And ricbely Ins doghter mnryed he Vn-to
a lord. C1400 Maundbv. 11839)**. 35 He wolde have maryed
me fulle highely, to a gret Princes Daughtre, jif I wold nan
forsaken my Laweand my Beleve. a 1450 Knt. de l.t lour
18 She knew welle that folke were aboute to marie us to-
gedre. 15*6 Tindale Matt. xxii. 2 The kyngdome of heven
is lyke unto a certayne kinge, which maryed his sonne. 1598
Shaks. Merry IV. in. iv. 87 Good mother, do not marry me
to yond foole. a 1633 G. Herbert Jacula Prudentum 149
Marry your sonne when yon will ; your daughter when you
can. c 1710 Cf.ua FlBNNBS Diary (188S) 141 Y' Earle having
just marry'd his Eldest daughter, .there was Company to
wtshe her joy. 1861 M. Pattison Est. (1889) I. 33 The same
influence led him . .to marry hisdaughter to Henry the Lion.
1894 Baring-Gould Deserts S. France II. 248 Napoleon
married him . . to his youngest sister.
3. Said of either of the contracting parties : To
take in marriage ; to accept as husband or wife.
Now the most familiar use.
i43a-$o tr. Iligden (Rolls) III. 439 He [Alexander] . . suf-
frede hiskny-jhtes and men to mary [1387 Trevisa wedde]
women whom he had taken in captivite. 1456 Sir G. Have
Law Arms (S.T. S.)4o[He] had maryte king Latynis sister.
1577 tr. Bnllinger's Decades ( 1 592) 228 That vstiall Prouerbe :
Marrie a wife of thine owne degree. 1611 Bible Ma/, ii. n
Iudah . . hath inaried the daughter of a strange God. 1711
Addison Sped. No. 94 i* 8 He married a Woman of great
Beauty and Fortune. 1830 Tennyson Mermaid 46 The king
of them all would carry me, Woo me, and win me, and marry
me. 1888 F. Hume Mme. Midas 1. i, He had added to his
crime by marrying a pretty girl.
1 4. reft, and reciprocal. Obs.
a 1300 Cursor M. 10698 Here-of in consail suld bai spek,
And depelt .. bai suld lok hu Sco moght hir mari and hald
hir vou. 1393 LAMGL. /'. PI. C. XI. 281 Maydenes and
maydenes marieb 30W to-gederes. 1 1412 HoCCLEVB De Keg.
i'rinc. 1632 pey bat marien hem for muk & good Only, &
noght for loue of pe persone. 1535 Covkrdale WiseL viii. 2,
I dyd my diligence to mary my self with her, soch loue had
I vnto hir beutye. 1621 Lady M. Wroth Urania 454 The
young Princesse soone after tooke her minde and former
resolution, marrying her selfe with her chosen loue. 1697
Potter Antiq. Greece (1715) I- I. xxvL 17° No Athenian
Woman shall marry herself to an exotick Family, a 1774
Goldsm. Song Intended for ' Stoops to Cong:, Ah me ! when
shall I marry me? Lovers are plenty ; but fail to relieve me.
1818 Scott ' Proud Mat's/e', Tell me, thou bonny bird,
When shall I marry me?
5. transf. and fig. To unite intimately, join
closely or permanently.
1526 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 293 b, This conformyte
of loue maryeth the soule to god. 1576 Fleming tr. Cains'
Dogs in Arb. Garner III. 261 The natures of men are so
moved, nay rather married to novelties. 1610 B. J on son
Alch. 11. iii, Svb. Are you sure, you loos'd 'hem, 1' their
owne menstrue ? Fac. Yes, sir, and then married 'hem.
1632 Milton L* Allegro 137 Lap me in soft Lydian Aires,
Married to immortal verse. 1649 Ogilby Virg. Georg. I.
mi/., In what Co_*lestial Signs Tis good to Plow, and
marry Elms with Vines. 1673 Grew Acc. I'eget. Roots
§ 30 It is then the Oyl, chiefly, by which these Vessels are
Tough : for being of a tenacious Nature, by taking hold of
other Principles, it marries them together. 1693 Evelyn
De la Quint. Comfl. Gard. II. 115 They must be joyn'd
together neatly, plaining and proportioning the Extremities
that are to be Marry'd together exactly. 1796 Burke Let.
Noble Ld. Wks. 1842 II. 273 Revolutions which consoli-
dated and married the liberties and the interests of the two
nations for ever. 1835 Thirlwall Greece I. 360 The un-
equal lines of the couplets to which he married his fiery
thoughts. 1890 Saintsbury Hist. Elizab. Lit. ix. 342 This
hybrid and bizarre vocabulary is . . admirably married to
the substance of the writing.
b. Naut. To fasten (two ropes) end to end, in
such a way that the joining may not prevent their
being drawn through a block. (See also 1867.)
1815 Falconer's Diet. Marine (ed. Burney), To Marry, in
splicing ropes, is to join one rope to another, for the purpose
of reeving it, which is performed by placing the end of each
close together, and then attaching them by worming. Ibid.,
To Marry two Ropes, is to knot the yarns together in a
kind of splice, so as not to be thicker at the juncture than
at any other part, c i860 H. Stuart Seaman's Catech. 29
Marry both ends together. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk.%
To Marry the Ropes, Braces, or Falls, to hold both
together, and by pressure haul in both equally. Also so to
join the ends of two ropes that they will pass through a block.
C. In certain card games. Of the king or queen,
To be married', to be declared as held in the
same hand with the queen or king of the same smit.
Cf. Marriage 7.
1870 ' Cavendish ' Game of Beziqite 20 The bezique queen
. . having been once married.. cannot be married again.
II. 6. intr. a. To enter into the conjugal or
matrimonial state; to wed, contract matrimony; to
take a husband or wife. Const, with (formerly
very common) ; occas. toy also (.Sir.) upon.
a 1300 Cursor M. 10653 pan did be biscop command bar,
bat all be maidens. . Be send all to bair frendes dere. For to
mari and forto spus. £1511 \st En%. Bk. Amer. (Arb.)
Introd. 31/2 They mareye but ojtes in theyr lyfe. 1526
Tindale i Cor. vii. 39 Yf her husbande slepe, she is at ner
liberte to mary with whom she woll, only in the lorde. 1530
— Answ. More in. xiii. Wks. (1573) 313/2 For, when the
husband is dead, the wife is free to mary to whom she
will. 1590 Greene Never too late u (1600) C 3, Such as
marry but to a fiure face tie themselues oft to a foule
bargaine. 1601 Shaks. Ham. 111. iv. 29. 1614 Day
Festivals 4,1615) 282 Marrying in hast, and Repenting
184
nt leisure. 1639 Drumm. of Hawth. Consitt. to Parlt.
Wks. (1711) 187 That the church-race marry only among
themselves, ministers sons upon ministers daughters. 1662
Siilmngfl. Orig.Sacrx 11. ii. $9 Especially when he. .mar-
ried into that branch of the family that was remaining there.
'755 J- Shkbreare Lydia (1769) I. 319 lieseeching him ..
never to permit his daughter to marry with any man lieneath
noble. 1819 Byron Juan 1. lvii, She married . . With an
Hidalgo. 1845 Punch's Almanack Jan., Advice to persons
alxnit to marry.— Don't. 1849 Thackeray Pendennis viii,
Gentlemen., occasionally marry out of their kitchens.
fb. To Contract a matrimonial alliance with. Obs.
1476-7 /'astern Lett. III. 168 My husbonde. .wold that 3e
schuld go un to my maistresse yowr modur, and asaye if
ae myght gete the hole xx li. in to ?owr handes, and then
he wolde be more gladd to marye with 3owe, and will
gyffe aowe an C //.
c. transf. axi&fig. To enter into intimate union ;
to join, so as to form one.
1508 Kennedie Flytingiv. Dunbar 296 Syne merreit with
the Diuill for dignite. 1654 Whiti.ock Zootomm 138 And
since he first divorced knowledge and practice in our first
Parents, he is loath they should ever marry againe. 1850
Tennyson In Mem. lxxxv, First love, first friendship, equal
powers, That marry with the virgin heart. 1855 — Brook
81, I . . crost By that old bridge . . where the waters marry.
Marry (marri), int. Obs. exc. arch, or dial.
Forms: 4-6 marie, 4-7 mary, 5-7 marye, 6
marrye, 6-7 marrie, (9 dial, marrey), 5- marry.
[Originally, the name of the Virgin Mary used
as an oath or an ejaculatory invocation. In the
ifrth c., when marry had prob. ceased to be com-
monly apprehended as anything more than a mere
interjection, the sound of the oath By Mary Gipcy
(i.e. ' By St. Mary of Egypt ') seems to have sug-
gested the addition to it of the interjections Gip,
Gup ; and, as these were commonly used in driving
horses, the equivalent come up (Come v. 69 k) was
afterwards substituted.] An exclamation of as-
severation, surprise, indignation, etc.
a. Simply. (Often used in answering.! question,
and implying surprise that it should be asked :
= ' why, to be sure '.)
c 1350 Wilt. Palerne 4840 ' Marie, sire ', sede be messageres
*3e mowe vs wel trowe, be milde mayde meliors in palerne
now dwelles. c 1386 Chancer Can. Ycoin. Prol. <V T. 509
Ye sire, and wol ye so? Marie ther-of I pray yow hertely !
1 1450 Dial, ilusb. ft Gent, in Roy ReJe me (Arb.) 136
Husbondman. Howe dyd they youre auncesteres compell ?
Centillman. Mary in threatnyuge the paynes of hell. 1550
Lever Serin. (Arb.) 128 Yea marrye, why should we not
kepe oure come in oure owne barnes? 155a Latimer Serm.
(1584) 227 b, What is that? Marry fayth : and beliefe. 1598
Shaks. Merry ll7. 1. i. 170, I will say marry trap with you
[?= l be off with you '], if you runne the nut-hooks humor on
me. 1605 WnxKT Hexapla Gen. 405 Many suddenlie will
say (marye) hauing no intent to sweare._ 1693 Congreve
Old Bach. 1. iv, Marry, quotha ! I hope, in heaven, I have
a greater portion of grace. 1766 Goldsm. Vic. \V. xii, Marry,
hang the idiot, .to bring me such stuff. 1816 Scott Antiq.
xxxv, Marry, my lord, the jbhoca had the better. 1855
Kohinsos Whitby Gloss. s.v., One person says, ' It is coining
on rain,' the other will add, ' Ay Marrey I it is, sure enough',
t b. with asseverative words : marry (a) God,
marry (and) amen. Also marry of God, Gods
marry, marry a me, marry of me (all in Loot
about you, 1600s,. Obs.
c 1574-5 G. Harvev Story M. Harvey Wks. (Grosart) III.
94 By y8 Marie-god. 159a Shaks. Rom. fy Jul. iv. v. 8 God
forgiue me : Marrie and Amen : how sound is she a sleepe ?
1600 Look about you E 3 b, Mary a god niy wife would chide
me dead. 1601 Shaks. Twel. N. iv. ii. 109 God buy you
good sir Topas: Marry Amen. I will sir, I will. 1606
Hevwood 2nd PI. Know not me Wks. 1874 I. 267 Shake
hands; by the marry-god, Sir Thomas, what else? 1695
Congreve Love for L. ill. i, Miss I miss ! miss Prue !—
mercy on me, marry and amen !— Why, what's become of
the child ?
c. with interjection or exclamatory phrase :
marry gip, marry {and) gup {gap, gep, guep, in
Scott erron. i/uep) : see GlP, Gup, Quep ints. Also
marry faugh, marry -go-loot (in quot. used as sb.).
[1523 Skelton Garl. Laurel 1455 Thynke what ye wyll
Of this wanton byll ; By Mary Gipcy, Quod scripsi, scripsi\
1590 Greene Never too late 11. (1600) K3 Marry gep
giglet, thy loue sits on thy tongs end. 1593 Lvly Midas
v. ii, Melancholy? marie gup, is melancholy a word for
abarbars mouth? 1598 E. Guilpin Skial. (1878) 44 Mary
and gup! haue I then lost my cap? 1600 Dekker Slwe-
maker's Hoi. ii. (1862) 12, I . . looked at him, he at me,
indeed spake to him, but he to me not a word, Marry
gip, thought I, with a wanion ! He past by me as proud—
Marry font are you grown humorous, thought I? 1601
Munday Doivn/all Earl Huntington I. i. (1828) 15 He
thinketh all lost In tumbling of books Of marry go looks.
1604 Dekker Honest Wh. vi. D, Marry fah, hang-em.
1605 Chapman etc. Eastw. Hoe 1. i. Quick. Mary lough
goodman flat-cap. 1607 Heywooij Fayre Mayde Exch.
Wks. 1874 II. 43 Mary gip Minx. i6ai J. Taylor (Water
P.) Taylors Motto Wks. (1630) 11. 44/1 Marry gep With a
horse night-cap doth your Iadeship skip? 1631^ Celestiua
xviii. 179 Imbrace him? Mary gup with a murraine ! I had
rather see him under the power and rigour of the law.
1663 Butler Hud. 1. iii. 202, I thought th' hadst scorn'd to
budge a step, For fear. (Quoth Echo) Marry guep. Am
not I here to take thy part ? 1676 Wycherley PI. Dealer
ill. i, Marry-gep ! if it had not been for me, thou hadst
been yet but a hearing-counsel at the bar. 1699 ' M isaurus '
Honour of Gout (1720) 34 Marry Gap, quoth she.
d. Marry come up : used to express indignant
or amused surprise or contempt : = ' hoity-toity '.
1591 Shaks. Rom. 1$ Jul. 11. v. 64 Marrie come vp 1 trow,
MARS.
Is this the Poultis for my aking bones ? 1608 — Per. iv. \ i.
159. 164a J. Eaton Honey-c. Free Justif. 14 Taunting
and reproachfull termes, as, Marry come up. 1663 Cowley
Cutter of Coleman St. Wks. 1710 11. 804 Marry come up:
won't one of my chusing serve your turn as well as one of
your own. 174a Fielding % Andnft n. i, SKpalop.-da-
parted tossing her Nose, and crrfof, 'Marry come up!
there are some People more jealous than I, I !>elieve'.
— Tom Jones x. iv, Her tongue . . muttered many ' marry-
come-ups* .. with other such indignant phrases. 186a
Borrow Wild Wales I. xxiv. 276 Unworthy? marry come
up ! I won't hear such an expression.
Marry, Marry ce, obs. ff. Marrow »M, Marish.
Marry-gold, obs. form of Marigold.
Marrying (marri|irj), vbl. sb. [f. Marry v.
+ -ing ",J The action of the verb Marry.
a 1300 Cursor M. 10657 t^ot maria wald na mariing, Bot
maiden Hue til hir ending. 1549 Sir T. Hoby Tray. (1902)
17 Venice . . they have a wonderous great ceremonie abowt
the marying of the see. 1579 E. K. Gloss. Spenser's Sheph.
Cat. Mar. 97 He was busie aboute the marying of Polyxena.
1667 Milton /'. /.. xl. 716 All now was turn'd to jollitie
.. Marrying or prostituting, as befell. 1891 Athenxum
17 Jan. 86/3 There is plenty of love and some marrying.
b. attrib. as in marrying age, day; + marrying
ring, a wedding-ring.
1504 in Bury II 'ills (Camden) 98 Item 1 bequeth to our
Lady of Wa!syngh»m .. my niaryeng ryng. 1546 J. Hev-
wood Prov. (1 867) 1 5 Sens our one mariyng or marryng daie.
11 X548 Hall Chrou., Hen. 1 'III. 240 b, Aboute her mariyng
ryng was written : God sende me wel to kepe. 1869 Tozer
Highl. Turkey II. 120 Daughters. .when they reach nine-
teen..are looked upon as almost past the marrying age.
Marrying (marri,irj), ///. a. [f. Marry v.
+ -ing -.J a. Inclined or likely to marry, b. That
performs the marriage ceremony.
1778 Miss Bi rnf.y Evelina lxxv, I think Miss Anville the
loveliest of her sex; and, were I a marrying man, she, of all
the women I have seen, I would fix upon for a wife. 1855
Dickens Dorrit 11. xv, She had not thought Edmund a
marrying man. 1861 Thackeray Four Georges i, Duke
George, the marrying duke. 1891 E. Kinglake Australian
at H. 62 If a minister knowingly marries a minor without
consent of guardians he is liable 10 a fineof j£3°°- •„• These
marrying gentry are not much given to inquiring into the
circumstances under which their clients come to them.
+ Marry-muff, sb. and int. Obs. Also 7 mary-,
maramuffe.
A. sb. Some kind of cheap textile fabric; a
garment made of this.
1604 Meeting of Gallants B 2 b, He that would haue braude
it . . might haue made a Sute of Sattin cheaper in ihe
Plague-time, then a Sule of Marry-murTe in the Tearme-
time. 1604 MiooLETON Ant *, Sight. F 3, She drewe her
while Bountiful! hand out of her Mary-muffe, and quoited
a single Halfe-peny. 1640 in Entick London (1766) II. 178
Piramides or Maramuffe, the piece, narrow, id.
B. int. Used as a derisive exclamation. (Cf.
Marry int.)
160a Middleton Blurt 11. ii, Wearied Sir? mary mufle.
1605 Tryall Chevalr. in Bullen O. PI. (1884) III. 288 Mary
muffe ! . . I scorne to humble the least part about me to
give answere to such a trothing question. 1613 Wiihfr
Abuses Strip! i. in Juvenilia (1633) '3 His Poetry is such
as he can cull From Plaies. . And yet his fine coy Mlstresse,
Mary-Muffe, The soonest taken with such broken stuffe.
Marryner, obs. form of Mariner.
Marrys, variant of Maris Obs., womb.
Marrys(h, obs. forms of Marish.
Mars (niajz). Also 4-5 Marcz,Maros,Maroe.
[a. L. Mars (stem Mart-), app. a reduced form of
the archaic Mavors (Mavort-). The Oscan name
of the god, Mamers (Mdmerl-) is prob. cognate,
at least so far as the first element is concerned.]
1. The Roman god of war ; identified from an
early period with the Greek Ares. Often, after
Roman practice, used for: Warfare, warlike
prowess, fortune in war.
Camp ox field of Mars, Mars' field, the Campus Martius
at Rome. Mars' hill, hill of Mars, the Areopagus at Athens.
CJ374 Chaucer Compl. Mars 75 (Harl.) Venus kyssith
Mars [Camb. MS. Marcs] be god of amies. 1387-8 T. Usk
Test. Love 1. vii. 11 (Skeat), I profered my body.. that Mars
shulde have juged the ende. ci4ia Hoccleve De Reg.
Princ. 3905 Mars hab euer ben frend to ;our worbi lyne.
1S90 C'tess Pembroke Antonie 1061 A man .. In Marses
schole who neuer lesson learn'd. t«oa Shaks. Ham. 111. iv.
57 An eye like Mars, to threaten or command. 16x1 Bible
Acts xvii. 22 Then Paul stood in the mids of Mars-hill.
1616 Holyday Persius Sat. v. (ed. 2) D 3, A third doth
Mars-field wrastlings duely keepe [L. Hie campo indulge.'].
1638 Sir T. Herbert Tra-o. (ed. 2) 94 Bengala is a Province
. .peopled with Mahometans and Idolaters, addict to Mars
and Merchandize, a 1700 B. E. Diet. Cant. Crew, Son of
Mars, Soldier. 1715 Pope Iliad 11. 139 Ye sons of Mars!
partake your leaders care. 1785 Burns Jolly Beggars,
I am a son of Mars, who have been in many wars.
b. allusively. A great warrior.
1569 Preston Cambyses 10 A manly Marsis heart he bare.
'593 Shaks. Rich. II, 11. iii. 101 The Black Prince, that yong
Mars of men. c 1630 Risdon Sun'. Devon § 134 (1810) 149
This Mars vanquished the Arragonois.
2. Astr. The fourth planet in the order of distance
from the sun, revolving in an orbit lying between
that of the Earth and Jupiter.
The hill or plain of Mars : in Palmistry, the fleshy part
of the thumb.
c 1385 Chaucer L. G. W. 2589 Hypermn., A rede Mars was
that tyme of the jere So feble that his maleyce is hym be-
: raft. 1578 Banister Hist. Man iv. 62 b, That fleshy part
of the thombe, which Palmesters do terme the hill of Mars.
I 1601 Shaks. Alt's Well u I 206 Hel. You were bonie vuder
MARSALA.
a charitable starre. Par. Vnder Mars I. 1630 A". Johnson's
Kingd. A> Commit'. 15 Those who have Mars Lord in their
Nativities, becotne either .Souldiers or Trades-men. 1653
R. Sanders Physiogn. 56 Wee allow to Mars all that space
within the Triangle, which is made by the line of the Liver,
that of the Head, and that of Saturn ; and we call that place
the Plain of Mars, . .the strongest place of the Hand. 1855
Tennyson Maud III. vi. 13 [She] pointed to Mars As he
glow'd like a ruddy shield on the Lion's breast.
+b. OldCliem. The name of the metal iron. Obs.
Crystals, salt, or vitriol 0/ Mars : green vitriol, (ferrous
sulphate). Extract 0/ Mars ; ' a tincture of a salt of iron '
(Syd. Sac. Lex. 1S89). Saffron of Mars, Mars' saffron: =
' crocus of iron ' (see Crocus 3).
c 1386 Chaucer Can. Yeom. Pro/. A> T. 274 Sol gold is, . .
Mars Iren Mercurie quyk siluer we clepe. 1676 Boyle
Ntnv Exper. Fluids 11. in Phil. Trans. XL 807 A Mass of
Regulus made of Antimony without Mars. 1678 Salmon
Lond. Disp. 836/2 Filings of Steel are digested in Spirit of
Vitriol, to make Vitriol of Mars. Ibid., The Salt of Mars.
1727-41 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Crocus, Crocus martis aperiens,
opening saffron of mars. 1758 [see Jupiter 2 b].
jC. Her. The name for the tincture red in
blazoning by the names of the heavenly bodies. Obs.
1572 Bosseweli. Armorie 11. 67 The fielde is partie per
Fesse, Saturne, and Mars.
d. = Mars yellow : see 3.
1899 B. W. Warhurst Colour Diet. 47 Mars, dull deep
j'ellow, also an orange.
3. attrib. and Comb., as Mai s adoring, -beloved,
-daunting, -like adjs. ; Mars colours, as Mars
brown, red, violet, yellow, pigments prepared from
earths, and coloured with iron oxide ; f Mars-
starred «., born under the planet Mars.
a 1649 Drumm. of Hawth. Poems Wks. (1711) 39/t A
"Mars-adoring brood is here. 1598 Sylvester Du Bartas
11. \\. 11. Babylon 688 'Mars-daunting Martialist. Ibid.
II. i. II. Imposture 628 The valiant Heav'n-assisted sword
Of * Mars-like Essex. 1894 Athen.rum 5 May 584/2 Her
*mars-red gown over a yellow petticoat. 1635 Heywood
Hierarch. vi. 395 The Scythians (souldiers not to be
despis'd) A * Mars-starr'd people.
Mars, obs. form of March sb.1 (the month).
II Marsala (marsa-la). Also Marsalla. [The
name of a town on the west coast of Sicily.] (More
fully Marsala wine.) A class of white wines re-
sembling a light sherry, exported from Marsala.
1806 Jefferson in Harper's Mag. (1885) Mar. 541 Two
Pipes Marsalla wine. 1848 Thackeray Bk. Snobs xxv,
I prefer sherry to marsala when I can get it.
Marscal, -schal, -sehel, etc. : see Marshal. ■
Mars(e)banker, -bunker, var.ff. Mosshunker.
I! Marseillais (marsz/yj), a. (sb.) Also 7
Marsillies, 8 Marsellois, 9 Marseillois (angli-
cized Marseillese). [Fr., f. Marseille Marseilles :
cf. -ESE.]
1. adj. Belonging or pertaining to Marseilles.
1686 tr. Chardiu's 'Bran. Persia i.7[TheTurkscallSpanish
money] Marsillies, by reason that the Merchants of Marseilles
first brought it in great Quantities into Turkic 1864 in
Webster ; and in later Diets.
2. aisol.assb.pl. a. Inhabitants of Marseilles.
1837 Cari.yi.e Br. Rev. vi. iv, Those black-browed Mar.
seillese marching, dusty, unwearied. iS&PeunyCycl.XlV.
446/2 The Marseillois appear to have been actively engaged j
in the Crusades.
b. Hist. The member* of the Cordeliers Club \
in the French Revolution.
•795 tr. Barrnel's Hist. Clergy during Fr. Rev. Ill [The
section] of Cordeliers had taken the name of Marsellois.
II Marseillaise (marayfz, marsel^-z). Also
Marseillois'e, Marseillais. [Fr., fem. of prec]
(Also Marseillaise hymn.) The national song of the
French Republic, written and composed by Rouget
de ITsle in 1792 ; so named from having been first ,
sung in Paris by a band of ' patriots' from Marseilles.
1826 Moore Copy Intercep. Desp. viii, If the Marseillois I
Hymn could command Such audience, though yell'd by a
Sans-culotte crew. 1827 Scott Napoleon V. 66 Chenier,
author of the hymn of the Marseilloise. [1831 Carlyle.SViz-'.
Ret, in. iii.Your. . Marseillese Hymns, and Keignsof Terror.]
1842 Horrow Bible in Spain vii, The drunkard then com-
menced singing, or rather yelling, the Marseillaise hymn. '
1848 [see Labial a. A. il
b. Comb.- Marseillai8e-wise<K&'.,inthemanner i
customary when singing the Marseillaise.
1870 Dickens E. Drood ii, As the boy. .lays a hand on
Jasper's shoulder, Jasper cordially and gaily lays a hand on i
his shoulder, and so Marseillaise-wise they go in to dinner. '
Marseilles (mais^dz). Also 8 Marsailles. '
[The Eng. name of a seaport (in Fr. Marseille) in j
southern France ; used attrib. and ellipl.']
1. A stiff cotton fabric, similar to pique1. Also 1
Marseilles quilting.
1762 Bickerstaffe Love in Village 111. iv. (1765) 60 I
four counterpanes in Marsailles quilting. 1824 Miss M it- '
ford Village Ser. 1. 223 Her exterior garment was always j
quilted, varying. .from simple stuff, or fine white dimity, or
an obsolete manufacture called Marseilles, up to silk and
satin. 1893 Gkoroiana Hill Hist. Eng. Dress II. 234 |
White waistcoats of Marseilles quilting were generally worn.
A. Marseilles hartwort, French hartwort, Seseli '•
tortuosum ( formerly massiliense). Marseilles
vi negar, Ace/um prophylaclicum or thieves' vinegar.
i&zzPt.K\sPharmatologia(e(\.s)U. 15 hd/c, Thieves Vine-
gar, or Marseilles Vinegar. 1856 in Mavne Expos. Bex.
Marsella: see Marcella.
Marsement, obs. variant of Merckment.
Vol. VI.
185
Marsh (maj|). Forms: a. 1 mersc, msersc,
merisc, 3 mersche, 3-6 mershe, 4 merss, 4, (7)
mersh, 5 merseh, merehe, merssh(e ; 0. o
mars(s)he, marche, 7-9 dial, march, 9 dial.
mash, 5- marsh. [OE. mp~sc, merisc masc. =
M.Du. merseh (kinase, fem., MLG. merseh, maiseh,
maseh fem., neut., whence G. marsch fem., Da.
marsk neut. ; repr. W.Ger. *marisk- (whence med.L.
mariscus and its Rom. forms : see Mauikh sb.) f.
OTeut. *mari- sea, lake. Mere sb. : see -i.su.]
I. 1. A tract of low lying land, flooded in winter
and usually more or less watery throughout the year.
c 72$ Corpus Gloss. (Hessels) C 140 Calmctum, mersc.
971 Blickl. Gloss. 261/1 On s[a]ltne mersc, in satsitaginem.
ri 1250 Owl* Night. 304 Wenestu that haveck bo the worse,
Thoa, crowe bi-grede him bi the mershe ? 1382 Wycli f Gen.
xli. 18 Seuen oxen.. the which in the pasture of mershe
[1388 marreis] the grene leswis cheseden. e 1475 Put. Voc.
in Wr.-Wiilcker 796/17 Hoc marcscum, a merehe. 1523
Ld. Berners Froiss. I. xviii, There were meruayloiise
great marshes and daungerous passages. 1594 Siiaks.
Rich. Ill, v. iii. 345 My Lord, the Enemy is past the Marsh.
1673 Temple Obs. United Prov. Wks. 1731 I. 8 By. .the
Course of Waters from the higher into lower Grounds.. the
flat Land grows to be a Mixture of Earth and Water,.,
which is call'd a Marsh. 1770 N. Nicholls in Corr. iv.
Gray (1843) 118 The marshes which I see from my bed.
chamber window are become an ocean. 1835 ThirlwaLL
Greece i. I. 11 The lake is little more than a marsh, con-
taining some deep pools. 1875 JoWETT Plato (ed. 2) I. 490
Like ants or frogs about a marsh.
II. attrib. and Comb.
2. a. Simple attrib. sometimes passing into adj.
(cf. Marish) : Consisting of a marsh or marshes ;
existing, found, or constructed in marshes; arising
from or caused by marshes or their exhalations.
11.., etc. [see Marshland], c 1386 Chaucer Sompn. 'P.
(Ellesm. MS.) Ther is in yorkshirc.A meissh [other texts
mersshy] contree called Holdernesse. 1533 Fitzherb. Httsb.
§ 54 Peny grasse . . groweth lowe by the erthe in a marsshe
grounde. 1634 W. Wood New Eng. Prosp. (1865) 44 On
the other side of the River lieth all their Medow and
Marsh-ground for Hay. 1726 Leoni Albert!: A rchit. II.
tro/i Of all Marsh-water that is accounted the very worst
which breeds horse-leeches. 1799 Med. Jml. II. 181 Not
far dissimilar from marsh-miasmata. 1813 Vancouver
Agric. Devon 302 Should the marsh-ouze be required for
ploughed ground, a 1817 T. Dwight 'Brav. Nt-iv Eng., etc.
(1821)1. 183 The substance which here so rapidly accumu-
lates is what in this country is called marsh-mud ; the mate-
rial, of which its salt marshes are composed. 1852 Wiggins
Embanking 75 In Essex, .the soil is particularly favourable,
both to sustain embankments, and as a material for making
them, and is called Marsh clay. 1869 E. A. Parkfs Pract.
Hygiene (ed. 3) 71 Villages placed under the same conditions
as to marsh air.
b. Applied to persons, animals, and plants living
in marshes.
1607 Topsell Four-/. Beasts (1658) 165 The same., driveth
Gnats or marsh-flies out of a house. 1626 Bacon Syha
§ 526 To take Marsh-Herbs, and Plant them upon Tops of
Hills, and Champaignes. a 1861 Woolner My Beautiful
Z.a<r>(i863) !°9 Lone marsh-birds winged their misty flight.
1870 Swinburne Ess. A> Stud. (1875) 326 A tuft of marsh-
lilies midway on a steep and bare hill-side. 1890 ' R. Bol-
drewood' Miner's Right (1899) 122/2 Dismal waterlogged
flats, where only the marsh-frogs made chorus.
3. Objective, instrumental, locative, etc., as war.r/;-
dweller ; marsh-dwelling, -girt, -like adjs.
1891 J. A. Owen etc. Fishing Village 287 The slow think-
ing and acting graziers and old 'marsh dwellers. 18&9
C. C. R. Up for the Season 259 Sad, 'marsh-dwelling,
porter-drinkers. 1889 Doyle Micah Clarke 327 Its damp,
♦marsh-girt position. 1839 Bailey Festus xix. (1852) 219
Doth not nature— All light in life, shine 'marsh-like too, in
death ? 1888 Rider Haggard Maiwa's Revenge iv. (1891)
40 We. .took up the spoor. .and followed it into the marsh-
like land beyond.
4. Special combinations : + marsh butter, ? =
bog-butter (see Boo sb.l 4) ; marsh fever, malaria
fever ; marsh-fire, -light, a will-o'-the-wisp ;
t marsh mutton, mutton reared on Tilbury
Marshes in Essex, from September to Christmas ;
marsh-poisoning, poisoning caused by the in-
halation of vapours rising from marshes ; marsh
rod, a measure of length used for embanking work
(see quots.) ; f marsh wall, a dike ; marsh-work,
work done on marshes; also f an establishment for
making salt by evaporation of sea-water. See also
Marsh-gas, Marshland, Marshman.
c 1450 ME. Med. Bk. (Heinrich) 217 Tak anote schale, &
ful hyt wyb 'merseh butter. 1752 Pringle Obs. Dis. Army
(1765) 173 These 'marsh-fevers are.. apt.. after intermitting
for some days, to change again into continual fevers of a
putrid and malignant nature. 1801 Hamilton (title) On
Marsh Remittent Fever. 1882 Ouida Maremma I. 38
Her sons had died of the marsh fever. 1865 Baring-Gould
Werewolves 3 Its tongue out, and its eyes glaring like
"marsh-fires. 1870 Morris Earthly Par. III. iv. 213 Willi
gleaming, sand choked, reed-clad pools, And 'marsh-lights
for the mock of fools. 1770 H. Chamberlain Surv. Lond.
649/2 This is what the butchers call, by way of excellence
' right 'marsh mutton '. 1885,-8 Fagge & Pye-Smith Priuc.
Med. (ed. 2) I. 186 The remittent forms of 'marsh-poison-
ing. 1790 Trans. Soc. Arts VIII. 94 At the rate of thirty
shillings the 'marsh rod of twenty-one feet. 1852 Wiggins
Embanking m At $s. per marsh rod of 18 feet forward.
1577 B. C-ooge Heresbach's Husb. I. (1586) 9 Some building
vpon Riuers, some without or within the 'Marshe walles.
1708 Lond. Gaz. No. 4453/3 A Dwelling-house and a
'Marsh-work.. with large Store-ponds, and Sun-ponds, for
MARSH.
! making of Brine. 1869 Blackmore I.orua D. liv, Seeing
thus no track of men, nor anything but marshwork, and
stormwork. 1897 Jml. R. Agric. Soc. Dec. 614 The boots
. .are similar to those used for marsh-work.
b. In names of animals inhabiting marshes, as
marsh blackbird, the American red-winged black -
bird or starling, Agelieus phosniceus ; marsh cow
Palteont., a breed of cattle of which the remains
i are found in the Swiss lake-villages; marsh deer,
a South American deer, Cariacitspaludosus; marsh-
diver, some kind of marsh-bird, ?the Water Rail,
A'allus aquaticus ; marsh-fish, the mudfish, Amia
calva; marsh-goose, the greylag goose, Anserci-
nerctts; marsh harrier, the moor buzzard, Circus
srruginosus ; marsh hawk, the American marsh
harrier, C. hudsonius ; marsh hen, the moorhen,
Callinula ehloro/ius ; U. S. applied to other rails,
esp. A'allus elegans and A', crepitans ; marsh hog
Pal.ront., a variety of the domestic swine of which
the remains are found in the Swiss lake-villages;
marsh quail U.S., the meadow lark, Stttmella
magna; marsh ringlet, the butterfly Cauonympha
Davits (Stainton Brit. Butterflies 1867); marsh
shrew, a North American aquatic shrew, Neosorex
1 palustris; marsh tern, the gull-billed tem,Sterna
augliea, or the genus llydroehelidon ; marsh tit
; or titmouse, Parus palustris; marsh worm, a
worm used as a bait in angling (see quol. 1856) ;
marsh wren U.S. , a wren of the genus Cistolhorus.
1831 A. Wilson & Bonaparte Amer, Ornith. I. 199 They
[red-winged starlings] are known by various nanus in the
different Stales of the Union ; such as.. 'marsh blackbird
[etc.]. 1863 I.vkll Antio. Man 24 'I here were iwo races
of cattle, the most common being of small size, and called
by Rutimeyer..the 'marsh cow. 1893 R. Lydekkf.r Horns
fr Hoofs 343 The "marsh -deer (C. paludosus). 1847
Tennyson Princess iv. 105 'Marsh-divers, rather, maid,
Shall croak thee sister. 1836 J. Richardson Fauna Per.
Amer. in. 236 Amia ocelltcauda, •Marsh-fish. 1768
Pennant Brit. Zool. II. 44S The "marsh-goose, or grey-
leg. 1802 G. Montagu Ornith. Diet. (1831) 315 'Marsh
Harrier.— A name for the Moor Buzzard. 1831 A. Wilson
& Bonaparte Amer. Ornith. I. 90 Formerly the 'marsh
hawk used to be numerous along the Schuylkill and Dela-
ware. 1802 G. Montagu Ornith. Diet. (1831) iSSGallinule
.. Provincial.— Moor-hen. 'Marsh-hen. a 1849 Poe Gold
Bug, Jupiter.. bustled about to prepare some marsh-hens
for supper. 1863 Lvell Antio. Man 25 There were two
tame races of the pig. ., one large.. the other smaller, called
the "marsh. hog', or Sus scrofa palustris. 1883 Century
Mag. 653 The meadow lark or 'marsh quail. 1829 J. Rich-
ardson Fauna Bor. Amer. 1. 5 Sorex Palustris, American
'Marsh-Shrew. 1831 A. Wilson & Bonaparte Amer. Ornith.
III. 152 The 'marsh tern is fourteen inches in length [etc.].
1852 Macgillivray Hist. Brit. Birds V. 658 llydroehelidon
nigra, the Black Marsh-tern. 1802 G. Montagu Ornith.
Diet., 'Marsh Tit. 1676 U'illugliby's Ornithol. 175 The
'Marsh Titmouse or Black-cap. 1653 Walton Angler
iv. 94-5 The 'marsh- worm. 1856* Stonehenge' Brit. Rural
Sports 236/1 The Marsh-Worm, or Blue-Head, is found in
moist and undrained localities .. In colour they are of a
light dirty or brownish-purple. 1831 A. Wilson & Bona-
parte Amer. Ornith. II. 194 The "marsh wren arrives in
Pennsylvania about the middle of May.
c. In the names of many plants that grow in
marshes, as marsh asphodel, Xarthecium ossi-
fragum; + marsh beetle (Beetle sb.x), the reed-
mace, Typha latifolia ; marsh bent (grass), ^/^•/•iw-
tis vulgaris; marsh centaury, Cicendiafdiformis ;
marsh fern, Nephrodium Thelypleris ; marsh
flower, any species of Limnanthemum, esp. /..
nymphsoides ; marsh gentian, Centiana Pneu-
monanthe ; marsh gilliflower, ragged robin, Lych-
nis Fios-cuculi ; marsh grass, any grass that grows
in marshy land, spec, one of the genus Spartina ;
marsh-locks, Comarum palustre; marsh nut,
the marking-nut, Semecarpus Anacardium ; marsh
orchis, Orchis latifolia ; marsh penny-wort,
Hydrocotyle vulgaris ; f marsh pestle = marsh
beetle ; marsh reed, Phragmites communis ;
tmarsb. rocket, a kind of watercress ; marsh
rcsemary, Ledum palustre, Andromeda polifolia,
Statice Limonium, or .V. earoliuiana (Treas. Bot.) ;
marsh samphire, glasswort, Salicornia herbaeea ;
marsh tea, Ledum palustre (Cent. Diet.) ; marsh
trefoil [tr. L. Trifolium palustre}, the btickbean,
Menyanthes trifoliaia. Also Marsh -mallow,
Marsh marigold, Marshwort.
For marsh arro-.v-grass, m. bog-bean, m. cinouefoil, m.
cloz>er, m. daisy, m. elder, rn. felwort, jn. Jleaioort, tn.
hawk{s)--weed, m.helleborine, m. hog's fennel, m. horse-tail,
tn. lousnvort, m. parsley, etc., see these words.
1863 Prior Ptaul-u. 145 "Marsh Asphodel. 1578 Lyte
Dodoens iv. liii. 513 Turner calleth it.. in Englishe, Reede
Mace, and Cattes tayle : to the which we may ioyne others,
as Water Tortbe, "Marche Betill, orPestill. 1764 Museum
Rusticum 1 1. Ixxxviii. 300 The grass, .proved to be the flote
fescue, with a mixture of the 'marshbent. 1857 Miss Pratt
Flenver PI. V. 70 'Marsh Bent-grass. 1796 Withering
Brit. Plants (ed. 3) II. 194 Blxacum filiforme . . Least Gen-
tian, 'Marsh Centory. 1857 Miss Pratt Flenver. PI. VI.
173 'Marsh Fern. 1866 Treas. Bot., 'Marsh-flower, Lim-
nanthemum. 1722 Quincy Lex. Physico-Med. (ed. 2) 349
''Marsh-Gentian. 1578 Lyte Dodoens 11. vii. 157 The fourth
. .is called Vetonica syincstris : in English wilde Williams,
'Marshe gillofers, or Cockow gillofers. 1796 Morse Amer.
90
MARSHAL.
186
MARSHAL.
Geog. I. 180 Every appearance of a salt marsh, that is, *marsh
grass, marsh mud, and brackish water. 1776 Withering
Hot. Arrangem. Vegetables I. 310 Comarum .. Palnstre,
"Marshlocks. 1S66 Treas. Hot. 1047/2 Malacca-beans or
"Marsh-nuts. 1857 Miss Pkatt Mower. Pt. V.2io*Marsh
Orchis. 1761 Stillingfleet Cat. Flora 27 June, "Marsh
pennywort, Hydrocotule vulgaris. 1578 *Marche Pestill
I see marsh beet I,']. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) II. 384/1 The
phragmitis, or common *marsh-reed, grows by the sides of
rivers and in standing waters. 1739 Miller Gard. Diet.
II. Sisymbrium palttstre minus. .the lesser * Marsh-rocket.
1787 tr. Linnaeus' Fam. Plants I. 294 Ledum. * Marsh
Rosemary. 1845-50 Mrs. Lincoln Led. Bot. v. App.
173 Statice limonium (marsh-rosemary, sea-lavender). 1727
Thrf.i.keld Synopsis Stirpium Hibern. F2b, The Eng-
lish use the pickled shoots like Sampire to stir up an
Appetite, and call it *Marsh-sampire. 1597 GEEAKDB
Herbal 11. cccclxxxi. 1025 Marish Trefoile is called.. in
English marsh Clauer, *marsh Trefoile, and IJuckes Beanes.
1764 Museum Rusticum I. 435 That the marsh-trefoil will
cure the rot, I cannot, from experience, corroborate.
Marsh, obs. form of Mash vA, Mksh.
Marshal (ma'jJaT), sb. Forms : a. 3 marescal,
3-9 mareschal, 5 maresshall, mareschatil,
5 7 mareshall, 6 mareschall(e, marischale, 7
mariscall, 7-S marishal, 8 marischal, maras-
chal; 0. 3-4 marschal, 3-5 marchal, marschalle,
4 marscal, 4-5 marsehale, marchall, 4 -6 mar-
schall, 4 9 marshall, 5 marschael, -schail,
marchale, -chell, marshalle, -schel(l, -sshall,
nierschale, -sshall, 5-6" mershall, 6 merchal,
marchaele, 4- marshal ; 7. 4 marcial, 5 mar-
chiale, 5-6 marciall, marcheall, 6-7 martiall,
7 marshial, 7, y martial, [a. OK. mareschal,
marescal (mod.F, mar/chal) = Pr. tnanescalc-s, It.
tfiariscalcOj maliscaho, maniscalco farrier, marshal
(Sp., Pg, mariscal, It. maresdalh, marshal, are
from OFr. or Fr.) :— Frankish Latin mariscalcus,
ad. OHG. marahscalh or OS. *marhscak (MUG.
marsckalch, -schatc, early mod.G. marschalk, later
mar$chall\ MLG. marschalk, MDu. maerschalc,
mod.Du. maarschalk ; Sw. marskalk, Da. marshal
are from LG.):— OTeut. type *marhoskalko-z lit.
'horse-servant', f. */>ia>ko-z hoise (whence fern.
*marhj& Mark) r *skalkoz servant (OK. ayo/*-
servant, G. schalk rogue). Compounds of equiva-
lent meaning are OS. ehu-scalc, OK. korspegn.
For the development by which a word originally meaning
a groom or stable-man came to be a title of various high
offices in royal households and in ihe army, cf. the parallel
history of Constable. In Fr. and It. the sense 'farrier'
has subsisted alongside the use as a title of dignity ; in the
Teut. tangs, only the titular use has survived.)
T 1. a. One who tends horses ; esp. one who
treats their diseases, a farrier. (Cf. horse-marshal
s.v. House sb. 27.) b. A shoeing smith. [F,
marshal veterinaire, marJchal f errant.] Obs.
c 1330 R. BKUNNE Chron Wace (Rolls) 11 179 per maistres
mareschals feide aboute, Deliuered nines [v. r. stedesj wyb-
ynne & wyboute; Hordes broughte, cordes & cables, &
made mangers to stande in stables. 1428 in Suttees Mise.
{1888) 1 Burn, smyth in Bouthum and John Holgate, mars-
shall in the sulmrbe of Walmegate. 1474 Caxton Chesse
111. ii. Evj, Alle maner of werkmen; as goldsmythes, mar-
challis, smythes of alle forges. 1588 Richmond Wills (Sur^
tees) 256 note, I have made an estatt unto Robert Selbye,. .
of my tenement .. now in the tenure of Mr. Wedrington,
mershall, and of the housses, stables, and grownde ower
agaynst yt. 16x8 Sir W. Hopk {title), The Parfait Mare-
schal, or, Compleat Farrier. 1639 T. dk Grkv Compl.
ilorsem. 45 Skilfull ferrier or marshal! he shall never be.
< 17M W. Gibson Farrier's Guide 11. xxii. (1738) 71 Such
remedies as the Practise of the l>est Marishals has war-
ranted.
2. One of the chief functionaries of a royal house-
hold or court ; in the middle ages usually en-
trusted with the military affairs of his sovereign.
a. A high officer of state in England ; now Earl
Marshal, q.v. Formerly also Marshal of England,
High, King's, Lord Marshal.
1258 Eng. Proclam. Hen. Ill Rog' Uigod eorl on Northfolk'
and Marescal on Engleneloand'. U97 R. Glouc. (Rolls)
10081 po be king adde normandie in god stat ibrou?t al put
lond he tok to loke willam be mareschal bat was erl of
penbroc. £1330 R. Krunnk Chron. (1810) 292 After pe ers-
bisshop pe erle Marschatle Rogere llifor be kyng ros vp.
1480 Caxton Chron. Eng. ccxiv. n 5 b, Thomas of Brother-
tone the Erie marchall. 1548 Hai.i. Chron. , lien. IV 13 ;
The erle of Westmorland his high Marshal. 1596 Shaks.
1 Hen. IV, iv. iv. 2 lieare this sealed Briefe With winged ;
haste to the Lord Marshall. 1596 Dalrvmim.e tr. Leslie's
Hist. Scot. vin. 142 The Duke of Norfolkis sone, cheif Tre- !
surer and Merchall in Jngland. 1598 Syi.vf.ster Du Bartas
11. i. 11. Imposture 628 Mars-like Essex, England's Marshall-
Earle. 1839 Penny Cycl. XIV. 447/2 One of the principal j
officers of state is the king's marshal, which office is now '
held hereditarily by the duke of Norfolk.
b. (Usually with spelling marischal.) A similar ,
high officer of state in Scotland.
The office was hereditary in the family of Keith, and from
1458 the holder had the peerage title of Earl Marischal.
The office^ became extinct by the attainder of George 10th
Earl Marischal in 1716.
€ 1375 Harbour Bruce xi. 456 Schir Robert of Keth, that
wes Marshall of all the host of fee. 1461 Liber Pluscar- :
densis x. x, Comes Eril Marschael [v.r. Marschail, Mar-
chiale] nominatus. 1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. '■■
v. 302 That in perpetual! ane of that surname (Keith] sal be
Mareschall in the kingis hous. 1715 Earl of Mar Procl.
in Thanes Cawdor (Spalding Club) 411 Some of his faithful
subjects and servants met here, viz. the Lord Huntley, the
Lord Tullybardine, the Earl Marischal [etc.].
c. Karl Marshal of Ireland-, a title conferred
in 1 574 upon Walter Devereux, Earl of Essex.
3. As a title of military rank,
fa. In early use employed vaguely: A com-
mander, general. Subsequently (esp. in the forms
marshal of the field or camp, Field-marshal), an
officer of a definite rank, which varied according
to period and country. Obs.
a 1300 Cursor M. 7630 Of a thusand men o wal, He made
him ledder and marscal. 1361 Langl. /". PI. A. 111. 194
Hedde I be Marchal of his Men. 1456 Sir G. Have Law
Arms (S. T. S.) 112 The ledare of the bataille, that men
caliis now constable, or marschail in his absence, a 1450
Knt. de la Tour (1868) 16 The king of Hungry, that is of
right marschalle of cristendom in the werres ayenst the
hethen. 1548 Udall, etc. Erasm. Par. Acts xxiii. 9- 10 The
marciall [C tribunus] fearyng lest that Paul [etc.]. 1571
DiGGBS Pantom. Pref. Aijb, The Marshall of the fielde
shall . . appoynt place conuenient for his Campe. a 1587
Garrard Art War (1591) 234 The high Marshall of the
fielde, or maister of the Campe. 1593 Nashk Unfort.
Trav. ViHcs. (Grosart) V. 33 The Marshall general! of the
field. 1611 Bible Jer. lii. 12 Nebuzaradan the captain of
the guard [marg. chief marshal], a 1628 F. Greville
Sidney (1652) 143 Meeting the Marshall of the Camp lightly
armed. 1696 Phillips (ed. 5), Marshals are also Military
Officers, as the Camp-Marshal, who is the next Officer to
the Lieutenant General.
Jig. 1612 Bacon Ess., Atlieism (Arb.) 332 That an Army*
of infinite small portions or seeds vnplaced should haue
produced this order, and beauty without a diuine Marshall.
b. A general officer of the highest rank in certain
foreign armies. Often as prefixed title. (In i8thc.
usually with semi-Fr. spelling mareschal.)
In the French army the full designation is Marfchal de
Trance (Englished Marshal 0/ France).
1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 422 h, There were manye
of the Nobilitie taken, amonges whome was the hyghe
Mareshall of Fraunce. 1630 R- Johnson'1 s Kingd. <V Commit:
157 For the Marshals of France, 18000 [crownes] apeece,
when they were but foure; for now it is a Title only, with-
out either pension or command, save only in the foure chiefe.
1710 Steele Tatter No. 174 r 11 He and the Duke of Ber-
wick are to command the French Army, the rest of the
Mareschals being only to assist in Council. 175a Hi'Mi:
JSu. <y Treat. (1777) II. 285 Such is the excellence which
St. Evremond ascribes to mareschal Turenne. 1816J. Scott
Vis. Paris led. 5) p. Ixi, Some of our Marshals have been
invited to visit the Allied lines. 1878 Browning LaSaisia-r.
80 What might he the Marshal's next move, what Gam-
betta's counter-play.
t C An officer in some military orders. Obs.
1615 G. Sandys Trav. 230 The Martial!, the Maister
of the Hospital!, the Admirall, the Chancelor, Sec. [of the
Knights of Malta].
T 4. An officer of a court of law answerable for
the charge and custody of prisoners and for the
keeping of order, and frequently entrusted with
the keeping of a prison. Also Marshal of the
Exchequer, of Ihe Kings {ox Queens) Bench. Obs.
These officers obtained the title as being deputies of the
Marshal of England (see 2 a).
1290 Becket 802 in S. Ping. Leg. I. 129 Obur is Marschales
scholden swipe anon is bodi to prisone take. Ibid. 805 ('■
Marchales i-redie weren to prisone him lede a-non. 1437
Rolls of Parlt. IV. 509/2 Was committed to the Marchall, in
prison to abide. 1485 Ibid. V I. 291/2 The same William, was
late Marshall of the Marshallsie of the Kings Bench. 1530
Tindai.k Gen. Table Exp. Words s. v., And therfore 1 call
him cheffe marshall an officer as is the lefeienaunte of the
toure, or master of the marshalsye. 1'*74 Gh, /(• Court
0/ Rome o He that . . goes at large on his Parole . ., is .. no
less a Prisoner, than when under Guard, and in the Mar-
shals custody. 1690 Lond. Gaz. No. 2541/2 William Lent-
hall Esq; now Marshal of the King's Bench. 1768 Black-
stone Comm. III. 285 When once the defendant is taken
into custody of the marshall, or prison-keeper of this court
[of king's bench J. 1855 [see Marshalsea i\
b. Marshal of the admiralty : an officer of the
Court of Admiralty.
1769 Ann. Reg. 102 From the marshal of the admiralty in
Holderness. 180s Naval Chron. VIII. 423 The Deputy
Marshal of the Admiralty.., with his silver oar. 1875
Encycl. Brit. I. 162 s.v. Admiralty, The marshal is now
paid by a salary of ^500, in addition to his travelling ex-
penses.
G* Judge's marshal: an official (now usually a
barrister) who accompanies a judge on circuit, and
is charged with certain duties chiefly secretarial.
1861 M. Arnold Lett. 20 Mar., My brother-marshal, young
Thesiger,. .is a very good fellow.
5. An officer charged with the arrangement of
ceremonies, esp. with the ordering of guests at a
banquet, etc. (in this use often f marshal of Ihe hall;.
In the English royal household the ' Marsha) of the cere-
monies ' is now an official of the Lord Chamberlain's depart-
ment, ranking below the ' Master of the ceremonies '.
13.. Coerde L. 1543 Hys mareschal swythe com hym too: '
'Sere, he sayde, hou schal we doo? Swylk fowayle as we
bought yistyrday, For no catel gete I may '. c 1386 Chaucek
Prol. 752 A semely man oure hoost was with alle For to
been a Marchal in an halle. c 1460 J. Russell Bk. Nurture
1002 The office of a connynge vschere or marshalle with-owt
fable must know alle estates of the church goodly and gre-
able. 1495 Act 11 Hen. VII, c. 33. § 14 John Hanley
Squyer, oon of the Marshallis of oure Hall. 1510 Whims-
ton Vulg. (1527) 4 After that the marshall [A.V. John ii. 9
rata of the feast] dyd taste of the water tourned in to wyne. j
1631 Fuller David's Sinne xxxvi, Others strive Like sturdy !
martialls, far away to drive The drowsy droanes that harbour i
in the hive. 1636 Fhailv Clavis Myst. iii. 31 They. .send
their Harbingers before to take up lodgings, and Mar-
tials to make way. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Marshal
0/ the Ceremonies, an Officer whose llusiness it is in all
things, to receive Commands from the Master of the Cere-
monies .. for the Queen's Service. 1813 Scott Trierm. 11.
xiv, A shrilly trumpet shook the ground, And marshals
clear'd the ring.
Jig. 1590 Shaks. Mids. N. 11. ii. 120 Reason becomes the
Marshall to my will, And leades me to your eyes.
tb. Marshal of the King's (or Queen's) house;
= Knight marshal (see 6 b). Obs.
1433 Rolls of Parlt. IV. 447/1 The Steward and Marshall
of his [the King's] houshold. 1543 tr. Act 2 Hen. IV, c. 23
The mareschal of the mareschalsye of the court of our
soueraygne lord the kinges house. 1641 Termes de la Ley
200 b, The Marshall of the K. house. 1706 Phillips (ed.
Kersey), Marshal of the Queen's House, whose Office is to
hear and determine Pleas of the Crown within the Queen's
Palace... Clerk Marshal of tlw Queen's House, an Officer
that attends the Marshal [of theQueen's House] in his Court.
C. (More fully City marshal.) An officer of the
corporation of the City of London. (See quot.)
1633, 1714 [see City q|. 1761 Lond.*? Environs IV. 265
City Marshal. . . His business is to see the laws of the
city put in execution, and in solemn processions he rides
before the Lord Mayor. 1905 Whitakers Almanack 356
Officers of the City of London.. Marshal, Capt. E. J. T.
Kearns.
6. Knight marshal, f a. A military officer,
with functions corresponding to those of quarter-
master ; often used to render L. tribunus militum.
Obs. b. Hist. An officer of the Knglish royal
household, who had judicial cognizance of trans-
gressions ' within the king's house and verge*, i.e.
within a radius of twelve miles from the king's
palace. The office was abolished in 1846.
[1548: cf.3a.] 1SS& Chron. Gr. Friars {Camden)6$Edmund
Boner beynge prisoner in the Marchelse. .the knyght mar-
challe takynge away hys hedde . .because he wolde not geve
the knyght marchall x U. 159a Nashe /'. Penilesse (ed. 2)
1 8 b, The Knight Marshals men, that naile vp Mandates at
the Court gat. 1601 Holland Pliny II. 116 Being a colonell
and knight marshal of the campe [orig. tribunus militum
ab e.rerciln]. 1617 Misshku Duct or s.v. Knight, Knight
Martiall . . Tribunus militum, mariscallus. 1613 Cockkram
i.s.v. Tribune, The other was called Tribune of the Souldiers,
who had charge to see them well armed and ordered, being
as the Knight Marshall is with vs. 1713 Lond. Gaz. No.
5135/3 His Excellency was receiv'd at the Palace Gate by
Sir Phillip Meadows, Knight-Marshal.
Jig- a ,S9I H. Smith Serm. (1594) 518 That God would
make him [Satan] Knight Marshall ouer the world, to slay
and kill as many as he hated.
7. The title of various functionaries charged with
certain police duties, or with the office of super
intending the infliction of punishment.
fa. -Provost-marshal. Obs.
1596 Spknskr State /ret. Wks. ^lobe) 644/1 That were
a harde course, Eudoxus, to redresse every abuse by a Mar-
shall. 1633 T. Stafford Pac. Hib. 1. vii. (1821) 97 Moroghe
Mac Shihy, Marshall to James Fits Thomas, and the Mar-
shall of Derniond. /bid. 11. xxi.416 The President, and the
Marshall advanced forwards towards the Scout.
+ b. Naut. An official on board ship who super-
intends the carrying out of punishments. Obs.
i6»7 Capt. Smith Seaman's Gram. viii. 35 The Marshall
is to punish offenders, and to see iustice executed according
to directions; as ducking at the yards arme [etc. J. ibid.
xv. 73 In English ships they seldome vse any Marshall.
8. In Knglish university use. a. Oxford. The
chief of the proctors' attendants or 'bulldogs'.
b. Cambridge. Each of two officials appointed
by the Vice-chancellor to act as his messengers, to
summon meetings, etc.
18 10 Oxford Univ. Cat. p. xvii, University Officers, &c...
Belman... Marshal. 1853 'C. Bede' (E. Bradley) Verdant
Green xi, The proctor with his marshal and bull-dogs.
9. U.S. a. 'In America, a civil officer, appointed
by the President and Senate of the United States,
in each judicial district, answering to the sheriff of
a county. His duty is to execute all precepts
directed to him, issued under the authority of the
United States' (Webster 1828-32).
1793 Jefferson Writ. (1859) IV. 52 Rescuing a vessel out
of the hands of the marshal who had arrested her by process
from a court of justice. 1800 J. Adams It As. (1854) IX. 76,
I have agreed to the appointment of Major David Hopkins
to be marshal of Maryland. 1856 Olmsted Stave States
513 By the returns of the South Carolina marshals, the cash
value of land, in the State, appears to be $5-08 an acre.
1872 Raymond Statist. Mines <y Mining 107 The aggregate
production [of bullion] was reported by the assistant marshal
as follows,
b. Marshal-at-arms : an official in the House
of Representatives corresponding to the English
sergeant-at-arms.
1701 M. Cutler in Life (1888) I. 483 The Speaker. .sent
the Marshall-at-Arms to summon them to attend the House.
C. An officer of a body of men or a society
appointed to regulate its ceremonies, etc.; e.g.fre-
tnarshal, the chief officer of a fire brigade.
1903 Daily Chron. 31 Dec. 5/5 The fire marshal himself
went up to the balcony.
\ 10. For marshal court, law, see Martial a.,
Court-martial.
Marshal ii t j!.l1 , 7. Forms: 5 mar(s)chal.
mer8^chal,marschel,march©ll,0mersch©l,6-7
MARSHAL.
187
MARSHALSEA.
marshall, 6-9 martial, 7 marshial, 5- marshal. I
[f. Marshal sb.]
I. fl. tram. To tend (horses) as a farrier.
Also, to ' doctor ' or ' fake up ' for sale. Obs.
i.- 1430 Pilgr. Ly/ Manhode in. xxviit. (1869) 150 Man ye
harmes dooth this hand ; 0 time she marchaleth [orig. F.
Lossomie) hors, and maketh be badde seeme good to hem bat
wolen bigge hem. 6-1470 Henry Wallace v. 762 With his
gud suerd the captayn has he tayn, Quhill hors agayne he
marscheld neuir nayn. 1506 Ld. Treat. Ace. Scot. (1901)
III. 202 Item, to deif Andro that marshalit foure hors to the
King xiiijj.
II, Senses relating to Marshal sb. 3 and 5.
2. trans. To arrange, place, or rank in order at a
feast, table, etc.
1:1450 Holland Hmvlat 693 All war merschallit to mcit
meikly and myth, c 1470 Gaw. <y Col. 1 160 The meryest on
mold marschalit at mete, a 1548 Ham. Chron., Hen. VIII j
6 b, The Kyng caused the Queue to kepe the estate, and '
then satte the Ambassadours and Ladies, as they were Mar-
shalled by the kyng, who would not sit, hut walked from
place to place. 1709 Steele Taller No. 96 P 1 It has cost ,
me very much Care . . to marshal and fix the People under
their proper Denominations. 1814 Scott Ld. 0/ Isles u. vi,
And there he marshall'd them their place, First of that com-
pany. 18J5 Lvtton Zlcci 76 The guests were marshalled to
the board. 1843 Macau lay Ess., Mme. D' A rblay (ed. Mon-
tague) III. 299 In order that we may , . marshal her to the
exact seat to which she is entitled, we must carry our exam-
ination somewhat further.
f b. To put in a certain company, among or
with certain people, Obs.
1530 Lyndksay Test. Papyngo 587 The Erie of Marche wes
merschellit yam amang. 1583 111 Strype Ann. Re/. (1728) j
III. 183 The painful Pastors and Ministers of the Word .. |
are marshalled with the worst Malefactors.
+ C. To arrange (a banquet). Also with ///. Obs, !
1587 Fleming Co/tin. Holinshed III. 1490/1 The vshers
marshalled the feast. 1611 Dekker Strange Horse-Race, j
Bankrouts Sana. F 3 b, Tnese Bankrouts. .Martiald vp a i
Banquet, relHshmg likewise of their name, carriage, and
condition.
3. Her, To combine (two or more coats of arms) !
in one escutcheon, so as to form a single composi- ;
tion ; also, to associate (accessories) with a coat of
arms, so as to form a complete heraldic composition.
157a Bossewell Armorie it. 121b, 1 haue omitted to
marshal the same [coat] either with helme, wreathe, or I
mantle. 1610 Gvii.lim Heraldry vi.it. (161 1)256 If a bordured
Coat be to be Marshalled amongst other Coats quarterly.
1864 Boutell Her, Hist, fy Pop. xiv. 139 Thearms of a
Husband and Wife are marshalled in a single Shield.
4. To arrange or draw up (soldiers) in order for
fighting, exercise, or review ; to arrange in a body or
procession ; to arrange (competitors) for a race, etc.
1587 Greene Euphues Censure Wks. (Grosart) VI. 254
A day of battell was set, wherein when both the armies
were martialed..in their seuerall ranckes. 1598 Barret
Theor. Warres in. i. 49 To commaund the men to be mar-
shalled into the order that shall bee appointed. 1601
Daniel Civ, Wars v, xvtf. (1609) 117 Those .. troops so
marshalled,.. That euen his soule seem'd onely to direct So ;
great a body, such exployts t'effect. 16x1 Bible Josh. i. 14
Ye shall pass before your brethren armed [marg. marshalled
by five]. 1785 Sarah Fielding Ophelia I. xxvi, A new way
of martialing his army. 1791 Cowpkr Iliad iv. 271 Mar-
shalling his numerous host. 1838 Prescott Ferd. <y Is.
(1846) III. xii. 71 The duke . . had marshalled his forces in
a very different order. 1853 C. Bronte Villette xxxiii, We
were marshalled in order and soon started. 1868 Freeman
Norm. Conq. (1876) II. viii. 260 Henry and William, .were
now marshalling their troops.
b. trans/, and_/%-„
1608 [R. Ferguson] View Eccles. Pref., Yet being other-
wise Regimented and Marshal'd into sentences. 1852 M.
Arnold Etnpedocles 11. 276 Ye stars, Who slowly begin to
marshal . . Your distant, melancholy lines ! 1878 Bosw. S.m ith
Carthage 226 The hostile Senate . . had even then marshalled
against him a long array of omens and portents.
+ C. To marshal soldiers along (streets). Obs,
1587 Fleming Contn. Holinslted III. 1332/1 Ten others
[ensigns] had marshalled the streets unto the market place.
d. reft, and intr. To take up positions in or as
in a military array or a procession.
1687 DeatlCs Vis. vii, See, How they Marshall ! How
their Forces Join ! 1691 Ray Creation i. (1692) 49 These
new diminutive Particles should again assemble and marshal
themselves into Corpuscles. 1806 A. Duncan Nelson 37
The procession was marshalling. 1854 S. Dobell Balder
xxviit. 190 Her serving men . . marshal mutely round, and
look from each to each with eye-lids red. 1903 F. C. Mon-
tague Macaulay's Ess.lll. 1 His ideas marshal themselves
in an unbroken rhetorical order.
5. trans. To dispose, arrange or set (things,
material or immaterial) in methodical order.
Now chietly with some metaphorical notion of an armed
force or a procession ; in the 17th c. used much more freely.
ai$9> Vox pop., vox Dei 335 in SkeltotCs Wks. (1843) II.
405/2 Then showld ye se the trade That marchantmen fri^t
mayde, Whyche wysse men dyd marshall Fora welth vny ver-
sail. 1579 j. Stubues Gaping Gul/D 3 Noble men and other
great landed ones, .in their vsuall conveighances do marshall
the fal of theyr inheritances by limitation vpon limitation
euen to the tenth son of theyr body begotten. 1586 I . Rosse
Verses pre/, to Feme's Bias. Gentrie, In like sort shall you
see How states of men are inartialed. and placed in degree.
1614 Raleigh Hist. World \\. (1634) 542 These narrations
of Herodotus may every one of them be true ; tho' not
in such order of time as he hath marshalled them. 1624
Wotton Archit. (1672) 21 There are five Orders of Pillars
. . thus marshalled. 1639 Fuller Holy War in. xxx. (1640)
161 Provident Nature in marshalling the elements, assigned
fire a place in the verge and border uf this lower world.
1666 Pepys Diary 21 Dec, So to the office in the evening
to marshall my papers. 17*5 PorE Odyss. 1. 249 With feeble
steps from marshalling his Vines Returning. 1765 Black-
stone Comm. I. 472 Having thus marshalled the several
species of corporations, let us [etc.]. 1859 Smii.es Set/ Help
hi. (i860) 59 With his books of reference marshalled round
him on the floor. 1891 Law Times XC. 463/2 Clients . .
need to be represented: by those who arc adepts in marshall-
ing facts and handling witnesses.
b. Comm, To arrange (assets or securities) ac-
cording as they are available to meet various kinds
of claims.
1773 Vesey Chancery Rep. II. 5 Though the court will help
her by marshalling assets. i8i8Ckuise Digested. 2) II. 17S
[ Thecouit'sJrulesformarshalHngassets. 1902 H.G.Nkwton
in Encycl. Brit. XXVI. 136/1 s.v. Bankruptcy /'« U.S.,
In partnership cases the creditors of the partnership elect
the trustee. . . The assets are marshalled, partnership a>sets
being applied first to partnership claims and individual
assets to individual claims.
C. I/, S. * To arrange (the cars of a freight-train)
in proper station order* (Cent. Did.'),
1880 Car-Buihiers Diet. (Cent.).
6. To usher, guide (a person) on his way ; to
lead as harbinger ; to conduct ceremoniously ;
also (nonce-use) to point out (the way).
1586 Marlowe 1st Ft, 'Tamburl, HI. iii, Our conquering
swords shall marshal vs the way We use to march upon
the slaughter'd foe. 1605 Shaks. Macb. it. i. 42 Thou mai-
shall'st me the way that I was going. 1606 DekkeroV7f.
S tunes vi. (Arb.) 39 Mark in what triumphant and proud
manner, he is marshalled through Newgate, a 1764 Lloyd
Prol. 10 Himself shall marshal out the way to taste. 1821
Byron Two Fosc. IV. i, Each night I see them Stalk frowning
round my couch, and, pointing towards 'the ducal palace,
marshal me to vengeance. 1831 Scott Cast. Dang, x, The
abbot marshalled him to the door of Augustine's chamber.
1867 Trolloi'E Chrott. Barset II. Ixiii. 211 Mr. Crawky
had marshalled him into the room.
Hence MaTshalling///. a.
1873 Black Pr. Thute xxvii, The fust scouts of the mar-
shalling forces of the clouds cune up in flying shreds.
Marshal, obs. form of Martial.
Marshalate. [f. Marshal^. + -atk '.] The
period of the rule of Marshal MacMahon as
President of the French Republic (1873-79).
1874 Daily News 12 Jan. 5/2 What if we are to have a
second Marshalate in Europe? 1889 W, S. Lilly Cent.
Revolut. 2 This is the movement . . which, thwarted for
eighteen years by the Second Empire, and for Jive years
more by the Marshalate, has since [etc.].
Marshalcy (maujalsi). Forms : a. 4 mar-
schalcie, 4-5 marchalsye, -sie, 6 marshalcye,
6-8 -sy, 7 -sie, mar-, merchaulcy, mare-
schalcy, 8 -sy, 7- marshalcy. 0. 4-5 mar-
chalsey, -se, 5-6 marshalse, 6-8 marshalsey, 7
marc hale e ; and see Marshalsea. [ME. mar'
schaUteta.A¥. mareschalcie (OF. mareschaucie):—
Frankish L. marisca/ciat f. mariscalcus Marshal
sb. The £ forms represent the OF. mareschaucUe
(mod.F. mark haus see) , an extended form corre-
sponding to med.L. mariscakiata (1232 in Du
Cange). As now used, the word is prob. a new
formation on Marshal sb* + -CY, parallel with
genera/cy, captaincy, etc.]
1 1. The art or occupation of a farrier ; farriery.
a 1400 Octouiau 1389 [He] seyde he hadde Ierned mar-
chalsye.. And all maner of hors he knew, c 1720 W. Gibson
Farrier's Guide it. v. (1738) 17 Times and seasons . . which
we find so much observ'd in Books of Marshalsy.
2. The office, rank, or position of a marshal.
c 1330 R. Brunne Citron. (1810) 292 pe kyng for on sent,
Sir Geffrey Geneuile, & of be marschalcie presented him be
3erde. c 1330 — Chron. Wace (Rolls) 7102 Fortyger hadde
alle be maystrie, pe kyng at wille, & be marchalsye [v. r.
marchaucie ; Wack senescaucic]. 1599 Thynne Animadv.
(1875)72 You shall here some what of the marshalls office
sett downe . . in the Customes whiche Thomas of Brother-
tonne, .challenged to his office of marshalcye. 1614 Selden
'Pities Hon. 232 Edward ii. afterward reciting this Surrender
of Bigod grants the Honor and Marshalsie to his Brother
Thomas of Brotherton in Taile.
b. Hist. The department of the marshal of the
king's house. Also attrib.
1601 F. Tate Househ. Ord. Edw. II (1876) 38 A chief
clarke of the marshalsy. Ibid. 39 He shal take iiijJ ob a day
for his bouche in the marshalsy rolle.
t3. The military force under the command of
a marshal. Obs. Chiefly as tr. F. marichausse'e,
1480 Caxton Chron. Eug. clxxxix. 167 The children that
were put in hostage, .folowed the kynges marchalsye many
dayes fetered in strong yrens, 1691 Emitianne's Frauds
Rom. Monks (ed. 3) 386 The Archbishop, .sent away all his
Marshalsey, composed of the Barigel or Provost, and Three-
score Sbirries or Serjeants. 17*6 Cavallikr Mem. iv. 317
Fifty Archers of the Mareschalsy of Diion. 1748 St, yames^s
Even. Post, ML de Beauvais, Grand Provost of the Army. .
with all his Marshalsey and 80 Grenadiers.
Marshaless. [f. Marshal sb. + -ess.] The
wife of a marshal.
1787 Charlotte Smith Romance Real Li/e I. 205 The
Marshaless her mother, Madame Saligni, sister of the de-
ceased Marsha!. 1882 Standard 26 Dec. 3/1 The adven-
turous little Marshalesses.. of the Third Empire. 1888 Unw.
Rcik Oct. 227 The Marshaless struggled to keep in society.
Marshalist, obs. form of Martialist.
Marshalled (maujald), ///. a. [f. Marshal
v, + -ED L] In senses of the verb : Drawn up in
ranks, arranged in order, etc.
1667 Milton /'. L. ix. 37 Marshal'd Feast Serv'd up in
Hall with Sewers, and Seneshals. 1693 Drvden Juvenal
x. (1697) 246 Unwieldy Sums of Wealth, which higher mount
Thau Files of Marshall'd Figures can account. 1716 Pope
Odyss. xx. 342 By Heralds rank'd, in marshal'd order move
The city-tribes. 1853 M. Arnold Sohrab -V Rustum 140
Marshall'd battalions blight in burnish 'd steel.
t Marslialler. Obs. rare. [f. Maushal v. +
-KB l.J One who marshals ; a marshal.
1616 J. LanelVm/m. Sor.'s 'P. xt. 247 Within awhile more
trumpettes gann resound, that more knightes binn arivd..
for whome large space was made by th' marshallers.
Marshalling (maujalirj) , vbl. sb. [f. Marshal
v. + -ing l.] The action of the verb Marshal.
1460 J. Russell Bk. Nurture 1165 Thus may ye devise
youre marshallyngc,. .to he honoureand worshippe of youre
souereyn euery where. 1591 Pkrciyall Sp. Diet. Fiv, The
marshalling of the letters in the- alphabet, a 1635N.U nton
Fragm.Reg. (Arb.) 39 (Kttowls) If I be not a little mistaken
in their names and mai tialling. 1768 Blacksione Comtn.
III. 105 The marshalling of coat-armour . . is now greatly
disregarded. 1816 Byron Ch. Har. m. xxviii, The midnight
brought the signal-sound of strife, The morn the marshalling
in arms ! 1877 Black Green Past, xxvi, The marshalling of
the innumerable hosts of heaven.
Marshallist, obs. form of Martialist.
Marshal-mail. Orig. marshal's man. The
designation of various officers, a. (More fully
f knight- marshal *s man fobs.), kings marshal-
man.) One of a number of men (formerly under ihc
orders of the knight marshal) belonging to the royal
household, and going before the king in processions
to clear the way. b. A similar officer under the
orders of the marshal of the City of London.
1638 Randolmi Muses Looking-gL 1. i. 3 Bailies, Pro-
mooters, Iaylors, and Apparitours, Beadles, and Martialls
men, the ncedfull instruments Of the Republtque. 1697
I.otid. Gaz. No. 3341/2 The Messengers of the Chamber
and Knight-Mareschalls Men attending the Proceeding in
their proper Stations. 1707 J. Chambhki avne Pres. St.
Eng. u. in. 541 (List Househ. Off. be Unv Stairs) Sir Philip
Meadows Knight-Marshal. John Lester [etc.], Marshal's
Men. 1763 Brit. Mag. IV, 210, 1st, the king's niarshalmen,
two and two. 1778 Ann. Reg. 175 The court then proceeded
to the election of a marshal man. 1879 Daily Chron. 26
June, William Willshire, formerly marshalman at Hampton
Court Palace. 1902 Westtu. Gaz. 11 Aug. 9/1 His M.-ijesly's
Marshal men, in scarlet.
IMCarshal men t (maujalment). Law, [f. Mau-
shal v. + -mknt.] The act of ' marshalling ' assets.
1818 Cruisk Digest (ed. 2) I. 214 That the whole annuity,
by an equitable marshalment, shall be thrown upon the two
remaining thirds.
Marshalsea (maujalsf). Hist. Forms : see
Makshalcy; also 4 marchasye, 5 marfcchalse,
6 marshialshy, mareshelsey, marchese, mar-
shashey, 7 marshall sea, (martial sea), 6- mar-
shalsea. [The same word which in other senses
is spelt Marshalcy. In the i6-i7thc. the word was
imagined to be f. Marshal + Skk, seat.]
1. A court (abolished in 1849) formerly held
before the steward and the knight-marshal of the
royal household of England (latterly before a
banister appointed by the knight-marshal\ origin-
ally for the purpose of hearing cases between the
king's servants, but afterwards with wider juris-
diction. Also, a prison in Southwark under the
control of the knight-marshal (abolished in 1842).
1389 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 354 He sholde make whitbred,
and wel y-bake, after be sale of corn, and vp-on be a-syse of
be marchasye. 1428 in E. E. Wills (18S2) 78 The prisons
of Ludgate, Marchalsie, Kyngeslenche. 3436 Ibid. 106 To
the Prisoners of the Marchalse. c 1500 God speed the Plough
77 Then commeth the tipped-staves for the Ma^halse, And
saye they haue prisoners mo than Inough. 1501 in Bury
Wills (Camden) 89 The prisoners in Newgate, Ludgate, to
the Kyngs Benche, and to the Marshalsy. c 1550 Manifest
Delect. Diceplay tVele) C iij b, Your fine chets. .made both
in y* kings bench & in y° marshalsea. 1545 Brinklow
Compt. xi. Cvj, The court of the marshalse. 1549 Latimer
$th Serm. be/. Edw. VI (Arb.) 120 Thre wekes sessions at
newgate, and fourthnyghte sessions at the Marshialshy. 1556
Chron. Gr. Friars (Camden) 63 He was send unto the Mar-
chese. 159Z Lambarde A rchcion (1635) 21 The Marshalsey
for matters within the Verge or limits assigned to the Kings
House or Palace. 1613 Shaks. Hen. VIII,\. iv. 90 lie finde
A Marshallsey, shall hold ye play these two Monthes. 1639
in Verney Papers (1853) 215, I praye lett mee heare how
businesses goes att the marshall seas, boat[h] in the prison
and in the courte. 1641 Pkynne Antip. 239 He was com-
mitted to the Marshashey among Rogues and murtherers.
1654 Warren Unbelievers 236 We.. must commit his Minor
to the Marshalsie as a Rebel against reason. 1660 Trial
Regie. 146 In the Case of Martial sen, and in the Common
Pleas. 1768 Blackstone Comm. III. 76 The court of the
marshalsea, and the palace court at Westminster, though
twodistinct courts, are frequently confounded together. 1855
Dickens Dorrit 1. xxxii, The Marshal of the Marshalsea..
had got him hard and fast.
attrib. 1764 Burn Poor Lazvs 48 A reasonable allowance
to the constable, .to be paid out of the gaol and marshalsea
money. 1813 Gentl. Mag. 1. 480 The Southern boundary wall
of the Marshalsea Prison. <z 1825 Forby Voc. E. Auglia,
Marshalsea-money, the county rate.
2. Used as the name of certain prisons elsewhere
than in London.
1657 Pittington etc. Vestry Bks. (Surtees) 309 For payment
of the arreares for the jaole and marshalsey [Houghion-le-
Spring}.
Z 3. Used Nisi, for M ar.shalcy 2 b.
1904 Mary Bateson Miseell. Scot. Hist. Sue. 1 1. Introd. 10
90-3
MARSHALSHIP.
[A record of 28 Ed. 1] .sliows that a number of persons were
not ' at the king's wage in the roll of his niarshalsea ' [orig.
in rotulo Marescalcie sue],
Marshalship 'ma'jjaljip . [f. Makshal sb.
+ -ship.] The office or position uf marshal.
1530 PaLSOS. '-J43/1 Marshalshyppe, inarchaLce. 1549
Edw. VI Jml. Lit. Rem. (Roxb.) II. 244 The lord Protect-
our..lost his prottctourship, treasourirshipe, marschalshipt:
[etc.], . . by acte of pailiement. 159a Kyd ijd. Frag, in. vi.
28 To your marshallship Tir.it I confesse . . I am the man.
1606 (1. W[oodcocke] Hist. Ivstinc xm. 58 The Marshall-
ship of the campe fortuned to Seleuchus, the sonne of An-
tiochus. 1670 G. H. Hist. Cardinals it m. 187 To that
Marshalship [Marisciallo di Santa Chiesa], belongs the keep-
ing of the Conclave. 1815 Sovthby in Q. Rev. XIII. 495
The more ambitious spirits who aspired to Marshalships
[etc.]. x88i NationCS. Y.) XXXII. 362 When they find the
Administration giving marshalships . . to persons [etc].
Marshashey, obs. form of Maiishalsea.
Marshbanker, -bunker : see Mossbckkek.
Marsh gas. Li^ht carburetted hydrogen, C1I4 ,
found in coal-mines and about stagnant pools.
i^Cf. Fire-damp.)
1848 Fownes Elan. Chen/. 1S9 Marsh-gas. 1881 19th
Cent. No. 48. 245 Light carburetted hydrogen, or marsh gas,
. . is the cause of explosions in collieries.
Marshial(e, -iall, obs. ff. Marshal, Martial.
Marshialshy, obs. form of Marshalsea.
Marshiness [maufines). [f. Marshy + -ness.]
Marshy nature or condition of ground.
1710 Lond. Gaz. No. 4757/1 The wet Weather and the
Marshyness of the Ground make our Approaches very difii-
1 uh. 1763 W. Roberts Florida 64 The worst circumstance
. . was the marshiness of the soil, where they were some-
times obliged to sleep in the water. 1876 Daily News 27 Oct.
5/5 The marshiness of the alluvial soil about the river.
Marshing [ma'jjig), vbL sb. local, [f. Marsh
sb. + -ing -.] a. The keeping of cattle for a period
on salt marshes, b. Work done on a marsh.
1778 [W. Marshall] Minutes Agric. 7 Nov. 1776 [To]
give them [sc. cattle] three weeks or a month's marshing,
during the summer-vacation. 189a 1*. H. Emerson Son of
Fens 78 Mashing includes marsh-mowing, dyke-cutting,
bottom-fying, dike -drawing, &c.
Marshland maujilaend). [OE. m$rsclond\
see Marsh sb. and Land sb.] Land consisting of
marsh ; marshy country.
cnzt O. E. Chron. an. 1058 For neah a;Ic tilfl on mersc
lande for ferde. [a 1300 E. E. Psalter cvi, 34 In saltmersche
land fruitberande.] 1436 Lydg. De Guil. Pi/jrr. 21044
A Maryssh, or elles a mersshe lond, That peryllous was,
and ful profounde. 1651 N. Uacon Disc. Goz't. Eng. 11.
xxxiii. {1739) 150 Malicious breakings of the Dikes and
Ranks in Marshlands. 1700 TYRRELL Hist. Eng. II. 803
The Marshland of Norfolk. 1834 GWrf \j Study Med. (ed.4)
I. 602 The febrile miasma issuing from marsh lands. 1901
Spectator 17 Aug. 215/2 On the other side of the creek a flat
expanse of marshland extends for a mile or two.
b. attrib. or as adj.
1870 Morris Earthly Par. III. iv. 220 The marshland
haze. 1889 Hissey Tour in Phaeton 182 Rich marshland
pasturage. 1893 J. A. Owen, etc. Forest Tithes 195 Cue
marshland farm I often visited.
Hence Ma rslilander (see quot.).
1787 W. Marshall Nor/. (1795) II. 383 Marshlattders,
cattle of the marshland or short-horned breed.
Marshlock, obs. form of Mashloch Sc.
t Ma'rshly,<z. Obs, rare— l. In 4-5 mersschly.
[f. Marsh sb. + -hi *.] Marshy.
C 1386 Chaucer Sontpn. T. 1 (Harl.) J>ere is in Engelond,
I gesse, A mersschly lond, called Holdernesse.
Marsh-mallow. Forms: see Marsh sb. and
Mallow. [OK. myscmealwe.'] (Also //., const.
as sing.) A shrubby herb, Althea officinalis (NO.
Malvacete), which grows near salt marshes, having
ovate leaves, pale rose-coloured Hewers, and a
mucilaginous root.
For various local applications of the name see E. D. D.
c 1000 Sax. Leedid. I. 140 Deos wyrt be man hibiscum &
o3rum namen mersc mealwe nemnab. a 1100 Ags. Voc. in
Wr.-Wiilcker 296/21 Arthca, merscmealewe. c i^S/oAlphita
(Anecd. Oxon.) 22/2 Bismalua, alta malua, altea idem, ,.
wymalue uel marshmalue. 1543 Traheron I'lgo's Chirurg.
II. ii. 14 b/i Take, .of the rootes of Altea called Holyhocke,
or marche mallowes. ., a pounde. 1597 Gerarde Herbal 11.
cccliii. {1633) 935 The leaves of Marsh Mallow are of the
power to digest. 1683 Tryon U'ay to Health 576 Mallow>
and Marsh-Mallows, .will cure near Fifty Diseases. 1718
QuiNCY Compl.Disp. wiAlthxx. Marshmallows. Itflowers
in July and August. iSrftr.von Ziemsscn's Cycl. Med. IV.
210 For the relief of the irritable cough, ..an infusion of
marsh mallow or expectorant herbs.
attrib. i6iz Woodall Surg. Mate Wks. {1653) 2°5 Decoc-
tion of March Mallow roots in water. 1753 Bartlet Far-
rie ry 96-7 The marshmalfow ointment. 1836 J. M. Gully
Magendie's Formul. (ed. 2) 105 Marshmallow syrup.
b. A confection made from the root of this plant.
* 1884 Chamb. Jml. 4 Oct. 640/2 Gum-arabic, .makes about
thirty per cent, of the best quality of gum-drops, marsh-
mallow, and jujube paste. 190a Westm. Gaz. w Aug. 12/1
C'nocolates,' marsh-mallows', and other toothsome delicacies.
Marsliman. A dweller in marshy country ;
an inhabitant of a particular stretch of marshland,
e.g. Romney Marsh.
1573 Tusser Husb. (1878) 38 Sharpe cutting spade, for the
deuiding of mow, with skuppat and skauel, that marsh men
alow. 1587 Fleming Contn. Holinshcd III. 1540/2 That
sir Thomas Scot would throughlie informe himselfe by con-
ference with the marshmen. 1610 Holland Camden s Brit.
1. 350 In the Saxons time the inhabitants heereof [Rumney]
were called Mersc-ware, that is Marshmen. 18*7 Sporting
188
Mag. XX. 39 These birds (o>/>'7«^«s miuutus'are. .called by
the Marshmen Spider Vivas. 1889 Dovle Micah Clarke
294 The riot had now changed into open mutiny among
these marshmen and miners.
Marsh marigold. Also 7 March-. A ra-
minculaceous plant, Caltha paluslris, growing in
moist meadows and bearing showy golden flowers.
1578 Lyte Dodoens 1. xx. 31 The small Celandyne, and
the Braue Bassinet, or Marsh Marigold, do grow in moyst
medowes. 1597 (Jeearde Herbal 11. eclxxx. 670 Marsh
Marigold halli great broad leaues somewhat round, of a
gallant greene colour, . . among which rise vp thicke fat
stalkes . . whereupon do growe goodly yellow flowers. 1657
S. Purchas Pol. Ilyiug-Ins. 1. xv. 94 Bees gather of these
flowers following . . In April . . March-marigold. 1756 C.
Lucas Ess. Waters II. 131 All over it [grow] rushes, red
rattle, marsh-marygold [etc.). 1833 Tennyson May Queen i.
31 The wild marsh-marigold shines like fire in swamps and
hollows gray. 188a Garden 15 Apr. 261/2 Wild Marsh
Marigolds fill a large bowl on a hall table.
Marshwort vma'jJiWOJt)- V^e Marsh sb.
and W011T.] The umbelliferous plant Helosciadium
(Stum) nodifiorum.
1776 Withering Bot. Arrangem. Vegetables 1. 127 Marsh-
wort, Samolus. 1897 Jml. A\ Agrie. Soc. Dec. 617 Pro-
cumbent marsh-wort, Helosciadium uodijlorum, is a plant
with the habit of watercress.
*! An error for marsh or marish whort (see
MAMSH 2 b). 1864 Prior Plant-it. 146.
Marshy (majji),rt. Also-imerahi. [f. Marsh
sb. + -Y.] Pertaining to or of the nature of a marsh ;
consisting of or containing marshes or marshland.
138a Wyclif Gen. xli. 2 Thet weren fed in mershi places.
1580 Hollyband Trcas. Er. Tong, Lieu marescageux,
marshy ground. 1697 Dryoen Virg. Georg. 111.605 And
from the marshy Land Salt Herbage for the fodd'rirrg Rack
provide. 1703 Maundkell Journ. ferns. (1732) 21 A rest-
less night, in a marshy and unwholsome ground. 1876
Bancroft Hist. U. S. VI. liv. 425 Over a marshy ravine in
front of the right, a large redoubt was placed.
b. Produced in or characleristic of marshland.
1697 Dryden I'irg. Georg. 111.277 Their wanton Appetites
not only feed With Delicates of Leaves, and marshy Weed,
But [etc.]. 1870 A. R. Wallace Nat. Sel. (1871) 53 The
prevalent forms and colours of marshy vegetation.
II Marsilea (.marsH/a). Bot. Also marsilia.
[mod.L. (Linnjeus 1742), f. name of L. F. Marsigli
(Marsilius), an Italian naturalist (died i73°)0
The typical genus of the N.O. Marsileacex of
cryptogamous plant* ; a plant of this genus.
1887 Atlienxum 7 May 610/3 The ferns with the salvinias
and marsilias are united into one group.
Marsileaceous (majsilu;l'|3s ;, a. Bot. [1.
mod.L. Marsileace-ae, (_f. Marsilea: see prec.) : see
-ACKOD8.1 Belonging to the N.O. Marsilcacex.
1856 in Mayne Expos. Lex. x86a Ansted Channel 1st. 11.
viii. (ed. 2} 184 A little marsiliaccous plant {Isoetes hystrix).
t Marsi'lian. Obs. Also marsiliane, mar-
siliana. [ad. It. marsigliana, f. Marsiglia Mar-
seilles.] (See quot. 1769.)
1687 Loiut. Gaz. No. 2246/3 Being embarqued, the Foot
■ on 8 Ships and the Horse on 6 Marsilians. 1769 Falconer
Diet. Marine 11. (1780), Marsiliane, a square-sterned ship,
navigated on the Gulph of Venice . . the largest carrying
about 700 tons. 1867 Smyi n bailor's H'ord-l<b., Marsiliana,
a Venetian ship of burden, square-sterned.
Marsipobranch [m&'uipobnenk), sb. and a.
Zoo/. [Anglicized form of mod.L .Marsipobraiuhii,
f. Gr. /«ip(Ttiro-s pouch (see Mabslpium) + tipayxia
gills.] a. sb. One of the Marsipobranchii , a class
of vertebrates having gills in the form of pouches,
and comprising the lampreys and hags. b. attrib.
or adj. Pertaining to animals of this class.
187a Mivart Elletu. Anat. 42 All Vertebrates, save those.,
like the Lancelet and Marsipobranchs. 1875 Huxley in
lincycl. lirit. 1. 770,2 The skull of the lowest Urodela has
. . advanced but little beyond the Marsipobranch stage.
Hence Ma rsipobra-nchiate sb. and a. = prec.
1872 T. Gill A rrangem. Fain. Pishes p. xx, The Marsipo-
branchiates (Lampreys, etc.). 1889 Syd. Stc. Lex., Marstpo-
branchiate, having gills in the form of small pouches.
t Marsolilie. Obs. [ad. It. Marzo/iiio.] A kind
of cheese made near Florence.
1636 Davenant Wits iv. i, Your Marsoline and Parmesan
of Lodi.
II Marsonin (marswffil. Also 7-9 marsuin, 9
Canadian marsocn (maas«ri). [Fr. : sec MlBlE-
swine.] A name applied to various cetaceans of
the family Delphiitidx.
In early quots., after European Fr., the porpoise. In
recent examples, after Canadian Fr., -Beluga 2.
1666 J. Davies Hist. Caribby Isles 101 The Marsouins are
the Sea-hogs or Porpose-. \a 167a Willcc-hby Hist. Pist.
(1686) 31 Cimbris Marsuin vel Porcus marinus: Angl. A
Porpesse.] 1753 Chambers Cycl. Sttpp., Marsuin, a name
by which many have called the phoc^na or porpesse. 1854
Kmerson Lett. <y Soc. Aims Wks. (Bohn) III. 208 Every,
body now appears to me narwhale, porpoise, or marsouins.
1884 Goode, etc. Nat. Hist. Aquatic Anim. I. lS The names
[of the White Whale] in use are.. Marsuin or Marsoon in
Canada.
Marsupial (majsi/?'pial), a. and j/>. Also7-eal.
[ad. mod.L. marsiipialis, f. L. marsitpi-tim pouch,
purse (sec Marsupium). The zoological use of the
( L. word was introduced by Tyson, who in 1698 uses
the neuter marsupiale as a generic name for the
opossum ; he also has ossa marsupialia marsupial
! bones (see A. 2 b).]
MARSUPIUM.
A. adj. 1. Pertaining to or resembling a 'mar-
supium ' or pouch. Marsupial muscle (in mod.L.
imiscttlus marsupialis) : see quot. 1696. Marsupial
capsule: in a colony of Polyzoa, an individual
serving only for the reception of ova.
1696 Phillips (ed. 5', Marsupcal Muscle, the ninth Muscle
in order whereby the 1'high is move, 1843 Owen Led.
Comp. Anat. Invertebr. 109 In this state they are trans-
ferred from the ovarium to the marsupial vesicles. .. In the
ova of the marsupial sacs, Siebold could no longer discern
the germinal vesicle. ..The marsupial ova next assume an
increase of size. 1878 \j\l\.\. Gegenbaurs Comp. Anat. 132
Some persons may serve only for the reception of ova, and
form the so-called marsupial capsules.
2. Used as a designation of mammals (including
the kangaroos, opossums, etc.) of the family Marsu-
pialia, characterized by having a pouch (covering
the mamilhrj) in which to carry their young, which
are born imperfectly developed ; of or pertaining
to this family.
1825 /.ool. j'rnl. I. 405 These three states of genital pro-
ducts require three distinct situations, which in the normal
mammifera, are found within the sexual canal ; but in the
marsupial they are very differently distributed. 183a Lyell
Princ, Geol. II. 89 More than forty species of the marsupial
family. 1870 Rolleston A nim. Life 64 From the reproduc-
tive gland to the marsupial pouch. 1898 Morris Austral
Eng. 288 Marsupial Mole, the only species of the genus
Notoryctes, N. typhlops.
b. Connected with the pouch in marsupial animals.
1819 Rees Cycl. s.v. Didelphis, The abdominal pouch is
sustained by means of two bones of a peculiar structure, and
which in allusion to their functions have been called the
marsupial bones. 1834 Owen in Phil. Trans. CXX1V. 334
These bones . . defend the abdominal viscera from the pressure
of the young as these increase in size during their mammary or
marsupial existence. Ibid., The subject of marsupial genera-
tion. 1896 Kirkaldy & Pollard tr. Boas' Text Bk. Zool.
496 The Marsupials have marsupial bones.
B. sb. A marsupial animal.
1835 Penny Cycl. III. 127. 1839 Ibid. XIV. 450 The
leading peculiarity in these Marsupials is, so to speak,
the premature birth of their young. 1896 [see A. 2 b].
attrib. 1885 H. Fincii-Hatton Advance Australia 106
An Act known as the Marsupial Act was accordingly passed
to encourage their destruction... Some of the squatters have
gone to a vast expense in fencing in their runs with mar-
supial fencing.
Marsnpialian (maJsiHpi|<?Wian), a. and sb.
[f . mod.L. marsupial-is (see prec.) + -ian.] = prec.
1848 Maunder Treas. Nat. Hist. 793 Marsupialian, be-
longing to the class Marsupialia.
Marsupialization (maiswpiataiz^-fsn). [f.
.next + -atioN.] The formation of a pouch, or of a
pouch-like cavity {Syd. Soc. Lex. 1889).
Marsupialize (matsi« -pialaiz), v. [f. Mar-
supial + -ize.] trans. To convert into something
resembling the pouch of a marsupial.
1899 Brit. Med. Jml. 23 Dec. 102 The operator managed
to marsupialise the edges of the pouch, which was drained
through the abdominal wall with gauze.
Marsupialoid, a. and sb. [I. Marsupial +
-oil).] Resembling the marsupials.
i860 Worcester (citing Hitchcock). 189s Pop. Set.
Monthly Sept. 693 A few marsupialoids.
Marsupial! (maJsi;7'pian), a. and sb. [f. Mar-
sumum + -an.] = Marsupial.
1835 Kirby Hab. A> Inst. Anim. II. xvii. 175 A marsupian
animal like the Kanguroo. 1854 Bakewell Geol. 50 The
lower jaw Iwnes of animals, which Prof. Owen has deter-
mined belong to the genus of marsupians, or opossums.
Marsupiate (niajsi«pi|«it), a. and sb. [f.
Mahsupi-um + -ate.] - Marsupial.
1834 Own in Phil. Trans. CXXIV. 361 The impregnated
uteri of the Edentate and Marsupiate genera. 1849 Eraser's
Mag. XXXIX. 207 A marsupiate sea-monster is horribly
unorthodox. 1858 W. Clark tr. Van der Hocven's Zool.
II. 594 The placenta, .occurs in the mammals alone; but
it is, however, wanting in the Marsupiales and Monotremes.
llence Marsnplated ///. a. in the same sense.
1890 in Century Hut.
Marsupite (mausirfpait). Geol. [mod. L.
marsupitls, f. Marsupium: see -ite.] A fossil
crinoid, the shell of which resembles a purse.
1835 Kirby Hab. A> Inst. Anim. II. xiii. 1 1 The Marsupites
..form the link winch connects the proper or pedunculated
Crinoideans with the Stelleridans. 1885 Geikie Text-bk.
Geol. led. 2)828 The middle division, or Margate Chalk, has
been named the Marsupite zone by Dr. Barrois.
II Marsupiunt (niajsi«'pii»m). Also 9 (after
Gr.) marsupiou, marsypion. [L. marsupium,
tnarsuppittm, ad. Gr. ^apr/tiirioi', -almov, dim. of
Liapatiros purse, bag.] In various scientific uses :
A bag or pouch, or something resembling a pouch.
1. /.ool. a. The bag or pouch of a marsupial.
1698 Tyson Anat. Opossum 11 Herein all agree, that the
use of this Bag, Pouch, or Marsupium, is foi the Preserva-
tion of the Young Ones, and securing them upon any Occa-
sion of Danger. l8as Zool. 0 'nil. I. 406 The^ difference ..
is solely in the fecial domicile ; we call it matrix in the one,
and pouch, or marsupium in the others. X839 Penny CyU.
XIV. 450 Their young, .attach themselves by the mouth to
the teats, which are siuiated in the marsupium, or i>ouch, of
the mother. 1891 Flower & Lydekkkh lutrod. Mammals
160 All the species have a marsupium or pouch formed by
a fold of the skin of the abdomen.
b. A pouch for similar use in other animals,
1 e. g. a receptacle for eggs in certain crustaceans,
I marsipobranchiate fishes, etc
MART.
1843 Owen Led. Comfi. Anal, Invertebr. 289 The develop-
ment of the ovum takes place in this temporary marsupium.
1851-6 Woodward Mollusc a 245 In Cyclas the inner gills
form the marsupium, and only from 10 to 20 of the fry are
found in them at one time. 1896 Kirkaldy & Pollard tr.
Boas' Text Bk. Zool. 214 The Isopoda possess a marsupium
under the thorax, formed of the lamellate appendages of the
basal joints of the thoracic limbs.
c. A folded or corrugated vascular membrane in
the eye of a bird ; — Pecten 3 a.
1795 Home in Phil. Trans. LXXXVI. 16 In the eyes of
birds there is a substance which is peculiar to that class of
animals, called the marsupium. 1841-71 T, K. Jones Anim.
Kingd. (ed. 4) 779 A vascular organ, called the marsupium
or pecten, which is lodged in the posterior part of the vi-
treous humour.
2. Anat. a. The large sac of the peritoneum
(Syd. Soc. Lex. 1889). b. A term for the scrotum
^Ibid.). C. The alar ligaments of the knee-joint
{Cent. Diet.).
3. Surg. (See quot.)
1855 Dunglison Diet. Med. (ed. 12), Marsupion, a sac or
bag, with which any part is fomented.
Mart (mait), sby dial. Forms: [1 meaitJ,
maerth, mei^S, 2 ? merthe], 8- mart. [App.
evolved in the mod. Eng. period by analysis of
f out mart (Foumart), where -mart is an altered
form, due to absence of stress, of OE. meard masc.:
see Marten', Marter. Exc. in this compound, the
OE. word did not survive beyond the 12th c,
being superseded by Marter.] The marten.
a 700 Epinal Gloss. 425 Furutiens, mearth. c 893 K. Ka.~
fRRvOros. I. i. § 18 Se byrdestasceall syldan fiftyne inearoes
fell. 1:1*00 Moral Ode (Trin. MS.) 366 Ne aquerne ne
me[r]theschele [Egerton MS. martres cheole] ne beuer ne
sabeline. 1713 Richardson in Phil. Trans. XXVIII. 170
Foumart i quasi foul Mart, or stinking Mart, in opposition
to the Martes which emit a musky Smell. 1801 W. Seward
Yordes Cave 9 The Otter fierce, the badger and the mart.
1830 Blackiv. Mag. XXVIII. 1 Wolves, hyenas, foxes,marts,
and hares. 1885 Bazaar 30 Mar. 1249/3 Wanted, fresh
caught badger,, .sweet mart, foumart, and ouer. 1895 Westm.
Gaz. 3 Oct. 2/3 A Mart Hunt [in Westmorland].
Mart (ma.it), sb? Sc. and north. Forms: 4-6
marte, 6 merte, (9 mert), 6-9 raairt, 4- mart. ;
[a. Gael, mart -^ Irish mart cow, ox.]
1. An ox or cow fattened for slaughter.
As' marts' were usually killed about Martinmasas provision
for the winter, the word popularly acquired an etymological
association with Martinmas', cf. Martinmas beef.
1307-8 Durh. Acc. Rolls sSurtees) 2 In ccxxviij martis
emptis..non deductis coriis [etc.]. 1320 Sir Tristr, 454
Martirs [tread martis] as it ware pat liusbond men had
bouijt. 1368 Priory of Fine hale (Surtees) p. boot, Et de
viij li. vs. receptis de xv marts de eodem manerio venditi.s.
1489 Sc, Acts Jos. IV (1814) II. 219/1 J>at all .. martis
mutounes poultre . . may cum in to oure souerane lorde. 15*0
Extracts Burgh Rec. Stirling (1887) 7 In byin of mertis,
mutton, talk and skennis. 1573 *n ^e£' ^rivy Coutic. Scot.
II. 269, xxx martis of salt beif. .71670 Spalding Troub.
Chas. 7(1829^ 25 They.. caused to kill altogether threescore
marts. 1798 p. Crawford Poems 16 (E.D.D.) He may next
year get for his mart a highland cow. 1820 Scott Monast. i,
Each family killed a mart, or fat bullock, in November. 1872
E. W. Robertson Hist. Ess. 135 In a pastoral state of so-
ciety he [the ox] was of comparatively little use except as a
mart— to be eaten. 1881 Gregor Folk-Lore N.E. Scot. 151 \
The ' mairt ' or the pig, that was to be salted, must be killed
when the moon was on the increase.
'5*9 R- Bruce Serin. (1843) 166 As for the fed-marls of tliis
world the Lord.. has appointed them for slaughter. 172a
Ramsay Three Bonnets in. 41 Get up, get up, ye lazy mart.
fc. transf. A carcase, slain animal. Obs.
ciyjs Sc. Leg. Saints ii. (Paulns) 842 [He] fand a tre. .
and syne on It slewit hym-self rycht to be hart, and offerit
to be fend bat mart, a 1400 Sir Pcrc. 207 His modir hase
gyffene hym that darte, Therwith made he many marte.
t 2. (See quot.) Obs.
1689 R. Cox Hist. Irel. I. Expl. Index, Mart, a yearly
Rent in Beef.
t Mart, sb.3 Obs. [ad. L. Marl-cm: sec M.uts.]
1. Mars, the Roman god of war.
c 1384 Chauckr //. Fame in. 356 For yren Martes metal
ys, which that god is of bataylle. 1515 Dunbar Poems
xxxiii. 67 Sum held he had bene Dedalus, . .Sum the Martis
smylh WIcanus. 1590 Spenser F. Q. i. Introd. iii, Tri.
umphant Mart, In loves and gentle jollities arraid.
2. War, battle. (/« equal mart =- L. ayuo Afai-U.)
J431-50 tr. f/igden (Rolls) II. 149 The Scottes. .wente
furtne and toke to theyme seetes, what thro marte [L./erro)
other fauor, nye to the Pictes. 1513 Douglas /Ends I. Prol.
516 The horrible Sterne dedisof Mart. 1567 Turberv. Ovid's
Ep. vii. G iij b, But if thou long for warre, or young lulus
seeke By manly Mart to purchase prayse, and giue his foes
the gleeke. 1600 Fairfax Tasso vi. xxxvi, These fooles
thus vnderfoot I tread, That dare contend with me in equall
mart. 1636 Massinger Bash/. Lover 11. vii, My father (on
whose face he durst not look In equal mart),
3. The planet Mars. (Frequent in Gower.)
1390 Gower Con/. III. 130 Complexion hetakth of Marte.
Mart (ma.it), sb.i Also 5-7 marte. [a. Du.
markt (formerly also written mart, and still com-
monly so pronounced) : see Market sb.]
1- A periodical gathering of people for the purpose
of buying and selling (in early use chiefly with
reference to the Low Countries) ; a fair. Obs. oiarck.
1437 Libel Eng. Policy in Pol. Songs (Rolls) II. 179 And
wee to martis of Braban charged bene Wyth Englyssh
clothe. 1483 Cajcton Dialogues 19/1, I thinke to goo. -To
the feite of liuges, To the marte of andwarp, To the marte
189
of berow. 150a Arnolde Chron. (1811) 231 At y* free passe
marte of this said towne of Barowe last passed. 1530 Tin-
dale Pract. Prelates H iv b, The Cardinal!. .Iefte nothing
vnprouided to bring the marte from Antwarpe to Cales.
1541 Act 33 Hen. VIII, c. 34 They .. shall .. hold within
the said borough two faires or martes euery yere. 1590
Shaks. Com. Err. 1. i. 18 Siracusian Marts and Fayres, 1631
T. Powell 'Tom All Trades (187 6) 163 To benefit betweene
the Mart and the Market. 1719 De Fob Crusoe if.
(Globe) 540 The Fair or Mart, usually kept in this Place,
had been over some Time. 1748 Anso/t's I'oy. 11. x. 245
At the time of the mart, whilst the Manila galeon is in
the port. 1788 Cowpek Negro s Compi. 46 By our suffer-
ings, since ye brought us To the man-degrading mart. 1839
StombhOUSE Axhotme 309 After Gainsbrough mart in Octo-
l>er, until the next mart at Easter, the people in these vil-
lages seldom thought of going anywhere.
fb. spec. The German booksellers* fair, held at
Easter, originally at Frankfort, and afterwards at
Leipzig. ^Sometimes app. used transf, for the
* publishing season ' in England.) Obs.
1613 PuBCHAS Pilgrimage (16141 177 Let him rcade Bttx-
dorfius and his Biiliotheca Rabbinica, printed this last
Mart. 1620 E. Blount Horse Subs. 42 Copied out of some
absurd booke, printed the last Mart. -1620 WoTTON in
Reliq. (1651) 472 We may expect some Pamphlet the next
Mart from Ingolstut, or Collen, 1655 Digces Compl. Am*
bass. 273 By certain that returned from Frankfort Mart,
I understand that one of the Gentlemen, .died.
2. A public place for buying and selling; a
market-place, market hall, etc. Kow poet, or rhe-
torical, exc. in the sense of 'auction room* (more
fully auction-mart), said as applied by tradesmen lo
designate their shops, as in boot and shoe mart,
1590 Shaks. O///. Err. 1. ii. 74 My charge was but to fetch
you from the Mart Home to your house. Ibid. HI, i. u
You beat me at the Mart. 1616 K. C. Times' Whistle iv.
1235 Our lawes for Mammons cursed golde Like as at open
mart are bought and solde. 1764 GoLDSM. Trav. 295 The
crowded mart, the cultivated plain. 1815 Scon- Ld. of
Isles VI. i, When breathless in the mart the couriers met.
1844 Longf. Nurcmburg 14 Fountains, .standing in the
common mart. 1863 Burton Bk. Hunter 60 The fashion-
able mart where all the thorough libraries in perfect con-
dition went to be hammered off. 1882 P. Fitzgerald
Recreat. Lit. Man (1883) 189 This [goblet] I had seen in
the window of a mart.
3. In wider sense: A city, region, or locality
where things are bought or sold ; an emporium.
1611 Bible Isa. xxiii. 3 She is a mart of nations. 1719
W. WoooSurv. 'Trade 283 Cadiz, Port St. Mary's, &c, which
Places were the Mart of our Manufactures for the Indies.
1850 Mekivale Rom. Etttp. (1S65) I. v. 228 They possessed
no great cities, no great marts of industry and commerce.
1874 Stubbs Const. Hist. (1875) I. iv. 61 London, the mart
of the merchants. 1874 Green Short Hist. vii. § 5. 386
Antwerp and Bruges were, .the general marts of the world.
b. transf. and fig.
1602 Marston Antonio's Rev. iv. iii. O world, ..He leave
thee; farewell, mart of woe. 1762 Goldsm. Nash 21 To
this great mart of every folly, sharpers from every country
daily arrived.
+ 4. Buying and selling; traffic; bargaining.
Also,abargain. Vhr. To make a(piones) mart. Obs.
1568 Grafton Chron. II. 716 The lowe Countries, where
the Englishe men for the most part, made their martes.
1575 Oascoigne Dan Bartliol., Posies Floivcrs 69 Then
mighte you see howe fansie fedde his minde, Then all alone
he mused on his marte. 1579 Spenser Sheph. Cat. Sept. 37
They..maken a Mart of their good name. 1596 Shaks.
Tarn. Shr. n. i. 329 Now I play a marchants part, And ven-
turernadly on a desperate Mart. 1597 Hooker Feci. Pot.
v. xii. § 5 Christ could not suffer that the temple should
seruefor a place of Mart. 1599 Marston Sco. Villanie i.ii,
Vengeance pricks meon, When mart is made of faire Religion.
a 1618 Sylvester Maidens Blush 464 Therefore forthwith
one to them let us send, The mart to offer, and the price to
make, As of a Slave. 1637 R. Humphrey tr. St. Ambrose
1. 118 Places of mart where hee may best vent them.
f5. attrib., as in mart-day, -time, -toivn.
1641 Hinde f. Brucn xxxii. 102 That he might . . buy Wine
and Milk without money,. .upon such of the Lords *Mart
and Market dayes. 1624 Massinger Renegado I. i, This
*Mart time Wee areallowde free trading. 1549 Covlrdai.e,
etc Erasm. Par. Corinthians 1 Corinthe. .was.. the moste
famous, and richest *marte towne of all Asia. 1647 Trafp
Comtu. 1 Cor. v. 9 It [i. e. Corinth] was. .a most filthy Mart-
town of abominable lusts. 1736 Drake Fboracum 1. vii. 227
That York was formerly the chief emporium, place of trade,
or mart-town in the north of Eng land iscertain. 1761 London
(V Environs IV. 6 During the Saxon heptarchy, London was
..as we are told by Bede, a princely mart-town.
f Mart, sbS> Obs. [Alteration of Marque app.
by association with 5Iart sbA Cf. Contra-,
CONTRK-, COUNTKRMAKT.] ^ MARQUE J in phr.
letters (scripts, writ) of marl.
1587 Greene Penelopes Web Wks. (Grosart) V. 197 Abra-
dus the great Macedonian Pirat thought euery one had a
letter of mart that bare sayles in y* Ocean. 1602 Warner
Alb. Eng. xi. lxiv. (1612) 277 With letters then of credence
for himselfe, and marte for them, He puts to Sea for England.
a 1612 Harington Fpigr. n. xxx. (1618) E 7, You'Ie spoile the
Spaniards, by your writ of Mart. 1627 Drayton Bait. Agin-
court 10 All men of Warre with scripts of Mart that went.
1726 J. Ker Mem. 153 Letters of Mart were issued to Sundry
People, who all went to the East-Indies.
b. attrib., as in ietter{s of mart man, skip.
1695 Luttrell Brief Ret. (1857) III. 543^Three letters of
mart ships are ordered for the West Indies. 1704 Loud.
Gaz. No. 4071/3 The Good Alliance,.. being taken by a
Letter of Mart-Man belonging to this Port. 1753 N. Tor-
riano Gangr. Sore 'Throat p. xv, Thus much by way of
Preface to this Translation ; after which I shall send it into
the World as a Letter of Mart Ship,., hoping that it may
meet with some Prize of Approbation.
MARTEL.
tMart(miut(,£<. Obs. [f. Mart *M ; cf. Du.,
I G. markten {G. dial, marten).]
1. inlr. To do business at a mart ; hence, to
chaffer, bargain.
«553 Rc<J. True-hearted Eng. 5 Our marchauntes do by
martyng in Antwarp spende yeiely [etc.J. 1598 Sylvesiek
Du Bartas 11. i. n. Imposture 349 She would, she should
not ; glad, sad ; corns and goes : And long she marts about
a Match of Woes. 1602 Fulbecke Pandcctesji The Athe-
nians, who had vtterlie secluded ihem from their Hauens,
1 and from marling with them. 1628 Gaule Pract. Theory
1 (1629) 181 Judas is busie marting and chaffering among
them.
2. trans. To make merchandise of, to traffic in.
Also \\ ith out.
1589 Warner Alb. Fug. vi. xxix, Let Pesantes marte their
marriages, and thriue at peraduenture. 1598 B. Jonson
AY. Man in Hum. {(}.) 1. i. 172, I had thought my son could
not have straied, So farre from iudgement, as to mart him-
selfe Thus cheapely, (in the open trade of scorne). 1601
Shaks. Jul. C. iv. iii. 11 To sell, and Mart your Offices for
Gold To Vndeseruers. 1652 GALXE Magastrom. xxvi,
Hereupon the astrologers doe mart or vent the effects of the
heavens and the stars, &c. 1788 Anna Seward Lett. n8u)
II. 6 Reviewers may be venal without directly marting out
their decisions for money.
Hence t MaTting vhl. sb,
*553 U^ 1 ]. 1608 Bp. Hall FpUt. 1. i, Marting of pardons.
[| Martaban (ma'itabxn). Also 7 mortaban,
1 S mortivan. The name of a town in Pegu,
used attrib. ^esp. in Martaban jar) as the designa-
tion of a kind of glazed pottery made there. Hence
as sb. Martaban ware, a Martaban jar.
[The ware has been called in Arabic jLj '<** martabdnl
from the 14th c]
1698 Fryek Acc. E. India % P. 100 An huge Heap of
long Jars like Mortivans. 1699 Dam pier Voy, II. i. 08
These they call Mortaban Jars, from a Town of that name
ill Pegu. 1711 C. Lockykr Acc, Trade India 35 Mortivan
and small jars. 1903 B/<icA-7u. Mag. Feb. 229/1 Large
glu/ed earthen jars called by Europeans ' Pegu jars ' and
known all over the East by t lie name of ' Martaban '.
Martagon (ma'Jtagan). Also 6 mortegon,
7martagan,-igon. [a. Kw^r/^wj = Sp.,Pg. mar-
, tagon, \\.. martagonc ,v..rX\\\\L. ^jliL.l© martagan (a
special form of turban adopted by Sultan Muham-
med I; hence the martagon lily* (J-iedhouse .]
The Turk's-eap lily, I.ilium Martagon, Also
Scarlet martagon: the Scarlet TiuVs-cap, L.chal-
cedonienm.
1477 Norton Ord. Alch. iii. in Ashm. (1652) 39 Htrbes
.. as ..Vervaine, Lunara, and Martagon. ''1540 tr. i'igo's
I.yt. Tract, xxxviii, Biij b. The powdre of Mortegon. 1548
'llKtiKR Names of Hcr/:<s(V,.\).S.)S:,j. 1597 Gkr.\rdk//^7(*/
1. xciv. § 4. 152 The Lillie uf Constantinople is called like-
wise in England Martagon of Constantinople. 1629 PAR-
KINSON Parad. in Sole iv. 9 The Martagons, both white
and red, both blush and yellow, that require to be set by
them-selues apart. 1637 B. Jonson Sad Sheph. 11. vii, The
Slupifying Hemlock ! Adders tongue ! And Martagan !
J737 P« C01.1.INS0N in Darlington Mem. y. Barttaiu <y //.
Marshall (1849) 97 The Marsh Martagon is going to flower
very strongly. 1866 Livingstone Last yrnls. {1S7O I. vii.
171 Here and there the scarlet martagon.
attrib. 1773 H. Walpole Let. 29 May, I send you two
martagon roots. 1892 Dobson i&t/t Cent. Vig'uettcs 146
Scarlet martagon-Hlies.
Martail : see Mar-.
Martar, variant of Marter Obs.
Marteir, obs. form of Martyr.
Martel (mautel), sb?- Also 4 martell ; 5 //.
martows, marteaulx, o marteaux. [a. OF.
martel (mod. ,F. marteau) — l*r. martel-s, Sp. mar-
tillo, Pg. ,It. marlello:—i)0\x L. *martcllum ; a synon.
Xj.martulusoccuxsmVMuy, and othcrpost- Augustan
writers have marcetlus ,marculus,marctts , but the re-
[ lat ion between theseformshasnotbeen determined.]
1. A hammer; after the 15th c. csp. one used in
, war. Also || Martel-de-fer [Kr. = ' iron hammer']
(see quot. 1824). Obs. exc. Antiq.
1474 Caxton Chcsseyo Al maner of smythes ben signefyed
bythe martelorhamer. 1481 — M^yrr.U. xxv'iii. i22Smytynge
of marteaulxor haulers. iS2sBERNERs/'>om".(i8i2)ILcxciv.
595 The lorde Olyuer of Cly>son had not .. delyuered vp
the Martell, whiche is the token of the Constable of Fi aunce.
1824 Mkyrick Auc. Armour III. Gloss., Marteltus, the
martel de fer, a weapon which had at one end a pick and
At the other a hammer, axe-blade, half moon, mace head or
other fancy termination. 1857 Arch.rol. yrnl. XIV. 280
A Turkish martel, the head inlaid with brass, ornamented
with punched markings. 1868 Ibid. XXV. 141 A large
number of marteaux or horsemen's hammers of a peculiar
type. 1890 A. Prince Palomide 93 The storm Of thunder-
hoofs, of martel, spear and sword.
f2.pl. The game of 'five-stones* or 'snobs'.
[So in OFr. ; Rabelais has the form marlre, Ron-
sard martes,]
1426 Lydg. De Guil. Pilgr. S433 At the martews, the gentyl
play Vsyd in fraunce many day.
f Martel, *M Obs. [? Corrupt form of Marter
or Marten.] ■* Marten.
1607 Topsell Four-f. Beasts 495 Of the Marder, Martell,
or Marten.
t Martel, *M Sc, Obs. Shortened form of
Martilmas, Martinmas.
17.. in Scots Songs (1790) I. 60 Oh, Martel's wind, when
wilt thou blaw And shake the sear leaves aff the tree?
MARTEL.
190
MARTIAL.
Ma'rtel, v. Obs. rare—1, [f. M artel sb.1
Cf. F. martelcr, Sp. mariillar, It. martellate^
intr. To hammer, deal blows as with a hammer i^«).
1590 Smm F. Q. lit. vii. 42 Her dreadfull weapon..
Which on his helmet martelled so hard That [etc. J.
t Ma'rtelaise. Obs. In 5 marteleisej mar-
til9ys. [a. OF. martelais (:— med.L. type *mar-
iellaticium), f. martcler : see prec] A fighting
with martels ; a hammering.
( 1450 Merlin 211 Ther was soche marteleise and soche
noise as so many Carpenteres in a wode. Ibid. 334 Thei ..
haue all day. .endured the medle and the mar ti leys.
Martelege, variant of Martiloge Obs.
Martelet;t(e, obs. forms of Martlet.
Marteline (maMtelin). [a. F. marteline, f. OF.
martel'. see M artel sbX\ A small hammer, pointed
at one end, used by sculptors and marble-workers.
Marteline chisel, a sculptor's chisel, driven by a
mallet or hammer. 1875 in Knight Did. Meek.
Martellate (maMlel^t), v. nonce-wd. [f. It.
martell-are + -ate -.] trans. To hammer (/£".).
1829 Landor Imag. Conv., Albania Pict.-Dealcrs Wks.
1853 II. 9/1 They belabor and martellate my ears worse
than the terza rima of Dante.
Martello (maite'ltf). [Corruption (through
association with It. martello hammer) of the name
of Ca[>e Mortella in Corsica (from It. mortella wild
myrtle), where there was a tower of this kind
which the English fleet captured with some diffi-
culty on 8 Feb. 1794 ; it had been captured by
the English and again abandoned in Sept. 1793*
The tower was of a type common in the Mediterranean ;
the stuut resistance which it was able to make with a small
force led to a belief among English military experts that
the construction had great defensive value, and the erection
of 'martello' towers was therefore strongly urged on the
British government, but it was not until 1804 that any were
actually erected. Windham's account of the events of
1793-4 is grossly inaccurate, but there appears to be no
room for doubt that he refers to these.]
Martello tower (also, rarely, martello) : a small
circular fort with massive walls, containing vaulted
rooms for the garrison, and having on the top a
platform for one or two guns ; usually erected on
a coast to prevent the landing of enemies.
[1794 Lt.-Gen. Dundas DisJ>. 21 Feb. in Ann. Reg. App.
to Chron. ioi*/i Expecting little opposition from Mortella
tower. Ibid., The same day we began to batter the tower
of Mortella.] 1803 Windham Sp. 9 Dec. (1812) II. 140
What were known to our officers under the name of Mar-
tello Towers, a species of edifice so called from a memorable
instance of one at Martello, in Corsica ; where, by a tower
of this sort, garrisoned by some ten or a dozen men, and
mounted with about two guns, a ship of the line of ours,
and a frigate, were, during the last war, completely foiled
and driven off. 1867 Smyth Sailor's IVord-bk. 470 A mar-
tello is built circular, and thus difficult to hit. 1883 Black
Shandon Bells xxvii, The wide water, the Martello tower.
fig. 1828 J. W. Crokkr Diary 1 1 Jan. in C. Papers (1884)
I. xiii. 405, 1, .told him [Herries] that in quitting his finance
he had surrendered his Martello-tower. 1848 Lowell Pig-
low P. Poems 1800 II. 88, I esteem my ignorance of other
languages as a kind of Martello-tower, in which I am safe
from the furious bombardments of foreign garrulity.
Marten (mauten . Forms: a. 5 martiron,
martren, martroun? -tryn, marterount, 5-7
martron(e, 6 marteron, -tyron, 5-8 martern(e.
$. 0 matron, materne, 7 mattern(e. 7. 6-y
martin, 7 martyn, marton, 6- marten. [Late
ME. martren, a. (pern, through MDu. martren)
OF. martrine marten fur, subst. use (with ellipsis
of peau skin) of martrin adj., pertaining to
the marten, f. martre : see Marten*.
The word, originally denoting the fur, came to be used as
the name of the animal itself, instead of Makter sb.lt which
it finally displaced. The dropping of the r in the last syl-
lable may have been partly due to association with Martin.]
fl. The skins or fur of the animal now called
marten : see sense 2. Often in plural. Obs.
14.. Lvdc. Life Our Lady (MS. Soc. Antiq. 134 If. 25)
(Halliw.), Ne martryn, ne sabil, y trowe, in god fay, Was
none founden in hire garnemeut. 1422 in E. E. I I'ills (iBBj)
So Myn oche daies gowne of marterount. 1436 Libel E/ig.
Policy in Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 186 Irish wollen, lynyn
cloth, faldynge, And marternus gode. t 1489 Caxton Btau-
chardyn xv. 50 A longe gowne furred wyth fyn martrons.
i5S5Art«c. Wills II. 192 My newe clothe gowene furred wl
Marterons. 1575 Inv. in Archxol. XXX. 17 An old tawny
damaske cassock, edged with matrons. 1596 Dan Err tr.
Comines (1614) 85 A goodly gown furred with martins.
a 1612 HxRixc.TOX Sch. Salcrne ui Babecs At. (1868) 255 Gar-
ments of . . Martyn or Wolfe -ski lines. 1653 H. Coo an tr.
Pinto's Tmt: xl. 160 Crimson sattin cassocks lined with nun-
terns. 1696 PuiLLti'S (ed. 5), Marter ties, or Sables, a kind of
rich Fur.
2. An animal belonging to any one of certain
species of Mustela, yielding a valuable fur. Often
with distinguishing word, as beech-marten, stone
marten, M. foina; pine (or fflr) marten, M.
martes ; American pine marten, M. americana.
14.. Voc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 595/8 Martri.v} a martron.
1463-4 R oils of Partt.\ . 505/1 I-urres of Martirons, Furres,
Letyce, 1486 />'^'. St, Albans e j, The Fox and the Martron,
and the wilde Roo, 1580 Hollvband Treas. Br. Pong,
Vne Martct a beaste that is called the Marten. 1587 Har-
rison England n. xix. (1877) 1. 310 The beasts of the chase
were commonlte the bucke, the roe, the foxe, and the mar-
teme. 1589 1 Lylv Pappc w. Hatchet Wks. 1902 III. 402
Be thou Martin the bird or Martin the beast. 1594 in
Crompton Jurisd. 195 b, One claimed a free chase within
the forest, for Hare, foxe, wild cat, and martrons. 1602
Carew Cornwall 22 lieastes of Venery persecuted for their
case, or dammage feasance, are Marternes, Squirrels. 1643
Horn & Rob. Gate Lang. Unl. xvii. $ 209 Thcmatterne
(poll-cat), sable, and ermine are good for furres. 1675 Dug-
dale Baronage I. 467/1 Certain Dogs for the destruction of
Wolves, Foxes, Martrons, Cats, and other Verniine. 1741
Compl. Fam.-Piece 11. i. 307 A Martern is about the Bigness
of a Cat, having a long liody and short Legs, with a Head
and Tail like a Fox. 1768 Pennant Brit. Zool. (1776)
I. 78 Pine Martin. 1827 J. F. Cooper Prairie I. i. 17
The martin's fur of his cap was of a fineness. -that a queen
might covet. 1859 Wood Xat. Hist. I. 345 The chief dis-
tinction between the Pine and the Beech Martens.
b. Zool. By some writers used as a vernacular
name for the genus Mustela, including the ferret,
weasel, etc., together with the species ordinarily
known as martens.
1896 Kikkaldy & Pollard tr. Boas' Zool. 516.
3. Spotted marten : a name for an Australian
marsupial of the genus Phascologale. (Not in
Morris Austral Engl.) 1890 in Century Diet.
4. atttid.f as marten-skin, -tails; marten-cat,
-weasel, m sense 2 ; marten-cub, a marten of
the first year (Phillips i6y6) ; marten family
Zool., the Mustelidsc (see tjuot.).
1798 Charlottk Smith Yng. Philos. II. 170 The wood ..
was infested by Wild or *Martin cats. 1845 Zoologist III.
1018 A specimen of the marten-uat (Martes Foina) was
taken in a trap. 1884 Pall Mall G. 9 Sept. 2/2 The martin-
cat is nearly extinct. 1896 Kikkaldy & Pollard tr. Boas'
Zool. 516 The "Marten family yMustclidx) [comprises] {a)
Martens (Mustela) . . (b) The Otters (Lutra) . . (c) Badgers
(Metes tax us). 1823 J. F. Cooper Pioneers 1. (1869) 4/2
A cap of "martin skins. 1691 Loud. Gaz. No. 2711/4 A
large Muff of *Martin- Tails. 1607 Tofskll Four-f. Beasts
497 So may this 'Martin-weasel render a sweet excrement.
Marten, -enet, -enist : see Martin, -et , -ist.
Martensite (ma'rtenzait). Metallurgy, [f.
name of Prof. A. Martens, a German metallurgist
+ -he.] See quot. 1902. (Cf. Peaklite 2.)
1898 Roberts-Austkn lutrod. Metallurgy (ed. 4) 147
Martensite is the very hard substance of which hardened
steel consists. 190a H. M. Howe in Encycl. Brit. XXIX.
572 Martensite, the characteristic and chief constituent of
hardenedsteel,is a hard brittle mass, with aneedle-Hke struc-
ture, consisting of iron containing carbon in proportions
which vary from nothing up to about 2 per cent.
tMa'rter1. Obs. Also 3-5 martre, martir,
6 marter, martyr, 7, 9 (from Ger. originals)
marder. [ME. martre ', a. F. martre (recorded
from nth c.) = It. martora, ad. W.Ger. *mar}>r-
in OS. *marl/iar ^whence marthrin adj. ; Du. has
marter from Fr.), OHG. mardar (MHG., mod.G.
marder) masc. ; app. an extended form of OTeut.
*marfu-z (OE. meard, MHG. mart, ON. mptif-r,
Sw. mard, Da. maar), whence the Rom. forms
F. marie fern,, Pr. mart-z masc, Sp., Pg, martaJ]
The marten.
12.. Moral Ode 1S2 (Egerton MS.) Ne ocquerne ne mar-
tres cheole [Prin. Coll. MS. me these he It;, see Mart sb.1]
ne beuer ne sabeline. 1481 Caxton Keyuard(Arb.) 112 The
OMtrole, the Martre.. and the squyrel. 1588 Parke tr.
Mendozas Hist. China 20 tuarg., Great abundance of
Marters furres. [1607 'Voi'SULi, P'onrf. Beasts 405 It is called
a house, and rocke-marder. 1805 Med. yrnl. XIV. 334 The
uwl, the marder.]
b. pi. The fur of the marten.
1420 in E. E. M'ills (1882) 53 Also I will bat Gerard my
Irothir haue a newe fure of martirs. 1466 in Somerset Med.
if'ills (1901) 210 A gowne of cremesyn, furrid with martees
|7mz<r*marieres]. 1530 1'alsgu. 559 Martyrs and sabyls be
for great estates.
t Ma'rter -. Obs. Also 6 martar. f f. Mart
v. -r -eh1.] One who bargains; esp. in thieves'
slantj, a dealer in stolen goods.
1591 Grelne Disc. Coosnage \\. (1592J 3 The Priggar is he
that steales the horse, and the Martar is he that receiues
him, and chops and changelh him away in any Faire, Mart,
or other place. 1598 Florio, Barattiere, a barterer, a
trucker, a marter, . . a fripper.
Marter, -erisse, obs. ff. Maktyk, Mautvkize.
Martern(e,marteron,-ount,obs. IT. Marten.
Martews: see Mautel sbA
Marthe, Marther, obs. ff. Marrow, Martyr.
Marthy, obs. variant of Methy, burbot.
Marthyr, obs. form of Martyr v.
i Ma'rtiable,". Obs. In5marciable. [? Altered
form of Maktjal a., after -able.] — Martial.
1470 Harding Chron. lxxiii. xv, For many were, through
actes marcyable [rime honourable] DUpended then by
warres violence.
Martial (maujal), a. and sb. Forms : 4-6
marciai, g marcyal^l. martialle, (5 marcill, 6
mershal), 5-6 marciall, mercial(l? mercyall,
5-7 martial!, 6 martyall, 6-8 marshal; 1, (7
marshiall), 6- martial, [a. K. martial (^ Sp.,
Pg. marciai, It. marziate), ad. L. martialis of or
belonging to Mars, f. Mart{i)- Mars.] A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to war or battle.
C 1374 Chaucer Troyltts iv. 1641 (1669) Ne veyn deltt, ..
or torney Marciai, . . Ne made me to Re we on youre distresse.
1430-40 Lvuc. Bocluis vni. i. (i494)Ciijb, His victorious
marcyall hye prowesse Done in almayne. 1-1430 — Min.
Potms (Percy Sue1 5 Alle assautis that were niuitialle For
his sake he proudly wold endure. 15*9 Lvndesay Contplaynt
4S7 Thow..ht.s thy hmour done awance. In Scoiland, lng-
laud, and in France, Be Merciall dedis honourabyll. 1531-3
Act 24 Hen. VIII, c. 13 lustes, tourncis,. .or other marciai
feates or disguihings. 1586 Marlowe \st Pt. Tamburl.
1. ii, My martiall prises. . Wun on the tiftie headed Vuolgas
wanes, a 1625 Fletcher & Massinckr Laws of Candy
1. ii, That yong-man,who was not .. skil'd In Martiall play.
1671 Milton /'. A', in. 304 See .. in what martial equipage
They issue forth. 1676 Hobbls Iliad n. 180 In counsel or
in Martial Array. 1760 Johnson Idler No. 06 f 1 His
martial achievements remain engraved on a pillar of flint.
1773-83 Hoole Orl. Fur. xvi. 307 Rinaldo flies, with martial
ardor prest. 1791 Cowplr Iliad iv. 515 With martial ordi-r
terrible. 1872 Bagkhot Physics <y Pol. (1876) 81 So long as
there was continual fighting there was a likelihood of im-
provement in martial virtues.
b. Of sports, exercises, etc. ; Serving as training
for warfare.
1412-20 LVDO. Chron. Troy Prol., Y* longeth to man-
hode .. To haunte his bod ye in playes marciall. 1568
Grakton Chron. II. 670 The king entendyng to see this
martiall sport, .. caused listes royal 1 for the Champions
. . to be newly erected in West Smithfield in London.
ii 1586 Sidney Apot. Poetrie (Arb.) 51 Before Poets did
soften vs, we were full of courage, giuen to martiall exerciser.
1632 Parker True Tale of Robin Hood '39 in Child Ballads
III. 2_>9 And shewd to them such martiall sport. With bis
long bow and arrow. 1776 Gibbon Decl. ff F. xvii. (18691
I. 458 They soon became careless of their martial exercises.
1815 Wordsw. Laodamia 118 While my youthful peer*
before my eyes . . Prepared themselves for glorious enterprise
By martial sports. 1869 Frkkman Norm. Conq. (1876) III.
xil 227 There he was entertained with martial exercises.
C. Of music : Appropriate to warfare.
166a Drvden Astr&a Redux 198 The incensed powers
beheld . . An heaven . . Which durst with . . martial brass,
belie the thunder's sound. 1667 Mi lion /'. L. 1. 540 All
the while Sonorous mettal blowing Martial sounds, a 1704
T. Brown Praise of Drunkenness Wks. 1730 I. 37 The
martial kettle-drum. 1708 Pope Ode St. Cecilia 37 When our
Country's cause provokes to Arms, How martial musick
ev'ry bosom warms ! 1784 Cowper Task vi. 3 The ear is
pleased With melting airs or martial. 1869 Rawlinson
Auc. Hist. 36 They had a lively and martial music
2. Of or pertaining to ' the Army ', or the military
profession. Obs. exc. in Court martial, * military '
as opposed to * civil ■ or ' civilian \ + Martial
name : a fictitious name adopted by a soldier
(= F. nom de guerre).
1470 Harding Chron. clxxviii. xx, Without rule of marcill
gouernaunce. (11548 Hall Chron., Hen. IV 7b, He..
caused dyvers lustie men to appele divers olde men upon
matters determinable as the common lawe in the court
marciai. 1590 R. Williams (title) A Briefe Discourse of
Warre : with his opinion concerning some parts of the
Martiall Discipline. 1625 Bacon Ess., Love (Arb.) 447,
I know not how, but Martiall Men, are giuen to Loue. 1631
Weever Auc. Funeral Mon. 546 Dauid de Argenton, a
Norman, and a martiall knight. 1715 Lond. Gaz. No. 5322/3
To be Advocate-General, or Judge Martial of all His Ma-
jesty's Forces in England. 1757 Chesterf. lett. (ljys) IV.
ccexxiv. 102 Some are for a Parliamentary inquiry, others
for a Martial one. 1761 Ann. Reg. 11. 3 They laid aside
their surnames, and assumed nick-names, or martial names.
3. Martial law. a. That kind of military govern-
ment of a country or district, by which the ordinary
law is suspended, and the military authorities
are empowered to arrest all suspected persons
at their discretion, and to punish offenders without
formal trial, j b. Formerly sometimes applied
to what is now called * military law *, viz. the body
of enactments and rules for the government of
the army ; an enactment or rule forming part of this.
Originally these two senses (in which the adj'. has re-
spectively senses 1 and 2) would not always be distinguish-
able, as military law existed only in war-time, and consisted
mainly of temporary and occasional ordinances ; our earliest
quots., however, distinctly exhibit the same use as is now
current. In early examples the adj. is often assimilated in
spelling to Marshal sb., and it was a common opinion that
'marshal law' wa* so called as being the law emanating
from the lord marshal. Mod. Fr. has loi martialc, but perh.
from English.
1533 Mori: Dcbcll. Salem n. xv. 61 Yf the lawe were so
that the iudges myght procede and put felons to answere
without endyghtementes, as in treason isvsed m thys realme
by the lawe marshall vppon warre rered. 1537 Hen. VIII
Let. Dk. Norf. in State Papers (1S30) 11. 53J ^We doo ryght
well approve and allowe your proceedings in the displayng
of our Baner. And forasinocne as the same is now.. dis-
played, .the cours of our lawes must geve place to thorden-
aunces and e^tatutes marciall; our pleasure is that.. you
shal. .cause such dredfull execution to be done upon a good
nombre of thinhabitauntes of euery towue, village and ham-
let that have offended in this rebellion, .as they may be
a ferefull spectacle to all other herafter, that wold practise
any like mater. ■< 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. Vtlt 231 Ac-
cording to the law mershal thei wer adiudged to die. 1568
in J. Hooker Life Sir P. Carew 11857) 207 Not by mar-
tyall lawe, but by veredicte of twelve men, orderly. 1599
Shaks. Hen. /', iv. vni. 46 Please your Maicstit, let hi*
Neck answere for it, if there is any Marshall Law in the
World. 16x7 Mokyson Itin. 11. 27 His Lordship had power
..to make Martial! Lawes the being Lord Martiall of
Englaud), and to punish the transgressors. 1633 T. Staf-
ford Ptic. Hib. 11. xxiv. (1821) 449 Wee doe hereby giue,
and commit unto you full power and authority to execute
by Marshall Law, all notable and apparent Offenders.
c 1645 Howell Letters ti. lix. (1650) 86 The Lawes them-
selves, civil as well as martiall, were published and executed
in I,atine. a 1676 Hale Common Law (1713) 40 Touching
..Martial Law, these Things are to be observed.. .First,
That in Truth and Reality it is not a Law, but something
indulged rather than allowed as a Law ; the Necessity of
. .Order and Discipline in an Army, is that only which can
MARTIAL.
give those Laws a Countenance... Secondly, This indulged
Law was only to extend to Members of the Army, or to those
of the opposite Army. 1751 Affect. Narr. Wager 40 [He]
protested that he would go as far in punishing the Criminals
as the Martial Law would permit. 1827 Hai.i.am Const.
Hist. (1876) I. v. 241 For this ordinary crime the queen
could hardly Imi prevented from directing him to be tried
instantly by martial law. 1844 H. H. Wilson Brit. India
II. 143 Martial law was proclaimed. 1851 Wki.lisgton in
Hansards Pari. Deb. Ser. lit. CXV. 880 Martial law was
neither more nor less than the will of the general who com-
mands the army. In fact, martial law meant no law at all.
attrih. 1900 Daily Nrtvs 12 Mar. 5/3 Newspapers.. pub-
lished outside the Martial Law districts.
4. Warlike; brave; valiant; given to fighting.
Formerly often with some notion of sense 7 a.
1430-40 Lvlxj. Bochas \ in. vi. (1494) C v b, A werre began
Gt-yne romaynes this marciall [1554 ed. inercial] woman.
1591 Siiaks. 1 Hen. /'/, 11. i. 21 Bur. Rut what's that Puzell.
.. Pal. A Maid, they say. Bed. A Maid? And be so
martiall? i6a< Bacon Ess., Viciss. Things (Arb.) 573
The Northern Tract of the World, is in Nature the more
Martiall Region. 164a Fuller Holy $ Prof. St. 11. xix.
120 Women have often been the nets to catch and ensnare
the souls of many Martiall men. 1736 S. Wkslkv Battle
of Sexes 56 Sounding trumpets' breath Kindles in martial
breasts stern love of war. 1744 Harris Three Treat. (1841)
40 There are sounds to make us cheerful, or sad ; martial,
or tender. 1821 Bvron Mar. Fal. in. ii, My nephew and
the clients of our house Many and martial. 1870 Bryan t
Homer I. 11. 56 Wake the martial spirit in their breasts.
Comb. 1603 Knoi.les Hist. Turks (1638) 296 The poore
Prince, .as a martiall minded man. .said [etc. J. 1629 H. Bur-
ton Babel no Bethel 97 Who seeing the Martiallike Prelate
accompanied with armmed men, begun to laugh.
5. Characteristic of or befitting a warrior.
159a Siiaks. Rom. fy Jul. in. i. 166 He Tilts With Peircing
Steele at bold Mercutio's breast, Who. .with a Martiall
scorne, with one hand beates Cold death aside, and witti
the other sends It back to Tybalt. 1602 — Twel. N.
III. ii. 45 An. Will either of you beare me a challenge to
him? To. Go, write it in a martial hand, be curst and
briefe. 1608 D. T[uvil] Ess, Pol. .5- Mor. 37 b, By reason of
his Martiall carriage and aspect. 1784 Oowper Task iv.
640 He steps right onward, martial in his air, His form,
and movement. 1816 L. Hunt Rimini 111. 20 Some tastes
there were indeed that would prefer Giovanni's countenance
as the martialler. 1817 Wolfe Burial Sir J. Moore iii,
But he lay like a warrior taking his rest, With his martial
cloak around him. 1866 G. Macdonald Ann. Q- Xeighb.
xxvii. (1878) 474 With almost a martial stride the little
creature walked up to the speaker.
6. Resembling what pertains to the gotl Mars.
1611 Shaks. Cymb. iv. ii. 310 His Foote Mercuriall : his
martiall Thigh : The hrawnes of Hercules.
7. Of, or belonging to, the planet Mars.
a. Astrol. (often, subject to the influence of
Mars ; hence applied to venomous animals and to
plants with violently active properties), b. Astron,
(= Martian). Now with capital initial.
1611 Burton Anat. Mel. 1. 11. i. ii. (1676) 27/1 Gregorius
Tholosanus makes seven kinds of astherial Spirits or Angels,
according to the number of the seven Planets Saturnine,
Jovial, Martial. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep, vi. xiv.
(1658) 417 The fixed Stars, .are esteemed Martial or Jovial,
according to the colours whereby they answer these Planets.
1647 Lilly Chr. Astrol. xv. 84 A Martiall Man, is many
times full faced with a lively high colour. 165a Culpepper
Eug. Physic. (1656) 377 Suppose a Man be bitten or stung
by a Martial Creature, Wormwood an herb of Mars, giveth
you present cure. Ibid. 42 They are furious Martial Plants.
1784 Herschel in Phil. Trans. LXXIV. 273 The point
Aries on the martial ecliptic answers to our 19 28' of Sagit-
tarius. 1868 Lockyek Guilletnin's Heavens (ed. 3) 210
The Terrestrial and Martial seasons. 1878 Newcomb Pop.
Astron. ill. iii. 321 Clouds in a Martial atmosphere.
8. In early Chemislry : Of or pertaining to iron ;
containing iron. Obs. exc. in certain names (now
little used) of chemical compounds and pharma-
ceutical preparations.
1684-5 Boyle Mm. Waters ad fin., I found., that more than
one of our English Martial Springs .. were too much
weakened by the Water that Rained into them. 1704 J.
HarrisZ^t. Techn.l, Martial Regulusof Antimony. 1708
J. Philips Cyder 1, 36 Our Mines produce As perfect Mar-
tial Ore. 1741 Hankewitz in Phil. Trans. XLI. 828 All
Martial Waters will, with Galls, turn blackish or inky. 1756
C. Lucas Ess, Waters I. 14 This volatile acid.. flies oft",
leaving the iron to precipitate in the form of a martial earth.
1776 J. Clegg in T. Percival Ess. (1776) III. App. 333 Lime-
water tends to deepen the colour produced by some astrin-
gents and martial vitriol. 1789 A. Crawford in Med.
Commun. II. 311, I had. .made trial of the tincture of mar-
tial flowers. 1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) II. 82 It was
a compleat M:irt.al Liver of sulphur. 1822 Imison Set, $
Art II. 105 Black oxide of iron formerly martial ethiops.
1823 P. Nicholson Tract. Build. 330 The smallest quantity
of clay, gypsum, or martial matter. 1825 J. Nicholson
Operat. Mechanic j6$ Humid Assay of Gold mixed with
Martial Pyrites. 1889^^. Soc. Lex., Martial prepara-
tions, medicaments containing iron or a salt of iron.
t 9. Of the month of March. Obs, rare~l,
Ma3 J as. I Kingis Q. exci, Thankit mot be the Sanctis
marciall, That me first causit hath this accident.
B. sb.
fl.p/. Poems about wars, nonce-use.
1589 Fleming Virg. Argt. 3 His Bucoliks, or Pastoralls..
his Georgiks or ruralls. .his ^Eneids or Martialls.
+ 2. ?One born under the influence of Mars. Obs.
1605 Tlmme Quersitanus 1. xi. 47 There are starres which
haue their most cold & moyste spirites. .others most hote &
drie, as the Solarie & Martialls.
f3. A martial person, a soldier. Obs.
c 1611 Chapman Iliad xvm. 469 The Queene of martials
And Mars him selfe conducted them.
191
4. A Martian, rare.
1880 I'. Greg Across Zodiac I. v. 115 Every Martial can
write at least as quickly as he can speak.
Martial, obs. form of Marshal.
Martialism (ma\ijali/.'m). [L Martial a. +
-ism.] Warlike qualities.
1608 I). Prick Chr. IVarre 8 Wrestling, running, fighting,
and other feats of Martial isme. 1784 T.urop. Mug. VL 1 13
A due portion of martialism elevates the soul in a remarkable
degree. 1885 A. Forbes Souvenirs some font. 38 A rugged,
motley crowd of staunch lighting men, of whose martialism
he had had experience in his Asiatic warfare.
Martialist (ma\ijalist\ Also fi martialiste,
6-7 marshallist, martiallist^e, 7 marshalist.
[f. Mabtial a. + -IST.]
+ 1. Astrol. A person bom under the influence of
the planet Mars. Obs,
1569 J. Sanforij tr. Agrippa's Van. Arts 50b, She pro-
nounceth-.that man a Martialiste or _ Solist. 1647 Lilly
Chr. Astrol. x. 67 Generally Martialists have this forme.
1686 Goad Cilest, Bodies in. iii. 449 He not dreaming of
such Mariialists, hath recourse to the Nature of the Month.
2. A military man ; one skilled in warfare ; a
warrior. Also trans/, and//;'-. Now rare.
1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 296 Vour son ne died in the
quarel of his countrie, like a valiant Martialist. 1595 Lvi.v
Worn, in Mooue 11. i, He worke such wane within Pando-
raes brest, ..That. .She shall become a vixen Martialist.
1603 H.Crosse Vcrtues Commu: (187S) 49 A true Martialist
he is indeed, that by strong hand labours to supprcsse his
rebellious lusts. 1611 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. \x. xxii. 61
The French sought to trie fortune for their lies in the Seas
.. their preparations were great, and their Marshallists
many. 1658 W. 1'urtom /tin. Anton. 67 Septimius Se-
verus .. deservedly equalled with the greatest Martialists
of any age. 1749 J- Pote Hist, of Windsor 130 The
stoutest and most famous Martialists of that age. 1830 Miss
Mitforli Village Ser. IV. 123 Their wives.. were as com-
plete martialists [etc.]. 1882 Swinburne Child's Battles
in 'Prist r. Lyonesse 270 Howe'erhe look demurely, Our mar-
tialist will surely Have his way. 1884 Daily Xezcs 11 Feb.
5/4 These martialists of the smug pattern.
3. A Martian, rare,
1870 Proctok Other Worlds 101 Then it must be a fine
day for the Martialists, for clouds over Mars, .must prodtii e
quite as bad an effect, .as similar phenomena on earth.
Martiality (nuufiiae'lfti). [f. Martial a. -,■
-ITT.] The <|iiality or state of beini^ martial.
1632 Lithgow Prav. iv. 134 This Emperour. . was more
giuen to venery, then martiall tie. 1823 Blackw, Mug. XIV.
529 He., acquires a superior fierceness or martiality Of aspect.
MartiaHze ,mii-jfabi/ , 7\ rare. Alsofunar-
tiallize. [f. Martial a. + -i/.r:.] trans. To
make martial, ilence Martializa*tion.
1600 Touknklr Transf Met. lxxviii, Only the muses
deare to Martialize. 1685 F. SpENCK tr. Varil/u"s Ho.
Medici 57 They could not conceive, why, his army being the
strongest and best martialli/'d,he [etc. J. 1823 New Monthly
Mag. VII. 126 The Rebellion broke out, and the genius of
loyalty martiaHzcd the various classes of the community.
1848 L. Hunt Town (1858) 439 [The march in ' Figaro 'J
has ever since been played there to the martialisation of
hundreds of little boys.
Martiall(e, obs. forms of Marshal, Martial.
Martiallist(e, obs. forms of Martialist.
Martially (maujali), adv, [f. Martial a.
+ -ly -.] In a martial manner.
1586 Warner Alb. Eng.iv. xxi.0592) gsWhil'ftt either king
thus Martially defends. 1596 Dai.kympi.e tr. Leslie's Hist.
Scot. 1. 167 Galdie. .obteines na lea triumphc. .than gif he
martiallie and valjeantlie had ouircum thame, 1670-98
Lassels Voy. Italy 1. 158 It did not become Rome built by
the son of Mars to take towns otherwise than martially. 1709
Steele 'Taller No. 46 p 11 Who could be the Author of a
Piece so martially written.
f b. In accordance with martial law. Obs.
1583 Exec, for Treason (1675) 33 Shall she forbear.. to put
his Souldiers..to the Sword martially, or to execute her
Laws, .civilly.
t C. ? With regard to military matters. Obs.
a 1658 Cleveland Gen. Poems, etc. (1677) 94 Look upon
him Martially, and he is a Justice of War.
Martialness ikma,.ijalnes). [f. Martial a.
+ -NESS.] The quality or state of bein^ martial.
1727 in Bailky vol. II. 1844 L. Hunt /mag. fy Fancy
(1846) 22 In some far island which its foes besiege, Who all
day long with dreadful martialness [Iliad XVtn. 209 aruyepoJ
"Ap>]t] Have pour'd from their own town.
Martial sea, obs. form of Maushalsea.
Martian (maujan), a. and sb. Also 4 Marcien.
[f. L. Marti-us pertaining to Mars (f. Mart-em
Mars) + -an.] A. adj,
1. fa. Having the temperament due to the in-
fluence of the planet Mars (obs.)- b. Of or per-
taining to Mars or its supposed inhabitants.
< 1386 Chauckr Wiffs Prol. 610, I am a Venerien In
felinge, and myu herte is Marcien. 1880 A. R Wallace
1st. Life 160 The duration of such phenomena on Mars
being reckoned in Martian months equivalent to one-
twelfth of a Martian year. 189a Pall Mall G. 6 Aug.
1/3 We may therefore perhaps be excused for taking a more
immediate interest in Martian matters than in the affairs
of worlds so infinitely more distant. 1898 H. G. Wells
War of Worlds n. ii. 210 Long before the Martian invasion.
+ 2. Of or pertaining to war or battle. Obs.
1591 Svlvester Du Bartas 1. vi. 398 The Beasts that
fill'd the Martian Field With blood and slaughter. 1596
Spenser F. Q. iv. v. 6 The judges.. Into the Martian field
adowne descended.
3. Of or pertaining to the month of March.
1623 Cockeram, Afarcian-moneth, the moneth of March.
MARTIN.
1842 Macaulay Lays, Lake Regillus 17 Gay are the Mar-
tian Kalends.
B. sb. An inhabitant of the planet Mars.
1892 Pall Mall G. 6 Aug. 2/1 Can it be.Jtat the Martians
.are endeavouring to signal to some other planet? 1898
11. ('.. Wells ll'ar a/ Worlds 1. v. 31 The glimpse I hail
had of the .Martians emerging from the cylinder in which
they had come to the earth from their planet.
t Martiated, ///. <'• Chcm. Obs. [f. *»wr-
liale vb. (f. L. Marti-us pertaining to M ars) + -ki > ' .J
Impregnated with iron.
1694 Salmon Halt's Dispens. (17 13I 195/1 The martiated
Salt, sublim'd from Gads of Iron. Ibid. 36y/r.
Martiaton, variant of Marciaton.
Martichore, variant of Makticobe.
t Marticolist. Obs. rare— ". [f. L. Martitola
ii. Marl\ir Mars + col-Ire to worship) t- -is 1.]
A worshipper of Mars. 1727 in Raii.ev vol. II.
Marticora, variant of Makticobe.
f Marti'geraous, a. Obs. [f. I.. Matiigen a
(f. Mart{t)- Mars +gen-,gign?re\.o beget; f- -ops.]
Mars-born, begotten by Mars. 1727 Bailky vol. 11.
Martilage, -ildge, -ilege, var. 11. Martiloge.
Martilet, obs. form of Martlet.
Martileys, variant oIMartelai.se.
Martilmas: see Mabtinmas.
I' Martiloge. Ectl. Obs. Forms : 4 5 mar
tilago, martilogie, -ye, martirlogi, 4-6 marti-
loge, 5 martelege, martiloge, -logge,martloge,
martylogye, mertelage, mertilloge, 6 marty-
lage. [ad. med.L. martilogiuni, -legiutii, corrupt
forms of martyrologium Mabtvbology.] A list or
register of martyred saints; a martyrology.
[(.1000 Dc Ctmsnet. Monac/i.'m Anglia XIII. 400 peah
be on martirlosian (L. in martyrhgio) 11a si luefh. I 13..
.V. Erktmvolde 154 in Hoist,,,. Alteugl. Leg. (1SS1I 260
Merkid is in oure martilage his mymle for ener. 1387
Tkkvisa lligdeu (Rolls' V, Si By be martiloge it semeth
bat he regnede sixtene ^ere. c 1425 St. Mary aj Oignies
it. viii. in Anglia VIII. 173/3" ^"e halowed festflll dayes
writen in Mr tnynde and impressed in hir herte as in a marti-
loge. 1432-50 tr. I lie den (Rolls) I. 331 Wherefore hit isredde
in iheinaililogge: 'Snche a day at ScotlandeSeynte Brigida'.
1483 C.VXTON Cold. Leg. 164 .: Of whome the martiloge of
holy chirche speketh not. 15241,1 Nichols MatlH.*Am: 'limes
(1797) J72 A boke called a I'ye.aiula bokecalledaMartylage.
1548 Udall Erasm. Par., Lake Pref.40, The holye Bible,
legenda Sanctorum, . .& martiloges.
Martin ' (mautin). Also 5 martoune, 6, 9
marten. 7 martyn. [Presumably a use of Martin
l^a. F. Mar/in, ail. L. Martians), a male Christian
name common in Western Europe after St. -Martin
bishop of Tours (4th c.), whose festival is nth
Nov. (Martinmas). The name is applied in Fr.
to various birds, as in martin- chasseur, the hen-
harrier, marlin-peeheitr, the kingfisher; the dim.
martinet (see Martinet) denotes the house-martin
and the swift.
The application of the Christian name to birds has no ob-
vious reason, and may have been purely arbitrary. Many
writers of the 17th c. say that the martin is so called because
it comes in March and departs about Martinmas.]
1. A well-known bird of the swallow family,
Chelidon urbica. It builds a mud-nest on the
walls of houses, etc. ; hence called house-martin.
Thesand-martinorbank-martin is Coli/e rifaria;
the purple martin of N. America is J'rogne snbis
or purpurea. For Australian use see quot. 1SS3.
Bee-martin, the American king-bird, Tyrannns earoli-
nensis. Black martin, Screech-martin, local names
for the swift, Cypselus apits.
c 1450 Holland limulat 213 The Martoune, the Murcoke,
the Myresnype in ane, Lichtit, as lerit men, law by that
laike. 1589 V Lvly Pappe Vl. Hatchet C b, There is small
difference between Swallowes and Martins, either in shape
or nature. 1591 Pekcivall Sp. Diet., A rre.xaqitc, a bird
called a marten. 1678 Ray ll'illughliy's Ornithol. 213
The Sand-Martin, or Shore-bird. Ibid. 214 The black
Martin or Swift, a 1682 Sib T. Browne Tracts 107 Build-
ing in holes of pits, like some martins. 1773 G. White
Sclborne, To Barrington xvi, The house-martin, or martlet.
1774 Ibid, xx, The sand-martin, or bank-martin, is bymuch
the least of any of the British hirundines. Ibid, xxi, The
swift or black-martin. 1808-14 A. Wilson A met: Ornith.
(1831) II. 37 The purple martin, like his half-cousin the king
bird, is the terror of crows, hawks, and eagles. 1842 Penny
Cycl. XXIII. 363/1 The Common Swift . . is the . . Screech
Martin . . and Black Martin of the country-people. 1865 Fairy
Martin [see Fairy C. 2]. 1883 Newton in Encycl. Brit. XV.
581/2 The ordinary Martin of Australia is the Hirundo or
llylochelidon nigricans of most ornithologists, and another
and more beautiful form is the Ariel or Fairy-Martin of the
same country, llimndo or Lagenoplastes ariel. 1887 J. C.
Harris Free Joe, etc. (1888) 141 In the upper air a bee-martin
was fiercely pursuing a sparrow-hawk.
t 2. A dupe. Obs. [Perh. a different word.]
1591 Greene Discern. Ccosirafc Wks. (Grosart) X. 37 In
High Lawe, The Theefe is called a High lawier.. . He that
is robd the Martin When he yeeldeih, stouping. 1610 Row-
lands Martin Mark-all G, I haue heard . . a high-way lawyer
rob a man in the morning, and hath dined with the martin or
honest man so robbed the same day at an Inne. 1621
Fletcher 1st. Princess 11. i, We are all meere Martins.
3. attrib. and Comb., as martin-haunted adj. ;
martin-box, -coop, a box or coop used in America
for martins to build in; martin-snipe, a provincial
name lor the green sandpiper, Totanus ochropus.
MARTIN.
MARTINISH.
1858 Hawthorne Fr. Sf It. Note-Bks. II. 47 Its lofty,
machicolated and battlemented toner, .looking exceedingly
like a *martin-box, on a pole. 1807 W. Irving Salmag. (1824)
264 Knocking d£»n a mouldering * martin coop, with his
tennis-ball. 1864 Ti-.nnvson Aylmer's F. 163 Almost to the
'martin-haunted eaves A summer burial deep in hollyhocks.
1870 H. Stevkxson Bird* Norfolk 11. 224 Provincially, this
bird [the Green Sandpiper] is known as the . . ' "Martin Snipe '.
t Ma'rtin 2. Oh. [The name Martin (see
preo.) given to the monkey in Reynard the J'ox.] A
kind of monkey. Also martin-ape, -monkey.
13.. A'. A lis. 6464 Visage after martyn apen : Folke heo
buth ful eovel y-schapen ! 1388 Wyclif Isa. xxxiv. 14
[gloss) Martynapis ben liyk apis, and ben tailid. 1589
V Lvly Whip for an Ape 7 Who knoweth not, that Apes men
Martins call. 1607 Topsfj.l Four-f. Beasts 7 The Cepus,
or Martine Munkey. The Martin called cepus of the Greeke
word, Kepos. a 1697 J. Aubrey Lives ( 1898) II. 48 Their [the
Marlins*] crest is an ape ; men use to say ' a Martin ape \
b. Comb.: martin-drunk (cf. ape-drunk, lion-
druni-, etc., in the same list).
1592 Nasiie /'. Peuilesse 24 The sixt [kind of drunkard]
is Martin drunke, when a man is drunke and drinkes him-
selfe sober ere he stirre.
Martin :1 (mautin). Also 6 Marten, -yn,
Mert3ryn. The name of St. Martin (see MartinI)
used attrib. and in Comb.
f 1. Martin chain, a sham gold chain. (Cf. 3 b.)
«i5<So Hecon Jeiuelofjoy Wks. 11. 19 b, Certayne iyyht
braynes ..wyll rather weare a Marten chayne, th<: pryce of
.viii.d. then they woulde be vnchayned.
2. More fully f Martin dry, also [Fr.] || Martin
sec : a kind of pear, so called from being ripe at
Martinmas. [Cf. G. Martinsbime.]
1664 Evelyn Kal. Hort. (1679) 34 Pears... November...
Martin sec. 1672 — tr. Fr. Card. U675) 118 (Pears^ The
dry Martins. 1708 Kersey, Martin-dry, a kind of Pear,
that ripens at the middle of November, i860 Htxw Fruit
Man. 200 Martin Sec (Dry Martin). 1875 Ibid. (ed. 4) 479
The Martins are perhaps the earliest varieties [of pears]
grown amongst us.
3. fa. St. Martin : St. Martin's day, Martinmas.
1533 t'reseutm. Juries in Surtees Misc. (1888) 34 That
every man make his fens . .before Seynt Merteryn.
tb. St. Martin's: the parish of St. Martin-le-
Grand, London, formerly celebrated as the resort
of dealers* in imitation jewellery.
157a in Extracts Ace. Revels at Court (Shaks. Soc.) 24
John Wever of Saint Martins for Copper silver frenge, xvij
ozCl at [blank] the ounce. 1607 Dekker Weslw. Ho \\. i,
You must to the pawne to buy I^awne : to Saint Martins for
Lace. 1618 Mynshull Ess Prison 23 They are like the
rings and chaines bought at S. Marlines, that weare faire
for a little time, but shortly after will proue Alchimy or
rather pure Copper.
c. .St.) Martin's, in composition. St. Martin's
bird, the hen-harrier [ = F. oiseau de S. Martin,
Cotgr.] ; St. Martin's day, the 1 ith of November,
Martinmas; (St.) Martin's eve, the eve of St.
Martin's day, 10th November ; St. Martin's evil,
drunkenness (Cent. Diet.) ; St. Martin's flower (see
quot.); +St. Martin's fowl, = St. Martin's bird;
St. Martin's herb, = Herb of St .Mart in (seeHKRB
7 b) ; St. Martin's Lent, the forty days between
Martinmas and Christmas Eve (see Lent sbA 3 b) ;
t St. Martin's rings, imitation gold rings (see
3 b, and cf. St. Martin's ware) ; f St. Martin's
stuff, ware, counterfeit goods (cf. 3 b) ; St. Mar-
tin's Summer, a season of fine mild weather
occurring about Martinmas ; also_^.
1897 F. S. Ellis Reynard 38 And straightway hove within
his sight Saint "Martin's bird. 1517 in Nichols Mann.
Anc. Times (1797)272 Payd on Seynt *Marten s day, for
bred and drynke for the syngers, vs. 159a Stow Ann. an.
1280. 300 On S. "Martins euen a great thunder ouerthrew
many houses and trees in England. 1598 Bp. Hall Sat. iv.
iv.30 Dried Fliches of some smoked Meeue; Hang'd on a
writhen with since Martins eue. 1866 Treas. Hot. 46/1
Alstrdmeria Flos Martini, the St. 'Martin's Flower of
Chili. 1500 zo Dunbar Poems xxxiii. 73 The myttane, and
Sanct *Afartynis fowle, Wend he had bene the hornit howle.
1866 Treas. Bot., St. "Martin's herb, Sauvagesia erecta.
1589 R. Harvey PL Perc. 4, I doubt whether all be gold
that glistereth, sith Saint "Martins rings be but Copper
within. 1617 Frnhor Compter's Commonw. 28 This kind-
nesse is but like Alchimy or Saint Martins rings, that are
faire to the eye, and haue a rich outside, but if a man
breake them a sunder and looke into them [etc.]. 1598
Guilpin.Y£/7z/. (1878)41, I had thought the last mask.. Had
. .Taught thee S. * Martins stuffe from true gold lace. 1591
Shaks. 1 Hen. /'/, 1. ii. 131 This night the Siege assuredly
lie rayse : Expect Saint *Martins Summer, Halcyons dayes.
1864 Tennyson Aylmer's F. 560 Then ensued A Martin's
summer of his faded love. 1884 St. James's Gaz, 7 Nov.
14/2 The arrival of November has only varied matters by
bringing in a St. Martin's summer. 1648 C. Walker Hist.
Independ. 1. 122 These letters may be St. "Martins ware,
counterfeit stuffe.
Martill4 (mautin). [Perh. called from the
surname of inventors or makers.]
1. A grintling-tool consisting of a brass plate
with a flat stone facing (Knight Diet. Meek.).
f 2. Martin panel.
1760 Foote Minor 1. Wks. 1709 I. 241 Let the Martin
pannels for the vis-a-vis be carried to Long-Acre, and the
pye-balls sent to Hall's to be bitted.
3. Martin bit • see quot.
1884 Knight Diet. Meclt. Suppl., Martin Bit {Manege),
a stiff-bar bit, having a spoon-shaped port [etc. J.
Ma'rtin5. dial, (from Yorks. southward: see
E. I).D.) = Frkemartin. Also martin-calf -heifer.
The sense 'spayed heifer', quoted in E. D. D. from Ken-
nett Par. Antiq. (1695) and Peacock Lonsdale Gloss. (i86g),
if genuine, is now obsolete.
Martin, variant of Marten.
t Martinet K Obs. Forms : 5 mart(e)net,
mertenet(te, mertinet, 5-6 martynet, mart-
nette, 7-9 martinet, [a. F. martinet, dim. of
the proper name Martin*, see Martin '.]
1. A name for the martin and the swift. (Cf.
.Martlet 2 1.) Bank martinet ', the sand martin.
( 1460 J. R.U8SELL Bk. Nurture 437 Quayle sparow larke
& litelle mertinet. 1513 Bk. h'eruynge in Bailees Bk. 159
Quayle, sparow, larke, martynet. 1530 Palscr. 243/2 Mar-
tynet a byrde, martinet. 1544 TURNS* Avium Prwcip.
Hist. F 2, Minores [apodes] Angli uocant rok martinettes or
chirchemartnettes.. .Tertium genus, quod in ripis nidulatur,
Angli a bank martnet . . nominant. 1565 Cooi'Kii Thesaurus,
Apus . . a martnette, the seconde kind of swallowes. 1601
Holland Pliny I. 288 A third sort there is of these Swallows
and Martinets. 1610 [see MARTLET - 2]. 1678 Ray Willugh-
by's Omithol. 213 The Martin, or Martinet, or Martlet.
1691 Ray Creation I. (1692) 147 Those Birds which have
but short Feet, as the Swift and Martinet. 1736 Ainswokth
Lat. Diet. 11, Apiastra, ..a bird that eateth bees, called
midwal, or martinet. 1833 Rennie G. Montagues Ornith.
Diet. 316 Martinet. A name for the Window Swallow.
j|2. Hist. See quot.)
1831 Sik W. Hamilton Discuss. (1852) 405 The martinets
or scholars of the University [of Paris] not belonging to
Colleges at all. 1885 Durh. Univ. Jrnl. VI. 104 ' Day-
students 'were well-known in medieval days in the University
of Paris ; and they were called ' Martinets ' because they
had their dwellings, so to speak, beneath the eaves.
t Martinet -. Obs. [j\d. mod. \..martlnettus,
martinel/us (Grillandus), dim. of A/art tmts Martin.]
The demon who had the office of summoning
witches to their assemblies. (Cf. Maktinist 4.)
1609 E. Jonson Masque Queens B 2, Their litle Martin
is he that calls them to their Conuenticles. Ibid. P> 4 b,
Which makes that their little Masters or Martinets, of
whom I haue mention'd before, vse this forme in dismissing
their conuentions.
Martinet :i (mautinet). Also 5 martymette,
6 ruartynette, 6-9 (sense 4) martnet. [a. F. mar-
tinet in various unconnected senses, possibly belong-
ing to etymologically distinct words.]
1. A military engine for throwing large stone?.
Obs. exc. Hist.
1523 Ln. Bkrners Ftoiss. I. cxx. 144 These four mar-
tynettes dyd cast out .. great stones. 1795 Southev Joan
of Arc viii. 259 Him passing on, A ponderous stone from
some huge martinet, Struck.
t 2. A water-mill for an iron forge (Cotgr.). Obs.
1483 Cath.Augl. 12^-2 A Martinett, irrisliticns,$ dicitur
de Irrigno.
t 3. (See quot.) Obs.
1489 Caxton Faytes of A. 11. xxiii. 137 Litel cartes called
martymettes for to carye the mantelles & the tymbre that
serueth for y* engins frum the shippes vnto the place
where as thei shal be dressed.
4. Araut. One of the leech-lines of a sail.
158a N. Lichefif.ld tr. Castanheda%s Cong. E. Ind. 1.
>;xviii. 71 The Mariners and ship boyes, some in the fore-
castell haling boilings, braces, and Martnets. 16*7 Capt.
Smith Seaman's Gram. v. 24 The top-saile martnets are
made fast to the head of the top gallant mast. 1706 Phil-
lips (ed. Kersey) s.v., To Top the Martnets, is to hale them
up. 1867 in Smyth Sailor's IVord-bk. 471.
|J 5. A kind of cat-o'-nine-tails formerly used in
French schools.
1881 Vv Chaillu Laud Midnight Sun If. 262, I saw ..
what resembled a policeman's club, at the end of which was
a thick piece of leather, the whole reminding one of a mar-
tinet.
Martinet 4 (mautine-t). [From the name of
General Martinet, a French drill-master of the
reign of Louis XIV.]
f 1. The system ofdrill invented by Martinet. Obs.
1676 Wycherlky PI. Dealer 111. i, What, d'ye find fault
with Martinet ?..'tis the best exercise in the World.
2. A military or naval officer who is a stickler
for strictness of discipline; hence in wider sense,
a rigid disciplinarian.
1779 J- Mookk Vitm Soc. Fr. (1789) I. xxxix. 339 Let our
Martinets say what they please. 1816 ' Quiz ' Grand Master
vii. 24 If a tyrannic low-bred Colonel Would be a martinet
infernal. 1847 Disraeli Tancred 11. vii, She knew that the
fine ladies .. were moral martinets with respect to any one
not born among themselves. 1868 Ld. Bloomfield in Lady
G. Bloomfield Remin. (1883) II. xix. 320 He is considerate,
strict but not a martinet. 1888 Poor Nellie 300 A true-born
martinet never thinks he is at all severe.
\ b. One who drills with precision.
1853 Kane Grinnell Exp. xxix. (1856) 254 We had drilled
with knapsack and sledge, till we were almost martinets in
our evolutions on the ice.
3. attrib. passing into adj.
1814 Scott IVav. Hi, A sort of martinet attention to the
minutia; and technicalities of discipline. 1821-30 Ld. Cock-
burn Mem. i. (1874) 26 Martinet dowagers and venerable
beaux acted as masters and mistresses of ceremonies. 1873
H. Spencer Stud.Sociol. vii. 163 Protests like those made
against martinet riding regulations .. and against our ' ridi-
culous drill-book'. 1903 A. Ainger Crabbe viii. 145 The
martinet father and his poor crushed wife.
Hence Ma-rtinet v.f to act the martinet ; Ma r-
tinetdom, MaTtinetship, the system of govern-
ment by martinets ; Martine tism, the spirit or
[ action characteristic <>f a martinet ; Ma*rtine:t-
(t)ish a., having the characteristics of a martinet ;
J whence Martinet (t)ishness.
1817 Sporting Mag. XX. 107 Betwixt the system of mar-
tinetting too much and too little, the pro's and con's are
nearly equal. 1827 Hor. Smith 'Tor /////(18381 II. 236 No
garrison had ever been governed with so rancorous and
; unrelenting a martinetship. 1835 Blackiv. Mag. XXXVIII.
322 He called them ' discipline —his boast being martinetism.
185Z Jerdan Autobiog. I. vii. 53 The martinettish General
had . . enough ado to keep his Aides under military discipline.
1866 Cornh. Mag. Nov. 554 Educated in the traditions of
military martinetdom which Frederick the Great had handed
down to his successors as the basis of Prussia's greatness.
1878 R. H. Hutton Scott i. 4 Sir Walter's father reminds one,
in not a few of the formal and rather martinetish traits which
are related of him, of the father of Goethe. 1882 Pall Mall
G. 13 Sept. 3 Disgust at the martinettishness of iheir com-
manding officer. 1887 Standard 16 May 5/3 A martinetism
. . repugnant to the English character.
Martingale (maJtirjgJd), sb. Also 6-7 mar-
tingall, 7-9 martingal. [a. 1- . martingale (Cotgr.
161 1 in sense I), of obscure etymology.
First found in Rabelais in chaussesa la martingale hose
that fastened at the back (hence Sp., It. martingala a sort
of hose, in Sp. also cuishes). This is commonly supposed
to mean literally 'hose after the fashion of Martigues' 0a
Provence), and the ' martingale ' for a horse is assumed to
have been so named from its similarity to hose of this kind.
Jt is, however, doubtful whether Rabelais's a la martingale
is anything but a jocular application of the term ot the
manege, though the mod. Prov. diets, give martegato as
one of the Pr. forms of the word.)
1. A strap or arrangement of straps fastened at
one end to the noseband, bit, or reins and at the
other to the girth to prevent a horse from rearing
or throwing back his head.
1589 ?Lylv Pappe %v. Hatchet Wks. 1002 III. 410 Thou
shalt be broken as Prosper broke his horses, with a muz-
roule, portmouth, and a martingalL a 1616 Keaum. & Fi_
Siornf. Lady 11. i, Lord what a hunting head shee carries,
sure she has been ridden with a Martingale. 1661 Howell
Twelve Treat. 237 Some people are to be rid with strong
bitts and curbs, and martingalls. 17*7 Bradley Farn. Diet.
s. v. Colt, Then put on a Martingal. 18*6 Disraeli Viv.
Grey ill. iv, If you found a martingale for the mother,
Vivian, it had been well if you had found a curb for the
daughter. 1903 Blackw. Mag. July 83/1 Where is the
saddle, the martingale?
2. Nattt. A rope for guying down the jib-boom
to the dolphin-striker; also called maiiingale-
gity, -stay. Flying martingale, a similar sup-
porting rope for the flying jib-boom. Martingale
baekrope^Vi guy-rope for the dolphin-striker.
1794 Rigging 1>f Seamanship I. 233 Martingabstay, to sup-
port the jib-boom. 1815 Falconer's Diet. Marine (ed.
J'.urney), Martingale in a ship is a name given to the rope
extending downwards from the jib-boom end to a kind of
bumkin. 1840 R. H. V>AS\Bef. Mast xxxv. i32Tack!e[was]
got upon the martingale backrope. 188a Nares Seaman-
ship (ed. 6) 13 The flying jib-boom is supported downwards
by a flying martingale.
b. A dolphin-striker (see Dolphin 9).
1794 Rigging a> Seamanship I. 170 Martingal, an ash
bar, fixed downwards from the fore-side of the bowsprit-cap,
and by which the martingal- stay supports the jib-boom.
1853 Kane Grinnell Exp. in. (1856) 27 We ran into an ice-
berg.., and carried away our jib-boom and martingale.
1899 F. T. Bullen Log Sea-waif i-j Seated far out ahead
of the ship by the martingale.
3. A system ingambling which consists in doubling
the stake when losing in the hope of eventually
recouping oneself.
1815 Paris Chit-chat (1816) III. 52, I found him ami his
Mentor. . calculating the infallible chances of a martingale
1854 Thackeray Newcomes I. 266 You have not played as
yet ? Do not do so ; above all avoid a martingale if you do.
1878 Daily Neivs 9 Mar., She was to pay him ^20 per
annum at the end of 1875. /40 at the end of 1876, ^80 in
1877, and so on, in a sort ofrnartingale. 1894 Maskklyne
, Sharps «y Flats xiv. 325 Sometimes, of course, the martingale
will answer its purpose splendidly fur a while.
Martingale (ma*Jtirjg^I), v. [f. Maktingale
sb. Cf. F. mariingaler in sense i.J
1. intr. (See quot.)
i8a3 4Jon Her Diet. Turf Martingale, at play, to
double stakes constantly, until luck taking one turn only,
repays the adventurer all.
2. trans. Nattt. To secure with a guy-rope.
1884 Nares Seamanship (ed. 6) 211 If the wind is likely
to freshen, martingale the . . studding-sail boom.
|[ Martingana (martinga-na). Also anglici/ed
-gane. [Sicilian It.] A kind of boat used in Sicily.
1886 List of Ships Reported Dec, Abbrev., Ma. Martin-
gana. 1893 F. M. Crawford Children of King 1 . 6 A couple
of clumsy ' martinganes '.
Martini (maitf'n*"). Short for Martini- Henry
rifle (see quot. 1870).
1870 Cotbrtrn"s United Service Mag. I. 361 The rapid im-
provements which have taken place, .since the introduction
of.. Brown Hess in 1842, to that of the Martini-Henry in
the present year. Ibid. 367 The only thing then remaining
: to be done was to fit the Martini breech to the Henry
barrel, and thus we have the Martini-Henry rifle complete.
1876 Rijle Shot's Man. 21 With the Martini . . a consider-
ably increased allowance can be made. 1890 Kipling Sol-
diers Three (1891) 65 The good and virtuous people who
hardly know a Martini from a Snider.
Martinia, variant of Mabtynia.
t Martinish, a. Obs. [f. Martin + -I8H.J
1 Of or pertaining to the Martinists.
MARTINISM.
193
MARTYR.
1592 G. Harvf.y Four Lett. ii. Wks. (Gtonut) I. 203 This
Maitinuth and Counter-martinish age.
Ma'rtinism. [t Martin + -ism.]
1. The tenets of 'Martin Marprelate' (see Mar- b).
1589 /'asoiaTs Ret. A iv, It is a common reporte that the
faction of Martinisme hath mighlie freends. 1597 Hooker
Fleet. 1\>1. V. Dei!. § 7 The scurrilous and more then Satyri-
call immodestie of Martinisme.
2. The system of L. C. de Saint-Martin (see next 3) .
1879 Kucycl. Brit. IX. 751 (art. Freemasonry), The rivalry
of such romantic systems as Martinism was still, .keenly felt.
Martinist (mautinist). Also 7 martenist.
[f. the proper name Martin + -1ST.]
1. A partisan of Martin Marprelate'.
1589 ? Lyly Fappe iv. Hatchet Wks. 1902 III. 405 Twas
a mad knaue and a Martinist, that diuided his sermon into
parts for memorie sake, a 1600 Hookkr Keel. Fol. vil. vi.
§ 7 Tell the Martinist of the High-Priests great authority
.. what other thing doth serve his turn but the self-same
shift. 1659 Gaudf.n Tears Ch. I. v. 61 After such . . Satyrick
Pasqaib (worthy of such Martenists) came open menacings
of Princes and Parlaments, Priests and People too.
2. A follower of Martin Luther (as described by
Swift in The Tale of a Tub).
1751 Earl Orrery Remarks Swift (1752) 194 The criti-
cisms of the MartinLsts (whom we may suppose the members
of the church of England).
3. [F. Martimste.] A member of a mystical school
of religionists founded by L. C. de Saint-Martin
(1743-1S03), a disciple of Martinez Pasqualis (died
1779)-
1871 Morley Crit. Misc. Ser. i. 183 Peradventure the
twelve apostles might please you better than the philan-
thropists and Martinists.
f 4. ? Used erron, for Martinet ^. Obs.
1652 Gaule Afagaslrom. 179 How many magicians, astro-
logers, [etc.].. have had their.. martinists, maisterels, and
ministrels, their imps and familiars, as well as other witches?
Martinite (mavtinoit). Mitt. [Named by
J. II. Kloos 18S7-9 after Prof. K. Martin, who
collected it.] Hydrous phosphate of calcium found
at Curacao (Chester Diet. A/in. 1896).
t Ma rtinize, v. Obs. [f. Martin + -ize.] intr.
To discourse in the strain of * Martin Marprelate',
1591 Greene Fareiv. Folly Ded., Wks. (Grosart) IX. 228,
I cannot Martinize, sweare by my faie in a pulpit, and rap
out gogs wounds in a tauerne.
Martinmas (mautinmas). Forms : 3, 5 mar-
tinmasse, 4 martynmesse, 4 7 martimes, mar-
tymes,5 martymasse, martynmese,myrtynmes,
6 martil-, martylmas, -messe, mertymas, -rues,
6-7 martlemas, 7 martinmass, martynmasse, 8
martilmasse, 9 martinmas. [f. Martin + Mass.]
1. The feast of St. Martin, 11 Nov. Formerly
sometimes f Martinmas in Winter, Tor distinction
from the feast of the translation of St. Martin, 4 July.
In Scotland one of the two term-days recognized by com-
mon law. In many parts of England it was until recently
the usual time for hiring servants, and fairs were often held
on this day. It was also common to slaughter cattle at
Martinmas to be salted for winter provision.
[OE. Chron. an. 918 Foran to Marlines msessan.] 1297 R,
Glouc. (Rolls) 10579 A conseil hii made at martinmasse at
bristowe ich vnderstonde. C1330 R. Brcnne Chron. (1810)
230 After be Martynmesse bat he died here. 1375 Barbour
Bruce ix. 127 This wes eftir the Martymes, Quhen snaw
had helit all the land. 14. . Plnmpton Corr. (Camden) 148,
iiij mark & xxd. now dew unto him at this Martymasse last.
c 1450 Merlin vi. 96 The kynge is now deed sithe Martin-
masse. 1472 Presentm. Juries in Surtees Misc. (1888) 26
We desyer bl he be wodyd be Myrtynmes next comyng.
i523 Fitzherb. Sttrv. viii. {1539) 12 From Myghelmas to
Martylmas. 1557 Tusser iuo Points Husb. xxxiii, For
Easter, at Martilmas hange vp a biefe. 1609 Skene Reg.
Ma/., Quon. Attach. 91 b, The ane half at the feast of Whit-
sunday, and the other halfe at the feast of Martymes. 1641
Best Farm. Bks. (Surtees)i20 Att Martynmasse,. .wee sette
our foreman to cuttinge of white-wilfes [etc.]. 1666-88 Dallas
Stiles (1697) 536 At two Terms in the year, Whitsunday and
Martinmass in Winter. 1838 Bell Diet. Laiu Scot. 986
The crop is understood to be fully sown at the term of
Whitsunday, and to be reaped at the term of Martinmas.
1867 Freeman Norm. Conq.{i%j6) I. v. 345 After Martinmas
they took up their winter quarters. 1889 Johnstom Chron.
Gleubuckie 81 Ye ken it [money lent] should have been paid
at Martinmas.
f2. Used as a derisive appellation. Obs.
1597 Shaks. 2 Hen, IV, 11. ii. no And how doth the Mar-
tlemas, your Master? [sc, Falstaff; cf. IB. iii. 199,0 my
sweet Beefe.]
3. Comb., us Martinmas term; ^Martinmas beef,
flesh, meat, the meat of an ox salted at Martinmas ;
Martinmas Sunday Se., the Sunday nearest to
Martinmas ; Martinmas summer, = St. Martin's
summer (in quot. fig.).
rS3° Palsgr. 243/2 *Martylmas befe, brezil. 154a Borde
Dyetary xxix. (1870) 292 Refrayne from eatynge of red
herynge, martylmas beef and baken. 1620 Venner Via
Recta (1650) 72 Beefe Salted, and after dried, which we
commonly call Mnrtimas-Beef is of very hard concoction.
1849 Macaulav Hist, Fug. iii. I. 315 Under Charles the
Second it was not till the beginning of November that
families laid in their stock of salt provisions, then called
Martinmas beef. 1656 Ridgi.ey Pi-act. Physick 329 *Martle-
mas flesh a year old, tosted and dried. 1352 Wynnere fi,
IVastoure 345 For alle es *Martynmesse mete pat I with
moste dele Noghte bot worttes with the flesche without
wilde fowle. 1885 R. Buchanan Annan Water I, It was
Martmmas Sunday. 1895 G. Allen Woman 10I10 did 178,
i almost feel tempted to give way to this * Martinmas sum-
Vol. VI,
mer of love. 1592 Extracts Aberd. Reg. (1848) II. 79 The
"Martoines terme last bypast and Witsonday terme to cum.
Martionist, obs. form of Marcionist.
Martir, variant of Mabtkr, a marten.
Martir(e, obs. forms of Martyk sb. and v.
Martirlogi, variant of Martilouk Obs.
Martiron, obs. form of Marten.
Martite (mautait), Min, [f. L. Mart-em (see
Mars) + -ite.] ' A pseudomorph of hematite after
magnetite' (Chester Diet. Min.).
1851 Watts tr. Gmelin's ffandbk. Chcm. V. 194 Sesqui-
oxide of Iron.. .Occurs in the forms of ..Iron-glance, Red
Haematite, .and Martite. 1879 Rotlby Stud. Rocks xi. 200
The magnetite probably being converted into martite.
Martlemas, obs. form of Martinmas.
I Martlet1. Obs. Also 5 mertlete. [Altered
form of Martret. Cf. MDu. martel, var. oimarter
marten; also med.L. martaius marten (once in
Du Cange from a document written in Germany).]
A marten ; also, the fur of the marten.
1440 in Peacock Fug. Ch. Furniture (1866) 182 A vestment
of white fustiane with black mertletes. 1693 Ray Syn.
Quadr. 200 Maries aliis Foyna, a Martin or Martlet. 1753
Chambers Cycl. Supp., Maries, the Martin, or Martlet.,
the name of a creature of the weasel kind. 1802 Sirbali*
Chron. Scot. Poetry IV. Gloss., Martlet, more commonly
Mertrick, a kind of large weesel, which bears a rich fur.
Martlet- (ma'-itlet). Also 6 mart(e)letto,
7 martilet, 8 mart(e)lett. [a. F. martelet, app.
an altered form of martinet see Martinet*),
perh. assimilated to roitelet wren.]
1. The swift, Cypselus apits, formerly often con-
fused with the swallow and the house-martin, to
which some of the examples refer.
1538 Ki.vor Diet., Apedes, a byrde whose fete be so lytic,
that they seeme to haue none. I suppose they be mart-
lettes. 1575 Turberv. Faulconrie 134 Vong sparrowt-s
martelettes and other small byrdes. 1596 Siiaks. Merch.
V. 11. ix. 28 Which . .like the Martlet Builds in the weather
on the outward wall. 1666 Dryden Ann. Mirab. ex, First
the martlet meets it in the sky. 1678 [see Martinet1 i |.
1771 Smollett Humph. CI. 8 June, The sweet twitter of
the martlet at my window. 1773 [see MaRTIN ' ij. 1821
Blackiv. Mag. X. 443 I'll stay here till the woodcock comes,
and the martlet takes her wing. 1854 Svn. Dobeli. Balder
xxiii. 109 When airy martlet, sipping of the pool, Touches it
to a ripple that stirs not The lilies.
2. Her. An imaginarybird without feet, borne asa
charge. Used as a mark of cadency for a fourth son.
In French heraldry the corresponding bird (described as
having neither feet nor beak) is called merit' tie (OF. merlcte,
meslete', AF. heraldry had merelot, merlot, with differing
dim. suffix). This word is app. a dim. of merle blackbird ;
according to Littre it has the sense ' female blackbird ', but
only the heraldic sense appears in Hatz.-Darm. It seems
possible that the heraldic bird may originally have been in-
tended for a 'little blackbird', represented without feet by
accident or caprice, or with symbolical intention, and that the
English heralds of the 16th c. or earlier identified the bird
so depicted with the 'martlet' or swift, which has short
legs, whence its mod. specific name apus = Gr. airous footless.
It is noteworthy that the ' martlets ' (so called in the 16th c.)
in the pretended arms of Edward the Confessor were at an
early period portrayed with feet. The anglicized form of
?uer/efe, Marlet, does not occur in heraldic use, but ap-
pears in several i6thc. instances with the sense of martlet,
i.e. a swift or a martin. According to English heraldic
writers, the use of the footless bird as a mark of cadency for
younger sons was meant to symbolize their position as having
no footing in the ancestral lands.
a 1550 in Bart ng- Gould ty Tivigge's West. Armory (1898)
5 Bodleigh : Arg: 5 martlets 3, 2, on a cheife sab: 3 coro-
nets or. 1610 Guillim Hcrahiry lit. xvii. (161 1) 163 He
beareth Azure, a Bend Argent, Cottized Or, beuweene six
Martlets of the same. ..The Martlet or Martinet (saith
Bekenhawb) hath leggesso exceeding short, that they can by
no meanes goe. 1642 Fuller Holy <y Pro/. St. 1. xv. 48 The
fourth Brother gives a Martilet for the difference of his
Armes. 1664 Butler Hud. 11. iii. 417 The strangest long-
wing'd Hawk that flies, That, like a Bird of Paradise, Or
Herauld's Martlet has no legs. 1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn.
I, Martlet, the Term in Heraldry for a Pidgeon, with its
Feet erased or torn off; 'tis also the Difference, or mark
of Distinction in an Escutcheon for the fourth Brother or
Family. 1880 G. T. Clark in Encycl. Brit. XI. 690/2 The
imputed arms of the Confessor, ' gules, a cross patonce be-
tween 5 martlets or \
tMa*rtlit. Obs.-1 Naut. ? = Martinet.
1626 Cai-t. Smith Accid. Vug. Seamen 15 The Robins,
garnit, Clew garnits, tyes, martlits.
Martloge, variant o^Martiloge Obs.
t Ma*rtly, a. Obs. [f. Martj^M + 'LY1.] Ap-
pointed every ' mart ' or periodical fair-time.
1655 *n Thurloe St. Papers (1742) III. 119 It is in the
breast of the company orderly assembled . . to make choice
of a martly deputy or for what other term or continuance
they shall find convenient.
t Ma-rtly, adv. Obs. [f. Mart sbA + -ly 2.]
Every 'mart' or fair-time (the period when ac-
counts were made up in Germany).
< 1600 in Trans. Roy. Hist. Soc. (1902) XVI. 45 Foure
and t wentye Assystents . . to bee chosen martly or as occasion
shall serve from tyme to tyme. 1721 Strvpf. Eccl. Mem. II.
II. x. 327 The Emperor.. ran.. martely great and excessive
interest for large sums already had.
Martnet(te, variant forms of Martinet.
Marton, Martoune, obs. ff. Marten, Martin.
Martre, variant of Marter Obs., Martyr.
Martren, obs. form of Marten.
+ Ma*rtret. Obs. [f. martre Marter + -KT.]
A pole-cat.
14.. Voc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 582/28 Fecontria, a martret.
i Ma rtrix, martrick. Sc. Obs. Also 5-6
mar-, mertrik, 6 matrik, 5-8 mertrick. [a. and
ad. med.L. martrix (\Vr.-\Vulcker 595), a fern,
coined to correspond to martor Marter, the suffix
being apprehended as if that of an agent-noun.]
A marten; also, the fur of the marten.
1423 Tab. I Kingis Q. cK ii, The bugill, draware by his
hornis gretc ; The martrik, sable, the foyn^ee, and mony mo.
ci470 Henrvson Mor. Fab. v. (Pari. Beasts) xvii, The
mertrik with the cuning and the con. 1536 Bellenden
Crou. Scot. (1821) I. 21 Mony hidis and skinnis of oxin,
scheip, gait and martrikis. 1564 Reg. Privy Council Scot '.
I. 30S Ane goun of drogat, lynit with martrikis, begareit
with velvot. 1596 Dalrymi'le tr. Leslies Hist. Scot. I. 21
I He dryues the foxis, the martrix, the brok and the wilkatt,
1630-56 Sik R. Gordon Hist. Farts Sutherland 3 Mar-
1 tiixes, hares, and fiunarts. 1703 M. Martin Pescr. West.
1st. 36 The Merhick.. about the size of a big Cat, is pretty
numerous in this Isle. 1707 MlEGE St. Ct. Brit. ii. 30
I Deer-skins, Foxes,. . Mertricks. 1802 [see Martlet1].
attrib. 1424 Sc. Acts Jas. I 11814) II. 6/1 pl na man
haif mertrik skynnis out of the real me, 1535 Stewart
Crou. Scot. (1858) I. 151 For fox and fulmart and of mertrik
skin, Anew thair wes tha landis than within.
Martron(e, marti'oun, obs. ft". Marten.
Martspaine, obs. form of Marchpane.
Martyall, obs. form of Martial.
Martylage, -logye, var. ff. Martiloge Obs.
Martylmas, -ruesse, obs. ff. Martinmas.
Martymasse, -mes, obs. U. Martinmas.
Max'tymette : see Martinet.
Marty n, o\>s. form of Marten, Martin.
'Martynia 'maJtrnia). Bot. AlsoS martinia.
[mod.L. (Linnreus), f. name of Prof. J. Martyn,
\ died 1768.] A ^enus of American plnnts of the
, N.O. Pedalinece,\ a plant of this genus.
*753 in Chambers Cycl. Snpp. 1796 H. Hlntk.r tr.
St.- Pierre's Stud. Nat. U799) II- 220, I did not know of
what country the martinia was a native, i860 Dahlington
Amer. Weeds 222 Long-beaked Martynia, Unicorn Plant.
i . .This plant, .is cultivated for its singular fruit— which, in
\ its young state.. is used for making pickles.
Martyr (ma"Jt.->j), sb. Also 1-6 martir, 3-6
-ter, 4 -tire, 4-5 -tyre, -tre, 5 -tier, 6 Sc, -teir,
-ther. [OE. martyr, ad. Eccl.L. martyr, a. Gr.
' ftaprvp, .lolic and late Gr. form of fiaprvs (stem
ftaprvp-) witness (in Christian use, martyr), f. Aryan
root * smer- (whence Skr. smar) to remember.
The Gr. word was adopted in Goth, as martyr. The Lat.
word passed into all the Rom. langs. (OF. martir, Pr.,
mod.F., Pg. martyr, Sp. martir, It. tnartire) and some of
1 the Teut. langs. (OFris., OS. martir, MI.G. marter, Sw.,
1 Da. martyr); in Ger. and Du. the sense was expressed by
a derivative (OHG. martirari, MHG. mcrterer, mod.G.
miirtyrer ; MHG. martelxre, M LG. martelere, M Du. mar-
telare, mod.Du. martelaar), f. OHG. martira, martela
(MHG. martere, martel, mod.G. marter, MDu., MHG.
martele, mod.Du. martel- in Combs.) fern., ad. L. mar-
tyrium martyrdom. In ON. ptslarzuittr \ torture-witness ')
was substituted.]
1. Eccl. The specific designation of honour (con-
' noting the highest degree of saintship) for: One who
' voluntarily undergoes the penalty of death for re-
fusing to renounce the Christian faith or any article
of it, for perseverance in any Christian virtue, or for
I obedience to any law or command of the Church.
A sect which regarded its distinctive principles as part of
: the Christian faith could apply the title, in this strict sense,
; to its own members who died under persecution, while by
i others the application would be repudiated, or only conceded
i ironically. Popularly, however, this sense has long tended
to be apprehended as a specific use of sense 2.
(1900 tr. B&da's Hist. 1. vii, Dsr wa?s ba heafde beslagen
se strengesta martyr Sancts Albanus. c 1000 Menologium 69
Sculan we hwa:3eie Ryt martira ^emynd ma areccan. 1154
I O. E. Chroji. an. 1137 (Laud MS.) Ne uuaiien nature nan
martyrs swa pined alse hi waeron. a 1225 Ancr. R. 50 £e
reade [creoice] limpeS to beo bat beo5, uor Godes luue, mid
hore blodshedunge irudded & ireaded, ase fc>e martirs weren.
C1330 R. Brunne 0?w*. (1810) 35 He gate of hir S.Edward,
, bat is be martere. C1388 in Wyclifs Set. Wks. III. 489 Of
i Seint Steven men bene certayne by holy writte bat he is a
gloriouse martire. c 1400 Destr. Troy 3488 Dyssmembrit
as marters, & murtheret to dethe. 1474 Caxton Chesse 61
Abel was the fyrst martir in the olde testament. 1529 More
Dyaloge 1. Wks. 134/2, I thanke god & his holy marter, I
can se nowe as well as any man. 1586 B. Young Guazzds
Civ. Conv. iv. 218 bf If I had not giuen credence to that Pro-
uerbe, That it is better to bee a Martyr than a Confessour.
1611 Bible Aclsxxil. 20 When y* blood of thy martyr [other
versions witness (Vulgate testis)] Steuen was shed. 1653 A.
Ross View of all Relig. xii. 403 Barrowists, so called
from Barrow, their first Martyr. 1672 Evelyn Diary 20 Feb.,
K. Charles our Martyr. 1704 Nelson Fest. % Fasts xxviu.
(1739)361 It was necessary to resist unto blood, to acquire the
glorious Privilege of a Martyr. 1850 Mrs. Jameson Leg.
Monast.Ord. (1863)97, lam not sure that the title of martyr
properly belongs to St. Edward, for his death was not volun-
tary, nor from any religious cause.
*U The events of the Reformation period caused
the word to be popularly associated esp. with
death by fire. Hence sometimes transf.
1666 Dryden A nn. Mirab. cii, And burning ships, the mar-
tyrs of the fight, With paler fires beheld the eastern sky.
fb. Used with sarcastic emphasis for : One who
suffers death in an evil cause. Obs.
91
MARTYR.
( 1380 Wyclif Set. Wks. 111. 171 Hut Lord ! what metle
were it to feden and norischen pus Anticrist MM ! —
Wks (1880) 2ii Salhanas children ft marteris of glotonye.
IC77 Vautroltllier Luther on lip. Gal. 234 The doers or
the lawe . . are rightly called the Deuils martyrs. They take
morepaynes. .in purchasing hell, .then the Martyrsof Christ
doe in obtaining heauen. 1653 H. Cogan tr. Pmtos 1 rav.
xxxvii 247 This action of theirs brought these Martyrsof the
Divell into the Number of the Saints. 1841 Lu. Houghton
One Tract More 10 Melancthon mentions that the German
Lutherans named those that had suffered for the reformed
cause in England, tin Devil's Martyrs.
c. Used in the etymological sense of: Witness.
1642 Milton Apol. Sweet. Wks. 1S51 III. 3°> These open-
ing the prisons and dungeons cal'd out of darknesse and
bonds, the elect Martyrs and witnesses of their Redeemer
a 1677 Barrow Serm. (t686) III. 95 Having such a cloud of
Martyrs [//el: xii. 1]. .
2. One who undergoes death (more loosely, one
who undergoes great suffering) on behalf of any
religious or other belief or cause, or as a conse-
quence of his devotion to some object. Const, to.
•SOT Shaks. 2 Hen. IV, IV. i. 193 Were our Royall faiths
Martyrs in Loue. 1652 Br. Hail Invis. World II. I, That
heathen martyr Socrates. 1695 Congreve Lore for I.. 1. 11,
Who would die a martyr to sense in a country where the
religion is folly? 171S Ub Foe Fan,. Instruct. I. iv. (1841)
1. 92 You are like to he a Martyr in the worst cause that
ever saint suffered in. 1737 Pope llor. F.p. 1. 1. 151 Ihe
Fool whose Wife elopes some thrice a quarter. For matri-
monial solace dies a martyr. 1777 Watson z"/i;/i/>// 11839) 325
His father had died a martyr for that cause, which he now-
wanted so basely to betray. 1793 Burke Corr. (1844) I\ .
185 That patience and fortitude.. which distinguished the
martyrs of your family in their last calamitous struggle. ;
tS6iC/iem. News 14 Feb. 84/1 (heading) A Martyr to Science. |
b. One who dies a victim (to . . ).
1792 S. Rogers Pleas. Mem. I. 286 [He] sinks a martyr to
repentant sighs. 1800 Mar. Edgf.worth Muradm, Murad
..died a martyr to the immoderate use of opium.
3. hyperbolically. One who suffers tortures com-
parable to those described in the legends of martyrs ;
a constant sufferer. Const, to (an ailment, etc.).
A common use in mod. Fr. (In the first quot. the word
may be a verb intr., 'to suffer as a martyr' : Godef. cites a
very similar passage as example of the OF. tuartirer.)
c 1560 A. Scott Poems (S. T. S.) xvi. t2 To lufe & serf
his lady brieht, And want hir syne, As I do, inartir day and
iiyt. 1847 Fr. A. Rumble in liec. Later Life 118821 III.
186 She is a martyr to dyspepsia and had cooking. 1892
Law Times XCII. 160/1 The deceased . . had been a martyr
for years to rheumatic gout.
b. To make a martyr of: to subject to hardship
or inconvenience. Now often jocularly, to make a
martyr of oneself: to make a real or pretended
sacrifice of one's inclinations for the sake of gaining
credit for it.
1599 PEELF.SirCtyom. Wks.(Bullen) II.168 He even means
to make a martris [«V : ? meant as an illiterate blunder] of
poor Shift his man. 1882 Miss Braddon Ml. Royal iv, You
shall not make a martyr of yourself for my sake.
4. altrib. and Comb. a. appositive (cyansi-adf.).
1651-3 Jer. Taylor Serin, for Year II. iv. 43 The monu-
ments of the Martyr Prophets. 1710 Pore Windsor For.
313 Here o'er the martyr-king the marble weeps. 1833 Mars-
uen Early Purit. 9 The martyr-bishop Hooper. 1863 I.
Williams Baptistery II. xxii. (1874) 67 That fam'd Antioch's
martyr-maid. 1883 Century Mag. July 328/1 One (town|
called Garfield, in honour of the martyr president.
b. simple attrib., as martyr-cell, -conduct,
-death, -fire, -flame, -legend, -spirit, -stake, -task,
-train, -zeal; martyr/ike adv. C. objective, as
martyr \ -queller, -slaying. Also martyr-maker,
-man, contemptuous names for the martyrologist
John Foxe (1517-1587) ; martyr-vase Antiq.,
a vessel in which relics of a martyr were preserved.
i860 W. H. Ainsworth Ovingdean Grange 242 Dulcia may
be . . placed .. in the 'martyr-cells beneath the White-Hart.
1831 Cari.vle Charact. Misc. 1857 III. 17 Heroic "martyr
Conduct. 1798S0THEBV tr. Wielands Oberon (1826) II. 129
Huon with lingering *martyr-death decays. 1849 Stovel
Introd.Canne's Necess. 50 Meeting.. round the "martyr-fires
which consumed their brethren. 1830 Tennyson To — ii,
Nor*martyr-flames, nor trenchant swords Can do away that
ancient lie. 1902 W. M. Ramsay in E.cpositorOcl. 284 A good
example of the way in which *inartyr-legends grew round a
really historical name. 1580 Hollyiianii l reus. Fr. 'long.,
Martyrement, 'Martyrlike. 1826 VV. K.Andrews Exam.
Fox's Cat. Prot. Saints 413 The *martyr-maker appears
to have been unacquainted with their christian names.
1826 Cobbett Hist. Prot. Reform, xvi. § 471 The ' pious
young Saint Edward \ as Fox, the 'martyrman, most im-
piously calls hiin. 1532 More Coufttt. Tindole Wks. 352/1
Murtherers & "martyr quellers. 1826 E. Irving Balylon 1.
HI. 189 This new "martyr-slaying power. X817MRS. Hemans
Mod. Greece xlii, The "martyr-spirit of resolve was fled. 1798
Sotheby tr. Wielanifs Oheron (1826) II. 210 Already stand
before the "martyr-stake The pair that perish for each others
sake. 1827 Mrs. Hemans Last Constantine xix, Some high
"martyr-task. 1827 Keble Ctr. J*., Holy Innocents, Their
palms and garlands telling plain That they are of the glorious
"martyr-train. 1846 C. Maitland Ch. in Catacombs 147 Be-
tween the heathen lacryinatory and the so-called "martyr-
vase there exists no well defined difference. 1805 Southey
Madoc in Azt. xv, Her Priests, .fought with "martyr zeal.
Martyr (mautaj), v. Forms: 1 (se)mar-
tyrian, se)martrian, 3-4 martri, 3-5 martre(n,
3-7 -tir(e, 4 -trye, -tiry, 4-6 -ter, -tyre, 5 -tur,
mertre, 6Sc. marthyr, 4- martyr, [f. Martyr
sb. ; cf. OF. martirer.]
1. trans. To put to death as a martyr ; to make
a martyr of. (t occas. reft.)
194
c 893 K. ktm Ons. yl vi. (Sweet) 262 fail hie Petrus S:
Paulus semartredon. a 900 tr. B.rdas Hist. 1. vn, Da wa;s
cac swylce heafde beslesen & Reniartyrad se mon, se oe. .
wiosoc ba:t he 6one Godes andettere SI05C f 1205 LAY.
10901 pus ferde Maximien : he martrede wait Alban. 1297
R.Glouc. (Rolls) 1601 Heworrede cristendom. .& let martri
seintdenis. a lyxCursor M. 8924 pis wommaii[MaximillaJ
was be first men wist pat martird was for ihesu crist. 1377
Langl. /'. PI. B. xv. SSI In sauacion of the fayth seynt
Thomas was ymartired. I45°-IS3° -]/l'rr- "'"' LitdyeJtf In
«reate desyre to be martyrde for the loue of oure lorde lesu
cryste 1480CAXTOS Chrou. Bug- xl. 28 Seynt peter, .wente
to Rome and was made pope til that Nero the emperour
lete hym martren. 1641 J. Jackson True Fvaug I . II. 120
Matthias.. was. .Martyred by the Axe or Hatchet. 1709
Hearne Collect. 5 Jan. lO. H. S.) II. 162 1 yndale was mar-
tyr'd at Fylford. 1853 J. H. Newman Hist. St. (1873) II. 1.
iii. .04 The German tribes, .martyred St. Boniface and other
..missionaries who came to them.
f 2. To kill, slay, esp. by a crmel death. Also
with down (cf. cut down). Obs.
c 1305 St. Kenelm 101 in E. E. P. (1862) 50 Oure louerd
nold no;t bat he scholde so lhjtliche ymartred beo. <• 1400
Destr. Troy 5553 What mighty were marnt, & martnd to
dethe. ai4oo-so^ lexander 3644 pare was be Medis martird.
c 1470 Henry Wallace iv. 377 Our kingis men he haldis at
gret wnrest, Martyris thaim doun. 1530 Palsgr. 633/1,
1 martyr a person, I put him to dethe by turmentynge. . .
They have martyred hym amongest them. 1579 Lyly
Euphues (Arb.) 81 My father shall sooner, inartir mee in
the fire than marye me to Philautus. 1794 J. Williams
Shrove Tuesday 11 When Strathmore's Countess martyrs
all her Cats.
3. To indict grievous suffering or pain upon ; to
torment, torture.
CI140 Wohunge in Cott. Horn. 283 Lauedi moder and
meiden bu . . was wiSinne martird ipi moderliche herte.
c 1386 Chaucer A'nl.'s T. 704 Wrecched Palamoun, That
Theseus martireth in prisoun. 1491 Caxton Vilas Pair.
(W. de W. 1495) I. Ii. 104 b/2 Soo moche as they martred him,
soo moche more he louyd theym. a 1533 I.n. Berners
Huon xxvi. 81, I shall so marter thee that thy body shall
not endure it. 1596 Spenser F. Q. iv. vii. 2 The lovely
Amoret, whose gentle hart Thou martyrest with sorow and
with smart. 1621 Lady M. Wroth Urania 4 If you be.,
some furie of purpose sent to vex me, vse your force to the
vttermost in martyring me. 1737 Pope Hor. F.p. 1. vi. 54
Rack'd with Sciatics, martyr'd with the Stone, i860 Haw-
thorne Marl,. Faun 11879) ". xxiv. 237 They must.. pelt
him and absolutely martyr him with jests. 1893 R. 1 .
Jeffrey Visits to Calvary 116 His blessed Ixxly martyred
and quivering in its every nerve with aching torture.
f 4. To inflict wounds or disfiguring blows upon ; 1
to mutilate; also, to disfigure (the face) with
weeping. Obs.
IJOoCteSS Pembroke Anionic 734 Hir faire discouer'd
brest . . she still martireth with blowes. 1621 Lady M. Wroth
I rania 53 With the flowing of teares, her face was martyred
so much, as [etc.]. a 1656 Ussher Ann. (1658) 316 Theodo-
tus himself.. sorely martyred with wounds.
fb. transf. To mutilate, spoil (a thing). Obs.
c 1450 Erie Tolous 1 1 10 They hewe ihorow helme^ and
basenet, And inartyrd many a mayle. 1600 Slrilet Conn-
trie Farme 111. xxviii. 485 Apples must be gathered.. by
hand.. otherwise the fruite would be much martred. 1655
Fuller Ch. Hist. 1. iv. § 11 Of such Monuments as were
transmitted to Posterity, it is probable most were martyred
by the Tyranny of the Pagans. 1658S1R T. Browne H\ -triot.
Kp. Ded., Time hath so martyred the Records, that (etc.].
5. To represent as a martyr, nonce-use.
1649 Milton Elton. Pref., Though the Picture sett in front
would Martyr him and Saint him to befoole the people.
Martyr, variant of Marter, a marten.
tMartyragO. Obs. nonce-wd. [Mia virago.]
A female martyr having the courage of a man.
1654 Whitlock Zootomia 562 That one speech of a cheer-
full Martyrago, when she said, farewell Faith .. farewell
Hope.. but welcome Love.
Martyrdom ;ma'.itjKlam). Forms : see Mar-
tyr t/'.1 ; also 4-5 -dam, 47 -dome. [OF. mar-
tyrdom : see Martyr sb. and -ikvm. Cf. mod.G.
miirtyrerthum (in Goethe also martyrlhiim), Sw.,
1 )a. martyrdom.]
1. The sufferings and death of a martyr. Also,
the act of becoming or condition of being a martyr.
a 000 tr. Bxda's Hist. 1. vii, Daer wass cyrke seworht..
his ^rowtinge & martyrdome wyrbe. c 1200 / '£90 «r Virtues
129 Mani^e busend . . here clannesse ihelden and manies-
kennes martirdom 5ar fore 5olede. 1297 R. Glouc. iRolls)
9830 He huld it al wreche of god vor sein tomas martirdom.
1 1386 Chaucer Sec. Nun's T. 274 The palm of martirdom
for to receyue. 1456 Sir G. Haye Lam A nns (S. T. S.) 32
The faith has tane . . strenth throu the tribulaciouns and per-
secuciouns, and marterdome of haly marteris. 1590 Spenser
F. Q. ill. iii. 39 An huge host.. With which he godly Os-
wald shall subdew, And crowne with martiredome his sacred
head. 1634 Brereton Trav. (Chetham Soc.) 58 We saw. .
anothershow,representingthemartyrdomofall the Apostles.
1704 Nelson F'est. St Fasts viii. (1739) 101 The Martyrdom
of the Holy Innocents., is.. commanded to be for ever cele-
brated in the Church. 1856 Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) II.
ix. 374 He had spent his time in encouraging catholics to
persevere to martyrdom for their faith.
attrib. 1688 Evelyn Diary jo Jan., The Martyrdome day
of K. Charles the First.
b. transf.
a 1703 Burkitt On N. T., Matt. xiv. 11 It is as true a
martyrdom to suffer for duty, as for faith. 1847-9 Helps
Friends in C. (1851) I. 107 Social martyrdoms place no saints
upon the calendar. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. vii. II. 215
To suffer martyrdom for ihe property and liberty of his
plunderers and oppressors.
c. The name given to the N. W. transept of
Canterbury cathedral, where Becket was murdered.
MARTY RIZATION.
1631 Wfever Anc. Funeral Mon. 228 Here lies intened
in the Martyrdome an Archbishop. 1691 Wool) .-J//;. O.ron.
1. 551. 1855 A. P. Stanley Mem. Canterb. 65.
t 2. Slaughter, esp. in to make martyrdom. Obs.
•375 Barbour Brute vl. 289 He sic martirdome thair maid,
That he the fmde all stoppit had. c 1450 Merlin x. 163 As
soone as the kynge Ban com in-to the medlee he be-gan to
do so grete martirdom of peple, and so grete Decision, that
[etc.], 1485 Caxton Chas. Gt. 188, I shold make grete mar-
terdom on these Paynyms.
3. Torment, torture ; extreme pain or sufteiing
c 1386 Ciiaicer Knt.'s T. 602 Who koude ryme in englyssh
proprely His martirdom [sc. in prison]? c 1489 Caxton
Sonnes of Ayiuou iv. 117 Yf we were suche as I trowed we
sholde not suffre the martyrdome that we endure. 1550
Coverdale Death II. i. 177 Chryste hangynge in great
Martyrdome vpon the crosse. 1658 Sir T. Browne //)'-
driot. iii. (1736) 36 Were the Happiness of the next World
as closely apprehended as the Felicities of this, it were a
Martyrdom to live. 1811 Miss Mitford in L'Estrange Life
(1870) I. v. 139 Only think what martyrdom I underwent in
entertaining, -this prim damsel from one o'clock to seven.
t Martyre. Obs. Also 4-6 martir;e, 5 -ter.
[a. OF. martire, earlier marlirie (mod.F. martyre)
:— eccl. L. martyrium, a Gr. imaprv/xov, f. fiaprvp-
(see Martyr sb.).] Torment, torture; extreme
suffering; also, slaughter (in phr. to make martyre .
c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 15382 Ouer mykel
wasT>eir ire, Of so fele to make martire. 1399 Gower Praise
0/ Peace 341 Whan him was levere his oghne deth desire
Than do the yonge children to martire. c 1400 Rom. Rose
2347 Than thou shalt brenne in greet martyr, c 1450 Merlin
xilL 193 It was merveile to se the martire that Gawein made.
c 1477 Caxton Jason 45 O what payne is to a true louar un-
fortunat for to be in contynuel martire. c 1489 — Sonnes
ofAymon iii. 93 The whiche kyll and slea your folke, And
put them to a greate marter. 1597 Tokte Laura in Alba
(1880) Introd. 33 My griefes and martires, which I still
sustaine.
Martyred (maatajd), ///. a. [f. Martyr v.
+ -Ei)l.J Made to suffer martyrdom; made a
martyr of; f tormented, mutilated (obs.).
1580' in Stanyhurst s£ueis,etc. (Arb.) 152 Martyred Alban.
1632 Lithgow Trav. x. 483 What a martyrd anatomy I was.
1636 Brathwait Rom. Emp. 289 Seeing such a strange
spectacle of martir'd faces. 1685 Evelyn Diary 1 Oct.,
His [K. James II] martyr'd and blessed father. 1711 Pope
Temp. Fame 174 Herehisabode the martyr'd Phocion claims.
1855 Browning Before, Who's the martyred man? 1897
H. S. Merriman In Kedar's Tents xiv. 154 ' You are always
kinder to her than you are to me ', went on the lady 111 her
most martyred manner. 1904 F.din. Iff. Jan. 140 The
martyred legionaries of Scbaste.
t Martyrement. Obs. [a. OF. marlirement,
f. martirer to Martyr.] Intense suffering.
1340 Ayenb. 77 Efterward wayes of pouerte, of zorje, and
of inartireuient.
tMartyrer. Obs. [f. Martyr v. + -erI.J
One who martyrs.
1471 Caxton Recnyell (ed. Sommer) I. 29 Shall thy moder
be thy marterar. [A mistranslation : Fr. has marrastre step-
mother.] 1552 Lyndesay Monarch,- sioj Those creuellbludy
Iwwchouris, Martyreris of Prophetis and Prechouris. 1627
W. Sclater F.rp. 2 Thess. (1629) 29 To Marlyrers of Saints
[belongs] the depth of hellish torments.
t Martyress. Obs. [f. Martyr sb. + -ess.J
A female martyr.
1471 Caxton Recnyell (ed. Sommer) I. ro7 Alas my fader
am I born vnder so vnhappy constellacion for to be a mar-
teresse and prisonner. 1678 Festa Anglo-Romana 125 Si.
Lucia.. Unspotted Virgin, and Resolute Martyress.
t Martyrial, a. Obs. rare-', [f. L. martyr-
em Martyr A + -UI* Cf. med.L. martyrialis
(f. martyrium).] Befitting a martyr.
1678 J. J[oni:s] Brit. Ch. 592 A martyrial breast, and a
fixed resolution.
Martyring, vbl. sb. [f. Martyr v. + -ino *.]
The action of the verb Martyr.
1 893 K. .Klfred Oros. (Sweet) 254 Ymbe Cristes tacnunga,
& ymbe his inartyrunga [L. passione]. a 1300 Cursor M.
9103 pat sare, bat scam, j>at manning, Was neuer sene on
suilk a king ! 1607 Markham Caval. 1. (1617) 85 This ty-
rannicall martyring of jKxire horses. 1692 Locke Toleration
111. ix. Wks. 1727 II. 398 "I'is well if Dragooning and Mar-
tyring can do it.
Ma'rtyring, ///• a. [-I»0 2-] That martyrs.
1674 J. BIrian] liar,'. Home vii. 45 To bear so many a
martyring misery. 1830 W. Mackkay Church of Rome 26
She lighted up the martyring fires of Smithfield.
t Martyriologer. Obs. rare- ■'. [f. assumed
Gr. *fiapTvpio\6-,os (f. paprifiov testimony, martyr-
dom + -A070S) + -ER l.\ A martyrologist.
1643 Prynnf. Sen'. Power Pari. III. 143 As an ancient
Martyriologer saith.
Martyrish (mautanf), a. nonce-wd. [f. Mar-
tyr sb. + -ISH.] Having ihe air of a martyr.
1888 F. Barrett Recoiling Vengeance II. vi. 83 Awdrey's
quiet, long-suffering, martyrish manner.
+ Martyrizate, v. In pa.t. and pa.pple. mar
tirizate. [f. L. marlyrizdt-. ppl. stem of nuxr-
tyrizare to Martyrize.] = Martyr v. i.
1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls! V. 11 Sixtus, the pope suc-
ceeded Alexander, whiche was martirizate. Ibid. 95 This
emperour.. martirizate mony trewe peple of Criste.
Martyrizationvma:.itir3izvi'j3n). [ad. med.L.
martyrizatio, f. marlyrizdre : see next and -ation.]
The action of subjecting to martyrdom.
1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) I. 381 The matirizacion of Seynte
Thomas of ClUlterbery. 1789 Mrs. Piozzl Journ. France
II. 115 Three fountains.. which were said to have burst from
the ground at the moment of his martyrization.
MARTYRIZE.
195
MARVEL.
f b. Akh. Applied to the various processes to
which metals were subjected in the laboratory.
16:0 I!. Jonson Akh. it. v, Name the vexations, and the
martyrizations of mettalls, in the worke.
Martyrize (ma'itirtiz), v. Also 5 7 mar-
tirize, 6 marterisse, -ize, 7 -yze, mart arise, [ad.
med.L. marly riulre, f. martyr: see MabtyRj/'.1
and -ize. Cf. F. martyriser, Sp. martirizary Pg.
marlyri'sar, It. mart/rizzare.]
L trans. To make .1 martyr of, cause to suffer
martyrdom ; m Martyr v. i. Now rare.
c 1450 Mirour Sa/uacioun 2832 When Abel of wikked
kayme was slayne and martiri/id. 1588 A. King tr. Cant-
sins' Cittcch. in Cath. Tractates (S.T. S.) 185 S. Dympna
virgin dochter to the king of I r land marterissed he hirawin
father vnder Leo the 3. 1657-83 Evelyn Hist, Relig. (1850)
II. 124 Thousands of Christians, .were all martyrized so
soon as they had finished the work. 1834 BeckfORD Italy
II. 207 St. Vincent, .was martyrized near the Cape.
trans/. 1595 St-KNSER Col. Clout 475 To her my heart
I nightly martyrize.
2. To cause suffering or misery to ; — Martykz/,3.
1656 Earl Monm. tr. Boccalinis Advts.fr. Parnass. r. i.
(1674) 2 Many loathsome things present themselves, .to the
.sight. . ; and to behold them is to martyrize ones .self. 1797
W. Tooke Cath. //(1798) III, xiii. 347 note, He martyrized
them [sc. Jews] by stripping them naked in the depth of the
winter, and pouring cold water on their heads. 1803 Mary
Charlton Wife A Mistress IV. 150, I must still martyrize
the curiosity of Caroline. 1885 Silly in igth Cent. June
963 How thought can crucify and martyrise any one.
f3. To disfigure or mutilate by the inHiction of
wounds or blows: = Martyr v. 4. Obs.
1635 J. Hayward tr. Biondts Banish' d Virg. 106 Mar-
tyrizing her with so many wounds, that her body was seene
all over pierced through with stabbes. 1637 Monro ExPed.
it. 151 Now men are marteryzed and cut downe. .by those
furious and thund'ring Engines of great Camion. 1718 l*r.
Hutchinson Witchcraft xiii. 210 Thousands martyrizing
their own Bodies, by tearing the Flesh.
4. To cause to suffer hardship on behalf of a cause.
1844 Thackeray Box of Novels Wks. (Biogr. ed.) XII 1. 403
The Irish press is at present martyrising the most successful
member of its body. 1879 L. WiNGPiBLD Lords of St rogue
III. i. 12 It would be impolitic to martyrise them too openly.
b. rcfl. To make a * martyr* of oneself.
1887 Miss Bk addon Like <y Unlike xxviii. She is martyr-
ising herself— and for what? 1896 A. Morrison Child of
the Jago 86 She proceeded to martyrise herself by a show of
' setting to rights ' in the room.
5. intr. To be or become a martyr, rare.
1514 Will. Malvkrn in A*. Clone. Chron. (1724) 5S2 Arilde
that blessed Virgin, Which martyrized at Kinton. 1846
Landok Albaui $ Picture-d. Wks. II. 14 We must bleed
and martyrise : no end or remission of our sufferings.
Hence Ma-rtyrized ///. a., Ma'rtyrizing- vbh
sb. Also Ma'rtyrizer, one who martyrizes.
l635 h Hayward tr. Biondi's Banish 'd Virg. 84 An ex-
quisite (though martirized) beauty. 1636 Brathwait Rem.
Emp. 141 The martyrizing and bannishing of the Christians.
1810 Bentham Packing (1821)83 This noble army, not of
martyrs but of martyrizers. 1843 Thackeray Mr. \ Mrs.
Frank Berry ii, She only gave a martyrised look, and left the
room. 1900 A. Lang Hist. Scot. I. xvi. 436 Henry quotes
the deeds of the murderer Jehu as warrant for his own mar-
« tyrising of a bishop.
Martyrly (mautaili), a. rare. [f. Martyr
sb. + -ly 1.] Resembling or characteristic of a
martyr ; martyr-like.
1659 Gauden Tears ofCh. Embl. Trees *% Without any
respect to their . . Martyrly Constancy. 1891 G. Meredith
One of our Conq. III. iii. 47 [He] mused on London's East,
and martyrly service there.
So Ma'rtyrly adv., in a manner befitting a martyr.
1818 Byron Juan 1. ccxi, The Edinburgh Review and
Quarterly Treat .1 dissenting author very martyrly. 1823
inspirit Pub. yruts.419 Enduring the scorn of all England
most martyrly.
Martyrolatry (maitir^-latri). [f. Martyr
sl>. + -olatry.] The worship of martyrs.
1889 Farrar Lives of Fathers I.xii. 702 The Christianity
which he despised, .was mainly associated with a super-
stitious martyrolatry and a grovelling relic-worship. 1894
Westm. Gaz, 20 Aug. 3/2 This Anarchist martyrolatry began
with the famous execution at Chicago in 1887.
t Martyrologe. Obs. Also 6 marteralage,
7 martirologe, 8 erron. martyrologue. [a. F.
martyrologe, ad. med.L. martyrofogium : see Mar-
TVItOLOCY.] = MARTYROLOGY I.
1500 tnv. Ch. Goods in Gcntl. Mag. (Dec. 1837) 569/2
A marteralage and a sawter. 1563-87 Foxe A. <y M. (1596)
41/1 The martyrologe of Isuardus. 162a Drayton Poly.
oll>. xxiv. 26 She.. Of her deare Countries Saints, the Mar-
tyrologe would sing.
Comb. 1716 M. Davies Athen. Brit. I. 223 There were
in the same dark ninth Century two Martyrologue-makers.
b. trans/. = Martyrology i b.
1631 Weever Arte. Funeral A/on. 752 Registred in the
Martirologe of this house.
Martyrological (mautirflVdgikai), a. [f.
Martyrology + -ic + -At.] Pertaining to martyr-
ology or a martyrologist ; concerning the history or
sufferings of martyrs. Also rarely Martyrologic a.
1656 Osborn Adv. Son 1. ii. 60 To be registred in one of
his[jc. Love's] Martyrological Ballads, & sung by dairy-
maids to a pityfull Tune. 1658 Sm T. Browne Card. Cyrus
1. Hydriot. etc. ^7 Some Martyrological Histories. 1849
Eraser's Mag. XXXIX. 288 The meaning of Christian and
martyrologic symbols. 1868 J. H. Blunt Kef. Ch. Eng. I.
3Q2 Stripped of its martyrological sensationalism, that story
offers a good illustration of the state of feeling in 1314-1515.
Martyrologist(maitir^-iodgist). [f. Martyr-
ology + -ist.] A writer of martyrology; one versed
in the history of martyrs.
1676 I. Mather K. Philip's War (i%62'> 100 That famous
Maityrologist Mr. Fox. 1762-71 H. Walpole Vert He's
Anccd. Paint. (17861 V. 133 Samuel Clarke, martyrologist.
1841 W. Spalding Italy <y It. /si. II. 34 The legends of
the martyrologists.
Martyrologue. rare-'-, [f. Martyr sb. :
see -loguk.] A martyrologist.
1647 Trait Comm. Philemon i. 10 The Roman Martyro-
logue saiih, that he was stoned to death at Rome. 1657 —
Comtn. Job xvi. 8 Mr. John Fox the Martyrologue.
Martyrology ^maJttrp'lSdgi). See also Mar-
TILOGE, Martyrologe. [ad. med.L. martyrologium^
a. late (Jr. fmftrvpok6ytov9 f. fmprvp Martyr sb. ' +
kvyos account : see Logos.]
1. A list or register of martyrs ; spec, a book con-
taining a list of Christian martyrs and other saints
in the order of their commemoration, with some
account of their lives and sufferings.
"599 Sandys Europm Spec. (1632)95 The Martyrologies of
such as rendred by their deaths a testimonie to that truth
which [etc.], 1681-6 J. Scott Chr. Lift (1747) III. 335 In
the ancient Martyrologies of the Church, we meet with
sundry Relations of the Appearances of Angels. 1846 Mas-
KELL Mon. Kit. I. p. cxliii, It was at length ordered that
nothing should be read in the Martyrology, but the name
and date of the martyrdom of the Saint.
b. Antiq. The necrology of a religious house.
1710 J. Harris Lex. Techn. II.
c. trans/. An account of those who have suffered
death in a cause.
1659 Gcntl. Catting Prcf., I fear if the martyrologic even
of these suffering times were scanned, Venus and Bacchus
would be found to have had many more martyrs, than God
and Loyalty. 1732-8 Nkal Hist. Purit. (1822) I. 87 It is
not within the compass of my design to write a martyrology
of these times; nor to follow bishop Bonner and his brethren
through the rivers of Protestant blood which they spilt.
2. The histories of martyrs collectively ; that de-
partment of ecclesiastical history or literature which
deals with the lives of martyrs.
{Properly a distinct word, as if f. a Gr. type in -Aoyi'a : see
•LOGY,]
1801 Fuseli in Led. Paint, xxi. (1848) 377 Monastic legend
and the rubric of martyrology. 1849 Macallay Hist. Eng.
iv, I. 501 The courage of the survivor was sustained by an
enthusiasm as lofty as any that is recorded in martyrology.
1867 Freeman Norm. Conq. (1876) I. vi. 493 We are hereon
the dangerous ground of martyrology.
Ma'rtyrship. rarr~l. [f. Martyr sb, +
-ship.] The status of a martyr.
a 1661 Fuller Worthies iii. (1662) I. 13 [They] now will
willingly allow Martyrship to those from whom they wholly
with-held (or grudgingly gave) it before.
Martyry (mautiri). See also Martyrk. [ad.
med.L. martyrium} a. Gr. ftaprvpiov witness, mar-
tyrdom, f. (xapTvp Martyr sb. Cf. F. martyre,
Sp. marl/rio, Pg. martyrio. It. martirio, martiro,
martorio. A derivative of the med.L. word appears
in OtIG. martara, martira (G. marter torture).]
+ 1. a. Martyrdom, b. Suffering, torment. Obs.
ct$*$Metr. Hotti.\$% For than pin we our bodye, With torfir
and with martyrye. 1677 Gale Crt. Gentiles II. III. 131
Clemens Alexandrinus cals martyrie the purgation of sin.
2. A shrine, oratory, or church erected in memory
of a martyr ; an erection marking the place of a
martyrdom or the spot where a martyr's relics lie.
1708-22 Bingham Orig. Eccl. vin. i. § 8 Wks. 1840 II. 349
Constantine . . adorned. .Constantinople with many, .ample
martyries. a 1727 Newton Observ. Proph. Daniel 1. xiv.
(1733) 206 Those of the Church are not allowed to go into the
Cccmeteries or Martyries, as they are called, of hereticks.
1842 J. H. Newman Miracles (1843) 146 The proposed
Martyry or Church of the Resurrection. 1889 Farrar
Lives of Fathers I. 86 They met year by year at his mar-
tyry to celebrate the day of death. 1901 T. R. Glover
Life fy Lett. $th Cent. vi. 136 On her way back she made
a deviation to see St. Thecla's martyry.
Marughe, maru.3, obs. forms of Marrow sbJ-
Marum (me»Ti>m). Obs. exc. arch. [a. L.
marum t ad. Gr, tiapov!\ A name for two aromatic
labiate plants (natives of Spain, etc.), Thymus
Mastichina or herb mastic, and Teucrium Alarum
or cat-thyme, formerly used Med. as errhines.
1664 Evelyn Kal. I/ort. Apr. (1679) 15 Slip and set Ma-
rums. 1693 tr. Blancardys Phys. Diet. (ed. 2), Marum, an
Exotic Plant, like in Figure and Vertue to Marjoram. 1707
Mortimer Hush. (1721) II. 151 Mastick Tyme or Marum is
increased by slips. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp.f .)/asti-
china,.. the herb mastic, or garden marum. 1774 Goldsm.
Nat. Hist. (1862) I. iv. i. 357 The cat is excessively fond of
some plants, such as valerian, marum, and cat-mint. 1834
Landor Exam. Shaks. Wks. 1853 II. 268/1 No kitten upon
a bed of marum ever played such antics.
Marum, variant of Marram, beach grass.
Marvadie, -vedee, -vedi(e : see Maravedi.
Marvel (mauvel), sb. Forms: a. 3, 5-7 mer-
vel, 4 raerwayle, -wal(e, will, 4-5 merveille,
-vaille, -veyle, -vayl, 4-6mervell, -veile, -vayle,
4-7 mervaile, 5 merreil(l, -velle, -vale, -veylle,
-vayll, 5-6 mervaill, -val, -vaylle, -well, Sc.
-waill(e, 5-7 mervail, 6 merveyll ; P. 4 marveil,
4-7 marveile, -vaile, 4-S marvail, 5 marvile,
-velle (marfaylle), 5-6 marveyle, -vayle, 4-7
marvaylle, -veyl, -veille, 6-7 marveil, 6-
marvel. See also Marl sb.% [a. OF. mcrvcille
fern. (mod.F. mervcillc\ a Com. Rom. word ^ Lr.
meravclha, Sp. maravi/la, Pg. maravilha, It.
maraviglia^ meravigliat a fern. sing. sb. repr. (with
some irregularities of form not hilly explained)
L. wfrdbi/ia, neut. pi, of m irabilis adj., wonderful,
f. mirdri to wonder at.]
fl. = Miracle i. Obs.
a \y30Cursor M. 16762+ 147 (Cott.) Mony pat stode & sa^e
poo mervels doyn in dede. Torned & wore baptized, c 1375
Sc. Leg. Saints Prol. 67 How til hel he vent in by, & ot |>e
merwalis he vrocht pare, c 1400 Maundev. 11839) v- 61
Lord, thi Merveyles ben thi Witnesse. 1483 Can ion Gold.
Leg- 55 b/2, I shal stratche out my hand and sliul smyte
egypte in all my meruaylles that I shal doo am yd emong
them, a 1600 Montgomrrib Soun. ii. 13 Prais him, O man !
His mervels that remarks.
2. A wonderful or astonishing thing; a cause of
surprise, admiration or wonder ; a wonder.
C1330 R. BRUNNE Chron. (1810) 178 Oft title our Inglis
men was schewed a mervaile grete, A darte was schot to Jwmi,
hot non wi^t who it schcte. c 1386 Chaucer Sqr.'s T. 65.;
Neuere yet was herd so grete meruailles. 1387 TkevisA
Higdeti (Rolls) I. 361 In pe vltermeste endes of be world
falleb oftenewe meruaittes and wondres. 1390 GowerCVw/^
1 1. 70 The worthi Hercules, Whos name schal ben endeles
tor the marveilles whiche he wroghte. < 1420 Anturs of
Arth. 73 pis mekel mervaile bat I shal of mene. c 1450
Merlin 1. 3 TheL.tolde their maister the marveile of the
moreyn, that was fallen a-monge the bestes. 1485 Caxton
Malory's Arthur Pref. 3 Wherfor it is a meruayl why he is
nomore renamed in his owne contreyc. 1526 Pilgr. Per/.
(W. de W. 1531) 39 b, Therfore theyr werkes were mer-
uayles, but no myracles. 1555 Eden Decades To Rdr., It
was accompted for one of the inarueyls of the worlde. 1674
BkeviNT Saul at Endor 313 Sprinkle a little of this holy
water upon yourself.. ; it will do Marvails. 1798 Ferriar
lllustr. Sterne vi. 168 All these curiosities are. .great mar-
vels for fools. 1808 .Scott Marm. in. xviii, Marvels slili the
vulgar love. 1818 Byhon Ch. JIar. iv. xviii, [Venice] Per-
chance even dearer in her day of woe, Than when she was
a boast, a marvel, and a show. 1866 G. Mac dona lu Aim.
Q. Ner'ghb. vii. (1878) 113 It was a marvel to me afterwards
that nobody came near me. 1875 JoWETT Plato (ed. 2) III.
229 Among other marvels he beheld a hollow brazen horse.
t b. A subject for surprise. Obs.
1456 Sir G. Have Law Arms (S.T.S.) 7 It suld nocht be
grete mervaillis to se grete weris and bataillis in this warld
here. £1540 J. Hey wood Four P. P. 701 And whiche of
you telleth most meruell, And most vnlyke to be true, Shall
most preuayle. a 1568 Ascham Scholem. 1. (Arb.) 58, I will
tell yow the most meruell of all, and yet soche a trothe, as
no man shall denie it.
c. Wonderfulness.
1866 M. Arnold Thyrsis xix, And all the marvel of the
golden skies.
d. A wonderful example 0/ (some quality;.
1873 Black Pr, TAutcxxv, 418 The house was a marvel
of neatness and comfort.
f3. A wonderful story or legend. Obs.
13.. K. A/is. 6755 Wite ye eghwar by my weyes, Any
merveilles by this wayes, 'That Y myghtedo in storye. 1303
R. Brunne Handl. Syniteiqxo pe porter ^ede vp tope hallc,
And bys merueyle told hem alle. c 1400 Destr. Troy 13776
(tieading) Here Ye A Meruayle Of A Lady By Nygra-
mansy. 1483 Caxton G. de la Tour E j b, I shallc reherce
yow merueil which a good lady dyde recount to me. 1484
— Fables ofPoge v, The whiche merueylle was announced
or sayd to the sayd Pope.
4. Astonishment, surprise, admiration or wonder.
Obs. or arch. Phrase, f To have marvel', to be
struck witli astonishment or wonder.
1303 R. Brunne Handl. Syuue 3927 pe lordeand be gestes
alle.. Had merueyle bat hyt was so, pat he my^te swych
myracle do. 13.. E. E. Allit.P. A. ii29Delit be lorn be for
to deuise, With much meruayle in mynde went, c 1386
Chaucer Sqr.'s T. 79 In al the halle ne was ther spoken a
word, For merueille of this knyght. c 1400 Destr. Troy
4954 pai..hade maruell full mekull of pat mayne place.
C1450 Merlin 1 Whan the fendes sien that, they hadden
right grete feer and gret merveile._ 1493 N. Kiding Kec.
(1894)125 Toourgreat marvileand displeasure. 153SC0VER-
dale Rev. xvii. 6 When I sawe her I wondred with greate
mervayle. 1586 A. Day Eng. Secretary ' 11.(1625) 26, I haue
great marueile that., we can by no possibility heare of your
being. 1587 Mirr. Mag., B>ennusx\\t Our peace did all to
ioy and maruaile move. 1601 W. T. Ld. Remy's Civ. Con-
sid. 8 To the great meruaile of the French themselues, [he]
consented that his sonnes should compound with the French.
1618 Rowlands Sacred Mem. 31 They said with maruell
and great admiration, How strange and sodaine is this alter-
ation ? 1805 Scott Last A/instr. 11. xxxii, Use lessens
marvel, it is said. 1884 W. A/orn. News 11 Sept. 4/3 Sir
Richard Cross, .is. .to nobody, if the look of marvel in his
eyes may be trusted, a greater marvel than to himself.
tb. Phr. To marvel (= F. a merveille)'. won-
derfully. Obs.
c 1500 Melusine 348 Wherof they were al joyfull & glad to
meruayl I.
5. Phrases, t It 6 marvel: it is a wonder (obs.).
What marvel, no marvel'. ^ what wonder, no
wonder (arch, or rhetorical).
c 1380 Wyclik Wks. (1880) 265 It is grett meruaile bat god
. . distroieb not alle bis cursed peple. C 14*0 Lvdg. Assembly
of Gods 103 Hit was gret merueyle how I myght endure.
c 1450 Cursor M. 17406 (Laud) No marvayle though ye vs
not trow. 1470-85 Malory Arthur xu. ix. 225 Merueylle me
thynketh said the grene knyght to the damoysel why ye re-
buke this noble knyghte as ye doo. 1526 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de
W. 1531) 2 b, And no meruayle, For in the syght of the deite
resteth all. 1529 S. Fish Supplic. Beggers (1871) 3_ Is it any
merueile that youre people so compleine of pouertie? 154s
Brinklow Compl. xi. (1874) 26 It is merueL.that fyre de-
scend nut down from heauen. 1607 Hieron Wks. I. 204 It
91-2
MARVEL.
196
MARVELLY.
is no meruaile though there bee euery where so many
empty soules. i6xi Bible Transt. Pre/, p 4 And what
maruaile? — Ecctits. xvi. 11 It is merueile, if he escape
vnpunished. 1615 W. Lawson Country Housew. Gard.
(1626) 31 No maruell then, if Trees make their shoots, and
put their spraies disorderly. 1647 Clarendon /list. Reb.
1. § 10, I say, it is no Marvail. .that he could think of no
better way [etc.]. 1815 Scott Ld. of Isles in. xxvii, No
marvel, 'mid such musings high, Sleep shunn'd the monarch's
thoughtful eye. 1857 JSvcki.k Ciz'itiz. I. x. 609 What marvel
if.. the most insignificant trifles should swell into matters
of the highest importance?
t b. with inf.
c 1400 Destr. Troy 1985 A myst and a merkenes was mer-
uell to se. a 1400-50 Alexander 318 How he is merkid
& made is mervaile to neuyn. ibid. 1245 Slik a mynd vn-to
me ware meruaill [Duo/. MS. mervell] to reken. 1470-85
Malory Arthur xvi. i. 664 And cyther made grete Ioye of
other, that it were merueylle to telle.
6. Marvel of Peru, of the World. The plant
Mirabilis Jalapa, native of tropical America, with
handsome funnel-shaped flowers of various colours
which expand towards night : — Four o'clock i.
1597 Gerakoe Herbal 11. liii. 272 The maruell of Peru, or
the maruel of the world. 1660 Sharhock Vegetables 28 In
the seed of Mervayle-of-thc-world . . you must chuse out such
flowers as be variable while they blow. 17a* Mortimer Husb.
(ed. 5) II. 2?o Marvel of Peru, so termed from its wonderful
Variety of Flowers on the same Root. 1882 Garden 6 May
317/3 Marvel of Peru, .will look well at the back part of the
borders.
7. Comb. , as marvel- monger) marvel-loving id).
1648 J. Beaumont Psyche .win. xen, The Marveilmongers
grant that He Was moulded up but of a mortal metal. 1903
Edin. Rezi, Apr. 326 The marvel-loving chronicler.
1 marvel, a. Oh. [a. OK. merveil adj., evolved
from merveille sb. ; sec precj Marvellous, won-
derful.
13. . PI. E. A Hit. P. C. 8i J>is is a meruayl message a man
for to preche. c 1420 Pallad. on Husb. v. 87 Eke meruel
thinge aflfermeth Marcyal. c 1420 Chro/i. Vilod. 889 And
vnder a tre he doune hym leyde, A meruayle sweuene po con
he mete. Ibid. 1429 Bot when bey seyn pis merfeylesy^t. .
pey cryede god mercy allc bat ny}t. c 1460 Towueley Myst.
xiv. 422 And also, sir, 10 you 1 tell The meruellest thyng
that euer fell. 1470-85 Malory Arthur n. xiv. 92 He is the
merueyllcst kny^t that is now lyuyng. 1523 Ll>. Uerners
P'roiss. I. 3S4 They..dyd ther feates of armes mervaile to
recorde. 1525 Ibid. II. liii. [lii.] 1S8 They were the falsest
people and of the merueylest condycyons y* were in all the
royalme. 1530 Rastell Bk. Purgat. 1. xvii, Thys is now
one of the mervelest conclusyons that ever I herd.
Marvel .mauvel)^. Now only literary. Forms:
see the sb. [a. OF. merveillier, f. merveille : see
prec. sb. Cf. Sp. maravillar, Pg, maravilhar, It,
maravigliare, meravigliare.']
1. intr. To be filled with wonder or astonish-
ment ; to be struck with surprise. (In mod. use a
stronger word than roomier.) a. without construc-
tion.
13. . A'. Alt's. 5314 Also the kyng was meruelynde, A cry
he hereth gret behynde. c 1374 [see Marvelling///. a.].
c 1450 Merlin i. 3 When the hetrdessyc their bestes so deyen
in the feldes, tfiei merveyled gretly. 1563 Homilies u.
Receiv. Sacrament 1. I iil iij, Take then this lesson. .that
when thou goest vp to the reuerent Communion.. thou mar-
uell with reuerence. 1632 Sanderson Serm. 481 Let vs not
mervaile if he begin to deale something strangely. 1782
Wolcot in J. J. Rogers Opie <j Wks. (1872) 22 The Queen
turned up the whites of her eyes, marvelling. 1839 J. H.
Newman Par. Serm. IV. xix. 333 A religious mind is ever
marvelling, and irreligious men., scoff at it because it does.
b. const, at, formerly -^ of f on, f upon.
c 1374 Chaucer Bocth. 11. pr. v. 32 (Camb. MS.), I wondre
gretely bat men meruaylen on swyche thynges. 0375
Cursor M. 11271 (r-'airf.) What they had herd & sene thei
told Alle marvailid on. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints 1. (h'aterine)
in Bot bu suld moyse here & merwall, of hewine & erth.
a 1425 Cursor M. 18774 (Trin.) Gode men of galile wher
vpon merueile 3ee? 1535 Jove Apol. Tindale (Arb.) 37
Meruel not at this thyng. 1590 Si-enser P\ Q. u. ix 4?
Guyon mervayld at her uncouth cace. 1605 in iolh Red.
Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 372 Let not any man mervaylle
of the manyfould downefalles into synne. 1666 Bunyan
Grace Ab. r 41 Presently 1 found two things within me at
which I did sometimes marvel. 1667 Milton/*. L. ix.551 Into
the Heart of Eve his words made way, Though at the voice
much marveling. 1841 W. Spalding Italv^It. 1st. III. 250
Their annual liquefaction of the blood of Saint Januarius,
over which they never tire of marvelling. 1865 Tkollope
Be/ton Est. xiii. 142 She was one of those whose lot in life
drives us to marvel at the inequalities of human destiny.
indirect passive. 1583 R. Tanner Prod. Conject. B iij b,
It is a thing greatly to bee meruayled at. 1585 T. Wash-
ington tr. Nicholays Voy. 1. viii. 7 b, It is not to be mar-
ueiled at thogh they haue great plentie of such pullen.
c. with clause, expressing the object of wonder.
1390 Gower Con/. I. 117 Now schalt thou noght forthi
mervaile That I doun fro my Charr alihte. 1465 Paston
Lett. II. 220, I merveyll that I here no tidyngges from yow
hough ye have do at the assises. 1538 Starkey England
I. iii. 88, I can not agre wyth you, but rather I maruayle
that you can say so. 1611 Bible Gal. i. 6. 1784 Cowi'er
Task iv. 713, 1 marvelled much that, .his beauties had then
first Engaged my wonder. 1820 Scott Abbot \\, I marvel
your ladyship could bear so long with her insolence.
d. const, inf.
1535 Coverdale Ps. xlyii. 3 They marveled, to se soch
thinges. 1535 Cromwell in Merriman Li/efy Lett. (1902) I.
437, I cannot a little marvayle to understand that, .ye have
(etc. J. 158a N. LiCHKvmi.r> Castanheda's Cono. E. Ind.i. ix.
M He shoulde not meruaile to see them bring theyr weapons.
2. To feel astonished curiosity ; to ask oneself
wonderingly. Const, interrogative clause.
c 1380 Wyclif Wks. 11880) 366, I merueyle wher be pryue-
legibcommen alonde wherby [etc.]. 1390 Gower Con/. III. 7
Everich be himself merveilleth What thing it U that me so
eilleth. c 1400 Mclayne 529 Thay mervelde why the bellis
so range, c 1470 Henry Wallace vm. 497 Sotheroun mar-
ueld giff it suld be Wallace. 1530 Palsgr. 581/1, I marvayle
what you meane. 1606 Shaks. Pr. fy Cr. 1. ii. 238, 1 maruell
where Troylus is. 1643 Sik T« Browne Relig. Med. 1. § 45,
I cannot but marvaile from what Sibyl or Oracle they stole-
the Prophesie of the worlds destruction by fire. 1875
Mrs. Randolph Wild Hyacinth I. 44 Christian was mar-
velling more and more what her father could possibly want
with her.
t 3. a. refl. = senses 1 and 2. Oh.
CJ330 R. Bkunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 963 Merueille be
nought 3yf bey haue grace, ffraunchise& fredom topurchace.
? a 1400 Morte Arth. 1314 My lorde meruailles hym mekylle
. . Why thow morthires his mene. C 1400 Maundev. (Roxb.)
xv. 70, 1 meruailed me gretely. c 1489 Caxton Blancliardyn
li. 15 Blancliardyn.. coude not merueylle hym self to moche
..of the dyuerse and strange wcrkes that he perceyued.
1548 Geste Pr. Masse B iv b, I maruel me muche that many
of them . . haue in earnest meyntenaunce transubstanciation.
+ b. impers. Me matvels : = I marvel, (occas.
with direct obj.) Oh.
C1325 Song 0/ Yesterday 97 in E. E. P. (1862) 135 Me
meruayles ouer al pat god let monymon croke and elde.
c 1330 R. Brunne tVjrtw. (1810165 Me meruailesof my boke.
1390 Gower Con/. II. 277 So that the more me merveilleth,
What thing it is mi ladi eilleth. ? 1401 Pq/. Poems (Rolls)
II. 75 Me merveilith moche of thin lewidheed ! 11425
Cursor M. 11671 (Trin.) Marye he seide me merueileb he
pat seest be he^enes of bis tre. 1496 Dives <y Paup. (W. de W.)
Int. x. avb, Me meruaylleth moche why Cryste taught
more that yonge riche man the commaundementes of the
secoude table than of the fyrste.
f c. pass. - senses 1 and 2. (Chiefly const, of.)
1390 Gower Con/. II. 196 Wherof the world is yit mer-
veiled Of the maistries that he wroghte. a 1400-50 Alex-
ander 3218 He.. Was on be make of bat mote no^t mer-
valled a lytyll. 1523 Ld. Bekners P'roiss. I. 324, I am
greatly marveled of the letters ye have sent me. Ibid.
cclx.xiii. 409 They are all greatly marueyled. .that, .ye wolde
nat yssue out of your strayte to fight with them.
f 4. trans. To wonder or be astonished at.
(Often in pass, with clause attached.) Oh.
1382 Wyclif Judith x. 7 [Thei]. .stone^eude merueileden
[Vulg. mi rati sunt] ful miche the fairne^e of hir. .1400
Rom. Ri'se 2062, I merveile thee asking this demande.
1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) 1. 233 Hit is to be mervaylede how
that so hevy a thynge myghte be soeerecte. 1513 Douglas
,-E/teis 1. xi. 31 Thai mci valit the riche gift is of Eneas. 1523
Ld. Bekners P'roiss. I. 441 It myght well be marveyled
howe they endured so long. 1565 T. Siapleton P'orlr.
Faith 46 That were, surely, worth the lerning, and much to
be inarvailed, if [etc.]. 1625 Bacon Ess., Deformity (Arb.)
255 Let it not be Maruelled, if sometimes they proue Ex-
cellent Persons. 1819 W. Tennant Papistry Storm' d i.
(1827) 33 Sir Knicht did hing a while on wing, Marvellin'
the meanin' o1 that thing.
t 5. To cause to wonder ; to astonish. Oh,
a 1400 Berlam .y Josaphat 260 (Marl. MS.) pis meteyng
meruaild all his mode. 1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) II. 369
There were iij. sustyrs as of oon pulcntude, whiche mer-
uayledetheire beholders. 1470-85 Maloky Arthur xvi. i.665
One thynge merueilled me. 1560 Rolland Crt. Venus 1.
505 This mater maruellis ine [etc.]. 1567 Satir. Poems
Re/orm. vii. 15 It dois merwell me Quhat causit hes the
Lordis of Scotland Tak on ane enterpryse of sic folie.
t Marvellable, a. Oh. [a. OF. merveillable :
see Marvkl v. and -aule.] — Marvellous.
1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 430 b/a God..wyllyng hym self
shewed wonderful and meiuaylabk-. C 1500 Melusine 177
Theire mcruayliable shottyng with gonnes & arowes.
t Marvellatioil. Obs. (Meant as a vulgar-
ism.) [f. MARVEL v. + -ation.] Cause of wonder.
1599 Peele Sir Clyom. Wks. (Rtldg.) 518/1 Why, it U
marvellatioil to see.
Marvelling (ma\ivelii)\ vbl. sb. [f. Makvel
v. + -ing 1.] The action of the verb Marvel.
_ c 1430 Life St. Kath. (1884) 40 Whiche hath turned vsalle
in suche stonyynge and merueylyng. 1552 Latimer Serm.
srdSuud. Epiph. (1584I 305 Which word [of God], if it light
vpon a good ground.. it turneth with his strength the same,
and bringeth a meruaylyng. 1592 Stow Ann. an. 1280, 300
On S. Martins eucn a great thunder ouerthrew many houses
and trees in England, to the maruailing of many.
Marvelling (ma-jvelin), ppl. a. [f. Marvel
v. + ING -.] That marvels.
c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. 1. Met. iii. 5 (Camb. MS.) Thanne
. phebus. .sinyteth with his beemes in marveylynge Eyeu.
1839 Bailey Festus vi. (1852) 78 These same marvelling eyes
of mine. 1841 DTsraeli Amen. Lit. (1867) 212 They. .im-
pressed on the marvelling reader that [etc.].
I IenceMa*rvellinglya</z;.,in a marvelling manner.
1891 G. Meredith One 0/ our Com/. IIL viii. 155 Nataly
marvellingly named Mrs. John Corwyn.
Marvellous (ma-Jvelas), a., (sb.) and adv.
Forms: a. 4-7 merveil(l)ous, 4 mervilous, mer-
velis, merva(i)lous(e, mervellos, merveilows,
4-6 mervel(l)ous(e, 5 mervel(l)us, merveyllous,
mervelo(i)se, merveyleux, -l^i)ouse, mervel-
ious,mervelyow8^e,merwalus,6mervaylous(e,
7 mervailous ; /3. 4 marvelliows, 5 marvelus,
5-6 marveylous, 6 marvaylus, marvayl(l)ous,
(Sc.) marwolus, 7 marvellous, 6-y marvelous, 6-
marvellous. Superl, 4-5 merveillousest, -oust
(-ous), merveIyouste(ste, morviloste, merveil-
usfce.6marvelloussest. [a..Oy.mcrveiltos(mod.V.
mervcilteux), f. meweillc : see Marvel sb. and
-ous. Cf. Sp. maravillosOy It. meraviglioso.']
A. adj. Such as to excite wonder or astonish-
ment; wonderful, astonishing, surprising,
13.. A*. Alls. 6445 Another folk bysyde ther is, Swithe
merveillous folke, y-wis. c 1330 R. Hkunne Chron. (1810)
228 Men norise childre ber inne, on merveilous wise. 136Z
Langi- P. PI. A. ix. 59 pe Meruiloste Meetynge M^ette I
me benne f>at euere dremede driht In dreccHynge. a 1400
Stockh. Med. MS. 141 A maruelliows drink, la 1400 Morte
Arth. 129 Sir Lucius. .That es be meruelyouste^te mane bat
on molde lengez. c 1400 Destr. Troy 1572 And all of marbill
was made with meruellus bestes. c 1410 Master 0/ Game
(MS. Digby 182) xxxiv, Eor certeyne it is be merueiluste
beeste bat is. £-1420 Lydg. Assembly 0/ Gods 1513 Where I
behelde the meruelous stoi-y That euer I yet saw in any
pycture. c 1450 Merlin iii. 56 Ther Pendragon dide mer-
veloiseknyghthodea-mongehisenmyes. 1471 R ii-ley Comp.
Aleh. v. x. in Ashm. (1652) 150 Lyke to the Raynbow mer-
veloseuntosyght. 1470-85 Maloky Arthur 11. xix. 99 Balyn
and Ealan foughte to gyders the merueillous batail that euer
was herd of. 150a Atkynson tr. De hnitatione in. v. 199
The marueylous warkesofgod. 1533 Gau Richt Vay (i888j
39 The marwolus conceptione and hirth of Iesus Christ.
1548 Latimer Ploughers (Arb.) 29 Moyses was a meruelous
man, a good man. 161* T. Taylor Comm. Titus\\. 13 Finally,
he shall be glorious, yea merueilous in his Saints. 1651
HoBBEsZcrv'rt^/;.!]. xx vi. 1 48 Miracles are Marvellous worker
but that which is marvellous to one, may not be so to another.
1742 YouNG-AV. Th. vn. 14^23 We nothing know, but what
is Marvellous; Yet what is Marvellous, we can't believe.
i8oz Word.sw. Resol. fy Independ. vii, I thought of Chatter-
ton, the marvellous Boy. 1894 H. Drvmmosd Ascent Man
352 Nature always makes her changes with a marvellous
economy.
b. spec. Of poetic material : Concerned with the
supernatural.
1715 PONS Iliad Pref., Fable may be divided into the
probable, the allegorical, and the marvellous. .. The mar-
vellous fable includes whatever issupernatural, and especially
the machines of the gods. 1869T0ZEK Hight. Turkey II.
259 The marvellous element is introduced with such perfect
simplicity ..as to appear perfectly natural.
c. The marvellous : that which is prodigious
or extravagantly improbable.
1749 Fielding Tom Jones Contents vui. i, A wonderful
long chapter, concerning the marvellous. 1755 Johnson s.v.,
The maii'ellous is used, in works of criticism, to express
any thing exceeding natural power, opposed to the probable.
1761G1BBON Misc. /</A\i.(i8i4)V.488Thehislory of Richard I
of England, .is alluring by the marvellous. 1825 Water-
ton Wand. S. Amer. 1. ii. (1S79) 127 The first have erred
by lending a too willing ear to the marvellous. 1873 M.
Aknold Lit. .y Dogma (18761 53 The prodigies and the mar-
vellous of Bible-religion are common to it with all religions.
d. Marvellous apple ■ Balsam apple : see
Balsam 10.
1578 Lyte Dodoens 111. lxxxviii. 442 Charanlia, Balsam
apple, the male, Maruelous apples.. the Marvelous apples
are named Charantia. Ibid. 443 The Oyle of Mc4nordica,
or Maruelous Apples. . put teth away al scarre>and blemishes,
if it be applyed thereto. 1866 Hogg Fruit Man. (ed. 3) 31
(Apples) Marvellous. Fruit small and oblate.
fB. sb. [-- F. mcrvvillcux.'] An exquisite,
dandy. Obs. rare.
1819 Metropolis (ed. 2) II. 57, I did not sta^' very late at
the party ; and our marvellous promised to give M a list of
the company, .the ensuing day. [Cf. p. 59 Our milit;iry
Exquisite.]
fC. adv. = Marvellously. Obs.
1 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 174 Sir, ouer meruailoiisc
our duellyng here is hard, c 1400 Maundev. (1839) v. 52
Merveylouse grete & bye. 1530 Rastell ZM\ Purgai. Prol.,
Sayd yl he woldbe mervelous glad. 1535 Coverdale Ps.
cxliv. (cxlv.] 3 Create is the Lorde, & maruelous worthy to
be prayscd. 1590 Shaks. A/ids. A', iv. i. 26, I am maiuellous
hairy about the fao;. 1621 Bukton .-!««/. Met. 11. ii. ill. (1651)
264 The country.. hath a marveilous fair prospect. 1664 Ii.
Moke Myst. lui<;. 4o8Tb8t'*caTOi' t>)s rroAeai? will have a sense
marvellous coincident therewith. 1777 ShbUDAM ScJk. S<a>/-
dal iv. i, Here's my great uncle, Sir Richard Ravelin, a
marvellous good general in his day.
Marvellously imauvchsli), adv. [-LV -.]
In a marvellous manner or degree.
<■ 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 93 His dede com him
suythe meruellosly. 1377 LahGL. P. PI. B. vn. 159 And
Ioseph mettc me rue ill on sly how the mone and the sonne,
And the elleueue sterres hailsed hym alle. . 1470 Henry
Wallace iv. 151 He with power partyt merwalusly. 1530
Palscr. 425/1 He his mervaylously come up within a yere
or two. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholays Voy. iv. i\.
121 b, The children of Israel.. had marucllously passed dry
foote through the redde sea. 1640 Howell Dodona's Gr.
(1645) 127 His tutelar Angel stil mcrvailously garded him.
1710 Tatter No. 190 f 2 The People of this Land be mar-
velously given to Change. 1874 UorurAmWwtfl. ii. 137
The King was marvellously out of humour. 1881 Ladv
Herbert Edith 7 Her hands and feet were marvellously
small.
MarvellOUSneSS (maivebsnes). [-BXM.]
The quality of being marvellous.
1557 Sarum Primer L vij, Open myne iyes, and I shall
consider the merveilousnesse of thy la we. 1614 Raleigh
Hist. World 1. xi. g 2. 204 The niaruelousnesse of some
workes. .hath beene the cause of this slaunder. 1794 Kir-
wan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) L 452 The sublimity and marvel-
lousness of these stupendous operations. 1862 H. Spencer
P'irst Princ. I. iii. § 17 (1875) 56 Habit blinds us to the mar-
vellousness of this phenomenon.
t Ma-rvelly,rt. and adv. Obs. Forms: 4-5 mer-
velly, 5 compar. marfeyllogur. [f. Marvel sb.
+ -LT.3 -Marvellous, Marvellously.
t 1330 R. Hkunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 1691 Merueyloslike
\i\r. Meruelly] was he hardy, t 1420 Chron. Vilod. 1370
|>is miracle was do hus as ychaue sayde, 8: more marfeyllogur
pen y telle cone, c 1450 Cov. Myst. (Shaks. Soc.) 156 yit saw
I nevyr so mervelly a syne Shapyn upon the skyes.
MABVELMENT.
197
MASCUE.
Ma'rvelment. rare. [f. Marvel sb. + mf.nt.]
The condition of marvelling^
1823 T, G. Wainewright Ess. <y Crit. {1880) 311 The
sample which genuine travellers occasionally expose to the
marvelment of the commons.
t Ma'rvelness. Obs. [f. Marvel a. + -kkss.J
= Marvellousness.
1434 Misyn Mending Life 110 Of wylfull pouert on bis
wy.se takyn procedis vertues & meruilnes vntrowed.
Marvel* (rafiuvai),^. [Corruptly a. F. marbre :
see Marble sb. 3.] A polished slab of marble or
iron upon which glass-blowers roll and shape the
plastic glass while still on the blow-pipe.
1832 G. R. Porter Porcelain fy Gl. 169 The next operation
is to roll the glass on. .a smooth horizontal iron plate called
the marver, a name corrupted from the French word ' marbre.
189a \V. J. Gordon Foundry 132 [One of the men] rolls the
lump of glass on a flat slab of stone called a ' marver '.
Hence Ma*rver v., to roll (glass) upon a marver.
1852-4 CycZ. Use/. Arts (ed. Tomlinson 1866) 1. 768/1 He
then marvers it, . . and placing the hot glass in a brass
mould [etc.]*
Marvyl(6, marvile, obs. forms of Marvel.
Marwe, -whe, obs. forms of Marrow.
Mary (me>ri). Forms: 1 Maria, 1-6 Mario,
3 Orm. Mar^e . 5 7 Marye, 5- Mary. [OR. Maria,
Marie, a. L. Mafia, a. Gr. Mapia, Mapta/i, a. Ileb.
DHD Mirydm, Miriam (the name of the sister of
Moses, Exod. xv.).] A female Christian name.
1, The mother of Jesus Christ, commonly called
the (Blessed) Virgin Mary, or Saint Mary.
Herb Mary '. see Hekb sb. 7 b.
ciooo Ags. Gosp. Matt. i. 16 Iacob xestrynde ioseph
niarian wer. [Liudisf. marics, Kushw. maria, Hatton marie.]
a 1175 Cott. Horn. 237 Acenned of bam unwemmede mede
sante Marie. cnoo Ormin 2335 pe laffdij Sannte Mar,e.
<-' 1394 F. PL Crede 48 pei [the Carmelites] makeb hem
Maries men .. And lieb on our Ladie many a longe tale.
c 1460 J. Russell Bk. Nurture 691 Maydon mary £at holy
virgyne. 1850 Rossetti Blessed Damozel ii, A white rose
of Mary's gift For service meetly worn.
b. In asseverations (cf. Maury int.).
1 1350 Witt. Palcrne 838 Be Marie in heuene. Ibid. 955
For Marie loue of heuene. . 1410 Sir Cleges 259 lie God
and Seint Mart. 1423 Jas. I Kingis Q. xvii, Help, Calyope,
and wynd, in Marye name ! 1530 Proper Dyalogc in Hoy
Rede me 1 Arb.) 1.49 By seynt mary syr that is a starcke I) e.
154a Udall Eratm. Apoph. 147 By saint Marie, I begynne
to doubte whether [etc.]. 1613 Shaks. Hen. VIIF, v. ii. ;^j
By Holy Mary (Butts) there's knauery. a 1650 Sir Lambe~
well 500 in Furniv, Percy Folio I. 160 He bad his barons
giue Judgment, *or I will my-selfe, by mary gent '•
C. Combinations and phrases : Mary-ale, a
merry-making held on a festival of the Virgin
Mary; mary-bud {obs, exc. in echoes of Shaks.),
the bud of a marigold ; f Saint Mary day, one of
the festivals of the Virgin Mary (cf. Lady-day > ;
f Saint Mary garlic, some unidentified plant;
Mary-lily, the white or Madonna lily ;fSaint Mary
maythe (see Maythe) ; f Saint Mary priest,
a chaplain employed to say mass in honour of the
Virgin Mary; f(Saint)Mary5sbath[tr.L. balneum
Maris&\, see Bath sb.1 14; ^Saint) Mary's flower,
(a) the Rose of Jericho, Anastalica hie roc hunt 'ina ;
(£)the\YesternAustraliangenus/V<2nrt«M«j(Treas.
Bot. 1 866) ; Mary -sole, local name for the whiff,
Rhombus megasloma, or the smear-dab, Pleuro-
ncctesmicrocephalus\ t Mary's seal,Black Bryony,
Lady's seal 2 ; f Saint Mary's seed, Sonchus
oleracetts ; Saint Mary thistle ^Lady's thistle,
Carduus Marianus.
1857 Mary-ale [see Ale A. 3]. 161 1 Shaks. Cymb. 11. iii.
25 And winking * Mary-buds begin to ope their Golden eyes.
£1310 MS. Aslimol. 43 in S. Fug. Leg. p. xiv, 25 *St. Marie
dai in leynte. c 1450 ME. Med. Bk. (Hemrich) 232 Tak talow
of an hert, suchashepyssebby twene two seynt mary dayes.
1623 Makkham Eng. Housav. i.i. (ed. 2), Take the stalke of
Saint 'Mary Garlyck«, and burne it. 1893 Westtn. Gaz.
24 Feb. 5/1 The white flower of the Italian painters is the
*Mary-Lily. 1446 Bury Wills (Camden) 231 Capellano vul-
gariter nuncupato *seyutmartpriest. 1600 Sukflet Country
Farm r. xti. 76 For them that are more dainty and delicate,
you shall distill the said snailes in *Maries bath [orig.
an bain de Marie}. 1839 Penny Cycl. XIII. 105 Rose
of Jericho. .The Jews call it Kaf Maryam, or St. *Mary's
Flower. 1822 *Mary ±.o\c[see lantcru-jish, Lantern sb. 9].
1836 Yarkell Brit. FLshes II. 221 Lemon Dab. Smooth
Dab. . . Mary-sole, Devonshire. 1600 Svkvlkt Country Farm.
11. ii. 204 lesamin, *' Maries seale [orig. seau nostre dame],
muske roses. 1597 Gkkaruk Herbal App., S. * Maries seede
is Southistle seede. 1579 LANGHAM Card. Health (1633) 635
Make broth of S. "Mary Thistle.
2. Australian slang. A native woman.
1884 Pall Mall G. 16 Aug. 2/1 The vessels generally
average a little over 100 tons, 130 to 150 * boys ' and Marys
may be regarded as an average full cargo. 1898 Davitt
Life § Progr. Australasia], 273 Ifa Kanaka hasa' Mary'
on ' enlisting ' the woman comes too and works like a man.
f 3. Mary royal (Sc.) : see quot. Obs.
1565 Reg. Privy Council Scot. 1. 413 That thair be cunyeit
ane penny of silver callit the Mane ryall.
Mary, obs. f. Marrow sb.1, Makky ; var. MekiL
Maryall, variant of Makial L
Marybot, -buck, obs. forms of Makabout.
Maryce, obs. form of Mauish.
Marye, obs. form of Mahrow sb.1, Marry.
Maryes, obs. form of Marish.
Marygo(u)ld(e,marygowles:seeMARiGOLD.
t Maryhinchc h. o. Obs. (See quots.)
1610 Markham Master/). 11. cxvi. 415 The string-halt, of
some called the mary-hinchcho, is a sodaine twitching vp of
the horses hinder legges. 1614 K. Jonson Barth. Fair in.
ii, Poore soule, shee has had a Sringhalt, the Maryhinchco.
Marymass (me^'rimces). Also 6-7 Sc. Mary-
mess, [f. Mary + Mass sb.1]
1. A festival of the Virgin Mary, esp. + {a) in
OE., Candlemas, 2 Feb.; {b) the Assumption, 15
Aug. (now only local Sc.) ; f (c) latter Marymass,
the Nativity of the Virgin, 8 Sept. Also attrib. in
f Mary mas fast, Marymass holidays.
ciooo Mcnologiuvt 20 (February) And paes einbe ane niht
1'aet we Marian maessan healda5..for pan heo Crist on bam
darjebrohte to temple. 105a in Kemble Cod. Dipt. IV.
290 Ehta dajas to "5;ere arre sancue Marian maessan and
ehta da^as to 5a;re aeftran sancta Marian maessan. 1402
Acta Dom. Cone. (1839) 265/2 pe somme of jc merkts. -at \m
fest of Sanct Iohne ^e baptist callit midsummer nixt tocum,
& ane vther jc merkis at be latter marymess nixt parcftir.
1546 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 34 This letter marymess.
1578 Whetstone 1st Pt. Promos <y Cass. 11. v, Tenne to one
I read his fortune by the Marymas fast. 1823 Galt A'. Gt'L
kaizc xiv, Was na it my Lord himsel1, at last Marymas,
when he sent for me to make a hoop to mend her leg. 1903
Clasgcnv Herald 20 Aug., Irvine Harbour. Marymass
Holidays. [Work suspended between Friday 21 Aug. and
Tuesday 25 Aug.]
f 2. A mass in hononr of the Virgin Mary ; in
1 6th c. used in the asseveration by the Mary mass.
1532 Mork Confut. 'FindaleWUs. 715/2 She. .saydehe wer
worthy by the mary masse to be hanged by the necke, 1553
Respublica 11. ii. 11 (Brand!) 301 Yea, by the Marye Masse.
1852 Rock Ch. of Fathers III. I. 264 The gilds in the
parish often helped to keep up the Mary-Mass.
Mary-muife, variant of Makry-muff Obs.
Marynal, variant of Marinal.
Marynar(e, -neer, obs. forms of Mariner.
■ Marynel, -eller : see Marinal, Marinaller,
Maryner(e, -nes: see Mariner, Merriness.
Maryology, variant of MarioloGY.
Maryoner, obs. form of Mariner.
Marys, variant of Marls Obs., womb.
Marys^e, -ysh.e, obs. forms of Marlsii.
Maryskyn, variant of Maroquin. Obs.
Marysse, -ysshse, obs. forms of Marish.
Marz, obs. form of March sb.1 (the month;.
Marzepa(i)ne, Marzipan: see Marchpane.
Marzhaunt, obs. form of Merchant.
Mas. Also 6-7 masse, 7-9 mass, 7 mes, 8-9
mes.s. Cf. also Mast j/>.4 [Shortened f. Master^.]
+ 1. A vulgar or jocular shortening of master,
usually followed by a proper name or official title.
1575 Gamm. Gurtou Prol. 12 Mas Doctor was sent for,
these gossyps to staye, Because he was Curate, and estemed
full wyse. 1578 Whetstone xst Pt. Promos Q Cass. v. v,
Well, masse Grimball. 1588 Marpret. Fpist. (Arb.) 4 An
Archb. is very weakely defended by masse Dean, a 1592
Greene Jas. IV% v. iv, What sees Mas Lawyer in this state
amiss? 1605 1J. Jonson I'olponcu. i, Is Mass' Stone dead !
1625 — Staple of N. II. iv, Sir, by both Your worshipful!
Titles, and your name Mas Broker, Good morrow. 1678
IiiTLER Hud. Ui. ii. 1239 The Isle uf Wight ..Where Hin-
der^on, and th' other Masses, Were sent to Cap Texts, and
put Cases, a 1722 Mks. CeNTUVME Platonick Lady 1. i, Is
there any thing so disagreablc on earth as the tayings of
Miss and Mass repeated?
2. Mas John, applied jocularly oreontemptuoubly
to a Scottish Presbyterian minister, in contradis-
tinction to an Anglican or Roman clergyman, arch.
? 1661 Jek. Taylor Serin. Wks. 1850 VIII. 533 To prefer
the private minister before the public, the presbyter before
a bishop, . .and Mas John before the patriarch of Jerusalem.
1672 Makvell Reh. Trausp. 1. 136 In. .Scotland there were
I know not how many Mas Johns restored in one day to the
work of their Ministry. 1682 H. Moke Contin. Remark.
Stories 27 The Narration.. being rather a Colluctation of
Mes John and the Presbytery on one side, and the foul
Fiend., on the other side. 1695 Sage Fund. Charter
Presbyt. (1697) 395 But Mas John takes the Chair Without
Election ; and would not be a little grated if the best Laird
in the Parish should be his Competitor. 1790 Bukkb Fr.
Rtv. Wks. V. 44 .These new Mess-Johns in robes and
coronets. 1821 Galt Ann. Parish i. 14 The bairns, when
they saw me coming, ran crying to their mothers, 'Here's
the feckless Mess-John.' 1826 Scott ll'oodst. xxviii, You
are not, I apprehend, either a Catholic priest or a Scotch
Mass-John to claim devoted obedience from your hearers.
Mas, obs. f. Mass sb.1, and makes, Make v.
Masage, -aker, obs. ff. Message, Massacre.
Masalyne, Masar, obs. ff. Maslix *, Mazer.
Mascabado, variant of Muscovada.
Mascagnine (mreskarnyain). Min. Also -in.
[Named by Karsten 1 800, after the discoverer, Prof.
Mascagni\ see -ine.] ^next.
1836 T. Thomson Min.t Geol, etc. I. 95 Sulphate of Am-
monia, Mascagnine. 1B46 Penny CycL Suppl. II. 308/1 Mas-
cagnin. 1849 Watts tr. Gmclins Handbk. Cheni. II. 462.
Mascagnite (mx-skany^it). Min. [See prec.
and -ite.] 'Sulphate of ammonium, occurring in
crusts and stalactitic forms near volcanoes*.
1896 Chkstkr Diet. Min.
Mascal, Maacall : see Mascle sb1, Mascuez*.
Mascalonge, variant of Maskinonge.
Masoarade, -ado, obs. ff. Masquerade.
Mascellez, variant of Mascleless.
Mascellin(e, -celyn(e, obs. ff. Maslin.
Mascerate, obs. form of Macerate.
Maschel : see Mashel Obs.
Masclierade, -ate, obs. ff. Masquerade.
Masches, maschets, variants of Macues Obs.
f Maschevalent, ? error for Machiavellian.
1600 R. Logan Let. in Pitcairn's Crt'm. Trials (1833) II.
r. -.'S5 The Maschevalent massakering of owr deirest frendis.
Maschscherel : see mash-roll, Mash sb} 5.
Mascle ,mu*sk'l), sb1 Also 4 maskle, 5
maskill, mascule, 7 mascal. [Of somewhat
obscure etymology.
Senses 1 and 2 coincide with senses of L. macula ;
senses 2 and 3 with senses of V.^uacle, first quoted from
1584, and regarded hy French lexicographers as ad. I,.
macula ', OF. mascle 1 — sense 3 below) occurs in the Roll of
Caerlaverock C1300, and with date 1397 in Nicholls Roy,
Wilts (1780) 155; cf. further med.L. mascula mesh (early
15th i". in Diefenbach, ptrh. an alteration of L, macula after
OHG. masca mesh), and OE. vimscre, glossing L. macula,
whether in the sense of mesh or in that of spot is doubtful.
With sense 1 cf. the 16th c Du.mascAelspot, stain (Kilian).]
t 1. A spot, speck. Obs.
13.. L'.. F. A Hit. P. A. 725 With-outen mote ober mascle
of sulpande synne. Ibid. IJ. 556 With-outen maskle ober
mute, a 1400-50 Alexander 4989 All be body ..Was finely
florischt. .Of gold graynes & of goules full of gray mascles.
+ 2. = Mesh of a net. Obs.
1329 in Riley Mem. Loud. (1S68) 172 [The meshes of which
nets which are called] niascles [ought to be ij inch in size].
c 1410 Master of Came (MS. Digby) fol. 21 Men takelh hem
[sc. foxes], .with heyes, and with pursnettes. Hut he kutteth
with his tetb be muscles. 1688 R. Holme Armoury 1. 108/2
Mascle, a Mash of a Net. X696 PHlLLirs, Mascle, ..the
mash or hole of a net.
f b. attrib. in mascle lace. Obs.
(21500 MS. Hart. 2320 f. 62 in Catalogue, [Kinds of lace
in fashion under Hen. VI. and Edw. IV.] Lace Maskel.
3. Her. A charge in the form ol a lozenge with
a lozenge-shaped opening through which the 'field'
appears. (Cf. Mesh.) Also attrib.
i486 Bk. St. Allans, Iter. F iijb, Here ye shall luiaw the
differans be twix fusillis, masculys and losyngys. 1572
ISossKWELi, Armoric 11. 126 Whensoeuer ye shall seeeyther
Losenge, Mascle, or other thynge voyded of the fietde,
Fesse, bende &c. whereon theye stande, it is sufficient to
saye, voyded, onelye. 1610 GuiLLiM Heraldry iv. xix. {1632)
359 A Mascle differeth from both the Fusill and Lozenge;
(irst, because [etc]. 1680 Loud. Gaz. No. 1503/4 Several
pieces of Plate engraven with a Leopards head-. and five
Mascals. 1688 R. Holme Armoury m. 322/2 A Mascle
Ruckle Bot tony., is generally termed by the name of a
Losenge or Mascle Shooe Buckle. 1797 Eucyct. Brit. (ed. 3)
VIII. 455/1 Opinions have varied very much about the ori-
ginal of the niascles or mashes. 1893 CussANS Her. (ed. 4)
71 The Mascle is a Lozenge voided.
transf. 1863 Kinglakk Crimea II. 204 The outline of the
ground covered by their troops took the shape of a lozenge.
Within the mascle or hollow lozenge thus formed, there
marched the Turkish battalions.
4. Antiq. One of the perforated lozenge-shaped
plates of metal fastened to the outer surface of the
military tunic of the 13th century. (Cf. MaC'LE 4.)
182Z Geutl. Mag. XCII. 1. 308 But two different kinds of
mail, the mascled and flat ringed, are all that can be found
in them, the niascles being sometimes lozenge-shaped and
sometimes square. 1824 Meyrick Ane. Armour I. Introd.
69 A tunic,, .coated with perforated lozenges of uteel, called
. .macles, or mascles. 1846 Faikholt Costume in Fug. 88
These mascles were lozenge-shaped plates of metal.
t Mascle, a. and sb* Obs. Also 5 maseuli
[a. early OF. mascle : eee Maub^.] -Male a. and
sb. Masculthurc : ' male incense ' (see Male a. 6).
C1410 Master of Game (MS. Digby 182)1, An hare shall
dure well nil. myle or more or lasse, and she be an olde hare
mascle. Ibid, iv, For alie be sesoun a mascle and a femell
abydith togyders. c 1420 Paltad. on Husb. xi. 412 A vnce of
mascul thure Wei smellynge, and an vnce of pipur dure.
1455 Rolls of Pari t. V. 329/2 Thaim and thaire heires
mascles. 1587 Stanyhurst Descr. fret. ii. 19 in Liolinshed,
Without the coupling of mascle or female.
Masclechon, obs. form of Maslin 2.
Mascled (ma-sk'ld), a. [f.MASCLBJ*.1 + -ed-.]
Covered with mascles.
1818 Meyrick in Arch#ologia(i$2i)XlX. 126 The earliest
specimen I have found of the mascled hauberk. 1828-40
Tytler Hist. Scot. (1864) I. 321 He [Alexander Iljappears
clothed in a complete coat of mascled mail. 1846 Faikholt
Costume in Fng. 88 The mascled armour of this era [13th c],
t Mascleless, a. Obs. In 4 mascellez, mas-
kel^ez, -es. [f. Mascle sb1 + -less.] Spotless.
13. . E. F. Allit. P. A. 731 To bye hyni a perle was mai-
celtez. Ibid. 7S0 A makelez may & maskellez.
Masclini^e, -yne, obs. forms of Maslin.
Mascobado, variant of Muscovada.
Mascot (mse'skpt). slang. Also 9 mascotte.
[ad. provincial F. mascot te,^xh. cogn. with mod.Pr.
masco witch. The word was brought into notice
by E. Audran's opera ■ La Mascotte ', played 29
Dec. 1S80.] A person, or a thing, animate or in-
animate, supposed to bring luck.
1884 Lisbon (Dakota) Clipper 11 Dec. 7 This dining
room girl.. lays claim to being a mascot. 1899 E. Piiili*-
I'otts Human Boy 118 That rat's a sort of mascotte' to
me. A ' mascotte ' 's a thing that brings luck.
f Mascue, v. Obs. Also 5 maskowe, mas-
kewe, mascall. [Variant of Machecole v.] trans.
To machicolate.
1412-20 Lydg. Chron. Troy 11. xx. (1513) M iv, Theyr wall
mascued and agayne ourskalys Trusteth thcron made great
MASCULARITY.
198
MASERS.
ordynauncc. 1431— Thebes (E.E. T. S.'t 2757 [Ethiodes]
maskowed liis wattes and his heghe tours. 1461 Rolls of
/'aril. V. 493/2 To enbatell, carncll, mascall, or to make
eny Toure, Castell or Forteresse.
Mascul : see Mascle a. Obs.
Vascularity (maeskuriae*riti). rare. [f. L.
masciil-us + -Ail + -ity.] = Masculinity.
1817 N. DRAKE Shaks. II. 67 The subsequent sonnets.,
bear the strongest . .testimony to the mascularity of the
person addressed. 1853 Kake Grinnell Exp. xlvi. (1856) 425
To some the unmentionables might savor of muscularity.
Ma'SCillate, v. rare. [f. L. mascul-us (see
Male a.) + -ate.] trans. To make masculine.
itinCoCKBKAM, Mast ulate, to make strong. eSuSoVTHEY
Omniana II. 56, 1 am u^t sure (he adds) whether in time it
may not perfectly masculate the sex.
t Masculated, a. Her. Obs. [f. Anglo-L.
mascul-a Mascle + -atk + -ki> i .] - Masculy.
i486 Bk. St Albans, Her. cv, This cros is called a cros
masculatit for he is made of masculys.
Masculation (mxski«k7i -Jan). \&L.fHascuf~us
maIe + -ATioN.] Artificial fertilization (of plants).
1855-6 K. F. BURTON El Medinah (1861) II. 202 January
and February are the months for the masculation of the
palm. 1859 — Ccutr. Afr. in frnl. Geog% Sac. XXIX. 36S
Bees also swarm in the jungles, performing an important
part in the vegetable economy by masculation or caprifica*
tion, and the conveyance of pollen.
Mascule, Masculee : see Masclk, Masculy.
Masculine (marski/Zlin), a. and sb. Also 4,6
masculin. 6 masculyne, 7 masculen. [a. F.
masculin, •ine, ad. L. masculin-us f. mascul-m :
see Male a. and -INS.] A. adj.
1. Of persons or animals : IJelonging to the male
sex ; male. Now rare.
t 1374 Chaucer Boeth. 11. Pr. iii. 28 (Camb. MS.) The
oportunite and noblesse of thi masculyn chyldren bat is to
seyn thi sones. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. IV. vii. (1495)
91 Vf a woman that is with a chylde masculyn be sodenly
callyd, she meuyth first the ryght fote. 1545 Raynoi.d
Byrth Mankynde 90 Vf the ryghte breste slake or flagge,
the masculyne or male byrth is in parell : yf the lefte, the
female byrthe. 1604 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 432 The lord shall
haue his best oxe orcowe and all his masculen horses. 1606
Shaks. TV. fy Cr. v. i. 20 Patro. Male Varlot you Rogue?
What's that? Titer. Why his masculine Whore. 1614
Tailor Hog hath lost II. I>, Could any Masculine flatterer
on earth So far bewitch thee, to forget thy selfe, As now to
leaue me ? 1661 Lovell /list. Aniiu. <y MtH. 55 The Mas-
culine, or male Goat. 1667 Milton /*. L. x. 890 O why did
God.. that peopl'd highest Heav'n With Spirits Masculine,
create at last., this fair defect Of Nature. 1688 Lond. Gas.
No. 2348/1 God Almighty, as we hope and pray, will grant
You an Heir Masculine of your Body.
b. With reference to the vegetable kingdom *.
— Male a. 2.
1691 Ray Creation 1. (1692) 97 The Flowers serve to
cherish.. the masculine or prolifick Seed contained in the
Chives or Apices of the Stamina.
f 2. Said of inanimate objects to which the male
sex was attributed on the ground of some quality,
e.g. relative superiority, strength, activity, etc.
Masculine hour (Astrol.) : one ruled by a mascu-
line planet. Obs.
1590 Spensrr /■'. Q. 11, ix, 22 The one [sc. the triangle] im-
perfect, mortall, fojininiue, Th' other [sc. the circle] iinmor-
tall, perfect, masculine. i6ox Holland Pliny I. 44 Wee
haue been taught, that this Planet [the Sun] is Masculine,
frying and sucking vp the humidity of all things. 1613
M. RiDLiiY Magu. Bodies 82 The Adamant is Masculine
unto his beloved the Iron and Steele, and these are Feminine.
i6ai Hukton Anat. Mel. 1. ii. iv. vii. (1651) 167 The Em-
peror would not touch his new Bride, till an Astrologer had
told him a masculine hour. t6^6VniLLivs1Afasculiue Planets
or Signs, are those which excel in active Qualities, that is,
Heat and Coldness. 1819 J. Wilson Diet. Astrol. 285 For-
tunately all ( the masculine planets are diurnal. Ibid. 286
Masculine signs.
fb. Masculine frankincense jgum — male incense
(see Male a. 9). Obs.
JS5S Eden Decades 79 A greate barell of woodde full of
nioste excellente masculine frankensence. 1603 P>. Jonson
A", jfas.'s Enteriainm. (1604) D 2 Heere no wight To sacri-
fice, saue my deuotion comes, That brings, insteed of those
thy .Masculine gummes. My Cities heart.
c. The designation of a choice kind of apricot.
1629 Parkinson Parad. in Sole (1656) 579 The Mascoline
Apricock. 1718 J. Lawrenck Fruil-g. Kalendar 78 The
latter end of this Month [June] the Masculine Aprecot is
ripe, i860 Hogg Fruit Man. 41 Red Masculine [Apricot],
o. Gram. Of or pertaining to the gender to which
appellations of males normally belong.
(i 1380 St. 'Theodora 110 fa Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1878)
36 Hire name, bat was femynyn Of gendre, heo turned in to
masculyn. 1387-8 T. Usk Test. Love 11. iii. (Skeati L 14
No mo genders ben there but masculyn and femenyne. 1530
Palsgr. Introd. Z4 A substantive of the masculyne gender.
1612 I. Dkinsley Lud. Bit. 128 Hee can shew it, to bee the
Masculine Gender, because in wordes of three terminations,
the first is the Masculine, the second the Feminine, the
third is the Neuter. 1875 Expositor 171 Sun and sea and
streams had, in the infancy of the world, masculine and
feminine names.
b. Prosody. Masculine rime : in French versi-
fication, a rime between lines ending in stressed
syllables, as opposed to the* feminine rime* ending
in a mute e. I lence^vw. a* single ' rime on a stressed
syllable. (Cf. Male a. 7.)
1581 Sidney Afot. Poetrie (Arb.) 71 Euen the very ryme
it selfe, the Italian cannot put in the last silable, by the
French named the Masculine ryme. 1717-41 Chamueks,
Cyd. s.v. Rhyme, Masculine Rhymes are those of all other
words [than such as end with an <■ mute]. 1844 [see Femi-
nine 6 b]. 1870 Lowell Study Wind. {1871) 201 The verses
of the first [stanza] have all of them masculine rhymes. 1891
J, C. Parsons Eng. t'crsif 44 Rhyme between final syllables
is called single or masculine rhyme.
4. Pertaining to the male sex ; peculiar to or
assigned to males; consisting of males.
1601 Shaks. Twel. N. v. i. 257 If nothing lets to make vs
bappie both, But this my masculine vsurp'd attyre : [etc.].
1616 H. Gosnold in Lismore Papers Ser. 11. (18S7) II. 20
We ioyne in our thankfull commendaccons to ye all, con-
gratulating of your masculin increase, a 1618 Raleigh
Prerog. Pari. (1628) 10 Hee was scone after slaine in Ireland,
and his whole Masculine race, ten yeres extinguished. 1655
Fuller Ck. Hist. II. i. § 4 The People of the same Place. .
erected a Masculine Church (Women being interdicted the
Entrance thereof). 1781 Cowper Ifo/>e 6?6 Whether at the
toilet of the fair He laughed and trifled. .Or if in masculine
debate he shared. 1790 Gibbon Misc. Wks. (1814) III. 360
The genuine masculine descent of the Princes of Brunswick
must be explored beyond the Alps. 1801 Charlotte Smith
Lett.Solit. Wand. II. 317 She assumed masculine attire.
1880 H. C. Coote Eng. Gild Knights 17 That peculiar
fashion of devolution which the Normans had introduced
— masculine primogeniture.
5. Having the appropriate excellences of the
male sex ; manly, virile ; vigorous, powerful.
Rarely of persons ; usually of attributes, actions,
or productions.
16*9 H. Burton {title) Babel no Bethel. ..In answer to.,
two masculine Champions for the Synagogue of Rome. 1639
N. N. tr. Du Bosq's Compi. Woman 1. 35 Masculine spirits
very easily resist this tyrannic 1647 Clarendon Contempt,
on Ps. Tracts (1727) 433 The argumentation of Manoah's
wife., might very well have l>ecome the more masculine
understanding. 1678 Wanlkv Wond. Lit. Worldv.il § 89.
473/1 He proved a stout and masculine Prince, a 1704 T.
Brown Eng. Sat. Wks. 1730 I. 28 His heat was masculine
and always pointed against vice. 171a Addison Sped.
No. 363. f 10 Adam's Speech abounds with Thoughts, .of a
more masculine and elevated Turn. 1756-83 J. Wakton
Ess. Pope (ed. 4) I. vii. 401 note. The forcible and masculine
images with which the ancients strengthened their com-
positions. 1829 Lytton Devereux 1. iv, I grew more gentle,
and he more masculine. 1850 Blackie JEschylus I. Pref.
6 Aeschylus . . was famous . . for the fearless, masculine licence
with which he handled the most flexible of all languages.
1856 Emerson Rug. Traits, Lit. Wks. (Bohn) II. 105, I find
..the whole writing of the time charged with a masculine
force and freedom.
ft). Of material things or physical qualities:
Powerful in action, strong. (Cf. 2.) Obs.
1637 T. Morton New Eng. Canaan (1883) 188 [Herbes]
of a more maskuline vertue than any of the same species in
England. 1664 Beale Aphor. Cider § 57 in Evelyn Po-
mona 29 Let the Cider be. .Masculine and in full body, yet
. .well tasted of the Apple. 1675 Evelyn Earth (1676) 66
Let this pulveriz'd Earth.. be expos'd for a Summer and
a Winter to the vicissitudes and changes of the seasons.,
you will find it will have obtained such a generous and mas-
culine pregnancy,.. as [etc.]. i«8 F^arbery tr. Burnet's
St. Dead II.45 The true Fertility that brings Corn to a
Masculine Perfection, is in Countries far from the Equinox.
6. Of a woman, her qualities or attributes:
Having the capacities, manners, appearance, or
tastes appropriate to the male sex. f Masculine-
feminine : a ' mannish ' woman. Obs.
1617 Morysos /tin. in. 1 The masculine women of the
Low Countries vse to make voyages for trafficke. 1690 (title)
Hie Mutter : or, The Man-Woman : Being a Medicine to
cure the Coltish Disease of the Staggers in the Masculine-
Feminine* of our Times. 1766 Kokdyce Senn. Yng. Worn.
(1767) I. ill. 104 A masculine woman must be naturally an
unamiable creature. 1801 Stkutt SA <y Past. Introd. § 4J.
48 Some of these masculine females have occasionally made
their appearance. 1808 Spirit Pub. Jmls. XI. 86 That
masculine feminine, the late Princess DashkofF. 1838 Thikl-
wall Greece V. 279 She was a woman of masculine spirit.
Comb. 1683 Thyon Way to Health xi. (1697) 192 Neither
are any [Women] so. .Masculine Spirited. 1899 Crockett
Kit Kennedy 207 A. .masculine-looking woman.
B. sb.
1. That which is of the male sex.
< 1550 SehoU- House Women 342 in Hazl. E. P. P* IV.
118 And all that euer they may imagine, Js to alure the
masculine. 1621 Lady M. Wkoth Urania 16 They slept
back in wonder to see that beautie, which yet in the mascu-
line they came neere to. 1650 Bulwer Authropomet. 87
Nature makes the Masculine perfect.
2. A person of the male sex.
1652 Gaule Magastrom. 265 If he had abused himselfe
with a masculine.. he was forced. .to kill himselfe. 1739
G. Ogle Gualtherus <$• Griselda 107 You, the Masculine,
to Labour bred. 1886 Bynnkk A. Surriage xxvii. 306, I
shall be ill at ease among such an arrayof masculines. 1890
K W. Robinson Very Strange Family 63 She flounced out
of the room and left the masculines to themselves.
b. trans f of the signs of the zodiac. (Cf. A. 2.)
1653 R* Sandeks Physiogn. 7 Of these Signs, the mascu-
lines are fiery and aiery; the Feminine:* earthly and watery,
3. Gram. The masculine gender j a word or form
of the masculine gender.
1530 Palsgk. 67 As consile, miracle be masculynes. Ibid.
70 All adjectives whose masculyn gendre endith in e, have
their masculynes and femynines all one. 1607 XotHU.
Fottr-f. Beasts (1658) 90 The plurall of the Masculine is
Zebann, and of the feminine Zebaoth. i6iz [see Feminini;
B. at 187a Morris Eng. Acad. 83 There are three ways
of distinguishing ttie masculine and feminine in English.
Masculinely (mae'skiaflinli), adv. [f. Mas-
culine a. + -ly -!] In a masculine manner. Also,
in the masculine gender.
1611 B. Jonson Catiline in. iii. H b, You haue done most
masculinely within, And plaid the Orator. 16*7 W. Sclatlr
Exp, 2 Thess. (1629) 230 Whither hee meanes masculinely,
that cuill one, the diuell-.or rather cnitl znorhch no
matter of curious inquiry. 173a J. Whaley Poems 48 The
Face was masculinely hard. 1865 Sat. Rev. 29 Apr. 514/1
A man.. who can admit that an author's style is.. mascu-
linely vigorous and sublime, and yet cannot admire it !
t b. In the male line. Obs.
1658 Walton LJfe of Donne (ed. 2) 5 His Father was
masculinely. .descended from a very ancient Family.
c. Of riming: cf. Masculine a. 3 b.
1837-9 Hallam Hist. Lit. I. 1. i. § 30. 26 All the lines in
each stanza rhyming masculinely with each other.
Mas online n ess (muj'ski^linmes). [f. Mas-
culine a. + -ness.] The quality of being masculine.
166a J. Sparrow tr. Behme's Rem. Wks., Consid. upon
Stiefel 16 His Sprout groweth in Gods Kingdome ;..Not in
Adams Masculinenesse. 1806 W. Tavlok in Ann. Rev. IV.
250 All the excesses of masculineness broke loose and over-
spread the country. 1901 Daily .Yews 9 Mar. 6/1 She affects
a masculineness of diction which [etc.).
Masculinity (m.eski«li-nlti). [ad. F. mascu-
linite\ i. masculin : see Masculine and -ity.]
1. The quality or condition of being masculine.
1748 T. Rcddiman Dissertation 42 Besides the Preroga-
tive of his Sex, or Masculinity (as the French call if. 1865
Sat. Rev. zi Oct. 527/1 The obnoxious airs of masculinity
affected by some of his countrywomen. 188a Athenseum
No. 2867. 462 It is not easy to see why courbe, tangent e.
Parallels, are given as exceptions to the masculinity of
'parts of speech when taken substantively'. 1898 Bodlev
France II. IV. ii- 354 Some.. inheriting, too, the masculinity
of that illustrious princess.
b. //. Things characteristic of the male sex.
1877 Mrs. Oluhant Carita II. xxiv. 144 That furtive
cigars and other precocious masculinities were not criminal.
2. That which is masculine.
i860 Geo. Eliot Mill on Ft. 1. v, This pink-and-wlnte bit
of masculinity with the indeterminate features.
1 Mascull, a. Obs. Also 5 maskyll. [Of
obscure origin : V identical with Mascle a.] Tun
mascull: some variety of the tun (liquid measure).
143a Rolls Parlt. IV. 405/2 [' The wynes of Gascoigne and
Guyen' had only 4 or 5 inches of lees] in a tonne maskyll.
1531 in Set. Pleas Admiralty (Selden Soc) I. 36 Accounting
always a ton mascull for a ton, ij pipes for a ton, [etc. J.
Mascnlo-(marski«l0),used as combining form
of L. mascul-us male. Ma'sculo-feminine a.,
partly masculine and partly feminine. Masculo-
nu*cleusj^'w^;^/^g>'(seequot. 1884); hence Mas-
culo-nuclear a., pertaining to a masculo-nucleus.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. m. xvii. 149 Hermaphro-
diticall and masculo-feminine generations. 1830 Lykll
Princ. Geot. I. 11 One.. fiction of the Egyptian mythology
was the supposed intervention of a mascu to-feminine prin-
ciple. 1884 Hyatt in Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. XaIII.
54 We propose.. to call the original undifferentiated gene-
rative body the nucleus, and its products respectively the
male or masculonucleus, and the female or feminonucfeus.
Masculonge: see Maskinonge.
I Ma'sculous, a. Obs. rare, [f. L. mascul-us
male + -ous.] m Masculine a.
1619 Balcanqlal Lett, in Hales" Gold. Rem. 11. (1673)
117 It was learned, devout, and the stile masculous. 1633
W. Stkuther True Hafpines 101 This is not only the
language of Canaan, but also the masculous Schiboleth.
Masculy (m?e'ski#li\ a. Her. Also 9 mas-
culee, mascally. [f. * mascule , Mascle + -Y.]
Covered with mascle-shaped figures.
a 1550 in Baring-Gould A Tivigge's West. Armory (1S98J
4 Belmarsh.. GuT: masculy arg: 4, 3, 2, 1. 156a Lkigh
Armorie (1597) 35 b, Vert a crosse Masculy Argent. 1610
Guillim Heraldry v. iv. (1632) 377 Masculy, that is..Mav
cle-waies. 1864 Houtell Her. Hist. *f Pip. xv. 196 Shields
mascuUc. .may have been intended by early llcralds to
indicate Difference. 1869 W. S. Ellis Antio. of Her. viii.
163 note, We see on the wings, .the mascally pattern. 1878
Burke Gen. Armory 819/2 Poivges, Ar, masculy so.
Mascun, obs. form of Mason.
Mascurado, obs. variant of Masquerade.
Mascy tinter, obs. form of Mezzotinto.
t Mase. Obs. rare. Also masse, [a. G. mase
(now dial.) ; cf. Masers.] A spot, freckle.
1527 Andrew Brunsivykc' 's Dislytl. Waters F iv b, The
j same water . . withdry veth the spottys and masses oute of the
1 face. Ibid. L ij b, Mases.
Mase, obs. form of Mace, Maze, Mease, Me.ss.
Masedliche, obs. form of Mazedly.
Maseer, obs. form of Mazer ; var. Mahseer.
Masel, Masele(y)n(e : see Measle, Maslin1.
Maseliche, obs. form of Mazily.
I Maselin. Obs. [aA)F.masetin, also mazerin,
maderin, f. mazre, madret bowl of maple-wood.]
A bowl of maple-wood ; m Mazkr.
a xaoo S. Eustace 395 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1881) 219
Men beden him sitten and drinken via \Vib_ coupe and eke
wib maselin. ci»o Arth. <f Merl. (Kulbing) 6944 Plater,
disse, cop & masehne. c 13^6 Ch\vcv,r Sir Thopas 141 They
sette hym first sweete wyn And Mede eek in a Mazelyn.
Maselinges, obs. form of Measlings.
Maseljohn, obs. form of Maslin2.
Maselyd, obs. form of Measled.
Maselyn, -yn(n)e, obs. forms of Maslin1.
Masement, variant of Mazement.
Masendewe, -due : see Measondle, hospital.
Maser, variant of Mazer.
f Masers. Obs. [a. G. masem.] ^ Measles.
1561 Hollybush Horn. Apoth. 4 1 b, Variole is a disease
that noyeth children greatly called Poekes and IfaaMft
MASH.
199
MASHED.
Mash (raaef), sbA Forms : i m&sc-, mtix- (in
Comb. mdscwy rt^maxwyrl) ,5masche,6-7mashe>
6-9 mesh, 6- mash. See also Mash-fat. [OK.
mdsc-y max-, corresponds to late MHG., mod.G.
meisch masc., crushed grapes for wine-making,
infused malt for beer (also, in 15th c. coupled
with met mead, in a gloss for L. mulsum), and to
Sw. mask, Da. mask, grains for pigs. It has been
variously regarded as related by ablaut to OK.
miscian to Mix, and ascogn. w. OS1. mezga sap.]
1. Brewing. Malt mixed with hot water to form
wort.
[c 1000 : see mash-nvori m 5 below. 1335, etc. : see M asm-
fat. J 1587 Harrison England it. vi. 169/2 in liolinshcd,
She letteih her mash run till the malt he left without liquor.
1719 G. Smith Fermentation 28 Some farther sprinkle the
top of the Mash over with dry Malt ground. 174a Lond. <y
Country Brew. 1. (ed.4) 23 The Malt.. is worked by several
Men with Oars, .and is called the first and stiff Mash. 1830
M. Donovan Dotu. Econ. I. 151 The first mash is agitated
and allowed to rest during a longer period than the second.
1889 Barnard Noted Breweries I. 241 The grist is covered
with water a second and sometimes even a third time, the
extract being always called a ' mash '.
f b. trans/. The substance upon which the liquor
is poured in lixiviation. [Cf. Mash v.v i c.) Obs.
1775 AVw Hampsh. Prov. Papers (1873) VII. 653 The
liquor may then be. .put on another mash [in the making
of salt petrej.
2. A mixture of boiled grain, bran or meal, etc.,
given as a warm food to horses and cattle. Also
with qualifying word, as bran-mash : see Bran.
1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Hush. HI. (1586) 131 Graines..
mingled with Floure, fried Beanes, and meale of Lent y Is all
stirred together, and giuen him in a mash. 1614 II. Jonson
Barfk. Fair iv. in, How now ! my Galloway Nag, the stag-
gers? ha !. .I'le gi' him a mash, presently, shall take away
this dizzinesse. 1669 Worlidgk Syst. Agric. (1681) 328
A Mash, or Mesh; Ground-Corn, or such like, boiled in
Water for Cattle to eat. 1726 Swift Gulliver iv. ii, So that
each Horse and Mare eat. .their own Mash of Oats and Milk.
1844 Stephf.ns Bk. of Farm § 1 558 The mash [for farm-horses]
consists of either steamed potatoes, boiled barley or oats,
mixed sometimes with bran. 1881 Besant & Rice Chapl.
of Fleet 11. xix, [He] was.. superintending the preparation
of a warm mash for his hack.
3. gen. Something reduced to a soft pulpy con-
sistence, by beating or crushing, by mixing with
or steeping in water, etc.
1598 Florio, Mescota,..^. medlie, a mixture, a blending, a
mesh, a hochpoch. 1658 A. Fox ll'nrtz* Surg. in. xxiii.
291 Boil it [lleshj again to a mash. ..Then spread that mash
on a thick cloth, apply it like a Cataplasm. 1690 N. Lek
Massacre of Paris v. ii. 45 With this mangled flesh held to
Heav n, This horrid mash of Blood, ami Bone, and Marrow
..I beg the Power Divine [etc.]. 1701 Penh in Pa. Hist,
Soc. Mem. IX. 50 An empty pipe or two to put the mash
of the apples in, 1771 Smollett Humph. CI. 8 June, The
pallid, contaminated mash, which they call strawberries;
soiled and tossed by greasy paws through twenty baskets
crusted with dirt ; and then presented with the worst milk.
Ibid. 13 July, One of his great toes was crushed into a mash.
1816 L. Towns Farmer fy Crazier s Guide 13 After the
Grass has been chewed over again, it is reduced to a kind
of Mash, not unlike boiled Spinach. 1880 J. Payn Confid.
Agent II. 107 The streets are one mash of snow.
tratisf. 1852 Surtees Sponge's Sp. Tour viii. 33 He [a
huntsman who had had many injuries from falls] was a com-
plete mash of a man.
b. Jig. A confused mixture ; also, a muddle,
'hash'. (Cf. Mish-mash.)
1598 B. Jonson Ev. Man in Hum. iv. xl, Bray. I haue
made a (aire mash on't. 1851 HlLFS Comp. Solit. vi. (1874)
85 Our charity is so mixed up in a mash of sentiment and
sickly feeling. i86x Thorsbury 'Turner (1862) II. 163 His
will is an extraordinary mash of grammar.
e. (without article.) The state of being mashed
or reduced to a soft mass. ///. and Jig. Chiefly in
to beat, boil, etc. to mash, in mash.
1630 Lord Banians 88 Some [of the earth's Inhabitants)
blowne from the lops of high mountains, other bruised to
mash. 16.. Ballad of Robin Hood $ Fanner xxi. in Child
Ballads III. 138/2 For here we may thresh our bones all to
mesh. And get no coyn at all. 1691 J. Wilson Belphegor
HI. iv, She 'as beaten me to mash. 1693 Drydf.mZ.iS. Wits.
1893 XVIII. in Buy me a sieve-full [of damsons] to preserve
whole, and not in mash. 1751 Lady Luxborouch Let. to
Shenstone 3 Sept., The paper is boiled to mash. 1760-72
H. Brooke Fool of Qu at. (1809) II. 115 [He] dashed all the
eggs into mash. 1839 J. Rayson Poems (1858) 34 But we've
a gipsy creature here In vice will bang them aw to mash.
4. m mask-staff {HexMry).
1688 R. Holme Armoury in, 296/2 He beareth Azure, a
Brewers Mash in Bend sinister.
5. attrib. and Comb.: mash f bowl, + coomb,
/reeve; f mash-back, a receptacle into which the
mash is drawn off from the mash-tub ; mash-cooler
(see quot.) ; mash copper, a copper in which wort
is made; mash-liquor, the water put to the malt
is the process of mashing ; mash-machine (see
quot.) ; mashman, an operative in a brewery or
distillery who has charge of the mashing of malt
m&sh-pxdxieT ^mash-maehine (Knight Dict.Mech.
Suppl. 1884); mash-roll {dial, -rule), -rudder,
•staff, the instrument used to stir the malt
in the mash tub ; mash-tub, tun, vat, a tub in
which malt is mashed; + mash-wise adv., after
the manner of a mash ; mash-wort (OE. mdsc-
wvrt), wort, infused malt. Also Mash-fat,
1729 0. Smith Fermentation 28 Put 'em into the *Ma&h-
backs to ferment, a 1529 Sk ELTON F. Fnmiuyng 196 Than
Elynour taketh The *mashe bolle. 1875 Knight Diet.
Mech., *Masli-cooler, a stirring-trough in which mash or
wort are stirred to expedite cooling. 1588 Lane. Wills III.
137 In thc.brewe house. .one "mashe combe. 1864 Auld
Ayrg$ The measurement of the "mesh copper. 1815 J. Smith
Panorama Sei. \ Art 11. 580 The worts., were run through
the *mash-kieve. 1830 M. Donovan Horn. Fcon. 1. 155 If a
*mash-liquor be of such heat as is [etc. J. 1839 Ure Diet.
Arts in The malt is agitated. .by a mechanism contained
within the mash-tun. .. The "mash machine is shown .. in
fig. 106. 1889 Barnard Noted Breweries 1. 191 Two or three
of the *mash-men. .had been in the same occupation., over
forty years. 1388-9 in 1st Hep. Hist. MSS. Comm. 80/i
De xviii,/. solutis pro ii. *masshe rolles in pistrina. c 1440
Promp. Pan'. 328/1 Maschel, or rothyr, or maschschercl,
remultts, palmula, mixtorium. 179. Pegge Derbicisms
(E. D.S.) in Mash-roll, the staff with which they stir the
malt in the mash-tub. 1854 M iss Baker Northampt. Gloss.,
Mash-rule, the instrument uset! for stirring up the malt
and hops in brewing. 1454 in Rogers Agric. <y Prices III.
555/'» 2 *mash rothers. 1727 Bradley Fam. Diet. s.v.
Baking, Let one put in the Water, and another with the
Mash-Rudder stir some of the Flower therewith. 1688 K.
Hoi.mk A rmonry in. 296/2 The Pole is termed a * Mash-Staff.
1841 Hakisiiounk.SVi/t'/. Ant it/., s. v. Afas/tfat,'Vhe grain is
stirred round with a wooden implement, termed a mash-
staff. 1543 in Trevelyan Papers (Camd.) 185 The bruyng
howse. ..Item ij. new malte sackes. . . Item a "maxstobe.
1683 Tkvon Way to Health 154 Put it into your Mash-
Tub. 1837 Whittock, etc. Bk. Trades 11842) 69 The
'mash-tub ..is a large vessel which has a false bottom
.. pierced with small holes. 1713 J. Ward Y'ng. Math.
Guide (ed. 2) 450, I have omitted the Business of gauging
*Mash-Tuns. 1741 Cotnpi. Fam.-Piece 1. \ i. 277 Your Mesh
Tun must be. .big enough to contain 6 Bushels of Malt.
1880 Act 43 ■$• 44 I id. c. 24 § 23 (31 The distiller must convey
the specified sugar, .to the mash tun. 1729 G. Smith Fer-
mentation 2S The Malt being first put into your "Mash-
vat or Tub. 1610 Markham Masterp. 1. lvii. 121 Let his
driuke be warme water and branne made * mash- wise, ,1000
Sax. Leechd. II. 216 Drince werniod on *max-wyrte awyl-
lede. Ibid. III. 74 genim mascwyrt. 1875 I' re's Diet.
Arts I. 316 The whole of the drainage, when mixed with the
first mash-wort, constitutes (etc.].
Mash (moej), sb.% [Hindi mash.} A common
Hindu pulse, Phaseolus radiatus.
1800 Asiat. Ann. Reg., Misc. Tracts 44/1 The principal
crop of this country [Assam] consists of rice ami mash.
Mash (uiaj"), sb.% slang, [f. Mash v.-}
1. A person on whom one of the opposite sex is
* mashed* (see Mash v'& 2). Also, a dandy, ( swell \
1882 Punch 11 Feb. 69/1 At his fav'rite burlesque theatre
he's known as 'such a Mash'. 1888 Kipling Phantom
Richstuiw 25 She's a hot-headed little virago, your mash.
2. The action of the vb. Mash 2, in on the mash.
1888 Daily Tel. 15 Nov. (Farmer1, An impecunious fellow
who was always on the mash.
Mash (maej), sbA [?f. Mash v.1 (sense 2);
cf.j however, F, masse sledge-hammer, Mace sb.1}
A hammer for breaking stones. Also mash-hammer.
1825-80 Jamiesom, Mash-hammer, a large weighty ham-
mer for breaking stones, &c, Aberd. 1886 J. Bakrowman
Gloss. Sc. Mining Terms in N. <$■ Q. Ser.vn. (1888) VI.
264 Mash, a double-headed hammer for breaking coals. 1893
Northumbld. Gloss., Mash, a mason's large iron hammer.
1902 CasselCs Cycl. Mech. II. 205/1 [Granite] mouldings.,
are cut . . with a small hand hammer, called a mash hammer.
Ibid. 238/1 Tools for dressing Granite... A hand hammer
(sometimes termed a mash or maul).
Mash ("iaej)» f.1 Forms : 3 meahe, meysse,
5 masche, 6 mas(s)he, mes(s'she, 6-7 meash(e,
6, 8 mesh, 7 messh, 8 marsh, 6- mash. £f. Mash
sby ; the earliest forms appear to point to an OE.
*ni8escan (:—*maish/an) f. mdsc- (see the sb.). Cf.
G. meischen, Sw. miiska, Da. mrskeA
1. Brewing, trans. To mix jnalt) with hot
water to form wort. (Also with tip.)
13.. [implied in Mashing vbL sb.]. £1440 Promp. Parv.
328/1 Maschyn, yn brewynge, misceo. 1577 Harrison
England 1. lit. i. 96/1 m Holinshed, They seeth theyr woort
..before they mashe, or mixe it with the mault. 1598 Hak-
luyt Voy. \. 406 Quasse, which is nothing else (as we say)
but water turned out of his wits, with a litle branne meashed
with it. 1616 StRFL. & Makkh. Country Farm 589 Yon
must boile it [the mall] well, then mash it. 1688 R. Holmic
Armoury nt. 104/2 Terms used by Ueer-Brewers. .. Mash it
up, blend or mixt [sic] the Malt and warm Water together
in the Comb. 1745 Douslf.y Agric. 1. 131 Some expert..
To mash the malted barley, and extract Its flavour'd strength.
1880 Act 43 <$- 44 Vict. c. 24 § 24 A distiller must not mash
any materials .. between eleven o'clock [etc. J. 1889 Bar-
nard Noted Breiveries I. 22 Each tun mashes 800 bushels
at one time.
absol. or intr. 1692 Y-worth Art Distill. 10 The stiffer
you Mash, the better it is. 1743 Lond. f<f Country Brewer
iv. (ed. 2) 272 Stir the Malt very well in, and let it stand
two Hours, and let that run, and mash again. 1830 M.
Donovan Dom. Econ. I. 223 The practice of some distillers
is to mash four times.
+" b. To brew (ale, beer, etc.). Also with out.
x53° Palsgr. 633/2 Come and drinke with us, we mashe to
morowe. Ibid. 759/1, 1 tonne, I masshe ale, je brasse. 1592
Greene Upst. Courtier Wks. (Grosart) XL 274 And you
masse Brewer, that.. mash out a tunning of smale beare.
1633 P. Fletcher Purple 1st. ix. xxviii, Yet was it Angels
wine, which in her eyes was masht,
fc. To lixiviate (ashes). Obs. rare"1.
1605 Timme Quersit. 11. iii. 115 The lye-wash which is made
of ashes and water ; the which being oftentimes messhed and
drawen away, the ashes leave all their life and strength.
d. dial. To infuse (tea). Also intr. of the tea:
To draw. (Cf. Mask v$ 2.)
1845 Round Preacher v. 83, I suppose as you. .put the tea
in the oven to mash, before you went to ( hapt-1. 1876 Miss
Bbaddon y. Haggard's Dan. I. 304 'The tea's mashed*,
she said. 1891 Corns 2 Girls on Ba>ge 36 Mrs. Bargee
' mashed * our tea. . .To mash your tea is colloquial canal.
2. To beat into a soft mass; 10 crush, pound, or
smash to a pulp. Also with up.
a 1*50 Owl ty Night. 84 Ac bu bretest to mine fleshe, Mid
bine cliures woldest me mesne, 1641 H. More SongofSoul
111. App. lxxxvii, Let h im.. persist Th' intentional! species to
mash and bray In marble morter. 1679 C. Nessk Ant id.
agst. Popery l)ed. 3 A sharp threshing instrument, .to mash
in pieces those mighty mountains. 1715-20 Pope Iliad xxiu.
77S This hand shall.. Mash all his bones, and all his body
pound. 1719 Baynard Health ( 1731) 28 It's [sc. the heart's]
office is to mesh and beat, And make the Chyle consjmulate
with balmy Blood and nitrous Air. 1780 Phil. Trans.
LXXII. 44^ The foot ..looked as if two had been squeezed or
rather mashed together. 1781 Eucycl. Brit. (ed. 2) VII. 4892
The room .. fell down, killed all the persons in it, and so
mashed their bodies, that.. they could not be known one
from another. 1844 Browning Labot atory 9 Grind away,
moisten and mash up thy paste. 1865 Dickens Muf. /■ > .
ill. ii, She [a steam-Doatj mashed up Thames lightermen
with her paddles. i^g^Scribner's Mag, June 71 3/2 A falling
limb [of a tree] mashes some poor fellow's shoulder,
b. To pound or stamp one's way.
1859 Dickens '/'. Two Cities 1. ii, With drooping heads and
tremulous tails, they mashed their way through the thick
mud.
f c. To make a ( hash ' of. Obs.
1642 If. Moke Song of Son I Notes 162/1 Greek writers have
strangely mash'd this word mrr, some calling it iwjSa,
others lOMt.
d. intr. To admit of being crushed or pounded.
1877 Lk Conte Etcm. Geol. (1879) 183 The lower one
[lamination line), .consists of coarse sand which could not
mash, and therefore has been thrown into folds.
3. esp. in the preparation of lood : To reduce
(fruit, vegetables, etc.) to a homogeneous mass by
crushing, beating, or stirring.
1615 Markham Fng. Honsew. (1660) 83 Open the pye,
and put the Cream therein, and mash the Codlins all about.
1699 Evelyn Ace tar ia 105 Yolks of. .Eggs.. to he mingl'd
and mash'd with the Mustard, Oyl, and Vinegar. 1747
Mrs. Glasse Cookery i. n Put them [sc. turnips] in a Pan
and mash them with Butter and a little Salt. 1759 tr. Da-
hamefs Hit s6. in. xii. § 6. 417 [The grapes] are thrown into
large tubs, and there mashed or bruised to pieces, a 1845
Hoou Drop of Gin iii, No cold mutton to hash,, .not even
IKjtatoes to mash. 1861 Cai.verL.RY ' J here stands a City '
45 At my side she mashed the fragrant Strawberry,
b. fig-
1827 Scott Jrnt. 28 Mar., I can clear the ground better
now by mashing up my old work. .with new matter. 1858
E. FitzGerald Lett. (1889) I. 266 Many Quatrains are
mashed together. 1865 Lond. Ret1. 9 Sept. 271/1 There is
no tendency whatever on the part of womandom to mash up
their 'rights' and ' wrongs' into a 'patent treacle '.
f4. To mix, mingle. Obs.
a 1591 H. Smith Strut, (1594) 467 The Lord will not haue
the wine of his word to he mingled and mashed with the
water of humane inuentions. 1607 [cf. Mashing b|, 1611
CoTGR.) Mistionner, to mix, mingle, mash, mell, blend, 01
temper with. 1722 Sbwel Hist. QuaAers vii, 383 Ye are so
forward to mash the Innocent and Guilty together.
5. To feed with a mash. rare.
1859 Times 28 Mar. 8/4 How say you, Lord Derby?..
Will you be stalled and stabled, and mashed.. in Lord Pal-
inerston's stables V
Mash ^nix'J"), v.- slang. (? orig. U. S.)
1. trans. To fascinate or excite sentimental ad-
miration in (one of the opposite sex). Also absol.
1882 LsLAND Gypsies 10S These black-eyed beauties by
mashing men for many generations, with shafts shot side-
ways and most wantonly, at last sealed their souls into the
corner of their eyes. 1883 Masher 4 J uly 3/1 When a fellow
is married, he can't go on mashing, don't you know. 1885
F. Anstby Tinted Venus v. 59, I saw directly that I'd
mashed her. 1897 Barrhre & Lkland Slang, Jargon A>
Cant s. v., About the year i860 mash was a word found only
in theatrical parlance in the United States. When an
actress, .smiled at. .a friend in the audience, she was said to
mash him.
2. pass. To be mashed on : to have a sentimental
admiration lor, to be 'gone' on. Also intr.
1883 Pall Mall G. 11 Oct. 11/1 The participle 'mashed'
was in use in America before the substantive. A person
who was • very spooney on ' another was said to be 'mashed '.
1893 Milliken *'Arry' Ballads 66 Bell Bonsor is mashed
011 me proper. 1893 McCarthy Dictator II. 22 He is fond
of mashing on to young and pretty women.
Hence Ma*shing vbl. sb. and///, a.
1883 Illustr. Lond. News 9 June 563/3 Cornet Masham,
whose name may.. be intended by the author to cover his
involuntary 'mashing 'capacity. 188^ Pall Mall G. 11 Aug.
6/2 The ex-Parisian gallant and mashing gay deceiver.
1 Mash, v.-> Sc. Obs. [f. Mash so*} intr.
To use a * mash ' hammer.
176a Bp. Forbes Jrnl. (1886) 228 The General made his
way.. with blowing and mashing, most of the Road being
altogether forced on the Declivity of. .Mountains.
Mash, dial. f. Marsh ; obs. form of Mesh.
Mashallah (moejarla), int. [Arab, phrase
<0J| Li U ma ska ytldh, what God wills (must come
to pass).] An exclamation used by Mohammedans.
1855 in Ogilvif. Suppl. 1857 Dufff.rin Lett. High Lat.
(ed. 3) 148. I.. dismissed the disconsolate culprits, with the
Asiatic form of condonation : ' Mashallah, you have made
your faces white 1 Go in peace ! '
Mashed (majt), ///. a. [f. Mash r1 + -ed K\
1. Beaten or crushed to a mash.
1635 Voy. Foxe 4- James to N. It'. (Hakl. Soc.) II. 281
Wee had great store of masht Ice. 1693 Drydf.m Juvenal
MASHEL.
iii. (1697) 65 Nor Limbs, nor Bones, nor Carcass wouM re*
main : But a mash'd heap, a Hotchpotch of the Slain. 1727
Gay Fables 1. xxxvii. 126 Her mash'd eggs bestrow'd the
way. 1747 Mrs. Gi.asse Cookery ix. 99 Mashed Potatoes.
1841 Thackeray Men A> Pictures W'ks. 1900 XIII. 328 The
cool clear shadows are mashed-down masses of sienna and
indigo. 1844 J. T. Hewlett Parsons A> W. ii, Bacon and a
few mashed turnips. 1856 Rank Arct. E.xpl. I. xxiii. 289
I We] set forward over the worst sort of mashed ice.
2. Brewing. Of* liquor': Treated with mash.
1839 Urf. Diet, A rts 99 The mashed liquor is let off into a
large hack.
1 Mashel. Obs.rare. In 5 maschel. [f. Mash
vA + -Ei,.] «= Mash-rudder (see Mash $b* 5).
11440 Promp. Parv. 328/1 Maschel, or rothyr, or masch-
scherel, remulus, patmula, mixtorium.
Mashelton, dial, form of Maslin-.
Masher1 (mre-Jai). [f. Mash z-.1 + -KB1.]
1 1. One who mashes (malt) or mixes (wine). Obs.
ria 1500 Chester PI., Harrowing of Hell II. 82 With all
mashers minglers of wyne in the nighte. a 1603 I". Cart-
wright Confut. Rhem. N. T. (1618) 449 The difference
onely l>etween these minsters and your mashers, is, that
they put not so much water into the wine, that it ceased
to be wine still. 1611 Florio, Mescitore, a mesher, a
mingler, a blender.
2. A machine, vessel, or instrument for mashing
malt, fruit, vegetables, etc.
1878 b're's Diet. Arts IV, Masher . .[for use in] a new
system of preparing the mash for the distillation of potato
spirit. 1889 Barnard Noted B 'reivt -ries II. 337 A spray of
hot liquor issuing from the top of the masher. 1893 K. San-
born S. California 155 The ponderous rollers and keen
knives of the masher mash the fruit.
Slasher - (m:e*j3.ij. slang. A name applied to
a fop of affected manners and exaggerated style of
dress who frequented music-halls and fashionable
promenades and who posed as a * lady-killer*.
The word was common in 1882 and for a few years after.
It is said to have been introduced from the U. S.
1882 Theatre Nov. 316 The ' Masher', that poor debili-
tated sickly creature of 1882. 1883 Globe 16 May 1/5 Moths
of fashion who have come to be generally known by the
generic title of ' mashers'. 1889 IJesant Hello/ St. J'aufs
1. 7 The once brilliant masher of the music-hall.
b. attrib. passing into adj. Pertaining to or
characteristic of a masher.
1884 Girls Own Paper Nov. 58/1 A very feeble looking
blue, with tiny white dots, is called a 'masher blue'; because
it was affected by those weak boys for their waistcoats.
1890 J. Hatton By Order of Czar (1891) 195, I hate those
horrid comic, .bragging masher songs.
t Mash-fat. Obs. Forms: 4massh-,masche-,
5 mach-, maysh-, masshe-, mesch-, 5-6 mas-,
5-7 mesh-, 6 mashe-, messhe, 8 mesch-, 5-
mash-, and see Fat sb.'1 A mashing-vat.
'335 hi Riley Mem.Lond.{ 1868) 194 [One] masshfat [value
i8d\]. 1465 Paston Lett. III. 435 A grete lede to brew v.
comb make with. .a mayshsate [read mayshfate], a 1529
Skelton E. Rummyng 190 The hennes ron in the mashfat.
1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Httsb. 1. (1586) 28b, I. .put the
meale into a Mash Fatte. 1677 Plot Oxfordsh. 76 Mesh-
fats for Brewing. 1727 Bradley Earn. Did. s. v. Bmuiug,
Many put their Malt first into the Mesch- Fat, and then pour
in their Liquor for the first Wort.
Mashie, mashy (marji). Golf. [? Corrupt
a. F. massue club.] An iron club (see quot. 1 88 1 ).
1881 Forgan Golfer's Handbk. ii. 15 The ' Mashy' is used
for the same purposes as the Niblick proper, and only differs
from it in its sole and face being straight instead of rounded.
1891 Daily News 23 May 5/2 All the forms of the golfing
iron, from the driver to the cleek and mashie.
Mashing (mse'Jlr)), vbl. sb. [f. Mash v.* +
-ing !.] The action of Mash v.1
a. Brewing. The action or process of mixing
malt with warm water to form wort.
j 1532, 1573 [see mashingfat, -tub in c below]. 1692
Y-worth Art Distill. 9 Pouring on as much warm Liquor
n
as you intend to make use of in that Mashing. 1707 Mor-
timer Nusb. (1721) II. 318 In all the Mashings. .before you
let it run out, you draw out some of the Liquor first, and see
if it run clear. 1822 Imison Sci. <r Art II. 156 When the
mashing is completed the tun is covered in. 1887 Barnard
Whisky Distill. 10 The mashing with hot water on the same
grains was then repeated.
b. In other senses of the verb.
e 1440 Promp. Parv. 328/e Maschynge, mixtura, mixtio.
1607 Sclwl. Disc, agst. Antichr. 1. 1. 31 This iustifieth. .the
Adiaphorist in all his mixtures and meashingswith poperie.
1818 Cobbett Pol. Reg. XXXIII. 472 A mashing up of
proceedings at police-offices along with scraps of plays,
gambling-house news and boxers' slang. 1877 ^e Conte
Elem. Geol. iii. (1879) 253 A mashing together horizontally.
c. attrib. (cf. Mash sb,1 5), as mashing-hack,
-gear, mac/tine, machinery, oar, rake, staff, stage,
-stick, -tub, -tun, -vat (\-fat), water,
1889 Barnard Noted Breive ries 1. 23 *Mashing-backs for the
reception of weak worts. Ibid. 22 They [sc. tuns] all
possess double-acting *mashing-gear. 1839 Urk Diet. Arts
113 Fig. 106 is the *mashing-machine. 1830 M. Dono-
van Dom. Econ. I. 224 The "mashing machinery should
be kept in motion for two or three hours. 1826 Miss
Mitford Village Ser. 11. 233 He has .. lost a finger in a
*mashing.mill. 1836 Penny Cycl. V. 403/2 [The malt in
the mash-tub] is worked up by means of instruments termed
*mashing oars. 1688 H. Holme Armoury m. 296/2 The
Pole is termed.. a *Mashing Staff. 1889 Barnard Noted
Breweries II. 299 Leaving the *mashing stage wedescended
to the underback room below the tuns. 1830 ' B. Moubray '
Dom. Poultry, etc. 317 A Funnel, *Mashing-s4ick, Casks.
1573 Lane. Wills (Chetham Soc.) III. 60 One "mashtowinbe
[read mashintowbe]. 1707 Mortimer I/usb. 565 Put one
third part of it into the M eshing-tub. 1865 Pall Mall G.
200
17 May 7 One of the supervisors, .found in the mashing tub
five quarters, two bushels, and seven gallons of malt. 13..
Glass. IK de Bibbesiv. (Camb. M.S.) in Ret. Ant. II. 81/1
*Mahssingfate [sic], keuerel. 1532 More Confut. Tindale
Wks. 679/2 He maye happe ere aught long, to fal into the
messhing fatte. 1741 Compi. Eam.-Piece 1. vi. 285 Be
sure you cover your Meshing-fat very well. 1743 Lond.
A> Country Brew. iv. (ed. 2)272 *Mashing-Vat. 1830 M.
Donovan Dom. Econ. I. 89 Well-mellowed malt will permit
the use of a hotter *niashing water.
t Ma'Ship. Obs. Forms : 6 mas(a)hyp(pe,
mas(s]hip(pe. [An abbreviation of mastership:
cf. Mas. Common in 16th c.J -^Mastekkhii'.
Only with poss. pron., as his, your maship, etc.
Apparently the abbreviated form (at least when used in
writing) implied disrespect : cf. quot. 1567-9.
1526 Hundred Mery Talys (1866) 16, I shall gyue your
mashyp a good reward. 1546 Br. Gardiner Declar. Art.
Joye 51 b, And so your masshyppe hathe sayde truelye.
1567-9 Jewel Def Apol. ( 161 1) 412 How vainelyyou snap. .
now at our Masterships : now at our Maships : (for this is
the sobriety and grauitie of your speech). 1579 Gosson
Sch. Abuse, Apol. (Arb.) 74 And because his mashippe
would seeme learned, he heyred him seruauntes with great
stipendes. 1600 W. Watson Decacordon (1602) 132 He must
(if out of credit with their maships) do som desperate act.
Mashlam, -lin, dial, forms of Maslin l.
Mashloch. vmajl3x% Sc* Also 6 masleach,
-loch, mashlowe, marshlock* 7 maischloch.
[? Alteration of Maslin.] = Maslin -.
1575 Ree. Elgin (New Spalding Ci. 1903) I. 150 Katherein
Kos. .wes decernit to keip neborat in schawing masleach in
the Schanehery hill. 1584 Burgh Rec. Edinb. (1882) IV.
340 Na baxteris .. sail grynd . . any masloch bot sic as
cumis furth of vther cuntreis. 1595 Duncan App. Eiymol.
(E. D. S.), Farrago, a mixture of sundrie stuffs ; mashlowe.
1609 Skene Reg. Maj., Stat. Gild 143 b, Na man sail pre-
sume to grind quheit, maischloch, or rye, with hand mylnes ;
except [etc.], 1780 Arnot Hist. Edin. ii. (1816) 45 In the
Mescelin or Mashloch, the flour was almost entirely sifted
from it, a portion of rye was mixed with the bran. 1884
Rogers Soc. Life Scot. I. vii. 236 The mashloch was of
sifted flour conjoined with rye.
Mashlum, Sc. form of Maslin 2.
Mashy (marji), a. [f. Mash sb> + -y!.] Of the
nature of a mash.
1730-46 Thomson Autujun 700 Then comes the crushing
swain ; the country floats And foams unbounded with the
mashy flood.
Mashy, Masicot: see Mashie, Massicot.
Masin, obs. form of Mason.
II Masjid (mr'sd^id). Also musjid. [a. Arab.
j^~* masjid: see Mosque.] A mosque.
1845 Stocql'eler Handbk. Brit. India (1854) 204 There
are many mosques or musjids in Patna. 1840 E. B. East-
wick Dry Leaves 38 In the small island of Khwaja Khizr
..is a masjid, or mosque. 1882 Flover Unexpl. Balu-
chistan 96 A ground plan of a house marked in white stones
and evidently intended for a masjid.
Mas John : see Mas.
Mask, sb.1 Obs. exc. dial. Also 1 max, 5-
maske. [It is uncertain whether the mod. word
represents OE. *masc (by metathesis max) str.
neut., or is adopted from the cognate ON. mpskve ;
in the former case the phonology may be com-
pared with that of Ask v. (For the further ety-
mology see Mesh sb.)] A mesh. (In OK. a net.)
c 1000 ./Elfric Colloq. in Wr.-Wulcker 92 Ic brede me
max, Plecto mihi retia. Ibid. 93 Ic asti^ie min scyp
and wyrpe max mine on ea. 1343 in Kiley Mem. Lond. (1868)
215 [Seeing that the] masks [of the same nets, according to
the custom of the City, ought to be 2 inches wide at least).
c 1440 Jacob's Well 239 Smale lytell fyssches skyppyn thru^
the maskys of a nett into the watyr. c 1575 [see Hfxk
sb} 2]. 1584-5 Act 27 Eliz. c. 21 Create destruction of the
Frye of Fisshe there enseweth, by reason of the smallnes
of the Maskes of suche Nettes as they use. xfiojr /lingua
11. vi, The maskes [of a net] are made so strong, That I my
selfe vpon them scal'd the heauens. 1669 in North Riding
Rec. VI. 134 Two men presented for fishing with a net of
which every maske was not 2 in. broad and 1 in. long. 1886
Chester Gloss., Maske, a mesh of a net.
t Mask, sb* Chiefly Sc. Obs. [Northern var.
Mash sb.'1] = Mash sb.1 Also Comb., as mask
ruther ( ^ rudder), wort. Also Mask-fat.
1508 in Ld. Treas. Ace. Scot. IV. in Item. ..for maskis
of malt to the said hors. 1567 Satir. Poems Reform, via.
35 Ane mask of malt. 1588-9 Extracts Rec, Glasgow
(1876) 1. 129 Ane mask ruther.
Mask (mask), sb.3 Forms: (6 measque),6-7
maske, 6-9 masque, 7- mask. [a. F. masque
masc. (in 16th c. also fem.) of disputed origin,
whence also G., Du. maske fem., Da. maske com.,
Sw. mask fem. Masque sb, was orig. a sense of
the same word, now differentiated in spelling.
The Fr. word (first recorded in 16th c.) is usually be-
lieved to be ad. the synonymous Sp. mascara, It. mas-
cltera (see Masker sb.1, Masquerade). But it is diffi-
cult to believe that the word has no connexion with med.L.
mascus, masca, which render OK.gr/ma mask, spectre, in
the Corpus Glossary c 725. Mascha is used c68o by Ald-
helm in association with larva, which had the senses ' mask '
and ' spectre ', and masca occurs in the Lombard Laws
c8oo with the sense 'witch ' ; cf. Pr. masco witch (see Mas-
cot). On the whole the most plausible view seems to be that
the representative of med.L. maseus, masca survived in
some Fr. dialect, and was thence taken into literary use as
an equivalent of the like-sounding Sp. mascara. The origin
of medX. mascus, masca, is undetermined ; some scholars
think the original sense was ' mask ', and that the word
was from Teut. *maskwo- net (see Mesh sb.).]
MASK.
1. A covering for the face, worn either as a dis-
guise or for protection.
a. A covering, usually made of velvet or silk
'with apertures for seeing), concealing the face or
the upper part of it, worn for disguise at balls,
masquerades, etc. In mask — masked.
1534 Ln. Ukrnkrs Gold. Bk. M. Anrel. (1535) 102b, The
vices that they brought {from Asia] to Rome.. The patri-
is bearyng Measnues, the I'lebeyens usynge smelles,and
the emperours to weare purple. 1581 Pettie tr. Guazzo's
Civ. Conv. (1586) I. 28 There are certaine glorious fellowes,
who at shrouetide goe with Maskes on their face, and yet
woulde faine be knowne what they are. 1617 Morvson
/tin. in. 177 Gentlemen anil Citizens wines when they goe
out of dores, weare vpon their facts little Maskes of silk,
lined with fine leather. 1666-7 I>Ervs Diary 18 Feb., One
of the ladies would, and did sit with her mask on. 1691
Lond. Gaz. 2651/3 To march out with their Arms and Hag-
gage, Colours Flying,.. 30 Covered Wagons, and 50 Per-
sons in Masks, &c 172a Dk Foe Moll t1 'landers 341, I had
no Mask but 1 ruffled my Hoods so about my face that
[etc.]. *7>7 — Eng. Tradesm. x. (1732) 1. 117 A Kail,
where people appear in Masque, and act a part to make
sport. 1833 Ht. Maktineai Three Ages 1. 1 A troop of
gentlemen, .whose country could not be divined from their
complexions, since each wore a mask.
b. A covering worn on the face for protection ;
now esp. a screen of wire, gauze, etc. to protect
the face from injury in dangerous games or manu-
factures.
1591 Shaks. Two Gent. iv. iv. 158 Since she did neglect
her looking-glasse, And threw her Sun-expelling MaMNM
away. 1601 Holland Pliny I. 367 He. .hath a thicke coife
or maske (L. persona densusqtte reticulus] about his head,
for doubt that hee should bestow any [frankincense] in mouth
or eares. 1688 R. Holme Armoury in. 13/1 A Mask... This
is a thing.. Gentlewomen used to put over their Faces.. to
keep them from Sun burning. 1813 Roland Eencing 25
note, Each fencer wears a closely wrought wire mask for
the security of his face. 1831 Krewster Nat. Magic
xii. (1833) 306 A casque or cap, with a mask large enough
to leave a proper space between it and the asbestos cap.
1844 Browning Laboratory \, Now that I, tying thy glass
mask tightly, May gaze thro' these faint smokes curling
whitely. 1875 Knic;ht Diet. Mech., Mask,, .a wire cage to
protect the face from a stray cut or thrust with a foil in
fencing... A face protection to be worn in glass-works or
foundries, to protect against radiant heat. 1901 H. McHigh
John Henry 68 Baseball masks.
c. Anita. The hollow figure of a human head
worn by ancient Greek and Roman actors, intended
both to identify the character represented and to
increase the volume of the voice.
1705 Addison Italy 103 (Venice), Could we suppose that a
Mask represented never so naturally the general Humour
of a Character, it can never suit with the Variety of Passions
that are incident to every single Person in the whole Course
of a Play. 173a Lediard Sethos II. x. 435 The actor whose
mask represented Cheres. .went off from the stage, a 1862
Buckle Misc. Whs. I. 487 The Romans sometimes played
without masks : the Greeks never.
d. A grotesque representation of a face, made
of pasteboard moulded and painted ; worn at
merrymakings, carnivals, etc.
1837 D. Jerrold in New Monthly Mag. LI. 317 The mask
fixed upon the effigy [of Guy Fawkes].
e. A likeness of a person s face in clay, wax, etc. ;
esp. one made by taking a mould from the face
itself. Also death-mask (see Death sb. 19).
1780 Rogers in Archseologia (1782) VI. 107 An account of
certain earthen Masks from the Musquito Shore. . . Masques
..which, his Indian conductors told him, were the likenesses
of chiefs, .who had been formerly buried there. 1846 Penny
Cycl. Supp. II. 705/2 They [the wax imagines of the
Romans] were probably cast from moulds taken from models,
though such masks [taken after death] may have been used
in the formation of the models. 1877 Clara Bell tr. Ebers
Uarda I. 311 note. Such a mask of the dead is not unfre-
quently found at the head of mummy cases.
2. fig. a. A 'cloak', disguise, pretence; esp. in
phr. under the mask of, to put on, assume, throw
off, pull off, or drop the mask (of), etc.
1577 F. de L' isle's Legendarie Fivb, That their nephue
Francis serued but as a maske and cloke to their fellonie.
1605 His Maiesties Speach, etc. H b, And the Racke onely
offred and shewed vnto him [Guido Fawkes],_ when the
maske of his Romaine fortitude did visibly begin to weare
& slide off his face. 1647 Clarendon Hist. Reb. 111. § 31
No man had ever a greater power over himself, or was less
the man that he seemed to be. which shortly after appeared
to every body when he cared less to keep on the mask. 1701
De Foe 'True-born Eng. 8 The Mask thrown off, Plain
Devil his Title stands. 1748 Richardson Clarissa (1768)
IV. 350 If I write not in time, but that thou hast actually
pulled off the mask ; let [etc.]. 1766 Goldsm. Vic. W.xxx,
A base, ungenerous wretch who under the mask of friend-
ship has undone me. 1812 Crabbe Tales xvi. Wks. 1834 V.
138 She veiled her troubles in a mask of ease. 1832-4 De
Quincey Caesars Wks. 1862 IX. 31 He himself by way of
masque attended a public spectacle. 1849 Macaulay Hist.
Eng. I. 400 He had covered his failings with the mask of
devotion. 1876 Freeman Norm. Cong. IV. xvii. 37 The way
in which., wrong contrived to assume the mask of right.
b. Something which covers or hides from view.
175a Mason Elfrida 25 To. -be led Veil'd in the mask of
night, to Edgar's chamber, A counterfeit Matilda, a 1821
Keats Sonn., Loi>ers Compl., The new soft-fallen mask Of
snow upon the mountains. 1886 Willis & Clark Cam-
bridge III. 540 The series of melancholy attempts. .to con-
vert the medieval style of our colleges into Italian by a
mere mask of ashlar.
3. A masked person ; a person wearing a mask
or in masquerading dress ; a masker.
X580 Lvly Euphnes (Arb.) 335 By this time entered an
MASK.
other Masque. 1676 Etiieredoe Man of Mode 1. i. (1684)
3, I remember there was a Mask observed me indeed. 171a
Audison Sped. No. 383 P6 A Masque, who came behind
him, gave him a gentle Tap upon the Shoulder. 1749 Fielij-
ing Tom Jones xni. vii, This Mask was one of those ladies,
who go to a masquerade only to vent ill-nature. 1794 Mrs.
Radcliffe Myst. Udolpho xvi, Groups of masks were seen
dancing on the moonlight terraces. 183a Db Qi:incey
Ktosterheim ix, A Masque, armed cap-a-pie. 1834 L.
Hunt's Lond. Jml. No. 25. 198 Amongst the ambulau^
masks. .1 must not omit the most interesting.
f b. ?A masquerade dress, domino. Obs.
1577 in Cunningham Revels Accts. 114 A large Maske of
murrey satten. .with sleeves of gold tyncell.
4. Various technical uses.
a. Jrc/i., etc. A representation (often grotesque)
in stone of a face or face and neck, used in panels,
keystones of arches, etc. ; a similar representation in
metal on a shield. Also, a kind of corbel the shadow
of which is like a man's profile ; = Buckle sb. 4.
1731 BAiLtwol. II, Masque {v/'\t\i Architects), certain pieces
of sculpture, representing some hideous form ; grotesque or
satyrs faces, used to fill up or adorn some vacant places. 1784
H. Walpole/.^. 7 Sept. (1858) VIII. 502 Mrs. Darner her-
self is modelling two masks for the key-stones of the new
bridge at Henley. 1848 T. Kickman Styles Arc/tit. (ed. 5)
Introd. xxx, A good bold corbel-table.. carried on masks, a
name given to a peculiar corbel because the shadow of it is
the same as that from a head. 187/0 F. R. Wilson Ch. Lin-
disfame 1 1 1 The labels terminate in grotesque masks. 1874
Boutell Arms .y Armour ii. 19 The shield, .in either case
was adorned by having the head of an animal nailed in the
centre.. or a mask executed with the hammer {?-epon$se) in
bronze, was fixed in a similar position.
b. Hunting. The face or head of a fox (occas.
of an otter). Phr. to set his mask for (said of a
fox) to header, make^r.
1828 Sporting Mag. XXII. 244 The masks of a bitch fox
and five of her cubs were nailed against the door of his
keeper's kennel. 1853 *C. Bede' Verdant Green vii, Over
the mirror was displayed a fox's mask. 1891 County Gentt.
XXIX. 1684 A second fox. .set his mask for Vowes's Gorse.
1904 Westmorld. Gaz. 2 July 5/5 Captain Thompson pre-
sented., the pads [of the otter) to the Misses Cheetham..
and the mask.. to Isaac Fletcher, the huntsman.
C. Fortif. A screen to protect men engaged in
constructing a work, to conceal a battery, etc. ;
also, a casemated redoubt serving as a counter-guard
to the caponier(Voyle & Stevenson Mil. Dictti8y6').
iSom James Mil. Diet, s.v., Several masks must be hastily
thrown up, whilst the men are employed behind one. /did.,
The engineer, or artillery officer, places himself behind this
mask and draws his plan. 1884 Mil. Engin. I, 86 A floating
mask, may be necessary for the protection of the men form,
ing the head of the bridge. The mask should be of planks
covered with iron or steel plate if possible. Ibid., As the
work proceeds, a parapet must be erected on the causeway
under cover of the mask to protect the men from the flank-
fire of the enemy.
d. Ent. The enlarged labium of the larval and
pupal dragon-fly. Also Zoo!, a formation or colora-
tion of the head resembling a mask.
1797 Encyct. Brit. (ed. 3) X. 20/1 (Libelta) This mask,
fastened to the insect's neck,, .serves to hold its prey while
it devours it. 1840 Cuvier"s Anim. Kingd. 174 The mask,
formed by the fringed feathers that surround the eyes, is
greatly extended [in the barn owl]. 1896 tr. Boas' Text-bk.
Zool. 255 The larva; [of dragon-flies), .are characterised by
the modification of the labium into a long eversible prehen-
sile organ (the mask).
e. Photogr. A piece of opaque paper used to
cover any part of a negative, lantern- slide, or print
which it is desired to obscure or shade; esp. the
margin of a piece from which a disk has been cut.
1876 Adnky Photogr. (ed. 3) 118 [Sunning down a bright
spot on a print] may be secured by making a brown paper
mask, cutting out the shape of the object to be toned down.
1889 T. C. Hhpworth Bk. Lantern (ed. 2) 141 Now take a
slide, duly fitted with its black mask, and a cover glass.
f. Surg. A piece of linen, with apertures for the
eyes, nose, and mouth, used for applications to the
face (Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890).
5. attrib. and Co?nb.t as mask-maker ; mask-tike
adj.; mask-ball,a masked ball, masquerade; mask-
crab, a crab of the family Corystidx, with mask-
like markings on the carapace, as Corystes casstve-
taunus; mask-flower [tr. of the Peruvian name
ricaco, or ricarco], any one of several Peruvian
plants of the genus Alonsoa ; mask-man, a masker;
mask-shell, ' any spiral marine-shell of the genus
Persona^ having a curiously twisted aperture '
(Funk's Stand. Diet.); mask-wall Fortify < the
scarp-wall of a casemate* (Cent. Diet.).
1818 Lady Morgan Auto/dog. (1859) 2S6 This fashion in
France of profiting by the custom <t 'intriguer at "masque
balls. 1895 G. A. Sai.a Life <y Adv. II. xxxviii. 78 In the
evening we went to a grand mask ball at the Opera. 1863
Wood Nat. Hist. III. 596 The *Mask-crab buries itself in
the sand or muddy bed of the sea. 1897 £• Balfour Cycl.
India,* Mask flower, Alonsoa. 1899 Bui, 1. en Way Navy 42
His face was *mask-like. 1836 48 B. U.Walsh Aristoph.,
A nights 1. ii, The "maskmakers were so afraid of him, They
would not copy them. 165a Kirkman Cleriofy Losia 87 For
this hour hath this same *Maskman talked to me in Italian.
Mask, z'-1 Obs. exc. dial. [f. Mask sbA] trans.
To mesh, enmesh : lit. and fig.
c,374 Chaucer Tr. <y Cr. in. 1734 He was so narwe y-
masked and y-knet, That [etc.]. 1556 J. Hevwood Sp. «y
the xv. 20 Neuer was there flie in this net, thus masked,
Fhat euer scapte. 1628 Ff.ltham Resolves 1. ii. 4 Like a
Vol. VI.
201
I Partridge in the net, he maskes himselfc the more, by the
, anger of his fluttering wing. 1825-80 Jamif.son, To Mask,
to catch in a net. In this sense, a fish is said to be maskit,
Ayrs(hire). 1883 Blcki.and.VWw^ Jottings 69 We quickly
perceived from the bobbing of the corks that the fish, .were
'masked' in the trammel.
ahsol. 1557 m rotters Misc. (Arb.) 133 Thus in the net
of my conceit I masked styll among the sort Of such as fed
vpon the bayt, That Cupide laide for his disport.
Mask, v2 Obs. [app. a shoitened form of
Masker v.] intr. To be bewildered, lose one*s
way. Also quasi-lrans. (quot. 1599).
CIS90 S. Brandan 118 in S.Eng. Leg. 223 Hi wendealond
as maskede [v.r. masidj men, hi nuste whar hi were. 1387
Trevisa Higden (Rolls) II. 67 Elidurus. .fonde his broper
Archgalon maskynge [L. aberrantem] in a wode [Fabyan
C/iron. 11. xl. (181 1) 28 has maskelyng or wandryng in the
thykest of y* wood], a 1550 Image Hypocr. in Skelton's
Wks. (1843) II. 433/2 Lest it be to late To trust on hadd I
wist, Imasked in a myst. 1381 J. Bell //addon's A nsiv.
! Osorins 119 Fotlowyngherein (as it seemeth) his forerunner
! Hosius, who maskyng in the like maze, doth afiirme [etc.].
: *599 Bp. Hall Sat. iv. iii. 59 Or whiles thou seest some of
: thy Stallion-race, Their eyes boar'd out, masking the mil-
, ler's-maze. 1639 Fuller Holy War \\\. xii. 129 He doeth
i the benighted traveller a discourtesie. .who lendeth him a
lantern to take it away, leaving him more masked then he
was before.
Mask (mask), v.'J Sc. [Northern var. Mash v.1]
1. trans. =M\HHvMoccas.abso/.). Also,tobrew.
1480 Cath. Angl. 230/1 To Maske, ceruidart. 15. . Chat-
merlan Ayrc. 26 § 6 (in Sc. Acts I.) Item bat bai grynd jt
[malt] our small bat jt will nocht ryn quhen jt is maskit.
1639 Rutherford Lett. 1 Oct. (18S1) 409, I hope, for His
sake, who brewed and masked this cup [of affliction] in
heaven, ye will gladly drink. .1650 in W. Ross Aberdour ,y
/nchcolme x. (1885) 284 [To impose a fine. .011 'browsters'
who 'masked ' on Sabbath night]. 1743 R. Maxwell Trans.
Soc. Improv. Agric. 352 A Brewing-keeve, wherein Brewers
mask their Drink. 1871 \V. Alexander Johnny Gibb xxx.
214^ There's naething like a starn gweed maut, maskit i" yer
nam bowie.
2. To infuse (tea) ; = Mash v.1 1 d.
1814 Scott Wav. xlii, I hope your honours wil tak tea, .
and I maun gang and mask it for you. 1883 Annie S. Swan
Aldersyde 11. i. 78 Marget will mask amther cup o' tea
for ye.
trans/. 1846 Johnston in Proc. Bcnv. Nat. Club II. 176
One dozen stalks are ' masked ' in a pint of boiling water.
3. To be masking: (a) of a storm, to be ' brewing';
(b) of a person, to be sickening for a disease.
183. Alex. Rodgers in Whistle- Binkie Ser. 1. 108, I saw
the storm was masking fast, That soon wad fa* on me. 1866
W, Gregor Banff. Gloss., Mask, to gather..; as, 'It's
maskin', or maskin' up for anither shoor '. 1876 Whitby Gloss.
s.v.. It's masking for thunder. 1887 Service Dr. Dttguid
xviii. 116, I could see that he was maskin' for the pocks.
Mask(mosk),z'.'* AIso6 ymaske, 7-9 masque.
[f. Mask sb.3 Cf. F. masquer.]
1. trans. To cover (the face or head^ with a mask.
Chiefly pass. To wear, be disguised with, a mask.
1588 Shaks. L. L. L. v. ii. 157 The Trompet sounds, be
maskt, the maskers come. 1593 — Lucr. 794 Where now I
haue no one to blush with me, . . To maske their browes and
hide their infamie. 1611 Df.kker & Middleton Roaring
Girl 204 Good faces maskt are lewels kept by spirits. Hide
none but bad ones. 1617 Morvson /tin. in. 173 The Women
no lesse then Men..goe masked. 1711 Steele Sped. No. 8
F 4 All the Persons who compose this lawless Assembly are
masked. 1835 Lvtton Zicci 15 A tall figure, masked and
mantled, appeared. 1839 Lane A?-ab. Nts. I. 73 At the fair
of Okaz, the heroes were masked.
b. gen. To disguise.
1847 Tennyson /W»c«,j v. 386 A rout of saucy 1x>ys Brake
on us. .Mask'd like our maids. 1903 Edht. Rev. Apr. 411
His ghost masks himself in no futile disguises.
2. trans/. To hide or conceal from view, by in-
terposing something.
1583 Stanvhurst AEneis 111. (Arb.) 86 Whilste thee sun-
beams are maskt, hyls darcklye be muffled, c 1600 Shaks.
Sonu. xxxiii, The regioncloude hath mask'd him from me
now. 1605 — Macb. 11. i. 125 Masking the Businesse from
the common Eye. 1634 Crashaw in T. S. tr. Lessius' Hy-
giasticon To Rdr., A soul, whose intellectuall beams No
mists do mask, no lazie steams. 1833 Lvell Princ. Grot.
III. 210 The talus d, e, which masked the inland cliff until
it was artificially laid open to view. 1871 L, Stephen
Playgr. Eur. iv. (1894) 102 Rocky fragments., frequently
masked by cushions of fresh fallen snow.
b. Mil. and Fortif. (a) To conceal (a battery,
a force, etc.) from tke view of the enemy, [b) To
hinder (a fortress, army, fleet) from acting on the
offensive by watching it with a sufficient force.
(e) To hinder the efficiency of a friendly force by
standing in the line of its fire.
ijo6Lond. Gas. No. 4256/2 Many Persons might march
out with the Garison masked as the Governor should think
fit. 1763 British Mag. IV. 204 The seamen, .mounted all
the guns in the baUery, which we masked. 1802 James Mil.
Diet, s.v,, One toise and a half of epaulement will require
two chandeliers, and 60 fascines, to mask it. 1811 Wel-
lington in Gurw. Desp. VII. 338 The other fleche was
masked. 1868 Kirk Charles the Bold III. v. iii. 411 The
idea of leaving Moral unassailed, masking it with a portion
of his army while prosecuting operations with the rest. 1870
Pall MallG. 3 Sept. 2 Bazaine.. has succeeded in convincing
the Prussians that it requires a large force to mask him.
1875 Bedford Sailor's Pocket Bk. vii. (ed. 2) 268 Such boats
must be cautioned not to mask the fire of any boats employed
for the same purpose. 1884 Pall Mall G. 29 Oct. 2/2 To
command the sea we must be prepared at a moment's notice
to mask the enemies' fleets by forces, .equal to his.
C. Arch.
1828 Stfuart Planter's Guide 518 It appeared extremely
MASKED.
desirable to that artist to mask or conceal the Approach from
the House and adjoining grounds. 1867 Barry Life Sir C.
Barry viii. 291 A cloister with one story above it, or an
open arcade, might mask the building from the high ground
of Hridge Street. 1879 Sir G. Scott Lect. Archit. II. 100
The roofs, internally, may be proved to have been masked
by level ceilings.
d. Zool. and Hot.
1843 Owen Invert. Anim. (1855) 436 That stage of the
Orthopterous.. insects, in which they are masked by the
vermiform or true larval condition. 1857 A. Grav 1st Less.
in Bot. xv. (,1866) 106 In Catalpa this number is masked in
the calyx byinegular union, and in the stamens by abortion.
e. Cookery. (See quot.)
1877 Cassetl's Diet. Cookery 11 77/2 Mask, to cover meat
with any rich sauce, ragout, &c.
f. Photogr. To cover, shade or mount with a
mask. 1881, 1884 tsee Masking vbl. sb.2 2].
3* Jig' To disguise (feelings, etc.) under an assumed
outward show ; to conceal the real nature, intent,
or meaning of.
1588 Shaks. L. L. L. i. ii. 98 Most immaculate thoughts
Master, are mask'd vnder such colours. 1594 Plat Jewell-
ho. 1. 55 Howsoeuer the same was masked, or disguised in
shew. 1656 Bkamhall Replic. iii. 153 Sedition masked under
the Visard of Religion. 1777 Shkkidan Sch. Scand. 1. i,
He has been obliged to mask his pretensions. 1841 D'ls-
RAELl Amen. Lit. (1867) 683 Polemical studies become
political when the beads of parties ma^>k themselves under
some particular doctrine. 1865 Dickens Mitt. fir. ill. v, Its
old simplicity of expression got masked by a certain crafti-
ness. 1870 Morris Earthly Par. I. 1. 215 Masking with a
smile The vain regiets that in their hearts arose.
+ 4. intr. To take part in a masque or mas-
querade ; to be a masquer, to masquerade. Also
to mask it. Also fig. Obs.
a 1562 G, Cavksdish Wolsey (1893) 108 An other maske
..of noble geniilmen, who daunced & masked with these
fayer ladyes. 1589 N ashk Pasonitl '$■ Marforius 1, I wonder
howl missed you? Pastptilt. Neuer maruatle at that, I
haue Uarned to maske it. 1591 Sienser Tears 0/ A/uses
180 Where be the sweete delights of learnings treasure.. In
which I late was wont to raine as Queene, And maske in
mirth with Graces well beseene? 1597 Beard Theatre God's
Jndgcm. {1612) 435 Six [masquers] that masked it to a mar-
riage at the hostell of St. Paules in Paris. 1606 Choice,
Chance fy Change (1881) 50 After they had masked and
mummed, away they went. 1731 Bailey vol. II, Mask,..
to go to masks or masquerades.
t b. trans. To perform after the fashion of a
masque. Obs.
1560 Pilkington E.xpos. Aggctis (1562) 58 These be the
due ties of good sbepeheardes..and not maskynge masses,
and mumming mattyns.
t 5. intr. To be or go in disguise; to hide one's
real form or character under an outward show.
OftenySV Obs.
1579 Spenser Shep. Cat. Jan. 24 Now is come thy wynter's
stormy state, Thy mantle mard, wherein thou maskedst
late, c 1585 /'aire Em 1. 86 Thus must we mask to save our
wretched lives, a 1591 H. Smith Six Serm. (16181 A 4, Like
/EsopsAsse, masking in the Lions skinne. 1619 Hieron Wks.
I. 21 The spirituall venome that masketh vnder these deceit-
full shadowes, is either not beleeued or not thought vpon.
1633 Lithgow Trav. ix. 394 The French men. .were cruelly
massacred..; which exploit masketh vnder the name of
Vesper! Siculi. 1649 Drumm. or Hawth. /renc Wks. (1711)
170 How bravely soever ye mask and flowrish in words.
Mask(e, var. ff. Masque ; corrupt var. Mast sb.*
Maakalonge: see Maskinonce.
Maskarado, obs. form of Masquerade.
(Masked, ///. a.* [f. Mask z».2 + -ed*.]
Amazed, bewildered. < 1290 [see Maskz\-].
Masked (muskt),///. a.2 Also 7-9 xnasqued.
[f. Mask sb.:i or v.* + -eu]
1. Having, wearing, or provided with a mask.
ai637 B. Jonson Under-ivoods, Death Sir H. Mon'son 23
For, what is. .masked man, if valu'd by his face, Above his
fact? 1681 Wvndham Ring's Concealm. 75 Thus entred
these masqued Travellers, to enquire where they were. 1751
H. Walpoi.e Lett. (1846) II. 397 Where there are a few good
>ictures, and many masked statues. 184c Scalding /taly
371 These characters were represented by masked actors.
b. Masked ball \y . bal masquf\: a ball at which
those taking part wear masks; = Masquerade i.
1813 Sk. Character (ed. 2) I. 201 She's going to give a
masqued ball in February. 1825 Greenhouse Camp. I. 250
At masqued routs. 1873 Ouida Pascarel I. 151 It was the
masked ball of the Carnival.
C. Used (often repr. L. larvatus, personatits) as
the specific name of animals having some conforma-
tion or marking resembling a mask.
1840 Cuvier's Anim. Kingd. 130 The Masked Hoar (Sus
larvatus), 1859 Wood Nat. Hist. I. 245 Paguma larvata,
..Masked Glutton. 187. Cassetl's Nat. Hist. II. 343 The
Japan, or Masked Pig (Sus pliciceps, Gray), /bid. IV. 162
'I 'he Masked Finfoot (Podica persouala). 1883 Ibid. VI.
200 The Masked Crab [ = mask-crab, Mask sb.3 5]. 1896
H. O. Forbes Handbk. Primates I. 163 The Masked Titi.
Callithrix fiersonata.
d. Bot. Of a corolla : - Personate.
1793 Martyn Lang. Bot., Personata corolla, a personate
or masked corolla. 1839 Lindley /ntrod. Bot. (ed. 3) 1. ii.
167 If the upper and lower sides of the orifice are pressed
together, as in Antirrhinum, it [the corolla] is personate or
masked, resembling the face of some grinning animal.
2. trans/, and fig. Having the real features or
character concealed or disguised. Also occas. Con-
cealed from view.
1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. tn. xviii. 105
The masked hypocn'sie of this olde (oxe. a 1586 Sidney
92
f
MASKELER.
Arcadia w. (1590) 223 b, [He] was not the sharpest pearcer
into masked minds. ci6ooShaks, Sonn. \\v, When sommers
breath their masked buds discloses, a 1628 Ld. Brooke
Poems, Of Humane Learn, lxxxi. 38 Nothing new Hut
masked euill which still addeth terror. 1815 W. H. Ireland
Scribbleomania 270 note, Others, .pursue it. .with invidious
sarcasms and 1 11 asqued sneers. 1904 HEWLETT Queen's Quair
1. viii. 113 None could under-read her masked words.
b. Nosology. Of diseases, esp. intermittent fevers:
presenting anomalous symptoms; not recognizable
by the usual criteria.
1833 Cyct. Pract. Med. II. 234/1 (Fever). Masked inter-
mittenls. Ibid. 235 '\ Masked ague. 1843-71 Watson Lect.
Pn'nc. .$- Pract. Physic (ed. 5) I. 8ji Sometimes the patient
is said to have lurking gout or masked gout. 1897 Allhutt's
Syst. Med. II. 317 Masked malaria) fever. 1899 [hid, VIII.
558 The psoriasis may remain masked.
3. Mil. and J-'ortif. Chiefly in masked battery.
see Mask z>.4 2 b. K\±ojig.
1759 Dilworth Life Pope 52 Mr. Addison, to vent his
spleen against Mr. Pope by the means of a masked battery.
1768 Goldsm. Good-n. Man iv. (near end), You shall . .
burst out upon the miscreant like a masqued battery. 1783
Justamond tr. Raynats Hist. Indies V. 462 A masked bat-
tery, intended to cover the harbour and town of Parama-
biro. 1800 Asiat. Ann. Reg. II. 145/2 The attempt which
was made to annihilate an inquiry of such importance, by
the masked battery of an amendment.
t Ma'skeler. Oh. Also masculer. [? altera-
tion of Masker sb.1] ? A mask. ? Hence (by sub-
stitution of suffix) Maskeling (in quot. -yn), a
masquerade.
1511 in Collier Hist. Dram. Poetry (1879I I. 79 To Richard
Gybson opon a warraunt for the revells, called a maskelyn at
New-hall in Essex, 207/. 5s. i^d. 1512 Ibid., Also for mas-
culers and other diverse things, a 1548 Hall Citron.,
Hen. VIII So b, Euery one visered himselfe, so that they
were unknowen . . and so in maskeler passed the touneof Arde.
Maskeles, -ez, var. ff. Mascleless Obs.
Maskeline, obs. form of Maslin-.
Maskelles, -ez, variant ff. Mascleless Obs.
Maskelonge, -enozha, var. ff. Maskinonge.
Masken: see Masquin Obs.
t Masker, sb1 Obs. Also 6 maskyr. [ad. It.
masehera : see Masquerade sb.] A mask. Phr.
In masker : disguised with a mask, in masquerade.
IS*9 in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. 1. I. 143 The King..woll
come, .and see your Grace in Calais in maskyr. 153a More
Confut. Barnes VIII. Wks. 758/1 Their maskers [to be] taken
of and their hipocrisie to be dyscouered. 1548 Thomas Ital.
Grant. (1567), Masehera, a masker, or a visour.
Masker, *M, masquer (ma'skai). [f. Mask
v.* + er 1. Cf. F. masquenr.] One who takes part
in a masquerade or masque ; a person in masquer-
ade, a masquerader.
a. a 1548 Hall Citron,, Hen. VIII 16 After the banket
doen, these Maskers came in. 1590 Spenser F. Q. in. xii.
6 The whiles the maskers marched forth in trim amy. 1613
Chapman Maske Inns Court A 1 b, Then rode the chiefe
maskers, in Indian habits, all of a resemblance, 1723 Steele
Conscious Lovers 1. L (1755) 12 Vou know 1 was last Thurs-
day at the Masquerade :.. the Maskers you know followed
us. 1828 Scott F. M. Perth xiii, They show themselves in
the streets as the companions of maskers. 1867 Parkman
Jesuits in N. Amer. hi. (1875) 15 A party of maskers at the
Carnival.
fi. 1580 LVLV Enphues (Arb.) 332 Masquers do therefore
couer their faces that they may open their affections, Z635
Bacon Ess., Of Masques (Arb.) 540 Let the Sutes of the
Masquers, be Gracefull, and such as become the Person,
when the Vizars are off. a 1777 Goldsm. Epil. to ' Sisters
12 The world's a masquerade ! the masquers, you, you, you.
1814 Scott Lord of Isles v. xxiv, In masquers quaint attire
She sought his skiff. 1849 Dickens Barn. Rudge iv, Your
blockhead father, .slips him on a mask and domino, and
mixes with the masquers. 1873 Ouida Pascarel I. 23 The
masquers reeled on out of sight.
Comb. 1593 Nashe Christ's T. jt b, Your mornelike
christall countenaunces shall be netted ouer, and (Masker-
like) cawle-visarded, with crawling venomous wormes.
fb. trans/, and jig.
X593 Nashe Christ's 7\ 73b, England,, .the continuall
Masquer in out-landish habilements. 1647 Clarendon Con-
tempt. Ps. Tracts 11727) 406 Those maskers in religion and
honesty.
Masker (ma-skai), v. Obs. exc. dial. Forms ■
a.4malscre, malskre; &. 5-9 masker, 57 maskar,
maskre). [OE. *malscriani implied in malscrnng
vbl. sb. ; app. cogn. w. Goth. *malsks (? foolish) in
untiia-malsks precipitate (tr. Gr. irpoirfrrjs * heady*
A.V., 'headstrong* R.V., 2 Tim. iii. 4), OS. malsc
proud. Cf. Mask v.2] a. trans. To bewilder,
confuse, b. pass, and intr. To be bewildered.
Hence Maskoring vbl. sb. and///, a.
c?as Corpus Gloss. F 55 (Hessels) Festinatio [i.e. fisci-
natio], malscrung. c 1000 Sax. Leechd. III. 36 WiS mals-
crunge uriwiflwwrf manra] wihta. 11350 Will. Palerne
416 How he hade missed is mayne & malskrid a-boute.
13.. E. E. Ailit. P. B. 991 pe ledez of bat lyttel toun wern
lopen out for drede, In-to bat malscrande mere, a 1400-50
Alexander 1270 And bat left ware on lyfe bot a litill mesne,
Ware als malscrid [wisivritteu malstrid : Dub). MS. mai-
stretO&mascd. cxqytCast. Perse?'. (E. E.T.S.) 76/75 Man-
kynd is maskeryd with mekyl varyaunce. 1577-87 Hoi.in-
shed Chron. II. 7i6They..so maskered his understanding,
that, .they brought him to tract the steps of lewd demeanour.
1600 Holland Lwy in. Ix. 129 To masker their troubled
heads the more, hee assaileth them with a great shout and
maine violence. 1601 Deacon it Walker Ansa*, to Darel
To Rdr. 4 An intricate Labyrinth, or maskaring maze. 1681
H. Mork Expos, patt. I'ruf. 7 Why might not the wise men
202
. .be so maskard that they could not read the handwriting
on the wall ? a 1800 Peggk Suppl. Grose (1814), Masker'd,
stunned ; also nearly choaked. North. 1841 Hartshorne
Salop. Antiq. 503 Sich a dark neet I was masker'd like.
Z879 Miss Jackson A'/iro/s/*. Word-bk., Maskered, confused,
bewildered.
Maskerade, -at, obs. forms of Maswueuadb.
i Ma skery, ma*squery. Obs. AlsoCmas-
karye, mascarie. [a. F. masquerie, f. masque
Mask sb$ : see -ery.] Masking, wearing of masks;
a masquerade. Also, mas<juerader's attire.
a, 1548 Hall Chrou., Hen. VIII 80 b, Another compaignie
of .x. lordes in whiche maskery the kyng was himselfe. 1554
in Maitland Ess. Reform. (1849) 3°3 -Such as have most
wickedly called the Mass a Maskarye. 1554 Yaxley in
Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. m. III. 313 A brave maskery of cloth
of gold and syluer, apparailed in maryners garments. 1561
T. Hoby tr. Castiglione's Courtyer n. (1577) M vj b, I being
in maskerie passed by. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholas's
Voy, in. xiii. 95 b, Disguysing themselues with certaine
masquerie, as with heades and Cranes ueckes. 1640 Nabbes
Unfort. Mother E 4 b, Mac. Wee'l first thanke Heaven,
And then wee'l see some maskery.
fig. 1569 J, Sanford Agrif>pa 170 b, They attire him [sc.
Christ] in diuers maskenes of sophismes. 1598 Mahston
Seo. Villany in. viii. G 3, Me thinks I heare swart Martius
cry. Souping along in warrs fain'd maskerie. 1655GURNALL
Chr. in Arm, 1. 306 The masquery and cheating glory of the
great ones of this world.
Masket, masquet (nursket). dial. [The phr.
a masket perh. represents ( )E. *gemalscrod, pa. pple.
of *malscria?t Masker z/.] To go, run a masket :
to lose one's way,
1570 Jewel Holy Script. (1582) 158 The Professours
thereof oftentimes runne a masket ; they leese them selues.
1697 Let. in MS. Lansd. No. 1033. 2 (Halliw.i To go a
masked. 1897 Thornton Remin. \'\. (E. D. D.), O sir, do'ee
please come down, the gentleman has gone a masquet.
Maskett, obs. form of Massicot.
Maskette (masket). [f. Mask sb.2 + -ette.]
(See quot. and of. Maskoid.)
1881-1 W. H. Dall in 3rd Rep. Bureau Ethnol. (1884) 93
The Maskette, an object resembling a mask, but intended
to be worn above or below the face. Ibid. 105 A number of
maskettes and head-dresses from New Mexico and Arizona.
Maskewe, var. Mascle v. Obs.
1" Mask-fat. .Sir. and north, dial. Obs. Forms:
3 mascfat, 4-6 mask fat, (4 maxfate), 5-6 mask-
fatt, (6maskefatt, -fate). [Northern var. Mash-
fat: see Mask sb.2 and Fat sb.1] A mashing vat.
1263 Excheq. Rolls Scott. (1878) I. 14 Item, in ij cunys,
scilicet, mascfats, emptis, ij s. 1367 Finchale Priory Ace.
(1837) p. Ixxviii, j maskfat, j gylfat. 1378 in Test. Karleol.
(1893) 127 Unum plumbum cum uno maxfate. 1430 Test. Ebor.
(Surtees) II. 12 Unum maskfatt. 1567 Wills <y Inv. N. C.
(Surtees) I. 267 A maskfatt and a swett wort fatt. 1600
Ace. Bk. IV. \Vn\y in Antiquary XXXII. 279 Item one
maskefate. 1753 Chambers Cyct. Supp. s. v. Brewer, The
. . utensils of a brewer . . are a furnace . . a copper . . a mask-fat.
t Ma'skful, a. Obs. rare-1, [f. Mask sb.Z +
-ful.] Of the nature of masquerade.
1655 tr. Com. Hist. Francion v. 11 There is a great Feast
within, full of all maskfull Recreations.
Maskill, obs. form of Mascle sb.1
Masking (maskirj\ vbl. sb* Obs. exc. Sc. or
dial. [f. Mask v.* + -ing *.] = Mashing vbl. sb.
1654 Extracts Burgh Recs. Stirling (1887) 211 They sail
pay for ilk maskene lost in thair default fourtie shilling.
1797 Encycl. Brit. fed. 3) III. 544/1 {Brewing), This part of
the operation is called masking.
b. Asuffictentquantity(oftea, etc.)foran infusion.
1825-80 Jamirson. 1893 Northumbld. Gloss., Maskin.
c. Comb. (cf. Mash, Mashing), as masking-fat>
lead (see Lead sb.1 5 a), -loom (see Loom sb.1 2),
rudder, tub ; masking pot (pal) Se.t a tea-pot.
?ai4oo Chalmerlan Ayr c. 26 (in Sc. Acts I. 337/1) Et ea
est causa quod cum coquitur in lie ^masking fat non currit.
1659 A. Hay Diary (1901) 94, 1 payed him for the great mask-
ing fat 4 merks. 1822 Scott Pirate xxiv, She found him
drowned in his own masking-fat. 1465 Finchale Priory
Ace. (1837) p. ccxcix, In primis j "maskyng leyd. i7ix Ram-
say Maggy Johnsioun xii, The pith of broom That she
stow'd in her *masking-Ioom. 1786 Burns When Guilford
good \,rX\\ftn up they gat the *maskin-pat. 1648 Invent, in
Spottisivoode Misc. (1844-5) l> 372 Ther is in the hrewhous
..and ane *maskine rudder. 1457 Peebles Charters, etc.
(1872) no A *maskyn tub with the laf that langis it.
Masking, masquing (ma-skin), zV>/. j&fl [f.
Mask v.4 + -ing 1.]
1. The action of performing or taking part in
a masquerade or masque.
a. 1546 Bale Eng. Votaries 1. 11548) 50 b, Theyr mask-
ynges in y« night after y» paganes maner. c 1560 in T.
Wariou's Life Sir T. Pope (1772) 85 In Shrovetide, 1556,
sir Thomas Pope made for the ladie Elisal>eth all at his
owne costes, agreate and rich maskinge in thegreate halle at
Hatfelde. < 1640 C'tess Lindsky in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist.
MSS. Comm.) 1. 285 There will be masking at yuort at
Twelfth-night. 1711 Lond. Gaz. No. 4836/1 There was a
publick Masking permitted for three Days and Nights. 1864
Uukton Scot Aln; I. v. 309 Those who thus go a-masking
on New Year's eve,, .are called guisards or guizers.
p. a 1616 B. Jonson Love Restored ad init., I tell thee,
I will haue no more masquing. 1716-8 Lady M. \V. Mon-
tague Lett. I. xxi. 64 The carnival is begun, and all sorts
of diversions, .except that nfiUMiHiInf 174a H. Walfole
Lett. (1903) I. 175 The Duchess. . makes a grand masqueing
next week.
b. Used with contemptuous reference to the Mass.
[1546, 1550: see 3.] 1555 Philpot in Foxe A. ty M.
(1583) II. 1828 Ye haue decerned the people wiih that your
MASKOID.
I sacrifice of the Masse, which ye make a masking. 1563-83
' Foxe A. fy M. II. 1203 Playne, seeing a Priest go to Masse,
said, Now you shall see one in masking.
2. PJiotogr. The action or process of using a
, mask (see Mask sb.'-t ^e).
1881 Abnky Photogr. 242 In the printing of the picture ..
1 by a judicious masking of parts he can cause pictures which
would be inartistic to become merely inoffensive. 1884
ibid. (ed. 6) 212 Masking the Negative.
, <*S. attn'b, passing into adj. Used in, appropriate
to, or consisting of a ' masking ' or masquerade ;
masquerading.
154a Nottingham Rec. III. 220 One maskynge garment
, of sarcenet. 1546 Bale \st Exam. A. AU-ezu 34 b, Their
popish portyfolyoms and maskynge bokes. -1550 Bfxon
Jeivel of Joy W ks. 1560 11. 30 The papists affirme yl theyr
massekyng Masse is a perfecte sacrifyce for the quycke and
the deade. Ibid. The papistes put on masking apparel Albes,
girdels [etc.]. 1581 G. Pettie tr. GuazzdsCiv. Conv. in. 137
To maintaine their wiues in suche pompeous and masking
sorte. a isfiSSmxKYApol. Poetrie (Arb.i 41 Therefore [they]
made Mistres Philosophy very often borrow the masking
rayment of Poesie. 161a in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS.
Comm.) 1. 243 Now the masking sports shall follow.
1649 Mm.ton Eikon. Pref., The conceited portraiture before
his Book, drawn out to the full measure of a Masking
Scene, c 1670 A. Wood in Life (1848) 77 note, He hath com-
positions in courtly masquing ayres. 1673 Dryden Marr.
a la Mode Prol., We shall show to-day A masking ball, to
recommend our play. 1812 Byron Ch. Ha*: n. Ixxviii, In
motley robe to dance at masking ball. 1821 Scott Kevihv.
xl, Mien, still habited in their masquing suits.
t Masking, ///. a.1 Obs. [f. Mask v.2 +
-ing 2.] Bewildering.
1387 TREVisA/ir^v/le« (Rolls) II. 219 Man..fel. .out of hous
in to maskynge and wayles contray [L. de domo ad devium).
tMasMng,///^^ Obs. [i".Maskz> .i-t-ing*.]
I Ensnaring, trammelling.
i578Timme Calvin on Gen. 170 When we are so carried
, away with the maskingnettes of beauty, that [etc], 1601
Deacon & Walker Spirits fy Divels 287 You are almost
I quite ferreted foorth from all your starting holes, and are
now brought in a manner before the very mouth of that
masking net, which will so entangle your toong, as [etc.].
Masking (ma-skin), ///. a.z [f. Mask v.* +
-ing *.] That masks, in various senses of the vb.
In early use, f hypocritical.
1577-87 HolinshedC/*>-0«. III. 1143/1 She should both to
Christ shew hir selfe a false christian, and vnto hir prince
a masking subiect. 1506 Gosson Pleas. Quips Gentlew.
(Percy Soc.) 7 Our masking dames can sport, you knowe,
sometime by night, sometime by day. a 165a J. Smith.SV/.
Disc. vi. 237 That which was acted upon it. .every one will
1 grant to have been a masking or imaginary business. 1725
Ramsay Gentle Sheph. 111. iv. Prol., Sir William draps his
masking beard. 1863 W. Thornbury True as Steel II. 133
No one ever confesses that he has committed an injury ; he
calls it retaliation, or justice, or conceals it by some masking
name. 1900 YVestm. Gaz. 2 May 5/2 The masking force
will have to be a strong one.
Maskinonge vro^ki^rtdSj 'p'n<\$i). Also
8 maakinunga, 9 masquinong6, -ongy,masque-
nonger, muscauonge, maskinong£, -ongy,
maskenozha ; masc-, maskal.1 onge, muscal-
(l)onge, masculonge, muskallunge, -al(l)onge,
-alounge, -el(l)unge, maskelonge, masque
alonge ; Diets, maskalunge, muskullonge,
-alinge, -elunjeh, moskalonge, etc. [Odjibwa ;
spelt mackinonge, micikinonge by Cuoq Lexique de
la langue algonquine (where <rrepresentsj"). Accord-
ing to Cuoq, t. mac, mici great + kinonge pike ;
according to Baraga the first element is mask ugly.
The varieties of form are partly due to diversities of native
dialect, partly to a French popular etymology which took
the word as masque long or masque attottge, ' long mask '.J
A large pike, Esox nobilior, inhabiting the Great
Lakes of North America, valued as a food-fish.
1796 Morse Amer. Geog. 1. 352 Maskinungas, a very
large species of pickerel. 1809 A. Henry Trav. 30 Among
the pike, is to be included the species, called, by the Indians,
inasquinonge. 1836 J. Richardson Fauna Bor. Amer. in.
127 Esox estor (Le Sueur), The Maskinonge. 1855 Lonck.
Hiawatha vin, And he said to the Kenozha, To the Pike,
the Maskenozha. i868Lossing The Hudson 61 Laketleorge
..abounds with fine fish, the largest and most delicious
being the Masque alonge. 1884 G. ,B. Goode, etc. Nat.
Hist. Aqnat. Anim. I. 466 At Sacket's Harbor very few
Muskellunge are caught. 1894 Outing XXIV. 454/1 A
dinner of muscallonge steaks. 1899 Pall Mall Mag. Apr.
445 The big trout and maskinonge were stirring themselves in
the depths of the lake.
MaskillS (mwskinz). Obs. exc. dial. Also
meskin(s. [f. Mass sb.1 + -kins, as in bodikim,
pittikins (cf. -kin).] By the maskins : by the
mass ; an asseverative exclamation.
x6zz Chapman May-day iv. 12 b, Ry the meskin me
thought they were so indeede. Z647 Baron CyPnan Acad.
1. 53 By the Maskins I would give trie best cow in my yard,
to find out this ra^kall. 1664 Cotton Scarron. iv. (1741)
85 And now this Swabher, by the Maskins, Thunders up
Dido's Galligaskins. Z7ax in Bailey. [For 19th c. examples
(Yorks., Lanes. & Derbysh.) see Fug. Dial. Die/.]
Maskle, obs. form of Mascle sb.1
Maskoid (ma-skoid). [f. Mask sb.1- + -oin.]
(See quot. and cf. Maskette.)
i88z-a W. H. Dall in 3rd Rep. Bureau Ethnol. (1884) 93
The Maskoid, an object resembling a mask or face, but not
intended to be worn at all. Ibid. 105 Maskoids of stone,
. .jasper, and jadeite. Ibid. 166 Wooden mortuary maskoid.
Mask-owe, variant of Mascue v. Obs.
MASLIN.
Maskre, variant of Maskkr v.
Masleach, variant of Mashloch Sc.
Maslin ' (marzlin). Now dial. Forms : i
m8Dstlin',g)c, -ling, Northumb. meeslen(n, 3
me(a)stling, 3-4 mastling, 4 masalyne, mes-
selinge, -lyng, 4-6 rnaselyn, 5 raastelyn, mas-
oelyne, masselen, messlyng, raesselyne, 5-6
maslyn, 6 mastlyn(e, -line, masolyne, mystil-
tyne,maslyne,-leyn, -lenn,-lyn(n,raaseleyn(e,
-lyn(n)e, -len, raassellen, measelen, meslyn,
messilling, messelyng, 6-7 maslen, 7 mastlin,
masline, masoellin, 4- maslin. [OE. mms{f)ling,
mseslen neut., app. formed (? with suffix -LINO -) on
an unrecorded *mxs (the t being possibly a euphonic
insertion) cogn. w. MHG. mess(e neut., brass (early
mod.O. mess, moss, mesch, mbsch; still dial.},
whence with suffix = -ing^) the synon. MHG., MI )u.
messinc, missinc masc, neut. (G., Du. messing
neut.) ; adoptions from this or an equivalent L.G.
form were ON. messing, mersing fern. ^OSw.
miisinger, Sw. messing masc, Da . messing com. ) ;
LG. has a parallel formation mesken (see -kin).
Most scholars have regarded the OHO. mess(e neut., brass,
as identical with MHO. masse, meat fern., lumpiof metal),
usually believed to be a derivative of I., massa Mass sb?
The supposition involves serious difficulties, and has latterly
been questioned 1 Kluge, Fianck), but no plausible alterna-
tive has been found. It does not seem possible to connect
the words with L. [ms) misccllttm mixed brass, or with the
popular Lat. word represented in Masi.in3. The MHG.
messinc passed into Slavonic iCzech, Upper Serb, tnosaz,
Lower Serb, mjesnik, Little Russian mo'sal. White Russian
mosenz: — *moscngjft) and Litb. imasadis). The view of
Schrader that the Slav, word is the source of the MHG. is
improbable, and leaves the OE. forms and the MHG.wfWK
unexplained. On the other hand, Schrader's comparison of
certain oriental words for brass (Kirghiz ttittes, Kurdish mys,
Persian mis, Mazendoran liters, mis) seems worthy of con-
sideration.]
1. A kind of brass. Now only attrib. (see 3).
e 950 Limits/. Gosp. Mark vi. 8, sts, imcslen. a 1000 Co/lot/.
rElfric in Wr.-Wiilcker 96/20 M;estlingc xr and tin, attri-
ealcttm, xs,ct stagniim. a 1235 Alter. R. 284 note. Golt,
seiner, stel, irn, copper, mestling, breas : al is icleopet or.
c 1230 //ait Meid. 9 And is bat tu wendest gold iwuroen to
meastling. c 1310 Sir Beues 3998 (KSlbing) Foure hondred
copes of gold fyn And ase fele of maslin. 1398 Trkvisa
Bartlt. DtP. R. XVI. v. (1495) 554 Laton. .though it be bras
of Messelyng : yet it shyneth as golde wythout. 1403 Mol-
ting/tarn Rec. II. 20, ij. pateltarum de maslyn. 1509 Test.
Ebor. (Surtees) V. 4 A fore basyn of mystiltyne. 1530
Pai.sgr. 243/2 Masclyne brasse. 1601 Holland Pliny II.
4S7 This precious Mascellin, this compound mettall I mean
of gold, siluer, and brasse. 1607 Lingua tv. i. G 4 b, It must
not be.. Brasse, nor Copper, nor Mastlin. 1688 R. Holmk
Armoury tn. 29/2 An Atchison, is a Mettle peece, neither
Silver, Copper, Brass, Lead, or Tin, it is like Masline.
2. A vessel made of ' maslin ' ; now (dial.) =
maslin kettle (see 3).
£ 1000 Ags. Gosp. Mark vii. 4 Calicea frymoa & ceaca &
arfata & majstlinga. 1854 .V. ,fr Q. 1st Ser. X. 393 An old
brazier informs me that three-legged pots made of the same
metal as tops, _ generally called bell-metal, were formerly
known as maslin pots, or maslins. 1882 [see 3].
3. attrib. or adj. = Made of ' maslin '. Now
chietly in maslin kettle, a large pan used mostly
for boiling fruit for preserve.
f 1450 ME. Med. Bk. (Heinrich) 99 Take a quart of good
whit wyn, and do hit in a clene masselen panne. 1493 :Vot-
tingham Rec. III. 22 Unum maslyn basyn. 1553 litv. Cll.
Goods, Staffs, in Ann. Lichfield (1863) IV. 76, ij maseleji
candelstykes. 1555 Richmond Wi /&(Surlees)86,ij messilling
bassens. 1870 in Miss Jackson Sltropsh. IVord-bk., Maslin
kettle. 1882 N. t, Q. 6th Ser. VI. 158 Brass vessels for boil-
ing fruits, &t\, are called maslin pans in the Birmingham
trade ; and from this cast iron enamelled goods for the same
purpose arealso called mastitis. 1896 IV'anvickshire Gloss.,
Masliit-kcitlc, a brass preserving-kettle.
Maslin - (msellm). Now dial. Forms : a. 4
mastlyoun, 5 mestylyon, -ilione, mystelon,
mystlyone, mastiljon, 5-6 mestlyon(e, mes-
telyn. H. 5 mastcleyne, 5-6 mestlyn , 6 mastlin
(also y\ -linge, mestlen, -lin. y. 6 masclyne,
maskeline, myskelen, 7 meselin. 8. 6 mas-
celyn, miscelin, -yne, mescelline, masseling,
misseling, miscelling, 6-8 mescelin(e, 7 mas-
eelline, masolin, mis(s)elin(e, miscel(l)an(e,
-el(l)ine, miseiline, messeline, -ling, missel-
lan(e, misoeling, 8 measeline, massellin. e. 6
mascleehon, masseljon, -jen, maseljohn,misle-
den, 7 massledine, masslegen, 8 mesledine, 9
machelson, maslegin, masselgem, mashelton.
f. 6 mislin, myslen, 6-7 meslen, mesline,
-lyne, 7 maslen, -land, -lyne, mislane, -leyne,
mesling, -lyn, -Ion, 7, g. mashlin, 8 masling,
mislen, (Sc. 8 9 mashlum. 9 -lam), 7- meslin,
6- maslin. (See also E. D. D. s.vv. Mashelton,
Maslin^.) [a. < ) K. mesteillon (for the many varieties
of form see Godefr.):-late 1.. mistilionem, extentled
form of *misliiiu//i (whence OF. mcsteil, mod.F.
meteil), f. L. mist-its, pa. pple. of miscerc to mix.
Cf. MD11. masteluun (Du. mastelniii).
■ "^i)16 nlany^n£- forms, some represent dialectal varieties
in OK; others are due to popular etymology (the word
having csp. been often associated with Eng. mask sb. or |
203
! vb.) ; others again tu learned pseudo-etymology, tlie spelling
being assimilated to that of I., miscellanea ' hodge-podge '1
neut.pl. of miscelldneus tsee Miscellaneous, Miscellane).]
Mixed grain, esp. rye mixed with wheat. Also,
i bread made of mixed corn.
a. 1303 R. Brunnk Handl. Syuttc 10125 J>e paste.. Shal
nat be of no medel corne, .. pe mastlyoun shut men lete.
c 1440 Promp. Pari1. 334/2 Mestlyone, or monge corne (..
A", mestilione). 1466 Mann, ty Househ. Exp. i.Roxb.) 21 1
! A combe mystelon for the kervelle. 148* Maru. Paston in
, /'. Lett. III. 295 [They] lodyti bothe cartes with mestlyon
I and wbete. 1483 Cath. Angl. 230/1 Masti^on, bigermen,
mixtUio, 1530 Palsgr. 244 2 Mestlyon corne.
3. 14 . . Hail, MS. 1 587 in Promp. Pan'. 335 note, Mast-
cleyne, mixtilio. 1466 Paston Lett. II. 269, ii bushel of
! mestlyn, xvrf. 1573 Tussek Hush. xxxvii.< 1878' 90 If worke
i for the thresher ye mind for to haue, Of wheat and of mest-
j len vnthreshed go sane. 1616 Surfl, iv: Markh. Country
Farm 501 Sow it. . with mastling and wheat. 1815 Pockting-
ton Canal Act 52 Rye, Mastlin, Pease.
V- ^39 Palsgr. 244/1 Masclyne corne. 1538 Inv. Merc-
vale Abbey in Promp. Parv. 335 note, Grayne at the monas-
] tery, myskelen, .\ij strykes. 1558 Will 0/ U'yltle (Somerset
! Ho.), A quarter of maskeline. 1635 Meselin [see c].
! 6. 1534 in W. H. 'l'urner Select. Pec. Oxford (1880) 121
Mascelyn, benes, and pesen. 1577 B. Googk Jic>esbach"s
: Husb. (1586) 32 b, Amongst the sommer seedes is miscelin
: to be reckoned. 1619 W. Sclaikr Exp. x Thcss. (1630) 426
[ The Lord to Israel permitted no medleyes :. .his people might
I not. .sow their field with Miscellane. 1631 Celestiua Ep.
; Ded,, It is good plaine hou>hold-bread, honest messeline.
1654 Whitlock Zootomia 459 \'ou may know, .who eateth
Masolin, who pure Wheat. 1665 Phil, Trans. 1. 93 The
Kinds of Grain or Seed usual in England, being supposed
to be either Wheat, Miscelane, Rye, liarley. 1677 Plot
, Oxfordsh. 244 Its most agreeable grains are. .miscellan, i.e.
wheat and rye together. 1741 Compi. Pam.-Pit-ce in.
422 Rye is a Grain used next to Wheat for liread, and
1 sometimes both are mixed together in the sowing, which is
; called Measeline. 1745 tr. Columella 's Husb. xr. ii, One
moditis of., mescelin. 1789 Madan tr. Persius (1795) 133
■ note, Farrago is a mixture of several grains — mescehne.
f. 157a Wills a> Int. N. C. iSurtees) I. 387 One pecke
of wheat and one j>ecke of mascleehon. 1599 A. M. tr.
dabelhouers Bk. I Ityshke 360/2 Take vnpeeleu Bar lye,
M.iiij. & Misleden. 1631 in J. J. Cartwright Chapters
\ Hist. Yorks. (1872) 316 Masslegen under 19*' rit' shillings the
! load. 1717 Beverley Beck Act 2 Every quarter of wheat,
I rye, mesledine. 1819 Pas' CycL XXII, Mashelson, a term
j used to signify a mixture of wheat and rye, or what is some-
! times called meslin. 1829 J. Hunter Hailamsh. Gloss.
j App., Maslegin, bread made of wheat and rye mixed. 18*9
Brock kit A1". C. Words, Masselgem. 1855 [see bj.
C. 1561 [see cl. 1577 **• Googk Hcresbach's Husb. 1. (1586)
1 35 b, Tares and Oates make a good meslyne sowed together.
1594 Hooker Peel. Pol. Iv. vi. § 3 Charging them withall
not to sow their fields with mesline [cf. Lev. six. 19]. 1600
Surflkt Countric Parme v. xvii. 084 Maslin . . is not one
kind of corne but a mixture of wheate and rie. 165a Inv. in
Gent I. Mag. (1S61.1 II. 506, 2 quart's of mashlin. 1053 Gau-
Den Hierasp. 30 When they sow that forbidden nuslane,
the Tares and Cockle of passionate novelties. 1765 Museum
Kusticnm IV. 225 They who like meslin.. may mix them
to their mind when carried to the mill. 1811 W. Aiton
Agric. Ayrshire 270 The late pease were frequently sown
with oats which in Ayrshire was denominated mashlum.
1864 Sat. A*e'7'. 478 '2 Maslin . . is . . used [in the Northern
counties] as a somewhat cheaper food than wheaten flour.
+ b. fig, A mixture, medley. (See also Misckl-
lank sb. and a.)
1574 Whitgift De/. Aunsiu. ii, You haue made very euill
meslyn, and you haue put in one, things which are not payres
nor matches. 1668 Kirkman Png. Poguc n. xviii. (1671)
162 Having his pockets well lined with Maslin of Gold and
Silver. 1674 N. Fairfax Bulk fy Selv. 102 They were neither
Hogs nor Devils .. but a mesling of two. 1855 RoBINSON
Whitby Gloss.) Mashelton or Machelson, a mixture of wheat
and rye in a mash. A person is said to make mashelton of
his discourse, who puts fine and coarse words together with
an affected pronunciation.
c. attrib. , as maslin brecul, com, seed; also as
adj. (fig.), mixed, mingled.
1544 Will Dando of Littleton (MS.), j bushell of mastlinge
corne. 1561 in Letaud's Itin. (1769) VI. Pref. 17, 3 Loves
Mislin Bread. 1575 Durham Depos. (Suttees) 305 Masseljon
come, being most part benes. 1584 Cogan Haven Health
iv. (1636) 29 A kind of bread named mis>eling or masseling
bread. 1590 Barrow & Greenwood in Confer. 45 This pro-
phane miscelyne people. 1597 J- KlNG ()n 7""'" (1618)
59 Such meslen seed [cf. Lev. xix. 19I light vpoii that ground
which I wish no prosperity vnto. 1607 B. Josson Voipone
Ded., The present trade of the Stage, in all their miscMine
Enterludes. 1626 Br, Hall Contempt. O. P. xxi. i, These
mesline Jewes. 1635 J. Taylor (Water P.i Old Parr
C 2 b, Course Meselin bread. 1649 Blithe Eug. lmprox\
Impr. (1653) 109 Wheat, Rye, or Meslin Stubble, a 1659
Br. Brownkig Scrm. (1674) I. iv. 61 God abhors a mis-
celing Religion. 1725 Bradley Fatu. Diet., Masliug-far,
Food made of Wheat and Rye by putting them to steep
in Water. 1786 Burns Earnest Cryxx, Til be his debt twa
mashlum bonnocks. 1844 Ayrshire Wreath 154 There was
a big bing o' mashlam scones.
Masloch, variant of Mashloch Sc.
Masly : see Massily Obs.
Masnel : erron. form of Masuel.
Masochism (marz^kiz'm). [f. the name of
Leopold von Saeher-Masoch, an Austrian novelist, j
who described the thing + -ism.] (See quot.)
1893 Dunglison's Med. Diet. (ed. 21 ), Masochism, sexual per- 1
version, in which a member of one sex takes delight in being !
dominated, even to the extent of violence or cruelty, by one
of the other sex. 1809 Allbutt\s Syst. Med. VII I. 196 [Group
iii] with predominant perversion of moral and sexual nature
tfor example, moral insanity, uranism, masochism, etc.).
Masolin, obs. form of Maslin '2.
MasOIl (m^-s'n), sb.1 Korms : a. 3 machun,
MASON.
I machoun, mascun. 0. 4 mazoun, 4-5 ma-
con, masown'e, 4-6 raasouu, 6 masin, mas-
; son, maison, meson, St, maissoun, 7 Sc.
meason, 5-6 masone, 4- mason. [The a and 0
forms arc respectively a. ONF. machun and Central
OK. masson, macon (mocl.F. macon) = Yr. masso ;—
popular Latin type either *macidn-em {maa'oj or
*maltion-em {mattio). The recorded forms in
I med.L. are machio (7th c. in Isidore, who explains
the word as a derivative of machina machine),
math ',8th c. in the Keichcnau Glosses, c icoo in
.Klfric), macio, mattioy martio, and (latinized from
; the Fr.) mac/to, maco.
i The ulterior etymology is obscure. The evidence of Isi-
, dore tends to show that the form with c is original, and
some scholars have suggested that the word is from the root
of I,, materia, wall. On the other hand, the stem mattton-
agrees with the OHG. mezzo (also in comb, steinmezzo,
niod.G. stcinmetz, stonemason) : — prehistoric * mattjoti-.
'■ This is commonly regarded as the source of the Rom. word,
but it has no affinities in Teut. uinless it be cogn. w. OK.
mattuc Mattock', and may Le adopted from late Latin.]
1. A builder and worker in stone; a workman
who dresses and lays stone in building.
1/1*05 Lay. 15465 Machunnes heowen. Ibid. 15478 Ma
chunes b 1275 machuns]. ciaoo .S". Eng. Leg. I. 71/33
Macliouns .. lit laddren cloumhen up and doun. (11300
Floris A> Bl. (Cambr. MS.) 326 Ber wib Le squire and
schauntillun, Also \>U were a gud Mascun. 13.. A'. Alls.
2370 On either half they laiden on So the mason on the
ston. 6-1400 Pom. Pose 4148 Aboute him lefte he no ma-
soun, That stoon coude leye, ne queirour. < 1489 Caxion
Sonnes of Aymon xxviii. 577 Y'e are more like a Kyng tlian
a mason or laborer. 1535 Covlrdalk i ( hron. xxiii. 15
Mesons and carpenters in stone and tymber. 1599 Shaks.
Hen. I', 1. ii. 108 The singing Masons building roofes of
Gold. 1697 E. Lmvvi) in Phil. Trans. XXVII. 503 The
Masons !\farks on the Stones. 1703 Moxon Mech. Exert:
237 The White Mason, which is the Hewer of Stone. 1874
Parker Gotk, Archil. 1. iii. 34 The Norman-, being far better
masons than the Saxons. 1878 Jevons Prim. Pol. Econ. 71
Masons totally declined to set stones shaped and dressed
by machinery.
2. « Fkekmason I, 2.
[1425 Kolls of Par It. IV. 292 Les annuelx congregaions
& confederacies fait/ pur Masons tu lour generall Chapiters
& Assembles. 1 1483 Aberdeen Reg. 1344) I. 39 The ma-
sownys of the luge. 1672 Marvel Rehearsal Pransp. 1.
Wks. (Grosart) III. 55 As those that have the Mason's word,
secretly discern one another. 1731 Ccntl. Mag. I. 431 The
Author tells us, that a Mason is obliged by his Tenure, to obey
the Moral Law. 1772 Wkslky Jrnl. 22 Apr. (1827) III. 446,
I preached, in the Masons' Lodge. 1776 Abigail Adams in
J. Adams" Earn. Lett. (18761 151 The Dr. was buried on
Monday; the Masons walking in procession from the State
House. 1845 D. Jkkrold Mrs. Caudle viii, Do you suppose
I'd ever suffered 5 ou to go and be made a mason, if I didn't
suppose I was to know the secret, too?
3. attrib. and Comb, as mason-craft ; mason-like
adv.; mason-workf st one- wo. k, masonry ; also in
a number of obs. compounds where llic attrib.
use takes the place of the possessive masoti'sJ as
mason-axe, -chip, -device, -line, -lodge, -rule.
1412-13 Durham Ace. Rolls (Surteesi 610 Kactura de
"Mason axes, pickes [etc.]. [c 1440 Promp. Par7\ 329/1
Masonys ex, latkomega.] 1497-8 Fabric Rolls i'ork
Minster (Surtees) 90 Pro vj mason axis. 14.. Nom. in
Wr.-Wulcker 687 32 Hie pctro, a 'mason schype. 1509-10
Fabric Rolls York Minster (Surtees) 95 Pro cariagio lyme,
. . mason chippes and fier erth. 1412 Catterick Ch. Contract
(Raine 1834)8 He sail make the Kirke . . newe als werke-
manschippe and *mason craft will. 1418 Twenty-six Polit.
P. (E. E. T. S.) 62/42 pe wyseman his sone forbed Masoun-
craft and all clymbyng. 1831 Carlyle Sart. Res. (1858) 59
Bright, nimble -creatures [swallows], who taught you the
mason-craft? 1 1400 Destr. Troy 1645 Toures .. Made all
of marbyll with *mason deuyse. [Ibid. 10584 A toure ..
Merueloiisly made with masons deuyse.] 1387 in Registr.
Cart. Peel. S. Egidii (Bann. Cl.) 25 Tha ylk men sal mak. .
a wyndow with thre lycbtys tn fournie *masonnelyke. 14..
Nom. in Wr.-Wiilcker 687/35 lice amussis, a *m:ison lyne.
1797 Monthly Mag. III. 215/1 In some *Mason lodges in
his neighbourhood, Burns had soon the fortune .. to gain
the notice of several gentlemen (etc.]. 14.. Nom. in Wr.-
Wiilcker 687/33 Hec reguta, a 'mason rewlle. 1629 Burgh
Rec. Glasgmv (1876) I. 370 Eor working of the *meason
work .. of the liberarie hous. 1859 Tennyson Vivien 4 It
look'd a tower of ruin'd inasonworK. 1896 Archxol. Jrnl.
LI 1 1. 30 Detached blocks of stone, presenting well-marked
indications of mason-work.
b. in the names of animals, esp. certain insects,
which build a nest of sand, mud, or the like; as
mason-ant , = F. fourmi ma^onne), -fly, mason-
bee ( -; F. abcille maconne), an insect of the genera
Osmia, Chalcidoma and Anthophora; mason-
spider, atrap-door spider (A/ygale); (free, mason-
wasp, a solitary wasp, Odynerus murarius. Also
mason-shell, a genus of molluscs (/Viorus or
Xcnophora) which carry pieces of coral, stone,
etc. fixed to the shell ; a carrier-shell.
1816 Kirby& Sp. Entomol. xvii. (1818) II. 97 M. Huber..
speaking of a *mason-ant, not found with us. 1774 Goldsm.
Nat. Hist. (1776) VIII. 93 *Mason Bees make their cells
with a sort of mortar, made of earth. 1867 Intell. Ob*
serx'. No. 60. 415 Mason-bees of the genus Anthophora.
1750 G. Hughes BarbadoesBs It is called a *Mason-fly from
the great quantity of miie and mortar which it carries into
houses and elsewhere, wherewith to build its nests. 1884
Riverside Nat. Hist. (1888) I. 326 The. .genus. .Phomst
which embraces the carrier or *mason-shelts of the eastern
seas. 1826K.IRBY&S1'. Entomol.Wl. xxxiv. 492 The trapdoor
U2-2
MASON.
204
MASQUE.
or "mason spider (My^ale iU'weultiriaK 1861 Hi LMtlr. Mo-
quin-Tandon n. v. ii. 260 The Mygales iCrab Spiders and
Mason Spiders). 179a M. Riddkll Voy. Madeira 7 3 The free
*mason wasp is so domestic as to build its nest, which is
made of mud or clay, in the inhabited chambers of houses.
1815 Kirby & Sr. Entomol. ti8i8) I. 449 One species called
by Reaumur the mason-wasp \Odynerus muraria, Latr.).
Hence Ma*sonship.
1833 Carlvle Ct. Cagtiostro ii. Misc. (1857) III. 270 Ca-
gliostro, then, determines on Mason^hip. 1S81 Daily News
17 Feb. 5 '2 His [Herr PietschV) elaborate investigation uf
Goethe's fifty years of Masonship.
t Mason, sb* slang. Obs. One who acquires
goods fraudulently by giving a bill which he does
not intend to honour. Also + Masoner (in the
same sense) ; I Ma soiling- vbl. sb. and///, a.
1753 Disco?. J. Poultcr (ed. 2) 6, 24, 27, 29.
Mason mJi-s'n), v. Also 5 masown, masson.
[ad. F. macon-ner (12th c), f. macon Mason sb/\
trans. To build of stone (or brick, etc.); to con-
struct of masonry; to build up or strengthen with
masonry. Also with together, out.
c 1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode 1. x. (1869) 7 She hadde founded
ihilke house and masowned it .. xiij c. yer and xxx bifore
that time. 1489 Caxton Faytes of A. 11. xiv. 117 With cer-
tain yssues and steppes welle massonned. 15*3 Ld. Berners
Frolss. I. i. 1 Al buyldynges are masoned and wroughte of
dyuerse .stones. i68a Wheler Journ. Greece IV, 295 A round
'1'emple of Brick, masoned together with a very hard cement.
1703 Chatsworth Building A ccts. in Jml. Derbysh. A rckwoL
Soc. (18S1) III. 31 For masoning, raising and setting upp
4 other urnes. 186a Latham Channel 1st. m. xviii. (ed. 2)
412 About fifty yards south from the temple were five tumuli,
masoned on every side. x88i Contemp. Rev. Apr. 510 The
watercourse beneath it is masoned out with solid stone.
absol. c 1483 Caxton Dialogues 40/9 Laurence the ma-
sone Hath take to masone.
fb. To build in or into (a wall). Obs.
1527 Andrew Ii runs-ay he's Distyll. Waters b iv, A trevet
in the middest of the forays with the iii fete masoned in the
wall of it. 1596 Dasett tr. Co/nines (1614) 217 He caused
also to bee masoned into the wall a great number of iron
speares.
Hence Masoning vbL sb.
1711 C. Lockyer Trade in India ii. 44 Masoning is what
they understand least of.
Mason-dewe, -due, obs. forms of Measondue.
"Masondre, obs. form of Masonry.
Masoned (m^-s'nd), ///. a. [f. Mason v. +
-ED l.] Formed of or strengthened with masonry.
1612 Two Noble /f.v.i,Tbe masond Turrets. 1869 Ld.
Lytton Orval 93 Moss-mason'd haunts where hermit
violets hide. 189a — King Pop/>y\v, 422 The gallery ended
in the mason'd base Of a deep well-shaft.
b. Her. (Also 7-8 masson6(e = F. maconne.)
Marked with lines representing the joints ordivisions
between blocks of stone. A\so gen.
1688 R. Holme Armoury 1, 69/1 He beareth Argent,
Masoned into seven divisions Sable. Ibid. 1. 94/2 The
French lllazon it. A. Massonee of seven pieces S. 1718
Nisbet Ess. Armories, Terms Her.t Massone, is said
of Casiles, Towers, and other Buildings, when the Ce-
ment is of a different Tincture from the Stones, as in the
Arms of Castile. 178a — Syst. Heraldry I. 418 A Castle
Triple Towered Or, Masoned Sable, Windows and Ports
shut Azure. 1787 Bailey vol. IIj Massone', Massonid. 1864
Boutell Her. /list. 4- Pop. xxix. (ed. 3) 446 A low pillar,
the base and capital masoned. 1868 CussANl Her. xiv. 167
The Mural Crown, .has the circle masoned. 1900 Hope in
I 'orks. A rch.eol. Jrnl. XV. 282 The whole wall surface was
* masoned ' with broad red or white lines.
Masone Dew, obs. form of Measondue.
Masoner. Obs. exc. dial. (See E. D. D.) [f.
Mason v. + -eb '.] A mason or bricklayer.
1605 A IS. Indenture, Francis Hooll. .of Brough,co. York,
masoner. 1847 Halliwell, Masoner, a bricklayer.
Masoness (m^'s'nes). iwuce-wd. [f. Mason
sb.1 + -ess !.] A female freemason.
1833 Carlyle Ct. Cagtiostro ii. Misc. (1857) III. 270.
Masonic (masfrnik), a. [f. Mason sb.* + -ic]
1. Of or pertaining to masons or masonry, rare.
1810 Sir A. Boswell Edinburgh Poet. Wks. (1871) 55 The
City grows and spreads on every side, In all the honour of
masonic pride. i8ai Byron yuan v. lxiii, The masonic folly
Of those.. Who give themselves to architecture wholly.
1895 _S. R. Hole Little Tour Amer. 308 The Washington
Obelisk, said to be the highest masonic structure in the world.
2. Relating to, or characteristic of, freemasons
or freemasonry. Also trans/.
1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) X. 625/1 Some scrupulous
brethren, who were alarmed at the publication of the masonic
constitutions. 1810 Wellington Let. 4 Jan. in Gurw. Desfi.
V. 410, I beg . . that the meeting of the masonic lodges in
their corps, and the wearing of all masonic emblems and
all masonic processions may be discontinued during the
time they may be in Portugal. 1831-57 Dk Quince y
WhiggismWkx. VI. 125 This sublime masonic tie of brother-
hood we ourselves possess, we members of Christendom.
1836-9 Dickens Sk. Boz, Scenes xxiii, Cheap silver pen-
holders and snuff- boxes, with a masonic star. 1879 Stevenson
Trav. Ceventies (1886) 18 [He] finally taught me the true
cry or masonic word of donkey-drivers.
Masonite r (m^fs'nait). [f. Mason + -itk.]
An adherent of the fanatical ,'millenarian)tloctrines
of John Mason of Water Stratford {Med 1694).
1710 Steele & Addison 'Tatter No. 257 f 12 Brownists,
Independents, Masonites, Camisars, and the like.
Masonite - (mt^Viwit). Min. [Named by :
C. T. Jackson, 1840, after Owen Mason : see -ite.]
A variety of chloritoid found in Rhode Island.
1840 C. T. Jackson Geol. Rhode 1st. 88 (A. H. Chester).
Masonry (tt#*ft'afi)a sb. Forms : 4 mason-
erie, 4-5 masonrye, 5 masonri, masynry*
masounrye, masondre, 5-7 masonrie, 6 mas-
sonnery, 5- masonry, [a. F. maconnerie {1 ^l\i c),
f. macon Mason sbA : see -ery, -by. Cf. med.L.
massoneria (l)u Cangc).]
1. The art, skill, or occupation of a mason; the
art or work of building in stone. Now rare.
a 1400 Cottstit. Masonry iHalliw. 1844) 13 At these lordys
prayers they cownterfetyd gemetry, And }af hyt the name
of masonry, c 1420 S. Etheldred 789 in Horstm. Altcn^l.
Leg. (1881) 300 Of no masynry to dey;t bat ston, bey nadde
no nede. 1449 Pecock Repr. 1. x. 50 Lijk as he schulde
vnresonabili and reprouabili aske, if he askid of a treuthe
in masonry, where it is groundid in carpentrie. 1530PALSCK.
429/1, I am skylled or connynge in physicke or pahnestrye
or massonnery. c 1600 Shaks. Sonn. Iv, When wastefull
warre shall Statues ouer-turne, And broiles roote out the
worke of masonry. 163a Lithgow 'Trav. vi. 261 [It] hath
l>eene he wen out of the Rocke, by . . men, experimented in
Masonry. 1748 Hume Ess., Understanding x'\. (1777)11.
152 Brick and stone and mortar, and all the instruments of
masonry.
2. concr. That which is built or constructed by
a mason ; work executed by a mason ; stonework.
la 1366 Chaucer Rom. Rose 302 Sorowe was peynted next
Envye Upon that walle of masonrye. c 1384 — H. Fame
ill. 213 Hit nedith nought you more* to tell.. how they
hate yn masoneryes, As corbettz fulle of ymageryes. 1426
Lydg. De Guil. Pitgr. 33s The masounry wrought ful
clene, Off quyke stonys bryht & schene. 1586 J. Hooker
Hist. IreL in Holinshed II. 151/2 The (aire bridge of
Athlon .. he builded with masonrie and free stone. 1601
Shaks. Alts Well II, i. 31, I shal stay here . . Creeking my
shooes on the plaine Masonry. x«a Mason El/rida Poems
1830 II. 33 From its base. .All is Wchoicest masonry. 1843
Borrow Bible in Spain xv, Several gates had been blocked
up with masonry. 1865 Cari.ylk Fredk. Gt. xxi. ii. (1872)
IX. 276 It shows excellent sound masonries. 1876 Rout-
ledgb Discov. 29 The exterior is formed of a casing of
solid masonry strengthened with iron hoops.
trans/. 1774 Pennant 'Tour Scott, in 1772, 120 The strata
narrow and regular, forming a stupendous natural masonry.
i860 Tyndall Glac. 1. i. 3 The particles . . arrange them-
selves in layers, like courses of atomic masonry.
3. The craft, principles, and mysteries of free-
masons ; = Freemasonry i, 2.
1686 Plot Staffordsh. 316 A large parchment volum they
have amongst them, containing the History and Rules of the
craft of Masonry. 1753 Scots Mag. Sept. 427/2 In Masonry
let me be blest, 1826 Mem. Margravine of Anspach II. 1.
14 He was ignorant of the machinations of modem Masonry.
1839 Penny C yd. XIV. 482/2 An act was passed against
Masonry in the third year of Henry VI.
4. atlrib. Composed or built of masonry.
1875 R. F. Martin tr. Havrez' Winding Mach. 96 M.
Kraft ha§ carried his drum shaft upon a group of cast-iron
columns, without any masonry walls whatever. 1880 Re-
spousib. Opium Trade 5 It is exposed for a considerable
tune in large masonry tanks. 1899 Westm. Gaz. 4 Dec. 2/1
Girder bridges can obviously be destroyed much more easily
than masonry arches.
Hence Masonry v. trans., to build or strengthen
with masonry. Also Masonried///. a.
184s Mechanics' Mag. XXXVI. 480 If they (certain
tunnels] were not masonried throughout .. a serious fall of
earth and rock will take place. 1864 C. P. Smyth Our In-
heritance v. xxii, It .. can be explained in a much easier
manner, than by going up, in the teeth of masonried facts,
to the primeval antiquity of the world. 1883 Siderial Mes-
seugerll. 177 Marked by masonried statjon signals.
Masooka, mazuca ni.i/,7 ka . U.S. ^Cor-
ruption of Sp. besugo sea-bream.] (See quot.)
1884 G. B. Goode, etc Nat. Hist. Aquat. Auim. I. 370
The Lafayette or ' Spot ' Liostomus xantkurus, . . is known
..in the Saint John's River, Florida, as the 'Masooka'.
190J Webster Suppl., Mazuca.
Masoola, Masor : see Massoola, Mazer.
i Masora h, Massora h (maso^'ra). Also
Mas(s)oretll(maso^TeJ>). [More correctly Maso-
rethy repr. Heb. rPDD masoreth, a word occurring
in Ezek. xx. 35*; where (by those scholars who do
not regard the text as corrupt) it is interpreted
' bond (of the covenant)', and referred to the root
"1DX to bind. In post-biblical Heb. the word
became common in the sense of * tradition*, being
apprehended as from the root *iDD to deliver, hand
down ; on this view of its etymology the normal
punctuation would be fObO massoreth, which many
modern scholars have adopted, though without
ancient authority. The mod. Heb. miDD mdsorah
(whence mod. Latin Masora, F. Afassora, Massore,
ii. Masora, Kng. Masora, Masorah), is said to date
only from the iothc, and (with this vocalization) is
an abnormal formation from the root ^DO.] The
body of traditional information relating to the
text of the Hebrew Bible, compiled by Jewish
scholars in the tenth and preceding centuries ; the
collection of critical notes in which this informa-
tion is preserved. Also occas. used as a collective
name for the scholars whose opinions are embodied
in the Masora, and to whom is ascribed the con-
stitution of the present Hebrew text and the addition
of the vowel-points, etc.
1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 179 That most profitable
Treasure, which is called Masoreth. 163J B. Jonson Magn.
Lat/y i. (1640) 15 She could the Hible in the holy tongue;
And rtade it without piick^: had all her Masoreth. 1659
Kr. Walton Consid. Considered 263 The Masora . .was not
written all at one time, nor the work of one man, or per-
fected in one age. 17*3 S. Mather Vind. Bible 60 These
sections of the Taw are quoted by the Masorah, instead of
chapters. 1870 F. J. Smith Ewald's Heb. Gram. led. v 37
Since .. the Massora, or the grammatical doctrine of the
schools, could not venture to alter the letters of the text.
1904 Athenaeum 13 Aug. 205/2 This rather abstruse little
treatise will be studied eagerly by specialists in Hebrew
grammar and Masorah.
U Milton seems ^misled by the rendering ' tradi-
tion ') to have supposed the word to be applicable
to the exegetical traditions of the Rabbis, by which
the severity of the Law was increased.
1643 Milton Divorce Introd., Wks. 1851 IV. n He who
hedg d in from abolishing, every smallest jot and tittle of
precious equity contain'd in that Law, with a more accurate
and lasting Masoreth, then either the Synagogue of Ezra,
or the Galilean School at Tiberias hath left us.
Masorete, Massorete (nvcsowt). Forms:
6 Massoreth, Mazaroth, 7 Masoreth, Massorat,
(9 erron. Mazorete , 7-9 Massoret. 9 Masorel.
8- Massorete, Masorete. [Originally a misap-
plication of Masoreth, better form of Masora. So
Y.Massoretz pi. (Rabelais) ; the later F. Massorites,
G. Mas{s\ oret^h^en^ mod.L. Mas'/ oretse, Eng. Mas-
(s)oretest are due to association of the ending with
that of words of Gr. origin like exegete, athlete.
The apparently abnormal formation led to the invention
of Masorite as a more correct substitute, but the older word
is still the more frequently used.]
One of the Jewish scholars who contributed to
the formation of the Masora.
1587 Golding De Mornay xxx. 486 In stead of Caru. .the
Jewes will needes reade Ca art..: their Massoreths iwho
naue made a Register of all the Letters of the Scriptures)
doe witness that in al good Copies it is written Caru. Ibid.,
The Jewes. .are warned by their Mazaroths, that that sence
is vnperfect. 164a Milton Apol. Smect.Wks. 1851 III. 282
Which the Masoreths and Rabbinicall Scholiasts not well
attending, have often us'd to blurre the margent with Kert
instead of Ketiv. 11693 Urquharfs Rabelais in. xiv. 123
The Cabatists and Massorats, Interpreters of the Sacred
Scriptures. 1778 Lowth Trans/. Isaiah xxxviii. 13 note,
The Masoretes divide the sentence, as I have done. 1866
J. G. Mi-rphy Comvt., Exod. xxiii. 13 It is remarkable that
the Masoretes have no division whatever at this point of
the text. 1875 Farrar in Expositorl. 106 The long labours
of the Jewish Masorets. 188a Athenaeum 7 Oct. 456/3
These causes [of errors in Hebrew MSS.] are. .admitted., by
some even of the Massorets. 1886 C. A. Hriccs Messi-
anic Prophecy x. 301 note, An example of introverted paral-
lelism, which has escaped the notice of the Massoretes.
Masoretic. Massoreticirn;cs6re"iik),<z. [f.
prec. + -IC. Cf. F. massoritique, G. massoretisch!\
Pertaining to, or proceeding from, the Masoretes.
1701 Grew Cosm. Sacra IV. i. 140 The Jerusalem Talmud
. . is observed to mention some of the Masoretick Notes.
1778 Lowth Transl. Isaiah Prelim. Diss. (1822) I. p. Ixxi,
The Masoretic punctuation . . is in effect an interpretation
of the Hebrew text made by the Jews of late ages, probably
not earlier than the eighth century. 1870 F. J. Smith
Eivalds Heb. Gram. fed. 3) 37 In the Massoretic schools of
learning. 1883-3 Schaff Etuycl. Relig. Knowl. II. 1430
The so-called Massoretic text.
Masore tical, a. Now rare. Also 8 Mazo-
retical, 9 Masorethical. [See -al.] =prec.
a 1693 Vrquharfs Rabelais in. xxxviii. 317 Masoretii a!
fool. 1713 S. Mather Vind. Bible 25S This Masoretical
note is mentioned in the Talmud. Ibid. 306 Later para-
phrasts, who wrote since the Masoretical age. xy$$Gentl.
Mag. XXV. g In a place where the dagesh forte is used by
Mazoretical writers. 1835 Penny Cycl. IV. 372/1 The gene-
ral correctness of the Niasorethical text.
Masorite (mrcsorait). Also 7 Mazorite, 9
Mazorete. [f. Masora"[h + -ite.j - Masohetk.
1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 179 Marlinius affjrmeth,
That these Masorites inuented the prickes wherewith the
Hebrew is now read. 1645 Milton Tetrach. Wks. 1851
IV. 234 Why .. should they be such crabbed masorites of
the Letter, as not to mollifie a transcendence of literal
rigidity ¥ 18*7 Townley Reasons Laws Moses 35 The Ma-
sorites or Mazoretes ..were the 6rst who distinguished the
books and sections of the books of Scripture into verses.
attrib. .11682 Sir T. Browne Tracts viii. (1683) 132
Whereas by the Mazorite Points and Chaldee Character the
old I-etter stands so transformed, that [etc.).
Masoun de Dieu, obs. form of Measondue.
Masowyr, obs. form of Mazek.
Masque (mask). Also 6-7 maske, 7-9 mask.
[Orig. the same word as Mask sb.2; the Fr. spelling
masque, formerly used indifferently with mask{e
in all senses, is now retained to distinguish the
senses explained below.]
1. A masquerade, masked ball. [So in Fr.]
Now rare.
1514 Liber Numcr. Scatc. Hen. VIII in Collier Hist.
Dram. Poetry 11S31) I. 78 note, Johi. Farlvon Custod. ..
apparatuum omnium singuloruin jocoruin,larvatorum,vocat.
Maskes, Revelles, and Disguysings. 1533 More An**
Poysoned Bk. Pref., Wks. 1039/2 Some . .full boldlye cume
daunce in a maske. a 1548 H ma. Citron., Hen. VIII 16 The
kyng with a .xi. other wtre disguised, after the nianer of
Italie, called a maske, a thyng not seen afore in Knglande.
1601 Shaks. Tivel, N. 1. iii. 121, I delight in Maskes and
Reuels. 1667 Milton /'. /.. iv. 768 Mixt Dance, or wanton
Mask, or Midnight BaL 1719 D'cIrfky Pills {1872' IV. 146
Irately I went to a Masque at Court Where I see Dances
uf every sort. 1735 Poi'K pp. Lady 26 Sappho fragrant at an
ev'amg Masque. 1903 Smart Set IX. 58/2. I should have
liked to go to a ball— a masque would have suited me best.
MASQUERADE.
2. A fonn of amateur histrionic entertainment,
popular at Court and amongst the nobility in
England during the latter part of the 1 6th c. and
the first half of the 1 7th c. ; originally consisting
of dancing and acting in dumb show, the per-
formers being masked and habited in character;
afterwards including dialogue (usually poetical)
and song.
1562 MS. Lausdmvne 5 in Collier Hist. Dram. Poetry
(1879) I. 179 The Seconde Night. First aCastell to be made
in the haule, called the Courte of Plentye; then the niaske
after this sorte. 1599 B. Jonson Cynthia's Rev. Ind., All
the courtiers must prouide for reuels ; they conclude vpon
a Masque, the deuice of which is [etc.]. 1604 (title) The
true description of a royal masque presented at Hampton
Court upon Sunday-night, being the eighth of January
1603-4. l6ai in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. I. II I. 122 At the prac-
tising of a Maske that is intendid by the Queene to be pre-
sented to the Kinge. a 1674 Clarendon Hist. Reb. xtv. § 67
There being a Masque at the Court that the King liked
very well, he perswaded the Chancellor to see it. 1791-1813
D'IsKAELlC«r. Lit. (iS58)III. 8 The essence of the Masque
was pomp and glory. 1827 Hallam Const. Hist. (1876) II.
viii. 38 The queen . . had performed a part in a mask at
court. 1879 M. Pattison Milton ii. (1880) 21 A Mask was
an exhibition in which pageantry and music predominated,
but in which dialogue was introduced as accompaniment or
explanation. 1898 H. A. Evans Eng. Masques Introd. 34.
b. trans/, and Jig.
1642 FULLER Holy Sf Prof. St. v. xvii. 427 His phansie
presents him with strange masques, wherein onely Fiends
and Furies are actours. a 182a Shelley (title) The Masque
of Anarchy. 1838 Brit. Cyel. Biog. II. 905/1 s.v. Scott, Sir
Walter, The splendid masque, 'Ivanhoe'. i860 Haw-
thokke Mark Faun (1879) II. xviii. 185 And now, after a
mask in which love and death had performed their several
parts, she had resumed her proper character.
3. A dramatic composition intended for the kind
0/ representation described under sense 2.
1605 B. Jonson (title) The Qveenes Masqves. The first,
Of Blacknesse. 1637 Milton (title 0/ Comas) A Maske
presented at Ludlow Castle, 1634. 1709 Steele Tatter
No. 98 p 7 A .Passage in a Mask writ by Milton. 1865
Leckv Ration. (1878) II. 315 The musical dramas known
under the name of masques elicited some of the noblest
poetry of Ben Jonson and of Milton.
1 4. A set of masquers. Obs.
'599 B. Jonson Cynthia's Rev. v. iii. Stage direct., The
Masques ioyne, and they dance. 1625 Bacon Ess., Of
Masques \\xh.) 540 Double Masques, one of Men, another
of Ladies, addeth State, and Variety.
5. ailrib. and Comb.
1634 Br. Hall Contempt N. T. iv. 167 If it were but
some mask-house, ..neither white staves nor halberts could
keepe you out. 1645 Jml. Ho. Comm. 16 July IV. 210/1
Ordered that the boarded Masque House at Whitehall.,
be forthwith pulled down and sold away. 1647 Trapp Comm.
Matt, xxiii. 23 Capistranus. .got a great deal of respect
to his doctrine by putting down, .mask -interludes, &c. 1768
Baretti Mann. $ Cast. Italy II. 21 She.. had found means
in mask-time to get out of the convent. 1903 Anders
Shakespeare's Bis. 153 Puck and the other fairies give a
very masklike performance at the close of Midsummer
Night's Dream.
Masque, obs. form of Mask sb.- and v.2
Masque alonge, Masquenonger, var. forms
of Maskinonge.
Masquer : see Maskek sb.
Masquerade (masker<?t'd), sb. Forms : a. 6
masquerada, 6-7 mascarado, masquerado, 7
maseurado, maskarado. 0. 7- masquerade ;
also 7 masearad, maskerade, -at, masoherade,
7-8 mascarade. [ad. Sp. mascarada (whence F.
mascarade'), {. mascara mask, Maskkr sbA (= It.
maschera, whence mascherata masquerade).
The Sp. mascara. It. maschera, are regarded by most
recent etymologists as a. Arab. i/k~ ' maskltara!> laugh-
ing-stock, buffoon (the sense 'man in masquerade', given
by Richardson and Hocthor, is said by Dozy to be a modem
importation from Romanic), f. root sakhira to ridicule.
Some scholars, however, reject this view, and connect the
word with Pr. mascarar, Catal. mascarar, Pg. mascarrar,
OF. mascurer, luasc/ierer (mod.F. machurer) to black (the
face), of TeuL origin : cf. OE. mzscre ' macula' (Vspot, or
.mesh), MDu. maschel, mascher spot. For the possible
relation to Mask si.', see that word.]
1. An assembly of people wearing masks and
other disguises (often of a rich or fantastic kind)
and diverting themselves with dancing and other
amusements ; a masked ball.
o. 1597 Morlev Introd. Mus. 181 The Italians make
their galliardes. .plaine, and frame ditties to them, which in
their mascaradoes they sing and daunce. 1612 J. More in
huccleuck MSS.(HaL MSS. Comm.) I. 126 The masquera-
does on Monday and Tuesday. 1653 A. Wilson Jos. I 104
He loved such Representations, and Disguises in their
Maskaradoes, as were witty, and sudden. 1660 F. Brooke
tr. Le Blanc's Trav. 365 They have sometimes their Mas-
curados called Quacones, disguising themselves like Devils.
, a ,'W"™"- OF Hawtii. Tears Death Mocliadcs
1614) ToRdr.,The Name which, .he Himselfe in the Chal-
lenges of his Martiall Sports, and Mascarads, was wont to
vse. 1632 Lithgow TnuK vm. 369 They haue Bull-beating,
Maskerats, singing of rimes, and processions of Priests.
1671 Lady M. Bertie in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm.
App. v .23 They say the King hath put out a Proclamation
Th I maskerades. C1720 Prior Genus's Adv. Muses 8
the loose dance, and wanton masquerade. 1742 H. Wal-
iole Lett, to Mann (1834) I. 106, I was last week at the
masquerade dressed like an old woman and passed for a
good mask. 1877 Mar. M. Grant Sun-Maid vii, You
would do for a masquerade in that costume.
205
b. traits/, and fig. usually with reference to the
fantastic or motley character of a masquerade.
1587 HARMBR tr. Bcza'sSerm. Cant. 134 The Masquerada
of a high masse. 1608 Toi'SEll. Serpents (1658) 668 Although
they pretend a matchlesse understanding in these mysteries
of Philosophy, they have caused others, .to be blinded with
the mascarados of absurdities. 1612 Proc. Virginia 45 in
Capt. Smith's Wks. (Arb.) 124 These feindes . . cast them-
selues in a ring_ about the fire, singing and dancing with
excellent ill varietie; .. Hauing spent neere an houre, in
this maskarado [etc.]. 1614 Drumm. of Hawth. Urania ii,
A Nought, a Thought, a Mascarade of Dreames. 1702
Pope Wife of Bath 284 Visits to ev'ry Church we daily
paid, And march'd in ev'ry holy Masquerade. 1750 John-
son Rambler No. 75 f 16 The rich and powerful live in a
perpetual masquerade, in which all about them wear bor-
rowed characters. 1841-4 Emerson Ess., Poet Wks. (Bohll)
I. 167 /Esop reports the whole catalogue of common daily
relations through the masquerade of birds and beasts.
2. Disguise such as is worn at a masquerade ;
masquerade dress, fa. lit. Obs.
1668 Dryden Even. Love ill. i, There are some women
without in masquerade. 1691 Emilianne's Frauds Rom.
Monks (ed. 3)399- As he was going one Evening to the Play-
House he met with a Ladyof Quality in Masquerade 1774
H. Walpole Let. to Mann 8 June, Everybody is to go in
masquerade, but not in mask. s
b. trans/, (contemptuously). Also, the action
of ' masquerading'.
1868 Miss Braddon Run to Earth I. xi. =60 ' What, in
heaven's name, is the meaning of this masquerade ? ' The
surgeon removed his broad-brimmed hat [etc.]. .. Nothing
could have been more perfect than his disguise. 1902 Eliz.
Banks Newspaper Girl 268 During my masquerade as an
American heiress.
C. fig. Disguise; false outward show; pretence.
1674 Ch. <y Court of Rome 23 This convention .. was no-
thing but a Scene dressed up" in Masquerade. 1680 Hon.
Cavalier 16, I openly declare, without any Masquerade,
That [etc.]. 1691 Wood Ath. Oxon. II. 21 The Presby-
terians said.. that he [Chillingworth] was always a Papist
in his heart, or, as we now say, in masquerade. 1726 De
Foe Hist. Devil II. iii. (1840! 204 The Devil in masquerade,
Satan in full disguise. 1781 Crabbe Library 25 The smooth
tongue's habitual masquerade. 1823 Byron Juan xi.xxxvii,
And, after all, what is a lie? Tis but The truth in mas-
querade. 1863 Woolner My Beautiful Lady Introd. 7 For
none can strip this complex masquerade And know who
languishes with secret wounds.
a. concr. A travesty, counterfeit, rare.
1847 Disraeli Tancred m. v, ' Thou son of a slave ! ' ex-
claimed the lady, ' thou masquerade of humanity ! '
1 3. One who takes part in a masquerade. Obs.
1651 tr. De-las-Coveras' Don Fenise 244 All the company
were mute, considering for what cause this troope of un-
known people were come into this assembly. Some thought
that they were some Mascarads. 1667 Lend. Gaz. No. 130/3
Several Citizens .., going disguised as Mascarades. 1670
Lassels Voy. Italy II. 187 Here also it is that the Masca-
rades march in Carneval time. 1727 Boyer Fr. Diet.,
Masque, (Personne masque'e) a masker, a mascarade.
f 4. A Spanish cavalry exercise. Obs.
1*1674 Clarendon Life (1761) I. 223 The Masquerade is
an Exercise They learned from the Moors, performed by
Squadrons of Horse, seeming to charge each other with
great Fierceness ; with Bucklers in their left Hands and
a Kind of Cane in their right.
t5. Used as a name for one or more textile
fabrics. Obs.
ijixCountrcy. Man's Let. to Curate 95 He goes Generally
in Winter in good thick Rug, and in Summer most part in
a Highland Plaid, masquerade being at any time too Limber
for him. 1714 A. Jafpray Let. in Scott. N. tf Q. June 12
If you want any women's cloth or mascarads for your ladie.
1846-60 Fairholt Costume in Eng. (ed. 2) Gloss., Masquer-
ade, a shot silk of various tints.
6. altrib., sometimes passing into adj. = befitting
a masquerade ; also fig.
1720WE1.T0N Suffer. Son of God II. xvi. 430 This very
same Temptation oftentimes attacks the Servants of God,
in a more Masquerade Address. 1749 Fielding Tom
Jones xin. vii. The female still speaking in her masquerade
voice. 1766 Goi.dsm. Vic. W. (1767) I. xviii. 84 (He] de-
manded whether I was the real chaplain of the company,
or whether it was only to be my masquerade character in
the play. 1766 Porny Heraldry vi. § 3 (1787) 222 This Orna.
ment [sc. the mitre], with other Masquerade Garments. 1772
Foote Nabob 11. Wks. 1799 II. 304 A masquerade ticket,
is more negotiable there than a note from the bank. 1772
Songs Costume (Percy Soc.) 249 An ass may look fierce in
a masquerade dress. 1824 Miss Mitford Village Ser. 1.
236 A Spanish masquerade-dress. 1841 Makryat Poacher
xliii, The first masquerade-night at Vauxball.
masquerade (maskewi'd), v. Also 7 mas-
cherate. ff. prec. sb.]
fl. trans. Todisguiseasata masquerade. Obs. rare.
1654 Cokaine Dianea 11. 131 Wicked man,.. how skilfull
thouarttomascheratethyexcuses ! 1681 T. Flatman Hera-
clitus Ridens No. 34 (1713) I. 218 Torying, Tantivying and
Masquerading his Majesty's most loyal and dutiful Subjects.
1717 Killingbeck Serin, xi. 229 To masquerade Vice, and
to make it wear the Habit and Shape of that Virtue it most
resembles.
t 2. To make like a masquerade, as by variety
of costume. Obs. rare~'.
1757 Mhs. Griffith Lett. Henry * Frances (1767) IV. 239,
I am just come up from the Shore, which I left masqueraded
with People, I believe, from every Nation of the Earth.
3. inlr. To appear or go about in disguise ; to
pass oneself off under a false character ; to have or
assume a deceptive appearance.
1692 R. L'Estrange Fables cexxiv. 196 An Ass .. Mas-
querading up and down in a Lyon's Skin 1809-10 Cole-
ridge Friend (1865) 215 He . . masqueraded on the bloody
MASS.
stage of revolution, a Caligula with the cap of liberty on
his head. 1850 H. Rogkrs Ess. {1874) II. ii. 123 Some may
probably deem that .. philosophy is here masquerading it
a little too freely for her character. 1863 W. Phillips
Speeches xxiv. 533 Virginia has a government, and is not
a horde of pirates masquerading as a state.
t Masqueraded,///, a. Obs. rare. [f. Mas-
QUKRADK sb. OX V. + -EU.]
1. ? Coloured like ' masquerade'.
1678 Land. Gaz. No. 1348/4 Eight piece> of. .taffaty Ribon,
all cloth-colour, one ashe, one maskeraded.
2. Disguised.
1752 A. Murphy Gray's Inn JmL (1756) I. 142 A very
Considerable Number of masqueraded Shillings .. so well
disguised, that they passed among the Company for Guineas.
Masquerader. [f. Mas^uehaije v. + -erKJ
a. One who takes part in a mnsquerade. b. One
who * masquerades' or assumes disguise. //'/. andy^.
1677 Lady Chaworth in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm.
App. v. 36 Lord Purbecke hath hired .. Sir John Benett's
house, .tor to make a ball to the Mascaraders in next week.
1718 Hickes & Nelson J. Kettle-veil m. xv. 221 He
strenuously Opposed such Religious Masqueraders. 1775
Sheridan Rivals 1. i, Love . . has been a masquerader ever
sincethedaysofjupiter. 1836 Hon. Smith Tin Trump. (i8j6,
206 Many masqueraders on the stage of real life betray
themselves by overacting their part. 1879 (J- w- Holmks
Motley xv. 94 Diplomatic masqueraders of the 16th century.
Masquerading, vbL sb. [f. Masquerade v.
-f-iNGL] The action of Masquerade v. ; par-
ticipation in masquerades ; assumption of disguise.
167a Drydkn Marr. a la Mode iv. ii, This masquerading
is a most glorious invention, a 1715 Bl'RNEt Own Time
(1724) I. 262 At this time the Court fell into much extrava-
gance in masquerading. 1886 Athcnxum 20 Feb. 257/3
Howmuch of dramatic masquerading there is in any poem
no critic can ever say.
attrib. 1723-4 Die. Wharton 'True Briton No. 71 II.
609 An Intrigue that began last Masquerading 'lime. 1840
Dickens Barn. Rudge ii, 'No masquerading tricks', said
the locksmith. 1850 Kin<;sley Alt. Locke i, They were to
me God's angels shining in. .fairy masquerading dresses.
Masquera'ding, ppl a. [f. Masquerade
v. + -ing -.] That masquerades ; addicted to mas-
querading.
1682 Ro.i'6. Ballads (1884) 193 From all the Masquerading
French, . . Libera nos, Domine ! 1717 Croxall Ovid^s Met.
x, Down with his masquerading wings he rlies. 1856 R. A.
Vaughan Mystics (i860) II. 232 In this masquerading world
of ours. 1876 T. Hardy Etkelberta (1890.) 89 You don't
escape me, masquerading madam.
Masqueradish, a. rare. [f. Masquerade
sb. + -isH.] Befitting a masquerade.
1681 T. Flatman Heraclitits Ridens No. 6 (1713) I. 36 It
makes him look so Masqueradish, that all the Women and
Children, .take him for a Devil Incarnate. 1819 Hermit in
London III. 170 Her very masqueradish figure.
t Masquin. Obs. Also 6 masken, 7 mas-
quine. [? for Masking vbl. sb.] A masquerade
or masquerading costume.
1578 Inv. R. Wardr. (1815) 237 Fyve masking garment is
of crammosie satin, .. Sex maskenis of the same. 1653 J.
Hall Paradoxes 67 They must put off their Masquine
habits. 1658 R. Franck North. Mem. (1S21) 23 The Church
of Rome., where mattins are metamorphosed into masquins,
collects translated into collations [etc.].
Mass (mses), sb.1 Forms: 1-3 ruaesse (North-
umb. measse), 1-7 messe, 2-7 masse, 3 (in
comb.), 4-6 chiefly .Sir. and north, mes, 4-6 Sc.
and norths 7-9 (sense 6) mess, 4-7 mas, (4 misse,
5 mase, mese, 6 miss), 6~ mass. [OE. msssse
(Kentish and Mercian messe) wk. fern., a. vulgar L.
messa (whence F. messe, Pr., It. messa; Sp. misa,
Vg. mtssa, are from written Latin) :— Eccl. L. missa.
The Tent, forms, partly from vulgar Lat. and partly
from written Latin, are : OFris., OS. missa (MDu.
misse, messe, mod.Du. mis), MUG. misse, messe
(mod.G. messe , ON. messa (Sw. messa, Da. messe).
It is now generally agreed that the L. missa is a verbal
sb. (formed like tvfiulsa, coltecla, offensa) from L. mittirt
(pa. pple. missus) to send, send away, dismiss. The earliest
known examples of the word belong to the last quarter of
the 4th century, occurring in the Epistles of St. Ambrose
and the Itinerary of Silvia of Aquitania. In the early cen-
turies it had the general sense of ' religious service ', being
applicable, e.g., to matins and vespers, though in an eminent
sense it always denoted the Eucharist. In secular applica-
tion it occurs, though rarely, in the 5th and 6th centuries
with the sense 'dismissal'. The origin of the liturgical
application has been much disputed. Isidore (0636) con-
jectured that the original reference was to the dismissal of
the catechumens which was the preliminary to the eucha-
ristic service. This explanation is not favoured by_ modern
scholars, who consider that the wider sense * religious ser-
vice ' is more likely than the narrower sense to have been the
original. Some think that missa at first denoted the solemn
dimissory formula at the conclusion of ^.service, He, missa esl,
and hence came to be applied to the service itself. Others (as
Katteubusch in Herzog's Encycl.) have suggested, on con-
fessedly slender and doubtful evidence, that missa \n secular
use had some such sense as 'commission', 'official duty',
and was therefore adopted as the rendering of Gr. Aeiroi/pyia
(see LiTURCiy), which had primarily a similar meaning, but
in ecclesiastical language was used for 'religious service'
and specifically for the Eucharist. Several other theories
have been proposed, but none of them has gained wide
acceptance among scholars.]
1. The liucharistic service; in post-Reformation
use, chiefly that of the Roman Catholic Church.
In the 16th c. the Protestants generally objected to the
term as being unscriptural, and as associated with the
MASS.
206
MASS.
1 popish ' view of the nature of the sacrament. (In Sweden
and Denmark, however, the equivalent words are applied
to the Lutheran communion service.) In the first Prayer-
Ixwk of Edward VI (1548-9) the heading of the service
reads ' The Holy Communion, commonly called the Masse',
but in the subsequent Prayer-books the word was not used.
In recent years some of the Anglican clergy have applied
the term to their own rite.
a. The celebration of the Eucharist. Freq.
without article, e.g. at mass, {to go) to mass; to
say, sing% hear, attend mass.
a 900 tr. Bxda*s Hist, iv, xxiL (Schipper^ 460 1 Fram un-
demtide, J>onne mon mxssan oftust singed. cwjiLa$/tb.
Horn. 9 Ic eou segge . . bet nis hit nan bei f bet me . . for his
saule bidde pater nostor ne messe singe, a 1225 Ant r. R.
32, I be messe .. siggeS beos uers siondinde. c 1330 R.
BsUHKB Chron. Wace (Rolls) 7620 Of prest was ber no beni-
soun, Ne messe songen, ne orysoun. 13.. E. E. A Hit. P.
A. 1 1 14 Mylde as maydenez seme at mas. 1375 Harbour
Bruce XI. 376 Thai herd the mess full reuerently. 1457
Test. Ebor. (Surtees) II. 207 The stall quer I sit at mese.
1538 Htarkev England I, iv. 132 They can no thyng dow
but pattur vp theyr matyns and mas. 1646 Sir J. Temple
Irish Rehell. {1746) 177 Fitz-Patrick .. did endeavour all
he could to turn them to mass. 1686 Kvf.lyx Diary 19 Jan.,
Dryden .. and his two sonns .. were said to go to masse.
1759 Robertson Hist, Scot. m. Wks. 1813 I. 263 The earls
of Lennox, Athol and Cassils openly attended mass. 1885
Mabel Collins Prettiest Woman ix, She goes to early mass
each morning. 1893 Ch. Times 6 Oct. 997/4, I commenced
having Mass on all Holy Days at 9 a.m.
b. A particular celebration of the Eucharist, esp.
one having a special object or intention. Often//.
a S$i Charter OsivulfmSwcet O.E. 7V-i7s444£>;etaii)h\vilc
messepriost gesinge fore Osuulfes sawle twa messan. c 1200
Vices -V Virtues 65 Durh masses and bienes and selmesses
3e me dob for 3e. 1897 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 11321 Hii massen
& orisons uaste uor him bede. a 1300 Cursor M. 21 189 pe
first mess bat sent petre sang Was bar ban na canon lang.
c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 212 To make solempnyte whanne
riche men ben dede wib dirige & messis. 1420 E. E. Wills
11882) 48, xx trentalez off messez for my soule. 1562 Ar-
ticles of Religion xxxi. (1571) 19 The sacrifices of Masses,
in the which it was commonly said that the Priestes did
offer Christe for the quicke and the dead. 1648 Gage West
Ind. xv. (1655) 102 They are not able to continue in the
Church while a Masse is briefly hudled over. 1797 Mrs.
Radcliffb Italian xt, [This] announced that the first Mass
was begun. 1828 Scott F. M. Perth xx, Suitable masses
said for the benefit of his soul. 1845 Ford Handbk. Spain
1. 55 The Spaniards always, whenever they can, hear a mass.
2. In pre-Keformation use, the sacrament of the
Eucharist ; subsequently, the Eucharist as adminis-
tered and doctrinally viewed by Roman Catholics.
c 1000 /Elfrics Past. E/>. xxi. in Thorpe Laws II. 376
Nu is seo maesse. .^emynd his IDrihtnes] msran browunge.
13.. Minor Poems fr, Vernon MS, xlvi. 69 J?ou leuest not
■in be Mes, h^t euer God ber in Is. c 1375 Lay Folks Mass
Bk. (MS. B.) 2 po worthyest bmg . . In al bis world, hit is
bo messe. 1560 Daus tr. Slcidane's Comm. 34 These men
..admonishing .. to put downe the Masse. 1563 WinJet
Four Scoir Thre Quest. To Rdr., Wks. 1888 I. 56 The
mayst blissit, feirfull, and haly sacrifice of the mes. 1635
Pagitt Christianogr. \. in. (1636) 96 A true, Reall, Prcpi-
tiatoiie and unbloudie Sacrifice, under the name of the
Masse. 1853 Marsden Early Purit. 28 Admitting a real
presence in the mass.
b. The rite or form of liturgy used in the (pre-
Keformation nr Roman) celebration of the Eucharist.
c 1375 Sc. /-eg. Saints xxxix. {Cosme <r Damyane) 1 Of
haly messe in pe secre Syndry Sanctis set we se. 1548-9
(Mar.) Bk, Com. Prayer,Com in union (heading), The Svpper
of the Lorde, and the holy Communion, commonly called
the Masse. 1628 P. Smart Van. Superst. Popish Cerent.
*ij b, The Author of this sermon telling him [Cosens] upon
occasion the Masse is disallowed: bee replyed roundly:
Will you deny that our Service is a Masse? 1634 Canne
Necess. Separ. (1849)85 The papists like well of the English
mass ifor so King James used to call it). 1879 T. F. Sim-
mons Lay Folks Mass Bk. 352 The York use . . was in the
main the ancient Gregorian mass, according to the Roman
rite of the eighth century. 1883 J. S. Black in Eucycl.
Brit. XVI. 509/2 The Statio ad S. Mariam Majorem [etc.]
prefixed to most of the masses in the Gregorian Sacramentary.
U C. Shakspere's mention of evening mass is
prob. due to ignorance or forgelfulness of the fact
that mass was not (normally) celebrated in the
evening. In ecclesiastical antiquities, however, the
expression is a literal rendering of L. missa vesper-
tina, where the sb. has the wider sense mentioned
in the etymological note above.
159a Shaks. Rom. ty Jul. iv. i. 38 Are you at leisure, Holy
Father now, Or shall I come to you at evening Masse?
1903 W. H. Huttun Eng. Saints iii. 122 It was Saturday
night, and he [Columba] went to the chaj>el for the evening
ma^s (as Adamnan still calls the night office).
d. I'hr. \ Neither mass nor matins : nothing of
very serious import.
1528 Sir T. Mom Dial. cone. Heresyes 1. xx. Wks. 145/2
Men say sometyme when they would saye or doo a thyng
and cannot well come thereon.. it maketh no matter they
saye, yc maye b*-ginne agayne and mende it, for it is nother
masse nor mattyus.
3. With qualification denoting the ritual form or
the intention of the service.
a. High (or solemn or tgreat) mass, mass celebrated
with the assistance of deacon and sulxleacon, with incense
and music. (Also attrib. in high mass time.) Low (or
flittle^ mass, mass said without note and with the minimum
of ceremony. (Also ME. sivimcsse= silent mass.) Mass
of the day, t(<" the first mass of the day (or 'morrow-
mass ') ; (b) the mass which has its variable parts correspon-
ding with the choir office of the day on which it is celi-luatcd
(opposed to votive mass}. Private mass, (a) as rendering
o\ missa privata, a term sometimes applied to a mass cele-
brated otherwise than in presence of a congregation, e.g.,
in a private oratory (also sometimes explained as ~ loiv
mass) ; (b) by the Protestant controversialists of the 16th c.
applied to a celebration at which the congregation, though
present, were not allowed to communicate. Dry mass iL.
missa sicca), a celebration without either consecration or
communion.
b- In the titles of occasional masses, as mass of the
Trinity, of the Holy Ghost, of our Lady, Mary-mass,
Jesus mass, \ Apostle's mass (at St. Paul's Cathedral'.
C. See also mass of the Presanctified, of Requiem,
Morrow-mass, Hunter's, Hunting mass, red mass (Red
a. 19), tSouL-«MM, Votive mass.
1154 O. E. Chron. an. 1125 He sang 5one heh messe on
Eastren daei. c 1*00 Trin. Coll. Horn. 97 Prest hem sei3
atte swimesse turne5 be bred to fleis and be win to blod.
c 1386 Chaucer Merck. T. 650 Whan bat the heighe masse
was ydoon. ?i4-. in Q, Eliz. Acad. (1879) 34 Masse of our
Lady. Ibid., The second masse of the tryiute. Ibid., The
third masse must bee of Requiem, c 1450 Merlin 97 Thei
rounge tomesseofthe day. 1490 Aberdeen Reg. ( 1844)1. 46 At
hie mestim. c 1550 Bale A", johan (Camden) 41 Masse of the
v wondes. 1556 Chron. Or. Friars in Monum. Frauciscana
1 Rolls) II. 220 A commandement from the councelle vn-to
Powfles that they shulde haue no more the Apostylle masse
in the mornynge. 1560 Daus tr. Slcidane's Comm. 15 After
y* all be comen together, they shal haue a messe of the holy
Ghost. 1560 Becon Catech. v. Wks. 1564 I. 453 In times
paste, before this deuehshe priuate masse brast in, the
minister and the people together *dyd receive the holy
misteries of the body and bloud of Christ, and not the priest
alone, as the manner is now. 1568 Graiton Chron. II.
309 After the thirde Agnus was sayde in time of a low
Masse. 1770 Baretti Journ. London to Genoa II. 199 The
Priest who celebrated the Great Mass this morning. 1898
C. Wordsworth Medixval Sendees 22 The Mass of the
day at the high altar. Ibid. 33 When the Bishop was per-
forming a solemn Mass.
4. Qualified by the name of a saint, etc. : A feast
day or festival. Survives as -mas in Candlemas,
Childermas, Christmas, Lammas, Martinmas,
Michaelmas ; also Allhaltowvias{s, Ladymass,
Makymass.
c 950 Liudisf Go$p. John vii. 2 Temples macssa, sccnopegia.
1 1000 Cleric Gram. <Z.) 43 December-, se monod ongin5
anum da;5;e a^fter andreasmeessan. < 1330 Art A. <$- Merl.
3391 (Kolbing) Sone after seyn Jones misse [rime lesse].
1452 Past on Lett. I. 236 Be twixt this and Seynt Margretys
messe. 1584 in Littlejohn Aberd. Sheriff Court (1904;
Introd. 44 To Andirsmes livin nixtocum.
5. A musical setting of those parts of the mass
which are usually sung, viz. the Kyrie, Gloria,
Credo, Kenedictus, and Agnus.
1597 M or ley Introd. Mus. 21 In the Tenor part of the
Gloria of his Masse Arte Maris steila. 1667 Simpson Com-
pend. Pract.Mus. 137 Masses, Hymns, Psalmes, Anthems. .
&C. 178a Burney Hist. Mus. II. 494 In every movement of
losqmn's Mass, some part or other, but generally the Tenor,
is singing the tune in different notes and measures. 1846
Penny Cxcl. Suppl. s.v. Palestrina, His first work, consist-
ing of four masses for four voices.
0. Used in oaths and asseverations : hy the mass,
mod. dial, amess, and simply mass (often mess).
c 1369 Chaucer Del tie Blauncheej2% By the masse I durste
swere ..That [etc.]. 1526 SkbltoN Magnyf. aaoi By the
messe, I shall cleue thy heed to the waste. 159a Kyd Sot.
it Pert, 11. i. 220 Mas, the foole sayes true. 1599 Shaks,
Hen. /', III, it. 122 By the Mes, ere theise eyes of mine take
themselucs to slomber, ayle de gud seruice. 1695 Congkkve
Love for L. 111. vi, So. so, enough Father — Mess, I'd rather
kiss these Gentlewomen. 1754 Richardson Graudisou
(1811) II. xxviii. 276 Pray, sir, do you withdraw, if you
please. Mr. Gr. Not I, by the mass ! 1756 Koote Eng.
fr. Paris 1. Wks. 1799 I. 08 Oh, a British child, by the
mess. 1816 W. InviNG in Life <y Lett. (1864) I. 350 By the
mas-;, I look back with .. much longing to her bounteous
establishment. 1848 Kingsley Saint's Trag. 1. ii, Mftta !
1 had forgot.
7. allri6.am\ Comd., as mass-bread, chart k, -goer,
music, -rite,-timet'Vcst/neni, -work ; objective, etc.,
as mass-hearing, 'hunter, -mumbler, -sayer, -say-
ing, -seer, -singing; mass-borrowed, dike, -mumbting
adjs. Special combs. : mass-bell, {a) a bell that
calls people to mass ; (/•) a bull that is rung
during mass, a sacring-l>clt ; f mass-cake, an
opprobrious term for a wafer used in the mass ;
t mass-closet, a Roman Catholic chapel ; + mass
clothes, mass vestments; f mass-cope, a chasuble;
f mass-gear, the instruments, etc. used in cele-
brating mass ; + mass-gospeller, a protcstant who
^hypocritically) attends mass; + mass-groat —
Mass-penny ; mass-hackle (now arch.), a chasu-
ble ; f mass-kiss ( M E. messecos; , the kiss of peace
at tlie mass ; mass-money, {a) offerings of money
made at mass ; (/>) money paid to a priest fur
sayingmass; tmass-reaf.mass-.vestments; tmass-
song, the singing or celebration of mass; f mass-
while, the hour for celebrating mass. Also Mask-
book to MaSS-I'KIEST.
14.. in Ret. Ant. I. 61 Quhan I rynge the "messe belle.
1863 LoMOF, Wayside Inn, Saga K. Olafxi. viii, The mass-
bells tinkled. 1642 Milton Afiot. Smcct. Wks. 1851 III.
290 Scandalous ceremonies and *masse-l>orrow'd Liturgies.
1473 Ace. Ld. Treas. Scott. (1877) I. 64 Item for *mess bred
fur the hale Jere. 1579 Fulke Hcskt'us's Part. 78 Their
whole *Masse cakes. .7 1555 BftADVOHD Hurt of hearing
Mass (Copland; Cvj, As though the "masse church were y
catholyke churche. 1656 Heylin Sttrv. France 92 Little
Chappels, or "Masse-closets. < 1440 Aiph. Tales 144 He..
did on his 'mesclolhis& studeatt pe altar befor he bisshopp.
13. . Minor Poems fr, Veriwn MS. xxxvii. 773 Cum whon
he [be prest] dob of his *n^se-cope. c 1300 Havelok 188
The caliz, and the pateyn ok. The corporaus, the *messe-
gere. 1843 Borrow Bible in Spain xW\, Antonio, though by
RO means a "mass-goer [etc.]. a 1555 BftADPOKD Hurt of hear-
ing Mass (Copland! C vij. Suche be popyshe protestauntes,
nuisse gospellers, or, as they woulde be called, bodelye
massemongers and spirytuall gospellers. 1550 Kale Eng.
I otaries 11. I iij, Of ihem that gaue auhre clothes . .*masse
grotes and trentals. c 112s O. E. Chron. an. 963 (Laud MS.)
Min 'messe hacel, & min stol, & min ra?f. < 1200 Trin.
ioll.Hom. i63DemeshakeIeisofmedemefu-tane. 1842 Sir
H. Taylor Edwin the Fair \. viii, This shaveling's meagre
face, With his mass-hackle and his reef and stole, c 1425
Aldelay AY Pains of Hell 86 in O. E. Misc. 2 1 3 [pai] let
ober men of *mas hereng. a 1555 Bradford Hurt of hear-
ing Mass (Copland) Cvj, They that are * masse hunters.
c 1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 91 Tocne of sehtnesse, bat is "messe
cos. ' 1300 Bcket 1779 He nolde cusse ma^secos to cus^e
Seint Thomas. 1637-50 Row Hist. Kirk iWodrow Soc.)
394 The Communion is discharged to be before the pulpit. .
tfor that were not so "Masse-lyke). 1664 H. More Myst.
Into. 431 *Mass-money, Oblations to Saints and their
Images, and the like. 1897 Daily News 18 Nov. 6/1 For
the purpose of earning mass money men are ordained at
the earliest possible age. 1543 Bale Yet a Course, etc. 88 b,
*Masse momblers, holye water swyngers [etc.]. 1566 Pas-
t/nine in a Traunce 106 b, So many thousand of "Masse-
moinbling priestes. 1835 Court Mag. VI. 24/2 The accom-
paniments to the songs and the "mass music, a 1000 Canons
of Edgar c. 33 in Thorpe Laws II. 250 DaH aelc preost
hsebbe .. eal *mxssereaf wur5lice behworfen. < 1200 Trin.
Coll. Horn. 215 Boc o&er belle, calch o3er messe-ref. 1803
Scott Eve of St. John 91 He who says the *mass-rite for
the soul of that knight. 1554 Bradford Let. Wks. (Parker
Soc.) I. 393 Then these *mass-sayers and seers shall shake,
r 1440 Alph. Tales 442 And so pe bisshopp was trublid
herewith, & lefte his *mes-saying. 1546 Bale Eng. Votaries
1. (1548) 31 For the fyrst .iii. [considerations] a prest ought
not, he sayth, to abstayne from his masse sayenge. 1554
"Mass seer [see quot. for mass-sayer]. 1340 Hampole Pr.
Consc. 3702 pat *mes syngyng May litest be saul out of
payn bryng. 1553 Becon Reliques of Romci\sb$) 198b, In
Masse singyng, in almosse geuing. a 900 tr. Bseda's Hist.
1. xxvi. (Schipper) 58 On bysse cyricean aerest ha hal^an
lareowas ongunnan . . *ma^ssesong don. c 1250 Gen. «$■ Ex.
•2^66 Elmesse-gifte, and messe-song. X530PALSGK. 804/2 At
*masse tyme. 1879 T. F. Simmons Lay Folks Mass Bk. 335
note, The full "mass-vestment of the priest. 13.. Gaw. $
Gr. Knt. 1097 ?e schal lenge in your lofte . . To morn quyle
be *messe-quyfe. 1840 Cari.yle Heroes (1858) 282 i-asts,
vigils, formalities and "mass-work.
Mass (mses), sb£ Also 5, 7 mase, 58 masse,
[a. F. masse (recorded from nth c), ad. L. massa,
prob. (as ancient grammarians believed) a. Gr.
riafa barley-cake, perh. cogn. w. Or. fiaaaav to
knead :— *niaky-:— pre-Hellenic *ntnay-, f. root
*mnq-, menq- ; cf. Lith. minkyti to knead.]
1. A coherent body of plastic or fusible matter
(as dough, clay, metal), not yet moulded or fash-
ioned into objects of definite shape ; a lump of
raw material for moulding, casting, sculpture, etc.
Now merged in sense 2. In {the) mass : said of
metal in the form of masses or lumps.
c 1400 Maundkv. (1839) x'v- xh^ Men fynden .. hard Dya-
mandes in a Masse, that cometh out of Gold, whan men
puren it. out of the Myne. 1582 N. Licmkhki.d tr. Casta'/-
heda's Cong. E. hid. 1. xxxiii. 80 Two Masses of siluer.
1611 Bible Eccltts. xxii. 15 Sand, and salt, and a masse of
of yron is easier to beare then a man without vndei standing.
1630 Prynne Anti-Armin. 166 Out of the same masse are
made vessels of mercy. 11709 Congkkve tr. Ovid's Art
of Love m. Wks. 1730 III. 307 Myro's Statues, which for
Art surpass AH others, once were but a shapeless Mass.
T b. Metal, esp. gold or silver, in tbe lump.
1477 R°H* ofParlt. VI. 184/2 Nor Plate, Vessel], Mute,
Bullion, nor Juelx of Gold. 1555 ^' Wathkman Eardlc
Facions 11. i. 115 Limall of goltle in greate plentie, Whichc
they . . do neuer fine into masse. 1597 Hooker EccL Pot.
v. lxxix. § 5 Of Gold in Masse eight thousand .. Cichars.
1601 Holland Pliny 1. 46 Brasse and lead-in the masse or
lumpe, sinke downe, . . but if they be driuen out into thin
plates, they llote.
C. An amorphous quantity of material used in
or remaining after a chemical or other operation ;
in Pharmacy, the compound or other substance
from which pills are made.
156a Bom Let. in \st Eng. Bks. AmerAXvb.) Introd. 44/1,
I stilled of the water from the masse or Chaos lefte of mem
bothe. 1643 J. Steer tr. E.xp. Chyrttrg. xiii. 51 With
Syr/tp. Rosar. lenit., make a Masse of Pill. 1666 BoYLS
Oric. Formes <V Qual. 329 The remaining Masse would l>e
. . of an Alkali/ate nature. 1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters I.
122 The best method is to wash the whole mass carefully.
1809 Med. Jml. XXL 351 A compact mass produced in an
operation, which weighs nearly iuo grains. 1880 Gabkod
& Baxter Mat. Med. 196 One grain of opium is contained
in five grains of the pill-mass.
f d. A kind of matter capable of being fashioned ;
a plastic substance. Obs.
1471 Rii'1.ey Comp. .licit. Pref. in Ashm. (1652) 123 As of
one Mase was made all thyng. 1596 Si-ensek F. Q. iv. x. 39
The Goddesse selfe did stand Upon an altar of some costly
masse. 1700 Dryden Sig.fy Gut's. 502 When the world began,
One common mass composed the mould of man.
2. In wider sense : A body of coherent and (really
or apparently) ponderous matter of relatively large
bulk ; a solid physical object filling a great amount
of space. In modern Physics, often contrasted with
molecule or atom,
1440 Promp. Parv. 32S/2 Masse, or gobet of mete, or
other lyke, massa. 01547 Surrey ACneid 11. (1557) A iv,
Wherto was wrought the masse of this huge horsV 1581
Savii.k Tacitus' Agricola (1604) 188 A deepe masse of con-
tinual! sea is slower slurred to rage. 169a Bentley Boyle
MASS.
Led, vii. 247 Those Atoms would there form one huge
sphaerical Mass. 1810 Scott Latly of L. I. xi, Round many
an insulated mass, The native bulwarks of the pass. 1842 3
Grove Corn Phys. Forces 73 When the magnet as a mass
is in motion. 1849 James Woodman i, A large gray, indis-
tinct mass stretched all along from east to west, i860 Tv.n-
dall Glae. 1. ii- 21 Adjacent to us rose the mighty mass
of the Finsteraarhorn. Ibid. 11. xix. 329 What is true for
masses is also true for atoms.
f b. applied to the created universe or the earth.
1587 GoLDiNG/^/frw^yiii. (1617)33 When hee had layd
the foundations of this goodly Masse. 1602 Shaks. Ham.
in. iv. 49 Yea this solidity and compound masse,. .Is thought-
sicke at the act. 1697 Dkyuen Virg. Georg. IV, 324 God the
whole created Mass inspires.
t C. Phys. The whole quantity of blood or fluid
dispersed through an animal body. Obs.
1693 tr. Blancard's Phys. Diet. ied. 2), Massa, all the
Wood is commonly called the Mass of Wood. 1698 Frykk
Ace. E. India % P. 16 That the Misty Vapours might not
hinder the kind operation begun on their tainted Mass of
lilood. 1731 Arbuthnot Nat. Aliments (1735) 175 If there
is not a sufficient Quantity of Mood, .to subdue it, it [acid]
may infect the whole Mass of the Fluids. 1732 Law Serious
C. xi. 178 Poison.. corrupts the whole mass of blood.
d. Mining. (See quots.)
1855 J. R. Leifchild Cornwall Mines 83 Masses are some-
times termed pipe-veins by miners. ..The best conception
that can be formed of them is, that of an irregular branching
cavity, descending either vertically or obliquely into the
rock, and filled up with metalliferous matter. 1883 C. Lk
N. Foster in Encycl. Brit. XVI. 441/2 Masses. These are
deposits of mineral, often of irregular shapes, which cannot
be distinctly recognized as beds or veins.
3. A dense aggregation of objects apparently
fo.ming a continuous body.
1609 Bible (Douay) 1 Sam. xxv. 18 Two hundred mases
[Vulg. massas] of drie figges. 1660 F. Brooke tr. Le
Blanc's Trav. 15 The Mosca or Temple of Meka is a masse
of stones built round. 1716 Addison Freeholder No. 26 p 4
Such a beautiful mass of colours. 1776 Withering Brit,
Plants (1796) II. 503 The whole mass of seeds upon the
fruitstalk. 1866 Treas. Bot.% Masses. Collections of any-
thing in unusual quantity ; as, for example, pollen-masses,
which are unusual collections of pollen. 1875 Buckland
Log-bk. 90 One solid mass of living cod. 1880 Ol'ida Moths
II.32 There were masses of camellias and azaleas. 1884
Bower & Scott De barys Phaner. 361 A many-layered
mass of sclerenchymatous fibres.
4. transf. andfig. (irom senses 2 and 3).
a. A large quantity, amount, or number (either
of material or immaterial things) ; often with the
notion of oppressive or bewildering abundance.
1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. n. vi. 36 b, The
whole masse., may amount too about 150. caces. 1604
Shaks. Oth. 11. iii. 289, I remember a mas->e of things, but
nothing distinctly. 1626 T. H[awkins] CanssitCs HolyCrt.
71 The children of rich men become drouthy amongst a
masse of fountaynes. 1630 A*. Johnson's Kingd. <y Comnnv.
227 In the Silver-Mines, which were discovered in Potosie
. . hath beene found so huge a masse of Bullion, that [etc.].
1647 Clarendon Hist. Reb, \. % 4 Like so many atoms con-
tributing jointly to this mass of confusion now before us. 1650
Fuller Pisgah 396 Of this last [we. salt] a mass was spent in
the Temple. 1772 Junius Lett. Ixviii. (1820) 353 Taking the
whole of it together . . it constitutes a mass ot demonstration
.. complete .. to the human mind. 1849 Macallay Hist.
Eng. vi. II. no A mass of near twenty thousand pages.
1855 Ibid. xi. III. 87 They removed a vast mass of evil
without shocking a vast mass of prejudice. 1865 Tylor
Early Hist. Man. L 13 Any one who collects and groups a
mass of evidence. 1879 Ruskin Arrows o/Chace (1880) II.
206 There is a mass of letters on my table this morning.
i*b. spec, of money, treasure, etc. Also absol.fa
sum of money, a stock or fund. In Gaming (rare~u,
alter F. masse),the amount of a person's stake. Obs.
1568 Grafton Chron. II. 37 By reason whereof he gathered
a great masse of money. 1577 Hellowes Gueuara's Chron.
89 The officers of the treasune, that is to saye, suche as had
the collection and keeping of the masse of Rome. 1592
Warner Alb. Eng. vii. xxxiv. (1612) 166 And he for Masses
great was brib'de Earle Henry to betray. 1593 Shaks.
2 Hen. VI% 1. iii. 134 Thy sumptuous Buildings, .. Haue
cost a masse of publique Treasurie. 1623 Bacon Hen. VII
159 Hauing alreadie madeouer great Masses of the Treasure
of our Crowne. 1650 Fuller Pisgah iv. iv. 65 Carefully
keeping their money fur them, till it amounted to a mass.
1727 P.ovi:r Fr. Diet., Masse (fonds d'une He'redite ou d'une
Socie'te' , Mass. or Stock. Ibid., Masse, (en Termes de jeu
de hazard; the Mass, at Play.
c. used hyperbolically, esp. in phrase To be a
(or one) mass of (e.g. bruises, faults, mistakes, etc.\
1616 ]'-. Jonson Devil an Ass iv. iii, I am a woman.,
match'd to a mass of folly. 1623 Gouge Serm. Extent
(Sod's Provid. § 15 Papists, .whose doctrine is a masse of
ancient heresies. 1845 Marhyat 5 Apr. Life $ Lett. (1872)
II. 197 The country is really, without exaggeration, one
mass of violets. 1867 Smiles Huguenot's Eng. i. (1880) 2
The Church itself was seen to be a mass of abuses.
d. applied to an extensive unbroken expanse
(of colour, light, shadow, etc.). Also, in Fine
Art, one of the several main portions whicli the
eye distinguishes in a composition, each character-
ized by a certain degree of unity in colour or
lighting throughout its parts.
1662 Evelyn Chalcogr. v. 120 There are some parts in
them commonly to be distinguished from the Mass in gross ;
fur example, the hairs in men, eyes, teeth, nails, &c., that
as one would conceive such lines, or hatches on those masses,
others may likewise be as well fanci'd upon those lesser, and
more delicate members. 1695 Drvden *I)ufresnoy*s Art
Paint. 141 This he did . . by making the Masses of the
Lights and Shadows, greater and more disentangl'd. 1710
J. Harris Lex. Teehn. II, Masses, in Painting, are the large
parts of a Picture containing the gnat Lights and Shadows.
207
1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XIII. 609/1 Some technical know- I
ledge of the effect produciblo by masses of light and shade.
184.3 Kuskin Mod. Paint. I. 11. 11. v. § 10 The masses which <
remit from right concords and relations of details are
sublime and impressive; but the masses which result from
the eclipse of details are contemptible and painful. 1875
McLaren Serm. Ser. n. x. 173 All striped with solid masses j
of blackness. 1895 Zangwill Muster 11. i. 121 The occa- !
sional fineness of line, the masterly distribution of masses.
e. A volume or body of sound; in Music used \
esp. of the effect of a large number of instruments
or voices of the same character.
1879 Stainer Music 0/ Bible 174 The grand musical results
of harps.. and other simple instruments, when used in large
numbers simultaneously or in alternating masses.
ff. ? Something burdensome; a grief. Obs. rare.
1592 Wyrley.-J rmorie 144 It is a world tomarke the iollitie
Of seamen floting in the liquid sea.. .A masse it is to note
his miserie When raging tempests hustle on the flood.
5. Of human beings : A large number collected
in a narrow space ; a compact body. Also, a
multitude of persons mentally viewed as forming
an aggregate in which their individuality is lost.
1713 Berkeley Guardian No. 83 Pi The whole mass of
mankind. 1814 Scott IVav. xlvji, Their extended files were ;
pierced .. in many places by the close masses of the clan>. j
1848 W. H. Kelly tr. L. Blanc's Hist. Ten V. 1. 134 The \
king.. sent him orders, .to concentrate the troops round the
Tuileries, and to act with masses, i860 E.mlkson Cond.
Life vii. 1,1861) 145 Away with this hurrah of masses, and
let us have the considerate vote of single men. 1874 Green
Slwrt Hist, iv. § 1. 155 The unconqttered Britons had sunk
into a mass of savage herdsmen.
b. Mil. A formation of troops in which the
battalions, etc. are arranged one behind another.
Opposed to line.
1889 Infantry Drill 165 A Mass wheeling into Line of
Quarter Columns. .. A Line of Quarter Columns wheeling
into Mass.
6. The (great) mass of', the greater part or
majority of.
1625 Bacon Ess., Vicissitude of Things (Arb.) 571 Comets
. .haue. .Power ..ouer theGross and Masse of Things. 1711
Swift Contests Athens <y Rome v. Wks. 1751 IV. 61 'the
mass of the people have opened their Eyes. 1806 Jefferson
6th Ann. Message Writ. 1854 VIII. 68 The great mass of
the articles on which impost is paid is foreign luxuries.
1863 H. Cox Instil. 1. viii. 107 The great mass of the people
had no part in the election of representatives. 1875 Jo WE 11
Plato ^ed. 2) III. 158 We cannot expect the mass of man-
kind to become disinterested.
b. The mass: the generality of mankind; the
main body of a race or nation.
1675 Baxter Cath. Theol. 1. 1. 65 The Corrupted Mass
simply considered was the object of no one of all these
graces. 1845 Browning Luria v, Those who live as models
for the mass. 1848 Lowell Bighnv Papers Ser. 1. v, The
mass ough' to labour an' we lay on soffies. 1875 Whitney
Life Lang. ix. 159 The language of the mass goes on chang-
ing unchecked.
C. The masses : the populace or ' lower orders \
The now current antithesis with 'the classes' seems to
have been first used by Gladstone in 1886.
1837 Moore Mem. (1856) VII. 174 One of the few proofs
of good Taste that ' the masses ', as they are called, have yet
given. 1863 W. Phillips Speeches vi. 139 The masses are
governed more by impulse than conviction. 1887 M. Arnold
Kaiser Dead vii, Since 'gainst the classes, He heard, of late,
the Grand Old Man Incite the masses.
7. fa. In ;//«^-Ex mas.sk, bodily, all at once.
1798 Anna Seward Lett. u8n) V. 133 Our nation has
almost risen in mass. 1807 South by Esprielta's Lett. I.
179 The levy in mass, the telegraph, and the income tax
are all from France. 1869 F. W. N ewman Misc. 7S To adopt
their superstitions in mass,
b. In the mass: without distinction of com-
ponent par's or individuals; in the aggregate.
c 1820 S. Rogers Italy, Nat. Prej. (1834) 140 We condemn
millions in the mass as vindictive. 183a Ht. Maktimeau
Hill <V Valley v. 75 We speak of society as one thing, and
regard men m the mass.
c. in a mass : in a lump sum.
1845 Marryat Let. to Forstcr in Life «$• JLett. (1872) II.
196 They have .. become a little income to me; which I
infinitely prefer to receiving any sum in a mass.
8. abstr. a. Solid bulk, massiveness.
1602 Shaks. Ham. iv. iv. 47 This army of such mass and
charge Led by a delicate and tender prince. 1606 — Tr.
<yt>. 1. iii. 29 But in the Winde and Tempest of her frowne,
Distinction .. winnowes the light away; And what hath
masse, or matter by it selfe, Lies rich in Vertue, and vn-
mingled. 1757 J. H. Grose Voy. E. Indies 245 When ex-
asperated by wounds, to which their mass makes them [sc.
elephants in war] a mark hard to miss. 1856 Kane Arct.
Expl. II. xxiii. 225 Gathering mass as it travelled.
b Physics. The quantity of matter which a
body contains; in strict use distinguished from
weight, though the two terms are often used in-
discriminately. Centre of mass : seeCENTKK sb. 16.
1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, Masse, this Word is used
by the Natural Philosophers to express the Quantity of
Matter in any Body. 1812 16 Playfaik Nat. Phil. (1819J
II. 283 The mass of the Comet, .cannot have been sfcth of
the mass of the Earth. 1868 Lockyek Guillemins Heavens
(ed. 3) 25 The mass of the Sun alone however is equal to
750 times the united masses of all the bodies which it main-
tains in its sphere of attraction. 1876 Tait Sec. Adv. Phys.
Sci. (1885) 357 When you buy a pound of tea you buy a
quantity of the matter called tea equal in mass to the
standard pound of platinum. 1893 Sir R. Ball Story of
Sun 97 What the periodic time of the Moon would have
been if our satellite had been devoid of mass.
MASS.
^19. Used for med.L. massa, a holding of laud.
1854 Mii.man Lat. Chr. I, 443 note, One mass or farm had
been compelled . . to pay double rent.
10. attrib. and Comb. a. Arch. * Arranged
in large masses', as mass-pier. b. Mil., etc.
' Involving masses of people', as mass drill, vote.
c. Iyhysics, as mass-attraction, • brightness t "Moment.
d. Special comb. : mass-area Physics (see quot.) ;
mass-copper, * native copper, occurring in large
masses' (Raymond Mining Gloss. 1S81); mass
meeting (see quot. 1847 54 : or*&- U.S.) ; mass-
resistivity, -vector Physics (see quota.).
1876 Maxwell Matter <y Motion Ixviii. 56 When a mate-
rial particle moves from one point to another, twice the area
swept out by the vector of the particle multiplied by the
mass of the particle is called the * mass-area of the displace-
ment of the particle with respect to the origin from which
the vector is drawn. 1903 Agnes Clerk e Problems in
Astrophysics 3 The universality of an apparent 'mass-
attraction was a great fact. 1890 — Syst. Stars 209 The
' ^mass-brightness' of these objects is twelve times that of
the sun. 1896 Daily Netvs 25 Nov. 3/7 All these smart
little children were doing a *mass drill. 1847 54 Web-
ster, * Mass-meeting, a large assembly of tbe people to
be addressed on some public occasion, usually political.
('. States. 1855 Motley Dutch Rep. nS6ii I. 23 Those
tumultuous mass-meetings. 1882 MlNCKIK L'nifl. Fine-
mat. 108 The theorem of * mass- moments, which expresses
the distance of the centre of mass of any body., from
a plane, in terms of the masses of the constituent particles
and their several distances from tbe plane. 1848 li. Webh
Continent. Ecclesiol. 253 There are *inuss-piers below those
of the upper church. 1902 J. J. Thomson in Encycl. Brit.
XXVIII. 5/1 We may express the resistivity [of a metal]
by stating the resistance in ohms offered by a wire of the
material in uniform cross-section, one metre in length, and
one gramme in weight. This numerical measure of the re-
sistivity is called the * Mass-Resistivity. 1876 Maxwell
Matter <y Motion lix. 50 Let us define a "mass vector as
the operation of carrying a given mass from the origin to
the given point. The direction of the w«w,s-vector is the same
as that of the vector of the mass, but its magnitude is the
product of the mass into the vector of the mass. 1887
Spectator 24 Sept. 1265 A *mass vote of the people.
t Mass, sb$ Obs. [a. Da. maasi] A mesh.
1641 S. Smith Herring Buss Trade 3 l-'our Deepmgs of 70
Masses apiece, makes a Net.
Mass (mses), v.1 Now rare or Obs. Forms :
1 msessian, 3 mease, massi, 5 massy, 6-7 masse,
6- mass. [OE. msessian, f. mxsse Mass sbA]
1. intr. To celebrate mass ; to say or sing mass.
(From 1 6th c. used derisively.) f Also to mass it
and with cognate obj.
< 1000 JElfric Saints* Lives (1900) II. 276 Hc.eode to
cyrcan and sona nuessode. a 1225 A tier. R. 268 Ase otte ase
he preost messed & sacreo pet meidenes beam, Jesu. c 1290
St. Michel 129 in S. Eng. Leg. I. 303 5 wane huy a-rereth
anie churche, to massi Inne. 1453 in Prevelyan P. [Camden]
84 Item, the chaplan, and all his successours, shall attend
. .unto ten of the clocke. and then massy. 1546 Bale Eng.
Votaries 1. (1550) 60 b, He massed without consecracion, he
gaueholye orders in hys stable [etc.]. 1562 Answ.Apol. Priv.
Mass Hi. 19Inonechurcheyeshalhaueatonetime.vii.or.viii.
massing in sundry corners. \$jo Durham Depos. (Surtees)
157 He. .came to Robert Peirson. .being ^ red y to go to
masse, and said to hyin ' Do you masse this?' And he.,
said, 'Ye'. 1624 Bp. Mountagu Gagg 57 Your morrow
Massmungers when they masse it alone. 1677 W. Hughes
Man of Sin II. ii. 219 He [Silvester II.] perceived his death
whilst he was Massing. 1851 S. Wilberforce Let. in K. S.
Wilberforce Life (1S81) II. iv. 124 What blind belief in a
priest massing for them \
1 2. To hear mass. Obs. rare.
c 1770 J. Grasgkr Lett. {1805^ 11. 70 Chapel so contrived
that men and women may mass, and not see one another.
3. trans, in occasional uses : To subject to the
operation of the mass ; to pass away ^time) at mass.
1546 Bale Eng. Votaries 1. {1560) 92 b, They are .. Mat-
tensed, Massed, Candeled, Lighted, Processioned,.. Per-
fumed and worshypped. 1784 K. Uac;k Barham Doivns
II.89 Ancl I find the ancient might sacrifice, and the modern
Mass away a dozen hours per diem in all holiness.
Mass tmses), v.- Also ^4 mace), 7 masse,
[a. F. masser (from 13th c), f. masse Mass sb.-]
1. trans. To form or gather into a mass ; to collect,
arrange, or bring together in masses, f Also with
up, to heap up, to amass.
The first quot. is doubtful : the word may be miswritten
for y-mahed.
e 1380 Sir Ferumb. 3326 Her wilh-inne ys gold y-inaced
faste to cast out day & ny}t. 1604 '1'. Wright Passions
vi. 343 When the rich man hath massed vp his treasures.
1622 Mabbe tr. A lemans Guzman d'A If 1. 206 If thou aske
these men, why they masse vp money. 1820 Shei.lev
Sensit. PL m. 33 Indian plants . . Leaf after leaf, day alter
day Were massed into the common clay. 1827 Steuart
Planter's G. (1828) 513 The style, in which the removed are
mixed and massed up with the older Trees. 1849 M. Ar-
nold To Gipsy Child 4 Who mass'd, round that slight brow,
these clouds of doom? 1898 Rev. Brit. Pharm. 27 The
whole being mixed and massed with kaolin 115 gr.
b. Painting.
'753 Hogarth Anal. Beauty xm. 112 Painters .. divide
theirs [sc. compositions] into fore-ground, middle-ground, and
distance or back-ground ; which simple and distinct quan-
tities mass together that variety. which entertains the eye.
1843 Kuskin Mod. Paint. L 11. 11. v. g 18 It is impossible to
go too finely, or think too much about details in landscape,
so that they be rightly arranged and rightly massed.
c. Mil. ; also, to ' concentrate ' (troops) in a
particular place.
t86i Musgrave By-toads 305 Instead of dispersing ;heir
force in brigades, .they massed them in phalanx form. 1878
MASS.
208
MASSED.
Bosw, Smith Carthage 116 His infantry he masses much
more closely together and in much deeper formations than
was common among the Romans. 1885 Manck. Examiner
10 Nov. 4/6 Austria is massing troops in Herzegovina.
d. Law. To mass an estate : see quot.
1896 H. H. JtTTA Selection of Leading Cases 11. in The
language of the Privy Council in clause (a) [viz. the mutual
will disposes of the joint property on the death of the sur-
vivor, or, as it is sometimes expressed, where the property
is consolidate*! into one mass for the purpose of a joint dis-
position of it] has given rise to the expression ' massing of
an estate '. Ibid., By the mutual will in that case only part
of the joint estate was ' massed '.
t 2. ? To occupy with a mass of soldiers. Obs.
a 16J7 Havvvard Ediv. VI (1630) 108 They feared least . .
the French might, .either with filling or massing the house,
or else by fortifying make such a piece as might annoy the
haven.
3. refl. and intr. To collect, assemble, or come
together in masses.
1563 Re*. Privy Council Scot. I. 248 The Clangregour ..
hes massit thame selfis in greit ctunpanyis hot als [etc.].
1861 Tuli.och Eng. Purit. ii. 282 His reasonings run
in great lines, or mass in blocks of system. 1869 Ruskin
8. 0/ Air § 16 Hut all these virtues mass themselves in the
reek mind into the two main ones. 1879 Stevenson Trav.
Cevenucs 74 The weather had somewhat lightened, and the
clouds massed in squadron. 1892 W. Pike North. Canada
45 The great bands of caribou, .mass up on the edge of the
woods.
+ 4. Gaming. To set the 'mass' or stake. Obs.—°
ijzj Boyeb Fr. Diet., Masser, (Terme de jeu de Hazard)
to mass, lay, or set.
Mass, v.s rare. [ad. F. masser : see Massage.]
trans. To massage. (Cf. Massing vbl. sb.?j)
1786 Misc. in Ann. Reg. 119 '1 A servant .. then masses,
and seems to knead the body without giving the slightest
sensation of pain. 1888 D. Maguiki-: Art of Massage (ed. 4)
42 In going from one extremity to the other of the part to be
massed. Ibid. 56, 1 will commence my description of general
massage by that of massing the superior members.
Mass, obs. form of Mace sb.1
Massa (mse'sa). Also written Mas'r. A negro
corruption of master.
1774 Foote Cozeners in. Wks. 1799 ' '• 190 Who opened
the window?. .Little massa. 1852 .Mrs. Stowe Uncle Tom's
C. vi, 'Lord bless us, Mas'r ', said Sam. 1881 R. M. Bal-
lantvne Giant 0/ North v, What am it, massa? Why, it
am a bit o' salt pork.
Massa-bowl. [app. f. G. masse ( = Mass
sb*) in the sense of ' paste * for porcelain, pottery,
etc.] A pipe-bowl made from the waste parings
of meerschaum.
1858 Homans Cycl. Comm, 1533/1 The kind of meerschaum
bowls called massa-bowls.
Massache, obs. form of Message sb.
t Massacote. Obs. [a. Sp, mazaeote : see
Massicot.] = Barilla 2 a.
1622 Malynes Anc. Law-Merck. 275 The stutTe called
Soda Bariglia, or Massacote whereof Glasses are made.
Massacre (marsaksj), sb. Also 6 massachre,
-aquer, 7 mas(s)aker, massacker, -cher, massa-
cry, 8 (9 illiterate) massacree. [a. F. massacre
masc, in OF. macacrey machacre, macecley mececle
shambles, slaughter-house (whence maceclier, AF.
tnacegrierhvX<&x : see Macegrieps), also, butchery,
slaughter ; in the latter sense latinized in the 13th c.
mazaerium, masacrium.
Spenser stresses massa'cre, Shaks. and Marlowe ma'ssacre.
The origin of the OF. word is unknown; Diez suggested
derivation from a Teut. source, comparing LG. matsken
(18th c.) to hack to pieces, but this word is itself of Rom.
etymology. The forms macecle synon. with L, maceltnm,
and maceclier with macellarius, suggest the possibility of
these being corrupted adoptions from monastic Latin.]
1. The unnecessary indiscriminate killing of human
beings ; a general slaughter, carnage, butchery ;
also occas. the wholesale killing of wild animals.
1586 T. B. La Primaud. Fr. Acad. 1. 718 There is no
corner of this kiugdome where the people.. have not com-
mitted infinite and cruell massacres. 1588 Shaks. Tit. A.
v. i. 63, I must talke of Murthers, Rapes, and Massacres.
1590 Webbe Trav. (Arb.) 23 How the women of ye towne
did plie themselues with their weapons making a great
massacre vpon our men. 1611 Bible i Mace. i. 24 Hauing
made a great massacre. 1624 Capt. Smith Virginia 143
They made a massacre of Deere and Hogges. 1655 Milton
(////* of Sonnet) On the late Massacher in Piemont. 1688
R. Holme Armoury 111. 271/1 She went down into Egypt
from Herods Bloody Massacry. 1774 Fletcher Hist, Ess.
Wks. 1795 IV. 15 The horrible massacres of Catholics, 1843
Bokkow Bible in Spain xxxvi, Plunder and massacre had
been expected. 1897 Gladstone E. Crisis 4 They are
treading on the burning cinders of the Armenian massacres.
b. In appellations of certain historic massacres.
Massacre of St. Bartholomew {earlier often f m . of Paris) :
the massacre of the Huguenots of France on the 24th of
August 1572. M.ofGlencoe : the massacre of the Macdonalds
of Glencoe on February 13th 1692 by their enemies the
Campbells, acting under an authority obtained from William
III. M. of the Innocents : see Innocent B. 2.
[C1592 Maklowe (title) The Massacre at Paris.] 1617
Morvson Itin. 1. 131, I wondred to see the Massacre of
Paris painted vpon the wall, a 1715 Burnet Own Time
(1734) II. 156 The Massacre in Glencoe made stilt a great
noise. Ibid. 157 The Report of the Massacre of Glencoe
was made in full Parliament. 1756-7 tr. Keysler's Trav.
(1760) II. 394 A Venus, by Titian; the massacre of the Inno-
cents, Susanna, and Galatea, by Lanfranchi. 1833 L.
Ritchie Wand, by Loire 1S7 Tin; massacre of Saint Bar-
tholomew did not take place here [at Nantes].
1595 Spenser Amorctii x, See how the Tyrannesse doth
ioy to see The huge massacres which her eyes do make.
1608 Armin Nest Ninn. (1842) 29 The maydes.. finding such
' a masakerof their dairie,. .thought a yeere's wages could not
1 make amends. 1748 Johnson Van. Num. Wishes 22 The
knowing and the bold Fell in the gen'ral massacre of gold.
f 2. A cruel or peculiarly atrocious murder. Obs.
1589 Greene Sp. Masqtterado E 1 b, He. .caused.. some
to be torne with horses, some to haue their handes cut off,
and so many sundry Massaquers as greeueth any good
minde to report. 1594 Shaks. Rich. Ill, IV. iii. 2 Tyr. The
tyrannous and bloodie Act is done, The most arch deed
of pittious massacre That euer yet this land was guilty of.
1608 D. Tfuvn.] Ess. Pol. fy Mor. 43 b, Nor was the massacre
of this his warlike tonne the period of his furie.
3. Her. i A pair of antlers or attires attached to
a piece of the skull, used as a bearing' {Cent.
Diet. 1890). [Fr. massacre.']
[172a Nisbet Syst. Heraldry I. 338 The French use the
Word Massacree, for a Head Caboched.]
Massacre (mae*s&kw), v. Also 7 masakre,
masaacar, massacher, 8 (9 illiterate) massacree,
9 Sc. mashacker. [a. F. massacrer, f. massacre :
see prec]
1. trans. To kill indiscriminately (a number of
human beings, or occas. animals) ; to make a
general slaughter or carnage of. Also occas. absol.
1581 Savilb Tacitus'' Hist. {1612) 180 The cohort was mas-
sacred by the fraude of the Agrippinenses. 1588 Shaks. Tit.
A. 1. i. 450. c 1591 Marlowe Massacre Paris 1. v, These are
the Guisians, That seeke to massacre our guiltles liues. 1606
G. W[oodcocke] Hist, h'stine vin. 39 When men of warre
run massacaring vp and down in euery corner of a city.
1670 Milton Hist. Eng. vi. Wks. 1851 V. 245 He caus'd the
Danes all over England . . in one day perfidiously to be mas-
sacherd, both Men, Women, and Childern. a 1715 Burnet
Chun 'Time (1724) I. 502 To bring over a French army and
to massacre all the English. 1727 C. Colden Hist. Five Ind.
Nations 83 Your Warriors, .have Massacreed Men, Women
and Children. 1809 Scott Poacher 102 Grouse or partridge
massacred in March. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng.x\\. III.
650 They were, .always forming plans for massacring their
tyrants.
fig. i6ox Dent Pathw. Heaven 330 Satan doth continu-
ally, .massacre innumerable soules.
2. To murder cruelly or violently, f Also refl.
to lay violent hands upon oneself.
1601 Holland Pliny II. 500 Harmodius and Aristogiton,
massacring the tyrant Pisistratus. 1606 — Suetou. Annot.
8 Caesar.. was masakred with 23. wounds. 1621 Burton
Anat. Mel. 1. ii. iv. vi. (1651) 160 Two brothers of LovmUl
..in a discontented humour massacred themselves. 1661
Virginia Stat. (1823) II. 24 That execrable power that
soe bloodyly massacred the late king Charles the first. 1834
James J. Marston Hall viii, That he would be massacred
the moment he showed his face amongst the infuriated mob.
i88x Shorthouse J. Inglesant II. xviii, But that his coach
was resolutely defended . . he would have been massacred by
the furious mob.
Jig. 1880 Ruskin ArrowsofCkace (1880) II. 280, I heard
William Tell entirely massacred at the great opera house.
f 3. To mutilate, mangle. Obs.
1589 Hay any Work io That the magistrate may lawfully
cut off the members of Christ from his body, and so may
lawfully massacre the body. 1651 tr. De-las-Coveras' Don
E'euise 303 The shame of seeing my face massacred by his
rash hands. [1818 Scott Ilrl. Midi, xvii, Her throat's sair
misguggled and mashackered.]
Hence Ma*ssacred, Ma*asacring ///. adjs.
1590 Spenser F\ Q. hi. iii. 35 And Bangor with massacred
Martyrs fill. 1597 A. M. tr. Guillemeaus Fr. Chintrg. io'a
The fracture is soe greate, with such a huge quantitye of
massacred and cru>hed bones. 1738 Nkal Hist. Pitrit. IV.
561 Imagining the massacring knife to be at their throats.
Massacrer (ma."sakr3i). [f. Massacre v.
+ -eh 1.] One who massacres.
1581 ML'LCAsTER/*^/V/(JH^iv.(i887)2oTo{o]much moisture,
. . the most vile, and violent massacrer, of the most, and best
studentes. 1600 W. Watson Decacordon (1602) 58 Cursed
be these bloudie massacrers. 1796 Burke Regie. Peace i.
Wks. VIII. 132 Assassins, Mussacrers, and Septembrizers.
1892 A*a//o«(N.Y.)i7 Nov. 371/2 Coconas was oneof the most
active massacrers in that fatal night of Saint Bartholomew.
Massacring, vbl. sb. [f. Massacre v. +
-ingI.] The action of the verb Massache.
160a F. Herring Anat. 20 Such torturing and massacring
of Men. 1680 H. More Afocal. Apoc. 216 There shall be
. .no more bloody massacrings of the Faithful Witnesses of
Christ. 1840 Cahlyle Heroes (1858) 293 A poor barren
country, full of continual broils, dissensions, massacrings.
1863 ]. C. Morison Si, Bernard 1. vii. 93 The perpetual..
plundering and massacring, caused by the baronial wars.
t Ma ssacrous, a. Obs. [f. Massache sb. +
-otrs.] Of or ]>ertaining to massacre; murderous.
1593 G. Harvey Pierce's Super. 155 In his impetuous
and massacrous sallyes. 1593 Nashe Christ's T. (1613)63
The massacrous monstrousnesse of this quicke Marshal-law.
1608 D. T[uvil] Ess. Pol. A> Mor. n^b, What massacrous,
and impious thoughts, had..anclired in his bosom.
Massacry, obs. variant of Massacre sb.
Massage (m;esa'3\ s&* Therapeutics, [a. F.
massage, f. masser to apply massage to (the body).
The Fr. verb (macer, masser) is given by I>e Gentil (Voy.
dans les mers de flude 1. 1 28) asthe word used by the French
colonists in India in 1779. It is perh. a. Pg. amassar to
knead, f. massa dough ( = Mass sb.2).]
The application with the hands of pressure and
strain upon the muscles and joints of the body, by
friction, kneading, etc., in order to stimulate their
action and increase their suppleness. Also attrib.
1876 Bartholow Mat. Med.{i879) 73 MftMfiga hy friction
1 consists in rubbing, rolling under the fingers, and gently
pinching the skin, and rubbing, tapping, kneading, and
exercising the muscles and joints. 1888 D. Maguire Art
of Massage {ed. 4) 14 She could not bear it longer, espe-
cially if she attempted several massages per day. 1892 F. M.
' Craweoru Three Fates II. 4 'There's nothing for you,
I Tom ', she said, ' but a milk cure and massage '. 1896 All'
1 butt's Syst. Med. I. 375 Most massage procedures, to be of
j use, should be repeated at least once daily.
Massage (rncesa\$), v. [f. prec] trans. To
: apply massage to ; to treat by means of massage.
1887 Tibbits Massage 14 In Massaging joints. 1889
Lancet 2 Mar. 423/1 Although abdominal massage will
effect a great deal of good, it will not be productive of
< lasting benefit if we omit to massage the spine. 1897 All-
! butt's Syst. Med. III. 187 The stiffened and swollen joints
should be cautiously massaged.
Massage, obs. form of Message.
Massageer, -ger, obs. forms of Messenger.
MassagistCmx'sa-^ist;. [f. Massaged. + -ist.]
] One who practises massage ; a masseur or masseuse.
1889 A'. York Tribune 30 May (Cent.), A slashing criticism
by one massagist of another's book. 1899 Kei.sky tr. Mau's
Pompeii 195, The sound varying according as the massagist
strikes with flat or hollow palm.
Massalian, variant of Messaman.
Massaly, variant of Massily Obs.
Massanger(e, obs. forms of Messenger.
Massard, obs. f. Mazard sb., kind of cherry.
II Massasauga (msesas^-ga). Also -saugua.
[Presumably American Indian.] A small, very
venomous, dark-coloured, North American rattle-
snake of the genus Crotalofhorus (or Caudisona).
1842 Holbrook N. Amer. Herpetol. III. 32 Dr. Kirtland
..observes that this animal \Crotalophorus A'irtlandi] is
commonly known under the name Massasaugua, a word of
Indian origin. 1853 Uairu & Girako Catal. N. Amer.
Reptiles 1. 14 Crotalophorns tergetuiu us. .Prairie Rattle-
snake, Massasauga. Ibid. 16 Crotalophorns Kirtlandii. .
Hlack Massasauga. 1884-5 Fivcrside Nat. Hist. (1888)
III. 397 Caudisona tergemiua, the black rattlesnake or
massasauga, is found in Ohio and Michigan [etc.].
Massay, obs. form of Massoy.
Massbanker : see Mossbunker.
Ma'ss-book. [f. Mass sb.l+ Book sb.] = Mis-
sal. (Occas. used en on. for other service books.)
1 1000 Canons of sElfric c. 21 in Thorpe Laws II. 350
Saltere and pistolboc, godspellboc and ma-sseboc. .das bee
sceal ma;ssepreost nede habban. c 1200 Okmin Ded. 31 pa
Goddspelless. ,t>att sinndenn o bemesseboc Inn all be3eratt
messe. c 1300 Havelok 186 A wol fair cloth bringen he dede,
And theronleyde themessebok. c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880)
290 Blessed be god, bat in euery chirche hab ordeyncd
masse bookis to witnesse his gospel, c 1440 Promp. Fart>.
334/2 Messboke, missale. 1511 Ld. Treas. Ace. Scot. IV.
322 Ane miss buik bocht he him to the chapele. 164a Milton
Apol. Smect. Wks. 1851 III. 315 We then using a Liturgy
farre more like to the Masse-book then to any Protestant set
forme. C1714 MS. Catal. Bks. bequeathed to Corp. Ckr.
Coll. Oxf. by Dr. T. Turner, A Primer (or Masse Book) in
English and Latin. 1873 Lonci-. Wayside Inn 111. Monk
of Casal-Maggiore 23 A. .monk.. Who. .to the mass-hook
gave but little heed.
t Mass-Creed. Obs. [Mass sbA] The Nicene
Creed, as occurring in the service of the Mass.
, 1000 Canons of AY.lfric iv. in Thorpe Laws II. 344 On
bam sinobe [on basre ceastre Nicea] wa-ron xesette ba halviri
cyricbenunga, & se massse-creda. t 1225 Ancr. R. 20 Et te
messe crede. 13.. Minor Foetus fr. Vernon MS. xxxvii.
771 Atome mai^t bou do good nede And come to be masse-
crede. c 1440 Cast. Persev. 3371 Take it sothe as mes crede.
1563-83 Foxk A. <V M. II. 1670, I beleeue all the Articles
conteyned. .in the Creede called the Masse Creede.
Mass-day. arch. [OE. mmsed&i\ see Mass
sby and Day sb.] A feast-day.
971 Blickl. Horn. 47 part hi Sunnandajum& masssedasum
Codes cyrican xeorne secan. 1154 O.E. Ckron. an. 1132
He com on S' Petres messe dei..into be minstre. a 1300
E. E. Psalter lxxiii. 8 To reste make we mes-daies alle Of
Cod fra erthe for oght mai falle. c 1315 Shokfham Poems
(E.E.T.S.) i. 2031 Ne hy ne wondeb messeday, Nenone holy
tyde. 1867 Fkek.man Norm. Cong. (1876) I. v. 313 The ob-
servance of Eadward's mass-day was ordered in 1008.
II Masse (msv, mas*), a. and sb. Billiards.
Also masse. [Er., pa. pple. of masser to make a
stroke of this kind, f. masse Mace sb.] Applied
to a stroke made with the cue held perpendicular.
1873 Bennett & ' Cavendish ' Billiards 351 The hazard
may be made by a masse stroke. 1897 Westm. Gaz. 27 Feb.
2/3 The technicalities of nursery cannons, masse cannons,
and winning and losing hazards. 1901 Q. Rev. Apr. 484
[Me] played the masse \\e\\ for an Englishman.
Masse vm't#Si0j v> rare- [a^- *■ passer: see
Massauk sb.] trans. To massage.
1887 Buck's Handbk. Med. Sci. IV. 660 In massing the
face of a fat patient, the tissues can only be rolled and
stretched under the fingers and palm. 1888 l>. Maguikk
Art of Massage (ed.4> 55 We are no longer in those days
when four, or six, or eight persons were employed at one
time to masse you. (In ed. 1 (1886) the writer uses masser
(in roman) as an imperative.]
Masse, obs. f.MACK, Mass,Maze; var. Mas Obs.
Masseager, obs. form of Messenger.
Massed (moest), ///. a. [1. Mass z\l + -ed !.]
Gathered into a mass. Also with ttp.
1884 J. Parker 4post. Life 1 1 1 . 315 Do not ask for proofs in
words and paragraphs and massed-up sentences. 1885
W. C. Smith Kildrostan 1. i. 259 The breeze Rustles their
higher leaves over a tower Green with massed ivy. 1896
Daily Ne?t>S2i May 5/1 Thirtymassed regimental orchestras.
MASSEDNESS.
t Masseclliess. O&s. In 4 massy dnes. [f.
Mass sb.'- + -BO 8 + -ness] Massiveness.
1398 Trevisa SariA. De P. R. v. xxvii. (1495) 136 The
bones of the armes ben holow that they ben not to heuy bi
massy dnes.
Massee, Masselen, obs. ff. Massy, Maslin 1.
Masselgem,-ing,-jen,-jon,-lin: seeMASLiN2.
Massels, Massely : sec Measles, Massily.
f Masseilger. Obs. [Possibly rcpr. an AF.
form (ci*. balinger) of OK. massonyer, maisonier :—
late \,. mansion a Hits: see Mansionaky. Cf. the
surname Massinger (which, however, may be for
messenger)] ? An inmate of a religious house. (But
j.erh. for mass-singer or messenger.)
1553 BsCON Re/iqucs of Koine (1563) 190 The brethren
or massengers of the said order, a 1564 - Acts of Christ a>
Antichr. W'ks. 111. 401 To Minstrels, to Massengers, to
Friers, to Flatterers.
\ Ma'sser '. [OK. mcessere, f. mmsian,
Massz*.1: see-EnA] One who celebrates mass;
a mass- priest; also, one who attends mass. (After
OK. only as a Protestant term of derision.)
a 1000 Azarias 149 Bletsien be bine sacerdos, soSfaest
cyning, milde nuesseras mxrne dryhten. 1543 Half. Vet a
Course, etc. 38 A good mattenser, inasser, and so forth : but
no true gospell preacher. 1579 J- Stubbes Gaping Gulf
A viij, The Spanish massers bad theyr customers more
then ynough.
fMasser2. Obs. rare1, aitrib. masser-scourer,
said to mean ( gong-farmer * or scavenger.
c 1515 Cocke Lorell's B. 3 Than came a gonge fermourer,
Other wyse called a masser scourer.
Masser ', -or (mae*S3i). [f. F. mass-er (see
Massage sb.) + -er. !, -or.] One who practises mas-
sage ; a masseur or masseuse.
1888 D. Maguire Art of Massage (ed. 4) 32 The masser.
[Perh. a misprint for masseur, which occurs twice on the same
page.] 1899 Ailbutt's Syst. Med. VIII. 158 A successful
massor (if f may coin a word we stand in need of) of either sex
must have gentle manners, anda delicate touch. 1902 Encycl.
Brit. XXX. 573 A single masser should have strength
enough to do the work without too obvious exhaustion.
Masser, obs. form of Macer \ Mazer.
Masserate, obs. form of Macerate.
Massereen, obs. form of Mazarine sb.1
Masseter (maes**tai). Anal, [a. mod.L. mas-
seter (whence F. masseter), a. Gr. fiatTTjTTjp (formerly
mis written jxaaa-), agent-n. from fxcuraoOat to chew.
(The Gr. sb. occurs in apposition with pvs muscle.)]
(Usually masseter muscle.) One of the principal
masticatory muscles, passing from the malar bone
and zygomatic arch to the ramus of the lower jaw.
1666 J. Smith Old Age (1676) 77 It [the upper jaw] hath.,
one wonderful pair of Muscles, called, the Massetcrs. 1694
Phil. Trans. XVIII. 24 A Child . . who had just then re-
ceived a large Wound upon the Masseter Muscle. 1849
St. George^s Hasp. Rcf>. IX. 6S5 The masseters were rigid.
1881 Davby in Jmt. Psychol. Med. VII. 1, A tetanic rigidity
of the temporal and masseter muscles.
t Masseteral, a. Obs. rare. In 6 -all. [ad.
mod.L. masseteralis : see Masseter and -al.]
= Masseteric.
1378 Banister Hist. Man 1, 15 Towards the sides where the
temporall Muscle is, as also the originall of the Masse terall.
Masseteric (nuesfte°rik)j a. and j^. [f. Mas-
seter + -ic]
A. adj. Of or pertaining to the masseter muscle.
1831 R. Knox Ctoquefs Anat. 463 The . . masseteric,
buccal and pterygoid twigs. 1891 FLOWS* & Lvdekker
Inirod. Mammals 171 The masseteric fossa of the mandible.
B. sb. A masseteric nerve, muscle, artery, etc.
1840 E. Wilson Anat. I'ade M. 386 The masseteric,
which crosses the sigmoid notch with the masseteric artery
to the masseter muscle. 1875 Sir W. Turner m Fueycl.
Brit. I. 836/1 The lower jaw. .is elevated by the temporal
muscles.. and by the masseterics.
Masse terine (maes/'Ufrin), a. fa. F. mas-
se'terin: see Masseter and -IRS.] = prec. A.
1855 Dunglison Med. Lex. (ed. 12), Masseterine Artery.
. . Masseterine Nerve. . . Masseterine Vein.
II Masseur (masor). [Fr. ; agent-n. f. masser;
see Massage sb.] A man who practises massage.
1876 IJARTHOLOW Mat. Med. (1879) 73 Masseur is a male
rubber, and masseuse a. female rubber. 1899 AUbutCs Syst.
Med. YTII. 22 It is very important that the masseur should
be gentle in the exercise of his craft.
II Masseuse (maso'z). [Fr. ; fern, formation
corresp. to precj A woman who practises massage.
1876 [see Masseur]. 1897 AUbutt's Syst. Med. IV. 342
Treves has seen a normal kidney worked out of its place by a
vigorous masseuse who mistook it for a faecal mass.
Massey, obs. form of Massy a.
Ma'SS-house. Obs. exc. Hist. [Mass shX\
In 1 7— 18th c. a common designation used by Pro-
testants for a Roman Catholic place of worship.
1644 in Wellington Notices of Reign of C has. I (1869) II,
205 They build their Mass houses in every street. 1688
Evelyn Diary j Oct., A Jesuite, who in the Masse-house
..had disparag'd the Scripture. 1780 Johnson Lett, to
Mrs. Titrate 9 June, At night the outrages began by the
demolition of the mass-house by Lincoln's Inn. 1809 Ken-
D*LL frav. III. lxvii. 54 On the farm are small remains of
the missionary church, called by the protestant colonists the
mass-house. 1849 Macaulav Hist. Eng. vi. II. 101 Great
"^f^^embledinCheapsidetoattackthenewmasshouse.
Massi, obs. form of Mass v.1, Massy a.
Vol. VI.
209
Massicot (marsik^t). Forms : a. 5-8 masti-
coto, 6 mastecott, 7 masticoate, -cut, 8 -coat,
6- masticot. #. 6 maskett, 8 masicot, 7- mas-
sicot, [a. F. massicot (1480111 Ilatz.-Darm.), in
1 6th c. once masticot (Godefr., who explains it as
* mastic ', app. erroneously). Of obscure origin : cf.
the synonymous It. marzacotto ; also Sp. mazacote
kali, mortar.J Yellow protoxide of lead, used as a
pigment.
a. 147a Fabric Rolls York Minster (Surtees) 79 Pro ij lb.
masth ote pro pictura supradictoruin candelabrorum. 1546
Inv. Ch. Surrey (1869) 106 Item for a li. of mastecott ij*.
1573 Art of Limning -z The like sise may you make with
. .red or yellow okir, orpiment or masticot, 1658 W. Sandi-r-
son Gmphice 84 Yellow. The best is Masticoate. 1695
Drvoen Du Fresnoy's Art Paint. 172 The Masticot is
very Light, because it is a very clear yellow, and very near
to white. 1735 Diet. Polygraph, s. v. Face, For the faintest
and weakest colour .. [use] a very small quantity of pink
or masticote. 1823 P. Nicholson Pract. Build. 415 Masti-
cot,as a pigment is flake-white, or white-lead gently calcined,
by which it is changed to a yellow.
0. 153a in E. Law Hampton Crt. Pal. (18S5) I. 363, 12 lb.
of white lead. . 1 lb. of maskett. 1658 Phillips, Massicot,
a kinds of Oaker, made of Ceruse, or white Lead. 1776
Phil. Trans. LXVT. 620 The massicot had a pale greenish
cast, owing to iron. 1796 Kirwan Elem. Mitt. (ed. 2) II.
488 Masicot or yellow Calx. 1873 Foiwtes* Chem. ted. w)
450 Litharge or massicot.
Massie, obs. form of Massy.
II Massif (nue-sif). Also 6 -ife. [Fr.; subst.
use (in various applications) of massif MASSIVE a.]
fa. ?A block of building (obs.). b. ?A mass
of stone, c. A mass or clump of plants or shrubs.
d. A large mountain-mass ; the central mass of a
mountain ; a compact and more or less independent
portion of a range.
1524 in Hakluyt's I'oy. (1599) II. 1. 86 The sayd trauerses
and repaires. .beganne at the massife of Spaine made by the
reuerend lord great master Mery d'Amboise, & ended at the
church of S. Saluador. 1862 Ansted Channel 1st. 11. xi.
282 The massif of the north pier at St. Peter's Port. 1885
Gf.ikik Text-bk. Geot. (ed. 2) 40 A large block of mountain
ground, rising into one or more dominant summits, and
more or less distinctly defined by longitudinal and traverse
valleys, is termed in French a massif—a. word for which
there is no good English equivalent. 1888 Btochw. Mag,
Aug. 2tg Those monsters of horticulture known as massifs.
1899 Nature 15 June 152/2 The central part of the massif. .
of Mont Blanc consists of a granitoid rock called protogine.
iBgg f bid. 2 Nov. 20/2 The formation of a dune tract or dune
massif appears to be chiefly determined by the presence of
ground moisture.
Massif (f)e, obs. forms of Massive.
Massiform (mse'&ifpjm), a. [i. L. ntass-a
Mass sb.- + -(i)porm.] ' In the form of a mass '
(Syd. Soc. Lex. 1S90).
Massilian, variant of Messalian.
t Massily, adv. Obs. Also 5 masly, 5-6
massely, 6 -alio. [f. Massy + -ly y.] Massively.
c 1400 Destr. 'Troy 3923 Troilus be tru was. . Full massely
made, & of nrayn strenght. Ibid. 3975 Ecuba, the onest &
onerable qwene, Was. . Massily made as a manlyke. cx^zo
Avviv. Arth. iii, He [the boar] is masly made. 1513 Doug*
las A£neis x. xiii. 38 The tother . . Abydis stowtly, fermyt
in his fors, And massely [r/. r. (1710) inassalie] vpstude with
bustuus cors. a 1668 Sir W. Waller Div. Medit. (1839) 86
Let our houses be never so strongly and massily built, if
..we lean upon them, they shall not stand.
Massindewe, obs. form of Measondue.
Massiness tmse*sines). [f. Massy + -ness.]
The quality of being massy ; massiveness.
1570 Dee Math. Pref b ij, The Solidity, Massines and
Body of the Sonne. 1587 Golding De Mornay 47 The mas-
sinesse of things is that., that maketh them vnable to do
things. Contrariwise the more spirituale a thing is. the
more actiue it is. 1625 Laud IVks. (1847) I. no It is
not the great massiness of a pillar, but [etc.]. 1712 J.
Jamf.s tr. Le Blond's Gardening 33 Avoiding too great a
Slenderness, as well as too great a Massy ness of Ornaments.
x773 Johnson Let. to Mrs. Thrale 12 Aug., The cathedral
has a massyness and solidity such as I have seen in no other
place. 1810 Shelley Zastrozzi xv, A lamp, whose rays..
showed. . the extreme mas>iness of the passages.
Massing (.mae-sin), vbl. sb.1 Also 3 raesing-,
4 mesin-, 4, 6 messyng, 5 mesyng. [f. Mass
v.l + -1NG *J The action or practice of celebrating
mass.
1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 3589 Four maners of belpes..
prayer and fastyng, And aim us dede and messyng. 1542-5
Brinklow Lament. (1874) 105, 1 will exhorte all prestes. .to
fie and geue oner that abhominable massynge, which is a
blasphemy to Christes bloude. 1546 Bale Fug. Votaries 1.
( 1 548) 19 b, Pranked vp with tabernacles & lyghtes, sensy nges
& massinges. 1661 J. Stephens Procurations m, I cannot
fix the original of this due, forasmuch as the act of Massing
quolibet die dominico being too generall . . doth not fitly
denominate the pay. 1850 Elder s House 166 These Catho-
lics are always for praying and massing.
+ b. attrib. and Comb., as massing apparel, cope,
furniture, matter, robe, room, sacrifice, vestment,
wine; massing closet, = mass-closet '; massing-
mate (? nonce-wd.), the celebrant at mass; mass-
ing penny ■■ Mass-penny ; massing-priest m
Mass-pkiest.
1566 Anstu. Exam, pretending to mayntayne Apparell 132
Being required of papisticall persecutours to do on all their
*massing apparel 1. 1656 Hevlin Snrv. France 180 In this
"Massing Closet over the Altar there was hanged a tablet.
1610 Rp. Hall Apol. Rrownists % 46 What m^ane you to
MASSIVE.
charge our churches with 'carued and painted images'?..
What more? * 'Massing copes and surplices'. 1594 Hooker
Feci. Tol.iv.xl §2 All their "Massing furniture almost they
tooke from the law. 1607 R. QAREw] tr. Estienne's World of
Wonders 294 The "Massing-mate IKr. messatizant] hath the
Deacon and Subdeacon to assist htm. 1549 Latimer 5th
Serin, luf. Edit: K/(Arb.) 139 Scala cctli, is a preachynge
matter I tell you, and not a * massy ng matter. 1292 Durham
Ace. Rolls (Surtees) 490 Kt de \xs. Vujd. ob. de "Mesingpenis
de e[odem] t[ermino], 1536-7 Ibid. 667 De messyrtgpennys
nichil.quia dimittuntur cum tola villa. 1560 Becon Catech.
v. Wks. 1564 I. 457 Hut if ther bee none other remedy but
that the *massinge priestes will sacrifice Christe in their
masses. 1574 Life ?oth Abp. Can'.erb. To Rdr. F ij, It
had some reason to call the Massinge Priesie, a priste
secular. 1656 JeaneS Eutn. Christ 63 Their massing priests,
and masse sacrifice. 1625 Gousatvws Sfi. Inquis. 140
They despoiled him of those vile and wicked "Massing
robes. 1623 Goad Dolef. Euen-Song 1 2 A Chamber . . being
the vsuall "Massing roome for the English resorting thither,
c 1571 Northbrookk Poore Mans Garden Ep. Ded. 1 Mure
diligent tomoouelhem to believe in. .the 'Massing Sacrifice,
then Christes Oblation. 1612 T. Jamf.s Corrupt. Scripture
1. 5 mare., "Massing vestiments. 1647 TrappGww. Rom.
x. 2 He thought he had never sufficiently mingled bis *mass-
ing wine with water.
Massing (mge'sirj), vbl. sb:- [f. Mass v.- t-
-in(j 1.] The action of Mass v.-
1804 K. White Let. R. A. 7 May, What the painters call
the massing, or getting the effect of the more prominent
lights and shades by broad dashes of the pencil. 1870 Daily
News 9 Dec, To-day there has been a massing of German
troops, but no lighting.
Massing (mae'sirj), vbl. sb.-' The action of
Mass v.:i ; the practice of massage.
1855 Dunglison Med. Lex. (ed. 12), Massing. shampooing.
190Z Encycl. /hit. XXX. 573 Without going so far as to
make massing a closed profession.
Massive (mse*siv), a. Forms: 5 massiffe,
massy ve, 5-6 massife, 6- massive, [ad. F.
massif, f. masse Mass sb.% : see -ive.]
1. Forming or consisting of a hr^emass; having
great size and weight or solidity, t Of a peison :
Bulky, large-bodied {obs.).
^1410 Lyog. Reas. ,y Setts. 2730 Ful of trees. . Massifle
and grete and evene vpryght. 1481 Caxton Myrr. n. xxi.
h 4 b, The erthe meueth so strongly, that it bebouith tufalle
all that whiche is theron thaugh it were a massyue tour.
14^5 — C/tas. Gt. 165 The portyer. .is a paynymhydous and
grete, massyf, stronge and felonnous. a 1806 Bp. Horslf.v
Serm. (18161 1, vii. 124 The common military sword is a heavy
massive weapon, for close engagement. 1840 Dickens Barn,
Rndge i, lis ceilings .. heavy with massive beams. 1868
J. H. Hlunt Ref. Ch. Eng. I. 342 The buildings were too
massive to be destroyed.
b. Of aiticles of gold or silver: Solid, not
hollow or plated.
1582 STANYHCRST^Tttmit. (Arb.) 68 Theare massiue gould
cups bee layd. 166a Evelyn Diary 9 June, The greate
looking-glasse. .of beaten and massive gold. 1851 D. Wilson
Preh. Ann. (1863) II. in. v. 133 A massive silver chain.
fc. Solid, having three dimensions. «Mas8Y ic.
1589 Puttenham Eng. Pocsie (Arb.) 310 Painting and
keruing, whereof one represents the naturalL.in the super-
ticiall or flat, the other in a body massife.
fd. Of textile fabrics: Thick, substantial. Obs.
1670-98 Lassels I'oy. Italy I. 87 The silk-stockings. .are
twice as strong as ours, and very massive.
e. Of architectural or artistic style : Presenting
great masses, solid.
1841 W. Spalding Italy % It. Isl. I. 162 That broad, mas-
sive, severe classicism which marked the newly emancipated
age of Phidias. 1861 M. Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 44 When
the Company proceeded to rebuild, they no longer did so in
the massive and imposing style of the fourteenth century.
f. Of the features, head, forehead, etc. : Largely
moulded or modelled.
1843 Lytton Last Bar. 1. iv, His forehead was singularly
high and massive. 1885 Miss P.kaddon Wyllard's Weird
I. i. 14 The features are firmly modelled, bold, and massive.
2. trans/, and fig. a. Of immaterial things :
Solid, substantial ; great or imposing in scale.
1581 Mci.Caster Positions xxxix. {1887) 221 Religious
skill is farre more" massiue. 1833 Herscmf.l Astron. iii. 154
One result of maritime discovery on the great scale is, so to
speak, massive enough to call for mention as an astrono-
mical feature. 1858 Hawthorne Fr. ty it.Note-Bks. (1871)
I. 262 Mighty figures, .looking as if they were necessarily so
gigantic because the thought within them was so massive.
1874 L. Stephen Hours in Library (1892) I. iv. 151 Scott
was a man of more massive and less impulsive character.
b. Psych. Of a sensation, a state of conscious-
ness : Having large volume or extensive magnitude.
1855 Bain Senses .5- ////. 92 A massive or voluminous feeling
of comparatively little acuteness or intensity. Ibid. 132 The
..sensation of chillness.. is . . not acute hut massive and
powerful, 187a Spencer Princ. Psychol. % 513 II. 579 As this
aggregate [of pleasurable recollections] grows by accumu-
lation, it becomes vague in proportion as it becomes massive.
1892 Stevenson Across the Plains 4 All the activities _of my
nature had become tributary to one massive sensation of
discomfort.
C. Path. Of a disease, etc. : Affecting a large
continuous portion of tissue.
1897 A ttbult's Syst. Med. II. 767 Massive gangrene some-
times occurs. 1899 Ibid. VIII. 496 In massive swellings of
the tongue and throat relief has been given by [etc. J.
d. Mus. Presenting a large volume of sound.
1861 Calveri.ey Verses, ' There stands a City' 28 Still
I . . Hear you humming of ' the gal you*d Left behind ' in
massive bass. 1885 Athenaeum 7 Feb. 192 Some numbers
were splendidly given, notably the massive chorus, .. and the
whole of the processional choruses,
63
MASSIVELY.
3. Forming a solid or continuous mass; compact, I
dense, or (sometimes, merely) uniform in internal
Structure ; existing in compact continuous masses, j
Now rare exc. Min. as the epithet of minerals not I
definitely crystalline, and Geo/, as applied to rocks j
or formations presenting no structural divisions.
1558-68 Wakde xr. Alexis' Seer. 64 If it should boile but a .
little more than it ought to boile.it would be thicke and mas- :
site. Ibid. 64b, Steth them in a kettle untill they be neither to
much nor to litle boiled, but even hole and massive not broken.
'573 dr* 0/ Limning 7 The galles must be smal curled,
and massive within. 1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) 11.
226 Mercury.. Second family. Slaty. . .Found Massive, i860
Rusk'.n Mod. Paint. V. vu. ii. 1 12 Clouds maybe broadlycon-
sidered as of two species only, massive and striated. I cannot
find a better word than massive, though it is not a good one,
for I mean it only to signify a fleecy arrangement in which
no lines are visible. 1871 Jukes' Man. Geo!, (ed. 3) 99 Ihe
leading differences of structure among igneous rocks are the
bedded. . ; amorphous. . ; massive, occurring in large masses
which can be broken or quarried in any direction [etc.].
fig. 1600 Tournrur Transf.Metam. lvn, (Had he beene
a man of massive hart) He would haue melted at her mer-
maide's part. . .
4. Pertaining to masses as distinguished lrom
molecules; molar.
1877 E. R. Condek Bas Faith iii. 122 The control of mind
over the material world, .is limited to the power of produc-
ing motion, massive or molecular.
Massively (mse'sivli), adv. [f. Massive +
-LY-.] Ill a massive manner or form.
1550 Sm R. Bowr.s in Hodgson Hist. Northumb. ill. (1828)
II. 200 That side to be massively rampiered with earth. 1844
Mrs. Browning Vision of PoetSTV And so .. Rose the full
notes; now parted off In pauses massively aloof, Like mea-
sured thunders. 1858 Hawthorne Fr. ft It. Note-Bks. I.
259 Houses built so massively, .that [etc. j.
b. nonce-use. By masses of persons.
1876 Geo. Eliot Dan. Der. lix, An assumption which.,
was massively acted on at that date of the world's history.
Massiveness (mae'sivnes). [f. Massive +
-NESS. ] The state or quality of being massive.
1530 Palsgr. 243/2 Massyfnesse, solidite. 1603 North's
Plutarch, Life Plutarch (1612) 1204 Doest thou think it is
by reason of the massiuenes or weight, or by the swiftnesse,
or strength of the eyes? 1.620 Venner ViaReclai. 19 Bread
made of Rie. . is cold, heauy, and hard todigest, and by reason
of the massiuenesse thereof, very burdensome to the stomacke.
1855 Bain Senses * Int. 92 The peculiarity of it [sc. the
feeling of fatigue] as a pleasure is not intensity or acuteness,
but quantity, massiveness, or volume. 1870 F. R. Wilson
Ch. Lindisf.ai The sombre massiveness of the tower.
Massledine, -legen, obs. ff. MasunA
Massless (mse-sles), a. [f Mass sb.2 + -less.]
Having no mass.
1879 Thomson & Tait Nat. Phil. I. 1. § 345 A material
particle supported by massless springs.
Mass-monger, ar^. [Mass rf.1] A con-
temptuous term lor a Roman Catholic.
Common in the 16th c.
1550 Bale Rug. Votaries II. 27 Callynge both hym & hys
masmongers-.fleshe makers. 11649 DltOMM, OF Hawtii.
Skiamachia Wks. (1711) 199 Ye are mass-mongers, adorers
of angels, [etc.]. 1826 SouTHEV Vind. Feci. Angl. 211
This scheme for bringing custom to the mass-mongers at
Tunnacester.
So fMa-ss-mongingf vbl. sb. and///, a.
1551 Latimer Serm.iyd Snnd. Trin. (1584) 200 Another
denying of Christ is this Massemongyng. 1607 R.C[AREw]tr.
Fstiemie's World oj Wonders 204 Another Masse-monging
gentleman of Lorraine. 161a W. Sclater Minister's Portion
8 Things giuen to superstitious vses, suppose to maintain
masmonging.
Masson, -nery, obs. IT. Mason, Masonry.
Massondew: see Measondue.
Masson^e, Her. : see Masoned///, a. 2.
ii Massoola h (m&s/Ha). Forms : 7 musoola,
7, 9 mussoola, 8 (mausolo), 9 (masuli), muss-,
mas(s)ulah, mussoolah, 89 mas(s)oola, mas-
soolah. [Of obscure origin : see conjectures in
Yule.] A large surf-boat used for conveying pas-
sengeis and goods between ships and the shore
on the Coromandel coast. Often massoolah-boat .
1685 W. Hedges Diary 3 Feb., This morning two Musoo-
las& twoCattamaranscameofftoy-' Shippe. ..[We] got into
y* Mussoola. 1760-1879 [see quots. in Yule s. v. Mussoola].
1793 Hodges Trav. India 4 A boat of the country, called a
Massoolah boat. 1899 F. T. Bullen Log_Sea-ivaif^-\ The
crazy 'massulah' boats. .so often described by visitors to
Madras.
Massor : see Massek sb?, Mazeb.
Massorafh : see Masokah.
Massorat, -ete, -ite : see Masorete, -ite.
Massoy (marsoi). Also 8 massay, 9 massoi,
mussoey, mussoi, Diets, missoy. [a. Malay <Jy~.
mastli.] The bark of an East Indian tree, Cinna-
momum Kiamis. Also massoy-bark. Massoy-
camphor, oil: products obtained from this bark.
1800 Asiaf. Ann. Reg., Chron. 35/2 Bird's nests, tripangs,
massay, agamgar.. shall pay 5 per cent. Ibid., Misc. Tracts
74 note, It is much more esteemed than the massoy bark.
1859 'I'imes 29 June 9/2 A fragrant aromatic bark, called
mussoey. i860 Watts tr. Gmclins Handlk. Chem. XIV.
380 Oil of Massoy. Ibid. 381 Massoy camphor. White
powder, heavier than water. 18A4F.ncycl.Brit. XVII. 389/i
Massoi bark.
Mass-penny, arch. [Mass j<5.'] An offer-
ing of money made at mass.
1361 Langl. P. PI. A. in. 217 Prestes. . Askeb Meede and
210
Masse-pons and heore Mete eke. c 1386 Chaucer Soiupn. '
T. 41 A goddes halfpeny or a masse peny. 1470-85 Malorv
Arthur x\\u. xx. 761 Praye for my soule & bery me atte
leest & offre ye my masse peny. 1528 1'indale Obed. Lhr.
Man Pref. xv, He..felteth here a masse peny, there a
trentall, yonder dirige money. 1849 Rock Ch. 0/ Fathers
II. vii. 504. 1877 Miss Yonce Cameos III. xvtt. 156 He
had been at the chapel, .and offered his mass-penny.
at /rib. 1579 E. K. Gloss. Spenser's Sheph. Lai. June 25
Theyr packed pelfe and Masse-penie religion.
Ma'ss-priest. arch. [Mass j«.'] A priest
whose function it is to celebrate mass.
In OE. applied gen. to any priest (Christian or Jewish);
in ME. app. used spec, for a secular priest as opposed to
a monk, or for one employed to say masses for the souls of
the dead. From the 16th c. chiefly a contemptuous designa-
tion for a Roman Catholic priest
1:893 K. Alfred Ores. (Sweet) 282 Arrius se masse-
preost. ciooo JElfric Horn. Pref., Ic TElfric, munuc
and massepreost. rizoo Trin. Coll. Horn. 23 panne he his
muchele synnes . . binrurneo, and shewed hem his messe
preste. cizos Lav. 29872 Vt wenden munekes & pa masse-
preostes. 13.. Gaw. <y Gr. Knt. 2108 Monk, ober masse-
prest, ober any mon elles. 1554 Bradford Let. Wks.
(Parker Soc. ) I. 391 God is no merchant, as our mass-priests be.
163a Lithgow Trav. in. 92 Among the foure Friars, there
was but one Masse-Priest. 1686 Evelyn Diary 11 July,
The late King's glorious chapell [at Windsor] now seiz'd on
by the masse priests.
Massy (msrsi), a. Also 4 massee, 4, 6 massye,
5 massi, 6 -8 raassie, -ey. [f. Mass sb.- + v. In
early instances perh. a. OF. massi, mcissis, massei's,
f. masse with suffix repr. L. -Hits, -Jcius, -cWcius.
Formerly in common use ; now rhetorical or arch. ; in
ordinary prose use superseded by Massive.]
1. Full of substance or ' mass '.
a. Solid and weighty; heavy as consisting of
compact matter. Said esp. of the precious metals:
Occurring in mass ; wrought in solid pieces, without
hollow or alloy.
1382 Wvclif Ecclus. I. 10 As a massee vessel of gold.
1398 Trevisa Earth. De P. K. xvi. vii. (1495' 555 The syluer
compownyd is massy & sad. C1470 Henrvson Fab. (Son
o/Fox) in Anglia IX. 368 The leopardis come with croun
of massie gold. 1553 Brende Q. Curtins L v. He founde
in that citie an incredible treasure .L.M. talentes of massy
silver uncoyned. 1598 Dravton Heroic. Fp. ii 80, I can
march all day in massie Steele. 1638 Baker tr. Balzac's
Lett. (vol. Ill) 175 There are none now but poor Gentlemen
that will offer to weare the Masstest silver lace. 1777
Sheridan Sch.Scaud. 111. iii, A great quantity of massy old
plate. 1805 Scott Last Minstrel Introd. 33 Whose pon-
derous grate and massy bar Had oft [etc.]. 1853 Macau-
lav Biog., Atterbury (1867) 10 An inestimable treasure of
massy bullion. 1877 A. B. Edwards Up Nile i. 20 Seen in
certain lights, the Pyramids look like piles of massy gold,
t b. gen. Solid, not hollow. Obs.
1381 Wvclif Exod. xxxviii. 7 And thilk auter was not
massye [Vulg. solidum], but holwj, of tabled thingis, and
with ynne voyde. C1440 1'romp. Parr. 328/2 Massy, nojt
hole, solidus. 1673 Phil. I ran s. VIII. 6004 By cramming
into them many Crystal-bullets, both hollow and massy ones.
fc. Solid, having three dimensions. Applied to
sculptures, as opposed to paintings on the flat.
1551 Recorde Path™. Kncrwl. 1. Def., By Depenesse..
I meane the massie thicknesse of any bodie, as in ex-
aumple of a potte. 1571 Digges Pautom., Math. Disc.
Hhij, A Transformed Dodecaedron is a massie or solide
figure. 1611 Brerewood Lang. a> Relig. xviii. 167 Reject-
ing carved or massie images, but admitting the painted.
C1645 Howell Lett. (1650) I. 331 Abhorring the use of
massy statues.
d. Close, compact, dense (in texture or consis-
tency). ? Obs.
1519 Horman Vulg. 37 b, They that haue massye bonys
neuer swete or thristethe. 1567 Maplet Gr. Forest 33 It is
nothing solid or massie, but much porouse. 1579-80 North
Plutarch, Romulus (1,95) 39 A grosse vapour, darke &
massie. 1805 R. W. Dickson Pract. Agric. I. 428 The
more massy sorts of manure. 1814 Carv Dante, Paradise
xui. 6 Stars, . . that, with lively ray serene, O'ercome Ihe
massiest air.
2. Consisting of a large mass or masses of heavy
material ; having great size and weight. Of build-
ings : Consisting of great blocks or piles of masonry.
1587 Golding De Mornay i. 2 Yee see . . the_ Earth alto-
gether heavie and massie, and yet notwithstanding . .hanged
in y Aire. 1660 Pepvs Diary 26 Apr., It was very plea-
sant to observe the massy timbers that the ship is made of.
•775 A. M. Topladv Let. Wks. 1828 VI. 270 He hurled the
massy folio at the poor bookseller's head. x8ai Scott
K'enil-.o. vi, A massy oaken table. 1855 Macaulav Hist.
Eng. xiv. III. 422 The massy remains of the old Norman
castle. 1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus lxiii. 40 The rude seas,
earth's massy solidity.
b. Of architecture : Presenting great masses.
1819 Shellev Let. Pr. Wks. 1880 IV. 85 The proportions
are extremely massy. 1846 Grote Greece l. xx. (1862) I.
498 The massy and Cyclopian style of architecture em-
ployed in those early days.
3. Spreading in a mass or in masses ; having
considerable bulk or volume.
1672 Marvell Reh. Trausp. 1. 68 Stragling by Temple-
bar, in a massy Cassock and Surcingle. 1727-46 Thomson
Summer 669 Deep in the night the massy locust sheds
Quench iny hot limbs. 1812 Brackenridgk Views Louisiana
(1814) 112 The foliage of the corn is so rich and massy.that
it shades the earth. 121834 Lamb Reynolds Gallery Misc.
Wks. (1871) 367 The long, graceful, massy fingers. 1839
Alison Hist. Europe liv § 53(1850) VIII. 610 Their infantry
in four massy columns was observed to be descending.
b. Of persons and animals: Bulky, large-bodied.
c 1400 Destr. Troy 3885 He was massy & mekull, made
for be nonest. 1607 Walkington Opt. Glass 11 The mas-
MAST.
sier and more gyantly body must be maintained with large
..diet, a 1667 Cowley Ess., Greatness, He would have
no Servants, but huge, massy Fellows. 1824 Byron Juan
xvi. lxxx, There were some massy members of the Church.
1849 H. Miller Eootpr. Creat. vi. (1S74) 119 One of the
massier fishes disporting amid the same four or five small
ones. 1866 Carlyle Retnin. 1. 255 A . . massy, earnest,
forcible-looking man.
4. transf. and Jig. (of immaterial things).
1588 Greene Perimedes G 2 b, She sits shrind in a Canna-
pie of Clouds, Whose massie darkenesse mazeth euery sense.
1645 Milton Tetrach. Wks. 1851 IV. 215 The most grosse
and massy paradox that ever did violence to reason and
religion. 1663 Bp. Patrick Parab. Pilgr. U. (1668) 46 How
solid and massy those future enjoyments are. 1794 Mrs.
Radclikfe Alyst. Udolpho viii, She turned her eyes from
the massy darkness of the woods. 1822-56 De Gxincey
Confess. (1B62) 155 It cost eight andtwenty massy hours for
us . . to reach the General Post-office. 1840 — Th. Grk.
Trag. Wks. IX. 72 The dialogue [of Greek tragedy] is
always, .severe, massy, simple.
5. Comb., as massy '-proof 'adj.
1788 Warton Ode/or A>w Year 1 Rude was the pile, and
massy proof.
Massymore (mcestmoou\ Sc. Also 8 mas-
more. [? ad. Sp. mazmorra dungeon : cf. Matta-
jiore.] An alleged local term for a castle dungeon.
1789 Grose Antiq. Scotl. I. *53 [Crighton Castle, Edin-
burghshire.] The dungeon called the Mas-More is a deep
hole, with a narrow mouth. i8oz Scott Mhtstr Scott.
Bord. I. Introd. 79 note, One of the ancient lairds had im-
prisoned, in the Massy More, or dungeon of the castle, a
person named Porteous. 1808 — Alarm, iv. xi, Crichtoun !
..still may we explore. .The darkness of thy Massy More.
Mast (mast),^.1 Forms: 1 msest, 4-6maste,
3- mast. [Com. Teut.: OE. m&st masc.^MDu.,
Du., OHG., MHG., mod.G. mast, Icel. mastr,
Sw., Da. mast :— OTeut. *masto-z ;—\X. Indo-ger-
manic type *mazdo-s, whence L. mahts (with the
change of d to / frequent in L.).
The Teut. word appears in popular L. of the 8th c. as
n/astus, whence OF. mast (Fr. mat), Pr. mast, mat, Pg.
masto, mastro.]
1. A long pole or spar of timber, iron or steel
set up more or less perpendicularly upon the keel
of a ship, to support the sails.
h pole-mast is made of one piece (see Pole), a made-viast
of several pieces (see Made 2 b). The larger masts are
composed of several lengths, called hnver mast. Top-mast,
Topgallant-;///™* and Royal-w/oj/. See also Foremast,
Mainmast, Mizzf.kmast, jtgger-wast (Jigger^/'.1 8); JlWf-
MAST, SPANKER-////7i/, etc.
Beowulf ^1905 (Gr.) J>a was be maeste merehrae^la sum, se^l
sale faest. c 1205 Lay. 1100 Heo ra;rden heora mastes, heo
wunden up seiles. c 1300 Havelok 709 Hise ship he greyb-
ede.-an ..per-inne dide a ful god mast. ^1374 Chaucer
Anel. <y Arc. 314 She that hem trustith shall hem fynde
als faste As in a tempest is be roton maste. a 1440 Sir
Eglam. 1262 Sche askyth be what chesone he bare A schyp
of golde, bothe ma^te and ore. 1590 Shaks. Com. Err. t.
i. 80 A small spare Mast, Such as sea-faring men prouide
for stonnes. 164a Howell For. Trav. (Arb.) 71 To see..
The New Towne of Amsterdam, and the Forrest of Masts,
which lye perpetually before her. 1667 Mii.ton P. L. I.
293 The tallest Pine Hewn on Norwegian hills, to be the
Mast Of some great Ammiral. 1834 Iatton Pompeii 1. ii,
Afar off you saw the tall masts of the fleet.
transf. 1868 Ruskin Pol. Econ. Art Add. 194 To look
well at the beautiful circlet of the white nettle blossom,
and work out. .the way it is set on its central mast.
b. A piece of timber suitable for a mast. Now
spec, (see quot. 1847). Hand mast: see II and sb. 63.
1496 Naval Ace. Hen. VU {1896) 183, ij mastes to make
a newe Mayne yarde for the seyd Ship 1842 V>w\lt A re kit.
§ 1706 From Riga a great deal of timber is received under the
name of masts and spars : the former are usually 70 or 80
feet in length, and from 18 to 25 inches in diameter ; when
of less diameter they take the latter name.
2. Phrases. Afore or before the mast: see Afohe
j B. 1, Before li. 2d. At the mast-, on deck by
j the mainmast (the usual place of assembly for
public sale,conference,etc.on board ship). Dolphin
of the mast : see Dolthin 6 b {a). To nail ones
colours to the mast : see Colouh sb. 7 d. To spring,
step a mast : see Spring, Step vbs.
[1626 Capt. Smith Acc/d. Yng. Seamen 6 The Lyer. is
so proclaimed at the maine Mast by a general! cry, A Iyer,
a Iyer, a Iyer.] 1745 P Thomas Jrnl. Anson's Ffy.273
'. We sold some of the Prize Goods .. at the Mast, as it is
called, or publick Auction.
3. A pole resembling the mast of a ship ; e.g. the
tall upright pole of a derrick or similar machine ;
a climbing pole in a gymnasium.
1646 Evelyn Diary (18791 I. 2S2 We passe by severall tall
masts set up to guide travellers [In the Alps] 176a Frank-
lin Lett. Wks. 1840 V. 407 To secure a powder magazine
1 from lightning I think they cannot do better than to erect
a mast not far from it. 1880 Encyct Brit. XI. 350/2 Ihe
horizontal bar, the bridge ladder .. and the mast . . permit
■ of a great variety of exercises. 1886 Eortu. Eev. Feb. 222
, The vistas of lamp-posts, electric-light masts, and tele-
graph poles.
4. attrib. and Comb., as mast-pole, -top ; objective,
' as mast-maker, -making; instrumental, as mast*
\ thronged adj.; similativc, as mast-great, -high, -like
1 adjs. and advs.
1600 Fairfax Tasso 111. xvii, *Mast great the speare was
1 which the gallant bore. 1798 Coleridge Am. Mar. 1. xiii,
; Ice *mast-high came floating by. 1855 Kingsley Heroes
iv. ii. (1868) 124 He saw a heron come flying mast-high.
1807 J. Barlow ColumK \. 787 Their cluster'd dates the
MAST.
~irtast-hke palms unfold. 1666 Pepys Diary 10 Aug., Mr.
Wood's .son the _k mast- maker. 1794 Rigging^ Seamanship
I, 13 The practice of "mastmaking. 1601 Holland Pliny
II. 511 That Wlast-poles comming thereof should be able
to beare saile in wind and weather. 1647 Trapp Comm.
Matt. xxvi. 45 Will ye, with Solomon's drunkard, sleep upon
a mast-pole? 1833 Tennvson (Enoiie 116 Tax and toll,
From many an inland town and haven large, *Mast-throng'd.
1871 K. Ellis tr. Catullus Frag, v, Where yon lucent *mast-
top [[.. carclit-sra], a cup of silver, arises.
b. Special comb. : mast-buoy, one which carries
a mast ; mast-cloth, 7 (a) a piece of bunting
placed for decoration on a mast (obs.) ; (b) see
quot. 1794; mast-coat (see quot.) ; mast-dock, a
dock in which vessels arc fitted with masts; mast-
hole, -hoop (see quota.) ,' mast-house, a build-
ing in a dockyard in which masts are made and
stored ; mast-leech, the border or edge of a sail
next the mast ; mast-lining = mast-cloth ; mast-
partner (see quot.); mast-pocket, a socket for
the mast of a derrick-crane ; mast-pond, -prop,
-room (see quots.) ; mast-rope, one for raising
and lowering a mast ; mast-ship, a ship which
carries a store of masts; mast-step, a block fixed
to the keelson into which the mast is set ; mast-
tree, a name given to certain tall erect trees (see
• quots.); tmast-yard1, a yard of a mast; mast-
yard 2, a yard in which masts are made.
167s Lond. Gaz. No. 1005/4 A *Mast-Buoy to be laid on
the West-side of a dangerous Rock. 1642 Chas. I Declar.
12 Aug. 21 Lighters, and Long-boats .. dressed up with
'Mastclothes and Streamers. 1794 Rigging A> Seamanship
I. 88 Mast-cloth, the lining in the middle on the aft side of
the topsails, to prevent the sail being chafed by the mast.
Ibid. 170 * Mast-coats, coverings made of well tarred canvas
to prevent the water going down the mast-hole. 1689 Lond.
Gaz. No. 2162/4 The Crown and the St. Anthony,., each
lying in the "Mast-Dock at Deptford. 1867 Smyth Sailor's
Word-bk., *Mast-holes, the apertures in the deck-partners
for stepping the masts. Ibid., *Mast- hoops, the iron hoops
on made or built masts. 1770 Ann. Reg. 132 A fire .. in
the dock-yard, .communicated itself, .to the little "mast-
house. 1794 Rigging tr Seamanship I. 88 The curve on
the *mast-leech of some fore and aft sails. 1886 Encycl.
Brit. XXI. 154/2 Such pieces as "mast-lining clew and
head, lack, and corner pieces. 1846-63 Young .Vaut. Diet.,
" Mast-partners, pieces of timber let in between two of
the beams to form a framing for the support of a vessel's
masts. 1890 Cent. Diet, (citing Car- Builder's Diet.), 'Mast-
pocket. 1769 Falconer Diet. Marine 11. (1780), Fosse aux
mats, a "mast-pond, or place where the masts are kept
afloat in salt-water, in a dockyard. 184a Marrvat I'oor
Jack xxxviii, Our ship laid at the wharf, off the mast pond.
1805 Shipwright's Vade-m. 117 Large cartings which are
placed at the sides of the "mast-rooms, c 1850 Rtidint.
.Vavig. (Weale) 131 Mast-rooms, the spaces between those
beams where the masts are to be fixed, a 1000 Cxdmon's
Exod. 82 (Gr.) Swa ba *ma:st-rapas men ne cuoon ne 3a
seglrode Jeseon meahton. 1841 K. H. Dana Seaman's Man.
2t To send up a Topmast... Lash a top-block to the head
of the lower-mast; reeve a mast-rope through it [etc.]. 1666
Pepys Diary 29 Nov., Some . . do fright us with the king
of Sweden's seizing our "mast-ships at Gottenburgh. 1760
W. Douglass Brit. A*. Amer. II. 54 The mast ships built
peculiarly for that use . . carry from forty-five to fifty good
masts per voyage. 1863 Young Naut. Diet., 'Mast-step.
1597 Gerarde Herbal m. xl. 1182 Abies :. .in English Firre
tree, "Mast tree, and Deale tree. 1862 Balfour Timber
Trees India (ed. 2) 127 Guatteria longifolia .. Mast tree.
1879 Encycl. Brit. IX. 405/1 The extensive forests [of Bor-
neo]. .produce, .sago palm, and the mast (Calophyllum) and
camphor trees {Drabalonops). c 1530 Battle elf Aginc. A ij,
These goodly shyppes lay there at rode, With "mast-yardes
a crosse. 1765 A tin. Keg. 97 A »mast-yard adjoining to
the river.
c. with prefixed numeral forming an adjectival
compound with the sense ' having two (etc.) masts '.
1804 XavalChron. XL 456 A Petiaugita, a two-mast boat
used by the Caribs.
Mast (mast), sb.l Forms: 1, 3 meest, 5-8
maste, 3 mast $. 7 maske, 9 mask. [Com.
WGer. : OE. maest masc, MDu., MLG., OHG.,
MHG. mast masc, fem., neut. (mod.G. mast fem.)
:-OTeut. type *masto-, -ft ; believed to represent
a pre-Teut. *mazdo- -.-maddo- (cf. Skr. ineda fat),
f. OAryan root mfd- ' to be fat, to flow ', whence L.
madere to be wet, Goth, mat-s food (see Meat).]
1. A collective name for the fruit of the beech,
oak, chestnut, and other forest-trees, esp. as food
lor swine. Rare in //.
825 in Birch Cart. Sax. I. 536 Drim hunde swina maist.
c 1205 Lay. 21263 Al was he king abohjen swa bi3 be wilde
bar penrie he 1 ban maiste [c 1275 maste] monie swyn imeteb.
c 1374 Chaucer Former Age 7 They eten mast liawes and
swych pownage. 1523 Pitchers. Sun: 8 Whanne there is
any mast growyng in y« lordes wodes. 1607 Shaks. Timon
IV. 111 422 The Oakes beare Mast, the Briars Scarlet Heps.
1697PRYDEN Virg.Gcorg. 1. 10 Bacchus and fost'ring Ceres,
I ow rs Divine, Who gave us Corn for Mast, for Water
Wine. 1726 Swift Gulliver 111. v. 66 Acorns, Dates, Ches-
nuts, and other Maste. .whereof these Animals are fondest. '
1822 Lamb Elia Ser. I. Roast Pig, The swineherd, Ho-ti,
having gone out into the woods . . to collect mast for his
hogs. 1824 Loudon Encycl. Gardening (ed. 2) 977 Trees and
Shrubs bearing Nuts, Acorns, Masts, Keys, etc. 1870 Yeats
Nat. Hist. Comm. 87 Oak, beech, and chestnut fatten with
their mast immense numbers of hogs.
ft 1640 Fuller Joseph's Coat 147 Like Hogs, eating up !
the Maske, not looking up to the hand that shaketh it downe.
1879 Miss Jackson Shropsh. Word-bk., Mask . . Mass,
acorns ; mast. 1882 H. Friend Devonsh. Plant-n., Masks,
Masts, acorns. Also applied to the fruit of the Beech.
211
1 Jig. 11617 Donne Let. Wks. 1839 VI. f9, I stand like
a tree, which once a-year bears, though no fruit, yet this
mast of children.
t 2. The state or condition of feeding on mast.
Only in phrases to lie at mast, to put to mast. Obs.
1620 Markham Farcw. Hush. xvii. 158 Now put your
swine to mast. 1664 Cotton Scarron. 51 We were., sent
. . To fetch a Sow that lies at Mast.
t3. fig. Luxurious or fattening food. Obs.
.1575-85 Am. Sandys Strut, x. i57 Hcfcedeth still vpon
Ins mast, and blesseth himselfe when liee waxeth fat. 1592
Nasiie /'. Peuitcsse 20 b, There is no mast like a Mnr-
cbaunts table.
4. attrib. and Comb.: a. simple attrib, as mast
hog, time, year; b. objective, as mast-bearer;
mast-bearing adj. ; e. instrumental, as mast fed
adj. Also mast cell [after G. maslzel/e], one of
the cells tilled with basophile granules, found in
the connective tissue and in foci of chronic inflam-
mation (Gould Diet. Med. 1900 ; mast-tree, a
tree producing mast (recent Diets, explain it as
'cork-tree', app. after the OE. gloss ' suberies,
msestentriow ', Wr.-Wiilck. 137/23); mastwood
(see quot.) ; mastworts //., Lindley's name for
the Corylacem. Also Mast-holm.
1664 Evelyn Sylva tog Where a single Tree is observ'd
to be . . a constant, and plentiful "Mast bearer. 1610 Hoi -
LAND Camden's Brit. 11.92 Woods of 'Mast-bearing tree*
1898 A/lbutt's Syst. Med. V. 638 Leucocytes with ' "mast-
cell' granules. 1899 Ibid. VIII. 472 Mast-cells are in no
great abundance. 1566 Drant Horace, Sat. iv. Gviijb,
"Mastefcdde bores, c 1440 Promp. Par;: 329/1 "Mast hogi
. . maialis. 1682 S. Wilson Ace. Carolina 14 In the "Mast
time they are very fat. 1577 B. Good: Hercsbacli's Husb.
II. (1586) 101 The "mast trees [L. glandi/eras], and such as
seine for tymber. 1652 Blith Eng. Improz: Impr. (ed. 3I
166 The Beech is also a mast-tree. 1864 Grisebach Flora
IK hid. 785 "Mast-wood, yellow, Tobinia coriacca. 1846
Lindley I'eg. Kingd. 290 Corylaceas— "Mastworts. 1760
W. Douglass Brit. N. Amer. II. 375 Anno 1733, a good
"mast year, one man.. salted up three thousand barrels of
pork.
+ Mast,rf.:> Obs. [? Corrupt form of Mass sb?
In quots. c 1420 and 1502 that word may be in-
tended ; in quot. 1502 the weight differs from that
assigned in quot. 1674 to the ' mast '.] A weight
(for certain articles of commerce) ^2\ lbs. Troy.
[c 1420 Chrou. Vilod. 3493 He . . come to Wiltone . . And
brou^t w' hym of wax a mast. 1502 Will qfSomer (Somer-
set Ho.!, A mast of corall weyng vj'< skant.J 1545 Rates
Custom-lio., Ambre the maste xss. Corall the mast xx.ss.
1674 Jeake Arit/i. (1696) 73 Troy Weight hath seldom any
greater denomination than the pound, yet sometime 2} lb.
thereof is called a Mast allowed for Amber and Gold and
Silver Thread. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Mast 0/ Amber,
the quantity of Two Pounds and a half Weight.
tMast, sb.*, shortened form of Master.
Possibly merely a graphic abbreviation. But cf. Mas.
c 1460 How Marchande dyd hys IVy/e betray 59 in Hazl.
E.P. P. 1. 199 The marchandys man to hys mast dyd speke.
c "55° John Bon $ Mast Person ibid. IV. 5 Nowe good
morowe, mast Parson.
t Mast, sbfi Billiards. Obs. [Corruption (by
confusion with Mast sb.l) of F. masse Mace sbf]
A kind of heavy cue, of which the broad end was
used for striking.
1731 Gcntl. Mag. I. 268 The Capt. gave the Boy a blow
on the head with his Billiard Mast. 1734 Seymour Compl.
Gamester 111. (ed. 5) 73 Of Billiards. There is belonging to
the Table an Ivory Port, . . two small Ivory Balls and two
Sticks (called Masts). . . The Masts are made of . . weighty
Wood, which at the broad End are tipped with Ivory. 1784
Cowper Task IV. 221 A billiard mast Well does the work of
his [sc. Time's] destructive scythe. [1873 : see Mace sb.1 3.]
Mast (mcst\ v\ [f. Mast sb.l Cf. OF.
master (F. mtiter).] trans. To furnish with masts.
1627 Capt. Smith Seaman's Gram. iii. 15 When a ship is
built, she should be masted. 1682 S. Wilson Acc. Carolina
12 Pynes big enough to Mast the greatest Ships. 1705
Lond. Gaz. No. 4117/4 Directions to Build, Rigg, Yard,
and Mast any Ship. 1813 Hobhouse Journey (ed. 2) 903
Engines for masting ships. 1856 T. Guthrie Ezek. 319
Here is a noble ship. . .The forests have masted her.
t Mast, v? Obs. Also5meyste. [OE. mxstan
— OHG. masten, meslen (mod.G. mdsten) Du. (vet)-
meste/i:—\\G. *mastjan, f. *masto- Mast sb.-]
1. trans. To feed (animals) on mast ; to fatten.
C974 in Birch Cart. Sax. III. 629 Ic wylle bait man maeste
minum wiue twa hund swyna. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 329/2
Mastyn beestys, sagino. Ibid. 334/2 Meysten, idem anod
mastyn.
2. trans/. To feed (oneself) gluttonously.
(11560 Becon Je-uel 0/ Joy Wks. 1560 11. 9 b, The bene-
fyced men..mastyng them selues lyke hogges of Epycurus
flock. 1647 Trapp .Marrow Gd. Aitth. in Comm. Ep. 613
Those greedy gully-guts, that, .mast themselves like hogs.
MaBt, obs. form of Most, Must v.
II Mastaba h (mK'staba\ Also 7 mastabe.
[Arab. JLk^o mic-, maclabaf' (of Pers. origin).]
1. A bench, seat.
1603 Knolles Hist. Turks (1621) 834 Sitting vpon a pallet,
which the Turks call Mastabe. 1665 Sir T. Herbert
Trav. (1677) 175 At the upper end (surmounting the rest
so much onely as two or three Mastaba's or white silken
shags would elevate) sat the Pot-Shaw. 1687 A. Loveli.
tr. Thevenot's Trav. 11. 29 A Mastabe is a kind of a half
pace, that's to say, that the Floor is raised two or three
foot from the ground, and there the Travellers lodge.
2. An ancient Egyptian tomb, rectangular or
MASTER
square in plan, flat-topped, with sides sloping out-
waid to the base.
1882 Nature XXV I. 57 The mastabas were the mausolea
of the richer and more important personages. 1883 V. Stuart
1 Egypt 469 Stone mastabahs with inscriptions.
Mastage (masted;;). Obs. exc. Hist. [f. Mast
j'/;.- or V.X + -AGE.] The fruit of forest -trees col-
lectively: = MasTj-£.- 1. Also, the right of feeding
animals on mast.
1610 W. Foi.kingham Art of Survey 1. vi. 13 What Trees,
Plants, Shrubs: what Fruitage, Mastage, Gumm.ige. 1762
tr. Busching's Syst. Gcog. VI. 287 The mastage .. from the
oaks and beecn. 1794 Pr ingle Agtic. Su rv. Westmorland
51 Regulations, .full of the mention of forests, and chaces,
..and mastage, and pannage, and vert. 1881 Conik. Mag.
XL1V. 342 The English .. divided out the land. .with',
right of. .mastage for so many swine in the woodlands.
II Mastalgia (masUc-ld^ia). Path. [mod. I,,
f. Gr. /tar/Toi breast + -aKyia, a'A-yos pain.] Neu-
ralgia of the breast.
1856 in Mayne Expos Lev. In some recent Diets.
tMastard. Obs. A stallion.
1598 Ripon Corporation Rec. 10 June, Whosoe\er hath
any stoned horse or mastard uppon the Comons afforesaid.
II Mastax (marsOeks). [mod.L. mastax, f. Gr.
Hnnja£ mouth.] (See quot. 1855.)
i855Go-SSEin Phil. Tram. CXLVL 425, I propose then
to appropriate to the sub-globose muscular bulb, which con-
tains the manducatory organs in most Rotifera, the term
mastax. 1877 Huxley Anal. Inv. Aitim. iv. 1S7 At the
bottom is a muscular pharynx, or mastax.
Maste, Mastecott, obs. ff. Most, Massicot.
Masted (ma-sted), ///. a.i [f. Mast v\ or sb.'
+ -HI).]
1. Furnished with a mast or masts.
1627 Capt. Smith Seaman's Gram. ii. 15 If either too
small or too short, she is vnder masted or low masted. 1725
De Foe I'oy. round ll'orld (i8\o) 100 A great heavy boat
..but ill masted. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp. s v., A ship
is said to be masted when she has all her masts compleat.
1810 Scott Lady of L. 11. xvi, Slow enlarging on the view-
Four manned and masted barges grew. 1836 Marryat
Midsh. Easy xiii, A one-masted xebeque. 1877 Daily News
19 Oct. 5/3 There will not be another masted ironclad forth-
coming for years.
2. Of a harbour, etc. : Thronged with masts.
1757 Dyer Fleece ill. 591 Our various hills and vales, No-
where far distant from the masted wharf. 1882 J. Haw-
thorne Fort. Fool 1. xviii, Away to the right might be dis-
cerned the . . masted harbour of a town.
t Masted, ///• a.- Obs. In 5 mestyde, mas-
tid, 7 mested. [f. Mast £'.'- + -ed!.] Fed with
mast, fatted.
c 1440 Promp. Parv. 151/2 Fat fowle, or beste, mestyde to
be slnyne, altile. c 1490 Ibid. 329/1 Mast hog [MS. K.
mastid swynei, maialis. a 1622 Ainsworth Anuot. Pcntat.
Dei t. xxxii. 24 Burnt, .others translate it, filled or mested.
Mastelyn(e, obs. forms of Maslin.
Master (ma-star), sb.1 Forms: 1 msesister,
msegester, majister, 2-3 meistre, 2-5 meister,
3 Ormin ma53stre, 3-5 maystre, 3-6 maistre,
mayster, 3-7, 9 (dial.) roaister, 4 maystir,meys-
ter, mesteir, maistere, 4-5 mastir, maystur,
4-6 maistir, jmeistir, maistur, mastre, ma(y)s-
tyr, mastur, 6 muster, maiester, 3- master.
[ME. meister, -Ire, maister, -ire, partly:— OE.
molester, magister, a. L. magister, magistriim, in
vulgar Latin pronunciation (ma'-Vster, -tto\ whence
also OFris. master, mister, OS. mes/er (Du., LG.
meester), OHG. (MHO., mod.G.) meister, ON.
meistare (Sw. mas tare, Da. mester) ; partly a. OF.
maistre (mod.F. mailre) = I'i.mageslie-s,maeslre-s,
OSp. mestro, -tie (mod.Sp. maestro, -Ire), Pg.
mestre, It. maestro, mastro :— L. magistr-tim, ma-
gister (in OLatin magester), related to magis adv.,
more, as the correlative minister (see Minister sb.)
to minus less.]
I. A man having control or authority.
1 1. gen. One having direction or control over
the action of another or others ; a director, leader,
chief, commander ; a ruler, governor. Obs.
ciooo /Elfric Exod. i. 11 Witudlice he sette him weorka
ma^estras [Vulg. magistros operum], paH hi^ ^ehyndon
mid hefe^um byrSenum. c 1175 Lamb. Horn. 43 And heore
[the 12 I master devils'] a}ene pine neure nere fie lesse bah
heo meistres were!), a 1240 Wohuiige in Cott. Horn. 281
Hwen bu wes henged bituhhe twa beofes, As hwa seseie, He
his is mare ben beof, And for bi as hare meister he hengas ham
bituhhen. c 1250 Gen. ry Ex. 4072 De mestres of 5ise hore-
men. a 1300 Cursor M. 6408 Moyses ban ca]cJ sjr iosue And
mad him maister o pat semble. 13.. Sir Beues (MS. A)
1643 And, for is meisters [i.e. the two jailers] wer bobe ded,
pie daies after he ne et no bred, c 1330 R. Brunne ChroH.
IVace (Rolls) 13084 pe Bretons .. toke Petron, be maister
Romayn. c 1450 Merlin xxvii. 549 These foure hit herden
that were maistris of the hoste and conditoure*. 1596 Dal-
rymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. 1. 104 Quhen thay sett vnon
the ennimie. .thay pas in ordour, following thair maistiiis.
b. transf. (Chiefly of animals.)
1390 Gow er Coif. I. 197 The vessel!. .Which Maister was
of al the Flete. 1588 Shaks. 'Til. A. v. i. 15 Like stinging
Bees.. Led by their Maister to the flowred fields. 1710
Rowe tr. Ltican ix. 1237 Some Master of the Herd, some
mighty Bull. 1748 Anson's l-'oy. n.i. 121 The Master of the
herd posted himself fronting the enemy, the rest of the
goats being all behind him.
2. spec. (Naut.) a. The captain of a merchant
93-2
MASTER.
Vessel, called also master mariner (see Mariner
lb); f in early use also //., ? the officers or
the crew. b. The officer (ranking next below
a lieutenant) entrusted with the navigation of a
ship of war as distinguished from the commander
of a ship during warlike operations. Now styled
navigating officer (Robinson Brit, Fleet , 1894,
p. 406). fc. Master and commander : until 1 814
the title of the officer in the navy since called Com-
mander. Obs.
c 1330 R. Ukunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 12085 P° maistres
\v.r. mariners] bat were slie. c 1350 Will. Falcrne 2744 t>e
maistres.. manli in come, & faire at ^efulle flod bei ferden to
sayle. 1450 Paston Lett. I. 124 The maister of tlie Nicolas.
1553 Cabot Ordinances in Hakluyt's Voy. (1589) 259 The
master and pilot of euery ship, a 1568 Ascham Scholem. 1.
(Arb.) 61 An vnhappie Master lie is, that is made cunning
by manic shippe wrakes. 1594 1st Ft Content. Fib,
And then enter the Captaine of the ship and the Maister,
and the Maisters Mate. 1610 Shaks. Temp. 11. ii. 48
The Master, the Swabber, the Boate-swaine & I. 1626
Capt. Smith A aid. Yng, Seamen 1 The Maister is to see
to the cunning the Ship, and trimming the sailes. 1725 De
Foe Voy. round World (1840) 18 Our pilot, or master, as
we called him. 1748 Lind Lett. Navy ii. (1757) 76 \ ne
master, and some other gentlemen of the Essex. x8oi Nel-
son in A. Duncan Life (1806) 198 Captain Bedford, . . with
Captain Gore,., offered their services to serve under a master
and commander. 1849 Macaulav Hist, Bug. ill. I. 303 The
captain .. treated the master with lordly contempt, i860
Reeds Guide Bk. Local Marine Bd. Exams. 11 A Ma-ter
must be twenty-one years of age. 1902 Encycl. Brit. XXXI.
775/1 Pilotage certificates may also be granted, .to masters
and mates of ships.
d. Master's mate, an officer subordinate to but
working with the master of a ship of war. Also fig.
1496 Nai -at Ace. Hen. Vlf (1896} 166 The Maisters mate
& iiij quartermaisters. 1598 W. Phillip Linschoten 1. iii.
4 The Seta Piloto, which is the Masters mate, hath 1200
reyes. 1642 Fuller Holy $ Prof. St. iv. xvi. 322 It often
hapning in Commonweahhs, that the Masters mate steers
the ship thereof, more then the Master himself. 1724 R.
Falcon er i'oy. (1769) 6 There's an excellent Master's Mate.
1836 Makrvat Midsh. Easy xviii. 59 The worthy master's
mate.
3. One who employs another in his service : cor-
relative with servant , man ; also with apprentice,
where the original sense is that of branch II.
1362 Langl, P. PI. A. in. 211 Seruaunts .. 'i'akeb Meede
of heore Maystres. c 1386 Chaiceh Cook's T. 35 This iuly
prentys with his maistir bood. < 1450 Merlin i. 3 The
heirdes .. tolde their maister the mervelle. 1526 Hundred
Mery Tales (1866) 146 Here is nother mayster nor man.
1596 Shaks. Merck. V. v. i. 47 My Master will be here ere
morning. 1623 Jas. I in Rushw. Hist. Coll. (1659) I. 127
He is a happy man that serves a good Master. 1711 STEELE
Sped, No. 107 P 1 The general Corruption of Manners 111
Servants is owing to the conduct of Masters. 1728 Swim
My Lady's Lament. 174 Who's master, who's man. 1765
Blackstone Comnt. I. xiv. 416 A Master may by law cor-
rect his apprentice. 1835 Ufk P kilos. Manuf. 319 List of
Prices . . as agreed to by Masters and Men. 1843 Carlvlk
Past 4- Pr. 11. x, Continued vigilance, rigorous method,
what we call ' the eye of the master1, work wonders. 1843
Borrow Bible in Spain xxxiv, 1 have lived in many houses
and served many masters. 1880 McCarthy Own Time IV.
liv. 171 The masters and the workmen.
b. Proverbs.
1548 l^e Like a. 2d], 1554 in Strype Ecel. Mem. (1721)
III. xxiii. 190 The old proverbe is true ..'such a master,
such a servant '. 1655 Fuller Ck. Hist. ix. vi. § 34 He
crossed the Proverb, like Master, like Man, the Patron
being Cruel, the Chaplain Kinde. 1665 Boyle Occas. Rejl.
iv. viii. (1848.1 zi8 Fire and Water, they cannot be so good
Servants, but that they are worse Masters. 1692 R.
L'Esi range Fables xxxviii. 38 Fire and Water,, .are Good
Servants, but Bad Masters.
C. Applied to a sovereign in relation to his
ministers or officers. Now chiefly Hist.
1470-85 Malory Arthur iv, xxiii. 151 The woful knyghte
told her how his mayster and lorde was bitrayed. 1596
Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. 1. 96 Thay ar bent mair
willinglie. .gif thair maistir commande thame, to seditione.
1601 Shaks. AlPs Well IV. v. 75 The King my master.
1611 Bible i Sam. xxiv. 6 The Lord forbid that I should
doe this thing vnto my master the Lords Anoynted. 1612
Bacon Ess., Fortune (Arh.) 379 Extreme Louers of their
Country, or Masters, were neuer fortunate. 1712 Swikt
Jml. to Stella 21 Dec., The Spanish Ambassador desired
him to tell me that his master, and the King of France. .
were more obliged to me than any man in Europe. 1883
Lowe Bismarck 1. 396 M. le Comte Benedetti, French Am-
bassador at Berlin, .sped to Vienna with the latest proposal
of his master.
d. In public school use: The boy whom another
serves as a fag.
1833 Lytton Eng. .y Engl (ed. 2) II. 108 The fas loathed
his master. 1863 [Hemyng] Eton School Days iv. (1864)
42 College rolls . . were never so tempting to me when I
had been to get them for my ' master '.
4. The owner of a living creature, as a dog,
horse, slave; also, the man whom an animal is
accustomed to obey. Also in fig. context.
14. . SirBeues (MS. M.) 3758 Stedis. .With oute maisters.
< 1440 Alphabet of Tales 188 pe hunde . . gruchid not to be
burnyd with his maister bodie. 153s Covekdale Isa. i. 3
An oxe knoweth his lorde and an Asse his masters stall.
1611 Shaks. Wint. T. 1. ii. 157 My Dagger muzzel'd, Lest it
should bite its Master. 1718 Prior Solomon 11. 424 Till
the lov'd dog [should] declare his master near. 1788 Cowiek
Negro's Complaint in, Think, ye masters iron-hearted.
1833 Whittier Abolitionists Pr. Wks. 1889 III. 64 A
majority of the masters .. are disposed lo treat their..
slaves with kindness. 1863 Woolner My Beautiful Lady
212
64 An unruly horse Checked by a master's hand. 1884
'Rita' My Lord Conceit I. ill. iii. 297 The little dog ..
sat. .looking as if he were holding a court-martial upon the
proceedings of his two little masters.
Proverb. 1605 Camden Rem., Frov. (1614) 313 The
Maisters eye maketh the horse fat.
5. The male head of a house or household.
1536 in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. 11. II. 80 Mr. Shelton saythe
he es Master of thys Hows. 1577-87 Holinsiikd Hist. Scot.
278/1 The people generallie lamenting his death with no
lesse sorow.. lhan as is seene in a priuat house for the de-
ceasse of the welbeloued maister and owner thereof. i6ix
Bible Exod. xxii. 8 The maMer of the house shall be
brought vnto the Iudges. 1651 Baxter Saints' R. (ed. 2)111.
xiii. § n The last whom I would perswade to this great
Work, .is Parents, and Masters of Families. 1709 Steele
Tatter No. 82 P 4 The Master of a Family that wholly de-
pended upon his Life. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) X. 309/1
As a husband, a father, or the master of a family, he was as
nearly faultless as the imperfections of humanity will easily
permit. 1798 Monthly Mag. V. 395 Mr. Munday, late
master of the Falstaff inn. 1841 Lane Arab. Kts. I. 123
The master of the house begins fust.
b. With possessive adj. : ^One's) husband, dial.
c 1400 Destr. Troy 8430 A fuerse dreme, That she met of
hir maister. 1459 Paston Lett. I. 435 As for my mayster,
my best beloved that ye call. 1852 Dickens Bleak Ho. viii,
I'm a-watching for my master. .2879 J. Fothercill Pro-
bation 1. xix, A rough 'measter' to make and mend and
' do ' for.
6. A possessor, owner. Now rare, exc. in the
phrase to be master of: to possess, have at one's
disposal (now usually, some immaterial thing) ;
often, with approach to sense 14, to have a * mas-
tery ' or thorough knowledge of (a subject).
c 1400 Apol. Loll. 55 Wen., bei are opunly maistris of alle
iuelis, how are bey not heretyks ? a 1450 Knt. de la Tour
(1S68) 58 Whanne that two vices be sette one euelle delite,
gladly they bringe her maister into temptacion. 1456 Sik
G. Have Law Arms (S.T.S.) 178 How suld thai be callit
sauf condytis, bot gif thai condyte thair maisteris saufly?
1484 Caxion Tables of & sop in. vi, Synne retorneth euer
vpon his mayster. 1563 B. Googe Soun. (Arb.) 97 Eche
Torment. .Lyght heie vpon this cuised hand. .And plague
the pait that durst presume his Mayster lo disgrace. 1604
E. G[rimsioneJ D'Acosta's Hist. Indies IV. viii. 229 Divers
mines which are. .divided betwixt divers Masters. 1607
Dekkkr & Webster Northw. Hoe iv. i. Wks. 1873 III. 45
Clothes sometimes are better Gentlemen than their Masters.
1608 Merry Devil of Edmonton (1631) 9 To see if he could
finde the Maister of the torteue that called him. a 1715
Burnet Own Time (1724) II. 353 Some houses fell and
crushed their Masters to death. 1726 Swift Gulliver 11.
vi, Those .. qualities of mind that he was master of. 1785
Trlsler Mod. Times III. 29, I was master of more than
twenty pounds. 1787 ' G. Gambado ' Acad. Horsemen (i?oq)
21 Scarce one of them [dray-horses] but is master of thirty
stone or upwards. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) III. 19
Judgement and discretion, which an infant was not master
of. 1853 ' C. Beoe ' Verdant Grten 1. iv, Mr. Filcher was
laden with coats and boots that had just been brushed and
blacked for their respective masters.
7. One who has the power to control, use, or
dispose of something at will. Chielly predicative.
a 1340 Hampole Psalter xvii. 47 God makis vs may.sters
of vices. (1400 Gamelyn 314 We wiln be maistres heer.
c 1470 Henry Wallace 1. 131 Quhar that stayne is, Scottis
suld mastir be. 1500-20 Dunbar Poems xli. 13 Be now and
ay the maistir of jour will. (1510 More Pius Wks. 5/2
He was hisowne maiater, 1542 Udall Erasm. Apoplt.zi/oh,
To be myne owne maister. 1600 Hollanij Livy 444 They
saw the enemies maisters of the land. 1601 R. Johnson
Kingd. <y Commiv. (1603) 48 No man is maister of himselfc.
1606 Shaks. Tr. 4- Cr. v. x, 1 Yet are we maisters of the field.
1670 Coiton EsPernon \. 1. 43T0 make themselves Maisters
of Affairs. 1693 Humours Town Av, The Master of my
own Time. Ibid. 39 Ev'ry Woman that will make a Man
Master of her Person . . makes him Master uf her Purse. 1697
Drydkn i'irg. Georg. IV. 709 Th' unwary Loser cast his Eyes
behind, Forgetful of the Law, nor Master of his Mind. 1706
E. Ward Wooden World Diss. (1708) 102 It would be a..
scandal to him to go off Master of his Legs. 1768 Ann Reg.,
Char. (1786)29/1 Master of the Queen's soul, which he guided
as he pleased ; [etc. J. 1782 Priestley Corrupt. Chr. II. x.
262 The bishops were almost masters.. of France and Ger-
many. 1790 Burke F'r. Rev. 318 The person who really
commands the army is your master ; the master (that is
little) of your king, the master of yout Assembly, the master
of your whole republick. 1872 Yea is Growth Comm.
100 You will become masteis of all the gold in Christen-
dom. 1874 Green Short I list. \ ii. § 6. 410 To secure a
landing at all, the Spaniards had to be masters of the
Channel. 1891 Law Rep., Weekly Notes 200/1 The tenant
for life was master of the situation. 1904 People 4 Dec. 17/7
Two . . cart horses ; suitable for coal or timber merchants ;
master of two tons.
b. trans/, of things more or less personified.
1362 Lanci.. P. PI. A. iii. 162 Such a Mayster is Meede
A-Mong Men ofgoode. 1390 Gower Conf. I. 42 Love is
maister wher he wile. 1591 Siiaks. Two Gent. 1. i. 39 Lone
is your master. 1633 Br Hall Occis. Medit. (1851) 114 An
honest man's word must be his master. 1678-9 I>ryi)en&
Lee Qidipus 1. i, But it's a hard world, neighbours, If a
man's oath must be his master. 1797 Godwin Enquirer 1.
vi. 44 Language is not his master, but he is the master of
language. 1873 Bridges Poems, Triolet, When first we
met we did not guess That Love would prove so hard
a master.
lie. To he master: to be free to do as one
pleases (in a specified matter). [A Gallicism.]
1752 Chester!--. Lett. (1792) III. eclxxxv. 304 Would you
saunter at some of the small courts, as Brunswick.. ? You
are master.
8. One who overcomes another, a victor.
C1290 .V. Eug. Leg. I. 11/342 With bis signe bou schalt
maister beo. a 1400 Octavian 923 The people to the wallys
can go To see the batelle betwene them two. .hys fadur, wo
MASTER.
was he Tylle he wyste whych schulde maystyr be. 15..
Smyth <y Dame 159 in Ha/1. E. P. P. III. 207 Than our
Lorde gan say,. .Smyth,.. Thy mayster thov me call. 1557
Barclay tr. Sallust 84 b, Him which is strongest and is
maister hauynge the vpper hand. 1864 Tennvson En.Ard.
31 If they quarrell'd, Enoch stronger-made Was master.
9. BotvIs. [Short for master bowl.] A small bowl
placed as a mark for the players to aim at ; —
Jack sb.1 iS. (Cf. Mistress.)
1530 Palsgr. 478/1 Who shall caste the mayster boule?
1579 Gosson Sell. Abuse (Arb.> 60 At Bowles euery one
ciauestokisse the maister. 1600 Heywood2«<zV7. Ediv. IV,
iv. iii, This cheese shall be the maister.
II. A teacher; one qualified to teach.
10. A man to whose care a child or children are
committed for purposes of instruction ; a tutor,
preceptor ; in later use chiefly a teacher in a school,
a schoolmaster; also, a professional teacher of
some special subject, as an art or a language.
r888 K. /Elfbed Bocth. xxix. § 2 Se unrihtwisa Neron
wolde hatan his avenue magister (orig. pr&eeptoremque
suum\. .acwellan. a i*x$Ancr. R. 64 Sum is so wl-1 ilered. .
bet heo wolde bet he wuste hit ; be sit & spekeS. .& bicumed
meister, be schulde beon ancre. 13.. A'. Atis. 665 The
sevethen maister taught his pars. 1387 Trevisa Higden
(KollsJ VI. 435 pe childe-. maister si$ bat, and slow be sewere
anon, c 1430 Lvdg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 185 It sittethe
a maister.. at large to teche his lesson. 1596 Dalkvmple
tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot, mi* 126 He. .was elected maister
to the prince. 1599 Shaks., etc. Pass. Pilgr. xv, It was a
Lording's daughter . . That liked of her maister as well as
well might be. 1694 Bovi.r {.title) The compleat French-
master. A short grammar, [etc.]._ 1711 Steele Sped.
No. 168 P 3, I was bied myself, Sir, in a very great School,
of which the Master was a Welchman. 1770 Goldsm. Des.
Vill. 196 The village master taught his little school. 1856
{title) French in a fortnight without a Master. 1867 C. S.
Pakker in Quest. Reformed Pari. 164 Without consulting
the vicar, he dismisses the certificated master.
11. He whose disciple one is; the teacher (in
religion, philosophy, art, science, or scholarship)
from whom one has chiefly learned, or whose doc-
trines one accepts. The {our, myy his, etc.) Master:
often applied to Christ, with mixture of sense 3.
C1200OR.MIN 12898 patt ta twa Lerninngcnihhtess Herr-
denn whatt te^gre masg^tre space Off Christ [etc.]. a 1300
Cursor M. 20915 His maister. .And he aght noght haf al a
dome, For he was noght worbi ber-till. 1383 Wvclu John
iii. 10 Art thou a maistir in Isiael, and Tmowist not thes
thingis? 1412-20 Lvdc. Troy-bk. end (Schick), My mais-
ter Chaucer. 1529 More Dyalege 11. Wks. 179/2 Yet bee
there not onely as many sectes almoste as men, but also
the maisters them selfe chaunge theyr mindes and theyr
oppynions euery daye. '533 Gau Ritht Vay (1888) 25 We
neid uoder to seik or lcir ofuder vane maisters quhat guid
waikis we suld dw. 1629 Mure True Crucifix 3125 With
hearts right set, their Maisters will to know. 1748 Thomson
Cast. Indol. n. hi, Ne had my master Spenser charmed
his Mullas plains. 1771 Bcrkk Corr. ([844)!. 284 The
advice of one of our great masters in the science of life
and morals. 1827 Willis Healing Daughter Jahus 57
Closer drew The twelve disciples to their Master's side. 1843
Borrow Bible in Spain xxxviii, Why should I be ashamed
of their company when my Master mingled with publicans
and thieves? 1904 Saintsburv Hist. Crit. III. 427 John
Keats .. and his master Leigh Hunt.
f 12. A man of approved learning, a scholar of
authority. Obs.
a 1225 Leg. Rath. \zo Modi meistres &. fele fondeden hire
ofte o swioe fele halue, for to undernimen hire, a 1300
Cursor M~. 1 1462 And did he suith to Mincfi call pe maisters
of his kingiik all, And fraind at bairn if bai wist, Quar suld
he be born, bat crisl. 1377 Langl. /*. PI. B. x. 384 Mais-
tres bat of goddis mercy techen men and prechen. 1456
Sir G. Have Law Arms (S. T. S.) 179 And as for me
and othir maisteris and doctouris, me think this the rycht
oppin. 1597 Hooker Ecel. Pol. v. Ix.wiiL jj 1 Terming..
Scribes and interpreters of the law, Masters.
b. Master of the sentences (magi.dcr scntcnti-
antr/i), the name given to Peter Lombard, Bishop
of Paris in the 1 2th c, from his book Senlenliarum
Hbri quatuor, a collection of patristic comments
on passages of Holy vScripture. blaster of Stories
{tnagistcr in hisioriis), a name given to Petrus
Comestor, from Ins work called Historia ScJtolastica.
£1380 WvcLlK Wks. (1880) 2 [Of the K^ncsl spekeb be
maister of stories. 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) VIII. 43
He wroota^enst be maister of be sentence 1 1432-50 sentence/ 1.
!7^8 — Barlh. De P. R. mil xii, As y" mayster sayth in
Historiis. 1594 Hooker Ecel. Pol. vi. vi. 8. 1605 Bacon
Adv. Learn. 11. xxv. § 11 The first writings of the fathers,
whence the Master of the Sentences made his sum.
13. In academic sense, — mcd.L. magister: One
who has received a specific degree, originally con-
veying authority to teach in the university. In
Knglish use (until recently : see below) confined
to the Faculty of Arts (the corresponding title
in the other faculties being doctor') : the full
designation of the graduate is in L, art iu m ma-
gister^ in Kng. master of arts (formerly t of arl)t
denoted by the abbreviation M.A. or (now rarely,
exc in the U.S.) A.M. In recent times the de-
grees of Master of Science (M.Sc), A /aster in or of
Surgery (Magister Chirurgix, M.Ch.) have been
given in certain British universities.
Master of divinity, theology {obs. exc. Hist.), titles belong-
ing to graduates of certain continental univusit£«-fc
138. Wvclif Set. IVA-s. III. 376 Capped frerjs, bat ben
calde maystres of dyvynite. C1400 Rom. Rose 6553 The
mai.itres of divinitee Sointyme in I'aiis. c 1425 [see Art
MASTER.
213
MASTER.
sb. 7], 1484 Caxton Tables of Page ad fin., There were |
duellynge in Oxenford two prestes bothe maystres of arte.
1494, 1604 [see Regent sb. 3 a]. 1573 G. Harvey Lctter-bk.
(Camden) 2 This is mi year to com mens master in. a 1661
Filler Worthies I. 1,1662) 150 A Boisten horse and a Cam-
bridge Master of Art, are a couple of Creatures that will
give way to nobody. 1709 Steele Taller No. 39 P 4 Being
a Master of Arts of Oxford. 1847 Pkescott Peru (1855)
II. v. i. 215 He [Pedro de la Gasca] received the degree of
Master of Theology. 1853 (C. Bede' Verdant Green 1. iv,
Please not to walk on the grass, sir; there's a fine agen it,
unless you're a Master. 1888 Encycl. Brit. XXIII. 835/iIt
is in this licence [licentia docendi] that the whole signifi-
cance of the master of arts degree is contained. < Ibid. S35/2
'Regents', that is, masters actively engaged in teaching.
1900 Oxford Unfa. CaUnd. 71 Fees. . . Before the Examina-
tion for the Degree of Master of Surgery, £5-
14. Originally, a workman who is qualified by
training and experience to teach apprentices and
to carry on his trade on his own account. (Chiefly
in appositional combs., as master carpenter etc.,
for which see 24 d.) Hence, (a) a workman who
is in business on his own account, as distinguished
from a journeyman ; in modern use merged in
sense 3 ; (£) a workman of approved skill, one who
thoroughly knows his trade ; also trans/, and fig.
c 1400 Dcslr. Troy 8733 po maisturs gert make a meruelous
toumbe. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes ofAymon x. 265, I sholdu
goo gyve you suche a stroke .. that ye sholde saye tt is a
stroke of a maister. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's
Voy. iv. xxiv. 140 An ingenious maister .. proposed vnto
him [Alexander] that .. he would make to be cut in humain
figure, the mount of Athos. 1693 Humours Toion 35
Masters in their Profession. 1706 E. Ward Wooden World
Diss. (1703) 27 In this kind of Billingsgate Clashing he's a
much greater Master, than [etc. J. 1759 Johnson Rasselas
vi. (1893) 50 He . . found the master busy in building a sail-
ing chariot. 1829 Southey Sir T. More II. 174 A craft in
which any one may commence master, without having
served an apprenticeship.
f b. Used predicatively without article (quasi-
adj.) with the sense ' highly skilled'. Const, inf.
1297 K. Glouc (Rolls) 9325 Mayster he is to bitraye, is
word is al falshede. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xix. (Cristofore)
84 \>c dewil is mare master ban bu. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes
of Ay won xJtiv. 490, I am mayster for to begge brede. 1642
Fuller Holy $• Prof St. v. vii. 387 He was a man master
in the art of dissembling. 1722 Ramsay Monk <y Miller's
Wife 137 Think ye. .his gentle stamock's master To worry
up a pint of plaister.
15. An artist of distinguished skill, one of those
who are regarded as models of excellence in their
art. Old master: a 'master' who lived before the
period accounted ' modern ' ; chiefly applied to
painters from the 13th to the 16th or 17th century.
«533it"G5* [see Fences/'. 2]. 1598 R. Haydockb tr. Lo-
motto's Art Paint. 1. 23 Raphaell, Pernio del Vaga, ..and
all other famous Maisters. 1622 Peacham Oh///. Cent.
xi. 102 Peter Phillips,, .now one of the greatest Masters
of Musicke in Europe. 1662 Evelyn Chalcogr. 36 Albert
Durer [at the age of 10-14I performing such things as might
shame most of the best Masters. 1703 Rowe Pair Penlt.
it. i. 530 Let the Master touch The sprightly String. 1711
Addison Spect. No. 129 pi Great Masters in Painting never
care for drawing People in the Fashion. 1747 J. Godfrey
Set Defence 18, I. have now done with the Small-Sword,
and shall only do Justice to the Merits of two or three
Masters. 1757 Gray Bard 21 With a Master's hand, and
Prophet's tire. 1797 Ency-l. Brit. (ed. 3) XIII. 609/1 The
observations of ancient authors on the best paintings of the
ancient masters. Ibid. 615/2 A painter ought attentively
to consider . . all the different styles of the great masters.
1840 Fenny Cycl. XVII. 145/2 As a painter of animals,
Edwin Lanuseer far surpasses any of the old masters. 1841-4
Emerson Ess., Art Wks. (Bohn) I. 149 The pictures of the
Tuscan and Venetian masters. 1870 B. Hakte Dickens in
Camp iv. He read aloud the book wherein the Master Had
writ of4 Little Nell '. 1897 Mrs. Lynn Linton Geo. Eliot
in Women Novelists ioi A task beyond the power of any
but the few Masters of our literature.
b. Used for: A work (of painting or sculpture')
by a master. Now only with qualification, as old
master, and occasionally modern master.
(1694 Dryden Sir G. Kneller 141 Those masters, then but
seen, not understood, With generous emulation fired thy '
blood.] 1752 Foote Taste tt. Wks. 1799 I. 18 Tis a thou-
sand pities that any of these masters should quit England.
1851 D. Jerrold St. Giles xxviii. 287 As a picture-dealer \
stares at an alleged old master.
III. As a specific title of office.
16. The head or presiding officer of many societies
or institutions : e.g. of certain colleges (in Oxford,
Cambridge, and elsewhere), guilds, corporations,
livery companies, etc. (in some of which, however,
the title is given not to the head but to the members
of an administrative body subordinate to him*, I
hospitals, etc. Formerly also used for Grand-
master, Great master (see 10/, the title of the ;
head of a military order. Also with post fixed adj.
(after med.L.) in the titles of dignitaries of monastic
and other religious organizations, as master-general,
master provincial.
t Master of Prussia {Pruse, Pruseland) : the grand- :
master of the Teutonic Order. Master of the Temple : ',
(*) Hist, the grand-master of the Knights Templar ; (b) the
principal clergyman of the Temple Church, London, ap-
pointed by royal letters patent.
1389 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 4 pe maistres & bretheren tofore
said. 1427 m Heath Grocers Comp.(jB6g) 4 John Melborne,
John Otyve, Maistres. 1430-1 Polls of Parlt. IV. 370/2
Master and Prestes of the Uiapell. 1442 Ibid. V. 65/2 The '
Kyng wille and is disposed, to sende his Letters to the !
Maistr' of Pruce. 1463-4 Ibid. $o2/-2 Every Mayer, where
Mayer is; every Maister, where Maister is, where noo
Mayer is. 1550 Crowley Way to Wealth Bj, A Maister
of an house in Oxforde or Cambridge. 1560 Dais tr. Stei-
dane's Com/n. 48 b, Albert of Brandenburge, master of ■
Pruselande [orig. 95 Prussiae M agist er\. 1568 Ascham
Scholem. 11. (Arb.) 143 Pelting matters, soch as in London
commonlie cum to the hearing of the Masters of Bridewell.
1586 Peg. Privy Council Scot. IV. 74 Maisteris Andro and
James Melvillis, maisteris of the New College. 1642-6 in
Quincy Hist. Harvard Univ. (1840) I. 517 The Overseers
and Master of the College. 1648 Gage West hid. 210 Fryer
Nicholus Rodulfius of the same whole Order [of Preachers]
Master Genera) 1. .. Fryer Nicholas Master of the Order.
.. Fryer Ignatius Ciantes Master Provincial) of England.
1654 Gataker Disc. Apol. 36 Mr. Masters Master of the
Temple, 1691 Wood Ath. Oxon. I. ior He was made
Master of Bailiol Coll. 1706 Phillips {ed. Kersey), Templars,
a Religious Order, which, .had a Governour. .in England,
who was styled Master of the 'Temple ..'. Whence the
chief Minister of the Temple-Church in London . . is still
dignify'd with that Title. 1722 in Cox Old Coustit. Masons
(1871) 23 A Lodge of live Free-Masons, at the least, whereof
one to be a Master or Warden of that Limit or Division
where such Lodge shall be kept. 1762 tr. Buschiug's Syst.
Geog. V. 450 Master of the Teutonick order in Germany.
1825 Scott Talism. ix, The celebrated Master of the Tem-
plars. 1829 Heath Grocers* Cotnp. (1869) p. vii, The Master,
Wardens, and Court of Assistants of the Worshipful Com-
pany of Grocers. 1853 ' C. Bede ' Verdant Green 1. iv, Mr.
Verdant Green, .proceeded with his father to Brazenface
College to call upon the Master. 1876 Firth Muuic. Land.
50 The name of * Livery Company' has remained. .. The
control by Master or Wardens of the dress of members has
ceased.
17. In the designations of certain legal function-
aries, as Master of the (or in) Chancery, (a) until
1852, one of the twelve assistants to the Lord
Chancellor, the chief of whom was Master of the
Rolls; {/>) since 1897 any one of four chief clerks
of the Chancery Division of the Supreme Court ;
A/aster of the Court {of Common J'leas, of the
Kings Bench, of the Exchequer), any one of five
officers in each of those courts (now, in the corre-
sponding division of the Supreme Court) charged
with the duty of recording the proceedings.
Also Master of the Faculties t see Faculty sb. 11 b;
Master in Lunacy, see Lunacy sb. 1 ; Master of the
Requests (t M. of K cones f), see Request; Master of the
Wards {and Liveries), see Ward.
1425 Rolls of Parlt. IV. 306, 1 Maistres of ye Chauncerie
beyng occupied in ye Chauncerie. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3)
XIII. 763/1 On the other wool-sacks are seated the judges,
masters in chancery, and king's council. i8i8Cruise Digest
(ed. 2) IV. 260 The usual order was obtained, referring it to
the Master to inquire whether a good title could be made.
1837 Act j Will. IV ,y 1 Vict. c. 30 § 3 There shall be in
each of the said Courts .. Five Principal Officers, and no
more, to be called respectively the Masters of each of the
said Courts. 1846 Act 9 A1- 10 Vict. c. 95 § 62 A Master
Extraordinary in Chancery. 1853 Dickens Ideal- Ho. i,
Every master in Chancery has had a reference out of it
[Jarndyce and Jarndyce]. 1886 Encycl. Brit. XX. 342/1
In the Queen's Bench Division . . the duty of registrars is
performed by the masters. 1891 Law Times XCII. 107/1
Application was made by the plaintiff [in the Court of Q. H.J,
to a master at chambers, for leave to issue execution. 1897
Westm. Gaz. 4 Mar. 10/1 The Chancery chief clerks are
henceforth to be styled ' Masters*.
18. a. In many designations of officials having
duties of the nature of control, superintendence,
or safe-keeping, as \ Master of Assay = Assay-
master; fil/. of the Coin « M. of the Mint; M.
of the (A'ing's, Queen's) Household (also Sc.
t Master Household), an officer under the Steward
of the Royal Household; M, of the Jewel-house,
the keeper of the Crown Jewels in the Tower of
London; M. of the (Kings) Music, an officer of
the Royal Household, the conductor of the King's
band; \M. of the Posts (see quot. 1706); M. of
the Robes, of the Wardrobe, the keeper of the
'great1 wardrobe of the King, Queen, or other
exalted personage; Master of {the) Works or (now
dial.) Work, an official who superintends building
operations.
For Master oj 'Ceremonies, M. of the Mint, M. of Misrule,
M. of the Revels, M. of the Rolls, see the second sbs.
1423 Rolls of Parlt. IV. 256/2 The forsaid Maistre of the I
koyne. Ibid., The Maister of the mynte aforcseid. 1454
Ibid. V. 273/2 Bi th' oversight of the Maistir of the Werks
there. 1528 St. Papers lien. VIII, VII. 61 The Maister
of the Postes shall gyve horses to noo man, oonles [etc.].
1529 in Proc. Soc. Ant. Scot. XXX. (1896) 53 Ane lettre . .
makand hym maister of wark within the castell of Strive-
ling. 1548 in Ellis Orig. Lett, Ser. 111. III. 297 The Mr
housholde to the Quene. « 1578 Ljndesay (Pitscottie) Chron.
Stot. (S. T. S.) I 334 Maister houshald witht niony wther
offeceris. 1597-8 Act 39 Etiz. c. 7 § 12 Maister of the Juell
Home. Ibid., Master of the Warderobe. 1677 in 12th Rep. I
Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 42 Master of the Robes to the j
Duke. 1696 Phillips, Master of the King's Houshold.
1703 Lond.Gaz. No. 3914/4 His Grace, .was served at Table '
by . . the Duke of Argyle, as Master Houshold. 1704 in
Bncctetuh MSS. (Hist. MSS Comm ) I. 352 Your son shall 1
have the reversion of the Master of the Great Wardrobe 1
for life. 1706 PmLiirs (ed. Kersey), Master of Assay, j
Ibid., Master of the Posts, was an Officer of the King's
Court, who had the appointing of all such throughout Eng-
land as provided Post-horses for the speedy passing of the
King's Messages, ike. 1901 Loud. Gaz. 8 Oct. 6569 Sir
Walter Parratt, M.V.O., to be Master of The King's Music
in Ordinary to His Majesty.
b. Mil. in various titles of command, as f Master
of the Armoury, f M. of the Artillery; Master
{General) of the Ordnance, the controller of the
Ordnance and Artillery i^now, the head of the
Board of Ordnance). Also (in translations from
Latin or Kr.) t master of chivalry.
1382 Wvclip Gen. xxxvii. 36 Putiphar, the geldyng of
Pharao, the mayster of chyualrye. 1485 Rolls of Parlt. VI.
354/2 The Offices of Maister of oure Ordinaunces and
Maister of oure Armery. 1489 Caxton Eaytcs of A. I. vii,
The souerayn maystre of the chyualrye of the prynce. 1512
Aberdeen Reg. 11844) I. 83 Maisteris of the said artail^etie.
1533 Bklleniien Livy 11. xviii. (S. T. S.) 159 Spurius cassius
[was] be first maister of cheuelrie. 1548 Patten Exp.
Scot. Alb, Syr Fjaunces Flemmynge knight, master of the
ordinaunce. 1597-8 Act 39 Etiz. c. 7 § 12 The Maister and
Lciftenaunte of the Ordynance, .. Maister of the Armory,
[and others]. 1695 Land. Gaz. No. 3131/3 The Fail of
Komney Master- General of the Ordnance. 1863 II. Cox
Instil, in. viii. 708 The Mastei-General of the Ordnance.
c. Master of the Horse; {a) the officer who has
the management of the horses belonging to a
sovereign or other exalted personage ; in England,
the title of the third official of the royal household
(formerly sometimes f ;//. of horses ; also rarely
transf in jocular use, a head groom or stableman ;
UA Anliq. used as transl. of L. tnagister cquitum,
master of the 'knights' or horsemen {d. HoKSK
sb. 3 1j), under the Roman republic the title of the
(.ommander of the cavalry appointed by a dictator.
fa) 1449 Rolls of Par/t.X.iji/ 1 By theavysofthe Maister
of the Kyngs Hors for the tyme beyng. c 1450 />'*. Cnr-
iasye 611 in Babces Bk., A maystur of horsys a squyer bur
is. 1568 Grafton Chron. 1 1. 735 Sir John Cheiney, maister
of the Kinges horses. 157081 in Digges Compl. Ambuss.
(1655) 303 The Kmperors Ambassador, who is Master of the
horse. 1754 Richardson Grandison (1811) I. xxxv. 258,
I was to be this gentleman's master of the horse abroad.
1886 Encycl. Brit. XXI. 37/2 the master of the horse is the
third dignitary of the court.
\b) 1781 Gibbon Dccl. <y /■'. xvii. II. 33 note, The masters,
of the burse of the ancient dictators.
d. The official custodian of certain animals kept
for sport or pleasure. Formerly in many titles of
office in the English court, as Master of the Bears,
of the dfau>ks,of the .Swans ; now chiefly in Master
of the Huckhoi/nds, the fourth great officer of the
household. Also Master of the Game', the officer
entrusted with the preservation of game in certain
royal forests; occs.*. jocularly a gamekeeper.
( 1410 Master of Game (MS. Digby) fol. 3 The whiche
booke shall . . be named . . maistre of game. 1449 Rolls of
Parlt. V. 167/2 William Brocas Squyer, Maister of your
Ikikhounds. 1485 Ibid. VI. 354/1 The Office of Mabter of
the Herthunds. Ibid. 360 2 The Office of Maister of oure
Swannes. Ibid. 365/2 Maister and Kueler of the Kini;^
l'eres. 1530 Palsgr. 916/1 The master of hawkes, le grant
fiulcouner. 1671 h\ Phillits Reg. Necess. 132 Mr. Pit-
carnes (the Master of the Hawkes) Man. 1711 SitEUO
Sped. No. 118 P2 Sir Roger's Master of the Game, i860
frofiSTER Gr. Rcmonstr. 104 The fee of the Master of the
Cocks [under James I] exceeded the united salaries of tuo
Secretaries of State. 1886 Encycl. Brit. XXI. 38/1 The
master of the buckhounds, who is also one of the ministry,
ranks next to him [sc. the master of the horse].
e. Master of hounds : one who owns, or has the
control of, a pack of hounds; usually, the member
of a hunt who is elected to have the control of the
kennels and of the hunting arrangements generally ;
chiefly equivalent to Master of foxhounds (abbre-
viated M.F.I I.). Also in m. of beagles, harriers,
staghottnds, etc., and with the designation of a
particular pack of hounds.
1781 Cowpeh Progr. Error 114 He takes the field, the
master of the pack Cries— ' Well done, saint ! ' and claps him
on the back. 1852 R. S. Surtki-.s Sponge's Sp. 'Tour (1893)
130 Masters of hounds are always jealous of each oilier.
.. No man in the master-ofhouud world is too insignificant
for censure. 1856 'Stonkhenge' Brit. Sports 101 The
master of a pack of foxhounds, staghounds, or even of
harriers, ought [etc.]. 1868 Holme Lee B. Godfrey xxviii.
147 Sir Ralph has the hounds, and is a very good master.
1881 Encycl. Brit. XII. 394/2 It is the master's duty to say
what covers are to be drawn. 1899 T. M. Ellis Three
Cats-eye Rings 29 The master of the Storr-hinton beagles.
fl9. Great master. ^Grand-mastek 1 and 2.
1524 in Haklnyfs Voy. II. 1. 86 The massife of Spaine
made by the reuerend lord great master Mery d'Amboise.
1531 CROMWELL in Merriman Life fy Lett. (1902) I. 341
Ilis Highnes also woll that ye shall moue the gret maister
[of France] in that behalf. 1547 Earl Sussex in Ellis Orig.
Lett. Ser. 1. II. 137 The Lord St. John lord president of
the Counsaile and Gret Master. 1577 P. de L'isle's Le-
geudarie Aviij b, The Constable at that time great master
and Marshal of France entreated for him. 1685 Lond. Gaj.
No. 2^4/1 The great Master [of the Knights of Malta] has
given Orders [etc.].
IV. As a title of rank or compliment.
20. Used vocatively as a term of respect or
politeness, a. sing. =Sir. Now only in unedu-
cated use. b. //. jn later times always my masters)
= -Sirs, gentlemen. Now arch, or rhetorical, chiefly
in ironical or derisive context.
In the first quot. rendering L. ///agister, prob. applied tu
Nectanabus as being a man of learning,
1340-70 AUsau/ider 587 peQueene. .quiklysaide, 'Maister,
welcome, ywis ; will[e] yee sitte ! ' 1536 in Wriothesley Chron.
(Camden) I. 39 The Lord of Rochford . . sayde these wordes
. . on the scaffolde . . Maisters all, I am come hither not to
MASTER.
214
MASTER.
r reach and make a sermon. 1563 Reg. Privy Council Scot.
. 244 Sa hes it ple^it the Quenis Majestie, my maisters, to
frant the lik commissioun. 1591 Shaks. i Hen. VI. 1. i. 152
'arwell my Masters, to my Taske will I. 1602 — I/am. 11.
ii. 44a Y'arc welcome Masters, welcome all. 1608 Middlk-
ros (title) A mad World, my Masters. 1653 Walton Comfit.
Augler&$ Come on my masters, who begins? 1798 Words vv.
' We are Seven ' 64 ' O Master ! we are seven '. 1837 Mar-
RYAT Dog Fiend xxix, 'Pot up your fiddle, master'. 1843
BORROW Bible in Spain xxxi, Many is the wetting that you
will get, my masters, before you reach Oviedo. 1903 Ettg.
Dial. Dict.y Master, a term of address to a superior or
stranger ; Sir.
21. A title prefixed to the name or designation
of a man. Originally used only in speaking of or
to a man either of high social ranl^gr of learning
(sometimes, esp. in Scotland, applied spec, to a
Master of Arts), but gradually extended in appli-
cation. In ordinary use now only dial., but in
literature sometimes arch, or Hist. ; otherwise
superseded by Mr. (pronounced mrstai).
The obscured pronunciation resulting from proclitic use
doubtless began while the written form master was still
commonly employed. Before the end of the 17th q. the
abbreviation Mr. (originally only one among many others
used for the word i n all applications) had come to be restricted
10 the use in which the pronunciation was obscured, and to
be the only permitted mode of writing the word in that use.
Thenceforward master and Mr* were practically two words,
distinct both in function and in form. In this Dictionary
the abbreviation Mr., in all its historical varieties of use,
will be treated in its alphabetical place.
a. Prefixed to a surname or a Christian name.
Down to the 16th c. or a little later, master could be pre-
fixed to the name of a knight or a b'i-hop; at an earlier
period it was freely used with the names of personages of
ancient history and ancient writers. Some modern dialects
have only one form for Master and Mr, as prefixed titles ;
others have both prefixes with a difference of function, Mr.
being the superior title. (See E. D. D.)
1297 R. Glouc (Rolls) 8722 Maister willam gyfifard he ^ef
}>e bissopriche Of winchestere & maister anseun be erche-
bissopriche. a 1300 Cursor M. 6936 Fosterd he was And
lered wit maister moyses. c 1330 R. Brcnne Chron. Wace
(RolU) 57 One Mayster Wace ]>e Frankes tetles, pe Brute,
all bat |?e Latyn spelles. 14*5 W. Paston in /'. Lett.
I. 19 Maister John Ixworthe told me that he hadde let t res
fro a frende of yowres. 1459 Aberdeen Reg. (1844) I. 22
Maister John of Levington, vicar of Inuerugy. 153a in
Kllis Grig. Lett. Ser. ill. II. 252, I have harde hym soo
often breke Master Precyens hede. 1563-83 Foxe A. fy M.
(ed. 4) 1770 Maister Latymer encouraged Maister Ridley
when both were at the stake. 1570 Ane Trag. 8 in Satir.
Poems Reform, x. 82 Schir Morpheus .. led me captiue
vnto Maister Slumber. 1579 Spenser (title) The Shep-
heardes Calender. ,. Entitled to..M. Philip Sidney. 1612
Webster White Devil To Rdr., The right happy and
copious industry of Master Shakespeare, Master Dekker,
and Master Hey wood. 1650 B. Discoltiuiinium 33, I could
wish we might be allow'd to call him Master Charles, for
most men thinke He is a Gentleman borne. 1861 M. Pat-
tison Ess. (1889) I. 45 Two allegorical pieces by Master
Hans Holbein.
+ b. Prefixed to a title of office or profession, or
occas. to a personal designation of some other kind.
1470-85 Mai.orv Arthur x. lix. 514 Maister maronners
said sire Tristram what meaneth that letter. 15*3 St.
Papers Hen. VIII. VI. 122 The Popis Holynes, informed
by Maister Doctor Haniba! of my commyng, sent word that
I shulde tary a day. a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VI II 54
The master of the rolles it master Subdeane with other
doc tours unknowen. 1548 Patten ExPed. Scot. A ij, My
lorde Lieuetenaunt and Master Treasurer [of the Army].
1550 Bale Apol. 42 But tell me maistre person, who hath
taught yow to playe so wycked partes as these are. a 1555
Latimer Let. in Foxe A. # M. (1583) 1741 They . . craftely
defeated mayster Maiorsappoyntment. 1588 Sua ks. L. L. L.
iv. ii. 87 Marry M. Schoolmaster, hee that is Hkest to
a hogshead. 1599 — Much Ado in. iii. 17 Master Constable.
1607 — Timou iv. ii. 1 Here you M. Steward, where's our
Master? 1609 B. Jonson SU. Worn. v. i, Cut. By your
fauour Master Parson— Ott. You shall giue me leaue,
Master Doctor. 1625 Hart A uat. Ur. it. ix. 116 And yet
master Parson must not be called couetous. 1640 in Rushw.
Hist. Coll. in. (1692) I, 125 Master Speaker, the first Writs
that were sent out .. I ..was as ignorant of, as any one
Member of this House.
22. In early use {my) young master* Utile master.
occur as designations applied by servants and in-
feriors generally to the boys and young men of the
families of their superiors. App. as a develop-
ment from this mode of expression, the word master
(after the phonetic separation of Mr.) came to be
the usual prefix to the name of a young gentleman
not considered old enough to be entitled to be
called * Mr.\ Hence occas. masters and misses =
young people. + Master-miss : an effeminate youth.
"563-?3 ta A. (5- M. (ed. 4) 1596 The time was thought
to be nie, that this young Maister [Queen Mary's expected
childj should come into the world. 1596 Shaks. Merck.
V. 11. ii. 52 Talke you of yong Maister Launcelet ? 1601 B.
Jonson Poetaster 1. i, Young master, master Ovid, doe you
heare? 1693 Dryden Jr. J 'nvenal xiv \ 6 If Gaming does an
Aged Sire entice, Then my Young Master swiftly learns the
Vice. 1710 Swift Jrnl. to Stella 13 Dec, Maids, misses,
and little master . . in a third [coach]. 1720 — Mod. Editc.
Wks. 1755 II. 11. 35 These wretched pedagogues are en-
joyned .. that master must not walk till he is hot. 1754
Koote Knights n, (?i778) 5 The master-misses of the pre-
sent age. 1754 Richardson Gtandison (1811) II. xxix. 304
Miss Cantillon, Miss Barnevelt, and half a dozen more
misses and masters. 1760 H. Brooke EootofQual. I. 18
Lord Richard and some other masters of quality alxnit his
age. 1775 in J. L. Chester Westm. Abbey Reg. (1876J 419
May 12, Master Frederick Gel! ; aged ia days. 1776 Ibid. 241
Mar. 20, Master Albany-Charles Wall is, a Westminster
scholar ; in his i4,b year. 1824 Miss Fekrier Inher. xxxii,
Well-dressed, talking, smiling, flirting masters and misses.
1849 Dickens Pav. Copp. iii, Wait a bit. Master Davy,
and I'll— I'll tell you something. 1898 G. B. Shaw Plays,
You never can tell II. 242, I presume, sir, you are Master
Philip. Philip. I was Master Philip.. ; just as you were
once Master Finch.
23. The heir-apparent to a Scottish peerage (below
the rank of earl ; formerly, below that of marquis ■
is in many instances known as The Master of ;
the specific designation being usually identical with
the baronial title of the family.
1489 Ld. Treat. Ace. Scott. (1877) I. 107 The Maister of
Crafurde. 1530 Aberdeen Reg. (1844) I. 139, I Johne Lord
Forbes.. becuinmiss souerte..for myself, Johne Maister of
Forbes, my sone [etc.J. 1548 Patten Exped. Scot. B vii,
Anderwyke perteined to the lorde of Hainbleton, and was
kept by hys sonne & hey re twhoin, of custume they call the
Master of Hambleton). 1569 Reg Privy Council Scot. II.
2 Johnne Maister of Grahame nepote and hey re to the Erll
of Montroise. Ibid., William Maister Marschell sone to the
Erll Marschell. Ibid. 37Quhilk Andro .. presentit to him
ane writting of the Maister of Marschellis. 1584 Ibid. III.
644 Mr. Thomas Lyoun, Master of Glammis. 1641 R.
Baillie Lett. <y Jrtils. (1841) T. 379 Before King James
went to England, noblemens eldest sonnes were lx>t
Masters, and their younger brethren pretended not to take
place of Barrons. 1798 Monthly Mag. VI. 437 The Viscount
of Arbuthnott's eldest son is stiled Master of Arbuthnott.
1818 Scott Br. Lamm, ix, The Master of Kavenswood led
the way.
V. Attributive uses and Combinations.
24. Used appositively or as adj. in the sense
'that is a master1, a. Formerly prefixed freely
to all kinds of designations of persons, with the
sense * chief, * leading', 'commanding*. Now
rhetorical, with implication of imposing greatness
or power, esp. in master spirit (after Shaks.).
c 1175 Lamb. Horn, 41 And ba welle bi-wisten ,xii. meister
deoflen swile ha weren kinges. cizoo Obmin 7454 Wa^s
maj^st red wale, andefless beww, patt Arriuss wass nemmned.
r 1250 Gen. <y- E.x. 3756 Meistres princes he wolden hem
maken. a 1300 Cursor M. 13594 pe maisters luus ban
bigan To mistru o bis sinful seli man. a 1300 A". Horn 659
pe meyster kinges heued He haddit him by reued- c 1375
Sc. Lcg.Saints xxviii. {Margaret) 502 Scho ourcumyne had
pe maister feynd. 138a Wvclif Jer. Ii. 23, I shall hurtle
in thee dukes and the maister ?ugis [Vulg, magistratus].
a 1400 Octavian 559 J>e maysterowtlawe spake thene.
c 1449 Pecock Repr. v. i. 478 In 30U schulen be maistris
liers, that schulen bringe yn seclis of perdicioun. c 1450
Merlin xxiii. 436 Merlin is maister Counseller to kynge
Arthur. 1575 Gamm. Gurton iv. ii, The master-deuil, Bel-
sabub. 1590 Stockwood Rules Construct. A iij b, My master
schollers of the higher forms. 1601 Shaks. Jul. C. in. i. 163
The Choice and Master Spirits of this Age. 1607 B. Jonson
Votpone Ded., The great and Maister Spirits of our World.
1609 — SU. Wont. in. ii, That falls out often, madam, that
hee that thinkes himselfe the Master-wit, is the Master-foole.
1617 Janua Ling. To Prince, Whose but yours, that are a
maiiiter-prince. 1643 ' F. Greville1 5 Yrs. Jas. I 44 One
Simon, master sen-ant unto Sir Tho. [Monson]. 1701 Rowe
Amb. Step-moth. 111. iii, See where the Master Villain
stands ! 1725 Pope Odyss. xxiv. 26 Vet still a master ghost,
the rest he awed. 1759 Mason Caraetaeus 84 The master-
mover in this business. 1837 Alison Hist. En? ope (1849-50)
VIII. xlix. §96. 101 The master-spirit had fled from the
helm when Lord Wellesley embarked for England. 1849
Avtoun Execution Mrq. Montrose vii, The master-fiend
Argyle ! 1865 Kingsley Hereiv. xxv, One of those un-
fathomable master- person ages.
t>. Prefixed to names of animals, to denote the
leader of a herd, or one superior in fighting strength
to the rest. (Cf. 1 b.)
1589 Fleming Virg. Bucoh ix. 27 Take heed to meet the
maistergote. 1671 Temple Ess. Orig. Nat. Govt. Miscell.
1. (16S0) 56 This makes the Authority., of a Master-Buck in
a numerous herd. 1691 R. L'Estrange Fables ccexxxiv.
292 A Master- Pike, that for his Bulk, Beauty, and Strength,
was look'd upon to be the Prince of the River. 1715 Pope
Odyss. ix. 523 The master Ram at last approach'd the gale.
1764 Museum Rust. III. xxxix. 175 A master hog deters a
weaker from approaching. 181a Sir J. Sinclair Syst. Hitsb.
Scot. 1. 21 The cattle must often be injured, .by master cattle
preventing the others from feeding. 1850 R. G. Cumming
Hunters I^ife S. Aft. (1902) 7/1 A princely master-stag.
1856 Kane A ret. Expl. II. xm 222'loodla, our master-dog,
was seized with a violent fit. i860 G. H. K. in Vac. Tour
174 The antlers of the master-hart.
C. In titles of office or employment, to distin-
guish the official who has the command over the
others similarly designated. Now chiefly Hist.
(see also 29). Hence also in derivatives denoting
the offices, as master forestcrship, sergcantship,
ushery.
cxztfi Gen, 4 Ex. 3412 AI bi Shusenz 3is folc was told,
He 8h use nt adde a meister wold. Ibid. 3886 Eleazar . .
Was mad bissop and meister prest. a 1300 Cursor M.
4434 Son was Joseph halden dere wit be maister jailere.
"4*3 Jas. I Kingis Q. exxv, The maister portare, callit
pacience, That frely lete vs in. c 1440 Alphabet 0/
Tales 5M/2 Som tyme ber was a kyng hat had a ward-
rop[er] bat was maister-shaper [cf. quot. 1658 in d] of his
clothyng; and he had many servandis vnder-nethe hym.
1450 Rolls 0/ Parlt. V. 192/1 Oure Maister Foster of the
said Forest. 1455 Ibid. 312/2 The Maister Fostershipps of
the Forestes of Macclesfeld, Mare and Moundreme. 1464
Ibid. 545/1 Th' Offices of Maister Carpenter of oure Castell
of Lam.astie. 1485 Ibid. VI. 369/1 The Office of Maister
Sergeauntship of the Vale of Monmouth. 1508 Kknnedie |
Fiyting iv. Dunbar 437 In Parise wyth the maister buriawe !
Abyde, and be his prentice. 1553-4AV4'. Privy Council Scot.
\. 15 j Oidanis my Lord J he^aurar to deliver furth theprent*
ing irnis .. to the Maister Cunyear. 1565 Ibid. 347 The
offices of Chabnerlanerie and Mai^tir Ischearie. 1604 K.
G(rimstone] IXAcosta's Hist. Indies in. x. 154 The report
which the master Pilot that passed it made, seemeth notable
vnto me. 1676 Lond. Gaz. No. 1 127/4 Mr- Chiffinch Mitstti
Falconer to His Majesty. 1682 G. Rose {title) A perfect
School of Instructions For the Officers of the Mouth : shew-
ing The Whole Art of. .a Master Carver, a Master Butler, a
Master Confectioner, a Master Cook, a Master Pastryman.
1702 Lond. Gaz. No. 3822/4 Her Majesty has been pleased
toconstitute .. William Bridges Esq. ; Master Surveyor, .of
the Oidnance. 1769 Falconer Diet. Marine (1780) Y y iij b,
To observe that the master-shipwrights do in no ways depart
from the draught. 1862 J. Grant Capt. Guard i, The king's
master butcher.
d. In designations of trade, to denote one who
is a ■ master' as distinguished from an apprentice or
journeyman, or one who has others in his employ.
a 1300 Cursor M. 1666 J>i self sal l>e be maister wright.
1444 Rolls of Parlt. V. 112/2 Ye wages of eny free Mason
or maister Carpenter, excede not by the day iiii<r\ Ibid.,
A maister Tyler or Sclatter. 1483 Caxton G. de la Tour
A vj b, It cam from the handes of the mayster goldsmythe.
1496 Xaval Ace. Hen. VII (1896) 180, iiij Smythes • • iij of
theym takyng. . xv*1 by the weke. . .And the iii j*^ as Maister
Smyth viij,vjd. 1647 R. Stapvlton Juvenal Bi The master-
barber now Trimms thee. 1658 R. Franck North. Mem.
(1821) 146 Here [Perth] they call a taylor master-fashioner
forsooth. 1683 Moxon Meek. Exerc., Printing ii. f 1,
I shall begin with the Office of a Master-Printer. 1707
Fleetwood Chron. Prec. (1745) 133 A Master Calker. 1739
Labelve Short Ace. Piers Westm. Br. Pref. 4, I consulted
the respective Master-Artificers. 1776 Adam Smith W. N.
v. ii. (1869) II. 461 The rise which such a tax might
occasion in the wages of manufacturing labour would be ad-
vanced by the master manufacturer. 1800 Mar. EodSWOCTH
Murad i, In these disturbances the master bakers fre-
quently lose their lives. 1833 P. Nicholson Pract. Build.
423 The master-glazier takes upon himself the risk of win-
dows being broken. 1834 1st Rep. Poor Law Comm. (1885)
199 Master barbers who might have saved enough money
to keep them from the parish. 1837 Lock hart Scott lxiv,
The master-printer is entitled to an equal sum. 1863 Kings-
lev Water-Bab. i, He would be a man and a master-sweep.
1897 Daily News 8 Mar. 3/1 Mr. George Holder, master
sinker, who had charge of the pit.
e. With the sense ' supremely or consummately
skilled'. Also, in ME. occas. = ' consummately
wicked*, 'accomplished', as in + master gaveller,
1340 Ayenb. 35 pise byeb be mayster gaueleres. c 1440
Jacob's Well 123 }»f bou be wel plesyd perwyth, bou art
mayster vsureie. c 1440 Alphabet of Tales 6 pis Abbott
said vnto bis maister thiefT[etc.]. 1565 Cooper Thesaurus,
Antolicus, a maister thiefe. xdoi Holland Pliny It, 515
That great architect and master deuiser, of Alexandria . .
Dinocrates. 1677 Gilpin Demouot. 111. ii. 11 We may rely
upon the great Master-contriver, for relief, .or deliverance;
as there is need. 1736 Ainsworth Lat.-Eng. Dict.,Alhleta,
a master-wrestler, a champion. 1751 J. Harris Hermes 1.
vii. (1765) 111 The character of a Master- Artist, or Man of
practical Wisdom. 1850 Tennyson In Mem. Ixxxvii, And
last the master-bowman, he, Would cleave the mark. 1900
Westm. Gas. 4 Jan. 1/3 The French consider the English
the master-colonists of the world.
25. Applied trans/, as a qualification of things,
with the sense ' main ', ' principal ', ( controlling .
In some of the combinations so formed, master is appre-
hended as a separate adj. ; the majority, however, are al-
ways felt as compounds, while in many the grammatical
character is uncertain or fluctuating.
a. Of material things (after the similar use of V.
maitre ; esp. frequent in terms relating to building,
machinery, and popular anatomy\as master-altar \
-beam, j-bont\ •f-o'orotfglt, -bough, branch, -chord,
f city, current, -drain, -feeder } fortress, furrow,
-gate, jgonfanon, -line, -lode, -metal, -moulding,
pillar, f tick* river, sail, -screw, -shoot, star, stent,
street, -string, temple, -tissue, tooth, tower, t tenon,
f -turnip, wave, way, -wheel, wire.
1833 L. Ritchie Wand, by Loire 116 The * master-altar.
1632 Sherwood, A summer (or great "master-beame in
building), sommier. 1638 Dkumm. of Hawth. Irene Wks.
(171 1 ) 170 The props, stays, master-beams of religion, being
faith, hope, and charily. 1677 W. Vincent in Hart. Misc.
(1809) II.328 One hand being rotted from the wrist, that you
may not only see through the "master-bones, but also fete. J.
1800 C. Winter in W. jay Mem. J.'s Wks. 1843 V. 157 The
master-bone of my leg was broken, c 1*50 Gen. <y Ex, 3881
Ixmg wei^e and costful he <5or fond, for5 bi archiin flat
*mefster bur}. 1615 W. Lawson Country JIouscw. Gard.
(1626) 35 Let him spread as far as he list without any "master-
bough. 164a Rogers Naamau To Rdr. § 1 Yet they [sc.
trees] haue some "Master and chiefe ones [sc. branches],
into which the maine sap .. is carried. 1667 Waiekhol'sk
Eire Lond. 131 A main Pillar and Master-branch in Eng-
lands Grandeur. 1613 Shaks. Hen. VI II, in. ii. 106, 1 would
'twer somthing yl would fret the string, The *Master-cord
oil's heart. 1842 Tennyson Will Waterpr. 27 The master-
chord Of all I felt and feel. 1456 Sir G. Have Law Arms
(S.T.S.) 47 Thair "maister citee was als mekle as Rome.
1817 Coleridge Biog. Lit. 120 It is connected with "master-
currents below the surface. 165a Blith Eug. Improv.
Impr. ix. (ed. 3) 56 Thither draw a good substantial "Master-
drain through all thy Lands. 1796 Trans. Soc. ArtsXlV.
184 In carrying up the valley the master drains. 1789 T.
Wright Meth. Watering Meadcnvs {1790) 19 The bottom
of the first work, or 'master-feeder, ought to be as deep
as the lx>ttom of the river, c 1450 Merlin vii. no Than
Hietell com to the "maister forteresse where as the kynge
«as. 1649 Blith Eng. Improv. xviii. 109 A good Drayne or
"Mailer- Furrow. 1808 J. Walker Econ. Hist. Hebrides Sf
Hiehl. Scot. L 168 The master-furrow at the head of the field
. .should be led in a very gentle slope, c 1450 Merlin xxiii.
4^2 He com to the *maister gate of the paleys. 1715 LtOM
MASTER.
Palladia's Archit. (17421 I. 47 The chief Entry, or Master-
gate, c 1330 Arth. t, Mori. 5634 Her 'maister gomfainoun
so bar J>e lunges steward, Cleodalis. 1833 Straith Fortify
The measurements, .are calculated, .from the cordon, which
. . iscalled the magistral or 'master line. 1671 Phil. Trans.
VI. 2100 The ancient Tinners, .affirm, that 7 Loads may lie
parallel to each other in the same Hill, but yet one only
"Master-Load. 1813 T. Busby tr. Lucretius VI. Comm.
xxiii, On account of its exerting its influence upon iron (the
"master-metal),, .the tragedian termed it the Herculean
stone. 1723 Chambers tr. Le Clerc's Archil. I. 75 The
Corona. .is the first "Master-Moulding in the Corniche.
a 1450 Rut. tic la Tour 93 The "maister pillour of the halle,
bi the whiche alle the halle was susteined. 1601 Dent
Patltw. Heaven (1831) 29 It is a master-devil, and the
"master-pock of the soul. 1634 Trapp Comm. Job xxxiii. 17
Which else, as a Master-pock, will break out in his fore-
head. 1563-87 Foxe A. 4- jIA (1596)141/2 A certeine great
beame or 'master post was looked out of the place. 1677
Yarranton Eng. Improv. 64 The Thames and Severne
are the two great 'Master Rivers. 1555 Eden Decades 195
They sayle with twoo sayles as with the "master sayle and
the tiinkette. 1902 Emycl. Brit. XXXIII. 809/2 The
screw is an important productive measuring instrument,
whether used as a micrometer-screw of less than an inch
in length, or as a 'master screw of 20 feet in length. 1712
J.James tr. Le Blonds Gardening 17) Bringing the two
Sides as near as possible to the * Master-Shoot. ,; 1300
Cursor M. 527 Seuen 'maister sterns ersette in heuen. 1601
Hot. [.and Pliny II. 23 If their leaves bee cropt off before
the 'maister stem or spire be growne big. c J386 Chaucer
Rnt.'s T. 2044 The nobleste of the grekes .. caryeden the
beere . . Thurgh out the Citee by the "maister strete. 1713
Rowk Jane Shore lu. i. 34 He touch'd me Ev'n on the
tend'rest Point; the 'Master-string That makes most
Harmony or Discord to me. c 1385 Chaucer L. G. IV.
1016 Dido, The 'maystir temple of al the toun. 1806
Allbutt's Syst. Med. I. 161 Certain 'master tissues .. pos-
sess, .a special function. 1601 Holland Pliny II. 341 The
great 'master teeth and grinders of a wolfe. c 1386 Chau-
cer Sqr.'s P. 218 (Hengwrt MS.) The Mirour, That
born was vp vn to the maister tour. 13 . . A". Erkeu-.uolde
26 in Hoistm. Altingl. Leg. (1881) 266 Londone..be metro-
pol & be 'mayster-tone. c 1385 Chaucer /.. G. IK 1591
Hipsiph., laconitos, That was the mayster toun of al
Colcos. 1733 Tuu. Horse-Hoeing Husb. x. 100 We contrive
to leave the 'Master-Turneps .. and spare such when near
one another. 1840 Marrvat Poor Jack xlii, A 'master
wave, as it is termed, from being of larger dimensions than
its predecessors. 1726 Leoni AlbertCs Archil. I. 80/1 The
Houses of Piinces .. shou'd have an entrance from the
"'i. 1 er Way. 1640 I!p. Reynolds Passions x, The 'Master-
wheel or first mover in all the regular motions of this pas-
sion ILoveJ is the Love of God. 1761 Churchill Xight
Poems 1769 1. 89 Let but the puppets move, I've my des'ire,
Lnseen the hand which guides the '.Master-wire.
b. Of immaterial things, as master-appetite, '
-argument, -Has, -cause, conscience, -duty, -error,
exercise, fact, -feeling, -form, -genius, -idea, jest,
light, -lust, -mind, -miracle, -mischief, motive,
-passion, principle, -proof reason, -sin, -spell,
-stratagem, -tone, -vice, -virltte, -word.
1742 Vou.no Nt. Th. m. 863 Great Nature's 'Master-
wTe'",e0 y','1.-- l^8 liuNYAN 7ems. Sinner Saved
Wks. (1845) 73 I his is Satan's 'master-argument. 1807
Wordsw. Happy Warrior 59 A Soul whose "master-bias
leans I o homefelt pleasures. 1677 Horneck Gt. Lam
Consul, v. (1704) 240 The "master-cause [of misery) is the
want of consideration. 1649 Milton Eikou. ii. 21 We may
consider . . what . . feeling could be in that conscience, and
what fitness to be the "maister conscience of three Kinjrdomes
1624 Sanderson Serin. I. 82 Here then the magistrate
• • may learn.. his 'master-duty. 1674 Allen Danger En-
thusiasm 96, I deem it a Mother and a 'Master-Error
1604 Shaks. Oth. 11. i. 268 Hard at hand comes the 'Master
and maine exercise. 1831 Brewster Newton (1855) I
ix. 202 It is to Dr. Thomas Young.. that we owe the
^master fact. 1806 Surr Winter in Land. II. 28 This
master feeling of his soul. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud.
Ep. 111. xvii. 147 Other degenerations which come up in
unexpected shapes, when they want the support . . of the
pnmary and 'master. formes, ai-iix Ken Hymnotheo Poet.
Wks. 1721 III. 293 Had Athefts .. To our great Homer's
Master-genius bow'd . . They [etc.]. 1809-10 Coleridge
'•'■'•nit (1865) 69 The three 'master ideas, announced in
the foregoing pages. 1678 Butler Hud. 111. ii. g55 And
who shall break the 'master-jest. And what, and how, upon
the rest. ,806 Wordsw. Ode Intim. Immort. 153 Those
shadowy recollections Which.. Are yet a 'master light of all
our seeing. 1784. Cowpkr Task v. 6.8 His 'master-lust
falls first before his resolute rebuke. 1720 Pope Iliad xvm
557 there shone the image of the 'master-mind. 1647 Trapp
Comm. 1 Cor. xm. 2 Removing of mountains is instanced,
necause noted by our Saviour as a "master-miracle, a 1700
iLLiDGKin M.HenryLi/e(i 7.0)65 Atheism., is the "MasteT-
rruschief of this Age. i860 Mill Refir. Govt. (1865) 5./.
the guiding and "master motives in the conduct of average
human beings. 1732 Pope Ess. Man 11. .3. One "master
Passion in the breast, Like Aaron's serpent, swallows up
therest. .794 Mathias Purs. Lit. (1798) 1.8 A vindication
01 the great, original, "master principles on which they were
founded 16.0 Bp. Hall Afol. Broivuists v. 14, I finde these
as your Majter-proofes, set as Challengers in every of your
defences ,608 Shaks. Pericles IV. vT 8 Her quarks, her
reasons her 'master reasons. 1607 Hieron Wks. L 227
•M!?Se ,masters'"nes, ignorance, contempt of the word
and godhnesse. 18.6 Bvron Ch. Har. 111. cvii. The lord
wra'.'h0ny',"L % *masi«sPe», Which stung his foes to
2l„ n*l 1 Y™ ?""""' 2 TAm- "• 7 Themselves will
even smile in the triumphs of their own wits., as at a
wT !lr;S1,rh-taS.em- Ifc7-3S Willis Leper ,24 The voice
like the 'master-tone Of a rich instrument.
215
various senses), in master faculty, fascination,
t reach, throw, touch, wi/l. Also master hand
(see 29), Masterpieck, Master-stroke.
Most or all of the combinations under this head admit of
being used or interpreted with the notion expressed by those
under 25 b : the two meanings often blend, as both are
usually applicable to the same objects.
1622 Bacon Hen. VII 242 Neither did hee care how Cun-
ning they were, that hee did imploy, For hee thought him-
selfe to haue the Master-Reach, a 1674 Clarendon Surv.
I.eviatli. I1676) 2r Discovers a master faculty in making
easie. 1686 Ravenscroet Titus A. ToRdr., He only gave
some Master-touches to one or two. 1710 Addison Tatter
£0. 156 r 10, I have here only mentioned some Master,
louches of this admirable Piece. 1821 Southev in Q. Rev.
AX V. 310 This rare dissembler, .played his master-game at
once. 1825 Hogg Q. Hynde 324 No clamour rose, .. From
such a monarch's master-throw. 1838 Lvtton Alice vn. vi,
the master-fascination that he could command, a 1872
J. U. Avlward m Ess. Relig. a> Lit. Ser. 111. (1874) III. 90
Subject themselves.. to the master-will of him whom they
constitute the lord of their life. 1880 Blacklu. Mag. Feb.
■87 I he master-touch interpreting all lights.
27. Objective, as master-killer, -leaver; instru-
mental, as master-mortified adj.
1606 Shaks. Ant. t, CI. IV. ix. 22 But let the world
ranke me in Register A Master leaucr, and a fugitiue.
1608 Sylvester Du Bartas 11. iv. iv. Decay 180 Art thou
there Zimri, cursed Parricide 1 Fell master-killer, canst
thou chu.se but fear For like offence, like punishment severe?
1741 Richardson Pamela I. xv, The poor, low, creeping
Jbjtcl silf.iiorliU and master-mortified Mrs. Jewkes. =
t 28. In contracted forms of certain syntactical
combinations used as titles of office, as master-
household
--— ..™..«-.ullt ,_,, ,lcfi instrument. 1848
ruled h?m °"'iey *u,"' Mr' Dombey's 'master-vice, that
ruled him so inexorably. i833Chalmers Const. Man (1835)
St'ffVt 7/ S'"' *mast,er and gen«ic virtue. .709
which Is "" ?°' 7,f2 He is a P0"' and Meghan,;
which is seen in T wo "Master- Words, Credit Blossoms.
<50. Attributive, with the sense: Pertaining to
proceeding from, or characteristic of a master (in
master of the household (see 18 a
master-hunt = master of the hunt (but cf. Hunt
sb.1), a head huntsman ; master-voyage, ?the com-
mander of a fishing fleet. Obs.
1656 Earl Monm. tr. Boccaliuis Advts. fr. Parnass. 196
Zenofon, Apollos Master-hunt. 1761 Ann. Reg. 188 Every
boat-master, splitter, and master voyage, who are the chief
people among the fisheimen [French, Newfoundland] and
shoremen, being the catchers and curers offish.
29. Special comb. : master attendant, ' an
officer in the royal dockyards appointed to assist
in the fitting or dismantling, removing or securing
vessels of war, &c.' (Smyth) ; f master-bee, {a)
a queen bee (cf. King sb. 8 a); (*) ? a worker bee;
f master-bowl (see sense 9) ; master fault Geol'.,
a fault which governs the configuration of the
surrounding area; f master gunner (see Gunner
I c) ; hence t master gunnership, the office of a
master gunner; master hand, (a) the hand of a
master, the agency of one highly skilled or one
possessing commanding power; (b) a highly skilled
worker; master joint Geo/., a principal joint in
a rock mass ; master mariner, the commander of
a ship (for mod. use see Mariner i b) ; + master
note Mus., a semibreve (see quot.) ; f master
shipman, = mastei --mariner; master sinew, a
main sinew ; esp. the tendon in the hock of a quad-
ruped, corresponding to the tendon of Achilles in
man ; + master water, a liquid having powerful
chemical effects; (rattlesnake) master weed 1/.S.,
a plant regarded as an antidote to rattlesnake bites
(cf. rattlesnake-master) ; f master woman, an
imperious or masculine woman; master-worker
«• master-workman ; also spec, in the Mint (see
quot. 1670); master workman, a workman tho-
roughlyconversantwith his trade; onewhoemploys
workmen ; a\so fig. ; master-yaw, = mamma-pian
(see Mamma id). See also Mastkr-uutlder,
-CRAFT, -FAST, etc.
1669 Pepvs Diary 25 Mar., I did., rattle the 'Master-
Attendants out of their v, its almost. 1858 W. M. Gilson in
Merc. Marine Mag. V. 211, I don't think there is any
Master-Attendant at Trincomalee dockyard. 1579-80 North
I lularch, I.ycnrgus 11595) 6. They .. were alwaies.. to-
gether, as the bees be about their "maister bee. 1645 Wal-
ler Palam. to Zeliiidc 3 No Honey. . But what the .Master
Bees have plac't In compass of their Cells. 1658 Rowland tr.
Mon/ets Theat. Ins. 898 Their King or Master-Bee. 1837
Phillips Geology 63 'I'he faults, generally cross the anti-
clinal axis, and terminate in a remarkable "master fault or axis
of elevation. 1565 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 396 The said
office of 'maistir gunnarschip. 1625 in Crt. I, Times Jos. I
(18491 II- 5°2 Mr. Gibson, .who had in reversion the master-
gunnership of England. 1709 Pope Ess. Crit. .45 Nameless
graces.. which a 'master-hand alone can reach. .806 7 J. ■
liERESFORD Miseries Hum. Li/e'iSi6) II. x. The master-hand
of Tacitus. 1854 Milman Lnt. Chr. iv. ii. (1883) II. 202 It
mightseem that.the master-hand withdrawn, all would return
'otheformeranarchy. 1879 HowellsZ.^/ nxurM-lI.xxvii,
He s a master-hand to converse, any way. 1839 Murchison
Silur. Syst. I. xx. 244 The surprising regularity of the
direction of the 'master joints. 1879 Eucycl. Brit. X. 297/2
Granite . . is traversed by two sets of chief or ' master-joints '.
'3" <-oer de L. 183. On the morwe he of-sent his coun-
sellors Of the pates the 'master mariners, c 1330 R. Brunne
Uiron. IVace (Rolls) 12089 t>e mayster mariner was byhynde,
Peschipto stere by be wynde. 1838, 1886 [see Mariner
1 ,!' j Playford Skill Mus. 1. vn. 23 The Semibrief. . is :
called the 'Master Note, being of one Measure by himsell ;
all the other Notes are reckoned by his value, by Augmenta-
tion or Diminution. 1390 Gower Con/ III. 311 The "Maister ,
schipman cam and preide With othre suche as be therinne.
c 1450 Lovelich Grail xxxvi 499 Thanne A Maister Schip- I
man gan forth to gon. 01300 Cursor M. 3941 Iacob was I
ban hurt wel sare, pe 'maister sinu of his the. 1607 Tor-
MASTER.
I sell Four-/. Beasts 402 A painefull swelling of the maister
sinnew. 1644 Nye Gunnery 1. ,1647) 13 Take the Saltpeter
out, and preserve the water that dropped, because Tt is
"Master water. 1843 Marryat M. Violet xxiii, I beheld
live or six stems of the rattlesnake "master weed. Hid
xxiv, I removed, .the poultice of master weed. 1534 More
Com/, agst. Trib. 111. Wks. 1224/1 She is in dedelTstoute
"master woman. 1413 Pilgr. Semite (Caxton .483) v. xiv 108
V f thou wylt bylde an hows, and arte a 'maister werker
couthest thou bilde wilhouten mater. 1622 MalYNES An,'
La-.o-Metch. 28. The Master worker . . doth put into the
melting pot, two penny weight of Copper in euerie pound
1670 Pettus Fodina Reg. 41 The Master-worker, who re-
ceiveth the Silver from the Warden, causeth it 10 be melted
and dehvereth it to the Moniers, and taketh it from them
again when It is made. 1598 Barret Theor. Wanes v. iii.
134 A "maister workeman to ioyne them [boats) together'
1615 Crooke Body o/Maii 217 The great Maisl. r workman
therefore of set purpose, made the one halfe of niankinde
imperfect. 1670 Eachard Cout. Clergy 118 An ordinary
bricklayer, or carpenter (I mean not your great undertakers
and master-workmen) .. has certainly the command of more
money. 1847 Emerson R,fr. Men, Napoleon Wks. (Bohn)
I. 368 He is . . a very consistent and wise master-workman.
1774 Med. Ess. V. 11. 793 Sometimes after, .the Salivation is
over, there remains one large Yaw, high knobbed, red ami
moist ; this is commonly called the "Master yaw.
Master (mcrstaj), sb.- [f. Mast^.1 +-ER 1 1.]
A vessel having (a specified number of) masts, as
in three-master, seven-master, etc.
1880 in Webster Suppl. 1887 [see Five C. i cl. 1901
Daily Chron. 26 July 5/2 The keel of a gigantic seven-
master has been laid.
Master .ma'sOj), ii. Forms: see Master rf.i
[f. Master rf.l Cf. OF. maistrier (perh. the source
in early instances), med.L. magistnire, OHO.
vteist{e)rSn (G. meistern), Du. ineesteren, Svv.
mestra, Da. meslre.]
1. trans. To get the better of, in any contest or
struggle ; to overcome or defeat. With material or
immaterial subject or object.
a 1225 Le{. Rath. 548 Ha wiS hire anes mot meistreS us
alle. a 1300 Cursor M. 25365 Quen bai faanding maister
wele, Ci und er bai wit mikel sele. 1303 R. Brunne Hand.'.
Synne 7909 Y dredde hyt [synnel wide ha maystrede me.
1375 Barbour Bruce vn. 21 1 The sleip masterit hym. ? a 1400
Marie Arth. 2683 He maisterede bat mane, so myghtty
of strenghes. 1530 PaLSGR. 633/2 Be he never so strange
I put no doutes to mayster hym. 1567 Maplet (,'r. Forest
83b, [Somedogges] haue Maystred and bene good inough for
the Lyon and Elephant. 1576 Baker Je-.vell 0/ Health
131b, The sayd water drunck niaystreth and expellelh
poysons. rRi Spenser R, tines 0/ Rome xviii. These brave
Pallaces, which maystred bee Of time, a 1623 Fletcher
Love s Cure v. iii. (1647), Kings nor authority can master fate
1647 Clarendon Hist. Reb. 1. § 21 The King .. was very
quicksighted in.. raising objections, and very slow in mas-
tering them. 1664 Power Exp. Philos. 11. 109 The smaller
weight of Quicksilver is not able to master the Elastick
pressure of the external Ayr. 1703 Maundrell Journ.
Jems. (.732) 112 Here we had a very steep and rocky
ascent ; but however in half an hour we master'd it. 1725
Foe Voy. round World (1840) 33 The chief conspirator
l)i
would be on shore.. and.. then I thought I could master the
rest on board well enough. 1798 Bereskord in Ld. Auck-
land's Corr. (1862) III. 414 Lord Edward was mastered,
brought to the Castle, and committed to Newgate. 1838
Thirlwali. Greece V. xliii. 253 He resorted to new. .methods
of mastering his personal disadvantages. 1841 James
Brigand xx, Deep grief masters me. 1887 Rider Haggard
7''" vi, A crash that almost mastered the awful crackling of
the thunder.
2. To reduce to subjection, compel to obey; to
break, tame (an animal).
1423 Jas. I Kingis Q. clxxxi, The quhich[e] Ireuly efter,
day be day. That all my wittes maistrit had tofore, From
hen[ne)sferth the paynis did away. 1523 Ld. Berners
Froiss. I. ccccxxvi. 748 The gates myght stand open . .
for all maner of men of warre to entre . . to thentent to
mayster them of Parys. 1580 in Liturg. Sen: Q. Eliz.
(.847) 573 Masters, unable to master the'ir own affections
are become servants to other folks' servants. 1586 J.
Hooker Hist. /ret. in Holinshed II. 133/2 They, .swore to
be.. obedient : which, so long as he maistered and kept
them vnder, so long they performed it. a 1628 Preston
Breastpl. Love (163.) 210 Doe not you reckon it a worke to
breake horses, to master coltes? 1639 Fuller Holy War
11. x-xxiii. (1640) 87 Yet was he not mastered by his purse,
but made it his vassal. 1725 Watts Logic lit. iii. § 2 Every
wise man masters his passions ; no angry man masters his
passions. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) II. 393 The
Zebra .. could never be entirely mastered. 1844 Mrs.
Browning Drama 0/ Exile Poems .850 I. 71 This shall. .
master with a look Your lion at his fasting. 1876 Geo.
Eliot Dan. Der. iv. xxviii, He meant to be master of a
woman who would have liked to master him.
3. /echn. To temper or season ; to modify. Now
only in Dyeing, to season or age (dye stuffs), and
in Tanning, to subject (skins) to the action of an
astringent lye. (Cf. Mastering vbl. sb. 2.)
1308 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xix. xxxiii. (1495) 878 And
wyth Attrament ynke is tempryd and maystryd [orig. acui-
tur\ Ibid. 879 The colour purpura is maystred [orig.
acnitur) and amended wyth blood that droppyth of certen
shellefysshe. a 1648 Digby Closet 0/eu.( 1677) 59 That the hot
herbs may be mastered with the cool. 1841 in Titles Patents
(.854) J. 45 An expeditious mode of unhairing, mastering,
and tanning, .hides and skins. 1862 O'Neill Diet. Calico
Print, tf Dyeing Index, Mastering or ageing of logwood.
4. To make oneself master of (an art, science,
etc.) ; to acquire complete knowledge or under-
standing of (,a fact, a proposition), or complete
facility in using (an instrument, etc.).
1740 J. Clarke Educ. Youth fed. 3) 163 A boy has.,
mastered his Syntax. 2781 Cowper Parrot 9 Belinda's
MASTERABLE.
maids are soon preferred To teach him now and then a word,
As Poll can master it. a 1839 Praed Foetus (1&64) II. 176
Away with ye, visions of law. Of cases I never shall master.
1865 Kingsi-EY Ilercut. viii, Grammar, rhetoric, Latin prose
and poetry . . she mastered ere she was grown up. 1866 (1.
Macdonald Ann. Q. Neighb. xiv. (1878} 206 When he con-
sidered that he had mastered the meaning of it. 1878
R. \V. Dale Led. Preach, iv. 91 The instrument yon have
to master stands before you — the soul of man. 1901 Athc-
nxum 27 July 120/3 He has not mastered the difference
between ' would ' and ' should '.
+ b. 'To execute with skill ' (J.). Obs.
1624 Bacon Consul. M'artv.Spain (1629) 3, I doe not take
my selfe to bee so perfect in the customes. .and priuileges
of that Kingdomfl of l'ohemia, as to be lit to handle that
part ; and I will not offer at that I cannot master.
5. To act the part of master towards ; to rule as
a master ; to be the master of (a servant, scholar,
house, etc.).
1611 Shaks. Cymb. IV. ii. 383, I will not say Thou shall be
so well master'd. Ibid. 395, I good youth, And rather
Father thee, than Master thee. 17U SwiFT Jrut. to Stella
2 Aug., The dog [his man Patrick] thinks he has the whip-
hand of me; lie begins to master me; so now I am re-
solved to part with him. 1715 M. D A vies Allien. Brit.
I. 19 He doubtless would have ordered^ it [St. Paul's
School] to be Master'd by Learned Chaplains alone. 1790
R. Tvi.fr Contrast 11. ii, Father said I should come as
Colonel Manly's waiter, .. but no man shall master me.
a 1845 Hood Lamia i. 12S, I have a house, .within the walls
nf Corinth : Will you not master it as well as me'r 1864
A. McKav Hist. Kilmarnock (1880) 366 I'm your equal :
I'll be maistered nae langer. x88i Daily News 14 Sept. 3/1
The estate is not well mastered. 1898 Ibid. 30 June 6/7 1 t
was. .a magnificent school,.. magnificently mastered.
t h. intr. To act the master. Also to master it.
1656 S. H. Golden Law 67 He. .did justly master it, and
rule over his masters. 1793 Mmk. D'Arblay Diary V. ix.
402, I have been scholaring all day, and mastering too ; for
our lessons are mutual.
•|' 6. trans. To have at one's disposal ; to own,
possess. Also intr. in to master of. Obs.
1593 Shaks. Lncr. 863 He hath it [treasure] when he can-
not vse it, And.li.aues it to be maistred by his yong. 1596
— Mereh, /'. v. i. 174 The wealth That the world masters.
,- 1600 — Sonn. evi, I see their antique Pen would have
<-\prest Euen such a beautie as you maister now. 1638 Sir
T. Hrrbf.rt Trav. (ed. 2) 175 Had hee mastered any
weapon, he had doubtlesse saved himselfe ; but wanting it
his breath failed. 1654-66 Kami. < Irukry Parthen. (i6j6> 314
P.idding his Treasurer give him higher rewards, than the
prisoner coukl Master of.
tb. To take possession of. Obs. (?$once-ttse.)
1826 J. K. Cooi'F.r Mohicans xxv,The Hurons would follow
up our trail, and master our scalps.
7. To address by the style of 'master*, nonce-use.
1583 Stubbks Anat. Abits. 1. (1879) I22 Me wn0 nath
mom enough shalbe rabbied 8: maistered at euery word.
Masterable (ma-storab'l), a. [f. Master v.
+ -able.] Capable of being mastered.
1882 Proctor Fam. Sri. Stud. 1 Man might believe, .that
every kind of knowledge is . . masterable.
Ma'ster-at-a'rms. Arant. Formerlyawarrant-
officer in the navy appointed to instruct the officers
and crew of a ship of war in the exercise of small
arms, and to act as principal police officer on board
( = Marshal 7 b), but now a first-class petty officer
doing duty in the latter capacity only. Also
trans/., the principal police officer on board a ship
of the mercantile marine.
1748 Smollett Pod. Rand, xxix, I was taken prisoner,
and carried to the poop by the master-at-arms. x86i Turing
Crim. Law Navy 53 The Commander-in-Chief appoints
some person (usually the master-at-arms of the flag-ship) to
act as provost- marshal. 1890 W. J. Gordon Foundry 74,
500 cabin passengers, to look after whose comfort and con-
duct there are employed six dozen stewards,.. two masters-
at-arms, and a surgeon. 1894 C. N. Robinson Brit. Fleet
474 A master-at-arms with a staff of ship's corporals is
allowed in the larger ships.
Ma'ster bui lder. [Master sbA II.]
1. One who is skilled in the art of building, an
architect. Chiefly in rhetorical use or fig. context.
'557 N. T. (Genev.) 1 Cor. iii. 10 As a skilful master builder
I haue layd the foundation: and another buyldeth theron.
'594 T. B. La Primaud. Fr. Acad. 11. 18 If we consider the
ordinary generation of men, the matter is humour: naturall
heate is as it were the master buylder. 1611 Speed Thcat.
Gi. Brit, Pref., So many master-builders having in this
subject gone before me. 164a Vicars God in Mount (1644)
39 Our blessed Master-builders in Parliament. 1855 Miss
Cquuk fntiiit. Mor. 35 The depth of the foundation shows
how high the Master-builder will carry his temple. 1865
J. H. Ingraham Pillar of Fire (1872) 47 The Egyptians are
not only master-builders in architecture, but [etc.].
2. One who employs workmen in building.
1714 Swift Pres. St. Aff. r 10 When a Building is to be
erected, the Model may be the contrivance only of one
head ; and it is sufficient that the Under-workmen be ordered
to cut stones into certain shapes, [etc. J : But the several
Master-builders must have some general Knowledge of the
Design, without which tney can give no orders at all. 1738
Birch Life Milton in M.'s li'ks. (1738) I. 61 Anne [Milton]
married a Master- Builder.
3. Naut. A petty officer formerly employed on
the construction of ships.
1799 Nelson ii Oct. in Nicolas Disp. (1S45) IV. 47 My
directions to the Master-builder relative to the Ships.
Mastercraft. nonce-wd. [f. Master sb?- +
Craft.] Politic dealing characteristic of a master.
1711 Hickf.s Two Treat. Christ. Priesth. (1847) I. 140
There is no mnre. .priestcraft in the clergy.. than master-
craft in the father of a family.
216
Masterdom (ma-stajdam). [f. Master sb} +
-DOM.]
+ 1. The office of a master or teacher ; the degree
of master (of divinity). Obs. rare~*.
a 1050 Liber Scintill. xxxii. (1889) 120 I'ondus magisterii,
hefe massterdomes. C1384 Wyclif.SW. Wit III. 376W hat
cursidenesse is his [for a friar] to gete hym a cappeof mays-
terdome, by preyer of lordis, and grete giftis.
2. The position of being master ; dominion, ab-
solute control, supremacy; f victory in battle.
In 1755 'Not in use' (J.).
1475 Ilk. Noblesse (Roxb.) 7 When the due off Burgoyn by
cy vyle bataylle by maisterdom expelled the due of Orlyance
partie. .owt of Parys cytee. a 1500 Chaucer's Dreme 1784
And cursed the time that ever slouth Should have such
masterdome of trouth. 1596 Spenser /■'. Q. v. ii. IS With
cruell chaufe their courages they whet, The maysterdome of
each by force to gaine. 1605 Sfiaks. Mac/'. I. v. 71 Which
shall to all our Nights, and Dayes to come, Giue solely
soueraigne sway, and Masterdome. 1656 H. More Enthus.
Tri. A iij, You are grown a man of strange Master-dome
over your Passions. 1693 W. Frf.kf. Sel. Ess. i. 4 That Body
of Knowledge that has puzzl'd whole Ages of the wisest, who
is so weak as to arrogate the Masterdom of it alone to himself?
1880 SwiNBUKNE Stud, a/mis. 26 The stage which he [Mar-
lowe] was born to. .re-create by the might and masterdom
of his genius. 1886 Blackie What does Hist. Teach ? 73
The masterdom of the Roman Pope.
fb. Masterful behaviour. Obs.
1596 Spenser F. Q. iv. i. 46 For Love is free, and led with
selfe delight, Ne will enforced be with maislerdome or might.
y3. = Mastership. Obs.
1588 Marprel. Episl. (Arb.) 3 Mine Epistle vnto your
venerable masterdomes. 1589 Pasquifs Ket. D iv, May it
please your Masterdom. 1601 Chettle & Mux-day Death
Earl Huntington D2b, Apolloes master doone {read
masterdom] I inuocate.
4. Grand masterdom : the office of grand master.
1762 tr. Buschiug's Syst. Geog. V. 450 The administration
of the grand masterdom is ever since become a mere title.
Mastered (ma-staid , ///. a. [f. Masters.
+ -ED.] In senses of the vb.
i66t Morgan Sph. Gentry ill. ix. 112 [He] rescued the best
of his former mastered French ships. 1693 Dryoen Juvenal
x. 151 That Monarch, whom the Master'd World obey. 1814
Scott Ld. of Isles lit. xxix, The master'd felon .. gasp'd
beneath a mortal wound. 1899J. Caird Univ.Addr. 33 The
mastered and established facts of knowledge.
Masterer (ma-staraj). rare. [f. Master v. +
-kr !.] One who masters or overcomes.
1607 Hieron Whs. I. 256 Who would thinke that this re-
iected person, .should be.. the conquerour of Sathan, the
masterer of death. 1820 L. Hunt Indicator No. 23 (1822)
I. 184 But oh 1 thou Love's and Nature's masterer.
; Ma'Sterfast, a. Obs. [f. Master sb} +
FAST a. 4.] Bound to a master.
1469 Paston Lett. II. 388, I wyll not make me mastyrfast
with my Lord of Norff. c 1520 Bh. Mayd Etulyn 167 in
Hazl. E. P. P. IV. 88 He that is maysterfast. .dare not
ronne and playe. 1526 Skelton Magnyf. 2573 To day
maysterfest, to morowe he hath no holde. 1542 Uimll
Erasm. Apoph. 78 b, Whoso hath ones marryed a wife, is . .
in maner half maisterfast.
Masterful (ma-suiftil), a. [f. Master sb.i
+ -Ft'L.]
1. Of persons (occas. of animals) or their dis-
positions : Addicted to acting the part of master;
accustomed to insist on having one's own way;
imperious, self-willed, overbearing. Of actions :
High-handed, despotic, arbitrary.
13. . E. E. Allil. P. A. 401 Maysterful mod & hyBe pryde
I hete be arn heterly hated here, c 1374 Chaucer Troylus
II. 756 Eiber bey [husbands] ben ful of Ialousye, Or mais-
terful. 1388 Wycuf 2 Mace. iv. 27 Sostratus _. . made
maisterful axing [Vulg. exaclioncm]. — Luke xii. 59 To
the inaistirful axcr IVulg. cxactori\ c 1420 Chron. Vilod.
2926 pe Iaylardes. .sayden bat bey wolden be }ates vp barste,
And other maystrefull werkus pey wold wyrche. c 1550
E.xam. W. Thorpe in Foxe A. f, M. (1583) 533 'though such
tyrantes be maisterfull and cruel in boasting and manasing.
1636 Sanderson Serin. (1681) 1 1. 53 What a-do there is with
him, before.. his masterful spirit be soundly subdued. 1(1639
Whatelev Prototypes 11. xxvi. (1640) 72 Some children are
very masterfull and disobedient. 18414 Emerson Ess.,
Over^Soul WV.S. (Bohn 1884) I. tit Yonder masterful cuckoo
Crowds every egg out of the nest, i860 Trolloie Framlcy
P. (1861) III. 193 She was proud and masterful. 1899 J-
Hutchinson in Arch. Surg. X. 107 This masterful dis-
regard of logical thought.
tb. Law. (chiefly St.) Of robbers, beggars,
or their actions : Using violence or threats. Obs.
1561 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 166 For the wranguis,
violent, injust and maisterfull spolatioun. 1564 Ibid. 289
The maisterfull reiff and stowth fra the said Johnne, furth
of his dwelling hous..of Ixxx scheip. 1585 Ibid. III. 747
Wandering people, maisterfull Ijeggaris, and utheris. 1747-8
Act 21 Geo. II, c. 34 § 20 The masterful taking away or
detaining the same [cattle]. 1754 Erskine Prime. Sc. Lam
(1809) 507 The slaughter of night-thieves, house-breakers,
assistants in masterful depredations, or rebels [etc.].
to. Of natural agencies : Violent, overwhelming.
1513 Douglas Mneis v. xiii. 57 Thi self is witnes quhow,
laitlie, our the laif, Sa maisterfull storme amyd the Libyan
see Scho ratsit sone. 1641 S. Marshall Peace-offering 5
They are compared to the most masterfull and UN LAMM
creatures of fire and water.
td. ? Strong in resistance, hard to overcome. Obs.
(-1470 Henrv Wallace iv. 159 That land is strait, and
maisterfull to wyn.
2. Having the capacities of a master ; qualified
to command ; powerful and vigorous in rule.
Formerly sometimes, f having authority, in a
position to rule {obs.).
MASTERING.
?rr 1400 Morte Arth. 3414 'the ferlhe was syr Judas. .The
maysterfulle Makabee. c 1470 Rauf Coilyar 442, I haue
na myster to matche with maisterfull men. 1608 Panke Fal
0/ Babel 116 Great Marvaile it were that Damasus should
be. .growne potent, and masterfull over the bi>hops of the
East. 1675 Art Coutenlm. HI. § 16 Has given us the use of
reason wherewith to manage that soveraignty, without which
we had only bin the more masterful sort of brutes. 1890
Hosmer Anglo-Saxon Freedom 165 What if the occupant
of the throne.. had been a ruler really good and gifted.,
arbitrary but masterful?
absol. 1887 G. Meredith Ballads $ P. 141 Errors To be
by his young masterful repaired.
b. Of language, appearances, etc. : Indicative
of mastery or controlling power.
1824 Miss Mitford Village Ser. 1. 264 A certain trium-
phant masterful look in his eyes. 1862 'Shirley ' (J. Skelton)
Nugx Crit. ix. 375 The masterful words of a great man.
3. Characterized by the skill that constitutes a
master ; masterly. Now only in somewhat rhetori-
cal use, with mixture of sense 2 : Characterized by
commanding power.
1613 W. Browne Sheph. Pipe 1. (1614) C 4 b, Not might it
been hid How masterfull a leech he had him kid. 1641
Milton Animaih'. 11. 62 Variety ..erects and rouses an
auditory, like the masterful running over many chords and
divisions. 1733 Gent Rippon xi, The most masterful strokes
engrav'd on Copper. 1830 Erasers Mag. I. 128 The manly
and masterful novels of Sir Walter Scott. 1877 Mrs. Oli-
VHh-xs Makers Flor. Introd.,The same masterful hand which
carved the lovely anguish of the Dawn. 1883 Rusktn Art
o/Eng. ii. (1884) 65 Whether pleasing or displeasing to your
taste they are entirely masterful.
Masterfully (mastajfuli), adv. [f. Master-
ful a. + -LY1'.] In a masterful manner (see the adj.).
1388 Wyclif Lev. vi. 2 A soule that synneth..ethir takith
maisterfuli a thing hi violence, ether makilh fals chaleng.
1457 Act 35 Hen. I'l in Bolton Stat. Irel. (1621) 24 They
doe.. masterfully take their goods without any pity. 1563
Reg. Privy Council Scot. 1. 238 Violentlie, maisterfullie
and unjustliereft. .and takin. a 1603 T. Cartw right Confut.
Rhem. N. T. (1618) 83 Peters [heart] . . was so masterfully
holden by the spirit of God. (21670 Spalding T roub.Chas. I
(1S29) 24 [They] took some money frae Mr. Robert Jameson
..violently and masterfully. 1695 Humfrev Mediocria 39
The Masterfully Learned Bishop Forbs. 1883 A. Forbes
in igth Cent. Oct. 723 That reproach Britain strove cal-
lously and masterfully to perpetuate. 1899 T. M. Ellis
Three Cat's-eye Rings 29 ' I'll take it to her ', shouted Polryn,
laying hold of it masterfully.
Masterfulness (ma'stajfulnes). [f. Master-
ful, a. + -ness.] The quality of being masterful.
/11586 Sidney Arcadia hi. (1590) 314 That imperious
maisterfulnesse which nature giues to men aboue women.
1880 Daily Tel. 22 Nov., He had held.. the two great ktw
offices, .with unmatched felicity of langua.ee and masterful-
ness in opinion. 1893 191/; Cent. Jan. 47 Masterfulness long
survives mastery.
t Ma'sterhead. Obs. rare. [f. Master sbA +
-HEAD.] =MaSTEKH00I).
1382 Wyclif Rev. Prol., That to men not knowende desyr
of seching be set, and to men sechende frut of trauaile, and
to God the doctrine of maisterhed be kept.
Masterhood (mastarhud). [f. Master sb.1
+ -hood.] Tlie condition or quality of being a
master, f Good masterhood ': patronage.
C1454 Paston Lett. I. 284 Thankyng you. .of your gret
jentylness and good maystyrhod shewyd on to me. a rs86
Swhev Arcadia 1.(1590) 53 Who., (like to childish maistersl
thinke their masterhood nothing, without doing iniury to
them, who [etc.]. 1637 Earl Monm. tr. Malvezzi's Roiunlus
<V Tarquin 138 A little master-hood seemes enough where
there is none at all. 1864 D. W. Thompson Daydreams
Schootm.i&t) My masterhood slipt off me like a loose robe.
i869Kuskin(7. of Air (1874) 200 There isenlire masterhood
of HS business up to the required point. 1873 Scrivener
Ltd. Text N. Test. 18 To decipher a double palimpsest calls
for the masterhood of a Teschendorf.
Mastering (ma-starirj), vbl. sb. Also 6 mas-
tringe, 8 -ing. [f. Master v. + -ing K]
1. The action of the verb Master.
1654 tr. Martini's Com. China 37 Considering at how dear
a rate he had bought the mastering of that City. 1740 J.
Clarke Educ. Youth (e&. 3) 159 As much Time., will be
requisite for the mastering of them, as was. employed upon
the Historians. 1874 Green Short Hist. ii. s 4. 71 His life
was one long mastering of difficulty after difficulty.
2. spec. KnDyeing and Tanning (see Master v. 3).
Hence concr. a kind of lye made of lime or other
astringent and used by tanners. Also attrib. as
mastering-trough.
c 1460 E. E. Misc. (Warton Cl.l 89 For the masterynge, ?e
moste caste owte }oure olde dote of 3oure maderynge. 1553
Req. True-hearted Kng. (Shaks. Soc.) 5 The best wodde that
our dyars occupye is masterynge. 1586 Will J. Pal/rye,
Ilminstcr, My mastringe troughe, beanies, working irons
and all other workinge tooles belonging to my occupation of
a tanner. 1797 Encycl. Brit, (ed.3) XVIII. 307/1 They
[skins] are put into a pit of water impregnated with pigeon
dung (called a grainer or maslring) forming a strong alkaline
ley. 1802 Chron. in Ann. Reg. 454 To beam or work green
hides and skins out of the mastering or drench. 1825 J.
Nicholson Operat. Mechanic Gloss., Mastering.. Prepara-
tion of lime used by tanners.
Mastering (mastarir)), ///• a. [f. Master v.
-f-lNG^.] That masters, subdues, or controls. fOf
an army, a garrison : Superior in force (obs.).
1590 Spenser E. Q. hi. vii. 2 Her white Palfrey, having
conquered The maistring raines out of her weary wrest.
1596 — Hymne Heav. Beautie 214 Ne could that Painter
(had he lived yet) . . Have purtrayd this, for all his mais-
tring skill. 1599 Porter Angry Worn. Abingt. (Percy
Soc) 33, I could.. Carry a mastering eye vpon my maide.
MASTER-KEY.
217
MASTERSHIP.
1603 Florio Montaigne (1634^462 Vet must not shee be
sterne, mastring, imperious and importunate. 1633 G. Her-
bkrt Temple, Ch. Porch xviii, Some great estates provide,
but doe not breed A mastr'hig minde. 1694 S. Johnson
Notes Past. Let. Bp. Burnet \. 58 Moses's Serpent was the
Mastering Serpent ami destroyed theirs. 1711 in 10M A'*'/.
Hist. MSS. Comm. A pp. v. 169 Could it be imagined that ..a
mastering garrison, would surrender without a blow. 1863
Kinclakb Crimea II. 499 That Causeway battery which,
until it was touched by the mastering key, had barred the
mouth of the Pass. 1897 R. H. Story Apostolic Min. Scott.
Ch. viii. 291 The mastering passion.
fb. Mastering vein = Master-vein. Obs.
1605 Drayton Idea,* As in some countries \ First make
incision on each maistring vaine.
Master-key. A key that will open a number
of different locks, each of which has its own key
that will not open any of the rest. Msojig.
1576 J. Dee Gen. <y- Rar$ Mem. (1577) 8 This Pety Nauy
Koyall is thought to be the onely Maister Key wherewith
to open all Locks. 1686 Plot Staffordsh. 376 The Keys
shall neither of them open each others lock, yet one Master-
key shall open them all. 1748 Hartley Observ. Man i.iii.
352 A Master-key for unlocking the Mysteries in the Con-
stitution of natural Bodies. i8aiScoTTAY«*77u.xxiii, Janet..
had a master-key which opened the postern-door. 187a O. \V.
Holmes Poet Breakf-t. ix. (1885) 233 These same yellow
disks are the master-keys that let one in. 1882 Encycl.
Brit. XIV. 748/2 The owner, .may have one master-key that
will open them all.
Masterless (ma-stailes), a. [f. Master sb.1
and (sense 2) v. + -less.]
1. Having no master. Of animals : Deprived of
a controlling hand or influence.
c 1400 Destr. Troy 11131 pa'i mellit with the mirmydons,
hat maisturles were. < 1420 Lydg. Assembly of Gods 881
Full lothe they were to be [printed he] mastyrles. c 1430
Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 4192 Many a feire stede went a-stray
Mastirles that same day. 1590 Spenser F. Q. 1. vii. 19 His
silver shield, now idle, maisterlesse. a 1600 Flodden F. iv.
(1664) 34 And many a servant masterless. 1673 Lady*s Call.
1. ii. § 12 God sets not the same value upon their [widows]
being masterless, which some of them do. 1686 Loud. Gaz.
No. 2196/1 The Grand Signior . . has . . turned loose his Grey-
hounds to run up and down the streets Masterless. 1834
James J. Marston Hall xiv, The Count's horse, masterless
and foaming, darted into the courtyard. 1870 Morris Earthly
Par. I. 11. 582 Yielded towns were set aflame; For all the
land was masterless. 1887 C. T. Martin in Diet. Nat.
Biog. IX. 59/2 Being again left masterless, he [Carew] went
over to the enemy's camp.
b. In 1 6- r 7th c. statutes, etc., used to designate-
one who has no reputable means of living ; vagrant,
vagabond. Obs. exc. Hist.
c 1471 in Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 279 Like maysterles men
away thay wente. 1530 Palsgr. 563/2, I loyter as an ydell
or masterlesse person dothe. 1535 Act i-j Hen. VI '//, c. 25
Such ruffelers.. as. .shall frequent hunt or loyter masteries
and out of seruice. 1555 Act 2 <y 3 Ph. iy Mary c. 16 § 1
Watermen.. for the most parte been masteries men. 1626
in lofti Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 474 All idle and
maisterlesse personnes and such others as shall not finde
maisters or men of quallitie to undertake for them. 1651
Hobbks Leviath. 11. xviii. 94 That dissolute condition of
masterlesse men. 17*0 Strype Stout's Snrv. (1754) II. v.
**x. 535/1 Valiant and sturdy rogues and masterless men.
1881 Shorthouse J. Inglesant I. xvii, A number of vagrant
and masterless people.
1 2. That cannot be mastered ; ungovernable. Obs.
1619 W. Sclatf.r Expos. 1 T/iess. (1630) 290 Their power
masterlesse on earth, makes them forget that they also haue
a Master and Iudge in heauen. 1651 N. Bacon Disc. Govt.
Fug. 11. xiii. (1739) 74 The King, .yielded up his Power to
his Queen, (a masterless and proud woman). 1687 Land.
Gaz. No. 2275/2 The flame grew at last masterless. 1767 G,
White Selborne, To Pennant vii, Such vast heath-fires are
lighted up, that they often get to a masterless head.
Hence Masterlessne ss.
1827-48 Hare Guesses Ser. 11. (1867) 476 For Johnson to
make such a parade of masterlessness as he does by prefix-
ing these lines to the Rambler.
t Ma sterlike, a. and adv. Obs. [(. Master
sb.l + -like.] a. adj. Resembling a master, or what
pertains to a master; despotic, autocratic, sovereign;
authoritative, magisterial ; exhibiting mnsterly
ability or skill, b. adv. In a ' masterlike ' manner.
?rt 1500 Chester PI, Harrmving //V/(Shaks. Soc.) II. 75
Who is he.. That so maisterlike comes us amonge. 1580
Ord. Prayer in Litnrg. Sen'. Q. Etiz. (1847) 573 Servants
are become master-like, and fellows with Masters. 1581 J.
Bell H addons A nsw. Osor. 240 Agaynst this Masterlyke
sentence I will set downe the opinion of Basile. 1637 Eahl
Monm. tr. Malvezzfs Romulus .y Tarqnin 294 He who
writ of so many things, and writ so masterlike in all. 1641
Sir F. Wortley Truth Asserted 5 Not exercising a master-
like or Kingly command. 1656 Earl Monm. tr. lioccalims
Advts.fr. Paruass. 1. xliii. (1674) 58 He would teach .. how
to repulse the wrestlers..; and other excellent master-like
tricks. 1665-6 Pepys Diary 23 Feb., I begin to doubt the
picture., is not of his making, it is so master-like.
Masterliness (ma-stailines). [f. Masterly
a. + -ness.] The quality of being masterly.
1721 Wodrow Corr. (1843) II. 590 He can lay claim to little
masterliness in eloquence, who knows not how to handle his
subject elegantly. 1838 J. Sterling Ess., etc. (1S48) I. 245
The thorough masterliness of the style. 1865 Ch. 'Times
31 Oct. 332/2 Lord Palmerston. .submitted his natural good
judgement to the pretended masterliness of him with the
phylacteries.
Masterling (ma'stajliij). Also dial, lr.ais-
terlin'. [f. Master sb.1 + -ling 1.]
T 1. One who has the power of a master ; a con-
queror, a chief. Obs.
Vol. VL
<■ 1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. T13 Tollite portas, Principes,
nestras. .}e maisterlinges of besternesse openeft }iwer gaten.
13. . A". Atis. 400 Y have hygeteon the a kyngThat schal bto
Phelippes maisterlyng. a 1400-50 Alexander 481 A proude
feste of princes tS; dnkis, With maisterlingis of Messadone.
2. As diminutive : A petty master.
1869 Lonsdale Gloss., Maisterlin, a would-be master, a
petty master. 1880 L. Fagan Sir A. Panizzi I. 52 Your
most benign petty masterling's lawful authority.
Masterly Cmfi'stwli), a. [f. Master s/O +
-ly 1.]
+ 1. Belonging to, characteristic of, or resembling
a master or lord ; usually in bad sense, arbitrary,
despotic; imperious, overbearing, domineering. Obs.
1531-2 Latimer Let. in Foxe A.fy AL (1583) 1750 The
Galathians. .were in a quiet trade vnder the dominion of
maysterly Curates. 1561 T. Norton Calvin's Inst. (16341
Pref, They stablished. .so many canons, so many masterly
[F. magistrates] determinations, without any word of God.
a 1618 Raleigh Prerog. Pari, (16281 43 It was a proud and
maister ly speech of the Duke. 1645 Milton Tetrach. Wks.
1851 IV. 188 It gives place to maisterly power, for the
Maister might take away from an Hebrew servant the wife
which hce gave him. 1649 — Fikou, v. ibid. III. 370 He
told them with a maisterly Brow, that [etc.]. 1667 Dryden
Sir Martin Mar-all IV. i, You are a saucy, aiasterly com-
panion ; and so I leave you. 1685 Baxter Paraphr. N. T.
1 Tim. ii. 11 Let them [women], .not be over-talkative and
masterly, 1766 Entick London I. 277 If he had been ap-
prized of his masterly behaviour.
2. Of persons, their qualities, actions, etc. : Re-
sembling or characteristic of a master or skilled
workman ; skilfully exercised or performed.
Masterly inactivity : see Inactivity b.
1666 Dryden Acc. Ann. Mirab. Wks. (Globe) 40 When
action or persons are to be described . . how masterly are the
strokes of Virgil ! 1609 Bentlrv Phnl. Introd. 2 We must
expect nothing from Him, but what is masterly and great.
1713 Gay Guardian No. 149 P6 You may see the masterly
band of a painter in three or four swift strokes of his pencil
1773 Mrs. Chai'One Improv. Mind (1774) II. 149, I do not
wish your knowledge to be exact and masterly. 1804 Med.
Jrtil. XII. 174 The small, but masterly work of Le Dran
on Gun-shot Wounds, 1815 W. IL IRELAND Scribbieo-
mania 139 note, She has blended truth with fiction in a
masterly way. 1874 L. Stephen Hours in Library (1892)
II. iii. 68 The thought is masculine and the expression
masterly. 1880 McCarthy Own Times IV. 1. 61 The
speeches themselves were masterly as mere literary produc-
tions.
3. Masterly lode (in Mining) : a main lode. Cf.
master lode, Master sb.1 25 a.
1880 Pioneer Mining Co , Lim., Deb. Prospectus 1 It is
traversed, .by a powerful masterly lcxfe. 1895 B. Scott in
Westm. Gaz. iS Nov. 4/1 A shaft has been sunk.. on a
strong masterly lode, many feet in thickness.
Masterly (ma'staili), adv. [f. Master sb} +
-LY11.] In a masterly manner.
c 1394 /*. Pl.Crede 847 Y will 110113 1 pi* mat ere maistrely
auouen. a 1400-50 Alexander 228 Ilaile, modi qwene of
Messidoyne he maister-like said, c 1410 Lvdg. Reas. <y Sens,
2396 He kan ..Maisterly revel and Daunce, Pipe and tloyte
lustely. 1599 Nashk Lenten Stujje Wks. (Grosart) V. 233,
I might enamill and hatch ouer this deuice more artificially
and masterly. 1611 Shaks. IVint. T, V. iii. 66 Masterly
done : The very Life seemes warme vpon her Lippe. 1726
Lkoni AlbertVs Archit. II. 62 They are masterly wrought.
1887 Hissf.y Holiday on Road 382 Its wooden gables.,
showed how masterly they had been carved of old.
Master-man (ma*8twraaen). [f. Master s6.1
+ Man sb.1 Cf. MDu. n/eestertnan.]
+ 1. A chief, leader (chiefly Sc»). Obs.
13. . S. Erkenwolde 201 in Horstm. Alteugt. Leg. (1881)270,
I was committed & made a mayster-monehereTosytte vpone
sayd causes, c 1375 AY. Leg. Saints v. {Johannes) 402 He. .
vent ban to sterk thefis, . . pare master man bai sone hym
mad. HHSc, Acts Jas. /(1814) II. 8/1 pe quhilk sail be
haldyn Dekyn or maister man oure be layff. c 1470 Hf.nuv
Wallace iv. 87 The maistir man with sa gud will straik he
letc.J. 1616 Orkney Witch Trial in Daly 'ell Darker Sn^erst.
Scot. (1834) 536 Ane great number of fairie men mett her
[together with] a maister man.
D. dial. 'The head of a household or family,
a husband1 (E.D.D.).
1885 Hall Cainf. Shadow Crime I. x. 208 Towards nine
the ' maister men ' of Wythburn l^egan to arrive. Ibid. xiii.
291 The ' maister men . .made their way. .to the village inn.
2. a. A person skilled in some art or craft.
(Cf. Misterman, with which this word was perh.
sometimes confused.) Obs. exc. Hist. b. An em-
ployer of work-people.
c 1250 Gen. iy Ex. 664 To maken a tur, wel he? & strong. .
Twelwe and sexti men woren Sor-to, Meister men for to
maken it so. c 1400 Destr. Troy 1599 All maister men bat
on molde dwellis. 1825 ISentham Offic. Apt. Maximized,
Indie. (1830) 39 Not a farthing even given to the hapless
masterman. 1898 Taunton Eng. Black Monks I. 94 Among
its monks were to be found master-men.
Master-mason. [See Master sb.1 24 d.]
1. A mason who designs and carries out building
in stone or who employs workmen to shape and fit
stonework.
1428 in Heath Grocers* Comp. {1869) 6 Mason's weages
with maistre mason's rewarde ^5 9 2. 1560 Pilkington
Expos. Aggeus (1562) 53 In buyldinges there bee maister
masons and carpenters which do devise the worke. 1697 O.
Dallas Syst. Stiles 11. 89 Gifts to be the King's Master-
Printer, Master-Mason, Master- Wright, Bower, Sclater (etc.l.
1729 Fenton Observ. Waller's Poems 30 Stone, who was
master-mason to King Charles I.
2. A fully qualified freemason, who has passed
the third degree.
[c 1430 Freemasonry (Hattiw.) 15 The mayster mason moste
be ful securty liotbe stedefast, trusty, and trwe.] 1723
J. Andkkws Si Desagui.ikhs Constit. Free Masons 10
Though there were employ'd about it no less than 3,600
Prince-:, or Master-Masons, 10 conduct the Work according
to .Solomon's Direi-tions. 1737 S. Pkicharu Masonry Dis-
sected (ed. 7) 25 Q. Are you a Master-M;ison ? A. lam;
try me, prove me, disprove me if you can. 1797 Encycl. Brit,
(ed. 3; X. 624/2 Having voted the oldest master-mason
then present into the chair, constituted themselves a grand-
lodge.
t Masterous, a. Obs. In 7 maistrous. [f.
Master sb.1 + -ous.] Characteristic of a master.
1642 Milton Apol. Smect. 5 Must we learne from Canons
and quaint Sermonings .. to wreath an Enthymema with
maistrous dexterity?
Masterpiece vma*stajp/"s). [f. Master sb.1
+ Piece sb.
Prob. after Du. meesterstnk or G. meisterstiuk, which
occurs much earlier, and primarily denoted the piece of work
by which a craftsman gained from his guild the recognized
rank of ' master '. Cf. the following examples (in the former
of which the Du. word appears in an adapted form) :—
1579 Aberdeen Reg. (Spalding CI. J II. 34 Quhill the person
creverj to be admittit free of his craft first compone with the
said deinis of gild, .the maisterstik of the person to be ad-
mittit being exhibit. 1658 A. Fox tr. Wurtz' Surg. 1. i.\. 37
Taylors, .suffer none to set up his Trade, unless be have
made first his Master-piece (orig. sein Mgisttr$tiiek).\
1. A produclion of art or skill surpassing in ex-
cellence all others by the same hand ; also, in
wider sense, a production of masterly skill ; a con-
summate example of some department of art or
skill, or ^/"some particular kind of excellence.
In early use, often applied to man as the ' masterpiece ' of
Cod or Nature.
1610 Makkuam {title) Markhams Maister-peece. Or, What
doth a Horse-man lacke. 1615 Crooke Body of Man 60
lieeing now to dissolue this goodly frame of Nature, and to
take in pieces this Maisterpiece. 1617 Jantta Ling, To
Prince, This maisterpeece of curious schollership. 1635
Qv AKi-KS Em bt. 11. vi. (1718) 87 Man jsheav'n's Master-piece.
1711 Addison Sped. No. 253 P 5 A very fine Poem, I mean
The Art of Criticism, which ..is a Master-piece in its kind.
1749 Fiklding Tom Jones xvi. viii, This is indeed a master-
piece of assurance. 1756-7 A'cysler's Trav. (1760) III. 268
A crucifixion, by Cuido Kheni, which is extremely admired
as a real master-piece. 1790 Mmk. D'Abblay Diary Oct.,
One letter I have from him [I'r. Johnson] that is a master-
piece of elegance and kindness united. 1849 Macaii-av
Hist. Ting. i. I. 5 The master-pieces of Sophocles, of De-
mosthenes, and of Plato. Ibid. ii. 259 Speeches which.,
weie remembered as master-pieces of reasoning, of wit. and
of eloquence. 1871 L. Stfj'HF.n I'laygr. Fur. ix. 11S94J 103
Some masterpiece in painting. 1871 Kkkk.ma.n Norm. Crtu;.
(1876} IV. xvii, 54 It was the master-piece of William's policy
of outward legality.
tb. A person's greatest achievement ; an action
of masterly ability. Obs.
1605 H. Jonson t'olpoite v. i, Here, we must rest ; this is
our maister- peice ; We cannot thinke to gue beyond this.
1605 Shaks. Math. 11. iii. 71 Confusion now has made his
Master-peece. 1634 W. Tihwhvt tr. Balzac's Lett. 209 It
is expedient to shew a Master-peece of state, to give reputa-
tion to the present current of affaires. 170a Fug. JVieo-
phr.isl. 113 "I'is a court master-piece to draw chestnuts out
of the lire with other People's fingers, a 1715 Buknet Own
Time (1724) I. 254 It was certainly the master piece of King
Charles's life: And, if he had stuck to it, it would have
been both the strength and the glory of bis reign.
f 2. The most important feature, or the chief
excellence, of a person or thing. Obs.
1612 Davies Why Ireland, etc. 282 This is the Maister-
piece, and most excellent part, of the worke of Reformation.
1641 R. Bkooke Eng. Episc. 72 Wee come to Ordination ;. .
This is the main and Master-piece of all Episcopacy. 1644
MiLTON Fduc. Wks. 1738 I. 140 What Decorum is, which
is the grand master-piece to observe. 1647C1.AKENDON Hist.
Rtb. 111. § 81 His learning in the law being his master-
piece, ibid. vim. § 9 Heating up of quarters was his master-
piece 1697 G. Dallas Syst. Styles in. Ep. Ded., Experi-
ence, (ihe great Masterpeice of Humane Things).
8. The original or main piece. rare~x.
1825 E. Hewlett Cottage Comforts i. 4 Their clothes
were so patched, that it was bard to tell which was the
masterpiece.
t Master-prize. Obs, Also master's prize.
a Masterpjece i, i b.
1604 Dekkek Honest Wh. I. x. G 4 b, Nay, let me alone
to play my maister, prize [sic '. the speaker is an apprentice
disguised as his master]. 1607 Ii. Karnes Devils Charter
in. v. F 1 b, Now Erescobaldi play thy masters prize.
1615 Crooke Body of Alan 414 In critkall euacuations &
in notable Maister-prises of Nature. 1621 Qvahles A rgalus
<V P. (1678) 68 Mischief, that now was bent to play Upon
the Stage her studied master-prize. 1634 Middleton Game
at Chess pi. i. 213 Some notable masterprize of roguery This
drum strikes up for. a 1635 Randolph Poems Wks. (1875)
643 Thus have I finish'd beauty's master-prize. 1653 A.
Wilson Jas. I 26 It behoved him to play his Master-prize
in the Beginning.
t Master-root. Obs.
1. The main root of a plant.
1578 Lyte Dodoeus vi. vi. 664 Two or three foote from the
principall or maister roote. 1601 Holland Pliny I. 513
The more., safe way.. was rather to cut the stocke and
maister Root. 1725 Bradley Fam. Diet. s.v. Vivacious,
They are obliged to take some [Rootsjaway, . -to disburthen
the Master-Root of them.
2. ^ Masterwort.
1599 A. M. tr. Gabelhouer's Bk. Physkke 221/2 In like sorte
is also verye good heervnto the Masterroote.
Mastership (ma-stoijip). Forms: seeM.\STER
sb.1 and -ship. [Ci. G. vuisterschaft.\
9i
I
MASTERSHIP.
1. The condition of being a master or ruler;
dominion, rule, ascendancy, control.
1387-8 T. Usk Test. Love 11. iii. (Skeat) i. 40 Whan these
sely women .. beleven your wordes . . than graunt[en] they
to you their hertes,..wherthrough their liberie in maystre-
sbip that they toforn had is thralled. C1440 Alph. Tales
248 l>er be son hathe a reule, or a tnaistershupp, or a gouer-
nans abown be fadur. 1548 Patten Exp. Scot. Pref. b vij,
Yet seke we not the mastership of you, but the felowship.
1647 N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. 1. xxxviiL (1739' 5? The
;reat men .. hereby lost ..the mastership of the Life or
-Jeath of the meaner sort. 1683 Kennett tr. Erasm. on
Folly (1709) 44 The other .. is indeed the most slavish of
serving men, m being subject to the mastership of lust and
sensuality. 1816 Scott Old Mort. xliii, He at once exerted
that mastership over his heated, .imagination [etc.]. 1894
Daily News 15 Nov. 5/3 That mastership., which the sea
has always conferred upon its unquestioned rulers,
b. Mastery, ' upper hand \ ? Obs.
1573'l'wvNE AEneid xn. N n ij, When contention fallestwo
migntie Bulks betwixt,.. That for dominion euermore, and
mastershippe do trie. 1641 Uest Farm. Bks. (Surtees) 123
They [swannes] beginne to strive for the mastershippe
about Ladye day. 1727 Philip Quarll (1816) 28 An animal
..as big as himself, kept him a great while struggling for
mastership. 1829 Blackw. Mag. XXVI. 282 Whatever
were the force and power of these feelings, it was not now
the time to let them get the mastership.
c. The authority of a master or teacher.
1581 Mllcaster Positions xxxvii. (1887) 155 So long as
the child shalbe-.vnder maistership in schole. a 1603 T.
Cart-wright Confnt. Rhem. N. T. 11618) 299 They were
taught of the Holy Ghost, through the immediate Master-
ship or Doctorship of Christ. 1865 BusHNELL Vicar. Sacr.
Introd. (1868) 15 The immense following that has accepted
his mastership.
2. The office, function, or dignity of a ' master',
or the term of office of a master, in any of the
official applications of that title.
1455 Rolls of Pari t, V. 316/1 The Maisterships of oure
Forest of Siinonswode, and of oure Parkes of Croxtath.
1509 Barclay Shyp of Folys (1570) ppvj, But if that any one
lie 111 suche matter case That he will chalenge the master-
ship fro me [etc]. 1591 A. Nowell in Lett. Lit. Men
(Camden) 87 The quietness of St. John's College durying
hys Mastershyppe there. 1609 Cakleton Let. 8 June in
Court <y Times Jas. /, I. 98, I hear Sir Ralph Winwood
aims at a Mastership of Requests. 1626 in Rushw. Hist. Coll.
(1659) I. 325 The chief Mastership of that Order. 1721 l.ond.
Gaz. No. 5918/1 The Pope's Hulls for the Great Mastership
of St. Lazarus. 1873 Sat. Rev. 9 Aug. 163/1 The Mastership
of the Rolls has been offered to the Attorney-General. i88»
Society 18 Nov. 6/2 He has accepted the Mastership of the
Pau Foxhounds. 1891 Law Times XC. 419/2 A mastership
in lunacy.
\ nonce-use. The district ruled by a ■ master '.
1707 {.title) [tr. from Sp.] A Journal of the Siege of San
Matheo, Capital of the Mastership of the Military Order
of Montesa.
b. The position of a master in or of a school.
1806 H. K\ White Let. to Sister 25 June, The mastership
of the school must be held by a clergyman. 1814 G. Har-
dinge Let. in Nichols Lit. Anecd. \Zth C. (1814) VIII, 544
Dr. Sumner vacated the Upper-mastership of Eton. 1881
Massom in Macm. Mag. XLV. 76 The Annan mathematical
mastership lasted about two years.
f 3. With possessive pron. : The personality
of a master. Often abbreviated M. (See also
Mas hip.) Obs.
1440 in Finchale Priory (Surtees) 72 Whilk mater at the
raverence of ;owr maystership is fulfillid. 1526 Skklion
Maguyf. 1853, I Pray &o& your maystershyp to saue. 1533
Frith Ansiv. More D vij b, And where hys mastershyp
alleageth this texte for the Sacrament that [etc. J. 1591 Shaks.
Two Gent. Ill, i. 280 How now Sigmor Launce? wnatnewes
with your Mastership ? 1591 in Thanes of Cawdor (Spalding
CI.) 199 For vij quarteris of Londun claith to be your maister-
cbip cott and breikis. Ibid* Stiffing gray to your M.
doublat. t i6zz Forij, etc. Witch Edmonton 1. ii, No
Gentleman, I, Mr. Thorney ; spare the Mastership, call me
by my name, John Carter.
f 4. Good mastership', patronage, protection. Obs.
1463 Bury Wills (Camden) 37, I beqwethe to William Clop-
ton,, .my best gypcer,.. for a tookne he vowchesaf in tyme
comyng to shewe his good matstershepe to my wil. 1465
Paston Lett. II. 199, I shall ly stille in pryson. .withoute
your good maisterchippe shewed to me at this tyme.
5. The skill or knowledge constituting a master.
1607 Shaks. Cor. iv. i. 7 Common men could beare, That
when the Sea was calme, all Boats alike Shew'd Mastership
in floating. 1662 Gerbieh Princ. 42 The Grecians and
Romans (who have shown their Master-ship in them
[Triumphall Arches]). 1726 Diss. Dumpling 20 The greatest
Mastership in Cookery is requir'd to make the Pudding
Palatable. 1837 Carlvle Fr. Rev. II. v. ii, Mastership in
tongue-fence *, this is the quality of qualities.
b. Mastery, thorough knowledge {of a subject"1.
a 1697 Aubrky Lives (1898) I. 120 He is much beholding
to him for his mastership of that language. 1883 American
VII. 184 A mastership of the technicalities of their work.
c. The status or degree of a recognized master
(in a craft, a university, etc.).
1688 True Spirit of Popery 44 They rendred all Arts and
Trades almost inaccessible to the Protestants, by the diffi-
culties of arriving to the Mastership of them. 1831 Sir W.
Hamilton Discuss. (1853) 410 To commence student in
Medicine, it is necessary to have obtained a Mastership in
Arts. 1831 Cahlyle Sart. Res. in. i, An honourable Master-
ship in Cordwainery.
6. The existence of * masters ' or employers as the
characteristic of a form of industrial organization.
1868 Ruskin Time % Tide (1872) 6 The points at issue, in
the comparison of this system with that of mastership, are
by no means hitherto frankly stated. 1886 Pall Mall €.
29 Nov. 12/1 After a detailed description of the results of
218
mastership and" the effect machinery has had on the labour |
market . . Mr. Morris spoke of the upper class.
7. Hist. A body of master workmen ; aguild. rare.
1822 Ranken Hist. France IX. x. L 178 A third [decree]
dissolved the corporations and masterships of towns.
Master-singer (ma'stwsrijai). Now some-
what rare. Anglicized form of Meistersingek.
1810 Weber Metr. Rom. III. 335 In the time of the
Mastersingers, a second German poem was written. 1871
Longf. Wayside Inn n. Cobbler of H age nan 11, While yet
the Master-singers filled The noisy workshop . . With various
melodies and rhymes.
Master-spring (ma'stojspriij). ? Obs. [See
Master sbA 25 a.] = Mainspring 2 {fig.),
a 1586 Sidney Arcadia in. (1590) 257b, Knowing them
[his men] to be the . . master-spring (as it were) which makes
all the rest to stir. 168a Drvden& Lee DA: Guise v. in, You
are the master-spring that moves our fabric. 1784 Cowpkr
Task iv. 203 The slope of faces, ..(As if one master-spring
controll'd them all) Relax'd into a universal grin. 1816 F. H.
Naylor Hist. Germany I. 1. Ix. 348 Religion undoubtedly
formed the master-spring of all his actions. 1835 J. H.
Newman Par. Serm. (1837) I. xxii. 331 The one master
spring of their whole course of life for the future.
Master-stroke (ma'stMstrook). [See Master
sb.1 25 a. Cf. G. meisterslreic/i.]
1. A masterly line or touch (in painting, etc.);
also iransf.
1679 Dryden Tr. <V Cr. Prol. 14 In this my rough-drawn
play you shall behold Some Master-strokes. 1784 Cowper
Tasku. 398, 1 would trace His master-strokes, and draw from
his design.
2. A masterly exertion of skill ; a surpassingly
skilful act (of cunning, diplomacy, policy, etc.) ;
one's cleverest move or device. {Cf. F. coup de
mat/re.)
1711 W. King tr. Naude's Ref. Politics ii. 59 In these
masterstrokes of state, the thunderbolt falls l>efore the noise
of it is heard. 1711 Blackmore treat, vi. 695 The. .stupen-
dous Art, And Master-strokes in each Mechanick Part. 1762-
71 H. Wai.poi.e Vertue's Anecd. Paint. (1786) IV. 87 The
steeple . . is a master-stroke of absurdity. 1768 Goldsm.
Good-n. Man 1. i, There's my master-stroke. I have resolved
not to refuse her. 1815 Cobbett Rut. Rides (1885) I. 404
This was a master-stroke on the part of France. 1849
Thackeray Lett. 4 Sept., A master-stroke of diplomacy.
1 Master- vein. Obs. [See Master ^.i 25 a.]
1. One of the great veins or arteries of the body ;
spec, applied to the saphena and perh. to the carotid
artery or the jugular vein.
i 1400 Land Troy Bk. 12604 He schet And hitte him in
his gorget, That it 5ede thorow his pesayn And cut in-two
his mayster-veyn. 14. . I'oc. in Wr.Wtilcker 632/8 Sopheua^
the mayster vayne. 1494 Fahyan Chron. vn. 300 At Yorke
JJewsl to the nombre of .cccc. & mo, cutte theyr mayster
veynys & bled to deth. 1683 Cave Ecclesiastici Introd. 36
One of the Master- Veins breaking, all the Blood in his Body
emptied it self out at his Mouth.
fig. 1647 Trapp Marram Gd. A uthors in Comm. Ep. 732
The venome of originall lust, the master-vein wherein is
Atheisme. 1677 Gii.pin Demonol. (1867) 241 By some called
the master-vein of our original corruption.
U slang phrase.
159a Greene Dt'spnt. Conny-c. C 1 b, My faire daughter
was hit on the master vaine and gotten with childe.
2. A principal vein in a mine.
1670 Pettus lodinx Reg. 42 For, say they, when we
approach to the Master-vein of a Mine., they usuallie here
knocking.
Master-work (mfiitarw»jk). [See Master
sb.* 25 a. Cf. Ci. weistenoerh.']
1. An action or procedure of chief importance.
< 1606 Daniel On Death of Erie of Devon. 216 That
famous seige, the Master-worke of all. 1719 Young AV-
venge II, My next care is to hasten these new nuptials, And
then my master- works begin to play. 1719 London & Wise
Compi. Gard. vi. 109 The Master Work of Gardening, which
is Pruning.
2. A work of pre-eminent merit ; a masterpiece.
1617 Moryson I tin. 1. 4 A..Clocke, in the top whereof is
a picture,, .which Painters esteeme a master worke. 1667
Milton P. L. vu. 505 There wanted yet the Master work,
the end Of all yet don. 1789 Gibbon Autobiog. (1854) 13
Mr. Law's master-work, the Serious Call, is still read. 1843
J. A. Smith Product. Farming (ed. 2) 56 The flowers.,
appear as the master-work of Nature In the vegetable king-
dom. 1880 Swinbukne Stud. Shaks. 74 Being thus, as he
is, the English masterwork of Shakespeare's hand.
+3. A main channel for draining or irrigation. Obs.
1652 Blith Eng. Improv. Impr. ix. (ed. 2) 54 Then must
not of necessity all the Out-lets or Mouths of all the Master-
work, and Sluces, and Water-gates be widened? 1789 T.
Wright Meth. Watering Meadoivs (1790) 47 The master-
work which waters the highest, .part of the land.
Masterwort (ma-st31w0.it). [f. Master sb.*
+ Wort sb.t after G. meisterwurz ; the same sense
is expressed by the 16th c. L. name imperdloriat
but the reason for the appellation is not clear.]
a. The umbelliferous plant Peucedanum {Im-
peratoria) Ostrul/iium, formerly cultivated as a
pot-herb, and used in medicine, b. Applied to
other genera, as Astrantia (Black Masterwort) ;
the goutweed, sEgopodium Podagra ria (English or
Wild Masterwort) ; and the American plants An-
gelica atropurpurea and Ileradeum lanatum.
1548 Turner Names of Herbes (E.D.S.) 61 The seede of
pilletory of Spayne called masterwurt. 1568 — Herbal \u. 36
It were best to call it after the Duche Maisterwort. The
Physicianes of Italye call it Imperatoriam. 1578 Lyte Do-
doens 11. cix. 300 The seconde Imperatoria, or wylde Master-
MASTERY.
wort. 1579 Lasgiiam Curd. Health (163-;) 474 The wilde
master-wort called herbe Gerard. 1597 Gerakdk Herbal
li. ccclxii. 828 Astrantia nigra : . . it may be called blacke
Masterwoort. 1656 Ridgley Prait. Physick 141 One dram
of root of Masterwort. 1715 J. Pktii kk in Phil. Trans.
XXIX. 239 Great black Masterwort. 1796 Morse Amer.
Geog. 1. 189 Angelica, or American Masterwort {Angelica ln-
citia). 1847 Dakungton Amer. Weeds % Useful PI. (i860'
148 Woolly Heracleum .. Masterwort. 1866 Treas. Bet.
724/2 Masterwort, English, Mgopodium. 1893 McCarthy
.rY^r" Diamonds II. 42 Masterwort which in earlier, .days
was known as ' the divine remedy '.
Mastery (ma-stsri). Forms : 3 meistrie,
mesterie, 3-5 maistri, maistre, 3-7 maistrie,
4 meiatri, maystri, 4-5 maystre, maistrye,
mastrie, 4-6 maystery, maystry'e, masterye,
mastri, mastrye, 4-; mastry, 4-7, y dial., mais-
try, 5 maister, mastre, maiestrie, Sc. maistir,
5-6 maistery, 5-7 masterie, 6 mayster, mays-
terie, mastere, 6-7 maisterie, 5- mastery,
[a. OF. maistrie, f. maistre Mastkk sb.\ : cf. Sp.
maestria, l'g. mestria. It. maestria.
In Fr. this word was superseded by the parallel formation
maistrise (now mattrise), whence ME. Maistkice. From
its resemblance in sound to the latter, the plural masteries
occurs in several of the senses illustrated below.]
1. The state or condition of being master, con-
troller or ruler ; authority, sway, dominion ; an
instance of this.
.11225 Ancr. R. 108 Muchel hofleas is bet cumen into
ancre huse, . . vorte sechen eise berinne & mesterie, & more
lefdischipe ben heo muhte habben iheued, inouh reSe ioe
worlde. Ibid. 406 Luue haueft one meistrie biuoren alle oore
jjinges. a 1300 Fall <y Passion at in E. E. P. (1862) 13 God
a,af him a gret maistre of al bat was in watir an londe.
<i 1340 Ham pole Psalter ix. 20 pe utter man haf noght
maistry of be inere. c 1386 Chai ceb Doctor's P. s8 Hacus
hadde of hire mouth right no maistrie. c 1400 Dcstr. Troy
13662 This Merion hade maistri but a meane qwile, The
loud to Laerte he leuyt as kyng. 14*3 Jas. I Kingis Q.
xxxvii, Hath he vpon oure hertis suich maistrye V c 1460
Towne/ey Myst. i. Creation 81 Lucifer. If that ye will
behold me right, this mastre longys to me. 1535 Coyerdale
Ecclus. xxv. 22 Yf a woman gett the mastrie, then is
she contrary to hir huszbande. S614 Raleigh Hist. World
ill. (1634) 114 Conon the Athenian .. recovers the mastery
of the Seas. 1651 Hobbes Gent. <V Soc. xvi. § 16. 285 The
Priesthood was not a Maistry, but a Ministry. 1729 Butler
Serm. Wks. 1874 II. 32 The appetites and passions, .often
strive for mastery with judgment or reflection. 1844 H. H.
Wilson Brit. India II. 366 They.. needed only.. guidance
to dispute with the victors the mastery over Hindustan.
1874 Green Short Hist. v. f 1. 221 Edward's aim.. was.,
to save English commerce by securing the mastery of the
Channel.
f b. Predominance ; predominating feature ;
prevailing character. Obs.
1477 Norton Ord. Atch. iv. in Ashm. Theat. Client. Brit.
(1652) 48 That is the Mastrie of all our intent. 1561 Leigh
A rmorie (1597) 115b, The mastery of colours must be tawney.
Ibid., The maisterie of the colour must bee Carnation. 1641
Fuller Holy <$■ Prof. St. 11. v. 68 A burning-fever, to which
his body was naturally disposed, as appeared by the mastery
of reduesse in his complexion.
2. Superiority or ascendancy in competition or
strife ; ' upper-hand ' ; victory. Now only with
mixture of sense 1 : Victory resulting in the sub-
jection of the vanquished.
a 1225 Leg. Kath. 134 Al ha cneowen ham crauant &
ouercumen, & cweSen hire be meistrie. c 1290 S. Eng. Leg.
1. 96/128 Heo ne couben answerie hire of neuere a word and
3euen hire be maistrie. 1197 R. Glouc (Rolls) 1 147 poru godes
grace Hii adde be maistrie of veld, a 1300 Cursor M. 21404
pe mastri has king constantin Thoru be cros and cristes might.
C1330 R. Bkunne CArvM. (1810)27 Edward had be maistri, &
banked Got!, a 1400-50 Alexander 4502 Mars for his mais-
terris & for his many weris [etc.]. 1423 Jas. I KingisQ. lix,
Sum bird may cum and stryve In song with the, the maistry
to purchace. c 1440 Prom/. Parv. 320/2 Maystrye, or
souerente, and heyare honde y(n' stryfe or wcrre. 1513
Douglas SEneis v. ii. 50 First sail I ordane for my Troianis
. .With all thair force to strife for the maistry. 1535 Cover-
dale 2 Tim. ii. 5 And thougli a man stryue for a mastrye
[1611 for masteries]. 1577 F. de L'isle's LegeudarieC, vij b,
To the end in case they yet once againe got the masterie,
they should not harme her. 1667 Milton /'. L. 11. 899 Four
Champions fierce Strive here for Maistrie. 1845 S. Austin
Ranke's Hist. Ref I. 103 He. .always gained the mastery
in the end.
f b. for the mastery : as if aiming at mastery ;
hence, extremely, in the highest- degree. Frequent
in MI':, poetry. (Cf. 4 b.) Obs.
13.. Guy Wano. (A.) 4961 pedoukebaddeafeirdouhter for
be meistri. c 1400 Maundev. (18391 xxvi. 268 The >ates that
Kyng Alisaundre leet make of grete Stones, .wel symented
and made slronge for the maystrie. c 141a Hoccleve De
Reg. Princ. 1390 Whan, .bat I poore am eek for be maystrie.
c 1460 l.aunfal 957 Twey stones of Ynde, Gay for the
maystrye.
1 3. Superior force or power. To have to mastery,
to have in (one's) power. Obs.
1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 53 pe folc of denemarch . . pat ofte
wonne englelond and helde it bi nmislrie. Ibid. 9182 pat he ab
inome wif> trayson we ssolle wib maistrie. c 1340 Hami'ole
Prose Tr. 37, 1 halde it noghte spedfulle ban to a mane for to
prese to mekill j>are-till as if he walde gete it by maystry.
c 1380 Sir Ferumb. 1904 And y wer now on by mastrye, as bou
art her in myne, Tel me. .how wostou ban do by me. 1426-7
in Cal. Proc. in Cltanc.Q. Eliz. (1827) I. Introd. 20 Symkyn
Yve . . be maisteryaml supportacion oflordship . . deprived and
disherite John Haryngton. c 1483 Caxton Dialogues 43/25
After that the euyll doers Haue knowlechid her euyll dedes,
He hath them to mastrye. 1513 Douglas jEneh : x. i. 121
And command eyk, with gret fors and mastry The burgh of
MASTERY.
219
MASTIC.
Cartage doun Hiring Italy. 1590 Spenser F. Q. III. l 25
Ne may love be compeld by maistery. 1818 Scott Hrt.
Midi, xxxii, These wicked people, .stopped me by violence
and mastery.
fb. Proverb. (Cf. OF. la force paist le pre'.) ^
1:1425 Wyntoun Chron. (Wemyss MS.) Ixxx. 1499 It is
said in commone sawis that mastry mawis be medow
doune ay.
4. The skill or knowledge which constitutes a
master. 06s. or arch. exe. with mixture of sense
7, Also, in early use, f a department of skill or
knowledge; an art or science (06s.).
13.. K. All's. 3 Clerkes wel y-leiid, Faire y-dyght this
inyddel erde, And clepid it, in here maistrie, Europe, Affryke,
and Asyghe. 138a Wycliv Feci. 1. 5 That hadde the maistrie
[Vu\g. prxvaluit] to make large the cite._ c 1386 Chaucer
Millers T. 197 Somtyme, to shewe his lightnesse and
maistrye He pleyeth Herod es vp on a Scaffold hye. 1460
Lybeaus Disc. (Kaluza) 1783 Men of maistrie, Clerkes
of nigremauncie. C1475 Partway 188 Thys noble Erie..
Of astronemye wyse was. .So moche ther-of knew he the
maistrie. 1477 Norton Ord. Alch. vii. in Ashm. Theat.
Che/u. Brit. (1652) 105 Use maketh Masterie. 1597 Mori.kv
Introd. Mus. 85 This waie argueth maistrie, and. .hee who
can doe it..needeth not to stand telling his cordes. ^1637
B. Jonson Underwoods, Poet to Painter, O, had I now
your manner, maistry, might, . . How I would draw. 1680
Ld. Rochestkk Allusion to Horace 1. x. 47 With just bold
Strokes he dashes here and there, Showing great Mastery
with little Care. 1830 Cunningham Brit. Paint. II. 59
Such mastery rarely waited upon the ambition of this ami-
able and upright man. 1876 Morris Sigurd v/. 351 Their
Gods with mastery carven. 1903 Fditi. Rtv, Apr. 464 There
is a majesty and a mastery . . in the ugliness Van Eyck
depicts, that redeems its homeliness.
f b. A rule, method, or process of an art. For
(the) mastery : ? as required by the rules of art. Obs.
c 1420 Liber Cocorum (1862) 44 Coloure hit with safrouti
for he maystrc, 1460-70 Bk, Quintessence 9, I wole teche
3011 be mai>tricofdeparlyngeof gold fros'duir. 1695 Dryden
Parallel Poetry fy Painting Ess. igco II. 122 Painters and
sculptors, .advance their art above nature itself in her indi-
vidual productions ; which is the utmost mastery of human
performance.
fc. — M.VGISTEHY3. 06s. rare" ,l.
1610 B. Jonson Alch. iv. i, I am the Lord of the Philo-
sophers Stone. . . Dol. How Sir ! ha' you that? Mam. I am
the Master of the Maistry.
1 5. An exercise or work of skill or power. To
do, make, work, etc. (a) mastery or masteries : to
perform a wonderful feat or trick ; to exercise one's
skill or power on or against a person; to *play
the devil' {with). 06s.
a 1325 After. R. 390 And wrouhte ueole wundres, and
dude ueole meistries biuoren hire eihsih5e. a 1300 Cursor M.
12319 Iesus vp be water heint, And bar it ham als in a ball,
. . Quen maria had sene bis maistre, Sco hid it in hert
priu«:lie. Ibid. 18215 Quatkin maistri mas bou on hus? 1303
R. Brunhb Handl. Synne 532 Now shal y, As bou hast do,
do by maystry. 13.. Seuyu Sag. (W.) 2020 The king of
Poile hadde gret enuie, That the Romayns made swich
maistrie. 1x386 Chaucer Can. Yeom. Prol. $■ T. 507
Ye shul wel seen at eye, That I wol doon a maistrie er
I go. 1390 Gower Con/. II. 196 The world is yit mer-
veiled Of the maistries that he wroghte Upon the marches.
a 1400 Sir Perc. 1048 Forthe rydez he thenne, . . His
maystres to make, c 1430 Hymns Virg. 20 J>e feend away
from us bou dryue Whanne deep with us maistrie schal
make, c 1440 York Myst. xxv. 64 Saie, what are "je bat
makis here maistrie? c 1450 Merlin 78 Ther the duke a-bode,
and dide many maistr'tes in armes. c 1470 Henry Wallace
vii. 1284 Thar Cetoun met him. .andmekill mastirmaid. 1494
Fadyan Chron. vii, cexxiv. 250 Y* Welshmen, .brakeoutvpon
the Englysshe men in y°bordour. .and there mademasteryes
forawhyle, a 1529 Skf.lton Bowge o/Courte yi<) With vs
olde seruauntes suche maysters to playe. 1546 Bale Fng.
I 'otan'es 1. (1560) 95 b,That ye niaye knowe . .what masteryes
they haue played. 1586 A. Day Fug. Secretary u. (1625)
23 By a number of odde speeches .. you doe yet suppose to
haue wrought a mastery.
f b. It is great, little, much, no mastery : it is
a great, no, (etc.) achievement, it is hard or easy
(to do something). 06s.
1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 235 pervore silui him let sle ac bat
was lute maistrie. a 1300 Fall <y Passion 50 in F. F. P.
(1862) 14 pat was a gret maistri bat be do^tir ber be fader.
13.. Sir Beues (A.) 1738 'So me helpe God!* queb Beues
ho, 'Hit were no meistri, me to slo\ c 1412 Hoccleve
Dc Reg. Print. 1900 No maistri is it for be, if bou woldist
To be releeued. 1450 1530 Myrr. our Ladye 17 Yt is no
more mastery to god to make of ought & to make of nought.
1456 Paston Lett. I. 380 It is no grete maistre to gader
up that mony. 1576 Fleming tr. Cains' Dogs 17 They
[sc. duckes] go so slowely and so leasurely, that to a
mans thinking it were no masteryes to take them. 1601
R. Johnson Kingd. <$- Commw. (1603) 157 By these helps it
was no masterie to vanquish and subdue them. 1636 B. Jon-
son Discov., Ingen. discrim. i, It is a little Maistry to know
them. 1652-62 Heylin Cosmogr. (1673) in. 8/2 For a man
to be good in other places, is no mastery ; but in Asia to
lead a temperate life is indeed praiseworthy. 1667 Milton
P. L. ix. 29 Warrs, hitherto the onely Argument Heroic
deem'd, chief maistrie to dissect With long and tedious
havoc fabl'd Knights In Battels feign'd.
t 6. A competitive or emulative feat of strength
or skill ; esp. in phrases to assay, play, prove, try
masteries, to 'try conclusions'. 06s.
1390 Gower Con/. III. 298 Thei sholden come Unto the
gamen. .To do such maistry as they might, c 1450 St, Cuth-
bert (Surtees) 1028 He proued many maystryes. 1475 Bk.
Noblesse (Roxb.) 77 King Edwarde iij'<8 that exercised. .all
his noble sonnes, in such maiestries, wherby they were more
apt in haunting of armes. 1530 Palsgr. 736/1, I styckyll
betwene wrastellers, or any folkes that prove mastries to se
that none do other wronge. 1531 Elyot Gov. i. xvii, The
great game of Olympus, wherto.. came the moste achfe and
valiant persons to assay maistries. 1534 Hobk Com/, agst.
Trib. 11. Wks. 1191/1 A iugler that woulde for a shew, .plai
masteries at a feast. 1555 Edkn Decades 24 Many datins-
ynges,.and other tryinge of mastryes. 1504 Plat yewelt-
ho. 1. 47 [Soil] titter for gardens, or for the trial of maisteries,
then for the enriching of arable or pasture grounds. 1606
Holland Sueton. Annot. 30 Stage-playes, Gymnicke Exer-
cises, and Masteries in Musicke. 1615 Heywood Foure
Prentisesi. Wks. 1874 II. 237 Let vs try this maistry. 1625
Bacon Ess., Empire (Arb.) 301 This is but to try Masteries
with Fortune. 169a R. L'Kstrangk Josephus,Antiq. 11. xiv.
(1733) 51 He IPharaoh] seemed to take a Vanity. .to try
Masteries with God Almighty. 1697 Phil. Trans. XIX. 501
They were soon..kill'd like other Venison as well for the
sake of Food as Mastery and Diversion.
7. {trans/, from 1.) Intellectual command over
(a subject of study).
1668 Hale Pre/, to Rolle's Abridgnt. b j b, To get a mas-
tery of the full knowledge of it, requires not only reason but
study. .71680 Butler Rem. (1759) I. 241; To commend
without Desert Requires a Mastery of Art. 1828 Miss
Mitford in L' Est range Life (1870) 11. xi. 257 She has a
mastery of the subject. 1870 Disraeli Lothair Hi, This
consummate military leader. .was distinguished by. .a mas-
tery of method rarely surpassed. 1880 DiXON Windsor III.
viii. 73 His mastery of English was supreme.
b. (Influenced by MASTER v.) The action of
1 mastering* a subject.
1797 Godwin Enquirer \. vi. 48 It is essential to the just
mastery of astronomy. 18*3 Scott Peveril xxvi, It is
matter beyond my mastery. 1870 Baldw. Brown Eccl.
Truth 11871)219 The problems of Christian ministry become
more difficult of mastery year by year.
Mastew, obs. Sc. form of Mastiff.
t Ma'Stful, a. 06s. rare. [f. Mast sb.'1 + -fl'L.]
Full of mast ; producing mast.
1591 Sylvester Du Bartas 1. in. 560 The Mast-full Oke.
1697 Drvden Virg. Georg. 11. 20 The mastful Lhesnut.
Mast-head, sb. (Stress variable.) [Mast s6.]]
1. The head or highest part of a mast ; usually,
the head of the lower mast (as a place of observation
or punishment', or the highest part of the whole
mast as the plrvcc for the display of flags, etc.
1748 Anson's Voy. 11. iv. 162 We had no sight of the ship
from the mast-head. 1835 W. Irving Tour Prairies 326
[He] took a look-out, like a mariner from the mast-head at
sea. 1836 Marryat Midsh. Easy xii, Go up to the mast-
head, and wait there till I call you down. 1847 Tennyson
Princess tv. 255 Like the mystic fire on a mast-head, Pro-
phet of storm, c i860 H. Stuart Seaman's Catech. 74
Above the hounds is the masthead to receive the rigging.
1888 Kboude Eng. in W. Ind. iii. 33 The signal to engage
was flying from the masthead of. . Rodney's ship.
h. fig. (a) Phr. To the masthead ; to the full. Se.
(6) jocular. (Araut.) A person's head.
1821 W. Liddle Poems 97 (E.D.D.) An Idiot cram'd to the
mast-head Wi'thatinsatiate glutton weed. 1884 H. Colling-
wood Under Meteor Flag 35 Slip down to the doctor, and
get him to clap a plaster over your mast-head. 1887 Ste-
venson Misadv. jf. Nicholson i, He was. .enjoying to the
mast-head the modest pleasures of admiration.
2. One who is stationed at the mast-head ; a
mast-head man. In recent Diets.
3. atlri6. and Com6., as masthead-light, man,
pendant', mast-head high adv., to the height of
the masthead.
1822 Scott Pirate ii, The sea-snake, .with his broad glit-
tering eyes, raised *mast-head high, looks out, as it seems
..for victims. 1878 Kemp Yacht <y Boat Sailing 358/2
^Masthead Light, the white light which steam vessels
are required to exhibit at the masthead when under way.
c *86o H. Stuart Seaman's Catech. 45 The *mast head
men put onasail-tackle whip. 1867 Smyth Sailor s Word-bk.,
Mast-head men, the men stationed aloft to keep a look-
out. Ibid., >Mast-head pendant. 1878 Kemp Yacht $
Boat Sailing- 358/2 Masthead Pendants, the pendants and
runners which help support the mast.
Mast-head, v. [f. the sb.]
1. trans. To send (a sailor) to the mast-head as
a punishment.
i8zg Marryat F. Mildmay iv, The next morning I was. .
mast-headed, to do penance, a 1845 Svd. Smith in Lady
Holland Mem. (1855) I. 260 If you masthead a sailor for
not doing his duty, why should you not weathercock a
parishioner for refusing to pay tithes? 1884 Century Mag.
XXIX. 172 The one-armed hero is mastheaded.
trans/, zxi&fig. 1861-8 Lowell Emerson Pr. Wks. 1890
I. 357 The lecturer built up so lofty a pedestal under certain
figures as to lift them into a prominence of obscurity, and
seem to masthead them there. 1883 Stevenson Treas. 1st.
in. xv. They're [jr. the goats] all mastheaded on them
mountings for the fear of Ueiijamin Gunn.
2. To raise (a yard, sail, etc.) to its position on
the mast or at the mast-head.
1840 R. H. Dana Be/ Mast xxv. 80 Before our yards were
mast-headed, the Ayacucho had spread her wings. 1881
Daily Tel. 24 Feb., I waited to see the men masthead the
revolving lamp. 1882 Nares Seamanship (ed. 6) 199 The
topsails are mast-headed.
Hence Mast-headed ///. a., Mast-heading
v6L s6.
1836 Mahuvat Midsh. Easy xii, There is not one word
of mast-heading in the whole of them. 1888 Stevenson
Black Arrozv 53 Like a mast-headed seaman. 1893 Sloank-
Stanlev Remin. Midshipm. IJ/e xiii. 167 Mast-heading
had been forbidden by the Admiralty.
Maathede, variant of Mostheai> 06s.
t Mast-holm. 06s. [f. Mast sb* + Holm ^.]
The holm-oak, Quercus Ilex.
1577 B. Googe Heresbach'sHusb. (1586) 101 b, The Mast-
holme,. .in Latinc Ilex. Ibid., Forrestes,. .consiste of Oke,
Beeche,. Mastholmc. 1601 Holland Pliny I. 458 The..
mast-Holme Ilex. 1726 Leoni Alberti's Archit. I. 25/2
The Mast-Holm [It. Querela] never consumes with Age.
Masthwat, variant of Mostwhat Obs.
Mastic (m^'stik), sb. Forms : 4-5 mastyvc)k,
-ik,5 -ykk, 6 mastyke, (-ike), 6-7 masticke, (6
-yc),6-9mastick,mastiche,7-9mastich,6-mas-
tic. AlsoinlateL. form5-8mastix,(7-ixe). [a. F.
mastic masc. (from 13th c), ad. late L. mastic hum
(also mastix), altered form of Iv. maslicha, ma-
stiche, mast ice, a. Gr. /mwti'xij. Cf. Pr. mastic,
mas tec, Pg. mastique, Sp. t mastitis (also almdstign,
almas tic, almdciga, through Arab, al-mactika, -kt),
It. mastice, mastico, G. mastix, I)u. mastik.
The etymology of Gr. naarix*) is somewhat obscure. As
mastic is in the Last commonly used as a 'chewing gum', it is
not improbable that the word is (as Apollodorus suggested)
from the root of ^atrauBm to chew; cf. nd<na£ }HWtr\a(TTt\av
(once, in Hesiod) to gnash the teeth ; but the formation has
not been explained.]
1. A yum or resin which exudes from the bark
of JHstacia Lentiscus and some other trees (see 2}.
It is known in English commerce in the form of roundish,
oblong or pear-shaped tears, transparent, and of a pale
yellow or faint greenish tinge. Formerly much used in
Medicine. Now used chiefly in the manufacture of varnish.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xvii. xc. (14951 657 Of the
rynde [of Lentiscus] comyth Resina, that hyghte Mastyk,
and this gumme mastyck hath the name of mastigando : of
chewynge. a 1400 50 Stockk. Med. MS. 9 Oyle of mastyk.
C14SO ME. Med. Bk. (HeinricbJ 82 Make, .by mastik..
tu abrasen morter. 1534 Nottingham Rec. III. 192 (loin
Masstyc. 1579 Lakcham Card. Health (1633) 359 The
Masticke is also good against spitting of bloud. 1597
Gerardk Herbal 111. Ixxviii. 1244 The Rosen is called . . in
Latine Lentiscitta Resina, and likewise Mastiche : in Shops
Mastix :. .in English Masticke. 1602 W. Vaughan Direct.
Health (1626) 169 Remember before you res*\ to chew
downe halfe a dozen graines of Mast ike. 1712 tr. Pomcfs
Hist. Drugs I.63 The Mastic k in Tear. .is a resinous Gum
which drops during the great Heat, i860 All Year Round
No. 42. 364 Mastic resembles gum Arabic; it is crystally
cracked, yellow in colour, ..and has no taste at all to men-
tion. 1883 Encyct. Brit. XV. 621/2 Pistacia Khinjuk,
Stocks, and /'. cabulica, St., ..yield a kind of mastic which
. .when met with in the European market is known as East
Indian or Uoinbay mastic. .Cape mastic, ..not exported to
England, is the produce of Furyops multi/utus. . . Dammar
resin is sometimes sold under the name of mastic.
J*f>' x598 Sylvester Du Bartas 11. i. 111. Furies 65 And
innocent Astrcea did combine All with the mastick of a love
divine.
2. (In full mastic tree.) An evergreen shrub yield-
ing mastic gum, Pistachia Lentiscus of the Levant.
Applied also to other species of Pistachia, and to
the West Indian Bur sera gummifera and Peruvian
Schinus Molle.
1 1420 Pallad.on Husb. in, 1039 And now The bones hard
of mastik tre wol serue Ysowe. 1638 Sir T. Herbkrt Trav.
(ed. 2) 136 Abounding in.. knotty Pines, fragrant Masticks,
Kingly Oaks [etc.]. 1640 Pahkinson Theat. Bot. 1524
Lentiscus Peruana. The Indian Masticke tree. 1753
Chambers Cycl. Supp. App. s.v., Indian Mastic, the name
by which the Molle, or Peruvian Lentisk is sometime-,
called. 1775 R. Chandler Trav. Greece (1825; II. 181 Some
boughs of green mastic served us at once for table-cloth anil
dish. 1864 Grisebach Flora W. Ind. 785 Mastic tree,
Bnrsera gummi/era. 1866 Treas. Bot. s. v., Barbary Mas*
tich. Pistacia atlantica.\ 1867 Lady HERnERTOrt<//cZ,.ix.
233 The mastic, with its pendant white bell-shaped blossoms.
3. A valuable timber tree of the West Indies
and Florida, Sideroxylon Mastichodendron, (Also
mastic-tree.}
1657 Ligon Barbados 73 The Mastick is a tree very tall
but the body slender.. .The timber of this tree is rank'd
amongst the fourth sort, three being better then it. 1683
]. Poyntz Tobago 28 The Mastick is a Timber Tree of so
fine a grain, that it plains like our English Box. 1750
G. Hughes Barbados 149 The Mastich-tree ; Lat. Calaba.
1775 Romans Florida App. 32 The peninsula affords in this
place Lignum-Vitae, Mastick and Mohogany. 1830 May-
cock Flora Barbad. in Sideroxylon Mastichodendron. .
Mastick Tree.
f4. (In full Herb Mastic.) The plant Thymus
Mastichina (see Martjm). Obs,
1597 Gerarde Herbal 11. ccx. 544 Of herbe Masticke. The
English and French Herbarists at this daie do call this
plant Masticke or Mastiche. Ibid. (Table Eng. names), Bas-
tarde Masticke, that is Goates Marierome. 1640 Parkinson
'Theat. Bot. 12 Marumvulgare. Hearbe Masticke. Ibid.
13 MarumSyriacum rclCreticum. The Syrian or Candye
Mastick. This Candye or Syrian Marjerome. 1741 Compi.
Fam. - Piece 11. iii. 375 It is not yet too late to plant Slips of
. . Marum, Mastick, and some other aromatick Plants. 1836
Loudon Encycl. Plants 508 Thymus Mastichina, Mastick.
5. a. A resinous or bituminous cement, b. A lime
cement used by builders. (Cf. mastic cement in 8.)
1706 London & Wise Rctird Gardner I. 85 Cover the
Top of the Stem with some Mastick.. .This Mastick must be
compounded of. . Rosin, . . Wax, . . Pitch, and . . Mutton Suet.
1713 Addison Guardian No. 156 P 9 As for the small par-
ticles of brick or stone, the least moistness would join them
together, and turn them into a kind of mastick. 1839 U*B
Diet. Arts 274 [Cements) Mastics of a resinous or bitu-
minous nature which must be softened or fused by heat.
1881 Young Every Man his mvn Mech. 625 An asphalte
composition called. . Patent India Mastic. Ibid. 627 The. .
heads of the nails are afterwards to be coated with the same
asphalte mastic. 1884 Health Fxhib. fatal. 87/1 Patent
Joint Mastic for making joints of all kinds.
6. A liquor, used in Turkey and Greece, made
from grain-spirit or grape-juice, flavoured with
•Turn-mastic. (Cf. mastic-6randy and Raki.)
94-2
MASTIC.
i88aE.O'DoNOVAN Mcrr- Oasis I. 452 In Turkey we always
drank mastic on such occasions, 1887 Pall MallG. 23 May
4/2 [Stamboul] Their mothers prefer mastic, the spirit that
fortifies and induces the loose, indolent mood.
7. The colour of mastic ; a shade of pale yellow.
Also as adj.
1890 Daily Afctftf 27 Sept. 2/1 Coats and jackets in mastic,
cigar-colour, and shades verging on terra-cotta. 1899 Westm.
Gaz. 17 Aug. 3/2 A gown, .of mastic cloth.
8. attrib. and Comb., as mastic gum, pill, seal,
timber; mastic-chewing; mastic brandy =- sense 6
above; mastic cement, cloth, fly (see quots.) ;
mastic paint, a kind of cement used for plastering
walls; + mastic patch, a patch for the face (a)
fastened on with mastic, or (/') composed of mastic,
and wom as a remedy for the tooth-ache ; mastic
plant, cat-thyme, Teitcrium Marum ; mastic shrub
= mastic tree ; mastic thyme, Thymus Mas-
tichina (see 4) ; mastic tree (see sense 2) ; mastic
varnish, a fine varnish used for varnishing pic-
tures; mastic-wood, the wood of the mastic tree.
1883 Encyd. Brit. XV. 621/2 *Mastic brandy. 1815 in
Titles Patents (1854) 690 A "mastic cement or composition,
which he denominates Dihl's mastic. 1875 ('re's Diet. Arts
(ed. 7), Mastic cement, a mixture of lime, sand, litharge, and
linseed-oil. 1879 Geo. Eliot Theo. Suck v, Preliminary
media of understanding, such as pipes, chocolate, or "mastic-
chewing. 188a Caulfeild & S award Diet. Needlework,
* Mastic Cloth, a new variety of canvas, designed for embroi-
dery purposes. It is woven in alternate stripes. ijtooPktjver
Musei Petiver. 66 Capricornus Barbadensis major. . from . .
Barbadoes where they are very plentifull and call'd by them
the *Mastick-fly. 1750 G. Hughes Barbadoes in. 81 The
Mastich-fly.. derives its name from the Tree it feeds upon.
1837 Penny Cycl. VII. gi/i*Masticgum. 18&4 ftcatthExhio.
Catal. 87/1 Heat Resisting "Mastic Paint [cf. 1839 Uhe
Diet. ArtsZfy Hamelin's mastic or Hthic paint to cover the
facades of brick buildings, &c.]. 1597-8 Bp. HallS<z/.vi. i.
115 Or Gellia wore a veluet *mastick-patch Upon her
temples when no tooth did ach. 1639 Mavnf. City Match
in. iii, When there was not fire enough to warme a Mastick
patch t' apply to his wives Temples In great extremity of
toothach. 1697 Grew Epsom Waters 57 Take uf *Mastick
Pills, two Scruples. 1718 Quincy Compl. Disp. 80 Mart
Syriaci, the *Mastick Plant, as some call it. It is reckon'd
a kind of Marjoram. 1837 Sir F. Pai.grave Merch. <y Friar
i. (1844) 18 Suppose the letter completed,, .and sealed with
the *mastic seal. 168a Whelkr Jonrn. Greece I. 61 Lentis-
cus, or the *Mastick shrub. 1640 Parkinson Theat. Bot. 6
Thy mum tatifoiium. *MastickeTyme. 1707 [see Marum].
1833 J. Bennett .4 rtificer's /, ex. 228 *Mastic timber, specific
gravity per foot cube, 53 lbs. 1510 in Willis & Clark Cam-
bridge (1886) II. 199 *Mastyke vernysch. 1841 E. Fitz-
Gerald Lett. (1889) I. 78 The picture has just been var-
nished with mastick varnish. 1669 H. Stubbf. Let.m Birch
Life Boyle (1744) 191 To let you see, what *mastick wood
will do in the gout 1699 Garth Dispens. in. 90 And on the
structure next he heaps a load Of. .mastic wood. 1856 Mayne
Expos. Lex., Mastick Wood. . .A tincture is made from it.
t Ma'stic, "-'• Obs. rare. [f. Mastic^.] trans.
To treat with a preparation of mastic : a. as a
setting for a stone ; b. as a varnish.
1688 R. Holme Armoury m. 91/1 [Jewellers' term1;.] Mas-
ticking, is setting a Black between the Stones to set them
off. 1697 Evelyn Numism. vi 217 Masticking them over
very Artificially,, .to elevate both the Figures and Letters
with the Vernish.
Masticability (maestikabi'lTti). [f. next : see
-ity.] The capability of being masticated.
1849 Eraser's Mag. XL. 130 The same simple expedient
suffices to convert, so far as. .masticability is concerned, an
old fowl into a young capon. 1894 Contemfi. Rev. LXVI.
648 You can always rely upon the masticability of the dish.
Masticable (marstikab'l), a. rare, [f. Mas-
ticate v. + -able.] That may be masticated.
1846 Worcester (citing your. Sci.). 1890 Chamb. Jrnl.
15 Mar. 162/1 Her bread is like so much masticable lead.
Masticate (mae'stikv't), v. Also 7 mastigate.
[f. late L. masticat-, ppl. stem of mastica-re (4th c.)
to chew, whence It. masticare, Sp. mascar, Pg.
masgar (and the learned forms Sp. masticar,
mastigar, Pp. masligar), OF. mascher (mod.F.
mrfcher), Pr. mastegar, maschar.
A plausible suggestion is that late L. masticare may be f.
L. mastichd Mastic, the assumed original sense being 'to
chew mastic ', ' to treat as one treats mastic \ Hut it is pos-
sible that the verb may be f Gr. naaiaK-, ftdara^ jaw, or an
unrecorded Latin cognate of this.]
1. trans. To grind (food) to a pulp with the
teetli ; to chew.
1649 Jer. Taylor Gt. Exetnp. 1. Disc. iv. 128 Some chewed
bitter pills and masticated gummes. 1746 R. James Mottfet's
//ealth's Improv. Introd. 3 It is . . a very great Error to
swallow the Aliment before it is duly masticated. 1827
Roberts Voy. Centr. Amer. 130 Indian corn, partly boiled
and masticated [in the preparation of a drink called ' mish-
law ']. 187a Huxley Physiol, vi. 139 To these ends food
is taken into the mouth and masticated. 1880 GUnther
Pishes T19 Some fishes,, .provided with broad molar-Iike
teeth, masticate their food.
fb. Jig. ^Manducatk v. Obs.
1651 C. Cartwright Cert. Relig. 1. 30 Except we eat the
flesh of the Son of man, and drink his bloud, wehave no
life in us; him we must mastigate, and chew by faith.
2. To crush or knead (india-rubber or gutta-
percha) to a pulp ; to combine with (gutta-percha)
in the process of ' mastication \
1849 C. Nickels in Repert. Patent Invent. (1850) XV. 226
The pieces of such india-rubber will admit of being kneaded
or masticated. Ibid., India-rubber. .. manufactured by
kneading or masticating therewith, .flowers of sulphur.
220
Hence Ma'sticated/"//. a.
1727 Bailey vol. II, Masticated, chewed. 1799 Phil.
Trans. LXXXIX. 253 'Ibis middle space .. becomes filled
up with the masticated food. 1849 C. Nickels in Repert.
Patent invent. (1850) XV. 227 The kneaded or masticated
mass (of gutta-perchal. .is to be subjected to pressure.
Masticating (mae-stik^tiij), vbl. sb. [f. Mas-
ticate v. + -ing°] The action of the vb. Mas-
ticate. Also attrib.
1827 Roberts Voy. Centr. Amer. 129 Some few of the
young men also joined in the masticating process. 1849
C. Nickels in Repert. Patent Invent. (1850) XV. 224 That
process of preparing and manufacturing india-rubber {caout-
chouc) called gi hiding, masticating, or kneading. 1854 Owen
Skel. -y Teeth in Orr's Circ. Sci. I. 294 A masticating appa-
ratus, to serve the requirements of a gigantic animal . . was
provided by a succession of different molar teeth. i8gs
Y'.ain Senses -r tut. I. \\. § 18 (1864) 49 The first operation
upon the food in the mouth — the chewing or masticating.
Masticating (marstik^tirj),///. a. [f. Mas-
ticate v. t -ing *.] That masticates.
180a Playfair lllustr. Hniton. Th. 468 The grinder of
the boar is similar to that of the elephant, in the extent of
the masticating; surface. 1827 Hood True Story i, Some
bit of masticating bone, That.. only seems to gnaw itself.
1835-6 Todd Cycl. Anat. I. 771 1 The masticating Crus-
tacea being the highest in point of organization.
Mastication (nuesUk^'Jan). Also 7 mastu-
cation. [ad. late L. mastication-em, n. of action f.
mastica-re to Masticate. Cf. F. mastication.]
1. The action of masticating or chewing.
1565 Cooper Thesaurus, Confectio estarum. . Mastication
or chewing of the meate. 1615 Crooke Body 0/ Man 134
All Aliments., after mastication or chewing., are swallowed.
1658 Sir T. Hkowne Gard. Cyrus iii. Hydriot. etc. 56 After
a fuller mastication, and saltvous mixture. 1854 Emerson
Lett. <y Soe. Aims, Comic Wks. (Bonn) HI. 210 To put
something for mastication between the upper and lower
mandibles. 1880 Gunther Eishcs 329 Dentition.. adapted
for the prehension and mastication of crustaceous. . animals.
Jig. a 1631 Donne Sam. Ixiii. (1640)6^7 It is writ in gall
and wormwood.. ; but if we can bring it. .to that mastica-
tion, that rumination, which is [etc.].
fb. = Manducatiox. Obs.
1601 Up. W. Barlow Defence 128 They, which., haue
turned . . the supper into a spectacle . . feeding the peoples
eyes with the pnestes eleuation, and sole mastucation.
2. The action or process of pulping (mitta-percha).
1881 Times 18 Apr. 4/6 The gutta percha is not masticated
in any way, Mr. T. holding that mastication utterly de-
stroys the material. 1885 C G.W. Lock Workshop Receipts
Ser. iv. 1/2 At some works this process of ' mastication ' [in
waterproofing] is omitted.
Masticator (ma;*stik-^tpj). [f. Masticate v.
+ -or.] One who or that which masticates.
1. //. The teeth or jaws, jocular.
1694 Motteux Rabelais v.xxiii. (1737) 103 Her Masticators
..chew'd it. 1765 Sterne Tr.Shandyxw. viii, Just Heaven !
What masticators '—What bread ! 1797 Anna Sew ard Lett.
(1811) IV. 311 His. .preference of such impure masticator
to the clean ivory supplied by the dentist. 18x6 'Quiz'
Grand Master in. 66 Their masticators they employ, On
. . beef, and goat. 1845 Ford Handbk. Spain 1. 27 1 1 requires
powerful masticators, a vigorous appetite and digestion.
2. A person or animal that masticates or chews.
1824 W. Irving T. Trav. (1850) 124 Never was there a
more, .thoroughly sustained attack on the trencher than by
this phalanx of masticators. i8a6 KlRBY & Sp. Entomot.
III. 417 Insects of late have been divided into two great
tribes, masticators and suckers. 1854 U adham Halieni. 434
The Shark is not a careful masticator, i860 Tristram Gt.
Sahara vi. 95 The dyers actually hire masticators to provide
them with tannin.
3. A machine for grinding or pulping.
1858 in Patents Specif., India Rubber (1875) 133 The gutta
percha is then.. submitted to the masticator. 1875 Knight
Diet, Mcch., Masticator, a small machine to cut up meat
for aged persons or those who have lost their teeth or the
power of chewing. 1885 C. G. W. Lock Workshop Receipts
Ser. iv. 1/2 The rubber., is introduced into the 'masticator',
which consists of a strong cylindrical box, containing a stout
deeply-fluted' drum, which revolves within the box.
II Masticato'rium. [mod.L.] = next sb.
e 1550 LLOYD Treas. Health F iij, Masticatorium is a con-
fection whiche is held in the mouth & chewed to purge the
head of flegme. 1592 Nashf. Summers L,ast Will E i b,
Thysicianswith their. .Mastic at or\i\um and Catapiasmata.
1693 tr. B/aucard's Phys. Diet. (ed. 2), Masticatorium, a
Medicine which is to provoke spitting.
Masticatory (mrc'stikatori), a. and sb. [ad.
mod.L. jnastiedtoriusy -orium, f. masticare to Mas-
ticate : see -oky l and *, Cf* F. masticatoire adj.
and sb.] A. adj. Of, pertaining to, or concerned
with mastication. Masticatory foot (Ent.) ^foot-
jaw : see Foot sb. 35.
161 1 Cotgr., Masticatoire, masticatorie, chewing, champ-
ing. 1694 Motteux Rabelais iv. xv. (1737)60 The molar,
masticatory and canine Teeth. 1769 Bancroft Cr*«/<z«a 262
The masticatory and digestive organs of carnivorous and
-ranivorous animals. 185a Daka Crust, it. 1035 This pair
of lees is often called a pair of maxilla-feet, jaw-feet, or
masticatory feet. 1862 Jrnl. Soc. Arts X. 324/2 The Para
rubber., if not injured by masticatory processes in the manu-
facture,, .will [etc.]. 1899 At/butt's Syst. Med. VII. 6S0
Paralysis of the masticatory muscles.
b. Of diseases or symptoms : Affecting the
organs of mastication.
1853 tr. Romberg's Man. Nervous Dis. (Syd. Soc.) II. 289
This serves to distinguish masticatory from histrionic para-
lysis. 1878 tr. //. von Ziemssen,s Cycl. Med. XIV. 358 The
so-called masticatory facial spasm.
B. sb. A medicinal substance to be chewed.
1611 Cotgh., Masticatoire, a Masticatorie ; a medecine for
MASTIFF.
the rhewme chawed, ur held betweene the teeth. _ l6il
Burton Anat. Mel. If. iv. it. iii, Or Apophlegmatismes,
masticatories to be held and chewed in the mouth, a 1626
Bacon Afeii. Rem. Wks. 1827 VII. 235 To remember masti-
catories for the mouth. 1733 Chevne Eng. Malady 11. ix.
S 5 ('734) 212 Some gentle Masticatory (such as Mastick,
Pellitory, Tobacco, or the like) 1880 Garkod & Baxter
Mat. Med. 291 It is used as a masticatory in paralysis of
parts about the mouth.
Mastice, Mastich(e : see Mastiff, Mastic.
Masticic(ni:cstisik),masticllic'rna:sti,kik ,
a. Chan. [f. Mastic M. + -JO.] Mastick add
(see quots.).
1845 Cooley Cycl. Pratt. Receipts (ed. 2) 584 Masliclnc
acid. . . The portion of mastic soluble in alcohol. 1855
OcaLVlE Suppl., Masticic acid. 1885!' L. Bkunton Pilar
macol. (1887) 897 Mastich . . consists of about 90 per cent, of
an acid rata (mastichic acid).
Masticin (moe-stisin). Chan. Also -ine. [f.
Mastic + -in.] The substance which remains un-
dissolved after dissolving mastic in alcohol.
1844 in Hoblyn Diet. Med. 1883 Encycl. Brit. XV 621/2
The insoluble portion [of Mastic], Beta resin or Masticin. .
is a translucent colourless tough substance.
■\ Masticine, a. Obs. rare. [ad. late L. masti-
cin-us, mastichinns, a. Gr fiaaTi\tyos, f /laarixv
Mastic. Cf. OF. maslicin.} Of or pertaining to
mastic. In quot. c 1420 absol. = oil of mastic.
c 1420 Paltad. on 1 1 nib. iv. 144 Her seed yf me reclyne In
. -luce of rose, other in masticyne. Or madifie hit so in oil
lauryne. 1656 Blount GlossQfr^ Masticine, of, or pertain-
ing to, or of the colour of mastick.
Mastick.e : see Mastic.
Masticoat(e,-cot(e, -cott,-cut: seeM.\ssicoT.
Mastiff (niirstif , sl>. PI. mastiffs. Forms:
a. 4-5, 7 mastif, 5-7 mastife, 5-6 rnastyf(e, (5
mestyf, 6 mastyve, Se. mastew), 6-8 mastive,
6-7 mastiffe, 7- mastiff; //. 4-5 masteves, 4-6
mastyves, 5 raastyfes, maistyves, 6 mastiffes,
maistiffes, mastyvys, 6-9 masti ves, 7- mastiffs.
0. 5-6, 9 dial, mastis, mastice. 7. 5-7, 9 dial.
masty, 6-7, 9 dial, mastie, (6 mastye). [repr. OF.
mastin (mod.F. mUtin) =- Pr. masti-s, Sp. mastin,
Pg. mastim. It. mastino :— popular L. type "man-
suit tnus, f. L. mansuetus tame (see Mansuete a.).
The form of the Eng. word is difficulty to account for.
Possibly the word was first known to Englishmen in the IV.
form viasti-s', as this coincides with the form that would
have been assumed in early OF. by the subject-case of a
noun *wastif, the a forms may be due to grammatical inter-
pretation, while the 0 and y forms may have been taken
directly from Pr. The word was more or less confused with
OF. westif mongrel. The form Mastin occurs only in
Caxton's translations from Fr. : cf. Matin.]
A large, powerful dog with a large head, drooping
ears and pendulous lips, valuable as a watch-dog.
Also mastiff dog.
a. c 1330 K. Brunne Citron. (1810) 189 On ber first eschel
he smot in fulle hastif, & borgh bam ilka del, als grehound
or mastif. 1387 Trf.visa//*£<»Vm (Rolls) VIII. 187 Houndes
and masteves [MSS. 0, y mastyves, Caxton maistyves]
beep i-slawe in all be forcstes of Engelond. CI400 Maun-
dev. (1839! xv. 167 There lien Rattes in that He, als grete
as Houndes here : and men taken hem with grete Mas-
tyfes. 1494 Fadyan Chron. vu. cexxxi. 263 A mastife or
great curre dogge. 1509 Fisher Seriu. Hen. VII, Wks.
(1876) 278 Euen as ye se these weotTdogges these grete
mastyues that be tyed in chaynes. a 15*9 Skelton
Sp. Parrot 321 Suche malyncoly mastyvys and mangye
curre dogges Ar mete for a swyneherde to hunte alter
hogges. 1550 Crowley Efigr. 1 1 b, To kepe wy th daunger,
a greate mastyfe dogge. 1599 Shaks. Hen. V, 111. vii 59
Their Mastiffes are of vnmatchable courage. 1601 Hol-
land Pliny I. 218 The Colophonians and Castabaleans
maintained certain squadrons of mastiue dogs for their war
seruice. a 1652 Brome Queeites Exclt. v. i. Wks. 1873 III
537 There's a crust I brought To stop the open mouth of
the Mastive, if he had flown at us. 1717 De Foe Mem.Clt.
Scot. m. 06 A Gentleman who was set upon by a Furious
Mastive Dog. 1807 Med. Jrnl. XVII. 273 In the porch.,
was lying a large, savage, mastiff dog. 1809 Scott Let. to
Sonthey 14 Jan. in Lociltart, We can only fight like mastiffs,
boldly, blindly, and faithfully. 181a Sout h ey Omuiana 1 . 293
Sir Thomas Roe took out some English mastives to India.
1877 Encycl. Brit. VII. 330/1 The Mastiff, .is usually of a
buff colour, with ears and muzzle darker.
0. 1483 Catlt. Angl. 230/2 A Mastis, licisens. la 1500
Forest Laws § 12 in Sc. Acts (1814) I. 690/2 Ande gif ony
mastice be fundyn in be forest [etc.]. 1513 Douglas sEueis
IX. Prol. 40 The cur, or mastis, he haldis at small avail!.
1869 Lonsdale Gloss., Mastitc, . .corr. of mastiff. 1878 Cum-
bold. Gloss., Mastis. 1893 Northuntbld. Gloss., Mastis.
y. 1540 St. Papers Hen. ill/, VIII. 482 Certeyne mas-
ties.. for his hunting. 1366 Drant Horace Sal. ll.vi.(end),
Also the vaste and ample house of mastie dogges did sounde.
1577 B. G00GE Hereshitch's Hush. 111. (15S6) 154 The mastie
that keepeth the House. 1652 Dorothy Osborne Lett,
to Sir IV. Temple (1888) 105 A masty is handsomer to me
than the most exact little dog that ever lady played withal.
1676 Wycherley PI. Dealer IV. i, Surly, untraceable, snarl-
ing Brute ! he ! a Masty-dog were as fit a thing to make
a Gallant of. 1687 Miege Gt. Fr. Did. 11. s. v., A great
Masty, «« gros Matin. 1882 IV. Wore. Gloss. Add.,
Maslie-dog, mastiff.
b. with an adj. prefixed, indicating a foreign
variety, as Cuban, Dutch, German, Thibet mastiff.
1774 Golusm. Nat. Hist. III. 286 The Dutch mastiff.
1859 Wood lllnstr. Nat. Hist. I. 307 The Cuban Mastiff
is supposed to he produced by a mixture of the true Mastiff
with the bloodhound. 1877 Encycl Brit. VII. 330/2 The
Thibet Mastiff is larger than the English breed. 1883 K.
Groom Great Dane 4 The German Mastiff.
MASTIFF.
c. trans/, wad fig.
160a 2nd Ft. Rcturnfrom Farnass. v. iv. (Arb.) 71 Furor.
Farewell my masters, Furor's a masty dogge. 1610 II. Jon-
son Alt h. 1. i, May, murmuring mastiffe ? I, and doe. 1781
Cowpkk Table-talk 35 To see a people scattered like a flock,
Some royal mastiff panting at their heels.
d. all ril>. and Comb., as mastiff-bitch, f cur,
Jog {see 1), \ -hound, mouth, race, t slrimi (^Sc.) ;
m«s/iff-ii&eM\').;mzLStittba,t,dayjocu/ar(sce(.iuots.y,
mastiff-fox, a variety of fox (see quot. 1828).
1851 Gosse Art/, in Jamaica 150 The Chestnut "Mastiff-
bat. 1871 Cassell's Nat. Hist. I. 319 The Pale Chestnut
Mastiff Hat \Nyttinomus brasiliensis]. . . This species is
found commonly in South America ami the West Indies.
Ibid. 320 The Smoky Mastiff Bat [Molossus uasutus). .is a
well-known South American species. 1621 in Naworth
llouseli. Bks. (Suttees) 184 A *mastie bich. 1797 Colk-
kidg£ Ctiris/abct I. 7 Sir LeolincHath a toothless mastiff
bitch. 15M SkELTON Why not to Court f 294 Our barons..
Dare not loke out at dur For drede of the "mastyue cur,
For drede of the bochers dogge. 1608 T. J AMES A pot.
li'ycli/49 They did as it were so manie woollies, or mastie
curs woorie them [the flock]. 1781 H. Wali-olk Let. to
H. 6'. Comvay 5 June, Last week we had two or thrcj
"mastifl days; for they were fiercer than our common dog-
days. 1774 *Mastiff fox [seeGRKYH0UND4l- 1828J. Flem-
ing Hist. Brit. Atiiut. 13 Mastif-Fox — This is of a dark
brown colour, somewhat less [than the Greyhound Fox], but
more strongly made. ,1 1400-50 Alexander 321 A mouthe
as a *mastif hunde vn-melely to shaw. 1475 Bk. Noblesse
iRoxb.) t6 Kvery man kepyng the scout waclie had a musty
hound at a lyes. 1500-20 Dunbar Foetus liii. 47 Quhou
'mastcw-lyk [p. r. masiive lyk] about 3eid he ! 1851 1 losst:
Sat. in Jamaica 793 The mastiff-like physiognomy [of the
monk bat]. 1809 \V. Irving Knickerb. (1861J 35 He was
a short, square, brawny old gentleman, with a double chin,
a *mastiff mouth, and a broad copper nose. 1877 F.ncycl.
Brit. VII. 330/t The "Mastiff race of dogs . . includes the
Mastiff, the Kull-dog, and the Pug. 1500-20 Dunbak Foems
lx. 21 Mismad inandragis of *mastyf strynd [v. r. kynd].
t Ma'Stiff, a. Obs. Also 5 mestyf. [Seems
to be partly a derivative of Mast sb?, and partly
a perversion of Massive, in both cases due to
association with Mastiff sb. Cf. Masty n.]
l.Ofaswine: Fattened; =-MASTEno.,MASTV«. 2.
1:1440 Prouip. Farv. 334/2 Mestyf, hogge, or swyne,
maiaiis.
2. Massive, solid, bulky.
1495 Trevisa's Barth. De P. R. v. Ivii, .Some [bones]
ben .. holowy. And some mastyfle [MS. Jiodt. massyej
and sadde for the more -stedfastness, 1733 Cuevnk Eng.
Malady I. xi. § 4. 101 Those [persons] of large, full, and
(as they are call'd) mastiff Muscles,, .are generally of a
firmer State of Fibres, than those of little Muscles.
3. ltarly, big-bodied ; = Masty a. 3.
1668 Kirkman Eng. Rogue 11. xi. (1671) 96 Perceiving
them to be too hard for us (for they were two stout Mastiff
Queans), a 1675 Whitelockb Mem. (1732) 112, I did the
like to another great Mastiff Fellow, an Officer also of the
King's Army, and took away his Sword from him.
t Mastigadour. Obs. Also 8 masticadour,
9 (in Diets.) masticador. [a. F. mastigadour
^Solleysel i68j\ ad. Pjj. vtastigadouro = mod.L.
maslicatorium Masticatoky sb.] ^Sce quots.)
1720 Gibson Viet. Horses \\\. (1731) 103 He [Solleysell]
orders the Horse to have a small Watering-bit, or Mastica-
dour put upon him. 1727 Bailey vol. II, Mastigadour, a
Slabbering Hit, a Snaffle of Iron.
Mastigate, rare obs. form of Masticate.
Mastigophore (mrestig<yfo->j). Zool. [ad.
Gr. ixaariyoipupos : see Mastigophorous.]
1 1. Antiq. (See quot. and next word.)
1658 Philliis, Mastigophore (Greek), an Usher that with
stripes makes way in a croud.
2. A protozoan belonging to the class Mastigo-
phora, the members of which are provided with
one or more flagella. 1890 in Century Diet.
T Mastigophorer. Obs.-" [formed as prec.
+ -ER '.] (See quot. and prec. 1.)
1656 Blount Glossogr., Mastigophorer, a fellow worthy
to be whipped ; also an usher, who with whips removed the
people, where there was much press.
Mastigophoric (mse stig<%rik), a. [formed
as next + -ic.J ^ Mastigophorous.
1816 T. L. Peacock Headlong Hall vi, He-would beat his
drum 111 Grub Street, form a mastigophoric corps of his own.
1902 Webster Suppl., Mastigophoric,. .having a lash-like
ahum ; flagellate ;— said of the Flagellata.
Mastigophorous (maeshgfrfores), a. [f. Gr.
HaoTiyo<p6pos scourge-bearing (f. naoTiy-, ucloti£
scourge + -<p6pos bearing) + -ous.]
1. That carries a scourge, scourge- bearing. Only
in humorously pedantic use.
l8" Pa,iK Lct\ l» C. Burncy 12 Dec, Wks. 1828 VII.
4|i> 10 meet all the mastigophorous subscribers would
gladden my heart. 1826 Sva Smith IVks. (1859) II. 94/1
Not what this medium boy can do while his mastigophorous
superior is frowning over him, but [etc.]. 1871 M. Collins
Mrq. f, Merck. II. v. 149 The sharp discipline of a mastigo-
phorous schoolmaster.
2. Zool. Provided with flagella; belonging to
the Masligophora, a class of Protozoa.
1890 m Century Diet., and in later Diets.
Mastigopod (nuvstigtfpjjd), sb. and a. [ad.
mod.L. Mastigopoda neut. pi. (lit. 'whip-footed'
animals), f. Gr. naorty-, paorif} whip + 7ro8-, ttous
foot.] a. sb. 1 luxley's name for a protozoan fur-
nished with cilia or flagella. b. ouij. Furnished
with cilia or flagella, or both {Cent. Did. 1890).
221
1875 Huxley in F.ncycl. But. II. 50/1 The myxopod -.
gives rise by division to bodies provided with long flagelli-
fonn cilia, .which may be termed mastigopods. 1877 —
Anat. Inv. Antiii. ii. 76 It will be convenient to distinguish
those Protozoa, .which are provided with cilia or flagella, as
mastigopods, 1898 Sedgwick Students 'l'ext-bk. Zool. I.
29 Forms which pass through both the myxopod and masli-
gupotl condition.
Hence Mastigopodous a. —prec. adj.
1890 in Century Diet.
Mastigure (imc-stigiu<u). [ad. mod.L. masti-
giira (Fleming 1822), mastigur-us, f. Gr. fiaaiTy ,
fi<i<TTt£ whip + ov(>d tail.] ' An agamoid lizard
of the genus L'ro/uastix' {Cent. Diet. 1890),
1863 Wood Nat. Hist. III. 90 The Egyptian Mastigure,
or Spine-fooled Stellio, is a native of Northern Africa.
Mastik' e,Mastil3on,obs.ff. Mastic, Mam,i.\-.
I Mastin. Obs. rare. [a. OK. muslin: see
M AST] FF. ] = M ABTIFF sb.
1483 Caxton G. tie la Tour H vij. Beholde thuse grele
dogges that men call mastyns. 1485 - Chas. tit. 128 But
rolland. .came vpon the mastyn sarasyns.
Masting (mcrstirj), vhl. s/>A [f. MAST 7A1 -f-
-ING J.J
1. The action or process of fitting with masts.
i6«7 Capt. Smith .Seaman 's Cram. x\. 54 The Masting of
a Ship is much to be consider* d, and will, .cau-e her losaile
well or ill 1794 Rigging fy Seamanship I. 1 In masting. .
the complete height of a mast is gained by creeling one
mast on the top of another. 1870 Daily Neivs } Oct., They
considered the tripod system of masting one that answered
well for the support of the masts.
b. Masts collectively.
_ 1702 C. Mathkr Magn, Car. 1. vi. (1852) 84 All her mast-
ing seemed blown away by the board. 1757 J. II. Grose
Voy. E. Indies 175 The masting generally used in the
country-ship, are Pohoon-ma-is. 1794 Rigging -y Seaman-
ship II. 276 Observations on the different inclinations given
to the masting of ships.
2. VThe action of felling trees for masts. U.S.
1792 J. BELKNAP Hist. New Hamftsh. III. 3 Persons..
employed in surveying, masting, hunting and scouting.
3. attrib.^^masting-shce)S)trce\ masting-housa
(see quot.); masting pine, Pinns Strobits of N.
America,
1855 Ogilvie .9/////., MasUhouse, *Masting-house, a place
where masts, Jtc, are deposited. 2. A building furnished with
apparatus for fixing vessels' masts. iy^ Cent I. Mag. XXV .
503 A white-pine or "niasting-pine,.. seven feet eight inches
diameter at the but end. 1760 W. Douglass Brit. A'.
Amtr. II, 53 The Pities may be subdivided into the masting,
or white pine, the pitch pine,. .and others. .used as lumber.
1875 Knight Diet. Mech.%*Masting-shcars. 1893 Dahi-
strom tr. Wetd'ach f, Herrmann's Jleeh. Hoisting Afaclt.
vi. 252 A large masting sheers designed at the machine
works at Waltjen, in Bremen. 1760 W. Douglass Brit. iV.
Amer. II. 53 note, In New Hampshire, .is much good ship
timber and *masting trees.
Masting (ma-stiij), vbl. sb.% rare. [Mast sb.-]
The action of producing mast. In quot. at t rib.
1760 W. Douglass Brit. N. Amer. II. 375 The price of
pork, .depends upon the goodness of their masting years.
Mastis, Mastiso, see Mastiff, Mestizo.
[| Mastitis (msestaitis). Med. [mod.L., f. Gr.
fia<JT-6s breast + -ITI3.] Inflammation of the female
breast.
1842 in Brande Did. Sci. etc! 1875 H. C. Wood Therap.
(1879) 262 In mastitis, .its local application to the breast is
often very efficacious. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VIII. 911
Gangrenous mastitis in sheep.
•Mastive, obs. form of Mastiff.
-mastix (marstiks), repr. Gr. jj.d<?Ti£ scourge,
freq. used in the 17th c. (rarely later) in quasi-Gr.
combinations formed after Ilomeromastix ('O/*r;/>0-
fi&<TTi£) * scourge of Homer ' (the name given to
the grammarian Zoilus on account of the severity
of his censure of the Homeric poems), and designat-
ing persons violently hostile to some person or
class, as Episcopo- mastix, Infanto-mastix, Puri-
tano- mastix, etc. Also in titles of books severely
attacking some person, class, institution, etc., as
Atheomastix [Gr. aOtos atheist] (Fotherby a 1619),
Histriomastix [L. histrio actor] (Prynne 1632),
Satiromastix (Dekker 1 602, attacking Ben Jonson ),
1604 Up. W. Barlow Sum Conference (1638) To Rdr., In
one ranke whereof you may place our Hercules-Limbo-
mastix. 1625 B p. Montagu App. Caesar 251 Incomparable
Hooker, that Puritano-mastix, might well say [etc.]. 1651
H. L'Estrange (title) Smectymnuo-niastix : or, Short Anim-
adversions vpon Smectymnuus [etc.]. 1656 S. Holland
Zara (1719) 76 It would have puzzell'd that Female Mastix
Mantuan to have limm'd this she Chymera. 1656 Heylin
Extraneus Vap. 234 [St. Augustine] in condemning In-
fants unbaptized to the pains of Hell, .incurred the name of
Infanto-Mastix. 1660 Gauden Serin. Funeral Brounrig
Ep. Ded., Those unreasonable Episcopomastix, whose malice
is as blind, as it is bold, against all Bishops, rt 1662 Hey-
lin CyPr. Anglicm (1668) 50 Humphries ..got the title
ofaPapisto Mastyx. 1671 Glanvill Disc. Si. Stubbe ioj
And when the Virtuoso-Mastix hath proved that these are
not Complements [etc.]. 1818 F. Hodgson (.title, in Byron s
Works 1901 V. 278) Latino-Mastix. 1818 -t* {Ibid.) Saeculo-
Mastix, or the Lash of the Age we live in.
+ b. As independent sb. Obs. rare.
1678 Cudworth Intelt. Syst. 1. iv. § 15. 273 Hierocles, who
was the Mastix of Christianity and Champion for the gods.
Mastix(e, Mastizo, see Mastic, Mestizo.
MastleSS (mcrstles), <z.i [f. Mast sb* +
-usss.] Without a mast or masts.
MASTOID.
1593 T. Waison Tears of Fauci e liii. Poems (Arb.) 205
Kike a niastles shipe at seas I wander. 1624 Heywoou
Gunaik. v. 258 [Perseus] whom Acrisius caused with his
mother to be sent to sea in a mastlessc boat. 1849 Rock
Ch. of Fathers II. 495 The mastless vessel ..crept softly.,
up the stream. 1884 Tall Mall C. 16 Get. 1/2 Our niastles.
ironclads lie like hulks on the water, incapable of motion or
direction without coal.
MastleSS (mcrstles), a.-
rare~
[f.MAsT^.:
+ -less.] Without mast, without acorns.
1700 Dryoen Pat. <$- A r cite 111. 208 A ciown of mustier
oak adorn'd her head.
Mastlin(g(e, -yn^e, -youn, obs. ff. Maslin.
Masto- (iiKu-std?;, used {Anal, and Path.) a. to
represent Mastoid sb., in combinations with the
general sense ' pertaining jointly to the mastoid
process or bone and some other part of the skull',
as maslo occipital, -parietal, -squamous, | -lynt-
panic adjs. ; b. as combining form of Gr. uaoius
breast, in names of diseases of the female breast,
as masto-carcinoma, -chondrosis, -scirrhus (Mayne
JCxpos. J.ex. 1856); also Mastodynia.
1855 H01.DKN Hutu. Osteol. (1878) 114 The mastoid part of
the temporal is connected to the posterior inferior angle of
the parietal bone by the "masto parietal suture. 1858 II.
Ghay Anat. 54 The sutures at the base of the sktdl ate. .
! the petiu-oeeipital, the ' masto occipilal [etc.). 1899 Alt-
butt's Syst. Med. VII. 599 Theie may be no local udema
over the mastoid. In fact no *mastosipiamous abscess. 1890
Century Diet, (citing R. Owen), * Masto-tympanic, a bone
of the skull of some reptiles, which should correspond to the
opisthotic quadrate of modern nomenclature.
Mastodon (nue st^dpn;. Palmnt, [mod.L.,
f. Gr. fmrjT-os breast + oSoct-, oSou'v tooth.
The word was used in Fr. form {m,istodontc) by Cuvier in
iSo6in Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat. de Fan's VIII. 270.]
A large extinct mammal resembling the elephant,
characterized by having nipple-shaped tubercles in
pairs on the crowns of the molar teeth.
1813 Bakkavell Inirod. Ceol. (1815) 430 The bones of the
mastodon and mammoth are found only in the upper strata.
1842 Tknnyson Epic 36 Nature brings not back the Masto-
don. 1883 Eucyil. Brit. XV. 425/2 All known Mastodons
are gigantic animals.
Jig. 1847 Emerson Repr. Men, S^vcdenborg, One of the
missouriums and mastodons of literature, he is not to be
measuted by whole colleges of ordinary scholars.
Mastodonic (nKtbtJdfrmk), a. [f. prec. +
-ic.J — Mastodon tic a.
1853 Kane Griuncll E.xp. xxxi. (1856) 269 Annette, nearly
six feet high, received it with mastodonic grace.
Mastodon saurian vma?sU'd(>ns£-rian)j(:z, [f.
mod.L. J/aslodonsaur-us (Jaeger 183S, f. Gr. ^aarCs
breast + qZovt-, 68ovs tooth + oavpos lizaid) + -IAN.]
Of or belonging to the Mastodonsait) us, a genus of
Labyrinthodonts.
1865 Lyell F.lem. Geol. (ed. 6) 50S Labyrinthodonts of die
Mastodousaurian type.
Mastodont (marstJd/7nt), a. and sb. [ad.
mod.L. mastodont-, stem of Mastohon.] a. adj.
Having teeth like a mastodon, b. sb. A mastodon.
1890 in Century Diet. 1897 Nat. Science Oct. 259 Large
upper and lower tusks, as in the older Mastodonts.
Mastodontic (ma'st^dfmtik), a. [foimed as
prec. + -ic.J Of or belonging to a mastodon; re-
sembling the mastodon.
1857 H. Miller Test. Rotks ii.90 The mastodontic period
is removed by two great geologic eras fiom the present
time. 1886 Century Mag. XXXI. 355 Some men of large
si/e ; others of mastodontic proportions. 1895 Athciueum
2 Mar. 285/3 The African elephant, .belongs, as regards its
dentition, to an earlier and mastodontic type.
So Mastodontine a. = prec. {Cent. Diet. 1890) ;
Mastodo'ntoid a., resembling the mastodon.
1842 Owen in Ann. Nat. Hist. XI. 12 The .. collector
and transmitter of the Mastodontoid fossils.
Mastodonton. Incorrect var. of Mastodon.
1815 J. Scott Vts. Paris (ed. 2) App. 295 Bones of.. the
American Mammoth, or Mastodonton.
!! Mastodynia (mxst^idai-nia). Med. Also
-dyny. [mod.L., f. Gr. pacr-os breast + Mvq
pain.] Neuralgia of the female bieast.
1802 Med. J ml. VIII. 493 Cases admitted.. Mastodynia 3.
1879 Kiiory Princ. Med. 16 Mastodynia is often due to
uterine . . irritation. 1880 Webster Suppl., Mastodyny.
Mastoid (mae'stoid), a. and sb. Chiefly Anal.
[ad. mod.L. masloid-es, f. Gr. /icktto-s (woman's)
breast : see -oid. Cf. F. mastoidet 16th c. in Littre. j
A. adj. Shaped like a female breast.
a. Anat. Mastoid process, a nipple-shaped, coni-
cal prominence of the^ temporal bone. Mastoid
bone, a bone of the skull, in fishes and reptiles,
homologous with the mastoid process.
1732 Monro Anat. Bones (ed. 2) ioo Into the mastoid Pro-
cess the Sterno-inastoideus Muscle is inseited. 1841 R. E.
Grant Compar. Anat. 84 Anterior to the mastoid bones are
the upper portions of the tympanic bones. 1878 A. Hamil-
ton Ncrv. Dis. 81 Leeches being applied to both ears, and
cups over the mastoid processes. 1880 Gunther Fishes 57
The formation . . is completed by the mastoid and parietal
bones.
b. Path. Mastoid cancer, a kind of firm carcino-
matous growth, the section of which is thought to
resemble the boiled udder of the cow.
1857 in Dunglison Med. Lex.
c. Lichenology. 'Teat-like'.
1873 W. A. Leighton Lichen-Jiora (ed. 3).
MASTOIDEAL.
d. gen. rare. 1
1877 Cesnola Cyprus ii. 66 A mastoid or breast-shaped hill.
B. absol. as sb. - mastoid process or bone.
1842 E. Wilson .-(«a/. Vade M. 34 Tb* mastoid forms the
posterior part of the hone. 1846 Owen Contpar. Anal.
Vc'tebr. v. 93 The second ring of hones [of a fish s skull]. .
includes the 'parietal*', and the 'mastoids'. siqgAI/butts
Syst. Med. VIII. 45 The method may be supplemented by
placing a pole on each mastoid for a few minutes.
b. altrib. = ' of or pertaining to the mastoid
process ', as in mastoid cell, muscle.
1800 mil. Tram. XC. 9 The cavity of the tympanum,
where the mastoid cells open. 1822-34 Goods .Study Met.
led 4) III 237 An excess of muscular action, particularly of
the mastoid muscle. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VII. 276
The abscess was secondary to mastoid disease.
Hence Mastoidal a., of or belonging to the
mastoid process.
1831 R. Ksox Cloquet's Anal. 89 The mastoid process . .
limited before by the meatus auditoriusexternus,and behind
by the mastoidal suture. 1881 Mivart Cat66 This triangular |
tract is the mastoidal region of the temporal bone.
Mastoideal (maestohlial), a. [Formed as
next + -AL.] = next. 1848 in Craig; and in later Diets.
Mastoidean (maestoi'd/an), a. [f. mod.L.
masloTde-us pertaining to the mastoid (f. mastoid-es
Mastoid) + -an. ft F. mastoidien. J Of or be-
longing to the mastoid.
1841 Owen in Brit. Assoc. Rep. (1842) 75 The mastoidean
angle is not uninterruptedly united with the back part of
the articular process of the tympanic. . . The mastoidean
bone has a concavity at its descending part. 1846 BRITTAN
tr. Malgaigne's Man. Oper. Surg. 104 The second [move-
ment] causes [the sternomastoid muscle] to project forwards
. ., placing its mastoidean bisection on a plane anterior.
II Mastoiditis (moestoidartis). Path, [-itis.]
Inflammation of the mastoid process.
1890 in Syd. Soc. Lex. 1900 Opi'ENHEiM Dis. Chitdh. 618
Mastoiditis may be marked by external rupture.
Mastoido- (maestoi'tu?), used as combining
form of Mastoid, as mastoido-htimeral adj., con-
necting the mastoid | process with the humerus.
\i6^Quaiu's Auat. (ed. 7) II. 193 Thus forming a mastoido-
humeral muscle.
t MastO'logy. [t Gr. ixaarus breast + -ology.]
A proposed substitute for Mammalogy.
1819 Pantologia, Mastology. . We trust we shall not be
accused of pedantry in coining this term. 1839 Penny Cyct.
XIV. 352/2 Mammalogy, a hybrid word. . Accordingly M.
Pesmarest has proposed the term Mastology, and M. de
Blainville that of Mastozoology.
Hence Mastolo'gical a. ^ Mammalogic.il; Mas-
tologist = MAMMALOGIST. 1890 ill Century Diet.
Mastopathy (masVp5Ja). [f. Gr. naarbi
breast + Traflos feeling, suffering: see -l'ATHY. Cf.
F. mastopathies Disease of the female breast.
1856 Mayne Expos. Lex., Mastopathia, pain in the
female breast : mastopathy.
t Mastozoology. Obs. [ad. F. mastozoologie,
f. Gr. fiaaru-s breast + iio-f animal : see -logy]
= Mastology. 1839 [see Mastology].
1 MastozOO'tic, a Ph. [a.d.Y.maslo:ootique,
formed as prec. with irregular suffix.] Of a geo-
logic formation or period : Characterized by the
presence of mammalia.
1839 Penny Cyct. XV. 93 (art. Mendip) Elephants, horses,
. . and other animals of the ' mastozootic ' sera.
Mast-quat, obs. form of Mostwhat.
Mastras, -es{s e, obs. forms of Mistkkss.
Mastres, -ice, -is, var. ff. Maistrice Obs.
Mastring, obs. f. Mastering, kind of lye.
Mastucation, rare obs. form of Mastication.
t Mastuprate, v. Oh. Etymologizing altera-
tion of Masturbate v. So t Mastupra'tion =
Masturbation ; Mastuprator = Masturbatok.
1621 Burton Anat. Mel. I. iii. 11. iv. (1651) 205 Those
rapes, incests, adulteries, mastuprations, [etc.]. Ibid. m. ii.
vi. v. (1651) 581. 1623 Cockeram, Mastuprate. 1647 K.
Stapylton Juvenal ii Whilst the hid knave attends, And
mastuprates, mad to be so delay 'd. 1855 [see Mastckbator].
Masturbate (mse-st»jbf U), 7;. [f. L.mas/urbdl-,
ppl. stem of maslurbari, of obscure origin : ac-
cording to Brugmann for *mastiturbdrl f. *ma:do-
(cf. Gr. ^tefta pi.) virile member + ttirba disturb-
ance. An old conjecture regarded the word as
f. manu-s hand + stuprdre to defile ; hence the
etymologizing forms Manl'stupratiox, Mastl-
riiATE, -ation, used by some Eng. writets.] intr.
and rcjl. To practise self-abuse.
1857 Acton Reprod. Organs 69 note. He had masturbated
himself, c 1880 H. Varley Led. Men (1884) 30 The patients
. .have at last acknowledged that they still masturbated.
Hence Masturbatic a., caused by masturbation ;
Masturbator, one who practises masturbation ;
Ma'sturbatory a., pertaining to masturbation.
1855 Dunglison Med. Lex., Masturbator, Mastuprator.
1864 tr. Casp.'rs Haiulbli. Forensic Med. (N. Syd. Soc.)
III. 334 Masturliatory px-derastia. 1874 I!ucknill& TYki:
Psych. Med. (ed. 3) 318 Masturbatic Insanity. 1899 All-
butt's Syst. Med. VII. 692 In masturlxitors there is more
excess than in any other persons, ibid. VIII. 149.
Masturbation (msetipibei'fia}. [ad. I., mas-
lurbation-em, n. of action f. masturbdri to Mastur-
bate.] The action or practice of self-abuse.
222
1766 A. Hume ititle) Onanism : or a Treatise upon the Dis-
orders produced by Masturbation. 1851 Acton Uritt. <y
Generat. Organs (ed. 2) 232. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med.
VIII. 382.
Hence Masturba'tional a., pertaining to or
caused by masturbation. 1890 in Century Diet.
t Ma Sty, a. Obs. [f. Mast sbj* t- -y 1.]
1. Producing mast.
1575 Tukbicrv. Vencrie 217 In the vineyards in the hollow
mastie woods. 1592 K. 1). Hypncrotomaehia 32 Shaddowed
with greene and tender leaues of mastic Okes, I leeches [etc.].
1611 Cotgr., Glandenx, mastie, full of Mast. 1630 J.Tavlok
(Water P.) Satyre Wks. 11. 259/2 The Masty lieeche.
2. Of a swine: Fattened. (Cf. Ma.stkd a. and
mestif, Mastiff a. I.)
c 1384 Chauckr //. Fame in. 687 Ye masty {Fair/. MS.
maisty] swyne, ye idyll wrechys. 1530 Palsgr. 318/1 Masty
fatte as swyne be,gras.
3. Uurly, big-bodied ; —Mastiffs. 3.
166$ Hookk Microgr 164 Some few of these stout and
resolute soldiers with ihe^e little engines, do often put to
flight a huge masty Bear. 1687 Mibce Gt Er. Dkt. it. s.v.,
A masty Fellow, un gr.>s Paisau. 1886 S. Ik', Line. Gloss.,
Masty, very large and big : as ' They're a masty family '.
Masty, obs. and dial, form of Mastiff.
Mastyc, -yck, -yk^e, obs. forms of Mastic.
Mastye, -yfe, -yve, obs. forms of Mastiff.
t Masuel. Obs. rare. In 14th c. texts erron.
masnel, mansell. [a. OK. massuelle, f. massue
club.] A mace used in battle.
i$.,Coer de I,. 35T Forth he toke a mansell. Ibid. 5660
Hefore his arsoun his ax off steet By that other syde hys
masnel. 13.. Sir Bcncs 4503 Wib an vge masuel [MS.
masnel] Beues a hue on be helm.
Masulium, Masure, obs. ff. Mausoleum,
Mazkb.
1 Masures, sb.fl. Obs. rare. [a. F. matures
sb. pi.] Ruins (of buildings) ; squalid and tumble-
down habitations.
1623 tr. Favine's Theat. Hon. vi. i. 103 Out of the mines
and masures [orig. ruincs ct masures] of them, fouie other
Moderne Citties were rebuilded. 1791 J. Townsknd Journ.
Spain (1792) I. 399 We. .tjuitted the ravin, and began crossing
all the masures of the country.
Masyd, -ness, obs. forms of Mazed, -ness.
Masyl, obs. form of Measle.
Masyn-dew\e, obs. forms of Measondue.
Masynry, obs. form of Masonky.
Mat (meet), sb.1 Also i matt (? matte), meatt,
meatte, (3 //. maten), 4-6 matte, 6-8 matt.
[OE. (only in glossaries) matt, meatt str. (?fem.),
meatte wk. fem., ad. late L. matta (4th c), whence
It. matta, and the Teut. forms OHG. matta (MHG.,
mod.G. matte, also dial, matze), MDu. matte (Du.
mat), Sw. matta, Da. matte. A synonymous late
L. natta ^Gregory of Tours, 6th c), whence F.
natte (see Nat), is commonly regarded as an
altered form of matta, with « for in as in F. nappe
table-cloth, from L. mappa.]
1. A piece of a coarse fabric formed by plaiting
rushes, sedge, straw, bast, etc., intended to lie,
sit, or kneel upon, or for use as a protective
covering for floors, walls, plants, etc., or in pack-
ing furniture.
C7»5 Corpus Gloss. 487 S/iato (for psiato, ij.iatty], matte.
c 1000 /Elfric Gloss. inWr.-Wiilcker 154/2 Storeatvcl psiata,
meatta. a 1100 Voc. ibid. 328/34 Matta, meatte. a 1225
Aner. R. 10 Seinte Sare, &. seinte Sincletice, & monie odre
swuche weopmen &. wommen mid hore greate maten & hore
herde heren. c 1375 .V. Austin 1490 in Horstm. Altcngl.
Leg. (1878) 87/1 In J>e chirche an old monk sat, Seyinge his
psauter vppon a mat. 1387 Trevisa liigden (Rolls) VII.
579 pe matte [L. viatta\ t>at was under hyin whan he bad
his bedes. 1392-3 Earl Derby's Exf>. (Camden) 222 Item
pro vj mattes ad cooperiendum le biscwhit in galeia, vjh.
xij*. 1462-3 Durham Ace. Rolls (Surtees) 279 In duabus
mattis emp. pro aula, vij. d. 15x1 Guyl/orde's Pilgr. (Cam-
den Soc.) 17 Jacobyns.. brought vnto vs mattes for oure
money, to lye vpon. 1553 Eden Treat. Newe hid. (Arb.)
18 Laying them on mattes or couerlettes. 1587-8 in Swayne
Sarum Chnrehw. Ace. (1896) 138 A Matt for the Clarke to
kneell vpon, 6d. 1626 Bacon Sylva § 696 Fleas breed Prin-
cipally of Straw or Mats, where there hath beene a little
Moisture. 1666 Pepys Diary 15 June, A very fine African
mat, to lay upon the ground under a bed of state. 1703
Maundrell Journ. Jems. (1721) 128 Shaded over head with
Trees, and with Matts when the Boughs fai]. 1716 Swift
Phyllis 15 She. .on the Mat devoutly kneeling, vVou'd lift
her Eyes up to the Ceiling, a 1734 North Exam. ii. v. § 1 18
(1740) 388 The Discovery of So Musquets in the Lord Grey's
House, that were packed in Matts. 1766 C. Beatty Two
Months' Tour (1768) 44 It is covered with an handsome
matt, made of rushes. 1777 G. Forster Voy. round World
I. 131 They appeared to be dressed in mats. 1830 Encycl.
Brit.(ed.7) IL 632/2 Mats', swung fiom trees serve them
[S. Amer. Indians! both as seats and hammocks. 1837 J. T.
Smith tr. Vicafs Mortars 96 Colonel Raucourt de Charlc-
ville recommends straw-mats to be suspended in front of
the walls. 1856 Delamer Fl.Gard. (1861) 34 In winter,
cover with mats during frosty weather.
f b. As the name of a material : Plaited or
woven rushes, straw, etc. ; matting. Obs. exc. altrib.
1523-4 Rec. St. Mary at Hill (E. E. T. S.) 322paid for
ij yerdys of wykur matt for be chiklrens fete, xvj d. 1555
W. Watnkman Fardlc Facions n. viii. 175 These ate ap-
pareilled in matte, made of a certayne softe kinde of mere
i rushes. 1594-5 in Swayne Sanan Churehiu. Ace. (1896)
I 143, 40 yeardes of matte for y" panshoners to kneelc on
I tht time of commvnion. <z 1619 Fletcher Botuluca iv.
MAT.
ii, I defie thee, thou mock-made man of mat. 1688-9 fa
Willis & Clark Cambridge (1886) III. 348. 461 yards of
Matt. 1707 Mortimfb liiisb. (t72t) II. 259 Having, .ready
for your Work .. Woollen-Vain, Bass-matt, or such like to
bind them withal. tsysvCEUA Fiennes Diary (1888) 284
Kowles of Matt very natura'1 at their head and feete. 1732
Poie Ep. Balhurst 299 In the worst inn's worst room, with
mat half-hung.
c. Applied lo bast used for tying plants. Also
altrib. in mat-tie. (Cf. Matting vbl. sb. 3 b.)
1824 Loudon Encycl. Card, s t5t4 The flat-headed, .nail,
used either with lists, loops of cord, or mat ; and the eyed . .
nai!, used with mat-ties. ibid. rsi9 When mat, bark, rush,
. .or straw are used [for tying].
d. A bag made of matting, used to hold sugar,
coffee, flax, etc.
1798 Hull Advertiser i Dec. 2/1, 40 mats Le.\ia raisins.
Ibid. 15 Dec. 2/r, 26 matts of best Rake Liebau Flax. 1885
Mrs. C. Praed Head Station (new ed.) 157 Sacks of flour
and mats of ration sugar.
2. a. An article (originally such as is described
in sense 1 , but now more usually made of other
materials) intended to be placed near a door for
persons entering to wipe their shoes upon ( — Door-
mat), or similar to those so used.
Now commonly of rectangular shape and considerable
thickness; made either of some coarsely woven material (as
hemp, coco-nut fibre, latterly often wire), or occasionally of
perforated or corrugated indiarubber, cork, etc.
1665 Hooke Microgr. 6 A very convenient substance to
make Bed -matts or Door-matts of. a i8t8 Miss Rose in
(-". Rose's Diaries (i860) II. 75 There had been a heavy mat
on the floor-cloth. 1841 Browning Pied Piper si Only a
scraping of shoes on the mat. 1848 Dickens Domlcy xxiii,
They found that exemplary woman beating the mats on the
door-steps. 1886 Fenn Master o/Ceremoniesw, He paused
I on the mat to draw a long, catching breath.
b. A thin flat article ^originally made of plaited
straw (cf. sense 1), but now often of leather or
oilcloth) to be placed under a dish, plate, or vessel
in order to protect the table from heat, moisture,
etc. Also applied to various other aiticles of
similar use, e.g. a disk or square of fancy work
placed on a dressing-table to support articles of the
toilet, etc., or merely for ornament.
1875 in Knight Diet. Mech. 1904 Pilot 2 Apr. 307 Muslin
hangings to your looking-glass, bows on your chair-rails,
mats on your tables.
3. trans/. A thick tangled mass.
1835 Ure Philos. Maun/. 164 To break the mats of the
raw wool and to render it light. 1852 Mrs. Stowe Uncle
Touts C. ix. 77 A very heavy mat of sandy hair. 1872 H.
C. Wood Frtsk-w. Algm A'. Amer. (18741 56 A number of
individuals of one or more species [of Scytonemacez] are
almost always associated to form on the ground little mals.
1807 Outing V. S.) XXX. 219/2 The favorite haunts of the
bass are about reefs, mats of weeds [etc.].
4. A'anl. A thick web ol rope yam used to protect
the standing rigging from the friction of other ropes.
1497 Naval Ace. Hen. VII (1896) 251 Crete mattes for
coueryngofthe seid Cordage. 1644 Manwavring Sea- mans
Diet., Matts are broad clowtes, weaved of synnet and thrums
. . and are used in these places : To the maine and fore-yards,
at the ties, (to keep the yards from galling against the mast)
[etc.]. 1769 in Falconer Diet. Marine (1780). 1867 Smvth
Sailor's Uord-bk. 473 Where it is possible, rounding is now
used instead of mats.
altrib. 1886 R. C. Leslie Sea-painter's Log iii. 49 Were
it not for the many chating-battens, mat-service, and other
gear often renewed upon them.
5. a. The coarse piece of sacking on which the
feather-bed is laid (E.D.D.). b. A woollen bed-
covering.
1702 Mrs. Centlivre Beau's Duel iv. i, I'll have no Malts,
but such as lie under the Feather Beds. 1790 Plncklcy
Vestry Bk. 25 Oct. (F..D.D ). Fram matt and cords, a 1894
J. Shaw in R. Wallace Country Sckooliu. (1899) 550 In Ren-
frewshire a mat meant a thick woollen covering for the bed,
generally wrought into a pattern.
6. Engineering. A woven structure of brushwood
secured by ropes and wires, used as a revetment
for river banks. 1884 in Knight Diet. Mech., Suppl
7. /.ace- making. (See quot.)
1882 Caui.keii.d & Saward Diet. Needlework, Mat, a lace
maker's term for the close part of a design.
8. attrib. and Comb. a. Simple attrib , as mat-
awning, -bag, -hut, -lodge, -roof (hence mat-roofed
adj.), -sail, -satchel, -screen, -shed; b. instru-
mental, as mat-clad, -coveted adjs. ; c. objective,
as mat-maker, -making, -mender, d. Special comb.:
mat-boat. -bra'd (seequots.); mat-canvas, adress
material of a coarse texture ; mat-grass, (a) Afar-
dus slricla, (li) Psamma arenaria, the marram
grass ; mat-platting, in Kindergarten work, the
weaving of patterns by means of strips of coloured
paper; mat-pole (see quot.); t mat-reed, the
leaves of '1'ypha iattfolia; mat-rush, the bulrush,
Scirpus lacustris; also = matweed; matweed, a
name for various rush-like grasses (see quot. 1866
and cf. mat-grass) ; mat-tree, -wood [tr. F. bois
de natte], a species of Imbricaria found in Mauri-
tius ; mat-work, [a) matting ; anything resembling
matting; (/<) Arch. =Nattks {Cent. Did.).
1730 Cait. W. Wkigleswokth MS. Log-bk. of the ■' LyelP
~,.i Aug., Received a New * Matt Awning and fixed it for the
Main Deck. 1856 Faulkner Diet. Coiiim. Terms, 'Mat-
bags, are formed of the leaves of the dale and other palm
trees, and are extensively used in Bombay and many parts
MAT.
223
MATjEOLOGY.
of India for packing goods. 1884 Knight Diet Meek.
Suppl., *&M boat. ., a frame of ways supported on scows,
on which mat for revetment is woven. 1883 Caulkeiliwv.
SaWakd Diet Needlework, * Mai-braid, a thick worsted
Braid, woven after the manner of plaiting, . .employed as a
trimming. 1902 Daily Chron. 14 June 10/4 "Mat canvas is
decidedly a fashionable fabric. 1853 G. C. Munuy Our
Antipodes II. xiii. 386 These are the lineal successors
to the tattooed, *mat clad, cannibal old caterans. 1903
Blackw. Mag. Nov. 605 The cat.. scrambles quickly on to
the*mat-covered floor. 1789 J. Pilkington View Derhysh. I.
331 Nardus stricta, *Matgrass. .. This grass is stiff and
hard to the touch. 1818 Latrobe Jml. Vis, S. Africa 372
(St. Helena] A peculiar kind of grass, called mat-grass, from
its spreading, .over the ground in such thickness, that it
forms a cover resembling thick matting. 188a Fi.over
Vnexpl. Pahnkistan 195 We found a small village of
three or four families and as many *mat huts. 1807 P.
Gass Jml. 203 We encamped at two *mat-lodges of the
natives. 1530 Palsgk. 599/1, I knyt, as a *malte maker
knytteth,yV tys. 1881 lustr. Census Clerks 17 Mat maker.
1880 Plain Hints Needleiuork Gloss. 76 The rudimentary
teaching of this darning is taught in the Kindergarten
system, under the name of ' *mat platting'. 1884 Knight
Did. Mec/i. Suppl., *Mat pole . .,a pole . . used in placing
mats of brush for shore protection, jetties, etc. 1578 Lvte
Dodoens iv. liii. 513 The leaues are called "Matte reede,
bycause they make mattes therewith. 1897 Daily Nines
15 Jan. 5/3 The snake was sliding through the *mat roof.
1895 Kipling Pay's Work, Maltese Cat, Some of them were
in *mat-roofed stables close to the polo-ground. 1578 Lvte
Dodoens IV. lii. 511 The fourth is called .. in English, the
pole Rushe, or bull Rushe, or *Mat Rushe. 1611 Cotgr.,
lone a cabas, the pole-rush, mat-rush, fraile-rush. 1640 [see
matmeed], 1894 B. Thomson S. Sea Varus 80 The great
'mat-sail was spread upon the sand. 1777 G. Forstkr Voy.
round World 'II. 321 Most of them were married, and carried
their children in a *mat-satchei on their backs. 1812 tr. Da
Guignes Observ. in Pinker ton* s Voy. XI. 92 Among the
trees of the Isle of France must be noticed, .the "mat tree
[orig. 60 is de natte\ 1597 Gerarue Herbal 1. xxviii. § 2. 38
Hooded *Mat weede. Ibid. § 3. 39 English Mat weedc
hath a rushie roote. 1640 Parkinson Tlteatr. Bot xill.
xxxv. 1 197 Matt weed or Mat Rushes... Our Mat weed or
Marram .. the other of our Sea Matweedes. 1787 tr. Lin-
nxus Faw. Plants \, 41 Lygiutn. Mat- weed. 1866 Treats.
Hot., Matweed, Amnwphila areuart'a, also called Sea Mat-
weed. Hooded Matweed, Lygeum Spar turn. Small Mat-
weed, Nardus stricta. 1793 Trapp tr. Rochon's Voy.
Madagascar Introd. 28 [In the Isle of France :ire| •mat-
wood, tacamacca, stinking-wood [etc.]. 1859 R. F. Burton
Ceutr, Afr. in Jml. Geog. Soc. XXIX. 290 A thick growth
of aquatic vegetation, which forms a kind of "matwork.
Mat (ma't), sb.~ Also matt. [a. F. mat, subst.
use of maty Mat «.]
1. Glass-painting. A layer of colour ' matted '
on the glass (see Mat v.* b).
x88i Art Interchange (N. Y.) 27 Oct. 90/3 [Painting on
glass.] Laying a mat will greatly facilitate tracing.. .There-
are two kinds of mat in use, 'water mat ' and 'oil mat'.
1896 H. Holiday Stained Glass i. 23 Stipple-shading.. is in
common use now together with another method, consisting
of a series of ' matts '.
2. a. Gilding. The effect of 'mat' or unburnished
gold. b. Metal-work. A roughened, frosted, or
figured groundwork.
1866 Tomtinson^s Cycl. Useful Arts I. 757/2 (Gilding.)
Parts of the gilding which are to be in dead gold, (called
matt). 1887 C. L. Haslope Repousse Work 51 These [mark-
ings] may be arranged so as to touch one another, forming
a close mat, or placed a little distance apart, as an open
mat, so as to form a grounding to the picture.
3. A border of ' dead gold ' round a framed
picture ; sometimes applied to a border or ' mount '
of white or tinted cardboard.
In recent U. S. diets, referred to Mat sb}
1845 Pract. Hints on Daguerreotype 37 Leather Cases,
with.. gilt mats and glasses complete. 1886 P. Fitzgerald
in Art Jml. 327/1 It is common.. to set off water-colours
with a broad golden mat of pasteboard. Ibid., A snow-white
cardboard mat. 1890 Howeu.s Shadow of Dream 163 En-
gravings with wide mats in frigid frames of black.
4. = mat ting- punch.
1890 Home Handicrafts (ed. Peters) 19 (Repousse work.)
When backgrounds with patterns upon them are required,
punches shaped like crescents at the point, or as circles,
stars, crosses, will be required. These fancy punches.. are
technically called 'mats'. 1898 T. B. Wiglev Goidsm. §
Jeiveller 79 Punches of various shapes, called. . Freezer-
Mat. Dead Mat. Hair Mat.
5. a It rid.
1876 Encycl. Brit. V. 170/1 Matt-work is protected with I
one or two coats of finish-size ; but burnished gold is [etc.].
1896 H. Holiday Stained Glass i. 24 The painter has.. to
repeat the two matt processes.
Mat (maet), sh$ Card-playing. [Short f. Mata-
dor.] - Matador a.
1766 [Anstey] Bath Guide Epil. 10 Madam Shuffledumdoo
. . Has sold your poor Guide for two Fish and a Mat. 1861
Macm. Mag. Dec. 131 The three best trump cards.. are
called Matadores..or shortly Mats.
Mat (meet), st>.± dial. [Either shortened from
or cogn. with Mattock.] A tool for stubbing
furze, ling, etc. ; a mattock (E.D.D.).
Mat (mast), a. Also 7 matte, 9 matt. [a. F.
mat: see Mate a.] Of colours, surfaces : Without
lustre, dull, ( dead \
a 1648 Digby Closet Open. (1677) 215 Smooth like silver
between polished and matte. 1864 Reatier 26 Nov. 675/1
The traces are made with diamond points on mat-black
paper. 1887 Set A titer. 7 May 297/2 Most kinds of varnish
that wdl dry ' bright ■ under ordinary circumstances will
become 'matt' if subjected to a chill. 1890 Anthony's
1 hotogr. Bull. III. i4lI like a landscape photograph, if
not too small, better on plain paper— as we call a mat sur-
face print, than on a glazed surface. 1896 Godey's Mag.
Apr. 448/2 Others are of mat Roman gold.
Mat (muet), vA [f. Mat so.*]
1. trans. To cover or furnish with mats or mat-
ting. To mat tip : to cover (a plant) with matting.
1549 Privy Council Acts (tBoo) II. 260 To James Rufford
for matting of the chambers at Westminster. 1576-7 Dur-
ham Ace. Rolls (Surtees) 717 For mailings y com'on
t)ue, 2S. &/. 1634 Sir T. Herbert 'Ira:: 24 Temples,
;ept cleane and malted neatly. 1664 Evelyn /Cat Ilort.
lice. 81 Keep the Doors and Windows of your Conserva-
tories well matted. 1672-3 Churchiv. Ace. £. Bndleigh
(1894) 13 For stopping of the presentment at the Dearie
Kuralls Renewing (Tor nott matting the .scales. 1752 John-
son Rambler No. 200 f 14 He mats his stairs and covers
bis carpets. 1782 Miss Bcknkv Cecilia 1. xi, The three
eldest ., were hard at work with their mother in matting
chair-bottoms. 1851 Beckys Florist Aug, 1S4 II will with-
stand the vicissitude of our climate when planted against
a wall, if matted up during severe frosty weather. 1882
Floykr Une.xpl. Baluchistan 33 A side room . . well and
neatly built of mud, and matted witli pish matting.
2. trans/. To cover as with a mat or matting ;
to cover with an entangled mass.
1577 I!. Googe Ilercsbach's Hnsb. n. (1586) 80 The ground
is matted, and as it were netted with the remaines of the olde
Rootes. 16:0 \V. FolkinGham Art of Survey 1. vi. 13 Willi
what Herbage the Crust or Sword is matted, mantled and
swarthed. 1627 Drayton Quest of Cynthia 76 The Banck
with Daffodillies dight, with gras--e like Sleaue was matted.
1747 Franklin Let. Wks, 1887 II. 82 Take the whole to-
gether, it is well malted, and looks like a green corn-field.
1825 Greenhouse Co/up. I. 167 If the ball is much matted
with roots . . it is a sure indication of the vigour of the plant.
1849 Robertson Serin. Ser. 1. xix. (1866) 243 A temple.,
matted with ivy. 1901 Scotsman 29 Oct. 9/1 Mountain
chains of Oregon and Washington, malted with the tower-
ing growtli of the mighty evergreen forest.
3. To form into a mat : a. to entangle or entwine
{together) in a thick mass.
1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Hnsb. 11. (1586) 51 When
I haue thus done, I matte it [sc. a plashed hedge] thicker
and thicker euery yuere. 1626 Bacon Syfoa § 746 Hats haue
beene found in Ouens, and other Hollow Close Places,
Matted one vpon another. 1682 H. MouECoutin. Remark.
Stories 35 In the night, the Daughter had . . her hair snarled
and matted together in that manner, that [etc.]. 1701 Grew
Cosiu. Sacr. 1. iv. §17. 19 In the Skin.. the Fibers are
Matted, as Wooll is in a Hat. 1768-74 TUCKER Lt Nat.
(1834) I. 594 To. .disentangle the boughs where they had
matted themselves together. 1824 W. Irving T. Trav. II.
9, I sought my mothers grave : the weeds were already
matted over it. 1897 Allbntt's Syst. Med. IV. 120 Some-
times the material which mats the intestines together can be
-■tripped off".
b. To make by interlacing, to form into a mat.
1824 Loudon Encycl. Gard. § 1506 Garden or bass mats
are woven or matted from the bast or inner bark of.. the
lime. 1865 Tvi.or Early Hist. Man. vii. 188 Weaving,
which consists of matting twisted threads.
4. inir. To become entangled, to foim tangled
masses. Chietly with together.
1742 Loud, fy Country Brew. 11. (ed. 2) 92 Malt.. in that
Time, would grow musty, or matt together. 1763 MlLLsSyst.
Pract. Hnsb. IV. 144 They will mat together, and rot each
other. 1847 Jml. R. Agric. Soc. VIII. 1. 69 The [wheatj
plants get too forward, and do not mat on the ground. 1851
Ibid. XII. 1. 134 The wheat.. began then to mat and to
tiller. 1879 CasselPs Techu. Educ. IV. 339/1 It is these pro-
portions of the wool which interlock and mat together in the
milling process. 1897 RHOSCOMVL White Rose A mo 217
In the face of this bluff there dripped and matted a close-
grown thicket of oak and ash, hazel and holly.
Mat (mitt), z>.- [a. F. mater, f. mat\ see Mat,
Mate adjs.'] trans. To make (colours, etc.) dull;
to give a 'mat' or dull appearance to (gilding,
metal, etc.) ; to frost (glass).
1602 h'yds Sp. Trag. in. xii. H 3 b, I'de haue you paint
me. .In your ode colours matted. 1727-51 Chambers Cycl.
s. v. Gilding, The work being thus far gilt, when dry, re-
mains either to be burnished, or matted. ..To mat, is to give
it a light Hck fa the places not burnished, with a pencil dipt
in size. 1854 Rbihmel Carpenters etc. Comp. 74 Those
parts of your work which look dull from not being burnished,
are now to be matted, that is, are to be ma'de to look like
dead gold. 1877 G. B. Gee Pract. Gold-worker 133 A
design may be rendered more distinct after the pattern has
been greatly brought out in relief, by simply matting the
ground. 1884 F. J. Britten Watch <$• Clockm. 173 The
Swiss silver the work first and then mat it by scratch brush-
ing. 1898 H. Maclean Photogr. Print. Process xvi. 137
Many a time a print is distinctly improved by being on the
one hand matted, or, on the other, enamelled. 1900 Casselfs
Cycl. Mech. (1902) 1. 153/2 Now pour on white acid, and let
it remain until the glass is matted.
b. Glass-painting. ' To cover (glass) with gum
or other colour, smoothed over with a badger
softener* (Sufrling Glass- painting, 1902).
1885 F. Miller Glass-Paint. 53 A method frequently re-
sorted to. .to give tone and softness to white glass is to matt
each square when traced, with umber or ancient brown.
3VIat (maet), v$ [f. Mat j£.4] trans. To break
up with a mattock.
1855 Jrul. R. Agric. Soc. XVI. n. 319 It is a better way
to mat up the hassocks and ant-hills.
Mat: see Math, Matte, May z/.1, Mete v.
II Matachia. Ohs. [? Algonquin of Canada.]
(See quot. 1613.)
1609 P. E. Nova Francia 11. xi. 203 [The suitor] will haue
a new gowne. .well garnished with Matachias. 1613 Pur-
chas Pilgrimage (1614) 750 The women .. stripped them-
selues naked, .keeping on still their Matachia (which are
Pater nosters [tnarg. Beads] and chaines, enterlaced made of
the haire of the Porkespicke died of diuers colours).
Matach.in(ma?tajr*n). Ohs.exc.Anlia. Forms:
6 machachina, 6-7 matachine, 7 mataehina,
mattachene, -in(e, (mattasin), 7-8 mattacina,
6- matachin. [a. F. matachin (16th c. : now
matassui), a Sp. matachin K — It. matlacino), con-
jectured to be a. Arab, ry^^y* mutawajjihin,\n.
pple. plural of taivajjaha to assume a mask, de-
nominative verb from wajh face.]
1. A kind of sword-dancer in a fantastic costume.
1582-3 Act. RevclsCrt. tShaks. Soc. 1S42) 177, xxj110 yards
ofcotten for the Matachins. 1591 Harincton ir.A> IosIom.
l\i. 45 Monstrous of shape and of an vgly hew, Like masking
Machachinasall disguised. 1622 tr. Luna's Pursuit I.aa-
rillo xvi. 173 They. . looked one vpon another as if they had
beene Matachines. 1807 Douce Illnstr, Shaks, II. 4;^ [A
dance] well known in France and llaly by the name of the
dance of fools, or Matachins. 1896 Edtn. Rev. Apr. 344.
f 2. A dance performed by matachins. Ohs.
App. performed by three dancers, representing a triangular
duel : see quot. a 1586, and quot. 1624 (.Smith) in 3.
a 1586 Sidney Arcadia 1. (1590) 74 b, Who euer sawe a
matachin daunce to imitate fighting, this was a fight that
did imitate the matachin : for they being but three that
fought, euerie one had [two] aduei sai its. 1596 HaRINGTon
Aunt. Mctaiu. Ajax L ij b, Such as I haue scene in stage
playes when they daunce Machachinas. 1606 Svi.vi.siik
Du Partus II. iv. 11. Maguif. 873 Th' Antike, Mousko, and
the Mattacbine. 1612 Webster White Devil \, 4 b (near
end), Lod. We haue brought you a Maske. Fia. A mata-
chine it seems, By your drawne swords. 1624 Hevwoou
Gnttaik. v. 215 The .Matachine or sword daunce.
b. trans/, and fig.
1594 Nashe Terrors Xt. Wks. (Grosart) III. 280 The
night is for you with a blacke saunt or a matachine.
1622 Bacon Henry I'll 36 He was taken into sendee. .to
a base office in his K itch in ; so that (in a kind of Mattacina
of humane fortune: Hee turned a Broach, that had worne
a Crowne. a 1625 Fletcher Elder Brother v. i. But that
I'me patient,. .Ide daunce a matachin with you, Should
make you sweat your best blood for't. 1660 Wither Spec.
Spet ntat. 26 We may thereby perchance. Ere many Springs,
compelled be to dance Another Matachin. 1677 R. Cakv
Chrouol. 11. i. 1, xiv. 129 Acting in a Matachin of Discord,
e. The music for a matachin dance.
I589?Lyly Pappew. Hatchet Wks. i./xj III. 413, I must
tune my fiddle, :md fetch some more rozen, that it niaie
sipieake out .Martins Matachine.
3. attrib., as matachin dance, suit, war.
1584 Ace. Revels Crt. (Shaks. Soc. 1842) 1S8, xxx" • ells of
sarcenet for fowre matachyue sutcs. a 1586 SIDNEY An ad/a
11. (1590) 123 ( >ne time he dan need the Matachine daunce in
armour. 1624 T. Scott Belg. Sontdier 10 They deposed one
another, and as it were with a Mattachene dance of disorders
many times three or foure at once followed their Competi-
tors with whole armies of revenge. 1624 Capt. Smith
Virginia 177 Concluding a tripartite peace of their Mata-
chin warre.
Mataco (mx'takt?). Also matacho, matico
(Diets.), [prob. S. American.] The three-bnmled
armadillo, Tolypeutes tricinctus, a small species
which is able to roll itself up into a ball.
1834 Penny Cycl. II. 353 The Mataco. .is found in lirazil,
Paraguay, and liuenos Ayres, but is nowhere very common.
1845 Darwin Voy. Nat. v. (1873) 96 The apar, commonly
called Mataco. 1849 Sk. Nat. Hist., Mammalia IV. 193
The Mataco, or Ilolita (little ball) as it is sometimes called.
Matador (mse'tadju). Also 7-9 matadore, 8
mattador(e. [a. Sp. matador :— L. mactdtor-em,
ngent-n. f. mactdre (Sp. malar) to kill.]
1. In Spanish bull-fights, the man appointed to
kill the bull.
1681 Dhydf.n.S)S(?». Friar \. 10 Stranger! Cavalier, .will you
not hear me? you Mooie-killer, you Maiador. 1797 Encycl.
Brit, (ed.3) III. 772 The matador at length gives the mortal
blow. z8i2 Byron Ch. liar. j. Ixxiv, The light-liml/d
Matadore. 1882 L)e Windt Eonator 134 The bull-fighiers
themselves are of four grades : the espada or matador, the
picadores [etc. J.
2. Card-playing. Insomecard games (as quadrille,
ombre, solo), a name applied to certain principal
cards.
1674 Cotton Compl.Gamester (1680) 70 [Ombre.] The Ma-
tadors (or killing Cards) which are the Spaditlo, Maltillio,
and Bastoare the chief Cards. 1728 Swift Jrul. Mod. La<<y
Wks. 1755 III. ii. 190 Well, if I ever touch a card ! Four
mattadores, and lose codill ! 1778 C. Jonks Hoyle's Games
Impr. Q9 Four Matadores in Hearts. 1876 Caft. Crawlhy
Card Players' Man. 194 [Quadrille.] There are three mata-
dores—viz., spadille, manille, and basto.
3. Dominoes. (See quot.)
1865 Compl. Domino-Player 14 The Matadore Game. In
this game, instead of fitting the same numbers together, you
are only allowed to play by placing a number at one or the
other end, which added to the number there, will make
seven; but those dominoes which will make that numl>er in
themselves are termed matadores, and can be played at any
stage of the hand,. .These are the i f, and % ; the double
blank is also a matadore, and can be played at any time.
1897 Foster Compl. Hoyle 563.
Matseology (mxtiiplod&i). Also 7 mateo-
logie. [f. Gr. paratos vain + -Koyia discourse :
see -logy.] Vain or unprofitable discourse.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Matcologie {matxologia) vain en-
quiry, or over curious search into high matters and my>teries.
1873 F. Hall Mod. Fug. 37 The bead-roll of malacology
embodied in the extract here following.
So f Mat»olo*glan, one who discourses vainly;
f Mateeolo-gical u.. of or pertaining to 'mat:eo-
logy *, vain; fMatseologiie, an unprofitable talker.
1653 Urquhart Rabelais 1. xv, The doting mateologians
of old time. 1716 M. Davies Athen. Brit. II. 1S4 The
MATiEOTECHNY.
matreologicnl forestalling of the Apocalyptick Chronology
of the end of time. ibid. 168 Those Sacerdotal-Secular
Matasologues of Doway and Lisbon.
■i Mateeotechny. Obs. In 7 mataeotechnia,
mateotechnie, -y. [f. Gr. fidrcuo-s vain + rtx1''?
art.] An unprofitable science.
1576 Nkwton Lemnies Complex, To Rdr., Such a peevish
practice, and unnecessary Matseotechny. 1675 Gregory in
Kigaud Cory. Sci. Men (1S41) II. 278, I am much mistaken
if to force an equality between a negative and affirmative
root be not a mere useless mataeotechnia.
Matafund (msetafcmd). Antiq. rare~l. fad.
med.L. matafunda -OF. macefotuie, mackefonde.
Southey app. regarded the word as f. Sp. matar to kill +
h.funda sling.]
An ancient engine of war.
[1788 ('.rose Miiit. Antiq. II. 304 The matafunda; this
was a stone-throwing machine, probably by means of a
sling.] 1795 Southey Joan of Arc vtir. 163 That murderous
sling The matafund.
Matagasse, -gesse, var. fT. Mattagess Obs.
II MatagOUri (maetagu»,ri). Also matakura.
[Corruption of Maori tumatakuru (Morris Austral
Engl.).] A prickly shrub of New Zealand, Dis~
carta ioumatou.
1859 Otago Gaz. 22 Sept. 280 (Morris) Mucli of it is encum-
bered with matakura scrub. 1892 \V. McHutchksonC«w/
Life in Fiordland 8 (Morris) Trudging moodily along in
Indian file through the matagouri scrub and tussock.
II Matai (matai). Maori name for a New Zea-
land coniferous tree, Podocarpus spicata\ the Black
Pine of Otago. Also, the wood of this tree.
1835 W. Yate Acc. N. Zealand (ed. 2) 50 Matai {Taxns
Matai), a plant with a small yew-tree leaf, a strong smell,
and a rough bark. 1875 OffiC. Handbk. N. Zealand 40
Valuable woods, .matai (or black pine) [etc.].
Matakura, variant of Matagouki.
Matalasse, variant of Matelasse.
Matalent, variant of Maltalent Obs.
Matalle, obs. form of Metal.
Matamata, (mjetamse'ta). [?S. American;
used as zoological Latin in 1822 by Merrem in /sis
690.] A South American turtle, Ckelys fimbriatd.
1840 Cuvier's Anim. Kiugd. 272 The Matamata {'Testudo
fimbria, Urn.). 1876 Bent-den's Anitn. Parasites 58 The
Matamata, a turtle living in the brackish water of Guiana.
Matavnoro, matamorre, var. ff. Mattamore.
Matapi (mse'tap/). Also matapee. [Ara-
wak.j A pliable basket used in Guiana for ex-
pressing the poisonous juice from the root of the
cassava or manioc.
1858 Simmonds DUt. Trade. 1899 Rodway Guiana Wilds
117 The matapee for pressing out the poisonous juice.
Match (maetj), sbA Forms : 1 ssmsecca,
fsemasccea),semecca,m8ecca, 2 imeecca.meeeche,
3 meche, 3-4 mecche, 3-5 macche, (4 maehche),
4-5 mach, (5 mehche, metche), 5-6 mache,
matche, 6- match. [OK. gemacca, ^emecca (for
the formation see Bulbring Ae. Elementarbuch
§ 1 -7) :— OTent.type *gamakfon-, related to *gamn-
kon-y OE. gemaca, Make sb.1 Jn branch II the
word inherited from OK. seems to have coalesced
with a new formation from Match v.*]
I. One of an associated pair.
+ 1. A husband or wife, a mate, consort, a lover.
Also said of animals. Obs.
a 831 Charter of Oswnlf 1 in Sweet O. E. Texts 443 Ic
osuuFf aldormonn. .ond beornoVyS nun ^emecca sellaS [etc.J.
971 Blickl. Horn. 23 Twegen turturan ^emarccan. nooo
/f'.i.i'Hic Saints' Lives (1900) II. 340 His inaecca min modor.
c 1000 Ags. iiosp. Matt.i. 20 Nelle bu ondraedan marian bine
gemaeccean to onfonne. 11.. i'oc. in Wr.-Wtilcker 537/12
Couiunx, imaecca. c 1*60 ffatton Gosp. Matt. i. 24 pa aras
ifflfph . . ft he on-feng hys maecchen. t izoo Ormin 290
Zakari^ess macche Klysahaeb. 1 1220 Bestiary y 16 Vre Sow le
atte kirke dure ches hire crist to meche, he is lire soule
spuse. 13. . E. E. Allit. P. H. 695 Vch male mas his maih
a man as hym-seluen. 171400-50 Alexander 83X Philip.,
with a fest huge Had wed him anober wyfe. .(Alexander
says to him :J Now pan mas be slike a mangery & macchis
c hang is. 1558 Knox First Blast {Arb.) 40 But what maketh
this for Mai y and her matche Phillippe? a 1569 Kingf.s*
myli. Godly Advise (1580)31 Suche quarrelles as the unequal
matches late one in the others dishe. 1631 Wkever Arte.
Funeral A/on. 853 This Hrroicall Progenie of the Howards
and their Matches 1658 Phillips, Match, A Term in
Hunting, when a Wolf desires copulation, he is said to go
to hts match or to his mate.
f2. One's equal in age, rank, station, etc. ;
one's fellow, companion. Obs.
C975 Ruthto Gosp. Matt. xi. 16 £elic is cnehtum. .bacm
be clipende to heora ^emeccum [Vulg. cosequalibus] cwebaS
[etc.]. 13.. E. E. Altit. P. II. 124 Vch mon with his mach
made hyin at ese. r 14.4.0 Promp. Parv. 331/1 Mebche,
. .par. compar. 1533 Moke Ansiv. Pop soned Bk. Wks. 1035/1
If. .there shoulde neither felowsh'ip of their matches, nor
feare of any such as are after the worldly compt accompted
for theyr betters, any thing let or withstand them, .to [etc.].
1547-64 Bauldwin Mor. Philos. (Palfr.) 166 Marry thy
match. 1553 Wilson Rhet. 64 A proude disdainfull manne
. .that, .thinketh hymself..ouer good to haue a matche or
felowe in this life. 1571 Satir. Poems Reform, xxvii. 66
Be thair exemple lerne experience, Ane forene mache or
maister to admitt.
S. fa,. An opponent, antagonist, rival. Obs.
c 1400 Laud Troy Bk. 9236 Eche man rides vnto his
macche. < 1400 Rowland <y O. 809 There es no mache
un-to mee, And that me lykes ille. 1513 Douglas AKneis
224
•
v. vii. 27 Ane vtbir mache to hym was socht and sperlt.
1525 Ld. Berners Froiss. II. xxiv. 62 Euery man with his
matche. 1565 Cooper Thesaurus, Gladiati*res lOmmittere,
to sette matches of swoorde players together, c 1570 Mart:
Wit fy Sci. 111. i, Your matche is mon>trous to behoulde and
full of might. J593 Shaks. 2 Hen. /'/, v. ii. 10 Match to
match I haue encountred him.
b. A person (occasionally a number of persons,
a thing) that is able to contend or compete with
another as an equal. In phrases to find, meet
one's match ; (to be, prove oneself) a match for.
Also More than a match for', able to overcome or
defeat. + Rarely of two persons, To be matches :
to be equal in prowess.
CX300 Cclestin 488 in Anglia I. 79 Amonges vs \sc. the
devils] shalto drecche : So longe hastou ben oure mecche.
Day and ^ere. c 1305 Miracle of St. James 48 in E. E. P.
(1S62) 5Q pe schrewe fond his macche bo. c 1330 R. Brunne
Chron. Wace (Rolls) 13563 pat wel coube feighte, he fond
his mecche. a 1450 Le Aforte Arthur 1607 Neuyr yit er
my mache I founde. 1470-85 Malory Arthur x. via 426,
I gyue you leue to goo where ye lyst. Gramercy said kyng
Mark For ye &. I be not matches, a 1568 Knt. of Curtesy
352 (Ritson) His mache coulde he no where fmde. 1621
Burton Ana.'. Mel. 1. ii. 111. x. (1676) 66/1 Hannibal, .met
with his match, and was subdued at last. 1645 P.p. Hall
Remedy Discontents 75 Men that are not able matches to
their passions. 171a Addison Sped. No. 297 P 6 The Hero
in the Paradise Lost is unsuccessful, and by no means a
Match for his Enemies. 176a Goldsm. Lit. W. vii, I fancy
myself at present . . more than a match for all that can
happen. 1833 Ht. Maktinkau Loom ty Lugger 1. iv. 58 If
the rival manufactures are a match for each other, let them
fight it out. 1849 Macaulav Hist. Eng. v. I. 601 His fol-
lowers, .were no match for regular soldiers. 1871 Kingslev
Lett. (1878) II. 362 The honourable man who will pay his
debts is no match for the dis-honourable man who will not.
1874 Green Short Hist. vii. § 1. 347 So long as Henry sup-
ported him, . . he [T. Cromwell] was more than a match, .for
his foes.
4. A person or thing that equals another in some
quality.
1470-85 Malory Arthur 11, v. 81 Of his strengthe and
hardynesse I knowe not his matche lyuynge. 1586 A. Day
Eng. Secretary 1. (1625) 37 The match or like of him therein,
was seldome or neuer in those daies any where found. 163a
Lithgow Trav. x. 499, I neuer found their matches amongst
the best people of forrane Nations. 1866 Mrs. Gaskkll
Wives %■ Dau. I. xxi. 235, I don't believe there is his match
anywhere for goodness. 1888 Daily tfetus z6 Sept. 6/1
Where., is there the match of this impel ishable tale of the re-
lief of Lucknow?
5. A person or thing that exactly corresponds to
or resembles another, or that forms an exact pair
with another.
c 1530 in Gutch Coll. Cur. II. 284 Oone Potte new made
unto a matche. 1551 Rf.corde Pathw. Knowl. 11. iv. When
two lines are drawen from the endes of anie one line, and meet
in anie pointe, it is not possible to draw two other lines of
like lengthe ech to his match that shal begin at the same
pointes, and [etc.]. 1583 Fulke Defence xiv. 381 Your eies
were not matches, or else they were daseled with a mist of
malice, when you [etc.], a 1616 Beaum. & Fl. Wit without
M. ti. ii, A maide content with one Coach and two horses,
not falling out because they are not matches. x6a6 Bacon
Sylva § 393 Try them [Waters] in Seuerall Bottles, or Open
Vessells, Matches in euery Thing else. 1674 Moxon 'Tutor
Astron. 11. (ed. 3) 84 You might by.. looking through any
Star on the Globe see its Match in Heaven. 1808 Pike
Sources Mississ. in. (1810) App. 22 Extraordinary matches
for carriages have sold at 400 dollars per pair. 1818 J. Pal-
mer Jrnl. Traxi. 129 You've got two nice creatures, they
are right elegant matches. 1893 Stevenson Catriona 5
Ragged gillies, such as I bad seen the matches of by the
dozen in my Highland journey.
II. The action of matching.
f 6. A matching of adversaries against each
other ; a contest viewed with regard to the equality
or inequality of the parties. Obs.
'.'.( 1400 Morte Arth. 4071 This was a mache vn-mete.
€ 1400 Destr. 'Troy 1324 Vnmete was the Macche at be
mrne tyme. 1599 Dkayton Idea, ' 'Truce, gentle Love',
Bad is the match where neither party wone. 160a Shaks.
Ham. ir. ii. 493 Ynequall match, Pyrrhus at Priam driues,
in Rage strikes wide. 1603 Drayton Bar. Wars 11. xxii.
31 Ferrer his Taberd . ., well knowne in many a warlike
match Iwfore. 1606 Shaks. Tr. <r Cr. iv. v. 46 It were no
match, your naile against his home. i6»8 Hoiuies J'hucyd.
(1822) 98 A profitable garland in their matches of valour.
fb. Man of match: ? a champion. Obs.
1640 Habington Q. Arragon \\. i. C 2 b, Seest thou that
man of match Though small in stature, mighty he's in soule.
7. A contest or competitive trial of skill in some
sport, exercise, or operation, e.g. in archery, cricket,
football, ploughing, etc., in which two or more
persons or bodies of persons are matched against
each other; an engagement or arrangement for
such a contest. Also applied to a contest in which
animals are made to compete in a trial of speed,
fighting power, or the like.
In modern sporting language a 'match' is ordinarily under-
stood to mean a formally regulated contest between two
permanent bodies (as two cricket or football clubs, two
counties), or (as in billiards) between two recognized experts
in a game.
1545 Ascham Toxoph. (Arb.) 91 To make matches to
assemble archers togyther, to contende who shall shoote best,
and winne the game, encreaseth yevse of shotynge wonder-
fully amonges men 1567 Harman CV*7tf«/(it;69) 46 Wheie
lie harde. .xl pence gaged vpon a matche of wrastling. 1595
Shaks. John 111. L 336 Assured losse, before the match be
plaid. 16x1 Cotgr., Parti'e,..a match, or set, at game.
1651 Cleveland Poems 44 [He] leaves it a drawn match.
MATCH.
1676 Lady Chawokth in 12//: Rep. Hist. MSS. Con/m.
App. v. 32 They have made four matches to be run at New-
market. 1711 Budgell Sped. No. 161 p 3 A Koot-ball
Match. 1747 Gen. Advertiser 4 July, Mr. Richard New-
land. .with two of his Brothers, and two others, .having
advertised that they would play a Match at Cricket . .against
Five of any Parish of England (etc.], 1812 Sporting Mag.
XXXIX. 107 [Coursing] All matches to be entered in the
match book. 1847 Mrs. Gore Castles in Air xxxiii. (1857)
326 A match was skated upon the lake. x88a Pkhody Eng.
Journalism xxi. 159 He speaks to his constituents.. at a
ploughing match.
f 8. A suitable conjunction or pairing. Also,
above one's match ; above one's level. Obs.
1433 Jas. I Kingis Q. cix, It is no mach, of thyne vnwor-
thynesse To hir hie birth, estate, and beautee bryght, 1542
Udall Erasm, Apoph. 225 To the entente that wee may
after a sorte make soome lykely matche of Koomains with
the Grekes, we shall [etc.]. 1748 Richardson Clarissa
(1811) VII. 55 If I found any of them above my match.
0. concr. A (more or less) well-matched or ac-
cordant pair ; two persons, things, or sets each the
counterpart of the other.
154a Udall Erasm. Apoph. 333 Plutarchus. .compareth
theim twoo together as a veraye good matche and wel
coupleed. 1807 Pike Sources Mississ. (1810) 105 Discovered
one of my sleigh dogs was missing..; this was no little
mortification, as it broke the match, whose important ser-
vices I had already experienced. 1838 Dickens Nich. Nick.
xxii, If they were a Utile better match — . . I mean if they
were a little more of a size.
10. A matrimonial compact or alliance ; esp. one
viewed as more or less advantageous with regard
to wealth, rank, or social position. To make a
match : to bring about a marriage by influence or
contrivance.
1575-85 Abp. Sandys Serin. x\\. 288 The common sort of
men, in making their matches this way, haue chiefly two
outward vntoward respects. 1599 Shaks. Much Ado 11. i.
315 His grace hath made the match. 1676 Lady Chawokth
in 12M Rep. Hist. MSS. Cotum. App. v. 28 Twas a match
of his friends and not his owne making. 1751 Johnson
Rambler No. 182 P 4 Whose hope is to raise themselves by
a wealthy match. 1793 Marq. Buckingham in 14^ Rep.
Hist. MSS. Comm. 390 The match which is settled between
Sir W. Young and AIiss Talbot. X838 Dickens A'ich. Nick.
xlvii, Matches are made m Heaven, they say. 1866 G.
Macdonald Ann. Q. Neighb. v. (1878) 59 It seems to me a
very good match for her. 1874 Green Short Hist. vii.
§ 4. 378 It was by a match with Henry Stuart that Mary
determined to unite the forces of Catholicism.
+ b. A matrimonial alliance as represented
heraldically. Obs.
i6a8 Coke*(?« Lift. Pref., A tomb with his statue upon it
together with his own match and the matches of some of his
ancestors. 1640 Yorke (r/V/c)The Union of Honour. Con-
taining the Armes, Matches And Issues of the Kings, Dukes,
.Marquesses and Karles of England. 1686 V lot St off ordsh.
298 The Windows illustrated with the Armes and matches
of the Chetwynds in painted glass.
f C. The action of marrying ; relationship by
marriage. By match \ in consequence of a marriage.
1574 J. Dee in Lett Lit. Men (Camden) 39 In direct line,
braunche, collaterall, or match. 1605 Camden Rem., Epit.
35 Who in these 2. funerall verses, contained her piincely
parentage, match, and issue, c 1630 Risix>n Surv. Devon
$ 53 (1810) 58 By match, it came to Tremenet. 1655 Fuller
( //. Hist. 111. iii. § 6 He possessed fair lands in Anjou and
Maine ; by Match in right of (Jueen Elianor his Wife.
d. concr. A person viewed with regard to his or
her eligibility (esp. on grounds of fortune or rank)
as a partner in marriage.
1586 A. Day Eng. Secretary 1. (1625) 125 We will finde
out a better match wherewith to delight thee. 1598 Shaks.
Merry W. ill. iv. 77 She is no match for you. 1635 Mas-
singek Nnv Way iv. 1, A maid well qualified, and the
richest match Our north part can make boast of. 1688
Penton Guardians Instr. (1897) 25 When I had provided
an agreeable Match, his Comrades, .taught him to rail at
Matrimony. 1710 Swift Jrnl. to Stella 20 Oct., Lord
Ashburnham, the best match now in England. 1774 H.
Wali-ole Lett, to Mann 28 Mar., He, the first match in
England. 1809 Malkin Gil Bias 1. xL P 1 He left me so
little property, that I was a bad match. 1866 G.. Mac-
iminald Ann. Q. Neighb. xxvii. (1878) 472 He's a very K00*1
match in point of property and-family too. 1879 G. Mere-
dith Egoist xxxv, He s the great match of the county.
fll. An agreement, an appointment ; a compact,
bargain. It is a match (or elliptically, A match!):
said in concluding an agreement or a wager ; =
1 Agreed ', ' Done *. Obs.
1569 T. Preston Cambises 250 (Manly) A match ye shall
make straight with me. X586 J. Hooker tlist. fret, in
Holinshed II. 37/2 These things came not thus to passe, as
it were by a set match, but (etc.). 159* Shaks. Tarn. Shr.
v. ii. 74 A match, 'tis done, a x6a8 Pheston New C*»t.
(1634) 217 If a man be holy but by halves, that makes not
the match, it makes not the agreement between the Lord
and us. 1655 Walton Angler 1. iv. (1661) 74 A match,
good Master, lets go to that house. 1706-7 Farquhar
Beaux Strat. 1. i, A Match !
III. 12. attrib. and Comb.: .(sense 10) f match-
broker, -marring, t -monger ; match-book, in
horse racing, ?the book in which a list of the
dates of matches or races is kept; match-game,
a game (esp. of chess) forming part of a * match ' ;
also U. S. m sense 7 ; f match-horse, a horse
entered for running in a match or race ; match-
play, the play in a match (sense 7) ; also in Golf
play in which the score is reckoned by counting
the holes gained on each side; so match -player;
MATCH.
225
MATCH.
match-rifle, a rifle used in firing competitions;
match-rifling Gun-making, a method of rifling
guns to adapt them for long-range shooting in
matches. Also Match-makek 2, -making vbl. sb.2
i8iz "Match book [see 7]. 1654 Whitlock Zootomia 204
What Consultations, what Embassies, and a whole Councell-
Uoard of Banes-Wrights, or * Match-brokers, must go to the
knitting of a Princes Love-Knot. 1871 G. R. Cutting
Student Life at Amherst Coll. 113 Base ball had hardly
been introduced, when certain enthusiastic students con-
ceived the idea of a ' *match game' with Williams College.
1888 Pall Mall G. 2 July 5/2 A champion chess player will
often lose a match game to a far inferior opponent. 1607
MARKHAiwCrtZ'o/. in. (1617)79 These Tryers.. ought to ride by
the*mntch-horses all the day long. 1890 Athenxum 28 June
828/2 There are four or five young people, and two old
widowers do the matchmaking and the *matchmarring. 1681
Rycaut tr. Gracian's Critick 250 He demanded a handsome
Wife, which they sold him at the Price of an Aching-head, and
the *Match-monger assured him, that [etc.]. 1886 Pull Mall
G. 2 Aug. 3/2 There has been a revival of some of the old
sporting gambits which had for long fallen into disfavour for
*match play. 1893 Daily s Mag. Oct. 279/1 The champion-
ships are played on different principles, the amateur being
by holes or ' match ' play, and the open by strokes. 1894
Westm. Gaz. 5 Apr. 2/1 Steinitz is the first *match-player
Jiving. 1881 Greener Gun 159 The recoil with a 10 lb.
#match-rine is inconsiderable. Ibid. 146 The Metford 'match-
rifling is very expensive to produce.
Match (mrctf), sb~ Also 4 macche, 4-6
matche, 5 mec(c)he, 6-7 mache, 7 metch, 6-
match. [a. OF. mesche, meiche (mod.F. meche)
m Pr. mecca, mecha, Catal. metxa, Sp., Yg. mecha,
It. miccia :— vulgar L. types *micca, *miccia.
The ulterior etymology is obscure. Some have attempted
to connect the word with Gr. t*.v£a, L, myxa mucus of the
nose, nostril, nozzle of a lamp, in med.L. lamp-wick: and
with L. muccus mucus of the nose, whence It. moccolo (:-L.
* mucculus) snuff of a candle.]
f 1. The wick of a candle or lamp. Obs.
1377 Langl. P. PI. B. xvii. 213 As thow seest some tyme
..a torche. The blase there-of yblowe out 3et brenneth the
weyke, With-oute leye or ligte that the macche brenneth.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xvn. clx. (1495) 708 Matches
for candelles. 1422 tr. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv. 237 Yf
the mecche be ouer depe y-sette in the oyle,hit shall anoone
be y-queynte. 1450-1530 Myrr. our Ladye 113 The fatnesse
of oyle may not burne tyl a weyke or matche be put therto.
c 1475 Pict. Voc. in Wr - Wulcker 754/20 Hie lichinus, meche.
1578 Lyte Dodoens iv. Hi. 510 Pith the whiche. .serueth for
Matches to burne in lampes. 1601 Holland Pliny II. 161
Of the grapes which this Palma Christi, or Ricinus doth
carie, there be made excellent weiks or matches for lamps
and candles. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Efi. vi. xii. 33s
Nor will it [the smoke of sulphur] easily light a candle,
untill..the flame approacheth the match.
2. An instrument consisting of a wick, cord, or
rope of hemp, tow, cotton, etc., so prepared that
when lighted at the end it is not easily extinguished,
and continues to burn at a uniform rate ; used fur
firing cannon or other fire-arms, and for igniting a
train of gunpowder. Also in Mining (see quot.
1851). f To cock a malch : see Cock r.* i.
The slow-match now consists of loosely- twisted hempen
cord steeped in a solution of saltpetre and lime-water, and
burns at the rate of one yard in three hours. The Quick-
match is a cotton wick, impregnated with saltpetre, or
coated with gum and mealed gunpowder.
1549 Privy Council Acts (1890) II. 348 Matches, vjc weight.
1573-4 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxford (18S0) 356
Item, for a mache.. jt/. 1605 His Maiesties Speach, etc.
G 4 And thereafter searching the fellow [Guido Fawkes], . .
found three matches. .ready vpon him. 1653 H. Cogan tr.
Pinto's Jrav. xxii. 81 Tied four and four, and five and five
together with the matches of their muskets. 1657 North's
Plutarch, Add. Lives-}-* 1 1 was a Morian slave that strangled
him [Atabalipa] with a match. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3)
VIII. 235 A musket, or musquet, is a fire-arm .. formerly
fired by the application of a lighted match. 1828-40 Tytlmk
Hist. Scot. (1864) III. 237 They., laid a train, which was con-
nected with a ' lunt ', or slow match. 1851 Greenwkll
Coal-trade Terms Northumb. $ Durh. 36 Match.— A small
piece of candle end, or greased twine or tape . . used to
ignite the gunpowder in blasting. 1863 Kinglake Crimea
(1876) I. xiv. 240 The other was the man standing by with
a lighted match and determined to touch the fuse.
fig. 1602 Marston Ant. «r MA "• Wks. 1856 I. 19 The
match of furie is lighted, fastned to the linstock of rage.
b. The material of which matches consist ; cord,
etc., prepared for ignition.
1572 Nottingham Rec. IV. 143 Gunepowder and matche
that wase had at the Watch on Mydsomer Evyn. 1598
Barret Theor. Warres in. i. 34 'three or foure yards of
match, in seuerall peeces hanging at his girdle. 1633 T.
Stafford Pac. Hib. 1. vii. (1821) 97 Fiue Lasts more of
powder, with Match and Lead. 1700 S. L. tr. Fryke's
Voy. E. Ind. 47 The outward Coat of the Nutt is good to
make Match. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) VIII. 195/2 When
there is any apprehension of danger, his [i.e. a gunner's]
field-staff is armed with match. 1866 Brande & Cox Diet.
Set'., Lit., %■ Art s. v., Before the invention of locks, small
arms were fired by means of match.
3. An article of domestic use, consisting of a
piece of cord, cloth, paper, wood, etc., dipped in
melted sulphur, so as to be readily ignited by the
use of a tinder-box, and serving to light a candle
or lamp, or to set fire to fuel. Obs. exc. Hist.
1530 Palsgr. 243/2 Matche to lyght a candell, alumette.
1589 R. Harvey PI. Perc. (1590) 20 When the Steele and the
flint be knockde togither, a man may light his match by the
sparkle. 1608 Middleton Earn. Love v. i. 37 To light their
matches at my tinder. 1695 Congrkve Love for L. n. i,
what a world of fire and candle, matches and tinder-boxes
did you purchase ! 1710 Lond. Gaz. No. 4677/4 There were
Vol. VI.
found about them.. several Fir-Matches dip'd in Brimstone.
a 1776 R. Tames Diss. Fevers (1778) 84 There are many
ways of lighting a candle, by a piece of paper, by charcoal,
by pit-coal orbya brimstone match, a 182a Sheli.ev Hymn
Merc, xviii, Mercury first found out for human weal Tinder
box, matches, fire-irons, flint and steel. 1889 J. Nicholson
Folk Speech E. Yorks. 18 The present paraffin match has
quite superseded the old brimstone match, made of a splinter
of wood about six inches long, and dipped at both ends.
b. A similar article used for fumigation.
1703 Artff Myst. Vintners 23 French and Rhenish Wines
are . . commonly preserved by the Match. 1753 Chambers
Cycl. Supp. s. v. Matching^ Melt brimstone.., dip into it
slips of coarse linnen cloth.. .Take one of these matches, set
one end of it on fire, and put it into the bung-hole of a cask.
1839 Uke Diet. Arts 1303 It is useful to counteract the.,
tendency to acidity, by burning a sulphur match in the
casks. 1853 Ibid. II. 125 To make writing-paper matches,
which burn with a bright flame and diffuse an agreeable
odour, moisten each side of the paper with tincture of ben-
zoin [etc.]. 187a T. Hardy Greenwood Tree iv. ii, Curious
objects about a foot long, in the form of Latin crosses (made
of lath and brown paper dipped in brimstone— called matches
by bee-fanciers).
t c. A small torch used for giving light. Obs.
£1595 Capt. Wyatt R. Dudleys Voy. W. Ind. (Hakl.
Soc.) 25 The which [Ah-sJ make resemblance as if they weare
so manie light matches. 1615 G. Sandys Trav, 118 Hang-
ing out kindled matches to terrifie the theeues. 1638 Sir T.
Herbert Trav. (ed. 2) 14 Fire or a lighted matche only
scaring them [sc. lions].
4. A short slender piece of wood, wax taper, or
other material, tipped with some chemical composi-
tion which bursts into flame when rubbed on a rough
or specially prepared surface (or, as in the earlier
contrivances, when brought into contact with some
chemical reagent). Now the ordinary means of
producing fire. To strike a matih: to ignite a
match by friction (the verb is taken over from the
earlier phrase to strike a light). Cf. Lucifer 3.
Paraffin match, one having the splints dipped in paraffin
to facilitate ignition of the wood. Safety match, one which
can 1>e ignited only by ' striking ' on the box.
1831 T. P. Jonks Netv Conv. Chem.xxW. 245 These matches,
after being covered with sulphur, are dipped into a mixture
of chlorate of potassa, sugar, and sulphur, made into a paste
with gum water. They are then dried, and when touched
with sulphuric acid, instantaneously inflame. 183a Ne7u-
ton's Lond. Jrnl. Conj. Ser. I. 258 [An] apparatus for pro-
ducing instantaneous light, on the principle of the match
and bottle has just been imported from Paris. 1845 Brown-
ing Meetingat Night 10 The quick sharp scratch And blue
.spurt of a lighted match. 1870 Dickens E. Drood xii, [He|
puts a match or two in his pocket. 1889 Paraffin match :
see 3. 1903 Longm. Mag. July 252 He struck a match on
his thole-pin.
b. Phr. {To shatter') into matches-, into splinters.
1898 Times 10 Jan. 13/3 Captain Norie.. whose left arm
was shattered into matches by a bullet.
5. attrib. and Comb., as match-seller, -selling ;
f match- bottle, a phial containing phosphorus, for
igniting sulphur matches ; match-box, f (a) Mil.
a metal tube, pierced full of holes, for a soldier to
carry his lighted match in ; {b) a box to contain
matches ; match-box bean, the hard seed of the
Queensland Bean, Entada scandens, of which
match-boxes are made (Morris Austral £ng.) ;
match-boy, a boy who sells matches ; f match-
cock (in a matchlock) =Cock sb.1 13 a; f match-
cord, rope, or a piece of rope, prepared as a
slow-match ; match-girl, a girl who sells matches ;
match-head, the piece of some chemical com-
position with which a match (sense 4) is tipped ;
match-holder, a receptacle forasupplyof matches;
match-line m match-cord; match-machine, a
machine for making matches; match-man, (a)
a man who fires the malch of a gun ; {/>) a man
who sells matches; match-paper, touch-paper;
match-paste, the paste used for making the heads
of matches; match-pipe, a pipe used to con-
tain a lighted match for a matchlock ; match-
safe U.S., a box to contain matches for use
(Knight Diet. Mech. 1875); match-splint =
match-stick ; match-staff, a staff with a slot in
the upper end and a spike in the lower, used on
shipboard to hold a slow-match {Cent. Diet.);
match-stick, the wood of a match (cf. match-
woody, match-thread, the thread used as match
for firing guns, etc. ; match-tub, in ships-of-war,
a tub having a cover perforated with holes, in
which slow-matches were hung ready for use with
the lighted end downwards (Ogilvie Suppl. 1855) ;
matchwood, + (a) touchwood; (b) wood suitable
for match-sticks ; (c) in phrase {to break etc.) into
matchwood, into minute splinters.
1839 Urk Diet. Arts 954 Phosphoric "match-bottles.
1786 Grose Anc. Armour $ Weapons 65 The musqueteer
should also have a little tin tube.. big enough to admit a
match, and pierced full of little holes, that he may not be
discovered by his match.. ; this was the origin of the * match-
boxes, till lately worn by our grenadiers. 1866 Lowklj. Wks.
(1890) H.93 Mr. Carlyle is for calling down fire from heaven
whenever he cannot readily lay his hand on the match-box.
1887 Pall Mall G. 9 Nov. 2/1 Twopence-halfpenny per
gross is paid for matchbox-making. 1819 Sporting Mag. V.
122 Society of the present day, from the nobleman to the
"match-boy. 1643 Plymouth Col. Rec. (1855) II. 65 A mus-
kett, either firelock or *matchcock. 1644 Nye Gunnery 1. 38
The Gunner is always, when leasure will permit, to choose
good *Matchcords. 1852 Mme. de Chatei.ain tr. Ander-
sen's Tales 301 The Little *Match-Girl. 1898 Westm. Gaz.
17 Sept. 4/3 To Mr. Rosenthal belongs the credit of finding
a paste for "match-heads which is not poisonous. 1884
Harper s Mag. Dec. 134/2 A porcelain "match-holder half
full of matches. 1824 Meyrick Anc. Armour III. 77 The
soldier is made to carry the * match-line lighted at both ends.
1875 Knight Diet. Mech. 1410/1 Young's "match-machine
cuts the splints from a block or bolt of wood [etc.]. 1815
Bowles Missionary vu. 128 Last rolled the heavy gun*, a
sable tier, By Indians drawn, with "matchmen in the rear.
1904 T. Wright in Daily Chron. 23 June 3/2 The match-
man, with his bundles of great sulphur tipped matches,
whom 'you could smell a mile off. 1883 Encycl. Brit. XV.
625/1 Instead of tinder, *inatch-pap<:r or touch-paper.,
and amadou or German tinder, .were often used. 1898
Westm. Gaz. 19 July 10/1 The Belgian Government has
voted a sum of ,£2, 000.. to anyone who can compound a
marketable "match-paste without the aid of yellow phos-
phorus. 1799 G. Smith Laboratory I. 41 The "match
pipes, the most preferable of which are either iron, lead, or
wood,, .should be. .filled with slow charges. 1884 Harper's
Mag. Sept. 581/2 Takes out a cigar and looks in "match-
safe. 183a Miss MiTFORi) Ullage ^t. v. 7 Some poor wretch,
beggar or "match-seller. 1891 C James Rom. Rigmarole
67, I. .tried my hand at "match-selling in the East end. 1880
M. P. Bale Woodworking Machinery xxviii. 252 Machines
for cutting "match splints. 1791 J. Learmont Poems 24
The deil made "match-sticks o' his bains. 1901 Wide World
Mag.W. 449/2, I saw the vagrant telegraph-posts trailing
along the horizon like a row of match-sticks. '799 G.
Smith Laboratory I. 40 l'ut in the ''match-thread and htir it
about, till it has drawn in all the matter. 1597 Gerardr
Herbal Table Eng. Names, *.\latchwoode, that is Touch-
woode. 1838 Civ. Engineer I. 396/1 We wish we could see a
series of experiments made upon a more enlarged scale
than upon these bits of match wood. 1861 Ann. Rce. 21
Most of the ships that struck were broken up into match-
wood. 1887 Lady 20 Jan. 38/3 The huts tumbled into
matchwood.
Match vmxtj), a. [From the predicative and
appositive uses of Matcu sb.1]
1. That matches ; corresponding. Obs. exc. techn.
in certain special collocations (usually hyphened),
in most of which match- may be interpreted as an
attrib. use of the stem of Match z/.1 : match-
gearing, 'two cog-wheels of equal diameter geared
together' (Knight Diet. Mech. 1875); match-
hook, ' a double hook or pair of hooks in which
one portion forms a mousing for the other' (ibid.) ;
match-joint, the part by which two corresponding
sections of a structure are joined; match-plane,
either of two planes used in grooving and tonguing
boards, one plane being used to form the groove,
and the other to form the tongue; match-plate
{founding), ' a plate upon the opposite sides of
which the halves of a pattern are placed corre-
spondingly, to facilitate the operation of molding'
(Knight 1875); f match-term Math., one of a
pair of correspond ing terms in a proportion ;
match-wheel, ' a cog-wheel adapted to mesh into
or work with another' (Knight 1875). Also
Match- board.
1483 Caxton Caio E viij b, Thou oughtest to for here and
to favoure in tyme and place hym whyche thou knowest not
matche ne lyke to the. 1551 Records Pat/no. K'uowl. 11.
i, The whole triangles be of one greatnes, and euery angle
in the one equall to his matche angle in the other. 1551 —
Cast, Kuowl. (1556) 207 That arke of the Equinoctial! is
equall with his matche arke in the Zodiacke. 1600 T. Hill
Arithm. 11. viii. 119 b, Wherefore each couple of them which
so agree and match together in like sirnarne or quality are
..properly to be called matchtermes.. ; for in such cases
the one couple are the antecedents and the other couple
are the consequents. Ibid. 128 b, I see.. that 2& ells.. is the
third number, .and that \ of an ell being the matche terme
thereof is the first. 1683 Moxon Mech. E.xcrc., Printing x.
P 9 Two Match half-Joynts fastned on the Frame of the
Tympan. Ibid. xxiv. r 7 The Krisket must be Cut : which
to perform, the Press-man fits the Match-Joynts of the
Krisket into the Match-Joynts of the Tympan, and pins
them in with the Frisket-pins. 1833 Loudon Encycl. Cottage
Archil. § 297 The edge of one boacd grooved, and the ad-
joining board tongued, with a pair of planes fitting into each
other, called match planes. 1881 Young Every Man hisoiun
Mechanic § 395 Match planes are so called bee.mse the
width of the projection left by one plane matches or tallies
exactly with the width or groove cut by the other.
2. Comb.: match-lined #., lined with match-
board ; match-lining = MATCHiioAitDixo.
1865 Price LJst of Joinery 17 Extra for h in. match-lined
back [of a cupboard]. Ibid. 19 The back lined with #
match lining.
Match (moetj) , v.1 Forms : 4 mache, macche,
6 matche, 6- match, [f. Matth jA1]
1. trans. To join in marriage (chiefly used with
some reference to the fitness or unfitness of the
conjunction); to procure a 'match* or matrimonial
alliance for (e.g. a son or daughter) ; to connect
(a family) by marriage. Also rarely, f to couple,
mate (animals). Const, to (f unto) , with.
1390 Gower Cotif. II. 308 Sche was evele macched And
fer from alle loves kinde. 1513 Moke in Grafton Chron.
(1568) II. 762 Whose bloud..was full vnmcele to be matched
with hys. 1530 Palsgr. 633/2, I matche the male and the
female togyther of any kynde.. .And you can matche this
bit* he you shall have pretye whelpes. 1586 J. Hooker Hist.
fret, in Holinshed II. 137/2 They were.. by waie of man-
ages matched and combined with honourable and great
i>5
MATCH.
226
MATCH-BOARD.
houses. 1591 Shaks. Two Cent. HE i. 62, I haue sought To
match my friend Sir Thurio, to ny daughter. 161a Davies
Why Ireland, etc. (1747) 218 Whose sole daughter then was
niatcht to William de Valencia. 1667 Milton P. L. xi.
6S1 Those ill-mated Marriages.. Where good with bad were
matcht. 1680 Evelyn Diary 6 Sept., He match'd his eldest
son to Mrs. Trollop. 1703 J. Tipi'F.k in Lett. Lit. Men
(Camden) 305, I am heartily glad your dear Sister is so
happily match'd to Mr. Stevens. 1731 Fielding Grub St.
Op. 1. ii, Now I rely on you to match them up to one
another. 1754 Foote Knights II, Wks. 1799 I. 85 Tim has
fallen in love with a young woman. . , and 'tis partly to pre-
vent bad consequences, that I am. .so hasty to match him.
1842 Tennyson Ulysses 3 An idle king.. Match'd with an
aged wife. 1849 Marhyat Valerie xi. II. 140 Try if you
can match her with a Duke. 1878 Simpson Sch. Shaks. I.
25 Henry II. proposed to match him with some great heiress.
+ b. refl. Obs.
1362 Lancl. P. PI. A. x. 193 Bote maydens and maydens
maccheth ou ysamme [1377 b. i*. 173 niacche 50W togideres].
1581 PBTTIB Guazzd's Civ. Com'. 11. (1586) 8j Povertie
bringeth. ., that he is sometime driven to match bimselfe in
marriage with some woman ofbase parentage.
c. iutr. for refl. To ally oneself in marriage.
Const, with. Now rare exc. dial. + To match
into (a family) : to become connected by marriage
with. + Also rarely of animals : To pair.
1568 Grafton Chron. II. 670 Not to bevnworthy to matche
in matrimonie, with the greatest Prince of theworlde. 1586
ii. Young Guazzd's Civ.Conv. iv. 226 b, It is (saide Lord
lohn) a greate griefe of the minde, and heart breaking, to
match with a fooltshe Woman. 1599 Shaks. Much Ado 11.
i. 68 Truly I hold it a sinne to match in my kinred. 1611
CorcR., S" Ap/aner, to couple, or match ; as birds doe in
the Spring. 1620 Gataker Mariage Praier 8 They shall
neuer haue my blessing, .if they match without my consent.
1647 SpRiGGH Anglia Rediv. 1. 11. 8 He matched into a most
n'>ble and martial family. i68oDrvdkn.V/<7«. Fryarw. ii. 63
Let Tygers match with Hinds, and Wolfs with Sheep. 1766
Goldsm. Vic. IV. iii, If he had birth and fortune to entitle
him to match into such a family as ours. 1820 Hazlitt
Led. Dram. Lit. 348 A young woman . . who would not
think of matching with a fellow of low birth. 1844 Maii>-
ment Spottiswoode Misc. I. 5 This marks rather that the
Spotswoods have matched with the Gordons.
t 2. trans. To associate, join in companionship
or co-operation (persons or things) ; to put together
so as to form a pair or set with (another person
or thing). Ot>s. (Cf. sense 5.)
c 1470 Got. .y Gaw. 1159 Quhen thai war machit at mete,
the mare and the myn. 1534 Moke Com/, agst. Trtb. 11.
Wks. 1209/1 When god hath by suche chaunce sent hym to
me, and there once matched me with him, 1 recken my self
surely charged with him, tyl [etc.]. 1575 85 Abp. Sandys
Serm. iii. 47 Matching alwaies with iustice mercie. 1588
Shaks. L.L. L. 11. i. 49 A sharp wit match'd with too blunt
a Will. 1599 — Much Ado 11. i. m God match me with a
good dauncer. 1599 H. Holland Wks. K. Greenham 1
Some busie themselues in Church-discipline, and are slender
sighted in their priuie corruptions : . . but it is good to match
both together. 1605 ISacon Adv. Learn. I. vii. § 6 [Adrian]
having his [Christ's] picture in his gallerie matched with
Apollonius. 1645 Ussher Body Div. (1647) 68 It was matched
with many infirmities and passions.
f b. refl. To make an agreement with. Obs.
13 . . E. E. A Hit. P. C. 99 Maches hym with be maryneres,
makes her paye, For to towe hym into tarce.
3. To encounter as an adversary. Also (now
always), to encounter with equal power, prove a
match for.
13. . Gaw. fy Gr. Knt. 282 Here is no mon me to mach.
c 1400 Destr. Troy 7042 Manly he macchit bom with his
mayn strokes, c 1440 York Myst. xxx. 199 Oure meyne
with myght At mydnyght hym mached. 1470-85 Malory
Arthur x. viii. 426 Ye are not able to matche a good knyght.
1587 Harrison England 11. iii. U877) 1. 73 The townesmen
of both [Oxford and Cambridge] are glad when they may
match and annoie the students. 1590 Shaks. A/ids. N. 111.
ii. 305 You perhaps may thinke, Because she is something
lower then my selfe, That I can match her. 164a Rogers
Naaman 39 Tell me, if God had not matched thee, who
could? 1666 Dryden Ann. Mirah. 190 Sharp remembrance
on the English part And shame of being matched by such a
foe Rouse conscious virtue up in every heart. 1856 Froude
Hist. Eng. (1858) I. ii. 173 No knight in England could
match him in the tournament except the Duke of Suffolk.
+b. intr. Tomeetin combat, tofight(7w7/0. Obs.
a 1400-50 A lexander 3607 To mache with sike a multitude
of men & of testis, c 1400 Destr. Troy 9678 Thus macchit
bose men till the merke night, c 1470 Henky Wallace v.
42 Quhen xl macht [v.r. matchit] agayne thre hundyr men.
1559-66 Wodroiv Soc. Misc. (1844)69 The Congregation and
the Frenchmen were often assembled, and were neare match-
ing* *$67 Maplet Gr. Forest 86 The Falcon is a bird of
haughtie stomacke matching with birdes a great deale Ugger
and mightier then him selfe. 1595 Shaks. John 11. i. 330
Strength matcht with strength, and power confronted power.
4. trans. To array or place in opposition or con-
flict with ; to ' pit ' (a person or thing) against an-
other. Chiefly refl. and pass. Oocas.const.+to, \on.
la 1400 Morle Arth. 1533 J>ay hafe bene machede to daye
with meiie of be marchez. 1 1400 Destr. Troy 8288 He
macchit hym to Menclay. 15.. Scotish Fielde 197 On who
was thou mached? 15*3 Ld. Berners Froiss. (1812) I.
cxxx. 158 He is hardely matched, wherfore he hathe nede
of your ayde. 1578 Chr. Prayers 118b, The sinfulnes that
we haue receaued from our first Parents, hath matched the re-
bellious flesh against, .the mind. 1667 Milton P. L. vi. 631
Eternal might To match with thir inventions theypresum'd
So easie. 1781 Cewnut Retirement 580 The estate his sires
had owned in ancient yL-ars Was quickly distanced, matched
against a peer's. 1840 Da Quincky Style 1. Wks. 1862 X.
161 What if a man should match such a bauble against the
1'antheon? 1855 Kingsley Heroes v. ii. (1868) 156 Let them
match their song against mine. 1903 Expositor Aug. 113
They had to match themselves against the wily Greek or
Syrian trader.
5. To pair or assort (persons or things) with a
view to fitness or equality ; to arrange in a suitable
or equal pair or set ; to provide with an adversary
or competitor of equal power. Often in passive
with adv., as to be welt, ill matched.
1530 Palsgr. 633/2, I matche one with a felowe, I set one
to another that beequall of power and strength. 1590 Shaks.
Mids. N. iv. i. 120 My hounds are bred out of the Spartan
kinde, .. Slow in pursuit, but match'd in mouth like bels.
a 1645 A. Stafford Fetn. Glory (1869) p. xcix, Never Prince
and Church-man were better matcht then theise two.
1696 R. H. Sch. Recreat. 146 Match your Cock carefully.
1741 Middleton Cicero II. x. 392 Cicero all the while, like
a master of Gladiators, matching us and ordering the Com-
bat. 1842 Miss Mitkord in L'Estrange Life (1870) III. ix.
142 In point of wearisome insipidity Sir Robert and Lord
John are well matched one against the other. 1859 Darwin
Orig. Spec. i. (1873) 25 The savages in South Africa match
their draught cattle by colour. 1874 Sayce Compar. Philol.
v. 181 Compatibility of existence on the part of two races
depends upon their being more or less nearly matched in
culture. 1883 Froude Short Stnd. IV. 1. iii. 27 The two
great antagonists. .wer« more fairly matched than Becket
perhaps expected to find them.
b. To proportion, make to correspond to or with.
1680 Earl Roscom. Horace's Art Poetry 4 Let Poets
match their Subject to their strength. 1708 Rowe Roy.
Convert m. i. 29 Mine [sc. my hopes] have l>een still Match'd
with my Birth. 1861 Whittier 07tr Ri7\r 71 To match
our spirits to our day And make a joy of duty, a 1888 M.
Arnold Thekla"s Answ. v, God doth match His gifts to
man's believing.
e. * To furnish with a tongue and a groove, at
the edges; as to match boards' (Webster 1897).
1833 etc. [see Matched///, a. 2J.
6. To place in competition with ; to compare in
respect of superiority. (Cf. sense 4.)
1581 Mulcaster Positions xxxix. {1887) 192 If in com-
fiarison ye match a toward priuate teacher with a weake pub-
ike maister. 159a Shaks. R om. «y Jul. 11. Prol. 4 Thatfaire..
With tender Iuliet matcht, is now not faire. a 1649DRUMM.OF
HAWTH.Convcrsat. betw. B. J. ^-/r./AWks. (171 1)226 The
earl of Surrey, sir Thomas Wyal (whom, because of their anti-
quity, I will not match with our better times). 1717 Pope
Ep. to yervas 36 Each heav'nly piece unwearied we com-
pare, Match Raphael's grace with thy lov'd Guido's air.
1791 CowrER Iliad iv. 478 Their glory then, match never
more with ours. 1820 Shelley .S'^y/rtr/t 68 Chorus Hymenaeal,
Or triumphal thaunt, Matched with thine would be all But
an empty vaunt. 1867 Howells Hal. Journ. iii. 29, I saw
the custodian had another relic, .which he was not ashamed
to match with the manuscript in my interest.
+ b. To compare in respect of similarity ; to ex-
amine the likeness or difference of. Obs. rare.
a 1649 Drumm. of Hawth. Hist. Jas. V, Wks. (1711) 103
By matching the faces of one of those strangers with a por-
trait she had of Ring James.
+ 7. To regard, treat, or speak of as equal. Obs.
1580 Sidney Ps. x.xvi. v, Sweete Lord, write not my
soule Within the sinner's rowle : Nor my life's cause match
with blood seekers case. 1595 J. Kinc Queens Day Serm.
in Jonas, etc. (1618) 702 Whensoeuer afterwards, there was
taken vppe any great lamentation, it was sampled and
matched with that of Hadadrimmon, in the field of Megiddo.
i6o5WiLLKT./iV-rfl/Ai Gen. 468 This is great presumption.,
to match Gods arke and Iosephs coffin together. 1606
Shaks. Tr. $ Cr. 1. iii. 194 To match vs in comparisons with
durt, To weaken and discredit our exposure.
8. To be equal to, to equal ; to resemble suf-
ficiently to l>e suitably coupled with ; to correspond
to, be the ' match1 or counterpart of. Also absol.
of two or more things : To be mutually equal ; to be
sufficiently similar to be suitably coupled together.
159a Shaks. Yen. fy Ad. 1140 All loues pleasure shall not
match his wo. 1603 Owen Pembrokeshire iv. (1892) 40 In
shorte tyme they are like to match the other inhabitaunts in
noniber. 163a Lithgow Trav. 111. 81 These fiue Cities are
so strong, that.. I neuer saw them matched. 1643 Sir T.
Browne Relig. Med, 1. § 44 All the valiant acts of Curtius,
Scevola, or Codrus, do not parallel or match that one of
Job. 1663 Butler Hud. 1. i. 190 For his religion, it was fit
To match his learning and bis wit. 1781 Cowper Charity
118 He. .Imports what others have invented well, And stirs
his own to match them or excel. 1819 Shelley Cenci m.
ii. 71 Marzio's hate Matches Olimpio's. 1853 C. Bronte
Viitette xxxvi, Life is so constructed that the eventdocsnot,
cannot, will not, match the expectation. t 1884 Mauch.
Exam. 17 May 4/8 There exists in no Continental country
anything that can match the City and Guilds' Institute.
Mod. The colour of the carpet does not match the wall-
paper. These patterns do not match.
b. intr. To be equal with ; to be suitably coupled
with ; to correspond, be suitable to. Also {rarely),
to fit or * dovetail ' into.
1567 Maplet Gr. Forest 32 b, But herein good heed
must be taken, least we match and march with the greeke
Sophister. 1577 B. Gooce Heresbach's Husb. 1. (1586) 39 b,
It groweth..to suche a heyght, that it matcheth with indif-
ferent Trees. 1599 Shaks. Hen. V, 11. iv. 130 To that end, as
matching to his Youth and Vanitie, I did present him with
the Paris-Balls. 1866 Dk. Argyll Reign Lawvii. (1871)
343 Other minds were working at the same time whose
labours were to match with a curious fittingness into his.
c. To match (used qnasi-adv. or quasi-adj. after
a sb.) : corresponding in number, size, style, etc.
with what has been mentioned.
1838 Dickens O. Twist xxxiii, A tall gentleman in. .drab
breeches and boots with tops to match. 1850 Tennyson In
Mem. i, Who shall so forecast the years And find in loss a
gain to match? 1857 G. A. Lawrence Guy Liv. iii. 21 After
twelve pipes over-night with gin-and-water to match. 1891
Leeds Mercury 17 Apr. 4/7 Theresa. .was attired in wine-
coloured velvet, and wore a jet bonnet, trimmed with velvet
to match.
9. trans. To furnish with a match.
a. To find, procure, or produce an equal to.
1596 J. Nordf.n Progr. Pietie (1847) 114 Someone of these
his subtle sects in shew meeteth, and as it were matcheth every
godly endeavour and sincere course that the children of God
do practise. 1600 J. Pory tr. Leo's Africa Introd. 56 Ex-
cellent wines, and sugars which cannot be matched. 1687
A. Lovell tr. Thevenofs Trai>. 1. 123 The body of the
Pillar is of one entire piece of Garnet, so high, that the
world cannot match it. 1773 Johnson 30 Apr. in Bosweit,
I can match this nonsense. 184a Tennyson Gardeners
Dau.31 Go and see The Gardener's daughter; trust me,
after that, You scarce can fail to match his masterpiece.
1886 Constance V. Woolson /;. Angels i. 15 To match it
[the climate] one must seek the Madeira Islands or Algiers.
b. To fit or supply with a suitable addition or
counterpart ; to find, select, or obtain something
sufficiently similar to or accordant with (a colour,
pattern, an article of dress, etc.).
1600 Shaks. A. Y. L. 1. ii. 127, I could match this begin-
ning with an old tale. 1724 Swift Use of Irish Manuf.
Wks. 1755 V. 11. 3 There may be room enough to employ
their wit and fancy in chusing and matching patterns and
colours. 1758 Johnson Idler No. 16 F 5 Every maid.,
matched her gown at Mr. Drugget's. 1770 Foote Lame
Lover 1. 20, [I] promised to.. match a coach-horse for Bri-
gadier Whip. 1861 Whyte Melville Good for Nothing I.
xi. 132 Can you match me this piece of yellow silk ? 1881
J. Hawthorne Fort. Fool 1. xxxiv, As if it were a question
of matching knitting-yarns.
C. To compare so as to select one suitable to.
1718 Pope Let. 1 Sept. in Lady M. W. Montagu's Lett.
(1861) I. 438 John was now matching several kinds of pop-
pies and field flowers to her complexion, to make her a
present of knots for the day.
1 10. To procure as a match. Obs. rare~\
1596 Shaks. Merch. V. in. i. 81 Here comes another ol
the Tribe, a third cannot be matcht, vnlesse the diuell him-
selfe turne lew.
Match (msetj), v.% [f. Match aM Cf. F.
mecher.'] trans. To fumigate (wines or liquors, or
casks) by burning sulphur matches ; now chiefly
in Cider-making. Hence Ma'tching vbl. sb.
1703 Art % Myst. Vintners 28 Stttm is nothing else but
pure Wine kept from fretting by often racking and matching
it in clean Vessels. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Sttpp., Matching,
in the wine trade, the preparing vessels to preserve wines
and other liquors, without their growing sour or vapid. 183a
Trans Prov. Med. <$• Surg. Assoc. VI. 11. 200 The sweet-
ness of the cider prepared for exportation is preserved by a
process., which.. is known by the term ' Matching '. 1864
Jml. R. Agric. Soc. XXV. 1. 90 Most of the cider that
is ' matched ' in this way has a peculiar taste.
Matchable (martjab'l), a. [f. Match z;.1 +
-AI1LE.]
1. That can be matched, equalled, or rivalled.
a 1568 Ascham Scholem. 1. (Arb.) 59 So manie notable
Capitaines in warre for worthinesse, wisdome and learning,
as be scarse matchable no not in the state of Rome. 1591
Spenser Ruins of Time 89 To tell my forces matchable to
none, Were but lost labour. 1634 Heywood Gunaik. 111.
143 A Lady scarce matchable before her time or since. 1678
Life Black Prince in Hart. Misc. (1809) III. 153 He was a
prince so full of virtues as were scarce matchable by others.
1 2. Comparable ; equal ; similar, analogous.
Const, to, with. Obs.
157a J. Jones Bathes of Bath 11. 10 b, Neyther be such
vapours, or dashinges, matchable to fyre in heate. a 159a
Selitnus 1864 Aga, thy grief is matchable to his. 1608
Dod & Cleaver Expos. Prov. xi-xii. 190 Many great
pibbles are not matchable in worth with one pearle which
is farre lesse then they are. 1653 Gataker Vind. Anuot.
Jer. 149 The War.. was in divers respects not matchable
onely unto, but even greater then any that had gone before
it. 1695 Woodward Nat. Hist. Earth (1723) 28 [Shells] not
matchable with any upon our Shores.
+ 3. Suitable, well suited, accordant. Obs.
1611 Markham Couutr. Content, t. xix. (1668) 81 They be
ever most matchable, strong, nimble, and ready for your
pleasure. 1614 D. Dyke Myst. Selfe- Deceiuing (1630) 297
i*he party affected hath pietie matchable both to person and
portion. 181$ Zelnca HI. 162 Now if you had married
such a superior character as Miss Emcotts, so truly match-
able with you.
Hence t Matchableness, fMa'tchably adv.
1611 Cotgr., Equalite, equalitie, euenness, matchablenesse.
Esgattement, equally, euenly, alike, materiality, a 1637
IS. Jonson Eng. Gram. Pref. 9 We shew the Copie of it, and
Matchablenesse, with other tongues.
Match-board (martjbd-ud), j£. Joinery, [f.
Match a.\ cf. Match z>.1] A board which has
a tongue cut along one edge and a groove in the
opposite edge, so as to admit of being 6tted into
other similar boards to form one piece with them.
Also collect. = match-boarding.
1858 Simmonds Diet. Trade, Match-boards^ a kind of
plank used for flooring. 1883 Daily Nnvs 10 Sept. 2/1 This
building.. is described as 'encircled by match boards nailed
to posts supporting the roof. 18.. Med. News LI I. 670
(Cent.) The walls.. consist partly of brick piers and partly
of corrugated iron lined by felt and matchboard.
Hence BSa'tch-board v. trans., to cover or sup-
ply with matchboards; Ma'tch- boar dedtf., having
or composed of match-boards ; Ma'tdi-boarding",
match-boards fitted together to form a material for
lining walls, forming partitions or light structures
such as poultry-houses, etc.
1865 Price List of Joinery 28 Match P.oarding. .forming
Partitions in Bedrooms. 188s Garden 18 Mar. 188/1 The
house is .. cased inside with match boarding. 1889 J. K.
Jerome Three Men in Boat 81 It was expensive work.
Had to match-board it all over first. 1894 Westm, Gaz.
MATCH-CLOTH.
227
MATE.
16 July 8/1 What with the match-boarded character of the
house and the uprush of draught by the staircase, the
chances of escape would have been .small indeed. 1903
Lowut. Mmg. June 126 We discovered our quarters in a
hue match-boarded room with a flapping canvas ceiling.
Ma'tch-cloth. [? f- match- in Matchcoat.]
1855 OdtviB Suppl., Match-cloth, a coarse woollen cloth
for the Indian trade [American].
Matchcoat (ime'tjkout). Oi>s. exc. Hist. Also
7 matchco, mach-cot, 9 matchicoat. [Orig.
matchco, prob. an American Indian word: cf.
Oojibwa malehigode 'petticoat, woman's dress'
(Iiaraga); afterwards corrupted by popular ety-
mology, as if f. Match sb.1 or v .l + Coat sb.]
a. A kind of mantle formerly worn by American
Indians, originally made of fur skins, and after-
wards of match-cloth, b. The material out of
which matchcoats were made.
164a in Archives of Maryland (1887) IV. 94, 2 rackoonc
matchcos and 15. arm.es length of ronoke. 1661 Stat, Vir-
giuia (1S23) II. 36 He paying., for the use of those Indians
thirty Matchcoats of two yards a peice. 1685 Pennsylv.
Archives I. 94 Twenty Gunns Twenty fathom Matchcoat
[etc.]. 1698 G. Thomas Pensilvania 10, I . .have very good
Shot, with red and blue Mach-cots. 1705 Beverley Vir.
ginia in. i. § 3 (1722) 142 The proper Indian Match-coat,
which is made of Skins, drest with the Fur on, sowed to-
gether... Fig. 2 wears the Duffield Matchcoat, bought of
the English. 1788 New Lond. Mag. 115 A large mantle or
match-coat, thrown over all, compleats their dress. 1814
Sporting Mag. XLIV. 280 A matchicoat and leggins red.
Matched ^ma'tjt), ///. a. [f. Match v.1 + -eh.]
1. Having a match or equal. Chiefly in *'//-,
■well-matched, q. v.
2. Of boards : Furnished with a tongue on one
edge and a groove on the other. \ Matched joint ~
'match-joint' (Match a. 1). Also Cany, matched-
boarding, -lined a. — match-boardings -lined.
1688 R. Holme Armoury m. 114/1 The several Parts of a
[Printing] Press. The Matcht Joynt, is the Joynt or Hing
fastned to the Timpan and hinder Raile of the Cofliu.
1833 Loudon Encycl. Cottage Archit. § 297 Five-eighth-
inch deal matched (the edge of one board grooved, and the
adjoining board tongued..) and beaded boarding. 1857-9
Tarbuck Encycl. Carpentry .y Joinery 208 In Fig. 10 the
edges are shot;.. in Fig. 12 matched. 1865 Price List of
Joinery 33, 6.6J Matched-lined enclosure to stairs. 1873
Tars Trcdgold's Carpentry 242 Matched-boarding.
Matcher (mce-tjai). [f. Match z/.i +- -er1.]
1. One who matches, in senses of the vb.
1611 Cotgr., Marieur, a matcher, a marier. 1628 Ford
Lovers Met. 1. ii, A mere matcher of colours. 168a H. Mork
Anuot. Glanvill's Lux O. 7 It would argue the wise and
just God a very unequal Matcher of innocent Souls with
brutish Bodies. 1896 Daily Neivs 4 Jan. 5/3 An 'assorti-
seur', or matcher of coloured textiles.
2. ' A matching-machine'( Webster 1897). Matcher-
head: ■ the head in a planing machine which carries
the cutting tool' (Knight Diet. Meeh. Suppl. iSS^.
Matchcole, matchecold : see Machecole v.
Matchet (mcetjet). Forms : a. 7 matcheat,
7-o.machette, 9 machete, matchet, -ett(e. #. 7
in quasi-Sp. form macheto. [ad. Sp. machete.]
A broad and heavy knife or cutlass, used, esp. in
Central America and the West Indies, both as a
tool and a weapon.
1598 Hakluvt Voy. I. 414 A dozen of machetos to minch
the whale. 1648 Gage West Indies, 129 They have no
weapons but a Machette, which is a short Tuck. 1685
Wafer Voy. (1729) 278 Having no tool with us except a
Macheat or long knife. 1697 Dampier Voy. (1729) I. 13 We
tempted him with Heads, Money, Hatchets, Matcheats, or
long knives. 1831 J. Holland Manuf. Metal I. 142 These
tools consist of matchets, canebills and hoes. 1854 J. L.
Stephens Centr. Ai/ter. 70 Tire Machete, or chopping-knife
..varies in form in different sections of the country. 1863
R. F. Burton Abeokuta II. 92 Little things here means
matchets and mirrors, kerchiefs and blue taft, rum and
tobacco. 1897 Mary Kisgsley IV. Africai6i Awall made up
of strong tendrils and climbing grasses, through which the
said atom has to cut its way with a machette.
attrib. 1881 Instr. Census Cterhs(iSS5) 44 Matchett Maker.
1887 Moloney Forestry IV. A/r. 233 The vines.. are being
used only for matchet handles.
Matchevil;l;ian, obs. ff. Machiavellian. .
1632 Lithgow Traz>. 1. 4 Simonaicall Matcheuilians.
Matchia-, matchievillian : see Machia-.
Matchiat, obs. form of Matchet.
Matchicoat : see Matchcoat.
Matchination : see Machination.
Matching (martjin), vbl. sbA [f. Match z>.i
+ -ixg K]
1. The action of the vb. Match in various senses.
1562 J. Heywood Prov. % Epigr. ( 1867 ) iSoGreat patchyng,
small matchyn-. 1625 Mandeville in Bucclench MSS.
(Hist MSS. Comm.) I. 262 He propounded to me the
matching with Warwick for my son. 1774 Goldsm. Nat.
Hist. (1776) III. 293 The greatest pains had been taken with
these to enlarge the breed, both by food and matching. 1873
b. bi'ON Workshop Receipts Ser. 1. 414/2 Matching is to
bring different pieces of timber, in an article of furniture, to
a responsive tone of colour. 1874 Spons' Diet. Engin. 3097
A planing machine for moulding and matching. 1889
Athenaeum 18 May 623/2 There is like risk ofrbad matching
when the undertaking is a poem.
2. * A quality of wool in the best part of the
tleece ' (bowman Struct. Wool J 885, p. 356).
1881 Daily News 22 Aug. 3/6 About 1,200 packs of English
fleeces, matchings, skin, and other wools.
3. attribute matching- shop (nonce-wd.); match-
ing-machine, a machine which tongues and
grooves the respective edges of a board ; matching-
plane = match-plane (Knight Diet. Meeh. 1875).
1803 tr. P. Le Brunts Mons. Botte I. 179 She couples
ruined young men to rich widows . . ; and she runs away with
all the business from the offices that you see at the corner
of every street, called matching shops. 1874 Spons' DictT
Engin. 3097 A planing and matching machine.
Matching, vbl. sb.- : see Match z/.-v
Matching (mx-tjirj), ///. «. [f. Match v.1 +
-ING-.] That matches; corresponding; 'to match'.
1630 A*. Johnson's Kingd, fy Commiv. <yj If you will let
loose the Queene of Cities, as they terme Paris, to looke bigge
and angerly upon us, our London can affront her with a
matching countenance. 1898 West/u. Gaz. 11 June 1/3 The
good plain ' family ' cook, with matching morals.
Matchless (martjles), a, [f. Match sb.1 +
-LESS.]
1. Having no match, without an equal, peerless.
1530 Palsgb. 839/1 Matchelesse, nonpareil. 1590 Greenk
Never too late (1600) 63 Then should, .the furrowes in my
face be numberlesse, as the griefes of my hart are match-
lesse. 1631 Gouge Cods A rrows in. § 94. 360 They . . plotted
the matchlesse, mercilesse, devilish, and damnable gun-
powder-treason. 1663GEKBIEK Counsel a 5, the matchlesse
capacity of your Highnesse. 1762-71 H. Wali'OLE Virtue's
Auccd. Paint. 1 1786) I. 166, I have also a matchless portrait
of the king. 1871 H. Ainsworth To^ver //ill 1. iii, There
she stood before him, in all her matchless beauty. 1874
Green Short Hist. viL § 3. 374 Her matchless activity used
the year to good purpose.
b. Used as adv.
1871 Joaquin Miller Songs /taly (18781 90 And men did
turn and marvel so And men did say how matchless fair !
t 2. That are not a match or pair. Obs.
1596 Spenser F. Q. iv. i. 28 With matchlesse cares de-
formed and distort.
f3. Unmarried. (In quot. punningly.) Obs.
a 165a Bkome Damoiselle 1. i, A maichle^se Knight In-
deed, and shall be matchlesse still for me.
Hence Matchlessly adv., in a matchless manner
or degree (Hailey, fol. 1736); Matchlessness,
the state of being matchless (Bailey vol. II. 1727).
1818 J. Fernie Serm. 379 The matchlessly great and
happy, holy and just God. 1884 Cyclist's Pour. CI. Monthly
Gaz. Mar. 78/2 A castle so matchlessly situated.
t Matchlike, adv. Obs. rare~l. [f. Match
sb.1 + -LIKE.] In pairs.
1582 Stanyhukst sEneis 111. (Arb.) 87 Horses. . Al yoked,
and matchlyke teamed with common agreement.
Matchlock (martJVk). [f. Match sb.~ +
Lock sb.2]
1. A gun lock in which slow-match is placed for
igniting the powder, b. attrib. : matchlock mus-
ket - 2.
1698 Fryer Acc. E. India fy P. 139 The Infantry' [consists]
of Gentues, with Match-Lock Muskets. 1727-52 Chambers
Cycl. s. v. Carabine* The carabine . . was formerly made with
a match-lock, but of late only with a flint-lock. 1786 Grose
Anc Armour <y Weapons 64 Musquets were fired with
match locks, a 1854 H. Reed'Zcc/. Brit. Poets viii. (1857)
289 The clumsy matchlock musket of olden time. 1859 Alt
Year Round No. 4. 87 The hand guns were used with a
matchlock till the pyrites wheel lock was invented.
2. A musket having a matchlock.
1698 Fryer Acc. E. India % P. 99 Matchlocks, Swords,
and Javelins. 1793 Anderson Brit. Emb. China 71 Others
are armed with match-locks of a very rusty appearance. 1875
Maine Hist. /fist. x. 290 The battle was waged out of Court
with sword and matchlock.
b. attrib. : matchlock-man, a soldier armed with
a matchlock.
1782 Hist. Europe in Ann. Reg. (1783) 32/1 No less than
1,800 were match-lock-men. 1893 Forbes-Mitchell Ren/in.
Gt. Mutiny 254 Some seven or eight hundred matchlock-
men opened fire on them.
Hence Matchlocked a., having matchlocks,
armed with matchlocks.
1871 Forsyth Highl. India 296 A whole posse of match-
locked shikaris.
Match-make, v. rare. [Back-formation from
Match-maker 1 or -making *.] iutr. To plot or
contrive to bring about a marriage.
1865 Cornh. Mag. Dec. 670, I am the last person in the
world to match-make. 1902 Barnes-Grundy Thames Camp
2(3-2 It . .will be a lesson to me not to match-make again.
Match -maker1, [f. Match sb.1 + Maker.]
1. One who brings about or negotiates a match
or marriage ; usually, one who is addicted to
scheminp; to bring about marriages.
a 1639 W. Whateley Prototypes t. xi. (1640) 102 Pray to
God to give a wife or husband to your sonne and daughter,
and make piety and vertue the chiefe match-makers. 1678
Butlkr Hud. in. i. 420 Who. .would have hir'd him and his
imps, To be your match-makers and pimps. 1771 Smollett
Humph. CI. Let. i. 14 June, Perhaps the match-maker is to
have a valuable consideration in the way of brokerage. 1855
Macaulay //ist. Eng. xvi. III. 724 Clarendon assumed the
character of a matchmaker. 1881 E.J. Worhoise Sissiexi,
Mrs. Williams, .was frequently accused of being ' a match-
maker ', and bent on marrying her daughters brilliantly.
2. Sporting. One who enters into a match ; one
who arranges a match.
a 1704 T. Brown Table Talk \\\ Collect. Poems 123 Horse-
coursers and Matchmakers make no Conscience of Cheating.
1893 Baily's Mag. Oct. 273/2 A match that called forth
many encomiums on the match-makers.
Match-maker -. [f. Match sb.- + Maker.]
1. One who makes match for guns.
1643 [Angier] Lane. Vail. Achor 9 He that could finde so
many Souldiers when thtrre was none, was not to seeke for
one Match-maker in time of need. 1644 Prynne& Walker
/■i'ennes's Trial A pp. 21 They hada Match-maker, a Bullet-
maker in the Castle. 1723 Lond. Gaz. No. 6126/4 John
Withers, of Black-Heath,. .Matchmaker.
2. One who makes lucifer matches.
1851 Knight's Cycl. Industry 1182 These splints are sold
by the hogshead to the lucifer match makers. 1893 Diet.
Nat. Biog. XXXIV. 200 The match-makers of the £ast-cnd
of London took fright at a suggestion which might prove
fatal to their trade.
Ma tch-making, vbl. sbA [f. Match sb.*]
1. The action or piaclice of scheming or con-
triving to bring about a marriage.
1821 Miss Mhi-ord in L'Estrange Life II. vi. 125 Mr=.
Dickinson has had great success in match making lately.
1858 K. S. Sirtles Ask Mamma \\. 31 As well try to re-
strain a cat from mousing as a woman from match-making.
1887 Poor Nellie (1888) 82 Perfect matchmaking requires
experience and practice.
attrib. 1823 'Jon Bee' Slang s.v., Jew-King opened a
match-making orTice in Old Uondstttet, about 1797. 188:
H. Jamks Portr. Lady xlix, There were people who had
the matchmaking passion.
2. Racing. The action of arranging a match.
1812 Sporting Mag. XL. 282 Within fourteen days fiuin
the match-making he was backed to win.
Match-making, vbl. sb;- [f. Match sb.-]
The process or trade of making lucifer matches.
1875 Knight Dict.Mech. 1410/1 Match-making Machine.
1892 Pall Mall G. 16 May 7/1 Match-making has been the
most successful of all the industries instituted in Japan in
imitation of those existing abroad. 1898 Cath. Bk. Notes
June 171 The recent shocking revelations with regard to
the match-making and lead-glazing trades.
Match-making, ///. a. [f. Match sb.*]
Given to attempts to bring about marriages.
1700 Congreve Way of World in. xviii, KoiHe's a bawd,
an arrant, rank, matchmakiriL; bawd. 1886 Riskin Prx-
terita I. v. 167 The entirely best-matched pair I have yet
seen in this match-making world and dispensation.
Matchy [msetji), a. dial. [f. Match sbJ + -v.]
Suited to torm a match.
1868 Daily Ncivs 8 Dec, Three finer, and more matchy
sheep are rarely found. 1888 Jackso/fs Oxford Jrnl.
1 Sept. 3/3 They [five show ewes] were very matchy and
good looking.
Mate (nu7it), sb.1 Chess. Forms: 4 mat, 5
maat, 5- mate. [ME. mat, a. OF. mat in eschee
mat Checkmate sb.] The state of the king when
he is in check and cannot move out of it (involving
the loss of the game to the player whose king is
so placed) : = Checkmate. Also, the move by
which the king is checkmated. Often in figura-
tive contexts, with the sense of ' total defeat '. To
give {the) mate (to) : to checkmate, f To take the
mate : to be checkmated.
(1330 Arth.fif Merl. 9346 (Kolbing) Naciens. .& ek Hcrui
.VI. heben kinges driuen hardi. . For to $euen hem her mat.
t 1407 Lvdg. Rea». <y Sens. 5903 Whan the play I-ended was
. . thus stood the cas Without a maat on outher syde. 1426
AuobLAV Poems (Percy Soc.) 23 After chec for the rdke
ware fore the mate, a 1547 Scrrev 'To Ladie thai scorned
her Lomr in Tottefs Misc. (Arb.) 21 Although I had a
check, To geue the mate is hard. 1579 Lvi.y Euphucs
(Arb.) 66 Sure I am at the next viewe of thy veitues, I shall
take thee mate : And taking it not of a pawne but of a
Prince, the losse is to be accompted the lesse. 1588 Gkeknk
Pandosto (1843) 29 Fortune . . began now to turne her back
. . intending as she had given Fawnia a slender checke, so
she would give her a harder mate. 1621 Bukton Anat.
Mel. 11. ii. IV. (1651) 275 It [chess] is a testy cholerick game,
and very offensive to him that loseth the Mate. 1625 Bacon
Ess., Of Boldness (Arb.) 520 Like a Stale at Chtsse, where
it is no Mate, but yet the Game cannot stirre. 1626 Mir>
dleton Women Beivare Women n. ii. 310, 1 give you check
and mate to your white king. 1647 N. Bacon Disc. Govt.
Eng. 1. xvL (1739) 32 The Church-men or Prelates checked
them often, but could never give them the mate. 1735
Bertin Chess 73 The knight takes that pawn, and gives a
check, and mate. /bid. 75 The pawn takes the white
knight and gives mate.
b. with defining word.
Foots mate : a form of game in which the first player, by
two unwise moves, incurs checkmate at his adversary's
second move. Scholar's mate: a form of game in which
the second player blunders so as to be mated by his adver-
sary's fourth move. Smothered male (see quot. 1863). See
also Stale mate.
1529 More Dyaloge 1. Wks. 149/1 Mary quod he, this is
a blind mate indede. 16x4 A. Saul Famous Game Chesse
play viii, The Mate at two Draughts a Fooles Mate. /bid.
C iij, The Mate with a Quene, a louing mate, A Mate with
the Bishop, a gentle mate [etc.]. 1859 H. Kingsley G.
/lamlyn vi, A simple trip, akin to scholar's mate at ehess.
1863 f/andbk. Chess % Draughts 14 Smothered Mate, This
is a description of mate which can be effected only by the
knight, when the adverse king is surrounded, or smothered,
by his own forces.
Mate (m^t), sb.2 Also 5-7 mat, 6 maat ; Sc.
6 meat, 6-7 mait. [Late 14th c male, app. a.
MLG, mate or MDu. *male (mod.Du. maat, earlier
tnacf), shortened form of gemate (Flemish gemaat)
= OHG. gimaz&o {^»W\ij. gemate)'.— OTeut. type
*gamalon- companion, lit. * mess-mate ', f. *ga- (see
Y-) implying conjunction or participation + * mat-
(see Meat). Cf. OK. gemetta (\—*gamatjon-)t
ME. Mette, companion at table.]
1, A habitual companion, an associate, fellow,
95-2
MATE.
comrade; a fellow-worker or partner. Now only J
in working-class use. See also Mkssmate, Play-
mate, Schoolmate.
c 1380 Sir Ferumb. 1372 Florippe . . sayde : ' Maumecet
my mate y-Uessed mot |x>u be For aled bow hast muche
debate toward bys barnee'. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 329/2
Mate, idem qnod Fclaw. 1513 Douglas AKucis 11. xi. 83 Al-
kyne storage aflfrayit andcausit grow, Baith for my byrding
and my litle mait. 1515 Barclay Egloges \. (157"* Aiij,
When the good is gone (my mate this is the case) Seldome
the better rtcntrelh in the place. 1521 MS. Ace. St. Johns
tlosp., Can.'erb.t To John Kenet & bys mate, carpenters,
for ij dayes. 1568 Grakton Chr,m. II. 633 The Duke of
Yorke and his mates were lodged within the Citie. 1583
Leg, Bp. St, Androis 316 He sought ane vther, Ane devill
..Exceading Circes in conceattis, For chaungeneof Wlisses
meatis. <ri6i4 Murk Dido $ Aineas 1. 508 Parte at the
ports, as senlinells abide, Vnloade their mat's and drowsie
dion's do kill. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. 1. i. 4 Anstobulus,
though no Apostle, yet an Apostles Mate, ..by Grecian
Writers made Uishop of Britain. 17*5 Vovv.Odyss. 11.365
Each in jovial mood his mate addrest. 1821 Byron Sardan.
11. i. 48 The she-king, That less than woman, is even now
upon The waters with his female mates. 1866 Mrs. Gas-
kell Wives <y Dau. xxii. (1867) 223 He was inferior in edu-
cation to those who should have been his mates. 1878
Jevons Prim, Pol. Econ. 32 Each man usually takes one
part of the woik, and leaves other parts of the work to his
males. 1885 Mrs. C. Praed Head Station 64 Eve sent my
mate to prospect for a new claim.
trans/, and Jig. 1669 Lyuoukh (.title) A Platform for
Purchasers, aGuidefor Builders, and a Mate for Measurers.
1671 Milton Samson 173 Thee whose strength, while
vettue was her mate Might have subdu'd the Earth.
b. Used as a form of address by sailors, la-
bourers, etc.
c 1450 Pitgr. Sea-Voy. 14 in Stac. R*mc 38 ' What, howe !
mate, thow stondyst to ny, Thy fclow may nat hale the by ; '
Thus they begyn to crake. 1549 Compl. Scot. vi. 41 The
master cryit on the rudir man, mait keip ful and by, a luf.
1582 StanYhurst sKneis 111. (Arb.) 79 My maats skum the
sea froth there in oars strong cherelye dipping. i6to B.
Jonson Alch. 11. vi. How now ! What mates? What Baiards
ha' wee here? 1637 Hkywood Dialogues I. Wks. 1874 VI. 96
My Mate (It is a word That Sailors interchangeably afford
To one another) speake. 1869 R out ledge* s Ev. Boy's Ann.
554 Mates, I spoke just now. 1880 Miss Braddon Just as
I am i, 'Who's the magistrate hereabouts, mate?'
t C. A fellow, 'chap'; often used contemptu-
ously. Obs.
a 1380 Si. Bernard in Horstm. Altengl Leg. (1S78) 56/2
He [sc. be fend] made a mouwe, bat foule mate, And seide
[etc J. 1573 Tusser Hush. (1878) 113 As for such mates, as
vertue hates. 1577 G. Harvey Lettcr-bk. (Camden) 57 Thou
art a merry mate. 1584 R, Scot Dhcov. iVitchcr. vi.ii. (1886)
91 These witches are but lieng mates and couseners. 1612
T.James Jesuits' Dounf,i-$'lhese Iesuits are cogging mates.
d. To go mates with : to be an associate or
partner of.
1880 Sutherland Tales of Gold fields 59 Brown lost no
time in making a contract to 'go mates 'with another digger.
189067/. Words Mar. 211/1, I will accept his proposal to
go males with him.
2. A suitable associate (for adversary) ; an equal
in eminence or dignity. Now only arch.
1563 B. GoocE Egtogs,e(c. (Arb.) 126 No man so bauty
I y ties on earth, but ons may fynd his mate. 1577 tr. But-
linger* s Decades (1592) 123, I am a iealous God, enuious
against my riuall .. nor by any meanes abyding to baue a
mate. 1667 Milton P. L. iv. 828 Ye knew me once no mate
For you, there sitting where ye durst not soare. 1688 R.
Hoi Mi; Armoury ill. 229/2 Cardinals, .now. .are Mates for
Kings. 1833 Tennyson Lady Clara Verc de Vere 11,
I know you proud to bear your name, Your pride is yet no
mate for mine.
3. One of a pair. (Cf. Make sbX)
a. One oi a wedded pair, a husband or wife.
Now only, a fitting or worthy partner in marriage,
t Also (rarefy), a lover, paramour.
1549 Latimer 1st Strm, It/. Ed;v. VI (Arb.) 34 For to
graunt oure kynges grace sue he a mate as maye knyt hys
hert and heres [etc.]. 1573 Harman Caveat (ed. 2) 41 This is
their custonie, that when they mete in bame at night, euery
one getlethamate [ed. 1 make] to lye wythall. 1593 Shaks.
Liter. 18 What priselesse wealth the heauens had him lent,
In the possession of his beauteous mate. 1615 Bkathwait
Strappado 118 (A wanton Priest) there was Who made ap-
pointment with a Counlrielasse, .The place where these two
louely mates should meet Was a VMft forie-4. 1676 Tower-
son Decalogue 3S3 Lest . . men should think it enough 10
assume a mate .. without any obligation upon themselves.
1735 Somerville Chase Hi. J74 His good old mate With
choicest Viands heaps the lib'ral Board. i786Mmk.D'Arblay
Diary Nov., I made a visit to Mrs. Smelt, and engaged her
and her excellent mate to dinner. 184a Tennyson Dora
166 Mary took another mate ; But Dora lived unmarried till
her death. 1843 Lytton Last 0/ Barons 11. i, Isabel of
Warwick had been a mate for William the Norman. 1894
Besant In Deacons (hderseic. Peer fy Heiress 11 1 Happy
is the man who finds his mate !
b. Of animals, esp. birds : One of a pair.
1593 Tell Troths N. Y. Gift (1876) 38 Nor fish, beast,
foule, nor fiuit, but takes the mate. 1611 Bible Isa. xxxiv.
15 There shall the vultures also be gathered, every one with
her mate. 1667 Milton/'. /-. vn.403 Shoales Of Fish, .part
single or with mate Graze the Sea weed thir pasture. 1774
Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) VII, 89 Whether this proceeds
from the desires of thefiog,disappointed of its proper mate,
or [etc.]. 1822 Byron Heaven fy Earth 1. iii. 38 A doom
which even some serpent, with his mate. Shall 'scape to save
his kind to be prolong'd. 1871 K. Ellis tr. Catullus lxviii.
122 Not in her own fond mate so turtle snowy delightetb.
c. Of things : The fellow of a pair; a counter-
part or parallel.
1578 Banister Hist. Man v. 71 Two Nerues .. beyng the
228
mates of those Arteries. 1611 Bible Isa. xxxiv. 16 No one J
of these [sc. prophecies] shall faile, none shall want her I
mate. 1668 Culiepper & Cole Barthol. Anat. Man. in. i. i
323 Every Nerve hath its mate or Companion. 1892 Kip- >
ling Barrack-r. Ballads 81 'Ye have taken the one [a
pistol] from a foe', said he; 'will ye take the mate from
« friend ? ' Mod. dial. These boots are not mates.
4. Nautical uses.
a. An officer (now only on a merchant vessel) i
who sees to the execution of the commands of the \
master or Commander, or of his immediate superior,
and in the absence of the master takes command
of the ship. In the Royal Navy the title has been
changed to Sub-lieutenant ; and in the merchant-
service, mates hold functions not greatly inferior to
those of lieutenants in the Royal Navy. Formerly \
called master's mate (see Master sl>A 2 d).
1496 etc. [*ee Master a/'.1 2d]. 1595 I rag. Sir R. Grinulle
G ij, Th' other Maister, and the other Mat's, Disented from
the honour of their minds. 161a Drayton Poly-olb. ii. 426
The danger quite forgot wherein they were of late; Who
halfe so merrie now as Maister and his Mate? 1626 Capt.
Smith Accid. Yng. Seamen 2 The Maister and his Mate is
to direct the course, comrraund all the Saylors, for steering,
trimming, and sayling the Ship. 1669 Siurmy Mariner**
Mag. 11. vi. 64 Some there are that will not understand, ..
yet tto my knowledge) are Mates to good Ships. 1748
Smollett Rod. Rami, xvi, The stranger . . informed me
that he himself had passed for third mate of a third-rate^
about four months ago. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) X. 644/2
A first-rate man of war has six mates. 1835 Sir J. Koss
Narr. 2nd Voy. ii. 23 After some interchange of significant
looks and whisperings between the mates and the men [etc.].
1903 W. H. Gray Dtv. Shepherd iii. 42 An old scholar, who
was first mate on board a ship when a mutiny broke out.
b. An assistant to some functionary on board
ship, esp. to a warrant-officer of the navy, as in
boatswain s mate, carpenter's mate, cook's mate,
gunner's mate, sail-maker's malet etc., for which
see the first words.
1610 Shaks. Temp. 11. ii. 49 The Gunner, and bis Mate. 170a
Royal Declar. 1 June in Lond. Gaz. No. 3815/2 Carpenters
Mates, Boatswains Mates.Gunners Mates,. .Quartermasters
Mates. 1719 De Foe Crusoe 11. ii, The cook's mate of
the ship. 1748 Anson's Voy. 11. ix. 226 One of the sail-
makers mates was fishing. 1753 Chambers CjkL Supp.,
Mates, on board a ship, are assistants to the several officers ;
as master's Mates,, .corporal's Mates. 1867 Smyth Sailors
Word-bk., Mate generally implies adjunct or assistant.
c. In the navy, an officer who assists the surgeon,
usually called surgeoris mate (see Surgeon) ; in
the army, an assistant who acts as dispenser and
dresser. See also hospital mate, s.v. Hospital sb. 6.
1612 Woodall (title) The Surgeons Mate or Military
& Domestique Surgery. 1758 J. S. Le Dran's Observ.
Surg. (177 1) 163 He was dressed, .by the Mate of the Regi-
ment. 1783 F. Michaelis in Med. Commun. I. 308 The
medicines were.. given by the mates of the hospital. 1806
Med. Jrnl. XV. 88 Medical Mates {in the Military Medical
Department]. — These are gentlemen who are supposed to
be acquainted with the compounding of medicines. 1811
Self Instructor 577 The surgeon .. is allowed a mate to
assist him.
d. U.S. Navy. 'An officer of the navy, next
below a warrant-officer, who is not in the line of
piomotion' (Funk's Stand. Did. 1S95).
1890 in Century Diet.
5. atlrib. and Comb., as mate boat, fellow, -hunt-
ing; mate fish, a whale with calf.
1756 Rhode 1st. Col. Rec. (i860) V. 543 [He] represented
unto this Assembly, that there is a ferry set up at the Long
Wharf, in the town of Newport, which bath no "mate lioat,
1887 Hall Caine Deemster xxxix, If he had found me a
cheerier *mate-fellow, I doubt not we should have had some
cheerful hours together. 17*5 Dudley in Phil. Trans.
XXXIII. 261 Care is taken by those who kill these 'Male
Fish.. only to fasten the Calf, but not to kill her, till they
have first secured the Cow. 1837 T. Hook Jack Brag w.
The system of *iiiatc-huntiug through the medium of the
newspapeis.
t Mate, a. Obs. Also 2 matt, 3-5 mat, (4
mete), 4-5 mu.it, 5 maate, matte ; Sc. 5 maytt,
5-7 mait, 6 mayt. [a. OF. mat mated at chess,
confounded, exhausted, dull (mod.K. mat indecl. ,
mated, mat, fern, mate, dull, whence Mat a.) -
med.L. Matties * tristis ' (Gloss. Part's, 10th c),
Pr. mat, Sp., Vg. mate dull, faded, It. matto dull,
foolish. From OF. are MUG. mat (G. matt),
MDu., Du. mat, Sw. matt, Da. mat. The Rom.
word is a. Pers. mat at a loss, helpless (used in
shah mat l the king is helpless', Checkmate).
Gildemeister, Dozy, and other modern scholars, dispute
the customary view that the Persian word is a. Arab. mat
' he has died '.]
1. Mated at chess.
? 1370 Robt. Cicyle 184 Wib o drau^t he was chekmat [11.
mate), c 1407 Lydc. Rcas. <y Sens. 10, 1 . .Was of a Fers so
Fortunat Into a coiner dryve and maat. a 1500 MS. Ash-
mole 344 (IJodl.l If. 16 b, The blake kyng shalbe mate at v
draughtes. Ibid. 18 b, Then art thou mate wl hys pon.
a 1600 Montgomerie Misc. P. xx. 20 That nou thair is no
nek, Nor draught to mak debate, Bot let it brisl or biek ;
For love must haif it mail.
2. Overcome, vanquished, worsted, confounded.
a tz2$ Leg. b'ath. 2015 Maxence & alle hise balden ham
male, a 1125 A tier. R. 382 And ttfwj mon ei swuch bing
ortroweS bi him, he is more mat ben be beof inumen mid
beofoe. a 1300 Cursor M. 10041 Pride .. es ouercummen,
and mad at malt, c 1386 Chaucer Man of Laws T, 837
O Golias. . Hou myghte Dauid make thee so maat. c 1450
MATE.
Merlin viii. 125 And so was Claudas made pore and maat.
1513 Douglas Mneis iv. Prol. 253 Dido.. In hir faynte lust
so mait, within schort quhile, That honestie [etc.].
3. Exhausted, worn out, dead tired, faint
a 1300 Cursor M. 15875 Mate and weri war bai ban. 13. .
Ga7v. .5- Gr. Knt. 156S He was so mat, he my;t no more
renne. 1420-2 Lyog. Thebes 11. in Chaucer's Wks. (1561)
366 b, Tideus of bledyng was wonder feint Mate and wearie,
and in greate distresse. 1490 Caxton Eneydos ii. 15 Hir
vysage mate by frequente sources of grete teeris. 1536
Bellenden Cron. Scot. (r82i) I. 66 Mony of Gillus folkis,
wery and mate.
4. Dejected, downcast, discouraged, sorrowful.
13. . Guy Warzv. (A.) 597 He ferd as he wer mat, Adoun
he fel aswoune wip J?at. c 1350 Will. Palerne 1776 Whanne
he his felawes founde of his fare bei wondred, whi he was
in bat wise wexen so maat. 1375 Hakuour Bruce xvn. 704
With mate cher ihe assalt thai left. 1390G0WERCVW/ HI.
7 Riht so mi lust is overthrowe, And of myn oghne thoght
so mat I wexe. c 1460 Towuctey Myst. xix. 245 That sorow-
full sight shall make hir maytt. 1560 Holland Crt. Venus
11. 314 In all my dayis was I not half sa mayt [rime words
dissimulat, fortunait, debait].
Mate (m^'t), v.1 Forms : 3 maten, 3-5 mat,
5 maat(e, (mat(t)yn), 6 Sc. mayt, mait, 4-
mate. [a. OF. mater, f. mat Mate a.]
1. trans. (Chess.) To checkmate. Also absol.
Sometimes in fig. context or allusively.
c 1320 Sir Tristr. 515 ' Child, what wiltow lay ? ' * 0$ain
an hauke of noble air Tventi schiilinges, to say Wheber so
mates ober fair Bere lie in bobe oway '. c 1440 Promp. Parv.
329/2 Matyn at the chesse (MS. S.t P. mattyn), mato.
c 1489 Caxton Sottucs of Ay mon 478 Playe well, my childe,
for ye shall be mated, a 1533 Lv. Berners Huou xxxvi.
113 He sawe a .M. men plaing at the chesse & a nother .M.
that had played & been matyd. 1563 B. Goocu Egloges
viii. (Arb.) 66 With costly clothes. .Who then dare gyue me
checke? Garments som time, so gard a knaue, that he dare
mate a Knyght. 1581 Pf.ttie tr. Guazzo s Civ. Conv. 1.
(1586) 34 b, Suffering a Gentlewoman to mate him at Chests.
a 1618 Sylvester Mem. Mortalitie viii. Wks. (Grosart) II.
223 The Chess-boord. .Where pawns and kings have equal
portion : This leaps, that limps, thii checks, that necks, that
mates. 1642 Fuller Holy <y Prof. St. v. xviii. (1652) 465
Tame Traytours all ! that could behold an Usurper, Mate
and Check your lawfull Emperour, and neither wag hand or
tongue in opposition. 1646 Earl Monm. tr. BiondVs Civil
Warres 11. 79 All the above-named were like so many paunes
at Chesse, which advancing too rashly, were lost ; whilst the
great men. .endeavouring to mate [oiig. scaecheggiaudo] the
King, met with the like fortune. 1864 Eield 2 July 3/2
White to play,and mate in 3 moves. 1865 Merivalk Rom.
Emp. VIII. lxiii. 13 Nerva had mated his assailants; but
his own game was now nearly played out. 1886 Daily
News 19 July 3/1 Pollock was mated at the 46th move,
fb. intr. To undergo checkmate, be mated. Obs.
1423 Jas. I Kingis Q. clxviii. Help now my game, that is
in poynt to mate, a 1585 Montgomerie Chcrrie $ Slae 216
For vnder cure I gat sik chek, Quhilk I micht nocht re-
muif nor nek, Bot eyther stail or mait.
f 2. trans. To overcome, defeat, subdue. Obs.
a 1225 A tier. R. 98 O none wise ne muwe }e beteresauuen
ou suluen, ant maten, & oueicumen him betere. c 1320
Cast. Love 830 Prude.. al matyd and overcome wes Thorgh
bucsomnesse that sheo dies, <' 1450 MirourSaluaciouu
3281 The qwene of heven hym matid with hire sons pas-
sionne. c 1500 Metusinc 216 Your noble cheualrye & puys-
saunce haue not only mated me & made lasse myn honour,
but also [etc.]. c 1590 Marlowe Eaust. Chorus 2 Not
marching now in fields of Thracimenc, Where Mars did
mate the Carthaginians.
transf. 1625 Bacon Ess., Death (Arb.) 385 There is no
passion in the minde of man, so weake, but it Mates, and
Masters, the Feare of Death.
U b. A pp. used for : To destroy ; to kill.
a 1300 Cursor M. 21041 pat Imperur wend him (John] to
mat; In a tun was welland hat Fild of oyle he did him
schott. ( 1400 Destr. Troy 9532 Fyve hundrith fully of
bere fyne shippes, (hade benj Consume! . . And mony mo
were bere marred, & mated with fire.
f3. To nonplus, baffle, render ]>owerless ia per-
son) ; to render nugatory (a design). Obs.
a 1300 Cursor M. 8479 Was na clerc sa ctafti kend, ..bat
moght be clerc wit cleige mat pat cuth be bokes hat be
wrat. 1529 More Dyaloge\. Wks. 148/2 In what point quod
he, hath that mated you? 1596 Damit ir. Comma (1614)
277 They [wisdom and good government] might easily
baue mated his enleipri^e in Italic. 1611 Siled Hist. Gt.
I Brit, vii, xii. 262 They mated the Saxons in all their de-
signes. 1623 I-'lltchek Rule a Wife in. i, He stood up to
me, And mated my commands ! 1626 Bacon Sylzui § qoj
Wee see Audacilie doth almost binde and mate the Weaker
Sort of Minds. 1642 Chas. I Mess, to Ho. Comm., <y Answ.
8 Which then would have mated and weakned the Con-
spirators in the beginning. 1670 Cotton Espernon 1. 11.
65 By whose assistance he thought wilh less difficulty to
mate the ambitious Designs of the League.
f4. To put out of countenance ; to render helpless
by terror, shame, or discouragement ; to daunt,
abash ; to stupefy. Obs.
c 1416 Hoccleve Min. Poems xv. 23 Lat nat the strook of
indigence vs male. 1586 Marlowe xst Pt. Tamburl. 1. 1,
How now, my Lord? what, mated and amazed Toheare the
king thus thr[e]aten like himselfe? 1597 Lvly Woman in
Moone iv. i. 157 0 buryall thy anger in thiskisse, And mate
me not with vitering my offence. 1605 Shaks. Macb.
v. i. 86 My minde she has mated, and amaz'd my sight,
I thinke, but dare not speake. 1632 Le Grys tr. Velleius
Paterc. 211 The army . .being mated with his comming, his
vigor and his glory rendred it selfe to him. 1636 Dave-
nant Witts vt^ i, Your Wine mates them, ihey understand
it not. 1646 Eakl Monm. tr. Bioudt's Civil Warres v. 101
This and some other losses bad rather madded them then
mated [orig. sbi'x ottiti] the English. 1651 N. Bacon Disc.
Govt. Eng. 11. xxvi. (1739) 116 *1 he Dutchess of Burgundy.,
mated him wilh Phantoms and Apparitions of dead Bodies
of the House of York. 1706 Phillits (ed. Kerrey), To
MATE.
229
MATERIAL.
Mate* . .to amaze or astonish, to daunt, dash, or put out of
countenance. 1827 Hallam Const. Hist, x. (1854) III. 275
Twenty years of depression and continual failure mated the
spirits of the cavaliers.
f 5. To exhaust, weary ; to cause to be weary or
tired out ; to dull or weaken (passion). Obs.
a 1400-50 Alexander 1 270 Mased&matid of bairestrenthes.
1489 Caxton Faytes of A. 1. xxiv. 77 The fyfthe that they
be not mated nor traueyHed nor made the more feble for
honger. 1513 Douglas Much ix. x. 37 Our chyldir }yng
. .\Vyld deyr throu out the woddis chais and mayt [L. Ve-
natu invigilant pueri silz'asqne fatigant\, a 1693 Urgu-
hart's Rabelais in. xxxi. 258 The Ardour of Lechery is very
much subdued and mated by frequent Labour.
Mate (nvit), v.* [f. Mate sb.-]
1. trans. To equal, rival ; to vie or cope with ;
to be a match for. ? Obs.
1509 Hawes Past. Pleas, xliii. (Percy Soc.) 212 Infinite
I am, nothing can me mate. 1580 Ord. ofPrayerin Liturg.
Serv. Q. Eliz. (1847) 573 The Uoy mateth the man of aged
fravity. 1613 Shaks. Hen. Vtk 7, in. ii. 274 My euer Roiall
laster, Dare mate a sounder man then Surrie can be, 1690
Child Disc. Trade (1698) 74 Nor ever did we greatly prosper
upon it [our trade to East-India], till our interest was much
abated by laws, nor ever shall mate the Dutch in it, till our
interest be as low as theirs. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. in.
371 They [the Waves] mate the middle Region with their
height. 1718 Pope Iliad XIII. 414 In standing fight he
mates Achilles' force. 1814 Scott Ld. of Isles I. xii, In
speed His galley mates the flying steed.
b. intr. To claim equality with. arch.
169a Vind. Carol, iii. 40 When the safety of the Nation
was at stakej [they] insolently contend, nay mate it with
their Sovereign. 1702 Rowe 'Pamert. 1. ii. 678 Thou.,
hast dar'd To lift thy wretched self above the Stars And
mate with Power Almighty. 1884 Tennyson Becket 1. iii,
If Canterbury bring his cross to court, Let York bear his to
mate with Canterbury.
2. trans. To match ; to marry ; to join in mar-
riage ; to take or give in marriage.
1607 Shaks. Timon 1. i. 140 How shall she be endowed, If
she be mated with an equall Husband? i84zTennyson/,<7c£t-
ley Hall 47 Thou art mated with a clown. 1843 Lytton Last
Bar. 11. iii, I fear that the king will be teased into mating
my sister with the Count of Charolois. 1862 Mekivale
Rom. Emp. (1865) V. xl. 57 The females of ingenuous birth
were not numerous enough to mate them.
reft. 1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan 55 I'd sooner mate me
with A cloud,. .Or wed a polar bear,
b. intr. for refl.
1589 Warner Ala. Eng. vi. xxxi. (1612) 154 The gayest
Females mate With Loutes as soon as Lordes. 1838 Lytton
Leila 1. iii, Permission were easier given to thee to wed the
wild tiger, than to mate with the loftiest noble of Morisca.
1861 Whittier Amy Wentw. 149 Oh, rank is good, and
gold is fair, And high and low mate ill. 1895 A. C Fox-
Davies Armorial Fam. p. xx, In England men mate with
whom they will.
3. trans. To pair (animals, esp. birds) for the
purpose of breeding. Also with up.
1601 Shaks. All's I Veil 1. i. 102 The hind that would be
mated by the Lion Must die for loue. 1859 Darwin Orig.
Spec. i. (1873) 3° Pigeons can be mated for life. 1885 Truth
28 May 836/1 Two of her Majesty's cows have been sent to
Herefordshire to be mated with the famous bull, Lord Wil-
ton. 1899 Feathered World 10 Mar. 477 The birds had
been previously mated up.
transf. 1882 ' Outda ' Maremma I. 165 'One does not
mate a trailing weed with a young oak ', she said.
b. intr. Of animals, esp. birds : To pair.
1870, 1903 [see Mating///, a.]. 1877 Burroughs Birds
#r Poets (1895) 103 These birds do not mate.
4. trans. To join suitably with ; to associate,
couple, treat as comparable with. Also, + to pro-
vide with what is suitable.
»S93 Shaks. Ven. fy Ad. 909 Her more than hast is mated
withdelayes. 1626 J. Haig Let. in J. Russell Haigs (1881)
178, I pray you .. write to my Colonel .. desiring him ..
to mate me in clothes if you be not able. 1669 Drydkn &
Davenant Tempest 1. i, And on a night, mated to his design,
Antonio ope'd the gates of Milan. 1703 Rowe Ulyss. I. i.
52 'T wou'd make Comparison . . monstrous seem, as if to mate
A Mole-Hill with Olympus. 1891 J. Winsor Columbus ii.
54 None knew th» better than those, like Las Casas, who
mated their faith with charity of act.
5. intr. To consort, keep company with.
a 183a ' Barry Cornwall' The Owl 5 Not a bird of the
forest e'er mates with him. 1871 B, Taylor Faust (1875)
II. 1. ii. 11 The judge, debarred from punishment, Mates
with the felon ere he endeth. 1881 Besant & Rice Chapl.
of Fleet I. 160 It was a shame that a gentleman of his rank
should mate with men whose proper place was among the
thieves of Turumill Street.
b. trans. To accompany suitably.
1870 Morris Earthly Par. I. 1. 369 How sweet it would
be, could I hear, Soft music mate the drowsy afternoon.
Mate, obs. form of Meat.
II Mate (mce-te). Also 8 mathe, mathe, 8-9
matte, mati. [Sp. mate, a. Qnichua mati, explained
in Gonzalez Holguin's Vocab. de la lengua Quickua
(160S) as 'vessel or dish made of calabash \]
1. A vessel, usually a gourd or calabash, in which
the leaves of mate(see 2) arc infused; also matt-cup.
17*7 tr. Freziers Voy. i<j-z They put the Herb [of Para-
guay] into a Cup, or Bowl, made of a Calabash, or Gourd,
tipp'd with Silver, which they call Mate. 1826 Sir F. B.
Heaii Joum. Pampas 87 He used to get it for me . . in a little
mate cup, which did not hold more than an egg-shell. 1842
Penny Cycl. XXIV. 135/1 It [the Mate] is drunk out of a
vessel called mate*. 1884 Health Exhib. Catal. 9/1 Speci-
mens of Mate' or Paraguay Tea, with Mate Cup.
2. a. An infusion of the leaves of the shrub Ilex
paraguayensis \ Paraguay-tea (see Pakaguay).
I 1758 Misc. in Ann. Reg. 363/1 The pure leaf, the infusion
of which is called mate. 1760-72 tr. yuan & Ultoa's Voy.
(ed. 3) I. 270 Another common liquor in this country [sc.
Quito] is the mate, which answers to tea in the East Indies
1883 Encycl. Brit. XV. 627/2 Mate' acts as a restorative
| after great fatigue in the same manner as tea, 1901 Brit.
Med. Jrnt. No. 2092. 301 The major part of the Estancieros
(farmers) are great meat eaters and enormous consumers
, of mate or Paraguayan tea.
b. The shrub itself ; also, its leaves prepared for
infusion.
1768 J. Byron Narr. Patagonia (ed. 2) 193 Matte, a herb
from Paraguay. 1777 Robertson Hist. Amer\ Note ci.
( II. 518 From the trade of Mathe, or herb of Paraguay.
1818 T. Bland .V. Amer. in Amer. StrPapcrs, For. Rclat.
(1834) IV. 279 The young shoots and leaves of the matte,
it would seem, have received the name ofyerba, rather from
[etc.]. 1859 All Year Round No. 32. 127 Cultivate the mati.
1866 Treas. Bol. 618/2 The drinking tube is then inserted,
i and boiling water poured on the Mate. 1879 Casselfs Techn.
Ed/tc. 111. 186 Paraguay Tea, or Mate. ..A small shrub
with oval, wedge-form . .smooth leaves.
c. attrib.y as mate pot, wood; mate mangos-
teen, Gar cinia purpurea (Drury Useful PI. India
1873, p. 223).
1879 J. Beerhohm Patagonia iii. 30 The tobacco-pipe and
the mate-pot went round the circle without any intermission.
1883 Encycl. Brit. XV. 627/1 A yerbal or mate wood.
Mate^e: see Maty.
Mateco, variant of Matico.
t Mated, ppl. aA Obs. [f. Mate vA + -ed I.]
1. Confounded, amazed.
1581 T. Howell Denises (1879) 2I1 The bitter smarte that
straines my mated minde. 158a Stanyhurst JEneis 11.
(Arb.) 51 A feare then general mens mated senses atached.
c 1586 Ctess Pemijkoke Ps. xlviii. ii, The things they see
Amaze their mated mindes.
2. Checkmated.
1656 Cowley Pindar. Odes, Dcstinic i, Here I the losing
party blame For those false Moves that break the Game,..
And above all, th' ill Conduct of the mated King.
Mated (ranted), ///. a.2 [f. Mate v.* + -ed i.]
Matched; married ; chiefly in ill- or well mated.
1667 [implied in ill-mated', see III- 7]. i8ai Joanna
Baillik Metr. Leg., Lady G. Bat Hie Hi, Sweet union held
of mated will. 1899 Scribner's Mag. XXV. 50/1 Two well-
mated young lovers.
Matefeioun, obs. form of Matfellon.
t SEE ate -griffon. Hist. [repr. Pr. matagrifun
(' Kill-Greek *), f. malar to kill + Grifun Chif-
fon *.] The name of a siege-tower used by
Richard T.
c 1200 Rich. Devizes in Chron. Stephen, Hen. II <\ Rich, I
(Rolls) III. 402 Rex Anglia? .. fecit castellnin ligneum ..
juxta muros Messana?, quod, ad opprobrium Grifonum,
'Mategrifun' nominavit, 13.. Cocr de L. 287S Ther leet
he pyght hys pavyloun, And arerede hys Mate-gryffon.
Ibid. 6063 The Robynet and the Mate-Griffon, Al that they
hytte wente adoun. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 157
His pele fro bat forward he [Richard I] cald it mate Grif
fonn. 1788 Grose Milit. Antiq. II. 303 The robinet and
mate-griffon threw Iwth darts and stones.
Matel, obs. form of Metal sb.
II Matelasse (manias*?). [Fr., f. malelas'SlAi'-
TUESS.] A French dress goods of silk, or silk and
wool, having a raised design. Also all rib. or adj.
having a raised pattern like quilting.
1882 Caulfeild & Saward Diet. Needlework s.v., Mate-
lasse' silk is employed for dresses and mantles. 1884 Knight
Diet. Mech. Suppl. 587/2 Matelasse, a silk-and-wool French
dress goods. 1897 Daily Neivs 9 Sept. 6/5 There are endless
designs in matelasse cloth, a considerable mixture of silk
being woven in with the wool.
Matelent, variant of Maltalent Obs.
Mateless (monies), a. [f. Mate sfc> + -less.]
1. Without a mate, partner, or companion.
1599 T. M[oufet] Silkwormcs 13 Shalt thon alone die
matelesse, Thisbe mine? 1612 Peacham Minerv. Brit. 11.
186 The Thrush a tenor ; off a little space, Some mateless
Dove doth murmur out the base. 1705 Tate Warriours
Welc. xliv, I'll teach you then the Charm that shall . . make
..The Mateless Nightingal no more complain. 1837 New
Monthly Mag. XI, IX. 23 One mateless dove is answering.
1887 Bowen Virg. sEneid iv. 553 Mateless and all mi-
blamed, untutored in love and its pain !
t 2. Unrivalled, matchless, unparalleled. Obs.
1570 B. Googe Pop. Kingd. 1. (1880) 1 Good Muse de-
clare, my force to weake can not therto attaine Ne can dis-
close the mysteries, of such a matelesse raigne. 1624
Quarles Siou's Elegies i. 12 Say, if e're your eyes beheld.,
more unparallel'd And matelesse Evills. a 1644 G. Sandys
Virg. /Eneis vi. (R.), The clouds, and lightnings matelesse,
To forge with brasse, and speed of horn-hooft force.
II Matelote (matelot), sb. Also 8-9 matelotte,
9 matelot. [Fr., f. matelot sailor.]
1. A dish of fish served in a sauce of wine, onions
and other seasoning, such as mushrooms, oysters,
etc. ; also, a dish of other viands similarly dressed.
1730-6 BAiLEY(fol-), Matelotte[\n Cookery], victuals dressed
after the seamens way. 1747 Mrs. Gi.asse Cookery 32 A Pig
Matelote. 1759 \V. Vkrral Cookery xviii. 97 This sauce I
may serve for several good uses ; but for your matelotte pre-
pare it with a ladle or two of your culhs, with a few nice 1
button mushrooms. 1818 Mooke Fudge Fam. Paris xii. |
i?8 The bliss Of an eel matelote. 1823 Scott Quentin D.
Pref., The matelot of pike and eels. 1846 Mrs. Gore Eng. !
Char. (1852) 47 An unctuous matelotte of eels.
2. An old sailors' dance, in duple rhythm, sjmilar |
to the hornpipe. rare~°. 1890 m Century Diet.
Hence Matelote v. trans. , to make into a mate-
lote (sense 1).
1844 Thackeray GreemvichWks. 1S86 XXIII. 381, I have
tasted him [the eel] charmingly matelotted with mushrooms
and onions.
Mately (rm"»*tli\ a.1 rare. [f. Mate sb.~ +
-LY *.] Friendly, sociable, intimate.
1822 T. Mitchell Aristoph. II. iS+ With Cleon he's
friendly and mately.
Mately, <*.- Her. Alsomateley. An alleged
synonym tor Urde.
1688 R. Holme Armoury 1. 49/1 A Cross Urdee ..
goeth under several terms.. as, a Cross Mately, a Cross
Planked [etc]. 1889 in Elvin Gloss. Her.
Matens, obs. pi. form of Matin I.
Mateo- : see Mat.eo-.
II Mater (m^-tai). [L. = Motiikr.]
fl. The thickest plate of the astrolabe. (Cf.
mother?) Obs.
1594 Blundevil Exerc.w. Introd. (1636) 509 The fore-part
contayneth two principal! parts, that is, the Mater, which
is unmovable, and the Rete, which is movable. Ibid. 600.
2. Anat. See Dura Matee, Pia Mateb.
3. Chiefly in schoolboys' slang, used familiarly
for mother. (Cf. pater.)
1864 HfcMYNG Eton School Days i. 3 ' Good -bye, mater ;
good-bye, Letty ', said Philip. * Mind you write often ',said
his mother. 1888 J. Payn Myst. Mirbridge xxvii, The
Mater will do anything for me. 1897 Brit. Weekly 7 Jan.
214/3 Brydon's mater was a veritable matchmaker.
Mater, obs. form of Matter, Mkiitar.
Materas, obs. form of Mattress.
II Materfamilias (m<Ji-t3afami-lias\ [1,., f.
mater mother -f- familids} old gen. of familia
Family.] The mother of a household.
1756 (i. Hakkis Justinian 28 Denominated according to
their sex, either pa t res fam iliarum, or mat res familiar urn .
1861 Wheat <y Tares ii. 13 Mrs. Leslie seemed rather over-
powered by her responsibilities as Matcifamilias. 1891 [see
Paterfamilias 2].
Materfil(l;on, obs. forms of Matfellon.
Materiable, a. and sb. Obs. rare. [f. L.
materiaNATTiM sb.1 +-ABLE-] = Materials. and j/'.
1471 Ripley Co/up. Alch. Ep. iii. in Ashm. (1652) in Re-
duced to theyr beginning materiable. 1652 Zeal Examined
Add. § 13. 45 Some visible and solid materiable of forcible
Laws.
Material (mStio'rial), a. and sb. [ad. late L.
materialise f. materia MATTER sb.1 : see -al.
Cf. F. materiel adj. and sb., materiaux sb. pi., Sp., Pg,
material, It. materiate', also the mod. Tent, forms (chiefly
from Fr.i, G. materiell adj., material sb., Du. matcrieel
adj., materiaal sb.]
A. adj.
1. Scholastic Philosophy and Thiol. (Opposed to
P'ohmal.) a. Pertaining to matter as opposed to
form. Material cause : see Cause sb. 5. f Of num-
ber : Concrete.
c 1386, c 1430 [see Formal A. 1]. 1447 Dokknham Seyutys
(Roxb.) Introd. 1 The fyrst is clepyd cause efficyent The
^ecunde they clepe cause matcryal. 1588 Kyi> Itonseh.
Phil. Wks. (1901)280 Formall numljer may infinitly encreasf,
but the Materiall cannot multiply so much. 1660 J kr. Taylok
Worthy Commun. i. § 3. 52 Not the sound, or the letters
and syllables, that is, not the material part, but the formal.
1669 [see FohmalA. i], 1697 tr. Burgersduius his Logic 1.
xvi. 56 Form is. .divided, .into Material and Immaterial.
Material Form is that which is produced out of the Power
of Matter, or which dependeth upon Matter in that self
same Moment and Act, by which it is made. 1713 [see Form-
ally 1]. 1827 [see Formal A. 1].
b. That is (so and so) merely so far as its
' matter' is concerned.
Material sin: a wrong action apart from the evil in-
tention that is necessary to constitute it a sin in the full
sense of the word ; so material heresy, schism, schismatic,
etc. Material righteousness', righteousness as definable
by conduct, without regard to its motive.
1656 Bramhall Replic.ix. 341 They who separate actually
without just cause, may doe it out of invincible ignorance,
and consequently they are not formall hut only materiall
Schismaticks. 1690 Norkis Beatitudes (1692) 95'I'he desiring
material Righteousness by a direct act of the Will actually
makes a man formally Righteous.
2. Logic. Concerned with the matter, as distin-
guished from the form, of reasoning. (Opposed to
formal?)
1628 T. Spencer Logick 232 A materiall Illation is when
the consequent goes with the Antecedent : yet so as it fol-
lowes the same, not by force thereof. 1697 tr. Burgcrsdicius
his Logic i.xxviii. 113 The Material Modes affect the Matter
of the Enunciation, viz. either Subject or Predicate. 1727-51
Chamreks Cycl. s.v. Circle, The material circle [in logic|
..consists of two syllogisms, the former whereof proves the
cause by the effect ; and the latter the effect by the cause.
1727-52 Ibid. s.v. Object, Material Object.. is the thing
itself that is considered, or treated of. . . Formal Object is the
manner of considering it. 1850 Whatkly Elem. Logic (ed. 9)
111. § 3 The remaining class {viz. where the Conclusion does
follow from the Premises) may be called the Material, or
Non-logical Fallacies. 1864 BowtN Logic vi. 149 The
material truth of the Conclusion depends upon the material
truth of the Premises.
3. Of or pertaining to matter or body ; formed or
consisting of matter ; corporeal.
a 1340 Hampole Psalter x\\\. 4 Fire materiel or of ill
consciens, sail bren. CX380 Wyclik Eng. Wks. (1S80) 376
Whan he [Christ] was sou3te to be a kynge & to haue taake
upon hym be material swerde. < 1386 Cmaucek Pars. T.
p 108 He bat is in helle hat defaut of light material. 1398
Tbevisa Bartlu De P. R. vm. xvi. (1495) 323 Thickenes and
MATERIAL.
boystousnes of materyall parties is cause and welle of heuy- |
nesse and of lyghtnesse. 1413 Pitgr. Solvit (Caxton) v. 1. \
(1859) 73 Mundus is the material world, but seculum is
taken for the endurynge of the world, c 1440 Gesta Rom.
xix. 66 (Harl. MS.) fere beth two maner of medycyns, bat is
to sey, material, and spiritual, a 1533 Frith Disp. Purg.
To Rdr. A vi b, I meane not his materiall crosse that he hym
self dyed on, but a spretuall crosse. 1563 Homilies II. Place
A> Time affrayer I. (1859) 344 God doth allow the material
temple made of lime and stone, to be his house. 1655
Evelyn Diary (1827) II. 104 He believed the sunn to be a
material fire. 1736 Butler Anal. I. iii. Wks. 1874 I. 68
The material world appears to be, in a manner, boundless
and immense, a 1862 Buckle Civiliz. (1869) III. v. 365
While heat was supposed to be material it could not be con-
ceived as a force. ,
absol. 1850 O. Winsi.ow Inner Life 1. 6 The perishing or
the material is not the annihilation of the immaterial. 1874
Sayce Compar. Philol. vii. 263 The analysis of the material |
is not the same as the analysis of the mental.
tb. Forming the material or substance of a I
thing. Obs. rare—1.
1605 Shaks. Lear iv. ii. 35 She that her selfe will shuer
and disbranch From her materiall sap.
fc. Applied to the terrestrial sphere. Obs.
1551 RECoRDE(/iV&)TheCastleof Knowledge... Containing
the explication of the sphere bothe celestiall and materiall.
1657 North's Plutarch, Add. Lira 6 The Mathematicians
and Astrologers attribute the Invention of the Materiall
Sphere to this subtill Philosopher [Archimedes).
t d. Of diseases : 1 Organic as opposed to
functional. Obs. \
1528 Paynei. Salerno's Kegim. iv, If they, .eyther incline
to materiall sickenes or to vnmateriall. Ibid., If the sicke-
nes be materiall one inaye eate the more at diner. 1541 K.
Copland Guydon's Quest. Chirurg. Oiv, They (cauteres)
be necessary.. to be gyucn in all dysposycyons of maladyes
and specyall in materyal maladyes.
4. Concerned with or involving matter or cor-
poreal substance, its presence, use, or agency.
Material theory (of heat) : the theory that heat is
a material substance (' caloric').
1649 Jer. Taylor Gt. Exciup. 1. v. 149 These temptations
are crasse and material, and soon discernable ; it will require
some greater observation to arm against such as are more
spiritual and immaterial. 1822 Coleridge Tabled. 29 Dec.,
Schiller has the material Sublime : to produce an eflect he
sets you a whole town on fire [etc.]. a 1824 Campbell To
Rainb<m;\Vben Science from Creation's face Enchantment s
veil withdraws, What lovely visions yield their place To
cold material laws ! 1863 Tyndall Heat ii. § 17 (1870) 23
Two rival theories, .which are named respectively the ma-
terial theory, and the dynamical, or mechanical, theory of
heat. 1867 H. Macmili.an Bible Teach. Pref. (1870) 14
Agriculture, though the most material of all our pursuits,
is teaching us truths beyond its own direct province. 1874
Green Short Hist. ix. § 1.510 The attempt to secure spiritual
results by material force. 1877 Mks.Oliphant Makers Flor.
iv. 94 The painter's art is at once ethereal and material.
1882 T. H. Green in Mind No. 25. 19 The material atomism
of popular science.
b. In opprobrious use, usually coupled with
gross : Characterized by conduct, a tendency, point
of view, etc. which is not elevated; unspirilual.
1588 Kyd Honseh. Phil. Wks. (1901) 267 Not of scruile or
materiall wilt, but. .apt to studie or contemplat. 1700 I>itv-
den Cymon fie /ph. 1 35 His gross material soul at once
could find Somewhat in her excelling all her kind. 1850
Robertson Serin. Ser. 111. vii. (1863) 101 The Romish
doctrine contains a truth which it is of importance to dis-
engage from the gross and material form with which it has
been overlaid. 1853 C Bronte Villctte xxxvi, What I saw
struck me. .as grossly material, not poetically spiritual. 187s
Manning Mission H. Ghostlx. 257 The grots heavy material
love of the world.
C. Relating to the physical, as opposed to the
intellectual or spiritual, aspect of things ; concerned
with physical progress, bodily comfort, or the like.
1843 Prescott Mexico 1. iii. 1. 57 note. The Mexican
heaven may remind one of Dante's in its materia^ enjoy-
ments ; which, in both, are made up of li^ht, music, and
motion. Ibid. iv. ii. II. 128 It was the material civiliza-
tion, which belongs neither to the one nor the other. 1858
Mrs. Carlyle Lett. II. 379 Better material accommodation
you could have nowhere. 1861 M. Paitison Ess. (1889) I.
39 The old bonds of relationship, and community of material
interests. 1873-4 Dixon Two Queens IV. xix. iv. 25 When
the fury ceased, the city was a moral and material wreck.
1879 Ii. Arnold Equality Mixed Ess. 70 France.. is the
country where material well-being is most widely spread.
5. Of serious or substantial import; of much
consequence ; important.
1529 More Dyaloge 1. Wks. 125/1 Sith this thing is much
materia), as wherupon many great thynges do depende.
1605 Shaks. Macb. in. i. 136 Whose absence is no lesse
materiall to me, Then is his Fathers. 1625 Bacon Ess,
Cunning (Arb.) 439 He would put that which was most
Materia", in the Post-script. 166$ Glanvill Def.Van. Dogm.
23 'Tis a pertinent and material enquiry to ask, whence the
Soul is! 1666-7 Makvell Corr. Wks. 1872-5 II. 209 The
Poll-bill is printed, but with no materiall errors. 1709SWIKT
Adv. Rclig. Wks. 1755 II. 1. 117 That is no material ob-
jection against the design itself. 1719 L>e Foe Crusoe 11. xv,
I have nothing material to say. 1769 Junius Lett. 111. 19
The last charge.. is indeed the most material of all. 1769
Burke Lett., Mr,/. Rockingham (1844) I. 211 His conse-
quence in the India House is much more material to him
than his rank in parliament. 1823 Scott Pcvcrilxx, When
aware of this material fact, it became Julian's business to
leave Liverpool directly. 1827 Hai.lam Const. Hist. (1876)
t. v. 276 In one point more material,, .the commons success-
fully vindicated their privileges. 1847 Grote Greece 11. xxxv.
(1862) III. 248 The Athenians had a material interest in the
quarrel. 1896 Century Mag. Nov. 22 [He] seldom interlined
a word or made a material correction.
230
b. Predicatively, with inf. or clause as subject.
1547 J. Harrison Exhort. Scoltcs b viij, Whether he came
out of Italy or not, is not muche materiall. 1590 Spenser
F. Q. 11. x. 74 That were too long their infinite contents
Here to record, ne much materiall. 1622 Mabhe tr. Altaian s
Guzman cTAlf. 11. 102 It is not much materiall which gate
wee goe out at. 1641 Wilkins Math. Magick 1. vii. (1648)
50 'Tis not materiall to the force of this instrument, whether
the rundles of it be big or little. 1712 M. Henry Loiumiin.
10. God i. Wks. 1853 I. 205/2 It is essential to a letter that it
be directed, and material that it be directed right. 1802
Med. Jrnl. VIII. 256 It is very material to distinguish
them with accuracy. 1890 En. Halsbuky in Law limes
Rep LX IV. 3/2 Before dealing with the particular clauses
..it is material to notice the problem which the Legislature
had to solve.
c. Pertinent, germane, or essential to.
1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor.-zyi Those [things] that be
most materiall and necessarie for mans felicitie. 1611 Shaks.
Cymb. 1. vii. 207. 1665 Manley Grotius' Low C. IVarrcs
121 Nor was ita little material, to their advantage, if [etc.].
1697 Drvden Virg. Georg. 11. 149, 1 pass the rest, whfce ev'ry
Race and Name, And Kinds are less material to my Theme.
1819 Scott Ivanhoe xxvii, Certain passages material to his
understanding the rest of this important narrative. 1824
Coleridge Tablc-t. 10 June, A slight contrast of character
is very material to happiness in marriage. 1876 Gladstone
Homeric Synchr. 145 The point material to the present in-
quiry is that [etc.).
d. Chiefly Law. Applied to evidence or facts
which are of such significance as to be likely to
influence the determination of a cause, to alter the
character of an instrument, etc. Also const, inf. :
Serving materially {to prove).
1S81 Lambard Eiren. 11. vii. (1588) 213 To take. .the In-
formation . . (or so much thereof as shall be materiall to
prooue the Felonie). 1601 R. Johnson Kingd. <r Cotnmw.
(1603) 80 What they did one against another in the time of
Charles the fift, is not much materiall to prove their
courage. 1799 Hull Advertiser 14 Sept. 3/3 He has been
twice examined, but a material witness was wanting. 1848
Arnould Mar. Insur. (1866) 1. 11. i. 4S9 Facts, the statement
of which may reasonably be presumed likely to have such
an influence on the judgment of the underwriter are called
material facts ; a statement of such facts is called a material
representation. 1881 Lu. Coleridge in Times 5 July 4/2
The alteration which vitiates a contract must be material—
that is, one which alters the character of the instrument itself,
f e. quasi-a</z>. In an important degree. Obs.
1653 Holcroft Procopius Pref. A 2, Procopius. .was a
very material concerned Agent in all these Wars.
f6. I'ullof matter.sound information, orsense. Obs.
1600 Shaks. A. V. L. in. iii. 32 A materiall foole. 1601
B Jonson Poetaster v. i, What thinks Materiall Horace of
his learning 1 c 1611 Chapman Iliad xxiv. 566 His speech
cuen charm'd his eares : So orderd ; so materiall. 1612
Bacon Ess., Despatch (Arb.) 247 Beware of being too
materiall, when there is any impediment, or obstruction in
mens will. 1665 J. Livingston Mem. Charact. mScl. Biog.
(1845) I. 335 Mr. James Simson, a very able and materiall
preacher. 1685 Evelyn Mem. (1857) II. 224 Her discourse,
which was always material, not trifling.
t7. In physical sense: Bulky, massive, solid. Obs.
1657 Austen Fruit Trees tl. 166 Wild materiall fruit-trees
have no power to engraft themselves. 1715 Leoni Palla-
id material,
dio's Arcltit. (1742) I. it The Tuscan is so rude and materi
that it is seldom used above ground. 1735 in Pope s Lett.
I. Suppl. 30 This was only in online ad, to another more
material Volume.
B. si.
+ 1. //. Things that are material. Obs.
1587 Golding De Mornay xiv. 206 What doth.. matter
[bring forth] but matter, and materiall but materialls'
1605 1'immk Quersit. I. iv. 14 Simples may be distinguished
..into those things which are simply formals, and into those
which are simply materials.
2. The matter from which an article, fabric, or
structure is made. Chiefly collect, pi. or sing.
Raw material's : unmanufactured material ; material which
is in a preparatory stage in a manufactu ring process. Mho fig.
pi. 1556 Aberd. Reg. (1844) I. 294 To by stains, lyme, and
all materiallis neidfull thairto. 1610 B. Jonson Ale*. 1. 1,
Your stills, your glasses, your materialls. 1622 Massincek
lirg. Mart. III. i, [He] Took from the matrons neck the
, richest jewels And purest gold as the materials To finish up
his work [«. an image). 1665 Boyle Occas. Refl. (1848) 340
This Child.. despising meer Bread,. .his Mother is fain to
1 disguise the Materials of it into Cake. 1725 De Foe Voy.
\ round World (\%a,o) 329 Gunpowder, .with other materials
! for kindling fire. 1726 Swift Gulliver 111. iv, A palace may
I be built in a week, of materials so durable as to last for ever.
1796 [see Raw A. 2 e]. 1864 Burton Scot Abroad 1. 111. 118
; Adventures which would make good raw materials for
: severalVvels. 1865 Lubbock Preh. Times 25 Considering
how perishable are the materials out of which clothes are
necessarily formed. 1870 Yeats Nat. Hist. Coiiim. 2 With-
out a considerable knowledge of raw materials, and of their
adaptations, we could not live.
sing. 1638 Junius Paint. Ancients^ Art can doe nothing
without the materiall ; whereas the materiall without Art
hath her own worthinesse. 1662 Gekbier Prime. (1665) 25
When Builders see their Copings [etc.] . . to decay they must
have patience, since there is no Meterial but is subject
there unto. 1796 Hunter tr. St.-Picrre's Stud. Nat. (1799I
1 1 1. 648 By drawing from a foreign country the raw material
of their clothing. 1828 Carlyle Misc. (1857) I. 206 It is not
the material but the workman that is wanting. 1835 Uke
Philos. Manuf. v. 207 Flax . . constitutes the material of linen
cloth. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. iii. I. 351 The ordinary
materia! was brick. 185s Ibid. III. 417 The raw material out
of which a good army may be formed existed in great abund-
ance among the Irish. 1863 P. Barry Dockyard Econ. 100,
j/ji,i86 Itk s'id. for material, and ,£797 161. II* for labour.
1868 [see Raw A. 2 e].
b. The elements, constituent parts, or substance
of something (whether physical or non-physical).
MATERIALISM.
1642 Rogers Naaman To Rdr., As they say of the
materealls of the world, they would soone dissolve if [etc.].
1651 Baxter Inf. Bapt. 59 If the very materials of the
Church were a Ceremony, then the Church it self should
be but a Ceremony. 1662 Bk. Com. Prayer Pref, 1 he
Main Body and Essentials of it (as well in the chlefest mate,
rials, as in the frame and order thereof) have continued the
same unto this day. 1864 Kirk Ckas. Bold I. 1. 11 I he
material of the character was coarser and more robust. 1878
Huxley Physiogr. 189 The solid materials are shot forth
into the air. .
C. //. In Ireland : The ingredients for making
whisky punch. Now ' almost always shortened to
mails, even in a bill ' (H. C. Hart).
1842 S. Lover Handy Andy xxxviii, She ..set about
getting ' the materials ' for making punch. 1888 H. Smart
Master of Rakehelly II. 53 Take my advice, leave the
' matarials' alone to-night and stick to the claret.
3. In various non-physical applications: Some-
thing which can be worked up or elaborated, or
of which anything is composed ; esp. documents,
etc. for historical composition ; evidence from which
a conclusion may be framed.
1624 Ussher in Lett. Lit. Men (Camdeni ,31 To you
1 must be more beholding for furnishing me with materialls.
1625 Bacon Ess., Seditions (Arb.) 399 Concerning the Mate-
rialls of Seditions.. .The surest way to prevent Seditions. .
is to take away the Matter of them. 1690 Lock e Hum.
Und. 11. ii. § 2 The simple ideas, the materials of all our
knowledge. 1713 Hearne Rem. f, Collect. 2= ; June (O.H.S.
IV 205 I have read part of the B. of St. Asaph s Life of
St Winifrid, for w^ 1 helped him to several Materials out
of Bodley. 1783 Cowper Lett. 7 Mar., Were my letters
composed of materials worthy of your acceptance, they
should be longer. 1830 DTsraeli Cluxs. I, III. Pref. 3 Re-
search and Criticism, only furnish the materials of Medlla-
tion. 1864 Bowen Logic ii. 33 Perception, Memory and
Imagination, through which we collect the materials for
thinking. 1867 Howells Ital. Journ. 111. 37 Ihe'r books
are material, not literature. 1877 Owen Wellesley s Desp.
p xlv, Wellesley.. was anxious to secure fresh and malle-
able ' material ', rather than overformed or misformed agents.
4. A stuff or fabric ; in Dressmaking, woollen or
cloth stuff as opposed to silks, etc.
i860 Dickens Uncomm. Trav. iv, A cool material with a
light glazed surface, being the covering of the seats. 1875
Plain Needlework 10 The material used in the South to
strain milk, called ' Cheese Cloth ' ill the trade.
5. Tools, implements, or apparatus for perform-
ing an action. Now only in writing materials.*
1711 Bailey vol. II, Materials, tools or stuff proper for the
making or doing any thing. 1778 Pryce Mm. Cornub 324
I Materials, all tools and tackle, timber and implements, that
' belong to a Mine ; and in large Mines a person is appointed
i to take care of them, who is called the Material-Man.
i8ss Prescott Philip II, n. iii. (1857) 226 De Seso called
for writing materials.
6. The matirid of an army, rare- .
i8I5 Sot they in Q. Rev. XIII. 521 Their [so. the French
army s] baggage, equipage, tumbrils, artillery, the whole of
what is called the material, were taken.
7. atlrib.: material(s clerk, a clerk who controls
thesupplyofmaterialsinabusinesshouse; material
dress, a dress made of woollen stuff ; materials
man, (a) see quot. 1778 ; (/>) one who deals in ma-
terials for building, etc. ; material yard, a yard
in which materials are stored.
toco Engineering Mag. XIX. 707 It is the duty of the
"material clerk to see that sufficient material is in stock, or
ordered, to provide for orders in hand. 1904 Daily L /iron.
2 lune 9/3 Timekeeper and Materials Clerk required by
large West-end contractors, 1884 Daily News 27 Oct. 2/1
The increasing popularity of silks as opposed to what are
knownas'^nalwa' dresses. 1778 -Material-Man [see 5].
1819 Wheaton Cases Supreme Court U. S. IV. 438 Ma-
terial men furnishing repairs to a domestic ship. 1832
Babbage Econ. Manuf. xx. (ed. 3) 202 A Materials-man
selects, purchases, receives and delivers all articles required.
1888 ISryce Amer. Commiu. II. App.679 Mechanics, mate-
rial-men, artisans, and labourers, .have a lien upon the pro-
perty upon which they have bestowed labour or furnished
material. 1901 7- Black's Carp. t, Build., Scaffolding 89
The smaller builder, having.. no -material yard, has no
convenient place to store poles when not 111 use.
t MateTial, v. Obs. [f. Mateuial a. and sb.}
1. trans. To bring into material form.
1643 Sir T. Browne Rclig. Med. 1. § 37 That the whole
frame of a beast.. is left in the same slate after death, as
before it was materialled unto life.
2. To furnish material for.
1661 Glanvill Van. Dogm. 174 Comets, are materiall d
of vapours. Ibid. 216 Plants are partly material d of water.
Materialism (matio'rializ'm). 0- mod.L.
matcrialismus, i. L. material-is Material a.: see
-ism. Cf. F. materialisme (1 751 in Hatz.-Darm.).J
1. Philos. The opinion that nothing exists except
matter and its movements and modifications ; also,
in a more limited sense, the opinion that the pheno-
mena of consciousness and will are wholly due to
the operation of material agencies. Often applied
by opponents to views that are considered logically
to lead to these conclusions, or to involve the
attribution to material causes of effects that should
be referred to spiritual causes. ■
1748 Neediiam in Phil. Trans. XLV .665 Not that I
imagined that.. you. .would think nw Principles any way
tending to Materialism. 1758 Cray Let. .8 Aug. Wks. .888
II o7£ I am as soiry as you seem to be, that our acquaint,
ance harped so much oil the subject of materialism. 1823
Coleridge Tablet. 3 Jan., 'And man became a living
MATERIALIST.
231
MATERIALLY.
sout \ Materialism will never explain these last words.
1877 E. Cairo Philos. Kant ii. 13 Sensationalism necessi-
tates materialism, for it must explain sensations as impres-
sions made by a material object. 1898 J, R. Ii.i.ingwoktm
Oh. Immanence vi. 137 The mechanical automaton that
materialism believes him [vis. man] always to be.
2. Transferred uses. a. Applied in reproach to
theological views (c. g. on the operation of the
sacraments or the nature of the future life) that are
supposed to imply a defective sense of the reality
of things purely spiritual.
1850 Robertson Strut, in. vii. (1863) 103 The miserable
materialism of the mass. 1898 J. K. Illingworth Div. Im-
manence vi. 143 The growth uf the sacramental system was
an historical necessity; which, despite of the religious mate-
rialism into which it too frequently lapsed [etc. J.
b. In art, the tendency to lay stress on the
material aspect of the objects represented.
1850 Mrs. Jameson Leg. Monast. Ord. (1863) 421, I give
a sketch from a Spanish picture just to show the materialism
of the conception. 185a — Leg. Madonna (18571 I "trod. 33
The grand materialism of Michael Angelo is supposed to
have been allied to the genius of Dante.
c. Devotion to material needs or desires, to the
neglect of spiritual matters ; a way of life, opinion,
or tendency based entirely upon material interests.
1851 Hawthorne Show Image (1879) 31 The stubborn
materialism of her husband. 1857 Toulmin Smith Parish
505 Good old customs, which modern selfishness and cold
materialism shrink from. 1899 W. K. Inge Chr. Mysticism
viii. 3J7 Teutonic civilization, .is prevented from sinking
into moral materialism by its high standard of domestic life.
1903 A. & E. Castle Star Dreamer 24, I fear.. you will
never rise beyond the grossest everyday materialism.
113. cotter. The system of material things; the
material universe.
1817 Chalmers A sir on. Disc. vii. 231 He, who instead of
seeing the traces of a manifold wisdom in its manifold
varieties, sees nothing in them all but the exquisite struc-
tures and the lofty dimensions of materialism. Ibid. 233.
Materialist (mati->*rialist). [ad. mod.L.
mdteridlista : see prec. and -ist. Cf. F. mattfri-
aliste (1 8th c.).]
I. Senses related to Material a.
1. An adherent of the philosophical system known
as materialism.
1668 H. More Div. Dial*, The Proper Characters of the Per-
sons in the ensuing Dialogues. . . Hylobares, A young, witty,
and well-moralized Materialist. 1678CUDWORTH Intell. Syst.
1. v. 759 The Old AtheUtick Materialists. 1739 Hume Hum.
Nat. 1. iv. § 5 (1888) 239 The materialists, who conjoin all
thought with extension. 1856 Sir B. Brodie Psychol, tnq.
I. ii. 38 The materialist argues that we know nothing of mind
except as being dependent on material organization.
H b- fig. with reference to disbelief in * soul '.
1807 Southey Spec. Later Eng. Poets I. Pref. 31 Those
who hold that poetry is an acquirable art, — the materialists
of fine literature.
c. Used to render Eccl. L. mdteridrii : see
Materiarian.
1701 Echard Eccl. Hist. (1710) 514 The heresiarch Hermo-
genes.. maintained. .that all evils proceeded out of matter;
from whence he and his followers were called Materialists.
1730-6 in Bailey (fol.) ; and in modern Diets.
2. Applied by Berkeley to believers in the ob-
jective existence of matter.
c 1705 Berkeley Commpl. Bk. Wks.1871 IV. 472 The mind,
even according to the materialists, perceiving onely the im-
pressions made upon its brain.
3. One who takes a material view of tilings.
1853 Lytton My Novel vn. vi, ' O materialist ! ' cried the
boy . . * you would debase the gods to a gin-palace*.
4. A believer in the materiality of heat. rare.
1863 Tyndall Heat ii. § 18 (1870) 24 The development of
heat by mechanical means.. was a great difficulty with the
materialists.
5. attrib. or as adj. = Materialistic.
1833 Lytton Eng. <y Engl. (ed. 2) II. 238 He has studied
Locke, and become materialist. 1869 M. Pattison Serin,
(1885) 172 A materialist tone is said to pervade all our
reasonings about practical questions. 1876 M 02 ley Univ.
Serm. iii. (1877) 61 This horrible materialist indifference to
the extinction of our being.
II. Senses related to Material sb.
T 6. A druggist ; *a merchant who sells the articles
of the materia medica* {Syd. Soc. Lex.). [= G.
materialist, mod.L. (Pharm.) materia /isla!\ Obs.
rare~°. 1728 Bailey, Materialist, a Druggist.
7. One who mixes the * materials ' for whisky
punch. ? nonce-use.
1843 Thackeray Irish Sk. Bk. viii, There is a dirty coffee-
room, with a strong smell of whisky ; indeed three young
'materialists' are employed at the moment.
Materialistic (matl^riali-stik), a. [f. Ma-
terialist -+■ -ic]
1. Pertaining to, characterized by, or addicted to
materialism, in anyiof the senses of the term,
1845 Maurice Mor. $■ Met. Philos. in Encycl. Metrop. (1854)
II. 45 The search for elements by the Ionic School struck
Clemensassimplymaterialistic. 1877 Dowden SJiaks.Prim.
vi. 102 Sly is of the family of Sancho Panza, gross and
materialistic in his tastes, and habits. 1877 E. Caird Philos.
A ant ii. 1 3 A materialistic explanation of the universe. 1898
J. R. Illingworth Div. Immanence i. § 3. 21 Minds of a
materialistic bias.
2. Pertaining to the 'material theory 'of heat. rare.
i860 Tyndall Glac. 11. xix. 331 According to the mate-
rialistic view of heat, bodies are figured as sponges, and
heat a kind of fluid absorbed by them.
So Materiali'sticaltf. in the same sense (Ogilvie
Sappl. 1855). Hence Materialistically adv.t in
a materialistic manner.
185a Bunskn Hippolytus II. 60 The form of expressing
the manifestation of God 111 the mind, as if God was Himself
using human speech to man., was originally never meant to
be understood materialistically. 1890 J. PuLSFORD Loyalty
to Christ I. 333 A materialistic mind will think materialisti-
cally even about the teaching of Christ.
Materiality (matwrinaliti). [a.. mod.L. milter i-
dlilds, i. late L. materidlis Material a. : see -1TY.
Cf. F. matdriatite (1690 in Hatz.-Darm.).]
1. That which constitutes the ' matter ' of some-
thing: opposed to formality. ? Obs.
The first quot. isapp. unmeaning, but attests the existence
of the word at that date.
a 1529 Skelton Col. Chute 561 And bryng in material ites
And qualyfyed qualytes Of pluralytes. 159a G. Harvey
Four Lett. Wks. (Grosart) I. 229 As in other thinges, so in
Artes, formality doth well; but materiality worketh the
feat. 1646 II. l.\wRKNcy,Comm. Angells 1 io Righteousnes,
which is, as I may say, the materiality of peace. 1647
Trapp Comm. Mark ii. 28 The schoolmen say that God
can dispense with the materiality of any precept in the
decalogue, the three first excepted. 1652 I-. S. People's
Liberty xviii. 45 Whether. .God. .can dispence with the
Commandements of the 2d. Table, according to the mate-
rialitie of them. 1660 Ikk. Taylor Duct. Dnbit. n. ii. Rule
ii. (1676) 215 If blood be taken in its own materiality when
the beast is dead.
2. The quality of being material.
1570 Dee Math. Pref. *j, Neither Number, nor Magnitude,
haueany Materialitie. 1647 H.MoRv.Poems 108 Vitality Doth
move th' inert Materiality Of great and little worlds. 1600
LocKB Hum. Und, iv. iii. § 6 He. .will scarce find his reason
able to determine him fixedly for or against the soul's
materiality. 1704 G. Adams Nat. fy Exp. Philos. I vii. 250
The decomposition of the rays of light proves their mate-
riality, 1863 Tyndall Heat ii. 25 The dynamical theory, .of
heat, discards the idea of materiality as applied to heat.
1871 Tyi.or Prim. Cult. I. 412 Wuttke says, the ghosts of the
dead have to him a misty and evanescent materiality.
b. That which is material ; //. things material.
1811 Shelley St. Irvyne xii, I,et them suppose human
nature capable of no influence from anything but materiality.
1822-34 Goods Study Med. (ed. 4) III. 85 To enable it to
l>ehold God in the materialities of his works. 1821 Lamb
Etta Ser. 1. Old Benchers Inner /'., When the grown world
flounders about in the darkness of sense and materiality.
1855 Athetuvnm 3 Nov. 1267 The former believes in visions,
the latter in materialities. 1880 VV. Wallace Epicureanism
vi. 102 The sout is a subtler and more refined materiality,
which is thus endowed with more.. refined perceptions than
the bodily organs.
3. Material aspect or character ; mere outward-
ness or externality.
1599 Sandys Euroj>x Spec. (1632) 18 Their acts of Pietie,
l>eing placed more in the very massie materialitie of the
outward worke, than in the puritie of the heart. 1651 Jee.
Taylor Serm. for Year II. ii. 15 The materiality and im-
perfection of the law. 1765 Johnson Pre/, to Shahs, p. xxvi,
It is false, that any representation is mistaken for reality;
that any dramatick fable in its materiality was ever credible.
4. The quality of being material or important
for the purpose contemplated. Now legal.
1644 Vicars God in Mount 96 A peece of unexpressible
materiality and advantageous benefit to the whole Cause.
1780 Bentham Princ. Legist. lx. § 3 There are two points
with regard to which an act may have been advised or un-
advised, 1. The existence of the circumstance itself. 2. The
materiality of it. 1824 H. J. Stephen Pleading 256 Rules
which tend to secure the materiality of the issue. 1849 J. P.
Kennedy W. Wirt (i860) I. xiii. 154 The relevancy or mate-
riality of the papers referred to was not shown. 1884
Manch. Exam. 29 Mar. 5/2 As he had an affidavit swearing
to the materiality of the documents he asked for the order.
Materialization (matlariatoiz^'-Jan). [f. next
+ -ation.] The action of the verb Materialize.
1. The making a thing material (esp. as opposed
to spiritual} ; the giving a material form to.
1843 For. %■ Cot. Q. Rev. II. 338 Is not this symboUzation
or materialization necessarily connected with deism in the
abstract? 1856 R. A. Vaughan Mystics (i860) II. ix. i, 125
The materialization of spiritual truth. 1899 \V. R. Inge Chr.
Mysticism vii. 263 A truer view sees in them [miraclesj a
materialisation of mystical symbols.
2. Spiritualism. The appearance of a spirit in
bodily form,
1880 in Webster, Suppl. 1881 Dr. Gheist 39 This is what
Mr. Faxton calls Materialisation. 1882 Con/. Medium 47
We changed the form of the circle for the materialisations.
Materialize (matla'riatoiz), v. [f. Material
a. + -ize.]
1. trans. To make material or represent as mate-
rial ; to give or ascribe a material existence to ; to
invest with material attributes.
1710 Addison Taller No. 154 P 6 Virgil, .having with
wonderful Art and Beauty materializ'd (if I may so call it)
a Scheme of abstracted Notions. 1713 Steele Guardian
No. 172 p 4 By this means we materialize our ideas, and
make them as lasting as the ink and paper. 1764 Reid
Inauiryvii. <i8oi) 448 These analogies will be apt to impose
upon philosophers .. and to lead them to materialize the
mind and its faculties. 1843 Hawthorne Atuer. Note-Bis.
(1883) 333, 1 had the glimmering of an idea, and endeavoured
to materialize it in words. 1848 R. I. Wilberforce Doctr.
Incarnation iii. (1852) 40 Those who would materialize
spirit, 1883 H. Drummond Nat. Law in Spir. IV. ii. (1884)
76 He insists on having all things materialised before his
eyes in Nature.
2. Spiritualism. To cause (a spirit,etc.) to appear
in bodily form.
1880 in Webster Suppl. 1881 Dr. Gheist 39 Mr. Faxton
firmly believed . . that the spirits of the dead may Income ma-
terialised. iB&x Con /".Medium 46 Bunche* of artificial flowers
were either materialised or levitated. 1885 Whither Pr.
Whs, (1889) II. 314 A Newbury minister. . rode. .over to
Hampton to lay a ghost who had materialized himself.
b. inlr. To assume a bodily form.
1884 B. Matthkws in Harper's Mag. May 911/1 The..
ghosts, .gave dark seances and manifested and materialized.
c. trans/. To come into perceptible existence;
to become actual fact; to * come off (orig. U. S.
in journalistic use).
1885 Miss MvKVKEi: Proph. Gt. Smoky Mount, i. 18 Some
fifteen or twenty huunds that .suddenly materialized among
the bee-hives and the althea bushes. 1887 Boston (Mass.)
J ml, 12 Dec. 2/6 That attack upon the Interstate Com-
merce law, which was predicted tot>ecur as soon as Cont;re^s
met, does not materialize. 1891 Blackw. Mae. May 741
Year after year passed and these promises failed to mate-
rialise. 1898 Spectator 23 July 106 The Protestant reverters
from the Unionist party failed, as the Americans say, to ma-
terialise, but instead appeared an angry crowd of Irishmen.
1900 Ibid, 6 Oct. 445 Out of the mist of notes and protocols
..a policy seems gradually to be materialising.
3. trans. To make materialistic. Al^o inlr. to
favour materialistic views.
i8zo [see Materializing]. 1836 Fraser's Mag. XIII. 219
The public mind is not yet so thoroughly materialised by
long dealing with, .exact sciences [etc.]. 1840 Gladstonk
Ch. Princ. 1 8a Those who materialise in religion. 1842
Mrs. (J OKI-: Fascin. 144 A soul materialized by gluttony.
1866 Liddon Batnpt. Led. iv. (1875) 185 There is in man
unhappily a tendency to materialize spiritual truth. 1882
M. Arnold Irish Ess., etc. 121 The system, .tends to ma-
terialize our upper class, vulgarize our middle class, brutalize
our lower class.
Hence Materialized ///.</., Materializing1?'/'/.
sb. {attrib.) and ///. a. Also Materializer, one
who materializes.
1820 Ranken Hist. France VIII. Iv. 370 The Epicurean
or materialising tendencies of his immediate predecessor
Gassendi. 18*4 New Monthly Mag. X. 82 These material-
izers of the airy nothings of the mind. 1852 Mrs. Jami-ison
Leg. Madonna (1857) 184 This materialised theology. 1874
Gladsiunk in Contemp. Rev. Oct. 677 The materializing
tendencies of the age. 1883 Con/. Medium 44 Materialised
spirits can vanish like a flash of lightning. Ibid. 48 This is
the first materialising seance that my friend has ever at-
tended. 1898 Watts- Dun ion Aylwin n. iv, The gold which
modern society finds to be more precious than, .all that was
held precious in less materialised times.
Materially (matwTiuli), adv. [f. Material
a. + -ly *.]
1. Chiefly Philos. and Logic. With regard to
matter as opposed to form. Also, with regard to
constituent matter ; in respect of material cause,
1502 Ord. Crysten Men (VV. de \V. 1506) 1. iii. 22 Some
thynges they make in operacyon wythout all onely, the
whiche thynges are not in the soule materyally. 1646
J. Whitaker Uzziah 6 Men may doe many things right
materially.., and yet themselves, .may not be upright. 1651
Biggs New Disp. r 250 A Catarrhe is materially from va-
pours out of the stomack. 1658 Baxter Saving Faith iii.
18 May I not say, that materially a Ship and a Barge do
differ but gradually, because ex materia they are not a Ship
or Barge? 1675 R. Burthogge Causa Dei 59 Though the
Damned sin materially, .yet 'tis a great Question whether
they may be rationally affirmed formally to sin there. 1685
South Twelve Serm. (1692)482 An III Intention is certainly
sufficient to spoil, .an Act in itself Materially Good. 1685,
1697 [see Formally i]. 1864 Bowen Logic ii. 42 What is
formally correct may be materially false. 1876 L. Stephen
Eng. Th. in iSth C. II. ix. vi, The good deeds of the heathen,
like the good deeds of the brutes, are materially not form-
ally virtuous.
2. In, by, with, or in respect of matter or material
substance ; ' in the state of matter ' {].).
1594 Blundevil Exerc. in. I. (1636) 275 Superficies (are)
the bounds of a body, which is that which hath imagina-
tively, but not materially, both length, bredth, and depth.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 111. ix. 124 The generation
of bodies is not effected., of soulcs, that is, by Irradiation,. .
but therein a transmission is made materially from some
parts, and Ideally from every one. 1660 R. Coke Power 4-
Subj. 32 All rightful Kings are so, whether they be mate-
rially anointed, .or not. 1717 L. Howel Desiderius (ed. 3)
175 As he created all Men out of the same matter, they are
materially equal.
f3. Of speaking or writing: With an appropriate
or sound use of matter ; soundly ; to the point. Obs.
1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. 11. xxi. § 7 There is small doubt
but that men can write best and most really & materialy
in their owne professions. 1607 Topsell Four/l Beasts
(1658) 266 Finding nothing of substance in him, which is not
more materially, perspicuously, profitably, and familiarly
..expressed by them. 1638 Featlv Strict. Lyndom. \. 13
What hee materially answereth to the Knights allegations.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 11. iii. 70 Bcetius de Boot,
..in his Tract, de lapidibus £ gemmis, speakes very mate-
rially hereof. 1749 Chesterf. Lett. (1792) II. 282 The late
Lord Townshend always spoke materially with argument
and knowledge, but never pleased.
4. In a material degree ; to a material or im-
portant extent ; substantially, considerably.
1654 tr- Scudery's Curia Pol. 179 There are many Circum-
stances most materially considerable in them, as their age,
their humour, their inclination. 171 1 Shaftesb. Charac.
(1737) III. Misc. v. iii. 332 It is sufficient that they know
that those Copys which they leave, are not materially cor-
rupted. 1817 Shelley Let. to Godwin 7 Dec, My health
has been materially worse. 1846 G rote Greece 1. xvii. (1862)
1 1 . 422 Tribes differing materially in habits and civilization.
1853 Bright Sp„ India 3 June (1876) 11 To comprehend
how materially the great manufacturing interests are con-
cerned. 1890 ' R. Boldrewood' Col. Re/ormer (1891) 126
Short cuts, by.. which the road was materially shortened.
MATERIALNESS.
5. In respect of material interests.
1871 Mann Voltaire (18S6) 9 People with whom the
world goes fairly well materially.
Materialness. [f. Material a. + -kess.]
The quality of beinj; material.
1587 Goi.ding De Moniay iv. 47 The imperfections which
are in all things, (as chaungeablenesse, weakenesse, mate-
rialnesse, and such likel. 1729 State TrialCouns. Strange
in Proc. agst. T. Bainbridge ('!'.) This affidavit is not suffi-
cient as to the inability or materialness of the witnesses.
i8n Chron. in Ann. Keg. 363 A sort of criterion by which
to judge of the materialness of a book. 1903 A. P>. Davidson
Old lest. Pro/ill. xiii. 222 The outstanding characteristic of
the Old Testament dispensation was its materialness.
II Materia medica (materia rrurdika).
[med. Latin, literal transl. of Gr. tiAi; iarfuKr)
(Galen) = medical material.]
1. The remedial substances used in the practice
of medicine.
1699 M. Lister Jotirn. Paris 244 The Arabians were
wise, and knowing in the Materia Medica, to have put it in
their Alkermes. 1752 Berkeley Pli. on 'Par-mater Wks.
1 87 1 III. 496 Can any instance be produced in the whole
materia medica.. of the virtue of a medicine tried on greater
numbers? 1799 Med. J nil. I. 56 The Purple Fox-glove is
a medicine which, for some time, stood high in the list of
the materia medica. 1817 J. Bradbury Trav. Ainer. 116
As I supposed this bag contained the whole materia medica
of the nation, I examined it with some attention.
fig. 1768-74 Tucker Lt. Nat. (1834) II. 97 What I may
call the materia medica of morality. 1783 J. Beattie Let.
30 Mar. Life, etc. (1806) II. 122 It would be a valuable
addition to the materia medica of government. 1796 Blrki:
Regie. Peace iv. Wks. IX. 124 Among other miserable
remedies, that have been found in the materia medica of
the old College, a change of Ministry will be proposed.
2. That branch of medical science which treats
of these substances.
1811 A. T. Thomson Land. Disp. 11. (1818) 1. 1845 E.
Ballard & A. B. Uarrod {title) Elements of Materia
Medica and Therapeutics.
f Materian. - next so.
1730-6 Bailey (fol.), Matcrians.
t Materia'rian, a. and sb. Obs. [f. late L.
mdtcriuri-us (f. materia Matter) + -an. j Applied
to ancient heretics who believed in the eternity of
matter.
1678 Cudworth Intcll. Syst. I. iv. § 6. 197 Hermogenes and
other ancient pretenders to Christianity did . . assert the self-
existence and improduction of the Matter, for which cause
they were commonly called Materiarii, or the Materiarian
Hereticks. Ibid., These Materiarian Theists acknowledged
God to be a Perfectly-understanding Being.
\ Materiary, a. Obs. rare-'. [ad.L. mdleri-
arius, f. materia : see Matter j*.1 and -ary.]
Pertaining to matter (in quot. ellipt.).
1650 BuLWEB Antkroponiet. 130 An excrement, not a part,
and if a part, altogether an excrementitious materiarie.
t Materiate, a. and sb. Obs. [ad.L. mdtcri-
dt-us, i. materia Matter ; see -ate.] A. adj.
1. Produced from material; composed or con-
sisting of matter.
1588 Fraunce Lawiers Log. I. iii. 16 b, The matter and
the thing materiate. 1619 Sir A. Gorges tr. Bacon's De
Sap. Vet. 23 They that would haue one simple beginning
referre it vnto God : or if a materiate beginning, they would
haue it various in power. 1686 Goad Celest. Bodies in. iv.
507 The Potency.. of that great Congress call'd me to look
toward some materiate Cause. 169$ R. Burthogge Reason
if Nat. Spirits 157 Local Motion. .is not Matter, or Mate-
riate, but yet is in Matter, as United unto it.
b. Solid, dense.
1626 Bacon Sylva § 326 Gold (which is the most Pon-
derous and Materiate amongst Metalls).
2. Involved in matter: said of persons and things.
1626 Bacon Sylva § 114-5 After long Inquiry of Things,
Immerse in Matter, to interpose some Subiect, which is
Immateriate, or lesse Materiate. 1634 T. Johnson Party's
Lhirurg. 11. (1678) 46 Epicures, and other, too much natural
and materiate Philosophers. 1647 J. Hall Poems 95 Mate-
riate and grosse.
3. Mctaph. ' United with matter ; embodied in
matter : said of an Aristotelian form ' (Cent. Diet.).
B. sb. 'A material substance; a thing formed
of matter ' (Ogilvie 1882).
Materiate (mati^rUit), v. Now rare or Obs.
[f. L. material-, ppl. stem of mdteridre (in class.
Latin to construct of wood, in scholastic use as
in 1 below), f. materia Matter sb.1]
1. trans. In scholastic use. a. To supply or be
the matter or material part of; in passive, to be
constituted materially by something.
1680 Boyle Scept. Chem. 11. 157 When the material Parts
..retain their own Nature in the things materiated; as some
of the Schoolmen speak. 1691 Baxter Nal.Ch. iii. 10 The
Empire, ..headed by one Christian Soveraign, and materi-
ated by Christian Subjects, .was all one National Church.
b. To render i^a ' form ') inherent in a particular
' matter '.
1653, 1654 [see Matf.riated ppl. a.]. 1*23 De.Quincf.y
Lett, to Vng. Man Wks. i860 XIV. 57 note, The particular
error by winch this mere formal term of relation was mate-
riated vif 1 may so say) in one of its accidents.
f2. In the class. Latin sense: To construct of
wood. Obs. (? nonce-use).
a 1693 Urouliart's Rabelais III. Iii. 429 Wooden Furniture
. .should be materiated of this kind of Timber.
Hence Mate'riated ///. a.
1653 H. More Antid. Ath. 11. v. 5 3 The effects of an in-
2352
advertent form (Advo* tWAos) of materiated or incorporated
art or seminal reason. 1654 Wiiitlock Zootomia 396 How
many [elements] go to Mans Creation (or any materiated
Substance), .is much debated.
t Materia'tion. Obs. [ad. L. mdteriation-em,
in class. Latin n. of action to materiarl to
procure timber, f. materia timber, Matter sb.1 ; in
scholastic Latin n. of action to mdtcridre : see prec]
1. (See quots.)
1623 Cockeram, Maieriathn, the felling of timber for
building. 1656 Blount Clossogr., Materiation (materiatio)
the felling of timber for building, preparing of timber wood
for service in War. Dr. Br[owne].
2. The action of Materiate v . I.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. vi. i. 274 Creation ; that
is, . .a formation not only of matter, but of forme, and a ma-
teriation even of matter it selfe.
t Materiative, "■ Obs. [f. med.L. materia-
lizes, f. mdteriare : see Materiate v. and -ative.]
Providing the matter (of).
1652 Urouhart 7ra*7Wks. (1834)198 An alphabet ma-
teriative of all the words the mouth of man.. is able to
pronounce.
Materiature (mitl»ii5tiui). rare. [f. L.
materia Matter ; cf. med.L. mdleridtura work in
wood.] That which constitutes materiality.
t8oo J. H. Stirling Philos. fr Theol. 349 As you may-
wash away all colour from a clot of blood, and be left at
last with, -a pure transparent web which held the colour, so
you may discharge materiature from any particle of dust,. .
and be left at last with a pure diamond of fibres intellectual.
Materie, obs. form of Matter sb.1
II Materiel (mato'fl). [Fr. : see Material a.
and sb.]
1. a. The ' mechanical ' or ; material ' portion of
an art; technique, rare. b. The 'stock-in-trade',
available means or resources, for carrying on any
business or undertaking.
1814 Edin. Rev. XXIV. 162 Mr. Hogg, .is excellently well
appointed as to what may be entitled the materieiof poetry.
There is too much mere embellishment, and too little stuff
or substance in his writings. 1822 De Quincev Con/ess. 41
The quantity of esculent matc'ricl. .was little more than a
roll, or a few biscuits. 1853 Ruskin Stones Ven. III. vii.
212 If this be so, the question as to the materiel of educa-
tion becomes singularly simplified. 1878 Sir G. G. Scott
Led. Arc/iit. I. 156 Both [forms] should be admitted on
equal terms as portions of our general materiel.
2. Used as a collective term for the articles, sup-
plies, machinery, etc. used in an army, navy, or
business, as distinguished from the personnel or
body of persons employed.
1827 Lincoln >r Lincolnsh. Cabinet 29 A more easy method
of transporting the materiel for their army. 1856 Emerson
Eng. Traits XV. Wks. (Bohn) II. 117 The late Mr. Walter
was printer of the ' Times ', and had gradually arranged the
whole materiel oi it in perfect system. 1881 Spectator 15
Jan. 75 The Turkish army in Epirus is in desperate straits
for materiel and money.
Matering, obs. form of Mattering.
t Materious, a. Obs. [ad. late L. mdteriosus,
f. materia Matter: see -ous.] Material.
1645 Milton Tctrach. 198 This sensuous and materious
cause alone can 1I0 more hinder a divorce against [etc.].
1657 W. Morice Coena quasi Kot^r/ x. 118 Things .. having
no direct concernment with faith or manners, are not so ma-
terious to be recorded.
Matermone, -moyn(e, obs. ft. Matrimony.
Matei'inonial, obs. form of Matrimonial a.
T Matern, a. Obs. rare~l. [ad. L. mdlern-us :
see next.] That is a mother, maternal.
1500-20 Dunbar Poems lxxxv. 11 ^erne ws gubeme, wir-
gill matern, Of reuth baith rute and ryne.
Maternal (mata-jnal), a. (sb.) Also 5-7 -all,
6 -ale. [ad. F. maternel (Oresme, 14th c), f. L.
: mdternus, f. mater Mother sb. : see -al. Cf. It.
! malernale, Sp., Pg. maternal.]
1. Of or pertaining to a mother or mothers;
characteristic of mothers or motherhood ; motherly.
1492 Ryman Poems xviii. 4 in Arcliiv Stud. neu. Spr.
LXXX1X. 187 This mayden-.WUhouten maternall doloure
Oure sauyour hath borne. Ibid. Ixxviii. 3 ibid. 248 The whiche
thou were worthy to here Without synne and maternall
payue. 16x6 Bullokar Eng. Expos., Maternall, Motherly.
1654 in Nicholas Papers (Camden) II. 121 He told him
Regall autority was above maternall and that the King
was his soveraigne. 1692 Dryden Eleonora 218 At his first
aptness the maternal love Those rudiments of reason did
improve. 1703 Maundrell fount. Jerus. (1732) 64 She
had her maternal fears turned into joy. 1790 Cowper On
Receipt My Mother's Pict. 27 Ah ! that maternal smile !
1858 O. W. Holmes Ant. Break/.-t. xii. noThe great
maternal instinct came crowding up in her soul just then.
b. (One's) mother's.
1605 Timme Qucrsit. 1. xl 47 The seedes of the elements. .
are coupled with the seedes of the starres, setting and putting
their contayned into the maternall lappe. 1865 Dickens
Mut. J''r. in. iv, ; That's exactly what Ma has been doing ',
interposed Lavvy, over the maternal shoulder, ' ever since we
got up this morning '. 1894 K. Grahame Pagan 1\ 106 I )bli-
vious of. -the embrace maternal, the paternal smack.
c. Maternal language, tongue : mother tongue,
native language. Now rare.
The earliest recorded use both in Fr. and Eng.
1481 Caxton Myrr. 111. xxiv. 192, I haue presumed and
emprised thisforsayd translacion 111 to our englissh and ma-
ternal tongue. 150a Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W. 1506)
I. vi. 52 These crysten men ought for to knowe the Pater
noster, Ihe Aue maria, and the Credo in theyr langage ma-
MATERNITY.
temall. 1530 Palsgb. 895 To whom the sayd tonge is ma-
ternall or naturall. 163a Lithgow Trav. x. 453 In Greeke,
Latine, or their maternal! tongues. 1858-9 Marsh E tig.
LaJig.i.{iB6o) 24 English-speaking missionaries have planted
their maternal dialect at scores of important points.
ii d. notice-use. Belongingto one'smothercovmtry.
1761-9 Falconer Shipwr. (1796) 1. 138 Heaven. .Restored
them to maternal plains at last.
2. Of persons, animals, or personified things :
a. That is a mother, or one's mother. Now rare.
1513 Douglas sEttcis TO, xiii. 137 His cheif maternall
ciete full of mycht, Aricia, furth sent this worthy knycht
IL. instgnem quern mater Aricia misii\. 1659 Howell
Lex., Brit. Prcro. To Rdr., The Cymraecan Toung, which
is ranked by all Glottographers among the fourteen Mater-
nall, and independent vernacular Languages of Europe.
1748 Richardson Clarissa IV. 31 But paternal and maternal
tyrants are the worst of all. 1873 Sat. Rett. 6 Sept.
309/2 The rooks bereave many a maternal pheasant that
haunts the covers commanded by the rookery.
b. Having the instincts oi motherhood, motherly.
1784 Cowper Task in. 436 As if in her [Winter] the stream
of mild Maternal nature had reversed its course. 1817
Shelley Rev. Islam v. xxxiii. 7 Maternal earth, who doth
her sweet smiles shed For all. 189a Gertrude Atherton
Doomswoman ii, She is not maternal.. 1 never saw a baby
held so awkwardly.
c. slang. Used ellipt. as s/>. = Mother.
1867 Routletlge's Ev. Boy's Ann. Dec. 728 Then is the
governor driven to his wits' end.., while the maternal has
to rouse herself up out of her arm-chair [etc.].
3. Inherited or derived from a mother; related
through a mother or on the mother's side.
1656 Blount G!ossogr.% Maternal.. an the mothers side.
1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) III. 378 The same gradation
takes place in the maternal line. 1828 B. B. Wisner Mem.
Susan Huntington 1 On the maternal side Airs. Hunt-
ington was descended from.. the Rev. John Elliot. 1837
Lytton E. Maltrav. 1. xii, From a maternal relation, Ernest
inherited an estate of about four thousand pounds a-year.
1854 Thackeray Neiocomes v. I. 49 When he was first
brought home a sickly child, consigned to his maternal aunt.
1867 Freeman Norm. Cong. (1876) I. v. 264 Alongside of
him stood his maternal uncle.
4. Of benevolent organizations : Providing for the
requirements of maternity.
1856 Kingsley Led. Ladies 57 There are clubs,— clothing-
clubs, shoe-clubs, maternal-clubs. 1890 Century Diet, s.v.,
Maternal association ; maternal hospital.
5. Fhys. Of parts of the placenta : Uterine
(opposed to fatal).
1816 J. & C. Bell Anat. <r Physiol. Body (ed. 4) III. 465
The maternal part of the placenta is thrown off with the other
secundines. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., Maternal membranes,
..the decidua vera, decidua reflexa, and decidua serotina.
6. Pertaining to the matrix of algae.
187a H. C. Wood Frcsh-zv. Algse U. S. (1874) 100 Nu-
merous cells., are arranged on the periphery at equal dis-
tances, and are connected by the maternal jelly. 1874 Ibid.
16 Filaments simple.. floating in a maternal jelly.
Maternality (mxtainx-llti). [f. Maternal
a. + -ITT.] The quality or condition of being
maternal ; motherhood ; //. {nonce-use) motherly
remarks or discourse.
1711 Bailey, Maternality, Mother-hood, &c. [sic]. 1865
Miss Mulock Ckr. Mistake iv. 90 It was worse, far worse,
than poor Mrs. Ferguson's stream of foolish maternal! lies, —
vulgar, but warm and kindly, and never ill-natured.
Maternalize (mata-analaiz), v. rare. [f.
Maternal a. + -ize.] trans, a. To make ma-
ternal, b. absol. To employ * maternal * methods
(nonce-use),
1877 T. Sinclair Mount (1878) 296 Comte and 'Gtorge
EHot' would methodise, paternahse, and maternallse, till
there would be nothing at all wrong in their curious Eden.
1896 A. Lang in Longm. Mag. Jan. 315 Blanche Amoryand
the maternalised Laura. 1899 Academy ?p Sept. 331/1 The
subjection of women has involved the materialising of man.
He has had to love and care for someone besides himself.
Maternally (maUrinali), adv. [-ly2.] Iii a
maternal manner; on the maternal side ; f as one's
mother tongue.
163a Lithgow Trav. 111. 116 They speake vulgarly and
Maternally here the Hebrew tongue. 1817 G. Rose Diaries
(i860) I. 17, I am descended, .maternally from the family uf
Rose of Westerclune. 1868 Browning Ring .fr Bk. ix. 1 177
A brow maternally severe. 1902 A. Lang Hist. Scot. II.
xiii. 355 The heir presumptive is maternally of the house
of Ardkinglass.
M at ern allies S (matounalnes). [f. Mateknal
a. + -NESS.] Motherliness.
1727 Bailey vol. II, Matemalness, motherliness, motherly
Affection, a 1839 Galt Demon 0/ Destiny, etc. (1840) 74
The patted cheek, the fond matemalness.
Materne, obs. form of Makten.
t Maternine, a. Obs.-'0. [f. L. mdlernus +
-INE.] Maternal. 16*3 Cockeuam Eng. Diet. 11.
Maternity (mat.VjnTti). [ad. F. maternt'tj=
med.L. mdternitas, f. L. matern-tts: see Matkrnal
and -ITT.]
1. The quality or condition of being a mother ;
the character or relation of a mother ; motherhood.
i6ix Cotgr., MatemiU, maternitie. 1633 [H. Hawkins]
Earthen. Sacra 47 In the Violet Marie may you consider
. .the golden coulourof Maternitie or Chariue in her; since
her Charitie was the cause of her Maternitie. 1656 Blount
tjlossogr.. Maternity, motherhood, the being a mother.
1847 Cakdl. Wiseman Unreal. Anglic. Belie/ 'Ess. ^1853)
424 It is impossible to realize a belief in the maternity oi
the Blessed Virgin, without thus considering her. 1874 J.
Taylor Etrtisc. Res. 57 A state of society in which.. mater-
MATERTERAL.
nity constituted the only relationship that could legally be
recognised. 1879T0UKGEE Foots Err. L 9 The wifeof a year,
as the perils of maternity drew nigh in the absence of her
husband. 1804 H. Drummonu Ascent Man 23 Even in the
lowliest world of plants the lalxjurs of Maternity begin.
fb. Asatitleof the mother superior of aconvent.
a 1693 Urtjuharts Rabelais ill. xxxiv. 287 The Pope did
represent to their Maternities.
c. Short for maternity hospital. [SoF.malernili!.]
1889 Lancet 7 Sept. 509/2 The hospital . .has also a larg<:
extern maternity attached.
2. The character or qualities properly belonging
to a mother; motherliness.
1804 Something Odd 1,1. 186 Mr. Macdonald was delighted
at this maternity. 1823 Lamb Etta Ser. 11. /W Relations,
His stars are perpetually crossed by the malignant ma-
ternity of an old woman, who persists in calling him ' her
son Dick'. 1842 Orderson Creol. xv. 175 An interesting
loveliness that endeared her.. to the maternity of the two
elderly ladit-s. 1883 H. Drummonu Nat. Law in Spir. IV.
(ed. 2) 154 The tender maternity of the bird.
3. attrib. : maternity hospital, a hospital for the
reception and treatment of women during the period
of ' confinement ' ; so maternity nurse, ward, etc.
1881 [see Extern B. 2 c]. 1887 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 12 Mar.
591/1 Manchester has long felt the want of a maternity
hospital. 1903 Daily Chron. 1 Mar. 4/3 Miss F.. a maternity
nurse. 1903 Strami Mag. Apr. 423/1 In addition to the
general wards there are.. a maternity department [etc.].
Materteral (matauteral), a. humorously pe-
dantic, [f. L. matertera maternal aunt.] Character-
istic of an aunt. So Mate'rterine a.
1823 W. Taylor in Monthly Rev. CI I. 447 With ma-
ternal and materteral anxiety. 1874 M, Collins Frances
II. 95 A kindly materterine message.
Matery, obs. form of Matter sbA, Mattery.
Mateship (irvi-tifip). [f. Mate **.'- + -ship.]
1. The condition of being a mate; companion-
ship, fellowship ; + equality.
1593 Nashe Christ's T. 30 Empery admitteth no mate-
shyppe. 1856 Mrs. Browning Aur. Leigh vn. 1088, 1 sate
among them equally, In fellowship and mateship. 1897 P.
Warung Tales Old Regime 215 It was pleasant, as it was
unusual, this mateship.
fMatesy. Obs. [? var. of Mathesis.]
c 1470 Harding Chron. xcvn. xviii, Walshemen . . haue suche
aprophecyefr/s.of the reconquest of England]. Thusstande
they yet, 111 suche fonde matesye, In truste of whiche vague
fantasye [etc.].
Matey (m<?i-ti). [f. Mate sb:1 : see -v.] A
diminutive of Mate sb.2; a companion, mate.
1833 Markyat P. Simple viii, I asked of a bystander who
these people were, and he told me that they were dock-yard
mateys. 1889 P. H. Emerson ling. Idyls 56 'Good-night,
matey ', concluded the voice in the fast fading barge.
Mateyns, mateynys, obs. ff. Matins.
Matfellon(nuet|febn). Obs.exc.dia/. Forms:
4 matfelonn, 5 matefeloun, maidfeloun, mat-
felon(e, mathfelonn, mattefelon, rt mater-
fll(l)on, matflllon, matreflllon, 6- matfellon.
[a. OF. matefelon, app. f. mater Mate v. + felon
Felon 2; named from supposed curative properties.]
= Knapweed ; also black matfellon.
a 1387 Sinon. Barthol. (Anecd. Oxon.) 24 yacia nigra,
matfelonn. 14. . [see Knapweed], c 1450 Alphita (Anecd.
Oxon.) 83/2 lacea nigra, mathfelonn. 1483 Cath. Angl.
230/2 Mattefelon (MS. A . Matfelone) ; iacea, lierba est. 1578
Lyte Dodocns I. Ixxiii. icj The fourth is now called on
Shoppes lacea nigra, and Materfilon : and it hath none
other name knowen vnto vs. 1597 Gerarde Herbal a.
cexcix. 704. 1640 Parkinson Theat. Sot. 469 We call
it in English Bullweede, and Knapweede, as also Mat-
fellon. 1758 Mrs. Delany in Life ft Corr. (1861) III. 507
Matfellon and figwort flourish here remarkably. 1766
Museum Rnst. VI. 451 Common, or Black Knapweed, Mat-
fellon, Black Matfellon, or Hulweed. 1839 Glover Hist.
Derby I. 124 Centanrea yeuea, common knapweed or mat-
fellow [sic]. 1866 Treas. Hot. 724/2.
Math • (mnj>). Obs. exc. dial, (see E. D. D.1).
Forms : 1 ruse)), 6-7 mathe, 6- math. [OE. map
(once in Bosw.-T., gender not shown), = MHG.
mat, miid- neut. and fern. (mod.G. mahd fern.)
f. OTeut. root ?«■•£- to Mow.
The normal mod.E. form would have been meat/i (mib) ■
the existing form is due to the shortening of the vowel
through loss of stress in the combinations aftermath, latter,
math, day-math. Cf. MowTH.]
A mowing ; the amount of a crop mowed. (See
Aftermath, I)ay('8-math, Lattermath.)
963 Lease in Birch Cartnl. Sax. III. 343 pa:t he mid
eallnm crsfte twuja on scare P insert wyrce] .xne to ma;pe
& oore siSe to ribe. [1523, 1530 : see Aftermath, Latter-
math.] 1585 Higins Nomenclalor r24 Fcenum cordnm, . .
late math or lateward hay. 1601 Holland Pliny I. 573
When this hearbe Medica or Claver grasse beginneth once
to Hour, cut it downe.. .Thus you may have sixe mathes in
one yeare. 1633 Br. Hall Hard Texts, Amos vii. 557 The
hrst mowing thereof for the King's use (which is wont to be
t°Zf\ ? common mathe). ,1 1656 Ussiier Ann. iv.
(■°58) 37 At the end of the spring, at the second math of
grasse. r8o4 Colebrooke Husb. Bengal (1806) 71 Revenue
Urawn from fruit-trees, pastures, and math, and rent of
fisheries.
J Math2 (m»th). Indian. Also muth, mutt.
[Hindi math, repr. Skr. matha, hut, cottage.] A
Hindoo convent of celibate mendicants.
1834 Baboo II. i. 3 He was to drive to an old Muth near
Garden Reach. 1863 Beveridgk Hist. India II. iv. ii. 7 1
I hey hve like other mendicants collected in maths. 1883
Madras Mail 5 Dec. 26/1 Mutts and temples are closed
Vol. VI.
233
U him. 1885 Sir W. Hunter Imp. Gaz. India XIII. 323
There are two maths or religious establishments in the village.
Mathe. Obs, (? exc. Sc. : see E. D. D.) Forms :
1 maba, mabu, 2-6 raabe, mathe, 3 meaUe, (4
matbe), 5 math, methe ; Sc. 5 maith, 6 meathe, 9
maithe. [OK. mapa wk. masc., mafu str. fern.,
cogn. w. OS. matho (Strasb. gl.) (MI hi., MLG.,
mod.Du. made), OHG. mado mnsc. (MHG. made
masc, mod.G. made fern.), Goth, mapa :— OTeui.
*maJ>on-t *ma/><i, of obscure origin : some have
comparedSkr. ma/Aabug.] A maggot, grub, worm.
c 1000 / 'oc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 205/8 Cime -t. .maba. c 1000
jY.yvv.xc ii loss, ibid. 122/3 Cimexi mabu. a 1240 Sawles
Wante in Cott. I lout. 251 As mea5en iforrotet fiesch. c 1330
Arth.fif Merl. 484 iKnlbing) For he lete cristen wedde haben
&meyntourblod, as flesche& matben. a 1380 Minor Poems
fr. Vernon MS. 447/167 Heore bodies bat weoren so softe
I-baben . . per hit schal crepe ful of Maben. a 1435 Cursor M.
11836 (Trin.) Mabes [other texts wormes] cruled in him bore.
a 1440 Promfi. Parv. 321/1 Make, matbe, wyrm yn be lleshe.
f 1460 in Ret. Ant. I. 302 For methys that devoiitli the
pennys of an hawk, c 1470 H enryson Mot, Fab. 1. {Cock .5-
JasP) xi. Riches. .Quhillc maith [v.r. moith], nor moist, nor
vtber rust can screit. 1481 Caxton Reynard xxviii. (Arb.)
69 Yonder lyeth a dede bare full of mathes and wormes.
*5*3 FlTZHERB. Husb. § 45 If a shepe haue mathes, ye shall
perceyne it by her bytynge [etc.]. a 1585 Montgomerik
Flytiug iv. Pohvart 319 The mair and the migraine, with
the meathes in the melt.
Mathe : see Matk, Math1, Maythe(h, Mbath.
f Ma'thele, v. Obs. [OE. made/tan (also
mxbtan : see Mki.l vA), f. mtedel meeting, dis-
cussion = OS., OHG. mahal assembly, tribunal,
Goth, viafl :— OTeut. *mapiom.~] intr. and trans.
To speak; totalk, prate. Hence j Matteliing1 7'A/.
sb., f Maxell nde ppl. a.; f Ma"Selere, a talker;
I Matfelild, a female chatterer, gossip.
luowitlf 371 Hro5gar mabelode, helm Scyldinga : ' Ic
hine cuoe cnihtwesende '. c 715 Corpus (,/oss, C 854
(Hessels) Contionaturt maoalade declamat. <i 1000 in Na-
pier O. E. Giosses 38/1419 Verbositm, jewyrd, mabelung.
a 1000 Voc. in Wr.-Widcker 212/17 Contiona/or, \. locutor,
motere, uel mabelere. a 1235 Ancr. K. 74 Hore mu5
mai^eleci euer. Ibid, 80 Heob openeS hire muS mid nmchc
maiVlunge, & brekeS silence [etc.J. Ibid., Ne blowe %c hire
[ho|>e] nout ut mid maSelinde muSe, ne mid 3eonimde
tuteles. Ibid. 88 Ane maSelild {MS, T. maoeleie]^niaoeleo
hire all be talen of be londe.
Mathematic (mreb/inx-tik), a. and sb. Also
4 (sb. sense 1), matematik, 6 methamatic, 4-7
mathematique. [The adj., first recorded in the
16th c, is ad. F. mathematique or its source L.
mat hematic us y ad. Gr. luxQihicltikus, f. /mtfq/iaT-,
fiaOtjfia something learned, science, f. root of pav-
^ai'ei^to learn. The substantival senses II 1 (from
14th c.) and B. 2 (from iGth c.) are, so far as Eng.
is concerned, independent words, but are placed
together here because they represent absol. or
elliptical applications of the Gr.-Latin adj.]
A. adj. = Mathematical a., in various senses.
Now rare.
1549 Comfit. Scot, vi. 62 Ptholome, auerois, aristotel, ga-
lien, ypocrites or Cicero, ..var exjpert practicians in metha-
matic art. 1570 Dee Math. Pre/. *, For the causes alleged
..in respect of my Art Mathematike generall. 1593 Pkell
I/on. 0/ Garter, Ad Mxcenatem Prot. 8 That admirable
Mathematique skill, Familiar with the starres and Zodiack
(To whom the heauen lyes open as her booke). a 1609
Donne Lett., To Sir //. Goodyere (1651) 163 A Mathema-
tique point, which is the most indivisible and unique thing
which art can present. 1611 Corvat Crudities 602 They
werewise astrologers, who by the Mathematicke art (as
Cyprian speaketh) knew the force and course of the planets.
a 1619 Fotherby Atheom. 11. ix. § 4 {1622) 297 Like the
Punctum is in Mathematicke body. 1664 H. More Myst.
/«/>/. 270 That the Seven-head«:d Beast cannot l»e the
Turkish Empire, we may conclude with Mathematick cer-
titude. 1670WALLIS in Rigaud Corr. Sci. Men (1841) II.
519 Mathematic books . . to be had very cheap, a 1680
Butler Rem. (1759) I. 214 The mathematic Lines, Where
Nature all the Wit of Man confines. 1700 Wallis in Col-
lect. (O. H. S.) I. 320 There be mathematick lectures. 1705
Loud. Gaz. No. 4116/1 Isaac Newton Esq.; formerly Ma-
thematick Professor. 1807 Byron Th. Coll. F.xam. i, De-
nouncing dire reproach to luckless fools, Unskill'd to plod
in mathematic rules. 1850 Lynch Tlno. Trin. xii. 235 He
..went to mathematic studies. 1863 Ld. Lytton Ring
Amasis II. 266 From his earliest years, he had brought,
with mathematic precision, his voice, his manners, e,ven the j
lines of his face, into a harmony undisturbed by expression.
B. sb.
1. [a. OK. mathematique (mod.F. mathematique) j
w Sp. matemdtica, Pg. mathematica, It. matema- I
tica, ad. L. mathemaliea (sc. ars or disciptind), (Jr. !
tia6r}iiariKr) (sc. rtx^Vy ^otpia)t fern, of L. mathe-
maticus, Gr. fmOrjftaTiKo? : see above. Cf. G. mathe- [
matik.] Mathematical science, Mathematics.
The word became obs. early in the 17th c, but has been
revived by some writers in the latter part of the 19th c.
(T after G. mathematilc)% for use instead of mathematics in
contexts where the unity of the science is emphasized.
c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 342 pis witt bat crist spekib of
stondeb not in mannes lawe, ne in obur curiouse lawes, as
inatematik, or lawes of kynde. 1390 Gower Conf. III.
89 The thridde point of Theorique, Which cleped is Mathe-
matique, Devided is in sondri wise.. .The ferste of whiche
is Arsmetique, And the secounde is seid Musique, The
thridde is ek Geometric, Also the ferthe Astronomic
1586 T. B. La Primand. Fr. Acad. 1. (1589) 72 Al arts and
sciences handled by reason were divided into three prin-
MATHEMATICAL.
I cipall kindes : into Philosophic, Rhetorike and Mathe-
matike. 1594 R. Ashley tr. Loys le Roy 25 h, Phylosophy,
Physicksand the Mathematick, were translated out of the
(iieeke into Arabian. x6o£ Bacon Adv. Learn, 11. viii. § 1
Another part of Natui all philosophic . . is mathematicke. 1854
IIickok Mental Sci. 125 All pure mathematic is thus a
i science of pure intuition. 1881 Aihenmim 27 Aug. 269/1
Mr. Venn points out most clearly the distinction between
symbolic logic a.nd symbolic mathematic. [But Mr. Venn
has 'mathematics'.]
f 2. [ad. L. mathi-maticus, Gr. ^ae^^xmtKos. Cf.
Sp. matematico, Pg. mathematico, It. matema-
tieo; also Da. mathemutiats, G. malhematiher.']
A mathematician. In translations from late L.
often : An astrologer. Obs.
1547-64 Bauldwin Mor. P/tilos. (Palfr.) 7 Archelaus..
was tirst an hearer of Antilochus a mathematicke. 1579-80
North Plutarch, Solon (1595' 87 Hippocrates the mathe-
matike. 1587 Golding Ve Mornay x.wi. 403 Buteon a
Mathematicke declareth expresly in a booke, what it [the
Arke] contained foote by foote. 1598 Sylvester Du
Hartas 11. ii. in. Colonies 294 The Memphian Priests were
deep Philosophers, .and great Matliematikes. 1c 1600 Dis-
tracted E»tp. 1. i. in BuUen 0. PI. HI. 169, I have scene
Your conference with witches. .and the damned frye (>f
cheating mathematicks. 1610 Healey St. Aug. Citie oj
God\. ix. (1620) 197 Those coniectures of the Mathmatiques
he layeth fiat. 1^8 R. Holme Armoury 11. 27/j i\Iathe-
niatii k, one that Calculateth Nativities, an Astrologer, or a
Mathematician.
i 3. pi. Dice 'mathematically tine'. Obs.
1692 Ahidgm. Specif. Patents, Toys, etc. (1871) 2 A new
sort of dice knowne by the name uf mathematicks, cult per-
fectly square by a mold. 1721 [sue DOCTOR sb. 12].
Hence t Mathermvtic v. trans, , to bring out
with mathematical accuracy.
1627-77 Fkltiiam ResolT-es 11. xxix. 218 Words come not
then digested and mathematical out, by. .reason, but [etc.].
Mathematical (mseKmse'tikal), a. and sb.
Also 6 methematycall, mathn-metical, mate-
matical. [f. L. mathematic- us, see Mathematics.
and -ical.J A. adj.
1. Of, pertaining to, relating to, or of the nature
of, mathematics.
1530 Rastell Bk. Purgat. 11. xix, The methematycall
scyens. 1538 Starkkv England \, i. 16 The conclusyonys
ofaitys mathematical are euer refer r yd lotheyr pryncypullys.
1570 Billinchley Euclid 357 b, The gnat Alechanicall vse
(I esides Mathematical! Considerations) which [etc.]. 1646
Sir T. Browne Pseud. Pp. 11. iii. 76 A probleme Mathemati-
cal!, to finde out the difference of homes in different places.
1690 LOCKE Hum. Und. IV. iv. § 6 (1695) 324 The Knowledge
we may have of Mathematical Truths, Is not only certain, but
real Knowledge. 1785 Rfih Intell. Powers 607 Mathema-
tical notions are formed in the understanding by an abstrac-
tion of another kind, out of the rude percept ions ofour senses.
1843 Ruskin Arrmvs o/Chace (1880) I. 21 We will listen to
no comments on Newton from people who have no mathe-
matical knowledge.
b. Such as is recognized by mathematics ; being
what the name imports in mathematics. Chiefly
in jnathematical print : see Point sb.
The scholastic term mathematical body was much bandied
about in the transubstantiation controversies of the 16th c,
and gave rise to much misunderstanding, being variously
taken to mean (1) a body having spatial accidents, and
(2) a body consisting of mere spatial accidents (without
substance).
1547 Hooper Christ ^- Office viii. H viij b, Then it is no
body for a trew body phisicalland matematical : asChristes
body is: cannot be except it ocopi place. 1549 Bonner in
Foxe A. A/ M. (1563) 700 [Hooper] in effect denieth the
verity of Christes blessed body \(>on the crosse, calling it
Mathematical. 1570 Dee Math. Pre/. *j, Of Mathema-
tical! t lunges, are twoprincipall kindes ..Number, and Mag-
nitude. 1660 Jkr. Taylor Duct. Duhit. It. iii. rule ir. § 17
Negative precepts have no parts of duty, no degrees of
obedience, but consist in a Mathematical point. 1840
Lardner Geom. i. 7 If a mathematical point be conceived
to move through space,, .leaving, .a trace.., that trace.,
will be a mathematical line. 1897 M. Dziewicki ll'yclif%s
De Logic a 11899) III. Introd. 26 Christ's Body, .is present
without either position 01 shape. The bread is not anni-
hilated ; what remains is a purely mathematical body, but
not nothing.
C. Learned or skilled in, studying or teaching,
mathematics.
1522 Skelton Why not to Court 705 But let mi masters
mathematical Tell you the rest, a 1568 Ascham Schoient.
(Arb.) 34 Marke all Mathematical heades which be only and
wholy bent to those sciences. 1622 Peacham Compl. Gent.
ix. (1634) 77 Mr. Doctor Hood, sometime Mathematical!
Lecturer in London. 1692 Luttr+;ll Brief Ret. (1857) II.
327 The governour of Christs hospitall waited on the king
with the mathematical boys. 1713 J. Ward Yng. Math.
Guide A 1 b, H. Ditton, Master of the New Mathematical
School in Christ's Hospital. 1837 Whewell Hist. Induct.
Sci. (1857) I, 253 The Science of the mathematical mechan-
ician. 1839 Penny Cycl. XV. 12/1 The mathematical stu-
dent. Ibid., He will neither impede nor advance his mathe-
matical career.
d. Adapted to be used in mathematical opera-
tions. Mathematical instruments: now usually, the
instruments (such as compasses, rulers, scales, pro-
tractors) employed in drawing geometrical figures.
1625 N. Carpenter Geog. Del. u iv. (1635) 78 Philosophers
haue found out by di tiers Mathematical! instruments. 1663
Cowley College Wks. 1721 II. 567 A Mathematical Chamber
furnish 'd with all Sorts of Mathematical Instruments, being
an Appendix to a Library. 1678 Moxon Meek. Dyalling 44
Mathematical Instrument-Makers. 1696 Lond. Gaz. No.
3224/4 Lost. .,a small Pocket-Book of Mathematical Paper.
1726 Swift Gulliver 111. ii, A large table filled with globes,
and spheres, and mathematical instruments. 1849 Noad
96
MATHEMATICALLY.
Electricity {td. 3) 284 A celebrated mathematical instrument-
maker.
2. transf. Of proofs, certitude, precision, etc. :
Resembling what is found in mathematics ; rigor-
ously exact.
1662 Stillingfl. Orig. Sacr. 11. i. § 3 To bring matters of
fact into Mathematical demonstrations. 1664 H. More
Myst. Iniq. iv. 10 It will follow with certitude plainly Ma-
thematical. 1692 Bentley Boyle Led. vii. (1693) J7» J sup-
pose all the Particles of Matter to be.. situated in an exact
and mathematical evenness. 1809-10 Coleridge Friend
(1865) 124 A theory conducted throughout with mathe-
matical precision.
b. Constructed with ' mathematical ' regularity.
1776 Burney Hist. Mns. I. 440 The voice varied a little
up and down, and did not strictly keep to one mathematical
line of tone. 1818 Hazlitt Eng. Poets i. (1870) 3 Plato
banished the poets from his Commonwealth, lest their de-
scriptions of the natural man should spoil his mathematical
man. 1881 J. Hawthorne Fort. Fool 1. xiv, Within are
straight paths and mathematical grass-plots.
f3. Astrological. Obs.
1548 Hooper Declar. Commandm.^ vi. 90 Thowghe I . .
damne this damnable art Mathematical!, I do not damne
souche other artes and sciences as be associatyd and annexid
with this vnlawfull Astrologie. 1594 Hooker Eccl. Pol. m.
viii. § 9 That Egyptian and Chaldsean wisedome Mathe-
matical!, wherewith Moses and Daniell were furnished.
1674 Hickman Hist. Quinquart. (ed. 2) 90 He pretended a
full perswasion of a Mathematical fate or destiny, yet.. he
was out of measure afraid of Thunders.
f 4. Mechanical. Obs.
1565 Jewel Repl. Harding 419 The Mathematical Dooue,
that Architas Tarentinus made, that was hable to flie alone.
f5. = Geomktuical. Obs.
1614 Raleigh Hist. World 11. (1634) 367 Cosmographers
in their descriptions of the world, .fill the same with strange
Beasts, Birds, and Fishes, and with Mathematicall Lines.
1656 Cowley Pindar. Odes, Dr. Scarborough vi. note,
Archimedes, .being found in his Study drawing Mathe-
matical Lines for the making of some new Engines to pre-
serve the Town.
B. sb.
1. //. Mathematical objects, rare.
1555 Eden Decades 324 Such vniforme partes as arein
mathematical. 1904 Athenaeum 23 Apr. 521/3 Dr. Caird
is. .right, .in rejecting the ascription to Plato of the concep-
tion of mathematicals as an intermediate grade of being
between ideas and sensiblcs. [Dr. Caird's own words are
' mathematical principles '.]
+ 2. //■ Mathematics; astrology. Oh.
1563 Shuts Archil. A ij b, By a sertainckinred and affi-
nitie [it] is knit vnto all the Mathematicalles which sciences
and knowledges are frendes. 1566 Painter Pal. Pleas. II.
375 b, The rare knowledge of Mathematicalls and other
hydden and secrete Artes. 1594 Carew Ihtartes Exam.
Wits (1596) 103 From a good imagination spring all the
Arts and Sciences. . .Such are Poetrie, Eloquence, Mustcke,
..the Mathematicals, Astrologie [etc.]. Ibid. 117 They
profit well in the Mathematicals, and in Astrologie, because
they haue a good imagination, a 1619 Fothkkby Aihconi.
n. ix. § 1 (1622) 295 Mathematicals are proportioned vnto
diuinitie, as the shadow to the Body.
f 3. A mathematician or astrologer. Obs.
1566 Painter Pal. Pleas. II. 376 A Scholar, .learneth a
more cunnyng lecture of Mystresse Helena, than hediddeof
the subtillest Sorbone Doctor, or other Mathematicall from
whence hee came. 1577 tr. Bullingers Decades (1592) T16
The signes in the firmament shall be strange Gods, if wee
being decerned with the Mathematicals shall wholie hang
on them. 1587 Golding De Mornay viii. 94 Protagoras was
banished Athens for it, and the Mathematicals were vtterly
condemned for it.
Hence f Mathematicality, f Mathematical-
ness, mathematical quality ; formal accuracy.
1641 Exam. Answ. Peas. agst. Votes Bps. Pari. 27 If
they by their Ordination bee bounded Morally, the House
of Commons will never .. trouble themselves about the
Mathematicality of the Vow. 1698 [R. Ferguson] Vieiv
Eccles. 99 The Art and Mathemattcalness of Thinking.
Mathematically (moejvmartikali), adv. [f.
Mathematical a. + -ly -.]
1. In a mathematical manner; by mathematical
methods ; according to mathematical principles.
1570 Dee Math. Pre/, aij, A Point, by his motion, pro-
duceth, Mathematically, a line. 1579 J. Jones Present.
Botiie % Soule 1. xl. 90 Whether they be Mathematically
measured, or Metaphisically pondered. i668Wilk]NsAVi/
Char. 163 He [Joh. Buteo] proves Mathematically that there
was a -sufficient capacity in the Ark, for the conteining all
those things it was designed for. 1730 A. Gordon MaJfePs
Amphith. 362 It being .. mathematically repugnant, that
part of the Arch of a Circle can be at the same time ellip-
tical. 1847-8 H. Miller First Twtfr, xvii. (1857) 2S3 If in
the science of geometry, it must be settled mathematically.
2. With mathematical accuracy or exactness.
1567 Matlet Cr. Forest 11 Iris is a kinde of Stone Mathe-
maticallye wrought. 1669 Sturmy Mariners Mag. vit.
ii. 3 Dial Planes are not Mathematically in the very Planes
of Great Circles ; for then they should have their Centers in
the Center of the Earth. 1691 Norris Pract. Disc. 228
His Government of the World is no less Mathematically
exact than his Creation of it. <** 1715 Burnet Own Time
(1724) I. 295 Was their opinion so mathematically certain,
that they [etc.]? 1814D. Stewart Hum.MindW. n. § 3. 163
The correctness of the solution is as mathematically certain,
BS the truth of any property of the triangle, or of the circle.
f 3. As regards quantity or number. Obs.
1607 Schol. Disc. agst. Antichr. \.\. 35 The chaungc.was
mathematically little.
Mathematicaster. rare. [quasi -L., f.
mathematic-us : see -asteh.] A petty or inferior
mathematician.
187a De Morgan Budget of Paradoxes 483 Mr. Slum..
234
converted the idea into that of a hit at Mathematicasters,
as easily as he turned the Warren acrostic into Jarley.
Mathematician (mre^mati'Jan). Forms: 5
-icion, 6 -icien, matimatician, 6- mathema-
tician, [ad. F. math&naticien, f. L. matkematicus,
matkematica Mathematic sb. 1 and 2 : see -ian.]
One who is skilled or learned in mathematics.
1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) IV. 469 Puttenge in to exile
mony mathematicions [1387 Trevisa mathematicos] and
philosophres. 1570 Dee Math. Pre/. *iij, The Rule of False
positions .. by two excellent Mathematiciens .. enlarged.
1598 Barckley Felic. Man (1631) 370 The Globe of the
earth.. is after the Mathematicians computation one and
twentie thousand miles in compasse and above. 1687 Lut-
trell Brie/ Re I. (1857) I. 396 Sir Samuel Morland, the
mathematician, is lately married. 1803 Imison Sci. <$• Art
I. 261 It [the pump] was first invented by Ctesibius, a mathe-
matician of Alexandria, about 120 years b.c. i8ai J. Q.
Adams in C. Davies Metr. Syst. 111. (1871) 139 A committee
. .consisting of five of the ablest members of the academy
and most eminent mathematicians of Europe.
fb. An astrologer. Chiefly Hist, as rendering
of L. matkematicus. Obs.
1589 Rider Bibl. Schol., A Mathematician. . .2. C/ialdzus.
1591 Horsey Trav. (Hakl. Soc.) 173 He.. was yerie inquisi-
tive with one Elizious Bomelius.. Doctor ofphizicke in Eng-
land, a rare matimatician ' magicion ', . .what years Quen
Elizabeth was of. 1611 Cotgr., Mathematicien, a Mathe-
matician ;.. a caster of Natiuities. 1701 Grew Cosm. Sacra
v. iv. 327 Mathematicians, among the Romans, were for
some time, specially meant of Astrologers, or Star- Prophets.
1710 Shaftesb. Charac., Adv. A nth. 111. i. (1711) I. 289
Astrologers, Horoscopers, and other such are pleas'd to
honour themselves with the Title of Mathematicians.
Matlxematicize (maebimae'tisaiz), v. [f.
Mathematic a. + -ize.] a. trans. To consider or
treat in a mathematical manner, b. intr. To
reason mathematically ; to make mathematical
calculations. Hence Mathema'ticizing ///. a.
1849 Froude Nemesis 161 The dry mathematicizing reason.
1885 Mrs. H. Ward Amiel's Jrnl. (13 Dec. 1859) I. 131 The
mind of Naville is mathematical and his objects moral. His
strength lies in mathematicising morals.
Mathema'tico-, used as combining form of
I,, matkematicus in hyphened compounds with the
sense 'partly mathematical and partly — \
1830 Herschel .S7//<f. Nat. Phil. in. iii. 274 Their conti-
nental neighbours both in Germany and France were push-
ing forward in the career of inathematico-physical discovery.
1881 Jevons in Nature XXIII. 485 Recent contributions
to mathematico-logical science.
Mathematics (maebfmse'tiks), sb, pi. [pi. of
Mathematic K i. Cf. F. les mathe'matiques (fern.).
Gr. had the neut. pi. to /naf9»)naTi*a in the sense of mathe-
matical objects, principles, facts, etc., as well as the fern.
v\ na9r)fiaTiicri mathematical science, Mathematic B. i. The
Fr. and Eng. use of the plural (known from the i6thc.)
seems to have originated as an elliptic expression for 'mathe-
matic sciences', and to have had at first no connexion with
the Gr. use of the neuter plural. The analogy of names
of sciences Mice physics, metaphysics (in which the pi. form
is of Gr. origin) has, however, caused the sing, to be in
English entirely superseded by tlie plural; in Fr., which
has not the plural form in the other instances, the sing.
mathematique survives in use as well as the plural.]
Originally, the collective name for geometry,
arithmetic, and certain physical sciences (as astro-
nomy and optics) involving geometrical reasoning.
In modern use applied, (a) in a strict sense, to the
abstract science which investigates deductively the
conclusions implicit in the elementary conceptions
of spatial and numerical relations, and which in-
cludes as its main divisions geometry, arithmetic,
and algebra ; and (b) in a wider sense, so as to
include those branches of physical or other research
which consist in the application of this abstract
science to concrete data. When the word is used
in its wider sense, the abstract science is distin-
guished as pure mathematics y and its concrete
applications (e.g. in astronomy, various branches
of physics, the theory of probabilities) as applied
or mixed mathematics.
In early use always construed as a plural, and usually
preceded by the. In recent use the is commonly omitted,
and the sb. is almost always construed as a sing., exc. in
(the) higher mathematics.
1581 Mulcaster Positions v. (1887) 35 Whose vse [sc. of
Drawing] all modelling, all mathematikes, all manuaries do
finde and confesse to be to so notorious and so needefull.
1587 Holinsheu Hist.Scot.461/1 A learned man in all philo-
sophic, astronomie and the other mathematiks. 1596 Shaks.
Tam.Shr. i.i, 37 The Mathematickes, and the Metaphysickes
Fall to them as you find your stomackeserues you. Ibid. 11. i.
82 As cunning In Greeke, Latine, and other Languages, As
the other in Musicke and Mathematickes. a 1618 Raleigh
Mahomet (1637) 142 He wrote divers bookes of the Mathe-
matiques. 1641 Wjlkins Math. Magick I ii. (1648) 12
Mathematicks .. is usually divided into pure and mixed.
1696-7 Wallis in Hearne R. Brunne's Langto/t Pref. 147
Mathematicks (at that time..) were scarce looked upon as
Academical studies 171a Bentley Corr. (1842) II. 449 Ma-
thematicks was brought to that height, that [etc.]. 1726
Swift Gulliver 1. i, Navigation, and other Parts of the Ma-
thematics, useful to those who intend to travel. 1739 John
son Li/e Boer/taaveVJks. IV. 335 A very uncommon know-
ledge of the mathematicks. 1755 Man No. 35. 3 Mathe-
matics derives its accuracy, .from logic. 1838 De Mobgan
Ess., Probab. 68 The approximative methods of the higher
mathematics. 187s Jowett Plato led. 2) IV. 271 By the
help of mathematics, we form another idea of space.
MATICIN.
t Mathematist. Obs. [f. Gr. naBrjftar- (see
Mathematic) + -ist.] An astrologer.
*579 J- Jones Preserv. Bodie <y Soule I. xliv. 115 Not
regarding ihe words of. .the Chaldean Prophetes, or rather
Mathematists and Gymnosophistals.
Matkematize (mre-b/matalz), v. [Formed
as prec. +-ize.] = Mathematicizk.
1 719 Freethinker No. 117 P 7 Persons of a Profession.,
have been advised by very great Men to Mathematize a
little, in order to acquire an habitual Caution in other
Studies. 1833 J. H. Newman Lett. (1891) I. 365 If, e. g.t
you feel disposed to mathematise. 1894 Univ. Exten-
sion Jrnl. 1 Oct. 11/2 The author has carefully avoided
the error of needlessly mathematising what can he better
described in words.
MathemeiJ (marb/meg). [a. Cree mathemeg,
lit. ' ugly fish , f. mathe ugly * -meg, ending of
names of fishes. Watkins's Cree Diet, gives mitche-
mdk, which represents a dialectal variant.] A cat-
fish inhabiting the North American lakes.
1787 Pennant Arct. Zool. Suppl. 115 Mathemeg. In-
habits the lakes of Hudson's Bay. 1836 J. Richardson
Fauna Bor. Amer. HI. 135 Silurus (Pimelodits) Borealis
(Richardson), The Mathemeg. Ibid., The mathemeg or land
cod of the residents of the fur countries is taken sparingly.
Mathemes, obs. Sc. form of Matins.
Mathen, obs. f. Maiden si'.1, var. Mavthen.
Mather 11. dial. Also 6, 9 matheTS, p mad-
ders,mauther(n, maythern,moithem. [Variant
or derivative of Mavthe, Maythen.] =Maythe.
1578 Lyte Dodoens 11. xxx. 185 Cotula fietida. Mathers
or stinking Comomill. 1677 Plot Oxfordsh. ix. 241 This
[land] never requires a double stirring, nor must be made
too fine and light, for then it runs to May-weed, or Mathern,
as they call it. 1813 T. Davis Agric. Wilts 258-268 Maud-
lin, or Mathern, or Wild Chamomile.— These weeds usually
prevail when the ground is overworked or made too light.
1842 Akerman Wilts Gloss., Mauthern, the ox-eyed daisy.
1863 Barnes Dorset Dial., Madders, or Mathers. The
stinking chamomile {anthemis cotula). 1879 Miss Jackson
Shtopsh. WordM., Maythern.. .Moith, rn. 1880 Jefff.kiks
67. Estate 155 Last year there had been nearly as much
mathern (wild camomile), .as crop.
II Diathesis (mahf-sis). arch. Also (1 mathesi,
-y. [Gr. ^dflr/ms action of learning, f. root of
/lavBavftv to learn.]
In verse formerly often stressed ma'tlusis.
Mental discipline ; learning or science, esp. mathe-
matical science. Also personified.
1426 Lydg. DeGuil. Filgr. 21152 Mathesis..Gaffyt \sc. a
hand signifying chiromancy] to me. 1538 I.ei.and /tin. IV.
63 Johannes Rous, .was well learned in those dayes in Ma-
thesi. 1546 Bale £'«.?• K»/o«.'li. (1550)35 Hesett upagreat
scole at Caunterbury of all maner scyences, as Rheloryck,
Logyck, Philosophy, Mathesy [etc.]. 1593 Pf.ele Hon. of
Garter, Ad Mxcenatem Prol. 7 Thrice noble Earle,..That
artisans and schollers doost embrace, And clothest Mathesis
in rich ornaments, That admirable Mathematique skill [etc.).
1742 Poi'E Dune. iv. 31 Mad Mathesis alone was unconfui'd,
Too mad for mere material chains to bind. 1813 Morn.
Chron. 10 Aug. in Spirit Put. Jruls. (1813) XVII. 205 As
erst old Mathesis in chair of state sat. a 1876 M. Collins
Th. inGarden (1880) II. 218 They can make immense pro-
gress in the infinite fields of mathesis.
llMathetic(mahe-tik),a. [ad.Gr./jnflr/TiKovper-
taining to learning ; cogn. with prec] Pertaining
to learning or scientific knowledge. Also (Bentham)
in combining form mathetico-.
1816 Bkntham Chrestomathia 11. 1 Mathetic. exercises 1
exercises, . . by which progress is made, proficiency obtained,
or a lesson got : simply mathetic, to distinguish them from
those which may be termed mathetiio-docimastic, . . by which
progress is made, and at the same time exhibited. Ibid. 22
During the whole of the school-time, the scholars are, all of
them, employed, either in simply mathetic, in simply pro-
bative, or in organic (I. e. mathetico-prohative) exercises.
186s J. Grotf. Ex/lor. Phitos. 1. 175 Technicalism ought to
sland upon a general basis of good mathetic logic.
Mathfelonn, obs. form of Matfei-lon.
Mathiglin : see Metheglin.
Mathingis, obs. Sc. form of Matins.
Mathook, variant of Mattock.
Mathurin (mse-Jiiurin). Also Mat(h)urine.
[Said to be named from the chapel of St. Mathurin
at Paris, near which they had a famous house.]
A member of the order of regular canons (officially
called Trinitarians) founded (a.d. 1198) by St.
John of Matha for the redemption of Christian
captives. Also attrib. or adj.
1611 Cotgr., Mathurin, . . a Malhurin Frier ; (of th' Order
of the Trinitie). 1693 Eniilianne's Hist. Monast. Ord. xiv.
135 Of the Order of the Mathurines.or Trinitai ies. 1727-
41 Chambers Cycl., Trinitarians . . vulgarly called Ma-
thurins, and brothers of the Redemption. 1843 DvcE Poet.
Wis. Skelton I. Introd. 37 Robert Gaguin was minister-
general of the Maturines. 1900 W. Watt Aberdeen f,
Banff\\.i,Z King William's Maturine establishment on the
bank of the Dee. 1904 Wordsworth & Littlehales Old
Service-bks. 289 The Trinitarian Order of St. Robert by
Knaresborough (English Mathurines).
Mati, obs. form of Mate.
Matias (martia:s). [Of obscure origin.] In
Malias bark = Malambo bark.
1844 Houlyn Diet. Med., Malambo bark, Matias^ bark,
the bark of a tree said to be procured from Columbia, and
used as a substitute for cinchona. 1890 Syd Soc. Lex.
Maticin (martisin). Chan. Also -ine. [f.
Matico + -IN.] A bitter principle obtained from
the leaves of the matico-plant.
MATICO.
1844 HoDcts in I.ond. etc. Tilths. Mag. XXV. 206 A
yellowisli-brown extractive matter, nialicine, remained. 1871
Watts U.Gmeliu's llatuibk. Chciu. XVIII. 234 Maticin.
Matico (matf'kff). Also raateco, matica.
[Sp. yerba Matico (yerba herb; Matico dim. of
Malco Matthew) ; alleged to be named from a
Spanish soldier who discovered its styptic pro-
perties.] A Peruvian shrub, Piper angustifolium
{Arianthe clonqala). X>. The leaves of this plant
used as a styptic.
1838 Jkffrkvs in Lancet 5 Jan. (i83y) 567 The name of
the plant from which the leaves are collected, is Matico.
1842 Provincial Med. <y Surg. yrnt. June 209 The South
American styptic 'matico'. 1849 J. II . Hatfour Man. Bot.
§ 1034 The substance called Matico or Matica. 1880 Garroo
& Baxter Mat. Med. 415 Bleeding from leech-bites may
be stopped.. by matico.
c. attrib., as matico leaf, oil, plant.
1880 Garrod & Baxter Mat. Med. 35r Maticx F<>lia.
*Matico Leaves. 1885 Cassell's Encyel. Diet., *Matic(H}il.
1871 Watts tr. Cmelin's Handbk. Ctiein. XVIII. 234 The
leaves of the ^matico plant.
Matico: see Mataco.
Matie (mfti). Also mattie, matje, maty,
fa. Du. maatjes {haring), earlier maeigtns-, matgh-
dekens- (cf. MLG. madiktshcrink, mod.I.G. maid-
kens-he^ing), f. maagd Maid sb.1 + -ken -kin. Cf.
Maid sb.1 ,, Maiden sb. 8 ; also Faiii maid.] A
herring in what is considered the best condition
for food, when the roe or milt is perfectly but not
largely developed.
1858 Simmonus Diet. Trade, Maths. 1863 Rep. Corn-
miss. Herring-trawling Scott. § 51. 26 The herring is
found under four different conditions : 1st, Fry or Sill ;
2d, Mattes or FatMHerring| 3d, Full Herring; 4th, Shot-
ten or Spent Herring. 1864 Macm. Mag. Aug. 344 In
the next stage [i.e. the second] of the herring, it is called
a matie. 1883 S. Walpolf. Brit. Fish Trade (Fish. Exhih.
Lit. I.) 33 'Matties', or young herrings cured. 1894 K.
Leighton Wreck Golden Fleece 38 Not many maties among
'em, eh 1 — Mattes? No. I aren t seenadacent-sized herrin
come aboard yet.
attrib. 1883 Fisheries Exhib. Catal. 69, 1 Barrel Mattie
Herrings. 1898 Shetland News 27 Aug. (E.D.D.) Exclud-
ing the Lewis and Barra matje fishings.
Matier^e, obs. forms of Matter.
Matilent, variant of Maltalent Obs.
Matimatieion, obs. form of Mathematician.
Matin (martin). PI. matins (martinz).
Forms : //. 3-4, 7 matines, 3-5 matynes, 4 ma-
teyns, matinis, matynys, 4-5 metenes, 4-6
matyns, 5 matens, maytenys, mayteynesse, 6
mattyns, mattenee, Sc. matynnis, mathemes,
mathingis, 6-7 mattens, 4- matins, 6- mattins.
sing. 4 maty n, 4-5 matyne, 7 mattiu, matine,
7- matin, mattin. [Early ME. matines, a. F.
matines fem. pi. (nth c.) = Pr. matinas :— Eccl. L.
mdtutinds (nom. matullnx), fem. pi. of mdtiitfnus
pertaining to the morning. The more usual forms
in med.L. were the masc. sing, matiitlmis (hence
Sp. maitines masc.pl., also malulino) and the masc.
pi. mdlutini. Cf. F. matin, Pr. mati, It. mattino
morning:— L. matutinum (sc. tempus).
With regard to the coexistence of the masc. and fem. forms
in med.L., cf. the use of vespers fem. pi. and vesperi masc.
pi., for Vespers. Some scholars have suggested that the
form matntinx is ellipt. for matntinee vigiliee : cf. vigilia
matutina ' morning watch ' 1 Sam. xi. 11.)
I. In the plural form.
1. Eccl. a. One of the canonical hours of the
breviary ; properly a midnight office, but some-
times recited at daybreak, and followed imme-
diately by lauds.
In modern Roman Catholic use the office as said by secular
clergy is usually 'anticipated', i.e. said on the afternoon
or evening before.
c 1290.V. Eng.Lcg. 1. 91/156 Asebe Monekes weren ech-one
A ny3t at Matines. c 1330 Arth. A> Merl. 6490 (Kolbing)
Ich niat it was be queues maner, To chirche gon & matins
here, c 1440 A Iphabet of Tales 197 On a nyght as he stude
at be psalmodie at matyns. l 1440 Tramp. Pant. 329/2
Mateynys, matntine. 1450-1530 Myrr. our Ladye \-2-2
Thys versycle [Esto nobis] ys sayde bytwene Matyns and
Lawdes. Ibid., Some tyme mattyns were sayde by them-
selfe in the nyghte, and laudes by them selfe at morow
tyde, and the same ys yet vsed of some relygyons. c 1483
Caxton Dialogues 27/17 He ariseth alle the nyghtes For to
here matynes. 1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 114 b, They
came to mumble up their mattyns at mydnight, after their
accustomed maner. 1601 F. Godwin Bps. 0/ Eng. 327 As
he came from the morning seruice then called the ^fattens
which was woont to be said shortly after midnight. 1863
J. M. Nkale Ess. Liturgiol. 6 Matins are preceded by the
Pater Noster, the Ave Maria, and the Credo. 1896 Swetk
Ch. Services 39 The night services consisted of Nocturns,
Mattins and Lauds; at daybreak came the supplementary
Mattins.
t b. Often used as a designation for the whole
of the public service preceding the first mass on
Sunday. (See quot. 1904.) Obs.
C1250 LutclSoth Scrm. 69 in O. E. Misc. 190 (Cott. M.S.)
Masses and matines ne kepeb heo nouht. 13.. Minor
Poems fr. Vernon MS. xxxvii. 852 5if bow herest matyns
and masse and takest haly brede. c 1380 Wylt.if Eng. Wks.
(1880) 193 ^if prestis seyn here matynes, masse & euensong
aftir Salisbury vsse (etc.). 1470-85 M AI.ORV A rthur I. iii-v. 40
Whan matyns & the first masse was done. 1530 Burgh
Recs. Stirling (1887) 5 At Mes, Mathemes and Ewinsang.
235
c 1529 in KN'isOrig. Lett. Ser. 1. 1. 109 He. . isalwaye present
at Mattens and all Masse w1 evyn song. 1549 Latimkr 4M
Serin, bcf. Edw. VI (Arb.) 108 Thys byshop answered hys
chaplayne..as I was goynge to hys Sermon, I remembred
me that I had neyther sayed masse, nor mattens. 1904
Wordsworth & Littlehai F.stV*/ Scrvicc-bks. 21 Then, even
as now. .the church was rarely used on Sundays more than
three times, i.e. for Mattins at 6 or 7, for High Mass then at 9,
and for Evensong at 2 p.m., 2.30 p.m., or 3 p.m. Hut with
' Mattins' (we conjecture) Lauds and Prime would be amal-
gamated.
c. The order for public morning prayer in the
Church of England since the Reformation.
Structurally the service is a combination of elements of the
brevhny offices of matins, lauds, and prime.
1548 Act 2 <V 3 Edw. VI t c. 1 § 0 The Mattens, Evensonge,
Letanye, and all other prayers. 1549 (May) Bk. Com.
Prayer 1 An Ordre for Mattins dayly through the yere.
1559 Act 1 EUs. c. 2 § 2 All and singler Mynysters . . shall
..use the Mattens Evensong Celebration of the Lordes
Supper [etc.]. 1733 Tickkll Her Majesty s Rebuilding 12
To couch at Curfeu-time they thought no scorn, And froze
at Matins, every winter-mom. 1863 J. M. Neale Ess.
Liturgiol. 7 No one, we imagine, but must have felt the
lamentable want of this [Invitatory] in our own Matins.
1896 Swetk Ch. Services 73 Subsequent revisions of the
Prayer Book have introduced into the English Mattins and
Evensong elements foreign to the ancient Hours.
lid. In a form of oath. (Cf. Maryhass 2.)
? name-use.
1606 Wily Beguiled K r b, Now by the Marry mattens,
Peg, thou hast [etc.].
fe. Black matins: at Christ Church, Oxford,
the college matins (as distinguished from the
cathedral matins at which surplices are worn). Obs.
1825 C. M. Westmacott English Spy I. 30s If you're fond
of fun, old fellow, jump up and view the Christ Church men
proceeding to black matins this morning.
2. In various allusive and fig. uses.
a. Chiefly of birds: To sing (etc.) matins , to
sing their morning song, poet,
c 1530 Crt. 0/ Love 1353 On May-day. .To matens went
the lusty nightingale... Domine labia, gan he crye. 1595
Spenser Epithal. 80 The merry Larke hir mattins sings
aloft. 1640 Glapthorne Hollander iv. Wks. 1874 I. 133
The shrill Organd Cocke Shall cease to carroll Mattens
to the morne. i8iz J. Wilson Isle of Palms in. 435 And
kneeling there to Mercy's fane.. The Maid her matins sings.
1866 Neale Sequences \ Hymns 81 The birds sing early
Matins. 1903 Longm. Mag. Nov. 30 The thrushes were
still at matins.
f b. DeviVs matins : a service of Satanic wor-
ship attributed to witches ; trans/, an uproar. Obs.
1625 Massinger Neiu IVay iv. i, Sir Giles Ouerreach Made
such a plain discouerie of himselfe, And read this morning
such a diuellish Matins, That [etc.]. 1634 W. Wood Neiv
Eng. Prosp. 11. xii, Hee (the Devil] was wont to carry away
their wives and children, because hee would drive them to
these Mattens. 1820 [see Devil sb. 25].
C. Parisian matins ( = K. matines de Paris , in
Cotgr. matines parisiennes): the massacre of St.
Bartholomew (Aug. 24, 1572), which began about
2 a.m. (Cf. Sicilian vespers?)
1614 [see Parisian B], 1683 in Loud. Gaz. No. *%$6f$
Murders, and Massacres, not to be parallel'd by the Parisian
Mattins, or Sicilian Vespers.
d. A morning duty, occupation, or performance.
1641 Milton Ch. Govt. 11. (1851) 142 These and such lessons
as these, I know would have been my Matins duly, and my
Even-song. 1814 Wordsw. Excursion 11. 140 The music
and the sprightly scene Invite us ; shall we quit our road,
and join These festive matins ?
II. In the sing. form.
+ 3. A morning. Obs. rare.
In the first quot. matine is a trisyllable riming with tre,
and would therefore be strictly a distinct word, ad. F. ma-
tinie: see Matinee.
[c 1400 Laud Troy Bk. 8692 The sonne schynes on euery a
tre, Hit is a fair matyne.] 1602 Shaks. Ham. 1. v. 89 The
Glow-worme showes the Matine to be neere, And gins to
pale his vneffectuall Fire. 1845 Disraeli Sybil (1863) 244
This morn. .1 learnt how your matins were now spent.
4. A morning call or song (of birds), poet.
1632 Milton V Allegro 114 Ere the first Cock his Mattin
rings. 174a Young Nt. Th. 1. 438 The sprightly Lark's
shrill Matin wakes the Morn. 1840 J. S. Polack Mann. #
Cnst. N. Zealanders 1. 166 His shrill early matin, giving the
signal to rise.
III. 5. attrib. and Comb. a. with matin : (a)
1 pertaining to or used at the time of malins \
c 1315 Shoreham Poems ii. 14 God and man y-take was At
matyn-tyde by ny5te. c 1375 St. Leg. Saints xvi. (Magda-
lena) 905 In sammyne tyme bat wont war thay In matyne
ofTyce for to ryse. 1450-1530 Myrr. our Ladye 24 To saye
. .mattyns, at mattyn tyme, & pryme at pryme tyme. 1708
Ozell tr. Boileau's Lutrin 57 And call the Yawning Priests
to Matin Pray'r. 1709 Pope Jan. fy May 523 He rais'd his
spouse ere Matin-bell was rung. 1796 Scott Wild Hunts-
men x, To muttering monks leave matin-song, c 1820 S.
Rogers Italy {1839) 133 Those who assembled there at matin-
time. 1851 Longf. Gold. Leg. iv. Refectory ',To your cells,
And pray till you hear the matin-bells.
{b) passing into adj. in the sense ' belonging to,
the early morning, morning-, matinal \
'643 Farington Papers (Chetham Soc.) 99 Matin Chamber.
1667 Milton P. L. v. 7 The shrill Matin Song of Birds. 1717
Pope Eloisa 267, I waste the Matin lamp in sighs for thee.
a 1732 Gay Fables (1738) II. viii. 77 At noon (the lady's
matin hour) I sip the tea's delicious flower. 1810 Scott
Lady of L. II. i, All Nature's children feel the matin spring
Gf life reviving, with reviving day. 1863 Woolner My
Beautiful Lcuiy 45 At matin time where creepers interlace
We sauntered slowly.
b. with matins: as matins book, monger, mum-
MATLOCKITE.
bling, time ; f matins mass, the mass before which
matins is recited.
1303 R. Brunne Hatutt. Synnc 823 pat day JSundayl bou
uwyst. .For to here by seruyse al ; Matyns mess- here [/>/</-
wtck MS, matenys <^ messej, to rede or syngge, . . Come fyrst
to matyns, ?yf bat bou may. 1395 E. EAVills (1882) 5 A
peyre Matyns bookis. 1484 Caxton Fables of A If once i,
The Cocke, .watcheth and waketh atte matyns tyme. 1530
Palsgr. 804/2 At mattyns tyme. Ibid. 183 Vnes hevres, a
primer or a mattyns boke. 1543 Bale Yet a Course 83 b,
Mattens mongers, masse momhlers, holye water swyngeis.
« 1555 G- Marsh in Foxe A. .*- Jit. (1583) 1565 Holy water
casting, procession gadding, Mattins mumbling [etc.].
II Matin (matsen). [Fr.; see Mastiff.] A
large French watch-dog.
1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) III. 298 He (BulTonJ bred
up a young wolf, with a matin dog of the same age. 1845
Yot'AiT Dog 27 The French matin {Cams laniarius).
Matinal (rnseuinal), a. Now rare. [ad. F.
matinal, f. matin morning: sec Matin and -AL.
Cf. Matutinal.]
1. Belonging to or taking place in the morning;
early. Also, early-rising, matutinal.
1803 Mary Charlton Wife 'S- Mistress II. i. 11 To attend
the matinal dtjci<u<:'s of old Gruffy in town. 1819H. Bisk
Ves triad v. 276 The grey-ey'd Hours climb up the starry
way To meet fair maidens matinal as they. 1842 Mrs. F.
Trollope Vis, Italy I. xiv. 219 As if my very matinal son
and myself had constituted the whole parly, i860 Ld.
Fvtton Lucile 11. v. §9. 30 The matinal chirp of a bird.
1862 Mrs. H. Wood Channings II. 74 Believing it could
be nobody less than the bishop come to alarm them with
a matinal visit.
2. Geol. The name given by II. D. Rogers to the
third of his subdivisions of the palxo/oic strata in
the Appalachian chain, and hence to the period at
which these were formed.
1858 H. D. Rogei.s Geol. Pennsyfo, II. 11.749 These periods
..are the Primal, Auroral, Matinal, Levant, Surgent [etc.].
Ibid. 783 Depositions and Disturbances of the Matinal
Period. 1850 Page Handbk, Geol. Terms. 1863 1 )ana Man.
Gcol.yjq ' Matinal ' Limestone with blue shale.
II Matinee ^miVtin^, Fr. maWW). [F. matinee
morning, what occupies a morning, f. matin morn-
ing.] A 'morning' (i. e. afternoon) theatrical or
musical performance.
[1848 Thackeray / 'an. Fair Ixiv, A mestince musical,-.
1850 Longfellow in Life (1891) II. 170 Charles Perkins
gives matinees musicales.] 1880 Standard 22 Dec, The
Gaiety matinees. 1898 St. James's Gaz. 8 Nov. 4/1 No
efforts of theatrical managers seem able to cope with the
nuisance of the ' matinee hat '.
t Malting, vbl. sb> Obs. [-INO1.] The action
of Mate z".1 ; checkmating. Also aMrib.
c 1330 R. Brunne Citron. Wace (Rolls) 11399 At ilka mat-
tyng [r. r. matyng] bei seide * chek \ ( 1407 Lydg. Reas. fy
Sens. 46 Ye shal fynde anoone ryght By and by in this scrip-
ture Of my matynge the Aventure. c 1440 Pro/up. Par:-.
329/2 Matynge at the chesse, matacio. 1592 G. Harvey
New Letter Wks. (Grosart) I. 275 In a mating age, none are
free from the check, but kniges. a 1649 Drumm. of Hawth.
Earn. Epist. Wks. (1711) 146 The mating of the king is the
conclusion of the game [of chess].
Mating (mt7i*tirj), vbl. sb.2 [f. Mate v.2 +
-1NG !.] The action of Mate v.- ; matching ;
marrying; pairing ; esp. of birds (occas. with up).
Also attrib. , as mating-ground.
1621 Braihwaite Natures Embass. Sheph. Tales 213
So shall we Honor'd be, In our mating, in our meeting.
1856 Kane Arct. E.xpl. I. xxi. 268 A solitary pair, who
seem to have left their fellows for this far northern mating-
ground. 1875 J owett Plato (ed. 2)111. 61 Do you [a breeder
of birds and animals] not take the greatest care in the
mating ? 1896 Westm. Gaz. 28 May 3/1 The mating of the
blue gown with the pink or crimson hat is eminently smart.
1899 Feathered World 10 Mar. 474 Having described the
mating-up of the breeding pens of pure brown-reds.
b. Pishing. (See quot.)
1887 Goode, etc. Fisheries U. S. Sect. v. II. 259 Sometimes
two or more crews belonging to different vessels unite in the
capture, and if successful an equitable division of the oil is
afterward made. This is called ' mating '.
Ma'ting, ///. a. [f. Matez».- + -ing2.] That
mates ; pairing.
1870 F. W. H. Myers Poems 100 No ringdove murmurs
on the hill Nor mating cushat calls. 1903 Westm. Gaz.
11 Feb. 2/3 Sing more softly for his sake, you mating birds
on bough.
t Matins, v. Obs. [f. matins: see Matin.]
inir. To perform matins ; also trans, to honour (a
saint) with celebration of matins. Hence f Ma-
tinsed ppl. a., f Matinsing vbl. sb. Also f Ma-
tinser nonce-wd.) one who performs matini.
1543 Mattenser [see Masser l], 1546 Bale Eng, Votaries
t. (1550) 72 b, Whan theyr feastfull dayes come, they are.,
with no small solempnite, mattensed, massed, .. sensed,
smoked, perfumed and worshypped. 1347 — Latter Exam.
A. Askeiv Pref. 8 These clowted, canonysed, solempnysed,
sensed, mattensed, and massed martyrs. 1553 Becon Re-
Itques of Rome (1563) 141 b, Al other fashions of Mattensyng
and Massyng..vtterly put away.
Matir;e, obs. fotms of Matter.
Matirmonye, -moyne, obs. ff. Matrimony.
Matje, variant of Matie.
Matlockite (martlfJkait). Min. [f. Matlock,
name of a town in Derbyshire : see -ite.] + a.
= Phosgenite. Obs. b. A yellowish oxychloridc
of lead occurring at Cromford near Matlock.
1843 E. J. Chapman Tract. Min. 40 Matlockite. Chloride
of Lead, from Derbyshire. Kerasine, Beud. ; Murio-Car-
96-2
MATLONG.
bonate of Lead, Phil, j Horn-lead. 1851 R. P. Greg in
Philos. Mag. Ser. iv. II. 120 A description of Matlockite,
a new Oxychluride of Lead.
Matlong, (?erron.) var. of Maltlong Obs,
1614 Markham Cheap Husb. 35 Hurts on the Cronet, as
the quitterbone or Matlong. Ibid., The Quitterbone is a
hollow vlcer on the top of the Cronet, and so is the Matlong.
Matrace, obs. form of Matkass, Mattress.
Matracy, obs. form of Matrass.
I Matranee (matra-n/). Also matraney.
Anglo-Indian. [Corruption of Hindi mehtardni,
fern, of Mehtar.J A female sweeper (of a house) ;
a female house-servant in India whose duty it is to
perform the most menial offices.
c 1804 Sherwood in Life Mrs. S. (1854) 294 A Matranee.
< 1813 Mks. Sherwood Stories Ch. Catech. xxxvii. 376 A
procession of sweeper-women, or matraneys. 1886 Vule &
Burnki.l Anglo-lnd. Gloss., Matranee,. .a female sweeper.
t MatraSS \ Obs. In 6 mattresse. [a. OF.
maleras, mate/as, of obscure origin.] A quarrel
or bolt for the cross-bow.
1530 1'alsgr. 244A Mattresse for a crosbowe, martelas.
1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk.
Matrass -: (nuirtra's). Forms: 7 matrat,
(matracy, from mod.L.), matrace, 7 S matras,
8-9 mattras(s, 7- matrass. [a. V. matras,
in 1 5-1 7th c. matheras (Uatz.-Darm.), matraz,
matrac (Cotgr.) ; ^ Sp. matraz, pharmaceutical
L. matracium.
By some considered to be a transferred use of matras
Matrass1, with reference to the shape of the vessel. This
view is supported by the existence of the Eng. synonym
Holt-head 2, unless the latter be merely a quasiditeral
translation of the Fr. word. Pevic suggests adoption from
the Arab. mafra'1 leather bottle; cf. mod.L. matracium
'a little sack, wherein is calcinated tartar or the like, pricked
here and there for the emission of liquors ' (tr. Blancard' s
Phys. Diet., ed. 2, 1693).]
1. A glass vessel with a round or oval body and
a long neck, used by chemists for digesting and
distilling.
1605 TiMME Quers'tt. II. v. 123 Vessels which are called
matrats, like unto round globes, having straite neckes. 1657
Tomunson Renou's Disp. 592 Some include it [quicksilver]
with aqua fortis in a Matracy. 1669 W. Simpson Hydrol.
Chym. 166 Put a., quantity thereof in a matrass, lute it
exactly [etc.). 1681 tr. Willis'' Rem. Med. Wks. Vocab..
Matrace, a vessel used for chymical distillations. 1698
H. Sloanh in Phil. Trans. XX. 73 Put all into a Matras,
and pour upon them a Quart of Brandy. 1721 W. Gibson
Farriers Disp. II, i. 81 Instead of a Matrass, may be used
a Florence Wine Flask. 1763 W. Lewis Comm. Phil. 'Pcchn.
34 A Long necked matras or bolt head. 1811 A. T. Thom-
son Lend. Disp. (1818) 463 Apply a moderate heat to the
matrass. 1849 R- v- DlXON Heat 1. 155 The ball of a small
mattrass. i88oGarrod& Baxter Mat. Med. 48 A matrass
containing twenty-two ounces of water.
attrib. 1683 PsTTVS Fleta Min. II, 12 The word Bell is
also applyed to a glass . .which the Chimists call a matrass
glass.
2. A urinal (Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890).
1855 Dunglison Med. Lex: (ed. 12) s.v. Matracium.
Matrass, -at, obs. ff. Mattress, Matrass.
Matre, obs. variant of Mkhtab.
Matrefillon, obs. form of Matfellon.
Matremoine, -mony, obs. ff. Matrimony.
Matres, obs. form of Mattress.
Matriarch (m^trteUk), [f. L. mdlrii)-, mater
mother : on the supposed analogy of Patriarch
(apprehended as if f. pater father).] A woman
having the status corresponding to that of a patri-
arch, in any sense of the word. In various nonce-
uses, now usually jocular.
1606 I'iknie Ki-k-Buriall Ded., Your Spouse now the
yong frutcful Matriarch of that multi potent Marquesad.
1629 Donne /''/fly Serm. (1649) xliv. 417 The leamedest Nun,
and the best Matriarch, and Mother of that [the Roman]
Church, I think, that ever writ, Heloyssa. 1837 South ky
DoctorcxvW. IV. 158 Dr. Southey has classed this injured
Matriarch [Job's wife] in a triad with Xantippe and Mrs.
Wesley. 1883 J. W. Hales in Athenaeum 24 Feb. 248,
I believe this gentleman [Father Hubbard] to be an after-
thought -to be a mere weak masculine reflex of the matri-
arch. 1893 Harper's Weekly 7 Jan. 11/1 Miss Flora Mc-
Flimsey, who nowadays must be a matriarch of some
thirty-five seasons' standing.
transf. i860 1 I). Coleridge in Philol. Soc. Trans. 168
The relation which our Indian sister holds to the ancient
Hadrian matriarch, nay of the great mother herself to the
surrounding families.
Matriarchal (mt7'tria*ikal), a. [f. Matriarch
+ -al, after Patriarchal.] Of or pertaining to
n matriarch or to maternal rule ; pertaining to, ot
the nature of, or based on matriarchy.
1863 Jowett in Life <y Lett. (1897) I. xi. 363 They [Tenny-
son's boys] are getting too old for the matriarchal form of
government. 1881 /'all Mall 67. 12 Feb. i/z [In France]
nothing is commoner than that two or three generations
should continue to live in the same house. . .This little com-
munity is ordinarily rather matriarchal than patriarchal.
It is the eldest of the women who usually organizes and
rules it. 1884 Tyi.or in Rep. Brit. Assoc. 905 The Indian
tribes further south are largely matriarchal, reckoning de-
scent not on the father's but the mother's side.
Hence Matriarchalism, the condition of life
under a matriarchal system. Matriarchalist, a
supporter of the theory that tribal society was
primitively matriarchal.
1884 Tyi-ok in Rep. Brit. Assoc. 906 Matriarchalism has
only in places yielded to the patriarchal system. 1885 — I
in Academy 1 Aug. 67/2 The effect which the researches of
the matriarchalists had on his mind.
Matriarchate (mfUriauka). [f. Matriarch
+ -ate, after G. matriarchal.} A matriarchal com-
munity or system. Also attrib.
1885 Kedhouse in Jrnl. Roy. Asiatic Soe. Gt. Brit. Apr.
276 It does not even attempt to prove, .that a matriarchate
system was ever in existence among the Arabians. 1894
II. Drummonii A scent of Man 401 Bachoven has familiarized
us with the idea of a Matriarchate, or Maternal Family.
Matriarchy (m^-triaiki). [f. Matriarch,
after Patriarchy.] That form of social organi-
zation in which the mother, and not the father, is
the head of the family, and in which descent and
relationship are reckoned through mothers and not
through fathers.
1885 Athen.vum 21 Mar. 379/3 Mr. J. W. Redhouse made
a few remarks with reference to a paper he has prepared
for the Journal of the Society . .' On Matriarchy, or Mother
Right '. 1892 Gomme Ethnology in Folklore 131 The prin-
ciple of matriarchy is more primitive than that of patriarchy.
Matric (matri-k), colloq. shortening of Matri-
culation.
1885 Punch 16 Mar, 233/2 Younger brother comes to-day
from Harrow for Matric.
Matrical . martrikal, matroi-kal), a. [ad. late
L. mdtricdlis {vena matricalis, Vegetius) f. mdtric-
Matrix : sec -al. Cf. 1\ matrical (Cotgr.).]
+ 1. Pertaining to the matrix or womb. Obs.
1611 Cotgr., Vertiller, to swell, or increase, as womens
breasts doe when the malricall veins are stretched by the
menstruall blood. 1651 Life Father Sarpi (1676) 34, They
are presently filled with the sudden and violent motions of
the matrical humours.
2. Pertaining to the matrix of algse.
1882-4 Cooke Freshtv. Algae 56 Composed of very numer-
ous cells arranged on the periphery at regular distances,
connected by the matrical gelatin.
|| Matricaria (m?etrike>ria). Also anglicized
6-7 matricaryc, -ie. [med.L. matricaria (Die-
fenbach), f. matric-, Matrix. Cf. F. matricairc
(16th c. in Littr^). (The plant was so called on
account of supposed medicinal properties.)] t A"
The plant feverfew, Chrysanthemum Parthenium.
(Obs.) b. Hot. A genus (Linnaeus 1735, following
Tournefort) of plants, belonging to the N.O. Com-
posite, originally including the feverfew and other
species, which have since been separated and re-
ferred to other genera; a plant of this genus. (A
well-known species is the wild camomile, Al.
Chamomilla.) c. attrib., as Matricaria- camphor.
1599 A. M. tr. Gabelhouer's Bk. Physicke 220/2 Take
redde Roseleaves, Cainomille, & Matricarye. 163a Sher-
wood, Matricarie. 1664 Evelyn Kal. Hort. Apr. (1679) 15
Transplant such Fibrous-roots .. as Violets.. Mellebor,
Matricaria, &c. 1706 J. Gardiner tr. Rafiin of Gardens
{1728) 49 Now on high Stems will Matricaria rear Her silver
blooms. 1767 Ahercrombie Ev Man his own Gard. (1803)
704/1 Matricaria, or feverfew. 1885 Casscll's Encyil. Diet.,
Matricaria-camphor, a camphor isomeric with lauiinol,
obtained from the oil of feverfew. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex. iuv«
OU of Matricaria,^ thick tenacious volatile oil obtained
from the flowers of M. cha/uomilla.
Matrice (nu7i'tris, martris). Also 4-5 matris,
5 matryce, 6 mattriee. [ad. L. matric-em Matrix.
Cf. F. matrice (also in popular form OF. marris :
see Maris).]
+ 1. The uterus, womb (of mammals) ; occas. the
ovary (of other animals) ; - Matrix. Obs.
c 1400 Lanf ranees Cirurg. 175 pc matris of wymmen. 1471
RlPLEY Comp. Alch. iv. x. in Ashin. (1652) 146 That after she
hath conceyved of the Man, The Matryce of her be shyt. 1561
Holi.ybush Horn. Apoth. 24 There wyth is hyr matrice cr
mother chafed. 1601 Dolman La Primaud. E'r. Acad.
(161 8) III. 821 Some are engendered . . of egs, as Serpents :
and also by an other manner, which is perfected in the matrice
by egs, as the viper. 1661 Lovell Hist. Auim. <r Min. 116
It. .warms the matrice, and causeth the courses. x774WAi.su
in Phil. Trans. LXIV. 468 In the right matrice he met with
four such fetuses and nine such eggs.
fb. transf. zncXfig.
1602 Fulhecke Pandectes 62 Looke into the bowels &
; matrice of the earth, ye shall haue gold, siluer, brasse, to
i exceed all other mettals. 16*4 Fisher in F. White AV/V.
Fisher 590 Bringing them backe againe to the Roote and
Matrice of the Catholicke Church. 1669 Gale Crt. Gentiles
1. 1. xii. 76 This persuasion, of the Egyptian Tongue, .being
I the old Matrice of the Greek, is but a dream of Kirchers.
1698 Fryi:r Acc. F. India «y P. 333 For the most part this
is an hospitable Soil, cherishing in its Matrice whatever is
kindly sowed.
2. Die-sinking ^and Type- founding, m Matrix 4.
Now rare ; the pi. coincides graphically with that
of Matrix.
1387 in Plomer Abstr Wills Eng. Printers (1903) 27 My
printinge wholy furnished with presses letters carncters cf
cast mettell, and the mattrices. 1587-8 Reg. Privy Council
' Scot. IV. 265 James Achesoun . . sinkis and makis irnes,
instruments and matriceis, alsweill for prenting of silver as
of lattoun. 1656 Blount Glossogr. s.v,, Matrices of letters
or Characters, are those moulds . . in which the Letters ..
: which Printers use ate formed. 1727-41 Chambers Cycl. s.v.,
When types are to be cast, the Matriceis fastened to the end
of a mould, /bid,, Matrices used in coining, are pieces of
steel in form of dyes. 1825 J. Nicholson Opemt. Mechanic
, Gloss., Matrice, the concave form of a letter in which the
I types are cast. 1868 Skyd Bullion (1880) 278 A well made
1 Matrice will remain in use for about 15 years.
MATRICULAR.
Comb. 1683 Moxon Meeh. Exerc, Printing xv.fu Close
by the .. side of this Notch is a small square Wyer-staple
driven, which we may call the Matrice-Check ; for its Office
is only to keep the Shanck of the Matrice from flying out
of this Notch. 1688 R. Holmk Armoury in. 113/2 The
Mattriee or Mould-Maker [etc.] all called Letter Founders.
f 3. (See quots.) Obs.
1727-41 Chambers Cycl., Matrice, or Matrix, in dying, is
applied to the five simple colours. ..These are, the bhick,
white, blue, red, and fallow. 1731 Hailev vol. II, Matrice,
[with Dyer-;] is apply'd to the first simple colours.
4. Matrix 3. rare.
1855 J. R. Leifchild Cornwall 131 Man digs into dark-
ness,.. He breaks up the veins from the matrice.
Matrices, pi. of Matrix.
Matricidal (mJ'trisai dal, mjctri-), a. [f.
Matricide1 and2 + -AL.] That kills his or her
mother. Also fig.
1846 Grots Greece 1. xvi. I. 545 The remorse . . of the mati i-
cidal Alcma^6n..is also mentioned by Thucydides. 1861
Hook Lives Abps. I. v. 235 A scheme most deadly, serpen-
tine, and even matricidal. 1869 Palgrave Lyr. Poems
(1871) 145 When one fair land.. Saw herself rent in twain by
matricidal hand.
Matricide1 (rru'ftrisoid, moe'tri-). [ad. I..
matricida, f. mdtr(i)-, mater mother: see-cii)E 1.]
One who kills his or her mother.
163a Sherwood, A Matricide (or mother-killing), Matricide.
1638 Mayne Lucian (1664) 242 Amphilocus, the son of a
wicked Matricide. 1822 T. Taylor APuleius 232 A matri-
cide, because he had attempted to kill his stepmother. 1879
Karrar St. Paul (1883I 740 The now unchecked tyranny of
the incestuous matricide.
Matricide - (m^'trisaid, ime'tri-). [ad. L.
mdtriad-ium : see prec. and -cide 2. Cf. F.
matricide (mod. rare).] The action of killing one's
mother. Also Comb.
1594 O. R. Quest. Profit. Concern. 13 b, Now from vipe-
rous matricide sellers, good Lord dehuer vs. 1646 Sir T.
Browne Pseud, lip. ml xvL 145 Nature, compensates the
death of the father by the matricide or murder of the mother.
1659 T. Pecke Parnassi Puctp. 183 A Generation, Bald-
pate Time ne're Ey'd : That durst concurre, in voting
Matricide. 1846 Grote Greece 1. xiv. I. 381 note, The
matricide of Orestes. 1882 Farkar Early Chr. I. 64 Hers
was the jealousy which had goaded Nero to matricide.
t Matrieious, a. Obs. rare~°. [f. L. matric-
Matrix + -ious.] = Matbical i.
1656 Blount Glossogr. s. v. Vein, Matrieious vein (vena
matricis) the matrix vein, or a vein that runnes along the
Hank neere the Reines.
II Matricula(malriki/na>. Obs. cxc./J 'is t. Also
6 matricola. [Late L. mdtricula, dim. of L.
matrix (see Matrix), which in late L. occurs in
the same sense. (The development of meaning in
late L. is obscure.) Cf. F. matricu/e, Sp. matr/cula,
IV. matricula, It. matricola^ G. matrikei.]
1. A list or register of persons belonging to an
order, society, or the like. Also, a cerlificate of
enrolment in such a register.
1555 Eden Decades 348 To cause this to bee entered in the
Ixxjke cauled the Matricola of owre housholde vnder the
tytle of knyghtes. 1617 Mokyson /tin. 1. 177, I shewed
them my Matricula, that is, a paper, witnessing. . I was a
schollerofPaduoa. 1645 E vk i.yn Diaiy (1879)1.254 [Padua.]
I ..in the afternoone(3o July) receiver! my tuatricrtla, being
resolved to spend some moneths here at study. 1691 Wood
Ath. Oxou. I. 471 His name occurs not in the Matricula,
only that of John Sberley, a Sussex man. 1840 De Quin-
cey Style in. Wks. 1S62 X. 237 It would exclude the two
PHnys, the two Senecas,. .and others, fiom the matricula
of Roman eloquence, a 1851 Hist. Sk. Columbia Coll. 64
(B. H. Hall College Words) We find in its Matricula the names
of William Watson [etc.]. 1885 Cath. Diet. (ed. 3)566/2
Matricula, the roll containing the names of the clergy per-
manently attached to a cathedral, or a collegiate, or a parish
church ; also, the list of the names of the students regularly
admitted into any university.
2. spec. In the Holy Roman (and the present
German) Empire : sec quot.
1845 S. Austin Ranke's Hist. Ref 1. 179 note, The Matri-
cula . . was the list of the contingents, in men and money, which
the several States were bound to furni>h to the empire.
Matriculant (matii'kittlant). [ad. med.L.
mdtriculantem, pr. pple. of matriculdre : see
Matriculate v.] One who matriculates ; a can-
didate for matriculation.
1883 American V. 390 They are ready to favor the de-
mand upon matriculants for a preliminary qualification.
1897 Athenaeum 12 )unc 780 A notable increase of matri-
culants in the University of Wales.
Matricular (matri'ki/^laj), a. and sb. [ad.
med.L. matricular iits and -dris, t. matricula'. see
Mathicula and -ar. Cf. F. malrieulaire.]
A. adj.
I. 1. Pertaining to, or of the nature of, a
1 matricula * or official register of persons belonging
to a university, an association, etc.
1575 Turler Traueiler 69 Although their names be
written in the Matricular bookesofstudients. 1611 Cotgr.,
Marille, a Register, or Matricular booke. 1717 in Haii.kv
vol. II. 1804 in Spirit Publ. Jrnls. (1805) VIII. 80 Our
..Grand Officers of the Grand Legion of Honour, are or-
dered to insert the name of Chi/en Morning Post in the
Matricular Register of our said Legion.
b. With reference to Germany : Pertaining to
■ the ' matricula ' (see Matkicula 2).
1762 tr. Buschiug''s Syst. Geog. IV. 560 The Elector of
I Cologn has a matricular evaluation of sixty horse and two
MATBICULARY.
hundred and seventy-seven foot, or 1828 florins. 1894
19//; Cent. XXXVI. 237 Prussia had to pay 211,000,000m.
of matricular contiibutions.
II. Used as ifa derivative of Matrix: see-ur.AR.
f 2. Of a language : Original ; from which others
are derived. Obs. (? name-use).
1793 Hely tr. O' Flaherty's Ogygia II. 89 There were
seventy-two matricular Babylonian tongues. Ibid. 90.
3. Of or belonging to the matrix or womb.
1896 Allbutt's Syst. Med. I. 200 Regeneration can only
occur when matricular cell elements still exist to proliferate.
+ B. sb. — Matbiodla 2. Obs.
1603 Knolles //«/. 7W*»(i6ai) 1277 The perfecting of
which Matriculer, the Kmperour would haue in this assem-
blie to lie amongst them considered of.
t Matriculary. Obs. [ad. med.L. mdlricu-
larius: see prec. and -auv.] A catalogue.
1686 Gunton Hist. Peterborough 49 A publick Library
. .stored with above 1700 Books, or Tractates, as by an
antient Matriculary of that Library may appear.
Matriculate (mStri-kim^t), a. and sb. [ad.
med.L. mdtrTculdt-tts, pa. pple. of mdtricul-dre :
sec Matriculate v.] A. adj. = Matriculated.
1487 Hen. VII in Epist. Acad. Oxon. (O. H. S.) II. 514
He nethere ys contributorye unto the charge, ne yett ys
matriculate, a 1529SKELTON Ph. Sparozue 1288 Whyshuld
she take shame 'that her goodly name . . Sholde be set and
sorted, To be matriculate With ladyes of estate ?
B. sb. One who has been matriculated.
1712 Arbuihnot John Bull Vref. (1755) 4 The matriculates
of that famous university. 1848-9 Cat. Univ. N. Carolina
(B. H. Hall College Words) The number of Matriculates has
. .been greater. 1887 Pall Mall G. 25 Aug;. 9/1 [He] had
been a matriculate at Trinity College, Dublin.
attrib. 1886 W. J. Tucker E. Europe 376 The day fol-
lowing the matriculate examination.
Matriculate (matrrkiiSkU), v. [f. med.L.
*mdtrtculdt- , ppl. stem of *mdtriculdre, i. mdtrl-
cula: see Matricula. Cf. Sp., Pg. matricular,
It. matrico!are.~\
f 1. trans, gen. To insert (a name) in a register
or official list ; usually, to admit or incorporate
into a society or body of persons by insertion of
the name in the register ; to enrol (soldiers). Obs.
i$jy HANMERAnc.Eccl.Hist (1619)460 For vntothat time
y" names of the Senators or Aldermen were matriculated.
1581 Savile Tacitus Hist. (1591) Annot. 51 Vnder the Em-
pire . .six hundreth at the least were matriculated in a Legion.
1600 Holland Livy xxxm. xxiv. 839 In this number
[sc. of coloners] none of them should be matriculated, who
..had beene enemies to the people of Rome. 1602 Segar
Hon. Mil. <J- Civ. 1. vii. 10 Stale*, and base people were
matriculated for souldiers. 1613 R. Cawdrev Table A /ph.
(ed. 3), Marticulate [sic], to register or inrole. 1631
Weever Anc, Funeral Mon. 202 This murdered Bishop was
.. matriculated by the Pope a glorious Saint and Martyr.
? 1656 Bramhall Replie. 37 Have the English Protestants
matriculated themselves into their congregational Assem-
blies? 1715 M. Davies Athen. Brit. I. 222 The.. Church
Register or Warden, who oftentimes . . would matriculate
sometimes all he could hear of.
fb. trans/, nn&Jig. Obs.
1610 Donne Pseudo-martyr 348 Wee acknowledge our
selues incorporated and matriculated into that Christian
warfare, wherin they entred our Names. 1638 Chii.lingw.
Rclig. Prot. 1. Pref. § 5 Lovers of truth (in which Company
I had been long agoe matriculated). 1654 Whitlock Zoo-
tomia 188 Such as are matriculated in Albo Sapienlix.
71656 Bramhall Replic. vi. 271 It was.. their obstinacy
thus to incorporate their errors into their Creeds, and ma-
triculate their abuses among their sacred Rites. 178a W. F.
Martvn Geog. Mag. I. 741 Until the boys are matriculated
into the society of the men.
+ c. In occasional uses (app. modified by quasi-
etymological association with L. mater mother) :
To adopt as a child ; to adopt or naturalize (an
alien, a foreign custom, book, etc.) ; also, to con-
sign to maternal care. Obs.
1579 J. Stuubes Gaping Gulf C j b, The state, which can
neuer so kindly matriculate him [sc. an alien] as the childe
which she hath born in her owne wombe. 1640 Bp. Hall
Chr. Aloder. t. § 5. 42 Mathew... when he. .was now to be
matriculated into the family of Christ, entertained his new
Master with a. -banquet. 1686 F. Sl'ENCE tr. Varillas' Ho.
Media's 215 Tho' Luxury was sufficiently great at the
Pope s court,, .where they had matriculated it of late. 1704
Hearne Duct. Hist. (1714) I. 136 A Work so excellent.,
that alt Nations have chosen to Matriculate it and make it
speak their own Tongue. 1768 [W. Donaldson! Life Sir
B. Sapskull II. xxi. 164, I was matriculated to the care of
the good lady my nurse.
2. spec. To enter (a name) in the register of a
university or college; to admit (a student) to the
privileges of a university. AlsoyFf.
1579 Gosson Sch. Abuse (Arb.) 24, I haue bene matricu-
lated my selfe in the schoole, where so many abuses florish.
1622 Mabbe tr. Alcma/Cs Guzman d'Alf 11. 286 Loue had
now matriculated me in his Schoole. 1642 Howell For.
Trav. (Arb.) 16, I take it for granted, bee hath been ma-
triculated, .and learn't to chop Logick. 1703 Hickeringill
Priesl-cr. 11. v 53 For about so long I have been matricu-
lated in the University. 1711 Hearne Collect. (O. H.S.)
III. 257 Let Mr. Allen have eight Shillings to be matricu-
lated with. 1826-7 I>e Quincey R. Bentley Wks. 1857
VII. 46 Bentley was matriculated at St. John's College, Cam-
bridge. 1904 J. T. Fowler Durham Univ. 150 He entered
at University College, and was matriculated in October, 1836.
b. intr. To be entered as a member of a univer-
sity or college.
1851 Dixon W. Penn iii. (1872) 26 Penn the Younger went
to Oxford, where he matriculated as a gentleman com-
moner. 1861 Hughes Tom Brown at Oxf. 1. Introd. 1
237
Tom Brown . . went up to matriculate at St. Ambrose's
College.
II o. trans. To initiate as qualified. Const, to.
1863 Geo. Eliot Romola ix, No. man is matriculated to
the art of life till he has been well tempted
3. Her. To record (arms) in an official register.
1586 Ferne Btaz. Genlrie 151 It is a part of their office to
register and matriculate the auntient acts of honor and the
merits of gentlemen. 1809 J. Home in Naval Chron. XXIV.
192 The Ensigns Armorial, .are matriculated in the public
registers of the Lyon Office. 1815 SCOTT Guy M. xlii,
Mr. Cumming of the Lyon Office. .being at that time en-
gaged in discovering and matriculating the arms of two
commissaries from North America [etc.].
Hence Matriculating vbl. sb. and ///. a.
a 1631 Donne Serm. Ixxxvii. (ed. Alford) IV. n6 A regis-
tering, a matriculating of their names ill the book of the
profession of the Christian religion. 1644 Bulwer Chi/ of.
143 This in the sacred language of Scripture is Chirothesia
. . and is a matriculating gesture.
Matriculated (njStri-kufoUed), ///. a. [f.
Matriculate v. + -ed1.] Admitted by enrol-
ment, esp. as a student of a university, etc.
1642 Milton Apol. Smecl. Wks. 1851 III. 310 My ma-
triculated confutant. 1771 Act Amending Mile Ways
Oxford 65 If any matriculated Person or Persons, .shall
wilfully break, .any of the Lamps [etc. 1. 1858 (title) A List
of the Matriculated Members of the Merchants House of
Glasgow, 1768-1857. 1893 Athcu.euin 9 Nov 647/j It will
practically have the effect of opening the College associate-
ship to any matriculated student.
Matriculation (matrikiai/fjan). [f. Matri-
culated. + -ATioN. Cf. It. matricolazione (matri-
culation*, Florio 161 1), Sp. malriiti/aa'ou.]
1. The action of matriculating, or of registering
among the members of a society, enrolling as a
soldier, etc. Now chiefly in academic use, formal
admission into a university or college. Sometimes
used for matriculation examination.
1588 Fraunce Laiviers Log. Ded. iv b, Having once
knowen the price of an admission, Salting, and Matricula-
tion, with the interteyning of Freslimcnne in the Rhetorike
schooles, they returne whence they came. 1614 Br. HALL
Contempt. O. T. VIII. iii, VIII. 970 Wee have no right of in-
heritance in.. the Church of God till we have received the
sacrament of our matriculation. 1633 D. Rogers Treat.
Sacrum. 1. 71 Baptisme.-is called our Union with Christ,..
our Matriculation, Cognizance, and Character of Christ.
1638 Brathwait Barnabecs Jrnl. II. (1818)71 Thence to
Hlghgate, where I viewed .. th" home of matriculation
Drunk to th' freshmen of our nation. 1653 in Somers
Tracts I. 502 No Person .. shall take an Oath upon Ma-
triculation in either of the Universities. 1711 Hearne
Collect. (O. H.S.) III. 257 He had 5s... to go towards his
Matriculation. 1853 ' £. Bede ' Verdant Green 1. li, He's
now quite old enough, and prepared enough for matricula-
tion. 1881 Mrs. Craik Little Mother 11. (1882) 43 Papa
said he must (go out to India] if he failed in his matricula-
tion. 1900 Oxf. Univ. Cat. 72 These Dues are for each
quarter of the first four years from Matriculation.
+ b. A certificate of matriculation ; ^ Matbi-
cula. Obs.
1648 J. Raymond // Mercurio Italico 233 Our Matricula-
tions wee had from Padua did us much service,
c. attrib., in matriculation examination ; matri-
culation book, a book for the registration of ad-
missions to a college or other association.
161 1 Speed Hist. Ct. Brit. ix. ix. § 99 Those only whose
names were entred into the Matriculation Booke. 1726
Ayliffe Parcreon 16 A Scholar, that is absent from the
University for five years, . .is.. rased out of the Matricula-
tion Book. Ibid. 384 He is presum d to be a Merchant who
is found enrolled in the Matriculation-Book belonging to
Merchants. 1833 Assurance Mag._ III 273 Institute of
Actuaries.. Matriculation Examination 1852.
2. Her. A registration of armorial bearings.
1810 Naval Chron. XXIV. 192 He has obtained the
following copy of matriculation from the Lyon Office,
Edinburgh. 1901 Spectator 30 Mar. 461 The doctrine.,
that the right to bear arms is dependent upon their matri-
culation in the College of Arms.
Matriculator (ma.tivkw5l>H3.i). [f. Matricu-
late v. + -or.] = Matriculant.
1869 Globe 13 Nov. 7 The matiiculalors last Michaelmas
term numbered 529. 1888 Q. Rev. CLXVII. 209 At Ox-
ford the matriculator subscribed the Thirty-nine Articles.
Matriculatory (nsStrildiJUtori), a. [^Ma-
triculate v. : see -ory.] a. Pertaining to the
matriculation (of students, etc.). b. = Matri-
cular 1 b.
1884 Athc/ixum 19 July, We should like to seethe addi-
tion of a modern language to the matriculatory subjects.
1885 Pall Mall G. 15 Jan. 8/1 The increase in the mati k'u-
latory contributions.. has to be taken into account. . -The
portion of the matriculatory contributions not covered by
the revenue will be met by loan.
Matriheritage (nwitrihe'rited;;). rare. [f.
L. mdtr(i)-, mater mother + Heritage.] A pro-
posed name for the system, existing in certain
communities, according to which relationship
through the mother, and not through the father,
constitutes the title to inheritance. So Matri-
he'rital a., pertaining to ' matriheritage'.
1886 Sir G. Campbell in Nature 9 Sept. 455/2 The best
specimen.. of the matriarchal, or perhaps I should raWier
say matri herital system. Ibid., The result of observation
of the Khassyahs has been to separate in my mind the two
ideas of matri heritage and polyandry.
Matrimoi(g)ne, -mone, obs. ff. Matrimony.
Matrimonial (maetrimiJu'nial), a. and sb. [a.
MATRIMONY.
F. matrimonial (14th c. in Hatz.-Darm.) ad. late
L. matrimonial is of or pertaining to matrimony,
f. mdtriim/nium : see Matrimony and -al.]
A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to matrimony.
c 1532 Do Wks Introd. l-'r. in Palsgr. 1049 The seconde
love is called matrimonial!. C1610 Women Saints 67 King
Ecgfride promised him greate suinmes. .if he could persuade
theQueene to vse matrimonial! cotnpanie with him, 1675 9
Mulcravk Ess. Satire 185 tie lugged about the matrimonial
load. 1768 BlACKSTONE Com///, ill. 72 Matrimonial causes
. .are another, .branch of the ecclesiastical jurisdiction. 1780
CowPER Table-t. 74 Willi close fidelity and love unfeigned,
To keep the matrimonial bond unstained. 1829 LyttoN
Dcvcrcux 1. i, He had an exceeding distaste to the matri-
monial state. 1884 'Rita' My l.d. Conceit VII. ii, The
matrimonial knot is not an easy one to slip out of.
b. fig.
a 1568 CoVERDALE Bk. Death xxxix. (1579) 182 To open
vnto the Lorde, to let him in, and with him to passe foorth
into his royal and matrimoniall palace of the euerlastyng
ioyfull kingdome. 1576 Newton Lcmme's Complex. 1. ix.
73 b, To keepe. .an equal poy/e of many monudl consent and
agreemente together betweene them [sc. mind and body].
2. Derived from marriage.
1577-87 1 Iolinsheo Chron., Hist. Scot. 365/1 The Dolphin
of France. -did vehementlie request that the crownc (which
they termc matrimoniall! should be giuen vnto him. 162Z
Bacon Hen. VII 4 If he [Henry VII] relied vpon that Title
(his marriage with Elizabeth of Vork], he could .. but ..
haue rather a Matrimoniall then a Regall power.
3. Calculated to promote matrimony; inclining
towards marriage.
1730 Swift Death \ Daphne, His matrimonial spirit fled.
1749 Fielding Tom 7tf«MXi.iv,Shehad matrimonial charms
in great abundance.
t B. sb. A marriage. Obs.
t 147S Partenay 952 With gieat ioy made lliys matri-
monial.
Hence (nonce-iva's.) Matrimonialism, the doc-
trine of the excellence of matrimony. Matrimoni-
alist, one empowered to celebrate marriages.
1811 Shelley in Dowdcn Life (18S7) I. 174, I will hear youi
arguments for matrimonialism, by which I am now almost
convinced. 1834 Eraser's Mag. IX. 385 Some of those ..
gentlemen who are hoping.. to exalt their sons and cousins
..into a sort of official dignity, as licensed matrimonialists.
Matrimonially (msetrimoo'niaH), adv. [f.
Matrimonial + -ly '-.]
1. According to the manner or laws of matrimony.
1606 Maeston Ftamu Wks. 1856 II 75 The Romans ..
thought that a woman might mixe her thigh with a stranger
wantonly, and yet still love her husband matrimonially.
a 1631 Donne Fifty Serm. (1649) 16 How Matrimonially so-
ever such persons as have marled themselves may pretend
to love,., yet.. all that life is but a regulated Adultery. 1726
Ayliffe Parergon 123 He is so matrimonially wedded unto
his Church, that he cannot quit the same. 1865 Dickens
Mut. Fr. 1. iv, According to the principle which matrimoni-
ally unites contrasts.
2. By right of marriage.
1880 MuiRHEADi7alHJlIl.|3Th< same may be said of her
who is matrimonially in mann of a grandson.
3. As regards the state of matrimony.
1886 Law Times LXXX. 336/2 Both parties actually did
regard themselves as matrimonially free,
t MatrimO'nious, a. Obs. [f. Matrimony :
see -OUS.] a. Pertaining to marriage, b. Con-
ducive to matrimony.
1645 Milton Tetrach. Wks. 1851 IV. 175 The miserable
work that mans ignorance and pusillanimity would make in
this matrimonious busines. 1837 Lady Granville Lett.
(1894) II. 224 The green room is matrimonious.
Hence Matrimo'niously adv., matrimonially.
1839 Blachw. Mag. XLVI. 28 When a man is malrimo-
niously inclined, let him keep his own counsel.
t Matrimonize, v. Obs. [f. Matrimony +
-I7.E.] trans. To cause to marry.
1612 W. Parkes Curtai/ie-Dr. (1876) 12 It could not matri-
monize age and youth.
Matrimony (martrimani). Forms : 4 matir-
nioyne, -monye, matrimon, matermoyn(o, ma-
tremoyrte, matermone, raatrimoyrie, -moine,
Sc. matrimone, 4-5 matrimoigne, 4-6 matry-
mony, matrimonye, 5 matremony, 6 matry-
monio, 6-7 matrimoiiie, 4- matrimony, [a. OF.
malienioinc, -oyne, -eigne, a. L. mdtrimoni-um
wedlock, marriage, f. mdtr-em mother : see -M0NY.]
1. The rite of marriage ; the action of marrying.
1303 R. Brunne Handl. Syune 11 156 The syxte sacrament
ys matrymony, fere hyt ys do ry3twusly. 1362 Langl.
/'. PI. A. x. 201 Sebben la we hah I-loket bat vche mon haue a
make In Mariage and Matrimoyne I-Medlet to-gedere.
c 1386 Chaccek Knt.'s T. 2237 Bitwixen hem was maad
anon the bond, That highte matrimoigne or mariage. c 1440
Gesta Rom. xlviii. 214 (Harl. MS.) What tyme that the
solempnite of the matrimonye is made, holdithe him with
yow. 1508 Dunbar Tua mariit Wemen 152 Sen man ferst
with matrimony 30W menkit in kirk, How haif ?e fame
be ;our failh? 1347 Homilies 1. Agst. Swearing I. (1850)
75 The saciament of matrimony knittetll man and wife in
perpetual love. 1548 Cranmer Catech. 70 The fayth and
promise made in matrimony. 1651 Houbes Leviath. IV.
xlvii. 383 Teaching that Matrimony i3 a Sacrament, giveth
to the Clergy the Judging of the lawfulness of Marriages.
1660 K.CoKE/Vrwr A> Subj. 78 Matrimony is the act of two
free persons, .mutually taking one another for husband and
wife. 1765 BUvCWTOMB C<MU», I. xvi. 444 All children born
before matrimony are bastards by our law. 1841 Lane
Arab. Nts. I. 65 The tie of blood is, to him [an Arab], in
every respect, stronger than that of matrimony. 1902 1 . M.
MATRIOTISM.
238
MATRON.
Lindsay Ck. $ Ministry in Early Cent. v. 198 In such a
solemn action as matrimony the blessing of the Church
should be joined to the Civil contract.
Personified. 1500-ao Dunbar Poems xlii. 97 Matremony,
that nobill king, Was grevit.
fig. i 1440 Gesla Rom. ix. 26 (Harl. MS.), Our lord ihesu
crist,. .drowe matrimony with vs, bat is to say, when bat he
tooke our kynde.
f b. A joining in wedlock ; a marriage ; an alli-
ance by marriage. Obs.
c 1380 Wvci.ii- Set. Wks. III. 348 pel maken many divorsis,
and many matrimonies, unleveful. ctqooDesir. Troy 9223
A manage & matremony hole. 1532 Latimer Let. to Bayn-
ton in Foxe A. $ M. (1583) 1751/2, I haue had more busines
in my little cure since I spake with you, what with sicke
folkes, and what with matrimonies, then I haue had since I
came to it. 1535 Cromwell in Merriman Life fy Lett. (1902)
I. 404 The saide Bisshop of Rome.. ought to approbate and
confyrme this present inatrymonie. 1622 Mabde it. A /email's
Guzman d'Alf. 11. 253 That which they doe .. is noother
thing, then to dissolue a matrimonie, and to openadooreto
the Uevill. 1660 R. Coke Justice Vind. 2 If he were just,
because he did adorn his Sisters with highest matrimonies
[etc.]. 1737 Whiston Josephus, Antiq. xx. vll. § 3 He
forsook at once this matrimony.
fc. A manner of marrying; nuptial ceremonial.
1718 Lady M. W. Montagu Lett, to Ctess Bristol (18S7)
I. 242 What is most extraordinary in their customs, is their
matrimony.
fd. The marriage service. Obs.
1700 I >kyden Sigismonda 165 The holy man . . Made haste
to sanctify the bliss by law; And muttered fast the matri-
mony o'er. 1724 Mrs. M. Davys Reformed Coquet 86, I
doubt not but your Chaplain has the Matrimony by heart;
but, if not, pray let him con his lesson before he comes.
2. The state or condition of being husband and
wile ; the relation between married persons.
ci3»5 dfetr. Horn. 121 Ef Crist paied no ware Of matir-
moyne [Camb. MS. matrimon]..he noht thar [sc. til Cana
Galile] Cumen. c 1340 Hampole Prose Tr. 11 In assys or
cause of matremoyne. 1377 Langl. P. PI. B. xvi. 219
Matrimoigne with-oute motllerye is nou^t moche to preyse.
( 1386 Chaucer Pars. T. F 843 Matrimoyne is leefful assem-
blynge of man And of womman. 1422 tr. Secrela Secret.,
Priv. Priv. 192 Matremony is a dingnite ordeyned of god.
I432"So tr. Higdeu (Rolls) II. 391 Hercules gate a son,,
whiche reignede after hym, not geten in trewe matrimony.
1529 More Suf>pl. Soulys Wks. 307/2 Then shall matrimony
be much better kepte. 1643 Milton Divorce 1. Pref.,The
misinterpreting of the scripture .. hath chang'd the blessing
of matrimony not seldom into a familiar and co-inhabiting
mischief. 1722 De Foe Relig. Courtsh. 1. iii. (1840) 93 The
very laws of matrimony forbid it. 1829 Lytton Deuereux 1.
i, Nothing in his estimation was less becoming to a wise
man than matrimony.
fb. Phrases. To break matrimony : to commit
adultery. To make matrimony: to join in wedlock.
To make to matrimony : to take to wife. Obs.
1377 Langl. P. PI. B. xv. 235 If bei lacchen syluer And
matrimoigne for monye maken & vnmaken. 1432-50 tr.
J/igden (Rolls) IV. gTakenge the do^hter of Darius to matri-
mony. 1526 Tindale Matt. v. 32 Whosoever put awaye his
wyfe .. causeth her to breake matrimony. 1568 Grafton
Chron. II. 443 Forbiddyng them aboue all thinges the
brech of Matrimonie, the vse of swearyng [etc. J.
f 3. A husband or wife. Obs.
c 1620 Fletcher & Mass. Little Fr. Lawyer iv. v, Restore
iny Matrimony undehTd. 1673 Drydkn Marr. a la Mode
II. i, That sign of a husband there, that lazy matrimony.
f4. (Seequot.) Obs.
1757 W. Thompson R. N. Advoc 41 If these Oxen do not
weigh this weight, the practice of Matrimony is then intro-
duced.. . It is weighing the Fore Quarter of a heavy Ox with
the Hind Quarter of a light Ox, by which conjugated State
they, .produce the Standard Weight.
6. A game played with a full pack of cards and
resembling Pope Joan. Also, the combination
of king and queen of trumps in Pope Joan, Matri-
mony,and other games of cards. (Cf. Marriage 7.)
1801 Strutt Sports if- Past. iv. ii. 296 We have also the
Game of Snake, and the more modern Game of Matrimony,
with others of the like kind. 1830 R. Hardie Hoyle's Games,
Pope Joan 82 Matrimony is the king and queen, and Intrigue
the knave and queen of trumps. Ibid., Matrimony 83 The
game, .consists of five chances, viz. Matrimony, which is king
and queen [etc.]. 1837 Dickens Pickiu. vi, When the spinster
aunt got 'matrimony', the young ladies laughed afresh.
1876 Capt. Crawley Card Players' Man. 211 Matrimony.,
is played with a full pack of cards. 1887 All Year Round
5 Feb. 66 There was Matrimony [in Pope Joan].. the win-
ning of which caused such delightful confusion to the in-
genuous maid of the period.
6. slang and dial. A mixture of two comes-
tibles or beverages.
1813 Examiner 17 May 317/1 That injudicious mixing of
wines, which is called matrimony. 188a Ouilvie, Matri*
mony..^. A name given jocularly to raisins and almonds
mixed, and various other common combinations. 1892
Marianne North Recollect. Happy Life I. 103 They gave
us glasses of ' matrimony ', a delicious compound made of
star-apple sugar and the juice of Seville oranges.
7. Comb, in matrimony cake dial. (cf. 6), a
round cake consisting of a layer of currants between
two layers of pastry ; matrimony -vine, a name
for Lycium barbarum or J,, vu/gare.
1866 Treas. Bot., Matrimony-vine.
Matriotism (mi^triJuz'm). nonce-wd. [Al-
tered from Patriotism, after L.wrt^-mother.] Love
of one's mother country or of one's ' alma mater '.
1856 Ix>well Lett. (1894)1. 301, I am delighted with
your wmtriotism ' Rome, Venice, Cambridge I* 1885 H. C
Beeching in Academy 14 Feb. 109/2 Though Mr. Lang's
matriotism is thus divided, he has only one fatherland.
Matris, obs. form of Matrice.
jMatrisate, v. Obs. rare—°. [f. ppl. stem
of L. watrissdre, f. mdtr-em mother.] intr. To
! imitate a mother. 17*7 »'» Bailw vol. II.
Matrix (m^'triks). PL matrixes, matrices.
fa. L. matrix (stem matru-)y in late L. womb, in
older Latin pregnant animal, female animal used
; for breeding ; app. f. mater mother, by change of
the ending into the suffix of fem. agent-nouns.
! Cf. Matrice.
The L. plural matrices is normally pronounced (matroi's/z),
but in the industrial sense 4 the prevailing pronunciation is
(martrisiz), prob. from association with the pi. of Matrice.]
1. The uterus or womb. Also occas. used for
Ovary, esp. with reference to oviparous animals.
15*6 Tindale Luke ii. 23 Every man chylde that fyrst
openeth the matrix shalbe called holy to the lorde. 1547
Boorde Brev. Health iii. 8 Abhorsion .. maye come by
, ventositie and lubricite of humours in the matryx. 1615
i Crooke Body of Man 272 The partes of the Female are the
■ wombe and the rest which by a general name are called
matrices. 1655 Moufet & Bennkt Health's Improv. (1746)
202 The Matrix of Beasts. . is but a sinewy and hard Sub-
stance. 1726-31 Tindal Rapins Hist. Eng. (1743) II. xvn.
74 note. The women that attended about Queen Mary
alledged that her Matrix was consumed. 1765 Treat. Dow.
Pigeons 15 The ovary, or upper matrix of the hen, or female
bird. 1803 Med. Jrnl. IX. 57 The matrix . . was uncommonly
small, and the right ovarium .. had attached to it small
excrescences. 1816 Kirby& Sr. Entomol. II. 36 This part.,
is now a vast matrix of eggs. 1840 Cuvier's Anim. Kingd.
40 The foetus, immediately after conception, descends, .into
the matrix.
2. A place or medium in which something is
1 bred ', produced, or developed.
1555 Eden Decades 31 margin, Mountaynes are the
matrices of golde. Ibid. 141 They founde certaine pearles
coommynge foorthe of their matreces. 1594 Plat Jcivcll-ho.
1. 22 That which is yet chalke within the Matrix of the earth.
1641 French Distill, v. (1651) 161 Untill they.. be received
into certain matrixes in the earth which may make them put
■ forth this potentiall saltnesse into act. 1671 J. Webster
Metallogr. iii. 46 Framed in their several seminaries, ma-
trixes, or seed-husks. 1691 Ray Creation 11. (1692) 82 A con-
venient Harbor or Matrix to cherish and hatch their Eggs.
1713 Derham Phys.-Theol. iv. xiii. 230 These Matrixes may
much conduce to the Maturation and Production of the
Young. 1717-52 Chambers Cyct. s.v., The earth is the
matrix wherein seeds sprout ; and marcasites are by many
considered as the matrixes of metals. 1853 Kane Grinncll
Exp. xviii. (1857) 138 The question whether unmixed snow
can act as a vegetative matrix. 1879 H. George Progr. $
Pov. x. ii. (1881) 453 This is the matrix in which mind un-
folds. 1880 Basuan Brain 39 This intermediate tissue is.,
the probable matrix wherein and from which new nerve
fibres, .are evolved in animals.
b. A place or point of origin and growth.
1605 Camden Rem. (1637) 56 The old German tongue,
which undoubtedly is the matrix and mother of our English.
1867 Manning Eng. ty Christendom 242 The root and matrix
of the Catholic Church. 1896 Peterson Mag. VI. 263/1 The
matrix of the anti war feeling was in New England.
C. The formative part of an animal organ, e.g.
the pulp and capsule of the mammalian tooth ;
the hair-papilla {Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890) ; the ' bed '
in which the finger or toe-nails grow.
1835-6 Todd Cycl. Anat. I. 351/2 The matrix, or organ by
which the perfect feather is produced, has the form of an
elongated cylindrical cone. 1854 Owen Skel. <\ Teeth in
Circ. Sci., Organ. Nat. I. 280 The matrix of certain teeth
does not give rise, .to the germ of asecond tooth. 1858 H.
Gray Anat. 545 The part of the cutis beneath the body and
root of the nail is called the matrix.
d. Bot. The body on which a fungus or a lichen
grows.
1857 Berkeley Cryptog. Bot. § 39. 54 The nature of the
communication between the plants and matrix in the para-
sitic fungi. 1874 Cooke Fungi 25 These spores .. deposit
themselves . . on the surface of the Tremella and on its
matrix.
f e. 'The inward, soft, pithy and spungy part
of any Tree or Plant' (Phillips, ed. Kersey, 1706).
1693 tr. Blancard's Phys. Diet. (ed. 2), Matrix,.. Among
Vegetables it signifies the Marrow or Heart of a Plant. 1704
J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, Matrix of a Tree or Plant, is the
same with what the Botanists call Cor.
3. An embedding or enclosing mass; esp. the
rock-mass surrounding or adhering to things em-
bedded in the earth, as metal (see Gangue), fossils,
gems nnd the like.
1641 French Distill, v. {1651) 161 Which, .as yet have no
saline ta*t, untill they meet with such principles, and be
received into certain matrixes in the earth. 1756-7 tr.
Keysler's Trav. (1760) I. 48 In the matrix of an emerald, you
may see how this gem concretes. 1802 Playfair Itlustr.
Hntton. Theory 78 Some of the species of whinstone are the
common matrices of agates and chalcedonies. 1871 Trans.
Aruer. Inst. Mining Engin. I. 95 Their [sc. oresj earthy
portions we designate as their ' matrix ' or ' gangue '. 1884
A'nowlcdge 4 Apr. 222/2 The consolidated eruptive mud
of the mines was believed by some to be the true matrix
of the diamond.
b. Biol. The substance situated between animal
or vegetable cells.
i8oj Med. Jrnl. VIII. 300 Their vascular structure [sc.
of bonesl is enveloped in a matrix. 1875 Bennett & Dyer
tr. Sachs* Bot. 54 The matrix which surrounds the grains
of aleurone in oily seeds is. .always a mixture of oily matter
and albuminoids. i88x Mivart Cat 17 The structureless
substance and fibres form what is called the matrix of the
tissue. 1890 Cooke Introd. Eresh-w.Algx 156 The mucous
matrix containing the families of cells seems [etc.]. 1896 All-
butVs Syst. Med. I. 115 The intercellular matrix undergoes
modifications or degenerative changes during inflammation.
4. A mould in which something is cast or shaped ;
in Type-founding, a piece of metal (usually copper)
on which the letter has been stamped in intnglio
by means of a punch, so that it forms a mould for
the face of the type ; in Coining, the stamp and
* bed ' used for striking coins ; in Stereotyping, the
paper squeeze of a form of type, serving as a mould
ior a type-metal cast.
1626 Ussher Lett. (1686) 343 His Matrices of the Oriental
Tongues are bought by Elzevir the Printer. 1695 Wood-
ward Nat. Hist. Earth (1723) 22 These Shells having served
as Matrices or Moulds to them [sc. fossils]. 1709 Tanner
3 Oct. in Ballard AfSS. IV. 53 They find the want of
Matrices at their Press. 183a Babbage Eton. Mannf. xi.
led. 3) 74 Each matrix being in fact a piece of copper of the
same size as the type. 183a Act 2 Will II', c. 34 § 10 Any
Puncheon, Counter-puncheon, Matrix, Stamp, Die, Pattern
or Mould in or upon which there shall be made or impressed
.. the Figure [etc.]. .of any of the King's current Gold or
Silver Coin. 1851 D. Wilson Preh. Ann. (1863) I. 11. ii. 347
Moulded into form in the double matrix of stone or metal.
1859 Sala Gasdight fy D. ii. 27 His nimble fingers are shap-
ing out the matrix of a monstrous human face, for a panto-
mimic mask. iB68Arch,?ot. Jrnl. XXV. 247 Matrix of the
seal of William Picard [exhibited] 1879 J. Timbs in Cas-
selfs Techn. Educ. 1. 27/2 Founding metal types in a matrix
or mould. 190a Hodckin Rariora II. 52 The discovery or
invention of the leaden matrix, which played . . so important
a part in very early typography.
b. Antiq. The bed or hollowed place in a slab
in which a monumental brass is fixed.
1861 Haines Mon. Brasses 1. exxni, There is the matrix of
a brass at Tormarton. 1863 Sir G.G Scott Glean. IVesttu.
Abb. (ed. 2) 150 Traces of the matrices of two brass shields.
1864 Boutell Her. Hist. <y Pop. xx. 337 Deeply scored with
the matrices of the lost Brasses. 1890 J. T. Fowler in
Proc. Soc. Antiq. Ser. 11. XIII. 39 The grooves and holes
for running lead to the rivets are distinctly seen in the
matrices.
5. Dentistry. A plate of metal or composition
to serve as a temporary wall for a cavity of a tooth
during filling.
1883 G. Cunningham in Dental Record III. 458 No
matter whether one or two or even all the walls of the
cavity are gone, they may l>e restored by a matrix. Ibid,
529 Ordinary tinned iron, and also dental alloy, have been
used for the purpose of matrices, but have been entirely
discarded by me in favour of platinum.
6. Math. A rectangular arrangement of quan-
tities or symbols.
1858 Caylev in Coll. Math, Papers (1889) II. 475 The
term matrix might be used in a more general sense, but in
the present memoir I consider only square and rectangular
matrices. 190a Encycl. Brit. XXV. 277 '2 A matrix has in
many parts of mathematics a signification apart from its
evaluation as a determinant. Ibid. 278/1 The matrix con-
sists of « rows and n columns.
7. attrib. and Comb.t as matrix-maker, f -suffoca-
tion; matrix tin, vase; matrix-encircled adj.
1598 Sylvester Du Bartas 11. i. nt. Furies 566 Such are
the fiuitfull Matrix-suffocation, The Falling-sickness, and
pale Swouning- passion. 1656 Earl Monm. tr. Boccatini's
Advts.fr. Parnass. 101 This Serjeant was son to a Matrix-
maker. 1857 Birch Anc. Pottery (1858) 1 1. 353 This matrix
vase was made of a very fine bright red clay. 1873 C
Robinson N. S. Wales 57 Irrespective of vein or matrix tin.
1890 ' R. Boldrewood ' Miner s Right (1899) 177/2 Many a
quaint fragment, or matrix-encircled nugget, ..was bm>
ferred. .on that auspicious day.
Matron (mi'i'tran). Forms: 4-7 matrone, 5
matroun, 6- matron, [a. V. matrone (=Sp.,
Pg., It. matrona), ad. L, matrona, f. matr-em>
mater mother.]
1. A married woman, usually with the accessory
idea of (moral or social) rank or dignity.
Roman matron: sometimes referred to as a proverbial
type of feminine dignity of character or bearing. British
matron : in recent use, jocularly taken as the representative
of certain social prejudices and rigorous notions of conven-
tional propriety supposed to be characteristic of married
women of the English upper middle-class. *
c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxxix. (Cosme $ Damyane) 35 In
bat cyte wes a matrone, l>at of gret gudnes had renon.
c 1430 h\xxi.Min. Poems (PercySoc.) 70 O noble matrouns,
whiche have al suflfisaunce Of wommanhede, yowre wittes
doth up dresse. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 330/1 Matrone, eld
woman, matrona. 01548 Hall Chron., Hen. /'//20 b, She
was layed naked in the bride bed, in the presence of diuerse
noble matrones and Prynces. 1607 Shaks. Cor. n. i. 279
Matrons (long Gloues, Ladies and Maids their ScarfTes, and
Handkerchers, Vpon him as he pass'd. 1667 Milton /'. L.
xi. 136 Leucothea.. when Adam and first Matron Eve Had
ended now their Orisons. 1695 Dryden Parallel Poetry <y
Painting Ess. (ed. Ker) II. 129 Neither is there any ex*
pression in that story, which a Roman matron might not
read without a blush. 1766 Goldsm. Vic. W. xxxii, The
question was, whether my eldest daughter, as being a matron,
should not sit above the two young brides. 180a Wordsw.
Sailor's Mother, And like a Roman matron's was her mien
and gait. 1817 Shelley Rev. Islam iv. xxi. 7 Virgins
bright, And matrons with their babes. 1835 Thirlwall
Greece I. 327 A dignity of character, which makes them
worthy rivals of the Roman matrons. 1867 Trollope Chron.
Barset (1869) I. xxiv. 25^ She was fat, heavy, and good-
looking ;. .a youthful British matron every inch of her.
T[ b. in personifications.
1581 Sidney Apol. Poctrie (Arb.) 68 So is that honny-
fiowing Matron Eloquence. .disguised, in a Curtizan-like
painted affectation. 1591 Shaks. Rom. -V Jul. in. ii. 11 Come
ciuill night, Thou sol>er suted Matron all in blacke.
c. Keel. As the distinctive title of a married
female saint. (Cf. virgin.)
1519 Aberd. Reg. (1844) I. 96 In honor of God and the
MATRONAGE.
239
MATTE
glorious matron Sanct Anne. 1862 Br. Wordsworth Hymn, 1
'Hark, the sound of holy voices* ii, Saintly Maiden, godly '
Matron, Widows who have watch 'd to prayer.
2. spec. A married woman considered as having
expert knowledge in matters of childbirth, preg-
nancy, etc.; now only injury of matrons (see
Jury 2 f.). f Also, applied in plural to married
women who render assistance, or friendly offices in
or after childbirth.
(So F. matrons ; cf. also inod.L. matrona ' midwife ' (Syd.
Soc. Lex.).]
1491 Caxton Vitas Pair. (1495) 198 J he mat rones or
myddewyfes that were come to her for to receyve the
child. 1631 Milton F.pit. March. Winchester 23 Once had
the early Matrons run To greet her of a lovely son. 1650
Weldon Crt. Jas. / 79 A Jury of grave Matrons ..after
their inspection gave verdict, she was (intacta virgo).
3. A woman (not, according to present usage,
necessarily a married woman) who has official charge
of the domestic arrangements of a public institu-
tion such as a hospital, school, prison, etc.
1557 Order of Hospilalts E ij h, The Matron, in govern-
inge the wemen and keping the provision of Bedds, Sheets,
Shirts and other committed to her charge. 1706 Phillips,
Matron. . . Also one of the grave Women that have the Over-
sight of Children in an Hospital. 1780 Johnson Let. to Dr.
Vyse 30 Dec, The matron of the Chartreux is about to
resign her place. 1791 Bentham Pauipt. 1. Postscr. 43 There
must be a Chaplain, a Surgeon, and a Matron. 1801 Med.
Jml.W. 291 'I he servants of the House shall consist of
a Matron, who shall superintend the domestic concerns ;
three ordinary nurses [etc.J. 187I1 Rep. Directors Convict
Prisons 444 Superannuated. 1 engineer, 1 matron. 1896
AllbutCs Syst. Med. I. 424 This power [of moving pro-
bationers) should be vested in the matron, herself a trained
nurse.
4. attrih. quasi-^'. (pertaining to or character-
istic of a matron) as matron air, brow, cap, cheeky
face, form, grace, heart, lip, step, weed , years ;
(consisting of matrons) as matron-train.
1836 Caroline B. Southev Poet. IVks. (1867) 13 She, with
"matron airs, Who gravely lectures her rebellious doll.
1725 Pope Odyss. I. 534 When the star of eve with golden
light Adorn'd the 'matron brow of sable night, c 1820 S.
Rogers Italy (1839) 29 Young as she was, she wore the
•matron-cap. 1810 Jane Porter Scot. Chiefs 338 Wallace
pressed her 'matron cheek to his. 1775 S. J. Pratt Liberal
Opin. xxxviii. (1783) I. 223 The dear furrows of her * matron
face. 1718 Rowe tr. Lucan 1. 353 Her awful head Rome's
rev'rend image rear'd, Trembling and sad the * Matron form
appear'd. 1813 Shelley Q. Mat* viii. 120 Autumn proudly
bears her "matron grace. 1779 Rocks of Meillerie 51 Ye
piteous sighs, that burst my *matron heart. 1667 Milton
P. L. iv. 501 He..press*d her "Matron lip With kisses pure.
1784 Cowi'ER Task iv. 246 With "matron step slow moving.
1726 Pope Odyss. xxii. 521 The "matron-train with all the
virgin band Assemble here. 1811 W. R. Spencer Poems 15
To gem the "matron weeds of night. 1810 S. Green Re-
formist II. 7 The wanton wife, whose "matron years and
situation should teach her gravity.
Matron, obs. form of Marten.
Matronage (m^troned^). [f, prec. +-age.]
L A body of matrons ; matrons collectively.
1771 Mrs. Griffith Hist. Lady Barton II. 56 Some sort
of foundation, under the government of a respectable
matronage. .would certainly be an institution most devoutly
to be wished for. 1796 Burke Regie. Peace i. Wks. VIII.
192 His exemplary Queen, at the head of the matronage of
this land. 1825 Scott Betrothed xi, The Lady of Hugh de
Lacy will be one of the foremost among the matronage of
England, i860 Hook Lives Abps. (1868) I. in. 477 The
matronage of England rose up in chaste indignation.
2. Guardianship by a matron.
1771 Mrs. Griffith Hist. Lady Barton II. 270, I was
under the matronage of my aunt Marriot. 1774 Westw.
Mag. II. 257 He should be able finally to place her under
the safe matronage of his dear wife. 1798 Charlotte Smith
Yng. Philos. III. 175 If you had thought proper to have
transmitted your daughter to the protective matronage of
your truly estimable mother. 1878 Tinsley's Mag. XXIII.
94 A species of. .picnic, under the matronage of the volatile
Rosamund. 1878 J. Grant Ld. Hermitage 249 She.. had
only done so. .under the matronage of the housekeeper.
3. The state or condition of being a matron.
1870 Lowell Study Wind. (1886) 165 Underscorings in
young ladies* letters [arej a wonder.. to themselves under ;
the colder north-light of matronage. 1884 Mrs. F. Miller
Hi. Martineau 52 Matronage is a profession in itself.
MatrOlial (matronal), a, [a. F. matronal
(Cotgr.)ad. L. mdlronalisj. matrona : see Matron
and -al.]
1. Of, pertaining to, or appropriate to a matron.
1609 Douland Ornith. Microl. 36 Others do loue the
decent, and as it were, matronall carriage of the eight [tone].
1619 Sir A. Gorges tr. Bacons De Sap. Vet. 19 Besydes
(for her matronall chastity) shee was held venerable by
Antiquity. 1622 Bacon Hen. VII 218 He hail heard of the
Beautie .. of the young Queene of Naples, .. being then
of Matronall yeares of seuen and twentie. 1777 Johnson
Let. to Mrs. Titrate 19 May, When you are, with matronal
authority, talking down juvenile hopes. 1822 T. Taylor
Apuleius 59, 1 have always despised matronal embraces.
1876 Bancroft Hist. U. S. V. lxvi. 285 Susanna Smith
Elliott., stepped forth.. in matronal beauty.
2. Having the characteristics of a matron.
1748 Richardson Clarissa (1811) VI. 18 The dialogues !
between the old matronal lady and the young lady. 1847
Smeaton Builder's ATan. 203 Draped matronal figures.
1849 Clough Amours de Voy. 1. 160 Eager for battle here
Stood Vulcan, here matronal Iuno.
Hence Matronall?, adv. rare"'0,
17*7 in Bailey vol. II.
II Matronalia(ma;'tron^'lia). [L. Mdtronalia, \
neut. pi. of matronalis : see prec] A festival in
honour of Mars celebrated by the Roman matrons.
1706 in Phillips (ed. Kersey). 1869 Lecky Euro/. A/or.
(1877) I. ii. 301 The Saturnalia and Matronalia. . were the
most popular holidays in Rome.
Matronhood (m^tranhud). [f. Matron +
-hood.] The state or condition of being a matron.
1836 Mrs. Gore Mrs. Army tage\. 142 Had not matronhood
and maternity chanced to recall her to the softer duties of
her sex. 1868 M. Collins Sweet Anne Page III. 271 A
very dainty presentment of matronhood.
Matronism (m^'troniz'm). rare. [f. Matron
+ -ISM.] a. The qualities appropriate to a matron.
b. Guardianship by a matron.
1606 Birnie Kirk- Buriall Dcd., Your Mother, the inirrour
of all godly graue matronisme. 1815 Zeluca I. 95, I know
that in this age female matronism is as serviceable as
paternal vigilance can be to daughters,
Matronize (m^'tnSndiz), v. [f. Matrox +
-IZE.]
1. trans. To render matronly.
1754 Richardson Grandison (1781) VII. xxxix. 190 She
will be matronized now. The Mother must make her a
Wife. 1797 Mrs. A. M. Bennett Beggar Girl (1813) II.
137 Every step taken by him, to lessen the expences of his
family, and matronize his wife. 1843 Caroline B. Solthey
Poet, IVks. (1867) 197 Life's grave duties matronize the bride.
2. intr. To become or be made a matron.
180a H. Martin Helen ofGleuross I. 212, I respect matii-
mony, and should be sorry not to see you some day matron-
ized. 187a M. Collins Pr. Clarice II. xix. 216, I love Isis
in its maidenhood, before it matronises into Thames.
3. trans. To act as a matron to ; to cha[>eron.
1807-8 W. Irving Salmag. 11824) 7 When young ladies
used to go a sleigh-riding at night. . without being matron-
ized. 1818 Miss Kerriek Alarriage I. 295 Lady Mac-
laughlan..will matronize you to the play. Ibid., You are
rather young to matronize yourself yet. 1881 Miss Braddon
Asph. II. 206, I wish we could have old Spicer in to ma-
tronise the party. 1888 Scribner's Mag. Oct. 455/2 Some
married cousin had been found to matronize them.
b. U.S. To preside as a matron over, to act as
hostess to (a party, etc.).
1892 Boston (Mass.) Jrnl. 17 Nov. 8/3 Members of the
committee will matronize the rooms daily. 1897 Howells
Land/. Lion's Head 204 The lady who was matronizing the
tea recognized him.
II 4. Used humorously for patronize when said
of a feminine subject.
1830 Btackw. Alag. XXVIII. 893 Madam, you do not
matronise— and, sir, you do not pat ionise — waltzing? 1833
Ibid. XXXIII. 146 The poetry matronized by fashion i^
sufficiently so-so-ish.
Hence Ma*tronized fpt, a., Ma'tronizing vbl.
sb. and ///. a.
a 1825 Fuseli Aphor., Life $ Writ. (1831) III. 128 The
Madonnas of Raflaelle. .are uniformly transcripts, .of some
favourite face matronized. 1867 Mrs. Whitney /-. Gotd-
thwaite iv, They were to. .participate, .under her matron-
izing.in city gave ties. i9&%Century Mag. XXVI. 283 The
matronizing of a houseful of hungry school-boys. 1897
Howells Landl. Lion's Head 213 They stood before the
matronizing hostess.
Matron-like (nfi'tranlaik), a. [f. Matron
+ -LIKE.] Resembling or befitting a matron ;
matronly. AtsoyS^.
IS7S_8S Abp. Sandys Sertn. xvi. 281 The husband shold
labour to reforme his wife; to.. frame her to discretion,
sobrietie, al matron like vertues, & all godlinesse. 1577
Nobthbrooke Dicing (1843) 150 Their daunces werc.ma-
tronelyke, mouing scarce little or nothing in their gestures
at all. 1642 Howkll For. Trav. (Arb.) 17 Whereas Religion
should go array'd in a grave Matron like habit, they have
clad her rather like a wanton Courtisane in light dresses.
1645 Evelyn Diary June, The heads of two matron-like
servants or old women. 1710 Addison Taller No. 120 r 5
The Front of it was raised on Corinthian Pillars, with all
the meretricious Ornaments that accompany that Order ;
whereas that of the other was composed of the chaste and
matron-like Ionic.
Matronly (mJi-tronli), a. [f. Matron + -ly 1.]
Like a matron ; characteristic of or suitable to a
matron.
1656 Artif. Handsom. 72 Painting, polishing, and pruning
(beyond a matronly comelinesse or gravity), a 1660 Ham-
mond Serm. Wks. 1684 IV. 564 Noted by all the neighbour-
hood for an absolute Wife; a grave, solemn, matronly
Christian. 1754 Richardson Graudison (1811) II. v. 86 In
every matronly lady I have met with a mother : in many
young ladies- -sisters. "824 Miss Mitford Village Ser. 1.
26 She was making a handsome matronly cap. 1882 Miss
Braddon Mt. Royal II. x. 212 The figure was a shade
more matronly.
Comb. i8x8 Lady Morgan Auiobiog. (1859) I3I note,
This mild and matronly- looking lady.
Hence Ma'tronliness, matronly quality.
1852 James Peqninillo III. 236 A certain composedness of
manner and matronliness of dress. 1881 Miss G. M.Craik
Sydney II. ix. 247 You have a pretty kind of matronliness
about you.
Matronly (m^-tranli), adv. [f. Matron +
-lt 2.1 In the manner of a matron.
1590 Spenser F.Q. i.x. 8 She., toward them full matronely
did pace. 1824 Galt Rothelan 1. 1. xiL 109 Being, .matronly
engaged.. in soothing her little orphan to sleep.
Matronship (m^'tranfip). [f. Matron +
-SHIP.]
1. The personality of a matron. In your, her
matronship, jocularly used as a title.
1591 Lyly Endym. 11. ii, I crye your Matronship mercy.
1620 Shelton Quix. III. xxxvii. 264 But for her Matron-
ship, I like it, that ye stir not a Foot. 17x8 D'Ukfey
Grecian Heroine in. ii, Is your Matronship grown mad o
th' sudden. 1868 Holme Lee B. Godfrey xv. 81 Which
time only can answer to your judicious matronship's
satisfaction.
2. - Matronhood.
1831 Eraser's Mag. IV. n The above galaxy.. of staid
matronship, frisking maidenhood, and sweet romance.
3. The office of ' matron* in a public institution,
as a hospital, workhouse, or the like.
c 1843 Dickens Lett. (1880) III. 43, I can't state in figures
. .the number of candidates for the Sanatorium matronship.
1888 Scott. Leader 5 Oct. 5 Dundee Infirmary Matronship.
Matronymic (maetranrmik). [Hybrid f. L.
matr-, mater mother, after PATRONYMIC. Cf. lt.
matronimico.] A. = Metronymic a.
1874 I. Taylok Etrusc. Res. 224 The Etruscan matronymic
suffix is occasionally -««/ instead of -at.
B. = Metronymic sb.
1794 Mrs. Piozzi Synon. II. 41 Men . . were . . named . .
sometimes by matronymics, as Anson, Nelson, &c. 1817
Colebrooke Algebra 30 note, Arjuna, sur named Part ha :
his matronymic from Prlt'ha. 1888 G. \>\ Bernkval in N.
'V 0' 7 Jan- M/1 The Spanish custom of appending the
matronymic.
b. A metronymic suffix.
1874 I. Taylor Etrusc. Res. 223 Aid, a form which may
exactly represent the sound of the Etruscan matronymic -at.
So f Matronymical a. (in quot. app. misused in
the sense of * vernacular').
c 1640 J. Smyth Hundred of Berkeley (1885) 35 (There is]
a little meade called Riam, whither on Sunday next after
Whitsunday resorted the youthes of boih sexes. .a day
known in all the quarters thereabouts by the matronimicall
name of Riam-inead Sunday.
MatrOSS (matrfs). Mil. Obs. exc. Hist. Also
7 matroze, moutross, 8-9 mattross. [a. Du.
matroos sailor (whence G. mat rose, Da., Sw. ma
tros), app. a corruption of F. mate lot sailor.] A
soldier next in rank below the gunner in a train of
artillery, who acted as a kind of assistant or mate-
In the U.S. the term was synonymous with private of
artillery.
1639 in Grose Milit. Antiq. (1786) I. 373 Captain of the
pioneers, Quarter master, Four conductors of the matrozes,
Forty matrozes. 1646 in Rushw. Hist. Coll. iv. I. 252 To
execute Martial Law.. upon all Gunners Matrosses and
Soldiers there in pay. 1698 Fryer Ace. E. India <y /'. 38
There being in pay.. of English and Portuguez, 700. reckon-
ing the Montrosses and Gunners. 1745 Gentl. Mag. 249
Artillery: Wounded — 1 conductor, 2 Serjeants .. 13 ma-
trosses. 1787 Kent. Trav. Companion 24 A laboratory,
where the matlrosses are employed in the composition of
fireworks and cartridges. 1793 Stat. Massachusetts 22 June
[in force until 1810], Each company of Artillery shall con-
sist of one Captain, two Lieutenants, ..six Gunners, six
Bombardiers,, .and thirty two privates or Matrosses. 1800
DuNDAsinOwen Wellesley's 7^.^.(1877)564 Eachcompany
to have an additional Lieut. -Fireworker, and ten addi-
tional matrosses. 1815 Chron. App. in Ann. Reg. 212
Total of killed and wounded .. n matlrosses. 1876-7 J.
Grant Hist. India I. vii. 40/1 The battery was guarded
. .by only fifty sepoys and a few European matrosses.
Matroun, Matroze, Matryce. Matrys, obs.
ff. Matron, Matross, Mathice, Mattress.
II MatSIl (martsw). [Japanese.] An ornamental
pine, Pinus Massoniana, native of China, Japan
and the Malay Archipelago, and widely cultivated
for its valuable timber*
1890 in Cent. Diet. 190a in Wrrstfr. [1863 A. Murray
Pines <y Firs Japan 23 Pinus Massoniana. VVo tuatsu.
Japon., i. e. Pinus mas, sive Kuro maisu, i.e. Pinus nigra.)
Matt, variant of Mat, Mate a.
Mattachene, etc., obs. forms of Matachin.
Mattadore, obs. form of Matador.
t Ma'ttagess. Obs. Also 6 matagasse, 7
matagesse. [a. southern Fr. matagasse, a. Pr.
*mataga$sa lit. 'magpie-killer', f. mata-r to kill
+ agassa magpie (see Haggess).] A butcher-
bird1, Lanius excubitor.
1575 Turberv. Fanlconrie 72 Though the Matagasse be
a hawke of none accompte or price neyther with us in any
use. 1678 Ray Willnghbfs Ornith. 85 The Matagesse or
great Butcherbird. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp. s. v., The
word Mattagess is borrowed from the Savoyards, and signi-
fies the murdering pye.
|| Mattamore (maitamo*-..). Also 7 raata-
morre, 9 matamoro. [a. F. matamore, a. Arab.
s.»*ka matmurahj f. tamara to store up.] A
subterranean habitation, storehouse, or granary.
1695 Motteux St. Olon's Morocco 73 Lodging only in
Matamorres or Subterraneous places. 1849 Sout key's
Cpmm.pl Bk. Ser. 11. 473 They leave stones heaped over
the Mattamores as marks. 1873 Tristram Moab vii. 123
Several very targe domed cisterns or matamoros, which
have been carefully cemented.
t Matte K Obs. In the trivial oath By the
matte, ? alteration of By the mass. (Cf. Mack sb.2)
a 1553 Udall Royster D. iv. vii. (Arb.) 75 By the matte
but I will. Ibid, viii. (Arb.) 77 Come away, by the matte
she is mankine.
Matte- (mset). Metallurgy. [&.F. matte.} An
impure and unfinished metallic product of the
smelting of various ores, esp. those of copper.
1839 Ure Diet. Arts 802 Matte is a crude black copper
reduced, .from sulphur and other heterogeneous substances.
1884 C. G. \V. Lock Workshop Receipts Ser. 111. 59/2 lnls
matte is termed ■ white metal '. 1899 Daily News 13 June
4/4 They ask that Canada shall not impose a duty on nickel
ore or nickel matte.
MATTED.
240
MATTER.
attrib. 1877 Raymond Statist. Mines <y Mining 288 The
employment of the method for the purpose of matte-smelting
..is objectionable on the ground that [etc.]. Ibid. 391 They
are melted in the matte-furnace with rich gold ores.
Matte, variant of Mate a. Obs., obs. f. Matjs.
Matted (malted), ///. a* [f. Mat v.2 + -ed 1.]
Dulled, deprived of lustre or gloss. (See senses of
the vb.)
1823 Rutter Fonthill 15 Lights glazed with matted glass
in lozenge lattice. _ 1865 Price List of Joinery 8 Front
Doors .. glazed with matted glass. 1884 F. J. Britten
Watch a> Ciockm. 173 The granular surface formed on watch
plates and wheels prior to gilding is spoken of indifferently
as matted or frosted. 1899 Cestui. Gaz. 27 June 1/3 A fine
silver-gilt Jacobean goblet . . with foliage and cone ornament
on matted ground.
Matted (mce-ted), ppl.a. 2 [f. Mat v.1 + -ed1.]
1. Laid or spread with matting or mats.
1607 Middleton Fam. Love iv. i. 116 Like a horsekeeper
in a lady's matted chamber at midnight. 1712 Steele
Sfiect. No. 429 P 12 He has chosen an Apartment with a
matted Anti-chamber. 18^2 Dickens Bleak Ho. i, The
various solicitors, .ranged in a line, in a lung matted well.
1883 Stevenson Treas. /si. vi, The servant led us down a
matted passage,
b. Formed of mats as a covering.
1720 De Foe CaJ>t. Singleton viii. (1840J 141 We pitched
our matted tents. 1841 J. L. Stephens Centr. Artier. II.
iii. 47 The little matted tents of the market-women.
e. Made of plaited rushes. Of chain*., etc. :
Rush-bottomed.
1693 Drvden Cleomeucs Prol. 6 Who. .print our matted
seats with dirty feet. 17*0 Lond. Gaz. No. 5891/4 Tho.
Smith, Citizen and Turner, of that Branch called a matted
Chair-maker, is in want of Journeymen, .either for Matting,
Turning, Joining or Carving, in the said matted Chair busi-
ness...Tho. Smith maketh.all sorts of matted Work, and
line mimick Wallnut-Tree. 1745 De Foe's Eng. Tratiesman
xxvi. (1841) I. 266 The ordinary matted chairs. 1777 W.
DalkvmplE Trav.Sp. .r Port, xv, We find, .matted bottom
chairs, in their principal rooms. 1833 Loudon Encycl. Cot-
tage Arcbil. § 2145 A child's chair, .having.. a matted seat.
2. Of vegetable growths, also of hair or other
fibre : Tangled and interlaced, or covered with
tangle.
1613 Pukchas Pilgrimage (1614) 696 The places in their
Winter, .covered with water, doe grow thicke; and matted
with abundance of little trees, herbes and plants. 1661
K. W. Con/. Charac, High Constable (i860) 36 His matted
noddle is so stuft with the windy conceit of his mastership,
that [etc.}. 1683 Moxon Mech. Exerc, Printing xxiv.
P 19 [He] Teizes his Wool], by opening all the hard and
almost matted Knots he finds in it. 1697 Dkyden I'irg.
Past. iv. 36 Through the Matted Grass the liquid Gold
shall creep. 1745 Collins Ode Death Col. Ross vii, Her
matted tresses madly spread. 1749 Wakton Tri. /sis 57
Cam meandering thro' the matted reeds. 1770 Goldsm.
Des. Vill. 349 Those matted woods, where birds forget to
sing. 183a Lytton Eugene A. i.vi.The grass sprung up long
and matted. 1865 Dickens Mut. Fr. 1. i, Half savage as the
man showed, with no covering on his matted head. 1877
Black Green Past, xlti, The matted underwood and the
rank green grass.
b. In names of plants, as matted pink, thrift.
1625 Bacon Ess., Gardens (Arb.) 558 Then Pincks, specially
the Matted Pinck, and Cioue Gilly-flower. 1678 Philliis,
Matted, an Epithete given to Plants when they grow, as if
they were platted together, as Matted Pink, Matweed, &c.
1706 London & Wise Ketir'd Gardner I. xxi. 98 Matted
Pink. 1861 Miss Pratt Flcnver. PI. IV. 254 Matted Thrift.
c. Compressed into the semblance of a mat.
1825 Greenhouse Comp. I. 168 Loosen the earth and
matted roots. 1831 Willis Poem Brown University 175
Tender moss, and matted forest leaves. 1845 Florist's
Jmt. 148 The roots are very apt to get matted in the pots.
1849 Murchison Silnria xii. 295 Such Lower Coal.. had
been often transported in large matted masses from the
mouths of great rivers.
d. Covered with a dense growth.
1791 E. Darwin Bot. Gard. 1. 79 By thee the plowshare
rends the matted plain. 1818 Kkats Endym. 1. 151 His eye
Steadfast upon the matted turf he kept. 1877 Bryant AWt,1-
0/ Sower iv, The matted sward. 1881 M. Aknoi.u U'estm.
Abbey ii, That new Minster in the matted fen.
e. Path.
1897 A llbutt's Syst. Med. IV. 121 The ascitic fluid is
sometimes loculated between the matted intestines. 1899
Ibid. VI. 10 The matted valves may remain rigidly fixed.
3. Enclosed or wrapped in matting. Also with ///.
1758 Gray Let. 2 Dec. IVks. (1884) II. 388 A wainscot
Chest of Drawers, matted up. Ibid., If the matted things
fright you on -the same account [sc. the danger of fire], the
coverings may be taken off, and laid by in some dry place.
1798 Hull Advertiser 15 Dec. 2/1 For Sale, ..10 tons Riga
matted flax. 1812 J. Smyth Pract. 0/ Customs (1821) 86
Flax. . . In Matted Bales, with thick ropes. 1855 Mrs.
Gaskell North fy S. xxvii, The matted-up currant bushes
. .at the corner of the west-wall.
Hence Ma'ttedly adv., in a matted manner.
1894 Du Mauriek Trilby I. 87 More greasily, mattedly
unkempt than even a successful pianist has any right to be.
Mattefelon, obs, form of Matfellon.
Matter (mx'tai), sb.1 Forms: 3-4 materio,
4 matery, 4-5 matiere, mate'e)re, matire,
-yr(e, 4-6 -ir, 4-7 mater, matier, (5 mateer,
raattir, 6 mattier, mattar, Sc. matter), 5- matter.
[MK. viaterie, matere, matiere, a. OF. matere,
matiere (mod.F. mature), ad. L. materia (also
materies), building material, timber, hence stuff of |
which a thing is made, subject of discourse or con- j
sideration, also (in philosophical use) 'matter' in
contradistinction to ' mind or to 'form*.
It has been conjectured that L. materia represents a pre-
historic *dmateria, f. *dmd- (cf. Doric Gr. i-eo-Sjud-ros new-
built) related to the Indo-germanic root *dcm-, *dom- (oc-
curring, e. g. in L. damns house and Eng. Timber). The
primary sense continued to be prominent in late popular
Latin : cf. Sp. madera, Pg. madeira wood, and the deriva-
tive F. merrain timber :-late L. mdteridtnen (Lex Salica,
etc.). The sense-development of the word in Latin was in-
fluenced by that of the Gr. vKn, of which it was the accepted
equivalent in philosophical use. In the derived senses the
Latin word has been adopted in all the Rom. langs. : Sp.,
Pg., It. materia, Roumanian viaterie.\
I. In purely physical applications.
1. The substance, or the substances collectively,
out of which a physical object is made or of which
it consists; constituent material; also, a particular
kind of substance serving as material. Now only
with implication of sense 3 or 5.
1340 Ayenb. 152 pet hi [sc. be spechel by y-we^ease guode
moneye . . pet is bet hi by of guode matire, ase of guod metal
and of guode ssepbe bet is of guode manere y-speke. 1390
Gower Con/. I. 36 If a man were Mad al togedre of o
matiere Withouten interrupcioun. 1483 Caxton Gold. Leg.
195 b, To assemble matere wherof myght be made and ede-
fyed a chyrche. 1540-1 Elvot Image Gov. 15 He vsed no
golde but pure beryll and christall, and other like mattier
to drinke in. 1573 G. Harvey Common-pl. Bk. {1884) 25 As
there is matter of poison to the spider where wuld be matter
of honi to the bee. 1604 E. G[rimstone] D'Acostd's Hist.
Indies in. xxi. 187 Vpon that coast there rise no vapors,
sufficient to engender raine for want of matter. 1617 Morv-
son /tin. 1. 89 The glasse makers of Venice.. have a more
noble matter, and thereof make much better glasse than we
can. 1659 Leak Waterwks. 33 The matter of the Summer
which ought to be of Oak. 1709 Steele Tatter No. 137
r 13 In all Operas, .where it thunders and lightens, .the
Matter of the said Lightning is to be of the finest Rosin.
1728 tr. Newton's Treat. Syst. World 1 marg., That the
matter of the Heavens is fluid. 1848 Mill Pol. Econ. 1. i.
§ 1 1 1 876) 1 5 The matter of the glol>e is not an inert recipient
of forms .. impressed by human hands.
fb. Timber, wood. Obs. rare. [A Latinism.]
c 1420 i'atlad. on Husb. 11. 437 Nowe matere is to falle. .
For pale, or hegge, or hous, or shippe.
f 2. A substance used or acted upon in a physical
operation ; Obs. (merged in 3).
c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxxii. (/ustin) 735 [He gert]. .bare-
in be done blak pic & . . brynstane bla, & vndir it a fyre gert
ma, til bat mater wes moltyne thyne. < 1386 Chaucer Can.
Yeom. T. 217 The care and wo That we hadde in our matires
sublyming. c 1460 Bk. Quintessence 4 J>is is be watri mater
fro which is drawe oure quinta essencia. 1530 Palsgr. 666/2,
I make the printe of a thyng in any mater or stuffe. 1635
N. Carpenter Geog. De/. 1. iii. 54 Electricall bodies drawe
and attract not without rubbing and stirring vp of the matter
first. 1680 Moxon Mech. Exerc. 175 As there is different
Matter or Substance to be Turned, so there is also different
Ways.. to be used in Turning each different Matter. 1687
A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. n. 85 They beat this Stuff
with one hand . . stooping at every blow, and nothing but the
flat side of the Club hits the matter. 1797 Encycl. Brit.
(ed. 3) VII. 772/1 (Glass), He takes up a small ball of matter,
which sticks to the end of the tube by constantly turning it.
3. In wider sense : Used as a vague designation
for any physical substance not definitely particu-
larized, e.g. applied in Physiology to the fluids of
the body, excrementitious products, etc. Often
with qualifying adj., as in colouring, extractive,
fmcal, etc. matter.
Grey matter, white matter(of the brain) : see the adjs.
c 1400 Lan/ranc's Cirurg. o^Cankre. .comep of a wounde
yuel heelid, to whom comep a malancolient mater rolid.
1604 E. G[rimstone] D'Acostd's Hist. Indies in. xxv. 196
Ther are places in th' earth, whose vertue is to draw
vaporous matter, and to convert it into water. i6o8Topsell
Serpents (1658) 725 There is no part of the Frog so medi-
cinable as is the bloud, called also the matter or the juyce,
and the humor of the Frog. 1664 Evelyn Sylva \. 16 Oaks
bear also a knur, full of a Cottony matter. 1797 Emytl.
Brit. ted. 3) X. 684/2 The earthy and stony substances in
which these metallic matters are inveloped. 1813 Sir II.
Davy Agric. Chew. (1814) 18 Animal matters are the soonest
destroyed by the Operation of air, heat and light. Vege-
table substances yield more slowly. 1825 J. Nicholson
Operat. Mechanic 737 Mix these matters in a large iron or
copper pan. 1851 Longf. Gold. Leg. vi. School Salerno,1'o
report if any confectionarius Mingles his drugs with matters
various. i8giLaw ZYw£'sXCII.94/i Milkwhich on analysis
proved to be deficient in fatty matter to the extent of 33 per
cent. 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. III. 794 An obstruction to
the passage of matter along the intestines. 1899 /bid. VIII.
730 Hyperidrosis. .soaking the boots and stockings with a
stinking matter.
4. spec. ( = corrupt matter.} Purulent discharge,
pus. [So K. maliire.}
[c 1400/, an/ram's Cirurg 52 Poudre of mirtilles . .castip to
be wounde pe corrupt mater bat is in be place bat is brusid.J
c 1420 St. Ethcldreda in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1881) 293
A gret swellyng abou^t my throte ber is, ..Were hit ybr.ike
& be mater ou?t y-renne,..To my body . .myche eysse hit
wolde do. i486 Bk. St. Albans cvij, Kutt iheys botches ]
with an knyfe and let owte the mater of theym. 1523
Fitzherh. Husb. G 5 b, A glaunder, whan it breaketh, is
lyke matter. 1641 French Distill, vi. (1651) 191 It..expells
the matter of a carbuncle by sweat. 17a* Lond. Gaz. No.
6045/8 The Matter taken on a Person who has had the
Small Pox by Inoculation. 1885 W. Roberts Pract. Treat. j
Urinary D is. (ed, 4) in. v, She began to pass considerable j
quantities of what she considered 'matter' with the urine.
5. Physical or corporeal substance in general (of '
which the chemical elements and their compounds i
are the separate kinds), contradistinguished from 1
immaterial or incorporeal substance (spirit, soul,
mind), and from qualities, actions, or conditions.
a i6«6 Bacon New Atl. (1000) 24 Wee maintaine a Trade,
not for Gold. .Nor any other Commodity of Matter. 1677
Gale Crt. Gentiles 11. iv. 307 Metaphysic mater. .without
the least physic extension or mater. 1690 Locke Hum.
Und.iv. x. § 10 Matter,, .by its own strength, cannot pro-
duce in itself so much as motion. 1692 Bentlev Boyle Lect.
ii. 40 Matter and Motion cannot think, a 1721 Keill Mau-
pertius* ZV.M. (1734)6 In order, .for the former to be in xqui-
librio with the latter, it would be necessary for it to contain
a greater quantity of Matter; it ought to be longer. 1759
Johnson Kasselas xlvii, Matter is inert, senseless, and life-
less. 180a Paley Nat. Theot. xxiv. (1819) 397 The essential
superiority of spirit over matter. 1846 Sir W. Hamilton
Keids Whs. 935 Mind and matter exist for us only as they
are known by us. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) IV. 271 All our
applications of mathematics are applications of our ideas of
space to matter. 1885 Watson & Bubuury Electr. <$• Magn.
I. 46 Let there be at O a particle of matter of mass m.
fb. Subtile matter [tr. materia subtilis] : the
name given by Descartes to a fluid which he
supposed to fill the whole of space. Obs.
1717 Prior Almaxw. 55 Deny Des-cart his subtil matter,
You leave him neither fire nor water.
IX Metaph., Logic, etc. : contrasted with form.
6. Philos. In Aristotelian and scholastic use :
That component of the essence of any thing or
being which has bare existence, but which requires
the addition of a particular* form* (see Form sb. 4 a)
to constitute the thing or being as determinately
existent. Also + matter subject : see Subject a*
c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. v. pr. iv, (Morris) 164 pe wit com-
prehendib fro wib outen furbe be figure of he body of be
man bat is estabhssed in be matere subiect [L. in subjecta
materia). But the ymaginacioun comprehendith only the
figure with owte the matere. 138. Wyclif Set. IVks. III.
257 Matere, and forme, and ende of her graunt. c 1385
Chaucer L. G. W. 1582 As matier apethith forme alwey.
1398'l'REvisA Barth. DeP. E. x. ii. (1495)372 Matere is neuer
seen wythout fourme. 1413 [see Form sb. 4 a]. 1561 T.
Hobv tr. Castiglione's Courtyer in. (1577) O iij b, It is the
opinion of most wise men that man is likened to the Forme,
the woman to the Mattier. 1586 T. B. La Primaud. Fr.
A$k%d. 1. 162 Aristotle saith, that nature in one respect
is said to be the first and chiefe matter subject of every
thing that hath being. 1607 Walkington Opt. Glass 46 It
is that will, .that keepes a comely decorum in observing the
time, the place, the matter subject, the object, and every
singular circumstance. 1625 N. Carpenter Geog. Del. 1. 1.
(1635) 7 The principles whereof the Spheare is composed
are two ; viz. Matter, and Forme. 1634 Canne Necess. Separ.
(1849) 197 Piscator affirms 'The matter of a particular
church to be a company of believers '. 1651 Hobbes {title)
Leviathan, or the Matter, Forme, and Power of a Common-
wealth. 1727-52 Chambers Cyct.s.v., Aristotle makes three
principles, matter, form, and privation. 1845 Stoddart in
Encycl. Metrop. I. 5/1 By the /arm., of language., we mean
its signification ; by the matter of language we mean the
sound of words in speech [etc.].
•fb. The result of the first creative fiat was
often viewed by the scholastics as consisting in the
production of matter without form. Hence Bacon
speaks of 'the matter' as equivalent to * Chaos*. Obs.
a 1300 Cursor M. 348 pe mater first her of he mad, bat es
be elementis to sai pat first scapless al samen lay. a 1340
Hami'ole Psa/ter xxxii. 9 He sayd..& bai ere made, pat
is, bai erefourmydof vnfourmyd matere. 1625 Bacon Ess ,
Truth (Arb.) 500 First he breathed Light vpon the Face of
the Matter or Chaos.
c. First matter ( - L. materia primat Gr. r)
npwTtj vKrj) : cf. the quots.
1619 Purchas Microcosm, lviii, 564 Vncreated Chaos, or
Hy la, or first Matter. 1667 Milton/'. L.v. 47 One first matter
all, InduM with various forms, various degrees Of substance.
a 1687 H. More App. to De Philos. Cabbal. \\\\. (1713) 183
That Hyle or first Matter is mere Possibility of Being, ac-
cording to Aiistotle.
fig. 1647 N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. 1. xl. (1739) 60 Though
the Saxons were in name our first matter.
d. In Kantian and subsequent use, applied to
that element of knowledge that is supplied by
sensation, regarded apart from the * form ' which
it receives from the categories of the understanding.
1838 tr. Kant's Critick 0/ Pure Reason 90 Experience,
which contains two very dissimilar elements, namely, a
Matter for cognition arising out of the senses, and a certain
Form to order it, arising from ihe internal source of pure
intuition and thought.
7. Thcol. (Sacraments are said to have matter
and form : see Form sb. 4 b.)
c 1315 Shoreham Poems i. 366 Ich mot of bis sacrement 3ou
telle be materie. Ibid. 1170 pe matyre of bis sacrement Hys
ry^t (>e oylle allone. 1548-9 iM.ir.i Bk. Com. Prayer, With
what thyng, or what matter they dyd Baptise the childe.
it 1600 Hooker Eccl. Po/,xi.\v.$ 3 Surely to admit the matter
as a part, and not to admit the form, hath small congruity
with reason. 1883 Cath. Diet. (1897) 812/2 The Scolists, who
make absolution both the form and matter of Penance.
8. Logic. The particular content of a proposition
or syllogism as distinguished from its form.
1697 [see Material a. 2]. 1827 Whately Elem. Logic 11.
ii. § 3 (ed. 2) 81, 82 ' All islands (or some islands) are sur-
rounded by water', must be true, because the matter is
necessary : . .again, ' some islands are fertile *, ' some are not
fertile ', are l>oth true, because it is Contingent Matter. 1855
Am-. Thomson Laws Th. Introd. 19 The matter of any
representation is that part of it which with reference to
any given law is non-formal. 1864 Bowen Logic vi. 149 In
respect to their Matter, both the Premises and the Conclusion
may he false.
III. Material of thought, speech, or action.
9. Material for expression ; something to say ;
fact or thought as material for a writing or speech.
Also •*■ matter subject : see Sub.ikct a.
MATTER.
a 1300 Cursor .11. 93 Mater fynd ae large and brade ? pof
rimes fele of hir be made, Qua-sa will of hyr fayrnes spell.
Kind he sal inogh to tell. 1340 Ayenb. 1 18 Ous be-houeb to
spekene mid greate reuerence of zuo he^e matiere ase of te
zeuen holy yefbesof be holygost. c 1450 Holland Houlate
35, I haue mekle matir in metir to gloss Of ane nothir
sentence. 1543 Leland N.-Y. Gift in Strype Eccl. Mem.
(1721) I. App. cxviii. 331, 1 have matter at plenty already pre-
pared to this purpose, that is to say, to wryte an hystory. 1586
I, B. La Primaud. Fr. Acad. 1. 28 We will intreat of the
passions of the soule, as of our chiefe matter subject. i6co
Shaks. A. Y. L. n. i. 68, 1 Iouetocopehimin these sullen fits,
For then he's full of matter. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. 1. iv!
§3 Heretherefore, is the first distemper of learning, when men
studie words and not matter. i6n Bible Job xxxii. 18 For
I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me
1634 \V. Tirwhyt Balzac's Lett. I. 43, I will here conclude,
rather out of discretion than for want of matter. 1697
Dryuen Virg. Georg. in. 455 The mean Matter which my
Theme affords, To embellish with Magnificence of Words.
1709 Steele Tat/er No. 150 r 8 Whether they have Matter
to talk of or not. 1878 Huxley Physiogr. Pref. 6 A clear
line of demarcation, both as to matter and method.
flO. The subject of a book or discourse; a
theme, topic, subject of exposition. Obs.
41330 R. Brunne Chron. (t8io) 321 Turne we tille our
matere, & on our gest to hie. c 1330 A rtk. f, Merl. 663
(Kolbing) Al hou. y no may nou3t teTlen, ywis, Mi matery
wertolong. a 1340 H \mpole Psalter Prol. 4 The matere
of this boke is crist & his spouse. .1450 Merlin xxvii.
503 But now repeirelh the tale to his mater that he hath
lefte for to telle this thinge. a 1568 Ascham Scholem. 1.
(Arb.) 86 But to my matter, as I began. 1589 Puttenham
Eng. Poesie (Arb.) 161 It behooueth the maker or Poet to
follow the nature of his subiect, that is if his matter be high
and loftie that the stile be so to. 1590 Spenser P. Q.m. iv.
3 Thee, 0 Queene ! the matter of my song. 1625 A. Gill
Sacr. Philos. Pref., Raimund de Sabunde though his writ,
ings be easie and quicke, yet his matiers are scattered. 1704
Prior Let. Desprcaux 54 How hard is it for me To make
my matter and my verse agree I
II. The substance of a book, speech, or the like ;
that which a spoken or written composition con-
tains in respect of the facts or ideas expressed ;
often as opposed to the form of words (' manner ')
in which the subject is presented.
C1384 Chaucer H. Fame 11. 353 Hard langage and hard
matere Is encombrous for to here. 159a A. Day Eng. Secre- j
taiy 11. (1625) 62 This invective seemeth to have been over- '
sharpe in the matter but not in manner. 159a Shaks. Rom.
* Jul. III. 11. 83 Was euer booke containing such vile matter
bo fairely bound? 1641 J.Jackson True Evan?. T. I. 5
Ihrs Text. .is rich as the High Priests pectoral both for
words and matter. 1695 Dryden Parall. Poetry % Paint-
ing'Ess.ied. Ker)II. 123 Though I cannot much commend the
style, I must needs say, there is somewhat in the matter
t74« « atts Imfrn: Mind iv. Wks. (i8t3) 34 If the matter
ot a book be really valuable and deserving. 1769 Black-
stone Comm. IV. xi. 150 It is immaterial with respect to the
essence of a libel, whether the matter of it be true or false
1800 Colquhoun Comm. Thames Pref., The importance of
the Work.. can only be appreciated by a. .Review of the
various matter it contains. 1871 Morley Voltaire (1886) g
He was always serious in meaning and laborious in matter
1885 Nature :a Mar. 453/1 When we look from the manner '
to the matter of his speech, we are unable to bestow such
unqualified praise.
tb. Sense, substance (as opposed to nonsense
or trifling). Obs.
MM Shaks. Much Ado n. i. 344, I was borne to speake
all mirth, and no matter. 1603 — Leans, vi. 178 O matter
and impertinency mixt, Reason in Madnesse.
t c. There is {a) mailer in it : some importance
attaches to it. Obs.
1549 Latimer 4r7r Scrm. be/. Edw. F/(Arb.) no If Salo.
mon sayd it, there is a matter in it. 1604 Shaks. Oth. in.
lu> '39 e S matter '"'' '"deed, if he be angry. 1611 —
IVmt. T. iv iv. 874 To him will I present them, there mav
be matter in it.
fl2. That with which a science, art, law, etc.
has to do; that which belongs to a subject of
study ; the subject-matter of a study. Obs.
51300 Cursor M. 28868 We find.. bat almus, Es be best
olgingtng Of alle penances. .And for ber mater es gode to
,San\,,, mus £? '„ for'l'er drau- '38/ Trevisa II,gden
(Kolls) IV. 403 pis Seneca . . hadde . . greet knowleche of
)>ynges, and wel nyh al matir of study (L. mourn studiorum
malepam] of witte and of sciens. 1390 Gower Con/. Ill
S °f, Afsmitique the matiere Is that of which a man mai
here, What Algonsme in nombre amonteth. c 1391 Chaucer
Astrol. 11. § 4 Natheles, theise ben obseruauncez of iudicial
matiere & rytes of paiens, in which my spirit ne hath no ;
feith. 1586 Ferne Blaz. Gentrie 149 The matter of all !
armes..is seuered into the same three parts that the Em-
bleme is. 1594 Hooker Eccl. Pol. 1. xv. § 3 The subject or
matter of laws in general is thus far forth constant : which
ma'ter » '"at for the ordering whereof laws were instituted
1<1. Ground, reason, or cause for doing or being I
something ; f a. Followed by an inf. or clause '
or simply. Often qualified by an adj., as good,
much, Utile. To seek matter : to seek a pretext or
occasion. Obs.
ImJK Al'"A ls6 He {f- *"= mi!de hertel ne wiI,e n<=nne zuo
Kuead,. pet he ne can dra3e inaterie god uor to herie. ciV7<
Z?"\M- *?% (Fairf-> Pai me do alle »s shame, wib-ome
E&^.iJ'te* '375 Barbour W m. 30. He .!
rflL?-/""','^ Then he had ■«* <°. ^ fer.
J£?£t rrV™?9 Tilow gcs matir to mm m°ny day
5T rfffll ITl* °f *" 5pede.- / ,4SO BuBCH S'"<" "3° He
wyl redrly Seeke mateer, And soone consente to thvn de-
^'sTh' 'S^^mwell inMerriman Ljfi\ !$*,£)
mattJr ,r. k -'gh P'"5"" 1S tha' f shall do if ye see good
Sown,,, ?"; 'inSatir.PoemtJle/^n.xie, Jif hes
flZl 7w" °r t0 mUr"l; 1-6°* E' GtRlMSTONE) D'Acosta's
Vol' vi x' '°3 Having • • shewed' ,hat the burnins
241
Zone is much subiect vnto raine, it appears that there is
matter in it, to temper the violence of the heat. 1607 Shaks.
Cor. 111. Hi. 58 What is the matter. That . . I am so dis.
honour'd, that [etc.). 1630 B. Jonson Magn. Lady 111. iv,
I have done the part of a friend . . In furnishing your fear
with matter first, If you have any; or, if you dare fight,
To. . comfort your resolution. 1644 Milton Divorce 11. iii.
38 This is the matter why Interpreters, .will not consent it
to be a true story.
b. Const for, of. Now only : What occasions or
is fitted to occasion some specified feeling : chiefly
predicative.
ci4»o Plough/nans Prayer in Foxe A. * M. (1583) 400/r
Here is much matter of sorow, to see [etc.]. 1509 Fisher
uij *'876) 3°5 Vf she had contynued in this worlde, she
sholde dayly haue herde & sene mater and cause of sorowe.
,6?S Bacon Ess., Envy (Arb.) 512 Neither can he, that
mindeth but his own Businesse, finde much matter for Enuy.
1667 Milton P. L. ix. 951 Matter of scorne, not to be given
the Foe. 1711 M. Henry Daily Comm. GurMVks. 1855 I.
111. 235 Whenever we go to bed, we shall not want matter
for praise, if we did not want a heart. 1726 ShELVOCKE Voy.
World Pref. 22 Making it a sufficient matter fur his con-
tempt of any man, that he had served in the navy. 1819
JT ,,a"1"" '• Mynheer Calf, .is Saxon when he requires
tendance, and takes a Norman name when he becomes mat-
ter of enjoyment. 1816 Disraeli / ';';■. Grey v. xiii, The acqui-
sition of which has been, to me, malter of great sorrow.
1865-6 Tennyson • I stood on a Tower,- in Gd. Words IX.
144 Science enough and exploring . . Matter enough for
deploring, But aught that is worth the knowing?' 1884
Maitch. Exam. 17 June 5/2 The annual migration of
the Viceroy to Simla is an old matter of complaint. 1896
A. E. Hoi'sman Shropshire Lad I, "Pis sure small matter
for wonder If sorrow is with one still.
C. with attributive sb. prefixed.
1676 W. Allen Addr. Moncon/121 Theyare prayer matter,
and thanksgiving matter.
1 14. Means of doing something. Obs.
1580 Lyly Euphues (Arb.) 265 They perceiued a kinde of
courtly Maiestie in the mindeof their host, though he wanted
matter to shew it in his house. 1583 Golding Calvin on
Deut. xv. 89 In all the benefites which wee haue receiued
of God we must consider in v. hat taking wee had bene if wee
had gone without them: and wee shall haue matter good
store wheiewiih to doe that if we are not wilfully blinde.
1 15. Material cause ; element or elements of
which something consists or out of which it is
developed. Obs.
1570 Billingsley Euclid vu. ii. 184 Vnitie is as it were
the very matter of number 1581 J. Bell H addons Ansxo.
Osor. 2sSVoydeof all matter of probabilitie. 1607-11 Bacon
Ess., 0/ Seditions (Arb.) 398 Let vs.. speake of the Ma-
tenalls, and the causes, and the remedyes. The matter of
seditions is of two kindes, Much povertye and much discon.
tent. <zi6i9 Fothf.rby Atheom. 11. x. § 3 (r622) 304 His
vncompounded simplicitie is the true mailer of his Vnitie.
1751 Harris Hermes Wks. (1841) 208 To know the nature
and powers of the human voice, is in fact to know the matter
or common subject of language. 1825 Bentham Kalian. Ke-
ivard 237 There are many things which may constitute part
of the matter of wealth, which, when taken separately or in
small quantities, would hardly be called wealth.
16. In vague sense, nearly equivalent to ' things ',
'something'; esp. with qualifying words (adj. or
sb. prefixed, or of with sb. following), things or
something of a specified kind, involving or related
to a specified thing.
1449 Rolls 0/ Parlt. V. 148/2 It is mater of Parlement
Iongyng to the Kynges Highnesse. 1586 A. Day Eng.
Secretary 11. (1625) 26 The first [Letter] whereof shall be for
matter of unkindnesse. 1594 Hooker Eccl. Pol. 11. vii. § 2
That in matter of fact there is some credite to be giuen to the
testimonie of man, but not in matter of opinion and iudge-
ment. 1599 Shaks. Hen. V, v. ii. 363 The King of France
hauing any occasion to write for matter of Graunt. 1601 B.
Jonson Poetaster v. i, I haue Matter of danger, and state,
to impart to Caesar. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. 11. ii s M The
Chronicle . . red before Ahassuerus . . contained matter of
affarres. 165! G. W. tr. ComeCs Inst. 198 This is rather
matter of fact then of Law. 1660 Jer. Taylor Dnctor
Dubit. in. v. Rule iv heading, The Fathers power does not
extend to matter of Religion. 1788 G. White Selborne v,
This must have been matter of mere accident. 1828 Scott
F. M. Perth xiii, I have matter for thy private ear. 1873
M. Arnold Lit. f, Dogma (1876) 388 Certainly in the Cos-
pels there is plenty of matter to call out our feelings. 1884
Manch. Exam. 29 May 4/7 That it is eminently desirable
to attain this end is not now matter of dispute.
b. spec, in Law. Something which is to be tried
or proved ; statements or allegations which come
under the consideration of the court. Matter in
deed, matter of record, nude matter (see quots.).
1532 St. German Doctor t, Stud. 11. liv. 138 It is nat alleged
in the Indytement by matter in dede that he had suche
weapon. 1607C0WEL lnterpr. s.v., Mater in deede seemeth
to be nothing else, but a truth to be proued, though not by
any Record : and mater of Record, is that which may be
proued by some Record. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey) S.V.,
Nude Matter, is a naked Allegation of a thing done, to be
prov'd only by Witnesses, and not by a Record, or other
Specialty in Writing under Seal. 1727-51 Chambers Cycl.,
Foreign Matter, in law, is matter triable in another
county ; or matter done in another county. 1766 Black-
stone Comm. II. 344 Assurances by matter of record are
such as do not entirely depend on the act or consent of the
parties themselves. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) IX. 413/2 He
may plead the general issue, and give the special matter in
evidence. 1853 Stocqueler Milit. Encycl., Matter, . .
in reference to court-martials, .the specific charges which
are brought against a prisoner, and to which the president
and members must strictly confine themselves.
f c. Matter in deed, also (? orig.) by mailer in
deed: in point of fact, as a matter of fact; truly,
really. Malter in fact : a matter of fact. Obs.
MATTER.
15. . Nav Notbroune Mayd 144 in Hazl. E.P.P.m ,
Matter in dede. My sydesdyde blede For man. 1530 Palsgr
833A By matter in dede ,Jar etfel. 1533 tr Erasmus'
l-.xpos Comm. Credc 78 T he lewes do graunte .that Iesus
was crucified verye matter in dede. 1611 Elsing Debates
Ho Lords (Camden) 113 The question whether this cause
had a sufficient heannge.or noe, which is matter in facte.
17. a. Things printed or written ; often with
qualification, e.g. printed, manuscript, type-written
matter. In Printing applied lechn. to (a) the
body of a printed work, as distinguished from the
titles, headings, etc. ; in newspapers, the general
contents as distinguished from the advertisements;
(b) type set up ; (r) manuscript prepared for
printing, ' copy \
1683 Moxon Mech. Exerc, Printing xxii. p5 He Sets the
lltle of the Chapter or Section in a.. different Character
than his Mailer is Set in. Ibid, xxiii, The like mark he
makes in Matter and Margin if two Letters are Transposed
Ibid. 3S6 Open Matter. Full of Breaks and Whites. 1824
J. Johnson Typogr. II. xviii 5S8 A new mode in the ar-
rangement of the malter. 1838 Mus. Caklylk Lett. I 106
We have piinted half the matter. 1875 [see live malter.
Live a. SJ. 1886-94 Spencer Autoiwg. I. xxxiii. 512
Matter which has been revised in manuscript, and again
revised in proof. 1887, 1890 [see Face v. 8 cj.
b. {Postal) malter: whatever maybe sent bypost.
1891 Century Diet. s.v. First-class, First-class matter, in
the postal system of the United States matter which is in
writing, or sealed against inspection. Ibid. s.v. Second-
class. Second-class matter,, mail matter consisting of news-
papers and other periodical publications. Ibid, s.v Third-
class. 1896 Strand Mag. 338/2 [Letters and other] postal
matter, such as book parcels, post -cards, newspapers, circu-
lars, telegrams, etc
18. Idiomatic phrases, a. // makes no mailer,
later z'/ is ;occas. \skills' no matter = it is of no con-
sequence or importance ; now often with ellipsis of
the vb., No matter, also What matter . . 1 Often
with dependent clause or an interrogative pronoun
or adv. used ellipt. \ {It is) no matter for : there is
no importance attaching to, (the thing in question)
does not malter. Also with mixed constr. f It is
7iot a {one) farthing matter.
1478 [see Make v' 25]. 153. Tindai.e Expos. Matt, v-vii.
(? 1550) 61 What mater makcth it. yf I speake wordes whych
I vnderstand not? c 1550 Bali-: K. Johan (Camden) I4
A. lo the church, I trust, ye wyll be obedyent. A' J. No
mater to vow whether I be so or no. 1576 Fleming
1'anopl. Epist. 128 My behauiour bathe not deserued, any
such doggisbe dealing : but makes it any great matter ?
1591 Shaks. Two Gent. 111. i. 334 sp Item, she doth talke
in her sleepe. La. It's no matter for that, so shee sleepe not
in her talke. Ibid. 11. vii. 66 No matter who s displeas'd,
when you are gone. 1609 Dekker Guts Horne-bk. vii. 33
How course soeuer the stuffe he. lis no matter so it hold
fashion. 1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 45 No great matter
where. 1670 in CosinsCorr. (Surtees) 11. 2sr It skills n0
matter what Neile s atturney said to you. 1678 Bunyan
Piigr. 1. 39 So be we get into the way, what's malter
which way we get in ? 1693 Concreve Old Bach. iv. xv,
Bell. My patch, my patch. L.vt... No matter for your patch.
1711-13 Swift Jrnl. to Stella 3 Mar, Tis not a farthing
matter her death, I think, a 1774 Goi.dsm. Surv. Exp.
Philas. (1776) I. 351 But no matter for the tides in the moon ;
it is very well if they have satisfactorily explained the tides
upon earth. 1802 Mar. Edgeworth Moral T. (r8r6) I. xix.
169 ' He has lost the key of the trunk ..' ' No matter ; we can
break it open '. 1862 Spencer First Princ. 1. iii. g 21 (1875)
66 After no matter how great a progress in the colligation
of facts. 1875 lowCTT Plato (ed. 2) I. 18 But what matter
..from whom I heard this?
b. f To make much {no) mailer of: to make
much (nothing) of {obs.). To make a mailer: to
make a fuss or to-do.
a 1586 Montgomery Misc. Poems iii. 19 For men of merit
sho \sc. Fortune] no mater maks a 1649 Winthrop New
Engl. (1853) I. 175 Much matter was made of this. 1893
Stevenson Calriona 82 Because you said a word too much
in a friend's ear. .to make such a matter I
IV. A thing, affair, concern ; corresponding to
L. res, which it is often employed to render.
19. An event, circumstance, fact, question, state
or course of things, etc. which may be an object of
consideration or practical concern; a subject, affair,
business.
a 1225 Ancr. R. 270 Of bis ilke materie ich spec muchel
beruppe. c 1386 Chaucer Wife's Prol. 836 Lo, goode men,
afiieand eek a frereWoln falle in every dissche and matiere.
1411 Rolls 0/ Parlt. III. 650/1 He knoweth wel that in the
matier on hym surmettetl by the sayd Bille, he ne hath
noght born hym as he sholde hav doon. c 1450 Merlin vii.
114, I prayeyow,..that ye will me counseile in this matere.
1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. Ded, A 2, To judge by
matters past, what shalbe the consequent, and end of things
tocome. 1611 Bible Acts xix. 39 But if yee enquire any
thing concerning other matters, it shalbe determined in a
lawfull assembly. 1625 Bacon Ess., 'Truth (Arb.) 499 One
of the later Schoole of the Grecians examineth the matter,
and is at a stand [etc]. 1710 Swift Jrnl. to Stella 12 Oct.,
He. .then falls on his sword ; and, to make the matter sure,
at the same time discharges a pistol through his own head.
1743 Bulkeley & Cummins Voy. S. Seas 73 Upon this we
dropt the Matter, and began to discourse concerning the
Provisions. 1768 Sterne. Sent. Jouru. (1778) 1. 1 They order,
said I, this matter better in France. 1802 Mar. Edgeworth
Moral T. (1816) I. xiii. 105 The brewer cut the matter short,
by saying, he had not time to argue. 1842 Borrow Bible in
Spain xxviii, To mend the matter, the hostess was a most
intolerable scold and shrew. 1856 Froude Hist. Eng. (1858)
I. ii. 154 In default of help from Rome, he would lay the
matter before parliament. 1883 Manch. Exam. 24 Oct. 4/6
One of the leading matters under consideration was the
97
MATTER.
report of the Ecclesiastical Commission. 1887 E. Stuart
/// His Grasp iii. 39, I tried to lead the conversation to per-
sonal matters.
b. with possessive (or equivalent) : An affair or
business specially belonging to some person or
persons ; (one's) cause, concern, or affair. ? Obs.
In later use app. only collect, plural.
C1350 Will. Palcrne 613, I wold mens al mi mater 3if I
mi?t for schame. c 1386 Chaucer Mclib. P775. 2931 We
putten-.al our matere and cause al hoolly in your goode
wil. CX41J Hoccleve De Reg. Princ. 1794 Lordeshan for to
done So mych for hem-self, bat my mateereOut of hir mynde
slippith away soone. c 1460 Fortescue Abs. <$• Lim. A/on.
xv. (1885) 145 Thai were so occupied with thairowne maters,
and with the maters off thair kynne,..bat thai entendet but
litle. .to be kynges maters. 1503 Hawes Examp. Vat. XII.
234 By me your mater shall be well sped. 1530 Palsgr.
473/2 If thou se my lerned counsayle in Westmynster hall,
call upon them to remember my mater agaynst Bulkyn
[ Fr. monproces contre Bulkyn}. a 1568 Asch am Scholem. 1.
(Arb.) 83 Though, for their priuate matters they can follow,
fawne.and flatter noble Personages. i6xa Brerewood Lang.
^ Relig.xv. 157 You may see them, .in Possevinsbook of the
matters of Moscovia. 1623 Bacon Ess , EnzyiArh.) 512 To
know much of other Mens Matters, a 1657 MuRE/Vi/w/xxi.2
Lord, in thystrength the Kingsall joy;. .To hismindeThow
makst his maters goe. 1837 T. Hook Jack Brag v.Take my
advice, Jack,. . try them both. Manage your matters well-
lead them both on. 1857 Borrow Rom. Rye xi. 74 Let the
matters of my sister and Jasper Petulengro alone, brother.
c. pi. (without article or qualification) : Events,
affairs, circumstances, etc., understood to refer to
a particular occasion, but not further specified.
1570 Sir H. Sidney Let. in Life of Sir P. Carets (1857)
241 Thornond matters have gone verie leisurelie on. 1598
Shaks. Merry W. 1. i. 79 If matters grow to your likings.
a 1649 Winthrop New Eng. (1853) *• 369 At Providence
matters went after the old manner. 1671 Mii.ton S. A.
1348 Matters now are strain'd Up to the highth, whether
to hold or break. 1699 T. Brown in R. L* Estrange1 s
Erasmus Colloq. (1725) 390, I will take a proper occasion
to discourse matters with your Husband. 1760-72 H.
Brooke EoolofQual. (1809) IV. 52, I will bring you to her
as a stranger, and so you may bring matters about. 1769
Blackstone Comm. IV. 351 This seems to be carrying
matters too far. 1868 Pall Mall G. 9 Dec. 10 Matters
are very different in France. 1879 CasselPs Techn. Edttc.
IV. 235/2 A state of matters which . . was . . attended with
heavy loss to this country.
d. In plural sometimes used vaguely of concrete
things. ? Obs.
1709 Hearne Collect. (O. H.S.) II. 291 Which MS', he
has been pleas'd to give to the writer of these matters.
1743 Bulkelky & Cummins Voy. S. Seas 207 That we did
not want great Matters, only barely enough to support
Life. 1760-72 H. Brooke Fool ofQual. (1809) IV. 50 After
a short repast of some small matters. 1824 Scott St. Ro-
vatfs ii, She [the landlady] retired after these acts of hospi-
tality, and left the stranger to enjoy in quiet the excellent
matters which she had placed before him. 1826 Disraeli
Viv. Grey v. iv, Cups, balls, and rings, and other mysterious-
looking matters, which generally accompany a conjuror.
20. conlexttially. A subject of contention, dispute,
litigation, or the like. More explicitly matter in
dispute, question, + variance, f difference.
c 1386 Chaucer Melibeus p 65 Thilke luge is wys, that
sone understondeth a matere [v. r. matiere] and iuggeth by
leyser. 1390 Gower Conf. III. i8t Non withinne the cite
In destorbance of unite Dorste ones moeven a matiere.
1462 Cat. Anc. Rec. Dublin (1889) I. 314 Hitisgrawnt. .that
hit be lawfull to determe all maner materis and make lawes.
1470-85 Malory Arthur xviii. i. 726 And quarels and
maters thow hast now a dayes for ladyes and gentilwymmen
more than euer thou were wonte to haue. 153* Cromwell
in Merriman Life <r Lett. (1902) I. 348 Touching a certen
matier in varyaunce betwixt thexecutours of Sir William
Spencer disceasyd and my ladye spencer. 1535 Covkrdale
Dent. xvii. 8 Yf a matter be to harde for the in iudgment
betwixte bloude and bloude. 1597 Bacon Coulers Gd. fy
Evill (Arb.) 140 If the matter shoufd be tryed by duell be-
tweene two Champions. 1774 [see Difference^. 3]. 1774
Burke Sp. Amer. Taxation Sel. Wks. I. 147 Not being
troubled with too anxious a zeal for any matter in question.
1825 [see Dispute sb. 1 b], 1886 Miis. Lynn Linton Paston
Carew viii, They rarely met without crossing swords on
one matter if not another.
+ b. Phr. To make a matter to [z. person), to pick
a quarrel with. To have a matter with or against,
to have a quarrel with. Obs.
1530 Palsgr. 618, I make a mater toone, I pycke a quarell
to him. .1 make no mater to \\yrc\,j'e ne luy demande riens.
1535 Covehuale Judg. xii. 2, I and my people hadagreate
matter with ya children of Ammon. x6n Bible Acts xix.
38 If Demetrius, andthecraftesmen. .haue a matter against
any man, the law is open.
21. With qualification (attribute, or of and sb.) :
A thing, affair, subject, etc., of the kind denoted
by or pertaining to the thing denoted by the
qualification.
For the illustration of such phrases zsgalley, halfpenny,
hanging, laughing, massing, money matter, see the first
element. See also Matter of course, Matter of fact.
c 1425 Wyntoun Chron. i. xvii. (MS. Cott.) heading, pe
fyrst materis of mawmentry {>at clerkis callis ydolatry. 1508
Dunbar Tua Mariit IVemen 122 Euer ymagynyng in
mynd materis of evill. 1509 Fisher Funeral Serin. C'tess
Richmond Wks. (1876) 292 She dyde translate dyuers
maters of deuocyon out of Frensshe into Englysshe. 1549
Latimer 5/A Serm. bef. Edw. VI (Arb.) 149 It is taken
for a laughynge matter. 1590 Sir J. Smyth Disc. Weapons
Ded. 4 b, All their ancient orders and proceedings in mat-
ters Militarie. 1598 Shaks. Merry W. 1. i. 2, I will make
a Star-Chamber matter of it. ^ 1655 Fuller C/i. Hist. ix. 73
Matters of faith.. are so plainly setled by the Scriptures,
that [etc.]. 1678 Wanley Wond. Lit. World v. i. § 99. 468/1
242
Mens Consciences are not to be forced in matters of Reli-
gion. 1850 Tennyson In Mem. xcvi[ij. 31 She knows but
matters of the house, And he, he knows a thousand things.
1900 Daily News 22 Oct. 3/4 The campaign is nearly over
—as a field matter it is fully at an end.
b. A matter of*, a circumstance which involves
or brings into play . . ; a * case ' of.
1802-12 Bentham Ration, fudic. Evid. (1827) V. 179
When once we steer a haii's-breadth out of the sphere of
every day's practice, everything is a matter of cross and
pile, 1823 J. Badcock Dom. Amusem. 51 As a matter of
economy, it is suggested [etc.]. 1843 Grove Corr. Phys.
Forces U846) 35 This, however, must be taken merely as a
matter of opinion. 1849 James Woodman ix, This is a
matter of life and death. 1868 W. K. Clifford Mental
Development Lect. & Ess. (1879) I. 104 The power of
cieation is not a matter of static ability;, .it is a matter of
habits and desires.
22. Used, like thing, as an indeterminate sb. to
which to attach an epithet. Also in phrases like it
is no such matter, another matter.
£1384 Chaucer //. Fame in. 427 But hit a ful confuse
matere Were al the gestes for to here. 14.. Lydg. I sop.
(Zup.) 48 In matyrs bat touche poetry. 1596 Shaks.
1 Hen. IV, 11. iv. 301 Instinct is a great matier. c 1600
— Sonn. Ixxxvii. 14 In sleepe a King, but waking no such
matter. 1610 — Temp. 11. i. 88 What impossible matter
wil he make easy next? 1611 Bible Ps. xxxv. 20 They de-
uise deceitfull matters against them that are quiet in the land.
1692 Kay Disc. (1732) Pref. 9, I had taken notice of five
matters of ancient tradition. 1736 Butler Anal. ir. i. Wks.
1874 1. 153 It cannot in any wise be an indifferent matter,
whether we obey or disobey those commands. 1828 Miss
Miiford in L'Estiange Life (1870) 11. 249 If actresses are
bad, no manager can help it; but to take pains to turn a
bad woman into an actress isanother matter. 1842 Brown-
ing Waring 1. iv, Truth's a weighty matter. 1847 Tenny-
son Princess iv. 438 Who desire you more Than ..dying
lips, With many thousand matters left to do, The breath of
life. 1876 Black Madcap V. xvii, The pronunciation of the
word allegro is not a matter of very grave moment,
f b. All is a matter : it is all the same. Obs.
1589 Puttenham Poesie 11. xii. [xiii.] (Arb.) 127 Whether
we make the common readers to laugh or to lowre, all is a
matter. 1682 N. O. Boileau's Lutrin 11. 118 Let me sob,
roar, or swoon, 'tis alt a matter To marble-hearted John.
fc. {Any, some, no) great matter: (something,
nothing) considerable. Obs.
1563-87 Foxe A. a> M. (Cattley) (K. O.), It is no great
matter. 162a Bacon Hen. VII 120 It did shew manifestly
vnto the World, that hee [PerkinJ was some Great matter.
c 1680 Beveridge Serm. (1729) II. 554 This, .may seem to
be no great matter at first sight. 17x7 Berkeley J ml.
Tour Italy Wks. 1871 IV. 528 We saw an armoury which
seemed no great matter.
d. For that matter : = * for the matter of that *
(see 25 e).
1673 Dryuen Marr. a-la-Mode in. ii. 47 Pala. But who
told you I was herd.. R ho. O, for that matter, we had in-
telligence. 1693 Congreve Old Bach. iv. xxii, No, no, for
that matter, when she and I part, she'll carry her separate
maintenance about her. 1898 Times 10 Jan. 13/3 The
. .shivering drivers, .who (like every one else, for that mat-
ter) had to lie out in it tlhe rain] without tents.
23. a. With qualifying adj., usually small \ A
(certain) quantity or amount (of). ?0bs.
1630 A'. Johnson's Kingd. <y Commw. 265 [He] sold them
their liberties for a small matter. Ibid. 271 It is thought
that the Empire receiveth every way above seven millions,
which is a great matter. 1652 Needham tr. Setden's Mare
CI. 472 At first an easie matter was demanded by the King
of Denmark, and now more exacted than they canpossibly
bear. 1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevenoi's Trav. 71 They can
live upon a small matter; and provided they have Rice [etc.1.
1712 W. Rogers Voy. (1718) 33 It produces a small matter
of Indico. 1723 Lond. Gas. No. 6142/3 One sorrel Horse
Colt, ..with a small matter of White in his Face. 1749
Fielding Tom Jones iv. r» I.. sent a small matter to his
wife. 1760-72 H. Brooke FootofQual. (1809) III. 114 My
son here has been of some little matter of use to you. Ibid.
IV. 26 You will oblige us by.. taking some little matter of
supper with us.
b. A small matter, occas. a matter % used advb.
= Somewhat, slightly. Obs. or arch*
1690 Child Disc. Trade (ed. 4) 133 Very large quantities
of Timber.. may be had, though some small matter dearer
than in Norway. X700 Congreve Way of World 111. xv,
I have thought to tarry a small matter in town to learn
somewhat of your lingo. 1703 Moxon Mech. Exerc. 275
Open them a small matter wider, or shut them a small
matter closer. 1788 Smeaton in Phil. Trans. LXXIX. 4
The socket and spindle being a small matter taper. 1834
Landok Exam. Shaks. Wks. 1853 II. 267/1 Carnaby did
quail a matter at these words.
24. A matter of: used to qualify a numeral, in-
dicating that it is not to be taken as literally exact.
Also rarely matter of (? obs.), the matter of
c 1645 Howell Lett. (1655) I. 193 The French that came
over with Her Majesty.. are all casheer'd this week, about
a matier of sixscore, wherof the Bishop of Mende was one.
1652 Gaule Magastrom. 360 [He] lets him have a great
deal of it for a matter of a shilling. 1653 Cogan tr. Pinto's
Trav. xi. 34 Accompanied with a matter of seven hundred
men. 1771 Johnson Let. to Mrs. Thrale 7 July, He had
had, as he phrased it, a matter of four wives. 1829 Landor
Imag. Conv. Wks. 1853 I. 378 Hither have I been riding of
matter of thirteen miles. 1843 Carlyle Past <$■ Pres. n. i,
Lackland .. boarded once, for the matter of a fortnight, in
St. Edmundsbury Convent. 1862 Borrow Wales lxxxiii.
(1901) 258 * Is it long since your honour was in Durham
county V 'A good long time. A matter of forty years '.
25. The matter (in various idiomatic uses).
t a. That which is contemplated, intended, or
desired. To the matter', to the point, relevant(ly) ;
MATTER.
= L. ad rem. From the matter : irrelevant(ly').
Much about the matter : not far from the point. Obs.
1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 30 a, Thou aunswerest
Luther, more unreverently, then it becommeth thee, and not
sufficientlye to the matter. 1597 Bacon Ess., Discourse
(Arb.)22Tovse too many circumstances ere one come to the
matter is wearisome. 1611 Shaks. Cymb. v. v. 169. 1626
Bacon Sylva § 326 To helpe the Matter, the Akhymists
call in.. many Vanities, out of Astrologie. 1658 Rowland
tr. flfoufel's Theat. Ins. 951 It shall not be from the matter
to tax in brief the madnesse of the ancient Gentiles. 1669
Siurmy Mariner's Mag. v. xii. 55 If you take 5 parts Lead,
and one part Stone, it will come very near the matter, a 1694
Tillotson Serm. (1714) I. 12 He grants it [sc. the deluge]
to have come so near the matter, that but very few escap d.
1725 Bailey Erasm. Colloo. (1733) 483 You're much about
the Matter [L. haud multum aberras a scopd\.
b. The circumstance or stale of things which
actually involves or concerns some person or thing,
esp. one which calls for remedy or explanation ;
chiefly in What is the matter? and similar ex-
pressions. Phr, (colloq.) What is the matter
with . . ? = What ails, troubles, or is amiss with . .?
hence {jocular) What is the objection to, What is
there to complain of in . . ?
1469 Plumpton Corr. (Camden) 23 Maister Rochif asked
him what the matter was, if I might have any ease. 1535
Coverdale Ecclus. xxii. 8 Whan he hath tolde his tayle, he
sayeth: what is the matter? 1560 Daus ix. Sleidane's Comm.
323 b, No man knew what the matter was. 1604 Shaks.
Oth. 11. iii. 163 What is the matter heere ? 1605 Bacon Adv.
Learn. I. vii. § 15 Alexander happed to say: Doe you thinke
these men would haue come from so farre to complaine, ex-
cept they had iust cause of griefe ? and Cassander answered,
Yea, that was the matter, because they thought they should
not be disprooued. x68a N. O. Boileau's Lutrin 111. 6 The
Cantotells you, what'sthe matter. iji^Swift Cadenus $ Va-
tiessa, Why she likes him, ad mire not at her ; She loves herself,
and that's the matter. 1715 De Foe Fam. instruct. 1. iv.
(1841)1.88, 1 beseech what is the matter with you. 180a Spirit
Publ. Jrnls. (1803) VI. 8 What's the matter with the peace ?
1833 Ht. Martinf.au Three Ages ii. 75 The children.,
amused themselves as if nothing was the matter. 1837 [see
Leg sb. 1]. 1847-9 Helps Frienas in C. 11. (1 851) 5 There was
something the matter with the old man. 1885 * F. Anstey '
Tinted Venus 69 'What's the matter?' 'Nothing is the
matter, Matilda', he said.
+ c. On or upon the matter (also upon the whole
/».): taking the thing asa whole, speaking generally ;
for all practical purposes, practically speaking. Obs,
c 1560 Misogonus in. i. 192 (Brandl), Pounder matter, well,
if she should not knowt, who showlde knowe? 1612 Bacon
£tf^ Deformity (Arb.) 254 So that vpon the whole matter
[<v/. 1625 vpon the matter], in a great wit, deformity is an
aduantage to rising. 1639 Fuller Holy War 11. xxxvii.
(1640) 93 That Christians are not bound to keep faith with
idolaters, the worshippers of a false god, as the Egyptian Ca-
liph was on the matter. 1679 Moxon Mech. Exerc. 120 The
Rules they both work by are upon the matter the same, in
Sawing, Mortessing,..&c. 1689 Burnet Tracts I. 79 This
is upon the matter a Pension paid under a more decent name
to the most considerable Men of the Country. 1691 South
Serm. (1823) II 188 Upon the whole matter it is absurd to
think that conscience can be kept in order without frequent
examination, a 1710 Br. Bull Serm. xyiii. Wks. 1827 I.
439 He is upon the matter sure of a long life.
d. Phr. In the matter of ( = law Latin in re) :
in relation to, with regard to ; chiefly in Law.
1790 Ambler Chancery Re/. 78 In the Matter of Annesley,
a Lunatic. 1834 Adolphus & Ellis i K. B. Rep. 843
In the Matter of Elmyand Sawyer. 1876 Law Rep., P rob.
Dh>. I. 423 In the Matter of the Petition of Sheehy. 1881
Saintsbury Dryden iv, He[Dryden] had' seen many others ',
as an admirable Gallicism has it, in the matter ot attacks.
1882 Times 30 June 5 In the matter of Egypt,, .the German
Chancellor will leave them to act as they like. 1904 Stan-
dard 29 Nov. 9/7 In the Matter of an Arbitration between
the Manchester Carriage and Tramways Company (Claim-
ants) v. The Swinton and Pendlebury Urban District Council
(Purchasing Authority).
e. Tor the matter of that : as far as that goes.
1764 Foote Mayor of G. I. (1783)24 For the matter of that,
we can afford it well enough as it is. 1766G0LDSM. Vic. W.
xxi, 'Consider, my dear', cries the husband, 'she is a gentle-
woman'...'As for the matter of that', returned the ho-tess,
* gentle or simple, out she shall pack with a sussarara '.
26. atlrib. and Comb. ,3.^ matter- hating, -moulded,
-woven adjs. ; f matter-bear (see quot.).
1612 S. Sturtevant Metallica (1854) 117 The matter-beare,
is a generall part of a Furnace which beereth and holdeth
the substances of the Raw-matters. 1850 Tennyson In
Mem. xc[i]v, In matter-moulded forms of speech. 1853
Kingsley Hypatia viii. 98 Facts, objects, are but phantoms
matter-woven. 1856 R. A. Vaughan Mystics (i860) 1. 17 The
matter-hating principles of this school.
t Ma'tter, sb:1 Obs. Also 7 matteyer. [f. Mat
sb.1 + -ER 1J A mat-maker.
14. . Voc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 613/38 Storiator, a mattere.
c 1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode 11. lxvii. (1869) 101 Whan bus
hadde seid me be mattere [F. natier] who he was. 1611
Cotgr., Nattier, a Matter ; or maker of mats. 1614 Ace.
Revels at Court (Shaks. Soc. 1842) p. xliv, To Richard An-
sell Matteyer to his Maly..for his paines and chardges in
nayling downe the greene clothe in the Banquetting House
..for the Maske.
Matter (mse'taj), v. Also 6 mattre, matier.
[f. Matter j£J]
1. intr. To discharge matter or pus; to suppurate.
1530 Palsgr. 633/2 Whan thynke you that your byle wyll
matter? 1544 Phaer Bk. Childr. (1553) S ivb, The .. skin
of an adder, .boiled in oile .. is also good for an eare that
mattereth. 1658 A. Fox Surg. Guide ill. iv.227 Every wound
mattereth, and desireth to make a separation of that which
is destroyed. 1736 Ainsworth Lat. Diet., Suppuro, . . to
MATTERATIVE.
matter, to suppurate. [1875-86 Elwokthv W. Sow. Gloss.,
Mattery, to discharge pus-]
t b. To exude in the form of matter or pus.
1635 Quables Embl. I. xii. 49 Earth's milk's a ripen'd core
That drops from her disease, that matters from her sore.
2. To be of importance; to signify: chiefly in
interrogative and negative sentences. (Fieq. im-
personal with dependent clause.) Const, to; also
(foet. rare) with dative.
1581 Savile Tacitus, Hist. Iv.(i6i2)i6i Sosianus& Sagitta
were men vile & of no account, neither mattered it where
they iiued. a 1617 Bavne Led. (1634) 68 What those are
who are not under our houshold gouernment, matteieth not
to our discredit. 1633 Hall Occas. Medit. (1851) 18 It
matters not, O God, how I am vexed here below, a while.
1711 Steele Sped. No. 252 r 1 What matters it what she
says to you? 1817 Soutiiey Wat Tyler 1 i. Poet. Wks. II.
25 What matters me who wears the crown of France ? 1840
Marrvat Poor Jack xxvi, We haven't spent any to matter.
1846 Landor Imag. Com'. 1. 156 Nor does it matter a straw
whether we use the double e instead of etc in meet, 1873
Dixon TtvoQueens I. iv. i. 17s His pretext mattered little.
1878 Tennyson The Revenge xi, We die— does it matter
when? 1884 Lam Rep. 26 Chanc. Div. 128 It mattered
nothing to them whether the other Corporators were eight
or a thousand. 1885 ' F. Anstey' Tinted Venus 181 "'It
matters not ', she said, calmly.
3. With a negative: To be concerned about,
care for, regard, heed, mind. (Sometimes with
dependent clause.) Obs. exc. dial, in the sense :
To approve of, like.
1649 Blith Eng. Improz: Impr. (1653) 96 Let his Land be
fit for one, or fit for another use, he matters it not. 1664 H.
More My St. lnii}. xi. 37, \ matter not what careless abuses
there may be put upon a word. 1720 Humourist Ded. t3
They matter it not of a straw. 1749 Fielding Tom Jones 11.
vi, If it had been out of doors I had not mattered it so much.
1760-72 H. Brooke Fool o/Qiial. (1809) I, 26 He did not
matter cold, nor hunger, nor what he eat,nor what he drank.
1804 Eugenia de Acton Tale without Title I. 215 Oh ! as
to your fine speeches, Miss, I matter not them a straw. 1892
M. C. F. Morris Yorksh. Folk-Talk 89 If a workman does
not take kindly to his occupation, he would say that he did
not matter it much.
b. absol. or inlr. To care, mind. 1 Obs.
1677 Moxon Mcih. Exerc. 43 Let it somewhat fall short
or exceed that number they matter not. 1713 in G. Sheldon
Hist. Deerfield, Mass. (1895) I. 350 If he would not marry
them they matter'd not. 1729 Walkden Diary (1866) 80,
I mattered not if we exchanged, so he took my box, and
I his.
t4. To arrange the subject-matter of. nonce-use.
1548 Geste Pr. Masse Ded., Whiche I can neyther word,
matier, tie reason accordynglye, and so [etc. J.
t Matterative, a. Obs. Also 7 mattrative.
[irreg. f. Matter sb.1 or v. + -ative, with re-
collection of maturalive.] Characterized by the
presence of matter or pus.
1639 T. de Gray Coiupl. Horsent. 40 The corruption which
the horse venteth : if that mattrative stuffe be green [etc.].
1727 Bradley Earn. Diet. s.v. Fever, His Eyes are so
swell d that he cannot easily open 'em for matterative Stuff.
/Old. s.v. Wen, [Wens] being as to the outward part, Flesh,
but toward the Root, matterative.
+ Mattered, a. Obs. rare. [f. Matter siA +
-ED 't-, after med.L. mdleridlus.]
1. Melaph. =Materiated.
1620 T. Granger Div. Logike 57 A mattered effect, or
effect of the matter, is euery thing made of some matter.
1654 Z. Coke Logick 159 From the common matter put or
taken away, . . to put or take away the mattered, . . is a con-
tingent inference : as, In Germany is much wood, therefore
they have many ships.
2. Containing matter or pus.
1590 Barrough Meth. Physick v. vi. (1639) 278 A mattered
tumour is more safely opened with a knife then with burn-
ing medicines.
Matterful (moe-tajful), a. ff. Matter sbA +
-ful.] Of a book, an author, or the like : Full
of ' matter ' or substance.
1819 Lamb Lett. x. To Wordsworth 97 From thence I
turned to Vincent Bourne ; what a sweet, unpretending.
theque utile ', seldom admits numbers which are not ' mat-
terful and factful ', as some singular people say.
Hence Matterfulness.
1883-4 Grosart Nashes Wks. I. Introd. 45 One is struck
with their terseness and matterfulness.
t Mattering, vbl. sb. Obs. [f. Matter v.
+ -am 'J
1. The formation of matter or pus, suppuration.
1528 PtiYHELi.SalernesRegim. X iiij, Nothynge is better to
heale matterynge at the eares, than the ieuse of wylowe
leaues. 1631 Widdowes Nat. Philos. 55 Extraordinary
mattering is, when .. the humors or parts themselves are
made full of corrupt matter. 1749 Bracken Farriery fed. 6)
xxx. 258 Mattering of the Yard, .in Stoned Horses is often
no other than a Gonorrhoea Simplex.
2. Caring, minding.
1693 Evelyn De la Quint. Comtl. Card. I. 35 The Cloth
as it were, should always be laid in a fine Garden, without
mattering to see what passes in the open Fields.
t Mattering, ///. a. Obs. [f. Matter v. +
-ing 2.] Forming or discharging matter, purulent.
1561 Hollybush Horn. Apoth. 20 Scabbes, . . mattering
sores, . . and the canker. 1589 Rider Biol. Schol. s.v., A mat-
tering, or running sore.
+ Ma-tterish, a. Obs. [f. Matter sb.l + -ish.]
Of the nature of, full of, forming, or discharging pus.
243
1580 Blundeville Curing Horses Dt's. 59 Aland of Scab.,
which is full of fretting matterish water. 1673 R. Head
Canting Acad. 74 The Matterish clouts that are wrapt about
[the sore]. 1725 Atkinson in Phil. Trans. XXXIII. 541
There had been discharged a smalt Quantity of matterish
Substance.
Matterless (moe-tsiles), a. [f. Matter sb*
+ -LESS.]
1. Having no matter ; not embodied in matter ;
immaterial. Now rare.
1548 Geste Pr Masse Bv.The broken bread.. is material
& not mattierles. 1602 J. Davies (Heref.) Minim in madam
(Grosart) 20/1 Who being immaterial!, cannot change, (For
that's immutable thats matter! esse), a 1849 H. Coleridge
Ess.(\%$\) I. 56 He cannot live upon matterfess forms. 1890
J. H. Stirling Gijford Led. xv. 304 A matterless form
would vanish.
f2. Without materials. Obs. rare—1.
M*» Pdgr' Sonde, No more men maye glosen whhouten
text than bylde materles.
t 3. Devoid of ' matter ', sense, or meaning. Obs.
1612 T.Tavi.orOw/w. Titus To Krir., With multiplication
of matteriess words, a 1637 15. Jonson //or.: Art /'. 460
All fine noise Of verse meere-matter-lcsse. 1767 Mrs. S.
Pennington Lett. III. 37 Some dissipation is necessary for
you, and therefore, my matterless lines may have their use.
4. Immaterial, of no concern or importance.
Chiefly dial.
«i6so May Old Couple 11. (165S) 10 Tis matterless in
goodness who excels: He that hath coyn, bath all perfec-
tions else. 1875 Mauley ty Corringhari O loss. S.V., It's matter-
less which waay you tale' th' watt'er. 1889 Archaeol. Aeliana
(N.S.) XIII. 280 It being matterless whet her a saint is incor-
ruptible or, as in the case of Bede, corrupted.
b. Applied to persons : Of no consequence; in-
competent, shiftless, helpless, dial.
1794 Hutchinson Hist. Cutubld I. 225 note, Mr. Robinson
. .a simple matterless body. 1876 Whitby Gloss.
Matterne, obs. form of Marten.
Matter Of course. Something which is to
be expected as following the natural course or order
of things.
1739 [see Course so. 36a!. 1809 Mai. kin Gil Bias 1. xii.
(1866) 27 Having as a matter of course sold my cloak-bag.
1878 S. Walpole /list. Engl. II. 525 Protestants guilty of
killing Roman Catholics were acquitted, as a matter of
course, by Protestant juries. 1884 Manch. Exam. 22 May
5/2 It was a matter of course that France should retain the
territory she had conquered.
b. atlrib. or as adj. (written with hyphens),
rarely as predicalive adj. : Occurring or following
as a matter of course ; to be expected. Freq. of
persons or their mode of action : Taking things as
a matter of course.
1840 Dickens Barn. Rudge liii, The cool matter-of-course
manner of this reply. 1854 Lowell Jml. /taly Pr. Wks.
1890 I. 129 A sudden change in the scenery, like those that
seem so matter-of-course 111 dreams. 1861 Hughes Tom
Brown at Ox/, xxx, I won't have that sort of matter-of-
course acquiescence. 1865 Mozley Mirac. v. 100 The belief
in it is so necessary and so matter-of-course an act in us, that
[etc.]. 1892 W. S. Gilbert Foggertys Fairy 190, 1 said some
matter-of-course words to the effect [etc. J.
Hence Matter-of-courseness nonce-wd.
1890 Temple Bar Sept. 78 A naturalness, a matter-of-
courseness that admitted of no questioning.
Matter Of fact (m^taravfae-kt), sb. and a.
[See Matter sbl 16, 21 and Fact sb. 6.]
A. sb. a. Laiv. That portion of a subject of
judicial inquiry which is concerned with the truth
or falsehood of alleged facts; a particular question
or issue that is of this nature : opposed to matter
of law. b. What pertains to the sphere of fact as
opposed to opinion, probability, or inference ; also,
something which is of the nature of a fact. Phrases,
As a matter of fad, in matter of fad : in point of
fact, really.
1581 E. Campion in Confer, it. (1584) M b, He speaketh of
a matter of fact. 1594 Hooker Eccl. Pol. 11. vii. § 2 If it be
admitted that in mattei of fact there is some credite to be
giuen to the testimonie of man, but not in matter of opinion
and iudgement. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. 1. iv. § 9 It is
either a beleefe of Historie (as the Lawyers speeke, matter
of fact :) or else of matter of art and opinion. 1621 Elsing
Debates Ho. Lords (Camden) 112 The House to consider of
the matter of facte. 1661 Evelyn Diary 1 Oct., He then
commanded me to draw up the matter of fact happening at
the bloudy encounter. 1690 Locke Hum. Una. iv. xvi.
(1695) 380 Some particular Existence, or, as it is usually
termed, matter of fact, which falling under Observation, is
capable of humane Testimony. 1709ADDISON TatlerNo. 122
Pi It is true in Matter of Fact, I was present at the in-
genious Entertainment. 1727 A. Hamilton New Ace. E.
//id. II. xxxiii. 9 The Story was really true Matter of Fact.
1730 A. Gordon MaffePs Amphtth. 289 The Matter of Fact
is, that.. the two Gates, .will undoubtedly be found wider.
1739 Hume Hum. Nat. i.iii. § 7 (1888) 94 All reasonings
from causes or effects terminate in conclusions, concerning
matter of fact ; that is, concerning the existence of objects
or of their qualities. 1776 — My own Life, This is a matter
of fact which is easily cleared and ascertained. 1793 Smeaton
Edystone L. § 119, 1 have strictly adhered to matter of fact.
i8i6-6oWhatelyC(V«;«.-//. ££.(1864) 131 Bya matter of fact
is meant something which might conceivably be submitted
to the senses, and about which it is supposed there could
not be any disagreement among persons who should be
present and to whose senses it should be presented. 1842
J. H. Newman Eccl. Mirac. (1843) 56 There exists, in matter
of fact, that very connection, .between Ecclesiastical and
Scripture miracles. 1849 Grote Greece n. Ixvii. (1862) VI.
38 note, Great numbers of Aristopbanic jests have been
MATTING.
transcribed as serious matter-of-fact. 1888 Bryce Atner.
Commxu. II. Hi. 311 They did not receive, as matter of fact,
the good government which they desired. 1889 J. K.
Jerome Three Men in a Boat 283 As a matter of fact, you
are quite right. I did catch it.
B. attrib. passing into adj. (Usually written
with hyphens.) Pertaining to, having regard to, or
depending upon actual fact as distinguished from
what is speculative or fanciful ; unimaginative,
prosaic.
1712 Steele Sped. No. 521 P i, I contemn the Men given
to Narration under the Appellation of a Matter of Fact Man,
1787 Burns Let. 15 Jan., Wks. (Globe) 323 To write him a
mere matter-of-fact affair, like a merchant's order. 1856
Stanley Sinai ty Pal. i. 67 The scene is not impressive in
itself,— that at Suez especially is matter-of-fact in (he highest
I degree. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) II. 277 The more Calli-
1 cles is irritated, the more provoking and matter of fact does
J Socrates become. 1887 R. N. Carey Uncle Max xi. (1S87)
84 [She] bade her drink her tea before it got cold, in a
sensible matter-of-fact way.
absol. 1870 Lowell Among my Bis. Ser. n. (1873) 125
Its oscillations between the ideal and the matter-of fact.
Hence Matter-of-factism, the principle or
practice of regarding or relying upon matter of
fact only ; so Ma tter-of-factist, one who regards
matter of fact only; Ma tter-of-factly adv., in a
matter-of-fact manner; Matter- of- factness,
matter-of-fact quality or character.
i860 Sara Hesnell Thoughts in Aid 0/ Faith 195 Hard
*rnatter-of-faa-ism. a 1866 J. Grote Exam. Utilit. Phil
xviii, (1870) 283 Positivism and matter-of-factism, that is, the
refusal to take account of any tiling else in things except that
they are. 1833 New Monthly Mag. XXXIX. 165 The *mat-
ter-of-factists will put down as your sober opinion .. the inta
irjfpofiTa inspired by the festivity of the hour. 1865 J.
Grote Explor. Philos. 1. 80 Thorough positivists. .or, I
may say, matter-of-factists. 1873 Miss Broughton Namy
I. 47 'You mean us, I suppose', I answered *matter-of-
factly. 1816 J. W. Crokf.r in C. Papers 28 Nov. (1884),
ll'hej success.. I attribute altogether .. to the *matter-of-
factness, with which it is written. 1879 W. Knight Stud.
Philos. (,■ Lit. 291 The infelicities, .in Wordsworth's style.,
its sinking from ideality into matter-offactness.
Mattery (martsri), a. Also 4-7 mattry.
[f. Matter sbA + -y i.]
1. Full of, forming, or discharging matter or pus ;
purulent. Now rare.
1398 Trevisa Barlh. De P. K. xvn. ci. (1495) 667 Oleum
mirtum. .clensyth mattry eerys. 1527 Andrew Brunsxvyke s
Distyll. Waters I v a, Impostumes whiche roune of mattery
humours and moystoures. 1666 J. H. Treat. Gt. Antidote 11
It brought away much mattery substance. 1871 Napheys
Prev. <y Cure Dis. in. xiii. 1070 A mattery sore.
T 2. Full of matter' or sense. Obs. rare-1.
1601 B. Jonson Poetaster iv. v, Away with your Mattery
Sentences.. ; They are to grant and wise, for this meeting.
Matteyer, variant of Mattek sb$ Obs.
Matthean (moeJ>ran), a. Also -sean. [f. L.
Matt hat-us Matthew + -an.] Of, pertaining to, or
characteristic of the evangelist St. Matthew.
1897 Expositor Aug. 152 The closing sentence being dis-
tinctly Matthaean. /bid. Dec. 448 In two of the Matthean
logia the Lord speaks of His disciples collectively as the
ecclesia.
Mattie, Mattin : see Matie, Matin.
Matting (martin.), zxV.^.i [f. MATz^and^.1]
1. The action of becoming or state of being matted
or tangled. Also with down, together.
1682 H. More Contn. Remark. Stor. 41 This Magical mat-
ting of the Daughter's hair into a Witch-lock. 1707 Mor-
timer //usb. 570 It [sc. the Malt] sinks gradually, distribut-
ing its strength to your Liquor equally without matting.
1865 Gosse Landfy Sea (1874) 19 The matting of the vegeta-
tion, impeding the flowof the water. 1884 W. S. B. McLaren
Spinning (ed. 2) 2 The property of felting or matting, which
is so characteristic of wool. 1897 Altbutt's Syst. Med. III.
809 Obstruction [of the bowel] by the matting together of
several coils of intestine. 1899 Ibid. VII. 480 The., matting
down of the velum interpositum.
2. a. The process of making mats or matting.
b. The covering of a floor, etc. with matting.
a. 1720 Lond. Gaz. No. 5891/4 Tho. Smith, .of that Branch
called a matted Chair-maker, is in want of Journeymen . .for
Matting. 1871 Tylor Prim. Cult. I. 7 Among the textile
arts are to be ranged matting, netting [etc.].
b. 1813 L. Hunt in Examiners Feb. 114/1 Matting and
carpeting have done much for the stone floor.
3. eoncr. A fabric composed of a coarse material,
e. g., coir, bast, hemp, grass, etc., used as a covering
for floors or roofs, or as material for packing, for
tying plants, etc. Also Naut. = Mat sb.* 4.
Different kinds of matting are known as Canton, Dutch,
India (see India 6), Russia matting', also Coconut
matting (see Coco 4 d), Sword matting (see Sword).
1748 Anson's Voy. in. v. 341 The sail.. is made of matting,
and the mast, .cf bamboo. 1812 J. Smyth Prod, of Customs
(1821) 154, 20 Rolls Dutch Matting. ..Matting is used by
the Cabinet-makers for packing of goods. 1819 Mem. Caled.
Hort. Soc. III. in Through the heads of these nails, strings
or strands of matting are introduced. 1843 Mrs. Houston
Yacht Voy. Texas (1844) I. 27 The floors, .are spread with
a fine matting. 1846 J. Baxter Libr. Prod. Agrt'c. (ed.4)
II. 324 The scion, which you will tie to it slightly with
a piece of wetted matting. 1861 Delamer Flcnver Gara.
31 The cold frame (covered with matting). 1866 Geo.
Eliot F. Holt (1868) 10 The broad stone staircase with
its matting worn into large holes. 1901 Hasluck Bamboo
Work iii. 48 The top [of the table] is of wood covered with
Japanese matting.
D. Materials for mats.
1847 in Webster ; and in recent Diets.
97-2
MATTING.
244
MATUKATE.
4. attrib. or as adj. Covered with or composed of
matting.
1833 J. Bennett Artificer's Le.x. 190 Matting hassocks,. .
oval or round. 1888 Literary World (BottOO) 4 Aug. 246/3
Matting roofs. 189S C. Holland Jap. Wife 24 The matting
floor. 1900 P. F. Warner Cricket in many Climes 219 An
ideal ground as far as a matting wicket ever can be so.
5. attrib. and Comb., as matting line, needle, tie
(cf. 2a,b); matting-boat - mattress-boat: seeMAT-
tbess 4 {Cent. Diet. 1 890) ; matting-loom, a loom
in which matting is made; see also quot. 1875.
186a Catat. Internal. Exhib. II. XIX. 10 "Matting lines,
twines, coir yarn and fibre. 1853 in Abridgm. Specif. Fa-
tents, Weaving (1861) 423 My invention consists m making
mats in a ''matting loom. 1875 Knight Diet. Mech., Mat-
ting-loom (Weaving), one in which slats are introduced into
the shed to form the woof. 1688 R. Holme Armoury m.
273/2 Their [sc. Upholsterers'] Pack or *Matting Needle.
1825 Greenhouse Comp. I. 172 Common "matting ties.
Matting(m3etin),^/.^.2 [f.MATzf.2+ -ino*.]
1. The production of a 'mat' surface, in Chasing,
Gilding, etc. Also, the mat surface thus produced.
1688 R. Holme Armoury ill. 259/2 Matting or Hatching,
is to make a Beast or Lion Hairy, a Bird Feathers, Fish
Scales, and Flowers and Leaves, Veins and Threads. 1758
Handmaid to Arts 381 The deeper and obscure parts of the
carving. .are coloured after the gilding; which treatment
is called matting. 1854 Reinnel Carpenters' $■ Gilders*
Comp. 74 Matting or Dead Gold. 1885 F. Miller Glass-
Faint. 53 If this matting [i. e. antiquing glass with umber
or ancient brown] is done to deceive, it is certainly false.
1887 L. L. Haslope Repousse Work 52 The simplest form
of matting is made by dots. 1893 Brit. Jrnl. Photogr.
XL. 800 The 'matting* of gelatine prints has become very
general. 1898 T. B. Wiglev Goldsm. <r Jeweller 146 The
term. .' surface chasing ' is generally applied to the feather-
ing of birds, . . the matting of foliage, &c.
2. The furnishing (of a picture) with a mat; concr.
— Mat sb:1 3.
1864 Webster, Matting, an ornamental border of thin
rolled brass, placed between the plate and glass of a da-
guerreotype picture, to prevent abrasion. 1875 Knight Diet.
Mech., Matting, the passepartout over a picture. A mat.
1889 Anthony's Photogr. Bull. II. 141 The matting and
framing of a [photographic) print.
3. Comb., as matting-pattern, -punch, -tool.
1877 G. B. Gee Pract. Gold-worker 133 An effective mat-
ting-punch was at once produced. This matting-tool ap-
pears to have been greatly used by the mediaeval gold-
workers. 1898 T. B Wiglev Goldsm. <y Jeweller 120 Pass-
ing the wire through flattening rolls with matting pattern.
Mattina : see Matin.
Sffattock vmartak), sb. Forms: 1 mattoc,
mettoc, metoc, meottuc, 1-2 mattuc, 4-6 mat-
tok, 4, 6 matock, 4-7 matok(e, 5 mattoke,
5-6 mattokk, 6-7 mattocke, (6 mathooke), 7-9
mathook, 6- mattock. [OlL mattuc, meottuc
masc, of unknown origin : the Welsh matog and
Gael, madag are from Eng.
The ending would appear to be the dim. suffix in OE.
bulluc bullock. The word has not been found in continental
Teut.; its relation, if any, to the synonymous Russian motyka,
Lith. matikkas, is not clear.]
An agricultural tool (of which there are several
varieties) used for loosening hard ground, grubbing
up trees, etc. It has a socketed steel head (fixed
transversely at the end of a straight handle), having
on one side a blade shaped like that of an adze,
and sometimes on the other side a kind of pick.
#700 E pin al Gloss. 565 Lagones, mettocas. a Boo Corpus
Gloss. (Hessels) L 161 Ligones, meottucas. C893 K. Al-
fred Oros. iv. viii. § 2 ponne bet he hiene mid fyre onha>
tan, & sibban mid mattucun heawan. «noo Gerefa in
Angiia (1886) IX. 263 Mattuc, ipping-iren, scear. 1303
R. Brunne Handl. Synne 940 Mattok is a pykeys. 138a
Wvci.ie Joel iii. to Bete to gydrc^our pikoysis, or mattokis
[1388 mattokkis], in to speris. c 1420 Fallad. on Husb. I.
1153 Yet tolis mo, The mattok, twibil, picoys forth to go.
1494 Fabvan Chron. iv. lxix. 48 He. .with a Pykax or Mat-
toke, with his owne hande, breke the grounde. a 1533 Ld.
Berners Huon xxx. 93 With pykes & mattokes they brake
downe a corner toure. 1588 Sh\ks. Tit. A. iv. iii. 11 Tis you
must dig with Mattocke, and with Spade. 1649 Jer. Tavlor
Gt. Exe/fAiu.xiv. 13 Repentance, .likea mattock and spade
breaks ^L^H the roughnesses of the passage, a 1734 Nor i \\
Exam. MAjjtti§ M (17,40) 592 Spades and Mathooks. 1771
KoiiERisoSTj^f. -Amer. (177S) I. iv. 335 After digging the
field with woj^mattocks, they sowed or planted it. 1824
Loudon Ejtk Wmrd. (ed.2)§ 1296 The mattock.. is some-
times calfnHaVM^^^ad also a grubbing-axe, hoe-axe,
&C 1848 Jm^^^gric. Soc. IX. 11. 537 Stony or
gravelly, so as to ?Cquire..to be pecked with a mathook
or pick. 1851 Stephens Bk. Farm fed. 2) II. 652/1 The
common mattock which on one arm has a horizontal cut-
ting face, and on the other a vertical one. 1874 Green
Short Hist. i. § 2. 13 The debtor, unable to discharge his
debt,. took up the labourer's mattock.
attrib. and Comb. 1855 Tennyson Maudx. xvni. iv, Born
To labour and the mattock-harden'd hand. 183a Planting
37 (L. U. K.) Mattock planting is confined chiefly to rocky
ground. Ibid. 60 An active workman with a steel mattock-
hoe will clean round the plants [etc.].
Mattock (martak), p. [f. Mattock so.] trans.
To turn up with the mattock. AlsoyS^.
1649 Blith Eng. Improv. Impr. 140 Prejudice. .sodeeply
rooted, as will aske hot water to Mattock up. 179a A. Young
'Frav. F~rance 411, I have seen them..mattocking up every
corner of a field where the plough could not come. 1840
Cottager's Manual 45 (L. U. K.) No plant is so much im-
proved by deep, .mattocking between the rows as the potato.
1854 Jml. R. Agric. Soc. XV. n. 274 Have all the ant-hills
and hassocks mattocked up.
Mattoid (mrc'toid), a. and sb. [ad. It.
mattoide, f. matto insane : see -oil>.] bee quot.
1891.
1891 tr. Lombroso's Man of Genius iii. 209 I his variety
forms the link between madmen of genius, the sane, and the
insane properly so called. These are what I call semi-insane
persons or mattoids. Ibid. iii. 223 Mattoid theologians.,
have unfortunately been taken so seriously as to be burned
alive. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VIII. 196 The so-called
borderland cases between sanity and insanity— for example
eccentrics, cranks, mattoids.
Mattras(s, obs. forms of Matrass.
Mattrative, variant of MatlkativK.
Mattre, obs. form of Matter.
Mattress1 (martres). Forms: 3-6 materas, 4
matrace, 4-5 materace, 6 mattrace, 4-6 raa-
teres, 5-6 matres, 6 mattres, 6-7 mattresse,-iss,
matteris, (5 matras(e, -ess, -ys, materis, -os,
matteras, 6 mattrys, matrice, 7 matt(e)rice), 5,
8-9 matrass, 9 mattrass, 6- mattress, [a. OF.
materas (mod.F. matelas), ad. It. materasso, com-
monly viewed as identical (exc for the Arab,
prefixed article at-) with Sp. and Pg. almadraque,
Pr. almatrac, ad. Arab, al-matrah, place where
something is thrown, in mod. use also mat, cushion,
f. root taraha to throw. The MHG. matraz (mod.
G. malratze) is from Fr.]
1. A contrivance used as a bed or (more com-
monly) as a support for a bed, consisting of a case
formed by two pieces of canvas or other textile
material quilted together, stuffed with hair, flocks,
straw, or the like. In recent use extended to in-
clude other appliances serving the same purpose,
esp. one consisting of wire cloth stretched upon a
frame.
c 1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 188 'Goth ', he seide, 'and maketh
a bed.. Of quoiltene and of materasz '. 1395 E. E. Wills
(1882) 5 My secunde best fetherbed, with caneuas materas.
c 1425 HocCLEVE Minor Poems xxiii. 779 The pilwes nesshe
and esy materas. 1495 Nottingham Rec. III. 38 Duo ma-
trasses, pretii vs. 1519 Hokman Vulg. 24 b, The flesshe
Heth bytwene the bone and the skynne lyke a mattresse of
cotton. 1588 Fitch's Voy. in Hakl. Voy. <i8ii) II. 388
Gownes of cotton like to our mattraces and quilted caps.
1624 Invent, in Archsologia XLV1II. 136 A bedsteed,
a matt, a inatterice, a fetherbed. 1693 Dhyden Juvenal
vi. 128 She.. On a hard Mattress is content to sleep. 1764
Har.mer Observ. 82 Their beds consist of a matrass laid
on a floor, and over this a sheet. 181a Chron. in Ann.
Reg. 86 He hid it between a mattrass and a bed. 1848
in Abridgm. Specif. Patents, Furniture, etc (1869) 551
An elastic mattress entirely metallic. 1850 Ibid. 158 A
very portable spring mattress. 1877 Knight Did. Mech.
2291 Spring-mattress, one having metallic springs beneath
the hair or moss filling. Ibid. 2792 Wire mattress. .. See
patents:— . .79,040. June 16, 68 [etc.]. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex,
s.v. Mattress, Water mattress, a waterproof case containing
water, used for the prevention of bedsores. 1900 CasseWs
Cycl. Mech. (1902) IV. 325 A full-size wire mattress.
+ 2. A protective covering for a floor or for
plants; a Mat. Obs.
1644 Evelyn Diary 17 Oct., By their carefull covering
them [sc. plaster floors in the palace of Negros, GenoaJ with
canvas and fine mattresses, where there is much passage
[etc.]. 1658 — French Gardiner (1675) 239 Shelter them
[peas] with pannels of Reeds, or Mattrasses. 1664 —
Kal. Hort. Apr. 65 Covering them [delicate plants] with
Mattresses supported on cradlesof hoops. 1706 J. Gardiner
tr. Rapin of Gardens (1728) 59 Your Flow'rs defend with
Matresses of Straw.
3. Engineering. A strong mat consisting of brush-
wood bound or twisted together, used in layers in
the construction of dikes, piers, etc.
1875 Proc. Inst. Civ. Engin. XLI. 161 In commencing
the construction of the dam. .the first step was to cover the
entire site with a strong famine mattrass. Ibid. 167 The
body of the pier takes from five to six mattrasses, averaging,
with the stones, about 3 feet 3 inches thick. 1886 Emycl.
Brit. XX. 581/1 The parallel jetties [at the mouth of the
Mississippi] consist of tiers of willow mattresses.
4. attrib. and Comb. ; a. attrib. (sense 1), as
mat tress- maker, -making, tick ; (sense 3), as mat-
tress dike, sill; b. special comb., as mattress
boat, a boat on which mattresses for dikes, etc.
are made and from which they are launched;
mattress- coat, needle (see qttots.) ; + mattress
rubber, ?a rough mattress-cover; mattress suture
Surg., a continuous suture through both lips of a
wound, in which when a stitch has been taken the
thread is tied, and the needle inserted on the same
side from which it emerged.
1884 Knight Diet. Mech. Suppl., *Mattiess Boat. 1641
Best Farm. Bks. (Surtees Soc.) 20 When woll is well risen
from the skinne, the fleece is as it weare walked togeather on
the toppe, and underneath it is but lightly fastened to the
undergrowth ; and when a fleece is thus it is called a "mat.
trice-coate. 1886 Encycl. Brit. XX. 581/1 The entrance.,
was contracted . . by means of ^mattress dykes ; and mattress
sills were laid right across the entrance. 1381 Rolls Parlt.
1 1 1. 1 12/2 Johannes Sutton, *Materas- maker. 1829 Register
of Arts III. 51 In the manner of "mattress making. 1884
Knight Die t. Mech, Suppl. 236/2 Curved * Mattress Needle
(Hydraulic Engineering), a needle for sewing brush mats
with No. 13 wne. a 1625 Beaum. & Fl. Wit at Sev.
Weap. 11. ii. (1647)76/1 Here's a promising palmc.heies
Downecompated with Flocks and quilted Straw, thy Knight's
fingers Are Ieane [1679 and mod. edd. read lean] 'mat-
trice rubbers to these Feathers. »886 * Mattress sill [see
mattress dike], 1904 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 24 Dec. 1682/2 In
suturing up the wound in the kidney in the ordinary way
the stitches frequently, on tying them, cut through. To
avoid this.. I have again followed Kelly who advises the
u>e of *mattrass sutures. 1857 Subj. -Matter Index of Pa-
tents 924 Weaving looms (for making, ."mattress-ticks, &cA
Mattress-, mattriss (msetres, -is). [Of
obscure origin; cf. iSth c. Fr. mattresse: see Fiy
loc. cit.] (See quot. 1867.)
1685 Lond. Gaz. No. 2500/4 Playing-Caids. .the Mattriss
at 10s. 6d. per Gross, Fine Mattiiss at 125. per Gioss [etc.].
1867 Fry Playing-Card Terms in Philol. Soc. Trans. 56
Mattress, Mattriss, rejected playing cards, .placed at the
bottom of the sorted bundle, to be . sold at a cheaper rate. . .
Fine Mattress is., applied to cards which are less defective ;
Common M. to cards which are more defective.
Mattresse: see Matrass1. Obs.
Mattrice, Mattross, obs. ff.M atrice,Matross.
Mattry, obs. form of Mattery.
II Mattulla (m£et»la). [mod.L., app. f, L.
malta mat, after medulla.] (Seequots.)
1849 J. H. Balfour Elem. Bot. § 57 In Palms also a similar
[brown chaffy] substance occurs, called reticulum or mat-
tulla {niatla, a mat). Ibid. § 96 The bases of the leaves. .
j surrounded by the mattulla or reticulum.
Matty (marti), a. rare. [f. Mat f&1 + -T.]
, Matted. Also in Comb, matly-haii <ed adj.
1820 Clare Rural Life (ed. 3) 141 And brush the weaving
branches by Of biiars and thorns so matty. 1824 J. Svm-
mons tr. Aischylus" Agamemnon 52 And, matty-haii'd, our
soldiers look'd like beasts.
Mattyn, obs. form of M ate v.1
Matulat, variant of Maltalf.nt Obs.
Maturable (matiu^rab'l), a. [f. Mature v,
+ -able.] That may be matured.
1889 Critic in Nation 9 May XLVIII. p. iv, Abilities,
which, if immature, are yet maturable. 1902 Casselfs
Encycl. Diet. Suppl., Maturable,.. specif, in Surg., used
of an inflamed part that may be brought to suppuration.
t Maturant, a. and sb. ? Obs. [ad. L. ma-
turant-em, pr. pple. of maturdre : see Mature v.]
— Maturative a. and sb.
1661 Lovell Hist. Anim. $ Mi'n. 363 Inflammation.. ;
it's cured, by. .maturants, rumpents [etc.], 1844 Hoblyn
Diet. 'Terms Med. (ed. 2) s. v. Maturation, Applications
which promote suppuration have been called maturants.
1856 Mavne Expos. Lex., Maturans. .maturing : maturant,
t Maturate, a. Obs. rare~l. [ad. L. /natural'
us, pa. pple. of maturdre: see Mature v.] Matured.
1556 Ann. Barber-Surg. Loud. (1890) 312 His well de-
fycell cures.. wch can not be dooen w'out maturate judg-
ment, and Learninge.
Maturate (mat -tiura't), v. Also 6 maturat.
[f. L. maturat-, ppl. stem of maturdre to ripen, f.
malhr-its ripe: see Mature a.]
1. trans. {Med.) To cause (matter, a boil, pustule,
etc.) to ripen or suppurate; to * bring to a head*.
Also absol., to cause suppuration. Now rare or Obs.
1541 R. Coi'LANo Guydon's Form. R iij b, Whan they
[remedies] fynde maier redy to rypenesse they do maturate
and to resolue, they resolue. 1547 Bookde Brev. Health
cix. 41 b, Than excoriat the skyn and maturat the matter.
1665 G. Harvev Advice agst. Plague 27 The said tumours
being now imperfectly maturated, .are to be opened. 1694
W. Salmon Bate's Ptspens. (1713) 687/1 It is a delicate
Anodyn ; it lenifies or softens, and maturates. 1779 Gentl.
Mag. XLIX. 80 [It] is frequently used to maturate boils.
1801 Med. Jrnl. V. 404 They [pustules] continued filling
till they were completely maturated. 1890 in Syd. Soc. Lex.
t 2. To mature, ripen (fruits, vegetable juices,
liquors, etc.). Also Jig. Obs.
1628 Fki.tham Resolves 1. xix. 35 Which may strongly
argue the Intentions of the Soul to be good ; though unable
to maturate that seed that is in it. 3655 Fuller Ch. Hist.
1. i. 8 By powring every night warm water on the root
thereof, a 'Iree may be maturated artificially, to bud out in
the midst of Winter. 1676 Worlidge Cider ii. § 3 14 This
Juice or Sap [in Fruit], .is by the continual animating heat
of the Sun, maturated. 173a Berkeley Minute Phiios.
(1732) 36/2 Aromatic Oils maturated by great length of
time turn to Salts. 1743 Lond. fy Country Brew. 111. (ed. 2)
206 It is not Boiling that maturates and preserves Malt-
Liquors, but a right and due Fermentation. 1756 P. Browne
Jamaica 13 Dung adds warmth to the soil, and maturates
as well as it enriches the juice.
1 3. To mature, develop, make perfect. (With
object a person or personal attribute.) Obs.
162a C. Fit^-Gkffkv Elisha 7 Yeares must maturate nien
to such Functions. 1662 HorKiNS Serm. (1685) 104 Time,
to maturate these growing hopes. 1791 Smeaton Edystone
L. Contents 8/2 Dovetailing considered. ..The idea of Dove-
tailing maturated,
f4. a. Alchemy. To purify and digest (a metal) by
maturation; to exalt by purification into. b. Metal~
lurgy. To bring (an ore) into the metallic state.
1641 French Distill, vi. (1651) 176 A petfect metall, as
gold, hath [not] this impurity ; I mean when it is fully ma-
turated and melted. 1669 W. Simpson H\d*ot. Chym. 58
The ripening coagulating fire of the embrionate Sulphur
..exiccates and maturates the radical Mercurial moisture,
and terminates it in a Metalick species. 1686 Plot Staf-
fordsh. 160 Burning it [a stone] in a Crucible.it was quickly
maturated into Iron. 1758 W. Borlase Nat. Hist. Cornw.
202 The metal becomes thoroughly maturated, that is, as
ductile, and free from stone [etc.].. as fire itself can make it.
t 5. (See quot.) Obs.~°
1623 Cockeram, Maturate, to hasten.
t 6. intr. Of fruit : To ripen, mature. Obs.
1665 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (1677) 388 Such [fruits] as will
not maturate with us in England. 1756 P. Browne Jamaica
200 It will soften and maturate in a few days.
MATURATION.
7. Of a pustule: To ripen, suppurate.
1746 Brit. Mag. 101 About 50 or 60 small Pox came out,
which maturated and scabbed. 1858 J. Copland Diet.
Pratt. Med. III. 812/2 From the fifth to the eighth day of
the eruption, the pustule maturates.
Hence Maturated///, a., Maturating vbL sb.
and ///. a.
1628 Alex. Leighton SiotCs Plea agst. Prelacy (ed. 2) 26
Rattier than they would suffer the plague soare of their
oppressing pride to be burst by the maturating Cataplasmes
of wholesoin Laws. 1698 [R. Fergusson] View of Ecclesi-
astick 31 Maturated, Adult and Pregnant Wit. 1698 Phil.
Trans. XX. 440, I ordered him Maturating Gargles. 1758
J. S. Le Dran's Observ. Surg-. (1771) 96, I applied matu-
rating Cataplasms. 1897 Allbntt's Syst. Med. 111. 171 The
addition of various, .substances to the maturating medium.
Maturation (mretiun* -Jan). Also 6 madura-
cyon, maturacion, 7 erron. -ition. [a. F. ma-
turation, ad. L. mat 'unit ion-em , n. of action f.
mdlurdre: see Maturate and Mature vbs.]
1. Med. The 'ripening* of morbific matter ; the
process by which matter is formed in an abscess
or a vesicle becomes a pustule, suppuration; the
action of causing this process.
1541 Copland Guydon's Form. S iij, The fyrste [cure] is
to rype the mater. The seconde after the maduracyon to
open it. 1543 Traheron tr. Vigo's Chirurg. 11. i. 13 b/2
Humours, .whych nature canne not..bringe to maturation
or suppuration. 1597 A. M. tr. Guillemeau's Fr. Chirurg.
23/4 Perseaving it to be come to his full maturation and
ripnes. 1684 tr. Sonet's Merc. Com pit. 1. 17 The parts
affected may be cleared of the Thrush by maturation of it.
1791 Boswkll Johnson an. 1760, Mr. Sharpe is of opinion
that the tedious maturation of the cataract is a vulgar error.
1800 Med. Jrnt. III. 502 The progressive stages of inflam-
mation, maturation, and scabbing. 1861 Graham Pract.
Med. 665 The period of maturation of the eruption. 1897
Allbutt's Syst. Med. II, 565 The maturation of the pocks.
f 2. Alchemy. The operation of converting a baser
metal into gold. Cf. Maturate v. 4. Obs.
1612 Woodall Surg. Male Wks. (1639) 273 Maturation is
exaltation of a substance, rude and crude to that which is
mature and perfect. 1626 Bacon Sytva § 326 We conceive
indeed, that a perfect good Concoction, or Digestion, or
Maturation of some Metalls, will produce Gold. 1671
J. Webster Metallographia ii. 31 Whose Art of. .Matura-
tion of Metals he laboureth to prove to be false.
f 3. Physics, The (supposed) natural ripening or
development of material substances by the opera-
tion of heat and motion. Obs.
a 165a J. Smith Set. Disc. iv. 111.(1821) 75 The very grass
..may. .after many refinings, macerations, and maturations,
..spring up into so many rational souls. 1665-6 Phil.
Trans. I. 338 Whether, .the Mine will afford Ore or Metal
in tract of time,.. and whether to this Maturation of the
Mine, the being exposed to the free Aire be necessary. 1753
Shuckeord Creation <$• Fait 133 Little Particles .. which
have . . in the Maturation of Ages, remained sandy and
sabulous, .or become Rocks or Minerals.
4. Of fruits, the juices of plants, etc. : The action
or process of ripening or becoming ripe ; develop-
ment to ripeness ; also, an instance of this.
1621 Burton Anat. Met. 1. i. n.v, Maturation is especially
obserued in the fruits of trees. 1770-4 A. Hunter Georg.
Ess. (1803) I. 49 Maturation of their seed, seems all that is
required of them. 1791 Hamilton Berthollet's Dyeing I. t.
1. vi. 115 By maturation, the fruit from having been hard
grows soft .. and sweet. 1839 Ure Diet. Arts 292 After
the maturation of the fruit, .they are plucked. lS&zGarden
7 Jan. 4/1 Perfect maturation of the foliage, which means
maturation of the bulb.
b. Of liquors or other things undergoing pre-
paration for use: The action of maturing; the pro-
cess of becoming matured.
1605 Timme Quersitanus n. vi. S b, So wee see, that wines
in whose maturation or rypening the heate of the sunne failed
are made more crude and sharpe. 1626 Bacon Sylva § 312
For the Maturation of Drinkes, it is wrought by the Con-
gregation of the Spirits together. 1675 Evelyn Terra 59
If. .the ground seem to require an hastier maturation, there
may be a crop of Beans [etc.] sown upon it, which will
mellow it exceedingly. 1707 Mortimer Husb. (1721) II.
348 Ginger accelerateth the Maturation of Cyder. 1743
Land. <$• Country Brew. m. (ed. 2) 201 The Liquor has
before received due Maturation in the Copper and Mash-tun.
1778 [W. Marshall] Minutes Agric. 17 Oct. 1774 The idea
of making compost useful while in a state of maturation.
l&3$ Ure Philos, Manuf. 83 The downy filaments of cotton
. -get more or less flattened in the maturation and drying of
the wool, 1902 Daily Chron. 7 Jan. 6/3 A lengthy process
of maturation in sherry casks is required to make it [whisky]
a wholesome beverage.
5. The action or process of coming to full growth
or development : a. of man, his faculties, etc.
16x6 T. Lane Contn. Sor.'s T. v. 492 Our care to feede
them [children],, .our after cares, as they gaine maturation.
1660 G. Fleming Stemma sacrum 6 From the first time
that could begin any Maturition to his Judgement. 1693
J. Tykrell Laxv Nat. 30 There happens to us Men.. Ma-
turation, Decay, and Dissolution. 1820 Foster Ess. Evils
Pop. Ignor. 294 The maturation of the spiritual being, to
the highest attainable degree. 1834-43 Southey Doctor
clxxxv. (1862)483 Imputing to the decay of our nature that
which results fiom its maturation.
b. of plants, animals, etc.
1664 Power Exp. Philos. 1. 61 To give, .vegetation and
maturation to Plants. 1655-87 H. More App. Antid. xiii.
(1712) 223 He found these Birds [Tree-geese] in several de-
grees of maturation. 1755 B. Martin Mag. Arts <y Sci.
111. xi. 376 The Maturation, and bringing to Perfection the
Chicken contained in Embryo. 1826 Kikby & Sr. Entomol.
IV*. 146 Organs, .which are appropriated to the. .matura-
tion, exclusion and deposition of their eggs. 1884 W. K.
245
Parker Mammal. Descent it. (1885) 55 The growth and
maturation of the germs. 1904 Brit. Med. J rut. 17 Dec.
1643 The maturation and fertilization of the ovum.
C. of a disease.
1818-20 E. Thompson Cullen's Nosol. Meih. (ed. 3) 331
A vesicular disease, which, .passes through a regular course
of increase, maturation, and decline. 1871 Darwin Desc.
Man I. 1. 12 That mysterious law which causes.. the matu-
ration . . of various diseases, to follow lunar periods.
d. transf and Jig. esp. the completing or per-
fecting (of a plan, work, etc.).
1655 Thcophania 165 The birth, growth and maturation
of our Love. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. in P 3 Time
sufficient for the icgular maturation of our schemes. Ibid.
No. 156 P12 A play represents some transaction, through
its regular maturation to its final event. 1845 J. H. New-
man Developm, Chr. Doctrine (1878) 38 The germination
and maturation of some truth. 1884 G. Allen Pkilistia
III. xxxvii. 273 The pamphlet and the paper were in course
of maturation.
f 6. The forwarding (of a business, etc.). Obs.
1584 Leycesters Commoniu. (1641) 98 It,.tendeth directly
to Maturation of the principall purpose. 1623 Cockeram,
Maturation^ a hastening. 1655 Fuller Church It 1st. lx.
xvi. 173 The said Convocation met. .for the maturation of
business with the more expedition.
Maturative (matiuVrativ\ a. and sb. Also
5 maturatif, -yf. [a. F. maturatif ad. L. wa-
turiitiv-uS) f. maturdre to Mature.]
A. adj.
1. Med. That causes maturation or the forma-
tion of pus; pertaining to or characterized by
maturation. ^Cf. Mattekative.)
c 1400 I.aufranc's Cirurg. 44 He leide berto a plastic
maturatijf. 1543 Traheron tr. Vigo's Chirurg. n. i. 14/1
We haue seen that coruption of an Aposteme bath chaunced
thorough defaute of appliyn^e conuenyent maturatyue
Medicines. 1568 Skeyne The Pest\i862) 42 Quhilk is mar-
uelous inaturatiue, distroyand all venome. 1620 Venner
Via Recta v. 88 Butter, .is of a moystnmg, mollifying, ma-
turatiue, and resolutiue faculty. 1725 Sloane Jamaica II.
02 Birdlime is maturative. 1831 J. Davies Mat. Med. 391
Its leaves bruised and boiled are frequently used as a ma-
turative poultice. 1858 J. Copland Diet. Pratt. Med. I.
810/1 The maturative, or suppurative .stage [of small-pox].
f 2. Having the power or function of maturing
or ripening (fruits, etc.) ; of or pertaining to
maturation.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. iv. xiii. 227 They, .have
their second Summer hotter and more maturative of fruits
then the former. 1658 — Gard. Cyrus iii. Hydriot. etc. 50
The maturative progresse of Seeds. 1685 Uovlk Saiubr.
Air 35 Some maturative power, whereby an inanimate Body
may gradually admit of such a change.
B. sb. A maturative remedy.
1398TREVISA Barth. De P. R. vii. xxi. (1495)239 Thenne
men must werke fyrste wyth colde inaturatiues rypynge.
c 1400 Lanfranc s Cirurg. 211 If per hab be kid berto ony
maturatif so bat be mater berof be rotid, ban opene it. 1543
Traheron tr. Vigo's Chirurg. 11. i. 14/1 Auicenne. .coun-
selled vs, to applye colde and moyste maturatyues. 1665
G. Harvey Advice agst. Plague 27 We are to give them
[tumours] vent as speedily as possible, by applying . . Ma-
turatives. 1743 tr. Heisier's Surg. 1S3 These compound
Maturatives. 1831 J. Davies Mat. Med. 195 It is employed
as a maturative and stimulant. 1855 Dunglison Med. Lex.
(ed. 12), Maturative, a medicine which favours the matu-
ration of an inflammatory tumour.
Mature (matiu*u), a. [ad. L. mdturtts ripe,
timely, early. Cf. Murk.]
1. Complete in natural development or growth.
a. Of fruits, etc. : Ripe. Obst in lit. use.
1599 A. M. tr. Gabelhouer's Bk. Physieke 58/2 When as. .
the seede [of Fennell] is mature cut it there of. 1676 Wor-
lidge Cider ii. § 3. 14 Cider well made of Mature Fruits.
1791 Cowper Yardley Oak 33 Thou (the acorn] fell'st mature.
Jig. 1850 Tennyson In Mem. Ixxxi, There cannot come a
mellower change, For now is love mature in ear.
b. Of an embryo, foetus, plant, etc.: Full grown.
1801 Med. Jrttl, V. 45 A living mature fcetus. 1845 Florist's
Jrnl. 274 The proper season for repotting mature plants.
1882 Vines Sachs* Bot. 775 The green leaves do not grow
after they are mature.
+ c. ■ Ripe * or ready for. Obs.
1607 Shaks. Cor. iv. iii. 26 This [insurrection] lyes glow-
ing, .and is almost mature for the violent breaking out. 1667
Milton P. L. xi. 537 Till like ripe Fruit thou drop.. or be
. .Gatherd, not harshly pluckt, for death mature.
2. Of a person : Having the powers of body and
mind fully developed. Of personal qualities, etc. :
Fully developed or ripened.
1600 J. Pory tr. Leo's Africa Ded. A 2 M. Richard Hak-
luyt : who out of his mature judgement in these studies,. .
was the onely man that mooved me to translate it. 1606
Shaks. Tr. # Cr. iv. v. 97 The yongest Sonne of Priam;
..Not yet mature, yet matchlesse. 1667 Milton P. L. x.
882 To trust thee [Eve] from my side, imagin'd wise, Con-
stant, mature. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. 111. 79 A Time
will come, when my maturer Muse.. a nobler Theme will
chuse. 1718 Prior Solomon 11. 164 Mature the virgin was,
..Grace shap'd her limbs, and beauty deck'd her face. 1726
Cavallier Mem. iv. 310 When they came to maturer Years.
1842 Combe Digestion 241 In mature and middle age.. still
greater caution, .becomes requisite. 1870-74 J. Thomson
City Dreadf. N. I. ix, Mature men chiefly, few in age or
youth.
b. const, in.
1606 Shaks. Ant. t, CI. 1. iv. 31 Boyes. .mature in know-
ledge. 1682 Dryden Mac Fl. 16 Shadwell .. Mature in
dulness from his tender years. 1784 Cowper Task v. 296
When they are grown mature In wisdom. 1875 Jowett
Plato (ed. 2) V. 243 No animal at birth is mature or per-
fect in intelligence.
MATURE.
e. Of or pertaining to maturity or manhood, rare.
1611 Shaks. Wint. T. i. i. 27 They were trayn'd together
in their Child-hoods ; . . Since their more mature Dignities. •
made seperation of their Societie [etcl.
3. (The earliest use.) Of thought or delibera-
tion : Duly prolonged and careful. Of plans, con-
clusions, etc. : Formed after adequate deliberation.
1454 Rolls of Parlt. V. 239/z The Justicez, after sadde
communication and mature deliberation hadde amonge
theim, aunswered..that [etc.]. 1543 in W. H. Turner Select.
Rec. O.vfi. 170 After long and mature debating of the
mattar. 1578 Reg. Privy Council Scot. III. 54 Eftir mature
advise and deliberatioun. 1638 Junius Paint. Ancients
A3 Things.. which, .in the review and more mature cogita-
tion I wished might be altered. X726 Swift Gulliver 11. iii,
Upon mature thoughts, 1 began to doubt whether I was in-
jured or no. 1792 Burke Pres. St. Aff. Wks. 1842 I. 5S5
On a full and mature view and comparison of the historical
matter. 1839 James Louis XIV. 1. 389 Till his plans for
revolt were mature. 1848 Lytton Harold vm. iv, The in-
terval, .allowed no time for mature and careful reflection.
1879 Fahrar St. Paul xxxviii. (1883 637 His ripest thoughts,
and . . the matures! statement of the Gospel which he preached.
t 4. That lakes place early ; prompt. Obs,
1600 Fairfax Tasso xix. xcviii. 356 Hardly I scapt their
hands by mature flight. 1672 Marvkll Corr. Wks. 1872-5
II. 407 Carrying things on with the matures! expedition,
f5. Of an event: Occurring when the fitting
time has come. Of time : Due. (The opposite of
' premature '.) Obs.
1605 Shaks. Lear iv. vi. 282 In the mature time, With
this vngracious paper [He] strike the sight Of the death-
practis'd Duke. 1667 Milton P. L. v. 862 The birth mature
Of this our native Heav'n.
6. Med. In a state of suppuration ; ripe.
1828 in WEBSTER ; and in later Diets.
7. Comm. Of a bill, etc. : That has reached the
time for payment ; due. 1882 in Ogilvie.
mature (matiu'u), v. Also 6 madure. [Partly
ad. obs. F. maturer, also madurer, ad. L. maturare,
f. mdturus Mature; partly f. Matukk a]
1. I ram. {Med.) = Maturate v. i.
1541 Copland tr. Cuydon's Form. S iij b, In mundyfyenge
it madureth, and sufTreth nat to fystule. 1599 A. M. tr.
Gabflkouers Bk. Physic 95/1 A potione to mature, or ripen,
an Apostematione. 1898 Alll'Utt's Syst. Med. V. 39 To
mature, that is to loosen the [bronchial] catarrh.
2. To bring to maturity or perfect development ;
to ripen (fiuits, wine, etc.) ; to bring (a plant or
crop) to full growth. Also pass. = 0.
1626 ISacon Sy/vai 314 Cnanie is Matured.. by Putting
in Cold Water. Ibid. % 326 To see if the Virtual! Heat of
the Wine, will not Mature il [an apple]. 1701 J. Philips
Splendid Shilling 117 Nor taste the Fruits that the Sun's
genial Rays Mature. 1781 Cowper Charity 442 A ship,
well freighted with the stores The sun matures on India's
spicy shores. 1853 Robertson Sciju. Ser. in. viii. (1857)
114 Warmth, .expands the leaf, matures the fruit [etc.].
fig. i8»i Shellky Hellas 575 The Greek has reaped The
costly harvest his own blood matured.
absol. 1626 Bacon Sylva § 326 They are euer Temperate
Heats that Digest, and Mature.
3. transf. To cause to develop fully (the mind,
judgement, etc.) ; to perfect the development of (a
person) mentally and physically.
1660 R. Coke Power % Subj. 75 Whenas judgment is ma-
tured by age. 1671 Milton P. R. IV. 281 Till time mature
thee to a Kingdom's waight. 1742 Young N. 'Ph. v. 772
Virtue, not rolling suns, the mind matures. 1766-88 Gibbon
Decl. i P. II. xliii. 597 His prudence was matured by ex-
perience. 1842 Tennyson 'Love thou thy land'' x, Nature
..Thro' many agents making strong, Matures the indivi-
dual form. 1851 Macaulay Est., Fredk. Gt. (1877) 66r
Suffering had matured his understanding.
absol. a 1861 Mrs. Browning Little Matlie 11. Poems
(1862) 2 Just so young but yesternight, Now she is as old
as death. . . An hour matures.
4. fig. To make ripe or ready ; to perfect (a plan,
work, etc.) ; to bring to a head.
1667 Milton P.L. i. 660 But these thoughts Full Counsel
must mature. 1769 Robertson Chas. V, III. x. 222 He
had leisure to mature his schemes. 1784 Cowper Task iii.
450 An art That toiling ages have but just matured. 1817
Jas. Mill Brit. India I. lit. ii. 500 His vizir, .matured the
dissatisfaction of the Omrahs, and. .delhrone^^J^^i8si
Gallenoa Italy 195 The great events 1
the destinies of the common country in I-1
H. Phillips Amer. Paper Curr. II.
evidently not yet matured.
b. Const, into.
1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng. xii. III. , 2«JFThe passions,
would be at once matured into fearful vigour. 1857 Buckle
Civilisation I. ix. 585 Their habits of self-reliance, enabled
them to mature into a system . . the right of private judgment.
1861 T. Wright Ess. Archxol. II. xxii. 197 This taste for
gallantry was matured into a system.
t 5. To forward or hasten duly. Obs. rare.
1660 Marvell Corr. Wks. 1872-5 II. 24 The House hath
been, .busied in. maturing those bills. 1661-2 Ibid. 77 Be
maturing your own businesse hither as fast as may be.
6. intr. To come to maturity or perfect develop-
ment ; to grow ripe : a. of fiuits, seeds, wine, etc.
1626 Bacon Syha% 324 It islike they \se. fruit] would mature
more finely. 1795 Napleton Adv. to Student v. 55 It [the
seed] may. .grow and mature where you see it not. 1843
Penny Cycl. XXVII. 463/2 The wine is left in the cask.. to
mature. 1879 Lubbock Sci. Led. i. 8 In some cases the
stigma has matured before the anthers are ripe,
b. of animals.
1887 F. Francis Jun. Saddle $ Mocassin 163 You want
the cattle that 's easiest handled, and easiest sold, and that
matures quickest and keeps in best condition.
MATUBED.
c. trans/, of persons.
1844 Browning Boy fy Angel 33 The man matured and fell
away Into the season of decay. 1870 Disraeli Lothair xl,
But what pleases me most are his manners...! never knew
any one who had so matured.
- d. fig. To * ripen ' or develop into or to,
1805 Southey Madoc i, xvii, Such thoughts, As might
..have matured To penitence and peace. 1875 PosjzGaius
1. (ed. 2) 78 Possession could not mature by usucapion into
ownership.
7. Comm. Of a bill, sum of money, etc. : To
reach the time fixed for payment ; to become due.
1861 Goschkn For. Exch. 10 Those bills being all forced
upon the money-market for discount at once, instead of
being gradually encashed as they mature. i8o» Daily News
20 Feb. 2 '4 In March as much as 980,000/. will mature. 1896
La7u Times C. 436/2 Debentures which had matured for
payment.
Hence Matu'rer rare, one who matures.
1863 W. Hanna Our Lord's Resurr. 18 The nourisher, the
maturer of that eternal life which is for our souls in him.
Matured (m£tiu»ud), ///. a. [f. Mature v. \
+ -ed 1.1 Ripened ; fully developed or grown ;
perfected or completed.
1676 Evelyn Terra 53 On this [cast] a layer of well-matur'd
Dung. 1805 A. Knox Rem. (1834) I. 1 This matured state
of grace. 1837 Ht. Martineau Sec, A titer. III. 75 He
brought a rich and matured mind to the first employment of
it. 1863 Geo. Eliot Romola vi, The matured scholarship of
Messere. 1882 A. W. Ward Dickens vi. 166 He seemed to
stand erect in the strength of his matured powers. 1886
C Scott Sheep-farming 38 Sheep prefer the fresh growth
to matured blades.
Maturely (matiu^ili), adv. Also 6 maturly.
[f. Matured. + -ly -.]
1. With full deliberation, after mature considera-
tion.
1594 Parsons Con/. Next Success. It. iv. 85 A sentence
..so maturely giuen, could not be reuoked. 1611 Bible
Transl. Pre/. P 11 To haue the translations of the Bible
maturely considered of. a 1639 Spottiswood Hist, Ch.
Scot. 11. (1677) 89 They might more maturely advise what
course was fittest to be taken. 1735 Berkeley Free-
think. in Math. % 43 Wk-s 1871 III. 327, I had long and
maturely considered the principles of the modern analysis.
1841 James Brigand xxv/lhe rest might stand over till both
you and I had thought maturely of the matter. 1865 Car-
lvle Fredk. Gt. ix. x. III. 16S Our Crown-Prince, some-
what of a judge in after years, is maturely of opinion, That
the French Lines were by no means inexpugnable.
+ 2. With due promptness: in good time; not
too late ; early. Obs.
1531 Elvot Gov. 1. xxu. (1546) 72 Consult before thou
enterpryse any thyng. and after thou hast taken counsel, it
is expedient to do it maturly. 166a H. More Antid. Atheism
111. xv. (1712) 135 They.. were never able, .maturely to
discover the approaching dangers. 169a Bentlev BoyU
Led. iii. (1693) 17 We give him thanks for. .receiving us
more maturely [than the long-lived antediluvians] into those
Everlasting Habitations above. 1790 Cow per Odyss. u. -2-27
But let us frame Effectual means maturely to suppress Their
violent deeds.
3. With full development ; ripely. Also, in a
manner indicative of maturity. rare~ l.
1841 Myers Cath. Th. 111. §47. 128 The formation of a ma-
turely Christian mind. 1886 Const. F. Woolson East
Angeh ix. 176 But Garcia Thorne isn't immature, she talks
as maturely as I do.
Maturement (mitiiU'iment). rare—*, [f.
Mature v. + -ment.] The action of maturing.
1883 D. Wingate Lost Laird xviii, To do a little day by
day towards the maturement of his plans.
Matureness (matiu«unes). [f. Mature a. +
-ness.] The state of being mature, maturity.
1701-2 Narr. Lower Ho. Convoc. Vind. 51 The.. Mature-
ness of their final Resolution. 1717 in Bailey vol. 1 1. 1833
G. R. Porter Trop. Agric. 227 By. .extracting a piece of
pith, and examining its degree of matureness.
Matiirescence (maetiure'sens). [f. L. ma-
turescentem : see next and -ence.] The process of
maturing.
1856 W. L. Lindsay Pop. Hist. Brit. Lichens 66 The effect
of maturescence of the spores.
+ Mature" scent, a. Obs."° [ad. L. viatiire-
scenl-em, pr. pple. of maturiset!ref f. matitr-us :
see Mature a. and -escent.]
17*7 Bailey vol. II, Maturescent, waxing ripe. 1847 in
Webster.
t Matu rify, v. Obs. rare"1. [ad. late L.
matureface're to make ripe : see -FY.J trans. To
'maturate* or exalt (a metal) into (gold).
1641 French Distill. ¥.(1651)138 It[Oilofsand]maturineth
imperfect metals into gold.
Maturing (matiuerirj), vbl. sb. [f. Mature v.
+ -ING *.] The action of the verb Mature
1626 Bacon Sylva § 326 The Maturing of Metalls, and
therby Turning some of them into Gold. 1885 At he nxum
25 Apr. 534/3 The gradual maturing of the young hero's
mind. 1897 Altbutfs Syst. Med. II. 845 The maturing of
wine is the process of development of these ethers.
Maturing (matiu»Tirj), ppl. a. [f. Mature v.
+ -1NG ^.] That matures, in the senses of the verb.
1801 Southey Thalaba 111. xiv, His lip was darken d by
maturing life. 1820 Keats To Autumn 2 Season of mists
and mellow fruitfulness, Close bosom-friend of the maturing
sun. 1903 Blackw. Mag, Jan 44/2 A patch of maturing
tobacco.
Maturish. (matiuVriJ), a. rare—*. [f.MATURE
a. + -ish.] Somewhat mature.
1885 Meredith Diana III. xii. 244 She played.. the ma-
turish young woman smitten by an adorable youth.
246
Maturity (matiu>'riti). Also 4 maturite, 5
-yte, 6 -itee. [ad. F. maturili (15-161I1 c. in
Hatz. -Darm.) or its source L.mdttlritds,{.mdlurus:
see Mature a. and -ity.]
1 1. Deliberateness of action ; mature considera-
tion, due deliberation. Obs.
c 1375 Barbour Bruce XL 583 Bot nane of thame sohardely
Ruschit emang thame as did he, Bot with fer mair maturite.
1534 Ld. Berners Gold. Bk. M. Aurcl. (1546) B v b, A thyng
that a sage personne with greatte maturitie and deliberation
hath written. 1604 T. Wright Passions 11. x. 41 Voong
men and women .. resolve rashly, and performe rarely,
because that they concluded without maturity. 1611 Bible
Transl. Pre/, r 14 Matters of such weight and conse-
quence are to bee speeded with maturitie. 1706 tr. Dttpin's
Eccl. Hist, sblh C. II. 111. xxi. 387 It shall be done, after
Examination of the Case, with the utmost Maturity. 1734
tr. Rollitl's Anc. Hist. (1827) I. Pref. rs The study of pro-
fane history when entered upon with judgment and maturity.
f 2. Due promptness. Obs.
1531 Elyot Gov. 1. xxii. (1546) 71 b, Yet of these two ■
[celeritie and slownesse] springeth an excellent vertue,
whervnto we lacke a name in englishe. Wherfore I am
constrained to vsurpe a latine worde, callyng it Maturitie.
C1540 tr. Pol. Vert;. F.ng. Hist. (Camden) I. 77 Agricola..
basted with maturitee [L. maturat] to resiste this eminent
perrill. Ibid. 172 Which thing this yonge impe executed
with great maturitee IL. mature /ccit]. 1670 Marvell
Corr. Wks. 1872-5 II. 339 All things will be perfected
doubtlesse with all possible maturity.
3. The state of being mature ; fullness or per- |
fection of development or growth.
a. Of a person (mentally and physically) or his
attributes ; also, the state of being of age.
1426 Lydg. De Guil. Pitgr. 23918 She was of gret sobre-
nesse-.and of gret maturyte. 1568 Grafton Chroit. II. 664
To abide and tarie the maturitie and decent full age of this
noble princes. 1603 Daniel Panegyr. to King Ixiv, Thy
full matuiitieOf yeares and wisdome. 1651 G. W. tr. CoU'efs
Inst 29 This age [one and twenty] with us is perfect and
full maturity. 1796 Burke Regie. Peace i. Wks. VIII.
146 When I was very young, a general fashion told me I
was to admire some of the writings against that Minister :
a little more maturity laught me as much to despise them.
1845 S Austin Range's Hist. Re/. 1. 115 Till she reached
years of maturity, she was confided to French guardianship.
18580. W. Holmes A ut. Brcakf.-t. xi. ro6 Lines which em-
body the subdued and limited desires of my maturity. 1876
Fkeeman Norm. Conq. I. vi. 531 In the full maturity of life.
b. Of animals, plants, etc. : The state of being
full grown.
1597 Gerarde Herual c\\y\\. i3Qr In short space after it
[the barnacle-goose] coinmeth to full maturitie, and falleth
intothesea. 1606 Shaks. Tr. A> Cr. t. iii. 317 The seeded Pride
That hath to this maturity hlowne vp In ranke Achilles, must
. .now be ciopt. i69aBESTLEY Boyle Led. iv. ri4The inclosed
Foetus ; which at the time of maturity broke through those
Membranes. 1753 Hogakth Anal. Beauty vi. 29 A single
spreading oak, grown to maturity. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist.
(1776) V. 328 She lays four or five eg«s ; of which but a part
..come to maturity. 1833 G. R. Porter Tropical Agric.
158 All the [tobacco] plants throughout the same field do
not arrive together at their full maturity. 1879 Harlan
Eyesight ii 25 Each one [eyelash] reaches maturity in about
five months, and then drops out.
C. Of fruits, wine, etc. : Ripeness.
1665 Boyle Occas. Refl. (1848) 68 Green Fruit .. being
neither sweetned nor concocted by Maturity. 1676 Wor-
LtDGEC/VrVrii.§ 3. i4The Bloud of the Grape obtains not that
degree of Maturity in the Fruit, as [etc.]. 1707 Mortimer
Huso. (1721) II. 302 Large Shoots that impede the Fruit
from its due Maturity. 1843 Penny Cycl XXVII. 464/1
When wines have been kept in the wood for the period.,
proper for attaining maturity.
4. Of immaterial things : The state of being
complete, perfect or ready.
i6as K. Long tr. Barclay's Argent's in. xi. 187 He may
be sent backc.upon hope of being recalled, when things
are come to better maturity. «i6« Naunton Fragm.
Reg. (A;b.) 36 The Secretary might have had end of dis-
covery on a further maturity of the Treason. 1719 F. Hare
Ch. Authority Vind. 26 Till things were come to that ma-
turity that the dispensation of the Gospel did no longer
want them. 1731 Swift Repeal. Test Wks. 1761 III. 291
They must wait maturity of time. 1785 Reid Intell Poivers
■ I. vi. 241 One science may be brought to a great degree of
maturity. 1844 H. H Wilson Brit. India. III. 265 Mea-
sures which, .wcrenearly biought tomaturity. 180 Cony,
beare & HowsoN St. Paul (1862) I. 54 The revolution of
which Herod had sown the seeds now came to maturity,
t b. //. Matured conditions. Obs ran—1.
1633 Adams Exp. 2 Peter i. 1 Canaan . . was already fur-
nished to their hands : Nature had eniiched it with commo-
dities, and Industry beautified it with buildings and matu-
rities.
6. Comm. The state of becoming due for payment;
the time at which a bill becomes due.
1815 Dallas in Taunton Comm. Pleas Rep. (1818I VI. 311
The peiiod that intervened between the refusal to accept
and the bill arriving at maturity for payment, i860 Com-
mere. Handbk. 15 The period of the date of maturity of bills
at or after sight 1861 Goschen For. Exch. 135 When their
drafts come to maturity. 1901 Scotsman 30 Oct. 5/1 For _six
I months' maturities the rate is still maintained at 3$ to 38. _
6. The state of an abscess in which the pus is
' fully formed (Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890).
1676 Wiseman Surg. 1. xvii. 79 Three or four days after
they [sc. pustules] came to maturity, and brake
Matutinal (mxtiKtaimal), a. [ad. L. matu-
tinal-is, i. matutinus : see Matutine. Cf. F.
matutinal^ Of or pertaining to the morning,
occurring or performed in the morning, early.
Also rarely [? after F. matinal], rising early.
MAUDLIN.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Matutinal, belonging to the morn-
ing, or morning prayer, a 1800 Pegge Anecd. (1814) 277
Another matutinal expression in ancient use was — ' Give you
(i.e. God) good Day . 1834 James J. Marslon Hull xiv,
Our household was not the most matutinal in the world.
1839 Thackeray Paris Sk.-bk., Fr. School Paint. (1869) 53
The matutinal dews twinkling in the grass. 185s Bristowe
Th. A> Pract. Med. (ed. 2) 101 There is usually a matutinal
fall, and an evening rise [of temperature]. 1869 Browning
Ring* Booh vi. 1443 What? Matutinal, busy with book so
soon Of an April day? 1874 Lays Mod. Ox/ord 12 While
undergraduates masticate The matutinal muffin. 1897.4//-
butt'sSysl. Med. I V. 1 92 The matutinal use of saline aperients.
Hence Matuti nally adv., every morning.
1897 P. Warung Old Regime 107 Three workers only—
and six mustered nightly— and rations for six drawn matu-
tinally.
Matutinary, a. rare*1, [f. L. matutln-us
(see next) -1- -ahy.] Matutinal, early.
1858 Hawthorne Pr. a> //. Nole-bks. I. 239 We ..were
ready to start between five and six ; being thus matutinary
in older to get to Terni in time.
Matutine (mse-ti»t3in), a. (and sb.) [ad. L.
mdtfilin-us, f. Mdtfita (occurring only as the pro-
per name oi the goddess of dawn, but prob. otig.
appellative), allied to mdtiirus early, Mature a.]
1. Of or pertaining to the morning ; occurring in
the morning.
c 144s Lydg. Nightingale 187 This oure of morow, cleped
matutjne, Falsly betiayed. 1549 Compl. Scot. vi. 38 The
crepusculyne lyne matutine of the norht norht est orizone.
a 160a W. Perkins Cases Consc (1619) 166 The first [canoni-
cal hour] they call the matutine, before the sunne rising.
1686 Goad Celest. Bodies 1. xii. 62 [They] hint a Lunation
following the next Feria at hor. 2 Matutine. 1848 Clough
Boihie 1. 32 Hewson and Hobbes were down at the matutine
bathing. 1871 M.Collins Marq. t, Merch. I. ix. 279 Covent
Gaiden awoke to its matutine business.
b. Of a star ; spec, in Aslron. and Astro!. :
That rises or is above the horizon before sunrise.
1500-20 Dunbar Poems i. 4 Wp sprang the goldyn candill
matulyne. 1601 Holland Pliny I 587 According as the
said stars begin either to shine out or bee hidden in the
morning before the Sun be up, or at evening after the Sunne
is set, they.. are named Matutine or Vespertine. 1652-6*
Hevlyn Cosmogr. in. (1682) 109 The rising and setting of
the Stars, whether. .Matutine, or Vespertine, as the Artists
phrase it. 1690 Lf.vbourn Curs. Math. 449 She [Venus] is
..Gibbous,. .as well when she is Vespertine as Matutine.
1819 J. Wilson Diet. Astrol. 286 The Moon is matutine
until she has passed her first dichotome.
t 2. sb.pl. Matins. Obs.
[Cf. a 1602 in sense 1.) 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist vi. 287 Ma-
turities : At the first hour, or six of the clock.
Hence Ma tutinely adv., in the morning.
1833 Nan Monthly Mag XXXVIII. 442 [He) was wont
to walk, matutinely, knee-deep into the sea.
Mat-weed: see Mat sb.1
Maty (m<?i-ti), mate (m^t). Anglo-Indian.
Also matee. [Of obscure origin : cf. Skr. mctha
elephant-keeper, and Eng. Mate sb.- ; see Yule.]
A native servant, esp. an assistant or under-servant.
1810 T. Williamson E. Ind. Vade M. I 241 In some
families, mates, or assistants, are allowed, who do the
drudgery. 1837 Lett. /r. Madras xii. (1843) 106 Here is
our establishment : — one butler, one dress-boy, one matee,
[etc.) Ibid., A cook s maty or helper. 1873 Sat. Rev.
6 Sept. 312/1 One of the attendants [of an elephant], who
in Indian phraseology is termed 'a mate', the title of Ma-
hout being reserved for the head keeper.
Maty, variant of Matie.
Matyng, variant of Meting Obs., dream.
Mau, variant of Mowe Obs., kinswoman.
Maubre, obs. form of Mahble.
Maucauco, obs. form of Macaco sb.'1
Maucht, -less, etc. : see Maught, -less, etc.
1 Maud1. Obs. [app. a use of the name Maud
(-.-Afaliald) = Matilda] A hag, beldam.
153a MoitKCcii/ut. Tindale Wks. 685/1 So I see well Tindall
meaneth for hys mother, some olde mother mawde. 1566
L. Wager Marie Magd. (1904)717 In good faith, when ye
ar come to be an old maude, Then it will be best for you
toplay the baude.
Maud- (m§d). Also 9 mawd. [Of obscure
i origin : cf. Maldy.] A grey striped plaid worn
by shepherds in the South of Scotland; also a
travelling rug or wrap resembling a maud.
1787 Mrs. Scott in Burns's Wks (Chamb.) 66 A' honest
Scotsmen loe the maud. 1831 Scott Ct. Robt. Introd. Addr.,
A grey maud, . . completed such an equipment as, since
Juvenal's days, has been the livery of the poor scholar. 1885
Advt., Rugs and Mauds of every description. 1901 Daily
Chron. 13 July 8/3 A long ' maud ', broad enough to act as
a cover-all from neck to ground.
attrib. i&T] W. Ross Past. II 'ork in Covenant. Times v.
93 Shepherds with their maud plaids.
Maude, obs. pa. t. of Make vA
Maudelard, obs. form of Mallard.
Maudle (mg'd'l), v. rare. [Back-formation f.
Maudlin a., taken as pr. pple.] a. trans. To
make maudlin, b. intr. To talk maudlinly.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), To Maudle, to besot, or put out
of Order, as drinking strong Liquors does in a Morning.
Ibid., Maudlin, maudled, half drunk. 1826 Examiner \ 24/1
Leaving John Bull to suck his thumbs, and maudle about
' his good Queen Anne '.
Maudlin (m^-dlin), sb. Forms : 4-5 maude-
leyne, mawd(ejleyn, 4, 6 maudelen, 5 mawde-
layn, -en, 6 maud(e)lene, -elein, -elyn, -lein(e,
mawdel(e)in, -(e)leyn, 6-7 maudlen, mawdlin,
MAUDLIN.
7 maudline, mawdlen, -lino. [a. OF. Madelaine,
semi-popular ad. L. Magdalena, Magdalen(e.]
+ 1. As proper name : = Magdalen I. Ois.
c 1320 R. Bkunne AUdit. 445 To maudelens hous Ion went.
0380 Wvclif Sertn. Sel. Wks. I. 382 Marie Mawdeleyn.
c 1460 Towneley Myst. xxviii.67 Mawdleyn witnesberesthat
ihesus rose from ded. 1565 Jewel Repl. /Iarding(i6n) 257
Mary Maudlen. 1573 Tusser Husb. (1878J 49 Gehezie, Lots
wife, . . Rough Esau, with Mawdlin.
+ b. trans/. A penitent resembling Mary Mag-
dalen. (Ci. Macdalen 2.) Oh.
1603 [? Breton] Pass. Discont. Mind A 3 b, To play a
poore lamenting Mawdlines part. That would weepe streams
of bloud to be forgiuen. 1631 Brathwait Eng. Genllew.
(1641) 288 They fall into a poore Maudlins distemper by
giving reines to passion, till it estrange them from the
soveraignty of reason.
1 2. = Magdalen 3. Ois.
1603 Owen Pembrokeshire (i 892) 1 1 Diuei se priories, ffriers,
Maudlens {printed Mandleus], Almehouses [etc.].
3. fa. — COBTMABr, Tanacetum Balsamita. Ois.
b. The herb Achillea Ageratum. (Also sweet
maudlin.')
c 1460 J. Russell Bk. Nurture 132 Gynger valadyne &
maydelyn ar not so holsom in mete. 1548 Turner Names
Herbes 37 Thys is not Eupatorium Mesues,for that is called
in englishe Maudlene. 1578 Lvtb Dodocns n. Ixxvi. 250
The second kinde [of Balsamynte] is called . . in English
Mawdelein. 1597 Gerarde Herball 11. exeviii. 524 Maud-
lein is without doubt a kinde of Costmarie. 161a Drayton
Poty-olb. xv.i97TheyhotMuscado oft with milder Maudlin
cast. 1640 Parkinson Theat. Bot. 78 Ageratum purpnreum,
Purple sweete Maudeline. 1688 R. Holme Armoury 11.
f|8/2 Small Maudlin hath the stalk full of small slender
eaves of whitish green. 1718 Quincy Compl. Disp. 130
Maudlin, is a kind of Agrimony, & flowers about July.
1866 Treas. Bot., Sweet maudlin, Achillea Ageratum.
1 4. The name of a kind of peach ( = Magdalen
4) ; also of a kind of pear ( = magdalen pear). Ois.
1664 Evelyn Kal. Hort. June 6S [Pears). The Maudlin
(first ripe)..&c 1699 Ibid. Aug. fed. 9) 100 Peaches and
Abricots...Bourdeaux Peach, .. Maudlen, Minion Peach.
1676 Worlidce Cyder 167 The Margaret, the Maudlin
. .and many other early Pears are in esteem for the Table in
July. 1707 Mortimer Husb. (1721) II. 294 The Margaret,
the Maudlin, and the Cluster Pear.
5. [From the adj.] What is maudlin; weak
or mawkish sentiment.
1838 Lytton Alice VI. ii, I allow that there is a strange
mixture of fustian and maudlin in all these things. 1865
Spectator \\ Feb. 153 Let us at least have them tried like all
others, with as little maudlin and romance about . . withered
hearts.. as may be consistent with sincerity
6. Comb. : f maudlin daisy, the ox-eye daisy,
Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum ; Maudlin day,
= Magdalen day ; t maudlin pot, ?some kind of
drinking vessel; maudlin tansy ^ sweet maudlin
(see 3 b) ; maudlin tide, the time of the feast of
St. Mary Magdalen, 22 July; maudlin-wort (? obs.)
= maudlin daisy ; f also applied to the yellow
ox-eye, Chrysanthemum segetum.
1861 Miss Pratt Flower. PI. III. 312 (Great White Ox.
eye) . . The plant was formerly called "Maudlin Daisy.
c 1470 Hardyng Chron. clxii. (:8i2) 297 The kyng vpon the
"Maudeleyn day, At Fowkirke fought with Scottes in great
aray. 1638 Lane. Wills (Chetham Soc.) 1 1 1. 204 A dozen of
silver spoones and a little "Maudlin pott of silver. 1856
Mayne Expos. Lex., * Maudlin Tansy, c 1530 Ld. Berners
Arth. Lyt Bryt. (1814) 7 Arthur, .demaundyd of him yf he
had receyued at y< "mawdeleyn tyde y reuenewes of the
forest, r.551 Elyot Diet., Amaranthus, an herbe, of the
which be two sortes : the flower of the one is yelow, ..
called also . . of Apothecaries sticas citrina, in English,
•Maudelene woort or Baltasar. 1578 Lyte Dodoens 11. xix.
169 The great wild Daysie, or Maudelynwurte. .hath grene
leaues. 1766 Museum Rust VI. 451 Greater Daisie, Ox-
eye, or Maudlin-wort. 1866 Treas. Bot., Maudlinwort,
Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum.
Maudlin (mji-dlin),^. Forms: 6maudlayne,
mawdlen, 7 maudline, mawd(eTin, 8-9 maud-
ling, 7- maudlin. [From the attrib. use of
Maudlin s6., in allusion to the pictures in which
the Magdalen was represented weeping.]
1. Weeping, tearful, lachrymose. Ois. or arch.
1607 Middleton Michaelm. Term 11. i. 137 That's a peni-
tent maudlin dicer, a 1680 Butler Rem. (1755) II. 136 He
laments, like Heraclitus the Maudlin Philosopher, at other
Men's Mirth. 1713 Rows Lady J. Grey v. i, No Maudlin
Gazers.To wet their Handkerchiefs. 1847 Lytton L ucrelia
(1853) J52 Blooming amidst those maudlin eyes.
2. Characterized by tearful sentimentality ; mawk-
ishly emotional ; weakly sentimental.
a J631 Donne Lett. (1651) 14s It was matter, which I might
very well have left unwritten, having too much of the Maud-
lin humour in it. a 1704 T. Brown Praise Poverty Wks.
1730 I. 98 A thousand maudlin oaths of friendship. 1779
Sheridan Critic il ii. Is this a time for maud ling tenderness ?
1845 Disraeli Sybil (Rtldg.) 317 The mob became not only
enthusiastic but maudlin. 1877 Farrar Days of Youth xiii.
•y "°™i rl8nt on|y in maudlin dreams, not in manly effort.
o. (First in maudlin-drunk : see 4.) Used to
designate that stage of drunkenness which is char-
acterized by the shedding of tears and effusive
displays of affection. Phrase, f To drink maudlin.
l6l6,.R- C' T"""' IVhislle v. 1958 The second kinde we
maudline drunkards call. 1668 R. L'Estrange Vis. Quev.
1708) 40 Am not I here, the Fifth Husband of a woman yet
living in the World, that hopes to.. drink Maudlin at the
* itteenth Funeral ? a 1700 B. E. Diet. Cant. Crew, Mawd-
lin, weepingly Drunk, as we say the Tears of the Tankard.
1714 Addison Sped. No. 561 r 12 When they grow Maud-
247
lin, they are very apt to commemorate their former Partners
with a Tear. 1789 E. Darwin Bot. Gard 11. (1791) 110
'Drink deep, sweet youths', seductive Vitis cries, The maud,
lin tear-drop glittering in her eyes. 1840 Dickens Old C.
Shop xxiii, The maudlin state or stage of drunkenness, i860
All Year Round No. 49. 533 His potations had rendered
him somewhat maudlin.
4. Comb, (with another adj.) as maudlin-kind,
-moral; maudlin-cupped, having drunk enough
to become maudlin ; maudlin-drunk, \ drunken
[orig. a similative comb, of the sb.], in the maudlin
stage of intoxication.
l6l7"77 Feltham Resolves 11. xxix. 220 Claudius.. being
Maudline cupp'd, he grew to lament the Destiny of his
marriages. 1509 Barclay Shyp of Polys (1570) 33 Some
"maudlayne dronke, mourning loudly and hye. 1591 Nashe
/'. Penilesse 23 b, Mawdlen drunke, when a fellow wil weepe
for kindnes in the midst of his Ale and kisse you. 1709
Steele TatterUo. 47 rs Such a Tragedian is only maudlin
drunk. 1836 Miss MuLOCK J. Halifax xix, Another ill-
looking fellow, maudlin drunk. 1685 G. Meriton Yorks.
Ale 8 Some 'Maudlin drunken were, and wept full sore.
a 1668 Davenant Man's the Master Wks. (1073) 367, I am
'Maudlin kind, would I had one of thy Hoods to cover my
face. 184a Tennyson Will Walerpr. 208 It is but yonder
empty glass That makes me "maudlin-moral.
Hence Man dlinize v. trans., to make maudlin,
to cause to be in a maudlin state of intoxication ;
Maudlinism, the state of being maudlin-drunk.
a 165a BaoME Cement Garden IV. ii, I hope 'twill maud-
lenize him. 1837 Dickens Pickw. xxxviii, Mr. Benjamin
Allen had perhaps a greater predisposition to maudlinism
than he had ever known before.
Maudlinly (jny'dlinli), adv. [f. Maudlin a.
+ -ly -.] In a maudlin manner.
1854 Lady Lytton Behind Scenes I. 1. iv. 129 It would have
been impossible to have looked more maudlingly than he did
at the assembled crowd. 1882 Eraser's Mag. XXVI. 255
He becomes maudlinly eloquent.
Maues, Mauf: see Maugh.
Maufesour, variant of Malfeasor Obs.
t Mau'frey. Obs. rare-'. [Short for Galli-
maufry.] _= Gallimaufry 3.
1647 Ward Simp. Cobler 21 Such a mullimonstrous mau-
frey of heteroclytes and quicquidlibets.
Mauger, variant of Maugrs.
I Maugh. Ois. Forms: 3 mo}, 4//. maues,
mohwes; Se. and north, dial. 4 maweh, maeh,
macht, 4, 6 magh, 46 mawch(e, 5 mawich(e,
maygh(e, ?mawth, ?mayth, 6 maich, meache,
mawggh, 7-9 m(e)augh, 8-9 mauf. [a. ON.
mdg-r son-in-law, brother-in-law, father-in-law
(Sw. mdg, Norw. maag son-in-law), corresp. to OE.
mil kinsman May si.l (pi. md^as, whence possibly
the 14th c. form mohwes), Orris, mech, OS. mdg
(MDu. maech, mod.Du. maag kinsman), OHG.
mdg, Goth, meg-s son-in-law :-OTeut. *m&go-z,
prob. related by ablaut to *magu-z, OE. w/agw boy,
young man.] A near (male) connexion by mar-
riage ; a brother-in-law or a son-in-law.
The glossaries of North and Mid Yorkshire give a sense
'colleague, partner'.
c 1*50 Gen. <y Ex. 1761 [Laban calls Jacob] Min mo;, min
neue, and felaae. a 1300 Cursor M. 28ir (Cott.) Loth went
and til his maues [Cott. mohwes] spak. Ibid. 7650 pan
bade be king .. His magh [ Trill, sone in lawe] dauid man
suld him sla. c 137s Sc. Leg. Saints xliii. (Cecile) 214, 1 grant
bis day bat bu [sc. her husband s brother] art my mach
verray. c 1425 Wyntoun Cron n.xvii. 1637 (Cott.) [Tuinvs]
bat . . mawcheJ/Kcwyjj mayghe] was to bis kynge Latyn
And weddit his douchtyr. 1533 Bellenden Livy 1. xvi.
(S. T. S.) I. 89 Thare was nane fund sa wourthy to be his
maich as the said Seruius, And sa be king gaif him finalie
his dochter in mariage. 1565-73 Durham Depos. (Surtees)
no John Tompson, alias Percivall, is this examinate's
mawggh [here = brother in law], c 1600 Jas. Melvi ll Diary
(1842) 199 The Archbishopes meache and graittest associat,
Mr. Alexander Home. 1674-91 Ray N. C. Words 55
Meaugh, 'my meaugh', my wives brother, or sisters hus-
band. 1788 W. Marshall Yorish. II. Gloss. (E. D. S.)
Mauf a brother-in-law. 1839 Brockett A7. C. Gloss, (ed. 2)
Man/', Maugh, Meaugh, a brother-in-law.
Mauglit, mauclit (mgxO- Now only Sc.
Forms : 3-4 majt, maght, 4 mau}t, 4, 9 macht,
4-5 mawcht, 4- mauoht, 4- maught. [App. a.
ON. *maht-r (Icel. mdtt-r) :— OTeut. type *mahlu-z,
a parallel formation with *mahti-z fern. : see Might
sb.~\ Strength, might, power, ability.
c raao Bestiary 541 Dis deuel is mikel wiS wil and ma^t.
a 1300 Cursor M. 6720 pe lord bat bat beist aght, Sal bar.for
ansuer at his maght. c i3ao Sir Beues (A.) 860 A swerd of
miche maujt. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxi. [Clement) 454
He . . hyre embrasit with al his macht. c 1435 Wyntoun Cron.
v. x. 3065 Wytht mekyll mawcht. 1549 Compl. Scotl. vi. 41
Ane Tang draucht, ane lang draucht, mair maucht, mair
mauchL 1768 Ross Helenore (1789) 22 They had nae
maughts for sick a toilsome task, a 1774 Fergusson Poems
(1789) II. 96 Fearfu' aften o' their maught. 1835-80 Jamie-
son s.v. Maucht, Of a person who is paralytic, or debilitated
by any other malady, it is said ; He has lost the machts, or
his machts.
Hence Mavrg-htless (also mauchless) a., power-
less ; Mau'chty a., powerful.
1768 Ross Helenore (1789) 17 Jeering, they'd say, Poor
Lindy's maughtless grown. Ibid. 22 Amo' the herds that
plaid a maughty part. 1819 W. Tennant Papistry Storm d
(1827) 38 Whairat the mauchty knicht took fire. 1882 J.
Walker Jaunt to Auld Reekie, etc. 27 Flat on the floor..
Where mauchless he in beastly stupor fell.
Maugrabee (mp'grabj). Also 8 Mogrebee.
MATJGRE.
[a. Arab. ^.Jut mayrabiy western, f. c_j£ yari
west.] An African Moor.
1704 J Pitts Acc. Mohammetans vii. 101 A Turk, ask'd
le what Countryman I was ; a Mogrebee (said I) i. e. one
J the West. 1813 Byron Br. Abydos 1. viii, The sire . . With
Maugrabee andJUamaluke, His way amid his Delis took.
Maugrabin (mg-grabin). Also Mograbian.
[a. Aral), mayrabfyin, pi. of mayrabiy : see prec]
— prec. Also attrib.
me
of th
Bjj Scott Queutin D. xvi, The men beyond our tents call
Hayraddin Maugrabin, that is Hayraddin the
i«3
j me Hayraddin Maugrabin, that is Hayraddin the African
Moor. 184a Bhande Did. Sci. etc., Mograbians, or men
■ of the west, a name formerly given to a species of Turkish
infantry composed of the peasants of the Northern pans of
Africa. 1889 J. Payne Aladdin 57 One day.. behold, a
Maugrabin dervish came up.
Maugracious, variant of Malgracious.
Maugre (m§"gai), si. and/;</. Forms : n. 4-5
maugrep, mawgretbe, malegrefe, -greue, maw-
gref(e, 4-6 maugref(e, 5 maugreue. /3. 4 7
malgre, 5-7 malgrye, 5-8 maulgre. y. 4 ma-
grei, maugray, magrey, 4 5 maugrey, maw-
Br(e)y, 46 magry, maugrie, -y, magree, 4-7
maugree, 4-9 magre, 5 mawgre, magger, Sc.
magra, 5-8 mauger, 6 mawger, mager, -ir,
maugrea, mawgree, magrie, 3- maugre. [a.
OF. maugre', malgre' v = Pr. mal grat, It. malgrado)
i. mal bad, evil +gre! (see Gree sb.-). The mod.F.
Malgre has sometimes been used by Eng. writers
as a foreign word ; so in the 16th c. the It. Mal-
grado.]
tA. sb. Ois.
1. Ill-will, displeasure, or spite, borne by a person
towards another. Often in phr. to can or con
maugre (see Can z>A 10, Con z;.l 4 b).
c l&aSir Tristr 2017 He ne coube him bot maugre. 13. .
E. A. A Hit. p. B. 250 per was malys mercyles & mawgre
much scheued. <ri4aa Hoccleve Learne to Die 283 Why
was y nat ferd of goddes maugree ? c 1460 Towneley Myst.
xxiv. 270 Take it to you with all the mawgre of myn and
myght of mahowne. 1470-85 Malory Arthur ix. xl. 405,
1^ haue herd moche of your maugre ageynst me. 1485
Caxton Chas. Gt. 185 Wyte it not ine,..ne conne me noo
maulgre 15.. Curs. J. Rowlis 161 in Bamiatyne MS.
(Hunter. CI. J 303 Malice, rancour and invy, With magry and
malaucoly. 1513 Douglas /Ends ix. Prol. 17 Wirk na mal-
gre, thocht thou l>e nevir sa wyght. 1515 Barclay Egloges
v. (1570) Diijb, I thought no mauger, I tolde it for a bourde.
1542 Uimll Erasm. Apoph. 259 Pollio..had none other
cause to surceasse his maugre.
b. Phr., bongre maugre (F. ion gr£ mal git),
whether one will or no, willy-nilly.
c ny>Pi/gr. LyfManhode in. xxxiv. (1869) 154 Thi god he
shal be boongree mawgree.
2. The state of being regarded with ill-will.
Chiefly in phr. to have, get maugre. Also, an
instance of this.
c 1200 St. Nicholas 457 in S. Eng. Leg. I. 253 5if bat (ou
wolJest bure-fore bou haue maugre. a lysoCursor M. 21471
Maugre [Fairf. maugrefe] bar-for mot bai haf. C 1330 fc.
Brunnr Chron. Wace (Rolls) 12898 >yf hit falle wei, wel
schal vs be ; 3yf hit ne do, we gete maugre. c 1380 Wyclif
Wks. (1S80) 465 Heere may cristenmen soone wite which
clerk orlord,.hab wille to stonde berfore & suffere a ma-
grey. 1415 Hoccleve Let. Cupid 376 Wyteth the feend,
and his be the maugree. c 1430 How wise Man tau^t his
Son 47 in Babees Bk., And gete bee mawgre heere & beere
More ban bank. 1453 in 14th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm.
App. III. 9 Gyf ony of thaim happyns to inryn fedis or
maugreis. 1470-85 Malory Arthur xx. xi. 815 Here Wynne
ye no worshyp but maulgre and dishonoure. 1483 Calh.
Augl. 231/1 A Mawgry, demcritum. 1560 Rolland Crt.
Venus 11. 167 5e haue seruit greit magrie to jour meid.
3. In {the) maugre of: in spite of, notwithstand-
ing; = B (below).
£1440 Gesta Rom. Ixiv. 277 (Harl. MS.) In malgre of bi
tethe. a 1500 Chevy Chase 3 in Skeat Spec. Eng. Lit. 111. 68
That he wold hunte In the mowntayns. .In the magger of
doughte dogles. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. II. 687 [He]
wan the wod in magir of thame all. 1871 W. Alexander
Johnny Gibb vii. 50 An' we'll dee't still, i' maugre o' an
Erastian Presbytery.
B. {adv. and) prep.
1. In spite of, notwithstanding ; notwithstanding
the power of. arch.
c 1264 Song agst. King Almaigne in Pol. Songs (Camden)
69 Let him habbe, ase he brew, bale to dryng, maugre
Wyndesore. £1350 Will. Palerne 3745 A kni^t.-hade him
out of be ost mawgrey hem alle. 1377 Langl. P. PI. B. vi. 69
[To] make hem mery bere-mydde maugre who-so bigrucch-
eth it. c 1400 Sozudone Bab. 1442 Thai were agon, Magre
who so wolde. 1481 Caxton Godfrey xxiii. 55 Ther wente
wel somtyme .X. M or more, maulgre the barons. 1581
Marbeck Bk. of Notes 939 He threw it into the fire, maugrie
alt the Cardtnalls that were about him. 1596 Spenser F. Q.
iv. i. 48 Tell what thou saw'st, maulgre who so it heares.
1686 F. Spence tr. Varillas Ho. Medicis 177 The quarrel,
wherein they were engaged, maugre their endeavours and
inclinations for peace. X704 Lond. Gaz. No. 4061/3 Keeping
the Mastery at Sea, . . maugre the . . Strength of the Enemy's
Fleet. 1755 Smollett Quix. (1803) IV. 202, 1 persevere in this
career, maugre and in despite of my own understanding.
1765 Museum Rust. iv. xliv. 193 Maugre my most sanguine
expectations, the field by no means answers. 1854 H.
Miller Sch. <y Schm. xxii. (1857) 488, I continued my
rounds, maugre the suspicion. 1892 Nation (N.Y.)4 Aug.
93/3 ' La Debacle ', maugre all faults, stands out as Zola's
best and strongest work up to the present time.
^1 Used by Spenser for : A curse upon . . !
1590 Spenser F. Q. ii, v. 12 [Fortune] That hath (maugre
s
MAUGEE.
her spight) thus low me laid in dust. Ibid. ill. iv. 39 Yett, J
maulgre them, farewell my sweetest sweet !
f b. Maugre /it's, ours, etc. : in spite of him, etc.
[Cf. OF. maugre sue ft, maugre vostre, etc.] Obs.
a 1300 Cursor M. 4305 Maugre his, he dos him lute, c 1330
R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 10266 Maugre oures,forsof>e
hit was. 1390 Gower Con/. II. 3 God wot that is malgre
myn. r 1450 Merlin xiv. 214 Magre hirs thei were driven
bakke. c 1500 Lancelot 115 Al magre thine a seruand schal
yow bee.
f c. Maugre 0/ to, with : in spite of. Obs.
C1470 Henry Wallace vi. 393 Thow sail ws se. .Battaill to
gyff, magra off all thi kyn. 1480 Caxton Chron. Eng. VII.
(1520) 100/2 The kynge. .gate the castell maugre of them all
that were within. 1494 Fabyan Chron. vi. clx. 150 He
than assemblyd to hym a strong hoost, and recoueryd his
wyfe, malgre to all his enmyes. 1548 Udall, etc. Erasm.
Par. Mark iii. 30 Whose power the findes are compelled
maugry of theyr heades, to geue place unto. 1646 Earl
Monm. tr. Biondi's Civil Warres iv. 67 She was maugre
with those which would have defended her, taken prisoner.
d. without regimen. (Cf. Malgre, quot. 1608.)
1423 Jas. I Kingis Q. xxiv, So infortunate was vs that
fremyt day, That maugre, playnly, quhethir we wold or no
[etc.]. 1596 Spenser f\ Q. v. i. 29 Until that Talus had his
:>ride represt, And forced him, maulgre, it up to reare. 1620
Up. Hall Hon, Mar. Clergy 1. xvii. 94 He shall (maugre) 1
be forced to confesse, that [etc.].
2. Phrases. Maugre (a person's) teeth, head: in
spite of (his) resistance, notwithstanding all (he)
can do {arch, and dial.), t Formerly also in many
other forms now obs., as maugre {his) beard, cheeks,
eyes, face, heart, mind, mouth, nose, visage, will.
U97 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 2090 Maximian was subbe aslawe
maugre [JUS. IS. magrei] is nose. 13. . A'. Alt's. 5840 He. .
maugre the teeth of hem alle, Sette his rigge to the walle.
13.. E. E. Allit. P. C. 44 Much maugre his muu, he mot
nede suffer, c 1369 Chaucer Dethe Blaunche 1201 Maugre
myn heed, I muste haue tolde her or be deed. cijSoWyclif
Set. Wks. III. 170 pe fend may not do but if bat it turne to
be worschipe of God mawgrethe hys wille. c 1386 Chaucer
Wife's Prot. 315 That oon thou shall forgo, maugree thyne
eyen. a 1400-50 Alexander 1747 Made to be meke male-
greue his chekis. 1470-85 Malory Arthur xx. xi. 816
Kynge Arthur shalle haue his Quene and the maulgre thy
vysage. 1529 More Dyaloge IV. Wks. 274/1 So should al
our dedes good or badde, ascend or descende by the violent
hande of God, magre our mindes. c 1550 Bale A". Johan
(Camden) 5 Quodcunque ligaveris, I trow, will playe soch
a parte, That I shall abyde in Ynglond, magry yowr harte.
1555 [see Beard sb. ie). 1614 Tomkis Albumaznr 1. iv.
(1615) C, Not haue his sister? Cricca, I will haue Flavia,
Maugre his head, i860 Motley Netlterl. (1868) II. xix.
513 He may see your Highness enjoy your blessed estate,
maugre the beards of all confederated leaguers. 1891 Barrie
Little Minister xliii, But, dominie, I couldna hae moved,
magre my neck.
t Matrgre, v, Obs. [a. F. maugre'er, f. maugre'
Maugre sb.] trans. To show ill-will to; to defy,
oppose. Also with down.
1597 Beard Theatre God's Judgem. (1612) 179 Except by
horrible bannings and swearings they despight and maugre
God. c 1609 Webster Appius a> Virginia 11. iii, Whose
bases are of Marble, deeply fixt To mauger all gusts and
impending stormes. 163a Tatham Love crowns the end
(1640) K ij, Had you smil'd as you did frowne, All his 1
strength I'd mauger'd downe.
Maukin, Maukish: see Malkin, Mawkish.
Maul, mall (m§l), sb.* Forms : a. 3 mealle,
3, 6 male, 4 mayl, 4-7 malle, 5 mal, 5- mall.
(See also the northern Mell sb.) 0. 6-7 maull,
mawle, maule, 7-8 mawl, 7- maul. [a. F. mail
(in OF. pronounced mal*) =Pr. malh-s, Sp. mallo,
Pg. malho, It. maglio :— L. malleum (nom. malleus)
hammer.]
I. L = Mace sbA I, Also, a wooden club.
Obs, exc. arch, and Hist.
(71240 Sawles Warde in Cott. How. 253 Hare unirude
duntes wio mealies istelet. 1197 R. Glouc (Rolls) 4229 Is
male [v.r. mace] he dude ek bituene ac bat blod adoun
wende. 13. . Erasmus in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1878) 202
These he sufTred of be turmentours. .xviii was betyng on his
body withe brennyng malles. 13.. St. Cristo/er 547 ibid.
(1881) 461 His false goddis he smate bame alle In sondir
with ane Iryne malle. c 1380 Sir Ferutnb. 4653 A mayl of
Ire he bar an honde. c 1450 Merlin 339 Whan Arthur :
saugh the Geaunte lifte vp his malle he douted the stroke.
1523 Ld. Berners Eroiss. I. ccccxvii. 730 They were of har-
nessed men.. mo than xxx. thousande, and as many with
malles. 1545 Ascham Toxoph. (Arb.) 70 A leaden maule,
or suche lyke weapon, to beate downe his enemyes withall.
1563-87 Foxk A. <y M. (1596) 40/1 Felix and Philip had
their braines beaten out with mawles. 1590 Spenser F. Q.
1. vii. 51 With mighty mall The monster mercilesse him
made to fall. 1637 Drayton Agincourt, etc 30 With
Battle-axes, Halberts, Bills, and Maules. 1681 Bunyan
Holy War 48, I have a Maul, Fire-brands, Arrows, and
Death, all good hand weapons. 1686-7 Aubrey Rent. Gen*
tilism A> Judaism (1881) 19 The Holy-mawle, wch (they
fancy) hung behind the Church dore, wch when the father was
seaventie, the sonne might fetch, to knock his father in the
head, as eflcete, and of no more use. 1891 Cornh. Mag.
Oct. 444 Steel caps, mail brigandines. .completed this equip-
ment, while in some cases the murderous maule or five-foot
mallet was hung across the bow-stave.
jb. //. A name given to the Parisian insurgents
of 1 Mar. 1382, who were armed with leaden clubs.
1525 Ld. Berners Eroiss. II. clxxxv. [clxxxi.] 563 The
sayd Constable put downe the malles of Parys, and punyshed
them for their rebellyons,
2. In early use, a massive hammer of any kind.
Now, applied to various special kinds of heavy
hammers or beetles, commonly of wood, used, (e.g.)
248
in driving piles, in shipbuilding, in mining opera-
tions, and in various operations on board ship.
Top-mall (Naut.) : see Top sb.
( 1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 127 pou schalt smyte wib a
mat eiber an hamer on be greet eende. cx^MoChron. Vilod.
4332 Bot his hedde was gret, leyge to a gret malle. 1432-50
tr. Higden (Rolls) II. 229 Tubal hauenge delectacion in the
sowndeof the malles [etc.]. 1460 Capgrave Chron. (Rolls) 34
With a malle and a nayle sche smet him in the hed. ?ci47§
Hunt. Hare 91 Then euery man had a mall Syche as thei
betyn clottys withall. 1485 Naval Ace. Hen. VII (iSq6) 39
Lede malles feblcxiiij. 15.. Smyth <y Dame 17 in Hazl.
E. P. P. III. 202 He covde werke wyth a mall Many maner
of metall. 1513 Fitzherb. Husb. § 15 And if the barleye
grounde wyll not breakewith harrowes..it wolde be beaten
with malles. Ibid, § 126 Take thy mall agayn and dryue
downe the edderynges and also thy stakes. 1591 Sylvester
DuBartas 1. iv. 342 Th' Iron Maule that chimes The intire
Day in twice twelue equall times. 1676 Worlidge Cyder
(1691)96 Others beat them [apples] on a table with mauls.
1680 Moxon Mech. Exerc. 203 The Joyner's Mallet would
supply the Office of this Tool ; but Use has made the Mawl
more handy for them. 1688 R. Holme Armoury in. 312/2
The Executioner with the Violence of a Blow on the head
of the Axe with his heavy Maul, forced it through the
Mans Neck. 1764 Char, in Ann. Reg. 23/1 The instruments
of agriculture they use.. are a spade, a mall, and a rake or
harrow. 1812 Chron. in Ann. Reg. 5 The stake, with the
mall, was driven through the body. 1840 R. H. Dana He/.
Mast \x. 20 We.. stopped the mall with rope-yarns, 1874
J. H. Collins Metal Mining {1875) 61 Hammers.— The
chief kinds used in metal mines are mallets or 'malls'.
1886 R.C. Leslie Seti*painter's Log v'ri. 154 The shipwright's
maul.
U. S. slang. 1872 Schele DE Vere Amerkanisms 616
Maul and Wedges, .often used to denote the whole of a
man's possessions, his movables.
t b. trans/, and Jig. after h. malleus. (Often,
like hammer, scourge, applied to a person as the
irresistible foe or the terrible oppressor of some
person, class, or institution.) Obs.
c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (:88o) 351 pc stake is be synne hardud
in mannus hert ; be malle pat he driueb it wib is newe
rehersynge of synne. 1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) VI. 43'rhe
Sawden and duke of Turkes, the grete malle of Cristen
peple. 1577 Vautrouillier Luther on Ep.Gal. 155 God
must needes take this maule in hand, the lawe I meane, . .
to bring to nothing this beast. 1624 H. Mason Art of
Lying iv. 59 Luther was a great mawle, that battered their
Babel. 1658 Rowland tr, Moujet s Theat. Ins 951 That
flower of Knighthood, and Maul of the Spanish pride,
Francis Drake. 1711 Hickes Tivo Treat., Chr. Priesth.
(1847) II. 34 Optatus. .the great mall of the Donatists.
II. [From Maul v.] f 3. A heavy blow, as
with a hammer. Obs.
1664 Butler Hud. 11. i. 527 Give that Rev'rend Head a
mall, Or two, or three, against a Wall.
4. Rugby Football. A mauling or tackling. Maul
{in goal) : see quot. 1 871.
1867 Rugby School Football Laws 18 Only those who are
touching the ball with their hands may continue in the
maul inside goal. 1871 in Rugby U. Football Ann. (1874-5)
6 A Maul in goal is when the holder of the ball is tackled
inside goal line, or being^ tackled immediately outside, is
carried or pushed across it, and he, or the opposite side, or
both, endeavour to touch the ball down. 1874-5 Rugby U.
Football Ann. 38 A maul occurred in the centre of the
ground, from which Edinburgh emerged victorious. 1892
Cail in Field 17 Sept. 458/1 This year the maul has finally
been relegated to the past [by the Rugby Union].
Maul (m§l), sh£ dial. Also 5 malle, 9 maule.
[Variant of Mallow.] = Mallow.
c 1425 Voc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 644/34 Hec main a, malle.
1674-91 Ray N. C- Words 46 Mauls, Mallowes. 1788 W.
Marshall Yorksh. II. Gloss. (E.D.S.), Mauls, malvx, mal-
lows. 1866 Treas. Bot., Maule, Malva iylvestris. 1876
M id-Yorksh. Gloss., Mauls, the herb marsh-mallows.
Maul (mgl), v. Forms: a, 3 meallen, 5-6
malle, 4- mall. £. 6-7 maule, 7 maull, mawle,
mawll, 7-9 mawl, 7- maul. [f. Maul sb.1]
T 1. trans. To beat or strike (with or as with a
maul or hammer); to hammer, batter; also, to
beat or knock in, along. Obs.
? a 1400 Morte A rth. 3038 Mynsteris and masondewes they
malle to be erthe. < 1420 I'altad. on Husb. 11. 17 The
cloddis mailed be with mannes hond. Ibid. v. 516 This
pece [of wood] amydde his trunke hit is to malle. 1530
Palsgr. 632/2 Nowe that he hath done with plowynge of
our grounde go mall the cloddes. 1609 J. Davies Holy
Roode (Grosart) 12/1 See how they mall it on, in ruthlesse
rage. 1633 T.James Voy. 51,1 ordered the Cooper to..
looke to all our Caske : those that were full, to mawle in
the bungs of them.
Jig. 1607 Hieron Wks. (1619-20) II. 373 A certayne
hammer, which the Lord vseth in this seruice of mailing and
breaking the heart.
b. U. S. To split (rails) with a maul and wedge.
x686 in P. A. Bruce Econ. Hist. Virginia (1896) I. 318
note, Johnson, .doth.. impower you.. to fall, mall, and set
up. .400 panels of sufficient post and rails. 1789 Anburey
Trav. II. 323 Fence rails, which are made out of trees, cut
or sawed into lengths of about twelve feet, that are mauld
or split into rails. 1856 Olmsted Slave States 207, I
always have two hundred rails mauled in a day. 1896 P. A.
Bruce Econ. Hist. Virginia I. 317 Among the terms.. in
the contract . . was one requiring the latter to maul six
hundred fencing rails.
•f- c. intr. To hammer. Obs.
a 1375 Joseph Arim. 508 Mi^tful men mallen borw scheldes.
1615 Brathwait Strappado (1878) 113 Her hands like Ful-
lers wheels, one vp, one downe, Which still lie mailing on
my costrell crowne.
+ 2. trans. To strike (a person or animal) with
a heavy weapon ; to knock down. Obs.
MAULER.
a 1240 Sawles Warde in Cott. Horn. 251 Deoflen bat ham
mealli<5 ant derueS aa ant drecche3 wi5 alles cunnes pinen.
? a 1400 Morte Arth. 3841 And mett hyme in the myde
schelde, and mallis hyme thorowe. Ibid. 4037, 1 salle evene
amange his mene malle hym to dede. 1530 Palsgr. 632/1
If he mall you on the heed I wyll nat gyve a peny for your
lyfe. 1537 Matthew Judg. v. 22 Then they mailed the
horsses legges, yl their myghtie coursers lefte praunsyng.
1596 Spenser F. Q. v. xi. 8 The sad Steele.. lighting on
his horses head him quite did mall. 161a Chapman Widowes
T. v. K 3 b, Lys. Would not my Ghost start vp, and flie
vpon thee? Cyn, No, I'de mall it down againe with this
[/. e. a crowbar]. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage ami. xii. (1614)
805 Many Gentlewomen, .while his [the king's] bodie was
burning were mailed with clubbes, and buried foure and foure
in a graue. 1648 Gage West hid. xiii. (1655) 72 They
mawled with a club those which had the Garlands.
3. To beat and bruise (a person) ; to maltreat ;
to knock about.
ri6xo Middleton Widow v. i. 138 Your women. .will so
maul him With broken cruises and pitchers.. He'll never
die alive, 171a Swift Jml. to Stella 7 Aug., My lord's
business is to hasten the peace before the Dutch are too
much mauli-d. 1748 Smollett Rod. Rand. (1812) 314 It
was proposed by Bragwell that we should . .maul the watch.
1858 Doran Crt. Fools 105 Thrashing the.. bishop and
terribly mauling his body of followers.
4. trans/. To damage seriously; to shatter,
mangle. (Said, e. g., of storms, shot, etc. ; for-
merly of disease or the like.)
169a South 12 Serm. (1697) II. 41 Nor is Excess the onely
thing by which Sin mauls and breaks Men in their health.
1709 Steele t'atler'No. 1 P 5 This Passion has so extremely
mauled him, that his Features are set and uninformed. 1758
Ann. Reg. 100 Her larboard side is most terribly mauled :
there are seventy shot-holes on that side. 1805 in Nicolas
Disp. Kelson (1846) VII. 190 note, Saw some of the Fleet at
times, very much mauled and greatest part partly dismasted.
1817-18 Cobbett Resid. U. S. (1822) 145 America is not
wholly exempt from that mortal enemy of turnips, the fly,
which mawled some of mine. 1885 Runciman Skippers <y
Sh. 1T2 The sea was mauling her pretty badly.
5- Jig. To subject to damaging criticism, injuic
by criticizing, * cut up ', * pull to pieces \
1593 N ashe Four Lett. Con/nt. 50 By the eternal iests he
would maule thee with. 1695 Congreve Prot. Hopkins'
Pyrrhus 25 Far hence they vent their Wrath, Mauling in
mild Lampoon th' intriguing Bath. 1711 Medley No. 21. 240
The poor Whigs are every day so maul'd off by the Tories
for their Fanaticism, that [etc]. 1759 Dilworth Popeg*
Finding themselves let pass free of all censure, and seeing
the other sex so mauled. 1785 Crabbe Newspaper 412 To
vex and maul a ministerial race. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2)
1. 187 They are a class who are very likely to get mauled
by Kuthydemus and his friends. 1885 Month. Exam.
25 Feb 3/3 Poor Sir David Brewster, a really harmless man,
is mauled in quite a wicked fashion,
6. To handle roughly or carelessly (chiefly with
about) ; to damage by rough or careless handling.
Also^. To maul down (dial.) : to lift down.
1781 Cowper Couversat. 290 We that make no honey,
though we sting, Poets, are sometimes apt to maul the thing.
1827 Clare S/teph. Cat. 156 She came smiling out, Saying
she hated to be mawled about With their black faces. 1847
Bushnell Chr. Nurt. 11. ii. (1861) 264 He is a man that
mauls every truth of God. 1856 Mrs. Browning Aur.
Leigh in. 906 To see them laugh and laugh and maul their
texts. 1878 T. Hardy Ret. Native vi. iv, Maul down the
victuals from corner cupboard if canst reach, man. 1885
Forfar Cornish Poems 17 You mustn't maul the fish about.
1899 Ch.Q. Rev. Jan. 541 We . regret ..that it [the First
Prayer Book of Edward VI. J was suffered to be mauled
about in deference to the rather impertinent objections of
foreigners.
7. intr. (dial.) To toil, work hard. [Perh. a
different word : cf. Moil v.]
1821 Clare Vill. Minstr. I 16 When he a ploughboy in
the fields did maut. Ibid. 138 Huge baskets mauling on.
1871 Brierley Cotters of Mossbum xv. 141 [She] Likes
maulin' amung pigs and keaws.
8. Football trans. (See quot. 1856.)
1856 Rules Football St. Peter's Sch. York vii, The player
holding the ball may be mauled ; i.e. he may be held and
the ball if possible wrested from him. 1867 Rugby School
Football Lazvs 18 When a player holding the ballis mauled
by one or more of the opposite side outside goal.
9. Comb., as maul-text a., that * mauls ' his text.
1881 Du Chaillu Land Midnight Sun I. 162 This maul-
text preacher was reading in a loud voice verses of the Bible.
Hence Mauled///, a., bruised, disfigured.
a 1700 B. E. Diet. Cant. Crew, Maul'd, swingingly Drunk,
orsoundly Beat. 1781 Mme. D'Arblay Diary June, ' Never
was 1 so mauled in my life ! ' said he. i8z8 Carlyle Misc.
(1857) II. 305 The print of six horsenails on his own mauled
visage. 1854 E. Forbes Lit. Papers vii. (1855) 197 Though
severely mauled, the huntsman was able to make his way . .
to his quarters. 1904 Daily Chron. 2 Jan. 8/5 At this the
grievously-mauled nigger began to skin him [a Hon].
Maular, -ard(e, obs. forms of Mallard.
Maulavi, variant of Mooltee.
t Maule, mawle, v. Obs. [Echoic: cf. Miaul.]
intr. To cry like a cat ; to mew.
1599 Minsheu Sp. Diet., To Maule like a cat. 1611
Cotgr., Mouaner, to mawle, yawle, or cry like a little child.
Mauler (m^-bj). Also 7 mailer, [f. Mail
v. + -er1.] One who mauls. (Sometimes used
to render L. malleus = Maul sb.1 2 b.)
1618 Naunton in Fortesc. Papers (Camden) 74 The mailer
and confounder of theyr battel. 1655 [see Hammer sb. 1 bj.
a 1661 Fuller Worthies, Camb. (1662) 1. 178 Thomas Lord
Cromwell (the Mauler of Monasteries). 1858 Carlyle
Fredk. Gt. HI. v. (1872) 1. 165 The Polish King.Casimir IV.
(late mauler of the Teutsch Ritters). 1884 Athenxum 1 Mar.
278/2 Vice the great vampire and violence, the great mauler.
MAULEY.
Mauley (mg-li). slang. Also maul(l)y, maw-
lie)y, raorley, ? my Her. [? f. M ail v. ; but cf.
Shelta (tinker's dialect) malya, said to be a trans-
position of Gaelic lamh hand.] A hand, a fist.
1780 G. Parker Life's Painter 116, I say, how are you?
Slang us your mauly. lbi<i. 139 A Queen Elizabeth in her
maully, that is, the key of the street door in her hand. 1842
De Quincey Mod. Greece Wks. 1 862 X 1 1 1. 326 Holding in his
dexter'mauley'ared herring. 1888'R. Boldrewood' Robbery
under Arms i. It takes a good man to. .stand up to me with
the gloves, or the naked mauleys. 1891 Carew Aulob.
Gypsy xxxv. 414 Being jest a bit too 'andy with my myliers.
b. The ' hand ' that one writes ; handwriting.
1851 Mayhew Lond. Labour I. 313 If they 'granny the
mauley '(perceive the signature)of a brother officer or friend.
Maulgre, variant of Maugke.
Mauling(m9-lirj),wW..>A [f. Mauiw. + -ing1.]
The action of Maul v.1
c 1400 Destr. Troy 9520 Mallyng burgh metall maynly with
hondes._ 16*1 Molle Camerar. Lh>. Libr. v. ii. 321 He fell
a mawling of his souldiers. 1831 Trelawny Adv. Younger
Son I. 129, 1 have never seen a fellow endure such a mauling
in my life. 1864 Field 17 Dec. 425/3 During the whole
match there was a great deal too much 'mauling'.
Mauling (mjHin), ///. a. [f. Mail v. +
-i.vg -.] That mauls.
1778 Mm D'Arblay Diary 18 June, Allowing for my
mauling reading, he gave it quite as much credit as I had
any reason to expect.
Maulkin, Maulmy: see Malki.v, Malmy.
Maul oak. [?ad.Sp. mania imposture, sham.]
An American oak, Quercus chrysolepis.
1884 Sarcent Rep. Forests N. Amer. fioth Census IX )
i)6 Quercus chrysolepis.. .[Syn.] Live Oak. Maul Oak.
V alparaiso Oak.
Maulstick (mg-lstik). Also 7 mol stick,
7-8 mostiok, 8 mallstiok, 9 mahlstiek. [ad.
Du. maalstok, f. ma/en to paint + slok stick. Cf.
G. malerstock (maler painter), malstab (stab m
staff).] A light stick used by painters as a support
for the right hand, and held in the left. The upper
end is surmounted by a ball of cotton-wool covered
with soft leather.
1658 Phillips, A Mosiick fed. 1706 Maulstick] a word
used in painting, being a round stick about a yard long,
which the Artist doth rest upon when he paints. 1673 Sal-
mon Polygraphia 165 The Stay, or Mol-stick, is a Brazil
stick (or the like) of a yard long; having [etc] 1855
Thackeray Charac. Sk. Wks. 1898 III. 537 When Titian
dropped his mahlstiek, the Emperor Charles V. picked it up.
1872 J. Hatton I'all. Poppies I. xiii. 216 In her left hand
she holds a maul-stick, upon which her right arm rests
1890 Kipling Light that/ailed iv, I'd let you go to the
deuce on your own mahl-stick.
Maulvi, variant of Moolvee.
tMaum, v. vulgar. Obs.-1 trans. In phrase
maummg ami gauming : To ' paw '.
1738 [see Gaum v.'].
Maum(e, variant forms of Malm.
Maumenye, variant of Malmeny Obs.
Maumerye, variant of Mahomery Obs.
rygo Sir Fernmb. 2534 To be maumerye bo sche wente
Maumet (trig-met). Obs. exc. arch, and dial.
F orms : a. 3 mahiraet, (//. mawmez, -ex, mau-
mez), 3-4 maumete, 3-5 mawmete, 4 -med,
-mat, maunmet, 4-5 maumraet, mamet, nnu-
mett, 4-6mawmette, 5mowmet(te, mawjmette,
6 maumette, mawmot, mammot, 6-7 mawmett,'
9 mora(m)et, mammelt, 4- mammet, mawmet'
3- maumet. 0. 4 momenet(te, mamenet, (pi.
momenas), 4-6 maument, 4-6, 9 mawment,
5 mamnet, mamente, mawmente, -mentt, 6
mamant. [a. OF. ma/iumet idol ; a use of Ma-
humet Mahomet, due to the common medieval
notion that Mohammed was worshipped as a god.]
+ 1. A false god, or an image of one; an idol. Obs.
c 1205 Lay. 14585 And biteue be hahje godd, & luuie heore
mah.met. /bid. 29221 per nine he hafde his maumet, ba he
heold for his god. 1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne .90, 192
She shal noght to any be sette Withoutyn leue of my mau-
mette. I he munke seyd he graunted weyl Aftyr hys mau-
mette to do euery deyl. 1340 Ayenb. 6 pe ilke bet worssipeb
pe momenes. c 1400 MAUNDEV.(Roxb.) xix. 86 pe kirke.es
mykill and fane and full of ymagery of baire mawmets.
II. . Air Beues 488 Whebure were strenger god in hevyn Or
all the maw?niettes. 15.3 Douclas Aiueis x. Pro). 153 Lat
. Virgyll hald his mawmemi, till hym self; I wirschip noder
idol, stok, nor elf. a 1529 Skelton Sfeie, Parrot 395
Moloc, that mawmett, there darre no man withsay. £
More Dialog, ,. Wks ,,9/2 The ydolles and mammetlS
of the paganes. iS3S Stewart Cron. Scot. I. 99 And ma-
Apollo. 1608 Willet Hexapla Gen. 326 Such images and
mammetts were found in Iacobs house. ,647 Trapp Com,,,.
« M-X"i; 5L K?alth ,S lhe worldlings god, which he prizeth
as Micah did his mawmet. [a 1654 : see Maumetry I.J
t D. trans/. A person or thing that usurps the
place of God in the human affections. Obs.
™,I34° HA,SJrOI-E Pi"""-XCvi.j Sum has syluyre his maw-
bar "v! ,3 • W'T ?'■■ >Vks- lil- 38 Lovynge moore vicis
fan virtues, and so bei serven mawmetis. c 1386 Chaucer
I a745 ruery oryn '" his cofre is his Mawmet.
fa. Applied by Protestants to the images of
Christ and the saints. Obs.
1581 J. Bell Haddous Answ. Osor. 309 If those Maw-
mettes, and signes of Sainctes, be erected in their churches
tor none other ende, but to put the beholders in remem-
oraunceof the Saincts themselves [etc.]. 1650 Trapp Com,,,.
249
Dent, vii. 5 Those mawmets and monuments of idolatry, the
Rood of grace, the blood of Hales, &c.
2. An image, dressed-up figure ; a doll, puppet ;
also, a person of grotesque appearance or costume,
a ' guy '. Now only dial.
1494 Fabyan Chron. vn. 554 The cytie of Roan.. made
them a mamet of a falte it vnwyldely as. 1530 Palsgr
244/1 Maument, marnwset ; poupee. 1583 Stubbes Anai.
Alius. (1877) 75 Mawmets of rags and cloutes compact to-
gether. 1596 Shaks. 1 Hen. IV, 11. iii. 95 This is no world
lo play with Mammets. 1597-8 Yorks. Arch. «,■ Topogr.
Jrnl. xxxiii. iZbuote, These havyng Mowed theire vaniiie
al the night in sekynge there maumet, commonly called
the floure of thwell, would nedes bringe the same on a
barrow into ye churche in prayer times. 1600 Lyly Maydcs
Metam. 11. n. 5o lo. What Mawmets are these! Fris O
they be the Fayries that haunt these woods, a 1608 Def
Relat. Spir. 1. (1659) n There stand a great many of Maw-
mets, little ugly fellows at the top of the hill. 1609 Ev.
U oman in Hum. V. i. in liullen 0. PI. IV, Julius Ca-sar,
acted by the Mammets. 1642 Fuller Answ. Feme 2 Hee
-sets up.. a Mawmet of his owne dressing. 1892 Sarah
Hev.-f.tt Peasant Sp. Devon 15 It was at one time customary
tor village children to canvass the neighbourhood for sub-
- neighbourhood for sub-
scriptions for materials to make a Guy Fawkes' ' momet '.
t b. Jig. A person who is the ' tool ' or ' puppet '
of another; a ' man of straw '. Obs.
1460 Paslon Lett. I. 514, I knowewele the Juge, W. Wayte
his mawment. a 1548 Hall Chron. Hen. VII (1800) 462
Wherefore she [the duchess] sent Perkyn Werbeck, her new
muented Mawmet first into Portyngall. 1593 G. Harvey
Pierce's Super. 141 Nash,. . Greene,. .Euphue's, . .the three
famous mammets of the piesse.
3. Applied to a person as a term of abuse or
contempt. Now dial.
a 1529 Skelton Agst. Garnesche 170 Thou murrionn, thow
mawment, Thou fals stynkyng serpent. 1592 Shaks. Rom.
ff jut. III. v. 186 A wretched puling foole, A whining mam-
met. ibex. Look About You L 3 b, Downestubborne Queene,
..Downe, Mammet. 1608 Maciiin Dumb h'ut. in. F 4, (!
God that euer any man should looke Vpon this maumet and
not laugh at him. 1610 B. Jonson Alch. v. iii, 'Slight you
are a Mammet! O, I could touse you, now. 1630 Mas-
singer Picture I. i, How the mammet twitters ! 1891 Hardy
J ess xlii, What a mommet of a maid !
t4. A kind of pigeon ; = Mahomet 5. Obs.
1678 Ray H'illughby's Ornithol. 182 Mawmets, called (as
I take it) from Mahomet. 1688 R. Holme Armoury 11.
244/2 Of Pigeons . . Mawmets . . exceed all others. . from their
great black eyes. 1735 etc. [see Mahomet]. 1835 P. J.
Selby Nat. Hist. Pigeons 164 Turkish or Mawmet Pigeon.
Cotujuba Turcica.
+ 5. attrib. and Comb., as maumet god, house,
place, wood, worshipper.
1382 Wyclif 2 Kings xviii. 4 He. .hew} doun the mawmett
wodis [Vulg. luces). 1483 Calh. Angl. 231/2 A Mawment
place (A. A Mawment howse) ; jdolium. Ibid. 232/1
A Mawment wyrscheper, ido/atra. 1618 Fletcher hi.
Princess iv. V, Where I meet your maumet Gods I'le
swing 'em.
+ Mau'meter. Obs. In 5 mawmenter, maw-
metrer. ff. Maumet + -erI.] An idolater.
c 1440 Promp. Parv. 330/2 Mawmenter, or he bat dothe
mawmentrye, ydolatra. 1496 Dives <y Paup. (W. de W.)
VI. viii. 243/1 Ne mawmetrers, ne glotons, ne wycked spekers,
I . .shall haue the kyngdome of heuen.
t Mairnietrous, a. Obs. In 6 mammetrouse.
[f. prec. or next + -ous.] Idolatrous.
1546 Bale \sl Exam. Anne Askew 21 b, Their most mon-
struose Masse or mammetrouse Mazon.
Maumetry (mg'metri). Obs. exc. arch. Forms:
see Maumet ; also 4 mamentre, (4-5 //. mau-,
mawme(n)tryse), 6 mamoutrie, malmontrye,
mammon(t)rie, mammitrie, -ye. [f. Maumet
+ -ry. Cf. Mahometry.]
1. The worship of images ; idolatry. Also ' false
religion ', heathenism.
a 1300 Cursor M. 6623 pai . . heild his comamentes right,
ne heildid til na lnametrl. c 1330 King of Tars 803 Ml
maumetrie ichul forsake, And Cristendom ichul take. ^1330
R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 320 pe Kyng said. .be pape..
Errid mislyuyng, haunted Maumetrie. 1387 Trevisa Hig-
den (Rolls) II. 279 Of be bryngynge for]> of mawmetrie
com welnyhalpefeyningeofpoetrie. a 1400-50 A lexau der
4486 Maumentry,..pat dose 50W dompe to be devill quen
he ere dede hethen. c 1450 St. Cuthbcrt (Surtees) 1600
And to maumetry bai bairn graythe. ta 1500 Chester PL,
Balaam 6, I wyll, you honour no God saue me, ne Maw-
mentrye none make yee. 1530 Compend. Treat, (1863) 49
Kinge Antioche.. compelled y people to do maumentry.
'535 Stewart Cron. Scot. I. 505 All mammitrie fra he gart
thame forsaik. Ibid. II. 180 With all thair micht..to mag-
nifie Mahoun thair maister with fals mamoutrie. 1552
Lyndesay Monarche 235 To sic mischeand Musis nor mal-
montrye. 1570-6 Lambaroe Peramb. Kent (1826) 268 Let
the souldiours of Satan and superstitious Mawmetrie, howle,
and cry out [etc.]. 1577-87 Holinshed Chron. I. 107/1
The Eastsaxons.. continued in their wicked mawmetrie.
[11654 Selden Table-T. (Arb.) 88 Heretofore they call'd |
Images Mammets, and the Adoration of Images Mam.
mettry : that is, Mahomet and Mahometry.]
t b. pi. Idolatrous beliefs or practices. Obs.
c 1340 Hampole Prose Tr. (1866) 9 All mawmetryse, all
wychecrafte and charemynge. c Z357 Lay Folks Catechism
176 (MS. T.) In this commandement is forboden us . . al
mawmetries. 1550 Bale Apol. 142 Theyr vowes to holy
churchethemotheroftheyrolde mammetryes. 1563-87 Foxe
A. <r Al. (1596) 610/2 They falsly and cursedlie deceiue the
people with their false mammetries and lawes.
t c- fig- ■ Idolatry 2. Obs.
a 1340 Hampole Psalter xcvi. 7 Auerice is seruyceof maw-
metry, and ilke man makis bat his mawmet bat he mast
lufis. ,1440 Jacob's Well 120 pe firste fote brede of bis
wose in coueytise is mawmetrye.
MAUND.
f2. Idols collectively. Obs.
,^2°%Cn^Z "i,!""* ".* «<Sds and Ms maumentri.
®j W"? C/irm- """ <Rolls> '337 Pe folk mys-
lyuande Worshipped. .Maumetry. r ,4« Octouinn V306
He ran with a drawe swerde To hys Mamentrye. ,5^6
C\faPer/U{T dC Yi '53.) 6 They be no true ryches^e
but false and deceyuable mammotry of iniquite. 1567 Gud,
#r Godtie ball. 71 Stock and stane is Mammontrie
t b. An idol. Obs. rare.
hXVfl' ,B,<UNNE//a"f- *W«K 4974 pese Phylystyens
bat hadde be maystry Beleuyd on Dagoun, a maumettry.
3. Mohammedanism ; = Mahometry. (In early
use not distinguished from sense I.)
' '3^ Ch*^R Man of Law's T. 138 In destruccioun of
.Ihey ben acorded. 1600 Abbot Jonah 117
Maumetrye.
Those seaven Churches . . are now the residence of the
iurkeandasinckeof filthy maumetry. 1638 SirT. Herbert
/ rav. (ed 2) 32 If (throwing away the raggs of Mawmetry)
he roabd his soule with true faith in Christ. 1805 Socthfy
hall. A> Metr. T. Poet. Wks. VI. 239 Now shall the Crescent
wane,. . Woe, woe to Mawmetry !
Maumsay, obs. form of Malmsey.
1492-3 Med. Rec. City Ch. (E.E.T.S.) 190.
Maumy, obs. form of Malmy a.
Maun (mjn), a. Sc. Also 8 maan. [? repr.
attrib. use of ON. rnagn sb. : see Main sb.] Great,
huge; chiefly associated with mickle.
17. . Herds Coil. (17-6) II. 99 A meikle maan lang draket
grey goose-pen. a 1774 Ferclsson Poems (1789) II. 68 To
screen their faces \\Y hats and muckle maun bongraces.
Maun (mon, mgn), 7/.1 (pres. iud.) Sc. Forms :
4- man, (4-6 mane), 9 mann, 6- maun. [a.
OX. man, pres. t. of munu : see M UN v.] = M 1ST v.
c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints iii. {A udreas) 1060 Sa mane we bane
trew, bat [etc.]. a 1400-yo Alexander 1681 pe men of Jledi
man, be 3oure leue, Lang all in oure lawe lely to.gedire.
1500-20 Dunbar Poems lxxxi. 54 With sum rewaird we
mane him quy t againe. 1577 in 3rd Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm.
419/1, I man prepair me to keip the same, c 1620 A. Hume
Lnt. Tongue 1. ii, To make a conformitie baeth in latine
and English, we man begin with the latine. 1721 Ramsay
Prospect of Plenty 112 Maun bauld Britannia bear Bata-
vias yoke? 1788 Burns My houie Mary, And I maun
leave my borne Mary. 1816 Scott Antto. xxvii, What's
dune in the body maun be answered in the spirit. 1894
Crockett Lilac Sunbonnet 34 Ye maun hae been terrible
bonny in thae days !
Maun (mgn), v.- Sc. Also man(n. [a. OX.
magna, f. rnagn : see Main sb.'] To manage to do.
1790 A. Wilson Poems 202 Death's maunt at last to
cling me owre. Ibid. (1816) 46 (Jam.l Sud ane o' thae, by
lang experience, man To spin out tales. 1895 Crockett
Men of Moss Hags 226 The thought of his kindness made me
like him better than I had manned to do for some time.
Maunance, obs. form of Menace.
Maunch, var. MancheI; obs. f. Munch.
Maunche present. Obs. Forms: jmonge
presawnte, mawnehepresande, 6 maunche,
mounch, 7manch, --8(^;V/j-.;manche-present.
J [? f- manche, Munch v. + Present sb. ; there may
have been an AF. *mange-presenl, f. stem of manger
to eat.] (See quots.)
c 1440 Promp. Pan: 341/1 Monge presawnte. sichophaula.
1480 c ath. Angl. 232/1 Mawnehepresande, sicofauta. 1530
Palsgr. 244/1 Maunche present, briffavlt. 1560-1 Awdelay
Frat. Vacab. (1869) 14 Mounch present is he that is a great
gentleman, for when his Mayster sendeth him with a pre-
sent, he wil take a tast thereof by the waye. 1589 Rider
Bibl. Schol., A Manch-present, Dorophagus. 1623 Cockeram,
Manch-presents, notable bribe-takers.
Maunchet(t, obs. forms of Manchet.
Mauneiple, obs. form of Manciple.
Maund (mgnd), sb.l Forms: 1 mond, 1, 5-9
mand,5 mande, mawnde,5-7mawnd,maun'de,
7 moane, 8 maand, 9 dial. maun, mawn, mound,
£- maund. [OE. mand, memdiem. = MDu., MLG.
mande fern., masc. (Du. mand fern.), mod.G. dial.
mand(e. The forms maund(e, mawiul(e, however,
represent the OF. mande (mod.F. manne, diaX. and
techn. mande), adopted from Du. and LG. ; it is
uncertain whether the mand of some dialects repre-
sents the OE. word or the later adoption from OF. ;
as, however, the word has not been found in Eng.
between the nth and the 15th c, the latter sup-
position seems more plausible.]
1. A wicker or other woven basket having a
handle or handles. Now only local, applied spec.
in various districts to denote particular kinds of
baskets (see quots. in E.D.D.).
(-725 Corpus Gloss. C 635 (Hessels) Coffinus, mand. c 950
Li/ulisf. Gosp. Matt. xvi. 10 Hu moniz, monda [L. sportas],
c 1050 Voc. in Wr.-Wulcker 370/19 Coffinos, manda. 1459
Invent, in Paslon Lett. I. 481 Item, ij. maundys. ': a 1480
Promp. Paro. 330/2 (MS. S.) Mawnd, skype, sportula. 1489
Caxton Fayles of A. 11. xxxv. 152 Men may lete doune fro
the walles certayn persones in grete maundes by nyght.
J535 Coverdale Ecclus. xi. 30 Like as a partrich in a
maunde, so is the hert of the proude. 1546 Kirton-in-Lind-
sey Ch. Ace. in Antiquary Dec. (1888) 20 A mand for hully
bred. 1597 Shaks. Lover's Compl. 36 A thousand favours
from a maund she drew Of amber, crystal, and of beaded
jet. 1609 N. F. Fruiterer's Seer. 13 There must be pro-
uided great baskets, or (as some call them) Maunds, of
quarters or halfe quarters. 1615 Sandys Trav. 260 Sweete
composures Of violets haue I for thee in maunds of Osiers.
1623 R. Whitbourne Newfoundland 75 For pots and liuer
Mands— li.000 18s. od. 1669 Worlidgb Syst. Agric. (1681)
328 A Maund, A Basket, or rather a hand-basket with two
lids to carry on ones Arm. 1678 H. More Postscr. in G a:-
98
MAUND.
vilfs Sadiiucismus (1681) 46 Her own short Cloak, which
she used with her maund under her arm to ride to Fairs or
Markets in. I7»i Perry Daggenham Breach 16 Great
Maands, or Baskets, filled with Chalk. 1814 Hitchins &
Drew Hist. Cornw. II. 471 The pilchards, .are invariably
carried by men.. in large maunds. 1864 Blackhore Clara
Vaughan (1872) 114 After carrying into the kitchen the
mighty maun. 1888 W. H. H. Rogers Mem. of the West
xiii. 275 A great maund of cabbages. .fills up the body of
the little vehicle,
b. The contents of a ' maund *; a basketful.
1869 Blackmore Lorna D. viii, I will bring you such a
maun of things. Ibid, lxvni, As fine a maund as need be
of provisions, and money, and other comfort.
2. A measure of capacity varying with the locality
and the commodity to be measured. Now dial.
x545 Rates Custom-Ho. a v, Bokes vnbounde the basket
or maunde iiii/. Ibid, c viij, Trenchers the maunde or bas-
kete xx.s. 1583 Ibid. Fivb, Glouers clippings the maund
or fat. 1660 Act 12 Chas. II, c 4 Sched. s. v. Books,
Bookes unbound — the basket or maund, containing 8 bales
or 2 fats. 1674 Jeake Arith. Sure, (1696) 66 If the Fish be
small ; the Maund or Moane, holdeth about a Gallon. 1714
Fr. Bk. Rates 38 Coal Stone per Maund 00 04. 1727
Switzer Pract. Gard. 111. xxx. 154 They sell them [arti-
chokes] from two.. to five shillings /ir maund, that does
not hold above a dozen. 1833 J. Bennett Artificer's Lex.
229 Maund, of unbound books, is 6 bales of each 1000 lbs.
weight. 1884 West. Morn. News 4 Sept. 4/5 Thirty trawlers
landed from 4 to 15 maunds of common fish per sloop.
3. dial. A utensil for moving grain in a barn or
granary. Hop-maundy a vessel used in breweries.
1844 Stephens Bk. Farm II. 283 Wechts or maunds for
taking up corn are made either of wood or of skin, attached
to a rim of wood. 1868 Gloss. Sussex Words in Hurst
Horsham (1889), Hop-mand.
4. attrib. and Comb., as maund basket, form,
'maker, -woman.
c 1481 Caxton Dialogues 38/19 Ghyselin the mande maker
Hath sold his vannes. 1551 Recorde Cast. Knowl. (1556)
147 This forme maye be called maundforme, or bellforme,
bicause it is like a maunde basket, or a bell. 1678 H. More
Postscr. in Glanvilfs Sadducismus (1681) 47 A Maund-
womatis Cloak. 1843 J ml. R. Agric. Soc. IV. 11. 581 In
stacking the oats, I have a maun-basket drawn up the
middle.
II Maund (mpnd), sb.2 Forms: 6 mao, mana,
1 maune, mahan, mawn(d, maon, msin, 7. 9
man, 8 maun, 7- maund. [English pronuncia-
tion of Hindi and Persian man.
According to Yule, ultimately from the Accadian mana,
whence also the Gr. vva, the L. mina, and the Heb. Maneh.
The early form mao is from a Portuguese source, the word
having been, by a natural sound-substitution, adopted in Pg.
as mao (maon), homophonous with the Pg. word for ' hand '.]
1. A denomination of weight current in India and
Western Asia, varying greatly in value according to
locality. The standard maund of the Indian empire
is now= 100 lbs. troy, or 82^ lbs. avoirdupois.
In India the past and present local values of the maund
range from under 19 lbs. to over 163 lbs. avoirdupois. In
Persia the maund of Tabriz is nearly 7 lbs., the 'royal
maund * {man shdhi) is twice that weight.
1584 W. Barret in Hakluyt Voy. (1599) II. 1. 271 A Mana
of Babylon is of Aleppo 1 roue 5 ounces and a halfe : and
68 manas and three seuenth parts, make a quintall of
Aleppo, which is 494 It. 8 ounces of London. 1598 W.
Phillip Linschoten 1. xxxv. 69 They [of Goa] haue likewise
another wayght called Mao, which is a Hand, and is twelue
pounds, 1611 H. Middleton in Purchas Pilgrims I. 270
Each maund being three and thirtie pound English weight.
1614 W. Hawkins in Purchas Pilgrimage v. xvii. (ed. 2)
545 Which, .amounted to threescore maunes in gold, euery
maune is fiue and fiftie pound weight. 1635 Purchas Pil-
grims I. 524 The weights [of Persia] differ in diuers places :
two Mahans of Tauris make one of Spahan. 1634 Sir T.
Herbert Trav. 65 A Mawnd is six pounds. 1665 Phil.
Trans. I. 104 They now sell us a Maon of 6 pounds for two
Rupias. 1678 J. Phillips tr. Taveruier's Trav. 11. n. 128
It [indigo] is sold by the mein which contains.. 51^ of our
pounds. 1681 Fryer Ace. E. India $ P. iv. vii. {1698) 205
The Surat Maund. .is 40 Sear, of 20 Pice the Sear which
is 37/. The Maund Pucka at Agra is double as much.
1687 Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. 11. 89 The Man of Ispahan
is a weight of twelve pounds. 1788 Trans. Soc. Arts VI.
124 At the rate of twelve Rupees a Maund of nearly eighty-
two pounds avoirdupois. 1863 Fawcett Pot. Econ. 1. v. 72
Four rupees per maund, of 83 lbs.
2. As a liquid measure: see quot.
1875 Bedford Sailor's Pocket Bk. ix. (ed. 2) 323 Liquid
measure. Maund = 8 Palli=9-8i British Imperial Gallons.
t Maund, sb.S Cant, Obs. Also mawnd. [f.
Maund t/.1] Begging. Also, with prefixed word :
A begging imposture of a specified kind.
1610 Rowlands Martin Mark-all E 3, What maund doe
you beake, what kind of begging vse you? He myll your
maund, He spoyle your begging, a 1700 B. E. Diet. Cant.
Crew, Footman's Mawnd, an artificial Sore made with
urislack'd Lime, Soap and the Rust of old Iron, on the
Back of a Begger's hand, as if hurt by the bite or kick of a
Horse. Ibid., Rum-mawn'd, one that Counterfeits himself
a Foot* Ibid., Sou Idiers- Mawnd, a Counterfeit Sore or
Wound in the Left Arm. 1785 Grose Diet. Vulg. 7'ongue,
Mason's mawnd, a sham sore above the elbow, to counter-
feit a broken arm, by a fall from a scaffold.
I'Maund, 7'.1 Cant. Obs. [Of obscure origin :
possible sources are F. mendier and quimander to
beg. Cf. also Romany mang in the same sense.]
trans, and intr. To beg. To maund ilt * to go a
begging \
1567 Harman Caveat (1869) 84 To maunde, to aske or re.
quyre. Ibid. 85 Yander is the kene, dup the gygger, and
maund that is bene shyp. Ibid. 86. 1608 Dekkek Z,anth.
<$■ Candlelight B 2, The Ruffin cly the nab of the Har-
250
1 man beck, If we mawnd Pannam, lap, or RufT-peck, Or
poplars of varum. 1610 Rowlands Martin Mark-all K 2, He
maunds Abram, he begs as a madde man. 1618 B. Holyday
Technogamia 11. vi, Wee had rather Mawnd then Mill to
keepe vs from Trining. 162a Fletcher Beggars Bush it.
, i, You must hereafter maund on your own pads, he saies.
1641 Bro.me Joviall Crew in. Wks. 1873 III. 395 Let me
hear how you can Maund when you meet with Passengers.
a 1700 B. E. Diet. Cant. Crew, Maund-iug, to Beg, Begging.
1720 Pesnecuik Streams Helicon 67 Ilk an must maund on
1 his awn Pad. 1791-1823 [see quot. s.v. Maunding vbl. sb.].
t Maund, v2 Obs. rare—1, [f. Maund sbA]
trans. To pack in a ' maund* or basket.
1609 N. F. Fruiterers Seer. 16 How to packe or maunde
apples.
Maund(e, variants of Mand v. Obs.
1578 Whetstone 2nd Pi. Promos % Cass. iv. ii, The King
maunded him her strayght to marry.
Maund, Maunday, obs. ff. Mound, Maundy.
t Matrnder, sb.1 Cant. Obs. [f. Maund v.1
+ -SB '.] A beggar.
1609 W. Rowley Search /or Money (Percy Soc.) 40 The
Divill (like a brave maunder) was rid a begging himselfe
and wanted Money. 1610 Rowlands Martin Mark-all
G 4 To write of his knaueries, it would aske a long time : I
referre you to the old manuscript, remayning on record in
I maunders hall. 1641 Brome Joi-iallCrew 11. Wks. 1873 HI.
I 377 The great Commander of the Maunders, and king of
Canters. 1719 D'Urfey Pills III. 100 ACraver my Father,
a Maunder my Mother. 1829 Lytton Disowned I. ii. 12
Hark ye, my maunders, if ye dare beg, borrow, or steal a
single croker [etc.].
Maunder (m^-ndai), sb.2 [f. Maunder v.2}
: Idle incoherent talk or writing.
1880 Sat. Rev. 20 Nov. 656 Beatrice Melton's Discipline
1 is not so much a story as a maunder without beginning or
end. 1893 Fall Mall G. 22 Mar. 3/2 The discussion that
followed was little better than amiable maunder.
tMau'nder, i-.1 Cant. Obs. [? f. Maunder
sb*] intr. To beg.
1611 Middleton & Dekker Roaring Girls K3I), I in-
structed him in the rudements of roguery .. so that now he
can maunder better than my selfe. c 1616 Fletcher &
Mass. Thierry <y Theod.v. i, Beg, beg, and keep Constables
waking, ..maunder for butter-milk.
Maunder (mgmbj), v.'~ Also 7 mander.
[Of obscure origin; perh. imitative: with senses
2 and 3 cf. daunder, Dander v.~\
f 1. intr. * To grumble, mutter or growl ' (Phil-
lips, ed. Kersey, 1706). Obs.
Very common in the 17th c. Quot. 1848 may belong to 3.
1621 Burton Anal. Mel. ill, in. 11. i, At home, abroad, he
is the same, still inquiring, mandring, gazing, listening,
affrighted with every small object. 1622 Mabbe tr. Ale-
man's Guzman if Alf. 1.253 When I heard thtm thus mutter
and maunder against him, I came vnto them, a 163a
T. Taylor Gods Judgem. iv. (1642) 55 She began to mander
and murmur, a 1708 Beveridge Priv. Th. 1. (1816) 149 Not
repining at their master's commands, not muttering and
maundering against them. 1711 Swift Jrnl. to Stella
28 Apr., I hate to buy for her : I am sure she will maunder.
1740 De Mouhy's Fort. Country-Maid 11782) II. 286/1 The
door was opened : He maunder'd ; but Julia was beforehand
with him. She said [etc.]. 1818 Scott Hrt. Midi, vi,
What are ye maundering and greeting for? 1848 Kingsley
Saint's Trag. iv. i,Let halting worldlings. .Maunder against
earth's ties, yet clutch them still.
2. To move or act in a dreamy, idle, or inconse-
quentmanner. Const, along, away. Cf. Dander v. I.
c 1746 J. Collier (Tim Bobbin) Vietv Lane. Dial. Wks.
(1862) 64, I maundert up on deawn hereobeawt ogen, oth'
seme sleeveless arnt. 1790 Mrs. Wheeler Westmld.Dial.
(1821) 25, I lost me sel on thor plaguy Fels, an I been
maunderin twoa heaal neets an twoa days. 1841 Lytton
Nt. ty Morn. II. vi, A day-dreamer who had wasted away
his life in dawdling and maundering over Simple Poetry.
1887 Jessopp Arcady vii. 218 He came maundering after
Miss Tasker thirty years ago. 1890 H. Frederic Lawton
Girl 56 She. . maundered along wearily through such tasks
of the day as forced themselves upon her.
b. quzsi-trans. with aivay.
1867 S. Wilberforce Sp. Missions (1874) 61 To take things
as they are, and not to maunder away our lives and our
sympathies.
3. To talk in the dreamy and foolish manner
characteristic of dotage or imbecility ; to ramble
or wander in one's talk. Also trans, to utter
(something) in this manner. Cf. Dander v. 2.
1831 Carlyle Sart. Res. 1. iv, Mumbling and maundering
the merest commonplaces, i860 W. Collins Worn. White
121 While he was maundering on in this way I was.. re-
turning to my senses, i860 All Year Round No. 74. 569
Signor Tagliafico's double maunders out good Tory port
wine sentiments. 1861 Hughes Tom Brown at Ox/, vi,
The help., was maundering away some, .sentimental ditty.
1865 Livingstone Zambesi in. 68 We might maunder away
about intellect. 1869 Thollope He Kneiv, etc. lxviii, Men
. .had heard the old Major maunder on for years past.
t Mavrnderer ', Cant. Obs. [f. Maunder
V.1 + -er1.] A professional beggar.
i6n Middleton & Dekker Roaring Girle K 3 b, I am
. .a maunderer vpon the pad I confesse.
Maunderer - (mjS-ndsrai). [f. Maunder v.2]
fl. 'Amurmurer; a grumbler . Obs.
X75S m Johnson.
2. One who rambles in his talk ; a twaddler.
1827 Blaclnv. Mag. XXI. 783 An honorary member of tho
right worshipful company of Maunderers. 1864 Morning
Star 28 May 5 The inanities of some prosy maunderer.
Maundering (mg-ndarirj), vbl, sb. [f. Maun-
der V.2 + -ING K]
f 1. The action of grumbling or muttering. Obs.
MAUNDY.
1611 Middleton & Dekker Roaring Girle L, Mol. Be
sure you meete mee there. Trap. Without anymore maun-
dring I'le doo't. a 1716 South Sertn. (1823) V. 245 The
maunderings of discontent are like the voice and behaviour
of a swine. 1740 tr. DeMouhy's Fort. Country-Maid (174:)
II. 262 [SheJ had not digested the Blows, nor the continual
Maundering she had undergone. 1816 Scott Old Mort. v,
The principal object of her maundering was to display her
consequence and love of power.
2. Rambling or drivelling talk ; dotage.
i860 Emerson Cond. Life, WorshtpWks. (Bohn) II. 397
In creeds never was such levity; witness the. .maundering
of Mormons. 1881 Garden 30 Dec. 577/3 The crazy maun-
derings of sentimental anti-vivisectionists. 1003 Edin. Rev.
Oct. 282 The non possumus of the Vatican left an impression
of senile maundering.
t Maundering,///, a-1 [f. Maunder z>.i +
-ing.-'J Begging.
1630 J. Taylor (Water P.) Begger Wks. 1. 100/1 Suppose
a Begger to be in the shape of a maundering or wandering
souldier.
Maundering (mp-ndarirj), ///. a.2 [f. Maun-
der v.- + *ing ^.j f Grumbling {obs.); wandering
aimlessly ; doting, drivelling.
1848 Kingsley Saint's Trag. 1. iii, Sour old maids, and
maundering Magdalens. 1850 Blackie sEschylus II. 69
Lest with idiocy the thunder Harshly blast your maundering
wits. 1865 Trolloi'K Belton Est. xvi, The squire widi a
maundering voice drawled out some expression of regret.
1904 I> lac kit: Mag. Feb. 191 '2 Nothing is more irritating
to an active long-striding sportsman .. than a sluggish
maundering dog.
t Maunding, vbl. sb. Cant. Obs. [f. Maund
v. l + -iNG *.] The act of begging ; an instance of
this ; an abusive demand.
1610 Rowlands Martin Mark-all Q 4 b, Being borne and
bred vp in the trade of maunding, nipping, and foisting.
1620 Middleton & Rowley World Tost at Tennis 4 If you
take me a maunding, . . let 'em show me the House of Correc-
tion, a 1670 Hacket Abp. Williams 11. (1692) 116 He dealt
fairly with him ; not reckoning by his maundings and rough
language. 1791-1823 D'Israeli Cur. Lit. (1859) "• 312
Uttering a silly maunding, or demanding of charity.
1 Mau'nding, a. Cant. Obs. [i. Maund v.1 +
-ING 2.] Mendicant.
1636 W. Cartwright Royall Slatie iv. hi, Some counter-
feiting trick of such maunding people, c 1645 Roxb. Ball.
Ci 886) VI. 321 A maunding Cove that doth it love. 1713
C'tess Winchelsea Misc. Poems 61 My Wife.acknowledg'd
such thro' maunding Tribes, As long as mutual Love, .can
bind our easy Faiths.
Maundrel, -il : see Mandrel.
Maundy (mj'ndi). Forms : 3- maunde, 4
mandee, mondee, 4-5 mande, maundee, 4-6
maundye, 5 mawnde, monde, mawndee, 5, 8
maundey, 6 mawndy(e, -daye, mawneday,
6-7 manday, maundie, 6-9 maunday, 7-8
mandy, 6- maundy, [a. OF. mande, ad. L. man-
datum, lit. ' commandment * (see Mandate sb.).
The ceremony of washing the feet of poor persons on the
day before Good Friday was instituted in commemoration
of Christ's washing the apostles' feet at the Last Supper, and
of his injunction that his disciples should in like manner
wash one another's feet (John xiii. 14). The words 'A new
commandment {.mamiatum novum) give I unto you, that ye
love one another' {ibid. 34) from the discourse which followed
the washing of the apostles' feet, were adopted as the first
antiphon sung at the commemorative observance, which
hence acquired the name of mat/datum. (Hence OHG.
tuaudat, m Otfrid's paraphrase of John xiii. 11-14.) In later
use, perh. owing to the currency of dies mandati '(lit. 'day of
thecommandment'Jasa name for the day before Good Friday,
mandatnm frequently denoted the Last Supper itself.]
1. The ceremony of washing the feet of a number
of poor people, performed by royal or other eminent
persons, or ecclesiastics, on the Thursday before
Easter, and commonly followed by the distribution
of clothing, food, or money. In England (except
among Roman Catholics), the distribution of
' maundy money ' (see 4) is all that remains of this
ceremony. Phr. to make, keep, hold one's maundy.
c 1*90 St. Brendan 364 in S. Eng. Leg. 229 And sethhe he
[bis procuratourl wuchs hore fet alle be maunde for-to do huy
[be Monekes] heolden bare heore maunde. a 1300 Cursor
M. 21611 A-pon be dai o be rnande [Gait, mondee, Fair/.
mandee]. 150a Privy Purse Exp. Eliz. York (1830) 1
To the Quene for xxxvij1' pore women every woman
iij.?. )d. for her maunday upon Shire Thursday. 1533
Fitzwilliam in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. 1. II. 27 That my
Lady the Kings Grauntdame during her lif kept a yerely
Maundy. 1577-87 Holinshed Chron. III. 014/2 Upon
Maundie thursdaie he made his maundie, there haning nine
and fiftie poore men, whose feet he washed. 1667 Pei'YS
Diary 4 Apr., My wife, .had been to-day at White Hall to
the Maunday, ..but the King did not wash the poor people's
feet himself, but the Bishop of London did it for him. c 1700
in A. J. Stephens Bk.Comm. Prayer (1850) II. 800 note, The
Order of the Maundy. The Sub-Dean begins the Exhortation
[etc.]. 1850 A. J. Stephens Bk.Comm. Prayer \\. Boo note,
In England the rite of the Maundy continued to be performed
by our sovereigns till the time of James II, who is said to
have been the last sovereign who celebrated it in person.
Ibid. 891 note, The 'Office for the Royal Maundy*.
b. The dole made at the ceremony.
[150a: see 1.] 1850 A. J. Stephens Bk. Comm. Prayer
II. 893 note. Every recipient of the Maundy must be sixty
years of age or upwards. 1865 Pall Matt G. 10 Apr. 7
On Thursday next Her Majesty's Royal Maundy will be
given by the Lord High Almoner. .to forty-six aged men
and forty-six women.
+ C. Jig. Almsgiving, bounty, largesse. Obs,
1595 Coi-lev lYitst Efts $ Fancies 78 A Scriuener was
MAUNDY THURSDAY.
writing a Marchantes last will.. in which the marchant
expressed many debts that were owing him. . .A kinsman of
this Marchantes then standing by. .saide vntothe Scriuener:
hagh, hagh, what saith my vncie now? Doth he now make
his Maundies? No (answered the Scriuener) he is yet in his
deniaunds. 160a Hoys Wks. 396 Thy neighbour is bountiful
in relieving the poor ; thou seest his maundie but thou
knowest not his mind. 1647 Herrick Noble Numbers 43 All 's
gone, and Death hath taken Away from us Our Maundie;
thus. Thy Widdowes stand forsaken.
+ 2. The Last Supper. Obs.
1377 Langl. P. PI. B. xvi. 140 The borsday byfore bere he
made his maundee, Siltyng atte sopere he seide bise wordes
[etc.]. 1380Wvcl.lF.SW. //''*i.III.4i5Cristbeggldahouseto
eete inne his maundye. 14. . Pol. Ret. <y L. Poems i56A8r
A tabull per ys, bat men mey se That cryste made on nis
montle. 1533 More Ahsw. Poysoned Bk. Pref. Wks. 1038/1
The maundye of Christ with his apostles vpon shears
thursday, wherin our sauiour actually dyd institute the
blessed sacrament. 1566 Stapleton Ret. Untruths to Jewell
i. 7 The example of the twelue at Christes maunde where
that most holy mysteries were wrought. 1640 Bp. Ham.
Serm. xxxi. Wks. 1837 V. 419 He should see him making
his Maundy with his disciples, on the Thursday ; and cruci-
fied, on Good Friday.
f b. The Lord's Supper or Eucharist. Obs.
1533 Frith Answ. More H vij b, The breaking of breadc
at the Maundye is not the very deathe of Chrystes bodye,
but onelyea Representacion of the same, e 1555 Harpseield
Divorce Hen. VIII (1878) 58 Nor to be secluded from the
holy Maundy of the body and blood of Christ.
1 3. A feast. To make one's maundy : to feast.
[1533 Frith Ahsw. More M i b, Thys Lambe muste they
eate hastelye and make a Merye maundye. 1545 Brink.
low Lament. 102 Vnto all beleuers the ceremonye of eatinge
the# paschalle lambe ceassed . . when Christ had chaunged
it in to a maundaye of thankesgeuinge.] 1646 Quarles
Sheph. Oracles 66 Their flocks do fare No better than
Chameleons. .Making their Maundy with an empty sent.
4. atlrib. Applied to things distributed at a
maundy, as maundy ale, bread, cup, or to people
receiving them, as maundy man, people, woman ;
also f maundy-like adj. ; maundy dish, pursa,
a dish, purse used to hold the money to be distri-
buted at a maundy (Cent. Did.) ; maundy money,
silver money (see quot. 1866) distributed by the royal
almoner to poor people on Maundy Thursday at
Whitehall ; so maundy coin ; maundy-supper =
sense 2 ; Maundy-week, Holy Week.
1517-18 in Swayne Sarum Churchw. Ace. (1896) 60 For
"Mawnedayaleijj. iij^. for*Mawnedaycuppysxi)rf. 1534-5
Ibid. 73 "Maundy brede, iijs. 1883 Encycl. Brit. XVI. 482/2
note, The number and weights of the fourpences, twopences,
and pence, being *Maundy coins, are the same for each of
the years(i87i-8i]:— 4518 fourpences, 4752 twopences, and
7920 pence. 1534 More Dial. Comfort I. xix. (1553) E ij b,
Not hyst "maundy like merite, as hys passion, nor his slepe
like merite, as his watche and his prayer. 1838 Times 16
APr- 5/5 The Queen's Royal alms were distributed.. at the
Almonry-office, to the "Maunday men and women placed on
the supernumerary lists. 1856 Simmonds Diet. Trade,
*Maundy money. 1866 Crump Banking x. 231 The Maunday
money consisted of 4, 3, 2, and 1 penny pieces in stiver. 1887
Roy. Procl. in Standard 18 May 3/2 Pieces of Silver money
called 'The Queen's Maundy Monies'. 1826 Ann. Reg.
47/2 About eleven o'clock the "Maundy people arrived. 153a
More Con/ut. Tindale Wks. 660/2 At the "Maundaye
supper, when he [se. Judas] went to betraye the headde of
that churche. 1868 Morris Earthly Par. (1870) I. 1. 322
As by the fire-light Peter swore of old, When in that
*Maundy-week the night was cold.
Maundy Thursday. [See prec.] The
Thursday next before Easter.
[1517 Torkington Pilgr. (1884) 66 Ther we a bode Mawd-
leyn thursday, Good fryday.] 1530 Palsgr. 244/1 Maundy
thursday, jevdy absolv. 1546 Langley Pol. Verg. 98 Wash,
yng of feet on Maundye thursday, that the priestes vse
among them selfes, and nobles to inferiour persons. 1563-83
Foxe A. «f M. ^32/2 The Sacrament that Jesus Christ
instituted at his last supper on Maundye Thursdaye. 1678
Gunpowder-Trcas. 4 The Pope on Maunday-Thursday did
censure and Condemn all Hereticks in the general. 1727-53
Chambers Cycl., Maundy, or Maundey Thursday, Dies
Mandali. 1840 Howitt Visits Remark. Places Ser. 1. 260
On Maunday Thursday he washed and kissed the feet of fifty
poor people ; gave each twelve pence, three ells of good can.
vass, for shirts ; a pair of shoes ; and a cask of red herrings.
Maung- : see Mang-.
Maungee, obs. form of Manjee.
1832 G. C. Mundy Pen ,r Pencil Sk. Ind. II. 148 The
Maungee gave the word of weighing.
Maunkie, variant of Manco Sc.
Maunt- : see Mant-.
Maupe. dial. Also7maulpp,malpe, omwope,
mawp. [Of obscure origin : cf. the svnon. Alp 2,
Olp, Nope.] A bullfinch. Also atlrib.
\&S*poostrey Church™. Ace. in Earwaker Sandbach (1890)
248 For killing a dozen of maupes. 1670 Wilmslmv
Lhurchw. Ace. in Earwaker E. Cheshire (1877) I. 115 Paid
for 16 maupe heads 6d. 1673 Rostherne Churchw. Ace. in
Lane. Gloss. (E.D.S.), Payd for maulpp taken 38 in Rostherne
[etc.].. for every malpe id. 1885 Swaikson Prov. Names ''
birds 66 Bull/inch . . Mwope (Dorset). Mawp (Lancashire).
T Maur. Obs. Forms : 5 mawr, mowr(e, :
mour(e, 7 maure. [a. ON. maur-r; for the
affinities of this word see Mire sb*] An ant. 1
Also attrib. in maur-hill, house, an ant-hill.
< 1400 Destr. Troy in How Mawros were men made on
a day At be prayer of a prinse bat peopull hade lost.
e 1400 Maundev. (Roxb.) xxxiii. 149 When be wedir es no3t
hate, ne mowres hydes bairn iKTjt in be erthe [etc.]. 15..
*\c°tt. N. T. Matt. vi. 20 Quhar nouthir roust nor mowris 1
destroyis. c 1450 St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 2408 For Salomon I
251
biddes a slaw marl ga To be moure. 1483 Cath. And. 244
A pyss Mowre {A. A Mowre); formica. A pyss Mowre-
hylle (A. A Mowre hylle) \formicarium. A Mo'wre howse;
formication. 1601 Holland Pliny II. 379 marg., Maure-
hils, corruptly called Moule-hils: for Ants were in old
English called Maures.
Maure, obs. form of Moor sb?
Mauresque, variant of Moresque.
Maurian, -en, var. forms of Morian Obs.
Maurisk, variant of Morris.
Maurist (mc/rist). [f. (St.) Maur + -1ST.] A
French Benedictine monk belonging to the congre-
gation of St. Maur, founded in 1618, famous for
the learning and literary industry of its members.
Also attrib. (quasi-a<r/.)
ti8oo C. Butler Life *,■ Writ. A. Butler in Lives of
Saints (1847) I. 12 Dom Ruinart, a Maurist Monk. 1893
Dub/. Rev. Apr. 394 The name Maurist became synonymous
with a man given wholly to God and to study.
Mauritius (mjrrjas). [Name of an island in
the Indian Ocean so called by the Dutch in 1598
after the Stadthokler Maurice.] Used attrib! in
Mauritius-weed, a lichen (A'occella fucifonnis)
from which archil is obtained.
1858 in Simmonds Diet. Trade.
Mauser (mairzsr). [f. the name of the in-
■ ventor.] (More fully Mauser rifle.) A military
rifle adopted by the German military experts in
1871, and perfected in 1884.
«88o Encycl. Brit. XI. 284/2. 1882 Vovle & Stevenson
Milit. Diet. Suppl. Mauser Rifle. 1887 Pall Mall G. 25J.-111.
3/1 In the original Mauser. .the soldier had to give ihe
stock a smart stroke so as to throw out the used cartridge.
Hence Mauser v. (nonce-wd.) trans., to shoot (a
person) with a Mauser rifle.
1903 Kipling Five Nations 168 When you want men to
be Mausered at one and a penny a day.
t Mausole, mausolee. Obs. Also 7 mau-
solte, -ly. [Anglicized forms of Mausoleum. (OF.
had mausole.)'] = Mausoleum. Also attrib.
>58S Jas. I Ess. Poesie (Arb.) 35 The Mausole tombe the
names did eternise Of Scope, Timotheus, Briace and Arte-
mise. 1603 Heydon Jud. Astral, xiii. 325 The most sump-
tuous Pyramide, Mausole, Colosse, triumphant Arche, or
other monument. 1605 Sylvester Du Bartas n. iii. 11.
Vocation 1424 No gorgeous Mausole, grac't with flattYing
verse. 1614 T. White Marlyrd. St. George C4, In which
Georg had no gorgeous Mausola:. 1618 Bolton /■torus
(1636) 316 She betooke her selfe to the Mausoly (so call they
the Scpulchers of their Kings). 1663 Let. in Tavcrnicrs
Trav. (1684) II. 94 Two wonderful Mausolees, or Tombs,
that give to Agra so much advantage over Delhi.
Mausoleal (m^lf-al), a. [f. Mausole-um +
-al.] Having the character of a mausoleum.
1883 A. J. Evans in Arc/i&ologia XLIX. 53 It was in fact
an example of the circular mausoleal churches.
Mausolean (mgstHran), a. Also 7 mauso-
tean, -lian, S -lcean. [f. Mausoleum + -an]
tl. Mausolean sepulchre, tomb = Mausoleum.
1607 Topsell Eourf. Beasts (1658) Pref, The Mausolean
Sepulchre, the Colossus of Rhodes, or the Pyramids of Egypt
might sooner be renewed. 1616 R. C. Times Whistle li.
593 The brave erect Mausolian monument. 1631 R. H.
Arraignm. Whole Creature xii. §5. 143 The Mausolean
Tombe.
transf and fig. 1557 Grimald in Tottets Misc. (Arb.) 117
No costly tomb. . Nor Mausolean masse, hoong in the ayre.
1654 Whitlock Zootomia 248 Short-lived Pyramids, or
Mausolean Piles of stone, a 1734 North Exam. 11. v. § 53
(1740) 347 He hath erected, .a Mausolean Pile of Scandal.
2. Pertaining to, or resembling, mausoleums.
1785C0WPER Taskv. 183 Some have, .sought By pyramids
and mausolajan pomp.. to immortalize their bones. 1831
Wordsw. ' Well Sang the Bard', That new Pile, For the
departed, built with curious pains And mausolean pomp.
1871-74 J. Thomson City Dreadf. Nt. x. v, These shapes
lit up that mausolean night.
Mausoleum (m^solfom). PI. mausolea
(-lra), mausoleums. Also (erron.) 7-8 mau-
soleum, 7 //. mausoleas. [a. L. mausoleum,
ad. Gr. fiavffcoXfiov , f. Mavaw\os Mausolus.]
1. The magnificent tomb of Mausolus, King of
Caria, erected in the middle of the 4th c. B.C. at
Halicarnassus by his queen Artemisia, and ac-
counted one of the seven wonders of the world.
1546 Langley Pol. Verg. m. vii. 71 b, Mausoleum that was
the Tombe of Mausolus kynge of Caria. i860. Rawlinson
Anc. Hist. 151 Artemisia II, B.C. 353, the builder of the
famous ' Mausoleum1.
2. A stately edifice erected as a commemorative
burial place for or by some person of distinction.
1600 Holland Livy 1397 Augustus made a Mausoleum,
to serve for a sepulchre as well to himselfe and all the
Emperours, as also for his whole house and name. 1638 Sir
T. Herbert Trav. (ed. 2) 337 It includes many stately
buildings; and Mausoleas. 1819 T. Hope Anast. (1820) I.
xii.220 Aqueducts, and temples, and mausolea. 1841 Elphin-
stone Hist. /nd. II. 151 Shir Shah was buried atSahseram,
where his stately mausoleum is still to be seen.
f b. loosely. A stately tomb.
1688 New Hist. China 47 There are.. six Hundred Four-
score and five Mausoleums. 1756-7 tr. Keysler's Trav.
(i76o)III. 241 Her husband Constantlus, together with their
son Valentiman HI, in a mausoleum on the left. iSoz Sk.
Paris II. xltv. 88 Lewis XIV never conceived the idea of
erecting, in the Hotel des /nvalides, mausolea, with the
statues of the generals who had led . . the armies of the nation.
1824 in Spirit Pub. Jrnls. (1825) 374 His mausoleum may
repose under the altar of St. Sophia.
MAUVE.
C. transf. ax\c\fig.
1696 IIrookhouse Temple Open. 29 After some time, it
SKJ? u , °f "".sMausoleum a perfect New Creature of
Whitish colour, with Wings and Legs. 1760-72 H. Brooke
FoelefQnalti7g2> IV. ,75 01 London, London ! thou
mausoleum of dead souls ! 1818 Byron Ch. Har. iv. Ix The
dead, Whose names are mausoleums of the Muse. ' '
f'3. = Catafalque i. Obs.
1695 Loud. Gaz. No. 3059/2 The Body . . was deposited
under a magnificent Mausoleum. 1695 Luttrei.i. Brief Ret
(1857) III. 505 Stealing part of the fringe from the queen's
mausoleum in Westminster Abbey. 1705 Loud. Gaz No
4103/1 A very magnificent Mausotaum is preparing in the
..Chapel.. where the Body is to be Deposited. 1727-52
Chambers Cycl., s. v.
Mausure, obs. form of Mazer.
Mautalent, -telent, var. ff. Maltale.vt Obs.
Mauther (mg-Sai). dial. Forms : 5 moddyr,
moder, 5 8 modder, 6 moether, 6-7 mo(a)ther,
7modher, mothther,omorther,S-mawther,7-
mauther. [Of obscure etymology.
Oflen regarded as a variant of Mother, on the ground
that in Norwegian dialects mor ['mother') is often used
vocatively to little girls, as far (' father') to boys ; but this
explanation is not very satisfactory. The suggestion that
it may be a derivative or compound of ON. m'fy-, m&-r(see
May sb.), or of some cognate of OE. marred see Maiden)
involves difficulties app. insuperable. In vocative use a
shortened form maw 1, mor, is common : see E. D. D.]
A young girl.
Chiefly current in East Anglia and the adjoining counties,
but instances (with the sen^e 'great awkward girl') are
quoted in the Eng. Dial. Diet, from Gloucestershire, Herts.,
and Sheflield.
CI440 Promp. Parv. 341/1 Moder, servaunte, or wenche
(.S. moddyr), carisia. 1573 Tusskr Husb. (1878) 37 A sling
for a moether, a bowe for a l»y. /bid. 39 With mother or
boy that Alarum can cry. 1591 Fkaunce Yuychurch A iv b,
v\ ill Phillis still be a Modder, And not care to be cal'd by
the deare-sweete name of a Mother '! 1610 B. Jonson Alch.
iv. vn, Away, you lalke like a foolish Mauther. 1674 Ray
6\ ■!■ E. C. Words 72 A Alodhcr or Madder, Mothther ; a girle
or young wench : used all over the Eastern part of England.
1787 W. Marshall Norfolk (1795) II. Gloss., Mauther, a
litlle girl (in common use). 1798-1800 Bi.oomheld Richard
■V A ate xii, When once a giggling Mawlher you, And I a
red-fae'd chubby Boy. 1849 Dickens Dav. Copp. xxxi,
'Cheer up, my pretty mawlher 1 ' said Mr. Peggotty. 1865
W. White A. Eng. I. 70 Throngs of noisy girls, 'factory
mawthers', as they are called in Norwich. 1893 Zincke
Wherslcad 100 Down lo thirty years ago in this neighbour-
hood a young woman was always spoken of as a 'mawlher',
or ' morther '.
Mauther, mauthern : see Mather(n\
tl Mauvaise honte {mosp. oiit). [Fr., lit. =
' ill shame '.] False shame ; painfui diffidence.
1721 Lady M. W. Montagu Lett., to C'tess Mar (1887) I.
325 Nothing hindered me but a certain mauvaise honte
which you are reasonable enough to forgive. 1825 Ben-
tham Ration. Rcw. 86 A kind of littleness and mauvaise
honte, which avoids, with timid caution, everything that is
bold, striking, and eccentric. 1877 L. W. M. Lockhart
A/tne^ is Thine xvii, The mauvaise honte and artificial
cynicism so constantly to be observed in the Anglo-Saxon.
II Mauvais SUJet Imowe sii^e). [Fr. = ' bad
subject '.] A worthless fellow, a ' bad lot '.
1847 Barham lugol. Leg. Ser. III. Bros. Birchiugtou, Snob,
(An obsolete term, which.. We should probably render by
mauvais sufet). 1881 Forster in Standardly Jan., A large
proportion of them again are the mauvais sufels of the
neighbourhood.
II Mauvais ton (mov-f toil). Now ra«. [Fr.
= ' bad taste '.] Predic alive ly. What is disap-
proved by good society ; ' bad form '.
1784 Han. More in W. Roberts Mem. (1834) I. 341, I know
it is mauvais ion to have so little enthusiasm on this subject.
1814 Mar. Edgeworth Patron, xxxvi. With men of sense
she found it was not mauvais ton to use her eyes for the pur-
Coses of instruction. i&^sCourt A/ag.Ml.p.xW/i It would
e considered mauvais ton to appear in any spring fashion
till the season had been opened at Longchamps.
Mauvaniline (mJvae-nilain). [f. Mauve +
Aniline.] An aniline substance prepared by heat-
ing aniline and dry arsenic acid together, for the
production of purple-red dyes.
1885 in CasselCs Encycl. Diet.
t Mauvasty. Obs. Also 5 mauayste. [a.
OF. malvaistie ', mauvaislie", wickedness, f. malveis,
mauvais, bad. Cf. Mavite.] Wickedness, malice.
1474 Caxton Chesse it. i, Thou ne say that thou shalt do
it by pouerte but by euyl and mauayste. Ibid. 11. v, A gyfte
of grete felonye and of mauastrye [sic). 1483 — G. de la
Tour xxii. L iv, In this, .is not loue, but rather it is grete
falshede and mauuaslye.
Mauve (m^v), sb. and a. [a. F. mauve : see
Mallow.] a. sb. A bright but delicate purple
dye obtained from coal-tar aniline ; the colour of
this dye. b. adj. Of the colour of 'mauve'. Also
Comb, mauve-colour, -coloured adjs.
1859 R. F. Burton Centr.Afr. in frnl. Geogr.Soc. XXIX.
427 Beads . . mauve-coloured round Or oval. 1859 Black-
wood's Lady's Mag. XLVI. 61 The lower part of the skirt
is trimmed with ruches of mauve-colour crape. x86o Miss
Yonge Stokesley Secret ix. (1861) 137 Her mauve muslin.,
flounced up to her waist. 1861 St James's Mag. I. 292
The fashionable and really beautiful mauve and its varie-
ties. 1863 Foiunes's C/iem. 672 Mauve thus prepared forms
a brittle substance, having a beautiful bronze-coloured sur-
face. 1877 W. Thomson Voy. Cha/lenger I. ii. 126 Some
beautiful mauve patches of almond-blossom. 1882 Garden
2i Oct. 353/3 A pretty variety . . finely edged with pale
mauve-
98-2
MATJVEINE.
252
MAW.
Hence Mau'vish. a., somewhat mauve.
1896 Vizetllly Zola's Rome 187 Whose blue, mauvi>h
eyes paling with enthusiasm he now. .remarked.
Mauveine ■imJ'vin). Chent. [f. F. mauve mal-
low + -ine *\] The base of the purple aniline dyes.
1863 W. H. Perkin in Proc. Roy. Soc. XII. 713 This sub-
stance is a base which I propose to call Mauveine. 1869
Roscoe Elem. Chc/u. (187 1) 410 It contains a base of com-
plicated constitution, termed mauveine.
Manx. Obs. exc. dial. Also mawk(e)s, mox,
[Cf. mauhin, Malkin.] A low woman : a. a
slattern (so in mod. dial. : see E. D. D.) ; b. a
prostitute. Also used as plural.
1596 Lodge Wits Mlserie (1879)44 You seeme to be an
honest gentleman, go prettie maid & shew him a chamber ;
now maux you were best be vnmanerly & not vse him well.
1677 Otway Cheats of Scapin EpiL, .Shall steal from th'
Pit, and fly up to the Box, There hold impertinent Chat
with taudry Maux. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Ma7vks,as
A great Mawks, i. e. a dirty nasty Slut. 1728 Street Rob-
beries Considered 25, I had the clever'st Mauks in town.
17.. Compl. Letter-writer (1768) 215, I was sensible that I
should appear to no Disadvantage after his former Maux.
179. Pegge Derbicisms (E. D. S.) 45 Mox, . .for Maux, by
which they mean a foolish and slatternly woman.
t Mauze. Obs. [Arab, jy* mauz.] The plan-
tain-tree.
168: Grew Muszum n. 223 The Spike or Head of the
/Egyptian Mauze. 1753 Chambers Cyel. Slippy Maun,
a name used by some authors for the musa, or plantain-tree.
Maveis(s, obs. forms of Mavis.
Mavelard, obs. form of Mallakd.
il Maverick (maj'varik), sb. Also mavorick.
[Said to be named from Samuel Maverick, a Texan
rancher about 1840 who habitually neglected to
brand his calves.]
1. L7. S. In the cattle-breeding districts, a calf or
yearling found without an owner's brand.
1872SCHELE de Verb Americanisms 211. 1887 F. Francis
Jun. Saddle fy Moccasin 172 Nowadays you don't dare to
clap a brand on a mavorick even. 1894 Remington in
Harpers Mag. Feb. 356 In a dell in the forest we espied
some ' mavericks ', or unbranded stock.
2. trans/, a. A masterless person ; one who is
roving and casual.
1892 Kipling Life's Handicap 195 A very muzzy Maverick
smote his sergeant on the nose. 1903 Critic XLIII. 358/2,
I felt as if I.. for once was a happy maverick soul in the
world at large.
b. ' Western U. S. Anything dishonestly ob-
tained, as a saddle, mine, or piece of land ' {Cent.
Diet. 1890).
Hence Maverick v. trans., 'to seize or brand
(an animal) as a maverick ; hence, to take pos-
session of without any legal claim ; appropriate
dishonestly or illegally '(Cent. Diet.).
Mavis (m^'vis). Now poet, and dial. Forms:
4-6 mavys, 5 raawys(se, mavyce, raauvys,
maviss, 6 raavyss, Sc. maveis, rnaves, 6-7
mavisae, 9 dial, mavish, 6- mavis, pi. 4-6 as
sing, (also 5 mavies) ; 7- mavis s)es. [a. K.
mauvis masc, in OF. fern. (i2-i3th c), *malvis
(med.L. malvitius, 13th c. ; Anglo-L. f/uiviscus>
15th c), *= Sp. malviz (? from Fr.), Neapolitan
marvizzo; the ulterior etymology is unknown.]
1. The song-thrash, Turdus musictts.
"iaijfiS Chaucer Rom. Rose 665 Thrustles, terins, and
mavys, That songen for to winne hem prys. c 1440 Promp.
Parv. 330/1 Mavyce, byrde, maviscus, merula, fallica.
1 1450 Holland Howlat 712 The Maviss and the Merle
syngis. 1471 Ripley Comp.Alch. Ep. iii. in Ashm. (1652) 115
Crowes, Popingayes, Pyes, Pekocks, and Mavies. 4x1529
Skelton Ph. Sparowe 424 The mauys with her whystefi
Shal rede there the pystell. 1549 Compl. Scot. vi. 39 The
maueis maid myrtht for to mok the merle. 1595 Spenser
EpithalAxxxiv, So does the Cuckow, when the Mavis sings,
Begin his witlesse note apace to clatter. 1604 Dhavton
Owle 113 In yonder goodly Tree, Where the sweet Merle,
and warbling Mavis bee. 1626 Bacon Sylva § 676 In Birds ;
Kites and Kestrels haue a Resemblance with Hawkes;..
Black-birds with Thrushes, and Mauisses. 1715 Ramsay
Gentle Sheph. 11. iv, Delightfu' notes That warble through
the merle or mavis' throats. 1791 Burns Lament Mary Q.
Scots 13 The mavis mild wi1 many a note, Sings drowsy day
to rest. i8iq Scott Lady of L. iv. xii, Merry it is in the
good greenwood When the mavis and merle are singing.
1830 Tennyson Claribel, The clear-voiced mavis dwelleth . .
Where Claribel low-lieth. 1849 Dickens Dav. Copp. iii,
' Like two young mavishes ', Mr. Peggotty said. 1876
4 Ouida ' In Winter City viii. 237 The mavis and blackbird
were singing.
trans/. 1821 Scott Kenilw. v, I must visit this mavis
[Amy Robsart], brave in apparel, .and gay in temper.
2. Afavis skate : a British species of Ray, Raja
oxyrhyncha.
1810 Neill Fishes 28 (Jam.). 1828 Fleming Hist. Brit.
Anim. 171 Sharp-nosed Ray... May Skate, Mavis Skate.
t 3. [Perh. a different word.] Some kind of
tobacco. 06s.
1688 R, Holme Artnoury m. xxii. (Roxb.) 274/1 Sorts of
Tobacco. Pig taile... Antago. Mavis.
T Mavite. Se, Obs. Also 4 mawite, mawyte.
[a.OV.mal',mauvilU, vzx.oimalvaistie ': sceMAU-
vasty.] Malice, evil intent.
i37§ Barbour Bruce 1. 126 Bot ?e traistyt in lawte As
sympilefolk, but mawyte. Ibid.w. 212 And he, that of thair
mavite Wist na thing, his vay has tane.
I) Mavors ^m^i-vpiz). [L. : seeMAKS.] ^-Mars.
a 1592 Lodge & Greene Looking-gl. (1598) C 2, Nymphes,
Knancks, sing for Mauors draweth nigh. 1602 Narcissus
'1893) 332 The sweat hot breath of blowing Mavors. 1633
J. Fisher Fuimus Troes Prol., Mavors for Rome, Neptune
for Albion stands. 1868 Tennyson Lucretius 82 Then would
I cry to thee To kiss thy Mavors, roll thy tender arms
Round him.
t Mavortial, a. Obs. [ad. L. *mavortidIis
I of or belonging to Mavors, f. Mdvort-, Mavors :
see prec. and -ial.] ■■ next adj.
I59S Locrine iv. i, Once was I guarded with Mavortial
bands. ^ 1616 J. Lane Cont. Sor.'s T. tChaucer Soc) 57
Mavortial Cambuscan. 1639 Dkumm. of Hawth. Chal-
lenge Ruts. Errant Wks. (1711) 231 Awaken your sleeping
courages with mavortial greetings.
t MavOTtian, a. and sb. Obs. [f. L. Mavorti-
us (f. Mdvort-em Mavors) + -an.] a. adj. War-
like, martial, b. sb. A warrior.
1557 Grimald Of A'. Ch. in Totters Misc. (Arb.) 115 Ma-
uortian moods, Saturnian furies fell. 1598 Marston Sco.
Villanie 11. vii. 205 Behold yon sprightly dread Mauortian.
1600 Tournkur Trans/. Metam. lxvi, O peerelesse worth !
O worth Mavortian !
II Mavourneen (mavv/Tnm). Also 9 raavour-
uin. [Irish mo mhurnin.1 My darling.
1800 Campbell Exile 0/ Erin v, Erin mavournin. 1883
H.Jay Connaught Cousins I. ix. 209 Hush, mavourneen,
don't cry.
Maw (mg), sb.1 Forms: 1 maja, mase, 2
mahje, 3 mahe, maugh, 3-7 raawe, 4 magh,
ma3e, mau(e, 4 maw. [Com. Teut. : OE. maga
wk. masc. (once mage wk. fern.) = OFris. maga,
MDu. maghe (mod.Du. maag) fern., OHG. mago
(MHG., mod.G. magen) masc, ON. mage wk.
masc. (Sw. mage, Da. mave) :— OTeut. *magon-J]
1. The stomach (of men and animals) ; the cavity
of the stomach. Now only (exc. in ludicrous use)
applied to the stomach of animals, esp. mammals;
spec, the last of the four stomachs of a ruminant,
t To close the maw, to stop looseness of the bowels,
f To chaw {ones') maw, to fret internally.
C 7*5 CorpusGloss. S 573 ( HesseU) Stomac hum, maga. c 1000
^lfric Gloss, in Wr.-Wiilcker 159/14 Uentriculus, maxe.
Ibid. 1 61/2 Stomachus, masa. c 1000 Sax. Leechd. II. 4 He
cyniS of acolodum masan. a 1225 Aucr. R. 370 pe on
was iwuned, uor his kolde mawe uorto nutten hote spices.
£-1275 XI Pains 0/ Hell 148 in O. E. Misc. 151 Gripes
fretef> heore Mawen. 11386 Chaucer Man 0/ Law's T.
388 Who kepte Ionas in the fisshes mawe Til he was
spouted vp at Nynyuee? 1393 Langl. P. PI. C. XVII. 218
The man that muche hony eet his mawe hit engleymeth.
c 1430 Two Cookery-bks. 39 The grete wombe of pe Schepe, pat
is, pe mawe. 1513 Bk. Keruynge in Babees Bk. 266 Mylke,
creme, & Iouncat, they wyll close the mawe, & so dooth a
posset. 1544 Phaer Regim. Li/e (1553) E ij b, The rrawe
of an olde cocke dried, and made in pouder, is exceding
good to drink in red wine. 1590 Spenser F. Q. i. iv. 30
But inwardly he chawed hisowne maw At neighbours weltn.
1605 Shaks. Macb. in. iv. 73 If Charnell houses, and our
Graues must send Those that we bury, backe; our Monu-
ments Shall be the Mawes of Kytes. 1613 Purchas Pil-
grimage (1614) 354 Euery tenth man being by lot tithed to
the shambles, and more returning in their fellowes mawes,
then on their owne legges. 1706 E. Ward Wooden World
Diss. (1708J 102 It's a plain Symptom, that his Maw's out
of order. 1727-41 Chambers Cycl. s. v., The Abomasus,
popularly called the maw, is the last of the four [sc. stomachs
of ruminants]. 1769 Mrs. Raffald Eng. Housekpr. (1778)
17 Scald the maw or paunch [of the turtle]. 1819 Byron
Juan n. xxxiv, Fright cured the qualms Of all the luckless
landsmen's sea-sick maws. i8<x Mayne Reid Scalp Hunt.
xxxviii, The night-hawk has filled his ravenous maw. 1861
J. Pycroft Agony Point (1862) 381 A shark with a sailor's
baccy-box in his maw. 1887 W. Morris Odyss. ix. 296
Whenas the Cyclops had filled his mighty maw.
b. trans/, and jig. ; chiefly with reference to a
metaphorical voracity.
(Cf. sense 3, which in figurative uses blends with this.)
c 1386 Chaucer Shipman's Prol. 28 Ther is but litil
latyn in my mawe. 1599 Middlkton Micro-Cynicon Wks.
(Bullen) VIII. 134 The wide maws of more scopious lakes.
1607 Shaks. Titnon m. iv. 52 Then they could smile, and
fawne vpon his debts, And take downe th' Intrest into their
glutt'nous Mawes. 1654 Whitlock Zootomia 403 Time
. . whose Maw hath devoured the very Ruines of those
stately Piles [etc.]. 1667 Milton P. L. x. 991 Death Shall
..with us two Be fore'd to satisfie his Rav'nous Maw. 174a
Young A7. Th. vii. 922 Pluck'd from foul Devastation's
famish'd Maw. 1833 Marryat /'. Simple xxix, Yellow Jack
had filled his maw, and left the rest of us alone. 1875
Gladstone Glean. VI. xxxvi. 21S The devouring maw of
the agents of the Popedom. 1880 'Ouida' Motlts III. 25
It is only the prison's maw that is never full.
fc. Inmost recesses. Obs. (? nonce-use.)
1630 Lord Banians 81 Some of the Rajahs yeelded, others
flying to retyrements impregnable, lay in the Mawe of the
countrey [etc].
2. Applied to other internal parts, fa. The
abdominal cavity as a whole ; the belly. Obs.
1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 6363 Here is pat knif al blodi bat
ich bro^te him wib of dawe & smot in boru be foundement
& so in to be mawe. a 1300 Cursor M. 22394 All be
filthes of his maugh sal brist vte at his hindwin. 148a Monk
0/ Evesham (Arb.) 85 The maw and inwarde bowels of him
yat sate in the saddle were sore smyt thorow.
f b. The womb. Obs.
a 1300 E. E. Psalter exxxviii. 13 Fra maghe ofe mi moder
me keped bou. c 13*5 Metr. Horn. 124 Quen sain Thomas
was in hir maw. a 1340 Hampole Psalter lvii, 3 Aliend ere
synful fra maghe \v.r. marice).
t c. The liver. Obs.
1382 Wyclif Exod. xxix. 1 j The calle of the mawe. 14..
Voc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 588/36 Jecur, the mawe. a 1400-50
Alexander 4508 Cupido has be custodi & cure of be mawe.
<• 1440 Promp, Parv. 330/1 Maw, jecur. c 1500 Nciv Not-br.
Mayd 216 in Hazl. E. P. P. Ml, 10 My herte and mawe To
rent and drawe. .Cheseth not he?
f d. The honey-making apparatus of bees, Obs.
1577 B. Googe tteresbach's Husb. iv. (1586) 180 b, Beeing
sucked vp from the leaues by the Bees and digested in their
mawes. 1609 C. Butler Fern. Mon. iv. (1623) Hj, You
shall neuer find his [the Bee's] maw without a good drop of
the purest nectar.
t ©• The crop of a granivorous bird. Obs.
1658 Rowland Mou/et's Theat. Ins. 1023 Hens feed on
Earwigs:.. I have found a great number of them in their
Mawes. 1731 Arbuthnot Nat. Aliments (1735) 222 Their
[sc. granivorous birds'] maw is the Happer which holds and
softens the Grain, letting it drop by degrees into the Stomach.
f. The * swim-bladder* or sound of a fish.
f-1430 Two Cookery-bks.iZ Take the Mawes of Turbut,
Haddok, or Codeling. 1883 R. Haldane Workshop Receipts
Ser. 11. 355 Isinglass or fish glue, in its raw state, is the
' sound ', * maw \ or swimming bladder of various kinds of
fish.
3. The throat, gullet ; now chiefly, the jaws or
mouth (of a voracious mammal or fish).
1530 Palsgr. 244/1 Mawe of a beesi, j'ovsier. 1814 Cary
Dante, Paradise iv. 4 A lamb between the maw Of two
fierce wolves. 1843 Lytton Last Bar. \. vii. The philoso-
Eher's hand closed on them as the fish's maw closes on the
_ ait. 1867 F. Fkancjs Angtiug'i. (1880) 1 Within reach of
its voracious maw. 1873 G- C Davies Mount. <$• Mere ii. 9
A little black ball has gone down the hungry maw of a pike.
fig- *85i H. Melville Whale ix. 44, I saw the opening
maw of hell.
1 4. Used (like stomach) for : Appetite, inclina-
tion, liking. Obs.
1598 Jonson Ev. Man in Hum. 111. iv. (1616) 38 O, I doe
stomack them hugely ! I haue a maw now, and't were for
Sr Bevis his horse, against 'hem. 1602 Marston Antonio's
Rev. iv. v, Have you no mawe to restitution? 1607 Middle-
ton Fam. Love v. iii. 146 If you have any maw, feed here
till you choke again. 1645 Milton Colast. Wks. 1851 IV.
365 Next the word Politician is not us'd to his maw, and
therupon he plaies the most notorious hobbihors. 1668 R.
I/Estrange I'is.Quev. (1708) 37, I have no great Maw to
go home again. 1704 Cibber Careless Husb. v. (1705) 50,
I have no great Maw to that Business, methinks.
5. attrib. and Comb., as maw-bound a., consti-
pated (Syd.Soc.Lex. 1890) ; also fsb.j a constipated
disease in cattle; f maw-gut (see quot. 1607);
+ maw-mother, a mooncalf or ' false conception
(tumor ventns) ; f maw-skin, the stomach of a
calf which has fed on nothing but milk.
a 17*2 Lisle Husb. (1752) 344 The distemper in cows called
the *mawbound.. comes from a surfeit by being overheated
by driving. 1848 Rural Cycl. 1 1. 486 Grain-sick, or Maw-
bound, a great and dangerous distension of the rumen of
cattle. 1607 Topsell Four/. Beasts (1658) 153 He hath his
gall in his *maw-gut- Ibid. 509 The maw-gut differed!
from all other, for it is Coecum, that is, as I take it without
a passage out of it into any other part then the other guts
[etc.]. 1483 Cath. Augl. 232 *Mawmoder, molucrnm. 1784
Twamley Dairying 41 The *Maw-skin ..is the Maw or
Stomach of Calves. 1846 J. Baxter Libr. Pract. Agric.
(ed. 4^ I. 205 The water thus impregnated with the maw-
skin is passed through the sieve into the milk.
Maw (mg), sb.2 Obs. exc. dial. Also 5-6 mawe,
9 {pi. constr. as sing.) maas, mawse, maws. [var.
of Mallow. Cf. Maul sb.] - Mallow.
c 1425 Wvntoun Cron. 1. viii. 433 Froyt & gyrs thai oysyd
tyll etc As kers, or mawe, or wyolete. t 1450 Alphita
{Anecd. Oxon.) 23 Malva ortolana vel domestica. g. mauue,
ang. mawe. 1561 Tirner Herbal \\. 45 The vertues of
mallowe or mawes. 1568 Skevne The Pest (i860) 40 Fo«
mentit with the decoctioun of the rule of lilie, maw, althe,
cammeile. 1696 in Analecta Scot. II. 13 Aduertes me, gif
he hes the seid of al sort of mawes, purpie, and sonelis.
1893 Northumbld. Gloss., Maas, Mawse. Ibid., Maws, the
maws mallow or marshmallow.
Maw (mp), sb.'-i Obs. exc. dial. Also 6 mau,
7-8 mall. [a. ON. md-r (dat. mdve, md/et pi.
mdvar) = OK. mmw : see Mew sbA] A gull, esp.
the Common gull, Larus canus.
c 1450 Holland Howlat 179 The Se Mawis war monkis,
the blak and the quhyte. 1500-20 Dunbar Poems xxxiii.
go Thik was the clud of kayis and crawis, Of marle^onis,
mittanis, and of mawis. 1549 [sec gull-maw, Gull sb.1 c].
1678 Ray Willughbys Omithol. 345 The common Sea-
Mall, Larus ciuereus minor. 1698 M. Maktin Voy. St.
Kilda (1749) 28 The Fulmar, in Bigness equals the Mallsof
the second Rate, c 1825 Jolly Goshawk iii. in Child
Ballads II. 360/1 The thing of my love's face is white It's
that of dove or maw. 1852 Macgillivray Hist. Brit. Birds
V. 593 Gavia r idibu nda.. .[Syn.] Laughing Gull.. .Black-
cap. Hooded Maw.
Maw (1119), sbA Obs. exc. Hist. Also 6 mall,
6-7 mawe. [Of obscure origin.] ' An old game
at cards. It was played with a piquet pack of
thirty-six cards, and any number of persons from
two to six formed the party' (Halliwcll). A set
at maw : a party or game at maw. To seta maw :
? to arrange a game. To heave at {the) tnaio : a
technical phrase of the game, app. designating its
characteristic feature. {Cf. Mayo.)
1548 Forrest Pleas. Poesye six. 58 b, At ale howse toositt
at mack or at mall. 1575 Turbkrv. E'aulconrie, In Com-
mend. Hawk. 77 To checke at Chesse, to heaue at Maw, at
Mack to passe the time. 1593 Rich in Greene's Newes/r.
Heaven % Hell To Rdr., Although the knave of trumpes be
the seconde carde at Mawe, yet the five-finger may com-
maunde both him and all the rest of the pack. 1594 HbNif
MAWK.
lowe Diary (1845) 46 [Title of play] the mawe. Ibid. 47 note,
The seat at mawe. a 1612 Hakington Epigr. IV. xii. (1618)
K6b, Then thirdly fullow'd heaving of the Maw, A game
without Ciuility or Law. 1624 Gatakkk Wife in Deed 62
Whom a pint of wine drunke together,, .or a set at Maw
maketh Friends. 1630 Ukathwait Eng. Gentlem. {1641)
126 In games at cards the Maw requires a quicke conceit or
present pregnancy. 1633 Ford Love's Sacr. 111. ii, My lord
you were best to try to set a maw. 1864 Reader No. 105.
826/1 Primero yielded the ascendency to Maw.
T b. A help at maw : app. a term 01 this game,
but occurring on\y fig. a means of evasion, a resource.
1644-7 Cleveland Char. Lond. Diurn. 7 If any thing fall
out amiss, which cannot he smothered, the Diurnall hath a
help at Maw. 1660 R. Coke Justice Vitui. 13 But it may
be our Author has a help at Mawe ; for our Author Ground
8. saies It is evident [etc.]. 1678 I}. R. Let. Pop. Friends 4
A Dispensation, .is always an Infallible Help at Maw, a sure
Antidote against Perjury.
t Maw, f. 0//s. rare~x. [a. Du. mauweu.] intr.
Of a cat = Mew v.
1481 Caxton Reynard (Arb.) 22 Tybert coude not goo
awaye, but he mawede and galped so lowde that [etc.].
Maw: see Mauqh, ^fAUL, Mow.
Mawa, variant of Mahwa.
1800 Asiat. Ann. Reg., Misc. Tracts 131/2.
Mawch(e, Mawde, variant ff. Maugh, Maud'.
Mawdelard(e, obs. forms of Mallard.
Mawdelayn.-lein.-len, etc., obs. ff. Maudlin.
Mawe : see Maugh, Maul, Mow.
Mawen, 3rd pi. pres. ind. of May vA
Mawer, obs. form of Mayor, Mower.
Mawfesour, variant of Malfeasor Obs.
Mawger, -gre(e, -gref\e, etc., var. ff. Maugrk.
Mawggh.Mawhown: see Maugh, Mahoun-d.
Mawich(e, obs. Sc. variant forms of Maugh.
Hawk (mgk). Obs. exc. dial. Also <j mawke.
5, 7 make, 6-8 mauk, 7 mauke, malke, 8 //.
mox. [ad. ON. maSk-r: KeMAUDOCR.] = Maggot.
C1435 Voc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 643/2 Hie cimex, mawke.
c 1440 Alphabet 0/ Tales 332 Att be laste mawkis bred berin.
c 1440 Proinp. Parr'. 321/1 Make, mathe, wyrm yn be flesche.
1623 Sanderson Sertu. I. 92 He is a sorry shepherd, that is
busie to kill flies and maukes in his sheep, but letteth the
wolf worry at pleasure. 1641 Best Farm. B/cs. (Surtees) yg
In what part of the woll soever it bee, there will malkes
breede immediately. 1684 G. Mfriton Praise Yorks. Ale,
etc., Clavis, Mawksare Maddocks. 1789 Davidson Seasons
5 The cloken hen to the midden rins..To scrape for mauks.
179 . Pegce Derbicisms (E. D. S.) 112 Mox, moths. 1894
Crockett Lilac Snnbonnet 73 A mawk on a sheep's hurdle.
Mawkin, obs. form of Malkin.
Maw-kingly, a. Obs. exc. dial. [f. mawking,
Malkin + -ly i.J Slovenly.
1656 Artif. ifandsom. 87 Some silly soules are prone to
place much^ piety in their mawkingly plainnesse, and in
their censonousnesse of others, who use more comely and
costly cuiiosities.
Mawkish, (mj-kij), a. Also 7-8 malkish,
maukish. [f. Mawk sb. + -ish1.]
1 1- Inclined to sickness ; without appetite. Obs.
1668 Dryden Enem. Love tv. i, I feel my Stomach a little
maukish. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Mawkish, sick at
Stomack, squeamish, a 1745 Swift Progr. Marriage 60
The dean who us'd to dine at one, Is maukish, and his
stomach gone. 175s Connoisseur No. 82 (1774) III. 83 He
constantly goes senseless to bed, and rises maukish in the
morning. 1836 T. Hook G. Gurney II. 59 The feverish,
heated, mawkish, wretched state in which I was.
tb. Having no inclination to. Obs.
1679 Dryden Troll. <y Cress, iv. ii, Who knows but rest
may cool their brains, and make them rise mawkish to mis-
chief upon consideration ?
2. Having a nauseating taste ; now, having a faint,
sickly flavour with little definite taste.
a 1S97 Aubrey Nat. Hist. Surrey (1719) I. 215 The medi-
cated Springs here.. have a maukish Taste. 01700 B. E.
Did. Cant. Crcru, IValtowish, a malkish, ill Taste, a 1719
Addison Virg. Georg. iv. 117 Others look loathsom and
diseas'd with sloth, Like a faint traveller whose dusty mouth
Grows dry with heat, and spits a maukish froth. 1728 Pope
Dune. III. 171 Like thine inspirer, Beer,. .So sweetly mawk-
ish, and so smoothly dull. 1786 tr. Beckford'sVathek (1868)
89 He regarded the ragouts of his other wives as entirely
maukish. 1803 Med. Jrnl. IX. 492 It is without smell, has
a maukish taste, and has but little consistence. 1872 Cooper's
Diet. Pract. Surg. II. 643 Pus has a sweetish, mawkish
taste.
3. fig. Feebly sentimental ; imbued with sickly
or false sentiment ; lacking in robustness.
1702 Eng. Theophrast. no It is one of the most nauseous
maukish mortifications under the Sun.. to have to do with
a punctual finical fop. 1776 Foote Kankrupt I. Wks. 1799
II. 104 His mind is so maukish, that should he be con-
fronted with Lydia, he would betray our whole plot in an
instant. 1818 Keats Lett. Wks. 1889 III. 141, I hate a
mawkish popularity. 1819 Metropolis I. 47 The mawkish
tepidity of his manner. 1885 Spectator 8 Aug. 1048/2 The
mawkish and unreal sentiment which constituted Mr. Dick-
ens's chief fault. 1889 D. Hannay Capt. Marryat viii. !25
It [Jfaslenuan Ready] is pathetic, and yet it is not mawkish.
t4. slang. Slatternly. Obs. rare-".
J7J5 Han Cant. Diet., Mawkish, Slatternly.
Mawkishly (m j-kijli) , adv. [-ly ».]
1. So as to be ' mawkish ' in flavour.
1758 Monthly Rev. 592 Swallow it neither too hot nor
mawkishly cool. 1785 Martyn Rousseau's Hot. xxix. (1794)
461 The berry is red, and mawkishly sweet— not poisonous.
2. In a feebly sentimental manner.
1816 J. Gilchrist Philos. Ftym. 230 A feeble, finical race,
mawkishly puling about taste. 1853 Reade Chr. John-
253
I stone 279, I should have been very kind to you— mawkishly
kind I fear, my sweet cousin. 1867 Bushnell A/or. Uses
Dark Th. 282 Goodness is no such innocent mawkishly
'. insipid character.
Mawkishness mpkijnes). [-xess.]
f 1. The condition of being sick or ( squeamish '.
1 1717 Bailey vol. II, Mawkishness, . . Sickness at the
I Stomach, Squeamishness.
2. Insipidity or sickliness of flavour.
1727 Bailey vol. II, Mawkishness,. .a. nauseous Taste.
1876 Bartholow Mat. Med. (1S79) 350 Wines should have a
taste free from mawkishness, and indicative of instability.
1887 Beatty-Kingston Music <y Manners II. 308 'White
. beer', a liquor of paramount mawkishness.
trans/. 1876 Miss Braddon J. Hagganfs Dau. II. 70
Their music was sweet to mawkishness.
3. Sickly sentimentality.
1818 Keats Endymion Pref., There is a space of life be-
1 tween [sc. boyhood and manhood] in which the soul is in a
ferment,, .the ambit ion thick-sighted; thence proceeds mawk-
ishness. 1824 Examiner 595/1 The languid mawkishness of
; the loungers. 1833-40 J. H. Newman Hist. Sk. (1873) II. iv.
j iv. 406 He is. .as removed from softness and mawkishness
j ..as any bishop among them. 1849 Rock Ch. of Fathers
I I. 35 note, That mawkishness of taste . . shewn by some
people for what is classic.
b. Dullness of spirits, ennui, rare.
1861 Hughes Tom Brown at Ox/ v. (1889) 44 All the
companionship of boating and cricketing, .won't keep him
from many a long hour of mawkishne.ss.
Mawky (mp'ki,, a. dial. [f. Mawk + -y.]
1. a. Maggoty, b. Full of * maggots* or whims;
\ crotchety.
1790 Grose Prcv. Gloss, fed. 2), Mawky, magotty, N.
1837 Whittock, etc. Bk. Trades (1842) 466 We can neither
understand, nor relish, this ' mauky ' affectation of candour
I on the part of our former friend. 1855 Robinson Whitby
Gloss., Mawky, maggoty, whimsical, hypochondriac.
2. - Mawkish.
1830 ' Jos Bee ' Ess. in Footers Wks. I. p. xxiii, Even John
Dryden penned none but mawky plays, nor did Byron succeed
at all asa dramatist. 1881 Oxfordsk. C/oss. Suppl, Mawky,
1 over-sweet.
Mawlard, Mawl^e, obs. ff. Mallard, Maul.
Mawm(e, variant forms of Malm.
Mawmany, -mene(e, etc.: see Malmeny.
Mawment, -trie : see Maumet, Maumetry.
t Mawmer, -ar. Sc. Obs. [Cf. Du. mam-
miering ' scupper-hose '.] 'The discharge pipe of
a ship's pump. Also attrib. in mawmer-leather.
1497 Ace. l.d. Treas. Scot/. (1877) I. 379^ Item for ane
mawmar to the pomp of Lord Kennydyis schip. 1512 /hid.
(1902) IV. 455 Item for mawmer ledderis for the greit schip.
Ibid. 456 Item to the plummair for vi mawmeris to the litill
bark callit the Gabriell.
Mawmet : see Maumet.
t Mawmish, a. Obs. [f. mourn Malm a. : cf.
MALMI8H, Malmv.] Mawkish, disgusting.
1668 R. L'Estrange Vis. Qitev. (1708) 200 The Flesh was
so Cursedly Mawmish and Rotten, that [etc.]. 1692 —
Fables ccccl. 426 One of the most Nauseous, Mawmish
Mortifications under the Sun. 1866 J. Shanks Elgin 43
The fear of offending mawmish delicacy.
Mawnchepresande, var. Mauische present.
Mawnciple, -cypylle, obs. ff. Manciple.
Mawngery, variant of Mangery Obs.
Mawnge(u)r, -joure, obs. forms of Manger.
Mawp, variant of Maufk.
t Maw-pie. Obs. [The first element is of
obscure origin.] The magpie, Pica caudata.
1615 W. Lawson Country Houserv. Card. (1626) 45 Your
Cheries and other Berries when they be ripe, wil draw all
the Black-birds, Thrushes and Maw-pies to your Orchard.
Mawseed (mg'Sid). [Half-translated ad. Ger.
dial, ma/isaat, mohsamen. f. ma/i, moh (literary G.
mohn) poppy + saat, samett seed.] The seed of
the opium poppy, Papaver somniferiim.
1730 Southall Bugs 2i The Eggs are. as small as the
smallest Maw-seed. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) V. 343
Feed them with, .bread, maw-seed [etc.]. 1812 J. Smyth
Pract. o/Customs (1821) 208 Maw-seed. 1866 in Treas. Bat.
Mawth, ? obs. Sc. variant of Maugh.
Mawworm ' (m^'wium). ? Obs. [f. Maw sb.^-
+ Worm.] A worm infesting the stomach or
intestines of man and other mammals, esp. applied
to species of Ascaris and Oxyuris,
1607 To!*sell Four-/. Beasts (1658) 336 It will presently
destroy and consume the maw or belly-worms which are
within him. a 1619 Fletcher Bonduca 1. ii, Your warlike
remedy against the maw-worms. 1694 Salmon Bate^s Dis-
serts. (1713) 672/2 If. .you add Powder of Maw- Worms .'vj.
it will be much more effectual. 1784 Underwood Dis.
Children (1799) ** I42 '^^e ver^ sma'' rnaw-worm' or asca'
rides, resembling bits of thread. 1822-34 C7<WffV Study Med.
I (ed. 4) I. 275 The term Maw-worm, according to P. Harvey,
j is derived from the occasional visits which this animal makes
I to the maw or stomach.
Jig. 165a Benlowes Theoph. in. xii, No Glutt'nies Maw-
worm ; nor the Itch of lust No Tympanie of Pride.
Mawworm -(mpvvfiim). (Properly with initial
capital.) A man who resembles Mawworm, a
character in BickerstanVs play The Hypocrite,
1769 ; a hypocritical pretender to sanctity.
1850 Tail's Mag. XVII. 547/2 Can it be that these..
waiHngs have in their motive something of the Maworm
spirit, ' I like to be despised '. 186* J. Hollingshead in Gd.
Words 441 We all know precisely what a mawworm is...
He is a slimy villain. 1866 Sala Barbary vii. 130 There
was a sanctified Mawworm expression, too, about this fellow.
MAXILLIPED.
1872 Gko. Elioi Middlent. 1. ii, He would be the very Maw-
worm of bachelors who pretended [etc.]. i8gi R. Buchanan
Coming Terror 353 The Scapin of Politics walks hand-in-
hand with the Mawworm of Morality.
Hence Ma'wwormisli a., Ma wwormism sb.
1850 Tail's J/ag. XVII, 547/2 Mawormism is a thing un-
known north of the Tweed. 1883 K. Blind in Gentl. Mag.
Nov. 488 Luther, .was.. no maw-wormish mar-joy.
t Max. Obs. [Of obscure origin.] Gin.
^ 1811 Lex. Balatron.,Max, gin. 1819 Byron Juan II. xvi,
The dying man cried, ' Hold ! I've got my gruel ! Oh ! for
a glass of max !' 1840 Barham Ingol. Leg. Ser. 1. Bag-
man's Dog, Who, doffing their coronets, collars, and ermine,
treat Boxers to Max, at the One Tun in Jermyn Street.
1851 Mayhew Land. Labour (1864) I. 168 The stimulant of
a ' flash of lightning ', a 'go of rum ', or a 'glass of max ',
—for so a dram of neat spirit was then called.
Maxhill: see Mixhill.
II Maxillatmxksi-la). Pl.maxillffl (mseksHi").
[L. maxilla jaw.]
1. A jaw or jaw-bone, esp. the upper jaw in
mammnls and most vertebrate animals. Inferior^
superior maxilla, the lower, upper jaw.
1676 WiSEMAN Surg. \. xix. 93 The same Patient com-
plained of a hard Tumour fixed under that Ear and Maxilla.
1727-41 Chamblks Cycl. s.v., The maxilla are two in
number, denominated from their situation, superior, and in-
ferior. 1797 Eucyel. Brit. (ed. 3) I. 683/1 Of these [bones]
six are placed on each .side of the maxilla superior. 1846
BriTTAN tr. Malgaigne s Man. Of>er. Surg. 115 The lower
border of the inferior maxilla. Ibid., The inferior pos-
terior border of the maxilla. 1888 Rollkston & Jackson
Atiim. Lift 92 The maxilla [sc. of the common perch],
which i> edentulous,. .lies behind and parallel to it [sc. the
praernaxijla), 1893 Newton Diet. Birds 539 The word
Maxilla is frequently used to express the whole of the upper
jaw. 1897 AllbutCs Syst. Med. III. 150 A simple superior
maxilla \~> sometimes alone affected by hyperostosis.
2. One of the anterior limbs of insects and other
arthropods, so modified as to serve the purpose of
mastication. Also attrib.
1798 Afzelics in Trans. Linn. Soc. IV. 275. c. the tops
of the maxillic. d. the labium. 1826 Kikhy & Si*. Entomol.
II I.47 Both labium and maxilla; being furnished witli jointed
moveable organs peculiar to annulose pedate animals. 1852
Dana Crust. 1. 20 The organ consists of two oblong flat
lobes, in some Decapods, somewhat maxilla-like in form.
1896 tr. Boas'1 'Text Bk. Zool. 184 The second and third [sc,
pairs of mouth-parts in Arthropods] ate known respectively
as the first and second maxilla;.
t Maxillar, a. Obs. [f. Maxilla + -ar.] Of
or pertaining to the jaw, esp. to the upper jaw.
1656 Bi.ol'nt Glossogr., Maxillar, belonging to the jaw-
bone. 1682 T. Gibson Anal. (1697) p. iv, The Parotides
and maxillar glands convey the saliva into the mouth. 1720
Halk in /'hit. Trans. XXXI. 5 The external Maxillar
Glands in Brutes are of the Conglomerate kind.
Maxillary (mseksHari),a. and sb. [f.M AXILLA
+ -ary. Cf. r\ maxil/aire.] A. adj.
1. Belonging to, connected with, or forming part
of the jaw or jaw-bone, esp. of the upper jaw of
vertebrate animals.
1626 Bacon Sylva § 747 There is the Skull of one Entire
Bone ; there are. .the Maxillary Bones [etc.]. 1713 Durham
Thys.-Theol. iv. xi. (1714) 195 The .. Maxillary Glands.
1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. II. 402 The horn is entirely solid,
growing from the upper maxillary bone. 1804 Ahernlthy
Surg. Obs. 36 The external maxillary artery was unavoid-
ably divided. 1874 Coues Birds N. W. 135 But even
the youngest specimen shows no maxillary stieaks. 1883
Martin & Moale Vertebr. Dissect. 158 The Superior Max-
illary Nerve passes outward, /bid., The Inferior Maxillary
Nerve.. divides into two branches. 1888 Rolllston & Jack-
son Aninr. Life 63 The maxillary teeth [of a snake].
2. Belonging to, connected with, or forming
part of the maxillae of arthropods. Maxillary
system : the system of classification of insects based
on the form of the maxillae.
1826 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. III. 358 Patyi Maxiltares
(the Maxillary Feelers), /bid. IV. 450 Which [system],
from the maxilla* being principally employed to characterize
the Classes or rather Orders, may be called the Maxillary
System. 1878 Bell Gegenbaur s Coutp, Anat, 246 In many
Diptera the maxillary seta; are rudimentary.
B. sb. =- maxillary bone.
1836-9 Todd Cycl. Anat. II. 211/1 The vertical plate is
short to correspond with the short vertical diameter of the
upper maxillary. 1854 Badham Halieut. 307 The maxillaries,
prolonged into barbels, come off from the lower jaw. 1880
GUnther Fishes 90 No part of the maxillary is situated
behind the premaxillary [of fishes-].
Maxillated (marksil^ted), a. Zool. [f. Max-
illa + -ate % + -ED 1.] Furnished with maxillae.
1852 Dana Crust. 1. 14 The maxillated Entomostraca.
Maxilliferous (mEeksili-ferss),^. [f. Maxilla
+ -(i)ferous.] Bearing maxillse.
1826 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. Ill.xxviii. 17 Most commonly
four antennae, with a maxilliferous mouth seldom rostriform.
Maxilliform (roeeksiTif^im), a. [f. Maxilla
+ -(i)form.] Formed like a maxilla; 'having
the shape or form of a cheekbone' (Cassell 18S5).
1835 Kirby Hob. 4- /nst. Anim. II. xvi. 78 The whole
organ maybe regarded as maxilliform. 1877 tiuxLh.\ Anat,
/nv. Anim. vi. 257 With Maxilliform Gnathites.
Foot-jaw was app. the first term used, and this was ren-
dered by maxilliped, which in turn was translated jaw foot.
1846 Dana in Amer. Jrnl. Sci. Ser. 11. I. 226 Order
Entomostraca. Tribe Cyclopacea. .. Maxilhpeds, one pair :
MAXILLO-.
sometimes simple maxillae. 1870 Nicholson Man. Zool. 207
Two pairs of maxillipedes. 1883 Packard in Ann. ty Mag.
Nat. Hist. Nov. 342 They are somewhat analogous to the
maxillipedes of Crustacea.
Hence Maxillipedary a., pertaining to maxilli-
pedes.
1877 Huxley Anat. Inv. Attim. vi. 311 The sternal regions
of the three maxillipedary somites have the same characters.
Maxillo-, taken as comb, form of Maxilla in
the sense ■ pertaining to the maxilla and . . ' ; so
maxillo-mandibular, -palatine, -pharyngeal^ -pre-
maxillaryt -lurbinal, etc. (seeSyd. Soc. Lex. 1890).
187a Mivart Elem. Anat. 115 The maxillo-premaxillary
suture is for a long time or permanently very evident on the
face. 1875 HUXLEY & Martin Eiem. Biol. (1877) 188 The
nerve divides into three main branches, the orbito-nasal,
the palatine and the maxillo-mandibular. 1875 C. C. Blake
Zool. 46 There are no maxilloturbinals in any skulls. 1887
Marshall & Hurst Pract. Zool. 371 The maxillo-palatine
process. 1890 Coues Field $■ Gen. Ornith. 240 They are
commonly described as if they were independent bones,
under the name of the maxillopalatines.
Maxim (mse'ksim), sbA Also 5-7 maxime, 6
//. erron. maximies. [a. F. maxime, ad. L.
maxima fern. sing, of maximus greatest, used ellipt.
(see below). Cf. Sp. maxima, Pg. maxima , It,
massima.
Boethius (6th c.) used iro^ositio maxima^ greatest propo-
sition ') in the sense of axiom ' (synonymous with diguilas
= aft«iM.a, but especially used with reference to rhetoric).
Albertus Magnus (12th c.) used maxima with ellipsis of pro*
gositio, but applied it to a class of universal propositions not !
intuitively certain like the dignitatis or axioms, but capable
of being assumed as practically indisputable. Elsewhere
(according to Hamilton in Reid^s Wks. 767, where the refer-
ence is incorrect) he identifies maxima and dignitas ; and
Petrus Hispanus and later logicians use maxima in the
sense of * axiom '.]
f 1. An axiom; a self-evident proposition assumed
as a premiss in mathematical or dialectical reason-
ing. Obs.
1426 Lydg. De Guil. PUgr. 5603 Thys greueth me most at
al, That my maxime apryved [sc. that the whole is greater
than its part] Ye in dede han yt reprevyd. Ibid. 6000.
1556 Recokde Castle A'nowl. 108 Then takinge that for a :
maxime in argumente, I annexe this minor, that [etc.]. 1690
Locke Hum. Und. iv. vii. § 1. 299 There are a sort of Pro- \
positions, which under the name of Maxims and Axioms, j
have passed for Principles of Science. 169a Hextley Boyle
Led. vi. 209 It is urged as an universal Maxim, That
Nothing can procede from Nothing.
2. A proposition (esp. in aphoristic or sententious
form) ostensibly expressing some general truth of
science or of experience.
1594 Drayton Idea 391 In ev'ry thing I hold this Maxim
still, The Circumstance doth make it good, or ill. 1605
Verstegan Dec. Iniell. iv. (1628) 98 This maxime or prin-
ciple must be granted. 1606 Shaks. Tr. /j- Cr. 1. ii. 318
This maxime out of loue I teach : Atchieuement is command.
1654 Whitlock Zootomia 214 What seriously exerciseth
one Mans Braine to defend as a Maxime, tickleth anothers
Diaphragme no lesse than an Epigram. 1770 G. White Set-
borne iii, 1 lay it down as a maxim in ornithology, that as I
long as there is any incubation going on there is music.
1827 Coleridge Tabled. 24 June, A Maxim is a conclusion
Upon observation of matters of fact. 1874 Blackie Self-
Cult. 89 The maxim that knowledge is power is true only
where knowledge is the main thing wanted.
b. esp. in I. aw.
1567 R. Mulcaster Fortescue 's De Laud. Leg. (1672) 21 b,
They are certaine universall propositions which they that
be learned in the Laws of England, atyl likewise the Mathe-
matical, do terme Maximes. 1590 Swinburne Testaments
59 It Is a maxime in the common Iawes of this realme, that
he that is outlawed doeth forfeite all his goods. 1628 Coke
On Litt. 67 A maxime is a proposition, to be of all men con-
fessed & granted. 1766 Blackstone Comm. II. 199 It is !
an antient maxim of the law, that no title is completely good,
unless the right of possession be joined with the right of
property. 1893 Weekly Notes 67/2 He considered at length
the meaning of the maxim, * a man's house is his castle '.
3. A rule or principle of conduct; also, a precept
eC morality or prudence expressed in sententious
form.
1579 G- Harvey Letter-bk. (Camden) 66 Is not this the
principall fundation and grande maxim of ourcuntry pollicy
not to be over hasty in occupying a mans talent [etc.]. 1590
SirJ. Smyth Disc.lVeaponsDzd.q All great Captaines. .have
holdtrn for a Maxime, to preserue by all meanes possible the j
liues of their soldiers. 1640 Howell Dodona's Gr. 6 Selfede- '
fence hath beene alwaies held the first maxime of policy. 1641
Fuller Holy <*■ Pro/. St. iv. v. 258 Some think it beneath j
a wise man to alter their opinion : A maxime both false and j
dangerous. 1709 Steele TatlerNo. 47 F 1, 1 knew a Gentle-
man that made it a Maxim to open his Doors and ever run
Into the Way of Bullies. 1757 Washington Lett. Writ. 1889
I. 494, I have all along laid it down as a maxim, to represent
facts freely and impartially. 1807 Robinson A rchxol. Grseca
n. xvii. 173 The art of comprising moral maxims in short
sentences. 1830 S. Cooper Diet. Pract. Surg. (ed. 6) 817
AH prudent surgeons.. have laid it down as an invariable
maxim, never to. .undertake lithotomy, without having first
introduced a metallic instrument. 183a Ht. Martineau Hill
<r Valley iii. 35 Her maxim was, that it was time enough to
come when she was called. 1868 Miss Yonge Cameos (1877)
I. xvi. 117 He wrote a book of maxims, even on etiquette.
1896 R. O, Moulton Ecclesiasticus Introd. 12 The Maxim
is the prose counterpart to the Epigram.
4. attrib., as maxim-maker, -making, -monger.
1806 Mar. Edceworth Leonora (1833) 47 Some maxim*
maker says that past misfortunes are good for nothing but to
be forgotten. 1851 Helps Comp. Solit. v. (1874) 64 Cleverly
put, but untrue, after the fashion of you maxim-mongers.
1895 Daily News 19 Apr. 5/1 Maxim-making was a favourite
game in French society.
254
Maxim (mae-ksim), sb.~ [From the name of Sir
Hiram S. Maxim, the inventor.] In full Maxim
{machine) gun, Maxim mitrailleuse, or bomb
Maxim : A single-barrelled quick-firing machine
gun, the barrel of which is surrounded by an outer
casing filled with water to keep the parts cool, and
the mechanism so adjusted that any number of
shots can be fired in a given time up to six hundred
rounds a minute. Also Maxim-Nordenfelt gun, a
modification of the original Maxim gun.
1885 Nature 5 Mar. 414/2 The Maxim Gun. Ibid. 415
Fig. 1 — Maxim Mitrailleuse. 1889 E. Roctns Machine
Rifle-batteries 26 The barrel of the Maxim is. .surrounded
by a water jacket. 1892 Greener Gun (ed. 5.1 186 The Maxim
machine gun. 1900 Daily News ig Mar. 4/1 The Maxim-
Nordeufeldt, or pom-pom, is thought very highly of. 1900
Ir'estm. Gaz. 28 Aug. 2/2 Our soldiers . . had not so much
as the moral support of a bomb Maxim with them.
t Maxim, a. and sb.'i Obs. [ad. L. maximus.]
A. adj. m Gkeatest (in certain technical uses).
1686 Goad Celest. Bodies tu. iii. 442 Conjunctions maxime
in the Fiery and Watry Trigons, . .are above our reach.
1694 Phil. Traits. XVIII. 72 He concludes this Discourse
with a Table, containing all the Notes and Intervals, ex-
plaining how each of those in the Diatonick Scale are com-
posed of those three Degrees, viz. Minor, Major, and Maxim.
B. sb.3 Mus. = Large si. 4, Maxima 2.
In recent Diets.
Maxim (marksim), v. nonce-wd. [f. Maxim
sb.'*] trans. To kill with a Maxim gun.
1894 Sat. Rev. 20 Jan. 61/2, I Maxim you by three thou-
sands, that is fair war and glorious victory. 1003 Kipling
Five Nations 82 Said England unto Pharaoh, 'I must make
a man of you,. .That will Maxim his oppressor as a Christian
ought to do '.
I] Maxima. Obs. [L., fem. sing, of maximus
greatest, used ellipt. for maxima proposilio, nota.']
1. = Maxim si*
x565 Jewel Reft. 1 larding xx\\. 6r9 This mate stande wel
for a Maxima, as one of the greatest tnlethes of M. Hard-
inges whole booke. 1584 Cogan Haven Health 195 This
Maxima is generally to be observed : Sam similes [etc.]. 1594
PARSONS Confer. Success. 11. i. 4 The bishop alleageth many
proofes that ther is no such maxima in the common lawes
of Ingland.
2. Mus. - Large C 4, Maxim sb?
178a Burney Hist. Mas. II. 186,453. 1818 Rusby Gram.
Mus. 65 Former musicians used the Maxima, or Large.
Maxima, pi. of Maximum a. and sb.
Maximal imarksimal), a. [f. Maximum +
-al.] Consisting of, or relating to, a maximum ;
greatest possible ; of a size or duration not to be
exceeded.
1882 V. Idelson in Loud. Med. Rec. No. 36. 3:8 The
average increase is equal to 8 millimetres maximal to 17
millimetres. 1883 L. Brunton in Nature 8 Mar. 438 The
maximal contraction of which the tissue is capable. 1898
Allbutt's Syst. Ale,t.Y. 470 It [sc. blood-pressure in the ven-
tricle] slowly increases throughout the systole becoming
maximal immediately prior to relaxation.
Hence Maximally adv., in the maximum degree.
1884 W. James in Mind IX. 12 Those portions of the
brain that have just been maximally excited retain a kind
of soreness.
Maximate (marksimeit), v. [f. L. maxim-us
greatest + -ate 2.] - Maximize v.
t88t W. E. Forster Sp. in Ho. Com. 5 Apr., The hon.
Member ., said that I had in certain circumstances minim-
ized, and in others maximated, the statements of evictions.
Hence Maxima'tion = Maximization.
1891 W. J. Greenstreet tr. Guyan's F.duc. <(■ Heredity
109 Herbart very clearly saw the tendency of the human
mind to ' maximation '.
Maxrmic, a. nonce-wd. [f. Maxim si.1 + -ic]
Resembling a maxim.
1854 Lady Lytton Behind Scenes II. n. viii. 33 It being a
favourite 'short turn ' of his to interlard his frivolities with
maximic gems of thought.
Maximical, a. nonce-wd. [-AL.] = prec.
1778 [YV. Marshall] Minutes Agric, Observ. 4 Each dis-
tinct Minute, or each distinct passage of a Minute, was en-
deavoured to be compressed into a Maximical Sentence.
I Maximious, a. Obs. rare-1, [f. L. maxim-
us greatest * -ious.] Of great power.
1:1566 Merie Tales of Skelton x. in S.'l Wis. (1843) I.
p. Ixiv, Coste, more pertaynyng for an emperoure or a
maxymyous kynge, then for such a man as he was.
Maximist (ma.--ksimist). [f. Maxim sb.1 +
-1ST.] One who makes maxims.
1855 in Ocilvie Suppl. 1889 I. M. Robertson Ess. Crit.
Method 221 The maximist makes the subtler analyses of
amour-propre. 1889 Earl of Desart Little Chatelaine II.
xx. 63 When you trust one rogue you trust all roguedom,
as ought to have been said by some other maximist.
Maximistic (m£eksimi-stik),3. [i.'L.maxim-us
greatest + -1ST + -ic] Pertaining to the school
of ' maximizers '.
1888 Dublin Rev. July 12 note, Even the 'maximistic1
side admitted that infallible pronouncements are ' far rarer '
than other official acts of the Pope.
Maximite (marksimait). [f. the name of Hud-
son Maxim, the inventor + -ite.] A smokeless gun-
powder composed of gun-cotton, nitro-glycerine,
and castor oil.
1897 Daily Nenvs o_ Feb. 7/4 We call it cordite. For the (
purposes of the inquiry I propose to call it Maximite. 1901
IVestm. Gaz. 5 Mar. 8/2 Mr. Hudson Maxim's new explo-
sive, ' Maximite ', is claimed to be the highest explosive yet
discovered. 1
MAXIMUM.
t Maximity. Obs. [f. I,, maxim-us greatest
+ -ity.] * Exceeding greatness ' (Blount Glossogr.
1656-61) ; also, maximum amount.
1651 Biggs New Disp. 98 The maximity or greatest quan-
tity of it.
Maximization (mseksimsiz^-Jan). [f. Maxim-
ize v. + -ation.] The action of raising to the
highest possible point, position or condition.
Common in Bentham.
1802 Bentham Pri/ic. Judic. Procedure Wks. 1843 II. 6/1
The maximization of the happiness of the greatest number.
1854 Owen Skel. <y Teeth in Circ. Sci., Org. Nat. I. 260
A particular use, dependent on the maximization of the
brain. 1886 E. B. Bax Relig. Socialism 94 That the supreme
end of life is the maximisation of labour, and the minimisa-
tion of the enjoyment of its product.
Maximize (marksimsiz), v. [f. L. maxim-us
Maxim a. -f -ize.]
i. trans, a. To increase to the highest possible
degree. (Common in Bentham.) b. To magnify
to the utmost (in estimation or representation).
180a Bentham Princ. Judic. Procedure Wks. 1843 II.
8^2 By this means, appropriate moral aptitude may be
maximized. x866 Alger Solit. Nat. fy Man iv. 360 Instead
of minimizing he maximized the distinction of himself from
other men. 1899 AllbutCs Syst. Med. VIII. 282 The tur*
pitude is maximised. 190a W. James Varieties Relig. Exp.
130 In contrast with such healthy-minded views as these. .
stands a radically opposite view, a way of maximizing evil.
2. intr. To maintain the most rigorous or com-
prehensive interpretation possible of a doctrine or
an obligation. Chiefly T/ieol.
1875 J. H. Newman Cert. Diffic. Anglic. (1876) 36^ When
I speak of minimizing, I am not turning the profession of it
into a dogma; men, if they will, may maximize for me, pro-
vided they too keep from dogmatizing. 1882 W. S. Lilly
in Coniemp. Ret'. Feb. 243, I am far from wishing to max-
imize upon this matter. 1898 Knox Little in Our Churches,
etc. 13 The Roman Church may be said to maximise, the
Anglican to minimise. The Anglican teaches just what is
necessary to be believed for the salvation of souls; the
Roman turns pious opinions into necessary doctrines.
Maximizer (masksimaizaj). [f. Maximize v.
+ -erL] One who maximizes; spec, one who
accepts the dogma of the infallibility of the pope
in its most comprehensive interpretation.
1868 E. S. Ffoulkes Churches Creed {ed. 2) 37, I am not
aware that any demur to this conclusion, .can be raised even
by maximisers. 1874 Coniemp. Rev. XXIV. 296 The Ultra-
monianes themselves .. now are divided into Maximizers
and Minimizers.
Maximum (mje'ksim^m). PI. maxima,
rarely -ums. [a. L. maximum, neut. of maxi-
mus, superl. of magnus great. Cf. F. maximum.']
1. Alath. The greatest of all the values of which
a variable or a function is capable ; the value of
a continuously varying quantity at the point at
which it ceases to increase and begins to decrease.
1743 Emerson Fluxions 104 In Case it.. passes through
one or more Maximums or Minimums; then the several
Parts of the Fluent, between any given Point and each
Maximum or Minimum must be separately found by dis-
tinct Operations. 1806 Hutton Course Math. II. 306 If we
would rind the quantity ax-x'* a maximum or minimum;
make its fluxion equal to nothing. 1856 Sabine in Phil.
Trans. CXLVI. 505 The declination has two easterly and
two westerly maxima in the interval between two successive
passages of the moon over the astronomical meridian.
2. gen. The highest attainable magnitude or
quantity (of something) ; a superior limit of magni-
tude or quantity.
1740 Chevne Regimen 306 In the WTorks of the God of
Nature, there is no Maximum or Minimum assignable, or
conceiveable by us, 1755 Winthroi' Earthquakes 28 I^aws
of this sort are sufficiently vindicated. -if upon the whole
they produce a maximum of good. 1806 Coi.qlholn Indi-
gence 49 The art of conducting a nation to the maximum
of happiness and the minimum of misery. 1855 Bain Senses
<V Int. 11. ii. § 14 (1864) 137 The animal powers attain their
maximum in cold climates. 190a T. M. Lindsay Ch. <y
Ministty in Early Cent. vii. 279 A strange compound of
minimum of fact and inaxin.um of theory.
3. The highest amount (esp. of temperature,
barometric pressure, etc.) attained or recorded
within a specified period.
1850 Edmonds in Rep. Hr it. Assoc., Sections (1851) 32 The
following remarkable maximaof temperature, i860 Maury
Phys. Geog. Sea (Low) vii. § 348 The barometer also has its
maxima and minima readings for the day. 1880 Daily
Netvs 18 Sept. 3/7 The maxima today were below 60 deg.
in the Shetlands and Hebrides. 190s Westtn. Gaz. 16 June
5/2 The years of sunspot maximum.
4. A superior limit imposed by authority; esp.
in French Hist., a limit of price for corn.
1821 Svd. Smith IVks. (1859) I. 352/1 The danger of in-
surrection is a circumstance worthy of the most serious con-
sideration in discussing the propriety of a maximum. 1835
Alison Hist. Europe (1847) Iv. 164 They [the farmers,
1793] were compelled to part with their grain at the price
fixed by the maximum, which was calculated on the scale
of prices before the Revolution.
5. alt rib. a. quasi-rf«y. or adj., with the sense :
That is a maximum, or that stands at the maxi-
mum ; greatest. [Cf. F, la depense maximum.']
1834 Mrs. Somkrville Connex. Phys. Sci. xxvi. (1849)297
Surround two poles of maximum cold, i860 Maury Phys.
Geog. Sea (Low) ix. § 430 The maximum density of average
sea-water. 1861 Times i^ July, The maximum contract price
for the conveyance of these emigrants was ?.$l. 18s. 4a. per
statute adult. 1879 G. Pkescoit Sp. Telephone 96 A point
MAXITE.
255
MAY.
of maximum disturbance. 1876 Grant Burg/iSch. Scot/.n.u.
103 The heritors paying the maximum salary and the town
paying £12 annually for the support of a master. 1880 C. R.
Markham Peruv. Bark 405 The latter helping to produce
a maximum temperature favourable to coffee cultivation.
b. Simple attributive : Pertaining to a maximum
or maxima, as maximum period '; maximum ther-
mometer, a thermometer which records automati-
cally the highest temperature within a given period.
1852 tVeivtou's Lend. J ml* Conjoined Ser. XLI. 402 An
improved maximum thermometer. 1868 Lockver Elem.
Astron. ii. (1879) 49 There is a minimum period, when none
are seen for weeks together, and a maximum period, when
more are seen than at any other time.
Maxite (mse'kssit). Min. [ad. G. maxit (Las-
peyres 1872), f. name of Max Braun, a Belgian
mining engineer : see -1TE.] = Leadhilmte.
1885 in Cassetfs Encycl. Diet. 1896 in A. H. Chester
Diet. Min.
tMaxy. dial Ohs. [Corruption of Marcasite.]
In Tin-Alining = Mundick.
1671 Observ. Mines C or nival fy Devon in Phil. Trans. VI.
2102 And so continue sinking., till we find either the Load to
grow small, or degenerate into some sort of weed, \vhich are
diverse ; as Mundick or Maxy (corrupted from Marchasite)
of 3 sorts; white, yellow, and green. 1710 J. Harris Lex.
Techn. II. 1730-6 Bailey (fol.).
May (™^)» sb.^poet. (arch.) Forms: [? 1 m&s.]
3 ma35, may}, 3-4mai, 4-6maye, 5mey, 4-may.
[Perh. a. ON. mfyj- (nom. mte-r, accus. m/y,
mey; Sw. mo, Da. mf) = Goth, maivii— OTeut
*maujd~t *maffit>jd-,fem, L*magu-z (Goth, magus)
boy, son : see MAIDEN.
The OE. poet. w/.rg kinswoman (cogn. with m,rz masc.
May s/>,2) often occurs with the sense 'woman ', and some-
times appears to mean ' maid ' or ' virgin'. This use has
heen commonly regarded as the source of the present word ;
the OE. and the ON. word may have coalesced in ME.]
A maiden, virgin.
[rtooo Cynkwvlp Crist 87 (Gr.) Sio ead^e msj..Sancta
Maria. ,1 1000 CxdmotCs Gen. S95 (Gr.) Him ha freolecu
mae^ [sc. Eve], .andswarode.] c ijooOrmin 2489 pattclene
ma3J patt shollde ben Allniahhti? Godess moderr. c 1275
Lav. 30486 pe king dude [vnwis]dom bat he bat ilke may
nom [eartur text maide]. c 1*90 .V. Eng. Leg. I. 194/26 To
"bringue luper bou}t In-to bis swete ^ounge may), ^1300
Cursor M. 10267 pat man.. pat has na barn, ne mai ne
kuaue. c 1330 K. BrUMKK Chron. (t8io) 95 pe corounyngof
Henry, & of Malde bat may. 136a Langl. P. PL A. xn.
in Marie moder and may. £1386 Chaucer Man o/Laivs
T. 753 Thowglorie of wommanhede, thow faire may. 1513
Douglas AKneis VI, i. 22 Sibilla the may. 1579 Spenskk
Sheph. Cat. Nov. 39 The fayrest May she was that euer
went. 1590 Greene Mourn. Garni. (1616) C 3 b, Nor was
PhilHs that fair May Halfe so gawdyor so gay. 1607 Bar*
ley-Breake (1877) 5 Old Elptn with his sweete and louely
May Would oft prepare.. To keepe their sheep. 16.. *S»
Cauline iii. in Child Ballads II. 58 Deerlye [he] lovde this
may. 1818 T. L. Peacock Nightmare Abbey 119 For ill be-
seems in a reverend friar The love of a mortal may. 1855
Erasers Mag. LI. 92 The maiden is pure all mays above.
1870 Morris Earthly Par. II. III. 349 Amid these latter
words of his, the may From her fair face had drawn her
hands away.
t May, sb.% Obs, Forms : 1 mees, (mees, 1*163),
//. masas, 2mai^,3 m8ei,mae3,mei,mey,(meay)1
mai, may. [Com. Teut. : OE. «Mg = OFris.
nihil, OS. mdg (MLG. mdeh, Du. maag), OHG.
mdg (MHG. mdc, mdg-), ON. mdg-r (adopted ia
northern Eng. as Maugh), Goth, megs :— OTeut.
*m$go-z, prob. related by ablaut to *magu-z son,
boy (Goth, magus, ON. mpg-r) : see Maiden.]
A male relative, kinsman.
Beowulf ^08 Ic eom Hi^elaces maej andmajoSe^n. #700
Epinal Gloss. 164 Contribulus, meej. c 1160 Hatton Gosp.
Mark xiii. 12 J?a beam ariseS a3en heore maizes, a 1200
Moral Ode 187 Nolde it mouwe don for mey ne suster for
brober. c 1205 Lay. 3838 purh be haueS Morgan mi ma:i
[c 1275 mey] is monschipe afallet. a 1300 in E. E. P. (1862)
17 Alle we beb meiis and mowe.
May (w^O) J^'3 Forms: 4-5 Maij, 4-6 Maii,
5-6 Mai, 6 Maie, Maye, 3- May. Also in
Latin form 1-4 Maius, (4 Mayus). [a. F. mai :—
L. Malum (nom. Maius. sc. mensis). Cf. Pr. mait
Sp. mayo, Pg. maio, It. maggio ; also (from Fr.)
MHG. Mei(g)e (G. Mat). MDu. mey(e, made (Du.
Met), Sw. Maj, Da. Mai, late Gr. Mdi'os.
The etymology of the Latin name is obscure ; some ancient
writers connected it with the name of the goddess Maia.]
1. The fifth month of the year in the Julian and
Gregorian calendar.
C1050 ByrhtferWs Handboc in Anglia (1885) VIII. 316
Nouember & december habbaS fif & twentrj ealdne monan . .
& aprelis & maius eahta & t went 13. a 1121 OE. Chron. an.
io8o(MS. E)pisdydonNor3hymbranonMaiesmon5e. 1:1290
S. Eng. Leg. I. 26/83 (St. Austin of Canterbury) His day is
toward pe ende of May. c 1374 Chaucer Troylus 11. 1098, 1
maynotslepeneuerea Mayes morwe. cxyyt—Asirol, i.§io
Ianuare, Februare, Marcius, Aprile, Mayus [etc. ]. a 1400-50
Alexander 3699 pai made as mery melody & musik bai
sanng As in pe moneths of Mai or mydsomere euyn. c 1430
Lydg. jl/*«. Poems (Percy Soc.) 23 When the larke. .Salveth
the uprist of the sonne shene,. .in April and in May. 1598
Rarnfield Ode, As it fell vpon a Day, In the merrie Month
of May. c 1630 Milton Sonn. Nightingale, While the jolly
hours lead on propitious May. 1784 Cowper Task vi. 62
The season smiles,. .And has the warmth of May.
Personified, c 1374 Chaucer Troylus 11. 50 In may pat
moder is of monethes glade. 1508 Dunbar Gold. Targe
82- There saw I May, of myrthfull monethis queue. 1593
Shaks. Rich. II, v. i. 79 She came adorned hither like
sweet May. 1630 Milton On May morning 5 Hail boun-
teous M ay, that dost inspire M irth and youth and warm de-
sire. 1826-34 Wordsw. To May i, Though many suns have
risen and set Since thou, blithe May, wert born.
b. In proverbial and allusive phrases.
e 1386 Chaucer Prol. 92 He was as fressh as is the Monthe
of May. 1508 Dunbar Gold. Targe 261 Surmounting
ewiry tong terrestriall, Alls fer as Mayes morow dois myd-
nycht. 1588 Shaks. /.. L. /.. iv. iii. 102, 1599 — Much
Ado 1. i. 194 There's her cos'm. .exceedes her as much in
beautie, as the first of Maie doth the last of December.
i6oo — A. Y. L. iv. i. 148. 1658 H. Plumptre Let. in xith
Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 6 Wishing that all your
yeares yet to come.. may partake more of Mayes then
'Julyes. 1659 Howell Prov. 11/1 As welcome as Flowers
in May. 173a T. Fuller Gnomologia 276 Leave not off a
Clout Till May be out. 174a Gray Spring 50 We frolick,
while 'tis May. 1889 D. Han nay Capt. Marryat 150 If
he had not spent his summer while it was May — at least he
had run through it far too soon.
C. fig. Bloom, prime, heyday, poet.
a 1586 Sidney Astr. <y Stella xxi. (1591) B 2, If now the
May of my yeeres much decline. 1599 Shaks. Much Ado
V, i. 76. 160a Marston Antonio's Rev. 1. i, We both were
rivals in our May of blood Unto Maria. 1633 Massing ER
Guardian 1. i, I am in the May of my abilities, And you in
your December. 1847 Tennyson Princess 11. 439 Others
lay about the lawns, Of the older sort, and murmur'd that
their May Was passing. 1859 — Elaine 553 A Prince, In
the mid might and flourish of his May.
d. May and January or December', used to
describe the marriage of a young woman to an old
man.
c 1386 Chaucer Merch. T. 449 That she, this mayden,
which bat Mayus highte-.Shal wedded, be vn-to this Ianuarie.
/£/V/.642Thili<edayThatIanuarie hath wedded fresshe May.
1581 T. Howell Devises I ij, In fayth doth frozen lanus
double face, Such fauour finde, to match with pleasant Maye.
1606 Dbkkbs Sev. Sins (Arb.) 44 You doe wrong to Time,
inforcing May to embrace December. 1891 K. Buchanan
Coming Terror 267 When asthmatic January weds buxom
M ay.
2. The festivities of May-day. Queen of the May,
f Queen of May, Lady of the May (cf. May-Lady) :
a girl chosen to be ' queen ' of the games on May-
day, being gaily dressed and crowned with flowers,
t King. Lord of {the) May = May-lord,
1506 Ace. Ld. Treas. Scot. (1901) III. 195 Item, to ane
Quene of Maij at the Abbay ^et, be the Kingis command
xiiijs. 1515 in Glasscock Rec. St. Michael's, Bp. Stortford
(1882) 34 Item pd for brede and ale th same day that Sa-
bysford may was whan they of Sabysford did come rydynd
to the toune to sett ther may. 1568 T. HoWELL Arbour 0/
Amitie 36 b, Ich beare the banner before my Lordeof May.
1577 Gen. Assembly in Child Ballads III. 45 Discharge
playes of Robin Hood, King of May, and sick others, on
the Sabboth day. 1611 Beaum. & Ft.. Kut. Burn. Pestle v.
iii, I . .by all men chosen was Lord of the May. a 1634 Ran-
dolph Amyntas Prol., How shall we talk to nymphs so
trim and gay, That ne'er saw lady yet but at a May? 1673
Drvden Marr. a la mode II. 28 Then I was made the Lady
of the May. 1686 Loyal Garland (ed. 5) B 5, Cloris Queen
of all the May. 1711 Steele Sped. No. 80 T 2 The Girls
preceded their parents like Queens of May, in all the gaudy
Colours imaginable, on every Sunday to Church. 1801-16
Mrs. Sherwood Susan Gray ix. (1869} s8_Why, Susan, you
look as handsome as the queen of May in that hat. 183a
Tennyson May Queen i, For I'm to be Queen o' the May,
mother, I'm to be Queen o' the May.
3. Blossoms of the hawthorn {Cratmgus Oxya-
eanthd)\ hence occas., the tree itself: so called j
because it blooms in the month of May.
a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VIII 7b, On May daye.. !
hys grace .. rose in the mornynge very early to fetche
May or grene bows. 150a Nashe Summers Last Will ;
(1600) B 3 The Palme and May make countrey houses i
gay. 1604 E. G[rimstone] D'Acosta's Hist. Indies v.
xxviii. 413 In this moone and moneth, which is when they
bring Maie from the fieldes into the house. 1626 Jackson ■
Creed vni. xix. § 1 By such a maner or trope of speech, as
the English and French doe call the buds or flowers of haw. 1
thorne May. i8ao Shelley Question iii, The moonlight- >
coloured May. 1848 J. H. Newman Loss <V Gain ii. 5 The !
laburnums are out, and the may. 1866 M. Arnold Thyrsis '
vi, With blossoms red and white of fallen May.
4. Cambridge Univ. a. {sing, or //.) = May ;
examination ; b. (//.) - May races : see 5.
185a C. A. Bristed 5 Yrs. Eng. Univ. (ed. 2) 63 The Col- \
lege Easter Term Examination, familiarly spoken of as ' the 1
May'. Ibid. 64 The 'May' is one of the features which |
distinguishes Cambridge from Oxford; at the latter there
are no public College examinations. 1879' Julian Home'
Sk. Camb. 53 And in the trials, in the Mays, From stroke to
bow,.. they keep the river head. 1901 Daily Chron. 6 May
8/3 The annual ' Mays'— paradoxically held in June— are
fixed for the 5th of the latter month and following days.
5. attrib. and Comb., as (sense 1) May -born adj.,
morning, -night, season, time, -yeaned adj. ; (also
with reference to 1 c) May month, moon, morn ;
(sense 2) May-eve, feast, fool, -keeper; (sense 3)
may-bloom, -blossom, -blossomed adj., bough, branch,
f busket, leaf, tree ; f may »le» ? an ale-drinking
held on May-day; fMay bishop, an oppro-
brious name for a titular bishop ; May-drink
[ = G. maitrank, Du. me idranh], white wine medi-
cated withwoodruffjdrunk in Belgium and northern
Germany ; May examination, a college examin-
ation held at the end of the Easter term at Cam-
bridge ; May-gad (see quot. and Gad sbA 5) ;
May-Hill, used in the phrase to have climbed
May HilU to have passed through the part of the
year most dangerous to health (perh. with allusion
to May Hill as a local name); May-house (see
quot.) ; f May-king =^ king of the May (see 2) ;
May-kitten, ? a kitten born in May ; j May-
like adv. , with the freshness of May; fMay
Marian (see quot. and cf. Maid Makian) ; May
meetings, a series of annual meetings of various
religious and philanthropic societies held during
the month of May in Exeter Hall, London, and
other buildings; May queen, the Queen of the
May (see 2); hence May queenship ; May races,
intercollegiate boat races held in the Easter term
at Cambridge (now in June) ; f May-roll v. trans.,
to roll in the grass as a May-day game ; + May-
sel. May-time ; + May skin, ? the skin of a sheep
sheared in May; May-term, colloq. name for the
Easter term at Cambridge ; May-week, the week
of the May races at Cambridge ; + May wool,
? wool taken from a sheep in May. Also May-
HUTTEK, -DAY, -DEW, -GAMK, -LADY, -LOUD, etc.
i5i6in Glasscock Rec. St. Michaels, Bp.Stort/ord ^(1882)35
Itemresseyvydofthe "may ale above all charge li". 1565 Jewel
Dc/.Apol. (1611)585 Your late Chapter of Trident, with your
worthie number of forty Prelates, whereof certnine were
onlie *May Kishops, otherwise by you called Nullatenses.
1818 Todd, * May bloom, the hawthorn. 1599 U. Jonson
Cynthia's Rev. v. ii. Wks. 1616 I. 248 Afer, Sweet Ma-
dames.. your brests and forehead are whiter then gotes
milke, or *May-blossomes. 1872 Tennyson Gareth $
Lynette 575 A damsel of high lineage, and a brow May-
blossom, and a cheek of apple blos>om. a 1789 Micklk
Eskdale Braes 29 The *M ay-blossom' d thorn. 1788 Turn-
bull Laura, The sweetest *May-born flowers Paint the
meadows. 1530 Paisgr. 666/1 In stede of a trapper
he pricked his horse full of *tnaye bowes. 1560 in Sow-
erby Eng. Hot. (1864) III. 240 Those boys who choose it
may rise at four oclock to gather "May branches. 1823
in Hone Every-day Bk. (1859; I. 565 (>n May morning, .the
girls look with some anxiety for their May-branch. 1579
Si-ensek Sheph. Cat. May 10 To gather *may bus-kets and
smelling brere. 1850 Longf. Gold. Leg. \. Court-yard 0/
Castle, Fill me a goblet of *May-drink, As aromatic as the
May From which it steals the breath away. »6.. Songs
Lond. Prentices (Percy Soc.) 18 Upon "May Eve As pren-
tices on Maying went. 1825 Crouf.r Eairy Leg. «y Trad.
S. Ireland 1. 307 May-eve is considered a time of peculiar
danger. Ibid. 30S Another custom prevalent on May-eve
is the painful and mischievous one of stinging with nettles.
185a C. A. P.risted 5 Yrs. Eng. Univ. ted. 2) 85 After the
trial heat of the first *May examination, the held of can-
didates for Honours begins to assume something like a
calculable form. 1778 Hutchinson View Northmub., Anc.
Customs 14 The syllabub, prepared for the "May feast.
#1591 H. Smith Scnu. (1594) 394 May-games, and May
poales, and "May fooles, and Morris-dancers are vanitie.
i724Stl'kelev///». Curios. I. 29 Making a procession to this
hill with "may gads (as they call them) in their hands, this
is a white willow wand the bark peel'd off, ty'd round with
cowslips, a 1661 Fuller Worthies, Derbysh. (1662) 1. 252
Whereas, in our remembrance, Ale went out when Swallows
came in,. .it now hopeth (having climed up "May-hill) to
continue its course all the year. 1824 Miss Mjtford
Village Ser. 1. 89 From the trunk of the chestnut the "May-
houses commence. They are covered alleys built of green
boughs, decorated with garlands and great bunches of
flowers, .hanging down like chandeliers among the dancers.
1904 Edin. Rev. Jan. 55 Other "May-keepers whose symbols
are now but relics. 1519 Horman Vnlg. 277 b, It is the
custome that euery yere we shal haue a *may kynge.
1690 Drvden Amphitryon 111.33 Blear-ey'd, like a "May-
Kitten. 1844 Mrs. Browning Lost Bower xxix, There
fell Two white *may-leaves . . From a blossom. 1591
T. L[odge] Euph. Shadow (1882) 16 When. . I. /May-like
young, of pleasure gan to taste. 158a Fethrrston Dial,
agst. Dancing D 7, In your maygames. .you doe vse to
attyre men in womans apparrell, whom you doe most com-
menly call "maymarrions. 1849 Clough Dipsychus 1. iv,
Sweet eloquence ! at next *May Meeting How it would tell
in the repeating ! 1470-85 Malory Arthur xvm. xxv. 771
Lyke as * may moneth floreih and floryssheth in many gardens.
1600 S. Nicholson A eclastus {1876) 8 In the Maymonethof
my blooming yeares. 1737 Fielding Tumble- Down Dick
Ded.,AplayjudiciousIy brought on by you in the May-month.
1576 Gascoigne Steele Gl. Ep. Ded. (Arb.) 43 In the "May.
moone of my youth. 1813 Moore Yng. May Moon 1 The
young May moon is beaming, love. 1599 Shaks. Hen, V, 1,
ii. 120 My thrice-puissant Liege Is in the very "May-Morne
of his Youth. 1878 Browning Poets Croisic xv, On May-
morns, that primeval rite Of temple-building. .lingers. 1377
Langl. P. PL B. Prol. 5 On a "May [Text A. MayesJ
mornynge on Maluerne hulles. 1601 Shaks. Twel, N. in.
iv. 156 More matter for a May morning. 1859 G. Meredith
R. Eeveret xviii. (xv.), The hand was., white and fra-
grant as the frosted blossom of a *May-night. 1832 Ten-
nyson {title) The *May Queen. 1881 Ruskin Lett., to
Eaunthorpe (1895) I. 49, I hope the *May Queenship is be-
ginning to be thought of. 1893 in Camb. Univ. Almanack
(1894)209 Duringthe Lent or "May Races. 1656 R. Fletcher
Poems 210 The game at best, the girls "May rould must bee.
1508 Dunbar Tua inariit Wemen 24 Grein..as the gress
that grew m *May sessoun. 14.. Stockh. Med. MS. 11. 407
in Anglia XVIII, }if it be gaderid in *may-sel. 1497 Haly-
burton Ledger (1867) 46 Item . .a sek off "May skyms con;
tenand 300. iS34"5 Durham Ace. Rolls (Surtees) 109 Pro xj
may skynnes. 1905 Cambr. Rerrew 4 May 281/1 Ihe
*May term is seldom a good time for serious concerts.
1804 Wordsw. ' She was a Phantom of delight , But all
things else about her drawn From *May-time and the
cheerful Dawn. 1895 Casselfs Earn. Mag. June 51 8 So
many visitors are attracted to Cambridge for the May
week '. 1720 Strype Stcnv's Sun: (1754) H. v. xiy. 325/2
Fallen *May wool rotten and other ill wool. 1884 Century
Mag. Feb. 518 In June, when the "May-yeaned lambs were
skipping in the sunshine. „■«•*'»
b. In names (chiefly local) of animals : May-
MAY.
256
MAY.
beetle, the cockchafer ; also, the Chovy ; May-
bird, the whimbrel, ATumenius pkseopus ; U. S.
the bobolink (Bartlett Diet, Anur. 1859); May-
chafer [cf. G. maikafer] - May-beetle ;in quot.
fig.,\ f May-chick ^ May-bird-, f May-chit (see
Chitj<M) ; May-curlew ~ May-bird \ May fish,
a name for the twait shad, because of its entering
rivers in May; U. S. a killifish, Fundulus majalis ;
May-fowl, -jack = May-bird ; May parr, peal,
local names for salmon at certain stages of growth;
May-skate, the sharp-nosed ray, Raia oxyrhyncha\
May-sucker U.S., the hare-lipped sucker, Quas-
silabia /acera ; f May-worm, an oil-beetle (genus
Meloe). Also May-bug, May-fly.
1720 Albin Nat. Hist. Insects 60 In the middle of May
came forth a brown Beetle called the Chafer, Oak Web, or
"May Beetle. 1842 T. W. Harris Insects injur. Veget.
(1862) 31 The best time, .for shaking the trees on which the
May-beetles are lodged, is in the morning, i860 J. Curtis
Farm Insects, Index, May-bug or beetle — Anisopiia horti-
cola. 1864 E. Corniv. Words in Jrnl. Roy. Inst. Cortnv.
Mar. 18 *May-bird, the whimbrel. 1870 H. Stevenson
Birds Nor/. II. 199 The appearance of the main body [of
whimbrels] in May ..is so invariable that this species is
alway spoken of as the ' May bird ' by the gunners in
both localities. 1837 Carlyle German Romance III. 132
Your idle 'May-chafers and Court-celestials. 1577 Exp.
EnterU Gorhambury in Nichols Progr. Eiiz. (1823) II.
57 Quails. .*Maychicks. .Malards. 1885 Swainson Prov.
Names Birds 200 Whimbrel. ..' May curlew .. (Ireland).
1836 Yarrell Fishes II. 133 The Twaite Shad.. in con-
sequence of the time of its annual visit to some of the
rivers of the European Continent is called the *May-fish.
1896 Jordan & Evf.rmann Fishes N. «y Mid. Anier. 1.
639 Killifish; M ay fish ; Rockfish. 1852 Macgillivray Hist.
Brit. Birds IV. 253 [Syn.] Whimbrel, Little Curlew..
*Mayfowl. 1880 Antrim ty Down Gloss., *May jack,
the whimbrel. 1841 Penny Cycl. XX. 364/1 The smaller
summer parrs (called, in Dumfriesshire, *May parrs). 186 1
Act 24 <y 25 Vict. c. 109 § 4 All migratory fish of the genus
salmon, whether known by the names . . mort, peal, herring
f)eal, "may peal, pugg peal, harvest cock,, .or by any other
ocal name. 1828 Fleming Hist. Brit. A Htm. 171 Raia
oxyrinchus. Sharp-nosed Ray. ..White Skate, Friar Skate,
'May Skate. 1884 Goode Nat. Hist. Use/. Aquatic Anim.
614 The 'Rabbit-mouth', ' Hare-lip',, .or ' *May Sucker'
is found in abundance in many rivers of Tennessee and
..Ohio. 1658 Rowland tr. Moufet's Theat. Ins. 1017
They hang the *May-worm (for so he cals the Oyl-beetle)
about the neck with a thred, especially in the moneth
of May.
e. In names of plants and fruits : May-bean
(see quot.) ; + May-blossom, lily of the valley
(see also 5 above) ; May-cherry, {a) a small early
kind of cherry ; (b) U.S. the fruit of A melanchier ca-
nadensis, the June-berry ; f May-fern (see quot.);
Maygowan(seeGo\VAN2) ; f May grapes, Botry-
chium Lunaria ; May grass, Panicum latifolium
(J. T.Maycoclc Flora Barbadensis 1830,61); May-
haw see Haw sb.'- 3); May lily, lily of the valley
(see Lily 2) ; May-pop U. S.t the fruit of the
passion-flower, esp. of Passiflora ituarnata ; also,
the plant itself; May -rose, a name for any rose
flowering in May ; also the guelder rose, Viburnum
Opulus', May-thorn, the hawthorn ; May-wort,
Galium cruciatum (Treas. Bot. 1 866). Also May-
apple, May-bush, May duke, Mayfloweb.
180a F.ng. Encycl. IV. 473/1 The "May-beans are a larger
sort of ticks, and somewhat earlier ripe. 1578 Lyte Do<toens
n.xxvi. 178 LyllieConuall, is now called., in English. .* May
blossoms. 1664 Evelyn Kal. Hori., May (1679) 16 The
*May-Cherry. 1713 Addison Guardian No. 97 P 4 To
Zelinda two sticks of May-Cherries. 1718 J. Lawrence
Fruit-g. Kalendar 78 The little early May-Cherry is in-
deed worth nothing. 183a L. Hunt Sir R. Esher (1850)
142 The finest apples and pears, strawberries, and May-
cherries. 1884 Sargent Rep. Forests N. Amer. (loth
Census IX.) 84 Amelanchier Canadensis... May Cherry.
1658 tr. Bcrgerac's Satyr. Char. xii. 41 A girdle of *May-
fearne [orig. /ongere St May] woven in tresses. 1548
Turner Names 0/ Heroes (E. D. S.) 85 Lunaria minor,
which may be called in englishe litle Lunary or *Maye
Grapes, the duch cal this herbe..meydruuen. 1887 I. C.
Harris Free Joe, etc. (1888) 200 An' I fotch you some "May-
pops too. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp. s. v. Rose, The small
red rose, commonly called the "May rose. 1802-16 Mrs.
Sherwood Snsan Gray xiii. (1869) 94 In her hand she had
a bunch of May-roses, 1844 Mrs. Browning Vis. Poets
Concl. 105, I receive The *maythorn, and its scent out-
give ! 1882 Keary Outlines Prim. Belie/ 107 Even the
maythom is to be met with.
May (m^J ; unstressed nv», m/), z/.l Forms :
see below. [A Com. Teut. vb., belonging (by
conjugation if not by origin) to the class of pre-
terite-presents, in which the present tense has the
inflexion of a strong preterite, while the past tense
is formed from the root by means of a suffix : cf.
can , dare, doiu, mote {must), owe, shall ', wot. The
OK mseg, ma^on, meahte (later mikte), correspond
to OFris. mei, mugun, machte, OS. mag, mugun>
mahta (Du. mag, mogeny mocht), OHG. mag,
magum {mugum), mahta (MHG. mag, magen,
mohte, mod.G. mag, mogen, mochte), ON. ma,
megom, matte (Sw. ma, mb)ttet Da. maa, maatte),
Goth, mag, magum, mahta. The primary sense
of the verb is to be strong or able, to have power ;
the root OTeut. *mag-, OAryan *magh-, appears in
Might sb., 0S1. mogq I can, Or. /n}xos contrivance,
riVXay^ Machine, Skr. mahan great.
The conjugation is abnormal; according to Brugmann
Grundriss II. § 887 the verb was originally a thematic pre-
sent with weak root-vowel, and was attracted into the
preterite-present class by analogy.]
A. Inflexional Forms.
+ 1. Infinitive. Obs. Forms: a. 1 masan, 3
mu^en, Ormin nm^henn, 4 mowen, mow,
5 mown, 4-5 moun, 4-6 mowe^n.
t 1050 De Consuet. Monach. in Anglia XIII. 389 Posse
carere, ma^an bohan. ruoo Ok.vin 3944 patt mann-
kinn shollde mujhenn wel Upp cumemi inntill heorTne.
1250 Gen. fy Ex. 1818 Hu sal ani man 3e mujen deren?
a 1340 Hampole Psalter xvii. 41 pai sail noght mow stand.
c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. iv. met. i. <i868) no pou .. shall
mowen retourne hool & sounde. 1390 Gower Con/. II. 2
Thou schalt mowe senden hire a lettre. CX440 Promp.
Pat-v. 346/2 Mown, or hauemyjhte. ., possum. 1495 Act n
Hen. VII, c. 5 No Ship of greate bunion shall mowe comme
..in the seid Haven. 1533 More A Pol. xxii. Wits. 885^1
Some waye that appered . . to mow stande the realme in
great stede.
@. 5-6 may, (5 maye).
1435 Misvn Fireo/ Loz'c 15, I haue denyed hym to may
be knawen. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes o/Aymon i. 26 As longe
that I slialle maye bere amies. 1503 Atkynson tr. Dc
Imitatione in. Ixiv. 258 Nor stronge helpers shal nat may
helpe. 153a Ckan.mer Let. in Misc. /Kr/V.(Parker Soc.) II.
233, I fear that the emperor will depart thence, Ijefore my
letters shall may come unto your grace's hands. 1565
C'oorER Thesaurus, Possum. .To may, or can.
2. Indicative Present.
a. 1st and $rd. pers. sing. may. Forms : i
mees, mes, (mseis, mas), 2 may;, 2-3 mai;, mei,
2-4 mai, 2-5 mey, 3 maei, Ormin ma3^, 3-6 ma,
maye, 5-6 maie, 3- may.
The ONorthumbrian writers often use the subjunctive
forms (mze?e, -ar, -o, -i) instead of those of the indicative.
Beowulf 2801 (Gr.) Ne maej ic her leng wesan. c8«5
I 'esp. Psalter Ixxvii. 19 Ah meg god xearwian biod in
woestenne? rrixoo Gere/a in Anglia IX. 261 ^fre he
maiij findan on Sam he mxij nyt beon. ( 1160 Hatton
Gosp. Matt. vi. 24 Ne may} nam man twam hlaferden
beowian. C1175 Lamb. Horn. 9 Ne be deofel mey nefre
cumen inne him. t 1200 Ormin 6199 pa birrb bin macche
ga;tenn |>e All batt 3I10 m&\\ fra sinne. < 1220 Bestiary
516 De smale he wile 3us biswiken, 6e grete mai} he
no^t bigripen. c 1250 Gen. A> Ex. 295 Dow^te &is quead,
* hu ma it ben?' C1275 Passion our Lord 68 in O. E.
Misc. 39 As ich eu se^e may. 138a Wvclif Phil. iv. 13, I
may alle thingis in him that comfortith me. < 1430 Lvdg.
Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 40 And my paper it conteyne ne
may. 1503 in Trans. Roy. Hist. Soc. U902) 152 Alex, maye
I trust the? 1551 T. Wilson Logike (1580) 31 b,This maie
bee true, and this maie bee false. 1567 Gttde a> GodUe B.
(S. T. S.) 33 Hot luke on that, quhilk now ma not be sene.
b. 2nd pers. sing, mayest, mayst (m^vst,
m^ist). Forms : a. 1 meaht, Northumb. maeht,
AV«/.meht,i-4miht, 2-3myht, 3maht, {Ormin
mahht), mayhte, maucht, meiht, micbt.(mith),
4 maijt, mait, mayt, mate, (mayth), myht,
my3t, 5 mat, my;te.
In i2th-i4th c. P and s are sometimes found for h, j.
8.. Kent.Gl. in Wr.-Wiilcker 58/ 1 1 Siuales..,^i(^u meht.
C950 Lindis/ Gosp. Luke vi. 42, & hu mxht [c 1000 Ags.
Gosp. miht, c 1160 Hatton myht] 3u cuoae3a bro5re 3inum
[etc.]. c 1200 Okmin 7779 Depe sinness batt tu mahht Wel
nemmnenn darde werrkess. < 1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 258
Ase bu ert freo & wilt & maucht. c 1205 Lay. 2981 pit mith
[c 1275 miht] me wel ileue. a 1225 Amr. R. 276 And so bu
meiht icnowen bine owune woke unstrenc3e. < 1250 Kent.
Serm. in O. E. Misc. 31 Yef bu wilt bu me micht makie
hool. C127S Luue Ron 31 Ibid. 94 pus is bes world as bu
mayht seo. a 1300 Cursor M. 26575 For sua bou mate noght
wasch bi wite. c 1330 Spec. Gy Wartv. 881 perfore worch,
while bu mait, For sodeyneliche bu might be caiht. 1362
Langl. P. PI. A. 1. 146 Her thou miht [B. 1. 170 my^tow]
seon ensaumple in hymselfe one. 1426 Audelay Poems 8
Ellys i-savyd thou mat nojt be. £1450 Myrc 15 Here thow
my^te fynde & rede.
6. 4-5 maiste, mayste, 4-7 maist, (5 maxste),
5-6 maiest, 4- mayst, 6- mayest, may'st.
[A new formation on may.\
C1374 Chaucer Compl. Mars 112 Wel maist thou wepe
and crien. C1385 — L. G. IK 504 That mayst thow sen
sche kytheth what sche is. 1470-85 Malory Arth. iv. x.
131 Thow arte ouercome and maxste not endure. 1477
Earl Rivers (Caxton) Dictes 21 b, Take not from me that
that thou maiest not yeue me, 1553 Eden Treat. Nerve
Ind. (Arb.) 7 In this Booke thou mayest reade manystraunge
thinges. 1640 Brome Sparagus Garden \\. iii, Thou maist
make a Country gentleman in time. 17x7 Pope Elo'isa 325
In sacred vestments may'st thou stand. 1819 Shelley
Cenci v. iv. 155 So mayest thou do as I do. 1821 — Hellas
844 Thou mayst behold How cities [etc.J.
7. Chiefly Sc. and north. 4 mai, 4-5 may, 4-6
ma, 5 maye.
a 1300 Cursor M. 290 Behald be sune and bou mai se.
c x375 Sc. Leg. Saints L {Petrus) 3S0, I am Kesine, as bou
ma se. a 1400-50 Alexander 1000 May bou o^t, lede, be
;onderlaweIyfton bischulder? c 1440 Hylton Scala Per/.
(W. de W. 1494) 1. lxxii, Thou maye (1533 mayst] not lyue
wythout mete and drynke. 1500-20 Dunbar Poems xc. 34
Thow ma rycht weill in thi mynde consydder That [etc.].
C. plural, may. Forms: a. 1 mason, (-un,
-an), mahon, maje(n, Northumb. maja, -o, 2-3
mn}e n, 3 mahen, mah, raawe, 3-5 mawen.
OE. Chrou.an. 656 (MS. E), Eallebabato Romenama^en
faren. <. 900 tr. Baeda's Hist. \. i. (SchipperJ 11 05er ealond
. . ban we ma^on oft leohtum da^um geseon. c 950 Lindis/.
Gosp. Matt. xx. 22 Manage [c 975 Rushw. magon jit, c 1000
Ags. Gosp. mage jyt, c n5o Hatton mu^en %y\\ diinca
calic Sone ic drinca willo. c 1175 Lamb. Horn. 21 We ne
majen aire coste halden crist bibode. a 1225 Leg. A'ath,
361 Cleopest beo binges godes, ban nowSersturien ne mahen
ne steoren ham seoluen. a 1250 Pro:: /El/red 14 in O. E.
Misc. 102 Heom he bi-gon lere so ye inawe [other text
mu^en] i-hure. 1439 in Willis & Clark Cambridge (1886) I.
Introd. 56 Yer is so grete scarstee of maistre-; of gramer,
whereof as now hen almost none, nor none mawen be hade
in your Universitees.
6. i meeson, 4 mai, north, mais, 4-6 ma, etc.
as in 1st and 3rd pers. sing.
C897 K. Alfred Gregory s Past. C. xxiii. 176 Da be me-
domhee & wel ma^on [Hatton MS. magon] lairan. C950
Lindis/. Gosp. John xiii. 36 Ne ma^gon [£975 Rushiv.
ma^un] jie mec nu fylge. a 1300 Cursor M. 5518 We ma
sua our landes tin. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxxvi. (Baptista)
761 Sum crtstine bare wonnyne mais. 1390 Gower Conf.
II. 51 Men mat recovere lost of good. 11400 Cursor M.
29132 (Cotton Galba) We mey se by saint austin lare [etc.].
1x1400-50 Alexander 684 May ;e 031 me in any maner to
bat sterne schewe ?
7. 2-3 mujen, (2 mt^on, mu3e), 3 muhen,
muwe(n, mouwen, {Ormin mughenn), mu3he,
Kent, muee, mohe, mo, 3 -4 mo3e(n, 3-5 mowen,
4 mou, mu, 4-5 mowne, moun, mow, 5 mown,
mowghe, 6 mowe.
c 1x60 Hatton Gosp. John xiv. 5 Hu muge we banne wet
cunnan? a 1175 Cott. Horn. 221 Ne hi mu^en ne hi nelleS
nane synne 3ewercon. Ibid. 223 I iiur,oii [ ■ ye may]
3ecnowen eij5er god and euyl. c 1200 Ormin 13408 We
mu^hennsen whatt itt bihallt. a \xz%Ancr. R.44 Toward te
preostes tiden herkneS se wel }e muwen. c 1230 Halt Meid.
43 Ne muhen ha nanes weis bedden in a breoste. c 1250
Kent. Serm. in O. E. Misc. 27 V'e muee wel under-stonde . . bet
[etc.]. c 1250 Death 255 Ibid. 184 J>enne mohe [Jesus MS.
muwe] we cwemen crist at be dom. c 1290 Beket 979 in S.
Eng. Leg. 134 Wel ^e mouwen i-seo bat he is prou?t. a 1300
Cursor M. 22559 Quine mak bai, sin bai sua mu \C,dtt. mv,
Trin. mow] Anober*heuen and erth ? 1387 Trevisa Higden
(Rolls) I. 185 Foules mowe not lyue bere. < 1449 Pecock
Repr. 11. xx. 273 Hem whiche kunnen not rede or moun
not here the word of God. c 1475 Partenay 5446 And ye
mow noght, Alway here byde moste ye. c 1485 Digby Myst.
(1882) in. 392 In alle be hast bat euer they mown, a 1553
Udall R oyster D. iv. iv. (Arb.) 66 Ralph Roister Doister,
whome ye know well mowe [rime you).
3. Subjunctive Present, may. Forms : a. sing.
1 maese, (maeh3e, meesse), Mercian mese, North-
umb. meesae, msesi, Kent, meise, 3 meih, 2-
(as in Indicative), plural. 1 maessn, mesen, Aorlh-
umb. maesi, maeson, etc.
Beo7oul/6So l>eah ic eal mai^e. 8.. Kent. G losses in Wr.-
\Viilcker 81/32 Nc.non possis, 5e les 5u ne meije. ^825
I'esp. Psalter lxx. 8 Dxi ic me^e singan wuldur Sin alne
deg. C950 Rit. Dunelm. (Suriees) 95 De mas^i hta aedeava
[ L. ttbi xaleant apparere]. c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. John xxi. 25
Nidoemo ic bastti middan^eord ma:5ibifoa3ailcofta5e[etc.].
c 1205 Lay. 1206, &3if ich bat londmai[r 1275 mawe]bi-^eten.
a 1225 Ancr. R. 230 ^if bu . . meih. 14.. in Horstmann
Hampole's /K^j.^1895) E io5 W bou may. a 1553 Udall
Royster D. iv. viL (Arb.) 72 Saue thy head if thou may.
&. sing. 1 maje, 2-3 ma;e, mu;e, (3 Ormin
mughe},muhe, muwe, moje, mawe, 3-5 mowe,
4 mow. plural. 1 mason, -en, (mahan), 3 Or-
min mu^henn, 4-5 mowe(n,etc. (asm Indicative).
t 888 K. /Ei fred Boeth. \'u. § 3 'Sedgefield) 18 f>a;t him ba
stormas deri^an ne ma^en [v.r, mahan]. 1 ioco /Elfric
Gen. xv. 5 Telle bas steorran, $if bu ma^e. a 1000 Cxd-
mon'sGcn. 400 ^if we hit magen wihteabencan. c 1121 O.E.
Chron. an. 675 (MS. E), And he ne muje hit forSian. c 1200
Ormin 2419 Hu ma^j biss forbedd wurrbenn, patt 1 wi^
childe mu^he ben? c 1205 Lay. 1520 Wheder ich ma^e
[( 1275 mawe] be ufere hond habben. a 1225 Ancr. R. 68
I3en ilke huse, o&er ber he muwe [MS. T, muhe] iseon
touward ou. c 1275 Prov. SE l/red ^561 in 0. E. Misc. 132 >if..
t»u ne mo^e mid strenghe be selwen steren. a X300 Havelok
675 Yif me gold and ober fe pat y mowe riche be. 1414
Rollso/ Parlt. IV. 59/1 That these, .meschiefs. .mowen ben
amended, c 1420 Pallad. on Hush. 1. 131 Chaunge hem yf
thou mowe. a 1450 Myrc 95 And but schomowe se be hed.
4. Indicative and Subjunctive Past.
a. 1st and ^rdpers. sing., plural might (mait) ;
2mi pers. sing, mightest (msrtest).
a. 1st and 2>rd pers. sing. Forms: I meahte,
mehte, ATorthumb. maehte, 1 4 mihto, 2-3 micte,
2-4 myhte, 3 michte, miitte, myht, mahte,
Ormin mihhte, 3-5 mi;te, my^te, 3-6 mi;t,
niy;t, 4-5 mighte, 4-6 Sc. micht, mycht, 4-7
myght, (4 miht, mijth, Sc. macht, 4, 8-9 (chiefly
Se.) mith, 5 meghte, myte, myth, 6 mythe,
6-7 myt, 7 may*t, 8-9 6V. meith), 4- might.
(■975 Rushw. Gosp. Matt.viii. 28 Swa bsette maeni^maehte
faran burh wa;^e baem. a 1000 Guthlac 548 Hit ne meahte
swa. a 1000 Boeth. Metr. xi. 102 *if hit meahte swa. 1154
OE. Chron. an. 1137 CMS. E), Daet he ne myhte nowi5er-
wardes. c 1205 Lay. 1205 To ane wnsume londe ber ich
mihte wunien. a 1225 St. Marher. 13 Ne mahte me na mon
ouercomen. 1297 R. Glouc (Rolls) 1483 }if it mi3te be ido.
a 1300 A". Horn 9 Feyrore child ne myhte be born, a 1300-
1400 Cursor M. 466 tGutt.) In heuen might [Cott. moght,
/'rtz'^C mi^t, Trin. my3tej he no langer abide. Ibid. 686
ufti mith bai samen slepe. C1330 R. Brunne Chron.
Sa
(t8io) 3 He was of grete elde, & myght not trauaile. c 1375
Sc* Leg. Saints vl (Thomas) 247 I'd he thocht quhat vyse
he micht torment bam. c 1375 Ibid. xiii. (Marcus) 180 pat
stand one fut na man macht. 1-1400 Adam Davy's Dreams
14 He ne mijth hennes goo ne ride. 1415 Sir T. Grey in
43 Dtp. Kpr's. Rep. 583, I said treuly I meghte not but I
wolde cum. c 1440 Gesta Rom. lhi. 233 He lernid to be a
phisicien,that myte beineny place. 1470-85 MALOKY.rlr///«r
in. xi. in Rydyngcas fast as she my}t dryue. ,t 1529
Skelton IVoff'ully Araid 33 in Wks. (Dyce) I. 142 What
my^t I suffir more Than I haue don ? 1536 Anc. Cal. Rec.
Dublin (1889) I. 499 In that he mythe. .obtayne the kyng
MAY.
hys vaverys. 1553 Eden Treat. Ncwe Ind. (Arb.) 6 It
myghte happelye haue comen to passe. 1567 Satir. Poems
Reform, iii. 60 He mycht haue bene ane marrow to ane
Quene. 1610 Shaks. Temj>. 1. ii. 168 Would I might But
euer see that man. 1819 Tennant Papistry Stormed (1827)
ji6 A man mith weel had heard the clutter. .0' their chafts.
b. 2nd pcrs. sing. Forms : 1 meahtest, (Subj.
meahte), Northumb. rneehtest, (mihtes, mseht-
(t)es du), 1-3 mihtest, 2 mahtest, myhtes, 2-3
myhtest, 3 mihtes, Ormin mihhtesst, 4 mihtes,
4-5 mihtest, 5 my}t-, raightist, myghttyst, 4-
mightest.
c 888 K. /Elfred Boeth. xx. (Sedgefield) 48 Mid hu micelan
feo woldest bu ba habban jeboht pan 3u switole mihtest toc-
nawan bine frind & oine fynd ? agaa Cynewulf Crist 1431
past..bu meahte minum weorban msej-wlite jelic. C950
Lindisf Gosp. Mark xiv. 37 Ne maehtes [Rushw. maehttes,
Ags. & Hatton mihtes] 5u an huil ^ewaeccae? 1154 O. E.
Chron. an. 1137 (MS. E), Wei bu myhtes faren all a dan's
fare sculdes thu neure linden man in tune sittende. c 1175
Lamb. Horn. 29 Hu mahtest bu gan to bine a;ene liche }if
f-in hefet wereoffe? c 1200 Ormin 5160 ^iffbatttu mihhtesst
ufenn Godd. c 1205 Lay. 28112 ?et pu mihtest be awreken.
c 1275 Passion our Lord 168 in O. E. Misc. 42 Ne Myhtestu
onetyde wakien myd me? a 1300 Cursor M. 13559 Art t*>u
not he pat gondii day mihtes notse? a 1425 Ibid. 9847 (Trin.)
pus mijtestou selcoub calle If bou him say. 1509 Barclay
Shyp ofFolys (1570) 62 Then wouldest thou gladly (if thou
might) do well. 153s Coverdale Ps. l[i]. 4 That thou
mightest be iustified in thy saynges. [So 1611.] 1567 Satir.
Poems Reform, viii. 48 War nocht or faith defendit, ..Than
bow myt writte in gennerall.
c. plural. Forms : 1 meahton (Subj. -en),
mihton, Northumb. msehtun, -on, meeshton,
mantes, mashtses, (1-2 mihte, myhte we, etc.),
2 mehten, miht(i), mioht(i), 2-4 mihten, (3
msehte, mahte, mipte), 3-4 myhten, mi^tin,
mi3tten,my3tten,4-smi3ten,my5ten,myghten,
4- as in 1st and 3rd pers. sing.
Beowulf in Him ba hildedeor hof modijra torht xetaehte,
bat hie him to mihton xegnum gangan. C950 Lindisf.
Gosp. Matt. xii. 14 Huu nine mashtes to lose jedoa (Vulg.
perdcrent\. Ibid. xxvi. 40 Ne maehto z,ie [c n6o Hatton ne
myhte je] ane tid waecca mec mid? c 1000 /Elfric Saints'
Lives iv. 326 And bebyri^don hine swaswa hieselost mihton
on. ix.. O. E. Chron. an. 1066 (MS. C), pet hi ne micte ba
brigge oferstisan. c 1175 Lamb. Horn. 129 And ne mehten
ber naleng etstonden. c 1250 Prov. AZlfred 31 in O. E.
Misc. 104 How ye myhte [c 1275 we mfcttlnj worldes wrbsipes
welde. 1390 Gower Conf. II. 202 Wher thei the profit
mihten cacche. c 1449 Pecock Repr. m. i. 279 That in tho
citees the peple of clerkis myhten. .dwelle. 1470-85 Malory
Arthur iv. v. 125 He was so heuy that an C men myght
not lyfte hyt vp. 1508 Dunbar Flyting iv. Kennedie 468
Thay micht haue tane the collum at the'last. 1590 Spenser
F. Q. 1. iv. 27 Two iron Coffers, .full as they might hold.
1596 Dalrympi.e tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. I. 93 That, .quhen
thay walde thay myt schote. .a darte.
0. mought (mom). Now dial. (This form
had an extensive literary currency in the 16th and
17th c. ; it is often difficult to distinguish from the
archaic Mote v., which was by confusion fre-
quently written mought.) Forms: i-2muhte, 4-5
moht, mo3t(e, moghte, moujt, moweht, mujt,
mught, 4-6 moght, moeht, (4 mount, moucht(e,
mouthe, mouot(h)e, mowcte, 5 mowjt, mouth,
mowth, 6 moughte, 8 mucht, 9 mowt, mout,
mught), 6- mought. Also 2nd pers. sing. 6-7
mought(e)st; //. 1-2 muhton, -en, 4 molten, etc.
O.E. Chron. an. 992 (MS. E), gif hi muhton bone here
ahwaerbetrsepben. Ibid. an. 1004 He ba jegaderode his
fyrde dislice swa he swySost muhte. Ibid. an. 1140 pa hi
ne leng ne muhten bolen ba stali hi ut & flu^en. a 1300
Cursor M. 2085 He liued lelly quylist he mo?t. Ibid.
14830 And quar-for sent we yow..Bot for to tak him if
yee moght [Trin. moii3tl? 13.. Gam. tr Gr. Knt. 1953
pay maden as mery as any men molten, c 1375 Cursor M.
12686 (Fairf.) His knes ware bolned squa bat he mu3t vn-
nebes ga. c 1375 Se. Leg: Saints iii. {Andreas) 890 pat
mycht na man . . Sa wel do as he moweht. c 1400 Cursor M.
23223 (Edinb.) Quil bou moht turn bin hand about, it sud
worise wit-outen dout. c 1450 Ibid. 16538 (Laud) They seid
it not mowth. c 1473 RaufCoiljear 492, I vndertuk thay
suld be brocht, This day for ocht that be mocht. 1488 Ane.
Cat. Rec. Dublin (1889) I. 493 A yeman..keste a spere into
the see. .as far as he moghte. a 1520 Skelton Col. Chute
581 They mought be better aduysed Then to be so dysgysed.
"'557 MRS. M. Basset tr. More's Treat. Passion M.'s
Wks. 1310/1 The traytour mought haue caused hym and
hys dysciples to bee taken. 1565 Turberv. Epit. etc. 25 b,
Thou hast fled the place. .Where thou moughtst chat with
me thy fill. 1590 Spenser F. Q. i. i. 42 So sound he slept,
that nought mought him awake. 1605 Bacon Adv. Leant.
11. Introd. § 8 Wher such as were so disposed, mought give
themselves to Histories. 1638 Quarles Emblems, Hierogl.
vii. (1639) 347 There was no Cave- begotten damp that mought
Abuse her beams. 1690 in Wolseley Marlborough II. 212 Soe
that the garisons mought pay for what they take. 1718 Ram.
say Christ's Kirk Gr. 111. xv, He . . Ca'd her a jade, and said
she mucht ' Gae hame '. 1810 S. Green Reformist I. 88 You
mought as well, Sir, ax for one of their lives. 1849 C. Bronte
Shirley viii, I mught as weel tell him that at t'same time.
1872 Schele de Vere Americanisms 508 In North Carolina
' it mont be ' is a standing phrase for perhaps. 1885 Tenny-
son Spinster's Sweet-arts vii, Or I mowt 'a liked tha as well.
1885 Miss Muhfree Prophet Gt. Smoky Mts. i. 27 They
mought jounce round hyar ez ef they war bereft o' reason.
t5. Present Participle. Obs. Forms: 1 masende,
Kent, mesende, 4 mowende, 5 mouwynge,
mowing, -yng, 6 maeyinge.
8.. Kent. Glosses in Wr.-Wiilcker 61/1 Nee ualens, na
mesende. c 1000 Elfric Gram. (Zj 151 Quiens, masende.
1382 WYCLIF/V<?7'.vii. 11 Ne mowende in the hous abide stille
Vol. VI.
257
with hir feet, c 1440 Love Bonavent. Miry. Hv. 109 Peter
. .noght mouwynge reste. c 1450 Mirour Saluacioun 2672
Noght mowing dye in realle ciothis of his deitee. 1487
Will Knight (Somerset Ho.), Not mowyng for hastynesse
of deth to refo'me his testament. 1556 Aurelio <y Isah.
(1608) M ix, Maeyinge suffer no more the loue & deathe of
Aurelio.
f6. Past Participle. Obs, Forms: 5 mowed,
mowte, mow(e, myght, 6 mought.
^1400 Maundev. (1839) xxix. 298 Wee wolde han gon
toward the Trees . . ^if wee had myght. c 1410 Lvdg. A ssembly
of Gods 1951, I wold haue be thens, yef I had mowte. 1440
in Wars Eng. in France (Rolls) II. 454 Whiche was not
lyke mowed to be borne. 1490 Caxton Hoiv to Die 7 Whan
the deuyll hath not mowe ne can not induce the man to goo
outeof the fayth. c 1500 Melusine 27 Thenne he had nat
mow say one only word. C1510 More Picus Wks. 7/2
Ye haue mought oftentimes, & yet mate desceyue me.
t7. Verbal sh. Mowing, q.v. Obs.
B. Signification and uses.
I. As a verb of complete predication.
+ 1. intr. To be strong; to have power or in-
fluence ; to prevail {over). With adv., (it) may
well with : (it) can well support or endure. If I
may : if I have any power in the matter ; hence, if
I can avoid or prevent it. Obs,
In OE. ic mar? 7vcl=l am in good health. [So MHG.
■ ichmagwol.]
r8as Vesp. Psalter ix. 20 Aris dryhten ne me^ mon [Vulg.
; non prxvaleat honto\ c 1000 Sax. Lecchd. I. 300 Heo
! mae^ wicS mane^a untrumnyssa. c 1000 Elfric Gen. xxix.
1 6 pa cwa:3 he: Hu mae* he? Hi* cwa;don hast he wel
mihte. 1154 O. B. Chron. an. 1137 (MS. E), Hi. .ranieden
munekes & clerekes & aeuric man other be ouer myhte.
c iaoo Ormin 8043 patt ifell gast may oferr ba patt foll^henn
barrness baewess. c 1375 Cursor A/. 5869 (Fairf.) pai salle
for-sob if atte I may, wirk ij dayes werk a-pon a day. c 1386
CiHAVCERFranhl. T. 690 My body at the leeste way '1 her
shal no wight defoulen, if I may. 1393 Langl. /'. PLC. XUI.
191 Lynne-seedandlik-seed. .Aren tioulit so worthy as whete,
ne so wel mowen In be feld with be forst. 1398 Trevisa
Earth. De P. R. xn. xxvii. (1495) 429 The kite is a byrcle
that maye well wyth traueylle. Ibid. xvm. lxxxi. 833 Shepe
that haue longe taylles may worse wyth wynter than those
that haue brode taylles. c 1430 Pol. Pel. <y L. Poems 197/93
For Si. bou ouer me my^tist, as y ouer tee may.
+ b. With cognate obj. (might, p<nver). Obs.
a 1300 Cursor M. 7708 He him soght Wit all he mightes
[Gott. miht] pat he moght. Ibid. 18064 He hat sunk ins
mightes moght. c 1375 Harbour Bruce in. 366 God help
him, that all mychtis may ! c 1470 Henry Wallace nr. 396
For all the power thai mocht.
II. As an auxiliary of predication ; with a fol-
lowing simple inf., or with ellipsis of this.
May shares with various other auxiliary vhs. (as can, ivill,
s/iatl) the characteristic that the inflected past subjunctive
(though coinciding formally with the past indicative) retains
its original functions. Like other past subjunctives, might '
is frequently used in a sense which differs from that of "the
present form not temporally but modally(partlycorrespond-
ing to the ' present conditional ' of Romanic grammar). The
fact that might thus admits of three different meanings is '
sometimes productive of ambiguity, which has to be avoided l
by recourse to some different form of expression. Further,
may agrees with certain other auxiliaries in having no pa.
pple; ; hence its pa. t. is used with a following perfect in-
finitive where logical correctness would require the plupf.
tense (ind. or subj.) of the auxiliary followed by a present
infinitive. Thus, in sense 3 below, he might do may be
paraphrased either 'he was free to do' or ' he would be free
to do' ; and he might have «/tw£-either ' he had been free
to do ' or ' he would have been free to do '.
2. Expressing ability or power; -Can z/.l 4. ,
Obs. exc. arch.
9. . Durham Admon. in O. E. Texts 176 fcif men ferlice
wyrde unsofte, o55e sprecan ne mae^e. c 1175 Cott. Horn. \
229 Ne michti hi alle hin acwelle. ?ef he sylf nold. c 1200
Trin. Coll. Horn. 185 Swo muchel muriSe is in be bureh of |
heuene, bat eie ne mai^ swo muchel biholden. 1297 R.
Glouc. (Rolls) 349 Corineus..so strong was of honde. .him
ne mi^te no man ne no geant at stonde. 1340 Hampole Pr.
Consc. sij A best pat men Lynx calles, J>at may se thurgh
thik stane walles. C1386 Chaucer Can. Yeom. Prol. 128
We mowen nat.. It ouer-take, it slit awey so faste. (-1440
Gesla Rom. xxxi. 115 (Had. MS.) The Oynementes shal
lose his tethe, In so muche that he shalle not mowfight
ayenste the lenger. 1480 Caxton Chron. Eng. exxvn. 106
Charged with as moche gold and syluer as we mowe bere
bitwene our handes. 1530 Palsgr. 670/1 He. .shotte at me
as harde as he myght drive. 1582 Bentley Mon. Matrones
ii. 14 No man may separate me from thee. 1627 Drayton
Nymphidia (1753) II. 460 Thy mighty strokes who may
withstand ? 1857 tsee 9 al*
3. Expressing objective possibility, opportunity,
or absence of prohibitive conditions ; =Can z\* 6.
Now with mixture of sense 5.
c888 K. /Ei.fred Boeth. xviii. § 2 (Sedgefield) 42 Hu mas
ftaer. .synderlice anes rices monnes nama cuman ?^ £975
Rushw. Gosp. Mark ii. 4 Hi nemaehtun ^ebringan hine him
for men^o. CI175 Lamb. Horn. 15 }e hit ma^en when iwis
pet hit is al for ure sunne. 1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 9 Plente
me may in engelond of alle gode ise. 1386 Chaucer Prol.
301 But al pat he myghte of his freendes hente, On . . lernyng
be it spente. c 1400 Maundev. (1839) ii. 10 Cedre may not, in
Erthe ne in Watre, rote. < 1450 Merlin i. 22 'Alle these
thynges',quod Merlyn, *ne mowe the hynder in body, nein
sowle '. 1481 E. Paston in P. Lett. III. 278 Lete me have
knowlache of }our mynde . . whan ?e shall moun be in this
cuntre. 1526 Pilgr. Per/. (W.deW. 1531) 5 b, For the lawe
myght not delyuer them. 1623 Webster Duchess Malfi in.
i, A Count ! he's a meere sticke of sugar-candy, (You may
looke quite thorough him). 1678 Bunyan Pilgr. \. 64 And
when thou comest there, from thence,., thou maist see to the
Gate of the Ccelestial City. 1781 Cowper Hope 209 A soldier
MAY.
may be anything, if brave. 1833 Tes-syson Two Voices »
He knows a baseness in his blood At such strange war with
something good. He may not do the thing he would. 1884
H. Conway Bound Together I. 55 Different people may
hold different opinions as to whether life is pleasanter in
large cities or small towns. 1903 D. McLean Stud. Apostles
iv. 58 You may force fruit, but you cannot force flavour.
II b. The pa. t. indicative in this sense {he might
= 'he had opportunity to', 'it was possible for
him to ') is, exc. in actual or virtual obliqua oratio,
now obsolete, on account of the tendency to inter-
pret might as subjunctive. In poetry might was
sometimes nearly equivalent to ' did'.
This use is strikingly characteristic of the style of Gibbon
as is also that explained under 5c; it is often difficult 10
determine which of the two senses he intended.
a 1450 Kut. de la Tour 23 She was a ladi of Fraunce, that
might spende more thanne fyue hundred pounde bi yeere
1515 lir. West in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. 111. I. 182 He that
in a lytell tyme past myght spend a hundreth poundes by
yere, may nottattthysday spend xx''. 1563 E.Googe Eg/o^s,
etc. (.Arb.) 109 And there 1 might discerne the Byrds that
songe in euery tree. 1588 Shaks. L. L. L. v. ii. 92 Toward
that shade I might behold addrest, The King and his com-
panions. 1676 G. Towekson Decalog ue 384 In the infancy
of the world such a practice might be.. necessary to the
peopling of it. 1781 Gibbon Decl. ff F. xxx. (1828) IV. 51
But the reign of Stilicho drew towards its end ; and the proud
< minister might perceive the symptoms of his approaching
disgrace.
C. Of an event or state of things.
a 1300 Cursor M. 18964 Hu..mai it be, pat vr langage
spek pal pus? 1390 Gower Couf. III. 330 Bot thei "him
tolde it mai noght be. 1449 Will Dolman (Somerset Ho.),
After the discrecyonof myne Executo's as be shal mowseme
1 most.. expedient. 1590 Spenser F. Q. i. vi. 39 ' Ah ! dearest
Lord', (quoth she) ' how might that bee, And he the stoutest
knight that ever wonne?' 189S Law Times C. ^08/2 One
third, as nearly as may be, of the vestrymen first elected.
d. const, passive inf.
8.. Kent. Glosses in Wr.-Wiilcker 56/27 Et..von ualent
comparari, and ne ma^on bion wiSmetene. c 1290 ftfagda-
I lena 102 in S. Eue. Leg. 463 Iudas..seide 'it mai beon
l-sold fill deore to bugge with muchel mete1. 1340 Ham-
pole Pr. Consc. 1194 Worldes worshepe may becald Noght
i elles but vanite. c 1386 Chaucer Pars. T. P213 Ther is
noon oother name., by which a man maybe saued but oonly
Ihesus. 1470-85 Malory Arthur 11. xv. 93 A bedde arayed
with clothe of gold the rychest that myghte be thought.
c 1560 A. Scorr Poems ii. 95 Thair wes no deth mycht be
deyynd. 15S3 Homilies II. Excess of Apparel (1859) 309
With whose traditions we may not be led, if we give ear to
St. Paul. «i648 Ln. Herbert Hen. VIII (1683) 4S0 We
have done nothing that may not beabiden by. 1741 Watts
Improv. Mind ii. § 1 When this observation relates to any-
thing that immediately concerns ourselves, .it may be called
Experience. 1800 Wordsw. Michael 4S1 The remains Of
the unfinished Sheep-fold may be seen Beside the boisterous
brook of Greenhead Ghyll.
t e. Coupled with can. Obs.
1154 O. E. Chron. an. 1137 (MS. E), I ne can ne i ne mai
tellen alle be wunder. c 1380 Wyclif Wks, (1S80) 1 16 Wise
, cletkis..bat my3ten, couden, and wolden teche be peple be
gospel. _ (-1386 Chaucer Knt.'s T. 1454 Now helpe me,
lady, sith ye may and kan. 1486 in Four C. Eng. Lett.
(1880) 7 Or ellis resorte ageyn to seintuary, if he can or maie.
t f. In ME. poetry often in the formula as ye
may hear (or lere), where shall would now be used.
c 1250 Doomsday 74 in O. E. Misc. 166 Wi3 be sunfule also
3,e mahen ihere Go3 awariede gostes feondes ifere. c 1330
Assump. Virg. 4 (B.M. MS.) Jif ;e wille to me here, Off
owre ladi ;e mai lere. c 1425 Sez en Sag. (P.) 457 [She] went
into a chambyr i-fere, And ful evyly, as }e mowe hyre.
t g. occas. might = was ' fit ' to. Obs.
14.. Pol. Ret. fy L. Poems 279/138 Here tendre hert myth
breste on iij Quan she sau heresone fre On rode hys lyf lete.
h. In poetry, might is sometimes used to express
past habit = used to, ' would '.
1819 Keats Lamia 18 And in those meads where some-
times she might haunt, Were strewn rich gifts.
i. Might (subj.) is often used colloq. (a) with
pres. inf. to convey a counsel or suggestion of
action, or a complaint that some action is neglected;
(b) with perf. inf. to express a complaint that some
not difficult act of duty or kindness has been
omitted.
1864 Meredith Emilia xxv, ' I dare say he dined early in
the day ', returned Emilia.. .' Yes, but he might laugh, all
the same.' 1894 G. M. Fenn/« Alpine Valley I. 147 'They
might have offered to help us. .'said Aunt Ecclesia, pettishly.
4. Expiessing permission or sanction : To be
allowed (to do something) by authority, law, rule,
morality, reason, etc.
a 1000 Last Judgment 3 (Gr.) Oft mseg se be wile in his
sylfes sefan soS Jebencan. c 1000 Ags. Gosp. Luke xvi. 2
Nemiht bulencg tun-scire bewitan. a X225 A ncr. R.p. xxiv,
Of be binges be 3e mahen underuon & hwet bingesM mahen
witen oSer habben. e 1430 Lydg. Compl. Bl. Knt. vi, Who-so
that wolde frely mightegoon Intothispark. c 1449 Pecock
Repr. I. xx. 120 Where is it in Holi Scripture groundid..
that men schulden or mhiten , twsjwa ? 1470-85 Malory
Arthur l. i. 35 And yf he wille not come at your somons
thenne may ye do your best. 1550 Crowley Last Trumpet
397 Thou maist not grudge or repine Agaynst thy k> nge in
any wise. 1579 Spenser Sheph. Cat. April 91 Pan may be
proud, that euer he begot such a Bellibone. Cl6zz Ford,
etc. Witch Edmonton 1. ii, He likes Kate well. I may tell
you, I think she likes him as well. 1646 J. Hall Horse
Vac. 129 Illusory deceits may not bee done though to a good
end. 1653 H. More Conject. Cabbal. (1662) 28 Justice did
but (if I may so speak) play and sport together in the busi-
nesse. 1781 Cowper Conversat. 293 An argument of co-
gence, we may say, Why such a one should keep himself
yy
MAY.
258
MAY.
away. 1784 Lett. Honoria $ Marianne III. 115 If one.,
considers the motives which influence to it, we may indeed
beamazed. 1818 Cruise Digested. 2) III. 114 Thegrantor
says, you may go in this particular line, but I do not give
you a right to go either on the right or left. 185a Thackeray
Esmond m. xiii, May we take your coach to town ? I saw it
in the hangar.
If b. Law. In the interpretation of statutes, it
has often been ruled that may is to be understood
as equivalent to shall or must,
1728 Skinner K. B. Rep. 370 For may in the Case of a
publick Officer is tantamount to shall. 178a Atkyns Chan-
cery Rep. III. 166 The words shall and may in general acts
of parliament, or in private constitutions, are to be construed
imperatively, they must remove them. 1873 Blackburn in
Law Re/., 8 Q. B. 482 There is no doubt that ' may ', in
some instances, especially where the enactment relates to
the exercise of judicial functions, has been construed to give
a power to do the act, leaving no discretion as to the exer-
cise of the power.
5, Expressing subjective possibility, i.e. the ad-
missibility of a supposition.
a. (with pres. inf.) In relation to the future
(may = ' perhaps will ').
c 1205 Lay. 3109S purh hire bu miht biwinnen lufe of hire
cunnen. a 1300 Cursor M. 11963 Vr neghburs mai [Fair/.
wil, Trin. wol] bam on vs wreke. c 1369 Chaucer Dethe
Blaunche 556 And telleth me of your sorwes smerte Par-
avnture hit may ease youre herte. .11450 Knt. de la Tour
( 1 868) 88 What harmes and inconueinences mow come therof
to the foule body, a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon xci. 311 Yf
ye go not to my brother for socoure ye may happe to repent
it. 159a Shaks. Rom. fy Jul. 111. iv. 25 It may be thought
we held him carelesly. Being our kinsman, if we reuell
much, i6ai Fletcher Wild Goose Chase iv. ii, Stick to
that truth, and it may chance to save thee. 1677 Feltham
Resolves 1. Ixxi. 109 Miseries, that but may come, they an-
ticipate and send for. 1711 Steele Sped. No. 95 p 5 The
Improvement of our Understandings may, or may not, beof
Service to us, according as it is managed. 1871 Morley
Voltaire (1886) 10 The violent activity of a century of great
change may end in a victory.
b. (with pres. inf.) In relation to the present
(may be or do — ' perhaps is' or ■ does ').
1390 Gower Conf I. 48 Ther is manye of yow Faitours,
and so may be that thow Art riht such on. a 1400 Relig.
Pieces Jr. Thornton MS. 2 Perawnter be defame may be in
thaym bat hase baire saulesfor to kepe. 1707 Chamberlayne
St. Gt. Brit. 111. xi. 428 The next thing remarkable in the
City of London, may be the Bridge. 1751 Affecting Narr.
Wager 8 What I have said may seem oddly introduced
here. 1855 M. Arnold Summer Night 84 A tinge, it may
be, of their silent pain. 1875 J owett Plato (ed. 3) I. 463, I
dare say, my friend, that you may be right.
e. In the 18th c. it was common to me might be
or do in the sense of ' perhaps was ' or ' did \ This
is now rare.
The now current form may have been or done (5 d) is
more logical, as the subjective possibility is a matter of
the speaker's present.
1753 Richardson Grandison (1811) II. xxix. 297 Your
father, my dear, (but you might not know that,) could have
absolved you from this promise. 176a Hurd Lett. Chiv. <$■
Rom. 85 After all, these two respectable writers might not
intend the mischief they were doing, c 1789 Gibbon Auto*
I'iog. (1896) 258 After the publication of my Essay, I revolved
the plan of a second work; and a secret Genius might
whisper in my ear that [etc.]. 1834 Tracts/or Times No.
22. p. 3 All along the whole length of the garden (which
might be perhaps nearly one hundred yards) . . he had fixed
. .stakes. 1862 Borrow Wild Wales xcv, It might be about
half-past two in the afternoon when I left Lampeter.
d. (with perf. inf.) In relation to the past (may
have been or done = * perhaps was* or ■ did ', * per-
haps has been' or 'done *).
168a Prideaux Lett. (1875) 131 It is not Alestre, y* book-
sellers son, whom you may have known, i860 R. Williams
in Ess. ff Rev. 91 Reverence, or deference, may have pre-
vented him from bringing his prayers into entire harmony
with his criticisms. 1879 Miss Braddon Cloven Foot xxxii,
The husband, or lover, may have been out of the way.
6. Uses of the pa. t. subj. (in any of the senses 2-5)
in the statement of a rejected hypothesis (or a
future contingency deemed improbable) and its
consequences.
a. in the protasis. (In poetry, sometimes with
inversion : might I ' m if I might.)
a 1175 Cott, Horn. 232, Mihti efre isi, Na jewold ham selfe
to bi^eten wrldlic echte. ciaoo Ormin 5160 3iff batt tu
mihhtesst lufenn Godd Swa batt itt ware himm cweme
Wibbutenn lufe offiwhillc mann. pa mihhteKSt tu ben borr-
;henn Wibbutenn lufe off iwhillc mann. a 1300 Cursor M.
4123 To stint wald he, if he moght, pe foly"pat his breber
thoght. 1470 Gaw. fy Gol. 422 Gif pament or praier mught
mak that purchese. 1579 Spenser Sheph. Cat. March 53
Mought her necke bene joynted at tones, She shoulde have
neede no more spell. 1594 Marlowe & Nash Dido in. iii,
And mought I Hue to see him sacke rich Thebes.. Then
would I wish me with Anchises Tombe. 1607 Shaks. Tim on
1. ii. 00 Might we haue that happinesse . . we should thinke
our selues for euer perfect. 1617 Hieron Wks. II. 88 Dauid
.. mought he haue had his cnoise .. no doubt he would
rather haue had one little drop of mercy. 1807 Byron Hours
of Idleness, Oh ! might I kiss those eyes of fire, A million
scarce would quench desire.
b. in the apodosis, might — -would be able to,
would be allowed to, would perhaps.
r888 K. Alfred Boeth. vn. § Hi. (Sedgefield) 17 xif ban
bine ague welan waeron be bu masndest ^ast pu forlure, ne
meahtest bu hi na forleosan. ciaoo [see a], c 1374 Chaucer
Compl. Mars 205 Yf that Ielosie hyt knewe They myghten
lyghtly ley her hede to borowe. 1470-85 Malory Arthur
iv. xxii. 148 For and he wold haue foughte on foote he
myghte haue had the better of the ten knyghtes. 1664
J. Wilson Projectors 1, You mought have come up a pair
of stairs higher if you had pleas'd. 1697 Dry den rtrg-
Georg. iv. 704 A Fault which easie Pardon might receive,
Were Lovers Judges, or cou'd Hell forgive. 1764 Foote
Mayor of Garratt 1. (1783) 24 If the war nad but continued
awhile, I don't know what mought ha' been done. 1875
Tennyson Q. Mary 1. iii, So you would honour my poor
house to-night, We might enliven you. 1895 R. L. Douglas
in Bookman Oct. 23/1 Had he but shown a little more
firmness and astuteness, he might have secured infinitely
better terms than he did.
C. with suppressed protasis.
971 Blickl. Horn. 69 To hwon sceolde beos smyrenes bus
beon to lore jedon ? eabe heo mehte beon ^eseald to brim
hunde pene^a. c 1830 Hali Meid. 3 FleschHche pontes,
bat. .maken be to benchen. .Hu muche god mihte of inker
streon maxen. 1350 Will. Palerne 5354 No tong mi^t telle
be twentibe parte Of be mede to menstrales bat mene time
was seue. 136a Langl. P. PI. A. v. 21 Of bis Matere I
mihte Momele ful longe. 1477 Earl Rivers (Caxton)
Dictes 1 Werkes that myght be most acceptable to hym.
1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist.^n, I my selfe seeme to. .con-
sume the time, which otherwise on my booke mought be
employed. 1595 Shaks. John 1. i. 123 Your father might
haue kept This calfc.from all the world. 1621 Bp. Moun-
tagu Z?/a/r//vr 93 Diuers haue. .protested against the taking
or holding Parsonages as Lay-fees, when they mought haue
had them vpon good Purchase. 1796 Hunter tr. St.-Pierre's
Stud. Nat. (1709) I. 477 The same doubts might be started,
respecting the nature of Water. 1809 Malkin Gil Bias vi.
i. P 14 Three figures such as ours might have dumbfounded
a better man. 1845 M. Pattison Ess. (1889)1. 15 In the sixth
century . . a conscientious bishop might be truly said to place
his life in jeopardy every hour, i860 R. Williams in Ess.
<y Rev. 92 note, One might ask, whether the experience of
our two latest wars encourages our looking to Germany.
1891 Speaker 2 May 533/1 The book is very much what
might have been expected from the author.
% d. In the perfect tense have was sometimes
dropped.
1440 in Wars Eug. in France (Rolls) II. 450 And it had
ben wel gouverned, [it] might many a yeere susteyned youre
werres. xsaj Ld. Berners Froiss. II. 402 He might wel
escaped, if he had wolde.
7. In questions, may with inf. is sometimes sub-
stituted for the indicative of the principal vb. to
render the question less abrupt or pointed.
15. . Kyng <f Hermyt 143 in Hazl. E. P.P. I. 19 The wey
to the towne if I schuld wynd, How fer may it be? a xytx
Prior Phillis's Age 1 How old may Phillis be, you ask.
X798 Wordsw. We are seven 14 Sisters and brothers, little
maid, How many may you be? 1886 W. J. Tucker E,
Europe 401 ' What may you want with our schoolmaster?'
b. Similarly might.
1599 Massinger, etc Old Law v. i, And which might be
your faire Bride sir? 1630 Dekker -2nd Pt. Honest IVh. v.
ii, What mought I call your name, pray?
8. As an auxiliary of the subjunctive mood.
a. Since the desire for an end involves the desire
for the possibility of the end, may in sense 3 in
combination with an inf. is used, in clauses in-
volving the idea of purpose or contemplated result,
to express virtually the same meaning as the sub-
junctive of the principal verb. Hence this combina-
tion has come to serve as a periphrastic subjunctive,
which has in ordinary prose use superseded the
simple subjunctive in final clauses.
(a) in final clauses introduced by that or lest ;
also occas. with ellipsis of that (e.g. after to the
end).
c 900 tr. Baeda's Hist. 11. i. (Schipper) 107 Onfoh bu eorbe
Hchaman of binum lichaman jenumen, \>aut bu hine eft a^yfan
ma^e, bonne hine God Hffeste. C950 Lindisf Gosp. Mark
iii. 10 Hia raesdon on him baette hine hie ^ehrindon vcl hrina
mamta^s. a 1175 Cott. Horn. 229 pa wercte he fele wundra
bat men mihten 3elefen bat he was godes beam, c 1375
Sinners Be7vare 30 in O. E. Misc. 73 Makie we us clene
and skere pat we englene ivere Mawe beon. a tyjoCursor
M. 14578 pat agh be drau be folk emid, bat bai pe bab mai
se and here. 1422 tr. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv. 205 Youre
lyght so lyght afore men that thay mowen See youre goode
workys. 1540-1 Elyot Image Gov. 2, I wyshed that it had
been published in suche a tounge, that moe men mought
understande it. 1559 [see Lest i c]. 165a J. Wright tr.
Camus' Nat. Parotlox vm. 176 To the end oy his return
thou maist give o'r complaining. 1751 Johnson Rambler
No. 170 l* 7 Lest my appearance might draw too many
compliments. 1807 Med. Jrnl. XVII. 342, I took several
children to see the woman . . that they might behold the
nature of the disease.
(b) in relative clauses with final meaning.
c 1220 Bestiary 627 in O. E. Misc. 20 For he ne hauen no
HS c5at he mu^en risen wiS. c iaso Gen. ft Ex. 573 Al-mijtin
god him bad it so, And mete quorbi ctei mitten Huen. C1375
Sc. Leg. Saints xxxv. (T/tadee) 127 Scho..lefit a hole
quhare men mocht reke hyre mete, as bame thocht. 1638
Lisle A. S. Monum., Lords P. T 3 b, Whereby they mought
the better serue their God. c 1645 Howell Lett. (1726) 8
Then let me something bring May Handsel the new year to
Charles my king. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 170 P 3 My
mother sold some of her ornaments to dress me in such a
manner as might secure me from contempt. 1849 Macaulay
Hist. Eng. ii. I. 201 It was not easy to devise any expedient
which might avert the danger.
(r) in clauses depending on such vbs. as wish,
demand, desire, beseech, and their allied sbs.
c iooo^Elfric Horn. (Th.) I. 152 Hwa^t wylt Su bait ic be
do ? He cwaeS, Drihten, pa;t ic mage ^eseon. 1390 Gower
Conf. I. 10 Unto the god ferst thei besoughten. .That thei
myhten fle the vice Which Simon hath in his office. 143a Pas-
ton Lett. I. 32 The said Erie desireth. .that he may putte
hem from. .occupacionoftheKingesservice. 15466"/. Papers
Hen. VIII, XI. 162 Wischyng that, if yt shall so happen,
I mought be agaynst that tyme ready armyd. 1549 Bk.
Com. Prayer, Coll. isi Sund. after Epiph., Graunt that
they maie both perceaue and knowe what tninges they ought
to do. x6xo Shaks. Temp, 1. H. 168 Would I might But
euer see that man. 1670 J. Smith Eng. Improv. Revived
13 It is my great request to God that there might not be
one Family in England want bread. 1771 [see 9 aj. 1781
Cowper Conrersat. 124 He humbly hopes— presumes — it
may be so. 1834 Tractsfor Tunes No. 22. p. n, I desired
he might come to me into my Study. 1849 Macaulay Hist.
Eng. v. I, 572 He.. demanded that a large vessel.. might be
detained.
(d) in clauses (introduced by that, lest) depend-
ing on fear vb. or sb., afraid, and the like.
1563 Homilies 11. (1859) 375 Continually to fear, not only
that we may fall as they did [etc.]. 1606 G. W[oodcocke]
Hist. Ivstine in. 19 Fearing, least if the Lacedemonians
shoulde be the first that violated the league, they might
haue seized thereupon. 1651 C. Cartwright Cert. Relig.
I. 67 Be not highminded, but fear, .least thou also maist be
cut off. 1691 [see Fear v. 4 b]. 1816 [see Ap&aid 2cJ.
b. In exclamatory expressions of wish, may with
the inf. is synonymous with the simple pres. subj.,
which (exc. poet, and rket.) it has superseded.
_ The subject normally follows may, but examples are found
in the older lang. in which this is not so.
1586 Marlowe 1st Pt. Tamburl. 1. \, Long Hue Cosroe,
mighty Emperour ! Cosr. And Ioue may neuer let me longer
Hue 'I hen I may seeke to gratifie your loue ! 1593 Shaks.
Ven. ff Ad. 505 Long may they kisse ech other for this
cure ! 1611 Bible Transt. Pref.T 3 Long may he reigne.
1634 Milton Comus 924 May thy brimmed waves for this
Their full tribute never miss. 1647 Fletcher's Womati's
Prize Prol., Which this may prove ! 171a Tickell SPect.
No. 410 f 6 But let my Sons attend, Attend may they Whom
Youthful Vigour may to Sin betray. 17x7 Entertainers
No. 2. 7 Much good may it do the Dissenters with such
Champions. 1786 C. Simeon in W. Carus Life (1847) 71
May this be your blessed experience and mine. 18^0
Dickens Old C. Shop vin, ' May the present moment ', said
Dick,. .* be the worst of our lives ! '
e. Might is also used to express a wish, esp.
when its realization is thought hardly possible.
This use appears to be developed from the hypothetical
use (6 a).
a 1400-50 Alexander 1605 (Ashm.) ' Ay mo^t [Dnbt. mott]
he lefe, ay mo3t he lefe ' quod ilka man twyse. 1596 Shaks.
Merch. V. 11. ii. 98 Lord worshipt might he be, what a
beard hast thou got. 185a M. Arnold To Marguerite,
ConfdiZ Oh might our marges meet again !
d. May with the inf. of a vb. is used (instead of
the simple indicative or subjunctive) to emphasize
the uncertainty of what is referred to :
(a) in indirect questions depending on such verbs
as ask, think, wonder, doubt, and their allied sbs.
a 1100 Gerefa in Anglia IX. 261 past he asece hu he yrde
mai^e fyrme jefor8ian Sonne 5aes time sy. c iaos Lay.
18753 Pa 3et hit weore a wene whar bu heo mihtes a^e.
c iaao Bestiary 683 in O. E. Misc. 22 Hcweren in SoV,
wu he mijten him helpen ovt. a 1350 Owl fy Night, 1581
""•at gode wif. .fondeth hu heo muhe [Jesus MS. mowe] Do
ing bat him beo idu^e. c 1386 Chaucer Clerks T. 53 Ne
oude nat vs self deuysen how We myghte lyuen in moore
felicitee. c 1530 Ld. Berners Arth. I.yt. Bryt. (1814) 508
And than he demaunded of his seruauntes what it might be
[ Fr. orig. que c'estoit qu" it auoit\. 1795 Coleridge Condones
62 On her enquiring what might be the price of the jewels,
she is told, they were [etc.]. 1861 DasenT Story Burnt Nj'al
II. 1 The Earl a*ked of what stock he might be.
(b) in clauses introduced by an indef. relative.
1530 Palsgr. 444/2 Be as be maye, vaille que vaille. 1605
Shaks. Macb. I. iii. 146 Come what come may. a 1616
Beaum. & Fl. Queen of Corinth 1. i, I am confirm'd Fall
what may fall. 1690 [see However ic]. 1711 Addison
Sped. 46 F 6 However weary I may go to Bed, the Noise in
my Head will not let me sleep. 178a Cowi-er Hope 596 He
laughs, whatever weapon Truth may draw. 1861 M. Patti-
son AH, (1889) I. 37 The preceptor, .whatever his other
qualifications may have been, had not earned his promotion
by his Latin style. 1870 Ruskin Led. Art (1875) 102 Those
of you who may intend passing their vacation in Switzerland.
1899 W. James Talks to Teachers (1904) 57 A tactful teacher
may get them to take pleasure . . in preserving every drawing
or map which they may make.
9. With ellipsis of the infinitive.
a. In independent sentences, where the inf. is to
be supplied from a prec. sentence ; or (more freq.)
m subord. clauses, where the inf. is to be supplied
from the principal clause.
a 1000 Guthlac 1082 Aras Sa eorla wynn heard hyse-
snottor, swa he hrapost meahte. c 1000 Ags. Gosp. Luke
xvi. 26 pa 5e willaS heonon to eow faran ne ma^on. C1175
Lamb. Horn. 37 And helpen heom mid bon be bu ma^e.
c iao5 Lav. 3524 And help him nu for bu miht. c \z<p Hymn
i. 38 in Trin. Coll. Horn. App., pu me sschild }e from be
ieonde ase bu ert freo & wilt & maucht. c 1300 Harrow.
Hell 141 Kepe be :jates whoso mai. 138 . Wvclif Set. Wks.
III. 510 Obere Crist my^te 5eve sich a reule. .and wolde not
..or ellis Crist wolde ordeyne sich a reule and myjte not.
c 1440 Love Bonavent. Mirr. \\i. 29 Here frendes comfort-
eden hem as bei myghten. 1470-85 Malory Arthur x.
xxxvi. 472 Kepe the as wel as euer thow mayst. 1513
Douglas sEueis vi. v. 180 And fra his sorofull hart, as that
he mocht, Sum deil expellit hes the dolorus cair. 1547
Homilies 1. Of Charity 11. (1859) 72 To all such we ought,
as we may, to do good. 1599 Shaks. Hen. V, n. i. 23 Things
must be as they may. 1615 W. Bedwell Moham. Impost.
1. § 29 A h. I know not whether I may aske that question, or
not. Sh. Yes, you may. 1689 A. Ashley in King Life
Locke 183 So far was I from learning the discretion I mought
by this that I grew worse than before. 1771 Smollett
Humph. CI. 31 May, Perhaps I mistake his complaisance;
and I wish I may, for his sake. 1796 Hunter tr. .V/.-
Pierre's Stud. Nat. (1799) III. 456 Be it as it may.
1805 Scott Last Minstr. 11. xx'iv, He joyed to see^ the
cheerful light, And he said Ave Mary, as well as he might.
MAY.
1851 E. FitzGerald Euphranor (1904) 42 We think the
world is growing wiser ; it may in the end. 1857 M. Arnold
Rugby Cluipel 34 We. .have endured Sunshine and rain as
we might. 1896 A. E. Housman Shropshire Zad vt 'Twill
do harm to take my arm. ' You may, young man, you may '.
b. With ellipsis of a vb. of motion. Chiefly /<%■/.
Beowulf '754 He on mode wearS forhton ferh5e; no f>y aer
fram meahte. a 1000 Christ ty Satan 425 (Gr,) paet ic up
heonon mae?;e. 1154 O. E. Chron. an. 1131 (MS. E), paer
man him held baet hene mihte na east na west. C1330 Arth.
<r Merl. 7907 (Kolbing) For we no mow no whar oway. c 1386
Chaucer Reeve's T. 197 For it was nyght and fort her
myghte they noght. 1590 Shaks. Mids. N. m. ii. 433 That
I may backe to Athens by day-light. 1596 — 1 Hen. IVt
in. i. 142 The Moone shines faire, You may away by Night.
C. With ellipsis of do or be. Also in the phr.
I may not but = There is nothing for me to do but.
(Cf. sense 1.)
Beowulf 680 (Gr.) Ic hine sweorde swebban nellcbeah ic
eal mae^e. a 1000 Christ cf Satan 22 ^r.) Duhte him on
mode, b^et hit mihte swa, ban [etc]. 1154 O. E. Chron.
an. 1132 (MS. E>, pa he nanmor ne mihte. c 1330 K.
Brunne Medit. 522 pey bete hym..Tyl bey be wery and
mow no more. 138a Wyclif Wisd. xL 24 Thou hast merci
of alle, for alle thingusthou maist. 1390 Gower Co/if. I. 89
He was a man that mochel myhte. 142a tr. Secreta Secret.^
Priv. Priv. 161 Who so will not whan he may, he shal not
when he wille. c 1450 Guy IVanv. (C.) 6947 He felle downe
and myght no more. 1556 Aurelio <y I sab. (1608) I ij, So
muche mighte her malice, that not oneley she sinnede, but
made hir husbande sinne. 1587 Fleming Contn, Hollnshed
III. 1317/2 Much maie that was not yet. 1597 Morley
Introd. Mus. 2 If it had beene the pleasure of him who may
all things. 1604 Shaks. Oth. 111. i. 50 The Moore replies. .
that in wholsome Wisedome He might not but refuse you.
1721 Kelly Scot. Prov. 169 He that may not as he will,
must do as he may.
10. For may well, may as well> see Well adv.
11. as sb. An instance of what is expressed by
the vb. may ; a possibility.
1849 H. Miller Footpr. Creat. 248 Even were we to per-
mit the sceptic himself to fix the numbers representative
of those several mays in the case.
f 12. In advb. phrases of the same type as and
equivalent in meaning to Mayhap : may chance,
may-fall, may-fortune, may-tide. Obs.
a 1300 Cursor M. 2759 If bou par findes., fifty or fourte o
bi lele men, tuenti mai fall, or tuis fiue, ne sal pai alle haue
bar-for Hue? Ibid. 4977, etc. C1375 Barbour Bruce ix.
376 Thai that war vithin, ma fall, . . slepit all. c 1460
Toiuueley Myst. vi. 81 May tyde he will oure giftis take.
1548 Udall Erasm. Par. John 7 Mafortune as then y*
tyme did not suffer so inexplycable a misterie to be put in
wryting to all mens knowledge. 1556 Hoby Castiglione's
Courtier Epist. (1561) Bj, Many yong gentlemen, which
haue may chaunce an opinion that to be in me, that is not
in deed. 1581 Mulcaster Positions xvi. (1887) 72 That
[dancing] onely is reserued, which beareth oftimes blame,
machance being corrupted by the kinde of musick.
May (mt7i), v.2 Obs. exc. arch, in pr. pple. : cf.
Maying vbl. sb. [f. May sb?] intr. To take part
in the festivities of May-day or in the pleasures of
the month of May ; to gather flowers in May.
1470-85 Malory Arthur xm. i. 773 Soo as the quene had
mayed and alle her knyghtes alle were bedasshed with
herbys mosses and floures. 1508 Dunbar Gold. Targe 131
Ladyes to dance full sobirly assayit, Endlang the lusty
rywir so thai mayit. 1848 Kingsley Saint's Trag. 11. x.
[ix.], Oh ! that we two were Maying Over the fragrant leas.
tMay,^.3^;. [Aphetic f. Amay.] trans. To
dismay. Also intr. To be dismayed.
c 1380 Sir Ferumb. 978 Ac wan Charlis hit wiste & se3 for '
hymen hym gan to maye. c 1400 Beryn 1685 Full sore he '
gan to may. a 1400-50 Alexander 3010 Mayes [Dubl. MS.
mayse] no?t 3our hertis. Ibid. 5399 Oure mode kyng was
so maied myndles him semed. 1560 Rolland Crt. Venus 11. |
314 In all my dayis was I not half sa mayt.
May, dial. f. Make v.\ var. Mo Obs., more.
May- : see Mai-.
II Maya (ma*ya). [Skr. mdyd.] Illusion : a
prominent term of Hindu philosophy.
1823 Colebrooke in Trans. Roy. Asiatic Soc. (1827) I. 30.
1827 IH/L (1830) II. 39 The notion that the versatile world
is an illusion {mdyd). 1878-9 J. Caird Philos. Relig. (1880)
339 Religion, .teaches us that only by looking on the world
and the lust thereof as ' Maya ', as illusion, vanity, decep-
tive appearance, can we get near to God.
May-apple. U.S. [May AJS\
1. An American herbaceous plant, Podophyllum
peltatum, bearing a yellowish, egg-shaped fruit,
which appears in May.
Called also duck's foot, hog apple* "wild lemon, mandrake.
1733 Miller Card. Diet. (ed. 2), Anapodophyllon, Duck's
foot, or Pomum Mamie, i.e. May-apple.. .This Plant was
brought from America. 1788 J. May Jrnl. Jj- Lett. (1873)
97, I ate frequently of the May-apple, which is of a very
agreeable flavor, and resembling pine-apple. 1876 Hari.iv
Mat. Med. (ed. 6) 777 The May Apple is common.. along
the eastern side of North America.
2. = honeysuckle-apple : see Honeysuckle 8.
X872 Schele pa Vere Americanisms 400 The same term
of May-Apple is not unfrequently applied to a large, globu-
lar excrescence produced by the sting of a wasp on the
miniature flowers of the Swamp Honeysuckle, and.. occa-
sionally to the shrub itself.
May-be, maybe (m*»-b»). adv., sb., and a.
arch, and dial. Also dial, mebbe, mebbies, etc.
(see E. D. D.). [Shortened from it may be : cf.
May-fall, Mayhap, and F. peut-ttre]
A. adv. Possibly, perhaps. Sometimes used like
a conj. with a dependent thai (cf. V.peut-Ure que).
259
<ii4a5 Cursor M. 17553 (Trin.) May be [Cotl. mai fall]
sum goost awey him ledde. 1599 Massing™, etc. Old Law
in. ii, May-be, some fairy's child . . Has pissed upon that
side. 1661 Glanvill Van. Dogm. 175 This, may be, was
the reason some imagin'd Hell there. 1733 Swift Apol.
Wks. 1755 IV. 1. 209 Impossible ! it can't be me. Or may
be I mistook the word. 1848 Thackeray Lett. 28 July, Our
Lord speaking quite simply to simple Syrian people, a child
or two maybe at his knees. 1866 Dasent Gisli 22 Maybe
that others than Arnor utter this. 1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus
Ixii. 46 Maybe for all they chide, their hearts do inly de-
sire thee.
B. sb. What may be; a possibility, possible
contingency.
a 1586 Sidney Sonn. in Arcadia etc. (1629) 525 And thus
might I for feare of may be, leaue The sweet pursuit of my
desired prey. 1603 N. Breton Post with a Mad Packet 1.
xlii, May be is a doubt, but what is must be regarded. 1615
Day Festivals xii. 335 Without all Maybees, the Lord is
never more gracious to his Servants. 1756 Monitor No. 9.
II. 9, I will not. .be scared out of my senses by improbabili-
ties and maybe's. 1892 A. Birrell lies Judic. vi. 168 [He]
objected to our carrying on a flirtation with mystic inaybe's
and calling it Religion.
Proverbs (punningly). 1721 Kelly Scot. Prov., Maybes
are no aye honey-bees. 1738 Swift Pol. C Oliver sat. i. 19
May-bees don't fly now, Miss.
C. adj. Which are possibly to come.
1687 Dryden Hind ft P. in. 294 Those may-be years thou
hast to live.
Ma-y-bug. [May sb.3] The cockchafer ; also
the Chovy.
1698 Frooer Voy. 48 The Colibrie is a small bird, no
bigger than a May-bugg. 1712 [see Cockchafer]. 1774
Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1862) II. iv. vi. 542 The May-bug, or
dorr-beetle. 1884 Christian World 18 Sept. 697/2 The
sparrow, .eats 'chovies', or May bugs.
May-bush. [May sb.'i] a. A branch of haw-
thorn, b. The hawthorn or may-tree.
1579 Spenser Sheph. Cat. May 34 O that I were there, To
helpen the Ladyes their Maybush beare. 1597 Gerarde
Herbal 111. xxii. 1146 Many do call the tree it selfe the May
hush, as a chiefe token of the comming in of May. 1598
Florio, liagaia, the white-thome, hawthorne tree, or lan-
douers maie bush. 1727 W. Mather Vng. Man's Comp. 126
Scandalous Sports and Pastimes, such as May-Bushes,
Morris. Dancing. 1781 C. Johnston Hist. J. Juniper II.
136 His lawney face looked just like that of a chimney-
sweeper's boy peeping through his may-bush. 1861 Neale
Notes Eccl. f, Pict. Dalmalia, etc. 164 Red May-bushes
sending out their fragrance.
May-butter. [May sb.3: cf. F. deuri-e de
mai.'] Unsalted butter preserved in the month of
May for medicinal use (see qnot. 1615).
1584 Cogan Haven Health exevi. (1612) 157 Yet would I
wish that such as haue children to bring vp, would not be
without May butter in their houses. 1614 Markham Cheap
llusb.^ 1. Ix. 37 Take the leaues of wilde Nepe . . and beating
them in a mortar with May- Butter, apply it. 1615 — Eng.
Housew. 11. iv. 113 If during the month of May before you
salt your butter yousaue a lumpe thereof and put it into a
vessell, and so set it into the sunne the space of that moneth,
you shall finde it exceeding . . medicinable for wounds. 1660
M. R. Exact Ace. Receipts 10 A pound of May-butter.
b. In fig. and proverbial use.
1601 Deacon & Walker Answ. Darel 224 Not any other
but May-butter it selfe could possiblie melt in their mouthes.
a 1625 Fletcher Noble Gent. 1. i, Mad as May-butter. 1653
Walton Angler iv. 115 You see it rains May-butter.
Maychance : see May v.1
May cock (ra^i-kpk). U.S. Forms: 6 ma-
cooqwer, 7 macokos, macocquer, 8 macoquer,
7- macock, 8-9 maycoek. [Algonquin (Pow-
hattan dialect) mahcawq (vocabulary in Strachey
Virginia 161 2).] A kind of melon.
1588 T. Hariot Virginia II. C 2 b, They set..Beanes
and Peaze.. among the seedes of Macdcqwer Melden, and
Planta solis. 161a Capt. Smith Map Virginia 17 A fruit
like vnto a muske millen,. .which they call Macocks. 1612
Strachey Virginia (Hakl. Soc.) 119 The macokos is of the
forme of our pumpeons. 1635-6 Gerarde's Herbal II.
cccxlv. 919 Macocks Virginiani, sive Pepo Virginianus, The
Virginian Macocke, or Pompion. 1681 Grew Catal. Pari-
ties II. 195 The Macocquer. A Virginian Fruit. 1705
Beverly Virginia 27 Their macocks are a sort of melo-
pepones, or lesser sort of pompion. 1872 Schele de Vere
Americanisms 60 The.. name survives in its Anglicized
form of Maycoek. 1896 P. A. Bruce Econ. Hist. Virginia
I.08 There were inuskmelons,. .macocks or squashes, gourds,
. -beans and pumpkins.
Maycoek, variant of Meacock.
May-day. [May rittj The first day of May.
/// (or Evil) May-day : ' the 1st of May, 1517, when the
apprentices of London rose against the privileged foreigners,
whose advantages in trade had occasioned great jealousy '
(Nares).
1438 in Gross Gild Merch. (1890) II. 65 On Mayday the
yerre of our lorde Kyng Henry be Seixt xvi., anno Dom.
1438. 1541 Nottingham Rec. III. 382 Peyd for wyne on
May Dey when we rode Mey. 1609 B. Jonson Sit. Worn.
IV. ii, Out of my doors, you sons of noise and tumult, begot
on an ill May-day. 164s Evelyn Diary 1 May, On May-
day the greate procession of the Universitie and the Mula-
tiers at St. Antonie's. 16.. Songs Lond. Prentices (Percy
Soc.) 17 How 111 May-day first got the name. 1863 Cham-
bers'sBk. Days I. 571/r The observances of May Day.
b. attrib., as Alay-day games, garland, morning ;
May-day sweep, a chimney-sweeper decorated
with ribbons and flowers at the London sweeps*
May-day festival.
1613 Shaks. Hen. VIII, v. iv. 15 'Tis as much impossible
. .To scatter 'em, as 'tis to make 'em sleepe On May-day
Morning. 1615 Heywood Four Prentices 1. B 2 b, Hee will
not let mee see a mustering, Nor in a May-day morning
MAY-FLY.
I fetch in May. 183a Makryat N. Forster xl, The frolic
gambols of the may-day sweep. 1843 James Forest Days
iv, The May-day games of old England. 1850 Gosse Rivers
Bible (1878) 160 note, As sometimes two hoops are fastened,
to carry May-day garlands.
Maydese, variant of Maideux Obs.
May-dew. [MAT sb?] Dew gathered in the
month of May, supposed to have medicinal and
cosmetic properties.
c 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems {Percy Soc.) 217 Whan buddys
first appeere, And the May-dewhe round lik perlys fyne.
1602 Plat Delights for Ladies ( 1611) H 8 b, Some commend
May-dew gathered from Fennell and Celandine, to be most
excellent for sore eyes. 1626 Hacon Sylvu § 781, I suppose,
that he that would gather the best May-Deaw, for Medicine,
should gather it from the Hills. 16G7 Pepys Diary 28 May,
To Woolwich, to lie there tonight, and so to gather May-
dew tomorrow morning. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 130
P 5 A regular lustration performed with bean-flower water
and May-dews, _ 1849 James Woodman xviii, I have ordered
my knave to bring you a furred dressing gown and a bottle
of essence of maydew.
May duke, mayduke itu7* di/7k). [Cf. May-
cherry (May sb? 5 c) and Duke cherry (Duke sb.
6), both in Evelyn 1664.
The statement that this cherry was introduced from Afe'doc
in France, and thence named, seems to be unfounded.]
A variety of sour cherry.
1718 Hhadley Improv. Plant. <y Card. in. 43 All sorts of
Cherries, excepting the small May, and the May-Duke-Cher-
ries, prosper best when they have Liberty. 1820 H. Matthews
Diary ,ed. 2) 465 Medoc— whence by the way comes our
cherry whose name we have corrupted into May Duke.
1828 Miss Miteokd Village Ser. in. 28 He would persuade
you that brill was turbot, and that black cherries were
Maydukes.
Mayed, obs. form of Maid sb.1
Mayer (mt'i'3.0. [f. May v.- + -SB1.] One
who * goes a-maying '.
1756 Toldervy Hist. 2 Orphans II. 152 They set out on
foot to join the merry niayers. 1825 Hone Every-day Bk.
I. 566 Parties of these Mayers are seen dancing. 1893 ' Q.'
Delect. Duchy 23 All but a few of the mayers had risen
from the table.
Mayer, -ery : see Mayor, Mayory.
t May ey, a. Obs. rare. Also -ie. [f. May
sb? + -ey, -y.] Flowering in the month of May.
1604T. Wright Passions 1. iii. 14 To..enioy the roses till
ihey flourish, not to let wither the Mayie flowres of their
flesh. <t 1618 Sylvester Maiden's Blush 470 And up hee
comes as fresh as Mayey-Rose.
Mayflower (mc?i-fkui3j). [f, May sb? +
Floweh sb. Cf. G. maiblume) Du. meibloem lily
of the valley ; so may-blossom (May sb? 5 c\]
1. A flower that blooms in May : used locally as
a specific name for various plants, as the Cowslip
{Primula ven's), the Lady's Smock {Cardamine
prate risis) ; see Britten & Holland Plant-n.
1626 Bacon Sylva % 507 They are commonly of rancke
and fulsome Smell ; As May-Flowers, and White Lillies.
[1659 Howell Prcn>. 12/1 April showers bring forth May
flowers.] 1688 R. Holme Armoury n. 70 The Cowslip. .we
call it a May-flower. 1776 Mickle tr. Camoens' Lusiad 1.
24 May-flowers crouding o'er the daisy-lawn. 1817 Keats
'/ stood tiptoe* 29 A bush of May-flowers with the bees
about them. 1853 6. Johnston Bot. E. Bord. 33 Cardamine
Prateusis. . .In Roxburghshire, .it is called the May-flower.
fig- "57** Gascoigne Steele Glass (Arb.) 119, I hope very
shortly to see the May flowers of your fauour.
2. A variety of apple.
1664 Evelyn Kal. Hort. Aug. 72 Apples. . .Cushion Apple,
Spicing, May-flower.
3. N. America, a. Azalea nitdijlora. b. The
trailing arbutus, Epigxa repens.
1838 Loudon Arboretum II. 1140 Rhododendron nudi-
florum Torr. {Azalea ?iudiflora L.). .the American Honey-
suckle ; May Flowers. 1853 W. H. Bartlett Pilgr. Fathers
iii. 182 The beautiful May-flower — with its delicate roseate
blossom and delicious scent. 1882 Garden 13 May 323/1
The May-flower.. is the emblem of Nova Scotia, with the
motto, ' We bloom amid the snow '.
4. The West Indian Dalbergia Brownei and
Ecastaphyllum Brownei.
1864 Grisebach Flora IV. Ind. 785.
5. The South American Lae.Ha majalis.
1894 Wright & Dewar Johnson's Card. Did.
May-fly. [f. May sb? + Fly sb.]
1. An insect of the family Ephemeriddd \ esp.
as an angler's name for Ephemera vulgata and
E. dania or an artificial fly made in imitation of
either of these.
1651-3 T. Barker Art of Angling 6 As for the May-FHe
you shall have them alwayes playing at the River side. 1653
Walton Angler iv. 115 First for a May-flie, you may make
his body with greenish coloured crewel. 1769 G. White
Selborne (1789) 68 What time the may-fly haunts the pool
or stream. 1856 ' Stonehenge ' Brit. Rural Sports § 650
Caddies are the larvaj of the ephemera, or May-fly, as well
as the stone-fly and the caddis-fly. 1867 F. Francis Angling
vi.(i88o) 223 The May Fly or Green Drake, called in Wales
the Cadow.
2. An insect of the family Phryganeidx or Sia-
nidx (e.g. Sialis lutarid) ; the caddis-fly.
1816 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. ix. (1818) I. 282 Phrygattese
[in their imago state are called] may-flies (though this last
denomination properly belongs only to the Sialis lutaria..
and Ephemeral. Ibid. II. 295 [The larva?] of the true may-
fly {Semblis lutaria, F.). .use their legs in swimming.
f& A dragon-fly. Obs.
1744 Collinson in Phil Trans. XLIV. ^29 The May Flies,
a Species of Libella. 1750 Ibid. XLVl. 400 A further
99-3
MAY-GAME.
260
MAYOR.
Account of the Libellas or May-flies; from Mr. John Bartram
of Pensylvania.
4. attrib., as may-fly season., tribe.
1816 Kibby & Sp. Entomol. xxi. (1818) II. 240 The May-
fly tribe (Phryganea, L., Trichoptera, K.). 1857 Hughes
Tom Brown \. ix, But now came on the may-fly season.
May-game. [May sb.3]
L a. pi. The merrymaking and sports associated
with the first of May. b. sing. A set performance
or entertainment in the May-day festivities.
1549 Coverdale, etc. Erasni. Par. 1 Tim. 8 In such
maner of apparaill, as the commen sorte of vnfaithfull women
are wonte to goe forth vnto weddynges and maygames.
1583 R. Robinson Anc. Order Pr. Arthur L4b, A May
game was of Robyn-hood, and of his traine that time. 1589
Greene Menaphon (Arb.) 56 He was chosen Lord of the
May game, king of their sports, and ringleader of their
reuils. 1641 Hinde J. Bruen iii. 12 The holy Sabbaths of
the Lord were, .spent, .in May-poles and May-games. 1888
Child Eng. # Sc. Ball. III. 46 Maid Marian is a personage
in the May-game and morris.
2. trans/, and gen. Merrymaking, sport, frolic,
entertainment ; foolish or extravagant action or
performance, foolery.
1571 Golding Calvin on Ps. lxxiii. 1 He cryed out.. that
the endever of living well was but a Maygame. 1660 R.
Coke Power § Subj. 50 It were a fine may-game to be a
King, if Kings might make their Will the rule of their
actions. 1768-74 Tucker Lt. Nat. (1834) 1. 357 The vulgar
[have] their, .coarse jokes, and may-games. 1843 Carlyle
Past <y Pr. in. xiii, Life was never a May-game for men.
3. An object of sport, jest, or ridicule; a laughing-
stock. Also in phr. to make a may-game of.
1569 J. Sanford tr. Agrippas Van. Aries 158 A manifest
foohshnes, and a maie game to the multitude. 1583 Fulke
Defence iv. 137 Whereas in one translation we vse the worde
Generall for Catholike, you make a greate maygame of it.
1644 Quarles Barnabas <y B. 253 What is man but.. the
spoil of time, the may-game of fortune? a 1739 Jarvis
Quix. 1. in. xxv. (1885) 146 She.. makes a jest and a may-
game of everybody.
4. attrib. , as may-game king, lord, morris, pas-
lime ; also as adj. with the sense * trivial '.
1586 J. Hooker Hist, tret, in Holinshed II. 70/3 This
maigame lord, named indeed Peter (in scorne Perkinj War-
becke. 1602 I. R[hodes] Ausiu. Rom. Rime C 3, Your
May-game pastimes. 1614 Raleigh Hist. World iv. ii. § 4.
148 In this sort came the Maygame-King into the field,
incumbred with amostvnnecessary traine of Strumpets. 1653
Dell Tryat Spirits 86 School Doctors, that is, Trifling or
May-game Doctors. 1888 Child Eng. $ Sc. Ball. III. 45
The relation of Robin Hood, John, and the Friar to the
May-game morris is obscure.
Hence + May gamester, one who takes part in
may-games.
c 1585 R. Browne Ansxv. Cartwright 37 Drunkardes,
Maygamesters, blasphemers.
Maygh(e, variant forms of MauoH.
Maygne, -gnelle, obs. ff. Meinie, Mangonel.
Mayhap (m£>harp, m^i-hsep), adv. Now arch.,
rhetorical and dial. Also 8 mehap, 8-9 mayhaps.
[The phrase {it) may hap (see Hap v.), taken as
one word.] Perhaps, perchance.
a 1536 tnterl. Beauty # Gd. Prop. Women A v, May hap
ye stomble Quod he on the trewth, as many one doth. 1575
Gamm. Gurton v. ii. (Manly), There is a thing you know
not on, may hap. 1706 Mrs. Centlivre Basset-Table iv,
Sir Richard, mehap a woman may not like me. 1718 Mot-
teux Quix. (1733) III. 67 I'll trust no longer to Rewards,
that mayhaps may come late, and mayhaps not at all. 1840
Dickens Barn. Rudge lxxii, Mayhap she's hungry. 1870
Morris Earthly Par. II. in. 37 Or hast thou mayhap
wandered wide? 1900 Hope in Yorks. Arch. J ml. XV.
300 Pins or hooks, mayhap for hanging cuitains from.
Mayhappen, adv. Now arch, and dial. Also
mappen, etc. (see E. D. D.). [The phrase {it)
may happen (see Happen v.), taken as one word.]
= prec.
<ri530 H. Rhodes Bk. Nurture 747 in Babees Bk. 102
Another tyme may happen he may doe as much for thee.
rti843SouTHEYZ?cc/(7rInterch. xxiv. (1847) VII. 83 Mappen
they'll sarra us. 1887 W. Morris Odyss. x. 269 Let us
. .flee ; if yet mayhappen we may 'scape our evil day.
Mayhem (W'-hem), sb. Old Law. Forms: 5
mahyme, 5-7 mayme, 6 mayom, maiheme,
mayheme, mahym, 6-7 maime, 6-8 raayhim,
7 mahin, 7-8 maim, 7-9 maihem, mahim, 7-
mayhem. [a. AF. mahem, mahaym, maiheme,
maheyng, etc. : see Maim sb.'} The crime of
violently inflicting a bodily injury upon a person
so as to make him less able to defend himself or
annoy his adversary.
"47*-3 Rolls 0/ Partt. VI. 54/2 For the punycion of the
said murdre and maymes. 1503 Ibid. 550/1 The same Sir
William, suyde Appele of Mayme ayenst the said Sir Ed-
ward. 1533 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxford (1880) 33
Morders, fellonyes, mayoms. 1529 S. Fish Suppiic. Beggers
(1871) 8 Robbery, trespas, maiheme, dette or eny other
offence. i6ao J. Wilkinson Coroners <$■ Sherifes 22 May-
hem is properly said where any member of a man is taken
away. 1641 Tenues de laLey 108 The cutting off of an eare
or nose, or breaking of the hinder teeth, or such like, is no
Maihem. 1765 Blackstone Comm. I. 130 Those members
which may be useful to him in fight, and the loss of which
only amounts to mayhem by the common law. 1802-12
Bentham Ration. Judic. Evid. (1827) V. 139 All imagin-
ablecrimes,— rape, robbery, burglary, mayhem, incendiarism.
1853 T. Wharton Digest Cases Pennsytv. (ed. 6) 486 An in-
dictment for maihem which does not contain the words
'lying in wait' is bad.
fig. 1868 Lanier Jacquerie 11. 44 Thou felon, War, I do
arraign thee now Of mayhem of the four main limbs of
France. 1894 Critic (U. S.) 30 June 444/1 The literary
mayhem becomes as inexplicable as it is unpardonable.
Hence Mayhem v. trans., to inflict mayhem on.
'534 Act 26 Hen. VIII, c. 11 Diuers. .haue beaten, may-
himed..and somtimes murdered diuerse of the same pur-
suers. 1743 Conn. Col. Rec. (1874) VIII. 570 For that he
. .did feloniously mayhem the body of one Thomas Allyn.
1879 Tourgee Foots Err. xxxix. (1883) 251 To buy, to sell,
to task, to whip, to mayhem this race at will.
Mayhime, mayhme, obs. forms of Maim v.
Mayht, obs. form of Might sb.
Mayie, variant of Mayey a., Obs.
Maying (m£Hn), vbl. sb. [f. May v.2] The
celebration of or participation in the festivities of
May-day or the month of May. Chiefly in phr.
to go a maying, f to ride on tnaying.
147&-85 Malory Arthur xix. i. 772 That erly vpon the
morowe she wold ryde on mayeng in to woodes. 1598 Stow
Surv. 74 These great Mayinges and Maygames were made
by the gouernors. .of the Citie. 1632 Milton V Allegro 20
Zephir with Aurora playing, As he met her once a Maying.
1674 Playford Skill A/us. 1. 64 Now is the Month of May-
ing. 1712 Budgell Sped. No. 365 p 10 Proserpine was
out a Maying, when she met with that fatal Adventure.
1824 Miss Miteord Village Ser. 1. 81 A country Maying is
a meeting of the lads and lasses of two or three parishes,
who assemble in certain erections of green boughs called
May-houses, to dance. 1899 ' Q.' Ship of Stars x. 79 It
had been a grand Maying.
b. attrib. in maying-party U. S., a party
making an excursion for gathering flowers.
1853 W. H. Bartlf.tt Pilgrim Fathers iii. 182 It is a
favourite pastime to make Maying parties in the woods.
Mayl, obs. f. Maulj^.1 Mayl-: see Mail-.
Ma'y-lady. Obs. exc. Hist. [May sb,$\ A
Queen of the May. Also, a puppet in a May-day
game (see quot. 1802).
1560 Becon Catech. vi. Wks. 1564 I. 516b, To be decked
and trimmed like a Marelady [sic : ? misprint for Maie-], or
the Queue of a game. Ibid. 533 As though they were mare-
ladies [sic] or Popets in a game. 1619 Fletcher M. Thomas
11. ii, Or you mast marry Malkyn the May Lady. 1621
Burton Anat. Mel. 111. ii. 11. iii. 573 Some light huswife be-
like, that was dressed like a may lady, and as most of our
gentlewomen are. 1802 Audley Comp. to Almanack 21
The custom, .of children having a figure dressed in a gro-
tesque manner, called a May-lady; before which they set a
table, having on it wine, &c. They also beg money of pas-
sengers, . . their plea to obtain it is, ' Pray remember the poor
May-lady \
Mayll easse, variant of Malease.
Mayllet, obs. form of Mallet sb.1
May-lord. [See May sb.'i and Lord sb. 14 a.]
A young man chosen to preside over the festivities
of May-day ; trans/, one whose authority is a
matter of derision.
1599 Nashe Lenten Stuffe 9 Cerdicus. .was the first may-
lord, or captaine of the morris daunce that [etc.]. 1622
Wither Mistr. Philar. in Juvenilia (1633) 741 Wealth
and Titles would hereafter Subjects be for scorn or laughter,
All that Courtly stiles affected Should a May-Lords honour
have. 1633 P. Fletcher Purple 1st. 1. ii, The Shepherd-
boys who with the Muses dwell Met in the plain their May-
lords new to choose., to order well Their rural sports. 1639
Shirley & Chapman Ball ul iii, [1] blush within to think
How much we are deceived ; I may be even With this
May-lord, a 1 670 Hacket A bp. Williams 1. (1692) 40 [They]
will prove to be May-lords in Fortune's interlude.
Maymot, obs. form of Maimed///, a.
Mayn: see Maim, Main, Moan.
Maynat, obs. form of Mina 2,
+ Mayne, v. Obs. Also 5 mene, 6 mayn,
meyne, meane. [a. OF. meine-, str. stem of
metier to lead. Cf. Demean v.l~\
1. trans. To lead (a horse).
a 1400 Sir Perc. 711 The childe gone his mere mayne After
the stede. Ibid. 1402.
2. To mayne evil[ = ¥. malmemr] : to maltreat.
1481 Caxton Godfrey exxxix. 208 The Archiers. .that so
fiedde were so euyl mened that they were but a fewc whan
they retorned in to thoost.
3. To conduct, direct, manage (an affair).
1520 in Edinb. Burgh Rec. (1869) I. 200 And gif ony truble
or debait happinis amangis ony of the saidis craftis, thai
till meyne the samyn amangis tham self in cheritable maner.
1537 Cromwell in Merriman Life # Lett. (1902) II. 92 It is
Bruted that there shuld be a communication of a peax to
be mayned by others. 1541 Hen. VIII in St. Papers III.
332 Howe We thinke you maye best mayn thinges there to
our purpose. 1546 /bid. XI. 225, I will do what 1 can to
meane the thing : if there be no remedye, then must Godd
worcke. 1549 in Strype Eat. Mem. II. App. 117 Be-
seching God to give you the grace to mayne and conduct
them, as I do wish.
4. refl. To conduct or demean oneself (in a par-
ticular way).
1352 Minot Poems \. 29 Of Scotland had pai neuer sight
Ay whils pai war of wordes stout, pai wald haue mend
bam at baire might And besy war pai pareobout. c 1400
Destr. Troy 11313 How may ye pus meane you with malis,
for shame !
Hence f Mayning vbl. sb.
1527 Wolsey in St. Papers Hen. VIII, I. 200 The uni-
versal peace, which is now in mayning and treating. 1550
in Strype Eccl. Mem. (1822) II. App. PP. 139 The mayning
and directing of our affairs.
Mayne, Mayneal, obs. ff. Meinie, Menial.
Maynerey, variant of Mangert Obs.
Mayngate, Maynhe, obs. ff. M anchet, M aim v.
Maynor, -oure, -oyre, etc., obs. ff. Manure.
MaynteUe, Mayny, obs. ff. Mantel, Meinie.
Maynyseynge, obs. form of Menacing.
+ Mayo. Obs. rare~v. Some game.
Possibly = M aw sb.* which is often mentioned in connexion
with ' Primero '.
?ci6so Sir G. Radcliffe in Strafforde''s Lett. <$• Disp.
(1739) II. 433 He [Strafford] played excellently well at
Primero and Mayo.
f Mayo(c)k. Sc. Obs. 1 Arbitrary alteration of
Make sb.*
< 1600 Montgomerie Cherrietf Sloe (2nd version) ii, The
painted pawn with Argos eyis Can on his mayock call. 16.38
H. Adamson Muse's T/iren. (1774) 160 Balthyock, Where
many peacock cals upon his mayok.
II Mayonnaise (nu'i-^iz, Fr. mayonfz). [Fr.,
of uncertain origin.] A thick sauce consisting of
yolk of egg beaten up with oil and vinegar, and
seasoned with salt, etc., used as a dressing for
salad, cold meat, or fish ; also, a dish (of meat,
etc.) having this sauce as a dressing.
1841 Thackeray Mem. Gormand. Misc. Ess. (1885) 396
A mayonnaise of crayfish. 1883 Chamb. Jml. 316 The dress-
ing, or mayonnaise, of the salad is then commenced.
Mayor (m^|3j, me>i). Forms : 3 mer, 3-7
(latterly Sc.) mair, 4 meire, 4-5 meir, meyr,
4-6 mayr, meyre, 4-7 maire, mayre, 5 maieur,
mere, majer, maiere, meer, mar, mawer, 5-6
mayer, maier, meyer, 5-7 mare, 6-7 maio(u)r,
6-8 major, 6- mayor. [Early ME. mair, mer,
a. F. viaire (from 13th c.):— L. major nom., pro-
perly adj., greater (see Major). OF. had also a
form maor, meor:—L,. majorem ace, which may
be represented in some of the ME. forms. The
spelling maio{u)r, common in the i6thc, seems to
be intended to represent the L. major, but as the i
could be read as a vowel, this form became pho-
netically nearly coincident with those adopted from
Fr. The substitution of^ for i was in accordance
with the orthographical habits of the 16-1 7th c,
and need not be ascribed to imitation of the Sp.
form mayor.
The med.L. majorasa title was adopted as OHG. tueiur,
whence MHG. meier, meiger, mod.G. meier farm bailiff,
farmer. Du. meier has both senses, ' mayor ' and ' farmer '.J
1. The head or chief officer of the municipal cor-
poration of a city or borough.
The title is used in England and Ireland (see also Lord
Mayor), in the British Colonies, and in the U. S. It was
formerly borne by the heads of certain royal burghs in Scot-
land, but has there been long superseded by provost. It
occasionally renders its etymological equivalent (F. maire)
as the title of a similar municipal officer in French towns,
though the Fr. word is now more commonly used ; similarly,
mayor was formerly used occas. to designate certain admin-
istrative officers in Holland and Switzerland (cf. Mayoralty
3, Mayorv).
The continued practice of electing mayors in some de-
cayed boroughs (e.g. Queenborough in Sheppey) which had
become mere villages or hamlets is a common matter of
jesting allusion in the literature of the 17th c. There are
also in various parts of the country instances in which a so-
called ' mayor ' is or was elected periodically with burlesque
ceremonies; of these mock -dignitaries the 'Mayor of Garratt ',
near Wandsworth, is the best-known example.
1297 K. Glouc (Rolls) 11226 |>e mer [of Oxford] was
viniter. C1330 R. Rrunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 8031 pe
Meyre of Kermerdyn. 1386 Rolls of Parlt. III. 225/1
When free men of the Citee [sc. London] come to chese her
Maire. 1415 Prod, in York Myst. Introd. 34 Ye Mair and
ye Shirefs of yis Citee. c 1450 Lay Folks Mass Bk. 69
We sail pray especially for be meer. c 1460 J. R*jssell
Bk. Nurture n 37 in Babees Bk., J>e meyre of london, notable
of dignyte, and of queneborow be meire, no bynge like in
degre. c 1488 Plumpton Corr. (Camden) 87 To the behaufe
of the mawer of the Cyte of Yorke & his bredren. 1537
Wriothesley Chron. (Camden) I. 31 Sir John Allen, maiour,
being also one of the Kinge's Counsell. 1555 /nv. Ck. Goods
(Surtees Soc, No. 97) 157 One of the attorneys within the
mayeies courte. 1599 Bronghtons Let. ii. 9 As the runn-
away apprentice thought, the bels recalling him, told htm
he should be Maior of London, a 16*7 Middleton (*///?) The
Mayor of Quinborough. 1654 Wiiitlock Zootomia 311 Hee
were an arrant Mayor of Quinborrow, that should send to
the Indiesfor Kentish Oysters. 1764 VooTE(title) The Mayor
of Garratt. 1761; T. Hutchinson Hist. Mass. I. 176 A
corporation, consisting of a mayor, eight aldermen and a
recorder. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) V. 115 The mayor of
the said city shall have full power., to receive and record all
and every such fine and fines. 1902 Westm. Gas. 22 May
2/3 A boatman on the Kolton and Bury Canal has been
selected as 'Lord Mayor of the village of Ringley*. /bid..
In some parts the burlesque civic official was designated
' Mayor of the Pig Market \ and in Dublin ' Mayor of the
Bull Ring'.
t b. Mayors peer : app. a person eligible for
the office of mayor. Obs.
1560 in Picton Lpool Munic. Rec. (1883) I. 33 Every
Mayor and Mayors peer.
*f c. In Ireland, app. applied to several members
(? chief or capital burgesses) of the municipal body
of which the mayor properly so called was the head,
1557 in \oth Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 416 That ther
be no more but twellve Mayors and the Mayor for the tyme
beinge.
d. Mayor of the Staple : see Staple.
+ 2. Used gen. for one in high judicial office. Obs.
a 1300 Cursor M. 7036 pair leder and pair maister mair.
1362 Langl. /'. PI. A. viii. 171 3e meiresand 3e maister iuges.
MAYORAL.
261
MAYTHEN.
1 1440 Capgrave Life St. Kaih. v. 1241 There was a man in
Atisaundre . , Meyer and leedere of alle the puple there.
f 3. In Scotland (ordinarily spelt mair\ formerly
the title of various officers differing widely in
rank, having delegated jurisdiction or executive
functions, either under the sovereign or under some
judicial authority. Mair of fee : a 'king's mair1
holding his office as a heritable possession. Obs.
Hence Gaelic maor, steward, policeman.
1429.7c. Acts Jas. /(1814) II. 17/2 A mayr of fee quheber
he be mayr of be hail schirefdome or of part sal haf powere
[etc.]. £1470 Henry Wallace iv. 359 The mar kepyt the
port of that willage, Wallace knew weill. 1522-3 Ld. Treas.
Ace. Scot. V. 209 Deliverit to the lord Zesteris heid mare
our soverane lordis lettrez. 1544 in E. D. Dunbar Docum.
Moray (1895) 67 Principal Mair off the lands after specefied,
viz. the Thayndaine [etc.]. 1600 Skene Reg, Maj., Stat.
Alex. II 17 b, He[theEarIeof Fife] may not enter as Earle ;
bot as Mair to the king of the Earledom of Fife. 1703
Fountainhall in M. P. Brown Suppi. Decis. (1826) IV.
564 The malversations of their mairs or messengers.
T b. Mayors/cud : the fee of a ' mair \ Obs.
1608 in E. D. Dunbar Docum. Moray (1895 1 69 The said
office of Mairsfeod of the forsaid earldom of Murray is held
in chief of James Earl of Murray.
4. Mayor of the Palace (Hist.): = F. maire du
palais, a mod. translation of med.L. major domus
(occas. m. palatii), the title borne by the prime
ministers (under the later Merovingians the virtual
sovereigns) of the Frankish kingdoms. Also mayor
of Austrasia, of Neustria.
1529 Rastell Pasty me (1811) 77 Cloyter son of Clouis..
ordeynyd mayrs of yB palys. 1711 W. King tr. Naude's
Ref. Politics v. 171 The Majors of the palace.. in France
..embroiled the kingdom to make themselves necessary.
1818 Hallam Mid. Ages (1841) I. 1.5 Ebroin and Grimoald
mayors of Neustria and Austrasia. 1875 Maine Hist. Inst.
v. 139 The Mayor of the Frankish Palace became King of
the Franks.
5. attrih. and Comb. ,as mayor-choosing \ fmayor-
corn, an ancient Scottish tax of corn given to the
' mair ' ; f mayor-town, a town ruled by a mayor,
a municipal town ; also Sc. a farm or piece of land
held by a * mair' in right of his office.
1823 T. Bond E. fy IV. Loce 277 *Mayor-choosing Days.
The following Table, .shews the Days of the Mayor-choosing
at East Looe. 1606 in E. D. Dunbar Docum. Moray 68 The
haill 'Mair cornes, reik hens, and uther casualities and feis
quatsumevir of the tounis and lands of Tarress [etc.]. 1623
J. Taylor (Water-P.) Discern. Lond. Salisb. A 4 Then downe
to Erith, 'gainst the tyde we went, Next London, greatest
""■Mayor [1630 Maior] towne in Kent, c 1710 Celia Fiennes
Diary (1888) 4 Y* Assizes is allwayes kept at Salsebury and
is a Major town though Wilton about 2 mile off is y
County town. 1778 Eng. Gazetteer (ed. 2) s. v. Sitting-
born, In the reign of Elizabeth this was made a mayor-
town. 1798 W. Robertson Index Charters 120 Carta to
William Herowart, of the office of Mairship of the east
quarter of Fife, with the land called the Mairtoun, whilk
William Mair resigned.
II Mayoral (mayora'l),^. Forms: 6 mayor-all,
7 maioral, 9- mayoral. [Sp., f. mayor greater
(see Major a. and sb., Mayor).] A conductor
in charge of a train of beasts of burden ; also, a
head shepherd ; occas. the conductor of a diligence.
1598 Barret Theor. Warres v. iv. 136 A Harbenger, and
a Mayorall, which goeth with euery thousand beasts. 1622
F. Markham Bk. Warm. ii. 85 The Master Gunner.. is.,
to command all the inferior Gunners, Clerkes, Harbengers,
Maiorals, Gill-Masters and other depending vpon the Ord-
nance. 1833 Longf. Outre Mer Prose Wks. 1886 I. 138
Here our conversation was cut short by the Mayoral of
the diligence. 1845 Ford Handbk. Spain 1. 18 The 'Mayoral'
or ( conductor *. .is responsible for the whole conduct of the
journey. 1879 CasselVs Techn. Educ. I. 149 A mayoral or
chief shepherd at their head.
Mayoral (m^'oral, me>*ral), a. [f. Mayor
+ -AL.J Pertaining to a mayor or mayoralty.
1698 Swift Let. to Winder 13 Jan., Wks. 1841 II. 436,
I was at his mayoral feast. 1703 W. Pf.nn in Pa. Hist.
Soc. Mem. IX. 181, I hope Randall carries a hat for Ed-
ward Shippen of a mayoral size. 1869 Daily Neius 30 Mar.,
The Mayoral order was that certain leading thoroughfares
were to be closed. 1883 Standard 14 Apr. 5/2 Mr. Alder-
man Fowler, M.P., has consented to serve for the remainder
of the Mayoral year.
Mayoralty (me>ralti). Forms: 4mairaltee,
5 mayraltye, 5-6 mairalte, mayraltie, 5-7
mairaltie,6merialtie,meraHy,mayralte,mayre-
raltie,6~7 maioraltie, 7 majorality, mairoltie,
myraltie, maioralty, mearaltie, 8 mayoralty,
mayorality, majoralty, 7- mayoralty, [ad.
OF. mairalte', f. maire Mayor, after principally
mod. principaute.']
1. The office of a mayor.
' 1386 Rolls of Par It. III. 225/1 The eleccion ofMairaltee
is to be to the Fre men of the Citee. 1438 in 10th Rep.
Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 330 Onycitsaine bering office of
Mairaltieorofbalifs. 1534WHITINTON Tnllyes Offices 1.(1540)
65 Pericles sayd well whan he had a felowe in offyce in his
mayraltie [orig. in prxtura\ called. Sophocles poete. 1571
Campion Hist. Irel. 11. vii. (1633) 96 This Majorality both
for state and charge of that office.. exceedeth any Citty in
England, except London. 170a Toleration 17 The May'ralty
and other Offices are confin'd to their City Councils. 1851
D. G. Mitchell Fresh Gleanings 75 The office of Mayoralty
in the . . American cities. 1890 Gross Gild Merch. I. 97 The
mayoralty, which gave them a chief officer of their own
election.
2. The period during which a mayor holds office.
1494 Fabvan Chron.xu. (1533) II- 30/2 The mayraltie of
John Tolesham. 1540 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxford
(1880) 159 Hys ij yeres mayreraltie. 1632 in 10th Rep. Hist.
MSS. Comm. App. v. 480 The yeare of the myraltie of Sir
Vallentin Blake. 1727 W. Mather Yng. MatCs Comp. 105
Nor has the Lord Mayor of London, during his Mayorality,
a less Title than Right Honourable. 1870 Lowell Study
Wind. 108 Of his mayoralty we have another anecdote.
+ 3. The district over which a ' mayor ' has juris-
diction. Obs. rare"1.
1705 Lond. Gas. No. 4113/3 The Mayoralty of Boisleduc
..and the Country beyond the Maese, are directed to have
in a readiness 1700 Wagons.
4. attrib.
*573 >n io^ Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 423 Mr. An-
drew Brown, .bemge then in his Meralty office. 1647 Ibid.
496 Wee. .thought fitt to record the same in the Mearaltie
booke of this Corporation. 1822 C'tess. Blkssington Magic
Lantern 22 The Lord Mayor's coach, with all the para-
phernalia of mayoralty finery. 1887 Diet. Nat. Biog. XL
102/2 The mayoralty pageant provided [1635] by the Iron-
mongers' Company for Clitherow.
Hence f Mayoralty ship, the office of a mayor.
1582 in 10th Rtp, Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 432 The
office of Meraltyship. 1600 Ibid. 459 The office of Maior-
alti*hipp or Baillifshipp.
Mayordom (me-'Mdsm). Obs. exc. Hist. See
quot. 161 1 ; also Sc, the office of a ' mair of fee*.
1611 Cotgr., Mairerie, a Maiordome; the office, or place
of a Mayor; also, his Jurisdiction, or the precincts thereof.
1872 Cosmo Innes Lect. Scot. Legal Antiq. ii. 78 We had
numerous mairdoms or subdivisions of sheriffdoms, and
several mairs of fee, that is, hereditary mairs.
Mayordom;e, -domo, obs. ff. Major-domo.
IlSayoreSS (me»*res\ Forms : 5 meyresse,
5, 7 mayresse, 6 mayras, majoris, maiores, 7
mai-, majoresse, S-9 may'ress, 7- mayoress.
[f. Mayor + -ess. Cf. F. mairesse (now only
jocular).] The wife of a mayor.
Also sometimes applied, when a mayor is unmarried or a
widower, to a lady of his family who fulfils the ceremonial
duties normally belonging to the mayor's wife.
The wife of a Lord Mayor is called Lady Mayoress.
c 1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode 11. viii. (1869) 78 What is this?
Art thou meyresse? 1494 Fabvan Chron. vn. (1533) II. 223
b/2 The kyngc.sent vnto the mayresse and her systers,
aldermennes wyfes two hartes and .vi. buckes, wyth a tonne
of wyne. 1541 CaL Anc. Rec. Dublin (1889) I. 410 Such
obprobrious words.. spokyn by Maisteras Mayras. 1558
Reg. St. George's, Canterb., M'res Agnes May, Majoris,
buried in the Church. 1587 in Picton L'pool Munic. Rec.
(1883I I. 105 She whose husband. .hath been Mayor of this
said town.. shall take her place .. nearest to Mri* Maiores
for the time being. 1619 Middleton Tri. Lave <$• Antiq.
C3 This king. .sent to the Lady Maioresse.,2 Harts [etc.].
a 1637 B. Jonson Underwoods lx. Elegy, The Lady Mayr-
esse. 1702 Lond. Gaz. No. 3842/2 She was pleased to
admit Mrs. Mayoress.. to the Honour of kissing Her Ma-
jesty's Hand. 1778 Eng. Gazetteer (ed. 2) s. v. Westbury
on Trim, William Cannings, .built an alms-house here, allow-
ing the mayor of Bristol to put in one of the men, and
Mrs. mayoress one of the women. 1824 Byron Juan xvi.
xlv. note, The mayoress of a provincial town.
2. nonce-use. A woman holding the office of mayor.
1895 M. Amcr. Rev. Sept. 267 When women shall have
become, .mayoresses and alderwomen.
t Mayorhood. Obs. In 6 mayrehod. [f.
Mayor + -hood.] The office of a mayor.
1586 Chron. Gr. Friars (Camden) 5 This year [40 Ed w. Ill]
in January Adam Bury was dyschargyd of hys mayrehod.
Mayorlet (meeulet). rare~\ [f. Mayor +
-let.] A petty mayor.
1837 Carlyle Fr. Rev. II. nr. iv, The Patriotic Mayor or
Mayorlet of the Village of Moret tried to detain them.
Mayorship (me-'-jfip). [f. Mayor + -ship.]
1. The office, position, or dignity of a mayor.
1485 Rolls of Parlt. VI. 357/1 The Offices of Maireshipp
of Glawdstre in Radmoresland. 1544 in E- D- Dunbar
Docum. Moray (1895) 67 The service of the foresaid office of
Mairship vseit and wont to Marie Queen of Scotts. 1578
in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxford (18S0) 395 Suche
parsons as have borne thoffice of Mayorshippe. x6n Cotgr.,
Mairie, a Maiordome, or Mayorship; the office, or place of
a- Maior, or of a village- Maior. 1801 Ranken Hist. France
I. 259 Clotaire consented to confirm him for life in his
mayorship.
2. nonce-use. As a mock title : Your Mayorship.
1822 Scott Pirate xxxiv, If it please your noble Mayor-
ship's honour and glory.
II Mayory. Obs. Also 7 -ery. [f. Mayor + -Y,
after F. mairie, Du. meierif] The district over
which a mayor (Dutch or Swiss) has jurisdiction.
1679 Lond. Gaz. No. 1393/3 The French, .are resolved to
exact the Contributions they demand from the Mayery of
Bolduc. 1705 Ibid. No. 4146/3 The Enemy's Parties .. infest
the Mayory of Boisleduc. 1796 Morse Amer. Geog. II.
322 This republic [Neuchatel] is divided into four chatel-
lanies, and 15 mayories.
Mayple, obs. form of Maple.
Maypole (mei-pM). [f. May j£.3 + Pole sb.]
1. A high pole, painted with spiral stripes of
different colours and decked with flowers, set up
on a green or other open space, for the merry-
makers to dance round on May-day.
In quot. 1597 applied for the nonce to a barber's pole.
1554 in Vicars Anat. (1888) App. iii. 176 That no..per-
sones. .cause to be. .sett vppeny maner of maye pole, .in any
opyn streat. 1597 G. Harvey Trimming T. Nashe Wks.
(Grosart) III. 25 My shoppe in the towne, the teeth that
hange out of my Windowe, my painted may-poole. 1642
i Milton Apol. Smect. Wks. 1851 III. 306 He had the whole
; be vie at command whether in morrice or at May pole. 1702
Lond. Gaz. No. 3783/4 The Wine-Cellar under the Flower-
de-Luce against the May Pole in the Strand. 1863 Cham-
bers' Bk. Days I. 572/2 The May Queen.. was placed in
a sort of bower or arbour near the maypole, there to sit in
pretty state.
b. transf Applied jocularly to a tall object,
esp. a tall slender man or woman.
1590 Shaks. Mids. N. 111. ii. 296 How low am I, thou
painted May-pole? 1611 Rich Honest. Age (Percy Soc.)
37 Such monstrous May-powles of hayre. 1648 J. Raymond
// Merc. Ital. 201 This Place is much frequented by the
Venetian walking May Poles, I meane the women. 1765
E. Thompson Meretriciad led. 6) 33 Maypoles love you
because you're wonderous small. 1773 Goldsm. She stoops
to Conq. 1. ii, The daughter, a tall, trapesing, trolloping,
talkative maypole. 1871 Mrs. H. Wood Dene Hollow i,
He was turned sixty, a lean maypole of a man.
2. a. The American Aloe, Agave americana. b.
The tree Spathelia simplex of Jamaica {Treas. Bot.
1S66).
1750 G. Hughes Barbados 223 The May-Pole ; Lai. Aloe
Americana muricata. 1769 E. IJancrokt Xat. Hist. Guiana
46. 1848 Schombukck /list. Barbados 588.
3. attrib., as maypole dancer, green ; -maypole-
like adj. ; also quasi-adj. - (1) very tall, as may-
pole figure, freshman ; (2) such as are associated
with maypole festivities, as maypole face, virtue.
1610 in yd Rep. /list. MSS. Comm. 57/2 Acting a stage
play.. upon a Maypole green. 1632 Lithgow Trav. ix.
406 What a May pole Dauncer, was lohn 12. ..who made the
Lateran..aplayneStewesor Brothel house, a 1634 Ran dolph
Muses'1 Looking-glass \. i, Will virtues dance? O vile, absurd,
maypole, maid-marian virtue ! 1647-8 Wood Life (O. H. S.)
I. 140, I am none of those May-pole freshmen, that are tall
cedars before they come to be planted in the academian
garden. 1670 J. Smith Eng. Improv. Reviv'dqA, So many
May-pole-like- Trees. 1789 Charlotte Smith Ethelinde
(1814) II. 222 That maypole-like figure. 1902 Lowndes
Camping Sk. 85 We soon descried his maypole figure on the
opposite side against the sky.
Mayr(e, obs.ff. Mayor, Mere sb)- \ Sc.ff.MoRE.
Mays : see Make v.1, Maize.
Mayse : see Maze, Mease.
Maysilles, obs. pi. form of Measle.
Mayson-dew(e, etc, obs. forms of Measondue.
Mayas, Mayst: see Mare vAt May w.i, Most.
Mayster, -ir, -ry, etc. : see Master, etc.
fMaystrial, a. Obs. rare"-1. — Magistral.
1576 Baker Jewell of Health :26 b, A maystrial baulme of
unknowne Aucthour.
Maystries, etc., Mayt, Mayth : see Mais-
trice, Mate, Maugh.
t Mayth, Obs.. In 1 m£g5, 3 Qrmin ma;;]?.
[OE. mse$ str. fern.] A family, race, tribe.
c 1000 /Elfkic Num. i. 4 paera mxjSa ealdras [Vulg. prin-
cipes tribuum]. c 1200 Ormin 7678 Hire faderr Kanuael
Wass off Assxress ma^be.
t MaythevS. Obs. Forms: a. 1 masope,
-ej>e, -aj?e, ma*J>a, 5 mawth. £. 1 mes^epe,
meespa, 4, 6 mathe, 4, 8 maithe, 4-7 maythe,
5 raathge (?), 6-7 mayth. [OK. magofc wk.
fern., msegfia wk. masc, of obscure origin; some
have suggested connexion with OE. msege8 maiden.]
1. Stinking Camomile, A nihemis Cotula. Applied
also to various other composite plants resembling
this, as Anthemis nobilis, Matricaria Chamomilla,
M.inodora, Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum, Pyre-
thrum rarthenium.
c 1000 Sax. Leedul. I. 120 Das wyrte pe man camemelon
6 o5rum naman magepe nemne5. Ibid. II. 140 J?a readan
maRoJjan. Ibid. 206 Wermod & wildre ma^ban wyrttruman.
C1050 Voc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 296/29 Beneolentem, magaSe,
uel camemelon. Ibid. 297/3 Bucstalmum [read Buoftal-
mum\ hwit meeseSe. Ibid., Obtahnon, majeSe. ai7&7
Siuon. Barthol. (Anecd. Oxon.) 10/2 Amarusca, maythe.
Ibid. 16/2 Coculafetida, maythes. 14.. Sloane MS. 5 in
Promp. Parv. 321 note, Amarusca catida, Gall, ameroche,
A ng. maithe. 14 . . Voc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 563/23 A marusa, a
mathge. c 1450 Alphita (Anecd. Oxon.) 45/2 Consolida
7«^#rt,..whit-bothel uel seynt Mary maythe. 14.. \i\Archxo-
logiaXXX. 410 Mawth. 1533 Fitzherb. //».?<$. § 20 Dogge-
fenell and mathes is bcthe one. 1578 Lyte Dodoens u.
xxx. 186, I haue Englished it Unsauerie Camomill, foolish
Mathes, and white Cotula without sauour. 1597 Gerarde
Herbal Tabic Eng. Names, Stinking Mayth, that is Maie
weed. 1614 Markham Cheap Husb. \. Table of Hard Words,
Maythe, is a weede that growes amongst corne, and is
called of some Hogs-Fenneli.
2. Red Maythe{s\ Red or Purple Camomile,
Adonis autumnalis.
1548, 1551 [see Maidweed]. 1597 Gerarde Herbal 11.
lxxiv. 310 Adonis flower is called in Latine Flos Adonis. .
in English we may call it red Maythes. 1713 Petiveu
Catal. Rays Eng. Herbal § v. PI. xxxix. 8 Red Maithes.
Maythen (m^'S'n). Obs. exc. dial. Forms :
4 maj>en, 6 may then, mawthen, 8 maithen, 9
mathen, -an. [Repr. OE. m&£{e)fan, ma^ofan,
oblique case and pi. of nmgepa, magope : see prec.
Cf. Mather(n.] = prec.
c 1325 Gloss. W. de Bibbesiv. in Wright Voc. 162 Ameroke
e gletoner [glossed mathen (maythe) and cloten]. i5*4
Grete H erbatl exxxvii, Consolida media. Maythen. 1597
Gerarde Herbal App., Mawthen is Cotula fetida. 1845
Jml. R. Agric. Soc. V. 11. 431 The mathen and crow-needles
grow more thickly. 1883 Hantpsh. Gloss., Mathan, Anthe-
mis Cotula.
Maythern, variant form of Mathebw.
May-tide ; see Mat z/.1 12.
MAYWEED.
262
MAZE.
Mayweed (m^'wid). \¥ox*maythc-weed : see
Maythe and cf. Maidweed.] = Maythe i.
1551 in Strype Eccl. Mem. II. App. A. 145 That ground,
which . . was most to be nobly adorned with corn, . . now . .re-
plenished with mayweed, thistles, docks. 1573 Tusser Husb.
(1878) 112 The Mayweed doth burn and the thistle doth
freat. 1597 Gerarde Herbal 11. ccxlix. 617, 1 Cotnlafortida.
Maie weede. 2 Cotula lutea. Yellow Maie weede. 1657
C. Beck Univ. Charac. I iv b, Oxe-eye, vid. may weed.
1672 Josselyn Neiv-Eng. Rarities 86 May-weed, excellent
for the Mother; some of our English Housewives call it
Iron Wort. 1758 R. Brown Compl. Fanner (1759) 94 Rub
the place with wormwood, nettles, may-weed. 1892 Jef-
feries Toilers of Field 310 The mayweed fringes the arable
fields with its white rays and yellow centre
Mazagan (marzagaen). [Said to be named
from Mazagan in Morocco, where it grows wild.]
In full mazagan bean : a small early variety of
the broad bean, Faba vulgaris.
1754 Justice Scots Gardiners Director 190 The Mazagan
and the early Lisbon are the earliest kinds ; but I prefer the
Mazagan Bean. 1759 Milker Gard. Diet. fed. 7) s. v. Faba,
The Mazagan Bean is the first and best Sort of early Beans
at present known ", these are brought from a Settlement of
the Portuguese on the Coast of Africa, just without the
Streights of Gibraltar. 1846 J. Baxter Libr. Pract. Agric.
(ed. 4) II. 425 Sow. — Melons, cucumbers, peas, beans, the
broad sorts, or the mazagans, if wanted early.
Mazame (maz£**m). Also niazama. [a. F.
mazame (Buffon), a. Mexican macame (cited in
the Sp. transl. of Hernandez, 1615), pi. of macatl
deer, mistaken for a sing.
The U. S. Diets, give the above pronunciation ; the
original word is (masa'mi).]
1. Used as a name for various American species
of deer ; also applied to the Pronghorn.
By some recent zoologists the mod.L. mazama is used as
the name of a genus including all the American Cervidse.
1791 Smellie tr. Buffon (ed. 3) VII. 31 These roebucks,
or mazames and temamacames of Mexico. 1890 Century
Diet., Mazame. 1. The North American pronghorn. 2.
The pampas-deer of South America.
2. The antilopine Rocky Mountain goat, Oream-
nus or Haphcerus montanus.
Hence the name of ' The Mazamas ', given to a society of
mountain-climbers organized on the summit of Mount Hood
19 July 189* (Gd. Words Feb. 1901, p. 101).
1852 J. E. Gray Cat a/. Specim. Mammalia Brit. Mus.
in. 114 Mazama Americana, The Mazame or Spring-buck.
1871-82 CasselPs Nat. Hist. III. 27 The Mazama or Moun-
tain Goat of California and the Rocky Mountains.
Mazapane, obs. form of Mahchpaxe.
Mazar, obs. form of Mazard sb.'1, Mazer.
Mazard (marzaid), sb.1 Also 7 mazerd, 7-9
mazzard. [app. an alteration of Mazer, by as-
sociation of the ending with the suffix -ard.]
t1. A mazer; a cup, bowl, drinking vessel.
Also at t rib. Obs.
1601 Fulbecke 1st Pt. Parall. 86 The Bseotians did giue
..Bacchus his mazard with a cluster of grapes. 1632 Proc.
Star Chamb. (Camden) 303 In Salisbury they have digged
up an old Bishop out of his grave and have made a mazzard
of his scull. 1696 Aubrey Misc. (1857) 213 They, .drank
good ale in a brown mazard.
2. jocular, arch. a. The head.
1602 Shaks. Ham. v. i. 97 Knockt about the Mazard with
a Sextons Spade. 1621 Molle Camcrar. Liu. Libr. v,
xiv. 376 Certaine young men, hauing their mazerds well
heated with drinking. 1624 Middleton Game at Chess lit.
i. 306 The red hat, fit for the guilty mazzard. 1709 Brit.
Apollo II. No. 39. 3/1 A.. Fellow.. takes me o'er the Ma-
zard. 1876 Browning Pacchiarotto iv, With fancy he ran
no hazard : Fact might knock him o'er the mazard.
b. The face, countenance, 'phiz*.
1762-71 H. Walpolk Vertne's A need. Paint. (1786) IV.
103 His countenance harmonized with his humour, and
Christian's mazard was a constant joke. 1820 Moore Fables
ii. 82 In vain the Court, aware of errors In all the old
established mazards, Prohibited the use of mirrors, And
tried to break them at all hazards.
3. slang. {Anglo-Irish.) The * head ' of a coin.
180a Mar. Edgeworth Irish Bulls 129 ' Music ! ' says he —
* Skull ! ' says I —and down they come three brown mazzards.
Hence f Mazard v. trans., to knock on the head.
a 1616 B. Jonson Love Restored, The rogues let a huge
trap-dore fall o' my head. If I had not been a spirit, I had
been mazarded.
Mazard (marzaid), sb.2 dial. Forms: 6-7
mazar, mazer, 7 massard, 7- mazzard. [Of
obscure origin : possibly a use of prec] In the
s. w. counties, a kind of small black cherry ; in
some other localities applied to the wild cherry ;
also atlrib., as mazard cherry.
1578 Lyte Dodoens vi. 1. 723 The common small Cherries,
or Mazars. 1579 Langham Gard. Health (1633I 136 The
gumme of the mazer or wilde Cherytree. (-1630 Risdon
Suru. Devon. § 322 (1810) 332 A fruit, called mazards here,
elsewhere black cherries. 1676 Lady Fanshawe Mem. (1830)
70 They have, near this town [Barnstaple], a fruit called a
massard, like a cherry, but different in taste. 1782 M. Cut-
ler in Life, etc (1888) I. 90 Set out some mazzard cherries
I brought from Mr. Balch's, at Newbury. 1790 Grose
Prov. Gloss, (ed. 2), Mazards, black cherries. Glouc 1855
Kingsley Westw. Ho! i, ' Red quarrenders ' and mazard
cherries.
Mazare, obs. form of Mazeb.
t Mazarine, sbX Obs. Also 7 mazerine, 8
massereen, mazareen. [Of obscure history.
Phillips 1706 mentions a phrase a la mazarine (not given
by Fr. lexicographers), used to designate a particular mode
of dressing fowls, and possibly f. the name of Cardinal
Mazarin {died 1662) prime minister of France, or of the
Duchesse de Mazarin, who died at Chelsea in 1699. Maza-
rine dish, plate, may perh. be attributive uses of this word.]
a. In early use also mazarine dish, plate : A deep
plate, usually of metal, b. (See quot. 1706.)
1673 Marvell Reh. Transp. n. Wks. (Grosart) III. 451
What ragousts had here been for you to have furnish'd the
Mazarines on your table ! 1674 Lntui. Gaz. No. 863/4 Stoln
. .Seven Mazarine Plates, One Mazarine Plate of a smaller
size, Ten Pottage Plates [etc.]. 1687 Ibid. No. 2237/4 Stolen
. . 18 Plates, 4 deep ones or Mazarines. 1688 Ibid. No. 2315/8
There has been lately stolen out of Her Majesty's Kitchen, a
Silver Mazarine Dish. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Maza-
rines, a kind of little Dishes to be set in the middle of a large
Dish for the setting out of Ragoos, or Fricassies ; also a sort
of small Tarts fill'd with Sweet-meats. 1736 Bailey Housh.
Diet. 234 Put them on a mazarine and bake them. 1747
Mrs. Glasse Cookery xiv. (1796) 224 When that is done,
set it into a massereen, throw sugar all over, and garnish
with orange. 1773 Lond. Chron. 7 Sept. 248/3 Mazareens,
Mazarine (maezarif'n), *£«• and a. Also 7
mazarien, S mazerene, mazarene, 7-9 mazarin.
[Perh. from the name either of Cardinal Mazarin
or of the Duchesse de Mazarin (see prec.) ; but
evidence is wanting. (Not in Fr. Diets.)]
1. In full mazarhie blue : A deep rich blue.
1686 Lond. Gaz. No. 2150/4 The other [saddle] with Gold,
Silver, and Silk, of several Colours, upon Mazarine Blue
Velvet. 1753 Discov. J. Poulter (ed. 2) 16 We sold . .the Ma-
zerene blue Coat for one Pound. 1819 Samouelle Entontot.
Compend. 381 Mazarine blue moth (Ljcarna Cytuon). 1879
J. J. Young Cerani. Art 132 The mazarine blue is similarly
treated.
2. A stuff or a garment of a mazarine blue colour.
1694 Lond. Gaz. No. 3003/4 The Coach was lined with blue
Shag or Mazarien. 1766 [Anstey] Bath Guide ix. 92 Bring
my silver 'd mazarine, Sweetest gown that e'er was seen.
b. A London common-councilman ; so called
from his mazarine blue gown.
1761 Ann. Reg. 238 Mr. — , who was. .a mazarine.. .It is a
sort of nick-name given to the common-councilmenon account
of their wearing mazarine blue silk gowns upon this occasion
(Lord Mayor's day].
3. as adj. Of a mazarine blue colour.
1684 Lond. Gaz. No. 1959/4 He hath or. a Nutmeg colored
Coat, faced with Mazarine Shag at the hands. 1688 Ibid.
No. 2405/4 A bay Nag. .with a Mazarene Saddle. 1866 Geo.
Eliot F. Holt xxxi, Some with the orange-coloured ribbons
and streamers of the true Tory candidate, some with the
mazarine of the Whig.
1 Mazarine, v. Obs. In 7 mazzarine. [Prob.
from the name of the Duchesse de Mazarin : see
Mazarine sb.1] trans. To decorate with lace in
some particular manner.
1694 Acct. for lace supplied to Q. Mary in Mrs. Palliser's
Hist. Lace{igo2) 343 Three yards of lace to mazzarine ye
pinners at 25 shillings.
t Mazarine hood. Obs. (See quot. 1 708.)
1689 Shadwell Bury Fair 11. i, Millener. What d'ye
lack, Ladies? fine Mazarine Hoods, Fontanges, Girdles
[etc.]. 1708 Kersey, Mazarine- hood, a hood made after
a particular fashion, such as was us'd by the Duchess of
Mazarine.
Mazaroth, obs. form of Masorite.
Maz dais ill (marzd/iiz'm). Also Mazdeism.
[f. Avestic mazda, the name of the good principle
(Ahura-mazda, Ormuzd) of ancient Persian theo-
logy.] The ancient Persian religion as taught in
the Avesta ; Zoroastrianism.
1871 P. Smith Anc. Hist. East in. xviii. 384 The Zend-
avesta claims to be the revelation of Mazdeism. x886
Encycl. Brit. XX. 360 Zarathustric religion (Mazdaism).
So Mazde'an, -re an a., pertaining to the religion
of the Avesta; sb. an adherent of this religion.
1880 Darmesteter tr. Zend-Avesta 1. Introd. 42 There
was a Mazdean literature in existence in those times. 18..
J. Milne Relig. Persia in Cycl. Sci. I. 601 The Mazdean's
idea of the resurrection glorified man's body as his eternal
companion.
Maze (m<J>z), sb. Forms: 3-S mase, 4 masse,
4- maze. [See Maze v.]
1 1. The maze. (The use of the article is some-
what difficult to account for, but cf. the similar use
with names of diseases.) Obs.
a. Delirium, delusion ; disappointment.
1297 R-. Glouc. (Rolls) 6585 Wile he sede alle men bat an
erbe wonieb her [>at it nis bote be pure mase \B. masse] eni
kinges poer. C1305 Judas Isiariot 14 in E. E. P. (1862)
107 pis wyf was wel sore adrad ! to hire louerd heo tolde
[her dream] anon }e, he seide, hit is be mase. 136a Langl.
/'. PI. A. in. 155 Heo ledep be lawe as hire luste and loue-
dayes makeb, pe Mase for a Mene mon bau$ he mote euere.
1377 Ibid. B. Prol. 196 Better is a litel losse ban a longe
sorwe pe mase amonge vs alle boua, we mysse a schrewe.
b. Vanity, vain amusement, dissipation.
136a Langl. P. PI. A. 1. 6 Sixt bou bis peple Al hou bisy
bei ben aboute be mase? 14. . How Goode ivyfe 62 in Q. Eliz.
Acad. 46 Go not as it wer A gase Fro house to house, to
seke be mase.
t 2. a. A delusive fancy, b. A trick, deception.
CX374 Chaucer Troylus v. 468 Al this nas but a mase
[7'.r. maze], c 1386 — Null's Pr. T. 273 Men dreme al day
of Owles or of Apes, And of many a maze ther-with-al.
1413-20 Lydg. Chron. Troy v. xxxvii. (1555), All was done
for an ydell mase. 14.. Fyngfy Hermit 417 in Hazl. E.
P. P. I. 29 Hopys thou, I wold for a mase Stond in the
rnyre there ?
3. A state of bewilderment. Obs. exc. dial.
In early examples it is uncertain whether a maze or Amaze
sb. is intended.
1430 [see Amaze sb. 1]. c 1489 Caxton Blanchardyn liv.
221 The faire Beatrix, .stood in a maze. 1535 Jove Apol.
'f indole (Arb.) 48 Orels leue the reder as yt were in hys
Maze. 1577-37 Holinsheu Chron. III. 1139/2 The maze
was such, that besides his sonne maister Arthur Greie. .not
a man else did follow him. 1631 Heywood znd Pt. Faire
Maid of West m. Wks. 1874 II. 374 Six, to the maze Of all
the rest, were slain. 1653 Cloria fy Narcissus 274 Admira-
tion stands at a maze. 1666 Bunyan Grace Ab. § 20 (1900)
302 At this I was put to an exceeding Maze. 171a Sewel
Hist. Quakers (1795) I. iv. 271 That he came to a perfect
recovery from his having been in a maze seems to appear
plainly. 1819 W. Tensant Papistry StornCd (1827) 136
(He] up the street Kade on— in mickle maze I ween, For
fient ae face was to be *-een.
% b. Used by Scott for : Confusing haze.
1813 Scott Trierm. Concl. i, When a pilgrim strays, In
morning mist or evening maze, Along the mountain lone.
4. A structure consisting of a network of winding
and intercommunicating paths and passages ar-
ranged in bewildering complexity, so that without
guidance it is difficult to find one's way in it ; a
labyrinth ; occas. in plural, the windings of a laby-
rinth. Also \nfig. context.
Sometimes loosely applied to a structure in which there is
a single path winding in such a manner that the distance
from the entrance to the end is enormously greater than it
would be in a direct line. (So in quot. 1903.)
61385 Chaucer L. G. W. 2010 Ariadne, The hous is
krynkeled two & fro, And hath so queynte weyis for to go
For it is shapyn as the mase is wrought. 1432-50 tr. Higden
(Rolls) I. 311 In that yle is also oon of the nij. mases [L. de
quatuor labyrinthis]. 1534 More Comf. agst. Trib. 11.
Wks. 1202/2 They walke round about as it were in a round
mase. X577 B. Googf. HeresbacfCs Husb. 11. (1586) 66 Roses
growing in Borders, and made in a maze. 1590 Shaks. Mids.
N. 11. i. 99. 1615 Brathwait Strappado (1878) 104 There
doth grow, A groue of fatall Elmes, wherein a maze, Or laby-
rinth is fram'd. 176a Falconer Shrptor. u. 207 Such arduous
toil sage Daedalus endur'd, In mazes self-invented long im-
mur'd. 1835 Thirlwall Greece v. I. 133 He vanquished
the monster of the labyrinth, and retraced its mazes. X836-9
Dickens Sk. Boz, Seven Dials, The gordian knot was all
very well in its way : so was the maze of Hampton Court :
so is the maze at the Beulah Spa. 1903 G. E. Jeans Handbk.
Line. 222 A maze, called Julians Bower, is cut in the
grassy brow of the cliff.
b. trans/, and Jig.
In i6-i7th c. often in phr. to tread a maze, perhaps with
allusion to 4 c.
1548-5 Brinklow Lament. (1874) 106 Leadynge them in
an endlesse mase of dyrtye tradicyons and folyshe cere*
monyes. 1578 Chr. Prayers i-j To the intent we should not
wander any longer vp and down in the mazes of this world.
1596 Keymis 2nd Voy. Guiana G 4 In the discouerie of
Guiana, you may read both of Oreliano .. and of Berreo,
with others that haue trode this maze, and lost them selues
in seeking to find this countrie. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn.
11. xi. § 1 The trauaile therein taken seemeth to haue ben
rather in a Maze, then in a way. 1615 Crooke Body of
Man 15 The Labyrinthaean Mazes and web of the small
arteries. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 1. x. 42 To lose
us in this maze of error. 1781 Crabbe Library 121 Whether
'tis yours to lead the willing mind Through History's
mazes, and the turnings find. 1837 Disraeli Venetia iv. ii,
They were lost in a delicious maze of metaphor and music
1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. in. I. 347 Bath was . . a maze of
only four or five hundred houses. 187a Black Adv. Phaeton
vi. 74 A tangled maze of bracken and briar.
C. A winding movement, esp. in a dance.
1610 Histrio-m. in. 232 The world doth turn a maze in
fiddy round. 1617 B. Jonson Vision of Delight (near end),
n curious knots and mazes so The Spring at first was
taught to go. 1704 Pope Windsor For. 122 To plains with
well-breath'd beagles we repair, And trace the mazes of the
circling hare. 174a Young Nt. Th. ix. 9 Dancing, with the
rest, the giddy Maze, Where Disappointment smiles at
Hope's Career.
•fd. ? A mode of plaiting the hair. Obs.
1657 R. Ligon Barbadoes 16 Their haire not shorne. .close
to their heads; nor in quarters, and mases.
5. attrib., as maze-like adj. and adv. ; Maze-
Monday dial. (Cornw.), the Monday after pay-day
at a mine (cf. Mazed Monday, Mazed ///. a.)
(E. D. D.) ; t Maze-Sunday dial. (Devon), some
particular Sunday set apart for feasting.
1598 Sylvester Du Bartas 11. ii. iv. Cotumnes 749 The
Maze-like Mean that turns and wends so fair. 1700 T.
Brown Ace. Journ. Exon Wks. 1709 III. 103. I arrived
at Exon.. .The next Day being Sunday, call'd by the Natives
of this Country Maze-Sunday, (and indeed not without some
Reason, for the People look d as if they were Gallied) I was
waked by [etc.]. 1889 Pater G. de Latonr (1896) 35 Its
maze-like crypt, centering hi the shrine of the sibylline
Notre-Dame. 1904 Westm. Gaz. 15 Mar. 1/3, I looked
down on to rows of clipped, regular, hornbeam hedges, with
grass paths between them, maze-like.
Maze (m^»z), v. Forms : 3-6 mase, 5 mayze,
6 mayse, 4- maze. [The vb. and the related
Maze sb. appear before 1300; OE. may have had
*masian vb. or *ma-s, *mase sb. ; a compound
dmasod ( = Amazed) occurs once in the alliterative
phrase ' amasod and amarod' {Be Domes D*ff
125, whence quoted by Wulfstan Horn. 137).
Possible cognates are Norw. dial, mas exhausting labour,
annoying pertinacity, whim, fancy, idle chatter ", masa to be
busy, toil, to pester, worry, to chatter, passive to fall into a
doze ; Sw. mas sluggard, masa to crawl, walk lazily, refl.
to bask, sun oneself.]
1. trans. To stupefy, daze ; to put out of one's
wits; +to craze, infatuate. Chiefly in passive.
Now arch, and dial.
-11300 E. E. Psalter lxxvii[i). 71 [65] And wakened es
Iauerd als slepand, Als mased [Vulg. crapuiatus] of wine
mightand. c 1374 Chaucer .-/ ml. fy Arc. 322, I am so mased
MAZED.
f>at I deye, Arcyte hathe borne aweye be keye Of all my
worlde, and my goode Aventure ! c 1586 — Man 0/ Law's
T. 428 She seyde, she was so mazed 111 the see That she
forgat hir mynde, by hir trouthe. a 1400 Cursor M. 27891
(Cott. Galba) Dronkinhede. .mase a man. .bod for to speke
and do foly ; . . so es his minde mased and mad. c 1400
Destr, Troy 13280 Folis..pat heron the melody [of the
Sirens], so mekill are masit in hert, Lettyn sailis doun slyde,
& in slym fallyn. c 1425 [see Map v.2]. 1530 Palsgr. 633/2
Vou mased the boye so sore with beatyng that he coulde nat
speake a worde. 1563 II. Googr Sonti. (Arb.) 88 Gorgon ..
Who with her Beautie mazed men, and nowe doth raygne
in Hell. 1591 Tronb. Raigne K. John 11. (1611) 79, I am
mad indeed, My heart is maz'd, my sences all foredone.
1610 B. Jonson Alch. v. v, Finding This tumult 'bout my
dore (to tell you true) It somewhat maz'd me. 1658 Manton
Exp. Jude 16 Wks. 1871 V. 318 This is the devil's device,
first to maze people, as birds are with a light and a bell in the
night, and then todrive them into the net. 1716 13. Church
Hist. Philip's War (1865) I. 21 The Pilot yet sat his Horse,
tho' so maz'd with the Shot, as not to have sense to guide
him. 1725 Bradley Fam. Diet. s.v. Milk, Neither should
the Milk-maid . . affright the Cow or maze her. 1820 Scott
Abbot xix, ' The lad is mazed ! ' said the falconer to himself.
1855 A. Manning 0. Chelsea Bun-house xiv. 232 My head
was mazed with my journey. 1863 Mrs. Gaskell Sylvia's
L. III. 100, If I could but think; but it's my head as is
aching so ; doctor, I wish yo'd go, for I need being alone,
I'm so mazed. 1870 Morris Earthly Par. III. iv. 295 Then
said the King, ' 1 he man is mazed with fear \
+ 2. intr. To be stupefied or delirious ; to wander
in mind. Obs.
c 1350 Will. Palerne 438 A fers femtise folwes me oft,..
bat 1 mase al marred for mournyng neish hondes. c 1386
Chaucer Merch. T. 1143 ' Ye maze, maze, goode sire ', quod
she. £1568 Ascham Scholem. 11. (Arb.) 159 All men may
stand still to mase and muse vpon it.
3. trans. To bewilder, perplex, confuse. Often
with some notion of a figurative maze or labyrinth.
1482 Caxton Trcvisa's Higden 1. xxx. 40 b, Who that gooth
in to that hows [a labyrinth] & wolde come out agayn..shal
be so mased that out can he not goo. a 1500 A ssemb. Ladies
38 Other ther were, so mased in her mind, Al wayes [of a maze]
were good for hem, bothe eest and west. 1768 Johnson Pre/.
Shahs. Wks. IX. 245 He who has mazed his imagination in
following the phantoms which other writers raise up before
him, may here be cured of his delirious ecstacies. 1868
Rogers Pol. Econ. Pref, The historian who is ignorant
of the interpretations of political economy is constantly
mazed in a medley of unconnected and unintelligible facts.
rcfl. 1627 W. Sclater Exp. 2 Thess. (1629) 73 Wee maze
our selues sometimes in following Schoolemen.
4. intr. To move in a mazy track, f Also to
maze it.
1591 Sylvester Du Bartas 1. iii. 86 Like as moulten Lead
being poured forth Upon a levell plat of sand or earth, In
many fashions mazeth to and fro. 1756 Langhorne Poems
(1760) 44 Thus silver Wharf. . Still, melancholy-mazing, seems
to mourn. 1760-72 H. Brooke Fool o/Qual. II. 12 Walter
led his., patron though this field and that field;, .till, having
mazed it and circled it for., three hours, he finally conducted
the serjeant to the very gate at which he had first entered.
1865 Carlyle Fredk. Gt. xix. i. (1872) VIII. 108 They struck
their tents every where,,, and only went mazing hither and
thither.
i*b. trans. To involve in a maze or in intricate j
windings; to form mazes upon. Obs.
1606 Sylvester Du Bartas n. iv. 1. Trophcis 1003 Mean- '
der-Hke. .Thou run'st to meet thy self's pure streams behind
thee Mazing the Meads wher thou dost turn & wind thee, j
1654 Whitlock Zootomia To Author A iv, Some maze their j
Thoughts in Labyrinths, and thus Invoke no Reader, but an
Oedipus.
Maze, obs. form of Maize ; var. Mease.
Mazed (rruTizd), ///. a. [f. Maze v. + -ei>1.]
In senses of the verb : Stupefied, dazed, crazed ;
bewildered, confused ; f terrified.
Mazed Monday (dial. Cornw.) : {a)~ Maze- Monday (Maze
sb. 5) ; (b) the Monday before Christmas (E.D.D.).
c 1350 Will. Palerne 884 So witerly was bat word wounde
to hert, bat he ferd as a mased man an marred nei} honde.
1493 Festivall (W. de W. 1515) 71b, They.. walked up &
downe in_y° countre lyke mased beestes. 1596 Spenser
F. Q. v. viii. 38 Like mazed dearcthey flew. 1613 Shaks.
Hen. Vlll, 11. iv. 185 Many maz'd considerings, did throng
And prest in with this Caucion. 1755 Wesley Wks. (1872)
II. 342, I said 'To be sure it is some mazed man'. 1830
Mrs. Bray Fitz o/F. iii. (1884) 28 He had very much the
appearance of what the country people here call a mazed
man. 1836 Keble in Lyra Apost. (1849) 222 The voice in-
effable Wakening your mazed thoughts with an Almighty
spell.
Hence f Ma'zedly adv., f Ma*zedness.
c 1386 Chaucer Clerk's T. 1005 She ferde as she had stert
out of a sleepe, Til she out of hire mazednesse abreyde, |
14. . Hoccleve Min. Poems {1892) 44 Syn my spirit nat dar
putte vp his bille,..But in his mazidnesse abydith stille.
1530 Palsgr. 243/2 Masydnesse, ?nusardie, desuere, effroy.
Mazeful (m^'zful), a. Obs. exc arch. [f.
Maze sb. + -ful.] Bewildering, confounding.
1595 Spenser Epithal. 190 And stand astonisht lyke to
those which red Medusaes mazeful hed. 1897 F. Thompson
Neiu Poems 3 It was a mazeful wonder.
Mazels, obs. pi. of Measle sb.
Mazelyn, variant of Maselin Obs., a mazer.
Mazement (m^i-zment). Also 6 masement.
[f. Maze v. + -ment.] Stupor ; a state of stupor
or trance. Also = Amazement.
^1580 MuNDAY^rVw Sundry Examples (Shaks. Soc.
1851) 97 Call to mind the greevous and suddain Earthquake
..which caused such a mazement through the whole Citie.
1598 Tofte Alba (1880) 72 Though that it be such As euery
eye with masement it doth fill. 1727 Bailey vol. II, Maze-
ment, amazement. 1890 W. A. Wallace Only a Sister 167
Just wait till I get near you, and we'll see if I can't find
263
another mazement for you. 1901 Kipling Kim xi. 264 A
very few white people, but many Asiatics, can throw them-
selves into a mazement as it were by repeating their own
names over and over again to themselves.
Mazer (mt7i-z3i),^. Obs. exc. Hist. Forms: 3-
mazer, 4-9 maser. Also 2-3 mazere, 4 mazre,
4-5 maseer(e, 5 mausure, maaour, masowyr,
5-6 masar, masere, 6 meyser, mas(s)or, masser,
masure, mazur, mazare, 6-7 mazor, mazar.
[a. OF. masere, masre {inasdre, madre, whence F.
madrt veined, variegated) used in senses 1 and 2 ;
of Teut. origin : cf. OIIG. masar excrescence on a
tree (glossing L. tuber, nodus), MHG. maser ex-
crescence on a tree, maple, drinking cup, mod.G.
maser markings in wood ; MDu. maeser maple ;
ON. mgsur-r maple {:—*masur-oz).
The Teut. root *mas-, *m£'s-, expressing the notion of
'spot' or 'excrescence', is found also in OHG. tndsa
(MHG. tniise) cicatrix, spot on the body, early niod.Du.
mase, masse spot, mesh (Du. viaas mesh, maashout maple-
wood) ; Norw. dial, masa to grain, paint in imitation of the
grain of wood ; and the words cited s.v. Measle.
The Welsh masam maple, sycamore, is certainly from
English, though the evidence of the use of mazer in this
sense in Eng. is somewhat scanty.]
1. A hard wood (? properly maple; but cf. quot.
c 1500 in b) used as a material for drinking cups.
c 1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 163 De caliz [is] of tin ; and hire
[the priest's concubine's] nap of mazers. 1419 Willo/Moun-
ford (Somerset Ho.\ Ciphum de mazer legatum cum ar-
gento. 1593-1656 Rites <y Man. Ch. Durh. (Surtees 1903) 80
The goodly Cup called Sl Ueedes Bowl, the outside whereof
was of black Mazer.
t b. The tree yielding this wood. Obs. rare.
14.. Metr. Voc. in Wr.-Wuicker 629 [In list of trees]
Iuniparus, labru&caque, mirra, jenupyrtre wyld vyne ma-
sere. 1483 Cath. Augl. 229/2 A Maser, cantarus, murra ;
murrens ; mutpis (A. tnurrtts) A rbor est. c 1500 in Turner
Dom. Archil. 1. 144 note, Take many rype walenottes and
water hem a while, and put hem in a moiste pytt, and hile
hem, and ther shalbe grawe therof agrett stoke that we calle
masere. 1547 Salksbury Welsh Diet., Masam, Masar.
2. A bowl, drinking-cup, or goblet without a
foot, originally made of ' mazer ' wood, often richly
carved or ornamented and mounted with silver and
gold or other metal. Often applied to bowls
entirely of metal or other material.
1311 in Archxol. (1887) L. 1. 176,] mazer cum pede ar-
genteo. c 1330 R. Bruhnb Chron. Wace (Rolls) 11418 He
gaf..Somme masers of riche pris. 1420 E. E. Wills (1S82)
46 Also .i. bord mausure with a bond of seluer. 1424 Ibid.
56, I wull he haue my maser of a vine rote. 1530 Burgh
Rec. Edinb. (1871) II. 39 A masser of siluer ourgilt. 1555
W. Watreman Fardle Facions 11. ix. 193 Of the Skulles of
the heades thus slaine, thei [Scithians] make masures to
drincke in. 1579 Spenser She/h. Cal. Aug. 26 A mazer
ywrought of the Maple warre. 1645 Evelyn Diary 25 Jan.,
They shew'd us. .mazers of beaten and solid gold set with
diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. i697Di<YnEN Virgil{\-]i\)
I. Ded. 13 One of his Shepherds describes a Bowl, or Mazer,
curiously carved. 1814 Scott Ld. 0/ Isles v. xxxiv, ' Ilring
here *, he said, ' the mazers four'. 1851 D. Wilson Prch.
Ann. (1863) II. iv. ix.488 The royal Mazer, or convivial bowl.
fig. 1629 Z. Uoyd Last Battell 1123 Take now the Cuppe
of Saluation, the great Mazer of his mercie.
f 3. The head ; = Mazard sb.1 2. Obs.
1581 J. Bell H addons Answ. Osor. 77 b, Being imagined
in your own braynsicke mazer, a 1652 Brome Love-sick
Court iv. iii, So wilt thou whilst thou canst lift thy bottle To
that old Mazer.
b. trans/. A helmet.
1591 Sylvester Du Bartas 1. iv. 614 Hardy Laelius.. All in
gilt armour, on his glistring Mazor A stately plume, of Orange
mixt with Azur.
4. attrib. and Comb. : + mazer-band, the silver
binding of a mazer; mazer bowl, cup, -dish =
2; f mazer tree = lb; mazer wood, = sense 1.
1441 in Arclixol. (1887) L. 1. 187 Unum *maserband. 1562-3
Ibid. 193 A*masar bole wth a border of sylver and gilt abowt
ytt. 1590 Spenser F. Q. 11. xii. 49. 1686-7 Aubrey Rem.
Gentilism # Judaism (1881) 35 A Mazar-bowle of maple
(Gossips bowle) full of beer. 1434 E. E. Wills (1882) 101 A
litil *maser coppe. 1656 Tradescant Mns. Tradesc. 52
*Mazer dishes. ?c 1475 Sqr. Lowe Degre 689 She. .closed
hym in a *maser-tre. 1595 Duncan App. Etymol. (E.D.S.) 66
Acer, the maser tree. 1656 Tradescant Mus. Tradesc. 44
The plyable *Mazer wood, being warmed in water will work
to any form.
Hence f Mazer v. trans., — Mazard v.
1596 Nashe Saffron-Walden V4 He terrefies mee with
insulting * hee was Tom Burwels the Fencers Scholler, and
that he will squeaze and mazer me whensoeuer he met me'.
Mazer, Mazerd, obs. ff. Mazard sb.- and sb.1
Mazerine, obs. form of Mazarine sb.^
Mazey, Mazi, variants of Mazy a. and sb.
Mazil, obs. form of Measle.
Mazily (m^-zili), adv. [f. Mazy a. + -ly 2.]
In a mazy manner.
(£1225 Ancr. R. 272 J>e bimasede Isboset, lo ! hwu he
dude maseliche IMS. T. masedliche]. 1839 Bailey Festus
xviii. (1852) 226 While six sister goddesses mazily tread The
bright fields of air. 1855 S. Brooks Asf>en Crt. I. x. 144
Those mazily cut Valentines one sees in windows. 1864
Tennyson Milton, The brooks of Eden mazily murmuring.
MazineSS (m^i'zines). [f. Mazy a. + -ness.]
The state or condition of being mazy.
1847 in Webster. 1857 R. H. Patterson Ess. Hist. $ Art
(1862) 435 This peculiar feature.. gives to Indian mythology
a haziness and maziness which set arrangement and strict
definition at defiance.
MAZY.
Ma'zing, vbl. sh. [f. Maze v. + -ra<ji.] The
action of causing amazement, astonishment.
1600 S. Nicholson Acplastus (1876) 39 Sweeping they
came, and seemd to brush the ground, Their tipto-tripping
pace bred double mazing, Their ratling silkes my sences did
confound.
Mazing (Wi-zirj), ppl, a. [f. as prec. + -ing 2.]
Causing confusion, bewilderment, or perplexity.
c 1449 Pecock Repr. 11. xiv. 230 He schal ful ofte bi masing
studle be ful idil, whanne he my^te be weel and fruytlulli
occupied. 1556 '. HeYWOOD Spicier ,<j- F. lviii. 30 This ant
. .Hath cast manic m.ising mists before your iyse. 1623 tr.
Famine's Theat. Hon. VI. v. 132 Clewes, to guide us out of
these mazing Labyrinths. 1833 Pliilol. Museum II. 442
Thet mazing and dazzling power of a rich system of har-
monies.
Mazo- (nvi'zo), used as comb, form of mod.L.
niclza placenta, a. Gr. /ia£a cake. || Mazocaco-
thesis nviiztfk-a'kfb/sis) [Gr. /ret/cos bad + Biaii
a placing], malposition of the placenta ; hence
Mazocacothe-tic a. || Mazolysis (m^z^lisis)
[Gr. AtW a loosing], the separation or detach-
ment of the placenta ; hence Wazolytic a.
|| Mazopathia i,m<T>Z(<parJ>ia) [Gr. ndeos suffering,
feeling: see -pathv], a disease of, or originating
from, the placenta; hence Mazopa'thic a.
1856 in Mayne Expos. Lex.
II Mazodynia (mt-izAtai-nia). Med. [mod.L.,
f. Gr. /wif-or breast + Mv-q pain.] =Mastodynia.
1850 Birkett Bis. Breast 18 The severe neuralgic affec-
tion comprehended under the term mazodynia.
t Mazo'logy. [f. Gr. tm^',-s breast + -logy.
Cf. Mastoloqy.] Brewster's substitute for Mam-
malogy.
1807-29 Edinb. Encycl. XIII. 393/1 Mazohgy. -is that
branch of zoology which treats of the class of mammiferous
animals. 1828-32 Webster, Mazology, . . the doctrine or
history of mammiferous animals.
IIcnceMazolo-g,ical«. = MA3lMAL0GlCAi.; Mazo'-
logist = Mammalogist.
1807-29 Edinb. Eitcycl. XIII. 393/2 The two most eminent
mazologists of antiquity are Aristotle and Pliny. 1828-32
Webster, Mazologtcal, . . Mazologist.
Mazor, obs. form of Mazer.
Mazorete, -etioal, obs. ff. Masorete, -ettcal.
Mazouelle. Antiq. -=Masuel.
1857 Archxol. Jrnl. XIV. 281 A German mazouelle of steel.
Mazoun, obs. form of Mason s6A
Mazourca, -ka, obs. forms of Mazurka.
Mazuca, Mazur: see Masooka, Mazer.
Mazurka (mazwuka, mazuouka). Also 9 mi-
zurko, mazourca, mazourka. [a. Polish ma-
zurka woman of the Polish province Mazovia. In Fr.
masurka, mazurka, -curia, -tirke, Ger. masurka.]
1. A lively Polish dance resembling the polka;
the music is in triple time.
1818 T. CrESVEY in Sir H. Maxwell Papers etc. (1904) I.
283 My delight was to see the Mizurko danced by Madame
Suwarrow and her brother the Prince Nariskin. 1831 Society
I. 306 A large party had assembled there., to practice the
Mazourca. 1842 Motley Corr. (1889) I. iv. 116 He is at
all the parties perpetually, and perpetually dancing the
mazurka. 1885 Mabel Collins Prettiest woman x, The
after-supper-dance is called the White-Mazurka, because it is
kept up till the daylight is broad and clear.
2. A piece of music intended to accompany this
dance, or composed in its rhythm.
1854 Thackeray Newcomes xxviii, The Austrian brass
band. .plays the most delightful mazurkas and waltzes.
Mazy (nur,-zi), a. Forms : 6 macy, 6-7 mazie,
7 mazi, 7, 9 mazey, 7- mazy. [f. Maze sb, + -y 1. ]
1. Resembling or of the nature of a maze ; full
of windings and turnings.
1579 Spenser Sheph. Cal. Dec. 25, 1 wont toraunge amydde
the mazie thickette. 1598 Sylvester Du Bartas 11. i. 1. Eden
510 Not treading Sin's false mazy measures. i6is_Crooke
Body of Man 465 A mazey laberynth of small veines and
arteries. 1667 Milton P. L. ix. 161, L.prie In every Bush
and Brake, where hap may finde The serpent sleeping, in
whose mazie foulds To hide me. 1714 Pope Rape of Lock
II. 139 Some thrid the mazy ringlets of her hair. 1728 —
Dune. 1. 68 Pleas'd with the madness of the mazy_ dance.
1797 Coleridge A'tt<5/<* A7/a« 25 Five miles meandering with
a mazy motion., the sacred river ran. 1844 Hood Haunted
Ho. xxxiii, The cobweb hung across in mazy tangle. 1888
Bryce Amer. Comvnv. (1890) II. lxi. 434 It is hard to keep
one's head through this mazy whirl of offices, elections [etc.].
b. Moving in a maze-like course.
1725 Pope Odyss. XVII. 355 With him the youth pursu'd the
goat or fawn, Or trae'd the mazy leveret o'er the lawn.
C. as sb. jocular. Short for ' the mazy dance '.
1840 Dickens OldC. Shop Hi, In remembrance of her with
whom I shall never again thread the windings of the mazy.
2. spec, in Min. Having convoluted markings.
1811 Pinkerton Pctral. I. 465 Mazy alabastrite, of a deep
brown, with lighter veins.
3. Giddy, dizzy, confused in the head. dial.
c 1510 Songs (MS. Royal, App. 58) in Anglia XII. 268 My
hed is all macy and meruelowsly dothe werke. c 1746 Col-
lier (Tim Bobbin) Vino Lane. Dial. Wks. (1862) 45 Sum-
heaw it made meh meazy. 1896 Daily Neil's s Sept. 2/4
Deceased seemed to have accidentally fallen in [the water],
probably during a ' mazy bout ', she being subject to severe
headaches.
4. Comb.
1728-46 Thomson Spring 576 Oh pour The mazy-running
soul of melody Into my varied verse.
M.B.
Mazzard, Mazzarine. see Mazard, Ma-
zarine v.
M.B. (em be). [Abbreviation of ' Mark of the
Beast' (see Mark so.1 ii c, Beast si. •;), used
with jocular allusion to the popular view that this
garment was a badge of ' Popery '.] M.B. -waist-
coat : a kind of waistcoat with no opening in front,
wom by Anglican clergymen (originally, c 1840,
only by adherents of the Tractarian party, but
afterwards by many belonging to other schools).
1853 Conybeare in Edinb. Rev. Oct. 315 Who does not
recognise, .the stiff and tie-less neckcloth, the M.R. coat
and cassock waistcoat [etc.]. 1874 [see Mark sb.1 ii c]. 1876
Mrs. Oliphant Phcebe Jun. xvi. (1877) 114 He smiled supe-
rior at the folly which stigmatised an M.B. waistcoat.
M.B., abbreviation of L. Medicinx Baccalaurens
bachelor of medicine: see B (the letter) III. 1.
M.D. Abbreviation of Latin Medicinal Doctor
doctor of medicine : see D (the letter) III. 3.
Often used colloq. (pronounced em &i) for : One
holding the degree of M.D. , a physician.
'755 'n Johnson. 1766 Reid Let. Wks. I. 47/1, I think
our surgeons eclipse our M.D's. 1888 Mai-leson Mew.
(ed. 2) I. 209 She gave bonds for her appearance when called
upon, in order to save her trunks from seizure, which the
M.D. had threatened.
Me (mf, mz°, mi), pers. pron., 1st pers. sing.,
ace. and dat. Forms: 1- me; also 1 (ace.) mec,
Northumb. meeh, meh, 3-4 mi, 4-7 mee, 8-9
dial, (unstressed) ma. [The OE. me accus. re-
presents, like OFris. mi, OS. mi, me (Du. mij),
L. me, Gr. (fit, fit, Olrish me (mod. Irish mi),
Welsh mi, the bare stem, OAryan *eme-, *me-,
from which in all the Indogermanic langs. the
oblique cases of the pronoun of the 1st pers. sing,
are formed. OE. had also a form mec (which did
not survive into ME.), corresp. to OFris. micli,
OS. mik (MDu. mik), OHG. mi/i (MHG., mod.G.
rnich^, ON. mik (Sw., Da. mig), Goth, mik :— Pre-
Teut. *mege ( = Gr. ipiyi), in which a limiting
particle *ge ( = Gr. ye, ' at least ') is added to the
simple accus. The OE. me dative corresponds to
OFris. mi, mir, OS. mi (MDu. mi, mod.Du. mij),
OHG., mod.G. mir, ON. mir, Goth, miz :— Pre-
Teut. *mes ; the final s, which is the sign of the
dative also in the Teut. pronouns of the 2nd pers.
sing., has not been explained with certainty, but
Brugmann has suggested that it may have arisen
from the analogy of the Pre-Teut. *>ies (Skr. nas),
the stem of the 1st pers. plural, which was used
uninfiected as a dative, and of which Teut. *mis
(Eng. Us) is an ablaut-variant.]
I. The accusative and dative form of the pro-
noun of the first person /.
1. Accusative, as direct object.
Beowulf 447 gif mec deao nimeS. ctfcfl Lindisf. Gosp.
Matt. x. 32 Ejhuelc. .se6e Re-ondetas meh [C975 Rushw.
mec, c 1000 Ags. Gosp. mel before monnum. a 1*50 Olul <5*
Night. 160 Ich wiste wel |>at bou me misraddest. 136a
Langl. P. PI. A. vii. 88 He is holden, Ich hope to haue me
in Muynde. 1470-85 Malory Arthur vn. xxxii. 264 Spare
me not to morne when I haue restyd me. 1535 Fisher Wks.
(E. E. T. S.) I. 382 He wil not forsake me nor suffer mee to
perish. 1611 Bible Ruth \. 20 Call me not Naomi, call mee
Marah. 176a Bickerstaff Love in Village I. x. (1765) 20
Well, my lad, are you willing to serve the king? Country-
man. Why, can you list ma? 183a Tennyson CEnone 38
Hear me, for I will speak.
2. Dative, a. As indirect obj. ; also (now rare
exc. arch.) in dependence on certain impers. vbs.
(cf. Meseems, Methinks, List vX), adjs., and ad vs.
Peowutf2t55 Me dis hildesceorp Hroftgar sealde. c 1175
Lamb. Horn. 113 Her is min child be me is swioe leof.
a 1300 Cursor M. 361 1 Dar-efter now mi langes sare. 1390
Gower Con/. I. 45 So hard me was that ilke throwe That
[etc.]. ( 1440 York Myst. viii. 15 Me repentys and rewys
for-bi. 1533 More Debell. Salem Wks. 1024/1 Me nedeth
neuer to loke more for that matter. 1654-66 Earl Orrery
Parthen. (1676) 343 Those strange Accidents which had
arrived me. 1666 Boyle Orig. Formes <y Qual. 395 The
quantity presented me was less inconsiderable. 1898 Rider
Haggard Dr. Theme 21 Will you lend it me?
b. As dat. of interest (=/or me), chiefly in
commands, arch.
C050 Lindisf. Gosp. John xiii. 8 Ne Suoas ou me [Vulg.
mihi\ foet. c 1385 Chaucer L. G. IV. 46 In myn bed there
dawith me no day That I ne am vp. 14. . Tundale's fis.
87 Loke me my sparthe, where ever it stonde. 1603 Shaks.
Meas.for M. 11. i. 121 Come me to what was done to her.
171a Addison Sped. No. 488 p 2 A large Family of Daugh-
ters have drawn me up a very handsome Remonstrance.
1765 Stkrne Tr. Shandy WW. xliii, Tie me up this tress
instantly. 1849 M. Arnold Sick King in Bokhara 45 Prick
me the fellow from the path !
c. Used expletively in passages of a narrative
character. (The so-called ethical dative.) arch.
Formerly often in vulgar or colloq. phrases (now obs.) such
as ' then says me I ', ' what did me I but ', etc.
13.. _ Gaw. <$■ Gr. Knt. 1905 pay fel on hym alle, & woried
me bis wyly wyth a wroth noyse. 1535 Goodly Primer,
Passion iv, But Peter .. cometh me back again unto the
fire, c 1500 Robyn Mode II. St. 100 (Child) Here be the best
coresed hors That euer yet sawe I me. 1596 Shaks. Merch.
V. 1. iii. 85 The skilfull shepheard pilM me certaine wands.
1697 Vanbrugh rEsop 1. 11. 1 I'se get our wife Joan to be
264
the queen's chambermaid; and then— crack says me I!
and forget all my acquaintance. 1724 Swift Prometh.
Wks. 1755 III. 11. 151 Prometheus once this chain [of gold]
purloin'd, Then whips me on a chain of brass. 1830 Lamb
Elia Ser. 1. Oxf. in Vac., With great exactitude of purpose
he enters me his name in the book.
3. Governed by a preposition.
£950 Lindisf. Gosp. John vi. 35 Se5e fcelefes on mech
[Rushw. mec]. c 1200 Ormin 237 puss hafepb Drihhtin don
wibb me. a 1250 Owl fy Night. 367 {>u liest on me hit is
isene. c i$f$Cariticum de Creatione n in Horstm. Altengl.
Leg: (1878) 124/1 pe rode treo pat god on deyde for 30W &
meo. 1470-85 Malory Arthur vm. xxiii. 307, I pray to
god that he neuer be.. shamed for me. 1616 B. Jonson
Forest ix, Drink to me, onely, with thine eyes. 1642
Chas. I Sp. Wrks. 1662 I. 401 You see that My Magazine is
going to be taken from Me. 17x1 Steele Sped. No. 79 r 2
The Writer will do what she pleases for all me. 1816 J. Wil-
son City 0/ Plague 1. i. 101 A voice comes to me from its
silent towers.
4. Qualified by an adj.
a 1586 Sidney ^Arcadia 11. (1590) 179 b, Vntil you came,
! after so many victories to make a conquest of poore me.
1608 Shaks. Per. 1. iv. 69 To. .make a conquest of vnhappie
■ mee. 1646 Crashaw Poems 149 And full of nothing else
1 but empty me. 1809 Malkin Gil Bias x. x, As for poor
1 little me, . . I was sent to the foundling hospital.
5. Reflexive ( = myself, to or for myself). Now
! chiefly arch, and poet.
a 1000 Juliana 452 (Gr.)pasr ic swipe me pyslicre ser pra^e
ne sewende. a 1200 Moral Ode 6 penne ich me bi-benche
wel sare ich me adrede. a 1225 Leg. Kath. 480 Ich.. toe
me him to lauerd. c 1386 Chaucer Pars. T. f 235, I pur-
: posed fermely to shryue me. c 1570 Pride fy Loivl. (1841)
I 61 Thinking to me they meant to gone us by. 1665 Hooke
] Microgr. Pref. f, I provided me a Tube of Brass. 1703
; Rowe Ulyss. 11. i, Methought I found me by a murm'nng
: Brook. 1819 Keats La Belle Dame 44 And I awoke, and
1 found me here. 1859 Tennyson Marr. Geraint 281 Where
■ can I get me harbourage for the night? 1867 Macfarren
, Harmony vi. (1876) 209, I must content me with the bare
statement.
6. F or the nominative, a. Chiefly predicative;
as subject now only dial, and vulgar.
In uneducated speech commonly used where the pron.
forms with another pron. or a sb. the subject of a plural verb.
a 1500 in Arnolde Chron. (181 1) 108 Be it knowen toalmen
by theis presentis me, T. H. of Oxenford glouar, ordeyne
i [etc.]. 1519 in Charters, etc. Peebles (1872) 49 Be it kennit
tyll all men be thir present letteres, me James Baroune . .
grantis me to haif rasawit [etc.]. 1591 Shaks. Two Gent. \\.
iii. 25 Oh, the dogge is me, and I am my selfe. 1733 Swift
Apol. Wks. 1755 IV. 1. 209 To dine with her ! and come at
j three ! Impossible ! it can't be me. 1758 Goldsm. Mem.
\ Prot. (1895) I. 201 There was left surviving only me. 1865
j Dickens Mut. Fr. 1. viii, Me and Mrs. Boffin stood the poor
j girl's friend. 1886 Besant Childr. Gideon 11. xxvii, We're
' an easy-going lot, me and my friends. 1893 [see Him 3].
b. After as, than.
1606 Shaks. Ant. $ CI. 111. Hi. 14 Is she as tall as me?
1748 Richardson Clarissa I. x. 58, I am fitter for this world
than you, you for the next than me. 1804 Byron Let.
2 Nov., Lord Delawarr is considerably younger than me.
fc. In the absolute participial construction. Obs.
C1450 tr. De Imitatione in. v. 69 These folke, me beyng
displesed [L. me els adversante], ofte tymes fallen into gret
temptacions. 1671 Milton Samson 463 Dagon hath pre-
sum'd, Me overthrown, to enter lists with God.
7. In various exclamatory uses, without definite
syntactical relation to the context.
a. In interjectional phrases, as Ah me I Ay vie !
0 mel Dear mel \ Fore mel + God's mel etc.
See also Body sb. 4, God sb. 8 b.
1589 Greene Menaphon (Arb.) 66 Ay me vnhappie. 1591-
i860 [see Ay 2]. 1601 B. Jonson Poetaster \, i, Gods a' me \
1607 Shaks. Cor. 1. i. 124 What then? Fore me, this Fellow
speakes. 1610 [see O2]. 1632 Rowley IVow. never vext
iv. 59 Bob. O me my shame ! I know that voyce full well.
Ibid. 60 O me, mine Vncle sees me ! 1798 in Spirit Pub.
yrn/s. (1799) II. 216 Dear me ! 0 la ! Good me ! 1819
Keats Si, Agnes xii, Alas me ! flit ! Flit like a ghost away.
b. In imitation of Latin uses (e.g. me miseruml).
1667 Milton P. L. 11. 73 Me miserable ! which way shall
1 Hie Infinitewrauth, and infinite despaire? 1889 Browning
Pope <V Net iii, ' Unworthy me ! ' he sighs : ' From fisher's
drudge to Church's prince — it is indeed a rise \
C. In surprised interrogation = * Do you mean me?'
1600 Shaks. A. Y.L. 1. iii. 44 And get you from our Court.
Bos. Me Vncle. Duk. Vou Cosen. 1760 Foote Minor m.
(1767)72 What says your father I Sir Will, Me ! Oh, I'll
shew you in an instant. 1782 Miss Burney Cecilia iv. vii,
Then, turning to Miss Larolles, 'Don't you dance?' he
said. ' Me ? ' cried she, embarrassed, ' yes, I believe so.*
d. Vulgarly, and me . . , m * especially con-
sidering that I am . . , \
Cf. the similar use of/, as in Bums Banks 0' Doon, And
I sae weary, fu1 o1 care.
1812 Mar. Edgeworth Absentee xi, Which would be hard
on us and me a widow. 1864 G. Meredith Emilia xv, And
twenty shindies per dime we've been havin', and me such a
placable body, if ye'Il onnly let m* explode.
e. Followed by an inf. in exclamations of surprise
or indignation at some proposal or statement.
So F. moi. The nom. / is considered more grammatical.
1885 J. K. Jerome On the Stage 16 ' Me ! me pay ! ' I ex-
claimed, rendered ungrammatical by surprise. What for?'
8. quasi-j^. Personality, individuality ; Ego.
1828 Carlvle Misc. (1857) I. 86 Haunted and blinded by
some shadow of his own little Me. 1855 Bain Senses $■ Int.
11. i. § 12 A not me as opposed to the me of passive sensi-
bility and thought.
t Me , indef. pron. Obs. Also 4 ma. [A further
reduced form of Men pron., weakened from Man
pron.] « One 21.
MEAD.
CIX75 Lamb. Horn. 17 Hit is riht pet me hem spille.
a 1225 Aucr. B. 54 pus, ofte, ase me sei5, of lutel wacse3
muchel. r 1380 Sir Ferumb. 2828 Ma calp me Gyoun of
Borgoygne. 1426 Audelay Poems 9 To do as thou woldest
me dud oy the. c 1483 Caxton Dialogues 6/20 Thinges That
ben vsed after the hous, Of whiche me may not be withoute.
t Me, ? int. or conj. Obs. [Of obscure origin :
some have compared the MDu., MLG. ment ' but '
(whence Da. men, Sw. man in the same sense),
but it is doubtful whether this is connected.] A
particle (exclamatory or adversative) employed
(mainly in texts of the ' Katherine group ') to
introduce a question, or (less commonly) a state-
ment : = ' lo ', ' now ', ' why \
a 1225 Leg Kath. 327 Me hwat is mare madschipe pen for
to leuen on him. a 1240 Ureisun in Cott. Horn. 185 Me nis
he fol chapmon be bub deore a wac bing [etc.].
Mea, Sc. variant of Mo ( = more) Obs.
Meace, Meach, obs. ft. Mess sb., Miche.
T Mea'COCk. Obs. Forms : 6maycocke, mey-
cocke, mecock(e, meicocke, 6-7 meacock(e. [Of
obscure origin : perh. orig. a name of some bird (cf.
quot. 1575). (The suggestion that it is f. Meek a.
is untenable.)]
1. An effeminate person ; a coward, weakling.
1526 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 69 b, He sholde be no
cowarde, no maycocke, no fearfull persone that dare nothynge
enterpryse. 1563-87 Foxe A. <y M. (1596) 394/2 [The bishop]
rebuked the maior and his brethren for mecocks and das-
tards. 1575 R. B. Appius <$- Virginia B, As stout as a
Stockefish, as meeke as a mecocke. 1590 Tarlton's Neivs
Purgat. 39 Shee found fault with him, because he was
a meacocke and a milkesoppe. 1640 Glapthorne Hol-
lander 11. Wks. 1874 I. 98 They are like my husband,
meere meacocks verily. 1719 D'Urfey Pills (1872) IV. 14
For my part I will no more be such a Meacock To deal with
the plumes of a Hyde-Park Peacock. 1834 Sir H. Taylor
Arte7-elde\\\. ii, A bookish nursling of themonks— ameacock!
2. attrib. passing into adj- Effeminate; cowardly.
1587 Churchyard Worth. J£Wcj (1876)41 Yonder effemi-
nate and meycocke people. 1601 Chester Lovers Mart.
(N. Shaks. Soc.) 59 Let vs giue onset on that meacocke
Nation. 1639 G. Daniel Vervic. 176 Shall .. Warwicke
keepe The strength of Callice ? meacocke King, you sleepe.
Mead 1 (mfd). Forms : a. 1 medo, meodu,
3-7 mede, 4 meed, meode, 5 med, meyde, 6
meade, 6-7 St. meid, 6- mead. £. 3-4 meth,
4-5 meeth, 4-6 methe, 6 meedth, 6-7 meathe,
6-8 meath. [Com. Teut. and Aryan : OE. meodu
str. masc. = OFris., MLG., MDu. mede (Du.
mede , mee) , OHG. metu , mitu (MHG. mete ,
met, mod.G. met), ON. mipS-r (Da. mijd, Sw.
mjbd), Gothic *midu-s (not recorded exc. in Gr.
transcription as /xt'Soy, given by Priscus as the name
at the Hunnish court a.d. 448 for the drink which
there took the place of wine) :— OTeut. *medu-z :—
OAryan *medhu-s ; cf. Skr. mddhu neut., honey,
sweet drink, OS1. medii honey, wine, I.ith. midii-s
mead, medus honey, Gr. piBv wine, Olrish mid,
genit. meda, Welsh medd. The word may have
been orig. an elliptical use of an adj. meaning
1 sweet ' ( = Skr. mddhu adj.).
The /3 forms may be partly from ON. and partly from
Welsh ; with regard to the latter cf. the adoption from
Welsh of the synonymous (but unrelated) Metheglin.]
An alcoholic liquor made by fermenting a mixture
of honey and water : also called metheglin.
The distinction alleged in quot. 1609 (under |3) was prob.
merely a figment of the writer's own.
a. Beo7vul/6o4 (Gr.) Gap eft, se be mot, to medo modis.
a 1000 Riddles xxi. 12 (Gr.) paer hy meodu drincaS. C1205
Lav. 6928 Ah longe leouede here Cherin, muchel he dronk
mede [c 1275 meb] and win. 1390 Earl Derby's Exped.
(Camden) 43, xxiiij barellis de meed, c 1460 Tmvneley Myst.
xxviii. in It is swetter then med. 1483 Cath. Angi. 232/2
Meyde (A. Methe), idromellum, medus, medo. 1625 K.
Long tr. Barclay's Argent's 1. xviii. 49 By occasion of their
Mead, they fell into talke of Bees. 1712 Addison Sped.
No. 383 P 6 A Masque . . asked him if he would drink a
Bottle of Mead with her? 1767 Mrs. Glasse Cookery App.
353 How to make mead. Ibid. 374 To make white mead.
1891 T. Hardy Tess II. 62, I found the mead .. extremeby
alcoholic.
0. c 1275 [see a], c 1386 Chaucer Miller's T. 194 He
sente hire pyment Meeth and spyced Ale. ci449Pecock
Repr. 1. xx. 121 Without sidir and wijn and meeth, men and
wommen my^te lyue ful long. 1577 B. Googe Heresbachs
Husb. 11. (1586) 58 b, They say they will be verie pleasant,
if the seede be steeped in meedth. 1609 C. Butler Fern.
Mon. (1634) 162 Meth or Hydromel is of two sorts, the
weaker and the stronger (Mede and Metha^glen*. a 1674
Milton Hist. Mosc. i. Wks. 1851 VIII. 480 Thir Drink is
better, being sundry sorts of Meath. 1747 Mrs. Delany
Lifet^ Corr.(i86i) II. 463 He begs a thousand acknowledge-
ments to you for all favours, particularly the meath.
b. transf. (a) poet, nonee-use (see quot.). {b)
Now applied to several made beverages, esp. U.S.
* a sweet drink charged with carbonic gas, and
flavored with some syrup, as sarsaparilla ' {Cent.
Diet. 1890).
1667 Milton P. L. v. 345 For drink the Grape She crushes,
inoffensive moust, and meathes From many a berrie.
C. attrib. and Comb., chiefly arch, or Hist, in
terms relating to Teutonic antiquities, as mead'
horn ; mead-bench (OE. medubenc), a seat at
a feast when mead was drunk ; mead-hall (OE.
meduheall), a banqueting hall. Also + mead-inn,
MEAD.
an inn where mead is the beverage sold ; mead-
wine, a home-made ' wine ' prepared from mead.
i860 Hook Lives Alps. I. v. 181 Nobles left their halls and
the "mead-bench. 1881 Green Making of Eng. 173 The
leader, .gave them, .a seat in his "mead hall. 1870 Morris
Earthly Par. II. in. 391 Shun the "mead-horn. 1621 Bur-
ton Anat. Mel. 1. ii. n. ii. (1651) 74 Be merry together.. as
our modern Muscovites do in their "Mede-Inns. 1804-6
Syd. Smith Mor. Philos. (1850) 248 Every clergyman's wife
makes "mead-wine of the honey.
Mead * (mid). Now poet, and dial. Forms :
1 meed, Anglian m6d, 3 med, 3-6 mede, 4 maied,
4, 6 meed(e, 5 Se. meide, 5-6 Sc. meid, 6 mydde,
6-7 meade, 6- mead. [OE. mid str. fern.:—
OTeut. type *midiud : see Meadow.
By phoneticlaw the w was dropped in the nom. sing, in
OE., and retained in the other forms. Although the regular
inflexion is the more common, the oblique cases and pf. are
sometimes found assimilated to the nom. sing., as gen. and
dat. meede (dat. also me'da as from a v-stem), pi. m.rda.)
= Meadow i.
c 1000 in Napier O. E. Glosses 5/138 Praia, i. uiriditates,
maida. a 1250 OroiAr Night. 438 pe blostme ginneb springe
and sprede Beobe ine treo and ek on mede. c 1290 Beckct
1722 in .?. Eng. Leg. I. 156 In ane Mede bat men cleopiez
juyte J be traitores mede '. 1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 1 1255 Sir
Ion giflfard fram brumesfeld puder sone com To be castle
med wiboute toun. C1386 Chaucer Prol. 89 Embrouded
was he, as it were a mede Al ful of fresshe floures,
whyte and rede. 1508 Dunbar Tua mariit IVemen 514
And all remuffit the myst, and the meid smellit. 1551
Turner Herbal 1. B v, The second [kind of garlick] groweth
in myddes and feldes in euery cuntre. 1573 Tusser Husb.
(1878) 193 Riuers sweete along the meedes. 1605 Shaks.
Lear I. 1. 66 Of all these bounds. .With plenteous Riuers,
and wide-skirted Meades We make thee Lady. 1612 Dray-
ton Poly-olb. xii. 160 A goodly mead, which men there call
the Hide. 1713 C'tess Winchilsea Misc. Poems 292 The
loos'd Horse . . Comes slowly grazing thro' th' adjoining
Meads. 1799 W. Tooke View Russian Em/>. I. 73 Arti-
ficial meads, as not deemed necessary, are unusual. 1812
Brackenridge Views Louisiana (1814) 105 These natural
meads. 1896 A. E. Housman Shropshire Lad v, Oh may I
squire you round the meads And pick you posies gay ?
t b. Meadow-land ; = Meadow i b. 06s.
1297 R.Glouc (Rolls) 3887 Inbeoberhalfbebgretewodes
lese & mede al so. 1455 Rolls o/Parlt. V. 313/1, vii acres
of Mede, liggyng in the Mede beside the Brigge. 1670 Conn.
Col. Rcc. (1852) 1 1. 133 This Court grants Mr. Benjamin Eenn,
two hundred and fifty acres of land, whereof there may be
thirty of mead.
c. attrib. and Comb., as f mead-gavel, a rent
for meadow land ; mead grass, meadow grass,
esp. Foa pratensis; mead ground, meadow land ;
mead-month, quasi-arch., an alleged OE. name
for July; f mead-rattle, app. ground ivy or
speedwell ; f mead silver (see quot.).
"35-53 Rentalia Glaston. (Somerset Rec. Soc.) 54 Hii
qui solvunt "Medgavel. 1778 [W. Marshall] Minutes
Agric, Digest 66 Cut Clover early,— "Meadgrass late.
'453 in Trevelyan Papers (Camden) 22 With viij acr. of
•meade grounde. 1571 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxford
(1880) 336 Fyve acres of meade ground lying in Botley
meade. 1681 W. Robertson Phrased. Gen. (1693) 584 In
"mede month ; Hay time. 17x4 Fortescue-Aland Fortes-
cue's Abs. $ Lint. Mon. Notes 116 July was called Mtede-
monaS, Mead-Month. 1849 Lytton A". Arthur vm. xiv,
Roved the same pastures when the Mead-month smil'd.
C1450 Atphita (Anecd. Oxon.) 28/1 Camepiteos. .uel ger-
mandria maior. .angl, "mederatele. 1778 Eng. Gazetteer
(ed. 2) s.v. Cobhani, The parishioners pay no tithe-hay, but
a composition ..of id. an acre, which is called "Mead Silver.
Mead, obs. form of Meed sb.
Meaddowe, obs. form of Meadow.
Meader (mf-dar). dial. [repr. OE. miiSere =
MDu., MLG. mader, meder, OHG. mddari (MHG.
mddxre, mod.G. mahder, mdhder) :— OTeut. type
*m$parjo-z, f. the sb. represented in OE. mid Math
sbX\ A mower.
a 1000 Gloss, in Wr.-Wulcker 235/3 Falcarius, i./alci/e-
rens, uel /alci/era, sibberend, uel ma^bre. Ibid. 237/35
Fenisece, mseberas. ?i8.. Old Song in N. ff Q. 1st Ser.
(1854) X. 480 The meader walks forth with his scythe on his
shoulder. 1864 E. Cormv. Words in Jrnl. Roy. Inst.
Cornw. Mar. 18, Meader, a mower.
Meader, obs. form of Madder sb.2
Meadow (me'dtfi), sb. Forms : I sing, (oblique
cases) meedwe, m6dwa,//. mcedwa, 3meduwe,
3-4 midu, 3-5 medwe, 3-6 medewe, 4-5 medou,
medoe, medew, 4-6 medo, 4-7 medow(e, 5
medue, meedewe, mydew(e, 5-6 middow, 6
medoy, me(a)ddowe, myddoe, 6-7 middow,
meadowe, 7 Sc. meadou, 6- meadow, [repr.
OE. midwe oblique case of mid str. fem. (see
MEAD2):_OTeut.type*CT£A£/<S:~pre-Teut.*7«#W,
f. root *me- (whence Mow v.).
The precise formal equivalent does not occur in any other
Teut. lang., but cognate words of similar meaning are
OFris. mlde, ODu. mada (Franck), MDu., MLG. made,
early mod.Du. matte (now matt, MHG. mate, matte
(mod.G. mattet. See also Math sb.1]
1. Originally a piece of land permanently covered
with grass which is mown for use as hay. In later
use often extended to include any piece of grass
land, whether used for cropping or pasture ; and
in some distiicts applied esp. to a tract of low
well-watered ground, usually near a river.
960 Lease in Birch Cartul. Sax. III. 532 An medwa be-
neooan ba;m hlibe. ci20S Lay. 1942 Comes heo seowen
Vol. VI.
265
I medewen heo meowen. Ibid. 4817 Meduwen and mores
I & ba ha^e muntes. c 1290 ,S\ Eng. Leg. I. 214/491 A fair
Medwe he saij with swete floures. a 1300 Cursor M. 4573
In bat medu sa lang bai war pat etten bai had it erthe bare.
13. . E. E. AlUt. P. K. 1761 pe myst dryues porj \>e lyst
of be lyfte, bi be I03 medoes. 1390 Gower Con/. II. 327
Nature.. Wole.. With herbes and with floures bothe The
feldes and the medwes clothe, c 1400 Song Roland 306
Amonge medos, and moris, & evyll bankis. c 1400 Maun-
DEV.(koxb.) xxxiii. 148 All be tymes of be }ere er..j>airc
mydews grene. c 1430 SyrGener. (Roxb.) 5653 Comen was
the king of kinges And armed in the middow rode. 1463
Bury Wills (Camden) 34 The medwe at Babwelle. 1488
Act 4 Hen. I'll, c. 15 § 2 Divers pastures and medues.
1326 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 74 The dayes of this
worlde be but transitory, as the floure of y° medowe. 1551
Turner Herbal 1. IJ viij, Althea .. groweth naturally in
watery & marrish myddoes. 1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's
Comm. 220 Beyng brought foorthe into a meddowe and
stripped naked, they were slayne eche one. 1588 Shaks.
L. L. L. v. ii. 907 Ladie-smockes all siluer white, Do paint
the Meadowes with delight. 1589 in Exch. Rolls Scot/.
XXII. 26 The landisof the Kingis medo besyde Edinburgh.
i6m Mure Misc. Poems i. 53 A blooming meadou. 1634
W. TntwilYT tr. Balzac's Lett. (vol. I.) 77, I march into a
Meddow. 1717 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. to Abbe' Conti
29 May, The rest of our journey was through fine painted
meadows. 1846 J. Baxter Libr. Pracl. Agric. (ed. 4) I. 370
The proper grasses which constitute the produce of the
richest permanent pastures and meadows.
trans/, and/ig. 1588 Shaks. Tit. A. ill. i. 125 Looking
all downewards to behold ourcheekes How they arestain'd
in meadowes, yet not dry With miery slime left on them by
a flood. 1777 [see Meander v. i b].
b. Land used for meadows ; ' meadow land '.
<:iia» O. E. Chron. an. 777 (MS. E), Mid laiswe & mid
nucdwe. C1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1S10) 75 Alle mad he
wasteyn, pastur, medow, & korn. 1532 Test. Ebor. (Surtees)
VI. 31, 16 acres of meadow in Kellome. 1636 Rec. Dedham,
Mass. (1892) III. 21 He shall haue for a Fearme. .soe much
medowe & vpland as shalbe sufficient. 1799 J. Robert-
son Agric. Perth 204 It is perhaps more proper to name
all land, from which hay is taken, meadow. 1846 M'Cul-
i.och Ace. Brit. Empire(lBs4) I. i3i Above 500,000 [sc. acres]
are arable, meadow, and pasture.
2. N. America, a. A low level tract of uncul-
tivated grass land, esp. along a river or in marshy
regions near the sea.
1670 D. Denton Dcscr. New York (1845) 14 After-skull
River puts into the main Land on the West-side,.. There is
very great Marshes or Medows on both sides of it, excellent
good land. 1778 T. Hutchins Dcscr. Virginia, etc. 14
On the North-west and South-east sides of the Ohio.. are
extensive natural meadows, or Savannahs. 1779 D. Liver-
more Jrnl. in Coll. N. Hampshire Hist. Soc. (1850) VI.
316 The intervale or meadow extends four miles from the
banks of the river. 1881 E. H. Elweli. in Coll. Maine
Hist. Soc. (1887) IX. 214 It was the fertility of these meadows
which attracted the adventurers of a century ago.
b. Beaver meadow, the rich, fertile tract of
land left dry above a demolished beaver dam.
1784 M. Cutler in Life, etc. (1888) I. roo A swamp, or
beaver meadow, in which Ellis river takes its rise. 1836
Backwoods o/Canada 144 All these are found on the plains
and beaver-meadows. Ibid. 239, 1863 Miss E. H. Walshe
Cedar Creek xii. 92 Why is that green flat called a beaver
meadow?. .Well, they say that long ago beavers dammed
up the current in such places as this [etc.].
3. a. ' An ice-field or floe on which seals herd '.
b. ' A feeding ground offish' {Cent. Did. 1S90).
1877 Rep. U. S. Fish. Commits. (1879) 541 The 'fishing
grounds', 'cod-meadows', have an extent of about 200 geo-
graphical miles in length, and 67 miles in breadth.
4. attrib. and Comb.
a. Obvious combinations, as meadow-base, -croft,
-field, -flower, -gale, -hay, -leet, -lot, -man, -road,
-side, -swell, -verse, -watering.
1832 Tennyson Pal. 0/ Art ii, A huge crag-platform,.,
whose ranged ramparts bright From great broad "meadow-
bases of deep grass Suddenly scaled the light. 1812 W.
Tennant Anstcr F. ii. lxvii, Anon uprises. .On the green
loan and "meadow-crofts around, A town of tents. 1822
J. Wilson Lights #t Shad. Scot. Life 37 Dancing all day
like a butterfly in a "meadow-field. 1492 Ryman Poems
Ixxxiv. 2 in Archiv Stud. neu. Spr. LXXXIX. 253 As ,
"medowe floures of swete odoures. 1798 Coleridge Anc. I
Mar. vi. xii, It fann'd my cheek, Like a "meadow-gale
of spring. 1733 Tull Horse-Hoeing Husb. xiv. 180 If ;
"Meadow-Hay cannot have good Weather to be cut [etc.].
1836 Farmers Mag. Jan. 36 As much phosphate of lime. . j
as though he consumed meadow-hay. 1877 Blackmore
Erema II. xl. 288 The *meadow-leet..was dry as usual. |
1637 Boston Rec. (1877) II. 21 It is agreed that Mr. Atherton
Haulgh shall have.. the rest of Bretheren's "meadow Lotte
there. 1880 World 29 Sept. 15 The farmers and "meadow-
men seem to entertain no objection to people wandering. .
amongst the mowing-grass. 1879 Geo. Eliot Coll. Break/.
P. 825 Watched with half closed eyes The "meadow-road.
1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. xcviii. 119 They lay alonge by
a fayre "medowe syde, and made a great dyke about their
host. 1835 Browning Paracelsus v. 137 The gulf rolls like
a "meadow-swell, o'erstrewn With ravaged boughs. 1648
Herrick Ilesper., Parting Verse Poems (1869) 149 Herrick
shall make the "meddow-verse for you. 1813 Sir H. Davy
Agric. Chem. i. (1814) 24 "Meadow-watering. .acts not only
by supplying useful moisture to the grass, but [etc.].
b. Prefixed to the names of animals regarded as
denizens of meadow land ; as meadow ant, the
small British ant, Lasiasfiavus ; meadow bird =
Bobolink (Bartlett Diet. Amer. 1859); meadow
brown (butterfly), a common British butterfly,
Hipparchiajanira; meadow chicken (see quot.);
meadow clapper, the salt-water marsh-hen ( Cent.
Diet. 1890) ; meadow crake, drake = Corn-
crake ; meadow crane-fly - Daddy-long-legs ;
MEADOW.
' meadow fly, an American fire-fly ; meadow galli-
nule = Corn-crake ; meadow' hen (see quot. for
meadow-chicken); meadow lark, (a) = Titlark ;
! (*) U. S. the grackle, Slurnella magna or ludovi-
ciana; meadow mouse, any field vole (Arvicola) ;
meadow mussel, a mussel found in American salt
I meadows, Modiola plicalula (Cent. Diet.); mea-
dow pipit = Titlark; f meadow rat, the field
vole, Arvicola agrcslis ; meadow snipe, (a) =
grass bird (see Grass 13) ; (b) U. S. the common
American snipe, Gallinago Wilsoni; meadow
titling = Titlark ; meadow vole = meadow
mouse ; meadow worm, the common earthworm,
Lumbricus lerreslris or Agricola.
1879 Lubbock Set. Led. iv. 136 The yellow *meadow.ant
keeps the underground kinds [of Aphides]. 1720 Albin
Nat. Hist. Insects 53 On the 1 1 th of June came the "Meadow
Brown Butterfly. 1819 Samouelle Enlomol. Compcnd. 396
Meadow brown butterfly, Hipparchia Janira. 1893 New-
ton Diet. Birds 539 « Meadow-chicken and Meadomdun,
names given in North America to more than one species of
Kail or Coot. 1833 Sei.by Illustr. Brit. Oruilh. II. 177 The
".Meadow Crake, .affecting rich meadows [etc.]. 1847 Ten-
nyson Princess IV. 105 Marsh-divers, rather, maid, Shall
croak thee sister, or the meadow-crake Grate her harsh
kindred in the grass. 1802 BlNGLEV^lum. Biog. (1813) III.
310 The "Meadow Crane fly, or Long-legs. 1867 Emerson
Lett, ff Soc. Aims vii. (1875) 1S0 Fresh and delicate as the
bonfires of the "meadow-flies. 1843 Yarrei.l Brit. Birds
I. p. xxiii. "Meadow Gallinule. 1611 Cotgr., Alouette de
pre, the chit, or small "meddow-lnrke. 1863 Longf. Way-
side Inn I. Birds Killing:*.'. 142 Is this more pleasant to
I you than the whirr Of meadow. lark and her sweet rounde-
lay? 1893 Newton Diet. Birds 512 The Meadow-Lark
of America.. is an Icterus, 1801 Shaw Zool. II. I. 81
".Meadow Mouse. 187. Casse/ls Nat. Hist. III. 117 The
I most abundant North American species is the Meadow-
mouse {Ar-oicola riparins). 1893 Leaflets Board 0/ Agric.
(■894) -ii Arvicola agrestis. Locally known as. .Meadow
Mouse. 1823 Selby Illustr. Brit.Ornith. I. 216 "Meadow
Pipit or Tit. 1781 Pennant Hist. Quadrup. II. 460 "Mea-
dow [Rat]. Mas agrestis. 1828 Fleming Hist. Brit. Anim.
75 A[nthus]pratensis. "Meadow Titling. 1863 C. St. John
Nat. Hist. Moray Index, Arvicola riparia. "Meadow vole.
1787 Best Angling {ed. 2) 16 Marsh, or "Meadow-worm.
C. Prefixed to names of plants, to denote varieties
or species growing in meadows : often in book-
names as a rendering of the Latin specific name
pratensis, -ense, as in meadow barley, clover, crane's
bill, dock, pea, sage, trefoil, vetchling; also in
meadow beauty (see quot.) ; meadow-bell, the
harebell ; meadow campion, the Ragged Robin,
Lychnis Flos-cuculi (Britten & Holland 1886);
meado wcress (see Cress 1 b) ; meadow crocus =
meadenu saffron ( Britten & Holland" ; meadow fern ,
a North American shrub, Myrica Complonia (Cent.
Diet. 1S90); meadow fescue (see Fescue 4);
meadow gowan = Marsh mallow ^Britten &
Holland) ; meadow grass, any one of the
grassesof the genus/>t?a,esp. P. pratensis; meadow
mushToom.Agariatscampcstris ; meadow orchis,
Orchis Morio ; meadow parsnip (see Parsnip
2) ; meadow pine, J'inus cubensis (of the southern
U.S.); meadow pink, (a) = Ragged Robin; (b)
= Maiden pink (see Maiden 10 b) ; meadow('s)
queen = Meadow-sweet (cf. queen of the mea-
dowes, Queen sb. 6 b) ; meadow rhubarb, rue,
Thalidrum fiavum (Britten & Holland) ; also
alpine meadow rue = Feathered Columbine (see
Columbine sb.2 3) ; meadow saffron, Colchi-
cum aulumnale ; meadow (pepper) saxifrage
(see Saxifrage).
1866 Trcas. Bot. 727/1 * Meadow Beauty, an American
name for Rhexia. Ibid. W2I? Commonly called Deer-grass,
or Meadow-beauty. 1827 G. Dari.ey Sylvia 136 Like soft
winds jangling "meadow-bells, c 1275 Luue Ron 16 in O. E.
Misc. 93 Vnder molde hi liggeb colde and faleweb so dob
"medewe gres. 13. . Minor Poems /r. Vernon MS. xxxvii.
537 pe eor]>e jeldeb not fruit as hit wont was, Of corn of be
feld ne of be medewe-gras. 1597 Gerarde Herbal 1. i. 1
Common Medow grasse hath very small tufts of rootes.
1840 J. Buel Farmer's Comp. 232 The red meadow-grass
{Poa aouatica). 1884 Leisure Hour Nov. 703/2 The popu-
lar name of the common edible agaric is everywhere ' the
"meadow mushroom '. 1866 Treas. Bot., "Meadow-orchis.
1882 Garden 4 Feb. 81/1 The common Meadow Orchis. .is
not to be found wild everywhere. 1884 Sargent Rep.
Forests N. Amer. (10M Census IX.) 202 Pinus Cubensis . .
Slash Pine. . ."Meadow Pine. 1785 Martyn Rousseau's Bot.
xix. (1794) 276 "Meadow Pink. Lychms/lcs cuculi. 1625
B. Jonson Pan's Annivers., Star'd with yellow-golds, and
"Meadowes Queene. 1668 Wilkins Real Char. 11. iv. § 4.
83 "Meadow Rue. 1863 Baring-Gould Iceland 190 The
tremulous dancing flowers of the Alpine meadow rue. 1884
Gardening Illustr. 8 Nov. 425/2 Allied to Columbines are
the Meadow Rues. 1578 Lyte Dodoens in. xxxv. 367
"Medowe Saffron .. is found .. about Bath in Englande.
1878 tr. H. von Ziemssen's Cycl. Med. XVII. 734 Some
seed-capsules of the meadow-saffron. 1686 Plot Siaflbrdsh.
356 Produces the "Meddow-trefoile.
d. Special Comb. : meadow green (see quot.);
meadow ground, (a) ground laid down in meadow;
(/;) prairie land; meadow land = meadow ground;
meadow-ore, bogiron ore (cf. Limonite) ; meadow
thatch, coarse grass or rush used for thatching.
1794 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) I. 28 "Meadow green-
lively green, in which however the yellow predominates.
100
MEADOW.
266
MEAGRENESS.
1523 Fitzherb, Sun'. 2 b, Lowe gioundes *medowe groundes
and marsshe groundes for hey. 1667 Milton P. L. XL 644
A Band.. drives A herd of Beeves. .From a fat Meddow
ground. 1802 Words w, Sonn. ' Here, on our native soil\
Those boys who in yon meadow- ground In white-sleeved
shirts are playing. 1653 Early Rec. Lancaster, Mass.
(1884) 29 Wee Covenant to lay out *Meddow Lands, 1844
Disraeli Coningsby iv. iii, A broad meadow land. 1817
Thomson Syst. Chevt. (ed. 5) III. 478 *MeadowOre. 1430-
31 Durham Ace. Rolls (Surtees) 231 Empcio tignorum,
straminis, et *Medewthak.
Meadow (me'diju), v. [f. prec] trans. To
devote (land) to the production of grass.
1768 [W. Donaldson] Life Sir B. Safitull II. xxiv. 191
By meadowing a great deal, and feeding a little, they im-
poverish the land. 1865 Trollope Helton Est. iii, I didn't
know you ever meadowed the park. 1885 Law Times
28 Mar. 384/2 During this period they [grass lands] were
neither meadowed, grazed, nor cropped.
t Mea'dowage. Obs. [f. Meadow sb. + -age.]
(See quot.)
1611 Cotgr., Preage, Medowage; or, a freedome to put
cattell into other mens medowes.
Meadowed, ppl. a. [f. Meadow sb. or v. +
-ed.] Having, or cultivated as, meadow land.
Tennyson {Morte dl Arthur 262) has deeP-meadffitfd, para-
synthetically f. Meadow sb., in imitation of Gr.fHafhkfipuii'.
1670 Mass. Col. Rec. IV. 11. 461 Plantation., exceeding well
meadowed. 1831 J. Wilson Unimore ii. 177 That meadow'd
plain as green as emerald. 1888 Harper's Mag. Apr. 735
The Gulf has eaten three miles into her meadowed land.
Meadower 'me*d0U3.i\ [f. Meadow j*. oxv.+
-ER1.] ( One who waters meadow-lands to increase
or preserve their verdure ' (Ogilvie SuppL 1855).
Meadowing" (me'douirp, vbl. sb. [f. Meadow.]
1. Land used or suitable for the growth of a crop
of grass. Also attrib.
f 1598 in Harwood Lichfield (1806) 385, ij closes and j
piece of meadowing. 1611 Cotgr., Preir, to make Medow-
ing of; to turne into Medow. 1639 Plymouth Col. Rec,
(1855) I. no Prouided he be allowed meddowing elswhere
in hie thereof. 173a Pennsylv. Gaz. 31 July-7 Aug. 4/1
A very good Plantation, .with plentiful Meadowing fit for
the Scythe. 1844 JmL R. Agric. Soc. V. 1. 108 On leaving
Dunham I observed some good meadowing.
all rib. 161 1 Speed Theat. Gt. Brit. xix. (1614) 37/1
Meadowing-pastures upon both sides of the river Came.
1675 Providence {R. I.) Rec. (1893) IV. 39 Ye two shares of
ye meaddoing ground.
2. The action of cultivating meadow land.
1735 Pennsylv. Gaz. 15-22 Mar. 2/2 Several Tracts of
good Land . . good Part of it fit for Meadowing. 1894
Morning Post 3 Feb. 2/1 Less valuable land, worthless for
the purpose of meadowing, would be left.
attrib. 1796 Washington Let. Writ. 1892 XIII. 259,
I am altogether in the farming and meadowing line.
t Mea'dowish, a. Obs. [f. Meadow sb. +
-ish.] Resembling meadow.
1668 1st Cent. Hist. Springfield, Mass. (1899) II. 98 The
Town granted unto Abell Wright, .ffourteen acres of Med-
dowish Land up the Little River. 1681 Plymouth Col.
Rec. (1857) VII. 238 Which fence stood on the said Wood-
worth swampy, meddowish land.
Meadowless (me-d^nles), a. [f. Meadow sb.
+ -less.] Lacking meadows.
1887 Century Mag. Dec. 171 The bare rocks, meadowless
inclines, and treeless shores of Galilee.
Meadow-sweet (me'dousw/l). [f. Meadow
sb. + Sweet a. (The earlier form was Mead-
sweet.)] The rosaceous plant Spirtva Ulmaria,
common in moist meadows and along the banks
of streams, growing on erect, rigid stems to a height
of about two feet, with dense heads of creamy
white and highly fragrant flowers. In the U. S.
applied to another species, S. salicifolia.
1530 Palsgr. 244/1 Medowe swete herbe. 1597 [see Mead-
sweet]. 1688 R. Holme Armoury 11. 97/1 Queen of the
Meadows, or Meadow sweet, or Mead sweet. 1856 Lever
Martins o/Cro* M. 306 The odour of the white thorn and
the meadow-sweet.
attrib. 1840 Hood Kilmansegg, Honeymoon xxi, O blessed
nature.. Who does not sigh for its meadow-sweet breath?
Meadow-wink (me'dfluwink). U.S. local, [f.
Meadow sb. + wink (? echoic).] = Bobolink.
1884 Couf.s Key N. Amer. Birds (ed. 2) 400 Dolichonyx
oryzivorus. . Bobolink. Meadow-wink. Skunk Blackbird.
Meadowy (me'cW), a. [f. Meadow sb. + -y i.]
Resembling a meadow.
1598 Florio, Piaggioso, medowie, large, bleach, fieldie.
1612 Drayton Poly-olb. x.94 Thy full and youthful! breasts,
which in their meadowy pride, Are brancht with riuery
veines, Meander-like that glide. 1774 Pennant TourScotl.
in 1772, 328 This terminates in a meadowy plain. 1805
Wordsw. Waggoner iv. 40 Von meadowy bottom. 1871
Palgrave Lyr. Poems 80 Miles of meadowy splendour.
Meadsman (mrdzmsen). dial. [f. mead's,
genitive of Mead sb* + Man.] = Hayward.
1893 Mrs. Stapleton Three Oxfordsh. Parishes 311 Boats
using this towing-path pay toll to the meadsman.
Meadstead : see Merestead.
t Mea'dsweet. Obs. Forms : 5 medeswote,
-sewte, 6 -swete, -sweete, 8 meadsweet, 6-8
corruptly maidsweet. [app. f. Mead ^ + Sweet
a. ; but it is possible that, as in Meadwort, the
first element may originally have been Mead1.
The MDu. medesoete has the appearance of being etymo-
logically equivalent (mede occurs both for Mead ' honey-
drink and for Mead" meadow), but it meant 'marigold',
an application difficult to reconcile with either of these
etymologies. Zedler Universal-lex. i733,s.v. Barba-Caprx, j
gives MedesUss and Medkraut as Ger. names for meadow-
sweet, and also cites a latinized form viedesusium from
Cordus (16th c).]
= Meadow-sweet.
14... Voc. in Wr.-Wulcker 595/29 Melessa, medeswote.
Ibid. 607/20 Regina prati, medesewte. c 1450 Alphita
(Anecd. Oxon.) 40/2 Citria, mellissa idem, anglice medswete
vel bonrefair. 1578 Lyte Dodoens 1. xxix. 41 Medesweete
or Medewurtc.hath great, long brode leaues like Egri-
monie. 1597 Gerarde//V«Wm. ccccii. 886 Of Medesweete,
or Queene of the medowes. . . It is called, .in English Maide-
sweete [(1636) 1043 Meades-sweet], Medowsweete, and
Queene of the medowes. 1736 Ainsworth Lat. Diet., Ul-
vtaria . .Meadsweet, or mede wort [ed. 1783 meadwort] goat's
beard. 1750 W. Ellis Country Housew. 252 Maid-sweet
that grows like a Kecks in wet Meadows.
t Meadwort. Obs. Forms : 1 medo-, mede-
wyrt, 3 medwurt, 4, 8 medewort, 5 -wourth,
6 -wurt, 5 medwor, -wert, 6 Sc. meduart,
-wart, 6 medsewart, medow wurt, 7 medowort,
8 meadwort. [OE. medowyrt, f. mede Mead* +
wyrt Wort, plant; corresponding to Sw. dial.
mjodbrt (and equivalents in Norw., Da., mod.Icel.) ;
possibly the flowers may have been used for flavour-
ing mead. The first element was, however, early
associated with Mead2 (= Meadow), the confu-
sion being helped by the circumstance that another
name for the plant was 'queen of the meadow*
(L. regina prati, F. reine des pretsiG.wiese?tkbnigin,
t>a. engdronning).
With regard to the possibleuseof meadow-sweetfor flavour-
ing mead, cf. the statement in Zedler Universal-lex. (1733)
s.v. Barba-caprx, that the flowers were used to give to wine
a flavour like that of malmsey.]
1. m Meadow-sweet.
c 1000 Sax. Leechd. II. 70 jenime neobowearde medowyrt,
& lustmocan. c 1265 Voc. Plants in Wr.-Wiilcker 555/8
Regina, reine, medwurt. 01387 Sinon. Barthol. (Anecd.
Oxon.) 29/2 Melissa, ..medewort. C1450 Alphita (ibid.)
115/1 Mellissa,.. medwor. Ibid. 156/2 Reginela,. .mede-
wort. Ibid. \tjIi Scrophulan'a,. .medwert. 1549 Compl.
Scot. vi. 42 Than the scheiphyrdis vyuis . . gadrit mony
fragrant grene meduart. i568TuKNER//^r<Win.80f Mede-
wurt, or Medow wurt, or Medeswete. .. It groweth about
watersydes. a i578LiNDESAY(Pitscottie)CA?W(..y<:(?r.(S.T.S.)
1. 336 The fluir laid witht greine cherittis witht sprattis med-
wartis and flouris. 1579 Langham Card. Health (1633) 388
Medowort : Drinke the decoction or powder of it to stop the
laske. 1590 Spenser F. Q. ii. viii. 20 The metall first he
mixt with Medaswart, That no enchauntment from his dint
might save. 1736-83 [see Meadsweet].
f 2. ? Watercress. Also women svieadwoi't. Obs.
a 1400-50 Stockholm Med. MS. fol. 209 Freynch cresse or
wymmannys mede wourth : nascorium gallicanum. ?i4..
MS. Hart. 3388 in Sax. Leechd. II. 399 Nasturtium crto-
lan\nm\ medwort.
Meag, obs. form of Meak dial.
Meagre (mf-gai), a. (sb.) Forms : 4-7 megre,
5 megire, meger(e, 6 meiger, Sc, megir, 6-7
maigre, megar, 6-9 meager, 7 meaguer, 6-
meagre. [ME. megre, a. OF. megre, maigre
(mod.F. maigre) = Pr. magrc, maigre, Sp., Pg.,
It. magro, Roumanian macru :— L. macrum(macer),
cogn. with Gr. pa/cpos long, ftaKtSvos tall, slender,
pTj/ios length. The synon.Teut.*magro- (OE. m#ger,
MLG., Du. viager, OHG. magar, mod.G. mager,
ON. magrt Sw.,Da. mager; wanting in Goth.) may
represent a pre-Teut. *viakro- = L. macro-, Gr.
fiarcpo- ; the nature of the sense renders this more
likely than the alternative supposition that the
Tent, word was adopted from Latin.]
1. Of persons and animals, their limbs, etc. :
Having little flesh; lean, thin, emaciated.
13.. Coer de L. 1079 The lyoun was hungry and megre.
13. . E. E. A/tit. P. B. 1 198 Fro bat mete was myst, megre
Jjay wexen. 1470-85 Malory Arthur x. lxxxvii. 568, I am
megre and haue ben longe seke for the loue of la Beale
Isoud, 1591 Spenser M. Hubberd 599 Thou art so leane
and meagre waxen late. 1596 — F. Q. iv. viii. 12 With
heary glib deform 'd, and meiger face. 1603 Dekker
Wonderful Year Bjb, She ., was deliuered of a pale,
meagre, weake childe. 1634 W. Tirwhyt tr. Balzac's Lett.
(vol. I.) j$i There are others.. who make use of all the
secrets in Physicke to have a megar aspect. 1673 O.
Walker Educ. 1. ix. 95 [They] are alwaies lean, maigre and
consumptive. 1748 Anson s V'oy. 11. xiii. 275 The wan and
meager countenances of the crew. 1820 Scott Monast. ix.
The meagre condition of his horse. 1822 W. Irving Braceb.
Hall ii. 13 A meagre wiry old fellow. 187a Blackie Lays
Highl. Introd. 55 As for us, meagre mountaineers, we shall
continue . . to make the best of our granite rocks. 1883 F. M.
Wallem Fish-Supply Nonvay 29 (Fish. Exhib. Publ.) The
Italians prefer meagre fish to plump,
b. with personifications, esp. Famine, Envy.
1594 Kyd Corttetia 1. i. 176 Maigre famin, which the
weake foretell, a 1615 Fletcher Cust. Country v. i,
Maugre [Iread maigre] palenesse Like winter nips the roses
and the lilies. 1784C0WPER Task n. 1S5 He calls for Famine,
and the meagre fiend Blows mildew from between his
shrivelled lips. 1809 Hhber Palestine 13 Lawless force,
and meagre want are there.
He. Applied to what produces emaciation.
1612 Dekker If it be not good Wks. 1873 III. 282 Your
order. .Tyed to religious fasts, spends the sad day Wholy in
meager contemplation.
fd. ahsol. as sb. Leanness, emaciation.
a 1400-50 Alexander 1164 Slik mischife in be mene quile
emang his men fallis For megire [Dubl. MS. meger] & for
meteles ware mervaile to here. 1530 Palsgr. 244/t Megre a
sicknesse, maigre.
2. Deficient or mean in quantity, size or quality ;
wanting in fullness or richness ; poor, scanty.
a. ot material things ; esp. of soil, vegetation.
t In the first quot. without disparaging implication : ? small
in size; 1 delicate in sound.
1501 Douglas Pal. Hon. 1. xxxv, Quhairfra dependant
hang thir megir bellis. 1595 Shaks. John in. L 80 The
glorious sunne. .playesthe Alchymist, Turning.. The meager
cloddy earth to glittering gold. 1596 — Merch. V. in.
ii. 104 But thou, thou meager lead . . Thy palenesse moues me
more then eloquence. 1681 Chetham Angler's Vade-m.
xxxix. 286 Cankered, and very Maigre, Hungry Soil. 1806
Gazetteer Scot. (ed. 2) 136 A sandy plain ., covered with a
meagre, green, benty pasture. 1848 Dickens Dombey xxxiv,
An old woman . . sat. .crouching over a meagre fire. 1856
Stanley Sinai $ Pal. xiv. (1858) 465 On its shabby roof
a meagre cupola. 1871 Blackie Four Phases i. 41 A meagre
plant growing up in a bad climate. 187a Jenkinson Guide
Eng. Lakes (1879) 71 Little Langdale Tarn lies close below.,
looking very meagre.
b. Of food, fare, diet : Scanty ; deficient in
quantity or goodness.
1663 Cowley Verses $ Ess. (1669) 123 We must excuse her
for this meager entertainment. 1831 Lamb Elia Ser. 11. Etlis-
toniana/lhz meagre banquet. 1856 Kane A ret. Expl. I.vi.
56 The meagre allowance of two pounds of raw flesh every
other day. 1898-9 J. A. Wylie Hist. Protestant. 237 The
meagre meals he allowed himself.
C. Of literary composition or material, informa-
tion, subject-matter, artistic treatment, or the like:
"Wanting in fullness or elaboration ; jejune.
1539 Cromwell in Merriman Life <V Lett. (1902) II. 193,
I haue caused them [sc . letters] to be writen in suche a maigre
sorte as I thought the case required. 1582 Stanyhurst
jEneis Ep. Ded. (Arb.) 4 Oure Virgil not content wyth
such meigre stufie. 1696 Phillips s.v., Figuratively we
say a Meager Stile, a Meager Subject. 1794 Sullivan
View Nat. IV. 353 All we have is a meagre fragment, a
traditionary tale. 1841 D'Israeli Amen. Lit. (1867) 112
The continuation of a meagre chronicle. 1898 J. Murray in
Westm. Gaz. 14 June 8/2 Collecting the best stories and
stringing them together with the very meagrest amount of
comment.
d. Of pleasures,intellect, ideas; also of resources,
possessions.
1638 Baker tr. Balzac's Lett. (vol. II.) 53 The pleasures of
the Country are too gross and meager for a taste that is used
to more delicate and solid pleasures. 1755 Young Centaur
iii. Wks. 1757 IV. 169 It is one of their minute, and meagre
pleasures. 1862 J. Martineau Ess. (1866) I. 199 It is but a
meagre and imperfect form of faith. 1871 R. Ellis tr.
Catullus lxviii. 33 Books— if they're but scant}-, a store full
meagre, around me. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) IV. 397
Their meagre minds refuse toattribute anything to anything.
1893 Saltus Madam Sappht'ra 19 There was the house, the
meager income and his professional hopes.
e. Min. Harsh, dry. ? Obs.
1794 Kirwan Elem. Min.(ed. 2) I. 12 Calcareous earths
feel dry, meagre, and harsh. Ibid. 116 Meagre lime takes up
less sand. 1844 E. J. Chapman Char. Minerals 53 This
sensation [touch] maj* be either very greasy, ex. talc;
greasy, ex. steatite ; rather greasy, ex. asbestus ; or meagre,
ex. chalk.
3. = Maigre. Soup meagre tr. F. soupe ?naigre.
1705 Addison Italy 47$ {Switzerland) The best meagre
Food in the World, 1756-7 tr.AVj-i<Vr\f 7>vk>.(i76o)I.33i On
meagre days the Roman-catholics here fare very badly. 1796
Southey Lett.fr. Spain (1799) 352 After doing penance for
forty days on fish and soup meagre, they [etc.]. 1832 Veg.
Subst. Food 222 The church enjoins a number of meagre
days. 1855 Delamer Kitch. Card. (1861) 55 The Red
cabbage. .is generallyeaten. .during Lent, when it forms an
excellent meagre dish.
b. absol. as sb. i Maigre * diet. Phrases, To eat,
make meagre. (Cf. Maigre a. 3.)
1770 Baretti Journ. Lond. Genoa III. Ixv. 220 The
Spaniards do not eat meagre on Saturdays. 1834 Beckford
Italy I.335 Every thing., which, .the rules of meagre could
allow. 1851 J. H. Newman Cath. in Eng. 326 Prejudice. .
which would . . call it Popish persecution, to be kept on meagre
for a Lent. 1852 Thackeray Esmond 11. iii, We make meagre
on Fridays always.
4. Comb., as meagre-kued, faced, minded, etc. adjs.
1596 R. L[inche] Diella (1877) 58 That pale leane-fae'd
meacer-hewed enuie. 1644 Howell Eng. Teares Ded., Me-
thinks I spie mea^re-fae'd Famine making towards thee.
1865 Trollope Briton Est. xx. 230 Cold-hearted, thankless,
meagre-minded creature as I know he is.
t Meagre (mrgai), v. Obs. [f. Meagre a.
Cf. F. maigrir.] trans. To make meagre or lean.
1563-87 FoxeA.$ M. (1596) 1696/2 Soweriedand megered
for want of sustenance, that [etc.], 1700 Drvden ACsacus
Transfi 54 His ceaseless sorrow for the unhappy maid
Meagred his look, and on his spirits preyed. 1807 Sir R.
Wilson Jml. 16 June, I am meagred to a skeleton.
Meagre, variant of Maigre sb.
Meagrely (mf'gajli), adv. [f. Meagre a. +
-ly 2.] In a meagre manner.
a 1586 Sidney Arcadia iv. (1598) 430 Alas thou helpest
meagerly, When once one is for Atropos distrained. 1616
J. Lane Cont. Sor.'s T. xi. 334 Next came a knight, .vppon
a pale horse, meagerlie bestndd in armor, plumes, capari-
sone all pale. 1833 Ht. Martineau Three Ages ii. 71 An
hospital, meagrely supplied with the comforts. 1878 F.
Harrison in Fortn. Rev. Nov. 689 Austin has treated these
questions somewhat meagrely. 1886 W.J. Tucker E.Europe
179 A meagrely furnished room.
Meagreness (mrga-mej), [ + -ness.]
1. Leanness, emaciation.
1599 T. M[oufet] Silkwormes 55 Lest belly break, or
meagernesse ensewe, By giuing more or lesse then was their
due. a 1656 Hales Gold. Rem. (1688) 58 His ill Colour and
MEAGBY.
Meagerness. 1756 W. Dodd Fasting (ed. 2) 9 This paleness
and meagerness of visage. 1830 DTsraeli Chas. I, III. vi.
112 The reason which induces me to consider this portrait as
an original, is the meagreness of the countenance.
trans/. 1875 Maskell [Tories 44 The figures in Byzan-
tine work . . begin to be characterised by sharpness and
meagreness of form, and lengthiness of proportion.
2. Scantiness, lack of fullness; poorness of quality.
1621 Bacon Hen. VII 138 The Meagernesse of his Seruice
in the Warres. 175(8 Ferriar lllustr. Sterne, Eng. Hist.
230 The most striking defect . . is not meagreness, but infla-
tion. 1831 J. jEBBinC. Forster Life (1834) II. 593 An ante-
script, which will indemnify you for the meagreness of this
[letter]. 1876 Smiles Sc. Natur. xiv. (ed. 4) 279 The meagre-
ness of the list of Crustacea and Testacea. 1884 Church
Bacon ix. 215 [The Essays] are austere even to meagreness.
fb. Littleness (of heart). Obs.
1501 Douglas Pal. Hon. 1. xxi, Had not bene that, certes
my hart had brokin For megirnes and pusillamitie.
Meagrim, variant of Megrim.
t Meagry, a. Obs. rare. [f. Meagre a. + -y.]
Having a meagre appearance.
1603 Dekker Wonder/. Yeare B b, She was deliuered of
a pale, meagry, weake child, named Sicknesse.
Meaguer, obs. form of Meagre a.
Meak (m/k). dial. Also 5 meeke, meyke, 6
meake, 7, 9 meag, 8-9 make. An implement
with a long handle and crooked iron or blade used
to pull up or cut down peas, bracken, reeds, etc.
Also pear/teak (see Pea1 7), pease-meak (see
Pease sb. 5).
1478 Maldon (Essex) Court Rolls Bundle 50 No. to', Hol-
well come out with a wepen called a meyke. 1481-90 Hoivard
Housek. Bks. (Roxb.) 113, I paid Gravely for vj. meekes.
'573 Tusser Huso. (1878) 37 A meake for the pease, and to
swinge vp the brake. 1674 Ray Collect. Words 7: A Meag
or Meak, a Pease-hook. 1865 W. White Eastern Eng. f.
vii. 100 We.. cuts the reeds down as deep as we can with
a make, a kind o' short-bladed, long-handled scythe.
189s P. H. Emerson Birds, etc. Nor/. Broadland 74 Dis-
turbed by meak or crome that drags forth the lamb's-tail.
Hence Meak v., trans, to cut with a meak. dial,
absol. 189a P. H. Emerson Son 0/ Fens xiii. 99 Which are
you going to do— meag or mow ? Well, we'd better meag,
now the water is up.
Meaken, obs. form of Meeken.
Meakenes, obs. form of Meekness.
Meakillg (mrkirj), vbl. sb. Naut. Also 9
meeking. [? f. Meak + -ino '.] Only in meaking
iron : ' The tool used by caulkers to run old oakum
out oftheseams before inserting new' (Smyth 1867).
According to information supplied by Mr. G. Crocker, of
H. M. Dockyard, Devonport, the term is now often mis-
applied to the making. iron (Making vbl sb. 10) ; the first
quot. is an example of the erroneous use.
[1852-4 Cycl. Use/. A rts (ed. Tomlinson 1866' 1 1. 51 1/1 Two
men, one of whom holds, .the meeking or making iron to the
caulked seam, while the other man drives it in with the beetle.]
1878 D. Kemp Yacht tf Boat Sailing 358 Meaking iron, an
instrument used to extract old caulking from seams.
Meakle, obs. dial, form of Mickle, St.
Meal (mil), sb* Forms: 1 melu, -o,-a, meolo,
meala {inflected melw-, melew-, -ow-, -uw-,
meolw-, mealew-) ; 3-4 mel, 3-6 raele, 4 meel,
melow(e, 4, 6 meill, melle, 4-6 meele, 5 meyle,
6 meell, Sc. maill, meil, 6-7 meale, 7- meal.
[Com. Teut. : OE. melo, melw- str. neut. = OFris.
mel, OS. melo (MDu. mele, Du. meet), OHG.
melo, mela-j)- (MHG. mel, melw-, mod.G. meil),
ON. miol, miolv- (Sw. mfol, Da. meel, now mel) :—
OTeut.*mehvom,f. root*mel-,mal-,mul-{ipie-Teut.
*mel-, mol-, ml-), whence Com. Teut. *malan to I
grind (found in all Teut. langs. exc. Eng.), cogn. w. I
L. moli're, OS1. mleti, Lith. mdlti, 0 Irish melim ; I
further cognates are L. mola, molina (see Mill
sb.), Gr. nvKrj, jtvAos mill, millstone.]
1. The edible part of any grain or pulse ground
to a powder. Now commonly understood to ex-
clude the product of wheat (this being called
Flour). Also spec, in Scotland and Ireland = j
Oatmeal; in the U. S. the meal of Indian com j
( = 'Indian meal : see Indian a. 3). Whole meal: j
see Whole.
c888 K. /Elfreu Boeth. xxxiv. § 11 Swa swa mon meolo
syft. c 1000 Sax. Leechd. II. i34 5enimmerce nioboweardne
& hunij & hwauenes meluwes smedman. c 1200 Ormin j
1552 pu sammnesst all bin mele inn an & cnedest itt togeddre. J
c 1300 Havelok 780 Hise pokes fulle of mele an korn. 1382 :
Wvclif Num. v. 15 The tenthe part of a busshel of barly
melowe [1388 barli meele]. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R.
iv. iv. (1495) 84 Branne of whete or of rye, . .and also sope
and meele of beenes wasshe awaye the fylthe of the face and
of all the body, c 1440 Promp. Parv. 331/2 Meele of corne |
grov/n&yn, farina. 1508 Dunbar Fitting w. Kennedie 14^7 I
As gredy gleddis, }e gang With polkis to mylne, and beggis I
baith meill and schilling. 1546 in W. H. Turner Select. 1
Rec. Oxford (1&80) 179 The untrue and excessyve tollinge
of certayne quarters of wheate meale. 1556 Chron. Gr.
Friars (Camden) 57 The howse for the markyt folke in
Newgate market for to waye melle in. i6n Bible 2 Kings
iv. 41 He said, Then bring meale. 1707 Mortimer Hnsb.
(1721) I. 257 Some.. feed them with Curds, Barley-meal,
Bran, &c. 1775 Johnson Journ. W. Isles 68 Her two next
sons were gone to Inverness to buy meal, by which oatmeal
is always meant. 1832 Tennyson Miller's Dau. 104 The
very air about the door Made misty with the floating meal.
1844 H. Stephens Bk. Farm I. 137 A third lot was fed on
. . turnips and bean-meal. 1884 Health Exhib. Calal. 159/1
Chick Pea Meal, Mais Cariaro Meal.
267
b. Applied to the finer part of the ground grain,
in contrast with bran. Often fig. ? Obs.
1579 Lyly Euphues (Arb.) 123, I haue thorowly sifted the
disposition of youth, wherein 1 haue founde more branne
then meale, more dowe then leauen. 1607 Shaks. Cor. 111. i.
322 He.. is ill-school'd In boulted Language: Meale and
Bran together He throwes without distinction. 1611 —
Cymb. iv. ii. 27 Nature hath Meale, and Bran ; Contempt,
and Grace.
fo. Phr. 0/ tie same meal: of the same kind
or quality ; = L. ejusdem farina;. Obs.
1S11 B. JoNSON Catiline lv. ii, Except he were of the same
Meal and Batch. 1677 Gale Crt. Gentiles m. 155 Thomas
Aquinas, Bonaventura, and others of the same meal did
many and wonderful things at Paris.
2. trans/. A powder produced by grinding (e.g.
in linseed meal) ; a powdery substance resembling
flour. In Hot. applied to the powder covering the
surface of the leaves, petals, etc., of certain plants.
1549 Privy Council Acts (1890) II. 348 Brymston in meale,
ij barrelles. 1561 Hollyuush Horn. Apo!h. 14 Take fyne
mustard sede mele. 1627 Capt. Smith Seaman's Gram.
xiv. 71 Serpentine powder in old time was in meale, but now
corned. 1728-46 Thomson Spring 536 Auriculas, enrich'd
With shining meal o'er all tlieir velvet leaves. i784Cowrt:R
I Task III. 538 The bee transports the fertilizing meal From
! flow r to flow'r. 1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) II. 436
I The arsenic rises in the form of a white meal. 1870 Hooker
Stud. Flora 300 [Primula farinosa] Glabrous above, meal
below white or sulphur-coloured.
3. attrib. and Comb. a. Obvious combinations,
simple attrib., as meal-ark dial., -barrel, -ciest ,
-dust, girnal Sc, -husk, -hist Sc, -market, -mill
Sc, -pap, -poke, -sack, -sieve, -trougi ; objective,
as meal- f maker, -miller Sc, -monger Sc, -seller,
-sifter, -weigier.
1594 Knaresb. Wills (Surtees) I. 109 One 'meale arke.
1814 Scott Wav. x, When a Whiggish mob destroyed his
meeting, house, .. intromitting also with his mart and his
meal-ark. 1840 J. Bvu. Farmers Comp. 63 The meal chest
must be^ occasionally replenished. 1535 Coverdale Isa.
xxix. 5 For the multitude of thine enemies shalbe like *meal-
dust. 1902 Cornish Naturalist Thames 101 Meal-dust
hung from every nail, peg, and rope-end on the walls. 1548
Aberd. Reg. (1844) I. 259 Thte ''meill girnalis, out of my
loft, xxx s. 1839 Carlyle Chartism v. (1840)45 Peasants
living on * meal-husks and boiled grass. 1856 J. An on
Clerical^ Econ. v. (ed. 21 304 Muck is the mother of the
*meal-kist. a 1400 in York Myst. Introd. 40 *Mele-makers.
1721 Wodrow Ch. Hist. I. 288 John Bryce, Mealmaker, in
Cambusnelhan parish. 1555-6 in Edinb. Burgh Rec. U871)
II. 366 For the irnis at the kirk dur, *meill merkat, rlesche
merkat. 1705 Lond. Gas. No. 4169/t They intend to Let
to Farm the Tolls.. of the Meal- .Market at Fleet-Chanel.
1793 State, Leslie of Povjis. etc. 67 (Jam.) A small island
lying between the *meal-mill race, and the north grain of the
river. 1892 R. Lovett J Gilmour of Mongolia i. 18 Our
maternal grandfather., was a farmer and *meal-miller on the
estate of Cathkin 1766 Xicol Poems 165 Just like a covetous
*meal-monger. 1818 Scott Br. Lamm, xxix, The match be-
tween the laird of Kiltlegirth's black mare and Johnston the
meal-monger's four-year-old colt. 1799 Undenvoods Syst.
Med. (ed. 4) I. 154 Violent convulsions, which disappeared
entirely, upon the prohibition of *meal-pap. 17.. Robin
Hoodff Beggarv. in Child Ballads III. 160 His *meal-pock
hang about his neck, Into a leathern fang. 1818 Scott Br.
Lamm, v, Shame be in my meal-poke, then. £1400 Yivame
«y Gaw. 2032 That da he kest than in his nek, Als it was a
*mele-sek. 1820 Scott Monast. xxxvii, It is always be>t to
be sure, as I say when I chance to take multure twice from
the same meal-sack. 1552 Huloet, Mealeman or *meale-
seller, suffarraneus. 1565 Cooper Thesaurus, Farinarium
cribrum, a *meale sieue. 1624 in A rcltsologia XIATII. 148
A meale sive. 155a Huloet, *Mealesifter, pollintor. 1623
Minsheu, A *Meale trough, hariual. 1825 J. Nicholson
Operat. Mechanic 100 The buckets, dipping into the meal-
trough, convey the flour to the upper story. 167 1 F. Phillips
Reg. Necess 363 Three *Meal-Weighers. 1812 Examiner
10 Oct. 662/2 The Lord Mayor, after inspecting the Meal
Weighers Return, . . ordered the price of Bread to fall 3d. in
the peck-loaf.
b. Special Comb. : meal-bark, a name for certain
species of Cycas, so called on account of the starchy
matter in the trunk ; meal-beetle, a coleopterous
insect (Tencbrio molitor), which infests granaries,
etc., and is injurious to flour; meal-berry, the Red
Bearberry, Arctostapiylos uva ursi (Treas. Bot.
1866); f meal-house, a place where meal is stored ;
f meal-malt, malt ground to a powder (as for use
in distilling) ; meal-mite, the Acarus farinas {Syd.
Soc. Lex. 1 890) ; meal-Monday, a Monday given
as a holiday in Scottish universities, formerly for
the purpose of allowing the students to go home to
fetch enough meal to last till the end of the session ;
meal-moth, a book-name for two species of moth,
Asopia farinalis and Pyralis farinalis, the larva?
of which feed on meal or flour; meal-powder,
finely ground gunpowder ; meal-tree, the wayfar-
ing-tree, Viburnum Laniana (called also mealy
tree) ; meal-tub, a tub for containing meal ; also
attrib. in Meal-tub Plot, the pretended conspiracy
of the Duke of Monmouth in 1679, the evidence
for which consisted of papers found in a meal-tub;
meal-worm, the larva of the meal-beetle ; meal-
worm beetle = meal-beetle.
1822 Good Study Med. I. 4 The ..*meal-bark {cycas
circinalis). 1836-9 Todd CycL Anat. II. 863/2 The
*meal-beet!es, Tenebrionidm. c 1050 Suppl. All/ric's Gloss.
in Wr.-Wulcker 185/27 Farinale, "mealehus. c 1330 Durham
MEAL.
'lis* R»So»UCT f SlS ty SCra '"'P' Pr0 '= Mdhous "Jrf-
1582 LKtroN /■/. Fansie (Grosart) 16/1 The Pastrie, Meale-
house, and the roome wheras the Coales do ly. 17026 Hey-
m°a?tD £2 T W- (H 8S> 1V>293 Mr- °atS man with • ™a>-
malt 1842 T. W Harris Insects injur. Veget. (1862. 475
Ihe meal-moth 'Pyrahs farinalis). 178. Thompson in
Phil, trans . LXXI. 260 'Meal-powder is more inflammable
than that which is grained. 1796 Cutllr in Morse Amer.
u°ei VJ3, MeataeeC 'burnum Laniana). i6i4Rai.eigh
Hist Horld lit viii. § n. ,04 A lewd fellow was brought
.1 . ' "h° sald' rlhat ^ himselfe escaping in a *meale-
tubbe, hadbeene[e:c.]. 1681 Vaxier A nsu: DodwellW „
It this Hypothesis.. come out of the Meal-Tuh, or forge of
Inventers, what shall such men be called » a 1715 Burnet
Own Time .11 (1724) I. 476 They found a paper that con-
lamed the scheme of this whole fiction, which because it
was found in a Meal tub came to be called the MeaUub
plot 1658 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 111. xxi. (ed. 4' 103
1 hat Cameleon had been observed to drink water, and de-
light to feed on * Meal-worms. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist V
265 Hut meal-worm insects they . . swallow ed . . most greedily
1863 Yv ood Nat. Hist. 1 1 1. 474 The Meal-worm . . is The larva
oi a beetle named Tencbrio molitor. i860 J. Gurus Farm
Insects 334 The "Meal-worm Beetle.
Meal \,mil), sb.- Forms: 1 m&l, mel, 2-3 mel,
3mael, 3-6 mele, 4 male, 4-6meel(e, 5 mai'le, Sc.
maill,mell,6-omeale, 7 meall, 3- meal. [Com.
Teut. : OE. /«a'/neut., mark, sign, measure, fixed
time, occasion, meal = OFris. mil, mdl (in phr.
al to mdl always, etmdl space of 12 or 24 hours\
OS. -mdl sign, measure ^MDu. mael masc, fern.,
neut., mark, sign, landmark, fixed time, meal-time,
Du. maal neut., meal, masc, time), OHG. mdl
neut., timefMHG. mdl neut., spot, point of time,
meal, mod.G. maltime, mail meal), OS. mdlaent.,
mark, measure, point or portion of time, meal-
time (Sw. mdl mark, measure, meal, Da. maal
mark, measure), Goth, mel time (pi. mi-la marks,
writing) :-OTeut. *m&lom, f. Indogermanic root
"me- (Skr. ma-) to measme.]
1 1. A measure. Obs.
c 1000 .SVT.tT Leechd. II. 184 Diles bieo cutler mad. c 1382
Wvclip Ex. xxv. 2 [A] coroun with foure fingur mele hei^t
[Vulg. attain ouatuor digitis], c 1400 Laujranc's Cirurg.
154 Al nianer wounde I at is madd in he extiemitees of be
lacertis as .iij. fyngir mele brede vndir be schuldris.
2. Any of the occasions of taking food winch
occur by custom or habit at more or less fixed
times of the day, as a breakfast, dinner, supper, etc.
c 897 K. /F.lfred Gregory's Past. C. xliii. 316 pe 3a=t nyle
Searfum sellan 3set he Sonne on msele lasfo. c 1175 Lamb.
Horn. 31 He wule festen and eaten jif he mei et ane mele
swa muchel swa et twain, c 1205 Lay. 19690 /Elche da:ie
on a mad ure mete truke?. a 1225 Ancr. R. 428 Bitweonen
mele ne gruselie 3e nouoer frut, ne ooerhwat. c 12900*. Eng.
Leg. I. 469/232 f>o it was time of mele huy wenden to hecre
mete. 1390 Gower Con/ III. 25. I have at every meel Of
plente more than ynowh. 14.. Dietary 67 in Barbour's
Bruce (S. T. S.), Betuix malys diink nocht for na plesand
delit. 1463 Bury Wills (Camden) 21 He to piey for my
soule at euery meel, mete or sopeer. 1540-1 Elyot Image
Gov. 45 b, There shuld be at the leaste .vi. houres betwene
euery meale. 1617 Moryson I tin. 1. 61 They give good fare for
foure grosh a meale. 1778 Miss Burney Evelina xviii, Our
breakfast was the most agreeable meal .. that we have had
since we came to town. 1842 A. Combe Physiol. Digestion
(ed. 4) 193 Meals.then, ought to be early or late in proportion
to the habits of the individual, i860 Tyndall Glac. I. xi.
72 We set about preparing our evening meal. 1897 W. Rye
Nor/olk Songs 25 'He don t like working between meals '
is a succinct description of a lazy man.
b. Without reference to time : An occasion of
taking food, a repast. Also, the material of a
repast ; the food eaten at or provided for a repast.
c 1200 Ormin 4959 "Jiff itt iss in bin heme, To shunenn. .
derewurrbe maeless. c 1250 Gen. <y Ex. 1484 De fader luuede
esau wel, for firme biroe & swete mel. 1297 R. Glouc
(Rolls) 4204 He wole be limemele To drawe & uorsuolwe
par auenture at one mele. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R.
vi. xx. (1495) 207 Meete shall be lyke and of one manere
whyche that men ete atte one meele. c 1400 Gamelyn 636
He was sore alonged after a good meel. 1481 Caxton
Reynard (Arb.) 13, I shal do late you haue so moche that
ten of yow shold not ete it at one mele. 1590 Shaks. Com.
Err. v. i. 74 Vnquiet meales make ill digestions. 1727-46
Thomson Summer 1025 Their mangled limbs Crashing at
once, he dyes the puiple seas With gore, and riots in the
vengeful meal. 1767 Jago Edge Hill iv. 77 The lusty Steers
..leisurely concoct their grassy Meal. 1853 M. Arnold
Scholar-Gipsy xii, The blackbird, picking food, Sees thee,
nor stops his meal. 1857 & Birds Urin. Deposits (ed. 5)
274 The earthy phosphates are always abundant after a
meal. 1902 T. M. Lindsay Ch. $ Ministry in Early Cent.
ii. 51 They ate together a meal which they themselves
provided,
trans/. 177a C. Jenner Town Eclogues ii. 8 When.. cits
take in their weekly meat of air.
c. f At meal {obs.), at meals : at table ; at dinner,
breakfast, supper, etc. Similarly f{to go) to meal.
136a Langl. P. PI. A. 1. 24 That on clothing is from chele
ow to saue : And that othur mete at meel for meseise of
thiseluen. 1533 Elyot Cast. Helthe 42 b, For moche abun-
dance of drinke at meale, drowneth the meate eaten. 1565
Cooper Thesaurus, Accubare apud aliquem, to be at the
table in a mans house : to sitte at meale with him. 1620
Venner Via Recta viii. 185 The wholesomnesse of wine.,
moderately taken at meale. .is. -well knowne. 1635 Pagitt
Christianogr. I. iii. (1636) 205 They which fast may goe to
meale at ten, eleven, or twelve of the clocke. 1710 Steele
Taller No. 235 r 3 It was an unspeakable Pleasure to visit
or sit at Meal in that Family. 1818 Keats Isabella \, They
could not sit at meals but feel how well It soothed each to
be the other by.
100-3
MEAL.
268
MEAL-MOUTHED.
d. To make a meal of, + to make one's meal on :
to devour.
x6io Shaks. Temp. u. l 113 0 thou mine heire.-what
strange fish Hath made his meale on thee? a 183a 'Barry
Cornwall ' Eng. Songs 143 Have I . . Preyed on my brother's
blood, and made His flesh my meal to-day?
fig. 18*7 Pollok Course T. vm, Slander early rose, And
made most hellish meals of good men's names.
e. Meal's meat, later meal of meat : = sense
2 b. Now dial, (see E. D. D.).
13.. Guy Warw. (A.) 6845 A meles mete gif thou me.
1393 Langl. P. PL C. xvi. 36 Crauede-.A meles mete for a
poure man. c 1410 Sir Cleges 347 For my labor schall I
nott get But yt be a melys mete, c 1440 Promp. Parv.
321/2 Meel of mete.., commestio. \$\x PlumptonCorr,
(Camden) p. cxviii. Sir Robert Plomton . . paid for every
maile of meate . . iiijd for himselfe, & iid for his servant. 1530
Palsgr. 454/2 In this sence I fynde also je inuitc but pro-
perly to a meales meate, or to eate. 16x3 Fletcher, etc.
Honest Mans Fort, 11. in, You never yet had a meales
meat from my Table. 1693 J. Dryden in Drydens Juvenal
xiv. Notes (1697) 366 King Saturn, .gave this Example by
making a Meals-meat of his own Children. 1717 Enter-
tainer No. 6. 36 The Parasite may smell a Feast at C — t,
and go flatter Some-body there for a Meals-meat.
ff. The phrases a merry meal, a sorry meal,
were in ME. sometimes used fig. for : Something
joyful or the contrary. Obs.
13.. E. E. Allit. P. A. 23 O moul bou marrez a myry
mele. 14 . . King fy Hermit 425, I . . haue hade many merry
mele. c 1440 Lovelich Merlin 2754 Also sone as the dra-
gouns to-gyderes fele, be-twixen hem schal be-gynnen a sory
mele.
3. a. The quantity of milk given by a cow at
one milking ; also, the time of milking.
1613 W. Browne Brit. Past. 1. iv, Each shepheard's
daughter with her cleanly peale Was come afield to milke
the morning's meale. 1670 Cai-t. J. Smith Eng. Improzu
Revived 176 Northern Milch Cows, one of the least of
which shall give 2 Gallons of Milk at one Meal. 1727
Bradley Earn. Diet. s.v. Cheese, To make a Cheese of two
Meals, as of the Morning's new Milk, and the Evening's
Cream-milk, you must do also the same. 177S Johnson
Journ. Hebrides 187 A single meal of a goat is a quart.
1805 R. W. Dickson Pract. Agric. I. 58 It may be fitted up
with such, .coolers as are sufficient to contain a meal's milk.
1844 H. Stephens Bk. Farm II. 459 The milk drawn from
the udder at one milking, or meal, as it is termed.
b. dial. (See quot.)
c 1830 Glouc. Farm Rcfi. 33 in Libr. Use/. KnowL, Husb.
Ill, The cheeses pass through the three presses in this
order, advancing a step in their progress at each * meal ' or
making.
4. attrib. and Comb. : meal-going, used attrib.
(after church-going) ; meal-hour, -tray, meal-
pendant, -pennant, U. S. Navy, a red pennant
displayed during meal-times {Cent, Diet. 1890) ;
? f meal-settle, a seat at meals.
1858 Hogg Life Shelley II. 295 Startled at his books by
the sound of the *meal-going bell. 1802 Mrs. E. Parsons
Myst. Visit. IV. 92 He seldom saw her but at *meal hours.
1899 Scribners Mag. XXV. 89/2 The quartermaster . . hauled
down the *meal pennant. 1x1235 St. Marker. 11 *Mel
seotel softest ant guldene 3erde aire gold .smeatest. 1905
19M Cent. Jan. 92 She gets «ady the patients' *meal-trays
in a tasteful manner.
1 Meal, sb.'-i Obs. Forms: 1 meli, meeli,
meTe, -meele, 3-6 mele, 4 miele, 4-5 meel, 5-6
meyle, 6 meale, meele. [OE. me'le, (wseter)-
mxle str. masc, prob. repr. OTeut. type *m£ljo-zt
and so corresponding to ON. mxli-r measure ; see
Meal sbJ] A tub, bucket. Also used as a measure.
In OE. sometimes used to gloss L. Patera, carchesium,
cyathus, which mean bowl, disn, or cup.
.1700 EptnalGloss. s6Alvium, meeli. cioooSax. Leechd.
11.86 Do bonne mele fulne buteran on. c 1290 S. Eng.
Leg. I. 240/6 J>at child. .Ase it was in ane mele i-babed al
one upmt it stod. a 1300 Cursor M. 3306 Wantes vs here
na uessell, ne mele, ne bucket, ne funell. 1357-8 Durham
Ace. Rolls (Surtces) 124 In j Mele empt. pro carbonibus
portandis. 1370-71 Ibid. 263 In una mele Hngnea pro pedi-
bus lavandis. 1390 Gower Con/. III. 21 Thei in hope to
assuage The peine of deth..Of wyn let fille full a Miele,
And dronken til [etc.]. 1408 tr. Vegctins (MS. Douce 291,
If. 47 b), Bokettis, meles, and payles. 1440 Durham Ace.
Rolls (Surtees) 410, viij meel calcis extincta; empt... ad x\\d.
1459-60 Ibid. 89, j kyrn, j meyle, ij Chesfattez. 1565 Cooper
Thesaurus, A lueus.. a meele or vessell to washe in. 1567
Wills $ Inv. N. C. (Surtees) I. 278, iij milk meales.
Meal (m*l), sb.* Sc. Forms: 5, 8 meel, 6 meale,
7 maile, mo ill, mell, 8 mail, miel, 9 meil. [a.
ON. mxli-r measure (Norw. msele a measure of
capacity varying in different localities) :— OTeut.
type *mzel/o-z, f. *mselom measure: see Meal j^.1]
*A relative weight used in Orkney' (Jam.).
1597 Skene De Verb. Sign. s.v. Serplaith, Item [in Ork-
nayj, 6 settings maks ane mail. Item 24 meales makis ane
Last. 1624 Witch Trial in Abbotsford Club Misc. I. 148-9
His brother haid twa mells [of corn]. 1629 Witch Trial in
County Folklore (1903) III. 78 She wantit the profleitt of
ane meill of malt that sbe was brewing. 1698 M. Martin
Voy. St. Kilda (1749) 48 Ancient Measures, as the Maile. . :
this Maile contains ten Pecks. 1793 Statist. Ace. Scotl. V.
412 The stipend consists of 86 mails malt (each mail weigh-
ing about 12 stones Amsterdam weight). Ibid. VII. 477,
6 settings make 1 meel. Ibid, 563 On the first is weighed
settings and miels. 1805 Forsyth Beauties Scotl. V. 52
Six setteens or lispunds make a meil.
Meal (mil}) sb$ dial. Also 8 male, 8-9 meale,
9 miol, miel. [a. ON. mel-r sandbank, also bent-
grass (the latter is prob. the original sense ; for the
development cf. Markam).] A sand-dune.
1706 Phillips, Meals or Males, the Shelves or Banks of
Sand on the Sea-coasts of Norfolk : Whence Ingom-meals,
the Name of a Sandy Shore in Lincoln-shire. 1778 Eng.
Gazetteer (ed. 2) s.v. Edmotui' S'Chapel, The coast here is
secured against the incursions of the sea, by sand heaps,
commonly called Meales. 1839 Penny Cycl. XVI. 258 Sand-
hills . . locally termed ' meals , or * marum hills '. 1867 Smyth
Sailor's Word-bk,, Meales, or Miols, immense sandbanks
thrown up by the sea on the coasts of Norfolk, Lancashire,
etc 1897 Spectator 209 At present only the highest tides
ever cover the surface of the ' meals '.
Comb, a 1893 in Cozens-Hardy Broad Nor/. 77 Miel-
banks, banks of sand blown up by the wind and consoli-
dated by the marum grass— also called ' meal-banks '. 1899
Cornish in Comhill Mag. Mar. 313 The fascinating but
little known region of the ' meal marshes ' which fringe the
North Norfolk coast.
Meal (nul), v.1 Somewhat rare. [f. Meal sb.1]
1. trans. To cover with meal; to powder with meal.
161 1 Beaum. & Fl. Knt. Burning Pest. v. i, Enter Jasper
with his Face mealed. 1882 Garden 21 Jan. 33/3 All their
flowers will be more or less mealed on the surface.
b. fig. To meal one's mouth : to become 'mealy-
mouthed ' ; to speak in gentle terms. ? nonce-use.
1826 Southey in Corr. tu. C. Bowles (1881J 96 Though
there is as much civility as can be desired., yet I have
neither mealed my mouth nor minced my words.
2. a. trans. To grind into meal ; to reduce to
a fine powder, b. intr. To become reduced to
meal or powder.
1669 Sturmy Mariner's Mag. v. xiii. 89 Meal all these
verynne,and mix them together. Ibid., I twill Meal presently.
3. intr. To yield or be plentiful in meal.
1799 J. Robertson Agric. Perth 155 It is a little earlier
than the old Polish oat, and meals equally well.
Meal (mil), v.- [f. Meal sb.-]
1. intr. To make a meal ; to eat meals ; to feed.
1827 Hone Every-day Bk. II. 218 There were.. worms
there. ., which would have mealed handsomely upon him.
1840 R. H. Dana Be/. Mast xxx. 109 Mess, any number of
men who meal together. 1886 M. K. Macmillan Dagonet
the Jester 5, I will not meal with a churl, nor moil with a
churl.
2. trans. To feed, give fodder to (cattle). ? Obs.
1630 Winthrop Let. in New Eng, (1825) I. 378 Some more
cows would be brought, especially two new milch, which
must be well mealed and milked by the way.
t Meal, v.'-"> Obs. rare"1. [Identical with OE.
mklan, f. mdl spot, stain, Mole sb.1
{Northern dialects have mail vb., to spot, stain, f. matt,
northern form of mole : see E. D. D.)J
trans. To spot, stain ; by Shaks. vised fig.
1603 Shaks. Meas./or M. iv. ii. 86 Were he meal'd with
that Which he corrects, then were he tirrannous.
Meal, obs. form of Mail sb?
-meal, suffix, forming advs. (all obs. txcpiecC'
tneal), repr. ME. -mele (down to the 14th c some-
times -melum), OE. -mxlum. The OE. advs. in
-mxtum are in form the instrumental case plural
of compounds of m&l Meal sb?, in the sense of
1 measure ', * quantity taken at one time ', as in
cudtrmkl spoonful (as a measure), the instr. pi. of
which would be *cucUrmklum by spoonfuls. The
particular compounds of this formation actually
recorded in the instr. pi., however, do not occur in
the other cases, and already in OE. -mklum had
come to be a mere suffix with the sense expressed
in Latin by -dtim, -tim, and in mod.Eng. by the
repetition of the sb. preceded by by. Examples
which existed in OE. are dropmselum Dkopmeal,
fioccmklum Flockmeal, fdtm&lum Eootmeal,
httaprnxlum Heafmeal, limmklum LimbmeaLj
scttafrnxlum sheaf by sheaf, sitmm&lum turn by
turn, alternately, stutidmklum Stounumeal, styece-
mixlum bit by bit, ^armmlum year by year. The
suffix continued to be productive in ME., among
the formations dating from that period being cantle-
meal, cupmeal, gobbetmeal, littlemeal, parcel/neat,
pennymeal, piecemeal, poundmeal, and the Latin-
isms ravishmeal (Wyclif) 'raptim\ table-meal
i tabulatim \ A remarkable survival of the OE.
inflexion appears in Wyclifs hipyllmelum (see
IIipple). To the 16th c. belong fitmeal, inchmeal,
jointmeal, lumpmeal; in later Eng. the suffix has
not been productive, though nonce-words such as
pagemeal have occasionally been formed, more or
less playfully. A trace of the originally substan-
tival character of the suffix remains in the use of
by piecemeal as a synonym of the simple adv. (cf.
the obs. by flockmeal, by pennymeal, etc.).
1.493 Festivalt (W. de W. 1515) 8 b, Hymselfe with his
owone handes kest away the fleshe lompe mele. 18*7 Blackiv.
Mag. XXI. 884 How pleasant it would be to tear it page*
meal, and fling it in the author's face.
Mealable ^mrlab'l), a. [f. Meal vl + -able.]
Capable of being mealed.
1823 Mech. Mag. No. 9. 138 Satisfied with having their
corn reduced to a mealable form. 1885 A. Stewart Twixt
Ben Nevis <y Gleneoe xxv. 181 So much mealable grist.
Meale, variant of Mele v. Obs., to speak.
Mealed (m/ld), ///. a. [f. Meal vA + -ed -.]
Finely pulverized; spec, of gunpowder.
169a Capt. Smith's Seaman's Gram. 11. xxxi. 150 Fine
Mealed Powder. 1859 F. A. Griffiths ArtU. Man. (1862)
89 A hole is bored through the mealed powder at the top.
Mealer1 (mrlaj). [f. Meal sb.2 and v.2 + -er!.]
1. In parasynthetic derivatives {notice-wds.): One
who eats (one, half a) meal in the day.
1849 D. J. Browne Amer. Poultry Yd. (1855) 48 Certain
hens.. are called Monosita: (that is, one-mealers, or such as
eat only once a day). 1899 R. Whitei ng 5 John St. 1 1 1 The
half-mealers, who always leave off with a hungry belly.
2. U.S. colloq. One who takes his meals at one
place and lodges at another ; a i table-boarder *.
1883 M. F. Sweetser Summer Days 126 That class of the
community known as ' hauled mealers '. 1887 A. A. Hayes
Jesuit's Ring 52 You are a 'mealer' here.
3. slang. One pledged to take alcoholic drink
only at meals.
1890 in Darreke & Leland Diet. Slang.
Mealer2 (in/*bi). [f. Meal v.1 + -erI.] a
wooden rubber for mealing powder.
1875 in Knight Diet. Mech.
Mealer, variant of Maileu *.
Mealie (mi"*li). Also 9 (from//.) milice. [a.
Cape Du. milje (pronounced mi"*li), a. Pg. milho
Millet , used also (with denning words milhogrande,
m. da India) for maize.] A South African name
for maize ; chiefly used in the pi.
1853 Galton Tropical S. A/r. vi. 182 The Ovampo had
little pipkins to cook in, and eat corn (milice) steeped in hot
water. 1855 J. W. Colenso Ten Weeks in Natal, Hist.
Sk. p. vi, The second range oi land.. furnishing abundant
crops of hay, oats, mealies, or Indian corn, and barley. 1901
Scotsman 11 Mar. 8/1 For eight days they bad to live on
half a pound of mealie a day, with very little meat.
attrib. 1879 Cape A >gus 5 June (Cent.), A bivouac was
made near a deserted kraal, there being . . a mealie-field
hard by. ..A volley was fired from the adjacent mealie-
garden. 1893 Westvt. Gas. 10 Oct. 2/1 Their staple diet
then being ' mealie ' meal porridge maile with water.
Mealiness .mflines). [f. Mealy a. + -ness.]
The quality or condition of being mealy.
1609 C. Butler Fern. Mon. (1634) 127 They [teredines]
offend the Bees also with their mealiness, as the Snails do
with their sliminess. 1776 Withering Brit. Plants (1796)
IV. 69 Leaves covered with a kind of ash-coloured meali-
ness. i8ao L. Hunt Indicator No. 37 (1822) I. 294 There
was a sort of exquisite silver clearness and soft mealiness in
her utterance o? these verses. 1844 Stephens Bk. Farm
II. 666 The mealiness consists of a layer of mucilage im-
mediately under the skin, covering the starch or farina.
1876 Abnev Instr. Photogr. (ed. 3) 125 The cause of meali-
ness or ' measles ' in the print. 1886 Besant Childr. Gibeott
II. ii, To bring out the full mealiness of a potatoe.
Mealing (nu,lirj\ vbl. sb.1 Also 5 melwynge.
[f. Meal v% + -ing 1.]
1. The action of grinding meal; also, the action
of finely pulverizing gunpowder. Chiefly attrib.,
as in mealing trade; mealing stone, a stone used
for grinding meal ; mealing table, a slab for
mealing gunpowder upon.
14.. Voc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 582/19 Farracio, Melwynge.
1805 A. Kulin {title) On the Art of Bread-making, wherein
the Mealing Trade.. is Examined. 1818 J. M. Spearman
Brit. Gunner (ed. 2) 78 Mealing Tables. 1866 Reader 22
SepL 307 A mealing stone with a hollow in which the corn
was bruised. 1880 Dawkins Early Man 268 Two concave
stone grain-rubbers or ' mealing-stones*.
2. The action of covering with meal.
a 1810 Robin Hoodfy Beggar Ixxix. in Child Baltads(iBBB)
III. 163/2 He thought, if he had done them wrong In meal-
ing of their cloaths [etc. J.
Mealing (mHin), vbl. sb2 [f. Meal v.2 +
-ing1.] The action of taking meals; U.S. the action
of taking meals at a boarding-house.
1659 H. L'Estbange Alliance Div. Off. 188 The junket-
ings, comessations, and mealing together were soon laid
aside. 1887 A. A. Haves Jesuit's Ring 55 She must draw
the line, .when the hauling cost more than the mealing.
Mealing, obs. form of Mailing.
Meall;e, obs. ff. Maul *M, Meal sb2
Mealless (m/-l|les\ a. [f. Mkal.t£.,2 + -less.]
Without a meal.
1894 Season X. 57/2 Many men unnecessarily exhaust
themselves by going a whole day mealless.
Meally, obs. form of Mealy.
Mealman (mrlmacn). [f. Meal sbA + Man.]
One who deals in meal.
155a Huloet, Mealeman or meale seller, suffarraneus.
1556 Chron. Gr. Friars (Camden) 77 Alle save only the
mele-men. 1679 Lond. Gas. No. 1407/4 Mr. Acres^ Meal-
man. 1778 Eng. Gasetteer (ed. 2) s. v. Henley, The inhabi-
tants are generally maltsters, mealmen and bargemen. 180a
in Spirit Publ. Jrnls. (1803) VI. 89 All our meal-men and
millers are Esquires.
t Mealniouth, sb. and a. Obs. [f. Meal sb.1
+ Mouth.] a. sb. A mealy-mouthed person.
b. adj. Mealy-mouthed.
1546 J. Hevwood Prov. (1867) 19 When the meale mouth
hath woon the bottome Of your stomake, than will the pick-
thanke it tell. 1575 G. Harvey Letter-bk. (Camden) 92
[Written to a miller] Those same fine . . milltermes wherewith
your mealemowthe letter and whitebred sonett ar.. illu-
minate, a 1700 B. E. Diet. Cant. Creiv, Meal-mouth, a sly,
sleepish Dun, or Sollicitor for Money.
t Mea*l-mOUthed, ppl- a. Obs. [Formed as
prec. + -ed^.] = Mealy-mouthed.
1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 155 Saying, that you had
flatterers & meal-mouthed merchants in high estimation.
1686 Wood Life 5 Nov. (O.H.S.) III. 199 Dr. Reynell..in
his sermon was meale-mouthed and timorous.
Mealt(e, obs. forms of Melt v.
MEALTIDE.
+ Mea Hide. Obs. exc. Sc. meltith (mcltih).
Forms: a. 3 mel tid, 4 raeel-tyd, 5 raelltyde,
6 meale tyde, meltyd, 7 mealtide. &. 6mail-
teth, melteithe, 6-9 melteth, 7 mealtite, 8
mealtith, meltet, 8-9 meltit, meltith, 9 mel-
taith. [f. Meal sb.- + Tide sb. : cf. G. mahlzeit,
Du. maa/ti/d, late ON. mdltiti (Da. maalttd).']
1. = Meal-time. Also, a meal, food.
cizoo />/«. Coll. Horn. 13 J>e man be sune3 ale5 gest-
ninge. .and haue5 riht mel tid and nutteS timeliche metes.
c 1374 Chaucer Troylus II. 1556 The morwen com and
neyheii gan be tyme Of meltid. 1485 Cely Papers (Camden)
177 Item I pd to my noste Gyllamde la Towr for howr mell-
tydes from Sonday tyll Fryday vi» viiid. 1534 Moke Comf.
agst. Trib. 11. Wks. 1185/1 He wold not for breaking of his
penance, take anye praye for hys meale tyde, that shuld
passe the prise of syxe pence. 1563-7 Buchanan Reform.
St. AndrosWks. (1892) 7 Every man ane eg at the mailteth.
1588 A. King tr. Canisiut1 Catech. 162b, Wear content
onelie with ane melltyd on the day. 1614 JJ. Jonson Barth.
Fain, ii, A Suitor that puts in hereat Meal-tide. 1655CLI.-
pefper, etc. Riverius XV. v. 419 A Bath, into which Blood-
warm let the Patient enter, .far from meal-tide. 17*8 Ram-
say Daft Bargain 12 [He] seem'd right yap His mealtith
quickly up to gawp. < 1826 HoGGin J. Wilson Noct. Amor.
Wks. 1855 I. 212 Tarn lo'ed his meltith and his clink.
2. The quantity of milk given by a cow at one
milking. ■= Meal sb.'1
1633 Orkney Witch Trial in Abbotsford Club Misc. 153
Alse mony mealtit'is off milk. 1839 J. M. Wilson Tales
Borders V. c,6/i She, accordingly brought her evening's mel-
tith, and skimmed it into his dish.
Meal-time. [f. Meal sb% + Time.] The usual
time for eating a meal.
cujs Lamb. Horn. 115 He seal hine ibidan on a-sette
tidan and her meltiman metes ne arinan. 13.. Minor
Poems fr. Vernon MS. xxxvii. 937 Whon mon hat* at meel-
tyme such as he wile, Tak bat he hap neode of. 1377 Langl.
P. PI. B. v. 500 Aboute mydday whan most li^te is and mele
tymeofseintes. 1611 BtWLK JRutAU. 14 And Boaz sayde vmo
her, At meale time come thou hither. 1704 M. Henry Com.
mun. Comp. iii, Wks. 1853 I. 306/1 The great Master of the
family would have none of his children missing at meal-time.
i860 S. Wilberforce Addr. Ordination 134 We must not
break in on the meal-time of the poor.
Mealy (mf-li), a. Also 6-7 mealie, 7-9
meally. [f. Meal sbA + -v.]
1. Resembling meal, having the qualities of meal,
powdery. Of fruits: (see quot. 1725). Of potatoes
when boiled : Forming a somewhat dry and pow-
dery mass, resembling flour (considered to be a
good quality : opposed to waxy).
1533 Elyot Cast. Helthe (1541) 88 b, Some groundes or
residence [in urine] is like to meale, wheate, or barley, and
may be named mealy residence. 1658 Sir T. Browne Card.
Cyrus iii. Hydriot. etc. 58 Though the regular spots in their
[sc. butterflies] wings seem but a mealie adhesion . .yet [etc. J.
1672-3 Grew Anat. Roots if, § 30 Many Apples, after Frosts,
eat mealy. 1735 Br adley Fam. Dict.y Mealy ; a Term used
concerning certain Pears, which having generally surpassed
their Ripeness, or growing in an ill Soil, have not that
Quantity of Juice and fine Pulp, which they should have :
Thus they say of the Lansac, Dean, &c. this Pear is mealy,
this Pear has a mealy Taste. 1758 Reid tr. Macquer's Chem.
1. 35 By which means its crystals lose their transparency,
become, as it were, mealy, and fall into a fine flour. 1795
Hull Advertiser 5 Dec. 4/3 Mealy potatoe. 1818-20 E.
Thompson tr. Cnilcn's Nosol. Method, (ed. 3) 203 Small
clustering pimples . . after three days go away in a small
mealy desquamation. 1840 Pereira Elem. Mat. Med. II.
661 Many druggists prefer mealy sarsaparilla, that is, sar-
saparjlla whose cortex is brittle and powdery, and which,
on being fractured transversely, throws out a white dust.
2. Containing meat or farina ; farinaceous.
1591 Sylvester Du Bartas 1. iii. 832 Our mealy grain Our
skilful! Seedman scatters not in vain. 1667 Phil. Trans. II.
485 A Farinaceous or Mealy Tree, serving to make bread of
it. 1694 Salmon Bate's Dispens. (1713) 591/1 The meally
Julep. 173a Arbuthnot Rules of Diet 267 Decoctions of
mealy Vegetables lubricate the Intestines. ifyo Syd. Soc.
Lex,, Mealy albumen^ the albumen of seeds which contains
many starch granules, as in wheat.
3. Covered with flour.
1704 N. N. tr. Boccaliui's Advts.fr. Parnass. I. 233 That
some sort of People should be so foolish, to expect to come, as
meally out of the Mill, when they had staid there but a
quarter of an Hour, as the Miller himself. 1773 Fergusson
Poems {i^Z<))\l.6Z Mealy bakers, Hair-kaimers[etc.]. 183a
Tennyson Millers Dau. i, The wealthy miller's mealy face.
1883 H. W.V. Stuart Egypt 113 He emerged from the mills
as white as the clown in a pantomime, nor were we less mealy.
transf. 1591 Sylvester Du Bartas i.iv. 672 The mealie
Mountains (late unseen) Change their white garments into
lustly green. 1839 Longf. Hyperion 1. vi, Winter, .will come
down at last in his old-fashioned mealy coat.
4. Covered with or as if with a fine dust or
powder. Chiefly in Bot. and Ent.
1567 Maplet Gr. Forest 34 b, Britannick or English Herb,
hath the very looke of the greatest Sorrell, but in Colour a
little more black, somewhat Mossie or Mealie. x6o6 Shaks.
TV. <y Cr. in. iii. 79 Men like butter-flies, Shew not their
mealie wings, but to the Summer. 1870 Hooker Stud. Flora
316 Chenopodium album.. more or less mealy. 1890 Syd.
Soc. Lex., Mealy hairst term applied by De Bary to the
capitate hairs, presenting a powdery aspect, found on the
under surface of various ferns belonging to the species
Gymnograritm* Pteris and Nothochlxna [etc.].
Comb. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. in. xv. i4r Some
flye with two wings, . . some with foure, as all farinaceous or
mealy winged animals, as Butter-flies and Moths.
b. In various specific designations of animals,
plants, and minerals : mealy bug, an insect which
infests vines and hot-house plants (^see quot. 1840);
269
mealy centaury, Centaurea dealbata (Sanders
Encycl. Card., ed. 2, 1896); mealy duck (see
quot.); mealy insect = mealy bug ; mealy
parasol, an esculent fungus, A garicus granulosus;
mealy redpoll, -pole, see Redpoll * ; mealy
star-wort, Aletris farinosa (Syd. Soc. Lex. 1 890) ;
mealy tree, the wayfaring tree, Viburnum Lan-
tana ; mealy zeolite, an obs. synonym of both
natrolite and mesolite (A. H. Chester).
1814 Loudon Encycl. Card. § 3059 M'Phail [c 1800] ob-
serves, that the red spider, the *mealy white bug, and the
brown turtle insect are the most injurious to the vine. 1840
Cuviers Anim. Kingd. 573 The Mealy-bug, C". atiouidum,
is somewhat of a rosy hue, with the body covered with a
white mealy powder. 1885 Swainson Prov. Names Birds
Index, *Mealy bird or -duck. 1890 //. Stevenson's Birds
Norfolk III. 219 The immature long-tailed duck is known
to the Blakeney gunners as the ' little mealy duck '. 1815
Trans. Horticult.Soc. 1. 297 Coccus Adonidu/u, the *MeaIy
Insect. 1887 Hav Brit. Fungi 73 Agaricus granulosus.. .
The*Mealy Parasol. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), *Mealy
Tree or Wild Vine. 1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. App. 319
Mealy-tree, Pliant, Viburnum.
5. Of colour : Spotty, uneven. In Photography <m
Measly a. 3.
1784 J. Bakhy in Led. Paint, vi. (184S) 216 To give a
richness and depth to the dark colours, by preventing that
mealy appearance which results from the light resting and
glittering on their surfaces. 1804 Tingky Vamishers Guide
(1816) 3 The use of camphor for varnish is limited ; too
great a quantity would render it mealy. 1876 [see Measly
«. 3]. 1890 Anthonys Photogr. Bull. III. 86 My greatest
trouble has been mealy prints.
b. Of colours of horses : Spotty, interspersed
with whitish specks. Also Comb.t as mealy-but-
toched, -Jlauked, -mouthed^ -nosed adjs. (Cf.
Maily a.)
1675 Lond. Gaz, No. 980/4 Stolen.., a black brown Nag,
. -with a star in the Forehead, a light brown mealy mouth.
1677 Ibid. No. 1198/4 A brown bay Gelding, with a shorn
Mane, mealy mouth'd,. .'twixt 14 and 15 hands. 1691 Ibid.
No. 2692/4 Stolen.., a black brown Nag, ..mealy Buttock'd,
and mealy Nosed with a Star on his Snip. 1703 Ibid. No.
3978/4 A brown Nag., mealy Flank't. 1708 Ibid. No. 4438/4
A Black Mare of about five years old, ..a small meally
Slip under her Right Nostril. 1861 Whyte Melville Mkt.
Harh. 19 A mealy bay cob.
6. Of complexion : Floury, pale. Also Comb., as
mealy-complexioned, -faced adjs.
1838 Dickens O. Twist xiv, I only know two sorts of boys.
Mealy boys, and beef-faced boys. 1840 Barham Ingot. Leg.
Ser. 1. Hamilton Tighe, They bring her a little, pale, mealy-
faced boy. i860 All Year Round No. 66. 367 The boys
of these London schools are thin and long: white, mealy,
and flaccid. 1876 Geo. Eliot Dan. Der. xxxvi, A mealy-
complexioned male, 1883 V. M. Crawford Dr. Claudius
viii, A mealy-faced, over-cerebrated people are springing up.
7. Of the flavour of tea : Soft, not harsh.
1892 Walsh Tea (Philad.) 98 Clear and bright in liquor,
and mellow or 'mealy' in flavor.
8. Soft-spoken, given to mince matters ; mealy-
mouthed.
1600 Dekker Gentle Craft i. 11862) 9 This wench with the
mealy mouth, is my wife I can tell you. 1697 C. Leslie
Snake in Grass (ed. 2) 173 Therefore, George, notwithstand-
ing all thy meally modesty, it is [etc.]. 1720 Amherst Ep.
Sir y. Blount 12 If you don't straitway find out what
The meally Rascals would be at. 1824 Miss Ferrier In-
herit, xxvii. (1882) I. 241 A little squeaking mealy voice.
1828 Carlyle Misc. f 1857) IV. 140 Bless its mealy mouth !
1854 Dickens Hard T. u. viii, I didn't mince the matter
with him. I am never mealy with 'em. i86z J. C. Jeaf-
freson Bk. abt. Doctors xiih (1862) 156 Well-fed Vicars of
Bray, .with mealy mouths and elastic consciences.
Mealy (nu'li), v. Bleaching, [f. Mealy a.]
trans. — Bkan v. ; to ' clear * maddered goods by
boiling in bran-water.
181 x Self Instructor 537 Bran liquors are used to meally
dying-stuffs.
Mealy-dew, obs. form of Mildew.
Mealy-mouthed (mrlijmau-Sd), a. [Cf.
Mealy a, 8.] Soft-spoken ; not outspoken ; afraid
to speak one's mind or to use plain terms.
c 157a Gascoigne Fruites Warre lxxxvi, So were more
meete for mealy mouthed men. 1606 Day lie of Guts iv. iv,
And ile not be mealely mouthed, I warrant em. 1679 ( T.
Ticklefoot' Trial Wakeman-] Hewasnot mealy mouth'd,
but would.. have talked his mind to Knights, or any Body.
1788 Wesley Wks. (1872) VII. 106 Carry your point, what-
ever it costs. Be not mealy-mouthed. 1853 Tennyson
Brook 94 Mealy-mouth'd philanthropies. 1887 Besant The
World went xvi. 138 None of your mincing, mealy-mouthed,
fine ladies.
H Used for : Over scrupulous.
1809 Malkin Gil Bias xn. xiv, You are not mealy-
mouthed about receiving a commoner into your pedigree.
Hence Mealy-mouthedly adv., Mealy-moutn-
edness.
1727 Bailey vol. II, Mealy-mouthedness. 1838 Southey
Doctor (1848) 382 He is not given to speak, as his friends the
Portuguese say, enfarinhadamente — which is, being inter-
preted, mealy-mouthedly. 1894 Sat. Rev. 24 Mar. 304
School Boards and other engines of mealy-mouthedness have
laid a ban upon some of our old plant names.
t Mean, sb}- Obs. Forms : 3-5 mene, 6, 9
meane, 9 meen. [f. Mean v.2] A lament, com-
plaint.
t «.. Prayer to Virg. 34 in O. E. Misc. 196 To be ne dar
i clepien noht to hire ich make min mene. 1300-1400
Cursor M. (Gott.) 19758 Widuten ani mene or sare. <ri47o
Henry Wallace iv. 153 Thar petuous mene as than couth
MEAN.
1 ,"<?'£' .k^ I*"- * '57« Lisdesay (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot.
1 (S. l.a.)I. 286 I his bischope.. maid his means and compknt
to the lord Home. 18.. in Kinloclis Sc. Ballads (1827) 131
She heard a pmr prisoner making his meane. 18 Mary
Hamilton xitt in Child Ballads III. 389 'Make never
meen for me ', she says.
Mean (nun), sb.- Forms : 4-6 mene, 4-7
meane, 5-6 meyne, 5 meene, 6- mean. [Partly
the absolute use of Mean 0.2, and partly adopted
from the similar substantival use in OF.]
I. That which is in the middle.
1. That which is intermediate; a condition, quality,
disposition, or course of action, that is equally
removed from two opposite (usually, blamable)
extremes ; a medium. Often with laudatory adj.,
as Golden, happy, f Meury mean.
c*3H Chaucer Bocth. IV. Pr. vii. 146 Occupy |>e mene by
ileafastitteng\)ti[h._firmismediumvtrilmsocaipaU]. 1399
[see Merry a.], c 1400 Rom. Rose 6527 Richesse and men-
dlcitees lien cleped two extrcmitees ; The mene is cleped
suffisaunce. c 1420 Ballad, on Husb. 11. 27 Demene hit in
the mene of moyst and drie. Ibid. 127 The mene is best
thyn ayer to qualifie. 1529 Supplic. to A7//f (1871) 45 Be-
twene these extreame contraries there is no meane. 1580
Lyly Eufhucs (Arb.) 337, I haue hard that extremities are
to be vsed, where the meane will not serue. 1587, etc. [see
1 Golden a. 5 cj. 1396 Spenser Hymn Hon. Love 87 Tem-
pering goodly well Their contrary dislikes with loved
meanes. 1654-66 Earl Orrery Farthen. (16761 5 There
was no mean between my misery and her favour. 1690
W. Walker Idiomat. Anglo-Lat. 297 In apparel the mean
is the best. 17.7 Swift Poisoning E. Curll Wks. 1755 III.
1. 152 There is amean in all things. 173. Berkeley
Alciphr. v. § 6 Religion is the virtuous mean between in-
credulity and superstition. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. vii.
(ed. 5) II. 234 It is not easy., to preserve with steadiness
the happy mean between these two extremes. 1879 Cassells
I Techn. Educ. IV. 24/2 A mean between the darkest and
lightest tint used.
fb. Absence of extremes ; moderation, measure.
In a mean : with moderation. To use a mean :
I to exercise moderation. Obs.
1545 Ascham Toxoph. (Arb.) 17, I woulde desire all. .to vse
this pastime in suche a mean that the outragiousnes of
great gamyng, should not hurte the honestie of shotyng.
1556 Aurclio .y /sab. (1608) D iij, The Kingcaxede them
what meane one oughte to keape in suche a case. 1579
Uosson Set. Abuse (Arb.) 23 So they [versifying, danc-
ing and singing] bee vsed with meane, and exercised in due
tyme. 1607N0KDEN Surf. Dial. 11. 103, I wish, that Lords
and their ministers would use a meane in exacting. i6ai
Fletcher Wild Goose Chase 11. ii, I will be what I please,
Sir, So I exceed not Mean. 1625 Bacon Ess., Adversity
(Arb.) 504 But to speake in a Meane. 1655 Culpepper, etc.
Riverius 1. i. 4 Use a mean in sleep and waking. 1718
Pope /Had xvu. 573 When he seeks the prize War knows
no mean.
2. Mus. •)• a. A middle or intermediate part in
any harmonized composition or performance, esp.
the tenor and alto. Also, a person performing
that part or the instrument on which it is played.
The use app. survived in dialects until recently : see
E. D. D.
C1330 R. Brunne Chron. IVace (Rolls) 11263 po clerkes
bat best coupe synge, Wyb treble, mene, & burdoun. c 1400
Laud Troy Bk. 6599, I schal the teche bothe burdoun and
mene. c 1500 in Burney Hist. Mus. (1782) II. 435 There
are 3 degrees of Discant, that is to say Mene, Treble, and
Quadrible. The Mene beginneth in the 5, abowvyn the
Playn Songe in voys {etc.]. /bid. And so the Discant of
the Mene Salbegynne hys Discant about the Playne Songe in
Syght. 1526 Skelton Magttyf.iTfi All trebyllys and tenours
be rulyd by a meyne. 1611 Tourneur Ath. Trag. in. iii,
Trebles and bases make poore musick without meanes.
1698 Wallis in Bhil. Trans. XX. 302 Several Parts or
Voices (as Bass, Treble. Mean, &c. sung in Consort).
Jig. c 1430 Lydg. A/in. Poems (Percy Soc.) 54 The [nasal]
organys . . oegynne to syng ther messe, With treble meene
and tenor discordyng. 1590 Spenser F. Q. ir. xii. 33 On
the rocke the waves breaking aloft A solemne Meane unto
them measured. 1616 Goodman Fail 0/ Man 78 The little
chirping birds, .they sing a mean.
t b. A name for the second and the third string
of a viol or lute. Obs.
1879 Chappell Pop. Mus. I. 317 note. If there were two
means, as in the lute, the lower was called the greater ; the
upper, the lesser mean. 1880 Grove Diet. Mus. II. 242/2.
t c. ? = Natural sb. Obs.
1675 Cocker Morals 20 Grace, .tunes Natures Harp, And
makes that Note a Mean, which was a Sharp.
+ 3. The middle (of anything). Obs.
c 1420 Pallad. on Husb. in. 398 He seyd ereithe[r] sappe
wol condescende Vnto that mene, & glew hem self in fere.
c 1440 Pro/up. Parv. 332/1 Meene, myddys (H. P. medyl),
medium. 1688 R. Holme Armoury 11. 79/1 This leaf is . .
heart-like in the mean, or part next the stalk.
f4. Logic. The middle term of a syllogism. Obs.
1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. 11. xiv. § 1 It is in proofe by
Syllogisme; for the proofe being not immediate but^ by
Meane : the Inuention of the Meane is one thinge [etc.].
1 5. Cram. A ' mean ' or ' middle ' verb (see Mean
a.12 8) : = Reflexive sb. B. 2. Obs.
1530 Palsgr. Introd. 35 All whiche differences of conjuga-
tion betwene the actyve verbes and theyr meanes I declare
at length in my seconde boke.
f6. Something interposed or intervening. By
means : through intermediate links (of descent).
Without any mean ( = F. sans moyen) : directly,
immediately, unconditionally. Obs.
c 1340 Hampole Prose Tr. 16 All menes lettande be-twyx
be saule and be clennes of angells es brokene and put awaye
fra it. 1435 Rolls 0/ Parlt. IV. 270/3 Of whiche Doughter
MEAN.
by menes is comen ye Erie. 15*3 Ld. Berners Froiss. I.
Ixiii. 83 It was determyned, that bothe parties... shulde sende
foure or fyue personages, as their embassodours, and to
mete at Arras; and the pope 111 likwyse to sende thyder
foure, and ther to make a full confirmacyon without any
meane. Ibid, ccclt. 564 All the gentylmen of Flaunders sware
to hym to be good and true . . without any meane, wherfore
therle was greatly reioysed. 1548-77 Vicary Anat. ii. (1888)
18 That the grystle should be a ineane betweene the Lyga-
ment and him [sc. the bone]. 1593 Shaks. 3 Hen. VI, in. ii.
141 So doe I wish the Crowne, being so farre off, And so
I chide the meanes that keepes me from it.
f 7. In the mean : in the meantime. Obs.
1565 Stapleton tr. Bede'sHist. Ch. Eng. 27 In the meane
suffering no remedies to be applied vnto his owne infirmi-
ties. 1590 Spenser F. Q. ii. i. 58 In the meane, vouchsafe
her honorable toombe. a 1657 K. Loveday Lett. (1663) 193*
In the mean, I shall . . read over your Translation with the
Originall. 1793 Jefferson Writ. (1859) IV. 59 Time in the
mean will be lost.
8. Math. [= F. moyenne, ellipt. for quantity
moyenne.'] The term (or, in plural, the terms)
intermediate between the first and last terms (called
the extremes) of a progression of any kind (dis-
tinctively, arithmeticial, geometrical, harmonic{al
mean). Also, in a wider sense, a quantity so
related to a set of n quantities that the result of
operating with it in a certain manner n times is the
sameasthat of operating similarly witheach of theset.
In this sense the arithmetical mean (commonly
called simply the mean) of a set of « quantities is
the quotient of their sum divided by n; the geo-
metrical mean is the «th root of their product.
1571 Digges Pantom., Math. Treat, def. iv. T j b, When
foure magnitudes are. .in continual proportion, the first and
the fourth are the extremes, and the second and thirde the
meanes. 1660 R. Coke Justice Vtnd, 23 Nor [in harmonical
proportion] do the extremes added or multiplied produce
the like number with the mean. 1674 Jeake Arith. (1696)
570 If between 2 and 54 two proportional Means be sought,
the Lesser will be 6 and the Greater 18. 1709 J. Ward
Yng. Matk^ Guide 1. vL (1734) 73 If any Four Numbers are
in Arithmetical Progression, the Sum of the Two Extreams
will be Equal to the Sum of the Two Means. x88i J. Casey
Sequel Euclid 88 The Arithmetic mean is to the Geometric
mean as the Geometric mean is to the Harmonic mean.
b. An average amount or value; used for mean
pressure, temperature, etc.
1803 Syd. Smith Caiteau's Etats Danois Wks. (1850) 51
Upon a mean of twenty-six years, it has rained for a hundred
and thirty days every year. 1855 J. R. Leifchild Cornwall
1 82 The temperature of the adit .. is on an average more than
120 above the mean of the climate. 1893 W. L. Dallas in
Indian Meteorol. Mem. IV. 516 The means of pressure
have been obtained [etc.].
II. An intermediary agent or instrument,
t 9. One who acts as mediator, ' go-between *,
or ambassador between others; one who intercedes
for a person or uses influence on behalf of an
object. To be good mean, to act as intercessor. Obs.
c 1374 Chaucer Troylus he. 205 (254) For be am I becomen
. . swych a mene As maken wommen vn-to men to comen.
1377 Langl. P. PI. B. 1. 158 A mene, as be Maire is bitwene
be kyng and be comune. C1386 Chaucer Millers T. 189
He woweth hire by meenes and brocage, c 1440 Promp.
Parv. 332/2 Meene, massyngere,. .inter nunc ius. /bid.,
Meene, or medyatowre, . .mediator. 1455 Rolls 0/ Parlt.
V. 285/1 It myght lyke the said Lieutenaunte and all the
Lordes, to be goode meanes unto the Kynges Highnesse,
that suche a persone myght be purveide fore. 1558 in
Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. 1. II.goThat it might please your Lord-
ship to be a meane for us to our Soveraign Lorde the Kynge
is Highenes. 156a Child-Marriages 71 This deponent was
desired of both parties, to be a meane that they might marie
before the day appointed. 1606 J. Carpenter Solomon's
Solace xii. 47 She would be a meane for him to the king.
i6iz Bacon Ess., Suitors <Arb.) 47/1 Let a man, in the
choise of his meane, rather chuse the fittest meane then the
greatest meane.
f b. in pi. form, with sing, sense and const.
1554 Cranmer Misc. Writ. (Parker Soc.) II. 445 In most
humble wise Sueth unto your right honourable lordships,
Thomas Cranmer, late Archbishop of Canterbury ; beseech-
ing the Same to be a means for me unto the queen's high-
ness. 15S9-66 in Wodrow Soc. Misc. (1844) 74 The Mar-
ques of D'AIbuef, the subtill meanes of the Duke of Guise.
1585 T. Washington tr. Xidwlay's Voy. 1. xx. 25 He being
by them praied to be a meanes towards the Bascha, i6ix
Cotgr., Moyenneur, a means, mediator.
f c. spec. A mediator between God (or Christ)
and man. Obs.
136a Langl. P. PI. A. via. 183. I counseile alle cristene
to crie crist merci, And Marie his Moder to beo mene bi-
twene. 1377 Ibid. B. xv. 535 pus in a faith lyueth bat
folke and in a false mene [i. e. Mohammed], c 1380 Wyclik
Wks. (:88o) 409 A prest shulde be a mene bitwixe god & be
puple. 1508 Fisher Penit. Ps. xxxviii. Wks. (1876J 54
O blyssed lady be thou meane & mediatrice between thy
;ched synners. 1570 T. Norton tr. Nowels
I 186 We need not then, for access to God,
blyssed lady
son and wretched
Catech. (1853)
some man to be our mean. 1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. I.
§ 3 There is no union of God with man without that mean
between both which is both.
10. An instrument, agency, method, or course of
action, by the employment of which some object is
or may be attained, or which is concerned in bring-
ing about some result. Often contrasted with end.
Often predicatively (of persons as well as things),
To be the means (or f the mean) of.
a. in sing. form. Now only arch.
C1374 Chaucer Troylus v. 1551 The fate wold his soule
&holde vnbodye, And shapen hadde a mene it out to dryue.
270
■444 R °U* of Parlt, V. 104/2 Be which subtile meene ye
lose gret part of your custumes. 153a Cromwell in Merri.
man Life t; Lett. (1902J II. 226 This .. sheweth a meane
howe. .you may make them yet better. 161 j Shaks. Wint.
T. IV. iv. 90 Yet Nature is made better by no meane, But
Nature makes the Meane. 1611 W. Sclater Key (1629) 243
Vncharilable is that sentence of Papists; that Baptisine
is necessarie as a meane to saluation. 1635 J. Hayward
tr. BiondPs Banish' d Virg. 114 Dariacan himselfe had
beenethe instrumentall meane of my flight. 1785 T. Balguy
Disc. 31 Let us consider it as a mean, not as an end. 1814
W. Brown Propag. Chr. among Heathen II. 402 The
Mission to the South Sea Islands . . has . . been a powerful
mean of promoting the interests of Christianity. 1881
Swinburne Mary Stuart 11. i, God . . procure Some mean
whereby mine enemies craft and his May take no feet but
theirs in their own toils.
b. in plural form and plural or doubtful sense.
By fair means : see Fair a. 15. Ways and means: see
Way si.
c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 121 pei comen hi false menys
as ypocrisie & lesyngis to bes grete lordischipes. c 1386
Chaucer Friars T. 186 We been goddes Instrumentz, And
meenes to doon hise comandementz. 1420 in Ellis Orig.
Lett. Ser. 1. I. 6 Lettres . . chargyng me to assaye by all
the menesse that I kan to exy te and stirre sych as bene able
gentilmen. 1549 Coverdale, etc. Erasm. Par. Rom. 28
The eares, throughe whom as meanes the gospell of Christ
is powred into the obedient soule. 1600 J. Pory tr. Leo's
Africa III. 180 [He] left no meanes unattempted for the
recouerie of this citie. 21623 Fletcher Cust. Country v.
iv, Wonders are ceas'd Sir, we must work by meanes. 1733
Pope Ess. Man [It. 82 And find the means proportioned to
their end. 1888 Bryce Amer. Commw. III. xcvi. 341 Vehe-
ment declaimers hounded on Congress to take arbitrary
means for the suppression of the practice.
c. in pi. form, with sing, sense and const
151a in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. 11. I. 192 A good meanys to
know the trowthe. .were to gyve in commandement to John
Style secretli to write the trowthe. 1606 G. W[oodcocke]
Hist. Ivstine xxxvm. 120 Being, .a means to train them vp
in a secure experience to make themselues waye. 165a
H. L'Estrange^Iww. no Jewes 6 To be dashed and de-
feated by so weak a seeming means. 1750 Beawes
Lex Mercat. (1752) 2 Commerce . . is now become an uni-
versal means .. for the improvement of., fortune. 1843
Beihune Sc. Fireside Star. 28 You were indirectly the
means of getting me introduced. 1843 Mill Logic Introd.
§ 1 Writers have availed themselves of the same language
as a means of delivering different ideas. 1863 C. Redding
yesterday A> To-day III. 142 note, I was the means of this
being done.
d. Phrases, f To make mean{s : to take steps,
use efforts (obs.). Tofind{the) means (or \mean) :
to find out a way, contrive, manage (now only
const, inf.).
£1386 Chaucer FraiM. T. 155 How thanne may it bee
That ye swiche meenes make it to destroyen, Whiche meenes
do no good, but euere anoyen ? 1461 Paston Lett. II. 35
That Richard Calle fynde the meane that a distresse may
be taken of such bestes as occupie the ground at Stratton.
C146J Ibid. 107 Or hise wryting cam, Wydwell fond the
meanys . . that we had a discharge for hym out of the Chaun-
cery. 1551 Robinson tr. More's Utop. 11. (1895) 257 They
make all the meanes and shyftes that maye be, to kepe
themselfes from the necessitye of fyghtynge. 1568 Grafton
Chron. II. 45 Then meanes was made vpon either side for the
deliuery and exchaunge of prisoners. 1585'!'. Washington
tr. A'icholay's Voy.i.vm.Bb, I foundethemeanesfor moneye
and withe fayre woordes to byre a. .Spaniarde. 1617 Mory-
son I tin. 1. 259 We. .found meanes to pierce the vessell, and
get good Wine to our ill fare. 1631 Weever /Inc. Funeral
Mon. 562 A man much renowned for.. the charges he was
at, and the meanes he made, to adorne. .his Church.
e. Means of grace (Theol.): the sacraments and
other religious agencies viewed as the means by
which divine grace is imparted to the soul, or by
which growth in grace is promoted : in ' Evan-
gelical ' use often employed as a synonym for public
worship. Also occas. with sing, sense, an agency
conducive to spiritual improvement. Under the
means of grace (formerly often f under means) :
subject to the operation of the means of grace.
164a Rogers Naaman 5 Shall rise up and convince all
beleevers, I meane such as live under meanes in that day.
1650 Baxter Saint's R. iv. (1651) 8 Do we not miss Ministry
and Means more passionately, then we miss our God 1 Ibid.
20, I know the means of grace must be loved and valued, and
the usual enjoyment of God is in the use of them. 1662 Bi:
Com. Prayer, Thanksgiving, For the means of grace, and
for the hope of glory. 1771 Wesley Wis. (1872) V. 187 By
'means of grace' I understand outward signs, words, or
actions, ordained of God, . . to be the ordinary channels
whereby he might convey to men, preventing, justifying, or
sanctifying grace. 1833 Tracts for Times No. n. 2 The
same company that are under the means of grace here. Ibid.
6 The Sacraments, which are the ordinary means of grace,
are clearly in possession of the Church. 1841 A. R. C.
Dallas Past. Superintend. 185 The number of persons
above the age of education, who ought to attend the means
of grace. 1891 Besant St. Katlierine's x, The discourse
of the preacher was on the fearful condition of those who
disobey the discipline of the Church and refuse the means
of Grace.
t £ pl. and collect, sing. Stratagem, trickery. Obs.
c 1460 Towneley Myst. xxiv. 386 By hir meanes she makys
dysers to sell, c 1470 Henry Wallacevu. 1116 Bot he be
meyne gat his castell agayne. 1537 St. Papers Hen. VIII,
I. 548 Ne any brogges or meanes, that any of those bor-
derers or any other, canne make. 1602 Warner Alb. Eng.
ix. liii. (1612) 237 Nor is through Meed, or Means, the weak
betraied to the strong.
1 11. A condition that permits or conduces to
something ; an opportunity ; in early use pl. con-
ditions, offered terms (of peace). Also in phrase
MEAN.
in means, in a mean : ' in a fair way ' to do some-
thing. Obs.
1430-1 Rolls of Parlt. IV. 371/2 To refuse Pees offred
with menes resonable. Ibid , Yf yeim thynke ye menys of
Pees offred. Ibid., To offre for ye Kyngges partie menis
yat shal be thought, a 1551 Leland Itin. VI. 2 Asscheforde
Churche was in a meane to be collegiatyd by the Reqwest
of one Fogge. 1590 Shaks. Com. Err. 1. ii. 18 Many a man
would take you at your word, And goe indeede, hauing so
good a meane. 1592 tr. Junius on Rev. xii. 2 She seemed
near unto death, and in meanes ready to give up the Ghost.
1592 R- D- Hypnerotomachia 81 b, My secret thoughts
consented therunto, consygning a free meane and large
entrance for the discovery of my desire. 111613 Overbury
Charact., Worthy Commander Wks. (1856) 107 He under-
stands in warre, there is no meane to erre twice.
12. //. [- F. moyens.'] The resources at (one's)
disposal for effecting some object; chiefly, (a
person's) pecuniary resources viewed with regard
to their degree of adequacy to (his) requirements
or habits of expenditure: sometimes more explicitly
means of living, of subsistence. In early use some-
times more widely : = ' money', ' wealth '. Alan
of means : one possessing a competency.
1603 Shaks. Meas.for M. 11. ii. 24 Let her haue needfull,
but not lauish meanes. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. 1. iii. § 2
Iudging that meanes were to be spent vpon learning, and
not learning to be applyed to meanes. 1606 G. W[oodcocke]
Hist. Ivstine xvi. 66 Having meanes to corrupt tharmy of
Demetrius with great rewardes. 1609 Sir E. Hoby Let. to
T. Hliggons] 66, I know no man so respectlesse of himselfe,
but would willinglie part with one moytie of his meanes,
for his future reliefe. a 1625 Fletcher Cust. Country
v. v, And when thou went'st, to Imp thy miserie, Did I
not give thee meanes? 1630 R. Johnson's Kingd. A>
Comnew. 50 If hee be a man of meanes, and likely hereafter
to beare charge in his Countrey . . I wishe him to Historic
1660 F. Brooke tr. Le Blanc s Trav. 284 Two children,
who lived there upon their mothers means. 1775 Sheridan
Duenna 11. iii, He has never sullied his honour, which, with
his title, has outlived his means. 1823 Scott Peveril ii,
We are great enough for our means, and have means suffi-
cient for contentment. 1859 Tennyson Enid 455 My means
were somewhat broken into. 1894 Wilkins & Vivian Green
Bay Tree I. u It was very wrong for a man to live beyond
his means.
f b. Formerly sometimes construed as sing. ;
rarely in particularized use, a livelihood. Obs.
1615 Wither Sheph. Hunt. v. in Juvenilia (1633) 4 59.
I waste my Mranes which of itself is slender. 1615 Brath-
wait Strappado (1878) 52 They're, .men that get A slauish
meanes out of a seruile wit. c 1642 R. Harris Hezehiah's
Recovery 27 All that meanes. .is little enough to buy a con-
stant Preacher bookes and physicke.
13. Intermediary agency or condition,
f a. (Cf. sense 9.) Mediation, intercession ; exer-
cise of influence to bring about something, instiga-
tion. To make mean(s: to intercede, make interest ;
to negotiate with ; to make overtures to. Obs.
sing. 1432-50 tr. Higdeu (Rolls) IV. 239 He was sente
ageyne the kynge of Araby thro meane of Cleopatra [L. ad
petitionem Cleepalr*]. 1477 Earl Rivers (Caxton) Dictes
1 Thurgh the meane of the Mediatrice of Mercy. 1510
Hours Bl. Virgin 91 Give us the life that ever doth excell,
Through thy prayer & speciall meane. 1535 Goodly Prymer
Liij, They must nedes fyrst make meane vnto hym
[a temporal prince] by some man that is in his fauour.
1565 Satir. Poems Reform. I 567 The mr Maxwell.. to
reconcile my meane, on his knees entreated me to hear [etc.].
//. c 1400 Three Kings Cologne 131 Sche made grete menes
to be chefe lordys of pis yle. 1526 Pilgr. PerfCW. de W.
1531) 164 b, By whose suffrage, intercession & meanes wo
be holpen in this lyfe. 1536 Cat. Auc. Rec. Dublin (1889)
I. 498 Youre grase hys good mens. 1591 Unton Corr.
(Roxb.) 237 Great meanes have been made for him. 1594
Shaks. Rich. Ill, 1. iii. 78 Our Brother is imprison'd by
your meanes. 1656 Finett For. Ambass. 101 Sir Henry
Alildmayhad made his meanes to the Duke of Buckingham
..for carriage, .of the Present designed to the Ambassador.
b. (Cf. sense 10.) Instrumentality, operation as
an instrument, method, or proximate cause. Only
in certain phrases : see 14.
14. Adverbial, prepositional, and conjunctional
phrases.
a. By all {manner of) means : {a) in every
possible way; (b) at any cost, without fail; (c)
used to emphasize a permission, request, or in-
junction, = 'certainly'.
(0)1491 Act 7 Hen. VII, c. n § 1 Ye verily intendyng..to
aredie yourself byall meanes to you possible . . to invade upon
your and our auncien ennemyes. c 1520 Barclay Jugurth
USS?) 70b, He. .by all maner meanes made prouysion for
hym selfe. 1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scotl. I. 129
To this end they labourer be al meines possible.
(b) i6n Bible Acts xviii. 21, I must by all meanes keepe
this feast. X754 Chatham Lett. Nephew 35 The trick of
laughing frivolously is by all means to be avoided.
(c) 1693 Humours Toivu 31 By all means, Sir, Object and
Return, as often as you please. 1774 Foote Cozeners II.
Wks. 1799 II. 168 Flaw. I'll run before, and prepare Mrs.
Fleece'em, Mrs. Air. Byall manner of means. X844D1SRAELI
Coningsby in. iii, Tell it us by all means. 1874 Ruskin
Fors Clav. xlii. 125 Yes, in God's name, and by alt manner
of means. 1895 Law Times C. 101/2 By all means let the
[County] Council drift rudderless.
b. By any {manner of) means (or f mean) : (a)
in any way, anyhow, at all ; f {b) by all means.
(a) < 1470 Henry Wallace xi. 207 A band thai maid.. to
wyrk his confusioun, Be ony meyn. 1474 Rolls of Parlt.
VI. 117/2 TJndelyvered by any meane unto you. C1520
Barclay Jugurth (1557) 57 b, He lost more people by this
way than by any other meane before. 1537 in Lett. Suppress.
Monast. (Camden) 153 In as large and ample maner and
MEAN.
forme as ever "I had or aught to have of and in the same or
any part or parcell therof by ony maner of meanes. 1567
J. Sanford Epictetus 24 Occasion cannot be giuen by any
maner of meanes, nor any arte, ifiix Bible Ps. xlix. 7 None
of them can by any meanes redeeme his brother. 1809 W.
Irving Knickerb. v. iv. (1849) 278, I do not by any means
pretend to claim the merit. 1873 Ruskin Fors Claz>. xlv.
103 Not by any manner of means. 1893 R. Williams in
H. D. Traill Soc. Eng. i. 32 She was not, however, by any
means the only female deity.
(b) 1610 B. Jonson Alch. v. ii, Yes, tell her, She must by
any meanes addresse some present To th' cunning man.
1616 — Devil an Ass v. v, Mer. Yes, Sir, and send for his
wife. Eve. And the two Sorcerers, By any meanes !
C. By no means (or f mean) , by no manner of
means (or f mean)t + by no manner mean : {a) in
no way, not at all ; (b) on no account.
(a) 1442 T. Beckington Corr. (Rolls) II. 214 Your said
adversary by no manner of meen may be induced to graunte
us his lettres of saufcondeuct. 1472 J. Paston in P. Lett.
III. 35, I can not yet make my pesse wyth my Lord of
Norfiolk..by no meane. c 1520 Barclay Jugurth (1557)
40 This town could by no meanes be well besyged nor taken.
1564 Brief Exam . ****ij) They are not to be reiected, as yf
they were by no maner of meanes in the worde of God.
1782 Miss Burney Cecilia ix. i, I am by no means an ap-
prover of that mode of proceeding. 1893 Gunter Miss Divi-
dends 102 The young men are looking at each other with by
no means kindly eyes. 1893 Swinburne Stud. Prase a>
Poetry (1894) in Basil is by no manner of means an im-
peccable work of imperishable art.
{b) 1509 Barclay Shyp of Folys (1570) 123 And if hir
husbande to any thinge agree By no maner meane will she
therto encline. 1600 J. Pory tr. Leo's Africa in. 161 They
will by no meanes vouchsafe to marie their daughters vnto
them. 1625 Bacon Ess., Gard. (Arb.) 563 But these to be,
by no Meanes, set too thicke. 171 1 Steele Sped. No. 51
P 1 Such an Image as this ought, by no means, to be pre-
sented to a Chaste and Regular Audience. 1864 J. H. N ew-
man Apol. 35 What word should I have used twenty years
ago instead of 'Protestant?' 'Roman' or 'Romish?' by
no manner of means. 1879 M. Arnold Mixed Ess., Falk-
land -zyz Shall we blame him for his lucidity of mind, and
largeness of temper ? By no means.
d. By this or that means (or f mean) : (a) by
means of this or that ; in this or that way ; thus.
c 1520 Barclay Jugurth (1557) 117 By this meanes shal they
be muche beholden to you. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 11
That he might preferre Normans to the rule of the Church
. .and by that meane stand in the more suretie of his estate.
1629 Maxwell tr. Herodian (1635) 372 By that meanes you
shall take away that most odious and hideous tyrant Max-
irnine. 1667 Sprat Hist. R. Soc. 100 By this means, they
will accomplish their main Design. 1750 Beawes Lex.
Mercat. (1752) 1 When by this means an aggregated number
swelled to too great a magnitude, .they were compelled to
seek for remoter helps by commerce. 1825 Coleridge Aids
Reft. (1848) I. 31 By this mean, and scarcely without it, you
will at length acquire a facility in detecting the quid pro quo.
f (b) In consequence, consequently.
c 1520 Barclay Jugurth (1557) 52 Because Iugurth was on
the small hyll before hym, and by that meane on the hyer
ground.
t e. By some manner of means : * by hook or
by crook \ Obs.
1573 Tusser Husb. (1878) 88 Friend, harrow in time, by
some maner of meanes, not onely thy peason, but also thy
beanes.
f. By or through (f the) means (or j mean) of:
(a) by the instrumentality of (a person or thing).
1427 Rolls ofParlt. IV. 326/2 Hit belanged unto you of
^Sl^t as wel be ye mene of your birth, c 1450 Merlin 20
Thow purchacest a-corde be-twene the and thi husbonde,
by mene of the person hym-self, for to hyde yowre counseill.
1530 PALSGR.6ir/2Sehow moche this chambre islyghtenned
by meane of one torche. 1560 A. L. tr. Calvin's Fours
Serm. Songe Ezech. Epist., By meane of whose aide.. he
findeth himselfe holpen. 1611 Bible Heb. ix. 15 By meanes
of death,, they which are called, might receiue the promise
of eternall inheritance. 1653 Ld. Vaux tr. Godeau's St.
Paul A ij, Having obtained by meanes of your most noble
Lady, a view of this choise piece [etc.]. 1736 Butler A nal.
1. ii. Wks. 1874 I. 35, I knownot,that we have any one kind
,. of enjoyment, but by the means of our own actions. 1749
Fielding Tom Jones vm. xiii, He had succeeded so far as
to find me out by means of an accident. 1807 Miss Mit-
ford in L'Estrange Life (1870) I. 67, I hoped that through
his means you would get acquainted with Walter Scott,
t {b) In consequence of, by reason of, owing to.
'439 Rolls of Parlt. V. 32/2 Hynderyng and clamour of
the said diverse of your communes, be mene of the said
purvyance. 1526 Skelton Magnyf. 1441 That was by the
menys of to moche lyberte. 1568 Grafton Chron. I. 151
He also amended many things., that had beene longtime
out of frame, by meane of the Danes, a 1626 Bacon Neiu
All. (1900} 11 By meanes of our solitary Situation., we know
well most part of the Habitable World, and are our selues
vnknowne. 1688 R. Holme Armoury m. 320/2 By means
of this cover he is very rarely wet on his Body. 1726 G.
Roberts Four Years' Voy. 13 He could not yet hold a Pen
in his Hand by means of his late Sickness.
t g. By if he) means {thai) : for the reason that,
because, since. Obs.
1550 Crowley Last Trumpet 1083 White meate beareth a
greate pryce Which some men thinke is by the meane That
fennes be found such marchaundise. 1565 Sparke in Haw-
kins' Voy. (1878} 24 But sure we were that the armie was
come downe, by means that in the euening we sawe such
a monstrous^ fire. 1596 Harington Apology (1814) 36, I
guessed at his meaning by means I had once some smatter-
ing of the Latin tongue. 1599 — N-ugz A tit. ( 1804) I. 257 By
means the weather falls out so monstrous wet as the like
hath not been seen.
15. attrib. and Comb, as (in sense 10 c) means-
maker, -using; f mean-keeper (cf. sense ib), ]
one who observes moderation ; + mean-keeping, |
271
moderation; f means-making (cf. sense 13b),
intercession, use of interest or influence on a per-
son's behalf.
^SS^Grim aldf. Cicero's Offices u (1558)62 In which thynges
ther must doutlesse be used a measure that to a meankepyng
[L. ad mediocritatcni] muste be reduced. Ibid. 11. 98 Soon
after Lucius Crassus with Quinctus Mutius, the greatest
meanekeper [L. moderatissimo\ of all men, kept the time
of their Edile office most royally. 1617 Bacon Sp. on taking
his place in Chancery in Resuscit. 84 It will also avoid all
Means- making, or Labouring; For there ought to be no
Labouring in Causes but the Labouring of the Counsell at
the Barr. 1625 — Apoph. § 8 Wks. 1825 I. 351 His wife, by
her suit and means making, made his peace. 1640 Fuller
Joseph's Coat, etc. 172 Looke not.. on the meanes but on
the Meanes-maker. 1642 Rogers Naaman 146 What, but
our ascribing to ourselves in our means-using, makes them
so unfruitful?
Mean (mfn), a.1 and adv.1 Forms: 3 meane,
3-4 mene, 4-5 meen, 5 mean. [App. repr. (with
normal loss of prefix) the earlier I-mene, OE.^o
mkne — OFvh.gemene, OS.gimeni (MLG. gemeinc,
MTiu.gemene, V>\\.gemee?t), OHG.^«W///i(MHG.
gemei?ie, mod.G. gemein; Sw., Da. gemcn from
Ger.), Goth, gam ains :— OTeut. *ga-maini-, f.ga-
copulative prefix (synonymous with L. com-) +
*maini- :— pre-Teut. *moini- in L. communis (:—
*com-moini-s) Common a.
The pre-Teut. *moini- is believed to be a ppl. derivative of
the root *met\ mot- (as in L. mutdre \-moitare) to change,
whence L. muuus {:-*mo/nos-) reward, gift, and perh. (with
the notion of change for the worse) OTeut. *maino~ wicked,
Man a.
The primary sense of Teut. *gamaini-, as of L. com.
munis, is ' possessed jointly ', 'belonging equally to a num-
ber of persons'. In OE., and in the early stages of the
other Teut. languages, this was substantially the only sense;
but in ME., as in Du. and Ger., it underwent a development
corresponding to that of Common a., so that it acquired the
senses of ordinary ',' not exceptionally good', ' inferior'. In
English this development was furthered by the fact that the
native word coincided in form with the word adopted from
OF. 7iteien, meen (see Mean a.2) middle, ' middling ', which
was often used in a disparaging or reproachful sense. The
uses in branch II below might be referred almost equally well
to the native and to the foreign adj. ; the truth is prob. that
they are of mixed ancestry.
It is often supposed that the sense-development of the word
has been influenced by OE. nmne false, wicked (cogn. w.
mdn Man sb? and a.) ; but this does not seem possible, as
this adj. did not survive into ME., while the moral senses of
mean do not appear before the mod.Eng. period.]
I. 1. Common to two or more persons or things ;
possessed jointly. In mean : in common. To go
mean : to act as partners, to share. Obs. exc. dial.
(see E. D. D.).
c 1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 179 Al bat hie bi ben, hie hauen of
here [sc. underlinges] mene swinche. a 1240 Sawles IVarde
in Cott. Horn. 261 Set us nu hwuch blisse is to alle iliche
meane. c 1400 Maundev. (Roxb.) xiii. 59 j?ai hald a Iawe in
meen betwene vs and be Grekez. a 1598 D. Ferguson Prov.
(1785) 6 A mein pot plaid never even. 1730 Walkden Diary
(1866) 94 That we would go mean at ploughing. Ibid. 116
We concluded to get John Dickenson to measure our ground
we had plowed mean.
II. Inferior in rank or quality.
t 2. Of persons, their rank or station : Undistin-
guished in position ; of low degree ; often opposed
to noble ox gentle. (Cf. Common a. 12.) Obs,
a 1300 Cursor AL 13272 Nu ches felaus wil he bigin, Bot
noght o riche kinges kin,. .Bot mene men o pour lijf. C1330
R. Bbunne Chron. (1810) 168 pe mene folk (comonly fulle
gode men & wise) Com to his mercy. — Chron. IVace
(Rolls) 11202 J?e legat ; and ober bischopes of mener stat.
c 1420 Liber Cocorum (1862) 7 Take black sugur for mener
menne. 1483 Caxton G. de la Tour A viij b, Therfor
my fayre daughters shewe your curtosye unto the mene
and smal peple. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 154 The Com-
mons (specially such as were of the meaner sort) cryed
vpon Thomas fitz Thomas. 1586 J. Hooker Hist. Irel.
in Holinshed II. 128/1 The opinion .. and judgement of
a meane burgesse, is of as great availe as is the best
lords. x6oo Dekker Gentle Craft Wks. 1873 I. 19 O
love, how powerfull art thou, that canst change.. a noble
mind To the meane semblance of a shoomaker. 1606 Shaks.
Ant. <y CI. 11. v. 82 These hands do lacke Nobility, that
they strike A meaner then my selfe. a 1626 Bacon Chr.
Paradoxes Wks. 1879 I. 341 He bears a lofty spirit in a
mean condition. 1675 Evelyn Diary 22 Mar., Sir William
[Petty] was the sonn of a meane man somewhere in Sussex.
1701 De Foe True-born Eng. 35 The meanest English
Plowman studies Law. 1774 ChesterfiehPs Lett. (1792) I.
xliv. 141 A mean fellow.. is ashamed when he comes into
good company. 1827 Roberts Voy. Centr. Amer. 225
The meanest persons smoke tobacco.
transf. 1752 Hume Ess. <$■ Treat. (1777) L 198 Where
women . . are bought and sold, like the meanest animal.
1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) II. 9 As to animals of a
meaner rank, .they very soon alter their natures with the
nature of their nourishment,
f b. Poor, badly off. Obs.
1362 Langl. P. PI. A. Prol. 18 Alle maner of men the
mene and the riche. 1558 in Strype Ann. Refdjog) I. App.
iv. s Of. .Men meaner in substance. 1685 Bunyan Bk.
Boys <5- Girls (repr.) 1 Thou shalt not steal, though thou be
very mean, a 1707 Bp. Patrick Autobiog. (1839) 11 My
father was so mean then, he could not otherwise maintain
me. 1776 Adam Smith W. N. i. xi. (1869) I. 162 The cir-
cumstances of gardeners, generally mean, and always mo-
derate,
c. Inferior, 'poor*, in ability, learning, etc.
Obs. exc. in phr. (to) the meanest understanding
{capacity, etc.) and as in 4.
MEAN.
1387 Tbevisa Higdcn (Rolls) III. 93 pe comyn lettre of
Mathew is ful skars for mene men myjte vnderstonde. 1590
§t;ock\vkll Rules Construct. A iv, Most cleare and easie for
the capacitie of the verie meanest. 1621 Brathwait Nat.
Embassie Ded., The meanest Menalchas that is able to
play upon an oaten pipe. 1678 {title') Cockers Arithmetick,
being a plain and familiar Method suitable to the meanest
capacity. 1711 Hearne Collect. (O.H.S.) III. 133 A mean
man, and.. altogether unqualify'd for a Critick. 1719 F.
Haer Ch. Authority Vind. 39 Many [parts of Scripture]
are plain and easy to the meanest understanding. 1738 Neal
Hist. Purit. IV. 347 Most of them were very mean Divines,
fd. Of conditions: Abject, debased. Obs.
c 1680 Beveridge Serm. (1729) II. 547 Our frail and mean
condition, .requires us to pray always.
e. Mean white : a term of contempt applied to
the poor and landless white men in the Southern
United States, who in the days of slavery were
regarded by the negroes as inferior to themselves.
1837 Ht. Martineau Soc. Amer. II. 311 There are a few,
called by the slaves 'mean whites', signifying whites who
work with the hands, transf. 1887 Rider Haggard Jess
iv, You must have a gentleman. Your mean while will
never get anything out of a Kafir.
3. Of things : f a. Poor in quality ; of little
value ; inferior. Obs.
1377 Langl, P. PI. B. vi. 1S5 Lete hem etewith hogges,..
Orelles melke and mene ale. 1647 Clarendon Hist. Reb.
vn. § 2.J The Fortifications were very mean to endure a
form'd siege. i^WoRLiDGE-Syr^^r/c. (1681)260 Although
the Bream be esteem'd as a mean Fish. 1766 Conipi.
Farmer s.v. Vhiegar, The cyder (the meanest of which
will serve the purpose) is first to be drawn off fine, 1770
Langhorne Plutarch's Lives (1879) II. 1059/1 Those poor
Caunians had about two quarts of bad water in a mean bottle.
b. Petty, unimportant; inconsiderable. V Obs.
1585 T. Washington tr. Niclwlay's Voy. n. viii. 41 Foure
other officers . . to looke vnto the old and new buildings, and
other meane & polHtike affayres [Fr. et auires mennz
affaires politique s\ 1599 Warn. Faire Worn. 11. 1510 For
such a fault too meane a recompence. 1726 Leoni Atberti's
Arc/nt., Life 2 He cou'd discourse. .of common and mean
things with . .pleasantness, 1743 De Foe's Eng. Trades}>ian
II. xlix, 220 The cider trade may perhaps bethought a trifle
too mean to be mentioned here. 1754 Gray Pleasure 49
The meanest fiowret of the vale. [1807 Wordsw. Ode In-
tim. Immort., The meanest flower that blows.]
o. Undignified, low. Of literary style, etc. :
Wanting in elevation; formerly sometimes without
reproachful sense, f unambitious, unadorned.
a 1400-50 Ate.vauder 3464 AI be be metire bot mene bus
mekill haue I ioyned. a 1568 Ascham Scholem. n. (Arb.)
144 The meter and verse of Plautus and Terence be verie
meane. 1586 A. Day Eng. Secretary 1. (1625) 8 An Epistle
..should, .be simple, plaine, and of the lowest & meanest
stile. 1610 Shaks. Temp. in. i. 4. 1650 Marvfll Ho-
ratian Ode 57 He nothing common did or mean, Upon
that memorable scene. 1659 Hammond On Ps. Ix. 6 The
wash-pot, we know, is a mean part of household-stuffe. 1676
Evelyn Diary 19 July, Sir William Sanderson, .author of
two large but meane histories of King lames and King
Charles the First. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 168 p 3
A mean term never fails to displease him to whom it ap-
pears mean. 1789 Burney Hist. Mus. III. i, In these
Lamentations, .the poetry is too mean and gloomy for any
but modern saints or methodists. 1823 Lamb Elia Ser. it.
Poor Relations, He will thrust in some mean and unim-
portant anecdote of the family.
d. Of buildings, attire, ornament, personal ap-
pearance, etc. : The reverse of imposing, shabby.
1600 J. Pory tr. Leo's Africa in. 156^ A suburbc.the
houses whereof are but meane, and the inhabitants base.
1769 De Foe's Tour Gt. Brit. (ed. 7) II. 4 Camelford is a
mean but ancient Borough-town. 1855 S. Brooks Aspen
Crt. I. x. 142 Around which the meaner houses and
shops of the present day clustered. 1871 Freeman Norm.
Conq. (1876) IV. xvii. 92 The robes of state. .made all that
France, .had beheld of the same kind seem mean by com-
parison. 1874 Micklethwaite Mod. Par. Churches 24s
Let not your altar be mean and your stove conspicuous.
TI4. No mean — : often = 'no contemptible \
applied eulogistically to a person or thing.
1596 Shaks. Merck. V. 1. ii. 7 (1st Q° 1600) It is no meane
[1623 smal] happinesse therefore to be seated in the meane.
1611 Bible Acts xxL 39 A citizen of no meane citie. 1678
Butler Hud. in. iii. 245 Hence timely Running's no mean
part Of Conduct, in the Martial Art. 1708 J. Philips Cyder
1. 589 The Roman Legions and great Caesar found Our
Fathers no mean Foes. 1791 Boswell Johnson (1831) I.
136 His correspondence with him, during many years, proves
that he had no mean opinion of him. 1875 E. White Life
in Christ n. xvii. (1S78) ,zi\note, Mr. Cox, himself no mean
Rabbinical scholar, adds [etc.].
6. Of persons, their characters and actions :
Destitute of moral dignity or elevation ; ignoble,
small-minded.
1665 Boyle Occas. Refl. iv. xii. (1848) 243 The Sublimity
of such a Condition would make any Soul, that is not very
mean, despise many mean things. 1724 Ramsay Vision xi,
He. .did me rebuke, For being of sprite sae mein. 1734
Pope^5. Mann. 282 Think how Bacon shin'd, The wisest,
brightest, meanest of mankind. 1741 Middleton Cicero I.
vi. 449 A mean submission to illegal power. 1768 Sterne
Sent. Journ. (1778) II. wiAddress), How many mean plans
..did my servile heart form ! 1771 Junius Lett, xlix, Ihe
meanest and the basest fellow in the kingdom. 1815 W; H.
Ireland Scribleomania 25 Rhymsters who . . meanest actions
eulogize. 1830 DTsraeli Chas. I, III. viii. 187 Charles the
Second.. was mean enough to suspend her pension. 1874
Green Short Hist. viii. § 2. 469 James had meaner motives
for his policy of peace than a hatred of bloodshedding. 1888
Bryce Amer. Commw. III. xcv. 336 Good citizens who
were occupied in . . more engrossing ways, allowed politics
to fall into the hands of mean men.
b. If. S. colloq. In trivial applications ; ' Dis-
MEAN.
272
MEAN.
obliging, pettily offensive or unaccommodating '
{Cent. Diet.). Also, To feel mean: to feel ashamed
of one's conduct, to feel guilty of unfairness or
unkindness.
1839 Marryat Diary Amcr. Ser. 1. II. 224 Mean is oc-
casionally used for ashamed. ' I never felt so mean in all
my life '.
C. U. S. slang. Of a horse, etc. : Vicious.
1848 Georgia Scenes 27 He'll cut the same capers there
as here. He's a monstrous mean horse. 1887 F. Fran-
cis Tun. Saddle * Mocassin 146 He [a cowboy] gets all-
fired mean sometimes when he's full. 1888 Roosevelt in
Century Mag. Oct. 836/1 There can be no greater provo-
cation than is given by a ' mean ' horse or a refractory steer.
6. Penurious, wanting in liberality, * stingy*.
1755-18M [implied in MeannessI 5]. i860 in Worces-
ter. 187a T. L. Cuvler Heart-Culture 96 The meanest of
misers is he who hoards a truth. 1876 Geo. Eliot Dan.
Der. xxxv, At least he is not mean about money.
7. Comb.: paizsynthetic, as mean-apparelled, -cw-
dit zoned, -gifted, -sou led, -spirit 'ed} -wilted adjs. ;
whence mean-spiritedness, etc. ; predicative, as
mean-bom, -looking adjs; adverbial, as + mean-
dressed adj.
1534 More Com/, agst. Trib. 1. xii. (1847) 40 Mean-witted
men. 1593 Shaks. 2 Hen. VI, ill, i. 335 Let pale-fac't feare
keepe with the meane-borne man. 1596 — Tarn. Shr. in.
ii. 75 Oftentimes he goes but meane-apparel'd. a 1620 J.
Dyke Worthy Com mun. (1640' 81 Shall a poore, mean con-
ditioned woman refuse the offer of a Rich husband. ^1683
Oldham Poet. Wks. (1686) 103 Mean-soul'd offenders now
no honours gain. 1694 F. Bragge Disc. Parables viii. 293
Away with that mean-spirited religion. 1699 M, HENRY
Meekness of Spirit (1822)63 Meekness is commonly despised
as a piece of cowardice and mean-spiritedness. 1740-87
Lett. Miss Talbot etc. (1808) 19 A mean dressed man got
into a tree, and from thence harangued them. 178a Miss
Burney Cecilia v. vi, Here a mean-looking man . .came up
to Mr. Hobson. 1824 T. Fenby Reft, in, Fortune's meaner-
gifted, homely maids.
t B. adv. = Meanly. Obs.
a 1626 Bacon Chr. Paradoxes Wks. 1879 I. 341 When he
is ablest, he thinks meanest of himself. 1719 De Foe Crusoe
11. (Globe) 553 If he fed them meaner than he was fed him-
self., they must fare very coarsely indeed.
Mean (mm), a.2 and adv.- Forms : 4-6 men,
4-5 meene, 4-6 mene, 4-7 meane, 5 meen,
meyn, 5-6 meyne, maeue, meaine, Se. meine,
6-7 Sc. mein, 5- mean. See also Mesne, Moyen.
[a. OF. men, 7fieen, meien, moien (mod.F. moyen)
= Pr. meian, Sp., Pg. mediano, It. mezzano:—
late L. medianus that is in the middle, f. medius
middle : see Mid #.] A. adj.
T 1. Occupying a middle or an intermediate place
in order of enumeration or in spatial position.
Mean ter?n (Logic) = 'middle term*. Obs.
1340 Ayenb. 122 And al alsuo ase ine heuene heb bri stages
of uolke..huer-of be on is he^ere be ober men be bridde
lowest, c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 270 Crist, mene persone
in trinyte. 1435 Rolls of Par It. IV. 493/1 To repaire unto
Pruce, and to the Townes of the mene Hans. 1541 R. Cor-
land Guydon's Quest. Chirurg. E ij, The places called
Iacune. .be in the meane ventrycle. 1541 A ct 33 Hen. VI I/,
c. 15 Al places meane betwene Manchester and Westchester.
1727-52 Chambers Cycl., Medium, in logic, or medium of
a syllogism, called also the mean, or middle term. 1822
G. Rolando Fencing(ed. Forsyth) 100 The Counter of Carte
parade, .parries, the wrist in the mean position inclined out-
side the arm, the following thrusts.
f b. Mus. Applied to the tenor and alto parts
and the tenor clef, as intermediate between the
bass and treble. Obs.
»597 Morley Inirod. Mus. 17 An example of augmenta-
tion, .in the Treble and Meane parts. 1674 Playford Skill
Mus. 1. 1. 2 Three several Parts of Musick, into which the
Scale is divided, first the Bass, .. secondly, the Mean, or
middle part, and thirdly the Treble. 1721 A. Malcolm
Treat. Mus. xi. 333 The Treble or^-Clef is ordinarily set on
the id Line . . and the mean or c Clef on the 3d Line. . . The
mean Clef which most frequently changes Place.
f C. In the mean way : on the way, in the
course of one's journey. Obs.
1568 Grafton Chron. II. 559 The Erie of Arundell. .de-
parted to Mauns, and in the meane way, tooke the Castels
of Mellay and saint Laurence. Ibid. 563 In the meane way
they encountered with syr Thomas Kiriell [etc.]. 1613 Puk-
chas Pilgrimage (1614) 837 In the meane way they passed
by the Tapemiry ParaibK [etcl
2. Intermediate in time; coming between two
points of time or two events; intervening. Now
only in phrases in the mean time, while (see Mean-
time, Meanwhile) ; formerly, in the same sense,
f in the mean seaso?i, space, way. Also with
omission of prep., f the mean season, f mean space',
and Meantime, Meanwhile advs.
1464 Rolls of Parlt. V. 569/2 Aswell for the sustentation
of youre people of the seid Townes, as of all youre people of
youre Shires in the mean waye. c 1500 Melusine 347 And
pat meane sayson came two knightes to Lucembourgh. 1519
Interl. Four Elem. (Percy Soc.) 50 And for lacke of myn-
strelles, the mean season, Now wyll we begyn to syng. 153a
More Conf. Tindale Wks. 460/1 In the meane waye marke
me this. 1539 Cromwell in Merriman Life <5- Lett. (1902)
II. 216, I have in this meane space devised a fourme of
Instructions for Mr. Sadleyer. 1600 Maydes Metam. v. in
Bond Lylfs Wks. (1902) III. 386 Meane space, vpon bis
Harpe will Phoebus play. 1606 G. W[oodcocke) Hist. Ivstine
vi, 32 Meane space word was brought that Agesilaus was
very neereat hand. 1627 J.Carter Plain Expos. 112 When
the performance of Gods promise is long delayed, and
nothing almost appeareth in the meane season,, .then [etc.].
a 1677 Hale Prim. Orig. Man. 305 There was no mean
portion of Time between their Formation and Animation,..
they were living Beings., as soon as they were formed.
1760-7* H.Brooke Fool of Qual. (1809) III. 83 In the mean
space. .Jenkins had his right leg.. carried off by a cannon
shot.
3. Law. Intermediate, either in time or status.
Usually spelt Mesne.
1439 Rolls of Parlt. V. 15/2 To be holden mene betwene
ye date of ye seide Writ, and ye day of ye returne yerof.
1509-10 Act 1 Hen. VIII, c. 12 § 2 They, -shall nott be re-
stored to any meane issues or Profyttes of Landes. 1535
Act 27 Hen. VIII, c. 22 The lordes iminediat & thother
meane lords haue not put thcacte in dewe and plaine
execucion. 1548 Staunford King's Prerog. (1567) 84 b,
The king shal haue the meane issues. 1670 Pettus Fodince
Reg. 20 It is good for Princes, and even for mean Lords, to
keep a Claim to their Prerogatives and Customes. 1700
Col. Rec. Pennsylv. II. 9 Griffith Jones, first purchaser and
Henry Elfrith mean purchaser under him complain. 1707
E. Chamberlayne Pres. St. Fug. it. ii. 78 If the mean
Patron present not in due Time.., the Right of Presenta-
tion comes to the King.
t 4. Intermediary ; employed as an agent or ' go-
between'; serving as a means or instrument ; done
for an ulterior end ; intervening as part of a process.
Also mean way: the course adopted to achieve
an end. Obs.
1377 Langl. P. PI. B. ix. 112 pe wyf was made be weye
for to help worche, And bus was wedloke ywrou3t with a
mene persone. c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 278 pat be sotil
amortasynge of seculer lordischipis bat is don bi menene
[Iread mene] hondis in fraude of be statute be viselyen-
quyred. 1382 — Gen. xlii. 23 Bi a mene persone vndoynge
both the Iangagis [h.perinterpretem]. c 1440 Jacob's Well
205 Bothe be theef & be rauenere owyn to aske fonifnesse
slely lie hem-self, or be an-ober meen persone, c 1449
1'ecock Ref>r. HI. ix. 332 Crist gaf mediath, (that is to seie,
bi meene jiftis to his clergie,) the endewing of immouable
godis. 1451 PastonLclt. I. 215, 1 proferid hym. .ye wold.,
leve asumme if he wold a named it in amenemannys hand,
and seche as he hath trust to. 1509 Fisher Funeral Ser m.
C'tess Richmond Wks. (1876) 296 Oftentyrrres by herself
she wolde .. courage euery of them to doo well. And som-
tyme by other meane persones. 1549 Ridley Let. to Somer-
set in R. Potts Liber Cantabr. (1855) 1. 245-6 No faut can be
found ether in hir entent or in the mean ways whearby she
wrought to accompHshe the same. 1563 Homilies n. Peril of
Idolalrytu. (1859) 228 To be mean intercessors and helpers to
God. 1615 Crooke Body of Man 55 The mutation or change
of bloud into a bone, cannot be accomplished but by long
interpolation and many meane alterations.
5. Intermediate in kind, quality, or degree. Now
rare.
1340 Hampole Pr. Conse. 3187 pa er veniel synnes bat
may falle, Bathe grete and smale, and men with-alle. 1375
Barbour Bruce vi. 347 For-thi has vorschip sic renoune
That it is mene [ed. Hart mid] betuix thai tua [sc. ' fule-
hardyment ' and ' cowardiss 'J. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De
P. R. xix. vii. (1495) 865 Aristotle rehercith thise fyue
meane coloures by name : and calltth the fyrste yelowe and
the seconde cytryne and the thyrde red the fourth purpure
and the fyfthe grene. 1551 Turner Herbal 1. (1568) 12
Venus heyre is in mean tempre betwene hole and colde.
1587 Harrison Eng. 1. vi. 14/1 in Holinslied, Ours is a
meane language, and neither too rough nor too smooth
in vtterance. x6ox Holland Pliny II. 328 Of this Si-
nopis.. there be three kindes, the deepe red, the pale or
weake red, and the meane between both. 1610 Willet/Au'-
apla Dan. 297 The meane opinion betweene these is the
best. 1656 Stanley Hist. Phitos. iv. (1701) 134/2 Of af-
fections, some are pleasant, some harsh and troublesome,
some mean :. .the mean are neither good nor ill. 1703 T. N.
City <5- C. Purchaser 131 Sculpture, .wherein the Figure
sticks out from the Plain whereon it is Engraven,, .accord-
ing as it is more or less protuberant, is call'd . . Bas-relief,
Mean-relief, or High-relief. 1871 Morley C rit. Misc. Ser. 1.
Vau7<enargues (1878) 20 We must take them in pairs to find
out the mean truth. x888 Hkvcv. A mer. Comnnv. III. c. 414
Many experiments maybe needed before the true mean course
between these extremes is discovered,
fb. Mean way [= L. via media]; a middle
course (as an escape from a proposed alternative).
c 1374 Chaucer Ariel. <$- Arc. 286 Ther ben non other
mene weyes newe. c 1400 Rom. Rose ^4,^ Men this thenken
, . That lasse harm is . . Discey ve them, than discey ved be . .
wher they ne may Finde non other mene wey. c 1407
Lvdg. Reas. <y Sens. 4667 Ther was non other mene weye.
1706 Z. Cradock Serm. C/tarity (1740) 17 All the mean way
partakes more or less, .of both the opposite extreams.
f c. spec, (a) said of the middle condition be-
tween extremes of fortune; (b) said of the married
state as contrasted with continence on the one hand
and unchastity on the other. Obs.
c 1540 R. Morice in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden) 24 If he
coulde not lyve chast..he shoulde tak a wif and lyve a
meane lyf. a 1541 Wyatt in Totters Misc. (Arb.) 83 (title)
Of the meane and sure estate.
6. Not far above or below the average; moderate,
mediocre, middling.
t a. Of or with reference to size, stature, or age.
c 1374 Chaucer Troylus v. 806 Criseyde mene was of
here stature. 1308 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. v. xxv. (1495)
134 In foure foted beestes wyth thycke bodyes and meane
thyes, the necke is shorte grete and moche strengthe of
suche bestes^ is in the necke. 1484 Caxton Fables of
sEsop vi. xvi, A man of a meane age whiche tooke two
wyues. 1490 — Encydos xxix. 112 A meane noose, not to
grete nor to lytell, wythout ouer grete openynge. 1544
Phaer Regbn. Lyfe (1553) H viij, Geue. .at euery time the
quantityot a meane chesnutte. a z$4BHALLChron.,Ilen.IV
32 b, This kyng was of a mean stature wel proporcioned and
formally compact. 1575-6 in Nichols Progr. FAiz. (1823)
II. 2, Two mene perles pendaunte. 1570-80 Ibid. 290 A
snake with a meane white saphire on the hedd. 1577 B.
Googe Heresbach's Husb. 1. (1586) 13 b, Of a meane age,
that he be not vnwylling to woorke for youth, nor vnable
to trauayle for age. 1657 W. Coles Adam in Eden liii, It
is of the height and bignesse of a mean tree. 1697 Dam-
pier Voy. (1729) I. 395 Their Noses of a mean bigness,
T b. Having some quality in moderate degree.
Of wines : ? Moderate in alcoholic strength. Of
the voice : Moderately loud. Of soil : Moderately
fertile. Obs.
.1420 Pallad. on Husb. 1. 79 Yf hit [mould] be lene, hit
gooth in al and more ; Yf hit be mene [L. viediocris], hit
wol be with the brinke. £1450 Lydc. & Burgh Secrees
2647 Meene in voys neythir to grete nor smalle, Signe is of
trewthe and right wysnesse. 1542 Boorde Dyetary x. (1870^
255 Meane wynes, as wynes of Gascony, Frenche wynes, &
specyally Raynysshe wyne that is fyned, is good with meate.
1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. 1. (1586) 25 After a croppe
of Rye in meane ground, you shall haue the same yeere
great Rapes. 1607 Norden Surv. Dial. v. 233, 1 have seene
thistles in meane ground. 1679 Puller Moder. Ck. Eng.
(1843) 115 A voice mean and grave, fit to excite devotion.
fc. Moderate in amount, or in degree of excel-
lence; tolerable, mediocre. (In later use only with
disparaging implication, and so coincident with
Mean a.1) Obs.
c 1460 Towneley Myst. ii. 111 My wynnyngis ar bot mejm,
No wonder if that I be leyn. 1494 Fabyan Chron. vi. exciv.
197 She was . . but of meane fayrenesse as other women were.
1546 Yorks. Chantry Sun'. (Surtees) II. 213 Of honest
qualities and condicions, and meane lerenyng. 1551 Robin-
son tr. More's Utop. n. (1895) 171 The resydewe they sell at
reasonable and meane price, 1580 Lvly Euphues (Arb.) 308
Let thy apparell be but meane, neyther too braue, .nor too
base. 1600 Holland Livy xlii. lxvi. 1155 The Consull con-
tenting himselfe with a meane good hand, .retired with his
forces into the camrje. 1604 E. G[rimstone1 D'Acosta"s
Hist. Indies iv.xxxiii. 299 In that countrie it is but a meane
wealth, a 1628 Preston Nnv Coz't. (1634) 24 It is better
for thee, .to have meane gifts, than to have high gifts. 1719
L>e Foe Crusoe 11, ii, My own house., where I should see
there had been but mean improvements.
T d. Using moderation ; temperate. Obs.
c 1425 Eng. Cong. Irel. 88 He was. .[of] mete, & of drynke
ful meen & for-berynge.
7. Math. a. Of an amount or value : Having
such a relation to the amounts or values occurring
in a given set of instances that the algebraical sum
of their differences from it is zero ; that is an arith-
metical mean. Hence used (as in mean motion,
diameter, distance, temperature, etc.) in concord
with a designation of variable concrete quantity,
to express the mean value of this. Mean sun : a
fictitious sun, supposed for purposes of calculation
to move in the celestial equator at the mean rate
J cf the real sun. Mean {solar) time : the time of
I day as it would be shown by the * mean sun ' (the
time shown by an ordinary correctly regulated
I clock) ; so mean noon, etc. Cf. Mean tone {Mus.).
c 1391 Chaucer Astrol. 11. § 44 The residue is the mene
mote for the same day and the same houre. _ 1694 Holder
I Disc. Time 20 According to the Mean Motion of the Sun.
; 1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, Mean Motion or Mean Longi-
! tudeofthe Sun, in the Ptolomaick Hypothesis, is an Ark of
I the Ecliptick, reckoned from the Beginning of Aries to the
I Lineof the Sun's Mean Motion. 1709 J. Ward Yng.Math.
Guideii-j^i) 455 Bythe Bungand Head Diameters, find such
i a mean Diameter as you judge will Reduce the propos'dCask
to a Cylinder. 1743-3 Ld. Hervf.y in Johnsons Debates
(1787) II. 309 The produce of the customs was the last year
less by half a million than the mean revenue. 1743 Emerson
Fluxions 299 If the mean Radius of the Earth be 21000000,
then [etc.]. 1798 Malthus Poful. (1817) 1. 470 In the Pays de
Vaud the lowest mean life., is 29^ years, i860 Maury Phys.
Geog. Sea (Low) v. § 282 Rain-gauges will give us the mean
annual rain-fall. 1878 Huxley Physiogr. 200 The constant
temperature being nearly the mean temperature of the
surface. 1878 Petrie in Jrnl. Anthrop. Inst. (1879) VIII.
113 The circle divided intoequal squares is apparently not
so accurate, the mean error being 7 inches on 130 feet.
b. Mean proportional: the middle one of three
quantities, of which the first has the same ratio to
the second as the second has to the third. Ex-
treme and mean ratio (or ^proportion) : see
Extreme a. 1 b.
Originally mean was the sb. and proportional the adj. (cf.
F. moyenne Proporiionnelle)', but as the expression is now
apprehended the functions of the words are reversed.
1571 Djgges Pautom., Math. Treat, viii. X iij b, The
Ooctaedrons side is meane proportionall betweene the dia-
meter and semidiameter of the circumscribing sphere. 1608
R. Norton tr. Strain's Disme D iij b, Seeke the meane pro-
portionall betweene BM and his 10 part BR.
f 8. Gram. Of a verb : In the middle voice,
reflexive. Obs.
1530 Palsgr. Introd. 33 The mean verbes have also thre
dyvers sortes of conjugations. Ibid. 632/2. 1583 Fulke
Defence v. 151 Il\r)povfj.ai . . is often taken passiuely : But see-
ing it is also found to be a verbe meane, who neede to be
afraide to vse it actiuely?
B. adv.
f 1. Moderately ; also, comparatively less. Obs.
1398 Trevisa Barth. DeP. R. xvn. ii. (1495) 595 By crafte
of tyllynge. .pome garnade is made meane soure. 1535
Joye ApoL Tindale (Arb.) 20 Printed the new testament
in a mean great volume. 1565 Jewel Def. Apol. (1611) 101
A mean learned man may vnderstand it wel enough. 1576
Baker Jeiuell of Health 231 b, When outof this you shall
have drawne a cuppe meane full, ..distyll it againe in Bal-
neo Mariae. 161a W. Sclater Minister's Portion 42 The
meane wealthy amongst their people.
MEAN.
2. Intermediately (in time or character).
1548 Staunford King's Prerog. (1567) 47 For that that
hee that is outlawed was emprisoned meane betweene the
awardynge of the exigent and the outlawrie pronounced.
1561 T. Norton Calvin's Inst. 1. 54 They in going meane be-
twene the Philosophers opinions and the heauenly doctrine
are plainly decerned. 1577-87 Holinshed Chron. III. 1243/1
Which office it seemeth that he had, meane betweene the
twelfe and the foureteenth yeare of the said king, a 1625
Sir H. Finch Law (1636) 46 Any such thing done meane
betwixt the verdict and the iudgement. 1642 tr. Perkins'
Prof. Bk. xi. § 837. 38 If meane, after the first demand and
before the latter end of the moneth the lessor doe happen to
come.
Mean (mfn), v.1 Pa. t. and pa. pple. meant
(meat). Forms : 1 meenan, 3 meeinen, 3-7 mene,
meane, 4 men, meen, 4-5 meene, 4-6 meine,
•Sir. meyn(e, 5 menne, 6-7 mein, 6- mean. Pa. t.
a. 1 rmende, 3 mende, 4 meenede, mennede,
4-5 mened, 4-6 Sc. menit, -yt, 5 menyd, 6 Sc,
meynd, meind, me(i)nit, 6-9 meaned, (6 Sc,
-it) ; p. 4-5 mente, 4 -7 ment, 6- meant. Pa.
pple. a. 1 (se)m8ened, 5 meened, 6-9 meaned ;
0. 4-5 yment, 5 imente, imeynt ; 4-5 mente,
4-7 ment, 6- meant. [Com. WGer.: OE. tnknan
= OFris. mhia to signify, OS. mcnian to intend,
signify, makeknown(MLG., MDu.;«tV»,mod.Du.
meenen), OHG. meinen to have in mind (hence
also, to love), to intend, signify, make known,
mention (MHG. and mod.G. meinen, now chiefly,
to have in one's mind, tohold or expressan opinion) ;
cf. the compounds, OS. gimhiian to make known,
OHG. gemeinen to proclaim, show forth, bimeinen
to decree, destine, dedicate (whence bimeinida
testament). The Scandinavian forms, Icel. meina,
Sw. piena, Da. mene, are from Low German.
The W.Ger. *mainj'an is cogn. w. OFris. mine opinion,
OHG. meina fern., ?opinion (found only in Otfrid in certain
phrases, Una meina, bi thia meina, etc., meaning ' verily ',
'forsooth'). Outside Tout, the OS1. formal equivalent,
meniti, exhibits an extraordinarily close parallelism of mean-
ing, having all the var ied senses of t he OE. and OS. verb. The
ultimate etymology and the order of sense-development are
doubtful ; the prevailing view that the root is *men- to think
(see Mind sb.) would account plausibly for all the recorded
senses, but involves phonological difficulties that have not
been satisfactorily disposed of.]
1. trans. To have in mind as a purpose or in-
tention ; to purpose, design. Chiefly with inf. as
obj., less frequently with clause or sb.
In modern colloquial use sometimes : To intend with de-
termined purpose.
For to mean business, mischief, see the sbs.
c888 K. Alfred Boeth. xxxix. § 5 |?a ongan he sprecan
swioe fiorran ymbutan, swilce he na f?a spraece ne maende,
& tiohhode hit Seah biderweardes. c 1300 Leg. St. Gregory
742 {Jan alon scbe left per inne, Non wist what sche ment.
13.. K. Alis. 5942 Thoo had kynge Alisaunder y-ment..
The cee haue y- passed ayein. c 1374 Chaucer Troylus 11.
532 (581) And syn ye woot pat myn entent is clene, Tak
hede ber-of, for I noon yuel mene. c 1440 York Myst. xxx.
494 A ! mercy, lorde, mekely, no malice we mente. 1560
Daus tr. Sleidanes Comm. 70 b, The Duke of Saxon, and
the Lantgrave, . . ment to go home. 1567 Reg. Privy Council
Scot. I. 515 Hir Majestie menit to subvert the lawis. 1612
Bacon Ess., Wisd.for Man s Self (Arb.) 1B4 Except they
meane their seruice should bee made but the accessary.
1617 Moryson /tin. 1. 40 These cutthroates. .meant pre-
sently to returne. 169a Dryden Cleomenes 11. i. n Thou
art only Misplanted in a base degenerate Soil ; But Nature
when she made thee, meant a Spartan. 1773 Goldsm.
Stoops to Conq. iv, You only mean to banter me. 1845
Sir C. J. Napier Conq. Scinde 11. viii. 455 The Beloochs
certainly meaned to break out with a counter attack.
189s Kekewich in Law Times Rep. LXXIII. 663/2 We
must not jump to the conclusion that the Legislature meant
to interfere with contracts. 1904 Mat. A, Griffiths Fifty
Yrs. Publ. Service ii. 22 Even to my young and inexperi-
enced eyes it seemed that the attack [on the Redan] was
never 'meant'.
fb. with ellipsis of vb. of motion. Obs.
c 1470 Harding Chron. ix. i, With shyppes .xii. to Italy
had they mente.
t C. To aim at, direct one's way to. Obs. rare,
c 1400 Laud Troy Bk. 4172 Gret schame it is. .That we
durst neuere Troye mene. 1633 G. Herbert Temple, Ch.
Porch lvi, Who aimeth at the sky Shoots higher much than
he that means a tree. 1706 Watts Mors Lyr. I. 100 The
muse ascends her heavenly car, And climbs the steepy path
and means the throne divine.
d. To design (a thing) for a definite purpose ;
to intend or destine (a person or thing) to a fate or
use. Const. against,for,-f to; rarely dative. fAlso
with complement, to destine to be {obs.).
m a 1400 Octouian 1953 The old emperesse. .hadde the same
jugement That sche to Florance hadde y-ment. 1560 Daus
tr. Sleidanes Comm. 242 b, This warre is not ment nor pre-
pared against the Cyties. 1580 Sidney Ps. xxvii. v, When
greate griefes to me be ment, In tabernacle his, he will Hide
me. 1611 Bible Gen. I. 20 God meant it vnto good. 1634
Milton Comus 765 She [sc. Nature] good cateress Means her
f)rovision onelyto the good That live according to her sober
aws. 1639 Shirley Gent. Ven. v. ii, Providence, .made me
worth a strangers piety, Whom your cho[i]ce meant the
rume of my honor. 1643 Denham Cooper's Hill 325 Fair
Liberty pursu'd, and meant a Prey To lawless power, here
turn'd. 1792 J. Barlow Conspir. Kings 83 Why to small
realms for ever rest confin'd Our great affections, meant for
all mankind? 184a Bkowning Through the Metidja\,~Ere
J Pr>ed, she [Fate] should hide. .All that's meant me. 1884
W. C. Smith Kildrostan 57, 1 think Fate meant us for each
Vol. VI.
273
other. 1896 A. E. Housman Shropshire Lad\\\\, Say, for
what were hop-yards meant, Or why was Burton built on
Trent ?
e. To intend (a remark, allusion, etc.) to have
a particular reference. Const, f at, + by, of, f to.
Also f absol. to mean by = to intend to refer to.
In the 1 6th c. to mean (a remark or a designation) by (a
person) was the usual expression where we now say ' to
mean (such or such a person} by (a remark, etc.)', the vb.
being then in sense 2.
1513 More Edw. V, Wks. 55/2 That ment he by the lordes
of the quenes kindred that were taken before. 1543 Udall
Erasm. Apoph. 230 b, He saied that he would leaucsuche
a successour. . . Menyng by Tiberius. 1570 Satir. Poems
Reform, xix. 8 Gone is the Joy and gyde of this Natioun ; I
mene be James, Regent of Scotland. 1596 Spensfr State
Irel. Wks. (Globe) 621, I do not meane this by the Princes
wardes. 1641 Sandf.rson Serm. (1681) II. 184 A flaunting
hyperbole, far beyond the merit of the Party he meant it to.
1749 Chesterf. Lett. (1792) II. 230 He. .thinks every thing
that is said meant at him. 1753 Ibid. IV. 13 They are con-
vinced that it was meant at them. Mod. I wonder whether
he meant it of any one in particular.
f. intr. To be {well, ill, etc.) intentioned or
disposed. Const, to, by, or dative.
c>374 Chaucer Troylus in. 115 (164) By-sechyng hym..
bat he wolde. .eke mene wel to me. (:141a Hoccleve De
Reg. Princ. 1986 But how I speke, algate I mene weel.
c 1440 Promp. Parr. 332/2 Menyn yn herte, wel or evy],
intendo. c 1450 tr. De Imitations 1. xii. 13 J?ou3 we do wel
& mene wel. c 1590 Greene Fr. Bacon vi. 9 Now shall
Edward trie How Litcy meaneth to his Soueraigne Lord. 1601
Shaks. Tiuel. N. iv. iii. 22 If you meane well Now go with
me. 1628 Earle Microcosm., Rewrit'd Man, He., puts
himselfetoagreat deale of affliction to hinder their plots, and
designes where they meane freely, a 1680 Butlkr Rem.
(1759) I. 58 The purest Business of our Zeal Is but to err,
by meaning well. 1719 De Foe Crusoe 11. xi, You seem to
mean honestly. 1771 Junius Lett. xlv. (1820) 243 They
who object to [his] last letter, either do not mean him
fairly, or [etc.]. 1802 Bkodoes Hygeia ir. 34 The projector
of a new domestic medicine, meaning well by himself and
the public. 1884 Rider Haggard Dawn ii, I do not think
that your cousin means kindly by you.
2. traits. To intend to indicate (a certain object),
or to convey (a certain sense) when using some
word, sentence, significant action, etc. Sometimes
with clause as obj. In mod. use often const, by.
c 888 K. /Ei.fred Boeth. xxxviii. § 2 ;rif he para nan nyte,
bonne nat he hwact he msen5. c 1000 ./Elfric Gen. xviii. 20
God ba fceopenude Abrahame, hwaet he mid baere sprxce
maende. c xzoo Trin. Coll. Horn. 11 Wat be holie apostle
meneS bo henemnede nilit and niehtesdede. 1:1275 Worn.
Samaria 27 in O. E. Misc. 85 Heo nuste hwat heo mende
heo wes of wytte poure. a 1300 Cursor M. 12631 Quat he
wit bis wordes ment, Graithli wist bai noght be entent.
C1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xv. (Barnabas) 89 Gyf je will wit
qunat ve meyne. c 1380 Wyclif Set. Wks. II. 6 And sum
men seien bat Crist meenide bat he himsilf. .is more ban
Toon Baptist. 1415 Hoccleve To Sir J. Oldcastle 1 The
Taddre of heuene, I meene charitee. 1513 Douglas /E tie is
1. Pro!. 387 Tuichand our tongis penurite, I mene onto corn-
pair of fair Latyne [etc.]. 1530 Palsgr. 444/2 He becked at
me, but I wyste nat what he ment. 1617 Moryson /tin. 1.
68The twelfth day. .wee rode foure miles (meaning Dutch
miles). 1644 Digby Nat. Bodies xviii. § 2. 158 When we
have examined this, we shall vnderstand in what sense it is
meaned that Nature abhorreth from Vacuity. 1671 Milton
P. R. 11. 6, I mean Andrew and Simon. 1711 Steele
Sped. No. 136 F 4, I mean by this Town the Cities of
London and Westminster. 1782 Miss Burney Cecilia iv.
x, In both which [sc. reproof and compliment] more seemed
meant than met the ear. 1825 Cobbett Rur. Rides 442
And what is meaned by ' The fear of the Lord ' ? 1895
Kekewich in Law Times Rep. LXXIII. 663/1 The Act
does not mean literally what it says.
b. transf in questions of the form What does
(a person) mean {by certain conduct) ? i. e. ' what
motive or justification has he for it?
1892 Mrs. H. Ward D. Grieve n. iii, What, no top-coat
in such weather ! What do you mean by that, sir ? You're
wet through.
3. Of things, words, statements : To have a cer-
tain signification ; to signify or import ; to portend.
. a 1000 Sal. $ Sat. (Kemble) 472 Saga hwset ic msne.
c 1200 Ormin 5502 Swa batt tey$ mu^henn shsewenn }uw All
whatt itt MJv & menebb. C1330 R. Brunne Chron.{ 1810)
8 pei wist what it ment. a 1400 Cursor M. 25395 (Cott.
Galba) ' Amen', bat menes, ' so mot it be '. 1475 Marg. Pas-
ton in P. Lett. III. 135 Some of them..wote full lytyll
what yt meneth to be as a sauger. 1557 North Gueuaras
Diall Pr. 345 From the time I knew what meaned to
foverne a common weale, I have alwayes [etc.]. a 1584
Iontgomerie CherHe <y Sloe 605 Experience came in, and
spelrit Quhat all the matter meind. 1611 Bible Gen. xxi.
29 What meane these seuen ewe lambes, which thou hast
set by themselues? 1622 Bacon Hen. VII 234 His Armes
were neuer Infortunate; neither did hee know what a
Disaster meant. 1648 Gage West Ind. x. (1655) 35 They
knew not what money meaned. 1667 Milton P. L. in. 275
Admiration seis'd All Heav'n, what this might mean. Ibid.
xi. 875 But say, what mean those colourd streaks in Heavn.
1828 Scott F. M. Perth xxxvi, Eachin Maclan— what
means all this?
f 4. a. trans. To have in mind, to remember. Obs.
1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 6674 Sone ! menest \>ow
nat what y er seyde ? 1:1420 Anturs of Artk. 229 Gyffe
me grace for to. .mene [Douce MS. mynge] the with messes
and matynnes one morne. < 1440 York Myst. xii. 1 Grete
meruell is to mene Howe man was made.
f t>. refl. and intr. Const, of, on, upon. Obs.
a 1300-1400 Cursor M. 5274 (Gott.) Ne menis 30U noght,
nou mani a day, Of a drem ful Iang siben gan? C1330 R.
Brunne Chron. IVace (Rolls) 1838 He recouered his strengbe
for tene, Of skabe wold he hym no more mene. 1375 Bar-
bour Bruce xii. 269 Menys on jour gret manheid, c 1425
MEAN.
Thomas ofErceld. 30 The Mawys menyde hir of hirsonge.
1438 Bk. Alexander Gt. (Bann. CI.) 67 Mene vpon jour
hecht. 1442 Aberdeen Reg. (1844) I. 307 It is to mene apon
that. .Robert Masoun, and Gilbert Masoun, oblist them
..til a honourable knight. 1513 Douglas Mneis xi. Prol.
172 Allthocht his lord wald meyne On his aid seruis.
f c. impers. Me meaneth = I remember. Const.
of on. Obs.
a 1300 Cursor M. 16889 vs meins quils he was in lijf bat
we herd him sai bat [etc.]. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xvi.
(Magdatena) 881 Menis be nocht of be ewangel, bat in
be kirk is red vmquhile of mary. c 1425 Si. Elizabeth of
Spalbeck in Anglia VIII. 118/7 Atte a dewe oure, and, as
me menib, bytwix sexte and noon.
f 5. intr. To hold or entertain an opinion ; to
think, imagine. Obs.
ai^oo Cursor M. 14686 'pou mas be godd, and bou art
man . 'Soth it es ', coth iesus ban, 'Bath i am, qua right
wil men '. c 1330 K. Brunne Chron. IVace (Rolls) 6888
'Lord', he seyde, ' jow bar nought wene, Why y am
comen je may wel mene'. c 1449 Pecock Ret>r. in. xvii.
391 Ellis Crist in the alleggid x1'. chapiter of Luk schulde
haue meened ajens him silf in the other now alleggid placis.
XS33 &AV Richt Vay (188S) 51 Ciprianus menit that ye
quyk suld be thesaulis. a 1578 Lindesay (Pitscottie)C/^c«.
Scot._ (S.T.S.) I. 31 Evirie man menit that it sould redound
to his gret hurt, 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1862) I, 221
Knots of straw and things (as they mean) off the way to
heaven.
f6. trans. To say, tell, mention. Obs.
Beowulf &S7 Da:r wa?s Beowulfes majrSo manned, c 1205
Lav. 16333 Wel 3e hit ma5en imunen bar. ich wulle mxinen.
rti22S Aucr. R. 316 Inouh hit is to siggtn so bet be SLhrift
feder witterliche understonde hwat tu wulle menen. a 1300
Cursor M. 12498 (Cott.) He had bar-for wel gret pite, And
bus to Joseph it mened he. 1387 Trevisa Higden Rolls) II.
345 pey poetes mene bat Iupiter gildede Saturnus. C1450
Holland Howlat 756 Menstralis and musicianis, mo than
I mene may. c 1460 Tcnvncley Myst. xiv 37 The myght of
me may no man mene. 1494 Fabyan Chron. 11. x xxi v. 26
Gaufiide meaneth yl this Sicillius was but .vii. yeres of age
when his Fader dyed.
fb. intr. (rarely refl.) To speak, tell. Chiefly
const, of on, Sc. and north, by. Cf. r e absol. Obs.
^1300 Cursor M. 24878 Hir succur son to ham sco sent,
pat in sli murning on hir ment. C1350 Will. Paterae 1925,
I wol minge of a mater i mennede of bi-fore. a 1400-50
Alexander 1615 (Dubl. MS.) J?ai amervale banne mekyll as
menys me be writtes [Ashm. MS. As be buke tellisl c 1470
Harding Chron. lxxxvu. vii, All these were called Westsex,
as Bede ment. J a 1500 Chester PI., Pur if. 217 Mary, of mirth
we may us meane. 1500-20 Dunbar Poems Ixiv. 12, I dout
that Merchc, with his cauld blastis keyne, Hes slane this
gentill herbe, that I of mene. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot.
II. 219 Richt so did he. as my author did meyne. 1562
WinJet Cert. Tract, i. Wks. 1888 I. 3 We mein of the
pastures of the Kirk. 1625 Bp. Mountagu App. Cesar 10/1
S. Paul speaketh of Iustification in the attayning it. . . But
S. lames meaneth of Iustification bad and obtained.
7. Comb. : f mean-nothing, a meaningless, in-
sincere phrase.
1654 Whitlock Zootoviia 387, I tell you for your good,
and, what is it to me? .. with many such non-significants,
or mean-nothings.
+ Mean, v.2 Obs. (After 15th c. only Sc, and
north, dial.) Forms: 1 mcenan, 2-7 mene, 3
mseno, maine, meane, 5 meene, 5-6 .SV.meyn(e,
6-7 Sc. meine, 6- mean. [OE. mknan : see
Moan sb.]
1. trans. To complain of, lament (something);
to lament for (a dead person).
c 888 K. Alfred Boeth. iv. {heading'), Hu Boetius hine
singende jebxd, & his earfoSu to Gode masnde. CH75
Lamb. Horn. 33 Gif bu me dest woh . . ic hit mene to mine
lauerde. c 1205 Lay. 2438, & swiSe heo hit maende to alle
monnen. a 1225 Ancr. R. 224 $i{ heo edmodliche mened
hire neode. 1375 Barbour Bruce ix. 300 Eftir that, neir
fifty 5heir, Men menyt the heirschip of Bouchane. c 1375
Sc. Leg. Saints xii. {Mathias) 203 Scho menyt ofte rycht
sare hyr a sowne. c 1400 Rom. Rose 2596 My greet unese
ful ofte I mene. 1513 Douglas A^neis ix. v. 157 The Troianis
..With tender hartis menand Ewrialus. 1536 Bellenden
Cron. Scot. (1821) II. 289 Becaus this Duncane wes ane
tyrane. .few menit his slauchter. 1599 Jas. I BoohA. Awpoi'
(1682) 20 His fall is but little meaned by the rest of his
subjects.
b. With cognate obj. : To mean (one's) moan,
(one's) complaint.
a 1300 Cursor M. 4277 (Cott.) Oft sco meind til him hir
mane, a 1300-1400 Ibid. 8159 (Gott.) Unese had he menid
his mode, bat a lem fra be wandes siode. c 1330 R. Brunne
Chron. Wace (Rolls) 2440 (Lear] ment his mone euen &
morwe. 14. . Harding C7*n>«.Pref.(i8i2) 5 To none other
my complaynte can I mene.
C. To pity.
c 1440 Pol. Rel. %L. Poems (1003) 186 If bou be sijk, y schal
pee hele ; If bou moorne ou^t, y schal bee meene. 1508
Dunbar Tua mariit Wemen 501, I am so mercifull in
mynd, et menys all wichtis. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. II.
541 The husband men full Iytill now ar ment,Quhome be
we ar vphaldin and sustent. c 1560 A. Scott Poems {S. T. S.)
xxvi. 32 Thay wald be menit, and no man menis. 1603
Philotus clxv, I grant indeid thair will na man me meine,
For I my self am authour of my greif.
d. in predicative phrase, to mean : to be de-
plored or pitied.
C1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 335 Alias ! it was to mene,
his vertuz & his pruesse So fele in him were sene, bat perist
for falsnesse. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. (1858) 1. 16 Quhair-
foir thair mister wes the moir to mene. 1719 Ramsay 3rd
Ansu: Hamilton x, An fowk can get A doll of rost beef . .
And be na sick . . They're no to mean. 1788 R. Galloway
Poems 132 Yes, said the king, we're no to mean, We live
baith warm, and snug, and bien.
MEAN.
274
MEANER.
2. intr. To lament, mourn; to complain.
c 888 K. Alfred Boeth. xi. § i J>u simle mid wope & mid
unrotnesse maenst gif be aenies willan wana biS. c xao5 Lav.
29613 pa wolde he per after sone wenden to Rome and
menen to Gregorie. a 122$ A tier. A'. 274 So pet heo mei
weopen & menen ase son mon, inide be salmwuruhte.
a 1300-1400 Cursor M. 3059 (Gott.) Quilys scho menyd in
hir mode, Confort com hir sone ful gode. c 1375 Sc. Leg.
Saints vi. {Thomas) 513 Carisius . . for his vif gretly can
men. c\q*o Anturs o/Arth. (MS. 1) no Hyt menet, hit
musut, hyt marret. c 1430 Syr Tryam. 28 Ofte tyme to-
gedur can they meene, For no chylde come them betwene.
c 1560 A. Scott Poems (S. T. S.) xx. 22 Off all thy wo and
cair It mends the no1 to mene. a 1800 Proud Lady Marg.
v. in Scott Minstr. Scott. Bord. (1803) III. 276 If you
should die for me, sir knight, There's few for you will meane.
.b. To complain ^(an offender).
a 1225 Aucr. R. 362 Uor be ueond is affuruht and offered
of swuche and forSi bet Job was swuch he mende of him.
a 1250 Chvl $ Night. 1257 Hwi wulleb men of me mene . .
J>ah ic hi warny al bat yer.
c. impers. Me meaneth = I mourn.
13.. Guy Warzu. (A.) 433 Sore me meneb, for me smert,
Miche care is in mine hert,
d. reft, in the same sense.
c 1175 Lamb. Horn. 17 Men be to halie chirche, bet is to
ban preoste and to ban folke. (.1205 Lay. 31504 And heo
gunnen wenden to ban Kinge Pendan and menden heom to
Pendan. a 1225 Aticr. R. 98 MeneS ou to his earen. c 1320
Sir Tristr. 1135 Til mark he gan him mene. 136a Langl.
P. Pi. A. in. 163 Thenne mornede Meede and menede hire
to the kyng. t 1400 Destr. Troy 7612 The grekes for be
greuaunce. . Made myche murmur & menit horn sore, c 1450
St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 4174 Gretely he him mened. 1790
Mrs. Wheeler Westmld. Dial. (1821) 62 Awr lasshed been
ath shop, for a quartern ea hops, en hard him mean hisseL
3. trans. To state as a grievance; to represent
by way of formal complaint or petition. Sc.
1475 Aberdeen Reg. (1844) I. 33 Fersamekil as it is 1am-
mentabilly menit till ws be our louit Johne of Spens,
litster, . .that [etc.]. 1525 Ibid. I. no Forsamekill as it is
humelie meynit and schewin to ws be ane reverend fader
in God [etc.]. 1560 in Spottiswood Hist. Ch, Scot, in.
(1677) 144 They were forced to mean our estate to the Queen
of England. 1569 Reg. Privy Council Scot. II. 61 Ordain-
ing baith the parties, . . to meyne the mater to the said
Generall Assembly. 1752 Louthian Form of Process (ed. 2)
25 It is humbly meaned and shown to Us, by Our Lovit,
C. D. That [etc.].
b. refl. To present a complaint.
1551 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 114 Thai menit thame
diverse tymes to the Lordis of Sessioun. a 1670 Spalding
Troub. Chas. I (Spalding CI.) II. 72 To stramp it out he
meinis him self to the Parliament.
t Mean, z>.3 Obs. rare. Also 5 meen, 5-6
mene, 6 Sc. meyne. [a. OF. meenner, moiener,
f. mtien (see Mean a.). Cf. Mean sb.'* 9.]
1. trans. To mediate.
c 1440 Promp. Parv. 232h Menyn, or goon be-twene ij.
partyes for a-corde . . medio, c 1449 Pecock Repr. n. xix.
263 If Iohun be a prouoking meene that the King 3eue to
me xxli. pound of jeerli fee,.. it mai be seid..that Iohun
dooth and 3eueth to me thilk fee,.. in this vndirstonding,
that Iohun meeneth or helpith, and fortherith in meenyng
that the 5euyng be doon. c 1522 Douglas in IVks. (1874) I.
p. ex, Causing thame mene and procure so that the remayn-
mg with hir husband was not payit of her dower. 1654
H. L'Estrange Chas. /(1655) 138 Nor was any assistance
more like to mean and procure his Restauration then theirs.
2. To moderate (by intervention).
1500-20 Dunbar Poems lxxxv. 47 Our teyne to meyne,
and ga betweyne, Ane hevinle oratrice.
t Mea'nably, adv. Obs. rare—1, [f. Mean a.2
+ -ably.] In a mean or medium degree.
1577 Frampton Joyfull Neiues 11. 48 b, Giuying to the
Cholerike lesse seethyng, . . and to the Flegmaticke more
seethyng, . .and to the Sanguine meanablie [Sp. orig. media-
namente],
Meanashing, obs. form of Menacing.
Meander (nu'se-ndai), sb. Also (6 meandor),
6-9 meeander. [a. L. mseander, Gr. fiaiavSpos,
appellative use of the name of a river in Phrygia
noted forits winding course. Cf. F. meandre (1582
in Hatz.-Darm.), Sp., Pg., It. meandro.]
1. //. Sinuous windings (of a river) ; turnings to
and fro (in its course); flexuosities. Rarely in
sing.) the action of winding ; one of such windings.
1599 Nashe Lenten Stuffe 14 In all which foords or Me-
andors . . if any drowne themselues in them, their Crowners
sit vpon them. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. vi. viii,
The River Niger .. deflecting after Westward, without
meanders, continueth a strait course about 40 degrees. 1796
W. Coombe BoydelVs Thantes II. 67 The stream loses itself
En a distant meander. 1825 Waterton Wand. S. Avier.
I,], 118 Probably .. these apparently four creeks are only
the meanders of one. 1834 Beckford Italy I. 166 Springs
whose frequent meanders gave to the whole prospect the
appearance of a vast green carpet shot with silver. 1876
Bancroft Hist. U. S. III. xv. 235 The river now flowed in
gentle meanders.
trans/, and Jig. 1638 Brathwait Bamabees Jrnl. 11.
G iij, YVhen my head feels his [sc. Ale's] Meander, I am
stronger than Lysander. 1784 Cowper Task iv. 65 Here
rills of oily eloquence in soft Mxanders lubricate the course
they take. 1820 Scott A bbot i, The boy., lay. .half drowned
in the meanders of the fluctuating delirium.
2. //. Crooked or winding paths (of a maze) ;
labyrinthine passages; windings or convolutions
(of a vein, fissure, line, etc.).
_ 1598 Sylvester Du Bartas 11. i. 1. Eden 561 Round-wind-
ing rings, and intricate Meanders ..of an end-less Maze.
1603 J. Savile A". fas. Entertainm. Theobalds B b, Hee
went into the Laberinth-like garden to walke, where hee
recreated himselfe in the Meanders compact of Bayes,
Rosemarie, and the like. 1610 Shaks. Temp. in. iii. 3. 1615
Crooke Body of Man 94 Intercepted and deteined within
those Meanders!**:, the guts]. 1666 G. Harvey Morb.AnglM.
34 The effuges, or mseanders of the central . . parts of the brain.
1699 Garth Dispens. 1. 25 Now she [Nature] unfolds. .How
ductile Matter new Meanders takes. 1750 Johnson Rambler
No. 65 F 2 The new path, which he supposed only to make
a few meanders. 1799 Kirwan Geol. Ess. iv. 141 The fibres
of the rind, .and the meanders of the fibrillae being equally
discernible. 1801 J. Jones tr. Bygge's Trav. Fr. Rep. xii.
238 The inextricable windings and meanders of those caves.
T *>. fig. Confusing and bewildering ways ; in-
tricacies (of affairs, the law, a subject, etc.). Obs.
1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 285 They being ouerwhelmed
in Meanders of miscniefes. 1631 R. H. Arraignm. Whole
Creature i. 5 He was in such Meanders of miserie and
labyrinths of troubles. 1652 H. L'Estrange Amer. no
Jewes 71 There are many Meanders and windings in this
question of Plantation. 1712 Arbuthnot John Bull 1. vi,
Ten long years did Hocus steer his Cause through all the
meanders of the Law. 1759 Franklin Ess. Wks. 1840 III.
132 In this purpose I am ready, .until by better information
out of England, we shall be led out of these state meanders.
fc. sing. A winding or labyrinthine course or
plan ; a labyrinth, maze. lit. andyf^-. Obs.
c 1586 C'tf.ss Pembroke Ps. cxi.iii. v, Lest awry I wander
In walking this meander. 1610 Heywood Lane. Witches
iv. Wks. 1874 IV. 226 The more I strive to unwinde My selfe
from this Meander, I the more Therein am intricated. 1645
Evelyn Diary Apr. (1879) I. 211 After wandering two or
three miles in this subterranean meander [the catacombs],
1651 Biggs New Disp. 46 [They] have made of Physick a
Meander, ..and wild labirynth of incertainty. 1796 \V.
Coombe BoydelVs Thamesll . 3 The garden, .retains its early
form, and the lesser walks preserve their original meander.
3. A circuitous journey or movement; a deviation;
a winding course (as in the dance); chiefly//.
1631 Weever Ane. Funeral Mon. 241 For building
Churches sure he goes to Christ without Meander. 1634
Sir T. Herbert Trav. 20 Dancing many times, a great
multitude passe together, and in ma;anders turne and winde
themselves. 1713 Young Last Dayu. 50 So swarming bees,
that. .In airy rings, and wild meanders play. 1719 De Foe
Crusoe 1. xix, He made so many Tours, such Meanders, and
led us by such winding ways. 1891 T. Hardy Tess xhv,
Her journey back was rather a meander than a march.
4. Art. An ornamental pattern composed chiefly
of lines winding in and out with rectangular turn-
ings or crossing one another at right angles.
It is used chieflyas a border ornament on walls, pottery,etc.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Maeander,..*. Fret-work in
arched Roofs. 1737 Whiston Josephus, Antiq. xn. ii. § 8
On the table itself they engraved a meander. 1851 C. New-
ton in Ruskin Stones Ven. I. App. 401 Two conventional
imitations [of water], the wave moulding and the Ma^ander,
are well known. 1857 Birch Ane. Pottery (1858) II. 196
The exterior has been ornamented with a marauder, in
white paint.
5. alt rid. and Comb., as meander pattern, walk\
meander-like adv.
[1598 Sylvester Du Bartas 11. iv. 1. Tropheis 1000 Now,
like thy Jordan, (or *Meander-Hke) Round-winding nimbly
with a many-Creek.] 161a Drayton Poly-olb. x. 04 Riuery
veines, Meander-like that glide. 1851 C. Newton in Ruskin
Stones l^en. App. 401 In the *Ma^ander pattern [of water]
the graceful curves of nature are represented by angles.
1766 Museum Rust. VI. 80 Lay out the ground in some
gentle *meander-walks.
Meander (mzoe-ndsj), v. [f. Meander $b.]
1. intr. Of a river, stream, etc. : To flow in
meanders; to wind about in its course.
C1612 Dru.mm. of Hawth. Tears Death Mceliades (1614)
A 3, Forth where thou first didst passe Thy tender Dayes,
..Meandring with her Streames. 1738 Glover Leonidas
vni. 149 Soft streams masander'd. 1894 Rider Haggard
People of Mist xxxvi, Rivers that., meandered across the
vast plains.
indirect passive. 1731 Pope Ep. Burlington 85 Beds ..
With silver-quivering rills masander'd o'er.
b. trans/, andfig.
1777 Sheridan Sen. Scaud. 11. i. (ed. Rae 1902), When you
shall see in a beautiful Quarto Page, how a neat rivulet of
Text shall meander thro' a meadow of margin. 1784 Cow-
per Task in, 202 Pierce my vein, Take of the crimson
stream meandering there. 1835-6 Todd Cyct. Anat. I. 462/2
Blue veins are seen meandering on its [the skin's] surface,
1853 Felton Fam. Lett. xxix. (1865) 257 The smoke ..
meandered in graceful curls among the timbers.
2. Of a person : To wander deviously or aim-
lessly. (? Partly suggested by Maunder z».2 2.)
Also fig.
1831 S. Lover Leg. fy Stones frel. 151 He wint mean-
dherin' along through the fields. 1872 Calverley Fly Leaves
(1903) 101, I meandered Through some chapters of Vanity
Fair. 1875 Helps Soc. Press, v. 71 They will have, .mean-
dered about the flower-garden in a listless way.
f 3. trans. To entangle as in a labyrinth. Obs.
1652 Urquhart Jewel 95 [They devised questions, argu-
ments, etc.] thereby to puzzle him in the resolving of them,
Meander him in his answers . . and drive him to a non-plus.
Hence Mea'ndered///. a.t winding, labyrinthine.
Also Mea*ndererf one who meanders.
1612 Drayton Poly-olb. 1. 158 Those armes of Sea, .. By
their Meandred creeks indenting of that Land. 1622 Ibid.
xxii. 19 Ouze.. in Meandred Gyres doth whirle herselfe about.
1708 Brit. Apollo No. 43. 3/1 Love's meander'd Paths. 1887
T. N. Page Ole Virginia (1889) 188 The meanderer was
Drinkwater Torm.
Meandering (rm'ae-ndarirj), vbl. sb. [f. Mean-
der v. + -ing 1.1 The action of the vb. Meander ;
an instance of this.
1652 A. Wilson in Benlowes Theoph. To Author, Or can
the crawling Worm . .With its Meandrings finde the center
out? 1807-8 W. Irving Salmag. (1824) 382 The grove must
be a paradise that is refreshed by thy meanderings ! 1865
Grote Pltito III. 45, I here repeat the precise state of the
question, which is very apt to be lost amidst the maeander-
ings of a Platonic dialogue.
Mea'ndering, ppl.a. [f. Meanders. + -ing2.]
That meanders ; rlexuous, winding.
1680 Morden Geog. Reel. Introd. (1685) 6 Winding Bays,
Creeks and meandring Inlets. 1748 Richardson Clarissa
(1811) III. iii. 29 Flesh, .so clear that every meandring vein
is to be seen. 1846 Dana Zooph. (1848) 174 The tentacles.,
margin the meandering cell. 1878 Huxley Physiogr. 142
The river flows in a meandering course.
ilence Meanderingly adv.
1887 Stockton in Century Mag. Mar. 886 Through which
a narrow path meanderingly ran.
f Mean drat ed, ppl. a. Obs~° In 8 msean-
drated. [f. L. mseandrdt-us full of curves like
the Meander + -ed1.] (See quot.)
1727 Bailey vol. II, Mxandrated, turned, intricately
wrought.
T Meandrian, a. Obs. rare. [i. L. m?eandri-us
(f. m&andcr; see Meander sb.) + -an.] Like
the meanders of a river ; flexuous, winding.
1608 J. King Serm. 5 Nov. 27 This serpent surrepent
generation, with their Mseandrian turnings & windings.
i6ij6 S. H. Golden Law 81 Religion's rigidness and Mean-
drian intricacies are too hard for most of them.
Meandrically (mrarndrikali), adv. [f. L.
mmandric-ns (F. me'andrique), f. m&ander + -al +
-ly 2.] In a meandrous manner.
1886 R. von Lendenfeld in Proc. Zool. Soc. 21 Dec. 590
Meandrically winding tubes .. Meandrospongidse.
Meandriform (mz'ae*ndrif£irn), a. [i. L. mse-
andri- Meander sb. + -form.] Having a winding
form, labyrinthine.
1898 Nat. Sci. Sept, 227 This is covered above and below
by a layer of vermiform and meandriform chambers.
II Meandrina (nn&ndrsrna). [mod.L. Mte-
andrina, fern, of *mseandrlnus adj. : see next.
Cf. F. me'andrine.'] A genus of corals the surface
of which somewhat resembles the convolutions of
the human brain ; also, a polype of this genus.
1838 Bakewell Introd. Geol. (ed. 5) 638 Where the lamina?
take a serpentine direction, they are called Meandrina, or
brain stone, i860 Maury Phys. Geog. Sea (Low) xiii. § 560
Dense masses of Meandrinas and Astraeas.
Meandrine (rmse-ndrin), a. Also msean-
drine. [ad. mod.L. *mgeandrinust f. L. mieandr-
Meander sb."] Characterized by windings ; said
esp. of corals belonging to the genus Meandrina.
1846 Dana Zooph. (1848) 155 There are thus the simple
and meandrine forms of the calicularly branched species.
1884 J. Colborne Hicks Pasha 13 Rounded masses of
meandrine coral with its brain-like convolutions.
t Meandrite (mzVndrait). Obs. Alsomaan-
drite. [f. L. mmandr- Meander sb. + -ite. Cf. G.
maandrit, F. mtandrite (Humboldt).] A coral
belonging to the genus Meandrina.
1802-3 lr. Paltas's Trav. (1812) I. 147 Its cells and tubes
extend, as is the case with maandrites or ?/iadreporitesf in
a parallel line from the surface. 18x9 Helen M. Williams
tr. Humboldt's Trav. xvi. IV. 200 Small rocks of meandrites,
madreporites, and other corals.
Meandrous (mzse'ndras), a. Also 7 meean-
drous. [f. Meander + -ous.J Full of or character-
ized by windings and turnings ; esp. of a river.
1656 Blount Glossogr. s.v. Meander,. .Meandrous is used
for crooked, or full of turnings, a 1657 R* LovedayZW*.
(1663) 268 With whose vertuous rectitude Meandrous fals-
hood is inconsistent. ai66i Fuller Worthies, Bcdfordsh.
1. (1662) 114 Ouse .. in this Shire, more Maiandrous then
Maeander. a 1734 North Exam. n. iv. § 86 (1740) 274 That,
in the Prosecution of this meandrous Labyrinth, . .1 may
not. .be thought tedious. 1836 'Tait's Mag. III. 561 A river,
flowing in a meandrous course. 1892 Ld. Lytton Marah
j 18 Desire's meandrous labyrinths among.
tMea'ndry, a. Obs. rare-1, [f. Meander
+ -T.] = prec.
1614 Sir A. Gorges tr. Lucan t. 14 The Trumpets (with
their dreadfull notes Drawn through their hoarse Meandry
throats. .). 1619 — tr. Bacon's Wisdom Ane. v. 15.
Meane, obs. f. Main sb*t Mean, Mesne, Mien.
I Meaned, a. Obs. rare—1, [i. Mean sb. +
-ed-.] Furnished with or having means. Only
with qualifying word, as better meaned.
1605 Chapman, etc. Eastw. Hoe 1. i, There's thy fellowe-
Prentise, as good a Gentleman borne as thou art : nay, and
better mean'd.
tMeanel. Obs. See quot. (and cf. Menalda.)-
? a 1685 T. More in Ray's Collect. (E.D.S.) 55 Meanels,
spots called flea-bits in white-coloured horses.
t Meaner'. Obs. In 4 mener, 5 menowre,
menar. [a. OF. meeneut, moieneor, moyennenr .]
A mediator ; an interpreter.
1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) IV. 409 Mark be gospellour,
Paule his disciple and his mener {L. inter/res Petri], Ibid.
V. 397 Austyn .. com alonde wib fourty felawes and som
meners[inierpretibus]. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 333/ '1 Menowre,
or medyatowre. £1450 Holland Howlat 747 Thow moder
of all mercy, and the menar.
Meaner ^(mfnai). 10bs. [LMeanz^ + 'ErVJ
One who means, intends, or purposes. Chiefly
with qualifying adj. prefixed.
1580 Lupton Sivqita 1 38 We haue the faithf ullest meaners,
and truest dealers, that are in all the world. 1590 Spenser
F. Q. in. v. 25 So mischief fel upon the meaners crowne.
1604 Hieron Wks. I. 490 If the meaner be not assured of
MEANER.
the goodnesse of it. .hid meaning is naught. «i6i6Beaum.
& Ft,. Scorn/. Lady i. i, A Trwjffr IMIimifT This roonr.e
was built for honest meaners, that deliuer themselues hastily
and plainely, and are gone. 1634 A. Warwick Spare Min.
(1637) 18 The good meaner hath two tongues. 1712 Steele
Sped. No. 504 F 2 Your double Meaners are dispersed up
and down thro' all Parts of Town or City where [etc.].
t Meaner 3. Obs. rare, [? Subst use of com-
parative of Mean a.1; or perh. f. Mean uA + eii:
cf. commoner.'} One of the humbler class.
160a Warner Alb. Eng. xir. Ixx. (1612) 203 But of some
meaners, that their Hues haue ventured no lesse, Perform'd
as much [etc.]. 164a Rogers Naaman 383 Lawyer, Justice,
Gentleman or meaner do within the compasse of their
places [etc.].
Meaneschot, obs. Sc. form of Manchkt.
t Meaiiess. Obs. rare-1. In 6 menesse. [f.
Mean sb* (9) or Meaner l : see -ess. Cf. OK.
moieneresse.'] A mediatress.
1450-1530 Myrr. our Ladyc 306 Mediatrix, Menesse of
men, and wassher of synnes, heyle kyngly virgyn.
Meanesse, obs. form of Meanness.
Meanie, obs. f. Many; var. Meinie Obs.
Meaning (mrnirj), vbl. sbX Forms : 3-6
mening(e, 4-6 menyng(e, meanyng(e, (4meu-
nyng, meneyng, 5 menying, meenyng, 7
meaninge), 6- meaning, [f. Mean z/.1 + -ing 1:
cf. OHG. meimtnga (mod.G. meinung)^ MDiu
meninge (mod.Du. meetiing).]
1. Intention, purpose, arch, f Upon a meaning :
with the intention. + A good meaning : [a) a good
intention, friendly disposition; (b) a 'good mind',
a strong inclination (to do something).
£1385 Chaucer L. G. W. ProL 474 It was myn entente
To forthere trouthe..And to be war from falsenesse.. this
was myn menynge. 1390 Gower Con/. III. 254 Whan Col-
latin hath herd hire telle The menynge of hire trewe herte.
c 1412 Hoccleve De Reg. Princ. 2315 J>e kyng..knewe him
and his menynge. 15*6 Tindale i Cor. i. io Be ye perfecte
in one mynde, and one meanynge. 1585 Sir A. Poulet
Let. to Walsingliam 27 Apr. in Letter-Bks. (18^4) n This
cloth of Estate was set up at the first coming hither of this
Queen, upon a meaning that she should dine and sup ordi-
narily in that chamber, c 159a Marlowe Jew 0/ Malta iv.
u, Yet, if he knew our meanings, could he scape V 159a
Greene Groat's W. Wit (1617) 13 Lucanio .. had a good
meaning to vtter his mind. 1605 Shaks. Lear 1. ii. 190,
I am no honest man, if ther be any good meaning toward
you. 1633 Ford Broken H. iv. i, A man of single meaning.
1781 Cowper Ef. Lady Austen 98 A.. visit.. made almost
without a meaning, Produced a friendship. 18x4 Wordsw.
Excursion iv. 1150 You .. Adore, and worship, when you
know it not; Pious beyond the intention of your thought;
Devout above the meaning of your will. 1847 Tennyson
Princess in. 206 Since we learnt our meaning here, To
lift the woman's fall'n divinity. 1896 A. E. Housman Shrop.
shire Lad xxxiii, Sure, sure, if stedfast meaning, If single
thought could save, The world might end to-morrow, You
should not see the grave.
2. That which is intended to be or actually is
expressed or indicated. (See also Double meaning.)
a. Of language, a sentence, word, etc. : The
signification, sense, import ; a sense, interpretation.
Also, the intent, spirit as apart from the 'letter*
(of a statement, law, etc.). + ( That) is to meaning'.
(that) means.
1303 R. Brunne HandL Synne 611 pe menyng ys, . . 5yf
bou sweryst fals [etc.]^ 1398 Trevisa Earth. De P.R. n.
xvii. (1495) 41 Raphael is to meanynge the medycine of god.
1401 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 85 If we taken the gospel aftir
the menynge. a 1450 Knt. de la Tour xxxiv. 48 ' Doughter,
loue and worship youre husbonde..1; that is to menying
that ye shulde loue and doute youre husbonde. c 1491
Chasf. Goddes Chyld. 21 The fyrst feuer is callid a cotydian
in whiche is properly in ghostly menyng a varyaunce of the
herte._ 1560 Daus tr. Sleidatie's Comm. 12 b, If this be the
meaning of the lawe, then can no more the Spaniarde be
chosen, then the Frencheman. 1625 Bacon Ess., Unity in
Relig. (Arb.) 429 Termes, so fixed, as whereas the Meaning
ought to gouerne the Terme, the Terme in effect gouerneth
the Meaning. 1671 Milton P. R. iv. 516 That I [Satan]
might learn In what degree or meaning thou art call'd The
Son of God, which bears no single sence. 1736 Butler
Anal. 1. iii. Wks. 1874 1. 63 Difficulties may be raised about
the meaning, as well as the truth, of the assertion. 1843
Mill Zo,£7c (1865) II. 233 It maybe good to alter the mean-
ing of a word, but it is bad to let any part of the meaning
drop. 1876 Jevons Logic Prim. 23 The confusion which
arises between the different meanings of the same word.
b. That which a speaker or writer intends to
express ; the intended sense of (a person's) words.
m C1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 16709 After hym
in EngHsche y hit brought ; Of his meninge y wot be weye,
But his fair speche can y nought seye. a 1533 Frith Disput.
Purgat. (1829) 101, I will briefly declare the meaning of the
Arjostle, 1621 T. Williamson tr. Goulart's Wise Vieillard
A iv b, I hope I haue hit of his meaning, though I vary
from his wordes. 1841 J. H. Newman Lett. (1891) II. 336
The Articles are to be interpreted, not according to the
meaning of the writers, but ..according to the sense of the
Catholic Church. 1878 R. W. Dale Led. Preach, vi. 161
You will be good enough not to misunderstand my meaning.
C. Of a dream, symbol, phenomenon, etc. ffn
meaning that : as a sign or token that. Obs.
"377 Langl. P. PI. B. xv. 301 Ac god sent hem fode bi
foules and by no fierse bestes, In menynge [cf. 1393 C. xvm.
33 In tokenynge] bat meke binge mylde binge shulde fede.
138a Wyclif Dan. ii. 5 No bot }e shuln shewe to me the
sweuen, and the coniecturyng, or menyng, therof. 1597
Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. Ixvii. § 11 If he haue no such Being,
neither can the Sacrament haue any such meaning as wee
all confesse it hath. 16x1 Bible Dan. viii. 15 When I..
275
had seene the vision, and sought for the meaning. 1702
Addison Dial. Medals ii. Wks. 1721 I. 457 What is the
meaning that this transparent Lady [sc. Hope] holds up
her train in her left hand? for I find your women on
Medals do nothing without a meaning. 1885 Clodd Myths
<r Dr. i. iv. 66 The Greeks had sought out the meaning of
their myths.
d. Of an action, a state of things, etc.
1828-33 Webster s.v., What is the meaning of all this
parade? 1877 Froude Short Stud. (1883) IV. 1. iii. 29 What
could be the meaning of so sudden and so startling a trans-
formation? 1878 T. Hardy Ret. Native 1. iv, What's the
meaning of this disgraceful performance?
e. Ingenerali/.eduse: Significance. No-meaning;
nonsense.
1690 Locke Hum. Und. in. xi. (1695) 288 He that hath
Names without Ideas, wants Meaning in his Words. 1735
Pope Ep. Lady 114 True No-meaning puzzles more than
Wit. a 1800 Cowper Ode to Apollo i, Those luckless brains
That.. Indite much metre with much pains, And little or
no meaning. 1865 Kingsley Hereto, i, As he passed the
young lord he cast on him a look so full of meaning.
that [etc.].
1 3. Remembrance ; only in phr. to have, make
meaning. Also, a commemoration, memorial. Obs.
Cf. Minning, often occurring in ME. as a variant reading
for this word.
a 1300 Cursor M. 24748 Quen l ma mening o bat mild,
Quat blis sco bred again vr bale. 1303 R. Brunne Handl.
Synne 5208 Lorde, have on me menyng. 1340 Ha.mpole
Pr. Cottsc. 8320 When bou has of bi syns meneyng. 1503
Aberdeen Reg. (1844) I. 72 Atour he sal nocht ring Laurence
at the saule messe nor menyngis, bot for the nobill and
honorabill personis of the town.
f 4. Mention. Only in phr. to make meaning.
a 1300-1400 Cursor M. 8518 (Gott.) Childer. .Of be quilk i
make na mening here, c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 26
peimak no menyng whan, no in what date. ayj$Sc. Leg.
Saints xiii. {Marcus) 14 Vthire twa, of quhame I wel here
menyng ma.
fo. Knowledge, understanding. Obs. rare"1.
*393 Langl. P. PI. C. n. 138 (Ich haue no kynde know-
yng ', quab ich, 'je mute kenne me bettere, By what wey
hit wexith, and (wheder) out of my menyng '.
r t Meaning,?/;/. sb.-Obs. [lMeanz;.2 + -ing1.]
The action of the vb. Mean; moaning, lamentation.
C1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 63 On fuwuer wise us bihoue5
turnen to him ; on heorte, on fe^tene, on wope, on meninge.
13.. Guy Wanu, (A.) 4803 Biside him he herd a mening,
Also it were a woman schricheing. c 1470 Henry Wallace
vni. 734 Madennys murnyt with gret menyng amang. 1572
Satir. Poems Re/orm. xxx. 27 Dowglas .. & gude Westiraw
.. with lytill meaning, fra the men be past.
Meaning (mf'nirj), sb.z Astr. [f. Mean a£
+ -ing J.] The motion of the sunin meanlongitude.
1884 E. J. Stone in Obse> vatory r Jan. 3 And as we make
no distinction in our theories between the real motion of
the sun in longitude and that of the mean sun, the meaning
of the real sun is fixed when [etc.].
Meaning (mi"-nin), ///. a. [f. Mean vA +
-ING 2.]
1. Having intention or purpose. Usually with
qualifying word, as better, well meaning, etc.
1581 Mulcaster Positions iii. (1887) 8 Some well meaning
man. 1633, x68i Ill-meaning [see Ill-B]. 1748 Richard-
son Clarissa (1768) IV. 343 At first .. (and till I observed
her meaning air, and heard her speak) I supposed that she
had no very uncommon Judgment. 1760-72 H. Brooke
Fool of 'Quat. (1S09) I. 134 One of them. .is. .as little mean-
ing of harm to any one as his mother.
2. That conveys or expresses meaning or thought;
expressive, significant.
3728 Young Love 0/ Fames, (ed. 2) no The motion of her
lips, and meaning eye Pierce out the Idea her faint words
deny. 1838 Dickens Nich. Nick, ii, ' Had done business
with him , said Mr. Bonney with a meaning look. 1865
W. G. Palgrave Arabia I. 115 The thoughtful expression
of his large forehead and meaning eye. 1885 Mafich. Exam.
10 July 5/5 At this frank confession a meaning smile passed
between Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Childers.
Meaningful (nu-nirjiul), a. [f. Meaning vbl.
sb*+ -ful.J Full of meaning or expression; signi-
ficant. Hence Mea'ning-fully adv.
1852 Tait's Mag. XIX. 552 All the little meaningful gifts.
1879 G. Macdonald Sir Gibbie xiii, It was a . . meaningful
smile. 1890 Sarah J. Duncan Soc. Departure 262 Ortho-
docia glanced at me . . meaningfully.
Meaningless (mrnirjles), a. [f. Meaning
vbl, sb.1 + -less.] Without meaning or significa-
tion ; devoid of expression ; without purpose.
1797 Lamb Let. to Coleridge, Ill-digested, meaningless
remarks. 1810 Southey Keliama xvi. xi, Rayless eyes . .
Glazed, fix'd, and meaningless. 1876 Fox BouRNE_Zf?t:^
II. x. 138 Locke had a healthy contempt for the meaningless
definitions . . of the scholastic writers.
Hence Hea-ninglessly adv.; Mea-ningless-
ness.
1849 Ruskin Sev. Lamps 1. § 7. 16 The expense which is
sacrificed in domestic vanities, if not absolutely and mean-
inglessly lost .. would [etc. J. 1853 — Stones Ven. III. i.
§ 39. 26 The modern decorative system .. united the mean-
inglessness of the veined marble with the evanescence of the
fresco. 1894 H. Drummond Ascent Man 436 It is not the
monotony of life which destroys men, but its pointlessness. .
its meaninglessness crushes them.
Meaningly (mPninli), adv. [f. Meaning
ppl. a. + -ly -.] In a meaning manner ; f in one*s
purpose or intention (obs.); intentionally, pur-
posely; in mod. use chiefly, with significance of
look, tone, gesture, etc.
< 1449 Pecock Rcpr. iv. iv. 444 Who euer biddith openli
oujwhcre eny thing to be doon for a cause .. wole priueli
MEANLY.
and menyngli in ihe same bidding lijk thing be doon in
otnere placis .. where is the same cause. 1862 Mrs H
Wood thamungs 1, He spoke meaningly, as if preparing
them for a surprise. 1866 G. Meredith Vitloria xxxv
I do not believe that he . . ever had the intention to betray
us, or has done so in reality, that is, meaningly, of his own
will. 1894 H. Nisbet Busk Giri's Rom. 56 Fixing his eves
meaningly upon her.
Meaiiiiig-uess (mrnirjnes). [Formed as prec.
_+ -NESS.] The attribute of having a meaning or
intention ; significance, expressiveness.
•754. Richardson Grandison (1781) VI. Ii. 3r3 She. .looked
..so silly ! and so full of unmeaning meaningness. 1816 J
Scott Vis. Paris (ed. 5) 108 Their [French ladies'] beauty
. . consists rather in expression than in feature ; but what
with meaningness of look (etc.). jooi Blackw. Mar. Nov.
678/2, I was more than usually sensitive to the meaningness
of their words.
Meanish (mrnij), a. [f. Mean a. + -ish.]
Somewhat mean.
1831 De Quincev Whiggism Wks. 1857 VI. 42 Dr. Parr
..lost nothing in our esteem by shewing a meanish exterior.
t Mea-nless, a.1 Obs. rare. [f. Mean sb.- +
-less.] Having no mean : a. Immoderate, ex-
treme, b. Performed without the aid of means
or instrumentality.
1587 T. Hughes Mis/, oj Arthur 1. ii, Loe, here the loue
that slirres this meanelesse hate. 1593 Nashe Christ's T.
(1613)130 Since hisiChrist'sJascention into heauen,meanlesse
miracles are ceased.
Meanless (nu-nles), a.- ? Obs. [i. Mean v.1
+ -less.] Meaningless.
•739 G. Ogle Gualtherm •? Grisclda 69 With sundry
meanless Items, quaint and old. 1832 J. M. Reynolds
Miserrimits (1833) 29 The most meanless phrases of formal
intercourse.
t Mea'nly, a.1 Obs. In 2 mseuelik, 3-4 meue-
lich. [aphetic f. OK. gemdsnelic, f. gemxne (see
I-mene) + -lie -ly 1.] Common, general.
c izoo Ormin 2503 All wass msenelike bing Whatt littless se
bess harTdenn. a 1300 in Ret. Ant, I. 282 Icn i-leve .. in
Ihesu Crist oure meneliche loverd.
t Meanly, a.- Obs. rare—1, [f. Mean a? +
-LY 1.] Moderate.
c 1374 Chaucer Boeih. 1. pr. vi. 19 (Camb. MS.J By lyghte
and Meenelyche remedyes [L. mediocribus fomeiitis].
Meanly (mfnli), a.3 rare—', [f. Mean a.1 +
-ly I.] = Mean a.1
1827 Capt. Hakdman Waterloo 2 Away I ran into his
meanly old hoard.
Meanly ;mrnli), advX ff. Mean a.l +-LY-'.]
1. Indifferently, ill, poorly, badly; with mean
attire or equipment.
1587 Fleming Contn. Holiushed III. 1959/2 Sir William
Hamilton, and James Leirmonth .. whose message was so
meanlie liked, that they were faine to send an herald into
Scotland for other ambassadors. 1600 J. Pory tr. Leds
Africa III. 170 They are passing rich, yet go they very
meanly attired. 1670 Dryden zndPt. Conq.Granada(\&y£)
163 [Many of Shakspere's plays] were, .so meanly written,
that the Comedy neither caus'd your mirth, nor the serious
part your concernment. 1748 Richardson Clarissa IV. 55,
I think, my dear, I am not meanly off. 1757 Burke
Abridgitt. Eng. Hist. II. vi, Their towns were meanly built
and more meanly fortified. 1783 — Sp. Fox's E. India Bill
Wks. 1S42 I. 300 Ministers. . caused persons meanly qualified
to be chosen directors. 1851 Borrow Lavengro lxviii,
A rather pretty-looking woman, but . . meanly dressed.
2. "With, reference to rank, state in life, etc. :
Basely, lowlily.
1594 Shaks. Rich. Ill, iv. iii. 37 His daughter meanly
haue I matcht in marriage. 1674 Evelyn Diary 22 July,
She was much censur'd for marrying so meanly, being her-
selfe allied to the Royal family. 1765 Bickerstaee Maid
of Mill \. v. 10 To what purpose could a man of his distinc-
tion cast his eyes on a girl, poor, meanly born? 1869
Browning Ring fy Bk. ix. 1135 I' the very breast of Jove,
no meanlier throned !
3. In a way that shows a mean or base disposition,
or a small mind; shabbily; sordidly, niggardly,
stingily, illiberally.
j.6oa Marston Antonio" s Rev. iv. ii, He that's a vilaine,
or but meanely sowl'd. 1687 Dryden Hind <V P. 1. 436 Nor
will I meanly tax her constancy. 1784 Mann in Lett. Lit.
Men (Camden) 428 That M. Lavoisier . . should meanly
appropriate to himself Mr. Cavendish's excellent discovery.
1876 Geo. Eliot Dan. Der. iv, We cannot speak a loyal
word and be meanly silent . . in the same moment.
4. To think meanly of: to have a mean estimate
of; to characterize in one's thoughtasof little worth.
1642 Rogers Naaman 387 Thinke the meanlier of us when
we thinke the highliest of ourselves. 1768 Goldsm. Good-n.
Man 1. i, Can Olivia think so meanly of my honour ?
t Meanly, adv.2 Obs. Forms : see Mean a.2
Also 4 menly, 6 mennly. [f. Mean a.2 + -ly*.]
1. In the mean or middling degree or manner;
half way between two extremes; moderately,
tolerably ; fairly, moderately well.
c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 31 Hc.synneb not menely but
greuously. c 1450 Lydg. & Burgh Secrees 2694 Fleshe soffte
of disposicioun, Or meenely sharp and of mene stature.
1533 More Confitt. Wks. 808/2 A church of folkc, not
menely good, but of folk so good, so pure, & so cleane, that
[etc.]. 1548-77 Vicary A nat. ii. (1 888) 20 Strong, and tough,
meanly betweene hardenes and softnes. 1599 Porter Angry
Wont. Abingt. (1841) 42 Canst thou read 1 Nich. Forsooth,
though none of the best, yet meanly. 1641 Milton Reform.
II. Wks. 1851 III. 41 He that is but meanly read in our
Chronicles, needs not to be instructed. 1763 Murdoch in
Phil. Trans. LIII. 182 When a meanly-refrangible ray
passes from water into air.
101-3
MEANNESS.
276
MEAPTE.
b. At a moderate speed, neither fast nor slow.
1625 Purchas Pilgrims II. 1141, I asked them how many
leagues from Toro to Cairo, — they told me 7 days journey
going meanly.
2. With express or implied limitation : Only
moderately; not above the average ; hence (coalesc-
ing with Meanly adv.1 j), slightly, indifferently,
poorly.
1600 Surflet Country Farm 1. xv. 101 They are set on
a row., in an ouen verie meanly warme. 169$ Dhyden tr.
Du Fresnoy's Art Paint. Pref. 30 In the Reign of Domi-
tian, . .Poetry was but meanly cultivated, but Painting
eminently flourish 'd. 1707 Hearne Collect. (O. H. S.) I. 327
He shews himself, .to be very meanlyskill'd in the Fathers.
b. Not meanly : in no slight degree. So also
more than meanly.
1590 Shaks. Com. Err. t. i. 59 My wife, not meanely
prowd of two such boyes. 1656 Earl Monm. tr. Boccalinis
Acivts. Jr. Parnass. II, xiv. (1674) 159 It would have been
more than meanly pleasing to the Literati, a i66» Heylin
Laud 11. (1671) 242 Laud .. was not meanly offended, as he
had good reason to be.
Meanness1 (mrnines). [f. Mean#1 + -NEss]
1. Theconditionofbeingmean; lowness or humble-
ness of rank, birth, etc. ; lowliness; insignificance.
1583 Golding Calvin on Dent, exevii. 1226 Let vs learne
to acknowledge our meanesse with all humilitie. 1653 Mil-
ton Hirelings (1659) 97 Without soaring above the mean-
nes wherein they were born. 1776 Gibbon Dccl. <y F xiii.
I. 358 The rusticity of his appearance and manners still
betrayed in the most elevated fortune the meanness of his
extraction. 1886 SruRGEos Trias, Dav. Ps. exxxvi. 170
Reaching downward even to beasts and reptiles, it is, indeed,
a boundless mercy, which knows no limit because of the
meanness of its object. 1900 H. W. C. Davis in Eng. Hist.
Rev. July 561 The meanness of his birth.
2. Weakness, deficiency, inferiority; slightness,
scantness. Of physical things: Littleness, small-
ness. Also pi.
1556 Robinson tr. More's Utop. (Arb.) 19 To the meanesse
of whose learning I thoughte it my part to submit my stile.
1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. xxxi. § 3 The Ministers greatnes
or meannesse of knowledge to do other things. 1682 Norris
Hterodes 28 Nor to scoff at the meanness of his under*
standing, a 1716 South Serm. (174^) II. 82 The great pur-
pose that brought Christ out of his Father's bosom, and
clothed him with the infirmities and meannesses of our
nature. t 1774, Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) IV. 64 We suffer
greater injuries from the contemptible meanness of the one
[the mouse], than the formidable invasions of the other [the
elephant]. 1833 Lamb Elia Ser. 11. Product. Mod. Art, The
large eye of genius saw in the meanness of present objects
their capabilities of treatment. 1858 Hawthorne Fr. $ //.
Note-Bits. I. 84 The associations of moral sublimity and
beauty seem to throw a veil over the physical meannesses.
3. Want of mental or moral elevation or dignity;
littleness of character or mind; baseness.
1660 R. Coke Po~<ver $ Subj. 263 This doth not proceed
from any abject baseness or meanness of spirit. 1718 Pope
Iliatlxw. 103 Lives there a Man so dead to Fame, who
dares To think such Meanness? 1878 M. C. Jackson
Chaperon's Cares II. viii. 91 His dastardly soul would
stoop to the lowest depths of meanness.
b. In //. Instances of this ; mean acts.
1726 De Foe Hist. Devil 1. iv, To descend to the mean-
nesses of frightening children and old women. 1879 E.
Garrett House by Works I. 23 The little one never told
him about sharp words and petty meannesses.
4. Poorness of appearance or equipment. Of
literary or artistic production : Poverty of style,
execution, or design; want ofgrandeur,nobility,etc.
«i6$6 Bp. Hall Anthem Christmas Day Rem. Wks.
(1660) 436 The King of Gods in meanness drest. 1672 Dry-
den De/. Epil. Ess. (ed. Ker) I. 173 [Jonson] when he
trusted himself alone, often fell into meanness of expression.
1705 Addison Italy 41 9 (Florence), I doubt however whether
this Figure be not of a later Date. .by the Meanness of the
Workmanship. 1816 J. Scott Vis. Paris (ed. 5) 104^ I found
their students, .assiduously copying the hard atrocities and
cold meannesses of their own David. 1832 G. Downes Lett.
Cont. Countries I. 155 Richtenschwy! and its precincts are
very pretty, notwithstanding the meanness of most of the
houses. 1852 Dickens Lett. (1880) I. 285 Its intrinsic mean-
ness as a composition.
5. Sordid illiberality ; niggardliness, stinginess.
1755 in Johnson. _ 1821 Lamb Elia Ser. 1. Old % New
Schoolm., All this [is] performed with a careful economy,
that never descends to meanness. 1822 J. MacDonald
Mem. J. Benson 520 He carefully shunned both meanness
and imprudent expenditure.
t Mea miess 'l. Obs. [f. Mean a? + -ness.]
The condition of being between two extremes;
moderateness in size or other qualities.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xix, ii. (i495) 861 Yf the
matere of clerenesse is meane it chaungeth somtyme to thyk-
nesse and drynesse of erthe : soo that it passe not and gooth
not beyonde meanesse of erthe. c 1450 Lydg. & Burgh
Secrets 2555 Visage rounde boody hool and right, With
meenesse of the heed is good in ech wyght. 1598 Florio,
Tefiidezza, luke warmth, . . meannes, between hot and cold.
tMeanor. Obs.rare~x. Apheticf. Demeanour.
a 1670 Hacket Abp. Williams 1. (1693) 108 If the Testi-
mony of that Ladybe true.. I do not shuffle it over as if his
Meanor to the Lord Marquess were not a little culpable.
Meano(u)r, obs. forms of Manure sb.
t Means, j/'. Obs. rare~\ [f. Mean v.^ ; the
form perh. represents the 3rd pers. sing.] Meaning.
1656 Eahl Monm. tr. Boccalini, Pol. Touchstone 404 The
means of this was soon understood by the French, English
and Italians.
Means : see Mean sb.2
Meant (ment), ///. a. [pa. pple. of Mean vX\
In senses of the vb. (q.v. for the predicative uses) ;
rarely attributive, exc. with prefixed adv. (usually
hyphened) as in well; ill-, kindly-meant.
1729 Savage Wanderer n. 284 Wrath yet remains, tho'
strength his fabric leaves, And the meant hiss, the gasping
mouth deceives.
fb. (Well) intentioned. Obs. rare.
C1470 Henry Wallace xi. 1041, I haiff spokyn with lord
Clyffurd that knycht, Wyth thair chyftanys weill menyt for
your lyff.
Mean time, mea*ntime, sb. and adv. [Pro-
perly two words (see Mean a.'1 and Time sb.), and
still often so written in the phrases, less frequently
when used alone as an adv.]
A. as sb., chiefly in various adverbial phrases.
1. In the mean time. a. During or within the
time which intervenes between one specified period
or event and another ; while something is going on,
'at the same time', 'all the while1. +Also, in
the same sense, in mean time, in that (this, which,
etc.) mean time, f In the mean time of: during.
1340 Ayenb. 36 Hi \sc. hire bestes] sterueb ine mene-time :
do opre ine hare stede ase moche worb. 1382 Wyclif i Mace.
ix. 1 In the mene tyme [Vulg. interea]. c 1420 Lydg. As-
sembly o/Gods 946 In thys mene tyme whyle [etc.]. 1447 Bo-
kknham Sey//tys(Roxb.) 20 In the mene tyme of hyr preyer
They rent hyr flesh on every syde. 1503 in Lett. Rich. Ill
fy Hen. VII (Rolls) II. 108 In the moyne time he wold com-
mune with the lord Nasso. c 1520 Barclay Jugurth (1557)
42 Wherfore (in meane tyme whyle they were counselling)
he [etc.]. 1526 Pilgr. Per/. <W. de W. 1531) 12 b, In the
whiche meane tyme not one of them all miscaryed. 1575-6
Reg. Privy Council Scot. II. 479 Eftir the committing of
the foirsaidis oppressionis in the menetyme of his being at
the said Lord Regent complening thairupoun. 1638 H.
Si'elman in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden) 155 In the mean tyme
you would applie your self to the antientest Authors. 1740
tr.De Mouhy's Fort. Country-Maid{ 1741) 1. 1 12 In mean time
the People, surpris'd at what had happened, crowded to the
Altar. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) IV. 264 The uses, .which
only take place in the meantime, and until the appointment
is made. 1849 Macau lay Hist. Eng. iv. I. 467 In the
meantime the king would be an object of aversion and sus-
picion to his people.
b. Used (like at the same time, etc.) in ad-
versative or concessive sense : While this is true ;
still, nevertheless. ? Obs.
1633 Bp. Hall Occas. Medit. (1851) 141 If ought hurt us,
the fault is ours ; in mistaking the evil for good : in the
mean time, we owe praise to the Maker. 1638 Junius Paint.
Ancients 82 Some who making a shew of. .pastimes, doe in
the meane time under that pretence entertaine . . most
dangerous plottes. 1809 Syd. Smith Serm. II. 113 In the
mean time, there are many habits of thought [etc.]. 1843
Bethune Sc. Fireside Stor. 49 In the meantime, you know
that my father [etc.].
f 2. Without prep. The mean time, this mean
time : = ' in the mean time*, 1 a. Obs.
c *375 Sc. Leg. Saints xvi. [Magdatena) 986 pe mentyme
be magdelaine criste in his luf sa cane inflame, bat [etc.].
c 1450 Li/e St. Cutkbert (Surtees) 1745 Bot all pis meen
tyme, nyghtes and dayes, Cuthbert for bair heele prayes.
1597 J. King On Jonas (1618)533 To be iustified the meane-
time, or hereafter to bee glorified and Hue by them. 1606
Shaks. Ant. % CI. 111. iv. 25. 1700 Blackmore Job 91
While the mean time the just and godlike kind From heav n
and earth alike hard measure find.
3. For the mean time : so long as the interval
lasts. Also predicatively : Intended to serve for
the interim.
1480 Caxton Chron. Eng. cexxxviii. 263 Whan he was
yeue to ony occupacion he left al other thyng for the mene
tyme and tendid therto. 1509 Fisher Funeral Serm. O tess
Richmond Wks. (1876) 305 Tho the rysynge of the body be
delayed for a season, the soule neuertheles shall for the
meane tyme haue a pleasaunt & a swete lyfe. 1897 Daily
News 17 Feb. 3/2 This order was for the meantime.
4. attrib. Provisional, temporary, rare.
1840 Browning Sordello n. 755 Praise and blame Of what
he said grew pretty nigh the same— Meantime awards to
meantime acts. 1873 — Red Cott. Nt.-cap 1322 The lost
sheep's meantime amusements.
B. adv.
1. = In the mean time, A. 1 a.
1588 Shaks. L. L. L. 11. i. 169 Meane time, receiue such
welcome at my hand, As Honour . . may Make tender of,
to thy true worthinesse. 1597 J. King On Jonas (1618) 501
What auaileth it to abstaine from eating and drinking, if
meane time weeateand deuour vp our brethren? 1632 Hol-
land Cyrupcedia 144 Meane time whiles they came togither,
those foreriders who had skowred the plaines, brought with
them certaine men. 1782 Miss Burney Cecilia vi. vii,
Mean-time, evidently offended .. [he] conversed only with
the gentlemen. 1824 Southey Ess. (1832) II. 201, I., trusted
that, meantime, a kind and generous heart would resist the
effect of fatal opinions. 1842 Orderson Creol. viii. 76 The
ladies, meantime, were on the qui rive. 1879 McCarthy
Own Times II. 259 Meantime where was Lord Palmerston ?
f2. = In the mean time, A. 1 b. Obs.
'593 Shaks. Lucr. Ded. 5 Were my worth greater, my
duety would shew greater, meane time, as it is, it is bound
to your Lordship^ 1681 tr. Belongs Myst. Physick 64 Mean
time, it may be said in general, that part of those Rules [etc.].
Mean tone, meantone. Music. [Mean
a.2] a. (As two words.) The averaged or standard
interval (half-way between a greater and less major
second) which is the basis of the system of tuning
in vogue before the introduction of 'equal tem-
perament \ b. attrib. or adj. ( = Mesotonic), as in
meantone interval, system, temperament.
1799 Young in Phil. Trans, XC. 150 The system of mean
tones, the sistema participato of the old Italian writers,
still frequently used in tuning organs. 1884 J. Lecky in
Grove Diet. Mus. IV. 72 It will be convenient to take equal
temperament as the standard of comparison, and to measure
the meantone intervals by the number of equal Semitones
they contain. Ibid., In the meantone system the interval
GJ— Eb is sharper than the perfect Fifth by nearly one-third
of a Semitone.
Meanus, obs. form of Menace sb.
Mean while, mea'nwhile, sb. and adv.
[Properly two words (see Mean a.2 and While
sb.), and still often so written (cf. Mean time).]
A. sb., chiefly in advb. phrases.
1. In the mean while, a. = *in the mean time'
as in Mean time A. 1 a. Also f in {that, this,
which, etc.) mean while, fin meanwhile^ fin the
mean{s whiles.
c 1350 Will. Palertie 1148 J>an bobe parties .. made hem
alle merie in be mene while, c 1386 Chaucer Man o/Law's
T. 570 On this book he swoor anoon She gilty was, and in
the meene whiles An hand hym smoot vpon the nekke
boon. — Friar's T. 147 In this meene while, This yeman
gan a Htel for to smyle. ■ 1400 Destr. 'Iroy 3102 Ho ..
staryt O bat stoute with hire stepe Ene, There most was
hir mynd in bat mene qwhile. c 1540 tr. Pol. Verg. Eng.
Hist. (Camden) I. 286 In the mean whiles it fortuned that
[etc.]. 1570-6 Lambarde Peramb. Kent (1826) 285 Arch-
bishop Baldwin went into the Holy Lande and died without
returne in which meane while the Chapele of Hakington
. .was .. demolished. 1581 J. Bell Haddon's Answ. Osor.
147 b, And where in the meanes whiles lurketh then the
law that is written within, in the hartes of the faythfull?
1590 Marlowe Edw. II, iv. v, We in meanwhile, madam,
must take advice How [etc.]. 1595 Daniel Civ. Wars iv.
xxxiv, Yet now in this so happie a meane while. 1606
Holland Sueton. n And in this meane while, .. when the
Senate thought good there should be but one Consul
created, namely Cn. Pompeivs. 1628 E. Blount in Earle
Microcosm. To Kdr. (Arb.) 18 In the meanwhile, I remaine
Thine. Ed. Biovnt. 1707 Freind Peterboroiu's Cond, Sp.
235 In the mean while, my Lord pursu'd the Enemies Army.
1818 Cobbett Pol. Reg. XXXIII. 101 Upon this subject
I will in my next Number make an appeal. . . In the mean-
while let me pride myself a little on the circumstance [etc.].
T b. In the mean while that : during the time
that. Obs.
1480 Caxton Chron. Eng. cxxxix. 118 The emperesse in
the mene whyle that the batayll dured escaped fro thens
and went vnto oxenford.
c. In adversative or concessive use; cf. Mean-
time 1 b.
1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. xlviii. § 13 We pray, .that God
would turne them away from vs, owing in the meane while
this deuotion to the Lord our God, that [etc.]. 1879
McCarthy Oivn Times II. xxix. 368 In the meanwhile we
may regard him simply as a great author.
f 2. The mean while = * in the mean while \
A. 1 a. Also this, that mean whiteis, all this
mean while, all that mean while during. Obs.
c 1374 Chaucer Troylus in. 50 Lay al bis mene while
Troylus, Recordynge his lesson in bis manere. 14.. Voc.
in Wr.-Wiilcker 590/14 Interea, the mene whyle. 1470-85
Malory Arthur 11. Hi. 79 The meane whyle that this
knyght was makyng hym redy to departe [etc.]. 1548
Udall Erasm. Par. Luke 20 b, Al that meane while duryng,
[they] had a priest that could not speake. 1654 Earl
Monm. tr. Bentivoglio's Warrs Flanders 363 But the United
Provinces lost not the opportunity this mean whiles which
offered it self so favourably to them. 1658 — tr. Paruta's
Wars CyPrus 40 Generall Zaune, was this mean while gone
from Corfu.
3. For the mean while — * for the mean time':
see Mean time A. 3.
c 1386 Chaucer Man o/Law's T. 448 Ther was hir refut
for the meene while.
4. Subst. use of the adv. (see B. 1). rare"1,
1872 W. R. Greg Enigmas Li/e 191 The long ages of the
Meanwhile.
B. adv. (Cf. Mean time.)
1. = In the mean while, A. 1 a.
c 1440 Promp. Parv. 332/2 Mene whyle, intcrwi. c 1586
C'tess Pembroke Ps. lxvui. i, The just meane while shall
in Jehovah's presence Play, sing, and daunce. 1588 Shaks.
Tit. A. 1. i. 408 Let the lawes of Rome determine all, Meane
while I am possest of that is mine. 1678 Butler Hud. in,
i. 99 Meanwhile the Squire was on his way, The Knight's
late Orders to obey. 1713 Addison Cato 11. vi, Mean while
I'll draw up my Numidian Troops, And, as I see Occasion,
favour thee. 1877 Froude Sltort Stud. (1883) IV. 1. x. 113
The archbishop meanwhile had returned from his adven-
turous expedition.
2. = In the mean while, A. 1 c.
x597 ]• King On Jonas (1618) 539 Meane-while, the time,
and cause, and measure of this anger in Ionas, I thinke,
are worthie to be blamed. 1837 G. S. Faber Prim. Doctr.
Justi/. 277 Meanwhile, the really primitive and apostolic
and catholic doctrine was that of the Reformers. 1876 L.
Stephen Eng. Th. iBth C. II. 443 Meanwhile, however,
one characteristic of the English sentimentalists must be
noticed.
Meany(e, obs. ff. Many; var. ff. Meinie.
f Meapte. Obs. [? A blundered adaptation of
L. meatus or F. me'at.'] — Meatus.
'S7a J- Jones Bathes Buckstonc 11 Of the more vehe-
ment force, of the breath, followeth necessarily, all the
meaptes to be clenzed. Ibid. 13 b, Keepe your bedde for
two or three houres after, lest the small meaptes being
opened, a soddaine alteracion may happen.
Mear(e : see Mare sb., Mere sb., a., and v.
Mearaltie, obs. form of Mayoralty.
Mearch, obs. form of March sbA and v.1
Meari, obs. form of Marrow.
MEASE.
Mearl(e, variants of Merle.
Mearlew muse, variant of Muklimews Obs.
Mearmayde, obs. form of Mebmald.
Meary, obs. form of Mebby a.
Mease(miz). Forms: 5-6mayse,5,6,9meise,
6-8 mese, 6, 9 maise, 6-9 meaze, 7 maze, mes,
7^9 mesh, maze, 9 mais, maize, raasc, meas,
meash, 7- mease, [a. OF. meise, maise barrel
(or some other receptacle) for herrings (in 14th c.
latinized meisa) ; of Teut. origin : cf. OHG. meisa
bundle, box (MHG. meise barrel for herrings,
mod.G. dial, meise basket), MLG., MDu. mese
barrel for herrings, ON. meiss box, basket (MSw.
mes, mese, Sw. dial, mes, meis, MDa. mees), ?cogn.
w. Lith. maisza-s bag.] A measure for herrings,
equal to five ' hundreds ' (usually ' long hundreds '
varying in different localities : see quots.).
In N. Devon the number is 612, i. e. four times 153, app.
suggested by John xxi. 1 1 (see E. D. D.).
1469 in 10M Rep. Hist. MSS. Conine. App. v. 306 He shal
pay for every meise so solde \\\.d. 1535 in Mem. Fountains
Abb. (Surtees) 259, x maysesallic. rub. distribut' dictis pau-
peribus. 1597 Skene De Verb. Sign., Mese, of herring,
conteinis flue hundreth. 1603 Owen Pembrokeshire (1892)
122 Such store of fishe as pleaseth god to send, sometimes
x meises, sometimes xij. xvj. or xx meises. 1613 in Lex
Scripta 0/ Isle of Man (1S19) 100 An anncyent Statute in
this Isle for paying of Custom Heyrings (called Castle
Mazes), c 1682 J. Collins Salt cy Fishery 107 [They] take
sometimes 60 Mesh at a Tide, which are three Lasts of
Herrings. 1780 A. Young Tour Irel. I. 190 A boat will
catch 6 maze of herrings in a night, each 500. 1883 S.
Walpole Brit. Fish Trade (Fish. Exhib. Lit. I.) 37 la
Ireland and the Isle of Man herrings are measured by the
mease, which contains 525 fish. 1887 Hall Caine Deemster
xxxviii, I took more fish by many meshes than I could ever
consume. 1894 — Manxman 226 Ten maise of this sort
for the last lot. 1905 Whitaker's Aim., Weights f, M.,
Herrings are sold . . on the .. Isle of Man, and in Ireland,
by the Maze, which contains 5 long hundreds of 123 each.
Mease, var. Mese Obs. , Mess sb. and v.
Measelen, -line, obs. forms of Maslin l and 2.
Meash, obs. form of Mash, Mease, Mesh.
Meashie, obs. form of Meshy.
Measle (mf-z'l), sb. Forms : 5 masyl, mazil,
meselle, -ylle, 6 measel, meazell, 7 meazil, -le,
9 measle. PI. 4 maseles, 4-6 mesels, 5 mea-
zeles, meseles, 6 maisils, massels, maysilles,
meselles, 6-7 masels, measel(l)s, 7 maisels,
mazels,measil(l)s, 7-8 meazels,-les, 7-measles.
[ME. maseles pi., cogn. w. OHG. (? and OS.)
masala, occurring as gloss to ~L.flemen, i.e. phleg-
mon blood-blister (MHG. maselie, MLG. maseie,
massele, MDu. masel fem., blood-blister, pustule,
spot on the skin; also in pi. measles; mod.Du.
mazeteti measles) ; a related form occurs in MDu.
and mod.G. masern pi., measles; for the Scan-
dinavian forms see Measlings. For other deriva-
tives of the Teut. root *mas-, *m£s-, expressing
the notion of ' spot ' or ' excrescence', see Mazeb.
It is possible that the word may have come into Eng. from
continental LG. For its existence in OE. there is no other
evidence than the occurrence, in a 12th c. MS., of mcesle-
sceafe as a spelling of mxlsceafa Malshave. The phonetic
development is irregular : normally the modern form should
be 'maul (cf. Hazel ', for which spellings like hesel, heasle
occur in the i5-i6th c). That the dialectal form measle
appears in literary English may be due to a mistaken asso-
ciation of this word with Mesel leper ; a similar confusion
occurred in MHG., where maselsucht (etymologically
1 measles ') was often used for miselsucht leprosy.]
1. pi. (tin 15th c. also ling.). A specific in-
fectious disease of man (in medical Latin called
Rubeola and Morbilli), characterized by an eruption
of rose-coloured papula; arrangedin irregular circles
and crescents, preceded and accompanied by ca-
tarrhal and febrile symptoms ; it rarely attacks the
same person twice. (Often referred to as one of
the diseases incident to childhood, although it fre-
quently attacks adults.) The plural form is now
usually construed as a sing.
German (formerly also false, French, hybrid") measles :
a contagious disease (Roseola epidemicaor Rubella) distinct
from measles, but resembling it in some of its symptoms.
c 1323 Gloss IV. de Bibbesw. (MS. Arundel 220) in Wright
Voc. 161 Rugeroles, maseles [c 1300 MS. Camb. maselingesj.
14.. Norn, in Wr.-Wulcker 707/25 Hec serpedo, a mesylle.
c 1440 Promp. Parv. 328/2 Masyl, or mazil, sekenesse. 1483
Cath. Angl. 237/1 A Meselle; serpedo. 1489 Plumpton
corr. (Camden) p. cxiv, At that season ther wer the Mea-
zelles soo strong, & in especiall amongis Ladies & Gentil-
wemen, that sum died of that sikeness. 1533 Elyot Cast.
Helthe (? r54i) 80 b, Purpilles, measels, and small pockes.
c*S6o Misogonus m. iii. 49 (Brandl), I can cure the Agwe,
the Massels and the french pocke. 1578 Lyte Dodoens I.
x™- 27 It is good . . against . . the small Pockes and Meselles.
1601 Dolman La Primaud. Fr. Acad. (1618) III. 813 Fu-
mitory., is good against the meazels. 1663 Butler Hud. \.
111. 1248 From whence they start up chosen vessels, Made
by contact, as men get measles. 1696 Lond. Gaz. No. 3224/3
Ihe Princess of Piedmont is fallen ill of the Meazles. 1732
Arbuthnot Rules of Diet in Aliments, etc. 1. 250 The
Small Pox, Meazles, and pestilential Fevers. 1802 Med.
nl' **"■ 28 1ke Measles usually makes its appearance
at the commencement of the year. 1877 Roberts Haudbk.
Med. (ed. 3) 1. i43 Measles is decidedly infectious.
277
attrib. 1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med. xiv, The
measles like eruption [of typhus fever] appeared about the
fifth day. 1897 Allbulfs Syst. Med. II. 148 The rash for
a time may be suggestive of Scarlet Fever, but sooner
or later it usually conforms more to the measles type.
b. //. The pustules characteristic of this disease;
f formerly sometimes applied to the pustules of
eruptive diseases generally.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xix. ix. (1495) 870 Colour
of skynne chaungyth for streyte contynuaunce of the skynne :
as it fareth ofte in Mesels : Pockes : woundes : botches and
brennynge. 1599 A. M. tr. Gabclhouer's Bk. Physicke aTj/a
Others take a fether, and dippe it in the saide water, and
therwith they annoynte all the Measells of the Face when
they are come forth. 1685 Cooke's Mellif. Chirurg. vi. 11.
ix. (ed. 4) 214 Those little Pustles in the skin, with a deep
redness, .are called Measles. 1789 W. Buchan Dom. Med.
(1790) 241 About the sixth or seventh day from the time of
sickening, the measles begin to turn pale on the face.
TJ c. In exclamatory phrase. ? nonce-use.
1614 B. Jonson Earth. Fair 111. iv, Why the meazills,
should you stand heere, with your traine [etc.].
2. //. (f formerly also sing.) A disease in swine,
produced by the scolex of the tapeworm ; in later
use, a similar disease in other animals.
[This application of the word arose from a misinterpreta-
tion of the adj. mesel ' leprous ' (see Measle a.) as used to
designate swine suffering from this disease.]
1587 Mascall Govt. Cattle, Hogges (1627) 273 Poultry
dung, which also is ill for hogs, and will increase a measel
among them. 1615 Latham Falconry (1633) io7 Such setled
curnels like vnto the mazels of a swine. 1636 B. Jonson
Discov. Wks. (1640) 93 The Swyne dyed of the Measils.
1793 A. Young Ann. Agric. XIX. 299 Is the small pox
known among sheep? It is a little known, but not at all
common — Called the measles. 1844 Stephens Bk. of Farm
II. 245 Pigs are subject to a cutaneous disease called
measles, which is supposed to render the flesh unwholesome.
b. The scolex or cysticercus which produces this
disease. Also attrib. in measle-disease.
1863 Aitken Set. A> Pract. Med. (ed. 2) II. 94, 95 The first
animal he experimented on died from a violent attack of the
measle disease ; and on dissection the muscles were found
filled with measles, or imperfectly developed scolices. 1901
Osler Princ. /, Pract. Med. (ed. 4) 367 The measles are
more readily overlooked in beef than in pork, as they do
not present such an opaque white colour.
3. pi. ' A disease of trees which causes the bark
to become rough and irregular, and the branch
finally to die' (Syd. Soc. Lex.). Also sing, a blister
or excrescence on a tree. 1 Obs.
1601 Holland Pliny I. 539 Oliue . . hath another greefe
and sorance called in Latin Clavus, Fungus or Patella (i. a
Knur, Puffe, Meazil or Blister). 1611 Florio, Chiauo, a
meazell or blister growing on trees. 1674 Josselyn Voy.
New Eng. 190 Their fruit-trees are subject to two diseases,
the Meazels, .. and lowsiness. 1679 Evelyn Sylva xxvii.
(ed. 3) 141 Trees (especially Fruit-bearers) are infested with
the Measels. 1707 Mortimer Husb. 392.
4. //. In Photography. Cf. Measly a. 3.
1876 [see Mealiness].
t Mea'Sle, a. Obs. Forms : 5-6 mesel, 6
masyl, meazel, messell(e, mesyl, mys(s)ell, 7
meazell, measle. [A particular application of
Mesel a., leprous; the later spelling proceeds
from association with Measle sb.~\ Of swine, their
flesh : Affected with ' measles ', measly.
[1398 : see Measled a.] c 1460 Towneley Myst. ii. 264 Yit
teynd thou not thi mesel swyne ? 1519 in Surtees Misc.
(1888)33 Forsellyngmessell porkxxd. 1547 Boorde Introd.
Knowl. xxviii. (1870) 195 Masyl baken, and sardyns, I do
eate and sel. 1598 Kitchin Courts Leet, etc. (1675) 347
Where Meazel Porks are sold at Rumford. a 1652 Brome
City Wit v. Wks. 1873 I. 363 The kell of a meazell hog.
Measle (mrz'l), v. Also 7 meazel, meazle,
mezle. [f. Measle sb.]
1. trans. To infect with measles.
161 1 Cotgr. s.v. Pied tToison, Goose-foot, wild Orache ;
called also Swinesbane, because it kills, or meazels, the
Swine which eat of it. a 1845 Hood Tale of Trumpet lv,
Though the wishes that Witches utter Can . . Send styes in
the eye — and measle the pigs. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., Measle,
to infect with measles.
2. trans/. To cover as with ' measles ' or spots.
In quot. 1678 there is a reference to Mesel sb., leper.
1638 Wentworth 23 May in Strafforde Lett. (1739) II.
173, I was so damnably bitten with Midges, as my Face is
all mezled over ever since. 1885 D. Ker in Libr. Mag.
(U. S.) Sept 219 A tall, sallow fellow, measled all over with
brass buttons.
absol. 1678 Butler Hud. in. i. 319 With Cow-itch meazle
like a Leper.
3. intr. To develop the eruptionof measles, colloq.
Mod. ' The child is measling nicely '. ' The baby measled
at the same time ' (Dr. W. Sykes).
Measled (mf-z'ld), ///. a. Forms : 4 me-
selyd, s maselyd, meselled, 6 meseld, -led,
mezeled, 6-7 measeled, 6-8 meazeled, 7 mes-
seled, miselled, 7-8 meazled, 6- measled. [f.
Measle sb., a., and v. + -ed.]
1. Infected with measles.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. vn. Ixiv. (1495) 281 Meete
that is soone corrupte as of meselyd hogges. c 1440 Promp.
Parv. 329/1 Maselyd, serpiginosus. 1499 Maldou, Essex,
Court Rolls (Bundle 58, no. i'), Meselled hog. 1573TUSSER
Husb. (1878) 52 Thy measeled bacon. 1647 New Haven
Col. Rec. (1857) L 342 [He] obiected against on of the
hoggs wch was miselled. 17x3 Ctess Winchelsea Misc.
Poems 214 A Pestilential Sow, a meazeled Pork, On the
foundation has been long at work. 1820 J. Jekyll Corr.
(1894) 144 We dined at A. Ellis's last week with the Poodle
MEASURABILITY.
who has buried his measled Majesties. 1876 tr Wagner's
Gen. Pathol, (ed. 6) 114 By the use of measled meat
2. Spotted.
1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 2I? One speckled fish.. is
called the poyson fish, us shaped like a Tench, but meazled
1706 Phillips, Meazled, full of Meazles, Spots, or Blotches'
t 3. fig. Poor, ' scurvy '. (Cf. Measly 4.)
1596 Nashe Saffron- Walden Wks. (Grosart) III. 191 That
meazild inuention of the Goodwife my mothers finding her
daughter in the ouen, where [etc.].
Hence f Measledness, measled condition.
1611 Cotgr., Sursemure, the measeldnesse of Hogs.
t Mea'sling, vbl. sb. [f. Measle v. + -nrol.]
Infection with measles.
157.3 Tusser Husb. (1878) 41 And diligent Cislye, my
dayrie good wench, make cleanly his cabben, for measling
and stench.
Measlings (mf zlirjz), sb. pi. Obs. exc. dial.
Also 4 maselinges, 7 meslings, 9 mezlings,
mizzlings. (SeeE.D. D.) [Early ME. maselinges,
f. (? Eng. or LG.) masel Measle sb. + -ing 1. Cf.
Da. mxslinger pi. (recorded from the 16th c.),Sw.
messling, masling, mod.Icel. mislingar pi., measles.
The formation has not been found exc. in Eng. and in
Scandinavian ; it is unlikely to have arisen independently
in those two branches of Teut. ; it may have belonged to
early MLG., and thence have passed into Eng. and Da]
The measles.
c 1300 Gloss W. de Bibbesw. (MS. Camb.) in Wright Voc.
161 Rugeroles [glossed] maselinges [c 1325 MS. Arundel 220
maseles]. 1671 Skinner Etymol. Ling. Angl. I ii, Meslings,
vox agro Line, usitatissima. .vide Measels. 1890 Syd. Soc.
Lex., Measlings, measles.
Measly (mf'zli), a. Also 8 meazly, 8-9
measley. [f. Measle sb. + -y.]
1. Of or pertaining to measles; resembling measles.
1782 W. Heberden Comm. vii. (1806) 20 Distinguished
from the measley efflorescence. 1822-34 Good's Study Med.
(ed. 4) I. 356 The measley tubercles which form the second
[kind of hydatids, in swine], 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med.
III. 576 A dark measly rash.
2. Of swine, their flesh : Affected with measles.
(Cf. Measle a., Measled/^/. a.)
1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. 1. 89 She saw a
Measly Hog come and Wash in the Water. 1747 Mrs.
Glasse Cookery xxi. 161 If you find little Kernels in the
Fat of the Pork, like Hail-shot, .'tis measly, and dangerous
to be eaten. J885 Rlnciman Skippers f, Sh. 5 What's the
grub to-morrow? Measly pork again.
3. Spotty. In Photography. (See quot. 1876.)
1876 Abney Instr. Photogr. (ed. 3) no The result would
be 'measly' or mealy prints— i.e. prints in which minute red
spots alternate with darker ones in the shadows after fixing.
1891 Anthony's Photogr. Bull. IV. 254 The remainder, after
even an hour's soaking were only a very measley brown.
1898 Talmage in Chr. Herald (N. Y.) 5 Jan. 4/4 The slushy
custards ; the jaundiced or measly biscuits.
4. slang. Poor, contemptible, of little value.
1872 Punch 27 July 39/2 That was a fine old hen . . but . .
the others were a measly lot. 1892 Zangwill Childr. Ghetto
I. 302 Greenwich, where they take you girls for a measly
day's holiday once a year.
Comb. 1869 Aldrich Story of Bad Boy 29 A measly-
looking little boy with no shoes.
Measne, obs. form of Mesne.
Meason, ? variant of Maison Obs., house.
a 1550 Image Ipocr. in Skelton's Wks. (1843) H. 423/1
[A bishop ought] To spende in tyme and season, And so to
kepe his ineason.
Meason, obs. Sc. form of Mason sb.
Mea SOlldue. Obs. exc. Hist. Forms : 4
masondewe, 4-5 mesondieu, {pi. -deux,
-dieux), 5 mayson-, mesondewe, 5-6 masen-
dewe,maysyndew, 6masonedew,massindewe,
meason de dieu, masoun de Dieu, 6-8 measort-
due, 7-9 maisondieu, 8 massondew, meason-
dieu. [a. OF. meson-dieu, maison-Dieu, lit. house
of God. Cf. F. holel-£>ieu (Hotel 1 c).] A hospital
or poor-house.
1354-5 Durham Ace. Rolls (Surtees) 555 Rogero de
Esshe cooperienti super le Mesondieu. 1362 Langl. P. PI.
A. vm. 28 Treube .. Bad hem .. make Meson deu [1377
B. vn. 26 mesondieux] ber-with Meseyse to helpe. ? a 1400
Morte Arlh. 3038 Mynsteris and masondewes they malle
to the erthe. 1429^30 Wills $ Inv. N. C. (Surtees) I.
78 To ye mesondieu of sint kateryne . . for yair eno*-
ments xxi. 1455 Rolls of Pari t. V. 315/2 A meson Dewe
founded by him by oure licence, in the seid Toune of
Bockyng. 1470 Will in Ripon Ch. Acts (Surtees) 144 Pau-
peribus manentibus in Masyndew. 1546 Yorks. Chantry
Surv. (Surtees) 468 There is a Bedehouse or Massindewe of
poure folkes. 1558 Act 1 Eliz. c. 21 § 34 Any Hospital!,
Measondue, or Spittel House. 1597-8 Act 39 Eliz. c. 5
To erecte, founde, and establysh one or more Hospitalls,
Measons de Dieu. 1630 Acts of Sederunt (1790) 43_Aganis
unlawfull dispositiouns of whatsomevir landes, teinds, or
rentes, dottit to hospitallis or massondewis. 1631 T. Powell
Tom All Trades (1876) 170, I find not any Meson de dieu
for relieving of mayned Marriners. 1641 Termes de la Ley,
Measondue is an appellation of divers Hospitalls in this
Kingdome. 1842 Barham Iugol. Leg. Ser. 11. Old Woman
in Grey, Where can I find out the old Maison Dieu ?
Measque, rare obs. form of Mask sb.*
Measse, obs. form of Mess.
Meastling, obs. form of Maslin J.
MeasurabiTity. rare. [f.next + -lTY.] Capa-
bility of being measured.
1697 J. Sergeant Solid Philos. 105 Many other. .Attri-
butes, are given to Quantity ; such as are Divisibility, Im-
penetrability, Space, and Measurability.
MEASURABLE.
278
MEASURE.
Measurable ^me's'urab'l), a. Also 4-6 mes-.
[a. F. mesurable :— late L. mensurahilis, f. mensu-
rdreto Measubk. In sense 3 directly f. the Eng.vb.]
+ 1. Of persons, their actions, etc. : Characterized
bymoderation; moderate, temperate; tfrraj. modest.
13.. K. Alts. 7050 They beon treowe, and steodefast,
Mesureabele, bone're, and chest. 0386 Chaucer Prol.
435 Of his diete mesurable was he. — Parson's T. P 862
A wyf sholde eek be mesurable in lokinge and in beringe
and in laughinge. C1430 Lvdg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.)
67 Curteys of language, in spendyng mesurable. 1540 Hyrde
tr. Vives" Instr. Chr. Worn. (1592) F vj, Follow his [Christ's]
sober & measurable mother. 1595 Southwell Tri. Death
(1596) 6 Of feeding shee was very measurable, rather too
sparing, than too Hberalladiet. 1608 T. James Apot. Wycltf
35 Abstinence with prudence was needeful, that is..mea-
sureable fasting, both of bodie and soule.
2. Of moderate size, dimensions, quantity, dura-
tion, or speed. Obs. exc. as implied in 3.
a 1340 Hampole Psalter xxxviii. 7 Lo inesurabils bou sett
my dayes. 136a Langl. P. PI. A. III. 241 pat laborers and
louh folk taken of heore Maystres, Nis no Maner Meede
bote Mesurable huyre. 1426 Lvdg. De Guil. Pilgr. 22613,
1 sawgh oon . . Goon a mesurable paas. 1404 Fabyan Citron.
vn. 413 The Kynge. .assembled a mesurable hoost of people.
'(1548 Hall Citron., I fen. VII, 3 b, Luke warme drynke,
temperate heate, and measurable clothes. 1594 Carew
Huarte's Exam. Wits iii. (1596) 28 The braine should be
tempered with measurable heat.
3. That can be measured ; susceptible of measure-
ment or computation ; of such dimensions as to
admit of being measured; spec, (of rainfall) not
less than T^ inch.
1599 Hakluvt Voy. II. 1. 273 Any measurable wares. 1690
Locke Hum. Una. 11. xvi. § 8 Number, .is that which the
Mind makes use of, in measuring all things that by us are
measurable. 1780 Maksham in Phil, Trans. LXXI. 451
The annual increase of very old trees is hardly measurable
with a string. 1837 Carlvle Fr. Rev. 1. vn, x, The fire
of Insurrection gets damped . . into measureable, manage-
able heat. 1876 Bristowe Theory <y Pract. Med. (1S78) j
4S0 The descent of the diaphragm.. causes measurable en- '
largement of the upper region of theabdomen. 1893 Times
4 May 10/4 A measurable quantity of rain fell over the
western parts of England.
b. Phrase, to come within a measurable distance
of (some undesirable condition or event").
1890 Guardian 19 Nov. 1825/1 Reckless dealing in South
American securities brought them.. within measurable dis-
tance of bankruptcy.
c. Math. (See Measure v. 7 b.)
1667 Phil. Trans. II. 572 A Multiplex of the Product or
least Dividend measurable by those Divisors.
f4. Characterized by due measure or proportion. J
1563 Homilies 11. Coming down 0/ Holy Ghost 1. (1859)
458 All which gifts.. are.. given to man according to the
measurable distribution of the Holy Ghost.
fb. Proportionate /0. Obs. rare-'1.
1533 Elyot Cast. Helthc (1541) 40 b, The dyner moderate,
andthe drynke therunto mesurable, according to the dry-
nesse or moystnesse of the meate.
f5. Measured, uniform in movement; metrical,
rhythmical. Obs.
1569 J. Sanford tr. AgriMa's Van. Aries 30b, Todaunce
with framed gestures, and with measurable pases. 1586
W. Webbe Eng . Poetrie (Arb.) 22 The force of this mea-
surable or tunable speaking. 1597 Beard Theatre Gotfs
fudgem. (1612) 435 The graue behauior, the measurable
march, the pompe and ostentation of women dancers.
b. A/us. ^Mensurable.
1614 Ravenscroft Brie/ Discourse 1 The Definitions and
Diuisions of Moode, Time, and Prolation in Measurable
Musick. [1879 Helmore Plain-Song n Portions of Plain-
Song often fall into strictly measurable forms.)
t o. as adv. Moderately. Obs.
154a in Hodgson Hist. Northumbld. (1828J m. II. 214 note,
A lytle town in measurable good reparacions. 1551 Turner
Herbal 1. K v. The leues are . . mesurable roughe.
Mea*surableness. [f. prec. + -ness.] f a.
Moderation (tffo.). b. Capability of being measured.
ci$n Colet in Lupton Life (1887)301 The lawes that
coinmaunde sobernes, and a measurablenes in aparayle.
1563 Homilies 11. Of Matrimony (1859) 303 If he \sc. the
husband] will use measurable ness and not tyranny, and if
he yield some things to the woman. 1697 J. Sergeant Solid
Philos. 182 The same way gives us the plain Notion of
Immensity, by joining a Negation to Measurable ness. 1717
Bailey vol. II, Measurableness, capableness of being mea-
sured.
Measurably ^me's'urabli), adv. [f. Measur-
able + -LY-.]
+ 1. Moderately, in moderation. Obs.
C1380 Wyclif IVks. (1880) 433 Hou J>ey & heme shulen
first take mesurably of bes godis. c 1386 Chaucer Melib,
f 639 Vse hem by mesure, that is to seyn, spende hem mesur-
ably. c 1491 Chast. Goddes Chyld. xxv. 72 Mete whan it is
mesurably taken and well defyed ; it maketh a man hole in
body. 1535 Coverdale Ecclus. xxxi. 28 Wyne measurably
dronken [similarly 1611] is a reioysinge of the soule. 1579
Langham Gard. Health (1633) 254 An ounce of the iuice of
the root [etc.] purgeth the body measurably.
2. In due measure or proportion ; proportionably.
c 1400 Dcstr. Troy 3985 Ho was mesurably made, c 1449
Pecock Repr. in. xiii. 358 Constantyn endewid not..eny
chirche in Rome with eny greet habundaunt immouable
possessiouns, but oonli with possessiouns competentli and
mesurabily. 157a J. Jones Bathes Buckstone 4 Measurably
qualifyinge the ouerheated members, and drying such as bee
ouer moyste. 1607 J. Carpenter Plaint Mans Plough 176
He may be able to draw forth of his full vessel measurably
unto his flocke. 1701 Whitehead Truth Prevalent 20 If
a thirsty Man comes to Drink at a Well, .he drinks measur-
ably as much as he needs.
3. In some measure, to some extent; 'in a
measure \ U* S.
x756 J- Woolman Jrnl. (1840) 30 The public meetings were
large and measurably favoured with divine goodness. 1848
Lowell Biglow P. Ser. 1. Introd. Poet. Wks. (1879) 174 If I
know myself, I am measurably free from the itch of vanity.
1875 Whitney Life Lang. xii. 254 Until the anomalies of
Semitic language are at least measurably explained.
4. To an extent which admits of being measured.
1866 Ruskin Eth. Dust 127 Other such phenomena, quite
measurably traceable within the limits even of short life.
1897 Aitbutfs Syst. Med. IV. 374 The primary renal arteries
are measurably thickened in both their coats.
tMeasurage. Obs. [a. F. mesur age (i$ the),
{. mesurerio Measure : see -age.] A duty payable
on the cargo of a ship.
Cf. Droict de mesnrage in Cotgr.
1460 Maldon, Essex, Liher B. If. 6 b, Mesurage and other
dewtees. a 1676 Hale Narr. Cnstomes iv. in S. A. Moore
Foreshore (1888) 356 Busselage, measurage, prises, and tolls
of various sorts. 1744 Admiralty Minute 29 Dec. (MS.,
P. R. O.), For demanding the duty and measurage of all
foreign ships.
Measure (me'S'ui),^. I'orms: 3-6mesur(e,
4-6 mesour(e, -ore, (5 meser, Sc. 6 myssour,
myssuyr, 7 meassour, missour), 6- measure,
[a. F. mesure :— L. mensura, n. of action f. mens-,
ppl. stem of metirl to measure. Cf. Pr. me(n)sura,
Sp., Pg. mesura, It. misura. Many of the senses
below were developed in Fr., and adopted.]
I. Action, result, or means of measuring.
1. The action or process of measuring, measure-
ment. Now rare.
c 1400 Rom. Rose 5026 So litel whyle it doth endure That
ther nis compte ne mesure. 1530 Palsgr. 442/1, I awme, I
gesse by juste measure to hytte or touche a thyng. 1557
Records Whetstone Pref. b ij b, Measure is but the nom-
bryng of the partes of lengthe, bredthe, or depthe. 1607 J.
Norden Surv. Dial. m. 150 Doe you imagine that the
truest measure is by triangles? 1650 J. Wvbard Tactometria
3 Every continuall or continued Quantity falling under Mea-
sure (in practicall Geometry) is referred . . to the discrete.
1774 Maskelyne in Phil. Trans. LXIV. 167 The formula,
for the measure of heights, may also be changed. 1875
Encycl. Brit. II. 380/2 [Archimedes] The Measure of the
Circle {kvkKom ju.cTp>j<ns).
b. By measure : as determined by measuring
(in contradistinction to weighing or counting).
"553 Lden Treat. Neive Ind. (Arb.) 22 It is solde there by
measure, as wheat is with vs, and not by weight. 1715
Land. Gaz. No. 5309/4 The Page Galley, ..burthen about
ioi Tons by Measure. 1844 Stephens Bk. Farm II. 394
n Scotland, grain used to be sold by measure alone. 1863
Fownes's Chem. (ed. 9) 144 Composition of the Atmo-
sphere. Nitrogen. By weight 77 parts. By measure 79-19.
2. Size or quantity as ascertained or ascertainable
by measuring. Now chiefly in phrase {made) to
measure, i. e. (made) in accordance with measure-
ments taken (said of garments, etc., in contradis-
tinction to ( ready-made ').
To knoiv the measure of (a person's) foot : see Foot sb. 26c.
a 1300 Cursor M. 1668, I sal be tell hou lang, hou brade,
O quat mesur it sal be made. 138a Wyclif Ex. xxvi. 2 Of
o mesure shal be made alle the tentis. c 1440 Alphabet 0/
Tales 32 A stake of be same mesur & lenthe. 1576 Fleming
Panofl. Epist. 58 Hee suffered not . . the fourme and mea-
sure of his members to be made in metall. 1668 Wilkjns
Real Char. 163 Therefore the measure of the cubit must be
larger. 1703 Moxon Meek. Extrc. 126 Their measure they
note down upon a piece of paper. 1851 Mayhew Lond.
Lab. I. 476/2 The suit is more likely to be bought ready-
made than 'made to measure'. 1857 G. Bird's Urin. Do-
Posits (ed. 5) 61 It is much easier to obtain the measure than
the weight of urine passed in a given time.
b. Full, good, short etc. measure (see the adjs.) :
ample or deficient quantity in what is sold or given
by measure. Alsojfy.
Full, good measure are also appended to designations of
measured quantity, to indicate something in excess of the
stated amount,
1383 [see Good a. 19]. 1581, etc. [see Over-measure sb.].
1706 E. Ward Wooden World Diss. (1708) 68 What's
wanting in his Guns is made up in his Cups, which are
sure to have full measure, 1887 Lowell Democracy, etc 6
His audience would feel defrauded of their honest measure.
C. To take measures (f measure) : to ascertain
the different dimensions of a body. So, to take
the measure of 'a person for clothes, etc.
£-1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 11 Euclyde toke
mesures, be craft of Gemytre. 15.. Adam ifc/283 in Hazl.
E. P. P. II. 150 To take the mesure of that yeman, And
therafter to make hys graue. 1510 Gresham in Ellis Ortg.
Lett. Ser. in. I. 234, I have takyn the measures of xviij.
Chambres at Hamton Cortte and have made a Boke of
them. 1580 Lyly Euphues (Arb.) 290 Like the Taylours
boys, who thinketh to take measure before he can handle
the sheeres. X590 Shaks. Com. Err. iv. iii. 9. 1647 Ward
Simp. Cooler 28 He that makes Coates for the Moone, had
need take measure every noone. 1793 Smeaton Edystone L.
§ 97 The difficulty I had to get the proper measures taken.
1834 Marryat P. Simple \\, The man . . took my measure,
and departed.
d. techn. The width of a printed page; the width
of an organ pipe.
1683 Moxon Mech. Exerc, Printing xxii. * 4 So many
Words as will fill up the Measure pretty stiff, viz. Justine
the Line. Ibid. xxiv. f 7 A second Form of the same Volumne,
Measure and Whites. 1824 Johnson Typogr. II. 93 After
having made the measure for the work, we set a line of the
letter that is designed for it. 1851 Seidel Organ 76 The
width of a pipe is called its measure.
e. Fencing. The distance of one fencer from
another as determined by the length of his reach
when lunging or thrusting. (In first quot. fig.)
Also, in military drill.
1591 Shaks. Two Gent. v. iv. 127 Come not within the
measure of my wrath. 1692 Sir W. Hope Fencing-Master
95 Break his measure, or make his thrust short of you. 1696
K. H. Sch. Recreat. 67 Measure. This is only a distance
between you and your Adversary, which must be cautiously
and exactly observed when he is Thrusting at you ; so that
you may be without his measure or reach. 1833 Reg. Instr.
Cavalry 1. 144 As soon as the Attacking File has passed on,
and is out of measure, both Files will ' Slope Swords'. Ibid.
146 The opposing Files should . . circle ' Right ' within
measure. 1868 T. Griffiths Mod. Fencer 69 The Measure
..must be determined by the length of the foil and the
height of your opponent.
•f-f- Duration (of time, of a musical note). Obs.
i66a Playford Skill Mus. \. viii. 26 Pauses or Rests are
silent Characters, or an Artificial omission of the Voyce or
Sound, proportioned to a Certain Measure of Time. Ibid.
xi. 36 Hold, .is placed over the Note which the Author in-
tends^ should be held to a longer Measure then the Note
contains. 1696 Phillips, Measure of time, is much to be
regarded in handling Nativities, that when you have a
Direction, you may know how long it will be before it
operates. 1706 [see measure-note in 23].
3. fig. a. In the phrases under 2 c. f To take
measurers : to form an opinion or opinions ; also,
f to take a fair, wrong (etc.) m. of. To take the
measure of formerly to take m. of: to form an
estimate of; now esp. to weigh or gauge the abili-
ties or character of (a person), with a view to
what one is to expect from him.
1650 Jer. Taylor Holy Living \\. § 7 (1686) 118 He onely
lived according to Nature, the other by pride and ill
customs, and measures taken by other mens eyes and
tongues. 1659 BurtofCs Diary (1828) IV. 458, I know
nothing of it, and therefore must take measure by what
is before me. 1677 if all; Prim. Orig. Man. 245 They
thought it more sutable to take their Measures, and make
their Conclusions consonant to the course of Nature. 1790
Burke Fr. Rev. Wks. V. 58 If we take the measure of
our rights by our exercise of them at the revolution. 1795
— Th. Scarcity Wks. 1842 II. 253 We cannot assure our-
selves, if we take a wrong measure, from the temporary
necessities of one season. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 84,!
have encountered a good many of these gentlemen in actual
service, and have taken their measure. 1889 Doyle Micah
Clarke 113 Our hostess., bustled off. .to take the measure of
the new-comer. 1893 Nation 5 Tan. LVI. 4/1 The people
have taken the measure of this whole labor movement.
i"b. Hence, An estimate, opinion, or notion. Obs,
1665 Glanvill Scepsis Sci., Addr. Roy. Soc. A 3 b, I
can expect no other from those, that judge by first sights
and rash measures, then to be thought fond or insolent.
1670 in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.) I. 487 He has
given the King of France the character of all our Court
..as he himself thinks of them; so that he has .. given
as wrong measures here as he has given you. a 1678
H. Scougal Life of God, etc (1735) 79 All who are enemies
to holiness have taken up false measures and disadvantageous
notions of it. 1691 T. H[aleM«t. New Invent. 20 Be pleased
to receive the Measures of this Companies judging therein.
4. An instrument for measuring.
a. A vessel of standard capacity used for separ-
ating and dealing out fixed quantities of various
substances (as grain, liquids, some vegetables, coal).
i«97 R. Glouc (Rolls) 8834 False elnen & mesures he
bro^te al clene adoun. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xix.
exxviii. (1495)932 That is properly callyd mesure by whom
fruyte and corne and lycour and other thynges moyste and
drye ben mette. c 1440 A iphabet of Tales 330 1 f I hafe right-
wuslie. .mesurd with thies mesurs to bairn at I selde ale to.
1508 Ace. Ld. Treas. Scot. (1902) IV. 137 For ane mesure to
the Kingis gun of silvir. 1694 Holder Disc. Time 3 A Con-
cave Measure, of known and denominated Capacity, serves
to measure the Capaciousness of any other Vessel. 1865
Dickens Mut. Fr. 1. v, A Utile wooden measure which had
no discernible inside.
b. A graduated rod, line, tape, etc., used by
builders, tailors, etc. for taking measurements;
+ also (see quot. 168S). See also TAPE-measuret
Y a RD- measure*
1555 Eden Decades (Arb.) 240 The streates were also
directed with corde, compase and measure. 1595 Shaks.
John iv. ii. 196 [A tailor] with his Sheeres, and Measure in
his hand. 1688 R. Holme Armoury 11. 464/1 Instruments
used by Perawick Makers. . . Measures, are lengths of Paper
or Parchment, with Figures on, by which the Hair is Woven
in the rounds, according as it is to fall in the Wig, whether
long or short. 169. Ad Populum Phalerx i. 24 Our ancient
Rolls, grown useless to preserve Our Rights, may then for
Taylors Measures serve.
5. A unit or denomination of measurement.
1535 Coverdale i Chron. xxiii[i.] 29 For all maner of
weight and measure [161 1 measures and size]. 1555 Eden
Decades (Arb.) 257 They vse waightes and measures. 1559
W. Cunningham Cosmogr. Glasse 56 A Barly corne (being
the least measure). 1650 J. Wvbard Tactometria To Rdr.,
The Standard -measures for Wine and Ale or Beer. 1688
[see Dry a. 10]. a 1696, 1848 [see Lineal i b]. 1710 J.
Harris Lex. Techn. II, Measures of Capacity. 1765
Blackstone Comm. I. 1. vii. 305 Superficial measures are
derived by squaring those of length. 184J-59 Gwilt Archit.
§ 2316 The common measure for tiling is a square of 10 feet.
1843 PennyCycl. XXVII. 106/2 The measures of time. .are
the only usual ones in which a naturalt standard exists.
Ibid. 203/1 All the multiples and subdivisions of every
measure [in the metrical system] are decimal.
b. Used for some specific unit of capacity (for-
merly also of length) understood from context or
usage ; in England often applied to the bushel.
MEASURE.
279
MEASURE.
Also, such a quantity of anything as is indicated
by this unit. In translations from foreign langs.
sometimes used to render the name of some definite
unit: e.g. in the Bible of 1611 as translation of
Seah, Cor, and Bath.
138a Wyclif Luke xvi. 7 An hundrid mesuris [1388 coris]
of whete. 1404 Will Joan Wynne in Somerset Med. Wills
(1901) 322, ij mesers of Ode [?=woad]. 1535 Coverdale
1 Sam. xxv. 18 Fyue measures of firmcntye. 1604 Shaks.
Oth. iv. ii. 73, 1 woutd not doe such a thing for a ioynt Ring,
nor for measures of Lawne, nor for Gownes. 1605 — Macb.
111. iv. 11 Anon wee'l drinke a Measure The Table round.
1606 — Ant. q CI. 11. vi. 37 To send Measures of Wheate to
Rome. 1688 R. Holme Armoury in. 337/2 A Measure,
an Hoop, or a Strick, is 4 Pecks, or 9 Gallons. Yet some
reckon but 8 gallons to the Measure, which in some places
is also called a Bushel. 1787 Winter Syst. Huso. 194
This field used commonly to be sowed with twenty measures
of wheat, each measure containing one hundred and six
pounds of eighteen ounces. 1805 Forsyth Beauties Scotl.
II. 253 Between 20,000 and 30,000 measures in shells . . the
measure containing two Winchester bushels. 1870 Bryant
Homer I. vil. 234 These Brought wine, a thousand measures.
c. Chem. A unit of volume used in ascertaining
the quantity of a gas or liquid, usually indicated
by graduations on a tube (as an alkalimeter or
eudiometer) or other vessel. Also, the quantity
measured by such a unit.
1807 T. Thomson Chem. (ed. 3) II. 149 The gas amounted
to 16 very small measures. 184s Parnell Chem. Anal. 416
Each measure of the alkalimeter represents half a grain of
chloride of lime.
d. In descriptions of mixture or composition :
One of a number of equal volumes indeterminate
in quantity ; a ' part ' as estimated by measurement.
1837 Civil Eng. <y Arch. Jrnl. I. 33/2 The conciete. .is to
consist of six measures of gravel and sand to one of ground
lime. 1863 Fownes's Chem. (ed. 9} 144 Carbonic acid,
from 37 measures to 6-2 measures, in 10,000 measures of air.
0. A method of measuring ; esp. a system of
standard denominations or units of length, surface,
or volume.
Chiefly with qualifying word denoting the class or kind of
system, the substances to which it is applied, or the locality
in which it is used or originated ; e. g. linear, long, square,
cubic measure ; liquid, dry, ale, corn measure ', Irish,
London measure.
1439 Rolls 0/ Parlt. V. 30/2 There as any Merchaunt..ex-
cepte at London, will make a Clothe in measuring xxim
yerdes, they woll make therof xxn or lasse, seyinge that it
is the mesure of London. 1455 Col. Anc. Rec. Dublin (1889)
I. 288 Al maner of women that syllyn ale..syll aftyr the
Kyng's ale mesure. 1670 Capt. J. Smith Eng. Improv.
Reviv'd 25 The content of the whole fence by the said Wood
measure is 1466 Perch 12 foot. 1678 Petty Polit. Anat.
Irel. in Tracts (1769) 299 A perch or pole Irish measure, is
21 foot. 1709 J. Ward Yng. Math. Guide 1. iii. (1734) 34
That there should be but one Measure for Wine, Ale and
Corn, throughout this Realm. Ibid. 36 Dry Measure is
different both from Wine and Ale Measure. 1842-59 Gwilt
Archit. § 2303 In lime measure, what is called a hundred is
100 pecks, or 25 striked bushels (old measure). 1843 Penny
Cycl. XXVII. 200/2 Apothecaries' fluid measure. 1898
Engineering Mag. XVI. 95 The completed raft contains
450,000 lineal feet of timber, or in the neighborhood of
3,000,000 feet, board-measure.
7. That by which anything is computed or esti-
mated, or with which it is compared in respect
of quantity. Chiefly in phr. to be the measure of.
[Cf. Gr. use of iiirpov.]
c 1580 Sidney Ps. vi. i, Lord, ..let [not] thy rage of my
due punishment Become the measure. 1611 Bacon Ess., Of
Despatch (Arb.) 244 Time is the measure of businesse, as
money is of wares. 1635 Wells Sciographia 113 The tan-
gent of SG [the subtending arc] the measure of the angle Z.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey) s. v., In Philosophy, Time is the
Measure of Motion ; but in Mechanicks, Motion is the
Measure of Time. 1851 C W. H[oskyns] Talpa 19 The
weakest link of a chain is the measure of its stiength. 1865
Brande Diet. Set., etc. III. 606/1 The teciprocal of the
radius of a circle is a measure of its curvature. 1892 Kipling
Barrack-r. Ball. 65 And the measure of our torment is the
measure of our youth.
b. A standard or rule of judgement ; a criterion,
test ; also, a standard by which something is de-
termined or regulated. Now rare.
1641 in Rushworlh's Hist. Coll. (1692) in. I. 555 Having
..no measure of happiness or misfortune in this world, but
what I derive from your Majesties value of my affection and
fidelity. 1660 Stanley Hist. Philos. xi. Protagoras ii. (1687)
768 He began one of his Books thus : Man is. .the measure
of all things. 1690 Locke Hum. Und. m. vi. § 22 Our ab-
stract ideas are to us the measures of species. 1785 Paley
Mor. Philos. 11. ix, The will of God is the measure of right
and wrong. 1830 Tennyson Poems 153 Man is the measure
of all truth Unto himself.
c. In collocation with Rule sb. (q. v.).
8. Math. A quantity which divides or is con-
tained in another quantity some number of times
without remainder; a submultiple. Thus, 2, 3, 4,
and 6 are all measures of 1 2. [After Gr. nirpov.]
Common measure — common divisor (see Divisor 1 b).
A\so fig. or allusively. Greatest common measure (abbre-
viated G.C.M.) : the greatest quantity that divides each of a
number of given quantities exactly.
1570 Dee Math. Pre/. 5 In pure Arithmetike, an Vnit, is
the common Measure of all Numbers. 1570 Billingsley
Elem. Geom. 234 b, It is required of these three magnitudes
to finde out the greatest common measure. 1656 Hobbes
Six Less. Wks. 1845 VII. 196 One quantity is the measure
of another quantity, when it, or the multiple of it, is coinci-
dent in all points with the other quantity. 1717-52 Cham-
bers Cycl. s. v., 9 is a measure of 27. 1870 J. H. Newman
Gramm. Assent 1. iv. 80 The establishment of a common
measure between mind and mind. 1875 Colenso Elem.
Alg. v. 48 We may sometimes find by inspection the G.C.M.
of two quantities.
9. [? cotter, of sense 2.] A stratum or bed of
mineral; now only//. (Geol.) in coal-measures,
culm measures (see Culm 1 3).
1665 [see Coal-measure]. 1686 Plot Stafforash. 158
The other Iron Ores.. which lye in some places but thin,
others thicker, and as the coal is, divided into measures of
different denominations. 1795 Aikin Manchester 523 The
measures or strata, by which the beds of coal are divided.
1837 [see Culm l 3]. 1865 Lyell Elem. Geol. 532 The
Devonian group . . its relations to the overlying Carboni-
ferous rocks or ' Culm Measures '. 1881 Raymond Mining
Gloss., Measures, strata of coal, or the formation contain-
ing coal beds.
II. Prescribed or limited extent or quantity.
T 10. What is commensurate or adequate ; satis-
faction (of appetite, desire, need). O/'S.
c 1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 55 And he sette muSes mesure on
his ferde bat he gaderede [L. et fecit gulam militias
suae priucipem]. 13.. E. E. Allit. P. A. 224 A mannez
dom mo3t dry}Iy demme, Er mynde mo^t malte in hit
mesure. 1593 Shaks. 3 Hen. VI, 11. iii. 32 Till either
death hath clos'd these eyes of mine, Or Fortune giuen me
measure of Reuenge. 1607 — Cor. 11. ii. 127 He cannot but
with measure fit the Honors which we deuise him.
11. f a. Proportion ; due proportion, symmetry.
c 1400 Destr. Troy 806 Sho gafe hym a glasse with a good
lycour, And bade.. To werke it in mesure. Ibid. 1648 The
windowes, woithely vvroght in a mesure. c 1407 Lydg. Reas.
ff Sens. 58 Wyth the which she dooth gouerne Euery maner
creature, With-oute[n] ordre or mesure. 1597 Hooker Ecct.
Pol. v. Iv. § 2 Measure is that which perfecteth all tilings.
1600 E. Blount tr. Conestaggio 25 For being an exercise that
requireth order and measure, all things were there dis-
ordered and confused. 1662 EvELVN Chalcogr. Table, Mea-
sure and proportion have Influence on all our Actions.
b. In measure as: in proportion as. [A Galli-
cism : cf. F. a mesure one.]
1789 Cowper Let. to Newton 16 Aug. Wks. (1836) VI. 256
[Fame] is a commodity that daily sinks in value, in measure
as the consummation of all things approaches. 1894 ( 1.
Moore Esther Waters 332 His irritability increased in mea-
sure as he perceived the medicine was doing him no good.
f 0. To hold measure with : to be proportionate
to or commensurate with. Obs.
i6n Tourneur Ath. Tragedie I. i, Now let thy trust..
Hold measure with thy amplitude of wit.
12. An extent not to be exceeded ; a limit. Now
only in certain phrases, as to set measures to, to
know no measure (see also b and c).
1390G0WER Couf. III. 234 That he schal mesure Hisbodi,
so that 'no mesure Of fleisshly lust he scholde excede. 1514
Barclay Cyt. <y Uplondyshm. (Percy Soc.) 30 Thou pasest
mesure, Faustus. 1530 Palsgr. 572/1 This mater gothe
oat of mesure, ceste matiere se desmesure. 1604 E. G[rim-
stone] tr. Acosta's Hist. Indies 1. vi. 19 Although the great
Ocean stretcheth farre,yet doth it never passe this measure.
1633 G. Herbert Temple, Ch. Porch xix, If thy Sonne can
make ten pound his measure. 1659 Pearson Creed (1839)
272 What bounds can we set unto that grief, what measures
to that anguish? 1667 Milton P. L. v. 517 Full to the
utmost measure of what bliss Human desires can seek or
apprehend. 1710 Philips Pastorals i. 14 Fond Love no
Cure will have.. nor any Measure knows. 0:1716 South
Twelve Serm. (1744) XI. 162 Todetermine and give measures
to the divine bounty and wisdom, to tell it what it ought to do.
b. In advb. phr. Beyond {above, t without,
+ over) measure, also f out of measure, out of all
measure (arch.): beyond all bounds, excessively.
t Formerly (esp. Sc.) used also predicatively =
boundless, unlimited, excessive.
c 1375 Barbour Bruce 1. 570 He wes angry out of mesur.
Ibid. xvii. 810 The laiff our mesur war wery. c 1400
M aundev. (Roxb.) xxx. 137 On lenth it es withouten mesure.
1470-85 Malory Arthur 11. i. 77 The damoysel made fjrete
sorow oute of mesure. 1513 Douglas SEneis VII. vi. 59
Abufe myssuyr forsuth thai chaistyit war. 1530 Palsgr.
418/2 This adveisite hath anguissed me beyonde measuie.
1565 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 370 A thing sa far beyond
all measour that [etc.]. 1642 Rogers Naaman To Rdr.
§ 2 So Selfe encountered with a Law, proves out of measure
sinfull. 1665 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (1677) 356 The air is
usually warm, and at some time above measure. 1706 E.
Ward Wooden World Diss. (1708) 73 He's so often out of
Measure in his Drinking. 1856 R. A. Vauchan Mystics
(i860) I. vi. iii. 166 He was full of Eckart's doctrine, out of
all measure admiring the wonderful man. 1872 Black Adv.
Phaeton xxxi. 414 My Lady was oncevexed beyond measure.
c. To keep or observe measurers : to be moderate
or restrained in action, f To keep measures with :
to use consideration towards (a person).
1551 R. Robinson tr. More's Utopia 11. (Arb.) 135 In re-
wardes they kepe no measuie. 1710 Shaftesb. Charac.
(1737) II. 266 Our Author.. endeavours to shew Civility
and Favour, by keeping the fairest Measures he possibly
can with Men of this sort. 1734 tr. Rollin's Rom Hist.
(1827) III. 69 He thought fit to observe measures with him
in the beginning, hoping, perhaps, by gentle methods to
bring him back to his duty. Ibid. 74 He no longer observed
any measures and reigned like a true tyrant. 1792 W.
Roberts Looker-On No. 7 (1794) I- 93 If his taylor continue
to disappoint him, I promise to keep no measures with the
delinquent. (11832 Macintosh Life More Wks. 1846 I. 493
More, having no longer any measures to keep, openly
declared, that [etc]. 1852 Si. Arnold Second Best 1. 2
Quiet living, strict-kept measure. 1863 Cowden Clarke
Shakesp. Char. viii. 198 He keeps no measure in his con-
tempt for him.
d. In Biblical phrases. By measure, in measure:
to a limited extent, in part. To fill up the measure
of: to complete the sum of (one's iniquities), to
add what is wanting to the completeness of (a per-
son's misfortunes). [A blending of Matt, xxiii. 32
with Gen. xv. 16 ; cf. F. combler la mesure.']
1382 Wyclif Ezek. iv. 11 And thou shalt drynke water in
mesure [Vulg. in mensura) the sixt part of hyn. [1382 —
Matt, xxiii. 32 }e fulfillen the mesure of a,oure fadris.] 1535
Covekdale John iii. 34 God geueth not the sprete (vnto
him) by measure. 1581 N. Burne Disputation 143 The
mesour of impietie begun be him is nocht zit fullie accom-
plished. x6n Bible Jer.xxx. 11, I will correct thee in mea-
sure, and will not leaue thee altogether vnpunished. a 1716
Blackall Wks. I. 66 To obtain that Righteousness which
they desire, (here in good measure, and hereafter to the full).
1820 W. Irving Sk. Bookll. 267 To fill up the measure of his
misfortunes. 1846 Trench Mirac. xvi. (1862) 276 The pro-
phets having grace only in measure, so in measure they
wrought their miracles. 1856 Froudf. Hut. Eng. (1858) I.
ii. 91 The church was allowed a hundred and fifty more
years, to fill full the measure of her offences.
t 13. Moderation, temperance. Of measure :
moderate, temperate. By measure, in measure :
in moderation. Obs.
(11225 Ancr. R. 74 Vt of god into vuel, & from mesure
into unimete. 13.. E. E. Allit. P. B. 247 Al in mesure &
mepe was made be vengaunce. 1390 Gower Conf. 11. 112
Slep..helpeth kinde..Whan it is lake be mesure. a 1400
Sir Perc. 397 Luke thou be of mesure Bothe in haulle and
in boure. c 1430 LvDC. Mill. Poems (Percy Soc.) 81 Iche
thynge is praysed if it in mesure be. 1548CRANMER Catech.
182 Yf we wyll be contente with a meane dyet, and kepe a
measure in our apparell. 1583 Babington Commamim. 194
It hath euer been helde, that blushing in measure, modestie,
and silence haue been commendable tokens in yong yeeres.
1593 Shaks. Rich. It, III. iv. 7 My Legges can keepe no
measure in Delight, When my poore Heart no measure
keepes in Griefe. 1667 Milton P. L. vil. 128 Knowledge..
needs. .Her Tempeiance over Appetite, to know In measure
what the mind may well contain.
personified. 1377 Langl. /'. /'/. B. xiv. 70 If men lyued
as mesure wolde. c 1412 Hoccleve De Reg. Princ. 502
Mesure is out of londe on pylgrymage. a 1510 Douglas
A'. Hart ii. 511 That fayr sweit thing [Chastity] . . That. .
euirmore is mareit with mesour.
b. Proverbs.
1362 Langl. P. PI. A. 1. 33 Mesure is Medicine bauh bon
mucheaeor[n]e. 1399— Rich. Rcddesu. 139 Mesure is a men
mene. c 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 208 Men wryte
of oold how mesour is tresour. a 1529 Skelton Sp. Parrot
64 In mesure is tresure. 11570 Scitir. Poems Reform, xvii.
44 Thinkand alwayis that mesure was ane feist, a 1598
Fekgusson Prov. (1785) 13 He that foisakes missour, mis-
sour forsakes him.
f C. ? A compromise. Obs.
1425 Paston Lett. I. 21 If this mesure be accepted.
14. A quantity, degree, or proportion (of some-
thing), esp. as' granted to or bestowed upon a
person.
1610 Gltllim Heialdry in. xiv. (1660) 171 The Buck.,
hath a degree and measure of all the properties of the Stag.
1671 Milton Samson 1439 For never was from Heaven im-
parted Measure of strength so great to moital seed. 1674
W. Allen Danger Enthus. 105 Mens differences about
these points proceed . . from their different measures of Light
and undersianding. 1784 Cowper Task v. 309 In whom
lust And folly in as ample measure meet As in the bosoms
of the slaves he rules. 1850 Scoresby Cheever's Whalem.
Adv. xiii. (1859) 181 We had a good measure of these con-
tingents of successful enterprise. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2)
111. 680 Critias..begs that a larger measure of indulgence
may be conceded to him. 1877 ' H. A. Page' De Qmncey
I. x. 200 To do some measure of steady work.
b. In advb. phr. formed with preps. In a great
or large measure (t in good m., t after some large
m.) : to a considerable extent or degree, largely.
In some or a measure : to a certain extent, in some
degree, somewhat. In (fupon) the same measure:
to the same extent. .
138. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 360 pel [sc. curatis] shulden
lyve on be puple in good mesure as Poul biddip. 1590
Shaks. Mids. H. 1. ii. 30, I will condole in some measure.
1611 Bible Ps. lxxx. 5 Thou..giuest them teares to drinke
in great measure. 1632 Lithgow Trav. x. 493 1 ge recouery
(after some large measure) of my health. 1662 Stillingfl,
Orig Sacr. I. 1. § 20 Which difference of writing is in a gieat
measure the cause of the different dialect between the Athe-
nians and Ionians. 1664 Evelyn Pomona Gen. Advt. (1729)
01 Cider cannot be unwholesome upon the same Measure
that stummed wine is so. 1736 Butler Anal. 11. 111. Wks.
1874 I. 180 Objections against Chustianity itself are, in a
great measure, frivolous. 1871 Smiles Charac. 1.(1876)8
Goodness in a measure implies wisdom. 1895 R. L. Douglas
in Bookman Oct. 22/2 Louis [XIV] was in a large measure
responsible for the horrors of the Revolution.
16. Treatment (of a certain kind) ' meted out to
a person, esp. by way of punishment or retribution.
Obs. or arch. exc. in hard measure.
I593 Shaks. 3 Hen. VI, 11. vi. 55 I" stead whereof, let this
suppfy the roome. Measure for measure, must be answered.
1601 - Airs Weiln. iii. 273 This is hard and vndeserued
measure. 1603 - Meas.for M. m. y. =57 He Professes to
haue receiued no sinister measure from his Iudge. 1611
Bible Transl. Pre/. T 3 This is the measure that hath been
rendred to excellent Princes in former times, euen . ^For their
good deedes to be euill spoken of. 1667 Milton P. E 1.
t,3 He from mightier Jove. .like measure found, a 1715
Burnet Own Time (1724) I- 558 He thought he had met
with hard measure. 1784 Cowper Et Jos- Hill | S5 U
happy Britain ! we have not to fear Such hard and arbitrary
measure here. 1887 A. B.rrell Obiter Dicta Ser. .1. 67 It
is certainly hard measure on the poor fellow.
III. ' Measured ' sound or movement.
16. Poetical rhythm, as ' measured ' by quantity
MEASURE.
280
MEASURE.
or accent ; a kind of poetical rhythm ; a metrical
group or period ; — Metre. Now only literary.
Long measure (in hymns) : see Long a.1 A. 18.
C1450 Lydg. & Burgh Secrees 1530 Or of metrys the feet
to make equal, be tyme and proporcion kepyng my mesurys.
1589 Puttenham Eng. Poesie 11. iii. (Arb.i 81 Meeter and
measure is all one, for what the Greekes called u-tTpov, the
Latines call Mensura, and is but the quantitie of a verse,
either long or short. 1599 Shaks. Hen. V, v. ii. 139. 1699
Bentley Pkal. 198 It is an Iambic Verse ; and it was a good
while after the invention of Comedy and Tragedy, before
that Measure was used in them. 1706 A. Bedford Temple
Mus. vi. 115 The.. Verse consisted of Two Measures, and
each of them of Ten Syllables. 1778 Johnson L. P., Cmuley
(1868) 23 To the disproportion and incongruity of Cowley's
sentiments must be added the uncertainty and looseness of
his measures. 1820 Hazlitt Led. Dram. Lit. 73 It is
beautiful prose put into heroic measure. 1869 A. J. Ellis
E. E. Pronunc. iv. § 4. 333 Chaucer's verse seems to consist
generally of five measures.
17. An air, tune, melody. Now poet.
1390 Gower Con/. III. 301 Bot if ye the mesure pleide,
Which, if you list, I schal you Here. 11461 E. E. Misc.
(Warton Club) 50 A pype, boy, thou schalt have also, True
of measure schall it go. 1595 Shaks. John 111. i. 304 Shall
braying trumpets, and loud churlish drums, .be measures to
our pomp. 1774 Bryant Mythol. I. 445 A great musician,
and particularly expert in all pastoral measure. 184a Lytton
Zanoni 22 He would pour forth . . strange wild measures, on
his violin. 186. Bryant Sella 361 They called for quaint
old measures.
18. Mus. a. The relation between the time-
values of a note of one denomination and a note of
the next, determining the kind of rhythm (duple,
triple, etc.) ; hence, the time of a piece of music.
(Also called Mode.)
1597 Morley Introd. Mus. Annot. "4 This [triple time] is
the common hackney horse of all the Composers, which is of
so manie kindes as there be maners of pricking, . . and yet all 1
one measure. 1601 Shaks. Tivel. N. v. i. 41 The triplex, sir,
is a good tripping measure. 1662 Playford Skill Mus. 1.
vii. 23 Measure, .is a Quantity of the length and shortness
of Time, either by Natural Sounds pronounced by the
Voyce, or by Artificial upon Instruments ; which Measure
is by a certain Motion of the Hand expressed in a varietie
of Notes. 1727-53 Chambers Cycl. s. v. Time. The mode
or measure of two times, or the dupla measure. 1797 En-
cycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XII. 533/1 There are properly two kinds
of measures or modes of time : the measure of two times, or
of common time.. and the measure of three times, or of
triple time. 1840 Penny Cycl. XVIII. 207/1 It admits but
one measure, the duple. 1901 H. E. Wooldridge Oxf.
Hist. Mus. I. 102 A special name, Cantus mensurabilis,
was indeed often adopted by many authors, to describe the
music in which measure was present throughout.
b. Each portion of a musical composition com-
prising a group of notes beginning with a main
accent, and commonly included between two vertical
lines or bars ; a ' bar ' (see Bar sb.1 16).
1667 C Simpson Pract. Mus. 1. § 10. 30 The Mood ..
called Perfect of the Less, in which three Semibreves went
to a Measure. 1878 F. Taylor in Grove Diet. Music I. 136
The word bar is also commonly, though incorrectly, applied
to the portion contained between any two such vertical lines
[bars], such portion being termed a ' measure '.
*H C. Inaccurately used for L. modus as transl.
of Gr. rpojros, apuovia : see Mode.
1635 Carpenter Geog. Del. 11. xiv. 247 The Northerne
mans humour consortes best with the Phrygian measure, a
loud and stirring harmony. 1776 Burney Hist. Mus. I. iii.
60 The Lydian measure wasappropriated to .. songs of sorrow.
19. Rhythmical motion, esp. as regulated by
music; the rhythm of a movement. To keep mea-
sure : to observe strict time.
1576 Fleming tr. Caius Dogs 35 Dogges . . which are
taught . . to daunce in measure at the musicall sounde
of an instrument. 1623 Bingham Xenophon 104 All this
is performed in measure to the Flute. 1655 Stanley Hist.
Philos. 1. vii. (1687) 25/1 He first taught Soldiers to march
by the sound of Fifes and Harps, observing a kind of mea-
sure in their pace. 1694 Addison St. Cecilia's Day Wks.
1726 I. 33 The Bears in aukward measures leap, a 1704
T. Brown On Beauties Wks. 1730 I. 44 May she in measure
like Clarinda move. 1704 Prior To Mrs. Singer 14 If
Amaryllis breathes thy secret pains, And thy fond heart
beats measure to thy strains. 1800-24 Campbell Pilgrim
o/Glencoe 8 Whose crews . . Keep measure with their oars.
1864 D. G. Mitchell Sev. Stor. 253 He would beat the
measure of a light polka on his pallet.
20. A dance, esp. a grave or stately dance ; often
in phr. tread a measure. Now arch.
1509 [see Dance v. 4]. 1584 Lyly Campaspe IV. iii, To
tread the measurs in a daunce. 1590 Marlowe 2nd Pt. Tarn-
burl v. i. Where fair Semiramis..Hath trod the measures.
1671 Milton P. L. 1. 170 All Heaven, .in Celestial measures
mov'd Circling the Throne and Singing. 1808 Scott Mar-
mion v. xii, Now tread we a measure ! said young Loch-
invar, a 1839 Praed Poems (1864) II. 44 And dancers leave
the cheerful measure To seek the Lady's missing treasure.
1888 W. E. Henley Bk. Verses 28 Kate the scrubber, .treads
a measure.
t b. To lead (a person) the measures : to ' lead
him a dance '. Obs.
1594 Nashe Un/ort. Trav. K 4 b, Hee stript her, and
scourged her from top to toe tantara. Day by day he dis-
gested his meate with leading her the measures.
IV. 21. A plan or course of action intended to
attain some object, a. pi. esp. in phrases to take,
adopt, t follow, pursue (certain) measures. \ To
break (a person's) measures [= F. rompre (ses)
mesures] : to frustrate his plans. + In the measures
of : privy to the plans of.
This sense of to take measures ' [prendre des mesures) is
adopted from Fr. ; Littre regards it as developed from the
sense ' to form an estimate of a situation ', in which the
phrase also occurs. Cf. 3 above.
1698 Fryer Ace. E. India <f P. 51 By the Measures they
follow, this also in time must fall into their hands. 1700
S. L. tr. Eryke's Voy. E. Jnd. 185 We agreed there in
an instant to take our measures about it. 1704 Trapp
Abra-Mult 1. L 323 On purpose to defeat My close
Contrivances, and break my Measures. 1708 Partridge
Bickerstaff delected in Swiff s Wks. (1755) II. 1. 168 [He]
has paid his visits to St. Germains, and is now in the
measures of Lewis XIV. a 1715 Burnet Own Time (1724)
II. 360 He pursued the Measures, which he had begun to
take, of raising new Divisions in that Kingdom. 1719
De Foe Crusoe 11. (Globe) 594 My Measures being fix'd. .
for Arch-Angel, and not to Muscovy. 1767 T. Hutchinson
Hist. Prov. Mass. Bay iii. 297 This rupture with the In-
dians broke his measures. 1817 Jas. Mill Brit. India II.
v. v. 476 Pondicherry was the object of importance ; and it
was resolved to lose no time in taking measures for its re-
duction. 1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. viii. § 4 (1882) 494
The measures of Laud soon revived the panic of the Puri-
tans. 1899 Allbutfs Syst. Med. VIII. 604 To assist the
external measures by internal medication.
b. sing.
1767 A. Young Farmers Lett, to People 36 Every just
argument that can be urged for or against any measure.
1833 Ht. Martineau Charmed Sea i. 7 Before, .anymeasure
of prevention, .could be taken. 1841 Brewster Mart. Set.
11. iii. 170 His first plan was to remove every thing from
Huen, as a measure of security. 1842 Borrow Bible in Spain
xxxviii, This measure by no means took me by surprise.
22. spec. A legislative enactment proposed or
adopted.
1759 Robertson Hist. Scot. 1. Wks. 1851 I. 64 In none of
our historians do we find an instance of any opposition
formed against the court in parliament, or mention of anydiffi-
culty in carrying through the measures which were agree-
able to the king. 1839 Keightley Hist. Eng. II. 57 The
great measure of this parliament was that respecting re-
ligious doctrines. 1879 McCarthy Own Times II. xviii.
27 This measure was passed rapidly through all its stages.
b. Phrase, Measures, not men.
1742 Ld. Chesterfield 6 Mar. Lett. (1845) III. 138,
I have opposed measures, not men. 1769 Junius Lett. xxvi.
note (1788) 141 Measures, and not men, is the common cant
of affected moderation. 1792 Auecd. IV. Pitt U797) I. x.
224 Some disliked the measures, others disliked the men. 1839
Bailey Festus (1852) 113, 1 care for measures more than men.
V. 23. attrib. and Comb.: measure-filling a.,
filling up the measure (of iniquity) ; measure-full,
as much as will fill a measure ; measure-glass, a
graduated glass for measuring drugs, medicine, etc.;
fmeasure-keeping, moderation; -(-measure line,
a measuring line ; measure-moth, a geometer
moth {Cent. Vict.) ; t measure-note, a semi-
breve ; also, the length of note indicated by the
lower figure in the rhythmical signature of a piece ;
+ measure pot, a pot used for measuring out
liquids ; measure-strip, a strip of paper used by
tailors in taking measures ; f measure time, the
slow time of the dances called ' measures ' ;
measure- work, piece work (cf. measured work).
1713 M. Henry Ordin. Serm. Wks. 1857 II. 510/2 Jeru-
salem's "measure-filling sin. 1851 Borrow Lavengro lxyiii,
' The largest "measure-full in your house \ said I . . . ' This is
not the season for half-pint mugs '. 1899 tr. R. von Jaksch's
Clinical Diagnosis (ed. 4) vii. 36 Ten or twenty cc. . .each of
solutions j and ij are mixed together in a "measure-glass.
'553 Grimalde Cicero's Offices in. (1558) 165 b, Semelinesse,
"measurekeping [L. moderation, sobermode, stayednesse.
1535 Coverdale Zech. ii. i A man with a "measure lyne in
his honde. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), 'Measure-Mote ..
the Semibrevcso call'd because it is of a certain deter-
minate Measure, or Length of Time by itself.^ 1809 Call-
cott Mus. Gram. (ed. 2) 36 Compound Triple Time is
formed by dividing the Measures of simple Triple into nine
parts, and by dotting the Measure Note of the original
Time. 1562 R. West in Hist. Comp. Pewterers (1003) 1
A fTalse maker of "measure pottes. 1887 Halliwell Life
Shaks. II. 382 Some deeds had been given to a tailor for
conversion into "measure-strips. 1626 Bacon Sylva § 113
As when Galliard Time, and "Measure Time, are in the
Medley of one Dance. 1852 C W. H[oskyns] Talpa 25
Furrows are avoided as a nuisance and a loss, except as
a mark for "measure-work.
Measure (me-3i£u), v. Forms: see prec. sb.
[a. F. mesure-r, f. mesure Measure sb. Cf. L.
fnensiirare."]
T 1. trans. To regulate, moderate, restrain. Obs.
a 1300 Cursor M. 28918 pat bou can mesure be quen bat
bou giues bi charite. c 1375.Sc. Leg. Saints'\\. (Paulus) 166
Nero, mesure bi gret foly. c 1400 Destr. Troy 3928 Troilus
. . mesuret his maners, bof he be myrth vsid. c 1485 Dighy
Myst. (1882) IV. 264 Gud Mawdleyn, mesure youre distil-
linge teres! 111500 Mankind 227 (Brandl) Mesure yowur
sylf : euer be ware of excesse ! 1574 tr. MarloraCs Apoca-
lips 40 Too measure our sorow, so as wee giue not our selues
oner too it
f b. To limit or restrict (a person). Obs. rare~K
1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 149 b, It was lawful
neither for him nor no man els to prescribe or measure them
in this behalf.
2. To ascertain or determine the spatial magni-
tude or quantity of (something) ; properly, by
the application of some object of known size or
capacity. Also, in extended sense, to ascertain
the quantity of (e. g. force, heat, time) by compari-
son with some fixed unit.
a 1340 Hampole Psalter lix. 6 The dale of tabernacles
1 salmesour [L. metibor). c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxii.
(Laurentius) 552 He gert mesoure be tre sone, & fand It
mare be quantyte bane to be wark nedit be. 1481 Caxton
Myrr. 1. xi. 37 Thus is by geometrye mesured alle thingis.
1530 Palsgr. 634/1, I mesure clothe with a yerde. 1535
Coverdale Ezek. xlii. 15 When he had measured all the
ynnermer house. 1688 R. Holme Armoury in. 260/2 Some
measure.. Salmons and Eels by Ale Measure. 1732 Pope
Ess. Man n. 20 Go, measure earth, weigh air, and state the
tides. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1862! I. xx. 124 Those In-
struments called anemometers, which are made to measure
the velocity of the wind. 1816 Playfair Nat. Phil. II. 41
The angles of these triangles are to be measured. 1844
Stephens Bk. Farm II. 276 Corn is measured up direct
from the fanners in this way. i860 Tyndall Glac. I. xxi.
149, I . .endeavoured to measure some of the undulations.
b. With clause as obj.
1611 Shaks. Cymb. 1. ii. 25 Till you had measur'd how long
a Foole you were vpon the ground.
c. To take (a person's) measure for clothes, etc.
1836 Marryat Japhet xvi, I ordered a. suit of the most
fashionable clothes, . . being very minute in my directions to
the foreman, who measured me. 1848 Dickens Dombey ii,
You have been already measured for your mourning, haven't
you ? 1880 ' Ouida ' Moths I. 57 Measure me for my clothes.
d. fig. To take the measure of (a person) ; to
look (a person) up and down. (Cf. F. mesurer.)
1747 Richardson Clarissa (1768) I. viii. 48 My Brother.,
having measured me, as I may say, with his eyes . . from
head to foot. 1896 A. E. Housman Shropshire Lad xli, In
many an eye that measures me.
e. With dimensions or amounts as obj. Also,
to mark or lay off (a line of definite length) in a
certain direction.
1382 Wyclif Ezek. xlviii. 30 Fro the north coost thou shall
mesure fyue hundrid and foure thousandis. 1535^ Cover-
dale Num. xxxv. 5 Ye shal measure without the cite on y«
East syde, two thousand cubites. 1611 Bible Ruth iii. 15
He measured sixe measures of barley, and laide it on her.
1844 Mrs. Browning Drama Exile 10 Whence to mark de-
spair, And measure out the distances from good 1 1853 Sir
H. Douglas Milit. Bridges (ed. 3) 61 Having measured a
line, as A E, . . in any convenient direction. 188a Minchin
Unipl. Kinemat. 210 By measuring from P along the lines
PA 1, PA „ PA3, . . lengths, Pai, Pai, Pas.
f. To measure (t out) ones length : to fall
prostrate.
Cf. 1611 Bible i Kings xvii. 21 He stretched [margin
Hebr. measured] himselfe vpon the childe. [The Vulgate has
vtensus est, whence Wyclif fttesurede.\
1590 Shaks. Mids. N. 111. ii. 429 Faintnesse constraineth
me, To measure out my length on this cold bed. 1605 —
Lear 1. iv. 100 If you will measure your lubbers length
againe, tarry. 1838 Dickens Nick. Nick, xix, He lost his
balance, and measured his length upon the ground. 1853
W. Stirling Cloister Life Chas. V 163 Many of his cedars
..measured their length upon the discomfited parterres.
f g. To form of, raise or reduce to, certain
dimensions or proportions. Obs.
a 1300 Cursor M. 22952 [God] mai . . Mak a wel fairer licam,
And if bar-of was mar or less, To mesure [a 1425 Trim. To
mesure hit] als his will es. c 1400 Destr. Troy 3033 With
browes full brent . . Full metly made & mesured betwene.
1513 Douglas Mneis xu. iv. 35 The forrettis of thir beistis
toppis baith They clip and missour, as tho was the gys.
h. absol. or intr. To take measurements ; to
use a measuring instrument.
1611 Bible Deut. xxi. 2 They shall measure vnto the cities
which are round about him that is slaine. 1875 Jowett
Plato (ed. 2) V. 36 The young carpenter should be taught
to measure and use the rule.
i. intr. iin/art.sense). Toadmitofmeasurement.
1765 Museum Rust.WX. 222 My malt.. does not shrink
so much when it comes to be laid on the kiln ; of course it
measures to more advantage.
j. To measure swords : lit. of adversaries in a
duel, to ascertain that their swords are of equal
length. Hence, to contend in battle, try one's
strength with (cf. sense 10).
Cf. F. mesurer les tpies, mesurer son (pie avec.
1600 Shaks. A. Y. L. v. iv. 91 And so wee measur d
swords, and parted. 1852 Thackeray Esmond 11. ». Y°u- •
wanted to measure swords with Mohun, did you / 1878
Bosw. Smith Carthage 267 Four times over he had now
measured his sword with the future conquerors of the world.
3. trans. Chiefly with out : To mark the boun-
dary or course of; to delimit, poet.
1513 Bradshaw St. Werburge 1. 200 The . . ryuer and water
of MersecMesuryngeand metynge the bondes-.Bitwene
chesshyr & lancashyr. 1600 Shaks. A. Y. L. 11. vi. 2
Heere lie I downe, And measure out my graue. 1781
Cowper Expos! . 177 A cloud to measure out their march
by day.
4. To have a measurement of (so much).
1671 Milton P. R. I. 210 E're yet my age Had measur'd
twice six years. 1823 H. J. Brooke Introd. Crystallogr.
108 The planes M on M\ measure 120°. 1833 Loudon En-
cycl. Cottage Archil. § 297 Each shutter meas ur.ng four
feet six inches superficial. 1899 Allbutt s Syst. Med. VII.
540 The circumference of his head measures 22 inches.
b intr. To vie in measurement with.
1712 Arbuthnot John Bull I. xi, The prodigious dimen-
sions of them. In short, they would have measured with
the best bale of cloth in John's shop.
5. trans. To estimate the amount, duration,
value, etc. of (an immaterial thing) by comparison
with some standard. .
1667 Milton P. L. xu. 554 How soon hath thy prediction,
Seer blest, Measur'd this transient World, the Race of time,
Till time stand fixt. 1695 Locke Further Consid. V alue
Money 5 Tis by the quantity of Silver he gets lor it in f-x-
change, .that he measures the value of the Commodity he
sells. 1700 Cowper Catharina 48 And by Philomels an-
nual note To measure the life that she leads. 1837 Lytton
MEASURE.
E. Maltrav. (1851) 40 We may measure our road to wisdom
by the sorrows we have undergone.
6. To judge or estimate the greatness or value of
(a person, a quality, etc.) by a certain standard or
rule ; to appraise by comparison with something else.
C1374 Chaucer Boeth. III. pr. ii. 51 (Camb. MS.), Many
folk mesuren and gessen bat souereyn good by Ioye and
gladnesse [L. Plurimi vcro boni fructum gaudio Icetitiat/ue
metiuutur]. 1509 Hawes Past. Pleas, xxl. (1555) 100 Who
of this science dooth know the certaynte AH maysteries
might measure perfytely. 1586 B. Young Guazzos Civ.
Cohv. IV. 195 b, We ought perfectlie to.. understand the
sentences of our auncestors, and measure them with their
customes. 1597 Shaks. 2 Hen. IV, v. ii. 65. 1605 — Mae/'.
v. viii. 45. 1617 Moryson Itin. 1. 199 It is great injustice,
that our actions should be measured by opinion, and not by
reason. 1622 Bacon Hen. VII 45 In all which the King
measured and valued things amisse. 1651 Hobbes Leviath.
I. ii. 4 Men measure, not onely other men, but all otherthings,
by themselves. t 1655 Milton Sonn., to C. Skinner, To
measure life, learn thou betimes. 1784 Cowper Task 1. 396
Measure life By its true worth, the comfort it affords. 1879
Froude Cxsar viii. 71 Sylla had measured the difficulty of
the task which lay before him. 1884 Gilmour Mongols 78
Measuring me by himself he supposed that I was merely
telling a lie.
7. To be the measure of, or a means of measuring.
1590 Shaks. Com. Err. in. ii. 113 An Ell and three quarters,
will not measure her from hip to hip. 1667 Milton P. L.
v. 581 Time .. measures all things durable By present, past,
and future. 1775 Harris Fhilos. Arrangem. (1841) 338 note,
The measurer and the thing measured should reciprocate ;
so that while the gallon measures the wine, the wine should
measure the gallon. 1821 Lamb Ella Ser. 1. Old Benchers
I. T., The . . sun-dials . . seeming coevals with that Time which
they measured. 1842-59 Gwilt Arc/at. § 917 The angle
formed by a tangent and chord is measured by half the arc
of that chord. 1868 Lockyer Elem. Astron. v. (1879) 190
For common purposes, time is measured by the Sun.
^ absol. 1614 Ravenscroft Brief Discourse 3 The Minime
is the first Note that Measureth (being in it selfe indiui-
sible) and the Semibreue the first note Measured.
b. Math. Of a quantity : To be a measure or
submultiple of (another quantity) ; f refl. to be
exactly divisible by. t Also absol.
1570 Bii.lingsi.ey Euclid 126 Theother kinde of a part, is
any lesse quantitie in comparison of a greater, whether it
be in number or magnitude, and whether it measure or no.
Ibid. 234 If a magnitude measure two magnitudes, it shall
also measure their greatest common measure. 1709-29
V. Mandey Syst. Math., Arith. 6 Every number measures
it self by unity ; so 7 measures it self by r.
8. To apportion by measure ; to mete or deal out.
(Also absol. or intr., and in indirect pass.) arch.
121300 Cursor M. 27159 Preist..bat mesurs oft-sithes vr
penances. 1452 in Gross Gild Merch. (1800) II. 67 The
sayde .. wardens shall mesure & devyde trulye to ewry of
theme after harr degree. 1530 Palsgr. 635/1 By the same
mesure that you mesure to other men wyll men mesure by
to you. 1579 Lyly Euphues (Arb.) 92 That thou maist be
mesured vnto, with the lyke measure that thou hast meaten
vnto others. 1674 Brevint Saul at Endor 241 If you be
not pleased with this Mesuring Indulgences. 1790 Gouv.
Morris in Sparks Life >, Writ. (1832) II. 117 Each district
measures out its obedience by its wishes. 1818 Cruise
Digest (ed. 2) VI. 165 To measure out the quantity of estate
that the devisee was to take. 1876 L. Stephen Eng. Th.
in iBth C. II. xii. vi. 429 Sermons were measured out with
no grudging hand.
fb. To deal blows upon, to strike. (Cf. F.
mesttrer tin coup. )
1652 J. Wright tr. Camus' Nat. Paradox vi. 132 Heehad
his Arm already up to measure Pisides o're the Shoulders.
9. To proportion, adjust (something) to an object,
or by a standard.
1500 Spenser F. Q. ii. xii. 33 On the rocke the waves
breaking aloft A solemne Meane unto them measured. 1642
Fuller Holy A> Prof. St. III. i. 153 Measure not thy enter-
tainment of a guest by his estate, but thine own. 1650 Jer.
Taylor Holy Living ii. § 7 (1686) 117 If you will secure a
contented spirit, you must measure your desires by your
fortune, . . not your fortunes by your desires. 1732 Pope Ess.
Man 1. 71 His knowledge measur'd to his state and place,
f b. To be commensurate with. Obs.
1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 43 Your promise was, that
your dealing shoulde measure their deseruing. 1633 G, Her-
bert Temple, 23rd Psalm, Thy sweet and wondrous love
Shall measure all my days.
10. To bring into competition, opposition, or
comparison with. Also refl. to try one's strength
against.
17'5-ao Pope Iliad xxm. 888 All start at once ; Oi'leus led
the race ; The next Ulysses, measuring pace with pace.
1784 Cowper Task iv. 337 To measure lots With less dis-
tinguish'd than ourselves. 1817 Jas. Mill Brit. India II.
iv. v. 187 He was pleased to measure dignities with his king.
1838 Prescott Ferd. e,Is. 11. xiv. III. 181 He was compelled
to measure his genius with that of the greatest captain of
the age. 1869 Freeman Norm. Conq. (1875) III. xii. 192
Herbert was not afraid to measure himself against a much
more dangerous enemy.
II. To travel over, traverse (a certain distance,
a tract of country) ; also, f to peruse or read
through. Chiefly /<*•/.
After uses of L. metiri, emetiri.
^1374 Chaucer Boeth. v. pr. i. 116 (Camb. MS.), So )>at
pou ne mayst nat suffice to mesuren the ryht wey [L. ad
emettendum rectum iter]. 1579 Spenser Slteph. Cat. Sept.
21 Since when thou hast measured much ground. 1590 —
M 8' '' 3' ' 'le Sunne, that measures heaven all day long.
i C "t>*"' 36 FuU dreadfu11 thinges out of that balefull
oooke He red, and measur'd many a sad verse. 1596
shaks. Merch. V. in. iv. 84 For we must measure twentie
miles to day. 1682 N. O. Boileau's Lutrin in. 25 With
equal pace the Temples Nave they measure ! 1725 Pope
Vol. VI.
281
I Odyss. 1. 339 He.. measur'd a length of seas, a toilsome
length, in vain. 1835 Wordsw. Extern/: Eff. Death J.
Hogg 13 Nor has the rolling year twice measured, From
sign to sign, its steadfast course, Since [etc.].
b. To measure back : to retrace (one's steps, the
road). ? Obs.
'595 Shaks. John v. v. 3 When English measure back-
ward their owne ground In faint Retire. 1S10 — Temp. 11. i.
2i59 "^f1"!!^' wnosc eu'ry cubit Seemes to cry out, howshali
that Uanbell Measure vs backe to Naples? 1697 Dryden
/Eneid x. 932 The Vessel . . measures back with speed her
former Way. 1758 Smollett Hist. Eng. III. 150 They
measured back their ground with some disorder. 1797 Bukke
Regie. Peace 111. (1st par.), With a sort of plodding perse-
yerance, we resolve to measure back again the very same
J°y ess. hopeless, .. track. 1809 Malkin Gil Bias x. ix.
(Ktldg.) 360 Measure back your steps.. to Lirias, and stay
quietly there.
1 12. To turn into metre. Obs.
1-1586 C'tess Pembroke Ps. xlix. i, Wordes shall from
my mouth proceed, Which I will measure by melodious
iare'o 'J,*774 tJoLnsM- lr- Scarrons Com. Romance (1775)
I. 278 All nature lay hushed in sleep, .except some poets,
who had cramp verses to measure [F. des vers difficiles a
louruer],
1 13. To encircle, encompass- Obs.
c 1425 Found. St. Bartholomew's (E. E. T. S.) 63 She be-
ganncwith a long threid to compasse the howse...And
..the howse that was mesurid with the threid, hit [the lire]
myght nat hurte. 1680 Moxon Mcch. Exerc. 210 The
String that comes down every Tread, measures a small
Circumference oftner than it does a greater Circumference
Measured (me-g'tud), ppl.a. [f. Measure sb.
and v. + -ed.]
fl. Moderate, temperate. (Also well measured.)
C1400 Rule St. Benet 2328 A Priores. .Aw to be mesured
euermair To bind non als hot bai may here. 1456 Sir G.
Have Law Arms (S. T. S.) 300 To be wele mesurit in.,
eting and drinking. 1483 Caxton Cato F vij b, To be tem-
perate and mesured in alle thynges.
2. Determined, apportioned, or dealt out by
measure. Measured work, piece-work.
c 1440 Promp. Parv. 335/1 Mesuryd wythe mesure, men-
suratus. 1614 Ravenscroft Brief Discourse 11 The break-
ing of the Measur'd Notes. 1666 P. Henry in M. Henry
Life M. H'sWks. 1853 II. 666/2 The scripture speaks of
measured miles in a law-case, Deuteronomy xxi. 2. a 1700
Dryden Cymon t, Iph. Fables 553 Scarce the third Glass
of measur'd Hours was run. 1784 Cowper Task in, 424
The rest.. he disposes neat At measured distances. 1822
Galt Provost xxxviii. (1868) no Two measured glasses of
whisky in an old doctor's bottle. 1834-47 J- S. Macailay
Field Fortif. (1851) 57 It is. .cheaper to paya high price for
measured work, than to employ them by the day.
b. Accurately regulated or proportioned.
1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. I. To the King § 2 This which
I shall say is no amplification at all, but a positiue and
measured truth. 1748 Gray Alliance Educ. A> Govt. 40
Here measured Laws and philosophic Ease Fix and improve
the polish'd Arts of Peace, root J. Watson Life of the
Master xxi. 198 For their toil and work they will receive a
measured wage.
f C. Limited, finite. Obs. rare—'.
1653 Rouse Myst. Marr. 328 As much as a poor measured
creature may resemble that which is unmeasurable.
3. Consisting of ' measures ' or metrical groups ; |
written in metre ; metrical. (Cf. F. mesttrj.)
1581 Sidney Apol. Poelrie (Arb.) 50 In ryme or measured
verse. 1682 Soames & Dryden tr. Boileau's A rt Poetry 11. I
21 Closing the Sence within the measur'd time, 'Tis hard to I
fit the Reason to the Rhyme. 1704 Prior Let. Boileau 50 \
That we poetic folks, who must restrain Our measur'd
sayings in an equal chain. 1850 Tennyson In Mem. v, For
the unquiet heart and brain, A use in measur'd language
lies. 1871 Palgrave Lyr. Poems Ded., The sweet propriety
of measured phrase.
b. gen. Of motion, sound, flow of language, etc.:
Having a marked rhythm ; rhythmical ; regular in
movement.
1633 Milton Arcades 71 And the low world in measur'd
motion draw After the heavenly tune. 1725 Pope Odyss. 1.
196 They all advance And form to measur'd airs the mazy
dance. 1812 Byron Ch. Har. 11. lxxx, Music, .timely echo'd
back the measured oar. 1837-9 Hallam Hist. Lit. II. 11.
vii. § 34. 310 It is in many parts very well written, in a mea-
sured prose. 1855 Mrs. Carlyle Lett. II. 253, I heard a
measured tread ; and then. .advanced on me eight soldiers.
1891 T. Hardy 'Less xliii, It [winter] came on in stealthy
and measured glides, like the moves of a chess-player.
c. Mus. = Mensurable.
1782 Burney Hist. Mus. II. 180 Franco [in his Ars
Cantus Atensurabilis] only intends to treat of Measured
Music, of which, he piously observes, plain-chant has the
precedence. 1880 Rockstro in Grove Diet. Mus. II. 415
Musica Mensurata or Cantus Mensurabilis. (Measured
Music), ioox H. E. Wooldridge Oxf. Hist. Mus. I. vi.
(heading) Discant or Measured Music. The Measured
Notation and its Relation to Fixed Rhythms.
4. Chiefly with reference to language : Carefully
weighed or calculated; deliberate and restrained.
(Cf. sense 1.)
1802 Wordsw. Resol. % Independ. xiv, Choice word and
measured phrase. 1847-54 Webster s.v., In no measured
terms. 1898 Bodlky France II. 111. iii. 140 Men.. tell the
same story in more measured language. 1903 Morley Glad-
stone III. vm. x. 176 In the debate, said Mr. Gladstone,
Lord Hartington restated with measured force the position
of the government.
Hence Measuredness.
1854 Faber Growth in Holiness xiv. (1872) 201 How the
world admires . . measuredness of words !
Measuredly (me-gitudli), adv. [f. Measured
ppl. a. + -ly 2.]
1. With measured movement or pace.
MEASUREB.
1826 J. Banim Tales O'Hara F. Ser. 11. II. 263 He..
gave, slowly and measuredly, his ' Sarvent, Miss '. 1865
Carlyle Fredk. Gt. xvill. ix. (1872) VII. 263 That..aS
vances with its eyes open, measuredly, counting its steps.
1872 Lever Ld. Kilgobbin liv, His heart could beat more
measuredly.
2. In some measure, rare.
i860 Ruskin Mod. Paint. V. ix. viii. § 1. 281, I can enter
measuredly into the feelings of Correggio.
Measureless (me's'iulus), a. [f. Measure
sb. + -less.] Having no bounds or limits; un-
limited, immeasurable, infinite.
1 ,3l™ L,ANGL' J"' Pi- A- '"• 23' P«- is a Meede Mesure-
les bat Maystrie desyret. a 1541 Wyatt Ps. cii. Prol. 18
Here hath he comfort when he doth measure Measureless
mercye to measureless faulte. 1591 Spenser Tears of Muses
516 To see thee, and thy mercie measurelesse. 1607 Shaks.
,?f' v' v'\103 Measurelesse Lyar. 1797 Coleridge Kubla
Ahan 29 The caverns measureless to man. 1866 Liddon
Bampt. Led. vi. (1875) 307 God is parted from ihe highest
forms of created life by a measureless interval. 1887 Morris
Odyss. ix. 537 He. .put forth his measureless might.
Hence Measurelessly adv., immeasurably, in-
finitely ; Mea'surelessness, immeasurableness.
1839 Bailey Festus vi. (1852) 77 Joy even in thine
anguish ;— such was His, But measurelessly more. 1854
J. S. C Abbott Napoleon (1855) H. xiii. 235 The measure-
lessness of the calamity. 1863 Geo. Eliot Romola 1. xix,
feigned and preposterous admiration varied by a corre-
sponding measurelessness in vituperation. 1887 Dowdkn
Shelley I. ix. 435 The man whose life— measurelessly dear
to her— seemed to be placed in her hands.
t Mea-surely, a. Obs. rare. [f. Measure sb.
+ -ly 1.] a. Moderate, b. ? Symmetrical.
1573 Tusser Husb. (1878) 21 Yet measurely feasting with
neighbors among, shal make thee beloued. 1829 Lasdor
Imag. Conv., Steele $ Addison Wks. 1S53 "■ 152/2 His
wig even and composed as his temper, with measurely curls
and antithetical top-knois.
tMea'SUrely, adv. north. Obs. In 5 me-
sur(e)ly, -li, -le, -like. [Formed as prec. +'-ly^.J
Moderately.
c 1400 Cato's Morals 85 in Cursor M. p. 1670 Loke bou
spende mesureli be gode bat bou liuis hi. c 1400 Rule St.
Benet 8 Ye ne sal noht be prude in heite ; Ne ete our-
milcil ; . . Mesurlike slepe. a 1460 How Good H'if thaught
hir Daughter 53 in Ha/I. E. P. P. I. 183 Mesurely take tlier
offe, that the falle no blame.
Measurement (me^'fiiment). [f. Measure
v. + -me.nt. Cf. OF. mesurement.]
1. The action or an act of measuring ; mensu-
ration.
1751 Labelye U'eslm. Br. 88, I was exempted .. from
having any Concern with Measurements. 1776 Gibbon
Decl. <y F. xi. I. 304 The extent of the new walls . . is re-
duced by accurate measurement to about twenty-one miles.
1843 Penny Cycl. XXVII. 196/2 A greater uniformity has
prevailed in the measurement of angular magnitude than of
any other whatsoever. 1866 Crump Banking viii. 160 A
commodity employed for the measurement of the value in
exchange of all other articles.
2. A dimension ascertained by measuring; size
or extent measured by a standard.
1756 Burke Subl. $• B. in. iv, It seems amazing to me, that
artists .. have not by them at all times accurate measurements
of all sorts of beautiful animals to help them to proper pro-
portions. 1823 J. Badcock Doiu. Amusem. 21 Iron vessels,
within the measurement allowed by law. 1880 Haughton
Phys. Geog. ii. 30 This measurement is very important, as
shewing the deep soundings which occur close to the western
coasts of both Americas.
3. A system of measuring or of measuies.
1867 Brande & Cox Diet. Sci. etc. III. 808/1 The new
measurement is universally adopted for vessels registered
under the Board of Trade ;. .but pleasure yachts still, .cling
to the O. M. or old measurement. 1872 [see Lineal rt. 1 b].
4. attrib. : measurement goods, goods upon
which the freight is charged by measurement
instead of by weight ; so measurement cargo.
1858 Simmonds Diet. Trade. 1896 Daily News 9 Nov. 7/6
The measurement cargo which the vessel will carry is 18,000
tons, while her dead-weight cargo is down at 11,500 tons.
Measurer (me'3'ur3j). [f. Measure v. + -er '.]
1. One who measures or takes measurements ;
esp. one whose duty or office it is to see that goods
or commodities are of the proper measure.
1552 Huloet, Measurer, dimensor. 1570 Dee Math.
Pref. aiij b, To vnderstand . . how Farre, a thing seene. .is
from the measurer. 1616 Surfl. & Markh. Country Farm
519 The second instrument verie necessarily required for
the Measurer to measure assuredly withall. .is the Richards
chayne. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey) s.v. Alnager, There
are three distinct Officers, known by the Names of Searcher,
Measurer and Alnager. 1875 Proctor Expanse Heav. 241
The measurer of the moon's distance.
b. Jig. (Said esp. of the sun, as measuring time.)
1556 J. Heywood Spider <$• F. xcii. 76 This mayde right
mesurer to me Is, As I to other haue mesurde wrong. 1576
Fleming Panopl. Epist. 352 The foure quarters [of the year]
. .whichewe knowe to be the measurer and meaterof our life.
1641 Howell Vote, Poem to Chas. 1 1 The world's bright
Ey, Time's measurer. 1874 Sayce Compar. Philol. viii. 333
When we call the moon ' the measurer ' we at once per-
sonify it.
c. That which is the measure of (something).
1775 [see Measure v. 7].
2. An instrument used for measuring, as a rain-
gauge, an hour-glass.
1764 Harmer Observ. i. 2 The flat-roof of any building
that hath but one spout for carrying on" the water, might be
a measurer of the different quantities of the fallen rain. 1771
102
MEASURING.
282
MEAT.
Barker in Phil. Trans, LXI. 227 The height my rain mea-
surer stands above the ground. 1821 Clare Vill. Minstr.
II. 162 [An hour-glass] Old-fashioned uncouth measurer of
the day. 1877 Heat-Measurer [see Heat sb. 14 b].
8. A measuring-worm ; = Geometer 4.
(Cf. Land-measurer 2.)
Measuring (me^'urirj), vbl. sb. [f. Measure
V. + -ING *.]
1. The action of the vb. Measure; the process of
taking measurements; measurement, mensuration.
1340 Ham pole Pr. Consc. 7692 Bot swa sutelle and wise
may na man be, pat bat mesuryng knawes swa wele als he.
1461 in totk Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 301 The
wakman of the saide citie . . shall have the mesuring of salte
and corne. 1598 Shaks. Merry W. 11. i. 215.^ 1656 H.
Phillips Purck. Patt. (1676) Bviij, This measuring by the
Pole.. is very inconvenient. 1709 J. Ward Introd. Math.
I. ii. (1734) 21 Division is by Euclid fitlytermed the measur-
ing of one Number by another. 1844 Stephens Bk. Farm
II. 275 The measuring up of grain. tSg^Athenjrum 23 Sept.
423/3 The yearly measurings and observations.
T 2. Dimension. Obs.
1539 More Dyaloge 11. Wks. 188/1 Thei be not cyrcum-
scribed in place, for lack of bodily dymencion and measur-
ing. 1597 A. M. tr. Guillcmeatfs Pr, Chirurg. 2/1 Shee hath
a threefoulde measuringe, in length, bredthe, and debthe.
T 3. Dancing of ( measures '. Obs.
1599 Marston Sco. Villanie 1. i, Hath been at feasts, and
led iht measuring At Court.
4. attrib. esp. in the names 01* various instruments
and vessels graduated for purposes of measurement,
as measuring-chain} -foot, -glass, -line, -pole, -reed,
•rod (also fig.), -rule, -staff, -tape, f-yard;
f measuring-money (see quot.) ; measuring-
wheel, (i)=Hoix>mkter; (2) =CiRCiTMFERENToii 2
(Knight Diet. Meek. 1875).
1875 Knight Diet. Mech. 1413/2 * Measuring-chain, the
Surveyor's chain. 1665 J. Webb Stone-Hcng (1725) 24 The
Difference between our 'measuring Foot, and the Vicentine.
184a Francis Diet. Arts, * Measuring Glass. 1870 Dickens
E. Drood xiii, The small squat measuring glass in which
little Rickitts took her steel drops daily. 1611 Bible
Zeeh. ii. 1 A man with a "measuring line in his hand. 1706
Phillips (ed. Kersey), * Measuring-Money, a certain Duty
formerly laid upon Cloth besides Alnage. 1774 M. Mac-
kenzie Maritime Surv. 104 At the End of each Chain, or
*Measuring-pole. 1611 Bible Ezek. xlii. 17 Hee measured
the North side fiue hundreth reedes, with a *measuring
reed round about. 1656 H. Phillips Purch. Patt. (1676J
197 Your "measuring Rod. 1870 J. H. Newman Gram. As-
sent 11. 476 Does Gibbon think to sound the depths of the
eternal ocean with the tape and measuring-rod of his merely
literary philosophy? 1842 59 Gwilt Archit.% 2212 The
plumber's 'measuring rule is 2 feet long. 1884 Athenaeum
8 Nov. 586/3 The theodolites, *ineasuring-staves, and plane*
tables. 18*5 P. Nicholson Pr.tct. Build. 386 The "Mea-
suring-tape is a kind of strong tape, graduated, marked,
and coiled up by a little winch into a cylindrical box. 1728
R. Morris Ess. Auc. Archit. Advt, Plane-Tables, Water-
Levels, "Measuring- Wheels. 184a Francis Diet. Arts,
Perambulator^ or Measuring Wheel, an instrument which
being run along a road or other level surface indicates and
registers the exact distance it passes over. 1760-72 H.
Brooke Fool o/Qual. (1809) III. 19 She whipt up the
"measuring yard, and. .flew to the door.
b. Measuring cast : (a) lit. in the sport of
throwing the bar, a throw so nearly equal to
another that measurement is required to decide the
superiority (? obs.) ; (b) fig. a nice question, a
ticklish point ; a 'toss-up {arch.).
1632 Strafford in Browning Life (1892) 301 As if it weare
a measuring cast, betwixt them, whoe weare like to proue
the greater loosers vpon the parting. 1645 Waller On
Fletcher's Plays Poems 179 When lusty shepheards throwe
The barre by turnes, and none the rest out goe So farre but
that the best are measuring casts, a 1661 Fuller Worthies
(1840) III. 161 It is a measuring cast, whether this proverb
pertatneth to Essex or this county. 171a Addison Speet.
No. 538 l» 5 Yet I thought some in the Company had been
endeavouring who should pitch the Bar farthest ; that it
had for some time been a measuring Cast, and at last my
Friend.. had thrown beyond them all. 1898 Sir W. Har-
court in Times 18 Jan. 10/3 That majority you have suc-
ceeded in reducing to a measuring cast.
Measuring,/// a. [-IXG 2*1 That measures.
1570 Billingsley Euclid 126 The number 5. is a part of the
number 15... And this kyndeof part is called commonly pars
metiens or mensurans, that is, a measuryng part.
b. Measuring-worm : the larva of a geometrid
moth ; a geometer or looper.
1859 Clemens in Ann. Rep. Smithson. Inst. 186 The geo-
meters, properly so called, or measuring worms. 1884
Riverside Nat. Hist. (1888) II. 445.
Hence Measuringly adv., as if taking a person's
1 measure '.
1879 Miss Bird Rocky Mountains 44 A hard, sad-looking
woman looked at me measuringly.
Meat (nut), sb. Forms : 1 mete, m8et(e, mett,
2-8 mete, 3 maete, 4-5 meite, mett, meyte, 4-6
raeet(e, met(te, 4-7 meyt, 5 maite, mate,
meett, {pi. meyttes, -is), 5-7 maate,meit, 6 St.
meitt, 5- meat. [OE. ?nete str. masc. = OFris.
met{e, mett, OS. meti masc, mat neut., OHG. mag
neut, ON. mat-r masc. (Sw. mat. Da. mad), Goth.
mat-s :— OTeut. types *?nati-z, *mato-, prob. repr.
an original neuter *matoz~,-iz-;— y>re-Te\it.*mados-,
-es~, perh. f. root *med- to be fat : see Mast sb.%
The LG. and Du. met minced meat (whence Du. met-
ivorst, G. mettwurst sausage) is prob. unconnected ; cf.
med.L. matia pi., tripe.]
1. Food in general ; anything used as nourish-
ment for men or animals ; usually, solid food, in
contradistinction to drink. Now arch, and dial.
Green meat', grass or green vegetables used for food or
fodder (see Green a. 4). See also Hard meat, Horse-
meat, Whitemeat. Meal of meat, meaCs meat '. see Meal
sb? 1 e.
a 900 tr. Bxda^s Hist. v. iv. (Schipper) 568 He eode on
his hus & baer mete [v.r. msete] byjede. cgj$Rushw. Gosp.
Luke xii. 23 Sawel mara is Sonne mett. a 1050 Liber
Scintill. xlvii. (1889) 153 Nys rice godes meta & drinc.
c 1175 Lamb. Horn. 135 Ne sculen 3e nawiht simstones
leggen Swinen to mete, c 1200 Ormin 3213 Hiss drinnch
wass waterr a?3 occ a33, Hiss mete wilde rotess. a 1240
Lofsong in Cott. Horn. 205 Ich habbe i*suneged ine mete
and ine drunche. a 1300 Cursor M. 898 Mold sal be bi
mete for nede. c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 206 Alas, bat so
gret cost & bisynesse is sette abouten be roten body, bat
is wonnes mete, c 1440 Pol. Rel. <y L. Poems (1003) 185
Thy mete shall be mylk, honye, & wyne. 1477 Norton
Ord. Alch. v. in Ashm. (1652) 76 Without Liquor no Meate
is good. 1578 Lvte Dodoens 11. xlvi. 205 These kindes of
lilhes are neither used in meate nor medicine. 1623 Cock-
eram 11, Meate of the Gods, Ambrosia, Manna. 1693 Tate
in Dryden's Juvenal xv. (1697) 378 Who Flesh of Animals
refus'd to eat, Nor held all sorts of Pulsefor lawful Meat.
1775 Johnson* Journ. W. Isl. 86 Our guides told us, that
the horses could not travel all day without rest or meat,
1794 C Smith Wanderings of Wartviek 66 Sending out
women and children, after a hard day's work, to collect meat
for the cattle. 1819 Shelley P. Bell VH, v. 4 He had.,
meat and drink enough. 1844 Stephens Bk. Farm II. 709
Meat is then set down to them on a flat plate, consisting of
crumbled bread and oatmeal. 1893 Stevenson Catriona
xxi. 253 When, .my father and my uncles lay in the hill,
and I was to be carrying them their meat. 1902 Daily
Chron. 12 Dec. 5/6 Imports of fruit and other choice green-
meat.
b. fig* in various applications. (Also in many
passages of the Bible, e.g. John iv. 32, 34, 1 Cor.
iii. 2, Heb. v. 12, and in allusions to these.) To
be meat and drink to (a person) : to be a source
of intense enjoyment to.
c 1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 27 pe bridde is for mete bat ilch
man agh mid him to leden pan he sal of besse Hue faren, bat
is cristes holie licame. a 1340 Ham pole Psalter vii. 5 Syn-
ful mannys lif is the deuels mete. 1497 Bp. Alcock Mons
Perfect. Cjb/2 Obedyence is.. the meete and comforte of
all sayntes. 1533 Frith Anstu. Afore Ej, It ys meate and
drinke to this cnilde to plate. 1600 Shaks. A. Y. L. v. i,
11 It is meat and drinke to me to see a Clowne. 1620 T.
Granger Dn>. LogUce 20 Idlenes is the meate of lust. 1693
Humours Town 5 Petty-foggers, and their Meat and Drink,
the Litigious. 1837 Carlyle Misc., Mirabeau (1840) V.
139 But then his style !. .Strong meat, too tough for babes.
1855 Browning Era Lippo 315 To find its meaning is my
meat and drink.
c. Proverbs and phrases.
a 15*9 S k elton Col. Chute 450 Swete meate hath soure
sauce. 1546 J. Heywood Prov. (1867) 8 God neuer sendth
mouth, but he sendeth meat. 1597 Shaks. 2 Hen. IV, it. iv.
135, I am meat for your Master. 1616 T. Dpaxe Bibl.
Seholast. 127 One mans meate is another mans poyson.
a 1623 Fletcher Love's Cure in. ii. What's one mans
poyson, Signior, Is anothers meat or drinke. 1749 Fielding
Tom Jones xi. viii, My lady is meat for no pretenders. 1809
Malkin Gil Bias x. ix, Why must one man's meat be
another man's poison?
f d. Phr. To carry meat in one's (or the) mouth,
to bring in money, be a source of profit; occas. to
afford entertainment or instruction. Obs.
Perh. originally said of a hawk.
1580 G. Harvey Three Lett. Wks. (Grosart) I. 92 Those
studies and practizes, that carrie, as they saye, meate in
their mouth, hauing euermore their eye vpponthe Title De
pane lucrando, and their hand vpon their halfpenny. 1581
Stanyhurst /Flneis Ded. (Arb.) 7, I neauer.. omitted yt
\sc. Virgil's epithet Saturnia applied to Juno], as in deede
a terme that carieth meate in his mouth. 1592 Greene
Disput. Conny-catchers Wks. (Grosart) X. 269 The oldest
lecher was as welcom as the youngest louer, so he broght
meate in his mouth. 1599 B. Jonson Cynthia's Rev. v. ii,
A gentleman of so pleasing and ridiculous a carriage, as,
euen standing, carries meat in the mouth, you see. 1668
Kirkman Eng. Rogue 11. xxxvii. (1671) 3^6 He bringing
meat in his mouth, good store of Gold in his pocket, which
he willingly and freely gave me.
e. The edible part of fruits, nuts, eggs, etc. :
the pulp, kernel, yolk and white, etc. in contra-
distinction to the rind, peel, or shell. ? Now only
U.S. exc. in proverbial phrase (see quot. 1592).
Also, the animal substance of a shell-fish.
c 1420 Pallad. on Husb. 111. 708 A stanry pere is seyd to
chaunge his mete In esy lond ygraffed yf he be. 1530
Palsgr. 245/1 Meate of any frute, le bou. a xs6a G. Caven-
dish Wolsey (1893) 30 A very fayer orrynge wherof the mete
or substaunce within was taken owt. 159a Shaks. Rom. «$■
Jul. 111. L 25 Thy head is as full of quarrels, as an egge is
full of meat. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 506 Of the
meat of the Nut dried, they make oyle. 1679 J. Skeat
Art Cookery 30 First take all the meat out of the lobster.
1766 Museum Rust. I. lxxxiii. 370 Low or swampy grounds
don't answer well for potatoes,, .the meat being generally
scabby, close, wet and heavy. 1801 Paley Nat. Theol. xx.
(1819) 313 note, The meat of a plum. 1900 Boston Even.
Transcr. 29 Mar. 7/3 Force through a meat chopper with
one-half pound nut-meats, using English walnut meats,
pecan-nut meats. 190a Fortn. Rev. June 1012 A bit of
crab-meat.
+ 2. A kind of food, an article of food, a (dish\
White meat, an article of food made with milk.
Obs. (Cf. Bake-meat, Milk-meat, Sweet-meat.)
c 897 K. ^Elfred Gregory's Past. C. xliii. 318 Da mettas be
God self jesceop to etonne fcdMtTullum monnum. c 1200
Ormin 1 1540 patt time patt himm ;et wass ned To metess &
to drinnchess. 1340 Ayenb. 51 A god huet we hedde guod
wyn yesteneuen and guode metes, c 1374 Chaucer Boeth.
n. met. v, 35 (Camb. MS.), They heldyn hem apayed with
the metes pat the trewe feeldes browten forth, c 1470
Henry Wallace 111 315 Hc.Maide him gud cheyr of
meyttis fresche and fyne. 1519 Interl. Four Elem. (Percy
Soc.) 34 Of all metes in the worlde that be By this lyght,
I love best drynke. 1565 Cooper Thesaurus, Coecetum,
a meate made of honie and popie seede. 1598 Florio,
Geladia, . . the meate we call gellie . 1613 Purchas Pilgrim-
age {1614) 200 They must not vse the same knife to meats
made of milk, which they vsed in eating flesh. 1667 Pepys
Diary 2 Sept., In discourse at dinner concerning the change
of men's humours and fashions touching meats. 17*6 Swift
Gulliver w. vi, He desired I would let him know, what
these costly meats were.
fig. 1601 B. Jonson Poetaster v. i, Shun Plavtus and old
Ennivs ; they are meates Too harsh for a weake stomacke.
3. The flesh of animals used for food ; now
chiefly in narrower sense = Butcher's meat, Flesh
sb. 4, in contradistinction to fish and poultry.
Dark meat (U. S.) : 'all the meat of chickens and turkeys,
except the breast and wings, these being called light meat '
(Webster Su/pl. 1880).
X3.. E. E. Allit. P. B. 637 pe burncby fce bred settez
Mete. 1. 1460 Fortescue Als. <V Lim. Mon. x. (1685) 132
In Fraunce the peple salten but lytill mete, except thair
bacon. 1590 Shaks. Co?rt. Err. 11. ii. 57 S. Dro. I tlunke the
meat wants that I haue. ^7^.. .What s that? S. Dro. Bast-
ing. 1636 Stanley Hist. Philos. vm. (1701) 298/*! He
Water drinks, then Broth and Herbs doth eat, To Live, his
Scholars teaching, without Meat. 1727 Arbuthnot Tables
Anc. Coins, etc. xviii. 190 The Vectigal Macelli,& tax
upon Meat. 1793 Beddoes Sea Scurvy 59 Considering
fresh meat, or the muscular part of animals, chemically, 1
[etc.]. x8a8 Lytton Disenvned Introd. 8 And, harkye, Bedos
. . if you eat a grain of meat I discharge you. A valet, Sir,
is an ethereal Leing, and is only to be nourished upon
chicken ! 1856 ' Stonehence ' Brit. Sports 182 Thickened
milk and broth, the latter with the meat of the sheep's head
broken up in it. 1881 Daily A'etvs 16 Sept. 5/4 Wild ass and
antelope meat are also brought in for sale. 1883 Moloney
Fisheries W. Afr. 56 The cleaning, pickling, and drying pro-
cess only requires ten days, when the fish, sometimes two
or three inches thick in the meat, is ready for export,
b. //. Different kinds of meat.
1693 Congreve in Dryden's Juvenal xt. 22 In Shambles ;
where with borrow'd Coin They buy choice Meats, and in
cheap plenty dine. 1841 Lane Arab. Ats. I. no And took
to him wine to drink, and boiled meats. 1903 Westm. Gaz.
4 June 7/3 Within a fortnight the price of meats all over the
country will be reduced.
C. colloq. ox slang, (a) To make meat of '1 to kill.
{b) Something enjoyable or advantageous.
a 2848 Ruxton Life in Far West (1849) 4 Poor Bill Bent !
them Spaniards made meat of him. 1886 Century Mag.
XXXII. 701/1 There was meat in the idea, and the pro-
fessor chewed it. 1897 Westm. Gaz. 28 Dec. 7/1 There is
a good deal of meat for the actors.
d. Applied proleptically to living animals such
as are killed for food ; in early use chiefly in fwild
meat ~ *garae\ In modern hunting use {U.S.)
one's quarry or prey.
1539 Edinb. Burgh Rec. (1871) II. 9 Nochtwithstanding
William Cawder has..coft certane pluveris and vther wild
meit incontrare the said statutis. 1550 Reg. Privy Council
Scot. I. 95 The gret and exhorbitant derth of the wyld mete
of this realme. 1624 Aberdeen Reg. (1848) II. 390 Great
superfluitie of vennisone and wyld meat of all sortis. 1851
Mayne Reid Scalp Hunt. iv. 26 Others, old hunters, had
the 'meat' in their eye. 1884 Century Mag. Dec. 198/2
The ram was my meat.
transf 1882 *Mark Twain' Innoc. at Home iii, Come
along— you're my meat now, my lad, anyway.
+ 4. A meal, repast, feast. Sometimes used for
the principal meal, dinner. Obs. exc. as in b.
a 1 175 Cott. Horn. 237 ?ief he frend were me sceolde ^tef
him his mor3e mete pat he be bet mihte abide bane more
mete. 1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 6632 pou shuldest
nat forgete pe pore man at by mete. 138a Wyclif Luke
xiv. 12 Whanne thou makist a mete ether souper, nyle thou
clepe thi frendis [etc.]. c 1386 Chaucer Prol. 348 After the
sondry sesons of the yeer, So chaunged he his mete and his
soper. 1431-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) II. 167 Whiche vse mony
diversities of meites at a meite. a 1483 Liber Niger in
Househ. Ord. (1790) 32 At the furst or latter mete. 1868
Morris Earthly Par.t Man born to be king Argt. 50 And
presently, the meat being done, He bade them bring him to
his throne.
b. In various prepositional phrases (now some-
what arch.): At meat (ME. at pe, at te mete), fat
meat and meal : at table, at ones meals. Simi-
larly, after meat, before meatt f to go to meat, etc.
a 1175 Cott. Horn. 231 &er banne we mid ure frienden to
5e mete go. t 1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 67 Drinke o ti^e atte
mete and noht ber after. 1197 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 1217 After
mete as ri^t was be menestraus eode aboute. c 1386 Chaucer
Sqr.'s T. 165 This knyght. .is vnarmed and vnto mete yset.
1390 Gower Conf. I. 205 He sente Unto the Senatour to
come.. and. .sitte with him at the mete. 14*5 in Entick
London (1766) IV. 354 Everyday, both at meet and soupier,
they eat.. within the said almes-house. 1470-85 Malory
Arthur x.Ixxviii, 551 Whyle we ar at oure mete. 1596 Bp.
W. Barlow Three Serm. iii. 117 At sitting downe and
rising from meat, they give him thankes. 1599 Nashe Lent.
Stuffe 47 And then they might be at meate and meale for
seuen weekes togither. 1607 Shaks. Cor. iv. vii. 3 Your
Soldiers vse him as the Grace Tore meate, Their talke at
Table, and their Thankes at end. x6xi Bible Luke xxii.
27 For whether is greater, hee that sitteth at meat, or
hee that serueth? 1621 Fletcher Pilgrim 11. ii, He's
within at meat, sir ; The knave is hungry. 1853-8 Haw-
thorne Eng. Note-bks. II. 135 Those who sit at meat.
1880 Howells Undisc. Country ii. 44 She sat long at meat,
morning, noon, and night.
MEAT
283
MEATUS.
5. attrib. and Comb. : a. simple attrib. as meat-
axe, -broth, -cupboard, -diet, -dish, -extract, -hook,
■inspection, -jack { = Jack sb.1 7), -juice, -pie, -pud-
ding, -salesman, -saw, -solution, -stock, + -stomach,
-supper, -trade, -tub, -vessel, b. objective, as
meat-eater, -eating, -hungry adj., \ keeping,
f -reiver, c. instrumental, as meat-fed adj.
183s Haliburton Clockm. Scr. i. (1862) 237 She was. .as
wicked as a "meat-axe. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., ''Meat broth,
..the fluid obtained by boiling meat for many hoursin
water. 1610-11 in Arte. Invent. (Halliw. 1854) 75 The
•meat cubberd, with plate. 1564 P. Moore Hope Health \.
it 3 A "mete diet may sone bee serched out. 1879 St.
George's Hosp. Rep. IX. 601 The patient .. was ordered
meat-diet. 14. . Nom. in Wr.-Wiikker 720/8 Hie escarinus,
a "metdysch. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VIII. 557 The
worst instances are found, .in large "meat-eaters and topers.
Ibid. VI. 342 Beef-tea, "meat extracts and essences. -should
be sparely used. 1896 Kipling Seven Sens 51 To our
five-meal, "meat-fed men. 184s Emerson Lect. Tran-
scend. Wks.(Bohn) II. 289 The martyrs were sawn asunder,
or hung alive on *meat-hooks. 1873 E. W. TARxTredgoltfs
Carpentry 286 Meat-hooks are large wrought-iron hooks,
generally tinned over, having a screw on one end, which
is driven into a beam in the ceiling of a larder. 1893
Selous Trav. S. E. Africa 73 Crowds of "meat-hungry
Mashunas. 1843 Carlyle Past tt Pr. ni. iv, An unfor-
tunate rusty "Meat-jack, gnarring and creaking with rust
and work. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., *Meat juice, the red
fluid obtained by squeezing raw flesh ; used as a nutrient.
c 1440 Promp. Parv. 10/1 Almery of *mete kepynge, or a
saue for mete, cibutum. 1773 Johnson in Boswcllo. Apr.,
I generally have a "meat pye on Sunday. 185a Dickens
Bleak Ho. xl, He retires to the servants' hall to regale on
cold meat-pie and ale. i860 O. W. Holmes Elsie V.y'n.
(1891) 97 A mince pie, — or meat-pie, as it is more forcibly
called in the .. villages. 1858 Simmonds Diet. Trade,
Meat-pie, * Meat-pudding, meat covered or encased with
dough. 1500-20 Dunbar Poems lxiii. 44 Innoportoun askaris
of Yrland kynd ; And *meit revaris. 1851 in Illustr. Lond.
News 5 Aug. (1854) 119/2 "Meat-salesman. 187s Knight
Diet. Mech., * Meat-saw, a saw with a thin blade strained
in an iron frame, used by butchers. 1877 tr. von Ziemssen's
Cycl. Med. VII. 458 Only the most easily digestible diet,
such as milk, "meat-solution, &c. should be allowed. 1883
'Annie Thomas' Mod. Housewife 53 Half-a-pint of any
kind of "meat-stock. 159a Nashe P. Penilesse (Shaks. Soc.)
48 There being one joynt of flesh on the table for such as
had *meate stomackes. 1577 tr. Bullinger's Decades y.
1064 It [the Lord's Supper] differeth from our ordinarie
"meate suppers, .for yl it is specially instituted by the sonne
of God. 1875 Knight Diet. Mech., 'Meat-tub, a tub for
holding pickled meat. 1483 Cath. Angl. 238/2 A *Mele
wesselle, escale.
6. Special comb. : t meat-ambry, a cupboard
for keeping food ; a meat safe ; meat-biscuit,
a biscuit made with concentrated meat ; meat-
chamber, a refrigerating chamber in ocean steam-
ships for the purpose of transporting fresh meat to
Europe {CasselPs Encycl. Diet., 1885); + meat-
cloth, ?a table-cloth; meat-crusher, 'a pair of
rollers for tendering steak ' (Knight Diet. Mech.
1875) ! meat-earth dial., good and fertile soil ;
t meat-failer [cf. quots. under Fail tr. 7] , one who
lacks meat, a starveling; f meat-fellow, f -fere, a
companion at meat, a guest; meat-flour, beef
dried at a low temperature and ground into a fine
powder {Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890) ; meat-fly, a blue-
bottle fly; fmeat-form, a form on which to sit
at one's meals ; meat-fruit, the fruit of Arto-
carpus incisa {Syd. Soc. Lex.) ; f meat-giving,
the providing of meals ; f meat-grace, a grace
used before or after meat; meat-hale Sc. and
north, dial. =* meat-whole (see E. D. D.) ; f meat-
hanger, ? a hanging shelf for a larder ; f meat-
herring ? = Matie ; meat-hunter U. S., one who
hunts game for profit ; f meat-like a. Sc, having
the appearance of being well-fed ; meat lozenge, a
lozenge made with concentrated meat ; + meat
lust {-list), appetite for food ; meat maggot, the
larva of the meat-fly ; meat man, meatsman,
t (a) one who provides food, a caterer ; f ffl °ne
who eats meat ; (c) one who sells meat ; meat
market, t (a) a market where food of any kind is
sold; (b) a market for butcher's meat; meat meall,
a meal of which meat forms the chief part ; meat-
meal 2, meat dried and ground into powder for
cattle; meat-offering, a sacrifice consisting of
food ; in versions of the Bible from the 16th c. used
to render Heb. rrroo minhah, which meant an
offering consisting of fine flour or parched corn and
oil (R. V. ' meal-offering ') ; + meat pipe, the
oesophagus; j meat-place, a place for eating, a
refectory; meat-poisoning, poisoning by eating
decomposed meat ; meat- rail, a wooden rail for
supporting meat in a larder ; meat rocker, a
mincing knife having a handle at each end, and
worked by a rocking motion (Knight Diet. Mech.
Suppl. 1884) ; meat safe, (a) a cupboard for
storing meat, usually made of wire gauze or
perforated zinc ; also sometimes applied to a
wire gauze cover for meat; (b) trans/, a name
given to a kind of hat; meat screen, a metal
screen placed behind roasting meat to reflect back
[ the heat of the fire ; f meat table, (a) a dining-
table ; {b) a table on which meat is cut up in
preparation for cooking; f meat-taking, the taking
of food, eating ; meat tea, a tea at which meat is
served, a high tea ; f meat time = Mealtime ;
i meat-washing attrib. or adj. {Path. ), applied to
the appearance of the stools in the second stage of
, dysentery, when they assume the character of a
I reddish fluid containing small flesh-like lumps ;
f meat-while, the time of taking food; meal
time ; + meat whitch, a chest or box for keeping
meat ; meat-whole, dial, having a good appetite
for food; f meat- will, a craving for food ; f meat-
worth a. Sc. = meat-like. Also Meat-board.
1457 Peebles Charters, etc. (1872) 119 Alssua a "met amri
! and wessal ammari. 1548 Burgh Rec. Edmb. (1871) II. 136
Ane meit almarye to xtiiLr. 185a J. Bell in Lect. CI.
Exhib. 141 Mr. Borden's "meat-biscuit — a convenient form
of animal food in a concentrated and portable state. 1499
Yatton Churchw. Ace. (Som. Rec. Soc.) 122 A "mete clothe
and a ryng. 1494 in Somerset Med. Wills (1901) 323 A Mete
cloth and iij tuels. 1778 Prvce Min. Coruub. 324 ''Meal-
Earth, soil ; the superficial earth, fit for agriculture, i860
Eng. A> For. Min. Gloss. (Cornw. Terms), Meat earth, the
vegetable mould. 1599 Porter Angry Worn. Abitigt.
(Percy Soc.) 21 Oh, this "meale failer Dlcke ! 138a WYCLIP
2 Sam. xix. 28 Forsothe thou puttist me thi seruaunt among
thi "meetfelawis [1388 gestis] of thi bord. — Dan. xiv. 1
I Danyel was "meete feere of the kyng. iZ^oCuvier's Anim.
! Kingd. 633 Musca vomiloria, Linn., the Common "Meat
Fly. 1861 Hulme tr. Moqnin-Tandon 11. iv. i. 237 The
Blue or Meat Fly (Calliphora Vomitoria) is one of the
largest species found in France, a 1400 Octavian 1245
Whene his swerde brokene was, A "meteforme he gatt par
cas. 138a Wvclif Ecclus. xxxvii. 32 Wile thou not ben
gredy in alle plenteuous "mete 3yuyng [Vulg. in omni
epulatione]. a 1225 Aucr. R. 426 }if heo ne kunnen nout
be *mete graces, siggen in hore stude Pater noster & Aue
Maria biuoren mete. 1626 \11Anc. Invent. (Halliw. 1854) 99
Item, a square "meate hanger. ij$SDescr.Thames 227 The
( "Meat Herring, which is likewise large, but not so thick
I nor so fat as the former [Fat Herring]. 1889 Harper's Mag.
May 878/1 The "meat-hunters are still devoting their atten-
tion to the killing of larger game. 1762 Br. Forbes Jrul.
(1886) 216 You see I am "meat-like and cloath-like, as we
say in Scotland. 1903 Longm. Mae-. July 129, I took only
some tins of Brand's essence of beef, chocolate, "meat-
lozenges [etc.]. 1578 Lyte Dodoens v.xxxv. 597 The Rampion
I eaten with vineger and salt stirreth up appetite or "meate-
lust. 1746 Exmoor Courtship 560 (E. D. S.) And cham
1 come to my Meat list agen. 1567 Maplet 6>. Forest 89
He is as good a "meates man and Catour for him selfe, as
anything liuing is. 1606 Holland Sueton. 220 A great feeder
and meate-man by report he was. 1551 Robinson tr. Mare's
Utop. 11. (1895) 157 "Meate markettes, whether be brought
not onlye all sortes of herbes, and the fruites of trees with
breade, but also fishe. 1856 Farmer's Mag. Jan. 9 The
Christmas meat-markets. 1896 Allbutt's Syst. Med. I. 465
A substantial "meat meal should be provided for breakfast
and dinner. 1898 Westm. Gaz. 8 Oct. 4/2 The residue is
dried and ground into "meat meal for cattle feeding. 1535
Coverdale Num. vii. 13 Full of fyne floure niyngTed with
oile for a "meatofferinge. 1611 Bible Lev. ii. 14. 1633 P.
Fletcher Purple 1st. n. xxxi. marg., The Oesophagus or
"meat-pipe. 1755 Johnson, Gullet . . the meat-pipe. 1483
Cath. Angl. 238/1 A "Mete place, esculentum. 1875 tr.
von Ziemssen's Cycl. Med. I. 50 There is a particular disease
produced by "meat-poisoning. 1842GWILT Archil. §2285.614
Fittings for larder, Two "meat rails, 6 feet long, of wrought fir,
. .suspended from wrought iron stirrups. 1836-9 Dickens .y£.
Boz, Boarding-ho. i, There were "meat-safe-looking blinds
in the parlour windows. 1840 — Old C. Shop xxxvi, The
candle-box, the salt-box, the meat-safe, were all padlocked.
i860 Heads <y Hats 23 Various strong-minded headshave
presented to our startled and derisive gaze, sundry' tiles ',
' wide-awakes ', ' meat-safes ', and a variety of things by
courtesy called 'hats'. 1830 Marrvat King's Own xli,
Knife-tray, "meat-screen. 14.. Nom. in Wr.-WOlcker 729/7
Hec escaria, a "mettabylle. 1485 Naval Ace. Hen. VII
(1896)51 Moldyng trowghes.J, lanteres..x, Mete tables.,
i'j* *435 Misyn Fire of Love 11. x, God we awe to loyf, And
in tyme of our "meet takynge & space be-twix morsels to
jeild him loueyngis with honily swetnes. i860 Sala Bad-
dington Peerage I. xi. 193 A good, hearty "meat tea. 1885
Black White Heather xxv, This high occasion was to be
celebrated by a ' meat-tea '. c 1400 Rule St. Benet 1 50 pair
sal scho sit in hir prayers vnto be "mete-tym. 1897 Allbutt's
Syst.Med.lll.g40 Inanycasethe '"meat-washing'character
of the stools.. should prevent a mistake. 1435 Misyn Fire
of Love 11. x, With desire in "meet qwhiel to jerne. c 1460
Smart 229 When the mete-whyle was doun, Into hys
chambur he wente soun. 1468 Medulla in Promp. Parv.
335 note, Cibutum, a "mete whyeche. 1599 True Report
etc. in Hakluyt's Voy. (1812) V. 36 In all but seven men
aboord the shippe that were "meat-whole. 1643 in Dalyell
Darker Superst. Scotl. (1834) 492-3 Ye sail have such ane
"meit-will and sail have nothing to eat. 1576 in Pitcairn
Crim. Trials (Bann. CI.) I. 53 Seis thow nocht me,
baith "meit-worth, claith-worth, and gude aneuch lyke in
persoun ?
Meat (mil), v. Now dial. [f. prec. sb. Cf.
late OE. metian to supply with food.]
1. trans. To feed, supply with food or provender.
1568 Jacob A> Esau n. iii. C iv, Well ywisse Esau, ye did
knowe well ynouw That I had as muche nede to be meated
as you. 1573 Tusser Husb. (1878) 139 Good husbandrie
meateth bis friend and the poore. c 1611 Chapman Iliad
xix. 196 Haste then, and meate your men. 1641 Best Farm.
Bks. (Surtees) 55 Those that trail the sweathrake have
usually 6d. a day, if they meate themselfes. 1686 tr. C liar-
din's Trav. Persia 385 They meat their Horses with Barley.
1776 C Keith Farmer's Ha' lix, But gae am' enow (quo'
he) And meat the horse. 1866 Rachel's Secret 1. 105 Besides
their own family, there were the five men whom they had to
' meat'. 1895 ' Q ' Wandering Heath 26 My father, .went
out to meat the pig.
2. intr. To feed, partake of food.
c 1410 Master of Game (MS. Digby 182) xxv, And euere,
as he stereth and passeth forth metynge, bei do drawe hem
nere hym [etc.]. 1889 Jokes Ser. 1. 11 (E.D.D.) In Aber-
deenshire where farm-servants ' meat' in the house.
Meat, obs. Sc. form of Mate sb.*
Meat(e, obs. forms of Meet a.
t Mea'table, a. Obs. [(. Meat sb. + -able.]
That can be used for food, edible.
1610 W. Folkingham Art of Survey 1. ii. 36 These Meate-
able Rootes, Parsnep, Carrot, Skirrot, Radish.
Meatal (mzVi'tal), a. [f. Meat-L'S + -al.] Of
or pertaining to a meatus.
1868 Owes Anat. Vertebr. III. 230 In the Hare the meatal
part of the tympanic is long. Ibid. 244 The meatal cartil-
age. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VIII. 108 We should ex-
Cect..that the perosseous hearing should be affected step
y step with the meatal.
t Meat-board. Gbs. [f. Meat sb. + Board
sb.] A table for food, a dining-table.
c 1205 Lay. 3638 Alle bai mete-burdes [c 1275 mete-horde*]
ibrustled mid golde. 1382 Wyclif Exod. xxv. 23 Thow
slialt make a meet bord [Vulg. mensam] of the trees of
Sichym. 1387TREVISA //^<zV«(Rolls)III .475 pe wode is my
mete horde [L. silvam pro meusa]. 1488 Durham Aec. Rolls
(Surtees) 99, j mete-bord. 157a Rec. Elgin (New Spald. CI.
1903) I. 135 Ane metbuird with the treslis and furmis thairof.
Meate, obs. form of Mete sb. and v.
Meated (rafted), a. [f. Meat sb. + -ed'-.]
In Comb, well-meated, (a) of animals, having
plenty of flesh ; {b) of cheese, rich in nutriment ;
open-meated, of cheese, juicy.
1573 Tlsser Husb. (1878) 37 Strong oxen and horses, wel
shod and wel clad, wel meated and vsed. 1600 Sukflet
Countrie Ftirme I. xiii. 87 A good bull for breed must be
fat, well set togither, and well meated. 1896 Daily News
26 Dec. 2/6 Canadian [cheese] as a rule, is wholesome, well-
meated, and fat. Ibid., The early ripened, open-iueated
Cheshire cheese.
T Mea'ter. Obs. rare-", [f. Meat v. + -er 1.]
One who provides or gives meat or food.
1649 R. Hodges Plain. Direct. 13 [Homonyms.] A
ineater that giveth meat to the cattel. A corn-meter.
Meater, obs. form of Meter.
t Meat-giver. Obs. [f. Meat sb.+ Giver sb.]
A giver of food, a hospitable person.
1377 Langl. P. PI. B. XV. 143 Men. .bymeneth good mete-
;yueres and in mynde haueth, In prayers [etc.]. (11483
Liber Niger in llouseh. Ord. (1790) 18 The fame of an
excellent mete giver. [14. . Nom. in Wr.-Wulcker 688/37
Hie dafifcr, mettes gyffer.J 1567 Sc. Acts Jas. VI 11814)
III. 31/2 The ressettar, . . meit geuar, & intercommonar with
sic personis, salbe [etc.].
Meath(e, obs. forms of Mead sb.1
Meathe, obs. variant of Mathe.
t Meatified, ///■ a. nonce-wd. [f. Meat sb.
+ -(i)fy + -ED1.] ? Corpulent.
1607 DEKKER& Wilkins Jests Wks. (Grosart) II. 356 So
that to a man that ismeatefyed in flesh, and whose state tin
this world) is desperate, a Sergiant may serue instead of a
Deathshead, to put him in minde of his last day.
t Mea'ting, vbl. sb. Obs. [f. Meat v. + •nol.]
The action of the vb. Meat ; feeding. Of animals,
pasturing. Also concr.
C1410 Master of Game (MS. Digbv 182) ii, After bei
secheth good cuntre of metyng of corne, of appulles, of
vynes. Ibid, xxv, Neuerthelesse it were good redinesse to
loke if bei myght se ony deere at is metynge. 1561 Holly-
bush Horn. Apoth. 10 Beware, .of thynges that cause euell
humores and of inordinate meatinge or drinkinge.
Meating, obs. form of Meetihg.
Meatless (mrtles), a. [f. Meat sb. + -LESS.]
1. Having no food.
0900 Cvnewllf Blent 612 J>aem..be on westenne me3e
& meteleas morland trydeS. 1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 5036
pet folc was meteles. 1362 Langl. P. PI. A. vm. 130
Meteles and Moneyeles on Maluerne hulles. a 1440 Sir
Eglam. 887 Sche was meteles vj. dayes. 1529 More Suppl.
Soutys Wks. 302/1 Is not thys a royall feast to leue these
beggers meateles,& then send mo to dynner to theim. 1607
Topsell Four-/. Beasts (1658) 271 Let him be. .suffered to
stand on the bit meatlesse two or three hours after. 1646,
i860 [see Drinkless].
2. Without meat.
1845 Lewes Hist. Philos. II. 24 Growling over his un-
envied virtue as a cur growls over bis meatless bone.
Meato-, used as combining form of Meatus,
in some names of surgical instruments, etc. Meato-
meter (nuiatfvmi'ta.O, an instrument for measuring
the meatus urinarius {Cent. Diet.). Meatoscope
(mz'^-t&koup) [see -scope], a speculum for exam-
ining the urethra near the meatus {Syd. Soc. Lex.
1890). Meatotome (imVi'tifaram) [Gr. -to/ioi that
cuts], a spring knife for the cutting of a contracted
meatus urinarius(/<W.). Meatotomy(mflatf>-tomi)
[Gr. -Toju'a cutting], section of the meatus urinarius
to make a larger opening {Ibid.).
1895 Erichsen Surg. (ed. 10) II. 1160 Meatotomy being,
. performed to allow its [se. a bougie's] introduction. 1895
Arnolds Son's Catal. Surg. Instr. 573 Meatoscope.
Meatu(a)re, obs. forms of Meteor.
|[ Meatus (mi'^'tfe). PI. meatus {mie>'t\us\
meatuses. [L. meatus («-stem), f. medre to
flow, run.]
1 1. A natural channel or tubular passage. Obs.
1665 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (1677) 187 This Caspian hath
some secret meatus or intercourse with some Sea. 1675
102-2
MEATY.
284
MECHANICAL.
Evelyn Terra {1776) 34. Clay is of all others a curst Step-
dame to almost all vegetation as having few or no Meatus's
for the percolation of the alimental showers or expansion of
the roots. 1698 E. Lhuyd in Ray's Disc. (1713) 190 The
Chinks and other Meatus's of the Earth.
2. spec, in Anat. t a. = Pore (obs.), b. With
qualifying word expressed or understood, applied
to certain passages in the body.
Auditory meatus (L. m. anditorius) : the channel of the
ear. Nasal or olfactory vteatus : the passage of the nose.
Urinary meatus : the external orifice of the urethra.
1665 Glanvii.l Scepsis Sci. iv. § 3. 18 The meatus, or
passages, through which those subtill emissaries are con-
veyed to the respective members. 1708 Kersey, Meatus, a
Movement, or Course, a Passage, or Way; also the Pores
of the Body. 1800 Sir A. Cooper in Phil. Trans. XC. 152
A membrane which has been generally considered, from its
situation in the meatus., as essentially necessary to the
sense of hearing. 1878 Holden Hum. Ostcol. 132 The three
'meatus' or passages of the nose. 1899 AltbutPs Syst.
Med. VII. 540 Over the vertex [of the head] from meatus
to meatus measures 15} in.
Meatwand, obs. form of Metewand.
Meaty (mrti), a. [f. Meat sb. + -y1.]
1. Full of meat; fleshy.
1787 W. Marshall Norfolk (1795) II. Gloss., Mealy, adj.
fleshy, but not ' right fat '. 1865 Reader No. 144. 363/2 A
very meaty egg. 1883 G. Allkn in Knoxuledge 20 July
34/1 In a crab, .the meatiest part.. consists of [etc]. 1900
Andovcr Advertiser 19 Oct., Meaty steers.
k- fig* (chiefly U. S.) Full of substance.
1881 G. S. Hall German Culture 105, 1 think any discus-
sion of it would be likely to be rather more meaty than.,
inane speculations about the nature of the Beautiful and
Sublime. 1896 Advt. of Preacher s Compl. Homilet. Comm.
(N. Y.\ The Index suggests thousands of meaty themes for
sermons. 1902 Academy 13 Dec. 655/2 The sentences are
really too * meaty '.
2. Of or pertaining to meat; having the flavour
of meat.
1864 Sala in Daily Tel. 27 Sept., Inhaling the glorious
aroma of the meaty Eden. 1865 Dickens Mut. Fr. 1. v,
Meaty jelly.
Flence Mea tiuess.
1873 Trolloi'E Australia I. 57, I felt as though I were
pervaded by mealiness for many hours.
Meaugh: see Maugh. Meaul, Meawl(e:
see Miaul. Meaw(e : see Miaow.
t Meaze. Obs. rare- -1. App.a variant of or mis-
take for Meuse, misused for : The ( form ' of a hare.
x6oa indPt. Return fr. Parnass. 11. v. 791 A hare that wee
found this morning musing on her meaze.
« Meaze, var. Mease (measure of herrings).
Meazel, var. Measle a. Obs, and Measle v.
Meazle, variant of Mesel (leper).
Meazling, obs. form of Mizzling.
Mebile, meble, variants of Moble Obs.
Mecfflnas, bad form of M.ecenas.
Mecanyc, -yke, -ycall: see Mechanic, -ical.
II Mecate (mfka-tf). [Aztec mecatl * corde,
fouet, discipline' (Simeon Did. A'a/tuatl).'}
1. A rope made of the fibre or hair of the maguey.
1877 in Bartlett Diet. Amer. 1880 in Wedster Suppt. \
and in recent Diets.
2. 'A Mexican square measure, equal to about
one-tenth of an acre' (Cent, Did. 1S90).
Mecca (me'ka). [The name (repr. Arab.
Makkah) of the birthplace of Mohammed, the
great place of pilgrimage of the Mohammedans.]
1. trans/. and^/Ff. Applied to a place which one
regards as supremely sacred, or which it is the
aspiration of one's life to be able to visit.
1850 Boker Anne Boleyn 1. iii, Make to the Mecca of our
hopes, the king, A solemn pilgrimage. 1887 Times (weekly
ed.) 21 Oct. 9/1 Stratford.. is the Mecca of American pil-
grims. 1890 'R. Boldrewood ' Col. Reformer (1891) 329
He. .was. .free once more to turn his brow erect and un-
daunted towards the Mecca of his dreams.
2. attrib. in Mecca balm, balsam = Balm, Balsam
of Mecca.
1833 in Crabb Tcchnol. Diet. ; and in recent Diets.
Meccan (me-kan), a. and sb. [f. Mecca + -AN.]
A. adj. Of or pertaining to Mecca.
1687 Drvden Hind fy P. in. 1098 Such as the Meccan
Prophet us'd of yore. 1898 Eng. lllustr. Mag. Feb. 511
A crowd of Meccan pilgrims.
B. sb. An inhabitant or native of Mecca.
1855 Bi'rton El-Medinalt <V Meccah II. 280 The Meccans,
a dark people, say of the Madam that their hearts are black
and their skins are white. 190a A. B. Davidson Biblical *
Lit. Ess. 224 This appellation being derived from an attack
made on the Meccans that year.
Mecche, obs. form of Match sb.1
Mecenas, bad form of M.ecenas.
Mech, Mechacan, obs. ff. Much, Mechoacan.
t Me'Chal, a. Obs. In 7 raechall, michall.
[f. L. mocch-us (a. Gr. /*otX"s) adulterer + -al.]
Adulterous. (Only in Heywood.)
1606 Heywood Challenge for Beauty v. i, Her owne
tongue Hath publish'd her a mechall prostitute. 16x4 —
Gnnaik. iv. 195. 1633 — Eng. Trav. Fj, Pollute the
Nuptiall bed with Michall sinne.
II Mechameck (me'tjamek). [? American
Indian.] The wild potato-vine; = MkchoacaS.
x8*8 Rafinesque Medical Flora I. 123 (heading) Convol-
vulus Panduratus, English name, Mechameck bindweed. ..
The native name of mechameck ought to be given to it as a
distinctive appellation. 1890 in Syd. Soc. Lex.
Mechanic (m/'kae'nik), a. and sb. [ad. L.
mechanic-us, a Gr. firjxaviKos (adj. and sb.;, f. firj-
XavV Machine. Cf. F. mecanique (from 14th c. :
perh. the source in early instances}, Pr. mechanic ,
Sp. mccdnico, Pg. mechanico ; also OE. mechanise,
Ger., Du. mechanisch, Sw., Da. mekanisk.
The adj. was introduced much later than Mechanical,
which in early uses is somewhat closer to the sense of the
Latin word.]
A. adj.
1. Pertaining to or involving manual labour or
skill. Now rare : cf. Mechanical i b.
1549 Compl. Scotl. Prol. B To leyrne sciens, craftis, ande
mecanyke occupations. 162a Peacham Compl. Gent. xiii.
(1634) 129 Painting in Oyle. .is. .of more esteeme then work-
ing in water colours ; but then it is more mechanique, and
will robbe you of over much time from your more excellent
studies, a 1631 Donne 80 Serm. (1640) xxxvii. 364 When we
see any man doe any work well, that belongs to the hand, to
write, to carve, to play, to doe any mechanique office well.
1677YARRANTON Eng. /«yJn?z>.i87 The persons working in the
Mechanick-Arts. 1770 Lanchorne Plutarch (1879)1. 175/2
If a man applies himself to servile or mechanic employ-
ments. 1838 Prescott Ferd. <$• Is. (184^6) I. ii. 132 He was
a considerable proficient in music, painting, and several
mechanic arts.
t b. Pertaining to mechanical arts ; industrial.
1721 Bradley Philos. Ace. Wks. Nat. 7 It is a hard Coal
for Mechanick Uses.
2. Of persons : Having a manual occupation ;
working at a trade. Now blended with the attri-
butive use of the sb.
1549 Compl. Scot. ii. 25 Ande mecanyc lauberaris sal re-
proche gentil men. 1655 Stanley Hist. Philos. iv. Mene-
demus i, Though noble by descent, Mechanick by profession
and indigent. 1678 R. Barclay Apol. Quakers x. xxiii. 316
Most.. are Labouring and Mechanick men. 1719 De Foe
Crusoe 1. i, The Labour and Sufferings of the mechanic Part
of Mankind. 1837 Ht. Martineau Soc. Amer. III. 48 Are
the mechanic and farming classes satisfied? 1845 R. \V.
Hamilton Pop. Educ. iii. (ed. 2) 56 If mechanic life be
miserable, if the crowded population which it collects is
degraded.
1 3. Belonging to or characteristic of the ' lower
orders'; vulgar, low, base. Obs.
1599 Marston Sco. Villanie, In Led. prorsus indignos,
Each mechanick slaue, Each dunghill pesant. 1606 Shaks.
Ant. «5- CI. iv. iv. 32 To stand On more MechanickeCompli-
ment. :164a Chas. I Declar. Wks. 1662 II. 170 Suffering
Mechanick, Ignorant fellows to preach and expound the
Scripture. 1676 Etheredge Man of Mode iv. 1, Writing,
Madam 's a Mechanick part of Witt ! A Gentleman should
never go beyond a Song or a Billet. 1705 Vanbrugh Confed.
I. iii, A woman must indeed be of a mechanic mould, who is
either troubled or pleased with anything her husband ca.i
do for her. 176a Lloyd Actor 40 The PlayYs profession
(though I hate the phrase, 'Tisso mechanic in these modern
days).
4. Of the nature of, or pertaining to, a machine
or machines; also, worked by machinery. Now
poet, or rhetorical: cf. Mechanical a, 3.
1625 N. Carpenter Geog. Del. 1. iv. (1635) 74 A Ballance,
and other such mechanicke instruments. 1696 Mandey &
Moxon [title) Mechanick-powers : or, the Mistery of Nature
and Art unvail'd, shewing what great things may be per-
formed by Mechanick Engines, etc 1788 Gentl. Mag.
LVIII. i. 77/1 A man of war hove 3 inches by mechanic
force. 1876 Geo. Eliot Dan. Der. III. xxxvii. heading,
Fine mechanic wings that would not fly.
b. Mechanic powers or \ faculties : = mechanical
powers (see Mechanical a. 3 c). ? Obs.
1648 Bp. Wilkins Math. Magick !. xii, Concerning the
force of the Mechanick faculties, particularly the Ballance
and Leaver. MM Moxon Math. Did., Mechanick Powers,
or Mechanick Faculties are Six. 18*5 J. Nicholson Qperat.
Mechanic 11 The pulley is the third mechanic power. 1856
Emerson Fug. Traits, Literature Wks. (Bohn) II. 112
They [sc. Englishmen] are incapable of an inutility, and
respect the five mechanic powers even in their song.
5. Worked or working like a machine; having
a machine-like action or motion ; acting mechani-
cally. Somewhat arch. ; cf. Mechanical a. 4.
1697 Congreve Mourning Bride 11. viii, O impotence of
sight ! mechanic sense, . . Not seeing of election but neces-
sity. 176a Lloyd Actor 2 Acting, ..its perfection draws
From no observance of mechanic laws. 1850 Tennyson /*
Mem. v, The sad mechanic exercise, Like dull narcotics,
numbing pain. 1863 Kinglake Crimea (1876) I. iv. 68 That
branch of industry which seeks to give uniformity and me-
chanic action to bodies of men.
fb. Involuntary, automatic. Obs.
1733 Ld. Bolingbroke in Pope's Pr.Wks. (174 1) II. 26 Good
digestions, serene weather, and some other mechanic springs.
1741 Betterton Eng. Stage vi. 102 Nature by a sort of
mechanic Motion throws the Hands out as Guards to the
Eyes on such an Occasion.
6. Of agencies, forces, principles : Such as belong
to the subject-matter of mechanics ; = Mechanical
a, 5. Now rare or Obs.
1664 Power Exp. Philos. 1. 3 So great is the mechanick
power which Providence has immurd within these living
walls of Jet [viz. a flea]. _ 1683 T. Hoy Agatlwcles 18 The
Mechanique Power, by which they move, It self is guided by
some Hand above. 17x1 H. More's Antid. Ath, 11. L Schol,
i$5* L.perceivM the motion of the World to be no ways
mechanick. _ 1844 Disraeli Coningshy 11. i, The supreme
control obtained by man over mechanic power.
f7. Of theories and their advocates; = Mechani-
cal a. 6. Obs,
1691 Ray Creation 1. (1692) 28 These mechanick Theists
have here quite outstripped and outdone the Atomick
Atheists. 1790 Burke Fr. Rev. Wks. V. 152 On the prin-
ciples of this mechanick philosophy, our institutions can
never be embodied, if I may use the expression, in persons.
f 8. Of persons and their aptitudes : Skilled in
mechanical contrivance. Obs.
1713 Steele Guardian No. 1 r 3, I am. .convinced of the
importance of mechanick heads. 1714 Gay Trivia 1. 272
A new Machine Mechanick Fancy wrought. 1748 Anson's
Voy, in. x. 411 The mechanic dexterity of the Europeans.
B. sb. (See also Mechanics.)
f 1. Manual labour or operation. Obs.
1390 Gower Conf. III. 142 Of hem that ben Artificier,
Whiche usen craftes and mestiers, Whos Art is cleped Me-
chanique. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn, n. viii. § 3 He . . may
superinduce upon some metall the Nature and forme of Gold
by such Mechanique as longeth to the production of the
Natures afore rehearsed.
+ b. A mechanical art. Obs.
1604 R. Cawdrey Table Alph., Mechanick, handycraft.
1655 in Hartlib Ref Commxv. Bees 33 There is not any one
Mechanick, which hath its Basis on Phylosophy, in which
there are not many errors, into which an Artist, that hath
been long versed in the Practique, may hap to fall. 1656
[? J. Sergeant] tr. T. Whites Peripat. Inst. 387 Consider
the honour of., the Mechanicks.'t is the work that's most
proper to mankind. 1691 Ray Creation 11. (1704) 245 Besides
the known uses [of plants] .. in Building, in Dying, in all
Mechanicks, there may be as many more not yet discover'd.
+ C. Mechanism, mechanical structure. Obs.
1605 Bacon Adv. Learn, x. § 5 The fault being in the
very frame and Mechanicke of the parts.
2. One who is employed in a manual occupation;
a handicraftsman.
Mechanics' institute ox institution', the designation adopted
by a class of societies, established (in 1823 and subsequently)
in London and most other towns of England to afford their
members facilities for self-education by classes and lectures.
In many of these institutions, only a small proportion of the
members now belong to the ' mechanic ' or artisan class,
156a A. Scott Poems (S.T.S.) i. 174 Merchandis to trafique
and travell to and fro, Mechanikis wirk. 1607 Topsell
Four-f Beasts (1658) 341 Houses or yards, where Carpenters
or such Mechanicks work. 1638 Sir T. Herbert Trav.
(ed. 2) 163 These people are most of them mechanicks and
husbandmen. 1713 Swift, etc. Frenzy of J. Dennis Wks.
1755 III. 1. 142 My friend an apothecary ! a base mechanic !
1777 Fletcher Bible Calvinism Wks. 1795 IV. 244 An in-
dustrious sober mechanic can hardly pay for a mean lodging
in a garret. 1835 Hone Every-day Bk. 1. 1549 On the 2d of
December, 1823, the London Mechanics' Institution was
formed. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. iii. I. 418 An English
mechanic, . . instead of slaving like a native of Bengal for a
piece of copper, exacted a shilling a day. 1891 Leckie Life
*J- Relig. 71 He [St. Paul] was an itinerant mechanic
b. Used contemptuously. Now rare.
1607 Shaks. Cor. v. iii. 83 Do not bid me .. capitulate
Againe, with Romes Mechanickes. 1768 Horne Disc, ix,
Wks. 1818 II. 171 The meanest mechanic takes place of the
nobles and kings of the earth, if he were a better Christian
than they were. i8a8 Scott F. M. Perth xxiii, This fellow
is a wretched mechanic. 184a Tennyson Walking to Mail
67 Lest.. his nice eyes Should see the raw mechanic's bloody
thumbs Sweat on his blazon'd chairs.
fc. A low or vulgar fellow. Obs.
a 1700 B. E. Did. Cant. Crew, Mechanic,, .a mean,, .con-
temptible Fellow. 1733 Fielding Intrig. Chambermaid n.
ix, I am glad you have taught me at what distance to keep
such mechanics for the future.
3. In restricted sense : A skilled workman, esp.
one who is concerned with the making or use of
machinery.
In some English manufacturing districts the term denotes
a man who has the management and repairing of the
machinery in a factory.
1662 Hobbes Consid. (1680) 53 What is here said of Chym-
ists is applicable to all other Mechaniques. 1681 Lond. Gaz.
No. 1643/4 His Majesty having sent for Sir Samuel Mor-
land . . was Graciously pleased to Declare, that he was
highly satisfied with all the late Experiments and extra-
ordinary Effects of Sir Samuels new Water-Engine... After
which, the Lord Chamberlain .. caused him to be Sworn
Master of the Mechanicks. 1719 De Foe Crusoe ii- i, A very
handy ingenious Fellow, who was a Cooper by Trade, but
was also a general Mechanick; for he was dexterous at
making Wheels [etc.]. 1835 Miss Mitford in L'Estrange
Life (1870) III. iv. 31 Captain Gore is, amongst his other
excellences, a great mechanic, and a capital working car-
penter. 1870 Emerson Soc. <V Solit., Work <y Days Wks.
(Bohn) III. 64 The apprentice clings to his foot-rule, a
practised mechanic will measure by his thumb.
4. One who holds mechanical theories; a me-
chanical physiologist, rare. (Cf. Mechanist 3.)
a 1776 R. James Diss. Fevers (1778) 86, I might produce
the causes of fevers according to the various principles of the
Galenists, the Chymists, the Mechanics.
Mechanical (m/'kx'nikal), a. and sb. [f. late
L. mec/ianic-us : see prec. and -ical.] A. adj.
1. Of arts, trades, occupations : Concerned with
machines or tools. Hence,
a. Concerned with the contrivance and construc-
tion of machines or mechanism.
1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) VII. 73 Certeyne instrumentes
of his makynge made by arte mechanicalle, and specially
organes. 1626 Bacon New Atl. 38 Wee haue also diuerse
Mechanicall Arts, which you haue not ; and Stuffes made
by them; as Papers, Linnen [etc.]. 1756-7 tr. Keysler's
Trav. (1760) IV. 395 Those who are fond of mechanical
arts, manufactures, &c 1815 J- Smith Panorama Sd. $
Art I. 124 To make any useful proficiency in mechanical
pursuits. 1871 Yeats Tedin. Hist. Comm. 367 Machine-
making . . belongs to a high order of mechanical art.
b. Concerned with manual operations ; of the
nature of handicraft.
MECHANICAL.
c 1450 Lydg. & Burgh Secrees 2097 Whoom his fladir..
Boonde and dysposyd to crafft mechanycalle. 1477 Norton
Ord. Alch. iv. in Ashm. Theat. Chem. Brit. (1652) 49
Handie-crafte called Arte Mechanicall. 1586 A. Day Eng.
Secretary 11. (1625) 106 A seruant, meanly trained in some
Mechanicall Science. 1605 Bacon Adv. Leant. 11. To
King § 13 Arts Mechanicall contract Brotherhoods in coni-
munalties. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey) tille-p., The Arts
and Sciences, either Liberal or Mechanical. 1753 Hogarth
Anal. Beauty 4 Many other little circumstances belong,
ing to the mechanical part of the art. 1834 Macaulay
Ess., Pitt (1899) 288 Almost every mechanical employ-
ment., has a tendency to injure some one or other of the
bodily organs of the artisan. 1837-9 [see Illiberal a. 1].
1841 Emerson Method Nat Wks. (Bohn) II. 220, I look on
trade and every mechanical craft as education also.
t C. trans/. Pertaining to the mere technicalities
of a profession or art. Obs.
111648 Ld. Herbert Hen. Vf/I (1683) 325 Other Laws
also were enacted, which for being meeriy legal, and there
fore relative chiefly to the Masters of the Law, or otherwise
Mechanical, or at least so particular that they belong, not
properly to History. 1681 Nevile Plato Rediv. 103 The
Mechanical part of their Callings (which is to assist Clients
with Counsel, and to plead their Causes), a 1763 Shen-
stone Ess. 11765) 5 The vulgar may not indeed be capable
of giving the reasons why a composition pleases them.
That mechanical distinction they leave to the connoisseur.
2. Of persons : Engaged in manual labour ; be-
longing to the artisan class. Now rare, f Hence,
characteristic of this class, mean, vulgar (obs.).
1589 Late Voy. Sp. f, Port. (1881) 102 Wherein mechanicall
and men of base condition doo dare to censure the dooings
of them, of whose acts they be not worthieto talke. 1591
Horsey Trav. (Hakl. Soc) App. 302 Thearby [sc. by com.
mercej your marchantes growe nche, your mecanycall people
sette a worke. 1597 Shaks. 2 Hen. IV, v. v. 38 Hall'd
thither by most Mechanicall and durty hand. 1646 Earl
Monm. tr. Biondis Civil IVarres ix. 182 Born at Corneto a
poor village in Toscany, of mean mechanical parentage.
i695ClBBER£oz><;'jZ.<K/.SV!//?iii),Tis mechanical to marry
the Woman you love ; Men of Quality should always marry
those they never saw. 1730 Fielding Author's Farce I. v,
These are represented as mean and mechanical, and the
others as honourable and glorious. 1830 Galt Lawrie T. v.
ii, Settlers of the mechanical orders. 1880 E. White Cert.
Relig. 31 Among the peasantry and mechanical orders.
f b. Occupied with or skilled in the practical
application of an art or science; practical as
opposed to speculative. Obs.
1570 Dee Math. Pre/, a iij b, A speculative Mechanicien
..differreth nothyng from a Mechanicall Mathematicien.
1633 T. Stafford Pac. Hib. in. viii. (1810) 567 If they had
been as good Mechanicall Cannoniers, as they were Com.
maunders.
3. t a. Of the nature of a machine or machines
(obs.). b. In modern use: Acting, worked, or
produced by a machine or mechanism : often in
contrast to what is produced by hand-labour.
1567 Maplet Gr. Forest 2 Albeston is a stone of Archadie
.. whereof in olde time was built that kind of worke Me-
chanicall. 1579-80 North Plutarch, Marcellus (1595) 335
Instruments and engines (which are called mechanicall, or
organicall). 1648 Bp. Wilkins Math. Magick 11. vi. 191
The volant or flying Automata are such Mechanicall con-
trivances, as have a self-motion [etc.]. 1839 Penny Cycl.
XV. 49/1 The centre of gravity might by mechanical means
be made to rise continually higher, i860 Faraday Led.
Forces Matter 170 An instrument wrought only by me-
chanical motion. 1875 Whyte Melville Riding Recoil, vi.
(1879) 98 The mechanical horse exhibited in Piccadilly some
ten or twelve years ago. 1902 Daily Chron. 7 Apr. 3/2 The
invention and practical perfectioning of the mechanical
pianoforte player.
c. Mechanical powers or f faculties : the six
' simple machines '. (Cf. Mechanic a. 4 b.)
1648 Bp. Wilkins Math. Magick 1. iii, Of the first Me-
chanical faculty, the Ballance. 1727-41 Chambers Cycl.
s.v, I he mechanical powers, are the balance, lever, wheel,
pully, wedge, and screw.
d. Mechanical drawing: drawing performed with
the help of instruments, as compasses, rulers, etc.
Mechanical construction (of curves) : construction
by the use of some apparatus, as distinguished from
' tracing ' by calculation of successive points.
1842-59 GwiLT^r^V. §995 Practical Geometry.. has
been denned as the art which directs the mechanical pro-
cesses tor finding the position of points, lines, surfaces [etc.].
4. Of persons, their actions, etc. : Resembling (in-
animate) machines or their operations ; acting or
performed without the exercise of thought or voli-
tion ; lacking spontaneity or originality ; machine-
like ; automatic.
1607T0PSF.LL Four./. Beasts (1658) 27t Our Mechanical
V?A l*iF ar.r'arsv who <=ure many times what they know not,
and kill where they might cure, knew they the cause. 1661
ChZlI!"%/laraili VJT- # (l668) 2I° The Mechanical
Christian will here find himself to be dead and void of Christ.
I" ■ tA" pectl Na ,52 * 2 None of these Men of Me-
rwS' Cou,r'\Se have ever "ads any great Figure in the
£. K °2.°f 'I™5- *76S G°LDSM. Vic. IV- iv, I always
thought nt to keep up some mechanical forms of good
breeding 178S Reio Active Powers in. v. 613 The one we
may for distinctions sake, call mechanical government, the
other moral. ,818 Hazlitt Eng. Poets ii. 64 Versifica-
tion is a thing in a great degree mechanical. 1841 Myers
<-<k* J /t. in. § 36 131 Is not the notion of a mechanical rule
—a rule ever ready and everapplicable-in spiritual things,
altogether out of place? 1871 Morley Condorcet in Crit.
Mtsc r. Ser. 1. (1878) 66 The official religion of the century
was lifeless and mechanical.
5. Of agencies, operations, and principles: Such
285
' as belong to the subject-matter of mechanics ; in
modern use often opposed to chemical.
1626 Bacon Sylva § 98 The Cause of all Flight of Bodies
thorow the Aire, and of other Mechanicall Motions. 1662
Stillingfl. Orig. Sacr. 111 ii. § 1 To explain the Origine
of the Universe.. meeriy by the Mechanical Laws of the
motion of matter. 1698 Keill Exam. Th. Earth Introd.
0734) 17 The World. -did exist from all eternity, without
any change, or alteration, but such as happened from pure
Mechanical principles, and causes. 1805-17 R. Jameson
Char. Min. (ed. 3) 151 If we have recourse to mechanical
division, in order to obtain the cubic nucleus from this kind of
octahedron. 1839 Penny Cycl. XV. 291/1 Liquid medicines
consisting of several ingredients. .in a state of mechanical
suspension in some viscid medium. 1842-59 Guilt Archit.
Gloss., Mechanical Carpentry. That branch of carpentry
which relates to the disposition of the timbers of a building
in respect of their relative strength and the strains to which
they are subjected. 1863 Tyndall Heat i. § 9 (1870) 8 The
sea is rendered warmer by a storm, the mechanical dash of
its billows being.. converted into heat. Mod. Common air
is a mechanical mixture, not a chemical compound.
fig- '875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) II. 201 The distinction
between the mere mechanical cohesion of sounds or words
and the chemical combination of them into a new word.
b. Geol. Applied to formations in which the
ingredients have undergone no alteration in their
chemical constitution or molecular structure.
1833 Lvell Princ.Gcol. III. Gloss. 73 Mechanical Origin,
Rocks of. When rocks are composed of sand, pebbles, or
fragments, to distinguish them from those of an uniform
crystalline texture, which are of chemical origin. 1878
Huxley Physiogr. xvii. 293 The mere mechanical detritus
of siliceous rocks.
6. Of theories and their advocates : Explaining
phenomena by the assumption of mechanical action.
1692 Bentley Boyle Led. v. 145 The Mechanical Atheist.
1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, Mechanical Philosophy, is
the same with the Corpuscular, which endeavours to expli-
cate the Phenomena of Nature from Mechanical Principles.
1707 Floyer Pulse Watch I. 11. ii. 205 Which Method of
Physic is both Mechanical and Philosophical. 1771 T.
Percivai. Ess. (1777) I. 21 The mechanical hypothesis con-
cerning the operation of medicines, which is supposed to
depend upon the size, figure, and gravity of their constitu-
ent particles, i860 Tyndall Glac. 1. i. 5 The mechanical
theory of slaty cleavage. 1880 Huxley in Nature No. 615.
345 The mechanical physiologists, who regarded these opera-
tions as the result of the mechanical properties of the small
vessels, such as the size, form, and disposition of their canals
and apertures.
7. Concerned with or involving material objects
or physical conditions.
1664 Power Exp. Philos. 104, I have an Experiment in
Banco which will give some Mechanical Evidence of this
great Mystery. 1665 Glanvill De/. Vanity Dogm. 28 There
are Mechanical difficulties in the way of his Solutions. 1675
Trahernf. Chr. Ethics 148 In physical goodness there is a
mechanical fitness, and dead convenience, i860 Mill/Y</V.
Govt. (1865) 4/1 Besides these moral hindrances, mechanical
difficulties are often an insuperable impediment to forms of
government.
8. Pertaining to mechanics as a science.
1648 Bp. Wilkins Math. Magick 1. i. 3 Art may be said . .
to overcome, and advance nature, as in these Mechanicall
disciplines. 1827 Jamieson {title) A Dictionary of Me-
chanical Science. 1861 W. Fairbairn Pres. Addr. to Brit.
Assoc, p. lviii, The mechanical sciences, .may be divided
into Theoretical Mechanics and Dynamics, .and Applied
Mechanics.
b. Having to do with machinery.
. I793.Smeaton Edystone L. § 122 Subjects of mechanical
invention and investigation. 1863 Fawcett Pol. Econ. 1. iv.
(1876) 33 The foremost mechanical genius of this mechanical
age is devoted to the production of weapons of death. 1881
luslr. Census Clerks (1885) 42 Mechanical Engineer, In-
ventor, Draughtsman, Student. 1897 Mary Kingsley W,
A/rica 669^ The great inferiority of the African to the
European lies in the matter of mechanical idea.
9. Math. a. Applied to curves not expressible
by equations of finite and rational algebraical form;
= Transcendental.
So called as admitting of production only by ' mechanical
construction': see 3d.
1727-41 Chambers Cycl. s. v. Curve, These [sc. transcen-
dental] curves, Des Cartes, &c. call mechanical ones. 1743
Emerson Ftuxionsilj^g Mechanical or transcendent curves.
1847 ). Dwyer Print, ff Prod. Hydraulic Eng. 75 A
cycloid . . is a mechanical curve of. .curious properties.
b. Mechanical solution (of a problem): seequot. i
1704 J.Harris Lex. Techn. I, Mechanical Solution ot 3.
Problem in Mathematicks, is either when the Thing is done
by repeated Tryals, or when the Lines made use of to solve
It are not truly Geometrical.
B. sb.
1. = Mechanic B. 2. arch, (as echo of Shaks.).
1590 Shaks. Mids. N. in. ii. 9 A crew of patches, rude
Mechanicals, That worke for bread vpon Athenian stals.
1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 211 These covetous misers
gather wealth together like mightie magnificoes, but they
spend like beggerly mechanicals. 1647 Lilly Chr. Astrol.
clx. 676 It..expresseth in Mechanicals, great Custome and
Trade ; in men otherwise qualified, Preferment, Office. 1830
Westm.Rev. XIII. 211 Socrates! we hear all the vulgar
mechanicals exclaim, . . a poor, mean, pitiful, pennyless fellow !
2. pi. f a. The science which relates to the con-
struction of machines. Obs.
1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. 11. xxi. § 6 In mechanicalls, the
direction how to frame an Instrument or Engyne, is not the
same with the manner of setting it on woorke.
b. Details of mechanical construction, rare.
1821 T. G. Wainewright Ess. ft, Crit. (1880) 146 This class
of subjects demands the greatest attention to mechanicals.
1843 1.YTTON Last Bar. 1. ix, 'They were indifferently well
wrought, specially a chevesail, of which the' — 'Spare ma I
MECHANICALNESS.
' the fashion of thy mechanicals, and come to the point', in-
terrupted Marmaduke.
Mechanicalism. (mikavnikaliz'm). [f. Me-
chanical + -ism.] a. The philosophic doctrine
that all the phenomena of the universe, or some
particular class of phenomena indicated by the
context, are mechanically caused, b. 'Mechanical'
or routine procedure. So Mechanicalist, one
who favours mechanicalism.
1877 T. Sinclair Mount (1S78) 71 A mechanicalist would
put one s thoughts very quickly into his shape, no doubt.
1893 Nation (NY.) 3 Aug. 88/2 These two things, mechani-
calism and lnfalllbilism, are the great obstacles to any com-
mon understanding between religious thinking and scientific
thinking. 1903 Speaker 30 May 201/2 Others.. have lost
all touch with human nature, the slaves of an academic
mechanicalism.
Mechanicality (mfl<a;:nikEe liti). [f. Me-
chanical a. + -irv.] The quality of being me-
chanical, or like a machine ; chiefly fig.
1778 [ W. Marshall] Minutes Agric, Observ. 117 This con-
struction was adopted on account of its Simplicity, and, at
the same time, its Mechanicality. 1871 Con temp. Rev. XIX.
1 8\6 Ser.mons • • exhibit a sameness and mechanicality. 1890
Abp. BENSON in Li/e II. 307 By much conversation I do
believe I have prevailed on Wyon to depart much from me-
chanicality of touch.
Mechanicalize (m/"kce-nikatai:z), v. [f. Me-
chanical a. +-1ZE.J trans. To render mechanical
(in any sense of the adj.) ; formerly, f to degrade
to the rank or character of a mechanic ; ' to render
mean or low' (Todd 181S). Also Mecha-nical-
ized ppl. a., Mechanicalizing vbl. sb.
1611 Cotgb., Mechanize, Mechanicalized ; made, or growne
base, vile, ordinarie, meane. 1892 Cosmopolitan XIII. jy./z
Even utilitarianism and the mechanicalizing of labor have
failed entirely to take away its significance. 1903 Daily
Ae-ws 4 .Mar. 3/1 The tendency of modern industry to
mechanicahse men.'
Mechanically (m/karnikali), adv. [f. Me-
chanical a. + -ly ^.]
1. By mechanical art, contrivance, or methods ;
by the use of machinery or instruments.
1570 Dee Math. Pre/ c ij b. Thus, may you Double your
Cube Mechanically. Ibid, c iij, Though it be Naturally done
and Mechanically: yet hath it a good Demonstration Mathe-
matical!. 1656 tr. Hobbcs' F.lcm. Philos. (1839) 3rs The
ancients pronounced it impossible to exhibit m a plane th«
division of angles, .. otherwise than mechanically. 1737
Bracken Farriery Impr. (1749) I. 320 A silly Man carry-
ing two Buckets of Water upon his Shoulders with a
round Pole, instead of a flattish one hollowed and mechani-
cally fitted to receive his Shoulders. 1856 Kane Arct. Expl.
L xxix. 401 To lift her mechanically above her line of flota-
tion. 1893 Atlantic Monthly Feb. 192/2 Large crowds
gathered in the mechanically flooded fields.
2. By mechanical (as opposed to chemical, vital,
etc.) agencies or processes ; as a mechanical agent;
in respect of mechanical properties.
1684-5 Boyle Min. Waters 23 Whether any thing . . can be
..discover'd..by Chymically and Mechanically examining
the Mineral Earths [etc]. 1691 Ray Creation 11. (1704' 415
They suppose even the perfect Animals, .to have been formed
Mechanically among the rest. 1794 Kirwan Elem. Min.
(ed. 2) I. 186 The calx and magnesia may be chemically
combined with the argill, and not merely mechanically
mixed as inmarls. 1823 J. Badcock Dom. Amusem. 23
Being itself insolvable in any known menstruum, and acting
mechanically only, it neither destroys nor is destructible.
i860 Tyndall Glac. 1. xxv. 177 The dust and thin smoke
mechanically suspended in a London atmosphere.
3. As by machinery or mechanical action ; without
spontaneous or conscious exercise of will or thought ;
automatically.
1692 Bentley Boyle Led. 202 If atoms formed the world
according to the essential properties of bulk, figure, and
motion, they formed it mechanically; and if they formed it
mechanically without perception and design, they formed it
casually. 1741 tr. D'Argens Chinese Lett. xiii. 85 With
Men who act in a Manner mechanically, who behave so and
so to Day only because they did so yesterday, there is [etc.].
1800 Mrs. Hervey Mourtray Fam. II. 91 Emma, almost
indifferent to every thing, followed her mechanically. 1853
C. Bronte Villette^ xxxviii, The place could not be entered.
Could it not? a point worth considering ; and while revolv-
ing it, I mechanically dressed. 1865 Dickens Mut. Fr. 11.
i, He could do mental arithmetic mechanically.
4. By reference to mechanical causes or principles.
1737 Bracken Farriery Impr. (1757) 1 1. 88 We ought to
explain the Thing mechanically. 1861 H. Spencer Educ.
(1888) 18 The mechanically-justified wave-line principle.
5. With mechanical tastes or aptitudes.
1726 Swift Gulliver 1. vi, Having a head mechanically
turned, . . I had made for myself a table and chair. 1890
Anthony's Photogr. Bull. III. 201 Any mechanically in-
clined man can make one in a day.
1 6. In a ' mechanical ' or ungentlemanly manner ;
meanly. (Cf. Mechanical a. 2,Mechanic a. 3.) Obs.
1613 Chamberlain Let. in Crt. fy Times jlas. / (1848) I.
224 But his [Sir T. Bodley's] servants grumble and murmur
very much, with whom he hath dealt very mechanically, some
of them having served him. .above two and twenty years.
Mechanicalness (nukas'nikalnes). [-NESS.]
The quality of being mechanical.
1611 Cotgr., Mecaniouerie, Mechanicallnesse; basenesse
of humor. t 1691-8 Norris Prod. Disc. (1711) III. 18 Men
not perceiving the Mechanicalness of its operation, are apt
to have recourse to some inherent Quality. 1874 Contemp.
Rev. XXV. 95 Science does not affirm, .mechanicalness in
Nature. 1900 Conferences on Books fy Men xiii. 229 The
very mechanicalness of the routine seems to have soothed
and numbed Cowper's too irritable sensibilities.
MECHANICIAN.
Mechanician (mekanrjin). Also 6-7 -icien,
7 -itian. [f. Mechanic + -I an. Cf. F '. me"canicien!\
a. One who practises or is skilled in a mechanical
art ; a mechanic, artisan. Now rare. b. One who
is skilled in the construction of machinery.
1570 J. Dee Math. Pre/, a iij b, A Mechanicien, or a Me-
chanicall workman is he, whose skill is, without knowledge
of Matl'.cinaticall demonstration, perfectly to worke and
finishe any sensible worke, by the Mathematkien principall
or deriuative, demonstrated or demonstrable. 1621 Burton
Anat. Mel. I. ii. lit. ii. 11651) 94, 1 appeal to Painters, Me-
chanicians, Mathematicians. 1671 Boyle Use/. Exp. A at.
Philos. II. lit. 11 By frequenting the Shops and Work-
houses of Mechanitians. 1759 Da Costa in Phil. Trans.
LI. 187 There are even mechanicians in that kingdom
[France], who seriously doubt, whether the fire engine is any-
wise useful. 1819 P. O. Lend. Direct. 144 Wm. Hawks,
Mechanician and Optician to their Majesties. 1863 Faw-
cett Pel. Earn. 1. v. (1876) 58 The mechanician upon whose
skill the accuracy of a chronometer depends.
t Mecha-nicism. Obs. rare—1, [f. Mechanic
+ -ISM-] - Mechanism 2.
1710 De Foe in Review No. 119. VI. 474 They would de-
nude us of the beautiful Garment of Liberty, and prostitute
the Honour of the Nation to the Mechanicism of Slavery !
Mechanicize (mfkse-nissiz), v. [f. Mechanic
+ -ize.] trans. To render mechanical.
18.. American X. 39 (Cent.) No branch of the# race was
more mechanicized by Lockianism than the American.
Meclia'nico-, used as comb, form of L. t/te-
chanicus (see Mechanic), in hyphened combina-
tions with the sense ' partly mechanical and partly
something else', m,mcchanico-intelkctual,-merciful;
mechanico-chemical a., comprising mechanics
and chemistry ; (of phenomena) pertaining partly
to mechanics and partly to chemistry ; mechanico-
corpuscular a., an epithet applied to the philoso-
phy which views all phenomena, material and
spiritual, as explicable by the movement of atoms
according to mechanical laws.
1825 Coleridge Aids Reft. (1848) I. 327 The utter empti-
ness., of the vaunted Mechanico-corpuscular philosophy.
1840 Smart s.v. Mechanic, The Mcchanico-chemical sciences
are magnetism, electricity, galvanism, &c. 1866 G. Mac-
donald Ann. Q. Neighi. VI. (1878) 70 Stepping over many
single leaves in a mechanico-merciful way. 1870 Emerson
Sec. ty Split, vii. 131 [Steam] is yet coming to render many
higher services of a mechanico-intellectual kind.
Mechanics (mfl«e-niks). [In form a pi. of
Mechanic : see -ic 2.
Gr. had both i\ jj»j variK>j and ri ^qvai'iKa i hence in late L.
mechanica fern, sing., mechanical science, midianica neut.
pi., works of mechanical art. The Rom. langs. use the fern,
sing.: Tr. mfewtique (ill i8thc. also les mecaniqucs fem.\
Sp. wecdnica, Pg. mechanica. It. meccanica', cf. G. mc-
chanik, Du. mechanica, Da., Sw. mckanik.]
1. a. Originally (and still in popular use) : That
body of theoretical and practical knowledge which
is concerned with the invention and construction
of machines, the explanation of their operation,
the calculation of their efficiency, b. That de-
partment of applied mathematics which treats of
motion and tendencies to motion : comprising (ac-
cording to the division now generally received)
kinematics, the science of abstract motion, and
dynamics (including statics and kinetics),\he science
of the action of forces in producing motion or
equilibrium in bodies.
Analytical mechanics : mechanics treated by the diffe-
rential and integral calculus. Animal mechanics :_ me-
chanics as applied to the study of the movements of animals.
1648 Bp. Wilkins Math. Magick 1. ii. 12 Astronomy
handles the quantity of heavenly motions, Musick of sounds,
and Mechamcks of weights and powers. 1671 Boyle Use/.
Mech. Discipl. Nat. Philos. 1, I do not here take the
Term, Mechanicks, in that stricter and more proper sense,
wherein it is wont to be taken, when tis us'd onely to
signifie the Doctrine about the Moving Powers, (as the
Beam, the Leaver, the Screws, and the Wedg) and of
framing Engines to multiply Force ; but I here understand
the word Medianicks in a larger sense, for those Disciplines
that consist of the Applications of pure Mathematicks to
produce or modifie Motion in inferior Bodies. 1770 Lang-
horne Plutarch (1879) !• 342/1 The first that turned their
thoughts to mechanics, .were Eudoxus and Archytas. 1828
Hutton Course Math. II. 139 Mechanics is the science of
equilibrium and of motion. 1841 W. Spalding Italy *f It.
1st. I. 118 Archimedes.. devoted the best efforts of his skill
in mechanics to the defence of his native town.
•(■2. //. Manual operations. Obs. rare— l.
1726 Swift Gulliver w. x, I shall not trouble the Reader
with a particular Description of my own Mechanics ; let it
suffice to say, that in six Weeks Time . . 1 finished a Sort of
Indian Canoo.
Mechanism (me'kaniz'm). [ad. mod.L. me-
chanismus, f. Gr. /tijxai'ij Machine : see -ism. Cf.
F. micanisme, Sp. mecanismo, Pg. mechanismo, It.
mtccanismo ; also G. mechanismus (pi. mechanis-
meii). Late Latin had meckanisma contrivance.
The mod. L. word was chiefly used to denote the mechani-
cal structure and action of nature according to the Cartesian
philosophy.]
1. The structure, or mutual adaptation of parts,
in a machine or anything comparable to a machine,
whether material or immaterial. (In early use
chiefly with reference to natural objects.)
166a Stillingfl. Orig. Sacr. in, § 15. 401 To impute that
rare mechanism of the works of nature to the blind and for-
286
tuitous motion of some particles of matter ? 1685 Bovi.f.
Enq. Notion Nat. 73, I shall express, what I call'd General
Nature, by Cosmical Mechanism, that is, a Comprisal of all
the Mechanical Affections (Figure, Size, Motion, &c.) that
belong to the matter of the great System of the Universe.
1 7*2 Wollaston Relie. Nat. v. 100 He.. knows the make
of their bodies, and all the mechanism and propensions of
them. 1776 G. Campbell Philos. Rhet. (1801) 1. 241 The
wonderful mechanism of our mental frame. 1833 Ht.
Martineau Briery Creek iv. 85 The mechanism of society
thus resembles the mechanism of man's art. 1854 Brewster
More Worlds xv\\. 256 The wonderful mechanisms of animal
and vegetable life. 1855 Bain Senses $ Int. 11. i. § 1 The
mechanism or anatomy of movement in the animal frame.
1862 Darwin Fertil. Orchids iii. 100 The mechanism of
the flower. 1867 Lady Herbert Cradle L. iii. 96 The door
was a marvel of mechanism.
fb. In somewhat wider sense (see qnot. 1755)-
171a Spectator No. 518 F 8 The Contour of his Person,
the Mechanism of his Dress, (etc.]. 1715 Desaguliers
Fires Impr. 154 The whole Mechanism of it [viz. a chimney]
will be easily understood by a sight of the Figures. 1755
Johnson, Mechanism ,..2. Construction of parts depending
on each other in any complicated fabrick.
2. concr. A system of mutually adapted parts
working together mechanically or in a manner
analogous to mechanical action ; a piece of ma-
chinery; the machinery {Jit. ox fig^) by means of
which some particular effect is produced. Also,
machinery or mechanical appliances in general.
a 1677 Hale/*/-/';/. Orig. Man. 1. ii. 48 That Opinion that
depresseth the natures of sensible Creatures below their just
value.. rendring them no more but barely Mechanisms or
Artificial Engins. 1758 Reid tr. Macqners Chym. I. 129
This is brought about by a mechanism to which we are
strangers. x8oa Paley Nat. Theol. xxiii. (ed. 2) 447 Mechan-
ism is not itself power. Mechanism, without power, can do
nothing. 1814 D. Stewart Hum. Mind II. ii. § 2. 143 The
wonderful mechanism of speech. 1822 Imison Sci.fy Art\.
94 The part of the mechanism of a watch which shows the
hour of the day. 1876 A. B. Kennedy Reuleaux1 Kinem.
Machinery 47 A closed kinematic chain, of which one link
is thus made stationary, is called a mechanism. 1879 St.
George's Hosp. Rep. IX. 809 The vascular dilatation must
be considered as the result of the morbid condition of
the mechanism of the circulation. 1885 tr. Lotze's Micro-
cosmos 1. 11. iv. 232 The mind is not content to have con-
nections of ideas imposed on it by the mechanism of per-
ception and memory. 1903 Hevwood Music in Churches
7 Average choir boys cannot recite on a low note without
being liable to use the.. chest voice, .and the use of their
lower mechanism is usually accompanied with flatness.
b. spec, in musical instruments.
1825 Crosse York Festival 154 The admirable mechanism
by which it [sc. an organ] was made available on this occa-
sion. 1871 Abridgm. Specif. Patents^ Music 163 The in-
vention consists in so arranging the mechanism of a flute
that the closing of the C sharp and the B natural holes may
be simultaneous by the action of the second finger. 1876
Stainer & Barrett Diet. Mns. Terms, Mechanism,
that part of an instrument which forms the connection
between the player and the sound-producing portion.
C. Kinematics. * An ideal machine; a combina-
tion of movable bodies constituting a machine, but
considered only with regard to relative movements1
(Webster 1897).
f3. Mechanical action; 'action according to
mechanick laws* (J.). Obs.
1671 S. Parker De/. Feci. Pol. 342 The Philosophy of a
Phanatick being as intelligible by the Laws of Mechanism,
as the Motion of the Heart, and Circulation of the Bloud.
1692 Bentley Boyle Led. iii. 32 He acknowledges nothing
besides Matter and Motion; so that all that he can con-
ceive to be transmitted hither from the Stars, must needs be
perform'd either by Mechanism or Accident. 1704 Norris
Ideal Worldu. ii. ooThe most that use them [movements] are
utterly ignorant of the laws of mechanism and yet order their
footing as artificially as the most skilful. 1731 Arbuthnot
Aliments (1735) 34 After the Chyle has passed through the
Lungs, Nature continues her usual Mechanism, to convert
it into Animal Substances. 1748 Hartley Observ. Man 1.
iv. 500 The Mechanism or Necessity of human Actions,
in Opposition to what is generally termed Free-will. 1794
Sullivan View Nat. IV. 5 Mechanism has become a learned
word. But, does it mean any more than that one particle
of matter is impelled by another, . . and that still by another,
until we come to the particle first moved ?
f4. A contrivance, artifice. Obs. rare.
1670 W. Clarke Nat. Hist. Nitre 92 It is also a pretty
Mechanism in Cookery, .which is this, Nitre giveth a Reel
Colour to Neats-Tongues, [etc.] 1688 Evelyn in Gutch
Coll. Cur. I. 414 All their [the Jesuits'] other mechanismes
and arts having fail'd them.
f 5. Mechanical operations ; mechanical art. Obs.
1710 Steele Taller No. 209 F 2 Painting is Eloquence
and Poetry in Mechanism. 1736 Ainsworth Lat. Diet.,
Talus. .who first invented the saw.. grew such an artist,
that Daedalus fearing to be outdone in mechanism put him
to death. /
f6. The opinion that everything in the universe/
is produced by mechanical forces. Obs. f
1777 Priestley Matt. <y Spir. (1782) I. Introd. 5 Mechan-
ism is the undoubted consequence of materialism.
7. Art. The mechanical execution of a painting,
sculpture. pieceof music, etc.; technique. (Opposed
to style or expression.)
1843 Ki skin Mod. Paint. 11. § 1. vii. 94 note, Canaletti's
mechanism is wonderful. Prout's_ the rudest possible ; but
there is not a grain of feeling in the one, and there is
much in the other, i860 Ibid. V. ix. viii. § 1. 281 [Teniers
and Wouvermans] seem never to have painted indolently,
but gave the purchaser his thorough money's worth of
mechanism. 1876 Stainer & Barrett Diet. Mns. Terttts,
Mechanism, the physical power of performance, as dis-
tinguished from the intellect or taste which directs it.
MECHANOLOGY.
b. ' Mechanical ' quality (of literature) ; the
following of set methods for producing effect.
1903 Ld. Rosebery in Daily Nnvs 27 Nov. 5/5 Lord
Macaulay's works.. are charged now with a certain amount
of mannerism and a certain amount of mechanism.
Mechanist (me-kanist). [f. Mechan-ic + -ist.]
1. t a. A mechanic, handicraftsman (jobs.), b.
One who constructs machinery ; a machinist.
1606 J. Kino Serm. Sept. 32 They will turn .. Princes into
mechanistes and artificers. 1718 J. Chamberlayne Relig.
Philos. (1730) I. x. § 17. 92 Adapted by Mechanists to other
sort of uses. X759 Johnson Rasselas vi, Having seen what
the mechanist had already performed, a 1761 Cawthorn
Poems (1771) 200 Observing this unlucky lailer Was neither
mechanist, nor taylor. 1806 Edin. Rev. IX. 210 The me-
chanist could have very little to do with the success of
the play. 185a Grote Greece n. lxxxii. X. 664 He collected
. .all the best engineers, mechanists, armourers, artisans, etc.,
whom Sicily or Italy could furnish.
2. One versed in mechanics ; a mechanician.
1704 Norbis Ideal World 11. ii. 90 Placing their bodies in
the aptest postures for their preservation, such as the wisest
mechanist cannot correct. 175" Johnson Rambler No. 117
r 1 The Mechanist will be afraid to assert.. the Possibility
of tearing down Bulwarks with a Silkworm's thread, a 1774
Goldsm. Sun:. Exp. Philos. (1776) I- *i2 It is called by
mechanists the center of gravity. 1809-10 Coleridge
Friend (1865) 160 One slate possesses chemists, mechanists,
mechanics of all kinds, men of science, a 1822 Shelley
Di/. Poetry Pr. Wks. 1888 II. 28 Poets have been challenged
to resign the civic crown to reasoners and mechanists.
t 3. One who holds a mechanical theory of the
universe. Obs. (Cf. Mechanic B. 4.)
1668 H. More Di;: Dial. Characters, Cuphophron, A
zealous. .Platonist and Cartesian, or Mechanist.
Mechanistic (mekanrstik), a. [f. prec. + -ic]
Of, pertaining to, or connected with mechanics or
mechanism. Also, pertaining to or holding me-
chanical theories in biology or philosophy.
1884 Nature 21 Aug. 383/1 The series of curves of velocity
fiven for different mechanistic combinations. 1893 Burdon-
anderson in Athenxnm 16 Sept. 375/2 The mechanistic
view of the phenomena of life. 1904 tVestm. Gaz. 3 Dec
16/3 The mechanistic school.
Mechanize (me-kanaiz), v. [f. Mechan-ic +
-IZE ; cf. obs. F. mCchaniser.]
L trans. To make or render mechanical ; to
import or attribute a mechanical character to ; to
bring into a mechanical state or condition ; to work
out the mechanical details of (a design, idea, etc.).
1678 [implied in Mechanizing vii. s6.]. 1704 Norris Ideal
II 'orld H. ii. 00 God can so mechanize matter, as to make it
capable of doing some things that [etc.]. 1795 Coleridge
Condones 32 A system of fundamental Reform wilj scarcely
be effected by massacres mechanized into Revolution. 1831
Carlyle Sart. Res. HI. iii, Cannot he .. mechanise them
{sc. motives] to grind the other way? 1843 J. Mar-
tineau Chr. I.i/e (1867) 201 You cannot mechanize benevo-
lence. 1870 Emerson Soc. i Solit., Art Wks. (Bohn) III.
21 Raphael paints wisdom: Handel sings it,..Shakspeare
writes it,.. Watt mechanizes it. 1879 Baring-Gould Ger-
many I. 127 He [the artisan] is mechanised.
2. intr. (nonce-uses.) To work as a mechanic ; to
move mechanically.
1886 T. Hardy Mayor Casterir. xxxvi, Rural mechanics
too idle to mechanise, rural servants too rebellious to serve.
190a — Mother Mourns Poems 71 Why loosened I olden
control here To mechanize skywards.
Hence Me-chanized///. a. ; Mechanizing vbl.
sb. (in quot. used attrib.) Also Me chanization,
the action of the verb Mechanize ; Me'chanizer,
one who mechanizes, a believer in mechanical order
or system = Mechanist 3.
1678 Cudworth Intell. Syst. I. iii. § 38. 175 Some of the
ancient religious atomists were also too much infected with
this mechanizing humour. 1813 Shelley Q. Mai in. 180 A
mechanized automaton. 1831 Carlyle Sart. Res. in. v, Our
European Mcchanisers are a sect of boundless diffusion,
activity, and co-operative spirit. 1839 J. Sterling Ess.,
etc (1848) I. 297 The mechanization of the mind. 1842 Hid.
393 Genius, .cannot be prevented by the happiest mechaniza-
tion of man. 1891 Longm. Mag. Aug. 431 By force of con-
scious and unconscious repetition of the phrase, it became
mechanised.
Mechanograph (m/'karn^grcif). rare-". [I.
Gr. urixavo-, nixavri machine + -GRAPH.] One of
a set of copies of a work of art, writing, etc. multi-
plied by mechanical means.
1885 in Casselfs Encycl. Did. \ and in recent Diets.
Mechanographic (me-kanogra;-nk), a. rare.
[f. Gr. nrjxavo-, /tr/xanj machine + -GRAPHIC.]
1. Treating of mechanics.
1830 Maunder Treas. A'uozvl. 1.
2. Pertaining to mechanography (Ogilvic Sttppl.
|Q.,N
Mechanogfraphy (mekanp-grafi). rare-0, [ad.
mod.L. viichanografhia, i. Gr. nrjxavo-, fivXavV
machine : see -graphy.] The art of copying or
reproducing a work of art or writing by mechan-
ical means. Hence Mechano-graphist, one who
practises this art.
[1826 Elmes Diet. Fine Arts, Mechanographia.) 1840
Smart, s.v. Mechanic, Mechanography, is the art of imi-
tating paintings by mechanical means. 1847 Webster,
Mechanographist.
MechanolOgy (mekanplodji). rare. [f. Gr.
prjxavo-, ri-qx^V machine + -LOGY.] The science
of, or a treatise on, machines or mechanism.
MECHANOTHERAPY.
1840 De Quincey Style Wks. 1859 XI. 194 The science of
style, considered as a machine, . . might be called the mecha-
nology of style. 1876 Dunglison Med. Lex., Mechano-
logy, a description of, or treatise on machines, or apparatus
used in medicine or surgery.
Mechanotherapy (me^kanobe'rapi). Also in
Lat. form -therapia. [ad. mod.L. type *mechano-
Iherapia, f. Gr. ixqxavo-, firjxavri machine + $tpairua
healing.] Cure by mechanical means.
1800 in Syd. Soc. /.ex. 1896 A /Unit's Syst. Med. I. 373
The practice of * mechanotherapy ' by manipulators usu-
ally quite ignorant of medicine. 1901 Westm. Gaz. 16
May 2/1 The Zander Institute at Paris is the home of
mechanotherapia, or cure by mechanical means.
II Mediant (me|an), a. Also fern, meehante
(m«jant). [Fr. See also Meschant.] Malicious,
spiteful, wayward, worthless, wicked.
1813 Byron 26 Nov. in Moore Lett, fy Jmls. (1830) I. 453
She has much beauty,— just enough,— but is, I think, me-
ehante. 1849 Thackeray Pendennis xlvi, Mr. Pendennis
was wicked, mediant, perfectly abominable. 1865 ' Ouida '
Strathmore I. ix. 145 That light, michante voice that had
mocked him from the mask.
Mechant, variant of Meschant 06s.
Mechanurgy (me-kanMd,?i). [As if ad. Gr.
*ftt]xavovpyia, f. prjxavo-, /"/xai-ij machine + ip-y-ov
work.] That branch of mechanics which treats of
moving machines. 1864 in Webster ; and in recent Diets.
t Mediation. 06s. rare—0, [ad. L. mocha-
lion-em, i. mcccharl to commit adultery, f. machits,
a. Gr. /joixos adulterer.] Adultery.
1656 Blount Giossogr., Mediation, fornication, Whore-
dom, strumpeting.
Meche, obs. form of Match si.1, Much.
Meehef, obs. form of Mischief s6.
Meehel, Mecher, etc. : see Mickle, Micheb.
Mechient, variant of Meschant 06s.
Mechil(l, obs. forms of Mickle.
Mechitarist : see Mekhitarist.
Mechlin (me-klin), a. and s6. Forms : 5
meighlyn, J meoklen, 8 mschlen, meoklin,
mechline, maoklin, 8- mechlin. [The name
of a town in Belgium, used attrib. and ellipt.]
fl. Mechlin 6lack : a black cloth made at Mechlin.
1483 Wardr. Ace. in Grose Anliq. Rep. (1807) I. 61 ij pair
of hosen made of..broode meighlyn blac.
2. In full Mechlin lace: lace produced at Mechlin.
+ Mechlin cravat : a neckerchief made of Mechlin
lace. Mechlin cm6roidery (see quot. 1882).
1609 Lond. Gaz. No. 3525/4 A Wastcoat and Holland
Shift, both laced with Mecklen Lace. 1706 Farquhar Re-
cruiting Officer 111. i, Right Mechlin, by this light ! Where
did you get this Lace? 1714 Gay Araminta, The Silver
Knot o'erlooks the Mechlen Lace. 1716 Pope Basset-t. 91
With eager beats his Mechlin Cravat moves. 1718 Young
Love o/Famev. (ed. 2) 105 Mecklin the queen of lace. 1728
Swift Jrnl. Mod. Lady Wks. 175. VII. 192 Fresh Matter
for a World of Chat, Right Indian this, right Macklin that.
1748 Smollett Rod. Rand, xxxiv. (1760) I. 265 His shirt
which was of the finest cambric, edged with right Mechline
1865 Mrs. Palliser Lace 31 All the laces of Flanders, with
the exception of those of Brussels and the point double, were
known at this period [1665] under the general name of
Mechlin. 1881 Cauleeild & Saward Diet. Necdlauork,
Mechlin Embroidery, a term applied to Mechlin Lace, as
the thread that was inserted round the outlines of that lace
gave it somewhat the look of Embroidery. Ibid., Mechlin
Lace Wheel,, .formed with a number of Bars crossing each
other, with a circle or wheel ornamented with Picots in the
centre of the space. 1888 Miss Braddon Fatal Three 1. i,
The flowing garment . . was to be changed presently for
white satin and old Mechlin lace.
t Mechloic (mfltW**), a. Chem. 06s. [f. Me-
(conin) + Chlo(rine) + -ic] Mechloic acid: a
crystallized acid produced by the action of chlorine
gas on fused meconin.
1836 J. M. Gully Magendies Formal, (ed. 2) 35 Chlorine
at the fusing point of meconine. .transforms it into an acid,
to which the name of mechloic has been given. 1838 T.
Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies 103 Mechloic Acid was dis-
covered by M. Couerbe. 1839 Penny Cycl. XV. 50/2.
Mechlori'nic, a. = pree.
1890 [see Meconin.]
Mechoacan (metf<wakan). Also 6 meohoi-
eana, 7 mechoacham, meehacan, mechoean,
meohoaoauna, (meeoacan), 7-9 meohoaehan.
[Called from the Mexican province Mechoacan.
(Hence often written with capital M.)]
1. The root of a Mexican species of bindweed,
fpomsea (Batatas) Jalapa, formerly used in medi-
One as a purgative ; also, the plant itself. Also
called white mechoacan.
1577 Frampton Joy/ull Newes 23 b, The Mechoacan is a !
Koote. .brought from a countrie. .called Mechoacan. 1504
Blundevii .Exerc. v. xi. (1636) 555 The chiefe Merchandizes
that come from Mexicana. .are these, Gold, Silver,, .the root
Mechoicana. 1597 Gerarde Herbal 11. cccviii. 723 That !
plant.. called Mechoacan, or Bryonie of Mexico. Itid.,The
Bryome, or Mechoacan of Peru groweth vp [etc.]. 1671
Josselyn New-Eng. Rarities^ Brionyof Peru. .; some take
it for Mechoacan. 1676 T. Glover in Phil. Trans. XI. 630
.M"e [Virginia] grow two Roots, which some Physicians
judg, the one to be Turbith, the other Mechoacan. 1688 R.
Holme Armoury 11. 95/2 Meehacan of Peru . . groweth up 1
like hops by help of a pole. I7o3 Dampier Voy. (1729) III. I
453 Mechoacan. A Sort of blush-coloured Bindweed. 1741
Compl. Fam.-Piece 1. i. 34 The Root of Mechoacan. 1768
287
I W. Lewis Mat. Med. (ed. 2) 375 Mechoacan scarcely
yields one sixth part so much [resin] as jalap does. 1840
[ Pereira Elem. Mat. Med. 11. 893 The roots of several others
have been employed in medicine on account of their purga-
tive properties ; as the root called Mechoacan. . . Their use
is now obsolete. 1856 Mawe Expos. Lex., Mechoacanna,
..the plant mechoacan. 187a Schele de Vere American-
isms 410 Wild Potato Vine (Convolvulus panduratus), also
known by its Indian name of Mechoachan, which grows in
sandy soil all overthe United States. iS^oSyd. Soc. Lex.,
Mechoacan, white, same as Mechoacan.
2. With qualifying words, applied to various
other plants of similar properties.
1890 Syd. Soc. Lex. s. v., Black Mechoacan, a synonym of
Jalap. Grey Mechoacan, the root of Myrabilis [sic] longi-
flora. Mechoacan 0/ Canada, the root of Phytolacca
decandra.
t3. A purgative drug obtained from the roots of
Ipomsea (Batatas) Jalapa and other plants. 06s.
1610 [see Kermes i]. 1616 Bacon Sy/va % 36 The Qualiiie
of the Medicine. .is.. of secret Malignity, and disagree-
ment towards Mans Bodie..; As in Scammony, Mechoa-
cham, Antimony, &c. 1681 tr. Willis' Rem. Med. Wks.
Vocab., Mechoacan, a purging drug brought from the In-
dies. 1768 W. Lewis Mat. Med. (ed. 2) 375 The dose of the
mechoacan in substance is from one dram to two or more.
4. attri6., as mechoacan root ; f mechoacan-ale,
a drink medicated with mechoacan ; mechoacan
jalap (see Jalap 2).
1696 Salmon Fam.-Dict. 203 Spring and Fall purge with
'Meeoacan- Ale. 163a Sherwood *. v., The (Indian) "Me-
choacan root, Rhamindique. 1866 Trcas. Bot. 727/1
Mechoacan root. Batatas Jalapa.
Mecistocephalic (mtostcs/'fse'lik), a. [f.
Gr. jtr/KiffToj longest + uetpaXri head.] Longest-
headed : applied by Huxley to skulls with the
highest cephalic index (69 and under).
1866 Huxley Preh. Rem. Caithn. 115 The large increase
in the percentage of meco- and mecistocephalic skulls.
So || Mecistocephali (-si), s6. pi. [mod. Latin],
men with mecistocephalic skulls. Mecistocepha-
lous a. = Mecistocephalic. Mecistocephaly,
the condition or quality of being mecistocephalic.
1866 Huxley Preh. Rem. Caithn. 112 There is every
stage from brachistocephaly to mecistocephaly to be met
with between Switzerland and Scandinavia. 1878 Barti.ky
tr. Topinarcts Anthrop. II. ii. 238 In Mr. Huxley's system
the terms themselves are altered. His mecistocephali are
69 and under. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., Mecistocephalous.
Meek (mek). [a. Du. vlik forked stick.]
1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk., Meek, a notched staff in
a whale-boat on which the harpoon rests.
Meckelian (mekf-lian), a. Anal. [f. Meckel
+ -Ian.] The designation of certain structures dis-
covered by J. F. Meckel (1714-74), or his grandson
J. F. Meckel (1 781 -1833). Meckelian arch, 6ar,
cartilage, rod: the cartilaginous rod or bar which
is temporarily developed in the mandibular arch
of the foetus. Meckelian ganglion, the sphenopala-
tine ganglion.
More commonly these structures are known as Meckel's
arch, cartilage, ganglion, etc.
[1836-9 Todd's Cycl. Ana/. II. 285/1 The ganglion. .has
also received the title of Meckel's ganglion.) 1858 Huxley
in Proc. Roy. Soc. IX. 397 The Meckelian cartilage. [1864
Quain's Anal. (ed. 7)1.66 The remaining part.. is named
Meckel's cartilage after its first describer.] 1890 Syd. Soc.
Lex., Meckelian bar. 1890 Century Diet., Meckelian gang-
lion, rod, etc.
Meckenynge, obs. form of Meekening.
Mecklin, obs. form of Mechlin.
Mecnesse, obs. form of Meekness.
Mecocephalic (mCl»|Sflfe\lik), a. [f. Gr.
/iijicos length + Ktipakij head.] = Dolichocephalic.
1866 [see Mecistocephalic].
Mecook(e, variant forms of Meacock 06s.
Mecodont (nu-k<;dj>nt')) a. [f. Gr. /h}*o-s length
+ 6801/T-, dSovs tooth.] Having long teeth.
187s Huxley in Encyct. Brit. I. 760/2 This 'mecodont'
arrangement is strikingly exemplified by Salamandra
maculosa.
Mecography (mzkp'grafi). rare. [f.Gr./^«o-s
length + -oraphy.] f a. (See quot. 1603.) 06s. b.
(See quot. 1890.)
1603 (title) The Mecographie of ye Loadstone [tr. Nau-
tonnier Mecographie de VEymant), tat is to say ane De-
scription of the lenthes or longitudes, quhikis ar fon be ye
observations of ye loadstone. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., Meco-
graphy, the graphic investigation of the dimensions and
weight of the body.
MeCOllieter (mzk^-mftai). [f. Gr. fiijico-s
length + -meter, after F. me'eomitre] An instru-
ment for measuring length ; spec, a graduated in-
strument for measuring the length of new-born
infants, used at the Hospice de la Maternite, Paris.
1855 Dunglison Med. Lex. (ed. 12) Mecometer. 1867 De
Morgan in Athenaeum 19 Jan. 89 In fact, he did his very
best to get larger ' mercy '. And he shall have it ; and at a
length which will content him, unless his mecometer be an
insatiable apparatus.
t MeCO'metry. 06s. rare. [f. Gr. itijicos length
+ -metry.] Measurement of length.
1570 Dee Math. Pre/, a iij b. To be certified, either of the
length, perimetry, or distance lineal! :. .is called Mecometrie.
1618 M. Baret Nippon, xxxviii. 1.17 How can a man. .learne
the knowledge of Mechometry, whereby lengths and dis-
tances are measured, if not [etc.].
[f. Gr. ixfjKtuv poppy
MECONOPHAGISM.
Meconate (mfWnJt). Chem. Earlier meconi-
ate. [f. Mecon-ic + -ate.] A salt of meconic acid.
1833 Lond. * Edinb. Philos. Mag. II. 156 These crystals
are brownish, and consist of meconine, meconiates, and other
substances. 1836 J. M. Gully Magendie's Formal, (ed 2)
38 To separate the meconate of lime. 1874 Garrod &
Baxter Mat. Med. (1880) 192 The meconate and lactate of
morphia and codeia.
tMeco'nia. Chem. 06s.
+ -ia.] = Meconin.
1836 Brands Chem. (ed. 4) 1019 Meconia. This sub-
stance was discovered by Dublanc and Couerbe. Ibid. The
quantity of meconia in opium is so small, that [etc.].
Meconial (rmkeu-nial), a. Med. [f. Meconi-
um + -al.] ' Pertaining to, or due to, meconium ;
as, meconial colic' (Webster Snppl. 1902).
Meconiasin: see Meconisin.
Meconic (mikp-nik), a. Chem. [f. Gr. ju\kwv
poppy + -ic] Meconic acid: a white crystalline
acid obtained from opium. So meconic ether.
1819 J. G. Children Chem. Anal. 277 Meconic acid is
obtained from opium. 1865 Watts Diet. Chem. III. 861
Meconic Ethers. 1884 Bower & Scott De Bary's Phaner.
1S4 Morphin combined with meconic acid in opium.
Meconidine (mikp-nidin). Chem. Also -in.
[f. Gr. yx\Kwv poppy + -in- + -inf. 5 : cf. ouinidi/tc]
An amorphous alkaloid found in opium ; dis-
covered by Hesse in 1870.
1871 Watts tr. Gme/in's Ilandbk. Chem. XVIII. 199
Meconidine. . . Contained in the aqueous extract of opium.
II Meconidium (mfkoni'diiJm). pi. -ia. [mod.
L., as if ad. Gr. * p-rjuajvihov , dim. of p.i)Kaiv poppy.
For the reason for the name see quot. 1871 ; the dim. ter-
mination was suggested by gonidium, b/as/idium, etc.]
One of the fixed medusoid buds produced Ly
certain Hydroids, which contain the reproductive
elements ; a gonophore.
1849 Allman in Ann. Na/. I/is/. Ser. in. IV. 137 The
extra-capsular medusiform sporosacs (' meconidia ') of Lao-
medea. 1871 — Gymnob/. Hydroids Introd. 16 Meconidium,
peculiar sporosacs, somewhat resembling a poppy capsule in
form. 1884 Riverside Nat. Hist. (1888) I. 85 The cavity
of the blastostyle is directly continuous with a central cavity
in this meconidium.
Meconin (mfk<)hin). Chem. Also -ine. [ad.
F. meconine, f. Gr. pr)Ku>v poppy : see -IN I.] A
white, crystalline, neutral compound existing in
opium, regarded as an anhydride of meconic acid.
Cf. Meconia.
1833 Lond. <$• Ediu. Philos. Mag. II. 156 Meconine was
discovered in opium, by M. Couerbe in 1830. 1874 Garrod
& Baxter Mai. Med. 202 Meconine or Opianyl acts on
man as a mild hypnotic. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., Meconin
resin, a resin which falls on the addition of water to the
chlorine-holding fluid from which mechlorinic acid has been
obtained.
Meconioid (mikOT-n^oid), a. Med. [f. Me-
conium + -old.] Resembling, of the nature of,
pertaining to, or obtained from meconium.
1856 in Mayne Expos. Lex. s. v. Mccouioides.
Meconisin (nufy'nisin). Chem. Also -iasin.
[Arbitrarily varied from Meconin.] (See quots.)
1887 Brunton Pharmacol, (ed. 3) § 5. xxxi. 846 The
neutral substances [in opium] are meconin and meconiasin.
1890 Billings Nat. Med. Diet. II. 122 Meconisin C8H10O2.
A crystallizable neutral principle discovered in opium by
T. and H. Smith (1878).
II Meconium (nukou-niom). [L. meconium
(Pliny), a. Gr. ixrjitwviov (in senses 1 and 2 below),
f. fuJMov poppy.]
f 1. The inspissated juice of the poppy ; opium.
1601 Holland Pliny II. 68. 1681 tr. Willis' Rem. Med.
Wks. Vocab., Meconium, the juice of the leaves and heads
of poppy. 1783 Justamond tr. Raynafs Hist. Indies II.
147 The meconium, or common opium is prepared by press-
ing the poppy heads that have been already cut. 1804 Med.
y™/. XII. 470 Meconium or poppies.— For excessive fluxes,
and pains in the uterus.
2. The dark excrementitious substance in the large
intestines of the foetus; hence, the first fseces of a
new-born infant.
1706 in Phillips (ed. Kersey). 173a Arbuthnot Rides 0/
Diet in Aliments, etc. 404 All of them [sc. new-born Infants]
have a Meconium, or sort of dark colour 'd Excrement in the
Bowels. 1899 C'agney tr. Jaksch's Clin. Diagn. (ed. 4) 244
The term ( meconium ' is applied to the substance discharged
from the rectum of the child immediately after birth.
3. Ent. The fseces of an insect just transformed
from the pupa.
1789 Trans. Soc. Arts VII. 131 The elasticity of the silk,
as the moths creep through, has the effect of pressing out a
kind of red meconium. 1890 in Century Diet.
4. ' Applied to the black pigment of the choroid '
{Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890).
Meconology (mikiJrifrlodji). rare—", [ad.
mod.L. meconologia, f. Gr. n-qnuv poppy + -ology.J
A treatise on the poppy or opium.
[1693 tr. Blancard's Phys. Diet. (ed. 2), Meconologia, a De-
scription of Opium.] 1721 Bailey, Mecono/ogy, a Description
or Treatise of Opium. 1856 Mayne Expos. Lex. Meconologia,
..meconology. [In recent Diets.]
Meconophagisni (rcukifap'fadjiz'm). Med.
[f. Gr. nr)Kw¥(o)-, j.ii)Kcov poppy + -ipdyos that eats
+ -ism.] Opium-eating. So Meconophagist, an
opium-eater.
1886 Alien. <J- Neurol. VII. 463 The death of the patient
being attributed to causes which are supposed to be discon-
MECONOPSIS.
288
MEDDLE.
nected from the meconophagism. Ibid. 471 If they happen
to find solace in opium readily, they become mecono-
phagists. 1893 Dunglison Med. Diet. (ed. 21) Mecono-
pha^ism, opium-eating.
|| Meconopsis (m/lconfpsis). Bot. [mod.L.,
f. Gr. piTjKoiu poppy + ifyts appearance.] A genus
of plants of the N.O. Papaveracese ; also, a plant
of this genus.
1836 Loudon Encycl. Plants 462 Welsh Meconopsis. 1905
Westm. Gaz. 3jan. 9/1 The remarkable meconopsis recently
sent from the Thibetan highlands.
t Mecop. Obs. [a. Flem. mehop, f. *men = MDu.
?naan, G. mohn poppy + hop head.] The poppy.
c 1481 Caxton Dialogues 20/1 1 Oyle of mecop.
t Mecubalist. Obs. [f.late Heb.me</ubbdlwhat
is received, pa. pple. of qibbel to receive (whence
Cabbala) + -ist.] ? One versed in Jewish traditions.
1653 R. Sanders Physiogn. 202 By searching into the
ancient Cabalists, Mecubalists, and Massorets, I find [etc.].
Mecul(le, obs. forms of Mickle.
Med, obs. form of Mead, Meed.
Medfflwart, variant of Mkadwort.
Medagle, Medaglion, medaillon, obs. ft.
Medal sb., Medallion sb.
Medal (medal), sb. Forms : 6-7 medaill(e,
7 medall, -ull, meddal(l, medaile, -el, 7-
medal. Also 7 medagle, pi. -glies. fa. F.
midaille (15th c. in Hatz.-Darm.), ad. It. medaglia
= OF. meaille, maille (see Mail j^.4),Sp. medalla,
Pg. medalha :— Com. Rom. *medallia :— popular
L. type *metalka, f. metallum Metal sb. In early
Rom. use the word meant a coin of minute value ;
cf. Mail sb.4
The Rom. word passed into OHG. as medilla, rendering
the Latin as; in MHG. medile, ntedele occurs for (the
widow's) mite. Mod. G. has adopted the Fr. word as
medaille \ so also Du., Da. medaille, Sw. medal;'.]
+ 1. A metal disk bearing a figure or an inscrip-
tion, used as a charm or trinket. Obs.
a 1586 Sidnf.v Arcadia m. (1508)342 He gaue Damelas
certaine Medailles of gold hee had long kept about him.
1611 Shaks. Wint. T. 1. ii. 307 He that weares her like her
Medull, hanging About his neck. 164a Howell .For. Trav.
(Arb.) 36 Lewis, .had. .an humour of his own, to weare in
his hat a Medaille of Lead. 1674 Bhevint Said at Endor
250 Any Meddal when rightly consecrated can do as much.
2. A piece of metal, usually in the form of a
coin, struck or cast with an inscription, a head or
effigy of a person, or other device or figure to com-
memorate a person, action, or event ; also as a
distinction awarded to a soldier, etc. for a heroic
deed or other service rendered to a country, etc.
In collectors* use, extended to include coins pos-
sessing artistic or historical interest.
1611 Cotgr., Manieur de sable, a Moulder, or caster of
Medalls, or prizes in sand. 1647 Clarendon Hist. Reb.
1. § 119 He.. had a rare Collection of the most curious
Medals. 1658 \V. Blrton Itin. Anton. 142 The Coyns and
medaglies of all the Emperours. 1709 Steele Taller
No. 65 p 2 Medals had been struck for our General's Be-
haviour. 171a Swift Let. Eng. Tongue Wks. 1751 IV.
256 If any such persons were above Money, ..a Medal, or
some mark of distinction, would do full as well. 1756-7 tr.
Keyslerys Trav. (1760) I. 285 The king had formerly a very
valuable collection of medals. 18x3 Gen. Order 7 Oct. in
Loud. Gaz. 9 Oct., One Medal only shall be borne by each
Officer. 1839 Alison Nisi. Europe (1849-50) VIII. liii. § 5a
447 Two medals were unanimously voted to record the me-
morable acts of Bayonne. ^ 1899 Westm. Gaz. 1 June 7/1
The members of the Mission will be decorated with com-
memoration medals.
b. As a reward for merit, or for proficiency,
skill, or excellence in any art or subject.
1751 Berkeley Let. to A re hdall 22 N ov., Wks. 1871 IV.
329 Gold medals for encouraging the study of Greek. 1839
Jrnl. Geog. Soc. IX. p. ix, The gold medals, awarded re-
spectively to Dr. Ruppell. .and Mr. Thomas Simpson. 1892
Field 16 Apr. 573/2 After the match the Mayor, .presented
the cup and medals to the winning team. 1904 Athcnxum
24 Dec. 880/3 An engraved silver medal awarded by the
Plymouth Independent Rangers, .for 'skill at arms'.
T 8. fig. in various uses : An image, representa-
tion (cf. Model sb.) ; something beyond the com-
mon run (as a medal compared with current coin).
Medals of creation : a rhetorical term applied to
fossils, as commemorating events in the history of
the globe (cf. quot. 1768 s. v. Medallic).
a 1613 Overbury Characters, Prison Wks. (1856) 155 It
[a prison] comes to be a perfect medall of the iron age,
sithence nothing but gingHng of keyes, rattling of shackles,
..are here to be heard. 1653 H. More./3«//V£ Atk. 1. xi.
(1712) 36 This little Meddal oTGod, the Soul of Man. 1656
Artif. Handsom. 129 Neither the wit nor tongue.. can be
a mint capable to coyne the least farthing sin, much less so
large a piece and medaile as this man pretends to make of
any helping our complexion. 1751 Earl Orkery Remarks
Swift (1752) 165 As their letters were not intended for the
public, perhaps I was unreasonable in looking for medals,
and not being contented with the common current species.
1804 Parkinson Org. Rem. I. 7 The illustrious Bergmann
elegantly describes fossils as the medals of creation. 1844
Mantell (title) Medals of Creation.
b. Phrases, t The medal is reversing [cf. Fr.
la medaille est renversee\ : things or events are
changing for the worse. The reverse of the medal*.
the other side of the question.
1641 Evelyn Diary 28 June, The madaill was reversing,
and our calamities were but yet in their infancy. 1690
I Dialogue betw. Francesco &c, Harl. Misc. (Park) IX. 455
To show you the reverse of the medal. Is it not a pity
that [etc. J. 1868 Grant Duff Pol. Surv. 195 Then for the
reverse of the medal, you have Mr. Christie's Notes on
Brazilian Questions.
4. attrib. and Comb., as medal-casting, 'hunter,
-hunting, -inscription, -monger, -striker* -tract ;
medal-cup, 'a drinking vessel of metal, usually
of silver, in which coins or medallions are incrusted
and form a part of the decoration* (Cent. Vict.
1890); medal-machine (see quot.) ; medal-play
Golf, play in which the score is reckoned by count-
ing the number of strokes taken to complete a round
by each side (Cent. Did. 1890) ; medal-tankard
= medal-cup (ibid.).
1847 L°- Lindsay Chr. Art I. p. ccix, A complete classifi.
cation should include artists.. in medal-casting, gem and
seal-cutting [etc.]. 1893 B?-it. 7ml. Photog. XL. 795 The
army of exhibition and *medal -hunters. 1902 L. S. Amery
etc. ' Times' Hist. War II. 26 It [sc. fighting against in-
ferior foes] conduces to .. *medal-hunting. 1658 Sir T.
Browne Hydriot. \. (1736) 12 As testified by History a*id
*MedaI-Inscription yet extant. 1875 Knight Diet. meek.
1418/1 * Medal-machine, a machine for making copies of
medals and raised or sunk works on a scale larger or smaller
than the original. 1764 Foote Patron I. (17S1) 10 What, old
Martin, the *medal-monger ? . . Martin ! why he likes no heads
but upon coins. 1899 Westm. Gaz. 27 Sept. 4/3 In *medal
play a player who drives from outside the teeing-ground is
to be disqualified. 187a Symonds Introd. Study Dante 185
No *medal-striker ever made his outlines sharper or his
shadows deeper. iyi6 M.Vamks A then. Brt't. III. 73 Great
Brittain has produe'd the fewest of *Medal-Tracts and Nu-
mismatical Collectors.
Medal (me-dal), v. [f. Medal sb.] trans. To
decorate or honour with a medal; to confer a medal
upon as a mark of distinction.
1823 Byron Let. to Scott 4 May, He was medalled, i860
Thackeray Round. Papers, Nil nisi Bonum (1899) 174
Irving went home medalled by the King. 1900 Nation
(N. Y.) 4 Oct. 269/2 It would have been much more to the
point, anyway, had he [Herr Menzel] exhibited and been
medalled [at the Paris Exhibition] as illustrator.
Medalet (me'dalet). Also medallet. [f.
Medal sb. + -et.] A small or diminutive medal ;
also applied to small medals bearing the figures of
saints, worn by Roman Catholics.
1789 Pinkerton Ess, Medals I. xiii. 227, I shall beg leave
to give this class the appellation of medalets. 1799 T. Con-
der (title). An Arrangement of Provincial Coins, Tokens,
and Medalets. 1897 W. C. Hazlitt Four Generations II.
227 A medalet with the three sisters of Napoleon as the
Three Graces.
Medallary (me'dalari). rare—1, [f. Medalj£.
+ -ary !.] A collection or set of medals.
1882 R. F. Burton in A then&umvB Jan. 125/2 The meda1-
lary struck for the ter-centenary festival.
Medalled (me'daTd),///. a. [f. Medal v. +
-ed1.] Adorned, furnished, or decorated with a
medal. Of a picture, etc. : For which a medal
has been awarded.
1857 Emerson May-day (1867) 25 The high-school and
medalled boy. 1889 Pall Mall G. 23 Oct. 1/3 There has
been a good deal of ill-feeling.. in regard to affixing to
' medalled ' pictures the labels explanatory of the nature of
the award. 1900 Ch. Times 2 Feb. 136/4, I communicated
over seventy around a tent.. this morning, from medalled
general to private Atkins,
Medallic (medarlik), a. [f. Medal sb. + -ic]
1. Pertaining or relating to, characteristic of, or
of the nature of a medal ; represented on a medal.
170a Addison Dial. Medals 1. (1766) 13, I am afraid you
will never be able, with all your Medallic eloquence, to [etc.].
1768 A. Catcott Treat. Deluge 407 Neither do the fossil
reliqui^ of plants and animals . . yield in elegancy and exact-
ness to medal ic insignatures. 1778 Pennant Tour Wales
(1883) 1. 17 In the library is a. .numerous collection of books
..which comprehend the medallic history. 1876 Humphreys
Coin-coll. Man. xxvi. 396 We have modern examples of
medallic caricatures. i&s$Alhen3ium 1 Aug. 149/3 Recent
productions of medallic art.
2. Resembling a medal,
1806 Harwood Lichfield 367 Small medallic tokens. . have
been stamped. 1875 Jevons Money vii. 63 Such medallic
coins would become the most durable memorials.
Medallically (medarlikali), adv. [f. Medal-
lic + -al + -ly 2.j By the evidence of medals.
184a De Quincev Pagan Oracles Wks. 1858 VIII. 180
Which. .historically and medallically can be demonstrated
to have availed [etc.].
Medallion (m/dce-Ivan), sb. Also 7-8 meda-
llion, 8 medaillon. [a. F. mddaillon, ad. It.
medaglione, augmentative of medaglia Medal sb.]
1. A large medal.
Erroneously explained in Blount Glossogr. 1661 as * a little
medal \ after Cotgrave's erroneous rendering of medaillon.
1658 Sir T. Browne Card. Cyrus ii. Hydriot. etc. 41 In
this figure the sitting gods and goddesses are drawn in
medalls and medallions. 1701 W. Wotton Hist. Rome 253
Morellius produces a beautiful Medaglion of Commodus.
1799 G. Smith Laboratory II. 13 The large sort, which are
called medallions, are but seldom struck, except intended
for particular presents. 1876 Humphreys Coin-coll. Man.
vi. 57 Of the finest epoch (of Syracusan coins) the celebrated
and highly prized medallions, bearing the head of Ceres or
Proserpine are the most remarkable.
2. Anything resembling this ; applied to various
objects resembling a large medal, in decorative
work, as a tablet or panel usually of an oval or
circular shape, bearing objects or figures in relief;
a portrait ; also a decorative design resembling
a panel or tablet, as in a carpet, a window, or
title-page of a book, etc.
1762-71 H. Walpole Vertne's A need. Paint. (1786) I. 277
A medalion of him in marble. 1768 Boswell Corsica (ed. 2)
373 Le Brun. .has given this story as a medaillon on one of
the compartments of the great gallery at Versailles. 1849
Guardian 7 Nov. 733/2 The tympanum, .is filled with a. .
window, and internally with two medallions. 1862 Catal.
Internal. Exhib. II. xxx. 9 Circular incised group, on stone
— a replica of one of the medallions for the pavement of
Lichfield Cathedral.
3. attrib. and Comb., as medallion figure, machine,
portrait, size; medallion carpet, a carpet con-
taining a large prominent central design or figure
(Cent. Vict. 1890); medallion pattern, *a
design for the ornamentation of a surface of which
a medallion or medallions form an important part'
(Ibid.) ; medallion window (see quot.).
1875 W. McIlwraith Guide Wigtownshire 56 A circular
*medallion figure. 1859 Handbk. Turning p. xxiii, The
^medallion machine requires much labour and very expen-
sive apparatus. 1903 Eux. L. Banks Netvspaper Girl 292
He gave me a *medallion portrait of himself. 1774 J. Bry-
ant Mythol. II. 231 [These coins] were of brass, and of the
"medaglion size. 1847 C Winston Inq. Arte. Glass Paint.
I. 32 "Medallion windows.. are principally filled with me-
dallions, or panels, containing coloured pictures.
Medallion (m/d^-lvan), v. [f. Medallion
sb.~\ trans. To ornament with medallions, or to
make to resemble a medallion.
1861 Neale Notes Dalmatia etc. 81 On the vertex of
the arch is our Lord's monogram, also medallioned and
surrounded by acanthus leaves. 1893 Daily News 7 Apr.
5/3 The invitation and the portraits [of an invitation card]
are medallioned upon a coloured ground.
Hence Meda-llioned ///. a.
1888 Athenzum 21 Apr. 503/1 An elaborate medallioned
title-page of birds, by Air. J. G. Millais.
Medallionist (m/doe'lyanist). [f. Medallion
sb. -r -1ST.] A worker of medallions.
1892 Sat. Rev. 15 Oct. 435/2 Mr. Woolner, R. A., a sculptor,
especially a medallionist. 1894 J. M.Gray J. fy W. Tassie
60 note, James Tassie, the Glasgow Medallionist
Medallist (me-dalist). Also medalist, [f.
Medal sb. + -ist.]
1. One who is skilled or interested in medals.
1682 Wheler Journ, Greece in. 281 This is a Medal
hath been valued much by the Medalists beyond the Seas.
1828 Scott Jrnl. {1890) II. 135 The General is a medallist,
and entertains an opinion that the bonnet-piece of James \ .
is the work of some Scottish artist who died young.
2. An engraver, designer, or maker of medals.
1756-7 tr. A'eysler's Trav. (1760) II. 149 The Pretender
had a medal struck on this occasion, by Hamerani, the
pope's medalist. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. vii. (ed. 5)
II. 160 Sculptors, painters, and medallists exerted their
utmost skill in the work of transmitting his features to pos-
terity. 1851 in Illusir. Lond. Nezvs 5 Aug. (1854) 119/2
Medallist and medal-maker. 1885 Atheuxum 14 Feb. 220
The medalists of the Renaissance.
3. A recipient of a medal awarded for merit.
Also in parasynthetic derivatives as gold medallist.
'797 Cambr. Univ. Calendar 214 List of Medallists from
their first Institution to the present Time. 1864 Q. Jrnl.
Sci. I. 211 The Gold Medallists of the Science and Art De-
partment. 1898 Rider Haggard Dr. Therne 9, I was gold
medallist of my year.
Medallize (me'dabiz), v. rare. [f. Medal sb.
+ -ize.] trans, fa. To illustrate by reference to
medals (obs.). b. To represent on a medal.
1716 M. Da\ies A then. Brit. III. 75 The History of Julius
Caesar has been also Medaliz'd by Mr. TAbbe* de Camps.
1883 Mag. Art 221 Mr. Legros has also medallised Mr. Con*
stantine Ionides, and medals of John Mill, Carlyle, and
Robert Browning, are expected from him very shortly.
Medallurgy (me"dal£ud3i). Also medalurgy.
[f. Medal sb. + -urgyt after Metallurgy.] The
art of designing and striking or engraving medals.
1842 Brande Diet. Sci. etc., A/edallurgy.., the art of
making and striking medals and coins. [In recent Diets.]
|[ Medano (m^'danc). [Sp- me'dano.] ' A hill
of pure sand ; a dune ' (Webster's Suppt. 1902).
1851 Bollaert in Jrnl. Geog. Soc. XXI. 101 In these
desert plains [of Peru) may be seen the 'Medanos', or
moving semicircular sand-hills. 1897 Geogr. Jrnl. IX. 307
The barchanes, or, as we call them, medanos.
Medcin, -cyii(e, etc., obs. ff. Medicine, etc.
Meddar, obs. form of Madder sb*
1689 Farewell Irish Hudibras 79 A Meddar . . Which
tho 'twas reckon'd but a small one, Contain'd Three halfs
of a whole Gallon. Ibid. 82.
Meddel(l, -er, obs. ff. Meddle, Medlar.
Meddernex : see Medrinack.
Meddes, Meddick, obs. ff. Midst, Medick.
t Meddle, sb. Obs. rare. [f. Meddle z\] The
action, or an act, of meddling or interfering.
1600 W. Watson Decacordon (1602) 338 The priests found
more fauour at the ciuill magistrates hands, than they [the
Jesuits] could find, bicause they had cleered themselues of
all state meddles. [1864 Earl Derby in Hansard Pari. Deb.
Ser. 111.CLXXIII. 28 The foreign policy of the noble Earl,
. . may be summed up in two short homely but expressive
words — 'meddle and muddle'.]
Meddle (me'd'l), v. Forms: 4-7 medio, 4-5
medele, 4-6 medel, 5-6 medell, meddel, med-
yll(e, medul(l, 5 medill, medyl, 6 meddell,
meddyl(l, middle, Sc. mydle, 8 Sc. midle, 4-
MEDDLE.
meddle, [a. OF. med/er, mesd/er, a variant (with
euphonic insertion of d between s and a liquid : see
the parallel instances cited under Isle) of OF.
mesler — Pr. mesclar, Sp. mezclar, It. mescolare,
mesehiaret mischiare :— popular L. *misculdret f.
L. miscere to mix.* Cf. Mell v.]
+ L trans. To mix, mingle ; to combine, blend,
intersperse ; esp. to mix (one thing) with (another),
or (two or more things) together. Also const.
among, in, to. Obs,
ai32S Prose Psalter lxxiv. (Ixxv.) 7 Grace ys in )>e
honde of our Lord ful of sharpenes medeled wyb lybenes.
1362 Langl. P. Pi. A. x. 3 Of Erbe and Eir hit is mad
I-medelet to-gedere. C1375 ? Hvlton Mixed Life (MS.
Vernon) in Hampole's WksAed. Horstm.) I. 267ThowschaIt
medle be werkes of actif lyf wib gostly werkes of contem-
platyf lyf, and ben dost bou wel. c 1385 Chaucer L.G. W.
S74 Thisbe (Fairf. ^IS.), And how she wepe of teres ful his
wounde, How medeleth she his blood with her compleynte.
c 1400 Maundev. (1839) vii. 76 It is a Roche of white Colour,
and a lytille medled with red. 1450-1530 Myrr. our Ladye
22 They are also blamefull that..medet other prayers, or
other besynes with these holy houres. 1486 Bk. St. Albans
B vj b, Medill the blode of the pecoke among the poudre.
1563 T. Gale Antidot. 11. 86 He shall in his daylye drynke
meddle three or foure droppes of the same. 157a Mascall
Plant. % Graff, vii. 45 If ye do then meddle about eache tiee
of good fat earth or dung, ..it shall be good. 1601 Holland
Pliny II. 438 Take the ashes of 3 frogs. .meddle them with
hony. i6«7 Bp. Hall Heav. upon Earth xi, Thy prosperity
is idle and ill spent if it be not medled with such fore-casting
..thoughts. 1658 tr. Porta' s Nat. Magic 1. iii. 4 The
Elements, .are all changed, every one of them being more
or less medled with one another.
+ b. To mix (wares) fraudulently. Obs.
1393 Langl. P. PI. C. vn. 260 Ich haue .. Meddled my
marchaundise, and mad a good moustre; The werst lay
with-ynne. 1463-4 Rolls of Par It. V. 501/2 That noo per-
sone .. medell, or put in or uppon the same Cloth, .. eny
Lambes wolle. a 1500 in Arnolde Chron. F iij b/i Where
as marchauntis haue vsed moche false pakyng of ther wood
medlyng y° better wl y« worse. 1622 Bp. Andbewes Semi.
(1629) 231 Thus doth he medle his chaffe ; mold in his
soure levin into Christ's nova conspersio.
T C. To prepare by mixing. Obs.
C1374 Chaucer Boeth. iv. pr. iv. 95 (Camb. MS.) Cirtes..
medleth to hire newe gestes drynkes. .maked with enchaunt-
mentz. 1381 Wyclif Rev. xviii. 6 In the drinke that she
medlide [vulg. miscuil] to $ou, menge ?e double to hir.
■f 2. intr. for refl. Of things : To mingle, com-
bine. Also refl. Obs.
C1315 Shoreham Poems \. 760 [pat sacrement] ne defib
nau$t, ase by mete Wyb byne flesch medlyfc>. C1384 Chaucer
H. Fame m. 1012 We [sc. a lesing and a soth-sawe] wil
medle us eche with other, That no man. .Shal han on (ofi
two, but bothe At ones. 1390 Gower Con/. III. 138 Whan
wordes medlen with the song, It doth plesance wel the
more. 1610 Shaks. Temp. 1. ii. 22 More toknow Did neuer
medle with my thoughts.
f3. trans. To mix or mingle (persons) with,
among (others) or together. Chiefly pass. Also
refl. to mix oneself in> among. Obs.
f 1290 St. Brandan 281 in S. Eng. Leg. I. 227 In-to be frey.
tore he ladde heom bo: and sette heom wel heije, I-med-
lede with heore owene couent. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron.
Wace (Rolls) 13524 Kynge & prynces of Payen Were medled
among Cristen. 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) II. 149 pere
bey wonede long tyme afterwarde i-medled wib Britouns.
(1489 Caxton Sonnes of Aymon i. 43 So medled theymself
the one partye among the other. 15x3 Douglas AEneis 1.
vii. 127 Himself alsua, mydlit, persavit he, Amang princis
of Grece. 1598GRENEWEV Tacitus Ann. 11. xviii. (1622)
59 By sorting and medling together the runnagates, the
new and raw souldier lately taken [etc. J.. he marshalled
them in forme of a legion. 1600 Holland Livy xxxvn.
xxxix. 967 Thus you see all the forces that the Romanes had
besides two thousand Thracians and Macedonians medled
and blended together
1 4. intr. for refl. To mix or join in company ;
to mingle, associate with. Obs.
C1375 ?Hylton Mixed Life (MS. Vernon) in Ham-
Pole's IVks (ed. Horstm.) I. 269 O tyme he [our Lorde]
comuned & medled wib men. a 1425 Cursor M. 5600 (Trin.)
Soone he medeled [Cott. menged] hem amonge. 1463 Bury
Wills (Camden) 38 Alle the personys, man, woman, or chyld
generally that ever I medlyd with. 15x3 Douglas AZneis
iv. iii. 43, I affeir me les the fatis onstable. .consent nocht,
ne aggre, That [etc.] Or list appreif thai peplis all and
summyng Togiddir middle, or jone in lige or band.
+ 5. To have sexual intercourse {with). AUorefl.
1340-70 A lisaunder 964 Dame,..pou haste medled amis,
methynk, by thy chere. 1377 Langl. P. PI. B. xr. 335
Bothe horse and houndes . . Medled nouijte wyth here makes
bat with fole were, c 1400 Destr. Troy 1081 1 Wemen allone,
Withouten mon, owther make, to medill horn with. 1573
L. Lloyd Pilgr. Princes 75 b, Their women [are] commen
for all men at al tymes to medle [1583 medle with]. 1655
Fuller Ch. Hist. vi. 315 Making her believe that.. as ofte
as they shold medle together, if she were, .confessed by him,
..she shold be cleere forgiven of God.
f6. To mingle in fight; to engage in conflict,
to contend. Obs.
1340-70 A lisaunder 93 That hee ne myghtwith bo menne
medle no while. 1377 Langl, P. PL B. xx. 178 ' Now I see ',
seyde lyf, ' bat surgerye ne Fisyke May noujte a myte
auaille to medle a3ein elde '. 1470-85 Malory Arthur ix.
xxxv. 395 For and I had sene his black sheld I wold not
haue medled with hym. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes of Aymon iii.
100 Whan Alarde and Guycharde . . saw that they myght not
passe but that they muste medle they spored theyr horses.
a "533 Ld- Berners Gold. Bk. M. AureL (1546) R v b, They
medled so one with an other . . that there was slaine . v. capi-
taynes. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 242 But when the Nor-
mans sawe them recule back, .some sayde they are afrayde
to medle wyth vs. i6ox Shaks. Twel.N. lit. iv. 275 There-
Vol. VI.
289
fore on, or strippe your sword starke naked : for meddle
you must that's certain.
f 7. refl. To concern or busy oneself. Const.
with, of, after. Obs.
c 1350 Will. Paleme 2492 Many man by his mi^t medled
him ber-after. 1377 Langl, P. PL B. xil. 16 And bow
medlest be with makynges. 1426 Lydg. De Guil. Pilgr.
, 10845 Medle the ryht nouht Tarest pylgrymes by vyolence.
1442 Rolls of Par It. V. 54/2 Some haven Shippes of here
, owne, and some medle hem of freight of Shippes. 1470-85
' Malory Arthur xx. viii. 809, I wyl not medle me therof.
I '53° Falsgr. 634/1 You medyll you with maters that you
I have naught to do with, a 1553 Udall Royster D. 1. iii.
: ( Arb.) 20 Nourse medle you with your spyndle. 1562W1N3ET
Wks. (1888) I. 50, I wes almaist astoneist. .that sa obscuh
men durst presume to medle thame aganis all auctoritie.
8. intr. To concern or busy oneself, to deal
I withy f of; to interpose, take part in. Now always
j expressive of disapprobation, to concern oneself or
take part interferingly.
14x5 Hoccleve To Sir J. Otdcastle 137 Lete holy chirche
I medle of the doctryne Of Crystes lawes. c 1430 Freemasonry
220 Yn suchea case but hyt do falle, Ther schal no mason
I medulwithalle. c 1483 Caxton Dialogues 18/6 Ony ware
j Of whiche I medle with, Or that I haue under hande. 1526
I Tindale 1 1 hess. iv. 11 We beseche you.. that ye studdyto
. be quyet and to medle with your owne busynes. 1528
Gardiner in Pocock Rec. Ref. I. 123 It should be well
1 done your grace meddled not as judge in the matter. 1545
1 in Vicary's Anat. (1888) App. xv. 288 The Bochers..haue
..inhaunsed the prices of all kyndes of vytales that they
j medle withall & putt to sale. 1574 tr. Littletons Tenures
107 A perpetual chauntry wherof the ordinary hathe nothinge
1 to medle nor to do. 1622 R Harris Scrm. 8 Happie that
, State wherein the Cooler meddles with his last, the Trades-
j man with his shop. 1638 Baker tr. Balzac's Lett. (vol. II)
j 154 He meddles in an infinite number of things with equal
: capacitie. 1604 Ray in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden) 200 The
I slender-bill'd [birds], .seldome meddle with dry seeds un-
lesse driven by hunger. 1774 Franklin Ess. Wks. 1840 II.
401 It would be better if government meddled no farther
with trade than to protect it. 1790 Burke Fr Rev. Sel.
Wks. II. 13 Wholly unacquainted with the world in which
they are so fond of meddling. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2)
II. 462 It [the statute] does not meddle with wills. 1852
Mrs. Stowe Uncle Tom's C.xv'ii. 161 Some evil persons..
might be disposed to meddle with us if they saw our wagon.
1853 J. H. Newman Hist. Sk.{\^6) II. in. v. 328 His enemies
accused him. .of. .meddling in matters which did not belong
to him. i86sGR0TE/Vrt/<7 1, ii. 95 Philosophers who meddled
less with debate and more with facts.
b. without const.
1555 Eden Decades 9 They shuld meddle no further than
their commission. 1686 F. Spence tr. Van'llas' Ho. Med'uis
22 There are Connexions, .in point of Traffick, which are
only well known by those that meddle that way. X71X
Swift JrnL to Stella 28 Aug , I was advising him to use
his interest to prevent any misunderstanding between our
ministers ; but he is too wise to meddle. 1859 Miss Cary
Country Life (1876) 303 She had better attend her own
affairs, and I will tell her so if she comes here meddling.
i860 Emerson Cond. Life iii. (1861) 65 Do not legislate.
Meddle, and you snap the sinews with your sumptuary laws.
C. Phrases and proverbial sayings. Neither make
nor meddle^ etc. : see Make i/, 71.
156a Heywood Prov. 11. iii. G, Who medleth in all thyng,
maie shooe the goslyng. 1598 B. Jonson Ev. Man in
Hum. in. ii, Nay, he will not meddle with his match, I war-
rant you. 1721 Kelly Sc. Prov. 200 It is ill medling be-
tween the Bark and'the Rind. Ibid. 246 Meddle with your
Match. . . You dare not meddle with your Match.
f d. trans, (with omission of preposition). To
deal with ; interfere with. Obs. rare.
1461 Paston Lett. II. 51, I der say I shuld have had as
speciall and as gode a maister of you, as any pour man..yf
ye had never medulled the godes of my maister F. 1523 in
\oth Rep. Hist MSS. Comm. App. v. 400 No town dweller
shall meddell nor interrupte nor occupie nomansoccupacion
or sience. . but only his own sienc. 1573 [see 5].
Hence f Meddled///, a., mixed.
c X375 ?Hylton Mixed Life (MS. Vernon) in Hampoles
Wks. (ed. Horstm.) I. 268 To bise also longeb bis medled
lyf, pat is bobe actyf & contemplatyf. 14.. Voc. in Wr.
Wulcker 625/14 Mtxtilioque, medylde come. 1573 T. Cart-
wright Repl. Answ. Whit gift \. 131 A medled & mingled
estate of the order of the gospell & the ceremonies of popery.
11641 Bp. Mountagu Acts fy Mon. (1642) 88 A medled
company of all the Tribes of Israel. 1736 W. Thompson
Epithalamium [An imitation of Spenser] xv. 1 And lo !
what medled passions in him move.
Meddle, obs. form of Medley.
Meddle -come. dial. One who comes med-
dling or interfering ; a meddler.
1857 Kingsley Two y. Ago xv, We'm old-fashioned folks
here, .and don't like no new-fangled meddlecomes.
Meddle merit (me'd'lment). nonce-wd. [f.
Meddle v. + -ment.] Meddling, interference.
1842-3 Thackeray Fitzboodle's Prof Misc. Wks. IV. 10
For once my sister-in-law was on my side, not liking the
meddlement of the elder lady.
+ Meddleous,tf. Obs. rare. In 5 medel(o)us.
[f. Meddle v. + -ous.] Meddlesome.
c \\%oA. B. C. of Aristotle in Babees Bk. 12 [Be not] To
medelus, ne to myrie, but as mesure wole it meeue. a 1470
Tiptoft Tulle on Friendsh. (Caxton 1481) B v b, And [it is]
to peyneful to be medelous in other mennes maters [orig.
alienis nimis implicari].
Meddler (me-dtoj). [f. Meddle v. + -eb*.]
One who meddles, in the senses of the verb.
1388 Wyclif Bible, Pref. Ep. vi, I holde my pees of
framariens, and of medeleris of retorik. 151a Clerk in
;ilis Orig. Lett. Ser. m. I. 314 John Matheo, secretary vnto
the said Cardlnall, and chief medillar in all affaires her'
aboute the Pope. 1571 Golding Calvin on Ps. iv. 5 They
which erst were medlers with euerything, lerne to bee sober
MEDDLING.
f & quiet. 1612 T. Taylor Comm. Titus i. 6 (1610) 108 What
if he will not speak the truth, because he will not be a
meddler? 1730 Swift in Portland Papers V 'I. (Hist. MSS.
Comm.) 28 He is distinguished as an unfortunate meddler
in poetry. 1852 Thackeray Esmond 1. xiii, And this is the
good meddlers get of interfering. 1895 C. K. B. Barrett
Surrey iv. m The unfortunate clerical meddler in politics.
Meddler, obs. form of Medlar.
Meddlesome (me-d'ls#m), a. [f. Meddle v.
+ -SOME.] Given to meddling or interfering.
1615 G. Sandys Trav. 238 A people. .talkative, meddle-
some, dissentious. 1743 Blair Gravel. 179 Honour ! that
meddlesome officious 111, Pursues thee ev'n to Death. 1861
Pearson Early ty Mid. Ages Fug. 141 The story is a fair
instance of the meddlesome legislation of those times. 1874
Green Short Hist. viii. § 5, 505 The Queen, frivolous and
meddlesome as she was, detested him [Strafford]. 1889 W. S.
Playi aik Midwifery (ed 71 II. m. ix. 4 The time-honoured
maxim that 'meddlesome midwifery is bad'.
Hence Meddlesomely adv., Meddlesomeness.
11x677 Barrow Scrm. Wks. 1716 I. 209 Meddlesomeness
is commonly blameable. 1858 Carlyle Fredk. Gt. x. iv.
(1872) III. 246 A Hofkriegsrath ..poking too meddlesomely
into his affairs. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) III. 325 A med-
dlesomeness, and interference, and rising up of a part
against the whole of the soul.
Meddling (me-dlirj), vbl. sb. [f. Meddle v.
+ -ing 1.]
1 1. The action or process of mixing, blending or
! combining, admixture ; the state of being mixed or
combined. Obs.
?«I366 Chaucer Rom. Rose 896 His garnement was ..
y-wrought with Houres, By dyvers medling of coloures.
a 1400 Hyi.ton Scala Perf (W. de W. 1494) 11. iv, For
thenne shall the soule receyue .. the full felynge of god
in all myghtcs of it, wythoute medelynge of ony other
affeccyon. 1548-77 Vicarv Anat. v. (1888) 50 The senewes
..with the Lygamentes. .in their medling together .. are
made a Corde or a Tendon.
t b. quasi-eoncr. The result of the action ; a
joining, combination, mixture. Obs.
1382 Wyclif Matt. ix. 16 Sothely no man sendith ynne a
medlynge of rudee, or newe, clothe in to an olde clothe.
14. . Voc. in Wr.- Wulcker 605/45 Pula, medlyng of water
and wyne. 1482 Monk of F.zesham (Arb.) no Trewly yn
thys pele and rynging . . a variant medelyng of melody
sownyd wyth alle.
f c. Fraudulent mixing (of goods). Obs.
149S Act 11 Hen. VII, c. 23 § 1 It shuld be well and truly
packed, that is to sey, the greate Salmon by it self without
medeling of any Grilles. .with the same,
t 2. Of persons: The action of mingling together
in a fight or brawl ; also, an instance of this. Obs.
c 1450 Merlin xiii. 199 And than be-gan the meddelynge
amonge hem full crewel! and fell. 1481 Caxton Godeffroy
xix. 49 Yf they wold goo in peas without medlynges and
oultrages a 1533 Ln. Berners Gold. Bk. M.Aurel. (1546)
Rvb, There was medlyng on bothe parties, the one to bear
awaie, and the other to defend. 1616 T. Draxe Bibl.
Scholast. 128 It is no medling with short daggers.
f 3. Sexual intercourse. Obs.
1388 Wyclif Gen. xxx. 42 Whanne the late medlyng [13S2
comyng togidere] and the Iaste conseyuyng weren. 14..
Lydg. Life Our Lady xx. v. (MS. Rawl. poet. 140, fol. 31),
Eke serteyn briddes called vultures Wib oute medelinge
[MS. Ashmol. 39 fol. 32 mellyng] conseyue by nature. 1450-
1530 Myrr. our Ladye 326 Que sine, whiche hathe begotte
wythoute medlynge of man.
4. The action of taking part ; dealing ; manage-
ment. Now only in bad sense : The action of taking
part officiously in the affairs of others ; interference.
Const, with. Also, an instance of this.
c 1374 Chaucer Troylus iv. 167 And seyn bat borugh pi
medlyng is y-blowe Yowre bothere loue, bere it was erst vn.
knowe. 1426 Lydg. De Guil. Pilgr. yziq He ys nat wys,That
in medlyng ys mor large Than the boundys of hys charge.
1536 Act 28 Hen. VIII in Bolton Stat. Irel. (1621J 179
Every such person and persons before any actual or reall
possession or medling with the profiles,, .shall [etc.J a 1548
Hall Chron., Hen. VIII 150 He [the French king]
thought., yet again once to haue a medelyng in Italy.
1676 Wiseman Surg. iv. iv. 286 But I, being at that
time much indisposed in my health, declined the meddling
with it [a Tumour]. 1795 Burke Th. Scarcity Wks. 1842
II. 257 This most momentous of all meddling on the part
of authority; the meddling with the subsistence of the
people. 1877 Froude Short Stud. (1883) IV. 1. x. 112 [He]
had been moved to volunteer .. by another instance of
Becket's dangerous meddling. X884 Athenxuni 29 $lar.
400/2 The limits of needless meddling with the text of
Sophocles seemed to have been reached.
Proverb. 1539 Taverner Erasm. Prov. 0545)57 I" Htle
medlinge lyeth greate ease. 1546 J. Heywood Prov. (1867)
47 For of little medlyng cometh great reste.
Meddling (me*dlirj), ///. a. [f. Meddle v.
+ -IKQ -.] That meddles, in the senses of the verb.
a 15*9 Skelton Sp. Parrot 63 To wyse is no vertue, to
medlyng, to restless. 1530 Palsgr. 318/1 Medlynge, entre-
metteux. c 1586 C'tess Pembroke Ps. cxxxi. L, Never..
have I borne in things to hygh A medling mind. 16*9
Earle Microcosm. (Arb.) 88 A medling man Is one that has
nothing to do with his businesse, and yet no man busier
then hee. 1634 Milton Comus 846 And ill luck signes
That the shrewd medling Elfe delights to make. 1798
Wordsw. Tables Turned 26 Our meddling intellect Mis-
shapes the beauteous forms of things. 1830 Macaulay Ess.,
Souihey (1850) 112 A meddling government, a government
which tells them what to read, and say, and eat, and drink,
and wear. 1859 Jephson Brittany v. 57 That meddling
personage Mrs. Grundy.
Hence Me'ddlinffly adv.
1755 Johnson, Pragmatically, meddlingly ; impertinently.
Meddly, obs. form of Medley.
Meddowe* obs. form of Meadow.
103
MEDE.
290
MEDIAN.
Meddyl(l, obs. forms of Meddle.
Mede (mfd), sb. [ad. L. Medus, a. Gr. Mf}8os.]
1. A native or inhabitant of Media; = Median2 B.
138a, 1568 etc [see Law sb. x c, Persian sb. it 163* Le
Grvs tr. Velteius Paterc. 15 Pharnaces the Mede.
+ 2. A precious stone described by ancient writers,
said to be found in Media. Obs.
The description in the quot. is taken from Bartholom. ;
Angl. De Proprietatibus Rerum xvi. lxvii.
1601 Chester Love's Martyr (1878), Pt The Meade stone !
coloured like the grassie greene, Much gentle ease vnto the
Goute hath donne, And helpeth those being troubled with
the Spleene, Mingled with Vv'omans milke bearing a Sonne.
t Mede, a. Obs. rare. [ad. L. medius : see
Medium.] Middle, mean.
1706 A. Bedford Temple Mtis. vi. in The Mede Voice is
..a great advantage to the Greeks. 1709 Brit. Apollo II.
No. 68. 1/2 It's Mode Length contains.. 2280 Miles.
Mede, obs. form of Maid, Mead, Meed.
Medeen, variant of Medine.
Medel, obs. form of Meddle, Middle.
Medele, var. Mell v. Obs. ; obs. f. Medley.
Medeler, obs. form of Medlar.
Medell, obs. f. Medal, Meddle, Middle.
Medel(o)us, variant forms of Meddleous.
Medely, obs. form of Medley.
Mederatele, variant of 7neadrdttlc, Mead 2 c.
Mederinax, medernex : see Medrinacks.
Medew, obs. form of Meadow.
t Medewax, metlwex, Obs. [f. med (? = :
Mead l or 2) + Wax sb.] Some kind of wax.
c 1450 ME. Med. Bk. (Heinrich) 172 note, For to make
a gomed cloth Tak half a quartron of mede wax, half a
quarteron of R'rpentyn [etc.]. Ibid. 174 Entret pur bocches,
biles. .& huiusmodi, Tak of medwex 1 IT, of barowes grece
..as muche [etc].
Medewife, obs. form of Midwife.
Medewort, -wiirt.-vvyrt, var. ff. Meadwort.
M3dful(l, Medi, obs. ff. Meedful, Meed v.
|| Media (mrdia). PI. (in sense 1) media
(mrdif). [L., fern, of medius middle, used ellip-
tically.]
1. Phonetics. [Applied by Priscian 1. xxvi. (with
ellipsis of litterd) to b, g, d as intermediate in
sound between the tenues (/eves) and the aspirates.]
A voiced or ' soft ' mute; = Medial sb. 2.
1841 Latham Eng. Lang. 103 The Tenues of the Classics
. .are sharp, the Mediae flat. 1848 E.GLESTin Tra7is. PhiloL
Soc. III. 176, 1st, the mediae b, g, d, ; 2ndly, the tenues/,
k, t\ and 3rdly, the aspirates. 1890 Conway in Amer.
JrnL Phtlol. XI. 304 The invention of G to denote the
voiced media as distinguished from C.
2. Biol. [Short for h.lttnica or membrana media.]
The middle tunic or membrane of an artery or
vessel.
1876 tr. //. von Ziemssen's Cycl. Med. VI. 411 In many
cases aneurism seems to be produced by a primary disease
of the media. 1889 Leidy At/at. (ed. 2) 580 The media is
composed of transverse muscle-fibres with some elastic fibres.
Media (mrdia), pi. of Medium.
Mediacy (mrdiasi). [In sense 1 prob. ad.
L. medidtio Mediation, on the analogy of sbs. in \
-acy (cf. OF. mediatie) ; in sense 2 f. Mediate a. : |
see -act.]
+ 1. The function of a mediator; mediation. Obs. j
1400 Prymer in Maskell Mon. Rit. II. 34 Graunte us.,
that thur} hir deseruyngis and hir mediacie we be worthi to
come to the nil that is crist.
2. Logic and Philos. Mediateness.
1853 Sir W. Hamilton Discuss, (ed. 2) 663 Were there in
these syllogisms no occult conversion of an undeclared conse*
quent, no mediacy from the antecedent, they could not [etc.]. j
1864 Bowen Logic viii. 250 The mediacy being concealed by .
the concealment of the mental inference which really pre-
cedes. 1865 I. Grote Explor. Philos. 1. 119 How do pre-
sentation and representation thus viewed, stand related to
the notions of mediacy and immediacy of knowledge ?
Mediad (mfdised), adv. [f. Medi-al + -ad
(see Dextrad).] Towards the middle line or
plane (of a body) ; mesiad.
1878 Bell tr. Gegenbaur's Comp. Anat. § 260 Two pairs j
of.. gills, .an inner pair, which are placed mediad [etc.].
Mediaeval, medieval ;medi,rval,m/di,rvaT), |
a. and sb. [f. L. medius middle + sevum age + -al.]
A. adj. Of, pertaining to or characteristic of 1
the Middle Ages. Of Art, Religion, etc. : Re- !
sembling or imitative of that of the Middle Ages. ' i
1827 Gent 1. Mag. XCVII. u. 400 The sculptured repre- I
sentations of the latter part of the mediaeval a*ra. 1876
Sti'bbs Early Plantag. 6 Weapons drawn from the store-
house of medieval English history. 1879 Sir G. G. Scott i
Led. Archit. I. i. 7 Mediaeval architecture.. being the last I
link of the mighty chain which had stretched unbroken i
through nearly 4000 years.
b. Medieval embroidery : a name given to a
particular style of modern embroidery, worked
with floss and purse silks and gold thread. Medi-
eval guipure : an earlier name for Macram£.
188a in Caulfeild & Saward Diet. Needlework.
B. sb. One who lived in the Middle Ages.
1856 Ruskin Mod. Painters iv. xiii. § 27 III. 193 The
elements of their minds by which . . they are connected with
the mediaevals and moderns. 1894 Parry Stud, Gt. Com*
posers, Patestrina 3 Though their music was so limited the
mediaevals contrived to make some fine effects with it.
Mediaevalism, medievalism (medi-, m/~-
di|i*valiz'm). [f. prec. + -ISM.] The system of
belief and practice characteristic of the Middle
Ages ; mediaeval thought, religion, art, etc. ; the
adoption of or devotion to mediaeval ideals or
usages ; occas. an instance of this.
1853 Ruskin Led. Archit. iv. (1854) 194 You have, then,
the three periods : Classicalism, extending to the fall of the
Roman empire; Mediaeval ism, extending from that fall to
the close of the 15th century; and Modernism. _ 1873
Symonds Grk. Poets ix. 301 Renan regards the ' sentiment
of the infinite ' as the chief legacy of mediaevalism to
modern civilization. x886 iqth Cent. May 665 It is a pity
to have our language interlarded with Orientalisms and
Mediaeval isms. 1890 Stubrs Primary Charge, Oxford 55,
I am sick of hearing about sat-erdotalism and medievalism
from men who scarcely know how to spell the words.
Medievalist, medievalist (medi-, mf-
di,rvalist). [f. Medieval + -1st. Cf. F. m4-
dieviste,]
1. One who studies or is skilled in mediaeval
history or affairs ; one who practises mediaevalism
in art, religion, etc.
1874 Ruskin Val D A mo (18S6) App. 137 These outlines
will, .show my pupils what is the real virtue of mediaeval
-work ; — the power which we medievalists rejoice in it for.
1874 L. Stephen Hours in Library (1892) I. vi. 232 He
heartily despises the modern medievalists.
U 2. One who lived in the Middle Ages.
1855 M. Bridges Pop. Mod. Hist. 445 Such observations . .
would probably be made by any intelligent medievalist,
could he return to these sublunary scenes.
Medisevalize, medievalize (medi-, mf-
diif-vatoiz), it. [f. Mediaeval + -ize.] a. trans.
To make mediaeval in character, b. intr. To
favour mediaeval ideas or usages.
1854 J. L. Petit Archit Stud. France 173 He tries to
medisevalize himself and his ideas, 1859 Kingsley Let. 23
Jan. in Life (1877) II. 77 Some illustrators .. have tried to
medievalize them [Bunyan's characters]. 1874 J. Fergusson
in Contemfi. Rev. Oct. 765 Views opposed to the Paganism
of St. Paul's or to the attempt to mediasvalize it.
Hence Medite'valized///. a. ; Me dice "vali zing
vbl. sb. and ///. a.
1881 Symonds Renaiss. Italy IV. iv. 247 The * Mort
d' Arthur '. .has become the plaything of medievalising folk
in modern England. 1897 Edin. Rev. Jan. 76 The poet's
[sc. Win. Morris] mediaevalised mind and turn of thought.,
are more in accordance with the mediaeval character of the
subject. 1900 J. L. Davies in W. E. Bowen Crisis^ Eng.
Introd. 7 The mediajvalising :
hole
Ck. Introd. 7 The media:valising movement in the Church
of England. Ibid. 12 If his whole soul is in the mediaeval-
ising of the Church of England.
Mediaevally, medievally (medi-, mfdi,f--
vali), adv. [f. Medieval + -LY *.] In a medioevrl
manner; in med ice val times; in accordance with
mediaevalism.
188a Century Mag. XXIII. 654, I did not feel mediaevally
inclined that night. 1883 Sala in Illustr. Land. News 11
Aug. 131/1 The.. Miracle Plays for which Coventry was
medievally so renowned.
Medial (mrdial), a. and sb. [ad. late L. medi-
a/is, f. medius middle: see Medium. Cf. F. medial]
A. adj. .
1. Occupying a middle or intermediate position ;
middle; (of a letter, etc.) occurring in the middle
of a word. Medial to : situated in the middle of;
intermediate between. .
1711 Bailey, Medial, belonging to the middle. 1741
Boysr Patience 235 Beneath the scorching of the medial
line [i. e. the equator]. 1807 F. Wrangham Serm. Transl.
Script. 14 This province may be regarded as media* to
Persia, Tartary, Tibet. 1824 J. Johnson Typogr. II. xii.
309 The characters assume a different shape according to
their situation, whether initial, medial, final, or single. 1829
Coleridge in Lit. Rem. (1839) IV. 28 The understanding is
in all respects a medial and mediate faculty, and has there-
fore two extremities or poles, the sensual.. and the intel-
lectual. i88z Tvndall Floating Matters Atri2% In regard
to the supply of oxygen, there is a medial zone favourable
to the play of vitality, beyond which, on both sides, life cannot
exist. 1902 Encycl. Brit. XXV. 360/2 A great extension of
Medial plains, stretching in moderate altitude from the
Arctic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico.
b. spec, in Anat., Z00L. etc. (Cf. Median aA)
1803 Barclay New Anat. Nomenct. 7 What I should
call the proximal, medial, and distal phalanges. 1846
Dana Zooph. (1848) 284 A continuous medial line of
large polyps, with others smaller, scattered on each side.
1880 Gunther Fishes 313 Medial and paired fins. 1899
Ailbutt'sSyst. Med. VII. 390 One set of these vessels, the
medial, enters the medulla in the middle line.
2. Pertaining to a mathematical mean or average,
f Medial line : a line which is a mean proportional
between two other lines (obs.).
1570 Billingsley Euclid x. xxiii, A right line commen-
surable to a mediall line, is also a mediall line. 1704
J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, Alligation Medial, teaches how to
find a Mean in the Price, Quantity, or Quality between the
Extreams. 18x1 Pinkerton Petral. I. 345 According to a
medial sum of many analyses.
3. Of average or ordinary dimensions ; occas. of
ordinary attainments.
1778 [W. Marshall] Minutes Agric. 18 Aug. an. 1775,
The distance was medial— not half a mile. 1804 C. B.
Brown tr. Volney's View Soil U. S. 113 The general or
medial temperature of a country. 1830 Lyell Princ. Geol. I.
185 The united waters have only., a medial width of about
three quarters of a mile. 1894 Harpers Mag. Jan. 273/2
Exceptional qualifications, .are lacking to the medial man.
4. Mus. Medial accent (see qtiot. 1879/. Me-
dial cadence, in the ecclesiastical modes, a cadence
closing with the mediant of a mode (Grove Did.
Mus. 1880) ; in modern music, a cadence in which
the leading chord is inverted. Medial conso-
nances (see quot. 1885).
1809 Callcott Mus. Gram. (ed. 2) 221 When the leading
Harmony of any Cadence is not radical, but inverted, the
Cadence is, in this Work, termed Medial, and is used to
express an incomplete Close. 1879HELMORE Plain Song
105 The Medial Accent is the fall of a minor third from the
dominant or reciting note. 1885 A. J. Ellis tr. Helmholtzy
Sensations of Tone 194 The major Sixth and the major
Third, which may be called medial consonances.
f5. Phonetics. (See B. 2.) Obs.
1833 Penny Cycl. I. 379/2 The middle (or medial) letters,
B. sb.
1. A medial letter ; a form of a letter used in the
middle of a word.
1776 J. Richardson Arab. Gram. 17 The initial of the
first, a medial of the second, and the final of the third
[letter] are generally taken. 18x7 CoLEBROOKE^/^v^ra:, etc.
Dissert, p. xii, Diophantus employs the inverted medial of
eAAci^ts, defect or want., to indicatea negative quantity.
He prefixes that mark ^ to the quantity in question.
f2. Phonetics. A voiced mute; ■ Medial Obs.
1833 Penny Cycl. I. 380/2 The three medials, &, y, S. 1848
E. Guest in Trans. Pht'lol. Soc. III. 174 Three medial*,
as they are called, b,g, d. 1880 Earle PhiloL Eng. Tongue
(ed. 3) 5 If the Classical word begins with an aspirate, the
English word begins with a medial.
Medially (mrdiali), adv. [f. Medial a. +
-I.Y 2.] In a medial or central position.
1861 Macm. Mag. IV. 472/2 A tract . . lying medially
between the Atlantic and the Mississippi. 1883 Athenaeum
29 Dec. 870/2 The peculiarity being the manner in which the
solid part of the web was medially swung.
II Mediannie. Obs. rare. [ad. late \..mediamna,
i. medius middle + amnis river.] An island in the
middle of a river.
a 1551 Leland /tin. II. 31 Diverse Armelettes breaking
out of the 2 streames and making Mediamnes. Ibid. 41.
Median (mrdian), a.1 and sb.1 Also 6 -ane.
[ad. L. median us (cf. Mean a.2), f. medius middle :
see -an. Cf. F. median, Sp., Pg., It. mediatw]
A. adj.
1. Occupying a middle or intermediate position ;
middle ; + neutral.
1645 Sacred Decretal 1 1 Not knowing which way the Dice
would fall, we kept ourselves in a direct Median Posture,
that wee might be sure notwithstanding, which way soever
it went. 1656 Blount Glossogr., Median, the middle, half,
mean: not deserving praise or dispraise. 1771 Antiq.
Sarisb. 13 The Gates and the median rampart. 1877 J. Sullv
Pessimism 244 In the lower and median latitudes of our
emotional life.
2. Special scientific uses.
a. Anat.. as median artery, nerve, vein, now
chiefly applied to certain structures in the arm ;
formerly in various other applications.
Median line: any line in the median plane. Median
plane : the plane which divides any body into two equal
and symmetrical parts ; the mesial plane or meson.
159J Nashe Strange News K 2 b, This I will proudly
boast .. that the vaine which I haue (be it a median vaine,
or a madde man) is of my owne begetting. _ 1507 A. M. tr.
Guillemeau's Fr. Chirurg. 30 The fourth is the mediane,
or kidneyevayne, situated belowe the foote. 1619 Bp.
Hall Serm. to Lds. ofParlt. 18 Feb.; God and his divine
phisician doe still let bloud in the median vein of the heart.
1831 R. Knox Cloquet's Anat. 85 The last-mentioned suture,
designated by the name of the Median or Frontal, ..is gene-
rally indistinct. 1835-6 Todd's Cycl. Anat. I. 217/2 The
median nerve. 1840 G. V. Ellis Anat. 25 The anterior
median fissure of the medulla spinalis.
b. Z00L, as median crest, Jin, line (see a), etc.
1835-6 Todds Cycl. Anat. I. 706/1 The median parts of
the lobes of the mantle [in Conchtfera\ are extremely thin.
1840 Cuvier's Anim. Kingd. 197 The Great Tit.. with a
black median list down the belly. x86i Hulme tr. Moquitu
Tandon 11. in. ii. 112 The median line of the abdomen.
1894 R. B. Sharps Handbk. Birds Gt. Brit. 1. 35 The lesser
and median wing-coverts white.
c. Pot.
[185a Henslow Did. Bot. Terms 105 Medianus, when
some part originates or is connected with the middle of some
other.] 1884 Bower & Scott De Bary"s Phaner. 160 The
median plane of the lens-shaped double cavity. 1900 Jack-
son Gloss. Bot. Terms, Median Line, the central line of a
bilateral organ, as the midrib of a symmetric leaf. Ibid.,
Median Wall, in Archegoniates, the wall in a plane at right
angles to the basal wall dividing the proembryo into lateral
halves.
d. Surg. Of an incision : Made through the
middle of a tumour. Median lithotomy : that
method in which the incision is made through the
median line of the perinjeum (opposed to lateral).
1854 Allarton Lithotomy Simplif. 42 The spot selected
for the incision in the median operation. 1863 — {title) A
Treatise on Modern Median Lithotomy. 1891 Lancet 18
Apr. 907/1 He makes a median incision over the tumour.
e. Geography, etc.
Median line, the line along the middle of the calm belt
between the north and south trade winds. Median zone, a zone
along the sea-bottom between 50 and 100 fathoms in depth.
a 1854 E. Forbes Nat. Hist. Europ. Seas (1859) 100 The
inhabitants of the median or coralline 7one around the
British shores. 1875 Croll Climate % TimexW. 229 During
a glacial period in the northern hemisphere the median line
between the trades would be shifted . . south of the equator.
MEDIAN.
3. Statistics, a. Used to designate that quantity
which is so related to the quantities occurring in a
given set of instances that exactly as many of them
exceed it as fall short of it.
Thus, 6 is the median number of the set i, i , 2, 6, 20, 20, 27.
1894 Times 19 Dec. 12/2 If graphically arranged, they
would present a ' curve of error , the ' median ordinate' of
which ito use a phrase familiar to the new school of statisti-
cians) would yield a sentence far more satisfactory and just
than many that are every week awarded. 1900 Boston
(Mass.) Transcript Mar., The average age of the population
of the United States., is twenty-five years; the median age
is twenty-one years. The latter means the point at which
there are as many people above as below.
b. (See quot.)
1901 U. S. 12th Census Rep. I. p. xxxvi, The median point
is the point of intersection of the line dividing the popula-
tion equally north and south with the line dividing it
equally east and west.
B. si.
1. Jnat. The median vein, nerve, etc.
1541 R. Copland Guydoris Quest. CAirurg. M iij, Howe
many and what veynes are to be let blode in the body?.,
there be .xij amyd the amies that is to wyte two medyans,
two cephalykes [etc.]. 1564-78 Bulleyn Dial. agst. Pest.
(1888) 41 Fower vnces [of blood must be letten]. .sometyme
in the Median, sometyme in the Basilica. 1660 Culpepper
Tito Treat. (1672) 10 In Summer open still the Liver-vein,
In Spring that of the Heart called Median. 1899 AUbult's
Syst. Med. VIII. 9 The simultaneous examination of the
medians can only be made by crossing the hands.
t 2. Something which is in an intermediate con-
dition. Obs.
1635 Person Varieties 1. v. 16 Fumes are_ medians betwixt
fire and earth, in respect that they are easily transmuted or
changed in the one or the other.
3. Math. Each of the three lines drawn bisecting
the angles of a triangle and meeting in a point
within it.
1888 [see Cosymmedian]. 1888 Hall & Stevens Text-bk.
Euclid (1894) 105 The medians of a triangle are concurrent.
4. Statistics. A median quantity (see A. 3).
1901 F. Y. Edgeworih in Encycl. Brit. XXVIII. 287/1
The median (that point which has as many of the given ob-
servations above as below it).
Median (median), a.2and sb.1 [f. Media + -AN,
or Mede sb. + -ian.] A. adj. Of or belonging to
the ancient kingdom of Media, or the Medes.
1601 Holland Pliny xu. iii. 359 The Citron tree, called.,
by some, the Median Apple-tree. 1685 Bp. Ken in W. Haw-
kins Life, etc. (1713) 88 Either the Babylonian, or the Me-
dian, or the Persian Idolatries. 1839 Penny Cycl. XV. 54/2
Pharaortes. .greatly extended the Median empire.
b. allusively. Unchanging. (Cf. Dan. vi. S.)
188a H. S. Holland Life f, Logic (1885) 1 A Median
kingdom, .whose laws, .never know, .change.
B. sb. An inhabitant of Media ; a Mede.
i6ox Holland Pliny vi. xv. 122 Two citties of the Par-
thians, built sometimes as forts opposite against the Me-
dians. 1901 Expositor Nov. 344 Gobryas, the general of
Cyrus, a Median, appeared before Sippara.
Me diailimic, a. Spiritualism, [f. Medi-um
+ L. anima soul + -ic] Pertaining to medium-
ship. So Me dianimity, mediumship.
1876 Anna Blackwell Kardec's Medium's Bk. 388-9.
Mediauly (mrdianli), adv. [f. Median a.l
+ -LY 2.] In a median direction or position.
1871 Mivart Elem. Anat. iii. (1873) 76 A large aperture
mediauly divided by a vertical partition. 1875 — in Encycl.
Brit. II. 151/1 The laryngeal sac [of the Semnopithecinx]
opens medianly into the front of the larynx.
Mediant (mediant), sb. Mus. [ad. It. medi-
ants, repr. late L. mediantem, pr. pple. of mediare
to be in the middle, f. medi-us middle : see Medium.
Cf. F. midiant ] a. In ecclesiastical music : One
of the 'regular modulations' of a mode; in the
authentic modes, it lies about midway between the
final and the dominant ; in the plagal modes, it
varies in position, b. In modem music, the third
of any scale, lying midway between the tonic, and
the dominant.
[1727-41 Chambers Cycl. s. v. Mode, The fundamental
[note] is also called Vncjinall the fifth the dominante; and
the third, as being between the other two, the mediante.\
1753 — Cycl. Supp. s. v. Mediante, The Mediant of a mode
is that note which is a third higher than the final ; or that
which divides the fifth of every authentic mode into two
thirds. 1818 Busby Gram. Mus. 314 The Triad may have
its mediant either two whole tones, or a tone and a semi-
tone, above its Root.
attrib. 1880 Stainer Composition § 18 The seventh degree
of the scale can be part either of the dominant or mediant
chords. 1885 A. J. Ellis tr. Helmnoltz* Sensations 0/
Tone 462 Modulation into the Mediant Duodene.
Me'diant, a. rare~l. [ad. late L. mediant-em,
pr. pple. of medidre : see prec] Intervening.
1853 Miss Sheppard Ch. Auchester III. 150, I. .set off on
foot along the sun-glittering road.. till through the mediant
chaos of brick-fields. .1 entered the dense halo surrounding
London.
Mediastinal (mrdiaestsinal), a. Anat. [f.
Mediastin-dm + -al.] Of or pertaining to a
mediastinum, or partition, esp. that of the thorax.
1826 Kirby & Sp. Enlomol. III. 376 Neura Mediastina
(Mediastinal Nervure). 1831 R. Knox CloqueVs Anat. 189
The mediastinal surface of the sternum. ^ 1835-6 Todd's
Cycl. Anat. I. X93/2 The posterior mediastinal arteries are
numerous and small. 1899 AllbutCs Syst. Med. VI. 64
Mediastinal diseases.
291
t Mediastine ' . Obs. Also? -in. [Anglicized
form of Mediastinum. Cf. F. mediastin.'] ^Me-
diastinum.
1631 Widdowes Aat. Philos. 60 The lesse principal! parts
of breathing, are the midriffe, and the mediastin. 1653
Urquhart Rabelais 1. xxvii, He did transpierce him, by
running him in at the breast, through the mediastine and
the heart. 173a Arbuthnot Rules of Diet in A liments, etc.
339 There is none of the Membranes, .but may be the Seat
of this Disease, the Mediastine as well as the Pleura.
t Mediastine 2. Obs. rare-1. Also -in. [ad. L.
mediaslin-us."\ 'A drudge, or kitchin slave' Phil-
lips 1658); also quasi -adj.
1716 M. Daviks Athen. Brit. II. 139 A certain mediastin
Genius, porcupin'd all over with all the three.
II Mediastinitis (mwlisestinsHis). Path.
[mod.L., f. Mediastin-um + -itis.] Inflammation
of the areolar tissue around the organs of the
mediastinum.
1858 Copland Diet. Pract. Med. II. 825 The Causes of
mediastinitis are chiefly external injuries. 1898 Allbnit's
Syst. Med. V. 783 These exo-pericardial adhesions, .may
possibly result from a mediastinitis.
II Mediastino- (midia-stai'no). Used as the
combining form of Mediastinum. Mediastino-
callous a., descriptive epithet of ' the form in
which the pericardium becomes thickened ' [Syd.
Soc. Lex. 1 8yo). Mediastino-pericardial a., per-
taining to the mediastinum and the pericardium.
Mediastino-pericarditis, inflammation affecting
both these structures.
1876 tr. //. von Zicmsscn's Cycl. Med. VI. 64^ Indurated
mediastino-pericarditis. 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. III. 45
Cases of mediastino-pericardial fibrosis.
II Mediastinum (mrduust.ii'iir'ni). Anat. PI. -a.
[mod.L., neut. of med.L. mediastin us, medial, in-
termediate, f. medius middle, after the classical L.
mediastinus (also mediastrinus) sb., inferior ser-
vant, drudge.] A membranous middle septum or
partition between two cavities of the body; esp.
that formed by the two inner walls of the pleura,
separating the right and left lungs.
Anterior mediastinum: the part of the mediastinum ex-
tending from the pericardium to the sternum. Middle m. :
' the enlarged central portion of the whole space between (he
pleura: ' iSyd. Soc. Lex.). Posterior m. : the portion of the
mediastinum between the pericardium and the lower dorsal
vertebra:. Superior m.: the space between the manubrium
of the sternum and the upper dorsal vertebrae.
In medical Latin the name is used, w;ith qualifications, to
denote certain other structures to which its etymological
meaning is appropriate ; as mediastinum auris, the mem-
brane of the drum of the ear ; m. cerebri, m. cerebelli, syno-
nyms offalx cerebri and cerebelli (see Falx) ; m. testis, Sir
Astley Cooper's name for the septum of the testicle (Coipus
H ighmori).
1541 R. Copland Cuydou's Quest. Chirurg. Hj, With the
mediastinum wherwith it [the hert] is sleyed and strengthed.
1615CROOKE Body of Man 360 The Pericardium toucheth
not the Lunges but by the interposition of the Mediaslinum.
1797 M. Baillie Morb. Anat. (1807) p. xxv, The Posterior
Mediastinum. 1878 T. Bryant Pract. Surg. I. 49 Pericar-
ditis or suppurative inflammation of the mediastinum.
Mediate (miMiA), a. Also 6 Sc. mediat. [ad.
late L. mediat-us, pa. pple. of mediare : see Me-
diate v. Cf. F. me'diat.']
1. Intermediate ; intervening or interposed in
position, rank, quality, time, or order of succes-
sion. Now rare.
1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) II. 179 The membres inferialle
supporte and do seruyce, the meane other membres mediate
[of the body], receyve, and refunde. 1547 Reg. Privy
Council Scot. I. 78 The mediat air that is to succeid to the
persoun that happynnis to deceis. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist.
vm. iii. Ded., I may wish you and yours less mediate trouble
then he had in the course of his Life, a 1661 — Worthies,
Suffolk (1662) II. 59 After many mediate preferments, .at
last he became Arch-bishop of Canterbury. 1707 Prior
Charity 49 But soon the mediate clouds shall be dispell d.
1829 [see Medial a. 1]. 1840 Cuvier's Anim. Kingd. 169
The Marsh-eagles hold a sort of mediate station between
the Ernes, the Ospreys, and the Buzzards. 1857-8 Sears
Athan. ill. ii. 262 There are three conditions after death,
heaven and hell, and a state mediate between them,
t b. Of a person : Intermediary. Obs.
1571-* Reg. Privy Council Scot. II. 121 Na maner of per-
soun . . sail pay or procure to be payit of thair awin substance
or be mediat personis. 1582-8 Hist. James VI '1804) 290
Quhen he sawe sick apparand disgrace, he trauelht be some
mediat persouns to mak satisfactioun. 1604 Edmonds Ob-
serv. Cxsar's Comm. 63 These [the Tribunes and Centu-
rions] were mediate officers betweene the General! and
them [the soldiers). 1655 in Proc. Soc. Antiq. Scot. XXX.
(1896) 18 The saids goods ar to be put in a mediate man s
hands, who sail be answerable for them. 1660 R. Coke
Power !f Subj. 193 It will not follow that the Bishop is the
Kings mediate officer in all things and cases which relate
to his Episcopal function and jurisdiction.
c. Serving as a means to an end. f Also, con-
ducive, serviceable. Obs.
150a Atkynson tr. De Imitatione II. xii. 195 He exorted
his disciples, .to take the crosse as the moost medyate meane
to folowe hym. 1741 Warburton Die. Legat. II. 634 The
. .supposition of a mediate and an ultimate religion. 1845
Thorpe I.appenberg's Hist. Eng. Introd. 53 A temple of
Diana was mediate to the faith of so many people.
d. nonce-use. That is in the middle of his
course. In quot. absol. . ■
1839 Bailey Festus xxvlii. (1852) 474 Death divine
can perfect both, The mediate and initiate.
ilone
MEDIATE.
2. Acting or related through an intermediate
person or thing ; opposed to immediate.
a. Feudal Law. Said of a superior and of a
tenant or vassal, when the latter holds of the
former not directly but through a mesne lord.
Also applied to the relation between the two
parties, as in mediate holdings sovereignty, tenure.
1454 Rolls ofParlt.V. 272/2 To payc. their rentes and
dewtees to their Lordis mediates and immediates. 1529
Moke Suppl. Soulys Wks. 333/2 Y" king or any other Loide
mediate or immediate, that [etc.]. 1601 R. Johnson Kingd.
ry Commw. 84 As touching his mediat soueraigntie. 1614
Sklden Titles Hon. 229 To be free from either a mediat, or
immediat Tenure of him. 1818 Hallam Mid. Ages (1841J I.
v. 452 Those which had depended upon mediate lords be-
came immediately connected with the empire. 1845 Stephen
Comm. Laws Eng. (1874 I. 1S6 The holding might also be
mediate, that is, in the way of subinfeudation.
fig. 1839 Poe I stand of Fay Wks. 1864 I. 361 [A planet]
whose media'te sovereign is the sun,
b. gen. Of a peison or tiling in relation to an-
other: Connected with the correlate not directly
but through some other person or thing.
Now rare ; many expressions formerly common (e. g. me-
diate cause' are now avoided as ambiguous, the adj. being
liable to be taken in the directly opposite sense 1.
1626 Macon Sylva § 400 The Immediate Cause of Death,
is the Resolution or Extinguishment of the Spirits; And.,
the Destruction or Corruption of the Organs is but the Me-
diate Cause. i6ss Filler Ch. /list. in. ii. § 69 Stephen
Langton, his [sc. Becket's] mediate successor, removed his
body [etc.]. 1718 IVodrow Corr. (1843) II. 370 Our sponsors
are what I cannot away with, when parents, mediate or im-
mediate, can be had. 1752 Hume Ess. $ Treat. (1777' II- 109
Nor is it possible to explain distinctly how the Deity can be
the mediate cause of all the actions of men.
c. Of an action, relation, or effect : Involving or
dependent on some intermediate ngency or action.
Mediate inference (Logic): an inference arrived at through
a middle term. Mediate knowledge (Philos.) : knowledge
which is not the direct result of intuition, but is obtained by
means of inference or testimony.
1588 J. Harvey Disc. Prodi. 36 Either by Mediate appa-
rance, and reuelation of some vision; or by Imediate. .illu-
mination from God. 1641 H. Ainsworth Orth. Found.
Relig. 18 Mediate creation is the making of things of some
former matter. 1642 Wotton Life fy D. Buckingham 13
The most, .pressing care of a new and Vigorous King was
his marriage, for mediate establishment of the Royall lyne.
1646 P. P.ulkelky Gospel Covt. in. 231 This mediate wit-
nesse of the spirit, .is not to he harkened unto, until] the
immediate witnesse hath spoken. 1704 Norris Ideal U 'orld
a. iii. 145 Perception is either immediate or mediate.
. . Mediate, as when we perceive how they [Ideas] are re-
lated to each by comparing them both to a third. 1790
Paley Horx Pant. i. 3 Although . . the agreement in these
writings be mediate and secondary. 1817 Coleridge Biog.
Lit. xii. I.264 All truth is either mediate, .. derived from
some other truth . . or immediate and original. 1836-7 Sir
W. Hamilton Metaph. (1859) I. 218 What is called mediate
knowledge. 1842 Abp. Thomson Lazvs Th. § 83 (i860) T46
This is mediate inference. 1868 M. Patjison Academ.
Org. v. 224 The principle of mediate election is not com-
monly practised in thiscountry. 1888 Brxce Amer. Commw.
II. xl. 83 They are all copies, some immediate, some mediate,
of ancient English institutions.
d. Law. Of evidence: Directed to the establish-
ment of some intermediate fact which is to serve as
a ground of argument for the fact to be proved.
1848 Wharton Law Lex., Mediate testimony, secondary
evidence.
e. Med. Mediate auscultation : auscultation per-
formed with the interposition of some object (as a
stethoscope) between the body and the ear. Me-
diate percussion (see quot. 1843).
R. T. H. Laennec's De I Auscultation Mediate appeared
in i8i9,andP. A. Piorry'sZV/rt Percussion M/diate'm 1828.
1821 J. Forbes tr. Laennec's Dis. Chest, etc. (1834) 27 The
signs afforded by mediate auscultation in the diseases of the
lungs. 1843 Sir T.Watson P r inc. % Pract. Physicxlv'u. II.
10 More recently mediate percussion has been introduced.,
by M. Piorry. In mediate percussion, some solid substance
is placed upon the spot, the resonance of which is about to
be explored, and the blow is made upon that substance,
which is called a pleximeter. 1870 S. GzzAuscult. <\ Per-
cuss. 1. iv. 62 Auenbrugger's glove was obviously an approach
to that mediate percussion which was first systematically
practised by Piorry.
f3. ? Conciliated, propitious. Obs. rare-1.
14. . Why I can't be a Nun 98 in E. E.P. (1862) 140 Lord
to my mornyng be mediate.
Mediate (m/'di**t), v. [f. late L. mediat-, ppl.
stem of mediare (used in various senses derived
independently from the etymology : to divide in
the middle, halve ; to transact as an intermediary;
to occupy a middle position; etc.), f. medi-us
middle : see Medium. Cf. obs. F. m/dier.
In English the verb is of late emergence, and may have
originated by back-formation from mediation and mediator. J
f 1. trans. To divide into two equal parts. Obs.
154* Recorde Gr. Aries H vjb, If you wold mediat or
diuid into 2, this sum. 1610 W. Folkingham Art of Survey
n. vi. 57 The Diameter that mediates the Arch of each
Sector is the Meridian.
2. intr. To occupy an intermediate or middle
place or position; to be between ; usually, to form
a connecting link or a transitional stage between
one thing and another.
1642 R- Carpenter Experience v. xix. 322 There medi-
ates no reall tie betwixt you and me, but the worneand old
tie of old Acquaintance. 1644 Digby Nat. Bodies 111. § 7- ^
By theire being crowded together, they exclude all other
MEDIATED.
292
MEDIATOR.
bodies that before did mediate betweene the litle parts of
theire maine body. 1646 H. Lawrence Comm. Angells -72
Betweene the temptation of the Divell and sin there ever
mediates, or goes betweene, cogitation, or thought, in which
the temptation properly and formally lyes. 1850 Mrs.
Browning Poems II. 388 No twilight in the gateway To
mediate 'twixt the two. 186a Stanley Jew. Ch. (1877) I.
xviii. 343 To mediate between the old and the new.. is the
mission of institutions like ours. 187a E. Tuckebman Gen.
Lichenum 11 Evernia vulpina must be admitted to mediate,
..in an important detail of thalline structure, between the
other northern species and Usnea.
T b. To take a moderate position ; to avoid
extremes. Obs. rare.
161a Webster White Devil 1. i, The law doth somtimes
mediate, thinkes it good Not euer to steepe violent sinnes
in blood.
3. To act as a mediator or intermediary ; to in-
tercede, or intervene for the purpose of reconciling.
1616 Bullokar Eng. Exfios., Mediate, to deale betweene
two, to make meanes of agreement, as an indifferent party
to both. 1618 Earl of Suffolk in Foriescue Papers
(Camden) 75, I must fly to you as to my pryncipall advo-
cate to medyate to his Majestie for my coming to hys pre-
sence, c 1620 Camden in Lett, Lit. Men (Camden) 124 Yff
you will mediate with my L. Burghley for the Loane of
Chrisostomes Greeke Copie. 1635 Pagitt Christianogr. 1.
ii. (1636) 58 Interpreters to mediate between the people and
the Governour. 1712 Swikt Jrnl. to Stella 24 Dec, I have
been. . mediating between the Hamilton family and Lord
Abercom, to have them compound with him. 1837 Macaulay
Ess., Bacon (1899) 363 Bacon attempted to mediate between
his friend [the Earl of Essex] and the Queen. i86x M. Pat-
tison Ess. (1889^ I. 43 In vain Cabinets endeavoured to me-
diate. 189a M. Dods Gosp. John II. xiv. 209 He [the Holy
Spirit] was to mediate and maintain communication between
the absent Lord and themselves.
4. trans, l To effect by mediation ' (J.) ; to bring
about (a peace, treaty, etc.) by acting as mediator ;
to procure by intercession.
c 1593 Maklowe Jewof Malta v. iv, Let me go to Turkey,
In person there to mediate your peace. 1600 E. Blount
tr. Conestaggio 139 To mediate with the King a suspension
ofarmes. 1617 Moryson I tin. n. 79 Beseeching him to use
his power, in mediating licence unto him, that he might
come over for a short time to kisse the Queenes hand. 1718
Freethinker No. 15 The Friends, on both sides, thought,
they might mediate a Peace with as much Ease as a Truce.
1754 Hume Hist. Eng. I. vi. 142 Anselm.. mediated an ac-
commodation between them. 1838 Pkescott Ferd. $■ is. 11.
xiii, It is singular that the last act of his political life should
have been to mediate a peace between the dominions of
two monarchs who had united to strip him of his own.
+ b. To intercede on behalf of. Obs.
ifiai Fletcher Pilgrim 1. ii, In your prayers, .mediate
my poor fortunes.
c. To settle (a dispute) by mediation. + Also,
?to mitigate (an evil) by mediation. Obs.
1568 T. North tr. GueuartCs Diall Pr. iv. 99 The
miseries wee suffer, .haue for the most part proceeded from
our parents, and afterwards by our frends haue been medi-
ated and redressed. 1623-4 Middleton & Rowley Sp.
Gipsy 11. ii, No friends Could mediate their discords. 1856
Kane Arct. Expl. II. xxii. 222 His companions indulged
in a family conflict . . which was only mediated, after much
effort.
5. To be the intermediary or medium concerned
in bringing about (a result) or conveying (a gift,
etc.") ; passive^ to be communicated or imparted
mediately.
1630 Lord Banians Introd., Who, to give this undertaking
[the book] the better promotion, interested himselfe in the
worke, by mediating my acquaintance with the Bramanes.
1644 Digby Nat. Bodies xxv. § 1. 227 An immediate working
of God . . without conuenient and ordinary instruments to
mediate and effect this configuration. 1846 G. S. Faber
Lett. Tractar. Secess. 224 Moses . . mediated an inferior
covenant between God and the Israelites. 1856R. A.Vaughan
Mystics (i860) II. vm. vi. 67 Ten years after the first mani-
festation he believed himself the recipient of a second, not,
like the former, mediated byanythingexternal. 1861 Goschen
For. Exch. 18 A country which, like England, mediates the
transactions of many others. 1903 J. Conn Fulness of Time,
etc. vi. 77 Everything we know of Him who is the Light of
the World has been mediated to us through men.
Mediated (mi'd'wted), ///. a. [f. prec. +
-ED l.] Interposed, intervening.
183a Austin Jurispr. (1879) II. 926 The right or duty is
not created or divested by a law without the intervention
of a fact distinct from the law itself but is really created or
divested by a law through a mediated or intervening fact.
Mediately (nw-dUtli), adv. [f. Mediated. +
-LT 2.] In a mediate way : opposed to immediately.
1. By the intervention of an intermediary or
medium ; (in feudal law) through a mesne lord ;
through a medium or mediator, or by a means; by
indirect agency, or by mediation, in indirect con-
nexion ; indirectly.
1526 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 125 Whether it be im-
mediatly of y* holy goost, or els medially, as by y« mynis-
tracyon of some good aungell. 1550 Latimer Last Serin,
be/. Edw. ^7(1584) 107 She [sc. the woman] is not imme-
diately under God, but mediately. 1596 Bacon Max. .$• Use
Com. Law 11. (1635) 30 All lands are holden of the crowne
either mediately or immediately. 1604 E. G[rimstone]
D'Acosta's Hist. Indies \i. iv. 439 For if they signifie things
mediately they are no more letters nor writings, but ciphers
and pictures, a 1661 Fuller Worthies, Wore. (1662) 11.
174, I confess he might be mediatly of Welch extraction,
but born in this County, a 1703 Burkitt On N. T. Matt,
v. 8 They shall see him spiritually and mediately in this
life : gloriously and immediately in the life to come. i8«
J. Marshall Const. Opin. (1839) 276 Persons who claimed
immediately from the crown, or mediately, through its
grantees or deputies. 1855 Sir ^ Hamilton Metaph.
App. (1859) II. 520 Something different from the realities
externally existing, through which, however, they are me-
diately represented. 1874 Sully Sensation <y Intuition 45
We compare the sensations mediately, by means of the
average strength of either class. 1889 Pater G. de Latour
{1896) 50 He derived his impressions of things not directly
from them, but mediately from other people's impressions
about them.
2. With a person or thing intervening in time,
space, order, or succession.
i6ao T. Granger Div. Logike 223* Here the particle (not)
is mediately prefixed before (perisheth). 1794 Morse A mer.
Geog. 139 Running waters, when turbid, will deposit, first,
the coarsest and heaviest particles, mediately, those of the
several intermediate degrees of fineness, and ultimately., the
most light. 18x8 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) IV. 370 An estate
is limited, either mediately or immediately, to his heirs in
fee, or in tail. 1890 Sat. Rev. 13 Sept. 326/2 A day spent. .
mediately in pursuit of sport, it may be immediately in
mountain-climbing.
Mediateness (mrdit^nes). [f. Mediate a.
+ -ness.] The quality of being mediate.
1704 Norris Ideal World 11. iii. 146 The. .mediateness of
our conception, i860 Worcester (cites Bannister).
II Mediateur. ? Obs. [F. midiateur ' sorte de
jeu de quadrille ' (Littre) : etymologically = Me-
diator. Cf. Sp. medialort according to the Dice,
de la Academia a name for ombre.] A term in
a variety of the game of quadrille : see quot. 1830.
1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XV. 732/2 A king is the media-
teur, which is demanded of the others by one of the players,
who has a hand he expects to make five tricks of", and
through the assistance of this king he can play alone and
make six tricks. Ibid. 733/1 A fish extraordinary is given
to him who plays the mediateur, and to him who plays sans
prendre. 1830 ' Eidrah Trebor ' Hoyle made Familiar 38
{Quadrille) In order to vary this game, some introduce the
Mediateur or Roy Rendu, which is a king demanded of
the others by one of the players, who having a hand by
which he expects to make five tricks, can, with the assistance
of this king, get six, and so plays alone, or sans appeller.
Mediating (mf di^tin), ///. a. [f. Mediate
v. + -ixg2.] That mediates.
1. Of opinions and their advocates : Tending to
mediate between extremes.
a i7ag J. Rogers 19 Serm. 1^1735) 309 That Corruption of
Manners we lament in the World, we shall find.. owing to
some mediating Schemes, that offer to comprehend the dif-
ferent Interests of Sin and Religion. 1885 Athenseunt
4 July 10/3 Dr. Salmon, being no mediating scholar, accepts
the last twelve verses of St. Mark's Gospel.
2. Acting as a mediator.
1749 Fielding Tom Jones vn. iii, Regard to my family
hath made me take upon myself to be the mediating power.
1817 Pari. Deb. 1351 A mediating party between the zealous
friends of the practice and the public 1866 Liddon Bampt.
Led. vi. (1875) 306 St. Paul dwells often and earnestly upon
our Lord's mediating Humanity.
Hence Me'diatingrly adv.
1841 Blackw. Mag. XLIX. 466 To go mediatingly.. be-
tween others.
Mediation (nwdi^-Jan). Forms: 4-5 media-
cioun, 4-6 -cion, 5 medyacyoun, 5-6 -cion, 6
medea-,mediacyon, mediatioun, 5- mediation,
[a. OF. mediation (mod.F. mediation), ad. late L.
mediation-em (c 500 in Quicherat), n. of action f.
medidre : see Mediate v. Cf. Sp. mediacion3 Pg.
mediafdo, It. mediazione.]
fl. Division by two; division into two equal
parts; halving, bisection. Obs.
c 1415 Cra/t Nombrynge (E.E.T.S.) 14 Mediacion is a
takyng out of halfe a nombre out of a holle nombre. 154s
Recorde Gr. Aries H vj, Mediation, .is nothyng els but
deuidyng by 2. 1674 Jeake Arith. (1696) 33 To take the
half of any Number called Mediation, Bipartition, or
Division by 2. 1717 Bailey'voI. II, Mediation (in Geotn.)
with respect to lines, is called bissection or bipartition.
+ b. A/us. [= med.L. mediatio octavae.'] The
division of the octave at the arithmetical or har-
monic mean. Obs,
1307 Morley Introd. Mns. Annot., The fourth may be
set in the eight, either aboue the fift, which is the har-
monicall diuision or mediation (as they tearme it) of the
eight, or vnder the fift, which is the Arithmeticall mediation,
f C. Astron. Mediation of heaven [med.L. me-
diatio casli] : the southing of a heavenly body.
1426 Lydg. De Guil. Pilgr. 16668 The loode sterre, which
off his nature abydeth ffyx in hys spere, and neuere draweth
ffor to declyn by medyacion. 1633 H. Gellibrand in 7*.
James* Voy. R iij, At the instant of the Moones Culmina-
tion or Mediation of Heauen.
2. Agency or action as a mediator ; the action of
mediating between parties at variance ; intercession
on behalf of another.
C1386 Chaucer Man o/Law's T. 136 By the popes media-
cion . . They been acorded. 1431 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 280
If these men so chosen, with good mediacion of the alder-
man, mowe not brynge hem to acorde. 1447 Bokekham
Seyntys (Roxb.) Introd., Be the blyssyd medyacyoun Of this
virgyne. 157a Reg. Privy Council Scot. II. 134 Be freindlie
mediatioun and laubouns. 166* Bk. Com. Prayer Prayer
High Crt. Pari., These and all other necessaries, .we humbly
beg in the Name and mediation of Jesus Christ. 1667
Milton P. L. Hi. 226 All mankind Must have bin lost, . . had
not the Son of God,.. His dearest mediation thus renewd.
1788 Gibbon Decl. $ F. xlv. IV. 462 As a Christian bishop,
he [Gregory] preferred the salutary offices of peace ; his
mediation appeased the tumult of arms. 1844 Thirlwall,
Greece lxiii. VIII. 243 Envoys, .had been sent to offer their
mediation for the purpose of terminating the war.
attrib. 1857 M. Pattison Ess. (1889) II. 241 The Media-
tion-Theology itself does not shrink from engaging the
C histological problem.
3. Agency as an intermediary ; the state or fact of
serving as an intermediate agent, a means of action,
or a medium of transmission ; instrumentality.
c 1391 Chaucer Astrol. Prol. 1 By mediacion of this Htel
tretis, I purpose to teche thee a certein nombre of con-
clusiouns apertening to the same instrument. 1560 Daus tr.
Sicidane's Comm. 21 His fellowes at home, .wrot to Lewis
the Frenche kinge, by the mediation of Erarde Marchiane
Byshoppe of Liege. i6x«> G. Sandys Trav. 168 Not to be
touched but by the mediation of a sticke prepared for the
purpose. 1646 H. Lawrence Comm. Angells 38 The under-
standing receives things by the mediation, first of the exter-
nal! sences, then of the fancy. 1648 Hamilton Papers (Cam-
den) 205, I intend to corresponde with you by her mediation.
1796 Bvrke Regie. Peace i.Vfks. VIII. 156 To seek for peace
..through the mediation of a vigorous war. 1796 Kirwan
Elem. Mtn.ied. 2) II. 269 By the mediation of nickel it will
unite to Bismuth, i860 Tyndall Glac. 1. iii. 23 Through
his mediation I secured a chamois-hunter.
4. A/us. That part of a plain-song or an Anglican
chant which lies between the two reciting-notes.
The mediation of a plain-song chant is regarded by some
as including the reciting-note, and is then taken to be all
that part of the first half of the chant following the 'intona-
tion '.
1845 J. Jones Man. Instr. Plain-Chant 10 When, at the
mediation of the 1st, 3d, 6th, and 7th tones, the last word is
a monosyllable, it is joined to the preceding syllable. 1879
Helmore in Grove Diet. Mus. I. 337/2 In the. modern
Anglican chants the Intonation has been discarded, and the
chant consists of the Mediation and Termination only. 1893
J. Heywood Art 0/ Chanting viii. 21 Most of the early
Anglican chants seem to require two accents in their media-
tion.
Mediative (mf'di^tiv), a. rare. [f. Mediate
v. + -ive.] That has the quality of mediating;
; pertaining to mediation or a mediator.
1813 Shelley Q. Mab v. 232 This commerce of sincerest
virtue needs No mediative signs of selfishness, i860 West-
I cott Introd. Study Gosp. v. (td. 5) 303 In the Synoptists
j faith is the mediative energyin material deliverances as the
I types of higher deliverance. 1890 Fairbairn Catholicism
\ (1899) 299 A^ means were inadequate, and so divisive ; as
\ mediative they held the spirit out of the immediate Presence.
Mediatization (m^diataiz/ijan). [f. next +
! -ATioNr] The action of the verb Mediatize; the
state of being mediatized.
181S Edin. Rev. XXIX. 349 Mediatisation and confederacy
are courtly and diplomatic terms. 1844 Disraeli Coningsby
u. 1, The mediatization of the petty German princes. 1887
Cornh. Mag. Aug. 202 Mediatisation means retention of
princely title, and surrender of princely independence and
sovereignty.
Mediatize (nu"diat3iz),z>. [ad. F. midiatiser,
i. mfdiat : see Mediate a. and -ize. Cf. G. me~
diati siren.]
1. trans. Hist. In Germany under the Holy Roman
Empire : To reduce (a prince or state) from the
position of an immediate vassal of the Empire to
that of a mediate vassal. Hence, in later times :
To annex (a principality) to another state, leaving
to its former sovereign his titular dignity, and
(usually) more or less of his rights of government.
Also trans/, and Jig.
1830 Fraser's Mag. I. 158 If Prince Paul.. did such a
thing, he would be mediatised in his princedom of fashion.
1843 Thackeray Irish Sk. Bk. ix, Let us trust that the
Prince.. was at least restored to his family and decently
mediatised. 1849 J. M. Kemble Saxons in Eng. II. iv. 149
The ducal families were in direct descent from the old regal
families, which became mediatized, to use a modern term.
1876 J. Martineau Ess., etc. (1891) IV. 257 It [intellectual
purpose] is liable to be deposed and * mediatized ' by advanc-
ing knowledge.
2. intr. To mediate, take up a mediating position.
1885 Unitarian Rev. Aug. XXIV. 114 A creed of recon-
ciliation which attempts to mediatize between two opposite
parties can never hope for success, if [etc].
Hence Me'diatized ppl. a.
1826 Disraeli Viv. Grey vi. iv, His Highness has the
misfortune of being a mediatised prince. 1841 W. Spalding
Italy <y //. 1st. III. 102 The mediatized principalities in
Germany. 1887 Westm. Rev. June 334 The mediatized Bey.
Mediator (mrdU'tai). Also 4-6 medyat- ; 4-5
•ure, 4-6 -oure, 4-7 -our, 5 -owr(e, -er, (6
medeator). [a. F. mediateur, ad. late L. m'e~
didtor-em, f. medidre to Mediate. Cf. Sp. media-
dor, Pg. mediador, mediator, It. mediatore.
The Lat. word, though formally implying the vb., was perh.
formed directly on medius middle, in imitation of Gr. nco-trr)?
(f. fjL€<ro$ middle). The early examples, exc. one in_ Appuleius
(2ndc.),areall Christian and theological, representing^Mrin)*
as used in the N. T.]
1. One who intervenes between two parties, esp.
for the purpose of effecting reconciliation ; one
who brings about (a peace, a treaty) or settles (a
dispute) by mediation.
1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) VII. 125 Mediatours goynge
bytwixe, pees was made. 1413 Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton 1483)
iv. xxxi. 80 These Royal lordes ben menes and medyatours
bytwene the kyng and his peple in euery nede that may
befalle. 15S4 Act 1 * 2 Phil. % Mary, c. 8 § 9 It maie please
yof Majesties to be Intercessours and Mediatours to.. Car-
dinal! Poole. 1606 Pulton Kalender 0/ Stat. 18 b (27
Edw. Ill, c. 24). And two English men, two of Lombardie,
and two of Almaigne shall chosen to be Mediators of ques-
tions between sellers and buiers. c 1615 Bacon Adv. Sir
G. Villitrs Wks. 1879 I. 509/1 The trouble of all men's
MEDIATORIAL.
confluence .. to yourself, as a mediator between them
and their sovereign. 1769 Robertson Chas. V. x. III. 251
The^ Princes who were present, .acted as intercessors or
mediators between them. 1853 J. H. Newman Hist. Sk.
(1873) II. 11. iv. 258 He claimed for himself especially the
part of mediator between political rivals. 1855 Milman Lat.
Chr. x. iv. (1864) VI. 172 The lofty station of the mediator
of such peace became his sacred function.
jig. 1609 Daniel Civ. Wars vm. liii, And in deliv'ring it,
lifts vp her eyes, (The mouingst Mediatours shee could
bring'.
2. Theol. One who mediates between God and
man ; applied esp. to Jesus Christ (cf. i Tim. ii. 5).
a 1300 Cursor M. 27503 pou has me [the confessor] made
als mediator, AIs mediator and messager, Tuix be and bam
pair errand here, c 137s Sc. Leg. Saints xxxvi. (Baptista)
629 Medyature als wes he betwene ws & be trinite. 1382
Wyclip 1 Tim. ii. 5 O God and mediatour of God and men.
isaa Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 190 b, Sauyour & media-
tour of mankynde. 1649 Bp. Reynolds Hosea i. 41 The
Prophet here secretly leadeth us to Christ the Mediatour.
1667 Milton P. L. xn. 240 Instructed that to God is no
access Without Mediator. 1736 Butler Anal. 11. v. (Bohn)
240 There is then no sort of objection, from the light of
nature, against the general notion of a mediator between
God and man. 1901 A. B. Davidson Biblical ff Lit. Ess.
247 These saints as intercessors and mediators bridge over
the chasm that separates God from man.
t 3. A go-between ; a messenger or agent. Obs.
£1375 Sc. Leg. Saints iii. (Andreas) 1063 pane he bat
mediatoure had bene, and hard bis answere all bedene,
recordyt it to be bischope. c 1388 Chaucer Pars. T. r 893
The fourthe circumstance is, by whiche mediatours or by
whiche messagers, as for enticement, or for consentement to
here campainye with felaweshipe. c 1470 Gat. A> Gaw. 400
Our souerane Arthour..Has maid ws thre as mediatour,
His message to schaw. 1376 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 33r
Your highnesse, whom it hath pleased. .voluntariIy(without
the helpe of any mediatour) to graunt mee free, .accesse to
your friendshippe. 1622 Malynes Anc. LawMerch. 98 A
Merchant, hamng many of these Billes..will resort vnto
..another Merchant, commonly accompanied with a Medi-
ator or Broker. 1697 in Syllabus Rymer's Fad. (1869) Pref.
112 The French had received our ratification under the
signett, and putt it collationed into the mediatours hands.
4. Path. Applied to those constituents of a serum
which actively produce haemolysis.
1903 A. S. Grunbaum in Brit. Med. Jrnl. 21 Mar. 654
Ehrhch.. recognized.. that Bordet was right in assuming
the existence of two bodies for the production of this pheno-
menon [sc. haemolysis], and that one body (mediator, ambo-
ceptor) was present in quantity in the serum of immunized
animals only, while the other (the complement) occurred in
the serum of normal untreated animals. Ibid. 4 Apr. 784
The immune serum merely contains an excess of normal
mediators and not new ones.
5. A variation in the games of ombre and quad-
rille. [= Sp. mediator. Cf. Mediateub]
1902 La Aldenham Ombre 6 Quadrille, Quintille, Pique-
mednlle, Tredrille, Sextille, and Mediator, which are all
variations of the Game of Ombre.
Mediatorial (ntfdiatoe-rial), a. [f. L. type
*mediat6ri-us (see Mediatoby) + -al.] Of, per-
taining to, resembling, or characteristic of a
mediator or mediation.
1650 W. Pynchon in First Cent. Hist. Springfield, Mass.
('898) I. 81 There is no need that our blessed Mediator
should pay both the price of his Mediatorial obedience, and
also [etc.]. 1708 Brit. Apollo No. 91. 1/2, I have not yet
Discharg d my Mediatorial Office. 1742 Young Nt. Th, ix.
272 No Patron ! Intercessor none ! Now past The sweet,
the clement, Mediatorial Hour ! 1876 Mozley Univ.
Serm. v. 106 A mediatorial function .. pervades the whole
dispensation of God's natural providence, by which men
have to suffer for each other.
Hence Mediato-rially adv., as a mediator;
MediatoTialism, mediatorial attitude or position.
•774 A. M. Toplady Gd. News/r. Heaven Wks. 1794 III.
208 Christ shall reign . . mediatorially. 1827 Ch. Words-
worth Chas. I (1828) i5t And, because, at the same time
they [two Presbyterians] were 'moderate and mediatorial ',
[they may) have stuck one Episcopalian between them, as
a voucher of their moderation and mediatorialism.
t MediatoTian, a. Obs. rare. [Formed as
prec. + -an.] = Mediatorial. So Mediatorious a.
a 1659 Bp. Brownrig Serm. (r674) II. xv. 187 The Arrians
blasphemy of his Deity, 'tis as false also of his Mediatorious
Wticacy. 1676 Cudworth Serm. on 1 Cor. xv. 37 (ed. 3) 72
Christ after His Resurrection. . having a mediatorious King-
"omhestowed uPon Him- lS9* Beverley Disc. Dr. Crisp
18 There is a Mediatorian Law and Covenant in the
Hand of the Mediator.
Mediatorship. [See -ship.] The office of
a mediator.
• 1600 Hooker Eccl. Pol. vm. iv. § 6 Government doth
belong to his kingly office, mediatorship, to his priestlv.
1693 Luttrell Brief Rel. (,857) III. 242 Their masters had
undertaken the mediatorship of a general peace. 1876
Ch°rrstEV ' Ser'"' V'"' (l877) ,Sl The mediatorship °f
Mediatory (mrdiatari), a. [ad. L. type *me-
diaton-us, f. mediator Mediatob : see -ort.]
Having the function of mediating; pertaining to,
or of the nature of, mediation.
1619 W. Sclater Exp. 1 Thess. (1630) 51 Christ's actions
..were.. some Mediatory. 1665 J.Spencer Vulg. Proph.
, \"? S0lcmn Inauguration of our Saviour to his Media,
jory Kingdom. 1677 Gale Crt. Gentiles in. 182 The Phi-
losophers Demons or Mediatorie Lords, which were the
origina Exemplarsof Antichrist's Mediatorie Saints, a 17x1
KEN Clinstophil Poet. Wks. 172! I. 447 Our humble King
negan to rear His Mediatory Realm. 1765 Blackstone
<-omm. 1. 51 If the supreme power were lodged . . in the king
ana commons, we should want that circumspection and me.
293
diatory caution, which the wisdom of the peers is to afford.
1806 G. S. Faber Diss. Prophecies (1814) I. 280 The exces-
sive veneration of supposed mediatory saints and angels.
1836-7 Sir W. Hamilton Mctaph. xxxii. (1859) II. 245 The
mediatory agency of latent thoughts in the process of sug-
gestion. 1885 Lpool Daily Post 25 Apr. 4/5 Austria and
Germany are evincing an increased disposition to dictate
terms, but rather of a selfish than a mediatory nature.
H Used --= Mediate a. i.
1651 Biggs New Disp. 169 To avell the pleura or lining of
the Thorax from the ribs, which is firmely annexed and im-
mediately adheres unto them, by the mediatory ligation of
numerous solid fibres.
Mediatress (mfdie'tres). Now rare. [f.
i Mediator + -ess.] - Mediatrix.
1616 R. Sheldon Surv. Miracles Ch. Rome 123 Neither
dare wee associate her as a secondarie Mediatrisse with her
, sonne. 1748 Richardson Clarissa xlii. (1811) III. 249 Hoiv
1 shall two such come together — no kind mediatress in the
way? 1867 Contemp. Rev. V. 57 He does not hesitate to
; employ her as mediatress.
Mediatrice (mfdiititris). Now rare (or only
as Fr.). [a. F. mediatrice, ad. L. mediatrix (see
\ next).] = Mediatrix.
The pi. form mediatrices is, so far as spelling is concerned,
common to this word and the next : the example placed
j here may belong to Mediatrix.
c *375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxxiv. iPelagia) 361 As medyatrice
hyr wii I sende to god. 1447 Bokenham Seyntys (Roxb.i 270
Thorgh goddys grace ordeynyd to be A medyatryce for this
cyte. 1500-20 Dunbar Poems lxxxv. 67 Oralrice, media-
trice, salvatrice, To God gret suffiagane ! 1540 Hyrde tr.
Vitus' Instr. Chr. Worn. (1592) N vij, God is the over-seer,
the church is the mediatrice in manage. 1686 Speculum
Beatx Virginis 17 They desire her to interceed with God
for them, which also makes her a joynt Mediatrice with
Christ. 1842 Agnes Strickland Queens Eng. II. 291 The
French monarch .. proposed to make the queen-dowager of
France and Isabella the mediatrices of a peace. 1891 Cath.
News 24 Jan. 6/6 Our advocate, our mediatrice with Him.
Mediatrix (mitiifitriks). PI. mediatrices
(m/cli/traisiz) : see prec. [a. L. mediatrix, fem.
of mediator, Mediator.] A female mediator.
(Often applied to the Virgin Mary.)
1462-3 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 270 Pray the vierge im-
maculat To be good mediatrix. 1577-87 Holinshed Citron.
III. 1183/2 As a meane or mediatrix betweene the parties,
there was Chiistierna dutchesse of Loraine. 1651 tr. Dc-las-
Coveras^ Don Fenise 39 She having confessed herselfe the
mediatrix pf their loves. 1738 Ozell Cervantes 9 Certain ..
Knights.. invoking them [their Ladies], .as so many Advo-
cates and Mediatrixes in their Conflicts and Encounters.
»753 Richardson Grandison IV. iv. 21 War seems to be
declared : And will you not turn mediatrix ? Ibid. IV. xxviii.
175 Mediators and mediatrices. 1781 Warton Hist. Eng.
Poetry III. 493 The mediatrix of the factions of France.
1846 Pusey Let. in Liddon. etc. Life II. 505 The [Roman]
system as to the Blessed Virgin as the Mediairix and Dis-
penser of all present blessings to mankind. 1848 Thackeray
Van. Fair -a, The friendship, .lasted as long as the jovial
old mediatrix was there to keep the peace. 1880 Meredith
Tragic Com. xi (end), Here was the mediatrix— the veritable
goddess with the sword to cut the knot !
Medic (me'dik), a. and sb. (See also Medics.) |
[ad. L. medic-its adj. and sb., f. root of mederi to I
heal. Cf. OF. medique sb., physician, Sp. medico, I
Pg., It. medico adj. and sb.]
A. adj. = Medical. OtAy poet.
1700 Pomfret Reason 84 Should untun'd Nature crave
the Medic Art, What Health can that contentious Tribe
impart? 1769 Poetry in Ann. Reg. 242 Order Drops, ye
Medic Dunces, Order Scruples, Drams, and Ounces. 1873
W. S. Mayo Never Again xxxii. 417 Thy medic touch be-
calms my throbbing brow.
B. sb. A physician, ' medical man'. Obs. exc.
as U.S. college slang for ' medical student'.
1659 T. Pecke Parna'ssi Puerp. 16 The Medic heals the
Body. 1661 Blount Glossogr. (ed. 2>, Medici, a Physitian.
1694 Motteux Rabelais v. (1737) 232 Your Medic's Friend.
1696 J. Edwards Exist, t, Provid. God 11. 136 This author
..was most bitter.. not only against physicians, but all
medicks. 1823 The Crayon (Yale Coll.) 23 (Farmer) Who
sent The medic to our aid ! 1851 B. H. Hall College 1
Words 198 Med, Medic, a name sometimes given to a
student in medicine. 1885 B. G. Wilder in Jrnl. Nervous
Dis. Xll. 28r Medic is the legitimate paronym otmedicus,
but is commonly regarded as slang.
Medic, var. form of Medick.
t Me'dica. Obs. [a. L. medica : see Medick.]
= Medick.
1577 B. Gooce HeresbacKs Husb. I. (1586) 37 Amongst all
sortes of fodder, that is counted for the cheefe .. which . .
the Italians at this day call Medica. 1651 R. Child in
Hartlib's I,egacy (1655) 71 The plants which are usually
called Medicaes with us, are annual plants. 1664 Evelyn
Kal. Hort., Apr. (1679) 15 Sow .. Medica, Holy-hocks,
Columbines [etc.]. 1712 tr. Pomet's Hist. Drugs I. 12 A
species of Trefoil,.. to which some have given the Name of
Medica, or Median Hay. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp. s. v.,
The sea Medica.. .The great prickly sea Medica.
Medicable (me'dikab'l), a. [ad. L. medica-
btlis, f. medicare, medicari: see Medicate v. and
■able. Cf. OF. medecable, medicable (in sense 2),
MEDICAMENT.
1 2. Possessing medicinal properties. Obs.
1658 Phillips, Medicable, able to heal. 1666 Boyle Orit
tormes A. Qual. 1.667) =93 Wine obtains divers medicable
Vertues (as that of cooling, dissolving Coral, Pearle, &c).
Medical (me-dikal), a. and sb. [a. F. medical,
- Sp.,_ Pg. medical, It. medicate, ad. late l!
medicate, f. medic-its physician : see Medic]
A. adj.
1. Pertaining or related to the healing art or its
professors. Also, in a narrower sense, Pertaining
or related to 'medicine' as distinguished from
surgery, obstetrics, etc.
Medical man: used as a general term including ' physi-
cheur ', etc.
Sp., Pg. medicable, It. medicabile.]
1. Admitting of cure or remedial treatment.
1616 Bullokar Eng. Expos., Medicable, which may be
healed. 1744 Armstrong Preserv. Health in. 516 For want
of timely care Millions have died of medicable wounds.
1816 Wordsw. Ode, 1815, 81 For them who bravely stood
unhurt, or bled With medicable wounds. 1834 Tail's Mag.
L 15/2 Of the more enduring and less medicable ailments of
his patient, the surgeon knew .. nothing. 1871 Napheys
Prev. <$■ Cure Dis. I. i. 43 Medicable wounds.
1646 Sin ]'. Browne Pseud. Ep. To Rdr. a4, Inthiswork
attempts will exceed performances : it being composed by
snatches of time, as medical] vacations, . .would permit us.
ii 1682 — Tracts 22 Not onely in medical but dietetical use
and practice. 1760-72 H. Brooke Fool of Qual. (1809) II.
09. 1 summoned the chief medical artists, and got the
precious remains.. embalmed. 1778 T. A. Mann in Lett.
Lit. Men (Camden! 416 We are here occupied and divided
upon Medical Electricity. 1799 Med. Jrnl. I. 364 Such an
excess of acid is therefore useless, especially in medical
practice. Ibid., The Medical Society also desired the Citi-
zens Bouillon-La Grange, and Chaussier, to examine [etc.].
1849 MacauLAY Hist. ling. iv. I. 432 All the medical men
of note in London were summoned. 1895 Arnold fy Sons'
( atal. Surg. Instruments 19 Field Medical Paniers fitted
complete with instruments . . etc. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med.
VIII. 773 Neither the patient nor the medical attendant.
b. Proper or appropriate to a medical practitioner.
1809 Malkin Gil Bias u. iii.- 2 He had got into reputation
with the public bya certain professional slang, humoured by
a medical face.
c. Ofdiseases: Requiring medical as distinguished
from surgical treatment or diagnosis.
1885-8 Fagge & Pye-Smith Princ. Med. (ed. 2) I. 74 In-
ternal, or as it may be styled ' medical ' pyaemia. 1899 All-
butts Syst. Med. VI. 174 The preceding remarks .. relate
only to the medical thromboses, and not to the septic and
suppurative thrombophlebitides of the surgeon. 1904 Hos-
pital 11 June, Suppl. 14 By medical diseases is meant those
1 diseases which are situated either as to their source or their
[ origin in one or other of the three great cavities of the body.
d. Special collocations : f medical finger =
Leech-finger ; medical garden, a garden appro-
priated to the cultivation of medicinal plants ; a
' physic-garden ' ; J medical month (see quot.).
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. iv. xii. 213 Which . . makes
26. dayes and 22. howres, called by Physitians the medicall
month; introduced by Galen.. for the better compute of
Decretory or Criticall dayes. 1653 Urquhart Rabelais 1.
vm, On the medical finger of his right hand he had a Ring
made Spire wayes. 1838 Civil Engineer I. 362/2 Four acres
are devoted to a medical garden.
2. Curative ; medicinal, rare.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. v. xxi. 269 The mem-
branous covering, commonly called the silly how. .is. .pre-
served with great care, not onely as medicall in diseases,
but [etc.]. 1811 A. T, Thomson Lond. Disp. (1818) 462
Medical properties and uses. 1830 Herschel Stud. Nat.
Phil. m. iv. 303 The essential medical principlesin vegetables.
B. sb.
1. A student or practitioner of medicine, colloq.
1823 Hawthorne in //. ^ Wife (1885) I. in He is the
' best scholar among the medicals. 1834 J. Halley in Life
(1842) 15 He determined., as he said 'to beat the medicals'.
1903 Midland Inst. Mag. Feb. 113 The.. only medical
elected to a University headship since William Harvey was
warden of Merton in 1644.
2. ? U.S. ' A small bottle or vial made of glass
tubing' (Cent. Diet. 1890).
Medical, obs. var. Miskal, an Oriental weight.
Medically (me-dikali), adv. [f. Medical +
-LY2.] In a medical manner; with respect to medical
science or practice, or the medical profession.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. iv. xiii. 227 That which
chiefly promoted the consideration of these dayes, and me-
dically advanced the same, was the doctrine of Hippocrates.
1805 Med. Jrnl. XIV. 393, I was willing to hope that the
case, not viewed medically, might be rendered more for-
midable than it really was. 1887 Homeop. World 1 Nov.
523 These clubs are medically officered by an allopathic
practitioner. _ 1902 Daily Chron. 8 May 6/2 Educated and
medically-trained women as workhouse inspectors.
Medicament (mfdi-kament, me'dikament),^.
[a. F. medicament, ad. L. medicamentum, f. medi-
cari: see Medicate v. and -ment. Cf. Sp., Pg.,
It. medicame/ito.] A substance used in curative
treatment.
1541 R. Copland Galyen's Terap. 2 C iv, It semeth that
he had neuer experyencc.of any medicamentes, whiche is
a manyfest thynge of the boke that he hath made of medy-
camentes. 1597 A. M. tr. Guillemeau's Fr. Chirurg. 16/2
Some resolvinge and strengtheninge medicamentes. 1650
Bulwer Anthropomet. r6o He speaks of Cosmetique medi-
caments, or the Art of Decoration. 1750 tr. Leonardus'
Mirr. Stones 06 In these they strew soporiferous medica-
ments. 1831 J. Davies Manual Mat. Med. 61 Some medi-
caments which are commonly used as astringents. ^ 1899
Allbutt's Syst. Med. VIII. 922 Certain drug eruptions.,
have their greatest^ intensity round the part to which the
medicament is applied.
b. trans/, an&jig.
1614 W. Barclay Nepenthes A 4, [Tobacco] is the only
medicament in the world ordained by nature to entertaine
good companie. 1654. Hammond Fundamentals xix. § 32.
235 First, the admonitions, .of his fellow Christians, then
mure pubiike reprehensions, .and upon the unsuccessfuln-:ss
of all these milder medicaments, the use of that stronger
MEDICAMENT.
294
MEDICINAL.
Physick, the Censures of the Church. 18*4 A. Henderson
Wtnes 45 It was only for the inferior wines, however, that
such medicaments were used. 1872 M.Collins Two Pluugt s
for Pearl III. viii. 183 There are few medicaments equal to
walking at your fastest pace.
Medicament, v. [f. the sb. Cf. V. matica-
menter.] trans. To administer medicaments to.
Hence Medi'camenting vbl. sb.
1823 Galt R. Gilhaize xxxvii, But for many a day all the
skill and medicamenting of Doctor Callendcr did him little
good. 1849 Thackerav Pendennis liii, He . . had been
treated and medicamented as the doctor ordained.
Me die am en tal (medikame'ntal), a. Now
rare. [f. Medicament sb. + -al1.] Having the
nature of a medicament ; medicinal.
1657 Tomlinson Kenan's Disp. 26 Aconitus..and many
others are both medicamental and poysonous. 1670 Mayn-
waring Vita Sanax'm. no Sallads of Lettuce, .are medica*
mental aliment. 1753 in Johnson; in mod. Diets.
Medicamentally (me dicamcntali), adv. [f.
piec. + -ly -.] After the manner of medicaments.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 11. v. 85 The substance of
gold is indeed invincible by the powerfallest action ofna-
turall heat,, .not only alimentally. .but also medicamentally.
1884 -V. .5- Q. 15 Mar. 210 The fish is.. more wholesome
medicamentally, but not so toothsome.
Medicamentary (me:dikame*ntari), a, [f.
Medicament sb. + -ART.] Having the nature of a
medicament; curative. Also, of a book, treating
of medicaments.
1590 Barrol'gh Meth. Phisick viii. (i596>484 Neither was
it necessarie to stuffe this Medicamentarie booke with vn-
usuall.. compositions. 1656 Ridgley Pract. Physick 2S6
We. .must rather fight with medicamentary aliments, then
with Medicaments. 1881 Nature 15 Sept. 480/2 Certain
toxical or medicamentary substances. . are not absorbed.
Medicament at ion (meidikament/'-Jan). [f.
Medicament JA. + -ation\] The action of* medica-
menting' ; remedial treatment.
1885 Public Opin. 9 Jan. 30/1 The crisis of our interests
has passed far beyond the medicamentation of mere talk.
Medicamentous (me-dikamentas), a. [f.
Medicament sb. + -ous.] = Medicamental.
1684 tr. Sonet's Merc. Compit. xv. 524 The new-born In-
fant, .requires a Medicamentous Milk. i86t Technologist
II. 30 It reaches the druggist, who has to prepare from it
his medicamentous extract.
Medicaster (me dikaestaj). Also 8 medi-
castor. [a. assumed L. + medicaster (whence also
It. medicastro, F. m4dicastre), f. medicus physician:
see Medic and -aster.] A pretender to medical
skill ; a quack, charlatan. So + Medica stra, a
female ' medicaster*.
160a K. Hering Anat. 28 An other Medicastra, a ratling
Gossip .. commended a Drench. 1611 Woodall Surg.
Mate Wks. (1653) 244 Andreas Libavius, doth report of a
certain Medicaster of his time [etc.], 1706 Baynard in Sir
J. Floyer Hot ty Cold Bath. 11. 393, I could say much more
..to the Shame., of this sorry Medicaster. 1835 J. M.
Wilson Tales 0/ Borders (1857) I. 59 Doctors are quacks
and medicasters to us. 1881 Duffield Don Quixote I. 337
A queen may be leman to a medicaster.
t Medicate, a. Obs. [ad. L. medicat-us, pa.
pple. of medicare (see next).] = Medicated.
1638 T. Whitaker Blood of Grape 41 Not but that I take
notice of medicate Wines, and their excellencies.
dedicate (me'dik^t), v. [f. L. medical-, ppL
stem of medicare, -&rt} f. medictis : see Medic]
1. trans. To treat medically ; to administer
remedies to ; to heal, cure.
1603 Cockeram, Medicate, to heale or cure. 1691 Baxter
Nat. Ch. x. 48 All the Physicions Medicate all England.
1757 Dyer Fleece I. 374 To soil Thy grateful fields, to medi-
cate thy sheep, . . Thy vacant hours require. 18. . Shelley
Ess. <$■ Lett. (1852) I. 256 He postponed all other purposes
to the care of medicating himself. 1833 Chalmers Const.
Man (1835) I. 237 Which mars instead of medicates. 1880
Barwell Aneurism 94 To feed, and if desirable also to
medicate, the patient in such manner that [etc.].
fig. 1807 tr. 'Three Germans 1. 68 What can medicate the
wounds of the mind? i860 Emerson Cond. Life iv. (1861)
83 What we call our root-and-branch reforms of slavery,
war [etc.] is only medicating the symptoms.
f b. To treat (a tiling) with drugs or other sub-
stances for any purpose. Obs.
1644 Evelyn Diary Apr., His collection of all sorts of
insects, .is most curious; these he spreads and so medicates
that no corruption invading them, he keepes them in drawers.
X77SG. White Setborne 1 Nov. (1789) 198 A pound of rushes,
medicated [/•*. steeped in tallow] and ready for use, will
cost three shillings.
-Ar.. ,839 De QfiNcKY Philos. Rom. Hist. Wks. 1800 VI.
431 D*id ever Siren warble so dulcet a song to ears already pre-
possessed and medicated with spells of Circean effeminacy ?
2. To impregnate with a medicinal substance.
1707 [see Medicating t'W. sb.]. 1753 Scots Mag. XV. 40/2
When a course of milk is ordered., may it not be thus medi-
cated much to the advantage of the patient? 1898 All-
butt's Syst. Med. V. 37 The inhalation of steam medicated
with terebene.
fig. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 150 F3 The antidotes with
which philosophy has medicated the cup of life. 1809 Syd.
Smith Wks.(xB$g) 1. 185/2 You are multiplying.. the chances
of human improvement, by preparing and medicating those
early impressions, which always come from the mother.
t b. In wider sense [after L. medicare] : To
impregnate or mix with drugs or deleterious sub-
stances; to 'doctor* (liquors, etc.). Obs.
1662 Graunt Bills Mortality 68 The Fumes, Steams, and
Stenches of London, do so medicate and impregnate the
Air about it, that [etc.]. 1684 Baxter Twelve Argts.Vrcf.
Fjb, They medicate their Wines with Arsenick and Mer-
cury. 1744 Berkeley Siris § n Wines in the time of the
old Romans were medicated with pitch and resin. 1791
Cowper Odyss. x. 291 She. .medicated with her pois'nous
drugs Their food.
3. intr. To practise the art of healing, rare.
1835 Tait's Mag. II. 17 Skilled in herbs too, he medicates
successfully for man and beast.
Medicated (me-dik^ted), ///. a. [f. Medi-
cate v. + -ed!.] Charged or impregnated with
medicinal substances, drugs, or the like. Alsoy^.
1625 Bp. Hai.l Serm. Thanksgiving (1626) 52 If some in-
frequent passenger crossed our streets, it was not without
his medicated Posie at his nose. 1676 Wiseman Surg.
IV. v. 316, I .. prescribed her a medicated Ale .. for her
constant Drink. 1781 Gibbon Decl. <y F. xxxi. III. 206
note, The beautiful faces of the young slaves were covered
with a medicated crust.. which secured them against the
effects of the sun. 184. Mrs. Browning Sontu fr. Portu-
guese xvii, Antidotes Of medicated music. 1899 Allbutt's
Syst. Med. VIII. 525 Medicated soaps.
Medicating (mediktfftin), vbl. sb. [f. Medi-
cate t>. + -ING1!] = Medication i b.
1707 Mortimer Husb.{i-j2i) II. 6 The medicating or steep-
ing of Seeds.
Medicating, ppl. a. [-nru*.l Healing.
1831 Carlyle Sart. Res. m. iii, Leave him to Time, and
the medicating virtue of Nature. 1879 Stevenson Trav.
Ceveunes, Florae, The race of man . . has medicating vir-
tues of its own.
Medication (medik^ijon). [ad. L. mediedtion-
em, n. of action f. medicare, medic art \ see Medi-
cate v. Cf. F. me'dication.]
1. The action of treating medically or subjecting
to the action of medicamenls.
1603 Sir C Hevdon Jud. Astrol. ii. 99 So doth Galen
attribute much to Homericall medication. 1646 Sir T.
Browne Pseud. Ep. iv. xiii. 222 During those dayes, all
medication or use of Physick is to be declined. 1831 J.
Davies Manual Mat. Med. 225 Hemorrhage, agitation,
fever, &c &c. often attend this medication. 1848 Thackeray
fan. Fair xli, She hoped that her body might escape medi-
cation. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VIII. 604 It is better to
assist the external measures by internal medication.
fig. 1804 Mitkord Inquiry 158 Rarely indeed more than
three lines together, even of Chaucer's, are found wholly
unwanting medication.
b. Applied to treatment of plants. Also concr.,
something used for ' medication \ ? Obs.
1626 Bacon Sylva § 500 The Watering of the Plant oft,
with an Infusion of the Medecine. This, .may have more
force than the rest ; Because the Medication is oft renewed.
1796 New Ann. Reg. 137 The cure [for animalcules], .is
rubbing off with the lard medication. Ibid., I have formerly
quite removed the canker from some nonpareils, which, after
three years medication, threw out shoots a yard long.
2. ' The act of tincturing or impregnating with
medicinal ingredients' (J.); the infusion of medi-
cinal substances.
1755 Hi Johnson. 1898 Allbutt's Syst. Med. V. 37 Mean-
while arrangements are to be made for . . t he occasional supply
of steam and for its medication with eucalyptus.
Medicative (mcdikAiv), a. [f. Medicate v.
1 + -ive. Cf. med.L. mediedtivus.] Having the
function or power of curing ; curative.
1644 Digby Nat. Bodies xviii. § 9. 165 If those vapors
be ioyned with any medicatiue quality or body. 18x4
D. Stewart Hum. Mind II. iv. § 6. 471 Those physicians
who profess to follow Nature, .by watching and aiding her
medicative powers. 1866 R. Chambers Ess. Ser. 11. 111
, Oh, Nature,. .Thy breath, thy voice, thy placid face, how
truly medicative they are.
Me'dicator. rare. [f. Medicate v. + -or. Cf.
late L. medicdtor} medical practitioner.] One who
prepares potions.
1830 Scott Demonol. 1. 67 The art of a medicator of poisons.
Medicatory (me'dik^'tari), a. rare—1, [f. L.
medical-, ppl. stem of medicare z see Medicate v.
and -ory.J Medicinal, healing.
1864 Mrs. H. Wood Tret: Hold III. ix. 123 Not all the
medicatory drugs, .can prevent the diseased vagaries of the
imagination.
Medicean medisran), a. [f. mod. L. Medice-
us (f. It. Medici, surname) + -an. Cf. F. me'dice'en.]
, Pertaining to the family of the Medici, who ailed
; Florence during the 15th a, and to whom belonged
; Popes Leo X (1513-21) and Clement VII (1523-
i 34). Used as the designation of the library at
I Florence (otherwise called Lanrentian) founded by
Lorenzo de' Medici, and of MSS. there preserved ;
1 also, of various works of ancient art contained in
the Florentine collections founded by the Medici.
1741 J. Martyn I 'irg. Georg. iv. 262 note, Pierius found ant
in the Medicean manuscript. 1835 Penny Cyct. IV. 5/2
The celebrated Medicean and Borghesan vases. 1893 GoW
Comp. Sch. Classics v'u (ed. 3) 45 The sole authority for
the letters ad Familiares is in the Medicean library. 1904
I Pilot 9 Apr. 338/1 A description of Medicean Rome.
Medicerebellar (nmliser/be*l;u), a. Anat.
[f. L. medi-us middle + Cerebellar.] Situated
in the middle of the cerebellum.
1890 J.S. Billings Nat. Med. Diet. II. 124 Medicerebellar
Artery. Cerebellar Artery, anterior inferior.
Medicerebral (m/diise*r/bral),a. Anat. [irreg.
f. L. medi-us middle + Cerebral.] Lying about
the middle of each cerebral hemisphere. Also
absol. the medicerebral artery.
1889 Buck's llandbk. Med. Sci. VIII. 234 The Medicere-
bral [artery]. The vessel represents the most direct con-
tinuation of the cerebral carotid. Ibid., The medicerebral
in its further course yields two classes of branches.
t Medici an. Obs. [f. L. medicus (see Medic)
+ -ian. Cf. physician.] A physician.
1597 in Spalding Club Misc. 1. 133 Scho is altogiddir con*
swmit away; and na mediciane nor phisitian that will tak
on hand to cure,
t Medicianer. Obs. In 6 medicianar, 7
medieioner. Cf. Mediciner. [f. Medician +
-er I.] A physician.
a 1578 Lindesay (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. (S. T. S.) I. 362
They war certiffieit be the doctouris medicianaris that no
successioun wald come of hir body. 1634 Medieioner [see
Medicine sb.'J, quot. 1545J.
Medicinable Ime'dsir.ab'l),^. and^. Forms:
4-7 medycinable, 4-6 medicynable, 5 mede-
cynnabil, medycynable, 6 medcynable, med-
sonable, mediscenable. 7 medicineable, 6-9
med'cinable, 4- medicinable. [a. OF. medecin-
able, i. medecintr-. see Medicine v. and -able.]
A. adj.
1. Having healing or curative properties; —
Medicinal. Obs. exc. poet, or arch.
1398 Trevjsa Barth. De P. R. xiv. xxi. (Tollem. MS.),
Olyues and medicynable herbes and swete spices, c 1407
Lydc. Reason <y Stmt. 5630, I saugh the. .herbes ful medy-
cynable. c 1425 St. Christina xi. in AngUa VIII. 124/1
Hee bonde vppe hit legge wib medecynnabil elopes. 1547
Boorde Introd. Knowl. xxii. (1870) 177 Welles of water the
whych. .be mediscenable for sycke people. 1577 B. Gooce
Heresbach's Husb. in. '1586) 146 Cowe milk is most medi-
cinable. 1604 Shaks, Oth. v. ii. 351 Drop teares as fast as
the Arabian Trees Their Medicinable gumme. 1634 W.
Wood New Eng. Ptosp. (1865) 10 Many..haue beene re-
stored by that medicineable Climate to their former . . health.
1796 Coleridge To J. Cottle, Herbs of medicinable powers.
1842 Sir A. de Vere SongofFaith-jn Paradise Of priceless
and most medicinable fruits. 1885 Pater Marius II. 218
Soothing fingers had applied to his hands and feet, .a medi-
cinable oil.
b. Jig. and in figurative context.
c 1400 Apol. Loll. 21 Medicinable comyning wib be kirk or
sacraments of it. c 1440 Alphabet of "Tales 422 Be pi medy-
cynable tong I trow at God shall delyver me from my moste
errour. 1556 J. Heywood Spider <y F. ii. iw Pacience the
medsonable meane, To take all fautles falles, reioisinglie.
1611 Shaks. Cymb. m. ii. 33 Some griefes are medcinable,
that is one of them, For it doth physicke Loue. I79?.J«
Hucks Poems 146 In memory's stores, I seek the med'cin-
able balm.
f 2. Of or belonging to medicine. Obs.
1530 Palsgr. 318/1 Medcynable belongyng to physicke.
1586 Bright Melanch. xl. 268 It yeeldeth no medicinable
tast to the mouth. 1607 Markham Carat. 1. (1617) 57
Then you shall seek by medicinable means to recouer them.
t 3. Medicinable Jinger ^ Leech-finger; medicin-
able ring, app. a blessed ring supposed to cure
diseases. Obs.
1431-50 tr. Higden ( Rolls) II. 313 The iiijO"- fynger,whiche
is callede the fynger medicinaule. a 1483 Liber Niger in
Honseh. Ord. {1790) 23 Item, to the king's offerings to the
cross* on Good Friday, out from the Countynghouse, for
medycinable rings of gold & sylver.
f B. sb. A medicinal substance. Obs.
1683 Tryon Way to Health 560 A great number of Medi-
cinables. of our own growth^ proper for the Cure of those
Diseases that are generated in our Elevation.
Hence f Medicinableness.
1660 Ingelo Bentiv. 4- Ur. 1. (1682) 167 The medicinable-
ness of every one [of these fruitsj is so affix'd to its own
Branch that it is not communicated to another.
Medicinal (mfdi'sinal),tf. andi/>. [a. L. medi-
cinal-is of or pertaining to medicine : see Medi-
cine and -AL. Cf. F. medicinal.] A. adj.
1. Having healing or curative properties or attri-
butes; adapted to medical uses. Const, against, Jar.
a 1340 Hampole Psalter 1. 8 Ysope is a medicynall erbe.
Z4» tr. Secreta Secret, Priv. Priv. 245 Medycinal Pur-
gacions sholde bene y-makyd in this tyme. 1525 in Vicary's
Anat. (1888) App. viii. 214 It may be by the College con-
sidered whetlitr the bill were medecynall, or hurtfull, to the
siknes. c 154° *>"• Pol. Verg. Eng. Hist. (Camden) I. 295
His. . ringe was . . medkinalle againste. . the fallinge sickenes.
1617 Moryson Itht. 1. 116 Most of the waters are medicinal!.
1671 Milton Samson 627 Dire inflammation which no cool-
ing herb Or medctnal liquor can asswage. 1717 Lady M.
W. Montagu Let. to P'cess of Wales 1 Apr., Here are hot
baths, very famous for their medicinal virtues; 1899 All-
butt's Syst. Med. VI. 429 The medical and medicinal treat-
ment of aortic aneurysm.
h.Jig.
c 1400 Wyclifs Bible Tit. ii. 8 (MS. M) Word medicynal
[1382 an hool word, 1388 an hoolsum word, Vulg. sauum].
150a Arnolde Chron. 174 As in the councel of Oxenford it is
..decreed that the sentence of excommunication whiche is
sayd medecinall iiij tymes in the yere to be pronounced.
1561 T. Norton Calvin's Inst. hi. 213 All this misery of
mankinde. .isa medicional sorrow,and not a penall sentence.
167a Cave Prim. Chr. mi. v. (1673) 374 The medicinal
vertue of Repentance, lying not in the duration, but the
manner of it. 1794 Coleridge To a Friend 11 Soothing
each pang with fond solicitude, And tenderest tones medi-
cinal of love. 1870 Emerson Soc. $ So/it., Bks. Wks. (Bohn)
III. 81 Plutarch cannot be spared from the smallest library
. . because he is so . . medicinal and invigorating. 1903 Htblert
Jml. Mar- 583 The preaching of Christianity as medicinal
for soul and body brought success.
+ 2. Of or relating to the science or the practice
of medicine. Obs.
1387 Trevisa Higden (RolK) III. 363 He made problem*
MEDICINALLY.
medicinal of phisik. c 1400 Lan/ranc's Cirurg. 7 (Add. MS.)
Surgeric . . is a niedycineal sciense. c 1400 tr. Secreta Se-
cret,, Gov. Lordsh. 66 Y wyl dclyure to be techinge Medi-
cynal. 1563 T. Gale Antidot. Pref. 1 Suche medicinal in-
struments, as., are mentioned in the same bookes. a 1641
Bp. Mountagu Acts A> Mon. (1642) 171 Certain medicinall
books and writings of Trismegistus. 1685 Dryden Thren.
August, v. 170 They min'd it near, they batter' d from afar
With all the Cannon of the Med'cinal War. 1755 J. Sheb-
beare Lydia (1769) I. 178 As nonsense and medicinal know-
ledge are equally intelligible to most people [etc.]. 1804
Miniature No. 20 (1806) I. 267 The medicinal art.
b. Resembling medicine.
1824 A. Henderson Wines 314 [It) is apt to infect the
liquor with a medicinal taste.
t 3. Medicinal-finger - Leech-finger. Medi-
cinal day, hour, month, times when the admi-
nistration of medicine was deemed proper. 06s.
1597 A. M. tr. Guillemeaii's Fr. Chirurg. 12 b/i The Me-
dicinalle finger, or Ringe finger, betweene the little finger
and the middle finger. 1623 tr. ravine's Theat. Hon, 1. v.
48 The medicinal! finger of the left hand. 1674 Jeake
Arith. (1696) 229 The time when most proper to administer
Physick, called the Medicinal Moneth. 171a Quincy Lex.
Phys.-Mcd. (ed. 2) t.v. Medicine, Medicinal Days, such are
so called by some Writers, wherein no Crisis or Change
is expected, so as to forbid the use of Medicines. . : but it
is most properly used for those Days, wherein Purging or
any other Evacuation is most conveniently comply'd with.
Ibid.,^ Medicinal Hours are commonly reckoned in the
Morning fasting, about an Hour before Dinner [etc.]. 1747
tr. Astruc's Fevers 120 The antients divided the days of
an acute fever into critical, indicatory, intercalary, and
medicinal.
B. s6. a. A medicinal substance, f b. //.
Matters pertaining to medical science (06s.).
1382 Wvclif Rev. lii. 18 Anoynte thin ijen with colirie,
[glass] that is, medicynal for yjen, maad of diuer.se erbis.
a 1657 R. Loveday Lett. (1663) 191 'Tis possible Mr. R's
directions, as one well skill'd in such medicinals, may
prove available. 1667 H Oldenburg in Phil. Trans.
II. 410 In Medicinals we have now and then, .inquired
after some rarities. 1716 M. Davies Athen. Brit. III.
Diss. Physick 12 The knowledge of all the Medicinals, that
they couid come any way to be acquainted with. Ibid. 36
Searching into the Oriental . . Medicinals. 1813 Examiner
IS Feb. 99/2 Brandy, medicinals, &c. 1862 Lytton Sir.
Story II. 5 The remarkable cures he had effected by the
medicinals stored in the stolen casket.
Medicinally (m/di'sinali), adv. [f. prec. +
-I.Y 2.]
1. With the purpose or effect of a medicine.
1607 Topsell Four-/. Beasts (1658) 65 They gave it medi-
cinally to them which were sick of the Ptisick. 1682 Dryden
Medal 150 The Witnesses, that, .Leech-like, liv'd on bloud,
Suckingfor them were med'cinaljy good. 1715 Bradley Fain.
Diet. s.v. Wormwood, That which is commonly made Use of
Medicinally. 1836 J. M. Gully Magendie's Formul. (ed. 2)
23 It is now.. fifteen years since I first used.. the muriate
of morphia medicinally. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VI. 795
The internal administration of specific remedies, .is all that
can he done medicinally.
fig. aijxi Ken Anodynes Poet. Wks. 1721 III. 452 Thy
Love, Lord, I in Pains perceiv'd, And sing thy Love when
med'cinally griev'd.
2. f a. From the point of view of the science of
medicine (06s.). b. nonce-use. In the practice of
medicine.
1621 Burton Anal. Mel. Democr. to Rdr. 69 My purpose
..is.. to Anatomise this humour of Melancholy, .and that
philosophically, medicinally, to shew the causes .. and
seuerall cures of it. 1846 Poe J. W. Francis Wks. 1864
III. 38 Connected in some manner with everything that has
been well said or done medicinally in America.
Medicinalness. rare-", [-ness.] Medi-
cinal quality.
1727 Bailey vol. II, Physicatncss, Naturalness, also Medi-
cinalness.
+ Medi cinary, a. 06s. [f. Medicine s6. +
-aky.] Possessing healing properties.
1607 Walkington Opt. Glass 3 The wise Physitians me-
dicinary prescript. 1638 Anat. Woman's tongue in Harl.
Misc. (1809) II. 187 Among these weeds, to supply men's
wants, There grew some medicinary plants. 1657 Tom-
linson Renou's Disp. 664 Medicinary Oyls are neither all,
nor alwayes elicited out of Plants.
Medicine (me'ds'n.me-disin, -s'n),j*.l Forms:
3 medioin, 4 medisine, 4-5 medoyne, 4-6
medyoine, 4-6 medyoyne, medicyne, 5 med-
eyn, -ycyn, -esyn, metycyne, mettecyn, med-
eoyne, 5-6 medecyn(e, medioyn, 6 medecin,
-yson, -ysyne, medsin, -syn, meddioine, met-
aon, 6-9 medecine, medecen, 7 medein, 3-
medieine. [a. OF. medecine, medicine (mod.F.
midecine), ad. L. medicina (1) the art of the
physician, (2) a physician's laboratory, (3) a medi-
cament, remedy, f. medic-us physician : see Medic.
Cf. Pr. medecina, medicina, metzina, Sp., Pg., It.
medicina, G. medizin, Du. medicijn, Da., Sw.
medicin.
For the formation of the L. word cf. officina ffor *opificina\
rmna, rapina. There seems to be no sufficient ground for
the common view that medicina is the fern, of an adj. medi-,
emus used with ellipsis (in the three senses respectively) of
ars art, officina workshop, res thing. The adj. occurs in late
L., but otherwise only in one passage of Varro (in the phrase
ars medicina), and its formation may have been suggested
by the existence of the sb.
The disyllabic pronunciation (recognized by Johnson 1755)
has existed at least from the 14th c, as occasional spellings
indicate The trisyllabic pronunciation is less common in
fcngland, and is by many objected to as either pedantic or
295
vulgar ; in Scotland and in the U. S. it is app. the prevail-
ing usage ; examples of it occur in verse of all periods, from
the 14th c. onwards.]
1. That department of knowledge and practice
which is concerned with the cure, alleviation, and
prevention of disease in human beings, and with
the restoration and preservation of health. Also,
in a more restricted sense, applied to that branch
of this department which is the province of the
physician, in the modern application of the term ;
the art of restoring and preserving the health of
human beings by the administration of remedial
substances and the regulation of diet, habits, and
conditions of life ; distinguished from Surgery and
Obstetrics.
c 1320 Sir Tristr, 1204 pe fair leuedi, be queue, Louesom
vnder line And slei}est had y bene, And mest coupe of me-
dici[n]e. C1374 Chaucer Troytus 1. 659 Phebus bat first
fond art of medecyne. 1484 Caxton Fables of Anian v,
1 am a maystresse in medecyne, and canne gyue remedy to
al manere of sekenes by myn arte. 1500-20 Dcn-har Poems
xxxiii. 30 He murdreist mony in medecyne. 1550 LvNDESAY
Sqr. Meldrum 1446 And, als, be his naturall ingyne, He
lernit the Art of Medicyne. 1641 Wii.kins Math. Magick
I. i. (1648) 3 Artmay be said, either to imitate nature, as in
liniming and pictures, or to help nature, as in medicine.
1725 Watts Logic 1. vi. § 10 Medicine is justly distributed
into Prophylactick. .and Therapeutick. 1828 Scott F. M.
Perth vii, The peaceful man of medicine. 1866 A. Flint
Princ. Med. (1880) 17 Medicine, in the larger sense of the
term, comprehends everything pertaining to the knowledge
and cure of disease. In a more restricted sense, the term
is used in contradistinction to Surgery and Obstetrics. 1891
C James Rom. Rigmarole 93, I took up medicine again in
England.
2. Any substance or preparation used in the
treatment of disease ; a medicament ; also, medica-
ments generally, ' physic '. Now commonly re-
stricted to medicaments taken internally.
a 1225 Ancr. R. 178 pu seist bet te nis no neod medicine.
1297 R. Glouc (Rolls) 3073 Vor in be verroste stede of affric
geans wule vette pulke stones vor medicine. .Vor hii wolde
pe stones wasse o: per inne babie. a 1300 Cursor M. 1378
Cedre, ciprese, and pine, O bam sal man haue medicen.
1398 Trevisa liarth. De P. R. vii. Ixix. (1495) 288 Medy-
cyne maye neuer be sykerly take, yf the cause of the euyll
is vnknowe. c 1440 Alphabet oj Tales 93 He had burnyd
his hand ill, & his brethir come & made a medcyn & layd
bervnto. 1464 M. Paston in P. Lett. II. 160 For Goddys
sake be war what medesyns ye take of any fysissyans
of London. 15:3 Bradshaw ,17. Werburge 11. 833 All
phisike and medicyns were founde to her in vayne. 1565
T. Stapleton Fortr. Faith nob, The more he fancieth
his metson, the better it shall proue with him. 1612
Woodall Surg. Mate Wks. (1653) 3 Have ready your me-
dicines to bind up the wound again. 1657 Trapp Comm.
Job xvi. 3 If the eye be inflamed, the mildest Medicine
troubleth it. 1697 Drvden Virg. Georg. 111. 685 From the
Founts where living Sulphurs boil, They mix a Med'cine
to foment their Limbs. 1741-3 Wesley Extract o/Jrnl.
(1749) 15 One of the mistresses lay.. near death, having
found no help from all the medicines she had taken. 1842
A. Combe Physiol. Digestion (ed. 4) 369 The action of the
bowels may be restored with little or no aid from medicine.
1850 Tennyson in H. Tennyson Mem. (1897) I. 334 Having
heard that Henry Taylor was ill, Carlyle rushed off from
London to Sheen with a bottle of medicine.
trans/. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 600 Their old i
men . .they strangle with an Oxe-taile, which medicine they
minister likewise to those that have grieuous diseases.
b. Colloquially used spec, for : 'A purging
potion' (Dunglison Med. Lex., 1857). Chiefly
in to take (fa) medicine. Cf. F. prendre (une)
mtdecinc.
1830 Southey in For. Rev. t, Cont. Misc. V. 290 On the
day when signal was made for sailing, he had taken a medi-
cine, which was in those times considered a more serious
affair than it is now.
t C. A method or process of curative treatment, i
1390 Gower Con/. I. 267 So longe thei togedre dele, That
thei upon this medicine Apointen hem.. That. -Thei wolde
him bathe in childes blod. 1575 Laneham Let. (1871) 35
Kings & Queenz of this Realm, withoout oother medsin
(saue only by handling & prayerz\ only doo cure it [the
king's evil].
t d. An effectual remedy, cure. 06s.
1390 Gower Con/. I. 47 Ne hyd it noght, for if thou feignest, !
1 can do the no medicine, c 1450 St. Cuthbert (Surtees) |
6140 Scho gat sone medecyne Of be sekenes bat had hir
pynde. 1529 Rastell Pastyme (1811) 32 Arnold, .wasetyn
with lyse, and coud have no medecin, and dyed.
e. fig. In 14-15A c. often applied to Christ or
the Virgin Mary.
a 1225 Ancr. R. 164 puruh medicine of schrifte, & buruh .
bireousunge. c 1315 Shoreham ii. 136 Suche a deab a [sc.
he, Christ] vnder-^ede, Of lyf be medicine. 1362 Langl.
P. PI. A. 1. 33 Mesure is Medicine bauh bou muche a.eorne.
C1380 Wyclif Serm. Sel. Wks. II. 224 Medicyne for alle siche
synneis, to be clobid in Jesus Crist. C1440 Jacob's Ii 'ell 157
Medycyne here-of is, ferst to caste out be wose of glotonye.
c 1450 Holland Howlat 719 Haile moder of our maker, and
medicyn of myss ! 1522 More De ouat. Nozuss. Wks. 93/1
To putte in proofe . . thoperacion . .of this medicine, the re- I
membraunce of these foure last thinges. 1603 Shaks. Meas. j
/or M . in. i. 2 The miserable haue no other medicine But 1
onely hope. 1638 Penit. Con/, vii. (1657) 161 If any of their
sins were deemed fit by the Confessor to come abroad in j
publick, they were admitted tothatpublick Medicine. 1787
Jefferson Writ. (1859) II. 194 It is, indeed, a strong medi-
cine for sensible minds, but it is a medicine. 1842 Miss
Mitford in L'Estrange Li/e (1870) III. ix 157 He finds in
constant employment a medicine for great grief.
f 3. Applied to drugs used for other than re-
MEDICINE.
I medial purposes : e.g. to the philosopher's stone
or elixir, to cosmetics, poisons, philtres, etc. 06s.
<ri400 Maundev. (Roxb.) vii. 24 If bairn think bam nojt
blak ynough when bai er borne, bai vse certayne medecynes
for to make bam black withall. 1477 Norton Orel. Alch. i.
in Ashm. 11652) 20 But to maketrew Silver or Gold is noe
ingin, Except only the Philosophers medicine. 1555 W
\\f,nf.Mhx Fardle Facions II. ix. N ij. Then enoint thei both
that Ise. the body] and their face with certaine medicines
. . whereby thei become . . slicke and smothe. Ibid. App.
X vnjb, No Israelite shall haue any medecine of death, ne
otherwise made to do anye maner of hurte. 1580 Lyly En-
//iwi(Arb.)337 Knowestthou not, that Fish caught with me-
dicines, and women gotten with witchcraft are neuer whole-
som ? 1396 Shaks. i Hen. IV, 11. ii. 19 If the Rascall haur
not giuen me medicines to make me loue him, He be hang'd.
1601 —All's Well v. iii. 102. 1604 — Oth. 1. iii. 61. 1615
Chapman Odyss. xn. 368 And as an Angler medcine for sur-
prise Of little fish, sits powring from the rocks.
fig. C1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 463 God hab ordeyned
medicyn to knowe falsed of anticrist.
4. Used to represent the terms applied in their
native languages by North American Indians to
denote any object or ceremony supposed by them
! to possess a magical influence; a spell, charm,
, fetish ; sometimes = Manitou. Hence used, by
later writers, to express the same or similar mean-
ings as current among other savage peoples.
As savages usually regard the operation of medicines as
due to what we should call magic, it is probable that their
words fir magical agencies would often be first heard by
civilized men as applied to medicine, and hence it would be
natural that ' medicine ' should he regarded as their primary
sense.
1805 Pike Sources Mississ. (1810) 17 This they called their
c;reat medicine ; or as I understood the word, dance of re-
ligion. 1807 P. Gass Jrnl. 44 He told them, .he had more
medecine.. than would kill twenty such nations in one day.
1841CATLIN If. A liter. Ind. (1844)1. vi. 35 The word medicine
..means mystery, and nothing else. 1850 R. G. Cumming
Hunter's Li/e S. A/r. (ed. 2) I. 274 They [the Bechuana
tribes] al>o believe that for every transaction there is a
medicine which will enable the possessor to succeed in his
object. 1851 Mavne Reid Scalp Hunt, xxvi, All these are
their 'coats' of arms, symbolical of the 'medicine' of the
wearer. 1870 Lubbock Orig. Civiliz. vii. (1875) 323 When
he sleeps the first animal of which he dreams becomes his
'medicine'. 1877 Dodge Hunting Grounds Gt. If 'est 309
! It [a ' scalp '] had been carefully cured, and peculiar value
was set upon it as 'big medicine '.
b. = medicine-man.
1817 J. Bradbury Trav. Amer. 70 Eleven Sioux Indians,
who had given or devoted their clothes to the medicine, ran
into the camp. 1827 J. F. Cooper Prairie II. xii. 199 The
incantations of the medecine.
5. slang. Intoxicating drink. (Cf. lotion, poison.)
1851 Mayhbw Lond. Labour (1864) II. 24/1 As long as
you can find young men that's conceited about their musical
talents, fond of taking their medicine (drinking). 1891 Far-
mkr Slangs, v. Drinks, What's your medicine?
6. alln'6. and Com6.
a. In sense 2 : medicine 6ottle, chest, -dropper,
-mixer, -monger, -taker; medicine-like adj.; medi-
cine seal, stamp, a name for small cubical or
oblong stones with inscriptions in intaglio, found
among Roman remains, which seem to have been
used by physicians for marking their drugs (also
called oculist-stamp, oculist's stamp); medicine
tree, the horse-radish tree (see Horse-radish 3).
1862 Chambers's Encycl. IV. 777/1 *Medicine bottles.
1828 Rymer [title] A Treatise on Diet and Regimen.. To
which are added a Posological Table, or "medicine chest
directory [etc.]. 1841 Marryat Masterman Ready xiii,
The grindstone and Mrs. Seagrave's medicine chest were
then landed. 1898 Allbutt's Syst. Med. V. 565 At short in-
tervals by a spoon or "medicine-dropper, [he] should have
small quantities of his mother's milk, c 1555 Lady Vane
Let. in Foxe A . iy M, (1583) 1829 His sweetenesse. .maketh
al these poticary druggs of ye world, euen *medicinelike in
my mouth, i860 J. C. Jeaffreson Bk. about Doctors I. 79
The mean *medicine-mixers. .dashing by in their carriages.
1651 Wittie tr. Primrose's Pop. Err. I. iv. 13, I see no reason
. . that some divines may not be more learned than some
"Medicine-mongers. x'j^Fortnight' s Ramble 33Uncounted
are the candidates for fame, who humbly crouched to this
mock medicine-monger. 1849 C. Roach Smith in Jrnl.
Brit. Archxol. Assoc, IV. 280 On a Roman "medicine
stamp.. found at Kenchester. 1851 Simpson in Monthly
Jrnl. Med. Set. XII. 39 Notices of ancient Roman Medi-
cine-stamps, .found in Great Britain. Ibid. 238 Roman
"medicine-seals. 1422 tr. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv. 87
Vf be sonne and be mone bothe be yn tokenynge fleumatyk,
lightly be *medicyn takere shal forth lede. 1902 Webster
Suppl., * Medicine tree, the horse-radish tree.
b. In sense 4 : medicine animal, arrow, 6ag,
chief, dance, fast, hunt, lodge, pouch, song, stone;
medicine-man, a magician among the American
Indians and other savages.
1871 Tylor Prim. Cull. xv. II. 211 The worship paid
by the North American Indian to his "medicine animal
[etc.]. 1877 W. Matthews Elhnogr. Hidatsa 69 They
stuck their *medicine-arrows in the ground. 1809 A. Henry
Trav. 122 One, who was a physician, immediately with-
drew, in order to fetch his penegusan, or *medicine-bag.
1851 Mayne Reid Scalp Hunt. xl. 312 One was the
•medicine chief as I could tell by the flowing white hair.
1808 Pike Sources Mississ. (1810) 132 Dr. Robinson and
myself went to the Grand Village, at which we saw the great
"medecine dance. 1855 Longf. Hiaw. xv. 145 Then they. .
Danced their medicine-dance around him. 1898 A. Lang
Making Relig. iii. 61 The "medicine.fast, at the age of pu-
berty. 1887 — Myth, Ritual, <y Relig. II. 74 The ritual. .
is a mere "medicine-hunt. 1814 Brackenridge Jrnl. in
MEDICINE.
296
MEDIO-.
Views Louisiana 258 A great number of girls were collected
before the *medecine lodge or temple. 1817 J. Bradbury
Trav. Amer. 116, I was accosted by the *Medicine Man,
or doctor. 1855 Longf. Huitu. xv. 87 The medicine-men,
the Medas. Ibid. 143 Then they shook their •medicine-
pouches O'er the head of Hiawatha. 1809 A. Henry Trav,
1 19 In his hand, he had his shishiquoi, or rattle, with which
he beat time to his * medicine-song. 1885 Henshaw in A mer.
jrnl. Arck&ol. I. no The use of the *medicine-stones
among the San Buenaventura Indians.
t Me'dicine, sb,2 Obs. [a. F. me'decin, ad.
late L. medicinus adj. (see prec.) used absol. as
sbj] A medical practitioner. Also^v
a 1450 Knt. de la Tour 137 She hadde her medicines and
surgens forto hele and medicine alle such as were needfulle.
1484 Caxton Fables of sE sop (1889) 66, I dyssymyled and
fayned my self to be a medycyn. 1545 Raynold Byrtk
Mankynde 92 Aske, and vse the aduyse of some wel learned
medicine [ed. "1634 n. vii. 139 medicioner]. 1601 Shaks.
All's Well 11. L 75, I haue seen a medicine That's able to
breath life into a stone. 163a Lithgow Trav. nil. 37o[There]
flourished the most famous medicines, and Philosophers.
Medicine ^me*ds'n, me'disin, -s'n\ v. Forms :
see Medicine sbA [a. OF. medeciner (mod.F.
medeciner), f. medecim Medicine sbA]
1. trans. To heal or cure by medicinal means ; to
administer medicine to,
a 1450 [see Medicine sb.2]. 1484 Caxton Fables of /Esof>
(1889) 62 He desyred to be medycyned and made hole of his
foote. 1577 B. Googk Heresbach's Hnsb. (1586) 149 Afore
they go to pasture, they [pigs] must be medecined. 1595
Spenser Col. Clout 877 Being hurt, seeke to be medicynd
Of her that first did stir that mortall stownd. 1605 Bacon
Adv. Learn. 11. xxii. § 6 As in medicining of the body, it
is in order first to know the divers complexions and con-
stitutions.. ; so in medicining of the mind [etc.]. 1877
Ruskin Fors Clav. lxxv. VII. 75 It [a dog] was warmed
and medicined as best mi^ht be. 1889 J. Masterman Scotts
of Bestminster III. xiv. 29 She could medicine the sick.
b. nonce-use. To bring by medicinal virtue to.
1604 Shaks. Oth. in. iil 332 Not Poppy, nor Mandragora
. .Shall euer medicine thee to that sweete sleepe Which thou
owd'st yesterday. x8jo Shelley Witch At t. xvii.
2. trans/, and fig.
1593 Abp. Bancroft Daung. Posit, in. xv. 127 To medicine
these mischiefes. 1601 Holland Pliny I. 544 AH remedies to
others are mischiefs to it [the cypress tree], and in one word,
go about to medicine it you kil it. 1611 Shaks, Cymb. iv.
ii. 243 Great greefes I see med'cine the lesse. 2645 Milton
Tetrach. Wks. 1851 IV. 201 Thus med'cining our eyes wee
need not doubt to see more into the meaning of these our
Saviours words, c 1750 Shenstone Elegies xx. 63 Where
ev*ry breeze shall med'cine ev'ry wound. 1868 E. Edwards
Ralegh I. xxii. 504 Cares, as usual with Ralegh, were medi-
cined by strenuous and varied labour.
3. nonce-use. To employ as medicine.
1654 Gayton Pleas. Xotes in. iii. 78 Get me these ingre-
dients.. Such as the bearded sonne of the smooth-chinn'd
Father Apollo us'd and medicin'd.
Hence t Medicined///. a., medicated, dragged.
1558 Phaer s-Eneid. vi. Argt, .-Eneas, .casting Cerberus
in a sleape with a medcined soppe. a 1637 B. Jonson Un-
denvoods Iviii, As men drinke up In hast the bottome of a
med'cin'd Cup, And take some sirrup after.
Mediciner (m/di-sin3J, me^dsinar). arch, (in
early use chiefly Sc.) Also 6 medycyner, 4 medy-
cinar, 4-7 medicinar, 5 medicinare, 6 med-
cinar,metsouner. Cf. Mepiciaxer. [f. Medicine
sbA or r\ + -er1: cf. OF. medecineu>\\
1. A physician, * medical man ', ' leech '.
C1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxxvl (Ba/tista) 1071 pan come
diuerse medicinaris nere, for wynninge of his stat to spere.
1456 Sir G. Haye Law Arms (S.T. S) 138 A medicinare
may geve hele till a man that askis it nocht, 1533 {title)
Pronostycacyon of Mayster John Thybault, medycyner and
astronomer of the Emperyall maiestie. a 1578 Lindesay
(Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. (S. T. S.) II. 127 Lord James..
quha was hangit be the heillis be the metsouneris to caus
the poysone to drop out. a 1670 Spalding Troub. Chas. I
(1829) 87 Dr. Gordon, medicinar in Old Aberdeen. 1828
Scott F. M. Perth xv, * He who lacks strength ', said the
wily mediciner, ' must attain his purpose by skill '. 1873
Ruskin Fors Clav. xxxi. 20 How many second-rate medi-
ciners have lived on.. prescriptions of bread pills.
2. nonce-uses. a. Used to translate Gr. tpapfta-
*«&, poisoner, sorcerer, b. Used for medicine man.
1845 J. H. Newman .£ ss. Development W. § 1. 224 ' Wizard,
mediciner, cheat, rogue, conjurer', were the epithets applied
to him by the opponents of Eusebius. I Ha. 225 St. Ana-
sUMa was thrown into prison as a mediciner. 1859 R. F.
Burton Centr. Afr. in Jrnl. Geog. Soc. XXIX. 271 His
forehead is adorned with the two little antelope-horns
worn by sultans and mediciners.
Medicining (meds'nirj^, vbl. sb. [f. Medi-
cine v. + -ingI.J The action of the vb. Medicine.
1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. m. (1586) 139 It be-
hooueth the shepehearde to be skilfull in medcenlng of his
cartel!. x6oi Holland Pliny II. 167 If they [sc. figs] be
brought unto their maturitie by medicining, that is to say,
by caprification, then they are never good. 1611 Cotgr.,
Pharmacie : a curing, or medecining with drugs. 1633 T.
Adams Ex£. 2 Peter ii. 22. 1089 The medicining of the one,
and cleansing of the other, did not take away their nature ;
still the one remained a Dogge, the other a Hogge. 1867
Carlyle Remin. II. 135 She.. having, .a turn herself for
medicining. 1876 Ruskin Fors Clav. lxvii. 204 They.. pro-
pose to themselves the general medicining . . of the population.
Medicioner, variant of Mediciaxer Obs.
Medick (mrdilO. Also 5 medike, 6-7 me-
dicke, 6-9 medic, 8 meddick. [ad. L. medica,
ad. Gr. MijSijct) (w6a)t lit. ' Median grass '.] Any
plant of the genus Medicago, esp. Jlf. saliva,
Purple medick or Lucerne, (Also medick fodder,
trefoil^) Black or Hop medick = Nonesuch.
c 1420 Fallad. on Husb. v. 1 At Auerel medike is forto
sowe. 156a Turner Herbal u. 52, I haue found no name as
yet in England for it [Medica] : but it may be called horned
clauer or medic fbther. 1616 Surfl. & Markh. Country
Farme 147 The flowers of Medicke fodder. 1733 Miller
Card. Diet. (ed. 2), Medica marina. .Sea Medick or Snail-
Trefoil. 1764 Museum Rust. II. xlvii. 139 The new lucern
is a kind of medick trefoil. x8i6-ao T. Green Univ. Herbal
II. 102 Medicago Falcata, Yellow Medick. Ibid., Medi-
cago Lupulina, Hop or Black Medick. 1839 Penny Cyct.
XV. 58/2 Purple medick.
Medico (me'diko). [a. It. medico or Sp.
midico : see Medic]
1. A medical practitioner ; also, a medical student.
Now slang or jocular.
1689 G. Harvey Curing Dis. by Expect, xv. 115 It is in
the power of the Medico, to oblige the Husband. 1844
Kinglake Eothen xviii. 308 The Medico held my chin in
the usual way, and examined my throat. 1896 Field 1 Feb.
173/2 Again did the Medicos force the ball down.
|| 2. Sp. Amer. The surgeon fish.
190a in Webster Suppl.
Medico ^me'dik*?), used as combining form of
L. medictts to form combinations denoting the
application of medical science to various subjects
of research, as medico-botanic{al , -chirurgical, -cul-
inary^ -electricj -galvanic, -judicial, -legal (hence
-legally adv.), -moral, -pedagogic, -philosophical,
-physical, -psychological, -statistical, -zoological
adjs. ; or (rarely) describing a person who regards
a subject from a medical standpoint, as in
t medico-theologue ; also medico -mania, ' a mania
for the science of medicine without the necessary
study' (Dunglison 1876%
1838 Prospectus Gardens Roy. Bot. Soc. in Civil Engineer
I, *Medico-Botanic Garden. 1838 Civil Engineer I. 361/2
Having passed under the promenade, we reach the Medico-
botanical garden. 1809 {title) 'Medico-chirurgical Trans-
actions, published by the Medical and Chirurgical Society
of London. Volume the First. 1858 Gen. P. Thompson
Audi Alt. II. lxxviii. 32 *Medico-culinary philosophers of
great mark. 1875 T. P. Salt {title) * Medico-Electric Ap-
paratus and How to Use it, 1862 Catal. Internal. Exhib.
II. xvii. 129/1 Gal van o-Pi line for * medico-galvanic pur-
poses, 1835 I. Taylor Spir. Despot, m. 97 The delicate
offices entrusted to them [jr. professors of medicine] in several
*medico-judicial instances. 1835 Cycl. Pract. Med. IV.
558/1 Circumstances affecting the 'medico-legal character of
wounds. 1870 M.Gonzalez Echfverria {title, New York),
The trial of' John Reynolds ' # medico- legally considered.
1866 Reade G. Gaunt (ed. 2) II. 265 A sort of 'medico-
moral diary- *9<H Brit. Med. Jrnl. 17 Sept. 679 Many
of the children had much improved under the 'medico-
pedagogic treatment to which they had been subjected.
1698 Tyson in Phil. Trans. XX. 132 Two •Medico-Philo-
sophical Dissertations about these Tophi. 1720 Qlincy
(title) Medicina Statica,. .to which is added.. ^Iedico- Phys-
ical Essays on Agues [etc]. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., *Medico-
Psycho logical, relating to the department of medicine which
treats ofmental disorders 1896 Allbutt's Syst. Med. I. 30
The * medico-statistical point of view. 171a H. More's
Antid. Ath. lit. xi. Sclwlia 174 He professes himself a
*Medico-Theologuc 1861 Hulme tr. Moquin-Tandon Pref.
6 An arrangement founded upon the characters of the
animal, or its medico-zoological relations.
Medic omniis sure (m/dik^* misiui). Anat.
Also medio-, [f. L. medi-us middle + Commissure.]
The middle commissure of the brain.
188a Wilder & Gage Anat. Techn. 446 The mediocom-
missure. 1885 B. G. Wilder in Jrnl. Nerv. Dis. XII. 287.
1890 in Syd. Soc. Lex.
t Medics, sb.pl. Obs. [pi. of Medic : see -ic 2.]
The science of medicine.
1663 J. Spencer Prodigies (1665) 402 In Medicks, we have
some confident Undertakers to rescue the Science from all
its reproaches and dishonors. 1695 J. Edwards Perfect.
Script. 180 Apollo was. . made by the antient sages the God
of medicks as well as musick. 1737 Stackhouse Hist. Bible
(1752) II. vii. i. 1018/2 The Masters of the Medicks who have
treated of this Kind of Madness [etc].
t Me die, v. Obs. rare. [ad. late L. medidre :
see Mediate r.] trans. To divide into two equal
parts ; to halve.
(• 1415 Craft Nombrynge (E.E.T.S.) 15 J>en medye 4 &
ben leues 2. Ibid. 16 pou schalt. .do away bat figure bat is
medied, & sette in his styde halfe of pat nombre.
Mediety (mMai-eti^. [ad. L. medietas (whence
OF. moietie* Moiety : OF. had also the learned
form mediete), f. medius middle : see -ty.]
1. + a. gzn. A half. Obs.
c i4*» Pa/lad. on Husb. xi. 288 The muste, decoct to his
medietee Or thridde part, they casteth to their wyne. 1571
Digges Pantom. n. iv. M ij b, 140, whose medietie being 70,
diuided by 14, yeldeth 5. 1590 Barrolch Meth. Physick
v. xxiv. (1506) 343 The common measure or quantity therof
[sc. of the dose of arsenic], is the mediety of one graine of
wheate. 1603 Sir C. Heydon Jud. Astrot. xx'x. 449 The
medietie of the Moones globe was allwaies illustrated which
is towardes the sunne. 1686 Goad Celest. Bodies 1. xvi. 106
Let us consider the Occidental Mediety of Heaven.
b. spec, in Law. = Moiety. Chiefly with refer-
ence to ecclesiastical benefices.
ai66i Fuller Worthies, Warrv.U66^\ 11. 126 That good
Mannour (with the alternate gift of the Mediety of the rich
Parsonage therein1. 1834 Solthey Doctor xlri. (1862) 100
A rectory of two medieties, served by two resident rectors.
X877 J. C. Cox Ch. Derbysh. III. 212 Sir Henry Chandos
succeeded to the mediety of the Mugginton manor. 1894
A. Jessopp Random Roaming, etc. 186 This benefice con-
sists of two medieties.
t 2. Middle or intermediate state, position, or
quality. Obs.
»573 G. Hakvey Letter-bk. (Camden) 135 A very com-
pounde of contrarietyes In thinges indifferent and medietyes.
1610 Healey St. Aug. Citie of God ix. xiii. (1620)333 In
seeking a mediety betweene immortality blessed and mor-
tality wretched, a 1639 Wotton in Reliq. (16S5) 661 The
Pope means, .to carry himself as it were in a Mediety be-
tween the King of Spain, and the great Duke, c 1645
Howell Lett. (1655) I. vi. xiv. 258 This Cabal.. was reveal'd
..to Solomon in a dream, wherby he came to know the
beginning, mediety, and consummation of times. 1651
Biggs Nc-o Disp. § 183 It ought to consist in a mediety,
betwixt corrupt and very sound bloud.
f 3. Moderation. (Cf. Mean sb?) Obs.
1583 Stubbes Anat. Abus. 1. sig. I marg.t Medietie to be
obserued in meats.
t4. Math. The quality of being a mean between
two quantities ; hence = Mean sb.* 8. Obs.
1598 J. D. tr. L. Le Roy's Aristotle's Polit. v. 250 Similitude
or hkenesse of proportions, and equality, and mediety. 1603
Holland Plutarch's Mor. 1255 Three sorts of primitive
Medieties there be,., to wit, Arithmetical!, Geometricall,and
Harmonicall. 1678 Cudworth Intell. Syst. 1. iv. § 20. 376
The Tetrad is an arithmetical mediety betwixt the Monad
and the Hebdomad. 1694 Holder Hartnony iv. 47 Now in
4 to 2 the Mediety is 3. IHd. vii. 168 These two divide
Diapason, 64 to 32, by the Mediety of 45 ; And they divide
it so near to Equality, that in Practice they are hardly to be
distinguished.
Mediflxed (mrdifikst), a. Bot. [f. L. medi-us
middle + Fixed ; after mod.L. medifixus, F.
mifdifixe.] Fixed by the middle ; said of anthers.
1880 A. Gray Struct. Bot. 253 Adnate anthers are perhaps
as frequently extrorse as introrse. Others, whether basifixed
or medifixed, are more commonly introrse.
II Medifurca (m/~difyjka). Ent. [mod.L.,
f. L. medi-us middle + /urea fork.] The middle
forked apodeme which serves for the attachment
of the muscles by which the midlegs of insects are
moved. Hence Mediftrrcal a. {Cent. Diet.).
i8a6 Kirby & Sp. Entonwl. III. 379 Medifurca (the
Medifurca). A branching vertical process of the endo-
sternum.
t Medify, v. Obs. rare. [Badly f. L. medicus
physician + -FY.] trans. To heal, cure.
c 1470 Harding Chron. lxxii. xiii. All his sores to be
niedifyed. Ibid, lxxxiv. ii, But this Mordred gaue Arthure
deaths wond, For which he gode his woundes to medirie.
Mediglacial (m/~digl?*-Jal), a. rare~l. [f. L.
medi-us middle + Glacial a.] Mid-glacial; in
the midst of glaciers.
1823 Scoresby North. W/tale Fishery 50 During the next
day we traced the limits of our mediglacial sea.
MedilJ, obs. forms of Meddle, Middle.
Medium (ra/di*m). Antia. rare. Also 7 me-
dimne. [ad. L. medimnus, a. Gr. ixttiftvos. Cf. F.
me'dimne. FJiglish writers usually employ the
Latin form; pi. medimni.'] An ancient Greek
measure of capacity, equal to about 12 gallons.
1600 Holland I.i:yx\x\iu. xiii. 900 The Consull imposed
upon them a paiment of. .10000 medimnes of wheat. 1658
Phillips, Medimne, a certain measure, containing six
bushels. 1807 Robinson Archzol. Grxca L ii. 23 Those
who were worth five-hundred medimnsof commodities were
placed in the first class. [1847 Grotf. Greece \x. xi. III.
155 Those whose annual income was equal to 500 medimni
of corn .. and upwards, one medimnus being considered
equivalent to one drachma in money.]
Medine ^mtdrn). Also6,9medin,6madynef
madayne, madien, 7 madin, madein, meydine,
meidin, S medina, 9 medeen, medino. [a. F.
medin i^Cotgr.), a. vulgar Arab. mayyidT, corrupt
form of (JfjJju-* muayyidiy, from the name
Muayyad: see below,] Originally, a silver half-
dirhem first issued by the Sultan al-Mu'ayyad
(15th c.) ; latterly, a copper coin current in F.gypt,
Syria, etc., valued at -fo of a piastre, or ^ of a
penny. (The Turkish name is Para ; in Egyptian
Arabic it was commonlycalled/<n/</a*, i. e. ■ silver'.)
1583 J. Xewbery in Ilakluyt's Voy. (1509) II. L 247, 40
medins maketh a duckat. — Let. in Purchas Pilgrims (162s)
II. ix. 1643 Nutmegs fortie fiue Madynes, Ginger the Bat-
man, one ducket Pepper seuentie fiue Madaynes. 1584 W.
Barret in Hahluyt s Voy. (1599) II. 1.271,47 medines passe
in value as the duckat of gola of Venice. 1615 G. Sandys
Trav. (1621) 153 Paying by the way two Medines a head.
1753 Bp. Clayton Jrnl. fr. Cairo to Sinai 5 Sept. 1722
note, A medina is id^ English money. 18x9 T. Hope An.i-
stasias (1820) II. ii. 38 My Coobtic writer, who, with a
salary of six medeens a day, . . had become . . as rich as a
Sultan's seraf. 1833 J. Bennett Artificer's Compl. Lex.%
Medin. in Egypt 3 a*pers; at Aleppo is [etc.].
Medio- (mrdip), used Zool. and Bot. as com-
bining form of L. medius middle, in various adjs.
descriptive of parts and organs of animals and
plants, with the sense either ' relating to the middle
of* (an organ or part), as in medio-carpal, -colic,
-digital, -dorsal (hence medio-dor sally adv.),
-frontal (also absol. = ' medio-frontal suture '),
-lateral, -occipital, -palatitu (also absol. - ' medic-
palatine bone *), -pontine, -stapedial {absol. in
quots.), -tarsal, -ventral*, or 'in the middle', as
in medio-depressedy -perforate ; also in medio-
MEDIOCRAL.
inferior, -posterior = ' lower middle ', ' posterior-
middle' (margin).
1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., * Medio-earpal, relating to the
middle of the carpus. 1871 W. A. Leighton Lichen-Flora
78 Subpeltate, *medio-depressed, margin white crenulate
[etc.]. 1851 Dana Crust. I. 625 Species with a "medio-dor-
sal spine. 1882 Vines Sachs' Bat. 449 The first leaf is the
scutiform leaf . . which is placed *medio dorsally. 1863
Thurnam in Nat. Hist. Rev. Apr. 246 The almost infallible
closure of the *medio-frontal. 1849 Dana Gcol. App. 1.
(1850) 698 [The] straight *medio-inlerior margin, parallel
with the dorsal. 1854 Owes Skel. «r Teeth, in Circ. Set'.,
Org. Nat. I. 214 The *medio-lateral pieces as.. develop-
ments of the ribs. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., *Medio-occipital,
relating to the middle of the occipital region. 1884 Coues
Key ft, Amer. Birds (ed. 2) 173 The most marked "medio-
palatine ossification.. .Such are.. formations which, like the
medio-palatine, serve to bind the palate halves together. 1879
W. A. Leighton Lichen-Flora (ed. 3) 516 * Medio-perforate,
perforated in the centre. 1890 Syd. Soc Lex., 'Medio-
pontine, relating to the middle of thepons varolii. i8s*Dana
Crust. I. 625 *Medio-posterior spine small, very remote from
posterior margin. 1875 W.K.Parker in Encycl. Brit. III.
702/2 The bar itself is the ' "medio-stapedial '. . ; it will soon
segment itself off from the ear-capsule. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex.,
Medio-stapedial, the middle third of the columella of the
ear in the frog. _ 1884 Coues Key N. A mer. Birds fed. 2)
121 note, K bird's ankle-joint is.. between proximal and
distal series of tarsal bones, and therefore 'mcdio-tnrs&l as
in reptiles. 1870 Rolleston Anim. Life Introd. 40 Re-
flected upwards from the *medio-ventral line.
+ Mediocral, a. Obs. [f. Mediocre + -al.]
1. ' Being of a middle quality ; indifferent ; ordin-
ary; as mediocral intellect' (Webster 1828-32
citing Addison).
2. lint. Of middle size ; spec, (see quot.).
1826 Kirov & Sp. Entomol. IV. 317 Mediocral, when [the
amennx are] of the length of the body.
Mediocre (mrdiifukar), a. and sb. [a. F. me-
diocre, ad. L. mediocris of middle degree, quality,
or rank-, f. medi-us middle.
Formerly often printed in italics and with accent as Fr.]
A. adj. Of middling quality ; neither bad nor
good; indifferent. Said chiefly of literary or
artistic works, ability, or knowledge, and hence of
persons considered with reference to their mental
power or skill.
1586 A. Day Etig. Secretary l (1625) 10 Mediocre [sc.
style] a meane betwixt high and low, vehement and slender.
1659 Macali.o Can. Physick 97 A larger diet must be
granted to children then to old folks, and a mediocre to |
those of a middle age. 1742 Pope Let. to Warburton
27 Nov., A very mediocre poet, one Drayton, is yet taken
some notice of, because Selden writ a few notes on one of
his poems. 1797 Monthly Mag. III. 29 There are four silver
clasps., the style of the engraving of which is bul mediocre.
1815 Jane Austen Emma 11. xiv. My performance is me-
diocre to the last degree. 1829 Lytton Dcvercux 1. iii,
His talent was of that mechanical, yet quick nature, which
makes wonderful boys, but mediocre men. 1847-8H.M11.iKR
First Impr. iii. (1857) 34 We enter the suburbs, and pass
through mediocre streets of brick. 1863 Carlyle Frcdk. Ct.
xxi. iv. (1872) X. 17 It is thus that mediocre people seek to
lower great men. 1880 Vern. Lee Stud. Italy 111. ii. 104 He
held up to contempt all that was mediocre in his art. 1884
Graphic 18 Oct. 410/3 Captain Ross's Welsh cow gave 46 lb.
of mediocre milk.
absol. 1884 Sir R.Harrington in Lam Times VX.XV 11.
393/2 The mediocre.. always form numerically the largest
portion of every profession. 1903 Speaker 17 Oct. 61/1 The
result would be a kind of nightmare of the mediocre, a
universal Brixton.
B. si). Only//. Mediocre persons, rare.
l834~43 Southey Doctor (ed. 2) I. 187 The mediocres in
every grade aim at pleasing the public 1893 D- Pryde
Fleas. Mem. ix. 131 You must bring forward the whole rank
and file— duxes,_ mediocres, dullards, and dunces.
Mediocrist. Now rare. [f. Mediocre -t- -ist.]
A person of middling talents or ability.
_ 1787 Hawkins Johnson 271 If he be but a mediocrist, he
is surely not a subject of imitation ; it being a rule, that
of examples the best are always to be selected. 1797
Mrs. A. M. Bennett Beggar Girl (1813) I. 21: They
danced well, sung a little.. and were indeed mediocrists in
all female accomplishments. 1818 Todd [quotes Swift Let.
Pope 3 Sep. 1735; but the early edd. have 'among the
medwenbus']. 1823 in Spirit Pub. Jrnls. 170 Warburton
draws a very just distinction between a man of true great-
ness and a mediocrist. 1903 Sat. Rev. 12 Dec. 722 Mr.
— , the cultured mediocrist, so rarely relaxes the firm hold'
he has on commonplace, ..that [etc.].
t Mediocriture. Obs. [irreg. f. L. mediocris
Mediocre + -ture.] Moderation.
1574 Newton Health Magist. 77 An expedient Mediocri-
ture of seasonable exercise.
Mediocrity (mfdip-kriti). Also 5-6 -orite,
6 -critye, 6-7 -oritie. [a. F. midiocriU, ad. L.
viediocritas, f. mediocris : see Mediocre and -ity.]
1. The quality or condition of being intermediate
between two extremes; mean state or condition,
mediety. Also, something (a quality, position,
etc.) equally removed from two opposite extremes ;
a mean. (Chiefly as a quasi-technical term, with
reference to the Aristotelian theory of ' the mean '.
Now rare.)
1531 Elyot Gov. hi. viii, Fortitude.. is a Mediocritie or
meane betwene two extremities. 1532 Sir B. Tuke in
1 hynne Chaucer's Whs. A ij, Such sensyble and open style,
lackyng neither maieste ne mediocrite couenable in dis-
posycion. IS79 E. K. in Spenser's Shtph. Cat. July
Fmbl., Albeit all bountye dwelleth in mediocritie, yet
perfect felicitye dwelleth in supremacie. 1609 Over-
Vol. VI.
297
ntJRY Observ. Wks. (ed. Rimbault) 251 At fifteene they
quit bookes, and begin to live in the world, when in-
deed a mediocritie betwixt their forme of education and
ours would doe better then either. 1645 Milton letrach.
Wks. 1851 IV. 233 As the offence was in one extreme, so
the rebuke, to bring more efficaciously to a rectitude and
mediocrity, stands not in the middle way of duty, but in the
other extreme. 1630 Hordes DeCorp. Fol. 41 The common
Opinion, that Virtue consisteth in Mediocrity and Vice in
Extreams. 1739 Adam Smith Mot. Sent. 1. iii. 49 The pro-
priety of every passion excited by objects peculiarly related
to ourselves, ..must lye, it is evident, in a certain medio-
crity. 1768 [W. Donaldson] Life Sir B. Sapstull U. xxii.
168 His temper was a mediocrity of chearfulness and
solemnity, a 1871 Grote Eth. Fragm. v. 163 When he places
virtue in a certain mediocrity between excess and defect [etc.].
fb. Golden mediocrity = golden mean (see
Golden 5 c). Obs.
C1510 More Picus Wks. 15/1 The golden mediocrite, the
meane estate is to be desired. 1603 Bacon Adv. Learn. 11.
xxv. § 4. 1661 COWLEY Cromwell Wks. (1688) 76 Was ever
Riches gotten by your Golden Mediocrities ?
t c. Geom. = Mean. Obs.
1726 Leoni Albertis Archit. II. 89/2 These the Philo-
sophers call Mediocrities or Means,. .of all which the pur-
pose is.lhat the two extreams being given, the middle mean
( or number may correspond with them in a certain deter-
I mined manner.
t 2. A middle course in action ; measured con-
duct or behaviour ; moderation, temperance. Phr.
[ to keep or observe a mediocrity. Obs.
1531 Elyot Gov. 1. xxvii, Some men wolde saye, that in
mediocritie, whiche I haue so moche praised in shootynge,
, why shulde nat boulynge, claisshe, pynnes, and koytyng be
as moche commended? 1564 Am'. Parker Coir. (Parker
Soc.) 215 He noted much and delighted in our mediocrity,
charging the Genevians ami the Scottish of going too far in
! extremities. 156s Cooper Thesaurus s.v. Modus, Statucre
modum inimicitiantm, to kepe a mediocritie or measure in
I hatmge. 1594 Hooker Eccl. Pol. 1. xvi. § 7 That law of
reason, which teacheth mediocritie in meates and drinkes.
1597 A. M. tr. Gnillemeau's Fr. Chirnrg. 14/1 The Chirur-
giane must, in sowinge, vse mediocritye, and not take to
great a qvantilye of the flcshe. 1621 Burton Anal. Mel.
II. ii. IV. (1651) 286 Body and mind must be exercised, not
one, but both, and that in a mediocrity. 1637 R. Humphrey
U.St. Ambrose 11. 41 A mediocrity is to be kept in liberality.
1670 G. H. Hist. Cardinals I. 1. 30 If the Popes had been
1 contented to carry themselves with mediocrity, they had
never run that hazard of losing all. 1774 Pennant Tour
Scotl. in 177-2, 135 Reformation in matters of religion,
seldom observes mediocrity.
t3. The condition of possessing attributes in .1
medium or moderate degree ; moderate degree or
rate, average quality or amount; tempered con-
dition. Obs.
1398 Barckley Felic. Man (1631) 505 The temperate zone
where. .men. .live in a pleasant mediocrity, voide of both
extremities. 1612 Bacon F'.ss., Youth f, Age (Arb.) 260
Men of age ..seldome driue businesse home to the full period ;
but content themselues with a mediocrity of successe. 1659
Macallo Can. Physick 56 Sleep likewise surpassing the
bounds of mediocrity, is in like manner evil. 1665 Needham
Med. Mediciux 265 There are in the Bloud, much Water
and Spirit, a Mediocrity of Salt and Sulphur, and some
little of Earth. 1683 Trvon Way to Health 292 Let them
beware of strong Drinks, because they heat the blood cc
body beyond Mediocrity. 1733 Cheyne Eng. Malady 11. v.
§ " (1,34) '7° 'fo ascertain the Mediocrity of such a Diet
as neither makes the Salts and Oils too many [etc.]. 1744
Berkeley Siris § 89 We enjoy a great mediocrity of climate.
1733 Hanway Trav. (1762) II. 11. i. 65 Whether we. .enjoy
a profusion, or mediocrity of the gifts of providence.
b. Medium size. rare.
i°53,R- Sanders Physiogn. aiij, To the predicament of ',
Quantity, appertain magnitude, parvity, and mediociity of ,
parts. 1841 Cati.in N. Amer. Ind. (1844) II. lvii. 220 In I
stature he is about at mediocrity.
1 4. Moderate fortune or condition in life. Obs.
c 1430 tr. De Imitaiione 1. xxii. 28 It is [not] mannys feli- 1
cite to haue temporall godes in abundaunce, but mediocrite
sufficib him. a 1591 R. Greenham Wks. (1509) 50 Which
thing ought to humble vs in the desire of outward things,
and to make vs thankfull for a mediocritie. 1681 Flavel
Meth. Grace xxviii. 478 A mediocrity is the Christian's best
external security. 1784 Cowper Task 1. 50 These for the
rich ; the rest, whom fate had placed In modest mediocrity,
..sat on well-tanned hides. 1816 Singer Hist. Cards 125
John G£ensfleisch.;was constrained by the mediocrity of
his means to quit his native city of Mentz.
5. The quality or condition of being mediocre ; '
spec, a moderate or average degree of mental
ability, talents, skill, or the like ; middling
capacity, endowment, or accomplishment. Now
chiefly with disparaging implication, in contrast
with excellence or superiority.
1588 Marprel. Epist. (Arb.) ir Secondly, you haue to ■
your mediocritie written against the Papists. 1589 Nashe
Pre/. Greene's Menaphon (Arb.) 14 Which makes me thinke
that either the louers of mediocritie are verie many, or that
the number of good Poets, are very small. 1605 Bacon Adv.
Learn. 11. ii. § 8 For Moderne Histories, .there are some
fewe verie worthy, but the greater part beneath Medio- i
critie. 1624 Fisher in F. White Kept. F. 300, 1 am persuaded J
no vnlearned man that hath in him any sparke of humilitie,
or any mediocritie of Iudgement, will vndertake it. 1656
Sanderson Sertn. (1689) 440 If a man have once attained to
a good mediocrity in this Art. 1709 Lady M. W. Montagu
Let. to Miss A. Wortley 21 Aug., Leave me my own me-
diocrity of agreeableness and genius. 1776 Adam Smith j
W. N. 1. x. (1869) I. in To excel in any profession, in which !
but few arrive at mediocrity, is the most decisive mark of :
what is called genius. 1822 Imison Sci. <y Art II. 391 The j
way to avoid mediocrity, is by the study.. of beautiful pro- I
ductions. a 1859 Macaui.av Biog. (1867) 212 The most im- |
MEDITATE.
I portant offices in the state were bestowed on decorous and
laborious mediocrity. 1878 Bosw. Smith Carthage 141 He
who would attempt it must be either a fool or a military
genius A respectable mediocrity has hitherto been the
order of the day.
6. concr. A person of mediocre talents or ability
1694 Congreve Double Dealer 11. i, Methinks he wants a
manner,.. some distinguishing quality..; he is too much
a mediocrity in my mind. 1840 Mill Diss, t, Disc. (,8;n)
II.408 He [the American President] is now always either
an unknown mediocrity, or a man whose reputation has
been acquired in some other field than that of politics 1874
Green Short Hist. x. § 4. 801 Spencer Perceval, an' indus-
trious mediocrity of the narrowest type.
1 Medious, a. Obs. rare. (f.L. medi-us middle
+ -ODB.] Intermediate in degree.
1657 W. Morice Coena quasi Kotyij Pref. 20 Some, out of
a medious complyance, hoping by going on part of the way
to draw them another. Ibid. XV. 233 They impetrate me-
dious, though not the highest mercie.
t Medioxumate, <r. Obs. rare-'. [f. L. medio-
xum-us of middle rank or position, applied to
gods ranking between those of heaven and those
of hell, or according to others to demi-gods.]
Only in medioxumate gods (misused by Rowlands:
see quotA
1723 If. Rowlands Moua Antiq. Rest. 63 The Stream of
Idolatry .. deflected them |the Druids] from their profess'd
Monotheism, to give Divine Worship to Medioxumate
Gods : such as Taranis, or Jupiter ; Hesus, or Mars [etc.].
t Medioxumous, a. Obs. rare-'. [Formed
as prec. + -01 s.] - prec
1664 H. More Myst. Inif. 40 Mercury and the whole
order of the medioxumous or intemuntial deities or daemons.
II Medipectus Jii/Uipe'ktzV. Ent. [mod. I..,
f. L. medi-us + pectus breast. Cf. F. medipoitrine.]
The underside of the mesothorax. Hence Medi-
pectoral a., of or pertaining to the medipectus.
1826 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. III. 378 Medipectus (the
Mid-breast). The underside of the first segment of the ali-
; trunk. Ibid. IV. 344 Medipectoral. The mid-legs, affixed
to the Medipectus. 1848 Maunder Treas. Nat.' Hist. 794
Medipectoral.
t Medisance. Obs. [a. F. midisance, f. midis-,
nn'dire to speak evil.] Evil speaking, detraction.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Medisance, reproach, obloquy,
' detraction. 1664 Bulteel Birinthea 49 Medisance and
slander. [1812 Fdin. Rev. XX. 103 That gift of sportive
but cutting medisance.]
Medisect (miclise'kt), v. rare. [f. L. medi-us
middle + sect-, ppl. stem of seccire to cut.] trans.
To divide (a body) along the median line; to cut
into equal right and left halves. Hence Medi-
se'etion, the action of ' medisecting '.
<?i8oo B. G. Wilder (Cent. Diet.).
Medism (mrdiz'm). [ad. L. medismus, Gr.
HrjSiafios, f. HTjtJiSiiv to MEDIZE.] a. Gr. Hist.
Sympathy with the ' Medes ': used to describe the
attitude of those Greeks in the 6th and 5th c. B.C.
who were said to favour unpatriotically the interests
of the Persians, b. A word or idiom belonging to
the language of the Medes.
1849 Grote Greece 11. xliv. V. 359 Medism (or treacherous
correspondence with the Persians). 1864 PuSEY Led. Daniel
i. 34 Chaldaisms, Medisms, Persisms could, accordingly, be
nothing strange in the Hebrew portion of his book.
t Meditabund, a. Obs. rare—1, (humorously pe-
dantic.) In 1 -abound. \a.<\.h.meditabund-us,{.
medilari to Meditate.] Absorbed in meditation.
1681 Colvil Whigs Supplic. (1751) 120 On the ground He
groveling lies meditabound. 1727 Bailey vol. II, Medita-
bund. ., pondering,.. musing, in a brown Study.
t Meditance. Obs. rare—1, [f. next : see
-ance.] Meditation.
1612 Two Noble K. 1. i, Your first thought is more Then
others laboured meditance.
Meditant (me'ditant), a. and sb. rare. [ad. L.
meditant-em, pr. pple. of medilari to Meditate.]
a. adj. Meditating. In quot. 1614/ocnlar (quasi-
Her.). b. sb. One who meditates.
1614 B. Jonson Barth. Fair Induct., A wise Iustice of
Peace meditant. 1748 in Hervey's A/edit. To Auth. (ed. 4)
I. p. xii, Celestial Meditant ! whose Ardours rise Deep from
the Tombs, and kindle to the Skies. 1898 Dublin Rev.
July 177 Untrained meditants outside conventual life.
I Meditate, "■ Obs. [ad.L. meditatus, pa.pple.
of medilari : see next.] = Meditated.
1581 Lamdarde Eiren. 11. vii. (1588)250 The law deemeth
that he doeth it . . with a meditate hatred. 1854 S. Dobell
Balder iii. 18 My early planned, Long meditate, .epic !
Meditate (me'dite't), v. [f. L. meditdt-, ppl.
stem of medilari, a frequentative f. the root med-,
whence many words expressing the notion of
thought or care, as Gr. /ifSiaOai to think about,
care for, nr/tie o9m to care for, L. mederi to cure.
The Latin uses (which are reproduced approximately in
Eng.) seem partly due to association with Gr. MeAeroi*
(f. ^eA«>>) care, study, exercise), from which the word was
anciently believed to be derived.]
1. trans. To muse over or reflect upon ; to con-
sider, study, ponder. Now rare.
c 1580 Sidney Ps. v. i, O Lord,. .Consider what I medi-
tate in me. 1695 Addison King Misc. Wks. 1726 I. 9 Our
British Youth .. Had long forgot to Meditate the Foe. 1791
Burke Let. Memb. Nat. Assembly 31 Him [Rousseau] they
study ; him they meditate. 1837-9 Hallam Hist. Lit. I.
1. iii. I'm. 222 Albert! had deeply meditated the remains
104
MEDITATED.
298
MEDITERRANEAN.
of Roman antiquity, a 1871 Grote Eth. Fragrn. ii. (1876)
40 If they thoroughly meditated the circumstances of the
case,
b. To fix one's attention upon ; to observe with
interest or intentness. Now rare.
1700 Drvden Sigism. «fr Guise. 244 Like a Hon. .With in-
ward rage he meditates his prey. 1754 Richardson Gran-
dison IV. xvii. 108 He bowed his head upon his pillow, and
meditated me. Ibid. (ed. 2) VI. xlv. 230 She seeing. .that I
meditated the seal with impatience, begged me to read it
then. 1851 G. W. Curtis Nile Notes xlv. 219 At the doors
of their cliff-retreats, sit sagely the cormorants, and meditate
the passing Howadji.
^1 c. To meditate the Muse (nonce-use, after L.
Musam meditari, Virg. Eel. i. 2) : to occupy one-
self in song or poetry.
1637 Milton Lycidas 66 What boots it . . To tend the
homely slighted Shepherds trade, And strictly meditate the
thankles Muse?
2. To plan by revolving in the mind ; to con-
ceive, plan or design mentally.
1591 Shaks. i Hen. VI, 11. iv. 60 Yorke. Now Somerset,
where is your argument? Som. Here in my scabbard,
meditating, that Shall dye your white Rose in a bloody red.
1651 Hobbes Levtath. 1. xv, It is also a law of nature, that
all men that meditate peace, be allowed safe conduct. 1715
Rowe Lady J. Grey 1. i. n Ev'n now she seems to medi-
tate her flight. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) VII. 167
A creature meditating mischief. 1820 L. Hist Indicator
No. 54(1822) II. 15 Kubla Khan, which was meditated under
the effects of opium. 1879 Froude Csesar xi. 135 Catiline
was meditating a revolution. 1885 Manch. Exam. 6 Nov.
5/2 They are meditating a reimposition of the tax on corn.
fb. with inf. as obj.
1794 Godwin Cat. Williams 283, I meditated to do you
good. 1834 A. F. Tytler Univ. Hist. (1850) I. in. vii. 352
The Latins, .meditated to shake off the Roman yoke.
f 3. To entertain as an opinion, think. Obs.
1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholas's Voy. Ep. Ded., What
is.. more vnbeseeming. .than alwaiesto abide at home, .and
not to meditate and thinke that at one time or other it is
meete-.to flie abroade. 1609 Bible (Douay) Pref., What
shal we therefore meditate of the especial prerogative of
English Catholiques at this time ?
4. intr. To exercise the mental faculties in
thought or contemplation ; spec, in religious use
(see Meditatiox 2).
1594 Shaks. Rich. Ill, in. vii. 75 He Is., meditating with two
deepe Diuines. 1611 Bible Gen. xxiv. 63 And Isaac went
out, to meditate in the field, at the euentide. 1644 Milton
Areop. (Arb.) 56 When a man writes to the world,., he
searches, meditats, is industrious. i847TENNYsoN/V/wt:m
1. 95 While I meditated A wind arose. 1897 Cath. Diet.
(ed. 5)618 1 The understanding considering this truth in its
application to the individual who meditates.
b. const, on, upon, over^ "\of\ (Hebraism) fin.
1560 Bible (Geneva) Ps. 1.2 In his Lawdoeth he meditate
day and night. 1594 T. B. La Primaud. Fr. Acad. 11. 163
The better to haue them in memorie, it often thinketh and
meditateth of those things. 1601 Shaks. Twel. N. 111. iv. 219,
I wil meditate the while vpon some horrid message for a
Challenge, a 16 18 W. Bradshaw Atedit. Mans Mortal.
. (162 1) 30 When God in any judgement, .sheweshis wrath, wee
should thinke and meditate of this. 1630 Prvnne Auti-
Armin. 195 He then that shall vnfainedTy meditate on all
these Texts. (11716 South Serm. (1744) X. i. 19 He that
accustoms himself to meditate upon the greatness of God,
finds[etc.]. 1834 James J. Marston Hallix, Leaving me to
meditate over the future. 1877 Monier Williams Hin-
duism vi.76 A Buddhist, .only meditates on the perfections
of the Buddha.
Hence Meditating vbl. s/>. and ppl. a. Also
Me'ditatingrly adv., meditatively.
1643 Milton Divorce x. Wks. 1851 IV. 49 Those divine
meditating words. 1645 — Tetrach. Introd., Some of our
severe Gnostics, whose little reading, and lesse meditating
holds ever, .that which it took up. 1753 Richardson Gran-
dison III. i. 2 He enquired. .Why she looked so meditat-
ingly ? a 1873 Lytton Ken. Chillingly v. vii, Meditatingly
propped on his elbow.
Meditated (me-dite'ted),///. a. [f. Meditate
v. + -ED1.] Contemplated, intended ; also, thought
out, produced or prepared by meditation.
1736 Gray Statins 11. 22 'Twas there he aim'd the medi-
tated harm. 1760 C. Johnston Chrysal (1822) II. 120
Walking a meditated turn or two across the tent. 1814
Wordsw. Excurs. ix. 21 The food of hope Is meditated
action. 1841 Macaulav Ess., Leigh Hunt (ed. Montague)
III. 43 The Way of the World, the most deeply meditated
and the most brilliantly written of all his works. 1855 Mil-
man Lai.Chr. ix. ii. IV. 49 Already there were dark rumours
of his treachery and meditated revolt.
Meditater, variant of Meditator.
Meditation fmedit^'Jsn). [a. F. meditation
or ad. L. meditation-em , n. of action f. meditari to '
Meditate.]
1. The action, or an act, of meditating; contin- 1
uous thought or musing upon one subject or series !
of subjects; serious and sustained reflection or '
mental contemplation.
1390 Gower Con/. I. 256 Fro hevene as thogh a vois it I
were, To soune of such prolacioun That he his meditacioun
Therof mai take, a 1460 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 242 That
the heyere herd with good medytacioun May the pore peple
swych wyse avaunce [etc.). 15*6 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W.
1531) 233 Meditacyoi is a profoundeorstudyouscogitacyon ■
about ony certeyn thynge. 1588 Fraunce Lawiers Log. \
1.L1 Reasoning may be.. in solitary meditations and de-
liberations with a mans selfe. 1590 Shaks. Mids. N. 11. i.
164 The imperiall Votresse passed on, In maiden medita-
tion, fancy free. 1633 Earl Manch. Al Mondo (1636) 5
Meditation, I saw, was but a reiterated thought, proper to '
production of good or evill. 171a I.adv M. W. Montagu '
Let. to Mr. W. Montagu 9-11 Dec, The terrace is .. con-
secrated to meditation, .gay or grave. 1820 Byron Mar.
Fat. 11. i, My lord, pray pardon me For breaking in upon
your meditation. 1831 Lytton Godolphin vi, After a fort-
night's delay and meditation, he wrote. 1848 Dickens
Dombey i, His meditations on the subject were soon inter-
rupted, by the rustling of garments on the staircase.
fb. Thought or mental contemplation of some-
thing. Obs.
1534 More Com/, agst. Trib. in. Wks. 1235/1 The fleshe
shrinckynge at the meditacion of payne and deathe. 167a
Marvell Reh. Transp. 1. 81 It is the wisdome of Cats to
whet their Claws, .in meditation of the next Rat they are
to encounter.
2. spec, in religious use : That kind of private
devotional exercise which consists in the continuous
application of the mind to the contemplation of
some religious truth, mystery, or object of rever-
ence, in order that the soul may increase in love of
God and holiness of life.
tf 1340 Hampole Psalter Prol., pare in is discryued. .be
meditacioun of contemplatifs. 11491 Chast. GoddesChyld.
7 Thenne cometh so mery meditacyons wyth plente of teres
of compascyon. 1590 Spenser F. Q. i. x. 46 Of God and
goodnes was his meditation. 1641 Hinde J. Bruen xlv.
145 His first dayly duty, namely his holy and religious
Meditation. 1704 M. Henry Commun. Comp. vi. Wks.
1853 I- 33°/i In meditation we converse with ourselves; in
prayer we converse with God. 1893 Patmore Retig. Poetx
34 The hour or half-hour of daily 'meditation '..is now un-
heard of. 1897 Cath. Diet. (ed. 5) 618/1 It was St. Igna-
tius of Loyola who reduced the rules of meditation to a
system.
b. Used for : The theme of one's meditation.
1560 Bible (Geneva) Ps. cxix. 97 Oh how loue I thy Law !
it is my meditacion continually. Ibid. 99, I haue had more
vnderstanding then all my teachers ; for thy testimonies are
my meditacion.
3. A discourse, written or spoken, in which a
subject (usually religious) is treated in a meditative
manner, or which is designed to guide the reader
or hearer in meditation.
a 1225 Ancr. R. 44 Redinge of EngUchs, o5er of Freinchs,
holi meditaciuns. c 1320 R. Brunne {title) Here bygynneb
meditacyuns of the soper of oure lorde Ihesu. c 1386
Chancer Pars. Prol. 55 But nathelees, this meditacion
I putte it ay vnder correccion Of clerkes. 16x2 A. Stafford
{title) Meditations and Revolutions, moral, divine, politicall.
1710 Swift {title) A meditation upon a broom-stick. 1746
Hf.rvey {title) Meditations among the Tombs.
attrib. 1711 Shaftesb. Charac. (1737) III. 95 The essay-
writers,, .reflection-coiners, meditation-founders, and others
of the irregular kind of writers.
Meditationist. nonce-wd. [f. prec. + -1ST.]
One who writes meditations.
1834-43 Southey Doctor Interch. xxii, (184^) VI. 380
Jeremy Taylor's is both a flowery and a fruitful stile :
Hervey the Meditationist's a weedy one.
Medit at ist (me-diuitist). rare. [f. Meditate
+ -1st.] One who makes a business of meditating.
i860 in Worcester (citing Ec. Rev.). 1873 H. W.
Beech er in Chr. World Pulpit IV. 388/3 Thirdly, there
are the meditatists. .thousands meditate when they have
nothing to meditate on.
Meditative (me'dittrtivJ me'dite'tiv),**. and sb.
[ad. late L. meditativ-us, f. ppl. stem of meditari
to Meditate : see -ive. Cf. F. mdditatif.']
A. adj.
1. Of persons, their dispositions or state of mind :
Inclined or accustomed to meditation.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Meditative, apt to meditate, or
cast in the mind. 1683 Howe Union Among Prot. Wks.
(1846) 108 His musing meditative mind. 1784 Berington
Hist. Abeillard iv. 198 Abeillard . . was pious, reserved,
meditative. 1708 Coleridge Fears in Solitude 23 And he,
with many feelings, .. Made up a meditative joy. 1874
Green Short Hist. vii. § 7. 426 The melancholy and medi-
tative Jaques. 1885 J. Martineau Types Eth. Th. I. 1. ii.
§ 8. 194 The highest calls of meditative piety.
b. Inclined to meditate or engaged in meditat-
ing (something specified). Const, of.
1876 M. Collins Fr. Midnight to Midn. II. it 223 There
. .is our ontologic poet, meditative of incisive analytic un-
scannable blank verse.
2. Of actions, manner, appearance, etc. : Accom-
panied by meditation ; indicative of meditation.
1756-7 tr. Keysler's Trav. (1760^ II. 43 He used to take
his meditative walks. 1003 T. P.'sWeekly 6 Nov. 724/2 After
a dozen meditative pulfs of his pipe, Harry proceeded.
3. Conducive to meditation.
1868 Hawthorne Amer. Notc-Bks. II. 64 A stone wall,
when shrubbery has grown around it,.. becomes a very
pleasant and meditative object.
f4. Gram. = Desiderative. Obs.
1755 Johnson, Meditative, expressing intention or design,
t B. sb. A desiderative word. Obs.
i6u Brinsley Pos. Parts (1669) 127 What Verbs do you
call Meditatives ? 1635 Grammar Warre B viij, Other Ad-
verbs : as Meditatives, Deminutives, and Denominatives.
1726 S. Lowe Lai. Gram. 12 Meditatives in -urio. 1845
Stoddart Gram, in Encycl. Metrop. (1847) I. 50/1 Most of
the verbs in rio are meditatives.
Meditatively ,me*dit#ivli), adv. [f. prec. +
-ly^.] In a meditative manner.
1825 Coleridge Aids Refl. (1848) I. 305 Then.. medita-
tively contemplate, .the beautiful effects of this ordinance.
1893 Saltus Madam Sapphira 41 Mrs. Nevius. .for a while
purled meditatively.
Meditativeness (me'dit^tivries). [f. Medi-
tative + -NESS.] The condition of beingmeditative.
i860 in Worcester (citing Coleridge). 1877 ' H. A. Page'
De Quincey II. xix. 221 Dreamy meditativeness.
Meditator .meditifitai). Also9-er. [f. Medi-
tate v. + -or.] One who meditates.
1665 Boyle Occas. Re/9, iv. i. (1848) 46 It is wont to
suggest variety of Notions to the Meditator. 171a Lady
M. W. Montagu Let. to Mr. W. Montagu 9-11 Dec,
I would publish a daily paper called the Meditator. 182a
Coleridge Table-t. 29 Dec. (1835) I. 3 Lear is the most
tremendous effort of Shakespeare as a poet ; Hamlet as a
philosopher or meditater. a 1859 De Qiincey Conversa-
tion Wks. i860 XIV. 153 The mere meditators, .may finally
ripen into close observers. 1894 T. Watts in Athenaeum
20 Oct. 530/1 He had the mind .. of the meditater upon
nature.
t Medite, v. Obs. [ad. F. me'diterox L. medi-
tari.] trans, and intr. = Meditate v.
1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 442/1 The preest medytyng and
thynkyng on the passyon of our lord..sayth [etc.]. 1606
Sylvester Du Bartas 11. iv. 11. Afagnif. 770 Who, mediting
the sacred Tempi's plot, By th' other twin.. is shot.
t Mediterrane, a. and sb. Obs. Also -an,
-ayne, -en, -ean. [ad. L. mediterran-eus : see
Mediterranean.] A. adj.
1. = Mediterranean A. 2.
c 1435 Wyntoun Cron. 1. xiii. 1249 Fra be Mer Medi-
terrayne Lyis souyihe on to be Occiane. 1598 Hakluyt
Voy. I. 588 He that neuer saw the sea will not be persuaded
that there is a mediterrane sea. 1621 Ainsworth Annot.
Peniat., Nnmb. xxxiv. 6 This great sea is commonly called
the Mediterrane Sea. 163a Lithgow Trav. 1. 25 The
Riuiera of Genoa, along the Mediterrean sea. Ibid. in. 77
Now Creta comes, the Mediterren Queene.
2. Inland, interior ; ~ Mediterranean A. 1.
1508 in Hakluyfs Voy. (1904* VI. 357 They that have
seene the mediterran or inner parts of the kingdom of China,
do report [etc.]. 1608 Bacon Sp. Gen. Natural. Wks. 1826
V. 54 It is the mediterrane countries, and not the maritime,
which need to fear surcharge of people. 1660 R. Coke
Power $ Subj. 262 It were a most unreasonable thing that
the same Lawes should be imposed upon Mediterrane
places, where are observed in Maritime.
B. sb. a. An enclosed piece of water, b. The
Mediterranean Sea.
1658 R. Franck North. Mem. (1821) 197 By what means
then was she moved into this small Mediterrane ? 166a
Ogilby Kings Coronation 18 Well whip him like a Gig
About the Mediterrane.
1 Mediterraneal, a. Obs. Also 7 -nell. [f.
L. mediterrane-us (see next) + -al.] a. Inland,
interior, b. spec. Mediterranean (sea).
1598 Barret Theor. IVarres Gloss. 251 Mediterranean,
is Inland countrie, or countries distant from the sea. 1609
Bible (Douay) Num. xxxiv. Comm., Mediterraneal sea,
called great in respect of the lakes in the holie Land. 1622
F. Markham Bk. War v. vii. § 3. 186 All places whatsoeuer,
whether Mediterranell or Maritime.
Mediterranean (mediter^i'n^an), a. and sb.
[f. L. mediterrane-us (f. medi-us middle + terra
land, earth) + -an.] A. adj.
1. Of land : Midland, inland, remote from the
coast ; opposed to maritime. Also, intermediate
(between two areas), t Applied also to the in-
habitants of a region so situated.
1601 Holland Pliny I. 501 The Mediterranean or mid-
land parts of any country are.. preferred before the mari-
time or sea-coasts, a 1691 Boyle Hist. Air (1692) 197 The
more mediterranean pans of Russia. 1756 C Lucas Ess.
Waters II. 54 Sea water differs.. not essentially, from the
waters of our mediterranean salt springs. 1773 Johnson
Let. to Mrs. Titrate 28 Aug., Craggy rocks, of height not
stupendous, but to a Mediterranean visitor uncommon.
1869 Rawlinson Anc. Hist. 12 The rivers of the central
tract are continental or mediterranean ; i. e. they begin and
end without reaching the sea. 1875 J. H. Bennet Winter
Medit. It xi. 340 There is a highland country, an elevated
mediterranean area of mountains and valleys.
trans/. 1603 Dekker Wonder/. Yr. D4 How nimble is
Sicknes,. .The greatest cutter that takes vp the Mediterra-
nean He in Powles for his Gallery to walke in, cannot ward
off" his btowes.
2. Of water surfaces : Nearly or entirely sur-
rounded or enclosed by dry land; land-locked.
Mediterranean Sea} the proper name of the sea
which separates Europe from Africa.
The notion expressed by the proper name (late L. ware
Mediterraneum, 7th c. ; F. Mer Miditerranie', Sp. Alar
Mediterrdnso; It. Mare Mediterraneo) may originally
have been ' the sea in the middle of the earth ' rather than
' the sea enclosed by land '.
1594 R. Ashley tr. Loys le Roy 75 b, All those which are
within the mediterranean sea. 1615 G. Sandys Trav. 51
The Pirats. .doe rob on the /Egeanand Mediterranean seas.
1813 Bakewell Introd. Gcot. 182 The boundary of a medi-
terranean sea or lake of fresh water. 1846 Darwin Geol.
Observ. S. Amer. 235 note. The theory that rock-salt is due
to the sinking of water, charged with salt, in mediterranean
spaces of the ocean. 186a Dana Man. Geol. in. 301 The
great mediterranean sea of the Silurian age.
b. Pertaining to ' mediterranean waters. (See
also B. 1 b.)
1830 Lyell Princ. Geol. I. 245 The delta of the Missis-
sippi has somewhat of an intermediate character between
an oceanic and mediterranean delta.
B. sb.
1. An inland sea or lake; a water area nearly or
entirely surrounded by dry land ; spec, the Medi-
terranean Sea.
1652-62 Heylin Cosmogr. in. 9 A man of perspicuous eyes
may discern the Euxine on the one hand, and the Medi-
terranean on the other. 1661 Lovf.ll Hist. Anim. <$- Afin.
Introd., Some [fishes] are better in the ocean than in the
MEDITERRANEOUS.
mediterranean, and the contrary. 1704 Aduison Italy
(1705) 4 There is nothing more undetermined among the
Learned than the Voyage of Ulysses ; some confining it to
the Mediterranean ; others [etc.]. 1853 Kane Crinnell Exp.
(1856) 544 The North Polar Ocean is a great mediter-
ranean. 1875 S. Cox in Expositor 251 The blue waters of
the Mediterranean.
b. attrib., passing into adj. (Cf. A. 2 b.) Per-
taining to the Mediterranean Sea.
Mediterranean fever = M alta fever (see Malta).
1599 Nashe Lenten Stitffe Wks. (Grosart) V. 229 In M.
Hackluits English discoueries I haue not come in ken of
one mizzen mast of a . . mediteranean sternebearer sente
from her [Yarmouth's] Zenith or Meridian. 1678 Young
Serin, at Whitehall 29 Dec. 27 One of the Mediterranean
Pirates. 1816 Sir \V. Burnett {title) A Practical Account
of the Mediterranean Fever [etc.]. 1897 M. L. Hughes
{title) Mediterranean, Malta or Undulant Fever. 1899
Daily News 14 Jan. 6/4 The whole costume is in Mediterra-
nean blue cloth.
t 2. An inhabitant of an inland region. Obs.
1654 H. L'Estrange Chas. I (1655) 131 Again the Medi-
terraneans the Highlanders muttered at the Imposition.
Mediterranell, obs. variant of Mediterranean.
t Mediterraneous, a. Obs. [f. L. mediter-
rane-us (see Mediterranean) + -ous.]
1. Inland, remote from the coast.
1646 Sir T. Browne Psend. Ep. 11. iv. 82 It is found in
mountaines and mediterraneous parts. 1693 Ray Disc. iii.
(1732) 3r The mediterraneous Places above the Shores.
2. In the middle of the earth ; subterranean.
1668 Palp. Evid. IVitchcr. ro2 The bituminous matter
brought from the mediterraneous Vaults.
+ Mediterrany, a. and sb. Obs. [ad. F. medi-
terrain! or L. medilerraiie-nm.] = Mediterranean.
c 1400 Maundev. (Roxb.) xxxiii. 150 It rynnez in to be see
Mediterrany. 1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) I. 53 Of the grete
see or Mediterranye.
Meditrunk ^rm"ditr»rjk). Ent. [ad. mod.L.
meditrujtcus, f. L. medi-us middle + Initials
Trlnk.] (See qnot.)
1826 Kirby & Sr. Entomol. III. xxxv. 532 If terms be
thought necessary to designate the two intire segments into
which the alitrunk is resolvable, the first may be the medi-
trunk {meditruncits), and the other the potrunk {potruncits).
II Meditullium (meditf -\wm). [L., f. medi-us
middle ; the second element is prob. cogn. w. tellus
earth.]
1 1. The middle (of anything). Obs.
1611 Coryat Crudities 396 Baden., lyeth in the very
meditullium of Heluetia. 1638 SirT. Herbert Trav. (1677)
48 That Meditullium of the earth [India].
2. spec. The cellular or reticulated bony sub-
stance between the inner and outer lamina; of the
cranium; =DlPLOE I. ? Obs.
1693 tr. Blancards Phys. Diet. (ed. 2), Meditullium, that
Spungy Substance betwixt the Two Lamina [sic] of the
Scull.
3. Bot. The interior parenchyma of the leaves
and other parts of plants; =Diploe 2.
1840 Pereira Elem. Mat. Med. it. 66r The meditullium
has frequently a reddish tint. 1880 Garrod & Baxter
Mat. Med. 374 The roots are seen to consist of a cortex or
rind, and a ligneous cord or meditullium inclosing the pith.
Hence t Meditu llian a. Obs., pertaining to the
middle (of the earth).
1670 Pkttus Fodinx Reg. Introd.. As if they were but the
soft Products of those Meditullian Petrefactions.
Medium (mfdiftn), sb. and a. PI. media,
-iums. [a. L. medium, neuter of medius middle,
cogn. with Mid a.] A. sb.
1. A middle quality, degree, or condition. For-
merly also, t something intermediate in nature or
degree, fin a medium, intermediate (between).
1593 Tell-Troth's N. Y. Gift (1876) 29 There is no Con-
corde betweene water and fire, nor any medium betweene
loue and hatred. 1618 E. Elton Exp. Rom. vii. (1622)
362 There is no medium : no middle nor indifferent
state and condition betweene these two. 1626 Bacon
Sylva § 293 This Appetite is in a Medium between the
other two. 1649 Blith Eng. Improv. Impr. (1653) To
Husb., There is a Medium in all things. 1651 French
Distill, v. in A saltish slime, and in tast..a Medium
betwixt salt, and Nitre. 1663 Flagellum, or O. Cromwell
(ed. 2) Pref., I place and reckon this Cromwell as a
Medium or Mean, betwixt . . Wallenstein . . and Thomas
Anello. 1752 }. Gill Trinity vi. 116 Between God and a
creature there is no medium, a 1770 Jortin Serm. (1771)
VII. vi. 108 There is a medium between frantic zeal and
sinful compliance. 1811 Busby Diet. Mus. (ed. 3), Recita-
tive, a species of musical recitation forming the medium
between air and rhetorical declamation. 1811 Byron Hints
fr. /for. lvii, Poesy between the best and worst No medium
knows, a 1820 I. Milner in Mary Milner Life (1842) 510
■ there no medium between going to Court, and going a
hunting? 1869 Spurgeon J. Ploughm. Talk 28 There is
a medium in all things, only blockheads go to extremes.
+ b. Moderation. Obs.
1693 Humours Town 88 They are generally Men of no
Medium, but continually in Extreams. 1748 Smollett
Rod. Rand. (1812) I. 4 He determined, .to observe no me-
dium but.. sent her a peremptory order. 1780 W. Pitt in
Ld. Stanhope Life I. 35 The use of the horse I assure you
I do not neglect, in the properest medium.
+ C. A middle course, compromise. Obs.
1719 De Foe Crusoe 1. (Globe) 33 When I let him know
my Reason, he own'd it to be just, and offer'd me this
Medium, that he [etc].
fd. Something intermediate in position. Obs.
1726 Leoni Albertfs Arc/iit. 1. aft That the Inhabitants
299
' may not he obliged to pass out of a cold Place into a hot
one, without a Medium of temperate Air.
f2. Logic, The middle term of a syllogism;
hence, a ground of proof or inference. Obs.
1584 Fenner Def. Ministers 1 1587) 62 Let him. .conclude
the Apostles question, with his medium, argument, and
, reason. 1630 Randolph Arislippus Wks. (1875) 19 Your
■ drinking is syllogism, where a pottle is the major terminus,
i and a pint the minor, a quart the medium, 1641 Vitid.
Smedymnuus v. 61 This we evinced by foure mediums out
of Scripture. 1751 Wesley Wks. (1872) XIV. 168 An equi-
vocal medium proves nothing. 1757 Sir J. Dalrymtle Hist.
Feudal Property (175%) 1 47'Ihey had refused to subject estates
tail to forfeiture, and on this medium, that who cannot
alienate cannot forfeit. 1817 Jas. Mill Brit. India III.
i. 33 To trace the media of proof from one link to another
..is not, say the lawyers, the way to justice.
f3. A (geometrical or arithmetical) mean; an
average. Obs.
1612 Davies Why Ireland, etc. 39 The reuenew . . did
not rise vnto 10000. li. per annum, though the .Medium be
taken of the best seauen years. 1638 Wilkins New World
in. (1707) 30 Betwixt two Extreams there can be but one
Medium, a 1687 Petty Pol. Arith. 11690) 55 At a medium
I reckon that the whole Fleet must be Men of three or four
years growth. 17*7 Swii-t Mod. Proposal WVs. 1755 II. 11.
62, I have reckoned upon a medium, that a child just born
will weigh 12 pounds. 1731 Bailey vol. II. s. v., Arithme-
tical Medium, is that which is equally distant from each
extreme. Ibid., Geometrical Medium, is [etc.]. 1788 Ld.
Auckland Corr. (1861) II.84Themedium of the thermometer
continues here at about 70 . 1793 Smeaton Edystonc L.
§ 113 The medium of half an inch on a side. 1817 Jas.
Mill Brit. India I. 11. i. 94 Only thirty-three years, as a
medium, are assigned to a reign.
4. Any intervening substance through which a
force acts on objects at a distance or through
which impressions are conveyed to the senses :
applied, e.g., to the air, the ether, or any sub-
stance considered with regard to its properties as a
vehicle of light or sound. Often j$g.
1595 Chapman Ovids Banc. Sence D 2 margin, Sight is one
of the three sences that hath his medium extrinsecally. 1621
Burton Anat. Mel. 1. i. 11. vi. 33 To the Sight three things
are required, the Obiect, the Organ, and the Medium. 1643
A. Ross Mel Helicouium 27 The air, which is the medium
of musick and of all sounds, a 1652 J Smith Sel. Disc. i.
25 They shall no more behold the Divinity through the
dark mediums that eclipse the blessed sight of it. 1709 PAH.
Trans. XXVI. 368 Air is the only Medium for the Pro-
pagation of Sound. 1711 Addison Sped. No. 257 ? 8 He
therefore who looks upon the Soul through its outward
Actions, often sees it through a deceitful Medium. 1742
Young Nt. Th. vm. 243 The Truth, thro1 such a Medium
seen, may make Impression deep. 1768-74 Tucker Lt.
Nat. (1834) II. 443 Both visible and sonorous bodies act
equally by mediums, one of light and the other of air,
vibrating upon our organs. 1794 G. Adams Nat. $ Exp.
Philos. II. xv. 136 By a medium, .is meant any pellucid or
transparent body, which suffers light to pass through it.
1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. «V Art I. 422 In passing into
a denser medium, light is refracted towards the perpen-
dicular. 1851 Sir F. Palgrave Norm. <y Eng. I. 189 The
liability incurred by the nation is refracted through so many
media. 1875 Encycl. Brit. I, 100/1 The air around us forms
the most important medium of sound to our organs of hear-
ing. 1880 Bast ian Brain iii. 60 To rudimentary aggrega-
tions of pigment, in some animals transparent media are
added, serving to condense the light thereon.
b. The application of the word in sense 4 to the
air, ether, etc. has given rise to the new sense :
Pervading or enveloping substance ; the substance
or 'element* in which an organism lives; hence
Jig. one's environment, conditions of life.
[1664 Power Exp. Philos. Pref. 11 The aetherial Medium
(wherein all the Stars and Planets do swim).] 1865 Grote
Plato I. v. 201 You cannot thus abstract any man from the
social medium by which he is surrounded. 1873 Hamerton
Intell. Life ix. v. (1875) 320 The general talk, which is
nothing but a neutral medium in which intelligences float.
1876 L. Stephen Eng. Th. iSt/i C. I. i. 6 The gradual
adaptation of the race to its medium. 1878 Encycl. Brit.
VIII. 36/2 When the insulating medium, or, as it is called,
the 'dielectric', is shellac. 1880 M. Arnold Lett. (1895)
II. 184-5 The medium in which he [Burns] lived, Scotch
peasants, Scotch Presbyterianism, and Scotch drink, is
repulsive. Chaucer.. pleases me more and more, and his
medium is infinitely superior. 1886 Encycl. Brit. XXI.
406/1 Thoroughly conducted cultivations should decide in
what medium the Schizomycete flourishes best.
5. An intermediate agency, means, instrument or
channel. Also, intermediation, instrumentality :
in phrase by or through the medium of.
1605 Bacon Adv. Learn, ti. xvi. § 2 But yet is not of neces-
sitie that Cogitations bee expressed by the Medium of
Wordes. 1614 Raleigh Hist. World 11. v. § 10. 309 Moses
. .wrought, .by the medium of mens affections. 1659 T.
Pecke Parnassi Puerp. 179, I know the Medium to let you
see A wonder. 1726 De Foe Hist. Devil u. vi. (1840) 249
The devil has managed several secret operations by the
medium or instrumentality of the cloven foot. 177;; Burke
Sp. Cone. Amcr. Wks. III. 31 The proposition is peace.
Not peace through the medium of war. 1795 Gentl. Mag.
544/1 Some useful information, .may. .be hoped for through
the medium of your curious Publication. ei8*i Fuseli in
Led. Paint, iv. (1848) 438 They are the end, this the me-
dium. 1856 Sir B. Brodie Psychol, I no. I. v. 186 The seal
. . except through the medium of his whiskers, . . may be said
. .[to have] no sense of touch at all. 1866 Felton Anc. ft
Mod. Gr. I. 1. 16 They [Latin and Greek] were the media
of the scholarship, the science, the theology of the Middle
Age. 1880 Coach Builders* Art J ml. I. 63 Considering
your Journal one of the best possible mediums for such a
scheme. 1883 S. R. Gardiner Hist. Eng. II. xvi. 184 note,
It seems, .more probable that the tarts went backwards and
MEDIUM.
! forwards aj media of a correspondence. 1898 Illingworth
I Dtv. Immanence vi, 136 He [Christ] ordained sacraments ;
, selecting, as their media, the two. .most universal religious
rites. Mod. 'I he — shire Gazette is the best advertising
medium m the county.
b. Medium of circulation or exchange, circulat-
; ing medium : something which serves as the
ordinary representative of exchangeable value, and
1 as the instrument of commercial transactions ; in
civilized countries usually coin or written promises
or orders for the delivery of coin, f In the Ameri-
, can colonies often simply medium, chiefly used in
speaking of the local paper currency.
1740 Conn. Col. Pec. (1874* VI II. 318 The expence* of
: this government are likely to be very heavy.. by reason.. of
a great scarcity of a medium of exchange. 1740 W. Doug-
lass Disc. Curr. Brit. Plant. Amcr. 6 Upon cancelling
this Paper Medium all those Inconveniences did vanish.
1758 in B. P. Smith Hist. Dartmouth Coll. (1S7S) 16 The
discredit of our medium. 1828 P. Cunningham .V. S.
Wales (ed. 3) II. 101 Bullion and paper, as mediums of cir-
culation. 1833 Hl- Martinbau Charmed Sea Summary
135 The adoption of a medium of exchange. 1838 Prescoh
Ferd. A> Is. (1846) II. xvii. 128 The only medium for repre-
senting their property was bills of exchange. 1884 Rep.
Brit. Assoc. 837 Media of Exchange: some Notes on the
I Precious Metals and their Equivalents.
6. Painting. Any liquid ' vehicle' (as oil, water,
albumen, etc.) with which pigments are mixed
. to render them capable of being used in painting.
! Also, any of the varieties of painting as determined
1 by the nature of the vehicle employed, as oil-
! painting, water-colour, tempera, fresco, etc.
1854 Faikiiolt Diet. Art, Medium, the menstruum, or
liquid vehicle, with which the dry pigments are ground and
made ready for the artist's use. 1892 Nation (X. Y.)
15 Dec. 477/2 There is no man to-day who understands his
medium [vi/. water-colour] more perfectly. 1903 Edin. Rev.
Apr. 454 If his colours, his gilding, his mediums were of
inferior quality, they were confiscated.
b. Photogr. A varnish used as a vehicle in 're-
touching' >'sce quots.).
1890 J. Hi 'bekt Retouching (lQO}) 23 If your medium will
■ not take the blacklead readily, the former may be thickened.
1892 Phot. Ann. II. 201 'Fhe simplest medium to render
the surface of the negative suitable for marking upon is
made by dissolving white powdered resin in turpentine...
The negative to be retouched is prepared by rubbing upon
it . .a drop of the medium.
7. Theatr. A screen fixed in front of a gas-jet in
order to throw a coloured light upon the stage.
1859 G, A. Sala Gasdight $ D-, Getting up Pantomime,
Gas pipes with coloured screens called 'mediums'. 1873
Routledge's Yng. Gentl. Mag. 282/1 Fish-tail burners,
guarded by curved metal reflecting hoods on the back and
by wire work on the front side. .so as to allow of red or
green tammy mediums being dropped over each row.
8. Applied to a person, a. gen. An intermediary
agent, mediator.
1817 Bowdich, etc. Mission to Ashantee 1. iii. (1819) 63
This man;.is our only safe medium, and interprets to the
King anxiously and impressively.
b. Spiritualism, etc. A person who is supposed
to be the organ of communications from departed
spirits. Hence also applied to a clairvoyant or a
person under hypnotic control.
1853 H. Si'itER Sights fy Sojtnds 88 This lady was a me-
dium, and as the subject of 'spirit rappings ' was already
[etc.]. 1854 Miss Mitford in L'Estrange Life {1870? III.
xiv. 303 Bulwer is in the hands of a set of mediums, and
passes his time in conversation with his dead daughter. 1888
Bryce Amer. Commoniv. III. 659 Attempts to pry by the
help of ' mediums ' into the book of Fate.
9. Senses derived from the adj. a. nonce-use. A
person of the middle class.
1837 T. Hook Jack Brag ii, The tip-toppers are livelier
than the mediums.
b. A soldier of * medium ' equipment, between
Might' and 'heavy1. (Cf. quot. 1876 in B. 1.)
1889 N. $Q. 7th Ser.VIII.111/1The4th Dragoon Guards
are no longer ' Heavies', but ' Mediums'. Ibid., Thirteen
regiments of Mediums ', comprising the seven regiments of
Dragoon Guards, numbered 1 to 7 [etc.].
c. A kind of cotton goods.
1862 Catal. Internat. Exhib. II. xviM. 4 India twills,
silicias, casbans, and mediums.
B. attrib. and adj.
1. Intermediate between two degrees, amounts,
qualities, or classes.
1796 C. Marshall Garden, ix. (1813) 114 A good medium
way is to plant the deciduous sorts [of trees] the beginning
of March. 1859 Darwin Orig.Spec. iv. (1873) 92 A medium
form may often long endure. 1876 Voyle & Stevenson
Mitit. Diet. s.v. Cavalry, In the British army cavalry is
classed as heavy, medium, and light cavalry. 1884 Bath
Herald 27 Dec. 6/5 The offal.. is separated into broad bran,
medium bran, and sharps. 1903 Edin. Rev. Apr. 493 There
is a tendency for land to get into the hands of medium
and large proprietors. 1905 J. Heywood Mus. Churches
17 Average choir boys cannot recite on a low note without
being liable to use the thick register or chest voice instead
of the medium register.
b. Fencing. Medium guard', see quot. 1 767.
1747 J. Godfrey Sci. Defence 21 Here are four Guards,
viz. Inside, Outside, Medium, and Hanging. Ibid. 11 The
Medium is the Small-Sword Posture, and that alone may
properly be called a guard. 1767 Fergusson Did. Terms
Small Sword 13 Medium Guard, the arm, wrist, and sword
in this guard ought to be kept in the same height as the
Quarte, and the edge of the sword perpendicular to the
ground.
Wi-2
MEDIUMISM.
300
MEDLEY.
c. The designation of a size of paper between
royal and demy.
The sheet of medium writing and drawing paper usually
measures 22X17^ inches; in U. S., 23X18. The sheet of
medium printing paper is usually 24 x 19.
1711 Act 10 Amt* C 18 § 3£ For.. all Paper.. called.. Me-
dium Fine, .the Summe of Six Shillings for every Reame...
Genoa Medium.. Two Shillings and Six Pence for every
Reame. 1774 M. Mackenzie Maritime Surv. 105 A Folio
Observation-book of 4 Quires medium Paper. 1859 SUh
Honey's Handbk. 20, 73.
+ 2. Average, mean. Obs.
1670 Pettus Fodinz Reg. 9 Two Tun and a quarter of Oar
make a Tun of Metal at a medium rate 3/. 105. 1748
Anson's Voy. II. v. 182 The medium heat all the year
round will be 66°. 1799 Hull Advert. 14 Sept. 3/2 Both
of which may be accounted medium years. 1800 Alisc.
Tracts in Asiat. Ann. Reg. 72/2 The medium height of
a Fahrenheit's thermometer was between 8o° and 820.
3. Comb. a. With sbs. used attrib., forming adjs.,
as medium-grade, -pace ; b. parasynthetic, as
medium-coloured, -paced, -sized, adjs.
1891 C. James Rom. Rigmarole 75 *Medium-coloured
hair. 1877 Raymond Statist. Mines <y Mining 174 A
stratum of *medium-grade ore. 1898 Wcstm. Gas, 16 May
4/2 Slow and "medium-pace bowlers. 1884 LillywhiU »
Cricket Ann. 103 A straight * medium-paced bowler, 1882
J. Hawthorne Fort. Fool 1. xiv, He was a medium-sized,
full-bodied man.
Mediumism (mrdi^miz'm). [f. prec. + -ISM.]
The practices of spiritualistic ' mediums'.
1864 A. Leighton My st. Leg. Edin. f 1886.) 121 The spirit-
rapping miracles of mediumism. 1880 Howells Undisc.
Country x\\. 181 A mercenary professional mediumism.
Mediumistic (mrdi^mrstik), a. [f. Medium
+ -ISTIC.] Relating to ' mediumism ' ; having
the characteristics of a 'medium'.
1869 Gregory in Eng. Meek. 3 Dec. 281/1 Many persons
do not possess the necessary mediumistic qualification. 1876
SaihtsRURV in Acatlemy 16 Dec. 582 Maud is a pretty girl,
of supposed 'mediumistic' powers. 1896 H. R. Haweis
Dead Pulpit vi. 117 He is for the time, in fact, highly sensi-
tized and mediumistic
Mediumize (mrditfmaiz), v. [f. Medium +
-ize.J trans. To convert into a (spiritualistic)
1 medium \ Hence Mediumization.
1880 Argosy XXIX. 460 He need have laid no command
on the Captain, for the poor man was planted there : chloro-
formed, mesmerised, mediumised. 1880 Howells Undisc.
Country \\. (1881) 29 The crude and unsettled spiritual
existence reached by our present system of mediumisation.
Mediumship (mfdi&mjip). [f. Medium +
-SHIP.]
1. Intervening agency, instrumentality.
1882 L. Wingfield Gehenna II. ix. 274 Subterranean con-
vulsions, through whose mediumship volcanic flames, .would
purify the heavens. 1882 Rider Haggard Cciywayo 198
The government announced through the mediumship of the
Queen's Speech that [etc.]. 1890 'Annie Thomas' On
Children I. vii. 131 He had been made known to them
through the mediumship of an Aldermanic friend.
2. Spiritualism. The attribute of being a 'me-
dium '; action as a ' medium \
1868 Law Rep., Equity Cases VI. 66 ^ The wonderful
things done by the spirits through the Defendant's medium-
ship. 1875 Q. Jrnl. Set. XII. 48 As an instance of heredi-
tary mediumship, ' the same man had four daughters, vir-
gins, which did prophesy'. 1881 Pember Earth s Earliest
Ages (1893) 329 A seance held through the mediumship of
Mr. Bastian. 1898 A. Lang Making Relt'g. viii. 169, I can-
not feel. .as if the case of physical mediumship itself, as a
freak of nature, were definitely closed.
Medius (mTdHfe), Mus. [a. L.medius middle.]
+ 1. An alto or tenor voice or part: =Meanj£.22.
1565 (title) Mornyng and Euenyng prayer and Com-
munion, set forthe in foure partes, to be song in churches.
(title of Part] Medius. 1609 Ravenscroft Deuteromelia 17
Freemens Songs of 4. Voices. Treble.. Medivs.. Tenor. .
Bassvs. 1758 {title) Divine Melody in twenty-four choice
Hymns ; the first fifteen were set to Music, in two Parts, by
Mr. Prelleur, the rest chiefly by Mr. Moze, who hath also
composed a Medius to every Hymn.
2. In ecclesiastical music — Mediant.
178a Burney Hist. Mus. II. 583 The Mode, the Dominant,
and Medius, are all the same [in the three chantsj.
Medize (nu-daiz), v. [mod. ad.Gr. BtyKf-ttP, f.
Mf/5oi the Medes: see -ize.] intr. To be a Mede
in manners, language and dress ; to side with the
Medes. Of a Greek of the 6th and 5th c. B.C. : To
favour the interests of the ' Median ' or Persian
enemies of his country. Also trans. To make like
a Mede. Hence Me*dizing vbl. sb. and///, a.
1849 Grote Greece n. xl. V. 101 The leading men of
Thebes.. decidedly medised, or espoused the Persian in-
terest. ^1873 Lytton Pausanias in. iii. (1876) 248 They
would rather all Hellas were Medised than Pausanias the
Heracleid. Ibid. iv. 265 The Medising traitor is here. Ibid.
lv. iv. 341 They accuse him of medising. 1901 Contemp.
Rev. Feb. 176 The Greek thought of ' Medizing ' as the sum
of all possible offences.
II Medjidie (medgrdk?). Also Medjidy, -deh.
[Turkish (Arabic) WJ-c&v* mejidie, f. the name
AtffW J^c cAbduU Majid.]
1. A Turkish silver coin first minted by the
Sultan Abdul-Medjid in 1844, equal to .zo piastres
(about y. Bd.\
1881 Macm. Mag, XLVII. 191 He kindly offered these
eggs at a medjidy apiece. 190a 19/A Cent. Aug. 233 There
arc as yet no taxes but a poll tax of a medjideh.
2. The Medjidie : a Turkish order or decoration
! instituted in 185 1 by the Sultan Abdul-Medjid.
1856 Ann. Reg., Chron. (1857) 291 The Imperial Older of
the Medjidie of the First Class. 1888 HazelCs Ann. Cycl.
36/1 He [Sir Samuel Baker] has received the Order of the
Grand Cordon of the Medjidie.
Medjidite (me'djjidsit). Min. [f. name of the
, Sultan Abdul- Med/id: see -ITK-] A hydrous sul-
phate of uranium and calcium, first found near
Adrianople.
1848 J. L. Smith in Amer. Jml. Sci. Ser. 11. V. 336.
t Medkniche. local. Obs. rare~l. [f. med
(? Meed sb., or Mead-) + Knitch.] (Explained
in the context as the quantity of hay to be given in
reward to the hay ward, being as much as he could
lift with bis middle finger as high as his knee.)
"35~5* Rentalia G last oh. (Somerset Rec. Soc) 85 Et die
quando levat Langhemede, debet habere medkniche.
Medlar (mcdlai). Forms: 4-7, 9 medler, 5
meddeller, medeler, 5 medlier, 5-6 meddeler,
6 medlor, 5- medlar, [a. OF. medler (Godefr.
j Compl. s.v. Nesplicr), f. * medle (van of mesle)
! medlar (fruit1 : see Medle.
Although the word primarily denoted the tree, it is in our
earliest quot. already applied to the fruit. In present use
sense 2 is the more common, the tree being usually called
'medlar-tree'; but Johnson 1755 (who was prob. not in-
fluenced by etymological considerations), and later lexico-
graphers give sense 1 the first place.]
1. The fruit-tree Afespilut germanica.
The chief varieties in cultivation are the Dutch, Notting-
ham, and S toneless medlar.
C1420 Fa/tad. on Husb. in. 104 1 The meddeler to grafTe
ek toI[d] is how. Ibid. iv. 493 Now meddellers in hoot lond
gladdest be, So hit be moyst. a 1450 Fishing with Angle
(1883) 8 Take a feyr schoyt of blake thorne crabtre medeler
or geneper. a 1500 in A rnolde's Chron. 63/2 The medlar wyl
here welle yf he bee plantyd. 1578 Lvte Dodoens vi. xliiL
713 Our common Medlers doo flower in Aprill and May.
1664 Evelyn Kal. Hort. Nov. (1729)222 Graff the Medler on
the White-Thorn. 1741 Compl. Fam.-Piecc 11. iii. (ed. 3) 374
There are several other Trees and Shrubs which are now in
Flower, as.. dwarf Medlar. 1796 C. Marshall Garden.
xvii. (1813) 283 The sorts are, the German, the Italian, and
the English or Nottingham Medler. 1881 Eucycl. Brit. XII.
271/2 The Medlar, Alespilus germanica, is a deciduous
tree, native of the middle and south of Europe, and found
in hedges and woods in England.
b. Applied to other trees, as Neapolitan or
Oriental Medlar, the Azahole, Crataegus Azaro-
/us. Japan Medlar, the Loquat.
1718 R. Bradley New Improv. Plant, a> Card. in. 18
The L'Azzarole or Neapolitan Medlar is a kind of Service.
..Of late Years it has been brought into England [from
Italy]. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp. s. v. Crataegus, 4. The
jagged-leav'd Crataegus, called parsley-leav'd medlar. 1797
Encycl. Brit. fed. 3) V. 513/2 [Crataegus Azarolus, variety]
the oriental medlar. 1866 Trcas. Bot. 727/2 Japan Medlar,
Eriobotyra japonica.
2. The fruit of the medlar tree, resembling a
small brown-skinned apple, with a large cup-shaped
'eye* between the persistent calyx-lobes. It is
eaten when decayed to a soft pulpy state.
? a 1366 Chaucer Rom. Rose 1375 And many hoomly
trees. .That .. bere, Medlers, ploumes, peres, chesteynes.
C1483 Caxton Dialogues 13/7 Of fruit.. Pesshes, medliers
[F. nesples]. 1533 Elyot Cast. Heltlie {1539) 21 Medlars
ar cold and dry, and constrictife. 1600 Shaks. A. Y. L. in.
ii. 125 You'l be rotten ere you bee halfe ripet and that's the
right vertue of the Medler. 1755 Gray Let. in Poemsdns)
232 If there were nothing but medlars and black-berries in
the woild, I could be very well content to go without any
at all. 1858 Glenny Card. Every-day Bk. 248/2 Medlars
should be gathered, and laid by to rot.
fig. 1791 Wolcot (P. Pindar) Rights of Kings xix, The
heart should be a medlar, not a crab.
3. attrib. and Comb., as medlar-jelly ; medlar-like
adj. : medlar tree = 1.
1881 Blackmore Christcnvell xxxvi, We will take her some
*medlar jelly. 1567 Maplet Gr. Forest 42 The Fig tree is
of no high growth. .his flower *Medlerlike. 1548 Turner
Names o/Herbes (E.D.S.) 53 Mespilus. . is called in englishe
a *medler tree. 159a Shaks. Rom. % Jul. 11. i. 34 Now
will he sit vnder a Medler tree. 1873 Miss Thackeray
Whs. (1891) I. 70 A medlar-tree.
Medlay, obs. form of Medley.
t Medle. Obs. Forms : 4-5 medle, meyle,
5 mele, mel, merle, 6 marie. [ME. medle, melet
merle, a. OF. * medle, meele, merle, mesle (Godefr.
Compl. s. v. Nesple) : — L. mespila, -us, -urn, a. Gr.
fi«Tiri\r}, fieemkou.
A late L. altered form *nespila is represented by OF.
nesple (mod.F. ntfie), Sp. nespera, Pg. nespera. It. uespola
(cf. also Sp. nfspero, It. nespoto medlar-tree). The L. word
passed into Teut. as OHG. mespila. ««///a(MHG. jnesPel,
mispel, tiespel, mod.G. tnispel), MDu. mispele (mod.Du.
miipet), Sw., Da, mispel; the Slavonic and other eastern
European langs. have forms chiefly adopted from Ger.]
The fruit of the medlar-tree, a medlar. Also
attrib. in medle-tree.
13.. Sir Beues (A.) 1287 A sat and dinetie in a wede
Vnder a faire medle tre. a 1387 Sinon. Barthol. (Anecd.
Oxon.) 29/2 Mespyla sunt fruclus, meyles. c 1425 Voc. in
Wr.-Wulcker 646/28 Hec mesculus, meletre. 14.. Norn.
I ibid. 716/37 Hec mespulus, a meltre. a 1500 Ftoweyfy Leaf
j 86, I was ware of the fairest medle-tree That ever yet in al
; my lyf I sy. a 1500 in Arnolde^s Chron. 64 b/z Chese a
1 graf of a good merle tree. 2573 Tcssek Husb. (1878) 76 Med-
, lars or marles.
Medle, obs. form of Meddle; var. Mell v.*
Medle(e, Medler, obs. ff. Medley, Medlar.
Medlert, variant of Middle-earth.
Medles, variant of Meedless a. Obs., Milds.
Medley (me'dli), sb. and a. Forms: 4 med-
lay, 4-5 medlee, 4-5, 7 medle, 5 medele, 5-8
medly, (5 medely, 6 medleye), 6-7 medlie,
7-8 meddly, 5- medley, [a. OF. medlee, var. of
meslee (mod.F. mttte: see Melee) : — vulgar L.
type *misculata, f. * vasculare to mix : see Meddle
v. Cf. Sp. mezclada, It. mescolata. The primary
sense is thus * mixture *, but in Eng. the word
occurs first in the sense of mingling in combat.]
A. sb.
1. Combat, conflict ; fighting, esp. hand-to-hand
fighting between two parties of combatants. Now
only arch. Cf. Mellay, Melee.
13.. K. Alis. 4612 His folk weore sone, in that medlay,
Pai force y-dryven al away. Ibid. 6532 The olifans, in
medle*. And theo lyouns he [the rinocertis] wol sle. 1340
Ayenb. 41 Huanne me makeb medles ine cheiche zuo pet
ber ys blod yssed. 1470-85 Maioky Ayth. 1. xv. 56 Lucas
and Gwynas & bryaunte & Bellyas of Flaundrys helde
strong medle ayenst vi kynges. 1490 Caxton Eneydos xi.
41 Ne seche nothyng but thyssue for to flee, yf there were
ony medlee. 1586 VVaknek Alb. Eng. 1. vi. 21 The medly
ended, Hercules did bnng the Centaure bound To Prison.
1601 K. Johnson Kingd. # Commw. (1603) 197 When the
warre was made in these poppulous countries, .every man
made one in the medle 1653 H. Cogan tr. Pinto's Trav.
vii. (1663) 19 Stepping before him with 2000 men, he cut off
his way. .in so much that the medly grew to be the same as
it was before, and the fight was renewed. 1839 Thirlwall
Greece III. 301 Cleon..sent all the men who survived the
first medley, .prisoners to Athens. 186a Merivale Rom.
Emp. (1865) V. xlii. 168 Broken by repeated defeats,.. he
was.. less conspicuous in the medley.
fig. 1791 Burke App. Whigs Wks. 1808 VI. 26 In the
press and medley of such extremities.
2. A combination, mixture.
+ a. without disparaging sense. Obs.
c 1440 Pro/up. Parv. 331/1 Medle, or mengynge to-gedur
of dyuerse thyngys, vnxtura. a 1519 Skelton Agst.
Scottes 87 A medley to make of myrth with sadnes. 1577
B. Googe HeresbadCs Husb, \. (1586) 9 b, This kinde of
building hath an equall medlie of the winter windes and
sommer windes. Ibid. 32 b, A medley of sundry sortes of
seedes. 1601 Holland Pliny I. 501 He that shall set vines
there . . shall make an excellent medley between the tempera-
ture of that aire and the nature of soile together. 16*6
Bacon Sylva § 528 The Making of some Medley or Mixture
of Earth, with some other Plants Bruised or Shauen. 1650
Fuller Pisgahiu. xii. 346 Graves and green herbs make a
good medly seeing all flesh is grass. 171a tr. Pomefs Hist.
Drugs I. 8 The Perfumers keep it. . to mix among a variety
of other Aromaticks, which is what we properly call a
Medley.
b. in disparaging sense: A heterogeneous com-
bination or mixture (of things) ; a mixed company
(of persons differing in rank, occupation, etc.).
1652-63 Heylin Cosmogr. iv. (1682) 5 An hochpot or
medly of many nations. 1668-9 Pepys Diary 18 Jan., To
the Duke of York's playhouse and there saw ' The Witts ',
a medley of things. 1683 T. Hoy Agathocles 5 A wretched
Medley betwixt Priest and Layman. 1755 Smollett Quix.
(1803) IV. 190 Leaving Don John and his companion aston-
ished at the medley of sense and madness they had observed
in hjs discourse. 1859 Reeve Brittany 236 A medley of
shining brass pans, bellows, and tubs, are exposed for sale.
1865 Grote Plato II. xxiv. 256 Principles which are a
medley between philosophy and rhetoric. 1870 Church
Spenser 38 The Shepherd's Calendar, . . an early medley
of astrology and homely receipts.
3. A cloth woven with wools of different colours
or shades ; = medley-cloth (see B. 4).
1438 /;. E. Wills |i882)iii, 1 gowne of Russet medley.
150a Privy Purse Exp. Eliz. of York (1830) 70 Item for
making of a gowne of tawny medley. 1609 Stat. Laws Isle
of Man (1821) 79 Every Woolen Weaver shall have.. for
every Yard of Medlie id. Qs. a 1661 Fuller Worthies,
Wilts, in. (1662} 143, I am informed that as Medleys are
most made in other Shires, as good Whites as any are
woven in this County. 1778 Eng. Gazetteer (ed. 2) s.v.
Fromc-Selwood, The cloths made here for the most part,
are medleys of 7 or 8s. a yard. 1851 Illustr. Catal. Exhib.
X. 98/1, XII. Woollen and Worsted. A. Broad Cloths. 1.. .
Medleys. ..N.B. The term 'Medleys' includes all Wool-
dyed Colours, excepting Blue and Black.
f4. A ( mixed ' colour. Obs. rare"0.
1499 Promp. Parv. 331/1 (Pynson), Medle[,] coloure, mix-
tnra. 1530 Palsgr. 244A Medleyt,} colour, melU. 1556
Withals Diet. (1568) 34 b/2 Medley, color mixtus.
f5. =Maslin1 i. Obs. rare. (Cf. B. 2.)
1601 Holland Pliny II. 487 The Corinthian medley.
6. A musical composition consisting of parts or
subjects of a diversified or incongruous character.
i6j6 Bacon Sylva § 113 As when Galliard Time, and Mea-
sure Time, are in the Medley of one Dance. x8n Busby Diet.
Mus. (ed. 3), Medley. ..With the moderns, a medley is a
humorous hotch-potch assemblage of the detached parts or
passages of different well-known songs, so arranged that
[etc.]. 1864 in Webster; and in later Diets.
7. As the title of a literary miscellany.
? 1630 M. P. (black-letter sheet), An excellent new Medley.
? 1640 — A new Medley, or Messe of All-together. 1710
{title) The Medley. No. 1. Oct. 5. 1738-43 Pope Dune.
1. 42 Hence Journals, Medleys, Merc'ries, Magazines. 1826
(title) The Entertaining Medley; being a collection of true
histories and anecdotes.
B. adj.
+ 1. Of a mixed colour ; variegated, motley. Obs.
c 1386 Chaucer Prol. 328 (Ellesm.) He rood but hoomly in
MEDLEY.
a medlee cote. 14 . . / 'oc. in Wr.-Wulcker 597/7 Multicolor^
Medle. e 1515 Cocke LorelCs B. 8 A ryche pal . . Made of an
old payre of blewe medly popley hosone. 1595 in Hist.
MSS. Comm. (1894) XLVIII. 309 A tall man.. wearing a
medly russet mandilUane of red and blue, with.. a pair of
medley russet Venetians. 162a Hakewill David's l-'oiu
vii. 252 Hee would not haue his family like a motley cloth,
or a meddly colour. 1681 \V. Robertson Phrascol. Gen.
(1693) 876 A medley colour ; color mixtus.
b. Medley cloth \ see quot. 1837.
a 1661 Fuller Worthies, Wilis, m. (1662) 158 And such a
Medly- Cloth, is the Tale-story of this Clothier. 171a Loud.
Gaz. No. 5008/2 The Woollen Manufacture of Mixt or
Medley Broad Cloath. 1769 De Foe's TourGt. Brit. II. 25
These fine Spanish Medley Cloths are the mix'd coloured
Cloths, which all the Persons of Fashion in England wear.
1837 Yol'Att Sheep vi. 222 What are now called medley-
cloths, different coloured wools being mixed together in the
thread.. .These.. were first made in Gloucestershire.
f2. Medley brass = MAauxl. Obs. (Cf. A. 5.)
1600 Ace. Bk. W. Wray in Antiquary XXXII. 279 One
medle brasse potte.
3. Composed of diverse or incongruous parts or
elements ; mixed, motley.
1594 Nashe Terrors Nit>ht Wks. (Grosart) III. 229 A
Medley kinde of licor called beere. 1597 J. King On
Jonas (1599) 99 A garment of divers stunes as of linnen
and wollen, shall not come vpon thee. . .(May] such medly
garments sit vpon the backes of our enemies. 1624 Wot-
ton Archil, in Reliq. (1672) 58, I could wish such medly
and motly Designs confined only to the Ornament of
Freezes.^ 164a Fuller Holy fy Prof. St. 111. vii. 167 A
medly view (such as of water and land at Greenwich) best
entertains the eyes. 1708 ). Philips Cyder 11. 55 This
the Peasants blithe Will quaff, and whistle, ..Pleas'd with
the medly Draught. 1745 Eliza Heywooij Female Spect.
(1748) II. 288 That strange, squeaking, meddly thing of
the doubtful gender, Mr. Mollman. 1798 Wordsw. Peter
Bell 1. xxiii, Of courage you saw little there, But, in its
stead, a medley air Of cunning ajid of impudence. 1838
Dickens Nich. Nick, xxiii, Who could do anything, from a
medley dance to Lady Macbeth. 1878 Stubbs Const. Hist.
III. xxi. 557 The medley multitude that held up their hands
for or against the nominees of the hustings.
b. in Chance-medley, q. v.
4. Comb., as medley-coloured adj.
1611 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. v. ii. § 7. 8 As the Latine
Poets describe them [the Britaines] hauing their backes pide
or medlycoloured. 1701 Loud. Gaz. No. 3758/8 A brown-
ish medly coloured streight Coat.
Medley (me-dli), v. [f. Medley sb.] trans.
To make a medley or mixture of; to intermix.
Chiefly in Medleyed, me*dlied pa. ppte. and
///. a.
c 1483 Caxton Dialogues 14/34 Clothes medleyed [F. draps
fuesles]. Red cloth or grene [etc. J. 1657 W. Mokice Coena
quasi Koirv} iii. 43 The common fate of men that compound
and medly themselves to comply with several Interests.
1679 L. Addison Mahumedism xvi. 83 The things taught
by Mahumed are so mixt and confused.. .And yet they are
not more medly 'd in themselves, than disadvantageously
represented by Writers. 1710 Philips Pastorals iv. 8 Lo !
here the King-Cup of a Golden Hue, Medley' d with Daisies
white, and Endive blue. 1746 W. Horsley Fool (17 48) II.
78 This Dish.. was so odly medly'd, with Dutch, French,
and Jacobite Materials, as to give universal Distaste. 1855
Singleton Virgil I. 297 And stones from stones asunder
wrenched, and smoke Billowing with medlied dust. 1904
Blackw. Mag. July 87^1 Till we came to the medlied
establishments of the native chiefs.
Medlie, obs. form of Medley.
Medlier, medlor, obs. forms of Medlar.
t Medlure. Obs. rare—1, [ad. OF. *medlure,
var. of meslure, f. medler, mesler to mix : see
Meddle v.] Mixing, mixture.
1413 Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton 1483) IV. xxxiii. 82 This syluer
must ben withouten medlure of ony corrupte metal.
Medly, Medo, obs. forms of Medley, Meadow.
Medoc, Me doc (nudfk, Fr. medok). [a. F.
medoc from Mtfdoc a district in S. W. France.] A
general name for the red wines produced in
Medoc, comprising all the best growths of * claret'.
[1824 A. Henderson Wines 180 The fine perfume by
which the Medoc wines are distinguished.] 1833 C. Red-
ding Mod. Wines 52 The wines thus embodied are excellent
Medoc. 184a Thackeray Miss Lowe Misc. Ess. (1885) 313
He would send some excellent Medoc at a moderate price.
a 1849 Poe Cask 0/ Amontillado Wks. 1865 I. 348 A
draught of this Medoc will defend us from the damps.
Medoe, Medon, obs. ff. Meadow, Maidan.
Medou, medow(e, medoy, obs. ff. Meadow.
Meclowort, medow wurt : see Meadwort.
t Medreie. Sc. Obs. rare-1, [App. an OF.
semi-popular ad. L. metreta, a certain denomina-
tion both of liquid and dry measure.] A certain
measure used for corn.
c "375 Sc Leg. Saints xxvi. (Nyeholas) 219 pane askit he
bame to sel vitale, a hundre medreiis [orig. Latin /uodiis] at
be lest of ilke schipe at his request.
Medres(s)e(h), -ressa, obs. ff. Madkasah.
1662 J. Davies tr. Olearius' Voy. Ambass. 333 They [the
Persians] have their Colleges, or Universities, which they
call Medressa. 1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. 11. 80
Lodging Rooms for the Scholars of the Medrese. 1841
Penny Cycl. XX. 375/2 (Samarcand) The mesids (lower
schools) and medresses (high schools or colleges).
Medrick (me'drik). U. S. Also madrick.
A tern or sea-swallow (according to U. S. Diets,).
1869 Lowell Pict. fr. Appledorc 65 The medrick that
makes you look overhead With short, sharp scream, as he
sights his prey.
301
+ Medrinacks. Obs, Forms : 6 methernix,
meddernix, me(d)dernex, mederinax, 7 mil-
dernix, medxinack, e)s, medrianack(e)s, mid-
ri(a)nack(e)s, medrinacles. [Of obscure origin ;
presumed to be ultimately identical with next.
There is nothing to show whether the Eng. word was
adopted from Sp. or the Sp. word from Eng., or whether
both come from a common source. The 16th c. forms bear
some resemblance to the place-names Mctternich (West-
phalia),_ and Medemach (Luxemburg), but no evidence of
connexion with those places has been found.]
A kind of canvas (see quots.\
1588 in St. Papers JJ0111. CCXV. 75 Imprimis, for 6. me-
thernixes for the Roebuck £7 4*.orf. 1588 ibid. CCXVIII.
24 Here is. .not a cable, nether ropes. .Speks, nail Is, but vij
bolts meddernexes. 1603-4 Act 1 ?as. /, c. 24 Preamble,
The Clothes called Mildernix and Powle Davies, where of
Saile Clothes.. ar made, were heretofore altogether brought
out of Fraunce and other partes beyond the Seas. 1611
Cotgk., Aulonnes, Ouldcrnes, Medrinacks, Poule-dauies,
the canuas whereof sayles for ships are made. 1617 MiN-
sheu Ductor, Medrinacles, a course canuas that Tailors
stiffen doublets, and collers withall. Ibid., Toule-dauics,
Ouldernes, Medrinackes, the course canvas which taylors
stiffen doublets with, or whereof sayles of ships are made.
1632 Sherwood, Medrianackes. . . Midrinackes. . . Oulder-
nesse (or Midrianacks). 1658-1706 Phillips, Medrinacles.
II Medrinaque. V Obs. Also 8 madrenaque.
[Sp. medriilaque, 'Philippine stuff for stiffening
women's skirts; short skirt' (Cuyas Applctoiis
Sp.-Eng. Diet., N. Y., 1903 , ; of obscure origin.
The Sp. word occurs in A. de Morga Succsos de las /sins
Filipinos (1609) in the forms medrinaque (p. 1361 and men-
drinaque (p. 1381. It appears not to be, as might be sup-
posed, a Tagal word, for in Santos' Vocab. Tagalo 1 7y4 it is
given as Spanish with various Tagal renderings. (Cf.
Medrinacks.)]
(See quots.).
1704 tr. Gemclli-Carpcrfs Voy. v. in ChurchilPs Voy, IV.
442 [The Philippine islanders make] of the Thread of the
Coco-Tree, a sort of Cloth they call Madrenaque, with the
warp of Cotton. 1851 MacMicking Recoil. Manilla 217 In
Luzon. .the natives make a species of cloth from the plan-
tain-tree, known by the names of Medrinaque and Guiara
cloths. Ibid., The bulk of all the Medrinaque exported
goes to the United States. 1866 Treas. Bot. 728 Mcdri-
naquc, a coarse fibre from the Philippines, obtained from
the Sago palm, and used chiefly for stiffening dress linings,
&c. [In later Diets.]
Medsin, obs. form of Medicine sb.
Medsonable, obs. form of Medicinable.
Meduart, variant of Meadwort Obs.
Medue, obs. form of Meadow.
Medul(l, obs. forms of Meddle, Middle.
I Medulla (mrd^la). Biol. [L. medulla pith,
marrow, prob. cogn. w. medius middle.]
1. Anal. The marrow of bones ; also, the spinal
marrow. Also, f the substance of the brain.
16s1 Raleigh's Ghost 87 The inward medulla or marrow of
the brain. 1668 Phil. Trans. III. 889 He affirms, that the
whole Substance called the Medulla of the Urain and the
After-brain is a Heap of Fibres or Vessels. 18x3 J. Thom-
son Led. Injlaiu. 393 The inner surface of the new bone. .
is lined with a membrane containing medulla. 1845 Todd
& Bowman Phys. Anat. I. 103 The cancelli are filled with
fat, or medulla, the marrow of bone. 1854 Jones & Siev.
Pathol. Anat. (1875) 147 These tumours always arise either
from the inner layer of the periosteum or from the medulla
of bone. 1873-5 Nicholson Zool. Glossary, Medulla.
Applied to the marrow of bones ; or to the spinal cord, with
or without the adjective ' spinalis''.
attrib. 1904 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 17 Sept. 649, I put her on
red medulla tabloids.
b. (More fully medulla oblongata; lit. 'prolonged
marrow V The hindmost segment of the brain,
or continuation of the spinal cord within the cranium.
1676 Glanvill Ess. hi. 5 Those Nerves, which .. are
found by late Anatomists to proceed from the Medulla Ob-
longata. 172a Quincy Lex. Physico-Med. (ed. 2) 51 The
third [process] goes backwards on the upper side of the
Medulla. 1878 Bart-ley tr. TopinarcCs Anthrop. 103
Section of the spinal cord where it joins the medulla ob-
longata. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VII. 222 A softening
patch on the left side of the medulla.
c. The central parts of certain organs (esp. the
kidney) as distinguished from the cortex.
1878 Bbistowe Theory fy Pract. Med. 841 The vessels —
and more especially those of the medulla, the Malpigian
tufts, and the stellate veins on the surface [of the kidney] —
become more or less deeply congested.
d. The soft fatty substance (the 'white substance'
of Schwann) which forms the sheath of a nerve.
'839-47 Todd Cycl. Anat. III. 592/2 The real structure
of the primitive nerve fibre appears to be a tube composed
of homogeneous membrane, containing a delicate, soft, ,
pulpy, semi-fluid, and transparent medulla. 1873 A. Flint
Physiol. J\fan, Nc>v. Syst. i. 19 These [nerve] fibres.. .
contain, enclosed in a tubular sheath, a soft substance
called the medulla.
e. The nerve cord in certain worms.
1878 Bell tr. Gegenbaur's Co/up. Anat. 167 A median one
[sinus], .embraces in Clepsine and Piscicola, the alimentary
canal and the ventral medulla.
f. The * pith * of mammalian hair. Also, the
soft fibrous substance which occupies the axis of
the capsule of a growing feather.
1826 Priciiard Researches Phys. Hist. Jfau. (ed. 2) I. 136
The pith or medulla [of hair] appears to be endowed with a
species of vitality. 1835-6 Owen in 'Todd's Cycl. Anat. I.
353/1 When the quill of the feather has acquired due con- |
MEDULLARY.
sistence, the internal medulla becomes dried up. 1842
Prichard Nat. Hist. Man. (ed. 2) 95 Weber declares the
human hair to consist of a homogeneous substance, in which
no distinction of cortex and medulla can be perceived.
g. The endosarc of protozoa.
1888 Rolleston & Jackson Anim. Life 833 The proto-
plasm is either similar throughout, or it is divisible into an
exoplasm (cortex) and endoplasm (medulla).
2. Bot. The pith or soft internal tissue of plants.
1651 Rale/git's Ghost 96 In the Medulla or marrow of the
Plant there is a genital power or vertue. 1760-72 tr. juuu
$ Ulloa's l^.(ed. 3) I. 286 The pod [of the guava], opened
longitudinally, is found divided into several cells, each con-
taining a certain spungy medulla. 1880 Gray Struct. Bot.
iii- § 3* 75 The Pith or Medulla, consisting entirely of soft.,
thin-walled cells.
b. = Medullin.
1819 J. G. Children Chan. Anal. 298 Medulla \ia> ob-
tained by Dr. John, from the pith of the sunflower.
t 3. fig. The 'pith' or 'marrow' of a subject.
Often in mod.L. titles of books (cf. Marrow sb. l
1 d); hence used for: A compciKliumjabridgemeni.
summary. Obs.
1643 Milton Dhone Introd., Wks. 1851 IV. 12 Their
youth run ahead into the easy creek of a System or a Me-
d/tlltr.^-A\\s there at will. 1660 South 36 Scrm, (1720) II. 17
Their preaching Tools, their Medulla's Notebooks, their
Mellificiums, Concordance^, and all. 1704 Sun r T. Tub v.
Wks. 1755 I. 97 An infinite Number of Abstracts, Sum-
maries, Compendiums, .. Medullas .. and the like. 1769
IIlsei H ibcrnia Cur. To Kdr. 12 The abridgcrs, who -.
engage to furnish you, at a very easy expence, with the
meditttaiu of your civil history,
Medullar (mnhrlai), a. ? Obs. [ad. late L.
medulldr-iSf f. medulla ; see Medulla and -AR.]
= Medullaky.
1541 R. Coi-land Guydon's Quest. Chirurg. L ij b,
Woundes of the scalpe..be moste peiyllous. . .yl toucheth
the subs tau nee medulare. 1670 Phil. Trans, V. 206.? The
Medullar Mass of the Brain. 1715 Cheynk Paths, Trine.
Relig. 1. vi. 340 Nerves in the Medullar Part.
Medullary (m/vdy*lari, me'di?lari), a. [ad.
late L. mcdulldris : see prec. and -ary-.]
1. Anat. Of, pertaining to, of the nature of, or
resembling marrow. Also, pertaining to the medulla
or central portion (of an or^an or structure) ;
occasionally, pertaining to the medulla oblongata.
1677 Plot Oxfordsh. 302 His assigning, .the Medullary
[sc, part of the brain], or Corpus callosuni, for the opera-
tions of the Pbantasie. 1704 J. Hakuis Lex. Techtt. I, Me-
dullary OH, is the finer and more subtile part of the Mar-
row of the Bones. 1715 CniiVNi; J'hilos. Trine. Relig. 1. \ i.
§ 43 That Medullary Substance, that runs down its Cavity.
1748 Hartley Obserr. Man \. i. 7 The Nerves arise from
the medullary, not the cortical I'art, every-where, and are
themselves ofa white Medullary Substance. 1828 FLEMING
Hist. Brit. Anim. 553 The whole colour [of a mollusc] ib
pink, with a dark medullary band. 1847-0 Todd s Cycl. Anat.
IV. 1. 233/1 The kidneys of reptiles, .have no distinction of
cortical and medullary substance. 1871 Tyndall Fragiu.
Sci. (1879) II. xlv. 352 The human organism is provided
with long whitish filaments of medullary matter. 1878 Bell
tr. Gegenbaur's Comp. Anat. 42 The medullary tube or
spinal cord [in Vermes], Ibid. 512 The primitive medullary
cavity, .remains open in the lumbar swelling of Birds. 1878
tr. H.von Ziemsseris Cycl. Med. XIII. 863 Diseases which
are proper to each occur in the medulla [oblongata]. This
gives the medullary pathology a very varied character. 1886
Buck's Handbk. Med. Sci. III. 174/1 As the medullary
groove deepens, its edges become more sharply defined.
b. Pertaining to the medulla of hair.
1844 Carpenter Hum. Phys. (ed. 2) 550 Most Human
hairs consist of two distinct substances; an external, cortical,
hard, and fibrous part; and an internal, medullary, granular
portion. 1863 H. Macmillan in Mactn. Mag. Oct. 462 The
medullary portion, or pith of the hair.
C. rath. An alternative epithet for encephaloid
or soft cancer or sarcoma.
1804 Abernethy Surg. Observ. Tumours (1816) 57 The
disease is usually ofa pulpy consistence ; and I have, there-
fore, been induced to distinguish it by the name of medul-
lary sarcoma. 1852 Jas. Miller Tract. Surg. fed. 2) vi.
139 The medullary and malignant nasal polypi may be
regarded as incurable. 1870 T. Holmes Syst. Surg. (ed. 2)
1. 564 Medullary cancer at first spreads chiefly through the
loose cellular tissue.
2. t a. Pertaining to the soft internal substance
or pulp (of plants). Obs. b. Bot. Of, relating to,
or connected with the pith of plants. Medullary
ray : one of the wedge-shaped cellular processes
which divide the vascular bundles and connect the
pith with the bark in exogens. Medullary sheath : '
see quot. 1849.
i6ao Venner Via Recta (1650) 133 The pulp or medullary
substance of the Orange is not good to be eaten. 1812 J.
Smyth Pract, of Customs (1821) 69 Colocynth, is the dried
medullary part of a.. Gourd. 1830 Lindley Nat. Syst.
Bot. Introd. 19 Plates of cellular tissue. .called medullary
rays. 1849 Balfour Man. Bot. § 76 The Medullary-Sheath,
is the fibro- vascular layer immediately surrounding the
pith. 1882 Encycl. Brit. XIV. 553/2 The rest of the
thallus consists of the medullary system.
f 3. trans/. Pertaining to the inner part of a
mineral formation. Obs.
1778 Pkyce Afin. Cornub. 79 Thus, the medullary or inner
part of a Fissure, in which the Ore lies, is all the way en-
vironed and bounded by two walls or coats of Stone.
f4. Jig. Pertaining to the 'marrow' or inmost
nature of something. Obs.
1651 tliGGs New Disp. ? 198 This indication is peculiar,
naturall, medullary, and intirely proper to it.
MEDULLATE.
t Medullate, v. Obs.-0 UMuxll-a. +-*.**&.
(Late L. had medulldre to fill with marrow.)] ' To
take out the marrow ' (Bailey vol. II, 1727).
Medullated (mWo-lu'ted), ///. a. [f. lateL.
medullat-us having a marrow \i. medulla : see
-ate2) + -ed!.] Having a medulla.
1867 J. Marshall Out!. Physiol. I. 55 These medullated
tubular nerve-fibres compose the white part of the brain
and spinal cord. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VI. 499 The
medullated tracts of the cord.
Medulle, obs. form of Middle.
Medullin (micbrlin). Chan. [Used in Ger-
man by John (1814) ; f. L. medulla: see Medulla
and -IH.J A form of lignin derived from the pith
of certain plants, esp. the sunflower.
_ 1817 T. Thomson Clicm. (ed. 5) IV. 182 Of Medullin.
'This is the name given by Dr. John to the pith of the sun-
flower, &c. 1830 Lindlev Nat. Syst. Bot. 200.
t Medulline, a. Obs. [f. Medull-a +• -ine.]
= Meddllaby.
1620 Venner Via Recta vii. 120 The medulline part of the
Grape. 1727 Bailey vol. II, Medulline, of or belonging to
marrow.
Medu llispinal, a. Anal. [f. Medulla +
Spinal.] Pertaining to the spinal cord.
1858 H. Gray Anal. 416 The Veins of the Spinal Cord
(medulli spinal). 1884 Maiden's Man. Dissect, led. 5) 782
The medulli-spinal or proper veins of the spinal cord lie
within the dura mater.
Medullitis (medtflsHis). Path. [f. Medull-a
+ -HIS.] a. Inflammation of the spinal cord ;
myelitis. (Mayne Expos. Lex. 1856.) b. Inflam-
mation of the marrow of bone ; osteomyelitis.
(Treves Man. Surg. 18S9 II. 114.)
Medullose, a. rare-0, [f. Medull-a + -OSE.]
Having the texture of pith.
1866 in Trcas. Bot. ; and in mod. Diets.
+ Mednllous, a. Oh. [f. Medull-a + -ous.]
Marrowy; pithy ; medullary.
1578 Banister Hist, Man I. 2 The Vertebres, and other
small bones, ..not beyng much medullous. 1615 Crooke
Body 0/ Man 947 Platerus saith it containeth a medullous
substance. 1684 tr. Bonet's Merc. Compit. 1. 18 The me-
dullous substance of the Cerebrum and Cerebellum.
Medusa (m/di/7'sa). Also 4 Medu.se. [a.
L. Medusa, a. Gr. Me'Sovira.]
1. Gr. Myth. One of the three Gorgons. whose
head, with snakes for hair, turned him who looked
upon it into stone ; she was slain by Perseus, and
her head fixed on the regis or shield of Athene.
Hence used allusively.
1390 Gower Con/. I. 56 Cast noght thin yhe upon Meduse,
That thou be torned into Ston. 1594 Greene S: Lodge
Looking Glasse (1598) G 1, She is faire Lucina to your King,
But fierce Medusa to your baser eye. 1598 Hakluyt Voy. \
I. 222 Being as it were astonished with the snaky visage of
Medusa. 1667 Milton P. L. 11. 611 Medusa with Gor-
gonian terror guards The Ford. 1753 Richardson Grandi- \
son (1811) IV. xxvi. 207 But, after what Emily told me, she
appears to me as a Medusa. 188a M. Arnold Irish Ess.
179 And the true and simple reason against inequality they
avert their eyes from, as if it were a Medusa.
attrib. 1876 Geo. Eliot Dan. Der. vi. xlviii, The Me-
dusa-apparition was made effective beyond Lydia's con-
ception by the shock it gave Gwendolen. 1901 Harper's
Mag. Apr. 684/1 Medusa-like locks fell in wild profusion
over his bare shoulders. 1903 Edin. Rev. Apr. 407 The
tragic beauty of a .Medusa head.
2. Zool. (PI. medusse, -as.) a. A jelly-fish or sea-
nettle ; any one of the soft gelatinous discophorous
hydrozoans. b. One of the two types of reproduc-
tive zooids in hydrozoans : opposed to hydroid.
Applied by Linnams as the L. name of a genus (from the
resemblance of certain species to a head with snaky curls).
Now disused as a term of classification, but still employed
descriptively, esp. as denoting one of the types recurring in
the alternation of generations of certain hydrozoa.
J758 Borlase Nat. Hist. Cornw. 256 The Urtica marina
. .is called Medusa. Ibid. 257 Another variety of the me.
du-a's. 183a Macgillivray tr. Humboldt's Trav. i. 28 The
whole sea was covered with a prodigious quantity of me-
dusa;. 183s Kirby Hali. A> Inst. Auim. I. vii. 222 They
I1'- Sa'pesl are gelatinous like the medusas and heroes.
1848 E. Forbes (title) A monograph of the British naked-
eyed Medusa;. 1888 Rolleston & Jackson Auim. Life
Wa 0VUm 's marked' as >' always is in Craspedote
Medusae. Ibid. 753 In Cluniua] proboscidea the young
sexually mature Medusa differs entirely from its parent.
c. attrib., as medusa-bud, -budding, form, gener-
ation, -lama, -type ; medusa-like, -shaped, adjs.
, ^?5' £-\U'!b' V"i /J/"l"s- 7ml. L. 268 The "Medusa-bud
falls off before its full development. 1871 Ali.man Gymnobl.
Hydroids 82 I he phenomenon of "medusa-budding does
not necessarily find its extreme term in the formation
of the medusa itself. 1878 Bell tr. Gegenbaur's Comp.
Anal. 95 Swimming Hydroid colonies, all the persons
of which have passed into the "Medusa form. 1855 W S
Dallas in Syst. Nat. Hist. I. 254 A 'Medusa genera-
tion may go on producing Medusa generations. 1888
Brooks in Stud. Biol. Labor. "Johns Hopkins Univ. IV.
14S The hydranth is essentially a "medusa-larva. 1848
E. Forbes Naked-eyed Medusae 81 Mr. Lister, .describes
and figures "Medusa-like animals in course of production
from Campanulariae. 1846 Dana Zooph. iii. (1848) 23 The
medusa.shaped young. 1871 Allman Gymnobl. Hydroids
84 A very different "medusa-type.
tMedussean.ff. Obs. [f. L. Medusa-us Medusa
+ -ax.] Of, pertaining to, or resembling Medusa.
1608 TorsELL Serpents (1658) 628 The Adder.. hath many
302
epithets; as. .hurtful, Medusaean, Cyniphian. 1636 Blount
Clossogr., Mcditcean [sicj.
Medusal (mliiii sal), a. Zool. [f. Medina j-
-al.] Pertaining to, or of the nature of, a medusa.
1847 Tulk tr. Oken's PUysiopliilos. 591 Fain. 9. Medusal
Worms, Asteriadae. 1859 Allman in Ann. Nat. Hist.
Ser. 111. IV. 144 The polypal and the medusa! terms of this
series. 1888 Nature 9 Aug. 356/2 Its endoderm has no direct
communication with the medusal endoderm.
Medusan vm«ii»-san , a. andrf. Zool. [f. Me-
dus-a + -an.] a. adj. Of or pertaining to the me-
dusse, or to medusoid animals, b. sb. A medusan
animal. (In recent Diets.)
1847 Dalvlll Rare q- Remark. Auim. Scot. I. 123 The
expanding Medusan lobes. Ibid., Thus the Medusan circle
is of larger diameter than the tentacular circle. 1888
Rolleston & Jackson Auim. Life 761 The Medusan eye
consists of sense-cells with pigmented, .supporting cells.
t Medusarian, a. and sb. Zool. Obs. [f.
mod.L. Medusdria neut. pi. (f. Medusa) + -an.]
a. adj. Of or belonging to the (now disused)
family Medusaria, consisting of the medusse or
jelly-fishes, b. An animal of this family.
1841 Penny Cycl. XIX. 119/2 The Pulmograda. or Me-
I dusarians. 1847 Dalyell Rare ft Remark. Anim. Scot.
I I. 68 The Medusarian race. Ibid. 70 'The legions of the
Medusarian family.
Medusa's head. Also, when used attrib.,
Medusa head.
1. Astr. A cluster of stars including the bright
star Algol, in the constellation Perseus.
1706 Phillips fed. Kersey), Alirol, or Medusa's Head.
1819 J. Wilson Diet. Aslrol.
2. a. An ophiuran echinoderm of either of the
genera Astrophyton and Euryale ; a basket-fish
or sea-basket, b. An extant crinoid, Pentacrinus
capul-medussR.
1784 Cook's Voy. (1790) IV. 1292 Upon the beach were
found many pretty Medusa's-heads. 1848 Maunder Treat.
Nat. Hist. 414 Medusas Head, a name sometimes applied
to those species of Star-fishes which have the rays very
much branched. Ibid. 225 [Euryale] sometimes known by
the name of Medusa's heads. 1863 Wood Nat. Hist. III.
738 .Medusa's Head— Pentacrinus Caput Medusa.
3. a. A kind of spurge, Euphorbia Caput-Medusx.
b. A species of orchid, Cirrhopetalum Medusse,.
c. A species of agaric, Idydnum Caput- Medusae,.
1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. App. 319 Medusa's Head, Eu-
phorbia. 1822-34 Good's Study Med. (ed. 4) I. 181 The
bulbous agaric, the .Medusa's head [etc.]. 1866 Treat. Bot.
72S/1 Medusa's Head. Euphorbia Caput Medusse; also
Cirrhopetalum Medusae. 1871 Cooke Handbk. Fungi -2^-j
Hydtium caput. medusae Bull. Medusa-head Hydnum.
Medusian (mfditj'sian), a. andsb. Zool. [f.Ms-
DLS-A + -IAN.] •= MEDUSAN. In mod. Diets.
Medusid (m/dia'sid), sb. and a. Zool. [ad.
mod.L. Medusidee pi., f. Medusa : see -id.] a.
sb. A jelly-fish of the family Medusidee. b. adj.
Belonging to the Medusidpe.
1861 J. R. Greene Man. Anim. Kingd., Calent. 61
The adult Medusid. Ibid. 63 Some true Medusids. Ibid.
1 18 A group of Medusid forms.
Medusidan (mfcliw-sidan), a. andsb. Zool. [f.
Medusid- IE (see prec.) + -an.] a. adj. Of or be-
longing to the Medusidee or jelly-fishes (Cassell's
Encycl. Did. 1885). b. sb. One of the Medusidee.
(Webster, 1847-54).
Medusiferdus, a. Zool. [f. Medus-a +
-(i)ferous.] Bearing or producing a medusa.
1859 Allman in Ann. Nat. Hist. Ser. in. IV. 50 A verticil
of medusiferous gonophores.
Medusiform (m/ditt-siffum), a. Zool. [f.
Medus-a + -(i)form.] Resembling a medusa;
medusoid.
1848 E. Forbes Naked-eyed Medusae 80 An account of the
production of medusiform bodies in a Zoophyte of the Adri-
atic 1881 Encycl. Brit. XII. 554/1 The medusiform per-
sons being early produced did not separate themselves from
the colony.
Medusite (mMi/7-saif). [ad. mod.L. Medusltes:
see Medusa and -ite.] A fossil medusa.
In recent Diets.
Medusoid (m/cJir<-soid), a. and sb. Zool. [f.
Medus a + -oid.]
A. adj. Resembling a mednsa ; medusa-like.
1848 E. Forbes Naked-eyed Medusae 83 Zoophytic and
Medusoid forms would have regularly alternated. 1870
Rolleston Anim. Life 162 The ' medusoid-bud ' presented
to us in the ' gonophore ' of the Sea-Fir.
B. sb. 1. The medusa-like generative bud of a
fixed hydrozoan.
1848 E. Forbes Nakcd.cycd Medusae 72 The full-grown
medusoid of the Corymorpha. 1870 Nicholson Man. Zool.
I. 87 These being developed into the sexless Hydrozobn by
which the medusoid was produced.
2. A medusa or medusa-like animal.
1882 Cassette Nat. Hist. VI. 282 One of the prettiest free,
swimming Medusoids is more or less bell-shaped. 1890
Fothergill Zool. Types f, Classif. 12 Free swimming ' Me-
dusoids ' or Craspedota with velum.
Medusome (mrdiuso»m). Zool. [f. Medusa
(V +Gr. awna body).] A modified medusoid.
1892 J. A. Thomson Outl. Zool. 143 Free-swimming
colonies of modified medusoid persons (medusotnes).
Meduwe, medwe, obs. forms of Meadow.
Medwart, -wert, etc. : see Meadwort.
MEED.
Medwif, -wyfe, obs. forms of Midwife.
J\tedyl(l(e, obs. forms of Meddle, Middle.
Medyng^e, obs. ff. Meeding///. a., Midden.
Medys, variant of Mids.
Meeble, variant of Moble sb. Obs.
Meeee, obs. plural of Mouse.
Meech, -er, etc.,var. ff. Micue, Micher, etc.
Meed (mid), sb. Forms : I m6d, 2-7 (yarch.)
mede, 3 (?//.) meda. 4 meode, 4-5 med, 4-7
meede, 4-8 Sc. meid, 7 meade, 5- meed. [OE.
mid fem. = OFris. mi-de, mide, meide, OS. meda,
mieda, meoda (MLG. mede, meide, MDu. miede),
OHG. mela, miala, miela (MHG., mod.G. miete)
'•— \\ Ger. meda str. fem., cogn. w. OE. meord fem.,
reward, pay, Goth, mizdo wk. fem., reward (:—
OTeut. *mizdd, -*»-), Gr. 111066s, OS1. mizda, Zend
mizda reward, Skr. midhd prize, contest :— Indo-
germanic type *mizdho-, -dha-.
The exact nature of the relation between the WGer.
*mtda and the OTeut. *mizda is disputed. According to
some scholars the former represents a Pre-Teut. type
*meizd/id (ablaut-var. of *mizdhd), the disappearance of
the z being due to the long diphthong.]
1. In early use : That which is bestowed in re-
quital of labour or service, or in consideration of
(good cr ill) desert ; wages, hire ; recompense, re-
ward. Now only poet, or rhetorical, in narrower
sense : A reward, guerdon, or prize awarded for
excellence or achievement ; one s merited portion
of (praise, honour, etc.).
BeowulJ '2134 He me mede gehet. 971 Blickl. Horn. 45
ponne onfoh hi from Godemaran mede. c xzooOkmin 4381
Sipbenn shaH be Laferrd Crist Uss jifenn ure mede. c 1205
Lay. 17646 What seal beon mi mede 3if ic biderride? c 1275
Passion our Lord 61 in O. E. Misc. 39 Vor alle pe gode bat
he heom dude hi yolde him lubre mede. a 1330 Otuel8$$
Such cas may fallen in sum neede, He mai quiten vs oure
mede. c 1350 Will. Palerue 5355 No tong mi3t telle be
twentibe parte Of be mede to menstrales bat menetimewas
;eue. 1- 1374 Chaucer A net. A> A re. 305 A scorne shall be my
mede. c 1380 Sir Eerumb. 2392 pov schalt haue an hundred
pound of golde for by mede. c 1449 Pecock Repr. 1. xv.
83 Forto serue God and deserue meede in hevene. 1509
Barclay Shyp 0/ Folys (1570) 49 He that lendeth to haue
rewarde or mede.. may of hell payne haue dread. 1563
Becon Wks. III. Pref. AAAA iij, In the kepyng of them
there is great mede. 1570 Satir. Poems Reform, xx. 105
That man in deid is worth sum meid, His fault that dois
confes. 1590 Spenser E. Q. i. ii. 37 A Rosy girlond was
the victors meede. 16x3 Heywood Silver Age I. i. Wks.
1874 III. 90 As thy guilt's meede, by that monster die.
1637 Milton Lycidas 14 He must not note upon his watry
bear . . Without the meed of som melodious tear. 1658
Phillips, Meed, (old word) merit, or reward, a 1677 Bar-
row Serm. Wks. 1716 II. 158 A long and prosperous enjoy-
ment of the Land of Canaan was the meed set before them.
1725 Pope Odyss. xiv. 177 If so, a cloak and vesture be my
meed ; Till his return, no title shall I plead. 1769 Sir \V.
^ONES Palace Fortune Poems (1777) 19 Let falling kings
eneath my javelin bleed, And bind my temples with a vie-
tor's meed. 1814 Scott Ld. 0/ Isles in. iv, A lordly meed To
him that will avenge the deed ! 1830 DTsraeli Chas. I,
1 1 1._ v. 66 The office of Lord High Treasurer, to which . . the
nobility looked as their meed of honour and power. 1854
S. Dobell Balder xxiii. 125 Rich loves that, as they list,
Exchange and take and give Unmeted mede and debts for
ever^ due. 1877 Sparrow Serm. xix. 252 The exacting of
God's meed of praise is only postponed for a little while.
1885-94 K- Bridges Eros >, Psyche Apr. viii, To be praised
for beauty and denied T'he meed of beauty,
fb. in collective plural. Obs.
«90o tr. Baeda's Hist. iv. iii. (Schipper) 358 pa me to bam
heofonlican medum cyxdon & labedon. c 1205 Lay. 2987
God seal beon bi nieda for bira grelinge. a tMz$Leg. Rath.
38 Summe burn muchele ;eouen & misliche meden. a 1300
Cursor M. 2353 Lang he led him with delay To mare be
medes of his fai. 1382 Wyclie Gen. xxxi. 8 The dyuers
colourid shulen be thi medis. a 1400-50 Alexander 2428
3it rad for all baire rebelte resayued bai baire medis.
1500-20 Dunbar Poems xvi. 2 Sum gevis for mereit and for
nieidis. 1500 Spenser F. Q. 11. ii. 31 She. .winnes an Olive
girlond for her meeds. 1592 Constable Sonn. xiii, If Love
be ledd by hope of future meedes, [1613 Heywood Silver
Age III. i. Wks. 1874 III. 127 Theseus, Perithous, Philoc-
tetes, take Your valours meeds, a 1616 B. Jonson Poetaster,
Dial. Hor. A> Trebatius, Then dare to sing vnconquer'd
Caesars deeds ; Who cheeres such actions, with aboundant
meeds.]
c. To meed yx\ ME. also to medes, OE. ti rnddes) :
as a reward. Obs. exc. arch. Also t to (one's) meed.
In the OE. form me"des is an irregular genitive sing., owing
its infiexion to the analogy of neuter nouns used in similar
advb. phrases ; in ME. it was doubtless taken as a plural.
e 1000 /Elfric Saints' Lives (Skeat) I. 270 God him syl5
to medes b*et ece lif. c 1175 Lamb. Horn. 155 pet we moten
. . habbe to mede endelese blisse. c 1200 Trin. Coll. Hoiu.
67 Ure louerd ihesu crist-.giueS hem to medes eche lif and
blisse. 1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 31 50 Wat woste . . pulke nion
to is mede a,iue uawe, bat be king aurely bro3te sone of
lifdawe? 1:1374 Chaucer Troylus 11. 1152 (1201) My-sclf
to medes wole be lettre sowe. a 1400 Celestin 75 in A'iglia
I. 69^ To meodes I wile bicom pi man at bi somoun. Ibid.
6n ibid. 82 Wratthe and enuie, haue bis to meode. c 1440
Cast. Persev. 603 To medys bou ?eue me how-se and londe.
1870 Morris Earthly Par. III. iv. 186 Those who pleasure
had to meed Upon a day when all were glad.
t d. For any meed: from any motive. For no
(kin) meed: on no account, not at all. Obs.
13.. Coer de L. 5404 Off Kyng Richard myght they
nought spede, To take trewes for no mede. a 1330 Syr
Degarre 614 Lo, what chaunse and wonder strong, Bltideth
mani a man with wrong ; That . . spouseth wif for ani mede.
MEED.
303
MEEK.
a 1400-50 Alexander 3120 Me wondirs, I-wisse if he it wete
wald, tor any mede a-pon mold his meneyhe to lyuire.
c 1407 Lvdg. Reson fy Sens. 62^8 For age taryeth for no
mede. c 1450 Bk. Curtasye 135 in Babees Bk., Ne spit not
lorely, for no kyn mede, Before no mon of god for drede.
c 1460 Launfal 363, I warne the, That thou make no bost
of me, For no kennes mede.
fe. A gift. Obs. rare.
1607 Shaks. Timon 1. i. 288 No meede but he repayes
Seuen-fold aboue it selfe.
H f. Adjudged character or title, rare.
1833 Tennyson CEnone 85 Pallas and Aphrodite, claiming
each This meed of fairest. 1868 Miss YcmG^Cameos^n)
1. xxxiv. 291 Even the world itself could hardly award the
meed of unprofitable to the studies of Roger Bacon.
+ 2. Reward dishonestly offered or accepted ;
corrupt gain; bribery. Obs.
136a Langl. P. PI. A. in. 241 pat laborers and louh folk
taken of heore Maystres, Nis no Maner Meede bote Mesur-
able huyre. c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 247 False curatis
bat }euen mede or hire to comen in-to siche worldly offices.
c 1386 Chaucer Pars. T. P 521 Thow shalt nat swere for
enuye, ne for fauour ne for meede. ?x4*3 Rolls of ' Par It.
V. 407/1 For affection, love, mede, doubte or drede. 1436
Libel Eng. Policy in Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 184 That they
take mede wythe pryve violence, Carpettis, and thynges
of price and pleysaunce. 1523 Ld. Behnkks/'V*?/^. I. xviii.
25 He toke mede and money of the Scottis. 1549 Cover-
dale, etc. F.rasm. Par. Gal. 20 He that for corrupte
teachyng the gospel receiueth mede of him, whom he so
teacheth [etc.]- 1550 Crowley F.pigr. 196 It is a packe of
people that seke after meede. 1591 Florio 2nd Fruites 93
Golden meede* doo reach al heights. 1633 T. Stafford
Pac. Hib. 1. i. (1821) 33 For any respect of Favour, Meade,
Dreade, Displeasure, or Corruption. 1765 Blackstone
Comm. I. 230 Without partiality through affection, love,
meed, doubt, or dread. 1808 Scott Marm. 11. xxii, Her
comrade was a sordid soul, Such as does murder for a meed.
personified. 136a Langl. P. PI. A. 11. 16 'pat is Meede be
mayden ', quod heo, ' bat hath me marred ofte '. c 1381
Chaucer Pari. Forties 228 Fool hardynesse & flaterye &
desyr, Messagerye, & meede & ober thre.
t 3. Merit, excellence, worth. Obs.
a 1375 Lay Folks Mass Bk. App. iv. 20 pat is the Meedes
of be Masse. 1:1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 476 And sip it
is greet meede to do almes for a tyme, it were myche
more meede to contynue perpetual almes. 1387 Trevisa
Higden (Rolls) V. 149 A man of grete meryt and mede.
1493 Festivall (W. de W. 1515) 47 b, Fayth hath no mede
ne meryte Where mannes wytte gyueth experyence. 1509
Barclav Shyp of F'olys (1570) 42 It is mede, 'To geue it to
such as haue necessitie. 1565 Jewel Repl. Harding
375 They say, It is a mater of special meede: and hable to
Confounde Heresies. 1593 Shaks. 3 lien. VI, iv. viii. 38 My
meed hath got me fame, a 1600 Floddan F. i. (1664) 2
Thou imp of Mars thy worthy meeds, Who can discourse
with due honour. 1623 Cockeram, Meed, desert. 1714
Gay Sheph. WeekVled. 17 Thou bard of wond'rous meed.
(Note, Meed, an old word for Fame or Renown.)
f b. To do meed: ? to do one's duty. Obs.
c 1400 Melayne 1017 Sen ilke a man feghtis for his saule
I sail for myn do mede.
4. Comb, f med3eorn a, [see Yern a. ; cf.
MHG. metegerti], desirous of bribes.
a iaoo Moral Ode 256 Med5eorne [v.rr. -ierne, -}ierne,
•yorne] domes men.
t Meed, ^. Obs. Forms: 2 raeaden, 3-6 mede,
3 medin, 4 med, myde, medi, 4-7 meed(e. [f.
Meed sb. Cf. OS. medan (MLG.,MDu. mieden),
OHG. mialen (MHG., mod.G. mieten).~\
1. trans. To reward, recompense. In bad sense,
to bribe.
awj^Cott. Horn. 243 We scule bien imersed alle [read
alsej gode cempen and imeaded mid heahere mede. a 1225
Leg. Kath. 415 He bihet to medin ham mid swi5e heh
mede. 1340 Ayenb. 146 He[God]. .allessel deme commun-
liche and alle medi largeliche bo bet habbeb y-hyealde his
hestes. r 1350 Will. Palerne 4646 He .. meded hem so
moche wib alle maner binges, ..So bat bei him bi-hi^t bi a
schort terme, pat bei priueli wold enpoyson be king & his
sone. 1387 Trkyisa Higden ( Rolls) 1 1 1. 42 1 panne Alisaundre
medede [L. subontabat] be bisshoppes, and warned hem what
answere he wolde have, e 1400 tr. Secreta Secret., Gov.
Lordsk. 107 It fallys bat bou mede his werkys, aftyr his
seruyce bat he doos to be. 1496 Dives fy Paup. (W. de W.)
ix. xiv. 367/2 They shal be thanked & be meded therfore as
I sayd fyrste. a 1543 Wyatt in Tottel's Misc. (Arb.) 223
Mine Anna.. My Ioue that medeth with disdaine.
2. To deserve, merit, nonce-use.
1613 Heywood Silver Age 1. Wks. 1874 III. 89 Thy body
meedes a better graue.
Meed(e, obs. forms of Mead.
t Mee'der. Obs. [f. Meed v. + -er1.] One
who gives bribes.
1556 J. Heywood Spider <$- F. vii. 19 Meede, Judgth the
meeder, more, then Justice conteinse.
Meede we, obs. form of Meadow.
t Mee'df ul, a. Obs. Also 4-5 med-, 4-6
mede-, meede-. [f. Meed sb. + -ful.] De-
serving of reward, meritorious.
a 1340 Hampole Psalter, etc. 499 pe froyte of goed werke
& of medful meditacioun. 1465 Paston Lett. II. 224 It is
merytory, nedefull and medefull to here witnesseoftrought.
1530 Palsgr. 318/1 Medefull, vteritable. 1573 Tusser
Hnsb. (1878) 177 True pittie is meedeful.
Hence f Meedfully adv., f Meedfulness.
^1340 Hampole Prose Tr. 23 So shalt bou goo from the
oone to the othir medefully, and fulfille hem both, c 1440
Jacob's Well 276 It techyth how .. bou schalt medefully
mynystryn..bi temperall godys. 1530 Palsgr. 244/1 Mede-
fulnesse, vierite.
t Mee ding, vbh sb. Obs. [f. Meedt>. + -ingI.]
1. The action of the vb. Meed ; rewarding.
C1380 Wvclif Set. Wks. III. 7 For he [sc. Christ] faillb
no tyme, here in helpinge, ne in hevene of meedynge.
2. In phr. to meeding: as a reward.
a 1300 Slriz 271 Have her twenti shiling, This ich }eve
the to meding, To buggen the sep and swin. 13. . A'. Alls.
5533 The lettre was onon y-write. Kyng Alisaunder it un-
derfynge, And golde and silver to medyng.
t Mee'ding, ///. a. Obs. [? f. *meede v., ad, L,
mederi to heal + -ing^.] ? Healing.
1599 T. M[oufet] Silkwormes 31 With their friendly hands
and meeding art To hasten that which ready was to part.
Meedles, obs. form of Milds.
tMee"dless,#. Obs. rare. [f.MEEDj^. + -LESS.]
Having no meed ; undeserving; unrewarded.
1435 Misyn Fire of Love 67 In kyngis semis or grete
lordis grete gyftis meydles ba haue resauyd. 1783 J. Young
Cri't. Gray's Flegy 70 Vet glows not, meedless quite, the
warm desire.
Meedth, Meef(e, obs. ff. Mead sb.1, Move v.
Meek (mik), a. Forms : 3 meoc, muk, 3-4
mec, 3-5 mek, meok(e, muke, 3-6 meke, 4-5
mieke, meyk, myke, (super/, mekerst(e), 4-7
meeke, (6 myck), 5-7 Sc. meikve, 4- meek.
[Karly ME. meoc, a. ON. miuk-rsoit, pliant, gentle
(Sw. mjitk, Da. myg) ; related by ablaut to Goth.
*muk-s in muka-modei meekness (Gr. irpaoTijs) ;
also to early mod.Du. mutk soft {\—*miiko-}.
According to some scholars the same root is found in ON".
mykt (see Muck) and, outside Teut., in Olrish mocht
{:—*wt<kto-) soft, Welsh mtvytho to soften.]
1. fa. Gentle, courteous, kind. Of a superior:
Merciful, compassionate, indulgent. Obs.
c 1200 Ormin 2501 E^berr [sc. Mary and Joseph] wass wi)>b
oberr mec. 1303 R. Hki.'nne Hanoi, Synne 12254 Newe by
shryfte euer ylyke, hyt makeb Iesu cryst to be mcke [?'. r.
myke]. c 1350 Will. Palerne 412 Haue here bU bold barn
8: he til him meke. 136a Langl. /'. PL A. 1. 150 pei^ 3e ben
mi^ty to mote beb meke of }our weikis, 1375 Barbocr
Bruce 1. 300 Quhen he wes blyth, he wes lufly, And meyk
and sweyt in cumpany. c 1400 Pcstr. Troy 215 It Ioyes
me, Iason, of bi just werkes, pat so mighty & meke & manly
art holdyn. c 1450 Cov. Myst. (Shaks. Soc.) 201 Every
man.. Be meke and lowe the pore man to. 1530 Palsgr.
318/2 Meke pityfull, clement. 1557 Grimald in Tottel's
Misc. (Arb.) 97 Then, for our loue, good hope were not to
seek : I mought say with myself, she will be meek. 1567
Gude fy Goalie B. (S. T. S.) 115 The Lord is meik, and
mercy full is he. 1601 Shaks. Jul. C. 111. i. 255, I am meeke
and gentle with these Butchers. 1609 Bible (Douay) Ps.
lxxxv. Comm., He is meeke to remitte offences.
b. As connoting a Christian virtue ( — Vulgate
mansttetns, Biblical Gr. -npaos) : Free from haughti-
ness and self-will ; piously humble and submissive;
patient and unresentml under injury and reproach.
c 1200 Ormin 667 Godess enngell iss full meoc, & milde, &
soffte, & blibe. a 1225 Leg. Kat/t. 103 Deos milde meke
meiden. c 1290 S, Fug. Leg. I. 47/14 He [Edward the
Martyr] was meoke and milde inouj. c 1380 Wvclif // rks.
(1880) 460 Crist .. was porerste man of lif & mekerste &
moost vertuous. 1382 — Matt. xxi. 5 Loo! tbi kyng
cometh to thee, homly [gloss] or meke, sittynge on an asse.
a 1400 Transl. N. 'P. tSelwyn MS.) 2 77/;/. in. 4 (Paues
119) Incontynent,no3[t]muke, with-outen benygnyte. ("1491
Chast. Goddes Chyld. xxii. 60 He that is not meke is
proude. 1526 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de \V. 1531) 10 b, With a
clene herte & meke spiryte. 1535 Cover DALE 1 Pet. hi. 4
A meke & a quyete sprete. 1590 Shaks. Com. Frr. 11. i. 33
Patience vnmou'd, no maruel though she pause, They can
be meeke, that haue no other cause. 1637 MlLTON Lyddas
177 In the blest Kingdoms meek of joy and_ love. 1667 —
P. L. in. 266 His words here ended, but his meek aspect
Silent yet spake. 1766 Fordvce Scrm. Yng. Worn. (1767)
II. xiii. 227 A proud Character was never a meek one. 1838
Lvtton^//c*?3I 'God is good to me ', said the lady, raising
her meek eyes, i860 Wartf.r Sea-board II. 158 Bold bad
men far outnumber the meek ones of the earth.
absol. c 1200 Ormin 9613 Drihhtin hatebb modi} mann, &
lufebb alle meoke. 1382 Wyclif Luke i. 52 Heputtidedoun
my;ty men fro seete, and enhaunside meke. 1567 Gude <5*
Godlie B. (S. T. S.) 96 Till slay the meik and Innocent.
ris8o Sidney Ps. xxv. vi, The meeke he doth in judgment
leade. 1535 Coverdale Matt. v. 5 Blessed are the meke : for
they shall inheret the erth. 1798 Porteus Led. Matt. vi.
(1802) 139 These [blessings]. I apprehend, are the peculiar
portion and recompence of the meek.
c. Submissive, humble (occas. f const, to). In
unfavourable sense : Inclined to submit tamely to
oppression or injury, easily ( put upon y; now often in a
tone of ironical commendation, with allusion to 1 b.
1340-70 A lisaander 953 Hec.made all pe menne meeke
too his wyll. 1362 Langl. P. PI. A. x. 83 Drede is such a
Mayster pat he makeb Men Meoke and Mylde of heore
speche. c 1386 Chaucer Clerk's T. 85 Hir meeke preyere
and hir pitous cheere. a 1400-50 Alexander 1747 Made to
be meke malegreue his chekis. c 1450 Bk. Curtasye 179 in
Babees Bk., Be not to meke, but in mene be holde, For elhs
a fole bou wylle be tolde. 1536 R. Beerley in Four C.
Eng. Lett. (1880) 34 My lowlvand myck scrybulling. c 1560
A. Scott Poems (S. T. S.) ii. 142 Than every man gaif Will
a mok, And said he wes our meik. 1590 Spenser F. Q. i.
x. 44 He humbly louted in meeke Iowlinesse. 1741 Rich-
ardson Pamela (1824) I. 180 When I have asked thee,
meek-one, half a dozen questions together, I suppose^ thou
wilt answer them all at once ! 1835 Lytton Rienzi\. i.The
boy was of a meek and yielding temper. 1868 Browning
Ring 4- Bk. 1. 976 He feels he has a fist, then folds his arms
Crosswise and makes his mind up to be meek. 1884 W. C.
Smith Kildrostan 92, I hate Your meek and milky girls
that dare not kiss A burning passion, clinging to your lips.
1891 Spectator 4 July, [They] put up with angry opposition
in a way which, if English statesmen did it, would be de-
nounced as ' meek '.
d. Proverbial phr. (in the various senses above)
As meek as a lamb, a maid, etc., as Moses.
c 1330 Spec. Gy de Wamvyke 260 He bat was woned to be
Meke as a lomb, ful of pite. c 1386 Chaucer Miller's T.
16 He was. .lyk a mayden meke for to see. c 1470 Henry
Wallace ix. 1937 In tym off pes, mek as a maid was he.
i860 Geo. Eliot Mill on Ft. 1. xii, Mr. Glegg,. .though a
kind man. .was not as meek as Moses.
+ e. Used as adv. = Meekly.
(-1330 R. Brunne Ckron. (18101 167 Ageyn R. he ferd, to
fote he fellefullemeke. a 1425 Cursor M. 18982(^111.) Bojje
on mon it wominon eke Of prophecie shul bei speke meke.
1605 Shaks. Macb. 1. vii. 17 Besides, this Duncane Hath
borne his Faculties so meeke.
2. Of animals : Tame, gentle, not fierce.
ri2oo Okmin 1312 Forr lamb is soffte & stille deor, &
i meoc, & milde, & fibe. c 1325 Mctr. Horn. 158 Douf a ful rnec
fuel is. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxxiii. {George) 278 He folouyt
hyre as it had bene f>e meke>te quhelpe wes euir sene.
1*1450 Holland Howlat 240 Thir ar na fowl is of reif,. . Bot
mansweit, . .manerit and meike. 1500-20 Dunbar Foetus
xlviii. in The meik pluch ox. 1530 Palsgr, 318/2 Meke
nat wylde, dotttx.
t3. In physical applications: Not violent or
strong ; mild, gentle. Obs. or arch.
c 1420 Pallad. on Husb. xii. 192 His translacion Thepynys
fruyt [wol] esy make and meke [X-.frttctttm pinenm trans-
latione mitcscoe]. 1525 Ld. IIkrni-.ks Froiss. II. ii. 6 It
was in the monethe of Maye, whan the waters be peaseable
and meke. 1564 P. Moore Hope Health 11. xii. 49 Then
must that superfluous humour be pourged out. .with a meke
medicine. 1781 Cowper Conversat. 268 Venus, .with a quiet,
which no fumes disturb, Sips meek infusions of a milder
herb. 1824 Miss Ferrier Inker, xlv, A meek, gray, au-
tumnal day.
fb. Meek mother tr. Pia mater): see Mother.
4. Comb, chiefly parasynthetic adjs., as meek-
browed, -eyed, -hearted (hence meek-heartedness) ,
-spirited; also adverbial, as mcck-dropt adj.
1863 I. Williams Baptistery i. ii. (1874) 22 The ^meek-
brow d child of truth, Humility. < 1829 Mrs. HemansC/ii/cTs
Last Steep 14 Love, .hath piess'd Thy 'meek-dropt eyelids
and quiet breast. 1629 Milton Hymn Nativity \\\, But he
her fears to cease, Sent down the *meek-eyd Peace. 1818
Byron Ch. liar, iv.cxvi, The meek-eyed genius of the phi' e.
1535 Covhrdale Ps. cxli.w 4 The Lorde. .helpeth the *meke-
harted. 1849 Rock Ch. of Fathers II. 309 In her *meek-
heartedness, the royal /Edilthryda desired, and was buried
in a wooden coffin. 1535 Coverdale Ps. xxxvi. 11 The
■"meke spreted shal possesse the earth. 1759 Sterne Tr.
Shandy I. x. (1760) 40 A meek-spirited jade of a broken-
winded horse.
Hence f Me-kelac (meocie^c, meokelec) [see
-LAIk], meekness, gentleness, lowliness.
rizoo Ormin 2535 Annd sob meocle^c wass opennli^ Inn
hire anndswere shaiwedd. a 1225 Leg. Kath. 1240 pst he
bset oueicom mon, were akast burh mon, wi8 meokelec K:
liste, nawt wiS luSer strencfte. c 1230 llati Meid. 676 (Titus
MS.) For mi lauerd biseh his bufftenes mekelac.
; Meek, v. Obs. Forms: 3-4 meoko(n, 3-6
meke, 4 6 meeke, (4 mike, myke, 5 mekyu,
6 Sc. meik), 6-7 meek. [f. Meek a,]
1. trans. To make meek in spirit, to humble;
occas. to appease, mollify.
C1200 Ormin 9385 Forr swa to meokenn be;5re hind &
te^re modess wille. a 1300 Cursor M. 4299 Strenger ben
euer sampson was, pat luue ne mai him mike wit might.
'/1370 Robt. Cicyle 62 He ete and laye with howndys eke,
Thogh he were prowde, hyt wolde hym meke. 1387 Trevisa
Higden (Rolls) VII. 27 By pat word he meked [MS. y my-
kedel so be kynges herte, bat was to swolle for wrethe, bat
[etc.]. C1400 Rom, Rose 3394 To preve if I might meke
him so. c 1450 tr. De hu'itatione 1. xiii. 14 Temptacions are
ofte tymes ri^t profitable to man,.. for in hem a man is
mekid, purged & sharply tau^t. 1528 Tisdale Obed. Chr.
Man Pref. 5 b, To humble, to meke and to teach him Gods
wayes. 1680 Mrs. Eliz. Nlmmo Diary in W. G. Scott-Mon-
crieff Narr. J. Nimmo (1889) Introd. 16 There was much
of the Lord's goodness to be seen in supporting her, and
In meeking her spirit.
b. To ' bring low ', abase, humiliate.
a 1340 Hampole Psalter xvii. 30 All that dyes in thaire
pride he [god] mekis thaim in til the lawe pitt of hell. 1483
Caxton Gold. Leg. 38/1 By cause she synned in pryde he
meked her seyeng Thou shalt be under the power of man.
1554-9 »" Songs <y Bail, (i860) 12 Withe miche soar hongger
our bodis that he meikys.
c. refl. (also to meek one's heart, soul, mind,
etc.) : To humble or abase oneself.
C1200 Ormin 13950 All forr nohht uss haffde Crist Ut-
lesedd fra be defell, ^iff batt we nolldenn mekenn uss To
follslienn Cristess lare. a 1225 Ancr. R. 278 O bi^e wise
makieS edmod & meokeS our heorte. a 1300 Cursor M.
17578 For him to find qua will him seke, pair mode til him
bai most meke. 1362 Langl. P. PI. A. iv. 81 penne Meede
Meokede hire And Merci bi-souhte. 1387 Trevisa Higden
(Rolls) V. 423 pe kyng meked hym and }eede barfoot. c 1400
Rom. Rose 2244 Fie that pryde hath, him withinne, Ne may
his herte, in no wyse, Meken ne souplen to servyse. c 1450
tr, De Imitatione in. Hi. 124 pou woldist meke biself unto
be erbe. 1508 Fisher 7 ^enit. Ps. vi. Wks. (1876) 19 I he
lyon .. wyll not hurte the beest that falleth downe and
meketh hymselfe vnto hym. 1509 Barclay ShypofFolys
(1570) 186 O men meke your mindes. 1533 More Apot. xiii.
Wks 873/1 I wisse tyll you meeke your selfe and amende
[your conditions], thys anger of your husband will neuer be
well appeased. 1563-83 Foxe A. *. M. 148/1 But the sayde
Constantine meeked himselfe so lowly to the King, that [etc.].
2. trans. To tame (an animal).
c 1450 MirourSaluacioun 5067 Thow meked the felle pan-
tere 1526 Tindale fas. iii. 7 All the natures off beastes
and off byrdes and off serpentes and thynges of the see ar
meked and tamed off the nature off man. 1653 H. Whistler
Upshot Inf. Baptisme 50 The generation of Vipers and
MEEKEN.
304
MEET.
other sort of cruel beasts, meeked with Infants at the En-
sign of Christ's Kingdom.
3. intr. To become meek, to be meek.
a 1300 E. E. Psalter xxxiv. 14 Als wepand, and als dreri,
Swa meked I witterli. a 1300 Cursor M. 12373 Pe bestes
mekand knaus me. 1377 Langl. P. PI. B. xx. 35 Ac nede
is next hym for anon he meketh, And as low as a lombe for
lakkyng of bat hym nedeth. 1 1400 Rom. Rose 3541 His
heite is hard, that wole not meke, Whan men of mekenesse
him biseke. £1400 Dcstr. Troy 1952 He mekyt to bat
mighty, and with mowthe said His charge fullchoisly, chefe
how he might.
Hence + Mee-ked///. a., f Mee'king vbl. sb.
a 1340 Ham pole Psalter ■ Iiv. 21 Noght anly that 1 prayfor
my heghynge bot alswa that i pray for mekynge of thaim.
c 1400 Pry /ner in Maskell Mon. Rit. II. 147 Meekid boonys
[L. ossa humiliata] shulen ioie to the lord, c 1450 tr. De
hmtatione 11. ii. 42 To be meke man he grauntib gret
grace, and after his meking liftib him in glory. Ibid. ill. Ivii.
135 pou hast neuere despised be contrite it be meked [L.
humiliatum\ herte.
Meeken (rm'k'n), v. Now rare. Also 4-6
meken, 6 mekyn, meaken. [f. Meek a. + -en\
Cf. Norw.j Sw. mjukna.]
1. trans. To make meek ; to humble, soften,
tame; + to mitigate, assuage; to lessen the violence
of (a fire) ; to ' bring low \ abase.
13.. E. E. A Hit, P. B. 1328 Ofte hit mekned his mynde, ;
his maysterful werkkes. 1502 Atkynson tr. De Imitations
1. xiii. 161 Therby man is mekende, pourged, & infourmed
by experyence. 1547-64 Bauldwin mor. Philos. (Palfr.) 11
He meekneth the mighty, 8: exalteth the lowly. 1587 Goi.d-
ing De Mor nay xii. (1617) 176 Uasenesse to humble them,
sicknes to meeken them. 1591 R. Turnbull Exp. St. James
160 b, Snakes haue beene so meekened, as that men haue
carried them without danger in their bosomes. 1647 Trapp
Comm, Matt. v. 46 Thou shalt melt these hardest metals.,
thou shalt meeken their rancour. 1662 J. Sparrow tr.
Behme's Rem. Wks., \st Apol. B. Tylcken 33 Its Fire be-
came allayed or Meekened. 1728-46 Thomson Spring 265
This when .. The glaring lion saw, his horrid heart Was
meekened. a 1788 Wksley ' Saviour, on me the want be-
stoio* ii, Meeken my soul, thou heavenly Lamb, That I in
the new earth may claim My hundred-fold reward. 1856
Mrs. Browning Aur. Leigh 11. 564, I was quelled before
her, Meekened to the child she knew.
fb. refl. Obs.
c 1440 Alphabet of Tales 2S4, 1 mekend me befor be bedels
& be messangiers of alhnighiiGod. 1537 Matthew 2 Chron.
xxxiii. 23 Amon.. mekened not him selfe before the Lord as
Manasseh his father had mekened himselfe.
2. intr. To become meek or submissive; to sub-
mit meekly {to something).
1844 Mrs. Browning Brown Rosary 11, And she so mild?
..As spirits, when They meeken, not to God but men. 18..
— Sy'isdom Unapplied viii , If I were thou, O gallant steed,..
I would not meeken to the rein, As thou.
Hence Mee-kened///. a. ; Meekening vbl.sb.
and ppl. a.
1537 Matthew Ps. Ii. 19 marg., The mortifynge of the
fleasshe and meakenynge of the hert. 1539 Tonstall Serm.
Palm Sund. (1823) 93 Thou God wylte not despyse a harte
contryte and mekened. 1597 J. Payne Royal Exch. 46
No less rightlie illumininge, then as trulie. -humblinge and ,
mekeninge. 1616 W. Browne Brit. Past. 11. i. 22, 1 . .
climb'd Mountaines . . Then with soft steps enseal'd the
meekned Vallyes In quest of memory. 1698 M. Henry
Meekness <y Quietn. Spirit (1822) 166 Repentance, .is very
meekening. 1728-46 Thomson Springqw Her eyes, Where
meekened sense and amiable grace And lively sweetness
dwell. 18.. Mrs. Browning /sobers Child xxxv, I changed
the cruel prayer I made, And bowed my meekened face,
and prayed That God would do His will. 1859-60 J.
Hamilton Moses v. (1870) 86 The meekening process in the
mind of God's destined agent.
t Mee'khead. Obs. Also 3 mek-, meok-,
mukhede. [f. Meek a. +-head.] = Meekness.
1297 R. Glouc (Rolls) 8004 Milce nas ber mid him non
ne no Manere Mekhede [v.rr. meok hede, mukhede]. a 1350
Birth Jesu 391 (Egerton MS.) Vor he [God] hah1 be mek
hede biholden of his hine. 167a Cressy inStillingfl. Idol. ,
Ch. Rome (ed. 2) 224 Our being beclosed in. .his [God's]
meek-head.
Meekle, obs. form of Mickle.
t Meekless, a. Obs. [f. Meek v. + -less.]
That cannot be appeased or rendered meek.
1587 Mirr. Mag., Madan iv, No counsayle could my '
meekelesse minde asswage.
t Meekly, a. Obs. In 4 raekliche. [f. Meek
C + -LY1.] = Meek a.
a 1350 Birth Jesu 400 (Egerton MS.) Mekliche men
ihei^ed he hab also.
Meekly (mrkli), adv. Forms: see Meek a.\ 1
also 4 mekkeli, mikelik, muekliche, mukly.
[f. Meek a. 4- -ly2.] In a meek or humble manner. j
c 1200 Ormin i 1392 pe birrb biforr bin Laferrd Godd Cneo-
lenn meoclike & lutenn. 41225 St. Marher. 14 pis beoS
pe wepnen. .eoten meokeliche and druncken meokeluker.
a 1300 Cursor M. 1304 Quen cherubin bis errand herd
Mikelik he him answard. c 1380 Sir Ferumb. 1945 Loke j
pat bou pan mukly speke & to hym mercy crye. 1:1450 \
Mirour Saluacioun 4511 Iesu of thi seruants wesshe thowe i
the fete mekely. 1547-8 Order Commun. 12 Mekely knel- '
yng vpon your knees. 1641 J. Jackson True Evang. T. n.
131 He. .answered meekely as a Lamb. 1745 W. Robertson
in Transl. <y Paraphr. Scot. Ch. (1786) xxv. ix, Wrong'd
and oppress'd how meekly he in patient silence stood. 1849
Macaulay Hist. Eng. iv. I. 503 They had . . submitted them-
selves meekly to the royal authority.
Meekness (m^'knes). Forms : see Meek a. ;
also 4 mikeness, mueknesse, 6 meacknesse,
meakenea, mykenes. [f. Meek a. + -ness.] The
rmalityof being meek; gentleness of spirit ; humility.
c 1200 Ormin 3612 patt dide he forr to shaewenn swa
Unnse^endli} mtocnesse. a 1240 Wohunge in Cott. Horn.
273 Meknesse and mildschipe makes mon eihwer luued.
a 1300 Cursor M. 9996 Sco r>erued in vr lauerd dright, In
mikenes suet, bath dai and night. 1340 Ayenb. 65 God bet
loueb Mueknesse and zopnesse. c 1400 Dcstr. Troy 3941
Eneas was.. A man full of mekenes is: mery of his chere.
C 1440 Promp. Parv. 331/2 Mekenesse, and softenesse, man-
suetudo, clemencia. 1542-5 Bkinklow Lament. (1874) 108
Yet for all their outwarde meakenes and holynes, they be
within rauenynge wolues. 1556 Aurelio if /sab. (16081 N vij,
You shall use towardes me suche meacknesse, lyke as God
usethe unto all sinnars. 1613 Shaks. I/en. V///, v. iii. 62
Loue and meekenesse, Lord, Become a Churchman, better
then Ambition. 1741 Richardson Pamela II. 310 It must
be owing to my Meekness, more than his Complaisance.
i860 Warter Sea-board II. 161 Gentle natures in which
grace has kindled meekness.
t Mee'kship. Obs. [ + -ship.] Meekness.
c 1230 I/ah Meid. 659 (Bodley MS.) Miltschipe & meoke-
schipe of heorte.
Meel(e, meell, obs. forms of Meal.
Meeting, obs. variant of Mailing, a farm.
1595 Duncan^//. Elymol.(E.D.S.) 69 Fundus, a meeling.
Meelte, Meene, obs. ff. Melt v., Mean, Mien.
Meende, Meeng(e : see Mixn, Mexg.
Meer(e : see Make1, Mayor, Mere, More.
Meercere, -eery, obs. ff. Mercek, Mekcery.
Meerkat (mwukret). Also 5 mercatte, 9
meercat. [a. Du. meerkat monkey ( = G. meer-
katze), app. f. meer sea + kat cat.
Cf., however, Hindi markat, Skr. markala ape. Can
the European word (already found in OHG. as mericazza)
be an etymologizing perversion of an Oriental name?]
+ 1. A monkey. Obs.
1481 Caxton Reynard (Arb.) 98, I wende hit had be a
mermoyse a baubyn or a mercatte for I sawe neuer fowler
bee-.t. 1559 W. Cunningham Cosmogr. Gtasse 191 There
are diuer^e straunge beastes bred in Assia,. . Mercattes.
2. A name given in S. Africa to two small mam-
mals: a. Cynictis penicillata^ allied to the ichneu-
mon, b. The s\uicnte}Surn-<rtatetractact}'/a, which
is tamed as a pet.
1801 J. Barrow Trav. S. Africa 1. 231 Upon those parched
plains are also found a great variety of small quadrupeds
that burrow in the ground, and which are known to the
colonists under the general name of meer-cats. 1826 A.
Smith Catat. S. Afr. Mus. 32 Meer Kat of the Dutch.
KyzanaSurikatta of the Naturalists. i8330GiLBvin Trans.
Zool. Soc. (1835) I. 34 The name Mcer-kat ..is of very
general acceptation in South Africa, being applied indiffer-
ently to the present species [Cynictis], the Cape Herpestes,
Ground Squirrels, and various other burrowing animals.
1890 Mrs. A. Martin Home Life Ostrich Farm 158 There
are two kinds of meerkats; one red, with a bushy tail like
that of a squirrel, the other grey, with a pointed tail, and it
is this latter kind which makes so charming a pet.
attrib. 1897 Anne Page Afternoon Ride 62 Meerkat
skins sewn together, as pouches for tobacco.
Meerschaum (mn-jj^m, -Jam). Forms : 8
? myrsen, 8-9 meershaum, 9 meerchum, mere-
schaum, merschaum, 8- meerschaum, [a. G.
meerschaum , lit. 'sea-foam', f. meer sea-f schaunt
foam (a literal transl. of the Persian name kef-i-
darya), alluding to its frothy appearance.]
1. A popular synonym of sepiolite, a hydrous
silicate of magnesium occurring in soft white clay-
like masses.
1784 [see KF.rFEKtLL). 1794 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) I.
145 Keffekill or myrsen, which the Germans corruptly call
Meerschaum, is said to be when recently dug of a yellow
colour. 1812 J. Nott Dekkers Cull's Hom-bk. 176 note,
Those tobacco-pipes which they manufacture of a species
of earth, of the magnesious genus combined with silex, de-
nominated meerschaum. 1891 Daily Ncivs 26 Oct. 5/6 He
bought wholesale little blocks of flawed meerschaum, polished
them, and made them up into pipes.
attrib. 1823 De Qiincey Mr. Schnackenbcrger \\, The
great meerschaum head of his pipe.
2. (In full meerschaum pipe.) A tobacco-pipe,
the bowl of which is made of meerschaum.
1799 Coleridge Let. 14 Jan., A pipe of a particular kind,
that has been smoked for a year or so, will sell here [at
Ratzeburg] for twenty guineas. ..They are called Meer-
schaum. 1812 J. Nott Dekker'sGulIs Hom-bk. 176 note,
A meerschaum pipe nearly black with smoking is considered
a treasure. 1818 Biackiv. Mag. III. 404 Bobwigsand meer-
schaums, petticoats and sabres. 1858 O. W. Holmes Aut.
Breakf-t. xi, One Stradivarius, I confess, Two Meerschaums,
I would fain possess. 1884 Graphic Christmas No. 5/3 He
produced an enormous meerschaum. 1887 G. R. Sims Mary
Jane's Mem. 145 He sent me back the meerschaum -pipe.
t Meese. Obs. [a. Du. mees = ME. Mose,
whence corruptly -mouse in Titmouse.] A tom-tit.
c 1481 Caxton Dialogues 10/35 Wodecoks, nyghtyngalis,
Sparowes, meesen, Ghees [etc.].
Mees(e : see Mese, Mess. Meest, obs. f. Most.
Meet (m/"t), sb. [f. Meet #.] The meeting of
hounds and men in preparation for a hunt. Also,
by extension, applied to other kinds of sporting
meetings (e.g. of coaches, cyclists).
1831-4 R. S. Surtees Jorrock's Jaunts (1838) 39 They
overtook a gentleman perusing a long bill of the meets for
the next week, of at least half a dozen packs. 1854 Warter
Last oj 'Old Squires ^vi. 58 If it so happened that the fox-
hounds did not make their usual meets in the neighbour-
hood. 1893 Times 4 May 12/1 The interesting meet of the
stage-coaches to be held to-day. 1897 Outing {U.S.) XXX.
493/2 For 16 years the club's meet has been one of the most
popular cycling events.
Meet (m/1), a. and adv. Now arch. Forms :
1 (3e)mgete, m6te, 4 met, 4-6 mete, 5-7 meete,
(6 mytt, meat(e, Sc. meit, meyit), 6- meet.
Also 2-3 I-mete. [ME. mete (with close e, riming
with swete, etc.) ; prob. repr. OE. (Anglian) *gem&e,
\YS. gemzete (early southern ME. I-mete) with
normal loss of the prefix. The OE. gemkte :—
OTeut. *gamwtJo- (OHG. gamaz,i equal, MHG.
gVM&H*, mod.G. gemasz)y f. *ga- (Y-) prefix syn-
onymous with L. com- +*mc£ta measure, f. *mdt'i
ablaut-var. of *met- (see Mete v.'1). The ety-
mological sense is thus ' commensurate '.
OE. had mtete adj. of similar formation without the prefix,
but it occurs only in the senses ' small, inferior '. The
formally equivalent ON. mxt-r, ' valuable, excellent, law-
ful ', may possibly be the source of some of the Eng. senses.
The alleged OE. gemet adj., sometimes assigned as the
etymon, appears to be merely a predicative use of gemet
sb., measure, what is fitting ; and if the adj. existed its ME.
form would not have had close e.\
A. adj.
f 1. Having the proper dimensions ; made to fit.
In later use : Close-fitting, barely large enough.
Also Comb, meet-bodied. Obs*
[C961 -/Ethelwold Rule St. Benet lv. (Schroer 1885) 89
Iiesceawi^e se abbod and hate besidian bfera reafa jemet,
\>xt by ne synd to scorte, ac jemajte bam, be hyra noiiaS.
a 1300 in Leg. Holy Rood (1871) 30 po was it bi a fot to
schort..hi ne migte it make Imete.j a 1300 Cursor M.
8S09 Son pe tre was heun dun, And squir on-laid and
scantltun, pe tre was als mete and quern, Als animan bar to
cuth deme. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xii. (Mathias) 50 par-
for of spechis a cowyne pa mad til hyme met. 1500-20
Di'nbar Poems xx\\\\. 13 Sowtaris, with schone weill maid
and meit, ?e mend the faltis of ill maid feit. 1513 Douglas
sEneis viii. viii. 10 Apon his feyt his meyit schois hoit War
buklit. 16.. Will Stewart <$■ John lxi. in Child Ballads
II. 436 Iohn be gott on a clouted cloake, Soe meete and low
then by his knee. 1727 Burgh Rec. Stirling (1889) 200
They will allow him [the towns pyper] a meet bodied coat
with the towns livery thereon. 0:1763 Sweet William's
Ghost xiii. in Child Ballads II. 229 There's no room at my
side.. My coffin's made so meet. 1825-80 J ami esos, Aleet-coat,
a term used by old people for a coat that is exactly meet
for the size of the body, as distinguished from a long coat.
+ 2. Equal, on the same level. Const, to. Also
absol. as sb., an equal. Obs.
c 1369 Chaucer Dethe Blaunche 484 Of al goodenesse she
had none mete, c 1400 Ywaine <y Gaw. 2114 Thar es na
sorow mete to myne. c 1440 York Myst. xvii. 281 Hayll 1
man pat is made to bin men meete [MS. mette, rime feete].
f b. To be meet with : to be even or quits with ;
to be revenged upon. Obs.
1599 Shaks. Much Ado 1. i. 47 Vou taxe Slgnior Bene-
dicke too much, but hee'l be meet with you. 1603 Holland
Plutarch's Mor. 187 The foule ill take me if I be not re-
venged and meet with thee. 1687 Death's Vis. Pref. (171 3)
12 An Unjust, Terrible Devil. .that. .will be severely meet
with them for all the.. Scorn they have cast even on his
lieing and Power.
3. Suitable, fit, proper (for some purpose or
occasion, expressed or implied). Const, for, to;
also to with inf.
13. . Gaw. <y Gr. Knt. 71 Alle bis mirbe pay maden to be
mete tyme. c 1385 Chaucer L. G. IK 1043 {Dido) There
nis no womman to him half so mete, c 1386 — A'nt.'s T.
773 Two harneys .Bothe suffisaunt and mete to darreyne
The bataille. < 1460 J. Russell Bk. Nurture 832 Mustard
is metest with alle maner salt herynge. 1481 Caxton Rey-
nard xv. (Arb.) 3a Hadde we an halter which were mete
for his necke and strong ynough. 1530 Palsgr. 574/1 Of
all monethes Marche is the metest to set yonge plames
and to graffe in, I547"8 Order of Communion 10 So shall
ye bee mete partakers of these holy misteries. 155a in
i'iiaryys Anat. (18S8) App. iii. 151 A gate or dore . . for
the Apte, commodyous, and meate passage of the gouer-
nours. 1557 Totter s Misc. (Arb.) 245 For to deceiue
they be most mete That best can play hypocrisy. 1563
Shute Archit. B ij, Whose names also I thought not
altogyther the metest to be omitted. 1616 Boyle in Lis-
more Papers {1SS6) I. 129, I am to pass back a lease of 40
yearestoCapQTyntatameetKent. a 1661 Fuller Worthies
(1840) II. 448 He was happy in a meet yoke-fellow. 1692
Bentley Boyle L,ect. iii. 8 The Eye is very proper and
meet for seeing. 1820 Scott Mouast. xyiii, To transmew
myself into some civil form meeter for this worshipful com-
pany. 185a M. Arnold Empedocles 63 Not here, O Apollo !
Are haunts meet for thee. i&gSAllbntfsSyst.Med. V. 372
Thrombosis meet to explain the death is not always found.
b. Predicatively of an action: Fitting, becoming,
proper. Chiefly in it is meet that . . , as (or than)
is meet.
a 1300 Cursor M. 3675 Sco..cled him, sum it was mete,
Wit his brober robe £at smelled suete. c 1485 Digby Myst.
(1882) iv. 686 O swete child I it was nothinge mete. .To let
ludas kisse thes lippes so swete. i548-9 (Mar.) Bk. Com.
Prayer, Communion^ It is mete and right so to do. 1611
Bible Jer. xxvi. 14 Doe with mee as seemeth good and
meet vnto you. 1652 Needmam tr. Setden's Mare CI. 56
Using far less diligence here than was meet. 1752 Young
Brothers 1. i. My cities, which deserted in my wars, I
thought it meet to punish. 1833 Tennyson Poems 116 This
is lovelier and sweeter, Men of Ithaca, this is meeter, In the
hollow rosy vale to tarry. 1846 Trench Mirac. Introd.
(1862) 38 It was only meet that this Son should be clothed
with mightier powers than theirs.
f4. Mild, gentle. Obs.
1433 Lydg. S. Edmund 1007 in Horstm. Altengt. Leg.
(1881) 394 Most temperat he was of his dieete,..To foryef-
nesse most mansuet and meete. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot.
(Rolls) I. 320 Mansweit and meit, and full of gentres. 1598
Grenewey Tacitus Ann. in. viL 73 The Senators, .thought
Lepidus rather meete [L. mitew] then a coward.
MEET.
f B. adv. In a meet, fit, or proper manner ;
meetly, fitly; sufficiently. Also, exactly (in a
certain position). Meet to : in close contact with.
1390 Gowf.r Con/. III. 183 His skyn was schape al meete,
And nayled on the same seete. c 1470 Henry Wallace x.
149 That taill full meit thow has tauld be thi sell. 1542
Recobde Gr. Aries G vij b, In them the two fyrste fygures
wer set euer mete one vnderthe other. 1589 K. Robinson
Gold. Mirr. (1851) 1 Casing in the cloudes, these countreys
for to vew, Meete underneath, the mountaine where I was.
a 1600 Montgomebie Misc. Poems xxxv. 68 Diana keeps
this Margarit, Bot Hymen heghts to match Mr meit. 1601
Shaks. Alts IVcllw iii. 333 All yet seemes well, and if it
end so meete, The bitter past, more welcome is the sweet.
1632 Lithgow Trav. x. 465 The cords being first laid meet
to my skin. 1688 Shadwell Sor. Alsatia. III. i, You have
given me so many bumpers I am Meet drunk already.
Meet (mil), v. Inflected met. Forms : 1 m6-
tan, Northumb. moeta, 3 meterj, 3-4 miete(n,
3-6 mete, 4-7 Sc. meit(e, 5-7 meete, (4 meyt,
met, 5 mett, 6 might, 7 meat), 4- meet. Pa. t.
1 me'tte, 3-6 mette, 4 meyt, 4-7 mett, 5 Sc. meit,
4- met. Pa. fple. 4 mett, mete, 4-6 mette, 5
meyt, 4- met ; 4-5 ymette, 4-7 ymet, 5 imett(e.
[OE. mc'ian (Northumb. mdta), also with prefix
gtme'tan, wk. vb., corresponds to OFris. tntta, OS.
mdtian (MLG. moten, gemoten, Du. moeten, ON.
mala (Sw. mdta, Da. mode), Goth, gamotjan :—
OTeut. *(ga)motjan, f. *motom coming together,
encounter, meeting. See Moot so.]
I. Transitive senses.
1. To come or light upon, come across, fall in
with, find. Now only dial. exc. with person as
obj., in which use it is merged in 4; otherwise
superseded by tneet with.
<r888 K. ./Elfred Boeth. xxx. % 2 Hwi ofermodije ge bon
ofer oSre men for eowrum Jebyrdum buton anweorce, nu xe
nanne ne magon metan una:belne? 971 Blickl. Horn. 217
Da he eft ham com, ba mette he Sane man forSferedne.
? a 1400 A rtliur 343 pe ferst lond bat he gan Meete, Forsobe
hyt was Bareflete. ^1400 Maundev. (1839) xv. 164 Summe
of hem worschipe the Sonne,., summe Serpentes, or the first
thing that thei meeten at morwen. 1590 Shaks. Com. Err.
ill. ii. 188, I see a man heere needs not Hue by shifts, When
in the streets he meetes such golden gifts. 1676 Wiseman
Surg. 11. iii. 174 Of this Intemperies you will find an Ob.
servation in Herpes.. .And whereever you meet it, you shall
find. difficulty. 1760-72 H. Brooke Foolo/Qual. (1809) III.
61, I had not gone.. a mile, when, meeting a dirty road,
I turned over a stile. Mod. Pembrokeshire (E.D.D.), I met
this glove on the road.
2. To come face to face with, or into the com-
pany of (a person who is arriving at the same point
from the opposite or a different direction).
c 1205 Lay. 18127 I" are brade strete he igon mete breo
cnihtes & heore sweines. c 1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 54/7 Ase
he cam a day bi be wei he gan mieten bi cas Ane knijt.
1362 Langl. P. PI. A. v. 82 Whon I mette him in be Mar-
ket bat I most hate, Ich heilede him as hendely as I his
frend weore. c 147s Rau/Coityar 606 He met ane Porter
swayne Cummand raith him agayne. 1330 Palsgr. 635/1,
I mette hym a myle beyonde the towne. 1603 Congreve
Old Bach. iv. v, I would have overtaken, not have met my
Game. 1824 Hogg Con/. Sinner 130 They perceived the
two youths coming, as to meet them, on the same path.
b. To arrive in the presence of (a person, etc.,
approaching) as the intended result of going in the
opposite direction : often in phrases to come, go,
run, etc. to meet. Hence, to go to a place at
which (a person) arrives, in order e.g. to welcome,
communicate with, accompany, or convey (him).
Similarly, to meet a coach, a train, etc.
a 1300 Cursor M. 10555 P" lauerd es comand als suith, Ga
to mete him. c 1470 Henry Wallace 1. 62 Till Noram kirk
he come with outyn mar, The consell than of Scotland meit
hym thar. is. . Sir A.Barton in Surtees Misc.[z&W)n To
might my Lord came the kinge and quen. 1598 Shaks. Merry
W. iv. ii. 96 He appoint my men to carry the basket againe,
to meete him at the doore with it. 1399 — Much Ado 1. i.
97 GoodSignior Leonato, you are come to meet your trouble :
the fashion of the world is to auoid cost, and you encounter
it. 1666 Dryden Ann. Mirab. ex, As in a drought the
thirsty creatures cry And gape upon the gathered clouds for
rain, And first the martlet meets it in the sky. 1667 Milton
P. L.x. 103 Where art thou Adam, wont with joy to meet
My coming seen far off? 1710 Berkeley Prime. Hum.
Knowl. § 97 Bid your servant meet you at such a time
1808 Scott Mann. 1. xiii, Then stepp'd to meet that noble
Lord, Sir Hugh the Heron bold. 1894 Doyle S. Holmes
49 I'll meet the seven o'clock train and take no steps till
you arrive. Mod. An omnibus from the hotel meets all
trains. I was met at the station by my host with a
carriage.
O. Phr. To meet half-way : chiefly in figurative
uses, f to forestall, anticipate (06s.) ; to respond
to the friendly advances of; to make concessions
to (a person) in response to or in expectation
of equal concessions on his part ; to come to
a compromise with. To meet trouble half-way :
to distress oneself needlessly with anticipations of
what may happen.
.'594 Nashe Un/ort. Trav. B, Presently he remembred
nimselfe, and had like to fall into his memento againe, but
« umet hlm halfe waies> and askt his Lordship [etc.].
1625 Bacon Ess., Judicature r 3 Let not the Iudge meet
the Cause halfe Way; Nor giue Occasion to the Partie
to say; His Counsell or Proofes were not heard. 1638
Baker tr. Balzac's Lett. (vol. Ill) 112, I like this popu-
lar Divimtie, which meets us halfe way, and stoops a
Vol. VI.
305
little, that we may not strayne our selves too much. 1706
Farquhar Recruit, Officer in. i, We lov'd two Ladies, they
met us halfway, and [etc.]. 1799 Nelson in Nicolas Disp.
(1845) IV. 66 There is not a thing that the Admiral could
propose that I would not meet him half-way. 1821 Lamb
Elia Ser. 1, Valentine's day, The world meets nobody
half-way. 1884 Times (weekly ed.) 5 Sept. 12/2 The Polish
peasantry. .will meet the Czar halfway in whatever he does
for their good.
d. transf. with inanimate things as subj. or obj.:
To come into contact, association, or junction with
(something or some one moving in a different
course). Also, of things that have attributed
motion, as a line, road, etc.: To arrive at a point
of contact or intersection with (another line,
etc.).
a 1300 Cursor M. 23161 Oft i was wit malisce mette. 1590
Spenser /•'. Q, 111. iii. 21 Let no whit thee dismay The hard
beginne that meetes thee in the dore. 1602 2«<V Pt. Return
fr. P amass, n. i. (Arb.) 22 Where so ere we run there
meetes vs griefe. 1833 TRXmsoit Lady ofSAatotti 3 Long
fields of barley and of rye, That clothe the wold and meet
the sky. 1842 Sir Galahad vi, I yearn to breathe the
airs of heaven That often meet me here. 1849 Macaulay
liisi. Eng. v. I. 663 The gibbet was set up where King
Street meets Cheapside. 1898 Encycl. Sport II. 297 {Reiv-
ing) Meeting the oar, bringing the body up to the oar at
theclose of the stroke in place of bringing the hands strongly
up into the chest.
e. Of an object of attention: To present itself
before, to come under the observation of. To meet
the eye (sight, view)i the ear : to be visible, audible.
To meet the eye of: to happen to be seen by.
163a Milton Penseroso 120 Of Forests, and inchantments
drear, Where more is meant then meets the ear. 1667 —
/". L. vi. 18 Chariots and flaming Armes, and fierie Steeds
Reflecting blaze on blaze, first met his view. 1781 Cowtfr
Progr. Err. 48 Where'er he turns, enjoyment and delight.,
meet his sight. 1876 Trevelyan Macaulay I. 363 All that
met his ear or eye. 1883 Gilmour Mongols xviii. 211
Striking pious attitudes at every object of reverence that
meets his eye. Mod. Advt. If this should meet the eye of
A. B., he is requested [etc.].
f. To meet a person's eye, gaze, etc. : to perceive
that he is looking at one ; also, to submit oneself
to his look without turning away.
1670 Dryden Tyr. Love v. i. 48 So much of guilt in my
refusal lyes, That Debtor-like, I dare not meet your eyes.
1847 Tennyson Princess iv. 177, I.. Not yet endured to
meet her opening eyes. 1883 Frances M. Peard Contrad.
xxxii, As she turned her head, .she met his eyes.
3. To encounter or oppose in battle. Also (nfter
F. rencontrer), to fight a duel with.
c 1275 Lay. 16366 Ten busend Scottes he sendc bi-halues
be heabene to mete [c 1205 to iniete]. c 1330 Amis «$■ A mil.
1114 Yif Y may mete him aright, With mi brond that is so
bright. 1375 Barbour Bruce xh. 226 Meit thame with
speris hardely. C1400 Destr. Troy 6527 All hat met hym
with malis.. Auther dyetof his dynttes, or were dedwondit.
1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. 11. 159 At thair
cuming baldlie and w* scharpe weiris thay meit thame. 1671
Milton Samson 1123, I only with an Oaken staff will meet
thee. 1771 Junius Lett. Ixiii. (1820)323 His opponents.,
never meet him fairly upon his own ground. 1847 Tenny-
son Princess iv. song, Like fire he meets the foe. 1855
Smedley H. Coverdale Iii, I suppose I should be forced to
meet him . . if he were to challenge me.
+ b. To be ' meet ' or even with ; — 1 1 i. Obs.
1613 Fletcher, etc. Hon. Mans Fort. in. iii, I have
heard of your tricks,., well I may live To meet thee. 1623
Fletcher Rule a Wife v, iii, Some trick upon my credit,
I shall meet it.
C. To encounter or face the attacks of (something
impersonal) ; to oppose, cope or grapple with (an
objection, difficulty, evil). (Cf. 11 h.)
174S -De Foe's Eng. Trades/nan (1841) I. vii. 53 Not be
afraid of meeting the mischief which he sees follow too fast
for him to escape. 1837 J. H. Newman Par. Serm. (ed. 2)
III. xi. 166 Who does not see, that to bear pain well, is to
meet it courageously? 1854 Brewster More Worlds xv.
221 It is vain to argue against assertions like these which
can only be met by an equally positive denial of them.
'855 Bain Senses $ Int. It ii. § 11 The impetus of a push
or a squeeze received on the hand is measured by the mus-
cular exertion induced to meet it. 1874 Green Short Hist.
i. § 4. 40 The threats of Charles were met by Ofta with de-
fiance. 1884 Punch 22 Nov. 252/1 Seen my last pamphlet,
'How to Meet the Microbe'?
•j* d. With simple refl. prou. in reciprocal sense :
To encounter each other; = sense 9. Obs.
1297 R. Glouc (Rolls) 1950 Bi side winchestre in a feld
to gadere hii horn mette. c 1320 Sir Tn'str. 3325 pai metten
hem in asty Bi o forestes side.
4. To come (whether by accident or design) into
the company of, or into personal intercourse with ;
to ( come across' (a person) in the intercourse of
society or business.
c 1374 Chaucer Compl. Mars 138 Alas when shal I mete
yow, herte dere? 1607 Shaks. Cor. 11. iii. 149 Remaines,
that, in th' Officiall Markes inuested, You anon doe meet
the Senate. 1676 Wiseman Surg. 1. xxi. 114 The next day
in the afternoon the two Physicians and some of the Chirur-
geons met me at the Patient's Chamber. 1676 Dryden
State Innoc. v. i, And not look back to see, When what we
love we ne'er must meet again. 1767 Woman of Fashion
I. 127, I was. .struck with the Person, but much more with
the good Sense, of the young Creature I accidently met.
1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. vi. II. 81 It was not strange that
the king did not then wish to meet them. 1855 Tennyson
Maud 11. iv. xiii, I loathe the squares and streets, And the
faces that one meets. 1887 Beatty- Kingston {title) Mon-
archs Ihave met. Mod, His medical colleagues refuse to
meet him in consultation
MEET.
b. Phrase, To be well, happily, etc., met. Also
ellipt., Well met! (as an expression of welcome\
> c 1460 Play Sacram. 237 A petre powle good daye & wele
imett. i47°-fi5 Malory Arthur n. vii. 83 Now go we hens
said balyn & wel be we met. 1526 Skelton Magnyf. 461
What, wanton, wanton, nowe well ymct ! 1590 Shaks Com
Err. iv. iii. 45 Well met, well met, Master Antipholus.'
a 1592 Greene James IV, iv. ii, Widow Countess, well
y-met. 1596 Shaks. Tarn. Shr. iv. iv. 19 You are happilie
met. 1834 Lytton Pompeii t. i, Ho, Diomed, well met.
fc. With simple refl.pron. (cf. 3 d) : To en-
counter each other; = sense 8. Obs.
C1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 354/302 Bi be watere of pireford
bis two sclnrene hem mette, And conteckeden for hi* holie
bodie. a 1300 Cursor M. 10563 Quen bis seli mett bam
same, pai grett barn-self wit gastli game.
5. To encounter, experience (a certain fortune or
destiny) ; to receive (reward, punishment, or treat-
ment of a certain kind). Now rare or poet., super-
seded by meet with (1 1 g).
£"1440 York Myst.x\.2^ Mo mervaylles mon he men.
159* Shaks. Two Gent. 1. i. 15 Wish me partaker in thy
happinessc, When thou do'st meet good hap. a 1631 Donne
Lett., To Sir T, Lucy (1651) 11, I have a little satisfaction
in seeing a letter written to you upon my table, though I
meet no opportunity of sending it. 1661 Boyle Style of
Script, (1675) 243 Those. .met a destiny not ill resembling
that of Zacheus. 1667 Milton /'. L. ix. 271 As one who
loves, and some unkhidness meets, a 1677 Barrow Serm.
xvii. Wks. 1687 I. 243 Whoever hath in him any love of
truth.. shall hardly be able to satisfie himself in the con-
versations he meeteth ; but [etc.]. 1697 Dryden Virg.
Georg.iv.6$5 Thygreat Misdeeds have met a due Reward.
1726 Switt Gulliver n. v, In this Exercise I once met an
Accident. 1808 Mackintosh Let. 28 Sept. in Life (1836) I.
437 'Meet your approbation ' is a slang phrase, not fit for
public despatches or letters. 1833 Ht. Martineau Fr.
Wines A> Pol. iv. 61 He met only threats and laughter.
1845 M. Pattison Ess. (1889) I. 19 This generous appeal
met no response. 1847 Tennyson Princess iv. 309, I fear'd
To meet a cold ' We thank you '. 1855 M. Arnold Balder
Dead 24 He has met that doom which long ago The Nor-
nies. .spun.
6. To come into conformity with (a person's
wishes or opinions).
1694 Congreve Double Dealer v. xiii, By Heav'n he meets
my wishes! 1784 Cowi>er Task in. 788 He.. leaves the
accomplished plan Just when it.. meets his hopes. 1842
Bischoff Woollen Manuf II. 69 Such duties on the im-
portation of foreign woollen manufactures as would meet
their views. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. vi. II. 120 The
Estates, .would go as far as their consciences would allow
to meet His Majesty's wishes. 1864 Hawthorne <S\ Felton
(1883) 273 If her thoughts, .had settled on that, .wholesome
young man, instead of on himself, who met her on so few
points. Mod. (Comm.) I will do my best to meet you in
the matter.
7. To satisfy (a demand or need) ; to satisfy the
requirements of (a particular case) ; to be able or
sufficient to discharge (a pecuniary obligation).
To meet a bill (Comm.) : to pay it at maturity.
1833 Marryat /*. Simple xi, The money, .was. .not more
than sufficient to meet one of the demands. 1837 Sir F.
Palgrave Merch. <y Friar (1844) 187 No body is ever un-
able to pay his debts ; he is only unable to meet his
engagements. 1847 Marryat Childr. N. Forest iv, His
widow sold the gun to meet her wants. 1876 Macleod
Elem. Banking 167 Even under the best circumstances, an
acceptor may fail to meet his bill. 1884 Sir E. E. Kay in
Law Times Rep. to May 322/2 A remedy which exactly
meets the necessities of the cane. 1884 Manch. Exam.
16 May 5/1 This view of the question gets rid of. .all mere
wrangling, while no other adequately meets the case. 1891
Law Rep. Weekly Notes 78/1 The course suggested on the
part of the Comptroller was necessary to meet the justice
of the case. 1894 Baring-Gould Kitty Alone II. 84 Five
hundred pounds will not suffice to meet all claims.
II. Intransitive senses.
8. [From the earlier reciprocal use: see 4 c] Of
two or more persons : To come from opposite
or different directions into the same place or so
as to be in each other's presence or company,
whether by accident or by design ; to come face to
face. Often with together. Sometimes conjugated
with be.
a 1300 Cursor M. 22963 pe stede o dome quar all sal mete.
c 1374 Chaucer Compl. Mars 72 The grete Ioye that was
betwix hem two Whan they be met. c 1450 St. Cuthbert
(Surtees) 889 pai met neuer eftir whils pai leued. fi4?5
RaufCoilyar 250 Baith the King and the Quene meitis in
Paris, For to hald thair ^ule togidder. 1538 Starkey Eng-
land 1. ii. 27 Seying that we be now here mete, .accordyng
to our promys. 1605 Shaks. Macb. I. i. 1 When shaH we
three meet againe? In Thunder, Lightning, or in Raine ?
1628 J. Mead in Crt. <y Times Chas. I (1848) I. 314 One
bade him come to the lord mayor ; he answered, my lord
mayor might come to him : but in fine they agreed to meet
half way. 1720 Gay Sweet Wiliams Fareiv. iv, We only
part to meet again. 1781 J. Logan in Sc. Parapkr. lhi.
viii, Where death-divided friends at last shall meet, to
part no more, c 1830 T. H. Bayly Song, We met— 'twas in
a crowd — and I thought he would shun me. 1859 Thacke-
ray Virgin. II. xix. 158 The two gentlemen, with a few more
friends, were met round General Lambert's supper-table.
1870 E. Peacock Ralf Skirl. II. 259 They had not met for
years.
b. Of the members of a more or less organized
body, a society, or regular assembly : To assemble
for purposes of conference, business, worship, or
the like. Often with collect, noun as subj.
1530 Palsgr. 635/2 Whan they mete to gyther I wyll put
them in mynde of your mater. 1560 Daus tr. Sle/dane's
105
MEET.
Comm. 10 b, These beynge called to an assemblie . . mette at
Fsanckefourt. 1607 Shaks. Cor. 11. Hi. 152 The People.,
are summon*d To meet anon, vpon your approbation. x6n
Bible 2 Mace. xiv. 21 And [they] appointed a day to meet
in together by themselues. 17x1 Steele Sped. No. 49 f 4
When this Assembly of Men meet together. 171 1 Swift
Jrnl. to Stella 1 Dec, The Parliament will certainly meet
on Friday next. 1791 Hampson Mem. J. Wesley III. 82
Many of these [classes] are subdivided into smaller com-
Sanies called bands, which also meet once a week. 1845
I. Pattison£jj.(i889]I. 17 The bishops, .were summoned
to meet in synod, at Paris. 1874 Green Short Hist. viii.
§ 2. 469 The Parliament, .met in another mood from that of
any Parliament which had met for a hundred years.
T C. To come to or be present at a meeting ; to
keep an appointment. Obs.
c 1400 Rom. Rose 4571 Expectant ay tille I may mete, To
geten mercy of that swete. a 1400-50 Alexander 770 Akhire
with a firs flote in be fild metis. 1470-85 Malory Arthur
iv. xxvi. 156 Soo he departed to mete at nis day afore sette.
1598 Shaks. Merry W. II. iii. 5 *Tis past the howre (Sir) that
Sir Hugh promis'd to meet. 1603 — Meas.for M. IV. i. 18.
1717 Addison tr. Ovid's Met. iv. Salmacis 43 She fain
wou'd meet him, but refus'd to meet Before her looks were
set with nicest care.
d. To arrive at mutual agreement.
1851 Pusev Let. Bp. London (ed.3) 127/1 Devout minds,
of every school, who meditate on the Passion, meet at least
in this.
1 9. To come together in the shock of battle. To
meet on : to come into conflict with. Obs.
c 1400 Deslr. Troy 7815 Bothe be grekis on begrene, & be
grym troiens, Mettyn with mayne paire myghtis to kythe.
Ibid. 8288 He macchit hym to Menelay, & met on be
kyng. 1460 Lybeaus Disc. 1638 The styward.. Fell of hys
stede bakward, So harde they two metten. Ibid. 2012 As
pey togeder sette, Har bobe swerdes mette. [178a Cowper
Friendship 137 How fiercely will they meet and charge !
No combatants are stiffer.J
10. Of inanimate objects : To come into contact ;
to come together so as to occupy the same place, or
follow the same line or course.
To make both ends meet : see End j^. 24.
a 1300 Siriz 358 Loke hou hire heien greten, On hire
cheken the teres meten. c 1400 Maundev. (1839) xv'i'- z&5
Alle the Lynes meeten at the Centre. 1530 Palscr. 635/1
Hylles do never mete, but acquayntaunce dothe often. 1560
Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 412 Where the Rhine and Mo-
selle mete. 1666 Pepvs Diary 4 Nov., My vest being new
and thin, and the coat cut not to meet before upon my
breast. 1667 Milton P. L. iv. 784 Our circuit meets full
West. 1719 De Foe Crusoe (1840) 1 1, xiv. 286 It was very hard
to see where the tiles met. 1771 Smollett Humph. CI. 3 Oct.,
He. .discovered that his waistcoat would not meet upon his
belly by five good inches at least. i774PoRTEUS^"rr;«.v.(i797)
I. 116 How two mathematical lines, indefinitely produced,
can be for ever approaching each other, and yet never
meet. 1781 Cowper Hope 49 The blue rim, where skies and
mountains meet. — Exfiost. 22 Her vaults below, where
every vintage meets. x8io Scott Lady of ' L. 1. xii, Where
seemed the cliffs to meet on high. 1833 Tennyson May
Queen Concl. 22 There came a sweeter token when the
night and morning meet. 1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus Ixii.
52 Look as a lone Torn vine . . Bows, till topmost spray and
roots meet feebly together. 1893 Kipling Barrack-r. Ball,
etc. 75 Oh, East is East, and West is West, and never the
twain shall meet.
b. Of eyes, glances, etc. (cf. 2 f).
1859 Tennyson Elaine 1303 He raised his head, their eyes
met and hers fell.
c. Said of qualities, etc., uniting in the same
person, etc.
1581 Pettie tr. Guazzds Civ. Conv. 11. (1586) 114 Al the
three beauties meet together, .in young men. 1662 Stil-
lingfl. Orig. Sacr. 11. vi. § 9 The uniformity and perfect
harmony of all these several Prophecies., all giving light to !
each other, and exactly meeting at last in the accomplish-
ment. 1697 Chetwood Dryden"s Virgil Life #* 3 It being
rarely found that a very fluent Elocution, and depth of
judgment meet in the same Person. 1781 Cowper C/iarity
37 In baser souls unnumbered evils meet. 1842 Tennyson
Morte d 'Arthur 125 Thou, the latest-left of all myknights,
In whom should meet the offices of all. 1894 J. T. Fowler
Adamnan Introd. 57 The nobility of two races met in the
child.
f d. To lie or fit close to. (Cf. Meet a.) Obs.
1568 Satir. Poems Reform, xlviii. 30 It meites lyk stem-
myne to 30* theis.
+ e. To agree or tally. Obs. rare.
. *579 Gosson Sch. Abuse (Arb.) 27 He that compareth our
instruments, with those that were vsed in ancient times,
shall see them agree like Dogges and Cattes, and meete as
iump as German lippes. 1662 Stillingfu Orig. Sacr.
I. vi. 5 1 It was yet greater difficulty to regulate it by the
course of the Sun, and to make the accounts of the Sun
and Moon meet. 1833 Lamb Elia Ser. 11. Old China,
It is mighty pleasant at the end of the year to make all
meet— and much ado we used to have every Thirty-first
Night of December to account for our exceedings.
11. Meet with.
a. To come across, light upon ; = sense 1, which
it has superseded in common use.
t 1275 Lay. 1426 Hii mette wid [earlier text Imetten heo
faren] Numbert beos kinges sonde of ban erb. a 1300 Cursor
M. 19604 Saulus soght aiquar and thrett All be cristen he wit
mett. c 1450 St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 4327 J>ai spared nouthir
kynn na kyth, Man na woman bat bai mett with. 1596
Spenser State frel. Wks. (Globe) 640/2 When he cometh to
experience of service abroade . . he maketh as woorthy a
souldiour as any nation he meeteth with, a x6a6 Bacon
New Atl. 21 And continually we mett with many things,
worthy of Observation, and Relation. 1638 Junius Paint.
Ancients 14 Others.. wander up and downe to meet some-
where with a refreshing shade. 1662 J. Davies tr. Olearius*
Voy. Ambass. 158 They make a shift to live upon any thing
they can meet withall. 1761 Hume Hist. Eng. Ill.lxi. 318
306
This was the first public opportunity he had met with. 1781
Johnson Lett, to Mrs. Thrale 13 June, In the penury of
fuel. . I have yet met with none so frugal as to sit without
fire. 1830 D Israeli Chas. /, III. vi. 94 We cannot read
a history of foreign art without meeting with the name of
Charles. 1875 Dawson Dawn o/Li/e iv. 84. I have occa-
sionally met with instances. 1899 Altbutt's Syst. Med.Wl.
592 Though abscess beneath the tentorium usually occurs in
the substance of the hemisphere it may be met with in other
situations.
fb. To come into the presence of; = sense 2. Obs.
a \yyo Cursor M. 20145 In be temple wit her he met, Anurd
hir and tar hir grette. c X380 Sir Ferumb. 3778, & euene to
be pauyllouns bay gunne go, & meteb with b* Amyrel.
c 1477 Caxton Jason 89 Whan Jason was come to this
temple medea cam and mette with him. 1526 Pilgr. Per/.
(W. de W. 1531) 21 b, His grace preuenteth vs, before we
mete with it. i$4z\J dall Erasm. Apcp/i. 27 Socrates mette
full butte with Xenophon, in a narrowe backe lane, where
he could not stert from hym. 1686 tr. AgiatisorCiv. Wars
Lacedemonians 59 As he returned, he was met with by an
Achaian. 1816 Chalmers in Life (1850) II. 78 We fell in
with Mr. Cook, who came out to meet with me.
f c. To encounter (an enemy) ; = sense 3. Obs.
1297 R. Glouc (Rolls) 3205 Vter..wende toward seint
dauid to mete wib is fon. c 1386 Chaucer Pard. T. 365
Is it swich peril with him for to meete ? I shal hym seke by
wey and eek bystrete. c 1470 Henry Wallace iv. 250 Thus
Wallace sone can with the capteyn meite. 1596 Shaks.
1 Hen. IV, iv. iv. 13 At Shrewsbury ..The King, with
mightie and quick-raysed Power, Meetes with Lord Harry.
1664 Butler Hud. 11. iii. 993 How in fight you met, At
Kingston, with a May-pole idol.
f d. To come into or be in physical contact with.
Of a garment: To reach exactly to (a certain point).
a 1300 Cursor M. 0915 O thre colurs. . J>e grund neist bar
es ful tru, Metand wit jpat rochen stan. 13.. E. E. Allit.
P. B. 371 When be water of be welkyn with ^e worlde mette.
c 1430 Syr Gencr. (Roxb.) 4460 Ful litle wanted the soket
That with the throte it had y-met. 1480 Robt. Devylt 328
in Hazl. E. P. P. I. 232 With hys shyelde Robert mette
playne. 1574 tr. Marlorat's Apocalips 22 A long garment
..[which] meteth lust with the feete. 1604 R. Cawdrey
Table Alph. (1613) A iv, One lands end meets with another.
1745 P. Thomas Jrnl. Anson's Voy. 145 In its Fall, meeting
with the Fore-yard broke it in the Slings.
fe. To have carnal knowledge of. Obs.
a 1300 Cursor M. 1197 Adam..suld wit his wijfyete mete
For ur lord had aghteld yete A child to rais of his oxspring.
+ £ To agree or accord with. Obs.
a 1586 Sidney A Pol. Poetrie (Arb.) 24 Wherein I know not,
whether by lucke or wisedome, wee Englishmen haue mette
with the Greekes, in calling him a maker. 1655 Fuller Ch.
Hist. ix. ii. § 15 Lords of right noble extraction.. (whose
titles met with their estates in the Northern Parts).
g. To experience, undergo (a particular kind of
fortune or treatment) ; = sense 5.
c 1435 Torr. Portugal 2109 God that died vppon the
Rode, YfT grace that she mete with good ! 1593 Shaks.
Rich. II, in. iv. 49 He that hath suffer'd this disorder'd
Spring, Hath now himselfe met with the Fall of Leafe. 1596
— Tarn. Shr. iv. iii. 6 Elsewhere they meet with charitie.
1660 Blovut Boscobel 3 At Warrington Bridge [hej met with
the first opposition made by the Rebels, a 169a Pollexfen
Disc. Trade (1697) 100 These Manufactured Goods from
India, met with such a kind reception, that [etc.]. 1693
Creech Dryden's Juvenal xiii. (1697) 326 A little Sum you
Mourn, while Most have met With twice the Loss, and by
as Vile a Cheat. X711 Addison Sped. No. 122 p 9 In our
Return home we met with a very odd Accident. 1718
Freethinker No. 75. 137 It has always met with the Appro-
bation of the Wisest Men. X77X Goldsm. Hist. Eng. II. 176
Sir William Gascoigne . . met with praises instead of re-
proaches. X843 Borrow Bible in Spain xxvi, I have . . never
met with ill-usage, except once . . amongst the Papists.
1873 Black Pr. Tkule xix, Mariners.. who had met with
their death on this rocky coast. 1893 Earl Dunmore Pa-
mirs II. 311 This system of semi-official marauding met
with the approval of the Czar.
th. To oppose, grapple with (an error, objec-
tion, malpractice), take precautions against (a dan-
ger) ; to provide for (an emergency). Also, to
cope with (a person). Obs.
1529 More Dyalogue iv. Wks. 285/1 And all this good
fruite woulde a fewe mischieuous persons., vndoutedlye
bring into thys realme, if the prince and prelates, .did not
in the beginnyng mete with their malice. 1575-85 Abp.
Sandys Serm. xi. 172 Paul, in this treatie of a magistrate,
meeteth with both these errors. x6oo m Liturg. Serv.
Q. Eliz. (Parker Soc.) 694 Meet with the purposes and
practices of all ambitious Absalons. 1603 H. Crosse
Verities Commw. (1878) 8 A prudent man .. meeteth
with euerie mischiefe, and is not ouertaken, with non pu-
taui, had I wist. 1668 Rolle's Abridgment Publ. Pref.,
The body of Laws . . consists of infinite particulars, and
must meet with various Emergencies. 169a South 12
Serm. (1698) III. 524 To meet with their doubts, and to
answer their Objections. 171a Arbuthnot John Bull iv. iv,
Let it suffice, at present, that you have been met with.
T 1. To be even with ; to requite or ' pay out \
c 1590 Marlowe Faust, x, I'll meet with you anon for
interrupting me so. x6ox Dent Pathw. Heaven 307 God.,
though he meet with some in this life, yet he lets thousands
escape. 1667 Waterhouse Fire Lond. 129 For which sins
God may meet with you also.
j. .5V. To pay (a creditor).
1854 H. Miller Sch. <$■ Schm. (1858) 288 They had been
unable, term after term, to meet with the laird, and were
now three years in arrears.
Meet(e, obs. forms of Met, Mete.
Meetel(e)s, var. forms of Metels Obs.t dream.
Meeten (mf t'n), v. [f. Meet a. + -en 5.] trans.
To make meet or fit {for).
X807 C. Winter in W. Jay Life (1843) 173 That you., may
be richly accommodated with grace till you are meetened
MEETING.
for glory. 1879 A. Reed A lice Bridge 272 These trials will
meeten us for whatever the future unfolds.
Meeter (mrtsj). [f. Meetz>. + -ER1.] One who
attends or takes part in a meeting ; f spec, in
Quaker phraseology, a member of a particular
1 meeting * or congregation.
1646 Mass. Col. Rec. (1853) II. 185 Ye maior pt of those
first meeters. 1682 W. Rogers •jth Pt. Chr., Quaker 82
G. W. a Member of the Second-days Meeting., smooth'd up
the Barbadoes Meeters with this Expression, a X713 Ell-
wood Autobiog. (1765) 251 The whole Fines of such and so
many of the Meeters as they should account poor. 1887
E. F. Byrrne Heir without Heritage II. xi. 219 These
early torch light -meeters,
Meeter, obs. form of Meter, Metbe.
Mee'terly, a. and adv. north, dial. Also
[?4~5 materly], 9 meterly. [app. related to
Meet a., but the formation is obscure: possibly
influenced by witterly or some similar word. The
materly of the first quotation is difficult to connect
with the other forms : cf. ON. mdtalega, mdtulega,
i. mate measure, moderation.
A synon. medherly, meederly, meeverly occurs in dialects
(see E. D. D.), and may possibly be referable to Methe so.]
a. adj. Moderate, middling, fairly good. b. adv.
1 Tolerably, moderately, fairly ; handsomely, mo-
destly, agreeably* (E.D.D).
[c X400 Rule St. Bend 2306 pus bi ensaumpil sal scho take
Materly al thinges to make (= L. sic omnia temperet, etc.).]
1674 Ray N. C. Words, Meeterly, Medherly, Meederly :
handsomely, modestly; As bow meeterly, from meet, fit.
c 1746 Collier (Tim Bobbin) View Lane. Dial. Wks. (1862)
54 AT... Is Seroh o Rutchots so honsome? T. Eigh, hoos
meeterly. 1865 B. Brierley Irkdale II. 99 I'm metterly. .
for an 'owd body.
Meeth: see MEAD1(thedrink),METHE(measure).
t Meet-help. Obs. [orig. two words like
help meet in Gen. ii. 18, 20 : subseq. combined as
in sweet hearty good wife y etc.] A fitting helper;
= Helpmeet.
[1641 J. Shute Sarah $ Hagar (1649) 18 The end of her
Creation ; which was, to be a meet help for him. a 1656
Bp. Hall Rem. Wks. (1660* Life 15 Enjoying the comfort-
able Society of that meet Help for the space of fourty nine
years.] 1696 Whiston Th. Earth 11. (1722) 96 Among all
these Creatures there was not a Meet-help, or suitable Com-
panion for him.
Si . Meet-helper; also Meet-helping1, the con-
dition of being a helpmeet.
1636 W. Strode Floating 1st. iv. iii, Recreation much
consisteth in The yoak of a meet helper. 1869 Bushnell
Worn. Suffrage iv. 74 Woman is created to be the meet-
helper of man. Ibid. i. 18 The husbanding and meet-helping
of the marriage bond itself.
Meeting (mrtirj), vbl. sb. [f. Meet v. + -ing*.
OE. had gemMing, glossing L. convention conventus,
concilium, synagoga.]
1. The action of coming together from opposite
or different directions into one place or into the
presence of each other, of assembling for the trans-
action of business, etc. Now somewhat rare exc.
in gerundial use ; formerly in phr. in meetingt at
{next, etc.) meeting, till meeting.
a 1300 Cursor M. 5846 His brober aaron he mett, fat
drihtin self has meting set. c 13*0 Sir Tristr. 181 Swiche
meting nas neuer made Wib sorwe on ich aside, c 1400
Maundev. (1839) xv. 166 There ben also sum Cristene
men, that seyn, that summe Bestes han gode meetynge,
that is to seye, for to meete with hem first at morwe. c 1440
Lovelich Merlin 4580 The kyng, that a^ens Merlyne went
in metyng. 1485 in Jupp Ace. Carpenters* Comp. (1887) 35
Reseyvyd in the Barge at the metyng of the Kyng on the
Water vij" vijd. 1559 Bp. Scot in Strype Ann. Ref (1709)
I. App. vii. 14 At Peter's firste metinge with our Savyour
Chnste. 1639 Hamilton Papers (Camden) 95 Muche more
of this kynd that past betwixt one of ther number and me
this day. .at mealing. 1771 Smollett Humph. CI. 2 Apr.,
I desire you will lock up all my drawers, and keep the
keys till meeting. 1844 Ld. Brougham Brit. Const, ix.
(1862) 119 The people's right of Meeting in large bodies.
1903 Edin. Rev. Apr. 314 These old makers.. do not dwell
on meetings in heaven.
b. To give (a person) {the or a) meeting [after
F. donner rendez-vous] : to appoint a time and
place for meeting with him. ? Obs.
163a J. Hayward tr. Biondfs Eromena 25 A friend.,
whom they were to procure to come disguised, and give
them the meeting. 1638 Maynl Lucian (1664) 161 At length,
with much intreaty, he gave her a meeting, a 1648 Ld.
Herbert Hen. VIII {xt&j) 35 Promising that he would not
only give him meeting, but take pay under him. 1771
Smollett Humfh. CI. 30 Sept., That. .he would come to
Bath in the winter, where I promised to give him the
meeting. 1833 Macaulay Ess., War Succession (»d. Mon-
tague) I. 509 The King resolved to give her the meeting in
Catalonia. 1840 Dickens Barn. Rudge xii, You ask me to
give you a meeting.
f 2. An encounter in arms ; a fight, battle. Obs.
13.. K. Alls. 2696 Com, and geve us on justyng, And
thow schalt have hard metyng. C1330 R. Brunne Chron.
Wace (Rolls) 101 1 At bat metyng . . Taken was sire Antygon.
1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. 11, 148 Vncertane
victorie at bathe the meitings.
b. Used euphemistically for : A duel. (After F.
rencontre : cf. Rencounter sb. 1 b.)
18x2 Chron. in Ann. Reg. 31 A meeting took place.. be-
tween Mr. O. Joyntand Mr. P. McKim..when, on the first
fire, the latter was struck in the forehead. 1838 Macaulay
in Trevelyan Life II. 6, 1 had.. no notion that a meeting
could be avoided.
MEETING.
3. A gathering or assembly of a number of people
for purposes of intercourse, entertainment, discus-
sion, legislation, and the like. Now chiefly restricted
to gatherings of a public character, and assemblies
of some organized society ; formerly used to include
private gatherings or parties, as in card-meeting.
1513 More; in Grafton Chron. (1568) II. 766 They assembled
by and by together, to common of thys matter at London :
At which meeting, the Archebishop of Yorke . .secretly sent
for the great Seale agayne. 1611 Bible Isa. i. 13 The call-
ing of assemblies I cannot away with ; it is iniquitie, euen
the solemne meeting. 1693 Humours Town 59 To Ogle
the Nymphs in the Boxes or Musick-Meetings. i7iaSwiFT
Prop. Correct. Eng. Tongue 29 Since they [sc. ladies] have
been left out of all Meetings, except Parties at Play. 1849
Macaulav Hist. Eng. vi. II. 95 He was no longer sum-
moned to any meeting of the board. 1886 Stevenson Dr.
jtehyll i At friendly meetings, and when the wine was to
his taste.
b. An assembly of people for purposes of wor-
ship : in England from the 1 7th c. applied almost
exclusively to gatherings of nonconformists, and
now rare exc. with reference to Quakers. (Some-
times used, after prep., without article, esp. in to
go to meeting.) Hence, a nonconformist congre-
gation ; also, f a nonconformist place of worship,
a dissenting chapel or meeting-house (pis.).
IS93 [see Conventicle 4 b]. 1677 W. Hubbard Narrative
11. 51 September the twenty fourth, being Lords day, as he
was going home from the Meeting. 1679 Establ. Test 33
A.. Jesuit takes a Lodging at a Quakers, . .goes to the Silent
meeting with his Landlord. 1688 Penton Guard. Instruct.
(1897) 33, I went to a notorious Meeting, upon the fame of
an extraordinary gifted Preacher. 1710 Palmer Proverbs
375 The pharisees cry was, The temple ! the temple ! and
the modern hypocrites is, The church ! and The meeting !
1750 Nova Scotia Archives (1869) 618 A Meeting for Dis-
senters, a Court House and Prison. 1774 J. Adams in Fam.
Lett. (1876) 10 We went to meeting at Wells. 1781 Hutton
Hist. B ham. 117 Another was erected in the reign of King
William, now denominated The Old Meeting. 1815 W.
F[ield] Warxv. ft Leamington 140 Wesleian Methodist
Meeting. This is^ situated in Gerard Lane, small in ex-
tent, and humble in appearance. 1834 Tracts for Times
No. 29. 3 There is something so fine in the prayers without
book, as they are offered at meeting. Ibid. 5 [The Church]
had been in the country many, many years, whereas all the
meetings about are (so to say) of yesterday. 1855 Ogilvte,
SuppJ., Meeting. In England, a conventicle ; an assembly
of Dissenters — -In the United States, an assembly for pub-
lic worship generally. 1889 Mary Howitt Autobiog. I. 1
4, I use here the phraseology of Friends, ' meeting ' in this
sense being equivalent to church or religious body.
c. = race-meeting (Race si.l 11 ).
1764 App. to Chron. in Ann. Reg. 128/1 Westminster
Races... Spring Meeting. 1859 Ann. Reg. 73 Magnificent
weather and excellent sport made the great people's meeting
[the Derby] pass off with great eclat.
4. Of inanimate objects : Joining, junction ; con-
fluence (of rivers).
1330 Palsgr. 527/1, I drawe nere, as a shyppe dothe lande,
or any other thynges whan they come to the metyng. 1606
G. W[oodcocke] Hist. Ivstine iv. 21 The meetings of the
waters, c 1639 Suckling Brennoralt III. (1648) 32 Her face
is like the milky way i' th' sky, A meeting of gentle lights
without name. 1807 Mooke Irish Melodies, (title) The
Meeting of the Waters,
b. A joint in carpentry or masonry.
1656 H. Phillips Purch. Patt. (1676) B viij b, In the
square meeting of the Table. 1663 Gerbier Counsel 7
Which will hinder the Rain, .to peirce. .through the meeting
of the Brickwork and Stone, c 1860 H. Stuart Seaman's
Catech. 70 What are the ' end boards ' ? They are boards !
which cover and form the ends of the meetings.
C. Mining. The passing of ascending and de-
scending cars ; hence, the place at which they pass.
1830 T. Wilson Pitman's Pay (1843) 26 We'd pass'd the
meetin's aw've ne doubt. i860 Eng. <$• For. Min. Gloss.,
Newc. Terms, Meetings, the middle of a pit or inclined
plane. 187s R. F. Martin tr. Havrez' Winding Mach. 36
If these moments be equal at meetings and at the landing
of the cage.
t 5. ? An average value. Ois.
1711 W. Sutherland Shipbuild. Assist. 14 The Method of
buying a quantity of Timber is to add the Contents together
of the several Pieces; the Quotient thereof is call'd the
Meeting of that Timber, and accordingly thereto the Value
of the whole Quantity is sold.
6. = Meeting-place, poet.
1596 Shaks. i Hen. IV, in. ii. 174 On Thursday, wee our
selues will march. Our meeting is Bridgenorth. 1801
Southev Thalaba in. i, The Domdaniel caverns,. .Their
impious meeting.
7. attrii., as meeting acquaintance, -point, -room,
-stead (arch.) ; meeting-folks, dissenters. Also
Meeting-house, -place.
179* Mme. D'Arblay Diary V. vu. 299 Mrs. Kennedy. .
with whom I renewed a 'meeting acquaintance, but evaded
a visiting one. 183s Gentl. Mag. Nov. 491 My father
drank to Church and King, And the *Meeting-folks love no
such thmg. 1818 Busby Gram. Mus. 152 Those notes of
the passage immediately under the "meeting points of the
sig7. ''?.r diminuendo-crescendo]. 1871 Liddon Elem.
Kelig. 11. 75 Miracle is the meeting-point between intel-
lect and the moral sense. 1761 Fitzgerald in Phil. Trans.
LI I. 154, I.. have placed the instruments for the inspection
or the gentlemen of the Royal Society, in their "meeting,
room. 1887 W. Morris Odyss. 11. 147 Zeus, .sent him two
ernes to fly Adown. .that *Meeting-stead to find.
Meeting, ppl. a. [f. Meet v. + -ing 2.]
1. That meets.
159* Shaks. Ven. a, Ad. 820 The wilde waues . . Whose
307
ridges with the meeting cloudes contend. 1606 — Tr. ty Cr.
I. in. 7 As knots by the conflux of meeting sap, Infect the
sound Pine. 1720 Gay Fan 11. 156 Where meeting beeches
weave a grateful shade, a 1881 Rossetti House 0/ Life
xii, Still glades ; and meeting faces scarcely fann'd.
b. In Joinery. Often hyphened with the sb.
i8as }. Nicholson Operat. Mechanic 590 The staff stile,
which imitates the meeting-stiles. Ibid. 625 The common
rafters .. must be so arranged that a rafter shall lie under
every one of the meeting-joints. 1844 Stephens Bk. Farm
II. 538 The three equal wheels.. are set in the sheers— the
first of the three being upon the carriage-axle, which is in
halves as before, and the meeting-ends supported on the
sheers. 187s Knight Diet. Mech., Meeting-post . . that
stile of a canal-lock gate which meets the corresponding stile
of the other gate at the mid-width of the bay.
f2. Coming forward in response or welcome;
responsive. 06s.
1548 Udall, etc. Erasm. Par. 1 Tim. i. 15 The thing that
they renounce, is withal studious endeuoure to be embraced
(as they saye) with meting armes [L. obuiis, ut aiunt, ulnis
amplcctcndum). 163a Milton L 'Allegro 138 Married to
immortal verse Such as the meeting soul may pierce. 1639
Saltmarshe Pract. Policy 122 Bee not too meeting, and
seeme not too hasty in accepting graces and favours. 1664
South Serm. (1823) I. xiv. 385 He .. offers himself to the
visits of a friend with facility, and all the meeting readiness
of appetite and desire.
Meetinger (mrtinai). [f. Meeting vbl. sb.
+ -EP.1.] One who ' goes to meeting' ; a dissenter.
1810 S. Green Reformist I. 185, I plainly see, Sir, you
are a methodist, or a meetinger, I believe you call it. 1890
Tessopp Trials Country Parson 68 The Meetinger keeps
himself posted up with the last clerical escapade.
Meeting-house.
fl. A (private) house used for a meeting. Ois.
1658 Wood Life 14 July (O. H. S.) I. 256 They had enter-
tain'd him with most excellent musick at the meeting house
of William Ellis.
2. A place of worship : in the general sense, now
only U.S. In England from the 1 7th c. always
a nonconformist or dissenting place of worship, a
conventicle : now only (exc. with reference to the
Quakers) in jocular or disparaging use.
1636 Plymouth Col. Rec. (1855) I. 41 There to build a
meeting howse and towne. 1687 Evelyn Diary 10 Apr.,
There was a wonderful concour-e of people at the Dissen-
ters' Meeting-house in this parish. 1766 Wesley yrnl.
10 Apr., It [a deed] everywhere calls the house a Meeting-
House, a name which I particularly object to. 1809 Ken-
dall Trav. I. xii. 132 Two meeting-houses, one belonging
to quakers, and the other to baptists. 1847 W. E. Forster
in Reid Life (18S8) I. vii. 207 Last evening I deluded them
into a Methody meeting-house. 1896 Mrs. H. Ward Sir
G. Tressady 140 The brick meeting-houses in which they
[the villages] abounded.
3. attrii., as meeting-house yard; f meeting-
house man, a nonconformist or dissenter.
1711 Countrey.Man's Let. to Curat 22 These were not
Meeting-House-Men in whose Favours the Councel thus
Wrote, , . but some of 'em Parsons, some Vicars, some Cu-
rats, &c. 1808 Beverley Lighting Act 27 Any meeting-
house, chapel, church yard, and meetinghouse yard.
Meeting-place.
A place in which a meeting occurs or is held ; f a
meeting-house.
1553 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 149 Nocht half ane
Scottis myle fra the said metynge place. 1589 Nashe
Anal. Absurd. (1500) B iij b, They will include it [the name
of the Church] onely in their couenticles, and bounde it euen
in Barnes, which many times they make their meeting
place. 1659-60 Pepys Diary 7 Feb., I saw Monk's soldiers
abuse Billing and all the Quakers that were at a meeting.
place there, c 1710 Celia Fiennes Diary (1888) 58 The
Church is neate and pretty.. here is also a good large
Meeteing place. 1897 Allbutfs Syst. Med. IV. 338 The
organ thus lies at the meeting-place of the hypochondriac,
right lumbar, and epigastric regions.
t Meetly, a. Ois. Forms : 4 metli, 4-6
meteli, 4-7 metely, 6 metly, meetelie, -ly, 6-7
meetly, [f. Meet a. + -ly I. (But the early form
metli may represent OE. remttlic, i.remet measure,
moderation.)]
1. Moderate ; of moderate size or quantity.
a 1300 Cursor M. 18847 Metli har was on his chin, la 1366
Chaucer Rom. Rose 822 With metely mouth and yen greye.
cx5ooMedwall Ar,2/Mr(?(BrandlJi. 317 Leuethynhawt con-
ceytys and take a metely way. 1505 in Mem. Hen. VII
(Rolls) 232 The fingers of the said queen be right fair and
small, and of a meetly length and breadth before, according
unto her personage very fair handed. 15*3 Ld. Berners
Froiss. I. xvi. 18 Wherof they were well served for their
horses, and at a metly price. 1600 Holland Livy x. xii.
359 After he had left at Falerii all his bag and baggage
with a meetly garrison [L. cum modico preesidio). 1620
Venner Via Recta iv. 73 Mullet. .is of pleasant taste, and
of meetly nourishment.
2. Fitting, proper, suitable, meet.
1426 Audelay Poems 4 Fore love together thus cum thai
schal be, Fore this makus metely maryage. Z492 Rolls of
Parlt. VI. 455/1 Here is the place most metely for you, and
where ye shall Iak nothing. 1579-80 North Plutarch, Ly-
sander (1595) 492 It was better, and meetelier for the Spar-
tans they should choose them for their kinges, whom they
found the meetest men of all their magistrates. 1633 Gerard
Part. Descr. Somerset (1900) 182 The most refined and
metely English now spoken.
Meetly (mrtli), adv. Forms : 5 metly, 5-6
mete-, 6 meate-, meete-, 6- meetly, [f. Meet a.
+ -ly 2. (But perh. partly repr. OE. lemeilice, f.
lemet : see prec.)]
MEGA-.
1. Moderately, fairly, tolerably. (Common in
the 1 6th c.)
c 1400 Destr. Troy 3069 Full metely made of a meane
lenght. 1476 Paston Lett. III. 157 He is well spokyn in
Inglyshe, metly well in Frenshe, and verry perfile in
Flemyshe. 1551 Recorde Pathw. Knmvl. 1. Defin. Nowe
haue you heard as touchyng circles meetely sufficient in-
struction. 1609 Hollakd Amm. Marccll. 402 Tall of
stature, and faire of complexion, their haire meetly yellow.
1657 Howell I.ondnwp. 339 A fine and meetly large Church.
2. Fitly, suitably ; as is meet.
1502 Hen. VII in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. 1. I. 55 The King
both with men and money metely and conveniently, .wol
yeve assistence. 1656 Sanderson Serm. (1689) 323 Then
are we meetly prepared for his service. 1813 Scott tricrm.
1. xx, The monarch meetly thanks express'd. 1857 H. Mil-
ler Test. Rocks iii. 138 And with this ancient elephant there
were meetly associated in Britain, -many other mammals of
corresponding magnitude. 1878 Browning La Saisiaz 72
How I may.. fix where change should meetly fall.
Meetness (mrtnes). [f. Meet a. + -ne.ss.]
The condition of being meet ; fitness, suitableness.
c 1449 Pecock Repr. in. xi. 347 Certis this fadir were not
to be blamed, if he wolde ordeyne that these schoon be
notabli widdir than the meetenes of hem wolde aske, as
for the firste dai in which thei schulden be worne. 1586
W. Weube Eng. Poetrie (Arb.) 46 Ye meetnesse of our
speeche to receiue the best forme of Poetry, c 1000 Shaks.
Sonn. cxviii, And, sicke of wel-fare found a kind of meet-
nesse To be diseas'd ere that there was true needing.
1758 S. Havward Serm. xiv. 409 Holiness is a meetness
for heaven. 1867 H. Macmillan Bible Teach, x. (1870) 202
They have no title to heaven and no meetness for it.
Meetre, obs. form of Metre.
Meeve, mefe, Meffynge : see Move, Moving.
Meg 1 (meg), [var. of Mag si.2} A pet
form of the female name Margaret, used dial, to
indicate a hoyden, coarse woman, etc. ; also in the
proverbial phrases Meg's delight or diversions, ' the
deuce and all', 'the very mischief (see E. D. D.
and cf. Mag si.2 1). Long Meg, Meg of West-
minster, the appellation of a virago whose exploits
were famous in the 16th c. ; hence proverbially in
allusive uses.
C1538 Lyndesay Supplic. Sydc Taillis 67 Ane mureland
Meg, that mylkis the 5owis. 1572 Satir. Poems Reform.
xxxii. 37 And we, agane, wald by ane Fiaer of Fegges, . .
and sell to landwart Megges. 1582 (title) The life and
pranks of Long Meg of Westminster. 1593 Nashe Strange
Neius Wks. (Grosart) II. 223 Thou art a puissant Epita-
pher. Yea? thy Muses foot of the twclues; old long Meg
of Westminster ? 'Then, I trowe thou wilt stride ouer Greenes
graue and not stumble. 1602 Dekker Satiro-mastix
F ij b, Tis thou makst me so, my Long Meg a Westminster,
thou breedst a scab, thou . 1611 Middleton 8: Dekker
Roaring Girl Kjb, Was it your Megge of Westminsters
courage that rescued mee ? a 1700 B. E. Diet. Cant. Crew,
Long-meg, a very tall Woman. 1725 Ramsay Gentle Sheph.
1. i, Then fare ye weel Meg-Dorts. 1813 W. Beattie Yule
Feast (1871) 11 Twa bunching megs. 1834, 1849 [see Mag
sb.'* 1]. 1874 S. Beauchamp Grantley Grange I. 202 Well,
it were Meg's delight, sir; and in the middle on it all..
he roars out [etc].
b. The great 1.5th c. gun in Edinburgh Castle
was called Mons Meg (?from having been cast at
Mons in Flanders), Mucile, Great Meg. Also
Roaring Meg.
1650 in Scott Prov. Antiq. Scot. (1826) p. xxi note. The
great iron murderer called Muckle Megg. 1650 Art.
Rendition Edinb. Castle 4 Three Iron Guns, besides the
Great Mag. 1753 Maitland Hist. Edinb. 164 A huge
Piece of Ordnance, resembling an old-fashioned Mortar.,
denominated Mounts-Megg.
Meg - (meg), slang and dial. [Of obscure
origin. Cf. Mag sbfi and Make sb.3]
T 1. A guinea. Ois.
1688 Shadwell Sqr. Alsatia 1. i, Sham. No, no ; Meggs
are Guineas, Smelts are half-guineas. 1691 Islington Wells
12 To see a Town not far from Dover, Butter'd with Megs
and Smelts all over. <■ 1742 in Hone Every-day Bk.W.
527 Tickets to be had, for three Megs a Carcass.
2. A half-penny : = Mag sb.-\ Make si.3
1781 [see Mag sb.%]. 1872 in Hartley Yorks. Ditties (ed. 2)
90 He wodn't pay a meg.
Mega- (me'ga), before a vowel meg-, repr. Gr.
/«7a-,comb. form oi/iiyas great, used esp. in many
scientific terms (often having correlatives f. Micro-,
and sometimes also synonyms f. Macro-), as Mega-
bacteria//. [Bacterium], Megacoccij*/. [Gr. kok-
kos a berry] , names of two stages in the development
of Billroth s Coccobacteria septica. Megafrvrstule
[Frustule] Biol., a. frustule of comparatively large
size. Megagamete [Gamete], one of the larger
motile sexual (female) cells of alga;. Megallan-
told a. [Allantoid], having a large allantois ; si.,
an animal so characterized. Meganuclerts [Nu-
cleus], the nucleus proper as distinguished from
the micronucleus or paranucleus. Megaspo
range, •spora-ngiTim (pl.-ia) Bot. [Sporangium],
a sporangium containing megaspores. Mega-
spore Bot. [Spore], a spore of comparatively large
size in marsilaceous cryptogams. MegaspoTO-
phyll Bot. [Sporophyll], (a) a carpel; (i) a
sporophyll which bears megaspores (Jackson Gloss.
Bot. Terms 1900). Jttegazoosporange Bot.
[Zoosporangium], the special sporangium in Hy-
105- 2
MEGABASITE.
308
MEGALOPS.
drodictyon which contains n swarm of megazoo-
spores. Megazo ospore Bot. [Zoospore], a zoo-
spore of relatively large size. Also Megabasite,
Megacephalic, etc. Cf. Megalo-.
1883 MacAlister tr. Ziegler's Path. Anat. 1. § 185. 265 Ac-
cording to size we may distinguish them as micrococci,
mesococci, and "megacocci, and microbacteria, mesobac-
teria, and "megabacleria. 1895 Naturalist 260 Drawings
made with the camera lucida..of the conjugating process
showing the *meyafrustules. 1891 Hartog in Nature 17
Sept. 484 The smaller (micro-)gamete is male, the larger
*(mega-)gamete, female. 1897 Parker & Haswell Tcxt-bk.
Zool. I. 71 Union always taking place between a large cell
or megagamete and a small cell or microgamete. 1877
\V. Turner Hum. Anat. 11. 869 So large and persistent is
the sac of the allantois in the ordinary Ruminantta [etc.],
that M. H. Milne-Edwards has grouped them together as
*Megallantoids. 1897 Parker & Haswell7V.*/-££. Zool.
I. 84 The *meganucleus in Paramecium is ovoid. 1903
S. J. Hickson in E. R. Lankester Zool. I. Protozoa 372
The Meganucleus (- Macronucleus). 1889 Bennett &
Murray Cryptog. Bot. n It [i. e. a spore-case] is a *mega-
sporange or a microsporange, according as it contains me-
gaspores or microspores. 1886 Athenxum 10 Apr. 491/2
Mr. Bennett has made use of the term "Megasporangia in
describing the heterosporous vascular cryptogams. 1858
Carpenter Veg. Phys. § 734 Three or four roundish fleshy
bodies ("megaspores). 1889 Bennett & Murray Cryptog.
Bot. 11 Two different kinds of spore, . .megaspores and..
microspores. 1902 Eucycl. Brit. XXV. 432/2 The micro-
sporopnylls (stamens) and the "megasporophylls (carpels).
1889 Bennett & Murray Cryptog. Bot. 297 Fig. 260 ..
C. *megazoosporange..D. *megazoospores.
b. Prefixed to names of units of measurement,
force, resistance, etc., meg[a- is used to denote ' a
million times ' ; e. g. megadyne, meg(a) erg(c(. me-
galergs.v. Megalo-), megafarad, meg(d)joule, me-
gamctre, megapone, megavolt, megaweber, megohm.
1868 L. Clark Electr. Meas. 43 One million ohms = 1
megohm. Ibid., Megavolt. Ibid. 44 Megafarad. 1871
Brit. Assoc. Rep. 11. 29 The author [Everett] proposed.,
that the names kilodyne, megadyne, kilopo/ie, megapone be
employed to denote a thousand and a million dynes and
pones. 1891 L. Clark Diet. Metric. Meas., Meg-erg, or
Megalerg — one million ergs. . . Meg-joule = one million
joules. 1893 B. Smith & Hudson Arith. 147 A million
joules make a megajoule. 1902 Eucycl. Brit. XXVI 1 1. 4/2
Convenient multiples and subdivisions of the ohm are the
microhm and the megohm. Ibid. XXXIII. 812/1 Mega-
metre (astronomy). .1,000,000 metres.
Megabasite (megab^'sait). Mitt. [a..G. mega-
basit (Breithaupt 1852 , f. Gr. fxtya-s great + &dai-s
base : see -HE.] A synonym of H'ubnerite.
The name is meant to express the fact that the mineral
contains more basic matter than wolframite.
1868 Dana Syst. Miu. (ed. 5) 604.
Megacephalic (megas/farlik), a. Anat. [f.
Gr. pttya-s great + KupaK-rj head : cf. Cephalic]
Large-headed ; spec, (see quot. 1882).
1879 Flower Catal. Mus. Coll. Surg. 1. 10 Crania of un-
usually large size (Megacephalic). i88a Quaiu's Anat.
(ed. 9) I, 80 Those [skulls] exceeding 1450 cubic centimeters
in capacity are megacephalic.
So Meg-ace-phalous a., large-headed.
1856 in Mayne Expos. Lex. 1890 in Syd. Soc. Lex.
II Megaceros (megarserps). Palseont. [mod.
L., f. Gr. piiya-s great + nipas horn, after jiivoxipas
Rhinoceros.] The extinct Irish elk.
1865 Phillips Addr. Brit. Assoc. 32 Can ourdomestic cattle
. .be traced back to. .contemporaries of the urus, megaceros,
and hyama?
Megacerotine (megase'rotain), a. Zool. [f.
mod.L. megacerot-, Megacebos + -ine.] Of or
pertaining to the megaceros.
1884 Flower Catal. Mus. Coll. Surg. 11. 307 Megacerotine
Group.
Megacerous (megarseras), a. [Formed as
Megaceros + -ous.] ' Having very large horns, as
the extinct Irish elk ' (Cent. Diet.).
1856 Mayne Expos. Lex., Megaccrus. .megacerous.
MegacheilOUS (megakai-las),a. lint. [f. Gr.
Itiya-s great + x"*-°s lip + -ous.] Having a large
labrum. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex.
Megacheiropteran (megakair^-ptfiran), a.
and so. Zool. [f. mod.L. Megacheiroptera (see
Mega- and Cheiroptera) + -an.] a. adj. Pertain-
ing to the group Megacheiroptera or fruit-eating
bats. So Megacheiro ptcrous a. with the same
sense, b. sb. A bat of this group.
1890 in Century Diet.
Megacosm (me'gakj?z'm). [f. Gr. ptlya-s great
+ Koaiios world, Cosmos.] = Macrocosm.
1617 Middleton & Rowley Pair Quarrel Ded., If. .this
Megacosme, this great world, is no more then a Stage.
1624 [T. Scorr] Vox Dei 48 As thus it is, in the microcosme
of priuate estates, so it is, in the megacosme of publique
wealths also. 1711 Brit. Apollo No. 137. 2/1 Supposing the
Microcosm to be as well the Subject of your Contemplations
as the Megacosm. 1851 G. S. F'aber Many Mansions 157
As Light was let in upon the darkened Megacosm : so [etc.].
Megaderm (me'gada\im). Zool. [ad. mod.L.
Megaderma, f . Gr. piya-s great + Sipn-a skin.] A
horse-shoe bat of the genus Megaderma.
1840 Cuvier's Anini. Kingd. 72 The Megaderms.
Megadont (me'gadpnt). Ethnology. [Badly f.
Gr. fiiya-s great + dSovr-, udovs tooth.] Having
teeth of large size, esp. as measured by a recognized
dental index. (Cf. Macrodont.)
1884 Flower in Jrnl. Anthrop. Inst. XIV. 185 The first
three species are therefore strongly megadont. Ibid., The
Megadont section, being composed exclusively of the black
races. Ibid. 186 Megadont Races. Melanesians [etc.].
Megagnathous .megargnabas), a. Anat. [f.
Gt. fifya-s great + yva0-os jaw + -ous.] Having a
large jaw (Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890) ; = Macrogna-
thous.
II Megalacria (megalarkria). Path. [mod.L.,
f. Gr. ixeyaXo- great + aupa, axpov extremity : see
-ia.] A morbid condition in which the hands and
feet and the face, esp. the bones of the face, are
abnormally enlarged.
1891 Cunningham in Trans. R. Irish Acad. XXIX. 611
Dr. Haughton and Dr. Ingram have furnished me with the
much more correct term of 'megalacria'.
Megalsesthete (megalrsbrt). Biol. [f. Gr.
\xfya\o- great + ala0r]TTis 'one who perceives ' (here
used for ' organ of sense ').] A supposed tactile
organ occupying the megalopore of chitons.
1884 MosEi.EY_in Rep. Brit. Assoc. (1885) 781 A series of
elongate cylindrical organs of touch (' megalaisthetes '). 1885
— in Q. Jrnl. Micr. Sci. XXV. 43 To which I shall apply
the name megalaesthetes, believing that they are peculiar
organs of touch and are at all events peculiar to Chito-
nidse.
Megalenie (me'gal/m). Ornith. [ad. mod.L.
Megalsma (G. R. Gray 1842 Megalaima), f. Gr.
/xiya-s great + Aat/uis throat.] A bird of the genus
Megalxma of scansorial barbets.
1890 in Century Diet.
Megalith (me'galib). Antiq. [Back-formation
from Megalithic] A stone oi great size used in
construction, or for the purpose of a monument.
1853 Lukis in Arclizologia XXXV. 233 Celtic Megaliths.
1872 J. Fergusson Rude Stone Monum. 181 note, Hun-
dreds of our countrymen rush annually to the French me-
galiths. 1894 Chamb. Jrnl. 555 A circle comprising, .thirty
freestone megaliths.
Megalithic (megali'Jiik), a. Antiq. [f. Gr.
piya-s great + \iOos stone + -ic] Consisting or
constructed of great stones. Hence, of a period,
a people, etc. : Characterized by the erection of
megalithic monuments.
1839 A. Herbert (title) Cyclops Cbristianus, or an Argu-
ment to disprove the supposed Antiquity of Stonehenge and
other Megalithic Erections. 1863 Lubbock Preh. Times
53 This appears to have been the finest megalithic ruin in
Europe. 1867 Sir J. Y. Simpson Archaic Sculpt. 144 A race
of Megalithic Builders — if we may so call them. 1875
D. Wilson in Encycl. Brit. II. 338/1 The rudiments of
architectural skill pertaining to the Megalithic Age.
Megalo- (me'gaU?), before a vowel Illegal-, a.
Gr. p.fya\o-, combining form of /«7as great (cf. the
equivalent Mega-), used in many scientific terms.
Megalencephalic a. [Encephalic], pertaining
to or affected with hypertrophy of the encephalon
or cerebrum. Megalerg Physics = megerg [see
Mega- b]. Me'galoblast Path, [-blast], one of
the nucleated red blood-disks found in the blood of
ancemic persons {Syd. Soc. Lex.) ; hence Mega-
loblastic a., containing megaloblasts. || Megalo-
ca'rdia Path. [Gr. napdia heart], the condition of
having an abnormally large heart (Dunglison Med.
Lex. 1855). Megalocarpous a. Bot. [Gr. /tapiros
fruit], having large fruit (Mayne). Megaloce-
phalic a. = Megacephalic ; so Megalocepha-
lows a. (Cent. Did. 1890). Megalocephaly, the
condition of being megacephalic ; also Path., an
enlargement of the head occurring in Leontiasis
ossea (Osier Princ. & Pract. Med., ed. 4, 1901,
p. 1145). Megalochirous a. [Gr. \tip hand],
having large hands or large tentacles (Mayne).
Me galocyte Path. [Gr. kvto? a hollow], one of the
large red blood-corpuscles seen in anaemia (Syd.
Soc. Lex.). Mugalodoiitous a. Anat. [Gr. oSot/s
tooth], large-toothed (ibid.). || Megalogastria
Path. [Gr. ya<iT(t)p-, yaar-qp stomach + -ia], the
condition of possessing great stomach capacity.
Megalogonidinm Bot., a gonidium larger than
others produced by the same species (Cent. Diet.) ;
= macrogonidium. Megalopore, one of the larger
poresin the dorsal shell of certain chitons. Mega-
lopodous a. [Gr. rrovs foot], having a long foot
(Syd. Soc. Lex.). Megalosphere [Sphere], the
initial chamber of a megalosphcric foraminifer;
hence Megalosphe'ric a., applied to certain fora-
minifera having a large initial chamber and a single
large nucleus.
1856 Mayne Expos. Lex., Megalanthus . .*megalanthous.
1900 Fletcher in Lancet 2 June 1589/1 *Megalencephalic
would be a more suitable name [sc. for cerebral hypertrophy].
1873 Brit. Assoc. Rep. 225 The mechanical equivalent of
one gramme-degree (Centigrade) of heat is 41-6 *megalergs,
or 41,600,000 ergs. 1899 Cagney tr. Jaksc/Cs Clin. Diagn.
1. (ed. 4) 43 Microcytes, *megaloblasts and nucleated red
corpuscles are also not of rare occurrence. 1900 Elder in
Lancet 28 Apr. 1199/2 The majority of the cells being of the
"megaloblastic type. 1904 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 10 Sept. 584
A stage when almost all the red cells are nucleated, and
most of them megaloblastic. 1876 Dunglison Med. Lex.,
*MegalocepItatic, having an unusually large head. 1878
Bartley tr. Topinard s Anthropol. 1. v. 176 Megalocepbalic,
skull of very large capacity. Ibid. 543 Index, *Megalo-
cephaly. 1889 D. J. Hamilton Text-bk. Pathol. I. 462
Giant blood corpuscles or *megalocytes running up to 14 (1
in diameter. 1897 Allbutfs Syst. Med. III. 485 A stomach
otherwise normal, may yet be of extraordinary capacity —
a condition which has received such names as megastria
and *megalogastria. 1884 Moseley in Rep. Brit. Assoc.
(1885) 781 A series of pores (' "megalopores ') by which this
surface is covered. 1894 Lister in Phil. Trans. CLXXXVI.
406 The parent shell is *megaIospheric, the *megalosphere
being pear-shaped.
Megalograph (me-galograf ). [f. Megalo- +
-graph. In Fr. me'galographe.'] (See quot. 1876.)
[1876 Sci. Amer. XXXV. 345/2 In this exhibit is an admir-
ably designed camera lucida, or, as it is here called, ntega-
lographe. ■ . It differs from the ordinary camera lucida, inas-
much as it admits of drawing directly from the objects
under the microscope. 1884 Knight Diet. Meek. Suppl.,
Megatographe.] 1890 Century Did., Megalograph.
t Megalcgraphy. Obs. [f. Megalo- +
-graphy.] ' A drawing of pictures at large '
(Bailey 1731).
Megalomania (megalomania). Nosology, [f.
Megalo- + Mania.] The insanity of self-exalta-
tion ; the passion for ' big things '. Often trans/.
1890 in Syd. Soc. Lex. 1892 Contemp. Rev, Feb. 166
Here again megalomania — the desire to 'do the great' — had
the upper hand. 1895 Spectator 2 Mar. 291 The patient
exhibits erotomania or megalomania, or a maudlin . . liability
to emotion. 1897 Marq. Salisbury in Daily Chron. 17 Nov.
8/2 A common intellectual complaint.. which I may name
(as I see Mr. Gladstone has consecrated the word) mega-
lomania— the passion for big things simply because they are
big. 1904 A. Griffiths Fifty Years Pitblic Service xiv. 222
Megalomania was strangely prevalent among these criminal
lunatics.
Hence Megalomaniac a. and sb. ; Megaloma-
ni'acal a.
1890 Syd. Soc. Lex. s.v. Megalomania, Many megalo-
maniacs are illegitimate children. 1892 Contemp. Rev. Feb.
167 A sort of megalomaniacal aberration. 1899 Speaker
29 July 105/1 He [Signor Crispi] was neither himself a me-
galomaniac nor the framer of the Triple Alliance.
Megalomartyr (megaloma'itaj). Eccl. Hist.
[a. late Gr. pKyaKo/iaprvp : cf. Megalo- and
Martyr.] (See quot. 1756.)
1756 A. Butler Lives Saints 7 Feb. (1821) II. 90 Among
those holy martyrs whom the Greeks honour with the title
of Megalomartyrs {i.e. great martyrs) as St. George, St. Pan-
taleon, &c. 1840 1. Taylor Anc. Chr. (1842) II. 186 The
' Megalomartyrs ' or Dii Selecti.
Megalonyx (megalfniks). Paleeonl. [mod.L.,
f. Gr. p.tya\o- great (see Megalo-) + 6vv[ claw.]
A large fossil sloth-like edentate from the post-
pliocene strata of North America.
1797 Jefferson Writ. (1859) IV. 195 The Megalonyx, as
we [? sc. the American Philosophical Society] have named
him. 1813 Byron in Moore Lett, fy Jrnls. (1830) I. 461
The Mammoth and Megalonyx._ 1839^ Penny^ Cyd. XV.
73/1 The Megalonyxes were provided with a tail.
attrib. itBjAmer. Naturalist XXI. 459 The Megalonyx
Beds.
Megalopa (megal<Ju'pa). Zool. [mod.L. , fem.
of *megalopus, a. Gr. pLtya\anr6s large-eyed, f. /u-
70A0- Megalo- + 6m-, uiifi eye.] =Megalops i.
1815 W. E. Leach Malacostraca Podophlh. Brit. Plate
xvi, Megalopa Leach. 1863 W. B. Carpenter^ Microsc.
§ 408 (ed. 3) 659 In which stage the [crab-] larva is remark-
able for the large size of its eyes, and hence received the
name oi Megalopa when it was supposed to be a distinct
type. 1880 Huxley Crayfish 284 1 he Megalopa stage of
the crab.
Megalophonic (megaWf^nik), a. [f. Gr. /«-
ya\u<]>aiv-tK, f. /«7aAo- great + tpaivq voice, sound :
see -ic.] Having a loud strong voice.
1856 Mayne Expos. Lex. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex.
Megalophonons (megaV'f6nas),a. [Formed
as prec. + -ous.] a. Of imposing sound. (Bur-
lesque ttonce-ivd.)
1819 Shelley Peter Belt Prol. 36 note. The oldest scho-
i liasts read 'A dodecagamic potter': this is at once more
descriptive and more megalophonous.
b. Having a great voice (Crabb 1823).
Megalopic (megahrpik), a. Zool. [f. Gr. /«-
•yaXoiTr-ds or mod.L. megalop- : see Megalops.]
Resembling a megalops. In mod. Diets.
Megalopine (me-galopain), a. (and sb.) [ad.
i mod.L. megalopin-us, f. megalop-, Megalops.]
1. Of or pertaining to the megalops stage of
decapod crustaceans (Webster Suppl. 1902).
2. Pertaining to, or connected with, the sub-
family Megalopinm of fishes. As sb., a fish of this
sub-family. (Cent. Did. 1890.)
|| Megalops (me'galcps). Zool. [mod.L. me-
galops, altered form of Megalopa ; cf. L. Cyclops,
Gr. KvicKanp.']
1. Originally, the name of a supposed genus of
crustaceans (characterized by eyes of enormous
size), now known to represent merely a particular
stage in the development of crabs. Now retained
as a descriptive term for a crab in this ' large-eyed '
stage of development.
1855 W. S. Dallas in Syst. Nat. Hist. I, 312 In this form
the young animals have received the name of Megalops.
MEGALOPSIA.
309
MEGILP.
1896 Kirkaldy & Pollard tr. Boas* Text Bk. Zool. 226
There is no mysis-stage, but the young one passes through
a prawn-stage (the so-called megalops).
2. The typical genus of the sub-family Megalo-
pinx of the family Elopidse of clupeoid fishes.
1840 Cuvier's Anim. Kingd. 321. 1880 GOnther Fishes 661.
|| Megalopsia (megaVpsia). Path. [mod. L.,
f. Gr. pieyaKo- great (see Megalo-) + -ouVia, in nouns
of agency f. combs, of on- to see : cf. Autopsy.]
A pathological condition of the eyes in which
objects appear enlarged. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex.
Megalopsychic, a. nonce-wd. [f. Gr. y.tyaXl>-
^dX-os ' great-souled ' (f. fiiyaAo- great + ^fx-?
soul) + -10.] Magnanimous.
1896 Spectator 7 Mar. 337/1 The megalopsychic monster
whose immaculateness is so uninteresting that [etc.].
t Megalopsychy. Obs. rare-", [ad. Gr. ptt-
ya\otpvx'a> noun of quality f. peya\uifvxos : see
prec] 'Magnanimity' (Blount Glossogr. 1656).
II Megalosaurus (me^galosp-rfe). ralssonl.
PI. -i. [mod. L., f. Gr. puyaXo- great (see Megalo-)
+ oavpos lizard.] An extinct genus of gigantic ter-
restrial carnivorous lizards, the remains of which
have been found in the Oolite ; an animal of this
genus. Also anglicized Megalosaur.
1824 Buckland in Trans. Geol. Soc. Ser. 11. I. 391, 1 have
ventured, in concurrence with my friend and fellow-labourer,
the Rev. W. Conybeare, to assign to it the name of Megalo-
saurus. Ibid. 392 The megalosaurus itself was probably an
amphibious animal. 1841 Owen in Brit. Assoc. Rep. (1842)
104 The carnivorous Megalosaur. 1844 Ansted Geo/., In-
trod. etc. I. 409 The Megalosaurus was a carnivorous
reptile, closely allied to some existing lizards 1864 Miss
Yonge Trial I. 87 He is physically as strong as a young
megalosaur.
Hence Megalosavrrian (a) adj. , having the char-
acter of a megalosaurus ; {b) sb., a megalosaurus or
similar animal. Similarly Megalosavrroid a.
and sb.
184^1 Owen in Rep. Brit. Assoc. (1842) 109 Their Megalo-
saurian character. 1844 Ansted Geol., Introd. etc. I. 410
When first the Megalosaurian remains were described by
Dr. Buckland. 1890 Century Diet., Megalosauroid a. and «.
t Megaloscope. Obs. Also erron. 8 mega-
lascope, 9 megalscope. [f. Megalo- + -scope.]
1. A hand lens for examining small but not micro-
scopic objects.
c 1790 Lmison Sch. Art 1. 227 This is an optical instrument
that may be properly called a megalascope for the hand ;
because it is adapted for viewing all the larger sort of small
objects. 1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. § Art I. 476 The
Hand Megalscope.
2. An endoscope with a magnifying apparatus.
190a in Webster Suppl.
Megameter (megariru"t3.i). [a. F. me'gametre :
see Mega- and -meter.] a. An instrument for
measuring large objects. b. An instrument for
taking astronomical measurements.
1767 Ann. Reg. (1772) 96 To make trial of some instru-
ments designed to facilitate the determination of the longi-
tude by sea, and particularly . . the megametre or grand
measurer of the Sieur de Charnieres. 1777 Phil. Trans.
LXVII. 789 An Account of a new Micrometer and Mega-
meter [was] read June 19. 1875 Knight Diet. Mech. 1419/1
Megamete^ an instrument for determining the longitude
by observation of the stars.
fMeganology. Obs. rare—0. [Badly f. ptiya-s
great + -ology.] (See quot. )
1656 Blount Glossogr., Meganologie, a speaking or dis-
course of magnitude or greatness.
Megaphone (me'gafoun). [f. Gr. ptiya-s great
+ tpoivr] voice, sound. ]
1. An instrument for carrying sound a long
distance, invented by T. A. Edison.
1878 Sci. Atrter. XXXIX. 111/3 Now, at last, we have a
megaphone, which is to the ear almost what the telescope
is to the eye. 1879 Prescott Sp. Teleplione 561 One of
the most interesting experiments made by Mr. Edison.. is
that of conversing through a distance of one and a half to
two miles, with, .a few paper funnels. These funnels con-
stitute the megaphone.
2. A large speaking trumpet.
1896 Boston (Mass.) Jrnl. 5 Nov. 6/4 The Society for the
Suppression of Needless Noise should regulate the use of
the megaphone. 1898 Westm. Gaz. 25 Apr. 7/2 Captain
Bob Evans.. shouted through the megaphone.
Hence Megaplionic a.
1881 Mrs. Lynn Linton My Love I. xvi. 290 She had
escaped even the microscopic research and the megaphonic
talk of a small country place like Highwood.
Megapode (me-gapoud), megapod (-ppd).
Ornith. [ad. mod.L. Megapodius , f. Gr. pLiya-s great
+ iroS-, 7rotis foot.] Any bird of the genus Mega-
podius or of the family Megapodiidse, a mound-
bird or mound-builder, native of Australia and the
Malay Archipelago. Also attrib.
1857 Carpenters Zool. I. 484 The family of Megapodidse,
or Megapodes, is peculiar to Australia and the adjacent
islands. 1880 A. R. Wallace Isl. Life i. 4 The strange
mound-building megapodes. 1900 Edin. Rev. Apr. 500 The
remarkable Megapode birds.
Hence Megapodan, a. adj. of or belonging to the
megapodes ; b. sb. a megapode {Cent. Diet. 1890).
t Megapolis. Obs. nonce-wd. [f. Gr. p\iya-s
+ noAis city.] A chief city.
1638 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (ed. 2) 61 [Amadavad is] at
this present the Megapolis of Cambaya.
Megar, obs. form of Meagke a.
Megarian (mege»-rian), a. andrf. AlsoMe-
garean. [f. L. Megara, Gr. yiiyapa (neut. pi.),
a city in Greece + -ian ; also f. L. Megare-us +
-an.] a. adj. Pertaining to the school of philo-
sophy founded c. 400 B.C. by Euclides of Megara.
1 b. A member or adherent of this school.
1603 Holland Plutarch Explan. Words, Megarian oues-
| tious, that is to say, such as were propounded and debated
! among the Philosophers Megarenses. 1656 Stanley Hist.
Philos. IV. Euclid li. 28 Litigious Euclid.. Who the Mega-
reans mad contention taught. 1838 Morrison tr. Ritters
Auc. Philos. II. 131 This doctrine had been previously at-
tributed to the Megarians by Aristotle. 1848 Schools .Inc.
Philos. 1 10 The Megareans. 1878 Encycl. Brit. VIII. 578/1
Four distinct philosophical schools trace their immediate
origin to the circle that gathered round Socrates — the Me-
garian, the Platonic, the Cynic, and the Cyrenaic.
Megaric (megarrik), a. and sb. [ad. Gr. Me-
yapac-its belonging to Megara.] = prec.
1656 Stanley Hist. Philos. iv. Euclid \. 27 Euclid (insti-
tuter of the Megarick Sect). 1744 Berkeley Sin's § 312
In consequence of that Megaric doctrine, we can have no
sense but while we actually exert it. 1845 Lewes Hist.
Philos., Auc. II. 7 The Megaric doctrine is therefore the
Eleatic doctrine, with an Ethical tendency borrowed from
Socrates. 1867 — Ibid. (ed. 3) I. 175 The Megarics.
Megarrliiue (me'garain), a. Zool. Also me-
garhine. [ad. mod.L. megarrhinus, f. Gr. piiya-s
great + /5IV-, />iv, ^t'snose.] 'Great-nosed'; the dis-
tinctive epithet of an extinct species of rhinoceros.
1865 Dawk ins in Nat. Hist. Rev. July 403 All the three
species [of Rhinoceros] — the megarhine, leptorhine, and
tichorhine, are found together at Crayford and Ilford. 1895
Lydekker Brit. Mammalia 304 Both the Leptorhine (R.
leptorhinus) and Megarhine (A', megarkinus) Rhinoceroses
. .differ essentially from the woolly kind.
Megascope (me'gaskiwp). [f. Mega- + -scope.]
1. A modification of the camera obscura or magic
lantern for throwing a reflected magnified image of
an object upon a screen.
1831 Brewster Optics xl. § 192 A modification of the
camera obscura called the megascope is intended for taking
magnified drawings of small objects placed near the lens.
1879 Sci. A titer. X LI. 63 An improved megascope,, .in which
the object to be viewed is firmly fixed upon a sliding screen
[etc.]. 1893 Brit. Jrnl. Photogr. XL. 798 Pictures pro-
jected upon the screen by means of the megascope or
aphengescope lantern.
2. (See quot.)
1875 Knight Diet. Mech. 1419/1 Megascope. 1. A solar
microscope in which the objects are opaque and illuminated
in front by reflecting mirrors.
Megascopic (raegask^'pik), a. [Formed as
prec. + -ic]
1. Visible to the naked eye without the aid of a
microscope ; — Macroscopic.
1879 Rutley Study Rocks xi. 194 Crystals, both mega-
scopic and microscopic, occur. .in some perlites. 1890 Bil-
lings Nat. Med. Diet., Megascopic, macroscopic.
2. a. Of or pertaining to the megascope or to
the projection of images of opaque objects upon
a screen, b. Enlarged or magnified, spec, of
photographic pictures, images, etc. (Webster 1902).
Also Megasco'pical a. ; Megasco-pically adv.
1890 in Century Diet.
Megaseme (me'gasim), a. and sb. Anal. [a.
F. niegaseme (Broca), f. Gr. ptiya-s great -rofjpa
sign.] a. adj. Having a large orbital index; spec.
having an orbital index over .89. b. sb. A skull
having a large orbital index.
[1878 Bartley tr. TopinarcCs Anthrop. 11. ii. 258 M. Broca
has created three general terms, .bearing reference to this
[orbital] index, ..namely, megaseme when the index is large
[etc.].] 1879 Flower Catal. Mus. Coll. Surg. 1. 256 The
females are all megaseme. 1882 Quain's A nat. (ed. 9) I. 83
If above 89, it [the orbital index] is megaseme.
Megasine, obs. form of Magazine.
1616 Bullokar Eng. Expos., Megasine, a storehouse for
warre.
II Megass (megavs). Also megasse. [Of un-
known origin : cf. Bagasse.] The fibrous residue
after the expression of sugar from the cane. Also
attrib.
1847 Sittttttonds's Colonial Mag. June 187 The megass is
carried to the megass-house, and from there to the fire-
place, all by manual labour. 1887 Encycl. Brit. XXII.
625/2 In a three-roller [sugar-] mill they consist of a cane,
top, and megass roller respectively. 1887 Moloney Forestry
IV. Afr. 453 Megasse or Bagasse, the refuse cane after the
juice has been extracted.
Megastliene (me-gasb;n). [ad. mod.L. mega-
sthena neut. pi. (see definition), f. Gr. piiya-s great
+ aSiv-o% strength.] A member of the Megas-
thena or second order of Mammalia in Dana's
classification, comprising the largest and most
powerful mammals. Hence Megastlienic a., of
or pertaining to this order ; also used by Dana in
etymological sense, ' having great strength '.
1863 Dana in Amer. frnl. Sci. Ser. 11. XXXV. 71 There is
a close parallelism with the Mutilates, the lowest of the
Megasthenes. Ibid. XXXVI. 8 Among Crustaceans, the
megasthenic and microsthenic divisions of which., stand
widely apart. Ibid. 327 The Megasthenic-type.
Megathere (me-gabiej). Palxont. Anglicized
form of Megatherium.
1839 Owen in Trans. Geol. Soc. (1842) VI. 93 The external
cuneiform bone of the Megathere differs [etc.]. 1887 Sir
H. H. Howorth Mammoth ft Flood 346 Great mylodons and
thickly-hided megatheres.
Megatherial (megabio-rial), a. [f. Mega-
theri-U-M + -al.] Resembling the megatherium ;
in quote. Jig, ponderous, unwieldy.
1894 Nature 26 July 301 The disorderly offspring of a
quite megatherial wit. 1898 H. G. Wells Cert. Personal
Matters 82 A vast edifice, .with which a Megatherial key
was identified.
Megatherian, a. and sb. [f. Megatheri-
um + -an.] a. adj. Pertaining to the megatherium.
b. sb. A megatherium or kindred animal.
1842 Owen Descr. Skcl. Mylodon 161 The extinct race of
Megatherians. Ibid., Generations of the Megatherial] race.
Megatherioid (megabl»'ri|0id), a. and sb.
Also -roid. [f. next + -oil).] a. adj. Resembling
the megatherium, b. sb. A megatherium or any
similar edentate animal.
1839 Owen in Traits. Geol. Soc. (1842) VI. 98 The Mega-
therioid families of Edentata. 1839 Penny Cycl. XV. 65/2
Mcgathcriidx, Megatheroids of Owen. Ibid. 70/1 Mylodon.
A genus of Edentate Megatherioids. 1872 Nicholson
I'alxonl. 416 The gigantic Megatheroids.
Megatherium. (megabioTizJm). Palacont. PI.
-ia. [mod.L. (Cuvier), as if Gr. piiya Stjpiov ' great
beast': see Mega-.] An extinct genus of huge
herbivorous edentates resembling the sloths, the
fossil remains of which are found in the upper
tertiary deposits of South America; an animal of
this genus.
1826 Prichard Res. Phys. Hist. Man. (ed. 2) I. 64 They
have been termed megalonyx and megatherium. 1832
Cliit in Trans. Geol. Soc. (1835) III. 437 The Remains
of the Megatherium described in this paper. 1856 Emerson
Eng. Traits, Stoneheuge Wks. (Bonn) II. 124 Professor
Sedgwick's Cambridge Museum of megatheria and mas-
todons.
b. trans/. Something of huge or ungainly pro-
portions.
1850 H. Rogers Ess. (1874) II. iv. 190 Those huge mega-
theria among particles, ' peradventure \ ' notwithstanding ',
and ' nevertheless '. 1870 Disraeli Lothair xxvi, The
wild panting of the loosened megatheria [locomotives] who
drag us.
Megatherni (me-gabaam). Bot. [f. Gr. p.iya-%
great + Scpp.rj heat, Bfppoi hot.] A plant re-
quiring great heat. Cf. Megistotherm, Meio-
THERM.
1879 Stormonth Man. Sci. Terms, Megatherms, plants
requiring a high temperature ; also called ' macrotherms '.
Megatype (me'gataip). [f. Mega- + -type.] An
enlarged copy of a picture or negative produced
by photography {Cent. Diet. 1890).
Hence Me'gatypy, the process of photographic
enlargement of pictures or negatives (Webster 1902).
Megazin(e, obs. forms of Magazine.
Meger(e, obs. forms of Meagre a.
t MegetholOgical, a. Obs. [f. Gr. ptiy($os
magnitude : see -logical.] Pertaining to the cal-
culation of magnitudes.
1570 Dee Math. Pre/, a iij, The helpe of Megethologicall
Contemplations.
Meggatapye : see Maggot2.
Meghelmes, obs. form of Michaelmas.
Megilp (m'"gi'lp)> sl>- Forms : see quot. 1854 ;
also majellup, maogellup, meggellup, McGilp,
megilph, meguilp. [Of obscure origin : the
suggestion that it is from a surname is improbable.]
1. A preparation (consisting usually of a mixture
of linseed oil with turpentine or mastic varnish)
employed as a vehicle for oil colours.
1768 [W. Donaldson] Li/e Sir B. Sapskulll. x. 116 The
magilp was a nostrum known only to the ancients ; but our
modern artists, .have labour'd..to find out this valuable
mystery, and as they say with some degree of success. . . I he
magilp produces that warmth and serenity which character,
izes the peculiar merit of Claude Lorraine. 1803 Edtn. Rev.
II. 458 By the pulp, he meant to express some of the drying
oils, or perhaps macgellup. a 1821 Farington in Wright
Life R. Wilson (1824) 20 A magylph or majellup of linseed-
oil and mastic varnish. .was his [Richard Wilsons] usual
vehicle. 1854 Fairholt Diet. A rt s. v. Gumption, note, In
the different treatises on painting and in the colourmen s
catalogues we find it thus variously named.. .Magelp, ma-
gelph, magilp, magylp, magylph, megilp, megelp, megylp,
megylph,macgelp,macgelph, macgilp, macgilph, macgylph,
macgulp, magulp, megulph, mygeip, mygelph, mygilp, my-
gilph, mygulp, mygulph.
2. A composition used by grainers (see quot.;.
.827 Whittock Painters' * Glaz. Guide 1. 11. 21 The grain-
ing colour.. is.. a compound of various ingredients, mixed
together to .the consistence of thick treacle: this is called
megilp. rj.
Megilp (migi-lp), *• [f-prec] trans To var-
nish with megilp ; to give to (oil colours) the
quality which megilp is used to impart
1873 E. Sr-ON Workslwp Receipts Ser I. 420/1 If it [water
is well mixed with the oil colour, it megilps it sufficiently to
hold the combing. 1875 E. A. Davidson House-paint., etc.
110 The work. .must be varnished or 'megirpeo .
MEGISTOTHERM.
310
MEINIE.
Megir(e, obs. forms of Meagre a.
Dff egistotherm (m/gi-st^im). Bot. [f. Gr.
fxtyiGTO-s, superl. of fxiyas great + Oipftrj heat.J A
plant requiring a very high temperature for growth.
Cf. Megatherm, Meiotherm.
1875) Stormonth Man. Sci. Terms, Megistotherms, plants
requiring extreme or a very high degree of heat,
Megne, obs. variant of Meynie.
Megohm : see Mega- b.
Megre, obs. form of Meagre a.
Megrim1 (mi"*grim). Forms: tx. 5 mygrane,
-ene, -eyn, 6 -ayne, megryne, 7 migrane. 0.
4 raygrame, 5 -greyme, migrym, my(e)grym,
midgrame, -grym, 6 migramme, -grym(me,
mygrim, magryme, maigram, meigryme, me-
grym(e, 6-7 megrime, migram, meigTim, me-
grum, 7 megro(o)me, -greme, -grimme, my-
gram, migrim, migraine, migraim, migreame,
7-9 meagrim, 6- megrim. [a. F. migraine
(13th c.)j semi-popular ad. late L. hemicrania :
see Hemicrane. Cf. Sp. migraHa, It. magrana.
The Fr. Migraine is now sometimes used by Eng.
writers as a synonym of Hemicrania; mod.G. has
migrane, Sw. migrant
1. Hemicrania ; a form of severe headache usually
confined to one side of the head ; nervous or sick
headache ; an attack of this ailment.
a. c 1420 Chron. Vilod. 4584 A feruent mygreyn was in be
ry^t syde of hurre hedde. c 1440 Pramp. Parv. 337/1
Mygreyme, sekenesse {S. mygrene), emigranea. 1483
Cath. Angl. 239/1 pe Mygrane; vbi emigrane. c 1530
II ickscorner (Manly) 292, 1 sayd, that in my heed I had the
megryne. 1541 R. Copland Guydons Form.X.}, The seconde
fotirme is of mygrayne. 1603 Florio Montaigne .in. xiii.
(1632} 617 The mind is. .confounded by a migrane.
0. 1398 Trf.visa Bartk. De P. R. iv. v. (1495) 87 The
mygrame and other euyll passyons of the heed, c 1460
Play Sacram. 613 For..alle maner red eyne bleryd eyn
& be myegrym also [etc.]. c 1566 Merit Tales o/Skelton in
Skelton's iVks. (1893) I. p. lx, Other whyle he woulde saye
hee had the megrym in hys head. 1579 Gosson Sch. Abuse
(Arb.) 58 It is not a softe shooe that healeth the Gowte..
nor a crown of Pearle that cureth the Meigrim. 1634 T.
Johnson Party's Chirurg. xvn. iv. (1678) 376 The Megrim
is properly a disease affecting the one side of the head, right
or left 1668 R. L'Estrange Vis.Quev. (1708) 268 By how
much it is more Honourable to Dye upon a Swords-point. .
than for a Man to snivel and sneeze himself into another
World ; or to go away in a Meagrim. 1713 Phil. Trans.
XXVIII. 229 For the Megrim, they smoak. .the dried Bark
of a Pomegranate Tree. 1871 Napheys Prev. fy Cure D is.
in. x. 1005 Brow-ague, or megrims, as it is sometimes called.
1899 Allbutfs Syst. Med. VI. 543 Attacks of megrim are
often accompanied by. .contraction of the temporal artery.
b. = Vertigo.
1595 Duncan App. Etymol. (E. D. S.) 75 Vertigo, dizzi-
nesse, the migramme. 1626 Bacon Sylva § 725 In every
Megrim, or Vertigo, there is an Obtenebration joyned with
a Semblance of 'I urning Round. 1679 ' Ephelia ' Female
Poems 7 A giddy Megrim wheel'd about my head. 1804
Med. Jrnl. XII. 109 A gentleman, .was suddenly attacked
with a severe pain in his forehead, accompanied with so
much megrim and stomach sickness, as would have caused
him to fall, had he not received support.
o- fig-
a 1536 Tindale Exp. Matt, v-vii. (? 1550) 50 The weake
and feble eyes of the world deseased with the mygrym and
accustomed to darcknesse. 1634 W. Tirwhvt tr. Balzac s
Lett. (Vol, I.) 228 Send me something to rid me of the Me-
;reme I have taken in reading the sotteries of these times.
c 1660 R. Wild Poems (1670) 27 The meagrim of opinions,
new or old, The colic in the conscience, he could cure. 1685
Sir G. Mackenzie Relig. Stoic 42 Finding that Fortunes
megrim could not be cured.
2. A whim, fancy, fad.
,*593 R- Harvev P/tilad. 23 Iago..died of a frensie, as he
liued with a, megrim. 1631 Brathwait VVhimzies, Tra-
veller q\ Hee is troubled with a perpetuall migvim ; at sea
hee wisheth to bee on land,and on land at sea. 1711 E. Ward
Quix. I. 235 With Fifty Meagrims in his Head. 1716
Addison Drummer 1. i, Whims ! freaks ! megrims ! indeed
Mrs. Abigal. 1866 Geo. Eliot F. Holt xi, Can't one work
for sober truth as hard as for megrims ? 1884 Harper's Mag.
Aug. 466/2 What confounded megrim has seized you!
3.//. 'Vapours'; ' blue devils' ; low spirits.
1633 Ford Broken H. m. ii, These are his megrims, firks,
and melancholies. 1754 Richardson Grandison (1781) VI.
xlv. 286 If these megrims are the effect of Love, thank
Heaven, I never knew what it was. 1823 in Spirit Pub.
Jmls. 451 A very fine lady, and subject to the meagrims.
1887 G. R. Sims Mary Jane 's Mem. 214 Nurses, .having as
many dislikes as a fashionable lady with the megrims.
4. pi. The staggers or vertigo (in animals).
1639 T. de Gray Compl, Horsem. 69 These paines in the
head. .breed megrims. 1765 Treat. Dom. Pigeons 39 The
next . . distemper incident to this kind of birds is the vertigo,
or (as generally styled by the fancy) the megrims. 1849
D.J. Browne Amer. Poultry Yd. (1855)261 This is evidently
the same disorder which Dr. Bechstein terms epilepsy, and
Mr. Clater, the megrims or giddiness. 1850 Col. Hawker
Diary (1893) II. 321 The poor mare was suddenly seized
with megrims, or mad staggers.
Hence tMegrimical a., of or belonging to
megrim ; Megrimish a., inclined to megrim.
x66i K. W. Con/. Charac, Detracting Empirick (i860)
65 This quackroyall is never . . so happy as when he's, .telling
them [his patients].. how many megrimicall and hypocon-
driacal humors he hath dissipated. 1855 R. Redgrave
in Memoir vi. (1891) 160 The maidwas summoned to dress
her mistress. She found her languid and megrimish.
I
Megrim2 (mrgrim). dial. Alsomegrin. The
scald-fish, Arnoglossus laterna.
1836 Yarrell Brit. Fislies II. 254 The Scaldfish, or
Megrim, as it is called in Cornwall. 1881 Casselts Nat.
Hist. V. 69 The Scald-fish, or Megrim, or Smooth Sole
{Arnoglossus laterna). 1900 Dundee Advert. 5 Jan. 2
When whitches and megrins have arrived in any great
quantity, values have speedily dropped. 1901 Scotsman
14 Mar. 4/4 Aberdeen, .prices,. . megrims, 20s. to 22$. per box.
Megrin, obs. form of Megrim 2.
Meguilp, megylp(h, variant forms of Megilp.
Mehap, Mehche, obs. ff. Mayhap, Match sb.1
t Mehe, me^he. Obs. [OE. msege wk. fern. :
related to May sb.'l~\ A kinswoman.
c 1000 Ags. Gosp. Luke i. 36 Nu elizabeth bin maeje sunu
on hyre ylde x,e-eacnode. c 1200 Ormin 3178 Hire me?he
Elysabaeb Wass gladd inoh & blibe Off hire dere child
Johan. a 1225 St. Marker. 16 Meies ba ant mehen. a 1225
After. R. 76 Hire oSre wordes weren boa heo com & grette
ElizabeS hire mowe [MS. T. mehe, MS. C. me5xe].
II Mehmandar (m^-mandai). Forms: 7 meh-
mander, mehemandar, -er, mammandore,
-dar, maih)mendar, 9 menmandar, -daur.
[Pers. j\jjUa* mihmdnddr, f. mihman stranger,
guest.] In Persia and India, an official appointed
to act as courier to a traveller of distinction.
1623 St. Pap. Col., E. Indies 1622-4 (1878) 161 Our
mehmander or presenter. 1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 51
Our Mammandore or Harbinger, prou'iding for vs. 1638
Ibid. 132 Our Ambassadour..sent his Mammandar to the
Governour- .to demand fresh horses. 1662 J. Davies tr.
Oleariui' Voy. Ambass. 369 The Mehemandar, who con-
ducts Ambassadors from one Province to another till they
come to Court. 1687 A. Lovell tr. T/tevenot's Trav. 11.
103 The Mahmendar Bassa, Master of the Ceremonies.
1840 J. B. Fraser Koordistan I. vi. 172 A dispute between
our mehmandar and the villagers regarding a supply of
corn for our horses. 1842 Elphinstone Caubul I. 29 The
necessity, .of waiting for a Mehmandaur from his Majesty,
to accompany the mission.
II M eh tar (m^i'tai). Also 7 meheter, mehater,
9 mater, matre, mehter. [a. Urdu mehtar.
a. Pers. z^* mihtar head man, prince, occurring
in many titles like mihtar-i-asp, master of the
horse, m.-i-raxt, master of the household ; com-
parative of mih great.]
1. a. In Persia : Originally, the title of certain
great officers of the royal household. Now, a
groom, a stable-boy.
1662 J. Davies tr. Olearius' Voy. Ambass. 272 Near the
Pages stood the Meheter, or Groom of the Chamber, who
hath the ouer-sight of them. Ibid. 286 The King. .would
have kill'd him, if a Mehater, or Gentleman belonging to
his Chamber had not prevented him. 1828 Morier Hajji
Baba in Eng. I. 60 Besides many mehters or stable-boys.
b. In Bengal : A house sweeper and scavenger;
the lowest of the menial house-servants.
1810 Williamson E. India Vade M. I. 276 The Mater,
or sweeper, is considered the lowest menial in every family.
1811 Mrs, Sherwood Henry <fr Bearer 26, I gave all my
last sweetmeats to the matre's boy. 1886 Yule & Burnell
Anglo-Ind. Gloss, s. v. Bungy, In the Bengal Pry. he is
generally called mehtar.
2. A title borne by the ruler of Chitral. Hence
Me htarship, the office of mehtar.
1892 Pall Mall G. 21 Dec. 4/3 Nizam-ul-Mulk, the new
Mehtar of Chitral. 1805 IVestm. Gaz. 22 Mar. 7/1 The Amir
ul Mulk, . . who recently usurped the Mehtarship by killing
bis brother.
Mehte, obs. f. Might sb. and might pa. t. of
May v\
Mehumitanisme, obs. form of Mahometanism.
Meibomian (maib<?a*mian), a. Anal. [f. Met-
bomius (see below) + -an.] The distinguishing
epithet of certain sebaceous glands in the human
eyelid, discovered by H. Meibom (Meibomius) of
Helmstadt (died 1700).
1813 J. Thomson Led. Inflam. 161 When scrophula
attacks the eye-lids, it has usually its seat in the Meibo-
mian glands. 1858 H. Gray Anat. 565 The Meibomian
glands are situated upon the inner surface of the eyelids.
Meiching, variant of Miching.
Meicock, variant of Meacock Obs.
Meid(e, obs. forms of Mead sb?-, sb.2t Meed sb.
Meidan, variant of Maidan Indian.
Meiden, obs. form of Maiden.
Meidln, variant of Medine.
Meidle, Meiger, obs. ff. Middle a., Meagre a.
Meighlyn, obs. form of Mechlin.
Meigne(e, Meigniall, obs. ff. Meiny, Menial.
Meigrim, -ym, obs. forms of Megrim.
Meik(e, obs. Sc. forms of Meek a. and v.
Meikill, meikle, obs. forms of Mickle.
Meil, obs. form of Meal sb.1 and sb»*
Meild, Meile, var. ff. Meld, Mele, vbs. Obs.
II Meiler (msrtoi). [Ger. ; orig. a pile of wood
for making charcoal.] A charcoal-kiln.
1839 Urk Diet. Arts 996 Fig. 873. represents a simple
coking meiler or mound. 1854 Ronalds & Richardson
Chem. Technol. (ed. 2) I. 65 {heading) Preparation of Char-
coal in Meiler.
Meill, obs. f. Meal sb.1 and sb.i ; var. Mele v.
Mein, obs. f. Main, Mien, Mlne/w«., Ming v.
I Meindre, a. Obs. rare—1, [a. AF. meindre
(^mod.F. moindre) :— L. minor MiN OX a.] In phr.
meindre age, minority.
a 1461 Rolls o/Parlt. V. 394/1 By reason of the meyndre
age of his seid Heire.
[Meine, v.y a spurious verb inferred from meind,
pa. t. of Meng v.
1736 in Ainsworth Eng.-Lat. Diet. Hence 1755 in
Johnson ; and in later Diets.]
Meine, obs. form of Mean.
Meinie (mf>#ni). Obs. exc. arch. Forms:
3 maynee, meingne, menyeie, 3-4 meigne,
3-5 maine, mayne, meine, meynee, 3-6 menye,
meyne, men3e, 3, 5, 7, 9 menie, 4 meygne,
megne, meng3e, mengne, meynne, meyneg,
meyney, meinee, 4-5 meignee, meynye, mene,
meneyhe, meyn3e, men3ey, me^he, mene3e,
4-6 mayny, 4-7 meny, 4-9 meyny, 5 mene3ee,
luenne, maygne, menyhe, meneya, meneyay,
meyni, 5-6 maynye, 5-9 meynie, Sc. men^ie,
6 mainy, meany(e, meini, meniey, meignye,
menyei, 6-7 meiney, 6-8 meiny, 7 meney,
meanie, Sc. meinzie, 9 meisny, Sc. mengyie,
manzy, 6- meinie. [a. OF. mcynt^ mesnie, earlier
mesnede = Pr. mesnada, maisnada, mainada (whence
Sp. mesnada, manaday It. masnadd) :— popular
Latin type *mansiondta, f. L. mansion-em (see
Mansion), whence F. maison house.
In English the word was in some of its applications con-
fused with Many sb.]
1. A family, household.
c 1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 480/3 Seint ypolyt pe Martyr, .pat
wuste seint laurence in prisonc.And poru3h him turnde to
cristindom and his maine al-so. a 1300 Cursor M. 12371
|>an went ioseph and mari bun Wit lesu til a-noiper tun,
pat meingne was sa mild and meth. 13.. E. E. A Hit.
P. B. 331 pis meyny of a}te I schal saue of monnez saulez.
c 1380 Wvclif Wks. (1880) 32 No weddid man owib to leue
his wife & children & meyne vngouerned. 1481 Caxton
Reynard (Arb.) 98, I sawe neuer a fowler meyne, they [the
ape and its young] laye on fowle heye whiche was al be
pyssed. 153a Hebvet Xenofhons Househ, (1768) 78 For a
man that is at great costes. .in his house, and can not gette
as moche . .as wyll fynde hym and his meyny. 1587 Durham
Depos. (Surtees) 327, I will command my menyei (which, as
this examinate thinketh, he ment his wife and children) that
they will be good to the. 1667 Cotton Scarron. iv. 105 A
Farm lies ready cut and dry'd, Will hold both me. and all
my meany.
2. A body of retainers, attendants, dependents,
or followers ; a retinue, suite, train.
1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 3484 pat so moche folc to him com
of knijtes gonge & olde pat ne nadde nojt wel war wib
such menie up to holde. a 1300 Cursor M. 20579 Pan
com ihesus wit his meigne. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron.
Wace (Rolls) 2388 pey sette hym honurable to be, Wib
fourty knyghtes pf meygne. c 1400 Maundev. (Roxb.) xxx.
135 When he rydes in tyme of peesse with his priuee men^ee.
c 1400 Rom. Rose 7156 Thus Antecrist abyden we, For we
ben alle of his meynee. c 1415 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 124
Ther all the ryall powere of Frensshemen come a^enstowre
kynge and his litill meyne. 14*3 Rolls o/Parlt. IV. 248/2
For the expens resounable of hir, and of a certein meyne
that shuld abide aboute hir. c t^/SoGodstow Reg. (E. E. T. S.)
182 Hys meyny of woluerton sholde haue fre & full power
to lede her bestys to the welle. 1470-85 Malory Arthur
x. xi. 430 Kynge marke rode froward them with alle his
mayneal meyny. c 15006W Robyn Hode 335 in Child Bal-
lads III. 72 Fondeshe there Robyn Hode, And al his fayre
mene. 15. . Chevy Chase 6 Then y« perse owt off banborowe
cam, w* him A myghtee meany. 1513 Douglas AEneis m.
i. 25 Furth sail I,.. With my ^oung son Ascanius and our
men^e. 1605 Smaks. Lear 11. iv. 35 They summon'd vp their
meiney, straight tooke Horse, Commanded me to follow,
< 1640 J. Smyth Lives Berkeleys (1883) 1. 214 Wherto eleaven
knights were wittnesses, then of his meiny or houshold
seruants. 1728 Ramsay To D. Forbes vii, What gars thee
look sae big and bluff? Is't an attending menzie? 1904
Saintsbury Hist. Crit. III. 426 Titania and her meyny.
fb. Used as & plural: Servants. Obs.
c 1450 Bk. Curtasye 604 in Babees Bk.t Now let we pes
officers be, And telle we wylle of smaller mene\ c 1450 St*
Cuthbert (Surtees) 252 J>e lady, be men;e, grete and small.
f C. Cod's meinie : applied (a) to the angels ;
(b) to the poor, as objects of his special care. Obs.
a 1300 Assump. Virg. (Camb. MS.) no He wile senden
after be, Fram neuene adun of his meigne. 1496 Dives *
Paup. (W. de W.) ix. xiv. 367/1 For why wycked doers &
synful poore men ben called the leste of goddes menye.
1 3. A company of persons employed together or
having a common object of association; an army,
ship's crew, congregation, assembly, or the like. Obs.
a 1300 Cursor M. 17288+440 ^it apon pe same day he
schewd to bis men5e. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810)
97 He gadred grete mayne of alle bat he mot hent. 137s
Barbour Bruce xvi. 375 Of archens a gret menyhe Assem*
bliu c 1400 Destr. Troy 5243 Mony fallyn were fey of be
fell grekes, But mo of the meny, bat mellit horn with. < 1400
Beryn 1581 For there nas Shippis meyne foraujt that they
could hale That my^te abuten of the Shipp the thiknes of a
skale. 1598 Nottingham Rec. IV. 247 To requyre the Bur-
gesses in his Ward to mete a meny of honest Burgesses.
1 4. The collection of pieces or 'men' used in the
game of chess. Obs.
[132a in Rolls Parlt. III. 363 Escheqirs . . ove tres peirs
meines de cristall, et tables de ivoir, ove la meine d'ivoire et
d'eban.] 13.. Guy Wanv. (A.) 3195 pe cheker bai oxy & be
meyne. C1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 11396 Meyne
for be cheker Wyb draughtes queinte of knight & rok. c 1400
Beryn 1733 The ches was al of yvery, the meyne fressh and
newe. 14 . . Voc. in Wr.-Wulcker 609/41 Scaccus, the meny
MEI0GYR0T7S.
of the cheker. c 1450 Merlin xxi. 362 The pownes, and all
the other meyne were golde and yvory fresshly entailled.
5. A multitude of persons ; chiefly in disparag-
ing use, a ' crew ', ' set '. Also, the common herd,
the masses.
13. . E. E. Allit. P. B. 454 He. .wysed beroute A message
fro bat meyny hem moldez to seche. c 1440 Alphabet of
Tales 121 A grete meneyay of pylgrams. c 1440 York Myst.
xi. 277 Lord, whills we with pis menyhe meve, Mon never
myrthe be vs emange. 1529 Rastell Pastyme (1811) 268
A meanye of rascall and euyll disposed people. 1529
Skelton Dethe Erie Norlhumb. 46 A maynyofrude vil-
layns made hym for to blede. 1533 More Answ. Poysoued
Bk. Wks. 1 1 19/2 Mayster Walker and al the meany of them.
1609 Day Festivals (1615) Ep. Ded., If we account them not
more Religious, then the Meyny, or Multitude, are. 1640
Brathwait Two Lane. Lovers 99 One, whom the rest of
that miserable meniey. .called Spurcina. a 1670 Spalding
Tronb.Chas. 7(1829)41 A menzie of miscontented puritans.
1788 Shirrefs Poems (1790) 346 What gart you pit them
[critics] in my head? That menzie, Sir, are a' my dread.
1819 W. Tennant Papistry Storm d (1827) 140 The meikle
menzie on ilk side Did break in twa.
fb. (Common) people. Obs.
_ 1387-8 T. Usk Test. Love 1. vi. (Skeat) 1. 145 Notwithstand-
inge that in the contrary helden moche comune meyny.
f 6. Of animals : A herd, drove, flock, etc. ; a
number, multitude. Obs.
1484 Caxton Fables 0/ JEsop vi. ix. (1889) 204 Ones
amonge a grete meyny of ghees and cranes [a labourer] took
a pyelarge. 1522 Skelton Whynot to Court ? 241 A mayny
of marefoles. Ibid. 292 They wolde Rynne away and crepe,
Lyke a mayny of shepe. 1530 Palsgr. 475/1 They can no
more skyll of it than a meany of oxen. 1556 Olde Anti-
christ 12 b, You are muche more worthe than a great meignye
of sparrowes.
7. Of things : A number, a numerous collection
or aggregation. Obs. exc. Sc.
<ri44o Alphabet of Tales 294 A grete meneya of palme-
levis. 1530 Palsgr. 244/2 Meny of p\zntes, plautaige. Ibid.
721/1 As thoughe there were a menye of brokes [F. vng tas
de ruisseaux] had their springes there. 1896 Barrie Marg.
Ogilvy iv. 76 You get no common beef at clubs ; there is
a manzy of different things all sauced up to be unlike
themsels.
Meinie, obs. form of M ant.
Meiocene : see Miocene.
Meiogyrous (mauSdgsi-res), a. Bot. [irreg. f.
Gr. /itioiv smaller, less + yvpos (see Gyre) + -ous.]
'Rolled inwards a little' (Jackson Gloss. Bot.
Terms. 1900).
Meiolithie : see Miolithic.
Meionite (mai-iShait). Min. Also mionite.
[a. F. meionite (Haiiy), f. Gr. /itiwr smaller: see -ite.
Meant to indicate that the crystals are smaller than those
of vesuvianite.]
A white or colourless silicate of aluminum and
calcium found in lava.
1808 Nicholson's Jrnl. XXI. 191 Does the mineral men-
tioned by the name of meionite in the Tableau mithodique
of Mr. Haiiy constitute a distinct species? Ibid. 199, 1 have
yet compared the meionite with the feldspar only in respect
to form. 1879 Rutley Stud. Rocks x. 112 The species
meionite and marialite are closely related to scapolite.
Meiophylly (maWfili). Bot. Also mio-.
[irreg. f. Gr.^teiW less + ipvKKov leaf + -?. Cf.
Meiostemonous.] The suppression of one or
more leaves in a whorl.
1869 Masters Veget. Terat. 396 Meiophylly. A diminished
number of leaves in a whorl, occasionally takes place. 1879
in Stormonth Man. Sci. Terms.
II Meiosis (mai^u-sis). Also 7 miosis. [Gr.
liuaois lessening, f. /xeiovv, to lessen, f. fttiav less.]
1. Rhet. +a. A figure of speech by which the im-
pression is intentionally conveyed that a thing is
less in size, importance, etc., than it really is.
1586 A. Day Eng. Secretary n. (1625) 84 Meiosis, a manner
of disabling, as when we say, Alas Sir, it is not in my power
to doe it. 1589 Puttenham Eng. Poesie III. xvi[i]. (Arb.)
'95 If you diminish and abbase a thing by way of spight..,
such speach is by the figure Meiosis or the disabler spoken
of hereafter. aijz6 South Strut. (1717) IV. 32 Their whole
Discourse being one continued Meiosis to diminish, lessen,
and debase the great Things of the Gospel.
b. m LIT0TE8.
1642 Fuller Holy S, Prof. St. 11. vii. 73 Some condemne
Rhetonck as the mother of lies, speaking more then the
truth m Hyperboles, lesse in her Miosis. 165s — Ch. Hist.
vm. lii. § 32 The foresaid Author . . termeth Him . . Pedantick
enough, that is too much, to such as understand his Miosis.
■21716 South Serm. (1727) IV. x. 434 The Words are a
Meiosis, and import much more than they express. 1903
Speaker 16 May 159/1 Self-assertiveness, Mr. Sheppard ob-
serves with a pleasing meiosis, is not required.
2. Path. The stage of a disease in which the
symptoms begin to abate.
1857 Dunglison Med. Lex. 577. 1890 in Syd. Soc. Lex.
Meiostemonous (maiiustf-m&ias), a. Bot.
Also mio-. [irreg. f. Gr. /teiW less + o-TT//toi/-,
o-tt/jw stamen + -ous.] Having fewer stamens
than petals.
,.832,LlNDLEY Introd. Bot. 400 Meiostemonous would be
said of a plant the stamens of which are fewer in number
than the petals. 1849 Balfour Man. Bot. § 392 Mioste-
monous.
Meiotaxy (mai'tSteksi). Bot. Also mio-.
[irreg. f. Gr. puoiv less + raf is arrangement. Cf.
prec. and Meiophylly.] The suppression of an
entire whorl of floral organs.
311
1869 Masters Veget. Terat. 403 Meiotaxy of the calyx.. .
This term is here employed to denote those illustrations in
which entire whorls are suppressed. 1879 *n Stormonth
Man. Sci. Terms.
Meiotherm (msi^Jrajm). Bot. [irreg. f. Gr.
piiuv less + eipixt) heat, Oepixos hot.] A plant of
a temperate habitat. (Cf. Megatberm, Megisto-
therm.) Also attrib.
'87S J. G. Baker Bot. Geog. 48 Meiotherm, characteristic
of the cool-temperate zone, and therefore quite hardy in the
open air in England. Ibid. 95 Meiotherm types. 1884
Trans. Victoria Inst. 38 Meiotherms— plants inhabiting
cool temperate zones.
Meir, Meir(e, obs. ff. Mere, Mayor.
Meir-maid, -swyne, ob. ft". Mermaid, -swine.
t Meirre, meire, a. Her. Obs. [Of obscure
origin : cf. F. moire, moire watered silk, also OF.
metre • sorte de vetement ' (Godefr.).] (See quot. ;
Leigh's figure identifies it with Counter-potent.)
1562 Leigh Armory 191 He beareth Meirre Argent, and
Azure. Some olde Hereaughtes haue taken this for a dub-
linge, and yet they wolde call it varry cuppe, & varrey tassa,
which isasmuche tosaye, as furre of Cuppes, or of goblettes.
..Well let that blazonne goo, and vse this worde Meire, for
so is it well blazed, and very auncient and is a Spanishe Cote
moste commonly.
Meis(e, variant forms of Mease.
Meish(e, obs. forms of Mesh.
Meiss, obs. form of Mease v., Mess sb.
Heist (mrist). nonce-wd. [f. Me pron. : see
-1ST.] An egoist.
1737 Common Sense I. 311 His Works hereafter will be
more favourably receiv'd . . by the Meists and Selfists.
Meister, var. Master, Mister sb.1, trade.
Meit (e, obs. forms of Meat, Meet, Mete.
Meith(mfb),fA.i'c. Forms: 6meithe,6-7meth,
8 myth, meeth, 9 meethe, meath, 6- meith.
[app. a. ON. miS a mark, a fishing-bank ' indicated
by prominences or landmarks on shore ' ( Vigf.); but
associated with L. meta boundary, goal, Mete sb.
The OE. mxp, ME. Methe, due measure, moderation,
seems to be unconnected.]
1. A landmark or sea-mark ; a boundary, goal.
1513 Douglas SEneis v. iv. 1 With this thai gan towart
the meithe approche. Ibid. xiv. 16 The donk nycht had
rone almaist evin Hir myd cours or methis in the hevin.
1579 Burgh Rec. Edin. (1882) IV. 124 To vesy thair meithis
andboundis. a 1680 DALU.sSiiles (1697) 710 Theold Bounds,
Marches and Meiths of the same [Lands]. 1701 Brand
Descr. Orkney, etc. (1703) 145 The House of Mey formerly
mentioned is a Myth, Sign or Mark, much observed by
Saillers. 1813 Beattie Poems (1871) 35 Mark nor meith ye
wadna ken. _ 1824 Scott St. Ronan's iii, They had been
ower the neighbour's ground they had leave on up to the
march, and they werena just to ken meiths when the moor-
fowl got up. 1899 J. Spence Shell. Folk-lore 130 A given
straight course, indicated by meiths or marks on the land.
2. A measurement.
1726 Burgh Rec. Stirling (1889) 189 There shall be two
foot more deepness.. after meiths taken at the beg stone.
1819 1 W. Tennant Papistry Storm' d (1827) 189 As theylook't
up ilk lofty wa', Takin' their meiths for its downfa', That
they may strike and stroy.
Meith. (m»J>), v. Sc. Also 6 meth, 7 meath, 9
mith. [f. prec. Cf. ON. mitla to mark the position
of something.] trans. To bound or mark out.
* JS7.5 Balfour's Practicks (1754) 438 Landis. .merchit and
meithit be trew and leill men of the countrey. 1679 in
Cramond Ann. Banff (iSgi) I. 158 That the said common
way be meithed and merched on the south syde of the Colle-
hill. 1899 J. Spence Shell. Folk-lore 47 A landmark at sea
for meithing (marking) the Burgascurs.
Meizin, obs. form of Muezzin.
MeizOSeismal(m3izos3i-smal),a.andrf. [irreg.
f. Gr. fieifav greater + o-tirr/tos earthquake : see -al
and Seismic] a,, adj. Pertaining to the points of
maximum disturbance in an earthquake, b. sb.
A curve traced through these points.
1859 Mallet in Admiralty Man. Sci. Eng. (ed. 3) 351
This may be called the Meizoseismal Circle or Zone.
Meizoseismic (msizosarsmik), a. [f. as prec. :
see -ic] = prec. adj.
1877 Rudler in Encycl. Brit. VII. 610 The line indicating
this maximum is termed the meizoseismic curve.
Mek(e, Meken.etc, obs. ff. Meek, MEEKEN,etc.
Mekel(l, obs. forms of Mickle adv.
Mekhitarist (me'kitarist), jA and a. Also
meehitarist. [f. Mekhitar (see below) + -ist.]
A. sb. One of a congregation of Armenian
monks of the Roman Catholic church originally
founded at Constantinople in 1701 by Mekhitar, an
Armenian, and by him in 1717 finally established
in the island of San Lazzaro, south of Venice.
1834 Penny Cycl. II. 364/1 They, .call themselves Mekhi-
taristes. 1882-3 Schaff Encycl. Relig. Knowl. II. 1457
The Mekhitarists form one of the noblest congregations of
the Roman Catholic Church.
B. adj. Of or belonging to the Mekhitarists.
1874 Supernat. Relig. II. 11. ix. 184 In the Meehitarist
library at Venice. 1884 Catholic Diet. (1897) 617/1 The
books . . which are printed in the Meehitarist presses of
Vienna and Venice are carried far beyond Persia.
Hence Mechitaristican a. =prec.
1825 A. Goode {title) A brief Account of the Mechitaristi-
can Society.
Mekil(e, mekill(e, obs. forms of Mickle.
MELAMPOD.
t Mekilwort. Sc. Obs. [app. f. mekil Mickle
a. + Wort.] The deadly nightshade.
1536 Bellenden Cron. Scot. (1821) II. 257 The Scottis tuk
thejus of mekilwort bernes.andmengitit in thair wine [etc ]
1633 Orkney Witch Trial in Dalyell Darker Superstit. Scot
(1834) 153 Ane htle pig of oyle, maid of mekillwort.
t Mekin. Obs. A herb used for salad.
1706 London & Wise Retir'dGard. 1. 95 Sallad Seeds.. .
Mekm.
Mekle, obs. form of Mickle.
Mekometer(mrkjj-m/'t3j). Mil. [f. Gr. iitjkos
length + -meter. Cf. Mecometer.] An instrument
for finding the range for infantry fire.
. '894 Times r Mar. 6/5 The mekometer, the new English
infantry range-finder. 1900 Daily News 12 Sept. 6/3 The
Watkin mekometer.
Mekul(l, mekyl(l, obs. forms of Mickle.
Mekyn, obs. form of Meeken.
Mel, obs. f. Meal ; variant of Medle, Mell.
II Mela (m<F'la). [Hindi mela :— Skr. mela as-
sembly, f. root mil to meet.] A religious fair and
festival amongst the Hindus.
1800 Misc. Tracts in Asia/. Ann. Reg. 245/2 This Mela,
or fair, is an annual assemblage of Hindus. 1894 19th Cent.
XXXVI. 284 The great annual meeting, or mela, at the
shrine of Janakpur. 1896 N. Davis Three Men f, a God
r57 Poor wretches who at the Mela time stand in the court-
yard and have the sacred water poured over them.
tMelaCOnise. Mm. Obs. [a. mod. F. mtfa-
conise, f. Gr. /teAa-s black + kwis dust.] =next.
1839 Ure Diet. Arts 336 Oxide of Copper.. Black, or Me-
laconise ; a black earthy looking substance found at Chessy
and other places.
Melaconite (m/lse-ktJnsit). Min. [Altered
from prec. : see -ite.] An earthy black oxide of
copper, found also in crystals. See Tenorite.
1850 Dana Syst. Min. (1854) 1 1. 518. 1865 Rep. Brit. Assoc,
Sections 33 Crystals of oxide of copper (melaconite).
Melacotone, obs. form of Melocoton.
Melada (melada). [a. Sp. melada, f. melar
to boil sugar a second time, f. miel honey. Cf. Sp.
melaza Molasses.] (See quot.)
1875 U.S. Statutes XVIII. in. 340 Melada shall be.,
defined as an article made in the process of sugar-making,
being the cane-juice boiled down to the sugar point and con-
taining all thesugar and molasses resulting from the boiling
process and without any process of purging or clarification.
Melsena (mfliTia). Path. [a. mod.L. melxna,
a. Gr. iiiXaiva, fern, of ^icAas black.] In early use,
the name of a disease (now no longer recognized),
characterized by the evacuation from the bowels
and vomiting from the stomach of dark bloody
matter. Now used to designate these symptoms
occurring in any disease.
1800 Cullen's Nosol. 226 Melsena. 1827 Abernethy Surg.
Wks. L 34 There is great reason for ascribing the discharges
in the diseases called melsena to a vitiated secretion from
the surface of the alimentary canal. 1834 Good's Study
Med. (ed. 4) I. 339 note, We mean therefore by melsena, the
occurrence, as a symptom, in any disease, of very dark-
coloured, grumous, pitchy, often highly fetid evacuation by
stool, .or we use the word as the name of a disease, in which
such evacuations . . constitute the characteristic symptom.
1905 H. D. Rolleston Dis. Liver 272 Melsena in cirrhosis
may depend on hsemorrhages from the mucosa of the
intestines.
b. concr. (See quot. 1858.)
1858 Copland Diet. Pract. Med. II. 827 Melsena.., dis-
charges from the bowels, or from the stomach, or both by
stool and by the mouth, of a black, or nearly black matter,
consequent upon visceral or constitutional disease. 1897
Allbutt's Syst. Med. III. 530 In other cases the blood. .is
passed out per rectum as melsena.
Melainotype, erron. form of Melanotype.
II Melaleuca (melate-ka). Bot. [mod.L. (Lin-
naeus), f. Gr. ni\as black + \cvkos white.] A
genus of plants ; a plant of this genus.
1822 Med. Botany II. 129 Cajeput Tree, or Aromatic Me-
laleuca. 1825 Greenhouse Conip. I. 131 Proteas, acacias,
melaleucas, and a few other Cape and Botany Bay plants.
|| Melalgia (melae-ldgia). Path. [mod.L., f. Gr.
ixihos limb + d\yos pain.] Pain in the limbs.
1890 in Syd. Soc. Lex. 1898 Allbutt's Syst. Med. V. 222
Beau grouped these [cases] together under the name ' me.
lalgia .
Melam (me'lsm). Cheat. [Named in 1834 by
Liebig {Ann. d. Pharmacie X. 12) ; he declines to
give an etymology, preferring that the word should
be regarded as an arbitrary coinage; for the ending
-am cf. next.] A buff-coloured, insoluble amor-
phous substance obtained by the distillation of
sulphocyanide of ammonium.
1835 Rec. Gen. Sci. I. 185. 1838 T Thomson Chem. Org.
Bodies 772. 1889 Muir & Morley Watts' Diet. Chem. II.
323 Melam, CeHgNn.— Crude melam is obtained by the
action of heat on ammonium thiocyanide.
Melamine (me'lamsin). Chem. Also -in.
[Named by Liebig in 1834 '> £ Mel(am) + Amine.]
A crystalline substance obtained by boiling melam
with potassic hydrate, or by heating cyanamide to
3020; called also cyanuramide.
1835 Rec. Gen. Sci. I. 185 Melamine. 1836-41 Brande
Chem. (ed. 5) 577 Melamin. 1844 Fownes Chem. 468 Mela-
mine.
t Melampod. Obs. Also 6 melampode, -podi,
9 in Latin form melampodium. [ad. L. melampo-
MELAMPYRIN.
dium, -ion, a. Gr. jieAa/woSioi' black hellebore,
f. yn\av-, ficKas black + iroS-, vovs foot.] Black
Hellebore, Helleborus officinalis.
1579 Spenser Sheph. Cal. July 85 Here grows Melampode
every where. 159a R. D. Hypnerotomachia 1,-2 Heleborous
[sic] Niger or Melampodi. 1643 Parables reflecting on
Times 12 Briony, Wormwood, Wolfebane, Rue, and Me-
lampod (the emblems of Sedition, Malice, Feare, Ambition
and Iealousie). 1656 Blount Glossogr., Melampod {me-
lampodium^, the hearb called Hellebore. 18*2-34 Good's
Study Med. (ed. 4) IV. 284 The melampodium or black
hellebore was at one time a favourite cathartic in dropsies.
Melampyrin (melxitipai^Tin). Chem. [f.
mod.L. Melampyrum (a. Gr. y.t\ay.Tt\>pov ' cow-
wheat', f. piXav- black + nvpos wheat), the name of
a genus of plants in which the substance is found.]
= Dulcite. Also Melampyrite.
1844 Hoblvn Diet. Med.. Melampyrin, a substance ob-
tained from the Melampynan iiemorosnm. 1865 Watts
tr. Gmelin's Handbk. Chem. XV. 389 Melampyrin. Ibid.,
Melampyrite.
t Melanaema. Path. Obs. [mod. L., a. Gr.
ni\av at/ia black blood : see next.] A condition
of suffocation in which the blood throughout the
body assumes a dark or black colour.
1788 Goodwyn Conner. Life with Respiration 95 This
disease, .might with more propriety be named Melanjema.
1822 Good Study Med. III. 551. 1890 in Syd. Soc. Lex.
Melanaemia (melanrmia). Path. [mod.L.,
f. Gr. \j.i\av-, jiiXai black + alfia blood. Cf. G.
melandmie (Frerichs in Giinsb. Ztschr. 1855).] A
morbid condition, associated with severe forms of
malarial fever, in which the blood contains granules
and flakes of black or brown pigment,
i860 N. Syd. Soc. Year Bk. Med. 254 Cases of Morbus
Addisonii, Melanasmia [etc.]. 1898 P. Manson Trap. Dis.i.
2 Those absolutelycharacteristic features of malarial disease
— melanaemia and malarial pigmentation of viscera.
Melanaemic (melaiumik), a. Path. [f. prec. +
-ic] Relating to or affected with melanaemia.
1878 tr. //. von ZiemsseiCs Cycl. Med. VIII. 558 At the
next febrile attack . . the patient becomes again, .melanaemic.
1899 Cagnev tr. yaksch's Clin. Diagn. i. (ed. 4) 40 Melan-
aemic Blood ..from a Case of Malarial Cachexia.
+ Melanagogue. Med. Obs. Also erron. 8
melano-. [a. F. mdanagogue, f. Gr. juXav- , ni\as
black + (1701705 leading, drawing.] A medicine
supposed to expel ' black bile '. Hence t Melan-
agogal a., having the property of expelling ' black
bile'.
[1657 Phys. Did., Melanogogon, purgers of melancholy.]
1657 Tomlinson fiction's Disp. 115 Other [pills are called]
Melanagogall which purge and move Melancholicall succe.
1683 Salmon Doron Med. 1. iii. 34 Sena, .is one of the best
Melanagogues in Nature. 1737 Bracken Farriery Impr.
(1757) II. 250 Melanagogues, which are supposed to draw or
carry off the black Matter.
Melanasphalt (melanx-sfselt). Min. [f. Gr.
imXav-, fiiKas black + aotpakr-os : see Asphalt.]
= Albertite.
1852 Wetherjll in Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc. {1853) X.
353 On a New Variety of Asphalt : (Melan-asphalt).
Melanate (me'lanA). Chem. [f. Melan-ic +
-ate.] A salt of melanic acid (CasselFs Encycl,
Diet. 1885).
Melanchlor e (me'lanklo.'r). Min, [Named
1839 by Fuchs {Melanchlor'), f. Gr. fii\av-, /it'Ant
black + x^oipos green.] A blackish-green hydrous
phosphate of iron.
1854 Dana Syst. Min. (ed. 4) II. 428 Melanchlor. 1865
Watts Diet. Chem. III. 866 Melanchlor.
I Melancholeric, a. Obs. rare-1. [f. Gr.
peXav-, fiikas black + x°^*Pa Choleb + -IC.] =
Melancholic a.
1650 Venner Tobacco in Bathes of Bathe 415 Tobacco
any way, or any time used, is most pernicious unto dry
melan-cholerick bodies.
II Melancholia (melank-OT'lia). PI. -iffl. Noso-
logy, [late Latin : see Melanxholy.] 'A functional
mental disease, characterised by gloomy thought-
fulness, ill-grounded fears, and general depression
of mind' {Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890) ; a species or a case
of this disease.
1693 tr. Blancards Phys. Diet. (ed. 2). 1814 Syd. Smith
Wks. (1859) I. 232/2 The number of recoveries, in cases of
melancholia, has been very unusual. 1886 Hall & Jastrow
in Mind Jan. 60 In certain melancholiac and other mental
disorders. 1899 Allbittt's Syst. Med. VIII. 373 Grayness
[of the hair] often increases rapidly in melancholia.
Melancholiac (melankju-li&k), a. and sb. [f.
Melancholia + -AC, alter maniac] a. adj. Af-
fected with melancholia, to. sb. One suffering from
melancholia.
1863 Reade Hard Cash III. 100 In short, she gave them
the impression that Alfred was a moping melancholiac. Ibid.
123 A lunatic of the unhappiest class, the melancholiac. 1897
A. R. Urquhart in Diet. Nat. Biog. LI I. 320/2 Separating
the insane into groups of maniacs, melancholiacs, and so on.
t Melancko lian, a. and sb. Obs. .\ls04ma-
len-, malancolien, melanconien. [f. Melan-
choly + -an.] a. adj. Having the atrabilious
temperament; also, addicted to 'melancholy* or
causeless anger, b. sb. One suffering from melan-
cholia. Also, one of an atrabilious temperament.
312
T340 Ayenb. 157 J>e dyeuel..asayleb..bane sanguinien mid
ioliuete and mid luxurie. .bane melanconien mid enuie and
mid zor^e. 1390 Gowf.r Conf. I. 287 He which Malencolien
Of pacience hath no Hen, Wherof his wraththe he mai re-
streigne. 1632 tr. Bruel's Praxis Med. 102 Melancholians
feare much and are sad. 1681 Colvil Wkigs Supplic. (1751)
119 Sangutnians did only laff, Cholerick Melancholians chaff.
a 1695 J. Scott Wks. (1718) II. 125 You may observe, in the
Modern Stories of our Religious Melancholians, that they
commonly pass out of one Passion into another.
t Melancholiant, a. Obs. In 4 malanco-
lient, -lyent. [a. OF. melancoliant, pr. pple. of
melawolierKQ affect with or suffer from melancholy,
f. ?jielancolie sb.] Of blood : Affected with ' me-
lancholy'; atrabilious.
C1400 Lanfrancs Cirurg. 84 Or ellis be splene is to
feble to purge be malancolient [Add. MS. malancolyentj
blood.
Melancholic (melank£?'lik), a. and sb. Forms:
4-5 malencolik, -colyk, malancolike, melan-
colyk, -colik, 6 -ie, -yk(e, -cholyke, -chollike,
6-7 -cholik(e, -icke, -ique, 7 -chollique,
7- melancholic. [ad. late L. melancholicus,
a. Gr. fic\ayxo\ttc6$, f. /icAa*'- black + x0*'? bile :
see Melancholy and -ic. Cf. F. melancoliqae
(from 14th c), Pr. melamolic, Sp. melancolicOy Pg.
mdancolico, It. melancotico, malinconico ; also G.
me lane ho Use h.]
A. adj.
f 1. Pertaining to or containing * melancholy * or
' black bile ' ; atrabilious. Of food, atmospheric
or planetary influences, etc. : Tending to produce
* melancholy ' or atrabilious disorder. Obs.
c 1386 Chaucer Knt?s T. 517 Manye Engendred of humour
malencolik. isgl&TRF.visA Barth. De P.J?. \u.\xiv. {1495)281
Somtyme lepra comyth of euyll dyete as Melancolyk meete
to colde and drye. 1:1532 Du Wes Introd. Fr. in Palsgr.
1071 All suche byrdes ben of nature melancolyke. 1549
Compl. Scot. vi. 61 The. .northin vynd. .is cald and dry, of
ane melancolic natur. c 1550 Lloyd Treas. Health h\\\),
Much melancholyke bloud conteynyd in the lyuer. 1578
Lvte Dodoens 377 All diseases springing of melancholique,
adust, and salt humours, 1631 Widdowes Nat. Philos. 10
Hee is a Planet masculine, of cold and dry nature, therefore
melancholicke,
2. Of persons, their attributes, actions, etc.
f a. Having the atrabiliar temperament or con-
stitution {obs. j. b. Constitutionally liable to (for-
merly also, f affected with) melancholy or depres-
sion of spirits; gloomy, depressed, melancholy.
\ Melancholic gentleman', see Mf.lancholy a. 6 (quot.
1629).
ta 1400 Lydg. Isopus 61 (Zupitza) By whyche he [the cock]
habe . . corage and hardynes, And of hys berde melancolyk
felnes. C1430 — Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 197 Malencolik of
his complexioun. 1471 Caxton Recuyell (ed. Sommer) 105
He..becam all melancolik with out takyng Ioye ne plaisir
in ony thyng that he sawe. 1570-6 Lambarde Peramb.
Kent (1826) 125 King Canutus. .departed all wroth and
melancholike into Denmark. 1647 Clarendon Hist. Reb.
vi. § 386 No man had more melancholic apprehensions of
the issue of the war. 1693 Congreve Old Bach. 111. x, I am
melancholic when thou art absent. 1708 Gay Wine 60 In
melancholic mood Joyless he wastes in sighs the lazy hours.
1717 Prior Alma 1. 210 Just as the melancholic eye Sees
fleets and armies in the sky. 1876 Bancroft Hist. U. S.
I. x. 362 ' Religion ', said the melancholic Norton, ' admits
of no eccentric motions '. 1900 Morley Cromwell i. 15
Oliver was of the melancholic temperament.
trans/. 1612 Webster White Devil F 4, And like your
melancholike hare Feed after midnight.
absol. 1594 Carew Huarte's Exam. Wits (1616) 148 He
..was not verie prompt of speech, which Aristotle affirmeth
to be a propertie of the melancholicke by adustation.
t 3. Resulting from, or of the nature of, ( melan-
choly' or atrabilious disorder. Obs.
1652-62 Heylin Cosfftogr. in. (1682) 188 He contracted
some melancholick distempers. 1683 Salmon Doron Med.
1. ix. 61 In melancholick lumors.
f4. Causing melancholy or depression of spirits;
saddening. Obs.
1612 Webster White Devil H 4, The blacke, and melan-
cholicke Eugh-tree. 1615 G. Sandys Trav. 83 Keeping
time with the melancholicke musicke. 1693 Dryden Let.
30 Aug., Pr. Wks. 1800 I. n. 28, I was tempted to it, by the
melancholique prospect I had of it. 1723 Mather Vtnd.
Bible 360 No public sorrow should be expressed on so
melancholick an occasion. 1812 G. Chalmers Dom. Econ.
Gt. Brit. 139 Such is the melancholic picture.
t 5. Expressive of melancholy or sadness. Obs.
1671 Milton Samson Introd., In Physic, things of melan-
cholic hue and quality are us'd against melancholy. 1757
Mrs. Griffith Lett. Henry 4- Frances (1767) 1 1. 295, 1 wrote
a long, and of course, a melancholic letter to you.
6. In mod. use : Pertaining to, or affected with,
melancholia.
1866 W. H. O. Sankey Led. Mental Dis. iii. 74 The case,
commencing by a melancholic stage,, .the melancholic and
maniacal symptoms blend in different cases.
B. sb.
1. + a. One who is affected with mental depres-
sion or sadness {obs.). h. One suffering from
melancholia ; = Melancholiac sb.
1586 Bright Melancholy xxxix. 256 With such like orna-
ment of iewell as agreeth with the habilitie and calling of
the melancholicke. 1645 Rutherford Tryal <$■ Tri. Faith
(1845) 394 The Soul.. is put to silence before God,andsitteth
alone, as melancholies do. x68x Glanvill Sadducismus
(1682) Ded„ The discontented Paradox of a melancholick,
vext, and of mean condition. 1755 Man No. 29. 3 Two
MELANCHOLIST.
famous sects of philosophers, which., still continue to divide
the world into melancholies, and men of pleasure. 1870
Maudsley Body q- Mind 95 Should he do injury to himself
or others, as hypochondriacal melancholies sometimes do.
1899 Allbittt's Syst. Med. VIII. 371 One melancholic swam
across a canal to throw himself under a train.
1 2. Used by Clarendon for : Depression of
spirits, melancholy. Obs.
1647 Clarendon Hist. Reb. 1. § 62 He continued in this
melancholic and discomposure of mind many days, a 1674
— Life 11. (1750) 69 My Condition . . will very well justify
the Melancholick that, I confess to you, possesses me.
Hence tMelancholicala., melancholy; Melan-
cho-lically adv., in a melancholy manner.
1657 Tomlinson Renoit's Disp. 115 Which purge and
move melancholicall succe. 1882 B. Nicholson in A'. Shaks.
Soc. Trans. 349 He.. became melancholicaly mad imme-
diately on the shock of these revelations. 1889 Harper s
Mag. Apr. 767/2 Its walls of rammed clay frittering away
melancholically in the sun.
t Melancho'licly, adv. Obs. [f. Melan-
cholic a. + -ly 2.] In a melancholy manner.
1607 Walkington Opt. Glasse xii. 130 An aliment vnto
the parts which are melancholikly qualified, as the bones,
grisles, sinewes, &c. 1631 R. Bolton Comf. Affl. Consc.
(1640) 202 Men are melancholikely grieved.
II Melancholico. Obs. [It. melancolico : see
Melancholic] A hypochondriac.
1676 Doctrine of Devils 156 Or of the Monstrous Credu-
lity, some besotted Melancholicoes may be inveigled into.
Melancholily (me'lankflili), adv. [f. Melan-
choly a. + -LY^.J In a melancholy manner.
1536 Cromwell in Merriman Life $ Lett. (1902) II. 23
Applieng the same if not colerikly I must nedes thinke
melancoulily, to your purpose. 1647 Cowley Mistress,
Maidenhead, No wonder 'tis.. thou shouldst be Such tedious
. .Company, Who liv'st so Melancholily. 1846 Thackeray
Laman Blanchard'WVs. 1900 XIII. 470 Laman Blanchard,
who passed away so melancholily last year. 1891 Harper's
Mag. Aug. 434/1 Others big and wavering float melancholily.
t Me lancholiness. Obs. [f. Melancholy
a. + -ness.] The condition of being melancholy.
1528 Paynel Saleme's Regim. B, In this doctrine be com-
prehended melancolynes and heuines. a 1697 Aubrey Lives,
Hobbes (1898) I. 329 When he was a boy he was playsome
enough, but withall he had even then a contemplative me-
lanchohnesse. 171$ M. Davies Athen. Brit. I. Pref. 4 A
Vent to Melanchohness.
Melancholious (melankJu-li3s),a. Now rare.
Forms : 4-5 malan-, male nc olio us, -ius, malen-,
melancolyous(e, (5 malencolyows, malecoli-
owns), 5-6 malincolyous, 6 malacolious, melan-
eolyouse, -colius, melencolous, 7 iSr. melan-
choliows, 4-7melancolious, 6- melancholious.
[a. OF. melancolicus , f. melancolie Melancholy :
see -ous.]
1. Constitutionally inclined to melancholy; + atra-
bilious in constitution {obs.) ; affected with melan-
choly, gloomy. Also, of sounds, etc. : Expressive
or suggestive of melancholy.
(-1380 Wyclif Wks. (i88o'i 215 Whanne bei ben out of
reson as wrob & malencolious. c 1384 Chaucer H. Fame 1.
30 Somme man is to curiouse In studye, or melancolyouse.
1433 Lydg. St. Edmund 465 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. N. F.
(1884) 405 Malencoliusof face, look and cheer. 1471 Caxton
Recuyell (ed. Sommer) 24 Sorowfull syghes and melancoly-
ous fantasies. 1523 Ld. BERNERS^rom. I. cccxlvi. 547 This
pope, .was a fumisshe man and malincolyous. 1568 Grafton
Chron. II. 816 Whether it were by the inspiracion of the
holy ghost, or by Melencolous disposition, I had diuers and
sundne imaginations howe [etc.]. 1610 Barrouch Meth.
Physick 1. xxviii, (1639) 45 They that be melancholious have
strange imaginations. 1637-50 Row Hist. Kirk (Wodrow
Soc.) 368 The King was sad and melancolious. 1783 Burns
Poor Mailie*s Elegy 8 Come, join the melancholious croon
O' Robin's reed ! 1848 Thackeray Van. Fair xi, The
Rector. . added, inamelancholioustone[etc.]. 1897CROCKETT
Lads' Love iii. 31 The sufferer, .from whom.. most melan-
cholious sounds, .continually proceeded.
1 2. Tending to cause, or of the nature of, * me-
lancholy ' or atrabilious disorder. Obs,
c 1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 171 poru? bat oon pore he
drawib malancolious blood of be lyuere. Ibid. 273 Varicosa
schal be curid..wib purgaciouns of malancholious blood.
1456 Sir G. Haye Law Arms (S.T.S) 76 The tane [star or
planet] is sangwyne, the tothir is malancolius. 1562 Bui--
leyn Bulwark, Bk. Simples 78 b, It bredeth choler adust,
and melancholious diseases.
Hence Melancholiousness.
1610 Barrough Meth. Physick 1. xxviii. (1639) 45 There be
three diversities of melancholiousnes, according to the three
kinds of causes.
t Melaiicholish, a. Obs. [f. Melancholy +
-ish.] a. -Melancholic a. i. b. Inclined to
be melancholy or depressed.
1562 Turner Herbal '11. 54 b, Mynt.Jeueth still it that is
grosse and melancholishe. 1775 S. J. Pratt Liberal Opin.
xcv. (1783) III. 108 Miss is a little melancholish.
Melaiicholist ^mclankplist). Now rare or
Obs. [f. Melancholy + -ist.] + One of a * melan-
cholic ' constitution {obs.) ; one affected with
melancholia; in the i7thc. often applied contemp-
tuously to religious enthusiasts.
1599 H. Buttes Dyets drie Dinner L iv b, Doth helpe
melanchollists onely, by moistning their dry constitution.
1676 Glanvill Ess. vi. 29 The proud and fantastick Pre*
tences of many of the conceited Melancholists in this Age.
1749 Lavington Enthus. Meth. <$■ Papists 1. (1754) 2 Mon-
tanus. -drew after him several religious Melancholists. 1806
Med. yrnl XV. 212 Dr. G... visited the male ideots and
melancholists. 1858 Burton in Blackw. Mag. LXXXIII.
MELANCHOLIZE.
276 Our gallant captain, a notable melancholist, sat up till
dawn.
Melancholize (me'lankiJ'taiiz), v. Now rare
or Ok [f. Melancholy + -IZE.]
1. intr. and rejl. To be or become melancholy.
1597 A. M. tr. Guillemeau's Fr. Chirurg. 52/2 They doe
so melancholize themselves therin, that they doe wholy
neglect themselves. 1621 Uukton Anat. Mel. I. ii. ill. vl.
134 They dare not come abroad all their liues after, but me.
lancholize in corners. 1794 Colkkidge Let. 22 July in Biog.
Lit. (1847) II. 359 From Oxford.. have I journeyed, now
philosophizing with hacks, now melancholizing by myself.
1801 Lamb Ess., Cur. Frag//:, [imitating Burton] ii. in John
Woodz'il, etc. (1802) 119 Melancholising in woods where
waters are. 1863 K. H. Digbv Chapel St. John (ed. s)
395 Others were melancholizing in woods, and sighing in
gardens.
2. trans. To make melancholy.
164a H. More Song of Soul 1. in. xl, Like faithlesse wife
that . . Doth inly deep the spright melancholize Of her
aggrieved husband. 1668 — Dm, Dial. 11. xiv. (1713) 129
There's nothing does more contristate and melancholize
my Spirit than any reflexions upon such Objects.
Hence Me'laneholized///. a., rendered melan-
choly ; Me'lancholizing vbl. sb.
1621 Burton Anat. Mel. Democr. to Rdr. 7 They get their
knowledge by bookes, I mine by melancholising. 1643 H.
More Song of Soul Ded., Nor can ever that thick cloud. .
of melancholized old age. .dark the remembrance of your
pristine Lustre. 1678 Cudworth Intcll. Syst. Contents 1.
v, Our own Imaginations [are] taken for sensations and
realities in sleep, and by melancholized persons when awake.
Melancholy (me-lank(7li), sb. Forms : 4
malyncoly, 4-5 malycoly, malencoli(e, -colye,
malleoli, 4 -6 malancoly, -eneoly, raelancoly(e,
-lie, 5 mali(n)eoly, -yncolie, malencholye,
malar±coli(e, -lye, melancholye, 5-6 mallan-
coly, 5-7 melancholic, 6 melacholy, melan-
choli, Sc. -kolie, 6-7 melancholly, -olye, 6-
melancholy. [a. OF. melancolie, melencolie, ma-
lencollie, etc. (mod. F. me'lancolie) , ad. L. melan-
cholia, a. Gr. pi Ka-fx°*'a 'it' ' condition of having
black bile ', f. niKav-, fttKas black + x0*^ bile. Cf.
Pr. vielancolia, Sp. melancolia, It. melancolia,
tnalinconia ; also G. melanclwlie, Du. melankolie,
Da., S\v. melankoli.']
Down to the 17th c. the poetical examples commonly indi.
cate stress on the second or fourth syllable.
1 1. The condition of having too much ' black
bile ' (see b) ; the disease supposed to result from
this condition ; in early references its prominent
symptoms are sullenness and propensity to causeless
and violent anger, and in later references mental
gloom and sadness. From the 17th c. onwards
the word was used without its setiological implica-
tion as the name of the mental disease now called
in technical language Melancholia. Obs.
Quot. 1866 is an exceptionally late instance of the sense :
cf. quot. 1859 'n 3-
1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 3710 pe man wrabhyb hym
lyghtly, For lytyl as yn malyncoly, pat synne ne ys ryght
grefpat sone ys wrote, and lyghtly lef. C1374 Chaucer
Troylus v. 360 Thy sweuenes ek and [al] swich fantasye
Dryf out, and lat hem faren to myschaunce ; For bey pro-
ceden of pi malencolye. 1471 Caxton Recuyell (ed. Sommer)
21 After many right sorowful syghes engendrid in b" roote
of malencolie. 1578 Lvte Dodoens 1. lvii, 84 The dissease
called choler or melancholy. 1615 G. Sandys Trav. 99 That
windy malancholy arising from the shorter ribs, which so
saddeth the mind of the diseased. 1677 J. Webster {title)
'the Displaying of supposed Witchcraft, wherein is affirmed
that there are many sorts of Deceivers and Impostors, and
Divers persons under a passive Delusion of Melancholy and
Fancy. But that [etc.]. 1722 Quincy Lex. Phys.-Med.,
Melancholy [is] supposed to proceed from a Redundance of
black Bile ; but it is better known to arise from too heavy
and too viscid a Blood. 1866 W. H. O. Sankev Led. Ment.
Dis. ii. 33 There are cases of melancholy which are accom-
panied by great restlessness.
fb. concr. The 'black bile' itself: one of the four
chief fluids or ' cardinal humours' of the ancient
and mediaeval physiologists. Obs,
_ 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. iv. xi. (1495) 95 Malencoly
is bred of irowbled drast of blode and hath his name of
melon that is blak and calor that is humour, so is sayd as
it were a blak humour, for the colour therof lyayth toward
blackenes. c 1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 202 per is engendrid
anober substaunce bat is sumwhat stynkyng & is clepid
malancoli. 1533 El-VOT Cas*- tfeltk (1541) 8 In the bodyof
Man be foure pnncipall humours: Bloudde: Fleume : Cho-
ler: Melancoly. 1578 Banister Hist. Man v. 70 A short
vessel, whereby the splene belcheth vp melancolye into the
ventricle. 1610 Barrough Meth. Physick 111. xxx. (1639)
149 The Iaundeis is nothing else but a shedding either of
yellow choler, or of melancholy all over the body. 1653 H.
More Antid. Ath. 11. vi. (1712) 56 There are receptacles in
the Body of Man and Emunctories to drain them of super-
fluous Choler, Melancholy, and the like.
+ 2. Irascibility, ill-temper, anger, sullenness.
c 1350 Will. Palerne 4362 Meke be of bi malencoli for
marring of bi-selue. 1375 Barbour Bruce xvi. 128 Vita that
the king come hastely, And in his gret malancoly, .. To schir
Colyne sic dusche he gave, c 1386 Chaucer Wife's Prol.
252 And if she be riche, of heigh parage, Thanne seistow it
is a tormentrie To soffren hire pride and hire malencolie.
a 1400-50 Alexander 1981 pat I mete be in my malicoly my
meth be to littill. 14.. Tundalis Vis. 76 (Wagner) Tun-
a j ?rucned an(' wex wrothe. .pe man speke to hym curtesly
And_ brought hym out of his malycoly. 1525 Ld. Berners
Froiss. 1 1, xv. 29 The kynge beyng in his malencoly, assone
as he sawe hym he sayd in great yre, certesse vncle of
Vol. VI.
313
Lancastre, ye shall nat attayne as yet to your entent. 1530
Pai.sgr. 244/1 Melancoly testysnesse, melen'olie. 1567 in
Satir. Poems Reform, vii. 191 For wickit lyfe imprisont
was Ferquhaird, Quha slew lain self of proude melancolie.
^ personified. 1390 Gower Con/. I. 280 Malencolie. .which
in compaignie An hundred times in an houre Wol as an angri
beste loure. c 1400 R out. Rose 4998 Malencoly, that angry
sire. 159S Shaks. John 111. iii. 42 If that surly spirit melan-
choly, Had bak'd thy blood, and made it heauy, thicke.
3. Sadness and depression of spirits ; a condition
of gloom or dejection, especially when habitual or
constitutional.
In the early quots. with mixture of sense 2. In the Eliza-
bethan period and subsequently, the affectation of melan-
choly' was a favourite pose among those who made claim
to superior refinement ; see, e.g. Jonson Every Man in his
Humour (passim), and quots. under Melancholy a. 3 ; cf.
also 3 d below.
c*Z7i Chaucer Troylus v. 1216 Bycause he wolde soone
dye, He ne eet ne dronk, for his malencolye. 14. . Sir Beues
582 (MS. M> Iosyan. .Toke hym vp and kyssud hym swete,
His malincoly there to abate. 1485 Caxton Chas. Gt. 168
Whyche also slewe my cosyn the kyng Claryon, for whoine
I am in grete melancolye. a 1586 Sidney Arcadia m. (1598)
386 The Hare [gave] her sleights; the Cat, his melancholy,
1590 Spenser/''. Q. i. xii. 38 Musicke did apply Her curious
skill the warbling notes to play, To drive away the dull Melan-
choly. 1593 Shaks. 2 lien. /V.v.i. 34 My minde was troubled
with deepe Melancholly. 1593 Drayton Sheph. Garland
(Roxb. Club) 63 And, being rou/de out of melancholly, Flye,
whirle-winde thoughts, vnto the heavens, quoth he. 1692
Dryden Cleome nes 1. i. 2 This Melancholly Flatters, but Un-
mans you. What is it else, but Penury of Soul ; A Lazie
Frost, anumness of the Mind? 1716 Lady M. W. Montagu
Let. to Lady X — 1 Oct., It gives me too much melancholy to
see so agreeable a young creature buried alive. 1842 Bor-
row Bible in Spain xxxiv, A morbid melancholy seized upon
the Irishman. 1859 Pucknill Psychol. Shaks. 240 Care
should be taken.. to distinguish between melancholy and
melancholia. 1899 Allhutt's Syst. Med. VIII. 372 The
melancholy associated with general paralysis is commonly
marked by great exaggeration.
personified. 1601 Shaks. Jul. C. v. ill. 67 O hatefull Error
Melancholies Childe. 1632 Milton L\4llegro 1 Hence
loathed Melancholy, Of Cerberus and blackest midnight
born. 1750 Gray Elegy Epit., And Melancholy mark'd him
for her own. 1819 Keats Melancholy iii, In the very temple
of Delight Veiled Melancholy has her sovran shrine.
f b. A cause of sadness, an annoyance or vexa-
tion. Chiefly in plural. Obs.
1477 Earl Rivers (Caxton) Dictes (c 1490) F vj,The maistre
of a grete house hath many melancolyes. 1644 Milton
Areop. (Arb.) 57 Which to a diligent writer is the greatest
melancholy and vexation that can befall.
c. A state of melancholy, f Also, a melancholy
fit or mood (often in plural). Obs.
a 1586 Sidney Arcadia 1. (1590) 17 b, Two or three
straungers, whom inwarde melancholies hauing made weery
of the worldes eyes, haue come to spende their liues among
the countrie people. _ 1587 Fleming Contn. Ilolinshcd III.
1319/2 Entrmg by litte and litle out of his present melan.
cnolies into his former misfortunes. 1650 Jer. Taylor Holy
Living ii. § 5 (1727) 107 If we murmur here, we may at the
next melancholy be troubled that God did not make us to
be Angels or Stars. 1774 Burke Corr. (1844) I. 480 In
spite of all my efforts, I fall into a melancholy which is in-
expressible. 1798 Charlotte Smith Yng. Philos. I, 64 A
deep yet soft melancholy succeeded.
d. In alightersense : A tender orpensive sadness.
1614 Drumm. of Hawth. Madrigal^ lWheu as she smiles',
A sweet melancholie my sences keepes. 1632 Milton Pen-
seroso 12 But hail thou Goddes, sage and holy, Haildivinest
Melancholy. 1634 — Comus 546, I . . began Wrapt in a
pleasing fit of melancholy To meditate my rural minstrelsie.
1796 Coleridge Sonn. to Botules [2nd vers.] 8 Their mild
and manliest melancholy lent A mingled charm, which oft
the pang consigned To slumber. 1844 A. B. Welby Poems,
M^elancholy 117 Love's delicious melancholy.
+ e. A short literary composition (usually
poetical) of a sad or mournful character. Obs.
1596" Lodge Marg. Amer. L i b, Another melancholy of his,
for the strangenesse thereof, deserueth to be registred.
Ibid., Another [sc. poem], .hauing the right nature of an
Italian melancholie, I haue set down in this place.
4. Comb., as melancholy -purger\ melancholy -mad,
-sick adjs. ; f melancholy water, a decoction re-
commended as ' good for women if they are faint'.
1660 Trial Regie. 171 He was melancholly sick. 1676 J.
Cooke Marrcnu Chintrg. 812 Of Melancholy Purgers,
Simple and Compound. 1684 Han. Woolley Queen-like
Closet (ed. 5) 15 The Melancholly Water. Take of [etc.].
1853 Hickie tr. Aristophanes (1872) II. 683 He has sent
away my master melancholy-mad.
Melancholy (me'lank^li), a. Forms : 6 ma-
lancoly, malincolye, melancholie, 6-7 malan-
choly, melencholly, 7 melancholly, 6- me-
lancholy. [From the attrib. use of the sb.]
+ 1. Affected with or constitutionally liable to the
disease of melancholy. Also absol. Obs.
1526 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 233 b, The contempla-
cyon of suche turneth eyther to supersticyousnes. .or to a
melancoly folysshnes. 1542 Boorde Dye tary viii. (1870)245
Melancoly men may take theyr pleasure. 1612 Woodall
Surg. Mate Wks. (1653) 190 It is also effectual to be given
to melancholy people, which are void of reason. 1698
M. Henry Meekness <fr Quietn. Spirit (1822) 80 The quiet-
ness of spirit will help.. to suppress melancholy vapours.
173.2 Arbuthnot Rules 0/ Diet in Aliments, etc. 260 All
Spices are bad for melancholy people.
+ b. Of or affected by the melancholy i humour*.
1604 T. Wright Passions 1. ix. 35 A little melancholly
blood may quickly change the temperature, and_ render it
[the hearte] more apt for a melancholly Passion. 1610
Markham Masterp. 11. cxii. 404 It proceedeth from melan-
choly and filthy bloud. 1655 Stanley Hist. Philos. m.
MELANCHOLY.
Socrates xiv. (initj, As to his person, he was very unhand-
some, of a melancholy complexion. 1656 Ridglev Pract.
Physick 306 A crooked melancholy vein under the Tongue.
1667 Phil. Trans. II. 493 'Tis vulgarly said that this black
part of the bloud is Melancholy bloud.
t c. Producing the disease of melancholy. Obs.
1650 Baxter Saints' R. 11. vii. § 3 Sauls Melancholy Devil
would be gone, when David played on the Harp.
f 2. Irascible, angry ; sullen. Obs.
I575-* Durham Depos. (Surtees) 290 Sir Richerd is a very
earnest malincolye man, and sometymegyven tobeangrye.
1579 To.mson Calvin's Serm. Tim. 191/1 When wee come
to make our prayers to God, wee must not bring thither
with vs, our melancholy passions and fretting and fuming.
1604 Chapman Byron's Couspir. 11. i. (1608J D 2 b, Duke
Byron Howes with adust and melancholy choller.
3. Of persons, their actions, attributes, feelings,
state, etc. : Depressed in spirits; sad, gloomy, de-
jected, mournful ; esp. of a constitutionally gloomy
temperament.
1588 Shaks. L. L. L. i. ii. 2 Boy, What signe is it when a
man of great spirit growes melancholy? 1592 Lvly Midas
v.11. 104 (Bond), Melancholy is thecreast of Courtiers armes,
and now euerie base companion, beeing in his nuible fubles,
I sayes he is melancholy. 1598 B. Jonson Ev. Man in Hum.
, 1. iv, I will be more proud and melancholie, and gentleman-
like then I haue beene, I doe ensure you. c 1598 Sjk J.
Davies Epigr, No. 47 See yonder melancholy Gentleman,
Which hood-wink'd with his hat, alone doth sit. 1744 Harris
j Three Treat. Wks. (1841) 40 A funeral will much more affect
I the same man if he see it when melancholy, than if he see
! it when cheerful. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp. s.v. Mania,
Some are dull and stupid, others very sorrowful and melan-
choly. 1774 Bikke^>. Amer. Tax. Sel.Wks. I. 136, I re-
member, Sir, with a melancholy pleasure, the situation [etc.].
1824 W. Irving T. 'Trav. I. 293 There is no more melan-
choly creature in existence than a mountebank off duty.
1884 I-\ M. Crawford Rom. Singer I. i. 17 If I am sad
and inclined to melancholy humours.
absol. 1759 Johnson Rassclas xlvi, For this reason the
superstitious are often melancholy, and the melancholy
almost always superstitious.
trans/ (of animals). 1593 Nashe Christ's T. 25 b, The
mellancholy Owle, (Deaths ordinary messenger). 1612 Dray-
ton Poly-olb. ii. 204 The melancholie Hare. 1787 Best
Angling (ed. 2) 42 He is a solitary, melancholy, and bold
fish, always being by himself.
b. Pensive, thoughtful ; sadly meditative.
1632 Milton Penscroso 62 Sweet Bird that shunn'st the
noise of folly, Most musicall, most melancholy ! 1659 Wood
Li/e Feb. (O. H. S.) I. 270 To refresh his mind with a
melancholy walke. 1748 Thomson Cast. Indol. 1. xl, A
certain music, never known before, Here soothed the pensive,
melancholy mind. 1792 S. Rogers Pleas. Mem. n. 190 The
tender images we love to trace Steal from each year a
melancholy grace. 1821 Lamb Elia Ser. 1. All Fools' Day,
We will drink no wise, melancholy, politic port on this day.
t C. in proverbial and other similes, Obs.
159a Lyly Midas v. ii. 100 (Bond), I am as melancholy
as a cat. 1596 Shaks. i Hen. IV, 1, ii. 83-S. 1599 —
Much Ado 11. i. 221, I found him heere as melancholy as
a Lodge in a Warren. 1606 Wily Beguiled Prol. A 2 b,
Why, how now, humorous George? What, as melancholy
as a mantle tree ? 1607 Dekker North™. Hoe 1. Wks. 1873
III. 11 I'me as melancholy now as Fleet-streete in a long
vacation, a 1732 Gay New Song 0/ New Similies, I, melan-
choly as a cat Am kept awake to weep.
4. Of visible objects, sounds, places, etc. : Sugges-
tive of sadness, depressing, dismal. Also, of sounds,
words, looks, etc. : Expressive of sadness.
t Melancholy hat (?jocular nonce-use, or slang), app.
applied to a mourning hat (but cf. quot. c 1598 in sense 3).
1592 Shaks. Rom. fy Jul. iv. v. 86 Melancholy Bells.
1600 — A. V. L. 11. vii. in Vnder the shade of melancholly
boughes. 1614 J. Cooke Greene's Tu Quoque Bib, Go
to the next Haberdashers & bid him send me a new
melancholy hat. 163a Lithgow Trav. \. 43 Padua is the
most melancholy City of Europe. 1697 Dryden Virg.
Georg. iv. 747 Melancholy Musick fills the Plains. 1718
Lady M. W. Montagu Let. to C'tess Bristol 10 Apr.,
Eight or ten of them make a melancholy concert with their
pipes. 1725 Sloane Jamaica II. 307 It loves low melan-
cholly places. 1728-46 Thomson Spring 612 The stock-
dove breathes A melancholy murmur thro' the whole. 1833
L. Ritchie Wand, by Loire 197 You glide in a canoe-like
boat.. shut in by melancholy banks. 1835 Lytton Rienzi
1. i, The thick and melancholy foliage. 1843 Borrow Bible
in Spain x, With here and there a melancholy village, i860
Tyndall Glac. I. xxvii. 198 The fountain made a melan-
choly gurgle. 1897 Mary Kingsley W. Africa 475 Negro
children.. with, .immense melancholy deer-like eyes.
Comb. 1877 Black Green Past, v, He was a melancholy-
faced man.
t !>• 1° the 1 7th c. : Favourable to the pensive
mood. (Cf.3b.) Obs.
1641 Evelyn Diary 8 Oct., So naturally is it [the Parke]
furmsh'd with whatever may render it agreeable, melan-
choly and country-like. 1644 Ibid. 30 Sept., The house is
moderne, and seemes to be the seate of some gentleman,
being in a very pleasant though melancholy place.
5. Of a fact, event, state of things: Saddening,
lamentable, deplorable.
1710 Wodrow Analecta (1842) I. 308 It was one of the
melancholyest sights to any that have any sense of our
antient Nobility, to see them going throu for votes, and
making partys. 1763 C Johnston Reverie II. 44 You are
affected with this melancholy detail. 1768 Sterne Sent.
Journ.y Remise Door, Melancholy ! to see such sprightli-
ness the prey of sorrow. 1807 Med. Jrnl. XVII. 247 The
most serious and melancholy effect ensued. 1886 Q. Jrnl.
Microsc. Sci. XXVIII. 291 A melancholy instance of the
extent to which Dr. P. acts upon the principle of bending
facts to theory.
6. In certain book-names of plants, as melan-
choly gentleman, a kind of rocket, Hesperis
tristis : melancholy (plume) thistle, Carduus
106
MELANCHOLY.
314
MELANOCHROI.
heterophyllus ; melancholy tree, the Night Jas-
mine, Nyctanthcs Arbor-tristis.
1629 Parkinson Parad. Table, The Melancholy [text
p. 200 Melancholick] Gentleman. 1690 Ray Syn. Stirp.
Brit. 52 The great English soft or gentle Thistle or Melan-
choly Thistle. 1760 J. Lee Intrott. Bot. App. 319 Me-
lancholy Thistle, Carduus. Melancholy-tree, Nyctanthcs.
1861 Miss Pratt Flcnuer. PI. III. 237 Cuicus heterophyllus
(Melancholy Plume Thistle).
Hence Me'lancholyish a. nonce-wd.
1837 Lytton in Fonblanoues Life Iff Lab. (1874) 53, I had
a melancholyish letter from Lady Blessington.
t Melancholy, v. Obs. [ad. OF. me'.ancolier,
f. melancolie Melancholy sb.] trans. To make
melancholy.
1491 Caxton Vitas Patr. (W. de W. 1495) 11. 290 b/2 The
pleasure of god is that ; of whiche thou melancolyest thy
selfe to be soo doon. 1541 R- Copland Guydoris Quest.
Chirurg. Q iij b, It brenneth the blode & melancolyeth it.
1567 Paynel tr. Herberay's Treas. Amadis of Gaule 78
Ye melancholy your selfe.. for the mariage that I have
found out for you. a J657 R. Loveday Lett. (1663) 165,
I am extremely melancholy'd at your dilated resolutions of
seeing London.
Melanchthonian (melar]kb<?a-nian),3. and sb.
[f. name of Philipp Melaiichthon (Gr. transl. of
Schwarzerd 'black earth'), a German reformer
(1497-1560)+ -ian.] a. adj. Of or pertaining to
Melanchthon or his opinions, b. sb. A follower
of Melanchthon.
1755 Carte Hist. Eng. IV. 137 The Melanctonian doctrine
of piedestination. 1765 Maclaine tr. Mosheim's Eccl.
Hist. 11. i. § n (1833) 480/1 There arose, .three philosophical
sects, the Melancthonian, the Aristotelian, and the Scho-
lastic. 1863 W. C. Dowding Life f, Corr. Calixtus iii. 20
We have described him as a Melanchthonian both in taste
and principle. 1882-3 Schaff Encycl. Relig. Knowl. I. 474
It [the Anglican Church] is yet Melancthonian in its assertion
of the visibility of the Church.
Melanchyme (me'lankaim). Min. [G. me-
lanchym (Haidinger 1851), f. Gr. ntkav-, /«Aas
black + x^o* juice (see Chyme).] = Rochlederite.
1868 Dana Syst. Min. (ed. 5) II. 744.
Melancoli(e, -ien, -(i)ous, obs. forms of
Melancholy, etc.
t Melancounterous, a. Obs. [For *malen-
cottntnous, ad. F. maleneontretix, i. mal ill +
encontrer to Encounter : see -ocs.] Ill-timed.
a 1610 Sir J- Semple in Sempill Ballatis (1872) 244 The
never ceassing feide of melancounterous faites Ouer haistnit
this abortiue birth of Importune regrates.
Melander, obs. form of Malander, mallender.
Melanellite (melane'lait). Min. [Obscurely
f. Gr. pikav-, ptkas black : see -ITE.] A black
hydrocarbon forming part of rochlederite.
1868 Dana Syst. Min. (ed. 5) II. 750 Melanellite... Black
and gelatinous.
Melanesia!! (melanrj'an), a. and sb. [f. Me-
lanesia (see below : f. Gr. pika-s black + i-f/cos
island) + -an.
The name, modelled after Polynesia, was intended to mean
( the regions of islands inhabited by blacks '.]
A. adj. Of or pertaining to Melanesia (a group
of islands in the western Pacific, including Fiji,
New Caledonia, etc.), its inhabitants, language,
etc. B. sb. a. A native of Melanesia, b. The
language of the Melanesians.
1849 Selwyn in Tucker Mem. (1879) I. 302 The Melane-
sian (Anaijom) aifeama, we, but not you. Ibid., The Me-
lanesian dialects. 1898 A. Lang Making Relig. viii. 167
Cases in which the rod acts like those of the Melanesians,
Africans, and other savages. 1904 A thenxum 9 Apr. 460/3
Words in this Melanesian language which have cognates in
Malay and Malagasy.
II Melange (melana), sb. Also 7 meslange, 7-9
melange. [F. me'lange mixture, f. mtter to mix :
see Meddle v.
Often written without accent, but (at least in sense 1)
perh. always regarded as a foreign word.]
1. A mixture ; usually, a congeries of heterogene-
ous elements or constituents, a medley.
1653 J. Hall Paradoxes 112 The sweetnesses and killing
languors of their eyes, the meslange and harmony of their
colours. 1697 Evelyn Nuiuism. vi. 213 Many exquisitely
wrought Vessels. .of that precious Melange. 1711 Lady
M. W. Montagu Let. to Mrs. Hewet, A bad peace, people
I love in disgrace [etc.] . . I believe nobody ever had such a
me'lange before. 1729 Swift Let. to Bolingbroke 21 Mar. in
Pope's Wks. (1741) II. 85, I come from looking over the
Melange above-written, and declare it to be a true copy of
my present disposition. 1811 Shelley Let. in Hogg Life I.
397 A strange melange of maddened stuff, which I wrote by
the midnight moon last night. 1840 B. E. Hill Pinch— 0/
Snujf 33 The pleasant melange sold but a few years since as
' The Speaker s ', is very different from ' Lord Canterbury's
Mixture'. 1859 Genii. Mag. June 606 He professes that
the present Part is ' taken from Usher, Ware [etc.] ', and
a very curious melange he has made of it. 1887 A. M.
Brown Ani/n. Alkat. 36 The melange of ferricyanide and
ferrochloride gives feebly the bluish tint.
2. a. A dress fabric of cotton chain and woollen
weft (Knight Diet. Mech. Suppl. 1884). b. A
kind of woollen yam of mingled colours. Also
altrib. and Comb.
i88» Instr. Census Clerks '1885) 144/2 Melange Weaver-
Woollen Cloth Manuf. 1886 Daily Hews 20 Sept. 2/4 An
active demand continues in twofold yarns, in mottles, and
melanges. 1897 Allbult's Syst. Med. II. 551 If bales of dry
wools and hairs were placed in steamers — as is done in the
melange printing process — and submitted [etc.].
Melange (melan;;), v. [a. F. nn'langer, f. me-
lange : see prec] trans. To mix (wool of different
colours). Hence Melanger.
1880 Times 28 Dec. 8 A dyer or melanger sued to recover
j£8s for melanging wool. 1881 Instr. Census Clerks (1885)
144/2 Melanger — Woollen Cloth Manuf.
Melanian (mi^'man), a.1 and sb.l Anthropo-
logy, [ad. F. melanien (Bory de Saint-Vincent),
f. Gr. pt\av-, pikas black : see -IAN.] Originally
= Negrito a. and sb. ; later, used as = Negkoid.
1861 Hulme tr. Moouin-Tandon 1. vi. 36. 1868 Owen
Anaf. Vert. III. 145 We know not the size of brain in the
Melanian inventor of the ' throwing-stick '. 1885 W. H.
Flower in Jrnl. Anthrop. Inst. XIV. 381 To begin with
the Ethiopian, Negroid or Melanian, or ' black ' type.
Melanian (miV'nian), a.2 and sb.'1 Zool. [f.
mod.L. Melania, the typical genus of the Melaniidse
(f. Gr. neKav-, pikas black) + -AN.] a. adj. Of or
belonging to the Melaniidx, a family of fresh-
water snails, b. sb. A member of this family.
1839 Penny Cycl. XV. 76 Melanians, Lamarck's name for
a family of fluviatile, testaceous, operculated Mollusks.
Melanic (m/larnik), a. [f. Gr. pikav-, pikas
black + -ic]
1. Ethnology. Having black hair and a black or
dark complexion. Cf. Melanocomous, Melanous.
1826 Prichard Res. Phys. Hist. Man. (ed. 2) I. 139 These
three varieties are the melanic, including all individuals or
races who have black hair ; the xanthous . . ; and the albino.
1829 T. Price Physiogn. fy Physiol. Inhabit. Brit. 109
Whether I should attribute the few melanic countenances,
1 noticed in the South of Ireland, to a Spanish origin.
2. Of animals : Affected by melanosis.
1882-4 Yarrelts Brit. Birds (ed. 4) III. 665 The melanic
varieties occasionally found in our northern Skua 1894
Naturalist 333 A melanic form of the Pipistrelle. 1903
Daily Chron. 30 Dec. 3/3 The melanic variety of the com-
mon leopard.
b. Used as the distinctive epithet of the black
pigment occurring in melanosis, and of the cells
containing it.
1847^9 Todd's Cycl. Anat. IV. 116/1 Melanic pigment is
essentially composed of extremely minute granules. Ibid.
1 16/2 Melanic cells never exhibit any tendency even to
cohere — much less to form the basis of a stroma. 1855
Dlnglison Med. Lex. (ed. 12), Melanic, of or belonging to
Melanosis ; as Melanic deposit, a black colouring matter
deposited from the blood under special circumstances.
8. Melanic acid, f a. Prout's name for indican
of urine (see Indican b). Obs.
1822 Medico-Chirurg. Trans. XII. I. 45 note. Dr. Prout
would propose to distinguish this new substance, on account
of its black colour, by the name of Melanic acid.
b. (See quot.)
1844 F°WNES Chem. 434 In a humid state they [sc. crystals
ofsalicylite of potassium], .eventually change to a black,
soot-like substance, .called melanic acid.
Melaniline (mela-nitain). Chem. [f. Gr.
Hikav-, fiikas black + Aniline.] A basic substance
obtained from chloride of cyanogen and aniline.
1852 Fcnvnes Chem. (ed. 4) 557 The above salt furnishes
melaniline in the form of an oil.
Melanin (me'lanin). Chem. and Phys. [f. Gr.
Iiekav-, ntkas black + -in!.] The black pigment
in the retina, choroid, hair, epidermis, etc. of
coloured races of man or melanic varieties of
animals. Also, the black pigment developed in
certain diseases. Also attrib. and Comb.
1843 Owen Lett. Invertcbr. Anim. 355 It [the secretion in
the ink-bag of a cephalopod] is affirmed by some chemists to
contain a peculiar animal principle, which Vizio has termed
'melanine'. 1855 tr. C. U'edfs Pathol. Histol. (Syd. Soc.)
11. i. 118 Black pigment (melanin) appears in the form of
reddish brown molecules. 1871 Watts tr. Gmelin's Hamibk.
Chem. XVIII. 417 Melanin. L. Gmelin's Black Pigment
of the Eye. 1874 Barker tr. Frcy's Histol. *t Histochcm.
53 We must be on our guard, however, not to confound
the ordinary black pigment found in the human lungs with
melanin. 1898 P. Manson Trap. Dis. i. 2 Melanaemia and
malarial pigmentation are fully accounted for by the me-
lanin-forming property of the Plasmodium. Ibid. 6 The
melanin particles, so characteristic of the malaria germ.
Melanism (me'laniz'm). [f. Gr. fifkav-, ptkas
black + -ism.]
1. Darkness of colour resulting from an abnormal
(but not morbid) development of black pigment
in the epidermis or other external appendages (hair,
feathers, etc.) of animals; opposed to albinism.
1843 Prichard Nat. Hist. Man (1843) 39 Throughout
intertropical America, both melanism and albinism, as he
[M. Roulin] terms the black and while varieties, make their
appearance very frequently in warm-blooded animals. 1882
Tiemann in Field Naturalist July 32 Melanism occurs in
various species of animals, but is far rarer than albinism.
b. A melanic variety (of some recognized
species).
1863 J. R. Wise New Forest 309 Mr. Rake informs me
that a Sabine's snipe, .which is now generally regarded as
only a melanism of this species was shot at Picket Post, Jan.,
1859. 1889 H. Saunders Man. Brit. Birds 12 An example
of the Siberian Thrush. .originally supposed to be a me-
lanisin of the Redwing.
2. Bot. 'A disease producing blackness in plants'
(Casselfs Encycl. Diet. 1885).
Melanistic (melani-stik), a. [f. Gr. pukav-,
/likas black + -istic] Characterized by melanism.
1874 Coufs Birds N. IV. 357, I took no specimens in the
melanistic state of plumage. 1888 O. Thomas Catal. Mar-
supialia Brit. Mus. 266 In the black melanistic variety
every part of the body is deep black.
f Melanite '. Obs. [Perh. some error : cf. med.
L. melonttes corrupt form of malochites malachite
(Schade, Altd. Wb. Suppl. s.v. Melochiles) : the
description in Maplet is prob. evolved from a
pseudo-derivation from L. mel honey.] (See quot.)
1567 Maplet Gr. Forest 15 The Melanite is a Stone,
which distilleth & droppeth that iuice which is verie
sweete and honie like ; wherfore it may well be called Me-
lanite as you would say Honistone, ..on the one side it is
greene, on the other side yellow.
Melanite * (me'lanait). Min. [ad. G. melanil
(Werner 1 799), f. Gr. pekav-, pikas black : see
-ite1.] A velvet-black variety of andradite.
1807 Aikin Diet. Chem. n, Min. II. 68 Melanite.. .Black
garnet. 1854 Dana Syst. Min. (ed. 4) II. 192.
Melanite 3 (melansit). Conch, [f. mod.L.
Melania (see Melanian) + -he'.] A fossil me-
lanian {Cent. Diet.).
Melanitic (melani-tik), a. [f. Melanite -
+ -IC.] Pertaining to, resembling, or containing
melanite. In recent Diets.
Melanize (me'lanaiz), v. [f. Gr. fitkav-, pikas
+ -ize.] trans. To produce melanism in.
1885 Standard 7 Aug. 5/1 The black Jews in Cochin . .
were native converts, not Hebrews who had become mela-
nised under the Indian sun.
MelanO- (me'lano), a. Gr. mkavo-, combining
form of fiekas black, as in Melanocarcinoma
Path. = Melanoma (Mayne Expos. Lex. 1856).
|| Melanoderma, -dermia Path. [Gr. hipim
skin : see -ia] = Melasma ; hence Melanodermlc
a., relating to melanodermia. Melano gallic a.
Chem. [Gallic] =Metagallic ||Melanoglo°ssla
[Gr. ykwooa tongue + -ia], the condition of having
a black tongue. || Melanopa-thia Path, [see
-pathy] = Melasma ; also anglicized Melano-
pathy. Melanosarcoma Path., sarcoma charac-
terized by the presence of black pigment cells.
Melanota'nnic a. Chem. (see quot. 1866).
1901 Osler Princ. % Pract. Med. led. 4I viii. 831 Lastly,
with arterio-sderosis and chronic heart-disease there may be
marked "melanoderma. 1886 Kagge Princ. tjr Pract. Med.
II. 75s note, A remarkable case of perfectly symmetrical
leuco- and *melano-dermia. iB^Allbntt's Syst. Med.Vlll.
707 So-called syphilitic ' leucodermia ' is usually a melano-
dermia. X&90 Syd. Soc. Z>.tr.,*MeIanodermic. 1852 Morfit
Tanning A> Currying (1853) 63 *Melanogallic acid. 1898
P. Manson Trop. Diseases iv, 88 note, This condition, *me-
lanoglossia, is racial and not pathological. 1847 E. Wilson
Dis. Skin (ed. 2) 328 Cases illustrative of *Melanopathia.
1876 Dunglison Med. Lex., Melanopathia, "Melanopathy,
Nigritism... A disease of the skin, which consists in augmen-
tation of black pigment ; generally in patches. 1875 H.
Walton Dis. Eye (ed. 3) 988 The sarcoma is usually of
the pigmented form, *melano-sarcoma. 1900 Brit. Med.
jrnl., Epit. Curr. Med. Lit. 42 The case was one of me-
lanosarcoma of wide distribution. 1852 Morfit Tanning
tf Currying (1853) 63 *Melanptannic acid. i86fi Brande &
Cox Diet. Sci., etc. II. 489/2 Melanotannic Acid, the black
substance formed by the action of excess of potassa upon
tannic or gallic acid.
Melanocerite (melan<isi»T3it). Min. [First
in G. melanocerit (W. C. Brogger 1887), f. Me-
lano- + Cerite.] A fluosilicate of cerium and
yttrium found in black tabular crystals (Chester
Diet. Min. 1896).
Melanoclialcograplier. Obs. [f. Me-
lano- + Chalcographer.] An engraver ol copper
plates for printing.
1697 Evelyn Numism. viii. 283 The late Melanochalco-
grapher, N. de Seigen, who first produced the Mezio-Tinto
raving.
Melanochin (mnarnotfin). Chem. [f. Me-
lano- + mod.L. Chin-a quinine.] A product of
the action of ammonia and chlorine on quinine.
1865 Watts Diet. Chem. III. 867.
Melanochlorons (melanokloo-ras), a. [f. Gr.
pikavo-, nfkar black + xAoipiis yellow: see -Otis.]
Having the body variegated with black and yellow
(Mayne Expos. Lex. 1856).
|| Melanochroi (melanfj-kroisi), sb.pl. Anthro-
pology. [mod.L. ; formed by Huxley, who seems
to have meant it as a transliteration of an assumed
Gr. fifkavaixpoi, f. pukav-, pekas black + ixpos pale.
(On this view the correct mod.L. form would have
been *melanochrl '; the irregularity occurs also in
the other terms of Huxley's classification, Xantho-
melanoi and Melanoi.) By subsequent writers, and
in Diets., the word has been taken as mod.L. me-
lanSchroi (sing, -oils), ad. Gt. n<kav6xf*>os( = /jtkay-
Xfoos), f. pfkavo- { = p.(kav-, pikat) + xpoa skin.]
In Huxley's classification of the varieties of man-
kind : A subdivision of the Leiotrichi or smooth-
haired class, having dark hair and pale complexion.
1866 Huxley Preh. Rem. Caithn. 132 The Leiotrichi may
be best subdivided, according to their complexion, into
Xanthochroi, Melanochroi, Xanthomelanoi, and Melanoi.
1875 Tylor in Encycl. Brit. II. 113/2 The Melanochroi or
dark whites. 1878 Ramsay Phys. Geog. xxxiv. 580 Dark-
complexioned, black-haired and black-eyed Melanochroi.
MELANOCHROITE.
315
MELCHITE.
Hence Melanochro'ic, Melanochroid, Mela
nochrous ad/s., pertaining to or resembling the
Melanochroi.
1865 Huxley Crit. A> Addr. vii. (1873) 157 Among Euro-
peans, the melanochrous people are less obnoxious to its
[yellow fever's] ravages than the xanthochrous. 1871 Ibid.
viii. 180 The melanochroic or dark stock of Europe. 1878
Bartley tr. Topiuard 's Anthrop. n. i. 202 The melanochroid
group : pale-complexioned, dark eyes, hair long and black.
Example: Iberians [etc.]. 1899 W. Crooke in Jml. An-
thropol. hist. XXVIII. 228 A fusion of Melanochroid Cau-
casic and Austral-negro blood.
Melanochroite (melanokr<?u-3it). Min. [First
in G. melanochroit , f. Gr. /itkavoxpoos black-
coloured + -ite.] = Phcenioochkoite.
1835 A1. D. Thomson's Rec. Gen. Sci. I. 273. 1836 T. Thom-
son Min.,Gcol., etc I. 561. 1837 Dana Syst. Attn. 234.
Melauocomous (melanp-komas), a. [f. Gr.
litKavoKu/i-rjs {(. /i(\avo-, pikas black + ko\i.t) hair) +
-ous.] Black-haired.
1836 Prichard Res. Phys. Hist. Man (ed. 3) I. 220 The
black-haired or melanocomous or melanous variety [of com-
plexion], characterised by black or very dark hair. 1849-52
Todd Cycl. Anat. IV. 936/2 The melano-comous or dark
races . . are mostly of the melancholic temperament. 1851
H. W. Torrens in Jrnl. Asiat.Soc. Bengal 38 The melano-
comous character of complexion.
Melanogen (ln/larn^en). Phys. [f. Gr.
ptkavo-, pikas black : see -GEN 1.] A substance
capable of yielding melanin.
1899 Cagney tr. Jaksch's din. Diagn. vii. (ed. 4) 321 The
reaction occurs in presence of melanin or melanogen.
Melanogogue, erron. form of Melanagogue.
II Melanoi, sb.pl. Anthropology. [Intended as
mod.L. ; formed irregularly by transliteration of
Gr. iit\avoi, pi. oi pitkavos, var. of fiikas black.]
Huxley's name for the black-haired and dark-com-
plexioned division of his class Leiotrichi or smooth-
haired peoples. 1866 [see Melanochroi).
Melanoid (me-lanoid), a. Path. [f. Gr. y,t-
\avou5-ris, ' black-looking ' (L. & Sc), f. nekavo-,
/xtkas black + ilSos form.] Of morbid growths :
Characterized by the presence of black pigment.
1854 Jones & Siev. Pathol. Anat. 183 Melanoid cancer is
. .encephaloid structure, with the addition of black pigment.
1898 P. Manson Trop. Diseases xxxvii. 572 We have the
white, or ochroid, the black, or melanoid, and the red forms
of mycetoma.
II Melanoma (melanou-ma). Path. PI. mela-
nomata (melanomata). [mod.L., a. Gr. type
litkavap-a (occurring in late Gr. with the sense
'blackness'), f. ntkavovoBai : see Melanosis, and
cf. carcinoma and other names for kinds of cancer-
ous or morbid growths.] A melanotic growth ;
csp. a tumour consisting largely of black pigment.
183 . Carswell Path. Anat., Melanoma 1, 1 include under
the title of Melanoma all melanotic formations, black dis-
colourations or products, described by Laennec and other
authors. 1847-9 Todd's Cycl. Anat. IV. 128/2 Growths,
more or less deeply tinged by [melanic cell-pigment], have
been distinguished . . under the title of Melanotic Tumours or
Melanomata. 1875 H. Walton Dis. Eye (ed. 3) 1006 Simple
benign pigmented tumour of the iris, melanoma. 1876 tr.
Wagner's Gen. Path. (ed. 6) 316 Pure pigment tumors or
melanomata. 1877 tr. H. von Ziemssen's Cycl. Med.XU. 235
Melanoma is a very rare pigmented tumour.
Melanophlogite (melanp-flodgsit). Min. [a.
G. melanophlogit (Lasaulx 1876), f. Gr. ptkavo-,
Ht\as black + <pkoy-, <pko£ flame ; indicating that
the mineral turns black when heated.] An impure
form of silica found in minute cubes on sulphur.
1879 Dana Man. Min. A> Lithol. (ed. 3) 241.
Melanoscope (me-lan0|sk<nip). [ad. G. mela-
noskop : see Melano- and -scope.] A combina-
tion of coloured glasses, devised by Lommel in
1871 (Pogg. Ann. CXLIII. 489) for exhibiting
certain optical properties of chlorophyll ; by inter-
cepting nearly all except the middle red rays of
the spectrum, it causes green plants seen through
it to appear almost black.
187S Catal. Spec. Collect. Sci. Appar. S. Kens. Mns. (ed. 3,
1877) 247 Melanoscope. Prof. Dr. Lommel, Erlangen. 1884
in Knight Diet. Mech. Suppl. (with incorrect explanation,
followed in later Diets.).
Melanose (melaniJus), sb. [ad. F. melanose,
the Fr. form of Melanosis.] A fungoid growth
on grape-vines produced by Septoiia ampelina.
1890 in Century Diet.
Melanose (me-laiwus), a. Path. [f. Gr. ntkav,
j«'A.as black + -ose ; but app. suggested by Mela-
nosis.] Containing, or of the nature of, the black
pigment occurring in melanosis.
1823 Cullen & Carswell in Trans. Edin. Med.-Chir.
Soc. (1824) 265 The peritonaeum had melanose matter lying
upon it in streaks. 1829 Good's Study Med. (ed. 3) III. 339
lne pleura was studded with melanose tubercles. 1834 J.
1 orbes Laennec's Dis. Chest (ed. 4) 361 The melanose affec-
tion . tends to produce cachexy and anasarca. 1835-6 Todds
Cycl. Anat. 1. 64/1 Cases in which the osseous system appears
to be stained with the melanose deposit. 1890 in Syd.
Soc. Lex.
Melanosed (melantfu-st), ///. a. rare-1, [f.
*melanose vb. (f. Melanos-is) + -ED1.] Permeated
with melanotic matter.
1819 Goods Study Med. (ed. 3) III. 340 The substance of
both mammae and of both ovaries were completely melanosed.
Me lanosi derite. Min. [f. Melano- + Si-
dehite.] An iron hydrate containing silica.
1875 J. P. Cooke in Proc. Amer. Acad. X. 451 Melano-
siderite, a new mineral species from Mineral Hill, Delaware
County, Pennsylvania.
II Melanosis (melanosis). Path. PI. -OSes
(-<?u'sz°z). [mod.L., a. late Gr. inkaytoais blacken-
ing, f. nt\avova$ai to become black, f. iifkav-,
fiikas black.]
1. Morbid deposit or abnormal development of
a black pigment in some tissue ; occas. concr. a dis-
coloration due to this.
1823 Cullen & Carswell in Trans. Edin. Med.-Chir.
Soc. (1824) 264 We observed in a horse the disease termed
Melanosis, developed to a remarkable degree. 1829 Good's
Study Med. (ed. 3J III. 341 In the cutaneous texture, says
Brescher, melanoses are common. 1843 Graves Led. Clin.
Med. xxx. 382 In some whites this tendency to secrete
black matter becomes excessive and gives rise to certain
forms of melanosis. 1871 Sir T. Watson Led. Princ. iy
Pract. Physic (ed. 5) Hi. 251 It [a certain morbid state] has
been sometimes called spurious melanosis, sometimes col-
liers' phthisis. ifyg Allbutt's Syst. Med. VIII. 700 Freckles
may be considered as actinic melanoses. Ibid. 844 Chronic
melanosis of the skin is a malady to which hitherto little
attention has been drawn.
2. Mack cancer.
1834 J. Forbes Laennec's Dis. Chest (ed. 4) 355 Melanosis
is one of the rarest species of cancer. 1877 Roberts Haudbk.
Med. (ed. 3) I. 277 Melanosis and colloid are generally re-
garded as forms of cancer which [etc.].
Melanosity (melanrrsiti). [f. Melanous a. :
see -osiTY.] Melanous character.
1885 Heddoe Races Brit. 5, I double the black, in order to
give its proper value to the greater tendency to melanosity
shown tlieteby.
Melanosperm ;melaiW|Sponii). Pot. [f. mod.
L. Melanosperm-ex, f. Gr. pitkavo-, ju'Aas black
+ airfpfia seed.] An alga belonging to the Me-
lanospermex, a division or sub-order characterized
by dark olivaceous spores. Hence Melano-
spe'rmous a.
1856 Carpenter Microsc. § 205. 367 The group of Me-
lanospermous or olive-green Sea-weeds. 1884 Public Opinion
3 Oct. 426/1 The melanosperms..are found chiefly within
high- and low-water mark.
Melanotic (melan/Aik), a. [Formed after
Melanosis : see -otic]
1. Path. Characterized by melanosis ; of the
nature of melanosis.
1829 Goods Study Med. (ed. 3) III. 331 The melanotic
deposit takes place in three distinct forms. 1843 Graves
Led. Clin. Med. xxx. 382 The melanotic patches are, no
doubt, often of a different shade. 1873 T. H. Green Introd.
Pathol, (ed. 2) 116 Osteoid-sarcoma, melanotic-sarcoma,
and cystic-sarcoma, have been desciibed as distinct varieties.
1875 ft. Walton Dis. Eye (ed. 3) 981 All melanotic growths
are sarcomatous.
2. Zool. =Melanistic.
1874 Coues Birds N. W. 304 The same rufescent phase . .
is apparently analogous to the melanotic condition of many
Hawks.
Melanotype (m/larntftaip). Also incorrectly
melainotype. [f. Melano- + -type.] A kind
of ferrotype : see Ferkotype 2.
1864 Webster, Melanotype. 1867 Sutton & Dawson Diet.
Photogr., Melainoiype. This positive process isof American
origin. 1890 Antltony's Photogr. Bull. III. 302 These tin
or melainotypes were taken everywhere. 1892 Woodbury
Encycl. Photogr., Melainoiype, or Melanotype.
Melanous (me-lanas), a. Anthropology, [f. Gr.
Htkav-, nikas black + -OUS.] With reference to
hair and complexion : Blackish, dark ; spec, in
Huxley's use, belonging to the variety of mankind
called by him Melanoi.
1836 Prichard Ret. Phys. Hist. Man (ed. 3) I. 227 The
Greeks were probably, in Homer's time as now, in general
of a melanous variety. 1843 — Mat. Hist. Man (1845) 78
As we know of no expressions in English precisely corre-
spondent with these names, blonde and brunette, I have
adopted those of xanthous and melanous as distinguishing
terms. 1859 R. F. Burton Ceutr. Afr. in Jrnl. Geog. Soc.
XXIX. 315 The skin, like the hair, is of the melanous order.
1865 Huxley Crit. <y Addr. vii. (1873) 153 The ' melanous ',
with black hair and dark-brown or blackish skins.
Melanterite (mnarnterait). Min. Also
-therite. [ad. F'. melantlUrite (in Littre), f. Gr.
ItfXavTrjpia black metallic dye or ink : see -ITE.]
Native copperas.
1839 Penny Cycl. XV. 78/2 Melanterite. 1843 E. J. Chap-
man Praet. Min. 14 Melantherite.
Melanth (me-lsenb). [Shortened from the
mod.Latin name.] Lindley s name for a plant of
the N.O. Melanthacex.
1845 Lindley Sch. Bot. 138 Melanthacex.— Melanths.
MelanthaceoUS (melanh?J?s), a. Bot. [f.
mod.L. Melanthace-x + -ous.] Of or belonging
to the N.O. Melanthacex, which is now included
in the N.O. Liliacex, and contained the meadow
saffron or colchicum, white hellebore, etc.
t Melanthy. Obs. [ad. Gr. /KkavSiov .] = Gith.
1595 Chapman Grids Bang. Settee B 2 Where grew Me-
lanthy, great in Bees account
Melanure (me'laniiiaj). Zool. [ad. mod. L.
melanurus, a Gr. ptkavovpos, f. fiekav-, pikas black
+ oipd tail.] A small fish of the genus Sparus,
native of the Mediterranean (Webster 1828-32
citing Diet. Nat. Hist.).
II Melanuria (melaniuo-ria). Path. [mod.L.,
f. Gr. ptkav-, piikas black + oipov urine : see -ia.]
A pathological condition in which the urine
assumes a black or dark blue colour.
1890 Cagney tr. Jaksch's Clin. Diagn. vii. 249 A test for
melanuria. 1905 H. D. Rolleston Dis. Liver 511 Mela-
nuria very seldom ornever occurs without secondary growths
being found in the liver.
Melanuric (melaniuo-rik), «.' Chem. [Based
on G. mclanurensaure, Liebig's alteration of
llenneberg's term (1850) mellamtrensaurc, f.
vidian mellone + men a supposed base of urea +
saure acid.] Melanuric acid, a white chalky
powder, obtained by heating urea.
1852 W. Gregory Haudbk. Ore. Chem. 96 This product.,
is intermediate between ammelide and cyanuric acid. It is
now called mellanuric [ed. 1856 melanuric] acid. 1877R0SCOE
cc Schorlemmer Chem. I. 677 Melanuric Acid .. is pro-
duced, together with cyanuric acid, when urea is heated.
Melanuric (melaniu>rik), a.- Path. ff.
Melanukia + -If.] Pertaining to or characterized
by melanuria. Melanuric fever, malarial fever
with melanuria, black-water fever.
1881 Peaisody Suppl. H . von Ziemssen's Cycl. Med. 132
The melanuric or h.xmaturic form of the fever produced
by the malarial agent. Ibid. 137 Malarial hematuria, or
melanuric fever.
Melanurin (melaniuVrin). Chem. Also
-ourine. [1. Gr. ptKav-, /u'Aas black + ovpuv urine :
see -in. ] Braconnot's term for indican of urine.
1844 *'. Bird Urin. Deposits 219 Melanourine and melanic
acid. 1845 tr. Simon's Anim. Chem. (Syd. Soc.) 1. 4 5 The blue
and black pigments that, .have received the names of cya-
nurin and melanurin. 1880 tr. //. von Ziemssen's Cycl.
Med. IX. 387 A pigment which becomes black by oxidation
on exposure of the urine to the air, and on addition of nitric
acid (melanin, melanurin).
Melaphyre (me-lafai^). Petrology, [a. F.
milaphyre (Brongniart), f. Gr. fii\a-s black + (J>or)-
p/iyre POBPHYBY.] A species of black or dark-
coloured porphyry.
1841 Penny Cycl. XX. 56/2 Melaphyre (Trap porphyry).
I'jlack petrosilicious hornblende, with crystals of felspar. 1867
Murchison's Siluria xiii. 332 Chocolate-coloured, .mela-
phyres. 1879 Rltley Study Rocks xiii. 260 Melaphyres
possess a vitreous, or a devitiificd magma which allies them
more to basalt than to diabase.
Mela-rosa, mella-rosa (melareu-za). [It.
melarosa, f. mcla apple + rosa rose.] A variety of
Citrus Bcrgamia or C. Limetta.
1837 Penny Cycl. VII. 215/2 The Mellarosa of the Italians
is a variety [of Citrus Bergamia] with ribbed fruit. 1866
'Picas. Bot 730, 733 Mela-rosa, Mella-rosa.
Melasma (m/larzma). Path. [mod.L., a. Gr.
ixihaapa black spot, black dye, related to/tfAaiVtii'
to blacken, f. psikav-, fiikas black.] A morbid con-
dition in which there is an excess of the black pig-
ment in the human skin ; spec, a skin disease differ-
ing from Chloasma in the dark colour of the pig-
ment. Also applied to a dark livid spot which
occurs on the tibia of old persons.
1817 Good Syst. Nosol. 489 Ecthyma. . . Melasma, Plenck,
Linn. Vog. 1854 Jones & Siev. Pathol. Anat. 164 The
local discolorations, termed ' melasma '. 1899 Allbutt's Syst.
Med. VIII. 70T Diffuse forms of pigmentation, .which are
sometimes described under the name of Melasma.
Hence Mela smic a., affected by, of the nature
of, melasma.
1865 Wilson Cutan. Med. 401 A peculiar discoloration of
the eyeball, which we termed melanaemic or melasmic eye.
Melasses, obs. form of Molasses.
Melassic (m/larsik), a. Chem. [ad. F. milas-
siaue.] Melassic acid, an acid produced by heat-
ing glucose with caustic alkalis.
1839 Hooper's Med. Did. (ed. 7). 1865 Watts Did. Chem.
III. 868.
II Melastoma (mflne-stoma). Pol. PI. -», -as.
[mod.L., f. Gr. /xtka-s black + orv/ia mouth : in
allusion to the fact that the fruit of some species
blackens the mouth when eaten.] A tropical genus
of shrubs, the type of the N.O. Melastomaccx and
sub-order Melastomex ; a plant of this genus.
1753 Chambers Cycl. Snpp. 1832 Macgillivray tr. Hum-
boldt' s Trav. xxiii. 324 Forests of oaks, melastoma; and cin-
chonas. 1871 Kingsley/I/ Last xi, Nowhere did I see the
Melastomas more luxuriant.
Ho Melastoma-ceous a., belonging to the N.O.
Melaslomacese. Mela-stomad, Lindley's name for
any plant of this order.
1836 Loudon Encycl. Plants 300 Melastomaceous plants.
1846 Lindley Veg. Kingd. 731 Melastomaceae— Melasto-
mads. 1880 C. R. Markham Pernv. Bark 384 A mela-
stomaceous tree, with beautiful purple flowers. 1882 Garden
1 Apr. 214/1 Most of the cultivated Melastomads are hand-
some flowers.
Melasus, obs. form of Molasses.
Melatto, obs. form of Mulatto.
Melch : see Melsh a. dial.
Melch(e, obs. forms of Milch a.
Melchite (me'lkgit). Eccl. [ad. L. Melchita,
repr. Syr. LfWvi mal'kaye pi., 'royalists ' (i.e. ad-
106-2
MELD.
316
MELILITHTTS.
herents of the party of the Roman emperor), f. malka
king ; the Arabic form is malakiy.'] Originally, the
designation applied by the Syrian Monophysites
and Nestorians, and after their example by the
Mohammedans, to those Eastern Christians who
adhered to the orthodox faith as defined by the
councils of Ephesus (a. d. 431) and Chalcedon
(a. d. 451 ). In later use, applied to those orthodox
Eastern Christians who use an Arabic version of
the Greek ritual, and esp. to those of them who
have been united to the communion of the Roman
church, while retaining their separate organization.
1619 Purchas Microcosmus lxviii. 686 These Surians, or
Melchites. 1635 Pagitt Christianogr. 1. ii. (1636) 53 The
Christians under the Patriarch of Antioch are called Syrians
. . ; And Melchites of the Syrian word NDX) which signifieth
a King. 1788 Gibbon Dccl. ^ F. xlvii. (1828) VI. 62 Their
numbers, .bestowed an imperfect claim to the appellation of
Catholics : but in the East, they were marked with the less
honourable name of Melchites, or Royalists. 1883 I. Taylor
Alphabet I. 294 The alphabet used by the Melchites of
Palestine. 1885 Callwlic Diet. (1897) 619/1 In fact, both
from a dogmatic and liturgical point of view, the Melchites
are simply Greeks living in Egypt and Syria
b. attrib. (quasi-a^O and ellipt.
1883 I. Taylor Alphabet I. 295 The uncial Melchite
[alphabet} goes generally by the name of Syro- Palestinian.
Ibid., The later cursive Melchite is wholly unlike the Syro-
Palestinian. igoi Hunter-Blair in Daily Chron. 12 Nov.
5/7 The Patriarch of the. .influential Melchite Church.
Melehoir, ■= Maillechobt.
1892 /'all MallG. 3 Dec. 7/2.
t Meld,!.1 Obs. Also4meild. [OE. meldian,
meldan = OS. meldon (Du. meldeti), OHG. meldon,
melden (MHG., mod.G. melden) :— WGer. *mel-
fojan, -ejan, f. *melpa sb. fem. (OHG. melda, OE.
meld), information, announcement. Cf. OE. melda
informer, betrayer.] trans. To speak of, show
forth, make known. Also, to inform (a person) of.
a 1000 Riddles xxix. 12 (Gr.) ponne sefter deabe deman
onginneS, meldan mislice. c 1000 Ags. Ps. (Th.) exxxiv. 16
pa mu5 habbed, and ne meldia5 wiht. a 1300 Cursor M.
27830 O couaitisccums. .strenth, bat lauerding agh to
nieild, bat o pair men tas wrangwis yeild. c 1325 Old Age 3
in E. E. P. (1862) 148 Eld nul meld no murpes of mai.
c 1325 Metr. Horn. 42 My consciens gan me meld. Ibid.
166 Dede war me leuer to be, Than thou of my dede
melded me.
Meld (meld), ».S Cards, [app. ad. G. melden :
see prec. ] trans. In the game of pinocle : Equi-
valent to Declabe v. in bezique. Hence Meld
sb., a group of cards to be melded.
1897 rosters Compl. Hoyie 361 The various combinations
which are declared during the play of the hand are called
melds. Ibid. 363 _A player has melded and scored four
kings, and on winning another trick he melds binocle.
Melder (me'ldar). Sc. Also 5 meltyre, 6 mel-
dir, 8 meldar. [a. ON. meldr :— prehistoric *ma-
lidro-z, f. root of mala to grind.] A quantity of
meal ground at one time.
By Douglas used to render L. viola {salsa), the mixture of
meal and salt with which Roman sacrifices were sprinkled.
14 . . Nom. in Wr.-Wiilcker 725/9 Hoc emolimentum, a mel-
tyre. 1313 Douglas Mneis 11. ii. 138 Quhen that of mesuld
be maid sacrifice, With salt meldir. 1715 Pennecuik Descr.
Tiveeddale Wks. (1815) 87 The seeds, from the different
makings of meal (melders) through winter, are preserved.
1790 Morison Poems 110 Our simmer meldar niest was
mil'd. 1820 Scott Monast. viiij I have often thought the
miller's folk at the Monastery-mill were far over careless in
sifting our melder. 1882 J. Walker Jaunt to A uld Reekie,
etc. 23 Yestreen he cam doon wi' a melder to brie,
b. An occasion of taking corn to be ground.
1790 Burns Tarn O' Shanter 23 That ilka melder, wi' the
miller, Thou sat as lang as thou had siller.
Meldew, obs. form of Mildew sb.
Meldonieter (meldfj-mi'taj). [irreg. f. Gr.
piKS-wlo melt + -meter.] (Seequot.)
1885 Joly in Nature 5 Nov. 15/2 The Meldonieter. The
apparatus which I propose to call by the above name
GmASw, to melt) consists of an adjunct to the mineralogical
microscope, whereby the melting points of minerals may be
compared or approximately determined.
Meldrop. Sc. and north, dial. Also 5 myl-,
9 mildrop. [a. ON. mil-dropi drop or foam from
a horse's mouth.]
1. A drop of mucus at the nose ; also, the foam
which falls from a horse's mouth (see Jamieson).
c 1480 Henryson Test. Cres. 158 Out of his nois the meldrop
[v.r. myldrop] fast can rin. 1829 Brockett N. C. IVds.,
Mell-drop, the least offensive species of mucus from the
nose.
2. A dew drop.
1802 T. Paine Writ. (Conway) III. 390 Birthday addresses
.. should not creep along like mildrops down a cabbage leaf,
but roll in a torrent of poetical metaphor.
t Mele, sb. Obs. [var. of Male sb.1 ; but the
origin of the form is obscure : cf. It. melo, Gr.
prjXov.'] An apple ; an apple-tree.
c 1420 Pallad. on Husb. m. 891 The meles round, ycald
orbiculer [L. mala rotunda], Withowton care a yer may
keped be. Ibid. iv. 517 In hymsylf graffe hym in ffeueryere,
In mele also ; ek graffe hym in the pere [L. inseritur . .in se
et in pyro et in malo\.
t Mele, v. Obs. Forms : I mtfclan, 3 Ormin
melenn, 3-4 raeile, (4 meille, 5 meill), 3-5
mele, (3 meale). [OE. mklan = ON. msela (ba.
msele) :— *maljan, f. OE. mil, ON. mil speech :
see Mail sb.-] intr. and trans. To speak, tell.
c xooo Ags. Ps. (Th.) Lxxxiv. 7 Hwa:t me halix God, on
minum mod-sefan,maelan wille. r i2ooOkmin 29i90ffall batt
tatt he wile don & tatt he wile mselenn. a 1225 Leg. Kath.
1245 Hwil bis eadi meiden motede & mealde bis & muchele
mare, a 1300 Cursor M. 27214 And bar him-self wit word
he meild bath of his youthed and his eild. c 1350 Will.
Palerne 621 What man so ich mete wip or mele wip speche.
c 1470 Henry Wallace x. 1063 Off king Eduuard jeit mar
furth will I meill.
Hence f Meling vbl. sb., talking, conversation.
c 1350 Will. Palerne 760 3if meliors wip hire maydenes in
meling bere sete.
Mele: see Meal,Medle, Mf.ll.
II Melee (xnc\e). [Fr. : see Medley, Mellay.]
A mixed or irregular fight between two parties of
combatants, a skirmish. Also transf, a lively
contention or debate.
a 1648 Ld. Herbert Autobiog. in Life (1886) 74, I cannot
deny but a demivolte with courbettes, so that they be not
too high, may be useful in a fight or meUe. 1765 H. Wal-
pole Lett. (1857) IV. 346, I almost wish for anything that
may put an end to my being concerned in the melee. 1837
W. Irving Capt. Bonneville II. 100 In this melee, one
white man was wounded. 1871 J. Leighton Paris under
Commune lxviii. ,243 Already, yesterday the melee of a
battle could be distinguished from the fort of Vauves.
Meleguet(t)a, variant forms of Malaguetta.
Melene (me-lfn). Client, [f. Mel(issyl) +
-ene.] An define obtained by the distillation of
bees-wax. Called also Mellssylene.
1848 Brodie in Phil. Trans. CXXXIX. 101 The hydro-
carbon of the wax -alcohol .., to which may be given the name
of melen. 1884 Roscoe & Schorlemmer Chem. III. 11. 286
Melissvlene or Melene, C30H60.
t Melet. Some kind of fish.
c 1475 Fict. Voc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 765/9 Nomina piscium
marinorum. Hie molanus, a melet. a 1672 Willughby
Hist. Pise. (1686) 210 In litore nostro raro capitur, diciturque
Melet.
t Meletetics, sb. pi. Obs. rare. [ad. Gr.
H(K(Tj)TiKa , neut. pi. of /xfKfTijTiKus pertaining to
meditation, f. niKtrav to meditate.] Rules or
methods of meditation.
1665 Boyle Occas. Rejl. 1. iii. 8 Nor will the Meleteticks
(or way, and kind of Meditation) I would persvvade, keep
Men alone from [etc.]. Ibid. in. v. 46 The usefulness of
our Meleteticks towards the improvement of Men's parts.
Meletre : see M.Ei>LE(-tree). Meleward, var.
Millward. Melewell, obs. f. Molvel.
Meleyn, obs. form of Milan 1.
Melezitose (mHe-zitous). Chem. [f. F. mdize
larch, after Melitose.] A sugar, isomeric with
cane-sugar, discovered by Bonastre in larch-manna.
1862 Miller Elem. Chem.(ed.2) III. 96. 1876 tr. Schutzen-
bergcr's Ferment. 33 Melezitose, melitose, and lactine.
Melfoil, obs. form of Milfoil.
! Melia (mMii). Bot. [mod.L. {Linnmus), a.
Gr. ntkia ash-tree ; the leaves of the azedarac re-
semble those of the ash.] A genus of trees (typical
of the N.O. Meliacex), of which the best known
species is the Azedarac ; a tree of this genus.
1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp., Melia, in botany, the name
by which Linnseus calls the azedarach. 1838 Penny Cycl.
XI. 73/1 Magnolias, melias, robinias.
Hence Meliaceous a., pertaining to the Meli-
acese,; Me-liad,aplantofthis order {Syd. Soc. Lex.);
Me lial a., in Melial alliance, Lindley's name for
an alliance embracing this and some other orders.
1836 Lindley Nat. Syst. Bot. (ed. 2) 92 The highest alli-
ances in regard to structure are the Malval and -Melial.
1846 — Veg. Kingd. 463 Meliacex — Meliads.
II Melianthus (meliie'nbfts). Bot. [mod.L.
(Tournefort I /Oo),f. Gr. fitkt honey + dVffos flower.]
A genus of flowering plants, the type of the N.O.
Melianthacem ; now including only the five South
African species known as Honeyflower ; formerly
much more extensive.
1733 Miller Card. Did. (ed. 2), Melianthus,. .Honey-
Flower. 1741 Compl. Fam.-Piece 11. iii. 401 Myrtles, . . Me-
leanthus,..and such tender Greens as remain yet abroad.
17s" J- Hill Gen. Nat. Hist. II. Hist. Plants 517 The
pinnated-leaved Melianthus with serrated pinn nla.-. . . It is a
native of Virginia, a 1876 M. Collins Th. in Garden (1880)
II. vi. 225 How would it be for fruit-growers to plant thyme,
. ..melianthus, and mignonette near their southern walls?
Melibcean (melibf-an), a.l [f. L. Melibcc-us
the epithet of a purple dye) + -AN.] Pertaining
to Melibcea, a Syrian island (colonized from
Thessaly), famous for its purple dye.
1667 Milton P. L. xi. 242 Over his lucid Armes A
Militarie Vest of purple flowd, Livelier then Melibcean.
Melibcean, •.* [f. Melibceus, the name of one
of the two interlocutors in the first eclogue of
Virgil + -an.] Used by Carlyle for : Amckbean.
1837 Carlyle Misc. (1872) V. 224 In vain preached this
apostle and that other simultaneously or in Melibcean se-
quence. — Fr. Rev.WX. 1. viii, In rapid Melibcean stanzas,
only a few lines each, they propose motions not a few.
Melic (melik), sb. Also meliok. [ad. mod.L.
mclica, of obscure origin.] A genus {Melica Linn.)
of grasses of the tribe Festucese; a grass of this
genus. Also melic-^rass.
1787 tr. Linnaeus' Fatn. Plants I. 46 Melica. Melic-
grass. 1804 Charlotte Smith Conversations, etc. II. 108
In a few short months. .Would velvet moss and purple melic
rise. 1854 S. Thomson Wild Fl. m. (ed. 4) 193 The moun-
tain or wood melic-grass {Melica nutans), a 1863 Jean
Ingelow High Tide on Line Coast, From the meads where
nielick groweth.
Melic (melik), a. [ad. Gr. /«aikos, f. piKos
song.] Of poetry : Intended to be sung ; applied
spec, to the strophic species of Greek lyric verse.
Hence applied to poets who compose such verse.
Also absol. = melic poetry.
1699 Bentley Phal. xv. 484 Stesichorus a Melic or
Lyric Poet. 1850 Mure Lit. Greece III. 28 The more
delicate varieties of melic rhythm. Ibid. 56 Strophic odes
..may be classed under two heads, Melic and Choric. 1886
F. B. Jevons Greek Lit. 123 The history of melic begins
for us with Terpander. Ibid. 160 Theognis was an elegiac
and not a melic poet.
Melicaris, obs. form of Meliceris.
Meliceratous, a. Obs. [Badly f. Meliceris.]
= Meliceric.
1755 Gly in Phil. Trans. XLIX. 35 A meliceratous fluid.
Meliceric (melisi«-rik), a. [f. Melicer-is 4-
-ic] Pertaining to meliceris.
1835-6 -Todd's Cycl. Anat. I. 788/2 Those subcutaneous
tumours., which contain meliceric. .matter. 1847-9 Ibid. IV.
97/2 The most common seats of atheromatous and meliceric
cysts are the scalp and eyelids.
II Meliceris (melisi'>-ris). Path. PI. meliee-
ride8(meliserid/z). Also 6 melieiris,meliceres,
8-9 melliceris. [mod.L., a. Gr. p*kun)fts some
eruptive disease, f. fieMKrjpov honeycomb, f. i*i\t
honey + ict)p6s wax.]
1. An encysted tumour containing matter which
resembles honey.
1562 Turner Herbal 11. 121 b, Melicirides which are
apostemes . . haue an oylish thyng within them lyke vnto
honye. _ 1597 A. M. tr. Guillemeau's Fr. Chirurg. 18 The
vlceration Meliceres differeth from the Ateroma. 1762
R. Guy Pract. Obs. Cancers 31 Melliceris. 1847-9 Todd's
Cycl. Anat. IV. 97/2 The chief varieties of these [cysts] are
atheroma,, .meliceris, . .and steatoma.
attrib. 1739 Sharp Operat. Surg. 128 The Ganglion of the
Tendon is an Encysted Tumour of the Meliceris kind.
2. ' The fluid contents of a distended joint when
yellow and honey-like' {Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890).
1870 Paget Led. Surg. Pathol, xxi. (ed. 3) 672 [Synovial
cysts.] Their contents possess a gelatinous or even a honey,
like consistency which constitutes a form of Meliceris.
tMeliceritous, a. Obs. [Badly f. Meli-
ceris.] = Meliceric.
1804 Abernethy Surg. Obs. 88 The contents [of a wen]
were of the consistence which is termed meliceritous.
Melicerous (melisla-ras), a. [f. Melicer-is
+ -oca.] = Meliceric.
1828-32 in Webster (who names Hosack). 1846 in Todd's
Cycl. Anat. IV. 1114/2 Melicerous degeneration of the thy-
roid. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., Melicerous cyst.
Melicertan (melisajtan). Zool. Also -ian.
[I. Melicerta (from L. Melicerta, Gr. MfAt/ctpriji,
name of a sea-god) + -an.] A rotifer of the genus
Melicerta or family Alelicertids.
1856 Carpenter Microsc. § 281. 498 The first group
..includes two families, the Floscularians and the Melt-
certians. 1884 C T. Hudson in Q. Jrnl. Microscop. Set.
XXIV. 343 Inall other Melicertans the row of smaller cilia
encloses the row of larger ones.
Melieiris, obs. form of Meliceris.
Melicoton(ie, -y, var. ff. Melocoton Obs.
t Meliorate. Obs. Also 6 melicrat, incin-
erate, [ad. late L. melicratum, ad. Gr. luXUparov
(-Kptjrov), f. niM honey + Kpti.-, xtpavvvvat to mix.]
A drink maxle with honey and water.
1563 Hyll Art Garden. (1593)80 Aspoonfullof mellicrate.
1578 Lyte Dodoens 1. xviii. 28 The leaues. .dronken with
Meade or Melicrat.. it healeth the Sciatica. 1584 Cogan
Haven Health (1636) 198 Eat nothing at all, or else, but a
little meliorate. 1775 Sir E. Barry Obs. Wines 389 Its com-
parative strength with that of meliorate, or water and honey.
Hence + Meliorated a., made by mixing water
and honey.
1657 Tomlinson Rcnou's Disp. 100 The rule of confecting
Meliorated mulsa.
Melilite (me-libit). Min. Also mellilite.
[a. F. melilite (Delam^therie 1795), mod.L. melili-
thus, f. Gr. pl\t honey + KiBos stone : see -lite.]
1. A silicate of calcium, aluminium and other
bases, found in honey-yellow crystals.
1821 Jameson Man. Min. 325 Mellilite. .. Strikes fire
with steel. 1823 W. Phillips Introd. Min. (ed. 3) 208
Melilite. .has only been found at Capo di Bove near Rome,
in the fissures of a compact black lava 1836 T. Thomson
Min., Geol., etc. I. 207 Mellilite. 1879 Rutley Stud. Rocks
Niii. »5J Apatite, . . melilite and garnet are among the more
common accessory minerals [in nepheline basalt].
2. = Mellite (after Kirwan).
1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. 11.68 Mellilite, Honigstein, of
Werner. 182X Jameson Man. Min. 296 Pyramidal Mellilite,
orHoneystone. 1837 Dana Syst. Mitt. 438 Mellite. .Mel-
lilite. Honey Stone.
t Melilitbic, a. Chem. Obs. [f. Melilith-us
+ -IC.] Melilithic acid, an acid found in mellite.
1803 Med. Jrnl. IX. 474 Chemical Analysis of the Honey,
stone. . . 106 parts of it contain 46 melilithic acid.
II Melilitlius. Min. Obs. [mod.L.: see Meli-
lite.] = Melilite 2, Mellite.
1800 Med. Jrnl. III. 583 Mr. Klaproth, of Berlin, has en-
riched chemistry with the discovery of a new acid, which he
obtained by the analysis of the honey stone, or melilithus.
MELILOT.
Melilot (melilpt). Forms: 5-8 mellilot, 6
mellylot(e, melli-, millelote, 6-9 melilot9, 6-
melilot. [a. OF. melilot (mod. Y.vUlilot), ad. late
L. melilo/os, a. Gr. ixthikonos, -ov, a sweet kind of
clover, f. ixiKi honey + Acutos : see Lotus. Cf. Sp.,
Pg. meliloto, It. mel{l)iloto.'\ A plant of the legu-
minous genus Melilotus, esp. M. officinalis or Yel-
low Melilot, the dried flowers of which were for-
merly much used in making plasters, poultices, etc.
c 1410 A faster 0/ Game (MS. Digby i82)xii, Oyle of cama-
mylle and of mellilot. 1533 Elyot Cast, Helthe (1541) 11
Meates inllatynge or wynaye : Beanes : Lupines :. .Melly-
lote. 1541 R. CorLAND tr. Cuydoris Quest. Chirurg. Yivb,
Ye decoction of moleyn, camomille, millelote. 1548 Turner
Names Hcrbcs (E.D.S.) 52 Melfrugum. ..It may be called in
englishe whyte melilote. 1587 MascallG^. Cattle, Horses
(1596) 154 One ounce of the powder of mellilot. 1728 J.
Gardiner tr. Rapin's 0/ Gardens 18 Sweet-scented Melli-
lot. 1778 Eng. Gazetteer (ed. 2) s. v. Horshealh, This part
of the county abounds with melilot, whose seeds mix so
much with the corn. .that it gives a taste to their bread,
which is very disagreeable to strangers. 1864 Swinburne
Atalanta 1354 Every holier herb, Narcissus, and the low-
lying melilote. 1883 Encycl. Amcr. I. 480/1 Such plants
as white or alsike clover, or melilot, catnip, .etc
fig. 1748 Richardson Clarissa VII. 330 Will not some
serious thoughts mingle with thy melilot, and tear off the
callus of thy mind?
b. attrib. , as t melilot-emplaster, -flower, -plaster;
melilot trefoil, Medicago lupulina.
1676 Wiseman Surg, v. i. 351 To which purpose Sponges
were prest out of *Melilot Emplaster, and the Wound fill'd
with them. 1694 Salmon Bate's Dispens. (1713) 205/1 A
Melilot Emplaster or Colewort-leaf may be applied, c 1540
in Vicary's Anat. (1888) App. ix. 226 The pouldre of "melli-
Iote flowres. 1826 Sporting Mag . XIX. 27 Water distilled
from the melilot flowers has been held to improve the flavour
of other substances. 171a Swift Jrul. to Stella 24 Apr., At
last I advised the doctor to use it like a blister, so I did with
"melilot plasters, which still run. 1795 Burke Corr. (1844)
IV. 276, I would not put my melilot ptaister on the back of
the hangman. 1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. App. 319 "Melilot
Trefoil, Trifolimn.
t Meline, «-1 Obs. rare—1, [ad. L. melinus,
a. Gr. prjKivos, f. nijKov apple, quince.] Quince-
yellow.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xvn. cxci. (1495) 730 Of
vyolets is thre manere of kynde : purpure whyte and melyne,
that is a manere whyte colour that comyth out of the ylonde
Melos.
Meline (mrtsin), a.- [ad. L. melinus, f. miles
' marten or badger ' (L. & Sh.), in mod. zoological
Latin the generic name of the badger : see -INE.]
Of or pertaining to the genus Meles ; badger-like.
1891 Flower & Lydekker Mammals 567 Divided.. into
the Otter-like (Lutrine), Badger-like (Meline), and Weasel-
like (Mustelinel forms.
Meling, var. Melling ; and see under Mele v.
Melinite1 (me-linait). [Named by E.F.Glocker
in 1847, f. Gr. nqkiv-os (see Meline a.1) + -ite.]
A clay resembling yellow ochre. Also Me'linine.
1868 l)Mi\Syst. Min.(ei. 5) II. 477 Melinite. i8o6Chester
Diet. Mitt,
Melinite 2 (me-linsit). [a. F. melinite, f. Gr.
^ijaicos : see prec] A French explosive, said to be
composed of picric acid, guncotton , and gum arabic.
1886 Daily News 2 Dec. 5/2 France and Germany are
lavishing money upon repeating rifles, melanite [tic] shells,
and iron-plated forts. 1887 Chicago Advance 3 Feb. 78/4
The new French explosive, melenite, .. resembles yellow
clay. 1887 Nature 17 Mar. 472/2 The new gunpowder me-
linite has already begun its work of destruction.
Melinophatie, earlier name of Meliphanite.
t Melion. Obs. rare— x. = Melilot.
C14J0 Pallad. on Hush. xi. 358 An vnce of melion [L.
vteliloti].
Melior, obs. variant of Muliek.
Melior ability, rare. [f. *meliorable adj., f.
late L. meliorare : see next and -able.] Capacity
of being improved. (Only in Bentham.)
1811-31 Bentham Language Wks. 1843 VIII. 297/2 Me-
liorabihty.
Meliorate (mf-lioreit), v. [f. late L. meliorat-,
ppl. stem of meliorare, f. L. melior-, melior better.]
1. trans. To make better, to improve; = Ame-
liorate v. Also, fto mitigate (suffering, ill-
feeling).
01552 Leland ///«. (1768) III. 65 This Joannes Grandi-
sonus chaungid an hold Fundation of an Hospital of S.
John's in Excester and melioratid it. 1598 in Row Hist.
Kirk (Wodrow Soc.) 190 If he hes meliorat or deteriorat his
benefice any way to the prejudice of his successor. 1620
Venner Via Recta ii. 41 They are meliorated, by putting to
them sugar, nutmeg, and. .ginger. 1647 Jer. Tavlor Lib.
Proph. xix. 248 Religion is to meliorate the condition of a
people. 1702 W. J. Bruyn's Voy. Levant xli. 166 A Fat-
ness which so far Meliorates the Lean and Sandy Soil of
this Country. 1782 Miss Burnev Cecilia 1. vii, She pleased
herself with the intention of meliorating her plan in the
meantime. 1796 Mrs. Howell Amoletta Z. I. 125 These
sentiments her brother.. bad meliorated, by proposing that
a ball should be given [etc.]. 1802 Noble Wanderers II. 6
It would have meliorated his sufferings. 1854 H. Miller
Sch A> Schm. i. (1857) 6 The mutiny at the Nore had not yet
meliorated the service to the common sailor. 1894 W. J.
Dawson Making 0/ Manhood 29 Every movement which
seeks to meliorate the common lot.
b. absol. ; spec, in Scots Law, to effect ' meliora-
tions ' (see Melioration 2 b).
317
a 1701 Sedley Crumbier i. \, Nothing is more dangerous
than chastisement sine causa ; instead of meliorating, it
pejorates. 1769 Robertson Chas. V, 111.(1706) I. 121 To
squeeze and to amass, rather than to meliorate, was their
object. 1838 W. Bell Diet. Law Scot. 641 An obligation
on the tenant to meliorate or repair, if not implemented by
himself, falls upon his representatives. 1845 R. Hunter
Landlord fy Tenant (ed. 2) II. 220 By the contract, stipula-
tions to meliorate and preserve may bind either the lessor
or lessee, or both.
2. intr. To grow better. = Ameliorate v. 2.
1654 H. L'Estrange Chas, I (1655) 166 The Scot'sh Re-
volters in the state I left them, were not like to meliorate
nor to goe Iesse in animosity. 1681 Nevile Plato Redtv.
269 That we can never Meliorate, but by some such Prin-
ciples, as we have been here all this while discoursing of.
1764 Goldsm. Hist. Eng. in Lett. (1772) II. 76 British fero-
city [began] to meliorate into social politeness. 1793 J.
Turnbull in Sparks Corr. Amer. Rev. (1853) IV. 443, I
hope.. that circumstances in that distressed city may con-
tinue to meliorate. 1849 H. Miller Footpr. Creat. xii.
(1874) 2I9 When the climate had greatly meliorated, i860
Emerson Cond. Life i. (1861) 13 The face of the planet
cools and dries, the races meliorate, and man is born.
Hence Meliorated ///. a. ; Meliorating vbl.
sb. and ppl. a.
1649 Blith Eng. Improv. f/,i/r, xx. (1652) 132 All which
as to all sorts of Land, they are of an exceeding Meliorating
nature. 1665 Hooke Microgr. 246 Promoted by the melio-
rating of Glasses. 1692 R. L'Estrange Joscphus, Wars of
Jnvs in. ii. (1733) 663 Great Plenty of Fruits, both wild, and
meliorated or domestick. 1766 Complete Farmer s. v.
Husbandry, To return the meliorated earth to the corn.
1783 Washington Circular 18 June, The free cultivation
of Tetters, the unbounded extension of commerce,, .have
had a meliorating influence on mankind. 1789 Burney
Hist. Mus. IV. 350 The first movement in the overture is
grave and grand, in Lulli's meliorated style, by Handel.
Melioration (nulior^-Jan). [n. of action f.
late L. meliorare to Meliorate.]
1. The action of making better, or the condition
of being made better ; amelioration, improvement.
1626 Bacon Sylva § 855 You must ever resort to the
beginning of things for Melioration, a 1682 SirT. Browne
7Vac^(i684) 47 A notable way for melioration of the Plant.
177a Priestley in Phil. Trans. LXII. 184, I could not
. .effect any melioration of the noxious quality of this kind
of air. 1796 Burney Mem. Metastasio II. 280 Persevere in
your melioration, till you are perfectly cured. 1827 Steuart
Planters C. (1828) 205 All soils are susceptible of meliora-
tion. 1876 Bancroft Hist. U. S. III. i. 7 The generations
of men are not like the leaves on the trees, which fall and
renew themselves without melioration or change.
2. An instance of meliorating ; a change for the
better ; a thing or an action by which something is
made better ; an improvement.
1647 Lilly Chr. Astrol. xxviii. 183, I concluded, that
about two yeers after.. he should sensibly perceive a meliora-
tion in Estate by meanes of a Wife. 1661 Boyle Cert,
Phys. Ess. (1669) 120 By an Insight into Chymistry one
may be enabl'd to make some Meliorations (I speak not of
Transmutations) of Mineral and Metalline Bodies. 1796
Morse Amer. Ceog. II. 568 Transplanting, engrafting, and
other meliorations [in horticulture]. 1878 Emerson Sove-
reignty of Ethics in North Amer. Rev. CXXVI. 406 The
civil history of man might be traced by the successive
meliorations as marked in higher moral generalizations.
b. Scots Law. In plural, applied spec, to im-
provements effected by a tenant upon the land
rented by him.
1838 W. Bell Diet. Law Scot. 644 A clause binding the
landlord to make the necessary meliorations. 1845 R.
Hunter Landlord <$- Tenant (ed. 2) II. 232 A proprietor
stipulated in the lease to make certain meliorations, and to
pay to the lessee the expense of meliorations made by him.
t Meliorative, a. rare. [f. late L. meliorare
to Meliorate : see -ative.J That meliorates ;
improving.
1808 G. Edwards Pract. Plan iii. 30 We. .become savage
in our hatred to the various meliorative processes. 1841 R.
Oastlek Fleet Papers I. xl. 314 Peel has no meliorative
and restorative principle to propose.
MelioratorFmeliorater(m/*lioreit3j). rare.
[agent-n. f. Meliorate v. : see -or, -er1.] One
who or something which meliorates.
1855 in Ogilvie Suppl. 1870 Emerson Sec* $ Solit., Work
<5- Days Wks. (Bohn) III. 68 The greatest meliorator of the
world is selfish, huckstering Trade.
Meliorism (mrlioriz'm). [f. L. melior better
+ -ISM.]
1. The doctrine, intermediate between optimism
and pessimism, which affirms that the world may
be made better by rightly-directed hnman effort.
As used by some writers, the term implies further the
belief that society has on the whole a prevailing tendency
towards improvement.
[1858: cf. Meliorist.] 1877 Geo. Eliot Let. % Sully
1 Jan. in Cross Life (1885) III. 301 The doctrine of melior-
ism. 1877 J. Sully Pessimism 399 Our line of reasoning
provides us. .with a practical conception, .which, to use a
term for which I am indebted to.. George Eliot, may be
appropriately styled Meliorism. By this I would under-
stand the faith which affirms not merely our power of lessen-
ing evil — this nobody questions — but also our ability to
increase the amount of positive good. 1885 J. H. Clapper-
ton {title) Scientific Meliorism and the Evolution of Happi-
MM
2. Used as the designation of a principle of action
in dealing with the evils of society (seequot.).
T883 L. F. Ward Dynam. Sociol. II. 468 Meliorism.. may J
be defined as humanitarianism minus all sentiment. .. It
implies the improvement of the social condition through J
cold calculation, through the adoption of indirect means. I
MELISMA.
It is not content merely to alleviate present suffering, it
aims to create conditions under which no suffering can exist.
Meliorist (mrliorist). [f. L. melior better +
-1ST.] One who believes in meliorism.
1858 J. Brown Horx Subsec, Locke % Sydenham Pref.
19, I am not however a pessimist, I am, I trust, a rational
optimist, or at least a meliorist. 1877 Geo. Eliot in Cross
Life (1885) III. 301, I don't know that I ever heard any-
body use the word ' meliorist ' except myself. 1890 G. B.
Shaw in Fab. Ess. Socialism 28 The Socialist came forward
as a meliorist on these lines.
attrib. 1884 H. Spencer in Contemp. Rev. July 39 The
meliorist view — ..that life. .is on the way to become such
that it will yield more pleasure than pain.
Melioristic (m;~li6iistik), a. [f. Meliorist
+ -IC.] Of or pertaining to meliorism.
1888 Academy 3 Mar. 148 /i Perhaps too scientifically
melioristic for the common herd.
Meliority (mflipTlti). [ad. med.L. melwritds,
f. L. melior-, melior better : see -ITT.] The quality
or condition of being better; superiority.
1578 Sidney Wanstcad Play in Arcadia, etc. (16051 574
[Pedant loo.] Either _ according to the penetrance of their
singing, or the melioritie of their functions, or lastly the
superancy of their merits. 1597 Bacon Coulers Good $ Evill
No. 1 So that this couler of melioiitieand preheminence is oft
asigne of eneruation and weakenes^e. 1640 Br. Hall E/>isc.
11. xi. 154 This meliority therefore, or betternesse above the
Priests and Deacons, is ascribed to the Bishop. 1715CHEYNE
Philos. Princ. Relig. Contents *5 Some more particular
Reflections, upon the Meliority of the Frame and Constitu-
tion of the Celestial Bodies. 1845 A. Duncan Disc. 139
They may point out such a meliority of disposal, figure and
size, as ever converts its essential properties to the most
useful purposes.
t Melioriza'tion. Obs. [f. Meliokize v. +
-ATlON.] Melioration ; improvement.
1599 A. M. tr. Gabclhouers Bk. Physicke 38/r Till such
time as we perceaue some meliorization, or amendment.
■1 Me liorize, V. Obs. [f. L. melior better +
-ize.] a. trans. To make better ; to improve, b.
intr. To grow better.
1597 A. M. tr. Guillcmeatis Fr. Chirurg. *v, I desire that
they woulde vouchsafe to meliorize the same. 1599 — tr.
Gabclhouers Bk. Physicke 115/1 Till shee begitme to me-
liorise, and waxe lesse.
Meliphagan (meli'fagan). Omith. Also
erron. melli-. [f. mod.L. Mcliphaga (f. Gr. pkki
honey + -tyay-os that eats) + -an.] A bird belong-
ing to the Australian genus Mcliphaga or family
McliphagidiX (see next).
1842 Brande Diet. Set. etc., MelUphagans, a family of
Tenuirosters, comprising the birds which feed on the nectar
of flowers. In mod. Diets.
Meliphagidan (melifce'd^idan), a. and sb.
[f. mod.L. Mcliphagid-ec (f. Mcliphaga : see prec.
and -id) + -an.] a. adj. Belonging to the Meli-
phagidac, a family of Australian birds which extract
honey from plants, b. sb. A bird of this family.
In recent Diets.
Meliphagine (meli'fad^in}, a. andji. Omith,
[ad. mod.L. Meliphagln-us, f. Mcliphaga : see
Meliphagan and -ine.] a. adj. Of or pertaining
to the Meliphaginee, a sub-family of the Meli-
phagidw (see prec). Also used for Meliphagldan.
b. sb. A bird of this sub-family.
1884 Ibis July 340 The two genera Melithrcptus and
Plectorynchus are obviously Meliphagine. 1890-99 S. B.
Wilson & A. H. Evans Birds Sandwich 1st. Introd. 21 It
is a very old supposition that some of the Finch-like forms
were Meliphagine.
Meliphagons (meli'fagas), a. Omith. Also
erron. melli-. [f. mod. L. Mcliphaga (see Meli-
phagan) + -ous.] Belonging to the Meliphagidm
or honey-eating birds.
1826 Vigors & Horsfield in Trans. Linnean Soc. XV.
311 There are many species, .which have been ranked as
Meliphagons 'in consequence of the alleged filamentous con-
formation of their tongue. 1837 Swainson Nat. Hist. Birds
IL 146 The plumage of the meliphagous birds of New
Holland is almost universally dull.
Meliphanite (melrfansit). A/in. Also me'li-
phane. [f. Gr. fiekt ( honey + <pav-} tpaivtuOat to
appear -f- -ite.
Named by Dana, in allusion to its colour, after Leuco-
phane, -phanite ; the earlier name (Scheerer 1852) was
t/telinophan, prob. f. /x»jAti/os Meline a.1]
Eluo-silicate of glucinum, calcium and sodium.
1867 Dana in Amer.Jrnl. Set. Ser. 11. XLIV. 405 note,
Meliphane (melinophane) appears to bear the same relation
in form and constitution to phenacite, as Leucophane to
Chrysolite. 1868 — Syst. Min. (ed. 5) II. 263 Meliphanite.
II Melisma (m/'li'zma). Mus. [Gr. piMopa
song, air, melody.] (See quot. 1S80.)
ri6u T. Ravenscroft {title) Melismata; Musical Phansies
fitting the Court, Citie, and Countrey Humours.] 1880 W.S.
Rockstro in Grove Diet. Mus. II. 248/2 Melisma. Any
kind of Air, or Melody, as opposed to Recitative, or other
music of a purely declamatory character. Thus, Men-
delssohn employs the term in order to distinguish the
Mediation and Ending of a Gregorian Tone from the Domi-
nant, or Reciting Note. Other writers sometimes use it
(less correctly) in the sense of Fioritura, or even Cadenza.
x88i Mrs. Wodehouse ibid. III. 618/2 These melodic
melismas also allow the voice great scope in the so-called
'kehrreim ' or refrain.
Hence Melisma'tic a., ornate or florid in melody ;
also Melisma'tics sb. pi., the art of florid or
ornate vocalization. {Cent. Vict.)
MELISSA.
318
MELLAGINOUS.
Melissa (mili'sa). Med, [mod.L. generic
name (Tournefort), a. Gr. p&affffa bee.] The herb
balm (Melissa officinalis'). Melissa oil, a volatile
oil obtained from this plant. Melissa ivater, a
distillation in water of the leaves of the plant,
balm -water.
a '593 J- Hester 114 Exper. Paracelsus (1596) 4 A girle
. .whom I cured with the Oyle of Camomell, in the water of
Melissa and Valerian. 1881 tr. Trousseau fy Pidoux* Treat.
Therap. III. 198 Melissa is proclaimed as one of the best
exhilarants. 1887 Bruntoris Text-bk. Pharmacol, etc. (ed. 3)
1007 U.S. P. Melissa. .Balm — The leaves and tops of Melissa
officinalis . .used in the form of warm infusion or tea as a
diaphoretic in slight febrile conditions.
t Melissaean, a. Obs. [f. Gr. /«w<raf-os (f.
ptXtaoa bee) + -an.] Pertaining to bees.
1609 C. Butler Fern. Mon. (1634) 44 The Melissaean year
is most fitly measured by the Astronomicall months.
Melissic (mHi'sik), a. Chem. [formed as next
+ -IC.1 Melissic acid : an acid obtained from
melissin. Melissic alcohol'. = Melissin.
1848 Brodie in Phil. Trans. CXXXIX. 95 This acid I
call Melissic Acid. 1852 Fownes* Chem. (ed. 4) 471 Mr.
Brodie has prepared two alcohols, cerotylic and melissic,
from bees' wax.
Melissin (m/lrsin). Chem. Also melissine.
[f. Gr. niXiooa bee + -in.] A substance obtained
by boiling a mixture of myricin (myncyl palmitate)
and potash ; called also melissic, melissyl% myricic
or myricyl alcohol.
1848 Brodie in Phil. Trans. CXXXIX. 93 This substance
I propose to call Melissin. 1880 Garrod & Baxter Mat.
Med. 410 An acid, the melissic, which bears the same re-
lation to_ melissine that acetic acid does to alcohol,
Melissvl (milrsil), Chem, [formed as prec.
+ -yl.] The hypothetical radical (C30HW) of
certain compounds derived from wax; called also
myricyl. Me Ussy I alcohol : = Melissin.
1852 Foivnes' Chem. (ed. 4) 592 Hence myricin is likewise
a compound ether, namely palmitate of oxide of inelissyl.
1869 Roscoe Elem, Chem. (1871) 335 Melisyl [sic] Alcohol,
a solid white substance contained in beeswax.
Melissylene : see Melene.
Melissylic (melisHik), a. Chem, [f. prec. +
-ic] Melissylic alcohol'. = Melissin.
iS6z Miller Elem. Chem. (ed. 2) in. 264 Another wax
alcohol, melissylic alcohol, or melissin, is liberated.
Melitagrous (melitei*gras), a. [f. mod.L.
melitagra a synonym of Impetigo (f. Gr. fitXir-
honey + -aypa after 7ro5d7pa gout) + -ous.] A term
applied to the honey-like secretion from the skin
which occurs in such diseases as favus and is pro-
duced by some irritating ointments. (Syd. Soc,
Lex, 1890.)
f Melitane, a, Obs. [as if ad. L. *Afelitdnus,
f. Melita Malta.] w Maltese.
x6oo Thynse Emblems xxv. 1 The melitane dogge, bredd
onlie for delight, whose force is smale, though voice be
lowde and shrill.
tMe'litism. Obs. [app. ad. Gr. hcXitkthos, f.
/«A.fT- honey ; but the Gr. word is known only in
the sense ' use of honey in plasters '.] (See quot.)
1656 Blount Glossogr., Melitism (melilismus), a drink
made of honey and wine.
Melitose (me-litJns). Chem. [f. Gr. fxeKtr-,
H*Ki honey + -OSE.] A kind of sugar obtained
from the manna of Eucalyptus.
1861 Fownes' Chem. (ed. 8) 410 The Australian manna,
which is the produce of Eucalyptus mannifera, according
to recent researches of Berthelot, contains two different
isomeric sugars, called melitose and eucalyne.
t Meliturgy. Obs, rare. In 7 melliturgie.
[a. F. melliturgie (Cotgr.), ad. Gr. n<\tTovpyta
honey-making (but the true reading is perh./«AiT-
rovpyia bee-keeping).] (See quot. 1656.)
1620 T. Granger Drv, Logike 180 [Subjects of Virgil's
Georgics]Georgie,dendrographie,Ktenotrophie, melliturgie.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Melliturgie (Fr.), the making of
honey, Bees-work.
II Melituria (melitiua'ria). Path. Also mell-.
[mod.L., f. Gr. /«Ajt-, pckt honey + ovp-ov urine +
L. suffix -ia.] The presence of sugar in the urine ;
—diabetes mellitus (but see quot. 1877).
1856 in Mavnk Exfos. Lex. [as L.]. 1863 Aitken Sci. *
Pract. Med. (ed. 2) II. 335 Any agents or conditions which
cause a suspension of the functions of animal life, while
the purely nutritive or organic functions remain intact,
may bring about melituria. 1877 tr. //. von Ziemssen's
Cycl. Med. XVI. 858 By the constant excretion of sugar,
diabetes mellitus is distinguished from those .. conditions
in which appreciable quantities of sugar appear in the
urine at limes— conditions which have .. been specially
designated as mellituria ox glycosuria.
Melk, obs. form of Milk sb. and v.
Mell (mel), sb* Now only Sc. and dial,
[Northern var. of mall, Maul sb.l]
1. A heavy hammer or beetle of metal or wood
( = Maul sb* 2) ; fa mace or club (obs.) ; also, a
chairman's hammer.
a 1300 Cursor M. 23240 f>aa dintes ar ful fers and fell.
Herder ban es here irinn mell. 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc.
7048 parfor be devels salle stryk bam bare, With hevy
melles ay. c 1440 Alphabet 0/ Tales 353 Swilk a sownd
like as be bed had bene dongen on with mellis. 1563
Winjet Vincent. Lirin. Ded., Euery kind of necessar
waipp'in and werklume..as habirione, scheild, suord, bow,
speir, spade, mattok, and mell, &c. 1641 Best Farm. Bks.
(Surtees) 107 Theire manner is for one to stande with a mell
and breake the clottes small [etc.]. 1768 Ross Helenore 111.
109, I hae..A. .quoy.. She's get the mell an' that sail be
right now, As well's a quoy altho she were a cow. 1864
A. McKay Hist. Ki Imarnock (1880) 326 The mell used on
the occasion was one that had been handled by Burns. 1897
Crockett Lads' Love v, A mason had gaun hame wi' his
square and mell ower his shooder.
b. Phrases. As dead as a mell, quite dead. Mell
and wedge (work) : used by miners for work done
with those tools as opposed to ' blasting '. To keep
mell in shaft (Sc.) : to ' keep things going ' ; to be
able to maintain oneself; also allusively.
1798 D. Crawford Poems 54 They'll think you're as dead
as a mell, Or myern-tangs. 18x1 Pinkerton Petrol. I. 271
The clay-bed . . varies from the softness of tough clay, to the
hardness of striking fire with steel ; in the language of
miners, from mell and wedge to blasting. 18*4 Mactaggart
Gallovid. Encycl (1876)339 When a person's worldly affairs
get disordered, it is said the mell cannot be keeped in the
shaft. 1830 T. Wilson Pitman's Pay (1843) 33 A' bein'
mell-and- wedge wark then. 1831 Mrs. CARLYLEZ^r.6 0ct.
in Neiu Lett, fy Rem. (1903) I. 38 Carlyle is reading to-day
with a view to writing an Article— to keep mall in shaft.
1850 J. Strut/hers Life vii. p. cviii. in Poet. Wks., He had
gained something in the way of experience, and had been
able still to keep the shaft in the mell.
2. Sc, and north, dial. (See quots. and E.D.D.)
a 1743 J. Relph Misc. Poems (1747) 5 And still still dog'd
wi' the damn'd neame o'mell? Gloss., A mell, a beetle,
signifies here the hindmost, from a custom at Horse-races of
giving a mell or beetle to the hindmost. Hence they call
the hindmost the Mell. 1837 Hogg Sheph. IVedd. Tales II.
161 Now for the mell ! now for the mell ! Deil tak the
hindmost now! Ibid., He.. thus escaped the disgrace of
winning the mell. 1869 Lonsdale Gloss. s.v. Mell, To get
the mell is to obtain a mallet in prize ploughing, as a prize
for the worst ploughing.
8. Comb. : mell-headed a. Sc. and north, dial.,
having a head like a mell, i. e. large, thick, etc.
1500-20 Dunbar Poems Ix. 60 Mell-heidit lyk ane mortar-
stane. 1878-99 Dickinson Cnmberld. Gloss., Mell-heedit.
t Mell (mel), sb.2 Obs. Forms: 6, 9 mel, 6-7
mell. [a. L. mell-, mel, — Gx. fitXiT-, peKt, Goth.
miiip, O. Irish mi/.'] Honey.
a 1575 Gascoigne Dan Bartholomew Posies Flowers 98
That bitter gall was mell to him in tast. 1584 Lodge
Truth's Compi. (Shaks. Soc. 1853) 119 The drones from
busie bee no mel could drawe. 1586 Warner Alb. Eng. iv.
ax. 86 Her..lookes were. .such as neither wanton seeme,
nor waiward, mell, nor gall. 1648 Herrick Hesper., Pray
-r prosper, The spangling Dew dreg'd o're the grasse shall
be Turn'd all to Mell, and Manna. 1864 Bamford Rhymes
181 Adieu to the . . lip that is sweet as the mel of the bee.
b. attrib. (Mel-dezv = honey-dew.)
1606 Sylvester Du Bartas 11. iv. 1. Tropheis 1053 Th'
Heav'n .. Pours-forth a Torrent of mel-Melodies [fr. vn
roux torrent de miel}, In Davids praise, a 1643 Browne
BHt. Past, mi. (Percy Soc.) 27 Some choicer ones, as for
the king most meet, Held mel-dewe and the hony-suckles
tMell, sb$ Obs, rare-1.
1736 Diet. Rust. (ed. 3) s.v. Colick, Tying down his [the
horse's] Mell or Tail close between his Legs.
Mell (mel), sb.* Sc. and north, dial. The last
sheaf of corn cut by the harvesters. Also attrib.,
as mell-day, -doll, -sheaf, -supper (see quots.).
1777 Brand Pop. Antia. xxxi. 303 A plentiful Supper for
the Harvest-men . . ; which is called a Harvest-Supper, and
insomeplacesa Mell-Supper. 1832 j. Hodgson Northumbld.
11. II. 2 note, The mell-doll or corn-baby is an image dressed
like a female child, and carried by a woman on a pole, in
the mid>t of a group of reapers. 1846-59 Denham Tracts
(1895) II. 2 The last day of reaping .. is known through-
out the north by the appellation of * Mell Day '. 1878
Cnmberld. Gloss., Mell. the last cut of corn in the harvest
field. .. [It] is commonly platted, enclosing a large apple.
189a M. C. F. Mokris Yorksh. Folk-Talk 212 The last
sheaf gathered in is, in the North and East Ridings, called
the 'mell sheaf.
tMell, v.1 Obs. Forms: 1 median, rasettlan,
3-6 mell, 4-5 melle, 4 medle, medele. [OE.
median, f. msedel discourse ; a parallel formation
with m#6elian Mathele v. Cf. Mele v.] intr,
and trans. To speak, tell, say.
a 900 Cvnewulf Crist 1338 (Gr.) paer he [Christ].. to bam
eadjestum a-rest ma:3le5. mooo Andreas 1440 (Gr.) Mr
awjejed sie worda anij, De ic burh minne mu3 mecHan
on^inne. a 1300 Cursor M. 26657 D«te ° brath on hell, bat
reues man be tung to mell. 13.. E. E. Allit. P. A. 707 pe
profete ysaye of hym con melle. 1377 Langl. P. PI. I!, m.
36 panne come here a confessoure. .To Mede be mayde he
mellud [MS. O medelede] bis wordes. c 1387 Ibid. A. xi. 93
{Vernon MS.) He bi-com so confoundet he coube not medle
[other MS S. mele]. c 1400 Destr. Troy 109 More of thies
Mirmydons mell I not now. c 1460 Tenuneley Myst. xvi.
195, T haue maters to mell with my preuey counsell.
Mell (mel), v.2 Now arch, and dial. Also 4-6
mel. [a. OF. meller, var. ofmesler: see Meddle v.]
1. trans. To mix, mingle, combine, blend. Also
with together, up.
1x340 Hampole Psalter ix. 9 When god melles sorow
anguys & trauaile till his flescly lykynge. 1375 Barbour
Bruce xvi. 65 Quhen byrdis syngis on the spray, Melland
thair notys with syndry sowne. c i*oo Maundev. (Roxb.)
x. 38 pat es whyt of colour and a lytill reed melled berwith.
11500 Ratis Raving 675 A man. .suld.. mell Justice and
mercy to gider in Jugment. 1605 Sylvester Du Bartas
11. KL 1. Vocation 018 [He] That with his Prowesse Policy
can mell. 1633 '1. Adams Exp. 2 Peter \. 5 Both these
knowledges must be so melled together, that they be not
severed. 1748 Thomson C'aj.7. Indol. 1. xliii, And oft' began
. .wintry storms to swell, As heaven and earth they would
together mell. 1888 Reports Provinc. (E. D. D.), Us mell
up one bushel o' lime to two o' sand,
t 2. intr. for refl. To mingle, combine, blend.
11300 Cursor M. 22641 pan sal be rainbou descend,..
Wit £e wind ban sal it mell, And driue bam [be deuels] dun
all vntil hell. 1390 Gower Con/. II. 222 Whan venym
melleth with the Sucre.
3. trans. To mix or mingle (persons). Const.
with, together. Also pass.
< 1300 Si. Brandan 276 And sette hem ther wel he;e
I-melled with his owe covent. X387 Tkevisa Higden
(Rolls) II. 155 Normans and Englischemen [ben] i-medled
[MS. a i-melled] in alle be ilond. c 1400 Song Roland 647
Let us now our men melle to-gedur. 1570 Buchanan Ad-
vionitioun Wks. (1892) 24 How yai ar mellit w* godles pa-
pistes. 1895 Crockett Men 0/ Moss-Hags vii, I wonder. .
if it would be possible to transplant you Gordons. .. Here
ten score King's men melled and married would settle
the land.
4. intr. for refl. To mix, associate, have inter-
course with, to associate.
c 1350 Ipomadon 1663 (Knlbing) Thy brother schall the
know there by, Yf ever god wolle, bat ye melle. C1515
A. Williamson Let. in Douglas Wks. (1874) I. Introd. 24
She may cowrs the tyme that euer she mellyt with your
blood. C1557 A Br. Parker Ps. lix. 2 From workers bad
O saue my lyfe, wyth them no tyme to mell. a 1600 Mont-
gomerie Sonn. lxvii. 13 Mell not with vs, vhose heads weirs
l[auiel]. 1785 Poems Buchan Dial. 24 But Diomede mells
ay wi' me, An' tells me a' his mind. 1880 Webb Goethe's
Faust Prol. in Heaven 23 With the dead in churchyard
hidden I never care to mell or mingle. 1896 Crockett
Grey Man vi. 39 None of us . . desired to mix or to mell
with loose company.
1 5. intr. To copulate. Obs.
c 1375 Sc Leg. Saints xxi. (Clement) 406 Of my wyf bis
case bane fel, pat cane hyre with hyre serwandis mel.
4:1450 Cov. Myst. 215 A talle man with her dothe melle.
1508 Dunbar Tua Mariit ll'emen 56 God gif matrimony
were made to mell for ane 3eir ! a 1555 Ridley in Coverd.
Lett. Martyrs (1564) 100 And with thys whore doth
spiritually mell.. all those Kinges and Princes. 1594 Wil-
lobie Avisa lviii. (1605) 49 b, Their feet to death, their
steps to hell Do swiftly slide that thus do mell. 1641
Brome Joviall Crexv 11. (1652) G, If you arc.DosposM to
Doxie, or a Dell, That never yet with man did Mell.
6. To mingle in combat.
c 13*0 Sir Tristr. 3270 pe cuntre wi|> hem meld, c 1350
Will. Pat Terne 3325 f>ei..nadden gret ioye, ba so manh a
man wold mele in here side, c 1400 Beryn 2648 Who
makiih a fray, or stryvith au^t, or mel to much, or praunce.
c 1470 Got. <7 Gaiv. 543 Forthi makis furth ane man,.. That
for the maistry dar mell With schaft and with scheild. 1513
Douglas A^neis x. xiv. 116 To mell with me, and to meyt
band for hand. 1594 Batiell of Balrinness in Scot. Poems
16th C. (1801) II. 353 Lat sie how we can mell wl them Into
thair disaray. 1823 Scott Quentin D. xxxvii, Draw in
within the court-yard — they are too many to mell with in
the open field. 1838 Blackw, Mag. XLIII. 205 Beware.,
how ye mell among these hosts — their darts are sharp.
f 7. rejl. To concern or busy oneself. Obs.
c 1350 Will. Falcrne 1709 And manly sche melled hire bo
men Torto help, c 1386 Chaucer Melib. p 575 (Had. MS.)
He is coupable bat entremettith him or mellith him with
such bing as aperteyneb not vnto him. c 1400 Destr. Troy
3783 Telamon.. mellit hym with musike « myrthes also.
1456 Sir G. Haye Law Arms [S. T. S.) 161 Thai mell
thamenochttharewith. 1540! as. Vin-SV. Papers //en. VIII,
V. 173 And quhat fait ony freir. .committis..supponand it
concerne Our self, We mel Ws nocht. 1600 Hamilton
Facile Traictise in Cath. Tract. (S. T. S.) 226 Thair first
mother Eua, for melting hir self with maters of religion,..
ptocurit. .a curs of God to hir and al woman kynd.
8. intr. To busy, concern, or occupy oneself ; to
deal, treat; to interfere, meddle. Const. in^\of,witk.
c 1400 Destr. Troy 9577 As be maner is of men, bat mellyn
with loue. 1465 Paston Lett. II. 202, I canne not have no
knowlych that Haydon mellyth in the mater of Drayton.
1516 Will 0/ Rich. Peke of Wakefield 4 June, And no
ferder to mell nor hurtt hir. 1550 Crowley Epigr. 496
When none but pore Colyars dyd with coles mell. 1557
Tottel's Misc. (Arb.) 105 And, after, in that countrey lyue,
..Where hoonger, thirst, and sory age, and sicknesse may
not mell. 1590 Spenser F. Q. i. 1. 30 With holy father sits
not^with such thinges to mell. 1605 Sylvester Quadrains
lxviii, To some one Art apply thy whole a flection ; And in
the Craft of others seldome mell, 1786 Burns Scotch Drink
xvi, It sets you ill, Wi' bitter, dearthfu' wines to mell. 1819
Scott Ivanhoe xxxii, I will teach thee.. to mell with thine
own matters. 1851 C. L. Smith tr. Tasso ix. lix, Go; tell
them, thou, no more henceforth to mell With war, which
warriors only should sustain. 1893 Snowden Tales Yorksh.
Wolds 122 They tucked them [the bedclothes) well in, so
that they would be sure to ' feel her if shoo melled agean '.
b. Phrase. To mell or make (with), to make or
mell (with), dial. Cf. Meddle v. 8 c.
1825 J. Jennings Obs. Dial. w. Eng. 139 Ther war naw
need To melt or make wi' thic awld Creed. 1871 W.Alex-
ander Johnny Gibb xix. 144 There's some fowk wud never
mak' nor mell wi' naething less nor gentry.
Mell (mel), v.s Now only dial. [f. Mell sbA]
trans. To beat with a mell ; hence, to beat severely.
? a 1400 Morte A rth. 2950 Thane sir Gawayne . . Metes pe
maches of Mees and melles hym thorowe. C1400 Destr.
Troy 10994 Piirus bis prowes pertly beheld, How his Mir-
mydons with might were mellit to ground. 1824 Hogg
Conf Sinner 332 To entertain a stranger, an' then bind him
in a web wi" his head down, an' mell him to death !
Mell, obs. form of Meal sb.- and sbA
Mellacatton, variant of Melocoton.
MellagillOUS (melardginas), a. [f. mod.L.
melldgin-, me/ldgo a preparation resembling honey
(f. mell-, mel honey) + -ous.] Pertaining to or of
the nature of honey.
MELLATE.
1681 Grew Musstmn 11. 208 The Oil or Mellaginous Succus
betwixt the Rind and the Kerne! is that which is called
Mel Anacardinum, 1833 F. v. Mueller in Chemist <r
Druggist (Melbourne), The mellaginous exudations of the
trusses of flowers attract . . a number of honey-sucking birds.
Mella-rosa : see Mela-rosa.
Mellate (me'l#t). Chem. Earlier -at. [a. F.
mellat (Klaproth), f. melKjtique) : see Mellitic
and -ate.] A salt of mellic or mellitic acid ; =
Mellitate.
1794 G. Adams Nat. fy Exp. Pkilos. I. App. 547 Mellats —
neutralized by potass, crystallize in long prisms. 1802
T. Thomson Chem. III. 527 Aluminous salts. .Mellite —
Honeystone — Mellate of Alumina.
t Mellation. Obs. rare—", [ad. L. mella-
tidn-em, n. of action f. mellare to make or collect
honey.] (See quots.)
1623 Cockeram, Mellation, the driuing of Bees to get out
the Honie. 1656 Blount Glossogr., Mellation, the time
of taking honey out of the Hives.
Mellay (me-ki), sb. and a. Forms : 4-6 melle,
5-6 mely, 5-6, (9) melly, (6 mellie, -ye, 9 -ey),
6, 9 mellay. [a. OF. meltie, meslie : see Melee.]
A. sb.
fl- Mixture. Obs. rare*1.
1375 Barbour Bruce v. 404 Syne of the tunnys the hedis
out-strak, A foull melle thair can he mak.
2. f Contention, fight, quarrel {obs.) ; spec, an en-
gagement in which the two parties or combatants
are mixed together in a close hand to hand fight.
Cf. Melee, arch.
13.. Gaw. fy Gr.Knt. 342, 1 be-seche now with sa}ez sene,
pis melly mot be myne. 137s Barbour Bruce xvil 120 Thar
wes gret melleis twa or thre. c 1400 Ywaine a> Gaw. 504
Woso flites, or tumes ogayne, He bygins al the melle. 1508
Dunbar Lament Makaris 23 Wictour he is at all melle.
1513 Douglas s&ueis vil x. 5 Als sone as was this gret
melly begunne. The erd littit wyth blude. 1819 Scott
Ivanhoe xxix, The love of battle is the food upon which we
live— the dust of the mellay is the breath of our nostrils !
1847 Tennyson Princess v. 401 As here and everywhere He
rode the mellay, lord of the ringing lists. 1875 Kinclake
Crimea (1877) V. i. 152 So that Russians. .and men of the
Scots Greys and men of the 5th Dragoon Guards, were here
forced and crowded together in one indiscriminate melley.
1881 Green Hist. Eng. I. iv. ii. 419 The Welshmen stabbed
the French horses in the melly.
t 3. A cloth of a mixture of colours or shades of
colour ; also a ' mixed ' colour. (Cf. Medley.)
1381-4 Durham Ace. Rolls (Surtees) 592 In di. panno de
Melle. 1410 Will in Trevelyan Papers (Camden) 18 Item
lego Matild'. .unam togam de violet, aliam de melly. . . Item
lego Johannc.unam togam russetam & aliam togam de
mely. 1587 Ace. Bk. W. IVray in Antiquary XXXII. 118,
iij yeardes white mella', xijs. 1593 Ibid., iij yeardes & a q'ter
fyne mella', xiiir.
f4. ?A kind of brass. In quot. attrib. (Cf.
Maslin1.) Obs.
1545 Richmond Wills (Surtees) 56 A mellay pot with a
kylp, a chaffer, a brewyng leyyd [etc].
t B. adj. Of a mixed or variegated colour. Obs.
1515 WW of R. West (Somerset Ho.), My mely tawny
gowne. 1551 Aberdeen Reg. XXI. (Jam.) The price litting
of the stane of mellay hew xxxii sh. Ibid. XXIV. (Jam.)
Ane mella kirtill. 1558 Wills A> Inv. N. C. (Surtees) I. 173
It'm I giue to my curate.. my mellye gowne.
b. Comb. : f melly parted a., parti-coloured.
1418 E. E. Wills (1882) 37 A furre of beuer and oter
medled ; also a Hewk of grene and other melly parted.
Hence f Mellay v. inlr., to contend.
£1435 WYntoun Cron. vm. xv. 19 Dare Willame Walays
tuk on hand, Wyth mony gret Lordys of Scotland, To mel-
lay wyth bat Kyng in fycht.
Melle, obs. form of Meal sb.\ Mellay, Mill.
t Mellean, a. Obs. rare-", [f. L. melle-us
(f. mel : see Mell sb.2) + -an.] ' Of or like honey,
sweet, yellow' (Blount Glossogr. 1656).
t Melled, ppl. a.1 Obs. Also 5 -yde, -ide, 6
-yd. [t. Mell vA + -ed1.] Mixed.
1390 Gower Conf.lll. 256 He, which hath his lust assised
With melled love and tirannie. 1393 Will 0/ Organ or
Atte Stone (Somerset Ho.), Gonnam de viridi mellet. c 1400
Rmvland tr O. 1234 A nobill suerde the burde not wolde
Now for thi Mellyde hare. 1449-50 Durliam Ace. Rolls
(Surtees) 632 In iij pannis integris blodei mellide. 1562
Richmond Wills (Surtees) 152 Inptimis, iij mellyd russetts
xhj«.
T Melled, ppl. a* Obs. rare-1, [f. Mell sb*
+ -ED 2.] Sweet as honey ; honeyed.
1605 Sylvester Du Bartas 11. iii. in. Law 841 Thou..
That has the Ayre for farm, and Heav'n for field (Which,
sugred Mel, or melled sugar yeeld).
Mellefoly, obs. form of Milfoil.
Mellegette, -ghete, obs. ff. Malagdetta.
Melleous (me-l/ss), a. [f. L. melle-us (see
Mellean) + -ous.] Of the nature of or resem-
bling honey ; containing honey.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Melleous, of or like honey, sweet,
yellow. 1657 Tomlinson Reneu's Disp. I. IV. xxxix. 317
Apiastrum or Melissophyllon, which is a melleous leaf.
1664 Boyle Exp. Colours 11. vii. 145, I shall not Examine
which of the Slow wayes may be best Employ'd, to free
Wax from the Yellow Melleous parts. 1760 J. Lee Introd.
Bot. n. xx. (1765) n6 A melleous Liquor.
Mellet, Melley, var. ff. Mellit, Mellay.
t Mellfluvious, a., blundered f. Mellifluous.
1600 Rowlands Lett. Humours Blood iv. D 8 Mellflu-
uious, sweete Rose watred elloquence.
319
Mellic (me-lik),a/i rare~°. [f, L. mell-, met
honey + -10,] Of or pertaining to honey.
In some recent Diets.
Mellic (me'lik), at Chem. [Shortened from
Mellitic, on the analogy of Mellate.] Mellic
acid-, — Mellitic acid.
1837 Dana Min. 438 Mellite... According to Klaproth..
and Wohler, it contains.. Mellic Acid.
Melliceris, variant of Meuceris.
Mellicoton, variant of Melocoton.
Mellicrate, obs. variant of Meliorate.
t Mellie, melly. Obs. rare~K =Mell^.2
1614 J. Davies Eclog. 19 in W. Browne Sheph. Pipe G 3 b,
For, fro thy Makings milke and mellie [ed. 1620 melly]
flowes To feed the Sungster-swaines with Arts soot-meats.
Mellie, obs. form of Mellay.
Melliferous (meli-feras), a. [f. L. mellifer
(f. mell J)-, mel honey + -fer bearing) + -ous. Cf.
F. mell/fire.] Yielding or producing honey.
1656 Klount Glossogr., Melliferous, that bringeth or
beareth honey. 1701 GbEW Cosui. Sacra iv. ii. § 22. 149
Judaea.. could not but abound with Melliferous Plants of
the best kind. 1816 Kjruy &. Sp. Entomol. (1818J I. 296
Insects attracted by the melliferous glands of the flower.
1861 HuLMF.tr. Mot/u in- Tandon 11. Hi. 196 The most perfect
melliferous animals are the Hoes. 1895 Kerner & Oliver
Nat. Hist. Plants II. 128 [These] in the case of melliferous
flowers preserve.. the honey from being spoilt by the wet.
Jig. 177a Birmingham Counterfeit 1. vi. 97 The stings
of Cupid's melliferous darts.
t Mellific, a. Obs. rare-°. [ad. L. melltfic-us
f. mellit)-, mel honey + -fictts : see -Eic. Cf. F.
melliflque.'] * That makes honey*.
1706 in Phillips (ed. Kersey). 1856 in Mavne Expos. Lex.
t Mellificate, v. Obs. rare-0, [f. L. melli-
ficat- ppl. stem of mellificdre, f. mellificits : see
prec] inlr. To make honey.
1623 in Cockeram. 1656 in Ulount Glossogr.
t Mellification. Obs. [ad. L. mellificalidn-
em, n. of action f. mellific -are: see Mellificate z\
and -ation. Cf. F. mellific a Hon.] The action or
process of making honey. (Said of bees.)
1655 G. S. in Hartlib Ref. Cotunnu. Bees 31 Mellification,
respects the work and labour of this Insect, not its Physical
virtues. 1733 Arbuthnot Ess. Ejfects Air ix. 223 In
judging of the Constitution of the Air, many things besides
the Weather ought to be observ'd :. .the Silence of Gras«
hoppers ; Want of Mellification in Bees [etc.].
t Mellified, ///. a. rare^1. [f. MELLIPY +
-ed !.] Sweetened with honey.
1597 A. M. tr. Guillemeaus Fr. Chirurg. 49/2 We may
vse mellifyed or Honyed-water.
t Mellifluat e, a. Sc. Obs. Also 6 melle-.
[f. L. vtelliflu-ns (f. mell-, mel honey + flttere to
flow) + -ate.] Mellifluous.
1508 Dunbar Gold. Targe 265 Your angel mouthis most
mellifHiate Our rude langage has clere illumynate. 1560
Rolland Crt. Venus 1. 147 He bair ane plesant flour..:
With Cinamone mixt, and mellifluat.
t Melliflue, a. Obs. rare. Also -flwe. [a.
OF. melliflue, ad. L. mel/ifluus.] Mellifluous.
c 1450 Mirour Saluacioun 3690 Hire dere son melliflwe
presence. i^$6'm Coventry Corpus Chr. Plays (E.E.T.S.) no
The mellyflue mekenes of your person shall put all wo away.
Mellifluence (meli'fl«ens). [f.next: see-ENCE.]
The state or quality of being mellifluent.
01631 Donne Sertn. (1640) 806 In which, (as S. Bernard
also expresses it, in his mellifluence) Mutua [etc.]. 1779-81
Johnson L. P.,Dryden Wks. II. 418 The English ear has
been accustomed to the mellifluence of Pope's numbers.
1841 D'Israeli Amen, Lit, (1867) 304 The mellifluence and
flexibility of the vowelly language were favourable to un-
rhymed verse.
Mellifluent (meli*fl<«ent), a. [ad. late L. mel-
lifluent-em adj., f. L. mell[t)-, melhoney +fluetit-em
pr. pple. of fluhe to flow. Cf. F. mellifluant
(Godef.).] - Mellifluous.
1601 Weever Mirr. Mart. B j, Descending . . Like the
mellifluent brooke of Castilie. 1622 Ailesbury Serm. (1623)
16 It was Opus sine exemplo .., saies mellifluent Bernard.
1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 14 The ground by Floraes mel-
lifluent vertue, was ore-spread with Flowres. 1764 J. G.
Cooper Ep. Friends in Town iii. Afiol. Aristippus 175
Gresset's clear pipe..Symphoniously combines in one Each
former bard's mellifluent tone. 1888 Harper's Mag. Apr.
763 A profound, mellifluent, booming horn-tone.
Mellifluous (meli'ftos), a. [f. L. melliflu-us
(f. mell-, mel honey +flu-ere to flow) + -ous.]
1. Flowing with honey, honey-dropping; sweet-
ened with or as with honey. Now rare.
1485 Caxton Chas. Gt, 36 By the sauour of tho mellyfluous
flowres alle the cytee waspuryfyed. 1536 Primer Hen. VIII
146 In the mouth honie so mellifluous. 1658 Rowland
Moufet's Tkeat. Ins. 919 The increase of Bees is more in
regard of., the plenty of mellifluous dews. 1667 Milton
P. L. v. 429. 1715 Pope Odyss, ix. 239 Twelve large vessels
of unm'mgled wine, Mellifluous. 1849 Thackeray Dr. Birch
41 And no one lacked, neither of raspberry open-tarts, nor
of mellifluous bull's-eyes.
2. Jig. Sweetly flowing, sweet as honey. Chiefly
of eloquence, the voice, etc.
1432-S0 tr. Higden (Rolls) I. 3 Thei [the nowble wryters
of artes] ar to be enhauncede and exaltede . . as makenge
a commixtion of a thynge profitable with a swetenesse
mellifluous. CX485 Digby Myst. (1882) m. 1446 O Iesu ! bi
mellyfluos name Mott be worcheppyd with reverens ! 1573
L. Lloyd Marrow oj Hist. (1653) 59 Such mellifluous words
MELLISONANT.
and sugred sentences proceeded out of his mouth that they
were amazed. 1601 Shaks. Twel. N. 11. iii. 54 A mellifluous
voyce, as I am true knight. 1671 Milton P. R. iv. 277
Wisest of men ; from whose mouth issu'd forth Mellifluous
streams. 1791 BoSWELL Johnson 20 Mar. an. J776, A work
. .written in a very mellifluous style. 1834 R. Mudie Brit.
Birds (1841) I. 243 Its note is not so mellifluous and varied
as that of the song thrush. 1838-9 Hallam Hist. Lit. iv.
vi. § 42 A smoothness of cadence, which though exquisitely
mellifluous, is perhaps too uniform. 1874 Motlev Barneveld
I. iv. 167 The not very mellifluous title of Craimgepolder.
b. of a speaker, writer or singer.
1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 264 b/i Saynt Bernard the melli-
fluous doctor. 1598 F. Meres Pallad. Tamia 11. 2E1 b,
Mellifluous and hony-tongued Shakespeare. 1:1709-10
Henley in Swift's Lett. (1767) I. i7 As that mellifluous
ornament of Italy, Franciscus Petrarcha, sweetly has it
1837 Carlvlf. Fr. Rev. II. v. iL.283 Most mellifluous yet
most impetuous of public speakers. l873SvMOXDsGr/C-. Poets
xi. 373 The most mellifluous of all erotic songsters.
Hence Melli fluously adv., Mellifluousness.
i8iz R. H. in Examiner 30 Nov. 763/2 The versification
of Pope is mellifluously flowing. 1820 Byron yuan v. i,
In liquid lines mellifluously bland. 1821 New Monthly Mag.
III. 445/1 A head by Corregio. .abounding in that feminine
loveliness and blending mellifluousness of colour and chiaro
oscuro, which [etc.]. 1886 Ruskin Prxterita I. iv. 136 The
little Klise, then just nine, set herself deliberately to chatter
to me mellifluously for an hour and a half.
Melliform (me-lif^jm), a. [as if ad. mod.L.
mclliformis, f. mell J)-, mel honey : see -form]
Resembling honey. 1890 in Syd. Soc. Lc.r.
t Mellify, v. Obs. rare. [ad. L. mellificSre
to make honey : see -FY.] a. intr. To make
honey, b. trans. To sweeten with honey.
c 1420 Pallad. on Hnsb. v. 151 Place apte is ther swete
herbes multiplie And bees the welles haunte, & water cleche ;
Utilite is there to mellifie. 1597 [see Mellified.]
Melligenous (meli-da/has), a. Obs. rare-".
[Two formations : (1) f. pseudo-L. melligin-us (a
false reading in Pliny) + ous ; (2) L. mel/ii)-, mel
honey + -gen- + -ous.] a. ' Of the same kind with
honey' (Iiailey 1721). b. 'Producing honey' {Syd.
Soc, Lex. i8go).
Mellipfineous, a. Obs. rare-1, [f. mod.L.
melligine-us (f.L. melligin-, mel/igo honey-likejuice,
f. mell-, mel honey) + -ous.] Resembling honey.
_ 1684 tr. Bond's Merc. Compit. xvil. 501 Sometimes a Mel-
lieineous matter.. is contained within the Bladder.
Mellilet, obs. form of Melilot.
Mellilite, less correct form of Melilite.
1 Melliloquent, a. Obs. rare-", [f. L.
melHi)-, mel honey + loquent-em, pr. pple. of loquT
to speak.] ' That speaketh sweetly '.
1656 in Blount Glossogr. 1658 in Phillips.
t Mellinder. Obs. [a. Sp. melindre.] A kind
of past ry.
1604 E. G[rimstone] D'Acosta's Hist. Indies IV. xvi. 255
A certaine kinde of paste, they doe make of this flower mixt
with sugar, which they call biscuits and mellinders.
tMelling(me'lirj),z>/;/. sb. Obs. Also grueling.
[f. Mell v.'i + -ing l.j The action of the vb. Mell.
1. Blending, combining ; mixture.
c 1350 Will. Palerne 5257, & to meliors his quene bi mes-
sageres nobul, as to here lege lord lelli bi rijt, burth meling
of he mariage of meliors be schene. _ C1375 Sc. Leg. Saints
xxi. {Clement) 399, & of be planetis sic mellynge In be tyme
of engendryng gerris weman do adultery. 1375 Barbour
Bruce v. 406 Meill, malt, blude, and vyne Ran all to-gidder
in a meHyne.
2. Copulation.
c 137s Sc. Leg. Saints xxxii. (Justin) 339 For gyf sic mel-
lyng suld nocht be . . al kynd of man . . suld fal^e. 14. .
Lvog. Life Our Lady xx. vi. (MS. Ashm. 39. If. 32), Eke
certeyn birdes called vultures YV*t outten mellyng [v.r. medel-
inge] conceyven by nature.
3. The action of mixing in fight or joining in
combat. Melling while, time of combat.
c 1350 Will. Palerne 3858 Meliadus in bat meling while
a sturne strok set William on hisjstelen helm. 137s Barbour
Bruce VII. 481 It is hard till vndirtak Sic mellyng vith 30W
for to mak. c 1475 Partenay 1326 Ther full gret affray was
at ther mellyng.
4. Dealing ; intercourse ; meddling.
c 1440 W. Hylton's Mixed Life (MS. Thornton) in Ham-
pole (ed. Horstman) I. 276 By-cause of mellynge [C1375
MS. Vern. medlyng] with swilke besynes. 1564 Reg;. Privy
Council Scot. I. 279 Nane of oure Soverane Ladiis liegis
have traffique, cumpany, or melling with thame. 1579 Sc.
Acts Jas. VI (1814) III. 182/1 Inhibiting the personis now
displacet of all further melling and intromissioun with the
saidis rentis. 1596 Spenser F. Q. v. xii. 35 That euery
matter worse was for her melling. 1603 Philotus (1835)
cxlv, Than how could wee twa disagree, That neuer had
na melling.
Melliot, obs. form of Melilot.
t MeUiphiU. Obs. rare—1, [app. ad. Gr.
liekicpvWov, name of a plant, ? balm ; lit. ' honey-
leaf, f. fie\t honey + <pv^\ov leaf: cf. melisphylla
(pi.) Virg. Georg. iv. 63.]
1595 Chapman Ovid's Bang. Sence B 2 b, White and red
Iessamines, Merry, Melliphill: Fayre Crown-imperial],
Emperor of Flow-ers [etc.].
Mellisonant (meli's&ant), a. arch. [f. L.
mell{i)-, mel honey + sonant-em, pres. pple. of
sonare to sound.] Sweet-sounding.
a 1634 Randolph Amyntas v. iv, I'le have't no more a
sheep-bell ; I am Knight Of the Mellisonant Tingletangle.
1893 Swinburne Stud. Prose % Poetry (1894) 46 It was
MELLIT.
doubtless in order to relieve this saccharine and 'mellisc-
nant ' monotony that [etc.].
i Mellit. OI>s. Also7mellet. A disease inci-
dent to horses (see quots.).
1610 Markham Masterp. 11. lxix. 333 A Mellet is a dry
scab-be that groweth vpon the heele [of a horse]. 1704 Diet.
Rust, et Urban., Mellet [ed. 1726 Mellit], a dry Scab that
grows upon the Heel of a Horse's Fore-feet.
Mellitate (medium). Chem. [f. Meli.it(ic)
+ -ateI.] A salt of mellitic acid ; =Mellate.
i8z8 Philos. Mag. IV. 229 The mellite (mellitate of alu-
mina). 1894 Athenaeum 25 Aug. 260/2 Mellite, or honey-
stone, which is aluminium mellitate.
Mellite (me'lait), si. Mitt. [First in mod.L.
mellltes (Gmelin 1793), f. L. mu//-, /;«/honey : see
-ite.] Native mellitate of aluminium, occurring in
honey-yellow octahedral crystals. See also Meli-
ltte 2, Honey-stone 2.
First found in brown-coal seams in Thuringia.
1801 Nicholson's Jrnl. IV. 516 Honigstein .. has a light
yellow colour, which has caused it to obtain the name of
mellite, or honey stone. 1823 W. Phillips Introd. Min.
(ed. 3) 374. 1878 Lawrence y. Cotta's Rocks Class. 66
Mellite occurs as an accessory ingredient in Brown Coal.
t Mellite, a. Obs. rare~l. [ad. L. mellit -us,
f. mill-, mel honey.] Honeyed, sweet.
c 1420 Ballad, on Hush. 11. 262 Summe . . honge hem [ser-
vices] vp in place opake and drie ; And wyn mellite [L. sapa],
as seid is, saue hem shall.
Mellitic (meli-tik), a. Chem. [f. Mellite si. +
-1C, after F. mellitique (Klaproth).] Mellitic acid
(CuHjO,^), the peculiar acid of mellite. (Also
called Mellic.)
1794 G. Adams Nat. Sf Exp. Philos. I. App. 542. 1802
T. Thomson Chem. III. 527 Klaproth found the mellite
composed of alumina and a peculiar acid to which he gave
the name of mellitic acid. 1844 Fownes Chem. 373 Mel-
litic acid, -is soluble in water and alcohol.
Mellitimide (meli'timaid). Chem. [f. Mel-
litic) + Imide.] A compound obtained from
mellitate of ammonium.
186s Watts Diet. Chem. III. 873 Paramide or Mellitimide.
Melliturgie : see Meliturgy.
Mellituria, less correct form of Melitdria.
Mellivorous (meli'voras), a. [f. mod.L. mel-
livor-us (f. L. mel/-, mel honey + vor-are to devour)
+ -ous. Cf. F. mellivore.] Feeding on honey.
1801 Latham Gen. Syn. Birds Suppl. 11. 166 marg., Mel-
livorous Creeper. 1822 — Gen. Hist. Birds IV. 161 Melli-
vorous Honey-eater. 1878 Riley in A vier. Naturalist XII.
215 A. .partlycarnivorous, partly mellivorous diet.
Mellodion : see Melodeon.
Mellon, obs. form of Melon 1.
Mellone (me-loun). Chem. Also mel(l)on.
[Named by Liebig in 1834 ; f. mel- (as in Melam)
+ -ONE.J A compound of carbon and nitrogen
obtained as a yellow powder by the action of heat
on certain cyanogen-compounds.
1835 R. D. Thomson's Rec. Gen. Sci. I. 185 Liebig terms
this citron-coloured powder melton. 1838 T. Thomson
Chem. Org. Bodies 2 The richest body in azote known is
melon, which is composed of C6 Az1. Ibid. 768 Mellon.
Mellonide (me'Wnaid). Chem. [f. Mellone
+ -IDE.] A compound of mellone with a metal.
1845 W. Gregory dull. Chem. 11. 311 Mellonide of potas-
sium. 1862 Miller Klem. Chem. (ed. 2) III. 697.
Mellonuret (melp-niuret). Chem. [f. Mel-
lone + -URET.] = Mellonide.
1841 Brande Chem. (ed. 5) 575 Mellon, .combines directly
with potassium; ..a mellonuret of potassium [is] formed.
Mellow (me-lou), a. Forms : 5 melwe, 5-6
melowe, 6 mellowe, 6- mellow. [First appears
in the 15th c. ; pern, developed from some unre-
corded attributive use of OE. melo (stem me/w-),
ME. melowe, Meal j*.i Cf. mod. Flemish melnw
soft, mellow (Franck s.v. Mollig),
In sense the adj. corresponds strikingly with early ME.
Merow, OE. meant (a Com. Teut. word), which may
possibly have influenced its development.]
1. Of fruit : Soft, sweet, and juicy with ripeness.
Alsoyff.
c 1440 Promp. Parv. 332/1 Melwe, or rype (P. melowe),
fitaturus. 1526 t'ilgr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 106 b, Thynke
how god may make of that grene apple a swete fruyte full
melowe. 1530 Palsgr. 318/2 Melowe as fruyte is, meur.
1589 Nashe Altai. Absurd. 32 This greene fruite, beeing
gathered before it be ripe, is rotten before it be mellow.
1607 Shaks. Cor. iv. vi. 100 As Hercules did shake downe
Mellow Fruite. 1611 Cotgr. s.v. Pari, Pomme forte, ■
ripened in straw, &c. ; made mellow by art. 1623 Cockeram, !
Melmv, ripe. 1681 Dryden Span. Friar 111. iii. 42 Nature i
drops him down, without your Sin, Like mellow Fruit, '
without a Winter Storm. 1719 D'Urfey Pills (1872) I. 266
Women, like some other Fruit, Lose their relish when too
mellow. 1756 Lady M. W. Montagu 'Good madam; But
the fruit that can fall without shaking Indeed is too mellow
for me. 1806-7 J. Beresford Miseries Hum. I.i/e (1826)
vi. xxxiv, One dish of mellow apples. 18x4 Scott Ld. 0/
Isles in. xxi, Mellow nuts have hardest rind.
b. Of colour, odour, taste : Indicative of ripeness.
1563 Homilies II. Alms-deeds II. 174 b, So doth the crabbe
and choke pere, seeme outwardlye to haue sometyme as
fayre a redde, and as melowe a colour, as the fruite which
is good in deede. 1644 Digby Nat. Bodies i. (1645) 3 My
eye telleth me it [an apple] is green or red ; my nose that it
hath a mellow sent.
c. Of landscape, seasons, etc. : Characterized
by ripeness.
320
x8xg Keats To Autumn i Season of mists and mellow
fruit fulness, a 1845 Hood Poems (18461 II. 49, Twas in
that mellow season of the year When the hot Sun singes the
yellow^ leaves Till they be gold. 1862 B. Taylor Poets
Jrnl. i, A moment she the mellow landscape scanned.
d. Of wines or their flavour : Well-matured ;
free from acidity or harshness. b\%ofig.
1*1700 B. E. Did. Cant. Crav, Mellenv,.. smooth, soft
Drink. 1787 J. Croft Treat. Wines Portugal'] The Port
Wines.. being less racey and mellow than the AHcants from
Spain. 1853 C. Bronte Villette xix, His spirit was of vin-
tage too mellow and generous to sour.
2. transf. a. Of earth : Soft, rich, loamy.
1531 Elyot Gov. l iv, The most melowe and fertile erth.
1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. 1. (1586) 25 If the ground
be mellowe, after Barley in some places they sowe Millet.
1664 Evelyn Kal. Hod., Mar. {1729) 195 Sow Skirrets in
rich, mellow, fresh Earth. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. 11. 356
Hoary Frosts . . will rot the Mellow Soil. 1777 A. Hunter
Georg. Ess. 168 note, In the North of England, when the
earth turns up with a mellow and crumbly appearance, and
smoaks, the farmers say the earth is brimming. 1815 j.
Smith Panorama Sci. fy Art II. 632 It delights most in
a stiff, mellow, well pulverized soil. 1879 Joaquin Miller
Nicaragua in Poems of Places, Brit. Atner. etc. 175 My
father old He turns alone the mellow sod.
b. In various applications: Soft; soft and
smooth to the touch.
( 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) III. 544/2 This frequent turning
it over, cools, dries, and deadens the grain ; whereby it
becomes mellow. 1844 Stephens i>£. Farm III. 836 I Young
cattle.] To be a good thriver..the hair should feel mossy,
and the touch of the skin mellow. 1875 Encycl. Brit. I.
390/2 Young cattle . . are at 18 months old already of great
size, with open horns, mellow hide [etc.].
3. fig. (from sense 1). Mature, ripe in age.
Now chiefly, softened or sweetened by age or ex-
perience ; having the gentleness or dignity resulting
from maturity.
1592 Kyd Sp. Trag. 1. iii. 41 My yeeres were mellow, his
but young and greene. i6n Middleton & Dekker Roar-
ing Girle 1. D.'s Wks. 1873 III. 145 Maister Greene-wit is
not yet So mellow in yeares as he. 1749 Smollett Regicide
v. iv, In florid youth, or mellow age, scarce fleets One hour
without its care ! 1855 M. Arnold Sonn. to Friend 13 The
mellow glory of the Attic stage. 1893 Goldw. Smith United
States 63 He [Benjamin Franklin] was an offspring of New
England Puritanism grown mellow.
4. Of sound, colour, light, etc. : Rich and soft ;
full and pure without harshness.
a. of sound, musical instruments, singers.
1668 H. More Div. Dial. ill. xxxvi. (1713)284 How sweet
and mellow, and yet how Majestick, is the Sound of it !
1700 Dryden Ovid's Met. xil. 218 The mellow harp did not
their ears employ. 1722 Snaps in Swift's Lett. (1766) II. 27
His voice, since its breaking, is somewhat harsh, but I be-
lieve will grow mellower. 1728-46 Thomson Spring 604
The mellow bullfinch answers from the grove. 1742 Berke-
ley Let. to Gervais 2 Feb., Wks. 1871 IV. 284 A six-stringed
bass viol of an old make and mellow tone. 1746 Collins
Ode Passions 61 Pale Melancholy.. Pour'd thro' the mellow
Horn her pensive soul. 1821 Byron Juan iv. Ixxxvii, Who
swore his voice was very rich and mellow, a 1849 Poe
The Bells, Hear the mellow wedding bells, Golden bells.
1863 Lever Barrington xviii, The hardy old squire, whose
mellow cheer was known at the fox-cover. 1863 Geo. Eliot
Romola Ixi, There was silence when he began to speak in
his clear mellow voice.
b. of colour, light, drawing, etc., or coloured
objects. Sometimes with additional notion :
Softened in colour by age.
1706 Art of Painting (17 44) 342 His pencil was light and
mellow. 1766 Goldsm. Vic. W. xx, The colouring of a pic-
ture was not mellow enough. 1784 Cowper Task iv. 314
The golden harvest, of a mellow brown. 18x5 Wordsw.
Excursion 1. 958 The sun declining shot A slant and mellow
radiance. 1843 Tennyson Locksley Hall 9 Many a night
I saw the Pleiads, rising through the mellow shade. 1859
Geo. Eliot A. Bede vi, Pleasant jets of lighf were thrown
on mellow oak and bright brass. 1880 Miss Braddon Just
as I am ii, Time had toned down every colour inside and
outside the good old house to mellowest half tints.
5. Good-humoured, genial, jovial.
1711 Addison Sped. No. 68 f 3 In all thy Humours,
whether grave or mellow. 1824 W. Irving T. Trait. I. 7
The Baronet was. .as merry and mellow an old bachelor as
ever followed a hound. 1871 M. Collins Mrg. <y Merch.
II. viii. 234 When .. their glasses were filled with .. port,
Mowbray grew a trifle mellower in mood.
6. Affected with liquor, partly intoxicated.
i6n Cotgr. s.v. Enyvrer, S'enyvrer, to be drunke, or in
drinke ; to be mellow, tipled, flusht, ouerseene. 1638 Brath-
wait Bamabees Jrnl. m. (1818) 85 For the world, I would
not prize her, . . Had she in her no good fellow That would
drinke till he grew mellow. 1775 Sheridan Duenna 11. iii,
The hateful fellow That's crabbed when he's mellow. 1895
Scully Kafir Stories 193 The beer was not in sufficient
quantities to cause intoxication, but nevertheless all were
somewhat mellow when the sun went down.
7. Comb., chiefly parasynthetic and advb., as
mellow-breathing, -coloured, -deep, -eyed, -lighted,
-mouthed, -ripe, -tasted, -tempered, -totted adjs.
a ijyy Fawkes Epit/ialamic Ode 19 The merry pipe, the
*mel low-breathing flute. 1895 Clive Holland Jap. Wife
70 Countless numbers of paper lanterns, which throw a
*mellow-coloured radiance on the faces of the passers-by.
1832 Tennyson Ele&nore 67 A sweep Of richest pauses,
evermore Drawn from each other *mellow-deep. 1866
Howells Vend. IJfe x. 139 *Mellow-eyed dun oxen. 1892
Pater Wks. (1901) VIII. 209 The melodious, "mellow-
lighted space. 1604 T. Wright Passions v. § 3. 182
A preacher, .. knowing his auditours wallowed in sinne,
ought not with . .*mellow-mouthed words tickle their eares.
1579 Spenser Sheph. Cal. Dec. 107 Ere they were halfe
*me!low ripe. 1730-46 Thomson A utmnti 705 The *mellow-
MELLOWED.
tasted burgundy. 1873 E. Brennan Witch of Norn, etc
85 *Mellow-toned laughter.
Mellow (me'lou), v. [f. Mellow a.]
1. trans. To render mellow ; to ripen and render
soft and juicy (fruits) ; to mature (wines or liquors),
to free from harshness or acidity. N\%ofig.
1572 Gascoigne Counc. Withi/oll Posies (1575) Hearbes
155 Those sunnes do mellowe men so fast, As most that
trauayle come home very ripe. 1590 Greene Orl. Fur.
(1599) 47 Me thinks I feele how Cynthya .. meloweth those
desires Which phrensies scares had ripened in my head,
1593 Shaks. Rich. 1 1, in. vii. 168 The Royall Tree hath left
vs Royall Fruit, Which mellow'd by the stealing howres of
time, Will well become the Seat of Maiestie. 1630 Donne
Lett. (1651) 317 All this mellows me for heaven. 1697
Dryden Virg. Georg. 11. 758 Winter Fruits are mellow'd by
the Frost 1701 Addison Let. to Halifax 132 On foreign
mountains may the Sun refine The Grape's soft juice, and
mellow it to wine. 1754 Richardson Grandison IV. xxxii. 203
Yours is Love mellowed into Friendship. 1781 Cowper
Conversation 644 Age, .. As time improves the grape's
authentic juice, Mellows and makes the speech more fit for
use. 1818 Southey Lett., to H. H. Southey II. 115 Gener-
ous minds and tempers . . are mellowed, like wine, as they
grow older. 1848 Lytton Harold 111. v, The year . . had
mellowed the fruits of the earth.
b. intr. Of fruit, wines, etc. : To become mel-
low ; to ripen, mature. AXsofg.
1594 Shaks. Rich. Ill, iv. iv. 1 So now prosperity begins
to mellow, And drop into the rotten mouth of death, a 1631
Donne On Himself 6 Till death us lay To ripe and mellow
here we are stuborne Clay. 1638 Sir T. Herbert Trav.
(ed. 2) 297 From a dark -greene, [they] mellow into a flaming
yellow. 1693 Evelyn De La Quint. Compi. Gard. Pref.,
Exactly when to gather both those which ripen on the
Tree, and those which attain not their full ripeness there,
but must be laid up to mellow in the House. 1768-74
Tucker Lt. Nat. (1834) II. 343 Their juices will mellow by
mingling together. 1830 M. Donovan Dom, Econ. I. 21
These were often hung in the smoke of a chimney, at some
distance above the fire, in oider to mellow. 1884 W. C.
Smith Kildrostan 74 Unripe fruit is bitter oft i' the mouth,
Yet mellows with the months.
2. trans. To make (soil) soft and loamy.
1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. 1. (1586) 23 b, The land
it selfe is also called grosse and rawe, that is not well mel-
lowed. 1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 115 A small streame,
which . . meloes most of the Gardens and Groues. 1707
Mortimer Husb. (1721) I. 52 Wind, Sun and Dews, all
which sweeten and mellow the Land very much, 1846
J. Baxter Libr. Prad.Agrk. (ed.4) II. 288 Their surfaces
soon become mellowed by the action of the air.
b. intr. Of soil : To become soft and loamy.
1815 J. Smith Panorama Sci. <$■ Art I. 184 The earth.,
should have sufficient time to mellow and ferment. 1895
Tablet 9 Nov. 739 Then the soil will have mellowed suffi-
ciently to bear wheat and potatoes.
3. trans. To impart softness and richness (of
flavour, colour, tone, etc.) to ; to soften, sweeten,
free from harshness or crudity. Also {nonce-use\
to drive (something) out of (a person) by a pro-
cess of mellowing.
1593 Nashe ChrisVs 7\i6bj As Archesilaus ouer-melodied,
and too-much melowed and sugred with sweet tunes, . .
caused his eares to be new relished with harsh sower and
vnsauory sounds. 1596 — Saffron Walden 113 The Page
was easily mellowd with his attractiue eloquence. 1693
Dryden To Sir G. Kneller 178 Time shall . . Mellow your
colours. 1742 Blair Grave 102 The sooty blackbird Mellow'd
his pipe, and soften'd every note. 1761 Hume Hist. Eng.
III. xlvii. 36 In order to mellow these humours. 1786 S.
Rogers Sailor 8 Its colours mellow'd, not impair'd, by time.
1810 Scott Lady of L. ii. xvii.At first the sounds, by distance
tame, Mellowed along the waters came. 1871 L. Stephen
Playgr. Eur. ii. (1894) 49 Lichens mellow the scarred masses
of fallen rock. 1887SAINTSBURY Ess. Eng. Lit,, Jeffrey (ityx)
102 The priggishness which he showed early, and never
entirely lost, till fame, prosperity, and the approach of old
age mellowed it out of him. 1902 A. Thomson Lauder ff
Lauderdale x. 102 The King, .visited him.. to endeavour
by personal interview to mellow his manners,
b. intr. To soften, become toned down or sub-
dued ; to become free from harshness,
1737 M. Green Spleen 711 Unhurt by sickness' blasting
rage And slowly mellowing in age. t 1777 Robertson Hist.
Atner. (1778) II. v. 4 The impetuosity of his temper, when
he came to act with his equals, insensibly abated .. and
mellowed into a cordial soldierly frankness. _ 1823 Byron
Island 11. xv, The broad sun set, but not with lingering
sweep, As in the north he mellows o'er the deep. 1840
Dickens Barn. Fudge xi, The very furniture of the room
seemed to mellow, .in its tone. 1861 J. Brown Hora; Subs.
(1863) 64 His character mellowed and toned down in his
later years. 1902 A. E. W. Mason Four Feathers xvii. 165
The sunlight mellowed and reddened.
4. trans. To bring under the influence of liquor.
a 1761 Cawthorn Poems (1771) 189 Gods , . will, like mor-
tals, swear and hector, When mellow'd with a cup of nectar.
1836 W. I rvisg Astoria II. 13 When he thought himsuffi-
ctently mellowed, he proposed to him to quit the service of
his new employers. i8« Tennyson Brook 155 There he
mellow'd all his heart with ale.
Mellowed (me-lond),///. a. [f. Mellow v. +
-ED I.] In senses of the vb. : Rendered mellow.
1575 Gascoigne Gloze Text 2 Posies Hearbes J45 My
riper mellowed yeares beginne to follow on as fast. 1593
Shaks. 3 Hen. VI, m. iii. 104 Call him my King, by whose
iniurious doome My elder Brother. .Was done to death ?. .
Euen in the downe-fallof his mellow'd yeeres. 1798BLOO.M-
field Farmer's Boy, Spring 63 Wide o'er the fields, in rising
moisture strong, Shoots up the simple flower, or creeps
along The mellow'd soil. 1830 M. Donovan Dom. Econ.
I. 155 This water, present in exposed or mellowed malt,
tends to lower the resulting temperature, a 1853 Robert-
son Led. (1858) 247 Ripened with the mellowed strength of
MELLOWING.
manly life. 1889 County vi. in Cornh. Mag. Feb., The fine
old room with its mellowed walls and priceless brocades.
Mellowing' (me-louirj), vbl. s6. [f. Mellows.
+ -ing '.] The action of the vb. Mellow.
1528 Paynel Salome's Rcgim. H ij, The operations of
dulce wynes are digestion, mellowyng, and encressynge of
nourishement. 1621 Fletcmkr Pilgrim ir. i, Fling him i'
th' hay-mow, let him lie a-mellowing. 16^5 Grew Tastes
Plants iv. § n Sower apples, by mellowing, and harsh
pears, by baking, become sweet. \%4$Encycl. Melrop.'S.'K'V .
1286/2 The mellowing of wine by time is a process which
has battled hitherto all scientific inquiry. 1897 Allbutt's
Syst. Med. II. 845 Some amylic alcohol, which tends, how-
ever, to disappear in the process of mellowing.
attrib. 1871 Gladstone in Morley Life (1903) II. vi. vtii.
382 In his character the mellowing process has continued
to advance.
Mellowing (me-l(;»irj),j«//. a. [f. Mellow J'.
+ -ING -.] That mellows (in senses of the vb.).
1637 Milton Lycidas 5, 1 com to. .Shatter your leaves be-
fore the mellowing year. 1725 Pope Odyss. in. 504 Late
from the mellowing cask restor'd to light. 1807 Crabbe
Par. Reg. it. 454 And their full autumn felt the mellowing
frost, 1894 Athenaeum 2 June 702/3 [It] became afterwards
poetized by the mellowing sun of his genius.
Mellowly (me-Io"li), adv. [f. Mellow a. +
-L\" l.\ In a mellow manner.
1806 J. Grahame Birds of Scot. 90 Mildly the sun, upon
the loftiest trees, Shed mellowly a sloping beam. 1833
Tennyson Poems 106 The luscious fruitage clustereth
mellowly.
Mellowness (me-lflnnes). [f. Mellow a. +
-ness.] The quality or state of being mellow, in
various senses of the adj.
1530 Palsgr. 244/2 Melownesse, mevrcte. 1647 Trapi'
Comm. 2 Pet. iii. 18 Grow . . as an apple doth in mellow-
nesse. 1707 Mortimer Hush. (1721) I. 350 This perfects the
Sweetness and Mellowness of the Malt. 174a Abp. Hort
lustr. Clergy of Titam 9 Suaviloquentia, that mellowness
and sweetness of speaking so much praised in some of the
Roman orators, in opposition to the rusticity of noisy de-
claimers. 1777 Sheridan Sch. Scand. 1. i. (ed. Rae) 148 She
wants that delicacy of Tint — and mellowness of sneer — which
distinguish your Ladyship's Scandal. 1787 J. Croft Treat.
Wines Portugal 5 Red Wines of a superior mellowness or
body. 1805 W. Irving in Life <? Lett. (1864) I. 157 In the
tender scenes he [Kemble] wanted mellowness. 1882 Traill
in Morley Gladstone (1904) III. vm. vi. 91 The tang of the
wood brings out the mellowness of a rare old wine. 1884
Harpers Mag. Feb. 349/1 A mellowness of light and shade
unattainable in marble.
Mellowy (meloui), a. [f. Mellow a. + -y.]
= Mellow a., in various senses.
£1410 Pallad. on Husb. iv. 523 Vpuld not melowy but
grene. 1612 Drayton Poly-olb. x. 97 Whose mellowy
gleabe doth beare The yellow ripened sheafe that bendeth
with the eare. 1816 L. Hunt Rimini lit. 428 A pavilion, . .
Small, marble, well-proportioned, mellowy white.
Melltyde, variant of Mealtide 06s.
Mellwell, obs. form of Mulvel.
Melly, obs. f. Mellay ; var. Mellie 06s.
Mellylot(e, obs. forms of Melilot.
Melner, obs. form of Miller.
II Melocactns (metokarktcs). Bot. [mod.L.
(Tournefort 1 700) f. late L. melo Melon + Cactus.]
A genus of cactaceous plants, natives of Central
and South America (popularly called melon-
thistle) ; a plant of this genus.
1733 Miller Gard. Diet. (ed. 2), Melocactns .. Melon.
Thistle. 1853 Th. Ross tr. Humboldt's Trav. III. xxvi.
114 The agaves and melocactuses half-buried in the sand.
1871 Kingslf.y At Last i, We saw our first Melocactus, and
our first night-blowing Cereus creeping over the rocks.
Melochite, obs. form of Malachite.
t Melocoton. Obs. Forms: 7 malaoaton,
-oatoon, -katoone, -eotoon, malecotone, mali-,
mallagatoon, melacatoon, -cotone, meli-
cot(t)on, melicotonie, mellacat(t)on, melli-
ooton, melocotone, -eotune, 7-8 malacoton,
malecotoon, melieotoon(e, 8 malacotoune,
maloeotoon, melaeotoon, melicotony, melo-
cocoon, -coton, -cotony, -eotoon. [a. Sp.
melocoton, ad. It. melocotogtw, ad. med.L. melum
cotoneum ( = late L. malum cotdneuni), ad. Gr.
HrjKov kvSwmov ' Cydonian apple ' : see Coyn,
Quince. Cf. F. mirecoton, mirelicolon (Cotgr.).]
A peach grafted on a quince. Also melocoton peach.
The more originat sense of ' quince ', which occurs in Sp.
and It., does not seem to have existed in Eng.
1611 Cotgr., Mirecoton, the delicate yellow Peach, called
a Melicotonie. 1614 B. Jonson Barth. Fair 1. ii, A wife
heere with a Strawbery-breath, Chery-lips, .. and a soft
veluet head, like a Melicotton. 1661 Rabisha Cookery
Dissected 8 To pickle Mallagatoons. 1688 R. Holme
Armoury in. 80/2 Sweetnings, as.. Oranges and Lemmons
and them candied, Mellacattons. 1704 Collect. Voy.
(Churchill) III. 46/1 Melicotoons, Peaches, Auberges.
1719 London & Wise Compl. Gard. p. iii, The Male-
cotoon Peach, which is not worth any ones planting. 1744
A. Dobbs Countries Adjacent to Hudson's Bay 144 A
Fruit they called Obi, like to Melacotoons. 1745 P.Thomas
Jrnl. Anson's Voy. 9s Peaches, Nectarines, Melococoons,
Apricots. .grow plentifully.
Melodeon, melodion (m/ltra-disn). [In
sense I, an altered form of Melodium, with a
quasi-Gr. ending; in sense 2 perh. f. Melody in
imitation of Accordion.]
1. A wind instrument, furnished with a key-
board, the bellows being moved by means of pedals
Vol. VI.
821
worked by the feet of the performer ; an earlier
form of the * American organ \
1858 Simmonds Diet. Trade, Melodeon. 1872 'Mark
Twain' Innoc. Abr. ii. 17 Our parlour organ and our
melodeon were to be the best instruments of the kind. 1891
Scribner's Mag. Sept. 356/2 A.. broken-down melodeon.
2. A kind of accordion.
1880 {title) The Ait of playing the Melodion, or German
accordion, without a Master. 1886 Pop. Self-Instructor
for the Melodeon 4 The Melodeon, or improved German
Accordion.
3. A music-hall. ? U. S. 1864 in Webster.
Melodial (m/l^-dial), a. [f. L. melddia
Melody + -al.] Of or relating to melody.
1818 Busby Gram. Mus. 111 note, So rare .. is the com-
mand of melodial modulation, that the greatest masters
cannot always exhibit felicitous examples of its excellence.
1902 Durham Exam. Pagers 174 {For the degree of D.M us.)
Make your work interesting in a melodial sense.
Hence Melo'dially adv.
1818 Busby Gram. Music 365 Modulation. -Harmonically
and melodially exhibited.
Melodic (m/ty'dik), a. [ad. F. mtfodiqite =
Sp. melodico, It. melodico, ad. late L. melodicns
(Cassiodorus), a. Gr. ficXwbtKus, f. fxeXcpSia : see
MELODY and -ic] Of or pertaining to melody.
Melodic minor scale', see Minor a.
1823 New Monthly Mag. VIII. 132 We should not.. hesi-
tate to risk a comparison between the best Greek melodic
concert, and the melharmonic strains and combinations of a
modern performance. 1864 in Webster. 1868 H. Spencer
Pritic. Psychol. (1S72) II. 641 The melodic element in
music. 1893 Athenaeum 23 Dec. 890 2 Scale is the accepted
foundation of all music, melodic or harmonic.
t MelO'dical, a. Obs. [f. late L. melodic-ns
Melodic + -AL.] Melodious.
1596 Fitz-Geffray Sir F. Drake (1881) 24 Fetch Orpheus
harpe with strings harmonicall; And musicke from the
Spheares melodicall. 1601 Wkever Mirr. Mart., Sir J.
Qldcastlc B viij, Strayned ditties most melodicall.
Melodically (m/b;>*dikali), adv. [Formed as
prec. + -LY 2.] In a melodic manner ; with regard
to melody.
1876 Stainer & Barrett Did. Mus. Terms (1898) 394
Form of minor mode sometimes used melodically. 1887
E. Gurney Tertium Quid II. 18 The form may be far from
melodically inventive.
Melodies (mflp* diks). [See Melodic a. and
-ic ^.] The branch of musical science that is con-
cerned with melody.
1864 in Webster ; and in later Diets.
Melodiograpli (mndu'di^graf). [f. Melody
+ -graph.] A contrivance to record the notes of
tunes played upon an instrument. Cf. Melograph.
1884 Knight Diet. Mech. Suppl. 592/2 In the melodio-
graph of ZigUani, a double fiat spring placed under each
key is connected with a battery and with a recording
apparatus.
tMelO'dion '- Obs. [A pseudo-Gr. formation
on Melody.] (See quot.) A musical instrument
consisting of a series of metal rods, actuated by
being pressed against a rotating cylinder.
1830 Edinb. Encycl. XVII. 563 This musical instrument
I was invented. .by M. Diets, a German, and he has given it
the name of melodion from the sweetness and harmony by
I which it is characterized.
Melodion 2 : see Melodeon.
Melodious (m/hJu-dias), a. Forms : 4-6
melody ous(e, 5 melodiose, -dyows, 6 mello-
di(o)us, -dyous, melodyus. [ad. OF. melodieus
(mod.F \metlodieux)y = Sp.,Pg., It. vielodioso, med.L.
melodiosus, f. L. melodia : see Melody and -ous.]
1. Characterized by melody or pleasing succes-
sion of sounds ; sweet-sounding, tuneful.
C1374 Chaucer Troylus v. 577 Herde I myn alderleuest
lady dere, So wommanly wib voys melodious, Syngen so
wel. i 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 80 Thus thay
songe. .This melodious ympne. a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon
xxii. 66 He .. blewe so melodyous a blast. 1629 Milton
Hymn Nativ. xiii, Ring out ye Crystall sphears, , . And let
your silver chime Move in melodious time, c 1700 Dryden
Charac. Gd. Parson 22 A music more melodious than the
spheres. 1713 Berkeley Guardia?t No. 27 P 7 A melo-
dious consort of vocal and instrumental music. 1797 Encycl.
Brit. (ed. 3) XI. 375/2 That an air which was nevert set or
intended for words, however melodious, cannot be imitative.
1836 Emerson Nature, Discipline Wks. (Bohn) II. 156
Man., forges the subtile .. air into wise and melodious
words. 1865 Dickens Mut. Fr. 1. iv, Melodious sounds
were not long in rising from the frying-pan on the fire.
2. Producing melody ; singing sweetly.
1588 Shaks. Tit. A. in. i. 85 Where like a sweet mellodius
bird it sung. 1589 Puttenham Eng. Poesie 1. iii. (Arb.) 22
By his discreete and wholesome lessons vttered in harmonie
and with melodious instruments. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg.
iv. 697 The lovely Bride In safety goes, with her Melodious
Guide [Orpheus]. 1784 Cowper Taskiv. 574 The walk, .un-
conscious once Of other tenants than melodious birds. 1847
Emerson Re/>r. Men, Swedenborg Wks. (Bohn) I. 333
Melodious poets shall be hoarse as street ballads, when [etc. ].
3. nonce-use. Susceptible to melody.
c 1586 C'tess Pembroke Ps. xlix. i, Wordes shall from
my mouth proceed, Which I will measure by melodious
eare.
4. Having a melody; pertaining to or of the
nature of melody.
1727-5* Chambers Cycl. s. v. Melody, Vet so far as the
bass may be made airy, and to sing well, it may be also
properly said to be melodious. 1818 Busby Gram. Mus.
MELODRAMA.
59 The first rudiments of the simplest province of musical
composition, and musical performance,— melodious suc-
cession.
Melodiously (m^lyu-diasli), adv. [-ly 2.] In
a melodious manner.
C1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 157 The yelwe
swan famous and aggreable, Ageyn his dethe melodyously
syngyng. 1597 Hooker EccL Pol. v. Ixvii. § 12 Their
discourses are heauenly, .. their tongues melodiously tuned
instruments. _ 1616 Surfl, & Markh. Country Farm 715
Birds which sing melodiously with sweet and pleasant songs.
«i7ii Ken Hymnothvo Poet. Wks. 1721 I. 253 Ferventio's
Song . . Instructive, and melodiously grave. 1810 Southky
Kehama x. \ ii, Ganges, .rippled round melodiously. 1903
Blackw. Mag. June 743/1 His melodiously delivered ser-
mons, .were distinctly popular.
Melodiousness m/I<Tu*di3snes). [-ness.]
The quality of being melodious.
^53° Palsgr. 244/1 McluiIyouMie>.sc, melodic. 1727 in
Bailey vol. II. 1904 Edin, Rev. Jan. 116 Herrickoued most
to his beloved ' Ben \ whose full melodiousness emboldened
his follower to rise above conceits.
Melodist (me-todist). [f. Melody + -ist.]
1. A singer.
In the fust half of the 19th c. somewhat frequently used
in the titles of collections of songs with music.
1789 Trijler No. 33. 419 Often I am constrained to listen
to the brukL-n notes of ignorant, but presumptuous melodists
1817 {title) The Melodist. .an excellent collection of..
songs. Selected and compiled by R. I,. I. 1819 Keats Ode
Grecian Urn iii, Happy melodist, unwearied, For ever
piping songs for ever new. 1840 Sir H. Bishop in Grove
Diet, Mus. III. 249, I bail the establishment of the Melo-
dists' Club., as essentially calculated to aid the cause of the
musical art in this country. 1852 Hawthorne Blithedale
Rom. xxiii. (188s) 226 The choir of Ethiopian melodists.
1892 W. H. Hudson Natur. La Plata 28 The rufous
tinamou— sweet and mournful melodist of the eventide.
2. A composer of melodies; one skilled in melody.
1826 M. Kelly Re win, I. 225, I compare a good melodist
to a fine racer, and counterpointists to hack post horses.
1872 Lowell Mi/ton Prose Wks. 1S90 IV. 96 Milton was
a harmonist rather than a melodist. 1893 W. Graham in
19M Cent. Nov. 765 As an absolute melodist— I mean a
master of word-music as distinct from other qualities— I
consider Swinburne unequalled.
Melodium (mJl<?u*di#rn). [A quasi-L. forma-
tion on Melody.] - Melodeon i.
1847 Hhtstr, Loud. Neivs 7 Aug. 95/2 Pianos, melodiums,
harmoniums, eolinas, &c, too dear at any price. 1878
Grove Diet. Mus. I. 61 The instruments first made in
America were known as ' Melodeons ', or ' Melodiums'.
Melodize (me'ladaiz), v. [f. Melody + -ize.]
1. intr. To make melody ; occas. somewhat
jocularly, to play {on an instrument;. Also poet,
to blend melodiously with.
1662 J. SrARROw tr. Bchme's Rem. Wks., Apol. cone.
Perfect. 42 A Harmony of God, upon which the Spirit of
God would melodise. 1794 Souihey Let. to H. Bedford
24 Jan. in Life (1S49) I. 203 Lightfoot still melodises on the
flute. 1811 Scott Roderhk Intiod. ii, Yes ! such a strain
with all o'er-pouring measure, Might melodize with each
tumultuous sound. 18:3 Shelley Q. Mah vm. 6g To
murmur through the heaven-breathing groves And melodize
with man's blest nature there. 1886 T. Hardy Mayor
Casterbr. viii, As the Scotchman again melodised with a
dying fall.
2. trans. To make melodious.
1759 J. Langhorne Ode to River Eden 44 Whose murmurs
melodize my Song. 1766 H. Walpole Let. to Lady Hervey
ir Jan., Thy enchanting look Can melodize each note in
Nature's book. 1841 D'Israeli Amen. Lit. II. 253 These
repeated attempts of the learned English, .to melodise our
orthoepy. 1869 Ruskin Q. of Air (1874) 60 Music in which
the words and thought lead, and the lyre measures or
melodizes them.
3. To compose a melody for (a song).
1881 Doran Drury Lane II. 191 He penned and melodised
hundreds of popular songs.
Hence Me 'Iodized ///. a., made melodious j
Melodizing* vbl. sb. and ppl. a. Also Melodizer,
one who melodizes.
i8iz Busby Diet. Mus. Introd. 14 This art of melodizing,
if I may so call it, seems in the present age to have reached
its acme. aiZzi Keats Sonn. on reading K. Lear 3 O
golden tongued Romance, with serene lute !.. Leave melod-
izing on this wintry day. 1841 Hor. Smith Moneyed Man
III. ix. 240 Her bird-like singing is the melodised cheerful-
ness of her heart. 1890 Temple Bar Dec. 588 Romance !
. .O golden melodizer of sweet dreams !
Melodram : see Melodrame.
Melodrama (me-bdrama, meltfdra-ma). [Al-
teration of Melodrame, after Drama.]
1. In early 19th c. use, a stage-play (usually
romantic and sensational in plot and incident) in
which songs were interspersed, and in which the ac-
tion was accompanied by orchestral music appro-
priate to the situations. In later use the musical
element gradually ceased to be an essential feature
of the ' melodrama *, and the name now denotes a
dramatic piece characterized by sensational inci-
dent and violent appeals to the emotions, but with
a happy ending.
1809 Southey Lett. (1856) II. 181 They have made a
melo-drama of 'Mary the Maid of the Inn V 1818 C E.
Walker Sigesmar the S-.vitzer Pref., The following trifle
was written two years back, during the rage for Melo-
dramas. 1836 Genti. Mag. Apr. 423 It [a 'comedietta 'J is
one of those tissues of domestic calamities, .which, .were
a few years since denominated melodramas. 1883 D. Cook
Nts. Play II. 333 Mr. Sims's ' Lights o' London', is a five-act
melodrama of the good old Adelphi pattern.
107
MELODRAMATIC.
322
MELOLONTHA.
attrib, 1879 Stevensom Trav, Cevennes, Cheylard fy
Luc, The kitchen, .was the very model of what a kitchen
ought to be ; a melodrama kitchen, suitable for bandits or
noblemen in disguise.
b. The species of dramatic composition or re-
presentation constituted by melodramas ; the mode
of dramatic treatment characteristic of a melo-
drama.
1814 Neru Brit. Theatre I. 216 In tragedy and comedy
the final event is the effect of the moral operations of the
different characters, but in the melo-drama the catastrophe
is the physical result of mechanical stratagem. # 1838 Dickens
Nick. Nick, xxx, This Mr. Crummies did in the highest
style of melo-drama, 1889 D. Hannay Capt. Marryat viii.
122 Amine [in The Phantom Ship] is a very acceptable
heroine of melodrama. 1902 Daily Chron. 22 Aug. 8/7
-Melodrama thrives solely upon exaggeration.
2. trans/. A series of incidents, or a story true or
fictitious, resembling what is represented in a melo-
drama ; also, in generalized sense, melodramatic
behaviour, occurrences, etc.
1814 Sir R. Wilson Prat, Diary (1861) II. 306 The world
will approve the catastrophe of the melodrama which metes
out signal punishment to Joachim the first in the last act of
his Hf«. 1816 Scott Autio. xii, She beheld, .the old beggar
who had made such a capital figure in the melo-drama of
the preceding evening. 1854 Emerson Lett. <y Soc. Aims,
Immort. Wks, (Bobn) III. 285 My idea of heaven is that
there is no melodrama in it at all. 1891 J. Leckie Life .y
Relig. 117 Open your eyes and look round you on the strange
melodrama of life.
Melodramatic (mebdramae-tik),**. [f. Melo-
drama, after Dramatic] Of or pertaining to
melodrama; having the characteristics of melo-
drama. Often in depreciative sense : Characterized
by sensationalism and spurious pathos.
1816 Edin. Rev. XXVII. 79 This siege abounded in melo-
dramatic situations. 1831 Trelawny Adv. Younger Son
III. 218 Her melodramatic fury augmented to such a pitch
..that [etc]. 1873 J. Hannay in Cornh. Mag. Feb. 189
Sometimes his tragedy degenerates into the melodramatic.
1897 Marv Ktngsley W. Africa 13 Whenever and however
it may be seen, soft and dream-like in the sunshine, or
melodramatic and bizarre in the moonlight, it is one of the
most beautiful things the eye of man may see.
Melodramatical (mebdrSmse'likSl),**. rare.
[f. Melodramatic a. +-al.] = Melodramatic.
1890 in Century Did.
Melodramatically, adv. [Formed as prec.
+ -lt^.] In a melodramatic manner.
1837 Dickens Pickvt. xiil. The Honourable Samuel Slum-
key, .melodramatically testified by gestures to the crowd,
his ineffaceable obligations to the Eatanswi/lGazette. 1873
'Annie Thomas' 'Two Widows I vii. 145 Whose manner
had struck Gilbert as. .melodramatically pretentious.
Melodramaticism (mebdrarnoe'tisiz'm). [f.
Melodramatic a. + -ISM.] Preference for what is
melodramatic.
1878 T. Sinclair Mount 152 Their high art is nerve
stretching, a kind of spiritual melodramaticism.
Melodramatist (mel<?drce-matist). [f. Melo-
drama, after Dramatist.] A writer of melodramas.
1873 W. Mathews Ge! ting on in World 27 Perils greater
than any which the most daring romance writer or melo-
dramatist ever imagined for his hero. 1883 Contcmp. Rev.
June 892 Shakespeare is.. almost the first, and quite the
greatest of English melodramatists.
Melodramatize (rnelodrxTnataiz), v. [f.
Melodrama, after Dramatize. Cf. F. melo-
dramatiser (Daudet 1S76).] trans. To make
melodramatic ; also, to convert the story of (a
novel) into a melodrama. Hence Melodra*ma-
tized ppi. a.
1820 Examiner No. 613. 25/2 Booth's appearance in a
melo-dramatised Richard the Third. Ibid., Elliston..
melo-dramatlsed both Richard the Third and Macbeth.
1892 Sat. Ret*. 29 Oct. 507/1 Webster melodramatizes and
almost burlesques his theme by the introduction of physical
terrors. 1900 Academy 21 July 54/1 His book was melo-
drama tisecfvery successfully for Mr. Benson.
Melodrame (mcltfdnem), si. Now rare or
Obs. Also melodram. [a. F. melodrame ( 1 7S 1 in
Hatz.-Darm.), f. Gr. plXd-i song, music + F. drame
Drama. Cf. Sp. melodrama. It. melodramma, G.
melodram (from Fr.).]
1. = Melodrama i, i b.
1802 Sk. Paris II. Ixx. 390 Melo drames and pieces con-
nected with pantomime. 1803 in Spirit Pub. Jmls. (1804)
VII. 68 The Melo-drame, which was performed.. upon the
re-opening of this [the National] Theatre. 1814 New
Brit. '/'heat. III. 255 [Remarks on * The Spaniards ; an
Heroic Drama*) Had it [this piece] been condensed into
three acts, and called a melo-dram, it might have, even in
the opinion of the managers, served the interests of their
concern [etc. I 1815 Helen M. Williams Narr. Events
France xii. 254 Strangers seem to arrive in France, as they
would go to a melo-drame, prepared for extraordinary events.
1818 Lady Morgan Auiobiog. (1859) 212 Shakspeare is
supreme in melodrame, and he is its founder ; and the melo-
drame of Macbeth is finer than any modern exhibition which
has followed it. 1825 Gentl. Mag. XCV. 1. 362 The scenery,
as usual in melo-drames, was very beautiful. 1835 J. P.
Kennedy Horse Shoe R. xxxiii. (i860) 372 It [the bugle]
was displayed as ostentatiously as if worn by the hero of a
melodrame. 1841 Gen. P. Thompson Exerc. (1842) VI. 1S6
Might not there be hope for the ministry, if it were to.,
send its adherents to make progresses by threes and fours
throughout the country, to 'solemn music' as the melo-
drames have it.
2. trans/. = Melodrama 2.
1817 Lady Morgan France (1818) II. 346 To perform a
subordinate part En this splendid melo-drame of the ele-
ments. 1822 Byron I'is. Judgem. x, The torches, cloaks,
and banners . . Form'd a sepulchral melodrame. 1842
J. Sterling Ess., etc. (1848) 1. 430 The ostentatious emptiness
of the charitable melodrame. 1845 Q. Rev. LXXV. 234 All
this melodram of Mullaghmast was but a prelude to a design
of unmixed gravity.
t Melodrame, V. Obs. rare~x. [f. the sb.]
= Melodramatize v.
1836 New Monthly Mag. XLVII. 235 We have seldom
read a novel more suited to be melodramed.
t Melodramic, a. Obs. rare. [f. Melodrame
+ -ic] = Melodramatic a.
1852 Blackw. Mag. LXXI. 374 The public appetite is not
to be sated.. with mere melodramic romance.
Melody (me*h$di), sb, Also4melodi, melou-
die, 4-6 melodye, 4-S melodie, 6 mellodie. [a.
OF. melodie (mod.F. melodie), ad. late L. melodia,
a. Gr. ficXcpSia singing, chanting, also ' a choral
song, both words and air' (L. & Sc), f. /«Aa>5us
singing songs, musical, also as sb., lyric poet, f.
/ilX-ot song + oJ5- contracted form of dotd-, ablaut-
var. of a€ib*ttv to sing (cf. aoiSos singer, dotSr), y5r)
song, Ode).
In Eccl. Latin melodia was applied to the singing of the
sequences, 'proses', or rhythmical hymns, and was also
used as a general term for a Gregorian 'mode \ The word
also occurs frequently in med.L. with the sense 'sweet
sound', 'music' (cf. the frequent glosses, dulcis cantus,
OHG. suo^sanc, etc.) ; it was prob. influenced in meaning
by etymologizing associations with mel, honey. It is now
used in all the Rom. and Tent, langs. : cf. Sp. melodia, Pg.,
It. melodia, G. melodie (poet. melodei\t Du. melodie, mc-
lodij, Da., Sw. melodi.]
1. Sweet music, whether vocal or instrumental ;
beautiful arrangement of musical sounds ; beauty
of musical sounds, tunefulness.
c 1290 St. Christopher 18 in S. Eug. Leg. I. 271 pe kyng
louede muche Melodie of fieble and of songue. a ijpoLeg.
Rood (187O 28 Wib gret melodie of is harpe. a \\ao Cursor
AT, 7431 Gleuand he sang be-for be king, And gert him
wit his melodi Fal on-slepe. c 1386 Chaucer Knt.'s T. 2239
Thus with alle blisse and melodye Hath Palamon ywedded
Emelye. c 1430 Life St Rath. (1884) 17 She herde a mer-
ueylous melodye of sweines which passed alle bertes to
descriue. 1526 Piter, /'erf. (\V. de W. 1531)7 b, They shall
..se dayly theyr holy & blessed conuersacyon, & here theyr
songe & melody, a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon hi. 175 It was
grete melody to here it. 1588 Shaks. Tit. A. 11. iii. 12 The
Birds chaunt melody on euery bush. 1590 — Mids. N. It.
ii. 13 Philomele with melodie, Sing in your sweet Lullaby.
1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. xxxviii. § 2 Dauid.. was. .the
author of adding vnto pottrie melodie in publique prayer,
melodie both vocall and instrumental! for the raysing vp of
mens harts. 1604 R. Cawdrf.y 'Table A /ph., Melody, sweete
sounding, or sweete musick. 1667 .Milton P, /..viii, 528
The melodie of Birds. 1728-46 Tiio\isoN.S/r/Mf 576 Lend me
your song, ye nightingales ; oh pour The mazy-running soul
of melody Into my varied verse. i8i$S\\t:A.Lr.Y }'? oti/cth. Unb.
11. v. 77 Whilst all the winds with melody are ringing. 1870
Emerson Soc.fy Solit , Art Wks. (Bohn) III. 19 We are
like the musician on the lake, whose melody is sweeter than
he knows.
b. Phrase. To make melody. Now arch.
a 1330 Otucl 631 pe king took otuwel a non, & to his paleis
made him gon, & makeden murine & meloudie. (-1388
Chaicer Prol. 9 Smale foweles maken melodye. c 1440 York
Alyst. xv. 83 Make myrthe and melody. 1525 Ld. Bkr-
HKM Fro/'ss. II. lxxxix. [lxxxv.] 264 They were ryght ioyous
. .and made grete chere and melody. 1535 Covf.rdale Eph.
v. 19 Syngingeand makynge melody vnto the Lorde in you re
hertes. a 1548 Ham. ( '/iron., Hen. I' I 108 To tel you.. what
melody was made in Tavernes..it were a long woorke. 1778
Fletcher Lett. Wks, 1795 VII 222 Attempting to make
such melody as you know is commonly made in these parts.
c. trans/. * Musical ' quality, beauty of sound in
the arrangement oi words, esp. in poetical compo-
sition.
1789 Belsham Ess. I. xii. 224 [The] exquisite beauties of
which blank verse is susceptible, .are majesty, melody, and
variety. 1871 Swinburne Ess. <y Stud. (1875) 304 In the
verse of neither is there that instant and sensible melody
which comes only of a secret and sovereign harmony of the
whole nature.
f 2. A song or ether musical performance. Obs.
c 1290 .S\ Eng . Leg. I. 16/510 Al folk onourede al-so be croiz
..With orTringues and with song and with obur melodies
al-so, (-1400 Maundev. (Roxb.)xxv. 116 pe mynstrallez be-
gynnez to do baire melodys agayn. 1413 Pilgr. Soiule
(Caxton) 11. xlvi. (1859) 52 Yellyng with a earful melodye.
1530 Palsgr. 244/1 Melody played in a mornynge, reneil.
0. A series of single notes arranged in musically
expressive succession ; a tune : ■ Air sb. 19.
1609 Douland Omithnp. A/icrol. 31 The Melodie of the
Verses in the answeres off the first Tone. 175a Avisos A/us.
Express. 67 By a Diversity of Harmonies, the Chain and Pro-
gression of Melodies is also finely supported. 1792 Thomson
Let. to Burns Sept., I have, .employed many leisure hours
in selecting and collating the most favourite of our national
melodies for publication. x8o6 Callcott A/us. Gram. 11. i.
85 A particular succession of single sounds forms a melody
or Tune. 18x9 Keats Grecian Urn ii, Heard melodies are
sweet, but those unheard Are sweeter, i860 Tyndall6V<k:.
1. iii. 24 My guide kept in advance of me singing a Tyrolese
melody.
b. The piincipal part in a harmonized piece of
music; = Amsb. 20.
1880 W. S. Rockstro in Grove Diet. A/us. I. 761/2
Arrangements [of metrical psalms] with the melody, as
usual, in the Tenor. .published at Leyden in 1633.
c. trans/. Applied to poems written to be sung
to particular melodies. Also {nonce-use), a me-
1 lodious poem or passage, an instance of verbal
I melody.
1807 Moore (title) Irish Melodies. 1814 Byron {title)
Hebrew Melodies. 1842 W. Carleton /risk Peasantry
(1843) I. Introd. 4 The touching and inimitable Melodies of
: my countryman Thomas Moore. 1872 Lowell Milton Writ.
1890 IV. 96 There are.. some exquisite melodies (like the
* Sabrina Fair'.) among his earlier poems.
d. Applied to pictorial combinations of colour
thought to be analogous in mental effect to melodies.
1830 Galt Lawrie T. 111. v. (1849) 100 The rising sun
was beginning to silver the leaves,.. a visible melody,.,
like the song of early birds. 1843 Ruskin A rrcnvs ofChace
(1880) I. 23 [Turner's pictures] are studied melodies of ex-
quisite colour. 1856 McCosh & Dickie Typical Forms 11.
iii. 155 Colours are said to be in Melody when two con-
tiguous tints, .run insensibly into each other.
/ 4. That element of musical form which consists
(in the arrangement of single notes in expressive
succession ; contradistinguished from harmony.
1727-41 Chambers Cycl., Melody is the effect only of one
single part, voice, or instrument. 1752 Avisos A/us, Ex-
press. Advt.j Melody may be defined the Means or Method
of ranging single musical Sounds in a regular Progression,
either ascending or descending, according to the established
Principles. 1782 Blrney Hist. A/us. II. 155 Thus far
Melody and Harmony.. had l>een cultivated for the use of
i the church. 1880 C. H. H. Parry in Grove Diet. A/us. II.
1 250 Melody is the general term which is vaguely used to
denote successions of single notes which are musically
effective.
f 5. A pretended name for a company of harpers.
i486 Bk. St. Albans F vj b, A melody of Harpers.
6. Comb.
1879 A.J. HlPKIHS in Grove Diet. A/us. 1. 667 The melody-
attachment, .has the effect of making the melody-note, or
air, when in the highest part, predominate. 1876 Stainer &
Barrett Diet. A/us. Terms, Melody Organ or Harmonium,
a harmonium so constructed that the upper note of the chords
played is louder than the rest of the sounds.
Hence MeTodyless a., without melody.
1832 Examiner -2x1/2 Music, .passionless, melodyless, un-
rem ember able.
Melody {me-Wi), v. j-are. [f. thesb. Cf. med.L.
melodidre, OF. melodler.'] intr. To make melody ;
to sing. Hence Me'lodying vbl. sb.
1596 Fn z-Geffray SirF. Drake(iS8i) 24 While with teares
you sit melodying, Shee shall weepe with you, though she
cannot sing. 1895 Chamb. frnl. XII. 748/2 He could hear
something athwait the melodying which made him put his
pipe away.
!! Meloe (me1<v). Ent. [mod.L. Meloe (see
quot. 1650)1 of unknown origin ; applied by Linnaeus
as a generic name.
Paracelsus Op. (1603) III. 220 has (in a prescription) a
genitive viellocs, which Mouffet interprets as identical with
this word. Cf. Melolontha.]
The typical genus of the family Meloidx ; an insect
of this genus, an oil-beetle.
[1650 J. F. Chym. Diet,, A/e/aoues or A/c/ocs are Beetles
that fly, and are of a golden colour, and being rubbed make
a sweet smell ; they are commonly found in Meadows in
the moneth of May.] 1658 Rowland tr. A/onfeCs Theat.
Ins. 11. xvii. 1080 Of the Gloworm, and the female Melo
[orig. (1634) De Cicindela, ,y Meloe Femina]. /bid., The
oyl 1 lert le or Meloe [orig. ( 1 634) Proscar a/'enmy sive A/e/oen\
1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XL 376 Larva, which pass
through the state of chrysalids m order to attain to that of
meloes. 1826 Kirby & Si'. F.utomol. IV. 226 Acrid plants,
which the A/eloe likewise feeds upon.
Melograph (me'bgraf). [mod. f. Gr. /i«Ao-s
song + -«K.\rH.] An apparatus for automatically
recording music played on the organ or pianoforte.
The name was first given to an invention of Euler in the
18th c. (see Grove Diit. A/us. 1. 499); subsequently to an
electrical contrivance invented by J. Caipentier in 11:87.
1888 Set Amer. 15 Dec. 376/3.
Melographic (meltfgrx'fik), a. [f. Gr. /uAo-s
song + -ORAPHK\] (See quot.)
1863 Jrnl. Soc. Arts 16 Oct. 747/1 FJectro-mngnetic
phonograph. This machine is capable of heing attached to
..keyed musical instruments, by means of which they are
rendered melographic, that is, capable of writing down any
music that is played upon them.
Meloid (medoid), . sb. and a. [ad. mod.L.
Meldidx, f. Meloe:' see Meloe.] a. sb. Any
member of the family Meloidpe of parasitic insects.
b. adj. Pertaining to the A/eloidte.
1878 Riley in Amer. Naturalist XII. 218 A very interest-
ing and anomalous Meloid (l/oruia minutipennis Riley).
Ibid. 290 What is known of the Larval Habits of other Meloid
geneia. 1881 Casselfs Nat. //ist. V. 330 Another parasitic
Meloid. .infesting the cells of Mason Bees.
Melologue (me'I<?Vg). [f. Gr. fi(\o-s song +
Xo7oy speech (see -LOGUK). Cf. F. melolognc
(Berlioz 1832).] A musical composition, in which
some of the verses are sung and others recited.
18. . Moore A A/elotognc upon National Music Advt., It
may not be superfluous to say, that by ' Melolo^ue ' I mean
that mixture of recitation and music, which is frequently
adopted in the performance of Collins's Ode on the Passions.
1881 ShkdloCK in Academy 5 Nov. 354/2 Mr. Manns was. .
fully justified in giving the work at a conceit as a'melo-
logue 1 for in this he only followed the example of Berlioz
himself.
|| MelolOIltha (mel^-nba). Ent. [mod.L.
melolontha, ad. Gr. fnjXoKuvBrj cockchafer.] A
genus of lamellicorn beetles, typical of the family
for sub-family) Melotonthidfe, and including the
common cockchafer, M. vulgaris. Hence Melo-
MELOMANB.
lonthian [ + -rAN],Melolo-nthidan [ + -in + -an],
Melolonthidian [ + -id + -ian] adjs., belonging to
the (sub) family Melolonthid^; also sis., a beetle
of this (sub) family; Melolonthid a., pertaining
to the Melolonthidm ; Melolo'nthine a., pertaining
to the genus Melolontha. (In recent Diets.)
1706 Phillips, Melolontha, the Beetle or May-bug; an
Insect. 184a T. W. Harris Insects injur. Veget. (1862) 30
We have several Melolonthians whose injuries in the perfect
and grub state approach to those of the European cock-
chafer. 1900 Ibis Apr. 240 A single melolonthid beetle.
Melomaiie ■ melcm^n). [a. F. vnHomane, f.
Or. piAos song + -fxav-fjs mad : see -MANE.] " Me-
LOMANIAC. 1890 in Century Diet.
Melomania (melontiTi-nia). [ad. F. nu'lo-
manie, I. Gr. /tiAo-s song, music + porta madness :
see -mania.] A mania for music. I fence Melo-
ma'niac, one who has a craze for music.
1880 Vern. Lek Stmt. Italy m. ii. 115 The Florentine
aristocracy had the fashionable melomania to almost as
great an extent as the Milanese. 1880 Pall Mall Budget
3 Dec. 10/2 M. Cirevy is a melomaniac.
Melomanic (melomse-nik),a. rare. [Formed
as prec. + -IC.] Characterized by melomania.
i8m Xew Monthly Mag. VI. 391 Volunteers of promising
ability might, in the present melomanic times, be abun-
dantly procured.
Melomany. rare~". = Melomania.
1890 in Century Diet.
Melon1 (me'lan). Forms: 4-6 melone, -oun,
6 millian, milon, myl(l)on,milion, mylyon,6-7
mellon, millon, 7 millen, 6-8, 9 dial, million,
7 mealon, meloune, milleon, 5 - melon, [a. F.
melon = Sp. melon, Pg. melao, It. melone, ad. late
L. melon-em, melo, prob. a colloquial formation on
the first element of L. melopepo : see Melopepon.]
1. A name common to several kinds of gourds,
esp. the Musk melon, Cucumis Melo, and the
Watermelon, Citrullns vulgaris. (Applied both
to the fruit and to the plant producing it.)
01387 Sino'i. Bart hoi. (Anecd. Oxon.) 33/2 Pepones, me-
lones. 1388 Wyclif Num. xi. 5 Gouidis, and meIouns[Vulg.
pepones], and lekis, . .comeii in to mynde to vs. c 1400 Lan-
franc's Cirurg. 190 Do berto seed of melonis maad clene.
c 1420 Pallad. on Husb. v. 94 Cucumber now is sowe ; Me-
lones, peletur, cappare, and leek. 1530 Palsgr. 245/1
Myllon a frute, melon. 1542 Boorde Dyetary xxi. (1870)
285 Mylons doth ingender euyl humoures. 1563 Hvll Art
Garden. (1593) 147 Melons, and all kindes of the Pompions,
desire.. the same earth and aire which the Citrones and
Cucumbers doe. 1657 W. Coles Adam in Eden xcix,
Citruls or Turkey Millions are of the same temperature as
the Gourd. 1691 Lend. Gaz. No. 2724/2 A piece of pure
Gold in form of a Mellon. 1748 Chestlrf. Let. 13 Dec.
Misc. YVks. 1777 II. 347 Could you send me.. some seed of
the right canteloupe melons'? 1824 Loudon Encyci. Card.
III. I. fed. 2) 4203 The pumpkin, pnmpion, or more correctly,
pompion. . .This is the melon or millon of our early horti-
culturists, the true melon being formerly distinguished by
the name of musk-melon. 1847 Tennyson Princess Conclus.
87 A raiser of huge melons and of pine. 1855 Delamer
Kitch. Card. (1861) 118 A pretty little old-fashioned variety,
— Queen Anne's Pocket Melon .. produces green-fleshed
well-flavoured fruit, the size of a large orange.
b. Prickly melon : the Durian.
1640 Parkinson Theat. Bot. 1640 Durioncs, the prickly
fruitfull Melon. 1688 R. Holme Armoury 11. 83/1 The
prickly Melon.
2. Conch. The shell of a mollusc of the genus
Melo. Also melon-shell, -volute (see 4 d).
1840 Swainson Malacology 67.
3. A hemispherical mass of blubber taken from
the top of the head of certain cetaceans.
1887 G. B. Goode, etc. Visluries U. S. Sect. v. II. 299
About 30 gallons of oil . . being obtained from each fish,
besides about 6 quarts of extra oil from the melon. The
melons are taken from the top of the head [etc.].
4. attrib. and Comb. a. simple attributive, as
melon-bank, -bed, -flower, -frame, -garden, -ground,
-harvest, -infusion, -leaf, -merchant, -monger,
-patch, -pit, -plant, -plot, -seeil, -vine. b. para-
synthetic, as melon-formed, -shaped adjs. e.
similative, as melon-yellcnu adj. d. Special Comb. :
melon-beetle, a beetle of the genus Diabrotica,
esp. D. vittata and D. duodecimpunctata, injurious
to melons (Webster 1S97 and Suppl. 1902) ;
melon-blubber = Melon 1 3 (Cent. Diet.) ■
melon-cactus = Melocactus ; melon-cater-
pillar, the larva of an American moth, Phacellura
{Eudioptis) hyalinata, destructive to melons ;
t melon-feast, a rustic gathering at which prizes
were offered for the finest melons ; melon-fruit,
the papaw, Carica Papaya, called also Tree-Melon
(Bartlett Diet. Atner. 1S59); melon-hood, a kind
of fungus, Hygrophorus pratensis ; melon-oil, the
oil of the melon of a cetacean ; + melon-pompion
(obs.), melon-pumpkin, Cucurbita maxima or
C. Melopepo ; melon-seed bodies Path, (see quot.
1890) ; melon-shell = sense 2 ; melon-thick
(W. Indian), melon-thistle = Melocactus;
melon-tree, the papaw (Cassell's Encyci. Diet.
1885) > melon-volute, a melon-shell ; melon-
ware (see quot.) ; melon-wood, a yellow Mexican
323
wood, which resembles sanders-wood, used for
furniture {IVeas. Bot. 1866); melon-worm —
melon-caterpillar {Cent. Vict. 1890).
1707 Mortimer Husb. (1721) II. 174 They thrive best, .in
such places as they have not grown in before, especially on
the sides of *Melon Banks. 1622 Mabbe tr. Ale/nan's
Guzman d'Alf. t. (1630) 25, I call my selfe his sonne,.. since
that from that *Mellon-bed I was made legitimate by the
holy right of Matrimony. 1794 M'Phail Cult. Cucumber
83 The seeds are sown some time about the middle of April
in a cucumber or melon bed. 1857 A Gray First Less.
Bot. (1866)47 'n *Melon-Cactuses. . with their globular or
bulb-like shapes. 1885 Riverside Nat. Hist. (188S, II. 444
The *melon-caterpillar, Eudioptis hyalinata, which occurs
throughout the greater portions of North America and
South America. 1826 Miss Mitkord tillage Ser. n. 4
Lending his willing aid in waiting and entertaining.,
at pink-feasts and *melon-feasts. 1845 Browning Home
Thoughts, The buttercups, the little children's dower — Far
brighter than this gaudy "melon-flower! 1819 Hermit in
London III. 170 Her "melon-formed head and double chin.
1793 Trans. Soc. Arts XI. 120 Over the whole, [I] placed
a larye *melon-frame. 'ia 1642 Killigkew parson's It edit,
v. i. (1663J 138 One of the Watermen is gone to the "Mellon
Garden. 1733 Miller Card. Did. (ed. 2), Melonry or
* Melon-ground. 1774 Heroic Eplst.to Sir IV, Chambers (ed.
13) 9 From his melon-ground the peasant slave Has rudely
rush'd. 1849 M. Arnold Strayed Reveller 24 Worms 1' the
unkind spring have gnaw'd Their *melon-harvest to the
heart. 1887 Hay Brit. Fungi 99 Hygrophorus pratensis,
the ''Melon-hood. 1881 Tyndall Ess- Floating Mutter Air
173 The tubes in one of the chambers containing "melon-
infusion had become rapidly turbid. 1868 Browning Ring
i, Bk. 1. 98 A broad * melon-leaf. 1727 S. Switzer Pratt.
Card. 11. vii. 55 Good glasses, without which the 'melon-
merchant can't effect his purpose. 1622 Mabbe \.x. Ale man's
Guzman d^Alf 11. 59, I am like a *Melon-mongers Knife
cutting here a slice and there a slice. 1887 G. Li. Gooue, etc.
Fisheries U. S. Sect. v. II. 309 The *melon oil of the black-
fish. 1838 Gosse in E. Gosse Life (1890) 136 At length we
reached the "melon-patch. 1824 Loudon Encyci. Card. HI.
1. (ed. 2) § 2684 Knight's * melon-pit,, .which may also be
applied to the culture of cucumbers. 1739 Miller Card.
Diet. II. s. v. Melo, The Papers.. may be used for covering
your "Melon-plants. 1577 B. Googk f/eresbach's Husb. 1 1586}
63 When they grow rounde, they are *Melon-pompeons. 1840
Paxton Bot. Diet., * Melon-pumpkin see Cucurbita Melo-
pepo. t 1420 Pallad. on Husb. IV. 176 Now 'melon seed too
foote atwene is sette. 1879 St. George's L/osp. Rep.lX. 261 An
incision was made into the. .tumour,, .and a quantity of clear
fluid containing numbers of * melon-seed' bodies pressed out.
1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., Melon seed bodies, small, white, or
brownish-looking bodies resembling melon seeds in shape.
They are found in the sheaths of tendons which have been
inflamed and in adventitious, .bursa:. 1832 Lindley Introd.
Bot. 374 *Melon-shaped, irregularly spherical, with pro-
jecting ribs ; as the stem of Cactus melocactus : a bad term.
1840 Swainson Malacology 100 The pre-eminently typical
volutes, or "melon-shells. 1864 Grisebach Flora IV. //id. 785
"Melon-thick, Melocactus communis. 1731-3 Miller Gard.
Diet. (ed. 2), Melocactus . . "Melon-Thistle. The whole Plant
hath a singular Appearance. 1763 MiLLsJTy.j/, Pract. Husb.
IV. 182 The "melon vines will waste themselves by running
out in length. 1840 Swainson Malacology 99 The truncated
and wide-mouthed helmet-shells, among the Muricidie, find
their prototypes in the "melon volutes. 1883 Solon Art O.
Eng. Potter 101 The pieces upon which this fruit was intro-
duced all went by the name of "melon-ware, and so were
styled also the generality of pieces mottled green and
yellow. 1773 Phil. Trans. LXIII.391 An Anemone, whose
limbs are of the "melon-yellow colour.
II Melon- <Krt\i'\pn). Path. [ = F. me/on, a. Gr.
fM7j\ov apple, protuberance of the eye (Paulus
yEgineta).] A kind of exophthalmus or staphyloma.
1676 J. Cooke Marrow Chirurg. 713 If the protuberance
be. .great, 'tis called Staphyloma. ..If it thrust out more,
that it over-reaches the Eye-lid, 'tis called Melon, like an
Apple hanging by the Stalk. 1802 Turton Med. Gloss.,
Melon . . a protuberance of the ball of the eye from its socket.
1890 in Syd. Soc. Lex.
Melon ;i (me'ten). Australian. Short for
Paddymelon. Also attrib., in melon-kole.
1847 Lf.ichhardt frnl. iii. 77 The shallow depressions of
the surface of the ground, which are significantly termed
by the squatters ' melon-holes '. 1898 Morris A us t rat Eng.,
Melon. Besides its botanical use, the word is applied in
Australia to a small kangaroo, the Paddy-melon. Melon,
hole, a kind of honey-combing of the surface in the interior
plains, dangerous to horsemen, ascribed to the work of the
Paddy-melon... The name is often given to any similar
series of holes, such as are sometimes produced by the
growing of certain plants.
Melon, variant of Mellone Chem.
Melongena (mel£?ndgfna). Also S melin-
zane, 9 melangeno. [a. mod.L. melongena. It. vte-
lanzana : for the history of the word see Brin.tal.]
The mad-apple or egg-plant, Solatium Melongena.
1775 R- Chandler Trav. AsiaA/.(\Zii) I. 341 The garden
furnished., a species of fruit called melinzane. 1785MARTYN
Rousseau's Bot. xvi. (1794) 202 Melongena or Mad-Apple,
is also of this genus. 1819 Banquet 91 From Iceland lichens,
and St. Kitt's tomato ; From Cuba melangeno and potato.
II Meloniere. Obs. [F. melonniere, f. melon
Melon I,] A melonry.
1658 Evelyn Fr. Gard. (1675) 138 Heaped up together in
some place near your meloniere. 1718 J. Lawrence Frnit-g.
Kalendar 60 To see what his Servants have been doing in
other Parts of the Kitchen-Garden, Meloniere, &c.
Meloniform (mfl^'nifpim), a. Bot. [ad.
mod.L. type *meloniform-is, f. melon-t melot
Melon * +form-a : see -form.] Melon-shaped.
1866 Treas. Bot, Melon-shaped, Meloniform, irregularly
spherical, with projecting ribs.
Melonist (me*16nist). [I Melon l + -ist.]
One who cultivates melons.
MELO-TRAGEDY.
1669 Phil. Trans. IV. 901 Concerning his way of ordering
Melons; now communicated in English for the satisfaction
of several curious Melonists in England. 1727 S. Switzer
Pract. Gard. n. vi. 49 At their first coming into England,
there were but two kinds that our melonists. took notice of.
Melonite (me-lonaitV Min. [Named by
F. A. Genth in 1868 after the Melonese mine,
Calaveras Co., Cal., its locality.] Nickel telluride,
of a reddish-white colour.
1868 Genth in Amer. Jrnl. Scl. Ser. it. XLV. 113 Melo-
nite, a new mineral, Ni^ Te3 ?, hexagonal.
Melonry (me-bnn). [f. Melon 1 + -KY.] A
place for the cultivation of melons.
1727 S. Switzer {title) Practical Kitchen Gardiner, or
System for Employment in the Melonry, Kitchen Garden,
and Potagery. 1824 Loudon Encyci. Gard. (ed. 2) § 2479
The situation of the melonry is generally in the slip.
I MelO'pepOn. Obs. [ad. L. melopepon-em,
~Pepo, a. Gr. ^Xo-niirwv, f. fxrjKo-v apple + iri-rrajv a
kind of gourd (orig. an ellipt. use of iri ttojv ripe).
In the quots. inelopepones may be the Latin plural.]
A kind of melon.
1555 Eden Decades 81 Another frute.. in tendernes equal
to melopepones. 1705 Beverley Hist. Virginia iv. (1722)
124 Their Macocks aie a sort of Melopepones, or lesser .vjrt
of Pompion. 1727 Bailey vol. II, Melopepon.
Melophone (me-lcfcun). [f. Gr. ue\o-i song,
music + <pwvrj sound.] a. = melophonic guitar.
b. A kind of accordion.
1859 Wraxall tr. R. Houdiu xii. 169 The melophone, a
species of accordion recently invented. 1879 A.J. Hiikins
in Grove Diet. A/us. L 667 The only maker of melophones
in 1855. 1883 Ibid. III. 97 Kegondi. .on the former of these
tours [in 1841].. played both the guitar and the melophone
(whatever that may have been).
Melophonic (mebf^-nik), a. [Formed as prec.
+ -IC.] a. In melophonic guitar (see quot. ib'42).
b. Used,app. with the sense* musical ', in the title
of a society founded in 1837 (see quot. 1880).
1842 Mech. Mag. XXXVII. Ifio The Melophonic Guitar,
\s the very appropriate name of a new instrument which was
introduced to the musical public, a few days ago, by the in-
ventor, M. Barelli. 1880 Mackeson in Grove Diet. Mus.
II. 252 The Melophonic Society, established 1837, ' ^ur lne
practice of the most classical specimens of choral and other
music,1 by band and choir.
Meloph.onist(me'l(?f(?Linist). rare—1. [Formed
as prec. -t- -ist.] A melodist.
1847 Thackeray Dinner in the City iii. Wks. 1898 VI.
560 Here, as in the case of the Hebrew melophonists,
I would insinuate no wrong thought.
Melopiano (mel^piarn*?). [f. Gr. /xtko-s song,
melody + Pi A NO. j (See quots.)
1876 Stainer & Barrett Diet. A/us. Terms, Melopiano,
an invention by which sustained sounds can be produced 011
a pianoforte. 1880 A. J. Hipkins in Grove Diet. Mus. II.
252 Alelopiano, a grand piano with a sostinente attachment,
the invention of Signor Caldera.
Meloplast (me'bpUvst). [a. F. mchplaste, f.
Gr. jacXo-s song, music + TrAa<rTr)? moulder, f. -nKaa-
cciv to mould.] (See quot.)
1820 Ann. Reg. 11. 1365 M. Galin..has lately introduced
a new instrument for teaching music, called the meloplast.
M. Galin's ingenious method consists in making his pupils
sing from a stave, without either clefs or notes, according to
the movements of a portable rod.
Meloplasty (me-Umlaesti). Surg. [f. Gr.
/xijKo-u apple, in late Gr. used poet, for ' cheek *
(perh. through influence of the L. mala) + -TrXaoros
moulded + -y.] The operation of restoring a cheek
which has been injured or destroyed by grafting
new tissue. Hence Melopla*stic, of or pertaining
to meloplasty (Dunglison Med. Lex. 1857).
1883 Holmes & Hllke.S>s/. Surg. (ed. 3) III. 681 Plastic
Operations on the Cheek (Meloplasty).
II Melopceia (mebpria). Antiq. [a. Gr. /icXo-
iroiia, f. fxf\ofTotos maker of songs, f. ^cAo-s song +
7roi-, Tiotuv to make.] The art of composing me-
lodies ; the part of dramatic art concerned with music.
1759 Sir F. H. E. Stiles in Phil. Trans. LI. 698 By this
school harmonic was divided into these seven parts ; 1, of
sounds. .7. of melopceia. 1776 Burney Hist. A/us. I. v. 65
Of Melopceia. 1878 N. Atner. Rev. CXXVI. 51 This part
of a drama, called the metopo3iat is ranged by Aristotle on
a level with the diction.
f Melote. Obs. Also 6 melotte. [ad. L.
melota, melote, a. Gr. fnjXojTrj sheepskin.] A gar-
ment made of skins, worn by monks.
1491 Caxton Vitas Pair. (W. de W. 1495)1. xxxvi. 370/2
Nexte his flesshe he ware the hayre", and ther upon a
vestement of hayre namyd Melote. /bid. 11. 196 by z He
asked of them where theyr melotes were; that is to saye
theyr habytes made of skynnes that they were wont to be
clothed withall. a 1529 Skelton Col. Chute 866 Some
walke aboute in melottes [cf. Vulg. Hebr. xi. 37 circuierunt
in melotls], In gray russet and heery cotes.
Melo-tragedy. wwr [f- Gr. ui\o-s song +
Tragedy.] A tragedy in which songs occur; an
operatic tragedy.
Alfieri called his play of Abel a ' tramelogedia *, inserting
melo- in the middle of Iragedia, to express theintimate
mixture of the lyric and dramatic element in the piece.
1818 Hobhouse //ist. /llustr. Clu Har. etc. (ed. 2) 402 He
[Alfieri] composed a sort of drama, altogether new, which
he called a melo-tragedy. 1905 IVestm. Gaz. 7 Mar. 2/3
Michael Faraday, according to tradition, would leave his
investigations at the sound of the pan-pipes and see the
melo-tragedy [Punch and Judy] once more.
107-2
MELOTROPE.
324
MELT.
Hence Melotra'gic a.
1872 C. King Mountain. Sierra Ncv. ix. 193 Nothing more
effectually banishes a melotragic state of mind, than the
obtrusive ugliness . . of this plant.
Melotrope (medotrtfup). [f. Gr. pkho-s song,
melody + Tponrj turning.] A piano fitted with a
mechanical device for automatically reproducing a
piece of music by means of a melograph stencil.
1888 Sci. American 15 Dec. 376/3 The melotrope is merely
mechanical in its operation, and is intended, as far as pos-
sible, to imitate the motion of the fingers in playing upon
the keys of the instrument.
Melotto, Meloun(e, obs. ff. Mulatto, Melon.
Melow(e,Melowe,obs.ff. Meal sb,\ Mellow a.
t Mel-pell, adv. Obs. [a. OF. melte pelle,
inversion of pe/le-meHe] = Pell-mell.
a 1600 Hooker lied. Pol. vm. ix. § 5 Theodosius..slew
mel-pell both guilty and innocent, to the number of 7000.
t Melpo menish, a. Obs. [f. Melpomene, the
Muse who presided over tragedy + -ish.] Tragic.
1801 Surr Splendid Misery II. 170 Why so melpomonish,
Julia?
t Melrose. Obs. [ad. pharmaceut. L. mel
rosx honey of the rose.] A preparation composed
of powdered rose-leaves with honey and alcohol.
1790 Fordyce On Muriatic Acid 8 What I used was a
mixture of mel-rose with sixteen drops of the muriatic acid.
Melsh., melch (melj), a. Now </w/. Also
4 melsch, 5 melissche. [Pern, repr. OE. melsc,
mylsc, *mielisc mellow (in melsc seppla, mellow
apples), ?cogn.w. Goth. \ga)malwjan to crush. The
OK. word seems to have been confused with milise
honeyed, cogn. w. Goth, milip honey. Cf. Mulsh.]
Mellow, soft, tender. Of weather: Mild and 'soft \
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xvn. cxvi. (1495) 679
In grounde that is melch and sondy [MS. Bodl. E. Jilus.
melissche, L. in terra teni sab%do$a\. 1737 J. Broadhead
in .V. <y Q. 8th Ser. (1895) VI 1. 405/1 Very fine melch weather.
1874 E. Waugh Chimney Corner (1879) 113 Nice melch mak
o' a mornin'.
Comb. 1647 Trapp Comm. Tit. i. 13 A metaphor from
Chyrurgeons, who must not be melchhearted,saith Celsus,
but pare away the dead flesh. 178a Eliz. Blower Geo. Bate-
man II. in 'Dad', (said the glassman .. pulling out his
pocket-handkerchief) ' I didn't used to be so melch-hearted.
Hence f Melshhead, -hood, ripeness.
a 1325 Prose Psalter cxvni. [cxix.] 147 Ich com forbe in
melsnede [v.r. melschhode, Vulg.prarveni inmaiuritate].
t Melt, sb.1 Obs. [Fr., a. Mexican metl.] =
Maguey.
1598 Sylvester Du Bartas 11. i. 1. Eden 606 There mounts
the Melt [Fr. La se pousse le Melt] which serves in Mexico
For weapon, wood, needle, and threed (to sowe).
t Melt, sb? Obs. (See quot.)
1688 R. Holme Armoury 11. 177/1 Melt of Sheep, an
abundance of Blood which must be taken from them.
Melt (melt), sb.& [f. Melt vl]
1. Phr. On the melt ; in the process of melting.
1897 Blackmore in Blackw. Mag. Sept. 362 The rush of
two streams into one another, both being buxom with snow
on the melt.
2. Metal or other substance in a melted condition.
1854 Pharmac. J ml. XIII. 432 The ' melt 'obtained in the
manufacture of Ferrocyanide of Potassium. 1868 Whitman
To Working Men 6 Iron works.. men around feeling the
melt with huge crowbars. 1886 E. Knecht tr. Benedikfs
Coal-tar Colours 216 Melting with caustic acid.. .The melt
is then allowed to cool.
3. A quantity of metal melted at one operation.
1886 Rep. Sec. of Treasury 175 (Cent.) 12,867 melts of ingots
were made for coinage during the year. 1890 Hiorns Mixed
Metals 309 The 75,000 ounces of gold were divided into 14
'melts' of 5,400 ounces each, and each melt separately
toughened. 1904 Inter/tat. Libr. Technol., Specif. 61 Melt,
a charge of metal placed in a cupola or pot for melting. The
product of such a charge is also called a melt,
4. The quantity melted within a certain period.
1903 Daily Rec. <r Mail 28 Dec. 2/3 The melt of this class
of iron, especially in Scotland, has been exceptionally heavy.
Melt (melt), vl Pa. t. melted. Pa. pple.
melted, molten. Forms: 1 melt-, mielt-, milt-,
myltan, 2-3 mealten, melteii, 3 i-multen,
Orm. melltenn, 3-6 melte,4meelte,4-5malt(e,
4-6 mylt(e, (5 molte, multe, 6 mealt, moult),
4- melt. Pa. t. 1 mealt (pi. multon), (se)melt8,
3-5 malt(e, 4 meltit, moltid, 5 meltid, 5-6
molte, 6 moulte, molted, 6- melted. Pa. pp/e. 1
Semolteu, semylted, 3 imealt, imelte, imolte, 4
meltid(e, meltyn, moltid, multen, mylt, 4-5
moltyn(e, 4-6 molte, 5 molton, moltynnyd,
multyn, 5-7 melt, 6 melten, molted, arch.
ymolt, 5-7 molt, moult, 7 moulten, 8 arch.
ymolteu, 4- molten, 6- melted. [Originally
two distinct vbs. : (1) the intransitive strong
vb. OE. meltan (pa. t. mealt, pi. multon, pa.
ppl. gemoltcii) ; (2) the weak vb. (causative of
the former) OE. mieltan, myltan (:— prehistoric
*mealtjan, *maltjan) corresponding to ON. melta
to digest, to malt (grain), Goth. *maltjan to dis-
solve, whence gamalteitis vbl. sb., dissolution
(transl. of avakvots 2 Tim. iv. 6). In OE. the
strong vb. was always intransitive ; the weak vb.
was normally transitive, but sometimes intransi-
tive. In ME. the strong and weak inflexions were
used indiscriminately, the former becoming gradu-
ally less frequent. In the 16th c. the strong pa. t.
(in the form molte, from the analogy of the pa.
pple.) was used poet, by a few writers, but was not
generally current. The strong pa. pple. is now only
poet, and rhetorical exc. as adj. (see Molten
///. a.), and even in that use is merely literary.
The root OTeut. *melt- (: malt- '. mult-), whence also Malt
sb.t represents an Indogerm, *meld- (: mold- : mid-), whence
Gr. fxe\8eiv to melt, Skr. mrdu soft, L. mollis. It is proh.
a variant of OTeut. smelt- (: — Indogerm. *smeld-) : see
Smelt v.]
I. Intransitive senses.
1. To become liquefied by heat. To melt away :
be destroyed or wasted by being melted.
Beowulf 3011 Ne seel aneshwset meltan mid bam modigan.
a 900 O. E. Marty rol. 9 Mar. 38 pa on niht com leoht of
heofonum swa hat swa sunne bio on sumera, ond baet is
Semelte, ond baet waiter wear5 wearm. c 1000 Ags. Ps.
(Th.) lvii. 7 Swa weax melte5. a 1225 Juliana 20 His mod
feng to hcaten ant his meari to melten [Bodl. MS. mealten].
c 1290 St. Christopher 200 in .S". Eng. Leg. I. 277 po he was
i-leid bar-on, As wex bat gredile malt awei. 1382 Wyclif
Exod. xvi. 21 Whanne the sunne bigan to heet, it moltid
[1530 Tindale, it moulte]. 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls)
VII. 355 Whanne (>at frost gan to bawe and to melte [v.rr.
multe, molte, mylte]. c 1450 'Two Cookery-bfcs. 86 Take
faire grece..and sette ouer be fyre til hit mylte. ^1460
Launfal 740 Hyt malt as snow ayens the sunne. 1575
Gascoigne Fruits of Warre xlviii, Flowers 123 Whose
greace hath molt all caffed as it was. 1617 Morvson /tin.
I. 206 When the snow melts from the Mountaines. 1753
Chambers Cyd. Supp. s.v. Metals, When the copper and
arsenic are mixed, the tin is to be put in ; this soon melts.
i860 Tyndall Glac. n. iii. 241 Ice before it melts attains a
temperature of 300 Fahr.
b. In jocular hyperbole: To perspire excessively,
to suffer extreme heat.
1787 Colman Inkle $ Yarico in. i, A.. black boar.. came
down the hill in a jog trot ! My master melted as fast as
a pot of pomatum. 1820 Keats Lett., to Miss F. Braivne
Mar. (1895) 476, I have no need of an enchanted wax figure
to duplicate me, for I am melting in my proper person before
the fire.
2. To become disintegrated, liquefied, or softened,
e. g. by the agency of moisture ; to be dissolved.
To melt in the mouth : said of articles of food that
are extremely tender, f In OE. of food : To be
digested.
a 1000 Voc. in Wr.-Wulcker 235/33 F'atiscit, . .dissoluitur,
..mylt. r 1000 Sax. Leechd. II. 196 Late mylt hryberes
fla^sc. 1523 Ynzni:\<B.Husb. § i6Theclotteskepe the wheate
warmeall wynter, and at Marche they wyll melte and breafce,
and fal in manye small peces. 1693 Evelyn De La Quint.
Comfl. Card., Melons 1 [Melons] which be. .dry, yet melt-
ing 111 the Mouth. 1852 Mrs. Stowe Uncle Tom's C. iv.
19 Can she make your real flecky paste, as melts in your
mouth and lies all up like a puff?
t b. Of the body : To undergo corruption, to
waste away. Obs.
c 1290 iS. Eng. Leg. I. 76/198 A slou} feuere. .made is bodi
to melte a-wei. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. vn. lxvi.
(1495) 283 He that is bytten of a Cokatryce meltyth and
swellyth and castyth venym and deyeth sodaynly.
c. Of clouds, vapour: To dissolve, be evaporated
or dispersed ; to break or dissolve into rain.
13. . Gaw. fy Gr. Kut. 2080 Mist muged on be mor, malt on
be mountez. 1604 K. G[rimstone] D'Acosta's Hist. Indies
II. vii. 98 A great aboundance of vapours from the Earth and
Ocean .. melt into water. 1814 Byron Lara 11. i, The
vapours round the mountains curl'd Melt into morn, and
Light awakes the world, i860 Tyndall Glac. u xiv. 96
The dense clouds which had crammed the gorge.. melted
away. 1873 Black Pr. Thule xxiv, The clouds had melted
into a small and chilling rain.
d. To vanish, disappear.
1611 Shaks. Wint. T. in. iii. 37 With shriekes She
melted into Ayre. 1611 — Cymb. 1. iii. 20, I would haue. .
followed him, till he had melted from The smalnesse of a
Gnat, to ayre. 1852 Mrs. Stowe Uncle Tom's C. xiv. 123
When caught, she melted from them again like a summer
cloud.
3. Of a person, his ' soul * or * heart ', feelings, etc.
fa. To be overwhelmed with dismay or grief.
The idiom is app, native, though the examples in the
versions of the Bible are literal translations from the Hebrew.
c xooo Ags. Ps. (Th.) Ixx. 8 ponne me majjen and mod
mylte on hreSre, ne forket bu me, lifiende God. c 1350 Will.
Palernc 434, & sebbe sike 1 & sing samen to-gedere. & melt
nei;h for mournyng & moche ioie make. ? 111366 Chaucer
Rom. Rose 276 She is in so greet turment. .whan folk doth
good, That nigh she melteth for pure wood, c 1375 Sc. Leg.
Saints xxxviii. {Adrian) 470 pat his hart for dred suld melt.
1546 J. Heywood Pror. (1867) 75 My herte for wo molte.
1560 Bible (Genev.) Ps. cxix. 28 My soule melteth [1535
Coverdale, melteth away] for heauines. x6n Bible Josh.
ii. 11 Our hearts did melt.
b. To become softened by compassion, or love ;
to yield to entreaty; to* dissolve' in or into tears,
c 1200 Vices ff Virtues 145 pat hie mihte nexxin and mealten
and ut-sanden sume tear, a 1225 Ancr. R. no pet on was
his moderes wop, & be o6res Maries, ba:t fleoweden &
melten al of teares. 13. . Cristenc-mon cy Jevvg-j (Vern. MS.)
pe cristen mon mildelygon malt. ^1374 Chaucer Troylus
iv. 339(367)Troylus, bat felte His frend Pandare yeomen
hym to se Gan as be snow a-yen be sonne melte. 1509
Hawes Past. Pleas, xvi. (Percy Soc) 71 Harde is the heart
that no love hath felt Nor for to love wyl than encline and
melt. is63Sackville/«^c/. lxxviii. in Mirr. Mag. R ivb,
My hart so molte to see his griefe so great. 1590 Spenser
F, Q. 1. ii. 22 Melting in teares, then gan shee thus lament.
IS95 Shaks. John v. ii. 47 My heart hath melted at a Ladies
teares. 1637 Milton Lycidas 163 Look homeward Angel
' now, and melt with ruth. 1647 Spbigge A nglia Rediv. \\. ii.
(1854) 80 And the governor so far melted as to send forth
Tom Elliot in haste. 1709 Steele Tatler No. 104 F 7 She
melted into a Flood of Tears. 1857 Reade Course True
I^ove 178 His resolve melted at this. X862 Carlyle Fredk.
Gt. xiv. viii. (1872) V. 249 Each had his own causes of regret,
and each melted into tears. 1888 Burgon Lives 12 Gd. Men
I. in. 341 At sight of the dusty., urchins, his heart evidently
melted.
c. To melt away : To be ( dissolved * in ecstasy.
1711 Addison Sped, No. 159 F 2 (Vis. Mirza), My Heart
1 melted away in secret Raptures. 1746 Collins Ode to Pity
vii, There let me oft, retir'd by day In dreams of passion
, melt away. 01761 Cawthorn Poems (1771) 58 How weak
fair faith and virtue prove When Eloisa melts awayin love !
4. To waste away, become gradually smaller;
to dwindle. Now chiefly with away, f Occas. of
a swelling, to melt down.
a 1225 Ancr. R. 268 Herdeliche ileueS bet al be deofles
strencoe melte5 buruh be grace of be holi sacrament, a 1225
St. Marker. 6 pi mihte schal unmuchelin ant melten to riht
noht. a 1250 Proz: sElfred 385 in O. B. Misc. 126 And
vyches cunnes madmes to mixe schulen i-Multen. 01400
St. Erkemvolde 158 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1881) 269 He
has not layne here so longe, to loke hit by kynde, To make
so out of memorie. (1586 C'tess Pembroke Ps. cvn. ix,
Their might doth melt, their courage dies. 1606 Shaks.
Ant. <y CI. m. xiii. 90 Authority melts from me of late.
1629 Milton Hymn Nativ. 138 Leprous sin will melt from
earthly mould, And Hell it self will pass away. 1665 Sir T.
Herbert Trav. (1677J 166 His huge Army melted away,
and quickly became less numerous. 1762 R. Guy Pract. Obs.
Cancers 156 By Degrees the hard Tumour entirely melted
down. 1794 Burke Corr. (1844) IV. 213 The body of his
1 party is melting away very fast. 1818 Byron Ch. Har. iv.
xii, Nations melt From power's high pinnacle, when they
have felt The sunshine for a while. 1855 Macau lay Hist.
Eng. xiii. III. 377 The host which bad been the terror of
Scotland melted fast away, i860 Reade Cloister fy H.
1 lxxviii. (1896) 223 While her heart was troubled, her money
J was melting. 1891 Leeds Mercury 27 Apr. 5/2 There was
a surplus of fifty-seven million dollars when President Har-
rison took office, and it has all melted away. 1897 Altbutt's
i Syst. Med. II. 279 Tumours in muscle, which will wholly
melt away under the influence of iodide of potassium, are
sometimes {etc.].
b. slang. Of money : To be spent on drink.
(Cf. 13.)
1765 Foote Commissary 1. i, Give him the sixpence ;
there, there, lay it out as you will. Coachm. It will be to
your health, mistress ; it shall melt at the Meuse, before I
go home.
5. To filter in, become absorbed into. Ahofig.
13. . E. E. Allit. P. B. 1566, & make be mater to malt my
mynde wyth-inne. 1590 Spenser F. Q. 1. ix. 31 His subtile
tong like dropping honny mealt'h Into the heart, and
searcheth every vaine. 1776 Gibbon Ded. Jy F. ii. I. 40 It
was by such institutions that the nations of the empire in-
sensibly melted away into the Roman name and people.
1821 Shelley Epipsych. no Like fiery dews that melt Into
the bosom of a frozen bud.
6. Of sound : To be soft and liquid.
1626, etc. (see Melting///, a. ic]. 1713 Young Force
Relig. 1, She clasps her lord, brave, beautiful, and young.
While tender accents melt upon her tongue. 1792 S. Rogers
Pleas. Mem. 11. 38 With rapt ear drink the enchanting
serenade, And as it melts along the moonlight-glade [etc.].
7. To pass by imperceptible degrees into some-
thing else.
1781 Cowver Retirement 424 Downs.. That melt and fade
into the distant sky. 1820 W. Irving Sketch Bk., Rip
Van Winkle f 2 Where the blue tints of the upland melt
away into the fresh green of the nearer landscape. 1865
J. Thomson Sunday up River m. ii, The vague vast grey
Melts into azure dim on high,
II. Transitive senses.
8. To reduce to a liquid condition by heat.
atoooElene 131 1 (Gr.) Gold . . burh ofnes fyr eall ^eclan-
sod amered & gemylted. c xooo Sax. Leechd. I. 366 Nim leon
Xelynde & heortes mearR mylt & xemeng tosomne. c 1200
Orm in i74i5,& baddheshollde melltenn brass &geten himm
aneddre. a 1225 Ancr.R. 284 pe caliz was imelt ioe fure&
stroncHche iwelled. fi374 Chaucer y^y/w v. 10 The
foldtressed Phebus heighe on lofte Thries hadde al with his
ernes clere The snowes molte. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xx.
(Blast'us) 237 pe presydent with fellone will gert melt leyd in
fusione. 11384 Chaucer H. Fame 11. 414 Nyse ykarus,
That fleegh so high that the hete Hys wynge« make.
c 1425 Wyntoun Cron. iv. xxi. 1895 All themetall moltynnyd
than In tyll a qwerne togydder ran. 1444 Rolls of Par It.
V. 109/1 That no white money.. be broke nor molte for the
cause above said. 1474 Caxton Recnyell (ed. Sommer) 18
Saturne. .malte and fyned gold and metalles. « 1562 G.
Cavenijish Wolsey (1893) 267 Rather than 1 wold..em-
besell or deceyve hyme of a myght, I wold it ware molt
and put in my mouthe. 1565 Cooper Thesaurus, Aurunt
. .fusi/e, that may be molted. 1590 Spenser /■". Q. m. xL
25 As a thonder-bolt. .doth displace The soring clouds into
sad showres ymolt. 1593 B. Barnes Part 'henophil (Arb.)
Sonn. xliv, Whose might all metals' mass asunder moults !
1614 Sco. Venus (1876) 35 Or had the bed bene burnt with
wilde fire all, And thereby moult the heauens golden frame.
1647 H. More Poems Notes 362 note, Ice.. once melt by
the warmth of the Sunne it becomes one with the rest of the
Sea. 1667 Milton P. L. xi. 562 One who.. two inassie
clods of Iron and Brass Had melted. 1681 Hickeringill
Black Non-Conf. Postscr., Wks. 1716 II. 171 Go, then, you
subtile Persecutors ! fret, and be molt in your own fat,
a 1756 Mrs. Haywood Nav Present (1771) 43 1*>N tne Gutter
is all melted. 1871 Tyndall F>agm. Sci. (1879) I. i. 5 A
sun or planet once molten, would continue for ever molten.
1874 Tait Rec. Adv. Phys. Sci. (1876) 45 Davy showed . . that
the mere rubbing together by proper mechanical force of
two pieces of ice was sufficient to melt the surface of each.
absol. 1535 Coverdale Jer. vi. 29 The melter [161 1
founder] melteth in vayne. 1683 Pettus Fleta Min. iv. ix.
304, 1 conclude it better to melt with Coals, than with Moll.
MELT.
fb. To melt and refashion into; also, to form
(an image, etc.) out of molten material. Obs.
c X440 A Iphabct 0/ Tales 273 He prayed J?at all his tresurs,
bat war of grete valcnv, mott be molten in-to a grete mace.
1560 Biblk (Genev.) Isa. xl. 19 The workeman melteth an
image. 1573 Cartwright Reply to Whitgift 28 The Jewes
when they molted a golden calfcdid neuer thinke that to
he God. 1577-87 Holinshed Chron. 1. 113/1 A brasen image
by maruelous art melted and cast. 1583 G. Martin Mam/.
Corrupt. Script, iii. 56 Behold Eunomius, how he molted
and cast a false image, and bowed down to that which he
had molten. l6n Bible Isa. xl. 19.
C. Withadvs. To melt away: to remove, destroy,
or waste by melting. To melt down : to melt (coin,
plate, or other manufactured articles) in order that
the metal may be used as raw material. Hence
(jocularly), to convert (property) into cash. Also,
less frequently, to melt up. To melt in : to melt
(a substance) so that it becomes an ingredient of a
mixture.
c 1375 Sip. Leg. Saints xxxii. {Justin) 394 He sonnere but
delay meltit bane wax in fyre away, c 1384 Chaucer //.
Fame HI. 59 Thoo gan I in myn herte cast, That they were
molte awey with hete, And not awey with stormes bete.
1633 T. Stafford Pac. Hib. 11. iv. (1821) 267 Meet to be
moulten downeand brought into her majesties mint, a 1704
T. Brown Sat. Fr. KingVlks. 1730 1. 60 Old Ierom's volumes
next I made a rape on, And melted down that father
for a capon. 1721 Berkeley Prev. Rttin (it. Brit. Wks.
1871 III. 202 A private family in difficult circumstances,.,
ought to melt down their plate. 1868 Jovnson Metals 115
The solder is then., melted in, either with a blow-pipe or
by being placed in a charcoal fire. 1874 Micklethwaite
Mod. Par. Churches 226 How many bronzes have been
melted down to make guns. 1888 J. A. Sparvel-Bavly in
Antiquary Dec. 238 Church bells shared the general fate
of other church-furniture, and hundreds were sold and
melted up.
d. in jocular hyperbole.
1677 W. Hubbard Narrative 40 While Cant. Mosely took
a little breath, whowas almost melted with labouring, com-
manding, and leading his men.
9. To dissolve, make a solution of. f Also, in
OE., to digest.
c 897 K. Alfred Gregory's Past. C. xxxvi. 259 Sua sua
sio wamb aemielt 3one mete, c 1420 Liber Cocorum (1862)
6 Malt hit [sc. salt] in bryne. 1610 Barrough Meth.
Physickvu. v. (1639) 388 A Syrupe is of medicines a juyce
with Sugar or Hony molten therin. 1707 Curios, in Husb.
-r Gard. 136 Nitre melted in Water. .mixes itself with the
Water. 1805 R. W. Dickson Pract. Agric. II. 1012 This
re-union, or in the dairy phrase, melting the cream, is pro-
bably the best method practised.
+ b. To disintegrate, loosen (soil). Obs.
1615 W. Lawson Country Housew. Gard. (1626) 3 The
soile is made better by deluing, and other meanes, being
well melted. 1708 J. C. Compl. Collier (1845) 21 If the
Feeders be of any considerable Quantity, it will melt, or
dissolve the Earth.
10. To disperse, cause to disappear. Also with
away.
a 1300 Cursor M. 24470 pi saul es molten [Go'tt. multen] al
to ded. 1602 Marston Antonio's Rev. 1. v, Comfort's a
parasite, a flattering Jack : And melts resolv'd despaiie.
i8ao Shelley Sensitive Plant in. 73 [77] At night they [the
vapours] were darkness no star could melt. 1865 Parkman
Huguenots i. (1875) 8 Cold, disease, famine, thirst, and the
fury of the waves, melted them away.
11. To soften or make tender ; to ' touch ' the
feelings of (a person), f To melt down : to subdue
by softening.
1377 Langl. P. PI. B. xvii. 226 panne flaumbeth he as
fyre on fader & on filius, And melteth her my3te in-to mercy.
a 1400 Octouian 249 With that anoon hys herte was mylt.
1434 Misyn Mending Life xii. 129 Many truly ar multyn in
teris & aftirwarde has tumyd to yll. 1608 Shaks. Per. iv.
i. 7 Nor let pittie..melt thee, but be a souldier to thy
purpose. 1668 R. Steele Husbandman's Calling x. (1672)
251 You would be melted into submission, not forced : do
you the like to them, melt them rather than force them.
a 1716 South Serin. (1744) vu. vii. 153 Nothing could have
been spoke more gently, and yet more forcibly, to melt
him down into a penitential sorrow for, and an abhorrence
of those two foul deviations from the law of God. 1738
Wesley Hymns, Infinite Pozoer, Eternal Lord vii, Melt
down my Will, and let it flow, And take the Mould divine.
1748 Thomson Cast. Indol. 1. viii, Till clustering round
th' enchanter false they hung, Ymolten with his syren me-
lody. 1847 Tennyson Princess vi. 103 Her noble heart
was molten in her breast. 1849 Macaulay/j7s/. Eng. iv. I.
434 His solemn and pathetic exhortation awed and melted
the bystanders to such a degree that [etc.]. 1891 Han.
Lynch G. Meredith 88 Rhoda, melted to him, calls her
sister down to happiness.
alisol. 1818 Busby Gram. Mus. 483 A manly, yet tender
quality of tone, . . which melts and cheers at the same
moment.
b. To melt away : to ' dissolve into ecstasies '.
c 1320 R. Brunne Medit. 1001 Now certes my soule ys
melted awey. 1713 Addison Cato 1. iv. n Alas, thy Story
melts away my Soul.
1 12. To weaken, enervate. Also, to meltdown.
1599 Shaks. Much Ado iv. i. 321 Manhood is melted into
cursies, valour into complement. 1607 — Timon iv. iii. 256
Ihou would'st haue.. melted downe thy youth In different
if »°. l63z LsGRYStr. VelleiusPaterc. isPharnaces
the Mede, deprived Sardanapalus, melted with easefull
delicacies [L. molliliis Jluentem],. .both of his Empire and
lire, a 1704 T. Brown Persius' Sat. i. Prol., Nor Virgils
g"at majestick lines Melted into enervate Rhimes.
13. a. To spend, squander (money). Chiefly
slang {spec., with notion of sense 9, to spend on
drink); also f to melt away. b. slang. To cash
(a cheque or bank-note).
325
a 1700 B.E.Dict. Cant. Crew s.v., Will you Melt a Bord?
Will you spend your Shilling? 1705 Penn in Pa. Hist,
Soc. Mem. X. 71 The vast sum of money I have melted
away here in London to hinder much mischief against us.
1756 Toldervy Hist. 2 Orphans IV. 45 They had the
ambition.. to melt it [a crown] at Ashley's punch-house
upon Ludgate-Hill. 1807 E. S. Barrett Rising Sun
I. 134 If Moses [money-lender] does not come soon, all the
money will be melted before he brings it. 1868 Reade &
Boucicault Foul Play Hi, I had htm arrested before he
had time to melt the notes. 1897 Daily News 5 Oct. 3/5
Another of the 100/. notes was, according to the prisoner's
expression, 'melted* (i. e. cashed).
14. To blend into one mass of colour, etc.
1778 Sir J. Reynolds Disc. viii. (1876) 456 This effect is
produced by melting and losing the shadows in a ground
still darker. 1823 F. Clissold Ascent Ml. Blanc 23 The
glassy pinnacles of the. .Alps,. .melting their outlines in
the softer tints of evening, i860 Hawthorne Marb. Faun
(1879) II. iv.49 The words.. being softened and molten
..into the.. richness of the voice that sung them. 1872
Black Adv. Phaeton xvii, A grey mist.. melted whole
mountains into a soft dull grey. 1900 Julia Wedgwood in
Contemp. Rev. Mar. 336 In him there was a strong revolu-
tionary element, and it is difficult in looking back not to
melt it in with the other revolutionary manifestations of
the time.
15. [ = ON. mella.~\ To make (malt^; to prepare
(barley) for fermentation. Ods.exc.dia/. (Yorks.):
see E.D.D.
1615 Markham Eng. Housew. 11. vii. (1668) 169 The Art
of making, or (as some term it) melting of Malt.
Melt, v.* Sc. ? Obs. trans. * To knock down;
properly by a stroke in the side, where the melt or
spleen lies ' (Jam.).
ais$S Polwart Flytiug w. Montgomcric 762 Skade
scald, ouerbald !soone fald, or I melt thee. 1783 Forbes
Ulysses Answ. in Poems Buchan Dial. 36 But I can.,
melt them ere they wit ; An' syne fan they're dung out o'
breath They hae na maughts to hit.
Melt, obs. and dial, variant of Milt sb.
Meltable(rne'ltaiyi),rt. [f. Melt z\i + -able.]
Capable of being melted, in senses of the vb.
1610 W. Folkingham Art of Survey 1. ii. 3 These are
either Liquable or Not-Meltable, a 1661 Fuller Worthies
(1840) III. 52 It is the most impure of metals, hardly melt-
able. 1852 R. S. Surtees Sponge's Sp. Tour xxix. 176 I
Money's like snow, ..a very meltable article.
Hence Meltabi'lityn7;r, capacity of being melted.
1865 Dickens Mut. Fr. iv. vii, The brittleness and melt-
ability of wax.
Meltaith, Sc. variant of Mealtii>e.
Melte, obs. form of Milt sb.
Melted (melted),///, a. [f. Melt vA + -ed 1.]
In senses of the verb.
1. That has been liquefied by heat. (Cf. Molten.)
Melted butter \ see Butter I. 1 d.
1599 Shaks. Hen. K, in. v. 50 Rush on his Hoast, as doth
the melted Snow Vpon the Valleyes. 1660 F. Brooke tr.
Le Blanc's Trav. 366 The chaldron full of rich melted
mettle. 1683 Tryon Way to Health 302 All kind of melted
Butter and fryed Foods.. are hurtful to the Health of all
People. 1797 tr. C. De MassouVs Treat. Art Paint. 44
This melted glass in Enamel, produces the same effect,
that oils, gums or glues produce in the other processes of
Painting. 1815 J. Smith Panorama Set. § Art I. 5
Upon the surface of melted lead. 1861 Fairbairn Iron
159 The silicium thus formed alloying the steel, gives that
quietness and freedom from boiling known in the trade as
'dead melted'. 1870 J. H. Friswell Mod. Men of Lett.
iii. 65 A spectacle to gods and men in these melted-butter
days.
t 2. Of corn : That has sprouted in harvesting.
1799 Hull Advertiser 26 Oct. 3/2 Every bushel of melted
wheat.
f 3. ' Dissolved * in emotion. Obs.
1628 Brittaifi's Ida vi. 9 Bathing in liquid ioyes his melted
sprite.
Hence Meltedness. rare.
1852 J. D. Maclaren in Mem. (1861) 78 There would be
only more meltedness of heart.
Melteithe, variant of Mealtide.
Melter (me-ltsi). [f. Melt v.1 + -er *.]
1. One who or that which melts, in various senses
of the vb.
1581 Act 23 EHz. c. 8 § 1 The said Melter, Myngler or
Corrupter,, .shall forfeyte [etc.]. c 1586 C'tess Pembroke
Ps. cxlvii. vi, Abroad the southern wind, his melter goes.
c 1620 Fletcher & Mass. False One 11. iii, Thou melter of
strong mindes, dar'st thou presume To smother all his tri-
umphes with thy vanityes ? 1695 Locke Short Observ.
Pr. Paper 19 The melter of our mill'd money, a 1764
Lloyd On Rhyme Poet. Wks. 1774 II. 123 The. .charming
melter of his purse. 1824-9 Landor Imag. Conv. Wks. 1846
I. 204, I keep both out of the crucible and out of the aqua
regia, another great melter and transmuter. 1836 Kane
Arct. Expl. I. xvii. 201 One of our deck-watch, who had
been cutting ice for the melter;
2. spec. One whose trade or office it is to melt
metals or other substances ; esp. a workman so
employed inafactory or in the Mint; also, formerly,
fthe designation of an officer of the Exchequer.
1535 Coverdale Jer. vi. 29 The leade is consumed, the
melter melteth in vayne. 1567 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I.
556 All Meltaris, Forgearis, and Prentaris within the said
cunyehous. 1670 Pettus Fodime Reg. 41 Then the Mel-
ters, that melt the Bullion before it come to the Coining.
1697 Luttrell Brie/Ret. (1857) IV. 191 Then they heard
the accusation against major Barton, the chief jnelter of
York mint. 1708 Madox tr. Dial, de Scacc. 1. iii. 4 b, The
under exchequer . . has . . two officers, . . one who presides |
over the examinations, and the melter. . . The melter also |
MELTING-.
examines the silver. 1883 P. L. Sim.monds Use/. Anim
Melter, a tallow chandler. 1884 C. G. W. Lock Workshop
Rec. Ser. in. 254/1 The foreman may have various reasons
for wanting his melter to make all these changes.
3. A small furnace or melting-pot.
1883 Haldane Workshop Rec. Ser. 11. 103 An improved
form of melter. .consists of a small furnace [etc.],
4. A variety of the peach in which the fle^h parts
freely from the stone when ripe ; = Free-stone ^.
_ 1766 Complete Farmer s.v. Peach-tree, The nivette ; this
is a melter, and ripens in September. 1840 Penny Cycl.
XVII. 347. x866 [see Clingstone],
Melter, obs. form of Milter.
Meltet^h, meltid, Sc, variants of Mealtide.
Melting (me'ltirj), vhl. sb. [f. Melt v^ +
-ing 1.]
1. The action of the vb. Melt ; an instance of this.
1390-1 Earl Derby's Exp. (Camden) 86 Et pro meltyng
de sepo etiiij lb. pinguedinum, vj s.pr. 1444 Rolls of Parlt.
V. 109/1 The maistr' of his mynt..to have and take for his
labour of double meltyng, blaunchyng, wast and other
costs vii d in nombre. 1483 Cath.Angl. 234/1 A Meltynge,
deliquium, liquameu, liquefaccio. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W.
de W. 1531) 150 There foloweth the moost blessed effecte,
that is a liquefaction or a meltynge of the soule. 1722 IU-.
E. Gibson tr. Camden's B>it. (ed. 2) I. p. clxxiii, Ley, lee,
lay, are all from the Saxon Leag, a field or pasture ; by the
usual melting of the letter £. 1740 W. Seward Jml. 13
There was much melting under both Sermons. 1775 S. J.
Pratt Liberal Opin. lxxx. (17S3) III. 94, I shall be with
you and your good man again, in the melting of a lump of
sugar. 1797 tr. C. De Massoul's Treat. Art Paint. 57 If,
after every melting, you perceive that any air-bubbles have
arisen, or [etc.]. 1822-34 Good's Study Med. (ed. 4) II. 20
Even in abscesses, where there is a loss of substance, it is
not the melting down of the solids that gives rise to the
pus. 1868 Jovnson Metals 68 The strength is increased up
to a certain number of meltings. 1897 Alllmtfs Sysl. Med.
IV. 477 The injections [of thyroid gland extract], .were
found to bring about a rapid melting away of the swelling.
fb. Surveyor of the Meltings; the former desig-
nation of a certain officer of the mint. Hence the
Meltings-, the office of the Surveyor of the Meltings.
1684 E. Chamberlayne Pres. St. Eng. 11. 224 The Sur-
veyor of the Melting. 1766 Entick London IV. 341 Sur-
veyor of the meltings, clerk of the irons. 1807-8 Syd. Smith
Plym ley's Lett. iii. Wks. (1850) 497 Suppose the person to
whom he [sc, the Chancellor of the Exchequer] applied for
the Meltings had withstood every plea of wife and fourteen
children, no business, and good character, and refused him
this paltry little office [etc.]. Ibid., But do not refuse me
the Irons and the Meltings now.
2. concr.pl. That which has been melted ; a sub-
stance produced by melting. ? Obs.
1558 Warde {title) The Secretes of the reverende Maister
Alexis of Piemovnt. Containyng excellente remedies against
diuers diseases,, .with the manner to make distillations,. .
fusions and meltynges. 1712 J. James tr. Le Blond's Gar-
dening 188 Such Waters.. are no more than a Collection
of Rain-Water, and the Meltings of Snow.
3. attrib. and Comb,
melting chamber.
a. Simple attributive, as
-furnace, -oven, -fan, -placet
-shop. b. Special comb. : melting-book, an ac-
count-book kept to record quantities of metal
melted ; melting-cone (see quot.) ,* melting-
heat, the degree of heat which is necessary to melt
a given substance ; melting-house, a building in
which the process of melting is carried on, esp. at
the Mint ; melting-point (see quot. 1842; ; melt-
ing-pot, a vessel in which metals or other sub-
stances are melted (phrases, to put or cast into the
melting pot ; oftenfig. with reference to thorough
remodelling of institutions, etc.).
1622 Malynes Anc. Law-Merch, 283 As for your *Melt-
ing booke where the allay is entred, if you will charge the
Mint-master thereby, let it be done distinctly for siluer, and
copper, or [etc.]. 1890 W. J. Gordon Foundry 14 Into these
red-hot chambers the fresh gas and air are turned and
heated before they enter the *melting-chamber. '753
Chambers Cycl. Supp., ^Melting Cone, in assaying, is a
small vessel made of copper or brass, of a conic figure, and
of a nicely polished surface within. 1758 Reid tr. Mac-
quer's Chym. I. 187 The *melting furnace is designed for
applying the greatest force of heat to the most fixed bodies,
such as metals and earths. 1868 Jovnson Metals 102 The
■"melting heat is 4420 Fahr. 1431 Test. Ebor. (Surtees) II.
16 Lego..Johanni Beverlay omnia instrumenta et neces-
saria shopa; mes ad le *meltynghouse. 1647 Haward
Crown Rev. 23 Surveyor of the melting-house. 1778 J.
Miller in Grose Anliq. Repert. (1807) I. 241, I should refer
the three Roman numerals as a melting-house mark, .to the
number of Pigs melted. 1854 Hull Improv. Act 33 Any
candle-house, melting-house, melting-place or soap-house.
1683 Pettus Fleta Min. m. x. 247 The *melting Oven to
try the Copper Oars from the copper-stone. i8§4_ /;;//. <j
Mach. Rev. 1 Dec. 6711/1 The sugar .. passes .. into the
'blow-ups* or *melting pans. 1483 Cath. Angl. 234/1
A *Meltynge place, coiiflatorium. 1842 Francis Diet. A rts
etc., s. v., That point of the thermometer which indicates the
heat at which any particular solid becomes fluid, is termed
the *melting point of that solid. 1898 Rev.m Brit. P/tartn.
51 Solubilities and melting-points are given in much fuller
detail than in the last edition. 1545 Rates Custom-ho.
bviij, *Meltynge pottes for goldsmethes. 1679 Dryden
Pre/, to Tr. ■$• Cr. Ess. (ed. Ker) I. 227 If his embroideries
were burnt down, there would still be silver at the bottom
of the melting-pot. 1855 Milman Lat. Chr. xiv. ix. IX.
311 The avarice which cast all these wonderful statues into
the melting pot to turn them into money. 1861 Fairbairn
Iron 181 These are melted in steel melting-pots. 1887 J.
Morley in Pall Mall G. io_ Feb. 11/2, I think it will be
best for the Constitution of this country not to send it to the
melting-pot. 1555 Eden Decades Pref. (Arb.) 54 In the
MELTING.
two "meltynge shoppes of the gold mines of the Ilande of
Hispaniola is molten yearely three hundreth thousande
pounde weyght. 189a Labour Commission Gloss., Melting
Shop> and Plant, the furnaces used in the melting and con-
verting of iron into steel and the producers for the making
of gas for such furnaces.
Melting (me-ltin), ///. a. [f. Melt vA +
-ing a.] That melts, in senses of the vb.
1. In intransitive senses : a. That is in process of
liquefaction ; f capable of liquefaction, fusible
(obs.). Also, t decaying.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xvl. vii. (1495) 556 The
element and mater of whiche all meltyng metall is made
[L. omnium liquidabilium meiallorum}. 1577 Hanmer
Anc. Eccl. Hist. (1650) 161 His whole body larded and
distilled much like unto, .melting wax. 1605 1st Pt. Iero-
ninio III. it. 163 Honord Funerall for thy melting corse. 1799
G. Smith Laboratory I. 76 The whole is to be kept in a
melting state for some minutes.
b. Yielding to tender emotion ; feeling or express-
ing tenderness or pity ; tearful. Often in phr. the
melting mood, after Shaks.
*593 Shaks. Lucr, 1227 Each flowre moistned like a melt-
ing eye. 1597 — 2 Hen. IV, iv. iv. 32 A Hand Open (as
Day) for melting Charitie. 1601 — Jul. C. It. i. 122 To
Steele with valour The melting spirits of women. 1604 —
Oth. v. ii. 349 Albeit vn-vsed to the melting moode. 1658
Whole Duty Man xv. § 3 Our compassions are to be most
melting towards them of all others. 1712-1* Pope Rape
Lock 1. 71 What guards the purity of .Melting maids In
courtly balls, and midnight masquerades? 1879 Froude
Cxsar viii. 72 He was a high-spirited ornamental youth,
with soft melting eyes.
C. Of sound : Liquid and soft, delicately modu-
lated. Also of form, colour, etc.
j6j6 Bacon Sylva § 223 No Instrument hath the Sound so
Melting and prolonged as the Irish Harp. 163a Milton
L' 'Allegro 142 The melting voice through mazes running.
1713 Gay Fan 11. 14 And thus in melting sounds her speech
began, a 1761 CawtHORN Poems (1771) 37 That step, whose
motion seems to swim, That melting harmony of limb. 1849
RuSKIN Sev. Lamps iv. § 39. 129 The most exquisite har-
monies., soft and full, of Hushed and melting spaces of
colour. 1885 G. Allen Babylon v, Her pretty, melting
native dialect.
d. That ' melts in the mouth ', tender. Said
esp. of varieties of pear ; also of those varieties of
peach that part easily from the stone : cf. Meltek.
1605 R Jonson Volpone 1. i. (1607) B b, You shall ha' some
mil swallow A melting heire, as glibly, as your Dutch Will
pills of butter. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp. s.v. Nectarine,
This is a very well flavoured nectarine, of a soft, melting
juice, and parts from the stone. 1766 Complete Farmer
s.v. Stock, Summerpeaches (commonly distinguished by the
appellation of melting peaches). 1859 Darwin Orig. Spec. i.
(1872) 27 No one would expect to raise a first-rate melting
pear from the seed of the wild pear.
2. In transitive senses : a. That liquefies or dis-
solves {rare), b. That softens the heart ; deeply
touching or affecting.
1611 Bible Isa. lxiv. 2 As when the melting fire burneth,
the fire causeth the waters to boyle. 1656 J. Owen Mortij
Sin Wks. 1851 VI. 77 God's peace is humbling, melting
peace. 1695 I. Ebwakds Perfect. Script. 439 The charms
of a most melting and affectionate rhetorick. 1715-20 Pope
Iliad XXI. 83 While thus these melting words attempt his
heart. 1739 Joe Millers Jests No. 118 A melting Sermon
being pteach'd in a Country Church. 1826 E. Irving Baby-
lon 11. 409 When Jeremy the prophet poured over them his
melting lamentations in vain.
3. Comb. : melting-hearted adj., -hearledness.
1593 N'ashe Christ's T. 31 Exclayming, for some melting-
halted man, to come and rydde them out of theyr lingring-
lyuing death. 1647 TraI'P Comm. 1 Cor. xi. n There must
be all mutuall respects and melting-heartednesse betwixt
married couples.
Meltingly (me-ltirjli), adv. [f. Melting ///.
a. + -ly -.] In a melting manner.
a 1586 Siusey Arcadia 11. (1590) 176 Lying, .with her face
3o bent ouer Ladon, that (her teares falling into the water)
one might haue thought, that she began meltingly to be
metamorphosed to the vnder-running riuer. 1680 Revenge
1. i. 7 Kiss him as you do me, as soft and meltingly. 1827
Scott Jrnl. 30 July, Ballantyne marched on too, somewhat
meltingly, but without complaint. 1888 R. Dowlino Mi-
racle Gold II. xix. 107 That wonderful, irresistible, inelt-
ingly affectionate voice.
Meltingness (me-ltinnes). [f. Melting ///.
a. + -ness. J The quality or state of being melting.
162a Mabbe tr. Alemans Guzman if At/. 11. 38 With the
. . meltingnesse of their language, they moue many to pity.
1879 G. Meredith Egoist III. x. 204 She ran through her
brain for a suggestion to win a sign of meltingness if not
esteem from her father.
Meltit(h, Sc. variants of Mealtide.
Melton (me-ltan). The name of a town in
Leicestershire (more fully Melton Mowbray), a
famous hunting centre. Used altrib. in Mellon
jacket, a kind oi jacket formerly worn by hunters;
Melton pad, a hernia truss specially suited to be
worn on horseback. Also in Melton cloth (see
quot. 1882) and ellipt. as sb.
1823 Bvkon Juan xiii. lxxviii, Even Nimrod's self might
leave the plains of Dura, And wear the Melton jacket for a
space. 1858 Sim.monds Diet. Trade.Me Hon, a kind of broad-
cloth. 1882 Caulfeild & Saward Diet. Needleivork, Melton
cloth, a stout make of cloth suitable for men's wear, which
is ' pared ', but neither pressed nor ' finished '. 1891 Times
7 Oct. 4/4 The output of printed meltons at present is a
good deal above the average of a year ago.
Meltonian (meltOT'nian), a. and sb. [t. Melton
(seeprec.)-t--iAN.] a,, adj. Pertaining to Melton
326
Mowbray. Meltonian cream, the name of a polish
for boot-tops. b. sb. One who hunts at Melton
Mowbray, an adept at hunting.
1825 H. Alken {title) A Few Ideas, beimj Hints to all
Would-be Meltonians. All is not gold that glitters ; Neither
does Keeping Horses at Melton, and mounting the scarlet,
Make The Real Meltonian. 1840 Blaine EncycL Rural
Sports § 1637 All riders are not Meltonians.
Meltre : see Medle-//-^.
Meltyd, Meltyre, var. ff. Mealtide, Melder.
Melub, variant of Mahaleb.
t Melvie, v. Sc. Obs. [f. Sc. melvie adj.
mealy (Jam.), for *me/wie, f. melw-i OE. and ME.
stem of Meal sb.] trans. To cover with meal.
1785 Burns Holy Fair xxv, Sma' need has he to say a
grace, Or melvie his braw claithing !
Melwe, Melwell, obs. ff. Mellow a., Mulvel.
Melwynge, obs. form of Mealing vbl. sb.1
Mely, Melyone, obs. ff. Mellay, Million.
Melzie, melvie, obs. Sc. form of Mail sbA
'535 Stewart Cron. Scot. (1858) I. 68 [rime assailzie].
1568 in Sattr. Poems Reform, xlviii. 83 [rime it\^\t=faitsiei
Fail v.].
Mem, Abbreviation of Memorandum, placed
in front of a note of something to be remembered.
Colloq. and in humorous verse often treated as a word,
pronounced (mem). Cf. Memo.
1818 Moore Fudge Fam. Paris ix. 234 Mem. too — when
Sid. an army raises, It must not be 'incog.* likes Bayes's.
1827 Wadd {title) Mems. Maxims, and Memoirs. 1861
Calverlev Dover to Munich 19 Tickets to Konigswinter
imem. The seats objectionably dirty). 1892 J. Payn Mod.
Whittington fl. 63 Mr. Robert made a mem. in his mind
that an ample provision should now be made.
Mem, vulgar variant of Ma'am.
1700 Congreve Way of World n. v, Mine. 0 Mem, your
Laship staid to peruse a Pecquet of Letters.
Member (me-mba^, sb, [ME. membre, a. F.
membre (nthc. in Littre) ( = Sp. miembro, Pg.,
It. membro) :— L. membrum limb, part of the body,
constituent part of anything.
By many philologists considered to represent a prehistoric
*mems-ro-, cogn. with Goth, ntimz flesh.]
1. A part or organ of the body ; chiefly, a limb
or other separable portion (as opposed to the
trunk), arch.
Privy member or members, ^carnal member : the secret
part or parts. The unruly member (after James iii. 5-8) : the
tongue.
1297 R, Glouc. (Rolls) 11731 pat is ptiue membres hii ne
corue of iwis. c 1325 Song of Merci 152 in E. E. P. (1862)
123 His hert also And alle be Membres bat we con mynge.
1382 Wyclif Jas. iii. 5 The tunge sotheli is a litel membre.
*393 Lasgl. P. Pi. C. xi. 156 Man is hym most lyk of mem-
bres and of face, c 1430 Life St. Kath. (1884) 55 pat. .she
scholde by meuyng of be wheles be rent membre fiom
membre. C1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 44 If ye
mowe chastise your carnal membre. 1495 Act 11 Hen. I7//,
c 3 § 3 Any other offence wherfor any persone shall lose
life or member. 1548-9 (Mar.) Bk. Com. Prayer, Collect
Circumcision, That our hertes, and al our membres .. may
. .obey thy blessed wil. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholas
Voy. iv. xxv. 145 Exceeding all others in bignesse of body
and force of members. 1611 Bible Dent, xxiii. 1 Hee that
.. hath his priuie member cut off. 1660 F. Brooke tr. Le
Blanc's 'Prav. 61 They tye a cloth only to hide their privie
members. 1697 Drydf.n Vir%. Georg. 111. 424 Their Masters
mangl'd Members they devour. 1715-ao Pope Iliad xxn.
575 All her members shake with sudden fear. 1756 Nugent
Gr. Tour, Italy III. 316 Artificial noses, lips, ears, and
other members. 1823 J. F. Cooper Pioneers v. (1869) 24/2
There was something noble in the rounded outlines of his
head and brow. The very air and manner with which the
member haughtily maintained itself [etc.],
t b. spec, (after L.) : = ' privy member \ Obs.
c 1290 S. F,n%. Leg. I. 306/249 Heore membres to-swellez
sone. 1297 R. Glolt. (Rolls) 10524 $e bat vil it is to telle,
some hii lete honge Bi hor membres an hey. c 1330 Arth.
fif Merl. 3472 (Kolbing) Vlfin him ;aue a dint of wo purch
out be membre & sadel also, c 1386 Chaucer Pars. T. P2s6
They sowed of fige leues a maner of breches to hiden hire
membres. 1582 N. Lichefikld tr. Castauhedas Cong, E,
hid. 1. ii. 6 They trusse up and hide theyr members in cer-
teine Cases made of woode.
e. Biol. In extended use : Any part of a plant
or animal viewed with regard to its form and
position.
1875 Bennett & Dyer tr. Sachs* Boi. 130 It is obviously
best to speak in this sense not of Organs, but of Members.
The term Member is used when we speak of a part of
a whole in reference to its form or position and not to any
special purpose it may serve. In the same manner, from a
morphological point of view, stems, leaves, hairs, roots,
thallus-branches, are simply members of the plant-form.
1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., Member. . . A part of a plant or animal,
such as a root, stem, leaf, or hair in a plant, or an arm or
leg in an animal: a segment which can be studied in a
purely morphological point of view, apart from its physio-
logical function.
2. Jig. with reference to a metaphorical ' body * ;
chiefly in member of Christ, of Satan. (Cf. Limb
sbJ-$ a,b.)
13.. E. E. Allit. P. A. 458 Al arn we membrez of Ihesu
kryst. CX375 Sc. Leg. Saints xvi. (Magdalena) 301 pe
meinbyre of sathane. 1382 Wyclif Ej>h. v. 30 We ben
membris of his body, of his fleisch and of his boones. 1483
Caxton Cato G iij b, To do therwith almesses to the poure
members of Yhesu cryst. 1548-9 (Mar.) Bk. Com. Prayer,
Catec/iism,Wheie'm I was made a member of Christe. 1582
Reg. Privy Council Scot. III. 493 Enemie to Chryst and to
all his failhfull members. 1711 Addison Sped. No. 21 P 3
MEMBER.
The Body of the Law is no less encumbered with superfluous
Members.
3. transf. Each of the constituent portions of a
complex structure.
C1391 Chaucer Astrot. Prol. 3 The figures & the mem-
bres of thin Astrolabie. 1669 Sturmy Mariner's Mag, v.
xii. 48 plate, Y° names of ye members of a pece of Ord-
nance. 1688 R. Holme Armoury in. 321/2 In it Uhe Vice]
there are several parts and Members. 1855 Bain Senses <y
Int. 1. ii. § 11 Each couple [of nerves] contains a right and
a left member. 1890 W. J. Gordon Foundry 45 There is
not a perpendicular line in any of the cantilevers.. .The
rising members, the members that withstand the compress-
ing, arc.all tubes. 1901 Black's Illustr. Carp. Man.,
Scaffolding 64 The horizontal members of the brackets ex-
tend out 5ft. at right angles to the uprights.
b. Arch. i Any part of an edifice, or any mould-
ing in a collection of mouldings, as those in a
cornice, capital, base, &c.' (Gwilt).
1679 Moxon Meek. Exerc. ix. 1 54 Architecture considers the
best forming of all Members in a Building. 1849 Ruskin
Sev. Lamps ii. § 8. 35 In later Gothic the pinnacle became
gradually a decoiative member. 1862 Merivale Rom. Emp.
(1865) V. xli. 72 The whole space was. .decorated with all
the forms and members of Roman architecture.
f c. Of a range of mountains, buildings, etc. :
An outlying portion. Obs.
1601 Holland Pliny I. 125 As for the hits Imaus, Emo-
disus, Paropamisus, as parts all and members of Caucasus.
1628 Venner Baths of Bathe (1650) 347 The Queens Bath
is a member of the Kings Bath.
4. Each of the individuals belonging to or form-
ing a society or assembly. Also formerly, + an in-
habitant or native (of a country or city).
c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 130, I be forbede to
chalenge any clerke In lay courte . . Bot tille bat courte com
to, of whilk he is membre calde. 1521 Warham in Ellis
Orig. Lett. Ser. in. I. 240 Seyng your Grace is the moost
honorable membyr that ever was of that Universitie. 1560
Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 314 b, And with his protection to
defend the members of the church. 1588 Shaks. L. L. L.
iv. i. 41 Here comes a member of the common-wealth. 1697
Dryden Virg. Past. ix. 44 Yet have the Muses made Ale
free, a Member of the tuneful trade. 1711 Addison Sped.
No. 34 P 1 The Club of which I am a Member. 1802 M.
Edgeworth Moral 'P., Forester viii. (1806) I. 63, I should
be happy, if I were a useful member of society. 1842 Alison
Hist. Europe lxxviii. X. 983 The state becomes poor, and
its members rich. 1891 Laiv TimesXCll. 123/2 The Lord
Chancellor need not be a member of the House of Lords of
which he is the Speaker.
b. Used absol. for : A ' member of the com-
munity ', a person. Now slang and dial.
1525 Ld. Berneks Froiss. 11. cexxxv. [cexxxi.] 729 Where
as therle and his chyldren sbulde be great membres in
Englande. 1603 Shaks. Meas. for M. v. i. 237 These poore
informall women, are no more But instruments of some more
mightier member That sets them on. c 1613 Beaum. & Fl.
Coxcomb 1. v, You'll keep no whores, rogue, no good
members.
f c. One who takes part in an action, participates
in a benefit, etc. Obs.
1554-9 iti Songs <5- Ball. Philip ff Mary (i860) 3 To be
members of mersye he hathe us up lyfft. 1569 Reg. Privy
Council Scot. II. 66 The authoris and members of the said
commotioun. 1597 Shaks. 2 Hen. IV, iv. i. 171 All members
of our Cause, both here, and hence. 1604 — Oth. in. iv. 113
That. .1 may againe Exist, and be a member of his loue.
5. One who has been formally elected to take
part in the proceedings of a parliament : in full
Member of Parliament (abbreviated M.P.), in U.S.
Member of Congress (M.C.).
HS+Rolls ofParli. V. 240/1 Any persone that is a membre
of this high Court of Parlement. 1477 ///(/. VI. 191/2 All
the membres usually called to the forseid Parlementes. 1603
Jrnls. Ho. Comm. I. 141 1 The Intrusion of sundry Gentle-
men, his Majesty's Servants, and others (no Members of
Parliament) into the Higher House. 1648 Eikon Bas. iii.
12 My going to the Hous of Commons to demand Justice
upon the five Members, was nn act, which My enemies
loaded with all the obloquies and exasperations they could.
1711 Swift Jrnl. to Stella 8 Dec, I dined with Dr. Cock-
burn, and after,a Scotch member came in, and told us that the
clause was carried -against the Court in the house of lords.
J774 Washington Writ. (1889) II. 438 Dined at the State
House, at an entertainment given by the city [of Philadelphia)
to the members of the Congress. 1822 Ld. J. Russell in
Select. Sp. iV Desp. (1870) I. 205 My hon. Friend the member
for Winchelsea. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. \\. I. 175 The
Commons began by resolving that every member should [etc.].
6. A component part, branch, of a political body.
1386 Rolls of Parlt. III. 225/1 The folk of the Merceryc
of London, as a member of the same Citee. 1414 Ibid. IV.
22/2 The comune of youre lond, the whiche that is, and ever
hath be, a membre of youre parlement. 1673 Ray fourn.
Loiv C, Venice 192 The Council of Ten, though it be a
member of great importance, yet is it rather accessary.,
than principal. 1818 Hallam Mid. Ages (1878) III. 106/1
note, By estates of the realm they meant members, or neces-
sary parts, of the parliament. 1871 Freeman Norm. Cong,
(1876) IV. xviii. 208 A member, doubtless the foremost
member of the Danish Civic Confederation, it still kept
a Danish patriciate of twelve hereditary Lawmen.
f 7. A branch, department (of a trade, art, profes-
sion) ; a branch, species, subdivision of a class.
1463-4 Rolls of Parlt. V. 502/2 That, .it may please unto
your seid Highnes, to ordeyn..that every. .Clothmaker..
pay to the Carders, Spynners, and all other the Laborers of
eny membr' therof, lawfull money for all their lefull wages. .
uppon peyne of forfeiture to the same Laborer, of the treble
of his seid wages . .as ofte as the seid Clothmaker refuseth to
pay. .to eny such Laborer by hym put to occupacion in eny
of the seid membres of makyng of Cloth. 1540 Act 32
Hen. VIII, c. 40 § 3 The science of phisike doth.. include.,
the knowledge of surgery as a speciall membre and parte of
MEMBER.
the same. a 1614 Donne BiaflaiaTo? (1644) 132 The next
Member and species of Homicide, which is, Assistance.
8. A section or district, esp. an outlying part, of
an estate, manor, parish, or the like.
1450 Rolls 0/ Parlt. V. 187/2 Havyng estate in the seid
Castell, Lordship, Maner, and Membres. 1485 Ibid. VI.
357/2 Oure Honour of Walingford, with the members, in
the Countie of Berks, a 1645 Habington Surv. Worcs. in
Worcs. Hist. Soc. Proc. III. 405 Werneleg a member of Owld
Swinford. X730 Magna Brit. I. 755/2 Crimscote.. .Peter de
Montfort held it with Whitchurch, of which it was originally
a Member. 1778 Eng. Gazetteer (ed. 2) s.v. Halton, Halton,
or Haulton . .is a member of the duchy of Lancaster. 1891
E. Peacock N. Brcndon I. 330 Thurlford was a small hamlet,
a member of a very large parish.
b. of a port.
1485 Rolls ofParlt.Vl. 341 /i Men of the v Portes, or of any
their members. 1676 Lond. Caz. No. 1084/1 If any of the
said Ships shall be in any Port of this Kingdom, or in any
Member or Creek thereof. 1769 De Foe's Tour Gt. Brit.
(ed. 7) II. 364 Swanzy..ia a Member of the Port of CaerdilT.
1789 Public Papers in Ann. Peg. 132 The member is dis-
tinguished by a subordination to, and dependence upon the
head-port. 1813 Beazves's Lex. Mercat. (ed. 6) I. 246
(Wharton) Members, places where anciently a custom house
was kept, with officers or deputies in attendance. They were
lawful places of exportation or importation.
9. Math. a. A group of figures or symbols form-
ing part of a numerical expression or formula.
1608 R. Norton Stevin's Disme A iij, Every three Charac-
ters of a Number is called a Member, .as in the number
357>876,297,_the 297 is called the first Memljer. 1685 Wau.19
A Igebra xxiii. 102 And here for every Figure or Member of
the Root, we are to seek not only the several Members of
the Cube, but of the Square also. 1875 Chew. News 9 Apr.
154 Its symbol will be {h k I, e f g>, where the second
member of the symbol represents the poles equi-distant
with the poles {h k 1} [etc.].
b. Algebra. Either of the skies of an equation.
17^02 J. Ralfhson Math. Diet., Equation, (in Algebra) is
a Comparison between two Quantities (or Members of the
Equation,) to make them equal. 1903 Walker Introd.
Physical Chem. (ed. 3) xxvi. 307 Eliminating what is com-
mon to both members of the equation.
10. A division or clause of a sentence ; a ' head '
of a discourse; a branch of a disjunctive proposition.
•534 Mom.Comf.agst. Trib.l.Wks. 1148/1 We shall there,
fore to gyue it lyght wythal touch euery member somewhat
more at large. 1641 J. Jackson True Evang. T. 1. 8, I
have, .cast the Text according to the number of the verses,
into three plain and conspicuous members. 1654 Z. Coke
Logick 215 Under-titles also of Controversies must be dis-
posed according the members of the Probleme to be handled.
1659 Pearson Creed (iBsg) 7 As, for the other member of the
division, we may now plainly perceive that it is thus to be de-
fined. 1741 Watts Improv. Mind 1. xiii. § 12 The opponent
must directly prove his own proposition in that sense, and
according to that member of the distinction in which the
respondent denied it. 1762 Lowth Eng. Gram. (1763) 170
The Colon, or Member, is a chief constructive part, or
greater division, of a Sentence. 1824 L. Murray Eng. Gram.
(ed. 5) I. 270 The simple members of compound sentences.
1891 Driver Introd. Lit. O. T. (1892) 429 The verse itself
may consist of one or more members ; but each member
..is divided by a aesura into two unequal parts,
t b. in Music.
1782 Burnev Hist. Mus. II. 171 Music. is now become a
rich, expressive, and picturesque language in itself; having
its forms, proportions, contrasts, punctuations, members,
phrases, and periods. 1811 Bushy Diet. Mus. (ed. 3) s.v.
Passage, Every member of a strain or movement is a passage.
11. Each of the items forming a series.
1851 Lyell Elem. Geol. (ed. 3) 354 The Ortlioeeras Lu-
dense, .is peculiar to this member of the series. 1873 Ralfe
Phys. Chem. Introd. 17 Series of this kind are termed homo-
logous series, and the members are said to be homologues
of one another. 1884 Bower & Scott De Barys Phancr.
165 The division waits between the members of the series.
fb. Member by member : seriatim. (The first
quot. prob. belongs to sense I.)
[1483 Catlu Angl. 234 Membyr be membyr, membralim.]
1726 Leoni Alberti' s Archit. 1. 43 We shall treat . . of all
Public Works Member by Member.
12. Comb. : f member-like a., befitting a mem-
ber ; f member-port = 8 b.
1649 A7- Eng. Hist. J, Gen. Reg. (1879) XXXIII. 167 The
Ch[urch].. ordered, that he be cast out of the body, till.. he
be brought into a more *member-like frame. 1649 J. Elli-
stonf tr. Behmen's Epist. i. 1 From a member-like obligation
(as one branch on the Tree is bound to doe to the other) . . I
wish unto you [etc.]. a 1623 Camden in Hearne Collect.
(O. H. S.) II. 279 Sandwich & the *Member- Portes in Kent.
1656 Tucker Rep. in Misc. Sc. Burgh Rec. Soc. 24 A
checque, and three wayters, some of which are still sent
into the member ports.
t Member, v. 06s. [a. OF. membrer :-L.
memorare : see Memorate.] trans. To mention ;
to remember. Hence Membered///. a.
1382 Wvclif Tobit iv. 22 The above membrid [Vulg. ante
meuwiatnm] \vei3te of siluer. — IVisd. xi. 14 Thei mem-
breden the Lord. 1589 Warner Alb. Eng. v. xxiv. 108 They
Carles garre syke a dinne, That more we member of their
tapes [ed. 1602 they member vs of iapes] than mende vs of
0"r ' sinne. Ibid. vi. xxx. 131, I member scarce thy arging.
Memberal, obs. form of Membral.
Membered (me-mbaid), a. [f. Membek sb. +
-ed 1. ] Having members (chiefly in parasynthetic
combinations, = having members of a specified kind
or number) j divided into members ; f consisting
of links or segments.
a 1225 A ucr. R. 420 Ring, ne broche nabbe tene gurdel
i-membred [MSS. 'P., C. i-membret], ne glouen. 1398 Tre-
visa Bank. De P. R. v. v. (Tollem. MS.), To \n ye so ties-
PosiamdperMymeTnbridlL.perfecteorganizalum]. C1477
327
Canton Jason 21, I am not grete ne membred as a geant.
1589 Puttknham Eng. Poesie in. Jain, (Arb.) 268 If. .the
shapeof a membred body [be] without his due measures
and simmetry. 1630 A1. Johnsons Kingd. fy Commw. 58
Strong-membred, and blacke haired. 1832 Eraser's Mag.
VI. 335 It is only assumed that a quantity may be divided
into members ad infinitum — it does not follow that it is
really membered to infinity. 1854 Pereira's Pol. Light
195 The four-membered or two- and one-axed .. system.
1878-9 T. Caird Phihs. Relig. (1880) 108 Instead of the
parts being used up for the production of the end, we have
a membered totality in the production and maintenance
of which the parts have their own natural fulfilment or
realisation.
b. spec, in Her. Said of a bird, when the legs
are of a different tincture from the body. + Also
(see quot. 1610).
157a Bossewell Armaria 11. 114b, He beareth Argent, a
fesse Gules, betwene three Eaglettes Sable, membred and
beaked of the second. \6\o Gvu.uw Heraldry m.xvii.(i6n)
155 All those that either are whole-footed or haue their feet
diuided and yet haue no Talants should be termed mem-
bred. 1718 Nisbet Ess. Armories, 'Perms Her., Membred,
is said of the Legs of Uirds, when they are of a different
Tincture from the Body. 1763 Brit. Mag. IV. 238 An
eagle with two heads displayed, sable, armed and mem-
bered, or. 1864 Boutell Her. Hist. \ Pop. xvii. (ed. 3)
2S0 Two storks arg., beaked and membered gu.
t Membering. Her. Obs, [f. Member j<5.+
-ino l : cf. prec] The manner in which a heraldic
bird is * membered ' ; the tincture of the legs.
1610 Guiu.im Heraldry m. xx. fiGu) 156 You shall not
need to mention either the metal I of these necks being ar-
gent or yet their membring, being gules, because they bee
both natural 1 to the Swanne.
Memberless (mcmbailes), a. [-less.] Hav-
ing no member or members.
1611 Cotgr., Tronconncr.. to make headlesse, branchlesse,
memberle-ise. 1638 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (ed. 2) 158 A
troop of leane fac't, beanllesse, memherlesse Eunuchs. 1863
Dana in Amcr. Jrnl. Sci. Sen 11. XXXVI. 337 Thus the
Crab has a very small memberless abdomen. 1866 Sat. Rev.
28 Apr. 494/2 Three months of a new session are not yet
over ; yet already not a few boroughs have been pronounced
memberless.
Membership (me-mbaijip). [f. Member.^.
+ -SHIP.]
1. Thecondition or status of a member of a society
or (organized) body. (Cf. Church-membership.)
1647 Ward Simp, Cooler (1843) 43, I should wish him a
Membership in a strict Reformed Church. 1648 J. Beau-
mont Psyche x. eclxxviii. (1702) 155 Men, whose mystick
obligation Of mutual Membership doth them invite To
careful tenderness, and free compassion. 1861 E. Gar-
bett Boyle Led. 16 The creeds did not add anything to
Scripture that was not in it before, but were tests of mem-
bership. 1903 Edin. Ret'. Apr. 454 The oath of member-
ship required fidelity.. to the Church as well as the State.
2. The number of members in a particular body,
1850 ' Bat ' Crick. Man. 87 The. .club, .comprises] in its
membership several promising young players. 1884 Har-
per's Mag. June 148/1 A large membership is necessary.
1884 Manch. Exam. 4 Dec. 5/4 The necessity of adding to
the membership of the House.
Membral (membral), a. Also 7 memberal.
[f. L. membr-tim Member + -al.] Pertaining to
or characteristic of a member or members (in
various senses). Now rare exc. Anat. and Zool.
= appendicular.
1603 Florio Montaigne in. xii. (1632) 596 An unnaturall
ill-favourdnesse, and membrall deformity. 1650 Hubbert
Pill Formality 63 [Judas] was a member of the Church, and
not cast out, and so had a memberal right unto it. 1804
Larwood No Gun Boats 27 The limb, though amputated,
has its membral portion of parental blood still flowing
through its arteries. 1827 G. S. Faber Sacr. Cal, Prophecy
(1844) II. 25 He seems ..to have enjoyed full membral
liberty, not being subjected to any other confinement than
that of an inclosed park. 188a Wilder & Gage Anat.
'Pechn. 87 A membral ('appendicular') portion, including
the bones of the arms and legs.
Hence |Me,mfcrally<7tf'z;., in respect of a member.
1643 R. O. Man's Mort. Hi. 14 If Nature be deprived
more or lesse in her worke of conception of her due,, .her
Effect is accordingly: If membraHy impedited, a membrall
impediment. Ibid. 16.
Membraiiaceo (membran^'J^), taken as
combining form of Membranaceous.
1854 Busk Catal. Mar. Polyzoa Brit. Mus. \\. 55 Poly-
2oary membranaceo-calcareous or calcareous. 1871 W. A.
Leightom Lichen-flora 3 Thallus membranaceo-lobate.
Membranaceous (membrant^-Jas), 3. [f. late ,
L. membrdndceus} f. membrana Membrane : see ■
-ACEOUS.]
1. Nat. Hist. Resembling or of the nature of a I
membrane ; membranous. In Bot. (see quot. 1832).
1684 tr. Bonet's Merc. Compit. vn. 253 Men observe the
membranaceous Stalk .. where the GangHum rises. 1713
Derham Phys.-Theol. iv. xi. 199 Where teeth are wanting., j
the Defect is abundantly supplied by one thin membrana-
ceous Ventricle. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp. s.v. Leaf, 1
Membranaceous Leaf, one merely composed of membranes ;
with no pulp between. 1832 Lindlev Introd. Bot. 397
Membranaceous . . ; thin and semitransparent, like a fine
membrane; as the leaves of Mosses. 1871 Hartwig Sub/err.
IV. ii. 11 The soft membranaceous swimming feet. 1874
H. C. Wood Fresh-zv, Algx N. Ante?: 14 Thallus membra-
naceous.
2. Printed on vellum, nonce-use.
1824 DmniN Libr. Comp. 621 note, The unique copy.. on
vellum, in the matchless membranaceous Alduses of Spencer
House.
Membranate (me'rnbram't11, a. rare. [ad.
MEMBRANELLA.
mod.L. membrdndius, f. membrana Membrane.]
(Sec quots.)
1777 Robson Brit. Flora ill. 7 Of stems. . .Surface..
Membranate, covered with thin membranes. 1895 Funk's
Stand. Dicl.t Me'mbranaie, having the characters of a
membrane.
Membranated, a. [f. mod.L. membrdndt-us
(f. membrana Membrane) + -ed.] (See quot.)
1776 J. Lee Introd. Bot. Explan. Terms 380 Membra-
natus, membranated, flat like a thin pellucid Leaf.
t Membranatic, a. Obsr° [ad. mod.L. mem-
brdnaticus, f. membrana.'] (See quot.)
1656 Blount Glossogr., Mcmbranatick {membranatiais),
of or pertaining to a membrane.
t Membrance. Obs. [a. OF. membranre, f.
membr-er Mkmberz'.] ^--Remembrance.
14.. Customs of Ma /ton in Surtces Misc. (1890) 63 The
qwyche tyme is w* owtyn man's membraunce or mynde.
1650 Gentilis_ Considerations 6 The renoune which re-
mained of Alcibiades, the membrance of his Country, Pa-
rents, Nurse and Tutors.
Membrane (me-mbr^n). Also 6 -aan, 7 -an.
[ad. L. membrana membrane, parchment (whence
late Gr. ^fi^pdva, fxtpppavov, Y. membrane, Sp.,
Pg., It. membrana) , f. membram MEMBER sb.
The etymological sense appears to be ' that which covers
the members of the body '.]
1. A thin pliable sheet-like tissue (usually fibrous),
serving to connect other structures or to line a part
ororgan. Also collect, sing. = membranous structure.
a. in an animal body.
1615 Crooke Body of Man 77 A Membrane ingirting the
whole cauity of the lower belly. 1679 M. Rusden Further
Diseov.Bees 5 A Homy membrane or tunicle. 1788 J. C.
Smyth in Med. Commun. II. 210 The membrane of the
nose, commonly known by the name of Schneiders mem-
brane. 1831 Brewster Nat. Magic ii. (1833) 10 Behind the
vitreous humour, there is spread out on the inside of the
eyeball a fine delicate membrane, called the retina. 1859
J. R. Greene Protozoa 34 The 'dermal membrane1 of the
Sponge. 1896 Kirkaldy i\: Pollard tr. Boas' Text-bk.
Zool. 336 Just below the portion of skin covered by the
eyelids there is usually a thin and soft membrane, which is
termed the conjunctiva hulbi.
Jig. 1626 B. Jonson Staple of News iir. ii, Vertue and
honesty; hang 'hem ; poore thinne membranes Of honour;
who respects them?
b. in a vegetable body.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Membrane,.. the pill or pilling be-
tween the bark and the tree. 1681 Grew Musxum 11. 213
A short Fibrous Lobe.. Lined within with a most smooth
and thin Membrane. 1835 Lindlev Introd. Bot. (1848) I.
o. Membrane, as true cellulose, maybe regarded as being
in the beginning, a gelatinous precipitate from the organic
mucus of veget.ition. 1846-50 A. Wood Class-bk. Bot. 21
The organic basis [of vegetable tissues] is simple membrane
and fibre. 1852 Henslow Diet. Bot. Perms, Membrane. ..
A delicate pellicle of homogeneous tissue. Also a very thin
layer composed of cellular tissue. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex.,
Membrane,, .the thin testa of a seed.
C. Ent. The terminal part of a hemielytrum.
1826 Kirbv & Sp. Entomol. III. 618 The Apical Area is
usually most distinguished by nervures.. ; the object of
this is doubtless to strengthen the membrane.
d. Path. A morbid formation in certain diseases.
Also false membrane, pseudo-membrane, etc.
1765 F. Home Croup 16 The. .surface of the Trachea was
covered with a white soft thick preternatural coat or mem-
brane. 1797 Underwood Disorders ofChitdh. I. 346 That
tough membrane found in those who have died of the in-
flammatory croup. 1834 Cycl. Pract. Med. III. 488/2 Mem-
branes expelled in dysmenorrhcea. 1835 Ibid. IV, 176/1 A
more severe form of pharyngeal inflammation is that which is
accompanied by the formation of a false membrane. 1905
H. D. Rolleston Dis. Liver 603 Cases of gall-stone colic
accompanied by membranes in the stools.
2. f Parchment (obs.) ; in modern palaeography,
a 'skin* of parchment forming part of a roll.
1519 Horman Vulg. 80 b, That stouffe that we wrytte
vpon : and is made of beestis skynnes: is somtyme called
parchement, somtyme velem, somtyme abortyue, somtyme
membraan. i6ox in Nichols Progr. Q. EUz. (1823) III. 552
Her roils, bundells, membranes, and parcells that be reposed
in her Majesties Tower at London. i6siBo.\TEin Ussher*s
Lett. {1686) 564 The bare transcription of the Obelisks and
Asterisks out of the Membranes, 1656 Blount Glossogr.,
Membrane, ..a skin of parchment. 1870 Miss Toulmin
Smith in Eng. Gilds Introd. 44 ' Miscellaneous Rolls, Tower
Records' ; they consist of three bundles, containing in all
549 skins or membranes. 1890 Gross Gild Merck. II. 137
The third membrane of this Roll.
3. attrib. and Comb., as membrane-like adj.,
membrane plaster \ membrane-bone Ichthyol., a
bone originating in membranous tissue.
1880 Gunther Fishes 91 The principal *membrane-bone of
the mandible is the dentary. 1765 F. Home Croup 54
After a severe fit of coughing a *membrane-Hke substance
..had been thrown out. 1822--34 Good's Study Med.
(ed. 4) I. 460 In the disease before us we have neither in*
flammation nor membrane-like secretion. 1862 Catal.
Exhib. II. xvii. 128 Liston's *membrane plaster.
Hence Me'mbraned «., having or consisting of
a membrane ; Me'mbraneless a., devoid of a
membrane.
1872 Browning Fifine Prol. iv, The membraned wings So
wonderful, so wide. 1876 tr. Wagner's Gen. Pathol, (ed. 6)
295 Membraneless, nuclear heaps of fine fat-globules.
II Membranella (membrane'la). Zool. [mod.
L., dim. of membrana Membrane.] The long
flattened modification of cilia in some infusorians.
1880 Saville-Kent Infusoria I. 65 These modified cilia
are much flattened or compressed, and appropriately receive
MEMBRANEOUS.
328
MEMOIR.
from him [Sterki] the distinctive title of ' membranellae '.
1896 Kirkaldy & Pollard tr. Boas' Text-bit. Zool. 92 note,
In some Infusoria there are the so-called membranella:,
vibrating, laminating structures, each of which is regarded
as a short row of fused cilia.
Membraneous (membra1 utes), a. [f. late L.
membrdneus, i.membrdna Membrane : see -eocs.]
= Membranous.
1633 P. Fletcher Purple /si. iii. Xotes, Choledochus, or
the gall, is of a membraneous substance. 1688 Boyle Final
Causes Nat. Tilings iv. 195 The want of feathers in the
wings is supplyed by a broad membraneous expansion.
1763 Ehret in Phil. Trans. LIII. 130 Leaves, having mem-
braneous ciliated footstalks. 1836^-9 Todd's Cycl. Anat.
II. 536/2 The membraneous labyrinth (labyrinthus mem-
branaceus). Ibid. 537/1 The membraneous ampullae.
Meillbrailiferous (membranrferas), a.
rare"0, [f. Membrane + -(i)ferous.] i Having
or producing membranes ' (Ogilvie Suppl. 1855).
Membraniform (membr^-nif^m), a. [f.
Membrane + -^i)form. Cf. F. membraniforme.]
Having the character or structure of a membrane.
1828-32 Webster, Membraniform^ having the form of a
membrane or of parchment. 1830 R. Knox Bt'clard's Anat.
249 The Membraniform Cartilages. 1859 S IMMA Diphtheria
37 Other membraniform fragments, .are also expectorated.
Membra no-, taken as combining formof Mem-
brane, with the sense * consisting of membrane
and * (something else denoted by the adj. with
which it is joined), as membrano-calcareous, -carti-
laginous, -coriaceous, -corneous, -nervous. Also
membranoge'nic a.y producing membrane.
1835-6 Todd's Cycl. Anat. I. 744/2 A membrano-cartila-
ginous lamina. 1836-9 //7V/. II. 537/1 An extremely delicate
. .membiano-nervous apparatus. 1838 G. Johnston Brit.
Zooplu 289 Flustra tuberculata, membrano-calcareous. 1850
Allman in Brit. Assoc. Rep. (1851) 328 Ccenoccium com-
posed of membrano-corneous branched tubes. 1885 Gooda le
Physiol.Bot. ('1892) 227 note, Substances which by their mutual
contact give rise to such precipitation-membranes are termed
membi anogenic. 1890 Century Diet., Mcmbrano-coria-
ceous, of a thick, tough, membraneous texture or consis-
tency, as a polyzoan.
Membranoid (membranoid), a. [f. Mem-
brane -+• -oil).] Resembling membrane.
1856 Mayne Expos. Lex. 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. III.
482 The behaviour of the bowels is often irregular..; mem.
branoid shreds, if present, must not be overlooked.
Membranology membran^'lod^. ra?'e—\
[See -OLOGY.] The science of the membranes.
1775 Motherby New Med. Diet., Membranologia, mem-
branology. It treats of the common integuments, and of
particular membranes.
Membranous (me'mbran3s\ a. [ad. F. mem-
braneux (16th a), f. membrane Membrane.] Con-
sisting of, resembling, or of the nature of mem-
brane; membranaceous. In Bot.y thin and more
or less translucent.
1597 A. M. tr. Guillemeau"s Fr. C/tlrurg. 48/1 Certayne
memnranouse pellicles intermixed with the excrementes.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud, Ep. m. xx. 155 Two black fila-
ments or membranous strings which extend into the long
and shorter cornicle upon protrusion. 1756 Burke Subl.
<V B. iv. xi, The ear drum and the other membranous paits.
1765 F. Home Croup 28 The mucus . . was formed into a
membranous crust. 1811 Lettsom in Pettigrew Mem. Life
#f Writ. (1817) III. 5 This [croupy] exudation consists of a
membranous substance. 1831 Linhlev luirod. Bot. 86
These [modifications] arise either from the addition of
parenchyma, when leaves become succulent, or from the
non-development of it, when they become membranous.
1867 J. Marshall Otttl. Physiol. I. 505 The essential parts
of the organ of hearing, viz., the membranous labyrinth
and the cochlea. 1875 Buckland Log-bk. 149 The stomach
of the bittern is a membranous bag.
b. Of diseases: Pertaining to or involving the
formation of a membrane (see Membrane i d).
1875 tr. von Ziemssen's Cycl. Med. X. 334 Membranous
dysmenorrhea. 1876 Bristowe Theory fy Pract. Med.
(1878) 209 Although membranous croup occurs in adults, it
is mainly children who suffer. 1807 Allbutt's Syst. Med.
III. 943 Dyspeptic membranous colitis.
Hence Membranously adv., like membranes.
1750 G. Hughes Barbadoes 293 The leaves, .somewhat
resemble those of a small curled lettuce, but are far more
membranously thin.
II Membranula (membr^*ni//la). Also angli-
cized membranule. [L. membranula, dim. of mem-
brana Membrane.] A little membrane, a. Anal.
In the eye (see quot. 1840). b. Bot. In ferns and
mosses (see quot. 1821). c. Ent. 'A small tri-
angular flap or incurved portion on the posterior
part of the base of the wings, seen in certain
dragon- flies1 {Cent. Diet,).
i8ait S. F. Gray Nat Arr. Brit. PI. I. 221 Involucrum,
Indusium, Membranula, Glandulse squamosa; [in ferns],
A membrane that covers the sori, when young. Ibid. 22a
Membranula [in mosses]. The fine membrane that supports
the teeth of the peristome. 1840 G. V. Ellis Anat. 112
The folds and striae of pigment that compose the corona
ciliaris being part of a distinct structure,— the 'membra-
nula', applied on the hyaloid membrane. 1856 Mayne
Expos. Lex., Membranula, Membranulum,. .a little mem-
brane,..a membranule. 1861 Hagen Syu. Neurcpt. N.
Amer. 133 Macromia taeniolata . . membranule cinereous.
Hence Membra-nulet, in the same sense {Syd.
Soc. Lex. 1890) ; Membra-nulous a.t mem-
branous.
170A Tyson in Phil. Trans. XXV. 1752 The one having
Membranulous Scales, the other Bony.
tMembratly, ado. [? Modelled on L. m&m-
dratim."] Limb from limb.
c 1450 Mirour Saluacioun 4362 Some with sawes did he
kitte, some with knyves membratly.
f Membrature. Obs~° [ad. late L. mem-
bratura, f. membrdre to furnish with limbs, f. L.
membrum Member sb.] ' A setting or ordering of
members or parts ' (Blount Glossogr. 1656).
t Membrification. Obs. rare—1, [as if ad.
L. *membrificatidn-e?n, f. membrum : see Member
sb. and -fication.] Formation of members.
1670 Maynwaring Vita Sana xv. fed. 2) 136 Membrifica-
tion or Assimilation is now changed for a Cachectick..
habit. 1731 Bailey vol. II, Membrification, a making or
producing members or limbs.
+ Membrose, a. Obs.-° [ad. late L. mem-
brdsus, f. membrum : see Member sb. and -ose.]
Having large members ^Bailey vol. II, 1727).
Also + Membrosity [ad. med.L. membrositas], 'the
largeness or hugeness of members' (Bailey 1721).
t MembrOUS, ct. Obs. [ad. late L. membra-
sus: seeprec. and-uL'.s.] Havingalarge 'member.*
1613 Pirchas Pilgrimage (1614) 570 Their membrous
monster Priapus.
Memento (m/me'nto). PI. mementoes, me-
mentos (7-8 memento's). [Imperative of me-
minisse to remember, a reduplicated formation on
the root *mcn- : see Mind sb.]
1. Eccl. Either of the two prayers (beginning with
Memento') in the Canon of the Mass, in which the
living and the departed are respectively comme-
morated.
1401 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 103 Thanne was the memento
put fally in the masse. 1433 Lydg. St. Giles 227 in Horstm.
Alteng. Leg. (1881) 374 Beyngat thy masse, . .[thou]praidest
for the kyng In thy Memento. 1549 Latimer -$rd Serm.
bef. Edw. K/(Arb.) 86 When I shuld saye masse, I haue
put in water twyse or thryse for faylynge, in so muche when
I haue bene at my Memento, I haue had a grudge in my
conscyence, fearynge that I hadde not putte in Watter
ynoughe. 1593 Rites $ Mon. Ch. Durh. (Surtees) 82 He
that sunge masse hadde alwaies in his Memento all those
that had gevenany thinge tothat Church. 1883 GzM. Diet.
(1897) 287 After the consecration, in the fifth prayer of the
Canon, the priest makes a memento of the dead. Both
mementos in some MS. Missals retain the title 'oratio
super ' or ' supra diptycha '.
2. A reminder, warning, or hint as to conduct or
with regard to future events. ? Obs.
158a Stanyhurst sEueis 1. (Arb.) 22 Bee sure, this prac-
tise wil I nick inafreendlyememenlo. 1603 SirC. Heydon
Jud. Astrol. xx. 412, I must needes giue nim another me-
mento and tell him, that he [etc.]. 1658 Sir T. Browne
Hydriot. 45 Since the brother of death daily haunts us with
dying mementos, a 1711 Ken Lett. Wks. (1838) 82 God..
enable us to improve all the mementoes he is pleased to
give us of eternity. 1769 Blackstone Comm. IV. 85 This
is a great security to the public,.. and leaves a weighty me-
mento to judges to be careful. 1791 Boswell Johnson an.
1779 (end), That this memento, .must be in every letter that
I should write to him, till I had obtained my object. 1814
Edin. Rev. XXIV. 243 That what we have to say may. . be
recorded . .as a memento against future errors.
b. concr. An object serving to remind or warn in
tins way.
1580 G. Harvev Three Proper Lett. 34 Maruelt not, what
I nieane to send these Verses at Euensong : On Neweyeeres
Euen, and Oldyeeres End, as a Memento, a 16*3 Fletcher
Wife for Month 1. ii. Rings, deaths heads, and such me-
mentoes. 1658 Sir T. Browne Ilydriot. Ep. Ded., Artificial
Mementos, or Coffins by our Bed-side, to mind us of our
Graves. 1719 De Foe Crusoe 1. 229, I have been, in all my
Circumstances, a Memento to those who are touch'd with
the general Plague of Mankind. 1839 Murchison Silnr.
Syst. 1. v. 73 Our only present memento of the existence of
volcanic action beneath us, consisting in very slight shocks
of earthquake. 1885 Rider Haggard A'. Solomon's Mines
(1889) 100 There he sat, a sad memento of the fate that
so often overtakes those who would penetrate into the
unknown.
3. Something to remind one of a past event or
condition, of an absent person, of something that
once existed ; now chiefly, an object kept as a
memorial of some person or event.
1768 C Shaw Monody viii. 76 Where'er I turn my eyes,
Some sad memento of my loss appears. 1791 Cowpkr Lett.
Wks. 1837 XV. 226, I cannot even see Olneyspire,.. and still
less the vicarage, without experiencing the force of those
mementos, and recollecting a multitude of passages, to
which you and yours were parties. 1826 Kirby & Sp.
Eniomot. III. xxx. 211 It will not suffer this memento of
its former state [a cast-off skin] to remain near it. 186a
Sala Seven Sons II. x. 263 She came upon some boyish
memento of him who was gone.
+ b. A memory or remembrance. Obs. rare"1.
1796 Burney Mem. Metastasio I. 179 It has awakened
in my mind a croud of delightful mementos of laughable
adventures.
If 4. Humorously misused for: a. A reverie,
'brownstudy*; hence, adoze; b. (One's) memory.
1587 Greene Tritam.u. H3, Panthia. .seeing that Aretino
his choller was not yet digested, willing with some discourse
to bring him out of his memento, ..saide [etc.]. 1593 N ash k
Christ's T. (1613) 164 Dormatiue potions.. that when [she]
lies by him,.. she maysteale from him, whiles he is in his
deepe memento. 1594 — Unfort. Trav. 7 Presently he
remembred himselfe, and had like to haue fallen into his
memento againe. 1619 Chapman Two Wise Men iv. i. 43, I
heare it well Sir, and haue lock'd it vp safely in my memento.
|| 5. Memento mori (ntdVrai). [L. - ( remember
that you have to die '.] a. A warning of death, b.
concr. A reminder of death, such as a skull or other
symbolical object.
[1592 Nashe Summers Last Will Wks. VIII. 48 What-
euer you do, memento mori, remember to rise early in the
morning.] 1596 Shaks. i Hen. IV, in. iii. 34, I make as
good vse of it, as many a man doth of a Deaths-Head, or
a Memento Mori. 1597 Pilgr. Parnass. \\. 214 (Macray),
If I doe not. .Ite give my heade toanie good felowetomake
a memento mori of I 1641 in W. W. Wilkins Pol. Ballasts
(i86o> I. 3 Memento Mori, I'M tell you a strange story.
a 1680 Rochester Let.fr. Artemiza in Town, Now scorn'd
by all, forsaken, and opprest, She's a Memento mori to the
rest. 1738 G. Lillo Marina I. ii, Thy face is a memento mori
for thy own sex. 1850 Thackeray Pendennis II. xxiii. 229
A great man must keep his heir at his feast like a living
memento mori,
atirib. 1877 W. Jones Finger-ring 372 In the same col-
lection is a ' memento mori ' ring, of bronze.
Memer(e, variantsof Mammer Obs., to stammer.
Menierill. Obs. rare-1. Also meimerill,
memerel. [represents memeryh in the Italian
original.] An arbutus.
159a R. D. Hypnerotomachia 34 b, The leaffy Memerill
or Arbut. Ibid., Betwixt the comare Meimerill or Arbut,
and the Satire, were two little Satires. Ibid. 93 Fruitefull
memerels.
Meminiscent, a. Blunder (after L. meminisse :
see Memento) for Reminiscent.
1812 L. Hunt in Examiner 7 Dec 770/1 A voice memi-
niscent of mouthful and burly with luxury. 1847 — Jar
Honey i. (1848) 2 The word ' Sicilian '—a very musical and
meminiscent word.
Memlo;o)k, obs. forms of Mameluke.
Memnonian (memno^nian), a. [f. L. Mem-
noni-us va. Gr. Mcjivovaos, f. Utfivov-, Mcpvajv
Memnon) + -ax.] a. Pertaining to the demigod
Memnon, traditionally said to have erected the
citadel or palace at Susa ; hence used as an
epithet of Susa or Persia generally, b. Having
the property of the statue at Thebes in Egypt,
believed by the Greeks to represent Memnon, and
said to give forth a musical sound when touched
by the dawn.
1614 Sir A. Gorges tr. Lucan in. 96 So huge a masse of
Martiall bands Came not from the Memnonian lands, When
Cyrus [etc.). 1667 Milton P. L. x. 308 Xerxes,. . From
Susa his Memnonian Palace.. Came to the Sea. 1843 Ld.
Houghton Poems Many Years 11844) 251 When my Mem-
nonian lyre Welcomed every rising sun.
Memnoniat, -ite : see Mennonist, -ite.
Memo. (me'HK?). Abbreviation of Memoran-
dum ; colloq. treated as a word. Cf. Mem.
1889 Sir P. Wallis in Brighton Life (1892) 217 You have
not received a memo, card which I posted you last week.
1903 Bluck'.v. Mag. Feb. 162/2 This person annotates re-
ports, writes memos.
Memoir (memw^j, memoir). Also 6 me-
moyr, memor, 7-9 memoire, (7 memoyre, mes-
moire). [a. F. mtmoire masc, a specialized use,
with alteration of gender, of memoire fem., Me-
mory. The change of gender is commonly ac-
counted for by the supposition that the word in
this use is elliptical for ecrit pour mimoire ; Sp.,
Pg., and It. have memoria fern, in all senses.
The quasi- Fr. pronunciation, which is still most frequently
heard, is somewhat anomalous, as the word is fully natural-
ized in use, and has been anglicized in spelling; its continued
currency is prob. due to the fact that -oir is unfamiliar as an
ending of English words.)
f 1. A note, memorandum ; record ; //. records,
documents. Obs.
1567 in 6th Refi. Hist. MSS. Comm. 643/2 Memoyr off the
silwer veschell delyverit be me to the lard of Drumblanryk.
1580 Reg. Privy Council Scot. III. 335 Quhairof ordanis the
said maser to deliver the said Johnne sum memor in write,
qubilk gif he find different from his awin speking that then
he pen and put in write the same his speking. 1659 Wood
Life 16 Sept. (O. H. S.) I. 283 Georg Wharton., did take
notice of this matter in his almanack anno i66i,..but puts
the memoire under the XI of Sept. which is false. 1727
Arbuthnot Tables Anc. Coins,tlc 188 There is not in any
Author a Computation of the Revenues of the Roman Em-
pire, and hardly any Memoirs from whence it might be
collected. 1755 Magens Insurances II. 261 That the Master
be provided with a Memoir of Signals from the Commander
of the Convoy.
2. In diplomatic and official use: = Memoran-
dum, rare. + Also in//, official reports of business
done.
1696 Phillips, Memoirs, .are papers deliver'd by Embas-
sador to the Princes or States to whom they are sent, upon
occasions of Business. 1700 Astrv tr. Saavedra-Faxardo
I. 222 Examine diligently all the Qualities of your Subjects,
and after having given them any Place, look now and then
into their Actions, and not be presently taken with, and
deluded by the Draught of their Memoirs. 1829 H'ness
Bussen in Hare Life (1879) I. ix. 323 Charles, at his re-
quest, wrote a memoir on the subject of the negoctations of
Protestant Powers with the Court of Rome.
3. collect, pi, a. A record of events, not pur-
porting to be a complete history, but treating of
such matters as come within the personal know-
ledge of the writer, or are obtained from certain
particular sources of information,
1659 Pearson Creed (1839) 282 note, Pontius Pilate kept
the memoirs of the Jewish affairs, which were therefore
called Acta t'itati. a 1661 Fuller Worthies, Devon. 1.
MEMOIRIST.
(1662) 260 But abler Pens, will improve these Short Me-
moires into a large History. 1746 A. Collins {title) Letters
and Memorials of State. ..Also Memoirs of the Lives and
Actions of the Sydneys. 176a Sterne Tr. Shandy vi. xxxvi,
The following memoirs of my Uncle Toby's courtship. 1769
N. Nicholls in Grays Corr. (1843) 97 Why then a writer
of memoirs is a better thing than an historian. 1790 Palev
Horse Paul. i. 1 To deliver the history, or rather memoirs
of the history, of this same person, i860 Westcott Introd.
Study Gosf>. vii. (ed. 5) 347 Their whole structure, .serves to
prove that they [the Synoptic Gospels] are memoirs and not
histories.
b. A person's written account of incidents in his
own life, of the persons whom he has known, and
the transactions or movements in which he has
been concerned ; an autobiographical record.
1673 Evelyn Diary iB Aug., Nor could I forbeare to note
this extraordinary passage in these memoires. 1676 Wycher-
ley PL Dealer Ded., Your virtues deserve, .a volume entire
to give the world your memoirs, or life at large. 1700
Prior Carmen Seculare 426 To write his own memoirs,
and leave his heirs High schemes of government, and plans
of wars. 1710 {title) Memoirs of an Unfortunate Young
Lady. 1818 Syd. Smith Wks. (1S67) I. 237 Any one who
provides good dinners for clever people, and remembers
what they say, cannot fail to write entertaining memoirs,
1841 Elphinstone Hist. Ind. II. 117 His Memoirs are
almost singular in their own nature.
4. A biography, or biographical notice.
1826 Life Dr. Franklin i. 6 (Stanf.) The subject of our
memoir was born at Boston in New England. 1839 G.
Taylor {title) Memoir of Robert Surtees Esq. 1866 Gates
Maunder* s Biog. Treas. Pref., The space thus gained
is more usefully occupied, partly by re-written and fuller
notices of names more generally interesting, and partly by
entirely new memoirs.
5. An essay or dissertation on a learned subject
on which the writer has made particular observa-
tions. Hence//, the record of the proceedings or
transactions of a learned society.
a 1680 Butler Rem. (1759) I. 14 Whilst the chiefs were
drawing up This strange Memoir o' th* Telescope. 1687
A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. 1. 103, I shall here.. relate
what I have learned of some Isllesof the Archipelago, where
I have not been, as well by what has been told me, as by a
memoire that hath come to my hands. 1731 Bailey vol. II,
Memoi'rs,.. a journal of the acts and proceedings of a society,
as those of the royal society, &c. 1787 Jefferson Writ.
(1859) II. 247 A memoire on a petrifaction mixed with
shells. 18^5 G. Busk Steenstruf s A Item. Gener. 102.
Miescher's interesting memoir on the forms which the genus
Tetrarhynch us passes through. 1865 {title) Memoirs read
before the Anthropological Society of London. 1863-4.
f6. A memento, memorial. Obs. rare~x.
a 1711 Ken Christophil Poet. Wks. 1721 I. 518 Of Friends
whom Death lays fast asleep, They Memoirs keep.
7. Comb., as memoir-writer \ -writing.
^ vj\t Shaftesb. C//araK\ (1737)1.224 The raw memoir-writ-
ings and unform'd pieces of modern statesmen, full of then-
interested and private views. 176a Ann. Reg, 11. 32 Count
Zinzendorf is celebrated for his profound ministerial abilities
by all the memoir writers of the present age. 1860 W. G.
Clark Vac. Tour 44 When two memoir-writers had told the
same tale, they [Suetonius and Tacitus] accept it and en-
dorse it, without a suspicion that both may be lying.
Memoir(e, obs. forms of Memory.
Memoirist (me-mwprist). [f. Memoir + -ist.]
A writer of memoirs, or of a memoir.
1769 R. Griffith Gordian Knot I. 154 (F. H.). 1839
Taylor Mem. Surtees in Surtees' Dur/tam 95 note, Memo-
randa . . which the Memoirist was allowed to read.
So Me-moirism, the practice of writing memoirs.
1833 Carlyle Misc. Ess., Diderot (1872) V. 63 Towards
reducing that same Memoirism of the Eighteenth Century
into History.
Memor, obs. form of Memory.
II Memorabilia (me:morabHia). [neut. pi. of
L. memordbilis Memorable.] Memorable or note-
worthy things. Also (rare) sing. \\ Memorabile
(memor^'biU), something memorable.
The currency of the word in Eng. may be due to its use
as the Latin title of Xenophon's ' Recollections ' ('Airo/xerj-
fiovtvuaTa) of Socrates.
1806-7 J. Beresford Miseries Hum. Life (1826) ii. Introd.,
Let us at once produce our memorabilia and proceed to
exchange their contents. 1826 Scott Diary 14 Sept. in
Lockhart, I should not have forgotten, among the memora-
bilia of yesterday, that two young Frenchmen made their
way to our sublime presence. 1830-2 Memorabile [see
Memorable B. quot. 1823]. 1878 Spurgeon Treas. Dav.
Ps. cxi. 4 The coming out of Egypt, the sojourn in the
wilderness, and other memorabilia of Israel's history.
Memorability (me:m6rabi*liti). [f. next : see
■ITY.] The quality of being memorable. Also,
a person or thing worth remembering.
ai66i Fuller Worthies, Kent 11. (1662) 85 And how
abundantly intituled [she was] to Memorability, the ensuing
Epitaph, .will sufficiently discover. 1834 Southey Doctor
xlvn. (1848) in The first years of Daniel's abode in Don-
caster were distinguished by many events of local memora-
bility. 1855 Carlyle Prinzcnraub Misc. 1857 IV. 351 There
is one memorability of his last sad moments. 1866 — E.
Irving 145 Frank was a notable kind of man, and one of
the memorabilities, to Irving as well as me. 1903 Myers
Hum. Personality I. 36 The memorability of an act is, in
fact, a better proof of consciousness than its complexity.
Memorable (me-morab'l), a. and sb. [ad. L.
vtemordbi/is> f, memordre : see Memorate v. and
-able. Cf. F. mfrnorab/e, Sp. memorable, Pg. me-
mor avel, It. memorabile.'] A. adj.
1. Worthy of remembrance or note ; worth re-
membering ; not to be forgotten.
Vol. VI.
329
1483 Rolls of Parti. VI. 241/1 The memorable and laud-
able Acts in diverse Batalls. 1585 T. Washington tr.
Atcholay's Voy. 1. xv. 16 b, A succinct description of the
yland, and memorable things thereof. 1650 Marvell Hora-
tian Ode 58 He nothing common did or mean, Upon that
memorable scene. 1709 Steele Taller No. 86 p 3 It is
memorable of the mighty Caesar, that when he was mur-
dered in the Capitol.. he gathered his Robe about him,
that he might fall in a decent Posture. 1820 Hazlitt Lcct.
Dram. Lit. 40 It hardly contains a memorable line or pas-
sage. 1858 Carlyle Eredk. Gt. in. v. (1872) 1. 163 That is his
one feat memorable to me at present. 1895 Laiv 'Times C.
3/1 _An interesting record of a most memorable and success-
ful innovation in our legal system.
2. Easy to be remembered, rare.
1599 Shaks. Hen. V, 11. iv. 53 Witnesse our too much
memorable shame. 1658 Phillips, Memorable, easie to be
remembred. 1881 Ruskin Love's Meinie I. iii. 99 The
easily memorable root 'dab '.short for dabble. 1882 S. Cox
Miracles (1884) 14 Hence it [the Mosaic account of the
Creation] must of necessity be concise, simple, memorable.
3. Awakening memories of. rare.
1872 Howells Wedd. Joum. 248 The marshy meadows
beyond, memorable of Recollets and Jesuits.
B. sb.pl. = Memorabilia. Also (rare) sing.
161 1 Cqkwt Crudities 470 These memorables of Germany.
1613 Jackson Creed 1. xxviii. § 1 Recorded, .as one of the
chiefe memorables in his raigne. 1702 C. Mather Magn.
Chr. 111.1.(1852) 251 If no speedy care be taken to preserve
the memorables of our first settlement. 1813 Scott Earn.
Lett. 13 July, I spent part of Sunday in showing them the
Abbey and other memorables. 1823 — St. Kenan's Well
xxvi. (near end', The other memorable [1830-2 memorabile]
is of a more delicate nature, respecting the conduct of a
certain fair lady. 1856 Hawthorne Eng. Note-Bks. (1879)
II. 237 These were all the memorables of our visit.
Hence Me morableness, memorability ; Memo-
rably adv.y in a memorable manner j so as to be
remembered.
1727 Bailey vol. II, Memorableness. 1755 Johnson,
Memorably, in a manner worthy of memory. 1832 Carlyle
in Eraser's Mag. V. 259 It is well worth the Artist's while
to examine for himself what it is that gives such pitiful in-
cidents their memorableness. 1832 — y. Carlyle 34, 1 never
saw him but once, and then rather memorably. 1885 Manch.
Exam. 12 Aug. 3/1 The power of so conceiving characters
as to impress us strongly and memorably with their varied
individualities.
t Me moral, a. Obs. [ad. med.L. memoralis
(OF. memoral), f. L. memor mindful : see -AX,]
? Remembering, monumental. Hence Metnorally
adv., by way of reminder.
1513 Bradshaw St. Werburge 1. 207 As Chester, Stafford,
Lytcnefelde, Coucntre memorall [rime withall]. c 1530 Pol.
Ret. ry L. Poems (1903) 72/23 Bothe Ioye and sorowe in
woo memorall [rime fantastically a 1645 Habington Snrv.
Wore. in. 550 On the south side of the Chancell are these
memorally of our mortality. O esca vermium [etc.].
t Memorance. Obs. [as if ad. L. type *me-
morantia, f. memordre : see Memokate v. and
-ance.] Memory.
C1320 [see next B. 1]. 1480 Charters etc. Peebles (1872)
187 The quhylkis sail reman in memorans of the samyn.
1662 Forbes Aberdeen Cantus in Herd's Songs (1904)95
So that your soverance. .Mark in your memorance, mercie
and ruth.
t Memorand, a. and sb. Obs. [ad. L. me-
moranohis, -urn : see Memorandum.]
A. adj. Serving as a memorial.
c 1320 R. Brunne Medit. 32 A soper he made to his deci-
p!es..A memorand byng to haue yn mynde.
B. th.
1. A memorial.
c 1320 R. Brunne Medit. 195 Yn a memorand [v.r. In
memoraunce] of hym with outyn ende.
2. = Memorandum.
1686 Goad Celest. Bodies 1. xv. 99 God hath imprinted on
the Universe, .some Memorands or Signatures of his Crea-
tion. Ibid. hi. ii. 406 Though I was no Eye-Witness of these
Hail-Storms so many years ago, yet I am sure their Memo-
rand is True. 1711 Madox Hist. Exchequer xxii. 619 The
Records or Bundles made up by the two Remembrancers of
the Exchequer have been usually called Memoranda, the
Memorands or Remembrances,
Memora'ndist. rarer1, [f. Memorand-um
+ -IST.] One who writes memoranda.
1866 R. Chambers Ess. Ser. !. 210 Johnson was also a
great memorandist.
Memorandum (memorarndem), sb. (Also 7
-dome.) PL memoranda (-se*nda), memo-
randums (-se'ndftnz). [L., neut. sing, of memo-
randus, gerundive of memordre (see Memorate v. ).]
1. * (It is) to be remembered ' : placed (like ' Nota
bene ') at the head of a note of something that is to
be remembered or a record (for future reference)
of something that has been done. Now only legal.
1433 Rolls of Parlt. V. 423/1 Memorand', yat ye xxim day
of Novembr', ye Communys [etc.]. 1465 Paston Lett. II.
175 Memorandum to Thomas More that because ye myzt for-
yete myne erand to Maister Bernay, I pray you rede hym
my bille. 1506 Guy Iforde s PUgr. (Camden)is Memorandum,
that vpon Tewysday. .we come to Jafle. 1567 in 6th Rep.
Hist. MSS. Comm. 643/2 Memorandum deliuerit to the lard
of Drumlenrik thir pieces orTsiluer work efter following. 1655
in Z. Boyd's Zion's Flowers (1855) App. 29/2 Memorandum,
that the whol is to repay to theColledge, the half of the above
mentioned 66 lib. 03 sh. 4d. 1763 Sterne Let. 12 June, Me-
morandum ! I am not to forget how honest a man I have
for a banker at Paris. 1820 Giffobd Compl. Eng. Lawyer
(ed. 5)664 An Agreement for lettinga First and Second Floor,
Garret, and Kitchen, unfurnished. Memorandum, That it
is hereby declared and agreed by and between [etc. J.
MEMORANDUM.
2. 'A note to help the memory' (J.) ; by exten-
sion, a record of events, or of observations made
on a particular subject, esp. when intended for
the writer's future consideration or use.
< i54*-3 Act 34 <r 35 #«*• VIII, c. 16 § 1 Diuers summes. .as
in therolles, & Memorandumof the. .Escheker more plainly
it mayappere. 1596 Shaks. i Hen. IV, 111. iii. 179 If there
were any thing in thy Pocket but Tauerne Recknings,
Memorandums of Bawdie-houses. 1622 Bacon Hen. VII
•212 And ouer against this Memorandum (of the Kings owne
hand) Othe-nvise satisfied. 1726 Swift Gulliverw. vi, Taking
Notes of what I spoke, and Memorandums of what Ques-
tions he intended to ask me. 1813 Aubrey's Lett. I. Advt.,
The Lives, .were originally designed as memoranda for the
use of Anthony a Wood, when composing his Athena; Ox-
onienses. 1854 J. Martineau Ess. (18691 II. 307 The few
lines and points that are jotted down may serve, perhaps,
as indicative memoranda to those who know the ground.
1903 jgt/t Cent, June 961 He awoke and made a memoran-
dum of the day and the hour and the smell.
b. spec. A record of a pecuniary transaction.
[1607 Lingua in. i, Memorandum that I owe; that he
owes.] 1607 Middleton Michaelm. Term v. i, He heartilye
set my hand to a Memorandum. 1664 Pepys Diary 30 Sept.,
I had not fulfilled all my memorandums and paid all my
petty debts. 1711 M. Henry Forgiveness of Sin Wks. 1853
II. 326/1 The memorandum of a debt is blotted out when it
is paid. 1865 Dickens Mut. Fr. 1. iv, I suppose a memo-
randum between us of two or three lines, and a payment
down, will bind the bargain.
C. Law. The writing or document in which the
terms of a transaction or contract are embodied.
In Marine Insurance, a clause in a policy enume-
rating the articles in respect of which underwriters
have no liability.
Memorandum of agreement, the heading of certain forms
of agreement. Memorandum of association, a document
required, under the Companies Acts, for the registration of
a joint stock company, containing the name of the com-
pany, its object, capital, etc. Memorandum in error, 'a
document alleging error in fact, accompanied by an affidavit
of such matter of fact' (Wharton); abolished 1875.
1591 Greene Art Conny Catch. 11. (1592) 23 A Memoran-
dum diawen in some legall forme. 1677 Act 29 Chas. II
c. 3 § 4 Unlesse the Agreement, .or some Memorandum or
Note thereof shall be in Writeing. 1771 Burrow A". B. Rep.
III. 1551 This Clause, or Memorandum was introduced, He
said, to deliver the Insurers from small Averages. 1802
S. Marshall Insur. I. 139 In the common policies, used in
London by private underwriters, the memorandum runs
thus: N.B. Corn, fish, salt, fruit, flour and seed, are war-
ranted free from average, unless general, or the ship be
stranded (etc. J. 1820 Gifford Compl. Eng. Lawyer (ed. 5)
661 Agreement to grant a Lease of a House. Memorandum
made this day of 1819, between A. Li. of of the
one part, and C. D. of of the other part, as follows. 1836
R. Thomson Bills of Exch. etc. (ed. 2) 12 Conditions of
payment, .contained in a separate memorandum on the bill
or note. 1852 Act 15 $■ 16 Vict. c. 76 § 15S Either Party
alleging Error in Fact may deliver to One of the Masters
of the Court a Memorandum in Writing, in the Form [etc.].
1862 Act 25 fy 26 Vict. c. 8q ij 6 Subscribing their Names
to a Memorandum of Association.
d. * In diplomacy, a summary of the state of a
question, or a justification of a decision adopted '
(Ogilvie 1882).
1658 Mercurius Polit. 7-14 Oct. 9o8_ To whom cause and
Reason was shewed about the non-satisfactory proffer made
lately by the Portugal Ambassador, who intends to put in
another Memorandum. 1853 Malmesbury Mem. Ex-
Minister (1884) I. 402 Sir Robert Peel.., the Duke of
Wellington, and Lord Aberdeen .. drew up and signed a
memorandum, the spirit and scope of which was to support
Russia in her legitimate protectorship of the Greek reli-
gion and the Holy Shrines. 1883 Lowe Bismarck II. 77
Their deliberations . . resulted in the preparation of the so-
called Berlin Memorandum.
f 3. An injunction to remember something. Obs.
1586 B. Young Guazzo's Civ. Conv. iv. 191 A certaine
memorandum, that he gaue mee, which was, That . . I should
haue an especiall care, not to incurre atanie time the
daunger of water. 1610 Dav Festivals iii. (1615) 70 Re-
member saith the Apostle St. Paul among his many Memo-
randums unto Timothy [etc.]. 1643 SlR T- Browne Relig.
Med. § 45, 1 have therefore enlarged that common Memento
mori, into a more Christian memorandum, Memento qua-
tuor Novissima.
f 4. A reminder ; also, a memento, souvenir. Obs.
41591 H. Smith Serm. (1624) 18 Some sentence which
you haue heard, shall gnaw you at the heart with a memo-
randum of hell, a 1618 W. Bradshaw Medit. Mans Mort.
(1621) 34 [Every day] bringing with it some judgement and
Memorandum or other of Gods anger for sin. 1650. Stokes
Explic. Min. Proph. 577 They shall walk about like living
carcases, ugly, noisome spectacles of misery, and memo-
randums of divine vengeance. 1679 Exec. Bury 4 He was
found Guilty of Manslaughter, and carries a Memorandum
in his Hand, to make him and others more wary for the
future. 1760-73 H. Brooke FoolofQual. (1809) IV. 91 Ye
precious relics, ye delicious memorandums. 1808 Pikk
Sources Mississ. 1. App. 3 Some other trifling things, as a
memorandum of my good will. 1847 De Quincey Sp. Mil.
Nun § 8 That pocket-handkerchief which he had left at
St. Sebastian's fifteen years ago,, .and which, .was the one
sole memorandum of papa ever heard of at St. Sebastian's.
f b. A mark or sign serving to identify. Obs.
1760-72 H. Brooke FoolofQual. (1792) II. 129 Had you
any particular memorandum or mark whereby you would
know him to be your child ?
5. Comm. An informal epistolary communica-
tion, without signature or formulas of address or
subscription, usually written on paper with a
printed heading bearing the word ' Memorandum *
and the name and address of the sender.
108
MEMORATE.
330
MEMORIAL.
6. attrib. , as memorandum book, paper ', \ rit$gt
tablet ; also memoranda rolls ; memorandum ar-
ticles, the articles enumerated in a marine insur-
ance memorandum {Cent. Diet.) ; memorandum
check, ' a brief informal note of a debt of the
nature of a due bill' (Ogilvie 1882); memoran-
dum head, f (a) a head clever at making mental
memoranda (? nonce-use') ; {b) Comm. the printed
heading of a ' memorandum * (see 5).
1753 Scots Mag. XV. 36/2 She was. .entering some par-
ticulars in her *memorandum-book. 1843 Mrs. Carlvle
Lett. I. 223 Having bethought me of a pretty memorandum-
book in my reticule. 1830-57 Paige Rip. 1!. 612 (Bartleti)
•Memorandum check. 1732 Lady B. Germain Let. 23 Feb.
Swift's Wks. (1841) II. 667, I wish I had my dame Wad-
gar's, or Mr. Ferris's "memorandum head, that I might
know whether it was 'at the time of gooseberries'. 1710
Swift Jrnl. to Stella 3 Nov., I have put MD's commissions
in a "memorandum paper. 1794-6 E. Darwin Zoon. (1801)
I. 179 As we talk of "memorandum-rings, and tie a knot on
our handkerchiefs to bring something into our minds. 1886
Encycl. Brit. XX. 312/2 [An] important class of documents
belonging to the Court of Exchequer, .is the "memorandum
rolls. Ibid,, The ' brevia regia * endorsed on the memo-
randa rolls. 1774 Westm. Mag. II. 560, I dropt my ivory
"Memorandum-tablet in the Bedford Coffee-house.
Hence Memorandum v. trans., to make a me-
morandum of; Memora'ndumer nonce-wd., one
who makes memoranda.
1787 Mme. D,ARBi.AY/>/rtrj'26 Feb., I feel sorry to be named
..by that biographical, anecdotical memorandummer [Mr.
Boswell]. 1805 T. HoLCROFT5r>'««A,r</7rt: 1 1 1. 94 The money-
bills.. were addressed to me, that I might memorandum
their amount. 1816 Scott Antiq. xli, Which business will
in future be carried on under the firm of Greenhorn and
Grinderson, (which I memorandum for the sake of accuracy
in addressing your future letters). 1817 Fosbrooke Brit.
Monorchism 348 The Scribes also memorandumed their
interlineations.
T Me*morate, v. Obs. [f. L. memorat-, ppl.
stem of memorare, f. memor mindful : see Memory.]
trans. To bring to mind; to mention, recount,
relate. Hence Me'morated^//. a.
1623 Cockeram, Memoratc, to make mention of a thing.
1631 Heylin St. George 17 In his so memorated Storie of
St. George and of the Dragon. 1647 Trapp Marrcnv Gd.
Authors in Comm. Ep. 649 That so memorated jest of
Tully. 1686 Goad Celest. Bodies II. ii. 176 An. 1501, where
the Ebb overflow 'd, memorated by Ly?.
t Memora'tion. Obs. [ad. late L. memora-
lion-em, n. of action f. memorare (see prec.).]
1. Mention ; commemoration.
1553 Becon Reliqnes of Rome (1563) 132 This constitution
concerning y° memoration and prayer for y» dead. 1627
Speed England xxxviii. § 9, 1 will forbeare to be pro-
Hxe. .in the particular memoration of places in a Proumce
so spatious.
2. The process of remembering.
1S73 W. Fulwod tr. Gratarolus' Castel 0/ Memorie vi.
E vj b, Aristotle thought good, toassigne twoactes of Memo-
ration : to wit, Memorye and Remembraunce.
Memorative (me-morativ), a. and sb. ? Obs.
[ad. med.L. *memorativus (perh. through F. me" mo-
rat if, 1 3- 1 4th c), f. memorare; see Memorate v.
and -ative.] A. adj.
1. Reminding one of something; preserving or
reviving the memory of some person or thing ;
commemorative.
1448-9 J. Metham Amoryus fy Cleopes Divb(MS.\ Y*
memoratyf dart had wounded hym so sore Off Cleopes
bryght chere. c 1557 Abp. Parker Ps. lxix. 191 No where
in booke memorative wyth just men have they place.
a 1603 T. Cartwricht Con/tit. Rhem. N. T. (1618) 402
Melchisedec, which figured out this memoratiue sacrifice,
brought forth bread and wine. 1777 Nicolson & Burn
Westm. <$- Cumb. II. 193 A memorative epitaph for the
worthy and loving Colonel Thomas Barwise. 1835 Cari.yi.k
in Froude Life in Lond. (1884) I. i. 20 Vernal weather of all
kinds, . .to me most memorative.
2. Of or pertaining to the memory, esp. in memo-
rative faculty, power, virtue.
1481 Botoner Tulle on Old Age (Caxton)C 4, Thevertue
memoratyf callyd_ remembraunce. a 1586 Sidney Arcadia
v. (1598) 445 Voide of sensible memory, or memoratiue
passion, a 1677 Hale Prim. Orig. Man. 8 How the Species,
Order, and Circumstances of things are preserved in the
Memorative Faculty or Organ. 1706 Phillips, Memora-
tive, belonging to the Memory ; as The memorative Pcnver.
b. In art memorative ( = med.L. *ars memora-
tiva, Gr. r^mi ^.vij^ovikov).
157% Fleming Panopl. Epist. 303 margin, This Simonides
was the first inuenter of the Art memoratiue. 1597 J. King
On Tbwas (1618)383 Many haue. .made a memoratiueart, ap-
pointing places and their furniture, for the helpe of such as
are vnexperienced. a 1628 Sir J. Doderidge Eng. Lawyer
(1631J 23 The precepts of Art Memorative.
3. Having a good memory ; retentive.
1481 Caxton Myrr. m. xxiii. 186 Thaugh he had., a thou-
sand hertes within his body the most subtyle and the most
memoratyf that myght betaken. 1610 Healey St. Aug.
Citie of God vii. vii. (1620) 252 A respect'me memory and a
memoratiue prouidence must of force goe together. 1695
tr. Martial 1. xxvii. 38 A memorative drunkard all men
hate [orig. Mt<ru> fivd^ova tru/LiTroTac].
B. sb. Something to put one in mind of a thing ;
a memorial.
x597 J.King On ^onas (1618) 396 Short sentences and
memoratiues, as Know thy selfe, Use moderation. Beware
ofsuretishippe, and the like. 1631 J. BwOEtAnsw, Re-
joined 137 As Rites, as helpes, as memoratiues of such duties.
1690 E. Gee Jesuit's Mem. Pref. 1 The Notes and Obser-
vations of this Memorative following were gathered and
laid together in time of Persecution.
i' Memore, a. Obs. rare""1, [a. L. memor
mindful.] Mindful of.
1500-20 Dunbar Poems lxxxv. 53 Memore of sore, stern
in Aurore, Lovit with angellts stevyne.
Memore, obs. form of Memory.
1 Memoriable, a. Obs. rare"1, [a. OF. »w-
moriabh, f. memorie Memory : see -able.] =
Memorable.
1436 Libel Eng. Policy in Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 194 [King
Edgar was not] lasse memoriable Than Cirus was to Perse
by puissaunce.
Memorial (m/moo*rial), a. and sb. [a. OF.
viemorial (mod.F. memorial) -Sp.,Pg. memorial,
It. memoriale, ad. L. memor idlis adj. (neut. me-
moriale, used in late Latin as sb.), f. ?nemoria
Memory.] A. adj.
1. Preserving the memory of a person or thing ;
often applied to an object set up, a festival (or the
like) instituted, to commemorate an event or a
person.
C1374 Chaucer A net. fy Arc. 18 Thow Polymea..that. .
Syngest with vois memorial in be shade. 1426 Lydg. De
Guil. PUgr. 16923 Thylke Memoryal wrytyng off thy Se-
cretys, which thyn owne Secretarye, Seynt Bernard, wroot.
1535 Coverdale Mai. iii. 16 It is before him a memoriall
boke written for soch as feare the Lorde. 1606 Shaks. Tr. fy
Cr. v. ii. 80 Thy Maister.. takes my Gloue, And giues memo-
riall daintie kisses to it. 1725 Pope Odyss. xin. 180 A me-
morial stone. 1866 Rocers Agric. $■ Prices I. xix. 476 The
memorial windows set up to some of Edward the Third's
children and relations. 1877 W. Jones Finger-ring 375
A. .memorial ring in connection with the death of Nelson.
1885 Times 29 July 10 3 A memorial service for General
Grant will be held in Westminster Abbey, .simultaneously
with the funeral service at Mount Macgregor in America.
t const, of 1725 Pope Odyss. t. 412 Gifts, memorial of
our friendship. 1726 Broome Pope's Odyss. xxiv. Notes
V. 286 May I . .at the conclusion of a work, which is a kind
of monument of his partiality to me, ..place the following
lines, as an Inscription memorial of it ?
f 2. Of which the memory is preserved ; remem-
bered ; also, worthy to be remembered, memorable.
1390 Gower Conf. III. 383 Wherof his name schal be
blessid, For evere and be memorial. 1503 HAWES Ex amp.
Virt. vii. xlvi, They made theyr dedes to be memoryal 1.
c 1566 J. Alday tr. Roaystuau's Theat. World L viij, In the
knowledge of Histories or memoriall things done in our time.
1631 Fosbroke Solomons Charilie (1633) 1 The memoriall
and infallible necessity of death.
3. a. Of or pertaining to memory, fb. Intended
to assist the memory, mnemonic, f 0. Done from
memory.
c 1400 Lanfranc's drurg. 120 Not oonly animal vertues. .
ben I-chaungid, alsonaturel vertues. .also memorial, a 1734
North Exam. Pref. (1740) r To apply his rational as well
as memorial Faculties in Opposition to those false and un-
just Reflections upon the aforesaid Reign. 1735 B. Martin
(title) The Young Student's Memorial Book or Patent Li-
brary. 1745 J. Mason SelfKnmvl. i. x v. (1853) 117 Your
Minutes or memorial Aids. 1774 M. Mackenzie Maritime
Surv. p. xiv, A Memorial Sketch is, a Delineation of a
Harbour, or any Part of a Coast, from the Memory only.
1821 R.Turner Arts & Sci. (ed. 18) 299 The Memorial
lines stand thus. 1830 H. N. Coleridge Grk. Poets {1834)
43 One of the best instances of the memorial power in com-
position that I have found. 1847GROTE Greece 11. xxxvii.
(1862) III. 339 We hear of his memorial discipline.
t 4. Mindful. Const, inf. rare^K
1494 Fabyan Citron, vii. 590 His soule to endowe, he was
memoryall.
B. sb.
f 1. = Memory, a. The bearing of something
in mind ; remembrance, recollection. Phr. in
{the') memorial of ': in memory or remembrance of.
1382 Wvcuf Ps. ci. 13 Lord, in to withoute ende abidist
stifle ; and_ thi memorial [Vulg. memoriale] in to ienera-
cioun and in to ieneracioun. 1390 Gowkr Conf II. 70 An
old Cronique-.The which into memorial Is write, c 1480
Henryson Test. Cress. 519 For knichtly pity and memoriall
OffairCresseld, anegirdill can he tak. 1532 More Confut,
Tindale Wks. 471/2 A bare simple signe, and sette but
onely to signify the memoriall of Christes passion. 1605
Play Stucley *n Simpson Sch. Shaks. (1878) I. 265 In memo-
rial of this victory. 1696 Tate & Brady Ps. cxii. 6 The
sweet Memorial of the Just Shall flourish when he sleeps
in dust. 1701 Lond. Gaz. No. 3770/2 Thy Memorial will
be renowned to Posterity, a 1716 South Serm. (1744) IX.
1. 19 That man who has tears to spend at the memorial of a
lost friend, but none to shed at the thoughts of a lost inno-
cence,..has but too much cause to suspect the truth of his
sorrow. 1774 J. Bryant Mythol. II. 277 The term. .was a
proper name bestowed in memorial of a person.
fb. The faculty of remembering J (a person's)
memory or power of recollection. Obs.
I39oGowerO«A II- 19 On.. Which lost hath his memorial,
So that he can no wit withholde. 1412-20 Lydg. Chron.
Troy 1. i. (1555), Bothe minde and memoriall Fordulled
wer. 1538 Bale Gods Promises in Dodsley O. P. (1780) I.
39 The matters are such as. .ought not to slyde from your
memoryall. 1567 Gude # Godlie Ball. 32 Quhair na myndis
memoriall Can think, nor tung can tell the tryne.
2. A memorial act ; an act of commemoration ;
spec. Eccl. m Commemoration 2 b.
1468 Paston Lett. II. 312 Wyth moch lesse cost he myght
make som othyr memorialle also yn Cambrygge. 1492 Rolls
of Par It. VI. 444/2 Dedes of Charite and memorialls to be
doon for him. 1548-9 (Mar.) Bk. Com. Prayer, Commu-
nion, We.. make here before thy diuine Maiestie, with
these thy holy giftes, the memoryall whyche thy Sonne hath
wylled us to make. 1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 3:3 b,
The memorial, invocation and intercession of saintes. 1613
Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 623 To meete, and make memo-
riall of their deceased friends with remembrance of their
vertues. 1866 Direct. Angl. (ed. 3) 355 When two holidays
fall together, the service of the superior one is used, and
the collect of the inferior day is said after that of the Office
of the Feast as its memorial.
3. Something by which the memory of a person,
thing, or event is preserved, as a monumental
erection, a custom or an observance. Phr. for a
memorial (cf. 1 a),
138a Wyclif Exod. iii. 15 This is name to me withouten
ende, and this my memoriale in generacioun and into gene-
racioun. c 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 61 These
iiij. figures, combyned into one, Sette on thy mynde for a
memorial, c 1440 Promp. Parr. 332/1 Memoryal on a
grawc.in remembrawnce of a dede body. £1449 Pecock
Repr. Prol. 4 The memorials or the mynde placis of Seints.
1530 Tindale Prol. Lev. Wks. (1573) 14/1 Baptisme is our
common badge, and sure earnest, and perpetual memoriall
that we pertaine vnto Christ. 1611 Bible Mark xiv. 9 This
also that she hath done, shall be spoken of for a memoriall
of her. 1648 Bury Wills (Camden) 202 To buy him a ring
for a memoriall of me. 1726 Swift Gulliver iv. xii, They
set up a rotten Plank or a Stone for a Memorial. 1849 Mac-
aulay Hist. Eng. v. I. 613 The plough and the spade have
not seldom turned up ghastly memorials of the slaughter.
'853 J. H. Newman Hist. Sk. (1873) II. 168 The memorials
of the rule of the Pharaohs are still engraved on the rocks
of Libya. 1857 Raskin Arrcnvs ofChace (1880) I. 44 Every
day renders the destruction of historical memorials more
complete in Europe.
•f'4. A note or memorandum. Obs.
1577 [Dee] (title) General and Rare Memorials pertayning
to the Perfect Arte of Navigation. 1622 Bacon Hen. VI I
243 Full of Notes and Memorialls of his owne Hand, es-
pecially touching Persons. 1726 Swift Gulliver in. x,
These Struldbrugs and I would mutually communicate our
Observations, and Memorials through the Course of Time.
1732 — Beasts'1 Confess. Wks. 1755 IV. 1. 271 His promises
he ne'er forgot, But took memorials on the spot. 1817
Pari. Deb. 1879 That Mr. Harmer drew his petitions from
memorials by T. E.
fb. A book of memoranda ; a day book. Obs.
1588 J. Mellis Briefe Jnstr. B ivb, The Memorial is a
booke where-in a marchaunt discriueth and writeth all his
daily businesse.
C. Law. An abstract of the particulars of a deed,
etc., serving for registration.
1813 Act 53 Geo. Ill, c. 141 § 2 A Memorial of the Date
of every such Deed, .shall be enrolled in the High Court of
Chancery. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) II. 61 Before the
registering of the memorial of the deed.
d. Scots Law. A statement of facts drawn up
to be submitted for counsel's opinion. Also, an
advocate's brief.
1752 Acts of Sederunt (1760) 462 The Lords, having taken
into consideration the bad practice of giving in long me-
morials before advising prepared states, They from this day
forward discharge the giving in any such memorials, and
that short cases, .be made by each party, and put into the
Lords boxes. 1815 Scott Guy M. xxxvi, ' Give me the me-
morial, and come to me on Monday at ten", replied the
learned counsel, a 1822 in Kay's Portraits (1838) II. 278
It's no in your memorial (brief).
5. A record, chronicle, or memoir; now chiefly
//., a record, often containing personal reminis-
cences, of the history of a person, place, or event.
1513 Bradshaw St. Werbnrge 200 An other Balade 1
O frutefull histore o digne memoriall. c 1515 (////*■) The
Auchinleck Chronicle: ane Schort Memoriale of the Scottis
Corniklis for Addicioun [1436-1461], printed from the As-
loan MS. 1667M11.TON P.L. 1.362 Thonghof their Names
in heav'nly Records now Be no memorial, a 1671 Ld.
Fairfax Mem. (1699) 1 A short Memorial of the northern
actions in which I was engaged. 1748 H. Wai.pole Lett,
(1846) II. 228, I am a little pleased to have finished a slight
memorial of it [sc. Houghton]. 1843 Sir T. D. Lauder
(title) Memorial of the Royal Progress in Scotland in 1842.
1872 Hare (title) Memorials of a Quiet Life.
6. In diplomatic use : A general designation for
various classes of informal state papers, either pre-
sented by an ambassador to the representative of
the Power to which he is accredited, and embody-
ing statements of facts, claims, or propositions
made on behalf of his government, or sent by the
ministry of foreign affairs to one of its own agents
abroad, containing instructions relative to some
matter of negotiation.
1536 in Strype Eccl. Mem. I. App. lxxvL 182 heading,
A memorial of such articles as were . . treated of between the
kings highnes counsailers &.. the French ambassadors.
1561 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 194 To gif in befoir the
Quenis Grace, .ane formal and sufficient roll and memoriaj.
1680 (title) The two memorials delivered by Mr. Sidney his
majesty of Great Britains Envoy extraordinary to induce
the States-general not to enter into a league defensive with
the French king. 1696 Phillips, Memorial,..* Writing de-
livered in by a Pubfick Minister about some part of his
Negotiation. 1758 Ann. Reg. 187 A memorial presented.,
to the dyet of the empire, by Baron Gimmengen, electoral
minister of Brunswick Lunenbourg. 1833 Alison Hist.
Eurofe (1848) I. iii. § 19. 230 The king, .. unable to make
up his mind on the subject, bad it repeatedly debated, both
orally in the council, and in written memorials of no common
ability.
7. A statement of facts forming the basis of or
expressed in the form of a petition or remonstrance
to a person in authority, a government, etc.
1713 Steele Guardian No. 128 P 2 A most humble ad-
dress, or memorial, presented to her majesty. 1769 Robert-
son Chas. V, IV. Wks. 1813 V. 393 Theydrew up and pub-
lished a memorial, containing all their demands. 1832
MEMORIAL.
Ht. Martineau Devierara ii. 15 They met from time to
time to. .draw up memorials to Government,
8. at t rib. : memorial day, a day on which a me-
morial is made; U.S. (with initial capitals) the day
(in the Northern States 30 May; in the Southern
States in April) set apart for honouring the me-
mory of those who fell in the civil war of 1861-65.
1836 Keblb Stmt. xi. (1848) 276 There seems a propriety
In reading on his memorial-day in particular the account of
their common calling and adherence to Christ. 1807 Kip-
ling Captains Courageous 245 And Monday's Memo-
rial Day.
Memorial (mimo^rial) , v. [f. Memorial sb.]
1. trans, a. To address a memorial to (a person) ;
to memorialize.
1768 Sir W. Johnson in F. Chase Hist. Dartmouth Colt.
(1891) I. 80 They had even the face.. to memorial me,
praying that the Indians might not be allowed to give up
far to the north or west. 1778 Phil. Sun: S. I ret. 352 liirm-
ingham, Sheffield and other inland towns memorial govern-
ment not to execute a scheme so big with ruin. 1831 Doyle
in W. J. Fitz-Patrick Life (1880) II. 440 Would not the
proper mode of proceeding, in the case of the soldier, lie to
memorial the commander-in-chief? 1894 W. O'Brien in
Daily News 25 Dec. 6/5 The tenants, .meekly memorial
his lordship for some consideration.
b. To denounce in a memorial.
1731 N. Hampshire Prov. Papers {1870) IV. 614 In order
to memorial the Govemour to the Right Honourable the
Lords of Trade & Plantations, as a Person not a friend to
the Province.
2. intr. To draw up a memorial ; to petition for.
1764 P. Skene in N. York Col. Doc. (1856) VII. 615 The
Honb'et Board of Trade directed that the above lands
memorialed for, should not be granted. 1821 Col. Hawker
Diary (1893) I. 242 My brother officers, .expressed a wish
(and even wanted to memorial) for my promotion.
3. Law. To enter in a memorandum.
1824 Ann. Reg. 64 All transfers should be null and void
until so memonalled and enrolled.
Memorialist (m/moe-rialist). [f. Memorial
Sb. + -1ST.]
1. One who addresses or presents a memorial.
1713 Steele Guardian No. 128 F 2 The nauseous memo-
rialist, with the most fulsom flattery tells the queen of her
thunder. 1741 in G. Sheldon Hist. Deerfield, Mass. (1895)
I. 491 Your Memorialist Humbly prays that a consideration
of the sd affair may be had. 1858 Greenek Gunnery 345
And memorialist, as in duty boundj will ever pray.
2. A writer of biographical or historical me-
morials.
1766 Ann. Reg. n. 29 The pains, .the celebrated memorialist
takes to gloss over her actions. 1833 Blackw. Mag. XXXII.
£59 We purpose to collect from these obscure, but most
interesting memorialists, a few sketches and biographical
portraits of these great princes. X903 Morley Gladstone
I. i. 1 In one sense a statesman's contemporaries . . must be
the best if not the only true memorialists and recorders.
f 3. One who has a good memory. Obs.
1719 Freethinker III. 40 Others, .look on a mere Memo-
rialist as an ill-digested Commonplace Book.
Memorialize (mirao^rialaiz), v. [f. Me-
morial v. + -IZE.]
1. trans. To preserve the memory of; to be or
supply a memorial of; to commemorate.
1798 T. Green Diary Lover of Lit. (1810) 82 A stone,
memorialising the spot of a ' barbarous murder'. 1822-56
I)e Quincey Confess. Wks. 1890 III. 255 Those 'gram-
matici* whom he [Suetonius] memorialises as an order of
men flocking to Rome in the days of the Flavian family.
1892 Blackw. Mag. CL1. 58/1 Five arches, probably meant
to memorialise the five arches of the Pool of Bethesda.
2. To address a memorial to. Also ahsol.
1798 Hull Advertiser 14 Apr. 2/4 The Deputies .. con-
tinue to memorialize the French Plenipotentiaries. 1855
Mrs. Gore Mammon II. 154 Last year, I memorialised the
bishop. 1880 Disraeli Eudym. III. xxxi. 310 The counties
met, the municipalities memorialised.
Hence Memorialized, Memorializing ppl.
adj's. ; Memorializa'tion, the action of Memorial-
ize v. ; Memo-rializer, one who memorializes.
1803 Man in Moon (1804) 1 13 Memorialized. i8o7Bentham
Mem. $ Corr. Wks. 1843 X. 424 An arrangement which..
J. B. has the satisfaction of seeing proposed by the me-
morializing Judges. 1837 T. Hook Jack Brag (L.), The
memorializers had taken the precaution to put their me-
morial in the form of a round-robin. 1874 Piazzi Smyth
Our Inheritance 11. x. 193 Those. .Egyptians, .delighted in
.. architectural memorialization of bulls and goats and ..
every bestial thing.
MemorlaUy (mimS^riali), adv. rare. [f. Me-
morial a. + -ly -.]
1. By heart ; = Memoriter.
1660 J. Lloyd Prim. Episc. 33 A premeditated and me-
morially delivered prayer. 1866 Public School L^atin
Primer Pref., A concise manual of facts and codes of rules
m Latin, to be memorially learnt.
2. As a memorial ; so as to preserve a memory.
1876 Lowell Among my Bks. Ser. 11. 314 Not so much
living in his poems as memorially recording his life in them,
II Memoria technica (m/mo*'ria te'knika).
[L. =' technical memory'.] A method by which
the memory is assisted by artificial contrivances ; a
system of mnemonics ; a mnemonic contrivance.
x73° 1R. Grey] (title) Memoria Technica ; or, a new me-
thod of Artificial Memory. 1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin.
Mea. Introd. Lect. 32 Must an artificial method of forgetting
become even more necessary than a memoria technica?
1864 Pusey Lect. Daniel vi. 295 Such were the 22 Books
intended by Josephus, so numbered by a sort of memoria
technica, in conformity to the 22 Hebrew letters.
331
Memoried (memorid), a. [f. Memory + -ed2.]
1. Having a memory (of a specified kind), as
long-, short -memoried.
IS73 L. Lloyd Pilgr. Princes 138 b, The well memoried
man. 1610 Healey^V. Aug. Citie of God (1620) 249 Plato in
his Theastetus saith that the cholericke person is the best
memoried. 1877 Long-memoried [see Long a.1 16].
2. Full of or fraught with memories, rare.
1851 C. T. d'Eyncourt Eustace (ed. 2) 18 It is such house-
hold scenes as these which form The memoried World of
Youth. 1898 W. K. Johnson Terra Tenebr. 141 And be
the memoried tomb with rose-leaves spread.
HflCemorious, a. Obs. or arch. rare. [ad.
med.L. memoriosus (OF. memorieux), I. memoria
Memory: see -ous.]
1. Having a good memory ; mindful of.
159? R- Linche Fount. Anc. Fid. Liij b, If by the Ty-
rannie of fore-passed times, the memorious notes of such
industrious fathers were not blotted out. c 1600 Tt'mou 11.
i. (Shaks. Soc.) 26 Pseud. Dos't thou remember? Gelas. I
am memorious. 1603 Florio Montaigne ill. viii. 563
Learned, wise and memorious [orig. mcmorieux\. 1621
G. Sandys Ovufs Met. xiv. (1626) 296 Memorious [orig.
memores) of the Trojan woes. 1656 Blount Glossogr.,
Memorious, that hath a good memory.
2. Memorable.
1883 Hurton 8: Cameron Gold Coast I. to Shaggy Cintra . .
with its memorious convent and its Moorish castle.
Memorist (me'm&rist). rare, [f. Memory or
Memorize v.; see -ist.]
+ 1. One who prompts the memory. Obs.
1682 Sir T. Browne Chr. Mor. 1. § 21 Conscience the
punctual Memorist within us.
2. If. S. One who memorizes or commits to
memory; one who has a retentive memory.
1872 New Cycl. Hlustr. A need. 9/2 Fame has given me
the report of being a memorist.
II Memoriter (mim^'ritaj), adv. [L , f. inemor
mindful, remembering.] From memory, by heart.
1612 IIkinsley Lud. Lit. xiii. (1627) 178 All the Theames
of this Author being then written of and pronounced by
them memoriter. 1766 T. Clap Hist. Yale Colt. 82 Twice
a Week five or six deliver a Declamation memoriter from
the oratorical Rostrum. 1890 J. Pl'lsford Loyalty to
Christ I 330 Any man of the world with ordinary intelli-
gence might learn it, and express it memoriter.
b. as adj. Spoken or speaking ( memoriter'.
1802-12 Bentham Ration. Judic. Evid. (1827) III. 461
In the case of memoriter evidence of this description. 1896
Daily News n Jan. 6/4 The mere memoriter preacher.
Memorize (me'moraiz), v. [f. Memory -f- -ize.]
1. trans. To keep alive the memory or recollec-
tion of; to cause to be remembered, make me-
morable. Now rare or Obs.
1594 J. Dickenson Arisbas 11878) 58 His fortune or rather
misfortune., is memorized byvsina prouerbial byword. 1605
Shaks. Macb. 1. ii. 40 Except they meane to.. memorize
another Golgotha, a 1639 Si'Ottiswood Hist. Ch. Scot. 11.
(1677) 28 To memorize this victory, the King did found an
Episcopal See. 1657 R. Vinf.s Lord's Supper (1677) 162
Memorizing him in a piece of bread and cup of wine. 1846
Landor Hellenics Wks. II. 4S4 Muses ..Who from your
sacred mountain, .hear and memorise The crimes of men
and counsels of the Gods.
b. Said of impersonal subjects. Also intr. To
be a memorial or memento.
1593 Nashe Christ's T. 36 Eate of my sonne one morsel
Set, that it may memorize against you, ye are accessary to
is dismembering. 1622 Drayton Foly-olb. xx'i. 160 Nothing
..Except poore widdowes cries to memorize your theft.
1654-66 Earl Orkkry Parthen. (1676) 621 The Hellespont,
memorized by the famous death of Hero and Leander. 1822
Blackw. Mag. XII. 412 A Cenotaph to memorise our grave.
2. To perpetuate the memory of in writing; to put
on record ; to relate, record, mention. Now mr^.
1591 Spenser R uines of Time 364 Because they living cared
not to cherishe No gentle wits.. Which might theirnames
for ever memorize. 1632 Lithgow T?-az>. 1. 11, I arriued at
Rome, of the which I will memorize, some rarest things.
1652-62 Heylin Cosmogr. 1. (1682) 88 Here flourished the
exact Martial discipline, so memorized by ancient Historio-
graphers. 1701 J. Prince (title) Danmonii Orientales
Illustres...A Work wherein the Lives and Fortunes of the
Most famous Divines, . . Natives of that most noble Province
. . are memoriz'd. 1831 Lamr Let. to Moxon in Final Mem.
viii, The R. A. here memorised, was George Daw. 1869
PjROwning Ring <y Bk. ix. 1345 Like the strange favour,
Maro memorized As granted Aristasus.
with clause. 1619 Wither Vox Pacif. it. 45 You have not
memorized . . How God . . against your Enemies hath fought.
3. To commit to memory. Chiefly U.S.
1856 Olmsted Slave States 552 His power of memorizing
and improvising music. 1878 W. H.Daniels That Boy ix. 140
He had even taken the pains to memorize a number of
hymns and sonnets. 1894 Maskelyne Sharps fy Flats vi.
150 The sharp.. should be able to memorise instantly as
many cards as possible.
Hence Memorized ppl.a., Memorizing1 vbl.sb.
and ppl.a.; Me-morizable a.} that may be me-
morized or committed to memory ; Memoriza'-
tion, the action of the verb Memorize ; Me*mo-
rizer, one who memorizes.
1600 Tourneur Transf. Metam. Wks. 1878 II. 211 Who
vow'd his name should be a;ternized. .In memorizing lines.
1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 135 A place scarce worth the
memorizing. 1839 J. Rogers Antipopopr. iii. § 2. 145 Jerome
had more learning, Augustine had more logic ; the former
being the greater memorizer. 1884 American VIII. 396
Any good memorizable series. 1886-7 T. Grady Proc.
Amer. Instruct. Deaf 261 A vast process of memorization.
1889 Anthony's Photogr. Bull. II. 297 An easily memorized
series of shop sizes. 1890 J. G. Fitch Notes Amer. Schools
MEMORY.
% Training Coll. 50 What is oddlycalled 'memorizing1. .U
often confined to the reproduction of scraps of information
or short passages from text-books.
t Me'morous, a. Obs. [ad. med.L. memoro-
sus (OK. memoreux), f. L. memor mindful: see
-ous.] Memorable.
1513 Bradshaw St, Werhurge 1. 159 Whiche realme by
processe and power vyctoryous Subdued all other to hym,
full memorous. Ibid. 283 Whiche ladyes were buryed full
memorous At Peturborowe abbay.
Memory (memori), sb. Forms : a. (chiefly
Se. and north.) 4-6 memoire, memore, memour,
5-6 -oyre, 6 memor, memoir. 0. 4-6 memorye,
4-7 memorie, (6 memoree, -i), 4- memory, [a.
OF. memorie, memoire, memore (mod.Y. memoire)
-Sp. , Vg., It. memoria, ad. L. memoria, noun of
quality or condition f. memor mindful, remember-
ing, a reduplicated formation on the root *mer-f
Indogermanic *smcr- (Skr. smar-) to remember.
There is no etymological connexion between L. memor
and the vb. memini I remember. J
1. The faculty by which things are remembered ;
the capacity for retaining, perpetuating, or reviv-
ing the thought of things past. To commit or
f commend to memory : see the vbs.
1340 Ayenb. 107 Ac y-yeue is be herte parfitliche and
yconfermed, uor be memorie is zuo cleuiynde ine him
pet ne of no ping benche bote ine him. c 1375 Se. Leg.
Saints vi. (Thowasi 595 For in til a man visdome Is, &
of bat ane bare procedis vndirstandynge, memore, &
wite. 1413 Pilgr. So-vle (Caxton 1483) iv. xxv, 71 God
made man ryght as a Trynyte, he yaf him memory, vn-
derstandyng and wylle. 1513 Douglas yE net's x. Pro!.
70 Rayson decernis, inemor kepis the consaiL 1530 Palsgr.
666/2, I commende it to memorie. ("1540 Boordk The bake
for to L.ernc C iij b, It doth acuat, quycken, and refreshe,
the memorye. 1690 Locke Hum. Una. 1. iv. (1695) 35 I»y
the memory it [an idea] can be made an actual perception
again. 17x8 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. to Lady Rich
16 Mar., J'he memory can retain but a certain number of
images. 1828 Scott /''. M. Perth xxiv, Our memory is, of
all our powers of mind, that which is peculiarly liable to be
suspended. 1855 H. Spencer Priuc. Psychol. (1872) I. iv.
viii. 483 The subject-matter of Memory is retrospective.
personified. 1618 Bp. Hall Righteous Mammon 95
Memory, the Great keeper or Master of the rolles of the
soule. 1831 Wordsw. Bothwell Castle, Memory, like sleep,
hath powers which dreams obey.. ; How little that she
cherishes is lost !
b. Art of memory, artificial memory: mnemo-
nics ; a system of mnemonic devices.
[1491 Pethus Ravennas {title) Phoenix ; seu artificiosa me-
moria.] 154. R. Coh-and {title) The Art of Memory, that
otherwyse is called the Phenix. 1573 W. Fulwod tr. Grata-
rolus' Castel of Memorie vu. F v b. Artificial! Memorie is
a disposyng or placing of sensible thinges in the mynde by
imagination, whereunto the naturall Memorie hauing re-
spect, is by them admonished. 1594 Nashe Unfort. Trav.
70 It is not possible for anie man to learne the Art of
Memorie,. .except he haue a naturall memorie before. 1647
Cowley Mistress, Soul iii, So that thy Parts become to me
A kind of Art of Memory. 1653 R. Sanders (title) Physio-
gnomic ..Whereunto is added the Art of Memorie. 1747
Hoyle (title) A Short Treatise On the Game of Whist..
To which is added, An Artificial Memory: Or, An easy
Method of assisting the Memory of those that play at the
Game.
2. This faculty considered as residing in a par-
ticular individual ; often with epithet denoting the
extent to which the faculty is developed or the
department in which it is most active.
c iyj & Cn ax; cer A net. $ Arc. 14 This old story.. That eeld,
which ]>at al! can frete and bite,. -hath negh devoured oute
of my memory. 1484 Caxton Fables of /ii sop 11. ix, Good
children ought. .to. .put in theyr hert & memory the doc-
tryne..of theyr parentes. 1597 Morley Introd. Mus. 5,
I should haue a verie good wit, for I haue but a bad
memorie. 1624 Heywood Gunaik. in. 125 For this appear'd
the blazing Star Yet fresh in our memory. 169Z R. L'Es-
trange Fables cccliii. 323 Wherefore Parasites and Lyers
had need of Good Memories. 170s Addison Italy Prefi, I
took care to refresh my Memory among the Classic Au-
thors. 1826 Disraeli Viv. Grey vi. iii, A good memory is
often as ready a friend as a sharp wit. 1852 Mrs. Stowe
Uncle Tom's C. xx. 213 Topsy had an uncommon verbal
memory.
b. In the language of wills, etc., of \ good, sanet
fsafe, sound, f whole memory.
1402 E. E. IFills (1882) 10, I, Iohn Girdeler of Harfeld, in
god mynde and saf memorye, make my testement. 1483
Act 1 Rich. Ill, c. 7 § 3 Persons, .within Age. .or not of
whole Memory at the Time of such Fine levied. 1642 tr.
Perkins Prof. Bk. i. § 22. 10 If a man being of good
memorie make a Charter of Feofment. 1820G1FFORD Comfl.
Eug. Lawyer (ed. 5) 672, I.John Mills,, .linen-draper, being
of sound and disposing mind, memory, and understanding.
1826 W. Roberts Wilts $ Codicils (ed. 3) I. 32 No person
who is not of a reasonable mind and sane memory can make
any disposition by will.
T C. To come to one's memory : to recover from
unconsciousness. [Cf. OF. revenir en sa me'moire.]
1754 Richardson Graudison V. xxviii. 174, I have en-
deavoured to account for the noble behaviour of your sister ;
and am the less surprised at it, now she is come to her
memory. . ,
3. Recollection, remembrance. Chiefly in phrases,
as from memo>y ; to come to (a person's) memory ;
to bear, have, keep in memory, f To draw or take
into or to memory : to recollect, remember, f To
have memory (of) : to recollect (trans, and intr.).
t Out of memory : forgotten.
J 108-a
MEMORY.
c 1369 Chaucer Bk. Diichtsse 045 Hir throte, as I haue
now memoyre, Semed a round tour of yvoyrc. c 1386
— Miller's Prol. 4 It was a noble stone And worthy
for to drawen to memorie. 1390 Gower Con/. I. 37 Who
so drawth into memoire What hath befalle of old and
newe. Ibid. II. 22 Bot al was clene out of memoire.
Ibid. III. 166 Tak into memoire, For al this pompe and
al this pride Let no justice gon aside, c 1400 Rom. Rose
5752 Sich as. .toward god have no memorie. 1500-20 Dun-
bar Poems Ixxii. 5 Having his passioun in memorye. 1550
Crowley Last Trumpet 1021 Se thou cal to memori The
ende wherfore al men are made. 1553 Eden Treat. Newe
I mi. (Arb.) 15 This beaste . . doth wonderfulli beare in me-
morie benefytes shewed vnto him. 1570-6 Lambarde
Peramb. Kent (1826) 156 Whilest each man was guiltie of
the fault, and had fresh memorie thereof. 1590 Sir J. Smyth
Disc. Weapons 2 The most of the which that shall fall into
my memorie. 1606 Shaks. Ant. $ CI. iv. ix. 7 When men
reuolted shall vpon Record Beare hatefull memory. 161 1
Bible i Cor.xv. 2 If yee keepe in memorie what I preached
vnto you. a 1626 Bacon New Atl. (1900) 21 Wee haue
memory not of one Shipp that euer returned. 1638 Sir T.
Herbert Trav. (ed. 2) 25 Suffer me (whiles in memory) to
tell you of a fish or 2 which in these seas were obvious.
1802 Wordsw. Sonn., When I have borne in memory what
has tamed Great Nations. 1856 GROTEf/Vft'Ct'H.xcviii, XII.
647 A considerable portion of the Greeks of Olbia could re-
peat the Iliad from memory. Mod. The portrait was painted
from memory.
b. An act or instance of remembrance ; a repre-
sentation in the memory, a recollection.
1817 Shelley Rev. Islam vn. Hi, She told me a strange
tale. ., Like broken memories of many a heart Woven into
one. 1833 Tennyson Lady Clara iv, You put strange
memories in my head. 1854 Mrs. Stowe {title) Sunny
Memories of Foreign Lands.
C. A person or thing held in remembrance.
1842 Tennyson Gardeners Daughter (end), The darling
of my manhood, and, alas ! Now the most blessed memory
of my age. 1886 A. Birrell in Contemf. Rev. L. 28 The
first great fact to remember is, that the Edmund Burke we
are all agreed in regarding as one of the proudest memories
of the House of Commons was an Irishman.
4. The fact or condition of being remembered ;
* exemption from oblivion ' (J.). ? Obs. exc. as in b.
c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xl. (Niniati) 1086 pis sa schort
tyme gane ves pat ?et it is in memorfresch. 1375 Barbour
Bruce 1. 14 To put in wryt a suthfast story, That it lest ay
ftirth in memory. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. i. 1 To
thentent that thc.featis of armes. .shulde. .be. .put in per-
petuall memory. 1579-80 North Plutarch, The sens (1595)
15 And this is that which is worthy memorie. .touching the
wars of these Amazones. 1591 Shaks. i Hen. VI, iv. iii.
51 That euerliuing man of Memorie, Henrie the fift. 1644
Milton Educ. Wks. (1847) 98/1 To say or do aught worthy
memory. 1656 Stanley Hist. Philos. vi. (1701) 243/2 Mortal
Nature, .obtaineth Eternal Memory by the greatness of
such works.
b. In memory of, f to the memory of : so as to
keep alive the remembrance of; as a record of.
Also fin memory, for a memorial.
a 1340 Hampole Psalter xxvi. 9 In memoreof his passion.
? 1370 Robt. Cicyle 63 Thys storye ys, withowten lye, At
Rome wretyn in memorye. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xiv.
[Lucas) 31 In lofe & memoreof bare name. « 1400-50.^ /<.',*:-
ander rn8 In mynde & in memory of him to make a cite.
1509 Hawes Past. Pleas, xlv. (Percy Soc.) 220 Makyng
great bokes to be in memory. 1640 Bi\ Hall Chr. Moder.
1. xii. 127 A yearely fast called Arzibur, in the sad memory
of the dog of Sergius. 1653 Nissena 154 A Livery which
they wore to the memory of the deceased King. 1769
Goldsm. Hist. Rome II. 490 He removed, for change of air,
to Helenopolis, a city which he had built to the memory of
his mother. 1781 J. Morison in Sc. Paraphrases xxxv. vi,
Through latest ages let it pour In inem'iy of my dying hour.
5. The recollection {of something) perpetuated
amongst men ; what is remembered of a person,
object, or event ; (good or bad) posthumous repute.
c 1450 St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 495 J?e whilk place, for be
childes memour, Ks halden 311 in grete honour. 1490
Caxton Eneydos xxvii. 102 Memore shalbe therof as longe
as heuyn & erthe shall last. 1597 Shaks. 2 Hen. IV, iv. iv.
75 Their memorie Shall as a Patterne, or a Measure, Hue.
1611 Bible Prov. x. 7 The memorie of the iust is blessed.
1625 Bacon Ess., Great Place (Arb.) 293 Vse the Memory
of thy Predecessor fairly, and tenderly. 1662 J. Davies tr.
Olearius' Voy. Ambass. 125 Cyril of Alexandria, whose me-
mory the Greeks celebrate on the 9. of June. 1711 Swift
Jrnl. to Stella 28 May, I.. promised to do what I could to
help him to a service, which I did for Harry Tenison's
memory. 1781 Gibbon Decl. <y F. xvii. II. 44 The memory
of Constantine has been deservedly censured for another in-
novation which corrupted military discipline. 1838 Arnold
Hist. Rome (1846) I. vi. 213 His fathers memory.. was re-
garded with respect and affection. 1868 Freeman Norm.
Coup. (1877) II. vii. 45 He has left a dark and sad memory
behind.
b. Of blessed, happy, famous (etc.) memory : a
formula used after the names of sovereigns, princes,
or other notable persons who have been distin-
guished for their actions or virtues.
[1433-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) V. 149 Seynte Gregory.,
caltethe Constantyne a man of goode memory.) 1485
Rolls of Parlt. VI. 288/2 The most famous Prince of
blessed memorie King Heme the VIth. 1509 Fisher Fu-
neral Serm. C'tess Richmond 'Wks. (1876) 289 A comyny-
cacyonbetwyxt the woman of blessed memory called Martha
and our sauyour Ihesu. 1605 Camden Rem. 3 Our late
Soveraigne, of most deare sacred and ever-glorious memorie
Queene Elizabeth. 1660 Lu. Brudnell in Buccleuch MSS.
(Hist. MS. Comm.) 1 . 31 3 When his late Majesty of glorious
memory was intended to go against the Scots. 1738 Swift
Pol. Conversat. Introd. 4 His late Majesty King William
the Third, of ever glorious and immortal Memory'- 176s
Bp. Forbes Jrnl. (1886) 176 The widow of Sutherland of
Bogsie, of facetious memory.
332
6. The length oi time over which the recollec-
tion of a person or a number of persons extends ;
chiefly in phr. beyorui, fpast, f out of within the
memory {of man). + Through all memory: for all
time.
1530 Tindale Pract. Prelates D vij, And in his lawe he
(the pope] thrust in fayned gyftes of old emperours that
were out of memorye, sayenge that [etc.]. 154a Aberdeen
Reg. (1844) I. 439 Vsit and perseruit all tymes bigane, past
memor of man. 1555 Eden Decades 1. iv. 21 b, The same
yeare, the sea.. rose higher than euer it dyd before by the
memory of man [orig. more maiorum}. 1570-6 Lambarde
Peramb. Kent (1576) 9 Within memorie almost the one
halfe of the first sorte be disparked. 1643 Milton Di-
vorce 11. xi, Why then is Pilat branded through all me-
mory? 1667 — P. L. vn. 637 How first this World and
face of things began, And what before thy memorie was
don From the beginning, a 1676 Hale De Jure Maris
1. vi. in Hargrave's Law Tracts (1787) I. 35 That the
river of the Severn usque filum wjuse was time out of
memory parcell of that manor. 1711 Addison Spec t. No. 13
P4 He.. has drawn together greater Audiences than have
been known in the Memory of Man. 1849 Macaulay Hist.
Eng. i. init., I purpose to write the history of England from
the accession of king James the Second downto a time
which is within the memory of men still living. 1870
Toulmin Smith Eng. Gilds 213 margin, The gild was begun
at a time beyond the memory of man.
b. Law. Time of {legal) memory, see quots.
Cf. the corresponding phrase ' Time Immemorial, or Time
whereof the Memory of Man runneth not to the contrary ',
Act 2 <y 3 Will. IV, c. 71 § 1.
1642 tr. Perkins' Prof. Bk. ii. § 120. 54 If a Deed bear
date before time of memory it is not pleadable. 1766 Black-
stone Comm. I. 31 Time of memory hath been long ago
ascertained by the law to commence from the reign of
Richard the first.
7. Eccl. A commemoration, esp, of the departed.
Ohs. exc. Hist.
1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 7957 pe bryde [part of the
Host] he offreb to haue memory For soules bat are yn pur-
gatory. 1362 Langl. P. PL A. vii. 88 He is holden..to..
munge ine in his memorie Among alle cristene. 1463 Bury
Wills (Camden) 18 And after the seid messe to sey a me-
morie of requiem for vs. 1558 in Strype Ann. Ref. I. App.
iv. 6 If there be some other devout sort of prayers or me-
mory said. 1591 Spenser M. Hubberd 454 Their memories,
their singings, and their gifts. 1853 Rock Ch. of Fathers
IV. xii. 125 After the collect for the day.. came the 'me-
mories j or, as we now call them, ' commemorations '. 1885
R. W. Dixon Hist.Ch. Eng.*.\\\\. III. 283 (tr. Bucer),And
I am told that there are women of title who boldly demand
memories to be celebrated when there are no communicants.
t 8. To make tnemory of', to preserve a record or
memorial of; to record, mention. Obs.
c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxv. (Julian) 31 Of wthyre Iuly-
anis sere mencione I sal mak 30U here, & als sume memor
sal I ma of Iulyane apostata. c 1410 Lydg. Assembly of
Gods 1515 For on the walles was made memory Singlerly of
euery creature That there had byn. 1590 Spenser F. Q. hi.
ii. 1 To whom no share in armes and chevalree They doe
impart, ne maken memoi ee Of their brave gestes. a 1643
Ld. Falkland, etc. Infallibility (1646) 85 There is no me-
mory made how the sentence was received.
f 9. A memorial writing ; a historical account ;
a record of a person or an event ; a history. Obs.
1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) II. 269 Cambises,..vnder whom
the memory [L. historia] of that woman Iudith happede.
c 1470 Harding Chron. cv. iii, The kyng came home with
honour and victorye, As Floressaieth right in his memorye.
a 1540 Barnes Wks. (1573) 183 Wee doe not read in any
memoryes, that our fathers haue left vs, that [etc.]. 157a
R. H. tr. Lauaterus1 Ghostes (1596) 6g Immediately after
this Historie, he putteth na other more worthie memorie
than the foremost. 1604 E. G[rimstoneJ D'Acosta's Hist.
Indies v. xii. 359 There are certaine memories and dis-
courses which say, that in this Temple the Divell did speake
visibly. 1673 R-AY Journ. Low C. 6 There is no memory
that these places were part of the Continent. 1730 A. Gor-
don MaffeCs Amphitn. 57 There is no Memory of any
other [Amphitheatre] to be found on Medals.
1 10. An object or act serving as a memorial ; a
memento. Obs.
c 1470 Harding Chron. cxxi. iii, The Abbay of Batayle..
He called it so then for a memorye Of his batayle. 1483
Caxton Gold. Leg. 231/1 They fond hys rynge and one
gloue whiche they brought agayn and that other the Sextayn
reteyned for a wytnes and memorie. 1547 Injunc. Edw. VI,
xxviii. c ij b, That they shall takeawaie. .all shrines [etc.],..
so that there remain no memory of the same, in walles,
glasses, windowes, or els where. 1.S48 9 (Mar.) Bk. Com.
Prayer, Communion, And did institute, and in his holy
Gospell commaund us, to celebrate a perpetuall memory of
that his precious death. 1575 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec.
Oxford (1880) 367 To remaine as a perpetuall memory
and record of such orders. 1605 Shaks. Lear iv. vii. 7
These weedes are memories of those worser houres. 1624
Bedell Lett. xi. 150 It is a memorie and representation of
the true Sacrifice, .made on the Altar of the Crosse.
+ 11. A memorial tomb, shrine, chapel, or the
like ; a monument. Obs.
c 1400 Apol. Loll. 49 Men bigging be memoryes of martres.
1579 Fulke Refut. Rastel 797 Miracles worked at their
chappelles or memorie. 1641 Mede Apost. Latter T. 120
Those who approached the shrines of Martyrs, and prayed at
their memories, and sepulchers. 1656 Evelyn Diary 8 July,
King Coilus-.ofwhom I find no memory save at the pinnacle
of one of their wool-staple houses, where is a statue. 1691
Wood Aih. Oxon. I. 541 Jackson.. was buried in the Inner
Chappel. .but hath no memory at all over bis grave.
12. attrib. and Comb., as memory - haunted,
-haunting adjs. ; memory-picture t~s tone ; memory-
man, a professor of mnemonics; + memory-
mountebank, a quack exponent of mnemonics.
1848 Dickens Dotmbey lix, * Memory-haunted twilight.
MENACE.
1882 ■ Ouida Maremma 1. 151 The wondrous, mysterious,
memory-haunted land. 1899 E. J. Chapman Drama Two
Lives 14 Manya*memory-haunting face. 1815 MoORzEpil.
to ' Ina ' 35 Nothing can surpass the plan Of that Professor—
{trying to recollect) psha ! — that ■ Memory-man. 1643
Fuller Holy ty Prof. St. 111. x. i74Theartificiall rules which
. . are delivered by *M emory-mountebanks. 1887 F. Francis
Saddle ty Mocassin 267 One of those *memory pictures that
form the pteasantest relics of travel, a 1847 Eliza Cook To
Mem. Burns ii, None that deck thy * memory-stone.
Me'moryless,^. [-less.] Having no memory.
1857 Lowell in Atlantic Monthly Dec (1892) 755/1, I am
glad you do not forget me, though I seem so memoryless and
ungrateful.
Memour, -oyre, obs. forms of Memory.
Memphian (mcmlian), a. and sb. [f. Mem-
phi-s + -AX.~} a. adj. Pertaining to Memphis, a
city of ancient Egypt; often used vaguely for
* Egyptian \ Memphian stone : Pliny s lapis Mem-
phites (cf. Mephis). b. sb. An inhabitant or na-
tive of Memphis ; an Egyptian.
1591 Sylvester Du Bartas 1. i. 783 One, . . a fearfull
slaughter made Of all the First-horn that the Memphians
had. 1605 Ibid. it. Hi. 111. Law 895 They long For Memphian
hotch-potch, Leeks, and Garlick strong. 1635 Kutter
Shepheards Holy day v. ii. F 5 b, A Memphian stone, that
has the power To bring a deadly sleepe on all the senses.
1667 Milton/\Z. 1.307 Husirisand hisMemphian Chivalrie.
175a Foote Taste 11. Wks. 1799 I. 19 Indisputable antiques,
and of the Memphian marble. i8ai Byron Juan m. lxv,
Like skulls at Memphian banquets. 18*7 Pollok Course T.
vn, The Memphian mummy now shook off its rags.
Memphitic (memfrtik), a. [ad. Gr. Mt/x</»-
rttevs, f. MefKptTTjs inhabitant of Memphis : see -1TE
and -ic] Pertaining to Memphis, or to the dialect
of Coptic spoken there. Also f Meniphi tical a.
1581 J. Bell II addon* s Answ. Osor. 492 b, You builde not
the consciences of men, but highe steepe Memphyticall
Steeples (as I may tearme them).. of lofty speeches. _ 1861
Chambers 's Encycl.W. 78/1 Theduplex Egyptian [version]. .
the one being in the language of Lower Egypt, and termed
the Coptic or Memphitic [etc.]. 1875 Lichtfoot Comm.
Col. (ed. 2)3i2«c/f, The readingsof the Memphitic Version.
Mempris, -yse, obs. forms of Mainprize.
Mem-sahib (me'msajib). [See quot. 1886
and Sahib.] A European married lady.
1857 Househ. Words 19 Dec i6,/i An Affghan. .inquired
if the Sahib or Mem-sahib was in want of any of these
commodities. 1886 Yule & Burnell Hobson-Jobson, Mem-
Sahib. This singular example of a hybrid term is the usual
respectful designation of a European married lady in the
Bengal Presidency ; the first portion representing ma'am.
Madam Sahib is used at Bombay.
1 Men, indef pron. Obs. See also Me indef.
pron. [Weakened form of Man indef. pron. ; cf.
Du. men.] = One SI.
c 1175 Lamb. Horn. 33 pis beot ba twa sunne be men fulie5
alra swiSest. a 1225 Leg. Kath. (Abbotsf.) 1372 As men [v.r.
me] droh ham to hare dea3. c 1250 Gen. (y Ex. 1203 And
morie, men sei5, was Sat hil. c 1385 Chaucer L. G. W. Prol.
205, I bad men sholde me my covche make. 1398 Trevisa
Barth. De P. R. 11. vii. (1495) 33 Of the other two Ierar-
chyes men shall speke innermore in theyr owne place. 1483
Caxton G. de la Tour f v b, Men ought not to susteyne his
lord in his wrathe and yre. 1484 — Fables of AH sop v. vii,
Men muste putte hym self at the vpper syde of hym.
Men, plural of Man sb. Men, obs. f. Mean.
T Menable, a. Obs. [a. OF. menable, f. metier
to lead : see -able.] a. Having the quality of
leading ; fit to lead or guide, b. Capable of being,
or liable to be, led ; amenable.
1390 Gower Conf. I. 197 And tho began to blowe A wynd
menable fro the lond. Ibid. 292 Thogh a man be resonaule,
Yit after kinde he is menable To love.
1 Menacane. Min. Obs. [a. G. menacan
(Werner), f. the place-name Menachan.'] = Men-
achanite. Hence (by back-formation) fMenac,
as a name for a genus including ■ menacane '.
1803 G. Mitchel in Trans. R. Irish Acad. X. 11 Of the
genus Menac we are already acquainted with five species
or ores. Ibid. 23 Menacane.
Menaccanite : see Menachanite.
Menace (me*nas), sb. Now literary. Forms:
a. 4 manasce, -aaae, 4-5 manas(se, 4-6
manace, 5 raenys, 5, 7 manesse, 6 mannace,
-asshe , meanus, menasse, manasshe, 5- menace.
&. north, and Sc. 4 manaunce, -anas, 4-5 man-
(n)ance, 5 manans. [a. OF. manace, menace(mod.
F. menace), a Com. Rom. word, = Pr. menassa, Sp.
{a) menaza, Pg. {a)meaca, It. minaccia :— L. mindciat
f. mindc-, minax adj. threatening, f. mindri to
threaten.
The fi forms prob. arose from association with words in
■ance. Editors have commonly printed manauce,etc, but
the -ance is in several instances authenticated by rimes.]
A declaration or indication of hostile intention,
or of a probable evil or catastrophe ; a threat.
a 1300 Cursor M. 1834 For quils bat godd bam raght his
grace, Littel roght bam of his manance [other MSS. manace].
1390 Gower Conf. I. 340 He bad hem trete, And stinte
of the manaces grete. c 1450 St, Cuthbert (Surtees) 5032 He
had mare drede of his trespas ban of be Erlis manas. 1484
Caxton FablesofAZsop 11. xvi. (1889) 54 Somme maken grete
menaces whiche haue no myghte. 1523 Ld. Burners Froiss.
I. ccexxvii. 207 b, Suche wordes and manasshes abasshed
greatly y« cardynals. 1584 R. Scot Discov. Witchcr.^ ix. vii.
(1886) 142 They stand in more awe of the manacies of a
witch than of all the threatnings. .pronounced by God. 1664
H. More Myst. of /nig. 281 Those powerful and affrightful
MENACE.
words of Excommunication, that Menace of committing
men to Hell-fire. 1682 N. O. Boileau's Lutrin in. 134 And
scorn their proudest braves, their stern Menaces ! {rime
faces]. 1768 Blackstone Comm. III. 120 A menace alone,
without a consequent inconvenience, makes not the injury.
1820 Byron Mar. Fat. iv. i, What means this menace? 1867
Froude Short Stud. (1883) IV. I. ix. 106 The fierce me-
nace was delivered amidst frowning groups of. . nobles.
b. In generalized use : The action of threatening.
a 1300 Cursor M. 27439 He dredis manasor tresum. C1380
Wyclif Wks. (1880) 63 A pore man hei constreynen to
synne bi manas. c 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 5
A sturdy champion.. His swerd upreryd, proudly gave ma-
nace. c 1447 in Jarrovj <y Wearmouth (Surtees) 243 \Vl mony
other wirdis of menys. 1470 Gaw. fy Got 446 Withoutin me-
nance [rimes legiance, plesance]. 1508 Dunbar Fly ting 10.
Kennedic 4 Had thay maid of mannace ony mynting. 1781
Gibbon Decl.fy F.-xW. (1869) II. 511 The voice of menace and
complaint was silent. 1797 Mas. Radcliffe Italian iii,
The Marchese persisted in accusation and menace. 1874
Green Short Hist. viii. § 2. 477 The English fleet.. was
cruising by way of menace off the Spanish coast.
f O. Phr. to make 'much, great, no) menace.
a 1300 Cursor M. 28517 In gang, in chere, in contenance,
pat 1 to_ men ha mad manace. 1375 Barbour Bruce xvn.
664 Thai . .gret mananss till him mais. '! a 1400 Morte A rth.
3383 All hir mode chaungede, And mad myche manace with
mervayllous wordez. c 1470 Gol. A> Gam. 355 And mak him
na manance, bot al mesoure. 1634 Milton Counts 654
Though he and his curst crew Feirce signe of battail make,
and menace high.
d. Attributed to impersonal agents.
c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. 1. met. iv. 7 (Camb. MS.) The Rage
tie the manesses of be see commoeuynge or chasinge vpward
heete. 1697 Dryden /Eneid ix. 38 The dark Menace of the
distant War. 1824 Byron Def. Trans/. 1. ii. 195 Wilt thou
Turnbackfrom shadowy menaces of shadows? 1841 James
Brigand i, If yonder frowning cloud fulfil one half its me-
naces. 1871 Palgraye.lVj'?-. Poems 19 The sudden war and
menace of the skies.
e. Said of a state of things, etc., which threatens
danger or catastrophe.
1857 Gallenga Italy 373 It was an insult tothe republicans,
. . it was a menace to the aristocracy of Turin. 1874 Green
Short Hist. vii.§3. 362 Theold social discontent, .remained
a perpetual menace to public order.
Menace (me'nas), v. Forms: a. 4 ma-
nysehe, Sc. maynysse, 4-5 manaas(s)e, ma-
nesse, 4-6 manas(s)e, mannasse, 4-7 manace,
4-5 raanasce, -ashe, meanashe, 5 maneoe, 5-6
manasshe, -ysshe, 6 Sc. manes(s)e, -is(s)e,
-iaohe, -yse, -yssyche, mannese, -esche, mi-
nisse, mynaoe, 6-7 chiefly Sc. raenasse, mi-
nace, -ase, myn-, minasse, 5- menace. 0.
north, and Sc. 4 man(n)ance, mananse, -aunee,
-aunse, -aunze. [a. F. menacer (nth c), also
manecier, -echier, AF. manasser (Wadington)
= Pr. menassar, Sp. {a)menazar, Pg. (a)meacar, It.
minacciare :— popular L. *mindcidre, f. mindcia
Menace sb.~\
1. trans. To utter or hold out menaces against ;
to threaten.
1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 3681 5yf bou any man
manasse purgh force or power bat bou hasse. a 1340 Ham-
pole Psalter xxvii. 10 God manaunsid bairn with hell.
'375 Barbour Bruce xi. 150 Thai . . Mannausit [read
Mannansit] the Scottis men halely With gret vordis. 1472-3
Rolls of Parlt. VI. 54/r The said Thomas Trethenry
and Elizabeth his wyfe, ..have thretted and manassed
the Tenauntes. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. xxvii. 40
These infidels sore dyd manysshe Christendome. 1543
Burgh Rec. Stirling (iWy) 41 Contrair the will of the
wache, manisand and boistand thaim. 1632 Heywood 1st
PL Iron Age III. i. Wks. 1874 III. 304 The boldest Greeke
T. hat euer manac d Troy. 1739 Cibber Apol. (1756) I. 262
When he is compell'd or menac'd into any opinion that he
does not readily conceive. 1828 Macaulay Ess., Hallam
(1851) I. 54 Her subjects v.ere incited to rebellion ; her life
was menaced. 1840 Dickens Barn. Rudge xvii, ' Hear
me ', he replied, menacing her with his hand.
b. Said of impersonal agents.
1377 Lance. P. PI. B. xm. 6 How bat elde manaced me.
1483 Caxton Cato 4 How the foure elementes menace alle
men that [etc.]. 1594 Shaks. Rich. Ill, 1. iv. 175 Your
eyes do menace me : why looke you pale 1 a 1649 Drumm.
of H»wtH./'«mj Wks. (1711)4 High woods, whose mount-
ing tops menace the spheies. 1790 Burke Fr. Rev. 306
inese evils are great.. .Sooner or later they may menace
the nation itself. 1840 Macaulay Ess., Clive (1851) II. 523
A new and formidable danger menaced the western frontier.
t 0. Const, inf. Obs.
c 132s Song of Yesterday 158 in E. E. P. (1862) 137 Wei bou
wost . .pat deb hab manast be to die. 1429 Rolls of Parlt. IV.
345/2 [They] hem maneshud to bee dede if they made any
resistence. a 1450 Knt.de la Tour (1868) 118 Thei toke
nym and menaced hym to stone hym vnto dethe.
2. intr. To utter menaces ; to be threatening.
c 1330 R. Brunne Chrm. Wace (Rolls) 8853 So longe he
manased&bret.Attelasteto-gyderebeymet. c 1430 Lydg.
Mm. Poems (Percy Soc.) 159 O man is meeke, anothir doth
'"anace. 1513 Douglas Mneis 11. iv. 74 Furtht drawin
haldis this subtell hors of tree, And manysand strydis throw
the myd cietle. 1601 Shaks. Jul. C. 1. iii. 44 Who euer knew
ot-i eauens menace so ? a 1700 Dryden Fables, Pythag.
Philos. 36 Twas Death to go away, And the God menac'd
it he dard to stay. 1774 Burke Sp. Amer. Tax. Sel. Wks.
J. 135 Earth below shook ; heaven above menaced. 1858
tROUDE Hist. Eng. HI. xii. 1 It was idle to menace while
he was unable to strike.
3. trans. To hold out as a punishment, penalty,
or danger ; to threaten to inflict.
11340 Hampole Psalter Prol. 3 Now manassand hell til
wyckyd. c 137s Sc. Leg. Saints xxiii. (VII Sleperis) 51
333
pame manesand ded in bat place. 1529 More Dyaloge IV.
VVks. 265/2 God, y1 manasseth vnto them y" paines of hel.
1621 G. Sandys Ovid's Met. v. (1626) 89 Such as menace
warre. 1796 Morse Amer.Geog.l. 219 Their eyes.. and
their brandishing forked tongues, .. menaces [sic] a horrid
death. 1822-34 Goods Study Med. (ed. 4) IV. 134 The
chief symptoms, menacing abortion, are transitory pains in
the back.. or [etc.]. 1854 Milman Lat. Chr. vn. iii. (1864)
IV. 137 No threatened excommunication is now menaced.
b. with inf. or clause as object.
C1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xii (Agnes) 123 Hcmanesit hire
to bet & bynd. c 1412 Hoccleve Reg. Princes 5292 Thi
self manaseth bi self for to dye. 156s Cooper Thesaurus s.v.
Denuntio, To manase that he will bryng him before a iudge.
1620 Quarles Jonah C 1 b, Great Ashur minaces with whip
in hand, To entertaine thee (welcome) to his land. 1632
Lithgow Trav. 1. 12 The Riuer Tyber.. often Manasseth 10
drowne the whole Mansions. 1883 J. Martine Reminisc.
Old Haddington 73 The solitary dissentient was menacing
to leave the meeting-house.
f 4. To use threateningly. Obs. rare—1.
1649 Milton Eikon. 23 Swords and Pistols cockt and
menac'd in the hands of about three hundred . . Ruffians.
Hence Me-naceable a., capable of being put
down by threats; Menaceful a., threatening;
Me'nacement, menacing, threatening; Menacer,
one who menaces or threatens.
1613 Wotton in Rcliq. (1672) 410 Which feminine menace-
meut did no doubt incite him to do it. 1642 W. Bird Mag.
Hon. 46 The Menacer. .standeth in the face of his enemy.
1746 Turnbull Justin xxvin. iii. 222 Antigonus .. being
besieged in his palace by a menaceful mob of the Macedo-
nians. 1802-12 Kentham Ration. Judic. Evid. 11827) III.
70 A threat, an act of menacement. 1864 Carlyi.e Fredk.
Gt. xvn. vii. (1872) VI. 203 The malpractice seems to have
proved menaceable in that manner. 1891 Gd. Words Aug.
556/r Did it acquire its menaceful character because it had
been placed on the head of Medusa?
Menaced (me'nast), ppl. a. [f. Menace v. +
-ed1.] a. Assailed by menaces or threats, b.
Held out or indicated as an intended or probable
evil or catastrophe.
c 1440 Promp. Purv. 324/1 Manassyd, or thret, minatus.
15S7 Goi.ding Ovids Met. viii. (1593) 205 The manast oke
did quake and sigh. 1644 Vicars God in Mount 204 Our
menaced Arke was borne up above the . . waves. 1738
Glover Leonidas I. 10 How best their menac'd liberties to
guard. 1803 Times 3 Oct., The accounts from France re-
lative to the menaced invasion, i860 Mill Repr. Govt.
(1865) 60/2 Injured or menaced interests.
Menachanite (menarkanait). Min. Also 8
menaek-, man-, 8-9 menaccanite. [f.A/enachan,
in Cornwall + -ite.] A variety of Ilmenite. Hence
Menachani'tic a., containing menachanite.
1795 E. S. Let. in Polwhele Trad. >f Recoil. (1826) II.
427 The Manaccanite, a mineral or semi-metal resembling
gunpowder. 1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) II. 326 Me-
nachanite. Ibid. 327 The Menachanitic Calx. 1845 New-
bold in Jrnl. Asiat. Soc. Bengal XIV. 291 Gold-dust is
found associated with, .menaccanite.
Menacing (me'nasin), vbl. sb. Now rare.
[f. Menace v. + -ing 1.] The action of the verb
Menace ; threatening ; menace.
1352 Minot Poems i. 49 Ma manasinges git haue thai
maked. 1451 in roth Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 330
For the meanashing done in the Maire [h]is presennce, that
he wolde kyll and take certain men. 1533 Bellenden Livy
11. xvii. (S.T.S.) I. 197 Howbeit bow was full of mynassing
[v.r. minissing], 1549 Compt. Scot. xi. 24 The thretnyng
ande menassing of Gode contrar obstinat, vicius pepil. 1656
A rtif. Handsom. 66 These . . fall to cavillings and menacings.
1866 Carlyle Inaug. Addr. 199 Tell them, .to disregard. .
the temporary noises, menacings, and deliriums.
Menacing (me-nasirj ), ppl. a. [-ing2.] That
menaces or threatens ; threatening.
1549 Coverdale, etc. Erasm. Par. Heb. 19 To heare these
manassyng wordes of the prophecie. 1570-6 Lambarde
Peramb. Kent (1826) 149 He mooveth the King by mi-
nacing letters to admit Stephan. X774 Burke Sp. Amer.
Tax. Sel. Wks. I. 134 There were in both Houses new and
menacing appearances. 1867 Lady Herbert Cradle L. viii.
212 The population, .gathered in menacing attitude.
Menacingly (me'nasirjli), adv. [f. prec. +
-ly 2.] In a menacing manner ; threateningly.
1581 Savile Tacitus' Hist. (1612) 78 Setting vpon Ver-
ginius menacingly they besought him [etc.]. 1738 H. Brooke
Tasso 11. 45 With awful Grace superior Godfrey smiled,
And thus rejoin'd more menacingly mild. 1874 Green Short
Hist. iv. § 3. 179 The English fortress of Edinburgh looked
menacingly across the Forth.
Menaciouslyyacy : see Minaciously, Minacy.
Menad, Menadic, var. M/enad, Monadic.
1831 Carlyle Sart. Res. in. x, The rites . . supposed to be
of the Menadic sort. 1863 Geo. Eliot Romola 1. xviii. I.
309 Dances of satyrs and menads.
t Menadry. Obs. (See quots.)
1570 Dee Math. Pref. Dj, Menadrie, is an Arte Mathe.
maticall, which demonstrateth, how, aboue Natures vertue
and power simple : Vertue and force may be multiplied :
and so, to direct, to lift, to pull to, and to put or cast fro,
any multiplied or simple, determined Vertue, Waight or
Force : naturally not so directible or mouable. 1620-55
I. Jones Stone-Heng (1725) 23 Menadry, or Art of ordering
Engines for raising Weights. 1665 J. Webb Stone-Heng
(1725)218 It is a Maxim as well in Menadry as War,.. a
true and equal Draught, .raiseth up mighty Weights.
Menage, menage (m^na'g). Now only as
Fr. Also 4 mayngnage, manage, 5 maynage,
manyage, meynage, menaige. [a. OF. ma-
naige, menaige (mod.F. manage') :— popular L.
*mansiondticum, f. L. mansion-em dwelling (see
Mansion), whence F. maison house. Cf. Message.]
MENALD.
1 1. The members of a household ; a man's house-
hold or ' meinie '. Obs.
1297 R.Glouc. (Rolls) 3799 Al be bachelerie bataJtwasin
pe lond he nom in is compaynie & of is mayngnage [v rr
maynage, manyage]. 13. . A'. Alls. 2087 Darye. .With his
children, and with his wyve, And with his suster, and his
menage. 1490 Caxion Eneydos vi. 29 Jubyter..wyth his
wyf and meynage, wente anone wyth theym.
j 2. The management of a household, housekeep-
ing ; hence, a domestic establishment (often concr.
orsemi-coucr.).
1698 W. KlNGtr. Sorbicre's Journ. Lond. 3 In Paris, there
are from Four to Five, and to Ten menages or distinct
tamilies in many Houses. 1790 Sir S. Romilly in Life
(1842) I. 297, I long to.. see you in your menage, which I
cannot express in English, because we have no word for it.
1808 Han. More Calebs (1809) I. iii. 32 Nothing tended to
make ladies so.. inefficient in the menage as the study of
the dead languages. 1842 De Quincey Mod. Greece Wks.
1863 XIII. 460 No single Greek nuisance can be placed on
the same scale wilh the dogs attached to every menage,
whether household or pastoral. 1848 Thackeray Van. Pair
lxiv, She tried keeping house with a female friend ; then
the double menage began to quarrel and get into debt.
1887 Dowden Shelley II. iv. 115 An annual sufficiency to
support a little menage would be desirable.
U b. trans/. Applied to the staff or company of
a theatre, \ nonce-use.
1746 H. Walpole Lett, to Mann 12 Aug., Lord Middlesex
took the opportunity ofarivalship between his own mis-
tress, the Nardi, and the Violette, . .to involve the whole
menage of the Opera in the quarrel, and has paid nobody.
3. Sc. and northern, a. ' A friendly society, of
which every member pays in a fixed sum weekly,
to be continued for a given term ' (Jamieson 1825).
b. (See quot. 1 829.) Hence Comb, menage-man,
an itinerant vendor of goods which are to be paid
for by instalments. (See also Eng. Dial. Diet.)
1829 Brockett Gloss. N. C. Words (ed. 2), Manadge,
a box or club instituted by inferior shop-keepers — generally
linen-drapers— for supplying goods to poor or improvident
people, who agree to pay for them by instalments. 1866
Mitchell Hist. Montrose ix. 85 They would have got
their clothing by joining a menage to which they paid 1/-
in the week. 1893 Newcastle Even. Chron. n Dec. 2/4
He gave his wife to understand that she had to contract no
debts with the menage-man. 1904 A. Griffiths 50 Years
Public Service xix. 283 note, The number of debtors was
always large at York on account of the widespread prac-
tices of the ' menage men ' as they were called.
Menage, etc. : see Manage, etc.
Menagerie (nienaj-dgeri). Also 8-9 -ery, (8
managerie, menegerie). [a. F. menagerie do-
mestic administration, management of cattle, build-
ing of a cattle-farm, now chiefly in sense 1 below ;
f. ntinage: see Menage and -ery. Cf. Manageey.]
1. A collection of wild animals in cages or en-
closures, esp. one kept for exhibition, as in zoo-
logical gardens or a travelling show. Also, the
place or building in which they are kept.
1712 J.James tr. Le Blond's Gardening 23 Menagery is
a Place where they keep Animals of several Kinds for Curi-
osity. 1762-71 H. Walpole Vertue 's Auecd. Paint. (1786)
IV. 8 Laguerre's father, .became master of the menagerie
at Versailles. 1829 Landok Imag. Couv., Albania Pict.-
Dealers Wks. 1853 II. 12/2 As to the lion, he has been in
the menagery from his birth. 1886 J. G. Wood in Lets.
Hour 445 From early childhood I have been in the habit
of frequenting menageries.
b. trans/, and allusively.
1784 Cowper Tiroc. 293 What causes move us, knowing
as we must That these Menageries all fail their trust, To
send our sons to scout and scamper there ? 1850 Carlyle
Latter-d. Pamph. vii. (1872) 241 Our menagerie of live
Peers in Parliament. 1854 Macaulay Biog., Johnson (i860)
121 An old quack doctor named Levett. .completed this
strange menagerie.
1 2. An aviary. Obs.
1749 Lady Luxborough Lett, to Shcnsione 29 Aug., I have
reared but one single Guinea-chick this year. — If I had such
a command of corn and of water as you have, I should be
apt to_ fall into the expense of a Menagerie. 1.757 Mrs. De-
lany in Life $ Corr. 461 The menagerie is not stored with
great variety, but great quantities of Indian pheasants. 1830
1 B. Moubray ' Horn. Poultry (ed. 6) 129 The Noblemen and
Gentlemen who have private menageries for pheasants.
Hence Menagerist, a keeper of a menagerie.
1850 in Cansick Epitaphs Middlesex (1872) II. 130 To the
Memory of George Wombwell (Menagerist), . .died.. 1850.
Menagerie, -ery, variant forms of Menagery'.
Me'nagOgue. rare-". [ = F. minagogue
(Littre\ f. Gr. fi-qv month + dyaiyos leading, bring-
ing in.] = Emmenagogue.
1755 in Johnson ; and in mod. Diets.
Menagry, Menal : see Menagery, Menial.
Menald (me'nald), a. Forms : 7 menel(e)d,
menelled, menild, 9 mennal, menald. [?f.
Meanel + -ed 2.] Of animals: Spotted, speckled.
Of a deer : Of a dappled chestnut colour. Also
as si., a deer of that colour.
1611 Cotgr., Grivele", peckled, speckled ; meneld, mayled,
(blacke, and white). Ibid., Perdrix maille'e, a Menild, or
spotted Partridge. 1693 Ray Syu. Quadrup. 86 Sunt.,
albis maculis pariter variegatae, . . ut a D. Robinson habeo,
Menald Deer vocant. 1902 Field Aug. 285/3 In 1863 the
following colours and shades were to be seen in Garendon
Park, .. viz. : — .. black, fallow, dappled fallow, .. mennal
(Col. B.'s dappled chestnut), strawberry mennal (dappled
roan) [etc.]. Ibid., All the light colours, .were not 50 hardy
as the blacks, dark duns, fallows and mennals.
MENALTY.
t Hlenalty. Obs. rare-1, [f. mene, Mean a?
+ -AL + -TT. Cf. Mesnalty.] The middle class.
a 1548 Hall Chron. Hen. IV 10 b, The euill parliament
for the nobilitee, the worse for the menaltie, but worste of
all for the commonaltee.
Menalty : see Menialty, Mesxalty.
Menar, Menaret, Menas(s, Menatair, Me-
navelings, Menawe : see Manure, Minaret,
Menace, Minotaur, Manavilins, Minnow.
Mence, Menehen, -on (etc.), Menoion,
-ioun (etc.) : see Mense, Mince, Minchen,
Mansion, Mention.
Mend (mend), sb. Also 4-6 mende ; 6-9 Sc.
pi. as sing, mense, (6 mens). [Partly aphetic for
amend (see Amends) ; partly f. Mend v.]
1 1. Recompense, reparation ; also, something
given as compensation. Obs.
a. pi. in form ; usually construed as sing.
a 1300 Cursor M. 23T52 Vnnethes sal man find an in lede
bat wel will serine bam o bis sake, ne for na consail mendes
mak. 1399 Lasgl. Rich. Redcks 292 Men my^tten as welle
have huntyd an hare with a tabre, as aske ony mendis ffor
that thei mysdede. c 1450 Holland Hoivlat 72 Bot quha
sail mak me ane mendis of hir worth a myte? a 1578
Lindesav (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.) II. 19 He..
promissit that he suld haue ane sumecent mense of the
quene. Ibid. 147. 1590 Spenser F. Q. it. i. 20 All wrongs
haue mendes. 1592 Kvd Sol. * Pert. 11. i. 46 Why then the
mends is made, and we still friends. 1670 Lassels Voy.
ItalyW. 268 This country made us a full mends for all the ill
way we had had before, a 1733 Shetland Acts in Proc. Soc.
Ant. Scot. C1892) XXVI. 200 That no mends be made for corn
eaten within cornyards. 1779 D. Graham Writ. (1883) II.
21 That's better mense for a fault, than a' your mortifying o'
your members. 1816 Scott Bl. Dwarf x, Westburnflat
hasna the means.. to make up our loss; there's nae mends
to begot out o' him, but what ye take out o' his banes.
b. sing. For, to (a person's) mend : for his re-
paration or restoration (from sin). To mend: as
a recompense.
a 1300 Cursor M. 6723 (Cott.) If he sla animans thain,
Thritti schiling o siluer again Sal man giue be lord to mend
[a 1300-1400 Gott. to mendes]. c 1315 5H0REHAM Poems ii.
128 And ase he boled bane deb, Leuedy, for oure mende.
Ibid. vii. 831 To iuannes mende. C1330 R. Brunne Chron.
(1810) 302 I'o mak mende & mak alle stable. 1646 Deposit.
York Castle \Surtees) 9 note, And pray to God for mend.
t 2. pi. Means of obtaining restoration or repara-
tion ; remedy. Obs.
c 1450 Holland Hcnvlat 29 Mendis and medicyne for
mennis all neidis. 1530 PalsGR. 666/1 If I pricke you with
mydaggar you have your mendes in your hande. 1606 Shaks.
Tr. 4 Cr. 1. i. 68. 1655GURNALL Chr.in Arm. t. 53 If any
mischief befalls him, the mends is in his own hands.
t 3. //. Improvement in health. Obs.
1624 Witch Trial in Ablotsford Club Misc. I. 137 The
said Margaret Corstoun haueing contractu seiknes, dwyned
be the space of foure monethis, and could get no mendis.
+ 4. To the mends: 'to boot'. Sc. Obs.
1636 Rutherford Lett. (1862) I. Ixxi. 1S5, 1 will verilygive
my Lord Jesus a free discharge of all that L.laid to His
charge, and beg Him pardon, to the mends.
5. Phr. On the mend: (of a person, his health,
etc.) recovering from sickness; (of affairs, trade,
etc.), improving in condition.
1802 Coleridge in Mrs. Sandford T. Poole fy Friends (1802)
II. 77 [My] health has been on the mend ever since Poole left
town. 1897 Daily News 27 July 11/4 Home trade in finished
linens is perhaps on the mend.
6. An act of mending, a repair; a repaired hole,
etc., in a fabric.
1888 Housewife III. 436/1 If the mend is dampened and
pressed with a hot iron it is almost unnoticeable.
•K
Daily Ninas 28 Nov. 10/2 Mrs. A. is reluctant to let her
clothes be seen by Mrs. B., for fear that lady should notice
the rents and mends. 1903 Blackw. Mag. Dec. 803/2 A mend
in the sole [of a stocking].
f 7. Comb. : mends-making, reparation, atone-
ment. Obs.
c 1400 Cursor M. 28617 (Cott. Galba) Schrift aw to be thrin-
falde, with rewth in hert, and schewing to preste, and mendes
making. 1530T1NDALE Answ. More iv. ii. Wks. (1573) 320/1
And as for mendes making with worldly things, that do to
thy brother whom thou hast offended.
Mend (mend), v. [aphetic f. Amend v.
The aphetic form, however, occurs in our quots. earlier than
the original form. Cf. AF. mender in one MS. (St. John's,
Camb.) of Wadington's Manuel des Pechiez 1. 10.]
I. To remove or atone for defects.
1. a. trans. To free (a person, his character or
habits) from sin or fault ; to improve morally; to
reform ; occas. to cure of (a fault). Now arch, or
dial, exc. in phr. to mend one's manners , ways.
< izoo Trin.Coll. Horn. 217 On beheldelaseheturedrihten
bat me ne sholde none man bitechen,bute he were teid to
menden chirche. a 1300 Cursor M. 22436 par es nam[an]
. .bat he ne his liif agh to mend. Ibid. 26507 Quen bou ait
mendid o bi sin. c 1430 ABC of Aristotle in Babees Bk.,
It schal neuere greue a good man bou} be gilti be meendid.
1561 J. Heywood Epigr. i. R, If euery man mende one,
all shall be mended. 1679 Pknn Addr. Prot. 1. ix. Wks.
1825 III. 39 A descreet and cool hand may direct the
blow right.. when men of fury rather ease their passion,
than mend their youth. 1711 Addison Sped. No. 112F7
If he does not mend his Manners. 1766 Goldsm. Vic. IV.
xxvii, Though the instruction I communicate may not mend
them (prisoners], yet it will assuredly mend myself. 1868
Freeman Norm. Conq. (1877) II. viii. 211 That turbulent pre-
late had mended "his ways. 1891 Baring- Gould Urith
xxxix, Have you seen how a little dog is mended of lamb
worrying ?
334
fb. refl. To reform oneself Obs.
a 1300 Cursor M. 25548 pou send vs, lauerd ! wijt and
will to mend us of vr dedis ill. 14.. Tundale^ Vis. 2326
(Wagner) He warned alle.. To mende hem here, before
her dede. 1596 Harington Metam. Aj'ax (1814) 134 Let
both the writer and the readers endeavour to mend our-
selves. 1601 Shaks, Twel. N. 1. v. 50 Bid the dishonest man
mend himself.
C. intr. for rejl. Now rare exc. in the proverb
// is never too late to mend.
a 1300 Cursor M. 23264 For bai mai haf na might to mend.
? 1404-8 26 Pol. Poems v. 22 [He] bat nyl not mende, but ay
don ylle. 1550 Crowley Last Trump, 1436 Their conscience
. .saieth thei were Told of their fault, & woulde not mende.
1605 Shaks. Lear it. iv. 232 Let shame come when it will,
I do not call it... Mend when thou can'st, be better at thy
leisure, c 1645 Howell Lett. (1655) IV. xxxviii. 92 It is
never over-late to mend. 1785-6 Burns Addr. to Veil xxi,
O wad ye tak a thought an' men' ! 184a S. Lover Handy
Andy xxi, 'She's very young, Sir '. 'She'll mend of that,
ma'am. We were young once ourselves'. 1873 Black Pr.
Thule ix, I am afraid that you are a very foolish boy. .but
1 I hope to see you mend when you marry.
2. To remove the defects of (a thing) ; to correct
i (what is faulty) ; to improve by correction or altera-
tion. Now only occas* as a transf. use of sense 5.
t To mend {one's) mood: to become more cheerful.
a 1300 Cursor M. 10434 Leuedi, sco said, for drightin dere,
bou mend bi mode and turn bi chere. c 1330 R. Brunne
. Chron. (1810) 69, I salle be make .. my chefe Justise, be
lawes to mend & right, c 1420 Pallad. on Husb. xii. 530
For brousty oil, whit wex is to resolue In fynest oil [etc.].
So wol hit mende odour and taast also. 1461 Cal. Ane.
Rec. Dublin (1889) I. 309 The sayd lawe was mendyt by
autorite of a semble. 1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb.
1. (15S6) 19 Heathy, Brushy, & Grauelly ground: may
these be made fruitefull, and mended [L. corrigi <y frcun-
dart] by arte. 1631-2 High Commission Cases (Camden)
237, I wish that you.. that are soe ready to fynd faultes
were sett to mend the booke of common prayer. 1697
Dryden Virg.Georg. 11 324 Salt Earth and bitter are not fit
to sow, Nor will be tam'd and mended by the Plough. 1707
Mortimer Husb. 74 So where Marie is not laid too thick, .it
will often mend Clays. 1724 A. Collins Gr. Chr. Relig. 20
Divines; who seem to pay little deference to the Books of
the New Testament, whose text they are perpetually mend-
ing in their sermons, commentaries, and writings, to serve
purposes. 1820 Coobett Gram. Eng. Lang. xiv. (1847) 89
Never think of mending what you write. Let it go. No
patching; no after pointing. 1872 Skeat Chaucer s Astro-
labe (E.E.T.S.) 87, I have mended the text as well as
I could by words, &.C., inserted between square brackets.
1901 T. R. Glover Life fy Lett. 4th C. 90 The last three
books [of Q. Smyrnaeus] . . are beyond revision. To be
mended they must be re-written.
b. intr. To become less faulty. Of conditions :
To become less unfavourable, improve.
a 1 300-1400 Cursor M. 24490 (Gutt.) All mi licam bigan to
light, And mi mode to mend. 1546 J. Heywood Prov.
(1867) 75 As sowre ale mendth in summer, c 1645 Howell
Lett. (1655) II. xlix, 58, I hope the times will mend. 1708
Prior Turtle <y .Sparrow 416 Matters at worst are sure to
mend. 1736 Berkeley Querist 11. § 5 Wks. 1871 III. 519
Whether.. our State will mend, so long as property is in-
secure among us? 1826 Penn in Pa. Hist. Soc. Mem. I.
418 Our condition here.. mends upon us. 1876 Trevelyan
Life ff Lett. Macaulay II. 2 Things did not mend as time
went on.
3. trans. To rectify, remedy, remove (an evil) ;
to correct, put right (a fault, anything amiss).
a. 1300 Cursor M.644 Here [sc. the garden of Eden] lastes
lijf wit-oten end, Her es nathing for to mend. Ibid. 5417
Bath he [losephj did his lauerd byyate, And mended nede
inbairstate. C1374 Chaucer 7>-£y//fjv. 1425 She woldecome,
and mende al that wasmis. c 140026 Pol. Poems iv. i^Thou^
holy chirche shuldefawtes mend, Summeputhemof formede.
1500-20 Dunbar Poems xxviii. 14 Sowtaris,with schone weill
maid and meit^e mend the faltisof ill maid feit. 1590 Shaks.
Com. Err. in. |£ 107 She sweats.. .That's a fault that water
will mend. 1677 Moxon Mech. Exerc. 20 You must examine
where the fault is, and taking the Pin out, mend the fault
in the Joynt. 1710 Steele 'Taller No. 168 T 4 There is no
Way of mending such false Modesty. 1816 Scott Bl.
Dwarf x, But how ye are to put yoursells up, I canna see !
And what's waur, I canna mend it. 1819 Shelley Cenci 111.
i. 302 Poverty, the which I sought to mend By holding a
poor office in the state.
fb. To correct (a mistake, something erro-
neous). Obs.
1563-7 Buchanan Reform. St. Andros Wks. (1892) 9 Na
man sal mend otheris faltis [sc, mistakes in a lesson] vntil
they cum to the regent. 17x1 Swift Jrnl. toStella 17 Dec,
I have mistaken the day of the month, and been forced to
mend it thrice.
e. intr. Of a fault : To undergo rectification.
171a Pope Sped. No. 408 f 7 The Fire of Youth will of
course abate, and is a Fault,.. that mends every Day.
4. trans. To make amends or reparation for,
atone for (a misdeed, an injury) ; also absol. to
make reparation. Occas. const, dat. of person. Obs.
exc. in the proverb, Least said soonest mended.
a 1300 Cursor M. 20251 If I haf anithing mis-wroght,. .1
wil it mend. Ibid. 26222 And he bat bath [church & man]
bair bleith has blend, A-gains bath be-hous him mend.
C1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 303 To while pape Boniface
duellid opon bis, To gyue dome borgh grace, to mende
bobe ber mys. 1426 Audelay Poems 12 ^if thai wyl
mend that thai do mys, to have remyssyon. 1546 J-
Heywood Prov. (1867) 29 Ye maie syr (quoth he) mend
three naies with one yee. 1607 Shaks, Cor. m. ii. 26 Come,
come, you haue bin too rough,.. you must returne,and mend
it. 1670 Ray Prov. 285 Little said, soon mendit. [Cf.1659
Howell Prov. 9/1 Little said soon amended.] 1733 in Swift's
Lett. (1766) II. 185 One soon learns to stop when it is wished,
or to mend what is said amiss. 1841 Lytton Nt. <fr Morn,
iv. viii, At present, ' least said soonest mended '.
MEND.
5. To restore to a complete or sound condition
(something broken, decayed, worn, etc.) ; to repair.
Also to mend tip (? obs.). Also, to repair or make
good (the defective part).
Now the prevailing sense : the others, so far as they sur-
vive, being more or less coloured by this. The vb. is now
ordinarily used only with such objects as are commonly
said to be ' worn ', ' broken ', or ' torn ' (e. g. articles of cloth-
ing or furniture, tools, fences); e.g. we do not speak of
'mending' a house. To mend a ready however, is still
current.
1362 Langl. P. PL A. in. 53 per nis noubur Wyndou ne
Auter, pat I ne schulde maken obur mende. c 1375 Sc. Leg.
Saints xi'ri. (Marcus) 81 pe bochoure wes mendand be scho.
1487 in T. Gardner Hist. Dun-wich (1754) 153 Payd the
Glas-wryjte for mendyng Seynt Krysteferys Wyndown,
1535 Coveruale Mark i. 19 As they were in the shyppe
mendynge their nettes. 1617 Moryson Itin. \. 186 As if
I had been so good a husband, as to mend my own clothes.
^39 m Coll. Conn. Hist. Soc. (1897) VI. 5 All the fences.,
shall be mended vp. 1756-7 tr. Keysler's Trav. (1760) I. 229
The rough and stony roads have been mended. 1878 Jevons
Prim. Pol. Econ. 29 Hedges and ditches are mended when
there is nothing else to do. 1888 Housewife III. 436/2 After
mending the holes, the thin places, .should be run thickly
backwards and forwards.
transf. and fig. (cf. 2). 1500-20 Dunbar Poems xxviii. 22
And ge taihjouris, with wellmaid clais Can mend the « erst
maid man that gais. 1597 Shaks. 2 Hen. IV, in. ii. 176.
b. To repair the garments of (a person), colloq.
1876 W. S. Gilbert Sorcerer 11. (1886) 24 She will tend
him, nurse him, mend him, Air his linen [etc.]. 1881 Gd.
Words 844/2 She ' washed and mended ' him to the envy of
the neighbours.
c. I'o adjust, set right. Obs. exc. Kaut.
cz$i$Cocke LorelVs B. 12 Some y longe bote dyde launce,
some mende v*> corse. 1601 Shaks. All's Well in. ii. 7
Why he will looke vppon his boo te, and sing: mend the
Ruffe and sing. 1606 — Ant. <y CI. v. ii. 322. 1682 Dryden
& Lee Duke of Guise 11. ii. (1683) 16 Yes, I wou'd make every
Glance a Murder. Mend me this Curie. 1832 Marryat
N. Forster xxvi, He therefore turned the hands up, ' mend
sails', and took his station amidship on the booms, to see
that this the most delinquent sail, was properly furled. 1867
Smyth Sailor's Word-bk.t To mend sails, to loose and skin
them afresh on the yards.
d. f To mend the lights : to trim the lamps, or
snuff the candles (obs.). To mend a fire : to add
fuel to it (cf. the earlier Beet v.). To mend a
pen : to cut a worn quill pen so as to make it fit
for its purpose.
i 1480 Henryson Test. Cress. 36, I mend the fyre and
beikit me about. 1625 B. Jonson Staple of News Induct.,
Book-holder. Mend your lights, Gentlemen. Master Prologue,
beginne. marg.y The Tiremen enter to mend the lights. 1720
Vetrie R utes Deportm. iii. Wks. (1877)21 Do not spit in the
Fire, nor offer to mend it 1834 Ht. Martineau Earrers i.
15 Jane shook her head as she carefully mended the fire.
1863 A. Blomfield Mem. Bp. Blomfcld I. viii. 223 We all
sit and mend our pens and talk about the weather.
6. trans. To restore to health, cure, heal. arch.
13.. St Nicholas 349 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1881) 15
pai praid all to saint Nicholas pat [dede] man bore forto
rays & mend. 13. . St. Lucy 8 ibid. 17 Scho. .fand no med-
cyn hir might mend. 1523 Fitzherb. Husb. § 46 There be
dyuers waters, & other medicyns, that wolde mende hym.
1697 Dryden Virg. Gcorg. 111. 113 Yearly thy Herds in
Vigour will impair, Recruit and mend 'em with thy Yearly
Care. 1736 in Swift's Lett. (1766) II. 235, I daily see such
numbers of people mended by them [these waters], that
[etc.]. 1883 K. W. Dixon Mano 1. v. 14 And slowly some we
mended of their ill, And pitied all.
transf. and fg. 1831 Lamb Elia Ser. n. Ellistoniana, Sir
A — C — ..whomendsa lame narrative almost as well as he
sets a fracture. 1870 Morris Earthly Par.tSon of Croesus
(1903) 153/2 And August came the fainting year to mend
With fruit and grain.
b. intr. To regain health ; to recover from
sickness, f Const, of.
1500-20 Dunbar Poems xxii. 59 May nane reme'id my
meladySa weill as ^e. .And gif I mend nocht hestely. 1523
Fitzherb. Husb. §46 There be someshepe that wyll be blynd
a season, and yet mende agayn. 1663 Chas. II in Julia
Cartwright Henrietta of Orleans (1894) 149 She mends very
slowly. 1712-13 Swift Jrnl. to Stella 22 Feb., The Queen
is slowly mending of her gout. 1810 Shelley Zastrozzi x\.
The health of Verezzi, meanwhile, slowly mended. 1840
Dickens Barn. Rudge v, The fever has left him, and the
doctor says he will soon mend. 1897 Hughes Medit. Fever
v. 194 One day of injudicious dietary., in a case that is mend-
ing, may cause a serious relapse.
c. Of a wound, etc. ; To heal. Of a malady ;
To abate. Now dial.
1607 Shaks. Timon v. i. 190 My long sicknesse Of Health,
and Lining, now begins to mend. 1804 Abernethy Surg.
Obs. 140 An ulcer mends in one part though it may spread
in another. 1869 A. C. Gibson Eoik-Sp. Cu/nbtd. 163 His
hand mendit weel— (He hed gud healin flesh,.. hed Joe).
II. Without distinct reference to defect : To
make better, ameliorate, improve.
7. trans. To improve the condition or fortune of.
Now rare or Obs. exc. refl., to better oneself, make
an advantageous change in one's condition.
C1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 244 Wardeyns gode he
sette, to stabille be lond & mende [orig. Establye ses lays,
fet festal me/liour]. c 1330 — Chron. Wace (Rolls) 6552
Wib waryson he schold bem [marriageable maidens] mende.
1558 Richmond Wills (Surtees) 122, I wyll yl the pore
folkes of the church rawe be mended with bygge. _ 1625
Bacon Ess., Innov. (Arb.) 527 Whatsoeuer is New is vn-
looked for ; And euer it mends Some, and paires Other. 1632
Lithgow Trav. in. SiHe could not mend himselfe, in regard
of my shelter. 1678 Bunyan Pilgr. 1. (1862) 58 Your service
was hard . . therefore . . I did as other considerate persons do,
look out, if perhaps I might mend myself. 1719 De Foe
MEND.
Crusoe (Globe) 390 Whether it was by Negligence in guard-
ing them, or that they thought the Fellows' could not mend
themselves, I know not, but one of them run away. 1700
Burke Pr. Rev. (ed. 2) 40 How either he or we should be
much mended by it, I cannot imagine. 1876 J. Richardson
Citmmcrl. Talk Ser. II. 183 If. .he duddent know what way
to gang to mend his-sel, he hed to grub away fra leet to dark
for a canny laal.
f b. Sc. To profit, advantage (a person) ; absol.
to avail. (In negative and interrogative contexts.)
£1470 Col. $ Ga-.o. 1069 It may nocht mend the ane myte
to mak it so teugh. c 1475 RaufCoil^ear 653 He saw thair
was na meiknes nor mesure micht mend, c 1560 A. Scott
Poems (S.T.S.) xx. 22 Off all thy wo and cair It mends the
no1 to mene. 1572 Satir. Poems Reform, xxx. 126 Quhat
will it mend to murne thy senses out ?
f8. To improve (a person) physically. Also intr.
(of a child) to thrive (cf. 10 b). 06s.
a 1400-50 Alexander 464 Outhire mete has mendid be full
mekill . . Or ane has stollen in my stede. c 1500 Melusiue 103
Melusyne . . had so grete care for her children that they
mended & grewe so wel that euery one that saw them
meruaylled. 1810 Hogg Birniebouzle 8 I'll hunt the otter an'
the brock, . . An' pu' the limpet aff the rock, To batten an' to
mend ye.
f 9. To improve by additions (e.g. wages, prices).
c 1440 Pol. Rt'l. <y L. Poena 272 Fats iudas, to mendyn hys
purs, To ded hath hym sold, c 1470 Harding Citron. (1812)
366 The market he so mended manyfolde. 1510 Extracts
Aberd. Reg. (1844) '• 81 Thai sail cans him be pait yerlie of
tene pundis. .quhill thai be of puyschance to mend him his
fee. 1583 Stubbes Anat. Abus. II. (1882) 88 If his lining
be too little, then ought the church to mend it. 1600 Shaks.
A. Y. L. 11. iv. 94 And we will mend thy wages. 1697
Dryden Virg. Georg. iy. 196 Sometimes white Lillies did
their Leaves afford, With wholsom Poppy-flow'rs to mend
his homely Board.
b. intr. To improve in amount or price.
1602 ind Pt. Return fr. Parnass. H 2, Then let vs leaue
this baser fidling trade, For though our purse should mend,
our credit fades. 1812 Examiner 7 Sept. 563/2 Wool mend-
ing in price.
fc. trans. To supplement, make up the defi-
ciency of. (See also 1 2 a.) 06s.
1590 Shaks. Com. Err. iv. iii. 60 Wee'll mend our dinner
here. 1638 in Birch Life Hilton M.'s Wks. 1738 I. 16, I
would have been bold, in our vulgar phrase, to mend my
draught, for you left me with an extreme Thirst. 1711
Swift y'rul. to Stella 9 Oct., I was forced to lie down at
twelve to-day, and mend my night's sleep.
10. To improve in quality; to render more ex-
cellent; to ameliorate (conditions, etc.). Novtrare.
1603 Florio Montaigne 11. Epist., So neyther is one vertue
fit for all, nor all lit for one vertue : nor is that one so ex-
cellent, but by more it might be mended. 1605 Bacon Adv.
Learn. 11. xxii.§ 5 Tacitus observethhowrarely raising of the
fottune mendetu the disposition. 1615 W. Lawson Country
Housew. Gard. (1626) 19 Trees, .as they grow in yeeres, big-
nesse, and strength ; so they mend their fruit. 1672 Grew
Anat. Plants^ § 43 Some Vegetables lose their Smell, . .
others, keep it,.. others, mend it. 1700 Dryden Fables
Pref. *D, Chaucer.. has mended the Stories which he has
borrow 'd, in his way of telling. 1712 Addison Sped. No.
383 r 4 The fifty new Churches will very much mend the
Prospect. 1781 W. Blake Ess. Hunting (1788) 21 Direc-
tions for mending and improving the Breed [of dogs]. 1781
Cowper //0/V451 The Sacred Book, .speaks, with plainness
art could never mend. 1796 Morse Amer. Geog. II. 47
Cattle are small... And they would be more so, were not the
breed mended by a mixture with those of other countries.
1847 L. Hunt Men, Women, fif B. II. x. 208 The Fielding*,
till Henry came up to mend the reputation, were not thought
very clever. 1854TENNYSON To F. D. Maurice x. How best
to help the slender store, How mend the dwellings, of the poor.
fb. intr. To grow better in quality, improve. 06s.
1546 J. Hevwood Prov. (1867) 75 Than wolde ye mend. .
as sowre ale mendth in summer. 1601 Shaks. 'Fwel. N. 1.
v. 80 What thinke you of this foole Maluolio, doth he not
mend ? 1705 Addison Italy (Rome to Naples') 174 St. Peters
seldom answers Expectation at first entering it, but . . mends
upon the Kye every Moment. 1712 — Sped. No. 543 f 1
Though it [the human body] appears formed with the nicest
Wisdom, upon the most superficial Survey of it, it still
mends upon the Search.
11. trans. To improve upon, surpass, better. In
early use with personal obj. Now only colloq. to
produce something better than.
c 1320 Sir Tristr. 555 Bot y be mendi may, Wrong ban wite
y be. 1588 Shaks. L. L. L. v. ii. 329 In Vshering Mend
him who can. Mod. A very good story : I don't think I can
mend it.
III. Phrases and Combinations.
12. Phrases, a. To mend (a person's) cheer:
t (a) to cheer, comfort (cf. Cheer s6. 3) ; (6) to
improve the fare of (cf. Cheek sb. 6).
a 1300 Cursor M. 4232 His ober suns com ilkan sere For to
mend bair fader chere. c 1350 Will. Palerue 647 panne bis
maiden inelior gan menden here chere. 1727 Boyer Did.
Royal s. v. Mend, I'll try if I can mend your Chear, J'es-
sayerai. .de vous mieux regaler. 1814 Scott Ld. of Isles
111. xii, A bow full deftly can he bend, And if we meet a
herd, may send A shaft shall mend our cheer.
t b. In asseverative phrases, esp. So Cod mend
me. Also in pious wishes, as God mend all. 06s.
c 1400 Laud Troy Bk. 433 Lordynges, so god me mende,
JLamedon me to 50W sende. 1568 Jacob tt, Esau 1. iii. B j b,
the most gentle yong man aliue, as God me mende. 1592
t nKS' Ro'"' * *"'■ '■ v- 8l Youle not endure him, God
shall mend my soule. 1600 — A. Y. L. iv. i. 193. 1611 —
Cymb. v. v. 68 Heauen mend all. 1789 Wolcot (P. Pindar)
Subj. for Painters Wks. 1812 II. 136 Where'er they go,
poor imps God mend 'em 1
c. To mend or end : either to improve or (if that
be impossible) to put an end to; in early use
335
chiefly = ( to kill or care * ; also, + to correct or
finish (a work), f Formerly also inlr.t either to
die or recover.
1578 T. Wilcocks Serin. Pawles 74 Plague : what hathe it
done? it hathe mended as manye as it hathe ended. 1603
Florio Montaigne 11 Epist., That perfect-vnperfect Ar-
cadia, which., your all praise-exceeding father, .lived not to
mend or end-it. 1613 Pubchas Pilgrimage 805 When the
King of Mexico sickened, they vsed to put a Visor on the
face.. of some. .Idol, which was not taken away till he
mended or ended. 1648 Eikon Bos. xv. 123, I had the
Charitie to interpret, that most part of My Subjects fought
against My supposed Errors, not My Person; and intended
to mend Mee, not to end Mee. c 1680 Hickeringill Hist,
Whiggism Wks. 1716 I. r. 21, I had rather we should mend
than end. 1884 J. Mohley in Times 31 July 11/4 The.,
question of mending or ending the House of Lords.
d. To mend the matter p, to mend matters : to
improve the state of affairs concerning a person or
thing. Often used ironically.
1690 Locke Hum. Und. 11. xvii. § 16, I suppose they will
thereby very little mend the matter, or help us to a more
clear and positive idea. 1719 De Foe Crusoe (Globe) 295 To
mend the Matter,. .it continued snowing. 1869 Freeman
Norm. Conq. (1875) III. xii. 253 No one will argue that he
would have mended matters had he fulfilled his promise.
e. To mend (one's) pace : to travel faster.
1602 Shaks. Ham. v. i. 64 Your dull Asse will not mend
his pace with beating. 1667 Milton P. L. x. 859 Justice
Divine Mends not her slowest pace for prayers or cries.
1781 Cowper Expost. 151 Judgment, however tardy, mends
her pace When Obstinacy once has conquered Grace. 1851
p. Jerrold St. Cites vii. 66 He mended his pace, and.,
jerked the pony into a trot
t f . 71? mend one's hand', to improve one's
work or conduct. 06s.
1685 Dryden Alb. <y Alhan. Pref, Ess. fed. Ker) I. 280
If it finds encouragement, I dare promise myself to mend
my hand, by making a more pleasing fable. 1781 C. John-
ston Hist, J. Juniper I. 65 His nurse. .being threatened to
be turned off, if she did not mend her hand.
g. To ma ke or mend (absol.) : see Makez\* i c.
f 13. Comb, with sbs. (often as quasi-proper
names) with the sense 'one who mends . . . ', as
Mend-all, mendbreech, mend-fault, Mend-market.
C1470 Harding Chron. cevm. Argt. (1812) 366 Howe syr
Robert Vmgreuile brent Pebles on there market dayc.and
after the Scottes called hym Robyne Mendmarket. 1573
Tusser//ws/'. (1878) 179 Fcare flea smocke and mendbreech,
for burning their bed. 1643 Baker Chron. (1674) 190 Jack
Cade, .styling himself Captain Mend-all, marched., to Black-
heath. 1654 Whitlock Zootomia 174 The Commonwealth
might better spare many famous for feats of Amies, than
these Learned Mend-faults (in men, or States).
Mend, obs, form of Mind.
Mendable.ine-ndab'l),^. [f.MENDr. +-able.]
That can be mended ; capable of improvement.
1533 MoRE/3/W.xlviii. Wks. 925/2 And those extreme vices
. .diligently refourme & amende in such as are mendable.
1638 in Bitccleitch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.) I. 282 The
locks. .are not mendable when out of tune. 1890 Graphic
11 Oct. 405/3 If I thought there was aught mendable in
thee that could be shaped by the hands of a good wife.
t Meildaciloqueilt, a. Obs. rare~°. [f. L,
menddciloqu-us (f. memldci-, -mendax mendacious
+ loqu-i to speak) + -ent : cf. grandiloquent.]
Speaking lies. So f Mendaciloquence, lying.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Mcndaci 'toque tit, that tels lies.,
false speaking. c 1710 Hist. London Clubs 1. 2 A witty
and famous Gentleman in the Art of Mendatiloquence [sic].
Mendacious (meixh'i'Jas), a. [f. L. mendac-
em, mendax [\—*mentnax, f. root of menttri to Me)
+ -I0US.] Lying; untruthful; false.
1616 R. Sheldon Miracles Antichr. 63 A mendacious
Legend of Ignatius his miracles. 1654 Cokaine Dianea iv.
266 Faroe, that mixing Truth with Falsehood, renders the
one and the other equally mendacious. 1840 Carlyle
Heroes (1858) 189 [The Pagan ages] were not mendacious
and distracted, but in their own poor way true and sane !
1885 Truth 28 May 838/1 The. .mendacious garbage that is
being published in the Nouvelle Revue.
Hence Menda'ciously adv., in a mendacious or
lying manner ; Mendaciousness, mendacity.
1802-12 Bentham Ration. Judic. Evid. (1827) I. 544 The
supposed mendaciously-disposed witness. 1873 Brit. Q.
Rev. LVTI. 222 Throughout it is one long record of am-
bitious rapacity, mendaciousness, and crime.
Mendacity (mendce'siti). [ad. late L. men-
ddcitas, f. menddc-em : see Mendacious a. and
-ity.] The quality of being mendacious ; the ten-
dency or disposition to He or deceive ; habitual
lying or deceiving.
1646 Sir T, Browne Pseud. Ep. 1. vi. 22 If wee call to
minde the mendacity of Greece. 1660 State Trials, John
Cook (1730) II. 344/2 In that Sense it must have the Opera-
tion of Mendacity ;.. there must be a Lie told in it. 1877
A. B. Edwards Up Nile ix. 245 Notwithstanding his
mendacity— (and it must be owned that he is the most bril-
liant liar under heaven). 1895 Bookman Oct. 26/2 The
fathers, whose rhetorical exaggeration amounts to innocent
mendacity.
b. An instance of this ; a lie or falsehood.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ef>. 1. i. 2 There were no lesse
then two mistakes, or rather additional! mendacites {sic}. 1868
Farrar Seekers in. i. (1875) 270 The age of spiritual im-
potencies and mendacities.
c. atirib. and Comb.
1802-12 Bentham Ration. Judic. Evid. (1827) I. 191 A
motive, .may be termed a mendacity-prompting .. motive.
a 1845 Syd. Smith Ballot Wks. 1859 II. 316/2 The period
for lying arrives, and the mendacity machine is exhibited
to the view of the Wigginses.
MENDICANT.
Mendaean, -aite : see Mandjean, Mandaite.
fMenda'tion. Obs. rare^1. [app. for Man-
dation (not found in this sense, but cf. Mandatary,
Mandate 2 b).] The granting of papal mandates.
1561 Godly Q. Hester (1873) 24 And what by mendation,
and dyspensation, they gat the nomynation, of euery good
benefyce.
Mende, obs. form of Mind.
Mended (mended),///, a. [f. Mend v. + -edV]
Repaired, improved.
1595 Shaks. John v. vii. 75 Shew now your mended faiths.
1859 Tennyson Enid 718 So clothe yourself in this, that
better fits Our mended fortunes and a Prince's bride. 1861
Thackeray Four Georges i. 67 Mended morals and mended
manners. 1895 Daily News 17 Dec. 6/4 Whether the voice
of a mended bell is ever equal to that of one unmended.
II Mendee me'ndz). Also raindy, mhendee,
mendi, -y. [Hindi mend/ii.] An Indian name
I for a variety of henna, Lazvsonia alba. Also attrib.
as mendee- hedge.
c 1813 Mrs. Shekwood Ayah <\ Lady x. 63 She.. caused
her to stain the palms of her hands and feet with the juice
of mindy. — Stories Ch. Caiech. x. 71 His garden.. was
well fenced round with a ditch and mindy hedge. 1839
Penny Cycl. XIII. 367/2 The natives of North India dis-
tinguished the unarmed species by the name p/wolke, or
flowering mhendee.. .The thorny species is called mhendee.
1866 Treas. Bot. 734/2 Mendee. 1886 Yule & Burnell
Hol'sou-Jol'son, Mendy.
Mendelian (mendriian), a. Biol. [f. the
name of Gregor Johann Mendel (1S22-84) + -IAN.]
Of or pertaining to Mendel, or following his law or
theory of heredity.
1901 Bateson, etc. Rep. to Evol. Comm. Roy. Soc. (1902)
15 Ca>es which follow Mendelian principles. 1902 Bateson
Mendel's Pr inc. Heredity 114 The Mendelian principle of
heredity asserts a proposition at variance with all the laws
of ancestral heredity, however formulated, 1902 Nature
9 Oct. 573/1 The Mendelian theory.
Mender (me-ndai) . [f. Mend v. + -er i.] One
who mends ; a repairer or improver.
a 1380 Minor Poems fr. Vernon MS. xxviii. 52 Heil men-
der of euen monnes mynde. 1552 [see Patcher]. 1601
Shaks. Jul. C. 1. i. 15. 1774 Goldsm, Retaliation 62 The
Terence of England, the mender of hearts. 1836 E. Howard
R. Reijt'r xxy'i/i'he mender of pens groaned. 1875 Jowett
Plato{nd. 2} I. 295 A mender of old shoes, or a patcher up of
clothes. 1894 Roseuery in Times 25 May 8/3, I have
always been rather a mender than an ender.
t Mendiant, sb. and a. Obs. rare. In 5
mendiaunte,6 -yante. [a. F. mendiant, pr. pple.
oimendierio beg (:— L. mendicare-. see Mendi-
cant).] = Mendicant.
1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 124 b/! They ben they that ye
calle poure & mendiauntes. 1535 Act 27 Hen. VIII, c. 25
Fryers mendyantes, haue littell or nothinge to Hue vpon.
Me'ndicable, a. rare"0, [ad. L. type *men-
diedbilis, f. mendicare : see Mendicant and -able.]
' That may be begged' (Bailey vol, II, 1727).
Mendicancy (mendikansi). [f. next : see
-ancy.] The state or condition of being a mendi-
cant or beggar ; the habit or practice of begging.
1790 Burke Fr.Rev. 197 Nothing, .can exceed the shock-
ing and disgusting spectacle of mendicancy displayed in
that capital. 1893 Stevenson Catrhma xxv, I began to
pull on my hose, recalling the man's impudent mendicancy
at Prestongrange's.
Mendicant (me'ndikant), a. and sb. [ad. L.
mendicant-em, f. mendicare to beg, f. ?nendicus
beggar. Cf. Mendiant, Mendinant.]
A. adj. Begging; given to or characterized by
begging. Also, characteristic of a beggar.
1613 R. Cawdrey Table Alph., Mendicant, begging. 1631
B. Jonson Undeno. Ixxxix. (headiug\ To the Right Honour-
able, the Lord high Treasurer of England. An Epistle
Mendicant. 1655 Fuller Hist. Cambr. {1840) 81 Begging
Scholars, .must be vicious, or else cannot be necessitous to
a mendicant condition. 1753 Richardson Grandison IV.
viii. 71 And with that dejected air and mendicant voice.
1862 Guardian 1 Jan. 20/3 Keziah Kadge, the lady who.,
intended to follow the mendicant profession till she could
secure an annuity of ^50 a year. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2)
III. 234 Mendicant prophets go to rich men's doors.
b. spec. Applied to those religious orders which
lived entirely on alms.
The members of these orders were known as Friars. The
most important (often referred to as the ' Four Orders '}
were the Franciscans, Dominicans, Carmelites, and Augus-
tinian Hermits.
1547 Boorde Brev. Health 4 Then dyd I go amonges the
fryers mendicantes. 1626 L. Owen Spec. Jesuit. (1629) 27
This proud vpstart society was declared by Pope Pius
Quintus to bee of the number of the Mendicant or Begging
Friers. 1868 J. H. Blunt Re/. Ch. Eng. I. 395 A mendi-
cant friar of St. Mary Spital.
B. sb. A beggar ; one who lives by begging.
1474 Caxton Chesse m. vii. 124 Haue no despyte vnto the
poure mendycants. 1597-8 Bp. Hall Sat. v. i, And but for
that, whatever he may vaunt, Who now's a monk, had been
a mendicant. 1643 Sir T. Browne Relig. Med. D. § 2
There is surely a Physiognomy, which those ;. Master
Mendicants observe, whereby they instantly discover a
merciful aspect. 1791 Cowper Odyss. xvii. 264 This morsel
hunting mendicant. 1863 Geo. Eliot Romola xxii, They
. .looked like vulgar, sturdy mendicants.
Jig. 1742 Young Nt. T/t. vi. 288 What is Station high?
'Tis a proud Mendicant ; it boasts, and begs.
b. A begging friar.
1530 Palscr. 244/2 Mendycant an order of freres, jttendi-
cant. 1561 T. Norton Calvin's Inst. iv. v. (1634) 535 Of
MENDICATE.
336
MENG.
the Mendicants some doe preach, all the other Monks either
sing or mumble up Masses in their dennes. 1606 Warner
A lb. Eng. xivAxxxix. 361 A youthfull Gentleman, enamoured
on her [sc. a nun], .thus did his Sute preferre Faining him-
self a Mendicant (Nunnes might with Friers conferre).
1846 Hook Ch. Diet. (ed. 5) 611 Mendicants or Begging
Friars.
c. Applied to Brahmin, Buddhist, etc. priests
who beg for food.
1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (161 4) 454 Next.. are certaine
Mendicants, which liue of Rice and Barley, which any man
at the first asking giueth them. 1841 Elphinstone Hist.
Ind. II. xi. ii. 479 He.. put on the dress of a Hindu re-
ligious mendicant. 1848 H. H. Wilson* Brit. India III.
111. viii. 447 A sect of religious mendicants or Jogis.
Mendicanting, a. [f. prec. + -ing -.] Begging.
1630 J. Taylor (Water P.) World runs on Wheeles Wks.
11. 239/1 The foolish women.. gaue all their mony to the
mendicanting Canters.
Mendicate (me'ndik^'t), v. rare. [f. L. men-
dlcdt-, ppl. stem of mendicare : see Mendicant.]
1. trans. To beg for, ask for like a beggar.
1618 BameveW s Apol. D j, I. .maruaile, why you should
so carefully search, and as it were mendicate these things.
1826 Scott yrnl. I. 288, I have seen, .papers distrihuted in
the boxes to mendicate a round of applause. 1865 Pall
Mall G. 23 Sept. 1/1 A loan must be had on any terms, and
is now being almost mendicated.
2. intr. To beg. rare~°.
1623 Cockeram, Mendicate, to beg. 1721, etc. in Bailey.
17S5 m Johnson. Hence in mod. Diets,
b. quasi- trans, with out of.
1768 W. Livingston Let. Bp. Llandaff \q People.. may
be mendicated or sermonized out of their money.
Hence Mendicated///. a.
1641 J. Shute Sarah $ Hagar (1649) M2 To be beholden
to this borrowed, yea mendicated and begged dignity. 1819
Blacku: Mag. V. 571 The .. squalid establishments for
mendicated instruction had become loathsome in his eyes.
Mendication (mendikvijan). [ad. late L.
mendiedtion-em, I. mendicare to beg.] Begging.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. vn. xvii. 375 Cedrenus
and Zonaras. .omit the history of his [sc. Belisarius'] mendi-
cation. 1849 I. Taylor Loyola fy yes, 69 The perpetual
labour of providing, by mendication, not merely for his own
wants, but for those of his companions.
t Mendicatory, a. Obs. rare-'1, ff. L.
mendfeat- (see Mendicate) + -obt.] Begging.
1627-77 Feltham Resolves 11. liv. 271 Mendicatory or
fishing Gifts.. the generous have ever disdained.
t Mendiciary, a. Obs. rare—1, [f. L. men-
dicus begging v -(i)ary.] Appropriate to beggars.
1652 Urquhabt Jrtvel Wks. (1834) 279 Like so many var-
lets, in mendiciary and gausapinal garments.
Mendicity (mendi'siti). [a. F. mendicitJ
(from 13th c.), ad.L. mendicitds, f. mendicus: see
Mendicant and -ity. Cf. Sp. mendicidad, Pg.
mendicidade> It. mendicit<\.~\
1. The state or condition of a mendicant or beggar,
beggary. Also, now usually, the existence or
numbers of the mendicant class.
c 1400 Rom. Rose 6525 For richesse and mendicitees Ben
clepid .II. extremytees. Ibid. 6534 God thou me kepe for
thi pouste Fro Richesse and mendicite. 1400 Caxton
Eneydos xviii. 68 Pigmalion, my cruelle brother, . .shalle
comme take my cyte, and put alle to destructyon, and
brynge me to mendycyte. 1611 Cotgr., Mendicite, mendi-
citie, beggarie, beggar Hnesse. 1812 G. Chalmers Dam.
Econ. Gt. Brit. 401 He [Arthur Dobbs] complained, that
there were 34,425 strolling beggars, in that kingdom. He
explained this striking instance of mendicity [etc.]. 1815
{title) Report from Committee on the State of Mendicity in
the Metropolis. [Pari. Paper.] 1864 H. Ainsworth "John
Law vi. i. (1881) 293 During the reign of Louis XIV, men-
dicity had existed to a frightful extent.
2. The practice or habit of begging.
i8ox 13M Rep. Soc. for Poor 22 note, Some workhouses
are rather seminaries of mendicity, than preservatives against
it. 1884 American VIII. 105 With a view to the regular
exercise of mendicity, pillage and murder.
3. attrib.
1819 1st Rep. Soc. Suppress. Mendicity 27 The Mendicity
Societies at Bath, Edinburgh, Oxford, and Dublin. 1824
T. Hook Say. fy Do. Ser. 1. III. 329 Mr. Harding was a
subscriber to the Mendicity Society, an institution which
proposes to check beggary by the novel method of giving
nothing to the poor. 1884 Century Mag. XXIX. 163 To
set up a library, a 'mendicity institution ', or a bank.
t Mendieiice. Obs. rare. [a. OF. mendience,
-ance, f. viendiant : see Mendiant and -ance.]
Mendicity.
<- 1400 Rom. Rose 6657 (Glasgoxu MS.) He wolde not
therfore that he lyue To seruen hym in mendience. Ibid.
6707 And for ther hath ben gret discorde. .Vpon the estate
of mendiciens [sic] Thynne 1532 mendicience].
Mendifaunte, variant of Mendivalnt Obs,
Mendil, obs. form of Mandil.
T Mendinant, sb. and a. Obs. Also men-
dyna(u)nt, -ynante, -enaunt, -inaunt, meyn-
denaunt. [a. OF. mendinant, pr. pple. oimen-
dinert mendienner to beg,f. mendien(tem.-enne) ,an
altered form, due to confusion of suffix, of mendi-
ant (see Mendiant). Cf. Menpivaunt : in 14th c.
texts the two words cannot with certainty be dis-
tinguished.] = Mendicant.
136a Langl. P. PI. A. xi. 19S For mendynauntz at mischief
be men were dewid. c 1386 Chaucer Sompn. T. 198 We
mendynantz, we sely freres, Been wedded to pouerte and
continence, c 1400 Maundev. (1839) xv. 167 There ben
manye religious men, and namely of Mendynantes.
Mending, vbl. sb. [f. Mend v. + -ing V]
1. The action of the vb. Mend in various senses.
a. Amendment, correction, improvement.
a 1300 Cursor M. 26867 [pou agh to] here his scrift and
giue him rede pat to sum mendyng him mai lede. 13..
E. E. Allit. P. A. 452 Hot vchon. .wolde her corounez wem
worpe pe fyue, If possyble wer her mendyng. 1599 Shaks.
Much Ado 11. iii. 239 Happy are they that heare their de-
tractions, and can put them to mending. 1631 Star Chamb.
Cases (Camden) 55 If a man soe enter his children's names
into the Church booke it is noe offence, and it is not like
the mending of a sealed Indenture or a Record. 1896 A. E.
Housman Shropshire Lad xliv, Yours was not an ill for
mending, 'Twas best to take it to the grave.
b. f The action of healing (obs.) ; the action or
process of advancing towards recovery. Also
attrib., esp. in phrase •f on (upon, in, of) the
mending hand (see Hand sb. 4 b), So also t at a
mending hand (obs.) , in a mending way.
c 1375 Sc, Leg. Saints xli. (Agnes) 10 Al sekmen of his
tweching of verray heile gettis mending. 1534 More Com/,
agst. Trib. 11. ii. (1847J 90, I look every day to depart, my
mending days coming very seld. 1658 A. Fox tr. Wurtz"
Surg. in. xxiii. 291 Go on,. till you see and perceave that
the member is at a mending hand. 1710-11 Swift yrnl. to
Stella 10 Mar., He has no fever, and the hopes of his mend-
ing increase. 1753 N. Torriano Gangr. Sore Throat 23
She was repurged with Success, whence they judged her in
a mending Way.
c. The action or process of repairing (some-
thing decayed, worn, etc.) ; an instance of this.
Also techn. (see quot. 1891).
1395 E. E. Wills (1882) 11 Y bequeth to p8 Mendyng of be
heye way..xl.s. 1429-30 Rec. St. Mary at Hill (1904) 72
Also for mendynge of be sepulcre xvj d. 1596 Shaks. Merch.
V. v. i. 263 Why this is like the mending of high waies In
Sommer. 1869 Phillips V'esuv. ii. 33 The pavement except
by occasional mendings may be readily believed to have
been laid by Pelasgian hands. 1891 Labour Commission
Gloss., Mending, replacing (in woven worsted-coating
pieces) threads of warp or of weft dropped by the weaver.
attrib. 1882 Callfeild & Saward Did. Needleivorks.v.,
Mending Cottons.. may be had both white and unbleached.
1885 A rmy # Navy Co-op. Soc. Price List 1385 Silks. . . Spun
Mending, Black and Colours.
2. toner, a. //. Articles to be repaired, rare.
1863 W. B. Jerrold Signals Distress 98 Workmen were
busy over ' boys' ' strong boots and mendings.
b. pi. Short for mending yarns.
188a Caulfeild & Saward Diet. Needlavork, Mendings,
these yarns are composed of a mixture of cotton and wool,
and designed for the darning of Merino stockings.
c. A repaired place; a ' mend*, rare.
1886 Housewife I. 109/2 [Darning.] Grafting can only
be done when the new piece matches the old.. and the
mending is to be of large size.
f3. = Mendment 2. dial.
lyoj Mortimer Husb. 13 Which [sc. overflowing of rivers]
brings the Soil of the Up-lands upon them, so that they
need no other mending. 1855 Morton Cycl. Agric. II. 724
Mending, (Lane), manuring.
4. Mending up : see quot. 1892. Also attrib.
1885 [Horner] Pattern Making 225 Mending up with
sweeps becomes necessary. . .We then have an unbroken
lower edge by which to guide the mending up sweep. 189a
— Princ. Pattern Making 156 Mending up, the necessary
repairs done to a mould after it has become damaged by the
rapping and the withdrawal of the pattern. Mending up
piece, any strip, sweep, or block, which is used as a guide to
obtain or to restore the damaged contour of a section of a
sand mould.
Mendipite (me'ndipait). Min. [ad. G. men-
dipit (Glocker, 1839), ** tne name of the Me/ulip
Hills (Somerset) where it was found : see -ite.]
Oxychloride of lead, found in white masses.
1851 Watts tr. GmelvCs Haudbk. Chem. V. 147 Mendip
Lead-ore or Mendipite. ..This mineral is likewise found, and
in a state of greater purity, at Brilow near Stadtbergen.
f WCendi vaunt. Obs. Also mendyfaunte,
-vaunt, [f. OK. (chiefly AF.) mendif, altered form
of mendi :— L. mendicus (see Mendicant).
As tuendynaunt and mendynannt would usually be indis-
tinguishable in the MSS., it is possible that some or all of
the examples under Mendinant may belong to this word.
In those given below the MSS. have /or v, not «.]
= Mendicant sb.
c 1400 Maundev. (1839) xix. 210 There duellen many re-
ligious men, as it were of the ordre of Freres : for thei ben
Jklendyfauntes. 1426 Lvdg. De Guil. Pilgr. 541 Other
ordrys vertuous. Mendyvauntys ful nedy. < 1430 Pilgr.
Lyf Manhode I. lix. (1869) 35, j make him yiue and departe
that he hath to the needy and to mendivauns.
Mendment (mendment). [Aphetic f. Amend-
ment. Cf. OF. mendement (once in Godef., written
ma tide men!).]
L = Amendment; improvement, reparation, cor-
rection, reformation.
a 1300 Cursor M. 23744 V^ ''J1" ne [crist] has vs lent. .To
hald ai wel his comament, If we do mis, do mendement.
? a 1400 Morte Arth. 989, I am corny ne fra the conquerour
..for mendemente of the pople. 1559 Mirr. Mag., Edw.
Dk. Somerset xxv. (1563) 167 He .. would have all thing
mended, But by that mendment nothyng els he ment, But
to be kyng. 161a Dekker I/it be not good Wks. 1873 III.
298 Bar. Well, well, the world will mend. Bra. The pox
of mendment I see.
2. Improvement of the soil; concr. manure;^
Amendment 6. Now dial.
1644 G. Plattes in Harllib's Legacy (1655) 289 If the
mendment of their own lands were the cheapest purchase to
the owner [etc.]. 1798 J. Middleton View Agric. Mdlsx. 305
Manure is undoubtedly the great cause of fertility. (The
Middlesex farmer says ' there is nothing to be done without
■ mendment'".) ? 1842 hAticaCottage Parmer 13 Potash and
saltpetre would invigorate corn crops more than any other
artificial mendment. 1883 Hampshire Gloss.
+ Me'ndnis. Obs. [f. Mend v. + -nis, -ness.]
Amendment.
c 1400 Rule St. Benet 4 A stresce will I make in mendnis
of 30ure sinne.
Mendole (me-nd<?ul). [a. It. (Venetian) men-
dole. Cf. F. mendot^e.'] = Cackerel i.
1854 Badham Hatieut. 276 The bream is as worthless a
fish as the mendole. 1862 Couch Brit. Fishes I. 206 In its
native waters the Mendole is an exceedingly prolific fish.
t Mendose, a. Anat. Obs. rare"1, [ad. L.
mendosus faulty (£ mendum fault), in med.L.
anatomy used to render Gr. vuBos spurious, as
applied to the ' false' ribs, ■ false' sutures, etc.]
c 1400 Lan/ranc's Cirurg. no [[>o boonys pat vndir setten
ben clepid ossa mendosa]. Ibid., ij. boonys pat ben clepid
mendose. Ibid, in Wib .ij. semes mendose. [1855 Ogilvie
Suppt., Mendose, false, spurious.]
t Mendo za. Obs. [? The (Spanish) surname
of the inventor.] In full mendoza wheel, one of
the wheels of a spinning-mule.
1803 Sped/ Woods Patent No. 271 1. 2 The wheel G
acts in the mendoza, called the drawing-out wheel. 1818
Sped/. 0/ Eaton"1 s Patent No. 4272. 4 When the carriage [of
the spinning mule] is quite out the mendoza wheel O is
disengaged from the pinion. 1836 Ube Cotton Manu/. II.
158 The large horizontal bevel-wheel 12, called the mendoza.
Mendozite (mend<?u-z3it). Min. [Named by
Dana from Mendoza, ArgentineRepublic, where it is
found : see -ite^.] A hydrous sulphate of alumina,
occurring in white fibrous masses ; = Alunogen.
1868 Dana Syst. Min. (ed. 5) II. 653.
Mendy, variant of Mendee.
+ Mene. Obs. [repr. OE. lemsene, subst use of
getnxne&d).; seeI-MENE#.] Intercourse, fellowship.
.1200 Ormin 1948 patt nan ne shollde filedd ben purrh
ha^benn macchess mame. c 1150 Gen. <5- Ex. 501 For alied
god self him toch fro mannes mene in to 3at stede Sat adain
forles for iuel dede.
Mene : see Man, Mean, Meinie.
Menealtie, obs. formofMESNALTV.
Meneghinite (men/grnsit). Min. [f. name
ofProf. ].Meneghini, of Pisa + -ite.] A sulph-anti-
monide of lead, occurring in prismatic crystals and
in fibrous masses.
1852 Atner. yrnl. Sci. Ser. II. XIV. 60 The Meneghinite
is a new species, established by M. liechi. It occurs in
compact fibrous forms, very lustrous [etc.].
Meneisoun, Menekin, Menel(e)d, Mene-
liche : see Menison, Minikin, Menald, Meanly.
Meneress, Menese, Menesinge, Meneson,
Menester, Menestral, Meneuer.- see Mino-
ress, Menise, Minishing, Menison, Minister,
Minstrel, Miniver.
Meneuerance, obs. form of Mandrance.
1473-5 m Oat. Proc. Chant. Q. Eliz. II. (1830) Pref. 57 To
have the meneuerance and occupncion..of the said mesc
lond mede and wode.
Menevian (menrvian), a. and sb. Geol, Also
Min-, Meen-. [f. Menevia, med.L. name of St.
David's + -an.] a. adj. Of or pertaining to a very
ancient group of rocks found near St. David's in
South ^ales, and also near Dolgelly and Maen-
twrog in North Wales, containing a large number of
different species of fossils, b. sb. The Menevian
formation.
1865 Salter & Hicks in Rep. Brit. Assoc. (Hardwicke)
147 The authors propose the term 'Minevian' for the
lowest division of the ( Lingula flag". 1865 Hicks in Q.
yrnl. Geol. Soc. XXI. 477 note, The new term ' Mamevian
Group'. 1867 Salter & Hicks Ibid. XXIII. 339 The
Menevian group. 188a A. Geikie Text-bk. Geol. 6^4 The
Menevian beds. 1894 Geol. Mag. Oct. 442 At this time the
upper portion only of the Menevian (then called Lower
Lingula Flags) had yielded any fossils.
Menew, Menew(e)8 : see Minnow, Menise.
Men-folk(s. [See Man j*.l]
1. The male sex; also dial, (see quot. 1886).
i8oa R. Anderson Cumbld. Ball. 38 I've wonder'd sin I
kent mysel, What keeps the men-fwok aw frae me. _ 1824
Scott Si, RonatCs xxxviii, ' Mr. Tyrrel ', she said, ' this is nae
sight for men folk— ye maun rise and gang to another
room \ 1886 Elworthv W. Somerset Word-bk., Men/olks,
usually the male labourers on a farm. Males in general, as
distinct from 'women folks'. 1896 Black Briscis xx,
Some of us Gordons about Dee-side— I mean the men-folk
of us— are said to be rather quick in the temper.
2. Human beings, rare,
1870 Morris Earthly Par., Golden Apples (1890) 328/2
Slipping through the seas Ye never think, ye men-folk, how
ye seem From down below through the green waters' gleam.
Meng, v. Obs. exc. dial. Forms : Inf. 1
men(c)gan, meengan, 3 mengen, mengge, ($rd
pres. sing, meinjj), 3-7, 9 menge, 5 (mengyn),
meenge, meynge, 3- meng; 3-5 myng, 3-
ming, (5 mynge, 6, 9 minge). Pa. t. Ind. a.
1-4 mengde, 3 mengte, meng(u)d, 3-5 men-
ged, 4 menhed, mengede, Sc. mengjeit, 4-5
mengid, -it, 5 mengyd, 6 menkit ; 4 mynged(e,
-ide, 5mynget,-it. £. 4meynt, 6ment. Pa.pple.
a. 2-5 imengd, 3 imeenged, imenget, imeingt,
MENG.
mengt, 3-8 menged, 4 ymengd, imengde,
mengyt, -ede, 4-5 ymenged, mengid, meyn-
g(i)d, 4-6 mengyd, 5 ymengyd, -id, mengit,
menkyd, 6 menket, menkte ; 5 mynged, -et, -it,
-yd, mingit, 6 minged, mingde. 0. 2-4 meind,
3 imeind(e, meynde, ime(y)nd, 3-4 ymeynd,
3-5 meynd, 4 mynd, yment, 4-5 ymeynt,
5-6 meynt, 6-7 merit, raeint, 7 ymeint, imeint.
7. 3 imeng(e, ymeng. [OE. mengan = OFris. men-
gia, menzia, OS. mengian (Du. mengen), OHG.
(MHG., mod.G.) mengen, ON. menga (Sw. manga,
Da. mmnge) :— OTeut. *mangjan, f. the root of OE.
ge-mang : see Among.
The normal form in mod. standard English would be minge
(minds) : cf. singe. Forms with i occur both in literature
(down to the 17th c.) and in mod. dialects : but the form
meng has been adopted here as that occurring in the best-
known instances.]
1. trans. To mix, mingle, blend : a. one thing
with (fSc. into) another.
c 725 Voc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 15/15 Confundil,menget. ciooa
Ags. Gosp. Luke xiii. 1 pare Mod pilatus mengde [Lindisf.
£emengde] mid hyra offrungum. a 1200 Moral Ode 142
in Cott. Horn. 169 Betere is wori water drunch ben atter meind
[later versions meynd, imengd, imenge] mid wine, c 1375 Sc.
Leg. Saints xxvii. (Machor) 584 Poysone . . myngyt into
drink. Ibid, xxxiii. (George) 505 pane with wyne meng5eit
he poyson. 1390 Gower Con/. II. 262 Warm melk sche
putte also therto With honymeynd. c 1460 Towneley Myst.
xxvi. 270 In stede of drynk thay gaf me gall, Asell thay
menged it wilhall. 1562 Turner Batlis 1, I founde. .mar-
quesites and stones menged with copper. 1579 Spenser
Shcph. Cal. July 84 Till with his elder brother Themis His
brackish waves be meynt. 1633 P. Fletcher Purple 1st.
m. xx, The third bad water.. with good liquors ment. 1677
Nicolson Cumb. ff Westm. Gloss, in Trans. R. Soc. Lit.
(1870) IX. 315 Meng, to mix.
b. two or more things (together).
a 1225 Leg. Kath. 1674 DeorewurSe stanes, of misliche
heowes, imenget togederes. c 1410 Master of Game (MS.
Digbyi82) xii,And put alle bise binges togidres and menge
hem vpoun be fyre and stere hem wele. 1567 Turberv.
O-jids Epist. L iij b, Incense I yeeld with intermedled teares,
Which mingde doe surge as wine yeast in flame. 1596
Spenser F. Q. v. v. 12 Bath'd in bloud and sweat together
ment. 1622 Drayton Poly-olb. xxvi. 35 Till both within
one bank^they on my North are meint.
c. With immaterial objects and fig.
a 1225 Ancr. R. 332 Auh hope & dred schulen euer beon
■meind togederes. a 1250 Owl ,5- Night. 870 Al my song is of
Ionginge And ymeynd [MS. Colt, imend] sumdel myd
woninge. 1375 Barbour Bruce vi. 360 This nobill kyng..
Mengit all tyme vith vit manheid. 1426 Lydg. De Guil.
Pilgr. 19596 The pley ther-off ys meynt with wo. 1555 W.
Watreman Fardle Facions 1. ii. 30 Heate meint with mois-
ture is apt to engendre. 1589 Warner Alb. Eng. v. xxv.
in Then taking Scottish othes, which they did breake, and
he [Edw. I] reuenge, With those Exploytes he French
attempts as gloriously did menge. 1608 Sylvester Du Bar-
las 11. iv. lv. Decay 253 Their Country-gods with the true
God they ming. 1642 H. More Song of Soul 11. ii. 1. viii,
When that those rayes. .be closely meint With other beams
of plain diversity.
2. To make a mixture of ; to produce by mixing.
1375 Sc. Leg. Saints ii. (Panlus) 700 A fellone poyssone,
myngit and mad be tresone. a 1547 Surrey Descr. Spring
11 in Tottets Misc. (Arb.) 4 The busy bee her honye now
she minges. 1:1570 Pride «, Lowl. (1841) 59 Their good
drinke as I sayd to ming and blenne. 1730 (Som.) Churchw.
Ace. (E. D. D.), To minging lime, and to tile pins. 1807
Stagg Poems 140 An' meng us up thar glasses. 1825
Jamieson s.v., ' To meng tar', to mix it up into a proper
state for smearing sheep, greasing carts, &c
3. To stir up ; after OE. only in fig. applications :
To disturb, trouble, confound. Also intr. for pass.
Beowulf '1449 Se be meregrundas mengan scolde. a 1223
Leg. Kath. 606 Nes bis meiden nawiht herfore imenget in
hire mod inwiS. a 1250 Owl <y Night. 945 (MS. Cott.) For
wrabbe meinb [MS. Jesus meynb] be horte blod. a 1300
Cursor M. 27770 And sua he mengges him wit ire, pat
brennes mans mede als fire, c 1460 Towneley Myst. xxiii.
437 Now thay meng my moode ffor grace thou can me hete.
1560 Rolland Crt. Venus iv. 370 Allace, now mingis my
mane and mude.
b. To meng with mirths : to cheer.
«i4oo Sir Perc. 1327 The maydene mengede his mode
With myrthes at the mete, c 1460 Tmuneley Myst. xvi. 1
Moste myghty mahowne meng you with myrth !
4. a. trans. To bring (living creatures) together ;
to join (the male with the female).
13.. E. E. Allit. P. B. 337, & ay bou meng with be malez
be mete ho-bestez. c 1400 Destr. Troy 6546 There mynget
bai pere men, machit horn, to-gedur; Mony dedly dint delt
horn amonge !
b. reft., pass., and intr. Of persons : To be
mingled together in intercourse, or with, among
others ; to be joined in battle ; to have sexual
intercourse ; to be united by marriage.
reft. «ooo tr. Bxda's Hist. 1. xxvii. § 11 Swelce is eac ,
bewered bait mon hine menge wi5 his brodorwiife. c 1000 i
Ags. Ps. (Th.) cv. 26 Hi . . hi wiS manfullum megndan [sic]
|>eode. a 1300 Cursor M. 26253 O man bat menges him wit
best For his flexs lust to ful-fill.
Am. c 1205 Lay. 15249 pa weoren Bruttes imajnged wiS
ban Saxes. 1382 Wyclif i Cor. v. 9 That Je be not meynd
r" 'ii meynSd)> or comunen not, with lecchours. c 1400 Apol.
Loll. 109 Lok bat 3e be not menkyd wib him. c 1420 Lydg.
Assembly of Gods 361 And ones in the moneth with Phebus
was she meynt. 1590 Spenser F. Q. hi. xi. 36 When she
with Mars was meynt in joyfulnesse.
intr. c 1250 Gen. $ Ex. 544 He chosen hem wiwes of
caym, And mengten wiS waried kin. «i3oo Cursor M.
19271 Jra ban durst na man wit bam meng. cino R.
VOL. VI.
337
Brijnne Chron. (1810) 298 With be Scottis gan he menge,
and stifly stode in stoure. 1435 Misyn Fire of Love 11. iii.
73, I lufyd not with pame to menge.
5. intr. Of things : To be or become mixed.
a loooCxdmon's Satan 132 H wait her hat andceald hwilum
mencgab. a 1300 Cursor M. 9952 pe leme o light . . bat
menges with baa colurs hew. c 1400 Destr. Troy 12495
Sodonly the softe winde vnsoberly blew ; A myste & a
merkenes myngit to-gedur. 1614 Sir A. Gorges tr. Lucan
vi. 233 And from his springs A vertue takes, which neuer
mmgs With other streame. 1825 Jamieson, To meng, to
become mixed. ' The corn's beginnin to meng', the stand-
ing corn begins to. .assume a yellow tinge ; Berwicks.
Meng(e, variants of Ming v. Obs., to remember.
t Menged, ppl. a. Obs. Forms : see Meng v.
[f. Meng v. + -ed i.] Mixed ; disturbed, confused.
<z 1250 Owl q- Night. 823 penne is bes hundes smel fordo :
He not burh be meynde smak Hweber he schal vorb be abak.
a 1300 Cursor M. 7420 He es ai vte o wite als wode, Hu
sal we meke his menged mode? 1428 in Surtecs Misc.
(1888) 1, xxxiij gyrdels of menged metaill. 1494 Fabyan
Chron. vil. 665 A woman . .was . . punysshed for sellyng of
false myngyd butter.
Mengel, -ill, obs. forms of Mingle v.
t Menging, vil. sb. Obs. [OE. menging, f.
mengan : see Meng v. and -ing 1.] Mingling,
mixture ; confusion or disturbance (of mind).
a 1000 A tdhelm Glosses in Zeitschr.f. deulsches A tterthum
IX. 450 Confeclio, . . mencingc. 1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 2098
Conan. .Among horn nolde of bulke lond abbe non menging.
a 1300 Cursor M. 2jj29 Menging o mode bat corns o gall.
c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 475 pe mynging of pes bingis is
unholsom to man to take, a 1485 Promp, Parv. 332/2
(MS. S.) Mengynge, mixtura, commixtio. 1562 Turner
Baths 9 With some menginge with mixture of brimstone.
1818 Hogg Brownie of Bodsbcck I. 288 The meinging of
repentance.
Mengle, obs. form of Mingle sb. and v.
Mengue, Mengyd, obs. ff. Mango, Manchet.
Menhaden(menh^'' -dan). Also manhad(d)en.
[Corrupted or cognate form of Narragansett Indian
mnnnawhatteailg, ' a fish somewhat like a herring '
(R. Williams Key Lang. America, 1643).
The fish was used by the Indians for manure, and the
name seems to be connected with the vb. mnnnohquohteau,
(Eliot's Indian Bible) ' he enriches the land, fertilizes '.]
A fish of the herring family, Brevoortia tyrannits,
common on the east coasts of the United States ; it
is much used for manure and produces a valuable oil.
1792 Descr. Kentucky 42 In 1787 were exported Barrels
of manhadden 236. 1792 Hommedieu in Proc. Amer. Assoc.
(1880) XXVIII. 436 note, The fish called menhaden or mos-
bankers. 1880 Goode (title) in Rep. iZth Meeting Amer.
Assoc. Adv. Sci. 425 A Short Biography of the Menhaden.
b. attrib., as menhaden fishery ; oil.
1883 C. A. Moloney W. Afr. Fisheries 64 (Fish. Exhib.
Publ.) The American menhaden fisheries. 1883 Fisheries
Exhib. Catal. 202 Menhaden oil, used in currying leather.
Hence Menha dener, a steamer engaged in fish-
ing for menhaden.
1905 E. Marshall Middle Wall 447.
Menheir, obs. variant of Mtnheer.
Menhir (me'iihiaj). Archxol. Also erron.
menzhir. [a. Breton men hir ' long stone ' (men,
mean stone, hir long : = Welsh maen hir, Cornish
medn hir).] A tall upright monumental stone,
of varying antiquity, found in various parts of
Europe, and also in Africa and Asia.
1840 T. A. Trollope Summer in Brittany II. 300 The
menhir of Plouarzel. 1851 [see Peulvan]. 1870 Lubbock
Orig. Civiliz. vi. (1875) 302 Circular marks closely resem-
bling those on some of our European menhirs. 1904W1NDLE
Rem. Preh. Age viii. 192 The Dartmoor row begins with
a circle and ends with a menhir.
jYTeni, obs. form of Many.
Menial (mrnial), a. and sb. Forms : a. 4
meynal(l, -el, 5 meygnall, menal(l. p. 4-5
meyneal, meynyal, 5 menyal, mayneal, meyne-
yall, 6 maneall, meneal, meigniall, 7 mteniall,
meniall, 7- menial, [a. AF. meignal, menial,
f. meiniee Meinie.] A. adj.
f 1. Pertaining to the household, domestic. Also
transf. Obs.
1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) II. 215 A mannes owne
meynal wittes [L. domestici sensus ejus] beeb his owne
enemyes. 1388 Wyclif Rom. xvi. 5 Grete ;e wel her meyneal
[v. r. meynyal, Vulg. domesticam] chirche. c 1400 Plow-
man's T. 322 The tything of Turpe lucrum With these
maisters is meynall. 1709 Mrs. Manley Secret Mem.
(1720) III. 17 He had exchang'd his own Property, his very
menial Necessaries for Bread to support them.
2. Of a servant : Forming one of the household ;
domestic. Now only in contemptuous use : see B.
1427 Will of Sir E. Braybroke in Bedford. N. <y Q. (1889)
II. 224, I wol that after my deces my meyne meygnall be
kepte to-geder in houshold. 1444 Close Roll, 23 Hen. VI,
The said Geffrey was a menall man of the worshipful house-
hold of our Sovereign Lord the King. 1450 Rolls ofParlt.
V. 179/2 The wages and fees of youre menyall servauntez.
c '475 Parlenay 900 To gret and smal menal persones. 1516
Will R. Peke of Wakefield 4 June, Every one of my
maneall servantes. 1642 Chas. I in Clarendon Hist. Reb.
v. g 396 And all this, whilst his Majesty had no other atten-
dance than his own Menial Servants. 167s Essex Papers
(Camden) I. 294 That none shall heare Masse either at the
Queen's or any Ambass™ Chappell but their owne meniall
Servants. 1765 Blackstone Comm. I. xiv. 413 The first
sort of servants therefore, acknowledged by the laws of
MENINGITIC.
England, are menial servants; so called from being intra
moema, or domestics. 1776 Adam Smith W. N. 11. iii.
(1869) I. 332 The labour of a menial servant. .adds to the
value of nothing. 1791 Mrs. Inchbald Simple Story I. iv.
32 She felt herself but as a menial servant.
3. Of service or employment : Proper to or per-
formed by a menial or domestic servant. Now
only with disparaging implication : Of the nature
of drudgery ; servile, degrading.
1673 Temple United Prov. ii. 113 His [De Wit's] Train. .
was only one man, who performed all the Menial service of
his House at home. 1726 Swift Gulliver 11. iii, A maid to
dress her and two other servants for menial offices, c 1829
Visct. Palmerston in Lytton Life (1870) I. vi. 317 note,
The wives are forced to wash and perform all menial offices.
1836 W. Irving Astoria II. 39 As to the Indian, he is a
game animal, not to be degraded by useful or menial toil.
1840 Dickens Bam. Rudge xxiv, The menial offices .. the
numerous degrading duties . . that I've had to do for him.
1899 T. Nicol Recent Archaeol. ff Bible iv. 153 The menial
character of the labour [sc. brickmaking].
4. Of temper, spirit, occupations : Servile, sordid.
1837 [see MenialismJ. 1839 Bailey Festns xiii. (1852)
151 Nor cold insurgent heart, nor menial mind Can compass
this. 1875 Jowf.tt Plato, Gorgias (ed. 2) II. 399 All other
arts which have to do with the body are servile and menial
j and illiberal. 1891 Edin. Rev. CLXXIII. 400 Devoted
only to the menial care of building a fortune.
B. sb. A 'menial' servant (see A. 2). Now
only contemptuous, applied chiefly to liveried men-
servants kept for ostentation rather than use ; often
suggesting an imputation of pomposity or arro-
gance.
1388 Wyclif 2 Sam. xvi. 2 The assis ben to the meyneals
of the kyng [Vulg. domesticis regis]. 1650 Bp. Hall Balm
Gilead xii. § 4 Surely the great Housekeeper of the World
..will never leave any of his menials without the bread of
sufficiency. 1755 Johnson, Menial, one of the train of ser-
vants. 1768 T. Moss The Beggar 15 A pamper'd menial
fore'd me from the door, To seek a shelter in an humbler
shed. 1805 Scott Last Minstr. Introd. 39 The Duchess
. .bade her page the menials tell That they should tend the
old man well. 1820 Byron Mar. Fal. iv. i, Dismiss This
menial hence ; I would be private with you. 1850 Prescott
Peru^W. 76 The most common soldier was attended by
a retinue of menials that would have better suited the
establishment of a noble. 1854 Thackeray Ncwcomes I. vii.
68 A hot menial in a red waistcoat came and opened the door.
1901 J. Watson Life Master xviii. 170 The servants . . al-
lowed Him to pass with a menial's disdain for the poor.
Hence Me'nialism, the condition of a menial ; a
menial act; Menia-lity, menial character; pi.
menial conditions ; Menially adv., like a menial.
1837 New Monthly Mag. L. 132 Menial in soul, he may
as well have the hire of menialism. 1846 Mrs. Gore Eng.
Char. (1852) 105 And is such a man to be abased to the
menialitiesofthe servants' hall? 1848 Blackw. Mag. LXIV.
344 Lady Suffolk . . had been bedchamber woman, and of
course had performed this menialism ! 1882 Stevenson
New Arab. Nts. (1884) 169 The Prince . . handed his hat to
Mr. V., his cane to Mr. R., and, leaving them., thus menially
employed upon his service, spoke.
t Menialty. Obs. Also 6 menaltie. [f.
Menial + -ty.] The condition of being a menial.
Also, collect, persons of menial rank.
1581 Mulcaster Positions xxxviii. (1887) 176 From the
lowest in menaltie, to the highest in niistrisbip. 1593 Nashe
Christ's T. 91 The vulgar menialty conclude, therefore it
[sc. the Plague] is like to encrease.
Menie, obs. form of Many, Meinie.
Menild, variant of Menald.
Menilite (me-nilait). Mm. [a. F. minilite
(H. B. de Saussure, 1795), from Mhiil(montani), a
quarter of Paris where it is found : see -ite.]
A variety of opal of a dull greyish or brownish
colour, occurring in kidney-shaped masses.
[1S01 Encycl. Brit. Suppl. II. 205/2 Pitchslone. Menelites.
. . A specimen of Pitchstone from Mesnil-montant near Paris
..261 (Index to Mineralogy) Menalites.] 1811 Pinkerton
Petral. I. 550 As common flint becomes menilite, from the
unctuous and magnesian marl in which it is deposited.
attrib. 1829 Ure Geol. 324 The menilite silex.
Menilla, Menille, obs. ff. Manilla i,Manille.
1781 Gentl.Mag. LI. 616 Menille seems to be a corruption
of the Spanish malilla, a wicked woman capable of any
kind of mischief.
Menin, variant of Mennom dial., minnow.
Meningeal (mz"ni-nd3iaT), a. Anal, and Path.
[f. mod.L. meninge-ns (f. mining- , Meninx : cf. F.
mininge", It. meningeo) + -al.] Of or pertaining
to the meninges. Meningeal artery : one of the
arteries supplying the dura mater of the brain.
1829 C. Bell Anat. 3- Phys. (ed. 7) I. 119 Groove of the
meningeal artery. 1877 tr, von ZiemssetCs Cycl. Med. XII.
171 Meningeal haemorrhages.
Meninges, pi. of Meninx.
Meningic (mz-nrndjik), a. rare. Path. [f.
mod.L. mining- Meninx + -ic] = Meningeal a.
1822 Good Study Med. III. 599 He [M. Serres] proposes
to call the first meningic and the second cerebral apoplexy.
Ibid. 600 Meningic or brain fever.
Meningism (m/hi'ndgiz'm). Path. [Formed
as prec. + -ism.] Tendency to meningitis.
1901 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 5 Jan. Epit. Curr. Med. Lit. 1
Galli has collected observations of a number of cases of
meningitis and meningism.
Meningitic (menind^i-tik), a. Path. [i.
Meningit-is + -10.] Pertaining to meningitis.
1890 in Syd._ Soc. Lex. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VII.
546 The meningitic exudation.
109
MENINGITIS.
338
MENOLOGE.
II Meningitis (menindsartis). Path. [mod.
L., f. mining- Meninx + -Ins.] Inflammation of
the membranes of the brain or spinal cord.
1828 Abercrombie Dis. Brain 51 To prevent circumlocu-
tion, I shall employ the term Meningitis to express the
disease, meaning thereby the inflammation of the arachnoid,
or pia mater, or both, as distinct from inflammation of the
dura mater. 1899 AllbutVs Syst. Med. VII. 546 In most
cases not due to injury meningitis .. is caused by an invasion
of micro-organisms.
Hence Meningl-tiform a. [-FORM], Meningl*-
tophobia [-phobia], see quots.
1890 Billings Nat. Med. Diet. II. 133 Meningitophobia,. .
symptoms of cerebro-spinal meningitis produced from fear
of the disease, c 1893 F. P. Foster Illustr.Med. Did. III.
2276 Meningitifomi,. .resembling meningitis.
MeilillgO- (m/m'rjgtf), combining form of Gr.
firjvty^ Meninx in a number of pathological and
other terms, of which the following are the most
important: Meni'ngrocele (-s/1) [cf. Cele sb.],
hernia of the meninges of the brain or spinal cord ;
|| Meni ng-o-cerebritis = Afeningo-encephalitis;
||Meningo-coccus, a coccus supposed to be the
cause of cerebro-spinal fever ; |J Meningfo-en-
cephali'tis, inflammation of the membranes of the
brain and the adjoining cerebral tissue ; fMeningro-
ga'stric fever Obs. agastric fever; HMeningfo-
mala'cia, 'softening of the membranes of the
brain' (Mayne Expos. Lex. 1S56); || Menin go-
myelitis, inflammation of the spinal cord and
its membranes ; hence Meni ngo-myelitic a. ;
Meni iigo-iuyelocele, a hernial tumour of the
spinal cord {Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890) ; Meningo-
rachi'diau a. [Rachis], pertaining to the men-
inges and the spine; |[ Menlngorrha'gia, haemor-
rhage of the meninges of the brain {Syd. Soc. Lex.).
1867 Bienn. Reirosp. Med., etc. (Syd. Soc.) 423 A case of
"meningocele in the occipital region. 1899 AllbuWs Syst.
Med. VI. 499 The chronic *meningo-cerebritis of general
paralysis. 1893 Dunglison Med. Diet. (ed. 21), * Meningo-
coccus. 1897 Trans. Amer. Pediatric Soc. IX, 189 An
organism resembling the meningococcus was found. 1872
Cohf.n Dis. Throat 206 Consecutive *meningo-encephalitis.
1899 Allbutfs Syst. Med. VI. 887 Any chronic *meningo-
myelitic process. 1897 Ibid. III. 68 A case in which
*meningo-myelitis was found at the autopsy. 1842 E. Wilson
Anat. Vade M. (ed. 2) 351 The *Meningo-rachidian veins
are situated between the theca vertebralis and the vertebrae.
Ii Menhlguria (meningiuVria). Path. [mod.
L., f. Gr. nqviyy- Meninx + ovpov urine: see -ia.]
The passing of urine containing membranous
shreds. Hence Meningu'ric a.
1856 Mayne Expos. Lex.
II Meninx (mrninks). Chiefly pi. meninges
(m/hrnd^fz) ; also 7 menings. [mod.L., a. Gr.
ftr}vty£ membrane, esp. of the brain. (Late L. had
meninga ; cf. F. me'ninge.)'] Any of the three
membranes enveloping the brain and spinal cord
{viz. the dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater).
1616 Bullokar Eng. Expos., Meninges, thinne skins in
which the braine is contained. 1638 A. Read Chirurg.
xvii. 124 In the suture there is a ligament, by which the
menjngs are tyed to the pericranium. 1666 Phil. Trans. I.
397 He .. inquires, whether the Nerve proceed from the
Medulla itself, or its Meninx. 1747 tr. Astruc's Fevers 202
As to the phrenzy, it is an inflammation of the meninges, or
dura and pia mater. 1839-47 Todd's Cycl. Anat. III. 627/2
The cerebral and spinal meninges. 1884 M. Mackenzie
Dis. Throat fy Nose II. 370 Congestion of the meninges was
found at the base of the brain.
% b. The drum of the ear. [SoinGr.] nonce-use.
1630 Randolph Arisltppus 28 The Meninx of his eare is
like a cut Drum, and the hammers lost.
Menis, obs. gen. pi. Man ; obs. f. Minish v.
Meniscal (mihi'ikil), t. rare—0, [f. Meniscus
+ -al.] Of the form of a meniscus.
i860 Worcester {cites Enfield).
Meniscate (mibifkA), a. Bot. [f. Meniscus
+ -ate2.] Resembling a meniscus in form.
1866 Treat. Bot. 735/1 Meniscate, a cylinder bent into
half a circle.
Menisch(e, obs. forms of Minish v.
Meniscoid (mttri-skoid), a. Bot. [f. Menisc-cs
+ -oid.] Resembling a meniscus in form; of the
form of a watch-glass.
1821 tr. Decandolle % SprengeVs Philos. Plants 28 The
higher degree of the shield-shaped passes into the meniscoid
{meniscoideus). 1832L1NDLKY Introd. Bot. 380 Meniscoid',. .
resembling a watch-glass. 1863 Berkeley Brit. Mosses iii.
22 In Sphagnum the spore-sac .. consists of .. a meniscoid
cyst at the top.
So Meniscoidal a. = Meniscoid.
1881-2 Saville-Kent Infusoria II. 870.
II Meniscns (m/hi-sk£>s). PI. menisci
(m/hi*sai) ; also 8 meniscusses. [mod.L., a. Gr.
piyv'iOKO's crescent, dim. of \i-r\vn moon.] A cres-
cent-shaped body.
1. A crescent moon. rare.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Meniscus, a little Moon. 1881
Miss A. D. Kingston tr. J. Verne's Tigers A> Traitors v. 89
Thus the meniscus., shed a few faint beams after midnight.
2. A lens convex on one side and concave on the
other ; properly, the convexo-concave form (i. e.
the one which is thickest in the middle, and thus
has a crescent-shaped section), but often applied
also to the concavo-convex, the two being some-
times distinguished as converging and diverging
meniscus respectively.
1693 E. Hallev in Phil. Trans. XVII. 969 In a Meniscus
the Concave side towards the Object encreases the focal
length, but the Convex towards the Object diminishes it.
1794 G. Adams Nat. <y Exp. Philos. II. xiv. 85 Infinitely
thin meniscusses do not sensibly change the course of the
rays of light. 1879 Harlan Eyesight vii. 99 The periscopic
glass is what opticians call a meniscus. One surface is
convex and the other concave, according as one or the other
of these surfaces has the sharper curvature.
3. The convex or concave upper surface of a
liquid column, caused by capillarity.
1812-16 Playfair Nat. Phil. (1819) I. 189 The little me-
niscus of water, .which terminates the column. 1883 W. H.
Richards Text Bk. Milit. Tofiogr. 218 The 'meniscus*
should be decidedly rounded ; if it appears flat the baro-
meter should be tapped [etc.].
4. Math. A figure of the form of a crescent.
1885 Watson & Burbury Math. Theory Electr. $ Magn.
I. 117 Instead of the figure formed by the two externa!
segments, we may take . . the meniscus formed by one in-
ternal and one external segment.
5. Anat. A disk-like interarticular fibrocartilage
situated in the interior of some joints to adapt the
articular surfaces to each other, as in the wrist- and
knee-joints.
1830 R. Knox Be'clard's Anat. 239 The menisci, or inter-
articular ligaments. 1877 Burnett Ear 74 The articula-
tion between the malleus and incus is a true joint, in which
is found a meniscus.
6. An organ of doubtful function in Echino-
rkyncus, a genus of acanthocephalous entozoa.
1877 Huxley Anat. Inz'ert. Anint. 647.
7. attrib. and Comb., as meniscus form, glass,
lens ; meniscus-shaped adj.
1787 tr. Linnaeus' Earn. Plants I. 70 Seeds .. "meniscus-
form. 1878 Abney Photogr. (1881) 203 All single lenses ..
have the meniscus form given to them. 1704 J. Harris
Lex. Techn. I, * Meniscus Glasses are those which are
Convex on one side, and Concave on the other. 1833 N.
Arnott Physics (ed. 5) II. 203 A lens may be convex on one
side and concave on the other, .. called a *meniscus lens.
1851-6 Woodward Moltusca 74 Specimens frequently occur
in the lias, with the *meniscus-shaped casts of the air-cham-
bers loose, like a pile of watch-glasses.
t Menise. Obs. Forms : 5 menuse, -ce,
menese, menys(e, 6 menew(e)s, menues, 7
men(u)ise. [a. OF. menuise, menuse (mod.F.
menuise) :— L. minutia: seeMlNUTiA.] Small fry.
("1430 Two Cookery-bks. 104 Menese or loche boiled. Take
Menyse or loche, and pike hem faire. C1460 J. Russell
Bk. Nurture 819 Flowndurs, gogeons, muskels, menuce in
sewe. 1508-13 Bk. Keruynge in Babees Bk. (1867) 280
Menewesin seweofporpasorof samon. i58sHiciNsy«K/w5'
Nomenct. 62 Pisciculi ininuti..Poissons menus, menuise.
Small fishes called menues. 1613 J. D[ennys] Seer. Angling
II. xi. C 4 b, The little Roach, the Menise biting fast. 1616
Surfl.& Markh. Country Farm 507 The small fish, which
is called white, are the. .Loach, Menuise, and the Trout.
t Me'nison. Obs. Forms : 3 menison(e, 3-
4 meneisoun, 4-5 menysoun, 5 menyson,
-isoun, -eson, mensone, mensoun, 6 mensyn,
menson. [a. OF. menison, meneison, mowison :—
late L. manationem flowing, n. of action f. manare
to flow.] Dysentery.
c 1290 Beket 2367 in S. Eng. Leg. I. 174 Toward pe de^e
he drou^ And fur-pinede in pe menisone pat is Hf him bou?te
long, c 1305 *S7. Lucy 6 in E. E. P. (1862) 101 For four 3er
heo hadefe .. be meneisoun stronge. 1377 Lancl. P. Pi.
B. xvr. no Bothe meseles and mute and in pe menysoun
blody, Ofte he heled suche, c 1465 Eng. Chron. (Camden)
35 ^leny men deide on the blody mensoun. 1556 Withals
Diet. (1562) 76 The bloudy menson, discenteria.
Menisperm (me'nispDim). Bot. [ad. mod.
L. Menispermum (Tournefort), f. Gr. ^vrj moon
+ airipua seed : cf. the Eng. name moonseed,
referring to the crescent -shaped seeds.] A plant of
the N.O. Menispermacex, of which Menispermum
is the typical genus ; the most widely known species
are the Cocculus indicus, Anamirta ^formerly
Menispermuni) Cocculus, and the Calumba. Also
Menisperma-ce ous a., belonging to the N.O.Meni-
spermace&\ Menispcrmad, Lindley's term for a
plant of this order; Menispe'rmal a., in Afeni-
spermal alliance, Lindley's term for an ' alliance '
or group of orders including the Menispermacew.
1837 Penny Cycl. VII. 305/2 Cocculus, a genus of Meni-
spennaceous plants. 1846 Lindley Veg. Kingd. 297 Meni-
spermales — The Memspermal Alliance. Ibid., The Order
of Menispermads. 1880 Garrod & Baxter Mat. Med. 187
The root of the Frasera Walteri, and of a Menisperm from
Ceylon, have been substituted for true calumba.
Menispermine (menispsumin). Chem. Also
-ina, -in. [f. mod.L. Menisperm-um (see Meni-
sperm + -INE15.] An alkaloid obtained from the
shells of the fruit of theCocculus indicus, Anamirta
(formerly Menispermuni) Cocculus. Also f Meni-
spe'rmia.
1837 Penny Cycl. VII. 306/2 The kernel [of the fruit of
Cocculus indicus] contains about one part in the hundred
of picrotoxia, or menispermia, as some term it. 1838 T.
Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies 224 Menispermina .. is white
and opaque, and has very much the external appearance of
cyanodide of mercury. 1852 J. Bell in Lect. Gt. Exhib.
141 Menispermin. 1880 Garrod & Baxter Mat. Med. 188
An alkaloid, Menispermine.
Menitto, Meniver(e, Meniye : see Manitou,
Miniver, Manyie.
Menked, -et : see Meng v.
Men-kind. [See Man sd.1 22.] Now rare.
Also 5 men kyn. The male sex ; men-folk.
1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) II. 145 He schulde raper
chese hem a kyng . . of pe wommen kyn raper ban of be
men kyn. 1559 in Neal Hist. Purit. (1732) I. 153 When
the name of Jesus shall.. be pronounced in the church, due
reverence shall be made .. with . . uncovering the heads of
the Menkind. 1674 Gookin in Coll. Mass. Hist. Soe. (1806)
1. 183 The menkind sitting by themselves and the womenkind
by themselves. 1697 in C. Mather Magn. Chr. VI. 12, 1 had
breakfasted with the Family, and the Men-kind were gone
abroad. 1898 Month June 637 Where the family meals take
place, and where the Basque menkind are served first
Menkit, menkte, menkyd : see Meng v.
Menly, Mennage, Mennal, Mennam : see
Meanly advA, Manage, Menald, Mennom.
Mennard (me*n3Jd). dial. Also 8 mennot,
9 menner, mennad, menot. [Formation ob-
scure : perh. connected with Minnow.] m Minnow.
1796 Marshall Rur. Econ. Yorks. II. 333 Mennot,. .the
minnow. 1869 Lonsdale Gloss., Menner, Mennard, a min-
now. 1904 menot [see Mennom].
Menne, obs. pi. of Man ; obs. form of Meinie.
Mennelled, Mennesc: see Menald, Mannish.
I Me'linesse. Obs. rare. [Apheticforl-MENE-
Nesse : cf. Mean a.1 1.] Communion, fellowship.
1340 Ayenb. 14 Ich y-leue holy cherch generalliche and pe
mennesse of hal3en. Ibid. 268.
Mennesse, variant of Manness Obs.
Mennisc, Mennly : see Mannish, Meanly.
Mennom(me*n3m). dial. Forms: 7-8 minum,
7-9 minim, 8 menin, 8-9 mennin, 9 mennom,
-on, -im, -um, -am, etc. (see E.D.D.). [? A cor-
ruption of MiNN0w,due to association with Minim.]
= Minnow.
1654 Fuller Ephemeris Pref. 7 Minums will get through
the holes thereof [sc. a drag-net]. 1674 Ray Collect. Words,
Fresh-water Fish in The Minow, Minim or Pink. 1794-6
E. Darwin Zoon. (1801) I. 251 A great number of little fish
called minums or pinks. 1806 in Archaeologia XV. 352 note,
The minnow still called ..'mennom' in the north of Eng-
land, a 1810 Tannahill Poems (1846) 76 Up frae the men-
non to the whale. 1838 Haliburton Clockm. Ser. 11. xix.
294 Little ponds never hold big fish ; there is nothing hut
pollywogs, tadpoles, and minims in them. 1893 Northumbld.
Gloss., Mennim, Mennam, Menotvm, Mennetn. 1904 Spec-
tator 28 May 847/2 Minnow, pink, . .meaker, menot, minim,
peer, ..and minnin are all synonymous.
attrib. 1715 Ramsay Gentle Sheph. in. iii, The saugh-
tree shades the menin pool.
Mennonist (me*n#nist). Also 7-9 Menonist.
[Formed as Mennonite + -ist.] =next.
1645 Pagitt Heresiogr. (1646) 30 Menonists, so called of
Menon, a Frisian, by whose name the Anabaptists were
generally called. 1776 J. Adams \lrks. (1854) IX. 403 At
present some colonies have .. bodies of Quakers, and Men-
nonists, and Moravians, who are principled against war.
1866 H. Phillips Amer. Paper Curr. II. 72 The Menonists
refuse to sell their produce unless for hard cash.
So Mennonism, the doctrines of the Mennonites.
1684 Answ. Remarks Mare's Expos. Pref. a 4 b, All
which is done in favour of his beloved Mennonism, that
Christ may not l>e held to begin his reign where there is
any visible Monarch or Civil Magistrate that rules.
Mennonite (men^hait). Eccl. Also derron.
Memnonite, 8 Menonite. [f. Menno + -ite.] A
member of a sect of Christians which was founded
in Friesland by Menno Simons (1492-1559). They
are opposed to infant baptism, the taking of oaths,
military service, and the holding of civic offices.
1565 T. Stapleton Fortr. Faith 9 b, Memnonites and
Zuenckfeldians haue ben stirring. 1684 Ansiu. Remarks
Af ore's Expos. Pref. a 2 b, Which is the opinion of Daniel
Brenius a Mennonite. 1876 Barclay Inner Life Relig.
Soc. Commw. 73 The doctrines, .of the Mennonites.
attrib. 1717-^1 Chambers Cycl. s.v., M. Herman Schin,
a Mennonite minister. 1864 Evans E. Eng. Baptists 21
The Mennonite Church in Holland. 1876 Barclay Inner
Life Relig. Soc. Commw. 77 Many of them .. held to the
Mennonite faith and practice.
Mennot, Mennow, Mennum, Menny : see
Mennard, Minnow, Mennom, Many.
Mennys, obs. gen. pi. of Man.
II Menobranchus (men^brre'rjk^s). [mod.L. ;
irregularly f.Gr. iitv-uv to remain + @payxos gills.]
a. A genus of tailed amphibians (also called Nee-
turns), having permanent external gills, t). An
animal of this genus ; in this sense also in anglicized
form Menobranch (me'n^braenk).
1845 J. F. South Zool. in Encycl. Metrop. VII. 305/1 The
Menobranch, Axolotl and Menopome. 1854 Owen Skel. <y
Teeth in Orr's Circ. Sci. I. Org. Nat. 188 The menobranchus
has four fingers and four toes. 2878 Bell tr. Gegeubaur's
Comp. Anat. 432 The notochord. .is alternately constricted
and widened out in Menobranchus, Siredon, and Menopoma.
H Menolipsis (men0li*psis\ Path. [mod.L.,
f. Gr. rirjvo-, f*r)v month + \ct\pis failure, omission,
f. \fiiruv to leave, fail.] The failure, retention, or
cessation of the menses.
1856 in Mayne Expos. Lex., and in recent Diets.
t Menologe. Obs. Also menologue. [ad.
Eccl. L. menologium : see next.] =Menology.
1616 T. H[awkins1 tr. Caussin's Holy Crt. 538 In the
Menologe of the Grecians, and the Roman Martyrologe.
MENOLOGY.
1653 Ld._ Vaux tr. Godeau's St. Paul 316 The Greek Meno.
logue saies, he was Bishop of Golophones, 1661 Blount
Glossogr. (ed. 2) s.v., The Greek Menologe (a hook so called)
is their Martyrologe, or a Collection of the Saints days of
every moneth in their Church.
Menology (mz'nflodgi). Also in Gr. and Lat.
foims menologion, menologium. [ad, mod.L.
menologium, ad. late Gr. ntjvoXoyiov, t. iitjvo-, ixr/v
month + X070S account : see Logos. Cf. martyro-
logy.] A calendar of the months.
I. spec. The distinctive title of the calendar of
the Greek church, containing biographies of the
saints in the order of the dates on which they are
commemorated.
1610 Holland Camden's Brit. 1. 68 They report, .upon the
authority . . of the Greeks Menology, that St. Peter came
hither. 1740 A. Clarke Hist. Bible II. 321 The Greek Meno-
logies intimate that he was shot. 1881 Westcott & Hort
Grk. N. T. App. 84 The Menologium or system of saints'
days.
b. trans/. ; applied esp. to the OE. metrical
church calendar first printed by Hickes in 1705.
1844 Lingard Anglo-Sax. Ch. (1858) II. x. 83 To search in
the Anglo-Saxon menology for the most distinguished
patrons of the monastic profession. 1887 Stanton {title) A
menology of England and Wales ; or, brief memorials of
the ancient British and English saints, arranged according
to the calendar. 1888 {title) A menology or record of de-
parted friends [compiled by M. E. Barrow]. 1892 C Plum-
mer Sax. C/iron. Expl. Gloss. 297 The Menologium or Me-
trical Calendar contained in Appendix A.
2. gen. An almanac. ? 06s. rare~°.
1.727 Bailey vol. 1 1, Menologion, an Account of the Course
of the moon, an Almanack.
U 3. The department of knowledge that relates
to the months.
[Properly another word, repr. an assumed Gr. type in
-Aoyi'a : see -LOGY.]
1807 S. Turner Anglo-Sax. vn. iv. (ed. 2) II. 24 On the
Menology and Literature of the Pagan Saxons.
Menonist, -ite, obs. forms of Mennonist, -ite.
Menopause (me-nrTpjz). Phys. [ad. modX.
meuopausis, f. Gr. firjvo-, iojv month + navais
cessation, Pause. Cf. F. menopause.'] The final
cessation of the menses.
1872 Peaslee Ovar. Tumors 2 The 30 or 35 years of
menstrual life, i. e. from puberty to the menopause. 1800
Atlbutt's Syst. Med. VIII. 302. ™
Hence Menopavrsic a., having symptoms of the
menopause.
1889 H._ Campbell Causation Disease viii. 55 Those
menopausic patients who seek medical relief.
II Menophania (men<?f<?i-nia). Phys. [med.
L.,{. Gr. wo-, ' ix-qv month + -<pavia appearance,
<paivav to appear.] The first appearance of the
menses. 1857 Dungi.ison Med. Lex. 583.
II Menoplania (menopl^-nia). Path. [mod.
L., from Gr. nrjvo-, /tr)f month + -irKavia, wXavr)
wandering.] A discharge of blood, at the cata-
menial period, from some other part of the body
than the uterus.
1845 S. Palmer Pcntaglot Diet. In some recent Diets.
II Menoponia (menapju-ma). Also anglicized
menopome (me-nop^m). [mod.L., irreg. f. Gr.
lUvttv to remain + irw/«t lid.] A genus of am-
phibians characterized by the persistence of the
branchial apertures; an amphibian of this genus, a
hellbender.
1835-6 Todd's Cycl. Anat. I. ot/r The amphiwna and
menopoma have not as yet been observed to possess branchia;.
1842 fenny Cycl. XX. 342/1 Salamandrops, Wagler's name
for the Menopome. 1863 Wood Nat. Hist. III. 185 The
Menopome inhabits the Ohio and Alleghany rivers
Menor, obs. form of Minor.
Menorhynchous (menori-rjkas), a. Ent. [f.
mod.L. Menorhyncha (irreg. f. Gr. pivuv to remain
+ pvyxw snout, proboscis) + -ods.] Belonging to
or having the character of the Menorhyncha (in
Brauer's classification of insects, those taking food
by suction in the larval and imaginal state).
. '899 D. Sharp Insects 11. (Camb. Nat. Hist.) 542 Accord-
ing to Brauer s generalisations they [Hemipteral are Meno-
rhyncnous, Oligonephrous Pterygogenea.
I Menorrhagia (menorci-dsia). Path. Also
anglicized Menorrhagy (me'ntfcidsi). [mod.L,
f. Gr. mvo-, rfv month + -payia, {. fay-t fayvivu
to break, burst forth.] Excessive or long-continued
menstruation.
1776-84 Cullen First Lines Pract. Physic (1808) II. 4,
1 treat of menorrhagia here as an active hsemorrhagy,
oecause I consider menstruation, in its natural state, to be
always of that kind. 1838 Mayne Expos. Lex., Menor-
wwna Abortiis, term for menorrhagy attendant on abortion.
"17* i. G. Thomas Dis. Women (ed. 3) 26r Menorrhagia
may occur without pain.
Hence Menorrha^io (menorse'd^ik) a., pertain-
ing to or suffering from menorrhagia.
1844 AshwellZJu. Women r47 She has been menorrhagio
for several years. 1873 E. H. Clarke Sex in Educ :. 62
Menorrhagic, dysmenorrhoeic girls and women, c 1893
,', » ER ''• Dkt' UI- IS76 Menorrhagic fever.
II Menorrhoea (menorra). Path. [mod.L,
fcUr. ixyo-, rfv month + fiota flow, flux.] a.
lae ordinary flow of the menses, b. Long-con-
339
tinned, though moderate, flow of the menses, c. A
too frequent return of the menses. (Syd. Sac. Lex.)
1856 Mayne Expos. Lex. 1889 J. M. Duncan Led. Dis.
Womenxv. (ed. 4) 107 There is not amenorrhcea, but menor-
rhcea into the passages, not farther.
Hence Menorrhceic a., pertaining to or charac-
terized by menorrhcea. 1836 in Mayne Expos. Lex.
II Menostasis (m/hrrstasis). Path. [mod.
L., f. Gr. ftrjvo-, fitjv month + orami standing.]
a. The suppression or retention of the menses, b.
The acute pain preceding the menses in some
women (Dunglison 1855). Hence Menosta'tic <?.,
pertaining to menostasis.
1839 Hooper's Med. Diet. (ed. 7). 1856 in Mayne Expos.
Lex. ; and in mod. Diets.
Menostation (men&t^-Jsn). Path. [ad.
mod.L. menostation-em, f. Gr. ixqvo-, fxi)v month
+ L. station-em a standing.] = Menostasis.
1822 Good Study Med. IV. 46 Yet menostation may take
place from a suppression of the menses after they have be-
come habitual. 1844 Hoblyn Diet. Med., Menostation, a
suppression or retention of the catamenial discharge.
Menot : see Mennard dial., a minnow.
Menour, -ess, obs. forms of Minor, -ess.
tMenow weed. West Indian. Obs. [Cf.
many-root (Many 6 c), applied to the same plant;
Browne's menow weed may be a mistake for this,
or possibly both names may be distortions of some
foreign word.] The plant Rucllia tuberosa.
1756 P. Browne Jamaica 268 Menow weed.. is very
common in most parts of Jamaica.
Menow(e, obs. forms of Minnow.
Menprise, variant of Mainprize v. Obs.
II Mensa (mensa). [L mensa table.]
1. Eccl. The upper surface, esp. the top slab, of
an altar ; an altar-table.
1848 B. Webb Continental Ecclesiol. 45 An original altar
of solid masonry with moulded mensa and plinth. 1904
Athenxum 20 Aug. 250/r In the chancel of Car-Colston.,
rests the [uprooted headstone of Dr. Thoroton, . . it was
originally the mensa of the high altar.
2. The grinding surface of a molar tooth.
1693 tr. Blaucard's Phys. Diet. (ed. 2), Mensa, the broader
part of the Teeth called Grinders, which Chaws and Minces
the Meat. 1850 Mayne Expos. Lex.
Mensal (me'nsal), rr.l and sb.1 Also 8 men-
sale, [ad. late L. mensalis, f. mensa table : see -al.]
A. adj.
1. Pertaining to or used at the table ; table-.
c 1440 Promp. Parv. 333/! Mensal knyfe, or horde knyfe.
1656 Blount Glossogr. 1748 Richardson Clarissa (J.),
Conversation either mental or mensal. 1778 Dr. Warner
Let. in Jesse Sehuyns Corr. (1844) III. 335 The common
things, mental or mensal, which I grubbed on with con-
tentedly.
b. Mensal bed : a couch used (as by the ancient
Romans) for reclining at meals.
1675 Brooks Gold. Key Wks. 1867 V. 543 It is an allusion
to their conjugal and mensal beds, on which the guests are
so bestowed, that the first laid his left hand under the head
of him that was next.
2. a. In Irish (and early Scottish) history, Mensal
land: land set apart for the supply of food for
the table of the king or prince.
1607 Davies 1st Let. to Earl Salisbury Hist. Tracts (1787)
245 The Mensall land of M'Guire. 1689 R. Cox Hist.
Irel. 1. Expl. Index, Logh tee, Demeasn or Mensal Lands,
for House-keeping. 1880 W. F. Skene Celtic Scot. III.
148 The office or mensal land set apart for the maintenance
of the Ri or Toisech.
b. In Scotland and Ireland before the Reforma-
tion, applied to a church, benefice, etc., appro-
priated to the service of the bishop for the
maintenance of his table. Also similarly used in
the modern Roman Catholic church in Ireland.
1605 T. Ryves Vicar's Plea (1620) 1 14 All manner of Bene-
fices as well mensall as other. 1S63 Jrnls. Irish Ho. Lords
(1779) I. 375 That Bishops that are well settled do build
a Mensal-House. 1775 L. Shaw Moray (1827) 360 The
churches of St. Andrews, Ugston, and Laggan were Mensal.
1813 Carlisle Topog. Diet. Scot. II, Hoddom, in the Shire
of Dumfries : formerly a Mensal Church to the See of
Glasgow. 1861 Fitzpatrick Dr. Doyle (1880) I. 379 As this
was a mensal parish, Dr. Doyle often visited it officially.
3. Palmistry. Mensal line, the ' line of fortune ',
the table-line. [Cf. OF. mensalt sb.]
1602 Narcissus (1893) 230 Thy mensall line is too direct
and cragged. 1675 Salmon Polygraph, v. xxxix. 489.
B. sb.
1. Hist. A mensal church or benefice.
1710 J. Harris Lcx.Techn. II, Mensalia, Mentals, were
such Personages or Livings as were united formerly to the
Tables of Religious Houses. 1847 W. Reeves Eccles. A ntiq.
Dcnvn Sf Connor (1867) ri5 note, This parish was, of old, a
mensal of the Bishop of Dromore.
f 2. Irish Antiq. The provision of the royal
table (see A. 2 a). Obs.
1782 Vallancey's Collect. De Rebus Hibern. III. x.94
Lands assigned for the mensal of the chief.
Mensal (me-nsal), 3.2 and sb? [f. L. mens-is
month + -al. Cf. mensuali] A. adj. Monthly.
i860 Worcester (citing Montlc Rev.). 1888 J. Nelson in
Amer. Jml. Psychol. I. 390 In the male as in the female,
the maturation of the reproductive elements is a continuous
process, though we may hardly say that it is not influenced
by the mensal periodicity.
MENSK.
t B. sb. A monthly account. Obs.
I « H83 Liber Nigcrm Househ. Ord. (1790) 60 The cofferer
hathe..one under clerke..to make the mensall and manv
, othyr wrytings for the Thesaurere his accompt. 1526 Ibid
220 Within three dayes of the expirement of every moneth
to bring in his mensall.
Mensalize (me'nsataiz), v. [f. MensalI + -ize.]
I trans. To convert into a ' mensal ' parish, etc.
1893 Fahey Hist. Diocese Kilmacduagh 406 The parish
was mensahsed on the appointment of Dr. Archdeacon
Mensanger, obs. form of Messenger.
Mense (mens), sb. Obs. exc. Sc. and north.
dial. [Sc. pronunciation of Mensk : cf. buss =
busk bush, ass = ask ashes, etc.] Propriety, de-
! coram ; neatness, tidiness.
C1500 Priests 0/ Peblis (Laing) 313 Thair manheid, and
thair mense, this gait they murle ; For mariaee thus unyte
of ane churle. 1567 Satir. Poems Reform, viii! 10 War 3our
ncht reknit to he croun It mycht be laid with Jit ill menss.
"737 Ramsay Scot. Pro-j. (1797) 46, I ha'e baith my meat
and my mense. [Used by one who has given an invitation
that has not been accepted.) 1783 Burns Poor Mailie's
Elegy iv, I wat she was a sheep o' sense, An' could behave
hersel wi' mense. 1788 W. Marshall Yorks. II. 342 Mense,
manners, creditableness, 1818 Scott Rob Roy vi, But we
hae mense and discretion, and are moderate of our mouths.
Mense (mens), v. Obs. exc. dial. Alsoraence.
[Sc. var. of Mensk v.] trans. To grace ; to adorn
or decorate ; to be a credit or to do honour to.
'535 Lyndesay Satyre 40S8 Cum heir, Falset, & mense
the gallows. 1606 Birnie Kirk-Buriall (1833) 35 Lyke
Hophnees with elcrookes to minche and not Samueles to
mense the offerings of God. 1780 J. Mayne Siller Gun in,
Convener Tamson mensed the board, Where sat ilk deacon
like a lord. 1818 Hogg Brownie of Bodsbcck, etc. II. 164
They'll., leave the good, .ait-meal bannocks to., be pouched
by them that draff an bran wad better hae mensed ! 1863 in
Robson Bards Tyne 135 O bonny church 1 ye've studden
lang, To mence our canny toon.
Mense, obs. Sc. form of mends : see Mend sb.
Menseful (me-nsiul), a. Sc. and north, dial.
[f. Mense sb. + -ful.] Proper, decorous; neat,
tidy; discreet.
1674 Ray N. C. Words 32 Menseful: comely, graceful,
crediting a man, York-sh. 1720 Ramsay Wealth 119 Thus
with attentive look mensfou they sit. 1816 Scott Old Mart.
vi, Put on your Raploch grey ; it's a mair mensfu' and
thrifty dress. 1822 — Pirate xxiii, Menseful maiden ne'er
should rise, Till the first beam tinge the skies. 1891 A. J.
Munby Vulgar Verses 191 ' Bud, Gaffer ', said the menseful
maid — .
MenseleSS (me-nsles), a. Obs. exc. Sc. [f.
Mense sb. + -less.] Destitute of propriety, de-
corum or seemliness.
15.. Colkelbie Sotv in Bannatyne MS. (Hunter. Club)
ro26 This cursit company And mensles mangery. 1593
B. Barnes Parthenophil Sonn. xv, O, but 1 fear mine
hopes be void, or menceless ! 1787 Burns Death Poor Mailie
50 An warn him.. no to rin an' wear his cloots Like ither
menseless, graceless, brutes. 1858 M. Porteous Souter
Johnny 32 The menseless fry Gie out its for your fame they
pry, To mak it strunt, an' sten1 mair high.
II Menses (me-ns/z), sb.pl. Path. [L. menses,
pi. of mensis month.] =Catamenia.
1597 Gerarue Herbal I. li. 72 The seede of Darnell, .pro-
uoketh the flowers or menses. 1607 Topsell Fourf. Beasts
(1658) 431 A Musk cat. .is very profitable.. for the bringing
forth of those Womens menses or fluxes which are stopped.
1718 Quincy Comfit. Disp, 92 Myrrh provokes the Menses,
and forwards Delivery. 1896 Allbutt & Playfair Syst.
Gynecology 345 The suppression of the menses that occurs
in young obese women is to be accounted for in the same way.
t Me'nsion. Obs.~° [ad. L. mensiSn-em,
n. of action to metiri (ppl. stem mens-) to measure.]
The action of measuring.
1623 Cockeram, Mension, a measuring. 1658 Phillips,
Mensuration, the same as Mension, or measuring.
Mension, obs. form of Mention.
t Mensk, s/>. Obs. Forms: 3 mensca, mensoe,
menke, 3-6 mensk, menske, 5 menseke. (See
also Mense sb.) [a. ON. mennska humanity (Sw.
menniska, Da. menneske), corresponding (exc. for
declension) to OE. menniscu =OS., OHG. men-
niski :— OTeut. type *manniskin- wk. fem., f.
*mannisko-: see Mannish a.]
1. Humanity, kindness ; graciousness, courtesy.
a 1240 Wohunge in Cott. Horn. 269 Menske and mildeschipe
and debonairte of herte and dede. c 1350 Will. Palerne
313 Moch is pi mercy & hi mi3t, pi menske, & \>i grace I
13.. E. E. A Hit. P. A. 163 A mayden of menske, ful
debonere. a 1440 Sir Degrev. 83 He lovede welle almos-
dede, Powr men to cloth and ffede, Wyth menske and man-
hede.
2. Honour, dignity, reverence ; pi. honours,
dignities.
c 1205 Lay. 2535 Ah fourti wintre heore fader mid mensca
heold his riche. Ibid. 2681. a 1225 Ancr. R. 192 Mid more
menke, not ich non ancre bet habbe al bet hire neod is bene
3e hreo habbeS. a 1300 Cursor M. 4245 Putifer..held
ioseph in mensk and are. £1320 Sir Trislr. 2118 More
menske were it to be Better for to do. 13.. Gaw. /jr Gr.
Knt. 2410 Sele you bytyde, & he }elde hit yow ;are, bat
3arkkez al menskes 1 1375 Barbour Bruce xvi. 621 Men
sail se Quha Iufis the kyngis mensk to-day ! a 1400 Sir
Fere. 1423 If. .we foure kempys agayne one knyght, Littille
menske wold to us lighte, If he were sone slayne. £1460
Towneley Myst. xx. 175 Mensk be to this meneye ! 1508
Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen 352^ I maid that wif carll to
werk all womenis werkis, And laid all manly materis and
mensk in this eird. 1509 Test. Ebor. (Surtees) V. 3 Je shall
have moch menske thereof.
109-2
MENSK.
b. An honour, credit, ornament.
a izzs Ancr. R. 276 pe meste menkes [C. menske] of bine
nebbe, bet is, bet feirest del bitweonen smech muSes &
neoses smel. a 1240 Wohunge in Cott. Horn. 281 pu pat
menske art of al mon kin, of alle bales bote, mon for to
menske swuch schome boledes.
t Mensk, a. Obs. [a. ON. menntsl>-r = OE.
myinisc: see Mannish a.\ Worshipful, honourable.
13. . Gaw. <$- Gr. Knt. 964 A mensk lady on molde.
t Mensk, v. Obs. [f. Mensk sb.]
1. trans. To reverence or honour; to dignify,
grace, favour.
a 1225 Juliana 7 He hire walde menskin wio" al bat he
mahte. a 1300 Cursor M. 2432 ]?e king .. commaunded
thoru-out al his land Men suld him mensk and hald in
hand. 136a Langl. P. PL A. in. 177 For *it I may as
I mihte menske be wib 3'iftes And Meyntene bi Monhede
more ben bou knowest. c 1400 Destr. Troy 1855 Send horn
tat semly bat I sew fore, That he may menske hur with
v*Thariage. c 1460 Towneley Myst. ix. 140 Mahowne the
menske, my lord kyng._ c 1470 Gol. <§■ Gaiu. 446 Hym to
mensk on mold withoutin manance-
2. To adorn ; to render graceful.
13.. E. E. Allit. P. B. 141 pe abyt bat bou has vpon, no
halyday hit menskez. 13.. Gaw. <V Gr, Knt. 153 A mere
mantile abof, mensked with-inne, With pelure pured apert
be pane ful clene. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls)
12460 To menske hit [a cloak] ber hit was wane, c 1375 Sc.
Leg. Saints xxviii. {Margaret) 525 One be morne, quhen
sown was brycht, pat menskis al be warld of lycht [etc.]-
t Menskful, a. Obs. [f. Mensk ^. + -ful.
Cf. Menseful.] Worshipful, honourable; gracious.
Of a building : Stately.
01225 A tier. R. 358 I5e menske of be dome bet heo
schulen demen is heihschipe menskeful ouer al under-
stonden, a^ean scheome. a 1300 Cursor M. 9878 A castel,
..a worthy sted menskful to hald. a 1310 in Wright
Lyric P. 51 Menskful maiden of myht. C1350 Will.
Palerne 50S His maners were so menskful a*mende hem
mi^t none. 1:1460 Towneley Myst. xxix. 389 Was neuer
madyn so menskfull here apon molde As thou art. _ c 1470
Gol. % Gaw. 408 Maneris full menskfull, with monydeip dike,
absol. 13. . Gaw. <y Gr. Knt. 555 Syr Boos, & sir Byduer,
big men bobe, & mony ober menskful.
b. Used as adv. = Menskfully.
a 1310 in Wright Lyric P. 52 Middel heo hath menskful
smal; Hire loveliche chere as cristal.
t Menskfully, adv. Obs. [f. prec. + -ly 2.]
Honourably ; manfully ; with grace or propriety.
c 1350 Will. Palerne 1143 Ful menskfully to be messan-
geres bemperour ban seide, he wold be boun blepeli be bold
batayle to hold. 13.. S. Erkenwolde 50 in Horstm. Alt-
engl. Leg. (1881) 267 Metely made of be marbre & menske-
fully planede. ? a 1400 Morte Arth. 4076 Sir Ewayne, and
sir Errake, . .Demenys the medilwarde menskefully thare-
aftyre. 1483 Cath. Angl. 234/2 Menskfully, koneste.
t Mens-kind, -kins : see Man sb.1 23.
t Me*nsking, vbl. sb. Obs. [f. Mensk v. +
-ING !.] Honour, worship; courtesy.
a 1300 Cursor M. 5304 Knele i sal be for be king, And
thank him of his grett mensking. Ibid. 15048 pou tak to
thane bat we be mak Sli mensking als we mai.
t Me'nskless, a. Obs. rare. In 6 -les. [f.
Mensk sb. + -less. Cf. Menseless.] Ungracious.
1513 Douglas /Eneis iv. v. 41 This menskles goddes in
cuery mannis mouth Skalis thir newis est, west, north, and
south.
+ Me'iiskly, adv. Obs. [f. Mensk sb. + -ly 2.]
Courteously; reverently; honourably, with dignity.
a 1225 Ancr. R. 316 5if bu hatest bine sunne, hwui spekes
tu menskeliche bi hire ? a 1240 Wohunge in Cott. Horn.
269 pat leuer is menskli to ajuen ben cwedli to wiShalde.
13.. Gaw. fy Gr. Knt. 1312 penne he meued to his mete,
bat menskly hym keped. 1340-70 A lisaunder 173 The
Marques of Molosor menskliche hee aught. 1375 Barbour
Bruce xix. 86 He broucht him menskly till erding. c 1450
Bk. Curtasye 291 in Babees Bk.t Drynk menskely and gyf
agayne.
Menslau3t, variant of Manslaught Obs.
1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) V. 309 In bat stryf were
meny menslau?tes in be cttee.
Mensless, variant of Menseless.
t Mensoigne, mensonge. Obs.rare-1. [a.
OF. mencoigne, mensonge :— popular L. * menti-
tidnica, f. mentiri to lie.] Falsehood.
c 1430 Pilgr. LyfManhode in. xxix. (1869) 151 My tungej
whiche is mesel, is cleped periurement, and my mouht j
clepe mensoige [Sic : corrected in the MS. from mensonge].
Mensonge, -soun, variants of Menison Obs.
Menstracie, -asy, etc., obs. ff. Minstrelsy.
Menstraill, -al(e, -alle, obs. ff. Minstrel.
Menstre, -strell, obs. ff. Minster, Minstrel.
Menstrew, variant of Menstrue Obs.
Menstrua, pi. of Menstruum.
Menstrual (me*nstr«al), a. and sb. [a. F.
menstruel, ad. L. menstrual -is, f. menstru-us, men-
stru-um : see Menstruum and -al.] A. adj.
1. Monthly ; happening once in a month, varying
in monthly periods. Now only Astr., esp. in men-
stntal parallax^ the difference produced by the
moon in the apparent position of the sun and the
primary planets.
1594 R. Ashley tr. Loys le Roy 2 The causes both of these
cotidian, menstrual!, annuall, and other the rarest muta-
tions . . , are attributed to the celestiall motions. 1664 Evelyn
Kal. Hort. (1729) 187 Any Thing we have here alledg'd con-
cerning these Menstrual Periods. 1665 Wallis in Phil.
Trans. I. 286 There is no other connexion between the
Moon's motion and the Tydcs Menstrual period, than a
340
casual Synchronism. 1768 Smeaton Ibid. LVIII. 157 The
difference thus produced in the apparent place of the Sun.,
may. .be. .called the menstrual parallax. 1780 Herschel
Ibid. LXXI. 116 We have.. no cause to suspect any very
material periodical irregularity, either diurnal, menstrual,
or annual. 1823 J. Mitchell Diet. Math, fy Phys. Sci. 343
Menstrual Parallax of the Sun is [etc.]. 1833 Herschel
Treat. Astron. § 451 (1839^ 289 An apparent monthly dis-
placement of the sun., which is called the menstrual equa-
tion. 187a O. Shipley Gloss. Eccl. Terms s. v. Epact, It
[an Epact] is therefore both annual and menstrual.
b. Lasting or extending over a month ; esp.
Bot. of a plant, remaining in bloom or foliage for
a month {Treas. Bot. 1866).
2. Of or pertaining to the catamenia.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. vi. vii. (1495) 194 The
moders wombe isfedde wyth blode menstruall. 1561 T. Nor-
ton Calvin's Inst. 11. 152 Some.. do to lewdly ask, whether
we will say that Christ was engendred of the menstruall
sede of the Virgin. 1607 Topsell Hist. Four-/. Beasts
(1658) 308 Aristotle and others do not let to write, that men-
strual bloud doth naturally void from the Mare. 1718
Quincy Compl. Disp. 92 A Provoker of the menstrual Dis-
charges. 1876 Bristowe Theory <y Pract. Med. (1878) 885
Inflammation.. is most apt to occur during the menstrual
period. 1896 Allbutt & Playfair Gynecology 367 It may
continue during the menstrual life of the patient.
fb. Suffering from ailments connected with
menstruation. Obs.
1669 W. Simpson Hydrol. Chytn. 73 An hysterical (or I
rather think menstrual) woman.
+ 3. Of parts of the body : Produced from the
menstrual blood of the mother ; opposed to sper-
matical. Obs.
1636 Bacon Sylva § 58 Some Entrails, .are hard to re-
paire : though that Diuision of Spermaticall, and Menstruall
Parts, be but a Conceit.
f4. Pertaining to, or of the nature of, a men-
struum. Obs.
1471 Riplev Cotnp. Alch. Pref,, in Ashm. (1652) 126 Un-
derstand thy Water menstruall.
B. sb.
1 1. //. = Catamenia, Obs.
1597 A. M. tr. Guillemeau' s Fr. Chirurg. i2b/i We apply
the boxes to suscitate the menstrualles of women. 1599 —
tr. Gabelhouerys Bk. Physicke 135/1 It helpeth woemen
when their menstrualles fiowe to superfluouslye.
T 2. Alch. The * menstrual ' element (see A. 4,
and cf. A. 3, and note s. v. Menstruum) supposed
to be added to metal in the process of its conversion
into gold. Obs.
1471 Ripley Comp. Alch. Pref., in Ashm. (1652) 125 For
invysible ys truly thys Menstruall. 1477 Norton Ordin.
Alch. v.Ibid.ooTheseminall seed Masculine, Hath wrought
and won the Victory, Upon the menstrualls worthily.
t Menstruant, a. Obs. rare—1, [ad. L. men-
struant-em, pr. pple. of menstrudre to menstruate.]
Subject to the catamenia.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. iv. xii. 210 Women are
menstruant and men pubescent at the year of twice seven.
1656 in Blount Glossogr.
t Menstruate, a. Obs. [ad. late L. (Vulg.)
menstruattts, f. menstru-um : see Menstruum.]
Menstruous.
1381 Wyclif Ezek. xxii. 10 Thei meekeden in thee the
vnclennes of the menstruate womman. c 1425^ Found.
St. Barthol. 18 That welle of pyte, that was and is opyne
to the menstrual womane and synful man.
Menstruate (menstrw^t),^. [f.L. menstrual-,
ppl. stem of menstrudre^ f. menstrua monthly
courses : see Menstruum and -ate 3.]
1. intr. To discharge the catamenia.
1800 Med. Jrnl. IV. 529 Has never menstruated. 1866
Tanner Pregnancy u 8 Some few girls, however, menstruate
as early as the nth, 12th, or 13th year.
2. trans. To pollute as with menstrual blood.
16.. Cleveland On O. P. sick 8 Wks. (1687), The reeking
Steam of thy fresh Villanics Would spot the Stars, and
menstruate the Skies.
Hence Me'nstruating///. a.
1872 F. G. Thomas Dis. Women (ed. 3) 60 Evil often results
toa menstruating woman thus constantly exposed. 1901 Brit.
Med. Jrtil. No. 2097. 593 The changes in the menstruating
uterus.
Menstruated (me-nstr/^ted), ppl. a. [f.
Menstruate a. + -ed*.] Applied to women in
whom the menstrual flow is established {Syd. Soc.
Lex. 1S90).
Menstruation (me:nstr«^-Jan). [ad. L. type
* menstrudtionem, f. menstrudre: see Menstru-
ate v. and -ATI0N. Cf. F. menstruation, Sp. men-
struacion, It. menstruazione.] The act or process
of discharging the catamenia.
1776-84 [see Menorrhagia]. 1799 Med. Jrnl. I. 294
Women during menstruation, were [etc.]. 1896 Allbutt &
Playfair Gynecology 339 Menstruation usually begins in the
fifteenth year.
t Menstrue. Obs. Also 5 menstrewe, 6 men-
strew, [a. F. menstrue, ad. L. menstruum ; see
Menstruum.]
1. The catamenia ; = Menstruum 1.
c 1400 Lanfranc^s Cirurg. 55 A womman in tyme of
menstrue [v.r. menstrewe]. t 1440 Wyclifs Isa. Ixiv. 6
Menstrue, or unclene hlood. 1550 Bale Apol. 57 b, Our
vniuersall ryghteousnesses are afore God as clothes stayned
with menstrue. 1674-7 Molins Anal. Obs. (1896) 11 A
Servant Maid with a suppression of the Menstrue.
attrib. <r 1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 21 pe fleisch & be
fames is mad of menstrue blood.
MENSTRUUM.
b. //. In the same sense.
1579 Langham Gard. Health ^(1633) 22 Anoint the breast
to purge vpward, and the nauill to purge downward, and
three ringers lower to prouoke menstrews. 1590 P. Bar-
rough Metk. Phisick liii. 185 Of stopping of menstruis.
1684 tr. Sonet's Merc. Compit. 1. 2 These symptoms had
happened . . at the time when she us'd to have her Menstrues.
2. —Menstruum 2.
1471 Ripley Comp. Alch. Pref., in Ashm. (1652) 124 Ray-
mond his Menstrues doth them call. 1605 Timme Qucrsit.
1. xhi. 61 The heauenly menstrueese to dispoyle metalls of
their colours and sulphuresnaturall is this[etc.]. 1610 B. Jon-
son Alch. 11. iii, Are you sure, you loos'd 'hem I' their owne
menstrue? 1664 Evelyn Sylva (1679) 6 They flatter their
hopes.. with fructifying liquors, Chymical Menstrues and
such vast conceptions.
t MenstruO'Sity. Obs. [ad. L. type *men-
strudsitds,L*menstrudsus; see Menstruous.] The
condition of being menstruous ; concr. the menstrual
discharge. White menstruosity ; leucorrhcea.
1597 A. M. tr. Guillemeau s Fr. Chirurg. 32V2 When as
there [women's] menstruositye too superfluouslye floweth
from them. 1599 — tr. Gabelhouers Bk. Physicke 220ft
For the whyte menstruosytyes of a Woman. Take whyte
horehownde [etc.]. 1634 H. R. Salernes Regim. 195
When the menstruosity keepeth due course . . letting of bloud
should not be done. 1653 Sclater Funeral Serm. 25
Sept. (1654) 16 It is but as a defiled, nasty, and polluted
menstruosity.
Menstruous, a. [ad. OF. menstrueus, ad. L.
tyye*menstrudsust{. menstruum : see Menstruum
and -ous.]
1. Of a female : Having the catamenia.
1535 Coverdale 2 Esdras v. 8 Menstruous wemen shal
beare monsters. x6ij> Crooke Body of Man 667 A men-
struous woman doth infect a looking glasse as it were with
some materiall corruption. 1638 G. Sandys Par. Lam. \. 70
Jerusalem, O thou of late belov'd, Now like a Menstruous
Woman art remov'd. 175a T. Dale tr. Freind's Emmcnol
viii. (ed. 2) 55 The same is also testified by Anatomists who
have dissected menstruous Women.
2. Pertaining to the catamenia.
1599 T. M[oufet] Silkwortnes 67 From menstruous blasts
and breathing keep them freed. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage
(1614)599 Their troublesome menstruous purgation. 1646 Sir
T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 111. xvii. 147 At the first point of their
menstruous eruptions. 175a T. Dale tr. Freind's Emmenol.
i. (ed. 2) 1 The menstruous Purgation. 1834 Good's Study
Med. (ed. 4) IV. 35 note, This blood has been taken for the
menstruous fluid.
f b. Produced from menstrual blood. (Cf.
Menstrual a. 2 c.) Also, secreting menstrual
blood. Obs.
1626 Bacon Syha § 900 Therefore all Sperme, all Men-
struous Substance, [etc.] haue euermore a Closenesse,
Len tour, and Sequacity. 178a A. Monro Compar. Anat,
(ed. 3) 60 The only organs of generation, .are two men-
struous bags.
+ 3. Defiled with, or as with, menstrual blood
(in the Old Testament referred to as the type
of horrible pollution). Hence, in the 17th c.
often : Horribly filthy or polluted. Obs.
1560 Bible (Genev.) Isa. xxx. 22 Ye shal. .cast them away
as a menstruous cloth, /bid., Isa. Ixiv. 6 tnarg., Our right-
eousnes and best vertues are before thee as vile cloutes, or,
(as some read) like the menstruous clothes of a woman.
a x6a6 Sclater Serm. Exper. ( 1638) 103 Shall man compared
with God be righteous? Mans nghteousnesse is more then
menstruous in that comparison. 0x631 Donne Serm. lxxvi.
768, I must carry into his presence a menstruous conscience
and an ugly face. 1685 Bunyan Pharisee <$• Publ. 53 All
our Righteousnesses are as menstruous Rags.
f4. Lasting for a month; = Menstrual a. 1 b.
Obs. rare,
1657 W. Blois Mod. Policies (ed. 7) E 8, Conscience, which
the Politician hath so much abused by an inveterate neglect,
that it is become Menstruous, Ephemeral. 1866 in Treas.
Bot.
Hence tMenstruousuess,menstruouscondition.
1597 A. M. tr. Guiltemeaus Fr. Chirurg. 30/1 Ther
montnlyesicknes,or menstruousnes. 1642 J. Eaton Honey-c.
Free Justif. 374 The filthy menstruousnesse of our sane-
tification. x68a tr. Erastus' Treat. Excotmn. 10 Women
in their menstruousness, or men having a Gonorrhea. 1727
in Bailey vol. II.
II Menstruum (me*nstr«ym). PL menstrua
(me'nstn/a). Also 7 erron. menstrum. [L., neut.
of menslruus adj., monthly, f. mens-, mensis month.
Cf. F. menstrue sing., menstruum, solvent, men-
strues pi., monthly courses (also OF. menstre)) Pr.
mestruas pi., Sp., It. menstruo.
In classical Latin the sb. occurs only in the pi. menstrua
(=sense i). The development (in med. Latin) of sense 2 is to
be explained by the fact that in alchemy the base metal un-
dergoing transmutation into gold was compared to the seed
within the womb, undergoing development by the agency
of the menstrual blood. The medical writers spoke of the
human foetus as consisting of a 'spermatic' and a 'men-
strual ' part, derived from the two parents respectively ; the
alchemists employed this language in a transferred sense,
the 'menstruum' with them being the solvent liquid. Cf.
quot. 1477 s.v. Menstrual B. 2, and the 14th c. quot. given
by Ltttre under Menstrue.]
•fi. The secretion produced in the womb and
discharged at the monthly periods. Also//, menses,
catamenia. Obs.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. v. xlix. (1495) 166 That super-
fluyte hythe menstruum for it flowyth in the cours in the
mone lyght. 1527 Andrew Brunswyke's Distyll. Waters
A iii, An ounce therof dronke at nyght causeth women to have
MENSUAL.
her flowres named menstruum. 1650 Bulwek Anthropomet.
222 The Maids are not to be married, till their Menstrua or
natural purgation testifie their abilitie for Conception. 1726
Leoni Albertfs Arckit. II. 127 A Tree touched with the
Menstrua will lose its leaves,
f b. Menstrual blood as the nourishment of the
foetus ; also transf. Obs.
1669 Worlidge Syst. Agric. (1681) 586 The Discovery
and Application of what may be this proper Menstruum
wherein each Seed most rejoyceth in. a 1677 Hale Prim.
Orig. Man. III. iii. 264 The Semina. .of the greater Animals
required a. .more effectual preparation of the Matter, or a
Menstruum for their production out of those Semina.
2. A solvent ; any liquid agent by which a solid
substance may be dissolved.
[1610 B. Jonson Alch. n. iii, Take your Mum sapientis,
Your menstruum simplex.} 1612 Woodall Surg. Mate
Wks. (1639) 183 If the vehicle or menstrum you give it
[medicine] in be also good, a 1626 Bacon A rt. Enq. Metals
in Sylva (1661) 226 We are to enquire what is the proper
Menstruum to dissolve any Metall,..and what severall
Menstrua will_ dissolve any Metall. 1646 Sir T. Browne
Pseud. Ep. 11. i. 53 Powerfull menstruums are made for its
emolition \sc. of crystal]. _ 1713 Cheselden Anat. ill. iv.
(1726) 165 Our digestion is performed by a Menstruum
which is chiefly saliva. 1763 W. Lewis Commerc. Phil.-
Techn. 95 The most effectual menstruum of gold is a
mixture., called aqua regia. 1800 Vince Hydrost. v. (1806)
52 Solids are supposed to be dissolved in menstruums. 1881
B. W. Richardson in Med. Temp. Jrnl. 72, 1 have given up
the employment of alcohol as a menstruum for amyl nitrite
in angina. 1898 Rev. Brit. Ptiarm. 33 Moisten the drug
with the prescribed quantity of the menstruum.
\>.fig.
1654 Whitlock Zootomia 406 Death is a preparing Deli-
quium, or melting us down into a Menstruum, fit for the
Chymistry of the Resurrection to work on. 1691-8 Norris
Pract. Disc. (1711) III. 138 This Union will not last always,
Death, that Universal Menstruum, will dissolve it. 1863
Holland Lett, to Joneses xxi. 304 In overflowing animal
spirits is to be found, .the menstruum of all social materials.
1890 lllustr. Land. News 26 Apr. 535/3 Paradoxes .. are
menstruums of friendship, they disintegrate regard.
Mensual (me-nsi»al, me-npttal), a. [a. F.
mensuel, a. late L. mensudl-is, irreg. f. mens-is
month, on the analogy of annualis annual.] Of
or relating to a month ; occurring or recurring
monthly; monthly.
1794 Dk. Portland in Earl Malmcsbury's Diaries <?•
Corr. III. 124 Most averse.. from withholding the mensual
payments. 1893 F. Adams New Egypt 86 These seasons must
..have dominated the life of this people, and prescribed its
mensual, annual, and almost diurnal process.
Mensuer, -ir, obs. forms of Manswear v.
Mensurability (mensiurabWiti, menjifir-).
rare. [f. Mensurable + -ity.] The state or
quality of being mensurable.
1678 Cudworth Intell. Syst. 66 Whatsoever is, is Ex-
tended or hath Geometrical Quantity and Mensurability in
it. 1814 D. Stewart Philos. Hum. Mind Note (G) II. 511
The common quality which characterizes all of them is
their mensurability.
Mensurable (me-nsiurab'l, menfiur-), a. [a.
F. mensurable, ad. late L. mensurdbil-is, f. men-
surdre to measure, f. mensura Measure sb. : see
-ABLE.]
1. Capable of being measured ; hence, having
assigned limits.
1604 T. Wright Clymact. Years 5 Loe thou hast put my
dayes mensurable. 1694 Holder Disc. Time 19 The Solar
Month, .[is] not easily Mensurable. 1794 G. Adams Nat. #
Exper. Philos. III. xxiv. 20 Every atom.. has extension,
which we may suppose to have mensurable proportions.
1829 Southey Sir T. More II. 32 It is only our mortal
duration that we measure by visible and mensurable objects.
1881 Fairbairn Stud. Life Christ 146 It was altogether a
most manifest and mensurable thing.
t2. Just, fair: cf. Measurable a. 1. Obs.
1633 J. Done Hist. Septuagint 150 It [hospitality] is to
shewe ones selfe not to be ingratfull but mensurable and
equitable to all the world.
3. Mus. Having 'measure' and fixed rhythm,
with notes and rests indicating a definite duration :
used to denote the style (cantus or musica mensura-
bilis, 'descant') which succeeded the period of
simple plain-song, and in which a combination of
independent voice-parts was first employed.
Cf. Measured 3 c, Measurable 5 b, Mensural 2.
1782 Burney Hist. Mus. II. 179 Ravenscroft.. tells us
boldly that he [sc. Franco] was the inventor of the four
first simple notes of Mensurable Music. 1893 Shedlock tr.
Aiemanns Diet. Mus., Mensurable Music. 1901 Wool-
dridce Ox/. Hist. Mus. I. 169 Mensurable melody.
Hence Me nsurableness, mensurable quality.
1727 in Bailey vol. II.
t Me'nsurage. Obs. [f. L. mensura measure
+ -AGE.] = MEASURAGE.
/ f/o6,76 Ha^\ Narr' Cust<""" vi. in S. A. Moore Foreshore
(1888) 357 Other dutyes paid there, vizt. chalkinge, men-
surage, wharfage, 1" a diem.
Mensural (me'nsiural, me-nfifiral), a. [a.
med.L. mensural-is, f. L. mensura Measure sb. :
see -al.]
1- Pertaining to measure.
1651 Wittie tr. Primrose's Pop. Err. iv. xxv. 301 There
were among the Ancients as well pounds in measure, as in
weight, for their vessels were drawn about with lines.,
and whatsoever they measured after this manner, they called
Mensurall : As for example, a mensurall pound of oyle or
wine. 1861 L. L. Noble Icebergs 245 Do not these fifty
841
bergs.. speak more a living language to the creative, than
to the mensural faculty ?
2. Mus. ■= Mensurable 2.
1609 Douland Ornith. Microl. 35 Mensurall Musicke is
a knowledge of making Songs by figures. 1893 Shedlock
tr. Riemann's Diet. Mus., Mensural Note, the note of
definite duration . . invented about the commencement of the
12th century. 1901 Wooldridce Ox/. Hist. Mus. I. 114
The mensural system. Ibid. 174 The kind of part-writing
which is characteristic of the early mensural period.
Mensuralist (me-nsiuralist, me-npur-). [a.
F. mensuraliste : cf. Mensural a. 2 and -1ST.] A
composer of measurable music.
1901 Wooldridce Ox/. Hist. Mus. I. 132 The figures
adopted by the earlier mensuralists.
Mensurate (me'nsiureit, me-npureit), v. rare.
[ad. L. mensurdt-us, pa. pple. of mensurdrc to
measure, f. mensura Measure sb. : see -ate J.]
trans. To measure; to ascertain the size, extent
or quantity of.
1653 R. Sanders Physiogn. 274 Those 9 dimensions by
which the longitude of the whole body is mensurated. 1829
Landor /mag. Conv., Epicur., Lcont. <§• Tern. V. 223 We
. . mensurate the fitness and adaptation of one part to
another. 1897 Daily Naus 28 Jan. 7/2 Dr. Bertillon, the
discoverer of the system of mensurating criminals.
Mensuration (mensiux/i-jsn, menpur^i-Jro),
[a. late L. mensuration-em, f. L. mensurire : see
Mensurate v. Cf. F. mensuration, Pr. mensuralio,
Sp. mensuration.]
1. The action, or an act, of measuring (anything).
I57l_ Digges Pantom. 1. xxi. F iv b, If there happen any
error in the situation thereof, great inconuenience inaye
followe in your mensurations. 1633 Swan Spec. M. (1670)
174 In these mensurations we must not think to come so
near the truth as in those things which are subject to sense.
1704 Hearne Duct. Hist. (1714) I. 400 The Waters.. de-
stroying all their Land Marks, new Mensurations were
necessary every recess of the River. 1751 Johnson Rambler
No. 103 r 5. 204 Who can believe that they who first watched
the course of the stars, foresaw the use of their discoveries
to the facilitation of commerce, or the mensuration of time?
1777 M. Cutler in Li/e, etc. (1888) I. 64 A map the Doctor
had procured from actual mensuration.
b. Med. A system of comparative measurement
of each side of the chest by which the thoracic
cavities of the body may be explored.
1821-34 Forbes Laennec's Dis. Chest 409 The . . signs
afforded by ajgophony, percussion, and mensuration. 1877
Roberts Handbk. Med. (ed. 3) II. 7 Mensuration merely
gives more accurate information with regard to form and
size.
jc. The result of measurement; size as mea-
sured. Obs.
167s Cocker Morals 50 Then take thy Shadows length ;
see how much more Its Mensuration exceeds that before.
2. Math. That branch of mathematics which
gives the rules for ascertaining the lengths of lines,
the areas of surfaces, and the volumes of solids.
. '7°4 J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, Mensuration, or Measur-
ing, is to find the Superficial Area, or Solid Content, of all
Surfaces and Bodies. 1855 Brewster Li/e Newton II.
xiv. 5 He studied the mensuration of round solids.
attrib. 1859 Geo. Eliot A. Bede iv, With a little blue
bundle over his shoulder, and his 'mensuration book'
in his pocket.
Hence Mensnr actional a., concerned with mea-
suring.
1880 Piazzi Smyth in Nature 1 July 193/2 Three years'
experimenting in mensurational spectroscopy.
Mensurative (me-nsiurativ, me'nfiir-), a. [f.
Mensurate v. + -ive.] Capable of measuring;
adapted for taking measurements.
1831 Carlyle Sart. Res. in. iii, Our Logical, Mensura-
tive faculty, i860 J. Martineau Ess.dfyi) HI. 151 Let
the mensurative and deductive calculus work out its results.
Mensurator (me'nsiureitar, me-njiur-). rare.
[a. L. mensurator, agent-n. f. mensurdre : see
Mensurate v.~\ An apparatus for measuring {Syd.
Soc. Lex. 1890).
1711 E. Ward Vulgus Brit. v. 61 So in they heav'd Time's
Mensurator Who never mov'd one Moment a'ter.
tMensurnal, a. Obs. [irreg. f. L. mensis
month, on the analogy of diurnal.] Monthly;
from month to month.
1603 Sir C. Heydon Jud. Astrol. xx. 417 We find the
effects to answer, annuall, mensurnall, diurnall, and horarie
profections. 1659 H. L'Estrange Alliance Div. Off. 316
Our Church commands no such mensurnal forbearance.
Mensweare, -eir, obs. forms of Manswear v.
Mensyn, variant of Menison Obs.
Mensyngere, obs. form of Messenger.
Ment : see Mean v.1, Meng v., and Mint.
-nient (ment), suffix, forming sbs. Originally
occurring in adopted Fr. words in -ment, either
representing Latin sbs. in -mentum, or formed in
Fr. on the analogy of these by the addition of the
suffix to verb-stems. The Latin -mentum was
added to verb-stems, and the resulting sbs. some-
times expressed the result or product of the action
of the verb, as m fragment urn fragment, and some-
times the means or instrument of the action, as in
alimenlum aliment, ornamenlum ornament. In
late popular Latin, and hence in French, the suffix,
while retaining its original functions, came (through
sense-development in some of the older words) to
MENTAL.
be also a formative of nouns of action. In AF.
the suffix was still more frequently employed than
in continental OF. Of the many words in -ment
adopted into English from French, some have con-
crete senses, as garment, habiliment ; the majority
are nouns of action, as abridgement, accomplish-
ment, commencement. In most of the instances
the Fr. verb has been adopted into English as well
as the sb. derived from it. Hence the suffix came
to be treated as an English formative. Early
examples of its use as appended to native English
verb-stems are onement (Wyclif s rendering of L.
unio), and hangment (in the Promptorium 1:1440
given as the equivalent of L. suspeudium,suspencio).
In the 16th c. the suffix was very freely added to
English verb-stems, not only to those of Romanic
etymology (as in banishment, enhancement, excite-
ment), but also to those of native origin ; examples
of the hybrid formations of this period still surviv-
ing in use are acknowledgement, amazement, atone-
ment, betterment, merriment, wonderment. Since
the 16th c. many new derivatives in -ment have
been formed from verbs of obvious French origin.
Among verbs of native English etymology, those
with the Romanic prefix en- {cm-); and those with
the native prefix be-, seem to have given rise to
derivatives of this form with especial frequency :
examples are embankment, embodiment, enlighten-
ment, entanglement', bedazzlement, bedevilment,
bedragglement, bereavement, beseechment, beset ment,
bewilderment. Of formations in -ment from other
native verbs there are few instances since Shak-
spere's time. It is rarely that the suffix has been
appended to any other part of speech than a verb,
as mfunniment, oddment.
The letter y (after a consonant) ending a verb is
changed into i when the suffix is appended, as in
accompaniment.
II Mentagra (mentargra). Path. [L. (Pliny)
mentagra, f. ment-um ch\n,a.her podagra gout.] An
eruption about the chin, caused by inflammation of
the hair follicles of the beard ; sycosis.
1802 Turton Med. Gloss., Mentagra, the tetter or ring-
worm under the chin. 1829 T. Bateman Pract. Synops.
Cutan. Dis. (ed. 7) 404 Sycosis menti. .Mentagra (Plenck).
1842 Burgess Man. Dis. Skin 160 Mentagra is an essen-
tially pustular affection.
Mental (mental), a.1 and sb. [a. F. menial, ad.
late L. mentdlis, f. ment-, mens mind : see -al. Cf.
Sp., Pg. mental, It. menlale.] A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to the mind.
Mental aberration, alienation-, see the sbs.
c 1425 Hoccleve Miu. Poems i, 203 But now y see with
myn yen mental Thestat of al an-othir world than this.
1606 Shaks. Tr. $ Cr. 11. iii. 184 'Twixt his mental and his
active parts Kingdom'd Achilles in commotion rages. 1667
Milton P. L. xi. 418 The inmost seat of mental sight. 1782
V. Knox Ess. xv. (1819) I. 87 Mental food is also found, .to
. .delight the longest, when it is not lusciously sweet. 1802
Med. Jrnl. VIII. 356 Avoid excess in eating, drinking, and
in mental exertion, a 1820 T. Brown Led. Philos. Human
Mind I. 240 We shall now proceed to observe, .the mental
phenomena. 1879 Lindsay M ind Leaver Anim. I. 56 The
intelligence,.. cunning, and other mental qualities of spiders
are well known. 1892 Anstey Voces Populi Ser. 11. 98 Too
severe a mental strain to be frequently cultivated. 1900
Daily News 1 Aug. 5/7 His mental state was inherited
from long-past generations.
2. Carried on or performed by the mind. Mental
arithmetic: the art of performing arithmetical
operations within the mind, without the use of
written figures or other visible symbols. Mental
reservation : see Reservation.
1526 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 159 b, To. . use y> maner
of prayer, whether it be mental! or vocall in y° wniche he
fyndeth moost swetnes. 1651 Hobbes Leviath. I. iii. 8 By
Consequence, . . I understand that succession of one Thought
to another, which is called Mentall Discourse. 1809-10
Coleridge Eriend(i86$) 12 A lazy half-attention amounts to
a mental yawn. 1839 J. P. Frost (title) A course of mental
arithmetic, in three parts. 1850 McCosh Div. Gov. 111. i.
(1874) 287^ The mental process.. by which the distinction
between vice and virtue is observed. 1854 Dickens Hard
T. 1. ix, She would burst into tears on being required (by
the mental process) immediately to name the cost of two
hundred and forty-seven muslin caps at fourteenpence half-
penny.
3. Relating to the mind as an object of study ;
concerned with the phenomena of mind.
^ a 1820 T. Brown Lect. Philos. Human Mind I. 8 There
is, in short, a science that may be termed mental physio-
logy. 1828 G. Payne (title) Elements of Mental and Moral
Science. 1831 T. C Upham (title) Elements of Mental
Philosophy, i860 J. Martineau Ess. (1866) I. 248 Mental
Science is Self-knowledge.
U4. Characterized by the possession of mind, in-
tellectual, rare.
1840 B. E. Hill Pinch — o/Snuff 96 Platonicallyenamoured
of the_ beauteous, mental, and excellent wife to a very jealous
moralist.
f B. sb. nonce-uses. a. pi. Intellectual faculties.
b. pi. Mental reservations. Obs.
1676 Phil. Trans. XI. 554 The intrinsick mentals or
intellectuals of Mankind. 1712 Arbuthnot John Bull iv.
MENTAL.
iv, HasL thou laid aside all thy equivocal* and mentals in
this case ?
Mental (mental), a.2- [a. F, mental, f. L.
ment-um chin : see -al.] Pertaining to the chin.
1727 Bailey vol. II, Mental, belonging to the Chin. 1829
Bell Anat. <y Physiol. I. 159 The second hole in the lower
jaw. .is named the mental hole. 1836-9 Toda"s Cycl. Anat.
II. 213/2 This line terminates below in a triangular emi-
nence uhe mental process). 1866 Huxley in Preh. Rem.
Caithn. 91 The lower jaw has a well developed mental
prominence.
b. Zool. Pertaining to or situated on the mentum.
1853 Baird & Gibard Catal. N. Amer. Reptiles Introd. 7
The inframaxillary or mental scutelke or shields. 1855
Gosse in Phil. Trans. CXLVI. 424, I shall call.. the an-
terior termination of the venter, the mental edge. 1890
Coues Field* Gen. Omitltol. n. 144 Mental or gular lines.
Mentalism (me-ntaliz'm). rare, [f. Mental
aS + -ism.]
1. A process of the nature of mental action.
1874 MaudsleyI Mental Dis. vii. 243 Deranged nervous
function— a deranged mentalism, if I may be permitted to
coin such a word — of an epileptic or allied nature. 1885
McCook Tenants of an Old Farm 134 An order of mental-
ism which seems to differ from human thinking more in
degree than in kind.
2. (See quot.)
a 1900 Sidgwick in Mind (1901) Jan. 20 It may be held
broadly that ' matter in ultimate analysis is a mode of mind
or consciousness ', without raising the question of a con-
scious self or subject... Such view I think is often called
Idealism. I propose to label it ' Mentalism ' in broad anti-
thesis to ' Materialism'. If, again, the ' MentalistV ontology
expressly excludes the notion of self or subject, .then per-
haps we may designate him as an atomistic Mentalist.
Mentalist (mentalist;. rare. [f. Mental aA
+ -1ST.]
1. In nonce-uses : a. One whose tastes are for
mental rather than for material pleasures, b. One
whose artistic aim is the expression of thought.
1790 Cath. Graham Lett. Educ. 75 The mentalist, whose
enjoyments depend more on those delights, which are
adapted to soothe his imagination,.. will find [etc.]. 1840
Black™, Mag. XLVIII. 278 A purpose which is distinct
both from that of the mentalists and the materialists of the
[sc. painting] art.
2. One who maintains the doctrine of 'mentalism'.
a 1900 [see Mentalism 2].
Mentality (menUe'Hti). [f. Mental aA +
-ITY.]
1. That which is of the nature of mind or of
mental action.
1691 Baxter Rej>. Beverley 15 But tell us whether it be
only a Spiritual Mentality, superangelical, or the Soul and
Body of a Man at his Incarnation. 1890 A. R. Wallace
in Nature 24 July 291 An insect's very limited mentality.
1899 Griffith-Jones Ascent thro. Christ in. hi. 385 There
is a vast store of mentality even in the higher animals which
has not yet been brought to perfection.
2. Intellectual quality, intellectuality.
1856 Emerson Eng. Traits xiv. Lit. Wks. (Bohn) II. 104
Iludibras has the same hard mentality. 1900 G. Santa-
yana Poetry <$• Relig. 258 Pope.. is too intellectual and has
an excess of mentality.
Meiltalization (nHMitabizJi'Jsn). [Formed
as next + -ation.] Mental action or process.
1883 E. C. Mann Psychol. Med. 101 (Cent.) Previous to the
establishment of complete delirium or delusions there may
be traced deviations from healthy mentalization.
Mentalize (me*ntatoiz), v. [f. Mental a.l +
-ize.] trans. To develop or cultivate mentally.
1885 G. S. Hall in N. Amer. Rev. Feb. 145 The only thing
that can ever undermine our school system in popular sup-
port is a suspicion that it does not moralize as well as
inentalize children.
Mentally (me-ntali), adv. [f. Mental a.i +
-LY *.] a. In the mind, by a mental operation ;
often with reference to unuttered thoughts, resolves,
judgements, etc. b. As regards the mind.
i66x Boyle Physiol. Ess. (1679) 208 There is no assignable
portion of matter so minute that it may not at least, Men-
tally, (to borrow a School term) be further divided. 1688 —
Final Causes Nat. Things iv. 129 If they be so [/. e. useful
to us] in any Measure (as for example Mentally) they are
So, for what we know, as much as He design'd they should
be. 1838 Lytton Alice 11. ii, Such, mentally, morally, and
physically.wasthe Reverend Charles Merton. 1848 Rim bault
Pianoforte 31 When a passage is acquired.. it should then
be counted mentally, that is, silently. 1879 Lindsay Mind
Loiver Anim. I. 40 Such animals must be considered men-
tally and morally the superiors of the human infant and
child. 1885 Law Times LXXVIII. 296/1 He is not men-
tally competent to form and express a wish for an inquiry
before a jury. 1892 Anstey Voces PopuU Ser. 11. 7 John.,
wonders mentally if he can get away in time.
Mentation (ment^'Jan). [f. L. tnent-, mens
mind + -ation.] Mental action, esp. as attributed
to the agency of the brain or other nervous organ ;
also, a product of ' mentation ', a state of mind.
1850 Kjngslev Alton Locke iv, The cerebration of each
in the prophetic sacrament of the yet undeveloped possi-
bilities of his mentation. 1876MAUDSLEY Physiol, of Mind
ii. 133 That substratum of mentality, which is beneath
mentation, or conscious mental function. 1900 Contemp,
Rev. Oct. 537 Successive mental images, successive ' menta-
tions ' if I may be allowed to introduce a most useful word,
made in America. 1903 Dublin Rev. Oct. 269 note, Sub-
liminal mentation is oftenest exhibited in literary com-
position.
Mente : see Mean.2;.1 (pa. t. and pple.) and Mint.
Mentel, obs. form of Mantle.
342
t Me'ntery. Obs. Also 5 -eryo, -irye. [a.
F. menterie, f. OF. mentere, menteur liar, f. men-
tir\—L. mentlri to lie : see-EBY.] Lying.
c 1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode m. xxix. (1869) 151 Bi menterye
[Fr. orig. menterie] is also periurement born and engendred.
Ibid. xxx. 152 Mentirye. 1592 G. Harvey Four Lett. Sonn.
xix, Lowd Mentery small confutation needes.
ii Mentha (me*nj>a). Bot. [L., ad. Gr. fuvdrj j
see Mint sb.] A genus of fragrant herbaceous
plants of the family Labiate ; a plant of this genus.
(The popular name of the genus is Mint.)
1846 Penny Cycl. Suppl. II. 272/1 The odour of the leaves,
somewhat resembling a mentha.
b. Mentha camphor ^ Menthol (Webster 1902).
Menthene (me*n{>/h). Chem. [a. G. menthen,
F. menthene} f. L. meniha mint : see -enb.] A
liquid hydro-carbon obtained from peppermint oil.
1838 Brit. Ann. (ed. R. D. Thomson) 359 Menthene.—
Walter obtained this substance by distilling crystals of
essence of mint over chloride of calcium. 1849 Kane Elem.
Chem. (ed. 2) 866 Menthen.
Menthol (me'nb^l). Chem. [a. G. menthol
(Oppenheim 1861, in Ann. der Chem. it, Pharm.
CXX. 352), f. L. mentha mint : see-OL.] A crys-
talline camphor-like substance obtained by cooling
various mint-oils, esp. oil of peppermint. Menthol
cone or pencil : an appliance for the relief of
facial neuralgia, consisting of a conical piece of
mixed menthol and spermaceti, which is rubbed on
the part affected.
1876 Harley Mat. Med. 473 Oil of Peppermint deposits
hexagonal crystals of menthol or peppermint camphor. x888
Pall Malt G. 30 June 5/1 Menthol cones, x&tylbid. 5 July
2/1 Menthol and pyrine are sometimes useful for headaches.
1891 F. P. Foster Med. Diet. III. 2281 Menthol Pencil. 1
1897 AllbutCs Syst. Med. IV. 860 Locally a menthol spray 1
may be used. |
Menticultural (me:ntikzrltiuial), a. rare. [f. ;
next + -al.] Relating to the cultivation of the mind.
1830 Maunder Treat, KhovjI. i, Menticultural, cultivating
the mind. 1843 Punshon in Life (1887) 34, I have. .estab-
lished a Menticultural Society in Sunderland. 1893 G.
Huntington in Advance (Chicago) 19 Oct., A sort of menti-
cultural prize-animal.
Menticulture (me'ntikcltiiu). [f. L. mentl-,
mens mind + cultura Culture, after agriculture.]
The cultivation of the mind.
1830 Maunder Treas. Knout. 1, Menticulture, improve-
ment of the mind. 1895 Hor. Fletcher {title) Menticulture
or the A-B-C of true living.
Mentiferous, a. [Formed as prec. + -febous.]
Proposed as the epithet of an imagined * ether* in
which 'thought- waves* are propagated.
1884 Gubkey & Myers in Proc. Soc. Psych. Research I.
vi. 135 The transformation [by Dr. Maudsley] of 'brain-
wave ' into the more ambitious ' mentiferous ether '.
t Me ntiforni, a. Obs. [f. L. menti-, mens
mind + -form.] Resembling the mind.
1721 Bellamy Th. Trinity 31 The Spirit is mentiform,
or like the Son Le. the Understanding from which he pro-
ceeded.
Mentigerous (mentid^eras), a. Ent, [f. L.
tnent-um(see Mentum) + -gerocs.] Bearing the
mentum. (Cent. Diet. 1S90.)
II MentigO. Path, Obs. [L. mentigo (Colu-
mella), f. ment-um chin.] a. A pustular eruption
on the mouth and lips of sheep, b. = Mentagra
{Syd. Soc, Lex. 1890).
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Mentigo, a Scab among Sheep,
about their Mouths and Lips, calld The Pocks. 1890 in
Syd. Soc. Lex.
Mentil(e, obs. forms of Mantle.
1 Mentiuiuta tion. Obs.rare~x. [f.L.menti-,
mens mind + Mutation.] A change of mind.
1650 B. Discolliminium 45, 1 . .shall be allowed the full bene-
fit of all the.. Ulaqueations, extrications, ..mendmutations,
rementiimitations,. .that I. .can devise.
Mention (me'njan), sb. Forms: 4 mencyun,
4-5 -cioun(e, 4-6 -eione, -sion(e, 4-7 -cion, 5
-syorj, -sioun, -cyouu(e, 5-6 -cyon, 6 -tyon,
-tioun, -tione, 6- mention, [a. ¥, mention ( = Sp.
mencion, Pg. mencao, It. menzione),&d. L. mention*
em, menlioj f. the root men- of menti-, mens mind,
meminisse to remember.]
+ 1. Bearing in mind, consideration. Obs.
C1300 Gregorleg. (Vernon MS.) 749 in Archiv Stud. neu.
Spr. LV. 438 Alle bat herden bis storie rede wib herte and
deuocioun, And in herte taken heede wib good Mencioun,
be pope hab granted hem to mede and [v.rr. ane, an] hun-
dred dawes to pardoun.
2. In early use, the action of commemorating or
calling to mind by speech or writing. Now in
more restricted sense, the action, or an act, of in-
cidentally referring to, remarking upon, or intro-
ducing the name of (a person or thing) in spoken
or written discourse. Orig. in phrase to make
mention of ( = sJr.faire mention de), which is now
slightly arch, or literary, exc. in negative contexts.
1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 10496 Yn bat messe, bey
hem afiye,..For hyt makep mencyun of be passyun As
Iesu cryst to deb was doun. 1377 Langl. P. PI. B. x, 448
Dauyd maketh mencioun he spake amonges kynges. c 1420
Lydg. Assembly of Gods 2054 Whevfore I toke pen and ynke
And paper to make theiof mention In wrytyng. 1459 Sir
MENTION.
John Fastolf Will in Paston Lett. I. 454 With a scripture
aboute the stoon makynge mencion the day and yeer of hise
obite. c 1470 Henry Wallace vn. 757 Mencione off Bruce is
oft in Wallace buk. 154a Udall Erasm. Apoph. 76 He..
maketh mencion and rehersall of diuerse the wandreynges of
Ulysses. 1559 Bp. Scot in Strype Ann. Re/. I. App. vii. 15
Without any mencyon of their conversation and livinge.
1603 Owen Pembrokeshire (1892) 7 Doctor Powell .. maketh
mencion of an Ancient Author. C1665 Mrs. Hutchinson
Mem. Cot. Hutchinson 9, I have heard very honourable
mention of him. a 17x6 South Serin. (1727) V. i. 22 So that
their Blood may rise, and their Heart may swell at the very
mention of it 1738 Swift Pol. Conversat. Introd. 8, 1 shall
make honourable Mention of their Names in a short Pre-
face. 1758 Johnson Idler No. 47 f 11 He grows peevish at
any mention of business. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. iv. I.
482 The mention of their names excites the disgust and horror
of all sects and parties. 1868 Miss YongeC<zw«w I. 268 He
never heard from him one careless mention of the name of
God. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 338 These two passages
are the only ones in which Plato makes mention of himself.
1877 Major Disc. Prince Henry xii. 190 The Camaldolese
geographer makes no mention of the sources from which he
derived his information. 1891 Lounsbury Stud. Chancer II.
v. 236 It will explain the two mentions of Lollius in ' Troilus
and Cressida'.
b. Comb, in f mention making, mentioning.
1534 More Treat. Passion Wks. 1292/1 These wordes..be
the wordes of. .three of the .iiii. euangelistes, which by the
mencion makynge of the Pascha. .geue vs here . . occasyon
to speake of the poynte whiche I before towched. 1583
Stocker Civ. Warres Lotve C. 1. 21 Without anye mention
making of our mutual assurance. 1679 Kid in Hickes^T/ir.
Popery (16S0) 5, I bless him, ..that ever such a poor and
obscure person as I am, should be thus priviledged by him
for mentionmaking of his grace.
+ c. In the mention of ': 'apropos of \ Obs.
1638 Junius Paint. Ancients 149 There is in the mention
of Picture a pretie tale divulged of Lepidus, who [etc].
f d. Of no mention : not worthy of mention,
undistinguished.
1622 Fletcher & Massinger Prophetess v. iii, Tis true,
I have been a Rascall, as you are, a fellow of no mention,
nor no mark.
e. Honourable mention (rarely, after Fr. use,
simply mention) : a distinction accorded to ex-
hibited works of art, etc., or to candidates at an
examination that are considered to possess excep-
tional merit, but are not entitled to a prize.
189a Mrs. H. Ward David Grieve II. 248 r If I don't get
my "mention"', she would say passionately, 'I tell you
again it will be intrigue \
+ 3. In occasional uses : A statement, narrative;
a record, memorial ; a memorial inscription. Obs.
c X470 Harding Chron. xcvu. iii, Of whiche came then.,
batayles greate and fell discencions, As Bede wryjieth
amonge his mencyons. 1470-85 Malory Arthur 11. xii. 90
Kyng Arthur lete berye thys knyght rychely and made a
mensyon on his tombe. Ibid. xi. 1. 571 Whan this hermyte
had made this mensyon he departed from the courte of
kynge Arthur.
f 4. Indication, evidence ; a vestige, trace, rem-
nant. Obs.
1567 in Bateson's Hist. Nortkumbld. (1893) I. 352 West-
warde by an old mencon of a dyke. Ibid., Ye mencyon of an
olde dike. ?ai6oo Hodgson MS. in Nortkumbld. Gloss.
475 The march . . between England and Scotland . . goeth
by an old mension of a dycke called the Marche dyke.
1600 j. Pory tr. Leo's Africa 1. 31 The verie trees are so
drowned and ouerwhelmed therein [in snow), that it is not
r-sible to finde any mention of them. 1601 Holland Pliny
noThe rest that Homer so much speaks of.. there is no
mention or token remaining of them. 1601 Yarington Two
Lament. Trag. E 2 b, Harke Rachel: I will.. fling this
middle mention of a man, Into some ditch.. .Rack. Where
haue you laide the legs and battered head? 1613 Purchas
Pilgrimage (1614) 532 It [the earthquake! brought vp the
Sea a great way vpon the maine Land, which is carried
backe with it into the Sea, not leauing mention that there
had beene Land. Ibid. 814 Scarce any mention of the
houses remained. 1633 Br. Hall Hard Texts O. T. 161
Where he moves in the sea he causeth a mention of his way
in the waters.
MeiltiOU (me'nfan), v. Also 6 mencyon,
-cion, -sion, -sin. [a. F. mentionner ( = Sp.
mencionar, It. menzionare, med.L. mentiondre), f.
mention : see prec. sb.]
X. trans. To make mention of; to refer to or
remark upon incidentally; to specify by name or
otherwise.
The parenthetical infinitive phrase Not to mention {so-
and-so) is used as a rhetorical suggestion that the speaker
is refraining from piesenting the full strength of his case.
t Not to mention it : used parenthetically for ' not in any
degree worth mention'.
1530 Palsgr. 634/2, I mencyon, I make rehersall or re-
membraunce of a thyng paste or a person absent, je men-
cionnc. 1535 Jove Apol. Tindale (Arb.) 32 Wherof Friih
wrote thys warnyng to Tin[dale] whyebe he here men-
cyoneth. 1551-3 Inv.Ch. Goods, Staffs, in Ann. Lichfield
IV. 55 Md. that ij ameses mensioned in the old inventorey
be stolne. Ibid. 67 Md. that parcells followynge armen-
sined in the olde inventore. 1611 Bible i Chron. iv. 38
The^e mentioned by their names were Princes in their
families. 169a Wood Life (O. H. S.) III. 405 It rai",d and
drisled most of the morning, having not rain'd, 'not to
mention it, for a month. 170a Addison Dial. Medals
Misc. Wks. 1736 III. 15 Not to mention several others,
Carracio is said to have assisted Aretine. 1705 — Italy
Pref, I think I have mention'd but few Things.. that are
not set in a new Light. i7»9 Butler Scrm. Wks. 1850 II.
Pref. 5 Not to mention the multitudes who read merely
for the sake of talking [etc.]. 1751 Labelye Westm. Br.
25 By Means too well known to require my mentioning
them. 1839 Blackis in For. Q. Rev. XX1IL 279 How the
MENTIONABLE.
finest lines in Milton (not to mention Sou they, Wordsworth,
and Coleridge) have been smothered and mangled by this
curious race of syllable counters, no student of English
poetry requires to be told. 1849 Jamks Woodman, v, Let us
mention no names. 1858 Conington Pope Misc. Writ. I.
18 It would be a great mistake to suppose that Pope's
' Pastorals ' are worthy of being mentioned in the same
day with any genuine work of Virgil's. 1875 Jowett Plato
(ed. 2) V. 130 The science of dialectic is nowhere mentioned
by name in the Laws.
b. With clause as obj. : To state incidentally.
1617 Morvson [tin. 1. 60 Give me leave to mention that
there lies a City not farre distant. 1714 Lady M. W. Mon-
tagu Lett. II. lxxxviii. 143, I am surprised you do not men-
tion where you mean to stand. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2)
V. 594 This case is also reported by Style, who mentions
that Lord Ch. J. Roll said [eta]. Mod. It ought here to be
mentioned that I had never met the man before.
C Don't mention it : a colloquial phrase used
in deprecating offered thanks or apology.
1854 W. Collins Hide <$- Seek III. W. 84 'I was just
going to swab up that part of the carpet when you came
in', said Zack, apologetically. ..'Oh don't mention it',
answered Valentine, laughing. 'It was all my awkward-
ness', 1873 Howells Chance Acquaintance iv, Oh, don't
mention that ! I was the only one to blame,
f 2. intr. To speak or make mention of Also
in indirect passive. Obs,
1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 102 In their letters they
mentioned of the obedience unto Magistrates. Ibid. 176 b,
In the last boke before this, I mentioned of this duke's in-
vectives against the Duke of Saxon. 1599 Hakluyt Voy.
II. 1. 199 A Pyramide mentioned of in Histories. 1609 R.
Jonson Masque of Queens B 4 b, Their little Masters or
Martinets, of whom I haue mention'd before. 1667 Milton
P. L. x. 1041 No more be mention'd then of violence
Against our selves. 179a Elvina I. 32, I mentioned in my
last of the kind attention that Mr. Falkland had shewn.
Mentionable (mcnfanaVl),^ [f. Mention p.
+ -able.] That can or may be mentioned ; worthy
of mention.
1833 Eraser's Mag. VII. 116 All sorts of accidents, men.
tionaole and unmentionable. 1858 Carlvle Fredk. Gt. ix. ix.
(1872) III. 148 In Germany the mentionable events are still
fewer. 1871 L. Stephen Playgr. Eur. viii. (1894) 178 Our
only mentionable adventure was the inevitable quarrel with
the porter.
t Mentionate,/^ pple. Obs. [ad.med.L.w/£«-
tionatus, pa. pple. olmentionare: see Mention ».]
Mentioned, recorded.
£15*5 Warham in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. in. II. n, I
thanke your Grace for your singular goodenes afor men.
tionate. 1561 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 189 For reform-
ing of the irrelevance of the summondis mentionat in the
secund exceptioun. 1678 Contract in Proc. Soc. Ant. Scot.
(1896) XXX. 20 During the tyme above mentionat.
t Mentionate, v. Obs. [f. prec: see -ate 3.]
trans. To mention, speak of. Also intr. (const, oj).
1550 Hooper Jonas vi. 152 It is not wythoute a synguler
councell of the holye goste that thys kynge is mencionated
of so copiously. f"i6oo Short Cath. Confess, in Cath.
Tractates (S.T.S.) 256/9 The fruites. .of thir tokens aboue
mentionated.
Mentioned (me-nfand),///. a. [f. Mention v.
+ -ed1.] Of which mention has been made.
Now rare exc. in Combs, before-mentioned, under-
mentioned, etc.
1592 Chettle Kind-harts Dr. C 4 Mopo and his men-
tioned companions. 1611 Cotgr., Mentionne', mentionned ;
nominated, named. 1667 Duchess Newcastle Life of
Duke 1. (1886) 53 The mentioned town of Gainsborough.
1706 S. Sewall Diary 24 Dec. (1879) II. 175 He is to send
me 15 Fountains, which are paid for in the mention'd Sum.
x733 Tull Horse-Hoeing Husb. xxi. 306 Which makes the
mention'd Angle more acute. 1865 J. H. Stirling Sir W.
Hamilton 73 In reference to the mentioned doctrines of
Kant.
Mentioner (me'pjansi), [f. Mention v. +
-ee I.] One who mentions.
1607 Scholast. Disc. agst. Antichrist 1. ii. in The highest
mentioner of it is Vincentius. 161 1 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. vi.
xix. 104 We will adde somewhat to wash off those false
aspersions, both from the Record and from the mentioners
thereof. 1660 Hexham, Een welder, a Mentioner, a Re-
hearser, a Recounter, or a Teller.
Mentioning (me'njanirj), vbl. sb. [f. Mention
v. + -iNG V) The action of the verb Mention.
1603 Knolles Hist. Turkes (1638) 48 The men. .both dis-
maid at the very mentioning of the matter,. .said [etc.].
1654 tr. Scudery's Curia Pol. 104 The very mentioning and
remembrance thereof, may amaze with horrour. 1749 Field-
ing Tom Jones vm. x, You have made my blood run cold
with the very mentioning the top of that mountain. 1817
Byron Befrpo lxxxvi, Nauseous words past mentioning or
bearing.^ 1868 G. Stephens Runic Mon. I. p.viii, Manysuch
mentionings occur in Anglo-Scandic skinbooks. iqoi N. <$•
Q. 9th Ser. VII. 470/1, 1 find many mentionings of Haydons
in the parish registers of Hinton Blewitt.
MentionleSS (me'nfsnles), a. rare"1, [f.
Mention sb. + -less.] Not calling for mention.
x6n Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. vn. vii. (1623) 225 Famous in
his issue, though mentionlesse for action in himselfe.
Mentism (me-ntiz'm). Path. [a. F. men-
ttsme, f. L. ment-em, mens mind : see -ism.] Dis-
turbance of mental action produced by passion or
an excited imagination {Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890).
t Mentition. Obs. rare—0, [ad. L. menti-
tion-em% f, menttri to lie.] The action of lying.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Mentition, a lying, forging or tell-
ing untruths.
343
Mento- (me'nto), used as combining form of L.
mentum chin, in anatomical terms, as mento-breg-
viatic, -condylial, -gonial, -labial, etc. (see Syd. Soc.
Lex. 1890). Me:nto-hyoid, (a) adj. pertaining to
the chin and the hyoid bone ; {b) sb. an occasional
muscle in man passing from the body of the hyoid
bone to the chin; soMento-hyoideana:. Mento-
Meckelian a. , in mento-Meckelian bone or element,
a small bone formed by the ossification of portions
of Meckel's cartilage and the lower labial cartilage.
1856 Mayne Expos. Lex., Mentolabialis . .meMo\a.bia\.
1857 Dunglison Med. Lex. 585 Mento-Labial Furrow.
1866 Macalister in Proc. R. Irish Acad. IX. 451 A small
muscular mento-hyoidean band, .existed single in one sub-
ject Ibid. 468 Mento-hyoid muscle. 1867 — Ibid. X. 163
The platysma myoides, the mento-hyoid, Lucas' fibres in
the axilla [etc.]. 1877 Huxley & Martin Elcm. Biol. 172
The mento-Meckelian element of the mandible. 1883 Hux-
ley Pract. Biol. 220 At the. .symphysial end it [Meckel's
cartilage] is ossified to form the mento-Meckelian bone.
Mentonniere (ment/nieoj;. Antiq. [a. F.
mentonniire (16th c. mentoniere), f. menton chin.]
A piece of armour covering the chin or lower part
of the face and neck, attached either to the helmet
or to the upper part of the body-armour.
1824 Meyrick Anc. Arm. II. 247 On this is a protuber-
ance and two rings to hold a shield, made also with a men-
toniere. Ibid., They have grand guards with mentonieres
and coursing-hats. 1884 St. James's Gaz. 20 June 11/2 A
Mentonniere, engraved with the royal arms of Spain.
Mentor (me'ntju). [a. F. mentor, appellative
use of the proper name Mentor, Gr. McVrcu/). The
name admits of the etymological rendering 'adviser',
having the form of an agent-n. from the root *men-
( : mon-) to remember, think, counsel, etc. (cf. L.
monitor) ; possibly it may have been invented or
chosen by the poet as appropriately significant.]
l.a. With initial capital: The name of the Ithacan
noble whose disguise the goddess Athene assumed
in order to act as the guide and adviser of the
young Telemachus ; allusively, one who fulfils the
office which the supposed Mentor fulfilled towards
Telemachus. b. Hence, as common noun : An
experienced and trusted counsellor.
The currency of the word in Fr. and Eng. is derived less
from the Odyssey than from Fenelon's romance of Tele-
maqite, in which the part played by Mentor as a counsellor
is made more prominent.
1750 Ld. Chesterf. Lett, to Son 8 Mar., The friendly
care and assistance of your Mentor. 1784 Cowper Task 11.
595 The friend Sticks close, a Mentor worthy of his charge.
1814 Sir R. Wilson Priv. Diary II. 329 The same Men-
tor, who really is a most sincere friend, begged me to [etc.].
1873 Dixon Two Queens III. xm. vi. 36 ' Too much learn-
ing is not needed in a prince ', replied his mentor. 1890
Gunter Miss Nobody ii. (1891) 28 Phil. .is helped in the
selection by the experience of his mentor.
He. Applied to a thing (more or less personified).
Littre quotes from Rousseau an example of the similar
use of F. mentor applied to a book.
1823 Byron Island 11. viii, The deep.. The only Mentor
of his youth. 1869 Spurgeon Treas. David (Ps. xix. ir) I.
309 The Bible should be our Mentor. 1879 Expositor IX.
462 The SaCfxuiv which Socrates spoke of as his mentor.
2. attrib. and Comb.
1778 Abigail Adams in Earn. Lett. (1876) 338 Your vener-
able colleague, whose Mentor-like appearance, age [etc.].
1811 W. Spencer Poems 214 To smooth Reflection's mentor-
frown. 1837 Miss Sedgwick Live <5- let Live 76 This made
it easy for her to adopt the Mentor style.
Hence Mento'riala., ' containing advice ' (Smart
Vict. 1836) ; Me'ntorism, guidance by a mentor;
Me'ntorship, the office or function of a mentor.
1882 Sir W. Harcourt in Daily News 23 Jan. 2/5, I
wholly reject the mentorship of the noble lord. 1889 jrnl.
Educ. 1 Dec. 620/2 What a tragedy of mentorism is that of
'Robert ElsmereM 1905 Blaekw. Mag: Jan. 71/2 His
occasional boredom and irrepressibly assertive mentorship.
Meiltulate (me'nti»l£>t), a. [ad. L. mentulat-us ,
f. menlula penis : see -ate.] Having a very large
penis {Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890). Also Me'ntulated
a. in the same sense (Bailey vol. II, 1727).
II Mentum (mention). [L. mentum chin.]
1. Anal. The anterior and inferior margins of the
mandible or lower jaw ; the chin.
[1693 tr. Blancard s Phys. Diet. (ed. 2), Mentum, the
Chinn.] 1855 Dunglison Med. Lex. 1866 in Brande &
Cox Diet. Sci., etc. In mod. Diets.
2. Ent. A term variously applied to different I
parts of the labium ; by recent entomologists com-
monly used for the median portion. Also attrib.
1826 Kirby & Sp. Eniomol. III. 355 Mentum, the lower
part of the labium, where it is jointed; in other cases its
base. Ibid. 356 note, Our [i. e. the authors'] Mentum may
generally be known by its situation between the hinges and
base of the Maxillce. 1828 Spark Elem. Nat. Hist. II.
281 Mentum large ; maxillary palpi long. 1839 Westwood
Classif. Insects I. 1 Mentum-tooth triangular. Ibid. 4 Men-
tum-lobe entire. 1888 Rolleston & Jackson Anim. Life 141
A palpiger borne on the external angle of the mentum.
3. Bot. ' A projection in front of the flowers of
some orchids, caused by the extension of the foot
of the column' ( Treas. Bot. 1866).
II Menu (menu, me'niit). [F. menu adj. , small
(:— L. minutus Minute a.), used as sb. with the
sense of detail, details collectively, detailed list.]
MEPHISTOPHELES.
+ 1. Short for F. menu peuple : the common
people. Obs. rare~l.
1658 Osborn Adv. Son (1673) 2 The Sons of the Menu
lying so long under this lazie course. Ibid. 190 Which.,
may better become the Gentry, than the Sons of the Menu.
2. A detailed list of the dishes to be served at
a banquet or meal ; a bill of fare. Also, the viands
so served. Menu card, the card upon which a
menu is written.
1837 C'tess Blessington in Heath's Bk. Beauty 198 Did
you not examine the menu 1 1849 Thackeray Pendennis
xxn, It was a grand sight to behold him in his dressing-gown
composing a menu. 1883 F. M. Crawford Dr. Claudius
(1892) 38 He was thinking out a menu for dinner. 1896 W
Black in Harper's Mag. Apr. 746/2 The long tables, .with
. .their glossy menu-cards, and their floral decorations.
trans/. 1889 Pall Mall G. 4 Nov. 3/1 To gain this they
must qualify in Latin, Greek, Mathematics, Natural Philo-
sophy, Logic,. .[etc.]— a pretty good menu.
Menuce, variant of Menise Obs.
t Menudes. Obs. fapp. ad. Sp. menudos, pi.
of men udo, absol. use o{me>tudosmaU(:—L.mim~<tui
Minute a.).] ? Mincemeat.
1585 T. Washington tr. Nieholay's Voy. 1. xi. 13 b, Meat
dressed according to their fashion, which was a kinde of
Menudes made in paste with onions.
Mermes, menuise, var. ff. Menise Obs.
Menuet : see Minuet.
II Menura (mfni&Vra). Grnith. [mod. L.
(Davies 1800, in Trans. Linn. Soc. VI), f. Gr. /jr/yn
crescent moon + oupa tail, so called from the 'cres-
cent-shaped spots' (loc. cit.) on the tail.] An Aus-
tralian genus of birds, popularly called Lyre-birds;
any bird of this genus, esp. Menura superba.
1839 Penny Cycl. XIV. 274/2 (tr. Lesson), The Msenura [sic]
has then been arranged sometimes among the gallinaceous
birds under the name of Lyre- Pheasant or Pheasant of the
Woods. 1874 Wood Nat. Hist. (1885I 337 The Menura
seldom, if ever, attempts to escape by flight. 1884 Whvmper
in Girls Own Paper 28 June 614/2 The superb menura, or
lyre-bird.
Menuranee, obs. form of Manurance.
Mermre, obs. form of Mainour.
a 1436 Domesday Ipswich in Blk. Bk. Admir. (Rolls) II.
21 Theves taken with litell menure or with gret menure.
Menure, obs. form of Manure v.
Menuse, variant of Menise Obs., Minish.
Menuver, obs. form of Miniver.
Menuze, Menwu, obs. ff. MiNisn, Minnow.
Meny, Menyal(l, obs. ff. Many, Menial a.
Menyanthin(meniarnbin). Also -ine. Chem.
[f. mod.L. Menyanthes (Tournefort 1 700), the name
of a genus of plants + -IN.
The etymology of the mod.L. generic name is obscure :
it has been variously conjectured to be a mistake for *Miny-
anthes (a. Gr. niwav9i}<; adj., blooming a short time), and to
be an irregular formation on Gr. fitjv month + aiflos flower.]
A bitter principle contained in the buckbean,
Menyanthes trifoliata.
1842 Francis Diet. Arts, Menyanthir., the peculiar
principle of menyanthes trifoliata, or bog bean. 1850
Ogilvie s. v. Menyanthes, It contains an extractive called
menyanthine. 1897 Naturalist 45 'The most palpable in-
gredient of the plant is a bitter principle menyanthin.
Meny(e, obs. forms of Meinie.
Menyie, variant of Mantle sb. Sc. Obs.
Menykinge, obs. form of Minikin.
Menyng(e, obs. ff. Meaning, Minnino.
Menys, obs. gen. pi. of Man, obs. f. Menace.
Menyso(u)n, variants of Menison Obs.
Menyuer, -yver(e, obs. forms of Miniver.
Menzie, variant of Mantle v .
Menzil, variant of Manzil.
1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. n. 148 Commonly
they make it a Menzil or days Journey from Chadgegih to
Destberm. 1869 Tozer Highl. Turkey 1. 195 We were now
travelling by the Menzil or Turkish post. . . The charge for
menzil horses is three piastres and a half, .an hour. 1888
Doughty Trav. Arabia Deserta II. 179 The drone of mill-
stones may be heard before the daylight in the nomad
menzils.
Meoble, variant of Moble sb. Obs.
Meoe, obs. form of Meek a.
Meode, obs. form of Mead sbj, Meed sb.
Meok(e, obs. forms of Meek a. and v.
t Meon. Obs. See also Meum. [a. late Gr.
fijov."] The herb Spignel, Meum athamanticum.
1562 Turner Herb. 11. 56 Meon or Mew.. is lyke vnto dill
in y. stalk and lefe. 1617 Minsheu Ductor, Mewe or meon.
Meorknesse, obs. form of Mirkness.
Meovable, -ve, obs. forms of Movable, Move.
t Mepllis. Obs. [Blundered form of L. mem-
pkites (Pliny), Gr. ^f^r/>tV»7s(Dioscorides).] A stone
said to have anaesthetic properties. Cf. Memphian.
1584 R. Scot Discov. Witcltcr. xnl.vi. (1886) 240 Mephis,
being broken into powder, and droonke with water, maketh
insensibilitie of torture.
Mephistopheles (mefist^-filfz% Also 6-7
Mephas-, Mephis-, Mephostophilis, Mephas-,
Mephes-, Mephostophilus, 7 Mephistophilus,
Mephostophiles ; 9 in shortened form Mephisto.
[Appears first in the Ger. Faustbuch 1 5S7 as Mepho-
stophiles; of unknown origin. The now current
form Mephistopheles, and the abbreviation Mephisto,
MEPHTTIC.
344
MERCAPTAN.
come from Goethe's Faust.] The name of the
evil spirit to whom Faust (in the German legend)
was represented to have sold his soul. Hence
applied allusively to persons (in the 17th c. with
reference to the character presented in Marlowe's
Doctor Faustus, in recent use to that presented by
Goethe).
[c 1590 Marlowe Faustus (1604) Bib, How pliant is this
Mephastophilis? Ibid., Enter Mephostophilis. Ibid. B4 Me-
phastophilus.] 1598 Shaks. Merry W. 1. i. 132 Pist. How
now, Mepho5tophifus. 1598-9 B. Jonson Case is Altered 11.
iv, Thou art not lunatike, art thou? and thou bee'st auoide
Mephostophiles. i6ao Melton Astrol. 8 There came running
down the stayres ..(the little Mephistophiles) his Boy de-
manding with whom I would speake. 1624 Fletcher Wife
for a Month v. ii, A Mephestophilus, such as thou art.
1629 Massinger Picture v. in, You know How to resolue
your selfe what my intents are, By the help of Mephosto-
philes [i.e. Bapt'ista]. 1818 Lady Morgan Autobiog.(iSsg)
201 That Mephistopheles of diplomacy, Talleyrand. 1903
Westm. Gaz. 22 Aug. 2/1 It changes them mostly into
Machiavels and Mephistopheleses.
Hence Mephistophelean, Mephistophe'lian,
Mephistophelic, Mephistopheli'stic (rare),
adfs., pertaining to or resembling Mephistopheles
or his actions.
1837 Frascr's Mag. XVI. 92 We have heard some ascribe
a Mephistophelistic spirit to Mr. Carlyle. 1851 H. Mel-
ville Whale xxxi. 154 He carries an everlasting Mephi-
stophelean grin on his face. 1853 Geo. Eliot in Cross Life
(1885) I. 307, I am very hard and Mephistophelean just now.
1873 Leland Egypt. Sketch-bk. 102 The Mephistophelic
who quiz all that they cannot compass. 1887 F. Francis
Jun. Saddle <y Mocassin 209 These Apaches .. were hand-
some, too, in a Mephistophelean style. 1888 J. Martineau
Study Relig. I. 1. iv. 135 The very same Mephistophelean
[sic] agility.
Mephites, erron. form of Mephitis.
Mephitic (m/frtik), a. [ad. late L. mephltuus
(whence F. mJphitique, Sp. mefitico, Pg. mephiiico,
It. mefitico), f. L. mephitis : see Mephitis and -IC.J
Pertaining to mephitis; offensive to the smell;
(of a vapour or exhalation) pestilential, noxious,
poisonous. \ Mephitic air, acid, gas: carbonic acid,
1623 Cockeram, Mephiticke, stinking. 1656 in Blount
Glossogr. 1773 T. Percival Ess, II. 57 This celebrated
spring abounds with a mineral spirit, or mephitic air, in
which its stimulus, and indeed its efficacy resides. 1773
Brydone Sicily ii. (1809) 125 So mephitic a vapour that birds
were suffocated in flying over it. 1775 Bewly in Priestley
Exper. and Observ. Air II. 339 The Mephitic Acid, as I
shall already venture to call it. 1793 Beddoes Calculus
250 The affinity which this mephitic gaz has for oxygene.
1832 Veg. Subst. Food of Man 212 This mephitic gas. 1899
Allbuti"s Syst. Med. VIII. 393 Hallucinations of smell are
also offensive. Patients complain of mephitic fumes,.,
chloroform and other volatile poisons.
absol. 1828 H. Best Italy 399 Other spiracles of mephitic
might probably be found here.
fig. 1887 Huxley in iqt/i Cent. Feb. 195 The schools
kept the thinking faculty alive and active, when.. the me-
phitic atmosphere engendered by the dominant ecclesiastt-
cism.. might well have stifled it.
b. Mephitic weasel: the skunk, Mephitis me-
phitica.
1837 Donovan Dom. Econ. II. 85 The Skunk, or mephitic
weasel of North America.
Hence t Mephitical a. in the same sense.
1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, Mephitical Exlialations
are poisonous or noxious ones, issuing out of the Earth.
1741 Brownrigg in Phil. Trans. LV. 238 The mephitical
air of oak, which extinguishes flame. 1842 Sir A. de Vere
Song of Faith 206 Our very chambers clogged with steams
mephitical.
II Mephitis (m/foi'tis). [L. mephitis noxious
vapour ; also personified, as the name of a goddess
who averts pestilential exhalations.]
1. A noxious or pestilential emanation, esp. from
the earth ; a noisome, or poisonous stench.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Mephitis, a Damp, or strong
Sulphureous Smell,. .a Stench, Stink, or ill Savour. 1750
Phil. Trans. XLVII. 53 note, Mephitis, a deadly or very
dangerous exhalation. 1781 Pennant Tour Wales II. 190
A mephites [sic], or pestilential vapour. 1793 Beddoes Cal-
culus 250 The mephitis, which exhales from putrefied animal
substances. 1817 Coleridge Satyr. Lett. i. in Biog. Lit. II.
197 My nostrils, the most placable of all the senses, recon-
ciled to or indeed insensible of the mephitis. 1856 Emerson
Eng. Traits, Voy. to Eng. Wks. (Bohn) II. 12 Nobody likes
to be.. suffocated with bilge, mephitis, and stewing oil.
2. Zool. A genus of skunks, typical of the family
Mephitinve. 1848 in Craig. In mod. Diets.
Hence Mephitism sb., mephitic poisoning of the
air ; f Me'phitized ///. a., charged with mephitis ;
mephitized nitrous acid = next.
1794 G. Adams Nat. $ Exp. Philos. I. xii. 497 Mephitized
inflammable gas. 1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. led. 2) II. 521
Mephitized Nitrous Acid. x8ox Repert. Arts $ Manuf.
XV, 425 To destroy the mephitism of the walls in the
asylums of industry, indigence, and misfortune. 1813
Forsyth Excurs. Italy 269 note, The campus martius is
sheltered.. from the winds which bring mephitism, 1890
Syd. Soc. Lex., Mephitism.
I Mephito-nitrous, a. Chem. Obs. rare— l.
In mepllito-nitrous acid} ? = Nitrogen.
1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) II. 211 Neither the pure
nor Mephito-Nitrous Acid, hot or cold, has any action on it.
t Meprize, v. Obs. rare—1. [? ad. F. mepriser :
see Misprize v.] trans. ?To despise.
x^33 J- Done Hist. Septuagint 133 What is that he ought
to doe to meprize his Enemies 1 [ = Gr. nut av tcara^fiovoir}
twc i\Bpdv ;]
Mer, obs. form of Mar, Mare, Mayor, Mere.
Mer-, used in various combinations (chiefly
nonce-wds.) formed after Mermaid, denoting
imaginary beings of the mermaid kind, as mer-baby,
-child, -dog, -folk, -lady, -monster, -people, -wife.
Cf. Merman, Merwoman.
X894 J. Geddie Fringes of Fife 150 The radiant young
rogue,.. fearless as a *Mer-Baby, grins at us. .from his rock-
ing craft. 1881 Proc. Soc. Antiquaries 19 May, Seal...
Subject, a mermaid holding her "merchild to her breast.
1895 ' Q.' Wandering Heath 97 Change, O change him [sc.
a drowned dog] toa*mer-dog ! 1863 Baring-Gould Iceland
xx. 349 With regard to the appearance of the *merfolk in
other countries, I may state [etc.]. i8aa Hibbert Descr.
Shell. 1st. 570 The *merlady, perceiving that she must be-
come an inhabitant of the earth, found [etc.]. i6«> Hie
Mulier A 4 b, These Meare-maids or rather *Meare-
Monsters. 1882 Spectator 16 Dec. 1618 The idea of the
'child of earth..' carried away to consort with *Mer-people
is as old as Hylas. 1832 Hibbert Descr. Shell. 1st. 570
The Shetlander's love for his *merwife was unbounded.
Merabolan, obs. form of Myrobalan.
t Meraxious, a. Obs. rare—1. Also (in Diets.)
-aeeous. [f. L. merac-us (f. merus : see Mere a.)
+ -lous.] Pure, unmixed. So + Mera*city,
purity} unmixed condition (Obs.~~°).
1657 Reeve God's Plea 130 We must drink of the sweet,
and it is well, if any thing be dulcy, and meracious enough
for us. 1656 Blount Glossogr., Meracity, clearness, or pure-
ness, without mixture. 1727 Bailev vol. II, Meraceous,
Meracity.
Meracle, merakil(l, obs. forms of Miracle.
Meraltie, -alty, obs. forms of Mayoralty.
Merbel, -ul, -yl, obs. forms of Marble.
; Me'rcable, ct. Obs."0 [ad. L. mercabilis,
f. mercari to buy : see Merchant.] That may be
bought. 1656 in Blount Glossogr.
II Mercadore. rare"1. [Sp. mercaderl\ A
merchant, tradesman.
1595 Maroccus Ext. (Percy Soc.) 9 A mercadore, . . that
for one or two tearmes arraie, a shall for his lives tearme..
become beggeries bondmen and usuries vassal!.
II Mercal l (m5'ikal). Indian. Also mercall,
marcal. [Eng. pronunciation of Tamil marakkalj\
A measure for grain used in Madras.
1776 T. Brooks Coins E. Indies, etc. 7, 8 Measures are
equal to 1 Mercal, 400 Marcals..i Garse. 1803 Wellington
in Gurw. Desp. (1837) II. 85 The small bags, .filled up each
to the full amount of three Mercalls or seventy two pounds.
1864 W. A. Browne Money, Weights $ Meas. 51, 8 Pud-
dies = 1 Marcal, 5 Marcals = 1 Parah.
Mercal 2 (ma-ikal). Sc. Also 9 markal. In
Orkney and Shetland : The piece of timber carry-
ing the plough-share, which was fastened into the
lower end of the beam of a wooden plough.
1793 Statist. Ace. Scot. VII. 585 A square hole is cut
through the lower end of the beam, and the mercal, a piece
of oak about 22 inches long, introduced. 1822 Scott Pirate
xviii, What manners are to be expected in a country where
folk call a pleugh-sock a markal 1
Mercantant: see Marcantant Obs.
Mercantile (msukantail, -til), a. (and sb.)
Also 7 merchautile, mercantil, 8 -iel. [a. F.
mercantile, ad. It. mercantil, f. mercante : see
Merchant. Cf. Sp. and Pg. mercantil.]
1. Of or belonging to merchants or their trade ;
concerned with the exchange of merchandise ; of or
pertaining to trade or commerce ; commercial.
1642 Howell Instr. For. Trav. (Arb.) 61 Navigation and
Mercantile Negotiation, are the two Poles whereon that
State [sc. Holland] doth move, c 164s — Lett. I. xxix. (1655)
I. 43 The only procede (that I may use the mercantil term)
you can expect, is thanks. 1727 Arbuthnot Coins 224 The
Expedition of the Argonauts., was partly mercantile, partly
military. 1759 Book of Fairs 54 Black cattle, sheep, horses,
and mercantile goods. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. vi. II.
51 Bonrepaux. .was esteemed an adept in the mystery of
mercantile politics. 1856 E. A. Bond Russia (Hakl. Soc.)
Introd. 130 By joining in his mercantile ventures in Russia.
1897 Webster {citing M«Elrath), Mercantile paper, the
notes or acceptances given by merchants for goods bought,
or received on consignment ; drafts on merchants for goods
sold or consigned.
b. Mercantile system (also m. doctrine, theory) :
a term used by Adam Smith and later Political
Economists for the system of economic doctrine
and legislative policy based on the principle that
money alone constituted wealth. Hence mercan-
tile school: those who upheld this system.
1776 Adam Smith W. At. iv.i. (heading) Of the Principle of
the commercial, or mercantile System. 1848 Mill Pol. Econ.
I. 2 The set of doctrines designated, since the time of Adam
Smith, by the appellation of the Mercantile System. Ibid. 7
The Mercantile Theory could not fail to be seen in its true
character. 1881 Contemp. Rev. Nov. XL. 806 The ' mercan-
tile ' school was right in maintaining that an influx of pre-
cious metal stimulates commerce and industry. 1883 J. K.
Ingram in Encycl. Brit. XIX. 354/2 The mercantile doctrine,
stated in its most extreme form, makes wealth and money
identical.
c. That deals with, investigates or controls com-
mercial affairs.
1841 W. Spalding Italy fy It. 1st. III. 332 There are three
courts,.. a civil, a criminal, and a mercantile. 1848 Mill
Pol. Econ. in. xvii. § 4 Leaders of opinion on mercantile
questions. 1858 Homans Cycl. Comnt. s. v., The Mercan-
tile Agency is a name applied to various houses in the lead-
ing cities of the United States, and in Montreal and London.
The principal object of the Agency is to supply, to annual
subscribers, information respecting the character, capacity
and pecuniary condition of persons asking credit. .. The
Agency was first established in 1841 in the city of New York.
1861 GoscHEN^cr. Exch. 113 Putting aside, .the. .subject of
the currency altogether, and confining ourselves to the more
mercantile part of the question.
2. Engaged in trade or commerce. Mercantile
marine, the shipping collectively employed in
commerce (see Marine sb. 2).
C1645 Howell Lett. 11. xv. (1655) I. 94 Amsterdam.. is
one of the greatest mercantil Towns in Europ. 1662 J.
Davies tr. Afandclslo^s Trav. n. 140 The scituation of this
town is upon a fair River, with a good harbour that renders
it very Merchantile. a 1734 North Exam. III. viii. § 29
(1740) 604 His [Fairclough sj son was then mercantiel ser-
vant to Mr. North. 1838 Dickens Nich. Nick, i, Kalph
Nickleby . . had been some time placed in a mercantile house
in London. 1841 Elphinstone Hist. India I. 213 The
Jains.. are generally an opulent and mercantile class. 1889
Act 52 fy 53 Vict. c. 45 § 1 The expression ' mercantile
agent' shall mean a mercantile agent having .. authority
either to sell goods, or [etc.].
3. Having payment or gain as the motive; mer-
cenary ; also, simply, disposed for bargaining.
1756 Warton Ess. Pope I. 260 The mercantile bard
[Dryden]. 1856 Emerson Eng. Traits, Lit. Wks. (BohnJ
II. 103 He [the Englishman] loves the axe, the spade, the
oar, the gun, the steampipe. . . He is materialist, economical,
mercantile, i860 Ruskin Unto this Last ii. (1862) 41 The
two economies, to which the terms * Political ' and ' Mer-
cantile ' might not unadvisedly be attached. .. Mercantile
economy, the economy of * merces ' or of ' pay', signifies the
accumulation, in the hands of individuals, of legal or moral
claim upon, or power over, the labour of others.
4. Of or proper to a merchant.
1819 Crabbe T. of Hall vn, A bill That was not drawn
with true mercantile skill. 1839 Alison Hist. Europe xlix.
§ 9 1,1849-50) VIII. 9 A nation in which the chivalrous and
mercantile qualities are strangely blended.
f 5. quasw£. A merchant. Obs. rare"1.
1813 Jane Austen Lett. (1884) II. 178 A great rich mer-
cantile, Sir Robert Wigram.
Hence Mercantilely adv., from a mercantile
point of view; with regard to business transactions.
1827 Examiner 433/1 It is, mercantilely speaking, not ob-
vious how a present expense can be met by merely possible
funds. 1838 Eraser's Mag. XVII. 185 Before the arrest he
might have been deemed mercantilely solvent.
Mercantilism (maukantailiz'm). [f. Mer-
cantile + -ism. Cf. v. mercanti/isme.]
1. The mercantile spirit; devotion to trade or
commerce ; the principles or practice characteristic
of merchants; commercialism.
1873 P. Fitzgerald Dumas II. 105 note. The picture of
* literary mercantilism ', described by this great writer
[Balzac], shows that Dumas had only borrowed his system
from journalism and social life. i88$Centrtry Mag. XXXI.
311/1 Mercantilism is drawing into its vortex the intellectual
strength of the nation. The energies of its most promising
young men are enlisted in the pursuit of wealth. 1888
Harper's Mag. Jan. 272 The mercantilism which succeeded
. .feudalism.
2. Pol. Econ. The principles of the * mercantile
system \
1881 Contemp. Rev. Nov. XL. 792 Is it possible that mer-
chants, bankers, [etc.] . . should all be led astray by the
sophism of ' mercantilism ' ? 1885 Encycl, Brit. XIX. 364/2
It has been justly observed that there are in him [Hume]
several traces of a refined mercantilism.
Mercantilist (maukantailist), sb. and a.
[Formed as prec. + -1ST.]
A. sb. An advocate of the ' mercantile system \
1854 Michelsen England 253 The physiocrats occupy a
far superior position to the mercantilists. 1891 Cunningham
in Economic Rev. 16 The mercantilists held that the direc-
tion in which capital was used should be controlled so that
the power of the state might be maintained.
B. Oitj. Of or pertaining to mercantilism or the
1 mercantile system \
1881 Contemp. Rev. Nov. XL. 806 But from these true
observations, .the 'mercantilist' reasoners have deduced
erroneous conclusions. 1806 Cunningham Growth Eng.
Indust. £62 The Doctor takes the mercantilist position as
distinguished from the bullionist.
Hence Me:rcantillstic a. = prec. adj.
188 1 4 Lalor's Cycl. Pol. Sci. II. 197 (Cent,) From the
seventeenth century mercantilistic views began to exercise a
more and more marked influence upon financial literature.
Mercantility (maikanti'liti). [Formed as
prec. + -IT Y.] The quality of being mercantile;
devotion to mercantile pursuits.
i860 Reade Cloister $ H. (1861) IV. 76* Let us make a
bargain ;. .what say you to that?' And his eyes sparkled,
and he was all on fire with mercantility.
Mercaptal (majkarptal). Chem. [f. Mer-
Capt-an -r Al-dehyde.] A compound of a mer-
captan with an aldehyde.
189a Morley & Muir Watts' Diet. Chem., Mercaptals.
. . They may be viewed as thio-acetals or as the sulphur-
compounds corresponding to the alkyl derivatives of ortho-
aldehydes.
Mercaptan (majkx'ptan). Chem. [f. L. mtr-
curium captans * catching mercury ' (see quot.
1 834).] A sulphur alcohol ; any one of a series of
compounds resembling the alcohols, but containing
sulphur in place of oxygen.
[1834 Zeise in Ann. Phys. $ Chem. XXXI. 378 Nenne
ich den vom Quecksilber aufgenommenen Staff Mercaptum
MERCAPTIDE.
{von : Corpus mercurio aptum) und den andern Hydro-Mer-
captum, oder besser. .Mercaptan (d. h. Corpus mercurium
captans).] 1835 R. D. Thomson's Rec. Gen. Sci. I. no Mer-
captan when obtained pure from the mercaptide of mercury,
is colourless, with a smell of assafcetida. 1865 Watts Diet.
Chew., Mercaptans, sulphydrates of the alcohol -radicles.
Mercaptide (majkos'ptoid). Chem. [f. prec.
+ -IDE.] A compound formed by the substitution
of a metal for hydrogen in a mercaptan.
1835 [see prec.]. 1836 HrasdeCA^w. 1 109 When mercaptan
is acted on by potassium, hydrogen is evolved, and a mer-
capturet or mercaptide of potassium is formed.
Mercat\e, obs. forms of Market.
Mereatante: see Makcantant Obs,
t Merca'tion. Obs.—0 [a. L. mer cat ion-em %
n. of action f. mereari to trade.] (See quot.)
1623 Cockeram, Mercation,a, buying.
+ Mercative, a, Obs.—° [As if ad. L. *mer-
cdtiv-us, f. mereari Xo trade : see -ative.]
1656 Blount Gtossogr., Mercative, belonging to Chap-
manry.
Mercatorial (maikatoo'rial), a. Now rare.
[f. L. mercatdri-us {(. mercator merchant, agent-n.
f. mereari : see Merchant) + -al.] Of or pertain-
ing to merchants or merchandise ; mercantile.
Mercatorial guild (Antiq.): transl. of med.h. gilda mer*
catoria, more commonly rendered 'guild merchant*.
t C1700 J. Blnnet (title) The National Merchant,, .being
an Essay for Regulating and Improving the Trade and
Plantations of Great Britain, by Uniting the National and
Mercatorial Interests. 1796 Bagb Hermsproug Hi. 231
Whose father, .had sent this son upon a mercatorial tour
to Europe. 1817-23 J. H. Hansh all Hist. Co. Chester
490-1 in Gross Gild Merch. (1890) II. 174 There was estab-
lished here [sc. Nantwich] soon after the Conquest a Mer-
catorial Guild. 1823 Blackw. Mag. XIV. 541 A country
whose mercatorial advantages he so highly extols,
t Mercatory, a. Obs. rare"1, [ad. L. mer-
catdri-us : see -ory.] = prec.
1654 Fuller Two S$rm. 49 Mercatorie transactions be-
twixt Buyer and Seller. 1656, 1862 [see Guild 4].
t Merc at OUT. Sc, Obs, [a. L. mercator: see
Mercatorial. Cf. OF. mercaloiir.] A merchant,
shopkeeper.
1508 Extracts Aberd. Reg. (1844) I. 79 Andro Gordoun,
mercatour.
Mercatte, obs. form of Meerkat.
+ Mercature. Obs, [ad. L. meredtiera, f.
mereari to trade.] Trading, commerce.
a 1620 J. Dvke Purch. fy Poss. Truth Serm. (1640) 367
That's commendable in worldly mercature: To be sure so
men deale here. 1639 Heywood London'' s Peaceable Est.
Wks. 1874 V. 357. 1647 Lilly Chr, Astrol. clxxxv. 803 Our
Native may expect good encrease..in that way of ftferca-
ture or course of life he shall then lead. 1755 Johnson,
Mercature, the practice of buying and selling.
t Merce, v. Obs. Also 6 raerse. Aphetic form
of Amerce.
1483 Plumpton Corr. (Camden) 43 Ve dame suyt, service
& feute, of ther maner of Colthorpe, & for the same merce
him in your court at Plompton. 1530 Tin dale Exod. xxi.
22 Then shall he be mersed, accordynge as the womans
husbonde will laye to his charge. 1565-87 Foxe A. <$• M.
(1596) 253/2 Walter treasurer of the kings house, was . .
merced at an hundred pounds. 1607 G. Wilkins Miseries
o/In/orst Marr. B 4, Then hath he power To Merce your
purse, a 1661 Fuller Worthies, Norfolk n. (1662) 249
Ralph was merced in seven thousand marks, for bribery,
Merce, obs. form of Mercy.
Merceament, variant of Merciament.
!l Merced (mgrbg-S). Also 7 mercede. [Sp.
merced honour, honorarium :— L. merced-em re-
ward : see Mercy.] A gift.
[1589 Puttenham Eng. Poesie (Arb.) 302 In Spaine it is
thought veryvndecent for a Courtier to craue. .: therefore the
king of ordinarie calleth euery second, third or fourth yere
for his Checker roll, and bestoweth his mercedes of his owne
meere motion, and by discretion.] 1612 Mabbe tr. Ateman's
Guzman d'Alf 1. 1. 99 Daraxa..did sollicit the life of her
espoused husband, begging it by the way of merced and
grace. Ibid. 1. 11. 356 That I might procure some mercede
or favour from him. 1855 Motley Dutch Rep. vi. i. III.
393 On promise, .of a' merced ' large enough to satisfy his
most avaricious dreams. 1881 Raymond Mining Gloss.,
Merced,. .a gift. This term is applied to a grant which is
made without any valuable consideration.
fMercedary,a. Obs."0 [ad. L. merceddri-us,
f. merced-, merces hire, pay : see -ary.] (See quot.)
1656 Blount Glossogr., Mercedary is used both of him
that gives wages for labor, or for him that receives it.
+ Mercede. Obs. rare—1, [ad. L. merced-em
(nom. merces} wages.] Pay, reward, wage.
1393 Langl, p. Pl C. iv. 292 Ac per ys mede [and] mer-
cede and bobe men demen A desert for som doynge derne
ober elles. Ibid. 306 And bat ys no mede bote a mercede,
A maner dewe dette for be doynge.
t Me rcenient. Obs. Also 4 mersy-, 4-5
merei-, merse-, 4-6 mercy-, 6 marsement.
[Aphetic f. Amercement. Cf. Merciament.]
1. = Amercement. Also, in wider sense, doom,
adjudged punishment.
1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 5496 py mercyment shal
be be pyne of helle. 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) I. 95
Blodwyte, mersement for schedynge of blood, c 1449 Pe-
cock Refir. 11 1. xiv. 367 Forfetis, eschetis, and merriment is,
and fynys. c 1557 Abp. Parker Ps. exxx, 383 Because with
God is ruefulnes, He oft redeemth his mercyment. a 1572
Knox Hist. Re/. Wks. (1846) I. 361 Thay. .committed the
hole to the merciment of fyre. 1598 Grenewey Tacitus,
Ann. xiii. vi. (1622) 187 That the Quaestors of the treasurie
Vol. VI.
345
should not enter into record before foure months were past,
the mercements adiudged by them.
2. Sc. To stand to the merciment of; to abide
the judgement of.
1560 Rolland Crt. Venus Prol. 316, I may weill thole, . .
That this small Wark stand to the mercyment Of Gentilmen,
and byde at thair subiectioun.
Mercenarian (m3is#ie«Tian), a.1 and sb.1
rare, ff, L. mercendri-us (see Mercenary) + -an.]
t a. sb. A mercenary, hired soldier (obs.). b. adj.
Of or belonging to mercenary soldiers.
1598 Marston Pygmal., In prayse of prec. Poem, And
then ensues my stanzaes, like odd bands Of voluntaries, and
mercenarians. 1886 Sheldon tr. Flaubert's Salammbo W.
72 A mercenarian camp.
Mercenarian (msjs/heaTian), a£ and sb.2 [f.
med. L. Mercenarius + -AN.] a. adj. Pertaining
to the Spanish religious order called in Sp. la
Orden de la Merced, b. sb. A friar of this order.
1648 Gage West Ind. 10 There are Dominicans, Francis-
cans, ..Mercenarians [etc.]. Ibid. 15 Mercenarian Fryers.
1740 Pineda Span. Diet., Merced, the religious Order of the
Mercenarians first instituted in Aiagon by King Jayme for
Redemption of Captives.
Mercenarily (mausmarili), adv. [f. Merce-
nary + -LY '-.] In a mercenary manner.
1612 T. Taylor Comiu. Titus ii. 13 But doe the godly
worke mercenarily? 1711 Steele Sped. No. 145 p 6 We
are.. obliged by the mercenary Humour of the Men to be
as Mercenarily inclined as they are.
Mercenariness (mausftiarines). [f. Mercen-
ary + -Ness.] The quality of being mercenary.
a 1624 Hi1. M. Smyth Serm. (1632) 94 Who can impeach or
blemish Gods bounty and liberality, with the least note of
mercinarinesse. 1752 H. Walpole Lett. I/. Mann (1834: III.
cexxxix. 14 To have one's favourite author convicted of
mere mortal mercenariness. 1808 Lamb Lett. 1 1888) I. 243
Mary is very thankful.. ; and with the less suspicion of mer-
cenariness, as the silk. .has not yet appeared. 1883 Step-
niak in Contemp. Rev. Sept. 323 The mercenariness of the
officials is the only guarantee against oppression.
t Mercenariously, adv. Obs. rare-1, [f. L.
mercendri- u 5(seenext) + -oca +- -ly2.] Mercenarily.
1659 Invisible John made Visible 1 The old Roman Law
..was not more mercenariously devoted to serve the will
and lust of Ca;sar.
Mercenary (maus/hari), a. and sb. Also 4-7
mercenarie, (5 -ye), 6mercennary, mercionary,
6-7 mercinary, (7 -ie). [ad. L. mercendriiis,
earlier mercenndritis, f. merced- , merces reward,
wages: see Mercy. Cf. F. mercenaire (OF. also
mercenier), Sp., Pg., It. mercenario.
The sb. occurs in Eng. earlier than the adj. : the oldest
uses refer to the 'hireling' (Vulg. mercenarius) of John x. 12.]
A. adj.
1. Of persons : Working merely for the sake of
monetary or other reward ; actuated by considera-
tions of self-interest. Hence of motives, disposi-
tions, etc.
1532 More Confut. Tindate Wks. 507/2 A mercennary
preacher and an hired, which seketh his own temporal ad-
uauntage & commoditie. 1596 Shaks. Merch. V. iv. i. 418
And I deliueringyou, am satisfied, And therein doe account
my self well paid, My mind was neuer yet more mer-
cinarie. 1616 Sir R. Dudley in Fortesc. Papers (Camden)
17 And that, whether you move this suite or noe, for I am
not mercenarie. 1662 Stillingfl. Orig. Sacr. in. iii. § 1
Without any such mercenary eye (as those who serve God
for their own ends). 176a Goldsm. Cit. W. xiii, Such
wretches are kept in pay by some mercenary bookseller.
1865 Dickens Mut. Fr. in. iv, Haven't I told you what a
mercenary little wretch I am?
b. Of conduct, a course of action, etc. : That has
the love of lucre for its motive.
1532 NoRE-Confut. Tindale Wks. 362^2 They holde that it
is not lawfull to loue. .God., for obteining of reward, calling
this maner of loue. .seruile bonde and mercennary. 1680-90
Temple Ess. Learning i. Wks. 1731 I. 168 Learning has
been so little advanced since it grew to be mercenary. 1711
Shaftesbury Charac. 11. iii. (1737) I- 97 They have made
Virtue so mercenary a thing, and have talk'd so much of its
Rewards. 1837 Ht. Martineau Soc. Amer. III. 128 The
disgusting spectacle of mercenary marriages. 1861 Dickens
Lett. 6 Nov., They are all old servants,, .and.. are under
the strongest injunction to avoid any approach to mercenary
dealing.
2. Hired ; serving for wages or hire. Now only
of soldiers. (Cf. B. 2.)
1589 Greene Tullies Love (1616) G 4. A simple shepheard,
who was a mercenary man. 1590 Sir J. Smyth Disc. Weap,
49 b, They, .began, .to go ouer to serue as mercenarie sol-
diers in the Low Countries. 1599 Shaks. Hen. V, iv. vii. 79
Many of our Princes . . Lye drown'd and soak'd in mer-
cenary blood. x6n Coryat Crudities (1776) I. 214 Of
these Gondolas . . sixe thousand are priuate . . and foure thou-
sand for mercenary men, which get their liuing by the trade
of rowing. 1640 Walton Life Donne, 80 Serm. A 6 He
continued that employment.., being daily usefull (and not
mercenary) to his friends. 1871 Freeman Norm. Cong.
(1876) IV. xviii. 232 William at this time dismissed the mer-
cenary part of his army.
t b. Of services, an office, etc. : Salaried, stipen-
diary. Of a profession, etc. : Carried on for the
sake of gain. Obs,
1656 Stanley Hist. Philos. vi. Aristotle xv. 27 He shut
I up his poor shop, and gave over his mercenary profession.
, 1664 Evelyn Diary 5 Feb., I saw 'The Indian Queene'
I acted, a tragedie.-so beautified with rich scenes as the
j like had never ben seenc.on a mercenary theater. 1726
Ayliffe Parergon 319 Such Things . . the Judge may
i despatch by his mercenary Office. 1781 Pennant Jonrmy
MERCERY.
96 These livings at that time were good rectories ; now poor
vicarages, or mercenary curacies, annexed to the bishoprick.
B. sb,
1. One who labours merely for hire ; a hireling,
a mercenary person. ? Obs.
c 1386 Chaucer Prol. 514 He [the parson] was a shepherde
and noght a Mercenarie [cf. John x. is]. ?<;i43o Lydg.
St. Giles 183 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1881) 373 Pastor
callid, nat a mercenarye. 1643 SirT. Ukowne Relig.Med.
I. § 52 Mercenaries that crouch unto him in feare of Hell
..are indeed but slaves of the Almighty. 1805 Tooke
Purley u. 3 Punish the wickedness of those mercenaries
who utter such atrocities. 1844 Lingahd Anglo-Sax. C/i.
(1358} II. xii. 238 The monastic institute was looked upon
with scorn, as calculated only for mercenaries and slaves.
2. One who receives payment for his services;
chiefly, and now exclusively, a professional soldier
serving a foreign power,
1523 Ld. Ukrneks Froiss. I.ccv. 242 The Almaygnes, and
mercuiaryesofstrangecountreis. is&zSjvtmEs A nat. Abus.
II. (1882J 74 The reading ministers, after they be hired of the
parishes (for they are mercenaries). 1638 G. Sandys Pa-
raphr., Job vii. 10 He a poore mercenary serves for bread.
1687 DRvnicM Hind ff P. 11. 290 Like mercenaries, hired for
home defence, They will not fight against their native
prince. 1776 Jefferson Wks. (1859) *■ 2J He is at this
time transporting large armies of foreign mercenaries.
1840 Ijkowning Sordello iv. 51 Lean silent gangs of mer-
cenaries ceased Working to watch the strangers. 1849
Grote Greece a. Ix. (1862) 279 Greeks continental and in-
sular, .volunteers and mercenaries, .were all here to be found.
fig. 1861 J. Pyckoft Ways <y Words 285 Literary mer-
cenaries, ready to serve under friend or foe.
Mercer (msusaO. Also 4 mercere, 5 meer-
cere, 5-6 merser, 6 maraar. [a. F. mercier (from
13th c.) = Pr. ?nercieri mercer, Sp. merccro, Pg.
mercieirO) It. merciajo :— popular L. *me>cidrius,
f. L. merci-j merx merchandise.] One who deals
in textile fabrics, esp. a dealer in silks, velvets, and
other costly materials (in full silk-mercer). Also,
occas. (as in Fr.) a small-ware dealer. (For an
oUulcte use, see quot. 1696.)
[c 1123 in Eng. Hist. Rev. (1899) July 429 Stephanus
men_er.J aizz<Ancr. R. 66 pe wreche peoddare more
noise he makeo to 3eien his sope, ben a riche mercer
al his deorewur5e ware. 1377 Lanol. P. PI. Ii. vn.
255, I haue . . ymade many a kny^te bothe mercere and
drapere. 1464 Mann. <$- House k. Exp. (Roxb. CI.) 2^S
Payd fior x. }erdys sarsynet to Thomas Rowson merser in
Chepesyde, xx. s. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (\V. de W. 1531) 152
Neyther marchaunt ne mercer, groser, draper, ne yet ony
other crafte. 1554 Machyn Diary (Camden) 71 The com-
pene of the Clarkcs, and of the Marsars. 1603 Shaks.
Meas.for M. iv. iii. 11 Then is there beere one Mr Caper,
at the suite of Master Three-Pile the Mercer, for some foure
suites of Peach-colour'd Satten. 1696 Phillips (ed. 5),
Mercer, in the City one that deals only in Silks and Stuffs ;
In Country Towns, one that Trades in all sorts of Linen,
Woollen, Silk, and Grocery Wares. 1778 Miss Blrney
Evelina x. (1791) 20 The shops are really very entertaining,
especially the mercers. 1851 Mayhew Lond. Labour (1864)
II. 539 A row of pins, arranged as neatly as in the papers
sold at the mercers'. 1872 Geo. Eliot Middlem. II. iv.
106 This second cousin was a Middlemarch mercer.
f b. The mercer s book : proverbial in the Eliza-
bethan period with reference to the debts of a
gallant.
1591 Nashe Prognost. D 1 b, Diuers young Gentlemen
shall creepe further into the Mercers Booke in a Monetb,
then they can get out in a yere. 1591 Greene Farew.
Follie To Gent. Stud. (16 17), Such Waggesas-.haue marched
in the Mercers booke to please their Mistris eye with their
brauery. 159a — QuiP Upst. Courtier D, A clownes sonne
must be clapt in a veluet pantophle, and a veluet breech,
though the presumptuous asse be drownd in the Mercers
booke. 1601 B. Jonson Poetaster m. i, How many yards
of veluet dost thou thinke they containe? Hora. ..Faith,
sir, your mercers booke Will tell you with more patience,
then I can.
MercereSS (mausares). rare. [f. Mercer +
-ess.] A female mercer.
1840 Tail's Mag. VII. 264 Madame Ramsden, milliner
and merceress. 187a Cutts Scenes Middle Ages 509 This
is a mercer's and the merceress describes her wares.
Mercerize (miusaraiz), v. ff. the proper
name Mercer (see below) + -ize.] trans. To
prepare (cotton goods) for dyeing by treating with
a solution of caustic potash or soda, or certain
other chemicals. Hence Mercerized ppl. a.,
Me'rcerizingr vbl. sb. (also attrib.). Also Me'r-
cerization, the process of mercerizing.
John Mercer, an Accrington dyer, is said to have dis-
covered the process in 1844. He patented it in 1850, but
the process was not made use of in the trade until c 1895.
1859 Abridg. Specif. Patents, Bleaching etc. Index 748
Mercerising : Various modes of. 1862 O'Neill Diet. Calico
Print, etc., Mercerised cloth. — The process called mercer-
ising. 1886 E. A. Parnell Life J. Mercer Contents n Chap-
ter x. . .Process of mercerising with soda— Increased strength
of mercerised cloth— ..Mercerising by sulphuric acid, and
by chloride of zinc. Ibid. 317 The mercerising process.
1899 Warehouseman $ Draper 3 June 789 Mercerised yarn.
1902 Westm. Gaz. 6 Jan. 2/1 Cellulose treated with cold con-
centrated soda lye, or mercerisation, as the process is called.
t MeTCership. Obs. rare-1, [f. Mercer +
-ship.] The trade of a mercer.
C1645 Howell Lett. (1650) II. lxiv. 101 He confesseth
himself to be an egregious fool to leave his Mercership, and
go to be a Musqueteer.
Mercery (ms-jsari). Forms: 3-6 mercerie,
4-5 mercerye, (4 marcerye, 5 merceyre, meer-
cery, 5-6 mers(s)ery), 5- mercery, [a. F. vier-
110
MERCHANDISABLE.
346
MERCHANDY.
eerie (from 13th c), £ mercicr Mercer. Cf. Sp.
merceria, Pg., It. merceria.~\
1. eollect. sing, (rarely//.) The wares sold by a
mercer.
cxayoS. Stiff. Leg. I. 356/20 He founde Marchauns at
rome with Mercerie wel niende, 13. . Metr. Horn. (Vernon
MS.) in A rchiv Stud. nett. Spr. LVI I. 313 He .. bad him take
ten pound and buye Marchaundise and Mercerye. 1381
Pol. Poems (Rolls) I. 264 Thai . . dele with dyvers marcerye,
right as thai pedlers were. 1436 Libel Eng. Policy in Pol.
Poems (Rolls) II. 179 Wee bene ageyne charged wyth mer-
cerye, Haburdasshere ware, and wyth grocerye. 1468 Burgh
Recs. Edinb, (1869) I. 23 Item of all mersery or merchandice
. . to costome it be the crowne [ij d.]. 154a Galway Arch.
in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 410 The said mer-
chantes . . ys bounde to bringe the same merssery and packes
to the costome housse. 1594 BujNDEviL.f'.avnr. v. 11.(1597)
256 b, Bombazine, Fustian, Suile, Armour, all sorts of workes
made of Iron, or brasse, and other merceries. 1766 Entick
Loudon IV. 309 Tradesmen . . in cloth, mercery, and Hnnen.
1839-41 S. Warren Ten Thous. a Year viii. I. 242 She had
once accompanied her sister-in-law . . to purchase some
small matter of mercery.
f2. The Mercery, the Mercers' Company. Also,
the trade in mercery-ware ; the part of a city where
this is carried on. Obs.
1386 Rolls 0/ Parlt. III. 225/1 The folk of the Mercerye
of London. 14*5 in Entick London{ij66) IV. 354 Maisters
..of the Mercery, c 1440 Promp. Parv. 333/1 Meercery,
place or strete where mercerys syllen here ware, 1494
Fabyan Chron. vn. 630 This was done by thassent of the
masters and housholders of the mercerye. 1518 Colet in
Lupton Life Colet (1887) 281 A Cofer of Iren gevyn of me
to the mercery standing in theyr hall. 1651 Life Father
Sarpi (1676) 34 At the Sign of the Cock, in the Mercery.
1662 T. Graunt Observ. Bills of Mortality ix. § 12. 56
Canning-street, and Watlin-street have lost their Trade of
Woollen-Drapery to Paul's Church-Yard . . ; the Mercery is
gone from out of Lombard-street, .into Pater-Noster-Row.
3. A mercer's shop.
1879 Sala in Daily Tel. 21 July, I stand before the mighty
mercery of Shoolbred.
4. attrib., as mercery-ware.
1429 Rolls of Par It, IV. 352/1 Mercery ware. 154a Gal-
way Arch, in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 410 If
any. .merchantes bringith with them merssery warres and
packes. 1671 Charente Let. Customs 43 Merchants trade
thither.. with.. Mercery-ware. 1712 Arbuthnot John Bull
1. ii, Next day he would be dealing in mercery-ware.
Merch, obs. form of March, Marrow sb.1
Merchall, obs. form of Marshal.
Merchand, obs. form of Merchant.
Merehandable, -dice, -die, -dies, obs. ff.
Merchantable, Merchandy, -dise.
t Merchandisable, a. Obs. rare. [f. Mer-
chandise v. + -able.] Of a saleable quality or
condition ; merchantable.
1482 Rolls of Parlt. VI. 221/2 Broken belyedSamon, which
is not merchaundizable. Ibid., Good and merchaundizable
Heryng. 1499 in G. Schanz Engl. Handelspolitik (i83i) II.
425 The saide cloathes were, .neyther their merchandize nor
merchandizable till suche time as they were shorne.
Merchandise vma'rtjandaiz), sb. Forms: a.
3-7 marchandise, 3-6 -dis, marchaundise, 4
marqhftuntyse, Sc. -andiss, 4-6 -aundyse, 4-7
^atf^ize, 5 -tyse, -endise, -anddysse, 5-6 -and-
yae, -aundys, 5-7 -andies, 6 -aundies, -dize,
-auntdyse, 6-7-andice,-ize. £. 3 mercandise,
5 merchauntyse, -antdyse, -andyse, -aundys,
5-6 -dyse,6 merchandice, -dys, 6- merchandize,
3- merchandise, [a. F. marchandise (fromiathc),
f. niarchand Merchant.]
f 1. The action or business of buying and selling
goods or commodities for profit ; the exchange of
commodities for other commodities or for money.
To be of good merchandise, to be easily marketable.
To go a merchandise, to go trading. Obs. exc. arch.
1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 2x99 ?e beb men bet itei)t to..
hamer & to nelde & to mercandise al so pan wib suerd ober
hauberc eny bataile to do. c 1320 Sir Tristrem 1383 A schip
..Wib alle bing..pat pende to marchandis. 1382 Wyclif
John ii. 16 Nyle }e make the hous of my fadir an hous of
marchaundise [L. negotiationis]. 1393 Langl. P. PI. C. IT.
no What manere mester ober merchaundise he vsede. 1428
in Surtees Misc. (1888) 10 To. .by and sell after treu cource
of merchantdyse. 145a in Gross Gild Merch. II. 67 He that
hawe bene aprentyse with a marchaunte at marchanddyssis.
1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. ccccviii. 710 Ther was made a
commandement y* non shuld go a marchandise into Flaun-
ders. 1334 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxford 121 No
person . . shall use eny maner of marchauntdyse or mar-
chauntdysyng. 1553 Eden Treat, Ne^u Ind. (Arb.) 21
There is little trafficque or marchaundise in this region.
i<8g T. Washington tr. Nicholay"s Voy. 11. xiii. 49 To exer-
cise, .their handicrafts and merchandises. 1652-62 Hrvlin
Cosmogr. 1.(1682)100 He fell from Merchandize, which was
his first Profession, unto the study of Religion. 1685 Baxter
Paraphr. N. T.t Mark ii. 17 These use Merchandize here.
1725 De Foe Voy. round World (1840) 85, I produced three
bales of English cloth, and said they would be of good
merchandise at Gombaroon. 1731 (title) An Essay on the
Merchandise of Slaves and Souls of Men. 1817 Jas. Mill
Brit. India I. 11. ii. 116 Their duties are to tend cattle, to
carry on merchandize, and to cultivate the ground,
f b. transf. and^/S^".
a 1300 Cursor M. 16471 Quen bat he sajrh his maister
sua be-casten al to care . . pan him reud his marchandis.
c 1380 Wycljf Wks. (1880) 63 pes synnes of robberie & sa-
thanas marchaundise. c 1400 A Pol. Loll. 10 O maruelous
marchandies ! be Maker of mankynd takyng a soul id body
of be virgyn. 1523 Ln. Berners Froiss. I. eclxxxviii. 431
Or we makey* marchandyse, we shall sell ourselfeso derely
that it shall be spoken of a hundred yeres after our dethes.
1560 Daus tr. Sleidane^s Comm. 56 b, They establishe the
marchandise of massing, and other abhominations. 1577
Northbrooke Dicing (1843) 119 These are the fruits, and
reuenues, of that wicked merchandice of diceplaying. 1656
Earl Monm. tr. Boccalini" s A dvts.fr. Parnass. n. xiv. (1674)
156 [They] have turned the administration of sacred Justice
into an execrable Merchandize, 1822 Lamb Elia Ser. i. Dis-
tant Corresp., This sort of merchandise [sc. puns] above all
requires a quick return.
c. Phr. To make (a or one's) merchandise, + to
carry on or conclude a bargain (06s.) ; also {arch.)
const, of = to traffic in (usually in bad sense).
c 1290.9. Eng. Leg. 1. 53/3 His Marchaundise hemaudea-day
in be cite of Asise. a 1300 Cursor M. 16490 ' All for noght ',
coth bai, ' iudas bi marchandis es made '. c 1300 Harrow-
ing of Hell 98 Hou mihtest bou on ani wise Of ober mannes
bing make marchandise? c 1400 Laud Troy Bk. 9673 Thei
made a schrewed marchaundise : Eche slo other, c 1440
York Myst. xxvi. 215 But I wolde make a marchaundyse.
1483 Cath. Angl. 235/1 To make Merchandyse, mercari,
mercandizari, ty cetera. 1531 Tindale Expos. 1 John 28
They made marchaundise of open penaunce. 1565 Reg.
Privy CouncilScot. I. 332 Nane of thame sail brek bouk, nor
mak marchandice quhill the tyme that thair gudis be housit.
1611 Bible Deut. xxi. 14 Thou shalt not make merchandize
of her. 1642 Fuller Holy <$• Prof. State v. xiv. 413 [They]
will rather suffer their daughter to make merchandise of her
chastity, than marry the richest merchant.^ 1774 Franklin
Ess. Wks. 1840 II. 394 Coin may be liable, in the fluctuation
of trade, to be made a merchandise of. 1814 Gary Dante,
Par. xvii. 50 There [at Rome] Where gainful merchan-
dize is made of Christ. 1863 Frol-ue Hist. Eng. VIII. 182
She said she would make no merchandise of her conscience.
2. The commodities of commerce ; movables
which are or may be bought and sold.
Petty merchandise (16th c. pitimarchandis) : small wares.
c 1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 53/3 In almesdede he spendedean on
pouere Men muchedel is Marchaundise. (21300 Cursor M.
14723 He mani chapmen fand Serekin marchandis chepand.
c 1380 Sir Ferumk 4348 pe somers schulleb by-forn ousgon,
Wyb grete pakkes euerechon, As it were marchaundyse.
1432-50 tr. Higden(Ko\\s) I. 145 Gothiais aregionofScythia
..copious of alle ky tides of marchandise. 1522 in 10th Rep.
Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 327 Other habordasher [?=ha-
berdash ware] and pitimarchandis broght by marchant
estrangers commyng to this citie. 1523 Act 14 <y 15 Hen.
Fill, c. 1 Any vital), or other marchaundise. 1624 Capt.
Smith Virginia 11. 29 Ships of warre or marchandize. 1635
R. N Camden s His'. Eliz. 1. 57 Wooll and other English
Marchandies. 1651 Hobbes Lei'iath. 11. xxii. 119 Where
but one selleth, the Merchandise is the dearer. 1734 Sale
Koran Prelim. Disc. § 1. 4 A great fair or mart for all kinds
of merchandize. 1825 Bf.ntham Ration. Reward 238 When
an article of the produce of land or labour . . is offered in
exchange, it then becomes an article of commerce : it is
merchandise. 1852 Mrs. Stowe Uncle Tom'sC. xii,A black
woman.. threw her arms round that unfortunate piece of
merchandise before enumerated, 'John, aged thirty'. 1903
Edin. Rev. Apr. 490 Small quantities of merchandise.
+ b. With plural construction. Obs.
1588 Kvd Househ. Philos. Wks.(i9oi) 276 Heereof speaketh
Tully, . .that Merchandize, if they were small, were base and
but of vileaccount ; if great, not much to be dislyked. 1606
Shaks. Ant. <y CI. 11. v. 104 The Marchandize which thou
hast brought from Rome Are all too deere for me. c 1610
Bacon Impos. Merchandises Wks. 1778 II. 223 You shall
find, a few merchandise only excepted, the poundage equal
upon alien and subject. 1633 Massinger Guardian Epil., I
am left to enquire., at what rate His marchandise are valued.
tc. A kind of merchandise; a saleable com-
modity, an article of commerce. Obs,
c 1400 Maundev. (1839) xxvii. 270 The Marchauntes come
not thidre so comounly, for to bye Marchandises. 1439
Rolls of Parlt. V. 24/1 Chese and Buttur is a Merchaundise
that may not wele be kept. 1577 B. Googe Heresback's
Husb. 1. (1586) 20b, Marie., whiche caried vppon the sea in
vessels is sold as a great marchandize. 1643 Evelvn Diary
1 4'Nov., They brought us choice of guns and pistolls, . . being
here a merchandise of greate account. 1704 Addison Italy
(x733) 58 The Duties are great that are laid on Merchandises.
1758 Descr. Thames 211 Cavear or Kavia is a considerable
Merchandize among the Turks. 1853 Whewell tr. Grotim
III. 372 Nor ought there to be urged . . the cases of mer-
chandises which . . are carried past the place where dues are
to be paid.
d. attrib. in merchandise exports, imports,
mark, traffic.
1887 Act 50 .7 51 Vict. c. 28 § 1 This Act may be cited
as the Merchandise Marks Act, 1887. 1892 Daily News
22 July 2/4 Till 1st January, 1893, on which date the new
classification of merchandise traffic . . will come into force
on all the railways. 1898 Ibid. 1 Feb. 5/2 The figures show
an increase of 14,700,000/. .. in merchandise imports and
an increase of 17,700,000/. . . in merchandise exports.
Merchandise(m3UtJand3iz),z>. arch, [f.prec]
1, intr. To trade, traffic; talso» to make
merchandise of.
1382 Wvclif Luke xix. 13 And he seide to hem, Marchaun-
dise 3e [Vulg. negotiamini] til I come. Ibid. 2 Pet. ii. 3
Thei shulen marchaundise of 30U [Vulg. de vobis negotia>
buntur]. 1433 Rolls of Parlt. IV. 475/1 He sende . . his
Servant, Factour and Attournay, to marchandise ther with
Wollen Cloth. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. ccccviii. 711
They of Tourney durst nat marchaundyse with them of
Flaunders. 1633 T. Stafford Pac. Hib. 1. xii. 77 Such
further mischiefes, as might arise by his Subjects merchan-
dizing with the Rebels. 1673 Ess. to Revive Educ. Gentleiy.
35 She could not Merchandize, without knowledge in
Arithmetick. 1679 Penn Addr. Prot. 11. (1692) 179 Who
hath merchandized in Souls of Men. 1706 Vanbrugh Mis-
take 11. 283 He that merchandises thus must be undone at
last. 1737 [S. Berikgton) G. di Lucca's Mem. 215 This
they are doing perpetually., rather visiting than merchan-
dizing. 186a Sala Ship Chandler iv. 65 For how many
years had they not merchandised together ? 1890 Gross
Gild Merch. I. 37 Anyone who is not of that Gild may not
merchandise with them.
2. trans. To buy and sell ; to barter ; to traffic in.
1538 Elyot Diet., Add., Aginor, to marchandyse vyle
thinges, or of small value. 159* Conspir. Pretended Re-
form. 21 Thus . . they merchandized the hasard of their
friends life, c 1600 Shaks. Sonn. cii, That loue is marchan-
diz'd, whose ritch esteeming, The owners tongue doth pub-
lish euery where. 1629 Maxwell Herodian (1635) 115 The
Romans call upon me. .not [to] permit so. .glorious an Em-
pire to bee basely merchandized. 1631 Massinger Emperor
FZast in ii, Must I.. like A prostituted creature, merchan-
dize Our mutuall delight for hire? 1684 W. Penn in
Academy n Jan. (1896) 36/1 If it be below great men to be
kind for recompence, and marchandize their Powr, it is [etc.].
1715 Rowe Lady J. Grey v. ii, Think'st thou that princes
merchandize their grace, As Roman priests their pardons?
t Merchandised, a. Obs. [f Merchandise
sb. + -ED 2.] Abounding in commercial activity.
1619 Milles tr. Mexia's etc. Treas. Anc. fy Mod. T. II.
364/2 A goodly. . country.. greatly merchandized, in regard
of the sea.
Merchandiser (mautjandaizai). Obs. exc.
arch. [f. Merchandise v. + er I.] A dealer in
commodities ; one who traffics. Alsoyf^-.
1597 J. King Jonas (1618) 6 The commission .. is most
requisite to be weighed, that we may discerne the . . faith-
full dispensers from marchandisers of the word of God.
1616 R. Carpenter Past. Charge 36 Christian loue . .
whippeth anger .. out of the htait, as Christ did the pro-
phane Marchandizers out of the Temple. 1678 Blnyan
Pilgr. 1. (1900) 84 That which did not a little amuse the
Merchandizers, was, that these Pilgrims set very light by all
their Wares. 1887 N. D. Davis Cavaliers fy Roundheads 59
A luckless merchandizer who had sold goods for cotton.
+ Merchandising (ma^tjandsizirj), vbl. sb.
[f. Merchandise v. + -ing!.] The transaction of
mercantile business; trafficking. Also fig.
1382 Wyclif Ezek. xxvii. 15 Manye ills [weren] the mar-
chaundisynge of thin hoond. c 1449 Pecock Ripr. n. iv. 158
The vsing of profitable craftis and marchaundising. 1561
T. Norton CalvvCs Inst. iv. 88 [They] with carying about
the reliques of martyrs dyd vse filthy merchandisynges.
1625 Bacon Ess., Usury (Arb.) 546 Certaine Principall
Cities and Townes of Merchandizing. 1656 Sir E. Nicholas
in N. Papers (Camden) III. 265 The recompense will be
deservedly the more advantageous to him if it shall be
effected without any merchandising. 1769 Blackstone
Comm. IV. 63 The laws of king Athelstan forbad all mer-
chandizing on the lord's day. 1840 Carlyle //Vrers (1858)221
There were yearly fairs, and there, when the merchandising
was done, Poets sang for prizes. 1904 Atkenseum 18 June
788 Commerce comprises goods, transportation, exchange
or merchandizing, money, and advertising.
attrib. 1665 E. Terry Voy. E. India 368 But further,forthe
merchandizing Commodities the Mogul's Provinces afford,
there is Musk., to be had in good quantity. 1759 Book
of Fairs 44 Messingham, Lincolnshire, Trinity Mond, for
merchandizing goods.
Merchandising (maitjandsizin),///. a. [i.
Merchandise v. + -WO 2.] Engaged in trade.
1624 Capt. Smith Virginia vi. 218 Citizens (whose mer-
chandizing thoughts were onely to get wealth). 1737 Dyer
Fleece (1807) no Thro' Tyne, and Tees., and merchandizing
Hull. 1868 Browning Ringff Bk. 1. 903 The motley mer-
chandizing multitude.
t Merchandrise. Sc, Obs. Also6marchant-
dreis, marchandreise, merschandrise, mer-
ehandrice, -ryce. [app. from the pi. of mar-
chandrie Merchandry, the ending -ies having
been associated with the suffix -ise 2.] Trade-
merchandise, goods.
CX375 Sc. Leg. Saints xliv. (Lucy) 98 Lucy in merchan-
drise had fundine a thing for to by. ? 1495 Ld. Treas. Ace.
Scotl. (1877) I. 219 The Charge of it that was tane frajhonne
Williamsoune, at the Kingis command, in woll and mer-
chandreis. 1535 Stewart Crou. Scot. II. 491 Rycht mony
Dene that in the toun wes than In merschandrice, tha slew
thame euerie man. 1549 Compl. Scot. vii. 69, I beheld . .
al sortis of cornis, . , grene treis, schips, marchantdreis [etc.).
1561 Aberdeen Reg. (1844) I. 330 The wairis and merchan-
drices of quhatsumeuer schip. Ibid. 334 The wairis and
merchandnses thairof. 1562 WinJet Cert. Trait. Wks. I. 5
Zour merchandrice . . quhay speikis not of it ?
Merchandry {ma'JtJandri). Obs. exc. arch.
Forms : 5 marchandrye, 6 marchaundrie,
-drye, merchandrie, 7, 9 merchandry. [prob.
a. AF. *marchanderie} f. marchand Merchant sb. ;
see -ery, -RY. Cf. the later Merchantry.] Trade,
commerce ; the business of a merchant.
1436 Libel Eng. Policy in Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 174 And
alle this is colowred by marchandrye. 1550 Lever Serm.
(Arb.) 29 A myscheuouse marte of merchandrie is this.
a 1663 Sanderson Cases ofConsc. (16^8) 44 He may follow
Husbandry, and Merchandry, upon his own choice. 1889
J, Payne Alaeddin 69 The Maugrabin talked with Ala-
eddin upon matters of merchandry and the like.
attrib. 1561 C. Hindill in ChildMarr. (1897) 72 Stock-
fishe, red heringes and such marchaundrie wares.
t Merchandy. Obs. Forms : 4marchaundye,
-die, -chandie, 5 merchaundy, 6 merchandie.
[a. OF. marchandie, f. marchand Merchant. Cf.
Merchanty.]
1. Trade, traffic, commerce.
1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 5792 Y rede bou bye A man
to do by marchaundve. 1390 Gower Conf I. 179 The
gretesteof Barbarie, Of hem whiche usen marchandie, Sche
hath converted. 1599MARSTON.SV0. Viltaniei. ii. 61 Heroes
heires Are made much of : how much from merchandie?
b. To make merchandy of: to traffic in.
1388 Wyclif 2 Pet. ii. 3 Thei schulen make marchaundie
of jou.
MERCHANT.
2. Mercantile commodities.
c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 14878 Marchauntz
come mo childre to bye, Rather ban ober marchaundie.
1388 Wyclif Ezek. xxvii. 15 Many His [weren] the mar-
chaundie of thin hond. 1439 Rolls of Parlt. V. 6/1 Every
Ton of Wyne . . comyng by way of Merchaundy into youre
seide Roialme. Ibid., In the which the same Merchaundy
was shipped.
Merchant (mautfant), sb. and a. Forms : a.
3-6 marchaund, 3-7 marchand, 5 merchaund,
5-7 merchand. jS. 3-6 marchaunt(e, 3-8 mar-
chant, 4marehont,maehaunt, 5 marzhaunt, 5-6
raerchaunt, 4- merchant, [a. OF. marchand,
earlier marchcant (mod.F. marchand) = Pr. mer-
cadan-s, It. mercatante :— popular L. *mercatant-
em, pr. pple. of *mercatdre, freq. of mercarl to
trade, f. mere-, merx merchandise.
It is possible that two popular Latin forms have coalesced
in OF., viz. * me red tan tern and mercantem (whence It. mer-
cante merchant), pr. pple. of mercarl (see above).]
A. sb.
1. One whose occupation is the purchase and sale
of marketable commodities for profit ; originally
applied gen. to any trader in goods not manufac-
tured or produced by himself; but from an early
period restricted (exc. Sc. and dial.: see d) to
wholesale traders, and esp. to those having deal-
ings with foreign countries.
Often with defining word, indicating the class of goods
dealtin, as in coal-, corn-, spirit-, wine-merchant, etc. (some
of which combinations are frequen tly applied toretailtraders),
or the countries traded with, as R as t India, Turkey merchant,
CIZ90 S. Eug. Leg. I. 53/2 Seint Fraunceys,. . Marchaunt he
was in his ^onghede. a 1300 Cursor M. 28031 pe fole marchand
is eth to duel!, c 1320 Sir Tristrem 1543 Marchaunt icham,
y wis, Mi schip lib here bi side, c 1400 Maundev. (1839) xL
122 Thidre comethe Marchauntes with Marchandise be See.
C1460 J. Russell Bk. Nurture 1071 in Babees Bk., Mar-
chaundes & Franklonz. .may be set semely at a squyers
table. 1474 Caxton Chcsse 42 b, The marchans of cloth
lynnen and wollen. 1513 More in Grafton Chron. (1568] II.
776 A wise Marchant neuer aduentureth all his goodes in
one ship, 1396 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scott, ix. 252
In the meine tyme our Marchantes quha feiret na 111,.,
sayled (in haist) to France. 1631 Weever Anc. Funeral
Mon. 341 He is properly called a Marchant, qui mare
trajicit, who passeth ouer the Seas, et merces ittde avehit,
and from thence transports merchandise. 1644 Evelyn
Diary 17 Oct., The marchands being very rich, have . . no
extent of ground to employ their estates in. 1711 ADDrsoN
Sped. No. 21 p 7 The Cockle-shell-Merchants and Spider-
catchers. 1847 A. & H. Mayhew Greatest Plague of Life
xii. 183 If three barges and one wagon make a coalheaver,
I should like to know what makes a merchant. 1875 Jowett
Plato (ed. 2) III. 242 The importers and exporters, who are
called merchants. 1881 R. G. White Eug. Without §
Within xvi. 387 He was not a merchant. He had never
been engaged in foreign trade.
f As a mistranslation of L. mercenarius 'hireling*.
1382 Wyclif John x. 12, 13.
b. Iransf. and_/f^;
c 153= Latimer Let. to Baynton in Foxe A. <$• M. (1583)
1751 Maruphus, . . an Italian, and in times past a marchaunt
of dispensations. 1538 Stakkey England 11. i. 164 We may
by al thyng of God, who ys the only marchant of al thyng
that ys gud. a i5z6 Bacon New Atl. (1900) 44 These wee
call Merchants of Light 1818 Shelley Marenghi i. 4 Until
the exchange Ruins the merchants of such thriftless trade.
1893 Weslm. Gaz. 15 May 3/2 The gagging low comedian,
(' low comedy merchant ' is the crushing American phrase).
+ c. Phrases. To play the merchant with : to
cheat, get the better of (a person). To have ex put
on merchants ears : to affect not to hear. Obs.
1593 Nashe Christ's T. 83 Is it not a common prouerbe
. . when any man hath cosend . . vs, to say, Hee hath playde
the Merchant with vs? 1593 G. Harvey Pierce's Super.
166 The wisest Oeconomy maketh especiall account of three
singular members, a marcliants eare ; a pigges mouth ; and
an Asses backe. 1595 Lyly Woman in Moone I. i. 169,
I see that seruants must haue Marchants ears. 1622 Mabbe
tr. Alemans Guzman cfAlf. 11. 7, I put on Merchants ''
Eares, not vouchsafing to give them the hearing. 1632
Rowley Woman Never Vext iv. i. 51, I doubt Sir, he will
play the merchant with us.
d. A shopkeeper. Now only Sc, north, dial.,
and U.S.
1362 Lancl. P. PI. A. 11. 188 Bote Marchaundes Metten
with him and maaden him to abyden, Bi-sou^ten him in
heore schoppes to sullen heore ware. 1609 in North Riding
Records (1884) I. 15 Will. Foreste of Midleham [presented]
for useinge the trade of a marchant, not having served, Sec.
c 1730 Burt Lett. N. Scott. (1818) I. 66 A pedling shopkeeper
that sells a pennyworth of thread, is a merchant. 1798
Monthly Mag. VI. 437 In Scotland every little retail shop-
keeper is dignified with the title of merchant. 1837 Lockhart
ScottiiS^g) III. 117 A merchant (that is to say a dealer in
everything from fine broadcloth to children's tops). 1845 De
QuiNCEY.4Mr^'^Wks.i889l. 3oMyfatherwasamerchant;
not in the sense of Scotland, where it means a retail dealer,
..but in the English sense. 18^9 Bartlett Diet. A mer.,
Merc/iant, a term often applied in the United States to any
dealer in merchandise, whether at wholesale or retail ; and
hence sometimes equivalent to 'shopkeeper'. 1871 W.Alex-
ander Johnny Gibb xxxiii. 233 A lounge about the mer-
chant's shop door, -is inexpressibly grateful.
e. Sc. A buyer, purchaser ; a customer. Also
fig. Phrase, To have one's eye one's merchant : to
be one's own appraiser (of goods to be bought).
1673 Fountainhall in M. P. Brown Suppl. Diet. Decis.
(1826) III. 34 Esto the horse had been insufficient, sibiim-
Putet, his eye being his merchant. 1835 Monteath Dun-
blane (1887) 71 (E. D. D.) His aid and assistance in pro-
curing merchants for the goods. 1884 D. Grant Lays %
347
Leg. North 83 There wis na want 0' merchan's Eager (or
her hert an ban',
t 2. A supercargb. Obs.
1614 Raleigh Hist. World 1. iv. ii. § 18. 204 Hee.. pre-
j tending the death of his Marchant, besought the French. .
that they might burie their Marchant in hallowed ground.
1681 R. Knox Hist. Rclat. Ceylon iv. I n8 My Father the
i Captain ordered me with Mr. John Loveland, Merchant of
the bhip, to go on shore.
f3. A fellow, 'chap'. Obs.
IS49 Coverdale, etc., Erasni. Par. 2 Cor. 60 Beare this
I muchewithmyfoolyshenesse,. .thatsyncethesemarchauntes
. . so much crake of themselues, that I may also somewhat
glorye of my selfe. 1367 Drant Horace Ep. ,. viii. D vj,
; A giddie marchaunte I. 1373 G. Harvey Letter-it. (Cam-
den) 52 Marchant and marchant were too quiet and soft
words for them. 1573 New Custom 1. i. A iij, I woulde 50
haue scourged my marchant that his breeche should ake.
IS76 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 155 You had flatterers and
mealemouthed merchants in high estimation. 1606 Chapman
Gent. Usher Plays 1873 I. 281 Nay good unkle now, sbloud,
what captious marchants you be. 1S10 Carleton Juris,!.
vii. 172 The King to hold fast this slippery Merchant, re-
quired all the Bishops to set to their, .scales to those Lawes.
t4. A trading vessel, merchantman. Obs.
1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. 1. iv, [The pirates]
lye 111 wayte thereabouts to entrap . . merchauntes com-
ming thythei too lade sake. 1586 Marlowe Tamlmrl.
'• ••> And Christian merchants that with Russian stems
Plough up huge furrows in the Caspian sea. 1610 Shaks.
Temp. 11. i. 5 Some Saylors wife, The Masters of some
Merchant, and the Merchant Haue iust our Theame of
woe. 1709 Loud. Gaz. No. 4533<'2 The Enemy took 9 of
the Merchants. 1740 Johnson Blake Wks. 1787 IV. 371
A fleet of merchants under his convoy.
f5. A kind of plum. Obs.
1602 Dekker Satirom. F'4b, I am.. to desire you to fill
your little pellies at a dinner of plums behinde noone ;
there beSuckets, and Marmilads,and Marchants, and other
long white plummes.
6. attrib. and Comb. a. Obvious combinations,
chiefly appositive, as merchant f appraiser, buyer,
-charterer, -duke, -factor, -jeweller, -king, f leech,
\ mercer, preacher,-sovereign,-wine-tunner,-cvoman;
also merchant-marring adj.
1663 in Picton L pool Munic. Rcc. (1883) I. 240 Assessed
by the *marchant apprizers. 1S70 Plttls Fodinse Reg.
93 No 'Merchant buyer of Oar shall touch the King's
Dish. 1841 Penny Cycl. XXI. 403/1 The "merchant-char-
terer is thereby discharged. 1818 Bykon Ch. liar. iv. l.v,
All hues Of gem and marble, to encrust the bones Of "mer-
chant-dukes. 158s Parsons Chr. Exerc. 11. iii. 13 Consider
attentiuely, as a good *marchantfactor is wont to do, when
he is arriued in a strange country. 1853 Lynch Self-hnprov.
25 Barks as it were manned and laden of God's merchant-
factors, the saints and sages. 1800 Asiatic Ann. Reg., Misc.
Tracts 41/2 His profession of "merchant-jeweller, c 1820
S. Rogers Italy (1830) 55 Of old the residence of "merchant
kings, noz Rolls of Parlt. III. 519/2 Wolmongers. . 'Mar-
chant Leche .. Taillours [etc.], 1596 Shaks. Merck. V. in. U.
274 And not one vessell scape the dreadfull touch Of "Mer- |
chant-marring rocks ? 1591 Sylvester Die Bartas 1. iii. 522 |
You'MarchantMercersand Monopolies, Gain-greedy Chap-
men [etc.], 1531 Elyot Governor 1. xxi. (1557) 69 As fas- :
tidiouse or fulsome to the readers as suche "marchante 1
preachers be nowe to their customers. 1826 Poundem
France ty Italy 82 These "merchant-sovereigns, .importing J
in their galeons the precious relics of ancient literature. 1
1766 Entick London IV. 350 The vintners, .were known
by the name of "Merchant-wine-tunners of Gascoyne. 1560
Daus tr. Sleidaue's Cotnni. 120 This whiche I have spoken
here of marchauntmen, concerneth also "marchaunt women
called nunnes.
b. Special combinations : merchant-bar, a bar
of ' merchant ' iron ; t merchant-booth Sc, a
trader's stall; merchant (formerly + merchant's)
iron, iron in finished bars, ready for the market ;
merchant's mark (f merchant mark), a rebus,
emblem, or other distinctive figure or device
adopted by a merchant to be placed on the goods
sold by him ; in the Middle Ages often used (e. g.
on seals or monuments) as a quasi-heraldic cogniz-
ance (cf. 'merkes of marchauntes' quot. c 1394
under Mark sb.1 1 1 a) ; merchant prince (? sug-
gested by Isaiah xxiii. 8), a merchant of princely
wealth and munificence ; merchant rolls = next ;
merchant-train (see quot. 1S81).
1861 Fairbairn Iron vi. 109 The bars produced by this
second process [of rolling] are called "merchant-bars. 1884
W. H. Greenwood Steely Iron § 379 The commercial clas-
sification of malleable iron into No. 1, No. 2, best or No. 3
best-best. . . No. 2 or merchant bars, which is the lowest
quality of bar iron available for the general smith's use.
1618 in Scott. Hist. Rev. July (1905) 358 Wrangous. .away
takyng .. fra Alexander Duff Johnsone . . furth of his "mer-
chand builth in Inverness, .off. .the guids geir and mer-
chandeice. 1645-52 Boate Irel. Nat. Hist, (i860) in They
had one tun of good Iron, such as is called "Merchants-Iron.
1795 Repert. Arts, etc. III. 366 All sorts of merchant iron.
1884 W. H. Greenwood Steel ff Iron § 559 The mill rolls. .
for rolling merchant iron. 1887 Pall Mall G. 5 Sept. 11/2
A contract for a considerable tonnage of what is called
' merchant iron '. 1540 Test. Ebor. (Surtees) VI. 97 Whiche
morter haith my "marchaunte marke sett upon it. 1557
Bury Wills (Camden) 146 My litle silver pott wl the cover
havmge a "marchaunts marke. 1586 Ferne Blaz. Gentrie
I. 238 What do you then say to 'the coate of Armes of God-
frey of Bulloigne . . was that but a Merchants marke in your
estimation? 1888 Antiquary XVII. 73 Great respect was
paid to merchant's marks in the fourteenth, fifteenth and
sixteenth centuries. 1847 L. Hunt Jar Honey Pref. 13
A noble-hearted "merchant prince. 1888 Burgon Lives
12 Gd. Men II. x. 252 Magdalen Hall, .is now (through the
munificence of a merchant-Prince) Hertford College. 1875
MERCHANTABLE.
I KmKSHTV Dkh Mtch,, *Merchant-rolls. x888 Lockwood's
i ,r-f; ^ec-1- E'lSin-* MM Rolls, or Merchant Rolls, or
Mill frain, the merchant rolls of a rolling mill. 1861
.-airbaikn Iron vi. no Hollers for the puddling, boiler-
plate, and ^merchant train. 1881 Raymond Mining Gloss
Merchant-tram, a train of rolls for reducing iron piles or
steel ingots, blooms, or billets to bars of any of the various
1 ..shapes, known as merchant iron or steel.
B. aa}\
In law merchant, statute merchant, guild merchant, the
, position of the adj. is due to the imitation of med.L. or AF.
1. Having relation to merchandise ; relating to
trade or commerce, esp. in law-, statute-merchant.
Phr. f//z(or a) merchant fare: on a trading journey.
C1400 Beryn 3624 When wee out of Rome in marchant
fare went to purchase buuirfiyes was our most entent. 1425
Rolls of Parlt. IV. 276 His merchant lettre, . . wytnessyng
the value of the saide merchandise, a 1436 in Bik. Bk
Adnnr. (Rolls) II. 27 That he begynne his pleynt . .or to the
comoune lawe, or to the lawe marchaund, or to the lawe
1 niaryn. 1506 in toth Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 325
I hat no foraine. .passe not over the see from hensforward
a marchant fare except fishersand seefaring men. 1592 West
1st Pt. Symbol. §41 A franktentment by Statute is either by
vertue of a statute Staple, or of a statute Marchant. 1641
Robinson '1 fades Encrease 4 All marchant and marchant-
like Causes and differences. 1663 [see Law-mkbchant].
1797 hncycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XI. 399/2 All nations, .show a par-
ticular regard to the law-merchant. 1855 Macallay Hist.
I'-ng.xVu III. 211 How much money had proprietors borrowed
on mortgage, on statute merchant, on statute staple?
f b. Merchant good{s Sc. : marketable com-
! modities (cf. merchant iron in A. 6 b). Merchant
zoeight: the weight in use among merchants. Obs.
1544 Extracts Aberdeen Reg. (1844) I. 200 Sufficient mer-
chand guid. 1550 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 85 To sell
certane merchant gudis within the burgh. 1704 Loud. Gaz.
No. 4014/4 Three Pounds Sixteen Shillings per Hundred,
Merchant Weight.
2. Of a ship : Serving for the transport of mer-
chandise. Hence, of or pertaining to the mercan-
tile marine, as in merchant service, seaman. (Often
: written with hyphen.)
1375 Barbour Bruce xix. 103 Marchand-schippis that
saland war Fra Scotland to I- landriss. 1598 Sylvester
Du Bartas n. i. iv. Handy-Crafts 23 Lo, how our Mer-
chant-vessels to and fro Freely about our tradefull waters
go. 1709 Steele 'fatter No. 4 F 7 A Fleet of Merchant
Ships coming from Scotland. 1769 Falconer Diet. Marine
(17^80) s. v. Mate, A frigate of 20 guns, and a small merchant-
ship, have only one mate in each. 1851 H. Melville
Whale xvi, I 11 take that leg away from thy stem, if ever
thou talkest of the merchant service to me again. 1872
Yeats Growth Comm. 279 As soon as England was able to
protect her merchant-shipping. 1874THEARLK Nov. Arch.
94 A merchant ship is little other than a shell of iron plates
stiffened by transverse ribs. 1899 F. T. Eullen Way Navy
64 A humble merchant seaman.
3. Of a town : Occupied in commerce, com-
mercial. Also, consisting of merchants, as in
gui Id- merchant, mercJiant-guild.
1467 Veld marchaunt [see Guild 4]. 1596 Dalry.mple tr.
Lcslie"s Hist. Scot. I. 45 A famous merchand toun, quhais
name is Elgin. 1611 Bible Isa. xxiii. n The Lord hath
giuen a commandement against the merchant citie to
destroy the strong holdes thereof. 1764 Burn Poor Law-s 9
All workmen shall bring.. to the marchant towns their in-
struments. 1856 R. A. Vaughan Mystics (i860) I. 176 The
merchant-league of the Rhineland. 1870 Brentano in
Toulmin Smith Eng. Gilds ■p.y.cXn, The formerly-mentioned
Gilds of Dover, of the Thanes at Canterbury, as well as
perhaps the Gild-Merchant at London. Ibid, xciv, Such
also were the Gild-Merchant of York [etc.]. 1874 Stubbs
Const. Hist. I. xi. 417 The merchant-guild contained ail the
traders.
Merchant (mautjant), v. Now rare. Also
4-5 marchaund(e, 5 marchaunte, 6 marchant,
7 merchand. [a. OF. marcheander, now tnar-
chander, f. marchand Merchant sb^\
1. intr. To trade as a merchant. Also, fto
negotiate ; in bad sense, to bargain, haggle.
1377 Langl. P. PI. B. xiii. 394 And if I sent ouer see my
seruauntz to Bruges,.. To marchaunden with monoye and
maken her eschaunges [etc.]. c 1430 Pilgr. LyfMan. 111.
xxvi. (1869) 150 To begile bilke bat ben symple,. .or bat ben
nyce to marchaunde. 1481 Caxton Godeffroy 115 The turke
. .wold not suffre them of nothyng, sauf. .for to marchaunte
to bye and selle. 15*5 Ld. Berners Froiss. II. exxix.
[exxv.] 366 The duke of Lancastre and the duches his wyfe
had rather marchant with you and with your sonne than
with the duke of Berrey. 16x4 Cornwallis in Gutch Coll.
Cur. I. 162, I held it not fit, we should merchant with our
Sovereign. 1622 Bacon Hen. VII 99 Besides that, Ferdi
nando . . inerchanded at this time with France for the
restoring of the Counties of Russignon and Perpignian.
1679 L. Addison 1st St. Mahumedism 80 He died in the
63 year of his age, after he had Merchanted 38, been two
years in the Cave [etc.]. 1866 Carlyle Remin., Irving
(1881) I. 170 Graham never merchanted more.
2. trans. To trade or deal in ; to buy and sell.
1511 Act 3 Hen. VIII, c. 8 § 1 No Minister in City or
Borough, which.. ought to keep Assises of Wines and Vic-
tuals, .should merchant Wines and Victuals. 1541 Act 33
Hen. VI I L c 2 The said fishermen.. do marchant and bie
the said french fishe. 1893 W. D. Spelman in Voice (N. Y.)
5 Oct, The rare, rich cutlery which he merchanted.
Merchantable (m5utjantab*l), a. Also 5
merchand-, 6 mer-, marchaunt-, 6-7 marchand-,
7-8 merchandable. [f. Merchant v. + -able.]
1. Fit or prepared for market; that may or can
be bought or sold ; saleable ; marketable.
c 1480 Cok7volds Daunce 109 in Hazl. E. P. P. I. 43 Ther
wyves hath ben merchandabull, And of ther ware compen-
110-2
MERCHANT-ADVENTURER.
348
MERCIAN.
abull. a 1502 Arnolde Chron. 120 J. D.. .afferm;d..that the |
sayd peper was as good as any in the worlde and mar- '
chauntable. 1587 Heriot in Hahtuyt's Voy. (1600} III. 267
Which commodities, for distinction sake, I call Merchantable.
161 1 Cotgr. s.v. Empioictey Ware that sells well.. mar- '.
chandable ware. 1656 Heylin Surv. France 181 About
the time of Clement the fifth.. they [indulgences] began to
be merchantable. 1713 Grand Retell. II. 336 Came.. to '
relieve their wants By mustering up a Merchandable store. \
1769 De Foe's Tour Gt. Brit. (ed. 7) IV. 80 They [White I
Fish] were very* weii cured, merchantable, and fit for Ex- i
portation. 1776 Adam Smith W. N. IV. v. (1869) II. 96
A barrel of good merchantable herrings. 1875 Maine Hist. ,
Inst. iii. 88 Land has become a merchantable commodity. \
1894 Jrnl. R. Agric. Sac. June 322 Feeding stuffs guaran-
toed of the usual good and merchantable quality.
b. spec. The designation of the highest of the
three grades of Newfoundland cod-fish.
1883 Joncas Fisheries Canada 19 (Fish. Exhib. Publ.).
C. transf. andyf^*.
1701 Argt./or War 25 The Project may pa^s on the other J
side the water, but will never be Merchantable, I hope, in
England, a 1734 North Exam. 1. ii. § 57 (1740) 60 Who..
will make ample Returns in good and merchandable Party-
Woik. 1864 G. A. Sala in Daily Tel. 5 May, The lawyers
and inferior judges . . are . . mere merchantable creatures,
incurably venal.
f2. Of or pertaining to trade ; commercial. Obs.
a 1603 T. Caktwright Confut. Rhem. JV. 7\ (1618) 176
Satisfaction from us to God, and remission from God to vs,
can no more stand together, than marchandable paiment
with bankerupt. Ibid. 469 The most traffiqueable and
Marchandable Citie of all Asia, a 1670 Bp. Hacket Abp.
Williams 1. (1692)90 Let every man coin what money he will
and observe if ever we can make a marchandable payment.
Hence Merchantableness.
1737 Bailey vol. II. (eJ. 3). 1885 Law Times LXXIX.
132/3 In a sale by sample there is an implied warranty of
merchantableness.
Me rchant-adve nturer. Obs. exc. Hist.
(See also MERCHANT-VENTURER.) A merchant en-
gaged in the organization and dispatch of trading
expeditions over sea, and the establishment of |
factories and trading stations in foreign countries.
Hence, a member of an association of such mer-
chants incorporated by royal charter or other law- j
ful authority.
1496-7 Act 12 Hen. Vtf, c. 6 The Marchauntes Adven-
turers inhabite and dwelling in di\ers parties of this Realme.
i<>40 Elvot Image Gov. (1556) 59 b, He wolde not suffre any
cite>en to bee a Merchaunt adventurer. 1575 Laneham
Let. (1871) 62 Mercer, Merchantauenturer, and Clark of
the Councel-chamber door. 1608 in Gross Gild Menh. I.
14S The Lawes, Customes (&c.) of the Fellowshippe of
Merchantes Adventurers. 1622 Bacon Hen. VII 163
There passed a Law, at the Suit of the Merchant-Aduen-
turers of England, against the Merchant-Aduenturers of j
London, for Monopolizing and exacting vpon the Trade. \
1766 Entick London IV. 130 Mr. Robert Rogers, leather- |
seller and merchant-adventurer. 1890 Spectator 19 Apr., I
The merchant-adventurers who, in Africa now, as formerly
in India, represent the European peoples.
Jig. 1711 SHAFTESB.CAarac.U737)I. 304 Certain merchant- j
adventurers in the letter-trade, who in correspondence with
their fact or- bookseller, are enter'd into a notable commerce
with the world.
Mer chanter, -teer (ma-jtfantai, majtjan-
ih\i). U.S. [f. Merchant sb.-r-EO.1, -eeb (after
privateer). ] « M erch antm an a .
1829 Marrvat F. Mildmay xiv, I'll fit out a privateer,
and take some o' your merchanters. 1890 Public Opinion
(Washington) 30 Aug.j A departure from the merchanteer
type (of shipl was the immediate result.
Iff e r chant hood, [f. Merchant sb. + -hood.]
The quality or condition of being a merchant.
1866 Carlyle Remin., Irving(iSBi) I. 171 Finding mer-
chanthood in Glasgow ruinous to weak health- 1873 Argosy
XV. 308 He had plodded diligently through clerkhood to
merchant hood.
t Merchantical, a. Obs. In 7 mar-. [f.
Merchant sb. + -ic + -al.] ? Mercenary.
a 1618 Raleigh Roval Xavy 7 The . . true building of a
Ship is not to be left barely to the fidelity of a Marchanticall
Artificer.
Merchantile, obs. form of Mercantile.
Merchanting (ms-itjantirj), vbl. sb. [f. Mer-
chant v. + -ingT] The action or practice of
trading as a merchant.
1894 Sir E. Clarke in Times 19 Feb. 3/2 Did you know
they had any * merchanting' transactions? /*/</., Supposing
you knew they had made a loss on * merchanting every
successive year? 1899 Daily A'ews 27 Mar. 3/5 These
firms are chiefly engaged in the manufacturing and mer-
chanting of belts and strapping for the textile trades.
Me rchantish, a. twnce-wd. [f. Merchant sb.
+ -ish K] After the manner of a merchant.
1848 Clocch Pocms,etc. (1869) I. 120 It [the Assembly] is
extremely shopkeeperish and merchantish in its feelings.
Merchantllke, a. and adv. [f. Merchant
sb. + -like.] a. adj. Resembling or befitting a
merchant ; also, f pertaining to merchants or com-
merce, mercantile {obs.). b. adv. After the manner
of a merchant.
1422-61 in Cal Proc. Ckanc. Etiz. 1. (1827} In trod, to
Johan Goldsmytb receyved the verray value marchantlick
in wolles of the same Johan Kymburleys. 1585 T. Wash-
ington tr. Nicholay's Voy. 1. viii. 7 b, This citie is very- mer-
chantlike, for that she is situated vpon tbe Sea. 1593
Shaks. 2 Hen. VIt iv. i. 41 When Merchant-like I sell re-
uenge, Broke be my sword. 1641 H. Robinson Trades En-
create 4 All mar chant and marcbantlike Causes and differ
ences. 1656 Earl Mokm. tr. Boccalini's Advts.fr. P amass.
1. xlvii. (1674) 63 Shepherds Arithmetick . .differs .. from
the Merchant-like Arithmetick used in other affairs. 1736
Ainsworth Lat. Did. 1, Merchantly, or Merchant like,
tnercatorius. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eug. xxi. IV. 552 This
transaction seemed merchantlike and fair.
t Merchantly, a. Obs. [f. Merchant sb. +
-LY 1.] a. Of or pertaining to a merchant, b.
In disparaging sense : Huckstering, pettifogging.
1599 Nashe Lenten Stuffem An eniuersal [sic] marchantly
formallity, in habitte, speach, gestures. 1647 Clarendon
Hist. Reb. v. § 324 Tho' it might have some influence upon
Merchantly Men, yet it stirred up most Generous minds to
an Indignation on the King's behalf. 1660 Gacden Brown-
rig 142 His Parents [were] of Merchantly condition, of
worthy reputation, and of very Christian conversation.
a 1674 CtARENDON Hist. Reb. x. § 179 Their absurd and
merchandly trafficking with him for the price of returning
to their Allegiance. 1736 (.see Merchantlike].
Merchantman, [f. Merchant a. + Man.]
1. = Merchant j*. 1. arch.
1449 Aberdeen Reg. (1844^ I. 402 That na merchand man
of this burgh opin his both dorr to do ony merchandise . . apon
the Sondai. 1530 Palsgr. 737/1 He hath the best storyd
house of good houshotde stuffe of any marchant man that I
knowe. 1550 Coverdale Spir. Perle xxix. (1560) 289 A
marchant man maketh far voiages and great iourneis, and
ventureth body and goods. 1638 Ford Fancies v. iii, All men
of severall conditions; Soldier, Gentry, foole, scholler, Mer-
chant man, and Clowne. I7I9D'Urfey/V//jIII. 126'Mongst
Merchant-men, there's not one in ten, But what is a cunning
Angler. i8Sa Oltua Maremma iii, The port dues and
shipping taxes have.. nearly destroyed all the commerce of
the minor merchantmen of Italy. 1898 K. Tynan in Westm.
Gaz. 12 Oct. 1/3 Battering at Dublin gates till the com-
fortable merchantmen within were fairly distracted.
2. A vessel of the mercantile marine.
1627 Capt. Smith Seaman's Gram. xii. 56 Not manned
like a Merchant-man. 1711 Addison Sped. No. 21 P 9
Fleets of Merchantmen are so many Squadrons of floating
Shops. 1818 Mrs. Shellev Frankenst. iii. (1865) 19 This
letter will reach England by a merchantman now on its
homeward voyage. 1856 Olmsted Slave States 148 Mer-
chantmen were paying twenty-five dollars for common able
seamen.
Merchantry (mautjantri). [f. Merchant sb.
+ -ry. Cf. Merchandry.]
L The business of a merchant; trade, commercial
dealings.
1789 H . Walpole £<■/ to Miss H. More Sept., I wish human
wit, which is really very considerable in mechanics and mer-
chantry, could [etc.]. a 1800 S. Pegge A need. Eug. Lang.
267 Most of the streets, .have their titles from their Mer-
chantry. 1864 Mavhew German Life I. 165 In England,
..where merchantry is something beyond that of mere ped-
lar's work.
2. The body of merchants collectively.
1862 Carlyle Fredk. Gt. xm. vi. (1872) V. 73 Our Town-
Council, and whole Merchantry and Citizenry, safe under
this Prussian Sceptre.
Me'rchantship. rare. [f. Merchant sb. +
-ship.] The office or function of a merchant.
Used with possess, adj. as a title for a merchant.
162a Fletcher Beggars Bush v. ii, Your Merchantship
May breake, for this was one of your best bottoms, I thinke.
Me rchant-stranger. Obs. exc. Hist. [f.
Merchant sb. + Stranger.] A merchant who
comes from another country by sea ; a foreign or
alien trader.
1553 Eden Treat. New Ind. (Arb.) 21 Therfore the mar-
chaund straungers lodge not out of their shippes. 1557
Machyn Dtary (Carnden) 140 The xxiiij day of June was
goodly serves kept at the Frere Austens by the marchandes
strangers as has bene sene. 1606 G. Woodcocke Hist.
Ivstinc xxxvi. 114 The elder brothers .. secretly laid for
him, and -sold him to a Marchant-stranger. 1641 Earl
of Cork Diary in Lismore Papers Ser. 1. (1886) V. 200
Mr, Michaell casteel of London, merchant stranger. 1654
Goddard Introd. Burton" s Diary (1828J I. 125 Resolved,
that the merchants, commonly calling themselves merchants
of the intercourse, ..shall pay. . all such sum and sums of
money as shall be assessed . . upon them . . as any merchant-
strangers 1766 Barrington Observ. Stat. (ed. 2) 21 By an
ancient law of the Wisigoths. merchant strangers are not
only to be well treated, but tried by their own laws.
Merchant-tailor. Obs. exc with archaic
spelling in the names of the * Company of Mer-
chant Taylors' and the 'Merchant Taylors' School*.
[f. Merchant sb. + Tailor.] A tailor who supplies
the materials of which his goods are made. Hence,
a member of the company of Merchant-Taylors.
1504 Wriothesley Chron (Camden) I. 5 This yeare
the Taylors sued to the Kinge to be called Marchant
taylors. 1533 Cromwell in Merriman Life tt Lett. I. 356
Nicholas Glossop, an olde Auncient of youre Felisship of
merchaunt Taillours. 1556 Chron. Gr. Friars (Camden) 87
John Harres a merchant-taylor in Watlynge stret. 1687 [see
Linen-armourerJ. 1707 E. Chamberlayne Pres. St. Eug.
111. xi. 386 That eminent School [Merchant-Taylors'] near
Cannon-street, built by Sir Tho. White, Alderman, and Mer-
chant-Taylor of London. 1830 Penny Cycl. XIV. 118/2
The first twelve are called the Twelve Great Companies. . .
7. Merchant Tailors.
b. One educated at Merchant-Taylors* School.
1877 N. * Q. 3rd Ser. VII. 347 Sir Henry Ellis (himself
a Merchant Taylor). Ibid., Old Merchant Taylors.. who
take an interest in their school.
Me rchant-ve'nturer. Obs. exc. Hist. =■
Merchant-adventurer. Alsoy^f.
1550 Lever Serm. (Arb.) 131 The marchaunt venturer,
which . .caryeth furth suche thynges, as mayc well be spared,
and bryngelh home suche wares M muste needes be occu-
f pyed in thys realm. 1556 Machyn Diary (Camd.) 116
Gressem..marchand of trie [staple] of Callys and mar-
chand venterer. 159a G. Harvey Pierce" s Super. Wks.
(Grosart) II. 45 This brave Columbus of tearmes, and this
onely merchant venturer of quarrels. 1643 Rogers Xaamaii
1 88 The cause of God losing exceedingly by such Merchant
venturers. 1760 De Foe's Tour Gt. Brit. (ed. 7) II. 125
The Merchant- Venturers of the City of Bristol. 1890 Gross
Gild Merck. I. 132 Edward VI incorporated the ' merchant
, venturers ' inhabiting the town of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
t Merchantv. Obs. In 5-6 marchauntie.
[Altered form of Merchand y, after Merchant sb.]
a. Merchandise, goods, b. The whole body of
merchants.
c 1480 Childe of Bristowc 64 in HazL E. P. P. (1864) I.
113 That good getyn bymarchantye. .therwithwille y melle.
a 150a Arnolde Chron. (1811) 101 The marchauntie of
Amyas of Neele and of Corby purchased a letter ensealed
wl y* common seal of y° cite.
Merchasy, -aulcy, obs. ff. Marshalsea.
Merchaundise, obs. form of Merchandise.
Merchaunt\t, -tyse, obs. ff. Merchant, -dise,
Merche, obs. form of March, Marrow sb.1
Merchet (mautjet). Obs. exc. Hist. Also 6-8
marchet. [Anglo-Fr. merchet (whence med.L.
mercheta) «= ONF. market Market sb.] A fine
, paid by a tenant or bondsman to his overlord for
liberty to give his daughter in marriage.
1228 in Mem. Ripon (Surtees) I. 52 Merchet. 1491 Acta
Dom. Cone. (1839) 291/2 For be wrangwis..awaytakin &
withhaldin fra bairn of certane here;eldis, bludwetis & mer-
. chetis. 155a LvMDESAY Monarchy 5711 ">e Lordis and
Baron is, ..That jour pure Tennantis dois oppres . . With
merchetis of thare marriage. 1577 Holinsheu Hist. Scot.
258 Halfe a marke of siluer to bee payde to the Lorde of the
soyle, in redemption of the womans chastitie, which.. is
called the marchets of women. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 73
And she be the dochter of ane frie man, ..her marchet sail
be ane kow, or sax schillings. Ibid., The marchet of tbe
dochter of ane Earle perteines to the Queene,and is twelue
kye. 16x8 Coke On Litt. 140 Euerie tenant.. shall pay-
to the Lord, for the marriage of his daughter without licence,
a Fine ; and it is called Marchet. 1900 Cheyney in Eng.
Hist. Rev. XV. 31 Merchet is a more steady test (of a
. man's villainage], but even this is not always trustworthy.
Merchy, obs. Sc. form of Marrowy.
Merci, obs. form of Mercy.
t Merciable, a. Obs. Also 4 mercy abil, 4-5
merciabul, 4-6 mercyable, -byl, merciabil(l,
5 marciable. [OF. merciab/e} f. merci: see
Mercy.] Merciful, compassionate.
a 12x5 Ancr. R. 30 Merciable Louerd. a 1340 Hampole
! Psalter lxxvii. 42 He sail be made meicyabil till baire
synnys. 138a Wyclif Hebr. ix. 5 (MS. Trin. DubL) The
propiciatorre [gloss] or merciable place, 1421-2 Hoccleve
Dialog. 368 Thankid be our lord Ihesu merciable. 1513
1 Bradshaw St. Werburge 1. 2751 Who-so wyll haue mercy
1 Must be mercyable. 1579 Spenser Sheph. CaL Sept. 174
He is so meeke, wise, merciable, And with his word his
worke is con * enable.
absol. 1303 R. Brlnne Handl. Synne 3703 Blessyd be al
mercyable! bey shul se God. c 1395 Plowman s T. 96
Christ so gan us teche, And meke and merciable gan bless.
t Merciably, adv. Obs. [f. Merciable +
-LY -.] Mercifully.
1387-8 T. Usk Test. Love 111. ix. (Skeat) I. 73 So that
goddes hand, whiche that merciably me hath scorged, her*
after, .merciably me kepe and defende. 1535 Joye ApoL
Tindale (Arb. J 25 Yea he is redye, yf I fall, merciably to
lifte me vp agayn.
Mercial(l, obs. forms of Martial.
t Me'rciament. Obs. rare. Also 5 mercea-
merit, 6 mercyament. [Aphetic form of Amer-
ciament.] Amercement.
1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) II. 95 Blodcwitte, a mercia-
mente for effusion of bloode, 1494 Fabyan Chron. (1811)
1 344 Baylyes. .were conuycte.. for takynge of merceamentys
! otherwyse then tbe lawe them commaundyd. 1521 Maiden
j (Essex) Liber B. 57 Truly affur and sett al maner of mercya-
, ments made highe no man for no malice, lowe no man for
no love.
Mercian (ms'jsian, m^-Jpan), a. and sb. Also
6 Mercyen, -tian. [f. Alercia platinized from
OE. Merce, Jlfierce, pi., lit. ' people of the march,
marchers, borderers', f. mean Mark sb.1) +-Atf.]
A. adj. Of or belonging to the Old English
kingdom of Mercia or its language.
Although the political limits of Mercia were different at
different periods, it may broadly be said to have occupied
the middle of South Britain, between Deira on the north
and Wessex on the south, and between Wales on the west
and Lindsey and East Anglia on the east. The Mercian
dialect of Old English belongs to the Anglian (as opposed to
the Saxon) division, and is the dialect from which modern
standard English mainly descends.
1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. 11. 89 Wolphere, the Mercian King.
1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XI. 400/2 The extent of the
Mercian territories was so ample as to admit.. the con-
j stituting subordinate rulers. 184s Wright Lyric P. Pref.
: 6 We have another Mercian legend in Latin, De Martyrio
\ Sancti Wistani. 1887 Skeat Holy Gosp. in A. S. Pref. 7
The Old Mercian dialect. Ibid., The Old Mercian glosses
in the Rushworth MS. are of peculiar interest.
B. sb.
1. A native or inhabitant of Mercia.
1513 Bradshaw St. Werburge 1. 121 Her fathers kynge-
dome the realme of Mercyens. 1390 Spenser F. Q. hi. iii.
30 It shall make The warlike Mertians for feare to cjuake.
1656 K lol kt Glossogr. s.v. Mcrchcnlage, The third [Hivi^inn
of Ln^landl was possessed aud governed by the Mercians.
MERCIERE.
1876 Lumby Introd. to Higden (Rolls) VI. p. xxxv, Victory
declared lor the Mercians.
2. The dialect of Old English spoken in Mercia.
1887 Skeat Holy Gosp. in A. S. Pref. 7 A man whose
ordinary dialect was Mercian. 1889 Ibid, lntrod., The
present edition of the Four Gospels (in Latin, Anglo-Saxon,
Northumbrian and Old Mercian; brings together [etc],
t Merciere. Obs. [a. OF. merciere adj.,
merciful, f. tnerci MbeCT.J One who pities.
a 1340 Hampole Psalter \xxxv. 14 pou lord merciere and
merciful: suffrand and of mykil mercy and sothfast. /did.,
Merciere, doand dede of mercy.
ISCerciful (mausiful), a. [f. Mekcv sb. + -ful.]
Of persons, their actions, attributes, etc. : Having
or exercising mercy ; characterized by mercy.
, a 1300 E. E. Psalter cxliv. 8 Mercifulle and milde herted
in lande Lauerd, and mikel milde-herted and tholand. 1382
Wyclif Matt. v. 7 Blessed be mercyful men, for thei shuln
gete mercye. a 1425 Cursor M. (Trin.) 18359 Lord. .\>x wille
is merciful wibynne So pou dost awey oure synne. 1509
Fisher Funeral Serm. C'less Richmond Wks. (1876) 291
Mercyfull also & pyteous she was vnto suche as was greuyd
& wrongfully troubled. 1331 Tinijale Expos. 1 Johnii^)
2 Understandyn^e them [ye promises of mercye] .. after the
mercifullest fashion. 1553 Abp. Hamilton Catech. (1884)
25 How gratious and mercifull he is to al trew penitent
persones. 1610 Shaks. Temp. v. i. 178 Though the Seas
threaten they are mercifull, I haue curs'd them without
cause. i66z Stillingfl. Orig. Sacr. 'A. vi. §11 The mercifull
nature of God. 1715 De Foe Fam. Instruct. 1. i. (1841) I.
19 But God is merciful too, child. 1851 Dixon W. Pcnn
xxvii. (1872) 247 She had obeyed the merciful promptings
of her heart in sheltering a fellow-creature. 1886 Const. K.
Woolson East Angels xxxvii. 577 Merciful Heaven !..do
you care for him? — is that it?
absol. I38. Wyclif Set. Wks. III. 328 Blissed be be
mercyful. c 1460 Wisdom 1136 in Macro Plays 72 pe
ouer parte of yowur reasun, Be wyche ye haue lyknes of
Gode mest, Ande of bat mercyfull very congnycion.
b. In sarcastic use.
1805 Med. Jml. XIV. 566 It was merciful not to add
a thousand [facts] whilst he was about it.
Mercifully (raausifuli), adv. [f. prec. + -ly 2.]
In a merciful manner. Also occas. through God's
mercy.
a 1340 Hampole Psalter cxvi. 2 pe redempcioun of man
mercyfully hight is confermyd on vs. C1450 Godstoiu Regis.
t*r 4/13 Late us be neuer to hym vnkynde Mercyfully bat
made vs to be men. 1548-9 (Mar.) Bk. Com. Prayer,
Litany, Mercifully forgeue the synnes of thy people. 1779
J- Dcche Disc. (1790) I. i. 20 This mortified, penitent,
afflicted state is mercifully intended to bring us to a proper
sense of our helplessness. 1836 Lady Willoughby de
Eeesby in C. K. Sharpe Corr. (1888) II. 495 Mrs. Villiers,
in galloping to cover . . was pitched off, . . but mercifully
escaped with life and limb. 1903 A. B. Davidson Old Test.
Prophecy xv. 251 The house of God was at last overthrown
though its overthrow was mercifully postponed.
Mercifulness (mavisiftilnes). [f. Merciful
+ -ness.] The quality of being merciful.
1526 Tindale Rom. xii. 1, 1 beseche you therfore brethren
by the mercifulnes of God, that ye make youre bodyes a
quicke sacrifise. 1650 Jer. Taylor Holy Living (1727) 258
lhe next enemy to mercifulness.. is anger, a 1708 Beve-
ridge Thes. Theol. (1710) 1. 193 The names given in Scripture
to it [forgiveness] . . Mercifulness to our sins. 1852 Robert son
Led. u. (1858) 198 A school of warfare where the razzias of
Africa have not taught either scrupulosity or mercifulness
T Mercify, v. Obs. rare. [f. Mekcy + -(i)fy.]
trans. To pity, compassionate ; to extend mercy to.
1596 Spenser F. Q. vi. vii. 32 Many did deride, Whilest
she did weepe of no man mercifide. 1733 Crawford In.
fidelity (1836) 210 We must not only be mercified but
justified.
Merciless (msusiles), a. [f. Mehcy + -less.]
1. Of persons, their actions, attri butes, etc. : Devoid
of mercy ; showing no mercy ; pitiless, unrelenting.
13- . E. E. Allit. P. B. 250 per was malys mercyles &
mawgre much scheued. c 1420 Lydg. Siege Thebes 2206
bo mercyles in his cruette Thilke day he was vpon hem
tounde. 1550 Crowley Epigr. 1236 Iudgemente shall be
geuen,..Wythouteall mercye to suche as be merciles. i63t
Gouge Gods A rrows in. § 94. 360 They . . plotted the match-
lesse, mercilesse, devilish, and damnable gun-powder-treason.
1719 De Foe Crusoe I. (Globe) 249, I had rather.. be de-
vour d alive, than fall into the merciless Claws of the Priests
1843 .P«tSCOTTi^f.K»(i8so) I. 291 A stern prince, merci-
less in his exactions. 1900 Morley Cromwell vi. 94 The
merciless suppression of the rising of the Ulster chieftains.
absol 159a Daniel Delia Sonn. xi, I pray in vaine, a
merciles to moue.
b. transf. of inanimate things.
1382 Stanyhurst sEneis 1. (Arb.) 21 The southwynd
merciles eager Three gallant vessels on rocks gnawne
craggye reposed. 1596 Spenser F. Q. iv. viii. 51 All dis-
mayd through mercilesse despaire. 1634 Sir T. Herbert
I rav. 185 The mercilesse fury of the Sea. 1714 Pope Let.
to leresa Blount, Whatever ravages a merciless distemper
may commit,, .she shall have one man as much her admirer
aS,eVer'j ?*2 L' Stephen Pope iv. ,03 A doggrel epitaph
..turned his fine phrases into merciless ridicule.
t c. As sb. Mercilessness. Obs. rare.
1S84 9;„RoB,NSON Han<¥- Delites (Arb.) 25 The tor- '
ments .Which he . . had suffered long Al through this Ladies
mercilesse.
t d. As adv. Obs.
1556 Lauder Tractate 470 O Lord.. help the pure that
l o AS °PPrest and here't mercyles.
T ^- Obtaining no mercy. Obs.
c 1560 1 A. Scott Poems (S. T. S.) xvii. 11 All vertew in hir '
visage dots remans, Bot merciles I go from ?eir to 5eir. 1567
Gude $ Godlie Ball. (S.T.S.) 119 God hes left us mercyles.
Mercilessly (ms-isilesli), adv. [f. prec. +
-tY ^.J In a merciless manner.
349
1609 Bp. Hall Song 0/ Songs Paraphr. iv. 8 Cruell and
bloudy persecutors, who like Lions and Leopards haue
tyrannized over thee, and mercilesly torne thee in peeces.
1660 C. Ellis Gentile Sinner 197 Whilest she has been merci-
lessly torne in pieces, by the cruel teeth of those ravenous
beasts. 1755 in Johnson. 1833 H. Coleridge Biog. Bor.,
Marvell 26 So mercilessly had the Church of Scotland been
stripped . . that she could not afford an episcopal establish-
ment. 1883 Stevenson Treas. 1st. III. xiv, The sun still
shining mercilessly on the steaming marsh.
Mercilessness (mo-jsilesnes). [f. Merci-
less a. + -ness.] The quality or condition of
being merciless.
1591 Turnbull St. James 103 With crueltie to seeke the
vttermost of them ; is mercilesnes and crueltie. 1607
Hieron Wks. I. 270 Mercilesnesse, cruelty, .these and the
like.. bee our sinnes to this day. 1876 Geo. Eliot Dan.
Der. vi, She turned her eyes on him with calm mercilessness.
Merciment, obs. variant of Mercement.
t Mercimony. Obs. In 4-5 mercymonye.
[ad. L. mercitiwni-um merchandise, f. merci-, merx
merchandise; in med.L. also reward, from associa-
tion with viercedem (F. merci).]
1. Reward.
1377 Langl. P. PI. B. xiv. 126 Ac god is of a wonder wille
by bat kynde witte sheweth, To jiue many men his mercy-
monye ar he it haue deserued.
2. Merchandise.
01411 Lydg. Two Merchants 31 What mercymony that
men list devise, Is ther ful reedy and ful copious. 1494
I ahyan Chron. vii. 339 They came with theyr mercymonyes
vnto the fayre of Waltham. a 1550 Linage Ipocr. ii. 257 in
Skeltou's Wks. (1843) II. 426 Making parsemonyes Of
Peters patnmonyes But great mercymonyes Of his sere-
monyes.
Mercure, obs. form of Mercury.
Mercurean (maUdiin-an), [f. Mercury +
-ean.] An inhabitant of the planet Mercury.
1855 J. Nichol in Mem. U896) II. 113, I wonder what
view of creation the inhabitants of Jupiter, or the sunny
Mercureans now illustrate and expound.
Mercurial (ma.ikiu<>'rial), a. and sb. [a. F.
mercuric/ and (as sb., in the sense B 1 ) mercurial,
ad. L. mercurial-is, {. Mercuri-us Mercury : see
-al.] A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to the god Mercury ; resem-
bling what pertains to Mercury. Now rare.
t Mercurial statue, stone: cf. Mercury 2.
1599 B. Jonson Cynthia's Rev., 1st Masque, A Petasus or
Mercurial hat. 1S11 Shaks. Cymb. iv.ii. 310, 1 know the shape
of 's Legge : this is his Hand, His Foote Mercuriall : his
martiall Thigh, The brawns of Hercules. 1637EAHLSTIRI.1.NG
Parxnesis to tlie Prince lxxv, O ! how this (deare Prince)
the people charmes, . .To see thee yong, yet manage so thine
Armes, Have a Mercuriall minde and Martiall hands. 1638
Chillingw. Rclig. Prot. 1. iii. § 34. 146 As the Wisemen
were led by the Starre, or as a traveller is directed by a
Mercuriall statue. 1716 Hearne Collect. (O. H. S.) V. 282,
I take them to be old mile Stones, or Mercurial Stones. 1874
Symonds Sk. Italy * Greece (1898) I. xiii. 285 A mercurial
poise upon the ankle.
b. nonce-use.
thieving.
1744 Whitehead Gymnasiad 1. 37 note, Tricking, lying,
evasion,.. are a sort of properties pertaining to tile practice
of the law, as well as to the mercurial profession.
2. Pertaining to the planet Mercury, f Also in
Astrology, influenced by Mercury, proceeding from
the influence of Mercury. Mercurial finger : the
little finger. Obs.
1390 Gower Conf. III. 130 The sexte-.Canis minor is;
The which sterre is Mercurial Be weie of kinde. 1610 B.
Jonson Alchemist 1. iii, Svb. ..I knew't, by certaine spots
too, in his teeth, And on the naile of his mercurial finger.
Fac. Which finger's that? Svb. His little finger. 1625
Hart Anat. Ur. 11. x. 120 Wilt thou . . maintaine, that all
Mercuriall diseases are seated in the head onely? a 1668 Sir
W. Waller Div. Medit. (1839) 40 Generally men are like
that mercurial planet, good or bad according to their con-
junction with others. 1690 Leybourn Curs. Math. 451 b,
I shall forbear to add those distinctions which some have
given them [sc. Comets] in reference to the Planets, they
making some Solar, others Lunar, Mercurial., and Saturnine.
1862 G. Wilson Relig. Chem. 59 The mercurial day being,
like our own, twenty-four hours long. 1881 Proctor Poetry
Astron. vii. 252 The Mercurial climate.
3. Of persons: Born under the planet Mercury ;
having the qualities supposed to proceed from such
a nativity, as eloquence, ingenuity, aptitude for
commerce.
These qualities are identical with those assigned by the
ancients to the god Mercury, or supposed to be due to his
inspiration. Hence in some of the following quots. the
allusion may be rather mythological than astrological, or
perh. a mixture of the two.
1593 G- Harvey Pierces Super. Wks. (Grosart) II. 63
You that intende to be fine companionable gentlemen,.,
enure your Mercuriall fingers to frame semblable workes of
Supererogation. 1647 Lilly Chr. Astrol. Ixxix. 438 Mer-
curiall men, viz. Schollars, or Divines would be his enemies.
1652 Urquhart Jewel Wks. (1834) 240 He speaks too well
to be valiant; he is certainly more Mercurial than mili-
tary. 1691 Wood Ath. Oxon. I. 287 His mind being more
Martial than Mercurial, he [W. Monson] applied himself to
Sea-service.
4. Volatile, sprightly, and ready-witted. Origin-
ally a specific use of sense 3 ; now commonly
apprehended as alluding to the properties of the
metal mercury,
1647 Trapp Comm. Jas. i. 1 The most nimble and Mer.
curiall wits in the world, but light. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist.
Applied to the ' profession ' of
MERCURIALIST.
v.i. § 40 He none of the most Mercurial amongst the Conclave
of Cardinals, but a good heavy man. 1709 Steele Taller
No. 30 r 3 One of them was a mercurial gay-humour'd Man
1827 Disraeli Viv. Grey v. ix, The gay, gallant, mercurial
Frenchman. 1873 Dixon Two Queens I. n. iii. 84 The
people were a quick, mercurial, and artistic race 1903
Coutemp. Rev. Sept. 327 That curious, monkeyish, rm-r.
curial person M. Guyot de Montpeyroux.
5. Of or pertaining to mercury or quicksilver ■
consisting of or containing mercury. Also, of
certain diseases or symptoms (e. g. mercttrial
eczema, glossitis, rash) : Produced by the exhibition
of mercury. Hence, occas., of an organ, etc. :
Showing ' mercurial ' symptoms.
Mercurial ointment : the ' blue ointment ' composed of
metallic mercury triturated with lard. Mercurial {.pneu-
matic) trough : a pneumatic trough filled with mercury.
1657 G. Starkey llelnwnt's Vind. Epist. Rdr., I have ..
rejected all Mercurial and Antimonial Medicaments, either
Vomitive, Purgative, or Salivative. 1660 Boyle New Exp.
Phys. Mech. xvii. 108 The height of the Mercurial Cylinder.
1693 Halley in Phil. Trans. XVII. 652 'lhe precise nicety
of the Mercurial Barometers. 1744 Berkeley Sin's § 100
A mercurial salivation is looked on by many as the only
cure. 1786 J. Hunter Venereal Dis. (1810) vi. iii. 503 The
gums, inside of the cheeks, and the breath, were truly mer-
curial. 1789 Cullen Mat. Med. II. 306 Our common mer-
curial ointment. 1807 Med. Jrul. XVII. 379 What the
author calls the mercurial rash, or, as it is called by some
others, the Lepra mercurialis. 01823 M. Baillie Wks.
(1825) I. 13 Mercurial frictions were also employed. 1825
J. Nicholson Opcrat. Mechanic 525 This [Graham's] pen-
dulum, which is called the mercurial pendulum. 1836-41
Brande Chem. (ed. 5) 401 Itmay often be. .collected in dry
phials, without a mercurial trough. 1843 R. J. Graves Syst.
Clin. Med. xxviii. 362 An eruption, to which the name mer-
curial eczema has been given. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk.
477 Mercurial Gauge, a curved tube partly filled with mer-
cury, to show the pressure of steam in an engine. 1873 W.F.
Clarke Dis. Tongue 105 But happily ' mercurial glossitis '
is now seldom seen. 1878 Huxley Physiogr. 78 He obtained
it from the red mercurial powder. 1884 F. J. Britten
i Watch <y Clockm. 189 In the mercurial pendulum the jar of
' mercury does not answer so quickly to a change of tempera-
ture as the steel rod.
f6. Old Chem. Pertaining to, or consisting of,
' mercury ' as one of the five ' principles ' of bodies
(see Mercury 8). Obs.
1605 Timme Quersit. 1. v. 20 Sal amoniac doth participate
I of the mercurial beginning. 1633 Hart Diet of Diseased
11. xvii. 206 The mercuriall or walerish part [of milk] called
serum.
B. sb.
fl. The plant mercury. Obs. [ = L. (herba)
• mercurialis, OF. mercuriel, mod. F, me7xuriale!\
1607 Topsell Four-/, Beasts (1658) 536 Take as much
Mercurial sodden, as one's hand can hold,., and drink the
; same. 1626 Bacon Sylva § 41 Medecines Emollient ; Such
as are Milk, Honey, Malloues, Lettuce, Mercuriall [etc.].
t 2. A person born under the influence of the
planet Mercury, or having the qualities characterise
: tic of such a nativity; a lively or sprightly person ;
also, one addicted to cheating and thieving. Obs.
1598 Sylvester Du Bartas n. i. n. Imposture 443 Who,
for sustaining of unequal! Scale, Dreads not the Doom of
a Mercuriall. 1614 Tomkis Albumazar 1. i. (1615) B, Come
braue Mercurials sublim'd in cheating, ..fellow-souldiers
I'th' watchfull exercise of Theevery. 1622 Bacon Hen. VII
113 This Youth .. was such a Mercuriall, as the like hath
seldome beene knowne. 1650 Gentilis Constderat. 156
The Mercurials with their swiftnesse run over all things.
1696 Phillips, Mercurial, or Mercuriatist, one born under
the Planet Mercury.
3. A preparation of mercury used as a drug in
the cure of certain diseases.
1676 Wiseman Surg. vn. iv. 40 By Mercurials we do more
certainly resolve them [nodes] and in a less time. 1716 M.
Davies Atlten. Brit. II. 352 The great Pox, which can scarce
ever be cur'd without Viperals or Mercurials. 1735 Bracken
in Bunion's Pocket-Farrier 71 note. The Cure is perform'd
by Mercurials outwardly and inwardly. 1829-32 Chkisti-
son Treat. Poisons xiii. (ed. 2) 380 The blue ointment,
which is made of running mercury, will act as a mercurial
when rubbed upon the skin. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med.
VI. 151 The judicious employment of mercurials might
prove highly beneficial.
Mercurialism (msikiuVrializ'm). Path. [f.
Mercurial a. + -ism.] The pathological condition
induced by the absorption of mercury into the body.
1829-32 Chkistison Treat. Poisons xiii. (ed. 2) 372 [He]
had . . all the symptoms pf mercurialism eight years after he
had ceased to take mercury. 1862 New Syd. Soc. Year-bk.
Med. $ Surg. 319 An investigation of Constitutional Mer-
curialism. 1897 AUbutt's Syst. Med. IV. 596 It [i.e. Mer-
curial inunction] must be used with caution so as to avoid
any symptoms of mercurialism.
Mercurialist (maikiu>rialist). [f. Mer-
curial + -IST.]
+ 1. One under the influence of the planet Mer-
cury. Obs.
J5^9 J* Sanford tr. Agrippa's Van. Artes 50 b, She
pronounceth. .another a Venerean, Mercurialist or Lunist.
1621 Burton Anat. Mel. 1. iii. 1. iii. (1628) 181 Mercurialists
are solitary, much in contemplation, subtile, Poets, Philoso-
phers. 1651 Culpepper Astrol. Judgem. Dis. (1658) 96-
That's the reason Mercurialists (if Mercury be strong) are
so swift in motions, so fluent of speech.
f b. One having the qualities attributed to per-
sons born under Mercury ; an eloquent or ingeni-
ous person; a trader ; occas. in bad sense, a sharper,
thief. Obs.
1566 Dkant Horace, Sat. 11. iii. F vj b, My witte so Ueepc
MERCURIALITY.
soe sore to dcale, such lucke, to win or saue, That me a
Mercurialiste to surname then they gaue. 1576 Fleming
Panopl. Epist. P v, I may rather shew my selfe a Mer-
curialise, then a Martialist. 1589 Warner Alb. Eng. Pr.
Add. 152 .(Eneas, for personage the Iomlist, for well-spoken
the Mercurilist. 1591 Greene Farew. Follie^i";) C 2, Hee
that . . with a deepe insight marketh the nature of our Mer-
curialistes shall find as fitte a harbour for Pride vnder
a Schollers Cappe as vnder a Souldiers Helmet, 1608 J .
King Semi. 5 Nov. 26 Where the great Mercurialists of
the world for wit & deuises. .haue a finger in the menag-
ing of al Christian states. 1644 Bulwer Chiron. 134 For
such Mercurialists who addresse themselves to filch. 1655
H. L'Estrangk Chas. / 169 A foul blemish it would have
been to the Mercurialists, to the Society of Jesus, should
they have sate out in a work so proper to their imploy-
ment (the incitation of Kingdomes and States to turbulent
commotions) as these Scot'sh broyls.
+ 2. A guide, director. (Cf. Mekcuby 2.) Obs.
1635 Gellibrand Variation Magn. Needle 5 By the
Prosthaphaereticall application thereof, the true point of
the compasse ( which is his principa.il Mercurialist) may be
rectified.
3. A medical man who makes free use of prepara-
tions of mercury in the treatment of certain diseases.
During the first half of the 19th c. the authorities on the
treatment of syphilis were divided into ' mercurialists' and
' non-mercuria!ists '.
1835 Mem. Sir % Y. Simpson iii. 48 He appears to be
a great mercurialist and promoter of the business of the
apothecary. 1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med. xxix. 367
The rational practitioner is neither a mercurialist nor a
non-mercurialist.
Mercuriality (m«kiu*ri3e"llti). [f. Mekcurial
+ -ITT.]
I. The condition of being mercurial; sprightliness;
also, an instance of this.
1653 R. Sanders Physiogn. 68 A curious mind, given to
travel . . his subtilty . . all relates to his Mercuriality. 1838
De Quincky Lamb Wks. 1858 IX. 154 The mercurialities
of I.amb were infinite. 1898 Spectator 23 Apr. 580 The
mercuriality of the Celtic temperament.
t 2. The mercurial part (of something). Obs.
1471 Ripley Comp. Alch. in Ashm. (1652) 192 A naturall
Mercuryalyte which cost ryght nought, Out of hys myner
by Arte yt must be brought. 1657 G. Starkey Helmout"s
Vind. 316 The Sulphur of any metall or mmerall (that may
be separated from the Mercuriality. .) may be made into the
form of an essentiall Salt.
Mercurialization vm3ikiu» riabiz^-Jan). [f.
next + -ATIOX.]
1. Med. The action of subjecting to mercurial
treatment ; the condition of being affected by
mercury.
1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med. vi. 78 By judicious
mercurialization of the patient, the destructive progress of
the disease is arrested. 1883 Holmes <y Itnlke's Syst. Surg.
{ed. 3) II. 557 Other more marked proximate causes have
been mercurialisation..and erysipelas. 1897 Allbutt's Syst.
Med, IV. 812 General mercunalisation is avoided.
2. A mercurial process employed in the develop-
ment of photographs.
1853 R. Hunt Man. Photogr. 93 After the daguerreotype
processes in the camera, and of mercurialization, have been
completed, a very perfect picture is found.
Mercurialize (maikiuo'riabiz;,^. [f. Mer-
curial + -IZE.]
f 1. intr. To play the part of a 'mercurial * per-
son ; also to mercurialize it. Obs.
1611 Cotgr., Mercurializer, to mercurialize it; to be
humorous, fantasticall, new-fangled. 1656 Blount Glossogr.,
Mercurialize, to be humorous or phantastical, to be light
footed; to prattle or babble; Also to be eloquent.
2. trans. To render mercurial in temper.
1862 Temple Bar VI. 195 A variety of amusements which
. . mercurialise the race that delights in them.
3. Med. To subject to the action of mercury.
1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med. viiL 96 You may have
fully mercurialized your patient. 1880 M. Mackenzie Dis.
Throaty Nose I. 35 Those who have.. been mercurialised
are very subject to the affection [of pharyngeal catarrh].
4. Photography. To treat with mercury ; to ex-
pose to the vapour of mercury.
1843 [W* H. T.] Photogr. Manip. 27 Mercurializing the
Plate. 1856 Miller EUm. Chew., Inorg. 1144.
Hence Mercurialized///, a., Mercurializing
vbl. Slh
1841 A mer. J ml. Sci. X L. 138 A . . mercurializing apparatus.
1845 Photogr. made easy 29 The mercurializing process.
/bid., The mercurializing box. 1855 Grove Cory. Phys.
Forces (ed. 3) 91 The mercurialised portions of a daguer-
reotype. 1897 A llbutt's Syst. Med. II. 933 Men are said
to have become mercurialised by volatilisation of the metal.
Mercurially (majkiue-riaU), adv. [f. Mer-
curial a. + -LY 2]
L In a mercurial or lively manner, rare.
165a Urquhart Jewel Wks. (1834) 229 He [Crichtoun]
would keep in that iniscelany discourse of his such a climac-
terical and mercurially digested method, that [etc.].
2. By a mercurial process.
1881 Abney Photogr. 36 The metal plate is by contrast
dark when compared with the mercurially-developed image.
1893 Westm. Gaz. 23 June 4/2 Fitted into holders of solid
silver, mercurially gilt.
Mercu rialness, rare, [-ness.] Liveliness,
sprightliness.
1817 W. Irving Life § Lett. (1864) I. 390 They will serve
to . . give a dash of spirit and mercurialness to his character.
Mercurian (msjkiuo'rian), a, and sb. [f.
Mercury + -an.]
A. adj.
350
+ 1. —Mercurial a. 3; sometimes interpreted
as alluding to the qualities of the god Mercury.
1596 Nashe SaffronAValden Wks. (Grosart) III. 142 The
Mercurian heauenly charme of hys Rhetorique. 1616 Bul-
lokar Eng. Expos., Mercurian, eloquent as Mercury was.
16*0 Melton Astrolog. 6 Some Mercurian and nimble-
finger'd Pick-pocket. 1677 W. Hubbard Narrative Pref.,
Where Poetry, in Prose, made I did see By a Mercurian
Brain, which sure was Thee.
2. Of or belonging to the god Mercury.
1838 Brit. Cycl. Biog. II. 206/2 [Linus] is said to have
added the string lichanos to the Mercurian lyre.
3. Astr. Of or belonging to the planet Mercury.
1885 Agnes Clerke Pop. Hist. Astron. 121 The Mer-
curian mass is now estimated at about 1 -£-4,360,000 that of
the Sun.
B.sb.
1. One born under the influence of the planet
Mercury.
1640 So.mner Antiq. Canterb. 267 A commendation of
Archery; not my owne, nor yet any meere Mercurians. 1677
W. Hubbard Narrative 11. 87 If Mars and Minerva go
hand in hand, they will effect more good in an hour than
those Verbal Mercurians in their lives. 189* Pall Mall G.
4 Oct. 7/1 The long finger of Mercury is very noticeable
in his case, .and proves Mr. Grossmith a true Mercurian.
2. An inhabitant of the planet Mercury.
1868 W. White Sivedenborg xviii. (ed. 2) 290 When the
Mercuiians met Swedenborg, they instantly explored his
memory in search of all he knew.
t Mercu riate. Chem. Obs. [f. Mercury +
-ate !.] A salt of the supposed mercuric acid.
1801 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) Suppl. I. 388/2 Mercuriat of
lime. . . Mercuriat of ammonia. 1802 T. Thomson Chem. 1. 433
This compound may be called mercuriat [ed. 3, 1807, mer- j
curiate] of lime.
Mercuric (maikiuVrikO, a. Chem. [f. Mer-
CURY + -IC.] fa. Mercuric acid \ see quot. 1828-
32. b. The distinctive designation of salts in '
which mercury exists in its higher degree of valency, I
as Mercuric chloride = Corrosive sublimate;
Mercuric sulphide = Vermilion.
1828-32 Webster, Mercuric acid, a saturated combination j
of mercury and oxygen. 1865 Watts Diet. Chem. III. 900
Normal mercuric salts.. are colourless. 1874 Gakrod & !
Haxter Mat. Med. (1880) 103 Mercuric chloride and sul-
phate of soda are produced.
Mercurico- ^majkiud'rikfl), combining form of
Mercuric in the names of numerous compounds
of mercury with various salts, as mercurico-barytic y
-calcic, cupric, polassic, etc. (See Mayne Expos.
Lex. 1856, and Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890.)
Mercurification (maukiurink^'Jan). [f.
Mercurify : see -fication.]
1. t 8" Alch. The action or process of obtaining
the 'mercury ' of a metal (obs.). b. The conver-
sion of the ore of mercury into the pure metal.
1680 Boyle Produc. Chem. Princ. IV, 148 Wary men may
be excus'd, if they do not think fit to beleeve other pro-
cesses of mercurification. 1757 tr. HenckeCs Pyritologia
100 In the mercurification ana regulation of cinnabar. 1797
Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XI. 401/2 Mercurification ..the ob-
taining the mercury from metallic minerals in its fluid state.
2. The act of mixing with mercury or quicksilver
(Worcester i860).
t Mercurify, v. Obs. [f. Mercury + -fy.]
1. trans, a. Alch. To change (a portion of a
metallic mass) into the form of mercury, b. To
extract liquid mercury from (metallic ore).
1680 Bovle Produc. Chem. Princ. iv. 188 A part only of
the metall is Mercurified. 1797 [see belowj.
2. To combine, treat or mingle with mercury ;
to mercurialize (Worcester 1846).
Hence + MercuTifled ///. a.
1680 Boyle Produc. Chem. Princ. iv. 186 The Mercurifi'd
portion. 1797 Encycl. Brit. ted. 3) XI. 401/2 But these
mercurified metals., are a kind of philosophical mercury.
Mercu-rio-syphilis. Path. rare. [f. mer-
curio- taken as combining form of Mercury.]
A diseased condition supposed to be caused in part
by syphilis and in part by the mercury employed
for its cure. Hence Mercuric-syphilitic a.,
affected by mercurio-syphilis.
1829 Sir R. Christison Treat. Poisons _ (1832) 369 An
ulcerated sore-throat of the mercuric-syphilitic kind, a 1882
— in Life I. vi. 141 Mercurio-syphilis and mercurial cachexy
had no place in his nosology.
1 Mer curious (majkiiwTias), a. Obs. rare.
[f. Mercury + -ous.] Of a mercurial temperament.
1591 Sparry tr. Cattail's Geomancie 233 People Saturnious
and Mercurious.
Hence I Mercu riousness, the condition of being
like Mercury (in celerity).
ai66i Fuller Worthies. Kent (1662) u. 85 He had given
him for the Crest of his Arms, a Chappeau with Wings, to
denote the Mercuriousnesse of this Messenger.
t Mercurism. Obs. rare—1, [f. Mercury +
-ism.] A Mercurial message.
1672 Sir T. Browne Let. to Friend r 2 Tracts (1822) 112
Your affection may cease to wonder that you had not some
secret sense or intimation thereof [sc. of his death] by
dreams, thoughtful whisperings, mercurisms [etc].
t Mcrcurist. Obs. [f. Mercury + -ist.]
1. *= Mercurialist i.
1602 R. T. Five Godlie Serm. 139 As being a Martialist,
affecting armes, rather then a Mercurist giuen to the Artes. |
MERCURY.
1656 Heylin Extran. Vapulans 166 Keep yourself to plain
Grammar learning, and leave my Lady Philology to more
learned Mercurists.
2. A writer of* Mercuries' or news-letters,
1693 Humours Town 78 Dedicators and Preface-makers..
Jurnalists, Mercurists.
Mercurous (m§ ikiuras), a. Chem. [f. Mer-
cury + -ous.] The distinctive designation of com-
pounds in which mercury occurs in its lower degree
of valency, as mercitrous oxide, sulphide, etc.
1865 Watts Diet. Chem. III. 903 Mercurous fluoride is
partly dissolved by water, partly decomposed into mercurous
oxide and hydrofluoric acid. 1866 Roscoe Chem. 220 The
black or mercurous oxide. 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. II.
926 A solution of mercurous and mercuric nitrate.
Mercury (maukiuri), sb. Forms : 4-5 mar-
cure, 4-7 mercurie, 5 mercurye, 5-7 mercure,
6 marcury, 7 dial, marcary, markry, 5- mer-
cury, fad. (partly through OF. Mercure, Manure)
L. Mercurials, prob. f. mere-, merx merchandise.
The Roman deity was prob. originally the god of com-
merce only ; but in Latin literature he appears as completely
identified with the Greek Hermes.
The transferred application to the planet is found in
classical Latin *, like the other planetary names, Mercurius
became in med. Latin the name of a metal. The astronomical
and chemical uses are common to the mod. European langs.;
the use as a plant-name is Eng. only, suggested by L.
mercuridlis (see Mercurial B.]
I. The god (and derived senses').
1. A Roman divinity, identified from an early
period with the Greek Hermes (son of Jupiter and
Maia), the god of eloquence and feats of skill, the
protector of traders and thieves, the presider over
roads, the conductor of departed souls to the
Lower World, and the messenger of the gods ;
represented in art as a young man with winged
sandals and a winged hat, and bearing the caduceus.
1340-70 Alex. # Dind. 667 For mercurie miche spak to
mentaine tangle, }e holden him . . god of be tounge. 1390
Gower Conf II. 158 An other god . . Mercurie hihte . .The
god of Marchantz and of thieves. 1509 Hawes Joyf. Med.
20 Thou Mercury the god of eloquence. 1564 Brief Exam.
B iiij b, Wyne was consecrated vnto Bacchus, . . Letters vnto
Mercury. 1595 Lyly Woman in Moone iv. i, I will make her
false and full of slights, Theeuish, lying, suttle, eloquent ;
For these alone belong to Mercury. 1601 Shaks. Twel. N.
1. v. 105 Now Mercury indue thee with leasing. 1602 —
Ham. 111. iv. 58. 1781 Cowt'ER Conversat. 838 May Mercury
once more embellish man.
2. Astatueor image of Mercury ; spec. =Herma;
hence, + a sign-post.
1644 Evelyn Diary 8 Nov., A noble fountaine govern'd
by a Mercury of brasse. 1667 Dryden & Dk. Newcastle
Sir M. Mar-all iv, I stand here, methinks, just like a
wooden Mercury, to point her out the way to matrimony.
1693 G. Stepny in Drydeu's Juvenal \m. (1697) 194 Those
rough Statues on the Road (Which we call Mercuries), a 1697
Aubrey Surrey (1719) II. 92 Here was formerly a Mercury,
or Directory-Post for travellers, with Hands pointing to
each Road. 1709 Steele Taller No. 89 f ii You may be
sure this addition disfigured the statues much more than
time had. I remember . . a Mercury with a pair of legs that
seemed very much swelled with adropsy. 1760-7* H. Brooke
Fool of dual. (1809) II. 42 Have you any more blocks,
madam, for the hewing out of our mercuries?
3. Applied transf. to persons : a. A messenger
or news-bearer.
1594 Shaks. Rich. Ill, 11. i. 88 But he (poore man) by
your first order dyed, And that a winged Mercurie did
beare. 1678 Baller in Rigaud Corr. Sci. Men (1841) II.
31 Mr. Gibbons (the mercury of these) waits on horseback
at the door. 1678 Abp. Sancroft Occas. Serm. (1694) 131
We give the Winds Wings, and the Angels too ; as being
the swift Messengers of God, the nimble Mercuries of
Heaven. 1864 Athenxnm 7 May 637 These chicken-hearted
Mercuries [post-boys] always pulled up in Hammersmith,
and drank their pint before they faced the common.
b. One who passes to and fro with messages
between parties, esp. in amorous affairs; a go-
between.
1598 Shaks. Merry W. 11. ii. 82 But what saies shee to mee?
be briefe my good shee-Mercurie. 1638 Sir T. Herbert
Trav. (ed. 2) 268 Elgaz-zuli a nimble mercurie undertakes
it, and by miraculous conceits agrees them, and fills up the
late made breach. 1749 Smollett Gil Bias {1797) III. 138,
I am on the eve of becoming Mercury to the heir of the
Kingdom. 1803 Censor 1 Aug. 93 He should sound her
maid, who., will prove herself a very Mercury in delivering
the letters that may be entrusted to her on either side.
1817 Byron Beppo xvi, A letter, Which flies on wings of
light-heel'd Mercuries.
C. A guide or conductor upon the road.
1592 Moryson Lett, in /tin. 1. 25 The Mercury you gave
to guide me, brought me meate plentifully. 1617 Ibid. m.
I I God for his onely begotten Sonnes sake (the true Mercury
of Travellers) bring us that are here strangers safely into
our true Countrey. 1641 I. W[adsworthJ {title) The
European Mercury. Describing the Highwayesand Stages
from place to place, through the most remarkable parts
of Christendome. 1642 Milton Apot. Smect. Wks. 1851
III. 284 Others, as the Stoicks, to account reason, which
they call the Hegemonicon, to be the common Mercury
conducting without error those that give themselves obedi-
ently to be led accordingly.
t d. A nimble person ; also, a dexterous thief.
1599 B. Jonson Ev. Man out of Hum. 1. ii, I would ha'
tho-^e Mercuries follow me (I trow) should remember they
had not their fingers for nothing. 1609 Ev. Woman in
Hum. 1. i. in Bullen O. PL IV, There again my little
Mercuries, froath them up to the brinune, and fill as tis
needeful.
MERCURY.
t e. One who hawks pamphlets or news-books.
1648 Commons' Jmls. V. 436 That thirty thousand of
these petitions were to come forth in print this day, and
delivered to the Mercuries that cry about books. 1655
Fuller Hist. Camb. 24 Circumforanean Pedlers (ancestors
to our modem Mercuries and Hawkers) which secretly vend
prohibited Pamphlets. 1721 Lett. fr. Mist's Jrnl. (1722)
II. 256 The Croud of Coffee-Men, Mercuries, Pamphlet-
Shop-Keepers, and Hawkers.
4. A title for a newspaper or journal, f Formerly
also used gen. = newspaper.
[1626 B. Jonson Staple of News 1. v, But what sayes
Mercurius Britannicus to this ?] 1643 (title) The Scotch
Mercury, communicating the affairs of Scotland and the
Northern Parts. No. 1, Oct. 5. 1644 Nicholas in Carte
Ormond (5735) III. 279 Whereof your Excellence will find
exact relation in the mercuries adjoined. 1664 Butler Hud.
II. i. 56 With letters hung like Eastern Pidgeons, And
Mercuries of furthest Regions. 1691 (title) The Athenian
Mercury. Numb. 2. 1725 Stamp-Office Notice 3 Apr. in
Loud. Gaz. No. 6362/1 No Journal, Mercury or Newspaper.
1791 D'Israeli Curios. Lit., Orig. Newspapers § 14 A
Mercury was the prevailing title of these 'News-Books'.
1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng. xxi. IV. 542 No allusion to it
[the bill of 1695 for the regulation of the press] is to be found
in the Monthly Mercuries. 1906 (title) The Leeds Mercury.
II. The planet.
5. Astr. The planet nearest to the sun, and the
smallest of the major planets.
1:1386 Chaucer Wife's Prol. 703 And thus, god woot !
Mercurie is desolat In Pisces, wher Venus is exaltat. 1390
Gower Con/. III. no Of the Planetes the secounde Above
the Mone hath take his bounde, Mercurie. c x.440 Promp.
Parv. 333/2 Mercurye, sterre, mercurius. 1509 Hawes
Past. Pleas, xvi. (Percy Soc.) 74 Fayre golden Mercury,
wyth hys bemes bryght. 1611 Shaks. IVint. T. iv. iii. 25
My Father. .who being (as I am) lytter'd vnder Mercurie,
was likewise a snapper-vp of vnconsidered trifles. 1642
Howell For. Trav. v. (Arb.) 33 Mercury swayeth ore the
one [a Frenchman], and Saturne ore the other [a Spaniard].
1832 MacGiluvkw Hnm/roldt's Trav. xxiii. 336 At. .Callao,
Humboldt had the satisfaction of observing the transit of
Mercury. 1880 Ball Elcm. Astron. 191 The time in which
Mercury revolves round the sun is 87 days.
6. Her. The name for the tincture purpure in
blazoning by the names of the heavenly bodies.
156a Leigh Armorie 18, I will speake of the Planet appro-
pried therto Ik. to the tincture purpure] and that hyght
Mercurye. 1572 Bosseweli. Armorie 11. 57 The fielde is
Mercury, an Equicerve, of the Moone. 1725 J. Coats Diet.
Heraldry (1739). 1828-40 Berry Eucycl. Herald. I.
III. The metal (and derived senses).
7. A well-known metal (otherwise called Quick-
silver), of a silver-white colour and brilliant
metallic lustre. It is liquid at ordinary tempera-
tures, solidifying at about — 40 °. It has the peculiar
property of absorbing other metals, forming amal-
gams. It is found native, but is more commonly
obtained by sublimation from cinnabar, its most
important ore. Chemical symbol Hg {hydrar-
gyrum}. By the alchemists it was represented by
the same sign as the planet Mercury ( $ ).
c 1386 Chaucer Can. Yeom. Prol. $ T. 219, 221 And in
amalgaming and calcening Of quik-silver, y-clept Mercurie
crude. . . Our orpiment and sublymed Mercurie. c 1485 Digby
Myst.(^ta-i) in. 318 Gold perteynyng to be Sonne . . pe fegetylT
mercury, on-to mercuryus. 1555 Eden Decades (Arb.) 363
They..amalgame it .. with Mercurie or quicksyluer. 1604
E. G[rimstone] D'Acosta's Hist. Indies IV. x. 235 The
fume of Mercurie is mortall. 1612 Woodai.l Surg. Mate
Wks. (1653) 226 Sublimed Mercury is called onely by the
name of Mercury, and by the vulgar speech, some call it
white Marcary and Markry. 1614 W. Barclay Nepenthes
A 6 b, There is no vegetall in the world, hath such affinitie
with any mineral!, as hath Tabacco with Mercure, or quicke-
siluer. 1758 [see Jupiter 2 b]. 1863 Fownes' Chem. (ed. 9)
392 Alloys of mercury with other metals are termed
amalgams.
b. A preparation of the metal or of one of its
compounds (esp. the protochloride or calomel, and
the bichloride or corrosive sublimate), used in
medicine.
1789 W. Buchan Dom. Med. (1790) 659 Bolus of Rhubarb
and Mercury. Take of the best rhubarb . . half a drachm ;
of calomel, from four to six grains. 1801 Med. Jrnl. V. 73
He took no mercury nor any other medicine. 1903 Sloan
Carlyle Country xv. 125 Dr. Bell gave him mercury and
solemnly commanded him to abstain from tobacco.
c. The column of mercury in a barometer or
thermometer. Alsoyff.
1704 Phil. Trans. XX I V. 1629 An Experiment, to show the
cause of the descent of the Mercury in the Barometer in a
Storm. 1729 Clarke tr. Rohaulfs Nat. Philos. 72, I filled
a I ube three Foot and a half long, with Quicksilver, .. I .. ob-
served exactly the Height of the Mercury. 1756 C. Lucas Ess.
Waters I. 44 The mercury falls below 33 degrees of Fahren-
heit s thermometer. 1883 Mrs. Bishop in Leis. Hour 195/1
the mercury has not been above 830. 1897 IVestm. Gas.
4 June 2/1 People would like to stand in front of the mer-
cury of war and see it rise or fall.
_ d. Vegetable mercury : (a) a name for the Bra-
zilian plant Francisceatmiflora (Treas. Bot. 1866);
{") see quot. 1887.
1887 Standard 16 Sept. 5/2 The tree tomato . . on the
Spanish Mainland is known as. .the 'vegetable mercury',
Irom its supposed beneficial effect on the liver.
■ a. Old Chem. a. One of the five elementary
principles ' of which all material substances were
supposed to be compounded ; also called spirit.
b. Mercury of melals : see quot. 1727-52.
147' Ripley Comp. Alch. iv. vi. in Ashm. (1652) 145 Mer-
351
cury and Sulphure vive. 14.. Pater Sapientiae ibid. 197
Some say that of Sulphur and Mercury all Bodyes minerall
are made. 1592-3 G. Harvey New Lett. Wks. (Grosart) I.
294 Three drops of the Mercury of Buglosse will strengthen
the brain. 1605 Tim.me Qucrsit. Ded., The spirit of the
world . . moueth . . in all creatures, giving them existence in
three, to wit — salt, sulphure, and mercury. 1712 tr. Pomet's
Hist. Drugs I. 177 The Mercury of the Manna being
brought to the fluid Nature of a Spirit, becomes a Solutive
for Minerals. 1727-52 Chambers Cycl., Mercury of metals,
or of the philosophers, is a pure fluid substance in form of
common running mercury, said to be found in all metals,
and capable of being extracted from the same. 1729 Clarke
tr. Roliault's Nat. Philos. xx. 109 Hence they conclude,
that these five Substances, viz. Mercury, Phlegm, Sulphur,
Salt and Caput mortuum, . . are the only and the true Ele-
ments of all . . Mixed Bodies. 1731 P. Shaw Three Ess.
Artif. Philos. 36 Attempts for procuring the Mercuries of
the several Metals, to profit.
t©.y?f. as an emblem of sprightliness, liveliness,
volatility of temperament, inconstancy, wittiness,
etc. Often in phr. to fix the mercury [of). Obs.
1682 Dryden Medal 263 Religion thou hast none: thy
mercury Has passed through every sect, or theirs through
thee. 1693 Congreve Old Bach. 1. iv, As able as yourself
and as nimble too, though I mayn't have so much mercury
in my limbs, a 1700 B. E. Diet. Cant. Crew, Mercury,
Wit. 1704 Swift Pale of a 'Pub Pref. r 4 The modems
have artfully fixed this mercury [sc. Wit] and reduced it to
circumstances of time, place, and person. 1709 Felton
Classics (1718) 9 'Tis difficult to fix the Mercury, and settle
a brisk, lively Temper in a laborious plodding Track of
Learning. 1710 Palmer Fwcrbszoo They are all mercury;
and a piece of wit, a bottle, or a jest, is a comfort, and sup-
ports 'em. ^1715 Burnet Own Tune (1724) I. 265 He
[Buckingham] was so full of mercury that he could not fix
long in any friendship or to any design. 1732 Pope Ess.
Man u. 177 'Tis thus the Mercury of Man is fix'd. a 1797
Walpole George II (1847) II. vii. 218 He had too much
mercury and too little ill-nature to continue a periodical war.
IV. As a plant-name. [After L. (herba) mer-
curiafis. Mercurial Bi; cf. L. Flermupoa (Pliny)
a. Gr. *'Eptxod iroa.]
10. a. The pot-herb Allgood, Chenopodium
Bonus-Henricus. Also English* False Mercury.
a 1400-50 Stockh. Med. MS. p. 203 Mercurie or papwourtz
or be more smerewourt : mercurialis. c 1450 ME. Med. Bk.
(Heinrich) 74 Take malues, & mercurye, & sebe hem wyb
a messe of porke. 1548 [see 10 bj. 1578 Lyte Dodoens v.
xi. 561 In English, Good Henry and Algood : of some it is
taken for Mercurie. 1584 Cogan Haven of Health xxix. 45
I It is a common prouerbe among the people, Be thou sicke
i or whole, put Mercurie in thy coole. 1597 Gerarde Herbal
n.xliv. 259 English Mercurie, or good Henrie. 1620 Venner
ViaRectax'\\. 144 Mercurie is much vsed among other pot-
hearbes. 1731 Gentl. Mag. I. 314 Take Marsh Mallow
Leaves the Herb Mercury, Saxifrage and Pellitory of the
Wall of ^ each, .three handfulls. 1785 Martyn Rousseau's
Bot. xvii. (1794) 221 The English Mercury or Allgood. 1865
W. White East. Eng. II. 12 One of the dishes contained
Mercury, a vegetable which I had never seen before.
b. The euphorbiaceons poisonous plant Mer-
curialis perennis. Also Dogs, Wild Mercury.
1548 Turner Names Herbes (E.D.S.) 53 Mercun'alis is
called.. in englishe Mercury. ..The herbe whiche is com-
munely called in englishe mercury hath nothyng to do
wyth mercurialis. 1578 Lyte Dodoens 1. Hi. 77 In English
wilde Mercury, and Dogges Call. 1597 Gerarde Herbal
n. xlviii. 263 Of wilde Mercurie. .. Dogs Mercurie. 1607
Topsell Four-f Beasts (1658) 390 If you take white Helle-
bor, and the rindes of wilde Mercury.. and lay them in the
Mole-hole . . it will kill them. 1762 B. Stillingfl. in Misc.
Tracts 216 Dogs mercury has been given internally, for want
of knowing the natural classes. 1853 Johnston Bot. E.
Bord. 175 Mercurialis perennis. Mercury. 1887 Pall
Mall G. 27 June 5/2 The dog's mercury raises its fresh
yellow suckers for the spring shoots. 1893 K. H. Barker
Wand. South. Waters 57, I stood amidst the poisonous
dog- mercury.
C The euphorbiaceous plant Mercurialis annua.
Also Baron's j Boy's. French. Garden. Girl's,
Maiden Mercury.
According to Britten and Holland, the baron's or boy's is
the female and the girl's the male mercury.
1578 Lyte Dodoens 1. Iii. 75 The male garden Mercury, or
the French Mercury. Ibid. 78 Phyllon.. .The male is called
appsvoyovov, whiche may be Englished Barons Mercury or
Phyllon, or Boyes Mercury or Phyllon. And the female is
called in Greeke 0tjAvy6foe: and this kinde may be called
in English Gyrles Phyllon or Mercury, Daughters Phyllon,
or Mayden Mercury. 1601 R. Chester Love's Mart., etc.
(N. Shaks. Soc.J 82 Sweete Sugar Canes, Sinkefoile, and
boies Mercurie.
d. Scotch Mercury, the snapdragon, Digitalis
purpurea. Three-seeded Mercury, the euphorbi-
aceons genus Acalypha.
1846-50 A. Wood Class-bk. Bot. 488 Acalypha Virginica.
Three-seeded Mercury. 1853 Johnston Bot. E. Bord. 157
Digitalis purpurea. . Fox-glove. . . Scotch Mercury. Wild
Mercury. — Common.
V. 11. attrib. and Comb., as (sense 7) mercury cup.
pump; mercury goosefoot = 10 a, above; t Mer-
cury rod, the caduceus ; mercury rust, a fungus,
Uredo conjluens, 011 the leaves of Dog's Mercury ;
f Mercury's ringer, (a) = Hermodactyl i ; (6)
a finger-post ; *f" mercury sublimate, corrosive
sublimate; f Mercury's violets, Canterbury Bells,
Campanula Medium ; f mercury -water, (a) a
preparation of aqua regia and corrosive sublimate
(see aqua mercurialis in Chambers Suppl. 1753) ;
also (see quot. 1799); {b) a wash for the skin
MERCY.
J prepared from mercury ; f mercury woman (see
quot. and cf. Mercury 3 e).
1849 Noad Electricity 403 Used to connect the -mercury
i Cupl?l a sma11 battei*y- 185. Miss Pratt Flmver PI IV
I 276 *Mercury Goosefoot, or Good King Henry. 1873 Atkin^
i sosGanot's Physics (ed. 6)147 Morren's 'mercury pump a
I mercunal air pump. 1625 Bacon Ess., Unity in Relig (end)
1 ■/?" K ls most necessary. that, .all Learnings . as by
; their Mercury Rod, doe damne and send to Hell, for euer
those Facts and Opinions. 1864 Cooke in Pop. Set. Rev
III. 336 *Mercury Rust (Uredo confueus) on leaf of Mer-
curiatisjerenms. 1589 Rider Bibl. Scholast. 1748 An hearh
called ^Mercuries finger, Hermodactytus. 1607 Topsell
Fourf. Beasts (1658) 431 The herb called Mercuries-fingers
or Dogs bane. 1640 lip. Reynolds Passions xxiv. (1647)
245 Precedents having the same precedence to Reason in
vulgar judgements, which a living and accompanying guide
hast to a Mercuries finger in a Travellers conceit. 1707
Luttrell Brief Ret. (1857) VI. 186 A French party . . took
some medicaments from them, among which was *mercury
sublimate. 1799 G. Smith Laboratory I. 86 Mercury
subhmate or corrosive sublimate. 1597 Gerarde Herbal
11. cix. 363 Couentrie hels are called .. "Mercuries violets.
1634 Sanderson Serm. II. 291 There is a secret poyson in it,
which in time will . . seize upon every part ; and, like *mei-
cury-water or aqua fortis, eat out all. 1676 Shadwelj.
Virtuoso in. 55 All manner of Washes, Almond-water, and
Mercury-water for the Complexion. 1799 G. Smith Labora-
tory I. 131 note, Mercury-water, so called by the workmen,
is thus prepared. Take plate-tin of Cornwall, calcine it,
[etc.]. 1661 Blount Glossogr. s.v. Hawkers, Those people
which go up and down the streets crying News-books, and
selling them by retail, are also called Hawkers. And those
women that sell them by whole-sale from the Press, are
called * Mercury Women.
t MeTCUry, v. Obs. [f. prec. sb.] trans. To
wash with mercury-water.
J599 B. Jonson Cynthia's Rev. 1. 1, Your palmes . . are as
tender as . . a ladies face new mercuried, the'ile touch
nothing.
Mercy (mSusi), sb. Forms : 2-5 merci, 4-6
mersy, mercye, 4-7 mercie, 5 merce, 6 mersye,
Sc. marcie, 3- mercy, [a. F. merci, earlier mercil
- Pr. merce-s, Sp. merced, Pg. merci, It. mercede :—
L. mercedem (nom. merces) reward, fee, in Christian
Latin from the 6th c. often used in the sense of
misericordia (= 1 below) and in that of thanks.]
The post-classical uses of merces are developed from the
specific application of the word to the reward in heaven
which is earned by kindness to those who have no claim,
and from whom no requital can be expected. The Eng.
uses explained below represent OF. senses that for the most
part have not survived in Fr., where the word has been in
greatpart superseded by mishicorde. The chief uses of
merci in mod. Fr. are in the sense 'thanks' (cf. Gramercy),
and in phrases corresponding to those in 5 below.
1. Forbearance and compassion shown by one
person to another who is in his power and who
has no claim to receive kindness ; kind and com-
passionate treatment in a case where severity is
merited or expected. Phr. to have mercy on, upon,
fop; also flo do mercy to, take mercy on, show
mercy, etc. /;/ mercy (Jo), in the exercise of mercy.
t Of ox for mercy, from consideration of mercy.
#1225 Juliana 49 Mike haue ant merci, wummon, of mi
wrecchedom. 1297 R. Gi.ouc. (Rolls) 1338 Of be king bat
is min vncle he is al at bin wille. Haue merci of him ich be
bidde. 1390 Gower Conf. I. 353 Who that Iawe hath upon
honde, And spareth forto do justice For merci, doth noght
his office, c 1400 Destr. Troy 8498 If ye no mercy haue on
me,.. Haue pite on youre pure sonnes. 1470-85 Malory
Arthur iv. via. 128 She byddeth yow..doo batail to the
vttermest without ony mercy. 1500-20 Dunbar Foetus
xxii. 52 Thairfoir of mercy, and nocht of richt, I ask ^ow,
schir,..Sum medecyne gife that ^e micht. 1523 Ld. Ber-
ners Froiss. I. clxvi. 176, I humbly requyre you. .y[ ye woll
take mercy of these sixe burgesses, a 1533 — Hiton xltx.
165 He wyll slee you without mercy. 1769 Junius Lett. v.
(1820) 27 In mercy to him, let us drop the subject. 1781
Gibbon Decl. Cf F. xxvii. III. 49 The emperor confessed,
that, if the exercise of justice is the most important duty,
the indulgence of mercy is the most exquisite pleasure, of
a sovereign. 1792 Burke Corr. (1844) IV. 17 Their enemies
will fall upon them .. and show them no mercy. 1796
H. Hunter tr. St.-Pierre's Stud. Nat. (1799) I. 429 He
massacres without mercy every thing that breathes. 1841
Lane Arab. Nts. I. no Take my body, then, in mercy, to
the place where you are laid.
b. spec, God's pitiful forbearance towards His
creatures and forgiveness of their offences.
c 1175 Lamb. Horn. 43 Lauerd haue merci of us for5on ba
pinen of helle we ham nema^en iflofien. (71225.S7. Marher.
22 Dribtin, do me merci of bis dede. a 1250 Owl $ Night.
1092 Ihesus his soule do mercy. C1380 Wyclif Set. Wks.
III. 29 Trustynge to Goddis mersy. 1481 Caxton Reynard
(Arb.) 74 God receyueth alle them that desyre hys mercy.
1548-^9 (Mar.) Bk. Com. Prayer, Morn. Prayer, Lorde haue
mercie upon us. 1591 Shaks. i Hen. VI, iv. iii. 34 Then
God take mercy on braue Talbots soule. 1607 Hieron
Wks. I. 121 What can it be but mercie, that we shall bee
admitted to an inheritance immortall and vndefiled? 1641
Hinde J. Bruen xxxiv. 107 Betwixt the Bridge and the
Brook, the Knife and the Throat, the mercy of God may
appeare. 1667 Milton P. L. 111. 401 Father of Mercie and
Grace.
f c. To have ?nercy (cf. 1): to receive pardon
(of an offence). Obs.
a 1300 Cursor M. 9594, I sal noght fine merci to cri Be-
tuixand he haue bi merci. C1340 Hampole Prose Tr. 43
Aske mercy and hafe it. 1426 Lvdg. De Guil. Pilgr. 4098
But thow graunte, off thy pyte, That I may al outterly Off
my Gyltes ha mercy. 1513 Bradshaw St. Werburge 1. 2752
Who-so wyll haue mercy Must be mercyable.. ; Who is
without mercy of mercy shall mys.
MERCY.
352
MERD.
2. Disposition to forgive or show compassion ;
compassionateness, mercifulness. Phr. of {or \for)
one's mercy.
a 1225 Juliana 48 Nis na merci wi5 J>e, for J>i ne ahestu
nan habben. a 1225 Ancr. R. 30 pet God burh his mike &
for his merci hi;e ham ut of pine, a 1325 Prose Psalter 1. 1
Ha mercy on me, God, efter by mychel mercy. 1500-20
Dunbar Poems Ixii. 21 The mersy of that sweit meik
Rois, Suld soft 50W, Thirsill, I suppois. 15*3 in Ellis
Orig. Lett. Ser. 1. I. 222 God of his mercie sende his
grace of suche facion that it maye bee all for the beste.
1531 Elvot Gov. ii, vii. In whome mercye lacketh. .in hym
all other vertues be drowned. 1588 Parke tr, Mendoza's
Hist. China 410 God for his infinite mercy conuert them.
1599 Shaks. Hen. V, n. ii. 179 The taste whereof, God of his
mercy giue You patience to indure. 1872 Mori.ey Voltaire
(1886) 2 The infinite mercy and loving-kindness of a supreme
creator.
b. Personified.
a 1300 Cursor M. 9561 Quen merci sagh him suagat be
Of him sco can haf pite. 1362 Langu P. PI. A. vi. 123
Merci is a Mayden ber..Heo is sib to alle synful men.
c 1430 Lvdg. Min. I'oems (Percy Soc.) 12 A lady Mercy satt
on his righte side. 1621 Hakewill Davia"s Vow 28 These
bee .. the severall notes .. of Mercie's Song. 1814 IJyron
Lara II, x, None sued, for Mercy knew her cry was vain.
f3. To cry {one) mercy : to beg for pardon or
forgiveness. Hence in weakened sense = * to beg
(one's) pardon * ; often colloa. with ellipsis of * I\
The personal object is expressed by simple dative, or
(occas.) to, on, upon. In ME. also to ask, bid, beseech,
crave, seek mercy, see numerous examples in Matzner.
a 1225, a 1240, a 1300 [see Cry v. i b, cj. c 1315 Shore-
ham 1. 1181-2 To ourelorde Mercy hecryb, and biddeb hym
Mercy and misericorde. 1393 (bis), 1483, a 1533 [see Cry v.
1 b, cj. 1578 Whetstone 2nd Pt, Promos <y Cass. in. ii.
I iij b, O I ken you nowe syr, chy crie you mercie.
1591 Shaks. Two Gent. v. iv. 94 Oh, cry you mercy,
sir, I haue mistooke. 1594 LvLV Moth. Bomb. iv. ii. 28,,
I crie you mercy, I tooke you for a ioynd stoole. 1672 [see
Cry v. 1 b]. 1681 Dryuen Span. Friar iv. i, I cry thee
mercy with all my Heart, for suspecting a Fryarofthe least
good-nature. 1692 — Cleometies Epil. 24, 1 give my judg-
ment, craving all your mercies. To those that leave good
plays, for damned dull farces. 1795 [see Cry v. i c].
4. In elliptical and interjectional uses. Mercy**
1 may God have mercy !' ; hence as a mere
expression of surprise, fear, or the like. Also
mercy on us ! ffor mercy ! for mercy's sake ! lord-a-
mercyl (and in corrupt forms of the two last : cf.
Lord sb. 6 b).
a 1240 Lofsong in Colt. Horn. 211 Louerd, |?i merci. a 1300
Cursor M. 841 Merci, lauerd ! Strang wickedhed liroght
adam to suilk a ded. 1362 Langu /'. PI. A. 1. 11 Ich was
a-ferd of hire Face. .And seide ' Merci, Ma dame, What is
bis to mene? ' 1595 Shaks. John iv. i. 12 'Mercie on me.
1601 — All's Well 1. iii. 155 God'smercie, maiden. 1610 —
Temp. 1. ii. 436 Alacke, for mercy. 1611 — IVint. 7\ in. iii,
70 Mercy on's, a Barne? Ibid. 105 Name of mercy, when
was this, boy? 1634 Milton Comus 695 Mercy guard
me ! 1671 — Samson 1509 Mercy of Heav'n what hideous
noise was that ! 1800 Mrs. Hervey Monrtray Fatn. I. 90
A black seal \ oh, mercy ! it certainly is some bad news
about Henry. 1840 Marryat Poor Jack xxiii, Mercy on
us ! what was that ? 1849 James Woodman iii, But, mercy
have us, What is here? 1855 W. Brooke Eastford vi.
60 Massy sakes alive John ! where have you been all the
morning .. ? What! a lady drownded! .. Lord-a-massy !
1858 Thackeray Virgin. I. xxxii. 250' And whom a mercy's
name have we here?' breaks in Mrs. Lambert, i860 Emily
Eden Semi -attached Couple II. 127 Are you hurt? tell me,
Helen, for mercy's sake. 1878 Mrs. Stowe Poganuc P. iii.
23 Lordy massy, deacon, says I, don't you worry.
6. The clemency or forbearance of a conqueror
or absolute lord, which it is in his power to extend
or withhold as he thinks fit. Chiefly in phrases,
as t lo come to (one's) mercy, to submit to his
authority ; also, to come (to God) for forgiveness ;
also f to do or put oneself in or to (another's)
mercy, f To take to (or into) mercy : to extend
pardon to (one who yields at discretion) ; to give
quarter to, receive the submission of. f (To yield)
to or upon mercy, (to surrender) at discretion.
In early use to take to mercy implied the commutation of
the death sentence for a fine: cf. sense 8.
1303 R, Brunne HandL Synne 11788, 11790 pus seyj> be
clerk, seynt Austyn, {>e prestes mercy bou do be ynne ; f>e
prest ys crystys vycarye ; Do be alle yn hys mercy, c 1330
— Ckron. (1810) 168 pe mene folk. .Com to his mercy, doand
him seruise. a 1400-50 Alexander 816 Lordis & othire
Come to Kit conquerour & on knese fallis, And in \v. r. on]
his mercy & meth mekely bairn put. 1440 in E. E. Wills
(1882) 47, I bequethe my soule into the mercy off mythfull
Ihesu. 1480 Caxton Chron. Eng. Ixiv, Otta a lytel while
ageynst hym stode but afterward he put hym to his mercy.
1481 — Reynard (Arb.) 74 Thaugh one falle ofte and at
laste aryseth vp and cometh to mercy, he is not therof
dampned. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. ccccxvii. 730 The
kynge was counsayled to take them to mercy, so that . .
they shulde gyue to the kyng lx. thousande frankes. 1550
J. Coke Eng. fy Fr. Heralds § 63 (1877) 77 Kyng Edwarde
the .111. and nis sone prynce Kdwarde . . favoryng the nacion
of Brytaync.toke hym to theyr mercy. 1577-87 Holin-
shed Chron. III. 271/1 Vpon their submission, the king
tooke them to mercie, vpon their fine, which was seized at
twentie thousand marks. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholays
Voy. iv. xv. i3o[Pompey] hauing.. taken them [the piratesj
into mercie, sent them into certaine townes . . farre from the
Sea. 1593 Shaks. 3 Hen. VI, 1. iv. 30 Yeeld to our mercy,
proud Plantagenet. x6oo Holland Livyix. xxiv. 331 Those
they tooke to mercie upon their submission. 1617 Moryson
/tin. 1. 269 The Pyrates. .did cast into the Sea many Mar ri-
ners yeelding to mercy, a 1671 Ld. Fairfax Mem. (1699)
122 Which [sc. surrender] after 4 months close siege they
were compelled to, and that upon mercy ; . . delivering upon
mercy, is to be understood that some are to suffer, the rest
to go free. 1760-72 H. Brooke Fool o/Qual. (1809) IV. 98
Since it is so,.. I think I must take you to mercy. 1849
Macaulay Hist. Eng. v. I. 643 Mercy was offered to some
prisoners on condition that they would bear evidence against
Prideaux.
T b. At mercy : (that has surrendered) at discre-
tion; absolutely in the power of a victor or supe-
rior, at his disposal ; liable to punishment or hurt
at the hands of another ; on sufferance, liable to
interference. Also, (to hold) in mercy. Obs.
1605 Shaks. Learu iv. 350 That.. He may. .hold our Hues
in mercy. 1607 — Cor. 1. x. 7 What good Condition can a
Treatie finde 1 th' part that isat mercy? a 1671 Ld. Fair-
fax Mem. (1699) 121 Lord Capel, Sir George Lucas, and
Sir George Lisle, who were prisoners at mercy upon the ren-
dring of Colchester. 1690 Locke Govt. II. xvi. § 183 My
Life, 'tis true, as forfeit, is at Mercy, but not my Wife "sand
Children's. #1715 Burnet Own 'Time (1724) I. 347 A con-
nivance, such as that the Jews lived under, by which they
were still at mercy. 1727 Swift State Irel. Wks. 1755 V.
11. 166 The linen of the North, a trade casual, corrupted,
and at mercy. 1768-74 Tucker Lt. Nat. (1834) I. 265 The
inhabitants of a town exert all their efforts in defending the
ramparts, .. because when those are taken the town lies at
mercy.
c. At the mercy of (a person) : wholly in his
power, at his discretion or disposal ; liable to any
treatment he may choose to employ ; liable to
danger or harm from him. Similarly + in the
mercy of; (to leave or trust) to the mercy of Also
transf. and fig. (with things as sul>j. or obj.).
C1350 Will. Palerne 441 1 To bis bestes mercy i bowe me
at alle, to worche with me is wille as him-self likes. 1481
Caxton Reynard (Arb.) 106 Thy lyf is now in my mercy.
1588 Shaks. L. L. L. v. ii. 856 Floutes, Which you on all
estates will execute, That lie within the mercie of your wit.
1593 — Lucr. 364 Shee. .Lies at the mercie of his mortall
sting. 1593 — 2 Hen. VI, 1. iii. 137 Thy Crueltie. .hath
exceeded Law, And left thee to the mercy of the Law. 1665
Boyle Occas. Re/f. 11. xiii. 141 The Syrians, .found them-
selves at the mercy of their enemies. 1698 Fryer Ace. E.
India <y P. 10 We lay wholly at the mercy of the two un-
ruly Elements, Fire and Water. 1715 De Foe Favt. In-
struct. 1. iv. (1841) I. 84 Your character is at every body's
mercy. 1819 Byron Juan 11. xiii, A wreck complete she
roll'd, At mercyof the waves. 1888 Bryck Amer. Commw.
II. H. 292 Leaving the civil service at the mercy of a par-
tisan chief. 1893 Earl Dun.more Pamirs II. 50 Too pre-
cious to trust to the tender mercies of a baggage pony. 190a
Field 25 Jan. 134A Shortly afterwards Smith had the goal
at his mercy, but kicked over.
6. In particularized sense : An act of mercy ; esp.
one vouchsafed by God to His creatures ; an event
or circumstance calling for special thankfulness ; a
gift of God, a blessing. One's mercies, the good
things which one has received from God.
a 1300 E. E. Psalter ixxxviii. 1 (Egerton MS.) Mercis of
lauerd ouer al In euer-mare singe I sal. 1535 Coverdale
Ps. xxiv. 6 Call to remembraunce, O Lorde, thy tender
mercyes & thy louinge kyndnesses. 1603 Shaks. Meas.
for M. v. i. 489 Thou'rt condemn'd, But for those earthly
faults, I quit them all, And pray thee take this mercie
to prouide For better times to come. 1651 [see Crowning
Ppl. a. 2]. 1662 Gurnall Chr. in Arm. 111. 518 Thou
must not onely praise God for some extraordinary mercy,
which once in a year betides thee,.. but also for ordinary,
every-day mercies, a 1716 South Serm. (1727) VI. vii.
227 Deliverance out of Temptation is undoubtedly one
of the greatest Mercies that God vouchsafes his People.
1824 Scott Redgauntlet Let. i, I know your good father
would term this sinning my mercies. 1829 — Jml. 16 July,
May Heaven continue this great mercy, which I have so
much reason to be thankful for ! 1851 Longf. Gold. Leg. vi,
Death never takes one alone ,. Perhaps it is a mercy of
God, Lest the dead there under the sod. .should be lonely !
185a Mrs. Stowe Uncle Tom's C.x'n, There was even room
to doubt whether Tom appreciated his mercies. Mod. It is
a mercy that you were able to come when you did.
7. Works of mercy (also -\ deeds, + duties of mercy
and simply + mercies): acts of compassion to-
wards suffering fellow-creatures.
Mediaeval theology enumerated seven spiritual and seven
corporal works of mercy (opera misericordim \ cf. Luke x.
37 v '\i\%.qui fecit misericordiam in ilium). Sisters 0/ 'Mercy ;
title of a R. C. sisterhood founded at Dublin in 1827 (Catholic
Diet.)', popularly often applied to the members of any
nursing sisterhood. House of Mercy, a name for a peniten-
tiary or house of refuge.
1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 5764 Werkes of mercy and of
almus. ( 1340 — in Prose Tr. Pref. 11 In fulfillynge. .of
the seven dedis of mercy bodili and gostly to a manys
euen cristen. c 1380 Lay Folks Catech. (Lamb.) 1158 As j>e
sowle is better ban be body So bese gostly mercyes be better
ban be bodyly mercyes. 1390 Gower Conf. III. 198 Here
goode name may noght deie For Pite, which thei wolde
obeie, To do the dedes of mercy, c 1412 Hoccleve De Reg.
Princ. 919 God wille bat be nedy be releeued ; It is on of
p« werkes of mercy. 1533 Gau Richt Vay (1888) 15 Thay
that dois notht the dedis of marcie to thair nichtburs. 1647
Conf. Faith Assemb. Div. Westm. xxi. (1650) 46 In the
duties of necessity, and mercy. 1647 Larger Catechism
(1650) 112 Making it our whole delight to spend the whole
time (except so much of it as is to be taken up in works of
necessity and mercy) in the publick and private exercises of
Gods worship. 1824 Scott Redgauntlet ch, xiii. [Trumbull
loo.], A work of necessity and mercy. 1868 Nat. Gazetteer
I. 595 Clciver,. .There is.. a penitentiary, called the House
of Mercy, founded in 1849.
f 8. = Amercement. To do or put in the mercy ',
to amerce; to be in mercy ( = med.L. in miseri-
eordid), to be liable to a fine. Obs.
(See the note under sense j.)
[1292 Eritton 1. v. § 9 iSo'tnt] trestouz es autres en la
merci pur la fole suffraunce.J 1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 11155
Hii clupede sir Ion gitTard, bat siwtessolde berto, Tocome
ober he ssolde in be merci be ido. 1303 [see Mercy v. 1].
c 1350 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 349 ^if hii be bennes, by-bowte
ry3tful enchesoun, euerych by hym-selue be in mercy of one
besaunt. Ibid. 356 He is in f>e kynges mercy vpon be quan-
tyte of bat mysdede. a 1500 in Arnolde Chron. (1811) 217
Non of y° forsaid mercyes shalbe put but be othe of sad and
honest men. £15. . Rules Court York in Drake Eboracum
(1736) I. vi. 191 If the defendant put him in the mercie, the
sheriffs shall have amerciaments of the defendant. 1768
Blackstone Comm. III. App, i. 5 That the same William
and his pledges of prosecuting, to wit, John Doe and
Richard Roe, be in mercy for his false complaint.
f 9. Thanks. Obs. rare. (Cf. Gramercy.)
1362 Langl. P. PI. A. 1. 41 ' A Madame, Merci ! ' quaj> I,
' me likeb wel ^i wordes \ 1377 — B. xix. 72 Kynges. . offred
mirre & moche golde, with-outen mercy askynge, Or any
kynnes catel. c 1500 Melusine 129 Right grete thankes &
thousand mercys to the damoyselle tha so moche honour
sheweth to me.
jO. attrib. and Comb., as mercy-angel \ f -doing,
-gate, f -shewer ; mercy -gr eat ening, -guided, -lack-
ing, -tempered, -wanting, -winged adjs. ; f mercy-
stock, -stool, -table = Mercy-seat (Jig-) ;
t mercy-stroke, a coup de grdce.
1849 Rock Ch. of Fathers 1 1. 468 To watch, as it were by the
grave, and like a *mercy-angel, cry aloud on all Christians,
1382 Wvclif Ps. 1. 3 After the multitude of thi grete *mercy
doingus [Vulg. miseralzonum). a 1600 in Farr S. P, Eliz.
(1845) 'I- 473 Lamenting sore his sinfull life Before thy
*mercy-gate. 1675 Brooks6V/^/. Key Wks. 1867 V. 559 It isa
*mercy-greatening mercy. 1833 Rock Hierurg. (1892)1. 322
ThatGod. .whosesway Is "mercy-guided. 1595SHAKS. John
iv. i. 121 Fierce fire and Iron. .Creatures of notefor ^mercy-
lacking [Fo. mercy, lacking] vses, a 1565 R. Turnar in
Marbeck Bk. of Notes 332 In the power of God & *mercie
shewer. 1550 Becon Gov. Virtue Wks. 1564 1. 244 And he is a
*mercy stocke for our sinnes [1 John ii. 2]. 1550 Hutchinson
Image of God Ep. Ded., Our sauiour & mercie stock saieth
yl tins knowledge is eternal lyfe. a 1536 Tindale Pathw.
Script. Wks. 115731 379 Christ. .is called in Scripture Gods
*mercy stole. 1549 Coverdale, etc. Erasm. Par. Rev. 17
The euerlasting word of God, which is and euer hath bene
y* Mercie-stoole of all the worlde. 1702 C Mather Magn.
Chr. vn. 70 His Hatchet in his hand, ready to bestow a
*Mercy-stroak of Death upon her. 1549 Coverdale, etc.
Erasm. Par, Rom. 7 Nowe hath God declared Christ to be
vnto all people the very propiciatory, "mercie table, and
sacrifice. 182a Wordsw. Eccles. Sonn. 1. xxvi, With *mercy-
tempered frown. 1632 Lithgow Trav. in. 111 Transported
here and there, Led with the *mercy-wanting winds. 1819
Shelley Cenci in. ii. 4 If so, the shaft Of 'mercy-winged
lightning would not fall On stones and trees.
t MeTCy, v. Obs. [ad. OK. merci-er to thank,
amerce, etc, f. merci Mercy sb.]
1. trans. To amerce.
1303 R. Brunne HandL Synne 5490 >yf bou haue be so
coueytous To meres [v. r. mercye] men ouer outraious, And
pore men, specyaly, tat ferde be wers for bat mercy, c 1330
— Chron. (18101 112 Who bat was gilty porgh be foresters
sawe, Mercied was fulle hi. 1436 Auuelay Poems 39 Thai
mercyn hem with mone and med prevely.
2. To thank. Const, of ( = for).
136a Langl. P. PL A. 111. 21 Mildeliche l>enne Meede
Merciede hem alle Of heore grete goodnesse. 1483 Caxton
G. de la 7o«*-cxlii, Al the people, .thanked & mercyedGod
..of the delyueraunce of Cathonet. e 1500 Melusine 71
Therof I mercy & thanke you. Ibid. 90 Raymondin..
humbly mercyed the king of his good justice that he had
doon to hym.
3. To clothe with mercy, nonce-use.
1645 Rutherford Tryal $■ Tri. Faith {1845) I04 If all
that a saint hath be blessed, and every thing (to speak so),
mercied and christianed, . .his inheritance must be blessed.
Hence f Mercying vbL sb., pitying, having
mercy ; used by Hampole to render L. miseratio.
a 1340 Hampole Psalter xxiv. 6 Vmthynke ye of pi mer-
cyingis lord. Ibid. cii. 4 l'he whilke corouns be in mercy
and in tnerciyngis.
Mercyabil, -ble, -bull, obs. ff. Merciable.
Mercyall, obs. form of Martial.
Mercy-seat. The golden covering placed
upon the Ark of the Covenant and regarded as
the resting-place of God. Hence applied to the
throne of God in Heaven, and to Christ as * the
propitiation for our sins'.
Heb. kappdreth, LXX. 'tAa<rrr)piov, Vulg. propitiatorium,
Wyclif ' propiciatorie \ Tindale's first rendering (1526) was
'the seate off grace* (Hebr. ix. $); in both this and his
later rendering he followed Luther's Gnadenstuhle. Cf.
also mercy-stock, stool, table, in Mercy sb. 10.
1530 Tindale Ex. xxv. 17, 18 And thou shalt make a
merciseale of pure golde. .and make .ii. cherubynsoff thicke
golde on the .ii. endes of the mercyseate. 1581 Marbeck
Bk. of Notes j 8 Brethren, we haue Iesus Christ the righteous
and aduocate with the Father, he is the mercie seate ol our
sinnes. 1667 Milton /'. L. xi. 2 From the Mercicseat
above Prevenient Grace descending. 1710 Addison Tatler
No. 267 f 6 We find him prostrating himself before the
great Mercy-Seat. X779 Cowper Hymn, Jesus ! where'er
thy people meet, There they_ behold thy mercy-seat. 1875
Manning Mission H. Ghost i. 9 The infinite merits of the
Redeemer of the world are before the Mercy-seat of our
Heavenly Father.
transf. 1592 Davies Immort. Soul 1. xix. (1714) 24 The
Man whom Princes do advance, Upon their gracious Mercy-
seat to sit.
t Merd. Obs. Also 5 merde, 6-7 mard. [a.
F. merde :— L. merda dung.] Dung, excrement ;
a piece of excrement, a turd.
1477 Norton Ordin.Alch. iii. in Ashm. (1652)39 In Haire,
in Eggs, in Merds, and Urine, i486 Bk. St. Albans b vuj,
MERDAILLE.
353
MERE.
For this sekennese take merde of a dove. 1377 Kendall
Floiuers of Epigr. 82 If after thou of Garlike strong, the
sauour wilt expell : A Mard is sure the onely meane, to put
away the smell. i6ioB.JonsonW/c/mi. iii, Haireo' the head,
burnt clouts, chalke, merds, and clay. 1621 Burton Anat.
Mel. 11. iii- 11. 391 To dispute of gentry without wealth, is
..todiscusse theoriginallofa Mard. [a 1733 North Exam.
in. viii. (1740) 644 He. .deals forth his Merda hy the Hire-
lings of the Times.]
t Merdaille. Obs. Sc. Also 4 merdale. [Fr.,
f. merde (seeprec.) with collective suffix, lit. * heap
of dung '.] A dirty crew, rabble, ' scum \
c 1375 Barbour Bruce tx. 249 Behynd thame set thai thar
merdale. ^1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xl. (Niniari) 921 Quheine
eschapit, but merdale, pat for to tak ves nan awaile. 1687
Cleveland Rust. Kan/pant 467 This Merdaille, these
Stinkards, throng before the Gates.
t Merdiferous, a. Obs.—° ff. L. merd-a
Merd + -(i)pebous.] (See quot.)
1656 Blount Gtossogr., Merdiferous {merdifer), that
farmeth dung, a Gold-finder.
Merdivorous (maxdrvfes), a. rare-'0, [f.
mod.L. merdivor-us (f. merda Merd + -wwj eat-
ing) + -ODS.] Feeding on dung (said of insects).
1856 in Mayne Expos. Lex. ; and in mod. Diets.
t Merdous, a. Obsr~° [f. Mehd + -oca.]
'Full of dung or ordure' (Bailey 1721), Also
f Merdose in same sense, whence f Merdosity
(both in Bailey vol. II, 1727).
t Merdtrrinous, a. 06s. rare. [f. L. merda
Mehd + urina Urine sb. +-ous.] Composed of
dung and urine. Also jig.
a 1616 B. Jonsom Epigr., On famous Voy. 65 Who shall
discharge first his merd-vrinous load. 1630 J. Taylor
(Water-P.) IVks. 11. 99/2 If shee thriue and grow fat, it is
with the merdurinous draffe of our imperfections.
Mere (mi«i), sb.1 Forms : 1 meri, 2-3 msere,
4marre, 5 mer, 5-7 raeere, 6-8 meare, 7 mayre,
7-9 meer, 9 dial, mare, mar, marr, 1- mere.
[OE. mire str. masc., corresp. to OS. meri fern., sea
(MDu., MLG. mere fern., neut, Du. meer neut., sea,
pool), OHG. meri, marl (MHG., mod.G. meer)
neut., sea, ON. mar-r masc, sea (MSw. mar, M Da,
mmr are from MLG.), Goth, mart- (nom. *mar)
in mari-saiws sea (also the derivative marei :—
OTeut. type *marfn- wk. fern.) :— OTeut. *mari-
:_ W Aryan *mori- or *imri-y represented in OS1.
and Russ. Mope, Olrish muir, Welsh mor, L. mare
neut. (It. mare, Pr., Sp., Pg. mar, F. mer fern.).
The word is often referred to the Indogermanic root *mer-
(: mor-, mr-) to die, and supposed to have originally desig-
nated the sea as 'lifeless' in contrast with the land as
abounding in vegetable life ; but this is very doubtful ;
Brugmann suggests that the r may belong to the suffix.
The form maryr (14th c. marre), occurring in senses 2 and
4, is abnormal. Cf. ON. marr (which, however, is known
only in the sense 'sea'), and F. mare pond (from 12th c.).]
f 1. The sea. Obs.
Mere Mediterane in quot. c 1425 is prob. from French.
a 1000 Andreas 283, & bu wilnast nu ofer widne mere?
C1205 Lay. 21773 Per walleS of ban maeren a moniare siden.
[c 1435 Wyntoun Cron. ix. xii. 1332 The Lord wes of the
Oryent, Of all Jude, and to Jordane And swa to the Mere
Mediterane.] 1447 Bokenham Seyntys {Roxb.)74 O lord. .
Wych..pharoo. .drynklyddyst in the salt mere.
2. A sheet of standing water ; a lake, pond.
Now chiefly poet, and dial.
Beowulf '1362 Nis baet feor heonon mil^emearces, baat se
mere standee, a 700 Epinal Gloss. 962 Stagnum, staeg vet
meri. c 1000 Ags. Gosp. John ix. 7 Ga & pweah be on sy-
loes mere. £1205 Lay. 21739 Pat 's a seolcu5 mere iset a
middelasrde mid fenne & mid raeode. 13. . E. E. A Hit. P.
A. 158, I se} by-}onde bat myry mere, A crystal clyffe ful
relusaunt. a 1400-50 Alexander 4093 Sone was he dreuya
with his dukis in-to a dryi meere. 1548 TJdall, etc. Erasm.
Par. Matt. xvi. 85 b, He came vnto a meere which is called
the sea of Galile. 1581 Mulcaster Positions xxiii. (1887) 95
Swimming in lakes and standing meres. 1651-7 T. Barker
Art of Angling (1820) 23 Either in mayre, or pond. 1774
Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) VI. 40 The meres of Shropshire
and Cheshire. 1823 Scott Peveril'x, As a tempest influ-
ences the sluggish waters of the deadest meer. 1842 Ten-
nyson Sir Gal. iv, Sometimes on lonely mountain-meres
I find a magic bark. 1888 Annie S. Swan Doris Cheyne iii.
53 She loved to.. watch the lovely shadows in the silent
depths of the placid mere. 1896 Blashill Sutton-in-Hol-
derness 4 Dotted over with sedgy marrs, of which Hornsea
Marr, a veritable lake, is practically the last survivor.
1 3. An arm of the sea, Obs.
1573~8o Baret Alv. M 271 A Mere, or water whereunto
an arme of the sea floweth. 162a Callis Stat. Sewers
(1824) 70, 1 take it that a Bay and a Creek be all one, and that
a Mere and a Fleet be also of that nature, a 1676 Hale Do
Jure Maris 1. v. in Margrave's Tracts (1787) I. 21 The
abbot, .had. .the fishing, yea and the soil of an armor creek
of the sea called a meere or fleete.
4. A marsh, a fen. Now dial.
13. . Childh. Jesus 598 in Archiv Stud. nen. Spr. LXXIV.
335, I salle the gyffe bothe.. Marre and mosse, bothe feldes
and fene. 1609 Holland A mm. Marcell. xxn. viii. 201
The seventh [mouth of the Danube] is a mightie great one,
and in manner of a meere, blacke. 1629 Maxwell tr. Hero-
dian (1635) 360 Being come to a mighty great Meare or
Marish, whither the Germanes had fled. 1670 Evelyn
Diary 22 Juty, We rod out to see the greate meere or levell
of recovered fen lande. 1706 Phillips, Meer ox Mear,..
a low marshy Ground. 1876 Mid-Yorksh. Gloss., Mere,
heard, at times, applied to ground permanently under
water.
5. atlrib., as f mere-rush.
Vol. VI.
1555 W. Watreman Fardle Facions 1. v. 72 They feede f
them [children] with the rootes of mererusshes.
Mere, mear (mi^i), sb.'1 arch, and dial.
Forms : I jemsere, meere, 2 msere, 3 meer,
mare, 3-4 mer, 4-9 meer(e, 5 merre, 5-6 meyre,
6-9 meare, 3- mere, 5- mear. [OE. gemasre,
msere str. neut. = MDu. (Flemish) mere, meer, ON.
{landa)-mkri (Sw. landamdre) :— OTeut. *(ga)-
mairfom, cogn. w. L. murus (:—*moiros) wall.]
1. A boundary; also, an object indicating a boun-
dary, a landmark.
(825 I'esp. Psalter \\. 8, & ma:hte Sine jemajru eorSan [el
Possessionem tuam tcrminos terrae]. t'950 Lindisf. Gosp.
Mark vi. 56 In londum uel in msrum [^975 ximseru, Vulg.
in uicos uel in uittas], c 1000 Ags. Gosp. Mark v. 17 Hi
baedoti baet he of hyra ^emsrum [cii6o Hatton of hire
maeren] fore, c 1205 Lay. 2133 Locrines mxr [c 1275 mer]
eode suS& east ford. 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) I. 137
t>ilke men destingeb nou^t nober to sette her feeldes by
Doundes, nober by meres, a 1400-50 Alexander 211 With-in
be merris of Messedoyn bar na man him knewe. 1488 Cal.
Anc. Rec. Dublin (1889) I. 493 They ridde over a meare
westward till thei came to Our Lady well, and so straight
over the said mer. 1546 Langley Pol. Verg. De Invent. 1.
xv. 28 The meeres and butrelles with whiche theydesseucred
theyr porcions of lande. 1600 Holland Livy 1403 The god
of Meeres and Bounds Terminus, 1672 Petty Pol. Anat.
(1691) 310 Planting 3 millions of timber-trees upon the
bounds and mears of every denomination of land. 1787 in
N. IV. Line. Gloss, s. v., Where a person knows his own
land by meres or boundaries. 1849 James Woodman xviii,
Such things as have been done tins night shall not happen
within our meres and go unpunished.
fig* *59° Spenser F. Q. hi. ix. 46 So huge a mind could
not in lesser rest, Ne in small meares containe his glory great.
b. spec. A green ' balk ', or a road, serving as a
boundary.
1607 Markham Caval. iv. (1617) 13 Either some faire
Hie-way, or else some plaine green Meare. 1893 J- T.
Fowler Let. to Editor, The road dividing Winterton and
Winteringham is commonly called ' The Mere' or 'Win-
teringham Mere'.
2. Derbysh. Lead-mining. A measure of land
containing lead ore.
1653 Mani.ove Lead Mines 123 Such as orders, to observe
refuse ; Or work their niters beyond their length and Stake.
1670 Pettus Fodin.T Reg. 92 If any Miners, .find any new
Rake or Vein, the first Finder shall have two Meers. 1829
Glovers Hist. Derby \. 67 Marking out in a pipe, or rake-
work, two meeres of ground, each containing twenty-nine
yards. 1851 Act 14 <V 15 Vict. c. 94 Sched. 1. § 18 Every
Meer of Ground shall contain Thirty-two Yards in Length.
3. attrib., as in mere-balk, f -bound, -furrow,
f -mark, f- si laff, -stake, "\ -thorn, -tree. Cf. Meres-
man, Merestone.
1630 in N. IV. Line. Gloss, s. v., Of Richard Welborne for
plowing vp the kings *mcere balk. 1667 Providciicc {R. /.}
Rec. (1892) I. 37 Bounded with a Meere bauke betweene
the land of Henry Browne & his running to Mosshossick
river. 1840 Spurdens Suppt. Forty's Voc. E. Anglt'a,
Mear-balk, Mcare-balk, a ridge left unploughed in a field,
as a division of lands. 1600 Dymmok Ireland (1843) 22
North Clanneboy is devided into two partes; the ryver of
Kellis being the *meare bounde. 1896 Blashill Sutton-
in-Holderness 17 These strips were called at a later time
* *mere-furrows ', or * balks'. x6zx Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. ix.
ii. § 32 Some mines of which *Meere-marke are yet ap-
pearing. 1631 Weever Anc. Funeral Mon. 866 The meere-
markes, limits, or bondaries. 1552 Huloet, Bowne, buttell,
or *merestafe, or stone. 1629 Brasenose Coll. Muniments
27. 104 Removed the *meere-stakes and boundaries, a 1000
in Kemble Cod. Dipt. III. 168 Of 5a;m pytte on 5one
die, &£ton *masrSome. 1241 in Neiominster Cartul. (1878)
Z02 Usque ad Merethorne. 1585 Higins Junius' Nomen-
clator 139 A *meere tree : a tree which is for some bound
or limit of land.
t Mere, sb$ Obs. rare"1. [Shortened from
mereman Merman.] A merman or mermaid.
c 1220 Bestiary 584 He hauen herd told of 5is mere . . half
man and half fis.
t Mere, sb* Obs. [a. OF. mere :— L. mdtrem
Mother.] A mother.
<t 1250 Five Joys Virg. in Rel. Ant. I. 48 Seinte Marie,
maydan ant mere. ?ci4oo Minors Poems (1897) App. ii.
104/80 pan sal be land duel in were, Als a stepchild with-
outen be mere, c 1460-70 Pol. Rel. fy L. Poems •zyz-h^'S
To-fore }>l fadir, [&] mere maree, pou schewist bi wouudis
rent on roode.
(Mere, sb.& Obst [subst. use of Mere a.2]
(See quot. 1607.)
1544 tr. Nat. Brcvium 2 Ioynynge the myses vpon the
mere. [Cf. Mere a.2 3, quot. 1628.] 1607 Cowel Interpr.,
Meere, though an adiectiue, yet is vsed for a substantive,
signifiing meere right, Oivld nat. br. fol. 2.
t Mere, &•* Obs. Also 1 msere, mere, 2-3
msere, 2-4 mere, 3 {Lay.) mare, meare. [OK.
msere = OS. mdri,OMiG. mdri, mdre (MHG. msere),
ON. mkrr (:— older mdri-r, in Runic inscriptions),
Goth, -mers (in wailamers cv<p7)}ios) :— OTeut.
*m£rjo-.] Renowned, famous, illustrious ; beauti-
ful, noble. (Said of persons and things.)
Beowulf 103 Waes se grimma gsest Grendel haten, msere
mearcstapa, se be moras heold. a 700 Epinal Gloss, jyj
Percrebuit, mere uueard. < 1000 ^lfric Saints' Lives II.
334 Crist ^eswutelap mannum burh his maeran hal^an baet
he is aelmihtig god. a 1x75 Cott. Horn. 221 For3i Se god hi
3eworhte to meren anglen. c 1200 Obmin 806 patt child..
Shall ben biforenn Drihhtin Godd Full mahhtij mann &
msere. 1:1205 Lay. 27877 He..lette makien beren rtche
and swiSe maren [c X275 meare]. c 1330 R. Bkunne Chron.
IV ace (Rolls) 7045 Constant was eldest & mere. 13. . Gaw.
<$■ Gr. Knt. 878 penne a mere mantylewas on bat mon cast.
Mere (mi°-0, ^-2 and adv. Forms: 6 meare,
mer, Sc. meir, 6-8 meer(e, (7 mear, myere).
[ad. L. merus undiluted, unmixed, pure. Cf. OF.
mer, mier(Ab\ meer, which is the source of the Eng.
word in legal uses), It., Sp., Pg. mew.
In the OE. msere pene pas (see B.-T.), app. = med.L. meri
denarii (see Du Cange , the adj. may be viewed as an
adaptation of L. merus, or better as a use of Mere a.1
suggested by the similarity in sound to the Latin word.]
A. adj.
fl. a. Of wine : Not mixed with water. Obs.
1545 Raynold Byrth Mankynde 133 Let not the nourse
vse any watered wyne, or myxed but mere and in his ownc
kynde. 1601 Holland Pliny II. 275 'three cyaths of meere
wine ful of the grape. 1660 J er. Taylor Worthy Commntt.
I. i. 35 Our wine is here mingled with water and with
myrrhe, there it is mere and unmixt.
fb. Of a people or their language: Pure, un-
mixed. Chiefly in mere Irish (see Irish sb. 1 a\
now often misunderstood as a term of disparage-
ment, the adj. being apprehended as in sense 5.
1561 T. Houy tr. Castiglione's Courtycr 1. (1577) Lvj,
Though it were not the meere ancient Tuscane long, yet
should it be the Italian tongue. 1568 Grafton Chron. II.
286, I will repeople the towne againe wyth mere Englishe
men. 1577-87 Stanvhurst Descr. Irel. viii. 44/2 in Hotiu-
s/ied, The disposition and maners of the meere Irish, com-
monlie called the wild Irish. 1605 Verstegan Dec. Intcll.
1 1628) Pref. Ep. [They] doe rather seeme to vnderstand
them for a kind of forraine people, then as their owne true
and meere Ancestors. 1623 Lisle JElfric on O. jr N. Test.
To Rdr. 17 The meere Saxon monuments of.. Sir H. Spel-
man. 1648 Gage West hid. 55 There may not be above
two thousand Inhabitants of meer Indians. 1711 J. Greek-
wood Eng. Gram. 10 Cardinal Wolsey, in his Embassy into
France, commanded all his servants to use no French, but
meer English. 1732-33 Wogan in Siuifs Wks. (1824)
XVII. 456 Scarce any people are taken for mere Irish,
either in England, or on the continent, but the vulgar of
the country, and the few unfortunate exiles. 1836 H. G.
Ward Sp. Ho. Comm. 28 Mar,, No man who is 'a mere
Irishman' can exist without feeling deep gratitude to the
Honourable and Learned Member for Dublin.
fc. Of other things material and immaterial:
Pure, unmixed. Obs.
1535 Hen. VIII in Strype Eccl. Mem. (1721) I. App. liv.
140 The true, mere, and sincere word of God. 1613 Plkchas
Pilgrimage (1614) 84 Earthly happinesse .. is neuer meere
and vnmixed, but hath some sowre sauce to rellish it. 1665
NeedhAM Med. Mcdicinge 388 The vitious humor., not
sincere or mere [at non sincerutu]. but mingled with the ..
profitable humor. 1703 Art <y Myst. Vintners 43 Take
about 8 or 10 ounces of mere Chalk,
fd. quasi-ao^. in comb, mere-pure adj. Obs.
1650 W. BsoUGH Sacr. Princ. (1659) 17 Mere-pure-papists
holding and doing all things in opposition to us. Ibid. 207
A meer-pure-sin, without motive.
2. Done, performed, or exercised by a person or
persons specified without the help of any one else ;
sole. Chiefly Law, in phrases mere motion, etc.
1444 Rolls ofParlt. V. 87/1 Of his especial grace, mere
motion, and singuler devotion. 1449 Ibid. 161/1 This devout
Collage is of his mere foundation. 1527 Rec. St. Mary at
Hill 342 But leue theym to the mer disposicion of the said
parson & parisheners. 1558 in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm.
App. v. 388 Of our own meare gifte and volantary willis.
1650 Earl Monm. tr. SenauWs Man bee. Guilty 55 His
nature being the meer work of God had no defaults. <* 1718
Penn Tracts Wks. 1726 I. 681 It is said to be out of his
meer and free Will, as if it were his meer Favour. 1881
Jowett Thucyd. I. 211 We were wrong if of our mere
motion we. .fought with you, and ravaged your land.
3. Law. Mere right [AF. meer dreit, law-Latin
jus merum] : right as distinguished from possession.
[i2oa Britton iv. v. § 4 Qe cesti pleintif, qiest dreit heir
celi qi drein presenta, ad meer dreit par le title de succes-
sioun.] 1559-60 Act 2 Eliz. in Bolton Stat. Irel. (1621) 284
That your Majestie . . is, and in verie deed, and of most
meere right ought to bee .. our most rightful . . soveraigne.
1628 Coke On Litt. in. viii. 279 If..hee loyne the mise vpon
the meere right. 1766 BlackStone Comm. II. 197 This is
frequently spoken of in our books under the name of the
mere right, jus merum', and the estate of the owner h in
such cases said to be totally devested, and put to a right.
f 4. That is what it is in the full sense of the
term ; nothing short of (what is expressed by the
sb.); absolute, entire, sheer, perfect, downright. Obs.
Collocations such as 'mere lying', 'mere folly', are still
possible, but the adj. no longer means * nothing less than ',
but 'nothing more than' (sense 5).
1536 Hen. VIII in Ellis On'g. Lett. Ser. it. II. 86 We . .
wyll se yf . . he wyll of hys awne mynde confesse the mere
trawthe. 1551 Robinson tr. More's Utopia 11. (1895) 244
Whyche thynge they doo of meere pytye and compassion.
1577 F. de L'isle's Legendarie Bviij, A kinde of impor-
tunatenes not farre different from meere violence- 1594
Hooker Eccl. Pol. 1. ii. § 2 Our God is One, or rather very
Oneness, and meer Unity. 1600 Holland Livy xxn. xliii.
459 Complaining first of the dearth of victuals, and in the
end, of meere hunger and famine. 1600 in nu Rep. Hist.
MSS. Comm. App. v. 458 Thobstinacie, willfull disobedience,
myere lienge and disceite of the countrie gentlemen, ifef
Shaks. Oth. 11. ii. 3. 1607 Heywood Worn. Kilted w. Kindtt.
Wks. 1874 II. 115 Pride is grown to vs A meere meere
stranger. 1625 Bacon Ess., Friendship (Arb.) 165 That it is
a meere, and miserable Solitude, to want true Friends.
1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 214 [The rivulet] discends so
violently, that it makes meere Cattaracts by its motion.
1668 M. Casaubon Credulity {1670) 31 The Greek Gram-
marians . . (meer strangers to the Hebrew). 17x9 D'Urfey
Pills (1872) III. 306 It blows a mere Storm. 1719 De Foe
Crusoe (1840) I. 146, I., became, in a little time, a mere
pastry-cook, into the bargain. 1746 Chestf.rf. Lett. (1792)
I. cviii. 295 You are a mere Oedipus, and I do not believe
MERE.
a Sphynx could puzzle you. 1740 Smollett Gil Bias (1797)
III. 45 He was .. fair as Love himself, a mere pattern in
shape. 1775 Wesley Wks. (1872) IV. 50 He seems to think
himself a mere Phenix.
5. Having no greater extent, range, value, power,
or importance than the designation implies ; that
is barely or only what it is said to be.
1581 Pettie tr. Guazzo's Civ. Conv. u. (1586) 49 b, If I
speake rather lyke a meere Citizen, than a Philosopher.
1586 Hooker Disc. Justif § 32 (1612) 54 Nestorius. .held,
that the Virgin .. did not bring forth the sonne of God,
but a sole and a mere man. 1594 T. B. La Primaud. Br.
Acad. II. 345 The throate . . being onely a meere way and
place of passage, through which meates and drinkes passe
to and fro. 1610 A. Cooke Pope Joan 104 A meere lay-
man. 1650 Baxter Saints' R. IL vii. § 7 To the meer
English Reader I commend especially these [books]. 1671
Milton P. R. iv. 535 To the utmost of meer man both wise
and good, Not more. 1720 Ozell Vertot's Rom. Rep. I. 1.
9 This military Function became a meer Title of Honour.
1750 Gray Long Story 137 Decorum's turn'd to mere civility.
1758 S. Havward Serm. p. xiv, Our public performances
are . . looked upon as a meer form. 1820 W. Irving Sketch
Bk, I. 3 Even when a mere child I began my travels. 1827
Hare Guesses (1859) 339 Mere art perverts taste; just as
mere theology depraves religion. 1849 Macaulay Hist,
ling. v. I. 532 Those who had pecuniary transactions with
him soon found him to be a mere swindler. 1874 Green
Short /fist. vi. § 4. 300 Immersed as Archbishop Warham
was in the business of the State, he was no mere politician.
1892 Law Rep., Weekly Notes 188/1 The defendant had
been maliciously making noises for the mere purpose of . .
annoying the plaintiffs.
b. Used in the superlative and comparative.
1642 Milton Apol. Sviect. Wks. 1851 III. 305, I rather
deeme it the meerest, the falsest, the most unfortunate
guift of fortune. 1841 Miss Sedgwick Lett. Abr. I. 269%
I have never seen people that seemed merer animals. 1868
Farrar Seekers 11. i. (1875) 201, I shall live despised and
the merest nobody.
f B. adv.= Merely adv.2 Obs.
1534 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxford (1880) 126
Lawes. .repugnante and meere contrarie to ye Kings statuts.
1577 Hanmer Anc. Reel. Hist. (i6rq) 259 All such crimes
as Athanasius was charged with, were meere false. 1601
Shaks. AIVs Well in. v. 58 Dia. .. Thinke you it is so?
Hel. I surely meere the truth. 1618 Wither Motto, Nee
Curo, I hate to have a thought o're-serious spent In things
meere trivia.ll, or indifferent. 1635 Pagitt Christianogr.
1. ii. (1636) 51 Authority over the Clergie and matters meere
ecclesiastical].
t Mere, v.1 Obs. [OE. inerian ; cf. the more
frequent d-merian, of the same meaning.] trans.
To purify. Hence f Mered///. a.
a 1000 Sal. iy Sat. 55 (Gr.) To begonganne 5am 5e his gast
wile meltan w!5 morore, merman [MS. B. inerian] of sor^e.
a 1272 Luue Ron 115 in O. E. Misc. 96 Hwat spekestu of
eny bolde bat wrouht be wise Salomon Of iaspe, of saphir,
of merede golde. 1340 Ayenb. 94 Huanne he [God] nhessep
be herte and makeb zuete and tretable ase wex ymered.
Mere, mear (mi^i), v$ Obs. exc. dial. Also
6 mere, meyre, 6-7 meare, 6-9 meer. [f. Mere,
Mear sb.% (ONorthumbrian had %im&rd).\
1. trans. To mark out (land) by means of
( meres * or boundaries.
a 950 Rituale Ecctes. Dunelm. (Surtees) 164 Diterminans
[glossed] jimaerende. 1507 in Willis & Clark Cambridge
(1886) II. 190 A certeyn parcell of Grounde . . meryd and
staked by the maisters of both the said Collegges. 1577-87
Holinshed Chron. II. 22/1 The paroch was meared from
the Crane castell, to the fish shambles. 1598 Manchester
Crt. Leet Rec. (1885) II. 136 Wee. .haue sett downe certen
stakes wch meyre out ye saide iandes. 1621 Earl of Cork
in Lismore Papers (1888) Ser. 11. III. 18 This purchase
will, .meare and bounde his owne [property]. 1723 in S. O.
Addy Hall of Waltheof (i8g3) 155 A place there comonly
called Campo Lane being the overend of the said croft, as
the same is now meared and staked out. 1863 in Gurwen
Kirbie-Kendall (1900) 84 The Scotch Burial Ground .. never
had any trustees for itself alone, being only meered or
walled off" and excluded from the title made in 1804.
t 2. intr. To abut upon ; to be bounded by. Obs.
1577 Stanyhurst Descr. Irel. in Holinshed (1808) VI. 2
Ireland is divided into foure regions . . and into a fift plot,
defalked from everie fourth part, and yet mearing on each
part. 1610 Holland Camden's Brit. 11. 99 The County of
Gallway meereth South upon Clare— West upon the Ocean.
1713 Conn. Col. Rec. (1870) V. 396 From the said ford of
Cowissick River meering with the said Cowissick River, to
a great oak tree markt,..and thence meering on the east or
easterly by and with the said Quinebaug River.
Mere : see Mar, Mare, Mayor, Meri2, Merry,
Myrrh.
t Mered,///. a. Obs. rare ~l. In 7 meered.
Formation and sense doubtful ; possibly a corrupt
reading. By some referred to Mere z»,2 ; by others
regarded as f. Mere <7.2 + -ed1, and explained as
4 sole, entire' (Schmidt).
1606 Shaks. Ant. fyCl. m. xiii. 10 The itch of his Affection
should not then Haue nickt his Captain-ship, at such a
point, When halfe to halfe the world oppos'd, he being The
meered question?
f Meregoutte. Obs. Also -gout. [a. F. mere-
goutte, ad. med.L. mera gutla l pure drop '.] The
first running of juice from grapes or oil from olives,
before pressure is applied.
j6oi Holland Pliny II. 331 A little vnpressed wine of the
first running, called Mere-goutte. Ibid. 381 The Mere-gout
of the grape that runneth out first without pressing.
Mereid, obs. form of Married.
c 1485 in Cat. Proc. Chanc. Q. Eliz. (1830) II. Pref. 74 The
which AHs is mereid and covertbaren.
Mereit, obs. Sc. form of Merit.
354
Merel (me'rel). Forms : sing. 4 merel, 9
marl; pi. 5 mereles, merellis, -ys, 5-7 merelles,
7 merills, 7-8 merils, 9 merrels, merril(l)s,
raerls, 5- merels. Also corruptly 7 miracle,
moral; and see Morris, [a. OF. merel, mare/
(mod.F. mtfreau) masc, merelle, marelle (mod.F.
mirelle^ marelle) fern. ; the word in OF. meant a
token coin, metal ticket, or counter.
Cf. Sicilian marrella, in 1617 used for the game of
draughts (Carrera // Giuoco degli Scacchi).]
1. One of the counters or pieces used in the game
of merels' (see 2). A\so fig.
1390 Gower Conf. I. 18 So that under the clerkes lawe
Men sen the Merel al mysdrawe. Ibid. III. 201 Wherof
ensamples ben ynowhe Of hem that thilke merel drowhe.
1611 [see 2].
2. Chiefly//, a. A game played on a board be-
tween two players, each with an equal number of
pebbles, disks of wood or metal, pegs, or ' pins '.
Called also fwepenny morris ', and ninepenny or
nine mens morris, according to the number of pins
or men used. Also attrib. fb. The game of
Fox and geese. Obs.
On the continent the name was applied also to a game
nearly identical with draughts, and to ' hop-scotch '.
a. C1400 l?>eryn 1250 Levenowal thyfoly,and thyrebawdy
As Tablis, & merellis & be hazardry. c 1449 Pfcock: Repr.
I. xx. 120 Where is it also grondid in Holi Scripture that
men. .schulden pleie. .bi sitting at the merels? 1611 Cotgr.,
Merelles. Le leu des merelles. The boyish game called
Merills, or fiue-pennie Morris; played here most commonly
with stones, but in France with pawnes, or men made of
purpose, and tearmed Merelles. 1688 R. Holme Armoury
(1905) II. 68/1 A 9 Hole Hoard.. some terme this a miracle
board and the game Miracles. 1694 Hyde Hist. Nerdiludii
Wks. (1767) 359 Alia habet nomina secundum numerum
frustulorum quibus luditur. . : sicut est marfin : alias three
men's Morals, & nine men's Morals, & nine penny miracle,. .
alias threepenny moris, aut five penny moris, aut nine penny
moris [etc.]... Pro his autem omnibus verius & rectius di-
cendum est three pin merells aut nine pin merells. 1706
PmLLirs (ed. Kersey), Merils, ..otherwise call'd Fivepenny
Morris. 1826 in Hone's Every-day Bk. II. 983 There is an
ancient game, played by the 'shepherds of Salisbury Plain',
and 'village rustics' in that part of the country, called
'Ninepenny Marl'. 1867 B. Brierley Marlocks 95 One
[chair] in particular had supplied the material fora'merril'
board. 1877 Ifoldemess Gloss., Merrils, a game played on
a square board with 18 pegs, nine on each side. Called in
many parts nine men's morris. 1889 Folk-Lore frnl. VII.
233 The boys of a cottage near Dorchester had. .carved a
' marrel ' pound on a block of stone by the house.
b. 190a Redstone in Trans. R. Hist. Soc. XVI. 195 The
Royal household [under Edw. IV] found delight in games
of chess and 'merelles'. For the latter game ' 2 foxis and
46 hounds of silver overgilt' were purchased to form 2 sets.
t Merely, adv.1 Obs. [f. Mere #.1 + -ly -.]
Wonderfully, beautifully.
c 1205 Lay. 2677 pe king, .ane neowe burh makede. .mnsr-
liche feier. c 1400 Sc. Trojan War 1. 337 Ascendande up
be greces gray Rith merely maide of marble-stanc.
Merely (mieuli), adv.2 [f. Mere a.2 + -lt 2.]
1 1. Without admixture or qualification ; purely.
1548 Cranmer in Strype Eccl. Mem. II. App. AA. 98
Soch other moral lernyngs as are merely deryved out or
scripture. 1605 Macovi Adv. Learn. II. i.§ 4 These Narrations
. .not to be mingled with the Narrations which are meerely
and sincerely naturall. 1637 Gillespie Eng.-Pop. Cerem.
in. iv. 63 Such things as are not merely, but nuxedly Divine.
1645 Pagitt Heresiogr. {1662) 125 The witnesse of the spirit
is merely immediate.
f b. Without the help of others. Obs.
1608 D. T[uvil] Ess. Pol. $ Mor. 2 To deliuer it vnto
them, as if it had proceeded meerly from himselfe.
f2. Absolutely, entirely ; quite, altogether. Obs.
1546 in Eng. Gilds (1870) 197 What goodes, catalles,..or
other stuff, do merely belong, .to all the sayd promocions.
1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. Ixii. § 18 That therefore baptisme
by heretiques is meerely voyde. 1601 R. Johnson Kingd,
<y Covimw. (1603) 48 The government is meerely tyran-
nicall: for the great Turke is so absolute a lord [etc.].
1602 Shaks. Ham. 1. ii. 137. 1613 Fletcher, etc. Honest
Mau's Port. v. Hi, I . .am as happy In my friends good, as
it were meerly mine, a 1619 Fotherby Atheom. n. iii. § 2
(1622) 214 It is meerely impossible, that any thing should be
the cause of it selfe. 1633 Bp. Hall Hard Texts 29, 1 have
not meerly lied in saying, she is my sister, but onely dis-
sembled. 1728 Morgan Algiers I. Pref. 2, I wished, nay
merely languished for their Destruction. 1788 Wesley
Wks. (1872) VI. 283 Those countries that are merely Popish ;
as Italy, Spain, Portugal.
t b. As a matter of fact, actually. Obs.
c 1596 Harington in Metam. Ajax (1813) Introd. 13 As I
say merely in the booke, the 118 page. 1601 Ld. Mount-
joy in Moryson /tin. (1617) 11. 204 Not onely have [I] taken
all occasions by the death of Captaines to extinguish their
entertainement, but also have meerely discharged above five
thousand.
3. Without any other quality, reason, purpose,
view, etc. ; only (what is referred to) and nothing
more. Often preceded by not.
£1580 Sidney /V xxxix. iii, The greatest state we see,
At best, is meerely vanity. 1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. liv.
§ 4 The incarnation of the Sonne of God consisteth meerely
in the vnion of natures. 1603 Shaks. Meas.for Af.v. L 459
Thoughts are no subiects Intents, but meerely thoughts.
162s Peacham Comfit. Gent. x. 94 Diuers of his workes, are
but meerely translations out of Latine and French. 1690
Locke Govt. 1. tx. § 88 Men are not Proprietors of what they
have meerly for themselves. 1729 Butler Sertu. Wks. 1874
II. Pref. 5 The multitudes who read merely for the sake of
talking. 1841 Miss Mitford in L'Estrange Z,£# (1870) III.
viii. 117 The hero must be young and interesting— must
MERETRICATE.
have to do, and not merely to suffer. 1856 Sir B. Brodie
Psychol. Inq. I. iv. 131 It is not very common for any one
to die merely of old age. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2! I. 99
Perhaps Nicias is serious, and not merely talking for the
sake of talking. 1888 F. H ume Mme. Midas 1, iv, To many
people Cowper is merely a name.
Merely, obs. form of Merrily.
Meremaid, etc., obs. forms of Mermaid, etc.
II Merencliyma (mere-qkima). Bot. Also
anglicized merenchym. [mod. L., f. Gr. fxtpos
part+ -enchyma in Parenchyma.] Tissue consist-
ing of ellipsoidal and spheroidal cells. Also attrib.
1839 Lindley Introd. Bot. 1. i. (ed. 3) 7 note, Professor
Morren has proposed the following nomenclature of tissue,
which has some advantages over that now more commonly
in use. I. Parenchyma ; 1. merencliyma, or sph&renchyma,
spherical; 2. conenchyma, conical [etc.]. /bid. 15 Meyen
has Merencliyma [ed. 1848 Merenchym] for ellipsoidal and
spheroidal cells. 1849 Balfour Man. Bot. § 5. 1900
Jackson Gloss. Bot. 'Terms, Merenchy?na cells, unpitted
cells in the pith of trees, with intercellular spaces, and much
elongated radially.
Hence Merenchymatous a., of the character of
merenchyma.
1840 Ann. Nat. Hist. IV. 392 A cuticle with merenchy-
matous cells, swollen up, like bladders.
II Mere n da. [Sp. merienda (cf. mcretuiar vb.,
to eat one's *merenda') :— L. merenda.'] A light
meal or collation. Also merendar [from the verb].
1622 Mabbe tr. Aleman's Guzman d?Alf. n. (1630) 282
Now they were beginning to fall to their merendar or
inter-mealary repast. 1740 Ctess Hartford Corr. (1805J
II. 81 At every one of these visits there is a merenda pro-
vided for the ladies that attend the princess.
tMe-reness. Obs.~° [f. Mere<7.2] Purity.
1648-60 Hexham Dutch Vict., Louterheyat, Purety,
Meerenesse, or Cleanenesse.
t Meresauce. Obs. Also 5 mersaus(e,
mire sauce. [? repr. AF. *muiresauce :— L. muria
salsa salt pickle. Cf. the synonymous OF. sal-
muire, mod.F. saumure.] Brine used for pickling.
1c 1400 in Househ. Ord. (1790^ 435 Take felittes of braune
and let horn lye in mersaus an houre. 1483 Cat A. Angl.
240/2 Mire sauce, muria. 1494 Fabvan Chron. vi. ccxiv.
230 Hc.slewe the sayde semaunies of his brother, and
hacked theym in small pecys, and cast them after in mere-
sawce or sake. 1530 Palsur. 244/2 Mere sauce for flesshe,
savlmvre. 1681 w. Robertson Phraseol. Gen. (1693) 877
Meer sauce, or brine.
Mereschaum, variant of Meerschaum.
Mere small (mlo'izmam), Obs. exc. dial. [f.
mcre,s,gzn\t.oi Merej/>.- + Max.] Aman appointed
to find out the exact boundaries of a parish, etc.
1867 Ht. Parr Stone Edge vii. in Cornlu Mag. XV. 737,
I were a fool to promise thretty shillin' a year for't,— the
Meresmen said as how it werna much above three acre.
1875 Parish Sussex Gloss., Meresman, a parish officer who
attends to the roads, bridges and water-courses. 1884
Times ■*<$ May 8/4 The boundaries laid down . . were pointed
out to the Ordnance Surveyors by Meresmen, or persons
appointed by Her Majesty's Justices of the Peace. 1895
Edin. Rev. July 55 Great trouble was taken to secure the
most trustworthy meresmen in each barony.
Merestead : see Mesestead.
Merestone (ml^-JstJun). aixh. and dial. [f.
Merej^.2 + Stone.] A stone set upas a landmark.
956 in Birch Cariul. Sax. III. 154 Dis synton 5a land^e-
mx;ro..On mserstan, of ma:rstane on 5one ealdan £aran'
?i36o Durham Halm. Rolls (Surtees) 26 Amovit unum
merstane. 1483 Cath.Angl. zyzti A Meyre stane, bifinimn.
1577 tr. Bellinger's Decades (1592) 395 Thou shalt not re-
moue thy neighbours merestone. 1679 Coll. Conn. Hist.
Soc. (1897) VI. 190 The meere stones of the lot 178a MS.
Indenture Estate at Balnvorth, co. Nottingham,, Closes. .
lying East of the meerstones or boundaries set up by Robert
Rogers. 1839 Stonehouse Axholme 384 A Mere Stone
called God's Cross. 1879 Jefferies Amateur Poacher iii,
By the pond stood a low three-sided merestone or landmark.
fig. 1617 Bacon Sp. to Hutton Resusc. (1657) 1. 94 That
you contain the Jurisdiction of the Court within the ancient
Meere-stones, without Removing the Mark. 1877 Trench
Led. Med. Ch. Hist. 15 The merestone to mark where one
era terminated and another began.
T MeTeswine. Obs. Forms : see Mere sbj-
and Swine ; also 6 marswyn, Se. meir-, meyr-
swyne, 8-p meer swine. [OE. mereswin, lit.
* sea-swine , f. mire Mere sb.* + sivin Swine. Cf.
the equivalent OHG. meriswin (MHG. ?7teresxvtn,
mod. G. meersch-vciii), whence F. marsouin. Cf.
Marsouin.] A dolphin or porpoise.
£725 Corpus Gloss. (Hessels) B. 166 Bacarius, meresum.
nooo Sax. Leechd. II. 334 Nim mere-swines fel. (7*325
Metr. Horn. 25 The thride dai mersuine and qualle. And
other gret fises alle Sal yel. 1419 Liber Albus (Rolls) I.
343 Item, de mereswyn, quantum dabit. 1541 Bellenden
Descr. Alb. ix. in Cron. Scot. B vj b, This Frith [of Forth]
is rycht plentuus of coclis,..pelIok, merswyne, and quhalis.
1710 Sibbald Hist. Fife % Kinross 49 The bigger [sort]
beareth the Name of Dolphin ; and our Fishers call them
Meer-swines. 1822 Carlyle Early Lett. (1886) II. 70
Waugh fixed his eye on an enormous meerswine.
Merete, Meretorious, obs. ff. Merit, Meri-
torious.
tMeretric, * Obs. rare— x. ~ Meretricious.
1545 Joye Exp. Dan. xii. 215 b, Thei thinke it impossible
to be any knauerye or errours in so holy fathers with their
meretrik mother.
t Meretricate, v. Obs.-° [f. late L. mere-
tricdt- (-trtcari), f. meretric-cm harlot.]
1623 Cockebam, Meretricate, to play the whore.
MERETRICIAL.
f Meretricial, a. Obs, ff. L. merctrlei-us
(see MfiusTBiaous) + -al.] -Meretbiciouh i.
1751 Lavington Enthus. Meth. $ Papists m. 335 He saw
them, .standing before a public Stew, in meretricial Habits.
t Meretri'Cian, a. and sb. Obs. [Formed
as prec. + -an.] a. adj.^ Meretricious i. b. sb,
A harlot.
1630 Bkathwait Fug. Gentian. (1641) 403, A mercenarie
meretrician. a 1704 T. Brown Declam. in De/. Gaming
Wks. 1709 III. 142 Take from human Commerce Mere-
trician Amours, you will find a horrid Confusion of all
things, and incestuous Lust.-; disturb every Family.
Meretricious (mer/tri'fas), a. [f. L. mere-
trici-us (f. merctrle-, meretrix harlot, fem. agent-n.
f. mererl to earn money, serve for hire : sec
Merit j£,) + -ous.]
1. Of, pertaining to, characteristic of, or befit-
ting a harlot ; having the character of a harlot.
a 1626 Bacon New Ati. 27 The Delight in Meretricious
Embracements (wher sinne is turned into Art) maketh
Marriage a dull thing. 1664 H. MORE Exp. 7 Epist. (1669)
101 Jezebel,.. for all her paintings and fine meretricious
pranking her self up,, .was to be thrown out at the window.
1765 Blackstone Cotnm. I. 436 It is a meretricious, and not
a matrimonial, union. 1809 Malkin Gil Bias vn. vii,
A young stagefinch who hacf evidently suffered himself to
be caught in the birdlime of her professional or meretricious
talents. 1814 Shelley Prose Wks. (1888J II. 394 The lying
and meretricious prude.
2. Alluring by false show of beauty or richness;
showily attractive. Now often applied to the
style of a painter or a writer.
1633 P. Fletcher Purple /si. vui. tx. Strip thou their
meretricious seemlinesse. 1662 S. P. Ace. Latitude-men
in Phenix II. 503 The meretricious Gaudiness of the Church
of Rome, and the squallid Sluttery of Fanatick Conven-
ticles. 1709-10 Addison Tatter No. 120 P 5 The Front of
it was raised on Corinthian Pillars, with all the meretricious
Ornaments that accompany that Order. 1790 Burkb Fr.
Rev. 59 A lust of meretricious glory. 1843 Phescott
Mexico 1. vi. (1864) 55 The meretricious ornaments, .with
which the minstrelsy of the East is usually attended. 1846
Wkight Ess. Mid, Ages I. v. 185 The style he aims at is
gaudy and meretricious. 1879 Seguin Black For. vi. 85
The meretricious excitement of the gambling- room.
absol. 1838 Lvtton Alice 55 No critic ever more readily
detected the meretricious and the false.
Hence Meretriciously adv., Meretri cious-
ness.
1727 Bailey vol. II, Meretriciousness. 179. Bukke
Tracts on Popery Laws Wks. 1812 V. 258^ And meretri-
ciou>ly to hunt abroad after foreign affections, 1850 L,
Hunt Autobiog. xxi. (i860) 343 The face [of the Venus de
Medici] has the very worst look of meretriciousness, which
is want of feeling. 1859 Gullick & Timbs Paint. 118 Its
generally dauby meretriciousness. 1892 Locnsbuky Stud.
Chaucer III. vii. 181 The outspokenness of the original has
been generally .. omitted. For it, however, there has been
substituted a veiled coarseness and meretriciousness.
t Meretriculate, v. nome-rod. [f. L. mere-
trie-, parodying matriculate.'] trans. To deceive
as a harlot does.
1611 Chapman May Day 32, I haue not beene matricu*
lated in the Vniuersity, to be meretriculated by him.
II Meretrix (mcr/'triks) . PI. meretrices
(mer/'trai'sJ'z). [L-] A prostitute, harlot.
1564 Martial Treat. Cross 139 Yff she were blacke,
browne, barren, or common to mo, as Meretrix is a common
name to them all. 1605 B. Jonson Volpone 1. i, From Pi-
thagore, she went into a beautiful peece Hight Aspasia,
the Meretrix.
Mereuh3 -ewe : see Marrow, Mekow.
Merewi : see Marrowy.
Merganser (ma-igse-nssi). [mod.L. (Gesner
1 555)j I. merg-us diver (water-fowl) + anser goose.
The name is given by Willughby (1676) and Albin
(1731) as Latin, with the Eng. equivalent * goos-
ander.*] Any bird of the genus Mergus or sub-
family Merginset fish-eating ducks of great diving
powers, with long narrow serrated bill hooked at
the tip, inhabiting the northern parts of the Old
World and N. America ; esp. Mergus merganser,
the common merganser or Goosander. Jlf. serrator
is the Red-breasted Merganser, Jlf. cucullatus the
Hooded Merganser of N. America, Jlf. albellus the
White Merganser or Smew.
1752 J. Hill Hist. Anim. 437 Mergus crista dependente,
capite nigro-cserulescente collari albo. The Merganser. 1759
B. Stillingkl. tr. Biberg's Econ. Nat. m Misc. Tracts (1762)
103 In the autumn, when the fishes hide themselves in deep
places, the merganser.. supplies the gull with food. 1768
Pennant Zoot. (1776) II. 471 Red Breasted Merganser. 1840
Cuvier's Anim. Kingd. 266 The Bay-breasted M[erganser]
(.1/. serrator). Ibid. 267 The Hooded Mferganser]. 1852
Macgillivray Brit. BirdsV. 199 The Mergansers, although
few in number, seem yet to form a very distinct family.
1856 F. O. Mokris Brit. Birds V. 270 Smew.. .White Nun.
White Merganser. 1879 C. NAriER Lakes fy Fivers iv. 117
I he Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) is one of
the most beautiful of our ducks.
Merge (msad^), sb. ?-are. [f. thevb.] An act or
instance of merging.
1805 Foster Ess. 1. vii. (1806) 101 In him it was no de-
bility of reason, it was at the utmost but a merge of it.
1905 Pail MatlG. 24 Apr. 3/2 The first barony of Pelham. .
merged in the Dukedom of Newcastle. . . The ' merges ' of
the 1611 baronetcy, Pelham of Laughton, have been many.
Merge (msid^), v, [ad. L. mergZre to dip,
plunge. The surviving uses (senses 2 and 3) come
355
through Law Fr. merger, earlier translated 'drown *
(see Drown v. 6 b).j
fl. trans. To plunge or sink in a (specified)
activity, way of living, environment, etc. ; to im-
merse. (In quots. reft, and pass.) Obs.
1636 Prynne Vubisli.Timothy 134 [They] merge themselves
in pleasures, idlenesse, or secular affaires. 1637 — Brev.
Prelates 64 Thomas Woolsie. .wholly merged himselfe in
secular offices and state affairs. 1751 Harris Hermes in.
iv. (1765) 350 The Vulgar merged in Sense from their earliest
Infancy,, .imagine nothing to be real, but what may be
tasted or touched.
H b. rarely tit. : To plunge or dip in a liquid.
1866 J. M. Neale Hymns Paradise (ed. 2) 30 All his spite
the Tempter urges; Casts in fire, in water merges [L. aqtlis
mergit]. i865 J. B. Rose tr. Ovid^s Fasti v. 754 So Tiber
said, And in his grotto merged his dripping head.
2. In Law : To sink or extinguish (a lesser estate,
title, etc.) in one which is greater or superior,
tlence^tv/., to cause (something) to be absorbed
into something else, so as to lose its own character
or identity ; to sink or make to disappear.
a. Const, in, occas. into.
1728 [see Merger1 i]. 1729 Jacob Law Diet. s. v. Merge};
An Estate-tail cannot be merged in an Estate in Fee. 1766
Blackstone Comm. II. 177 Whenever a greater estate and
a less coincide and meet in one and the same person,
without any intermediate estate, the less is immediately
annihilated ; or, in the law phrase, is said to be merged,
that is, sunk or drowned, in the greater. 1791 Burkk Let.
Memb. Nat. Assemb. Wks. 1792 III. 346 Their object is to
merge all natural and all social sentiment in inordinate
vanity. 1842 H. Rogers Ess. (1874) I. i. 36 He is content
to merge his historic character in that of a retailer of amusing
oddities. 1856 Kane///-(.7. E.ipt. II. vii. 81 These shelves,
though sometimes merged into each other, presented dis-
tinct and recognisable embankments. 1863 Geo. Eliot
Romola xix, That. .his library. .should not be merged in
another collection. 1866 Crumi' Banking i. 7 This business
he merged into a banking-house. 1868 Stanley U'estm.
Abb. vi. (ed. 2)447 The diocese, after ten years, was merged
in the See of London. 1874 Green .Short Hist. ii. $ 3. 68
The same forces which merged the Dane in the Englishman.
b. Without const.
1729 Jacob Law Diet. s. v. Merger, Where a Man hath a
Term in his own Right, and the Inheritance descends to his
Wife, so as he hath a Freehold in her Right ; the Term is
not merged or drowned. 1809 Pinkney Trav, France 202
The ornaments may. .lose their own effect bybeingattached
to a building which, by exciting stronger emotions, neces-
>arily merges the less. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) I. 300
The estate of the copyholder being only at will, becomes
merged by the accession of any greater estate. 1832 Cole-
ridge Table-T. 19 Aug., That is the most excellent stale of
society in which the patriotism of the citizen ennobles, but
does not merge, the individual energy of the man. 1835
I. Taylor Spir. Despot, iii. 98 None would pretend that. .
individual fitness for the office.. should be so merged as is
implied in adapting the hereditary principle to the clerical
order. 1845 Stephen Comm. Laws En*. (1S74) II. 58 The
contract by specialty merges or extinguishes that by parol.
3. intr. In Law : To be extinguished by absorp-
tion in a greater title, estate, etc. Hence gen., to
sink and disappear, to be swallowed up and lost to
view, lose character or identity by absorption into
something else. Const, in, into.
1726 Vernon Ckauc. Cases I. 22 If a Copyholder pays a
Rent to the Lord, and the Lord grants or releases this Rent
to his Tenant, this shall Merge in the Copyhold. 1766
Blackstone Comm. II. xiL 186 If an estate is originally
limited to two for life, and after to the heirs of one of them,
the freehold shall remain in jointure, without merging in the
inheritance. 1802 Sir Wm. Scott Sp. April -z-j He is to take
care, .that the ecclesiastic shall not merge in the farmer, but
shall continue the presiding and predominating character.
1814 Chalmers Evid. Ckr, Revel, v. 128 The Jews. .merge
into the name and distinction of Christians. 1841 J.R.Young
Math. Dissert, ii. 37 These roots can never merge into one
and coincide. 1856 Fkoude Hist. Eng. (18581 I. i. 13 Serf-
dom had merged or was rapidly merging into free servitude.
1858 Ld. St. Leonards Handy-Bk. Prop. Law ix. 62 The
tax has merged, and does not remain as a charge of which
you can avail yourself. 1859 Mill Liberty ii. (1865) 31 But
this, though an important consideration,, .merges in a more
fundamental objection. 1894 Times 16 Apr. 3/3 That was
. .an indication that the cause of action had not merged.
Hence Me'rging vbl. sb.
1839 Yeowell Anc. Brit. Ch. viii. (1847) 77 It was the
merging the individual in the corporate character. 1880
J. Cairo Phiios. Relig. 278 This absolute merging of the in-
dividual in the universal life.
Mergence (maud^ens). [f. Merge v. + -ence.]
The action of merging or condition of being merged.
1865 httell. Observ. No. 42. 411 The mergence of twilight
into night. 1874 Geo. Eliot Coll. Break/. P. 573 Say, the
small arc of Being we call man Is near its mergence, what
seems growing life Nought but a hurrying change towards
lower types. 1893 H. Walker Three Cent. Scott. Lit. II.
81 The mergence of self in the character of another.
Mergent(e, obs. forms of Margent.
Merger1 (maudgai). [Law Fr. merger: see
Merge v. and -er4.]
1. Law. Extinguishment of a right, estate, con-
tract, action, etc., by absorption in another.
1728 Vernon Chanc. Cases II. 90 The Plaintiff, .insisted
that the Term was merged in the Daughter, as being also
Heir at Law. The Court upon the Hearing relieved against
the Merger. 1729 Jacob Law Diet., If a Lessor, who hath
the Fee, marries with the Lessee for Years ; this is no
Merger, because [etc.] 1818 Colebrooke Obligations 216
Where there is a confusion of rights, where debtor and
creditor become one, ..an immediate merger takes place.
1339 Penny Cycl. XV. 109/1 Estates tail are not subject to
MERIDIAN.
merger. 1861 May Const. Hist. (1S63) I. v. 240 This increase
is exhibited by the existing peerage alone — notwith-
standing the extinction or merger of numerous titles in the
interval. 1894 Times 16 Apr. 3/3 That depended upon
whether the judgment did operate as a merger of the action
on the guarantee.
b. Cf.S, The combination or consolidation ol
one linn or trading company with another.
1889 Boston (Mass.) J ml. 17 Apr. 4/3 Ample powers of
consolidation and merger, transfer and absorption of stock
and kindred franchises are given. 1902 U'estm. Gaz. 7 May
5/1 The Attorney-General is watching thesteamship merger
closely. 1904 Daily News 7 Apr. 6 A week or two ago a
merger between two railways was forcibly dissolved by the
judges of the Supreme Court.
2. gen. An act of merging; the fact of being merged.
1881 Athenmitui No. 2791. 536 A very little additional
lapse of time witnessed the merger of the diocesan in the
statesman. 1883 M. D. Chalmers Local Govt. iv. 55 This
..would lie a practical merger of the smaller in the larger
parish. 1886 PoSNETT Compar. Lit. 90 This progressive
merger underlies the development of institutions and lan-
guage. 1898 Kknion Encyct. Laws Eng. X. 622 The two
latter [officers] have ceased to exist, the former of the two
upon merger of the duties with those of the Queen's Re-
membrancer.
Merger- (maud^aa). rare~°. [f. Merged, -t-
-ER1.] One who or something which merges.
1846 in WoRCESThR ; and in later Diets.
Mergery-prater, variant of MaRGERY-fratek.
Mergh e, obs. forms of Marrow.
Mergin, obs. f. Margin; var. MuRGEON sb.1
Mergrave, obs. form of Margrave,
t Meri1. Anat. Obs. Alsosmary, 5-6 mery.
[a. med.L. meri, OF. meri, a. Arab. *{Cj* atari \]
The gullet or oesophagus.
c 1400 Lait/ra>u*s Cirurg. 148 Bttwene be neeke & gula
wibinneforb pure is ordeyned inary [v.r. mery], b;it is to
seie be wesant. 1541 R. Coi'LANli Guydon's Quest. Chirtttg,
F ij b, The Meri otherwyse called Ysophagus. 1547 Boorije
Brett. Health ccclx.\.\. 121 b, In Englyshe it ir, named Uo-
fagon or the mery.
Meri 2 (meri). Also marree, mere. [Maori.]
A Maori war-club, from 12 to iS inches long,
made of hard wood, whalebone, or greenstone.
1830 J. I). Lang Poems (1873) 116 Beneath his shaggy
flaxen mat The dreadful maiiee hangs concealed. 1851
Mrs. Wilson New Zealand, etc. 48 The old man ha*
broken my head with his meri. 1859 |see Grlknstom; -j
attrib.]. 1883 Klnuick Betrayed 36 Full half-ievealcd
u greenstone mere swung Upon his hip.
Meri, Merialtie, obs. IT. Mekky, Mayoralty.
Meribauk, variant of Mekribowk Obs,
Mericarp i^merikai])'. Bol. [a. F. tniri-
carpe, irreg. f. (Jr. f»(pos part + tfapn-os fruit.] A
portion of a fruit which splits away as a perfect
fruit ; esp. each of the two one-seeded carpels
which together constitute the fruit (or cremocarp)
in umbelliferous plants.
1832 LiNDLtY tnirod, Bol. 179 M. De Candolle calls the
half of the fruit of Umbelliferse merit arp. 1864 Oliver
Etem. Bot. 11. 176 The mericarps are popularly called
'seeds', as Caraway-seeds, &c. 1875 Bennett & Dyer
Sachs' Bot. 841 The fruit ot Erodium gruinnm and other
Geraniacea; splits up into five mericarps. 1887 Garnsey &
Ualiour tr. Goebets Classi/. ty Morphol Plants 427 Two
or more parts each containing a seed, and appearing to be
a separate fruit ; each of these may be called a mericarp or
partial fruit, and the whole is a schizocarp.
Meridarch. (me-ridaak). Hist. [ad. Gr. pcpi-
SdpX-rjs, f. ^f/)t5-, yicpis part -f- -apxys ruler.] (See
quot.)
1866 G. F. Macleak N. T. Hist. 1. in. iv. (1877) 46
Jonathan ,. was . . raised to the rank of meridarch. or ruler
of a part of the empire [1 Mace. x. 65 ; in Bible 1611 par-
taker of his dominion ; margin, gouernour of a prouincej.
Meridean, obs. form of Meridian.
Merides, pi. of Meris.
t Meridial, a, Obs. In 6 merydyal(l. [ad.
L. mertdidl-is, f. meridies mid-day.] a. South
(wind), b. Belonging to mid-day.
r 1540 Boorde The bokefor to Lemc B ij b, The merydyall
wynde of all wyndes is the most worst. Ibid. C iv b, Whole
men. .shuld. .eschew merydyall slepe.
Meridian (meri'dian), sb. Also 4-5 meridiem,
5 merydien. [From various elliptical uses of
Meridian a.y chiefly adopted from OF. or med.L.
Cf. L. merldianum (sc. tempus), noon ; tnerididnu/n, the
south ; med. L. ?ueridiana (Or. me'ridiane, earlier meriene \
mod.F. jne'ridienue), noon, midday rest, siesta ; F. ineridien
= sense 4 below ; meridienne ( = tigue M.1 a meridian line. ]
fl. Mid-day, noon. Obs, exc. in humorously
pedantic use.
a 1380 St. Augustine 1673 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1878)
90 Vppon a day aftur be meridien Austin apeered to him
fen. c 1391 Chaucer Astrol. 11. § 44 Adde hit [to-gederj.
and bat is thy mene mote, for the laste meridian of the
december, for the same ^ere wyche bat bou [hast] purposid.
1637 Heywood Lond. Mirrour Wks. 1874 IV. 311 The very
day that doth afford him light, Is Morning, the Meridian,
Evening, Night. 1871 G. Meredith //. Richmond xlii, If
any thing fresh occurred between meridian and six o'clock,
he should be glad, he said, to have word of it by messenger.
b. NighPs meridian'. * the noon of night ', mid-
night, nonce-use.
1826 Carrington Dartmoor 62 A fearful gloom, deep'ning
and deep'ning, till 'Twas dark as night's meridian.
c. /list, A mid-day rest or siesta, [tr. med.L.
meridiaua; cf. F. meridienne, OF. merien{ti)e,\
111-2
MERIDIAN.
1798-1801 J. Milner Hist. Winchester II. 101 There was
now a vacant space of an hour or an hour and an half,
during part of which those [monks] who were fatigued were
at liberty to take their repose,, .which was called from the
time of day when it was taken, The Meridian. i8ao Scott
Monast. xix [Abbot log. J, As we have . . in the course of this
our toilsome journey, lost our meridian, indulgence shall be
given [etc.].
d. Sc. A mid-day dram. (See also E.D.D.)
1818 Scott Hrt. Midi, iv, Plumdamas joined the other
two gentlemen in drinking their meridian (a bumper-dram
of brandy). 18*5 Chambers Trad. Edinb. II. 243 It was
then [18th c] the custom of all the shop-keepers in Edin-
burgh to drink what they called their meridian. This was
a very moderate debauch, — consisting only in a glass of
usquebaugh and a draught of small ale.
2. The point at which the sun or a star attains
its highest altitude.
c 1450 Lvdg. Secrces 347 Phebus..In merydien fervent as
the glede. 1647 Crashaw Poems 130 Sharp-sighted as the
eagle's eye, that can Outstare the broad-beam'd day's
meridian, a 1667 Cowley Ess., Greatness, There is in
truth no Rising or Meridian of the Sun, but only in respect
to several places. 1728 Pope Dune. ill. 195 note, The de-
vice, A Star rising to the Meridian, with this Motto, Ad
Sum'ma. 1843 James Forest Days viii, The sun had declined
about two hours and a half from the meridian.
b. fig. The point or period of highest develop-
ment or perfection, after which decline sets in;
culmination, full splendour.
1613 Shaks. Hen. VIII, in. ii, 224 And from that full
Meridian of my Glory, I haste now to my Setting. 1638
Sir T. Herbert Trav. (ed. 2) 93 Vet in the meridian of
his hopes [he] is dejected by valiant Rustang. C1645
Howell Lett. (1655) III. ix. 17 Naturall human knowledg
is not yet mounted to its Meridian, and highest point of
elevation. 1673 Temple United Prov. Wks. 1731 I. 67,
I am of Opinion, That Trade has, for some Years ago.
paWd its Meridian, and be^un sensibly to decay among
ihem. 1700 Dryden Fables Pref. *Bb, Ovid liv'd when the
Roman Tongue was in its Meridian; Chaucer, in the
Dawning of our Language. ^1761 Cawthorn Poems (177D
61 My merit in its full meridian shone, a 1859 Macau lay
Hist. Eng. xxiii. C18611 V. 67 This was the moment at which
the fortunes of Montague reached the meridian. The de- j
cline was close at hand. 1893 Georgiana Hill Hist. Eng. \
Dress II. 268 Dress was in its meridian of ugliness.
c. The middle period of a man's life, when his |
powers are at the full.
c 1645 Howell Lett. 1. vi. Ix. (1655I 307 You seem to mar-
veil 1 do not marry all this while, considering that I am i
past the Meridian of my age. 1703 E. Ward Loud. Spy
xvil {1706) 406 As for her Age, I believe she was near upon
the Meridian. 1795 Mason Ch. Mus. ii. 133 When Purcel
was in the meridian of his short life. 1864 H. Ainsworth
John Law Prol.iii- (1881) 19 Though long past his meridian,
and derided as an antiquated beau by the fops of the day. '
1873 Hamerton Intell. Life iv. ii. (1875) 143 Any person j
who has passed the meridian of life.
f3. The south. Obs. [So L. meridiamtm.]
1430-40 Lydg. Bochas vi. i. (1494) t ij b, Nowe in the west,
nowe in the oryent, To sech stories north and meredien Of
worthy princes that here to fore haue ben. 1433-50 tr. '
Higden (Rolls) I. 47 Asia..whiche goenge from the meridien
or sowthe by_ the este vn to the northe, is compassede on
euery syde with the occean. Ibid. VI. 41 Machomete made
an ydole . . havynge the face of hit towarde the meridien. I
1601 Holland Pliny I. 34 With vs the stars_ about the
North Pole neuer go downe, and those contrariwise about
the Meridian neuer rise. Ibid. 48 From the Meridian or
South-point to the North.
4. [EUipt for meridian circle or fine.] a. Aslr.
(More explicitly celestial m.) The great circle (of
the celestial sphere) which passes through the
celestial poles and the zenith of any place on the
earth's surface, b. (More explicitly terrestrial m.)
The great circle (of the earth) which lies in the
plane of the celestial meridian of a place, and
which passes through the place and the poles;
also often applied to that half of this circle that
extends from pole to pole through the place.
So named because the sun crosses it at noon. A terrestrial
globe, or a map of the earth or part of it, has usually a
number of meridians drawn upon it at convenient distances,
marked with figures indicating their respective longitude or
angular distance on a parallel from the first meridian, i. e.
the meridian (in British maps that of Greenwich! conven-
tionally determined to be of longitude o°.
C1391 Chaucer Astrol. 11. § 39 And [yf] so be bat two
townes haue illike Meridian, or on Meridian, than is the
distance of hem bothe ylike fer fro the Est. 1540. Compl.
Scot. vi. 51 Quhen the sune rysis at our est orizon, than it
ascendis quhil it cum til our meridian. 1555 Eden Decades
243 And commaunded a line or meridian to bee drawen
Northe and south. 1594 Blundevil Exerc. iv.xviii. (1636)
461 Whereas the Terrestriall Globe is traced with 12 Meri-
dians,.. The Celestiall Globe is only traced with 6 Meridians.
1669 Sturmy Mariner's Mag. 11. 93 You must wait, .till the
Sun is upon the Meridian. 1678 Hobbes Decant, viii. 101
It will turn it self till it lye in a Meridian, that is to say,
with one and the same Line still North and South. 1698
Keill Exam. Th. Earth (1734) 2ir All those who live
under the same Meridian have twelve of the Clock at the
same time. 1715 tr. Gregorys Astron. I. 211 Any such
Secondary Circle drawn thro' any Place upon the Earth, is
called the Meridian of that Place. Ibid. 212 They feigned
therefore a first Meridian passing thro' the most Western
Place of the Earth, that was then known. 1839 Penny
Cycl. XV. 110/1 The terrestrial meridian is the section of
the earth made by the plane of the celestial meridian. 1841
Elphinstone Hist. Ind. II. 177 These two rajas soon
reduced the Mussulman frontier to the Kishna on the south,
and the meridian of Heiderabad on the east.
C. trans/, {a) Geom. Occasionally applied to any
great circle of a sphere that passes through the
356
poles, or to a line, on a surface of revolution, that
is in a plane with its axis, {b) Magnetic meridian :
the great circle of the earth that passes through
any point on its surface and the magnetic poles.
1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, Meridian Magnetical, is
a Great Circle passing through or by the Magnetical Poles.
axjMi Keill MaupertmY Diss. (17341 47 The Meridians of
the Spheroids are continually Algebraic Curves. 183a Nat.
Philos. II. Magnet, iii. 23 (Usef. Knowl. Soc), The mag-
netic meridian. 1837 Brewster Magnet, n He .. made
numerous experiments with bars of iron and steel placed in
the magnetic meridian.
d. Meridian of a globe or brass meridian : a
graduated ring (sometimes a semicircle only) of
brass in which an artificial globe is suspended and
revolves concentrically.
1633 G. Herbert Temple, Size viii, An earthly globe, On
whose meridian was engraven, These seas are tears, and
heav'n the haven. 1727-51 Chambers Cycl. s. v. Globe, The
globe itself thus finished, they hang it in a brass meridian.
e. attrib. in meridian circle^see also Mekidian'
a. 3), an astronomical instrument consisting of a
telescope carrying a large graduated circle, by
which the right ascension and declination of a star
may be determined ; a transit-circle ; meridian-
mark, a mark fixed at some distance due north or
south of an astronomical instrument, by pointing
at which the instrument is set in the meridian.
1849 Herschel Ontl. Astron. § 100. 114 Thus also a meri-
dian line may be drawn and a meridian mark erected.
5. trans/, and fig. A locality or situation, con-
sidered as separate and distinct from others, and
as having its own particular character; the special
character or circumstances by which one place,
person, set of persons, etc. is distinguished from
others. Chiefly in figurative uses of astronomical
phrases such as calculated to or for the meridian
0/= ' suited to the tastes, habits, capacities, etc., of.
1589 R. Harvey ZY. Perc. Ded. 4, 1 will present you at the
law day for a ryot, though I be neither side man for this
Meridian, nor Warden. 1621 Burton Anat. Mel. 11. ii 1. i.
(1651) 231 Which howsoever I treat of, as proper to the
Meridian of Melancholy. 1625 B. Jonson Staple of N.,
Prol. Court, A Worke . . fitted for your Maiesties disport,
And writ to the Meridian of your Court. 1647 Clarendon
Hist. Reb. vn, § 73 He was, at his suit, brought to the
House of Commons bar; where, .with such flattery' as was
most exactly calculated to that meridian [etc.}. a 1677 Hale
Prim. Grig. Man. I. i. 7 All other knowledge meerly or
principally serves the concerns of this Life, and is fitted to
the meridian thereof. 1711 Arbuthnot John Bull in.
Publisher's Pref., Though they had been calculated by him
only for the meridian of Grub-street, yet they were taken
notice of by the better sort, a 1718 Pens Tracts Wks.
1726 I. 471 His words of the Trinity are modest, neither
highly Athanasian, nor yet Socinian, . . but calculated to both
Meridians. 1748 Smollett Pod Rand, xxviii. (1804) 186
This suggestion . . had the desired effect upon the captain,
being exactly calculated for the meridian of his intellects.
1751 Earl Orrery Remarks Swift (1752) 141 As this
pamphlet was written for the meridian of Ireland. 1816
Sporting Mag. XLVIII. 34 This, .could not fail in exciting
ludicrous ideas, in the minds of the illiterate ivulgar, for
whose meridian it was calculated. 1835 W. Irving New*
stead Abbey Crayon Misc. (1863) 306 A course of anecdotes
..such as suited the meridian of the. .servants' hall.
Meridian (meri'dian), a. [a. OF. meridien
(mod.F. meridien), or ad. L. merfdianus, f. meridies
mid-day, noon, dissimilated form of older medidiis
(Varro), f. medii-, mediits middle + dies day.]
1. Of or pertaining to mid-day or noon. Now
rare (humorously pedantic) exc. as in 2.
i43*-5o. tr. Higden (Rolls) V. 373 The kynge Albinnus
beynge in slepe in his meridien tyme. c 1450 Lydg. &
Burgh Sccrees 1601 Moche sleep wyl kepe the in hih Estat,
..Merydien Reste, mylk whight and Argentyne. 1602
2nd Pt. Return fr. Parnass. in. iii, Hang me if he hath
any more mathematikes then wil..tell the meridian howre
by rumbling of his panch. x6ao Venner Via Recta viii.
191 The morning and euening cold, and meridian heate,
is cheifely to be auoyded. 1678 R. L'Estrange Seneca\s
Mor. (1702) 349 The Romans had their Morning, and their
Meridian Spectacles. 1788 Gibbon Decl. # F. xlviii. (1869)
III. 27 At the meridian hour he withdrew to his chamber.
1806-7 J. Beresford Miseries Hum. Life (1826) iv. xlu'i,
The meridian midnight of a thick London fog. i86aMERi-
vale Rom. Emp. xh. (1871) V. 80 Every citizen, .plunged
into the dark recess of his sleeping chamber for the enjoy-
ment of his meridian slumber. 1881 Trollope Dr. Wortle's
School v. ii, The writer has perhaps learned to regard two
glasses of meridian wine as but a moderate amount of
sustentation.
t b. Meridian devil', transl.of Vu\g.dmmonium
meridiannm Ps. xc[i], for which the Eng. Bible
has 'the destruction that wastethat noonday1.
a 155° Image Ipoc. 11. in Skelton's Wks. (1843) II. 429
Thou arte a wicked sprite, ..A beestely bogorian, And
devill meridian. 1550 Bale Eng. Votaries 11. 118 O deuyls
merydyane, as the Prophet doth call yow.
C. Meridian ring, a ring so marked within the
hoop as to serve the purpose of a sun-dial.
1867 N. $ Q. 3rd Ser. XL 381 Some years since I became
possessed of a brass ring, about an inch and a half in di-
ameter, which I was told was a meridian ring, and that at
some period they were used as a means of ascertaining the
time. 1877 W. Jones Finger-ring 451 Among the singular
uses to which rings have been applied, I may mention what
were called ' meridian '.
2. esp. Pertaining to the station, aspect, or power
of the sun at mid-day.
MERIDIES.
c 1391 Chaucer Astrol. 11. §39 Whan that the sonne. .
cometh to his verrey meridian place, than is hit verrey
Midday. 1500-ao Dunbar Poems lxxxv. 70 Aue Maria,
gratia plena ! Haile, sterne meridiane ! 1635 Quarles
Embl. 11. x. (1718) 101 Thou may'st as well expect meridian
light From shades of black-mouth'd night. 1664 H. More
Myst. Iniq. xvii. 61 Do naturally vanish in this Meridian
and Vertical Sun-shine of the Gospel. 1762-9 Falconer
Shipiur. n. 141 The sun his high meridian throne Had left.
1781 Crabbe Library 9 Care veils in clouds the sun's me-
ridian beam. 1840 Barham Ingol. Leg., Leech of Folke-
stone, The sun rode high in the heavens, and its meridian
blaze was powerfully felt. 1898 R. Bridges Growth of
Love Sonn. xxii, Strutting on hot meridian banks.
b. fig. Pertaining to or characteristic of the
period of greatest elevation or splendour (of a
person, state, institution, etc.).
167a {title) A Prophecie lately transcribed . .of Doctor Bar-
naby Googe, . .predicting the rising, meridian, and falling
condition of the States of the United Provinces. 1751 Earl
Orrery Remarks Swift (1752) 69 The poem itself is dated
in the year 1713, when Swift was in his meridian altitude.
1796 Morse Avier. Geog. II. 275 It [Dantzic] seems to be
somewhat past its meridian glory. 1818 Hazlitt Eng.
Poets iii. (1870) 59 Those arts, which depend on individual
genius,, .have always leaped at once.. from the first rude
dawn of invention to their meridian height and dazzling
lustre. 1903 Morley Gladstone I. 25, * I was bred', said
Mr. Gladstone when risen to meridian splendour, * under
the shadow of the great name of Canning '.
f c. Of supreme excellence, consummate ; also
in bad sense. Obs.
i66z Glanvill Lux Orient. Pref. (1682) 3 They lay stress
on few matters of opinion, but such as are. .very meridian
truths. 17*8 Young Loxe Fame vi. 47 But with a modern
fair, meridian merit Is a fierce thing, they call a nymph of
spirit, a 1734 North Exam. (1740) 186 Was it not strange
Usage of a Queen Consort, when such an Effrontery, out
of the Mouth of a Meridian Villain, in Public. .should be
let pass without so much as a Reprehension.
3. Pertaining to a meridian. Chiefly in colloca-
tions orig. referable to sense 2. Meridian circle -
Mekidian sb. 4. Meridian line', in early use =
Meridian sb. 4; now usually, a line (on a map, etc.)
representing a meridian ; also, a line traced on the
earth's surface, indicating the course of a portion
of a meridian as ascertained by astronomical obser-
vations. Meridian altitude : the angular distance
between the horizon and the sun at noon, or (in later
use) any heavenly body when crossing the meridian.
[Meridian circle represents L, circulus meridiauus, trans!.
of Gr. ki/kAo? Mf r)fifiptvo<i (f. tit<mn$pta mid-day).]
C1391 Chaucer Astrol. Prol., Tables, .for to fynde the
altitude Meridian. Ibid. 11. § 39 The arch meridian bat is
contiened or intercept by-twixe the cenyth and the equi-
noxial. 1549 Compl. Scot. vi. 47 It sal declair the eleua-
tione of the polis, and the lynis parallelis, and the meridian
circlis. 1559 W. Cunningham Cosmogr. Glasse 138 If there
be no Angle of sighte, it bathe the same Longitude and me-
ridiane Line, and is plaine North or South from you. 1668
Moxon Mech. Dy at 1. 11 If the Sun shine just at Noon, hold
up a Plumb-line so as the shaddow of it may fall upon your
Plane, and that shaddow shall be a Meridian Line. 1669
Sturmy Mariners Mag. iv. vii. 168 The true Meridian-
distance between Lundy and Barbadoes. Ibid. vi. Hi. 128
The Meridian-Altitude of an unknown Star. 17x9 De Foe
Crusoe n. (Globe) 487, I shall not pester my Account. .with
..Latitudes, Meridian -Distances, .. and the like. 1833
Herschel Treat. Astron. (1839) 56 The plane of the me-
ridian is the plane of this circle, and its intersection with
the sensible horizon of the spectator is called a meridian
line. 1882 Floyer Unexpt. Baluchistan 216 After getting
a meridian altitude at noon, we left. .for.. Jangda.
h. Passing along a meridian, nonce-use.
1658 Sir T. Browne Hydriot. 1st Epist. Ded., These may
seem to have wandered faire, who in a direct and Meridian
Travell, have but a few miles of known Earth between your
selfe and the Pole.
4. Southern, meridional, rare.
1431-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) II. 253 Therefore peple de-
scendenge from Sem . . hade in possession the londe meridien
[L. terram meridianam], 1819 Byron Stanzas to the Po,
A stranger. . Born far beyond the mountains, but his blood
Is all meridian, as if never fann'd By the black wind that
chills the polar flood.
5. Geol. [fig. use of sense 1 : cf. the second quot.]
Applied by Professor Rogers to the middle stage
of the American paheozoic period, and to the for-
mations representing that stage.
1858 H. D. Rogers Geol. Pennsylv. I. 351 Meridian Strata
in Perry County.. .The Meridian sandstone, -is never more
than 20 feet thick. Ibid. II. 11. 749 These periods, applic-
able only to the American Palaeozoic day, are the Primal,
Aural, ..Pre-Meridian, Meridian, Post-Meridian, Cadent,
Vergent [etc].
f Meridiation. Obs.—° [ad. L. meridiation-
em, f. meridi-es noon.] A mid-day rest, siesta.
16*3 Cockeram, Meridiation, a sleeping at noone tide.
1658 in Phillips,
t Meridie. Obs. [ad. L. meridies] Noon.
C1391 Chaucer Astrol. 11. § 44 Consider thy rote furst..
& entere hit in-to thy slate for the laste merydye of De-
cember. Ibid., The residue bat lewyth is thy mene mote
fro the laste mer(y]die of December.
Meridien, obs. form of Meridian.
II Meridies (merrdi,/z). rare~x. [L. meridies
noon, middle point.] In quot. humorously bom-
bastic for : The middle point (of night).
a 1667 Cowley Ess., Country Mouse, About the Hour that
Cynthia's Silver Light Had touch d the pale Meridies of
I the Night.
MERIDIONAL.
357
MERISTIC.
Meridional (meri'dional^, a. and sb. [a. F.
meridional, ad. late L. meridional-is ', irreg. f. meri-
dies mid-day, south : see Meridian a.]
A. adj.
1. Of or belonging to the south ; situated in the
south: southern, southerly.
c 1400 Maundev. (1839) xiv. 156 The Est partie & the
Meridionalle partie. £-1510 Barclay Jugurth (1557) 49 b,
The meridyonall parte of the countrey. 1549 Compl. Scot.
vi. 48 The pole antartic austral or meridional. 1653 R.
Sanders Physiogn. 169 The Meridional people are, for the
most part, black and curled. 1703 T. N. City $ C. Pur-
chaser 36 Kitchins.. ought to be placed in the Meridional
part of the Building. 1830 Fraser's Mag. I. 594 We must
not forget that Adosinda and Roderick are meridional
Europeans. 1880 Haughton Pkys. Geog.v. 208 The Meri-
dional Chain, .extends along the Western Coast.
absol. 1604 E. G[rimstone] D'Acosta's Hist. Indies ill.
ii. 120 The meridionall (which they of the Ocean call South,
and those of the Mediterranean sea, Mezo giorno) com-
monly is raynie and boisterous.
b. Pertaining to or characteristic of the inhabi-
tants of the south (of Europe).
1847 Blackw. Mag. LX 1 1. 418 His voice . . retained . . ' a slight
meridional accent '. i860 Motley Netherl. v. I. 13S A dark,
meridional physiognomy . . such was the Prince of Parma.
1905 Q. Ret'. July 11 That there is such a thing as Latin
rhetoric, which corresponds now, as in every preceding age, to
the temperament best summed up in the word ' meridional '.
f 2. Pertaining to the noontide position of the
sun. Meridional /wis Meridian sb. 4. Obs.
c 1386 Chaucer Sqr.'s T. 255 Phebus hath laft the Angle
meridional, c 1391 — Astral. 11. § 3 Whan bat be sonne is
ney the Meridional lyne. 1432-50 tr. Higdtn (Rolls) VII.
75 The sonne beynge in the centre meridionalle. 1608
Willet Hexapia Exod. 245 The sun ascendeth vnto the
meridianall [sic] point. 1796 Morse Amer. Geog. I. 590 Mr.
Ellicott drew a true meridional line by celestial observation.
1834 Nat. Philos. III. Astron. i. 15 (Usef. Knowl. Soc>,
They are called meridians, or meridional lines, and the
equator bisects all the meridians.
o. Pertaining to or characteristic of noonday;
chieflyy^*. Now rare or Obs.
1624 Donne Serm. xix. (1640) 192 The Meridionall bright-
nesse, the glorious noon, and heighth, is to be a Christian,
1673 Lady's Call. 1. v. § 39 Are God's safeguards to be only
meridional, to shine out only with the noon-day sun ? 1762
tr. Busching's Syst. Geog. III. 273 So large were the de-
mesnes of this abbey, when in its meridional glory. 1839
Fraser's Mag. XIX. 469 All my troubles, cares, anxieties,
perplexities — matutinal, meridional, and vespertinal.
4. Of or pertaining to a meridian.
1555 Eden Decades 247 Wc.sayled from thense .lxxxx.
degrees in lengthe meridionale. 1669 Sturmy Mariner's
Mag. iv. vii. 166 This Table of Latitudes, or Meridional
Parts. 1709 Berkeley Th. Vision § 74 When the moon is
viewed., in the meridional position. 1812 Woodhouse
Astron. vii. 47 The meridional altitudes of heavenly bodies.
1882 Proctor in Knozvledge No. 19. 399/2 Stars whose
places were already determined by the use of their great
meridional instrument.
b. Applied to designate markings on a roundish
body that lie in a plane with its axis. Cf. Meri-
dian sb. 4 c.
1658 Sir T. Browne Gard. Cyrus iv. Hydriot. etc. 62 In
the circinations and sphaerical rounds of Onyons,..the
circles of the Orbes are ofttimes larger, and the meridional
lines stand wider upon one side then the other. 1881 Car-
penter Microsc. ■$• Rev. § 427 (ed. 6) 507 Along one side of
this body is a meridional groove, resembling that of a
peach. 1893 Tuckey Amphioxus 46 This [furrow] is like-
wise a meridional one, and is at right angles to the first.
1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VI. 209 Those [anastomoses] be-
tween the anterior and the posterior interventricular branch
near the apex of the heart, forming a vertical or meridional
circle.
B. sb. An inhabitant of the south ; now spec, an
inhabitant of the south of France.
1591 Sylvester Du Bartas 1. iii. 209 The Sea.. flows
again ; and then again it falls When she doth light th] other
Meridionals. 1621 Molle Camcrar. Liv. Libr. in. xiii. 189
The Meridionalls or Southern inhabitants. 1675 G. R. tr.
Le Grands Man without Passion 165 The Meridionals
who banish formal courts and reveling from their assemblies,
despise not gay cloathing. 1898 Bodley France in. ii. 126
The hero of the trial was.. a characteristic Meridional.
1899 Miss V. M. Crawforo Stud. For. Lit. 50 Daudet was
able to paint a real sober picture of the Meridional in Nnma
Roumestan.
Meridionality (rneri:di6nse"liti). [f. prec.
+ -ity.] The state of being meridional or on the
meridian ; aspect towards the south.
1664^ Power Exp. Philos. in. 166 So that in process of
time it is very probable it [the magnetical needle] will come
to an exact Meridionality. 1721 Bailey, Meridionality ;
it's Scituation in Respect to the Meridian, or the Scituation
of its meridian. 175s Johnson, Meridionality. position
in the South ; aspect towards the South.
Meridionally (meri-dionali), adv. ff. prec.
+ -ly ^.] In the direction of the meridian ; north
and south. Also, in the direction of the poles (of
a magnet).
1613 M. Ridley Magn. Bodies 33 Cut a part from a
Magnet stone meridionally. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud.
Ep. 11. ii. 58 In this manner pendulous, they [wires] will
conforme themselves Meridionally ; directing one extreame
unto the North, another to the South. 1705 Derham in
Phil. Trans. XXV. 2140 They would exert the same effects
that Magnets are said to do, when sawn in two Meridion-
ally. 1886 A. Winchell Walks Geol. Field 267 Here this
broad ocean was interrupted by the meridionally disposed
Colorado, Medicine- Bow, and Park Ranges.
Merie, Merienim, obs. ff. Merky, Marjoram.
Merigal, variant of Merrygall.
Merihedral, -hedric, -hedrism : incorrect
forms (in recent Diets.) of Merohkdral,-ic, -ism.
Merillon, obs. f. Merlin. Merilxl)s: seeMEREL.
Merily, obs. form of Merrily.
Mering, mearing (mie-rirj), vbl. sb. Also
mereing. Obs. exc. dial. ff. Mere ^.2 + -ing *.]
1. The action of the verb Mere ; fixing of boun-
daries.
1574 in \oth Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 335 Foure
Aldermen shalbe elected surveighours yearely..to deter-
myne all mischaunces and variaunces of mearing betwixt
thinhabitaunts. 1579-^0 North Plutarch, Numa _(ij95) 78
For bounding & mearing, to him that will keepe it lustly:
is a bond that brideleth power & desire, c 1600 in Renaud
Prestbury ^ChethamSoc.)44 The meeringe and devydynge
of the Churchyarde.
2. concr. =Mere^.2i.
1616 Boyle Diary (1886) I. 132, I had a mearing between
Kynaltalloon and Condons Lands held by M* Thomas
tTitz John. 1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters II. 123 These are
within the districts of Franchimont, Malmendy and Stavelot,
or thereabouts. I can not pretend to distinguish meerings.
1843 Blacker in Jrnl. R.Agric. Soc.lV. 11. 44 5 The necessity
for drainage. . ; the advantage of straight mearings. 1873
O'Curry Manners Anc. Irish III. 4 The same name [Dun]
. .would apply to any boundary or mearing formed of a wet
trench between two raised banks or walls of earth.
3. attrib. as in mering-balky -drain.
1769 French in A. Young Tour Irel. (1780) I. 370 Healso
made a deep mearing drain. 1865 W. White E. Eng. II.
194 A strip of land a rod in width, called a. . mereing balk.
|( Meringue ,m.meng). Alsooerron. marang.
[a. F. meringue (17 39 in Hatz.-Darm.), of obscure
origin. Cf. Sp. merengue, G. meringe. mcringel.~\ A
delicate confection the chief ingredients of which are
pounded sugar and whites of eggs. It is made up
in small cakes, or spread as an * icing' over fruit,
tarts, etc. Also, a small cake made of this. Hence
|| Mering-ue (mpramgd), a dish composed of fruit
with meringue; Meringoied ///. a., iced with
meringue (= F. meringue").
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Meringues (Fr. in Cookery).
a sort of Confection made of the Whites of Eggs whipt ;
fine Sugar, and grated Lemmon-peel, of the bigness of a
Wal-nut ; being proper for the garnishing of several Dishes.
1725 Bradley Fain. Diet. II. s. v., Meringue ; a small sugar
work of great use. 1845 Eliza Acton Mod. Cookery 456
Meringue of Pears. ..Put the meringue immediately into
a moderate oven, and bake it half an hour. 1859 Eng.
Cookery Bk. 299 Meringued Apples. Pare and core some
large pippin apples,.. cover them all over with a meringue
put on in tablespoonfuls. i860 O. W. Holmes Elsie V. (1887}
90 There were also marangs, and likewise custards. 189a
Encycl. Cookery I. 933 Meringue consists essentially of
whites of eggs beaten with caster sugar to a froth, and then
set in a quick oven. 1896 Mrs. Caffyn Quaker Grand-
mother 8 He . . insisted on her partaking of a large glass of
iced lemonade, and three meringues.
Merino (mer/'no). [a. Sp. merino adj., the
distinctive epithet of ( a breed of sheep which is
pastured in winter in Estremadura and in summer
in la montaria' (Sp. Acad.); also applied to the
wool of these sheep. Hence F. merinos adj. and sb.
Sp. merino adj. represents L. majorinus (f. major greater),
prob. in its early sense 'of a larger kind' (Pliny). Ety-
mologists, however, have supposed it to be derived from
merino sb., overseer of cattle pastures (also the title of
certain judicial officers), which represents certain substan-
tival uses of majorinus in med. Latin.]
1. In full merino sheep : A variety of sheep prized
for the fineness of its wool, introduced from Spain
to England at the close of the 18th c. and exten-
sively nsed for the improvement by crossing of the
fleece-bearing sheep of Britain and the Colonies.
Also altrib. as merino breed, fleece, flock, stock, wool.
1781 Dillon Trav. Spain 48 The Merino sheep, of which
it is computed there are between four and five million in the
kingdom. Ibid. 53 These Merino flocks. 1810 Wellington
in Gurw. Dtsp. (1838) VI. 558 Neither Americans nor Eng-
lish will ever derive any general advantage from the Me-
rinos. i8iaE.SHEPPARoin NicholsotCs Jrnl.{\%\$ XXXIV.
122 Having had the experience of more than ten years, both
in the growth and manufacture of British Merino wools.
1813 Jefferson Writ. (1898) IX. 442 The Merino sheep are
spreading over the continent and thrive well. 1837 Youatt
Sheep v. 146 The Merino flocks and the Merino wool have
improved under the more careful management of other
countries. Ibid. 154 The Merino fleece is in Spain sorted
into four parcels. 1879 Casselfs Techn. Educ. IV. 260/1
Sheep sprung from the Merino stock.
2. A soft woollen material resembling, but finer
than, French cashmere, originally manufactured of
merino wool, and later of a fine wool mixed with
cotton. Also attrib.
1823 Repos. Arts. etc. Ser. in. I. 120 Gowns for home-
dress., are of velvet, Merino, and gros de Naples. 1831
Lincoln Herald 9 Sept. 3/6 Trowsers, a pale lavender
Merino. 184a Bischoff Woollen Manuf. II. 415 They.,
imitated the article of cotton jeans, in worsted,, .to which
they gave the name of plainbacks out of which has sprung
that.. valuable branch of merinos. 2869 E. A. Parkes
Pract. Hygiene (ed. 3) 405 In merino and other fabrics it
[cotton] is used with wool. 1898 G. B. Shaw Plays II.
Candida. 82 A black *merino skirt.
b. A dress made of this.
1873 ' Susan Coolidce' What Katy Did at Sch. ix. 148
She shook her head over the simple, untrimmed merinoes
and thick cloth cloaks.
3. A fine woollen yarn used in the manufacture
of hosiery. Also attrib.
1886 Housewife I. 109/1 Garments made of merino, stock -
ingette fete.]. Ibid., Merino underclothing. Ibid., The
material used for darning is., merino. 1888 Maude Brad-
shaw Indian Out/its 23 Gauze-flannel and gauze-merino
vests are principally worn. 1903 Longm. Mag. June 130
A pair of ordinary merino socks.
Meriolyne, obs. Sc form of Marjoram.
T Merion. Obs. [a. OF. mcriane, mericne
:— L. merididna: see Meridian sb.] Mid-day.
a 1400 Pistill of Susan 51 Wib two Maidenes al on, Seme-
lyche Suson, On dayes in be merion, Of Murbes wol here.
ii Meris (me*ris). Biol. PI. merides (me-ridzV.
[mod.L., a. Gr. pupis part (stem pupiS-) ; after Y.
mcride 'vPerrier).] A permanent colony of cells
which may either remain isolated or multiply by
germination to form demes.
* [1883 P. Geddes in Encycl. Brit. XVI. 842/2 Starting
from the cell or plastid, he [Perrier] terms a permanent
colony a rne'ride. Ibid. 843/1 Tissues and organs result
from division of labour in the anatomical elements of the
nitrides, and so have only a secondary individuality.]
Merise (rnewz). Sue also Merry sb.- [a. ¥.
vierise (from 13th c), of unknown origin.] A
kind of small black cherry.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey. Merise, a kind of small bitter
Cherry. 1836 Penny Cycl. VI. 431/1 The Merise or Merisier,
Morello, Kentish and All Saint or everflowering cherry.
1849 Knife <y Fork 23 About sixty years ago, a fragrant
and delightful brandy was distilled from a small tart cherry
called menses, a fruit peculiar in the Black Forest.
Merish, obs. form of Marish.
Merism (mcriz'm). Biol. [f. Gr. /Up-os part,
member + -ism. Cf. Gr. pitptapvs division.] (^See
quot.)
1894 Batf.son Materials Study Variation 20 This pheno-
menon of Repetition of Parts.. comes near to being a
universal character of the bodio of living things. It will. .
be. .convenient to employ a single term to denote thi-.
phenomenon. .. For this purpose the term MerUm will
be used.
Merismatic (merizmaytik), a. Biol. [f. mod.
L. mcris?nai a. Gr. pipiiy,a separated part, f.
fifpifciv to divide into parts : see -atic. In Fr,
we'rismaliaue.] Of cells, tissues, etc. : Having
the property of dividing into portions by the forma-
tion of internal partitions. Of processes: Involving
this kind of division.
1849 Rep. -y Pap. Botany (Ray Soc.) 2S3 On men-malic
Formation of Cells in the Development of Pollen. 1861
H. Macmillan lootn. Page Nat. 1S5 Diatoms, which carry
on the process of merismatic division. 1876 Dlnglisos
Med. Lex. s. v., 'Merismatic multiplication or reproduc-
tion'; that which occurs by the splitting or division of
cells or of whole beings.
Merisnioid ;merrzmoid\ a. Bot. [f. mod.L.
merisma (see prec.) + -ou>.] Of sporophores,
esp. agarics : Having the cap branched or laciniate.
1857 BtRKF.LEY Cryptog. Bot. % 393 Odontia makes way
rapidly for Hydnum in all its varied forms, resupmate, apo-
dous, lateral, merisnioid, and mesopod. 1886 SrKVENsoN
Ilyvicnomycetes Brit. II. 325 Mensmoid,. .resembling a
Merisma— i.e. having a branched or laciniate pileus.
Merispore (meiispo-u). Biol, [irreg. f. Gr.
ptpos part + (TTropos, oiropd sowing, seed.] One of
the secondary cells of a pericellular spore.
1875 Bennett & Dyer tr. Sachs' Bot. 241 Each separate
secondary cell of a spore of this description is usually capable
of germination, and may be termed a Merispore. 1887
Garnsey & Balfocr De Bary's Fungi 98 The number of
members (merispores.) in a compound spore is different in
different cases.
II Merissa (meri-sa). A fermented beverage
made from maize by the natives of the Soudan.
1884 J. Colborne Hicks Pasha 72 Merissa, the ' national'
beverage of the Soudan. 1899 igth Cent. Aug. 277 The boy
forgot his work over a pot of merissa beer.
Merist (me-rist). rare~y. [ad. Gr. papiarris,
f. p.€pi(ftv to divide.] A divider.
1872 Ruskin Munera P. 117 note, The administrators of
the three great divisions of law are severally Archons, Me-
rists, and Dicasts.
Meristeni (me-ristem). Bot. [irreg. f. Gr.
pifptffTus divided, divisible, f. pupi&tv to divide, f.
ptpos part; withendingafterPHLOEM,XYLEM.] The
unformed growing cellular tissue of the younger
parts of plants ; merismatic tissue. Also attrib.
x874 £?• Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. XIV. 304 The three systems
of menstem in the stem. 1882 Vines Sachs' Bot. 129 In
Calodracon (Cordyliue) Jacguini, the meristem-ring is de-
rived immediately, according to Nageli, from the primary
meristem of the apex of the stem.
Hence Meri sterna 'tic a., of or of the nature of
meristem ; Meristematically adv.y after the
manner of meristem {Cent. Diet. 1890).
1882 Vines Sachs' Bot. 18 The meristematic cells of Pha-
nerogams. 1894 Oliver tr. Kerner's Nat. Hist. Plants I.
582 The groups of constructive, dividing, and enlarging
cells, the so-called meristematic tissue.
M eristic (merrstik), a. Biol. [f. Merism:
see -ISTIC. Cf. Gr. pttptorutos pertaining to divi-
sion,] Pertaining to the phenomena of merism.
Hence Meristically adv.t in ameristic manner.
1894 Bateson Materials Study Variation 22 These nu-
merical and geometrical, or, as I propose to call them, me-
ristic changes. Ibid. 24 The tarsus of a Cockroach..
MERISTOGENETIC.
may, through meristic variation, he divided into only four |
joints. Ibid. 26 The Similar Variation of Parti which are |
repeated MerisUcally in Series.
Meri stogenetic, a. Bot. [f. Gr. ^piaru-s
(sje Meristem) + -uexetic.] Produced by a
meristem.
1887 Garnsey & Balfour De Bary's Fungi 497.
Merit (me'rit), sb. Forms : 3-7 merite, 4 mo-
rijt, 4-5 meryt, 4 6 meryte, 5 raerote, -et, -yde,
-ytte, merrette, 6 merete, merrit, Sc. mereit,
6-7 meritt^e, 3- merit, [a. OF. merite (mod.F.
me'rite) , ad. L. merit-urn, neut. pa. pple. oimerere,
meriri to obtain for one's share, earn as pay,
deserve ; pern. cogn. w. Gr. y*i(io8ai to receive a
share, nipos share, part.]
I I. That which is deserved or has been earned,
whether good or evil ; due reward or punishment.
a 1300 Cursor M. 12890 Ion !..Hu bat a costes bou was
clene, Thorn bi merite was it sene [i.e. through his being
allowed to baptize Jesus]. 13. . E. E. Allit. P. B. 613 5yf
euer by mon vpon molde merit disserued. c 1386 Chaucer
Doctor's T 277 Heere men may seen how synne hath his
merite ! a 1400-50 A lexander 5226 With me pas to my
praysid modire pat bou may merote haue & menske &
mede for bi werkis. 1484 Caxton Curiall I, Thou..re-
putesl them the more worthy for to haue rewardes and
merites. 1593 Shaks. Rich. It, I. in. 156 A deerer merit,
not so deepe a maime, . .Haue I deserued at your High-
nesse hands, a 1598 Rollock Led. Passion xvii. (1616)
156 Lord, saue us from the merite of sinue. 160a Marston
Antonio's Rev. v. v, Now murder shall receive his ample
merite. 1643 Sir T. Browne Relig. Med. 1. § 7 It is hut
the merits of our unworthy Natures, if wee sleep in dark-
ness until the last Alarum. 1706 Prior Ode to Queen 85
Those laurel groves (the merits of thy youth), Which thou
from Mahomet didst greatly gain.
2. The condition or fact of deserving; 'character
with respect to desert of either good or evil' (T.).
Also //. in the same sense. Now rare.
C1374 Chaucer Boeth. iv. Pr. vi. 109 (Camb. MS.) Alle
men wenen bat they han wel deseruyd it [/. e. sorowful
thinges],and bat they ben of wykkede meryte. a 1450 Knt.
de la Tour(iSii) 89 So had she rewarde of her merite in the
ende. 1513 Bradshaw St. Werburge Prol. 69 After our
meiyte we shalbe sure To be rewarded. 1548-9 (Mar.) Bi.
Com. Prayer, Communion, Not waiyng our merites, but
pardonyng our offences, through Christe our Lorde. 1580
Sidney Ps. xli. v, Raise me up, that I may once have
might. Their meritts to requite 1594 T. Bkdingfield
tr. Machiavelli's Florentine Hist. (1595) 222 Either of them
with others guillie of the treason, were rewarded with the
paines of their merit. 1605 Shaks. Lear v. iii. 44, I do require
them of you so to vse them, As we shall find their merites,
and our safety May equally determine. 1635 PaGITT
Christianogr. ill. '1636) sig. I 7, I set the Death of our Lord
Jesus Christ betwixt me and my bad merit. 1687 A. Lovell
tr. Thevenots Trav.2$3 They must be presented according
to the merit of the business, whether good or had. ijiz
Wollaston Relig. Nat. ix. 214 In the future state men
shall be placed and treated according to their merit.
b. The merits or, rarely, f the merit (of a case,
question, etc.) : chiefly in Law, the intrinsic ' rights
and wrongs ' of the matter, in contradistinction to
extraneous points such as the competence of the
tribunal or the like. Hence, to discuss, judge (a
proposal, etc.) on its merits, i. e. without regard to
anything but its intrinsic excellences or defects. To
have the merits (Law) : of a party to a suit, to be
in the right as to the question in dispute (said esp.
when for technical reasons a favourable decision
cannot be given).
1569 Reg . Privy Council Scot. I. 687 The saidis Provest. .
and Counsale..quha best knew the meritis of the saidis
actionis. i6ai Elsing Debates Ho. Lords (Camden) 115
He humbly desyred a favourable hearing ot the meritts of
his cause. 1713 Swift Cadenus * V. 134 Which, if it sped,
Wou'd shew the Merits of the Cause Far better, than con-
sulting Laws. 1760 Foote Minor l Wks. 1799 I. 235 It is
always the rule, to administer a retaining fee before you
enter upon the merits. 1813 Taunton Comm. Pleas Cases
III. 170 Inasmuch as the merits were with the Plaintiff.,
he [the judge) refused to nonsuit him. 1885 Law Times
LXXX. 133/1 It did not appear from the affidavits that the
defendant had the merits. 188s Manch. Exam. 10 July 5/4
It is not easy to ascertain the exact merits of the dispute.
1887 Times (weekly ed.) t7 June 3/2 Men are everywhere
examining his policy on its merits. 1898 A. Lang Making
Relig. iv. 74 The ' merits ' of stories of second sight need
discussion.
3. The quality of deserving well, or of being
entitled to reward or gratitude.
136a Langl. P. PI. A. 1. r57 }e naue no more merit In
Masse ne In houtes pen Malkyn of hire Maydenhod, bat
no Mon desyieb. C1400 Rom. Rose 5909 Selling axeth no
guerdoning ; Here lyth no thank, ne no meryte. 1432-50
tr. Itigden (Rolls) IV. 471 This man was utterly unprov-
able,. .reioycenge the name of dignite withowte merylte.
1500-20 Dunhak Poems xc. 69 Small merit is of synnes for
to trke Quhen thow art aid. 1506 Shaks. Merch. V. 11. ix.
39 For who shall goe about To cosen Fortune, and he
honourable Without the stampe of merrit, let none presume
To weare an vndeserued dignitie. 161a Bacon Ess., Mar-
riage, The best works, and of greatest merit for the publike,
haue pioceeded from the vnmarried or childlesse men. 1781
Gibbon Decl. * F. xxxvi. (1869) II. 311 His merit was re-
warded by the favour of the prince. 1850 Tennyson In
Mem. Prol. 35 For merit lives from man to man, And not
from man, O Lord, to thee. \%&i_Coutemp. Rev. XL. 646
The principle of promotion by merit.
b. spec, in Theology, the quality, in actions or
persons, of being entitled to reward from God.
Merit *yCoNUiGNlTY, r/CoNGRUlTY : see those words.
358
aizxsAucr. R. 160 He bi3et beos breo bijeaten— priui- |
lege of prechur, merit of martiidom, & meldenes mede. I
c 1315 Shokeham i. 756 'lake hys deab in by mcende : Naut |
ly3t[e] : pe more bou benkest so on hys deab, Pe more "Vs
by meryte. c 1386 Chaucer Sec. Nuns T. 33 Do me I
endite Thy maydens deeth, that wan thurgh hire merite
The eterneel lyf. c 1420 Chron. I'ilod. 4380 pis meracle pus |
y-do porow be meryde of b's hlessud virgyn seynt Ede.
t 1449 1'ecock Repr. 1. xx. 119 Iii no deede a man hath
merit, saue bi a deede which is the seruice and the lawe of
God. isa6 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 4 h, Feyth hath
no meryte, where naturall reason of it selfe may dlscerne..
ythynge. 169a Bp. Patrick A nsw. 'Touchstone 138 It is ;
frivolous to alledg the word Merit, so often used by the
Fathers ; for they mean no more thereby, hut obtaining
that which they are said to merit. H1716 South Serm. j
(1727) V. x. 387 Merit is an unpardonable Piece of Popery.
1825 Canning Sp. 21 Apr. Sp. (1828) V. 394 The next objec-
tion . . is, that the Roman Catholics ascribe an overweening
merit and efficacy to human actions. 1898 A. G. Mortimer i
Cath. Faith A- Practice 11. xi. 311 Merit, .implies a propor-
tion between the woik done and the reward given.
C. Claim to gratitude as the cause of some
favourable state of things ; the honour or credit of
bringing about (something).
1711 Swift Jritt. to Stella 15 Aug., And if there be no
breach, I ought to have the merit of it. 1844 Ld. Brougham
Brit. Const, xii. (1S62) r77 The whole merit of the great
change, .belongs to the Barons.
4. Claim or title to commendation or esteem,
excellence, worth.
c 1420 Paltad. on Husk IV. 808 But thingis iiij in hem
[stalons] is to biholde: fourme and colour, merite and
beaute. Ibid, 831 And next hem in merit is dyuers hued :
Black bay, & permixt gray, mousdon also. The fomy, spotty
hu, and many mo. 1606 G. W[oodcockf] Hist. Ivstinc xxv.
93 There was so much of merit in him, That whereas he had
continual warres with Lysimachus [etc.],.. yet was never
ouercome by any of them. 1606 Shaks. Tr. «, Cr. 11. ii. 24
What merit's in that reason which denies The yeelding of her
vp ? 1709 Pope Ess. Crit. 72S To him [Roscommon 1 the wit
of Greece and Rome was known, And ev'ry author's merit
but his own. 1711 Steele Sped. No. 178 r 4 A Woman of
Merit. 1713 Swift Cadenus fi V. 342 Merit should be
chiefly plac'd In Judgment, Knowledge, Wit, and Taste.
1797 Godwin Enquirer 1. vi. 41 The dramatic merit.. of
Livy. 1889 D. Hannay Capt. Marryat 147 It is a child's
story of merit — nothing more.
f b. The condition of being valued or honoured ;
esteem. Obs.
1752 Foote Taste Pref., Wks. 1799 I. 4 A man, who had
ever great merit with hia friends.
5. Something that entitles to reward or gratitude.
Chiefly//. ; spec, in Theology, good works viewed as
entitling to reward from God ; also, the righteous-
ness and sacrifice (of Christ) as the ground on
which God grants forgiveness to sinners.
In the 17th c. sometimes const, towards (the person
obliged) ; cf. L. merita erga atiquem.
C1380 Wyclif Sit Wks. 111. 423 Bot merytes of men ben
I dedis or lyves, bat God of his grace acceptis to mede. CI491
1 Chast. Goddes Chyld. 9 Some for uncunnynge of receyuing
I of. .al suche gostly comfortis mene that they receyue hem
; by her owne merites. ? a 1500 Chester PI. (Shaks. Soc.) II.
73 To bringe the people to Saulvacion By mirrette of thy
bitter passion. 1542-5 Brinklow Lament. (1874) 86 Mani-
festly ye cast Christes meretes asyde. Ibid. 87 For who
soeuer will seke-.to be made righteouse by the lawe, he is
gone quite from Christ, and hys merites profyte hym not.
166a Bk. Comm. Prayer, Collect 13th Sund. Trio., That we
fail not finally to attain thy heavenly promises, through the
merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. 1067 Milton P. L. 111. 290
Thy merit Imputed shall absolve them who renounce Thir
own both righteousand unrighteous deeds. 1675U. Camden's
Hist. Eliz. iv. (168S) 586 The large Extent of the Spanish
Empire, his Powerfulness,. .his great merits towards the
Church of Rome, and his taking Place .. before the French
King [etc.]. 1807 Crabbe Par. Reg. ill. 57 His merits thus
- and not his sins confest, He speaks his hopes and leaves to
I Heav'n the rest. 1885 Cath. Die I. (ed. 3) 495/2 Protestants
hold.. that a man really has been justified by faith, or, in
other words, that the merits of Christ have been imputed to
him. 1897 A. G. Mokit.mek Cath. Faith A> Practice L v.
S3 His superabundant merits, which are laid up as a rich
treasure for His Church.
6. A commendable quality, an excellence.
1700 Dryden Fables Pref. *A b, I soon resolv'd to put
their Merits to the Trial, by turning some of the Canterbury
I Tales into our Language. 1774 Goldsm. Rdal. 49 Would
1 you ask for his merits? Alas ! he had none. 1874M1CK1.E-
j thwaite Mod. Par. Churches 185 The other method has
the merit of economy. 1897 R. Le Gallienne in U'estm.
j Gaz. 19 May 2/1 Faults fust, merits afterwards 1 Such is
our uncomfortable critical habit.
7. Phr. To make a merit of: to account or repre-
sent (some action of one's own) as meritorious.
t To make merit with : to establish a claim to the
gratitude of (a person).
i58a Dryden & Lee Duke 0/ Guise iv. iii. (1683) 47 Stay
here, and make a merit of your Love. 1691 Dryden
K. Arthur n. 20 You might have made a Merit of your
Theft. 1741 Richardson Pamela (1824) I. 220 It made her
a great merit with me, that she kept it [the secret]. 1759
Franklin Bit. Wks. 1840 III. 271 He makes a merit of
having gone farther in his condescensions. 1780 Burke Sp.
at Bristol Wks. 1842 1. 261, I might not only secure my
acquittal, but make merit with the opposers of the bill.
183a Ht. Martineau Homes Abr. vii. 104 He had made a
merit of remaining at his work, i860 Reaue Cloister t, H.
txxx, He. .made a merit of it to himself.
8. Short for merit card (see 9, quot. 1879).
9. atlrib. and Comb., chiefly in recent terms de-
noting rewards for proficiency in school work, or
prizes for skill in some athletic pursuit, as merit
MERIT.
certificate, cup, giant, medal ; also merit-conscious,
-like adjs. ; merit-card, in English elementary
schools (see quot.) ; t merit-merchant = Merit-
moxger; merit system, the system of giving
promotion in the civil service according to the
deserts of the candidates (inU.S. opposed to ' spoils
system ') ; f merit-works, ' good works ' done for
the sake of acquiring merit ; so fmerit-worker =■
Merit-monger.
1879 Rice-Wiggin o; Graves Elan. Sch. Manager 105
The ' "merit-card ' system. Under this system, a cheap
coloured ticket.. is given.. to every scholar who has made
the total number of attendances possible in the previous
week. When a scholar has gained twelve of these 'merits'
he receives a prize in exchange for them. 1901 Westm.
Gaz. 13 Feb. 10/1 They refuse to give a *ment-certificate
to any child known to be addicted to cigarette-smoking.
1757 Mr. & Mrs. Greville Maxims, Charac. <y Re/t. 130
A determined *merit-conscious air. 190a IVestm. Gaz. 29
Oct. 12/2 The 42nd. .won the *merit cup in open competi-
tion in shooting. 188a New Educ. Code (ed. J. Russell) 28
No *merit grant is made unless [etc]. 1645 Rutherf;ord
Tryalft Tri. Faith(\Z\s) J75 Thli would seem Pharisaical,
and *merit-like, if holiness did not relate to the free promise
of the covenant of grace, looa Daily Chron. 27 Oct. 9/6
Mr. Robert Maxwell, who won the "merit medal last year,. .
proved successful. 1647 Trapp Comm. 1 Cor. ix. 17 God
will cast all such *meril-merchants out of his Temple. 1880
D. B. Eaton Civ. Service Gt. Brit. 161 The *merlt system
of appointments and promotions. 1899 Nation (N. Y_.)
1 June 414/3 Some of the characteristics of the merit
system as exemplified in the consular and diplomatic service
of Great Britain. 1635 Pagitt Christianogr. 1. iii. (1636)
109 Workesof Supererogation and "Merit workes. 1577 tr.
Bullingtr's Decades ill. ix. 467 The name of Merits is . . not
vsed in the Scriptures. For in that signification wherein our
*Merite woorkei s vse it, to wit, for meritorious woorkes, [etc.].
Merit (me-rit), v. [a. F. mirite-r, f. mirite
Meuit sb. Latin had merildre t, frequentative of
mererl) to earn (money), to serve as a soldier.]
f 1. trans. To reward, recompense. Obs. rare.
1484 Caxton Fables of ALsop 11. xix, An almesse that is
done for vayne glorye is not merited but dismeryted. c 1500
Mctusi'ie xxxvi 264, I thanke you of this lyberall offre to
goo with me & I shall meryte you, therfore, yf it playse
god. c 1611 Chapman Iliad ix. 258 Which if thou will sur-
cease, The king will merite it with gifts.
2. To be or become entitled to or worthy of
(reward, punishment, good or evil fortune or estima-
tion, etc.) ; =Demi:uvez'. i and 2.
1526 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 11 b, Who may meryte
or deserue Grace beynge in synne 1 1596 Shaks. 7 am. Shr.
iv. iii. 41, I am sure sweet Kate, this kindnesse merites
thankes. 1601 1 Marston Pasquil A- Kath. 11. 313 Any that
meriteth the name of man. 1671 Milton P. R. II. 456
Extol not Riches then, . . more apt To slacken Virtue, .. Then
prompt her to do aught may merit praise. 1718 Free-thinker
No. 8. 54 This presumptuous Wretch highly merited the
Sentence pronounced upon him by Law. 1746 W. Horslf:y
Fool (1748) I. 203 To what End, but to merit being robbed
again? 1775 Harris Philos. Arraugem. Wks. (1841) 357
Others that less merit, or at least that we esteem less to
merit our regard and attention. 1805 tr. Lafoutaine 's Her-
mann a- Emilia III. 249 God knows how 1 have merited.,
that my last days should pass with so much satisfaction.
1813 Shelley Q. Mab 111. 85 She only knows How justly
to proportion to the fault The punishment it merits. 1842
Tennyson St. Simeon 132 Good people, you do ill_ to kneel
to me. What is it I can have done to merit this? 1884
Manch. Exam. 14 May 5/2 They would richly merit the
severest censure.
b. with inf. as obj. (In early use occas. : f To
obtain as one's deserts.)
<ii533 Ld. Berners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546) H viij h,
He merited to fcse his life with .xxiii. strokes of penknyues.
1621 Lady M. Wkoth Urania 488 Shee was farre from
being contemptible, though not merriting to be admired.
1709 Mks. Manley Secret Mem. (17361 1. 114 You merit to
be beloved. 1719 De Foe Crusoe (1840) II. vi. 123 He
merited . . to be trusted. 1805 tr. Lafontaincs Hermann ft
Emilia 111. 123 His wife .. who merited to be the intimate
friend of Emilia. 01814 Theodora I. i. in New Brit.
Theatre I. 280 Have 1 not merited to be unhappy?
c. Said of things.
1601 Shaks. All's HW/n.iii. 291 F'rance is a dog-hole,
! and it no more merits The tread of a mans fool. 1626
C Potter tr. Sarpi's Hist. Quarrels 182 His counsels
merited to be followed. 1656 Earl Monm. Boccalinis
Advts./r. Parnass. I. xxxi. 55 It merits memory, that ..
Virgil . . caused Servius to be bastinadoed by his servant
Daretes. 1768-74 Tucker Lt. Nat. (1834) II. 170 Should
' he add that the combatants had the dress and appearance
of gentlemen, I should think, to use the newspaper phrase,
the thing merited confirmation. 1769 E. Bancroft Guiana
350 My knowledge . . being too imperfect to merit a com-
munication. *■}<}* Gentl. Mag. 9/2 The subject.. merits the
1 attention of. . discerning minds.
3. absol. or intr. To be deserving of good or
evil. Chiefly in phrase to merit well (of a. person),
and in clauses with as or than, where there is
ellipsis of an infinitive.
1599 Shaks. Much Ado 111. i. 19 When I doe name him
'. let it be thy part. To praise him more then euer man did
merit. 1626 C Potter tr. Sarpi's Hist. Quarrels 147 It
seemed vnto the Spaniards that they had well nieriled o
the Holy See. 1647 Clarendon Hist. Reb. 11. g 5" 1 he Earl
of Essex who had merited very well throughout the whole
Affair., was discharged, .without ordinary Ceremony. 1719
Freethinker III. 183 The late Mr. Savery. . merited largely
from Posterity by the Invention of an Engine. 1767
S. Paterson^w/A<^- Trav. I. 120 Those men have merited
so well of the republic of letters. 1887 Bowen / trg.sEneid
IV. 549 Die! as thy frailties merit; let steel ihy sufferings
\ close.
MERITABLE.
4. trans. To earn by meritorious action ; spec, in
Theology, to become entitled to (reward) at the
hands of God; also, of Christ, to obtain by his
merits (spiritual blessings) for mankind.
'543 Jove Confut. Winchester's Articles i Winchester
wold proue th.it workes muste iu&tifye, that is to saye, with
owr workes we muste merite the remission of owr synnes.
1586 Hooker Disc. Justif. § 21 (1612) 27 Did they think
that men doe merit rewards in heaven by the workes they
performe on earth? 1588 A. King tr. Cauisius' Catech.
153 Christ is., that Lamb of God . .quha onelie culd
meritt vnto ws remission of sinnes. 1654 Fuller Two
Serm. 53 For whom Christ merited Faith, Repentance, and
Perseverance. 1674 Hickman Quinquart. Hist. (ed. 2) 107
Christ by his death did merit some supernatural things for
the wicked. 1697 Dry den ASneidv. 465 What Prize may
Nisus from your Bounty claim, Who merited the first Re-
wards? 1748 Butler Serm. Wks. 1874 II. 304 By fervent
charity he may even merit forgiveness of men. 1898 A. G.
Mortimer Cnth. Faith <$• Practice 11. xi. 316N0 man.. can
merit the first grace, or justification, nor, if he fall into
mortal sin, can he merit a recovery from that state. Nor
can he merit final perseverance.
5. iittr. To acquire merit; to become entitled to
reward, gratitude, or commendation. Obs. exc.
Theol.
1526 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 160 b, I meryte not in
so sayenge my duty. 1530 Palsgr. 635/1 Some man maye
meiyte as moche to drinke small wyne as some do whan
they drinke water. 1577 FuLKE Confut. Purg. 451 Euery
man must merite for him selfe. 1648 H. Gresby tr. Balzac s
Prince 260 The Mahometans think they merit when they
kill strangers, a 1715 Burnet Own Time 11.(1724) I. 147
Scotland, that bad merited eminently at the King's bands
ever since the year 1648. .-11718 W. Pen.n Tracts Wks.
1726 I. 481 No Man can merit for another. 1724 Swift
Vrapicr's Humble Addr. Wks. 1751 IX. 80, 1 . .am resolved
that none shall merit at my Expence. 1897 A. G. Mortimer
Cath. Faith (y Practice 1. xi. j66 While we are in a state of
mortal sin we cannot merit.
Meritable (me-ritao'l),^ ?Obs. [f. Merits. +
-able.] « Meritorious.
1415 in Visct. Tarbat Vindic. Rob. Til (1695) 37 That
is meritable thing to bere Witness to the suthfastness. 1420
in Tytler Hist. Scot. (1864) II. 380 It is needeful and
meritabi! to ber lele witness to suthfastness to your Uni-
versitie. 1513 Doi'glas ACneis xr. Prol. 162 Haill thy
meryt thou had tofor thi fall, That is to say, thy warkis
meritable, Restorit ar agane. 1598-9 B. Jonson Case is
Altered 11. iv, The people generally are very acceptiue, and
apt to applaud any meritable worke. 1708 Cibber Lady's
Last Stake v. 62 O ! there s a meritable Goodness in those
Fears that cannot fail to Conquer. 1791-1823 D'Israbli
Cur. Lit. (1851) 15S Several pious persons have considered
it as highly meritable to abstain from the reading of poetry.
Merited (merited), ppi. a. [f. Merit v.+
-ed1.] Deserved ; well-earned.
1603 Shaks, Mens, for ill. til. i. 206, I doe make my stlfe
beleeue that you may most vprighteously do a poor wronged
Lady a merited benefit. 1787 MMF-D'ARBLAYZJ/rtryio Aug.,
Seeing me the only person punished by her merited
resentment. 1800 Proc. E. Ind. Ho. in Asiat. Ann. Reg:
149/2 A well merited compliment to the abilities and
integrity of Sir Thomas Strange. 1835 Uri:/*////^. Manuf.
412 To secure to New Lanark mills a merited celebrity.
1887 Athenaeum 19 Feb. 251/2 Mr. Hall has acquired
a merited reputation.
Hence Me'ritedly adv., deservedly.
1665 Manley Grotius Low C. Wars 95 Meritedly there-
fore, they desire an equal share of Liberty. 1837 Hooper
Chapman's Iliad Introd. 8 Many of these were of mush-
room growth, and have meritedly sunk into oblivion.
t Me*riter. Obs. Also 7 meritour. [f.
Merit v. + -ER1.] One who or something which
merits.
1607 Hieron Wis. I. 423 God the Sonne reneweth, as
being the mediator and meriter of this changed estate. 1617
[see Meritress]. a 1626 Bacon Confess. Faith Resusc. (1657)
n. 120 A Meriter of Glory and the Kingdom. 1651 Baxter
Inf. Bapt. 143 We smart by that sin for which we smart,
so that it is the means as well as the meriter of our misery.
tMe'ritful, a. Obs. rare—1, [f. Merits. +
-PUL.] Full of merit, meritorious.
1660 Waterhouse Arms fy Arm. 91 Meritful instances of
Vertue.
Merithal (me'ribcel). Bot. Also in mod.L.
form meritha*llus (pi. -thatlt). [f. Gr. /«'po-s
part + $a\\os a young shoot, frond.] A name
originally given by Du Petit-Thonars (1 756-1 831)
to an internode, but later applied with qualifying
word to each of the three parts of the plant leaf, and
by Gaudichaud to each of the three parts of a com-
pound plant, the radicular, eauline and foliar
merithal.
1849 Rep. fy Pap. Botany (Ray Soc.) 255 On Gaudichaud's
Theory of the Merithals. 1849 Balfour Man. Bot. § 139,
§169, § 639.
meriting (me'ritin,), vbl. sb. [-ing1.] The
action of the verb Merit in various senses.
1549 Coverdale, etc. Erasm. Par. Ephes. Prol., Sttckyng
to olde heathenyshe idolatrous worshippinges, . . masse merit-
ing_es,..popyshecustomes[etc.]. 1671 Woodhead67. Teresa
n. iii. 20 They must help each other both in suffering, and
meriting. 1851 C. L. Smith tr. Tasso v. xvi, The other was
proud of his own meritings.
Meriting (me'ritirj), ppl. a. Now rare. [f.
Merit z>. + -iNa2.] That merits (something indi-
cated in the context); also in 17th c. often gen.,
deserving, meritorious.
1603 R- Jonson Se/anusv.x, If I could loose All my huma-
nity now, 'twere well to torture So meriting a Tray tor. 1605
359
Bacon Adv. Learn. 1. i. § 3 It hath rather a sounding and
vnworthie glorie, than a meriting and substantial! vertue.
1633 Rogers Treat. Sacram. 1. 86 The Holy Ghost ex-
presses the meriting causes diversly. 1656 S. Holland
Zara (1719) 87 The most merriting Madam in the world.
1732 Swift Advantages repealing Sacram. Test. Wks.
1761 III. 292 There may be another Seminary in View,
more numerous and more needy, as well as more meriting.
1742 J. Glas Treat. Lord' s Supper \\\. v. 137 The infinite,
atoning, meriting Virtue of the Sacrifice. 1747 Richardson
C/rtr/j-i«( 1 81 1)1.243 Punishments are °f service to offenders ;
rewards should be only to the meriting.
tMe'ritist. Obs. rare~l. [f. Merit v.+
-ist.J A believer in the merit of good works.
1612 R. Sheldon Serm. St. Martin's 58 Let Leo an
Ancient Pope confront against these latter Pontlficiaris all
of them being meritists {de condigno or tie congruo) out of
condi^nitie or congtuitie. Ibid. 59 All yee Pontifician
Meritists out of congruitie and de congruo.
Meritless (rae'ritles),<r. [f. Merit sb, + -less.]
1. Without merit; undeserving; worthless.
1596 Drayton Leg. i. 769 Esteeming Titles meritles^e and
nought. 1630 J. Taylor (Water P.) Whs, 1. 40, I am alto-
gether meritlesse of any good. 1786 Francis the Philan-
thropist I. 217 Titles, too often right honourable only in the
herald's book and the meritless patent of creation. 1891
Athenseum 1 Aug. 154/3 I he volume is, in fact, as meritless
as such volumes often are.
7 2. Unmerited, undeserved. Obs. rare.
1603 Cont. Adv. Don Sebast. in Hart. Misc. {1S10) W46S,
I have been grieved for your meritless afflictions. 162 1
IIrathwait Nat. Embassies etc. 251 Will . .your flatfring
humour nere haue end, Of all other meritlessuV
Merit-mo nger. contcmptuotis. One who
trades in merits ; one who seeks to merit salvation
or eternal reward by good works. (^Very common
in 16-t 7th c.)
1552 Latimer Serm. (1562^ 92 b, These merites mongers
[marg. Merite mongers] haue so many good workes, that
they be able to sell them for money. 1626 Prynnr /'erpct.
Rcgcn. Mans Est. 258 Such a one which is justified,
meerely by bis owne righteousnesse, as your Popish merit
mongers seeke to be. 1696 Lo rimer Goodwin's Disc. vii.
85 Augustin, the great Defender of the Freeness of God's
Grace, .against all Merit-Mongers. 1846 Hare Mission
Comf (1850) 243 When merit-mongers teach, they add one
thirst to another, and spin one law out of another.
Hence Merit-monjrering" vbl. sb. ; Merit-
mongery, a dealing in merits; Merit-monging"
///. a.
i6it W. Sclater Key (1629) 28 Let all. .merit-monglng-
Preachers, iudge how well they carie themselues in their
mini--terie, that by magnifying the power of nature, crosse
the verie end of their ministerie. 1845 H. Rogers Ess.
(1874) I. iii. 139 Luther, .asserted against that whole system
of spiritual barter and merit-mongering. .his counter prin-
ciple of the perfect gratuitousness of salvation. 1856 Stur-
geon Serm. New Park Street Pulpit II. 95 Even among
Protestants meritmongery is net gone by.
Meritoirve, variants of Meritory.
Meritor, variant of Mkriter, Meritoky.
t Meritorian. Obs.rare~x. [LYj.vieritdri-its
(see Meritorious) + -ax.] One who believes or
teaches the saving efficacy of good works.
1689 T. Plunket Char. Gd. Commander 53 What Paul
or Peter, what Boanerges can Reach Meritorians to the
Son of Alan ?
t Meritorily, adv. Obs. [f. Meritory a. +
-LY'^.] Meritoriously. Also, deservedly.
c 1400 Aprf. Loll. 15 No creature mai do iustli, wele,
meritorili, . .ne perseuerantli ani ping, not but ifGodwirk
bat bing hi him, & in him. c 1449 Pecock Repr. 1. xx. 120
Ech of these deedis mowe be doon .. vertuoseli and mery-
torili. 1502 Arnolds Chron. (i8it) 177 Worthiand meryto-
ryly they fallen in this sentence of corsyng.
Meritorious (meritooTOs), a. [f. L. meri-
tori-us pertaining to the earning of money, earn-
ing or serving to earn money (f. merere, ~erT to
earn, deserve : see Merit sb. and -ory 2) + -ous.]
1. Of actions : Serving to earn reward ; esp. in
Theology, said of good works, penance, etc., as
entitling to reward irom God ; productive of merit
(f const, to the agent).
Ws2S° tr- Higden (Rolls) IV. 405 The pilgrimage made
to thapostles was more meritorius to the sawle than the
faste of ij. yere. Ibid. VII. 169 Noble men of the realme
purchasede of the pope that iourney to be prohibite, and to
be chaungede into ober meritorious dedes. a 1539 in Arc/to?-
ologia XLVII. 56 Charyte. .without whichenoo vertue
can.. be acceptable to almighty god, nor merytoryous to
the doer. 1665 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (1677) 84 'Twixt
Baroch and Amadavad is intombed Polly-Medina a Ma-
hometan Saint, highly reputed by the people ; who in a way
of meretorious Pilgrimage repair thither. 1681-6 J. Scott
Chr. Life (1747) III. 176 In the precious Blood of this our
meritorious and accepted Sacrifice we openly behold the
Mercy of God. 1851 Pusey Let. Bp. London 130/1 That
our due sufferings might be sanctified by His, the Atoning
and Meritorious Sufferings. 1856 P. E. Dove Logic Chr.
Faith vi. § 5. 363 Man could not observe the law in any
sense of meritorious observance.
t 2. Of an action or agent : That earns or deserves
some specified good or evil. Const, of. Obs.
1561 T. Norton Calvin's Inst. 1. Pref., Workes meritorious
of eternall saluation. 1567 Fenton Trag. Disc. 1 b, If he
. -seame justly meritorious of reproche, we maye worthely
imparte treble prayse to a barbarous Turke. 1641 H. L'Es-
trange God's Sabbath 136 Which abuse. .is I think con-
dignly meritorious of severe punishment. 1641 J. Shute
Sarah fy Hagar (1649) 140 Shall we think the doing of our
duty to be meritorious of that which God hath promised ?
1679 Puller Moder. Ch. Eng. xi. 318 The Penances in
MERITORY.
the Church of Rome, which, .are counted Deletory of Sin,
and Meritorious of Pardon, our Church doth account no
otherwise than Superstitious. 1682 2nd Plea Nonconf. 63
He must really be persuaded, .that all ways of Worship.,
different. .from the Church of England, is meritorious of
personal Kuine. 1709 Mrs. Manley Secret Mem. (1736)
III. 1S1 Cataline. .would do something meritorious of his
Promotion. ^1716 South Serm. (1717) V. 130 These Prac-
tices were satisfactory for Sin, and meritorious of Heaven.
a 1758 Edwards Hist. Redemption in. ii. '1793) 322 [He]
made it meritorious of salvation to fight for Him.
b. Meritorious cause : an action or agent that
causes by meriting (some good or evil results
1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 136 b, God is the werker
of y6 sycknes & payne, . .though man of hymselfe or woman
be the cause merytoryous. 1688 Bunyan Jerus. Sinner
Saved (1700) 138 His Blood.. is the meritorious cause of
mans redemption, a 1703 Blrkitt On N. T. Luke v. 26
Sin is the meritorious cause of sickness. 1828 A. Jolly
Observ. Sund. Scn>. 11848' 178 The death which He endured
was the meritorious cause of our life.
3. Deserving of reward or gratitude. Also (now
usually) in vaguer use: Well-deserving ; meriting
commendation ; having merit.
In recent literary criticism the word tends to be a term
of limited praise, applied, e. g., to work that is recognized
as painstaking and useful, but does not call forth any
special warmth of commendation.
1404 I-'abyan Chron. vii. 482 Good and merytoryous dedys
sliulde he holden in memorye. 1596 Spenser State Iret,
(Globe) 612/2 Insteede of so great and meritorious a service
as they host they performed to the King,. . they did great
hurt unto his title. 1625 P. Jonson Staple of N. u. iv, My
meritorious Captaine. .Merit will keepe no house nor pay
no house rent. 1651 Hordes Leviathan 11. xxvii. 153
What Marius makes a Crime, Sylla shall make meritorious.
1773 Part. Deb. 21 May, Mr. Solicitor General then moved,
That Robert Lord Clive did, at the same time, render great
and meritorious services to this country. 1781 Gibbon Decl.
<y /'". xxxviii. (1869) II. 399 Revenge was always honourable,
and often meritorious. 1817 Proucham in Pari. Deb. 1799
The more this transaction was sifted, the more blameless . .
would the conduct of that meritorious individual appear.
1832 II 1. Martinf.AU Ella of Gar. vi. t-j His patience had
been most meritorious. 1905 Athcn&um 24 June 774/2 In
regard to historical accuracy. .the volume is on the whole
meritorious.
absol. 1682 Dryden & Lee Dvke of Guise n. ii. (1683^ 18,
I will have strict Examination made Petwixt the Meritorious
and the Pase. (71704 T. Prown Praise oj Wealth Wks.
I 1730 I. 84 None but the meritorious shall be fortunate.
Comb. 1821 L.AMn J-'.lia Ser. 1. All Fools' Day, A pair
of so goodly-propertied and meritorious-equal damsels.
T 4. Bestowed in accordance with merit ; merited.
1597 Middlkton" H'isd. Solomon i. 9 God's heavy wrath
and meritorious blame. 1632 Lithcow Trav, x. 456 The
Heauens have reducted me to this meritorious reward, and
truely deserued.
t5. In the sense of L. meritorius; That earns
money (by prostitution). Obs. rarc~~x.
1636 P. Jonson Disco",-, , Mali Choragi fuere, Some love
any Strumpet (be shee never so shop-like or meritorious) in
good clothes.
Meritcriously, adv. [f. prec. + -lt -.]
1. In a meritorious manner; fsoas to acquire
merit (obs.) ; -f as a ( meritorious cause1 (obs.); so
as to deserve commendation.
1502 Orel, Crysten Men (W. de W. 1506) n. i. 87 That man
may shewe synne & them kepe entyerly & merytoryously.
1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 24 What is there, .whereof
either you, or shee might meritoriously powre out your
complaintes against. .Fortune ? i6og Downam Chr. Liberty
22Christ..hathmeritoriously wrought ourfreedome. a 1639
Wotton Relio. (1651) 182 Nani had carried himself meri-
toriously in forraign Imployments. 1695 Humfrey Medio-
cria 34 Christs righteousness is the meritorious, indeed
the only meritorious, or meritoriously procuring efficient.,
cause of mans justification. ^1716 South SermAi-j-z-j) IV.
iii. 122 They also faced down the World, that they did well
and meritoriously in those very Things, m which their Hypo-
crisy..did consist. 1816 Kirby & Sp. Eniomot. (1818) I. 47
Would not the humblest contributor to such an end be
deemed most meritoriously engaged? 1856 W. Collins
Rogue's Life ii, [She] was, at that very moment, meritori-
ously and heartily engaged in eating her breakfast.
1 2. Deservedly ; in accordance with its deserts.
1607 Topsell Four-f. Beasts (1658) 138 They are to
their masters, .a singular safegard;. .for which consideration
they are meritoriously termed. .Canes Defensores. a 1647
Boyle in Birch Life B.'s Wks. (1772) I. p. xxvi, Nizza,
a place .. meritoriously famous for that strength, which
nature and art have emulously given it. 1665 Sir T. Her-
bert Trav. (1677) 13 That great Cape which meritoriously
is now call'd of good Hope.
Meritoriousness. [f. Meritobious a. +
-ness.] The state or quality of being meritorious.
1639 Fuller Holy Warm. x. (1640) 125 These murderers
being instantly put to death, gloried in the meritoriousnesse
of their suffering, a 1708 Bp. Bfveridge Thes. Theol.
(1711) III. 244 The reality and meritoriousness of Christ's
death and Passion. 1884 A. R. Pennington Wiclif\\\\. 271
The study of the works of that holy man. .led him. .to
oppose the meritoriousness of good works.
t Meritory, a. Obs. Forms : 4-5 meritoire,
-orie,-orye,4-6 meritory, 6 meritori, mere tory,
merytoryfe, -torie, 6 meritor, meretorie. [a.
OF. meritoire^ ad. L. meritorius : see Meri-
torious.] = Meritorious.
1. Of actions : Serving to earn reward ; produc-
tive of merit to the agent. Also, possessing merit,
deserving, praiseworthy.
13. . S. Erkenwotde 270 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1881)
272 More he menskes mene for mynnynge of ri^tes ben for
at be meritor'ie medes bat men one molde vsene. 1390
MERITOT.
Gower Con/. I. 19 How merftoire is thilke dede Of charite.
c 1400 Apol. Loll. 50 It semib good, spedi, & meritori, bat
be kirk be honorid. c 141a Hoccleve De Reg. Print, 351
Oure feib not were vnto vs meritorie If bat we myghten by
reson it preue. 1485 Caxton C/ias. Gt. 24 So many other
labours merytoryes adioyned in the seruyce of god. 15..
Aberdeen Reg. (Jam.), Sene meritor, is to beir leill &
suchtfast witnessing. [Cf. quots. 1415, 1420 s. v. Meritaulf..]
2. Earned, merited ; = Meritorious 4.
1523 Skelton Garl. Laurel 429 So am I preuentid of tny
brethern tweyne In rendrynge to you thankkis meritory.
t Meritot. A supposed variant of Merry-
totter, occurring as a corrupt reading in Chaucer,
and hence in Blount and later Dictionaries.
14. . Chancers Miller's T. (MS. Camb.) 584 Sum gay gerl
god it wot Hath brou}t 30W bus vp on the merytot {other
texts viritoot, vyritote, veritote, verytrot]. Hence 1602
Speght's Chaucer's Works (ed. 2) ibid. Merytote. 1656
1'lount Glossogr., Meritot, a sport used by children by
swinging themselves in Bel-ropes, or such like, till they be
%iddy . .Chauc.
Meritour, variant of Meriter.
t Meritress. Obs. nonce-tud. [f. Meriter +
-ess.] A female meriter.
1617 Collins De/. Bp. Ely 1. v. 206 Which is first very in.
Solent,, .that faith should be a meritour at Gods hands, or
a meritresse, if you will haue it so.
Meritt(e, Merk(e: see Merit, Mark, Mirk.
Merkat(e, obs. forms of Market.
Merket(e, -kett, obs. forms of Market.
Merkin (maukin). Also 7 mirkin. [app. a
variant of Malkin ; but it is doubtful whether the
various applications belong to the same word.]
T 1. The female pudendum. Obs.
U535 Lyndesay Satyre 1920 Mawkine.] 1656 Fletcher
Martial 95 Why dost thou reach thy Meikin now half dust ?
Why dost provoke the ashes of thy lust? 1671 Skinner
Etymol. Ling. Angl.,Merkln, Pubes mulicris. 1714 A. Smith
Lives Highwaymen II. 151 This put a strange Whim in his
Head; which was, to get the hairy circle of her Merkin.. .
This he dry'd well, and comb'd out, and then return'd to the
Cardinall, telling him, he had brought St. Peter's Beard,
b. (See quot. 1796.)
1617 J. Taylor (Water- P.) Trav. Bohemia Wks. 1630 in.
94/2 A thousand hogsheads then would haunt his firkin, And
Mistris Minks recouer her lost mirkin. 1660 Mercurius
Fumig. No. 7. 56 The last week was lost a Merkin in the
Coven-Garden, a 1680 Rochester To A uthor Play ' Sodom'
35 Or wear some stinking Merkin for a Beard. 1796
Grose's Diet. Vulg. Tongue (ed. 3), Merkin, counterfeit hair
for women's privy parts.
2. = Malkin 3 b.
1802 James Milit. Did., Merkin, a mop to clean cannon.
187s Knight Diet. Meclu
Merkit, obs. form of Market.
Merkland, variant of Maekland.
Merkyte, obs. form of Market.
Merle (miS.il). Also 6 mirle, meryll, 7-8
mearl(e. [a. F. merle masc. (OF. also fern.) :— L.
merulns, merula blackbird or ousel (also, the
sea-carp). Cf. Pr., Sp. merla, Pg. merlo, metro, It.
merla, merlo ; also (from Fr.) MDu., MLG., early
mod.G. merle, Du. mecr!e.~\
1. The blackbird, Tardus merula. arch.
Perhaps never in popular use, but constantly occurring in
Scottish poetry from the 15th c. Drayton adopted from
some Scottish poet the traditional association of ' mavis
and merle ', which he frequently repeats, and which in the
19th c. often appears in English and American poetry from
imitation of Scott or Burns. As used by Caxton and
perh. by Philemon Holland, the word is an independent
adoption from French.
For quots. 1450, 1549, 1604, 1725, 1810, see Mavis.
1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 146 b/2 A blacke byrde that is
called a merle came on atyme to saynt benet. £1524
Thomas 0/ Erceld. (Lansd. MS.) 29, 1 harde the Meryll and
the lay. 1593 Drayton Eclogues i. n The jocund Mirle
perch'd on the highest spray. 1612 — Poly-olb. xiii. 62
Upon his dulcet pype the Merle doth only play. 1601
Holland Pliny II. 382 The Thrush or Mauis..is souer-
aigne for the dysenterie : so is the Merle or black-bird.
1617 Sir W. Mure Misc. Poems xxi. 100 Heir Mearle and
Mavis sing melodious layes. 1684 E. Chamberlayne Pres.
St. Eng. 1. (ed. 15) 6 What abundance of. .merles, field-
fares, ousles. 1736 Ainsworth Lat. Did. 11, Merula,. .a
mearle, a blackbird. 1791 Burns Lam. Mary ii, The merle,
in his noontide bow'r, Makes woodland echoes ring. 1863
Longf. Wayside Inn I. Birds of Killingiu. 2 It was the
season, when through all the land The merle and mavis.,
building sing Those lovely lyrics. 1884 W. C. Smith Kit-
drostan 64 My old heart Goes pit-a-pat to hear it ; like
the merle That sees a gled o'erhead.
*\ 2. Used to render L. vierula, the sea-carp.
1745 tr. Columella' s Husb. vm. xvi, A rocky sea nourishes
fishes of its own name,.. as the merle, the sea-thrush, and
the sea-bream.
IT 3. Used for: The merlin, Falco tesalon.
1838 LotiCF. Dn/t-Wood Prose Wks. 1886 I. 382 He can
no longer fly his hawks and merles in the open country.
Merle, obs. f. Marl; var. Medle Obs., medlar.
Merligo, variant of Mirligo.
Merlin : (m5\ilin). Forms : 4 merlioun, 4-5
merlion, -youn, 4-6 marlyon, 5 merlyn, -yone,
-lone, Sc. merljeon, 5-6 marlyon, 6 merline,
raeryllon, marleon, -ian, -yne, murleon, Sc.
marljeon, 6-7 marlion, 6-8 marlin, 7 merling,
marlyn, 6- merlin, [a. AF. merilnn (Stengel
Descr. MS. Digby 86, p. io), aphetic from OF.
360
esmerillon (mod.F. imeritUni) = Pr. esmerilho, Sp.
esmerejon, Pg. esmerilhao, It. smeriglione ; an aug-
mentative f. Com. Rom. *smerillo, whence med.L.
smerillus, OF. esmeril merlin, Sp., Pg. esmeril a
kind of cannon (for the sense cf. ' falconet ') ; the
Pr. esmirle,lt. smerlo merlin, are cognate, but do not
correspond formally. The word appears also in
Teut. as OHG., MHG., smirl (mod.G. schmerl),
ON. smyritl (13th c); also MHG. smerlin (mod.
G. schmerliti), Du. smerlijn. It is disputed
whether the word was adopted from Rom. into
Teut., or vice versa ; Kluge regards it as originally
Teut. The view of Diez, that it represents L.
merula (see Merle) with prefixed s, is unlikely
both on account of form and sense.
A few examples of forms without initial s occur outside
Eng., e.g. med.L. merillus (Germany, 15th c), G. merle,
mirle (Nemnich), early mod. Flemish merlijn, marlijtt
(Kilian); their relation to the longer forms is obscure.]
A European species of falcon, Falco sesalon or
lithofalco, one of thesmallest, but one of the boldest,
of European birds of prey ; the male bird (dis-
tinguished as jack- tn erl hi: see Jack sb.l 27, 37) is
remarkable for the beauty of its plumage. In
recent use sometimes in a wider sense, correspond-
ing to the mod.L. yEsalon, as applied by some
ornithologists to a subdivision of the genus Falco
including the merlin proper and some closely
allied species.
In the 17th c. some writers regarded the name as properly
belonging to the female bird.
c 1325 Song 0/ Mercy q in E. E. P. (1862) 119 A merlyon
a bnd hedde hent. Ibid. 172 For Merlions feet been colde.
C1381 Chaucer Pari. Foules 611 3e have the glotoun fild
I-now his paunche, Thanne are we well sayde thanne a
Merlioun. 1382 Wvclif Lev. xi. 13 An egle and a griflyn
and a merlyoun. 14. . Voc. in Wr.-Wulcker 563/25 Ametus,
a merlyn. r 1450 Holland Hoivlat 638 Than rent thir
Merl^eonis that mountis so hie. C1475 Pict. Voc. in Wr.-
Wulcker 761/8 Hie aluctor, a merlone. 1517 Ace. Ld.
High Treas. Scot. (1903) V. 128 My lord governouris halkis
and marle3onis. 1530 Pai.sgr. 910 Meryllons, esmeril-
Ions. 1557 Totters Misc. (Arb.) 132 Lyke as the lark within
the marlians foote With piteous tunes doth chirp her a.elden
lay. 1567 R. Edwards Damon fy Pithias (1571) Fjb,
Masse,cham well be set : heres a trimme caste of Murleons.
a 1586 Sidney Arcadia 11. (1590) 114 A cast of Merlins
there was besides. ?ai6oo in Lyly's Wks. (1902) III. 491
The Marlyne cannot euer sore on high. 1613 Fletcher,
etc. Honest Man's Fort. v. i, Keep a four-nobles nag
and a black [mod. edd. Jack-] Merling. 1613 Boyle in
Lismore Papers (1886) I. 29, I sent.. to my lod Carew a
caste of marlyns and a goshawk. 1616 Surfl. & Markh.
Country Farm 712 Of all sorts of Merlins, the Irish
Merlin is the best, ..you shall know her by her pale greene
legs, and the contrarie Merlin by her bright yellow legs.
Ibid, [see Jacks/'.1 37]. 1668 Wilkins Real Char. 11. v.
§ 4. 146 Being the least of all Hawks called F. Merlin, M.
Jack-Merlin. 1710 Ace. Last Distemper Tom Whigg I. 3
A jolly marlin that sate pruning, .himself. 1893 Newton
Diet. Birds 235 The majority of the Falcons., may be
separated into five very distinct groups : (1) the Falcons
pure and simple {Falco proper) ; . . (4) the Merlins (SEsalon,
Kaup) ; and (5) the Hobbies (Hypotriorchis, Boie). 1904
Longm. Mag. Apr. 533 The hen harrier and the little merlin
are equally mischievous.
attrib. 1851 Mavne Reid Scalp Hunt. xii. 88 Noble
dames watching the flight of the merlin hawks.
t Merlin 2. Obs. The name of the soothsayer
of the Arthurian legend ; used as the title of various
prophetic almanacs and the like.
1644 Lilly (title) England's propheticall Merline, fortell-
ing. .the actions depending upon the influence of the con-
junction of Saturn and Jupiter 164$. 1653 (title) The Mad-
merry Merlin, or the Black Almanack [for 1654]. 1654
(title) The Royal Merlin, or Great Britains Royal Observator.
1656-1838 (title) Rider's Brit[t]ish Merlin.
Merlin 3 (maulin). [Perh. from the name of
Merlin, a celebrated racehorse, from which the
Welsh breed of ponies is said to be descended
(Youatt The Horse 58).] A small Welsh pony.
1883 Eucycl. Brit. XVI. 789/r [Montgomery] was long
famous for its hardy breed of small horses called merlins.
Merlin, obs. form of Marline.
Merlin-chair. An invalid wheel-chair (so
called after its inventor J. J. Merlin 1735-1803).
1835 Smedley Let. 4 May in Poems (1837) 420 A Merlin. .
chair with many appendages and fashions of transforma-
tion. 1876 Albemarle Fi/ty Years 0/ My Li/e I. 242 He
[C. J. Fox] used to wheel himself about in what was called
a ' Merlin chair '. 1884 Health Exhib. Catal. 102/2 Self-
propelling Merlin Chair.
t Merling. Obs. Also 4-5 marlynge, 4-6
merlinge, 5 marlyng, 5-6 merlyng(e, 8 merlin,
[ad. OF. merlanke, merlanc, merlenc (mod.F.
Pierian), f. merle :— L. merula some kind of fish
(app. a transferred use of merula blackbird,
Merle) ; the suffix is believed to be of Germanic
origin, = -ing 3.] The whiting, Gadus merlangus.
1307-8 Durham Ace. Rolls (Surtees) 3 Merlinges. 4-1460
J. Russell Bk. Nurture 834 Mustard is metest with.,
makerelle, & also withe merlynge. 1513 Bk. Keruynge
in Babees Bk. 167 Marlynge, makrell, and hake, with
butter. 1525 in Excerpta e libris domicilii Jacobi Qninti
(Bann. CI.) 7, lxxxiiij merlingis,. .perches,, .fundolis. 1611
Cotgr., Merlan, a whiting, a Merling. 1706 Phillips led.
Kersey!, Merlin or Merling, a kind of Fish. 1736 Ainsworth
Lat. Diet. 11, Merula. .a fish called a merling, a whiting.
MERMAID.
Merlin's grass. The aquatic plant Isoetes
tacustris or Quill-wort.
[17 . . i'. Bretuer's Bot. Journ. Wales in 1726 (MS.) in Brit-
ten & Holland Plant-n., The fish are larger there [at Llyn
Ogwen, Carnarvonshire] than in any of the other lakes, which
they attribute to the eating of [this plant], which they call
Gwair Merllyns ; gwair is hay, and Merllyn was a Welsh
prophet.] 1837 G. W. Francis Analysis Brit. Ferns 56
Isoetes lacustns. European Quillwort. Merlin's Grass.
Merlion, marlion (mi'J-, maulian). Her.
[Perh. orig. a use of merlion, marlion, variants of
Merlin l, but in the extant heraldic instances mis-
applied owing to association with F. merlelte : see
Martlet, Marlet.] A heraldic bird, figured
either as identical with the heraldic Martlet 2,
or with the merlelte of French heraldry, which
is depicted as having neither feet nor beak.
It is doubtful whether merlyons in the first quot. refers to
embroidered figures of heraldic ' merlions 'or of merlins, or
whether it is not a wholly distinct word ; in the latter case
cf. med.L. merlinus, a hood worn by canons (Du Cange).
1553 Inv. Ch. Surrey (1869) 155 A sute of vestementes
with merlyons solde for xx'. Ibid., A cope of velvit
with marlyons solde for xx". 1610 Guillim Heraldry III.
xvii. 159 He beareth Gules fiue Marlions wings in Saltire
Argent. 1828-40 Berry Encycl. Herald. I, Merlelte or
Merlion, an heraldic term used by French heralds for the
martlet, but which they represent without beak, thighs, or
legs. 1874 Papivorth's Ord. Brit. Armorials 42/1 Sa. three
marlions sinister wings displ. arg. 1889 Elvtn Diet.
Heraldry s. v. Marlions, Two Marlions wings conjoined
and expanded. Merlet, Merlelte or Merlion, a Martlet.
Merlio(u)n, variants of Merlin 1.
Merlon (maulan). Fortification. [F. merlon
( = Sp. merlon, Pg. merlao),zA. It. merlone, augm.
of merlo, merla battlement, perhaps a contraction
of the synonymous mergolo (Florio), mergola, app.
a dim. f. L. mergie (pi.) pitchfork.] The part of an
embattled parapet between two embrasures; fa
similar structure on a battleship.
1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, Merlon, in Fortification,
is that Part of the Parapet which lies betwixt two Em-
brasures. 1757 W. Smith Hist. New York 188 This Battery
is built of Stone, and the Merlons consist of Cedar Joists,
filled in with Earth. 1790 Beaison Nav. A> Mil. Mem. I.
101 Having her merlons filled with earth or sand, she [the
Gallicia] drew full as much water as some of our eighty gun
ships. 1833 Straith Forti/. 5 The solid portion of the
parapet between two embrasures is called the merlon. 1894
R. S. Ferguson Hist. Westmorld. 285 One of the merlons
in the parapets is pierced for a small cannon.
( omb. a 1849 J. C. Mangan Poems (1859) 238 He trained
a horse to pace round narrow stones laid merlon-wise.
Merlone, obs. form of Merlin 1.
Merle : see Merel.
Merlyng(e, obs. forms of Marline, Merling.
Merlyo(u)n, obs. forms of Merlin sb.1
Merniaid (maum^'d). Forms: 4-9 mer-,
5 meer-, 5-6mar-,5-7mere-,6meyr(e)-.mayr-,
6-7 mear(e)-, 6-8 mare-, mair-, 7 meir- (see
forms of Maid sb.) ; also 8 mermade. [f. Mere
^.I + Maid; cf. OE. merew if and Mermin; also
G. mecrjungfrau, meer/niulcin.']
1. An imaginary species of beings, more or less
human in character, supposed to inhabit the sea,
and to have the head and trunk of a woman, the
lower limbs being replaced by the tail of a fish or
cetacean, fin early use often identified with
the Siren of classical mythology.
c 1386 Chaucer Nun's Pr. T. 450 Chauntecleer so free
Soong murier than the Mermayde in the see. 1406^ Hoc-
cleve La Male Regie 236 It spekith of meermaides in the
See. 1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) II. 369 Poetes feyne llj
meremaydes [orig. sirenes] to be in parte virgines and in
parte bryddes. a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon lvi. 190 So swete
a sownde that it semed to be the mermaydes of the see.
1592 Dames Immort. Soul 11. vi, Did sense perswade
Ulysses not to hear The Mermaids songs. 1601 Holland
Pliny I. 236 As for the Meremaids called Nereides, it is no
fabulous tale that goes of them . .onely their bodie is rough
6 skaled all ouer. a 1661 Holyday Juvenal 265 Sea-
monsters, such as mear-maids, and young tritons, half men,
half fish. 1681 Drvden Sp. Friar iv. ii. 60 This Mermayd s
melody Into an unseen whirl-pool draws you fast. 1762
Goldsm. Cit. W. lxxxi, They have laid their hoops aside,
and are become as slim as mermaids. 1814 Scott Ld. 0/
Isles 111. xxviii, Mermaid's alabaster grot, Who bathes her
limbs in sunless well. 1819 Keats Eve St. Agnes xxvi,
Half-hidden, like a mermaid in sea-weed. 1867 Roby Mer-
maid 0/ Martin Meer in Trad. Lane. (ed. 4) II. 174 "lis
said a mermaid haunts yon water.
f b. Sometimes applied to the manatee or similar
animals, whose form reminded observers of the
I mermaid of tradition. Obs.
1622 R. Hawkins Voy. S. Sea xxxii. 78 These. .are part
j terrestryall, and part aquatile, as the Mare-maide, Sea-horse,
: and other of that kind. 1756 Nugent Or. Tour, Nctherl. I.
I 102 Among other things there is. .the hand of a mermade..
' and several other curiosities.
2. A representation of this being, esp. Her.
Usually if not invariably depicted heraldically with long
flowing golden locks, and holding in the right-hand a comb
and in the left a mirror or hand-glass.
1464 Will 0/ Kent (Somerset Ho.), Vnutn meremayde de
argento. 1533 Visit. Lanes. (Chetham Soc. No. 98) 55 A
meyre mayd haire come & glasse or. 1631 Heywood
London's Ins Hon. Wks. 1874 IV. 276 Upon the top of the
one stands a Sea Lyon vpon the other a Meare-maide or
Sea-Nimphe. 1761 Attn, Reg. 238 The fishmongers pageants
MERMAIDEN.
361
MEROPIA.
consisted of. .two mairmatds [etc.]. 1874 Pajr/uorlh's Ord.
Brit. Armorials 983/1 Vert a mermaid arg. crined or hold-
ing a comb and glass of the third.
b. A favourite sign for a shop, inn or tavern.
1428 in E. E. With (1882) 78 My mancion that is cleped
the Mermaid in Bredstreet. 1463 Mann. tf Househ. Exp.
(Roxb.) 151 The dynnere at the Mermayde, . . xiiij.s. vj.d.
1517 Kastai.l Abridg. Statutes (Colophon), Enprynted in
the chepe syde at the sygne of the mere mayde next to
ponlys gate, a 1616 Beaumont Let. to B. Jonson 44 What
things have we seen Done at the Mermaid? 1639 Maynf.
City Match m. iii. 30, I had made an Ordinary., at the
Mermaid. 1678 Dryden Kind Keeper 11. i. (1680) 13 How
sits my Chedrcuxt Ger. O very finely! with the Locks
comb'd down, like a Maremaids, on a Sign-post.
3. trans/, f a. = SlREN; in i6-i7th c. applied to
a prostitute. Obs. To.joeular/y. A woman who
is at home in the water.
1590 Shaks, Com. Err. ill. ii. 45 Oh traine me not sweet
Mermaide with thy note, . .Sing Siren for thy selfe, and I
will dote. 1595 Markham Sir R. Grinvile lxxii, Honie-
tongd Tullie, Mermaid of our eares. 16.. Massinger, etc.
Old Law iv. i, Gnotho. I have Siren here already. Agatha.
What ? a mermaid ? Gnotho. No, but a maid, horse-face I
1602 Dekker Satirotn. Wks. 1873 I. 234 A Gentleman . . shall
not..sneake into a Tauerne with his Mermaid, but [etc.].
i88o'Ouida' Moths I. 3 She had floated, .semi-nude, with
all the other mermaids ii la mode.
4. The name of a country dance.
1701 Newest Acad. Compliments (N.), The Mermaid. —
The leaders-tip change sides, then turn each the other's
partner [etc.]. 1716 Playford's Dancing-Master (ed. 16) I.
105 Maremaid [music and directions].
5. False Mermaid, a plant of the North American
genus Flcerkea, esp. F. proserpinacoides.
1845-50 Mrs. Lincoln Led. Bat. App. v. 103/2 Fla/rkia
palustris (false mermaid). 1846-50 A. Wood Class-bk. Bot.
200 Floerkea proserpinacoides. . . False Mermaid, i860 in
A. Gray Man. Bot. North. U. S. 74.
6. altrib. and Comb., as mermaid-bride; mermaid-
like adv. ; mermaid-fish, the monk-fish or angel-
fish, Rhina sonatina ; mermaid-pie, a sucking
pig baked whole in a crust ; mermaid-weed
U.S., a name for aquatic plants of the genus
Proserpinaca, having leaves toothed like a comb.
1823 Byron Island iv. ix, Proud and exulting in his •mer-
maid bride. 1758 Borlase Nat. Hist. Cormv. 265 The
monk or angel-fish (otherwise termed the "Mermaid-fish, as
Artedi says). 1602 Shaks. Ham. iv. vii. 177 Her cloathes
spred wide, And "Mermaid-like, a while they bore her vp.
1661 Rabisha Cookery Dissected 175 To bake a Pigg to be
eaten cold, called a *Maremaid Pie. 1846-50 A. Wood
Class-bit. Bot. 267 Proserpinaca palustris. Spear-leaved
•Mermaid-weed.../', pectinacea. .. Cat-leaved Mermaid-
weed.
b. With possessive, as mermaid's egg = mer-
maid's purse {Cent. Did. 1890) ; mermaid's fish-
lines, a common cord-like seaweed, Chorda filum
(ibid.) ; mermaid's glove, (a) a British sponge,
Halichondria palmata, somewhat resembling a
glove ; (b) pi. — Dead-man's fingers 2, Alcyonium
digitalum ; mermaid's hair, a dark green filamen-
tous seaweed, Lyngbya majuscula (Cent. Did.) ;
mermaid's head, one of the small rounded sea-
urchins, as Spatangus contains', mermaid's laee,
(a) an alleged name for a kind of coralline ; (*)
applied to a kind of Venetian point lace whose
pattern is said to have been imitated from this;
mermaid's purse, the horny egg-case of a skate,
ray or shark ( = Sea-purse); mermaid's trumpet,
the shell of one of the Turbinacean gasteropods
(tjVerila).
1808 Forsyth Beauties Scotl. V. 138 The sponge called
•mermaid's glove. 1865 Gosse Year at Shore 74 The
animal is sometimes, however, called cow's paps, and some-
times mermaid's gloves. 1863 Wood Nat. Hist. III. 769
The^ Mermaid's Glove., is certainly the largest of the
British Sponges. 1662 Ray Three ftin. in. 169 A pretty
shell covered with prickles or bristles, which the Welch
call "mermaid's heads. 1865 Mrs. Bury Palliser Hist.
Lace 46 In the islands of the Lagune there still lingers
a tale of the first origin of this most charming production.
A sailor youth, .brought home to his betrothed a bunch of
that pretty coralline known, .as the "mermaid's lace. The
girl . . imitated it with her needle, and . .produced thatdelicate
guipure which before long became the taste of all Europe.
1882 Caulfeild & Saward Diet. Needlework, Mermaids
Lace, a name sometimes given to fine Venetian Points, from
the legend of a lace maker having copied the seaweed
known as Mermaid— making of it one of the patterns in
Venetian Point. 1836 Yarrell Brit. Fishes II. 368 These
cases.. are called "Mermaid's purses. 1668 Charleton
Onomasticon 182 Neriles. .the *Mere-maids Trumpet.
Mermaiden (maum^d'n). Now rare. Forms:
see prec. and Maiden, [f. Mere s6A + Maiden ;
cf. prec] = Mermaid i, 2.
?<i : 1366 Chaucer Rom. Rose 680 But it was wondir lyk to
be Song of meremaydens of the see. c 1440 Jacob's Well
150 A mermayden cf be se. .hath a body as a womman, &
a tayl as a fysch, & clawys as an eryn. 1538 Ace. Ld. High
•J*2*\ Sc"{- in Pitcairn Crim. Trials I. "293 Ane Terget
of Gold, with ane Marmadyne in it of dyamontis. 1584
Cogan Haven Health (1636) 170 A Syren or Mermayden,
that is, halfe fish and halfe flesh. 1848 E. Forbes Naked-
eyed Medusa: 70 Sufficiently graceful to be the nightcap of
the tiniest and prettiest of mermaidens. 1849 M. Arnold
Forsaken Merman vi, The cold strange eyes of a little Mer-
maiden.
Mermalade, obs. form of Marmalade.
Vol. VI.
Merman (ms'Jmaen). Also 7 mere-, mare-,
mairman. [f. Mere sb.l + Man sb., after Mer-
maid; cf. G. meermann, Du. meerman.']
1. The male of the mermaid ; an imaginary
marine creature with a man's head and trunk, and
a fish's or cetacean's tail instead of the lower limbs.
In Heraldry, the merman (also called tritou or Neptune)
is depicted as holding in the right hand a trident, and in
the left a conch-shell trumpet.
1601 Holland Pliny I. 236 Knights of Rome. .who tes-
tifie, that, .they haue seen a Mere-man, in euery respect re-
sembling a man. 1611 Munday Chryso-thrinmbos, A Mare-
man ana a Mare-maid.. do figure the long continued love
and amity, which, .hath been hetweene the Goldsmiths and
Fishmongers. 1678 Land. Gaz. No. 1344/1 He and his
Company, upon their crossing the Seveine, saw a Mair-man
appear a pretty while above water. 1711-12 Swift jtml. to
Stella 12 Mar., Mermen are he-mermaids ; Tritons, natives
of the sea. 1823 Byron Island iv. v, Did they with ocean's
hidden sovereigns dwell, And sound with mermen the fan-
tastic shell? 1893 Cussans llandbk. Her. (ed. 4) 101 A
Triton is sometimes called a Merman or Neptune.
Comb, a 1845 Hood Sub-marine ii, But (merman-like) he
look'd marine All downward from the waist.
2. Merman's shaving brushes, 'a name given in
North America to different species of CAamsedbris
and Penicillus' {Treas. Bot. i860).
Mermayd, -en, obs. forms of Mermaid, -en.
Mermelade, obs. form of Marmalade.
Mermiden, -on, obs. forms of Myrmidon.
t MeriTlin. Obs. Forms : 1 meremenin, -en
(gen. pi. meremenna, -mennena), 1, 3 mere-
men, 3 mereman, mer(e)minne, mermyu(n.
[OE. meremenen, app. f. mere sea, Mere sbA +
menen neut., female slave :— prehistoric *mantnom ;
cf. ON. man neut., slave (male or female), girl.
Corresponding or cognate forms in other Tent,
langs. are OHG. mercmanni, merimenni, mer(i)-
min neut., meriminna fern. (MHG. mtreminne,
merminne fern.), Du. meermin fern., mermaid or
siren, ON. marmennill, -mendill mnsc, merman,
triton (mod.Icel. corruptly marbcndill j also ON.
margmel/i, mod.Norw. marm.rle, prob. an ety-
mologizing perversion, as if ' one who speaks
much ').
The 13th c. form mereman prob. belongs here rather than
to Merman, which does not otherwise occur before i7thc.J
A mermaid or siren.
(-725 Corpus Gloss. (Hessels) S 349 Siriua, meremenin.
e 1000 Ags. Gloss, in Wr.-Wiilcker 506/5 Sirenarnm, mere-
mennena. c 1050 Ags. I'oc. ibid. 277/28 Serina, meremen.
r*i2o5 Lay. I32r per heo funden be merminnen [Wace
seraiucs ] f> beo3 deor of muchele ginnen. r 1220 Bestiary
557 De mereman is a meiden ilike on brest and on bodi.
a 1225 Leg. Kath. 1500 Ah ich drede ban lis dream nie dreie
toward deaoe, as de5 mereminnes. 1382 Wvclif 'jfosh.
Pro!., The deth berynge songis of mermynns [Jerome
mortiferos Sirenarum cantus\. 1387 Trevisa Higden
(Rolls) V. 397 pe oost of Rome si} mermyns in liknes of
men and of wommen [Higd. sirence in specie viri et
mulieris].
Mermole, obs. variant of Mormal.
Mermoset, obs. form of Marmoset.
tMermoyse. Obs. rare"1, [a. MD11. mer-
moeyse, marmoyse, believed to be a shortening of
F. marmouset: cf. Marmose.] = Marmoset i.
1481 Caxton Reynard xxxiv. (Arb.) 98, I wende hit had
be a mermoyse a baubyn or a mercatte for I sawe neuer
fowler beest.
Mermydon, obs. form of Myrmidon.
II Mero (meo'rtf). [Sp.] A name applied to
the sea-perch (Serranus) and various other serra-
noid fishes, now esp. the genera Epinephelus and
Promicrops, otherwise known as jew-fishes.
1763 W. Roberts Nat. Hist. Florida 1 8 There is very
good fishery, where is plenty of meros and pardos. 1772-84
Cook's I'oy. (1700) IV. 1225 Fishes are found in great quanti-
ties, particularly dolphins, sharks, meros, lobsters, mussels.
1883 Fisheries Exhib. Catal. 351 Two Tins of. .Mero in
oil ; two of Mero, pickled ; one of Mero, with tomato sauce.
1884 Health Exhib. Catal. 159/2 Mero {Terranus [read
Serranus]),. .Prepared Mero.
MerO-1 (me'ro), before a vowel mer-, combin-
ing form of Gr. /ttpos ' part, fraction ', occurring in
various scientific and technical terms ; sometimes
opposed to Holo-. In terms of Crystallography
(Merohedral, Merosymmetry, etc.), it denotes
that a crystal or crystalline form is deficient in
the number of faces requisite to build up the
geometrically complete form belonging to its
system. Merocyte Biol. [Gr. kvtos hollow :
see -cyte], the segmenting nucleus of a meroblastic
ovum (Syd. Soe. Lex. 1890). Meroga-strula Biol.,
the gastrula of a meroblastic egg (Cent. Diet.
1890). Meroge'nesis Biol., segmentation; hence
Merogenetic a., pertaining to or characterized
by merogenesis (Cent. Diet.). Meroistic (-i'stik)
a. Biol. [Gr. aioV egg], producing imperfect
as well as fully developed ova. MeTomorph,
Meromorphic adjs. Math. [Gr. piopcpTi form],
similar in nature to a rational fraction {Cent. Diet.).
Meroparonymy [Paronymy], incomplete par-
onymy. Mere-some Zool. [Or. aSip.a. body], a
segment of the body of a segmented animal Syd.
Soe. Lex.); hence Merosomal a., pertaining to
or of the nature of a merosome.
i88t Lankester in F.ncycl. Brit. XII. 555/1 The "mero-
genesis (segmentation or bud-formation) can only show itself
by.. compelling, .the organs or regions of the body of the
primary unit to assume the form of new units. 1877 Hux-
ley Anat. Inv. Anim. vii. 443 Dr. A. Brandt has proposed
the term panoistic for ovaries of the first mode, and "mero-
istic for those of the second and third modes of development
of the ova here described. 1888 [see Panoistic]. 1889
Buck's Hamibk. Med. Sci. VIII. 519/2 The host of cases
(easily found in any large English dictionary) in which two
or more possible forms are wanting, may be accepted as
illustrations of partial paronymy or "meroparonymy.
Mero- ~ (jdx>'to; im'Tf-), combining form of
Gr. /ttjpiis 'thigh', occurring in certain mod.
scientific terms. Merocele Path., femoral hernia ;
hence Meroce lie a., of or belonging to merocele
(Syd. Soe. Lex. 1S90;. Merocerite (-p'sereit)
j Zool. [Gr. K«pas horn], one of the joints in the an-
tenna; in crustaceans, which rests upon the ischio-
] cerite; hence Meroceritic (-seri'tik) a., of the
nature of or pertaining to a merocerite. Mero-
gnathite Zool. [Gr. fva9os jaw : see -ite], the
fourth joint of a crustacean gnathite. Meropodite
(-p'ptJdsit) Zool. [Gr. 7ro5-, m.us foot], that joint of
an endopodite which is borne on the ischiopodite ;
Meropoditic a., pertaining to or of the nature
of a meropodite (Casscll's Encycl. Did. 1902).
1802 Turton' Mid. Gloss., 'Merocele. 1835-6 Todd's Cyel.
Anat. I. 396/1 Hernia of the bladder.. is developed at the
same point PS a merocele. 1877 Huxley A>:at. Inv. Anim.
vi. 314 To its inner portion an ischiocerite is connected,
bearing a "merocerite and carpocerite. 1859 Salter in
Brit. Org. Rem., 1st Monograph 43 *Merognathite. 1870
Rolleston An/n/. Life 94 The fourth, the longest of all the
segments. .is known as the "meropodite.
■f Merobibe. Cbs.—° [ad. L. merobib-us
(Plautus), f. mero-, merum unmixed wine + bib-ere
to drink.] ' One who drinks pure Wine without a
mixture of Water' (iiailey 1727 vol. II).
MeroWast (me-roblxst). Biol. [f. Mero-! +
Gr. /3ActaTos germ, -blast.] An ovum which is
only partly germinal. Hence Merobla'stic a.,
having only a partial power of germination.
(Opposed to holoblast, -If.)
1870 Nicholson Man. Zool. 193 The ovum is 'meroblastic',
a portion only of the vitellus undergoing segmentation. 1884
Caldwell in Australasian Suppl. 8 Nov. 3/3 Monotren^
oviparous, meroblast ovum. 1888 Rolleston & Jackson
Anim. Life 371 M o>/otremata. .. The ova are large and
meroblastic.
Mercvcracy. nonce-wd, [f. Gr. /tf'po-s part :
1 see -CRACY.] Government by a part.
1679 Filmer Free-holder XII. 173 Why must an Assembly
of part be called an Aristocratie, and not a Merocratie?
Merogony (merfgoni). Biol. [f. Mero-1 + Gr.
-70H0 begetting.] The production of an embryo
from a portion of an egg not containing a nucleus.
Hence Merogo'nic a., pertaining to or effected by
merogony.
1899 Nature 2 Nov. 24/r On merogonic impregnation and
lis results, by M. Yves Delage. Ibid., Since it [the fer.
tilization of non-nucleated ovular cytoplasm], .is a process
which may be generalised, the author [M. Yves Delage]
proposes to give it the name of merogony.
Merohedral (merflhf'dial), a. Cry st. [f.
Mero-1 + Gr. (Spa seat, base + -al.] Of a crystal :
Having less than the full number of faces admitted
by the type of symmetry to which it belongs. So
Merohedric a. in the same sense (Webster Suppl.
1902); Merohe-drism, the property of being
merohedral.
1888 Teall Brit. Petrogr. 438 Merohedrism, a crystallo-
graphic term embracing both hemihedrism and ietariohe-
drism. 189s Story-Maskelyne Crystaltogr. § 137 The
term merohedral will be reserved for certain cases in which
a defalcation is met with in the faces of a crystal out of
accord with any fixed law of symmetry ; though sometimes
such a merohedral crystal simulates the mode of grouping
of a crystal belonging to a different type of symmetry from
its own. 1899 W. J. Lewis Crystaltogr. t49 The forms
of certain classes were regarded as merohedral divisions
of a more symmetrical form. Ibid. 259 The views underlying
the ideas of merohedrism lead to inconsistencies,
Merology (mer^'lodgi). Biol. [f. Gr. )iipo-s
part, member + -logy.] That branch of anatomy
which deals with the elementary tissues and fluids
of the body (Syd. Soe. Lex. 1890).
1857 Dunglison Med. Lex.
Meroon, obs. form of Maroon.
Merop (me'r^p), a. nonce-wd. [a. Gr. /wpoir-,
tiepoif/ speaking articulately.] Gifted with the
power of speech. So Mero-pic a. (in same sense).
1854 Badham Halieut. 224 Mute creatures [seem] as capable
of jealousy and resentment as Ioud-tongued meropic man !
1864 Blackmore Clara Vanghan (1889) 172 He has no
tongue, no merop tongue, 1 mean.
II Meropia (merou-pia). Path. [mod.L., f.
Mero-1 + Gr. .airia, f. inr-, w\p eye: cf. myopia,
amblyopia.'] Dullness or obscuration of sight
(Mayne Expos. Lex. 1856).
MEROPIDAN.
362
MERRY.
Meropidail (merfpidan), a. and sb. Ornith.
[f. mod.L. Meropid-x + -an.] a. adj. Of or per-
taining to the picarian family Meropidie (CassclFs
Encycl. Diet. 1885). *>. sb. A bird of the family
Meropidx.
184* Brands Did. Sci. etc., Meropidans, Meropidx. the
family of Insessorial birds of which the bee-eater {Merops)
is the type.
t Meropie. Her. Obs. [a. L. merops, a. Gr.
ItifOifi bee-eater.] =Mehops.
1572 Bossewell Armorie in. 26b. On a torce d'Argente
and Azure, a Meropie volante, Sable, membred Gules.
i| Merops (me-rpps). [L., a. Gr. pfpoif/.] The
bee-eater, Alerops apiaster. (fibs. exc. Ornith. as
the name of the genus.)
[1678 Ray WiUughby's Ornith. 14S Bellonius.. writes thus
concerning the Merops.l 1688 R. Holme Armouryu. 262/1
The Merops, or Bee-eater, is like the Kings- Fisher in shape.
1706 in Phillips (ed. Kersey).
Meroquin, meror, obs. ff. Maroquin, Mirror.
Merorganize, v. rare. [f. Mebo-' + Organ-
ize zj.] trans. To bring into a partially organized
state. Hence Merorgunized, Merorganizing,
///. adjs. Also Merorganiza-tion (see quot.
1855).
1827 Prout in Phil. Trans. CXVII. 375, I have provision-
ally adopted the term merorqanized, . . meaning to imply by
it that bodies on passing into this state, become partly, or
to a certain extent, organized. Thus starch I consider as
merorganized sugar. Ibid., note, Any substance may be
supposed capable of performing the part of a merorganizing
body. 1855 Ogilvif, Suppi. , Merorganizatioti, organization
in part, or partial organization.
II Mei'OS !jti\*'*o%). In Diets, also merus. [mod.
L., a. Gr. fitjpos thigh.]
1. Arch. (See qnots.)
1823 P. Nicholson Pract. Build, 5F j Meros ; the middle
part of a trigliph. 1842-59 GwiLT Archil. 1004 Meros, the
plane face between the channels in the triglyphs of the
Doric order.
2. Anat. The thigh.
180a Turton Med. Gloss, 1890 Syd. Sac. Lex.
3. One of the joints of a maxilliped.
1853 Bate in Rep. Brit. Assoc. 33 The third leaf-like plate
consists of two joints, the fourth and the fifth, the meros
and the carpus. 1857 — inPhil. Trans. CXLVIII. 604 Fig
10 to 14. Pereiopoda :— a, Coxa; b, P>asos; c, Ischium;
d, Meros.
Merostome (me'nJstJum). Zoo/, [ad. mod.L.
Merostomata neut. pi., f. Mero-1 + Gr. arofia,
aro^iar- mouth ; so called as having the mouth
divided into separate parts.] Any arthropod of
the order Merostomata. So Merosto'matous,
Mero'stomous adjs., of or belonging to the Mero-
stomata.
i88t Gill in Smithson. Rep. 431 The Merostomes, i.e. the
Horseshoe Crabs of the present epoch.
Merosymmetry (meroisi-metri). Cryst. [f.
Meko-1 + Symmetry.] The condition or quality
of being merohedral. So Merosymmetrical a. —
Merohedral.
1875 Chem. News 19 Mar. 121 Such partially developed
forms Mr. Maskelyne designated as mero-symmetrical forms.
/bid., The varieties of mero-symmetry that a crystal may
present. 1878 Gurney Crystallogr. 55. 1895 Story-
Maskelynh Crystallogr. § 137 Mero-symmetrical forms
may be hemi-symmetrical.
Merosystematic(mer0sistem3e*tik),fl. Cryst.
[f. Mero-i + Systematic] Having less than the
number of normals by the law of symmetry.
1878 Gurnfy Crystallogr. 39 Such forms are called mero-
systematic or merosymmetrical, or partially symmetrical
forms. 1895 Story-Maskelyne Crystaltogr. § 139 Holo-
and mero-sysieinattc forms.
Merour(e, obs. forms of Mirror.
t Meroure. Obs. rare~l. [a. L. mseror, f.
mwere to mourn.] Lamentation, sorrowing.
c 1450 Mirour Saluacioun 5770 In whas absence.. eure
sho contynuyd in weping and in meroure.
-merotlS, the ending of the adjs. dimerous,
trimerous, tetramerous, pentamerous, etc., used
Bot. in the sense of ' having (a specified number of)
parts \ The numeral part of these words is often
expressed in writing by an arabic figure, which is
sometimes replaced by the English numeral word,
as in 2-merous, five-merotts.
1870 Hooker Stud. Flora p. x, Papaveracex. Flowers
regular 2-merous. 1888 Aihenxnm 18 Aug. 228/2 A corolla
of four petals could not have been provided with the same
amount of nutritive material as a five-merous one.
Merovingian (mer0vrnd:$ian), a. and sb. [a.
F. Merovingien, f. med.L. Merovingi pi., the desig-
nation of Clovis and his descendants, repr. a
Germanic word formed with patronymic suffix
-ING 3 from the name (in L. form Mei'ovetis) of the
reputed ancestor of the family.] A. adj. Per-
taining to the line of Frank-ish kings founded by
Clovis (Chlodovech, in OHG. Hludwig), and to
the kingdoms reigned over by them in Gaul and
Germany from about A.r>. 500 to a.d. 751-2,
when their rule was succeeded by that of the Caro-
lingian dynasty. In Palseogr., applied to the style
of handwriting peculiar to the Merovingian period
in the Frankish empire. B. sb. A king or other
member of this royal line. In Palaeogr. = Mero-
vingian script.
1694 Hist, Geogr. <y Poet, Diet., Meroveaus, or Mero-
vingians, a Name given to the Kings of France of the First
Race. 1781 Gibbon Decl.fy F.xxxv. III. 400 The Franks.,
had wisely established the right of hereditary succession in
thenoble familyof the Merovingians. Ibid, xxxviii. III. 592
The wealth of the Merovingian princes consisted in their
extensive domain. Ibid. 594 The. .silent decay of the Mero-
vingian line. 1867 J. B. Davis Thesaur, Craniorum 74
Merovingian Frank, /bid.. Nos. 208 to 210 are from the
Merovingian Cemetery at Envermeu, near Dieppe, /bid.
75 Average Measurements of.. Merovingian Skulls. 1892
E. M. Thompson Gr. $ Lot. Palaeogr. xvi. 226 Merovingian
Writing, /bid. 231 The extravagances of the cursive Mero-
vingian. 1900 Earl Rosebery Napoleon xii. 152 The ladies
of his party.. had to be conveyed in a Merovingian equi-
page drawn by several yoke of oxen.
Merow, -owe, -0W3, obs. ff. Marrow sbj-
Meroxene (menrks/h). Mm. [ad. G. meroxen
(W. Haidinger 1845), after A. Breithaupt's Astrites
meroxenus (1841), 'probably from^epos apart, and
£«Vos strange, because it is a part of what had been
called uniaxial mica* (A. H. Chester).] A variety
of biotite.
1854 Dana Syst.Min. fed. 4) II. 226 The Vesuvian biotite
occurs in brilliant crystals (Meroxene).
Merpeople : see Mer-.
fMerpyss, Obs. rare"1. = Pismire.
1527 Andrew Brunswyke 's Disiyll. Waters F iv, Than
the merpysses shall, .leve theyr egges behynde them.
Merquisate, obs. form of Marcasite.
Merre, obs. form of Mere sb.2, Myrrh.
Merrels : see Merel.
t Merribowk. Obs. Also meribauk, merry
bauks. [f. Merry a. + Bowk. Cf. sil/ibouk.] A
sillibub or posset.
1611 Cotgr., Laid atgre. whay ; also, a sillibub, or
merribowke. 1613 Beaum. & Fl. Coxcomb 111. iii. (1647)
108/2 And can you milke a Cow? and make a merrybush
[? read -buck or -bouk]? 1664 O, Hevwood Diaries, etc.
(1883) III. 86 She had drunk six meribauk pots ful of ale.
1674 Ray A*. C. Words, Merry bauks : a cold Posset, Verb.
t Merrify, v. Obs. nonce-wd. [f. Merry so.1
+ -fy.] trans. To cause to be merry.
1780 Mme. D'Arbi.ay Diary (1904) I. 347 It merryfied
us all.
Merril(l)s : see Merel.
Merrily (me'rili), adv. Forms: see Merry a.
and -ly2; also 4-6 merely, 4-7 merily, 5 merelly,
6 merrellie, -ely, merelie, -ye, 6- merrily, [f.
Merry a. + -ly -.]
1. In early use: Pleasantly, agreeably, cheerfully,
happily. In modern use : With exuberant gaiety,
joyously, mirthfully, hilariously.
13. . Gaiv. <y Gr. Knt. 2205 pen muryly efte con he mele,
J>e mon in be grene. c 1386 Chaucer Manciple's T. 34 No
nyghtyngale Ne koude .. Syngen so wonder myrily and
weel. a 1400-50 Alexander 3862 pe mone ouir be mon-
tayns meryly it schynes. ( 1440 Gesta Rom. xvi. 58 (Harl.
MS.) The brid, bat sang so murely in the top of the tre, is
hi conscience. 155* in Liturg. Serv. Q. Eliz. (1847) 247
That I may.. even in the very pangs of death, cry boldly
and merrily unto thee. 1553 Brendk Q. Curtius x. 208 b,
When he had spoken those wordes, he went merelye [orig.
alacn'ter] into the fire. 1606 Shaks. Tr. «y Cr. v. x. 42
Full merrily the humble Bee doth sing. 1656 Earl Monm.
tr. BoccalinVs Advts.fr. Parnass. 126, I see the fire of
Heresie.. breaks most forth there, where they drink merii-
liest. 17.. in Scott Redgauntlet ch. iv, Merrily danced
the Quaker's wife, And merrily danced the Quaker. 1799
Wordsw. Fountain 22 No check, no stay, this Streamlet
fears; How merrily it goes! 1848 Dickens Dombey iv,
' Oh, very well, Uncle ', said the boy, merrily. 1875 JoWBTT
Plato (ed. 2) I. 462, [I] would not go out of life less merrily
than the swans.
t 2. Jocularly, facetiously, wittily, in jest. Obs.
C1386 Chaucer Wife's T. 336 Iuuenal seith of pouerte
myrily The poure man [etch a 1548 Hall Chron., Ediv. V
21 This man merely, .saied tohisawne sonne that he would
make him inheritor of y* croune meaning his awne house.
1568 Grafton Chron. II. 16 Philip the French king beyng
merely disposed, sayde that wiltiam lay in Childebed, and
norrisshed his fat belly, a 1626 Bacon New Ail. 14 We
knew he spake it but merrily. 1704 Hearne Duct. Hist.
(1714) I. 431 Treves, -is.. of no great Beauty of it self, .and
the Air generally so clouded . . that it is by some called
merrily Cloaca Planetarum.
Comb. 1767 S. Paterson Another Trav. I. 129 The fleers
of some of my merrily-disposed readers.
3. With alacrity ; hence, with reference to inani-
mate things, briskly. Somewhat arch.
1530 Palsgr. 547/1 These beestes fede meryly towardes
nyght. 1720 De Foe C apt. Singleton v. (1840) 80 We went
merrily up the river with the flood. 1899 Times 25 Oct. 53
The Mauser bullets rattled merrily, but impotently, on the
armour [of a train].
Merriment (me*riment). [f. Merry v.+
-MENT.]
fl. Something that contributes to mirth; a jest;
'a piece of fooling'; spec, a brief comic dramatic
entertainment. Obs.
1576 Fleming Panopl. Episi. 151 Your talke replenished
with pleasant meriments. 1589 Warner Alb. Eng. vi. xxx.
(1612) 146 When they, indeed of merriments in Loue did
theare conspire, c 1590 Marlowe Faustus (1604) E 3,
Beleeue me maister Doctor, this merriment hath much
pleased me. 159a Nashe P. Penitesse (ed. 2) 27 They shal
not be brought vpon the Stage for any goodnes, but in
a merriment of the Usurer and the Diuel. 1597 Shaks.
2 Hen. /Vy 11. iv. 324 Hee will.,turne all to a rrierryment, it
you take not the heat. 1632 Lithgow_ Trav. vi. 292, 1 kept
. .the Germanes from langour, cherishing them with iouiall
merriments.
fb. A humorous or scurrilous publication. Obs.
1697 Bentley Diss. Epist. etc., AKsop § 9. 148 Not a bit
better than our Penny-Merriments, printed at London-
Bridge. 1824 Dibdin Libr. Comp. 598 The rapid increase
of cheap pamphlets (under the title of Merriments).
2. The action (or f an act) of merry-making, or
i of ' making merry ' over something ; hilarious enjoy-
ment or jocularity ; mirth, fun ; fa festivity.
1588 Shaks. L. L. L. v. ii. 139 They doe it but in mocking
merriment. 1596 — Merck. V. 11. ii. 212 We haue friends
That purpose merriment. 160a — Ham. v. L 210 Your
flashes of Merriment that were wont to set the Table on
a Rore? 1663 Butler Hud. 1. i. 674 [People] to crack d
Fiddle and hoarse Tabor, In Merriment did drudge and
I labour. 1674 Playford Skill Mus. 1. 61 Feasts and other
Merriments. 1699 Bentley Phal. 190 The Merriments in
the Attic Villages. i796CRAUFURDin Ld. Auckland's Corr.
(1862) III. 337 Beaulieu and his exploits were subjects of
merriment in the army. 1869 Frkeman Norm. Cono. III. xii.
162 And, mingled with all this, there is a certain element of
grim merriment. 1903 Edin. Rev. Apr. 498 The old harvest
or ' horkey ' suppers with their feasting and merriment.,
have too often been allowed to die out.
b. Used for: A subject for mirth.
1810 Scott Lady ofL. 1. xvi, A summer night, in green-
wood spent, Were but to-morrow's merriment.
+ C. Entertainment, amusement. Obs.
1590 Shaks. Mids. N. in. ii. 146, 1 see you are all bent To
! set against me, for your merriment.
Merriner, obs. form of Mariner.
Merriness (mcrines). Now rare. [f. Merry
I a. + -xess.] The quality or condition of being
' merry (in various senses of the adj.).
a 1300 Cursor M. 20510 Sittes stell now mar and le*se,
And hers now bis mirines. c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. \\\. Pr.
ii. 52 (Camb. MS.) Wyf and chyldren bat men desyren for
' cause of delit and of merynesse. 1500-20 Dunbar Poems
\ xxiii. 31 Tak thow example and spend with mirriness. 1567
Gude «r GodUe Ball. (S.T.S.) 76 The Angellis sang with
merynes. 1599 Jas. I BatriA. Awpof (1603) 115 Tempering
it with grauitie, and quicknesse, or merrinesse, according to
the subject, and occasion of the time. 1638 Sir T. Herbert
J Trav. (ed. 2) 2 We vomited out a like eccho of thunder,
I plowing up the liquid seas in merrinesse. 1848 Tail's Mag.
: XV. 114 Joy and merriness are not for me. 1886 Manch.
Exam. 16 Nov. 5/5 The merriness which is supposed to be
! characteristic of the music of a peal of bells.
Merring, variant of Marring vbl. sb.
Merro(u)r(e, obs. forms of Mirror.
Merrow(meT0ti). Anglo-Irish, [a. Irish muir-
j r&ghachJ\ A mermaid.
1828 T. C. Croker Fairy Leg. 11. 17 The Irish word Merrow
j . .answers exactly to the English mermaid. 1880 Frouue
I Two Chiefs Dunboy xxv, You slip through their hands like
a merrow.
Merrowre, obs. form of Mirror.
Merry (me*ri), sb. [altered form of Merise,
probably due to interpretation of the s as a plural
ending.] A kind of black cherry. Also attrib*
1595 Chapman Ovid's Bang. Settee Bab, White and red
i Iessamines, Merry, Melliphill. 1707 Mortimer Husb.{i-j-2i)
' II. 265 They [cherries] do best grafted on the Black-Cherry-
| stock, or the Merry-stock. 1757 Cooper Distiller in. Hi. (1760)
I 221 The black cherry, the Merry or Honey Cherry. 1825
! Cobbett Rur. Rides 86 There are not many of the merries,
1 as they call them in Kent and Hampshire. 1899 Longm.
I Mag. Dec. 179 The wild cherry tree, or merry-tree, also
known, .as the 'Gean *.
Merry (me-ri), a. and adv. Forms : 1 myrse,
murse, myrise, mirise, merse, 1-3 merise, 3
mur;e {comparative murgre, murgore, super).
murgost, -gust), 3-4 murye, muri, 3-5 murie,
4 murye {compar. murer), 4-5 mury ; 3-4
miri(e, 4-5 myry, miry, 4-6 myrie, 4-5 myri,
(^compar. mirgurre), 5-6.fr. mirrie, mi rry,myr-
rie,6 myrry, ^SV.mirre; 3-6 meri, 4-5 merey, 4-6
merie, -y(e, 5merrye, 5-6mere,6^V:.meary,6-7
merrie,6- merry. [OE. ?nyr(i)ge (:— OTeut. type
*murg/o-), whence tnyrgS Mirth ; outside English
the only cognate corresponding in sense is MDu.
*menh, whence merchte= Mirth, mercktocht re-
joicing, mergelijc joyful, mergen = Merry v. It is,
however, probable that the word is identical with
the OTeut. *murgfo- short, represented by OHG.
murg-fari lasting a short time, and by the Gothic
derivative ga-maurgjan to shorten, and presumably
descending, with Gr. fipaxv's, from an Indoger-
manic mrghu-.
The transition from the assumed original sense ' short y to
the OE. sense 'pleasant' is somewhat difficult, but may
have been brought about through the intervention of a
derived factitive verb, meaning ' to shorten ', and hence ' to
shorten time', 'to cheer'; cf. ON. skemta to amuse, f.
skamt, neut, of skamm~r short.]
A. adj.
1. Of things : Pleasing, agreeable.
f a. Of occupations, events, or conditions :
Causing pleasure or happiness ; pleasing, delight-
ful. Obs.
A vierry meal', see Meal sb.2 2 f.
c 888 K. Alfred Boeth. xxxi. § 1 For by ic nat hwaet ba
woruldlustas myites bringaS [L. quid kabeat jucunditatis]
hiora lufigendum. a »ooo Boeth. Metr. xiii. 45 Him ya
MERRY.
twigu bincaS cmne swa mer^e bat hi \>xs metes ne rec5.
cxooo /Elfric Horn. (Th.) I. 154 peos woruld, beah 5e heo
inyrixe hwiltidum ^ebuht sy. C1205 Lav. 10147 pa buhte
Elaeuoerie bat tiSende swioe murie. a 12*5 Aucr. R. 390
Hc.spek swuSe sweteliche & so murie wordes bet heo
muhten be deade arearen urom dea5e to Hue. c 1290 S.
Eng. Leg. 1. 179/19 Guod it is and murie : brebren towonie
i-fere. c 1325 Spec. Gy Want: 903 Hu murie hit were, to
haue be siht Off godes face, bat is so briht. 1435 Misyn
Fire 0/ Love 57 No binge is meriar ben Ihesu to synge.
1502 Atkinson tr. De Imitatione in. vi. 200 Nothynge is
more swete than is loue,.. nothynge. .meryer [L.jrtcundius],
1567 Turberv. Epit., etc. nob, Let others then that feelen
ioy Extole the merrie Month of May.
b. + Of a place or country : Pleasant, delightful
in aspect or conditions {obs.). .So originally in
the designation Merry England, in which the adj.
was subsequently apprehended as in sense 3.
c ik>5 Lay. 24964 For gricS make5 godne mon gode workes
wurchen, ..bat loud bi5 ba murgre. c 1250 Gen. fy Ex. 212
God bar him in-to paradis, . . bi-ta^te him al oat mirie stede.
(11300-1400 Cursor M. 8 (Gott.) Brut bat berne bolde of
hand, First conquerour of meri ingland. 13.. E.B.Allit.
P. A. 935 Now tech me to bat myry mote [Jerusalem]. 1398
Trevisa Darih. De P. R. xy. v. (Tollem. MS.), It [Ar-
menia] is most mery londe with herbes, corne, wodes and
frute. 1415 Hoccleve To Sir J. Oldcastle 4S7 Remember
yow, heuene is a miry place And helle is ful of sharp ad-
uersitee. 1436 Siege Calais in Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 156
The crown of mery Yngland. 1500-20 Dunbar Poems xxv.
21 Edinburgh the mirry toun. 1590 Spenser F. Q. i. x. 61
Saint George of mery Lngland, the signe of victoree. 1596
— Prothal. 128 To mery London, my most kyndly Nurse.
[1782 Cowper Gilpin 125 Thus all through merry Islington
These gambols he did play. >8z8 Scott F. M. Perth i,
Perthshire contains, .tracts, which may vie with the richness
of merry England herself.]
Proverbial phrase. 1550 Hutchinson Image 0/ God
Epist. (1560) $45?* iij, It was a mery world (quod y* papi>>t)
before the Bible came forth in englysh, all thinges were
good chepe and plentyful. 1593 Shaks. 2 Hen. VI, iv. ii. 9
It was neuer merrie worlde in England, since Gentlemen
came vp. 1601 — TweL N. m. i. 109.
+ C. Of sound or music: Pleasant, sweet. Hence
of animals, esp. birds : Having a pleasant voice.
Obs. (Cf. sense 3.)
c 1000 Ags, Hymn (Surtees) 141 Mid meri^um. .lofsange
dulciymno. c 1350 Will. Palcrne 2192 Alle men bat mnt
herdeofbe muti houndes. c 1386 Chaucer Nun's Pr. T.
31 His voys was murier than the murie Orgon. 1387 Tre-
visa Higden (Rolls) IV. 307 pe emperour bou^t bat mery
bridde. c 1400 Lydg. Chorle <y Bird xv, Ryngyng of feters
is no mery sowne. c 1420 Chron. Vilod. 2101 A mery masse
ber was y-songe. 1500-20 Dunbar Poems xlvi. 3, I hard
a merle with mirry notis sing. Ibid. 26 This mirry gentil
nychtingaill. 1535 Coverdale Ps. lxxx[il 2 Brynge hither
the tabret, the mery harpe & lute.
fd. Of weather, climate, atmospheric condi-
tions, etc. : Pleasant, fine. Of a wind: Favourable.
1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 5697 pe erbe 3eld betere & bet
weder was murgore by is daye & lasse tempeste in be se ban
me er ysaye. 13.. E. E. AlUt. P. B. 804 In be myry
mornyng ;e may your waye take. 1390 Gower Con/. II
332 He telth . . hou ther schon a merye Sunne. c 1400 Land
Troy Bk. 14412 Seuen dayes faujt thei to-gedre, And al that
while was mury wedre. c 1410 Love Bonavent. Mirr. v.
(1510) C ij, Our Lorde God after tempeste sendethe soft and
mery wedder. c 1450 Merlin 384 The seson was myri and
softe. 1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 423 Euen as Gouer*
nours of shippes..cut the waues as they are furthered with
a merrie winde : euen so let us frame our studie and labour.
1590 Shaks. Com. Err. iv. i. 90 The merrie winde Blowes
faire from land. 1599 Hakluyt Voy. (1904) IV. 360 At the
next mery wind tooke shipping. 1630 Winthrop New Eng.
(1853) I. 18 We tacked about. .with a merry gale in all our
sails. 1685 Dryden tr. Hor. Ode in. xxix. 101 In my small
Pinnace I can sail,.. And running with a merry gale,.. my
safety seek. .Within some little winding Creek.
fig. 1402 Repl. Friar D. Topias in Pol. Poems (Rolls) II.
72 Whi with not thi cow make myry weder in thi dish?
t e. Of dress : Handsome, gay. Obs.
a 1400-50 Alexander 2864 A mery mantill of mervailous
he wis.
t f. Of herbs, drugs, etc. : Pleasant to the taste
or smell. Obs.
C1386 Chaucer Nun's Pr. T. 146 Ye shul haue digestyues
..Of herbe yue, growyng in oure yeerd, thir mery is. 1398
" Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xvn. xxvii. (1495) 620 Cassia is
swete and mery of smell.
t g. A merry mean : a happy medium.
*399 Langl. Rich. Redeles w. 139 But mesure is a meri
mene bou} men moche yerne. c 1460 J. Russell Bk. Nur-
ture 107 Mesure is a mery meene whan God is not dis-
posed, a 1575 Gascoigne Posies, Flowers 41 Thus learne
I by my glasse, that merrie meane is best. 1616 Surfl. &
Markh. Country Farm 580 So greatly.. is the merrie meane
commended.
h. Of a saying, jest, etc. : Amusing, diverting,
funny. Obs. or arch., with mixture of sense 3.
1 1470 Henry Wallace 11. 36 Quhen Wallas herd spek of
that mery saw, He likyt weill at that mercat to be. 1530
Palsgr. 244/2 Mery taunt, lardon. Ibid., Mery jeste a
ryddle, sornette. 1563 Homilies 11. Idolatry in. (1859) 265
Seneca much commendeth Dionysius, for his merry robbing
of such decked and jewelled puppets. 1588 Shaks. Tit. A.
mi v3 of her Brotners were condemn 'd to death,
My hand cut off, and made a merry iest. 1595 Duncan
A pp. Etymol. (E. D. S.) 68 Facetiz, mirrie bourds. 1632
L.ITHGOW Trav. ix. 378 There is a merry secret heere con-
cermng the women. 1728 Morgan Algiers I. vi. 185 The
Motions all the Mussulmans have of the Antichrist. .are
really merry. Ibid. 188, I had like to have left out the very
merriest Passage in the whole Story. 1769 E. Bancroft
Guiana 328 A variety of fables which are merry. 1849
James Woodman ii, He gave me the merry book [a copy of
363
2. Of looks or appearance : + Pleasant, agreeable,
bright {obs.) ; hence, expressive of cheerfulness,
mirthful, hilarious (in modern use merged in
sense 3).
a 1225 Leg. Kaih. 314 pi leor is, meiden, lufsum, & ti
muS murie. c 1250 Gen. <y Ex. 2258 Her non hadden do
loten miri. 13.. Seuyu Sag. (W.) 3357 The erl come with
meri chere, Omang al that folk in fere, c 1440 Promp.
Pan: 338/2 Myry yn chere, letus. 1559 Passage Q. Eliz.
A ij, Her grace by holding vp her handes, and mene coun-
tenaunce to such as stode farre of,.. did declare her selfe
[etc.]. 1703 Loud. Gaz. No. 3948/4 A dun Gelding.. with a
round Barrel, longish Legg'd,. .amerry Countenance. 1861
Hughes Tom Broivn at Ox/, iii, He was a pleasant-looking
fellow,, .with dark hair, and a merry brown eye.
3. Of persons and their attributes : Full of ani-
mated enjoyment (in early use chiefly with refer-
ence to feasting or sport); joyous, mirthful, hila-
rious. Also of permanent temper or disposition :
Given to joyousness or mirth.
The Merry Alonarch: afrequentdesignationfor Charles II.
t Mirrymeinie (obs.), merry men (see Merrv man i): applied
in ballad poetry to the followers of Robin Hood ; hence
sometimes used allusively.
c 1320 Sir Trtsir. 1198 Amiriman were he }if heo Hue ware.
c 1350 Will. Palcrne 4926 As bei muriest at he mete bat
time seten, ber come menskful messageres. c 1375 Cursor
M. 4812 (Fairf.) Queii bai saghe ber corne plente Murer
[earlier texts gladder, bliber] men mi}t neuer be. a 1380
Mitt. Pocms/r. Vernon MS. 680 Whon men beob muryest
at heor Mele : I rede 5e benke on }usterday. c 1400 Destr.
Troy 4787 Mery was the menye & maden gret loye. c 1461
E. E. Misc. (Warton CI.) 48 The boy was mery y-nowe.
1500-20 Dunbar Poems xxv. 27 Bring 30W sone to Edin-
burgh toy, For to be mirry amang ws. c 1510 Lytell Geste
Robyn Hood iv. in Ncuengl. Leseb. (1895) I. 180/14 And he
founde there Robyn hode And all hys mery meyne. Ibid.
v. 180/115 Buske you my mery yonge men. 1513 Moke in
Grafton Chron. (1568) II. 784 King Edward woulde say
that he had three concubines, . .one, the meriest, one the
wyliest, the thirde the holyest harlot in the realme. . . But
the meriest was Shores wife. 1606 Shaks. Tr. 3- Cr. 1. ii. 27
He is melancholy without cause, and merry against the
haire. 1632 Lithgow Trav. HI. 90, I was exceeding merry
with my old friends. 1c 1665 Rochester .SW. on King 19
Restless he rolls about from Whore to Whore, A merry
Monarch, scandalous, and poor. 1712 Steele Sped. No.
462 F 5 This very Mayor afterwards erected a statue of his
merry Monarch in Stocks-Market. 1794 Mrs. Radcliffe
Myst. Udolpho xxv, Poor Ludovico would be as merry as
the best of them, if he was well. 1832 W. Irving Alhambra
II. 262 His memory was always cherished as that of a merry
companion. 1849 James Woodman ii, She was the merriest
little abbess in the world.
yb. Happy. Obs.
a 1380 S. Ambrostus 426 in Horstm. Altcngl. Leg. {1878)
15/1 He..wepte for holymen and murie pat passed weren
vp to glorie. 1388 Wyclif Job xxi. 23 This yuel man
dieth . . riche and blesful, that is, inyrie. 1513 More in
Grafton Chron. (1568) II. 781 The true Lorde Hastinges..
was neuer merier, nor thought his life in more suretie in all
his dayes. 1520 More in Four C. Eng. Lett. (1880) 12, I
pray you be with my . . household mery in God.
trans/ 1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 184 [Silkworms] will
be no where merry nor vsefull, but where are store of Mul-
bery Trees.
c. Pleasantly amused ; hence, facetious, * plea-
sant \ Const, with, on, upon (a person). Obs. or
arch. (Cf. make merry, 3 e below.)
1607 Shaks. Timon in. ii. 42, I know his Lordship is but
merry with me. ^ 1703 Rowe Fair Peuit. Ded., There is
hardly such a thing as being merry, but at another's Ex-
pence. 1694 Atterbury On Prov. xiv. 6, Serm. 1726 I. 195
They were Men who. .took their Fill of all the Good Things
of this World; and., were very merry, and very bitter upon
those that did not. 1709 Swift Merlin* s Proph. Wks. 1755
II. 1. 179 Astrology, .is by no means an art to be despised,
whatever Mr, Bickerstaff, or other merry gentlemen are
pleased to think. 1714 Spectator No. 573 Unit.), You are
pleased to be very merry, as you imagine, with us Widows.
1772 Foote Nabob 1. 17 You are merry, Sir. 1831 Lytton
Godolphin 9 You are merry on me, I see.
d. Hilarious from drink ; slightly tipsy. (Cf.
market l -merry '.)
1575-6 Durham Depos. (Surtees) 287 The said Sr Richerd,
being mery with drinke, maid a quarrell to this examinate.
Ibid. 288 The said Sr Richerd will be mery with drinke ther,
but not dronken. 2681 Luttrell Brie/ R el. (1857) I. 134
Mr. Verdon.. returning home pretty merry, took occasion
to murder a man on the road. 1719 D'Urfey Pills III. 7
Drunk, which the vulgar call merry. 1838 James Robber
vi, Doveton, who was beginning to get merry, and eke good*
humoured in his cups.
e. Phrases. To make merry (refl. and intr.) :
to be festive or jovial ; to indulge in feasting and
jollity. To make merry (pvery f with) : to make
fun (of), to ridicule.
c 1320 Sir Tristr. 3085 Bobesei^e he Wib too houndes mirie
made, c 1350 Will Palernc 1880 Make we vs merie for mete
haue we at wille. c 1440 Cast. Persev. 2709 Make us mery, &
lete hym^gone ! he was a good felawe. 1500-20 Dunbar
Poems xiii. 32 Sum makis him mirry at the wynis. 1530
Pa i.scr. 625/2 M;ike mery, syrs, we shall go hence tomorowe.
1628 Earle Microcosm., Tavern (Arb.) 33 Men come heere
to make merry. 1761 Hume Hist. Eng. II. xxviii. 135 The
people made merry with the Cardinal's ostentation. 1771
Goldsm. Hist. Eng. II. 403 The people made merry with
this absurd and brutal statute. 1791 Gentl. Mag. 19/1 My
horse took fright at some hay-makers who were carouzing
and making merry. 1832 Tennyson Pal. 0/ Art 3 Oh, foul,
make merry and carouse. 1890 Sat. Rev. 25 Oct. 481/2 He
makes merry over their deficiencies.
f. In proverbs and proverbial comparisons. (See
also Cricket sb.1 1 d, Grig sb.1 5.)
13.. E. E. Allit. P. A. 850 Bot vchon enlewe wolde were
MERRY-ANDREW.
fyf, pe mo be myryer. 13. . K. Alls. 1163 Swithe mury hit
is in halle, When the burdes wawen alle. 1546 J. Heywood
Prov. (1867) 65 It is mery in halle, when berds wag all. 156a
— Prov. <V Epigr. (1867) 433 Tis good to be mery and wyse:
How shall fooles folow that aduyse? 1564 Pii.kingtonZ.£/.
Wks. (Parker Soc.) Pref. 7 The bi*hop of Man liveth here
at ease, and as merry as Pope Joan. 1595 Shaks. John iv.
i. 18, I should be as merry as the day is long, a 1643 W.
Cartwright Ordinary in. iv, I'l be As merry as a Pismire.
a 1745 Swift Direct. Servants, Footman, Live a short life and
a merry one. 1768-74 Tucker Lt. Nat. (1834) II. 337 He
knew how to be merry and wise. 1792 Burns 'Here's a
health to them that's awa \ It's gude to be merry and wise,
I'ts gude to be honest and true. 1873 Hamerton lutell.
Life 1. v. (1876) 29 Merry as a lark.
4. Of times or seasons : Characterized by festivity
or rejoicing.
1567 [see 1]. ^ 1596 Shaks. 2 Hen. IV, v. iii. 38 Welcome
merry Shroueude. 1617 Moryson Itin. 11. 87 To ketpe a
merry Christmas. 1667 I.d. Sandwich Let. in Sir W. Teniplc's
Wks. (1720) II. 136, I wish you a very merry Christmas. 1710
Swift Jrul. to Stella 21 Dec, But first I will wish you a
merry Christmas and a happy New Year. 1710-xi Ibid.
25 Mar., 25. -Morning. I wish you a merry new year : this
is the first day of the year, you know, with us. 1843
Dickfns Christmas Carol iii. They wished each other
Merry Christmas in their can of grog.
5. Special collocations: f merry-bout, s!a)tg,
an act of sexual intercourse ; f merry main (sec
Main sb.3 1), a game at dice ; f merry Monday,
the Monday before Shrove Tuesday; merry night,
north, dial., a night given up to festivities and
sport. For merry dancers, Greek, grig, pin,
see Dancer 5, Greek sb. 5, Grig sb.1 5, Pin sb. 11.
See also Merry-andrew, Merry-man, etc.
1780 Newgate Cal. V. 314 Being asked.. if she thought it
proper for a woman of decency to ask another ' how she did
after this *merry-bout ', and ' whether she thought a rape
was a merry-bout '. 1665 *Merry main [see Main sb.3 1].
1667 Drvuen Seer. Love IV. i, Come, gentlemen, let's lose
no time : While they are talking, let's have one merry main
before we die, for mortality sake. 1729 Gay Polly 111. (1772)
198 Does not this drum-head here, . .tempt you to fling a merry
main or two? 1565 in Picton L'pool Munic. Rec. (1S83)
I. 35 Monday next before Fasten's eve or Shrovetide called
*Merry Monday. 1803 K. Anderson Cumbld. Ball. 65 Aa,
lad ! sec a "inurry-neet we've hed at lileckell. 1819 Wokdsw.
Waggoner \\. 30 'Tis the village Merry-Night ! 1837
Ft'utiy Cycl. VIII. 223/2 Cumbrian peasantry have various
festive meetings, called the kirn, or harvest-home, sheep-
shearing, merry nights, and upshots.
6. Comb. a. parasynthetic, as merry-conceited,
-eyed, -jaced, -hearted, -lipped, -minded, -wilted
adjs.
1547-64 Bauldwin Mor. Philos. (Palfr.) 6 Aristippus. .was
a merry-witted fellow. 1548 Sir P. Hoisy in Strype Eccl.
Mem. (1721) II. App. Y. 79, I hear say he is a man some-
what aged and merry-conceited when he list. 1611 Bible
Isa. xxiv. 7 All the merrie hearted doe sigh. 1625 K. Long
tr. Barclays Argents iv. xii. 277 He was. .merry-conceited
in^ words. 1648-60 Hexham, Klttcht-sinnigh, Merrie-
minded. 1684 Otway Atheist m. i, You Plump-cheek'd
merry-ey'd Rogue. 1816 L. Hunt To J. H. 20 It [sc. a
mouth] breaks into such sweetness, With merry-lipped com-
pleteness. 1838 Dickens Nich. Nick, vi, The merry-faced
gentleman sent round the punch. 1851 Kuskin Stones Ven.
(1S74) I. xx. 220 Clear, crisp, ringing, merry-minded waves.
D. quasi-a/v. with another adj.
a 1618 Sylvester Anto-machia 125 Sailing all my Life
On merry-sorry Seas. 1865 Kingsley I/crew, x, They are
laughing and roaring now, merry-mad every one of them.
B. adv. = Merrily.
(- i2zo Bestiary 570 Mirie }e singeS 5is mere, c 1320
Seuyn Sag. (W.) 556 Foules songe therinne murie. t 1381
Chaucer Pari. Foules 592 Daunsith he murye that is
myrtheles? 14.. Sir Beucs 107 (MS. E.) Bellys he herde
merye rynge. 14.. Arth. <y Meri. 2485 (Kolbing) He was
grauen & layd full merrye In the towne of Glasenburye.
1546 Supplic. Poore Commons (E.E.T.S.) 87 They wedde
and bury, and synge ful mery, but all for money. 1567 Gude
*r Godtie Ball. (S.T.S.) 68 We suld. .Without ony dissemmil-
lance Be blyith, and myrrie sing.
b. Comb., as merry -running, -singing, -turned',
merry-begot, -begotten dial., illegitimate ; also
sb., a bastard,
1549 Chaloner Erasm. on Folly L j b, With suche
taunts and meritourned answers they provoke men to
laughter. 1593 Nashe Christs T. Wks. (Grosart) V. 109
The younger men in their merry-running Madrigals. 1606
Sylvester Du Bartas 11. iv. 11. Magni/ 1133 A willing
Troup of merry-singing Swains. 1785 Grose Diet. Vulg.
Tongue, Merry begotten, a bastard. 1890 Hall Caine
Bondman 1. vi, Maybe you think it nice to bring up your
daughter with the merry-begot of any ragabash that comes
prowling along.
t Merry, v. Obs. [OE. myryxn {;—*murgfan)t
related to myrge Merry a.]
1. intr. To be merry.
c 1000 Ags. Ps. (Th.) xlvi. 1 Fsesniaft and myr^aS Gode
mid wynsumre stemne. a 1310 in Wright Lyric P. xiv. 45
In May hit murgeth when hit dawes. c 1460 Townetey Myst.
xiii. 714 Lo, he merys ; lo, he laghys, my swetyng.
2. trans. To make (a person, etc.) merry,
a 1310 in Wright Lyric P. xiii. 44 Wowes this wilde
drakes, Miles murgeth huere makes, c 1400 Pride 0/ Li/e
(Brandl, 1898) 296 A ha, solas, now bou seist so bou miriest
me in my mode. 1627-77 Feltham Resolves 1. xxv. 44
Though pleasure merries the Senses for a while : yet horror
after vulturs the unconsuming heart.
Merry-andrew, Merry- Andrew (meTir
se-ndr*/). [app. f. Merry a. + Andrew proper name
(cf. Andrew 2).
Hearne's statement, in the preface to his edition of Bene-
dictus Abbas (1735) that 'Merry Andrew' was originally
112-2
MERRY-GALL.
364
MERSION.
applied to Dr. Andrew Borde (died 1549) has neither evi-
• dence nor intrinsic probability, though Borde had a reputa-
tion for buffoonery, as is shown by the traditional attribu-
tion to him of various collections of jests. In 1668 (29 Aug. )
Pepys says that he saw at Bartholomew Fair a ridiculous
play called ' Marry Andrey', but that this title has any
connexion with merry-andrew is very doubtful.]
1. One who entertains people by means of antics
and buffoonery ; a clown ; properly (in early use),
a mountebank's assistant.
1673 Dryden Epil.to Univ. Oxford \\ Th1 Italian Merry-
Andrews took their place, And quite Debauch'd the Stage
with lewd Grimace. 1677 W. Sherlock Ahsiu. T. Damon
69 As ridiculous.. as it would be very gravely to confute
Tom Thumb, or merry Andree, of a Town Lampoon. 1697
Dkvden Mneid Ded., This is like Merry Andrew on the
low rope, copying lubberly the same tricks which his master
is so dexterously performing on the high. 1749 Fielding
Tom Jones xn. viii, He found the master of the puppet-
show belabouring the back and ribs of his poor Merry-
Andrew. 1851 Borrow Lavengro lit. (1893) 202 Listening '■
to the jokes of the merry-andrews from the platforms in
front of the temporary theatres.
1694 Wood Life (O.H.S.) III. 458 note, To make your \
self the merry andrew of the company [you] did venter upon
a person freely to expose him to scorne. 1773 Nugent tr.
Hist. Fr. Gerund I. 488 Those who are not sought out as \
the Merry-Andrews of the pulpit. 1827 Carlyle Misc.,
Richter (1857) 1. 11 Richter is a man of mirth, but he seldom
or never condescends to be a merryandrew.
C. attrib. or as adj.
1689 Answ. Lords $ Commoners Sp. 25 A Reverend Pre-
late., whom he stiles, in a sort of a Merry-Andrew-vein, 1
Church of England Apostle and Captain of her Life-Guard.
1798 Lit. Mem. Living Authors L 119 The jokes and
merriment of this merry-andrew philosopher. 1816 Sporting
Mag. XLVII. 177 Scroggins made some merry-andrew tricks j
to save his wind. 1847 Alb. Smith Chr. Tadpole xlix.
(1879) 422 A poor fellow who went about the country in the j
merry-Andrew line.
d. Comb., as merry -andrew- like adv.
1787 Wolcot (P. Pindar) Lousiad \\. Wks. I. 23S Turn it
[thy wig] inside out, And wear it, Merry- Andrew like, about.
2. //. Playing cards of the lowest quality.
1866 [see Harry sb.2 3]. 1867 Fry Playing-Card Terms
in PhiloL Soc. Trans. 55 Andrews, Merry Andrews, Play- ;
ing-cards of the fourth or lowest class or quality.
Hence Merry-andrew, Merry -andrewize vbs. '
iufr.j to play the merry-andrew ; Merry-andrew-
ism, buffoonery, clownishncss.
1836 Fraser's Mag. XIII. 37 Nothing is more distasteful
..than the undiscriminating Merryandrewism of an in-
grained vulgarian. 1861 T. L. Peacock Gryll Gr. viii.
Arch-quacks have taken to merry-andrewizing in a new
arena. 1891 G. Meredith One 0/ our Cong. III. iii. 40 He
can, if imps are in him, merryandrew as much as he pleases.
Merry-bauks, -bush: see Merribowk.
t Merry-gall. Obs. Also 6 raerrygald, 7
merigal. [See Gall sb.~ : the first element might
so far as form is concerned be mery Marrow1,
but the sense of the combination is not obvious.]
A sore produced by chafing.
1575 Turberv. I'enerie i-$p (Maybe) he seekes to haue
my Sewet for himselfe, Whiche sooner heales a merrygald
then Pothecaries pelfe. 1597 Gerarde Herbal in. t. 1202
If such as iourney or trauell do carry with them a branch or
rod of Agnus castas in their hand, it will keepe them from
merry gals, and wearines. 1601 Holland Pliny II. 101 It
healeth all merry-gals and raw places where the flesh is
rubbed off or chafed: it helpeth the rank rammish smel
vnder the arm-holes [L. intertriginum et alarum vitUs
fcrfrictionibusque ..non dubic viedcri]. Ibid. 319 It is
good to anoint merlgals therwith, namely, when one part of
the body is fretted & chafed against another [h.prodest et
confricatis me/ubris].
Merryghe, obs. form of Marrow sb.1
t Me"rry-gO-down. slang. Obs. Strong ale.
a 1500 Songs <*r Carols (Percy Soc.) 92 Where is the best
wyn ? tell yow me. . .1 know a drawght off mery-go-downe,
The best it is in all thys towne. 1577 Harrison England
ii. xi. 86 A pot of hufcappe or merygodowne. 1399 Nashe
Lenten Slufre'Ded. A 3b, Vou..cando no lesse then present
mee with the best mornings draught of merry-go-do wne in
your quarters.
Merry-go-round.
1. A revolving machine carrying wooden horses
or cars, on or in which persons ride round and
round for amusement ; a roundabout.
1729 Daily Post 23 Aug., Here's the merry-go-rounds:
Come, who rides? 1806-7 j- Beresford Miseries Hum.
Life (1826) xx. 252 May she fall to the ground From a
merry-go-round. 1858 Hawthorne Fr. <*■ It. Note-Bks.
(1883) 26 There were merry-go-rounds, wooden horses, and
other provision for children's amusements. 1896 E. A. King
Hal. liighxvays 76 It [sc. a steam organ] belonged to a
travelling merry-go-round.
2. fig. A 'whirl'.
1856 R. W. Procter Barbers Shop xiii. (1S83) 98 This
elysium of a business, this merry-go-round of trade. 1890
H. G. Dakyns Xenophon I. p. exx, What a inerry-go-round
of soldierly adventure !
t Merry-go-sorry. Obs. A mixture of joy
and sorrow.
1599 Breton Mis. Mavillia (Grosart) 49/2 Joying to see
the kinde heart of this other olde gentleman, sorie to be an
occasion of such anger to himselfe, and trouble to his house,
betwixt a merrie, goe sorie, 1 felt to such weeping, as quite
spilde mine eyes. 1600— Fort, two Princes $%. 1606 [? Bre-
ton] Choice, Chance, etc. {1881) 76 Thou hast told me of
such a Merry goesory, as I haue not often heard of: I am
sory for thy ill fortune, but am glad to see thee aliue.
t Merry laud ■ Maryland, the name of a
district in N. America (now one of theUnitedStates),
applied to a kind of tobacco. Cf. F. maryland.
1688 R, Holme Armoury m. xxii. (Roxb.) 274/1 Sorts of
Tobacco. .Merry land, leafe Tobacco.
Merrymaid, dial, variant of Mermaid,
1865 R. Hunt Pop. Rom. W. Eng. (1881)149 The ' merry-
maids ' of the Cornish fishermen and sailors possess the
well-recognised features of the mermaid.
Merry-make (me*rinw*k), sb. arch. [app. f.
vbl. phr. make merry, with inversion as in the later
M KB RY- MAKING.] m MERRY-MAKJNU.
1579 Spenser Sheph. Cat. Nov. g Now nls the time of
men make, a 1586 Satir. Poems Reform, xxxvii. 51 Gif Je
lyk musik, mirthe, or myrrie mak. 1633 P. Fletcher
Purple Isl. 1. x.wiii, With fearless metry-make and piping.
1638-48 G. Daniel EclogiVu 29 The Simple Merrie-make
of older Swains Was Innocent. 1822 W. Tennant Thane
of Fife vi. xlviii, The din of merry-make and boast ! 1833
Longf. Outre-Mer Prose Wks. 1886 I. 52 The rural sports
and merrimakes of the village. 1844 Mrs. Browning
Drama of Exile Poems 1850 I. 5 We'll have feasts And
funerals also, merrymakea and wars. 1893 Kath. L. Bates
Eng. Relig. Drama 23 England was wonted to take her
merry-makes as a gift from the hand of Religion.
Merry-make, v. rare. [Formed as prec]
intr. To make merry ; to be festive.
1714 Gay Sheph. Week Tues. 50 Whilom with thee 'twas
Marian's dear delight To moil all day and merry-make
at night. 1853-8 Hawthorne Eng. Note-Bks. (1879) !•
240 Dancing and otherwise merrymaking. 1859 Fitz-
Geralu tr. Omar xxxv, I think the Vessel, that with fugi-
tive Articulation answer'd, once did live, And merry-make.
1894 Du Mal rier Trilby I. 220 Ye young who pawn each
other's watches, and merrymake together on the proceeds.
Merry-maker (me-rim^ksa). [f. Merry a. +
Maker, after next.] One who makes merry or
takes part in festivities.
1843 Zoologist I. 35 A party of merry-makers, who resorted
to this unwonted saloon to sip their wine. 1884 Illnstr.
Lond. News 13 Sept. 243/3 f he merrymakers did not break
up until a late hour.
Me'rry-making, vbl. sb. [f. Merry a. +
Making vbl. sb,] The action of making merry ;
conviviality ; also, an occasion of festivity, a con-
vivial entertainment.
1714 Mandeville Fab. Bees (17251 I. 186 If a woman at
a merry-making dresses in man's cloathes. 1779 Mme.
D'Arui.ay Diary 13 June, Her. .gay, laughing face inspires
an almost immediate wish of conversing and merry-making
with her. 1819 Sporting Mag. IV. 209 A merry-making, on
the drath of a relation. 1830 Tennyson Poems 93 See !
our friends are all forsaking The wine and the merry-
making. 1833 Ht. Martineau Briery Creek v. 107 The
IrUh betake themselves to rebellion when stopped in their
merry-makings. 1876 Green Stray Stud. 55 The tedious
length of an English merry-making would be unintelligible
to him [sc. an Italian],
attrib. 1870 Morris Earthly Par. fiSoo) 310/1 We Twain
Not oft again. .Unto this merry-making place shall ride.
So Me'rry-making ///. a.
1838 Dickens Nich. Nick, vi, Such jolly, roystering, rol-
licking, merry-making blades. i873Sy.monds6Va\ Poets iii.
94 First must merry-making men address the gods with
holy songs.
Merry man, merryman.
1. //. Merry men : the companions in aims or
followers of a knight, an outlaw chief, etc.
c 1386 Chaucer Sir Thomas 128 His murie men comanded
he To make hym bothe game and glee, c 1400 Gamclyn 774
Vong Gamelyn. .fond his mery men under woode-bough.
c 1510 Lytell Geste of Robyn Hood iv. in Child Ballads III.
66 And Robyn and his mery men Went to wode anone.
£1550 Hunting of Clurviot 37 Ibid. III. 309 Fyghte ye,
my myrry men, whyllys ye may. 1600 Shaks. A. Y. L. 1.
i. 121 They say he is already in the Forrest of Arden, and
a many merry men with him. 1810 Scott Lady ofL. v. xviii,
Still at the gallop prick'd the Knight, His merry-men follow'd
as they might.
2. (As one word.) A jester or buffoon. ? Obs.
1785 Grose Diet. Vulgar Tongue, Merry Andrew, or
Mr. Merryman, the jack pudding, jester, or zany of a
mountebank, usually dressed in a party coloured coat. 1838
Thoms in Bcntleys Misc. III. 623 The equestrian clown at
Astley^s, as the Mister Merryman who attends the horse-
manship at that theatre is professionally designated. 1858
Doran Ct. Fools 58 In the fifteenth century, when the
fashion of wearing bells was abandoned to the professional
merry-men.
|| 3. The surname Merriman has sometimes been
used allusively.
1596 Harington Metam. Ajax 84 Hxc tria mens teta.
requies, moderata dieta, Doctor Diet, Doctor Quiet, and
Doctor Meryman.
Merry-meeting. A festive or convivial
gathering.
a 1653 Jer. Taylor Serm. Gold. Grove, Winter xv. 191
This, .struck their fancy luckily, and maintained the merry
meeting. 1609 South Serm.{ 1842) III. 51 He can.. in those
higher speculations forget all his merry-meetings and com-
panions. 1723 Dk. Wharton True Btiton No. 58. II. 505 If
he has not that Zeal without Knowledge to improve a Merry-
meeting into a Riot. 1847 L. Hunt Meu, Women, fy B. II.
xi. 268 He had carried his merry-meetings to an unusual
extent. 1890 'R. Boldrewood' Col. Reformer 11891} 293
He was. .made free of all their small gatherings and merry-
meetings.
Merryment, -nes, obs. ff. Merriment, -ness.
Merry-sole, var. Mary-sole : see Mary i c.
1880-4 F' Day Brit. Fishes II. 22 Arnoglossus mega-
stoma.. .Names. — Whiff, merry sole, a term applied due to
its active movements when in the water.
Merrythought (me-rij^t). [f. Merby a. +
Thought sb. : see below.] The Furcula or forked
bone between the neck and breast of a bird ; also,
the portion of a bird when carved that includes
this bone. Also attrib.
The name, like the synonym wishbone, alludes to the play-
ful custom of two persons pulling the furcula of a fowl until
it breaks ; according to the popular notion, the one who gets
the longer (in some districts, the shorter) piece will either
be married sooner than the other, or will gain the fulfilment
of any wish he may form at the moment.
1607 Dekker Northxv. Hoe m. Wks. 1873 III. 42, I longd
for the merry thought of a phesant. 1611 Cotgr., Lunette%
the merrie- thought ; the forked craw-bone of a bird, which
we vse, in sport, to put on our noses. 1711 Addison Spect.
No. 7 P 2, I.. have seen a Man in Love grow pale and lose
his Appetite, upon the plucking of a Merry-thought. 1716
R. Waller in Phil. Trans. XXIX. 513 Under the Clavi-
cula or Merry- thought-bone, a 1756 Mrs. Haywood Neiu
Present 269 Then cut up the merry-thought 1843 Lever
J. Hinton ii, Simpering old maids cracked merry thoughts
with gay bachelors. 1890 Coles Field $■ Gen. Ornithol,
11. 136 The lower belly of the curve, convex forward, fitting
in between the forks of the merrythought (Lat. furculum).
Mcrry-totter. dial. Also 8-9 -trotter, [f.
Merry a. + Tottek sb.] A see-saw ; a swing.
c 1440 Promp. Parv. 338/2 Myry tottyr [v. r. miritotyr],
chylderys game, .. osciltum. 1483 Cath. Angl. 235/2 A
Merytotyr, oscillum,petaurus. 1659C. HooLEtr.CVv/£«/W
Orbis Sensuatium (1672) 277 Boyes. .tossing and swinging
themselves upon a Merry-totter [L. super Petaurum]. 1790
Grose Proviuc. Gloss,, Merry-totter, a see-saw. 1862
'Tom Treddlehoyle' Baimsla Foaks Ann. 4 (E.D.D.)
Merry-trotter.
Merry-wing. [f. Merry a. + \Ving^. ; app.
with reference to the rapid beating of the wings.]
fl. A kind of gnat or mosquito found in the
"West Indies, esp. Jamaica and Barbados. Obs.
1671 Ogilby Amer. 340 In some parts of the Countrey [in
Jamaica] there are aLo a sort of stinging Flies, call'dMuschilli
and Merrywings. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey1, Merry-wings,
a sort of I ly, very troublesome in the Night, in the Island
of Barbadoes. 1750 G. Hughes Barbados 87 The Merry-
Wing, .is a very minute Fly. ..They seem to be exactly of
the same Species with the Gnat in England.
2. U. S. The golden-eye, Clangula glaucion.
1888 G. Trumbull Names of Birds 78.
t Mers. Sc. Obs. Also 6 merse. fa. MDu.
tnerse (mod.Du. mars) * top ' of a mast, literally
' basket1.] A round-top surrounding the lower
masthead. Also attrib. in mers clothes, streamers
and hangings suspended from the ' mers*.
1494 Ace. Ld. High Treas.Scot. (1877) I. 253 Item for ane
gret mast, ane ra, ane swken, a pygy mast ; and thir rais
and the takling with ane mers, . . and for ane pomp and other
small graith,x//. 1504-6 Ibid. U901) III. 89 Item xxvj
elne carsav blew, rede, quhit and fallow to be ij mers
clathis to the schip. 1505-6 Ibid. 183 Item, .to the man that
maid the mers of the schip, in drinksilvir xiiij*. 1506 Ibid.
189 Item.. to Alexander Chamir, payntour, quhilk paynlit
the mers of the Kingts schip x Franch crounis. 1508 Dun-
bar Gold. Targe 52 A saill,als quhite as blossum vpon spray,
Wyth meise of gold, brycht as the stern of day.
Mersatorial (m3isato>*rial), a. Ornith. [f.
mod.L. mcrsdtor diver: see -ial.] Belonging to
Macgillivray's order Mersatores.
185a Macgilliyray/>m7. Birds V. 424 They [sc. the Pro-
cellariina] are mersatorial birds.
Mersaua e, Mersch, Merschale : see Meke-
fcAUCE, March sb.z, Marsh, Marshal.
Merschaundrice, Merschion : see Mer-
chandise, Marchion.
Merse (mers), sb. Sc. [Sc. repr. OE. m$rse ,
Marsh.] Low flat land, usually beside a river or
the sea ; marsh. Also attrib.
The Merse is used as the proper name of the district of
Berwickshire between the Lammermoors and the Tweed.
a 1810 in Cromek Rem. Nithsdale Song 234 There's a
maid has sat o' the green merse side Thae ten lang years and
mair. 1856 Aird Poet. Wks. 188 Go the rooks Down to
the sea. .on the flat merse To tear up tufts of grass for
grubs below, a 1856 in G. Henderson Pop. Rhymes Ber*
wick 105 A Merse mist alang the Tweed In a harvest
mornin'sgude indeed. i869LandklthZ.//^^^iw/ Thomson
I. 5 A bloody skirmish between Merse-men and Northum*
brians. _ 1875 W. McIlwraith Guide Wigtownshire 78 A
little bit of merse-land, detached by the windings of the
River Luce, Is called St. Helen's Island.
Merse, Mersement: see Merce, Mercement.
Merser, Mersh, Mershal^l : see Mercer,
March v.2, Marshal.
Mersion (ma* jjan). ? Obs. [a. F. mersicn, ad. L.
mcrsion-ew, n. of action f. mers-, mergere to dip :
see Merge v.] The action, or act, of dipping ;
spec, with reference to baptism.
1659 H. L'Estrange Alliance Div. Off. 365 Mersion or
dipping is not of the necessity of the Sacrament, sprinkling
being in every way as operative. x66o Barrow Sacra-
ments in Creed etc {1697) 444 The mersion also in Water,
and the emersion thence, doth figure our death to the
former, and receiving to a new life. 1691 W. Nicholls
Answ. Naked Gospel 32 The custom of the trine mersion
seems to be very ancient in the Church, if not Apostolical.
Merss(h, Merssery: see Marsh, Mercery.
Mersshall: see Marshal.
Mersy(e, Mersyment, Merte, Mertelage,
Mertenet(te : see Mercy, Mercement, Mart
sb.2, Martiloge, Martinet.
Merth(e : see Mart sb.\ Mirth.
Mortilloge, Mertinet, Mertle, Mertlete:
see Martiloge, Martinet, Myrtle, Martlet.
MERTUN.
365
MESCHANT.
Mertri(c)k : see Mabtrix.
t Mertuii. Obs. rare*1. [? From the name of
Merlon Abbey (Surrey'.] A kind of church bell.
1536 Nottingham Ree. III. 198 Compositura sive factura
cuiusdam campanae mediocris Anglice ' a inertun \
Mertymas, -mes, obs. forms of Martinmas.
t Merul. Obs. rare~~x, [ad. L. merula.] —
Merle.
1694 Motteux Rabelais v. (1737) 230 The gay Merul and
warbling Philomel.
Meruline (me'ritflin), a. Zool. [ad. mod.L.
merulinits, f. L. went/a Merle.] Of or pertain-
ing to the genus Merttla or to the subfamily Meru-
litm {Cent. Diet. 1S90). So Merulinous a.
Zool. in the same sense (Mayne Expos. Lex. 1856).
iMerumsuratum = Marum Syriacitm : see
Marum.
c 1710CKLIA FiENNBS Diary (18&8) 190 \Vt,,..m'Ileroy finely
Cut, and ffirrs and merumsuratum w™ makes the fine snuff.
Merur(e, obs. forms of Mirror.
t Meruw, a. Obs. Forms : 1 mearu, Mercian
meru, 3 meruw, mereuh, 4 meru}. [OF.
meant (stem mearw-) =OHG. marawi (MHG.
mar, marw-), ablaut var. of OHG. mur{u)wi
(MHG. miirwe, miir, mod.G. miirbe) of the same
meaning.] Soft, tender.
C97S Rnshzv. Cos/. Matt. xxiv. 32 J?onne tel^ra his merwe
bib. . je witan baet neh is sumer. c xzxxiSax. Lecchd. 1. 216
Xyf bonne se Hchoma mearu \vro. mearuw] sy seo5 on
hunije Ie$e to |>am sare. a 1225 A tier. R. 378 5unge impen
me bigurt mid pomes, leste bestes ureten ham beo hwule
pet heo beoS meru we. ('1275 Luue Ron 44 in O. E. Misc.
94 Hwenne hit schal to-glide hit is fals and mereuh and
frouh, c 1320 Sir Bates (A.) 2525 Ich was so lite & so
meru5, Eueri man me clepede dweru^.
Merv (msiv). [Short for F. {satin) merveilleux]
A silk material for ladies' dresses and dress-trim-
mings.
1887 Daily News 11 May 5/7 A skirt of black Merv,
covered with tulle. 1890 Ibid. 10 June 7/5 Rich satin
Mervs. All silk.
Mervail(e, -veil(l(e, etc., obs. ff. Marvel.
II Merveilleux, -euse (mfrvgyb', -oz). [FY :
see Marvellous.] Contemporary names for the
extravagantly dressed French fops and * fine ladies*
of the period of the Directory, who affected a
revival of the classical costume of ancient Greece.
[1819 : cf. Marvellous B.] 1892 Daily News 19 Oct. 5/1
The ' merveilleuse ' of the Directory in France. The'mer-
veilleuse', or 'ultra-fashionable', as the writer .. rather
inadequately translates her title, 'walked, .half naked in the
Champs Elysees '. 1898 Lady Mary Loyd tr. O. (/zonae's
Fashion in Paris i. 8 The Ecrouelleu.x, the Inconcevables,
the Merveilleux, with their chins sunk in their huge cravats.
Ibid. 19 The Merveilleuses survived the Incroyables by
a couple of years.
Merviade : see Maravedi.
Merwaal, -waill(e, etc., obs. ff. Marvel.
Merwe, merwe(i)ll: see Marrow^.1, Marvel.
Merwoman (mauwuman). [Sec Mer- and
cf. G. meerfrau, meerweib.] A name for a Mer-
maid when older or wedded.
1809 Chron. in Ann. Reg 394/2 In a History of the
Netherlands it is stated that in the year 1403, the dikes
were broken near Campear by an inundation ; and when
the inundation had returned, a Merwoman was left in the
Dermet Mere. 1884 F. J. Child Eug. $ Se, Pop. Ball. I.
366/1 The merman asks her the reason, and she answers,
They all say that you are the merwoman's son.
trans/. 1846 M. J. Hicgins Ess. (1875) Mem. 26 It was
really admirable to watch the good-humour, dexterity, and
patience of the old merwoman.
Mery, obs. form of Marrow sb.1, Merry.
Merycism (me'risiz'm). Path. [ad. mod.L.
merycismus, ad. Gr. fii]pvfctafi6s rumination, f. prjpv-
fcifaiv to ruminate, f. fXTjpvf€-t i*fjpv£ occurring as
the name of a ruminating fish.] A rare disease
of the stomach, in which the food, after having
been swallowed some time, is returned into the
mouth and remasticated.
1856 Mayne Expos. Lex. s. v. Merycismus. i860 New
Syd. Soc. Year-Bk.Med.fy Surg. 235 Abdominal Merycism
(regurgitation of chyme) appearing as the symptom of a
masked ague.
Meryhed, Meryly , Merynes, Meryt(e, etc. :
see Marrowed, Merrily, Merriness, Merit, etc.
tMes. Obs. Also 4-5 messe,5 measse. [a.AF.
vies (see Skeat Chancers Wks. I. 429 and Du
Cange Glossariam Gallieum s.v.), app. :— L.
missum, neut. pa. pple. of mittere to send, put
forth.] Proper distance or range for shooting. To
mark (a person") at or with a mes : to strike.
The use in the first quot. is obscure ; the word may have
been used in a strained sense for 'a blow', 'the force of
a blow \ But the reading of the passage seems doubtful.
13- • £■ E. Allit. P. B. 215 Dry^tyn with his dere dom
hym drof to b« abyme, In be mesure of his mode, his mes
neuer be lasse Bot ber he tynt be tybe dool of his tour ryche.
.1x1366 Chaucer Rom. Rose 1453 To shete, at good mes,
to the dere. a 1380 Pistill Susan 320 (Phillips MS.) An
aungU..ha|b braundisshid his brond..To marke \n myddil
at a messe in more ban in bre. c 1440 York Myst. x\. 162
Bot be Jewes bat wonnes in Jessen Sail no3t be merked with
pat messe [c 1460 Towueley Myst. viii. 175 measse],
Mes, obs. form of Mass sb.\ Mease, Mess.
II Mesa (mJ'sa). South. U.S. [Sp. mesa, lit.
'table':— L.mensa.'] A high table-land. Wsoattrib.
1775 Romans Florida App. 57 This Table Land is called
; Mesa Maria. 1859 Marcy Prairie Trav. 314 The road..
: ascends to a low mesa. 18. . Reports on Pacific Railroad
I I.84(Bartlett)Themesa,or table-land character, is exhibited
j only along the line of river-valleys. 1882 Rip. to Ho. Rcpr.
I Prec. Met. U.S. 636 The top sometimes several miles wide,
mesa-like and comparatively level.
Mesaconic ^mesak-^nik), a. Chem. [f. Gr.
p€a-6s middle + (It)acomc ; intended to denote the
intermediate position of this acid between the
itaconic and citraconic acids.] Mesaconic acid:
an acid, isomeric with itaconic acid, obtained by
boiling a weak solution of citraconic acid with
nitric acid. Mesaconic ether: see quot. 1865.
Hence Mesa'conate, a salt of mesaconic acid.
1854 Thomson Cycl. Chan., Mesaconic Acid. 1856 Watts
tr. Gmelitfs llandbk. Chem. X. 428 Mesaconatc of Am-
monia. 1865 Watts Did. Chem., Mesaconic Ether, CyIi.jO|.
. .Obtained by distilling a mixture of mesaconic acid, sul-
phuric acid, and alcohol.
Mesad (messed), adv. [f. Gr. ^tV-os middle
+ -ad as in Dextrad.] = Mes IAD.
1882 Wilder & Gage Anat. Technol. 27 Substituting me-
sal for mesial,, .we have mesad. Ibid. 212 Lift the border
near its middle, and trace it mesad. 1894 Gould I I lust r.
Med. Diet., Mesad, toward the mesial or mesal line or plane ;
towards the meson.
Mesager, obs. form of Messenger.
Me sail. Antiq. Alsomursail, mezail. [a. F.
me' sail, nUzail, mursail, app. repr. OF. mucaille
concealment, f. mucier to hide.] (See quot.)
1869 Bo U TELL Arms <y Arm. viii. 11874) I27 This piece,
called the mcsailtor mursail. -but more generally known in
England as the ventaile, or visor, was pierced for both
sight and breathing. 1870 C. C. Black tr. DemmitCs
Weapons of War ^78 The armet is the most perfect form of
helmet. It is composed of the crown with erest, the vizor,
nose-piece and ventoyle (these latter three forming altogether
the mezail), and the gorget.
Mesairaick, obs. form of Mesaraic.
Mesais, variant of Misease.
Mesal (me'sal), a. [f. Gr. /xt'tr-oy middle 4 -AL.]
—Mesial. Hence ta.e-Ba.Uy adv. = Mesially.
1882 [see Mesad adv.]. In recent Diets.
Mesallailtoid (mesalarntoid), a. rare. [f.
Gr. fiiff-os middle + Allantoid.] Having an
allantois of intermediate size. (Cf. MEGALXAN-
T01D, MlCRALLANTOID.)
1877 W. Turner Hum. Anat. u. 869 M. H. Milne-Ed-
wards. .has placed the Carnivora and Pinnipedia . . in a
i Mesallantoid legion of mammals.
II Mesalliance (nwzalyans). [Fr., f. w/A-Mis-
! + alliance Alliance. Cf. Misalliance.] A
marriage with a person of inferior social position.
1782 H. Walpole Let. to Mason 25 June, We are well oft
when from that mesalliance there spring some bastards
called Episodes. 1827 Canning Sp. Ho. Coin. 12 June in
Hansard (i8zS) XVII, 1255 An account of a union, or rather
of what the French called a misalliance between a man of
colour and a white woman. 1840 Thackeray Paris Sk.-bk.
(1869) 39 In England, .a grocer's daughter would think she
made a mesalliance by marrying a painter. 1885 Mabel
Collins Prettiest Woman x, It seems hardly likely that
another prince will make a me'salliance for the sake of a
Milovitch.
Mesamoeboid (mesamrboid), a. and sb. Biol.
[f. Gr. iifo-os middle + Amceboid.] a. adj. In
mesa?n&boid cell —h. b. sb. One of theamceba-like
cells which are develaped in the mesoderm.
1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., Mesamceboid cells.. Mesamatboids.
xgos Brit. Med. Jrnl. 25 Feb. 441 A special ingrowth of
micronuclear cells derived from the pigmented group gave
rise to the mesamceboid (mesoblastic) cells.
Mesanger, obs. form of Messenger.
II MesarSBtmi (mesarr-pm). Anat. ? Obs. Also
7 mezereum. Also after the Gr. form, 6 me-
sareon,9 mesaraion. [med.L., a. Gr. fifvapcuov,?.
^eVovmiddle + apaia flank, belly.] = Mesentery 1.
1594 T. B. La Primaud. Fr. Acad. 11. 353 The mesentery
..is also called by some mesareon.. .Others take mesareon
to be the highest part of the mesentery. 1661 Lovell
Hist. Anim. § Min. 517 The humour, .which is in the
ventricle, intestines, and mezereum. 1717-41 Chambers
Cycl., Mesarseum, is also used in a more restrained sense
for a part, or division of the mesentery ; being that fastened
to the small guts. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., Mesaraion.
Mesaraic (mesarj'ik), a. and sb. Anat. Forms:
5 miseraic, -ayke, -ak, 6 -aike, mes(s)erayke,
7 mesairaick, meserai(c)k, -aique, -iacke, mi-
seraick, 7-8 mesaraick(e, 7-9meseraic,(9^w«.
mesarsDic),8- mesaraic. [ad. med.L. mesara'icust
a. Gr. fieaapai'Kos, f. fxtadpaiov Mesar-ecm,]
A. adj. Of or pertaining to the mesentery;
— Mesenteric.
c 1400 Lati/ranc's Cirurg. 27 Veynis miserak ben smale
veynes f>at comen out of he veyne bat is clepid porta. 154X
R. Copland Guydo/i's Quest. Chirurg. H lij b, To brynge
the Chilus to the lyuer by meanes of the veynes mescraykes
[sic]. 1615CROOKE Body o/Mamo\ Duodenum, Ieiunum,
and Ileon, ..are easily distinguished by their scituation,
length, and by their Meseraick veines. 1651 Biggs New
Disp. P 117 Scammony. .and vitriol do equally liquate the
mesaraick bloud. 1831 R. Knox Cloquei's Anat. 786 Its
veins [sc. of the pancreas] pour their contents, .into the
small mesaraic and splenic veins. 1869 Huxley Inirod.
Classif. Anim. 139 Meseraic = mesenteric. The omphalo-
meseraic vessels pass from the intestine to the umbilical
vesicle in the embryo.
B. sb. One of the mesaraic veins.
1528 Pavnll Salerne's Regim. Dijb, Whiche departeth
to the lyuer by be veines called miseraikes. 1615 Tomkis
Albnmazar I, i. B 1 b, And what they [sc. the guts] spare
The meseraicks filch, and lay't i'th liver. 1646 Sik T.
Bhownl Pseud. Ep. n. v. § 3. 85 At the mouthes of the
miseraicks. 1836-9 Todays Cycl. Anat. II.43/1 The venous
sinus gives out.. the me^araics to the under surface uf the
cceca.
t Mesaraical, a. Obs. [f. Mesauaic + -al.]
^Mesaraic a.
1569 R. Androsl tr. Alexis'1 Seer, iv. 111. 37 To heale..
the obstruction of the Mesaraicall veynes. 1623 Hart Ar-
raigum. Ur. \\. 5 The naturall voluntary expulsion of that
superfluous humour into the guts by the miseraicall veines.
Mesarteritis OriesaJtersi'tis). Path. [mod.
I,., f. Gr. /ifV-os middle + dpTrjpia artery + -ITIS.]
Inflammation of the middle coat of an artery.
^87S Jones & Siev. Pathol. Anat. 374 The outer and
middle coats are chiefly or solely affected, and it is called by
sume periarteritis and mesarteritis.
Hence Mesarteritic (mesaJtcri'tik) a.} relating
to mesarteritis.
1890 Syd. Soc. Lex.t Mesarteritic induration, a form of
granulation, or cicatricial, tissue found in the coats uf an
artery affected with chronic endarteritis.
Mesaticephalic (me-satiis/larlik a. [f. Gr.
fiirjciT-os midmost (superl. of fxiao^ middle) +
K(((>a\r} head + -ic (after cephalic^ ~ Mko-
CEPHALIC.
1879 Flower Catal. Mies. Coll. Surg. 1. 251 The indices
of breadth, .are : — Dolichocephalic, .below 750. Mesatice-
phalic . . 750 to Soo. LJrachycephalic . . above 800.
So Me saticephalism, the condition of bein^
mesaticephalic; Me satice'phalous a. ^Mesati-
CEPHALIC; II Me:satice-phalus,((Z^askulltovv]iich
is applied the term mesaticephalic ; (b) a person
with a mesaticephalic skull; Mesatice'phaly —
Mesaticephalism.
1863 ThL'RNAM in Mem. Anthrop, Soc. (18651 I- 150 An
intermediate ovoid form (me>ati- or ortho-cepbalisni'. 1880
A. H. Kkanl in Nature XXI. 281 [Afghan] Type, long,
oval face, arched nose, head mesaticephalous. 1896 Nat,
Science Sept. 154 The mesaticephaly . .may be due to a
outing between brachycephalous Negrillo^ and Negios.
Mesauenteur, -lire, obs. ff. Misadventure.
Mesbyleue, obs. form of Misbelieve.
|i Mescal (meskad). Also mexical, mexcal,
mezcal. [Sp. mczcaly a. Mexican mexcalli.]
1. A strong intoxicating spirit distilled from the
fermented juice of the American aloe.
i8a8 Sir H. G. Ward Mexico I. 59 A strong kind of
brandy called mexical, or Aguardiente de Maguey. 1854
llMa i.Err Explor. Texas, etc. I. 290 Mezcal, or aguardiente.
1888 Fanny C. Gooch Face to/ace w. Mexicans 562 Mescal
is made from a liquor obtained by pressing the leaves of the
maguey in a mill.
2. Mescal-plant : the American aloe. Mescal
fibre : the fibre of this plant (cf. Maguey).
1851 Mayne Reid Scalp Hunt. \. 14 The agave, the
far-famed mezcal-plant of Mexico. 1886 Ann. Rep. Smith,
son/an Inst. (1889) 11. 652 Mescal fiber, Arizona.
Mescel(l)in(e, obs. forms of Maslin -.
Meschance, obs. form of Mischance.
t Meschaucie. Obs. rare'-1. In quot. mis-.
[f. Meschant : see -ancy.] Wickedness.
1609 Pitcaim's Crim. Trials III. 5 For forder manifesta-
tioun of joure extreame and maist vnnaturall mischancie.
t Meschant, a. and sb. Obs. Forms: 5 raes-
chaunt(e, mysch(e)aunt(e, 5, 7 mischaunt,
6 mischand, -eant, mechient, meschante,
mysch(e)ant, mechant, 6-7 mischant, mishant,
meschant. [a. OF. mescheant unlucky, wicked
(mod.F. merchant wicked), oiig. pr. pple. of mes-
cheoir to be unlucky + mes- Mis- + cheoir to fall :—
popular L. *cadere for class. L. cadere. Frequent
in Caxton; in the 16th c. mainly Sc] A. adj.
1. Wicked, bad, base.
a 1450 Knt. de la Tour 126 It is a myschaunt _thinge for
any gentille woman, other to striue or to chide in ani
manere. c 1570 Satir. Poems Reform, xx. 146 All thay yat
dois. .With mischant mynde maling Aganis the treuth. 1639
Reg. Privy Council Scot. Ser. n. III. 4 The. .purging of the
land frome suche a mischaunt persoun. 1649 Bp. Guthrie
Mem. (1702) 6This Meschant Business. .gave the Ministers
Affairs such a Blow, that, .they were never able to make it
up again.
2. Miserable, wretched.
1471 Caxton Recuyell (Sommer) 48 Than he retorned
poure and myschant vnto his fader Tytan. 1530 Palsgr.
318/2 Meschante myserable, meschant.
B. sb. A wretch, a villain.
c 1489 Caxton Sonnes o/Aymon iv. 125 Thenne he sayd
to his children ' Myscbaunt, your ledernes and slouth hath
overcomen you '. 1570 in Spottiswood Hist. C/i. Scot. v.
(1677) 238 They. .had unworthily cut off his Uncle and Re-
gent, by suborning a mischant to kill him treacherously.
a 1585 Poi.wart Flyting iv. Montgomerie 131 Mischiewous
mishant. 1664 Pepys Diary 6 Sept., Cromwell, notwith-
standing the meschants in his time, which were the Cavaliers,
did [etc]-
Hence J Meschantly adv., +Mescnantness.
1491 Caxton Vitas Pair. (W. de W. 1495) n. 256/2 The
tyme that he had lost & wasted in lyuyng myschauntly.
MESCHANTERY.
366
MESENTERIC.
1573 Satir. Poems Reform, xl. 205 Upricht men ar mur-
therit mischantlie. 16*3 in Pitcairn Crim. Trials III. 549
How mischantlie and barbaruslie the innocent Gentillman
was murdreist. 1644 D. Hume Hist. Doug. 153 Which
I confesse is so profound and deep a folly, and mischant-
nesse, that I can by no means sound it. 1661 R. Baili.ie
Lett. <y Jrtils. (1842) III. 468 Mr. Blair, Mr. Dickson, and
Mr. Hutcheson, were, without all cause, mischantly abused
by his pen.
t Meschantery. Obs.rare~\ [f. Mesohant
+ -ery.] A wicked deed.
1665 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (1677) 357 The good man by
that delusive spell is rendred a ridiculous spectator, and
seemingly an assentor to their meschanteries.
Meschaunee, -cheaunce, obs. ff. Mischance.
Meschef, -chief, etc., obs. ff. Mischief.
Meschit^e, -ito: see Mesquita Obs.., mosque.
+ Meschyne. Obs.rare~*. [? a.OF.mesckine,
fern, of meschin, mesquin : see Mesquin. (But cf.
MDu. meskijn girl, wench.)] A bad woman.
1490 Caxton Eucydos xv. 58 This meschyne . . that Ioyeth
her to recyte-.more lesyng than trouth.
Meseita, variant of Mesquita Obs.
Meaclin, obs. form of Maslin 2.
Mescontent, -creance, etc. : see Mis-.
Mescroyance. qxinsi-arch, rare—1, [a. OF.
mescroyance, f. mescroyant : see next.] Misbelief.
1876 Ruskin Fors Clav. lxxii. 383 The elements of Croy-
ance and Mescroyance are always chemically separable.
t Mescroyant. Obs. rare—1, [a. OF. mes-
croyant, var. of mescreiant, mescreant: see Mis-
creant.] A misbeliever.
1711 Hickes Two Treat. Chr. Priesth. (1847) II. 365 The
Church and clergy.. are every day., insulted by every vile
mescroyant, and every blaspheming tongue.
Mescuite, variant of Mesquita, mesquit Obs.
I Mesdames (m*dam). [Fr., pi. of Madame.]
1. The plural of Madame.
c 1573 Gascoigne Posies, Flowers 43 And wherefore mar-
uaile you Mez Dames, I praye you tell mee then. 1774
Gibbon Let. 24 May in Life fy Lett. (1869) 233 The Mes-
dames, by attending their father, have both got the smallpox.
2. Used to supply the want of an Engl. pi. of * Mrs.'
179a Wolcot (P. Pindar) Ode to Margate Hoy 37 My
good friend Johnson— Mesdames Windsor, Kelly. 1879
Iltustr. Lond. News 15 Mar. 258/2 Mesdames Down and
Jamieson.
|| Mesdemoiselles, pi. of Mademoiselle.
1792 W. Roberts Looker-on No. 52 (1795), HI. 27 The
practice among fashionable mothers of committing their chil-
dren to the care of French Mesdemoiselles.
Mesdo, obs. form of Misno.
Mese (mfz), sb.1- Obs. exc. s.w. dial. Also 7-9
meese, 9 meesh, mews, etc. [OE. meos = Flem.
mies (cited Kilian as obsolete), OHG. //«<w(MHG.,
mod.G. dial, mies), ON. myr-r (see Mire sb.) :—
OTeut. types *meirso-z, *weuzo'~s, related by ablaut
to *moson-, ON. mose Moss sb.] Moss.
a 900 tr. Bseda's Hist. hi. ii. § 2 pa brohte him sumne da?l
ealdes meoses, be on bam halgan treo aweaxen was. 13. .
Sir Or/eo 246 (Zielke 1880) 98 pis king mote make his bed
in mese. 14 .. Treat. Gardening in Archxologia LIV. 1.
161 Upon the clay thu schalt mese layne. c 1639 Berkeley
MS. in Clone. Gloss. (E. D, S.), Meese, meesy, 1. e. mosse,
mossy. 1886 Elworthv W. Somerset Word-bk., Mews
(mue'z), moss. 1886 Dorset Gloss., Meesh, moss. 1893
Wiltsh. Gloss., Mesh (<? long), moss or lichen on an old
apple-tree.
i'Mese, sb.2 Obs. Forms: 4-7 mees, 5-6
mes, 5-7 messe, mese, 5-8 mease, meese, 6
meas, meis(s)e, myse, 7-8 mise. [a. OF. mes
masc, mese fern. :— late L. mansum (-ns), mama :
see Manse.] = Messuage.
[13*1-2 Rolls 0/ Par It. I. 405/1 Un mees de iiij" acres
de terre.] 140a Hoccleve Let. Cupid 334 Ne men bereve
hir landes ne hir Mees. 1467 Godstow Reg.^-j Adwellyng
place (or a mese) with a plough-lond. 15J7 in Visit. South'
xvell (Camden) 132 My capitall meas in Ragenhill. 1546
York*. Chantry Snrv. (Surtees) I. 150, j myse buylded
lying in Wodhouse. a 1604 Hanmer Chrou. Irel. (1633) 194
The eldest can demand no more than her sisters ; but the
chiefe mease by reason of her auncienty. 1720 Strype
Stoxv's Snrv. (1754) II. vi. iii. 634/1 In the Palace yard
w ere anciently pales within which were two Messes, the one
called Paradise and the other called the Constabulary. 1729
MS. Indenture estate at Crich, co. Derby, A messuage . .
closes thereto belonging, called the meese, furlongs [etc.].
fig. 1591 Svlvester Du Bartas 1. iv. 239 Thou [Aries] . .
Doest hold the First house of Heav'n's spacious Meese
[Fr. possedant du Ciel la premiere maison).
II Mese (me-sz), sb.'-i [Gt.h€ot)(sc. xopSrj string),
fern, of piffos middle.] In ancient Greek music,
the middle string of the seven-stringed lyre, and
its note ; subsequently, the key-note of any of the
scales in use.
1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 796 The three termes or
bounds which make the intervals in an octave or eight, of
musicke harmonicall, to wit, Nete, Mese, and Hypate, that
is to say, the Treble, the Meane, and the Base. Ibid. 1252
Thus may a man soone perceive . . who plaieth upon a pipe
after the old maner : For by his good will, the Hemitone in
the Mese, will be incom pounded. 1760 Phil. Trans. LI.
700 The antients agree in their accounts of the relative pitch
of the meses. 1905 Athenxum 22 July 122/3 The direct
descendant of the mese in the old Greek music.
Mese (mfz), v. Sc. and north, dial. Forms : 4-5
mes, 4-9 mease, 5 meese, 5, 9 mees, (6 maiss,
meiss, meys,miess, mise), 6-7 meis(e, 4- mese.
[Aphetic f. Amese z>.]
1. trans. To mitigate, assuage, appease, calm (a
person's anger, sorrow, etc.) ; to settle (disputes).
13. . E . E. Allit. P. B. 764 Wylt bou mese by mode &
menddyngabyde? 11440 York Myst. xliii. 238 Nowe might
ber Jewes bare malise meese. c 1450 St. Cutkbert (Surtees)
1051 [>e childe with mylde wordes he meesyd. 1456 Slit G.
Have Law Anus (S.T. S.) 21 Tomes all thir debatis, it was
ordanyt that Rome suld be. . soverane kirk. 1535 Stewart
Cron. Scot. 1 1 . 104 The nobillis . . With fair wordis misit the
multitude, c 1560 A. Scott Poems iS.T. S.) iv. 60 Sum
luvis dance vp and doun, To meiss thair malancoly. 1629
Sir W. Mure Trve Crvcifixe 596 Vet did not mease the
causeless spight. 1781 Kelly Scot. Prov. 138 He should
be sindle angry, that has few to mease hiin. 1862 Hislof
Prov. Scot. 107 If you be angry, sit laigh and mease you.
2. To calm (wind, tempest, etc.), quench (fire).
c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints iii. (St. Andreas) 62 Swyth be gret
fyre can he mes. 1513 Douglas sEncis ill. ii. 2 The blastis
mesit, and the fluidis stabill. 1533 Bkllkndkn Livy 11.
xxiii. (S.T.S.) 227 pe noyes. .was sum parte mesit.
Mese : see Mass sbA, Mease, Mess.
Mesease, obs. form of Misease.
Me Seems (iru'srmz), impers. v. arch. Also
meseemeth. Pa.t. meseemed. [Orig. two words,
me (dative : see Me />ron.1 2 a) and seems 3rd
pers. sing, of Seem v. Cf. Methinks.] It seems
to me. (Used with dependent clause or paren-
thetically.)
r 1400 Maundev. {1839) v. 61, I seydc.that thei diden
synne, to hide Goddis Myracle, as me seemed. 1487 Cax-
ton Bk. Gd. Manners iv. v. (c 1515) I vj, And me semeth y*
the partye that forfayteth his maryage dooth agaynst the
lawe of nature. 1564 Haward Eutropius To Rdr. t For
which causes (me semes) I have taken upon mee. .a hard
enterprize. 1586 A. Day Eug. Secretary 11. (1625) 68 It
were a comfort vnto vs all to see you, hauing beene as me
seemeth very long absent. 1627 W. Sclatf.r Exp. 2 Thess.
(1629) 71 Mee seemes hee makes it something more excel-
lent then Faith it selfe. 1850 Carlyle Latter-d. Pamph.
it. (1872) 47 Meseems I could discover fitter objects of piety !
1859 Tennyson Elaine 672 For they talk'd, Meseem'd, of
what they knew not. 1876 Morris Sigurd (1877) 307 Me-
seemeth this is the hour when men array the dead.
Meseise, obs. form of Misease.
t Me'sel, a. and sb. Obs. Forms: 3-6 mesel,
-el(l)e, (4 meosel, mesale, meseile, mezel,
myssel(e, -ale, musel, mysale), 4, 7 messel 1,
4-6 mesell, mesyl(l, mysel, (6 messille, mesall,
7 mesill, mezill, meazel, S meazle). [a. OF.
W£r<?/ leprous, leper :— L. misellus wretched, wretch,
dim. of miser wretched.] A. adj. Leprous.
a 1300 Cursor M. 14446 And o ten men bat war mesell,..
he gaf til ilkan pair hele. 1340 Aye/16. 202 Naaman bet
wes mezel. £1450 Mirour Saluacioun 4628 Ane horrible
seke mesel man. a 1550 Image ipocr. iv. in Skeltons Wks.
(1843) U- 444 Oh mesell Mendicantes, And mangy Ob-
seruauntes. 1607 R. Qarew] tr. Estieuue's World of Won-
ders 357 Thou meabell wretch.
b. Offish. (So in OF.)
ai^ooChalm. Ayr xx, in Se. Acts (1814) I. 335 Quhen bai
opyn fische bai luke nocht quheder bai be mesale fische or
wane. 1536 Bellenden Cron.Scot. (1821) I. p.xliii, Uthetis
. .brekis thaimself be thair fall, and growis mesall.
c. Of swine: see Measle a.
B. sb.
1. A leper.
1197 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 8963 [She] wess Jje meseles [v.rr.
mysseles, myseles] vet echone. a 1300 Cursor M. 8169
Thoru be.. sal bis mesele, Be sauf and sund of al vnhele.
1362 Langl, P. PI. A. in. 128 As Comuyn as be Cart-wei..
To Preostes, to Minstrals to Mesels in hegges. 1:142a Hoc-
cleve Min. Poems xxiv. 469 He eet ther-of. .But he ther-
thurgh becam a foul mesel. c 1550 Bale A'. Johan (Camden)
82 Both crypple, halte, and blynde, Mad men and mesels.
b. fig. A foul person. (Used in 17th and i8thc.
as a term of abuse.)
c 1422 Hoccleve Jereslaus's Wife yqj Woost thow nat
weel thow art a foul mesel ? Telle out, let see shryue thee
cleene and wel. c 1520 Wyse chylde % Emp. Adrian (W.
de W.) (i860) 14 Those that sellen them [sc. benefices) shall
be mesellys in the soule as Jesse [*". e. Giezi, Gehazi). 1605
L.ond. Prodigal C 2 b. Chif be abaffeled vp and downe for
a messell and a scoundrel. 1606 Choice, Chance, etc. (1881)
6 An old mezill will haue a misers tricke. 1746 Exmoor
Scolding (E.D.S.) 30 What's me-an by that, ya long-hanjed
Meazle?
2. Leprosy. Also transfix an affliction.
c 1375 Cursor M. 11827 (Fairf.) Ouer alle he was with mesel
playne {earlier texts was he mesel plain], c 1400 Prymer in
Maskell Man. Rit. (1847) IL 104 That thou fouche suaf to. .
releeue the meselis [L. miserias] of pore men and thrallis.
1470-85 Mm.or\ Arthur xvn.xl. 705 Whanne she had layne
a grete whyle she felle vnto a mesel. 1530 Palsgr. 244/2
Mesyll the sickenesse, mesellerie.
3. attrib., as mesel-eote, house.
1402 Will of Neve (Somerset Ho.), Les meselcotes in Kent-
strete. C1330 R. BrunneCAw«. (1810) 136 To meseile houses
of b^t same lond, pre bousand mark vnto ber spense he fond.
Mesel, Mesalade : see Measle, Malasade.
t Me'Seled, ppl. a. Obs. Also 7 raeasel'd,
meselled, mezel'd. [f. Mesel + -ed.] Leprous.
Cf. Measled a.
1607 Chapman Busty D"Ambois Plays 1873 II. 126 Not
a pezzants entrailes you shall finde More foule and mezel'd.
1611 Cotgr., Meseau, a meselled, scuruie, leaporous, lazarous
person, a 1616 Beaum. & Fl. Scornf. Lady 11. iii, Stewe-
ard, you are an Asse, a measePd mungrell.
Hence + Meseledness.
1611 Cotgr. Meseldnesse, leprosie, scurvinesse.
Meself, Obs. : see Myself.
+ Me'seling, a. Obs. [f. Mesel a. -r -ing 2.]
Leprous; full of disease.
c 1425 Macro Plays (E.E.T.S.) 144 In meselynge glotonye
. .1 norche my syster Lecherye.
Meseile, -elled, obs. ff. Measle, Measled.
[f. Mesel a. +
i2 (S.T.S.)
+ Me'Selness. Obs. rare'
-WEss.j Leprosy.
c 1520 M. Nisbet Nezu Test, in Scots Luke v.
I. 207 A man full of meselnes [Wyclif lepre].
t Me'Selry. Obs. Forms : see Mesel, [a. OF.
mesel{J)erie, t. mesel Mesel: see -R\\] Leprosy.
a 1300 Cursor M. 29185 par was a woman hight mari, £at
sumtime wat \J read smetyn was; Cotton Gatt>a has was
smetyn] wit meselri. C1330 R. Brlnne Citron. (1810) 140
For foule meselrie he comond with no man. 14.. Nom. in
Wr.-Wulcker 707/24 Hec lepra, a mesylery. 1496 Dives
$ Paup. (W. de W.) ix. iv. 350 Giezi was smyten with foule
myselrye. c 1500 Rowlis Cursing 45 in Laing Anc. Poet.
Scotl., Maigram, madness or missilry. c 1520 M. Nisbet
New Test, in Scots Luke v. 13 And anon the meselrie passit
away fra him. 1623 tr. Favine's Theat. Hon. 111. x. 447
Infected with LeaproMe, Meazelrie, and the like.
b. Measly condition (of swine).
1587 Mascall Govt. Cattle, Hogges (1627) 265 The cause
of measelry in a hog.
t Mcsely, a. Obs. Tn 6 misly, 7 meezlie,
mezely. [u Mesel + -y.] Leprous; in quots. a
term of contempt ; cf. Measly.
a 1585 Montgomerie Fly ting 7v. Pohvart 754 MUly kyt !
and thou flyt, He dryt in thy gob. a 1693 UtqnharCs
Rabelais in. xlviii. 386 There is no scurvy, mezely, leprous
or pocky Ruffian [etc].
absol. 01640 Dav Percgr. Schol. Wks. 1881 I. 44 For
Lerneing che could not abid un, the fowle meezlie wod Imake
a game playe on un & send [etc.].
II Mesembryantheuium (mese mbria-nj/-
mz>m). Bot. [mod.L., miswritten for *mesertt'
brianthemum, ad. assumed Gr. type *fi«TT]ri^ptdpOi-
fiov, f. ftc<7T]fxfipia noon + avBtnov flower.
The name, rendered in Eng. as Midday fiower and in
Ger. as Mittagsblume, refers to the fact that several species
open their flowers only for a short time at mid-day.]
The typical genus of the N.O. Mesembryace&\
a plant of this genus, a fig-marigold.
[1753 Chambers Cycl. Snpp. s. v., Mesembryanthemum,
in botany, the name by which Dillenius, Linnaeus, and
others, have called the plants usually named Ficoides] 1825
Greenhouse Comp. I. 105 Mesembryanthemums require it
[sc. water] chiefly when they are in flower. 1884 Mrs. C.
Prafd Ziro xxi, Giey walls were ablaze with mesembry-
anthemum.
Mesen, obs. form of Mizen*.
Mesencephal e (mesenseial). Anat, [a.
F. mesencephale.] = Mesencephalon.
1839-47 Todd's Cycl. Anat. III. 684/2 The mesocephale
or mesencephale. The name was suggested by Chaussier.
1889 Buck's Handbk. Med. Sci. VIII. 128/2 In early em-
bryonic stages the mesencephal is the most conspicuous
region of the entire brain.
Mesencephalic (mesens/Tse'lik), a. Anat.
[f. Mesencephalon + -IC. Cf. cephalic] Pertain-
ing to or connected with the mesencephalon.
1854 Owen Skel. <y Teeth in Circ. Sci. I. Org. Nat 193 The
mesencephalic vertebra. 1880 Gunther Fishes 86 Mesence-
phalic arch.
II Mesencephalon (mesense'falfm). Anal.
[mod.L., f. Gr. pta-os middle + l*ini<pa\ov En-
cephalon.] The mid-brain.
1846 Owen Vertebr. Artim. II. 177 The next succeeding
primary division of the brain, is called the ' mesencephalon .
1875 Huxley in Encycl. Brit. I. 767/1 The mesencephalon
is divided above.. into two optic lobes.
II Mesenchyma (mese'rjkima). Biol, Also
anglicized mesenchyme (me'seijkaim). [mod.L.
mesenchyma, f. Gr. fiia-os middle + <7xi'Ma infu-
sion.] The cellular tissue which, arising from the
hypoblast or the epiblast, constitutes, in some of
the lower forms of animal life, the mesoblast.
Also attrib. in mesenchyme cell '=Mesamceboid.
1888 Roli.eston Si. Jackson Anim. Life Gen. Introd. 28
The cells arise as immigrants (mesenchyme cells) from the
walls of the blastosphere. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex. 1904 Brit.
Med. Jrul. 10 Sept. 584 The primary leucocytes, or wander-
ing mesenchyme cells.
Hence Mesenchymal, Mesenchymatous adjs.,
pertaining to the mesenchyma.
1886 Buck's Handbk. Med. Sci. III. 194/1 The ordinary
mesenchymal cells. 1886 jfrnl. Roy. Microsc. Soc. Feb. 54
The body-cavity [of the Polyzoa] contains 'mesenchymatous '
(Hertwig) elements.
Mesenterial (mesentimal), a. [f. med.Lr
mesentcrinm Mesentery* -al.] = Mesenteric.
1605 Tim me Quersit. Ded. 2 The anatomizing of every
mesenteriall veine. 1880 Gunther Fishes 128 The com-
mencement and end of the intestinal tract are fixed by me-
senterial folds. 1890 Nature 20 Mar. 457 The mesenterial
filaments of the Alcyonarians.
Mesenteric (mesente'rik), a. [ad. mod.L. me-
sentericus, f. mesenterium Mesentery : see -ic.]
Pertaining to, connected with, or affecting the
mesentery.
1656 Blount Glossogr. s.v. Artery, Mesenterique Arteries,
are two, an upper, which distributes it self among the small
guts, and an under one, which goes to the lower part of
the Mesentery. 1710 T. Fuller Pharm. Extemp. 129 The
Hark., being the cause of. .Mesenteric Obstructions. 1836
J. M. Gullv Magendie's Formul. (ed. 2) 105 M. Brera is
not the only one who has given iodine in mesenteric disease.
MESENTERIPORM.
So f Mesente'rical a. Hence Mesente'rically
adv., like the mesentery.
1664 Power Exp. Philos. in. 191 The Mesenterial and
Thoracical Lacteae. 1829 J. L. Knapp JrnL Nat. 130
Bolton and Micheli represent the pileus as cellular, like
a honeycomb. All that I have seen are mesenterically
puckered.
Mesente'riform, a. rare. [f. Mesentery +
-(i)form.] Resembling the mesentery.
1846 Dana Zooph. (1848) 708 Mesenteriform, consisting of
suberect plicately aggregated laminae.
II Mesenteritis imesenterai'tis). [mod.L., f.
mesenterium Mesentery : see -itis.] Inflamma-
tion of the mesentery.
1802 Turton Med. Gloss. 1844 Hoblyn Did. Med.
II Mesenteron (mese-nterpn). [mod.L., f. Gr.
pia-os middle + ivripov gut, bowel.] ' The diges-
tive portion of the primitive alimentary canal or
archenteron' (Syd. Soe. Lex.). Hence Mesen-
teronic a. (in recent Diets.).
1877 Ray Lankester in Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Set. 431 As
archenteron divides into parentera and metenteron, so met-
enteron divides into hepaicntera or hepatic caeca and
mesenteron. 1893 A. E. Shipley Zool. Invert. 312 Two
long white tubes— the Malpighian tubules— open into the
posterior end of the mesenteron.
Mesentery (me'senteri). Also 6 mis-, [ad.
med.L. mesenterium, a Gr. fieaivTtpiov, f. nio-os
middle + cvti pov intestine. Cf. F. me'sentere.']
1. Anat. A fold of peritonaeum which attaches
some part of the intestinal canal (in restricted use,
the jejunum and ileum only) to the posterior wall
of the abdomen.
1547 IjOordf. Brev. Health 11. xlv. 14 The misentery
whiche is a pellycle or a skyn the whiche doth tye the
guttes together. _ 1663 Boyle Use/. Exp. Nat. Philos. 11. i.
10 The discoveries of the milky Vessels in the Mesentery
by Asellius. 1718 J. Chamberlayne Relig. Philos. (1730) I.
iv. § 11 Notwithstanding all its Turnings, it [sc. the liowels]
is fastened in such a Manner to the Mesentery, that it is
not possible for the Food to mistake its Way. 1872 MlVART
Elem. Anat. ix. (1873) 403 Those folds of membrane, the
mesenteries which suspend the viscera from the backbone.
|| 0. In Latin and Greek forms mesenterium,
mesenterion, (+ mezentereon).
1541 R. Copland Gnydon's Quest. Chirurg. H iv b, Howe
may the Mezentereon be knowen by Anathomy? 1504
T. B. La Primaiid. Fr. Acad. 11. 350 The manifolde knitt-
ing of it [sc. the ileum] to the mesenterium. 1631 Widdowks
Nat. Philos. 63 The lesse principall parts of concoction, are
the gutts and mesenterion. 1857 L. Agassiz Contrib. Nat.
Hist. U.S.A. II. 601 To form a pendent double curtain,
or support of the intestine, the mesenterium.
2. Zool. (pi.) The vertical plates which divide
the body cavity in actinozoa.
1861 J. R. Greene Man. Anim. Kingd., Coelent. 172 In
Cerianthus two of the mesenteries descend.. almost to the
orifice at the base of the general cavity. 1875 Huxley in
Encycl. Brit. I. 129/2 Thin membranous lamellae, the so-
called mesenteries, which radiate from the oral disk and the
lateral walls of the body to the parietes of the visceral tube.
3. a/trib. and Comb.
1626 Bacon Sylva § 44 The Mesentery Veines. 1846 Dana
Zooph. iv. (1848) 35 A thin and extensile membrane, which
has a mesentery-like appearance.
t Mese-place. Obs. Also 5 mesplaoe, 7 cor-
ruptly meest place, 7-8 mise-place. [f. Mese
sb.l + Place sb.] = Mese sb.1
14. . Voc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 5^6/6 Messuaginm, a niesplace.
1441 in W. P. Baildon Sel. Cases Chanc. (1896) 131 To bye
of hym a mees-place. 1523 Fitzherb. Surv. xx. (1539) 41
I. B. holdeth a mese place frelyof the lord by charter. 1607
Norden Surv. Dial. 11. 55 The parcell of the Land lately
belonging to this heriotable meest place. 1672 CoivcUs
Inttrpr., Mease,. .in some places called corruptly a Misc
or Miseplacc.
Meseraic, -ai(c)k, etc., obs. ff. Mesaraic.
Mesereon, obs. form of Mezereon.
Mesestead. Forms: a. 6 meastead, mes-
tede, 6-7 meestead, 7-8 measestead, mested.
0. 7 misted. 7. 7 meadstead, 7-9 midstead.
8. 7 meerstead, 9 merestead. [f. Mese sb.2 +
Stead sb. The 7 and 5 forms are etymologizing
perversions, due to association with Mead sb. and
Mere sb.- respectively.] A messuage.
«• 1546 Yorks. Chantry Surv. (Surtees) I. 179 One mes-
tede in Exthorpe. 1590 Crt. Rolls Manor 0/ Dewsbury in
N. A> Q. Qth Ser. V. 349/2 A messuage or tenement called
meestead or the New Walles. 1622 MS. Indenture Sir R.
SwtfUt Estate at Doncasler, All those several meesteads
as they now lie unbuilt upon and walled in from the street.
° y? De.la Pryme Diary (Surtees) 316 A larg map of y«
whole parish, having every field, ing, close, mested, croft,
cavel, intack, &c...init. 1714 Lond. Gaz. No. 5204/8 A
Messuage or Measestead, where a House or Barn formerly
stood. '.
,\ «*fi Plymouth Col. Rec. (1855) I. 16 Richard Higgens
hath bought of Thomas Little his now dwelling house and
misted. Ibid. 18, 24, 45.
y. 1637 Plymouth Col. Rec. (1855) I. 57 A midstead is
/I v"' i °- Geor?e Russell in the towne of Plymouth. 1640
toid. 145 Willm Sherman is graunted a meadstead about the
Money Brooke, in Duxborrow. 1896 S. O. Addy in N. A> Q.
8th ber. X. 349 In the township of Royston, near Barnsley,
r/'-j %S e'»n,een freeholders .. known as ' midstead owners '.
Ibid. , For more than two centuries the 'midstead owners'
nave kept a book in which their rules and ordinances . . have
been recorded, [bid. 470 A certain number of houses were
known as ' midstead houses '.
367
&. c 1620 Plymouth Col. Rec. XII. 3 The meersteads and
garden plotes of [those] which came first. 1858 Longf. Af.
Standish viii. 4 Busy with hewing and building, with
garden-plot and with mere-stead. [1883 New Eng. Hist, fy
Gen. Reg. XXXVII. 277 Peter Brown, whose first house
and ' meerstead ' was on the south side of Leyden Street.]
Mesethmoid (mese*)mioid). Anat. [f. Gr.
fx4(T-os middle + Ethmoid.] The middle ethmoid
bone. Also altrih. in mesethmoid cartilage.
1875 C. C. Blake Zool. 46 The ossified portion of the mes-
ethmoid. 1875 Huxlev & Martin Elem. Biol. (1877) 193
The Olfactory organs are two wide sacs which occupy all
the space between the mesethmoid cartilage, the antorbital
processes, and the premaxillae and maxillae.
So Mesethmoidal (in recent Diets.).
Meseyn, Meseyse : see Mizex, Misease.
Mesfeat, variant of Misfait Obs.
Mesh (me/), sb. Forms : 6-7 meishe, meash,
6-8 (9 dial.) mash, (8 marsh), 6- mesh. [Known
only from the 16th c. ; cogn. w. OE. ?nax (? *m&sc.)
neut., net and ON. mgskve (see Mask s&A) ; but
the precise nature of the relation is undetermined.
The Teut. Iangs. have words with this meaning repre-
senting two ablaut-types: (1) OTeut. ymash- (OE, max,
'!*m#sc?neut. ; OHG. viasca, MHG., mod.G. masche fern.;
M.Du. masche fern. ; ON. moskve, Norw. moske wk. masc. ;
Sw. maska, Da. maskc fern, are from LG.) ; (2) OTeut.
*m£sk- (OHG. masca, MHG. 1 masche; MDu. maesche\
The Eng. form mash would regularly represent an OK.
*ma>sc, but the OE. word occurs only once in the metathetic
form max, and in that instance means ' a net '. The 16th c.
forms meishe, meash, indicate a pronunciation with long
vowel, mej; for the shortening to mesh ct. flesh. On the
whole, on account of the absence of the word in ME., its
form-history in the t6th c, and the fretmency with which
fishing terms were adopted from Du., it seems not im-
probable that meash (shortened to mesh) and mash repre-
sent adoptions respectively of the MDu. forms maesche and
masche. The resemblance between the Eng. form marsh
(18th c.) and the Flemish maersche (Stallaertj is prob. acci-
dental.
The Teut. *m,vsk- (: *mask-) is cognate with the Lithu-
anian mezgii I knit, mazga-s knot.]
1. One of the open spaces or interstices of a net,
the size of which is determined by the distance of
adjacent knots from one another. Also, the similar
space in any network, as a sieve.
1558-9 Act 1 Eliz. c. 17 § 3 Onely withe Nett or Tramell,
wherof every Meshe or Maske shalbee twoo ynches and a
half broade. 1586 Ferne Blaz. Gentrie n. 33 A Mascle in
Armory, is a representation of the mash of a net. 1615 E. S.
Britahi's Buss in Arb. Garner III. 629 Netting (of sixty
masks or mashes or holes deep). 1727 De Foe Hist. Appar.
iv. (1840) 44 They are like those foolish fish that are caught
in large nets, that might get out at every square of the
mesh. 1747 Gentl. Mag. 311 The mashes of the iron wire
sieve were, .small. 1749 Wealth Gt. Brit. 49 The marshes
of the nets.. are to be one inch square. 1839 Ure Diet*
Arts 577 The masses are.. sifted through sieves having 20
meshes in the square inch. 1873 Act 36 # 37 Vict. c. 71 § 39
(4), Such mesh shall not be less than one and a half inch from
knot to knot. 1879 Plmin Knitting, etc. 46 Pass the twine
round the mesh-stick from above to form the mesh.
b. pi. The threads or cords which bound the
interstices of a net ; hence (also collect, sing.) net- j
work, netting.
160a Carew Cornwall 32 Square nets, -thorow which the
schoell of Pilchard passing, leaue many behind intangled in
the meashes. 1685 Dryden Hot'ace Epode ii. 52 To betray ;
The Larkes that in the Meshes light. 1734 Phil. Trans.
XXXVIII. 235 The Mashes, or Filaments of the Net are
not very perceptible, i860 Pusey Min. Proph. 47 The net,
with its thin light meshes. 1879 Harlan Eyesight iii. 41 :
If we hold a veil between our eyes and a book, we can \
either read through it, or see its meshes distinctly, but we
cannot do both at the same time.
2. Jig. chiefly with reference to entanglement in I
a snare.
1540-1 Elyot Image Go-'. 20 It shall be almost impossible
for hym to escape, but that in one meishe or other he shall '
be tangled. 1596 Shaks. Merch. V. in. ii. 122 Here in her 1
haires The Painter plaies the Spider, and hath wouen A
golden mesh t' intrap the hearts of men. 1613 Fletcher,
etc. Captain in. iv, I doubt mainly, I shall be i' the mash
too. 1648 Herrick Hesper., On Julia's Haire, 'Tis I am
wild, and more then haires Deserves these mashes and these
snares. 1754 Fielding JrnL Voy. Lisbon (1755) 204 While j
a fisherman can break through the strongest meshes of an '
act of parliament, we [etc.]. 1823 Scott Peveril xlvii, The [
strongest meshes that the laws of civil society ever wove to 1
limit the natural dignity of man. 1897 Gladstone E. Crisis
15 Greece has extricated it from the meshes of diplomacy.
3. trans/. Network, interlaced structure : a. in j
animal and vegetable bodies.
171a Blackmore Creation vi. 380 The greatest Portion of j
th' Arterial Blood, By the close Structure of the Parts with-
stood, Whose narrow Meshes stop the grosser Flood By apt
Canals [etc.]. 1834 McMl'rtrie Cuvier's Anim. Kingd. \
259 The branchiae usually consist of large lamellee covered j
with vascular meshes. 1884 Bower & Scott De Bary's I
Phaner. 285 Very elongated meshes are found in the runner-
like branches of the rhizome of Struthiopteris.
b. in other things.
1818 Keats Endymion \\. 312 The ivy mesh, Shading its
Ethiop berries. 1858 Carlyle Fredk. Gt. x. i. (1872) III.
198 The loitering waters straggle, all over that region, into
meshes of lakes, i860 Tyndall Glac. 11. v. 250 Air which
was originally entangled in the meshes of the fallen snow.
4. Machinery, [f. Mesh vJ\ See quot.
1875 Knight Diet. Mech., Mesh. 1. {Gearing.) Or mash.
The engagement of the teeth of wheels with each other or
with an adjacent object, as the rack, in a rack and pinion
movement.
MESH-WORK.
5. Short for mesh-stick.
1882 Caulfeild & Saward Diet. A'eedleiuork, s. v., Im-
plements made of ivory, bone, or boxwood, and employed
in Embroidery and Netting, are known as Meshes.
6. attrih. and Comb. }ns mesh-pin ; mesh- like adj.,
mesh nett screen; mesh-stick, 'a flat slat with
rounded ends, used to form the mesh of nets, the
loops being made over it and knotted on its edge*
(Knight Diet Mech. 1875).
1845 J. F.South Zool. in" Encycl. Meirofi. VII. 262/2
The *mesh-like spaces of the cavernous bodies. 1883 Sir
A. Shka Newfoundland Fisheries 12 (Fish. Exhib. PubU,
Herrings are taken in *mesh nets and in seines. 1795 in
Atridgm. Specif. Patents, Needles, etc. (1871) 2 [Bell,
William.— Manufacturing] all sorts of needles, .. netting
needles, *mesh pins, and sail needles. 1877 Raymond
Statist. Mines <r Mining 426 Dry ore, sized between 10 and
20 *mesh screens (to the linear inch). 1879 Mesh-stick [see
sense j].
Mesh ''niej"), v. Also 6 meash, masshe, 7
meishe, 6-8 mash. [f. Mesh sb., but found some-
what earlier in our quots.]
1. trans. To catch in the meshes of a net.
a 1547 St'RREY in 'Potters Misc. (Arb.) 7,1 know.. How
snial a net may take and meash a hart of gentle kinde. 1843
Lytton Last Bar. m. iii, And shew him how even the lion
may be meshed. 1888 Whitby Gaz. 23 Nov. 3/1 The large
ones cannot get meshed in the small meshes.
2. transf. and fig. or in figurative context : To
entangle, involve inextricably.
1532 More Co/t,nt. Tindale Wks. 491/1 Luther was hym-
selfe also so meshed in thys matter, .. that [etc.]. 1583
Stocker Civ. Warres Lowe C. 11. 67 And so bee masht in
the net, by fayre speeches. 1627 Drayton Quest Ciuthia
121 The Flyes by chance mesht in her hayre. 1789 E.
Darwin Bot. Card. 11. (1791) in Fine hapless swains.. The
harlot meshes in her deathful toils. 1836 Lytton Athens
(1837) II.562 Headlong from the car Caught and all meshed
within the reins he fell. 1848 Kingslky SainVs 'Frag. iv.
iii. 141 Poor soul whose lot is fixed here Meshed down by
custom.
3. reft, and intr. (for rcfi. or pass.). To become
enmeshed or entangled.
1589 Warner Alb. Eng. vi. xxix. (1602) 144 She pitched
Tewe, he masshed. 1594 Plat Jewell-ho. in. 54 [The fish]
will run forwarde and mash themselues in the tramell. 1604
Parsons ydPt. Three Convers. Ping., Relation of 'Trial 215
As a hare in the nett [he] mesheth himselfe more and more
by struglinge. 1801 Pennant Journ, Lond. to Isle of
Wight 72 After which they [mackarel] will not mesh, but
are caught with hooks. 1827 in J. G. Gumming /. of Man
(1848) 312 In the summer fishery the herrings always mesh
with their heads to the north. 1864 J. Brlce in Glasgcnv
Daily Herald 24 Sept., When the herring are very large
they swim lazily, and do not mesh well.
b. intr. (machinery.) Of the teeth of a wheel,
etc. : To be engaged with another piece of ma-
chinery.
1875 Knight Diet. Mech. 1383/2 Mangle-rack, a rack
having teeth on opposite sides, engaged by a pinion which
meshes with the opposite sides alternately. 1895 Outing
(U. S.) XXVII. 55/1 Wooden cogs, which meshed into a
horizontal wheel.
+ C. intr. To thread one's way through. Obs,
1665 Hooke Microgr. 214, I.. have seen it [a Mite] very
nimbly meshing through the thickets of mould.
4. trans, f a. To make meshes in. Obs.
1666 Third Adv. Painter 20 Our stiffe Sayls, Masht and
Netted into Lace.
b. To construct the meshes of (a net), rare"1.
[1615 : see Meshing vbl. sb.] 1882 Harper's Mag. LXV.
5 Mending old nets and meshing new ones.
Mesh : see Mash, Mease, Meuse.
Meshed (mejt), a. [f. Mesh sb. + -ED 2.]
Having the form or appearance of mesh-work ;
tangled, intricate. Also, intricately marked with.
1664 Power Exp. Philos. 1. n Her eyes are most neatly
latticed or mashed like a net. 1776-96 Withering Brit.
Plants (ed. 3) IV. 57 Wrinkled or meshed, with hollows on
each side. 1878 H. M. Stanley Dark Cont. I. x. 221 The
tangle of meshed undergrowth. 1899 AllbutCs Syst. Med.
IV. 119 It commonly shows several little pits on its surface,
which give it a meshed appearance.
Meshese, obs. form of Misease.
Meshing (me'Jii)),^/. sb. [f. Meshz;. + -ing*.]
The making of meshes in a net.
1615 Crooke Body of Man 904 Their coniunction is like
the Meishing of a net or Plashing of a hedge. 1884 Paton
in Encycl. Brit. XVII. 359/1 A little practice in meshing is
sufficient to develop wonderful dexterity of movement.
b. attrib. : meshing -knot, a knot used in mak-
ing meshes; meshing-net (also mashing-), a net
in which fish are caught in the meshes by their
gills.
1795 Hutton Math. Diet. s. v. Knot, Fig. 10, a Meshing
knot, for nets ; and is to be drawn close. 1883 E. P. Ramsay
Food-Fishes N. S. Wales 5 ( Fish. Exhib. PubU, The ordinary
drawing-seines and mashing-nets.
Me'Shing,///. a. [-ing 2.] Entangling.
1586 Warner Alb. Eng. n. xi. 47 By any pleasant tale, Or
dazeling toye of mashing loue.
Me*sh-WOrk. Meshes collectively; structure
consisting of meshes ; network, lit. and^/r^.
1830 Lindley Nat. Syst. Bot. 263 A meshwork of cellular
tissue. 1844 Stephens Bk. Farm II. 280 A riddle consists
of open mesh-work forming its bottom.
attrib. 1854 J. Scoffern in Orr's Circ. Sci., Chem. 222
A mesh-work cage of wire gauze. 1899 AllbutPs Syst.
Med. VII. 171 A porous meshwork structure.
MESHY.
368
MESNALTY.
Meshy (me^i). a. [f. Mesh sb. + -y.] Con- i
sisting of meshes.
160a Carew Cornwall, ' Lines on Sammon ' 29 b, Some build i
his house but bis thence issue barre. Some make bis meashie |
bed, but reaue his rest. 1726 Pope Odyss. xxii. 427 And ,
scarce the meshy toils the copious draught contain. 1869
Tozer Highl. Turkey II. 156 The net's meshy folds.
Mesiad (mrzised, mesised), adv. [f. Mesi-al i
+ -ad: see Dextrad adv. Cf. Mesad.J Towards
the median line of a body.
1803 J. Barclay New Anat. Nomencl. 166 In the bead
and trunk, Mesiad will signify towards the mesial aspect.
1857 Goodsir in Edinb. New Philos. Jrnl. V. 150 Situated
mesiad of any part of this bone.
Mesial (mrzial, mesial;, a. [irreg.f. Gr. pia-os
middle + -IAL.] Pertaining to, situated in, or
directed towards the middle line of a body ; = Me-
dian aA 2. Also, situated mesially with respect to.
1803 J. Barclay New Anat. Nomencl. 144 Supposing
the falx a mesial plane. 1808 — Muscular Motions 374
Where clavicles are present, the heads of the scapulae are
removed farther from the mesial line. 1880 Gunther Fishes
69 The hyoid consists generally of a pair of long and strong
lateial pieces, and a single mesial piece. 1899 Allbtitt's
Syst. Med. VI. 786 Bechterew places the sensory fibres of
the cranial nerves mesial to the fillet in the pons Varolii.
Mesially (mrziali, me'siali), adv. [f. prec. 4-
-LY^.j In a mesial position or direction.
1849-52 Todtfs Cyd. Anat. IV. 939/2 The chin is thrust
forward mesially when both joints are affected. 1899 All'
butt's Syst. Med. VII. 274 The most mesially situated fibres '
of the crus.
Mesian (mrzian, mesian), a. [irreg. f. Gr.
^€ff-os middle + -ian.] = Mesial.
1837 \V. Stokes Diagn. <$■ Treatm. Dis. Chest 1. ii. (N.
Syd. Soc.) 164 The morbid signs extend across the mesian 1
line. 1862 H. \V. Flller Dis. Lungs 7.
Mesidine (me*sidin\ Chem. [f. Mesi(tyl) +
-idine as in cumidine (G. Maule 1849: seeNiTRO- \
mesidine).] An oily liquid obtained by boiling
nitro-mesitylene with tin and hydrochloric acid.
1866 Odling Aniitr. Client. 60 Certain highly complex
bodies procurable from vinegar, such as me.iidine CfjHnN*,
and nitro-mesidine C9H12N2O2.
Mesio-, used as combining form of Mesial.
1803 J. Barclay New Anat. Nomencl. 174 The position
of the heart in the thorax will be expressed by the two
compounds vtesio-sinistral and atlanto sacral. 1872 Hum-
phry Obserz1. Myology 107 Especially is this the casein
the ' mesio-dorsal ' part of the lateral muscle.
Mesion (mrzian, me'si^n). Anat. [irreg. f.
Gr. /if'c-os middle.] = Meson.
1803 J. Barclay Anat. Nomencl. 121 Suppose a plane, to
fiass along the middle of the neck, the mediastinum, and
inea alba, and to dividing [sic] the neck and the trunk into
similar halves. .and let this plane he denominated Mesion.
Mesistem (me*sistem). Hot. Shortened form
of MeSOMERISTEM. 1884 [see Perimeristem].
Mesite (mrsait). Chem. Also mesit. fad.
mod.L. mesita, mesites, a. Gr. pca'trr}? go-between,
f. pta-os middle. Cf. F. me'site.]
T" 1. A name given to acetic ether, * because it
holds a middle place between alcohol and ether'
{Syd. Soc. Lex.). Obs.
1838 T. Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies 366 Reichenbach
considers mesite as identical with acetone.
2. (See quot. 1865.)
1842 T. Graham Elem. Chem. 836 Mesite. 1849 Kane '
Elem. Chem. (ed. 2) 826 Mesit. 1865 Watts Diet. Chem.t i
Mesite, an oxygenated oil. .said to be obtained by distilling ,
lignone with sulphuric acid. (Wiedemann and Schweizer.)
Mesitene (me-sitfn). Chem. [f. Mesite + |
-ene. Cf. F. mesitene.'] A volatile oil resembling
mesite (sense 2).
1842 T. Graham Elem. Chem. 836 Mesiten. 1855 Watts
tr. Gmelt'n's Handbk. Chem. IX. 52 Mesitene. Produced
by distilling lignone, mesite, or xylitic naphtha with oil of
vitriol, a 1864 Gesner Coal, Petrol., etc. (1865) 89 Mesetine. 1
1865 Watts Diet. Chem.
Mesitic (m/si'tik), a. Chem. [f. Mesityl + -ic. !
Cf. F. mi si ti que.] Derived from mesityl : see quots.
1838 R. D. Thomson New Chan. Subst. in Brit. Ann.
?44 Mesitic ether. 1855 Watts tr. GmeUn's Handbk. Chem.
X. 6, 27, etc. 1865 — Diet. Chem., Mesitic Alcohol. A
name given to_ acetone, on the supposition that it is an i
alcohol containing the radicle mesityl, C^H"', isomeric with
allyl.. . Meiitic Ether. Syn. with Oxide of Mesityl.
Mesitine (me'sitin). Mm. [ad. G. mesitin
(inesitinspaih, A. Breithaupt 1827), f. Gr. fxeairrjs
go-between, ' because its rhombohedron is inter-
mediate in angle between magncsite and side-rite'
(A. H. Chester).] Carbonate of magnesium and
iron, called also mesitine-spar. AlsoMe'sitite.
1828 Edinb. Jrnl. Sci. VIII. 181 Mesitine-spar. 1865
Watts Diet. Chem., MesitinSpar.. .Ilreunnerite, Pisto-
mesite. This mineral occurs in rhombohedral crystals iso-
morphous with spathic iron ore and magnesite. 1868 Dana
Syst. Miu. (ed. 5) II. 687 Mesitite.
Mesityl (me-sitil). Chem. Also mesitule.
[Formed as Mesite + -yl.] The hypothetical
radical of acetone. Hence Mesitylene (m/si'tilfn),
1 a hydrocarbon, isomeric with enmene, produced
by the action of sulphuric acid upon acetone *
(Watts) ; Mesitylenic a., derived from mesity-
lene ; Mesitylic a., derived from or containing
mesityl; Mesitylol (mcsrtilpl) = Mesitylene.
1838 R. D. Thomson New Chem. Subst. in Brit. Ann. 332
Mesitylene. 1855 Watts tr. Gmelin*s Handbk. Chem. IX.
17 Mesitylene or Mesitylol C6H*. Ibid. 27 Chloride of
Mesityl. 1859 Fownes' Chem. 397 It has received the
name mesitilole. Ibid., An organic salt-basyle, containing
CfiH5, to which the name of «/«//y/ has been given. 1873
Williamson Chem. § 289 The so-called mesitylic oxide
(C"H10O), which has been considered as the ether of acetone.
1885 Remsen Org. Chem. (.1888)246 Mesitylene.. when boiled
with dilute nitric acid,, .yields mesitylenic acid, C9H10O2.
Meskal, variant of Miskal.
Mesked, -keeto, -kite, etc., var. ff. Mesquita.
Meskin(s,Meslade: seeMASKixs, Malasade.
t Mesle. Her. Obs. [Subst. use of OF. mesle'
pa. pple., see next.] A partition by an indented
or irregular line.
1562 Leigh Armorie 134 b, Nowe I will shewe you
of nyne sondry mesles whiche are so called, because they
enter meddell the one within the other, contrary to plaine
particion. 1586 Fernf. Blaz. Gcntrie 204.
II Mesle (e, a- Her. Oh. [OF. mesh1 pa. pple.
oi mesle r (mod.F. meter) to mix.] (See quots.)
163a GuiLLiM Heraldry vi. vi. (ed. 2) betw. 420-1 The
Marquesse his Coronet is Mesle'e, that is, part flowred and
part pyramidal! pearled. 1894 Parker s Gloss. Her., Mesle":
mingled. Used by a few old writers in describing a field of
metal and colour in equal proportions, as gyronny, paly.
Mesledine, meslen, etc.: see Maslin2,
Mesmeree*, ( the person on whom a mesmerist
operates' (Ogilvie 1882).
Mesmerian (mezmi>rian), a. and sd. rare.
[f. Mesmer (see Mesmerism) + -ian. Cf. F. mes-
merien.'\ a. adj. Mesmeric, b. sb. A follower of
Mesmer, a believer in mesmerism.
1802 Acerbi Trav. I. 271 The mesmerians . .have their
minds so heated by the extraordinary .. aspect of those
phenomena [etc.]. 1840 Eraser's Mag. XXI. 533 The
knight did not try the Mesmerian process on himself.
Mesmeric (mezme'rik), a. [f. Mesmer (see
Mesmerism) + -ic] Pertaining to, characteristic
of, producing, or produced by mesmerism. Mes-
meric passes : see Pass sb.- n.
1829 R. Chenevix in Land. Med. <$- Phys. yrnl. VI. 222
This day, after mesmerising her for nine minutes, she fell
into mesmeric sleep. Ibid. VII. 117 Ireland having been
thus put to sleep by my mesmeric action. 1847 Dickens
Haunted M. (C. D. ed.) 210 This example had a powerful,
and apparently, mesmeric influence on him of the boots.
1876 C. M. Davies U north. Loud. (ed. 2) 55 She was making
mesmeric passes.
So Mesmerical a. {rare) in the same sense ;
Mesmerically adv., by means of mesmerism.
1840 C. H. Townshend Each in Mesmerism 11. ii. 115 A
cousin of mine could not be influenced by me mesmerically.
Ibid. iii. 204 While he was sleeping mesmerically. 1852
Hawthorne Blithedale Rom. I. vi. 102 Zenobia's sphere ..
transformed me, during this period of my weakness, into
something like a mesmerical clairvoyant. 1862 Lytton Str.
Story I. go Armed with a lock of Lilian s hair and a glove
she had worn, as the media of mesmerical rapport.
Mesmerism (me'zmeriz'm). [f. name of
F. A. Mesmer, 3.11 Austrian physician(i734~i8i5) +
-ism. Cf. F. mesmJrisme.'] The doctrine or system,
popularized by Mesmer, according to which a
hypnotic state, usually accompanied by insensibility
to pain and muscular rigidity, can be induced by
an influence (at first known as ' animal magnetism ')
exercised by an operator over the will and nervous
system of the patient, b. The process or practice
of inducing such hypnotic state; the state so in-
duced, c. The influence supposed to operate. Cf.
animal magnetism (Animal C.'i), Magnetism 3.
i8oj Acerbi Trav. I. 89 One subject on which the Duke
. .has been charged with weakness, namely, mesmerism, or
animal magnetism. 1829 R. Chenevix in Lond. Med. <$•
Phys. yrnl. VI. 223 The touch of my finger, .roused her
from her state of mesmerism. 1844 E. FitzGf.rald Lett.
(1889) I. 142 And Miss Martineau has been cured of an
illness of five years by Mesmerism! i883'Ouida' Wanda I.
300 You believe in mesmerism and disbelieve in God.
Mesmerist (me-zmertst). [f. Mesmer (see
prec.) + -ist.] One who practises mesmerism.
Also occas. a believer in mesmerism.
1840 C. H. Townshend Facts in Mesmerism 1. 16 Perhaps
the error has originated with the Mesmerists themselves.
1852 Smf.dlev L. Arundel \. 16, ' I made use of one of the
secrets of the mesmerist , replied Lewis; 'I managed her
by the power of a strong will over a weak one'. 1899
Atlbutfs Syst. Med. VIII. 427 According to the mesmerists,
offences against the person might be committed in hypnosis.
Mesmerite (mczmerait). rarer~x. [f. Mesmer
(lec Mesmerism) + -ite.] A believer in mesmerism. \
184a Miss Mitford in L/Estrange Life (1870) III. ix. 1
156 He told me .. that Mrs. Trollope is a thorough-going \
mesmerite, constantly at Dr. Elliotson s.
Mesmerizable (mczmerai^zabT), a. Also
-ible. [f. Mesmerize v. + -able.] Capable of
being mesmerized. Hence Mes merizabrlity.
1840 J. Elliotson H?im. Physiol. 1180 A thing not 1
directly mesmerisable, but mesmerisable by contact with 1
a directly mesmerisable metal. 1840 C. H. Townshend
Facts in Mesmerism 11. iii. 134 An experiment, .as to the
mesmerisibility [sic] of mankind in general.
Mesmerization (me^zmeraiz^'Jan). [f. Mes- !
merize v. + -ation.] The action of mesmerizing, i
1829 R. Chenevix in Lond. Med. <y Phys. Jml. VII. 117 ;
In two minutes' mesmerization, Ireland's eyes began to water.
1845 Btackiv. Mag. LVII. 223 The mesmerisation of water.
Mesmerize (me zmeraiz), v. [f. Mesmer (see
Mesmerism) + -ize.] trans, a. To subject (a per-
son) to the influence of mesmerism.
1829 R. Chenevix in Lond. Med. $ Phys. Jrnl. VI. 222,
I mesmerised the patient through the door. 1863 Mrs.
A. E. Challice Heroes, etc. Time Louis XV '/, II. 77
Dr. Mesmer found it impossible to mesmerize Dr. Franklin.
trans/. 1862 H. Aide Carr of Carrl. I. 137 Carr would
almost have forgotten her existence, had it not been for
those eyes which mesmerised him every now and then, in
spite of himself. 1886-94 H. Spencer Autobiog. II. xlvi.
188 The judicial faculty has been mesmerised by the con-
fused halo of piety which surrounds them.
b. with inanimate object.
1840 C. H. Townshend Facts in Mesmerism 11. iii. 224,
I ha\e..tnesmerisedt as it is called, a glass of water, half
an hour before it was presented to the sleep-waker.
C. absol. or intr.
1829 R. Chenevix in Lond. Med. *> Phys. Jrnl. VI. 227
Every one can mesmerise, though not all with equal effect.
1865 Tennyson in Ld. Tennyson Memoir (1897) II. 21, I
can't mesmerize, I never mesmerized anyone in my life.
Hence Me'smerized ppi. a.t Mesmerizing
vbl. sb. and ///. a.
1829 R. Chenevix in Lond. Med. % Phys. yrnl. VI. 222
The use of mesmerised water.. had entirely assuaged the
thirst. Ibid. 223 The spasmodic contractions were entirely
removed after the twelfth day of mesmerising. 1840 C. H.
Townshend Facts in Mesmerism 11. L 80 Having heard it
said that mesmerised persons could feel any injury that was
inflicted on the mesmeriser. 1886 Athenaeum 6 Mar. 323/3
Verena Tarrant, daughter of a vulgar mesmerizing quack.
Mesmerizee (mezmeraizr). [f. Mesmerize
v. + -ee.] One who is mesmerized.
1829 R. Chenevix in Loud. Med. <y Phys. yrnl VI. 226
Here neither the mesmeriser nor the mesmerisee had the
slightest conviction upon the subject.
Mesmerizer (me'zmeraizsi). [Formed as prec.
-f -er1.] One who mesmerizes.
1829 [See Mesmerizee]. 1855 Browning Lovers Quarrel
xi, When the mesmerizer Snow With his hand's first sweep
Put the earth to sleep. 1859 Dickens Lett. (1880) II. 100
The alleged mesmeriser.
Mesmero- (mczmenj), taken as the combining
form of Mesmerism, as in mesmero-phrenology,
the application of mesmerism to the phrenological
' organs ', in order to evoke or control their specific
activities (cf. phreno-mesmerism) \ hence mesmero-
phrenological adj. Also Me smero-ma-nia, a
mania for mesmerism.
1842 Medico-Chirurg. Per: XXXVII. 593 Mesmero-
Phtenology. Ibid., Various mesmero-phrenological experi-
ments. 1843 Ibid. XXXVI II. 577 The Mesmero-mania has
nearly dwindled, in the metropolis, into anile fatuity.
Mesmoire, rare obs. variant of Memoir.
t Mesnage, sb. Obs. [a. obs. F. mesnage, var.
manage (cf. Manage sb. and Manage).] Careful
or economical management.
1664 Jer. Taylor Dissuas. Poftery 11. Introd., Some
[reasons] rely upon the slate of exterior affairs, and intro-
duced ceconomics, or accidental mesnage of things.
t Mesnage, v. Obs. [a. obs. F. mesnager, var.
inbiager (cf Manage v., etym, note).] trans.
a. To take advantage of, ' husband \ b. To con-
trol, manage.
1654 Hramhall Just Find. W. (1661) 56 With what a
depth of prudence the Roman court hath mesnaged all
occasions, .to the advantage, of that See. 1695 Ld. Preston
Boeth. iv. 202 Whilst the World's Creator, .ruling mesnageth
the Reins of things.
T Mesnagery. Obs. [a. obs. F. tnesnageric :
cf. Menagerie.] Management; economy.
1652-3 Hramhall Let. 27 (17) Feb., Wks. 1842 I. p. xciii,
The most ill mesnagery of those who were trusted by the
other adventurers, a 1693 Urouhart's Rabelais in. ii,
Many speak of. .that Vertue of mesnagery that know not
what belong to it.
1" Mesuagier. Obs. [a. obs. F. mesnag{i)eri
i. manager to control.] A manager.
171693 Urquharfs Rabelais nt. ii, If he should. .not
become a better mesnagier it would prove.. impossible for
him. .to make him rich.
Mesnality (m/harliti). Law. [Altered form
of next : cf. Commonality.] = next.
1643 Prvnne Sot: Poivtr Pari. 1. (ed. 2) 100 As all
Mesnalities..by the deaths of their Tenants without heire,
returne..to those Lords.. by whom they were originally
created. 1848 in Wharton Law Lex.
Mesnalty (mf nalti). Law. Also 6 menalte,
-tie, 6-7 -ty, 7 menealtie. [a. Law F. mena/let
mesnalte, f. OF. mene, mesne Mesne a.} after AF.
comunalte Commonalty.] The estate of a mesne
lord ; the condition of being a mesne lord.
1542-3 Act 54 & 35 Hen. VIII, c. 5 § 15 If any person . .
shall.. make by fraudc.any estates, condicions, menalties,
tenures, or conueiaunces. 1577-87 Holinshed Chron.
(1807-8) III. 27 A subsidic.of evene knights fee twentie
shillings, whether the same were holden of him by menaltie,
or otherwise. i6s8 Coke On Litt. 152 b, If the lord confirm
the tenant to hold of him., the mesnalty is extinct. 1642 tr.
Perkins' Prof. Bk. v. § 322. 142 If there be Lord, Mesne
and Tenant.. and the Mesne taketh a wife. .and dyeth the
wife shall be endowed of the menealtie. 1768 Ulackstone
Co/nm. III. 234 If he [the mesne lord] makes default therein,
..he shall be forejudged of his mesnalty, and the tenant
shall hold immediately of the lord paramount himself.
MESNE.
369
MESO-.
Mesne (mm), a., sb., and adv. Also 5 meosne,
5-7 measne, 6 mean, 7-8 measn. [a. Law F.
mesne, altered spelling of AF. meen Mean a.]
A. adj.
1. Feudalism, a. Mesne lord : a lord who holds
an estate of a superior lord.
1614 Selden Tith's Hon. ii. v. § 4 [The vavasour] either
held of a mesne lord, and not immediately of the king, or at
least of the king as of an honour or mannor, and not in
chief. 1754 Hvme.Hist.Eug. I. App. ii. 251 Men.. whose
duty was immediately paid to the mesne lord that was inter-
posed between them and the throne. 1869 W. S. Ellis
Antiq. Her. x. 236 The mesne lord did not, as a customary
practice.., imitate the insignia of his feudal chief.
U b. Mesne tenant : inaccurately used to de-
note one who holds of a mesne lord.
1853 Parker Dom. A rchit. I 1 . Introd. 24 The mesne tenants
of the great barons. 1869 W. S. Ellis Antiq. Her. x. 232
The theory of derivative coats having been adopted by
mesne tenants from their feudal superiors,
t c. Mesne land: = Mesnalty. Obs.
a 1575 Gascoicne Posies, Floiuers 41 He racketh vp our
rentes and keepes the best in hand, He makes a wondrous
deale of good out of his own measne land.
2. Occurring or performed at a time intermediate
between two dates.
Mesne encumbrance '. an encumbrance the right of priority
of which is intermediate between the dates of two other
encumbrances. Mesne pro/its : the profits of an estate
received by a tenant in wrongful possession between two
dates.
1548 Staunford King's Prerog. (1567) 84 b, Where the
king is to be answered of the mesne issues and profits per-
ceued and taken of any landes which [etc.]. 1648 Milton
Obsery. Art. Peace Wks. 1738 I. 327 T'hat no Man shall be
question'd by reason hereof, for Measne Rates or Wastes,
saving wilful Wastes. 1709 J. Johnson Clergym. Vade M.
11. 13^ That [where a bishop has died] the Mesne profits of
the widow church be secured by the Oeconomus. 1883 Sir
R. Baggallay in Law Times Rep. L. 103/2 A mortgagee
was prohibited from tacking so as to gain priority against
a mesne registered incumbrance.
b. Mesne process : that part of the proceedings
in a suit which intervenes between the primary and
the final process.
_ a 1625" Sir H. Finch Law (1636) 436 Mesne processe which
is for_ any necessarie act to be done, not onely for the
plaintife against the defendant, but for ether of them against
any other. 1711 Lond. Gaz. No. 5953/1 He had been com-
mitted by Mesne Process. 1861 May Const. Hist. (1863)
11. xi. 280 In the reign of George 1 arrests on mesne process,
issuing out of superior courts, were limited to sums exceed-
ing ^10.
3. Intermediate, intervening : applied to persons.
1810 J. Marshall Const. Opin. (1839) 129 Neither James
Greenleaf nor Peck nor any of the mesne vendors between
Greenleaf and Peck, had any notice [etc.]. 1884 Q. Rev.
Jan. 161 One or more of the middlemen or mesne lessees.
tB. sb. Obs.
1. = Mean sb.2 1 and 10.
J447 Rolls of Parlt. V. 130/1 Execute by such processe
and meosnes, as it shall seme hym resonable. 1471-3 Ibid.
VI. 39/1 Toaredye youreself by all measnes to you possible.
1822 C. Butler Remin. (ed.3) 240 These are extreme cases,
— the application of them to the mesne is not very difficult.
2. = Mesne lord (see A. 1).
1531 Dial, on Laws Eng. 1. xxx. G v b, Assyse may lye
for the lorde. .agaynste the mesne onely. 1641 Termes de
la Ley 202 s.v., He of whom the Mesne holdeth, is called
chiefe Lord. 164a [see bj. 1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. I,
Mesn, or Measn,.. signifying him that is Lord of a Manor.
b. Writ of mesne: 'an ancient and abolished writ,
which lay when the lord paramount distrained on
the tenant paravail ; the latter had a writ of mesne
against the mesne lord ' (Wharton Law Lex.).
1602 Fulbecke 1st. Pt. Parall. 48 The writ of mesne,
because it is in the realty, ought alwaies to suppose the
husband and wife to be mesnes. 164a tr. Perkins'' Prof.
Bk. v. § 432 (1657) lGl If there be Lord, Mesne, and tenant,
. .& the tenant bringelh a Writ of Mesne against the Mesne.
1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) V. 75 A fine may be levied on every
writ by which lands may be demanded,, .such as a writ of
mesne.
C. adv. At a time intermediate (between two
other times).
1439 Rolls of Parlt. V. 17/2 Mesne bitwene ye date of ye
seide writte, and ye dai of ye retoume yereof. 1642 tr.
Perkins Prof. Bk. xi. §806(1657) 111 As if the day of pay-
ment of the annuity bee incurred Mesne after his admission
and his induction.
Meso- (me'su), before a vowel sometimes mes-,
combining form of Gr. piicros middle, used in
scientific terms of mod. formation, many of which
have correlates with Pro-, or Photo-, and Meta-.
The words of this formation that are specially im-
portant, or require detailed explanation, are treated
in their alphabetical place. Of the others, which are
almost innumerable, the following are examples : —
Me so-appe'ndix Anal., the fold of peritonaeum
attached to the vermiform appendix. || Mesoarium
(•eVricm) Anal. [Gr. tpaptov taken as = Ovarium],
the fold of peritonaeum which suspends the ovary ;
hence Mesoarial (-eo-rial) a. Mesobra nchial
a. Zool., applied to that lobe of the carapace of a
crab which overlies the middle part of the branchial
chambers. Mesocalcaneal a. : see quot. and Cal-
caneal. Mesoca'mbrian a. and sb., = Middle
Cambrian (H. S. Williams Journ. Geol. 1894).
MesocamphoTic a. Chun., the name of a di-
Vol. VI.
basic acid formed by heating a mixture of dextro-
camphoric acid and hydrochloric acid (Watts
Diet. Chem. 2nd Suppl. 1875, 235). Mesocliil
(me'sokil), || Mesochilium (-kiliym) Bot. [Gr.
X«i"aos lip : see -ium], the middle portion of the
labellum of an orchid. || Mesoccele (me'sosfl),
ccelia (-sHia) Anal. [Gr. KotXia cavity, ventricle],
the ventricle of the mesencephalon of invertebrates ;
hence Mesocoelian (-sPlian) a., pertaining to this.
Mesoco'racold Ichthyol. [see CoracoiiVj, in some
teleostean fishes, a bone situated between and
bridging the IIypercoracoid and Hypocoracoid.
Mesocuneiform Anat. [see Cuneiform], the
middle cuneiform bone of the tarsus; also Meso
cuniform (in recent Diets.). Mesocyst (mesusist)
Anat. [see Cyst], ' the double layer of peritonaeum
attaching the gall-bladder to the liver when the
former is completely surrounded by serous mem-
brane' (Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890). Mesodesm (me'sfl-
dez'm) Bot. [Gr. Siaftus band] : see quot. Me so
devonian a. and sb., = Middle Devonian (H. S.
Williams Journ. Geol. 1894). Meso-diastollc a.,
occurring in the middle of the diastole. Me'sodont
a. [Gr. uSovt-, iSovs tooth], (a) Anthropology,
having the teeth of medium size ; (/>) Ent. of
Coleoptera, having the mandibles of medium size.
Mesodorsal a. Zool., situated on the middle of the
back. ]| Mesoduodenum Anat., the fold of perito-
naeum that supports the duodenum (Cent. Diet.
1S90); hence Mesoduodenal a. Mesogenous
(mes^'d^/has) a. [see -oen and -ous], increasing by
growth at or from the middle, as the spores of
certain fungi (Cent. Vict.). || Mesoglcea (-glfa)
Zool. [Gr. 7X0101 glue], the mesodermal layer in
sponges and other Ctvlcntcrata ; hence Mesoglceal
a. || Mesoglutavus, the middle gluteal muscle,
gluteus medius (Cent. Diet.) ; hence Mesoglutieal
(-glwtPal) a. Mesognatliic (-gnae'Jnk), Meso-
gnathous (mest-gnahas) adjs. Anthropology [Gr.
fvaOos jaw], applied to those skulls the gnathic
index of which ranges between 98 and 103.
Hence Mesognathisiu (Syd. Soc. Lex.), Me-
so gnathy (Cent. Did.), the condition of being
mesognathous. || Mesohe par [see Hepar], 'a fold
of peritonaeum attached to the free edge of the
right lobe of the liver in many animals ' (Syd. Soc.
Lex.). || Mesohepaticon [Gr. T/iraTinos Hepa-
tic] = prec. || Mesohippus (-hi yvs) Palxont.
[Gr. i'lriros horse], one of the ancestral forms of the
horse, the remains of which are found in the
Lower Miocene. Mesolobe (me'Sflloub) Anat.
[Lobe], the corpus callosum of the brain; hence
Mesolobar (mesoleVbaj) a. Mesomere (me'so-
misj) Zool. [Gr. fiipos part], (a) a protovertebra (Syd.
Soc. Lex.) ; (b) a blastomere of medium size (Web-
ster Suppl. 1902). Mesomeristem (-me'ristem)
Bot. [see Meristem], the innermost layer of the
exomeristem. Me^sometatarse Anat. [see
Metatarsus], the middle metatarsal bone.
II Mesometritis (-mftrai'tis) Path, [see -itis], in-
flammation of the || Mesometrium (-me'tricm) or
Mesometry (mes(rmftri),4K(7/. [Gr. iii)Tpa womb],
the fold of peritonaeum supporting the uterus or
(in birds) the oviduct. Mesona-sal a. Anat. [see
Nasal], belonging or relating to the middle of the
nose. Mesonemertine (-n/maTtain) a. [generic
name Nemertes~\, belonging to the Mesoncmer-
tini, a division of the Vermes intermediate between
the Protonemertini and Mctanemertini. Meso-
notum (-noa-tvm) Ent. [Gr. voitov back],thedorsal
portion of the mesothorax ; hence Mesonotal
(-nifu'tal) a. Mesoparaffin Chem. , one of a class of
paraffins intermediate between the isoparaffins and
the neoparafiins. || Mesoparapteron Ent. [see
Parapterum], the parapteron of the mesothorax ;
hence Mesoparapteral a. (Cent. Did.). || Meso
phlebitis Path. [Gr. <p\if, <p\fP- vein], inflamma-
tion of the middle coat of a vein. Mesopic (mesjrpik)
a. Anthropology [Gr. &f, in- face], see quot.
|| Mesoplankton Biol., the Plankton living be-
tween about a hundred fathoms from the bottom
and a hundred from the surface ; hence Meso-
plankto-nic a. Mesoplast (mesoplaest) Biol.
[Gr. TrAaor-os moulded], the nuclear matter of a
cell (Ogilvie 1882) ; hence Mesoplastic a., re-
lating to the mesoplast (Cent. Did.). || Meso-
plastron (-plae-strf)n) Zool. [see Plastron], an
inclusive name for two parts of the plastron that
are developed in certain tortoises; hence Meso-
plastral a. || Mesopleuron (-plu»r(>n), pi.
-pleura Ent. [Gr. irktvpuv rib], one of the pleura
of the mesothorax ; hence Mesopleural a.
|| Mesorchium (-<rjkizim) Anat. [Gr. opx" tes-
ticle], the fold of peritonaeum which supports
I the genital gland in some animals; hence Me-
sorchial a. || Mesorectum Anat., the fold of
peritonaeum which supports the Rectum ; hence
Mesore'ctal a. (in recent Diets.). Mesoretina
Anat., the mosaic layer of the Retina. Meso
rostral (-rfstril) a. Zool. [Rostrum], in the
I cetaceous genus Mesoplodon or Ziphius : see quot.
|| Mesoscapula (-skae-pi«la) Anat., the spine of
the scapula ; hence Mesosca pular a. \\ Meso-
scutellum. Ent. [Scutellum], the smaller and
posterior part of the notum of an insect ; hence
Mesoscnte-llar a. \\ Mesoscu turn Ent. [Scu-
tum], the larger and anterior part of the notum of
an insect. Mesoseismal (-soi-zmal) a. [(ir. auanui
earthquake], pertaining to the centre of intensity
of an earthquake. Mesostaphyline (-sta'filoin)
a. [Gr. OTatpvXri uvula], having a palatal index of
from 80 to 85 (Syd. Soc. L.ex.). Mesostasis
(mesjrstasis) Min. [Gr. o-too-is placing], the inter-
stitial substance of rocks that are partly amor-
phous and partly crystalline. Mesostate (me-so-
stf't): seequot. || Mesostethium (-strfiyin) Ent.
[Gr. OTrjBiov, arrjBos breast]: see quot. Meso-
stome (me'stfstoum) Zool. [Gr. aruy.a mouth], a
\ planarian of the genus Mesostoma. Mesostyious
(-stoi-bs) a. Bot. [Style], applied to flowers that
have styles intermediate in length between the
macrostylous and the microstylous. Mesosuchian
1 (-si«'kian) a. Zool. [Gr. ooCxos crocodile], belong-
! ing to the extinct suborder Mesosuchia of croco-
diles ; sb. a crocodile of this suborder ; also Meso
svrchious a. (in recent Diets.). Mesosystolic
! a. Path., occurring in the middle of the systole.
II Mesotarsus Ent., the tarsus of the middle leg of
an insect; cf. protarsus, metatarsus: hence Meso-
ta-rsal a. (in recent Diets.). Mesotarta'ric a.
Chem., inactive tartaric acid. Mesotheca (-brka),
-theque (-)>/k) Zool.[Gr. 9-qitri case], the middle one
of the three laminae of the perigonium in 1 Iydrozoa.
|| Mesothecinm Bot. [Thecium], (a) the interme-
diate layer of cells in an unripe anther (Cassc/l's
Encycl. Did.) ; (b) the thecium of lichens (Jack-
son Gloss. Bot. Terms 1900). || Mesothelinm
(-jV'lii'm) Embryology [Gr. BtjKtj nipple], the epi-
thelium of the body-cavity of the embryo ; hence
Mesothe lial a. || Mesotherinm (-JifaTiita) L'a-
laumt. [Gr. 6r)piov wild beast], a genus of fossil
rodents of South America ; a rodent of this genus.
Mesotympa-nic.fc'/Mi""'. [Tympanic] - Symplec-
tic. Meso-vrterine a. Anat., the epithet of the
fold of peritonaeum supporting the uterus. || Meso-
varium (mescva <>'i wm) Anal. [L. ovarium Ovary]
= Mesoarium. || Mesoventriculum Anat., ' the
gastro-hepatic omentum ' (Syd. Soc. Lex.).
1897 AllbutCs Syst. Med. III. 880 The *meso-appendix.
1875 Huxley in Encycl. Brit. I. 768/2 The *mesoanal and
mesorchial folds of the peritoneum. 1846 Owen Vertebr.
Anint. 1. Fishes 288 In the young Lamprey the ovarium is
a. .membranous plate, suspended by a fold of the peritoneum
(*mesoarium). 1877 Huxley Anat. Inf. Anitu. vi. 343 The
branchial region is sub-divided into epibranchial, *meso-
branchial, and metabranchial lobes. 1854 Owen Skel. <y
Teeth in Circ. Sci. 1. Org. Nat. 225 There are three cal-
caneal processes; one, called the ' entocalcaneal ',. .a second,
called the "mesocalcaneal". 1866 Treas. Bot., *Mesochil,
Mesochilium. 1849 Balfour Man. Bot. § 1058 This labellum
[in Orchidacez]. . is sometimes divided by contraction, so
as to exhibit three distinct portions, the lowest being the
hypochilium . . the middle, *mesochilium . . and the upper,
epichilium. 1884 T. J. Parker Zootomy 23 They contain
a cavity, the aqueduct of Sylvius, or 'mesoccele. 1887
Wilder in Amer. Nat. XXI. 014 Mammalia — Mesoccele
tubular ;*mesoccelianroofquadnlobate. 1868 W. K.Parker
Shoulder-girdle Vertebr. 8 The middle bar, which under-
props the middle glenoid facet, is the ' *meso-coracoid '. Ibid.
152 A short curved meso-coracoid process. 1854 Owen
Skel. <y Teeth in Circ. Sci. I. Org. Nat. 244 The small
bone, called 'splint-bone'. . articulated to the ''mesocunei-
form '. 1898 Allbulfs Syst. Med. V. 1018 Mid-diastolic or
*meso-diastolic murmur. 1884 Flower in Jrnl. Anthrop.
Inst. XIV. 186 "Mesodont Races. Chinese, American
Indians [etc.]. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., Mesodont, a term
applied to those skulls in which the product of the division
of the length of the crowns of the molar and bicuspid teeth
multiplied by 100, by the basin[as]al length, lies between 42
and 44. 1899 D. Sharp Insects 11. (Camb. Nat. Hist.) 193
Mesodont. 1871 PhillipsOo/. L?j/i?rrfi78Theseareusually
'mesodorsal spines. 1886 Proc. Zool. Soc. 574 Silicea with
soft 'mesoglcea or mesodermal ground substance. 1889
Geddes & Thomson Ez'ol. Sex 90 The ova [of sponges] are
highly nourished *mesoglceal cells. 1891 Cunningham in
Trans. R. Irish. Acad. XXIX. 581 The 'mesognathic class.
1878 Flower in Proc. Roy. Inst. VIII. 615 When the latter
dimension [sc. basi-alveolar length] exceeds the former [sc.
basi-nasal length], the face is said to be prognathous ; when
the reverse is the case, it is orthognathous ; when the twe
dimensions are equal or thereabouts, it is 'mesognathous.
1884 T. J. Parker Zootomy 391 'Mesohepar. 1905 Rollf.s-
ton Dis. Liver 24 The connective tissue uniting the right
lobe of the liver to the diaphragm (the 'mesohepaticon).
1877 Le Conte Elent. Geol. 11. (1879) 5°9 Next came [after
F'ohippus and Orohippus] in the Lower Miocene the
'Mesohippus. 1855 Dunglison Med. Lex., ^Mesolobar,
belonging to the Mesolobe or Corpus callosum. Mesolobar
Arteries, ..are the arteries of the corpus callosum. *AIeso-
113
MESOBLAST.
lobe, corpus callosum. 1884 *Mesomeristem [see Perimf.ri-
stem]. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., * Mesometritis. 183S-6 Todd's
Cycl. Anat. I. 357/2 The oviduct.. is attached to and sup-
ported by a duplicature of peritoneum called the *meso-
tnetrinm. Ibid., The *mesometry differs most from the
mesentery when the female organs are in full sexual action.
1868 W. K. Parker Shoulder-girdle Vertebr. 24 On the
head may be seen the quasi-ethmoid or *meso-nasal ; two
nasals [etc.]. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., Mesonasal cavity, a
blind membranous pouch, situated in the diverging angle of
the posterior forks of the internasal cartilage in the de-
veloping salmon. 1902 A. E. Shipley in Encycl. Brit.
XXXI. 120/2 The *Mesonemertine and one or two aberrant
species. 1836 Shuckard tr. Burmeister's Man, Entom.
78 The *mesonotum. 1876 Odling in Lond. etc. Phil.
Mag. Mar. 206 ""Mesoparaffins. 1875 Jones &Siev. Pathol.
Anat. 400 The *mesophlebitis and periphlebitis of Virchow.
1885 O. Thomas tn Jrnl. Anthrop. Inst. XIV. 534 Individual
skulls or races having indices above 107-5 might be called
platyopic or flat-faced ; from 107-5 to 1100, *mesopic 1898
G. H. Fowler mProc.Zool. Soc. 575 Prof. Agassiz.. refuses
to accept the alleged existence of a *mesoplankton. Ibid. 1029
The supposition that Globigerina pachyderma is a *meso-
planktonic form. 1889 Nature 2 May 7/1 In the Pleurodira
the first two familiesaredistinguished fiomoneanotherbythe
presence or absence of a *mesoplastral bone. 1848 Maunder
Treas. Nat. Hist. 794 * Mesopleura, the lateral surfaces of
the mesothorax. 1875 *Mesorchial [see Mesoarial above].
1855 Uunglison Med. Lex., *Mesorchium. 1875 Huxley &
Martin Elem. Biol. (1877) 183 A sort of testicular mesentery
or mesorcbium. 1835-6 Todd's Cycl. Anat. I. 506/1 Along
the posterior wall we find the rectum with its *mesorectum.
1889 J. Leidy Anat. (ed. 2) 877 The processes of the pigment-
cells of the ectoretina extend between the rods of the "meso-
retina. 1872 Sir W. Turner in Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinb.
XX VI . 76^, I have named the dense solid bar in the middle
of the beak the *meso-rostrai bone. 1868 W. K. Parker
Shoulder-girdle Vertebr. 11 The prae-scapula and *meso-
scapula in one half-cleft ray. Ibid. 27 A scapular, a *meso-
scapular, and a prae-scapular bar. 1899 D. Sharp Insects 11.
(Camb. Nat. Hist.) 312 In some of the higher forms this*meso-
scutellar lobe is prominent. 1833 Entomologist's Mag.\.i%
The *meso-scutellumhasa yellow margin, interrupted toward
the base. 1883 Johnston-Lavis in Nature 6 Sept. 438/2 Most
people not in the 'mesoseUmalarea felt first the 'susultatorio'
or vertical movement. 1888 Nature 15 Mar. 459/2 The pre-
sence of a hypocrystalHne interstitial substance (*mesostasis)
wedged in between the felspars. 1885 M. Foster in Encycl.
Brit. XIX. 19/1 The specific material of a secretion, such as
the trypsin of pancreatic juice, comes from the protoplasm
of the cell, through a number of intermediate substances, or
*mesostates as they are called. 1826 Kirby & Sp. Entomol.
III. xxxiii, 382 * Mesostethiinn.. .A central piece between
the intermediate and posterior legs, and bounded laterally
inColeopteraby the Parapleural — along the middle of which,
where it exists, the Metasternum runs. 1876 Benedens
Anim. Parasites 161 In the autumn of 1871, nearly all the
*mesostomes perished through the presence of those parasi-
tical organisms. 1887 Ward tr. Sachs"" Physiol. Plants 790
In addition to those with macrostylous and those with micro-
stylous flowers, there is found also one with *mesostylous
flowers. 1886 Gunther in Encycl. Brit. XX. 466/1 The
surviving *Mesosuchian Crocodiles of the Jurassic period.
1898 Allbutt's Syst. Med. V. 976 It [a cardiac murmur] is
manifested only of the ventricular contraction, and is*meso-
systolic. 1865 Watts Diet. Chem. III,*Mesotartaric Acid.
1859 Allman in Ann. Nat. Hist. Ser. hi. IV. 140 They [sc.
tentacles] surround an orifice in the *mesotheque. 1871 —
Gymnobl. Hydroids Introd. 15 Mesotheca. 1876 Alston
in Proc. Zool.Soc. 98 Fossil genus :— *Mesotherunn. 1883
Flower in Encycl. Brit. XV. 372/2 The extinct South
American Mesotherium, half Rodent and half Ungulate.
1846 Owen Vertebr. Anim. 1. Fishes v. no The stylo-hyoid
being attached near the junction of the epi-tympanic with
the *meso*tympanic. 1876 tr. Wagner's Gen. Pathol. 339
The. .'"meso-uterine folds of the peritoneum. 1890 Syd. Soc.
Lex., * Mesovarium.
Mesoblast (me-sobl^st). Biol. [f. Meso- +
-blast.] The middle layer of the Blastodekm,
between the Epiblast and the Hypoblast. Also
altrib. HenceMesoblasteda., having a mesoblast.
1857 Agassiz Contrib. Nat. Hist. U.S.A. II. 467 The
mesoblast of the yolk cell. Ibid. II. 617 Some of the meso-
blasted cells are united to those without mesoblasts. 1873
F. M. Balfour in Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. XIII, 269 The
mesoblast-cells.
Mesoblastic (mes^blarstik), a. [f. Meso-
blast + -ic] Of or pertaining to the mesoblast.
187$ F. M. Ualfour in Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. XIV. 342
Primitively a true hypoblastic structure which has only by
adaptation become an apparently mesoblastic one. 1896
Allbutt's Syst. Med. I. 201 Histologically all new growths
may be classed in two series, viz. those of mesoblastic and
those of epithelial origin.
Meaobranchial : see Mkso-.
II Mesocsecum (mesosrkvm). Anat. A fold of
peritonaeum which sometimes supports the czecum.
Hence Mesocwcal a., pertaining to the mesocse-
cum (in recent Diets.).
1835-6 Toddys Cycl. Anat. I. 14/2 On the right side.. it
[the peritoneum] sometimes forms a fold termed mesocsecum.
1858 H. Gray Anat. 602 The Meso-Caecum .. serves to
connect the back part of the caecum with the right iliac fossa,
Meaocalcaneal, -camphoric \ see Meso-.
Mesocarp (me-s^kajp). Bot. [ad. mod.L. me-
socarpinm, -carpam, -carpus, f. Gr. peao-s Meso-
+ nap-nos fruit.] The middle layer of a Pericarp.
1849 Balfour Man. Bot. § 524 The pericarp consists usually
of three layers: the external, or epicarp.. ; the middle, or
mesocarp..; and the internal, or endocarp. 1861 Bentley
Man. Bot. 300.
f Mesocephale, -cephalon, = Mesence-
phal(e, Mesencephalon.
1839-47 Todd s Cycl. Anat. III. 684/2 The mesocephale or
mesencephale. 1853 Carpenter Ilum. P/tys. (ed. 4) 734
The part of the encephalon known as the Tuber Annulare
370
to which the name of Mesocephale has been given. 1890
Syd. Soc. Lex.. Mesocephalon, the Mesencephalon.
Mesoceph.alic(me:s0s/favlik),a. [f. Gr.jte'r/o-s
Mkso- + K«paK-r] head -1- -ic : cf. Cephalic]
L Craniometry. Applied to skulls intermediate
between dolichocephalic and brachiocephalic ; also to |
skulls having a capacity of from 1350 to 1450
Cubic centimetres.
1866 Meigs Observ. Cran. Forms Anier. Aborigines 13
Such deviations fall naturally into an intermediate or meso-
cephalic group. 1887 Academy 17 Sept.188/1 The Xchuds
are either mesocephalic or dolichocephalic.
2. Anat. Mesocephalic flexure: ' the angular bend
of the floor of the craniospinal cavity '.
1858 Huxley in Proc. Roy. Soc. IX. 421.
So || Mesocephali (-se-fabi) sli. pi. [mod.L.],
persons having mesocephalic skulls ; Mesoce-
phalism, Mesocephaly, the condition or quality
of being mesocephalic.
1866 Meigs Obsem. Cran. Forms Amer. Aborigines 24
The Huron crania belong partly to the Brachycephali,
and partly to the Mesocephali. 1885 Athenxum 27 June
827/1 In the former locality there exists a taller, darker,
and more brachycephalic race, whilst in the latter meso-
cephaly prevails. 1888 Clevenger in Amer. Nat. XXII.
614 Departures from a width of eight and length of ten
(mesocephalism).. determine whether the skull shall be con-
sidered long [etc.].
Mesencephalon : see Mesocephale.
Mesochil, -ccele, -coelian : see Meso-.
II mesocolon (mesokwl^n). Anat. [mod.L.,
a. Gr. nco6nai\ov, f. /tiao- Meso- + koiKov Colon.]
The fold of peritonteum which supports the colon.
1693 tr. Blaucard's Phys. Diet. (ed. 2), Mesocolon, that
part of the Mesentery which is continued to the great Guts.
1835-6 Todd's Cycl. Anal. I. 14/1 The folds respectively
termed right and left mesocolon. 1858 H. Gray Anat. 602
The ascending Meso-Colon.
Hence Mesocolic (-k(?lik) a., relating to the
mesocolon.
1831 R. Knox CloqueCs Anat. 761 Mesocolic Ganglia.
1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. III. 806 Mesocolic or mesenteric
hernia.
Mesocoracoid : see Meso-.
Mesocracy (mesfkrasi). rare~". [f. Gr.
Ill ao-s middle + -Kparia : see -cracy.] Govern-
ment by the middle classes. So Mesocratic a.,
pertaining to the middle classes.
1857 Q. Rev. Oct. 331 Rugby, a local foundation of mere
mesocratic origin. 1895 Funk's Stand. Diet., Mesocracy.
Mesocuneiform to Mesocyst : see Meso-.
Mesode (me'stwl). Gr. Prosody. [ad. Gr.
/mowous, t. iieao- Meso- + 01817 Ode.] A portion of
a choral ode, coming between the strophe and
antistrophe, without anything to correspond with it.
1850 Mure Lit. Greece III. 58. 1888 J. Gow Comp. to
Classics 285 We are told that mesodes and epodes were
sung by the chorus standing.
Mesoderm (me'sodaim). [f. Gr. /iloo-s mid-
dle + oipp\a skin.]
1. Bot. a. ' The middle layer of tissue in the
shell of the spore-case of an urn-moss ' ( Treas.
Bot. 1866). b. 'The middle layer of the bark'
{Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890).
1874 Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. XIV. 159 As soon as the two
primary germ-lamella; begin to differentiate and to develop
between them a middle cell-layer (mesoderm).
2. Biol. = Mesoblast.
1873 W. S. Dallas (tr. Haeckel) in Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.
Ser. iv. XI. 257 The origin of the Mesoderm. 1877 Ray
Lankester in Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. XVII. 416 The con-
tractile fibrous appendices of the ectoderm . . formed a . .
primitive mesoderm or mesoblast.
attrib. 1B74Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. XIV. 159 The mesoderm-
layer. 1884 Ibid. XXIV. 90 To determine the part played
by wandering mesoderm cells immediately below the thin
ectoderm.
Hence Mesodermal, Mesodermic ad/s., of,
relating to, or derived from the mesoderm.
1877 Huxley Anat. Inv. Anim. iii. 143 The mesodermal
layer. 1884 Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. XXIV. 107 Mesodermal
Plasmodia, are . . found even in the higher animals, not
excepting Man himself. 1884 W. Patten ibid. 590 The
fusion of the edges of the mesodermic folds.
Mesodesm, -diastolic : see Meso-.
Mesodic (mes^-dik), a. Gr. Prosody, [ad. Gr.
luacpbtKos, f. iifaaiSus Mesode.] Relating to, or
having the character of, a mesode.
1879 J. W. White tr. Schmidt's Rhythmic ty Metric 127
A mesodic period arises from the inverted arrangement of
the sentences about an interlude. 1883 Jebb Sophocles,
Gulipus Tyr. p. lxxxi, A mesodic stichic period.
Mesodont, -duodenum : see Meso-.
II Mesogaster (mesogarstar). Anat. [mod.L.,
f. Gr. iiloo-s middle + yaarrip stomach.] A mem-
brane, part of the mesentery, which attaches the
stomach to the dorsal wall of the abdomen.
Hence Mesogastral a., pertaining to the meso-
gaster (in recent Diets.).
1807 Home in Phil. Trans. XCVII. 161 The pyloric
[portion] is bent upwards and retained in that situation by
the mesogaster. 1884 T. J. Parker Zootomy 297 The meso-
gaster, or sheet of peritoneum connecting the stomach with
the dorsal wall of the abdominal cavity.
MeSOgastric (mesogarstrik), a. [f. mod.L.
Mesogastrium + -ic]
MESOMYODIAN.
1. Anat. Pertaining to the mesogastrium.
1843 Owen Invertebr. Anim. Gloss., Mesogastric. The
membrane which forms the medium of attachment of the
stomach to the walls of the abdomen. 1897 Allbutt's Syst.
Med. III. 806 Meso-gastric hernia.
2. Zool. In Crustacea, the middle lobe of the
gastro-hepatic area of the carapace.
1877 Huxley Anat. Inv. Anim. vi. 343 A median meso-
gastric lobe.
II Mesogastrium. (mesflg?epstriz>m). Anat.
Also (anglicized) Mesogastry (-gaestri). [mod.
L., f. Gr. /ilao-s middle + yaorp-, yaorrip stomach.]
1. The umbilical region of the abdomen, between
the Epigastrium and the Hypogastbium.
1855 in Ogilvie.
2. = Mesogastee.
1846 Owen Vertebr. Anim. 1. Fishes ix. 241 There are two
parallel mesogastries in the Eel. 1878 Bell tr. Gegenbaur's
Comp. Anat. 565 The changes of the mesogastrium.
Mesogenous to Mesognathy : see Meso-.
i Mesograph. Obs. [ad. Gr. fifooypcupov mean
proportional, neut. of iieooypatpos, f. iiloo-s middle
+ -ypaipos written.] In quot. taken = Mesolabe.
1579-80 North Plutarch, Marcellus (1595) 33S_ Certain
instruments, called Mesolabes or Mesographes, which serue
to find these meane lines proportional!.
Mesohepar to Meaohippus : see Meso-.
Mesolabe (me"sol«ib). [ad. L. mesolabium
(Vitr.), f. Gr. iiiao\a$os (or -of), f. iiloo-s middle,
mean + Aa/3-, hapLJiavtiv to take.] An instrument
used for finding mean proportional lines.
1579-80 [see Mesograph]. 1675 Collins in Rigaud Corr.
Sci. Men (1841) I. 219 The spiral line, with M. Tschirn-
haus's angular instrument, makes the mesolabe. 1789 Uur-
ney Hist. Mus. III. ii. 164 The Mesolabe.. is said to have
been invented either by Archytas ofTarentum or Era-
tosthenes for the purpose of halving an interval.
Mesole (mesoul). Min. [Named by Berze-
lius 1822 to indicate its close relation to mesolite.]
A variety of Thomsonite.
i8aa Berzelius in Edin. Philos. Jrnl. VII. 6 These two
minerals have a great relation with the Mesolite ; and in
order to distinguish them, I shall call the upper stratum
Mesole, and the lower grained Mesoline. 1843 Portlock
Geol. 210 Augite occurs, -in the cavities of the augitic rock
at Portrush, coated by, and associated with, Mesole.
Mesoline (mesobin). Min. [Named by Ber-
zelius 1822 : cf. prec] A white granular mineral
found in the Faroe Islands, ' now classed with
levynite' (Chester Names Min. 1896).
1822 [see Mesole].
Mesolite (me'sobit). Min. [ad. G. meso-
lith (181O), f. Gr. iilao-% middle: see -lite.] A
hydrated silicate of aluminium, calcium, and so-
dium : so named because it is chemically interme-
diate between natrolite and scolecite.
1822 Berzelius in Edin. Philos. Jrnl. VII. 8 Mesolite
or Needlestone from Faroe. 1883 M. F. Heddle in Encycl.
Brit. XVI. 423/2 Fargite, consisting of two equivalents of
natrolite and one of scolecite, and Mesolite, consisting of
one of the former, and two of the latter.
Mesolithic (mesolijiik), a. [f. Gr. /ilao-s
middle + Ai'flos stone + -ic]
1. Geol. Used for Mesozoic. rare.
1876 Ray Lankester tr. HaeckcVs Hist. Creat. II. xv. 12
The mesolithic or mesozoic epoch.
2. Archseol. Belonging to a part of the prehis-
toric ' stone age ' intermediate between the Paleo-
lithic and the Neolithic
1888 Pall Mall G. 2 Apr. 10/1 Penka's attempt, in his
' Herkunft der Arier', to make out a mesolithic age. 1802
J. A. Brown in Jrnl. Anthrop. Inst. XXII. 94
to suggest the following four divisions..
Palaeolithic... 3. Mesolithic. 4. Neolithic.
Mesolobar, -lobe : see Meso-.
Mesology (iuesf-lod^i). [f. Gr. iilao-v (neut.
of iilaos middle, taken as = ' medium ') + -logy.]
1. The science of means (of attaining happiness).
Only in Bentham.
1811-31 Bentham Logic App., Wks. 1843 VIII. 283/2
Then so it is that with that portion of the field of euda;-
monics which is occupied by mesology, the whole field of
ontology . . is coincident.
2. The science of the relations between organisms
and their environment.
1883 Quain Diet. Med. 973 Mesology. . . This term, recently
introduced by Bertillon, conveniently expresses the investi-
gation of the mutual relationship existing between living
Beings and their surroundings.
Hence Mesolo-g-ical a., pertaining to mesology ;
Mesologist, a student of mesology 'Funk's
Stand. Diet. 1895).
188S Buck's Handbk. Med. Sci. III. 382/1 Grapes contain
the mineral salts in variable quantity, the proportion depend-
ing on the variety of grape and on mesological conditions.
Mesomere to Mesometry : see Meso-.
Mesomur, obs. form of Midsummer.
Mesomyodian (me^soimai^u-dian), a. Ornith.
[f. mod.L. Mesomyodi pi. (see below) + -an.
The mod.L. name was introduced by Garrod in 1876, and
was f. Meso- ^.myodl after Polymyodi, a name introduced
by Joh. Muller 1847 for one of the three groups in his
classification of Passerine birds ; this name was intended to
express ' having many song-muscles ', being (irreg.) f. iroAu-
(see PoLY-)+nv-s muscle + <£5»i song.]
Belonging to the Mesomyodi, a division of birds in
venture
Eolithic. .2.
MESON.
371
MESOTHET.
which the intrinsic muscles of the syrinx are inserted
at the middle of the upper bronchial half-ring.
1876 Gakrod in Proc. Zool. Soc. 518 A large collection of
Mesomyodian birds. 1884 Coues Key N. Amer. Birds
(ed. 2) 239 The mesomyodian or clamatorial type of syrinx.
So Mesomyodic, Mesomyo dous adjs.
1890 Syd. Soc. Lex.) Mesomyodic, having lateral muscles
only, as the syrinx of the Suborder Clamatores, Order
Coracomorphx. 1890 Century Diet., Mesomyodous.
II Meson (me 's^n). Anat., etc. [mod.L., a.Gr,
fttffov, neut. of piao$ middle.] The median plane,
which divides a body into two symmetrical halves.
1883 Wilder & Gage Anat. Techn. 33 The Meson.. is a
plane passing lengthwise of the body and dividing the
whole into approximately equal and similar right and left
halves. 1889 Buck's Ilaudbk. Med. Sci. VIII. 536/1 The
meson, mesal, or medial plane.
Meson, obs. form of Mason, Mizzen.
Mesonasal : see Meso-.
fMesonaut. Obs.-° [ad. L. mesonauta, one
in the middle bench of rowers, f. Gr. piffo-s middle
+ vavrri'i sailor.]
1623 Cockeram, Messonant [sic], a gally-slaue.
Mesondewe, -dieu, etc., obs. ff. Measondue.
Mesonemertine : see Meso-.
II Mesonephron, -nephros (mesone-fr^n,
-ne'frps). Zool. [mod.L., i. Gr. piao-s middle +
ptippos' kidney.] The Wolffian body. Hence Me-
sonephric a., pertaining to the mesonephron.
1877 Ray Lankester in Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. XVI 1. 429
The archinephric duct splits into two — one, the 'prone-
phric duct'.. ; the other, 'the mesonephric duct', in con-
nection with the posterior nephridia, forming the 'meso-
nephron'. 1887 Amer. Nat. XXI. 590 It is possible, .that
..an anterior section (pronephros) came to be developed
earlier than the posterior portion (mesonephrosi. 1897 A 11-
butt's Syst. Med. IV. 340 A mesonephric fold of peritoneum.
Mesonotal to Mesophlebitis : sec Meso-.
II Mesoplllceum (mesoflrzJm). Hot. [mod.L.,
f. Gr. pecro-s middle + <pKoios bark.] The middle
layer of the bark in exogens.
1839 Lindley Introd. Bot. I. ii. {ed. 3) 89 The Meso-
phUrumof Link, or cellular integument of others, composed
of cells, usually green.
Mesophragm (me'sttfraem). Zool. Also in
Latin form. [ad. mod.L. mesophragma, f. Gr. piao-s
middle + (ppdy/xa partition.] a. Ent. The partition
that separates the mesothorax from the metathorax.
b. In Crustacea (see quot. 1880).
1826 Kirbv & Sp. Entomol. III. 379 Mesophragma (the
Mesophragm). 1880 Huxley Crayfisk iv. 158 The inner
prolongation of the capital [of an endosternite] is called the
mesophragm. 1899 D. Sharp Insects u. (Camb. Nat. Hist.)
312 The great mesophragma.
Hence Mesophragrmal (mestffiae'gmal) a., per-
taining to the mesophragm.
1877 Huxley Anal. Inv. Anim. vi. 310 The mesophrag-
mal [apophysis],
Mesophyll (me's^til). Bot. Also in Latin
form, [ad. mod.L. t;tesop/iyllum} f. Gr. piao-s
middle + <pvk\ov leaf.]
1. The parenchyma of a leaf ; the soft inner tissue
of a leaf lying between the upper and lower layers
of epidermis. (Cf. Diachyma, Ditloe.)
1839 Lindley Introd. Bot. (ed. 3) 122 The cellular tissue
of which the rest of the leaf is composed is parenchyma,
which Link then calls diachyma, or that immediately be-
neath the two surfaces cortex, and the intermediate sub-
stance diploe. De Candolle calls these two, taken together,
the mcsophylluvt . 1848 — Introd. Bot. (ed. 4) I. 253 The
cellular tissue of the bark, mesophyll or cortical integument.
attrib. 1881 Darwin Veg. Mould 41 Some of the meso-
phyll cells contained nothing but broken down granular
matter.
2. The line of demarcation between a leaf and
the leaf-stalk. ? Obs.
1839 Lindley Introd. Bot. ir. v. (ed. 3) 319 The line of
demarcation between the internode and petiole is called the
mesophytum ; that between the lamina and petiole the
mesophyllum.
Mesophyllic (mestffrlik), a. Bot. [f. Gr.
ptuo-s + ipvk\-ov leaf + -ic] Belonging to or
situated in the middle of a leaf.
1882-4 Cooke Brit. Freshw.Algm I. 202 A tube, .which.,
proceeds as far as the mesophyllic parenchyma.
Mesophyte (me'stffait). Bot. [f. Gr. piao-s
middle + <pvr6v plant.]
1. A plant belonging to a class intermediate be-
tween hydrophytes and xerophytes, i.e. avoiding
extremes of moisture and dryness.
1899 Halsted in Pop. Sci. Monthly Nov. no. 190a
J. M. Coulter Plant Studies 175 There is a great middle
region of medium water supply, and plants which occupy it
are known as mesophytes, the plants of medium conditions.
2. (See quot.)
1890 Syd. Soc. Lex.t Mesophyte, applied by Clarion to
that which is commonly called the vital knot in plants, that
is to say, the line of demarcation between the ascending and
descending parts of the vegetable.
Hence Mesophytic a.t pertaining to or charac-
terized by the class of plants called mesophytes.
1899 Nat. Science July 10 The mesophytic woods.
I! Mesophytum (mesfj'fitvm). Bot. [mod.L.
form of Mesophyte.] a. The line of demarcation
between the internode and the petiole, b. = Me-
sophyte 2. 1839 [see Mesophyll 2]. In mod. Diets,
Mesopie to Mesopleuron : see Meso-.
Mesopod, -pode (mcsJppd, -pJud), sb. Zool.
Anglicized form of Mesopojhum.
1877 Ray Lankester in Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. XVII. 431
Development of a mesopod (molluscan foot,1. 1890 Syd. Soc.
Lex., Mesopode.
Mesopod (me's^ppd), a. Bot. [ad. mod.L.
mesopod-uSj f, Gr. pkao-% (see Meso-) -f iro5-, itovs
foot.] Having a short stalk centrally placed.
1857 Berkeley Cryptog. Bot. § 393 Hydnumin all its varied
forms, resupinate,apodous, lateral, merismoid, and mesopod.
iiMesopodium (me^ptf^diym). [mod.L., f.
Gr. piao-s middle + wo5-, itovs foot : see -ium.]
1. Zool. The median region of the foot in mollusca.
1853 Huxley in Phil. Trans. CXLIII. 1. 36 The posterior
edge of the propodium carries a cup-shaped disk... This is
commonly called the sucker. ..It may be called the meso-
podium. 1883 Ray Lankester in Encycl. Brit. XVI. 653/1
The foot of the Azygobranchia. .often divided into, .a fore,
middle, and hind lobe, pro-, meso-, and metapodium.
2. Bot. The intermediate portion of the phyllo-
podium. 1895 Vines Bot. ii. 45,
Hence Mesopo'dial a.t relating to the mesopo-
dium. In recent Diets.
Mesopotamia (mefJpJkTi'mia). [a. Gr. peoo-
iroTapia (sc. X^P**) country between two rivers
(applied spec, as below), f. piao-s middle + irorapos
river.] A proper name for the tract between the
Tigris and the Euphrates. Sometimes used allu-
sively in etymological sense for : A country be-
tween two rivers.
1854 R. G. Latham Native Races Russian Emp. \-jj The
Doab, Entre Rios, or Mesopotamia, bounded by the rivers
Obi and Irtish.
Mesopotamiail (mesJpJtt'i'mian), a. [f. prec.
+ -AN.] Pertaining to Mesopotamia.
1880 R. S. Poole in Encycl. Brit. XI. 808/2 Mesopota-
mia!) cuneiform.
Mesopotamia (mestTpcftarmik), a. rare.
[Formed as prec. + -ic] Of the nature of a * Me-
sopotamia' or district between two rivers.
1895 Archssol. sEliana XVII. 11. 283 French antiquaries
assign the mesopotamic part of Belgium as the birth-place
of Carausius.
II Mesopterygium (mc^pteri-dsi&n). Ich-
thyol. [mod.L., f. Gr. piao-s middle + iTT€pvytou
fin, dim. of irripv^ wing.] The central flat carti-
laginous portion of the fin in certain fishes.
1878 Mivart in Nature 18 July 309/2 Three basal car-
tilages .. called respectively the Propterygium, the Meso-
pterygium, and the Mctapteryglum.
Hence Mesopterygial a., pertaining to the
mesopterygium. In recent Diets.
Mesopterygoid (mes0(pte*rigoid). Zool. [f.
Meso- + Pterygoid.]
1. In full mesopterygoid process : In birds, the
part of the pterygoid which articulates with the
palatine bone or the basipterygoid process of the
splenoid, or with both.
1875 W. K. Parker in Encycl. Brit. III. 706/2 'Meso-
pterygoid process'. Ibid. 711/1 All the Schizognat/ae, ex-
cept the Fowl tribe, have ' mesc-pterygoids '.
b. Mesopterygoid fossa : see quot.
1881 Mivart Cat iii. 70 The very considerable space in-
cluded between the two pterygoid plates is called the meso-
pterygoid fossa, and that is single and median.
2. In teleostean fishes, a thin bony lamina in the
skull, which fits against the upper edge of the
pterygoid. 1890 in Syd. Soc. Lex.
Mesorchium to Mesorostral : see Meso-.
Mesorrhine, mesorhine (mes^rsin), a.
Anthropology, [f, Gr. piao-s middle + piv-, fiiv
nose.] Applied by Broca to noses, skulls, or persons
having a nasal index from 48 to 53 (intermediate
between leptorrhine and platyrrkine).
1878 Flower in Proc. Roy. Inst. VIII. 616. 1896 A. H.
Keane Ethnol. 284 Narrower nose, often mesorrhine and
prominent.
Mesorrhinian, mesorhinian (mesiri--
nian, mes^rsi'nian), a. and sb. Anthropology, [f.
prec. + -ian.] a. adj. = Mesorrhine. b. sb. A
person having a mesorrhine skull.
1878 Bartley tr. TopinarcCs Anthrop. n. ii, 257 The me-
sorrhinians, with the nasal skeleton moderate. 1887 Nature
10 Feb. 357/1 Including under the platyrhinian section all
the black races, under the mesorhinian the yellow races.
II Mesorrhinium, -inum(mes0rrni#m, -ai--
n#m). Omitk. [mod.L., f. Gr. piao-s middle + p"iv-t
p"tv nose.] (See quots.)
1856 Mayne Expos. Lex., Mesorhinium. . .Term used by
Illiger for the part of the beak which is comprised between
the two nostrils. 189a Mivart Ele/n. Ornitlwl. 147 The part
of the bill between the nostrils is called the mesorhinum.
Mesoscapula to Mesoseismal : see Meso-.
Mesoseme(me's<7sJm). [a. F.mesose' me (Broca),
f. Gr. /ieffo-s middle + cijpa sign, * index'.] Of
skulls : Having an orbital index from 84 to 89.
1878 Flower in Proc. Roy. Inst. VIII. 617 It is convenient
to group them Torbital indices] into three— the high {mega-
seme), intermediate (tnesoseme), and low imicroseme). 1886
Macalister in Jrnl. Anthrop. Inst. XVI. 151 The average
Fijian being platyrhine and mesoseme. 1896 Nat. Science
I Sept. 154 The skull is mesoseme (87*8).
II Mesosoma (mes^a-ma). Zool. Also angli-
cized mesosome(in Diets.). [mod.L.,f. Gr./xcVo-s
middle + uwpa. body.] a. In lamcllibranchiate
molluscs, the middle region of the body which
gives rise to the foot. b. In Arachnids, the middle
portion of the animal, between ' head ' and ' tail '.
Hence Mesosomatic a., pertaining to the meso-
soma.
1877 Huxley /I*i/. Inv. Anim. viii. 475 From the sides
of the mesosoma . . the branchiae project into the p.illi;tl
cavity. 1893 Sini'LEY Zool. Invertebr. xx. 391 The seventh
appendage, or the first mesosoniatic, consists of a semi-
circular plate-like structure hinged on to the body.
MeSOSperiU ^me's^spojm). Bot. [ad. mod.L.
mesosperm-um, f. Gr. ptoo-s middle + avipp-a
seed.] The middle coat or covering of a seed.
1849 I'ai kour Man, Bot. § 578 Sometimes the si-cund'me
remains distinct in the seed, forming what has been called
a mesosperm. 1852 Hensi.ow Diet. Bot. Terms, Meso-
spermum. Synonyme for Sarcodermis.
Mesospore (mes^spou). Bot. Also in Latin
from mesosporium. [ad. mod.L. mesosporium,
f. Gr. ptao-s middle + crn6p~o$ seed.] The middle
layer of a spore. Hence Mesospo'ric a., pertain-
ing to a mesospore (in recent Diets.).
1882-4 Cooke Brit. Fresh-iv. Algx I. 109 The cell-con-
tents surround themselves with a new layer of cellulose
(mesosporium) within the original one lexosporium). Ibid.
311 Mesosporium, Mesospore.
Mesostaphyline, -stasis: see Meso-.
Mesosternal (mes^stounal), a. and sb. [f.
MeSOSTEKNUM + -AL.]
A. adj. Pertaining to the mesostemum.
1816 Kikijy & Sp. Entomol. vi. (18431 I* *62 note t, Those
tribes of Melolentha F., that have mesosternal prominence.
1868 \V. K. Parker Shoulder-gi> die I'ertebr. 119 The two
additional meso-sternal segments of the Cyclodonts.
B. sb. A mesosternal part or element.
1854 ( >WEN Sket. fy Teeth in Circ. Sci. I. Org. A'at. 216 In
some extinct chelonia the number of these lateral elements
of the plastron is increased by an intercalated pair, which
1 have called, ' ineso>ternals '. 1868 \V. K. V ahkkr Shoulder-
girdle I'ertebr. 223 In Cercocebus there are five well-made
meso-sternals.
!!Mesosternebra(mes0st5'jn/l)i a), ^hcz/. Also
anglicized -sterneber. [mud .L.,f. Gr. ptao-<i middle
+ sternebra : see Sternebek.] Any of the sterne-
brce which intervene between the manubrium of the
sternum and the ensiform appendage. Hence
SHesoste'rnebral a. In recent Diets.
Mesosternite (mesflst.rinsit). Zool. [f. Meso-
+ Stfknitk.] A mesosternal stemite.
1888 Roixeston Sc Jackson Anim. Life 303 [In the Geo-
metrical Spider.] ^Iesosternite1 surrounded by the basal
joints of the four ambulatory limbs.
II Mesostemum (mes0st3'jn£m\ [mod.L., f.
Meso- + Sternum.]
1. Ent. fa. In Kirby's use (see quot. 1826). b.
By later writers applied to the middle 'sternum'.
i8z6 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. III. 566 The central part of
the medipectus, or that which passes between the mid-legs
when elevated, protruded, or otherwise remarkable, is called
the mesostemum or mid-breast-bone. 1836 Shuckard tr.
Burmeisters Man. Entom. 82 The mesostemum (periste-
thium of Kirby and Spence), is, as well as the scapula;,
divided into two parts.
2. Anat. That part of the breast-bone lying be-
tween the presternum and the xiphisternum.
1868 W. K. Parker Shoulder-girdle Vertebr. 71 The
three great divisions into manubrium (pra>sternum), body
(mesostemum), and xiphoid process (xiphisternum) are
marked out. 187a Nicholson Palaeont. 399 All the other
ribs are connected with the mesostemum.
Mesostethium to Mesotherium : see Meso-.
Mesotherm (me*si?b3jm). Bot. [i. Gr. piao-s
middle + deppos hot. Cf. Meiotherm.] A plant
requiring a moderately warm temperature.
1875 J. G. Baker Bot. Geog. 48 Mesotherm, characteristic
of the subtropical or warm-temperate zone, and therefore
needing to be entirely protected from frost. Ibid. 51 Meso-
therm types. Ibid. 102 Geographical Range of the Meso-
therms.
Mesotliesis (mes^rsis). rare. [f. Gr. pho-s
middle + Oiats action of putting : see Thesis.]
Something interposed, serving to connect or re-
concile antagonistic agencies or principles.
1812-29 Coleridge in Lit. Rem. (1838) III. 93 Both alike
have quenched the Holy Spirit, as the mesothesis cf the
two. 1849 Froude Nemesis of Faith 157 The final meso-
thesis for the reconciling the two great rivals, Science and
Revelation.
Mesothet (me*s<?J)et). rare~x. [f. Gr. piao-s
middle + 6ir6v neut. of Oerus placed.] = prec. (In
quot. humorously pedantic.)
1850 Kingsley Alt. Locke xxi, A curious pair of 'poles'
the two made ; the mesothet whereof, by no means a punc-
turn indifferens, but a true connecting spiritual idea, stood
on the table — in the whisky- bottle.
So Mesothetic (mes0b£-tik),Mesothe*tical adjs.$
occupying a middle position.
1837 Eraser's Mag. XVI. 97 Mr. Carlyle avoids the syn-
thetical, as well as the analytical, and looks down upon
both from the mesothetical. 1848 Kingslky Yeast xv, An
honest development of the true idea of Protestantism, which
is paving the way to the mesothetic art of the future. 1871
— in Devon. Assoc. Trans. IV. 384 While the true philo-
sopher sought for the mesothetic or middle truth.
113-2
MESOTHORAX.
II Mesothorax (mesoJxJoTseks). Ent. [mod.L.,
f. Meso- + Thorax.] The middle ring or segment
of the thorax of insects.
1826 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. xxxiii. III. 371. 1833 G. R.
Gray Eiitont. Australia 1. 18 The mesothorax [of Trigono-
dents Childrenii] is some«vhat triangular in form, and
keeled down the centre. 1870 Rolleston Aiiim. Life 77
The dorsal part of the mesothorax.
Hence Mesothoracic (-borarsik) a., pertaining
to the mesothorax.
1839 Westwood Mod. Classif. Insects I. 17 The meso-
thoracic and metathoracic segments. 1878 Riley in Atner.
Nat. XII. 215 The first pair of spiracles are distinctly me-
sothoracic and dorsal in the triungulin.
Mesotonic (mesotp-nik), a. Mus. [f. Gr. picas
middle + tcVos Tone + -WSJ = Mean tone adj.
1864 A. J. Ellis in Proc. Roy. Soc. XIII. 408 This is known
as the System of Mean Tones, or the Mesotonic System, as
it will be here termed. 1896 A. J. Hipkins Pianoforte 103
To extend Mesotonic or Mean tone tuning to the keys of
E flat and A flat major.
II Mesotrocha (mes(rtr<?ka), sb. pi. Also -ee.
f mod.L., f. Gr. pinos middle + xpox<3s wheel, rim.]
Ciliated larva: of polychaHons annelids in which
one or more rows of cilia encircle the middle of
the body. Hence Mesotrochal a., also Meso'tro-
chous a. (in recent Diets.), having a ciliated ring
round the middle.
1877 Huxley Anat. Inv. Anint. v. 243 Mesotrocha. Ibid.
248 A mesotrochal Annelidan larva. 1888 Rolleston &
Jackson Anint. Life 606 Mesotrochae.
Mesotympanic : see Meso-.
t Me'SOtype. Min. Obs. [a.F. me'sotype [llaixy
i8oi),f. Gr. /«ffo-s middle + two? Type.] A name
including the minerals now called natrolite, scole-
cite, mesolite, and thomsonite.
(The form of the crystal is intermediate between those of
analcite and stilbite ; hence the name.)
1804 Edin. Rev. III. 311 The mezotype corresponds to the
fibrous and acicular zeolytes. 1815 MacCulloch in Trans.
Geo/. Soc. III. 86 Mesotype.. is found in three states, a com-
pact, a mealy, and a crystallized form. 185Z Th . Ross Hum-
boldt's Treat. II. xvii. 79 Crystals of pyroxene and mesotype.
Meso-uterine to -ventriculum : see Meso-.
Mesoxalic (mesjiksarlik), a. Chcm. [f. Meso-
+ Oxalic a.] Mesoxalic acid: a dibasic acid
obtained from alloxan. Hence Mesoxalate (me-
spksalt't), a salt of mesoxalic acid. Also Me-
soxalyl (mesjrksalil), the radical of alloxan (Syd.
Soc. Lex. 1890); at/rib. in mesoxalyl-urea, a
synonym of alloxan (ibid.).
1838 R. D. Thomson in British Ann. for 1839, 381 Me-
soxalic acid, .mesoxalate of barytes. 1878 Kingzett v-fw/w.
Chew. 203 Alloxan is resolved into urea and mesoxalic acid
by the action of boiling baryta water. 1894 Nature 26 J uly
31 1/2 Bismuth mesoxalate. 1895 Thomson & Bloxam
BloxanCs Cheni. 749 Alloxan . . or mesoxalyl-urea.
Mesozeugma : see Meso-.
II Mesozoa (mesozou-a), pi. Zool. [mod.L., f.
Gr. utoo-s middle + fya pi. of (won animal.] Van
Beneden's name for forms intermediate in structure
between the Protozoa and the Metazoa. (The
Orthonectids and Dicyemids, which he placed in
this division, are now recognized as Metazoa, but
it is believed that true Mesozoa exist.) Also sing.
MesozO'Oil, one of the mesozoa.
1877 Q. frill. Microsc. Set. XVII. 144 The 'Mesozoa'..
may be characterized as multicellular organisms, composed
of two kinds of cells, one layer of which.. is a true ecto-
derm; whilst the second layer, .constitutes the endoderm.
1877 Huxlky Anat. Inv. Anint. 676 The representatives of
a distinct division, the Mesozoa, intermediate between the
Protozoa and the Metazoa. 1892 Ann. <y Mag. Nat. Hist.
Ser. VI. IX. 79 The Mesozoon Salinella.
Mesozoic (mesozoa ik), a. Geol. [f. Gr. piao-s
middle + £$ov animal + -ic] The name given by
Phillips to the secondary period, intermediate
between the Paleozoic and the Cainozoic.
1840 J. Phillips in Penny Cycl. XVII. 154^1 Correspond-
ing terms (as Palaeozoic, Mesozoic, Kainozoic, &c.) may be
made, nor will these necessarily require change upon every
new discovery. 1861 J. R. Greene Man. Anint. Kingd.,
Calient. 239 Mesozoic, Cainozoic, and Recent Corals, which
occur in more than one Geological Period. 1880 Haughton
Phys. Geog. vi. 269 The Marsupials of the Mesozoic strata.
t Me'spile. Obs. Also 6 mespy(l)le, mys-
pylle. [ad. L. mespilus, -urn, -a, a. Gr. piiairiKov,
/ifairiKr), whence (ultimately) Medlar.] A medlar.
1398 Tkevisa Barth. De P. R. xvn. exxxvi. (E. Mus. MS.),
J>e sauour berof [the fruit of the rose] is bitinge and somdele
soure as be sauour [of] mespiles. 1500 Bollard tr. Godfredi
on Pallad., Of mespyles v. medlers. 1545 Raynold Byrth
Mankynde 81 Wyld peres, medlers or myspylles.
II Mespilus (ro.e-spili>s). Gardening. [L. ;
see precT) Applied to certain ornamental trees
formerly included in the genus Mespilus, but now
placed in the genus Cratmgus.
1767 Abercrombie Ev. Mait his own Card. (1803) 606
Hardy kinds of flowering shrubs and trees . . such as . .
mezereons, mespiluses. 1885 Lady Brassey The Trades
397 Planted, .with oranges, lemons, hibiscus, and mespilus.
1 Mesplier. Obs. [a. OF. mesplier { = ne-
splier, mod.K. niftier), f. mesple ( = nesple, mod.K.
nifle) :— L. mespilus ; see Mespile.] A medlar-tree.
1480 Caxton Ovid's Met. x. iv. (Roxb. Club), To this
assemblement came..Lawrers, Mespliers [etc.].
372
Mespresion, Mesprise, etc., obs. ff. Mispri-
sion, Misprise.
II Mesquin (mfsk;en), a. [Fr.] Mean, sordid,
shabby.
1706 Evelyn Ace. Architects ft Archit. (ed. 2) 10 They
[sc. the Moors] set up those Slender and Misquine [sic]
Pillars.. and other incongruous Props. 1828 Marq. Nor-
manby Engl, iu France 1 1. 102 It heightens the beauty of the
picturesque, and slurs over the mesqtiin and the mean. 1871
Kingsley At Last ii, The mesquin and scrofulous visages,
which crowd our alleys.
t Mesquita, mesquit \ Obs. Forms : a.
6 meschita, -quito, moskyta, -quita, 6-7 mes-,
raezquita, 7 meseita, -keeto, -keito, -kita,
raosquetto, -quito. (3. 6 museot, 6-7 meskit,
7 maehit, meschit(e, -cuite, mesked, mes-,
mosquit(e, 7-8 meskite. [a. Sp. mezquita and
It. meschita, ad. African Arab, masgid, dial, pro-
nunciation of Masjid. Some of the 0 forms
may come directly from Arab.] = Mosque.
0. 1576 Eden Trav. IV. <$• E. Indies (1577) 365 b. A Temple
or Meschita. 1598 W. Phillip Linsclwten I. xliii. 79 The
Moores like wise haue their Mesquitos. 1599 Hakluyt Voy.
II. 1. 208 This famous and sumptuous Mosquita hath 99.
gates, and 5. steeples. 1627 R Ashley Atmansorg The
Friday .. hee .. went in solemnitie to the great Mesquita.
1657 Howell Londiuop. 384 The Gran Cairo in Egypt, a
City .. having five and thirty thousand Meskeetos. 1661
Cowley Cromwell Verses & Ess. (1669) 73 They said he
[sc. Cromwell] ..would have sold .. St. Peters (even at his
own Westminster) to the Turks for a Mosquito.
8. it 1564 A. Jenkinson in Hakluyt's Voy. (1598) I. 347
Prince Ismael lieth buried in a faire Meskit. 1590 Webbe
Trav. (Arb.) 21 In the said Cittie [sc. Cairo], there is 12
thousand Churches, which they tearme Muscots. 161a
Brerewood Lang. <y Relig. xxvt. 227 The publick service
of the Jews and of the Mahumetans, in their synagogues
and meskeds. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 229 There
is also a Meschit there for the Arabians and Turkes Ibid.
v. xvii. 538 They neuer goe to their Watches before they
haue prayed in the Mesquit. 1658 Phillips, Meskite, a
Church, or Synagogue among the Turks and Moors. 1665
Sin T. Herbert Trav. (1677) 308 They. . lodge the Carcass
not in the Machits or Churches but Church-yards.
Mesquite, mesquita (me-skft, meskft).
Also mezquit(e, mezkeet, mesketis, muskeet.
[a. Mexican Sp. mezquite^\
1. Hither of two leguminous trees growing in
S.W. North America, Prosopis juliflora (honey
mesquite), and P. pubescens (screw-pod mesquite).
1851 Mayne Reid Scalp Hunt. i. 14 Here and there are
trees of acacia and mezqulte, the denizens of the desert land.
1854 Bartlett Mcx. Boundary I. iv. 75 The mezquit . .
belongs to the same natural family as our locust. _ 187a
Schele de Vere Americanisms 121 The Mesquite or
Muskeet (Algarobia glandulosa), a bastard-locust.
2. In full viesquite-grass : A general name for
grasses growing in the neighbourhood of the mes-
quite tree, esp. the genera Bouteloua and Buchloe.
1851MAYNE Reid Scalp Hunt. xxvi. 187 A desert country,
covered with wild sage and mezquite. 1857 Olmsted Jottrtt.
Texas 135 A great change occurred here in the prairie grass
—we had reached the mesquit grass. 1904 Blackzv. Mag.
Nov. 649/2 A shimmering prairie of mesquite.
3. atlrib. and Comb., as mesquite bush, flour,
leaf, tree, wood; mesquite bean, the pod of the
mesquite tree ; mesquite grass (see 2).
1869 in Daily Ntnus Sept. (1892) 6/7 He ate a few green
pods and leaves of a "mezquit bush. . .A few "mezquit beans.
1887 F. Francis Jun. Satldle /t Mocassin 73 Wave after
wave of rolling country sparsely covered with nieske/is-hmk.
1854 Bartlett Explor. Texas, etc. II. 217 The "mezquit
flour, which is ground very fine, has a sickish sweetness.
1859 Marcy Prairie Trav. 291 There is but little grass here,
but in the season the *mesqulte leaves are a good substitute.
i860 Merc. Marine Mag. VII. 212 A tew ..'mesquit trees
are now and then met with. 1891 C. Roberts Adrift
Amer. 149, 1 used to hitch up a team and go out on the
prairie and pick up "mesquite wood.
t Mesqui'tical, a. Obs. In 7 meschiticall.
[f. Mesquita + -ical.] Pertaining to a mosque.
1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 315 The multitudes of
other Churches, as silly captiued Damsels, attending and
following thee into this Meschiticall siauerie.
Mesquito, variant of Mesquita Obs.
MeSS (mes), sb. Forms: 3-6 mes, (jmeisse),
4-5 mees, 4-7 messe, 5-6 mese, Sc. mais, (6 Sc.
meis, 7 Sc. meiss), 5-7 measse, 6 mease, meace
(meesse, meece), 5- mess. [a. OF. mes = sense 1
below (mod.F. mets viand, dish) = It. messo
course of a repast :— late L. missum, neut. pa. pple.
of L. mitlere to send (in Rom. use, to put).]
I. Portion of food (and transferred uses).
1. A serving of food ; a course of dishes ; a pre-
pared dish (of a specified kind of food). Now
only arch. exc. as in 2.
a 1300 Cursor M. 12559 Nober durst bai . . brek bair brede,
ne tast bair mes Til he .. wit beniscun bairn badd. c 1350
King of Tars 86 The Soudan sat at his des, Iservedof his
furste mes. c 1400 Maundev. (Roxb.) xxxiv. 154 pai bring
him mete and euermare fyfe meesez togyder. C1425 Voc.
in Wr.-Wulcker 658/8 Hoc fmstrum, mese, gobyt. 1577
Holinshed Chron. III. 920/1 The which [servants] togither
kept also a continuall messe in the hall. 1604 Shaks. Oth.
iv. i. 211, I will chop her into Messes : Cuckold me? 1631
Heywood Ene:- Eliz. (1641) 175 Before the second messe
came in, he fell sick at the table. 1751 Hume A Dialogue in
Enq. Princ. Morals 228 My friend Alcheic form'd once a
Party for my Entertainment, ..and each of us brought his
Mess along with him. 1819 Byron Juan n.xli, For want of
MESS.
water, and their solid mess Was scant enough. 1841 James
Brigand xix, Here comes the old woman with my mess of
food. 1888 Stevenson Black Arrow 144 Three or four
men sat drinking ale and eating a hasty mess of eggs.
fi£> »563 Foxe A. *f M. (1583) II. 1845/2 What an euill
messe of handling this Whittle had, and how he was. -all to
beaten, .manifestly may appeare. 1603 , I Ikkkkr Wottderfult
YeareC] b, Most blisfuil Monarch. .Seru'd with a messe of
kingdomes. a 1764 Lloyd Poet Poet. Wks. 1774 II. 17
As colleges, who duly bring Their mess of verse to every
king. 1770 N. Nicholls in Corr. iv. Gray (1843) 117 In
hopes 01 learning a little profane history to mix with my
divine, which is really a bad mess by itself.
f b. Worms' mess, food for worms. Obs.
a 1300 Sarmun vi. in E. E. P. (1862) 2 |>i fleisse nis na^te
bot worme-is meisse. c 1460 Towneley Myst. xxxi. 118 Ne
flesh he was wonte to fede, It shall be Wormes mese.
C. A quantity (of meat, fruit, etc.) sufficient
to make a dish. (Now dial, and U.S.) Also, the
quantity of milk given by a cow at one milking.
15x3 More Rich. Ill (1883) 46 You haue very good straw-
beries at your gardayne in Holberne, I require you let vs
haue a messe of them, a 1533 Frith A git. Rastcll 242 A
shrewd cow, which, when she hath given a large mess of
milk, turneth it down with her heeL 1597 Shaks. 2 Hen. IV%
11. i. 103 Goodwife Keech . . comming in to borrow a
messe of Vinegar. 1621 in Black Bk. Taymouth (Bannatyne
CI.) 313 Off new salt beiff i quarter iiii meiss. 1870 Lowell
Study Wind, 8 His is the earliest mess of green peas.
d. U.S. A take or haul of fish.
1854 Thoreau IValden, Spring (1884) 338, I got a rare
mess of golden and silver and bright cupreous fishes. 1901
R. D. Evans Sailors Log vi. 59 The captain .. sent me a
mess of the finest mackerel I ever saw.
2. Applied (in early use only contextually, in
later use spec.) to a * made dish ', or to a portion
or a kind of liquid, partly liquid, or pulpy food,
such as milk, broth, porridge, boiled vegetables, etc.
The expression a mess of pottage, proverbially current in
allusions to the story of Esau's sale of his birthright (Gen.
xxv. 20-34), does not occur in the Bible of 1611, though
found in this connexion as early as 1526 (see quoL below).
It appears in the heading of ch. xxv. in the Bibles of 1537
and 1539, and in the Geneva Bible of 1560. Coverdale (1535)
does not use it either in the text or heading of this chapter
(his words being ' meace of meate ', ' meace of ryse '), but he
has it in 1 Chron. xvi. 3 and Prov. xv. 7.
14.. Sir Baus 83 (MS. C), But onys yn a weke a symple
messe Of sodyn barley was hart lees, c 1456 How wise man
taught his son 99 in Hazl. E. P. P. I. 173 Bettyr it is . . A
mes of potage . . Then for to have a M. mes, With great
dysese and angyr sore. X526 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531)
1. xi. 30 Som for a messe of potage, with Esau, careth nat to
sell the euerlastyng inheritaunce of heuen. a 159a Lodge
& Greene Looking Gl. Lond. ff Eng. (1881) 20, I want my
mease of milke when I goe to my worke. 1595 Duncan
App. Etymol. (E.D.S.) 70 Insculum, a mease of brue. 1598
Shaks. Merry IV. in. i. 63, 1 had as lief you would tell me
of a messe of porredge. 163a Milton L' Allegro 85 Hearbs,
and other Country Messes. 1633 Heywood & Rowley
Fortune by Land in. i, Give .. a word to the dayry maid
for a mess of cream, x66o Worlidce Syst. Agric. (1681) 41
The Meal makes, .good Pottage, and several other Messes.
1711 Swift JrnL to Stella 23 Dec, I have . . eaten only a
mess of broth and a roll. i77*-84 Cook Voy. (1700) V. 1 771
Having observed several messes of porpoise broth preparing.
1884 Fortn. Rev. Mar. 379 They are fond of farinaceous
messes.
b. A quantity of liquid or mixed food for an
animal ; a kind of such food.
X738 Pope Epil. to Sat. ii. 176 If one [sc. hog]. .Has what
the frugal, dirty soil affords, From him the next receives it,
thick or thin, As pure a mess almost as it came in. 1810
Sporting Mag. XXXVI. 251 The infernal mess alluded lo
. . being ordered for race-horses. 1841 Browning Pifpa
Passes ii, 'Tis only a page.. Crumbling your hounds their
messes ! i860 Miss Yonge Ctess Kate 1, [He was] mixing
a mess of warm milk for the young calves.
C. In contemptuous or disgusted use: A con-
coction, jumble, medley.
1828-3* Weustek, Mess, 2. A medley ; a mixed mass. 1836
Backwoods of Canada 124 Rice, sugar, currants, pepper
and mustard all jumbled into one mess. 1854 Miss Baker
Northampt. Glois., Mess, a hodge-podge, or dirty, disagree-
able mixture. Any culinary preparation that is unpalatable
would be called ' a nasty mess*.
3. A state of confusion or muddle; a condition
of embarrassment or trouble ; esp. in phr. lo get
into a puss. To make a mess of: to bungle (an
undertaking).
1834 Markyat P. Simple xxxiii, Here's a pretty mess ! if
I put on my great coat I shall be dead with sweating ; if I
put on no jacket I shall be roasted brown. 1862 Darwin in
Life <r Lett. (1887) II. 392, I am rejoiced that I passed over
the whole subject in the ' Origin ', for I should have made
a precious mess of it. X875 Ruskin Fo rs Clav. Iv. 199 Their
affair gets into a mess. 1891 S. C. Scrivener Our Fields <y
Cities 173 But never mind, Charlie boy, keep out of messes.
b. A dirty or untidy condition of things.
1851 Mayhew Lond. Labour (1864) II. 193/1 They make
it a rule when they receive neither beer nor money from a
house to make as great a mess as possible the next time
they come. X867 Smyth Sailor's iVord-bk., Mess, .. the
state of a ship in a sudden squall, when everything is let go
and flying.
C. ^See quot.)
1844 Stephens Bk. Farm II. 165 The London butcher ..
will . . reject such cattle or sheep as are what is termed in a
mess ; that is, depressed, after excitation by being overlaid
or overdriven.
II. Company of persons eating together.
4. Originally, each of the small groups, normally
of four persons (sitting together and helped from
the same dishes), into which the company at a ban-
MESS.
quet was commonly divided. Now only in the
Inns of Court, a party of four benchers or four stu-
dents dining together. Hence, a company of per-
sons (members of some official or professional body)
who regularly take their meals together; e.g., the
company of judge and barristers who dine together
when on circuit (see also b).
c 1420 Lvdg. Assembly of Gods 257 So he her set furst at
hys owne messe. c 1460 J. Russell Bk. Nurture 1050 in
Babees Bk. 72 Bisshoppes, Merques, vicount, Erie goodly,
May sytte at .ij. messez. Ibid. 1057 Of alle ober estates to
a messe iij. or iiij. Ibid. 1065 Of alle opur estates to a
messe ye may sette foure & foure. 1591 Wills <y Inv. N. C.
(Surtees) II. 199 For the charges of xij mease, that dyned
at his owne house, 21. 8'1. 1607 Beaumont Woman Hater
1. ii, Nor should there stand any.-pyes, at the nether end,
fill'd with mosse and stones, partly to make a shew with,
and partly to keepe the lower messe from eating. 1654
Gataker Disc. Apol. 40 His fellow-Benchers that were in
the same Messe with him. 1671 H. M. tr. Erasm. Coltoq.
395 To every mess of guests set three dishes. 1681 Lut-
trell Brief Rel. (1857) I- 99 An addresse . . was moved by
some in the hall [in Grayes InnJ that day at dinner, and
being (as is usuall) sent to the barr messe to be by them
recommended to the bench. 1821 iruV.Eng. Hist. $ Gen. Reg.
(1876) XXX. 191 Here a number of members [of Congress],
vulgarly called a 'Mess', put up, and have a separate table.
1866 Mansfield Sc/tool Life (1870) 219 [Winchester], The
Prasfects' tables in Hall were called 'Tub, Middle, and
Junior Mess' respectively. 1882 Serj. Ballantine.£>/V>-:"-
ences I. v. 65 page heading, Circuit mess. [Account of its
usages, c 1834.] 1899 Atlay Famous Trials 388 Dr. Ke-
nealy's fellow-barristers on the Oxford Circuit called upon
him to show cause before the mess on the allegation of
having [etc.], . . He declined to appear, and was duly expelled
from the mess.
b. In the Army and Navy : Each of the several
parties into which a regiment or ship's company
is systematically divided, the members of each
party taking their meals together. Phr. To lose
the number of one's mess : to die, be killed.
1536 Ld. Treas. Ace. Scott. (1905) VI. 450 The expensis
of xxxij meisof marineris, gunnaris, and utheris in the New
Havin. 1599 E. Wright Voy. Azores 17 They willingly
agreed that every mease should bee allowed at one meale
but halfe so much drinke as they were accustomed. 1769
Falconer Diet. Marine (1780), Mess, a particular company
of the officers or crew of a ship, who eat, drink, and associate
together. 1822 Gen. Regul. <y Orders A rmy 123 Command-
ing Officers are enjoined, when practicable, to form a Ser-
jeants' Mess, as the means of supporting their consequence
and respectability in the Corps. 1834 Marryat P. Simple
xxxiii, I have an idea that some of us will lose the number
of our mess. 1840 Alison Hist. Europe (1849-50) VIII. liii.
§ 26. 421 The situation of privates who had risen to the
officers' mess was not so comfortable. 1858 Simmonds Diet.
Trade, Mess.. a. number of men who take their meals to-
gether ; thus in vessels of war there are ward-room_ and
gun-room messes, comprising commissioned and subordinate
officers. The seamen and marines' messes consist of a dozen
or more under the superintendence of a non-commissioned
or petty officer. 1886 Baring-Gould Court RoyalW, When
one of H. M. vessels was put in commission, the mess was fur-
nished with new linen, plate, china, glass. 1890 G. Stables
For England, etc. xvi. 234 The mess to which this man
belonged is little more than a hot-bed of mutiny.
c. Without article : The taking of such a meal.
1778 Camp Guide 7 I'm summon'd to mess. 1875 Jowett
Plato (ed. 2) III. 294 They will go to mess and live together
like soldiers in a camp. 1876 Besant & Rice Gold. Butterfly
xiii, One evening after mess he told Colquhoun that [etc.].
d. gen. =* Table' (in the senses * company at
an entertainment ' ; ■ provision of food *).
1861 G. F. Berkeley Sportsm. W. Prairies xiv. 239 He
never brought anything from my kitchen to the general
mess. 1840 Arnold Hist. Rome II. 551 The members of
the aristocracy [of Athens] had their clubs, where they
habitually met at a common mess or public table. 1878
Bosw. Smith Carthage 26 There were public messes, as
they were called, but these were not . . analogous to the
Spartan Syssitia,
+ 5. transf. A company or group of four persons
or things. Obs,
1526 Skelton Magnyf. 1009 Let me se. . Yf I can fynde out
So semely a snowte Amonge this prese : Euen a hole mese.
1588 Shaks. L. L. L. iv. iii. 207 You three fooles, lackt mee
foole, to make vp the messe. 1593 — 3 Hen. VI, 1. iv. 73
Where are your Messe of Sonnes, to back you now. a 1625
Fletcher, etc. Fair Maid Inn m. i, The messe and halfe
of suiters, a 1661 Fuller Worthies 1. (1662) 13, I meet with
a mess of English Natives advanced to that Honour. . . Yea,
I assure you, four Popes was a very fair proportion for
England.
punningly. 16x7 {title) Ianva Lingvarvm QvadriHngvis, or
a Messe of Tongves : Latine, English, French, and Spanish.
Neatly serued vp together, for a wholesome repast.
6. U.S. Short for mess-beef (see 7).
1859 Neiu York Herald Market Report (Hoppe), Prime
mess and beef ham. 1884 Harpers Mag. July 299/1
[Chicago.] The average weight of the class of animals used
for 'mess 'and 'canning' is 950 pounds... The division [of
the carcasses] is made into . . pieces . . viz. loins, ribs, mess,
plates, chucks, rolls, rumps, [etc.].. .' Extra mess' is com-
posed of chucks, plates, rumps, and flanks.
III. 7. attrib. and Comb, (sense 4), as mess-
article, -beef -berth, -bread) -cabin, -chest, -deck,
-jacket, -kid (see Km sbA), -list, -making, -meat,
-money, -pork, -room (also attrib."), -sergeant, -table,
-tent, -tin, -traps, -writer. Also Messmate.
*8*8 P. Cunningham N. S. Wales (ed. 3) II. 215 All the
*mess-berths and *mess articles numbered according to
their corresponding messes. 1766 W. Gordon Gen. Count-
ing-ko. 319, 45 barrels full bound *mess-beef. 1883 P. L.
Simmonds Useful A trim., Mess Beef. This is usually put
373
up in pieces of 8 lbs., and sold in tierces of 304 lbs. 1615
E. S. Britain's Buss in Arb. Gamer III. 628 Baskets for
*mess-bread. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk., Ward-room,
the commissioned officers' *mess cabin. x888 Century Mag.
851/1 We have a stout four-horse wagon.. ; in its rear a
*mess-chest is rigged to hold the knives, forks, cans, etc.
1855 Ogilvie Suppl., * Mess-deck, the deck on which a ship's
crew mess. 1891 E. Kinglake Australian at. II. 91 The
"mess-jackets of one or two officers, .may be seen, and some
naval uniforms. 1851 Catal. Gt. Exhib. 786 Ships' . . *mess
kid, brass hooped. 1828 P. Cunningham N. S. Wales (ed. 3)
II. 215 On the *mess-list being arrranged upon deck, they
are. .placed.. in their respective messes, a 1734 North
Life Ld. Guilford (1742) 35 This Friendship began by
*Mess-making in the Temple-Hall. 1903 Daily Chron.
29 Dec. 5/3 Russia has given.. an urgent order for i,ooo,ooolb.
of *mess meat. 1833 Marryat I\ Simple vi, The three
guineas which you received as *mess-money. 1874 C.
Geikie Life in Woods i. 10 A piece or two of sailor's mess-
pork. 1811 Sporting Mag. XXXVII. 152 No Officer was
permitted to carry the newspapers out of the *messroom.
1855 Thackeray Ncivcomes II. 298 Not disturbed by the
mess-room raillery of the Campaigner. 1859 Lang Wand.
India 361, I will introduce to you all the servants — the
"mess -sergeant especially. 1830 M. Donovan Do/n. Econ.
I. 45 An officer,, .after getting intoxicated at the "mess-
table [etc.]. 1774 Ld. Harris in Life <V Services (1845) 34
She., passed close by our "mess-tent. 1879 Casselts Techu.
Educ. IV. 215 Our men carry a "mess-iin, and a water
bottle. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk., * Mess-traps, the
kids, crockery, bowls, spoons, and other articles of mess
service. 1893 Forbes-Mitchell Remin. Gt. Mutiny 175
For many years [he] had filled the post of "mess-writer,
keeping all the accounts of the mess.
Mess (mes), v. [f. Mess sb. ; the senses repre-
sent independent formations.]
I. trans. To serve up (food) ; to divide (food)
into messes or portions. Obs. exc. dial.
1c 1390 Form ofCury Ixii. (1780) 35 Take alkenet..and
droppe above with a feper, and messe it forth. < 1430 Two
Cookery-bks. 30 Florche it a-bouyn with Pome-gamed, &
messe it ; serue it forth. 1530 Palsgr. 635/1, 1 messe meate,
I sorte it or order it in to messes, as cookes do whan they
serve it. 1886 Cheshire Gloss., Come an' tay th' cheilt,
wheile aw mess th' dinner for th' men.
b. intr. To prepare messes for animals, rare.
1840 Cottagers Man. 36 in Libr. Usef KncnvL, Hush. Ill,
There will be no necessity for messing every time the pig
wants a meal.
f 2. To divide (a ship's company) into messes. Obs.
1637 Capt. Smith Seaman's Gram. ix. 39 To messe them
foure to a messe. 1690 Strutton Relat. Cruelties of French
10 We Mest our selves seven and seven together.
3. intr. To take one's meals, esp. as a member of
a mess ; also rarely to feed upon (a specified kind
of food).
1701 Farquhar Sir It. Wildair m. ii, I shall find better
mutton commons by messing with you, brother. 1743
Bulkeley & Cummins Voy. S. Seas 196 We never us'd to
mess together. 1786 tr. BeckforcCs Vathek (1868) 82 It was
his horrible look that sent us hither to listen to sermons
and mess upon rice. 1833 Marryat P. Simple iv, Now that
we are in harbour, I mess here. 1876 Davis Polaris Exp.
vii. 176 The officers who had messed with him, ..knew
that the life of the expedition was gone.
b. trans. To supply with meals.
i8ix Wellington in Gurw. Desp. (1838) VIII. 295_The
soldiers, .were not at all times messed in the manner pointed
out by your order. 188a Floyer Unexpl. Baluchistan 79
The Khan.. was most hospitable, even to the extent of
messing me at his own 'table'.
4. intr. To make a mess, put things into a dis-
orderly or untidy state; to dabble in water, mud,
etc. Also, to * potter ', busy oneself in an untidy
way, or with no definite purpose or result (const.
about or with advs. about, away).
1853 Mrs, Lynn Linton in Life vii. 83, I mess about my
flowers and read snatches of French. 1886 Tip Cat xix. 263
Messing about with sulphur and lime and all the rest of it.
1886 G. Allen Maimie's Sake xxi, Sydney was. .messing
away, .at his nasty chemicals. 1894 K. Grahame Pagan P.
129 What boy has ever passed a bit of water without mess-
ing in it?
5. trans. To make a mess of; to disorder, make
dirty, soil (a thing) ; to muddle (a business). Also
with up.
1854 W. Collins Hide fy Seek III. iv. 108 That's the first
pair of trousers I ever ventured to cut out for you . . ; and the
long and short of it is, I've messed 'em. 1859 C. Reade
Love me Little \, It messes one's things so to pick them to
pieces. 1862 H. Marryat Year in Siveden I. 165 The
authorities,, .convinced of the folly of messing matters,
have caused a plan to be drawn out on a grand, .scale.
1883 Freeman in W. R. W. Stephens Life 4- Lett. (1895)
II. 275 The friars1 churches at Gloucester .. are utterly
messed and made up into houses. 1901 Scribner's Mag.
(U.S.) XXIX. 404/1 Lank told him that he had messed the
whole business.
6. To mess about : to handle roughly or too
familiarly, dial, or vulgar.
1874 Slang Diet., Mess, to interfere unduly. Coster-
mongers refer to police supervision as ' messing \ 1901
Essex Weekly Neius 8 Mar. 3/3 Defendant was 77 years
old, and had never been messed about by policemen before.
7. Sc. To mix, associate with\ only in phr. to
mess or (and) mell.
i8ai Galt Ann. Parish xxiv. {\%^ 159 She. .would not
let me.. mess or mell wi' the lathron lasses of the clachan.
1822 — Steam-boat iv. 88 This is an observe that I have
made .. since I began., to mess and mell more with the
generality of mankind. 1887 J. Service Dr. Dnguid (ed. 3)
281 He would neither mess nor mell wi1 ony o' the new
reformers.
Mess, obs. form of Mass sb.1
MESSAGE.
Message (nursed^), sbA Forms : 4-7 mas-
sage, 5 masage, (4 messag, missage, 5 mas-
sAche, 6 mesuage, messege, 6, 8 messuage, 7
meswage), 3- message, [a. F. message = Pr. mes-
salge, Sp. mensaje, Pg. mensage{m, It. ?nessagio :—
popular L. *missdticum (a mcd.L. word of this form
occurs in the 1 2th a), f. L. miss-, mittere to send.]
1. A communication transmitted through a mes-
senger or other agency ; an oral or written com-
munication sent from one person to another; also,
f intelligence, tidings, news. Obs.
1297 R. Glouc. (Roils) 3645 To be king com message pat
be scottes . . dude him gret outrage, c 1330 R. Bkunne
Chron. (1810) 40 pis was his message, his Danes wild he
venge Ageyn him in bataile. 1382 WycLiF 2 Kings vii. 9
This isforsothe a day of good message. 1462 Makg. Paston
in P. Lett, II. 99, I have spoken with my niodre and scide
to here as ye desired me to doo, and sche seide sche knewe
the tnassache weele inowe before. 1503-4 Act 19 lien. VII,
c. 34 Preamble, Dyvers messages and writinges to hym
sent. 1596 Shaks. Merch. V. 1. i. 164 Sometimes from her
eyes I did receiue faire speechle^se messages. 1667 Milton
P. L. xi. 299 Gently hast thou tould Thy message. _ 1722
De Fok Relig. Courtsh. 1. i. (1840) 22 You cannot desire me
to carry such a message. 1840 Miss Mitkoru in L'Estrange
Life (1S70) III. vii. 107, I had a kind message from Captain
Marryat once, when somebody whom he knew was coming
here. 1902 T. M. Lindsay Church in Early Cent. viii. 355
They [acolytes] were the servants of the Christian priests. .
carrying their messages or letters.
II Often applied to a communication sent by tele-
graph ; hence transf.
1847 Tennyson Princess Prol. 78 Thro' twenty posts of
telegraph They flash'd a saucy message to and fro Between
the mimic stations. 1884 J. Tait Mind in Matter (1892)
71 Messages can pass through the brain and the nerves
every moment.
b. In religious language: A divinely inspired
communication by a prophet ; tidings sent by God.
1546 Bale Eng. Votaries 1. (1560} Ep. Ded., A ioyfull
massage declaring full remission to be geuen frely in
Christe. 1781 J. Logan in Sc. Paraphr. xxxw. iv, His
oracles of truth proclaim the message brought to man. 1892
Wi:stcott Gospel of Life p. xvili, If we are to deliver our
message as Christians we must face the riddles of life. 1902
A. B. Davidson Called of God vii. 201 Isaiah's message is
twofold ; first ruin and then redemption.
transf. 1828 Carlvlk Misc. (1857) I. 2.^8 Byron and Bums
. .had a message to deliver. 1895 Ellacomhe Glouc. Garden
xxv. 279 Every plant has its own separate message and lesson.
c. An official communication from the Sovereign
to Parliament; U.S. a communication from a chief
executive officer to a legislative body conveying
instructions or information on matters of policy ;
esp. the Presidential address transmitted to Congress
at the opening of the Session.
1625 Whitklock Mem. (1853) 3 The commons, .voted to
give the king two subsidies, for which the king thanks them
by a message. 1711-12 Swift Jrnl. to Stella 17 Jan., The
Queen's message was only to give them notice of the peace
she is treating. 1758 Mem. Last War 35 The Governor
thereupon moved the Assembly in two other Messages to
resume the Consideration of this Enterprize. 1801 Hamilton
Wks. (1886) VII. 200 Instead of delivering a speech to the
Houses of Congress, . . the President has thought fit to
transmit a Message, a 1859 Macaulay Hist. Eng. xxiv.
(1861) V. 177 William, .sent down to the Commons a message,
. .written throughout with his own hand. 1862 J. M. Ludlow
Hist U.S. 169 The President, in his message of the year . .
referred in terms of sympathy with Texas to its struggle
with Mexico.
2. The business entrusted to a messenger; the
carrying of a communication ; amission, an errand.
c 1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 24/26 Heo weoren Messagers : and
from an hei$ mon heo come To don to him a Message.
c 1380 Wvclif Set. Wks. III. 272 pat an angel of God scbal
not do Goddis massagis to save Cristene soulis. 1390 Gower
Conf. III. 300 Hisdoghter-.He bad to gon on his message.
C1440 Alphabet of Tales 72 Such men sulde be no baillays,
nor go no messagies. 1470 Got. fy Gau: 401 Our souerane
Arthour . . Has maid ws thre as mediatour, His message to
schaw. 1526 Pilgr. Perf (W. de W. 1531) 32 b, Yf man
shall haue sufficyent faculty to do the message of God. 159'
Shaks. i Hen. VI, iv. vii. 53 On what submissiue message
art thou sent? 1667 Milton P. L. v. 289 All the Bands Of
Angels.. to Ms message high in honour rise; For on som
message high they guessd him bound. 1720 Petrie Rules
Deportm. \\. Wks. (1877) 6 A Gentleman ought not to run
or walk too fast in the Streets, lest he be suspected to be
going a Message. 1840 Marrvat Poor Jack iv, I.. ran
messages. 1849 Thackeray Pettdennis xvii, She bethought
her. .how he had gone on messages for her.
fb. Phrase. (To go, send, etc.) in (also of on)
message : on the business of carrying a communi-
cation or of doing an errand. Obs.
1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 7405 A monek he sende him in
message. 1382 Wyclif 2 Cor. v. 20 Therfore we ben sett
in legacie, or message, for Crist. 1443 Acts Privy Council
(1835) V. 238 To paie to Coler pursivant be whiche goethe
now in be Kynges message beyonde he see xl.s. 1456 Sir
G. Have Law Arms (S.T.S.) 116 Quhen ony is send in
message to the inymyes. 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VII
12 b, He sent on message Christopher Urswicke to Charles.
1557 F • Skager Schoole ofVertue 726 in Babees Bk., How
to order thy selfe being sente of mes>age. 1593 Shaks.
2 Hen. VI, iv. i. 113, I go of Message from the Queene
to France. 1622 Bacon Hen. VII 142 The King, .sent Sir
Richard Gvilford into Kent in message.
+ 3. A person or body of persons conveying a
communication ; one or more messengers or envoys,
an embassage. [So in OF.] Obs.
CX330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 78 A message tille him
MESSAGE.
374
MESSENGER.
nam vnto Normundie, Teld William eueridele of Malcolme
robberie. c 1386 Chaucer Man of Law's T. 235 The hooly
lawes of oure Alkaron, Yeuen by goddes message Makomete.
a 1450 Le Morte A rtk. 2256 Then was A bischope at Rome,
Off Rowchester, . . Tylle ynglande he, the message, Come.
£1470 Hknbv Wallace vni. 541 Wallace has herd the
message say thair will, c 1475 RaufCoil$ear 905 Fra the
Chane of Tartarie, At him this message wald I be, To tell
him [etc.].
4. altrib. and Comb., as message-carrying; mes-
sage-boy Sc, an errand-boy; message card, a
card on which a message may be written ; in the
1 8th c. spec, a card of invitation to a reception
or entertainment ; message-form, a printed form
for a telegraphic message ; message rate, in the
British Post Office, a fixed rate of payment per
message sent by telephone (opposed to a subscrip-
tion entitling to 'unlimited service'); message
stick, a stick or small block of wood carved with
significant marks, used as a means of communica-
tion among the Australian aborigines.
1896 Chockett Cleg Kelly (ed. 2) 56, I came . . to ask
about the situation of a *message-boy. 1755 W. Whitehead
in Dodsley Poems II. 264 {title) On a "Message-Card in
Verse, Sent by a Lady. 1804 European Mag. XLV. 418/2
His visits were admitted without the punctilios of message-
cards. 1851 lllustr. Catal. Exhib. 102/2 Paper and Sta-
tionery. . . Message Cards, plain and ornamental. 1829
Bentham Justice <y Cod. Petit. 179 The business of *mes-
sage-carrying. 1900 Post Office Guide Jan. 518 Postage
stamps are used for the payment of telegrams, and the public
are required to affix them to the *message-forms. 1901
Daily Ckron. 30 Nov. 7/7 [Po>t Office Telephones.] Most
of these [agreements] are at what is known as the *message
rate. x88i Academy 24 Sept. 243 Three * message- sticks from
Australia which prove that even degraded savages may in-
vent real written characters. 1898 in Morris A nstral Eng.
t Message, sb.2 Obs. rare—1. [?f. mess
Mass sb.1 + -age.] ? The action of saying mass.
( 1440 Alphabet of Tales 58 He sente burgh all his
bisshoppryke, & garte do message & oders prayers & suffrage
of halie kurk for hym.
Message (me'sed^), v. [f. Message sbX\
1. trans. To send as a message ; to send by mes-
senger ; spec, to transmit (a sketch, plan, etc.) by
means of signalling, telegraphing, etc.
1583 Stanvhurst AZueis iv, (Arb.) 107 Hee did, in ex-
pressed commaund, to me message his erraund. 1636 W.
Denny in Ann. Dulrcnsia (1877) 14 Then by and by swift
racing Naggs contend Who first, shall message Conquest
to the end, Of their appointed course. 1886 Longm. Mag.
VII. 416 The result obtained .. is easier to message. 1887
Pall Mall G. 24 Mar. n/i A series of rules by which any
drawing may be ' messaged ' and signalled. 1896 Columbus
(Ohio) Dispatch 18 Mar. 7/1 The bill was messaged over
from the house last evening.
2. intr. To carry a message, nonce-use.
1840 Dickens Barn. Rudgexxiv, Our people go backwards
and forwards .. lettering and messaging, and fetching and
carrying.
Hence Messaging vbl. sb.
1865 Carlyle Fredk. Gt. xv. iii. V. 289 We can get no
free messaging from part to part of our own Army even.
ibid, xix. ii. (1873) VIII. 127 Montalembert's watching,
messaging about.
Messageer, -er(e, obs. ff. of Messenger.
Messagery (me'sed^eri). Obs. or arch. Also
4 messagerie, 7 -gry. [a. F. messagerie) f. mes-
sagcr : see Messenger and -ery.]
1. The office or function of a messenger; the
performance of a message or errand. Obs. exc. arch.
c 138* Chaucer Part. Ponies xxxiii, I saw .. Fool hordy-
nesse & flatterye, & desyr, Messagerye & meede & ober
thre. 1658 Phillits, Messagry, (old word) diligence in
doing a message. 18. . Carlyle /list. Sk. (189S) 80 There
are the country carriers [on a market day], packing, unpack-
ing; swift diligence, thousandfold messagery looking
through their eyes.
2. A body of messengers. Obs. rare—1.
1 1500 Melusine 69 In this messagery or embassade were
sent two wyse knightes.
Mesaagier, -gre, -gy(e)r, obs. ff. Messenger.
Mesaal, -ale, obs. ff. Missal sb.
Messalian (mes^-lian), Massalian (mse-
s^i'lian), sb. and a. Ecci. Hist. Also 6-9 Mas-
silian, 8 Messallian. [ad. late Gr. M(<T<rakiav6s
(Theodoret), MaaoaXiavos (Epiphanius), ad. Syr.
EloX-Jao mecaly&n& given to prayer; the Greek
writers render it by cvxirys (see Euchite) and
eux^^os one who prays. Some of the forms of the
word are due to association with the place-name
Massa/ia, Massilia, Marseilles.]
A. sb. A member of an ancient heretical sect,
variously identified by early writers with the
Euchites and with the Hesychasts.
aisgi H. Smith Serin. (1637) 380 If your lippes be not
alwayes going, which was the heresie of the Messalians.
1708-22 Bingham Grig. Eccl. xx. iii. § 5 The Massalians,
or Euchites [kept Sunday as a fasi]. 1833 Moore Trav.
Irish Gentl. in Search Relig. I. 262 1 Tie Messalians . .
imagined that the whole atmosphere was brimful of devils.
1880 Encycl. Brit. XI. 782/2 Hesychasts (..sometimes
referred to as Euchites, Massalians, or Palamites), a
quietistic sect.
B. adj. Of or pertaining to the Messalians.
1597 Hooker Eccl. Pot. v. lxxiv. § 1 We. .should be like
those Massilian heretiques which doe nothing else but pray.
1654 H. L'Estrange Chas. I (1655) 127 He was..dis-
relisht by them who inclined to the Massilian and Anninian
Tenets. 1882-3 Schaff Encycl. Relig. Knowt. III. 2152
The Massilian Monks are described as holding, that by
faith and baptism any one can be saved, if he only will.
Messan (me-san). Sc. Forms: 6-8 messen,
8 messon, 9 messin, 5- messan. [? a. Gael.
measan = Irish measdn, M.Irish mesdn (Macbain).]
A lap-dog ; also applied to a person as a term of
abuse. Also altrib. as messan-dog, -air, -tyke.
a 1500 Bernard, de cura rei fam. (E.E.T.S.) 13 Litile
doggis and messanys with bar bellis. 1508 Kennedie
Flytingiv. Dunbar 495 A crabbit,scabbit,euill facit messan
tyke. 1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scotl. I. 22 The
varietie of Messen dogs, w' quhilkes gentle women vses to
recreate thame selfes. 1719 Hamilton Ep. 1. iii. in Ramsay
Poems (1877) II. 232 To petty poets, or sic messens. 1786
Burns Twa Dogs 18 Na pride had he, But wad hae spent
an hour caressan, Ev'n wi a Tinkler-gipsey's messan. 1828
Scott/'. M. Perth xv, I met him.. with a common minstrel
wench, with her messan and her viol on his.. arm. 1853
Carlyle in Atlantic Monthly LXXXII. (1898) 685 The
white mat on Jane's lap is her wretched little messin-dog.
Messangier, -yer, -yre, obs. ff. Messenger.
Messaye, obs. form of Missay v.
Messchance, obs. form of Mischance.
Messe : see Mass sb.1, v.1, Mease, Messiah.
Messeger, obs. form of Messenger.
MesseUne, -ling, obs. forms of Maslin 2.
Messelinge, -yne, -yng, obs. ff. Maslin1.
t Messellawny. Obs. Also 7 messelane,
misselane. Some textile fabric.
1612 Sc. Bk. Customs in Halyburtou's Ledger {1867) 322
Missellanes the peice contening xxx elnis xxxvi li. 01625
Pates Merchandizes, Misselanes the peece, containing
thirtie yards. 1642 Ibid, Messelanes. 1640 in Entick
London II. 178 Messellawny, the piece.
Messell(e, variants of Measle a. Obs.
Messelyng, obs. form of Maslin 1.
Messenger (me'sendsjaj). Forms : a. 3-6
messager, 3-5 -ere, (4 mesager, messagyr,
-gre), 3-4 messagyer, messsger, (4 messagere,
masager), 5 massageer (messageer), 4 mas-
(s)eger, 5 -gere, 5-6 messagier, (5 massagier,
6 messurger). j8. 4-6 messanger, 4-5 -ere,
-ir, 5-6 -auuger, (4 mesanger, 5 messongere,
myssanger), 4-7 messinger, 5 -ere, 4-5 mes-
synger(e, (4 mensanger, -syngere, massin-
gere, 5 masynger, 6 mesynger), 4-5 massen-
ger, 5 massanger(e, messen gere, (masenger,
-yr, messengyr), 5 messangier, -yer, -yre, 6
messengier, 4- messenger. [ME. messager, -iert
a. F. messager (OF. also messagier), f. message :
see Message sb. Cf. Pr. messatgier, Sp. mensajero,
Pg. mensageiro, It. messaggiero, -ere. For the in-
sertion of n in the 0 forms, cf. Passenger, etc.]
1. One who carries a message or goes on an
errand ; f an envoy, ambassador (obs.). Corbie
messenger: see Corbie 2.
(Goifs) messenger : (a) used for Angel, as representing
the etymological sense of that wordj and as expressing the
function assigned to angels in Scripture; {b) applied to a
prophet, or to a clergyman, as charged with a message from
God to mankind.
a. a 1225 Ancr. R. 190 Heie monnes messager, me schal
heiliche underuongen. 1362 Langl. P. PI. A. iv. 115 Bote
hit beo Mnrchaund. .or Messager with lettres- 1481 Cax-
ton Godtffroy i. 18 Machomet . . whiche was messager of the
deuil. 1521-2 Douglas in Ellis Grig. Lett. Ser. m. I. 295
For bnith by messurger and write I declarit him playnlie
I wald pass thro' this Realme. 1558 Knox First Blast
(Arb.) 6 The especiall dutie of Goddes messagers is to
preache repentance. 1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 389
The next day.. came messagers and letters that Auspurge
was taken.
0. 13.. K. Alis. 7609 Ac, by special messangere, Y wol
sende hire love-drewry. £1450 Holland I/otutat 231 The
Dow, Noyis messinger. 1460 Lybeaus Disc. 1747 (Kaluza)
A maide, bat is her messengere. .brou^t me her. 1535
Coverdale 1 Sam. xix. 20 Saul sent his messaungers to
Dauids house, that they shulde. .kyll him. 1588 in Hart.
Misc. (1809) II. 87 If he minded to revenge against any other
nation, he would plead the cause by messengers. 1624 S.
Ward in Ussher's Lett. (1686) 321 This Messenger bringeth
the Book, and things from Mr. Crane. 1667 Milton P. L.
vn. 572 God.. Thither will send his winged Messengers On
errands of supernal Grace. 1719 De Foe Crusoe (1840) II.
xiv. 295 Messengers were sent express. 1859 W. Collins
Q. of Hearts (1875) 14 [He] sent off a mounted messenger
with the letter.
b. The bearer of (a specified message).
a. 1577 Dee Petal. Spir. 1. (1659) 63 Those that are the
Messagers and Angles of the Dignified and Triumphant
Glory. 1583 Golding Calvin on Dent. cix. 672 Yet doth
God appoint vs to be .. messagers of his vnfallible trueth.
0. a 1340 Hamyolk Psalter cm. 5 When bou wolpoumakis
bairn [gostis] messangers of pi will. 1595 Shaks. John 11. i.
260 Messengers of Warre. a 1625 Fletcher, etc. Fair Maid
Inn 111. ii, At next visit, Madam, 111 be a messenger of
comfort. 1703 De Foe in 15th Rep. Hist. AISS. Comm.
App. iv. 76 You must not refuse to be the messenger of my
acknowledgments.
f c. In New England ( 1 7th c. ), the representative
of a Congregational church at a synod. Obs.
The title may have been suggested by dyy«A« 'angel ' (of
a church) in Rev. i-iv.
1646 in Rec. Massachussets (1853) II. 155 To assemble the
churches, or their messeng", upon occasion of counsell.
Ibid., A publike assembly of the elders and other messengers
of the severall chuiches. 1665 J. Eliot Commun. of
Churches 4 The Intrinsecall and proper Efficients of a
Council, are the Churches, who elect and send Messengers
to that end. Ibid., The Members Constituent of a Council,
are Church- Messengers.
( 1400 Rom. Rose 2919 The eye is a good messangere,
Which can to the herte. .Tidyngis sende. 1490 Caxton
Eneydos xix. 71 [Mount Caucasus] sendeth doun her colde
messagers as snowe, froste, heyle, & tempeste. 1591 Shaks.
Two Gent. 11. ii. 77 His teares, pure messengers, sent from
his heart. 1615 Crooke iJiv/y of Man 535 The Sences..are
the messengers and interpreters of the Soule. 1812 Chron.
in Ann. Reg. 83 Casting these leaden messengers of death
[SC bullets}. 1832 W. Irving Alhatubra II. 39 Day after
day he watched for the return of the messenger of love [sc.
a bird], i860 Ruskin Mod. Paint. V. vi. vi. 43 It [the
trunk] is rather a messenger to the roots.
t 2. e sp. A servant sent forward to prepare the
way ; a forerunner, precursor, harbinger. Obs.
c 1325 Metr, Horn. (1862) 44 He [St. John] was ryt Cristes
messager. 1340 Ayenb. 195 Huanne a riche man ssel come
to anetoune. .he zent his messagyers be-uore uor to nime
guod in. 138a Wyclif Luke ix. 52 And he sente messan-
geris bifore his si^t. 1596 Shaks. Merch. V. v. i. 117 There
is come a Messenger before To signifie their comming.
[1884 Bible (R. V.) Mai. iii. 2 (as in earlier versions).]
aizz< Ancr. R. 190 Ich am be scheadewe, seiS bis mes-
sager, pet is, worldes pine, c 1374 Chaucer Troylus 111.
1368 [1417] And lucifer, be dayes messager, Gan for to ryse,
and out here bemys prow, c 1386 — KnVs T. 633 The
bisy larke, messager of day. — Alan of Law's Prol. 6 Of
April!, that is messager to May. 1545 Primer, Lauds C iii b,
The birde, of day messinger, Croweth and sheweth, that
lii-ht is nere. 1601 Shaks. Jul. C. 11. i. 104 Yon grey Lines,
That fret the Clouds, are Messengers of Day.
C. Cuckoo's messenger : (see quot.).
1885 Swainson Prov. Names Birds 103 Wryneck. . . From
its arrival the same time as, or a little before, the cuckoo, it
has the names of. .Cuckoo's messenger [etc.].
d. pi. Small clouds detached from the main mass.
1787 Best Angling (ed. 2) 145 When.. there are small
black fragments of clouds like smoke, flying underneath,
which some call messengers, . . rain is not far off. 1880
Jefferies Gr. Feme F. 133.
3. A government official employed to carry dis-
patches, and, formerly, to apprehend state prison-
ers ; esp. one employed by the Secretaries of State.
Messenger of 'the Exchequer ^(see quot. 1706). King's
or Queeiis messenger, one who conveys dispatches
to or from the Sovereign.
1535 Act 27 Hen. VIII, c. 27 § 3 There shalbe. .one other
person, which shalbe called Messanger of the same Courte.
1694 Wood Life 2 Aug. (O.H.S.) Ill, Most of the mes-
singers are gone into the country to fetch up persons seised
upon account of the plot. 1696 Phillips, Messenger, one
that attends upon the King and his Council to carry Dis-
patches, and waits upon the Sergeant at Arms to Appre-
hend Prisoners of State. 1706 — (ed. Kerseyi, Messengers
of the Exchequer^ certain Officers in that Court, four in
Number, who as Pursuivants, attend the Lord Treasurer, to
carry his Letters and Orders. 1713 Swift Jrnl. to Stella
31 Mar., Mr. Noble, .was.. seized again by the Sheriff, and
is now in a messenger's hands at the Black Swan in Hot-
born. 173a Berkeley Alciphr. 1. § 9 A man had better a
thousand times be hunted by bailiffs or messengers. 1866
Guide to Employtn. in Civ. Serv. 71 War Department...
Messengers, Queen's Messengers, and Letter-carriers. 1874
Act 37 A> 38 Vict. c. 81 § 4 The office of messenger or pur-
suivant of the Great Seal shall as a separate office be
abolished. 1879 C. Marvin Public Offices 201 A Queen's
Messenger who is about to set off in five minutes' time for
Cairo.
b. Sc. Mesaenger(-at-arms) : see quot. 1838.
148a in Rymer Foedera (1711) 166/1 We .. Constitute.,
the same Gartier and Northumberlond, our Ambassadours,
Oratours, Procuratours, Factours, and Masseagers. 1587
Sc. Acts Jos. VI (1814) III. 449/2 Of late ;eiris bair is
enterit in the office of annes sindry extraordinar maseris. .
and a verie greit nowmer of messingeris. 1753 R. Thomson
(title) A Treatise of the Office of Messenger. Ibid. 2 There
ought only to be in all Scotland 200 Messengers, or Officers
of Arms (including Heralds, Macers and Pursuivants, 17 in
Number). 1811 Tennant Anster F. 11. xxxiii, Sheriffs
learn'd..and messengers-at-arms, with brows of brass. 1838
Bell Diet. Law Scot., Messenger-at-arms ; an officer
appointed by, and under the control of the Lyon King-at-
Arms. . . They are employed in executing all summonses and
letters of diligence, both in civil and criminal matters. Our
signet letters.. were constantly directed to messe ngers-at*
arms, as sheriffs in that part. 187a Michie Deeside Tales
17 (E.D.D.) A messenger-at-arms..the terror of evil doers
far and wide.
f c. Messenger of the Press, an officer appointed
to search for unlicensed publications and presses.
168a Luttrell Brief R el. (1857) I. 2a6 The Stationers
company . . have called one Robert Stephens (a common
messenger of the presse) on the livery. 1694 Wood Life
16 Oct (O.H.S.) Ill, Tomson the printer was seized on by
Stephens the messenger of the press, in the act of print-
ing a pamphlet reflecting on the Government. 1706 in
Phillips (ed. Kersey).
d. Bankruptcy law. (See quot. 1894.)
173a Act 5 Geo. II, c 30 § 4 That every such Bankrupt. .
shall be. .required.. to deliver up. .all his..Bookes of Ac-
counts., not seized by the Messenger of the said Commission.
1883 Act 46 cy 47 Vict, c 52 § 153 The official solicitors and
messengers in bankruptcy.. shall be transferred to and be-
come officers of the Board of Trade. 1894 G. Y. Rodson
Lazv Bankruptcy (ed. 7) 77 The messenger was a sort of
sheriffs officer employed to execute the orders and war-
rants of the court, Originally, .a messenger was attached
to the court of each commissioner.. .In the Bankruptcy Act,
1883, the messenger and his staff are transferred to. .the
Board of Trade, and are to perform analogous duties to
those previously discharged by them.
MESSENGERSHIP.
375
MESSOR.
e. (See quot.)
1867 Smyth Sailors Word-bk., Messengers, boys appointed
to carry orders from the quarter-deck.
4. Art endless rope or chain passing from the
capstan to the cable to haul it in. Also, a similar
contrivance for hauling-in a dredge.
1633 T.James Voy. 80 We . . put our Cables ouer-boord,
with Messengers vnto them. 1784 J. King Coolers Voy.
Pacific III. 475 Having, in our endeavours to heave the
anchor out of the ground, twice broken the old messenger,
and afterward a new one. 1882 Nakes Seamanship (ed. 6)
159 The messenger is an endless chain passing round the
capstan and two rollers in the manger.
5. (See quot.)
1746 Chesterf. Lett. (1845) I. p3 My long and frequent
letters. .put me in mind of certain papers, which you have
very lately, and I formerly, sent up to kites, along the string,
which we called messengers ; some of them the wind used
to blow away, . .and but few of them got up and stuck to
the kite. 1864 Every Little Boy's Bk. 99 Some boys amuse
themselves by sending messengers up to their kites when
they have let out all their string. A messenger is formed of
a piece of paper three or four inches square.
6. The secretary-bird. 1793 BuffoiCs Birds VII. 316.
7. attrib. and Comb., as messenger-authority,
-bird, -boy, -wind ; messenger-like adv. ; messen-
ger sword, a sword-like implement, constituting
a credential of the royal messengers of Ashantee
{Cent. Diet. 1890).
1594 G. Ellis in Bucclcuck MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.) 25
He is upon a journey, messenger like,.. to apprehend.. her
Majesty's loving subjects. 1711 Shaftesb. Charac. (1737)
III. 337 There are further miracles remaining for 'em to
perform, e'er they can in modesty plead the apostolick or
messenger-authority. 1869 Tozer Highl. Turkey II. 327
A messenger-bird is described as issuing from the gloomy
dungeon. 1898 Btackw, Mag. Mar. 427 The messenger-
wind that drives before the dawn.
Messenger ship (me'si-ndsajfip). [f. Mes-
senger + -ship.] The office or function of a
messenger.
i6u Cotgr. s.v. Messagerte, A messengership ; the estate,
office, or function of a messenger. 1880 Fawcett Sp. in
Ho. Comm. 20 Aug., Candidates for messengerships — by
which I presume is meant rural letter carrierships.
Messengery. Sc.?Obs. Also6messingerie.
[f. Messenger + -ery. Cf. Messagery.] The
office of messenger-at-arms.
1587 .SV. Acts yas. ///(1814) III. 449/2 Hc.commandis
lioun king of armes That he onnawys ressaue ony maner of
personis to the office of messingerie in tyme cuming except
it be [etc.], 1753 R. Thomson Office 0/ Messenger 17 That
the said M, Messenger within the Sheriffdom of — shall
leilly, truly and honestly use and exerce the Office of
Messengery.
Messer (me-sai). ? Obs. [? f. Mess v. + -er1.]
? A purveyor of meat for ships.
1644-5 Wffl W, Cruse (Somerset Ho.), W. Cruse of co.
Somerset, Messer. 1746 in W. Thompson R. N. Advoc.
(1757) 24 Though strongly opposed by Messers and Salters,
they were obliged to. .salt them [sc. the hogs].
Messer, obs. form of Macer1.
Messerayke, obs. form of Mesaraic.
Messet (me'set). dial. Also 7 misset. [? Al-
tered from Sc. Messan, after dim. ending -et.] A
lap-dog. Also attrib. (Cf. Messan.)
1631 Brathwaite IV/timzies, Fedler 139 Would you have
a true survey of his family. .? You shall finde them subsist
of three heads: himselfe, his truck, and her misset. 1640
— Lane. Lovers iv. C3, Hee would.. carry her Misset,
open her pue [etc.], 1646 J. Hall Poems 10 Suppose dame
Julia's_ Messet thinkes it meet To droop or hold up one
of 'ts hinder feet, a 1694 M. Robinson Autobiog. (1856) 51
A breed of messet spaniels, very little, beautiful, and of rare
conceit. 1822 Bewick Mem. 27 She kept a messet dog.
1 Messiacal, a, Obs. rare—1, [f. Messiah*
-acal.] = Messianic.
1614 Jackson Creed m. xviii. § 3 Nor Propheticall, nor
Apostolicall, nor Messiacall, much lesse could Papall
authority make them belieue.
Messiah (mesai'a). Forms: a. 4 Messie,
4-5 Messye, 5 Messy, Messe, Myssye ; 0. 3
Messyas, 4-8 Messias; 7. 7 Messiah. [The a
forms are a. F. Messie, ad. L. (Vulg.) Messias,
a. Gr. Mco-fffa?, ad. Aramaic Nrvirn m'shTlia, Heb.
rviro mashlah anointed (in the LXX rendered
XpKxros, Christ), f. too mashah to anoint. These
forms do not occur in any Eng. transl, of the Bible,
though common in other literature down to the
15th c. The form Messias was used in John i. 41
and iv. 25 (the only passages in which the word is
found in the Gr. or Latin N.T.) by Wyclif after
the Vulgate, and by later translators from 1526
to 161 1 directly after the Greek. The form Mes-
siah, invented by the translators of the Geneva
Bible of 1560, is an alteration of the traditional
Messias, intended to give it a more Hebraic aspect
(the translators having on principle eliminated
the Gnecized forms of proper names from the O.T.,
though retaining them in the N.T.). In the Bible
of 161 1 it was adopted in Dan. ix. 25, 26, and
although it occurs in no other passage of the
'Authorized Version', it eventually became the
only current form. The Revisers of 1880-84 have
substituted it for Messias in the two N.T. pas-
sages, but on the other hand have removed it from
its original place in Dan. ix, where they read ' the
anointed'.] The Hebrew title ( = 'anointed') ap-
plied in the O.T. prophetic writings to a promised
deliverer of the Jewish nation, and hence applied
to Jesus of Nazareth as the fulfilment of that pro-
mise. (Chiefly preceded by the or defining word,
exc. in the three Bible passages and sometimes in
poetry, where it is treated as a proper name.)
Hence trans/., an expected liberator or saviour of
an oppressed people or country. (Written with
capital M.)
a. 13. . Propr. Sauct. (Vernon MS.) in Archiv Stud. neu.
Spr. LXXXI. 87/152 Andrew benne to Symound tolde :
' Messye we ha founde '. ? a 1400 Morte Arth. 3998 Here I
make myn avowe, . . To Messie, and to Marie. 1430-40
Lydg. Bochas ix. i. 20b, Sayd openly that he was Messy.
c 1500 Coif. Corfius C/ir. Plays i. 425 Yt ys seyd. .That of
the lyne of Juue Schuld spryng a right Messe.
_ |3. [c 1000 Ags. Gosp. John L 41 We jemetton messiam pa;t
is $ereht crist.] c 1275 Woman of Samaria 55 in O. F.
Misc. 85 Louerd heo seyde nv quiddeb men bat cumen is
Messyas. 138a Wyclif John i. 41 We han founde Messias,
that is interpretid Crist. [So all later versions down to
1611.] 1595 I'. Barnes Spir. Sonn. x, Heavenly Messias!
sweete anointed King ! 1644 Howell Eng. Tcares (1645)
1S1 To beat Religion into brains with a Pole axe, is to make
Moloch of the Messias. 168 1-6 J. Scott Chr. Life (1747)
III. 531 Therefore do the modern Jews say, that the Messias
is not yet come.
y. 1560 Bible (Genev.) Dan. ix. 25 From the going forthe
of the commandement. .to builde Ierusalem, vnto Messiah
the prince. ..26 And after thre score & two wekes, shal
Messiah be slayue. [So 1611.] 1653 Milton Ps. \\. 6
Against the Lord and his Messiah dear. 1666 Dryden
Ann. Mirah. cxiv, The wily Dutch, who, like fallen angels,
feared This new Messiah's coming, a 1716 South Serin.
(ed. 6) III. 299 All pretended false Messiahs vanish 'd upon
the Appearance of Christ the true one. 1776 J. Adams
in Fam. Lett. (1876) 158 We are waiting, it is said, for
Commissioners; a messiah that will never come. 1821
Shelley Hellas notes 57 The Greeks expect a Saviour from
the West. It is reported that this Messiah had arrived, .in
an American brig.
attrib. 1850 Carlyle Latter-d. Pamph. iv, 5 A People
whose bayonets were sacred, a kind of Messiah People,
saving a blind world in its own despite.
Messialxsliip (mesai'ajip). [f. Messiah +
-ship.] The character or office of the Messiah or
of a Messiah.
1627 S. Ward Happiu. Practice 23 By this, Christ de-
monstrated, .his Messiasship. ^1716 South Scrm. (ed. 6)
III. 299 The Messiaship was pretended to by several Im-
postors. 1856 R. A. Vaughan Mystics (i860) II. 289 Hegel
condescends to throw to Behmen some words of patronising
praise, as a distant harbinger of his own philosophical
Messiahship.
Messianic (mesire'nik), a. [ad. mod.L. Mes-
sianic-us, f. Messias : see Messiah and -ic. Cf.
F. messianique, G. messianisch.] Of, pertaining
to, or relating to the Messiah.
a 1834 Coleridge Lit. Rem. (1838) III. 15 It [Ps. IxxxviiJ
seems clearly Messianic. Ibid. 179 Doubts of his [Christ's]
Messianic character and divinity. 1883 Fakrar St. Paul
(18S3) 107 In all ages the Messianic hope had been pro-
minent in the minds of the most enlightened Jews.
Hence Messia*nically adv., as referring to the
Messiah.
1896 Academy 18 July 52/1 This expression, .was very
soon after understood Messianically.
So Messi'anisni, belief in a coming Messiah;
Messianize v. (nonce-wd.) trans., to imbue with
a Messianic character.
1876 Bp. Alexander Witness of Ps. (1877) 23 It will be
observed that any one Psalm, definitively Messianised, is
pregnant with the Messianic principle. Ibid., Messianism
becomes at once the central scheme. 1904 Coniemp. Rev.
Aug. 198 Jesus Christ gets behind the formal Messianism of
his time.
Messias, variant of Messiah.
II Messidor (mgsidor). [Fr. ; f. L. messi-s har-
vest + Gr. dwpov gift.] The tenth month of the
French revolutionary calendar.
1838 Nicolas Chronol. Hist. 182 Messidor (Harvest
Month) June 10-July 18.
Messie, obs. form of Messiah.
t Messiess. Obs. nonce-wd. [f. Messiah +
-ess.] A female Messiah.
1685 Lovell Gen. Hist. Relig. 50 That the Messiah came
into the world onely for Men, and that the Lady lean was
to be the Messiess of the Women.
Messieurs (me-siiuz, [| m*?s;<? ), sb. ph [a. Fr.,
pi. of Monsieur.]
1. a. The plural of Monsieur, in its various uses.
(When used as a prefixed title, now commonly re-
presented, as in Fr., by the abbreviation MM.)
1624 Massinger Pari. Love 1. v, My lord of Orleans.,
assisted By the messieurs Philamour and Lafort. 1696
Vanbrugh Relapse r. iii, Hey, messieurs, entrez. 1731
Fielding Tom Thumb r. iii, Let Rome her Csesar's and
her Scipio's show, Her Messieurs France, let Holland boast
Mynheers. 1770 J. Z. Holwell Orig. Princ. Anc. Bramins
viii. § 102 (1779) 119 However Mess. Yvon and Bouillet
refute the Cartesian hypothesis, by [etc.]. 1827 Scott
Napoleon VIII. 83 Thetwo Messrs. de Polignac were deeply
engaged. 1841 Emerson Method Nat. Wks. (1881) II. 225
Why should not then these messieurs of Versailles strut and
plot for tabourets and ribbons?
b. nonce-use. Imitating the Fr. use of the title
before a personal designation in the plural.
1809 Byron Bards -5- Rev. ix. note, Messieurs the Spirits
of Flood and Fell. 1854 Thackeray Ncwcomes I. i. 8, I
warrant Messieurs the landlords their interests would be
better consulted by keeping their singers within bounds.
C. nonce-use. The Messieurs -the French.
1889 Dovle Micah Clarke 162 Two campaigns with the
Messieurs in the Palatinate.
2. a. Used to supply the want of an English
plural of Mr. (Commonly in the abbreviated
form Messrs.)
1779 Mme. D'Arblav Diary (184?) I. 211 Lord Mordaunt,
Messieurs Murphy, Fisher, and Fitzgerald. 1793 Smeaton
Edystone L. § 131, I returned with Messrs. Jessop and
Richardson to Plymouth. 1849 Thackeray Pendennis I.
xviii. 164 Lady Agnes, .voted the two Messieurs Pendennis
most agreeable men. 1888 Matleson Mem. (ed. 2) I. 215
Messrs. Steinway now. .undertook to supply each leading
member of the Company with pianos.
b. nonce-use. As a title of address (without re-
ference to foreigners) ; — ' Gentlemen ' ; ' Sirs '.
1789 Wolcot (P. Pindar) Tithe Rencounter Wks. 1792
III. 27 Messieurs ! I've search'd our ancient Modus over.
Messilling, obs. form of Maslin K
Messin, obs. form of Messan.
t Me'SSing, sb. Obs. [? a. Du. messing (see
Maslin1).] = Maslin1.
1371 Fabric Rolls York Minster (Surtees) 10, xxjlb. de
messyng emptis de Ricardo Kyng 35, dd. 1379 Mem. Ripon
(Surtees) III. 99 In ij petr. ij lb. de messyng cmp. 4s. 2d.
Me'SSing (me'sirj),^/.^. [f. MeSSZ/. + -ING1.]
The action of the verb Mess1.
fl. Feasting, banqueting. Obs. rare~x.
1340 Ayenb. 71 Gerlondes, robes, playinges, messinges, and
alle guodes byeb ous yfayled. [Orig. (ed. 1495) has :
Chapeaux, deduis, et tous biens nous sont faillis.]
2. Participation in a mess or common meal.
1822 Regul. tyOrd.Army 1*23 The Regularity of the Men's
Messing is an object of primary Importance. 1864 Athe-
naeum 5 Nov, 598/1 The introduction of the system of mess-
ing in our jails. 1898 Folk-Lore June 118 A right of free
messing at the table of the Homeric king.
3. The providing of food to a (soldier's) mess ;
also concr. the food served out to a man ; rarely
payment for such food.
1811 Wellington in Gurw. Desp. (1838) VIII. 295 By
what you had seen of the messing of both regiments, .it
does appear that the soldiers, .were not at all times messed
in the manner pointed out by your order. 1884 Sir F. S.
Roberts in 19^// Cent. June 1069 Rations should include
what is now known as 'extra messing'. 1884 Pail Mali G.
9 Sept. 6/1 Out of the private's pay, after deducting ' mess-
ing '..he has to [etc.], 1895 R. Blatchford Merrie Eng-
land vi. 48 His duty is to expend the messing money and
superintend the messing.
4. attrib., as j?iessing allowance, money.
1892 Pall Mall G. 25 Feb. 6/2 The soldier, .should receive
a messing allowance of yi. a day. 1889 Daily News 2 Jan.
2/4 Nor has the soldier been called on to pay a farthing
more than the yi. a day messing money he has always paid.
Messinger(e, obs. forms of Messenger.
I] Messixe (mes^'r). Now only Hist. [Fr.; repr.
the nom. (L. meus senior), while monsieur repre-
sents the accusative (L. meum seniorem).'] A title
of honour ( = Sir) prefixed to the name of a French
noble of high rank, and later to the names of
persons of quality, and members of the learned
professions ; also used as a form of address.
1477 Earl Rivers (Caxton) Dictes 2 A worschipful man
calhd messire Jehan de Teonuille. (11548 Hall Chron.,
Hen. VIII 206 Messire Pomoray the Frenche Ambassador.
1865 Baring-Gould Werewolves xii. 215 Do you think then,
messire, that your servants will accuse you?
Mess- John : see Mas 2.
Messlyng, obs. form of Maslin*.
Messmate(me'sm^t). [f. Mess sb. + Mate sb.]
1. A companion at meals ; one of a mess, esp.
of a ship's mess.
1746 Brit. Mag. 346, I.. had him for a Mess-mate. 1771
Smollett Humph. Ct. 10 June, At two in the afternoon,
I found myself one of ten messmates seated at table, 1835
Marryat Jac. Faithf. x, He was. .a good, quiet, honest
messmate, as ever slung a hammock.
Proverbial. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk s.v., Messmate
before a shipmate, shipmate before a stranger [etc.].
2. Biol. = Commensal B. 2.
1876 Beneden's Anim. Parasites \. 1 Animal messmates.
Ibid. 3 There are some free messmates which never renounce
their independence.. .The others, the fixed messmates, instal
themselves with a neighbour, and live at their ease. Ibid.
48 We only know one Ophiurus which lives as a messmate
on a comatula. 1879 [see Commensal B. 2J.
3. Austral. A name given to some species of
Eucalyptus ; esp. E. amygdalina and E. obliqua.
1889 J. H. Maiden Usef. Plants 429 Because it is allied
to, or associated with, ' Stringybark \ it [Eucalyptus amy-
gdalina} is also known by the name of ' Messmate '. 1890
Melbourne Argus 7 June 13/4 Dead messmates and white
gums rise like gaunt skeletons from, .the underwood.
Hence Me-ssmatism BioL =Commensalism.
1886 Lond. Q. Rev. July 246 Marine Messmatism. One
of the most interesting features of life in the waters is that
which has been called 'Commensalism ', or, if we may
adopt a newly coined word, ' Messmatism .
Messon, Messongere, obs. ff. Messan, Mes-
senger.
|| Messor. Obs.—° [a. L. messor.] i A reaper
or mower * (Blount Glossogr. 1656). Hence
fMesso'rions a., belonging to reaping (ibid.).
Messo-tinto, obs. form of Mezzotinto.
MESSUAGE.
376
META-.
Messour, obs. form of Macer*.
i6as Burgh Rec. Glasgmv (1876) I. 345 Ane presentatioune
to be maid in favouris of Williame Fischer, sone to Matho
Fischer, messour, of the first vacant place of ane brussour
within the colledge of Glasgw.
Messrs. : see Messieurs 2 a.
Messuage (mcsw^dg). Also 5-7 mesuage.
[a. AF. messuage i mesuage^ prob. orig. a graphic
corruption of mesnage : see Menage.
The main difficulty in the way of this etymology is the
existence of a continental OF. masuage,masniage, masow-
aige, denoting a tenement of some kind, and a related
masuicr, tnasnwier, masoier, mazowiert tenant of a ' masu-
age' (cf. Frankish Latin mansnarius, mansoarius). _ OF.
had also masurage denoting a tenement, and masurier the
corresponding term for the tenant, f. masure:— late L. type
*mausura dwelling, f. mature to dwell.]
Originally, the portion of land intended to be
occupied, or actually occupied, as a site for a
dwelling-house and its appurtenances. In modern
legal language, a dwelling-house with its outbuild-
ings and curtilage and the adjacent land assigned
to its use. Capital messuage : see Capital
a. 6 b.
[1290 Rolls of Parlt.l. 53/2 De uno MessungiocumperthV
ibidem.] £1386 Chaucer Reeve's T. 59 The person of the
toun . . In purpos was to maken hir his heir IJothe of his catel
and his messuage. 1463 Will J. Baret in Bury Wills (Cam-
den) 24, 1 beqwethe to William liaret, . . myn hefd place, othir
wyse callyd a mesuage, wiche I dwellyd in. 1577 in Misc.
Gen. .5- Her. Sen in. I. 83 The said William was also seised
..of one messuage non edeficat. 1588 Fraunce Lawiers
Log. I, vi. 31 b, A messuage is made of two partes, del terre
et structure. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 33 Reservand alwaies
the chiefe messuage, to the eldest sonne. 1639 MS. Inden-
ture, estate at Knedlington, co. York, A sellion, being the
fourth part of one messuage lying on the marsh. 1797
Trans. Soc. Arts XV. 120 John Sutton certifieth, that he is
the occupier of a messuage and a farm. 1820 Miss Mitford
in L'Kstrange Life (1870) II. v. 91 Our residence is a cot-
tage..—a messuage or tenement, such as a little farmer.,
might retire to. 1837 Lock hart Scott 1 1 1. 69 The magnificent
Castle of Drumlanrig in Nithsdale, the principal messuage
of the dukedom of Queensberry. 1842 Tennyson Edwin
Mo>ris 126 They wedded her to sixty thousand pounds, To
lands in Kent and messuages in York.
b. Comb.: + messuage-stead.
1564 Yorks. Chantry Sur-v, (Surtees)277, ij messuage steids,
with one kilnehouse. Ibid. 334 One mesuage stede, not
buylded upon.
Messuage, obs. form of Message.
t Messuager. Obs. rare. [f. Messuage +
-erI.] One who holds or possesses a messuage.
1666-7 JV. Riding Rec. VI. 108 The cottagers, the hus-
bandmen, and the messuagersof Melmerby. 1739 Bcwholm
Inclos. Act 6 Proprietors, messuagers, cottagers.
Messurger, rare obs. form of Messenger.
Messy (me-si), a. [f. Mess sb.2 + -y*.] Of
the nature of a mess; attended with * messes' or
disorder ; untidy.
1843 Mrs. Carlyle Lett. I, 235, I have had your letter,
for consolation in my messy job [glazing and painting].
1890 Spectator 15 Feb., The boy who holds the mirror, .is,
for Velazquez, somewhat messy in execution. 1899 F. T.
Bullen Log Sea-waif -2\o How we did hate the messy,
fiddling abomination.
Hence Me ssiness.
1893 Brit. Jrnl. Photogr. 15 Dec. 793 Although there is
no difficulty in making it, yet is there a certain amount of
messiness.
Mest(e, obs. ff. Most. Mestee : see Mustee.
Mestelyn, obs. form of Maslin 2.
Mesteque. ? Obs, Also mastique, mestica,
mestique. [Of obscure origin.
Reaumur Hist, des Insecles (1738) IV. 90 says: ' Elle [la
cochenille fine] est appele'e cochenille Mesteque, parce qu'on
en fait des recoltes a Meteque [sic] dans la province de
Honduras '. No such place-name is known to have existed
in Honduras ; perh. what is meant is Mixteca, the name of
the ancient Mexican province corresponding to the present
Oaxaca. It is doubtful whether the word ever had any
English currency : there is some ground for the suspicion
that Reaumur is the source of all the later references to it.]
The finest kind of cochineal.
[1600 Hakluyfs Voy. III. 455 [Voy. R. Tomson in N. Hisp.
^SS-] There is a place called the Misteca, fiftie leagues
to the Northwest [of Mexico], which doth yeeld great store
of. .Cochinilla.] 1667 Pktty Dyeing in Sprat Hist. R. Soc.
(1722) 298 Cochineal is of several sorts, viz. Silvester and
Mestequa. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp. s.v. Progall-insect,
There are twokindsof cochineal, the finer called mestique, the
other termed wild cochineal. 1780 Ann, Reg. it. 104 [citing
Reaumur] A much finer cochineal, known by the name of
mestica. 1797 Encycl.Brit. (ed. 3) V. 109/2 In trade, four sorts
[of cochineal] are distinguished, Mastique, Campeschane,
Tetraschale, and Sylvester. 1839 Ure Diet. Arts 303 Two
sorts of cochineal are gathered— the wild.. and the culti-
vated, or the grana fina, termed also mesteque, from the
name of a Mexican province.
Mester, variant of Mister Obs.
t Me"Stful, a. Obs. rare. [f. L. mxst-us sad +
-FUL.] = MESTIVE.
1577 T. Kendall Flowers of Epigram me s F v, Emong
all other birds, moste mestfull birde am I. 1598 Tofte A Ida
(1880) i7_Vnto whom shall I (now) dedicate This mestfull
verse, this mournfull Elegte?
Mesti, variant form of Mustee.
Mestica, variant form of Mesteque.
Mesticall, variant form of Miskal.
Mistick, Mestico, variant forms of Mestizo.
Mestier, variant form of Mister Obs.,, trade.
f Mestrfical, a. Obs.-0 [f. L. mxstifu-us (f.
mssstus sad + -ficus making) + -al.]
1656 Blount Glossogr., Mestifical, that maketh heavy or
sad.
Mestigo, Mestilione : see Mestizo, Maslin 2.
[Mestino, a spurious form of Mestizo in Brande
Did. Set. etc. (1842), and in later Diets. (Webster
Suppl. 1902 confounds it with the Sp. mestefio
Mustang.)]
Mestique, var. Mesteque, kind of cochineal.
Mestisa, -ise, -iso, -ito, obs. ff. Mestizo.
t Me'stive, a. Obs. Also 7 msestive. [as if
ad. L. type *mmslwus, f. mass-, master* to mourn :
see -IVE.J Mournful.
1378 T. Proctor Gorg. Gallery M ij b, A carking care,
a mount of mestiue mone. 1609 J. Davies Holy Roode
(Grosart) 6/2 This kinde Pellican in ma^stiue moode.
II Mestiza (mesti**za). Also 7 mestisa, mus-,
mostesa. [Sp., fern, of mestizo,] A woman of the
mestizo race. Also attrib.
(-1582 M. Philips in Hakluyt's Voy. (1600) III. 482 Paul
Horsewell is maried to a Mestisa, as they name those whose
fathers were Spaniards, and their mothers Indians. 1697
Dami'ier Voy. (1720) 1. 388 Mr. Fitz-Gerald had in this time
gotten a Spanish Mustesa Woman to Wife. 1760-72 tr.
Juan <<f Ulloa's Voy. (ed. 3) I. 121 The Mestiza, or Negro
women, or the coloured women as they are called here
[Panama]. 1851 MacMicking Recoil. Manilla 61 The
Mestiza girls being frequently good-looking. 1890 Pall
Mall G. 5 Aug. 2/1 The olive-skinned mestizos.
|| Mestizo (mest/"z0). Forms: 6mastizo,6-7
mestico, 7mastiso,mestiso,-tisa, mostesa, mus-
teese, -tezo, mestick, 7-8mestise, mostese, 7-9
mestizo, 8 mestigo, mestito, mustice, -tizo, 6-
mestizo. [Sp. mestizo, Pg. mestizo, = Pr. mestis, F.
metis :— popular L. type mixticius, f. L. mixt-us,
pa. pple. of miscere to mix.] A Spanish or
Portuguese half-caste ; now chiefly, the offspring of
a Spaniard and an American Indian.
In the occasional application to a Portuguese half-caste, it
should now have the Pg. spelling mestico.
c 1588 Pretty in Haktuyt's Voy. (1600) III. 814 A Mestizo
is one which hath a Spaniard to his father and an Indian to
his mother. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 486 The
Portugalls many of them are married with Indian women,
and their posteritie are called Mesticos. a 1616 Hakluvt
Divers Voy. App. (1850) 167 Worsted stockings knit which
are worn of the mastizoes. 1678 in Notes fy Extracts Rec.
Fort St. George \. (1871) 88 (Y.) Europeans, Musteeses, and
Topasees. 1698 Fryer Acc. E. India fy P. 57 Beyond the
Outworks live a few Portugals Mustezos or Misteradoes.
1704 Collect. Voy.fyTrav. II 1. 76/1 The Mestito's or Mongrel
Breed of a Spanish Man and Indian Woman. 178a H. Wal-
pole To Mason 8 July Lett. (1858) VIII. 251 Even demigods
have intermarried till their race are become downright
mestises. 1843 Prichard Nat. Hist. Man v. (1845) 21 What
gives these Mestizos a peculiarly striking appearance is the
excessively long hair of the head. 1875 Jagor Trav.
Philippines 290 Creoles and mestizes are for the most part
too idle even to keep sheep.
b. attrib., as mestizo-lad, etc. ; mestizo-wool,
South American wool from mixed breeds of sheep
{Funk's Stand. Diet.).
1617 Cocks in Lett. E. Ind. Comp. (1001) V. 15 There
cameaMestisa Indian to me. 1727 A. Hamilton NeivAcc.
E. Ind. II. xxxiii. 10 A poor Seaman had got a pretty
Mustice Wife. 1880 C. R. Markham Perm: Bark 136
Pablo Sevallos the mestizo lad.
Mestlen, -lin(g, -lyon, obs. ff. Maslin \ 2.
Mestonie (me'st^um). Bot. [ad. Gr. ncoTatpa
(taken in the sense 'filling up')> f. txtarovv to fill
up, f. fifffTos full.] Schwendener's term for those
parts of a fibro-vascular bundle which do not
conduce to its strength.
1885 Goodale Physiol. Bot 191.
Mestor, Mestrall, Mestres(se, Mestyer(e,
Mestyf, Mestylyon: see Mister, Mistral,
Mistress, Mastiff, Maslin 2.
Mesuage, Mesure, Meswage, Mesyl(le,
Mesyng, Mesynger: see Messuage, Measure,
Message, Measle, Massing vbl. j<U, Messenger.
Met (met), sb. Obs. exc. dial. Forms: [r 30-
met(t], 3- met, mett. Also 3, 5-6 mete, (7
meat). Also I-met. [OE. gemet neut. = OS.
gimet (Du. gemet acre), OHG. game$, ON. mil
neut. pi., weight of a balance :— OTeut. *ga-metomt
f. root *mct- to measure : see Mete v.
The form I-mi:t survived only to the beginning of the 13th
c- in the south ; in other dialects the prefix was lost still
earlier, according to the general rule with regard to sbs.]
= Measure sb. in various senses.
fl. Size, dimension, or quantity as determinable
by measurement; = Measure sb. 2, b, c. Some-
times = distance. Obs.
[c888 K. Alfred Boeth.xvm. § 1 fPtolomeus] se towrat
ealles bises middan^eardes £emet on anre bee. c 1050
Laxvs Northutubr. Priests lvi. (Liebermann), lietweonan
Eferwic & six mila ^emete.] 13.. Cursor M. 8123 (Gutt.)
And all bair schapp was turned new, Of man-kind had bai
be mett. £1330 R. Brunne Ckron. Wace (Rolls) 14978 pe
lengbe of be llde of Tenet, Sex myle ben ys be met. cuto
Patlad. on Hmb. tn. 199 A xl foote of mette Vche elm away
from other most be born, a 15*9 Skelton E. Rummyng
333 She. .bad Elynour. .fyll in good met.
2. The action of measuring. By or with met :
as determined by measuring.
a 1300 Cursor M. 8814 pai lete it [be tre] don wit-vten
lett, And fand it mere inogh wit mett [a 1425 (Trin.j bi met J.
c 1386 Chaucer Parsons T. 725 To take by neighebours
catel agayns his wille . . be it by mette or by mesure. c 1400
Laud Troy Bk. 9480 Two hundred fet was it be met.
+ 3. A method or system of measuring; = Mea-
sure sb. 6. Obs.
c 1150 Gen. q- Ex. 430 Met of corn, and wi}te of se, And
merke of felde, first fond he. 1580 Reg. Privy Council
Scot. III. 300, xxxii bollis wattir mett. 1627 Rep. Parishes
Scott. (Bann.) 2 Four bollis otis rining mett.
4. A unit of measurement, esp. of capacity. Now
dial. — z. bushel or (in some parts) two bushels.
[ciooo ^Elfric Dent. xxv. 15 Haebbe a^lc man .. rihte
temetu on aelcum bingum.] c 1150 Gen. fy Ex. 3333 A met
or was, it het Gomor. a 1300 Cursor M. 28437 Again be
lagh in land is sett, Haf i wysed fals weght and mette.
1513 Douglas AZneis vm. Prol. 40 The myllar mythis the
multur wyth a met scant. 1634 A. Huntar {title) Treatise
of Weights, Mets and Measures of Scotland ; with their
quantities, and true foundation. 1660 Hexham, Een Gc-
meet Landes,& Meat or Measure of Land. 1691 Ray N. C.
Words 48 A Met '. a Strike or four Pecks,, .m York-sh. two
Strike. 1793 Statist. Acc. Scot. VII. 589 Herrings.. sell
for id. per score, or 3s. per mett, nearly a barrel of fresh
ungutted herrings. 1876 Whitby Gloss., Met, two bushels.
5. An instrument for measuring = Measure sb. 4.
Obs. exc. dial, (see E.D.D.).
[1x030 Laws of Cnut n. ix. (Liebermann), gemeta &
^ewihta rihte man £eorne.] a 1300 Cursor M. 12398 pe
knaue bat bis timber fett Heild noght graithli his mett, Bot
ouer scort he broght a tre. c 1440 Alphabet of Tales 330
Sho..tuke hur mettis & hur messurs at sho fillid ale with.
a 1733 Shetland Acts 16 in Proc. Soc. Ant. Scot. (1892)
XXvI. 199 The trying and adjusting of bismers with the
stoups, cans, and other mets and measures.
6. A quantity measured out ; esp. a quantity of
anything as measured out according to a certain
unit of measurement, as a met of coals. Now only
dial.
[c 1000 Ags. Gosp. Matt. xiii. 33 Onbrim^emetum melwes.)
c 1200 Ormin 14034, & twafald oberr brefald mett pa fetless
alle tokenn. 13.. E.E.AUit.P. B. 625 pre mettez of mele
menge & ma kakez. 152a Test. Ebor. CSurtees) V. 145 To
every of them oon mette of corne, scilicet, half of whete,
and the other halfe make. 1636 Fanngton Papers (Chet-
ham Soc.) 12, 23 Metts Banberie Malte. iy6sLond. Chron.
3 Jan. 16 The prisoners in Ouse-Bridge gaol received.. 10
mets of coals from his Grace the Archbishop. 1891 A.
Matthews Poems fy Songs 19 A wab o' claith, a pirn wheel
A met o' coals, a cheese, a neep.
fig. c 1230 Hali Meid. 273 [He] earneS him.. met of
heouenliche mede. 157a Satir. P. Reform, xxxiii. 343
Quhilks for to out with dowbill met and mesure, The vther
tway }e ludgeit at thair plesure.
D. In Matt. vii. 2 and echoes.
\C97S*C "75 : see I-met.] a 1300 Cursor M. 25318 Wit
sli mett als yee bi and sell, Wit bat ilk sal you be mett.
c 1330 Spec. Gy de Ware7vyke 549 Alswich met as bu metest
me, Alswich i wole mete to be.
C. By or with large met : in abundance.
c 1290 St. Nicholas 150 in »S". Eng. Leg. 244 And hou heo
hadden bi large met wel more corn i-brou^t. c 1450 Hymns
Virg. 118 Hytt [the rayne] schalle ouergo wyth large mett
Alle that ys in erth I-sett.
1 7. Extent not to be exceeded ; limit, bounds ;
= Measure sb. 1 2. Withute met{e : beyond
bounds. With met : l by measure \ Obs.
[c 888 K. Alfred Boeth. xL § t pylaes hi cweban %* wit
sprecan ofer monnes gemet. exooo Ags. Gosp. Matt, xxiii.
32, & xefylle^e p fcemet eowra federa.] cxzooOrmin 17986
Forr Godd ne sifebb nohht wibb mett Hiss Gastess Hal^he
Frofre. a 1240 Saivles Warde in Cott. Horn. 251 Helle is
wid uiS ute met ant deop wid ute grunde. Ibid. 263 Ha
luuieft god wiS ute met.
f 8. Moderation, temperance; = Measure^. 13.
Also, modesty. Obs.
[axooo: see I-met.] c iaoo Ormin 6116 WibJ> mett &
mab i mete & drinnch, & ec inn $ure clabess. a 1x40 Sawles
Warde in Cott. Horn. 255 For ne mei na wunne ne na
flesches licungcbringe me ouer be midel of mesure and of
mete. C1357 Lay Folks Catech. 445 Methe is mesur and
met [La mo. MS. mede] of al that we da
9. Comb.yZS met-loom, instrument for measuring ;
met-poke, a bag serving as a measure. (See also
met-line, -rod, -stick, -wand, -yards.vv. Meteline,
Meterod, etc.)
1528 Burgh Rec. Stirling (1887) 33 The baillies sail caus
all metloumis pyntis, quhartis and chopynnis, to cum to
the tolbouit. 1641 Best Farm. Bks. (Surtees) 100 When
wee sende wheate [etc.].. to markettcwee putte it into
mette-poakes.
t Met, ///. a. Obs. [See Mete v.1] Measured.
c 1375 St, Leg. Saints xl. (Ninian) 1406 Twa hundre myle
of met way. a 1400 Sir Perc. 1708 The stede.. Leppe up
over an hille Fyve stryde mett. c 1460 Towneley Myst. xii.
484 This botetl..It holdys a mett potell.
Met : see Mete.
|] Meta (mrta). Rom. Antiq. PI. metae (mrtz").
[L. meta!\ One of the conical columns set in the
ground at each end of the Circus, to mark the
turning-place in a race. Hence trans/. A boundary.
1577 Harrison Descr. Brit. i. 2 in Holinshed, So that the
aforesaid line shall henceforth be their Meta and partition
from such as be ascribed to America. 166a Ray Three
Itin. m. 183 In Somersetshire they have a way of setting
their mows of corn on a frame, .standingupon four stones
cut with a shank, and upon that an head like a meta. 1845
Athenaeum 1 Feb. 126 We have the cross erected between
two ' metae '.
Meta- (meta), prefix, before a vowel normally
met- (also before h, the resulting meth- being pro-
META-
377
METABASIS.
nounced mej>), repr. Gr. /ifra-, fitr- (p.(9-), which
occurs separately as the prep. iitTa with, after;
etymologically corresponding to Mid prep. In
Gr. the prefix is joined chiefly to verbs and verbal
derivatives; the principal notions which it ex-
presses are : sharing, action in common ; pursuit
or quest ; and, especially, change (of place, order,
condition, or nature), corresponding to L. trans-.
In some few formations ixera- represents the prep.
Hera in syntactical combination, with the sense
after or behind, as in piTcuppfvov Metaphrenon.
The words derived from Gr. words containing the prefix,
or from assumed Greek types normally constructed, are
given in their alphabetical place. The words enumerated
in this article are modern formations, in which the prefix is
employed in ways not strictly in accordance with Greek
analogies. The prefix is often hyphened, and the a remains
unelided before a vowel or h.
1. The supposed analogy of Metaphysics (mis-
apprehended as meaning ' the science of that which
transcends the physical ') has been followed in the
practice of prefixing mela- to the name of a science,
to form a designation for a higher science (actual
or hypothetical) of the same nature but dealing
with ulterior and more fundamental problems.
Metachemistry 1 nonce-tod., the chemistry of the
supersensible. Metamathematical a., beyond
the scope of mathematics. Metamathematics,
'the metaphysics of mathematics; the philoso-
phy of non-Euclidean geometry and the like '
{Cent. Diet. 1890). Metaphysio-logy, a name
invented by G. H. Lewes for a doctrine of life and
vital phenomena which should base itself on prin-
ciples outside of and higher than those of physio-
logy and the material organism ; hence Meta-
physiolo'gical a., Metaphyslo-logist. Meta-
theo'lotfy nonee-iod., a profounder theology than
that recognized by divines. Similarly in Meta-
element, Metagno'stic a. [cf. Gnostic a.],
Metaorganism (see quots.); Metapheno menal
a., existing behind phenomena. See also Meta-
geometky, Metempiric.
1856 Emerson Eng. Traits, Lit. Wks. (Bohn) II. 106 It
seems an affair of race, or of 'metachemistry. 1888 W.
Crookes in Jrnl. Chem. Soc. LIII. 487 The possible ex-
istence of bodies which, though neither compounds nor
mixtures, are not elements in the strictest sense of the word ;
— bodies which I venture to call ' "meta-elements '. 1886 H.
Maudsley Nat. Causes a> Supern. Seemings 122 Regions.,
that are beyond knowledge, not beyond nature ; "metagnostic,
not metaphysical. 1866 Myers Phantasms o/LivingW. 278
That this body of ours, .is interpenetrated with a ' "meta-
organism ' of identical shape and structure, and capable some-
times of detaching itself from the solid flesh. 1833 Sir W. R.
Hamilton in R. P. Graves Life II. 68 In the application of
the mathematics themselves there must (if I may venture on
the word) be something "meta-mathematical. 1844 Tappan
Elem. Logic 12 Those objects which, by supposition, lie
beyond immediate consciousness, are *metaphenomenal. 1882
G. S. Morris Kant's Critique ¥1, (1886) 189 No distinction of
phenomena from the metaphenomenal, as objects of know-
ledge. 1876 Lewes in Fortn. Rev. Apr. 479-86 •Metaphysio-
logy. "Metaphysiological. *Metaphysiologists. a 1615
Donne Ess. (1651) 129 A "Meta-theology and a Super-
divinity above that which serves our particular consciences.
2. Path. Used to form adjs. applicable to dis-
eases or symptoms, with the sense ' arising subse-
quently to ' (that which is indicated in the body of
the word). Meta-arthri-tic, following or conse-
quent on gout. Metapneumo'nic, following or
consequent on pneumonia. Metasple nomeffalic
[Gr. an\rjv spleen, niya\o-, jit'-yas great], pre-
ceded by enlargement of the spleen.
1898 Alltiutt's Syst. Med. V. 862 The *meta-arthritic en-
docarditis. Ibid. 164 "Metapneumonic pleurisy. 1905 H. D.
Rolleston Dis. Liver 308 "Metasplenomegalic hypertro-
phic biliary cirrhosis.
3. Anat. and Zool. Used to express the notion
of ' behind ' (cf. Metaphrenon) ; also often that
of 'hinder', 'hindmost', 'situated at the back';
sometimes correlated with Pro- and Meso-. Me-
tabranchial a. [Gr. f3payx><* gMs]> applied to a
division of the carapace of a crab situated behind
and to one side of the mesobranchial lobe. Meta-
facial a., applied to the angle which the pterygoid
processes make with the base of the cranium.
|| Metapara'pterou Ent., the parapteron of the
metathoracic segment ; hence Metapara'pteral a.
(Cent. Diet.). Metapneustie (-pniw'stik) a. Ent.
[Gr. Trvtv<TTiK-6s relating to breathing], having a
single pair of spiracles situated at the posterior
end of the abdomen. Metapore (me-tapo»j)[PoRE],
an orifice in the pia mater covering the fourth ven-
tricle of the brain ; the foramen of Magendie.
|| Metascute'llum, [| Metascutum, the .-cut ell mil
and scutum (respectively) of the metathorax of an
insect ; hence Metascute'llar, Metascu'tal adjs.
(in recent Diets.) . Metasthenic (-s)ienik) a. Ent.
[Gr. oBtvos strength], having most strength in the
hinder part of the body; sb. pi., a division of
insects characterized in this way.
Vol. VI.
1877 "Metabranchial [sea Mesobranc tiiats.v. Meso-]. 1878
Bartley tr. Topinard's Anthrop. II. iii. 391 The "meta-
facial angle of Serres, which the pterygoid processes form
with the base of the skull. 1891 Bernard tr. Lang's Comp.
Anat. 1. 482 The tracheal system is then called "meta-
pneustie. 1899 D. Sharp Insects II. 450 (Camb. Nat. Hist.) j
Some begin life in the metapneustie state, and afterwards 1
become ainphipneustic. 1889 Ruck's Handbk. Med. Sci. j
VIII. 123/2 The orifice here called *metapore. 1899D.SHARP ;
bisects 11. 313 (Camb. Nat. Hist.) The hind margin of the \
"metascutellum. 1863 Dana in Aiuer. Jrnl. Sci. Ser. 11.
XXXVI. 323 The condition may be described as.. "Mya-
sthenic, .if a posterior pair [of locomotive organs] is the more
important and the anterior are weak or obsolete. Ibid. 335
The two highest divisions, Prosthenics and Metasthenics.
4. Bot. and Zool. Used with the sense 'later',
' subsequent ', ' more developed ' ; sometimes indi-
cating the latest of three stages, correlated with
Proto- and Meso-. Metapliase, Metaphasis
(metse'fasis), the separation of the daughter chro-
mosomes in nuclear division. Metaphyte, || Be-
taphyton, a multicellular plant; hence Meta-
phytic a. (Jackson Gloss. Bot. Terms 1900).
1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., * Metapliase, . .the stage of the nu-
clear spindle in karyokinesis. 1887 tr. Strasbitrger's Bot.
363 Now begin the phases of separation and rearrangement
of the daughter-segments, the *metaphases of division. 1893
Shipley Zoot. Invert. 3 The *Metaphyta and Metazoa, or
the multicellular plants and animals. 1897 Hartog in Nat.
Science Oct. 234 The higher animals and plants we term
Metazoa and *Metaphytes respectively.
5. Geol. In imitation of Metamorphism, the
prefix has been used irregularly to form words re-
ferring to certain specific varieties of metamorphic
processes, as Metache'mic a., Metape psis
(hence Metape'ptica.), Metata'xis (hence Meta-
ta'xic a.), Metatropy : see quots.
1893 Geikie Text-bk. Geol. iv. vm. 596 note, Metasoma-
tosis, mctasomatie '. .and *metachemic applied to chemical
metamorphism or alteration of constitution or substance.
1878 Kinahan Geot. Iret. 175 One kind of Metamorphism is
Regional, or extends over large areas. The rocks affected
by it seem to have been under the influence of intensely
heated water or steam, which, as it were, stewed them, from
which the action may be called "metapepsis. Ibid. 177
*Metapeptic rocks. Ibid., Metapeptic action. 1889 A. Irving
Metamorph. Rocks 65 "Metataxic work done by Solar and
Lunar Tides. Ibid. 5 Slaty cleavage and its concomitant
phenomena, .will be considered under the term *Metataxis.
Foot-n. This term is preferred to the cognate term Meta-
stasis (Bonney). Ibid., "Metatropy, or changes in the
physical characters of rock-masses.
6. In Chemistry, a. Meta- is used to designate
compounds derived from, metameric with, or re-
sembling in composition those to the names of
which it is prefixed, as metachloral, Metaldehyde,
etc. More systematically, it is used to distinguish ■
one class of acids and their corresponding salts I
from another class (the Ortho- acids) consisting j
of the same elements in different proportions,
the mela- acids containing one, two, or three mole- 1
cules of water less than the ortho- acids; the salts |
of these acids have names formed by replacing -it i
by -ate. (A few of these compounds will be found
in their alphabetical place ; the most important of j
those remaining are placed below.)
The use of the prefix in chemistry was first introduced
by Graham in 1833 (.Phil. Trans. 253): see Metaphos- j
phate, Metaphosphoric. The more definite use (correlated
with ortho-) was introduced by Odling in 1859.
1861 Odling Man. Chem. 1. xiii. Contents, Phosphorus
and Oxygen... Meta-compounds. 1&92 Morley & Muir
Watts' Diet. Chem., Meta-acids and meta-salts.
Metaboric acid, ' a white powder, obtained by
heating ordinary boric acid or orthoboric acid
to iooaC.' (Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890). Metacellu-
lose, the substance of which the cell-walls of
fungi consist, differing from ordinary cellulose.
Metachlo'ral, a white amorphous solid formed
by the action of sulphuric acid on chloral. Meta-
cxe'sol, one of the three modifications of cresol
(ortho-, meta- and paracresol). Metage'latin,
a form of gelatin that remains fluid, used in photo-
graphy, made by boiling and cooling a solution
of gelatin several times. Metagwmmic = Meta-
rabic. Metalumina, a name given to the soluble
dihydrate of aluminium obtained by the action of
heat on a solution of the acetate. Metamorphia,
Metamo-rphine : see quots. Metamylene, ' a
compound polymeric with amylene, contained in
the higher portion of the distillate produced by heat-
ing amylic alcohol with sulphuric acid ' (Watts).
Meta-oleic (also Metole'ic) acid, an acid result-
ing from the action of sulphuric acid on oleic acid.
Metaoxybenzo'lc acid, ' an isomeride of salicylic
acid ' (Syd. Soc. Lex.). Metapectic acid, the final
product of chemical action upon pectin. Meta-
pe-ctin, an isomeric form of pectin produced by
boiling with dilute acids. Meta rabic acid, ' a
substance, also called Cerasin, obtained by heating
gum arabic to loo° C.' (Syd. Soc. Lex.). Metar-
senic acid: seequot. Metasilicic acid, a trans-
parent vitreous substance obtained by drying silicic
acid over anhydrous sulphuric acid. Metatar-
ta'ric acid, a modification of tartaric acid obtained
by melting it. Metatitanic acid: see quot.
MetatoTuic acid: see quot. Metatirng-stic
acid, a yellow solid used as a test for alkaloids.
1863 Watts Diet. Chem. I. 639 Nearly all borates may be
arranged in two classes, orthoborates and "metaboiates
(so called from their analogy with the ortho- and meta-
phosphates and silicates). 1885 Goodale Physiol. Bot.
(1892) 35 note, Cellulose dissolves at once in cuprammonia;
paracellulose, only after the action of acids ; "metacelltilose,
not even then. 1876 Encycl. Brit. V. 676/2 When kept for
some days, .chloral undergoes spontaneous change into the
polymende "metachloral,. .a white porcelaneous body. 1881
Watts Diet. Chem. VIII. 1286 "Metacresol. 1858 Sutton
Diet. Photogr.,* Metagelatine. 1870 Encycl. Brit. X. 131/2
Gelatin so treated [with hot solutions of oxalic acid] has
been called mctagelatin. 1862 Watts tr. Gmelin's Handbk.
Chem. XV. 205 "Metagummic Acid. Ibid. 206 "Mela-
gumate of lime. 1862 Graham in Jrnl. Chem. Soc. XV.
247 Two soluble modifications of alumina appear to
exist, alumina and "metaltimina. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex.,
" Metamorphia, one of the alkaloids separated from lauda-
num. 1865 Watts Diet. Chem. III. 976 * Metamorphine,
an opium. base, the hydrochlorate of which is obtained, as
a residue, in the preparation of opium-tincture by means of
lime and sal-ammoniac. 1838 T. Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies
124 M. Fremy was unable to obtain any of the "nieta-oleates
in a crystallized state. Ibid. 123 " Meta-oleic acid differs from
it [sc. oleic acid] by containing two additional atoms of water.
1873 Ralfe Phys. Chem. 132 The parnpeplone being re-
moved by filtration, the neutralized filtrate is again acidified
when another precipitate, "metapeptone, is thrown down.
1861 Odling Man. Chem. I. 338 "Metarsenates and parar-
senates are converted respectively into monometallic and
dimetallic common arsenates by the action of water. Ibid.,
"Metarsenic acid HAsOj, is formed by gradually heating
common arsenic acid to a temperature of 2oo°-2O50. 1859
"Meta-silicates [see Ortho- 2]. 1872 Watts Diet. Chem.
VI. S25 "Metasilicic Acid. 1848 Brands Chem. (ed. 6) 1315
Saccharic Acid. . . Erdmann, who repeated Gue'iin Varry's
experiments in 1837, regarded this acid as isomeric with
tartaric acid, and called it "metartaric acid. 1856 Watts
tr. Gmelin's Handbk. Chem. X. 328 "Metalartiate. t8s4
R. D. Thomson Cycl. Chem., * Metatitanic Acid, ThOc.
Small shining plates, separating when anhydrous bichlotide
of titanium is saturated with carbonate of barytes, adding
water and boiling rapidly. 1873 Jrnl. Chem. Soc. XI. 276
Uvitic acid prepared by I'inckh's process from pyrotartaric
acid decomposes into "metatoluic acid when heated with
lime. 1854 R. D. Thomson Cycl. Chem., *Metatungstic
Acid.
b. In the names of isomeric benzene di-deriva-
tives, meta- denotes those compounds in which the
two radicals that replace hydrogen in the benzene-
ring are regarded as attached to alternate carbon
atoms. (The use was introduced by Korner in
1867 ; cf. Ortho- 2 b, Para- 2 b.) See also meta-
coumaric acid, metacoumarate.
As the number of these is unlimited, no list is given ; a
few examples are appended in the quots. below.
1873 Jrnl. Chem. Soc. XI. 1147 The metadiamidobenzene
of Griess. 1875 Ibid. XIII. 156 When metachlorophenol is
fused with potash, it is readily converted into pyrocatechin ;
the relation between metanitiophenol, metachlorophenol,
and pyrocatechin being thus proved. Ibid., Metanitro-
metachlorophenol appears to be converted into metanitro-
dichlorophenol by the action of chlorine. 1876 H. E.
Armstrong ibid. I. 212 The three Isomeric Dibromoben-
zenes... Paranitrobromobenzene, . . Metanitrobromobenzene,
. . Orthonitrobromobenzene. 1879 Watts Diet. Chem. VIII.
210, a- or metapherylene-diamine. 1899 Cagney Jaksch's
Clin. Diagn. vil (ed. 4) 381 Metadiamido-benzol is coloured
a deep yellow by nitrites. 1905 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 27 May
1144 They [i. e. benzenoid ortho- and para- compounds]
both differ markedly from their isomendes of the meta-
series...In the meta-compound these_ groups [i.e. ortho-
coumaric and para-coumaric acids] are in apothetic positions
with respect to each other so that the meta-acid might be
expected to exhibit the dual properties of a phenol and a
cinnamic acid. Ibid., Sodium meta-coumarate. . .The meta-
coumaric acid required for this preparation was produced
synthetically from meta-nitrobenzaldehyde.
7. Min. a. Used to designate a mineral that is
found along with another or is closely related to
it, as melabrnshite (a calcium phosphate allied to
brushite), meiachtorite, metacinnabar(ite, meta-
gadolinite, metalonchidite, metanocerite, metaseri-
cite, metastibnite , metavolline (see A. H. Chester
Did. Min. 1896).
1854 Dana Syst. Min. (ed. 4) II. 297. 1865 Julien in
Amer. Jrnl. Sci. Ser. 11. XL. 371 Metabrushite. This new
mineral has been observed to occur only with the guano as
a matrix.
b. Proposed by Dana to designate minerals
produced by metamorphism of sediments, as meta-
diorile, metadolerite , metagranite, metasyenite,
(1876 Jrnl. Sci. & Arts XI. 119.)
Meta-acids, Meta-arthritic : see Meta- 6, 2.
II Metabasis (metarbasis). [mod.L., a. Gr.
/teTa/Socis, related to utrajiaiviiv to change one's
place, f. una- Meta- + fiaivuv to go. (Cf. Basis.)]
A transition, spec, in Rhetoric, from one subject or
point to another, in Medicine, from one remedy,
etc. to another ( = Metabola).
1657 J. Smith Myst. Rhet. 137 Metabasis. . . A figure
whereby the parts of an oration or speech are knit together :
and is, When we are briefly put in mind of what hath been
said, and what remains further to be spoken. 1693 tr.
Blancard's Phys. Diet. (ed. 2), Metabasis, the passing from
one Indication to another, from one Remedy to another.
1882 Sat. Rev, LIV. 347 A somewhat dangerous metabasis
114
METABATIC.
which he strives to make from the genus of natural science
into that of social philosophy,
Metabatic (metabaj'tik.), a. [ad. Gr. fttxa-
0arix-6s, f. furapakw* : see prec. and -ic]
1. Rhel. Pertaining to metabasis.
1900 Expositor Nov. 301 Even if the Si be genuine., it is
not adversative but metabatic.
2. Thermodynamics. In Metabatic function (see
quot.).
1855 Rankine Misc. Set Papers (1881) 225 The function
. .whose identity for the two substances expresses the con-
dition of equilibrium of the actual energy between them,
may be called the metabatic function for that kind of
energy. In the science of thermodynamics the metabatic
function is absolute temperature.
Metable-tic, a. [ad. Gr. /ifra/SXr/TtKo?, f. p.na-
ftaWuv to exchange.] Of the nature of barter.
1754 Fielding Vcy. Lisbon'fm) 180 Merchants, .changed
the Metablelic, the only kind of traffic allowed by Aristotle
in his Politics, into the Chrematistic.
||Metabola(met:e-b(?la),rf.//. Ent. Formerly
metabolia. [mod.L. neut. pi., f. Gr. utraPuKos
changeable.] A division of insects comprising
those which undergo complete metamorphosis.
1817 Leach Zool. Misc. III. 58 Subclassls 11, Metabolia.
1855 Dallas Nat. Hist. 1. 342 The suctorial Metabola.
1888 Rolleston & Jackson Anim. Life 508 In the
Metabola, three well-marked stages are distinguishable.
II Metabole (metarb<!l»). Med. Also -bola.
[late L., a. Gr. ixiTaPok-q, related to ii(Ta0d\\civ to
change.] (See quots.)
1693 tr. Blatuard's Phys. Diet. (ed. 2), Metabole, a change
of Time, Air, or Diseases. 17M QuiNCY Lex. Physico-
Med. (ed. 2), Metabasis, and Metabole, signifies any Change
from one thing to another, either in the curative Indica-
tions, or the Symptoms of a Distemper. 175s Johnson,
Melabota.
Metabolian (metatwuHan}. Ent. [f. mod.L.
metabolia (see Metabola) + -an.] An insect of
the division Metabola.
1835 Kirby Nab. $ Inst. Anim. II. 18 Dr. Leach. .sub-
divides. . Insects into Ametabolians and Metabolians.
Metabolic (metabjHik), a. [ad. Gr. nfTaPo-
XiK-ot changeable, or f. Metabole + -ic]
1. Pertaining to or involving transition.
(In quot. humorously pedantic.)
1743 Fielding Phil. Trans. Wks. 1775 IX. 231 We are
forced to proceed . . by the metabolic or mutative [method],
not by the schystic or divisive.
2. Biol, and Chem. Pertaining to, involving,
characterized or produced by, metabolism.
[An adaptation of G. vtetabolisch, first used in 1839 by
Schwann {Mikroskopische Untersuchungen 229).]
1845 G. E. Day tr. Simon's Anim. Chem. 1. 140 A dialytic,
catalytic, or, as Schwann terms it, a metabolic change on
the plasma of the blood. 190a D. N. Paton in Encycl. Brit.
XXXI. 560/1 When such functional disturbances affect the
general nutrition of the body they have been termed Meta-
bolic Diseases (Stoffwechselkrankheiten).
3. Ent. =Metabolous. 1882 in Ogilvie.
4. Zool. (See quot.)
188a Saville-Kent Infusoria II. 870 Metabolic, change-
able in form ; applied byCohn to the Infusoria in the same
sense as polymorphic.
So Metabo'lical a., pertaining to Metabolism 2.
1880 Brit.Q. Rev. Oct. 309 The next stage, .in the history of
our doctrine was the . . elaboration of the vtetabolical theory.
Metabolism (metarbi?liz'm). [f. Gr. /«to-
/30A17 change + -ism.]
1. Biol, and Chem. The process, in an organism
or a single cell, by which nutritive material is
built up into living matter {constructive metabolism,
anabolism), or by which protoplasm is broken
down into simpler substances to perform special
functions {destructive metabolism, iatabo/ism).
1878 Foster Phys. lntrod. 2 The protoplasm is continually
undergoing chemical change (metabolism). 1896 AUbutCs
Syst. Med. I. 154 In the accession of fever increased meta-
bolism precedes rise of temperature.
2. Theol. A term proposed to describe the views of
some early fathers upon the Eucharist (see quot.).
1880 McClintock & Strong Cyct. Bibl. Lit, Metabolism
is a term coined by..Riickert todescribe the doctrinal views
of. .Ignatius, Justin, and Irenxus on the Lord's Supper.
They stand midway between strict transubstantiation and
the merely symbolical view.
Metabolite (metarbtflait). [f. prec. + -ite.]
A product of metabolism.
1884 Pop. Set. Monthly XXIV. 770 Urea being a nitro-
genous metabolite. 1899 Cagnev Jakscli 5 Clin. Diagn. vi.
(ed. 4) 248 Certain colourless metabolites or chromogens of
bilirubin.
Metabolize (metartalaiz), v. Biol. [f. Gr.
/itxa^oAr/ change + -IZE.] trans. To affect by
metabolism. Hence Metabolized ppl. a.
1887 Science 18 Mar. 264/1 We doubt the value to a man
of a mass of indefinite ill-digested text-book information.
Occasionally an omnivore can take in everything, and digest
and so metabolize it as to organize it into healthy mental
tissue. 1900 Lancet H July 248/1 The removal of the in-
completely metabolised end products. 1905 Brit. Med.
Jrnl. 25 Feb. 444 His plain rational diet is digested— meta-
bolized and assimilated.
Metabolous (metarbiflas), a. Ent. [f. Gr.
UtraHoK-os changeable + -ons.] Undergoing com-
plete metamorphosis; belonging to the division
Metabola of insects.
1861 J. Hogg Microsc. (1867) 601 Some metabolous insects.
378
Metaboly (metarWli). [f. Gr. fi'raBoXri
change + -Y, or ad. rare Gr. /«Ta/3oAi'a.] = Meta-
bolism. 1890 in Century Vict.
Metaboric, Metabranchial, Metabrush-
ite : sec Meta- 6 a, 3, 7 a.
Metacarp (me-takaip). Anat. Now rare or
Obs. [ad. mod.L. Metacarp-us. Cf. F. mita-
carpe.] = Metacarpus.
1683 A. Snape Anat. Horse iv. xix\ (1686) 182 The Meta-
carp, or back of the hand in men. 1808 Barclay Muscular
Motions 409 The two first, with the abductor indicis nanus,
which should have been added to this number, being in-
serted into the metacarp.
Metacarpal (rn.etakir.ipal), a. and sb. [f.
Metacarp-us + -al.]
A. adj. Of or belonging to the metacarpus.
1739 S. Sharp Surg. 223 When you cut the Finger from
the Metacarpal Bone. 1851 D. Wilson Preh. Ann. (1863)
I. iv. 123 The metacarpal bone of a wolf.
B. sb. A metacarpal bone.
1854 Owen Skel. *t Teeth m Circ. Sci. I. Org. Nat. 212
The four norma! metatarsals are much longer than the
corresponding metacarpals. 1890 Coues Held A> Gen.
Ornilh. 11. 159 No bird now has free metacarpals in adult life.
b. atlrib.
1875 Knight Diet. Mech. 1421/2 Metacarpal sa~.v, a nar-
row-bladed saw. .used for dividing the bones of the fingers
or middle hand or of the foot in amputation. 1895 Arnolds
Calal. Surg. Instr. 26.
II Metaca rpion, -ium. Anat. 1 Obs. [Gr.
lifTandprnov, mod.L. mctacarpium, f. ntjd Meta-
+ icapiros wrist.] = Metacarpus.
1597 A. M. tr. Cuillemean's Fr. Chirurg. 29 b/2 The first
[hand vein] descendeth alongest the Metacarpion of the
hande. 1693 tr. BlancareCs Phys. Diet. (ed. 2), Meta-
carpus and Mctacarpium, the back of the Hand, made of
Four Oblong little Hones. 1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. I.
1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., Metacarpion.
Metaca°rpO-, used as comb, form of next in
metacarpo-carpal, -metacarpal, -phalangeal adjs. ;
metacarpo-phalangcs sb. pi.
1840 E. Wilson A nat. Vade M. (1842) 92 The. .metacarpo-
phalangeal and phalangeal joints. 1846 Owen Vcrtebr.
Anim. l. 160 Metacarpo-phalanges. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex.,
Metacarpo-metacarpal articulations, the four inner meta-
carpal bones are connected to each other at their carpal
extremities by their arthrodial articulations, each provided
with dorsal, palmar, and interosseous ligaments. 1899 All-
butt's Syst. Med. VII. 209 Flexion of the metacarpo-carpal
joint cannot be performed by the long flexor aione.
II Metacarpus (metakaupos). Anat. [mod.L.,
altered from Gr. utTaicapmov Metacarpion.] That
part of the hand which is situated between the
wrist and the fingers : in vertebrates generally,
that part of the manus which is situated between
the carpus and the phalanges.
1676 Wiseman Chirurg. Treat, vu. ii. 479 Where the Con-
junction is called Synarthrosis ; as in the joyning of the
Carpus to the Metacarpus. x88l MlVARTCar" 89 The middle
solid part of the paw, called the metacarpus. 1896 Newton
Diet. Birds 859 The Metacarpus is composed of three
bones, the first, second, and third metacarpals, while trace
of a fourth has been observed in embryos.
Metacellulose : see Meta- 6 a.
Metacentral (metasentral), a. rare. [f. next
+ -al.] = Metacentric.
1887 IVcstm. Rev. June 368 Signor Poli.. believes it neces-
sary in the case of armoured ships to take the areas of the
several compartments into consideration in constructing the
metacentral diagram.
Metacentre (me'tasentai). [ad. F. nit'taccntre
(Bouguer 1746), f. mita- Meta- + centre Centre.]
1. Hydrostatics (and Shipbuilding). The limiting
position of the point of intersection between the
vertical line passing through the centre of gravity
of a floating body when in equilibrium and the
vertical line drawn through the centre of buoyancy
when the body is slightly displaced ; the shifting
centre. To ensure stable equilibrium this point
must be above the centre of gravity.
1794 Rigging A> Seamanship II. 283 The metacenter. .has
been likewise called the shifting center. 1873 J. Peake
Nav. A rchit. (ed. 3) 47 The Height of the Metacentre above
the Centre of Gravity of displacement.
2. Biol. (See quot.)
1901 Mitchell in Encycl. Brit. XXVIII. 343/2 A new
centre of modification . . a metacentre.
Metacentric (metasentrik), a. [ad. F. rnita-
centrique, f. mHacentre : see prec. and -ic] Of or
pertaining to a metacentre.
1798 Phil. Trans. LXXXVIII. 242 The curve, .is termed
the metacentric curve, being the line traced by the succes-
sive metacentres. 1881 'Times 6 Jan. 11/2 The result of
the inclination at Pembroke is shown in a metacentric
diagram.
Metacetic (metasf-tik), a. Chem. [f. Meta- 2
+ Acetic] = Propionic.
1854 R. D. Thomson Cyct. Chem., Metacetic Acid. Meta-
celonic acid, A synonyme of Propionic acid.
Metacetone (metoe-sfteun). Chem. [a. F.
m{tac(tone (Fremy) : see Meta- 3 and Acetone.]
A colourless oil obtained by the distillation of sugar
or starch with quicklime.
1838 T. Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies 364 M. Fremy dis-
covered that when 1 part of sugar is intimately mixed with
8 parts of unslacked lime, and distilled, the product consists
METACCELOME.
of two liquids, one of which is acetone, and to the other he
has given the name of metacetone. 1844 Fownes Chem. 409.
Hence Metacetonic (-zcsitp'nik) a. = Meta-
cetic ; Metacetonate, a salt of metacetonic acid.
1848 Brande Chem. (ed. 6) 1733 Metacetonic Acid. Meta-
cetylic Acid. Ibid., Metacetonate of soda. 186a [see
Metacetic].
Metacetyl (metse'sftil). Chem, [f. Meta- 2
+ Acetyl.] =Pkopiontl. Hence Metacetylic
*= Metacetonic.
1848 Brande Chem. (ed. 6) 1732 Metacetone. Oxide of
Metacetyle. Ibid. 1733 Metacetylic Acid. 1890 Syd. Soc.
Lex., Metacetyl.
Metachemic, Metachemistry, Metachlo-
ral, Metachlorite : see Meta- 5, 1, 6 a, 7 a.
Metachromatic (me^akroumse'tik), a. [f.
Meta- + Gr. xp^h^i XPQ3fmT~ colour + -ic] Per-
taining to metachromism.
1876 Chem. News 11 Feb. 60/2 From a study of the two
classes [of metachromes] the following metachromatic scale
was arrived at :— White, colourless, violet, indigo, blue [etc. J.
Metacliromatism (metakr<?u-matiz'm).
[Formed as prec. + -ism.] Change or variation of
colour (see quots.).
1876 Ackroyd in Chem. News 25 Aug. 75/1 We venture,
therefore, to propose for the phenomenon the name of Meta-
chromatism. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex,% Metachromatism1..a.
change or alteration of colour, as in the hair or feathers,
from advance of age. 1904 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 3 Dec. 1507
Under certain conditions of staining, different parts of the
cell protoplasm possess different chemical affinities to the
dye. .(metachromatism).
Metachrome (me'takr^m). [f. META- + Gr.
Xpoyia colour.] A body that changes colour.
1876 Chem. News 11 Feb. 60/2 The author, .passed on to
the classification of metachromes, which he [Ackroyd]
arranges in two groups.
Metachromism (metakrJa'miz'm). [Formed
as prec. +-ISM.] Colour-change.
1876 Chem. News 11 Feb. 60/2 Metachromism, as he
[Ackioyd] terms the changes of colour which various sub-
stances undergo when heated.
Metachronism (meUe*ki"<5hiz'm). [ad.med.L.
melachronism-us, a. late Gr. type *ri(Taxpoyt(Tfi6st f.
fx€ ra- Meta- + \povos time. Cf. F. nUlachronisme.
Normally the word should mean ' transposition of dates'
(cf. quot. 1656 below) ; but it has been associated with Gr.
p.erd^poi'of, ficTaxpovios happening later, f. /icra after+
xpoeos time ; hence the sense explained below, which seems
to be that of all the available instances.]
An error in chronology consisting in placing an
event later than its real date. (Cf. Parachronism.)
1617 Hales Serm. 36 There are in Scripture, .anachron-
ismes, metachronismes, and the like, which bring infinite
obscuritie to the text. 1656 Blount Glossogr., Metachron-
ism, an error in the connexion of things or times, by
reckoning or accounting short or beyond the truth. 1677
K. Cary Chronology 11. 1. i.xx. 157 Our Authour. .is.. guilty
of a foul Metachronysm, in accomodating the 5th of Cam-
byses to his 4986 of the World.
[| Metachrosis (metakrJu'sis). [mod.L., f. Gr.
/«Ttt- Meta- + xpw<m colouring.] Colour-change.
1887 E. D. Cope Orig. Fittest 211 The power of meta-
chrosis, or of changing the color at will, by the expansion
under nerve-influence of special pigment cells.
Metacinnabar(ite : see Meta- 7 a.
Metaci nnamein. Also -ine. Chem. [a.
F. milacinnamiine (Fremy) : see Meta- 6.] A
substance isomeric with cinnamein, obtained by
keeping cinnamein under water.
1848 Fownes Chem. (ed. 2) 451. 1874 Garrod & Baxter
Mat. Med. 236 Metacinnamein.
Metacinnamene. Chem. [See Meta- 6 a.]
(See quot. 1886.)
1857 Miller Elem. Chem. in. vii. § i (1862) 560 Metacinna-
mene, or styrarin. 1886 Athenaeum 30 Jan. 172/3 Meta-
cinnamene, a highly refracting glass-like solid, obtained by
the action oflight or heat upon cinnamene.
Metacism (me'tasiz'm). [ad. late L, meta-
«j?w-tt.r,corruptIy ad. late Gr. fivraKtapios ' fondness
for the letter /*' (L. & Sc), f. /iv the name of the
letter. Cf. Itacism.] The placing of a word with
final m before a word beginning with a vowel ;
regarded as a fault in Latin prose composition.
This is the sense in the original of quot. 1844; but the
grammarians explain metacismus or myotacismus as the
fault of pronouncing a final m which ought to be elided
before a following vowel.
[1656 Blount Glossogr., Metacism, a fault in pronouncing.]
1844 tr. St. Gregory^ Morals on Job I. Epist. 11, I do not
escape the collisions of metacism.
Metaccele (me'tasfl). Biol. [f. Gr. ^ra-
Meta- + kqiKos hollow.] That type of ccelom
which is of secondary development.
1884 Bourne in Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. XXIV. 477 An
archaic enterocoele thus gradually undergoes diacoelosis,
being replaced by a metaccele.
II Metaccelia (metas/'lia). [mod.L., f. Gr.
ficra- Meta- + xoiKia ventricle.] The posterior
part of the fourth ventricle of the brain.
1882 Wilder & Gage Anat. Techn. 482 Metaccelia... Syn.
Ventriculus quartus, caudal portion.
Metacoelome (metasf loam). Biol. Also -om.
[f. Meta- + Coj;lome.] (See quot.)
1888 Rolleston & Jackson Anim. Life 223 Nephridial
funnels appear to be present in all Leeches. . .They are per-
forate in Nephelis and Trochaeta, and in these genera they
METACONDYLUS.
open into special spaces -developed in the botryoidal tissue,
termed by Gibbs Bourne ' metacoelome '.
So || Metacoelosis (-s/liiu-sis) : see quot.
1884 Bourne in Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. XXIV. 477 This
development of new ccelomic space tbotryoidal tissue) may
be termed metaccelosis.
Meta-compounds : see Meta- 6.
llMetacondylus (metak^-ndilfe). Anat. Also
anglicized metaeo-ndyle. [mod.L. : see Meta-
and Condyle.] That phalanx of a finger that bears
the nail.
1693 tr. Blancard's Phys. Did. (ed. 2), Metacondyli, the
utmost bones of the fingers. 1848 Ckaig, Mctacondyle.
Metaeoumarate, -coumarie : see Meta- 6 b.
Metacrasis (metakrc'-sis). [f. Meta- +
Crasis.]
1. Bot. ' Kinetic metabolism, transmutation of
energy' (Jackson Gloss. Bot. Terms 1900).
1884 Bower & Scott De Bary's Phauer. 509 The process
of metacrasis which produces the duramen.
2. Geol. (See quot.)
1886 Bonney in Proc. Geol. Soc. 59 Metacrasis (recombina-
tion), denoting changes like the conversion of a mud into
a mass of quartz with mica and other silicates. 1893GEIKIE
Tcxt-bk. Geol, iv. viii. 596 note, Metacrasis, denoting such
transformations as the conversion of mud into a mass of
mica, quartz, and other silicates.
Metacresol: s.e Meta- 6 a.
II Metacromion (metakn>u-mi^n). Zool. [f.
Meta- + Acromion.] In some mammals, a proc9ss
of the spine of the scapula behind the acromion.
Hence Metacromial a.
1868 W. K. Parker Shoulder-girdle Vcrtebr. 204 At its
root this large acromion sends backwards a rudimentary
' metacromion '. Ibid. 207 The metacromial process.
Metacyclic(metasi-klik),a. Math. [f.META-
+ Cycle sb. + -ic] Pertaining to the permutation
of a set of elements in a cycle. (Cent. Diet. 1890.)
Metadiorite, -dolerite : see Meta- 7 b.
Metadore, obs. form of Matador.
Meta-element : see Meta- i.
Metafacial : see Meta- 3.
Metafor, obs. form of Metaphor.
Metagadolinite : see Meta- 7 a.
Metagallic (metagielik), a. C/iem. [f. Meta-
+ Gallic a.-~\ Metagallic acid: an acid obtained
by heating gallic acid. Hence Metaga'llate, a
salt of metagallic acid.
183s Amer. Jrnl. Sci. XXVIII. 126 Metagallic acid.
1836 Brande Client, (ed. 4) 933. Ibid., Metagallate of
potassa. 1865 Watts tr. Gmelin's Handbk. Client. XV. 458
Metagallic acid (Mulder's melangallic, Gerhardt's gallulmic
acid).
II Metagaster (metagae-stsi). Biol. [mod.L. :
see Meta- and Gasteu.] Haeckel's phylogenetic
term for the later, more highly differentiated
stomach of the Craniota, as distinguished from
the primitive intestine or protogaster. Hence
Metaga-stral a. (in recent Diets.).
1879 tr. HaeckeVs Evol. Man II. 321 The differentiated or
secondary intestine (' after intestine or metagaster ').
Metagastric (metagarstrik),a. Zool. [f. Meta-
+ Gr. yacrr-qp belly + -ic] Applied to portions
of the carapace in brachyurous crustaceans situated
towards the hinder part of the gastro-hepatic area.
1877 Huxley Anat. Inv. Anim. vi. 343 The latter fgastric
lobe area] is again subdivided into two epigastric lobes, two
protogastric lobes, a median mesogastnc lobe, two meta-
gastric lobes, and two urogastric lobes.
li Metagastrula (metagae'strSla). Biol. [mod.
L. : see Meta- and Gastrula.] Haeckel's term
for a secondary modified gastrula (see quot.).
1879 tr. Haeckers Evol. Man I. 199 The more or less
varying Gastrula-form, which results from this kenogenetic
egg-cleavage, may be called, generally, the secondary,
modified Gastrula, or Metagastrula.
Metage (mf-tedj). Also 6 Sc. mettage, met-
tege, 7 meatage. [f. Mete v. + -age.]
1. The action of measuring officially the content
or weight of a load of grain, coal, etc.
15.. Aberd. Reg. XXIV. (Jam.), The mettege of colis,
salt, lym.corne, fruit, and sic mensturable [sic] gudis. 1576
Reg. Privy Council Scot. II. 578 To Day thre penneis for
the mettage of every laid (of malt] quhilk sal happin to be
presentit. 1636 Maldon, Essex, Borough. Deeds (Bundle
110) 1 For the meatage of 10 quarter of barly, 5*/. 1753
De Foe's Tour Gt. Brit. (ed. 5) II. 137 Acts have very lately
passed in relation to the Admeasurement or Metage of
Coals for the City of Westminster. 187s Daily Neivs
15 Apr. 5/2 The arrangements with respect to the metage
of grain in the port of London.
2. The duty paid for such measuring. (Cf. Mea-
SURAGE.)
1527 Burgh Rec. Edin. (1869) I. 232 Togidder with the
mettage, viz. viijd. for ilk chalder. 1854 Eraser's Mag.
XLIX. 564 The right of the Corporation to the metage of
corn, fruit, and other articles, is recognised and confirmed
in the first charter of James I. 1887 Times 27 Aug. 11/4
The ordinary fruit metage produced £654.
3. attrib.
_ 1546-7 Burgh Rec. Stirling (1887) 46 Thai sail pay tharfor
iiijd. of the chalder of mettege silveir. 1746 Act 19 Geo. II,
c 35 § 10 The Amount of the Metage Charge [of Coals].
1800 Colquhoun Comm. Thames xv. 456 On payment of
the Metage Duty. 1865 Daily Tel. 16 Nov. 8/1 Merchants
..interested in the question of the metage dues.
379
Metagelatin : see Meta- 6 a.
Metagenesis (meta|d3e*n/sis), Biol. [mod.L. :
see Meta- and Genesis.]
+ 1. Used by Owen {Parthenogenesis, 1849) for:
Alternation of generation (see Alternation i b).
Owen, however, included under this designation certain
metamorphoses not now recognized as instances of alterna-
tion of generation.
2. Now used in more restricted sense (see quot.).
1889 Geddes & Thomson Evol. Sex xv. 207 Simple
alternation between sexual and asexual reproduction, .is
called . . metagenesis.
Metagenetic, a. [f. Meta- + Genetic]
1. Zool. Pertaining to, characterized by, or in-
volving metagenesis.
1849 Owen Parthenogenesis 17 The successive genera-
tions, which.. complete the metagenetic cycle. 1877 Bal-
four in Encycl. Brit. VII. 629/1 The peculiar metagenetic
mode of development.
2. Cryst. Applied to certain twin crystals (see
quot.).
1883 Heddle in Encycl. Brit. XVI. 367/1 In metagenetic
twins the crystal was at first simple, but afterwards, through
some change in the material furnished for its increase or
possibly induced in itself, it received new layers, or an ex-
tension in a reversed position.
Hence Metagene tically adv., by metagenesis.
1868 Darwin Anim. <y /'/. II. 367 If, instead of a single
individual, several were to be thus developed metagenetic-
ally within a pre-existing form.
Metageometry. [See Meta-.] The geo-
metry of non-Euclidean space. So Metageo-
meter, one who studies metageometry. Meta-
geometrical a.} pertaining to metageometry.
1882 Stallo Concepts Mod. Physics 258 ' Space in general '
(as distinguished from ' flat space ', in the metageometric.il
sense). 1897 1). A. W. Russell Pound. Gcom. Cont. p. vu,
Metageometry began by rejecting the axiom of parallels.
Ibid. 56 To urge, with the Metngeometers, that non-Eucli-
dean systems are logically self-consistent. 1898 Cavlev
Coll. Math. Papers (Suppl. Vol.) Index, Metageometry.
Metagnathous (meUe'gnaJjos), a. [f. Gr.
Hera Meta- + yva$os jaw + -ous.] Having the
tips of the mandibles crossed. Hence Metagua-
thism, the condition of being metagnathous.
1872 Coues Key N. Amer. Birds 24 The metagnathous
[class], in which the points of the mandibles cross each other.
1890 — Field <$• Gen. Ornithol. II. 350 Each mandible may
be oppositely falcate, as in the crossbill, constituting meta-
gnathism.
Metagram (irurtagrxm). [f. Gr. para- Meta-
+ ypdfifta letter, after anagram.'] A kind of puzzle
turning on the alteration of a word by removing
some of its letters and substituting others.
1867 London Society XII. 307 We therefore welcome a
new sort of 'gram. ..Its name, metagram, is derived from
two Greek words, signifying a ' change of letters '. It is on
this change that the whole thing turns. 1882 Grosart in
Spenser s Wks. III. p. lxxxu, An anagram or metagram.
t Metagrammatism. Obs. [ad. Gr. ^ra-
ypaftfiaTia^us (Galen), f. /*cra- META- + 7/>a/^aT->
ypdfifia letter : see -ISM.] The transposition of
letters in a word or phrase ; an agrammatism. So
Metagrammatize v. [Gr, fitTaypafxpaTifav
(Tzetzes)], * to alter the letters ' (L. & Sc.).
1603 Camden Rem., Anagr. 150 Anagrammatisme, or
Metagrammatisme. 1702 C. Mather Magn. Ckr. in. 1. iii.
(1852) 319 Mr. Ward,.. observing the great hospitality of
Mr. Wilson, in conjunction with his metagrammatising
temper, said, ' That the anagram of John Wilson was, I pray,
come in : you are heartily welcome '.
Metagranite : see Meta- 7 b.
Metagraphy (meUe'grafi). [f. Gr. utra- Meta-
-f -ypacpia writing, -GKAPHY.] Transliteration.
Hence Metagra-phic a.
1872 Latham Did., Transliteration, translation or ren-
dering of the letter of one alphabet by its equivalent in
another ; metagraphy : (this latter word giving metagraphic
as its adjective, a more convenient one than transliterative
or transliterational). ^ 1888 T. Watts in Athenseum
17 Mar. 340/2 It was his [Latham's] belief in the system of
metagraphy as applied to non-European alphabets that
made him a very early advocate of phonetic spelling.
Metagrobolize (metagrp-bJlaiz), v. humor-
ous. Also 7-8 -grabolise, -ize. [ad. obs. F. meta-
graboulizer (Rabelais) 'to dunce vpon, to puzzle,
or (too much) beate the braines about J (Cotgr.).]
trans, a. To puzzle, mystify, b. To puzzle out.
So Metagro'bolism, mystification.
1653 Urquhart Rabelais 1. xix, I have been these eighteen
dayes in metagrabolisingj this brave speech, a 1693 Ibid.
m. xxii, The Autonomatick Metagrobolism of the Romish
Church. Ibid. xxvi. 212, I find my Brains., metagrobolized
and confounded, 1788 H. Clarke Sch. Candidates (1877)
10 My prolegomena to a public speech which I had been a
whole synodical month in matagrabolizing[i/r]. 1899 Kipling
Stalky 119 Come to think of it, we have metagrobolUed 'em.
Metagummic : see Meta- 6 a.
II Metairie (mdtgn). [Fr., f. mtfayer.] A farm
held on the Metayer system.
1817 C Clairmont in Dowden Shelley (1887) II. 115, I
should choose.. to cultivate a little metairie among the
mountains. 1848 Mill Pol, Econ. 11. viii. § 3 (1876) 190 In
the other parts of Tuscany, where the metaines are larger.
Metal (me'tal, me't'l), sb. (and a.). Forms: 4
matalle, matel, metail(le, -tayl, 4-6 metel(l,
4-7 metall(e, 4-8mettal, 5 metelle, mettaill,6
METAL.
meatall(e, metale, metle, mettel(l, 6-9 mettle,
7 raattell, 3- metal. fa.OI''.;/^/fl/,/«^//(mod.F.
me'tal), ad. L. metallum mine, quarry, substance
obtained by mining, metal, ad. Gr. y-i-raKKov mine;
app. related in some way to yaraWav to seek after,
explore. The word has passed (directly or in-
directly) from Latin into all the Rom. and Teut.
langs. : cf. Pr. metalh, Sp., Pg. metal, It. metallo ;
G. metal/, Du. metaal, S\v. metail, Da. metal.]
1. Any member of the class of substances repre-
sented by gold, silver, copper, iron, lead, and tin.
Originally this class was regarded as including only
these bodies together with certain alloys (as brass
and bronze), and hence as definable by their com-
mon properties, viz. high specific gravity and den-
sity, fusibility, malleability, opacity, and a peculiar
lustre (known specifically as ' metallic '). In pro-
cess of time other substances were discovered to
have most but not all of these properties; the
class was thus gradually extended, the properties
viewed as essential to its definition becoming fewer.
From the point of view of modern Chemistry, the
( metals* are a division (including by far the
greater number) of the 'elements' or simple sub-
stances. Among them are all the original (simple)
* metals'; of the later additions to the list some
possess all the properties formerly viewed as cha-
racteristic of a metal, while others possess hardly
any of them ; the * metallic lustre ' is perhaps the
most constant. By some chemists the radical
ammonium (NH4) and derivatives thereof have
been designated as 'metals', on account of the
analogy of their compounds with those of the metals
potassium and sodium.
In popular language the term is not applied to
a metallic element when in such a state of com-
bination that its identity is disguised. (Cf. Metal-
lic a. 2.)
\NobIe or perfect metals', gold and silver, as being the
only metals that were known to be capable of enduring any
ordinary fire without being 'destroyed'; opposed to base
or imperfect metals.
a 1300-1400 Cursor M. 2298 (G5tt.) pai made ymagis of
ineteles sere. 1340 Aycnb. 167 lie bise uirtue is Strang be
man ase bet ysen pet alle metals a-daunteb. 1474 Caxton
Chesseiu. ii, Vnto thegoldsmythes behout-thgoltie and siluer
and alle other metallys, yren and steel to other. 1588
Shaks. /,. L. L. in. i. 60 Is not Lead amettall heauic,dull,
and slow? 16S1 J. Cinldrev Brit. Bacon. 112, I should
think Lead were the easiest of all metalls to melt. 1751 J.
Hill Mat. Med. 4 The Class of the Metals, .includes only
six Uodies, which are, 1. Gold. 2. Silver. 3. Copper. 4.
Tin. 5. Iron. And 6. Lead. ..The Chemists have divided
the Metals into two Classes, the perfect and the imperfect.
1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XL 443/2 To free the noble metals
from the stony matter which surrounds them, and to reduce
the baser ones from their calciform to a metallic state.
1874 Roscoe Elcm. Chcm. xiv. 142 The metals of the alka-
lies and alkaline earths. lbid.x\\\. 1S6 [Hydrogenium] has
..been shown to conduct heat and electricity, and to be
magnetic, in these respects acting as a metal.
b. The constituent matter of a metal or of
metals collectively ; metallic substance.
1297 K. Glouc. (Rolls) 144 Ire at gloucestre, Metal, as led
and tyn, in be contreie of eccestre. 13.. A". Alis. 6242
Filers of matel strong. 13.. Gaw. $ Gr. Knt. 169 Alle be
metail anamayld was penne. c *44° Jacob's Wellio He made
hym drynke reed brennying metal moltyn. 1551 Robinson
tr. More's Utop. 1. (1895) 64 Them they condempned into
ston quarris, and in to myenes to dygge mettalle. 1649 Bp.
Reynolds Serm. Hosca \. 12 The hammer breaks mettall,
and the fire melts it. ^1725 Whitwobth Ace. Russia
(1758) 108 Every battalion having twolongthree pounders of
mettle. 1820 Combe Dr. Syntax, Consol. iv. 361 If they
had nought but polished mettle, Or the bright cover of a
kettle. 1880 Expositor XL 291 Like a mirror of polished
metal.
c. As the material of arms and armour.
< 1400 Destr. Troy. 9520 Mallyng burgh metail maynly
withhondes,..knockyng burgh helmys. c 1470 Henry Wal-
lace v. 190 His suerd he drew of nobill metail keyne. 1595
Shaks. K. John v. ii. 16 That I must draw this mettle from
my side To be a widdow-maker. 1663 Butler Hud. 1. ii.
83 Both kinds of metal he prepar'd, Either to give blows or
to ward, c 1672 Sir H. of Grime xxiii. in Child Ballads
IV. 11/2 My sword, That is made of the mettle so fine.
d. pregnantly for : Precious metal, gold.
1590 Shaks. Com. Err. iv. i. 82 But sirrah, you shall
buy this sport as deere, As all the mettall in your shop will
answer. 1594 — Rich. Ill, iv. iv. 382. 1596 — Merch. V. 1.
iii. 135. 1601 — Twet. N. 11. v. 17 Heere comes the little
villaine : How now my Mettle of India?
e. spec. = Cast-iron. (More fully cast-metal:
see Cast ppl. a. 8.)
Other specific uses (besides those referred to under 5) are
current in particular trades : e. g. as applied to the fittings
of pocket knives metal denotes brass as opposed to German
silver.
1794 [see Cast ppl. a. 8]. 1862 Catal. Internal. Exhib.
No. 6057 Kitchener.. the hack and sides fitted with metal
covings or plates. 1875 Knight Diet. Mcch. 1423/1 Metal,
the workman's term for cast-iron.
f. fig. (In i6-i7th c. often m the * stuff' of
which a man is made, with reference to character :
cf. Mettle.)
1552 Latimer Serm. Lord^s Prayer v. (1562) 34 h, What 1
(say they) they be made of such metail as we be made of.
114-2
METAL.
1588 Shaks. 777. -4.lv. iii. 47 Marcus, we are.. No big-bon'd
men, . . But Mettall, Marcus, Steele to the very backe. 1589
Puttenham Eng. Poesie hi. v. (Arb.) 161 Men doo chuse
their subiects according to the mettal of their minds. 1642
Rogers Naamanl'o Rdr. II. iii, Then she shewes the metal)
she is made of. 1681 Dryden Abs. 4- Ackit. 310 Too full
of Angels Metal in his Frame. 1687 T. Brown Saints in
Uproar Wks. 1730 I. 73 A notable fellow of his inches, and
metal to the back. 1887 Athenxum 8 Oct. 461/3 Defoe
wrought no base metal into the fine gold of his mother-
tongue. 189s Harpers Weekly Feb. 340/2 It seems to me
that there was lighter metal in the crews.
2. Her. Either of the tinctures or and argent.
c 1450 Holland Howlat 420 Signess . . Off metallis and
colouris in tentfull atyr. 156a Leigh Armory 1 There are
nine soondrye fieldes, of the whiche, seuen of them be
termed Colours, & two, Mettalles. . .The two metalles, are
Goulde and siluer. 1610 Guillim Heraldry 11. ii 41 In
Blazoning of any Armes, you must first express the Metall,
Colour or Furre of the Field. 162s Markham Souldiers
Accid. 31 Mettall may not be carried on mettall. 111659
Cleveland On Sir T. Martin 24 Metal on Metal is false
Heraldry. 1881 A. Macgeorce flags 109 The Dutch and
Russian ensigns have the same tincture as those of the
present French flag. . .The latter has the metal, the white,
uppermost, and the two colours, the blue and the red . .
placed together below.
3. = Orb (after Spanish).
1604 E. G[rimstone] D'Acosta's Hist. Indies iv. vi. 223
They say. .that the metall lay above the ground the height
of a launce, like unto rockes. 1881 Raymond Mining Gloss.,
Metal, Sp. 1. This term is applied both to the ore and to
the metal extracted from it.
f 4. A mine ; in phr. to condemn to metals [L.
conde/nnare ad metalla]. Obs. rare-1.
1660 Jer. Taylor Duct. Duiit. 1. Ep. Ded., As Slaves
live, that is, such who are civilly dead, and persons con-
demn'd to metals.
5. With qualification (see below) : A specific
alloy of two or more metals used in an art or
trade. Also used, without qualification, as short
for any of these (see quots.).
Bath, Britannia, composition, Dutch,fusible, organ, pipe,
plate, prince's, queen's, red, refined, type, white, yellow
metal: see these words. Also Bell-metal, Gun-metal.
A certain number of alloys are named after their inventors,
as Aicli's, Cedge's, Kier's, Muntz's, Newton's, Rose's,
White's metal.
1729 Extracts Burgh Rec. Stirling (1889) 205 One
MeLaren, who was . . incarcerat in the tolbooth . . for offering
to sell hard mettle instead of silver to some people in this
burgh. 1825 J. Nicholson Operat. Mechanic App. 711
Metal for Flute-key Valves 4 oz. lead and 2 02. antimony.
1845 Encycl. Metrop. VIII. 655/2 The tin is first converted
into what is called hard metal or alloy, 75 parts copper and
25 parts tin. 1868 Joynson Metals 97 The metal [is] run
into pigs, in the state known technically as coarse metal, or
more generally 'regulus'. 1876 Hiles Catech. Organ iv.
(1878) 22 Metal is a technical name applied by Organ builders
to a mixture of tin and lead, and generally should mean
half tin, and half lead.
6. An object made of metal.
f a. A medal or coin. (Cf. Metallic a. 6.) Obs.
1574 Hellowes Gneuara's Earn. Ep.Usn) 2I Hence it
proceedeth, that the true and moste auncient metalls be not
of golde but of iron.
t b. A speculum or reflector of a telescope. Obs.
1693 Lond. Gaz. No. 2909/4 Concave Metals, Concave
Burning, and Reading Glasses, of all sizes. 1777 Mudge
in Phil. Trans. LXVII. 324 A very distinct and perfect two-
foot metal.
c. //. The rails of a railway, tramway, etc.
1841 Ann. Reg. 119 He found the deceased lying on the
road, between ihe ' metals '. 1894 Times 12 Jan. 11/6 The
trunk of a tree over 50ft. long fell upon the metals, and the
express . . cut right through it.
d. Elertr.
1881 Sir W. Thomson in Nature No. 619. 435 Imagine a
domestic servant going to dust an electric lamp with 80,000
volts on one of its metals.
7. Gunnery. The metal composing the barrel of
a gun. Also ( = line 0/ metal, quot. 1859) in phr.
over metal, etc. (see quots. 16S8, 1704).
1644 Nye Gunnery (1670) 40 If the Piece lye point-blank,
or under metall. 1669 Stormy Mariner's Mag. v. xi. 46
A Gunner ought.. to proportion his Charge according to
the thinnest side of the Metal. Ibid. xii. 68 The difference
of Shooting by the Metal, and by a Dispert. 1688 R. Holme
Armoury 111. xviii. (Roxb.) 140/2 She lies ouer mettle, when
the mouth is higher then the breech. She lies right with
her mettle, that is she lies point blank, or streight. 1704
J. Harris Lex. Techn., Metal, a word frequently used
about a Piece of Ordnance, or Great Gun : The Outside or
Surface of her is called, the Superficies of her Metals :
When the Mouth of a Great Gun lies lower than her Breech,
they say, She lies under Metal. 1859 F. A. Griffiths
Arlil. Man. (1862) 52 The Line of metal is an imaginary
line drawn along the surface of the metal between the two
sights.
b. The aggregate number, whole mass or effec-
tive power of the guns on a ship of war. Heavy
metal : see Heavy a.1 6.
1757 Chesterf. Lett, ccexx. (1792) IV. pi They had
eighteen [ships] and a greater weight of metal, according to
the new sea phrase. 1762 Falconer Shipwr, 11. 495 From
the torn ship her metal must be thrown.
fig. 1871 R. W. B. Vaughan Life St. T. Aquin I. 773
He possessed all the qualities necessary for success— weight
of metal, as well as precision of aim.
8. Material, matter, substance, esp. earthy matter.
c 1570 Durham Depos. (Surtces) 197 Two skepfull of
sande; no other mettell, stone, clay, or rubbish. 1593 Riles
of Durham (Surtees 1903) 3 Cressetts of Earthen mettall.
1599 Minsheu Sf>. Dial. 12/2 With glasse, or China mettall,
or earth. 1684 T. Burnet Theory Earth 11. 46 Clayey soils,
380
and such like, may by the strength of fire be converted into
brick, or stone, or earthen metal. 1689 Shadwell Bury F.
11. 19 There's a pair of Gloves of the same mettle.
9. The material used for making glass, in a
molten state.
1589 Pappe w. Hatchet D iv, A settled raigne is not like
glasse mettal, to be blowne in.. fashion of euerie mans
breath. 1660 Boyle New Exp. Phys.-Mech. ix. 71 The
Vessels.. being made of much purer and clearer metall, as
the Glass-men speak. 1845 G. Dodd Brit. Manuf. iv. 49
The pots are full of 'metal' looking like liquid fire. 1890
W. J. Gordon Foundry 132 One of the men rolls up on its
end just enough ' metal ' to make the bottle.
10. Hardened clay, shale.
1708 J. C. Compl. Collier (1845) 15 To keep ihe Earth, or
some times soft Mettle, or Minerals, . . from falling into the
Pit. 1799 J. Robertson Agric. Perth 34 The azure [slates]
are the best metal. 1808 H. Holland Sum. Cheshire 28
The workmen distinguish the clay by the appellation of
metal, giving it the name of red, brown, or blue metal,
according to its colour. 1883 Gresley Coal-mining Gloss.,
Metals, marl beds more or less indurated.
b. Sc. ' All the rocks met with in mining ore '
(Raymond Mining Gloss. 1881).
1807 Headrick Arran 78 This must be a trouble in the
metals, not a vein.
11. Broken stone used in macadamizing roads or
as ballast for a railway. Also road metal.
1838 Civ. Eng. ti Arch. Jrnl. I. 275/1 The quantity of
the metal deposited would have formed, on ordinary ground,
an embankment twenty-four or twenty-five feet high. 1845
Atkinson in Proc. Ber-.u. Nat. CI. II. No. 13. 132 The
roads of Hutton..with their wayside heaps of greenstone
'metal'. 1879 Lubbock Addr. Pol. f, Educ. ix. 155 The
Sarsen stone is unsurpassed for road metal.
1 12. (See quot.) Obs.
161 1 Florio Soudtta, a strap or leather of a whip, our
boyes call it mettall.
13. attrib. and Comb. a. simple attrib., as f metal-
matter, f -ore, -yield. This passes into an adj.=
' consisting or made of metal '.
c 1380 Wyclif Set. Wis. III. 67 It is a knowen bing bat
hillis holden stoones and metal-oor. 1612 Sturtevant (title)
Metallica, . . comprehending the doctrine of diverse new
I Metallical Inventions, but especially how to. .work all kinde
of mettle-oares. Ibid. 107 Mettle matter [see MetallarJ.
1636 James Iter Lane. (Chetham Soc.) 236 This faire cleere
springe which courses through y° hills Conveys summe
1 mettall tincture in hir rills. 1724 Lond. Gaz. No. 6260/3 A
I ..Coat, with. .white Mettal Buttons. 1845 P. Barlow in
I Encycl. Metro/*. VIII. 489/1 Enamels, as before stated, are
usually laid upon a metal ground. 1858 Simmonds Diet.
Trade, Pegged boots, boots with wooden pegs in the soles,
instead of metal nails or brads. 1877 Raymond Statist.
Mines fc Mining 284 The total metal-yield for that year
amounted to 85,362,383. 1879 McCarthy Own Times II.
xxvii. 317 The intensity of the cold was so great that no
one might dare to touch any metal substance in the open air.
b. objective and obj. gen., as metal-broker,
■grinder, -metier, -mining, f -monger, f -monging,
■roller, -turner, -worker, -working; metal-bearing
adj. c. parasynthetic and instrumental, as metal-
bound, -clasped, -lined, -sheathed adjs.
1882 Rep. to Ho. Repr. Free. Met. U. S. 12 Where there
has been no "metal-bearing ore to defray expenses, assess-
ments have been levied. 1869 Tozer Highl. Turkey I. 200
The long "melal-bound guns without one of which an Al-
banian rarely moves. 1858 Simmonds Diet. Trade, *Mctal-
broicr,a dealer in metals or minerals. 1899 Kipling Stalky
203 A red-bound "metal-clasped book. 1808 A llbutt's Syst.
Med. V. 253 The pulmonary fibrosis of "metal-grinders,
of stone-workers, of potters. 1876 Voyle & Stevenson
Milit. Diet. 254 "Metal-lined cases are used as portable
magazines. 1626 Jackson Creed vm. xxvii. § 2 Cast them
into the furnace, or to the *metal-melter. 185s J. R- L[eif-
child] Cornwall Mines 284 The great advantage . . of "metal-
mining over coal-mining is [etc]. 1576 Fleming PanopL
Epist. 283 They dig the ground like greedie "metal mongers.
1631 J. Done Polydoron 85 A "Mettall-monging Alchimist
is but a hors-keeper to a Coyner however he curries his
tromperie. 1900 B'ham Weekly Post 4 Aug. 16/3 "Metal-
rollers not only worked themselves, but had men under
them. 18S8 Simmonds Diet. Trade, 'Metal-turner. 1898
Allbutt's Syst. Med. V. 24 Knife-grinders, metal-turners,
and needle-pointers, i860 Piesse Lai. Chem. Wonders 69
"Metal-workers find it of great service. 1882 Rep. to Ho.
Repr. Free. Met. U. S. 598 "Metal-working tools, that is,
tools for cold processes, such as turning, planing [etc.].
14. Special comb. : metal bath, a bath (of mer-
cury, lead, fusible alloys, etc.) used in chemical
operations requiring a higher temperature than can
be produced by means of a water bath; metal bed,
the bed of ' metal ' or broken stone laid down in
the process of macadamizing a road ; metal car-
rier (see quot,) ; metal drift, ' a heading driven in
stone' (Gresley Coal-mining Gloss. 1883) ; metal-
edge Coal-mining (see quot.) ; metal gauge, a
gauge for determining the thickness of sheet-metal
(Knight Did. Meek. 1875); jmetal 5eter, one
who casts metal, a founder ; metal leaf, a name
commonly applied to the Dutch leaf to distinguish
it from gold-leaf {lire's Did. Arts 1875) ; metal
maw, a stomach strong enough to digest any-
thing; metal paper (see quot.); fmetal pit, a
mine containing metal ; metal polish, a polish
used for brightening metals ; metal proof, ? bullet-
proof; metal ridge, rig Coal-mining (see quots.);
fmetal smith, one who forges metal, a metal-
worker ; metal stone, + (a) the ore of a metal ;
METALEPTICALLY.
(b) (see quot. 1851); metal value, value (of coin)
considered merely as metal ; metal-visaged a.,
having a hard immobile countenance; metal-work,
work, esp. artistic work, in metal.
1861 Smiles Engineers II. 429 He specified that the
"metal bed was to be formed m two layers. 1892 Labour
Commission Gloss., *Metal Carriers, those who take the
pig-iron out of the troughs of sand into which_ it has been
placed to cool, and stack it on the trucks used in conveying
it away for sale. 1845 Encycl. Metrop. VIII. 215/1 In the
third stage, the crack is completed, and the edges assume
a sharp distinct form called "meiai edges. 13.. K. Alis.
6735 A queynte mon, a "metal geoter, That couthe caste
in alle thyng. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 92 It is
not to bee doubted but the "mettall-mawes of those Ostriges
could also digest the other. 1901 J. Black's Carp. t\ Build.,
Home Handier. 39 If the paste is not to be used for gilt
papers (sometimes called ' "metal ' or * gold ' papers), add
20Z. of powdered alum. 01603 T. Cartvvright Confut.
Rhem. N. T. (1618) 656 He is verily worthy to be con-
demned to dig in the "mettall pits. 1851 Greenwell Coal-
trade Terms, Northumbld. A/ Durham 36 "Metal Ridge.
1883 Gresley Coal-mining Gloss., Metal ridges, pillars
forming themselves into supports to the roof, formed by the
creep in the boards, i860 Eng. Ii For. Mill. Gloss., Newc.
Terms, * Metal rig, the strata forced up by a creep. 1382
Wyclif Isa. xli. 7 The "metal smyth [1388 A smyth of metal ;
L. faber xrarius\ smytende hym with an hamer. 1612 S.
Sturtevant Metallica 35 Prepared or roasted oares, Mine-
stones, or "Mettle-stones beemg the fitt matter of Metal-
lique liquours. 1831 Greenwell Coal-trade Terms, North-
umbld. <J- Durh. 36 Metal stone, a mixture of shale with
sandstone. 1901 Munsey's Mag. (U. S.) XXIV. 772/1
A deposit of coins was found on Richmond's Island, near
Portland, Maine, which, though of the "metal value of only
a hundred dollars, was of great interest because [etc.]. 1837
Dickens Pickw.xWm, Even the "metal-visaged Mr. Martin
condescended to smile. 1850 Parker's Gloss. A rchit. (ed. 5)
1. 302 * Metal-work. 1872 Yeats Growth Comm. 52
[Corinth] being especially celebrated for metal-work and
porcelain.
Metal, v. [f. Metal sb.']
1. trans. To furnish or fit with metal.
1617 Capt. Pepwell in Lett. E. Ind. Comp. (1001) V. 155
The muskets are generally naught, being not well metalled.
1876 Preece & Sivewright Telegraphy 230 Where the
pipes run side by side with gas-pipes, it is desirable to
metal the joints. _
f2. To provide the 'metal or material of. Obs.
1610 Heywood Gold. Age in. i. Wks. 1874 III. 38 Oh you
crownes, Why are you made, and mettald out of cares?
3. To make or mend (a road) with ' metal '.
1806 Forsyth Beauties Scotl. IV. 269 [The stone] is soft,
and., has been found totally unfit for metalling roads. 1890
Spectator 6 Sept., Roads.. so well metalled with granite
that they are hardly ever dusty.
MetalbTrmin.. Chem. [f. Meta- + Albumin.]
A form of albumin found in dropsical fluids, etc.
Also metalbu-men [see Albumen].
1854 R. D. Thomson Cycl. Chem. 1875 tr. von Ziemssen's
Cycl. Med. X. 369 Paralbumen and mctalbumen are, how.
ever, not fixed bodies. 1878 Kingzett Aniiu. Chem. 381
Metalbumin is met with in dropsical fluids. 188s [see
paralbumin, Para-' 2 a]. 1899 Cagney Jakschs Clin.
Diagn. viii. (ed. 4) 422 Metalbumin.
Metal'd, obs. form of Mettled.
Metaldehyde. Chem. [f. Meta- 2 a + Alde-
hyde.] A solid isomeric with aldehyde.
1841 Brande Cliem. 1330 By long keeping, aldehyd spon-
taneously changes into two isomeric compounds, metaldehyd,
and elatdehyd; the former solid, the latter liquid. 1885
Remsen Org. Chem. (1888) 49 Metaldehyde.
|| MetalepsiS (metale'psis). Rhet. [a. L.
metalepsis, Gr. /ictoAt^is, n. of action to /icra-
KanPavfiv to substitute, to change the sense of
(words), f. intra- Meta- + Ko/nSavav to take.] A
rhetorical figure mentioned by Quintilian, consisting
in the metonymical substitution of one word for
another which is itself figurative. (In many English
examples the use appears to be vague or incorrect.)
1586 A. Day Eng. Secretary 11. (1625) 79 Metalepsis, or
Transumptio, when by a certaine number of degrees we
goe beyond that we intend in troth, and haue meaning to
speake of, as to say Accursed soyle that bred my cause of
woe. 1657 J. Smith Myst. Rhet. 3 Metalepsis, which is
when divers Tropes are shut up in one word : as, 2 King.
2. 9. I pray thee let me have a double portion of thy spirit.
1783 Blair Rhet. xiv. (1812) I. 339 When the Irope is
founded on the relation between an antecedent and a conse-
quent, or what goes before, and immediately follows, it is
then called a Metalepsis.
Metalepsy (me-talepsi). Chem. [ad. F. me'la-
lepsie, i. Gr. >«TaAr;^is : see prec] Dumas' term
for the substitution theory in Chemistry.
1852 Watts Gmelin's Hand-bk. Chem. VII. 71.
Metaleptic (metale'ptik), a. [ad. mod.L.
metalepticus, a. Gr. fitTaXrjwriKos,!. ritiai\aril3av(i.v:
see Metalepsis.] a. Participating or acting with :
spec, applied to muscles, b. Pertaining to meta-
lepsis or to metalepsy.
1656 Blount Glossogr.,Melaleptici. .that hath the power
of participating, or pertains to the figure Metalepsis. 1693
tr. Blaueard's Fhys. Diet. (ed. 2), Metalepticus, a Metalep-
tick Motion of the Muscles. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex.
So Metale ptical a. 1850 in Ogilvie.
Metale ptically, adv . tObs. [f. Metaleptic
a. + -al + -lt 2.] By metalepsis.
1655 tr. Sanderson's Promiss. Oaths i. 8 9- Ia Tnc "*me
of Promises may Metaleptically be extended to Commina-
tions. 1671 W. Penn Spir. Truth Vind. \t> The Holy
METALIK.
381
METALLINE.
Spirit is properly given unto men, and not Metonymically
nor Metolepsieally [sic]. 1674 Owen Holy Spirit Wks.
1852 III. 85 One or other of these things is or may be meta-
phorically or metaleptically ascribed unto this or that thing
which are not persons when [etc.],
I! Metalik (metie'lik). Also metallic, metalick.
[Turkish, prob. f. mod. Gr. liiraXKov Metal + -lik
suffix as in beshlik five-piastre piece.] A Turkish
coin worth 10 paras or about a halfpenny.
1895 Callan From Clyde to Jordan xx. 222 Each cup
costs a metallic (value &d.), and there are usually four
metallics in a piastre. 1897 Mrs. W. M. Ramsay Every
Day Life in Turkey ii. 60 On the babies I generally bestowed
a metalik (value a halfpenny) ' for luck '.
Metaline (me'talfn). [f. Metal sb. + -ine *.]
1. (See quot. 1875.)
1870 S. Gwynnf. Patent No. 190 Metaline. 1875 Knight
Diet. Meek. 1220/2 Metaline is a material formed of metals,
oxides of metals, and organic matter, reduced to powder,
compounded with wax, gum, or fatty matters, and subjected
to heavy pressure, so as to form solids of proper shape to
form boxes and bearings for shafts or axles. 1883 Fisheries
Exhib. Catal. (ed. 4) 80.
2. A kind of thread for sewing leather, made of
twisted strands of linen and brass, copper, or steel
wire. {Cent. Did. 1890.)
Hence Me'talineda., lined with metaline (see 1).
1878 Eng. Mechanic 23 Aug. 254 Metalined Bearings.
t Metallar, a. and sb. Olis. rare—1. In quot.
mettellar. [f. Metal sb. + -Alt.] a. adj. Metallic.
b. sb. A metallic substance.
1612 Sturtevant Metallica 107 The mettle-matter is
that Mettellar substance which is put into the Furnace to
be baked, boyled, or nealed, which in one word may be
called Mettellar. ..There are three sorts of Mettellars.
tMetallary. Obs. [ad. L. metallarius
miner, f. metallum Metal sb. : see -art. Cf. OF.
metallaire.] a. A miner or worker in metals, b.
One skilled in the nature and kinds of metals.
1641 J. Trappe Theol. Theol. iii. r35 Do herein as the
Wise Merchant or Metallary, who. -digs deeper and deeper
till he be owner of the whole treasure. 1657 Trapp Comtn.
Ps. xvii. 611 Thou hast tryed mee, as Metallaries do their
gold and silver. 1686 HoRSECKCrucif Jesus 793 Metallaries,
and Lapjdists, . . that make a very strict examination, whether
the precious stone be truly oriental or no.
Metall'd, obs. form of Mettled.
Metalled (me-tald, me-t'ld),///. a. [f. Metal
sb. or v. + -ED.]
1. fa. Consisting or made of metal; containing
metal. Also in comb., as pure-metalled. Obs.
IS91 Jas. I Poet. Exerc, Lepanto, Sonet, The mettal'd
minds [ = minesj. 1609 Davies Holy Roode Fib, Looke
on this Crosse .. It cures forth-with, like Moises metl'd
Snake, a 1638 Mede Wks. m. (1672) 587 The four metalled
parts thereof [sc. The Monarchical Image in Daniel] were
Types of four.. Kingdoms. 1655 Gurnall Chr. in Arm.
verse xv. § 1 (1669) 358/2 That is the pure metall'd Sword
or Knife, which bends this way, and that way, but returns
to its straitness again.
t b. trans/. Composed of material (of a certain
kind). Obs.
1575 Laneham Let. (Ballad Soc.) 20, I cannot tell what
too make of him, saue that I may gesse hiz bak be metalld
like a Lamprey.
C. Having a covering or fittings of metal.
1821 W. C. Wells Ess. on Dew (1866) 36 These differences
were caused by the metalled case obstructing the trans-
mission of the temperature of the air to the enclosed instru-
ment. 1876 Dixon White Con?. I. xvi. 155 A stream of
sunshine lies on painted wall and metalled roof. 1885 Pall
MallG. 14 Feb. 7/2 The expediency of replacing the heavily
metalled lamps at the Guards' Memorial with globes of
modern construction.
2. Of roads : Made with ' metal '.
1839 Penny Cycl. XX. 31/1 The formation of metalled
roads. X878 N. Amer. Rev. CXXVII. 154 Railways and
good metaled roads.
f 3. In ■well-metalled: well paid, remunerative.
ai734 North Lives (1826) I 249 The traverses of these
indictments, tried at the assizes, . . are . . beyond what are had
tn most of the circuit beside, and well-metalled causes.
Metalleity (metali",iti). [ad. F. me-talleiti, as
if ad. L. *metalleitas, f. metalleus of the nature of
metal, f. metallum Metal sb.] The quality of
being metallic ; metallic qualities in the aggregate.
1754 Huxham in Phil. Trans. XLVIII. 859 the most
perfect metallic bodies, which loose their metalleity, as
Becher calls it, as malleability, and other metallic properties.
a 1834 Coleridge Hints Theory of Life (1848) 69 The
metalleity, as the universal base of the planet.
tMe'taller. Obs. In 7 mateller. [f. Metal sb.
+ -er!.] One who works in metal.
1658 Rec. Elgin (New Spald. Club) I. 305 Matellers of all
sortes, such as pewterars [etc.].
Metallescent (metale'sent), a. rare-", [ad.
F. metallescent, f. L. metallum Metal sb. : see
-escent.] ' Applied to a body of which the surface
exhibits metallic colours' {Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890).
Metallic (mftEe-lik), a. and sb. [ad. L. me-
lalhc-us (or the derived F. mitallique),*.. Gr. /ktoA-
Ajk-os, f. niraWov Metal sb.] A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to, consisting of or containing,
a metal or metals ; of the nature of or resembling
a metal.
»if ?'???* l'eds' ' beds consisting of iron ore' (Ogilvie 1850).
Metallic glasses (see quot. 1807).
1567 Maplet Gr. Forest Avij b, Ye Mettals Roote is
I eyther Mettal, or some thing Metallick. 1654 Whitlock
Zootomia 566 Metallick Transmutation. 1667 Milton P. L.
1. 673 Metallic Ore. 1670 Pettus Fodinx Reg. Introd.,
The true Electrum, or Metallick Amber, or seventh Metal.
1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters III. 237 Many metallic minerals
are likewise found. 1800 tr. Lagrange's Chem. I. 102 The
phosphoric acid unites itself to metallic oxides; and forms
salts. 1806 Med. Jml. XV. 564, 1 did not imagine, that, on
the former supposition, any of the metallic medicines could
be of material service. 1807 Aikin Diet. Chem. A> Min. II.
97/2 At a high heat they [metals] become more or less
transparent, assume the vitreous texture, and are called
metallic glasses. 1874 Roscoe Elem. Chem. xvii. 185 'The
chemical composition of the alloys is not so definite, .as that
of the other metallic compounds. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex.,
Metallic sulphide, a combination of a metal with sulphur.
b. Involving coin as distinguished from paper
money. Metallic currency : the gold, silver, and
copper in use as money; opposed to paper currency.
1790 Burke Fr. Rev. Wks. 1808 V. 426 They made a sort
of swaggering declaration,, .that there is no difference in
value between metallick money and their assignats. 1833
Ht. Martineau Charmed Sea \ it. 109 Day by day, did he
look with jealous eyes on the heaps of silver which he must
not touch, and long for the security of metallic currency.
1895 Daily News 2 Jan. 5/7 No transactions except on a
metallic basis were possible.
c. Made of metal, rare.
1711 W. King Rufinus, or Favourite 195 A palace. .With
Parian pillars and metallic beams.
d. Aletallic pencil : a pencil with a tip made of
lead or alloy, for writing indelibly on paper with
a prepared surface, used lor note-books. (? Hence)
metallic book, paper.
1855 Ogilvie Suppl, Metallic paper, paper, the surface of
which is washed over with a solution of whiting, lime, and
size. Writing done with a pewter pencil upon paper pre-
pared in this manner is almost indelible. 186a Catal. In-
ternal. Exhib. No. 5150 Metallic betting books. 1866
Livingstone Last Jrnls. (1873) I. Introd. 4 The doctor
always had metallic note books in use. 1874 [see Metal-
lician i].
2. Having the form or outward characters of a
metal ; esp. said of a metal when occurring uncom-
bined with other substances.
1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XI. 433/2 The platina is found
native like the gold, and in its metallic state. 1831 [see
Metallicity]. 1874 Roscoe Elem. Client, xx. 222 Me-
tallic aluminium is obtained by passing the vapour of alu-
minium chloride over metallic sodium. 1877 Raymond
Statist. Mines A> Mining 240 The ore is.. free from base
metals, and carries metallic silver.
3. Of a quality: Such as is characteristic of
metals, a. Of colour or appearance, esp. in metallic
lustre, the peculiar sheen characteristic of metals.
Hence, of things, having a lustre of this kind.
1794 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) I. 333 The external lustre
is casual, but the internal is strong and inclining to the
metallic. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XI. 450/2 A shining
metallic colour. 1822 Latham Gen. Hist. Birds III. 274
Metallic Cuckow.. .Inhabits Sierra Leone. 1854 Meali.
Moubray's Dom. Poultry 64 Metallic — the indescribable
rainbow hues and tints seen on live fish, on some minerals
and ores, and on bright steel when placed in the fire. 187 .
Cassell's Nat. Hist. IV. 31 Some peculiar metallic-plum-
aged birds, known as the Metallic Cuckoo Shrikes {Campo-
pliaga). 1882 Garden 17 June 433/1 The sepals are a sort
of metallic green. 1890 ' R. Boldrewood' Col. Reformer
(1891) 214 The long lagoon lay darkly metallic. 1893 New-
ton/>«;/. Birds 97 Subjective structural, prismatic, or me-
tallic colours. .. The metallic portions of the radii are com-
posed of [etc.].
b. Of sound : Resembling that produced by
metal when struck; often applied to a voice or
tone of a harsh unmusical timbre.
Used in Pathology to describe auscultatory sounds, as
metallic breathing, echo, heart-sounds, jingling, resonance,
ring, tremor (Syd. Soc. Lex.).
1834 J. Forbes Laeuuec's Dis. Chest (ed. 4) 313 The
cavernous respiration and metallic tinkling. 1839-40 W.
Irving Wolferfs R. (1855) 253 Their deep metallic voices.
187a J. C. Jeaffreson Brides <y Bridals I. x. 151 It is
strange_that..a singularly hard and harsh voice should be
stigmatized as 'metallic'. 1883 E. Ingersoll in Harper's
Mag. Jan. 204/2 A finch, .chirping in a metallic manner.
c. Of taste : ' Coppery .
1803 Med. Jml. X. 39 Metallic taste, fetid breath [etc.].
A. fig.
1828 Carlyle Misc. (1857) I. 161 Among clear metallic
heroes, and white, high stainless beauties. 1848 Clolgh
Amours de Voy. 1. no With metallic beliefs and regimental
devotions. 187s Kinglake Crimea (1877) V. i. 364 A
courage so rigid, that almost one might call it metallic
1882 Society 14 Oct. 18/2 Your style is somewhat metallic
and unsympathetic.
4. Yielding or producing metal ; metalliferous.
1689 Packe tr. Glauber's Wks. (title-p.), Choice secrets in
Medicine and Alchemy, working of Metallic Mines. 1758
Johnson Idler No. S5 r 4 The black inhabitants of metallic
caverns. 1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) I. 421 Metallic
veins are never found in beds of lava. 1870 Yeats Nat.
Hist. Comm. 112 In the small islands of volcanic origin,
metallic lodes, or ores are rare.
1 5. Connected with mining or metallurgy. Obs.
1670 Pettus Fodinx Reg. Introd., A Dictionary of such
words as concern the Metallick and Chemick Arts. 1762
tr. Blacking's Syst. Geol. III. 580 All metallic attempts
there, a few iron mines excepted, have turned out to the
disadvantage of the undertakers. 1834 W. Godwin Lives
Necromancers 359 He visited the mines of Bohemia, Sweden
and the East to perfect himself in metallic knowledge.
f6. Metallic history [F. histoire me'lalliaue] : his-
tory as shown by coins struck during the period
dealt with. Cf. Medallio a.l Obs.
I7»7-4I Chambers Cycl. s.v. Metallic, F. Romani has
published a metallic history of the popes.
7. Comb., as metallic-coloured, -looking adjs.
1839 Westwood Classif. Insects I. 12 Body subquadrate,
metallic coloured. 1874 Garrod & Baxter Mat. Med. 56
It occurs in crystalline metallic-looking powder of a steel-
grey colour.
B. sb. pi. a. Articles or substances made of
or containing metal.
_ 1612 Sturtevant Metallica 35 Metallica is an Ignick
inuention, for the cheaper making of all kindes of mettles
or Metalique concoctures, .. wherevpon the materials and
things made by this Arte, are called Metaliques. 1796
Morse Amer. Geog. II. 425 Bituminous particles, mixed
with, .minerals, metallics, and vitrified sandy substances.
1880 I. Percy Metallurgy, Silver a> Gold 1. 248 The
1 metallics ' or unpulverizable metallic residue may be
assayed by cupellalion direct, or by [etc.].
b. U. S. {Mec/i.) l'owdered metal for lining the
bearings of machine shafts.
1894 U. S. Tariff § 180 in Times 16 Aug. 6/4 Bronze
powder, metallics or fitters, bronze or Dutch metal, or
aluminium, in leaf.
Metallical(m/ta:-likal),a. V Obs. [f. Metal-
lic a. + -al.] = Metallic.
1577 Harrison Descr. Brit. in. xi. 238 in Holiushcd,
Whose mixture would induce a metallicall toughnesse vnto
it, whereby it should abide the hammer. 1650 Sir T. Browne
Pseud. Ep. vi. xii. (ed. 2) 285 Whether black tinctures from
metallicall bodies be not from vitriolous parts contained in
their sulphur.
Metallically (mftwlikali), adv. [f. Metal-
LICAL a. + -LY -.]
1. By means of a metal or metals.
1839 N°AD Led. Electricity 190 One [of the plates]
was insulated, and the other metallically fixed by its ex-
tremity to a plate of platinum.
2. With regard to (the constituent) metal.
1889 Pop. Sci. Monthly Jan. 299 A metallically pure
cylinder of wrought or cast iron.
3. With a metallic voice.
1872 Howells Wedd. Journ. (1884) 129 The tram-boy
came back, and metallically, like a part of the machinery,
demanded ' Ten Cents ! '
Metallician (metalrjan). [f. Metallic : see
-ICIAN.]
1. Racing slang. A bookmaker (see quot. 1874".
1874 Hottcu's Slang Did., Metallician, a racing book-
maker. Bookmakers use metallic books and pencils. 1887
Daily Tel. 12 Mar. 5/2 In Australia the bookmaker has to
pay dearly... As for the long-suffering Australian public,
they are mulcted . .as heavily as the much-taxed metallician.
2. A stone-breaker. '! nonce-use.
1890 \ R. Boldrewood' Col. Reformer (1891) 55 'This
entertainment, which is given by me ', continued the me-
tallician.
Metallicity (metali'siti). rare. [f. Metal-
lic a. + -HT.] The quality of being metallic.
1831 Amer. Jml. Sci. XIX. 188 The.. method which
Dr. Wollaston employed to discover metallic titanium in
the scoria of iron, and to prove the metallicity of the small
crystals of titanium. 1883 Encycl. Brit. XVI. 32/1 The
alchemists, .held that mercury, .enters into the composition
of all metals, and is the very cause of their metallicity.
Metallicly (mftarlikli), adv. [f. Metallic a.
+ -L Y 2.] «= M etallically.
1897 in Webster. 1901 Waterhouse Conduit Wiring 14
The galvanizing practically closing and metallicly uniting
the edges of the Conduit.
t Metallrcolous, a. [f. L. metallum Metal
+ col-ere to worship + -ous.] Worshipping metals.
1657 Tomlinson Renou's Disp. 400* Which the metallico-
lous alchymists say, is produced by their sulphur.
Metallifacture (mitae'lifaektiui). rare-'. [{.
L.metallumM.ETALsb. +/adiira making, Facture.]
The manufacture of metal articles.
1847 R. Park Pantalogy (ed. 4) 478 Under the head of
Metallifactures. we include the manufacture of hardware,
brassware and jewelry.
Metalliferous (metali-ferss), a. [f. L. me-
tallifer ({. metallum Metal sb. + -fer bearing) :
see -FER0U8.] Bearing or producing metal.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Metalliferous, that brings forth
metals. 1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) I. 455 The metal-
liferous stone of Born. 1869 E. A. Parkes Pract. Hygiene
(ed. 3) 95 In the metalliferous mines the air.. is poor in
oxygen.
t Metallifica'tion. Obs. [f. L. metallum
Metal sb. + -fication.] The process of becoming
a metal.
1669 W. Simpson Hydrol. Chym. 221 Each Metal pos-
sesseth the predominancy of. . one of the Planetary Orders . .
by the cooperation of the septenary properties at Metal-
lirication.
Metalliform (mftarlifj&m), a. [f. L. metal-
lum Metal sb. + -(i)form.] Having the form of
a metal, resembling metal.
1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) I. 167 Metalliform as-
bestoid.
Metallify (mite-lirai) , v. [Formed as prec. :
see -ify.] trans. To extract the metal from (ore).
1887 Encycl. Brit. XXII. 70/r The Augustin process of
silver extraction is only a peculiar mode of melalhfyingand
collecting the silver of an ore after it has been by some pre-
liminary operation converted into chloride or sulphate.
Metalline (me'talain), a. Also 6 mettalline,
mettalyne, metallyen, 6-7 mettaline, 6-8
metaline, 7 metallin. [ad. F. mitallin, i.mital
Metal sb. : see -ike1.]
METALLING.
1. =* Metallic i.
1471 Riplev Conip. Alch. Ep. iii. in Ashm. Theat. Chem.
Brit. (1652) 111 Bodies .. Minerall and Mettaline. 1555
Eden Decades 334 This metalline body that we caule golde.
1563 T. Gale Antidot. 11. 7b, Emplasters be medicynes
whyche take into their composition, dyuers kyndes of sym-
ples, but chefelye metallyen bodyes and these are.. to be
boyled together. 159Z Chettle Kindedtarts Dr. (1841) 25,
I muse not a little what wonderfull mettaline preparatiue it
is ye boast on. 162a Malynes Arte. Law-Merch. 272
Mines, Mettaline and Minerall. 1634 T. Johnson Party* $
Chirurg. xii. ix. (1678) 298 Adding to the former Ointments
Metalline Powders. 1781 Hornblower in J. Nicholson
Operat. Mechanic (1825) 182, I condense the steam, by
causing it to pass in contact with metalline surfaces. 1804
Edin. Rev. IV. 139 The metalline salts. 1822-34 Good's
Study Med. (ed. 4) I. 132 Various metalline emetics. 1855
Brewster Newton I. iii. 49 Without separating the sul-
phureous from the metalline part of that mixture.
b. Impregnated with metallic substances. Also,
of vapours, arising from or produced by metals.
1626 Bacon Sylva § 84 Smiths water or other Metalline
water. Ibid. § 918 Those that deale much in Refining.,
have their Braines Hurt and Stupefied by the Metalline Va-
pours. 1633 T. Adams Exp. 2 Peter ii. 3. (1865) 270 Physi-
cians..send them to the mineral or metalline baths. 1719
Hauksbee Phys.-Mech. Exp. (ed. 2) Supp. 285 Damps, or
Steems.. impregnated with Metalline Effluvia. 1890 Syd.
Soc. Lex., Metalline waters — mineral waters.
c. Made of metal.
1575 Banister Chyrurg. it, (1585) 275 By mettalline in-
strumentes, and manuall operation. 1665 G. Havers P.
delta ValWs Trav. E. India 111 A combustible liquor,
which the man.. carries.. in a metalline bottle. 1731 P.
Shaw Three Ess. Artif. Philos. 41 The Art of Printing on
Paper, with Metalline Types. 1778 Bp. Lowth Isaiah
Notes 68 A metalline mirror.
2. Resembling metal in appearance, lustre, etc.
1596 Raleigh Dhcoz>. Guiana 58 The rocks of a blew
mettaline colour, like vnto the best Steele ore. 1664 Eve-
lyn Syh'a (1679) 25 t^ kind of oak J seeming to partake of a
ferruginous, and metallin shining nature. 1822 Latham
Gen. Hist. Birds III. 301 Metalline Cuckow.. .Inhabits
Africa. [Cf. Metallic a. 3.] 1831 Brewster Optics xx. 179
A plate of a highly refractive metalline glass.
3. Yielding or producing metals, metalliferous,
Cf. Metallic a. 4.
1620 Venner Via Recta 8 [Springs] which rise from
sulphurous, bituminous, or metalline places. 1727-41
Chambers Cycl. s. v. Gold, They first break the metalline
stone with iron mallets.
Metalling (metalirj), vbl. sb. [f. Metal v.
(or sb.) + -ING*.]
1. The process of making or mending roads with
1 metal \ Also eoncr. — Metal sb. 1 1.
1819 Telford in Mc Adam Rem. Read Making (182 3) 193 We
. . make use of metalling, or broken stones, on the middle part
of the road. 1885 Sir N. Lindley in Law Rep. 15 Q. B. D.
4 The metalling of the roads is better and more quickly
consolidated by steam rollers.
2. Metal-work. rare~x.
1878 C. T. Newton in Academy 19 Jan. 59/1 The bowl
seems like a local imitation of Phoenician metalling.
t Metallish, a. Obs. [f. Metal sb. + -I3H.]
Resembling or of the nature of metal, metallic.
1530 Palsgr. 318/2 Metallysshe belongynge to metall,
metallicque. 1581 Mulcaster Positions xxxvii. (1887) 158
If any metall be to massie, . . or if any metallish meane,
where money will scale, do enter that fort. 1683 Pkttus
Eleta Min. 11. xlvii. 218 Both these species are Metallish
and go in the Gold.
Metallist (metalist). Also metalist. [f.
Metal sb. + -ist.]
1. One who is skilled in or works in metals.
Now rare.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. vi. xii. 336 Iron (as Me-
tallists expresse it) consisting of impure Mercury and com-
bust sulphur, becomes of adarkeand sad complexion. 1703
Moxon Mech. Extrc. 243 Metalists use a kind of Tarrace
in their vessels for fining of Mettals. 1834 Ox/. Unvv. Mag.
I. 411 A cautious metallist from Cornwall demanded fiercely
what a stratum was.
2. An advocate of the use of a particular metal
as currency. (Cf. Bimetallist, Monometallism)
1886 Science 23 July 75/1 He has recently reaped a golden
harvest by carrying out the principles of the silver metallists.
Metallity (mito-liti). rare-1, [f. Metal sb.
+ -ity. Cf. Metalleity.] The quality or con-
dition of being a metal.
1884 tr. Lotze's Logic 37 Only metallity explains their
degree of specific gravity.
Metallization (metatoiz<?iJ9n). [f. next +
-ation.] The process of metallizing or condition
of being metallized ; conversion into a metallic
state. Also, the result of such a process.
1669 W^ Simpson Hydrol. Chym. 57 Middle minerals,
which are in the road to metalization. 1796 Kirwan Elem.
Min. (ed. 2) II. 90 Susceptible of metallization. 1808 Davy
in Phil. Trans. XCVIII. 362, I have heated the amalgam
of potassium, in contact with both hydrogene and nitrogene,
but without attaining their metallization. 1811 Pinkerton
Petral. II. 556 Some substances collected in tolerably large
heaps, boiled up having the appearance of a brilliant metal-
lisation. 1819 Brandb Ghent. 307 note, When mercury is
negatively electrized in a solution of ammonia, .the metal
. .becomes of the consistency of butter, an appearance which
has sometimes been called the metallization cf ammonia.
Metallize (metabiz), v, [f. Metal j£. + -ize.]
1. trans. To render metallic ; to impart a metal-
lic form or appearance to.
1594 Plat yewcll-Ho. 1. 22 By wood that is both metal-
ized and petrified in clay groundes. 178a Kirwan in Phil.
382
Trans. LXXII. 200 Inflammable air is then the principle
that metallizes metallic earth. 1800 Henry Epit. Ghem.
(1808) 213 The lead is again metallized. 1825 J. Nicholson
Operat. Mechanic 769 The surface of the iron thus becomes
perfectly metallized.
Jig. 1849 Clough Poems, etc. (1869) I.298 Better far that
this precious imponderable lie crystallised or metallized
within us, than be. .let free to escape.
2. To treat with sulphur and heat, as india-rub-
ber; to vulcanize. {Funk's Stand. Diet. 1895.)
Hence Metallized, Me'tallizing ppl. adjs.
1754 Huxham in Phil. Trans. XLVIII, 839 It appears
then, that some internal metallizing sulphur.. is absolutely
necessary to combine the metallic earth together. 188a
E. O'Donovan Merv Oasis II. xliv. 246 Had I not been
told of the origin of the metallized appearance, I should
have decidedly said that it was some lacquered surface, de-
veloped in the process of baking the brick itself.
Metallo-, before a vowel metall-, comb, form
of Gr. pk-raXkov Metal sb.y used in a number of
technical terms, as Metallochrome(metal0kr<?um)
[Gr. xpwpa colour], a prismatic tinting imparted to
polished steel plates by depositing on them a film
of lead oxide. Metallochromy, the art or process of
colouring metals (i860 in Worcester citing Nobili).
t Metallo-g-nomy [after Physiognomy], the art
of discovering hidden metals. Meta'llophone
[Gr. <pwvT} sound], (a) a keyed instrument with out-
side resemblance to a piano, but having metallic
bars instead of strings (Knight Diet. Mech. IV.
1884); (b) see quot. 1887. Metallopla'stio a.t
pertaining to the arts of depositing metals or ob-
taining metal casts by either electric or chemical
methods (Cent. Diet. 1890). Metalloscopy (me-
tal^*sk#pi) [-scofy] : see quot. ; hence Metallo-
sco'pic a. f Metallostatics sb. pi., the art of
discovering the composition of metals and mine-
rals. Meta'Uoteolmy (-te'kni) [Gr. tc'x^t; art], the
art of working in metals. Metallothe'rapy [Gr.
$€paireia healing], the use of metals in healing or
preventing diseases. So Metallotherapeu'tic a.
1841 BRANDEC~7zt7//.(ed. 5) 836*Mctallo-chromes. — . .Those
beautiful prismatic tints which Nobili originally described
under the above name, i860 Tyndall Gtac. 237 The colours
of tempered metals and the beautiful metallochrome of Nobili
are . .due to a similar cause. 1884 W. H. Waul Galvano-
plastic Manip. 407 (Cent.) *Metallo-chromy is used to pro*
duce decorative effects upon objects of copper, tombac,
and brass, previously treated to a thin electro-gilding. 1665
Phil. Trans. 1. 112 Of *Metallognomy or the signs of latent
Metals, and by what art they may be discovered. 1887 Set'.
Amer. 19 Feb. 120/2 The *metalophone is similar in form
to the zylophone, but as its name suggests, the vibrating
bars are made of metal— hardened steel. 1888 Amer. Jrttl.
Psychol. I. 503 *Metaloscopic phenomena are most analo-
gous to those here described. 1887 Buck's Handbk. Med.
Sci. IV. 749 * Metalloscopy.. is the art of determining by
external application what metals or metallic substances act
most easily and favorably upon a given person. 1890 Syd.
Soc. Lex., Metalloscopy, a term applied to the phenomena
observed in cases of hysterical anaesthesia after the applica-
tion of a metallic plate or plates to the skin of the affected
part which recovers its sensibility, while the corresponding
point of the other and unaffected limb loses its sensibility.
1665 Phil. Trans. I, 113 Fifthly, of *Metallostaticks,
whereby the mixture of Mettals and Minerals may be cer-
tainly known. 1881 T. E. Bridgett Hist. Holy Eucharist
I. 8 It will be sufficient for my purpose to touch on archi-
tecture, *metallotechny, embroidery, just so far as they
served devotion. 1877 Eng. Mechanic 8 June 299/1 * Metal*
lotherapy.
Metallograph (mteiograf). [Back-forma-
tion from Metallography : see -graph.] A print
produced by the process of metallography.
In recent Diets.
Metallographer (metaV'grafaj). [f. Me-
talloguaph-y + -eh.] A student of metallography.
1904 [see Metallographic 2].
Metallographic (mte.tograe'fik), a. [f. Me-
tallography-f--ic. Cf. F. nnHaltographupie.]
1. Relating to the description of coins.
1838 B. Corney Ideas on Controversy xix. 19 You have
been censured for some metallographic absurdity.
2. Relating to metallography (sense 2).
1904 J. E. Stead Osmond's Microsc. Anal. Metals Pref. 5
The accuracy of Mons. Osmond's metallographic work has
received universal recognition, as is amply proved by the
writings of metallographers in Europe and America.
3. Pertaining to or produced by metallography.
x888 Times 3 Oct. 5/3 If Kaiser Friedrich really confided
metallographic copies of his diary to.. such persons as Dr.
Geffken.
Metallographist (metalfrgrafist). rare-0.
[f. Metallography + -ist.] 'A writer concern-
ing metals' (Bailey, folio, 1736).
Metallography (metal?*grafi). [ad. mod.L.
metallographia, a. Gr. fxtraWoypacpia, f. fiiraXKov
Metal sb. + -ypcup'ta -graphy. Cf. F. me'tallogra-
p/iie.]
1. 'A treatise or description of metals' (Bailey
1721). rare~~°.
2. The descriptive science relating to the internal
structure of metals.
1871 T. A. Blyth (title) Metallography as a separate Science,
or the Student's Handbook of Metals, etc., etc. 1901 Engineer-
ing Mag. XIX. 751/1 We have long been accustomed to
ascribe all mechanical changes in metals directly to mole*
METAL-MAN.
cular displacements, but metallography has thrown a new
light on this subject.
3. A printing-process akin to lithography, in
which metal plates are used instead of stones.
1875 in Knight Diet. Mech.
tMetallogy. Obs. rare"1. [Badly f. Metal
sb. + -logy.] 1 he science of metals.
1811 Pinkerton Petral. Introd. 4, I would propose, .that
the mineral kingdom be considered as divided into three
provinces : 1. Petralogy..2. Lithology. .3. Metallogy, or the
knowledge of metals.
Metalloid (metaloid), a. [f. Metal sb. + -oid.
Cf. F. metalloide.]
A. adj. Having the form or appearance of a
metal. Also, of or pertaining to metalloids.
1836 Buckland Geol. <y Min. (1837) I. 41 The metalloid
bases of the earths and alkalies. 1855 in Ogilvie Suppl.
B. sb. Chem. f a. The metallic base of a fixed
alkali or alkaline earth. Obs.
1832 in Webster. 1837 Phillips Geol. 27 The remaining
substances are metallic or metalloidal. Seven of them are
earthy metals or metalloids.
b. A non-metallic element.
183a Amer. Jrnl.Sci. XXII. 250 note, [Berzelius remarks]
Hence the division into metallic and non-metallic bodies;
the latter class I call by the name of metalloids. 1836 Branoe
Chem. (ed. 4) 318 Berzelius divides them [i.e. non-metallic
substances] into three classes,.. 2ndly, Metalloids: sulphur,
phosphorus, carbon, boron, and silicon, 1869 Roscoe Elem.
Ghent. 185 In the compounds with the metalloids the
physical properties of the metals as a rule disappear.
Metalloidal (metalordal), a. [f. Metal-
loid sb. + -al.] = Metalloid a. Metalloidal dial-
lage, an obsolete synonym of hypersthene (Chester
Diet. Karnes Min.).
1837 [see Metalloid], a 1864 Gesner Treat. Oils (1865)
118 lhe metalloidal elements. 1880 Proctor Rough Ways
made Smooth 86 The matter forming the solid centre of the
earth consists probably of metallic and metalloidal com-
pounds.
Metallurgic (metalo \1d3ik), a. [f. Metal-
lurgy + -10. Cf. F. metallurgique.'] =next.
a 1707 H. Walpole Mem. Geo. II (1847) II. iv. 130 The
metalfurgic artist loses gold ; the State artist gets it. i860
R. H. Lamborn Metall. Copper 105 The metallurgic pro-
cesses of copper smelting. 1871 Carlvle in Mrs. Carlyle's
Lett. II. 362 Partner in some prosperous metallurgic or
engineering business.
Metallurgical (metalzJudjikal), a. [Formed
as prec. + -AL.J Pertaining totheworkingof metals;
of, pertaining to, or connected with metallurgy.
1812 Sir H. Davy Ghent. Philos. 20 A metallurgical school
had before this time been founded in Germany. 1827
Faraday Chem. Mauip. i. 11 Metallurgical processes. 1868
Gladstone Juv. Mundi xv. § 4 (1869) 530, I have high
metallurgical authority for stating, that the sheathing of
Chalcos on walls, .must, .have been some material other
than bronze.
Metallurgist (me'talzJid^ist). [f. Metal-
lurgy + -1ST. Cf. F. me'tallurgiste.'] One who
is skilled in metallurgy ; a worker in metal.
1670 \V\ Simpson Hydrol. Ess. 22 If you be a good metal-
lurgist and skilful mechanick. 1706 Kirwan Elem. Min.
(ed. 2) II. 245 That eminent Metallurgist Dr. Swab. 1871
Athenaeum 3 June 690 The miners and metallurgists of the
United States are trying to form an organization on the
model of our Iron and Steel Institute.
Metallurgy (me'talwdgi). [ad. mod.L. me-
tallurgia, a. Gr. *rHTa\kovpyiaJ f. ^ra\kovpy6st
f. fiiraXkov Metal- sb. + -tpyos working, worker.
Cf. F. me'tallurgie (1 741 in Hatz.-Darm.).] The
art of working metals, comprising the separation
of them from other matters in the ore, smelting,
and refining; often, in a narrower sense, the
process of extracting metals from their ores.
1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. I., Metallurgy, is the Working
or Operation upon Metals, in order to render them most
fine, hard, bright, beautiful, serviceable or useful to Man-
kind. 1785 Warton Milton's Poems 188 note, Drayton
personifies the Peak in Derbyshire, which he makes a witch
skilful in metallurgy. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XI. 422/1
With others, therefore, we have chosen to restrain Metal-
lurgy to those operations required to separate metals from
their ores for the uses of life. 1868 H. Bauerman {title) A
treatise on the metallurgy of iron.
Met ally (me tali), a. [f. Metal j3. + -*!.]
f 1. Metallic, metalline. Obs.
1398 Trevisa Earth. De P. R. vi.xxi. (1495) 210 Metally
water [L. aqua metallina] folowyth the doynge of & kinde
of metall. 1559 Morwyng Evonym. 61 Certaine metallye
thynges as requyre to be destilled with a greate and con-
tinuall fyre.
2. dial. Mixed with shale (see E. D. D.).
Me tally, adv. Obs. rare. [f.METAL^. + -LY2.]
With a metallic sound or ring.
1661 Sir A. Hosieries Last Will # Test. 3 A Fift-Mon-
archy-Man I was cordially, whose Spirits now when I am
dying sound in mine ears mettally stirring.
Metal-man.
1. A worker or dealer in metal ; also, a miner.
1566 Eng. Ch. Furniture (Peacock) 71 Sensors ij crewetes
and ij handbells— Robt Warren, .being then churchwarden
had who sold theim to a metle man. 1621 Burton Anat.
Mel. i.ii.m. x. (1651) in A Smith, or a Metalman, the pot's
never from's nose. 1658 Bromhall Treat. Specters 1. 30
Drowsy dotards, habited like the mettal-men.
2. A man made of metal.
1591 Sylvester Ivry 344 Whence corns this iron spawn i
These metal-men ?
METALOGIC.
383
METAMORPHOSED.
3. 'One who repairs underground roads' (Gres-
ley Gloss, Terms Coal-mining 1883).
Metalogic (metaV-d^ik). [f. Meta- + Logic.]
The part of metaphysics which relates to the
foundations of logic.
1842 Thomson Outt. Laws Th. Introd. 23 Only according
to our view it is not Logic. Let it be called by an old
name, Metalogic, or what its constructors will. 1878 S. H.
Hodgson Pkilos. Reft. I. 358 The logical branch of meta-
physic, ..which we may fitly call Metalogic.
Metalogical (metalfrd^ikal), a. [f. Meta- +
Logical.] Belonging to metalogic. Also, beyond
or outside the province of logic.
1865 S. H. Hodgson Time fy Space 345 Chapter vii,
Metalogical. 1873 Contemp. Rev, XXI. 446 Certain logical,
metalogical, empirical and transcendental truths, a 1881
A. Barratt Phys. Metempiric (1883) 193 From the nature
of the other metalogical assumptions.
Metalonchidite : see Meta- 7 a.
Metals, variant of Metels Obs., a dream.
Metalumina, Metamathematical, -ma-
thematics: see Meta- 6 a, 1.
Me tameccriric, a. Chem. [Meta- 2 a.] =
Comenic. Hence Metame'conate, a salt of meta-
meconic acid.
1836 Brande Chem, (ed. 4) 1021 [If the crystals of meconic
acid are] boiled in water, carbonic acid is evolved, the solu-
tion becomes brown, and metameconic acid is formed. Ibid.
1022 The neutral metameconates of ammonia and potassa.
Metamex' (me'tamai). Chem, Also -mere.
[Back-formation from Metameric] A compound
which exhibits the phenomena of metamerism ; a
compound which is metameric with something else.
1882 Nature 11 May 43 Ammonium sulphocyanite, and
its metamer theocarbamide.
Metameral (metarmeral), a. [f. next + -AL.]
= METAMERIC. 1890 in Century Diet.
Metamere (me'tamtaj). Zool, Also meta*-
meron, pi. -mera. [f. Gr. pera- Meta- + pipo?
part.] One of the several similar segments of which
certain bodies consist.
' Thus, in the crayfish a metamere consists of a central
part termed the somite, with two appendages ; each seg-
ment of the body can be reduced to this common type ; the
whole structure being capable of resolution into the skele-
tons of twenty separate metameres ' {Syd. Soc. Lex.),
1877 Huxley Anat. Inv. Anim. i. 53 The middle line of
each of the ambulacral metameres. 1879 tr. H aecket s Evol,
Man I. ix. 268 In Man the number of these like segments
or metamera is about forty.
Metameric (metame*rik), a, [f. Gr. /«ra-
M eta- + pepos part + -IC.]
1. Chem. Characterized by metamerism.
1847 Turner's Elem. Chem. (ed. 8) 1. 176. 1885 Remsen
Org. Chem. 31 Bodies may have the same per centage com-
position and the same molecular weights. Such bodies are
said to be metameric.
2. Zool. Of or pertaining to metameres.
1875 tr. Schmidt's Desc. % Danv. 54 The metameric forma-
tion, as it is termed by Haeckel, — is totally foreign to the
Molluscs. 1877 Ray Lankester in Q, fml. Microsc. Set.
XVII. 427 This transient metameric segmentation of the
Holothunan.
Hence Metame'rically adv., with metameric
segmentation.
1878 Bell tr. Gegeubaur's Comp. Anat. 602 A dilatation of
these metamerically arranged canals. 1888 Beddard in
Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Set. XXIX. 278 Metamerically disposed
tufts of tubules.
Metameride (metarmeraid). Chem. [f. Me-
tamer-ic + -ide.] = Metamer.
1857 Miller Elem. Chem., Org. i. Introd. 5 The forma-
tion of isomerides, metameiides, and polymerides,as bodies
which possess the same percentage composition may be
termed.
Metamerism (metarmeriz'm). Chem. [Form-
ed as Metameric : see -ism.]
1. Chem. The condition of those isomeric com-
pounds, which, although they have the same com-
position and molecular weight, have different
chemical properties.
1848 Watts tr. Gmelins Handbk. Chem. I. no Meta-
merism. This term is applied by Berzelius to the case in
which the compound atoms of two chemical compounds
containing the same elementary atoms, and for the most
part in the same proportions, are nevertheless made up of
different proximate elements. 1885 Remsen Org. Chem.
Index.
2. Zool. The condition of consisting of meta-
meric sections ; metameric segmentation ; also,
an instance of this.
1877 Ray Lankester in Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Set. XVII. 427
This latter, .breaks up into four circlets by development of
cross-pieces in correspondence with a metamerism.
Metamerized (metae-meraizd), a, [Formed
as prec. : see -ize.] Divided into metameric seg-
ments. Similarly Metamerization, the condition
of being metamerized.
1878 Bell tr. Gegeubaur's Comp. Anat. 602 Although the
vertebrate body is a metameric one, this archinephric duct
is not a metamerised organ. 1880 Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Set,
XX. 23a The metamerisation is less distinct than in Rho-
palura.
Metamerous (metarmeras), a. Zool, [See
Metameric and -ous.] ~ Metameric 2. Hence
Keta'mery - Metamerism.
1887 Hubrecht in Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. XXVII. 610 All
those cases of metamery in the animal kingdom which do
not fall under the head of strobilation. . . Incipient metamery
..may further differentiate in the most diverse directions.
Ibid. 613 A regular, rigorously metamerous arrangement of
this multiple material. Ibid. 618 The metamerous gill-slits.
Metamorphia : see Meta- 6 a.
Metamorphic (metam^jfik), a. [irreg. f. Gr.
fitra- Meta + ^PtyV form + -ic : suggested by meta-
morphosis. Cf. F. mitamorphique.\
1. Characterized by or exhibiting metamorphosis
or change of form.
1816 G. S. Faber Orig. Pagan Idol. III. 114 The more
complex metamorphic transmigration, by which the same
human soul was thought to pass successively through the
bodies of animals. 1870 Lowell Among my Bks. Ser. 1,
(1873) 195 How futile is any attempt at a cast-iron definition
of those perpetually metamorphic impressions of the beau-
tiful.
b. in scientific uses (cf. Metamorphosis 3).
1850 Eraser's Mag. XLI. 656 The first sight of it sug-
gests the presence of a salamander in a metamorphic stage.
1876 tr. H. von Ziemssen's Cycl. Med. V. 542 When the
cavities have become larger,, .we not infrequently hear also,
what has been described by Seitz as metamorphic respira-
tion. 1882 Savjlle-Kent Infusoria II. 870 Metamorphic^
changeable in form.
2. Geol, Pertaining to7 characterized by or formed
by metamorphism. Of a rock or rock-formation :
That has undergone transformation by means of
heat, pressure, or natural agencies.
1833 Lvell Princ. Geol. III. 375 For these last \sc. altered
stratified rocks] the term ' metamorphic ' (from nera,
trans, and fj.op<f>r], form) maybe used. 186a Whewell in
Life (1881) 528, I was not much in the Geological Section
[of the Brit. Assoc], and do not know if they had there any
discussion of metamorphic doctrines. 1865 Page Geol. Terms
s.v., It is usual to restrict the term ' Metamorphic System'
to those crystalline schists — Gneiss, Quartz-rock, Mica-schist,
and Clay-slate— which underlie all the fo^siliferous strata.
trans/. 1845 Darwin Voy. Nat. xv. (1873) 325 In frozen
snow the columnar structure must be owing to a 'meta-
morphic' action, not to a process during deposition. 1861
Max Muller Sci. Lang. 42 In Sanskrit, .what remains
is a kind of metamorphic agglomerate which cannot be
understood without a most minute microscopic analysis.
3. That causes metamorphism or metamorphosis.
1853 Carpenter Hum. Physiol, (ed. 4) 48 This meta-
morphic action of the liver would seem to be influenced by
conditions of the nervous system. 188a Geikie Text-bk.
Geol. iv. viii. 571 Rocks., altered by the action of percolating
water or other daily acting metamorphic agent. 1892 Ld.
Lytton King Poppy Epil. 132 Nor all your metamorphic
philtres.
Metamorphine : see Meta- 6 a.
Metamorphism (metam^ufiz'm). [Formed
as Metamorphic + -ism.]
1. Geol. The process of change of form or struc-
ture produced in a rock by various natural agencies ;
the quality of being metamorphic.
1845 Encycl. Metrop. VI. 564/1 By the metamorphism of
the chalk into the characters of primary limestone. 1854
Woodward Mollusca n. 223 Shell impunctate: Prof>. King
attributes this to metamorphism. 1865 Page Geol. Terms
s. v., This change, or metamorphism, whether produced by
heat, pressure, or chemical agency, has conferred upon them
[sc. the crystalline schists] the term of Metamorphic rocks.
2. The process of metamorphosis (of an insect).
1866 Tate Brit. Mollusks iv. 153 An insect in its second
stage of metamorphism.
Metamorphist (metam^ifist). [f. Meta-
M0RPH-0SIS + -1ST.]
1 1. (See quot.) Obs.
1694 Hist., Geogr. <$• Poet. Diet., Metamorphists, or
Transformers, a Name given in the xvith Century to those
Sacramentarians, who affirmed, That the Body of Jesus
Christ ascended into Heaven, is wholy Deified. 175a in
Chambers Cycl.
2. One who holds the theory of metamorphism.
1889 A. Irving Mctamorph. Rocks 65 A general laissez-
faire sort of acceptance of the views of the more advanced
metamorphists.
t Metaniorphize, v. Obs. Also -ise. [f. Gr.
fiera- Meta- + fiofxpr) form + -ize; after meta-
morphosis^ = Metamorphose v.
1591 Shaks. Two Gent. n. L 32 And now you are Meta-
morphis'd with a Mistris, that when I looke on you, I can
hardly thinke you my Master. 1596 Harington Metam.
Aj'ax 43 Masselyna..was worthie-.to have bin metamor-
phized into Ajax. 1656 S. Holland Zara (1719) 52 Meta-
morphize Men into Beasts, and Beasts into Men. 1748
Anson's Voy. nr. viii. 383 The greatest part of them were
strangely metamorphised by the heat of the hold.
Hence Metamo'rphized ///, a., Metamor-
phizing vbl, sb.
1613 F. Robarts Revenue o/Gosp. 96 They are not men
of reason.. but metamorphised wolues, dogs, and tygres.
1609 J. Rawlinson Fishermen, etc. 8 The metamorphising
of men into fishes.
MetamorpholOgy (metam^jf^-lod^i). [f.
Metamorpho-sis + -logy.] The scientific study
of the post-embryonic metamorphosis of animals.
1879 tr. Haeckel s Evol. Man. II. 460 Later [i.e. post-
embryonic] changes form the subject of the science of Meta-
morphoses, or Metamorphology.
liMetamorphopsia (metam^jfp-psia). [mod.
L., irreg. f. met amor ph-dsis + Gr. -oifta kind of
sight, f. root ott- to see (in fyopcu fut. of bpav).]
An affection of the sight characterized by distor-
tion of things seen.
1813 in Crabb Technol. Diet. 1855 in Mayne Expos.
Lex. 1894 G. Mackav Blinding of Retina 36 He [the
patient] had noticed some metamorphopsia, for in walking
along a street the area railings at a certain distance appeared
to have an upward bend.
Metamorpliosable (metany-jf&abl), a.
rare"1, [f. AIetamorphose v. + -able.] Capable
of change of form.
1887 M. Arnold Ess. Crit. Ser. 11. (1895) 310 Amiel tells
us of his 'protean nature essentially metamorphosable,
polarisable, and virtual '.
Metamorphoscope (metampuf?sk^'p). [f.
Metamorphosis + -scope,] (See quot.)
1875 Knight Diet. Alech. 1426/2 Metamorphoscope, a toy
having an opening at which the pictures on several belts
are presented, the respective belts having head, body, and
leg portions of figures. The belts are of different lengths,
so as to mismatch the sections as they are revolved.
Metamorphose (metam^uf^us, -UU),sb. Also
7 -os. [Anglicized form of Metamorphosis. Cf.
F. ntftamorphose '.]
1. = Metamorphosis. Now rare.
1608 MmDLKTON Earn. Love iv. ii, My Metamorphos is
not held vnfit. a 1649 DhumM. of Hawth. Poems Wks.
(1711) 1 What metamorphose strange is this I prove? My
self now scarce I find my self to be. 1732 Sm C. Wogan in
Swift*s Wks. (1841) II. 671 This wonderful metamorphose
of mere animals into smart and dexterous fellows, by the
change of air. 1810 Splendid Follies II. 116 The evident
improvement, and elegant metamorphose the room had
undergone. 1865 Mozlev Mirac. ii. 47 lint thus trans-
muted, the inductive principle issues out of this metamor-
phose, a fiction not a truth. 1870 Fng. Mech. 28 Jan. 484/1
The same metamorphose takes place in animals.
2. A kind of firework.
1818 in Pall Mall G. (1SS5) 5 Nov. 4/2 Superior Fire-
works. ..A metamorphose, with alternate change.
Metamorphose (mctamfT-jfouz, -fife), v. Also
6-7 -oze. [a. F. mJlamorphoser (1553 in Hatz.-
Darm.), f. metamorphose sb. : see Metamorphoses.]
1. trans. To change in form; to turn to or into
something else by enchantment or other super-
natural means.
1576 Gascoignk Del. Diet for Drunkards (1792) 15 They
feigned that Medea, Circe, and such other coulde Meta-
morphose Si. transforme men into IJeastes, I'yrdes, Plantes,
and Flowres. 1589 Greene Menaphon (Arb.) 40 This.,
draue Menaphon into such an extasie for ioy, that he stood as
a man metamorphozed. 1642 W. Prick Serm. 14 Remember
Lots wife : she was metamorphoz'd to a pillar of sail. 1709
Steele 'Taller No. 21 p 9 Many of the said Men were by
the Force of that Herb metamorphosed into Swine. 1859
Geo. Eliot A. Bede xii, Perhaps they metamorphose them-
selves into a tawny squirrel. 1874 Lady Herbert tr.
Hfdmer's Ramble (1878) II. iii. 530 A god metamorphosed
into a dragon.
2. (Chiefly trans/, and Jig. of 1 ; also gen.) To
change the form or character of; to alter the
nature or disposition of; to transform. Const, to,
into.
1576 Gascoigne Del. Diet for Drunkards (1792) 12 For
was not Noah .. through this beastly vice, so Metamor-
phosed, that he lay in his Tent uncovered. 1598 Harret
Thcor. IVarres 1. i. 2 Long peace, and neglect of Martiall
discipline hath metamorphosed manly mindes. 1621 LadvM.
Wroth Urania 12, I was at that instant metamorphosed
into miserie it selfe. 1741 W. Oldys Eug. Stage vi. 93
They formed a Select Company, and Metamorphosing the
Tennis-Court .. opened their new Theatre. 1777 Hurke
Corr. (1844) II. 152 Never were a people so metamorphosed.
The plain farmer and even the plain quaker is become a
soldier. 1820 \V. Irving Sketch Bk. I. 80 He recognised on
the sign, the ruby face of King George.. but even this was
singularly metamorphosed. 1866 Liddon Bampt. Lect. vi.
(1875) 344 The regenerate man has been metamorphosed,
his moral being is reconstructed. 1876 Geo. Eliot Dan.
Der. 1. viii, This patient.. from being the brightest.. spirit
in the household was metamorphosed into an irresponsive
dull-eyed creature.
3. In scientific applications : To subject to
Metamorphosis or Metamorphism.
1664 Power Exp. Phitos. 1. 27 When she was metamor-
phos'd into a Locust, I could discern no Mouth in the
Microscope. 1665 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (1677) 184 The
Worm is metamorphosed into a Butter-Fly. 1839-47 Car-
penter in 'Todd's Cycl. Anat. III. 742/2 The wonderful
processes of chemical and vital transformation, which take
place during the period of incubation Jof an egg], the albu-
men which it contained at first is metamorphosed into bone,
cartilage, nerve,, .feathers, &c, &c, 1851 Owen in Edin.
Neiv Philos. Jrnl. Apr. 271 Before the individual has finally
metamorphosed itself into the winged male or winged ovi-
parous female. Ibid. 273 They.. become circular flattened
pupae : and are finally metamorphosed into monostomes.
1858 Geikie Hist. Boulder xii. 246 A portion of the shale.,
has become in consequence highly metamorphosed. 1882
— Text-bk. Geol. iv. viii. § 1. 571 Nearly all rocks.. have
been metamorphosed.
Metamorphosed (metam^-iWd, -f&t),
ppl. a. [f. Metamorphose v. + -ed1.] In senses of
the verb.
1603 Knoli.es Hist. Turks (1621) 1 117 Yet. .would not these
metamorphosed monsters yeeld the towne vnto the Turkes.
1656 s. Holland Zara (1719) 76 A number of Metamorphosed
Men turned into Beasts by the Inchantments of this wicked
Sorceress. 1703 Maundrell jfourn. Jerus. (1732) 85 The
Monument of Lot's Metamorphos'd Wife. 1729 Fielding
Temple Beau (1775) I. 102 These cloaths ! these looks!
these airs ! give me reason to wonder how I recollected my
metamorphosed friend. 1859 Darwin Orig. Spec. xiii. U903)
175 Naturalists frequently speak of the skull as formed of
metamorphosed vertebrae ; the jaws of crabs as metamor-
phosed legs; the stamens and pistils of flowers as meta-
METAMORPHOSER.
morphosed leaves. 1878 A. H Green Coal ii. 43 The rocks
. .are highly metamorphosed Lower Silurian beds. 1899
Allbutt's Syst. Med. VI. 160 These old, metamorphosed
thrombi.
Metamorphoser (metampufouzai, -iosai).
[{. Metamorphose v. + -ER1.] One who or that
which metamorphoses.
1576 Gascoigne Del. Diet, for Drunkards (1792) 14 What
shall I name this man, but a beastly Metamorphoser, both of
himself & of others? 1769 B. Alexander in Monthly Rev.
XLII. 102 The impositions of a crafty metamorphoser.
1839 Lady Lytton Cheveley (ed. 2) III. i- 23 He was as good
a metamorphoser of bipeds as the Yorkshire ostler was of
quadrupeds.
Metamorphosic (metampjf&ik), a. [f.
Metamorphos-is + -ic. Cf. F. m4tamorphosique.\
Of or pertaining to metamorphosis.
178a Pownall Treat. Antif. 69 All the metamorphosic
fables of the Ancients, turning polkied and commercial
people into horrid and savage monsters, will.. evaporate
before the light of truth. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., Metamor-
phosic breathing, Gerhard's term for a respiratory sound,
which begins as a puerile breathing, but during the course of
the inspirations assumes another character.. ; he believes it
to be a reliable sign of a pulmonary cavity.
Metamorphosical (metam<>.if<7'uzikal), a.
nonce-wd. [Formed as prec. + -AL.] Changeable.
1811 Sporting Mag. XXXVIII. 28 It was me lot to be in
a metamorphosical humour
Metamorphosing (metam^ufouzin, -ftfeirj),
vbl. sb. [f. Metamorphose v. + -WO1.] The
action of the verb Metamorphose.
1608 Topsei.l Serpents (1658) 596 From this changing of
rods into Serpents, came the several metamorphosing of
sundry other things into Serpents also. 1878 T. Sinclair
Mount 253 None has been nearer to seeing the Shake,
spearean metamorphosing here than Macdonald.
attrib. 1 1730 Royal Remarks 21 We were soon hurried
away to a Metamorphosing House in the Hay-Market.
Metamorphosing, ppl. a. [f. Metamor-
phose v. + -INQ 2.] That metamorphoses or causes
metamorphosis.
1620 T. Granger Div. Logike 32 All things are become
new, spiritual!, faithful!, ..by the metamorphosing Spirit.
1878 Hell tr. Gegenbaur's Comp. Anal. 8 [It) in effect
operates as a modifying and even metamorphosing agent.
1888 Pall MallG 15 June 13/2 That, .current of civiliza-
tion from whose metamorphosing waves a woman inevitably
emerges either a Vera or a Princess Napraxine.
b. That undergoes metamorphosis.
1822-34 Good's Study Med. (ed. 4) IV. 507 The flea under-
goes all the changes of the metamorphosing tribes of insects.
1898 Allbutt's Syst. Med.V. 205 The 'metamorphosing'
breathing of Seitz consists of an inspiratory sound harsh
or rough at its commencement, becoming hollow or tubular
towards the end of the act of inspiration.
Metamorphosis (metamfriuJsis). PI. meta-
morphoses (-slz). [a. L. metamorphosis, a. Gr.
litTapopipuoii, n. of action f. ncTaiioptpovv to trans-
form, f. /itra- Met a- + /<op^ form. Cf. Meta-
morphose sbJ]
1. The action or process of changing in form,
shape or substance ; esp. transformation by magic
or witchcraft.
1533 More Debell. Salem Wks. 929/1 Salem & Bizans
sometime two great townes. .were, .with a meruailouse
metamorphosis, enchaunted and turned into twoo englishe
men. 1618 Bolton Florns (1636) 77 As if by a kind of
metamorphosis, the gods had.. changed trees to Vessels.
1674 Govt. Tongue xii. 204 One would think we were fallen
into an Age of Metamorphosis, and that the Brutes did (not
only Poetically and in fiction) but really speak. For the
talk of many is so bestial, that [etc. J. 1704 Sullivan View
Nat. IV. 179 From the metempsychosis, however, arose the
doctrine of the metamorphosis. 1856 Ruskin Mad. Paint.
III. iv. xvii. § 6 A fourth.. will begin to change them in his
fancy into dragons and monsters, and lose his grasp of the
scene in fantastic metamorphosis. 1869 Tozer Highl.
Turkey II. 264 The points.. on which the stories turn are
transformations and metamorphoses of various kinds.
b. A metamorphosed form.
1580 Greene Menaphon (Arb.) 73 Samela. .stoode amazed
like Medusaes Metamorphosis. 1638 Randolph Hey for
Honesty 11. i. But come you pig-hogs, let us leave jesting.
I restore you to your old metamorphosis, as you may see in
the first leaf of Virgil's Bucolics. 1859 Geo. Eliot A. Bede
vi, An amount of fat on the nape of her neck, which made
her look like the metamorphosis of a white sucking-pig.
2. trans/. A complete change in the appearance,
circumstances, condition, character of a person, of
affairs, etc.
a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VI 161 Ihon Cade .. departed
secretly in habite disguysed, into Sussex : but all his meta-
morphosis or tiansfiguracion litle prevailed. 1598 Barckley
Felic. Man (1631) 195 The Hermit .. asked him how_ it
chanced that he was fallen into such a metamorphosis?
1656 Earl Monm. tr. BoccalinCs Advts.fr. Parnass. 1.
xxix. (1674) 32 The Metamorphosis is too great, when from
being a private man, one becomes a Prince. 1691 Wood
Ath. Oxoii. I. 825 News was brought him of a metamor-
phosis in the State at home. 1791 Boswell Johnson
an. 1753 (1816) I. 233 Whatever agreement a Chief might
make with any of his clan, the Heralds-Office could not
admit of the metamorphosis. i8ao W. Scoresby Acc. Arctic
Reg. I. 386 The mountains along the whole coast, assumed
the most fantastic forms. ..These varied and sometimes
beautiful metamorphoses . . suggested the reality of fairy
descriptions. 1853 C. Bronte Villette xxvii, His visage
changed as from a mask to a face :..I know not that I haye
ever seen in any other human face an equal metamorphosis.
1857 Buckle Civiliz. viii. 519 By a singular metamorphosis,
the secular principle was now represented by the Catholics,
and the theological principle by the Protestants. 1867
384
Lydia M. Child Rom. Repitb. v. 64 The disguises were
quickly assumed, and the metamorphosis made Rosa both
blush and smile.
3. In scientific uses.
a. Physiology. Change of form in animals and
plants, or their parts, during life; esp. in Ent.,
a change or one of a series of changes which
a metabolous insect undergoes, resulting in com-
plete alteration of form and habit. Coarctale meta-
morphosis (Ent.): see Coarctate b.
1665 Phil. Trans. I. 88 Their [silkworms) metamorphoses
are four. 172a Quincy Phys. Diet. (ed. 2), Metamorphosis,
is applied by Harvey to the Changes an Animal undergoes
both in its Formation and Growth ; and by several to the
various Shapes some Insects in particular pass through, as
the Silk Worm and the like. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3)
XIV. 712/1 A new form or change of appearance is always
implied in metamorphosis or transformation. .; as when the
lobes of a seed are converted into seminal leaves. 1828
Stark Elem. Nat. Hist. 1 1. 232 The transformations or meta-
morphoses of insects embrace three states. 1835-6 /odds
Cycl. Anat. I. 106/1 We find that the whole of Us [sc. the
terrestrial salamander's] metamorphosis takes place whilst
in the oviduct. 1881 F. M. Balfour Comp. hmbryol. 11.
113 The change undergone by the Tadpole in its passage
into the Frog is so considerable as to deserve the name of
a metamorphosis. 1888 Rolleston & Jackson \ Anim. Life
161 A perfect metamorphosis, such as that of Sphinx, with
three well-marked stages, larva, pupa, and imago. 1897
Parker & Haswell Zool. II. xm. 32 It [the Ascidian] ..
soon begins to undergo the retrogressive metamorphosis by
which it attains the adult condition.
b. Morphology. The modification of organs or
structures in form or function (including teratology).
1839 Penny Cycl. XV. 131/2 Metamorphosis of organs, in
the Vegetable Kingdom, consists in an adaptation of one
and the same organ to several different purposes. 1849
Balfour Man. Bot. § 641 307 The different parts of the
flower may be changed into each other, or into true leaves. . .
These changes may take place from without inwards, by an
ascending or direct metamorphosis as in the case of petals
becoming stamens; or from within outwards, by descending
or retrograde metamorphosis, as when stamens become
petals.
c. Evolution. Secular change of form.
1847-9 Todd's Cycl. Anat. IV. 623/2 A unity which has
undergone such an infinitely graduated metamorphosis of
its parts as to yield these unequal skeletal forms. 1876 Ray
Lankester tr. HaeckeCs Hist. Great. I. 90 His [Goethe's]
idea of metamorphosis is almost synonymous with the theory
of development. 1903 tr. Strasburger's Bot.ied. 2) I. 10
The various modifications which the primitive form has
passed through constitute its metamorphosis.
d. Ilistol. The change of form which goes on
in the elements of living organic structures; e.g. in
blood-corpuscles, animal or vegetable tissue, etc.
Path. ' The morbid change of the elements of
tissues into another form of structure' {Funk's
Stand. Diet.).
1839-47 Carpenter in Todds Cycl. Anat. III. 750/1 The
production of the simple structureless membranes . . must be
attributed, we think, to the consolidation of a thin layer of
blastema, rather than to any metamorphosis of cells. 1845-6
G. E. Day tr. Simon's Anim. Chem. I. 133 The metamor-
phosis [of blood-corpuscles] occurs in the peripheral system.
1857 G. Bird's Urin. Deposits (ed. 5) 440 Every animal
developes,.. during the process of metamorphosis of tissue,
a series of nitrogenized substances. 1869 E. A. Parkes
Pract. Hygiene (ed. 3) 184 There is a much more rapid
metamorphosis of tissue in carnivorous animals. 1882 Vines
Sachs' Bot. 708 These reserve-materials [in dormant seeds,
bulbs, tubers] must undergo repeated Metamorphosis while
they are being conveyed to the growing organs.
e. Chem. The change of a compound to a new
form; esp, 'the chemical change occurring in a
compound substance under the influence of some
other body which itself does not change' {Syd.
Soc. Lex. 1890).
1853 Carpenter Hum. Physiol, (ed. 4) 47 When there is a
deficiency of fatty matters in the food, these may be formed by
a metamorphosis of its saccharine constituents. Ibid. 52 The
chemical metamorphoses which take place in the economy.
Ibid. 90 The lactic acid, chiefly generated in the substance of
the muscles (probably by the metamorphosis of a saccharine
compound). 1862 Miller Elem. Chem. III. 58, 61 Pro-
duction of Chemical Metamorphoses. ..1. Oxidation.. .2.
Metamorphoses by Reduction... 3. Metamorphoses by Sub-
stitution. 1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med. lntrod.
Lect. 34 Professor Liebig applied the name of metamor-
phosis to those chemical actions in which a given compound
by the presence of a peculiar substance, is made to resolve
itself into two or more compounds.
Metamorphosist. rare~". [f. Metamor-
PHOS-IS + -1ST.] = METAMORPHIST. 1848 in Craig.
f Metamorphostieal, a. Obs. rare, [irreg.
f. Metamorphos-is. Cf. metamorphosical.'] Of or
pertaining to metamorphosis.
171a Arbuthnot, etc. Ann. Mirab. in Miscell. 1732 III.
86 The Annus Mirabitis, or the Metamorphostieal Con-
junction : a Word which denotes the mutual Transformation
of Sexes. 1895 Wood Martin Pagan Ireland 84 The soul
of a man might pass into a deer, a boar.. &c.,. .a continuous
metamorphostieal existence.
t Metamo'rphosy. Obs. Anglicized form
of Metamorphosis.
c 1530 L. Cox Rhet. (1890) 71 And so dothe Ulysses con-
clude his oracyon in the .xiii. boke of Ouide Metamorphosy.
1606 Warner Alb. Eng. xiv. Ixxxix. (1612) 363 Like tales
and Metamorphosies passe many in this Chat, it 1698
Temple Poems 46 If ever any reasonable Soul Harbor'd in
shape of either brute or fowl, This was the Mansion : Meta-
morphosie Gain'd here the credit lost in Poetrte.
METAPHOR.
Metamorphotic (metaminfi/tik), a. [f.
Metamorphosis : see -otic] Pertaining to or
based on metamorphosis ; causing metamorphosis.
1816 Bentham Chrestomathia Wks. 1843 VIII. 145 Meta-
morphotic, is the appellation by which these several branches
of the Psychico-physical division of the aggregate system
of sources of motion may be designated. 1826 Kirby & Sp.
Entomol. IV. 420 The Era of Swammerdam and Ray, or of
the Metamorphotic System. 1827 Carlyle Germ. Rom.,
Quintus Fixlein III. 282 To his eyes, this birthday, in the
metamorphotic mirror of his superstitious imagination ..
would burn forth like a red death-warrant.
Metamorphy (metamjrjfi). [Formed as
Metamokphio: see -v.] = Metamorphosis.
1869 Masters Veget. Terat. 241 In the present work the
term metamorphy is employed to distinguish cases where
the ordinary course of development has been perverted or
changed. i879StormonthM<i»..SVi. Terms, Metamorphosis
. . bot. . . sometimes called metamorphy.
Metamylene: see Meta- 6 a.
II Metanephron, -nephros (metanefr^n,
-ne'fr<>s). Zool. [mod.L., f. Gr. fura- Meta- +
v«ppos kidney.] The hinder division of the
typical segmental organ in vertebrates, from which
are developed the kidney and the ureter. Hence
Metanephric a.
1877 Ray Lankester in Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. XVII. 430
A metanephron with metanephric duct distinct from the
Wolffian or mesonephric duct. 1884 A. Sedgwick ibid.
XXIV. 79 The metanephros persists as the functional
kidney.
Metanocerite : see Meta- 7 a.
II Metanotum (metanrJu-trm). Ent. [mod.L.,
f. Gr. pcra- Meta- + vurrov back.] The dorsal
part of the metathorax in insects. Hence
Metanotal a. (in recent Diets.).
i860 J. Duncan lntrod. Eutom. I. 109 The dorsal portion
[of the metathorax] is the metanotum, commonly quadran-
gular. 1877 Huxley Anat. Inv. Anim. vii. 400 The
metanotum, or tergal portion of the metathorax.
Metantimonic (metaentimfrnik), a. Chem.
[ad. F. mttantimonique (Fremy) : see Meta- and
Antimonic] Metantimonic acid: the hydrate
produced when pentachloride of antimony is
treated with water.
1854 R. D. Thomson Cycl. Chem. 1869 Roscoe Elem.
Chem. 256.
Hence Metantimo'n(i)ate, a salt of metanti-
monic acid.
1863 Fownes' Chem. (ed. 9) 368 Metantimonate of potassa.
1863 Brande & Taylor Chem. Index, Metantimoniates.
Meta-oleictoMetaphenomenal: seeMETA-.
Metaphery (metarferi). Bot. [f. Gr. \xtja-
Meta- + -<piptia (cf. Periphery), <ptpuv to carry.]
' The displacement of organs, as when alternate
become opposite ' (Jackson Gloss. Bot. Terms).
1869 M. T. Masters Veget. Terat. 91 Morren.. speaks of
this transposition as metaphery. 1879 in Stormonth Man.
Sci. Terms.
Metaphony (metsef&i). Philol. [a.t.ti^la-
phonie, f. Gr. /lira- Meta- + r/xuff, sound.] A term
proposed to take the place of Umlaut. Hence
Metaphorical a., Metapho'nized ///. a.
1894 V. Henry Comp. Gram. Eng. t, Germ. II. i. 5 4.
Metaphor (me'tafai). Forms : a. 6-7 meta-
phore, (6 metafor) , 6- metaphor. 0. 6-7 meta-
phora. [a. F. mHaphore, ad. L. metaphora, a. Gr.
H(To.(popa, f. ynTaipipuv to transfer, f. p-ira- Meta
4- epipav (root (pip- : <pop-) to bear, carry.] The
figure of speech in which a name or descriptive
term is transferred to some object different from,
but analogous to, that to which it is properly
applicable; an instance of this, a metaphorical
expression. Mixed metaphor : see quot. 1824.
a. 1533 Hen. VIII in Wotton Lett. (1654) Suppl. 8 And
rather then men would note a lye when they know what is
meant, they will sooner by allegory or metaphor draw the
word to the truth. 1553 T. Wilson Rhet. 91 b, A metaphor
is an alteration of a woorde from the proper and natural!
meanynge, to that whiche is not proper, and yet agreeth
therunto, by some lykenes that appeareth to be in it. 1555
Bonner Homilies 71* Chryste alwayes in hys speakynge
dyd vse fygures, metaphores and tropes. 1563 Mirr. for
Mas;., Collmgbourne xxxvii. These metafors I vse with other
more. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. v. ix. 247 An horn
is the hieroglyphick of authority, power, & dignity, and in
this Metaphor is often used in Scripture. 171a Addison
Sped. No. 289 r 8 Those beautiful Metaphors in Scripture,
where Life is termed a Pilgrimage. 1821 Lamb Etta Ser. 1.
Imterf. Sympathies, He stops a metaphor like a suspected
person in an enemy's country. 'A healthy book ! .. lJid
I catch rightly what you said?' 1824 L. Murray £«?.
Gram. (ed. 5) I. 493 We should avoid making two incon-
sistent metaphors meet on one object. This is what is called
mixed metaphor. 1841 Trench Parables 1. (1877) 9 Ihe
allegory stands to the metaphor, .. in the same relation that
the parable does to the. .simile. 1876 Mozley Univ. Serin.
xvi. (1877) 265 The metaphor of the poet is perfectly true in
fact, for life is a stage.
0 1586 A. Day Eng. Secretary 11. (1625) 77 Metaphora,
which is, when a word from the proper or right significa-
tion is transferred to another neere vnto the meaning.
iu8 Sylvester Du Bartas 11. ii. 11. Babylon 369 Better
then Greek with her.. Fit Epithets, and fine Metaphora s.
1650 Earl Monm. tr. Senault's Man bee. Guilty *T
Metaphora, which is so frequent with them
imposture?
b. Comb., as melaphor-maktng, -monger.
The
is it not an
METAPHORALLY.
385
METAPHYSICAL.
1670 EachardCow/. Clergy 46 These indiscreet and horrid
metaphor-mongers. 1889 Mivart Orig. Hum. Reason 273
This power of metaphor-making.
t Metaphorally, adv. Obs. rare"1, [f. Meta-
phor + -al + -LY ^.J Metaphorically.
1548-50 Thomas Ital. Diet., Chimera, a proper name, but
metaphorollie [sic], it is many times taken for an harde or
subtill imaginacion.
Metaphoric (met&ljrrik), a. [f. Metaphor +
-ic] — Metaphorical.
1597 in Farr S. P. Eliz. (1845) II. 447 Restraine your
haughtie metaphoricke lines. 1669 Gale Crt. Gentiles I. I.
ii. 11 Traditions; which he wraps up in.. metaphoric, and
Allegoric notions. 1716 Swift To a Lady in Heroic Style
119 Metaphoric Meat and Drink Is to understand and
think. 1875 M. & Fr. Collins Sweet fy Twenty I. xvi,
Sarah .. did not understand Miss Litton's metaphoric
language.
Metaphorical (metafjrrikal), a. [f. Meta-
phor + -ic + -al.] Of or characterized by the use
of metaphor ; of the nature of metaphor ; used
metaphorically ; not literal ; figurative.
a 1555 Latimer in Foxe A. % M. (1563) 1312/2 They thinke
not that it is a corporal worme, but a spiritual & a Meta-
phorical worme. 1665 Bunyan Holy Citie (1669) 251 For
bol'u the word Water, and that of Life, they are but meta-
phorical Sayings. 1741 Richardson Pamela (1824) I. cii.
490 [She] delights, .in. .metaphorical flourishes. 1825 Cole-
ridge A ills Reft. 2 A man without reflection is but a
metaphorical phrase for the instinct of a beast. 1883 H.
Drummond Nat. Law in Sj>ir. IK vii. (1884) 235 To impose
a metaphorical meaning on the commonest word of the New
Testament is to violate every canon of interpretation.
Hence Metaphoricalness. 1882 in Ogilvie.
Metaphorically (metafcTikalfi, adv. [f.
Metaphorical + -ly^.] In a metaphorical sense;
by the use of metaphor.
1571 Golding Calvin on Ps. ii. 3 By terming his govern-
ment metaphorically by the name of ' Bondes and yoke'.
1660 T. Gouge Chr. Directions be (1831) 56 Which words,
1 If thy right hand offend thee, cut it off' &c, are not
literally to be taken, but metaphorically. 1756 Burke
St/61. iy B. III. xxvi, We metaphorically apply the idea of
sweetness to sights and sounds. 1844 Stanley Arnold
(1858) I. vi. 244 Literally as well as metaphorically blind.
1885 Manch. Exam. 2 May 6/2 Mr. Broadhurst meta-
phorically fell upon Mr. Bentinck's neck.
Metaphorist (me-taforist). rare. [f. Meta-
phor + -1ST.] One who deals in metaphors.
1727 Pope, etc. Art of Sinking 115 A poet or orator would
have no more to do but to send to the particular traders in
each kind, to the metaphorist for his allegories, to the
simile-maker for his comparisons. 1891 Hannah Lynch
G. Meredith 33 The marvellous performance of a juggling
metaphorist.
Met aphorize (me'tafoiaiz),^. [f. Metaphor
+ -IZE. Cf. F. me'taphoriser.'] trans, a. To change
metaphorically into. b. To ply with metaphor.
1789 T. Twining Aristotle's Treat. Poetry (1812) II. 292
Every reader will recollect Milton's beautiful application
of this metaphor .. to the dew-drops, metaphorized into
pearls. 1801 Southey Let. 25 July in Life (1850) II. 153
Every character [in the play] reasoning, and metaphorising,
and metaphysicking the reader most nauseously.
I Metaphorous, a. Obs. rare-1, [f. Meta-
phor + -ous.] Full of or characterized by metaphor.
1658 Bromhall T?-eat. Specters vn. 362 Metaphorous
speeches.
Metaphosphate (metahVsf/t). Chem. [Meta-
2 a.] A salt of metaphosphoric acid.
1833 [see next]. 1869 Roscoe Elem. Chem. 160 Sodium
metaphosphate.
Metaphosphoric (metafcsfjrrik), a. Chem.
[Meta- 2 a.] Metaphosphoric acid (HP03) : an
acid containing a molecule of water less than ortho-
phosphoric acid.
.lf*33 T. Graham in Phil. Trans. 277, I shall take the
liberty to designate provisionally the acid of the fused
biphosphate of soda, the Metaphosphoric acid..; and the
fused salt itself, the Metaphosphate of soda. 1899 tr. R.
von Ja&sch's Clin. Diagn. vii. {ed. 4) 299 If to urine which
contains albumin a little solid metaphosphoric acid be
added, a precipitate or turbidity forms.
Metaphragm (me-tafrsem). Ent. Also in
Latin form, [ad. mod.L. metaphragmay f. Gr.
fxtra- Meta- + (ppdyfia partition.] The wall that
separates the abdomen from the thorax in insects.
1826 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. III. 382 Metaphragma (the
Metaphragm). Ibid. IV. 591 The cavity of the chest,. be-
tween the mesophragm and metaphragm.
Metaphrase (me'tafr^z), sb. [ad. mod.L.
metaphrasis, ad. Gr, utTcuppaots, n. of action from
HtTa.(ppa(av to translate, paraphrase : see Meta-
and Phuase sb. Cf. F. metaphrase.)
+ 1. A metrical translation. Obs.
1637 Bp. Hall Dauids Ps. Metaphr. Ded., Apollinarius
..wrote, .all the Hebrew scriptures in Heroicks*,..his meta-
phrase of the Psalmes is still in our hands. 1631 in Banna-
tyne Ctt/6 Misc. I. 245 The receaving of this new meta-
phrase, and rejecting of the old, sail geve occasion to
foranners to call us light headed Scots. 1767 Harte Amar-
anth Pref., A paraphrase (or metaphrase rather) of the
xxviikh chapter of Deuteronomy ; which, I believe, hath
never yet been turned into English verse.
2. A rendering into other words ; a translation ; in
later use, a word-for-word translation in contra-
distinction to a paraphrase.
1640 Shirley Hum. Courtier iv. i. G 1 b, Orscolo. What
does she thinke? Lau. Y'are insufficient Or. How? a meto-
phrase [sic] upon that word, a 1646 J. Gregory Posthuma
Vol. VI.
(1650) 224 Where the English Metaphrase readeth, Thou
shalt accept [etc.]... The Hebrew saith, Thou shalt consume,
&c. 1680 Dryden tr. Oviifs Ep. Pref., Ess. (ed. Ker) I. 237
Metaphrase, or turning an author word by word, and line
by line, from one language into another. 1697 — tr. Virg.
Aineid Ded. (e1 4 b, The way I have taken is not so streight
as Metaphrase, nor so loose as Paraphrase. 1823 Dv.
Qvjscey Lett, to Vng. ManWks. XIV. 84 note. It is too much
of a mere metaphrase of Kant. 1903 W. R. Roberts in
Class. Rev. XVII. 131/2 Metaphrase can hardly be made to
do duty for paraphrase.
fig. 1822 Lamb Etia Ser. 1. Some Old Actors, Such play-
ful selections and specious combinations rather than strict
metaphrases of nature.
Metaphrase (me'tafr^z), v. [f. prec. sb. :
but cf. Gr. nfT<xppa£(Lv.]
1 1. trans. To translate, esp. in verse. Obs.
1608 Bp. Hall in Sylvesters Du Bartas To Author, To
Mr losuah Syluester, of his Bartas Metaphrased. 1633
Fletcher Poet. Misc. 86 Certain of the royal Prophets
Psalmes metaphrased. 1649 T. W[\:a\er] {title) Plantagenets
Tragicall Story : or the Death of King Edward the Fourth.
. .Metaphrased by T. W. gent.
2. To alter the phrasing or language of ; to render
into other words.
1868 Contemp. Rev, IX. 294 He [Simeon Metaphrastes]
did not in all cases assemble materials in their original
shape, but often ' metaphrased ' or manipulated them in such
a way as to deprive the mass of all value. 1883 Scrivenkr
Inirod. Crit. N. T. 508 He too [Clement of Alexandria]
complains of those who tamper with (or metaphrase) the
Gospels for their own sinister ends.
Hence Metaphrasing vbl. sb.
1631 in Bannatyne Club Misc. I. 237, I have not as zit..
considdered what libertie they have takin in the metaphras-
ing to add, insert, or degresse.
it Metaplirasis (metx'fjasis). Obs. [mod.L.:
see prec] = Metaphrase.
a 1568 Ascham Scholem. u. (Arb.) 104 Metaphrasis . , is
all one with Paraphrasls, saue it is out of verse, either into
prose, or into some other kinde of meter : or els, out of pi o--e
into verse. 1603 Holland Plutarch's Mar. 984 Some rhe-
torical figures, catachreses and metaphrases. 1706 Phil-
lips (ed. Kersey), Metaphrasis, a bare Translation out of
one Language into another.
Metaphrast (mc'tafrcest). [ad. Gr. /icra-
<ppaaTT]$r f, ixtraippafav to translate, f. /«to- Mkta-
+ <ppa(civ to speak.] One who renders a com-
position into a different literary form, e.g. by turn-
ing prose into verse, or one metre into another;
also, f a translator.
1610 Holland Camden's Brit. 1. 68 Simeon that great
Metaphrast. 164a Cudworth Lords Supper 13 For so
both the Syriack Metaphrast expounds it . and the Arabick.
a 1695 Wood Fasti Oxon. (1815) 516 George Sandys, esq. ;
the famous traveller and excellent poetical metaphrast. 1778
Warton Hist. Eng. Poetry II. 190 He [Symeon] obtained
the distinguishing appellation of the Metaphrast, because. .
he modernised the more antient narratives of the miracles
and martyrdoms, .for the use of the Greek church. 1896
J. W. Mackail Lat. Lit. (ed. 2) 128 The later metaphrasts,
who occupied themselves with turning heroic into elegiac
poems by inserting a pentameter between each two lines.
Metaphrastic (metafrie'stik), a. and sb. [ad.
Gr. ncTCKfipaffTtKos, f. fitTa<ppa<T7r)s : see prec]
A. adj.
1. Of the nature of metaphrase.
1778 Warton Hist. Eng. Poetry II. 169 Maximus Pla-
nudes..has the merit of having familiarised to his country-
men many Latin classics.. by metaphrastic versions.
2. Gram. (See quot.) rare"1.
1861 Max Muller Sci. Lang. Ser. r. viii. (1S64) 338 The
formation of such phrases as the French faimerai, for j'ai
a aimer, .may be called analytical or metaphrastic.
B. sb.pl. The art of translation or interpretation.
1895 Q, Rev. Oct. 328 There is no lost work on Herme-
neutics or Metaplastics to be recovered from an Egyptian
grave.
So Metaphra'stical a. = Metaphrastic.
i860 in Worcester.
Metaphrastically,^'. [Formed as prec. +
-ly a.] By way of metaphrase.
1577 Hanmer Anc. Eccl. Hist. (1663) 73 Some report that
he presumed metaphrast ically to alter the words of the
Apostle, correcting as it were the order of the phrase. 1652
T. Manley Afflict. Saints title-p., The whole Booke of Job,
composed into English Heroicall Verse, metaphrastically.
1894 R. Fenton m W. W. Lloyd E. Fenton 121 Which we
may metaphrastically translate :— Milton, now, a disap-
pointed, blind, distressed old man.
II Metaphrenon, -phrenum (metae fWn^n,
-frihtfm). Also 7 angtic ized metaphren(e. [Late
L., a. Gr. n€Ta<ppwov, f. pcra after + (pprjv midriff.]
The part of the back that is behind the diaphragm.
1621 Burton Anat. Met. 1. v. in. i. (1651) 401 The meta-
phrene, or part of the back which is over against the heart.
I 1661 Lovell Hist. Atiim. fy Min. 90 Brest strong, metaphren
I broad. 1693 tr. Blancards Phys. Diet. (ed. 2), Metaphre-
\ num. 1706 Phillips fed. Kersey), Metaphrenum, that part
I of the Back which comes after the Diaphragm, or Midriff.
1856 Mayne Expos. Lex., Metaphrenon^ Metaphrenum.
Metaphysic (metafrzik), sb^ In 4 metha-
phesik, 5 metaphesyk, methephisike, 6 metha-
phisick, 6-7 metaphiai(c;k(e, -physi(c)ke, (7
-phisique), 7-8 -physiek, (9 -physique), [ad.
scholastic L. metaphysica fern, sing., substituted
(on the analogy of other names of sciences : cf.
physic) for the older metaphysica neut. pi.; see
Mktaphysics. Cf. F. meflapAysioue)G. metaphisik.
The sing, form alone appears in Eng. before the 16th c.
In the 17th and 18th c. it was almost superseded by Meta-
physics ; in the 19th c, owing to German influences it began
to be preferred by many philosophical writers.)
1. = Metaphysics i.
1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) III. 365 He [Aristotle] made
. problemys of perspective and of methaphesik [1432-50 pro-
blemes perspective and metaphisicalle, orig. et perspectiva
proolemata et metaphysicam], c 1450 Cov. Myst., Doctors
in Temple 189 Ageyn oure argemente is no recystence In
metaphesyk ne astronomye. 1527 Tindale Par. Wicked
Mammon Wks. (1573) 83/i How shoulde he understand the
scripture, seing he is no Philosopher, neyther hath sene his
metaphisike? 1586 T. B[eard] La Primaud. Fr. Acad. 1.
72 Physike, which is the studie of naturall things : Meta-
physike, which is of supernaturall things. 1605 Bacon
Adv. Learn, n. vii. § 3 The one part which is Phisicke en-
quireth and handleth the Materiall & Efficient Cavses, &
the other which is Metaphisicke handleth the Formal and
Final Cavses, 174a Poi'E Dune. iv. 645 Physic of Meta-
physic begs defence, And Metaphysic calls for aid on Sense.
1775 Horslev in Phil. Trans. LXV. 182 The uncertain
conclusions of an ill-conducted analogy, and a false meta-
physic, were mixed with the few simple precepts derived
j from observation. 1817 Coleridge Biog. Lit. ix. (1882) 71
! [Fichte] supplied the idea of a system truly metaphysical,
; and of a metaphysique truly systematic. 1873 M. Arnold
j Lit. <y Dogma U876) 399 The mis-attribution to the Bible. .
, of a science and an abstruse metaphysic which is not there.
1883 E. Caird in Encycl. Brit. XVI. 79 For Aristotle, meta-
physic is the science which has to do with Being as such,
, Being in general.
b. = Mktaphysics i b.
1865 J. H. Stirling Sir W. Hamilton 41 The true meta-
| physic of the subject nowhere finds itself represented in the
1 preceding discussion, 1874 Lewes Probl, Life >"(- Mind
Ser. 1. I. Introd. 1. iv. 67 Every science has its metaphysic.
* 2. Something visionary.
1606 Warner Alb. Eng. xiv, Ixxxi. (1612) 341 Or for a
I Metaphysick hold the Proiect of her prayse.
Metaphysic (metafrzik), a. and sb.- [ad.
scholastic L. metaphysictts adj., developed from
?netaphysica sb. pi.: see Metaphysics. Cf. F.
metaphysique^ Sp. mctafisico, It. metaftsico.]
A. adj. = Metaphysical. Now rare.
1528 Tindale Obcd. Chr. Alan To Rdr. iS AUeginge vnto
1 them textes of logycke, of naturall philautia, of metha-
| phisick and morall philosophy. 1569 J. Sanford tr. Agnp-
Pa's Van. Aries liii. 70 The whiche because they be not in
J the nature of thinges, but are supposed to be aboue nature,
I therefore they call them transnaturall or Metaphisicke.
' a 1631 Donne Paradoxes (1652) 25 And that pooie know-
I ledg..we call Metaphysicke, supernaturall. 1663 Butlfr
! Hud. 1. i. 150 He knew what's what, and that's as high As
j metaphysic wit can fly. 1683 E. Hookkr Pref. Tordage\s
; Mystic Div. 102 Even the most Metaphysic subtilissimoes
after that thei haue fatigated. .themselves with their Divi-
sions and Subdivisions. 1750 Walpole Let. to Mann 2 Aug.,
The Bishop of Durham [Chandler]. . is succeeded by Butler
■ of Bristol, a metaphysic author. 1779 Johnson L. P.,
Cowley Wks. II. 26 Milton tried the metaphysick style only
in his lines upon Hobson the Carrier. 1790 Burke Fr. Rev.
8 The metaphysic knight of the sorrowful countenance.
' '793 W. F. Mavor Chr. Politics 18 A metaphysic liberty and
equality intoxicated the mad multitude. 1873 Browning
Red Cot/. Nt.-cap 1178 What foe would dare approach?
Historic Doubt?.. Acumen metaphysic?
t B. sb.^ A metaphysician. Obs.
a 1586 Sidney Apol. Poetrie (Arb.) 25 And the Metaphisick,
1 though it be in the seconde and abstract notions, and there-
fore be counted supernaturall : yet doth hee indeede bnilde
I vpon the depth of Nature. 1589 Pi:ttenham Eng. Poesie 1.
1 iv. (Arb.) 25 They [poets] were the first Astronomers and
Philosophists and Metaphisicks. 1623 Cockeram, Meta-
• phisicks, one skild in these Artes. Metaphysicke.
Metaphysic, v. rare. [f. prec. sb. Cf. F.
mc'taphysiqiter.] trans, a. To treat metaphysically.
; b. To ply with metaphysics.
178a H. Walpole Lett, to G. Hardinge Priv. Corr. (1820)
IV. 306 A piece of genuine French, not metaphysicked by
La Harpe, by Thomas, &c. 1801 [see Metaphokize v.].
Metaphysical (metafrzikal), a. [f. Meta-
physic + -AL.]
1. Of or belonging to, or of the nature of, meta-
physics ; such as is recognized by metaphysics.
I43z_So tsee Metaphysic^.' ii. *53* More Confut Tin-
dale Wks. 386/1 Argumentes grounded vpon philosophy &
metaphisicall reasons. 1550 Nicolls Thucyd. v b, The
sciences that he calleth speculatiue, be the metaphisicals.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. vii. iii. 345 A popular ex-
pression, which will not stand a Metapbysicall and strict
examination. 1660 Jer. Taylor Duct. Dnbit. 1. v. Rule i.
§ 6 Negative doubt is either Metaphysical or Moral. 1690
Locke Hum, Und. iv. vi. (1695) 333, 1. Moral Truth...
2. Metaphysical Truth, which is nothing but the real Exist-
ence of Things, conformable to the Ideas to which we have
annexed their Names. 179a D. Stewart Philos. Hum.
Mind I. 72 The word cause expresses something which is
supposed to be necessarily connected with the change ; and
without which it could not have happened. This may be
called the metaphysical meaning of the word ; and such
causes may be called metaphysical ox efficient causes. 1867
; Bp. Forbes Explanation 39 Articles \. (1881) 14 The triple
: distinction of God's attributes into metaphysical, intellectual,
; and moral. 1884 tr. Lotze's Metaph. 11. v. 301 Instead of
I a metaphysical theory, what he gives is scarcely more than
a logical classification.
b. Applied with more or less of reproach to
I reasoning, ideas, etc. which are considered over-
\ subtle, or too abstract.
1646 Bp. Maxwell Burd. Issachar 31, I confesse, this Di-
vinitie is so transcendent and Metaphysicall, that it exceeds
\ my capacitie. 1720 Swift To Yng. Clergyman Wks. 1751
' V. 24 Some Gentlemen, .are apt to fill their Sermons with
Philosophical Terms and Notions of the metaphysical or
abstracted Kind. i7i7-4x Chambers Cycl. s. v., The word is
also used to denote something subtile, abstract, and refined.
115
METAPHYSICALLY.
386
METAPLAST.
I
In which sense we say, such a reasoning, such a proof, is
too metaphysical^ &c.
2. Based on abstract general reasoning ; deter-
mined on theoretic or a priori principles.
1647 Clarendon Hist. Reb. v. § 361 When they saw.,
that, from metaphysical considerations what might be done
in case of necessity, the militia of the kingdom was actually
seized on. 1773 Johnson in Boszvetl 8 May, There seems
(said he), to be in authours a stronger right of property than
that by occupancy ; a metaphysical right, a right, as it
were, of creation, which should from its nature be per-
petual. 1826 Scott Woodst. vi, In many a case, where
wars have been waged for points of metaphysical right,
they have been at last gladly terminated, upon the mere
hope of obtaining general tranquillity.
3. [Partly in a pseudo-etymological sense =
1 beyond what is physical'.] a. Applied, esp. in
explicit contrast to physical, to what is immaterial,
incorporeal, or supersensible.
1577 G. Harvey Letter-bk. (Camden) 56 And al! that
glorious company Of parsonages heroicall To greete with
salutations Divine and metaphysical!. 1608 Topsell Ser*
penis (1658) 591 The blessed Trinity.. framed both the bene-
ficial and hurtful Creatures, either for a Physical or Meta-
physical end. 1668 H. More Div. Dial. 1. xxviii, (1713) 58
Hyl.. .There is also a Substance distinct from Matter, which
therefore must be immaterial, and consequently Meta-
physical. 177s Harris Philos. Arrangem. (1841) 377 Thus,
having before considered physical motion, have we now
considered what may be called metaphysical, or. .causative
motion. 1864 Lowell Fireside Trav. 316 Beautiful as fire
is in itself, I suspect that part of the pleasure is meta-
physical, and that the sense of playing with an element
which can be so terrible adds to the zest of the spectacle.
1877 S. Cox Salv. Mundi'w. 56 That.. the wicked will be
turned into a place of. .torment physical or metaphysical.
b. That is above or goes beyond the laws of
nature ; belonging to an operation or agency which
is more than physical or natural ; supernatural.
1590 Marlowe 2nd Pt. Tamberl. iv. ii, The essentiall
fourme of Marble stone, Tempered by science metaphisicall,
And Spels of magicke from the mouthes of spirits. 1605
Shaks. Macb. 1. v. 30 The Golden Round, Which Fate and
Metaphysicall ayde doth seemeTo haue thee crown'd withall.
1628 Wither Brit. Rememb. n. 1059 The Pestilence.,
partly metaphysicall appears, And partly natural!. 17..
Warburton Note on Rape of Lock 1. 20 As the subject of
the epic consists of two parts, the metaphysical and the
civil. 1822 Scott Pirate xxxviii, In these plain words there
is no metaphysical delusion. 1847 Emerson Repr. Men,
Goethe Wks. (Bonn) I. 392 The lurking daemons sat to him,
. .and the metaphysical elements took form.
+ C. Surpassing what is natural or ordinary;
extraordinary, transcendent. Obs.
1589 Greene Menaphon (Arb.) 75 The excellence of such
a Metaphysicall vertue, I meane (shepheards) the fame of
your faire Samela, houering in the eares of euerie man as a
miracle of nature.
4. Of persons, their minds, etc. : Addicted to or
fitted for the study of metaphysics.
<7 1628 F. Greville Sidney (1652) 175 Many Metaphysi-
call Phormio's before me,who had lost themselves in teaching
Kings, and Princes, how to govern their People, a 165a
J. Smith Scl. Disc. i. 24 The fourth is dv8(auiro<: Oeu>pr)TtKo<;,
the true metaphysical and contemplative man. 1683 Pettus
Fleta Min. II. Jj Majerus and Spagnetus. .being a sort of
Metaphisical Chimists, who do make it a chief Principle of
that Science to be strict in their Devotion towards God.
1853 Kingsley HyPatia I. Pref. 12 In the more metaphysical
and contemplative East. 1856 Mrs. Stowe Dred I. xv. 203
His metaphysical talent.
Comb. 1654 Gayton Pleas. Notes 117 A Metaphysicall
pated Disputant.
5. Adopted by Johnson as the designation of
certain 1 7th cent, poets (chief of whom were
Donne and Cowley) addicted to 'witty conceits'
and far-fetched imagery.
[1693 Dryden Orig. <$■ Progr. Satire Ess. (ed. Ker) II. ig
He [Donne] affects the metaphysics, not only in his satires,
but in his amorous verses, where nature only should reign ;
and perplexes the minds of the fair sex with nice specula-
tions of philosophy, when he should engage their hearts...
In this.. Mr. Cowley has copied him to a fault.] a 1744
Pope in J. Spence Anecd. (1820) 173 Cowley. .as well as
Davenant borrowed his metaphysical style from Donne.
1779 Johnson L. P., Cowley Wks. II. 22 About the begin-
ning of the seventeenth century appeared a race of writers
that may be termed the metaphysical poets, ..The meta-
fihysical poets were men of learning, and to shew their
earning was their whole endeavour. 1785 T. Warton
Milton s Poems Pref. 15 But what are these conceptions
[of Cowley's]? Metaphysical conceits, all the unnatural
extravagancies of his English poetry. 1814 Southey in
Q. Rev. XII. 82 The metaphysical school, which marred a
good poet in Cowley, and found its proper direction in
Butler, expired in Norris of Bemerton.
6. Used for: Fanciful, fantastic, imaginary.
_ 1727-41 Chambers Cycl. s. v., A metaphysical case, is an
imaginary or chimerical case, which can scarce ever happen,
or not without much difficulty ; and which ought not to be
laid down as a rule for common occasions. 1809 J. Lawrence
Hist. Horse 125 The colours of horses, notwithstanding the
metaphysical notions of former days, are of very little con-
sequence in relation to their goodness. 1827 Scott Chron.
Canongate Introd. i, Those metaphysical persons whom the
law of the neighbouring country terms John Doe and Richard
Roe.
Metaphysically (metafrzikali), adv. [f.
prec. + -ly^.J In a metaphysical manner or sense ;
according to the principles of metaphysics; from
a metaphysical point of view.
'579 J- Jones Preserv. Bodie fy Soule 1. lx. 90 Whether
they be Mathematically measured, or Metaphisically pon-
dered. 1616 Chamfney Voc. Bps. 13 To haue true autho-
rise or calling ; and to haue true and sufficient proofe of the
same, are not heere nicely or metaphysically distinguished.
1748 Hartley Observ. Man 1. iv. § 3 The same Conclusion
follows, tho' we should suppose the Punishments of a future
State not to be absolutely and metaphysically infinite. 1790
Burke Ft. Rev. Wks. 1808 V. 126 The pretended rights of
these theorists are all extremes ; and in proportion as they
are metaphysically true, they are morally and politically
false. 1897 B. A. W. Russell Found. Geotu. 68 Metaphysi-
cally, space has no elements.
•f b. Supernaturally ; preternaturally. Obs.
1580 G. Harvey Three Proper Lett. 20 The Eclipse of the
Sunne that darkened all the Earth.. at Christes Passion,
happening altogether prodigiously and Metaphysically in
Pleuilunio. 1607 Topsell Fourf. Beasts (1658} 3S4 The
proverb.. may as well be applyed metaphysically to the
Beast Linx, as Poetically to the man Lynceus.
Metaphysician (metafizrjan). [a. F. mtta-
physicien (14th c), f. Metaphysic: see -iciax.]
One who is versed in metaphysics.
1597 G. Harvey Trimm. Naslte Wks. (Grosart) III. 22
Thoughe (as I am a Cirurgeon) I coulde picke your teeth,
for the other stinkinge breath, yet this I durst not meddle
with, this hath neede of a metaphUition. 1654 Whitlock
Zootomia 160 The very essence of them, or immediate* con-
sequens Essen tiam (as the Metaphysitians word it), that
which is but one degree from their Essence. 1677 Horneck
Gt. Law Consid. iv. (1704) 239 The Metaphysician, that
speculates things above sense and nature. 1796 Burke Let.
Noble Ld. Wks. i3o8VIH. 57 Nothing can be conceived
more hard than the heart of a thoroughbred metaphysician.
1818 Byron Juan 1. xci, He. .turn'd, without perceiving his
condition, Like Coleridge, into a metaphysician. 1877 E. R.
Conder Bas. Faith iv. 145 Metaphysicians, it seems, have
always been trying to get at the back of knowledge.
Hence Metaphysicianism nonce-wd.^ meta-
physical philosophizing.
a 1849 Poe Imp a/Perverse Wks. 1865 I. 353 Phrenology,
and in great measure, metaphysicianism have been con-
cocted ii priori. — E. B. Broivning ibid. III. 423 The pre-
posterously anomalous metaphysicianism of Coleridge.
Metapliysicize (metafrzisaiz), v. [f. Meta-
physic -I- -IZE.]
1, intr. To indulge in metaphysical speculation ;
to think, talk or write metaphysically. Also quasi-
trans. with away. To get rid of by such studies.
Hence Metaphysicizing vbl. sb.
1793 Southey Let. to G. C. Bedford 26 Oct. in Life (1849)
I. 185, I have been reading the history of philosophy, .till
I have metaphysicized away all my senses. ? 1796 Coleridge
Unpubl. Lett, to % P. Estlin (1884) 18, 1 would write Odes
and Sonnets morning and evening, and metaphysicize at
noon. 1823 De Quincey Walking Stewart Wks.1858 VIII.
3 He was everlastingly metaphysicising against meta-
physics. 1889 J. M. Robertson Ess. Crit. Method 164 We
are either witnessing a confusion of thought or a very subtle
piece of metaphysicizing.
2. trans. To treat or expound metaphysically.
1830 Wilson in Blackw. Mag. XXVII. 943 Boscovich
has metaphysicized matter, and shewn that there need be
none.. .Others have metaphysicized vision.
Metaphysico- (metafrziko), used as com-
bining form of Metaphysic a.t in the sense * partly
metaphysical, partly . . .'
1757 Warburton in W. & Hurd Lett. (1809) 229 Pray ask
our friend, .whether my metaphysico-ethical philosophy be
right. 1904(7. Rev. July 266 The absence of the metaphysico-
religious element in his constitution. 1904 Brit. Med. Jrnl.
15 Oct. 96r ' Responsibility' was not a medical conception :
it was a metaphysico-legal conception.
tMetaphysicous, a. Obs.rare—x. [f. Meta-
physic + -ousj Versed in metaphysics,metaphysical.
1683 E. Hooker Pref. Pordage's Mystic Div. 95 Let men
boast of. .their elaborate Demonstrations, made out by the
most Metaphysicous Divines, in Religion.
Metaphysics (metafvziks), sb. pi. [pi. of
Metaphysic sb., repr. med.L. meiaphysica (neut.
pi.), med.Gr. (to.) pfTacpvauca (neut. pi.), an altera-
tion of the older rci fierd. to, (pvatrcd, ' the (works)
after the Physics' (cf. Meta- and Physics), the
title applied, at least from the 1st century A.D., to
the 13 books of Aristotle dealing with questions of
1 first philosophy* or ontology.
This title doubtless originally referred (as some of the early
commentators state) to the position which the books so
designated occupied in the received arrangement of Aris-
totle's writings (ra <j>vcriicd being used to signify, not the
particular treatise so called, but the whole collection of
treatises relating to matters of natural science). It was,
however, from an early period used as a name for the branch
of study treated in these books, and hence came to be mis-
interpreted as meaning ( the science of things transcending
what is physical or natural'. This misinterpretation is
found, though rarely, in Greek writers, notwithstanding the
fact that fitrd does not admit of any such sense as 'beyond'
or 'transcending'. In scholastic Latin writers the error
was general (being helped, perhaps, by the known equiva-
lence of the prefixes meta- and trans- in various compounds);
and in English its influence is seen in the custom, frequent
down to the 17th c, of explaining metaphysical by words
like 'supernatural', ' transnatural \ etc.]
1. That branch of speculative inquiry which
treats of the first principles of things, including
such concepts as being, substance, essence, time,
space, cause, identity, etc.; theoretical philosophy
as the ultimate science of Being and Knowing.
Formerly often preceded by the (cf. ' the mathematics ').
Now usually construed as singular.
1569 J. Sanford tr. Agrippa's Van. Aries liii. 70 Of the
Metaphisickes, that is, thinges supernaturall and the Science
of them. 1596 Shaks. Tarn. Shr. 1. i. 37 The Mathema-
tickes, and the Metaphysickes, Fall to them as you finde
your stomacke serues you. 0x619 Fotherbv Atheom. 11.
J xiv. § 2 (1622) 356 The Metaphysickes, considering the
i pure essence of things. 1651 Hobbes Leviath. iv. xlvi. 376
i If such Metaphysiques . . be not Vain Philosophy, there
I was never any. 1677 Gale Crt. Gentiles II. iv. 211 May
i we not take it for granted that nothing properly belongs to
j Metaphysics but what is Supernatural, as the name im«
portes. 1697 J. Sergeant Solid Philos. 459 Hence is de-
monstrated, that Metaphysicks is absolutely the Highest
Science. 1718 J. Chamberlayne Relig. Philos. Pref. (1730)
I, I have not made use of the Metaphysicks. 1775 Harris
Philos. Arrangem. (1841) 368 Metaphysics are properly
conversant about primary and internal causes. 1845 Mau-
rice Mor. fy Met. Philos. in Encycl. Metrop. II. 545/1 It is
impossible to follow the track of any great moral question
without entering into the region of pure Metaphysics. 1847
Tennyson Princess ni. 283 ' How ', she cried, ' you love The
metaphysics!' 0x862 Buckle Misc. Wks. (1872) I. 506
Metaphysics, as it must be the end of all Knowledge, so it
was the beginning of all Knowledge.
fig. a 1658 Cleveland Gen. Poems (1677) 13 Call her the
Metaphysicks of her Sex, And say she tortures Wits, as
Quartans vex Physicians.
b. With of: The theoretical principles or higher
philosophical rationale of some particular branch
of knowledge.
1845 Craik Hist. Lit. Eng. V. 200 Burke was our first
. .writer on the philosophy of practical politics. The mere
metaphysics of that science. .he held. .in. .contempt. 1872
O. W. Holmes Poet Breakf-t. iv. 125 The metaphysics of
attention have hardly been sounded to their depths.
C. In various inaccurate or extended uses (partly
based on the erroneous etymology mentioned
above) : see quots.
1727-41 Chambers Cycl. s.v., Some define metaphysics,
that part of science which considers spirits, and immaterial
beings. 1776 Adam Smith W.N. v.i. (1869) H.355 What
are called metaphysics or pneumatics were set in opposi-
tion to physics. 1836-7 Sir W. Hamilton Metaph. vii.
(1859) I, 121 The Philosophy of Mind, — Psychology or Meta-
physics, in the widest signification of the terms,— is three-
fold. 1857 Buckle Czviliz. iii. 149, I mean by metaphysics,
that vast body of literature which is constructed on the sup-
position that the laws of the human mind can be generalized
solely from the facts of individual consciousness.
+ 2. Used by Marlowe for: Occult or magical
lore. (Cf. Metaphysical a. 3 b.) Obs.
c 1590 Marlowe Faust, i. (1604) A 3 These Metaphysickes
of Magicians, And Negromantike bookes are heauenly.
Metaphysiology, etc. : see Meta- i.
Metaphysis (metse'fisis). rare"*0. [mod.L.,
ad. assumed Gr. *ttcTa<pvatsf f. n*Ta<pv<(j$ai to
become by change, f. ^.(ra- Meta- + <pv- to grow.]
Transformation ; metamorphosis.
'755 ID Johnson (citing Diet.).
Metaphyte, -phytic, -phyton: see Meta- 4.
[| Metaplasia (metapl^'zia). Phys. and Path.
[mod.L., as if a. Gr. */«Ta7rAa<7(a, f. fji(ra-n\aacuv
to mould into a new form, f. fxera- Meta- + irXda-
ouv to mould,] Transformation of one kind of
adult tissue into another.
1890 Syd. Soc. Lex. s.v., Cartilage is transformed into
mucoid or areolar tissue, or into bone, by undergoing meta-
plasia. 1896 Allbntt's Syst. Med. I. 202 Among normal
tissues a transformation of one variety into another, .has
received from Virchow the distinctive name of metaplasia.
Ii Metaplasis (metos'plasis). Biol. [mod.L.,
after G. meiaplase (Haeckel 1866), a. Gr. iitra-
■nXaats, n. of action f. fitTairkaacrctv : see prec]
Haeckel's term for the middle or adult period of
ontogenetic development : correlated with ana'
plasis and cataplasis.
1888 Hyatt in Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. XXIII. 405.
Metaplasm1 (me-taplosz'm). [ad. L. meta-
plasmits (app. used by Qnintilian in the sense o!
rhetorical figure), Gr. fitraTrXaafi-os (explained by
L. & Sc. as the formation of cases or tenses from
a stem different from that of the nom. or pres.),
f. neTairXaoaetv : see prec] a. Rhet. The trans-
position of words from their usual or natural
order, b. Gram. The alteration of a word by
addition, removal or transposition of letters or
syllables. Also, the formation of oblique cases
from a stem other than that of the nominative.
[1432-50 tr. Higden f Rolls) VI. 183 Of the rewles of feete
metncalle, of metaplasmus, of dialog metricalle.] 1617
Collins Def. Bp. Ely n. x. 475 So fares it in this Meta-
plasme of names many times : Dignos et tndignos non 1am
discemit digniias, sed confundit. 1758 Nugent tr. Port
Royal's Method Lai. Tongue I. 327 This Metaplasm or
transformation is made by adding, taking away, or chang-
ing, either a letter, or a syllable. 1889 Hanssen in Amer.
jrnl. Philol. X. 39 Iniercalarius (but it is possible that
this latter is simply a metaplasm for intercalaris).
Metaplasm 2 (me'taplsez'm). Biol. [f. Meta-
+ -plasm as in protoplasm.'] That part of proto-
plasm which contains the formative material.
1875 Bennett & Dyer tr. Sachs' Bot. 41 note, J. Hanstein
gives to the substances mingled with the true protoplasm
and which undergo many transformations, the collective
name of 'Metaplasm'. 1877 Ray Lankester in Q. Jrnl.
Microsc. Sci. XVII. 403 Granular matter, which as meta-
plasm is distinguished from the hyaline protoplasm in
which such granules float.
Metaplast (me'taplsest). Gram, [as if ad.
Gr. *fifTatr\a<TT6v neut. vbl. adj., f. fi€TairXd<ro-€tv :
cf. Metaplasm1.] A noun of which the cases are
formed from different stems.
1864 in Webster. 1877 March Comp. Ags.Gram. § 100.
METAPLASTIC.
387
METASTEENUM.
52 Irregular Nouns. Such are without case-endings (Inde-
clinable), . .or they vary, .in stem (Metaplasts), [etc.).
Metaplastic (metaplarstik), a. [ad. assumed
Gr. *fifTaTr\aaTi«6s, f. fitTairKaaouv : see Meta-
plasia.]
1. Gram. Characterized by Metaplasm (i b).
1877 March Comp. Ags. Gram. § 100. 52 Many con-
forming regulars, and heteroclites, are metaplastic.
2. Biol. Relating to metaplasia.
1888 Hyatt in Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. XXIII. 405
Metaplastic relations.
3. Phys. Relating to metaplasia.
1890 in Syd. Soc. Lex.
Metaplastology (metaplasstjvlodsi). Biol.
[f. Metaplast-io + -(o)logy.] Haeckel's term for
the relationship of the phenomena of metaplasis
to those of the acme in phylogeny.
1888 Hyatt [see Metaplastic 2].
II Metapleuron (me'tapluar^n). PI. meta-
pleura (-plii >'ra). Also in anglicized forms meta-
pleur(e. [mod.L., f. Gr. y.na- Meta- + -nKtvpa.
rib.] See quot. 1875. a. Ent. (see quot. 1848).
b. Zool. In the Amphioxus (see quot.). Hence
Metapleural a., relating to the metapleura.
1848 Maunder Treas. Nat. Hist. 794 Metapleura, the
lateral surfaces of the metathorax. 1875 Ray Lankester
in Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. XV. 267 Metapleura, the upstand-
ing hollow ridges or latero-ventral folds which, in Amphi-
oxus, form the lateral margins of the ventral surface. Ibid.
262 The latero-ventral (metapleural) lymph space. Ibid. 263
The lumen of the metapleur of Amphioxus. 1888 Rolleston
& Jackson Anini. Life 439 The epipleures form two promi.
nent longitudinal folds— the metapleures.
Metapneumonic, -pneustio: see Meta- 2, 3.
Metapodial (metap<5u'dial), a. and sb. [ad.
mod.L. metapodialis (neut. pi. metapodialia : see
B), f. metapodium : see next and -al.]
A. adj. (In recent Diets.)
1. Pertaining to the metapodium of molluscs.
2. Pertaining to the metapodialia (see B).
B. sb. One of the || Metapodialia sb. pi., the
bones of the metacarpus and metatarsus taken
together.
1882 Wilder & Gage Anat. Techn. 42 The metapodials
are comparatively simple elements. 1896 Marsh in 16th
Rep. U.S. Geol. Survey 1. 185 The metapodials are much
more slender and the phalanges are less robust than in the
other members of the order.
II Metapodium (metap5u-di£m). [mod.L., f.
Gr. jtcra- Meta- + tto5-, novs foot.]
1. Anat. = Metatarsus.
1856 in Mayne Expos. Lex.
2. The posterior lobe of the foot in molluscs.
Also anglicized Metapode (me'tapoud).
i853HuxLEYin Phil. Trans. CXLIII.i. 36 The tail or meta-
podium is subcylindrical at its base. 1875 Nicholson Man.
Zool.xlvii. (ed. 4) 342 In the Heteropoda . .and intheWing-
shells (Strombidee), the foot exhibits a division into three
portions — an anterior, the ■ propodium ' ; a middle, the * me-
sopodium'; and a posterior lobe, or 'metapodium'.
Metapolitical (me^tapiJlrtikal), a. [See
Meta- i. Cf. G. metapolitisch (Stein, 1817).]
1 1. Lying outside the sphere of politics. Obs.
1647 M. Hudson Div. Right Govt. 11. x. T56 The limitation
of the Kings power, in order to Evangelicall duties, which
are extra-regalia, and Metapoliticall matters.
2. Relating to metapolitics ; given to the study
of metapolitics.
1809-10 Coleridge Friend (1818) II. 82 The metaphysical
(or as I have proposed to call them, metapolitical) reasonings
hitherto discussed, belong to Government in the abstract.
1878 Seeley Stein III. 391 Fries, as Professor, taught a
new political creed founded on the philosophy of Kant.
Stein was assuredly not wrong in calling the new school
metapolitical. 1889. Campion in Lux Mundi xi. 461 If man
is ' metaphysical nolens volens ', it is equally true that he is
metapolitical, to use Martensen's happy word, nolens volens.
Metapolitician (metap^liti-Jan). [f. next,
after politician^ One who holds or advocates
metapolitical theories.
1809-10 [see MetapoliticsI. 1816 Southey Ess. (1832) I.
390 The meta-politicians, as they have aptly been called,
who bewilder themselves with abstractions. 1878 Seeley
Stein I. 30 Lest . . the management of affairs should . . pass
into the hands of those whom he calls, with strong contempt,
metapoliticians.
Metapolitics (metapf?-litiks), sb. pi. Also
occas. sing, metapolitio. [See Meta- 1.] Abstract
political science; the investigation of the specula-
tive basis of political doctrines; contemptuously,
unpractical political theorizing.
. '784 D£ Lolme Eng. Const. 11. xvii. (ed. 4) 419 note, It may,
if the reader pleases, belong to the Science of Metapolitics,
in the same sense as we say Metaphysics. 1809-10 Coleridge
Erieud(iSiS) I. 309 note, As ' Metaphysics ' are the science
which determines what can, and what can not, be known of
Being.. so might the philosophy of Rousseau and his fol-
lowers not inaptly be entitled, Metapolitics, and the Doctors
of this School, Metapoliticians. 1889 Campion in Lux
Mundi xi. 461 Every statesman . .has consciously or uncon-
sciously such a metapolitic.
II Metapophysis (metapp'fisis). PI. -ses.
Anat. [mod.L., f. Meta- + Apophysis.] A small
vertebral prominence.
1866 in Brande & Cox Diet. Sci., etc. 1897 Parker &
Haswell Zool. 1 1, xxi 1. 420 Metapophyses and anapophyses.
II Metapterygium (me^apteri-djipm). Ichth.
[See Meta-.] The hindmost section of the ptery-
gium in certain fishes.
1878 Bell tr. Gegenbaur's Comp. Anat. 478 The meta-
pterygium represents the stem of the archipterygium and the
rays on it. 1880 Gunther Fishes iv. 80 The pectoral fin is
supported by three bones, pro-, meso-, and metapterygium.
Hence Metapterygial a. (in recent Diets.),
Metapterygian a. {Syd. Soc. Lex.), belonging or
relating to the metapterygium.
Metapterygoid. (mctapte'rigoid). Ichth. [f.
Meta- + PTERYGOID.] In full metapterygoid bone :
A bone in the skull of a teleostean fish, which fits
against the anterior border of the hyomandibular
and symplectic bones.
1872 Mivart Elem. Anat. 395 In osseous Fishes a yet
further segmentation occurs, as we find in addition a third
bone, called the meta-pterygoid.
II Metaptosis (metapWfsis). [mod.L., a. Gr.
fxtrdiTTOjais , n. of action of ^(TamvTfiv to undergo
a change, f. ^na- Meta- + minuv (tttcu-) to fall.
1. Med. Change in the nature or the seat of a
disease. ? Obs.
1693 tr. Blancards Phys. Diet. (ed. 2), Metaptosis, the
degenerating of one Disease into another, as of a Quartane
Ague into a Tertian ; and on the contrary, of an Apoplexy
into a Palsie.
2. Logic. ' The change of a proposition from
being false to being true, or the reverse' {Cent.
Diet. 1890;.
Metar, obs. form of Meter sb.'1
Metarabic : see Meta- 6 a.
Metargon (meta-igfin). Chem. [f. Meta- +
argon.~\ The name given by Sir W. Ramsay to an
elementary substance obtained by him from the
volatilization of the white solid which remained
after the evaporation of liquid argon.
1898 IVestm. Gaz. 17 June 7/2 Professor Ramsay, F. R.S.,
in continuation of his recent research on a new gas in atmo-
spheric air, has this week gone still further.. .Argon, it now
seems, has companion gases, their names, using the pro-
fessor's nomenclature, being ' neon ' (new) and ' metargon '.
Metarsenie, Meta-salts : see Meta- 6 a.
Metaschematism (metaskrmatiz'm). [ad.
mod.L. metaschematismus, a. Gr. utTaa-xqiiaTia pus,
vbl. sb. of iitTaaxoi"XTKfiv t0 change the form of,
f. fiira- Meta- + axqjxaT-, oxw« form : see -ISM.]
1. Path. ' A change of the form of a disease,
as when haemoptysis follows suppression of the
menses ' (Syd. Soc. Lex., s.v. Metaschematismus).
1847 tr. Von Feuchtersleben's Med. Psychol. (Syd. Soc.)
266 note, Perhaps every metastasis is only a metaschema-
tism. 1876 tr. Wagner's Gen. Pathol. 320 At other times
they [sc. calculi] are transformed into other substances :
Metaschematism.
2. gen. A fresh arrangement.
1888 Athenxum 18 Aug. 214/2 A new arrangement or
metaschematism of atoms.
Metascutellum, -scutum, Metasericite,
Metasilicic : see Meta- 3, 7 a, 6 a.
II Metasoma(metasju-ma). Zool. Also angli-
cized metasome (me'tas<?um). [mod.L., f. Gr.
fina- Meta- + awfta body.]
1. In Cephalopods, the posterior portion of the
body, enveloped in the mantle.
1872 Nicholson Paleeont. 272 A posterior portion, enve-
loped in the mantle, and containing the viscera (meta-
soma). 1882 Ogilvie, Metasome, Metasoma.
2. In Lamellibranchs, the part of the body which
lies behind the foot.
1877 Huxley Anat. Inv. Anim. 475 The part which.,
contains the posterior adductor may be termed the meta-
soma.
3. In Arthropods and Arachnids, the hinder por-
tion of the animal, into which the abdomen is con-
tinued; the hinder part of the abdomen.
1893 Shipley Zool. Invert. 398 The heart.. is continued
backward in the scorpion as a posterior aorta which traverses
the metasoma.
Metasomatic (me'tasoumse'tik), a. [f. prec.
or next : see -ic]
1. Zool. Pertaining to the metasoma.
1890 in Century Diet. 1893 Shipley Zool. Invert. 398
Extends into the narrow metasomatic segments.
2. Geol. Pertaining to or of the nature of Meta-
somatism.
1886 T. S. Hunt Min. Physiol. A Physiogr. 84 A metaso-
matic hypothesis of the origin of crystalline rocks. 1896
Van Hise in 16th Rep. U. S. Geol. Surv. 1. 690 Minerals. .
produced from other minerals by metasomatic processes.
Metasomatism (metasouTnatiz'm). Geol.
[f. Meta- + Gr. owimr-, ow/ta body + -ism.]
= Metasomatosis.
1886 T. S. Hunt Min. Physiol. * Physiogr. 83 Constituting
what has been appropriately designated metasomatism.
1896 Van Hise in ittk Rep. U.S. Geol. Surv. 1. 689 Meta-
somatism may be defined as the process of metamorphism
by which original minerals are partly or wholly altered into
other minerals, or are replaced by other minerals, or are
recrystallized without chemical changes.
Hence Metasomatist, one who holds the geo-
logical theory of metasomatosis {Punk's Stand.
Diet. 1895).
Metasomatome (metas<5u-mat<?»m). Anat.
[f. Meta- (app. used unjustifiably in the sense
' between ') + Somatome.] (See quot.) Hence
Metasomato mic a.
1857 Goodsir in Edin. New I'hiios. Jrnl. V. 122 As the
mouth is only one of a number of openings situated between
somatomes, I find such openings conveniently distinguished
as metasomatomic. 1858 Huxley in Proc. Roy. Soc. (1850)
IX. 426 Professor Goodsir's terms of Somatomes for the
segments and Metasomaiomcs for their interspaces. Ibid.
427 The intervals between every pair of metasomatomes.
II Metasomatosis (me:taso«matffu-sis). Geol.
[mod.L., f. Meta- + Gr.CTw//aT-, ouifxa body + -osis.]
The transformation of one rock into another of an
entirely different kind.
1886 T. S. Hunt Min. Physiol, f, Physiogr. 105 Although
the crystalline rocks., have been supposed to be . . the
subject of wide-spread metasomatosis. 1888 Teall Brit.
Petrogr. 438 Metasomatosis, the change of material due to
chemical agencies, undergone by rocks subsequent to their
formation.
Metasome : sec Metasoma.
Metasperm (mctaspajm). Sal. [f. Meta-
+ Gr. a-nippa seed.] = Angiosperm.
1878 Macnad Bot. ix. (1883) 160 Phanerogamia. A. Archi-
sperms or Gymnosperms. . . B. Metasperms or Angiosperms.
1890 Syd. Soc. Lex.
Metasplenomegalie : see Meta- 2.
II Metastasis (metarstasis). PI. metastases
(metarstasfz). [late L., a. Gr. ^eTa<jTacrn removal,
change, n. of action of fiediardvai to remove,
change : see Meta- and Stasis.]
1. Khet. A rapid transition from one point to
another.
1586 A. Day Eng. Secretary 11. (1625) 96 Metastasis or
Transitio, when in briefe words we passe from one thing to
another. 1589 Puttenham Eng. Pocsie ill. xix. (Arb.) 240
margin, Metastasis, or the flitting figure, or the Kemoue.
1696 Phillips (ed. 5).
2. In various scientific uses.
a. Phys. and Path. The transference of a
bodily function, of a pain or a disease, of morbific
matter, etc. from one pait or organ to another.
1663 Boyle Use/. E.\j>. Nat. Philos. 11. xx. 294 What not
unfrequently happens in distempered Bodies by the Meta-
stasis of the Morbifique matter. 1747 tr. Astruc's Fevers
354 The milk, .is very often thrown on other parts, where
It creates metastases the most incorrigible and obstinate.
1842 Mcdico-Chirurg. Rev. XXXVII. 557 Hysteria; Cata-
lepsy; Metastasis of Hearing, &c 1898 P. Manson 'Prop.
Diseases ix. 175 The metastasis of the pains. 1903 Myers
Hum. Personality I. Gloss. 19 Metastasis, change of the
seat of a bodily function from one place, .to another.
b. Biol. The transformation of chemical com-
pounds into other compounds in the process of
assimilation by an organism.
By some writers restricted to signify the change of non-
living into other non-living matter; by others treated as
synonymous with Metabolism.
1875 Bennett & Dyer tr. Sacks' Bot. 626 Assimilation
and Metastasis (Stoffwechsel). 1878 Bell tr. Gegenbaur's
Comp. Anat. 13 Metastasis, or change in the arrangement
of chemical elements. The body nourishes itself by replacing
the material used up in metastasis by fresh matter, which
is received from without.
c. Geo!. (See quot.)
1886 Bonney in Proc. Geol. Soc. 59 Metastasis (change of
order), denoting changes rather of a paramorphic character,
such, for example, as the crystallization of a limestone, the
devitrification of a glassy rock.
3. gen. Transformation ; change from one con-
dition to another, rare.
1831 Sir \V. Hamilton Discuss. (1852) 21 note, The In-
finite and Absolute are only the names of. .two subjective
negations, converted into objective affirmations. . . Some,
more reasonably, call the thing unfinishable — infinite ;
others, less rationally, call it finished — absolute. But in
both cases, the metastasis is in itself irrational. 1887
Stevenson Mem. tr Portraits vii. 116 The lamp and oil
man, just then beginning, by a not unnatural metastasis, to
bloom into a lighthouse-engineer.
Metastatic (metastse-tik), a. [f. Metastasis :
cf. Static and rare Gr. /icTaoraTiKos.]
1. Min. (See quot.)
1816 R. Jameson Char. Min. (ed. 2) 218 A crystal is
named . . Metastatic (metastatique), that is to say, trans-
ferred, when its plane angles and solid angles are the same
as those of the nucleus, and are thus transported to the
secondary form. Example, Metastatic calcareous-spar.
2. Pertaining to, characterized or produced by
metastasis.
a. Path. 1822-34 Good's Study Med. (ed. 4) IV. 316 As
sometimes happens in metastatic dropsy from repelled gout.
1841 Medico-Chirurg. Rev. XXXV. 563 Metastatic Abscess.
1892 Tuke's Diet. Psychol. Med. II. 097 Metastatic In-
sanity, any form of insanity which appears and disappears
with the disappearance or appearance of certain physical
affections, e.g. asthma, gout, erysipelas, &c.
b. Biol. 1880 Bessey Bot. 186 Those metastatic changes
which take place in the ordinary growth of plants.
So Metasta'tical a. = Metastatic i. Meta-
statically adv., by metastasis (in recent Diets.).
1817 R. Jameson Char. Min. (ed. 3) 224 The metastatical
variety of calcareous spar.
II Metastemum (metastaunom). [mod.L., f.
Meta- + Sternum.]
1. Ent. The median ventral piece of the meta-
thorax in insects.
115 -a
METASTOMA.
388
METAZOAN.
1826 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. III. xxxv. 579 The central
part of the mcsostethium when elevated or porrected, or
otherwise remarkable, is called the metasUrntun. 1.838
Westwood Enlom. Text-bit. 272 The under surface of
. . the metasternum is generally a horny covering.
2. Anal. The xiphistemum or ensiform ap-
pendage.
1868 W. K. Parker Shoulder-girdle Vertebr. 123 A supple-
mentary sternal plate ('metasternum'). 1884 Distant in
Proc. Zool. Soc. 460 Disks of meso- and metasternums
pitchy. 1890 in Syd. Soc. Lex.
Hence Metaste'rnal a., pertaining to the meta-
sternum ; sb. a metasternal plate.
1826 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. III. xxxv. 579 The Tetligouiae
F. have usually a distinct metasternal point between their
hind-legs. 1868 W. K. Parker Shoulder-girdle I'ertebr.
121 These plates are rudimentary ' meta-sternals '. 1873
Le Conte Classif. Lepidoptera N. Amer. 11. 312 Meta-
sternal pores distinct.
Metasthenie, Metastibnite: seeMErA-3, 7a.
: Metastonia (metarsufrna). Zool. Also
anglicized metastome (me'tasttrnm). [mod.L.,
f. Gr. intra- Meta- + aropa mouth.]
1. The Labium or lower lip of crustaceans.
1859 Huxley in Brit. Org. Rem., 1st Monograph 16 The
Metastoma [in Pterygotus], .is an oval plate with margins
much thinner than the centre. 1876 Pace Adv. Text-bk.
Geol. xii. 210 A broad heart-shaped metastome or mouth-
piece.
2. Haeckel's term (1872) for the secondary {i.e.
permanent) mouth in the vertebrata.
1879 tr. Haeckel's Evol. Man II. 469.
Il Metastomium (metast0u-miz5m). Zool.
[Formed as piec] Lankester's term for the whole
hinder {i. e. the mouthed) portion of a simple meta-
zoan soma. Hence Metasto'mial a.
sZij Ray Lankester in Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. XVII. 427.
Metastrophe (metarstrtJTz'). [a. Gr. pura-
CTpotprj change from one tiling to another ; related
to iitraarptip ttv to turn round, f. intra-, META- +
orpitpav to turn.]
tl. ? nonce-use. (See quot.)
1654 H. L'Estrange Chas. I (1655' 93 The Town suffering
a metastrophe, change of name as well as nature, was
ordered to be called.. Borgo Maria.
2. Cryst. (See quot.) Hence Metastro'phic a.
1895 Stoky-Maskei.yne Crystallogr. 99 A solid figure is
symmetrical to an axis when every radius vector moving in
a plane perpendicular to the axis and meeting a point of
the figure would also meet corresponding points at the same
distances from the axis at each revolution through an arc-
angle of 2 n/n. The aspect of such a solid figure will not
therefore be changed by a revolution of the solid round this
axis through the angle 2 tt/ji, and any portion of its surface 50
revolving will move into a position in which it will be con-
gruent with another portion of the surface entirely corre-
sponding to it. Def. — Congruence of this kind will be
termed metastrophe, and such corresponding parts will be
said to be metastrophic to each other. 1899 \V. J. Lewis
Crystallogr. 18 We shall generally express the relation by
saying that the like faces, edges and coigns disposed about
an axis of symmetry are interchangeable or metastrophic.
Metasyenite : see Meta- 7 b.
II Metasyncrisis (metasi-nkrisis). Path.
[mod.L., a. Gr. /itratrvyKpiats, f. iitraavyxpivtiv
to use diaphoretics: see Meta- and Syncrisis.]
a. The evacuation of morbid matter, esp. through
the pores of the skin. b. (See quot. 1 706.)
1541 R. Copland Galyen's Terap. 2 E j b, Metasyncresis,
which may sygnyfy as moche as Metaporopoesis in Greke.
That is to say, mutacyon of the state of pores & smal
conduytes. 1693 tr. Blancara"s Phys. Diet. (ed. 2), Mela-
syncrisis, the Operation of a Medicine externally applied,
which fetches out the Humours from their closest Recesses.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Metasyncrisis, a restoring of
the Parts or Passages of the Body to their natural State.
1847 tr. Feuchtcrsleben 's Med. Psychol. (Syd. Soc.) 38 The
Methodist, Thessalus..the inventor of Metasyncrisis (jifra-
<rvyit|>ii7ts) (recorporatio), a method which still forms our
principal . . corporeal means in the treatment of insanity.
Metasyncritic, -ical (metasinkri'tik, -ikal).
[f. Gr. LuraovyKpmK-os, f. /itTaaiyKpiais : see
prec] Of the nature of, pertaining to, or pro-
ducing metasyncrisis.
Metasyncriliclal circle, cycle : ' the methodical use of
metasyncritic remedies ' {Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890).
1651 Wittie tr. Primrose's Pop. Err. iv. xxxii. 329 A very
strong metasyncriticall plaister. 1715 Freind Hist. Physick
I. 124 The Resumptive or Metasyncritical Circle. 1847
tr. Feuchtersleben's Med. Psychol. (Syd. Soc.) 332 The
metasyncritic method. Ibid. 338 To excite, through the
nervous system, a salutary (metasyncritical) action.
Metatarsal (metata-jsal), a. and sb. Allot.
[f. Metatars-us + -AL.]
A. adj. Of or belonging to the metatarsus.
1739 S. Sharp Surg. 223 It may happen that the Bones of
the Toes, and part only of the Metatarsal Bones are carious. :
1899 A. H. Evans Birds 10 A fusion of the second, third, '
and fourth metatarsal bones.
B. sb. Any bone of the metatarsus.
1854 Owen Skel. f, Teeth in Circ. Sci. I. Org. Nat. 213
The second metatarsal supports three phalanges. 1899
Allbntt's Syst. Med. VI. 666 Tight or badly fitting shoes |
exerting pressure on the head of the metatarsal.
II Metatarsalgia (metatarsavldsia). Path.
[f. Metatarsus + Gr. -a\yia pain.] Pain in the !
metatarsus. 1889 Lancet 6 Apr. 707/1.
Metatarse. Anglicization of Metatarsus.
1890 in Century Diet. 1894 Newton Did. Birds 616
Their tendons unite about the middle of the metatarse.
Metatarso- (metatauso), comb, form of next
used to denote ' belonging to the metatarsus
and . .' ; in metatarso-phalangeal a., belonging
to the metatarsus and the phalanges ; sb. a meta-
tarso-phalangeal joint; also metatarso-digital
in the same sense.
1831 R. Knox Cloguet's Anal. 390 The last four metatarso-
phalangeal articulations. 1876 Quaiu's Anat. (ed. 8) I. 181
In the first metatarso-digital articulation. 1879 St. George's
Itosp. Rep. IX. 331 The ankle, elbow, and first metatarso-
phalangeal. 1887 Brit. Med. jrnl. 2 Apr. 728/1 The Meta-
tarso-Phalangeal Joint of the Great Toe.
II Metatarsus (metata-ascs). Anal. Pl.meta-
-tarsi (-si). [mod.L.: see Meta- and Tarsus.]
The group of five long bones of the foot lying
between the tarsus and the toes. In birds, the
bone which corresponds to tarsus and metatarsus
together.
1676 Wiseman Surg. VII. ii. 479 The joyning of., the
Tarsus to the Metatarsus. 168a in Phil. Collect. No. 5.
147 Sixty three large Scales, reaching up all along his
\sc. the Oestridge's] Foot before, or before those Bones which
answer to the Metatarsus. 1879 Wright Anim. Life 7 In
the Jerboa, among the rodents, the three middle metatarsi
form but a single bone. 1899 A. H. Evans Birds 10 The
covering of the metatarsus is usually ' scutellated \
b. Ent. (a) The proximal joint of the tarsus,
esp. when much developed, (b) The entire tarsus
of the hind foot.
1816 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. xv. (ed. 2) I. 494 [The bee}
next seizes one of the lamina; of wax with a pincer formed
by the posterior metatarsus and tibia.
Metatartaric, Metataxis : see Meta- 6 a, 5.
II Metate (mata'te). [Aztec metal/.'] A flat or
somewhat hollowed oblong stone, upon which
grain, cocoa, etc. is ground by means of a smaller
stone. Also metate-stone (Funk's Stand. Diet.).
1854 Bartlett Explor. Texas, etc. II. 245 Several broken
metates, or corn-grinders, lie about the pile. Ibid. 276.
Meta-theology : see Meta- i.
II Metatheria (metabwTia), sb.^ pi. Zool.
[mod.L., f. Gr. para- Meta- + Brjpiov animal.]
Huxley's term (correlative with Prototheria and
Eutheria) for the Marsupials. Hence Meta-
the-rian a., lielonging to the Metatheria; sb., an
animal of this division.
1880 Huxley in Proc. Zool. Soc. 654 An intermediate type
between that of the Prototheria and that of the higher
mammals, which may be termed that of the Metatheria.
ibid. 657 There is no known . . Marsupial which has not far
more widely departed from the Metatherian type. 1894-5
Roy. Nat. Hist. (ed. Lydtkker) III. 283 Mammals are
divided into three primary groups or subclasses, viz. : 1.
Eutherians, or Placentals. . . 2. Metatherians, or Impla-
centals, including the Pouched Mammals. 3. Prototherians,
represented only by the Egg-laying Mammals.
Metathesis (metarbfsis). PI. metatheses
(metseb/s/z;. [a. late L. metathesis (in sense 1), a.
Gr. Litra6tois, n. of action of pitrariBivai to trans-
pose, change : see Meta- and Thesis. Cf. F.
me'tathese.]
1. +a. Rhet. The transposition of words (obs.).
b. Grain. The interchange of position between
sounds or letters in a word ; the result of such a
transposition.
1608 Hieron 2nd Pt. Def. Ministers' Reasons for Refusal
Subscript. 114 By a metathesis or transposition [he] hath
misplaced some of their words. 1660 Jer. Taylor Duct.
Dubit. iv. i. rule 2 § 36 TaJiur, which is the Metathesis of
Hurta, a thief. 1796 Pegge Anonym. (1809) 347 It is
necessary sometimes to attend to the metathesis, or trans-
position of letters. I make no doubt but Sir John Falstaff
is formed from Sir John Fastolph. 1862 Rawlinson Am.
Mon., Chald. I. viii. 196 The Assyrian Nipur, which is
Nipru, with a mere metathesis of the two final letters. 1890
Athenxum 15 Feb. 208/2 The suggested metathesis kiryika
to klrikya does not recommend itself strongly.
erroneous use. 1751-8 Fielding Covent Card, Jrnl. 9 Nov.,
The first syllable is Bob, change o into a, which is only
a metathesis of one vowel for another, and you have Bab.
1 2. Path. a. = Metastasis, b. The transposi-
tion of a solid morbific substance (that cannot be
evacuated) from one part to another where it will
be less injurious.
1696 Phillips (ed. 5), Metathesis. . .In Physick it is when
a Disease goes from one part to another. 1753 Chambers
Cycl. Suppl., Metathesis, . . a change of place in such
humours, or other diseased parts, as cannot be absolutely
removed or sent off. Thus a Metathesis of a cataract is
a depression thereof, so that it no longer shuts out the light.
183a Webster (citing Coxe), Metathesis in medicine, a
change or removal of a morbid cause, without expulsion.
3. gen. Change or reversal of condition.
1705 Greenhill Art Embalm. 105 What a Metathesis is
this 1 that he who perhaps was born of Royal Blood, .shall
now cry out with Job 17. 14, To Corruption, thou art my
Father. 1873 H. Rogers Orig. Bible v. (1878) 153 note, ,
The slow processes, the abrupt transitions, the sudden
metatheses, which history so often reveals.
4. Client. (See quots.)
187a J. P. Cooke New Chem. (1874) 245 Metathesis con-
sists in the interchange of atoms or groups of atoms between :
two molecules, and implies that the structure of these
molecules is not otherwise altered. 1887 Rf.msen Elem.
Chem. 11 Double decomposition or metathesis. . .In double
decomposition two or more substances act upon one another
and give rise to the formation of two or more new ones.
Thus when hydrochloric acid acts upon marble two sub-
stance.-, calcium chloride and carbonic acid, are formed. I
Metathetic (metabe-tik), a. [ad. Gr. pura.
Btrmos, f. pitrariBivai vsee prec.).] Characterized
by or involving metathesis. So Metathetical a.
1855 both in Ogilvie Suppl. 187a J. P. Cooke New
Chem. (1874) Index 324 Metathetical reactions.
Metathoracic (me^tajiorassik), a. [f. next :
cf. Thoracic] Of or belonging to the metathorax.
1836-9 Todd's Cycl. Anat. II. 972/2 The metathoracic
segment. 1877 Huxley Anat. Inv. Anim. vii. 425 The
metathoracic wings.
II Metathorax (metajro^raeks). Ent. [mod.L.;
see Meta- and Thorax.] The hindmost segment
of the thorax in insects.
1816 Kirby & Sp. Entomol xxiii. (1818) II. 318 The.,
abdomen and metathorax. 1877 Hvxlky Auat. Inv. Anim.
vii. 400 The . . tergal portion of the metathorax.
tMeta-tion. Obs.—° [ad. L. metdtidn-em, n.
of action f. metari to mark or lay out (a camp).]
(See quot.) Also Metator [agent-n.].
1633 Cockeram, Metation, a setting in order. Ibid.,
Metator, hee which setteth in order. 1661 Blount Glossogr.
(ed. 2), Metator (hat.), a planter or setter in order, a measurer
out of the place for a Camp to pitch in, a measurer of Land.
Metatitanie, Metatoluie : see Meta- 6 a.
Metatome (me-tatoi'm). Arch. [f. Gr. iitra-
Meta- + -To/417 cutting (ripvuv to cut).] The
space or interval between two dentels.
184a Gwilt Archil.
Metatropy, Metatungstic : see Meta- 5, 6 a.
Metatype (me'tataip). [f. Meta- + Type sb.]
1 1. = Antitype. Obs.
1658 T. Wall Charac. Enemies Ch. 37 Amaleck is a true
Metatype of the divel.
2. Zool. (See quot.)
1893 O. Thomas in Proc. Zool. Soc. 242 A metatype is
a specimen received from the original locality after the
description has been published, but determined as belonging
to his own species by the original describer himself.
Metavoltine : see Meta- 7 a.
Metaxin (metarksin). [f. Gr. pttra(v between
+ -IN.] A proteid forming the material of the
fibrils of plastids.
1890 in Century Diet. 1900 in Jackson Gloss. Bot. Terms.
Metaxite (melarksait). Min. [Named itne-
taxit) by A. Breithaupt in 1832, f. Gr. Liira(a
silk, in allusion to its lustre.] A name for some
fibrous varieties of serpentine.
1836 T. Thomson Min. Geol., etc. I. 171 The metaxite of
Breithaupt is also a variety of serpentine. 1866 Reader
10 Feb. 156/1 Tufts of Metaxite.
II Metayage (mdjya,*,). [Fr. , irreg. f. metayer :
see next.] A system of land tenure in Western
Europe and also in the United States, in which the
farmer pays a certain proportion (generally half)
of the produce to the owner (as rent), the owner
generally furnishing the stock and seed or a part
thereof. Also atlrib. in mitayage system.
1877 D. M. Wallace Russia xxi. 336 They.. farmed part
of their land on the mitayage system. Ibid. xxxi. 519 The
third solution was the system commonly known as mi-
tayage. 1898 Nat. Rev. Aug. 907 The system of ' metayage '
is not used in Southern Italy.
II Metayer (mctgyc). Also 9 metayar. [F.
mitaycr :— med.L. medietarius, f. medietas half:
see Mediety, Moiety.] A farmer who holds land
on the metayage system. Also attrib. as in m(-
tayer system, tenancy.
\Tjd Adam Smith Iv'. N. _ in. ii. I. 473 A species
of farmers known at present in France by the name of
Metayers. 1804 Edin. Rev. IV. 321 The system of rural
economy in Hindustan, closely resembles . . the metayer
system. 1856 Crauford in Encycl. Brit. XII. 691/1 Rural
labourers [in Japan] were occupants or at best metayers.
1875 Maine Hist. Inst. vi. 163 Metayer tenancy. 1886
A. Weir Hist Basis Mod. Europe (1889) no Dauphiny,
where the worst kinds of metayer farming obtained.
t Metaying. Obs. rare, [irreg. f. Metayer :
see -ing 1.] Farming on the metayage system.
Also atlrib.
179a A. Young Trav. France 399 The metaying system.
Ibid. 401 The evils of metaying.
Metayl, Metayn, obs. ff. Metal, Mitten.
II Metazoa (metazcu-a), sb. pi. [f. Gr. iitra-
Meta- 4 + j$a pi. of foov animal.] Haeckel's
term for one of the two great divisions (the other
being Protozoa) of the animal kingdom, com-
prising those animals whose bodies consist of many
cells. Also sing. Metazoou, one of the metazoa.
1874 Huxley in Jrnl. Linn. Soc, Zool. XII. 202 The
Metazoa of Haeckel. Ibid. 205 The next starve in the
development of the embryo of a Metazoon consists [etcj.
1878 Bell tr. Gegenbaur s Comp. Anat. 89 This division
is the first of the Metazoa, or organisms which are un-
doubtedly animals.
Metazoan (metazouan), a. and sb. [f. prec. +
-AN.] a. adj. Belonging to or characteristic of
the Metazoa. b. sb. One of the Metazoa.
1884 Hyatt in Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. XXIII. 140
The adult ascon, the lowest Metazoan. 1886 Geddes in
Encycl. Brit. XX. 419/1 The Metazoan segmentation of
the ovum. 1904 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 15 Oct. 971 For every
character presented by a Metazoan individual, a man for
example, there is always a second thatacter latent or
dormant in his germ-cells.
METE.
METELINE.
So Ketazo'io a. « Metazoan a.
1877 Huxley Anat. Inv. Anim. i. 47 What distinguishes
the metazoic aggregate is that [etc.].
Metbord, -buird, Metch^e, Metcorn : see
Meat-boabd, Match, Metecorn.
Mete (ni/~t), sb.i Also 5 mette, 6 met, 6-7
mett, 7 meate, 7-8 meet. [a. OF. mete, mette,
ad. L. meta goal, boundary.]
t 1. A goal. Obs.
1402 Repl. Friar Daw Topias in Pol. Poems (Rolls) II.
86 Thou concludist thi silf, and bryngest thee to the mete
there I wolde have thee. 1480 Caxton Ovid's Met. x. viii,
He passed her and cam to the mette to fore her.
2. A boundary or limit (material or immaterial);
a boundary stone or mark ; esp. in phrase metes and
bounds [= AF. metes et boundes (1325 in Rolls
Parlt. I. 434/2)], common in legal use; also _/?£*.
1471 Caxton Recuyell (Somtner) 363 And fynably they
were brought to so strayte metes and boundes that [etc.].
1525 Ld. Berners Froiss. II. cci. [cxcv'ii.] 615 The kynge
hathe clerely gyuen to hym. .the hole duchy of Acquytayne,
soasitextendeth in metes and lymytacyons. 1563 J. Dolman
in Afirr. Mag., Ld. Hastings xcii, Untimely neuer comes
the Hues last mett. 1607 Norden Surv. Dial. 1. 19 If the
ditches, which are the ordinary meeres, meates and bounds
betweene seueral mens lands, be confounded. 1768 Conn.
Col. Rcc. (1885) XII I. 52 To ascertain by meets and bounds
the width of said cart-road thro said meadow. 1818 Cruise
Digest (ed. 2) I. 197 Dower was assigned by metes and
bound-;, because it was a tenancy of the heir. 1878 Lames
Marshes of Glynn 39 As a belt of the dawn, For a mete
and a mark To the forest-dark. 1894 Q. Rev. Jan. 30 The
introspective genius knows his metes and bounds.
t Mete, sb$y anglicized form of Meatus.
1460-70 Bk. Quintessence 16 pe palesye vniuersel comeb of
haboundaunce of viscous humouris closynge be metis of
vertu animale, sensityue, and motyue.
Mete (m/t), sd.3 [f. Mete v.1; cf. Met sb.]
Measure.
1768 J. Ross Ode loss Friend Wks. 224 (MS.) The pow'r
Of solemn Young or softer Thomson's mete! 1834 Hogg
Mora Campbell 30 Noted for heroes tall and fair Of manly
mete and noble mien, a 1871 Miss Carv Nobility ii. (Funk),
We get back our mete as we measure.
Mete (mil), v.1 Inflected meted, meting.
Forms: Inf. 1 metan, (meotan), 3, 6 mette, 4-6
meet(e, 6-7 meat(e, mett, 8 met, 3- mete.
Pa. t. 1 meet, 4-6 mett(e, 4-7 met, (4 mat^te,
maat, mete, me(e)tid, 4-5 metede, 6 mott),
7- meted. Pa. pple. 1-2 semeten, 1-6 meten,
2-3 imeten, 3-6 mett(e, (4 ymeteu, metuu, 5
metyn, 6 metten, -on, mottun, meated, 7 mete,
dial. 9 metit), 4-6 moten, metid, 4-8 (9 dial.)
met, 7- meted. [A Com. Teut. originally str. vb. :
OE. metan (mtet, mxton, gemelen) corresponds to
OFris. meta, OS. metan (Du. meten), OHG.
mezzan (MHG. mezzen, mod.G. messeti), ON", meta
to value (Sw. mdta to measure), Goth, mitan :—
OTeut. *met- (: mat- : mxt-) :— pre- Teut. *med-
(: mod- : vied-) cogn. w. Gr. fitStfxvos Medim.y, L.
modius bushel ; other cognates are L. meditari
and the words cited s.v. Meditate.
The Teut. *met- has no direct connexion with the synony-
mous L. meiirl \ but many scholars regard the W.^Indo-
germanic *med- and met- as parallel extensions of me-.
The verb was frequently conjugated weak as early as the
14th c ; the original strong inflexions did not entirely dis-
appear until late in the 16th c.]
1. trans. To ascertain or determine the dimen-
sions or quantity of; — Measure v. 2. Also with
dimensions as obj. Now only poet, and dial.,
exc. in allusions to Matt. vii. 2.
t*975 Rushtv. Gosp. Matt. vii. 2 In Sasm gemete be &e
metaf bi5 eow meten. c 1000 /Elfric Gram, x'l'ii. (Z.) 84
JE,\c bana Singa, be man wihd on wsegan o55e met on fate.
c 1200 Trin. Colt. Horn. 213 Gif hit chepinge be be me
shule meten o5er weien be [etc.]. < izoo S. Fug. Leg. I.
244/142 pe schipmen. .token be bischope wel i-metene Ane
houndred quarteres }wete. 1382 Wyclif Ezek. xl. 5 He
metid [1388 mat] the breede of the beeldyng with 00 ^erd.
1388 — Ruth iii. 15 He mete" [1533 Coverdale meet] sixe
buyschels of barly. C1420 Chton. P'ilod. 4620 And wl hurre
fote he metede J>e lengthe of bat space, c 1483 Caxton
Dialogues 44 Paulyn..Hath so moche moten Of come..
That he may no more for age. 1556 J. Hevwood Spider fy
F. xcii. 49 Our mesurs mette to other, shal to vs be mottun.
1607 Tourneur Rev. Trag. 11. i, Lands that were mete by
the Rod. 1781 Crabbe Library 302 She.. Metes the thin
air and weighs the flying sound. 1805 in Chambers Pop.
Poems Scot. (1862) 152 Says Tarn, 'We'll hae them met;*
They measured just eight score o' pecks. 1865 Swinburne
Lament. 23 No hand has meted his path.
_ with clause, a 1225 Ancr. R. 232 He bet meteS hu heih
is be heouene & hu deope is be eorSe. c 1391 Chaucer Astrol.
n. § 42 a, Mete how many foot ben be-twen be too prikkis.
fig- d 1556 Ld. Vaux in Parad. Dainty Dev. (1578) 7 b,
When I.. mette in mind eache steppe youth strayed awry.
1876 Blackif. Songs Relig. <y Life 48 All men Who. .mete
with kingly ken The starry-peopled sky.
b. To be the ' measure * of. poet. rare.
1844 Mrs. Browning Drama of Exile Poems 1850 I. 52
Cast out, cast down— What word metes absolute loss?
t C. To complete the full ' measure * or amount
of. Also with forth, out. Obs.
1600 Fairfax Tasso xv. xxxix. 274 Nor yet the time hath
Titans gliding fire Met forth. 1698 Fryek Acc. E. India fy
P. 12 Their Wings, .mete out twice their length. Ibid. 240
To Bury metes out Twelve Miles more. 1791 Birns To
Mr. Maxwell of Terraughty on his Birthday ii, This day
thou metes threescore eleven.
f 2. absol. or intr. To take measurements ;
= Measure v. i h. Obs.
1388 Wyclif Exod. xvi. 18 Thei metiden [1382 mesurden]
at the mesure gomor. c 1483 Caxton Dialogues 16 Dame,
mete well. 1530 Palsgr. 635/2, I wyll nat mete by your
busshell. 1649 R* Hodgks Plain Direct. 13 A yard to mete
withal.
fb. To measure distances for shooting at a
mark ; hence, to aim at. Obs.
1534 More Comf. agst. Trib. 1. Wks. 1 157/2 We shal nowe
meate for the shoote and consider . . how farre of your arrowes
are from the prik. 1588 Shaks. L. L. L. iv. i. 134 Let the
mark haue a pricke in 't to meat at.
1 3. trans. To mark [put) the boundary or
course of; = Measured. 3. Obs.
In late use prob. regarded as a derivative of Mete sb.1
cdzs Vcsp. Psalter lix. 9, & genhtre ^etelda ic nieotu
[Vulg. metibor], a 1000 dedmon s Exod. 92 ^Gr.) Wicsteal
metan. 1382 Wyclif Deut. xxi. 2 The spacis of alle the
cytees bi enuyroun shal be meetid from the place of the
c.ireyn. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 336/1 Meetc londe, or set
bowndys, meto. 1513 Isee Measure v. 3]. 1535 Coveruale
Ps. lix. [lx.] 6, I wil deuyde Sichem, & mete out the valley
of Suchoth. 1567 Drant Horace, Ep. 1. xvi. K vij, Hebrus
that meteth Thracia. 1568 Grafton Chron. I. 96 He met
out a large and great circuit of ground. 1609 Skene Reg,
Maj. 29 Command sail be giueu to the Schiref, to cause
mett, and measure the samine [sc. a dowry}. 1632 Hey*
wood ist Pt. Iron Age 1. i. Wks. 1874 III. 267 Of all your
flourishing line . . Not one shal Hue to meate your Sepulchre.
a 1637 B. JoNSON Sad Shepherd 1. ii, And a fair dial to
mete out the day. 1819 W. Tf.nnant Papistry Storm'd
(1827) 137 The heralds had the rink-room metit, The barriers
set, and lists completit.
4. To estimate the greatness or value of; to
appraise; = Measure v. 6. arch.
In OE. also = to compare (const, wio*, be).
c 888 K. /Elfked Boeth. xiii. § 1 Ne suit hi no wio" eow to
metanne. 971 BHckl. Horn. 133 Se swe^ w;is Jws Hainan
Gastes be winde meten. 1382 Wyclif 2 Cor. x. 12 We
metinge, or mesuringe, vs in vs silf, and comparisownynge
vs silf to vs. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. 11. iv. U495) 31
They [aungels] deuyde mete and waye all mennes werkes
good and euyll. c 1440 York Myst. xxiii. 116 pat goddis
sone is bis, Euyn with hym mette and all myghty. 159s
Spenser Col. Clout 365 For not by measure of her owne
great mynd, And wondrous worth, she mott my simple
song. 1597 Siiaks. 2 Ken. IV, iv. iv. 77 A Patterne, or a
Measure.. By which his Grace must mete the Hues of
others. 1702 Jefferson Writ. (1830) III. 489 A simple mea-
sure by which every one could mete their merit. 1866
J. H. Newman Geroutius § 3 Spirits and men by different
standards mete The less and greater in the flow of time.
t5. To traverse (a distance) ; = Measure v. 11.
Also absol. or intr. (and rejl.) To go, proceed. Obs.
Beowulf 1653 Ferdon ford, .foldwe?; mseton. 1340 Ham-
pole Pr. Consc. 7695 Himself fra erth, upward met bat way,
When he stey tylle heven. a 1400-50 Alexander 455 pail
metis he him to Messadone. Ibid. 4803 pan metis he douu
of be mounte in-to a mirk vale. 162c Quarles Feast for
Worms viii. G3, A Citty.. whose ample wall, Who vnder
takes to mete with paces, shall [etc.]. 1697 Creech tr.
Manilius 111. 107 Take all that space the Sun Meets out,
when every daily Round is Run.
impers. Pass, a 1400-50 Alexander 374 Qwen it was
metyn to £>e merke bat men ware to ryst. Ibid. 564 Fra be
none tyme Till it to mydday was meten on be morne efter.
6. (Often with out.) To apportion by measure ;
to assign in portions; to portion or deal out; esp.
to allot (punishment, praise, reward, etc.).
Uncommon till the 19th c. ; now the chief current sense,
but only in literary use.
a 1300 Cursor M. 26529 [Christ] bat metes ilk man his
mede. a 1600 Montgomerie Misc. Poems ii. 23 Thou.,
mett thame moonshyn ay for meill. 1676 Towerson Deca-
logue 463 Our recreations should be meted by smaller por-
tions. 1721 Ramsay Tariana 263 When beauty's to be
judg'd without a vail, And not its powers met out as by
retail, But wholesale. 1798 Malthus Popul. (1817) I. 278
The food of the country would be meted out . . in the smallest
shares that could support life. 1842 Tennyson Ulysses 3,
I mete and dole Unequal laws unto a savage race. 1858
Carlyle Fredk. Gt. iv. viii. (1872) II. 17 His very sleep was
stingily meted out to him. 1878 H. M. Stanley Dark
Cont. II. xiii. 382 What punishment shall I mete to this
thief?
t Mete, v.2 Obs. Forms : Inf. 1 mffitan, 3-6
mete, 4 meete^n, 6 meit. Pa. t. 1 maette, 1-5
mete, 3 matte, 3-5 mette, 3-6 mett, 3-7 met.
Pa. pple. 3 imet, 3-4 met, 4 mete, 4-5 ymet.
[OE. mxtan wk. vb.; not found outside English.]
1. impers. Me mette : it occurred to me in a
dream; I dreamt. Also with sb.y as me mette
sweven, I dreamt a dream.
The analogy of ON. drawn dreymdi mik (see Dream v.2
3) suggests taking sz'even (or equivalent sb.) as accus. and
the vb. as impers. ; on the other hand, the sb. may be the
nom. and the vb. may have the meaning ' to occur to (a
person) in a dream \
c iooo ^Elfric Gen. xxxvii. 5 Witodlice hit Relamp bset hine
mante. c 1000 — Deut. xiii. 1 Gif amis witeja .. secge ba;t
him mzette swefen. 1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 4140 At tyme of
midni^t of be ni^t him mette a greuous cas. 1 a 1366 Chaucer
Rom. Rose 26 Me mette swiche a swevening, That lykede
me wonders wel. c 1385 — L. G. W. Prol. 210 Me mette
how I lay in the medewe thoo. 1393 Langl. P. PL C.
vi. 109 Thenne mette [v.r. mete] me moche more ban ich
by-fore tolde Of be mater bat ich mette fyrst on maluerne
hulles. a 1400-50 Alexander 422 Quen he wro3t had his
will ben witrely him metis, pat he bowes to hire belechiste.
a 1643 W. Cartwright Ordinary n. ii. (1651) 26AII night
ine met eke that I was at Kirke. [The speaker is ' Robert
Moth, an Antiquary'.]
2. trans. To dream (a dream, that something
happened, etc.).
c 1000 Sax. LeecJid. III. 176 Gyf man- mete baet he fcla
gosa hasbbe. t 1290 .V. Eng. Leg. I. 281/104 Seint Do-
menic matte .. bat seint petur him bi-tok Ane staf. 13..
Seuyn Sag. (W.) 2063 Ich mot mete a sweuen tu-night.
t 1381 Chalcer Pari. Foutes 104 The louere met he hath
his lady wonne. c 1430 Hymns Virg. 81 Al bat we haue
lyued heere, It is but as a dreem y-met. 1513 Douglas
A£neis u. v. 36 The first quiet Of naturnle sleip.. Stelis on
fordoverit mortale creatuns, And in thair swewynnis metis
quent figuris. c 1570 Pride <y LovjI. (1841) 65, I.. mused of
these matters that I mett.
3. intr. To dream {of).
a 1300 A". Horn 1522 (Camb. MS,) pat in^t horn gan swete,
And heuie for to mete Of Rymenhild his make. 1393 Langi..
P. PI. C. xii. 167 In a wynkynge ich worth and wonder-
liclie ich mette. £1430 Syr Gcner. (Roxb.) 6567 Al night
I haue of him met.
Hence 1-met f>p I. a.
a 1225 Juliana 74 Ant as imet sweuen a^windeS hire
murhden.
tMete, p.3 Obs. [OE. mitan; not found out-
side Eng.] trans, and intr. To paint, design.
C 1000 /Elfriu Gram, xxviii. (Z.) 174 Pingo ic melc. c izoo
Okmin 1047 pe}} hafTdenn liccness mctedd Off Cherubyn.
1 1250 Gen. cy Ex. 2701 He carf..Two likenesses, ao grau^n
& meten [etc.].
Mete : see Mate a., Meat, Meet, Met.
t Metecorn. Obs. Also 4 mette-, 5 met-.
[Oli., f. mete Meat j£. + C0KN1.] An allowance
(properly, of corn) made to servants, to inmates
of a hospital, etc.
1050 in Thorpe Charters (1865I 580 Ilk babbe his..metecu
& his metecorn. 1320 Roils of Parit. I. 367/1 Stipendia &
metecom, ac cetera debita servientum in monastcrio pre-
dicto. 1385-6 Durham Acc. Rolls (Surtees) 391 Tribus servi*
entibus apud le Hough pro le mettecorn. 1402-3 Ibid. 218
Pro frumento et pecunia datis pro metkorn hominibus de
hospitalibus de Wilton et de Maudelens. 11440 Promp.
Parv. 335/iJ Mete corne, panicium. 1522-3 Durham Acc.
Rolls (Surtees1 255 Pro le ineteorn sowlsilver et aliis uecea-
sariis. [1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey).]
t Mete-CUSti, a. Obs. Also -cousti. [f.
Meat sb. + Custi a., liberal.] Liberal with food,
hospitable.
C1205 Lay. 19932 He wes mete-custi [1:1275 mete-cousti].
Ibid. 23257,
Meted (mrted), ///. a. [f. Mete v.1 + -ed '.]
Measured; apportioned.
1775 Ash, Meted, measured, reduced to a measure. 1887
Mokkis Odyss. xi. 185 In ptace Telemachus dwelleth, and
meted feasts doth he share.
Meteer, obs. form of Metre.
tMetefetill. Obs. [OE. metef&tels : see Meat
sb. and Fetles.] A cupboard for food.
(.1000 /Elkric Gloss, in Wr.-Wulcker 107/5 SHarchia,
metefxtels, uct sceatcod. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 335/2 Mete-
fytel [printed metesytel], to keep in mete [Pynson mete
fetyll or almery], cibulum.
t Metegift, a. Obs. [f. mete Meat sb. +
? Gift. (The formation of the second element is
obscure.) Cf. Meat-giver.] Hospitable.
a 1400 R . Brunne^s Chron. Wace (Rolls) 4076 (Petyt MS.\
& metegift mau viandoure [Lamb. MS. Sc lyberal man,
& vyaundour].
t Metekin. Obs. Also 3 msetecun. [f. mete
RIeat sb. + Kin sb.1] Kind of food ; provi-
sion.
<:i20o Ormis 8645 pin Laferrd Godd Allmahhti; wat..patt
nafe ice nohht off metekinn Till me. c 1205 Lav. 941 pat.,
he us 3eue . . al his beste m&te cun.
Metel (mrtel). Also 6 methel. [a. mod.L.
methel, a. Arab. JjU j\&- jauz mdpU (wheie fauz
means 'nut*). Cf. F. noix met{h)elle 'thorn-
apple' (Cotgr.), me'tel — sense b (Littre).] fa.
Methel nut, nut methel: a narcotic fruit or seed
described by Avicenna as resembling a nut covered
with small spines, and also as similar to nux
vomica ; probably the Thorn-apple, Datura Stra-
monium. Obs. b. In the form Metel, applied by
Linnaeus as the specific name of the Hairy Thorn-
apple, Datura Metel, and hence sometimes used
as the Eng. name of that plant.
1528 Pavnel Saleme's Regt'm. (1541) 63 The nutte methel
which, as Auicen saythe, is venomous, wherfore hit sleet h.
1568 Turner Herbalxw. 49 Of the nutte called the vomitinge
nutt, and of the nut of Methel. The vomitinge nut and the
Methel are not in al poyntes vnlyke. . .Matthiolus writeth
that the flat nuttes like litle cheses which haue ben solde
hytherto : for vomitinge nuttes are nuttes methel, and they
that haue bene hytherto vsed for methel nuttes are the righte
nuces vomica!. 1597 Gerarde Herbal 11. Ivii. 278 The first
of these Thome apples may be called in Latin Stramonia,
and Pomum or Malum spinosum .. of Serarjio and others
it is thought to be Nux methel: Serapio in his 375. chapter
saith, that Nux methel is like vnto Nux zoxima. 1753
Chambers Cycl. Supp., Metel, .. the name of a sort of nux
vomica, of the same shape with the common kind, but
somewhat larger. 1887 Moloney Forestry W. Afr. 395
Metel or Hairy Thorn Apple.
Meteles : see Metels and Meatless.
t Meteline. Obs. [f. Mete v.* + Line sbJ-
Cf. Du. meellijn.] A measuring line.
1535 Coveruale 2 Chron. iv. 2 A metelyne of thirtie
cubites. 1583 Golding Calvin on Deut. xi. 63 Hechath
stretched out his rneeteline to appoint euery people their
countrey to dwell in. .
METELS.
t Metels. Obs. Also meteles, -is, -us,
meetel(e)s, metals, [f. Mete v.2 + -els.] A
dream.
1340 Ayenb. 165 Ydelnesse be bysihede. Vor pise bysyhedes
byeb ase meteles. 136a Langl. P. PI. A. vm. 131 Musyng
on bis Meeteles [v.r. metelis, 1393 C. x. 297 meteles] A myle
wei Ich jeode. 138a Wyclif Acts ii. 17 3oure eldris schulen
dreme meetels.
Metely, obs. form of Meetly a. and adv.
Metembryo (mete-mbri^). [f. Meta- +
Embuyo.] The gastrula stage of a metazoon.
1887 Hyatt in Proc. Boston Sac. Nat. Hist. 397 The proper
name for these stages would . . be Metembryo, in allusion to
the fact that the ovum at this stage is probably essentially
a Metazoon.
Hence Metembryo nic a., ' of or pertaining to
a metembryo' {Cent. Diet. 1890).
Metempiric (metempi-rik). [f. Meta- +
Empiric.
Introduced, together with the related words, by G. H.
Lewes in 1874. J
1. (Also Metempirics with sing, construction :
cf. metaphysic, metaphysics.} The philosophy of
things that lie outside the sphere of knowledge
derived from experience.
The writers quoted differ greatly in their application of
the term, but the question between them is what is meant
by ' experience ' ; the definition given above would be
accepted on both sides.
1874 Lewes Prodi. Life $ Mind Ser. 1. 1. 18 Metempirics
sweeps out of this region in search of the otherness of things.
a 1881 A. Hakkatt Phys. Metempiric xi. (1883) 130 Any
metempiric which does more than numerically multiply, or
vary in degree, existence sucli as we have it in experience,
or which postulates beings whose qualities bear no resem-
blance to those of experience, must be at once rejected.
2. One who believes in or supports metempirical
philosophy ; a metempirieist.
«i88i A. Barratt Phys. Metempiric iii. (1883) 19 Every
man who believes in the consciousness of his fellows — every
man who uses the word ' we '—is a Metempiric. i88a in
Ogilvik, and in later Diets.
Metempirical (metempi-rikal), a. [f. Meta-
+ Empirical.] Pertaining to matters outside
the range of knowledge derived from experience.
Also, of opinions and their advocates : Maintain-
ing the validity of concepts and beliefs based
otherwise than on experience.
1874 Lewes Prodi. Life <y Mind Ser. 1. I. 17 If then the
Empirical designates the province we include within the
range of Science, the province we exclude may fitly be
styled the Metempirical. a 1881 A. Barratt Phys. Metem-
piric ii. (1883) 17 The simplest Metempirical assumption,
and one made by every man, is that there is a Metempirical
existence; that he and his own experience are not all that
has ever existed. 1888 Athenxum 11 Feb. 184 It_ appro-
priated for empiricism doctrines hitherto the special pro-
perty of metempirical schools.
Hence Metempi rically adv., in a metempirical
sense or manner.
1884 Spectator 2 Feb. 161 Every atom .. is ..'metempiri-
cally , as he [sc. Barratt] calls it— a centre of consciousness.
Met empiricism (metempi*risiz*m). [f. Met-
empiric + -ism.] Metempirical philosophy.
1882 in Ogilvie.
Metempirieist (metempi'risist). [Formed
as prec. + -isr.] = Mktempikic sb. 2.
1874 Lewes Prodi. Life fy Mind Ser. 1. I. 28 note, The
distinction between the empiricist and metempirieist. 1874
— in Contemp. Rev. XXI V. 689 This is the empirical stand-
point. It is of course disputed by metempiricists.
Me tenxpsy chic, a. rare. [f. Metempsycho-
sis after psychic] Pertaining to metempsychosis.
1886 Lady Burton Arab. Nts. (Abr. ed.) I. Foreword 7
A reminiscence of some by-gone metempsychic life in the
distant Past.
tMetempsychize, * Obs. [f. Metempsy-
CH-OSIS + -IZE.J - Metempsychose v.
1618 Barnevelt's Apol. Ded. A iv, Lest I also . . bee com-
manded . . to metempsychize and turne my selfe into a Swine.
Metempsycho sal, a. [f. Metempsychos-is
+ -al.] Of the nature of metempsychosis.
1848 Taits Mag. XV. 704 Composed, or metempsycosal
immortality, is one of the pivots of the system of harmony.
t Metempsychose, sb. Obs. [a. F. mitem-
psycose (Charron, 16th c), ad. late L. metempsy-
chosis.'] = Metempsychosis.
1630 Lennard tr. Charron' s Wisd. {1658)32 The Metem-
psychose and transanimation of Pythagoras. 1786 Han.
More Bas Bieu 161 And he, who wilder studies chose
[might] Find here a new metempsychose.
Metempsychose (metemp5ik(?u-s), v. Also
7 metempseuc(h)ose, -psuchose. [f. Metem-
PSychos-is.] trans. To transfer or translate (a
soul) from one body to another. Also trans/, and
fig. Hence Metempsycho'sed ppl. a.
1594 W. Percy Coelia (1877) 15 To other bodies of like
simpathie, Thou art the last of these Metemps'chosed. a 1634
Randolph To Mr.Feitham 10 When minds change oftner
then the Greek could dream, That made the Metempseu-
cos'd soule his theame. 1651 Biggs New Disp. Pref. 5
It is great pity she [sc. England] should, .thereby have her
metempseuchos'd Genius transmigrate into another People.
a 1678 Marvkll Loyal Scot 167 Wks. (Grosart) I. 222 Lest
in time he were Metempsychos'd to some Scotch Presbyter.
1843 Phaser's Mag. XXVIII. 277 Their passion., having, in
the meantime, metempsychosed itself into a platonisation.
390
t Metempsychosical, a. Obs. [Formed as
prec. + -ical.J Relating to metempsychosis.
1622 * Jack Dawe ' Vox Gracnli 38 All Metempsichosicall
coniectures.
Metempsychosis (mete:mpsik0u"sis). PI.
-oses (-<?u's/"z). Also 6 metempsichosis, 7
metempsuchosis, metemsychosis, metampsy-
cosis, 7-8 me temp sycosis. [Late L. metem-
psychosis, a. Gr. lAtTtntyvxwais, formed on the
analogy of other nouns of action from fitra- Meta-
+ kv in + tyvxh soul. Cf. F. metempsychose.
Formerly often stressed metempsychosis : cf. vietamor-
phosis.]
Transmigration of the soul ; passage of the soul
from one body to another ; chiefly, the transmigra-
tion of the soul of a human being or animal at or
after death into a new body (whether of the same
or a different species), a tenet of the Pythagoreans
and certain Eastern religions, esp. Buddhism.
c 1590 Marlowe Faust. (1604) F 2 b, Ah Pythagoras tnetem
sucoss'ts [sic] were that true, This soule should (lie from
me, and I be changde Vnto some brutish beast. 1591
Jas. I Furies 1059, Poet. E.xerc. E 3 b, The Fond Met-
empsichosis straunge. 1606 Dekker Newes from Hell
Non-Dram. Wks. (Grosart) II. 103 Into whose soule (if
euer there were a Pithagorean Metempsuchosis). 1659
T. Pecke Parnasii PucrP. 2 Suppose Pythagoras the white
did kiss, When he talkt ofa Metemsychosis. 166* A. Brome
To Mr. J. B. Poems 111 How great a joy 'twould be, how
great a bliss, If we could have a Metantpsycosis ! 1682 Sir
T. Browne Chr. Mor. in. § 23 Dream not of any kind of
Metempsychosis or transanimation, but into thine own body,
and that after a long time, and then also unto wail or bliss,
according to thy first and fundamental Life. 1757 J. H.
Grose Voy. E. Indies 297 Their belief of the Metempsy-
chosis makes them [Gentoos] extend it to every animated
creature, a 1862 Buckle Misc. Wks. (1872) I. 330 In the
oldest Hindoo book we find the metempsychosis into animals,
b. trans/, and fig.
1619 Purchas Microcosmus lix. 593 If., it [Athens] be
there sunke into the ground, and be by some Metempsy-
chosis reuiued in England, a 1834 Coleridge Shahs.
Notes (1849) 25 Follow the wandering spirit of poetry through
its various metempsychoses, and consequent metamorphoses.
1864 Lowell Fireside Trav. 298 Departed empire has a
metempsychosis, if nothing else has.
Metempsychosist (metempsik^u-sist). [f.
Metempsychos-is + -ist. Cf. F. me'tempsychosiste.]
One who believes in metempsychosis.
1834 J. White Let. in Mrs. Gordon iChr. North' xiv.
(1879) 390 Have you ever thought of making Hogg a met-
empsychosist? what a famous description he would give
of his feelings when he was a whale, .or a tiger [etc.]. 1885
Mrs. Lynn Linton C. Kirktand I. vii. 198 She was.. in a
sense a metempsychosist, and believed that we had all known
each other m another life— all of us who loved in this.
Metempsychosize (metempsikJu-saiz), v.
[f. as prec. + -ize.] trans. = Metempsychose v.
((1843 Southey Doctor ccxii. (1847) VII. 135 If Rhada-
manthus and his colleagues, .had.. sewed him [ I zaak Wal-
ton] metempsychosized into a frog, to the arming iron,
with a fine needle and silk, with only one stitch.
II Metemptosis (metempttfu'sis). [mod.L.,
f. Gr. iina alter -t- iparroxjis, n. of action of f/iWrrw
to fall in or upon. In F. mtHemptose.] The solar
equation necessary to prevent the calendar new
moon from happening a day too late. (The
opposite of proemptosis.)
1727-41 Chambers Cycl. s.v., By the metemptosis, a bis-
sextile is suppressed each one hundred thirty four years,
that is, three times in four hundred years.
t Me'ten,///. a. Also meeten. [Strong pa.
pple. of Mete z>.'] Measured.
C1375 Cursor M. 7332 (Fairf.) He [Saul] was heyer ben
any man large bi a meten span. 16. . Will Stewart <y John
xvii. in Child Ballads 1 1. 434/1 And as they did come home
againe — I-wis itt was a meeten mile.
Metenceph.alon(metense'fal(7n). Anal. Also
mete*ncephal. [mod.L., f. Gr. /itrd after + «7«€-
(paK-os brain, th in + wtipaA-r) head.] a. In Huxley's
use: The cerebellum with the pons Varolii, b. 'The
posterior division of the third, or posterior primary,
cerebral vesicle. It corresponds with the medulla
oblongata, the fourth ventricle, and the auditory
nerve' (Syd. Soc Lex. 1890).
1871 Huxley Anat. Vert. 57. \%>]6Quain's Anat. (ed.8)
II. 755 Metencephalon. Medulla Oblongata, Fourth Ven-
tricle, Auditory nerve ,. afterbrain. 1882 Wilder & Gage
Anat. Techn. 419 Note the lateral expansion of the myelon
to form the metencephalon (medulla). 1889 Buck's Handbk.
Med. Set. VIII. 123/2 Metencephal.
Hence Metencepha'lic a., of or pertaining to
the metencephalon. 1890 Century Diet.
II Meten s arc os is f irnrtu nnlifri*— ifr\ [t. Gr.
pcTa- (denoting change) + ivaapKuois \jL iv in +
oap£ flesh), after metensomatosis : see -OSIS.] The
transference of the flesh of one body to another.
1875 A. W. Wakd Hist. Dram. Lit. II. 589 note, Almeria's
offer to clothe the rotten bones of her (supposedly) dead
lover with her own flesh — a species of metensarcosis alto-
gether original.
II Metensomatosis (metens(?umatJuSis). Also
7 metempsoraatosis. [mod.L., a. Gr. imtvoa}-
H&Twats (Clement of Alexandria), f. /icxa- (denoting
change) + kvaojfmTojcrts (f. \v in + aojyiar-, aw^ia
body) : see -OSIS.] a. Re-embodiment (of the
METEOE.
] soul), b. 'The transference of the elements of
1 one body into another body and their conversion
! into its substance, as by decomposition and
1 assimilation' (Ogilvie 1882).
1630 Lord Banians 51 Plato and Pythagoras that haue
name for defending this Metempsychosis or Metemp>oma-
tosis. 1865 Farrar Chap. Lang. iv. 50 Man's body .. is
composed of the very same materials . . which constitute the
inorganic world . . and which may serve in endless meten-
somatosis for we know not what organisms yet to come.
1890 Contemp. Rev. LVII. 262 The leading doctrine of
Buddhism is the theory of metensomatosis.
II Metenteron (mete-ntar^n). Biol. [mod.L.,
f. Gr. iura after + Entebon.] The enteron (or
alimentary canal) in any modification of its primi-
i tive form. Hence Metentero'nic a. (in recent
. Diets.).
1877 Ray Lankester in Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Set. XVII. 419
Digestive Sac or Metenteron. Ibid. 428 When once the
cailom is accomplished as a cavity definitely shut off from
the ' metenteron ' — the name we now give to what remains
of the archenteron.
Meteor (mrti'i^j). Aiso6metior,6-7meteore,
7 meator, meatu(a)re, meteour, [ad. mod.L.
meteorum, a. Gr. ficriojpov in pi. = atmospheric
phenomena, subst. use of ^riaipos raised, lofty,
'sublimis', f. iitra- Meta- + tap- ablaut-var. of
the root of atipuv to lift up. Cf. F. meteore
(i3-i4th a), It. meleora, Sp., Pg. meteoro.]
1. Any atmospheric phenomenon. Now chiefly
confined to technical use.
Atmospheric phenomena were formerly often classed as
aerial or airy meteors (winds), aqueous or watery meteors
(rain, snow, hail, dew, etc.)) luminous meteors (the aurora,
rainbow, halo, etc.), and igneous ox fiery meteors (lightning,
shooting stars, etc.).
1471 Kipi.ey Comp. A ich. Ep. iii. in Ashm. Theal. Chem.
Brit. (1652) in In the boke of Meteors. 1576 Fleming
Panopl. Epist. 352 Hoare frostes, .. and such like colde
meteors. 1602 Rowlands Tit Merrie wlien Gossips tueete
13 A vicious man is like a fyrie Meature, Which shewes
farre off a terror to the eye. 1604 Jas. I CounterbL (Arb.)
104 Vapours, .are. .turned into raine and such other watery
Meteors. 1659 Stanley Hist. Philos., Epicurus (1687)
902/1 These are the aerial Meteors. . .We shall begin with
the Clouds. 1857 S. P. Hall in Merc. Marine Mag. (1858)
V. 10 The centre of the meteor [a cyclone] passing to the
southward of the island. i866Whittier Snow-Bound 46
1 In starry flake, and pellicle, All day the hoary meteor fell.
1905 Edin. Rev. Jan. 220 It is therefore incumbent on him
to study the nature of these meteors [typhoons].
2. spec a. A luminous body seen temporarily
in the sky, and supposed to belong to a lower
region than that of the heavenly bodies ; a fireball
or shooting star (in the 17th c also +a comet).
In its modern restricted use, the term may be scientifically
defined to mean : A small mass of matter from celestial space,
rendered luminous by the heat engendered by collision with
the earth's atmosphere.
1593 Shaks. Rich. //, 11. iv. oAnd Meteors fright the fixed
Starres of Heauen. 1608 D. T[uvil] Ess. Pol. $ Mor. 90
The difference betweene a starre, and a Meteor. 1609
Afmin Maids of More -CI. (1880) 96 Pine let me in them,
if the Sonne of hope Shine as a troubled meatuare in the
sky. a 1615 Fletcher Hum. Lieut, iv. viii, I am above your
hate, as far above it, . . As the pure Stars are from the muddy
j meators. 1667 Milton P. L. I. 537 Th' Imperial Ensign..
: Shon like a Meteor streaming to the Wind. 1680 Evelyn
Diary 12 Dec, I saw a meteor of an obscure bright colour,
I very much in shape like the blade ofa sword. 1695 Prior
Eng. Ballad on Taking Namur xii, If thou hadst dubb'd
thy star a meteor, That did but blaze, and rove, and die.
1750 Phil. Trans. XLVII. 3 A meteor was seen at Norwich
by thousands of people. 1819 S. Rogers Hum. JJfe 35
And such is Human Life;. .It glimmers like a meteor
and is gone. 1878 Newcomb Pop. Astron. m. v. 388 The
varied phenomena of aerolites, meteors, shooting-stars.
b. Applied to other luminous appearances, as
the aurora borealis, the ignis fatuus, etc.
159* Shaks. Rom. <y Jul. 111. v. 13 Yond light is not
daylight, ..It is some Meteor that the Sun exhales. 1783
Hey in Phil. Trans. LXXX. 39 A species of that kind ot
meteor called aurora borealis. 1786 tr. Beckfords Vathek
176 Those phosphoric meteors that glimmer by night in
places of interment. 1847 Lytton Lucretia 11. Epil. III.
295 You may enlighten the clod, but the meteor still must
feed on the marsh. 1868 Farrar Silence fy V.\\. (1875)4
That he may plunge after the delusive meteor which flickers
hither and thither over the marsh of death.
fc. Next the meteors : high up. Obs. rare — !.
1638 Haker tr. Balzac's Lett. (vol. III.) 40, I always find
you in the chamber next to the Meteors ; which high region
I conceive you have chosen, that you may be the nearer to
take the inspirations of heaven.
d. loosely. A meteoroid.
1884 Leisure Hour Nov. 681^1 To the meteors which thus
move in streams the appropriate designation meteoroids
has recently been given. 1903 A. R. Wallace Man's
Place in Universe vi. 119 Collisions of meteors within each
swarm or cloud would produce luminous nebulosity.
3. trans/, and. fig. (from sense 2 a).
1590 Shaks. Com. Err. iv. ii. 6 His hearts Meteors tilting
in his face. 1643 Sir T. Browne Relig. Med. 1. § 13 The
Devils do know l'hee, but those damned meteors Build not
Thy Glory, but confound Thy Creatures. 175a Johnson
Rambler No. 208 r 3, I have seen the Meteors of^ fashion
rise and fall. 1769 G. White Selborne (1789) 70 Th' im«
patient damsel hung her lamp on high : True to the signal,
by love's meteor led, Leander hasten'd to his Hero's bed.
f 4. //. A study of or a treatise on meteors. Obs.
1594 Plat fewell-ho. \\. 40 Neither out of Aristotles
physicks. .nor Garsceus meteors, nor out of any of the olde
1 philosophical! Fathers, &c. 1604 E.G[rimstone] D"Acostas
METEORIC.
391
METEOROLOGICAL.
Hist. Indies \\\. xiv. 162 This second opinion is true, .not so
much for the reasons which the Philosophers give in their
Meteors, as [etc.]. 1656 Earl Monm. tr. Boccalinis Advts.
fr. Parnass. 257 Apollo some months ago. .made Ptolemy,
that prince of cosmographers, the chairman.. to whom he
gave Aristotle for his companion in Meteors, Euclid in the
Mathematicks [etc.].
5. A name for a confection (see quot.).
1827 G. A. Jarrin Hal. Confectioner (ed. 3) 195 Meteors.
Three whites of Eggs, ilb. Sugar, made into Syrup, and any
Essence you please.
6. attrtb. and Comb. a. Simple attrib. , as meteor-
field, -fire, -light j -shower; meteor-like adj. and
adv. b. obj., as meteor-breathing, -eclipsing adjs. 1
C. instrumental, as meteor-blazoned, -lighted adjs.
dL Special combs. : meteor-cloud, * a cloud-like
train left by a meteor in the upper air * {Cent. Diet,
1890), also 'an expanse of space thickly studded
with meteors or meteoric particles' (CasselFs
Encyel. Diet. 1885) ; meteor-current, ( the current
or stream of meteors moving together in the same
orbit ' ( Ibid. ) ; meteor-dust, matter in a state of
fine division, supposed to be diffused through inter-
stellar space ; meteor-powder, a powdered-up
alloy which is mixed with steel to form meteor- \
steel\ meteor-spectroscopy, the spectroscopic ,
observation of meteors ; meteor-spectrum, the
spectrum produced by the light from a meteor ;
meteor-steel, an alloyed steel with a wavy ap-
pearance, resembling Damascus steel ; meteor-
stone = meteoric stone (see Meteoric 3) ; also .
fig.; meteor-streak, a streak of light left behind
by a meteor after it has disappeared ; meteor-
stream m meteor - current ; meteor - swarm, ;
-system, an aggregation of meteoroids pursuing !
the same orbit.
1813. Scott Tnerm. in. xiv, No misty phantom of the
air, No *meteor-blazon'd show was there. 1819 Shelley
Prometh. Unb, 11. iii. 3 The mighty portal, Like a volcano's
*meteor-breathing chasm. 1870 Rep. Brit. Assoc. 76 The
*meteor-currents . . will shortly be supplemented [etc.]. 1869
Huxley LaySerm. xi. (1870) 273 Sir W. Thomson .. shows
that *meteor-dust . . would account for the remainder of
retardation. 1819 Shelley Prometh. Unb. lv. 5 For the
sun. .Hastes, in y meteor-eclipsing array. 1718 Blackmork j
Alfred x. (1723) 343 Their peaks survey the "Meteor-Fields !
below. 1753 Mason Elegy to Yng, Noblem. 23 The Muse
full oft pursues a *meteor fire. 1804 Charlotte Smith
Conversations, etc. I. 178 False *meteor-lights their steps !
entice. 1795 Southey Joan of Ate 11. 149 Upon the topmost
height the Maiden saw A *meteor*lighted dome, a 1631
Donne Cahne 22 We can nor lost friends, nor sought foes
recover, But *meteorlike, save that wee move not, hover. I
1646 Crashaw Mustek's Duel 137 The lute. .Whose flourish \
(meteor-like) doth curie the aire With flash of high-borne i
fancyes. 1813 Byron Giaour vii, As meteor-like thou glidest
by. 1837 Repert. Patent Invent. III. 206 The mixture.. 1
we call *meteor powder, 1877 G. F. Chambers Astron, ix,
iii. (ed. 3) 798 Another *meteor shower of great importance
occurs annually on August 10. 1881 Herschel in Nature '
XXIV. 507 Some *meteor-spectrum observations, which.. ,
unfold some of the most important results arrived at in
*meteor-spectroscopy since its commencement in the year '
1866. 1827 Repert. Patent Invent. III. 205 This said alloyed j
steel we [the patentees] call *meteor steel. 1822 Moore !
Mem. (1853) IV. 153 One of those *meteor-stones which
generate themselves so unaccountably in the high atmosphere
of his fancy. 1869 Rep. Brit. Assoc. 216 Certain persistent
*meteor-streaks determined by Professor Newton in the
United States, on the 14th of November last. 1877 G. F.
Chambers Astron. x. ii. (ed. 3) 835 The incalculable number
of *meteor-streams that must exist in the solar system. Ibid.,
The only *meteor-systems whose orbits have been deter-
mined travel on the same orbits with well-known comets.
7. Passing into adj. = a. Blazing or flashing
like a meteor.
fflftl Ken Hymns Evang. Poet. Wks. 1721 I. 88 A
Crown of meteor-stars adorn'd his Head, All calculated for
exciting Dread. 1765 Beattie Judgm. Paris xlix, Fate
scatters lightning Bon thy meteor-shield. 1786 Burns
Vision 11. xviii, Misled by Fancy's meteor-ray. 17559 Camp-
bkia. Pleas. Hope 1. 59 With meteor-standard to the winds un-
furl'd. 1801 — Ye Mariners iv, The meteor flag of England
Shall yet terrific burn. 18x0 Associate Minstrels 88 For
thee his glowing torch did Genius fire:— Who now its
meteor-brightness shall recal? 1864 Browning Abt Vogler
iv, Meteor-moons, balls of blaze.
b. Of short duration, passing rapidly, transient.
_ 1803 Beddoes Hygeia x. 49 With the help of this scaffold-
ing, his castles run up into the air with meteor rapidity.
181 1 W. R. Spencer Poems 49 Can bid the meteor-forms of
mem'ry last. 1813 Shelley Q. Mab iv. 101 The meteor- ,
happiness, that shuns his grasp. 1902 A. Lang Hist. Scot.
II. xiii. 394 Bothwell's meteor course was run.
Meteoric faZtJifllk), a. [Partly ad. med.L. :
meteoric-us ('elevatus, attentus', Du Cange), f.
Gr. pcTwpos (see Meteor) ; partly f. Meteor +
-ic. Cf. F. mete'orique.]
+ 1. a. Pertaining to the region of mid-air. ,
b. nonce-use. Elevated, lofty. Obs.
a 1631 Donne Lett. (1651) 46 Our nature is Meteorique,
we respect (because we partake so) both earth and heaven.
183a S. Turner Sacr. Hist. I. i. 14 note (tr. Diodorus
Siculus), The fiery particles ascended to the most meteoric
or highest regions [Gr. n-pos rous nerewpoTaTovs tojtovsJ.
2. Of or pertaining to the atmosphere or its
phenomena; meteorological, atmospherical.
1830 Herschel Stud. Nat. Phil. m. iii. (1851) 286 The
action of meteoric agents, rain, wind, frost, &c. 1834 Mrs.
Somerville Con/tex. P/tys. Set. xxvi. (1849) 299 Wind, rain, j
snow, fog, and the other meteoric phenomena. 1856-^4
Thomas Med. Diet., Meteoric. ..Applied, .to waters which
accrue from condensation of the vapours suspended in the
atmosphere.
b. Bot. Dependent upon atmospheric con-
ditions (see quots.).
1789 E. Darwin Bot. Gard. n. 62 note, Linneus. .divides
them first into meteoric flowers, which.. are expanded sooner
or later, according to the cloudiness, moisture, or pressure
of the atmosphere. 2d, Tropical flowers .. 3d, Equi-
noctial flowers. 1849 J. H. Balfour Man. Bot. § 484
Many flowers, or heads of flowers, do not open during
cloudy or rainy weather, and have been called meteoric.
1857 Berkeley Cryptog. Bot. § 226 That a large portion of
them [sc. fungi] are dependent entirelyon matters contained
in the air, and in consequence that many are essentially
meteoric.
3. Of, pertaining to, or derived from meteors; con-
sisting of meteors. Meteoric stone *= Meteorite.
1812 Sir H. Davy Ckem. Philos. 424 In all the meteoric
stones that have been examined it is remarkable that the
iron is alloyed by from 1-5 to 17 per cent, of nickel. 1822
Faraday Exp. Res. xvi, (1859) 7° Specimens of meteoric
iron. 1835 Olmsted in Jml. Franklin Inst it XVI. 374
On the morning of the 13th of November, there was a slight
repetition of the Meteoric SItoivcr, which presented so
remarkable a spectacle on the corresponding morning of
1833. 1842 Dickens Amer. Notes viii, Like something
meteoric that has fallen down from the moon. 1856 Kank
Arc/. E.vpl. I. xxxi. 428 The annual meteoric shower. 1869
Rep. Brit. Assoc. 217 These meteoric epochs of the 10th,
20th, and 30th of April. 1870 Ibid. 78 Each of these meteoric
dates in the coming year. 1897 W. F. Denning in Observa-
tory Mar. 123 Meteoric observers.. are extremely fortunate
as regards their prospects in the immediate future.
b. Meteoric paper = natural flannel (Flannel
sb. 4). Meteoric steel ~ meteor steel (Meteor 6).
1831 J. Holland Manuf. Metal I. 249 Meteoric steel. 1856
Griffith & Henfrey Microgr. Diet. 424 Meteoric Paper.
4. fig. Transiently or irregularly brilliant, flash-
ing or dazzling like a meteor; also rapid, swift.
1836 H. F. Chorley Mrs. Hcmans (1837) I. 76 To his
[Kean's] splendid meteoric talent she did full justice. 1861
Craik Hist. Kng. Lit. II. 235 The first Earl [of Shaftes-
bury], the famous meteoric politician of the reign of
Charles II. 1895 Daily C/fOn. 16 Jan. 5/7 We had occasion
to undertake a somewhat meteoric flight from Balmoral.
I Metetvrical, a. Obs.rare. [Formed as prec. :
see -ical.] = Meteoric a.
1651 Br, Hall Soliloq. xii. 42 The meteoricall light which
appears in Moorish places. 1662 J. Chandler Van Hel-
mont's Ort'at. 119 Thus far the Church admitteth of Me-
teorical Predictions, the barrennesses of years, and their
fruitfulnesses,. .Plagues, inundations (etc.].
Meteorically (rmt/V'iikali), adv. [f. Me-
teoric: see -ically.] In accordance with atmo-
spheric conditions.
i88z\TiKF.str,Sac/is' Bot.8j$ A rise of temperature at 3 a.m.
distinctly accelerated the assumption of the diurnal position
by the leaves of Impatient, but it seemed to have little or
no effect upon other meteorically sensitive leaves.
Meteorism(mrt/'|^riz,m). Path. [ad. medical
L. meteorism-us, a. Gr. fiCT€<upt<T}i-6s elevation, f.
fieT€o)pi£ftv (see Meteorize). Cf. F. me'le'orisme
(16th c, Pare).] Flatulent distention of the abdo-
men with gas in the alimentary canal.
1843 R« J- Graves Syst. Clin. Med. x. 109 Tenderness
of the belly, meteorism and exhausting diarrhoea. 1899
Allbutt's Syst. Med. VIII. 576 Diarrhcea . . with meteorism.
II Meteorisinus (iru't/^rizmz's). [See prec]
L Path. = Meteorism.
1879 St. George's Hosp. Rep. IX. 735 Meteorismus is an
early symptom in intussusception. Ibid., Meteorismus is
restrained somewhat by the external application of ice.
2. = Sublimation. 1890 in Syd. Soc. Lex.
Meteorist (m/"t*Vri:st). [f. Meteor + -ist.]
One versed in the study of meteors.
1898 Wcstm. Gaz. 19 Jan. 8/1 Our Leading Meteorist.
Meteoristic (,rmtrl£?ri"stik), a. Path. [f. Me-
teorism: see -istic] Pertaining to or affected
by meteorism.
1877 tr. von Ziemssen's Cycl. Med. VII. 609 These over-
loaded and meteoristic loops [of intestine]. 1897 AllbutCs
Syst, Med. III. 872 The abdomen soon becomes retracted
in cholera, but meteoristic in acute strangulation.
Meteorite (mrti\pi3v-t). [f. Meteor + -ite1.]
A fallen meteor ; a mass of stone or iron, that
has fallen from the sky upon the earth ; a meteoric
stone. Also (loosely), a meteor or meteoroid.
1834 Olmsted in Amer. Jml. Set. XXVI. 132 Although
bodies of this class, or Meteorites, may occasionally present
the same appearance as a ' shooting star ', yet [etc.]. 1853
Phillips Rivers Yorks. iii. 106 A great meteorite or mass
of iron 56 lbs. in weight fell from the sky. 1874 Tait Rec.
Adv. Phys. Set. x. (1876) 254 Meteorites, the so-called
falling stars, . .follow a perfectly definite track in space.
attrib. 1880 Agnes Giberne Sun, Moon <r Stars 216
Among the many different Meteorite-rings which are known,
two of the most important are the so-called August and
November systems. Ibid., A certain number of meteorite-
systems are now pretty well known to astronomers.
Hence Me'teori=taI, Meteori'tic adjs., of, per-
taining to, or relating to meteorites.
1867-77 G. F. Chambers Astron. 781 The produce of a
meteontic shower may be divided into meteoric iron and
meteoric stone. 1889 A. Winchell in J. C. Irons J. Croll
(1896) 466 The theory of meteorital aggregation.
Meteorization (m/HVraiz^-jan). Path, [f.
next + -ation,] ' The state or process of gene-
rating gas in the abdomen' (Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890).
1856 in Mavne Expos. Lex.
t Meteorize, v. Obs. or arch. [ad. Gr. /ier<-
(vpifyiv to elevate (pxT€a>pi£6{X€vos suffering from
flatulency), f. ncrtaipo-s raised, lofty : see Meteor
and -ize. Cf. I1", mcte'oriser.']
1. trans. To vaporize, convert into vapour. Also
intr. to become vaporized, pass into the air in
vapour. Only in Evelyn, who uses it frequently.
1657-83 Evelyn Hist. Relig. (1850) I. 27 The grosser ex-
halations are meteorized, circulated, and condensed into
clouds. 1664 — Sylva (1679) 29 The dew that impearls the
leaves [of oaks] in May, insolated, meteorizes and sends up
a liquor, which is of admirable effect in ruptures. 1675 —
Terra (1676) 173 Of all Waters, that which descends from
Heaven, we find to be the richest . . , as having been already
meteoriz'd, and circulated in that great digestory.
2. intr. To resemble a meteor ; to flash, sparkle.
1828 Blackw. Mag. XXIV. 268 It was imperative upon
them to scintillate— to coruscate — to meteorize — to make
the natives, .believe that ' a new sun had risen on mid-day '.
3. trans. To affect with meteorism. 1816 [see next].
Me'teorized, ///■ a. Path. [f. prec. + -ed '.]
Characterized by meteorism.
1826 H. Best Four Yrs. France 347 This proceeded from
a meteorized state of the bowels.
Meteorograph, (mft^r^graf). [a. Y.me'te'oro-
graphe, f. Gr. ficTecvpo- Meteor + -ypd<pos -geaph.]
An apparatus for automatically recording several
different kinds of meteorological phenomena at
the same time.
1780 Monthly Rev. LXIII. 499 A piece of mechanism,
which he [Magellan] calls a perpetual vietcorograph. 1879
Smithsonian Rep. (1S80) 519 A universal meteorograph, de-
signed for detached observatories. 1900 Standard 21 July
3/1 A Richard meteorograph, .by which traces of the baro-
metric pressure, temperature, and hiimidityare continuously
and automatically recorded on rotating papered cylinders.
Meteorography (mi-.tftfrp-grsdi). [f. Or. ^f-
Tfcupo- Meteor + -ypa(pia -graphy.] The descrip-
tive science of meteors, or of meteorological pheno-
mena.
1736 Bailey (folio) Pref., Meteorography ..a Treatise or
Description of Meteors. 1776 Ii. Martin Bibl. Technol.
(ed. 4) 330 Meteorography is a description of the meteors of
the air ; as vapours, clouds, rain, thunder, &c.
Hence Meteorographic,-graphicala^>., of or
pertaining to meteorography.
1867 Every Saturday IV. 472 (Poole's Index), Meteoro-
graphical Apparatus. 1882 Ogilvie, Meteorographic ', and
in recent Diets.
Meteoroid (mr tigroid), a. and.r£. [f. Meteor
+ -oiD.] a. sb. A body moving through space,
of the same nature as those which when passing
through the atmosphere become visible as meteors.
b. adj. Of the nature of a meteoroid.
1865 H. A. Newton in Amer. Jrnl Sci.Sev. n. XXXIX.
198 The term meteoroid will be used to designate such a
body before it enters the earth's atmosphere. 1867 Phipson
Meteors, etc. xvi. 176 The perturbations of meteoroid
masses circulating in space.. must be considerable. Ibid.
178 The satellite and planetary theories of meteoroids.
1871 Rep. Brit. Assoc. 45 A very small nebular mass of
meteoroids or of cometoids having been deflected [etc.].
Hence Keteoroi'dal a., of or pertaining to me-
teoroids.
1881 Smithsonian Rep. 29 This remarkable group of
planetoidal or meteoroidal bodies forms a tolerahly wide
zone or ring between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. 1883
AmericanWW. 152 The meteoroidal or cosmical dust of
the realms of space.
Meteorolite (mrt/jf7r£bit). Also 9 meteoro-
lithe. [ad. F. vUteorolithe, f. Gr. lieriupo- Meteor
+ XlBqs stone : see -lite.] » Meteorite.
i8iz Southey Omniana II. 204 [heading of paragraph]
Meteorolithes. 1821 Ure Diet. Chetn., Meteorolites, or
Meteoric Stones. 182a P. Cleaveland Min. fy Geol. (ed. 2)
II. 772 Meteorolite. a 1835 M^Culloch Attributes (1837)
II. 412 If the meteorolites should ever be proved to be
fragmentsof the presumed planet. 1866 Herschel Fam.
Led. Sci. ii. 73 Meteorolites which, .have come to the earth
from very remote regions of the Planetary spaces.
Hence Meteoroli'tic a.
1824 Macculloch Highl. Scot. IV. 159 It is more in-
genious to imagine the fashion derived from some similar
respect paid to a meteorolitic Palladium in former days.
1 Meteoro logei\ Obs. [f. Gr. pitT€ojpo\6y-os :
see Meteor and -loger.] = Meteorologist.
1683 J.Gadbury in Wharton's Wks. Pref. 15 The watch-
ful and industrious Meteorologer, who makes it his Work
to attend the Motions of Winds, Rains, Thunders. 1686
Goad Cclest. Bodies 11. i. 147 The Trajections and shooting
of the Stars., of which Meteorologers write.
1 Meteorologian. Obs. [Formed as prec:
see -LOGiAN.] = Meteorologist.
1614 Purchas Pilgrimage (ed. 2) 537 The Athenians per-
secuted Naturall Philosophers, and Meteorlogians [ sic], as
aduersaries to Diuinitie. 1635 Person Varieties 1. 18 These
our meteorologians call Ignesfatui, . . wildefires. Ibid. 11. 55.
MeteorologiC (mitttfrtflp-dsik), a. [Formed
as next : see -logic] = next.
1760 Winthrop in Phil. Trans. LI I. 7 But no such thing
occurs at present ; unless you should be of opinion, that the
two following accounts, in the meteorologic way, are so in
some degree. 1857 H. Spencer m Westm. Rev. Apr. 447
Not only has every extensive region its own meteorologic
conditions, but [etc,]. 1873 Nature u Dec. 103/2 Meteoro-
logic sections of the atmosphere.
Meteorological (mzH/^nflp-dsikal), a. (sb.)
[f. Gr. n(T(copo\oyiK-6st f. fitrewpo- Meteor : see
-logic and cf. F. me'te'orologique^ Pertaining to
METEOROLOGICALLY.
or connected with the science of meteorology.
Also, pertaining to atmospheric phenomena.
1570 Dee Math. Pre f. biijb, His [Aristotle's] Meteoro-
logical! bookes, are full of. .demonstrations of the., power
of the heauenly bodies. 1571 R. T. Discourse Ep., The
generation and causes of Raine, Winde, Snowe, and such
Meteorologicall things. 1674 Boyle ExcelL Theot. 1. iii.
93 His Meteorological Epistle to Pythocles. 1791 Bos-
well Johnson (1831) I. 307 A very curious meteorological
instrument. 1803 Med. Jml. X. 313 As I kept no meteoro-
logical diary', the facts relative to the weather are deduced
from my memory. 1840 Abstr. Papers in Phil. Trans.
(1843) IV. 200 Meteorological Register kept at Port Arthur,
Van Diemen's Land, during the year 1838.
Meteorologically (m/H^r^dsikali), adv.
[f. prec. + -ly -.] According to or by means of
the science of meteorology ; with regard to me-
teorological facts.
a 1673 Jos. Caryl in Spurgeon Treas. Dav. Ps. xxlx. 2
David answereth meteorologically as well as theologically.
1794 Scllivan Vino Nat. I. 336 This vapour.. or as it is
meteorologically explained, this thin vesicle of water, or
other humid matter. 1894 Naturalist 13 The season.. will
long be remembered meteorologically on account of the
marvellous weather experienced.
t Meteorologi cian. Obs. rare, [f. Gr. /x<-
T(Qjpo\6yos : see Meteorologer and -ician.]
- Meteorologist.
1580 G. Harvey in Three Proper Lett. 21 Aristotle, Plinie,
and other Meteorologicians. 1588 J. Harvey Disc. Probl.
91 A cunning Astronomer, and expert Meteorologician.
t Meteorologies, sb, pi. Obs. [repr, Gr. rd,
fitT€Ojpo\oyi/idf neut. pi. of ftfrcaipoKoyiKos Me-
TE0R0L0GIC ! See -ICS.] = METEOROLOGY.
(In quots. representing the title of Aristotle's treatise.)
1700 S. Parker Six Philos. Ess. 45 Aristotle .. in his
Second Book of Meteorologicks. 1837 Whewell Hist.
Induct. Sci. I. 41 The 'Meteorologies' [of Aristotle], .does not
exhibit the doctrines, .of the school in so general a form.
Meteorologist (m/*tr,^-lod^ist). [f. Gr. /*«-
Tco)po\6yos (see Meteorologer) ; see -logist and
cf. F. mi'tSoroiogiste] One who is skilled in
meteorology.
i6zx Burtom Anat. Mel. I. ii. 1. ii. (1651) 46 Whirlewindes
..and. .stormes; which, .our Meteorologists generally refer
to natural causes. 1685 Boyle Effects o/Mot. ii. 14 The
wonderful effects Lightning has produced : of which effects
. . the Writings of Meteorologists afford good store. _ 1820
Scoresby Ace. Arctic Reg. I. 348 Professor Leslie .. in his
invention of a correct hygrometer .. has presented the
meteorologist with a gift which [etc.]. 1878 Jevoss Prim.
Pol. Econ. iii. 32 Meteorologists have now prepared maps of
the oceans showing the sea-captain where he will find winds
and currents most favourable to a rapid voyage.
Meteorology {rt\i-t^prp-\b<\^\). [ad. Gr. /xc-
T€cupokoyia, f. ^€t«oj/)0- Meteor + -koyia -LOGY.
Cf. F. meliorologie]
1. The study of, or the science that treats of, the
motions and phenomena of the atmosphere, esp.
with a view to forecasting the weather.
1620 T. Granger Div. Logike 301 In the first Booke hee
f>rosecuteth more common, and generall things; as, Astro-
ogie, Meteorology. 1650 Sir T. Bpowne Pseud. EJ>. m. x.
(1658) 161 In sundry Animals we deny not a kind of natural
Meteorology, or innate presention both of wind and weather.
1768-74 Tucker Lt. Nat. (1834) II. 466 Zoology [is] the
knowledge of animals ; . . meteorology and mineralogy, that
of vapours and fossils. 1816 T. L. Peacock Headlong Hall
i. The various knotty points of meteorology, which usually
form the exordium of an English conversation. 1862 Sir
H. Holland Ess., Atlantic Ocean 208 Meteorology cannot
yet take its place among the exact sciences.
2. The character, as regards weather, atmospheric
changes, etc., of a. particular region.
1684 T. Burnet Th. Earth 11. v. 224, I easily discover'd,
that . . the Meteorology of that World was of another sort
from that of the present a 1850 J. A. Mason {title) A Trea-
tise on the Climate and Meteorology of Madeira. 1879
A. R. Wallace Australasia ii. 31 The hot winds, which
are another remarkable feature of the meteorology of Aus-
tralia, occur in [etc.].
Meteoromancy (mrt^nVmoensi). [f. Gr. fxe-
Tfcupo- Meteor + ^avrua divination, -mangy. Cf.
F. mttioromancie.} Divination by the observation
of meteors.
1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XI. 622/r. 1845 S.medi.ey in
Encycl. Metrop. XVIII. 174/2 In Etruria, the frequency of
sacrifice and the temperament of the air, gave popularity to
Extispicy and Meteoromancy.
Meteor ometer (miH/,^rmtta.i). [f. Gr.
UtTtojpo- Meteor + -meter.] An apparatus for
receiving and transmitting records of atmospherical
conditions and changes.
1862 in Knight Diet. Mech, (1875) s,v.
MeteorOSCOpe (mrl/j^sk^p). [In sense I,
ad. Gr. iitrtcupooKomov ; in sense 2, 1. fifTftopo-
Meteor + -SCOPE.]
fL An instrument for taking observations of
heavenly bodies, Obs.
1614 Tomkis Albumazar \\. v. (1615) E 1 b, With Astralobe
[sic] and Meteoroscope Il'e find the Cuspe [etc.].
2. 4An instrument for measuring the apparent
path of a meteor ' {Funk's Stand. Vict. 1895).
tMeteoroscopics, sb. //. Obs. rare. [ad.Gr.
fifT(ojpo(XKoiTiK-d neut. pi. : see Meteor, -scopic,
and -ics.] The science of observing the stars.
1788 T. Taylor Proclus I. 79 The other is metheoro-
scopics [sic], which finds out the differences of elevations,
and the distances of the stars [etc.].
392
Meteoroscopy (mJHfiffrp'skopi). rare. [f. Gr.
lifTfwpo- Meteor + -a/coma -scopy. Cf. F. mitcoro-
scopie.~\ Observation of the stars.
1658 Phillips, Meteoroscopie, that part of Astrology, which
handleth the difference of Sublimities, and distance of Stars.
1686 Goad Celesi. Bodies in. iii. 455 A Gentleman given to
Metoroscopy [sic], looking on the two Stars in 6 saw three.
1829 T. L. Peacock Misfort. Elphiu xiii. 180 The topo-
graphers . . had not the advantage of this piece of meteoro-
scopy.
Hence Meteoro scopist rare ~", an observer of
the Stars. 1727 in Bailey vol. II.
Meteorosophi stical, a. rare-'', [f. Gr.
fi€Ttajpoao(ptf7T-fis ' astrological sophist ' + -ical.]
1814 T. L. Peacock Wis. (1875) III. 121 A delectable treat
to the observer of phenomena, who may be desirous of con-
templating a meteorosophistical spider completely entangled
in his own cobweb.
Meteorous (mTUi^rw, also poet, m/tr^ras), a.
[f. Gr. fitriwp-os raised on high, fxniap-a neut.
pi. Meteor + -ous.] = Meteoric.
1667 Milton P.L. xii. 629 Gliding meteorous, as Ev'ning
Mist..o're the marish glides. 1720 Pope Iliad xxiv. 101
Iris . . Meteorous the face of ocean sweeps. 1750 Johnson
Rambler No. 68 r 3 Meteorous pleasures which dance
before us and are dissipated. 1807 Wrangham Serm.
Transl. Script. 1 The wavering and meteorous glare of the
Eighth Henry. 1841 D'Israeli Amen. Lit. (1859) II. 343
We must conclude that there are meteorous beings, whose
eccentric orbits we know not how to describe. 1882 Sutton
in Society 7 Oct. 16/1 Thy wavering, meteorous, quixotic
indulgence [said of a comet].
tMeteory. Obs. rare~^. [f. Meteor + -t.]
Condition of atmosphere.
1600 Tourneur Trans/. Metam. xlii. Plays & P. 1878 II.
204 And chaoiz'd Ideas of conceit Doth make his gesture
seem a troubled skie : And fills his count'nance with sad
meteoric
Metepenceplialoil (me^tepensefahjin). Anat.
Also anglicized metepeneephal (-se'fal). PI.
metepencephala. [mod.L., f. Meta- + Epenck-
phalon.] In Wilder's nomenclature, the meten-
cephalon and epencephalon taken together and
considered as one segment.
1885 Wilder in N. J'. Med. Jml. 21 Mar. 326 It is elsewhere
suggested that those who admit only one segment between
the mesencephalon and the myelon may apply thereto the
comprehensive name metepencephalon, and to its cavity
metepicarle. 1889 — in Buck's Hamibk. Med. Sci. VIII.
1 30/2 The compacted motor and sensory conductors between
the prosodiencephal and metepeneephal.
Hence Metepencephalic a., of, pertaining to,
or connected with the metepencephalon.
1800 in Century Diet. ; and in later Diets.
Metepicoele (mete-pisil). Anat. [f. Meta-
+ Epiccele.] The fourth ventricle of the brain.
1885 [see Metepencephalon]. 1889 Wilder in Buck's
Handbk. Med. Sci. VIII. 130/1 There is no evidence of
the lines of division of the endyma in exposing the mete-
piccele i.' fourth ventricle ').
t Me'tepole. Obs. [f. Mete d.i + Pole.] A
measuring rod.
1571 Golding Calvin on Ps. lxxiv. 2 They wer wont to
butte out grounds with metepoles as with lynes.
Meter (tru-toj), sb.1 Also 5 metere, metar,
6meater,6-/ metter, 8 meeter. [f. Metez'.i +
-er 1.] One who measures ; a measurer ; esp: one
whose duty or office is to see that commodities are
of the proper measure, as coal-meter, land-meter :
see these words.
1382 Wyci.if Zech. ii. 1 In his hond a litil covrde of
meters [1388 meteris, Vulg. funiculus mensorttm], 1468
Maldon, Essex Liber B. If. 15 iMS.) And the metere shall
stryke the bussliell & make the hepe trewely betwixe party
and party. And the comounn meter shall mete trewely the
come to be delyuered atte hythe. C1483CAXTON Dialogues
44 Paulyn the metar of corne. 1519 Burgh Kec. Edin.
(1869) I. 190 And at na metter mett the said meill hot the
bringare tnairof to the merkat vnder the payne of banesing.
1542-3 Act 34 t( 35 Hen. VI 1 1, c. 9 § 5 The said common
meater to hatie for the measuring of euery way of corne
.ii. d. 1577 Harrison England 11. v. (1877) 1. 127 A verie
sharpe imprecation, .promiseth like measure to trie meter,
as he dooth mete to others. 1666 Act 18 .(■ 19 Chas. II,
c. 8 § 34 Before they shall breake Bulke or have a Meter
assigned for the measureing or weighing of any Coales..to
be delivered from on board any such Shipp. 1681 AfS. In-
denture Finkill Street ,H ull, William Haward metter. 1796
BurkeZc^. Noble Ld. Wks. VIII. 38 But the aulnagcr. the
weigher, the meter of grants, will not suffer us to acquiesce
in the judgement of the prince reigning at the lime when they
weremade. 1800 Colquhoun Corntu. Thames xi. 331 To
appoint sworn Meters, for measuring Coals in the Port of
London. 1861 Mayhew Lond. Labour III. 260 After the
ship is sold she is admitted from the Section into the Pool,
and a meter is appointed to her from the coalmeter's office.
1881 Times 1 1 Apr. 4/5 When a barge with the plaintiff's
corn in it arrived in the creek .. fche creek men were to
hand over the meter's ticket of the corn to the plaintiff's
foreman.
fig. i8»s Hazi.itt Spirit 0/ Age 44 Reason is the meter
and alnager in civil intercourse, by which each person's . .
pretensions are weighed.
t Me'ter, sb.* Obs. rare-1, [f. Mete v.'- +
-er1.] A dreamer.
1340 Ayenb. 32 pe meteres bet habbeb drede of hare
metinges.
Meter (mrtaj), sb.3 Also 9 (rarely) metre.
[First used in gas-meter ; probably an application
of Meter1, suggested by the earlier Gasometer
or by the other words with the ending -meter.]
-METER.
1. a. (In full gas-meter?) An apparatus for auto-
matically measuring and recording the volume of
gas supplied for lighting or other purposes.
In the ordinary forms, the gas is made to pass through
receptacles of known capacity, each filling and discharge
of one of these being registered by the movement of an
index on a dial. Dry meter: a meter in which no water is
used ; the earlier and still commonly used form being called
for distinction wet meter.
1815 [see Gas sb. 7]. 1830 in Fifesh. Advert. 21 Sept.
(1888)4/3 ^'° lit™1 tne price of gas by meter to 11s. nett per
1000 cubic feet. 1874 Nicklethwaite Mod. Par. Cnurcnes
195 After turning all off at the meter.
b. In extended sense : Any apparatus for auto-
matically measuring and recording the quantity of
a fluid or the like flowing through it. Used with
prefixed word, as water-meter, electric light meter,
etc., exc. where the purpose is sufficiently indicated
by the context.
Also, with prefixed attributive word, in the names of
instruments for measuring electrical quantities of various
kinds, as ampere-meter, coulomb-meter, farad-meter, ohm-
meter, voltmeter, ■watt-meter, which see under their respec-
tive first elements. See the remarks on these under .meter.
183a Babbage Econ. Mauuf. viii. (ed. 3) 57 The sale of
water by the different companies in London, might also,
with advantage, be regulated by a meter. 1858 Greener
Gunnery 52 This machine 1 termed an explosion metre ; . .
In each of these experiments the greatest accuracy was
observed, in preparing the metre as well as in weighing the
charge.
c. Jig. A ' gauge ', self-acting measure of the
fluctuations of something.
i860 Emerson Cond. Life. Wealth Wks. (Bonn) II. 351
The coin is a delicate meter of civil, social, and moral
changes. _ 1870 — Soc. cy Solit., Eloq. ibid. III. 26 The
audience is a constant meter of the orator.
2. attrib., as meter box, chamber, house, inspector,
rent, -wheel.
188a Worcester Exhib. Catal. iii. 16 Mr. Palmer's Patent
"Meter Boxes. 1889 Pall MallCaz. 1 July 6/3 The pumps
discharge into a *meter chamber, where the sewage is
measured. 1897 Daily News 1 June 3/3 Land for * meter
houses and other works. 1895 Ibid. 10 Oct. 6/4 The "meter
inspectors. 189s Westm. Gaz. 17 Apr. 3/3 It is fairer to
charge a *meter rent than to charge a higher price for the
gas. 1875 Knight Diet. Mech., ' Meter-wheel, one used in
connection with gas and liquid meters and air-carbureting
machines.
Hence Meter v. trans., to measure by means of
a meter.
1884 Science III. 497 The real proportions of air and gas
were not determinable, except by metering both. 1894
Times 14 Aug. 11/4 The oil, waste, water, and general
engine-room stores work out to -0657 penny per unit metered.
Meter (mrtai), s6.* 1 U.S. Either of two
strengthening lines of a seine or gill net.
1884 Knight Did. Mech. Suppl. [In later Diets.)
t Meter, sb.r> Obs. rare— '. [? a. F. metier : see
Mfstier.] ? Office.
c 1510 Barclay Mirr. Gd. Manners (1570) F ij, O Priest. .
Howe muche more thou passest in great aucthoritie, In
meter or order, in office or prebende, So muche loke in
vertue and maners to ascende. [Orig. A spice quam differs
alij's in veste saeerdos, Tantu/u differrc moribus ipse vetis.]
Meter : see Metre I and 2.
-meter, in actual nse commonly -o meter, and
in some later formations -vmeter, a terminal
element in words denoting scientific instruments
for automatically measuring something. Many
words with this ending, as barometer, hydrometer,
hygrometer, thermometer, were formed in the 1 7th
c., and represent mod.L. forms in -metrttm (F.
-mitre, It. -metro). In these early examples the
ending is always appended to Gr. noun-stems, or
combining forms in -0, and the mod.L. form shows
that it was intended to represent the Gr. /iirpoy
measure (see Metre I) ; the formation is irregular,
as the Gr. word does not occur in combination with
sbs., and would not correctly express the required
notion of instrument that measures'. In the 18th
and 19th c.many additional wordswere formed with
this ending on Greek bases, ns actinometer, anemo-
meter, chronometer, eudiometer, etc. Near the end
of the 1 8th c. hybrid formations began to be intro-
duced (many of them first occurring in Er.). In
some of these the form of Greek compounds is
imitated, as in gasometer, galvanometer, alcoholo-
meter, lactometer, pedometer; in others the com-
bining-vowel i of the Latin first element is retained,
as in calorimeter, gravi meter, densimeter, veloci-
meler. In some late formations -meter is appended
to modern words without any atteiflpt to assimi-
late the form of the first element to that of a Gr.
or Latin combining form, as in voltameter, ammeter.
Cf. also the names of electrical measuring instru-
ments mentioned under Meter sb.3 1 b, which
might perhaps be more correctly viewed asexamples
of the suffixed -meter than as examples of the sb.
with defining word.
Jocular nonce-words in -ometer have been fre-
quently formed; chiefly in imitation of Sydney
Smith's Foolometer, with the sense 'a means of
measuring or ascertaining the opinion or prevalent
METERAGE.
character of some class of people'; also occa-
sionally in names of imaginary instruments for
measuring the amount or degree of something, as
in obscenometer. Similar hybrid formations have
sometimes been adopted as trade names for certain
instruments, e.g. comptometer [F. compte account],
a kind of calculating machine, distance-ometer.
1828 Athenxnm 16 Jan. 44/1 We shall be obliged by an
account, for our Scientific Report, of the obscenometer by
which the 'Stock Board' of the Company are enabled so
curiously to apportion the measures of indecency. 1859
Sat. Rev. VII. 141/2 The member for Birmingham has
supplied Parliament with an admirable democratometer,
without which it might have been hurried into violent and
uncalled-for changes, through a total misapprehension of
the real state of public feeling. 1864 Daily Tel. 29 Oct.,
Archdeacon Denison . . may be . . taken as a kind of clerico-
meter for what is most violent and least sensible in the
ecclesiastical world. 1883 Eng. Mech. 6 Apr. p. vii, The
New Distanceometer. 1894 Times 19 Mar. 13/5 The compto-
meter . . is a machine specially adapted for subtraction,
multiplication and division.
Meterage (mrtared^). [f. Meter sb.l + -age.]
a. 'The act of measuring' (Ogilvie 1882). b.
1 The measurement itself. C. ' The price paid
for measurement' (Cassell's Encycl. Diet, 1885).
Metereza : see Metheza.
IMeterod. Obs. Also metrod. [f. Metes'. t
or Met sb. + Rod sb. Cf. MDu. meleroede} Du.
meetroede.~\ A measuring rod. Also^".
1535 Coverdale Ezek. xl. 5 The meterodde that he had
in his honde, was six cubites longe and a spanne. 1556
Withals Diet. C1568J 1 4/1 A metrod, to measure the land
with. 1579 J. Jones Preserv. Bodie «$• Sonle 1. xli. 92 Mea-
sured by the meterod of affection.
t Me'tership. Obs. [f. Meter sb.i + -ship.]
The office of meter or measurer.
1536 Henry VIII in Ellis Orig.Lett. Ser. n. II. 00 The
office of metershippe of lynyn clothe and canvas within our
Cytie of London. 1541 Wriothesley Citron. (Camden) I.
129 The metershippe of cloth of gould, velvett, silkes, and
lynnen cloath.
T Metesel. Obs. [f. mete Meat sb. + set
Seel, fitting time.] Meal-time.
c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 334 It neghed nere
metesel.
t Meteship. Obs. Forms : 1 metscype, 3
metisupe, 4 metscip, 4-5 mets(c)hip, mete-
ship^, -shep, meetship. [OE. mtfscipe, f. mete
Meat sb.: see -ship.] The action of taking food;
a repast.
a 1000 Latvs Athehtan \\. c. 8 § 1 (Schmid) Habban ha
xii menn heora metscype togcedere. c 1200 Trin. Coll.
Horn. 11 At ferme and at feste and masthwat at ilche Ia3et5
metisupe. a 1300 Cursor M. 7453 Of his metscip was mesur
nan, He wald ete seuen seep him an. a 1300-1400 Ibid.
12565 (Gott.) Quen he suld to metschip ga. 1398 Trevisa
Barth. De P. R. vi. xxiii. (Tollem. MS.), Mete and drynke
han ordinaunce and respecte to meteshep and to festis.
+ Metesome, a. Obs. rare—1, [f. Mete v.1 +
-some.] Measurable.
1674 N. Fairfax Bulk $■ Self. 107 It [the atom] may be
metesom by Mathematical measures of the minds making.
T Metessing. Obs. Dung (of a hawk).
1486 Bk. St. Albans c iiij b, Hir metessing will defowle htr
foundement.
Me'testick, metstick. [f. Mete vA or
Met sb. + Stick sb."] A stick or staff for measuring.
a. Nant. (See quot. 1815.) b. Se. ' A wooden
instrument or bit of wood used for taking the
measure of the foot ' (Jam.).
1815 Falconer's Diet. Marine (ed. Burney), Mete-stjck,
a staff of a certain length, fixed on a broad board at right
angles, in order to . . determine the necessary height of a hold,
and to level the ballast. 1821 Blackiv. Mag. VIII. 432 The
' met-stick ' pair'd away to suit the size.
Metetherial (meU*J)iVrial), a. [f. Meta- +
Etherial.] (See quot.)
1903 F. VV. H. Myers Hunt. Personality I. Gloss. 19
Metetherial^ that which appears to lie after or beyond the
ether; the metetherial environment denotes the spiritual or
transcendental world in which the soul exists.
Metewand (mrtwond). Also 6-7 meat-,
5-7, 9 dial, met-, 7 meet-, [f. Mete vl or Met
sb. + Wand sb.] A measuring rod. Now dial.
c 1440 Promp. Parv. 336/1 Metwande, idem quod 3erde.
1549 Allen Jade's Par. Rev. 36 The golden reed is as it
were a golden met wonde. 1624 F. White Repl. Fisher
31S A measure containing the length of a man, which was
the meat-wand, or measure which the Angell held. 1668
Culpepper & Cole Barthot. Anat. Man. iv. xx. 355 The
Drapers Metwand termed an Ell. 1876 Whitby Gloss.,
Met-tvandy Met-wood, or Met-yard, a measuring-rod. A
draper's yard-stick.
b. fig. A standard of measurement or estima-
tion, literary.
a 1568 Ascham Scholem. 11. f Arb.) 101 A true tochstone,
a sure metwand lieth before both their eyes, a 1656 Bp.
Hall Rem. Wks. (1660) 205 Time is the common measure
of all things, the universal met-wand of the Almighty.
1700 C. Ness Antid. agst. Armin. (1827) 8 Measuring super-
natural mysteries with the crooked metewand of degenerate
reason. 1809-10 Coleridge Friend xiii. (1887) 53 The
degree of his moral guilt is not the mete-wand of his con-
demnation. 1866 Lowell Lessing Prose Wks. 1890 II. 223
He continually trips and falls flat over his metewand of
classical propriety.
Vol. VI.
393
Meteyard (mrtyaid). Also 6 raette-, 6-7
meat(e-, 5, 9 dial. met-, [f. Mete v.1 or Met sb.
+ Yard sb.] = Metewand. Now dial.
a+yiPilgr. Lyf Manhode m. xxvi. (1869) 150 With be
grete met yerde she wole mesure bat bat she biggeth. 1535
Coverdale Lev. xix. 33 Ye shal not deale wrongeously in
iudgment, with meteyarde, with weight, with measure.
1553 T. Wilson Rhet. 83 b, The tailor hath his mette yarde
and his measure. 1611 Bible Transl. Pre/. T 9 Neither
is it the plaine dealing Merchant that is vnwilling to haue
the waights, or the meteyard brought in place, but he that
vseth deceit. 1876 [see Metewand].
b. fig. (Cf. Metewand b.)
a 1533 Frith Disput. Purgat. Pref. Aiijb, The verye
worde of god . . whiche is the sure metyarde and perfeyte
touchstone that iudgeth and examineth all thynges. 1658
Rowland Mou/et's Tlieat. Ins. Pref., It shall suffice us to
have measured the causes by humane capacity and mete-
yard. 1898 R. F. Horton Comtuandm. Jesus xii. 201 It
is what this regenerate Ego desires that becomes the mete-
yard of what we should do to others.
Meteyne, Meth, obs. ff. Mitten, MeadI.
Methaemoglobin (mepmioglou-bin). Chem.
[See Meta- and Hemoglobin.] A derivative of
hxmoglobin obtained by the exposure of an
aqueous solution of oxyhemoglobin to the air;
called also Methsemoglo rjulin. Hence Methas-
mog-lobine'mla Path. [Gr. atyia blood], presence
of methaemoglobin in the blood. Methsemoglo-
binuria fa/A. [Gr. oupoi' urine], presence of
methamoglobin in the urine.
1870 Sorbv in Q. Jriil. Microsc. Set. X. 400 Hoppe-Sey-
ler's and Prcyer's ' methaemoglobin '. 1888 Med. News
LIII. 240 The author, in two cases, observed cyanosis, de-
pending upon methemoglobinemia. 1890 Billings Nat.
Med. Diet., Methxmogloh'nuria,. .Methaemoglobulin. 1897
Allbutt'sSyst. Med. IV. 288 The latter [i.e. hemoglobinuria]
is frequently a mixture of haemoglobin with various deriva-
tives such as methaemoglobinuria. 1899 Cagney tr. Jaksch's
Clin. Diagn. i. (ed. 4) 73 The meth.tmoglobin acid solution.
Methamatic, obs. form of Mathkmatic.
Methane (me'p^'n). Chem. Also -an. [f.
Meth(yl) + -ane.] Light carburetted hydrogen,
methyl hydride or marsh-gas (CH4), a colourless
odourless gas emanating from stagnant pools,
volcanoes, petroleum wells, and esp. from coal-
seams, in which, mixed with seven or eight parts
of air, it forms a violent explosive (cf. Fire-damp).
1868 Fotones' Chem. (ed. 10) 178 Methane or Marsh Gas ; . .
Fire- damp.— This gas is but too often found to be abundantly
disengaged in coal-mines. 1893 Brit. Jrnl. Photogr. XL.
812 The mean temperatures of explosions with methane,
ethane and propane were 667°, 6160, and 5470 respectively.
1899 Cagsev tr. Jaksch's Clin. Diagn. vii. (ed. 4) 383 The
urine held hydrogen, nitrogen,, .and probably methan.
Methaniline (meparnitain). Chem. [f. Meth-
(yl) + Aniline.] = Met hylani line: see Methyl.
1857 Watts tr. Cmetin's Handik. Chem. XI. 300. 1881
Athenxnm 17 Dec. 819/2 The chlorhydrates of methaniline
and other aniline products.
Methanometer (mepanfm/tai). Mining.
[f. Methane + -(o)meter.] An instrument in-
vented by Monnier (see quot.).
1881 Nature XXIV. 94 Automatic methanometer, or
automatic analyser of fire-damp. [Also, in recent Diets.]
Methaphesik, -physick, obs. ff. Metaphysic.
t Methe, sb. Obs. Forms : I meep, 3 mape,
msep, meap, 3-5 mep, 4-5 methe, 5 meep.
[OE. meep fern. :-OTeut. type *m&pi-s (not found
outside Eng.) = Gr. /zf/Ti-t counsel, Skr. mati
measure :— Indogermanic *meti-s whence L. mettri
to measure ; f. root *me- (Teut. *»;«-) to measure,
whence OTeut. *m&lom Meal sb*]
1. Measure, proportion, fixed quantity.
c 1000 jElfric Exod. xxii. 17 sif se feeder his him syllan
nelle, xilde be bare xiftan maeoe. c 1105 Lay. 977 5if we
sceotea to heora maeoe [c 1175 mebe] pat biS ure imone deao.
a 1300 E. E. Psalter lxxix. 6 f ou salt . . gif vs drink in teres
in meth[Vulg. in mensura],
2. Moderation, temperance.
c i»oo Trin. Coll. Horn. 29 Cune sume me5e benne bu
almesse makest. a 1240 Saivles IVarde in Colt. Horn. 257
Mi bridde suster mea5 spekeo of be middel sti bituhhe riht.
c 1357 Lay Folks Catech. (MS. T.) 440 The seuent vertu and
the laste is methe or methefulnesse, — Temperancia.
3. Respect, consideration ; kindness.
(-1000 Inst. Polity c. 25 in Thorpe Laws II. 338 iElc
cristen man ah mycele bearfe bait he on bam grioemycle
maebe wite. c 1250 Gen. <r Ex. 2498 Alle he fellen himSor
to fot, To beoen meoe and bedden oc. a 1310 in Wright
Lyric P. 103 }ef ich the buere to muche meth, Thou wolt
me bringe to helle deth. c 1330 Cast. Love 318 Heo him
duden in prisun of deb, And pynede him sore wib-outen meb.
13.. Propr. Sanct. (Vernon MS.) in Archiv Stud. neu.
Spr. LXXXI. 102/315 But ber as God, ful of meb, ffleih to
Egipte from his deb [etc.]. a 1400-50 Alexander 816 AH.,
on knese fallis, And in his mercy & meth mekely bairn put.
4. Modesty, gentleness.
ci3»S Know Thyself '35 in E. E. P. (1862) 131 With bi
maistrie medel bi meb For vche mon ou^t hym self to
knowe. c 1325 Metr. Horn. 107 And Mari ledd hir lif with
methe, In a toun that hiht Nazarethe. 13.. Metr. Horn.
(Vernon MS.) m Archiv Stud. neu.Spr. LVII. 269 But heo
hedde Meth, as worschipful wyf, ffor heo nas nout to hastyf.
r 1375 Cursor M. 7858 (Fairf.) Of him come Iesse meke of
meth. c 1450 Cov. Myst. (Shaks. Soc.) 157 Amos spak with
mylde methe.
t Methe, a. Obs. Cf. Myth a. [? From the
attrib. use of prec] Gentle, courteous.
METHIDE.
1 a 1300 Cursor M. 10152 Elizabeth, An hali leuedi mild
and meth, pat spused was to zachari. a 1440 St. John
I Evang. (Thornton MS.) 57 Thou was methe and meke
1 as maydene for mylde.
t Methe, v. Obs. [OE. miSian, f. Methe sb.]
1. trans. To spare, have mercy upon. (In OE.
with dative.)
< 1000 Wl-lfstan Horn. 59/17 He syl5 arleasnysse bast he
ne ari^e ne eac ne niEcSi^e his underbeoddum ne his ^elicum.
c 1250 Gen. <5- Ex. 1046 Quad god, ' find ic 3or ten or mo,
Ic sal meoen 5e stede for 00 '.
2. To moderate, regulate, temper.
c X200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 13 Det foremeste is riht medeme
mel be man be hit me5eS riht be suneo aletSgestninge [etc.].
Ibid. 139 He. .meoede fco his liflode swo bat he was bicume-
lich to swiche wike. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Weue (Rolls)
13615 >yf bey hem self coube haue me]>ed & als her strokes
coube haue lebed. .Gret prowesse of bem had ben told.
Methe, variant of Mathe, Mead sb.1
tMe'theful, a-1 Obs. [OE. mxpfiUl; see
Methe sb. and -ful.] Moderate; gentle.
c 1000 ./Elfric Gram, xxxviii. (Z.) 236 Humanus maeoTull
oofle mennisclic. 01225 After. K. 430 Inouh meoful ich
am, bet bidde so lutel. a 1240 Saivles U'arde in Colt. Hon:.
257 Meaoful in alles cunnes estes. a 1310 in Wright Lyric P.
32 A mihti methful mai, that ous hath cast from cares colde.
13.. Minor Poems fr. Vernon MSA. 557 Drink bat bou
beo mebful, And lyue in hele good. C1425 Eng. Co/to.
Irel. 112 He was a man methefull, suttell, & stalwarth.
Hence t Methefully a. and adv., moderate(ly) ;
t Methefulness, moderation.
a 1225 Ancr. R. 414 Non nncre ne ouh forto nimen bute
gnedehche [MS. C. meofulliche] bet hire to neodeS. a 1300
E. E. Psalter xxxviii. 7 Loke, methfullike [mcnsurabiles]
mi daies set bou. 1357 Methefulnesse [see Methe sb. 2].
t Metheful, «.- Obs. In 3 methful. [f. OE.
meSe weary + -fl'l.] Weary.
a 1300 E. E. Psalter i\\. 5, 1 am methful, for i slepe.
Metheglin (mi^e'glin). Obs. exc. Hist, and
dial. Forms : 6 methglen, -eghelen, -line,
-lem, 6-7 metheglen, -lyn, 7 mathiglin, me-
theglings, (metheeglen) ; 6- metheglin. [a.
Welsh meddyglyn, f meddyg healing, medicinal (ad.
L. medicus) + llyn liquor. J A spiced or medicated
' variety of mead, originally peculiar to Wales.
1533 Elyot Cast, llelthe (1541) 36 Metheglyn, whiche is
moste used in Wales, by reason of hotte herbes boyled with
hony, is hotter than meade. 1550 }. Coke Eng. ff Er.
Heralds § 207 (1877) 117 We have good-ale, bere, methe-
ghelen, sydre, and pirry. 1568-70 in H. Hall Soc. Eliz.
I A':e (1887) 245 A Cupp of methglen. 1620 Venner Via
Recta ii. 41 If Rosemary, Hyssop, Time, Orgaine, and Sage,
be first well boyled in the water, wherof you make the
Metheglin, it will be the better. 1623 C. BtnLER Fern.
Mon. x. X ij, Methaeglen is the more generous or stronger
Hydromel, being vnto Mede as Vinum to Lora. 1633 Row-
ley Match at Midnight II. i, Some metheglings, the wine
of Wales. 1666 Pepys Diary 25 July, I drinking no wine,
had metheglin for the King's own drinking. 1731 P. Shaw
Three Ess. Artif. Philos. 49 The Method of Brewing with
Honey, for Mead, Metheglin [etc.].
attrib. 1887 G. Meredith Ballads S; P. 105 Cambria's
old metheglin demon Breathed against our rushing tide.
Hence Metheg-linist nonce-wd., a brewer of
metheglin.
165s Sir J. Mennis Musarum Del. 29 While there's a
Cider-Man Or a Metheglenist,. .1 do forswear to sup Of
wicked Sack.
Jylethel : see Metel.
t Me'theleSS, a. Obs. [OE. mifUas : see
Methe sb. and -less.] Immoderate.
ciooo /Elfric Horn. (Th.) II. 516 Da het Martinus 8a
maeoleasan fujelas Saes fixnoSes jeswican. a 1225 Ancr.
j R. 96 5if he is meSleas, ileueS him be wurse. 13.. E. £.
! A Hit. P. B. 273 pose wern men mebelez & ma3ty on vrbe.
t Me'thely, a. Obs. [OE. mipiie : see Methe
' sb. and -ly '.] Moderate, proper, suitable.
958 Will in Thorpe Charters 509 xif hwile forwyrht man
hiowan jesaece, bio se bingad swa hit medlic sio_ be baes
geltes meoe. a 1035 Cnul's Secular Laws c. 71 (Lieberm.)
Beon ba herexeata . . swa hit masfilic si. c 1200 Trin. Coll.
Horn. 63 MeOeliche eting and drinking ajen to temien be
lichames orguil.
b. Of medium stature. (Cf. Meetly a.)
r 1425 Eng. Conq. Irel. 98 Meyler was a man.. of body,
somdel more than methlych, ful stalwarth, wel I-brested.
t Me'thely, adv. Obs. [OE. mdpltce, f. prec. :
see-LY^.] Moderately, temperately ; meekly.
cicoo jElfric Cteuit. xxxviii. (Z.) 236 Humane and hu-
manitcr maeolice o88e mennisclice. c 1250 Gen. A; Ex. 1758
Bus meSelike spac Sis em. c 1425 Eng. Conq. Irel. 76 His
maner was euer-more to hold hym methelyche.
Methene (me'bfn). Chem. [f. Meth-yl +
-ENE.] = METHYLENE. 1885 in Cassell's Encycl. Diet.
Metheuyl (meprnil). Chem. [f. Methene
1 + -yl.] The hypothetical hydrocarbon radical
J CH ; usually attrib.
1868 Ftnones' Chem. (ed. 10) 557 Metbenyl chloride (chloro-
! form).
Methephisike, obs. form of Metaphysic.
Mether, variant of Madder sb.-, Anglo-Irish.
1841 S. C. Hall Ireland III. 297 The mether was square,
and not round .. and to drink out of it was no easy task.
Metherinx, variant of Medrinacks Obs.
Methide (me-paid). Chem. [f. Meth-yl +
-IDE.] A combination of methyl with a metal.
1868 Fownes' Chem. (ed. 10) 596 Zinc methide. 1897 All-
bull's Syst. Mid. II. 933 Mercuric methide.
116
METHINKS.
394
METHOD.
Methinks (imbi-rjks), impers. v. Now arch.
and poet. Pa. t. methought (mij^t). Forms :
see below and cf. Think v.1 [OE. me,)yncp(pa. t.
me p&hte) , where me* is dative, nxAPyncp the 3 pers.
sing, oipyncean to seem : see Think v.1
As Think v.1 did not, exc. in this phrase, survive beyond
the 14th c, and had no very wide currency after 1250, the
syntax of methinks became obscure. Hence it underwent
various alterations of form. The verb being supposed to be
Think v.2, it followed that it ought to be in the first person ;
hence the form me think, in which probably the pronoun
was still correctly apprehended as a dative. In the 16-1 7th
c. there occur the forms my think, my thought{s, which are
attempts to obtain a normal syntax by taking think, thought,
as sbs. The curious form methoughts, used in the 17th
and the first half of the 18th c, prob. owes its s to the
analogy of the present tense methinks.}
It seems to me. (Used with dependent clause or
parenthetically.)
1. Present tense. + a. methinketh.
c 888 K. ^Elfred Boetlu xxiv. § 3 Me binc<5 ba^t hit haebbe
Xeboht surne swi5e leaslice mscr5e. a 1200 Morat Ode 5
Vnnet lif ich habbe iled, and jet me bingb ilede. 135(0 Gower
Con/. II. 95 With such gladnesse I daunce and skippe, Me
thenkth I touche noght the flor. 1447 Bokenham Seyntys
(Roxb.) 2 And yet methinkyth it were pete That my werk
were hatyd for me. 1577 li. Gooce HcrcsbaclCs Husb. 1.
(1586J 10 There is a Hopper (mee thinketh) ouer the toppe
of the Oast. 1607 Hieron Wks. I. 439 Me thinketh this
motiue should not be without effect.
? Substantive ?ise. 1594 Hooker Eccl. Pol. iv. iv. §2
When they opposed their Me thinketh vnto the orders of the
Church of England.
0. methinks.
1560 Whitehorne Arte Warre (1573) 103 b, Nor me
thinkes that there resteth other to tell you then certaine
general rules. 1599 Shaks. Muck Ado nr. ii. 16 Methinkes
you are sadder. 1661 Marvell Corr. Wks. (GrosartJ II. 76
'Tis methinks an unpleasant business. 1711 Sif.ele Sped.
No. 6 f 5 Respect to all kind of Superiours is founded me-
thinks upon Instinct. 1762-71 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd.
Paint. (1786) IV. 281 Methinks a strait canal is as rational
at least as a maeandring bridge. 1863 Hawthorne Our Old
Home (1879) 119 Methinks a person of delicate individuality
. . could never endure to lie buried near Shakespeare. 1871
R. Ellis tr. Catullus xciti. 1 Lightly methinks I reck if
Caesar smile not upon me.
+ 7. methink.
11300 Cursor M. 16332 (Cott.) Me thine it es noght
sua. 13.. Guy IVattu. (A.J 616, & he wald me so o loue
^erne, Me benke y no my^t it him nou3t werne. ^1470
Henry Wallace 1. 385 It war resone, me think, yhe suld
haif part. 1564-78 Bulleyn Dial. agst. Pest. (1888) 19 Me
thinke I see twoo men in long gounes with short beardes at
the gates. 1659 Genii. Calling v. x, So dismal a consequent,
as, methink, should like Lot's wife, remain a perpetual
monument to deter others,
f 8. my think(s.
1530 Crome in Strype Eccl. Mem. III. App. x. 20 And my
think that this manner of praying dooth not dysanulL.pur-
gatorye. a 1619 Fletcher Mad Lover 11. iii, My thinks a
gentleman should keepe his word.
2. Past tense, a. methought.
cxaoo Vices $ Virtues 13 And 3if ic nadde, me 5uhte bat
bit nas naht wel betowen, oar ic hit idon hadde. a 1300- I
1400 Cursor M. 8171 (Gutt.) Me thoght [Cotton me thoght]
to night on bis-kyn wise, pat we war bath in paradise.
c 1420 Lydg. Assembly of Gods 343 Me thought he was
gayly dysgysyd at that fest. 1535 Coverdale fudg, vii.
13 Ale thoughte a baken barlye lofe came rollinge downe to
y° boost of y* Madianites. 1651 H. More Enthus. Tri.t
etc. (1656) 309, I dream'd thus. Methought I was at a
friends house in the rode betwixt London and Scotland.
1711 Pope Temp. Fame 498 While thus I stood. .One came,
methought, and whisper'd m my ear. 183a Tennyson Dream
Fair IVom. xiv, At last methought that I had wander'd
far In an old wood. 1878 H. Phillips Poems fr. Spanish
<r Germ. 48 Methought my days were ended.
+ £. methoughts.
1594 Shaks. Kick. Ill, 1. iv. 9 Me thoughts that I had
broken from the Tower. 1620 Wotton Let. to Bacon in
Reliq. (1651) 413 The draught of a Landskip on a piece
of paper, me thoughts masterly done. 171 1 Addison Sped.
No. 63 r 3 Methoughts I was transported into a Country
that was filled with Prodigies. 1751 Female Foundling
I. 30 The inward Satisfaction which I felt, had spread
in my Eyes I know not what of melting and passionate,
which methoughts I had never before observed.
+ 7. my thought.
a 1300 [see a]. 1503 Hawes Examp. Virt. iv. 3 My
thought it was an heuenly syght. i6ai Lady M. Wroth
Urania 435 Then my thought I saw he had commission.
Methionic (me))if?*nik), a. Chem. [T.Me(thyl)
+ Or. Ouov sulphur : see -ic] Methionic acidf a
disulpho-acid obtained from aniline. Hence Me-
thionate (me)>aivJh^t), a salt of methionic acid.
184a T. Graham Etem. Chem. 779 Two other acids of this
class have been obtained, methionic acid. .and althionic
acid. 1853 Watts tr. Gmelin's Handbk. Chem. VIII. 435
Evaporating the filtrate till it begins to deposit needles of
methionate of baryta. 1862 Miller Elem. Chem., Org. v.
§ 2 {ed. 2) 310 The first compound upon this list [disulpho-
metholic acid] is identical with Liebig's methionic acid.
t Methium. 06s. Some kind of drug.
1610 [see Kermes iJ.
Method (me"b^d), so. [a. F. mtfthode (Rabelais)
or ad. L. method-us, a. Gr. /xcflooos pursuit of know-
ledge, mode of investigation, also as a term in
Medicine (see below) ; f. fiera- Meta- + 656s way.
The word is now common to all Rom. and Teut. langs.
(It. metodo, Sp. mitodo, G. methode, etc.) with approxi-
mately the same senses as in Eng. The sense of * syste-
matic arrangement ' ^branch 1 1 below) is foreign to Greek : it
was developed through the special application of L. metho-
dus by some logicians of the 16th c. tsee sense 4).]
I. Procedure for attaining an object.
+ 1. Med. The regular, systematic treatment
proper for the cure of a specific disease. Ops.
(Now merged in sense 3, where see quots. 1725, 1800, 1887.)
1541 R. Copland Galyen's Terap. 2Aiij, Euery kynde
of dysease hath his owne Methode. 1563 T. Gale Inst.
Chirurg. 21 b, The Methode of curyng compounde tumors
against nature. 1578 Banister Hist. Man Epist. A iv,
Then did I clearely see, how that to write Methodes
or means to cure the affected partes of the body.. might
[etc.]. 1696 Phillips, Method, ..that part of Physick where-
by, remedies are found out by the Indications for the Re-
storation of Health.
Jig. 1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. i. § 1 To see wherein the
harm which they feel consisteth,. .and the method of curing
it. 1*1716 South Serm. (1744) IX. 38 Let such persons.,
not quarrel with the great physician of souls for having
cured them by easy and gentle methods.
b. Hist, The system of medicine practised by
the * methodics ' or ' methodists '.
1541 R. Copland Galyen's Terap. 2 D iv, That is the
maner to heale by Methode. .yf it so be that Methode is an
vnyueisall way. 1601 Holland Pliny II. 344 Thessalus
\marg.\ He reduced Physicke into a Method : and from him
descended the sect called Methodici. a 1790 W. Cullen
Led. /list. Med. Wks. 1828 I. 383 This easy plan was, by
way of eminence called the Method, and the persons who
followed it the Methodics.
2. A special form of procedure adopted in any
branch of mental activity, whether for the purpose
of teaching and exposition, or for that of investiga-
tion and inquiry.
1586 Sir E. Hoby Pol. Disc. Truth iv. 8 And Plato called
a Methode, a fire sent from heauen, which gmeth the light
that maketh the trueth knowen. 1604 R. Cawdrey Table
Alp/t.j Method, an order, or readie way to teach, or doo
any thing. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. 11. xvii. § 4 Know-
ledge . . ought to be delivered and intimated, if it were
possible, in the same method wherein it was invented. 1644
Milton Educ. 2 The same method is necessarily to be
follow'd in all discreet teaching, dr.1711 Ken Hymnotheo
Poet. Wks. 1721 III. 254 He has of Knowledge the true
Method shewn, To rise to Truths abstruse, from Truths
well-known. 1780 Bentham Princ. Legist, xviii. § 56 The
method of division here pursued. 1852 J. Curwen {title)
">1-Fa ■'
Sol-:
l Method of teach-
The Pupil's Manual of the Ton:
ing to sing. 1869 J. Martineau Ess. II. 55 Mental science
does not differ from physical in its methods. 1875 Jowett
Plato (ed. 2) I V. 136 The theses of Parmenides are expressly
said to follow the method of Zeno. 1875 Maine Hist. Inst. 1.
18 It is a distinct property of the Comparative Method of in-
vestigation to abate national prejudices. 1876 L. Stephen
Eng. Th.iBthC. i. § 30 I. 30 Hume.. agrees with Descartes
..in pursuing the simple introspective method. 1879 Luit-
bock Set. Led. v. 139 The methods of archaeological in-
vestigation are as trustworthy as those of any naturalscienoe.
t b. The rules and practice proper to a par-
ticular art. Obs.
166* Evelyn Diary 22 Aug., The intention being to re-
duce that art [sc. ship-building] to as certaine a method as
any other part of architecture.
C in the names of certain specific procedures in
mathematics and experimental science.
1685 Wallis Algebra lxxiii. 280 The Method of Exhaus-
tions. Ibid, lxxxv. 318 Another Method of Approximation,
by Mr. Isaac Newton. 1718-19 Phil. Trans. XXX. 923
A letter of M. l'Abbe' Conti. .concerning the dispute about
the Invention of the Method of Fluxions, or Differential
Method. 1727-41 Chambers Cycl., Method, methodus, is
more peculiarly used in mathematics for divers particular
processes for solving problems.— In this sense we say
Method of exhaustions . . Method effluxions . . Method of
tangents. 1838 De Morgan Th. Probab. in Encvcl. Metrop.
(1845) II. 451 The method of correction known by the name
of that of least squares., was proposed by Legendre in 1806.
1843 Mill Logic in. viii, Of the Four Methods of Experi-
mental Inquiry. Ibid. in. xi, Of the Deductive Method.
d. in the title of treatises of instruction in an
art or science.
1686 {title) A new and easie Method to learn to sing by
book, etc. 1758 Nugent {title) A new Method of learning
with Facility the Latin Tongue. 1843 Tennyson Amphion
79 They read Botanic Treatises, And Works on Gardening
thro' there, And Methods of transplanting trees To look as
if they grew there.
3. In wider sense : A way of doing anything,
esp. according to a defined and regular plan; a
mode of procedure in any activity, business, etc.
1590 Shaks. Com. Err. 11. ii. 34 If you will iest with me,
know my aspect, And fashion your demeanor to my lookes,
Or I will beat this method in your sconce. 1606 — Ant. fy
CI. 1. iii. 7 Madam, me thinkes if you did loue him deerly,
You do not hold the method, to enforce The like from him.
160* [?CookeJ How a man may choose good wife 63 b, I
will prescribe a methode How thou shalt win hir without al
peraduenture. 1660 Barrow Euclid u ix. Coroll., The
method of cutting angles. 1684 Bunyan Pilgr. 11. 42 The
Hen did walk in a fourfold Method towards her Chickens.
a 1715 Burnet Own Time (1724) I. 359 He did very often
assure me he was against all violent methods, and all perse-
cution for conscience sake. 1719 De Foe Crusoe 1. 336 The
old Man began to ask me, if he should put me in a Method
to make my Claim to my Plantation. 1715 N. Robinson
Th. Physick 262 This is the only Method to be continued
while the Symptoms are not extremely dangerous. 1761
Gray Sketch 2 Too poor for a bribe, and too proud to im-
portune. He had not the method of making a fortune. 1793
bMEATON Edystone L. § 274 In our work, it was performed
in the following method. 1800 Med. Jml. IV. 494 Mr. P.
was delighted to hear that I thought a cure was not im-
practicable, and laboured ardently to persuade me to inform
him of the method I should use, 1800 tr. Lagrange'' s Chem.
I. 365 Scheele has given two methods for obtaining this
acid. 1819 Byron Juan 1. vii, This is the usual method,
but not mine — My way is to begin with the beginning. 1868
Lockyer Elem. Astron. vii. (1879) 256 There are two
methods of observing the time of transit over a wire, one
called the eye and ear method, the other the galvanic
method. 1874 Micklethwaite Mod. Par. Churches 200
A perfect method of warming churches has yet to be in-
vented. 1887 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 26 Feb. 448/2 Benefit from
this line of treatment must not be expected immediately,
and the method should be persevered with for at least some
months.
fb. A scheme, plan of action. Obs.
1704 J. Trapp Abra-MuU 1. i. 319 All my Designs and
Methods still were cross'd.
fc. A mode (of employment). Obs.
1712 Steele Sped. No. 294 r 1 Sixteen hundred Children,
including Males and Females, put out to Methods of In-
■ dustry.
d. In generalized use : The methods of pro-
i cedure in any department, considered as the object
1 of a branch of study ; esp. with reference to teach-
ing. Cf. sense 6.
1848 W. Ross {title) The Teacher's Manual of Method ;
or general principles of teaching and school-keeping. 1879
A. Park {title) A Manual of Method for Pupil-Teachers
and Assistant Masters.
II. Systematic arrangement, order.
4. A branch of Logic or Rhetoric which teaches
how to arrange thoughts and topics for investiga-
tion, exposition, or literary composition.
1551 T. Wilson Logike E iv b, The maner of bandeling a
single Question, and the readie waie howe to teache and
sette forth any thyng plainlie, and in order, as it should be,
in latine Methodus. Ibid. K ij, We spake before of a
methode, or directe order to be vsed in all our doinges. 1588
Fraunce Lawiers Log. 1. i. 7 Methode hath only to deale
with the ordering and selling of many axioms. 1605 Bacon
Adv. Learn. 11. xvii. § 2 Methode hath beene placed, and
that not amis^e in Logicke, as a part of Iudgement ; For as
the Doctrine of Syllogismes comprehendeth the rules of
Iudgement vppon that which is inuen ted. So the Doctrine of
Methode contayneth the rules of Iudgement vppon that
whichistobeedeliuered. 1627 Hakkv, ill Apol. 1630)261 To
this body [the art of Logic] have they not improperly added
thedoctrine of Methods as a necessary limbe thereof, a 1679
Hobbes Rhet. 1 1 68 1 ) 1 We see that all men naturally are
able in some sort to accuse and excuse : Some by chance ;
but some by method. This method may be discovered :
and to discover Method is all one with teaching an Art.
1713 Steele Engtiskm. No. 7. 46 Their Children were in-
structed early in the Rules of Method. 17*5 Watts Logic
iv. i, In logic. .Method is the disposition of a variety of
thoughts on any subject, in such order as may best serve to
find out unknown truths. 1780 Bentham Princ. Legist,
xvi. § 1 note, The particular uses of method are various:
but the general one is, to enable men to understand the
things that are the subjects of it. 1827 Hutton Course
Math. 1. 3 Method is the art of disposing a train of argu-
ments in a proper order, to investigate either the truth or
falsity of a proposition, or to demonstrate it to others when
it has been found out. 1849 Abp. Thomson Laws Th.
(ed. 2) 95 Method, which is usually described as the fourth
fart of Logic, is rather a complete practical Logic. 1870
evons Elem. Logic xxiv. 201 Method is. .defined as con-
sisting in such a disposition of the parts of a discourse that
the whole may be most easily intelligible.
5. Orderly arrangement of ideas and topics in
thinking or writing; orderliness and sequence of
thought or expression.
"559 Wi Cunningham Cosmogr. Glasse 3 They [certain
writers] ob>erue no order or Methode in their teaching.
i$8i Lambard Eiren. 11. vii. (1588) 223 To me, that am de-
sirous to follow some order, and methode of discourse, the
generall must alwayes go before the particular. 159a War-
ner Alb. Eng. vii. xxxv. (1612) 171 1 hough his words lackt
methode, yeat they moued. 160a Shaks. Ham. 11. ii. 208
Though this be madnesse, Yet there is Method in't. 1649
Roberts Clavis BibL Introd. iii. 39 Method andorder, as
it is the mother of memory, so it is a singular friend to a
cleare understanding. 1651 Hobbes Leviath. 11. xxx. 184
Unlesse we shall think there needs no method in the study
of the Politiques. 1709 Pope Ess. Crit. 654 Horace still
charms with graceful negligence, And without method talks
us into sense. 1753 Johnson Adventurer No. 85 r 17
Method is the excellence of writing, and unconstiaint the
grace of conversation, a 1834 Coleridge On Method in
Ettcycl. Metrop. I. Introd. 2 The total absence of Method
renders thinking impracticable. 184a H. Rogers Ess. (1874)
I. i. 33 His very method, .consists in a contempt of all
method. 1880 W. Sanday in Expositor XI. 362 He sought
to give to the allegorical interpretation a greater method.
6. The order and arrangement observed in framing
a particular discourse or literary composition ; an
author's design or plan.
1591 Shaks. i Hen. VI, in. i. 13 Verbatim to rehearse the
Methode of my Penne. 1594 — Rich. Ill, 1. ii. 116 To
leaue this keene encounter of our wittes, And fall something
into a slower method. 1596 Spenser State Irel. Wks.(Globe)
609/2 Tell them then, I pray you, in the same order that
you have now rehearsed tnem ; for there can be noe better
methode then this which the very matter it self offereth.
1597 Morley Introd. Mus. Pref., As for the methode of
the booke, although it be not such as may in euery point
satisfie the curiositie of Dichotomistes :yet is it such as I
thought most conuenient for the capacitie of the learner.
1622 Wither Fair Virtue C2b, If my Methode they de-
ride, Let them know, Loue is not tide In his free Discourse,
to chuse Such strict rules as Arts-men vse. 1653 H. More
Antid. Ath. ui. xii. (1712) 126, I had here ended all my
Stories, were I not tempted by that remarkable one in
Bodinus to outrun my method. 1706 London & Wise Re-
tir'd GarcTner I. Pref. Aj b,The first of these Books was.,
perus'd by several ingenious Gentlemen, who liking the
Method of it, were desirous to have it translated. 1784
Cowper Task 111. 279 What's that which brings contempt
METHOD.
upon a book, And him who writes it, though the style be
neat, The method clear, and argument exact?
f b. A regular, systematic arrangement of literary
materials ; a methodical exposition. Obs.
1589 Puttenham Eng. Poesie I. ii. (Arb.) 21 If Poesie be
now an Art,, .and yet were none, vntill by studious persons
fashioned and reduced into a method of rules and precepts.
1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. 11, xvii. § 6 The deliuerie of know-
ledge in Aphorismes, or in Methodes ; wherein wee may ob-
seiue that it hath beene too much taken into Custome, out of
a fewe Axiomes or Obseruations, vppon any Subiecte, to
make a solemne, and formall Art; filling it with some Dis-
courses, and illustratinge it with Examples; and digesting it
into a sensible Methode. But the writinge in Aphorismes
hath manye excellent vertues, whereto the writinge in
Methode doth not approach. Ibid. § j. 1611 Bible Transl.
Pre/, r 3 Cutting off the superfluities of the lawes, and
digesting them into some order and method. 1680 {title) A
brief Method of the Law. Being an exact alphabetical dis-
position of all the heads necessary for a perfect Common-
place. 1706 London & Wise Retir'd Gardiner I. Pref. A ij,
Several gentlemen would often have ask'd us Questions re-
lating to our Profession, but were at a Loss how to form them
into a Method, and word them so that we might rightly under-
stand what they meant. 1829 Brntham Justice <V Cod. Petit.
Prelim. Expl. p. v, In the disposition made of the matter
of the original draft . . a method . . has been given to it.
f c. The scheme or summary of the contents of
a book, set forth in a table. Obs.
1601 Shaks. Twel. N. 1. v. 244 01. In his bosome, In what
chapter of his bosome? Vio. To answer by the method in
the first of his hart, a 1613 Overbury A Wife (1614J B,
The Method. First of Manage, and the effect thereof,
children. Then of his contrarie, Lust; then [etc.]. 1652
Needham tr. SeldetCs Mare CI. 3 And with these wee shall
now begin ; for the Method of the second Book is more
conveniently put there before it.
7. In wider sense: Orderliness and regularity in
doing anything; the habit of acting according to
plan and order.
161 1 Beaum. & Fl. King <$• no K. v. iv, There is a method
in mans wickednesse, It growes vp by degrees. 1647
Clarendon Hist. Reb. 1. § 33 That so putting the Houses
into some method and order of their future debate, they
would be more easily regulated than if they were in the
beginning left to that liberty which they naturally affected.
1714 Swift Pres. St. Affairs w 2 After which I know no
lalents necessary besides Method and Skill in the common
forms of business. 1754 Richardson Grandison (1811) V.
xiv. (cont.) 125 But early hours, and method, and ease, with-
out hurry, will do every thing. 1843 Penny Cycl. XXVII.
231/2 No man ever gave himself up more entirely to any
object, or prosecuted it. .with, .more method and skilful
management.
1 8. A particular state of orderly arrangement ;
a disposition of things according to a regular plan
or design. Obs.
1635 Shirley Coronat. 1. (1640I C, A small wound Ith'
headT may spoyle the method of his haire. 1677^ Mar.
vell Corr. Wks. (Grosart) II. 561, I am frequent with Mr.
Fisher and our Counsel!, having put all things into the best
method for an hearing, a 17x5 Burnet Own Time (1724)
I. 207 The king was beginning to put things in great
method, in his revenue, in his troops [etc.]. 1716 Addison
Drummer iv. i, I would have all the knives and forks, .laid
in a method. 1754 Richardson Grandison (1811) V. xiv.
(cont.) 125 All is in such a method, that it seems impossible
for the meanest servants to mistake their duty.
9. Nat. Hist. A system ; scheme of classification.
Now most naturally interpreted as short for ' method of
classification ', which would commonly be apprehended as
an instance of sense 2 or 3. Of the difference between
* system ' and ' method ', contradictory accounts were for-
merly given : see quots.
1826 Kirby & Sp. Entomoi. IV. 355 Method and System
..have often been.. used indifferently to signify the same
thing. ..But if we consider their real meaning, — a Method
should signify an Artificial, and a System a Natural
arrangement of objects. 1828-32 Webster, Method.,.?,.
Classification ; . . as, . . the method of Ray ; the Linnean
method. ..A distinction is sometimes made between method
and system. System is an arrangement founded, through-
out all its parts, on some one principle. Method is an
arrangement less fixed and determinate. .. Thus we say,
the natural met/iod, and the artificial or sexual system
of Linnaeus. 1834 McMurthie Cuvier's Anim. Kingd. 4
This scaffolding of divisions, the superior of which con-
tain the inferior, is called a method.
III. 10. Comb,: f method-monger^ a contemp-
tuous term for one who deals in logical ■ method';
in quot. 1647 with a play on Gr. fieOofcia (rendered
'wiles' in the Revised Version of 18S1).
1617 Donne Serm. Luke xxiii. 40(1661) III. 5 We steal
our Learning if we . . deale upon Rhapsoders, and Common
placers, and Method- mongers. 1647 Trait Comnr. Eph. iv.
14 The devil and hisdisciples are notable method- mongers,
so as to deceive, if it were possible, the very elect. 1676
R. Dixon Two Test. To Rdr. 12 Such are our systematical
Method-mongers, blundering in their Dichotomies after the
way of Ramus or Keckerman.
h Method, v. Obs. rare—1, [f. Method sb.]
trans. To methodize, arrange.
1640 Bp. Reynolds Passions xlii. 54^ He [the Devil] is
able, .so to method and contrive his devices, that [etc].
Methodee, variant form of Methody.
t Metho dian. Obs. rare"1, [f. Method sb.
+ -ian.] = Methodist i.
1612 Cotta^ Disc. Dang. Pract. Phys. 1. ii. 10 The Em-
pericke trusting to experience alone without reason, and
the methodian unto the abuse of right reason.
Methodic (m^-dik), a. and sb. Obs. exc.
Hist. Also 6 -yke. [ad. late L. methodic-us, a.
395
Gr. fifOodiK-os, f. nt$odos Method: see -ic and cf.
F. mt'thodique (16th c.).] A. adj.
fl. The distinctive epithet of one of the three
ancient schools of physicians, holding views inter-
mediate between those of the Dogmatic and the
Empiric school.
1541 R. Copland Galyen's Terap. 2 IJ iv. After the sen-
tence of the Methodyke secte. 1701 Grew Cosm. Sacra iv.
viii. 266 Thessalus, the Head of the Methodick Sect in the
Reign of Nero. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 156P * Every
animal body, according to the methodick physicians, is, by
the predominance of some exuberant quality, continually
declining towards disease and death.
2. = Methodical a. in various senses: pertain-
ing to method ; constructed, performed, or carried
on in accordance with method ; rarely of persons,
observant of method, characterized by regularity
of procedure.
i6zo K. James Let. to Bacon 16 Oct. in Resusciiatio
(1657) ii. 83 You could not have made choice of a Subject
more befitting, .your universal, and Methodick, Knowledge.
1663 J. Spenser Prodigies (1665) 137 Some native andme-
thodick powers, and springs of motion in things. 1669 Gale
Crt. Gentiles 1. ill. x. 104 There is no piece of Pagan
Oratorie so methodic and harmonious, as sacred Scriptures.
17*9 T. Cooke 'Tales, etc. 120 When was I known basely
to court the Schools, Or not to rail at dull Methodic Fools..?
1869 Seeley Lect. a> Ess. i. 17 The nation which .. by
methodic study and science of destruction, had crushed all
the surrounding nationalities. 1886 Mrs. Burnett Little
Ld. Fauntleroy x, It was as unlike the methodic old lawyer
to be agitated . . as it was to be late.
B. sb.
1. Hist. A physician of the :methudic' school ;
= Methodist i.
1541 R. Copland Galyen%s Terap. 2GJ. That is to wyt
the indycacyon y' is taken of the myghtynes of the dysease,
which the Methodykes onely haue nat left ..but also dyuers
of the racyanalles, & Emperykes. 1659 Macai.lo Can.
Physick i. i The Methodick practizing in Physick hath,
First, a knowledge of the Disease : next, foretelleth the
event of it : and last, goeth about to cure the same. 1771
T. Percival Ess. (1777) I. 25 Themison.. founded a new
sect called the Methodics. a 1790 W. Cullen Hist. Med.
Wks. 1828 I. 383 This easy plan was.. called the Method,
and the persons who followed it the Methodics. 1864
CJiambersys Kncycl. VI. 385/2 During the greater part of
the first two centuries of our era, the Methodics were the
preponderating medical sect.
2. pi. The science of method ; methodology.
(Ogilvie 1882, and later Diets.)
Webster 1864 has the sing, in this sense,
Methodical (m/^p-dikal), a. [f. late L. me-
thodicus : see prec. and -ical.]
1. Hist. = Methodic a. 1.
1597 A. M. tr. Guillemeau's Fr. Chirurg. 40 b/i The
Empiricke medicamentes which the Methodicall Physicianes
doe so disdayne. 1650 Gentilis Considerations 50 Though
a great wise man compared a man that wanted Science,
and had Experience, to an Empyrick Physitian, and the
learned man to the Methodicall ; yet hee was deceived in
the comparison. 1727-41 Chambers Cycl. s. v. Methodists,
Galen, .scrupled not to assert, that the methodical heresy
tuined every thing that was good in the art [of medicine].
1837 Whewell Hist. Induct. Set'. (1857) I. 192 That ..
medical sect which was termed the empirical, in contradis-
tinction to the rational and methodical sects.
2. Characterized by method or order ; constructed,
performed, or carried on in accordance with
method ; arranged or disposed with order or
regularity.
1570 Dee Math. Pre/, bj, There are other (very many)
Methodicall Artes. 1643 Milton Tetrach. 23 Yet Moses
.. condescends in this place to such a methodical and
School-like way of defining, and consequencing, as in no
place of the whole Law more. 1698 Farquhar Love <y
Bottle iv. ii, Then they hate to hear a fellow in Church
preach methodical Nonsense, with a Firstly, Secondly, and
Thirdly. 1711 Addison Sped. No. 3 ? 2, I fell insensibly
into a kind of Methodical Dream, which disposed all my
Contemplations into a Vision or Allegory. 1862 Burton
Bk. Hunter (1863^ 99 This is to be a methodical discourse.
1903 Expositor May 390 Methodical directions for the
management of missions were not bequeathed by the Lord
to his disciples.
b. Of material things: Arranged in a neat or
orderly manner, rare.
1650 Fuller Pisgah 11. Gad § 15. 79 No methodicall
monument but this hurdle of stones was fittest for such a
causer of confusion [Absalom]. 1904 Union Mag. Jan. 5/2
He always wore a tightly buttoned up frock-coat.. and a
methodical black neck-tie.
3. Of persons, their actions, etc. : Acting with
or observant of method or order.
1664 Pepvs Diary 29 Feb., I find him a most exact and
methodicall man. 1706 Addison Rosamond 1. ii, Let me
appear, Great sir, I pray Methodical in what I say. 1820 W.
Irving Sketch Bk., Angler r 13 The English are methodical
even in their recreations. 1865 Dickens Mul. Fr. 11. i,
Small,.. neat, methodical, and buxom was Miss Peecher.
1875 LyelVs Princ. Geol. II. 111. xxxvi. 289 Unconscious
selection acts more powerfully than methodical selection.
Hence Methodica'lity, raref the property of
being methodical.
1861 Temple Bar II. 549 You can see the methodically
of these folks in every thread of their clothes.
Methodically (mi'bp'dikali), adv. [f. Me-
thodical a. + -lv ^.] In a methodical manner ; in
accordance with a prescribed method ; with method
or regularity.
1570 Dee Math. Pre/, c iv, You may Methodically tegis-
METHODIST.
ter the whole. 1668 Hale Pre/. Rolte's Abridgm.c, A
Stock of learning, methodically digested and fitted to his
use. 1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters II. 3 Great pains have
been taken to class mineral waters methodically. 1758 J. S.
Le Dran's Observ. Surg. (1771) 61, I dressed the Patient
methodically. 1859 C. Barker Assoc. Prim. i. 26 An apart-
ment, .fitted up with forms and desks methodically arranged.
1890 Howen in La7u Times Rep. LXIII. 690/1 The Lord
Chancellor or some other authority should methodically in-
quire into these differences,
Metliodicalness. [f. Methodical a. +
-Ness.] The qtmlity of being methodical.
1678 CumvoRTH Intell. Syst. 1. iii. 139 A mere fortuitous
and temerarious nature, devoid of all order and methodical-
ness. 1706 tr. Dupin's Eccl. /list. 16th C. II. v. 27 Tapper
writes with great Methodicalness and Easiness.
Methodism (mcj^diz'm). [f. Method sb. +
-ism, after next.]
1. The system of religious doctrine, practice, and
organization characteristic of Methodists.
1739 Wesley Wks. (1872) I.225 The true old Christianity,
which, under the new name of Methodism, is now also
everywhere spoken against. 1768 WhtTEFIELD Let. to Dr.
DurellW'ks. 1771 IV. 328 If you should desire, .a definition
of Methodism itself, .you may easily be gratified. It is no
more nur less than ' faith working by love '. ' A holy method
of living and dying to the glory of God '. 1851 Carlylk
Sterling 111. iii. (1872) 100 An honest, ignorant good man,
entirely given-up to Methodism.
2. Adherence to fixed methods; excessive regard
for methods.
i8s&Chamb. Jml. V. 178 The Somerset House gentlemen
usually introduce their official methodism at home. 1874
Blackie Self-Cult. 67 Such a formal methodism of conduct
springs from narrowness. 1881 Liddon in Chr. World
Pulpit XX. 98/1 When, .habit is merely the surviving
methodism or the skeleton of a life which is no more. 1885
T. P. O'Connor Gladstone's Ho. Comm. 59 Sir Stafford
Northcote's dull, .methodism of words and thought.
Methodist (me-b^list). [ad. mod.L. metho-
dista: see Method^, and -ist. Cf. F '. me'tkodiste.]
1. Hist. A physician of the ' methodic ' school.
(See Methodic a. 1.) In the 17th c. sometimes
applied to the regular or orthodox medical practi-
tioners of the day, in contradistinction to those
who favoured the use of new remedies.
According to Celsus, the members of this school (called in
Latin methodici, in Gr. nefoSiKoi) differed from the Dog-
matic school in basing their treatment not on principles
deduced from a classification of diseases according to their
origin, but on the theory that morbid conditions consisted
either in ' looseness ', ' tightness ', or a mixture between the
two (jluens, slriclum, mixtum), each of the three slates
having its appropriate set of remedies. The founder of the
school was Theinison, about A.D. 100.
1598 Mahston Sco. Villanie 1. i, As many more, As me-
thodist Musus kild with Hellebore. 1607 Walkington Opt.
Glass 44 The inexpert phisician, I meane Empyricall, as
also the methodist or dogmatist. 1733 Chevse Eng. Malady
11. (1734) 227 The true Foundation of the Distinction^ be-
tween .. the strait and loose of the ancient Methodists.
1845 F. Adams tr. /Egineta 11. xxxix. Comm. I. 293 Soranus,
the great master of the Methodists.
fig. 1615 Jackson Creed iv. 111. v. § 2 All of us have
some or other tender part of our souls which we cannot
endure should be ungently touched ; Every man must be
his own methodist to find them out.
2. One who is skilled in, or attaches importance
to, method ; one who follows a (specified) method.
Now rare.
J593 G. Harvey Pierces Super, no The finest Methodists,
according to Aristotles golden rule of artificiall Boundes. con-
demne Geometricall preceptes in Arithmetique, or Arithmeti-
call preceptes in Geometne, as irregular, and abusiue. 1621
Bp. Mountagu Diatribx 79 Aristotle, .was too good a Me-
thodist, and Logician to confound the limits and boundaries
of Arts'. 1647 Farindon Serm. xx. 11672) I. 394 He teacheth
us how we shall fear recta methodo, to be perfect Methodists
in Fear, and that we misplace not our fear. 1658 J. Spencer
Things Nezv a> Old 161 Our. .plain pack-staffe Methodists,
who esteem of all flowers of Rhetotick in Sermons, no better
then stinking weeds. 1706 Phillips <ed. Kersey), Methodist,
one that treats of a Method, or affects to be methodical.
1802 Beddoes Hygeia 1. 87 What are these methodists in
meat and drink, whom we are all so justly averse to the
idea of resembling? 1824 J. Johnson Tjpogr. II. Ixv. 95
But some, who are still better methodists. .divide each side
of the paper into two columns. 1886 Cycl. Tour. Club
Gaz. IV. 121 They, .despise the cut-and-dried programme of
the methodist.. and prefer to wander of their own free will.
b. ATat. Hist. One who classifies or arranges
according to a particular method or scheme. Also,
in Kirby's use, an advocate of an artificial in
preference to a natural method of classification.
1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp., Methodists,, .persons who
have .. bestowed their labours upon the disposition and
arrangement of plants. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1S24) 1.
xxxvi. 291 The methodists in natural history. 1826 Kirby
& Sp. Entomoi. IV. 356 Under this view system-makers
would be divided into two classes — the Methodists and
Systematists. 1893 Newton Diet. Birds 276 Several sys-
tematists referring it [the genus Henicurus} to the Mola-
cillida?,. .while other methodists. .placed it next to Cinctus.
3. Eccl. fa. One who advocates a particular
'method p or system of theological belief; applied
esp. to the Amyraldists or Semi-Arminians. Obs.
1692 R. Traill .SWl Writ. (1845) 167 The new methodists
about the grace of God had too great an increase in the
French churches. [1702 I. Mather in C. Mather Magn.
Chr. (1702) IV. 132 Parum aut nihil asserunt Amyraldistae.
quos Novatores & Methodistas vocant.]
b. The name given in the 17th c. to a class of
Roman Catholic apologists.
116-3
METHODISTIC.
1686 Wake Def. Exposition 85, I was willing to hope,
that.. such a peaceable Exposition of the Doctrine of the
Church of England might.. have been received with the
same civility by them, as that of the Church of Rome was
by us ; and that our new Methodists had not so wholly
studied the palliating part of their Master, as not [etc.]-
1765 Maclaine tr. Mosheims Eccl. Hist. xvn. 11. 1. xv,
This new species of polemic doctors were called Me-
thodists, and the most eminent of them arose in France.
1882-3 SchaJjTs Encycl. Relig. Knowl. III. 1863 The Jesuits
were the first to give systematic representations of the
method of polemics ; hence they were called ' Methodists '.
4. a. Originally, a terra applied to the members
of a religious society (nicknamed 'the Holy Club '),
established at Oxford in 1729 by John and Charles
Wesley and other members of the University, having
for its object the promotion of piety and morality;
subsequently applied to those who took part in or
sympathized with the evangelistic movement led
by the Wesleys and George 'Whiteneld. b. In later
use, a member or adherent of any one of a number
of religious bodies or denominations which origi-
nated directly or indirectly from the labours of the
Wesleys and Whiteneld.
In England, the designation belongs especially to the
members and adherents of the Wesleyan-Methodist Society
founded by John Wesley, and of the various other bodies
that have proceeded from it or from each other by suc-
cession, as the New Connexion Methodists, the Primitive
Methodists, the United Methodist Free Church, and others.
All these bodies accept in the main the Arminian theo-
logy of Wesley, and in nearly all of them the ministers
(called ' travelling preachers') change their place of abode
after a certain period (usually three years). In the U.S.
the most influential body of Methodists is the Methodist
Episcopal Church, which was directly founded by John
Wesley twho ordained its first bishop, Dr. Coke), and which
is recognized by the English Wesleyan-Methodist Society
as in full communion with it. There are also several other
bodies in the U. S. that adopt the name as a part of their
official designation. In Wales the name 'Methodists'
commonly denotes the body more fully known as ' Calvin-
istic Methodists', which was founded by Welshmen influ-
enced by the teaching of Whitefield ; it is now federated
with the United Free Church of Scotland and the Presby-
terian Church of England.
The origin of the name, as applied to the associates of the
Wesleys at Oxford, is somewhat obscure. Cf., however,
sense 3 a, and the 17th c use in examples like quots. 1647,
1658, in sense a.
1733 {title) The Oxford Methodists, some account of a
Society of Young Gentlemen in that City. 1741-3 Weslev
Extract of Jrnl. (1749) 68, I know no principles of the Me-
thodists (so called) which are contrary to the word of God.
1770 Junius Lett, xxxvi. To Dk. Grafton 14 Feb., You gave
us nothing but the.. whining piety of a Methodist. 1771
Smollett Humph. CI. 10 Aug., Nobody reads sermons but
Methodists and Dissenters. 1846 M"CVLLOCH Ace. Brit.
Empire (1854) II. 279 The principal classes of dissenters
are denominated methodists, independents, baptists, presby-
terians, . . &c 1858 T. McCombie Hist. Victoria xxii. 317
It is but justice to the Wesleyan Methodists to say, that
their church seems well adapted for propagating Christianity
in new countries. 1864 Chambers's Encycl. VI. 427/1 The
Welsh Calvinistic Methodists, .are not a secession from the
followers of Wesley, but originated partly in the preaching
of. . Whitefield, and partly in that of Howel Harris, a Welsh
clergyman of the Church of England. 1887 W. S. Gilbert
Ruddigore 1. Plays, Ser. nr. (1895) 222 He combines the
manners of a Marquis with the morals of a Methodist.
C. transf. Applied contemptuously to a person
of strict religious views.
1758 Mrs. Delany in Life <y Corr. 523 We met with an
archdeacon Golden., in his appearance a jolly, open, cheer-
ful countenance, .. he thinks it his duty to uphold any
orthodox point ; and that, I suppose, has gained him the
title of methodist. C1813 Mrs. Sherwood Stories Ch.
Catech. xxxiii. 353 The women of the regiment soon gave
her the name of a methodist. [Footnote] This term, as
used in India, ..is a name of reproach given to those. .who
are more serious than their neighbours. 1834 TaiCs Mag.
I. 387/2 For this hardship his remedy was, that the Method-
ists, his general term for all dissenters, should be made to
contribute double, to relieve churchmen of such burdens.
5. attrib, (sense 4), passing into adj. with the
sense: Pertaining to Methodists or Methodism.
Also comb, methodist-like^ -mad adjs.
1751 Lavington Enthus.- Meth. <V Papists 111. 317 How
horrible the Process was in these Methodist-like Initiations
will appear [etc]. 1766 Wesley Jrnl. 5 Sept., A Methodist
Preacher. 1768-74 Tucker Lt. Nat. (1834) I. 493 Had I
run opera-mad. .or methodist-mad..I might have found
companions enow. 1771 Smollett Humph. CI. 18 July,
He attended Mrs. Tabby to the methodist meeting. 1850
Lyell 2nd Visit U. S. II. 18 Four neat and substantial
wooden churches, .. the Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist,
and Episcopalian. 1840 B. E.Hill Pinch— of Snuff 102
A good woman . . was driven Method 1st -mad. 1859 [see
Connexion 8]. 1874 Green Short Hist. x. (1880) 720 But
the Methodists themselves were the least result of the
Methodist revival. 1903 Courthope Hist. Eug. Poetry xi,
heading, The Methodist movement in poetry.
Methodistic (mej^di-stik), a. [f. prec. + -ic]
1. Of or pertaining to the doctrines, beliefs,
methods or appearance of the Methodists ; charac-
teristic of or pertaining to the Methodists.
1791 Hampson Mem. Wesley II. 3 His first labours in the
methodistic vineyard. 1811 Byron Hints fr. Horace 31
Then spare our stage, ye methodistic men ! i8ao Pol.
whele in Lavington s Enthus. Meth. <V Papists Introd.
203 A further specimen of methodistic cant on the subject
of inspiration. 1839 Penny Cyct. XV. 142/2 [The candidate
fpr admission as a minister] undergoes an examination as to
his personal acquaintance with Christianity, his Methodistic
orthodoxy, and attachment to its discipline. 1849 Clough
396
I Dipsychus 1. iv. 124, I recognise, and kiss the rod — The |
methodistic ' voice of God '.
Methodistical (mebpdistikal), a. [Formed I
as prec: see -ICAL.] Of or pertaining to the
Methodists or Methodism ; resembling a Methodist ; ;
usually with disparaging implication.
1749 Fielding Tom Jones vm. viii, She is at present ..
free from any methodistical notions. l8ao Southey Wesley
II. 462 Meeting a man there one day, he asked him, in a me* ,
thodistical manner, if he knew Jesus Christ. 1889 D. Hannay
Capt. Marryat 38 What was called in the navy a ' blue
light ', that is a pious man of a somewhat Methodistical turn. :
Hence Methodistically adv., in accordance
with the principles of Methodism or the practice [
of Methodists.
1787 Anna Seward Lett. (181 1) I. 301 And so Mr. — talks I
methodistically. 18*0 Polwhelk in Lavington 's Enthus. ;
Meth. A> Papists Introd. 26 We.. term those Methodists j
who (whether Clergymen or Laymen) are Methodistically
religious. 1884 American VIII. 84 The whole course of j
the Christian life, as conceived Methodistically, seems to us
to labor under this defect.
t Methodi'Stico-, used as combining form of
Methodistic.
1751 Lavington Enthus. Meth. A> Papists 111. 350 Thus
endeth this Methodistico-Monkish Story. _ 1805 T. Harral
Scenes of Life II. 193 Methodistico-jacobinicalrant.
Me-thodisty, a. rare—1, [f. Methodist + -Y.]
Of a Methodist appearance or character.
1837 Marryat Dog Fiend liv, It would have made you
laugh to see his methodisty face.
Methodization (mebjJdaiziFi'Jen). [f. next +
-ATION.] The action or process of methodizing;
the state of being methodized, esp. in Logic.
1802-12 Bentham Ration. Judic. Ez'id. (1827) II. 231
When, in order to allow the necessary time.. for research
and methodization, depositions in the form of ready-written
answers have been allowed, a 1866 J. Grote Exam. Utilit.
Philos. (1870) 104 No greater results have flowed, .fromthe
theoretical methodization. .of the object, which utilitarian-
ism teaches.
Methodize (me-Jydsiz), z>. Also -ise. [f.
Method sb. + -ize.]
1. Iraus. To reduce to method or order; to
arrange (thoughts, ideas, expression, etc.) in an
orderly manner.
1589 Nashe Anal. Absurd. Ep. Ded. 2, L.coulde not
but methodize this admiration in this digression. 1671 Bax-
ter Holiness Design Chr. lxiv. 18 They have not the skil
to word and methodize their notions rightly. 1700 Dryden
Sigism. fie Guise. 258 The royal spy.. retired unseen, To.,
methodize revenge. 1713 Berkeley Guardian No. 30 f 8
He should be taught.. to order and methodise his ideas.
1881 Shorthouse J. Inglesant (1882) II. 371 That art of
reasoning, -which methodizes and facilitates our discourse.
absol. 1707 Pope Let. to Wycherley 29 Nov., To method-
ize in your Case, is full as necessary as to strike out. a 1834
Coleridge On Method in Encycl. Metrop. I. Introd. 5 The
mind . . is disposed to generalize and methodize to excess.
b. To render (a person) orderly or methodical.
1814 Mme. D'Arblay Let. 3 Apr., I have given him.. to
soberise and methodize him a little, a private tutor.
2. intr. To talk methodistically.
1771 Smollett Humph. CI. 12 Sept., She was grave and
gay by turns. She moralized and Methodized ; she laughed,
and romped [etc.].
Hence Me thodized ///. a.; Methodizing vbl. sb.
Also Methodizer, one who methodizes.
a 1586 Sidney Arcadia 111.(1598) 312 Allherlong method-
ized oration was inherited onely by such kinde of speeches.
1646 R. Baillie Lett. A> Jrnls. (Bannatyne Club) II. 401
Yet, in the review, the alteration of words, and the method-
izeing, takes up so much time, that we know not when we
shall end. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. vi. ii. 294 Their me-
thodizing was meerly managed by the will of the Clerk of
the Writs. 1678 Cudworth Intell. Syst. I. iv. % 13 God was
only the Orderer, or the Methodizer and Harmonizer
thereof. 1796 Burke Regie. Peace ii. Wks. VIII. 235 The
methodized reasonings of the great publicists and jurists.
1841 D'Israeli Amen. Lit. (1867) 158 This methodiser of
commonplaces. 1886 A. Weir Hist. Basis Mod. Europe
(1889) 113 The methodised frivolity of their lives.
Methodizing (me'bjJdaizin), ppl. a. [-ING 2.]
1. That methodizes.
183a Carlyle in Eraser's Mag. V. 412 Hume has the
widest, methodising, comprehensive eye. 190a J. H. Rose
Napoleon I, I. xii. 284 This methodizing genius.
2. Inclined to Methodism.
1820 Southey Wesley II. 396 The greater part of the
methodizing clergy adhered to Lady Huntingdon's party in
the dispute. 184a Whately Let. in Life (1866) II. 6
A Methodising sailor might call it the log-book of a voyage
to heaven.
Methodless vme-JipdK's), a. [f. Method sb.
+ -LESS.] Devoid of method, order or regularity ;
lacking the habit of order.
x6oo A. Craig Poet. Recreat. To Rdr. 5 Excuse me (good
Reader) for the methodlesse placing of these Passions. 1849
Rock Ch. of Fathers II. 373 Hearne, that untiring, but
methodless antiquary. 1887 Saintsbury Hist. Eliz. Lit.
x. (1895) 369 The very maddest, most methodless, of the
1 Metaphysicals ' cannot touch Crashaw in his tasteless use
of conceits.
Methodology (meb(Jdfi'16d5i). [ad. mod.L.
methodologia (J. F. Buddeus Isagoge, 1727) or F.
mcthodologie : see Method sb. and -logy.] The
science of method, ' methodics' ; a treatise or dis-
sertation on method. Also Nat. Hist. Systematic
classification.
1800 Med. Jtnl. HI. 579 The first treats, .of the methodo-
METHYL.
logy of medicine. 1809-10 Coleridge Friend (1818) III.
181 A very different school of methodology and philosophy
than Pans could have afforded. t 1835 R. D. Thomson's
Rec. Gen. Sci. II. 65 These divisions [sc. De Candolle's
divisions of botanical science] are Organography. .; Physio-
logy.. ; Methodology [etc.]. 1837-8 Sir W. Hamilton
Logic (1866) III. iii. 56 Such treatises are.. only methodo-
logies of the art or science to which they relate. 190a
D ial (Chicago) XXXII. 79/1 Bibliographical methodology
{i. e. methods of compilation and recording).
Hence Methodological a. [cf. mod.L. methodo-
logicus (A. H. Francke, c 1720)]. of or pertaining
to methodology. Methodologically adv., in a
methodological manner or respect. Methodolo-
gist, one who treats method as a science.
1849 Lankester tr. Schleiden's Sci. Bot. Pref., A Methodo-
logical Introduction. 1865 Eraser's Mag. May 609 The
French are miraculous methodologists. l8&$ American VI.
10 Lord Bacon was the first to call in question the doctrine
of final causes. He did so only as a methodologist. 1895
G. F. Moore Crit. fy Exeget. Comm. Judges Introd. 26 It
is methodologically an unreasonable demand [etc.]. 1897
F. C. S. Schiller in Contemp. Rev. June S72 As a methodo-
logical device this was quite justifiable ; every inquiry must
begin somewhere, and Darwin chose to begin here.
Methody (me'bpdi). Also 9 -dee. Vulgar or
dialectical perversion of Methodist. Also attrib.
1847 W. E. Forster in Reid Life (1888) I. vii. 207 Last
evening I deluded them into a Methody meeting-house.
Ibid. 208 Said rotten blanket being the Methody garment
of the religious idea. 1848 Mrs. Gaskell Mary Barton
vi, A good fellow, though loo much of the Methodee.
Methol (me-hfl). Chem. [ad. F. vUthol, i.
mithyh Methyl : see -ol 1.] A colourless liquid,
produced in the distillation of wood.
184a T. Graham Elem. Chem. 837. a 1864 Gesner Coal,
Petr., etc. (1865) 89.
Methologie, -y, obs. forms of Mythology.
Methomania (meh<mii?"-nia). Path. [f. Gr.
fiiSr; strong drink, drunkenness + -mania. Cf. F.
mJlhomanie.'] Periodic or intermittent drunkenness.
1856 in Mayne Expos. Lex. 1876 Fiske Unseen IVorld
xiv. 334 We have an increased amount of insanity, metho-
mania, consumption [etc.]. 1887 Buck's Handbk. Med. Sci.
IV. 120/2 Dipsomania, Methomania, Oinomania.
Methopa, obs. form of Metope.
Methought, pa. t. of Methinks.
Methozyl (me)yksii;. Chem. [f. Meth(yl) +
Ox(ygen) +-YL.] A hypothetical radical, CHsO,
analogous to hydroxyl.
1866 Frankland in Jrnl. Chem. Soc. XIX. 376 These
radicals may be named hydroxyl, metluyxyl, ethoxyl, &c.
Methranee, variant form of Matbanee.
1845 Stocqueler Handbk. Brit. India (1854) 223 A me-
thranee, or female sweeper.
Methredate, -ridat(e, var. ff. of Mitheidate.
t Me'thuen. Obs. A name jocularly applied
to Portuguese wines imported under a preferential
duty in accordance with the provisions of the
commercial treaty of 1703 between England and
Portugal, negotiated by Paul Methuen, the English
minister at Lisbon.
1753 Armstrong Taste 53 The Man to genuine Burgundy
bred up Soon starts the dash of Methuen in his Cup. 1754
Fielding Voy. Lisbon(,i75s) 205 That generous liquor which
all humble companions are taught to postpone to the flavour
of Methuen, or honest Port.
Methule, obs. form of Methyl.
Methuselah (mi"biK-zela). Also 4-5 Matu-
s(s)ale, Matusalem, 6 Mathusalah, 78 Me-
thusaleh, -salem. [Heb. nte-ino m'thitshe'lah.
The corruption Methusalem (after Jerusalem) still sur-
vives in vulgar use. Purvey 1388 has Matusalem beside
Matusa/c, perhaps from the accusative form Matusalam in
the Vulgate.]
The name of one of the pre-Noachian patriarchs,
stated to have lived 969 years {Gen. v. 27) ; hence
used as a type of extreme longevity.
a 1380 Minor Poems fr. Vernon MS. xxxix. 186 5'f a Mon
maylibben heer As longe as dude Matussale. 1647 Cowley
Mistr., Love A> Life i, So though my Life be short, yet may
I prove The great Methusalem of Love. 1711 tr. Wcrcn-
felsins' Meteors of Stile 225 The Heliotrope is the Methu-
salem of Flowers. 1756 H. Waltole Let. to Conway
4 Mar., It is impossible not to laugh at him as if he was
a Methusaleh! 1849 H. Rogers Ess. II. vi. 316 A good
book is the Methuselah of these latter ages. 1888 J. B.
Bailey {title) Modern Methuselahs, or Short Biographical
Sketches of a few Advanced Nonagenarians, or actual Cen-
tenarians. •
Hence Methnsalemess, a female Methuselah .
1790 H. Walfole Let. to Miss A. Berry 29 Nov., Ma-
dame Grifoni . . would now be a Methusalemess.
I Methy. '>Obs. ln8(?erroii.)m&Tthy. [Cree
met hat (in other dialects menai, melai, rueyai).]
(See quot. 1772.)
177a Forstek in Phil. Trans. LXIII. 152 The second of
the Hudson's Bay fish, is called, by the wild natives of that
country, Marthy, and is nothing else than our common
Burbot, Gadus Lota, Linn, only vastly superior in size.
1836 J. Richardson Fauna Bor.-Amer. III. 248 Gadus
•Lota) maeulosus (Cuvier). The Methy.
Methyl (mebil). Chem. Formerly also me-
thule, -yle. [a. F. mithyle, G. methyl, a back-
formation from F. methylene, G. methylen, Methy-
lene.
The G. methyl occurs in papers by Regnault in Ann. der
Pharmacie XXXIII. 3=8 and XXXIV. 28 (1840). The
METHYLAL.
back-formation was suggested by the fact that -yi (which
Berzelius preferred to spell -ule), from the Gr. vA*j in the
sense of ' matter ', had already been used in names of organic
radicals {benzoyl, Wohler & Liebig 1832 ; ethyl, Liebig 1834).
The analysis of methylene into methyl +-euc gave rise to the
use of -ene as a chemical suffix, as in ethylene, benzene, etc.,
and the identification of the last syllable of methyl with the
suffix -yl led to the use of meth- as an element in the names
of substances connected with or derived from wood spirit.]
The hypothetical radical of the monocarbon
series (CH3), the base of pyroxylic or wood spirit
or pyroligneous naphtha, of formic acid and of a
large series of organic compounds.
1844 Hoblvn Diet. Med., Methyl, the newly-discovered
radical, or basyle, of wood spirit. 1847 Horsford in Anter.
yrnl. Sci. Ser. it. IV. 333 The same is true of., oxyd of
methyle and alcohol. 1848 Craig, Methule, the name given
to the hypothetical radical of pyroxylic acid. 1850 DaU-
benv Atom. Theory vii. (ed. 2) 226 A then hypothetical
principle, composed of C2H t, which he [sc. Liebig] called
methyle. 1871 Tyndaix Fragm. Sci. (1879) I. xvii. 449 The
positions of chloroform and iodide of methyl are inverted.
b. alt rib. and Comb. , as methyl 'compound ', radical,
etc.; esp. in names of salts of methyl, e.g. methyl
bromide, chloride, hydride. Also prefixed (often
without hyphen) to the name of an organic com-
pound to express the addition of methyl to its
composition, or the replacement of hydrogen
atoms by equivalents of methyl, as in methylace-
tonamine, methylaniline, methylcarbonic (acid),
methyl-codeia, methyluramine, etc.
1844 Fownes Chem. Index, Methyle-compounds. i865
Odling Anim. Chem. 45 Leave the urea and methylamine
residues combined with one another in the form of methyl-
uramine or methyl-guanidine. 1866 Roscoe Elem. Chem.
81 Methyl Hydride., is a colourless, tasteless, inodorous gas.
1868 F. Guthrie in Rep. Brit. Assoc, Sections 38 Iodide
of methylacetonamine, 1874 Garrod & Baxter Mat. Med.
201 The hypnotic effect of codeia is wholly destroyed by its
conversion into methyl-codeia. 1878 Nature 25 July 337/1
Use of Methyl Chloride for the Production of Low Tem-
peratures. 1885 Remsem Org. Chem. (1888) 357 Methyl-
sulphonic acid . . methyl-carbonic or acetic acid. 1896
Altbutt's Syst. Med. 1. 225 The methyl compound de-
presses the spinal cord. 1899 Ibid. VI II. 577 [Cacodylic
acid] is a combination of arsenic with methyl radicals.
C. Special combinations : methyl alcohol,
pyroxylic spirit; methyl green, a green dye
obtained by heating Paris violet with methyl
chloride, much used in microscopical prepara-
tions ; methyl mercaptan, methyl hydrosulphide,
CILHS; methyl violet, Paris violet, a reddish-
blue coal-tar dye obtained from dimethylaniline.
1847 Horsford in Amer. yrnl. Sci. Ser. n. IV. 333
*Methyl alcohol. 1850 Daubeny Atom. Theory vin. (ed. 2)
240 *Methylaniline, where the second atom is replaced by
methyle instead of ethyle. 1899 Cagney tr. Jakschys Clin.
Diagn. v. (ed. 4) 156 A violet coloured watery solution of
*methyl-aniline-violet. 1880 Friswell in Jrnl. Soc. Arts
445 By the action of methyl chloride, the well-known
*methyl green was produced. 1844 Fownes Chem. 420
*Methyl-mercaptan . . is a colourless liquid, of powerful
alliaceous odour.
Methylal (me-hilsel). Chem. [ad. F. mithylal,
f. mUhyle Methyl + al(cool) Alcohol.] A mobile
aromatic liquid obtained by heating methyl alcohol
with manganese dioxide and sulphuric acid ; occa-
sionally employed as an anaesthetic.
1838 R. D. Thomson in British Ann. for 1839, 363 Me-
thylal . .is contained in the formomethylal discovered by Dr.
Gregory. 1881 B. VV. Richardson in Med. Temp. Jrnl.
XLVI. 81 Methylic alcohol, or methylal.
Methylamine (me-bilamain). Chem, Also
-min. [f. Methyl + Amine.] A compound in
which one atom of the hydrogen in ammonia has
been replaced by methyl. Also attrib.
1850 Davbesy Atom. Theory viii. (ed. 2) 239 Methylamine.
1873 Watts Fownes' Chem. (ed. 11) 569 Methylamine nitrate.
1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. II. 788 From decomposing fish
. .methylamine. .cadaverine and putrescine were extracted.
1898 Ibid. V. 35 Methylamin, ammonia and sulphuretted
hydrogen are also found [in the sputum of fetid bronchitis].
Methylate (me-hite't), sb. Chem. [Formed as
Methylic: see -ate1.] A salt formed by the
union of methyl with oxygen and a metallic base.
1835 Kane in Rep. Brit. Assoc., Sections 42 The sulpho-
methylate of potash. 1865 Watts Did. Chem. III. 1002
Methylate of ethylene. 1880 Athcnsenm 27 Nov. 713/1
Aluminic methylate.
Methylate (me-bil^t),v. Chem. [f. Methyl
+ -ate.] trans. To mix or impregnate with
methyl ; usually, to mix (spirit of wine) with such
a quantity of pyroxylic spirit or some other sub-
stance as will render it unfit for drinking, so as to
exempt it from the duties imposed in Great Britain
and other countries upon alcohol. Hence Me-
thylated ppl. a.; Methylation, the process of
methylating ; Methylator, one who methylates.
Methylated spirit, containing about ten per cent, of
pyroxylic spirit, is the form in which alcohol is most com-
monly employed for industrial purposes.
c 1865 J. Wylde in Circ. Sci. I. 63/2 Each lens should . .
be.. washed.. with spirits of wine (not methylated spirits,
because these contain a resin in solution). 1866 Roscoe
Elem. Chem. 334 Each of these methylated benzols yields
an important series of derivatives. 1880 Act 43 <$• 44 Vid.
c- 24 § 3 ' Methylate ' means to mix spirits with some sub-
stance in such manner as to render the mixture unfit for
use as a beverage. Ibid. § 83 Spirits warehoused may. .be
397
delivered out, without payment of duty, for methylation.
Ibid. § 126 A retailer . . must not receive methylated
spirits except from an authorised methylator. 1880 Fkis-
well in yrnl. Soc. Arts 444 This inference, was that the
methylated derivatives of roseine could be obtained by the
oxidation of the methylated derivatives of aniline. {bid.
445 The violets obtained by the methylation of rosaniline.
1888 yrnl. Chem. Soc. LI II. 778 An attempt was made to
methylate acetyl-metanitranilide by the action of sodium
ethylate and methyl iodide.
Methylene (me*bih~n). Chem. [ad. F. me-
thylene (Dumas & Peligot, Ann. de Chimie physique
i«35, LVIII. 9), irregularly f. Gr. fit0v wine + t/Ary
wood ; the inventors of the name explain its etymo-
logical meaning as 'vin 011 liqueur spiritueuse du
bois '.] A hypothetical radical of the hydro-
carbons (CH2); unknown in the free state, but
occurring in many compounds, as methylene
hydrate, etc. Methyle ne-azure, an oxidation
product of methylene blue; methyleiie-blue, a
coal-tar colour used in dyeing, and as a bacterio-
scopic reagent; methylene-violet= methyl-violet.
1835 A*. D. Thomson's Rec. Gen. Sci. II. 375 Dumas has. .
coined a new name to distinguish this base, viz. Methylene.
1838 T. Thomson Chem. Org. Bodies 180 This is the compound
to which Dumas and Peligot have given the name of hydrate
of methylene, and which I have considered as methylene.
1874 Gakrod & Baxter Mat. Med. 167 Bichloride of Me-
thylene has been recommended by Dr. Richardson as a
safer anaesthetic than chloroform. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex. s.v.,
Methylene azure, M. blue. 1898 Allbutt's Syst. Med. V.
412 Another most useful basic stain is methylene blue. 1904
Brit. Med. yrnl. 10 Sept. 583 Methylene-azure.
Methylic (mtyrlik), a. Chem. [Orig. f. Me-
thyl(ene) +-ic; the term Methyl, to which the
adj. was afterwards more normally referred, was
introduced somewhat later. Cf. F. mJlhyliqite.]
Of or pertaining to methyl. Chiefly in names of
compounds, in which methyl is more commonly
used attributively.
1835 Kane in Rep. Brit. Assoc, Sections 43 Methylic
at her. 1849 — Elem. Chem. (ed. 2) 826 In its action upon
other bodies this substance ranges itself completely with
wine-alcohol, and it is hence frequently termed methylic
alcohol. 1849 R. V. Dixon Heat I, 75 Amylic, ethylic, and
methylic alcohol follow sensibly the same law of contraction.
1873 Watts Fownes' Chem. (ed. 11) 705 Methylic diethoxa-
late is easily decomposed by baryta-water.
Methylosis (mebilju-sis). Geol. [f. Gr. fi(ra-
META- + 1/A7 matter : see -osis.] Change of matter
or composition. Hence Methylo'tic^., pertaining
to or produced by methylosis.
1878 Kinahan Geol. Irel. 177 A third class of Meta-
morphism. .is due to the introduction and action of chemical
substances from without; it has been called Methylosis.
Ibid. 188 Some of the beds have been subjected to me-
thylotic action... Some of which seem to be methylotic rocks.
'893 Gkikie Text-bk. Geol. iv. vm. 596 note, Methylosis,
methylotic,. . applied to chemical metamorphism or altera-
tion of constitution or substance.
II Methysis (me'bisis). Path. [mod.L., a. Gr.
fit$vais drunkenness, f. fttdvtiv to be drunk, f. ptOv
strong drink.] The state of being addicted to the
excessive use of intoxicants {Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890).
1856 in Mayne Expos. Lex. In mod. Diets.
Methystic ^mi'bi-stik), a. Med. [ad. Gr. /«-
8v0tik6s, f. fit&vuv : see prec] Of or belonging to
drunkenness; intoxicating. 1856m M ayne Expos. Lex.
Metic (me*tik). Gr. Antiq. [irreg. ad. Gr.
Hctoikos (late L. metaccus, metycus), f. pcra- (de-
noting change) + -oikos dwelling, ofrccV to dwell.]
A resident alien in a Greek city, having some of
the privileges of citizenship.
1808 W. Mitford Hist. Greece xxi. III. 12 An imposition,
in the manner of a poll-tax, on the metics, those numerous
free residents in Attica who were not Athenian citizens.
1881 Jowett Thucyd. I. 114 The entire Athenian force,
including the metics, invaded the territory of Megara.
trans/. 1904 Speaker 23 Jan. 401/1 The British Impe-
rialists..have found that the rich metics are their Masters.
attrib. 1850 Grote Greece 11. ixv. (1862) V. 592 Exempt
from the metic-tax and other special burthens.
Metical(le : see Miskal.
Meticulrrsity. [f. L. meticuldsus Meticul-
ous + -ity. Cf. F. me'ticulosittf.'] The quality of
being meticulous ; + timorousness {obs.) ; excessive
scrupulousness.
1654 H. L'Estrange Chas. I (1655) 60 So that such
Leagues may more properly be called Leagues of meticu-
losity and fear, then of amity. 1656 in Blount Glossogr.
1906 Daily Nexus 20 Feb. g/x Meticulosity of detail.
Meticulous (mi'trkirfbs), a. [ad. L. meticu-
losus (or the derived F. me'ticuleux), f. met us fear.]
1 1. Fearful, timid. Obs.
1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. II. 649 Gif thow be. .Meticulos,
and dar nocht se blude drawin. a 1550 Image Hypocr. iv.
544 in Skelton's IVks. (1843) II. 445 Madd and meticulous.
1646 Sir_T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 11. vii. (1686) 78 Melancholy
and meticulous heads. 1674 [Z. Cawdrey] Catholicon 16
They strive not so much to ingage Meticulous Scrupulous
Women and Mechanicks.
2. Over-careful about minute details, over-scrupu-
lous.
1817 Blackiu, Mag. XXII. 489 He does many things
which we ourselves, and we do not hold ourselves peculiarly
meticulous, will not venture upon. 1877 Symonds Renaiss.
in It., Rev. Learn. II. vii. 300 The decadence of Italian
prose composition into laboured mannerism and meticulous
METCECIOUS.
propriety. 1904 Maj. A. Griffiths 50 Yrs. Public Service
xii. 162 The rule was enforced by a stringent and meticulous
discipline.
Meticulously (milrkirflasli), adv. [f. prec.
+ -LY2.] In a meticulous manner; jtimidly
{obs.); with excessive care about minute details,
over-scrupulously.
1682 Sir T. Browne Chr. Mor. 1. § 33 (1716^ 39 Move cir-
cumspectly not meticulously, and rather carefully sollicitous
than anxiously Mollicitudinous. 1900 Academy 31 Mar.
275/1 A di^h meticulously concocted upon a recipe.
t Me'tient, a. Obs.''0 [ad. L. melient-em, pies,
pple. of mitlri to measure.]
1656 Blount Glossogr., Metieut, measuring, esteeming.
II Metier (m^ty^). [Fr. :— popular I.. *miste-
rium, alteration of L. minislerium (see Ministry),
prob. influenced by mysterium M vstkky.] A trade
or profession : in Kng. use chiefly trans/., a per-
son's Mine*, that in which one is specially skilled.
1792 Charlotte Smith Desmond I . xiii. 253 They wanted,
indeed, to make me a monk ; but I had a mortal aversion
to that metier. 1842 BaRham Ingot. Leg. >*er. n. Auto-da-
fe, Heretic-burning — in fact, 'tis Ins metier. 1895 Zangwii.l
Master 11. vii. 211 Black-and-white was no more bis metier
than humour.
II Metif (iruTi-tif, mrtifjmtft/i). Also -iff. [V .
metif, OF. mestif mongrel, ?derived from metis
(see Metis) with substitution of suffix.] The off-
spring of a white and a quadroon. Also attrib,
1808 Pike Sources Mississ. (1895) II. 510 The ho>pitality
and goodness of the Creoles and Metifs began to manifest
1 itself. 1827 J. F. Cooi'KR Prairie I. x. 281 The meiiffs 01
' half-breeds, who claimed to be ranked in the class of while
men. 1864 K. Sargent Peculiar I. 42 A certain metif girl.
1859 Bartlktt Did. Amer., Metif, the offspring of a white
I person and a .. quadroon. 1884 C P. Lathkoi* True ii. 14
She was not of octoroon or metif parentage.
Metigat(e, Meting, obs. ff. Mitigate, Mitten.
Meting (mi 'Ut)),vbl. sb.1 Forms: see Mete^.1
[f. Mete Z/.1 + -IK01.] The action of Mete v.1;
measuring; portioning out; etc.
c 1380 Wyci.ii' Serin. Sel. Wks. I. 11 Siche metyngof corn,
of mele, or oper bing. -1440 Promp. Parv. 336/1 Met-
ynge wythe mesurys, meusuracio. 1543 Ad 35 lieu. I'll I,
c. 17 § 7 The. .meting and bounding of the said fourth
Part of the said Woods. 1548 Pattkn Exped. Scot. Pref.
P 1 Although it bee not allways the truest meanes of Hitt-
ing to measure all mens appetites by one mans affeccion.
1624 A. Hunter {title) Treatise of Weights, Mets and Mea-
sures of Scotland.. .Together with the Art of Melting, mea-
suring and comptingall sort of Land. 1644 ISulwer Chiron.
122 The meeting and scanning of verses upon the Fingers.
1829 K. Stoky Mem. IsoIk Campbell vii. (1854J 104 She was
in the habit also of acknowledging in every feeling or per-
sonal application of the words [of Scripture] the metings
out of his sovereign love. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk.,
Meleiugs, the measurement and estimate of timber,
f b. pi. Dimensions. Obs. rare ~i.
1674 N. Fairfax Bulk <y Selv. no The three meteings or
dimensions of a body.
c. Comb.-, meting-pole, -rod ~ Mete-pole,
Mete-rod.
1606 Holland Sueton. 4 With ten foote perches [marg.
Or meeting poles] in their hands. 1881 Rossetti Ballads
3 Sonn. (1882) 275 To take the meting. rod In turn, and so
approve on God Thy science of '1 heometry.
t Meting , vbL sb$ Obs. Forms: see Mete v.2;
also 4 matyng. [f. Mete v.2 + -ing !.] The action
of Mete v.2 ; dreaming ; a dream.
cioooSax. Leechd. III. 156 Seo maetingc. c 1250 Kent.
Serm. in O. E. Misc. 27 po nicht efter bet aperede an
ongel of heuene in here slepe ine metinge. 13. . K. A lis.
261 By theo planetis, and by the steorres, Y can jugge alle
weorres, Alle plaies, in alle matynges, And on alle othir
thynges. 1:1369 Chaucer Dethe Blaunche 282 Ioseph . .
that red so The kynges metynge pharao. c 1430 Pilgr. Ly/
Manhode 11. xxxiii.(i86Q)87, 1 wolde weene al were lesinge,
or elles that it were meetinge.
Metior, Metir(e, obs. forms of Meteor, Metre.
Metis (m£i"tis). [a. F. me'tis :— late L. misticius,
whence also Mestizo.] The offspring of a white
and an American Indian, esp. in Canada.
1839 Penny Cycl. XV. 158/2 The mixed race [in Mexico] is
mostly composed of the descendants of the Europeans and
the aboriginal tribes : these are called Metis or Mestizos.
1883 Encycl. Brit. XV. 491/2 Of the latter [Indian half-
breeds] one half are of English-speaking parentage .. the
remainder are known as Metis or liois-brules. 1902 Ibid.
XXVI. 531/1 Then Manitoba was principally inhabited by
English and French half-breeds (or Metis).
Metisupe,Metkorn:seeMETESHip,METECORN.
Metle, obs. form of Metal, Mettle.
t Metleyship. Obs. [f. Met sb. + -ley (ot
uncertain origin) + -ship.] The office of 'meter'.
1587 Ld. Burghley in 12th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App.
vii. (1890) 12 [Concerning the office of the] weyleyship and
metleyship [in Penrith].
Metly, obs. form of Meetly a. and adv.
Metochy. Obs. rare—1, [ad. Eccl. Gr. imtq-
X*oc] A grange belonging to a monastery.
1682 Wheler yourn. Greece iv. 325 Near this Harbour
the Convent hath a Metochy, or Farm.
Metcecious (mH/'Jas), a, Bot. [f. Gr. pcra-
(denoting change) + oinia house : see -ious.]
=3 Heteroscious.
i88> Vines Sachs' Bot. 332 Such forms as these are said
to be hetercecious (metcecious), to distinguish them from
those above-mentioned which inhabit the same host through-
out their whole life (antcecious).
METOL.
Hence Metoecism (mi'tf'siz'm) — Hetercecism.
1887 Garnsey & Balfour De Bary's Fungi 388 Metoe-
cism, that is, enforced change of the living host, is not
known outside the group of the Uredineae.
Metol (me't^l). Pkotogr. [a. G. vietol : arbi-
trarily named by the inventor.] The name of a
developer (see quot. 1S93). Also attrib.
1893 Pkotogr. Ann. 90 Metol, according to the statement
of the maker (Hauff, of Feuerbach), is the sulphate of me-
thylparamidometacresol. It is a white powder, soluble in
water. Ibid. 92 Metol solutions harden gelatine. 1902
Abnry in Encycl. Brit. XXXI. 687/1 Metol Developer.
Metoleate, -oleic : see Mkta- 6 a.
Metonic (irut^rnik), a. [ad. mod.L. Meto-
nic-us, f. Melon, Gr. Mtrcw, the name of the
Athenian astronomer by whom the cycle was dis-
covered.] Metonic cycle, period, f year : the cycle
of 19 Julian years (closely approximating to 235
lunations) in which the moon returns (nearly) to
the same apparent position with regard to the
sun, so that the new and full moons occur at the
same dates in the corresponding year of each cycle.
1696 Phillips, Metonic- Year, is the Space of io years, in
which space of Time, the Lunations return and happen as
they were before. 1704 J. Harris Lex. Techu. I, Metonick
Year, or Period, .'tis sometimes called The Great Metonic
Year, and is the same with the Cycle of the Moon. 1839
Penny Cytl. XV. 144/1 The first year of the first Metonic
period commenced with the summer solstice of the year
432 b.c 1881 Routledge Science i. 12 The golden number
being simply the ordinal position of the year in the Metonic
cycle of nineteen years.
Metonimical, -my : see Metonymical, -my.
t Metono*masy. Obs. [ad. Gr. fitrovopaoia,
n. of action of u€Tovopa£(iv to change in name,
f. lura- (denoting change) + ovofxa name.] A
change (or translation) of name.
1609 Bi'. W. Barlow Answ. Nameless Cat/t. 32 Hee is by
his Metamorphosis, or Metonomasie translated into Ma-
thxus Tortus.
Me to no ma to sis (met^nJmatJu'sis). nonce-wd.
[f. Gr. ptTa- (denoting change) + ovopaT-, uvo^a
name 4- -osis.] A change of name.
1827 Hare Guesses Ser. 1. (1873) 132 The Jacobinical me-
tonomato>is of the months, and of the days of the week,
might be lookt upon as a parody of the Quakerian.
Metonym (me't^nim). [ad. assumed Gr.
*iA€Twvvfxov : see Metonymy and cf. paronym.]
A word used in a transferred sense.
In quot. 1837-8 misused (? misprinted! for metonymy.
1837-8 Sir Yv*. Hamilton Logic xxxiii. (i860) II. 177 The
term testimony, I may notice, is sometimes, by an abusive
metonym employed for witness. 1862 Mehivale Rom.
Emp. liv. (1865) VI. 434 Tertullian and Lactantius explain
this word as a metonym for Christ, signifying just or good.
Metoiiymic (metani'mik), a. [Formed as
next + -IC.j — next. 1775 in Ash ; and in later Diets.
Metonymical (met^ni-mikal), a. Rhet. Also
6-7 metonimical(l. [f. Gr. fieTavvfitK-os, f. fit-
Twvvpia Metonymy : see -ical.] Pertaining to or
involving metonymy. Of words : Used in a trans-
ferred sense.
1579 Fulke Heskins' Pari. 210 The whole speache being
figuratiue, both allegoricall, and metonymicall. 1610 J. Dove
Advt. Seminaries 9 The meaning of Saint Chrysostome is
metonimicall, and not proper. 1674 Owen Holy Spirit
Wks. 1852 III. 115 This expression is metonymical, that
being spoken of the cause which is proper to the effect.
171 1 Hickes Two Treat. Chr.Priesth. (1847) H*7X Learned
men have taken altar here in the metonymical sense for the
altar-offering. 1811 A. McLean Comm. Hebr. vi. (1847) I.
245 The apostle continues the metonymical use of the word
hope, by which it is put for the object or ground of it.
Metonymically (metonrmikali), adv. [f.
prec. + -LY 2.] By metonymy.
x574 Whitgift De/. Answ. 152 But be it that they [sc. the
words of the text] may be taken there metonimically (whiche
is but a coniecture) that can not excuse [etc.]. 1671 Flavel
Fount. Life xxx. 92 Hence sins are metonimically called
Debts. 1708 Brit. Apollo No. 113. 1/1 Anathema .. signi-
fies.. Metonymically, a Person Devoted, or Accurs'd. 1884
J. Payne Tales fr. Arabic I. 46 note, The word bilal signi-
fies ' moisture ' or (metonymically) ' beneficence '.
Metonymy (minimi). Rhet. Also 6-7
metonymie, -imie, -imy, 9 metonomy. Also
6-7 in Lat form. [ad. late L. metonymia, a. Gr.
UtTavvfxta, lit. 'change of name*, f. u€t(o}- Meta-
+ 6voua, Aeol. ovvpa name.] A figure of speech
which consists in substituting for the name of a
thing the name of an attribute of it or of something
closely related.
In quot. 1547 metonomian = fitrioyvfitav faccusA
[1547 Hooper Answ. Winchester's Bk. D 1 b, Men seyth
that they admyt metonomian, and say under the forme
of breade is the trew bodye of Christ.) 1562 Cooper Answ.
De/. Truth 106 b, The figure is named Metonymia : when
the name of the thynge is geuen vnto the signe. 1573
Cartwkight Reply to Whitgi/t 14 The Apostle by a meto-
nimie Snbiecti pro adiuncto, dothe giue to vnderstand from
whence y° assured persuasion doth spring. 16*5 Gill Sacr.
Philos. 11. 156 Shebet signifies either a staffe, a truncheon,
or Scepter,, .and so by a metonymia it may signifie authority.
1657 J. Smith Myst. Rkct. 15 A metonymie of the effect, is
when the effect or thing caused, is put for its cause. 1668
H. More Div. Dial., Schol. 575 Here is a double Meto-
nymie, Christ is put for the Doctrine of Christ, and Hope
for the Cause of Hope. 1676 W. Hubbard Happin. People
4 By times we are to understand things done in those times,
398
by a metonimy of the adjunct. 1868 Bain Ment. <y Mor.
Sci. iv. xi. 403 By what is called 'metonymy', the fact
intended to be expressed is denoted by one of the adjuncts.
Metope l (me't^pz). Arch. Forms : 6 me-
thopa, 7-8 metop, metops, 8-9 metopa, 7-
metope. [ad. L, metopa (Vitruvius), a. Gr. utrvirq,
f. fitra between + onai holes in a frieze to receive
the beam-ends. Cf. K. metope, OF. methope.]
One of the square spaces, either plain or sculptured,
between the triglyphs in the Doric frieze. Demi-,
Semi-metope, the half-space between the corner and
the triglyph next the corner.
1563 Shute Arc/tit. Ciijb, Bitwixte the .2. Triglyphos,
you shall set Methopa. 1624 Wotton Archil, in Reliq.
(1651)230 A sober garnishment now and then, .of Triglyphs
and Metopes alwayes in the Frize. 1665 Moxon tr. Vignola
(1702) 34 The square place of the Friese between the Tri-
glyphs is called a Metops. 1703 Bover tr. Perrault's Vi-
truvius 32 'towards the Corners must be placed the Demi-
Metops. 1727-41 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Metope, Semi-Metope
is a space somewhat less than half a metope, in the corner
of a Doric frieze. 1776 R. Chandler Trav. Greece (1825) 1 1.
62 All the metopes were decorated with large figures in alto
relievo. 1876 Humphreys Coin-coll. Man. vi. 58 A metope
of the Parthenon.
Metope- (me*t<?»p). Zool. [a. GT.ficTam-ov fore-
head.] Applied by Huxley to the face of a crab.
1880 Huxley Crayfish 283 The fore part of the head is
modified so as to bring about the formation of the charac-
teristic metope.
Metopic (mi'tfrpik), a. [f. Gr. fitTom-ov fore-
head + -ic] a. Of or pertaining to the forehead;
frontal, b. Of a skull : Having the metopic suture
persisting.
1878 Bartley tr. Topinard's Anthrop. 11. ii. 234 Metopic
point.., a point situate in the median fine between the two
frontal eminences. 1879 Flower Catal. Mus. Coll. Surg.
\. 14 A metopic cranium of a European. 1889 Brit. Med.
Jrnl. 28 Sept. 736/2 The presence of the metopic suture is
considered as an indication of criminality.
Metopism <,me"t<?piz'm\ [f. Gr. fxcTOjnov fore-
head + -ism.] (See quot.)
1879 Flower Catal. Mus. Coll. Surg. 1. 14 Crania showing
Metopism, or persistence of the frontal suture.
t Metopomancy. Obs. [f. Gr. fiirwiro-v fore-
head + fiavTua divination : see -MANCy.] Divina-
tion by the forehead or face.
1656 Blount Glossogr. a 1693 Urouharl's Rabelais lit.
xxv, Yeknow how by the Arts of Astrology,. .Chiromancy,
Metopomancy, ..he foretelleth all things to come.
+ Metopo SCOper. Obs. [Formed as METO-
POSCOPIST + -Ell 1.] — Metoposcopist.
1569 I. Sasford tr. Agrippas Van. Artes 50 b, Acertaine
man . . did so passingly depainte the likenesses of I mages that
by them the Metoposcoper hath tolde the yeares of death
paste or to come. 1649 Bulwer Pathomyot. 11. iii. 146
Whatsoever inward . .affection of the mind is. .observed by
Metoposcopers and others to appeare in the Forehead.
Metoposcopic (met^ptfskfrpik), a, [ad.
mod.L. metoposcopic- us, f. metoposcopia Metopo-
scopr. Cf. F. 7itt<toposcopique.'\ = next.
1864 in Webster.
MetopOSCOpical (met<*p<?skf>*pikal), «•
rare~~ l. [Formed as prec. + -ical.] Pertaining
or relating to metoposeopy.
1820 Scott Abbot xxxii, His learned face stooping until
a physiognomist might have practised the metoposcopical
science upon it, as seen from behind betwixt his gambadoes.
Metoposcopist (metopp'sk^pist). [f. late L.
metoposcop-us, a. Gr. fKTOjnoaHow-os, f. ^.irwvo-v
forehead + -otcuw-os observer : see -ist.] One who
is versed in metoposeopy.
1570 Dee Math. Pre/, c iv, The Anatomistes will restore
to you, some part :..The Metaposcopistessome. i6s»Gaule
Magastrom. 188 Which way go the physiognomists, meto-
po^copists, and chiromantists to work ? 1885 Macalister
in Emycl. Brit. XIX. 4/1 Apion speaks of the metopo-
scopists who judge by the appearance of the face.
MetopOSCOpy (metop^-sk^pil. Also 7 erron.
metap-. [ad. mod.L. melbposcopi-a, f. metoposcopus
(see Metoposcopist).]
1. The art of judging a person's character or of
telling his fortune from his forehead or face.
1569 J. Sanford tr. A grippal Van. Aries 50 b, Metopo-
scopic.doth auaunte that she can foretel al mens begin-
ninges, proceedinges, and endinges..by the onely beholding
of the foreheade. 1610 H. Jonson Alch. 1. iii. A rule ..
In metapo-icopte, which I doe worke by. 1696 Aubrey
Mist, 38 Theie was a Seam in the middle of his Fore head
(downwards) which is a very ill sign in Metoposcopic 1746
Parsons in Phil. Trans. X LIV. 47 The Art of Physiognomy,
especially the Metoposeopy, or what relates to the Face.
1893 Leland Mem. II, 248 Interested, .as he always was in
anything like chiromancy or meloscopy [sic].
2. The physiognomical characters of a man's
forehead.
1653 R. Sanders Physiogn. 700 This is the Metoposeopy
of an excellent man. a 1693 UrquharCs Rabelais in.
xxv. 203 Thou hast the Metoposeopy, and Physiognomy of
a Cuckold.
Metops, obs. form of Metope1.
Metoroscopy : see Meteoroscopv.
II Metosteon (metp*str,pn). Omith. [mod.L.,
f. Gr. fitrd behind + oariov bone.] The centre of
ossification for the posterior lateral processes of
the sternum, behind the pleurosteon. Hence
Meto-steal a., pertaining to the metosteon.
METRE.
186S W. K. Parker Shoulder-Girdle Veiebr. 100 The
bony patches, .keep very clear of the metosteal 'inter-
clavicle '. Ibid. 144 Behind each ' pleurosteon ' there is, in
the Gallinaces, and a few other types, in the Crows, for
instance, another bony centre, the 'metosteon1. 1896
Newton Diet. Birds iv. 910.
Metovurn (metJuv^m). [mod.L., f. fitra-
Meta- + Ovum.] ' The entire egg of a bird, con-
sisting of the true ovum and the surrounding nu-
trient matter * (Syd. Soc. Lex.).
1879 tr. Haeckel's Evol. Man I. 223 The protovumxs thus
transformed into the vieiovum (after-egg) which is many
times larger.. but . .is only a single, .cell.
Metoxenous (met^ksihas), a. [Badly f.
Meta- + Gr. £«'cos stranger, guest.] = Metozcious.
1887 Garnsey & Balfour De Bary's Fungi 387 They
[these Uredineae] are accordingly termed heteroecious, or
still better metoecious or metoxenous as changing their
place of habitation or host.
!iMetran(me"troen). [Ethiopic] Theabuna,or
head of the Abyssinian Church. Hence Metran-
ate, the office or the province of the metran.
1850 Neale East. Ch. 1. Introd. 24 The Catholicate of
Ethiopia, under the Metran of Axum, had no Metropoli-
tans. Ibid, in The Patriarchate of Alexandria, and Me-
tranate of Ethiopia.
Metre (mi"t3i), s&.1 Forms : 1 meter, 4 me-
tur, 4-5 metir(e, 5-6 meetre, metyr, 5-8 meeter,
6 myter, mytre, 6-7 miter, 7 metar, 8 meteer,
6-8 (9 U. S.) meter, 4- metre. [OE. meter
(? me'ter) was ad. L. metrum, a. Gr. nirpovj f.
Indogermanic root *mf- to measure ; in the 14th c.
the word wns adopted afresh from OF. metre
(mod.F. metre) ; cf. Sp., Pg., It. metro, G. meter.]
1. Any specific form of poetic rhythm, its kind
being determined by the character and number of
the feet or groups of syllables of which it consists.
a 900 tr. Bxdds Hist. v. Conch, Ymenbec misenlice metre
[v. r. metere], Boc epigrammatum eroico metre [v. r.
metere]. c 1050 Byrht/ertlCs Handboc in Anglia (1885)
VIII. 314 paet pa;t riht meter vers soeal habbau. ^1386
Chaucer Man 0/ Law's Prol. 48 Chaucer thogh he kan
but lewedly On metres and on rymyng craftily. 1450 1530
Myrr. our Ladye 91 Whyche thre [verses] ar of dyuerse
meter from the tother. a 1568 Ascham Scholem. 11. (Arb.)
144 For the meter sake, some wordes in him [Terence],
somtyme, be driuen awrie. 1599 Thynne Animadv. 6
Bothe in matter, myter, and meamnge, yt must needes
gather conuptione, passinge throughe so manye handes.
1657 Sparrow Bk. Com. Prayer (1661) 361 They used all
decent and grave variety of rhymes and Meeters in their
Hymns and Psalms. 1749 Power Pros. Numbers 74^ To
one or other of which [three Measures] (however various
be the Metre) almost all kinds of English Verse may be
reduced. 1864 Tennyson H endecasyllabics 4 All composed
in a metre of Catullus. 1874 Symonds Sk. Italy a> Greece
(i8y8) I. xii. 250 Poetry employs words in fixed rhythms,
which we call metres.
b. In the names of certain forms of verse used
in English hymns, as common, long, particular,
short metre: see these words. Also, Peculiar
metre, proper metre (abbreviated P. M.) : a metre
used only in a particular hymn, or at least not
identical with any of the metres having recognized
names.
1798 Select. Psalms <y Hymns, Hymn vii. Pec. M. Ibid.,
Hymn x. Prop. M. Ibid., Hymn xxii. Pecul. Metre. Ibid.,
Hymn xxxvi. P. M.
<a. Metrical arrangement or method.
c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. IVace (Rolls) 196 After pe
Inghs kynges he [Lang toft] says her pris pat all in metir
fulle wele lys. c 1386 Chaucer Monk's Prol. 93 In prose
eek been endyted many oon, And eek in metre, in many
a sondry wyse. c 1450 Holland Howlat 35, I haue mekle
matir in metir to gloss Of ane nothir sentence, a 1568
Ascham Scholem. 1. tArb.) 77, I will recite the very wordes
of Homere and also turne them into rude English metre.
1667 Milton P. L. Pref., Rime being.. the Invention of a
barbarous Age, to set off wietched matter and lame Meeter.
1779-81 Johnson L. P., Milton Wks. II. 174 It is.. by the
musick of metre that poetry has been discriminated in all
languages. x8a8 Whatei.y Rhet. in Encycl. Metrop. I. 290
Then arrange this [prose] again into metre. 1858 Marsh
Bug. Lang. xxv. 544 Metre may be defined to be a
succession of poetical feet arranged in regular order, ac-
cording to certain types recognized as standards, in verses
of a determinate length. 1905 W. H. Cobb {title) A Criti-
cism of Systems of Hebrew Metre.
3. a. Composition * in metre'; verse, fh. In
particularized sense : A piece of metrical composi-
tion ; a verse or poem ; occas. a metrical version.
1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 489 pis vers of metre pat es
wreten here: Dicentes E. vel A. quot quot nascuntnr ab
Eva. C1350 lYitl. Palerne 5524 pou}h be inetur be nou^t
mad at eche mannes paye. c 1385 Chaucer L. G. IV. Prol.
562 Here byn twenty thousand mo [ladies] syttyng-.Make
the metres of theym as the lest. 14*3 Ias. I Kingis Q. iv.
His metir suete, full of moralitee. 1475 Bk. Noblesse (Roxb.)
si The vij'he metre of the .v. booke of lloecius. a 1533 Ld.
Berners Gold. Bk. M. Anrcl. (1546) I Ui To wryte workes,
to make metres, to studie antiquitees. 1556 Robinson tr.
More's Utop. (1895) p. xciv, A meter of iiii veises in the
Utopian tongue. 1577 Hellowes Gueuara's Chron. 31
Traiane .. persuaded the Oratours to compounde many
meetres to his praise. 1384 Cogan Haven Health (1636) 195
According to that old meeter, Distentusventer veltet do tut ire
libenter. 1631 Weever Anc. Funeral M on. 140 Acertaine
Lollard, .composed certaine virulent meeters against this
and other of the Religious orders. 166a Playj-ord Skill
Mus. 1. i. (1674) 5 There is an old Metre, .it contains a true
Rule of theTheorick part of Musick-, It begins thus, 'To
attain the Skill of Mu^icks Art Learn Gam-Ut upaud down
METRE.
by heart.' 1679 Puller Moder. Ch. Eng. (1843) 43 The
english metre of the Psalms. 1794 Blake Songs Exper.,
Clod If Pebble 8 A pebble of the brook Warbled out these
metres meet, a 1800 Covvper Ode to Apollo 3 Those luckless
brains That.. Indite much metre with much pains.
4. A metrical group or ' measure'; spec, a dipody
in iambic, trochaic, and anapaestic rhythms.
1880 W. S. Rockstro in Grove Diet. Mus. II. 317/1 Two
feet usually constitute a Metre (or Dipodia). But in
Dactylic Verse, each foot is regarded as a complete Metre
in itself. 1903 W. R. Hardie Led. 210 Metres.. are
' lengths ' or ' sections ' of rhythm, beginning in a certain
way, either with aptnc or fleVt?, and of a fixed length.
5. Gr, Mus. = Metric sb. rare~°.
1811 Busby Mus. Diet., Metre, that part of the ancient
music which consulted the measure of the verses.
6. attrib., as metre ballad, -maker, -making (sb.
and adj.), -monger \ metre psalm, a Bible psalm
translated in verse.
1596 Shaks. i Hen. IV, ill. i. 130, 1 had rather be a Kitten,
and cry mew, Then one of these same *Meeter Ballad-
mongers. 161 1 Cotgr., Rimoyeur, a rimer, a *meeter-maker.
1789 T. Twining Aristotle's Treat. Poetry (1812) I. 253
A versifier— a meter-maker. 1841-4 Emerson Ess., Poet
Wks. (Bohn) I. 157 It is not metres, but a *rnet re-making
argument, that makes a poem. 1880 Swinburne. Stud. Shaks.
i. (ed. 2) 9 The guidance which can be given by no *metre-
monger or colour-grinder. 1635 Sanderson Serm. (1681) 1 1.
Pref. 7 Where your "metre-psalms? 1863 J. L. W. By-gone
Days 102 Those beautiful Metre Psalms first versified by
Francis Rous, an Englishman.
Metre (m/'tw), sb.2 Also U. S. meter, [ad.
F. metre (mgtr), ad. Gr. fUrpov measure. (Still
often written as in Fr.)] The fundamental unit
of length of the metric system, equal to 39-37
English inches.
It was intended to represent one ten-millionth of the
length of a quadrant of the meridian; the standard metre
kept at Paris nearly corresponds to this theoretical value.
1797 Monthly Mag. III. 434 The measures of length above
the metre are ten times [etc. 1.. greater than the metre.
1831 t)>nl. Roy. Instit. I. 599 M. Franaeur.. has found that
the metre is equal to 3937079 English inches. 1869 Roscoe
Elem. Chem. (1871) 24 This metre, like all other standards
of length, is an arbitrary length. 1877 Raymond Statist.
Mines $ Mining 442 We may assume.. that it would fall
through 10 meters in .363 seconds. 1885 Times (weekly
ed.) 2 Oct. 17/7 Houses, costing., only ,£10 per cubic metre.
b. attrib., as metre gauge ; metre-gramme,
-ton, etc., the amount of work required to raise a
gramme, a ton, etc. one metre in one second;
metre-seven, the name recommended by a com-
mittee of the British Association for the quantity
io7 (ten million) metres.
1885 Pall Mall G. 20 Mar. 6/1 The Government of India
has adopted the *metre gauge for all the new branches of
the various State railways. 1891 Kipling City Dread/.
Nt. 78 The trucks were unloaded into the waggons of the
metre gauge colliery line in this wise. 1868 L. Clark Electr.
Mens. 45 The conventional unit of work JK ordinarily em-
ployed in metrical measure is., that which will raise a weight
of one gramme one metre in one second, and is called
the *metre-gramme unit. 1873 Rep. Brit. Assoc. 224 The
approximate length of a quadrant of one of the earth's
meridians is a "metre-seven or a centimetre-nine. 1881 Sir
W. Thomson in Nature No. 619. 434 Ideal water-wheels
. . would give just one *metre-ton per square metre of area.
Metre (mf'tai), v. Also 5 meetre, 6 metyr,
mitre, 7 meeter. [f. Metre sbX\
1. trans. To compose in or put into metre. 9 Obs.
1447 Bokenham Seyntys (Roxb.) 58 The weddynge dytees
meiryd coryously. 1563 Mirr. Mag., Collingboume x,
They murdred me for metryng thinges amys. 1577-87
Holinshed Ckron. Scot. 214/1 One Henrie, who was blind
from his birth,, .composed a whole booke in vulgar verse, in
which he mitred all those things vulgarlie spoken of this
Wallase. 1841 Catlin N. Amer. Ind. (1844) I. xviii. 126
Perfectly metred but without rhyme. 1858 Ramsay Reiuin.
Ser. 1. (ed. 7) 174 Jean said she thought David hadna taen
much pains when he metred the Psalms.
2. intr. To compose verses ; to versify.
c 1430 Freemasonry 569 Rethoryk metry th with oone speche
amonge. c 1448 Hoccleve Balade DA. York 48 If bat I in
my wrytynge foleye. .Meetryngeamis,orspeke vnfittyngly.
1530 Palsgr. 635/2 Many a man can ryme well, but it is
harde to metyr well. 1614 W. B. Philosopher's Banquet
(ed. 2) 117 He.. thus merrily Meeterd.
Hence fMe-tring vbl, sb., versification.
1644 Digby Nat. Bodies xxviii. 250 Such of the liberal!
artes are employed, which belong to the cultiuating mans
vo>ce ; as Rhetorike, meetering, and singing.
Metred (m/taid ),ppl. a. [f. Metre v. + -ed I,]
Composed in metre ; metrical. Also loosely,
rhythmical.
1711 Shaftesb. Charac. (1737) HI. Misc. v. i. 264 In
their elegant Stile and metred Prose. 1851 Tapping Man-
love's Lead Mines Pref., Manlove within the compass of
300 metred lines has produced a perfect and accurate digest
of the voluminous mass of intricate mining customs. 1863
Cowden Clarke Shaks. Char. ix. 228 With what metred
decorum the triumvirate would have bandied the festal
amenities !
+ Me t rede. Obs. [f. Mete v.- +■ -rede, -red.]
A dream.
1390 Gower Con/. III. 68 Nectanabus which causeth al Of
this metrede the substaunce. Ibid. 69.
Metreless (mrtailes), a. [f. Metre sb.* +
•less.] Without metre.
1893 A thenaeum 2 Mar. 273/1 If the name 'metreless poem'
can properly be given to any form of imaginative literature.
1904 Daily Ckron. 17 Sept. 3/2 There is the throb of metre-
less song in that passage.
299
T Me'trely, adv. [f. Metre sbA + -ly -.] In
metre, metrically.
c 1475 Partenay 6566 Ho it metre will . . He most torn and
wend, metrely to close.
t Metrenchyte. Obs. rare~K [ad. Gr. fttj-
TpeyxvTrjs (mod.L. metrenchyta, -tes), f. ^r}r/>a
womb + iyx*w to pour in.J An instrument used
for injections into the womb.
1601 Holland Pliny II. 207 By infusion or injection with
the metrenchyte. [1693 tr. Blancards Phys. Diet. (ed. 2),
Metrenchyta. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp., Melrenchytes.]
t Me'trer. Obs. In 4 metrere, metriour,
7 meterer. [f. Metre sb. + -erI.] One who
writes in metre, a versifier.
1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) II. 81 A metrere brekeb out
in pis manere in preisynge of [>is citee. Ibid. VIII, 169
Another metriour seide in l?is manere [etc.]. 1637 Drayton
Aghicourt, etc. 205 Gascoineand Churchyard. .Accoumpted
were great Meterers many a day.
Metrete (mitrf't). Aniiq. Also 7 mettret.
[ad. L. metreta, ad. Gr. fj.€TpTjTt]S, f. ptrpiTv to mea-
sure, f. fitTpov : see Metre sb*] An ancient Greek
liquid measure, equivalent to about 9 gallons.
1388 Wvclif John ii. 6 There weren set sixe stonun Cannes,
..holdynge ech tweyne ether thre metretis. c 14*0 Pallad.
on Hush. xi. 443 Of fynest must in oon metrete. 1633
J. Done Hist. Septuagint 56 These cups, .helde more then
two mettrets. 1890 Century Diet. s. v., The Attic, Mace-
donian, and Spanish metrete was about 40 liters. . .In Egypt
the artaba was sometimes called a metrete.
t Metre'za. Obs. Also metereza. [Pseudo-
Italian alteration of F. maitresse.~\ — Mistress.
1604 Marston & Webster Malcontent 1. in. Me thinkes
I see that Signior pawn his foot-cloth: that Metreza her
Plate, a 1627 Middleton More Dissemblers v. i. 92 Metereza
Celia. Ibid. 107 Come, metereza.
Sdetric (me'trik), a.1 and sb. [ad. L. metric-us
(Quintilian), a. Gr. /xtTpiK-us, f. fitrpov Metre sb.1
Cf. F. mitrique] A. adj.
1. = Metrical 1.1 1. rare.
18.. Blackie (Ogilvie), Hesiod with his metric fragments
of rustic wisdom.
2. — METRICAL «.' 2. 1885 in CasselPs Encyct. Diet.
B. sb. sing, and //. The science or art that
deals with metre, esp. with the laws of versifica-
tion in Greek and Latin. (Cf. G. die metrik, ¥. la
mt!triquet Gr. j) purpucq, to. p.trpiKa.')
1760 Stiles Grk. Music in Phil. Trans. LI. 730 To
harmonic, rhythmic and metric, in the theoretic, respectively
answered melopoei'a, rhythmopo:ta, and poetic, in the practic.
1884 Mahaffv in Conten.p. Rev. June 904 Is the study of
metric really banished from English classics ? 1898 Keep in
Amer. Jrnl. Philol. XIX. 123 They were able to lecture on
grammar, epigraphy, numismatics, . . mythology, meti ics, art,
archaeology. 1905 Athenxunt 29 July 140/2 The great
Orientalist. .attempted. .to connect the laws of Hebrew
metrics with Oriental poetry in general.
Metric (me'trik), a.* [ad. F. mt'trique, f.
metre Metre sb.-] Pertaining to that system of
weights and measures of which the metre is the
fundamental unit.
_ The system is decimal throughout, and the unit m each of
its branches has a definite relation to the metre ; for instance,
the gramme; the unit of weight, represents the weight of
a cubic centimetre of water.
1864 Act 27 <y 28 Vict. c. 117 An Act to render permissive
the Use of the Metric System of Weights and Measures...
This Act may be cited as the ' Metric Weightsand Measures
Act, 1864'. 1873 Maxwell Electr. <y Magn. (1881) I. 2 In
France, and other countries which have adopted the metric
system. 1873 I. Gregory Brit. Metric Syst. 47H0W many
metric pints are there in 20 thousand ' reputed pint ' bottles?
1898 Daily News 27 May 7/3 That the government be urged
to adopt the metric weights and measures.
Metrical (me'trikal), a.1 [f, late L. metricus
relating (1) to measuring, (2) to metre : see Metric
rt.l and -ical. Cf. OF. metrical]
I. 1. Pertaining or relating to metre or versifica-
tion ; consisting of or composed in metre ; having
the characteristics of metre.
1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) VI. 183 Of. -the rewles of feete
metricalle,. .of dialog metricalle. 1570-6 Lamrarde Peramb.
Kent (1826) 173 She uttered sundry metricall and ryming
speeches. 161a Drayton Poly-olb. iv. 186 Their Quantities,
their Rests, their Ceasures metricall. 1774 \Varton Hist.
Eng. Poetry v. (1840) I. 181 The old metrical romances.
1810 Scott Lady 0/ L. 11. vi. note, Graham (which, forme-
trical reasons, is here spelt after the Scottish pronunciation).
1815 W. H. Ireland Scribbleomania 73 note, The produc-
tions of Lord Thurlow indicate a considerable snare of
metrical energy. 1855 Kingsley Lett. (1878) I. 456, 1 have
adopted a sort of simple, ballad tone, and tried to make my
prose as metrical as possible.
II. 2. Relating to, involving, used in, or deter-
mined by measurement. Metrical geometry : see
quot. 1897 (opposed to 'descriptive geometry').
1650 J. Wyrard Tactometria 6 These kinde of metricall
lines (or linear numbers). 1690 Leybovrn Curs. Math. 192
All kind of Arithmetical and Metrical Operations. 1830
R. Knox Biclardts Anat. 70 Its metrical extent, or its extent
as compared with that of the body or with some of its parts.
1858 Cayley in Math. Pap. (1889) II. 592 We are then in
the region of pure descriptive geometry : we pass out of it
into metrical geometry by fixing upon a conic of the figure
as a standard of reference and calling it the Absolute.
1878 Petrie in Jrnl. Anthrop. Inst. (1879) VIII. 111 As an
illustration of the metrical character of earthworks, we may
refer to the East Everley works in Wiltshire. 1885 Leudes-
dorf Cremona's Proj. Geom. ix. 50 Most of the proposi-
tions in Euclid's Elements are metrical, and it is not easy
METBIST.
to find among them an example of a purely descriptive
theorem. 1897 P. A. W. Russell Found. Geom. 149 Me-
trical Geometry . . may be defined as the science which deals
with the comparison and relations of spatial magnitudes.
Hence Me'trically adv., with regard to metre;
(translated) into metre.
1789 Elegant Extracts, Poetry Pref. (1816) 7 Explaining
every thing grammatically, historically, metrically, and
critically. 1819 Campbell Ess. Eng. Poetry u, Specim. I.
113 The heroic measure of Chaucer will be found in general
..to be metrically correct. 1855 Nkil Z. Boyd's Zion's
Floxvers Introd. 16 Metrically translated books of the Bible,
Metrical (me'trikal), a.'- [f. F. me'triquc
Metuic a* : see -ical.]
1. = Metric a.% (which is now more usual).
1797 Monthly Mag. III. 209/1 The ensuing year; when
the trench republic will have immortalized the first years
of its establishment, by the adoption of a Metrical System.
1816 P. Kelly Mctrol. Introd. 16 It was computed in
France, that in three generations, their metrical system
would be fully established. 1869 Roscoe Stem. Chem.
(187$) 444 Comparison of the Metrical with the Common
Measures,
2. 'Having the dimensions of a French meter;
as metrical blocks* (Webster 1847-54).
b. Of lenses or their measurement : Pertaining
to the system of which the unit is the * dioptric ',
i. e. a focal length of one metre.
1879 Pryant Pratt. Surg. (ed. 3) I. 301 The trial glasses
. .are arranged according to what is known as the ' metrical
system'. Ibid., margin, Metrical lenses.
Metrician (mftri'Jan). Also 4 eion, 6 -cien,
[f. L. metric-its Metric a.1, after physician.]
f 1. One who writes in metre. Obs.
1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) II. 19 To the lawde of whom
a metricion [L. metricus] seithe [etc.]. 1494 Fa BY AN Ckron.
vn. 322 A metrician made theyse baladis of them, c 1530
Crt. Love v, Ye that ben metriciens me excuse, a 1548
Hall Citron., Rich. Ill 42 Pecause the fyrste lyne ended
in dogge, the metrician coulde not..ende the seconde verse
in Pore, but called the bore an hogge.
2. One who studies or is learned in metre.
1835-8 S. R. Maitland Dark Ages 11844) 445 Why. .are
you.. trifling with the metricians, deceiving with the poets,
and deceived with the philosophers? 1864 J.Hauley Ess.
(1873)97 These Latin metricians, .seem in their scanning of
poetry to have beat time in the same way. 189Z W. R.
Hardie in Class. Rev. June 249/2 The most advanced me-
trician probably falls short of being able to. .reconstruct
the exact scheme which /Eschylus or Pindar intended.
Metricist (me*trisist). [f. Metiuc a.i + -ist.]
One who is skilled in handling metre.
1881 Athcnxum 7 May 618/2 Put even if the poet were a
sufficiently skilled metricist to [etc.].
Metricize rvme'tris3iz), v\ rare. [f. Metric
al + -izk.] trans. To analyse the metre of.
1831 T. L. Peacock Crotchet Castle vi. She who can con
strue and metricise a chorus shall, .pass in by herself.
Metricize (me-trisaiz), v.* [f. M ethic a.'1
+ -ize.] trans. To adapt to the metric system.
Hence Me'tricized ppl. a.
1873 Brit. Q. Rev. LVI1. 547 A graphic representation of
the size of the different metricized measures as compared
with the old ones is given in a chart at the end of the volume.
Metricks, occas. var. Martrix Obs., marten.
1769 De Foes Tour Gt. Brit. IV. 316 Metricks, a four-
footed creature, about the size of a large cat.
Metridate, obs. form of Mithridate.
t Me'trificate, v. Obs. rare.—1 [f. ppl. stem
of med.L. metrificdre, f. metrum Metre sb,1: see
-FICATE.] trans. To write in metre.
1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) V. 321 His wife, .metrificate
her owne epitaphy in this wise.
Metrification (metrifikv'-Jsn). [ad. L. type
*metrificatio, n. of action f. metrificdre (see prec.).]
The construction of a metrical composition; also,
metrical structure.
1861 Wright Ess. Archseol. II. xx. 153 As.. these final
rhymes came, .into use, the old system of metrification was
..abandoned. 1864 Tennyson H endecasyllabics 10 Should
I flounder awhile without a tumble Thro' this metrification
of Catullus. 1875 A. W. Ward Hist. Eng. Dram. Lit.
(1899) I. 326 The metrification of Tamburlaine still shows
some signs of uncertainty.
Metrify (me'trifai), v. Also 6 metrefy. [ad.
Y.me'trifier[\AtX\\. c), ad. L. metrificdre: see Metri-
fjcate and -FY.] trans. To put into metre, make
a metrical version of. Also intr., to make verses.
Hence Me-trified ///. a., Me'trifying* vbl. sb.
Also Me*trifier (in quot., one who adopts classic
metres in English verse).
1523 Skelton Garl. Laurel 1382 Also a deuoute Prayer
to Moses hornis, Metrifyde merely, medelyd with scornis.
Ibid. 1464 Wherevpon he metrefyde after his mynde. 1589
Puttenham Eng. Poesie 11. xi[il- (Arb.) 109 It [an obelisk]
holdeth the altitude of six ordinary triangles, and in metri-
fying his base can not well be larger than a meetre of six.
a 1693 Urquhart's Rabelais in. xvii. 143 It is metrified in
this Octastick. 1836 Southf.y Li/e Cowper C.'s Wks. II.
129 The license which the metrifiers took in this respect,
infected other poets. 1861 Irving Hist. Scot. Poetry 392
Twenty psalms were metrified by two individuals. 1887 Sat.
Rev. 16 Apr. 552 The grimly metrified psalter.
Metriour, variant of Metrer Obs.
Metrist (me'trist). [ad. med.L. metrista, f.
metrum Metre sb.1 : see -ist.] a. A metrical
writer, b. One who is skilled in metrical com-
position; an adept in the handling of metre.
METRITIS.
400
METROPOLITAN.
1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. III. 223 In Lating toung ane
metrost [sic] wes he. 1550 Bale Image Both Ch. II, h j b,
Thomas smith.. wyth such other blind Popish poetes and
dirtye metristes. 1819 Coleridge in Lit. Rem. (1836) II.
378 There are not five metrists in the kingdom to whom
I could.. have spoken so plainly. 1864 Knight Passages
Work. Life I. viii. 289 A very singular, .poet, quite set
apart from the troop of every-day metrists. 1875 Lowell
Spenser Prose Wks. 1890 IV. 328 Spenser was no mere me-
trist, but a great composer. 1894 R. C. Jebb in A. W. Ward
Eng. Poets IV. 763 As a metrist he [Tennyson] is the crea-
tor of a new blank verse, different both from the Elizabethan
and the Miltonic.
II Metritis (mitrai'tis). Path. [mod.L., f. Gr.
pjjrpa womb: see -itis. Ci.¥.metrite.~] Inflamma-
tion of the uterus.
1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med. vii. 80, I lately at-
tended a fatal case of metritis after delivery. 1876 tr.
Wagner's Gen. Pathol. 592 Diffused metritis originates most
frequently in lacerations of the vagina.
Hence Metritic (nutrrtik) a., of or pertaining
to metritis. 1856 in Mavne Expos. Lex.
+ Me*trize, v. Oh. rare-1, [f. Metre sb.1 +
-ize.] trans. To put into metre.
1572 Bossewell Armorie 12 b, The whiche verses I haue
thus metrized in Englishe.
t Metro. Oh. [It. or Sp.] = Metre sbl
1619 H. Hutton Follies Anat. Ep. Ded., Peruse my writ,
And vse these Metroes of true meaning wit. Ibid. A 6 b,
Nor in a Metro shew my Cupide's fire.
Metroch.rome (me'trokr^Hm). [f. Gr. pirpo-v
measure -*- xp&r1*1 colour.] An instrument for
measuring colours.
1817 G. Field Chromatics (1845) 223 Thus used in con-
junction the three gauges constituted a Metrochrome, or
general measure and standard of colours.
Metrocracy (mUrfkrasi). [f. Gr. prjrp-,
rt-fjTTjp mother + -(o)cracy.] = Matriarchy.
1891 E. Wkstermarck Hist. Hum. Marriage (1894) 98
North America which is acknowledged, .to have been one
of the chief centres of ' motlier-right , or metrocracy.
Metrod, variant of Meterod Oh,
MetrOgraph. (me'trograf). [f. Gr. pirpo-v
measure : see -graph.] An apparatus for indi-
cating the speed of a railway-train, and the hour
of arrival and departure at each station.
1858 in Sjmmonds Diet. Trade.
MetrogTaplier (metrf?*graf9.t). [f. Gr. pirpo-v
Metre sbA + -grapher.] ? A writer on metre.
1821 Blackw. Mag. X. 388 Our worthy metrographer has
been so unfortunate as to scan him wrong.
Metrology (metrp'lod^i). [f. Gr. pirpo-v
measure + -logy. Cf. F. me'trologie.']
1. a. A system or series of measures, b. The
science of weights and measures.
1816 P. Kelly (title) Metrology; or an exposition of
weights and measures. 1821 J. Q. Adams Rep. Weights <y
Meas. 84 The principle of decimal divisions can be applied
only with many qualifications to any general system of
metrology. Ibid. 85 The French metrology. 1846 Grote
Greece It. iv. II. 425 M. Boeckh's recent publication on Me-
trology. 1878 Nature 23 May 110/2 Mr. \V. M. Flinders
Petrie read a paper on inductive metrology, the purpose of
which.. is to deduce the units of measure employed by
ancient peoples from the dimensions of existing remains.
2. The science of poetic metres. rare — 1.
1889 A. Sidgwick in Jrnl. Educ. Feb. 116.
Hence Metrological a., pertaining or relating
to metrology; Metro To gist, Me'trologue, a
writer on weights and measures.
1843 Penny Cycl, XXVII. 206/2 No metrologist has given
the Romans credit for seeing that water would do just as
well to.. adjust standards by, as wine. 1843 Gkote in Class.
Museum (1844) I. 2 The cardinal principle of his metro-
logical reasonings. Ibid. 7 'Great Attic talents ', as they
are called by Dardanus the ancient Metrologue. 1856 Sat.
Rev. 8 Nov. 617/1 All sorts of weights and measures, from
the cubit of Noah to the metrological standard of John
Quincy Adams. 1883 Jrnl. Hellenic Studies IV. 340 The
metrological analysis of the fathom must consequently en-
tirely exclude the Attic foot. 1889 Vale Coll. Obit. Record
491 The American Metrological Society.
Metromania (metromania). [f. Gr. pirpo-v
Metre sb.1 + -mania ; after F. me*tromanie.'\ A
mania for writing poetry. Hence Metroma'niac,
one affected with metromania; also attrib. or as
adj.; Metromaniacalrt., pertaining to or affected
with metromania (Mayne Expos. Lex. 1856).
1794 Gifford Baviad (iBn) 46 This pernicious pest, This
metromania, creeps thro* every breast. [1818 B lac lav. Mag.
III. 519 Of all the manias of this mad age, the most incur-
able, .seems to be no other than the metro/nan ie.] 1830 \V.
Taylor Hist. Surv. Germ. Poetry \. 183 On a sudden
[Bodmer] seemed to have acquired the facility of versifica*
lion, and to display it with almost metromaniac eagerness.
1884 Hunter & Whvte My Ducats ft My Dan. xiii. (1885)
179 No one knows what I have had to endure from the
metro maniacs.
Metrometer1 (metr^-mAoi). rare-0, [ad. F.
me'tromilre (1780 in Hatz.-Darm.), f. Gr. pirpo-v
Metre sb.l + -metre -meter.] = Metronome.
1876 in Stainf.r & Barrett Diet. Mus. Terms.
Metrometer2 (m/trp-mAsi). rare~°. [ad.
mod.L, metrometr-umt f. Gr. /xTjTpa- womb: see
-meter.] = Hysterometer.
1875 Knight Diet. Mech.
Metronome (me'tr^nJom). [f. Gr. pirpo-v
Metre sb.l + v6pos law, rule. Cf. F. metronome.']
An instrument used in music for marking the time
by means of a graduated inverted pendulum with
a sliding weight which can be regulated to make
the required number of beats in a minute.
1816 Repert. Arts, Manuf, etc. XXVIII. 128 [Patents]
John Malzl, of Poland-street, Middlesex, Machinist ; for an
instrument or instruments., for the improvement of musical
performance, which he denominates a Metronome, or musi-
cal time-keeper. Dated December 5, 1815. a 1845 Hood
To Kitchener i, Or boiling eggs— timed to a metronome.
1889 Infantry Drill 504, m = 108 Maelzel 's Metronome.
1904 Athenaeum 5 Nov. 026/1 The seconds of exposure
[were] counted by a metronome.
attrib. iS$7 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 8)XIV. 695/2 It is very desir-
able that composers should always affix metronome numbers
to their compositions. 1880 W. S. Rockstro in Grove Diet.
Mus. II. 319/2 Maelzel. .in 1816 set up the first Metronome
Manufactory on record.
b. Jig. (In the first quot. app. used for : A con-
ventional rule for metrical quantity.)
1822 Tillbrook Rem. Mod. Hexametrists 73 Why leave
the public without a guide to the accents and divisions of
the Georgian hexameter? This should have been done
either by— borrowing from the Latin rules,— adopting those
of the early prosodians,— or by inventing a new metronome.
1858 O. W. Holmes Ant. Breakf-t. xi. (1891) 265, I should
love to.. listen to the great liquid metronome as it beats its
solemn measure. 1865 G. Macdonald A. Forbes 11 And
listen to the unfailing metronome of the flails.
Metronomic (metr<?nfrmik), a. [f. Metro-
nome + -ic] Of or pertaining to a metronome.
Metronomic mark, the indication, placed at the head of
a piece of music, of the pace at which it is to be performed.
1881 Chicago Advance 29 Dec. 832 The metronomic mark
of most of the tunes is too fast. 1896 Daily Neivs 17 Apr.
8/5 Mr. Edwards reprints the facsimile of the metronomic
times for each number from a Mendelssohn MS.
So Metrono-xnical a., MetronoTnicaUy adv.,
according to the metronome.
1822 Repository No. 80. 100 The vague directions as to
tempo—' slow ', ' very slow ', &c. should be avoided . . when
it is in our power to mark the time metronomically. 1866
Engel Nat. Mus. v. 177 The published collections of tunes
seldom possess metronomical signs.
Metronomy (metrf?*nomi). [f. Metronome
+ -Y.l The measuring of time by a metronome.
1850 in Ogilvie.
Metronymic (mi"twni*mik), a. and sb. [ad.
Gr. prjTpcuvvptK-6s, f. pyrp-, prjTijp mother + ovvpa,
ovopa name. Cf. the earlier matroiiymic{al?\
a. adj. Derived from the name of a mother or
other female ancestor, esp. by addition of a suffix
or prefix indicating descent. Also said of such a
suffix or prefix. (In recent Diets.) b. sb. A me-
tronymic name ; a name derived from that of a
mother or maternal ancestor.
1868 Light foot Comm. Pht'tippians (1873) 55 In not a few
instances a metronymic takes the place of the usual patro-
nymic. 1904 J. A. Nairn Herodas 9 It is noticeable that
Gryllos has a metronymic, not a patronymic
So Metronymy (imtr^nimi), the practice of
using metronymics.
1891 Sat. Rev. 31 Jan. 140/1 M. Reclus finds what he
calls 'metronymy' in Egypt under the Ptolemies. 'The
newly-marriea man even dropped his own name to take
that of his wife '.
II Metroperitonitis (m/~tr<?perit<jn3rtis).
Path. [mod.L., f. Gr. p-rjrpa womb + Peuitonitis.]
Inflammation of the uterus and the peritoneum.
1845 Day tr. Simon's A mm. Chem. I. 27a 1859 Todd's
Cycl. Anat. V. 688/1 The pathological conditions of the
serous coat are chiefly those of. .metroperitonitis.
II Metrophlebitis (m/'troflfbai-tis). Path.
■ [mod.L., f. Gr. prjrpa womb + Phlebitis.] Inflam-
: mation of the veins of the uterus.
[1845 Day tr. Simon's Ant'm. Chem. I. 252 Metrophlebitis
puerperalis.] 1859 Todds Cycl. Anat. V. 704/1 The intro-
duction of. .venous pus. .in metrophlebitis.
Metropole (me*trtfp<J»l). [a. OF. metropole, ad.
! L. metropolis', see Metropolis.]
+ 1. A chief town; = Metropolis. Oh.
13.. S. Frkemfold' 26 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. {1881)
266 Londone . . be metropol & be mayster-tone. 1586 J.
Hooker Hist. Irel. in Holinshed II. 4/1 Path, which was
, the metropole of Summersetshire. Ibid. 151/2 Dublin..
J being the metropole and chiefe citie of the whole land. 1685
Stillingfl. Orig. Brit. iv. 196 Those Cities which had the
Title of Augusta conferred upon them, were.. chief Metro-
poles of the Provinces.
2. Eccl. The see of a metropolitan ; = Metro-
polis 1.
1862 Neale Ess. Liturgiol. (1867) 300 That was a remark-
able erection of metropoles which occurred just before the
outbreak. 1888 Ch. Times 27 Apr. 364/3 York was desig-
nated as a metropole by St. Gregory, and did exercise some
undefined jurisdiction over other sees in the North.
t Metropolic, a. Oh. [f. Metropol-is + -ic]
= Metropolitan, M ktropolitical.
1574 Hellowes Gueuaras Fam. Ep. (1577) 326 Paphla-
goma. whose Capital or Metropolike towne is Gernapolis.
168 1 6 J. Scott Chr. Life (1747) III. vii. 445 Rogatianus,
a Bishop of his [St. Cyprian's] metropolick Church.
So Metropo'lical a., in the same sense; hence
Me tropolicaiity.
1550 Bale Eng. Votaries 11. 50 b, Bryngyng with hym
the metropolycall mantell of Anselme. 1637 Bastwick
Litany I. 21, I will. .so plauge [sic] the Metropol icallity of
Vorke and Canterbury . .a^ I will neuer leaue them.
+ Metropolie. Oh. [? irreg. ad. L. metro-
polis; some writers may have intended metropolies
for a Latin plural.] = Metropolis.
1633 P. Fletcher Purple Isl. 11. xiv, The whole Isle,
parted in three regiments, By three Metropolies is joyntly
sway'd. Ibid. 11. xxiii, This low regions Metropolie. 1635
Pagitt Christianogr. 11. v. (1636) 19 The Metropolies and
Arch-bishoprickes.. belonging to the Patriarch of Constan-
tinople. 1665 J. Webb Stone-Heng (1725) 184 The Towns
. .were Metropolies of Kingdoms, not Country Towns.
Metropolis (mi'trp-p^lis). Also 6- polus ;
fl., 7 -polisses, 8 -polis's, 9 -polises. [a. L.
metropolis^ a. Gr. pryrp6-no\i%i f. pijrpo-t prjrrjp
mother + iroXis city.]
1. The seat or see of a metropolitan bishop.
1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. II. 425 The bischopis sait..Fra
Abirnethie translatit hes he. .To Sanct Androis. .Metro-
polus of all Scotland to be. 1542 Udall Erasm. Apoph.
117 And therof is metropolis called the chief citee where the
archebishop of any prouince hath his see. 1595 Shaks.
John v. ii. 72 The great Metropolis and Sea of Koine. 1612
Drayton Poly-olb. xviii. 740 Let this Town [Canterbury]..
Of all the British Sees be still Metropolis. 1717-41 Cham-
bers Cycl. s. v., In Asia, there were metropolis's merely
nominal, that is, which had no suffragan, nor any rights of
metropolitans. 1760-7* tr. Juan <y Ulloa's Voy. (ed. 3) II.
145 Plata was erected into a bishopric in 1551,. .and in the
year 1608 was raised to a metropolis. 1844 Lingard Anglo-
Sax. Ch. (1858) I. App. E. 342 Irenaeus was the bishop of
Lyons, the metropolis of Gaul. 1850 Neai.e East. Ch. \.
Introd. 44 Marcianopolis lost its metropol ideal rights, though
it still continued a See; and Debeltus or Zagara became
the Metropolis of the province.
2. The chief town or city of a country (pecas. of
a province or district), esp. the one in which the
government of a country is carried on ; a capital.
The metropolis, often somewhat pompously used for
* London \ Also, in recent use, occasionally applied to
London as a whole, in contradistinction to the City.
1590 Marlowe 2nd Pt. Tamburl. m. v. 36 That sweet
land, whose braue Metropolis Keedified the faire Semyramis.
1636 Davenant Wits iv. i, O, to live here i' th' fair metro-
polis Of our great isle. x666 Drvden Ann. Mirab. {head-
i"g)* To the Metropolis of Great Britain, the most renowned
..City of London. 1695 Echard Gazetteer Pref., All the
metropolisses of provinces. 17*6 Franklin Jrnl. Wks.
1887 1. 104 Newport, .is the metropolis of the island lisle of
WightJ. 1805 W. Irving in Life * Lett. (1S64) J. 149, I
have not taken a single note since I have been in this metro-
polis [ParisJ. 1807 Southev Espriella's Lett. I. 291 London
is now so often visited, that the manners of the metropolis
are to be found in evtry country gentleman's house. 1838
A then es, vi 31 Mar. 233/2 Liverpool, New York, and the
'Great Metropolis'. 1862 P. M. Irving Life <r Lett. W.
Irving (1864) 1. i. 17 Kirkwall, the metropolis of the island
group [OrkneysJ. 1892 Nation (N. Y.) 21 July 44/1 She
[Trinity College, Dublin] lives in a workaday world, because
she lies at the heart of a metropolis.
fig. 1806 Med. Jrnl. XV. 195 The stomach is the metro-
polis, and all the other parts and provinces of the frame are
dependent upon the proportion of its vigour or decay. 1863
Hawthorne Our Old Home yCivic Bang. \\. 255 His stomach
[appearing] to assume the dignified prominence which justly
belongs to that metropolis of his system.
b. A chief centre or seat of some form of activity.
1675 Traherne Chr. Ethics 517 Heaven is the metropolis
of all perfection. X743 J. Morris Serm. vii. 198 Their city
was the fountain and metropolis of idolatry. X783 Burke
Sp. East-India Bill Wks. IV. 78 This center and metropolis
of abuse [the Carnatic], whence all the rest in India and
England diverge.from whence they are fed and methodized.
1816 Scott Tales of My Landld. Ser. 1. Introd., Our metro-
polis of law, by which I mean Edinburgh, or. .our metropolis
and mart of gain, whereby I insinuate Glasgow, 1864 Brvce
Holy Rom.Emp.xvi. (1875) 272 To half the Christian nations
Rome is the metropolis of religion, to all the metropolis of art.
C. Aat. Hist. The district in which a species,
group, etc., is most represented.
" 1826 Kirbv & Sr. Entomol. IV. 489 The metropolis of
the group [Petalocera] is within the temperate zone. 1859
Darwin Orig. Spec. vi. (1873) 135 Almost every species, even
in its metropolis, would increase immensely in numbers,
were it not for other competing species.
3. Greek Hist. The mother-city or parent-state
of a colony. Hence occas. applied to the parent-
state of a modern colony.
a 1568 Ascham Scholem. 11. (Arb.) 135 Doing the dewtie
of a good Coloniatoher Metropolis. 1651 Hobbes Leviath.
11. xxiv. 131 The Common-wealth from which they [sc. the
colonists] went, was called their Metropolis, or Mother.
1837 Penny Cycl. VII. 359/1 If a colony wished to send out
a new colony, this was properly done with the sanction of
the metropolis. 185a J. A. Roebuck Hist. Whig Ministry
II. 197 The best means of making the wants of the colonies
known to. .the metropolis which founds them.
Metropolitan (metropolitan), a. and sb. Also
6-7 metra-. [ad. late L. melropolitamts, f. Gr.
prjTpoiroXiT-rjs (see Methopolite).] A. adj.
1. Belonging to an ecclesiastical metropolis;
metropolitan bishop = B. 1. Also, pertaining to or
characteristic of a metropolitan.
a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VIII 247 The metrapolitan
Churche of Saint Andrewes. a 1600 Hooker Eccl. Pol. vii.
viii. § 12 Archiepiscopal or Metropolitan prerogatives are
those mentioned in old Imperial constitutions, to convocate
the holy Bishops under them within the compass of their
own Provinces. 1647 N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. 1. xii.
(1739) 22 London had the Metropolitan See, or was the
chiefest in precedency. 1716 Avliffe Parergon 91 An
Archbishop . . was elected by Provincial Bishops meeting
together In the Metropolitan Church. 190a A. M. Fair-
bairn Pkilos. Chr. Relig. 11. 11. iii. 487 Tbm Synagogue was
provincial and sectarian, but the Temple was metropolitan
and collective.
METROPOLITAN.
fb. Metropolitan toe. (The allusion is obscure.)
1643 Milton Apol. Stnect. 19 A Bishops foot that hath all
his Toes.. and a linnen Sock over it, is the aptest emblem
of the Prelate himselfe. Who being a pluralist, may under
one Surplice which is also linnen, hide foure benefices besides
the metropolitan toe. 1673 [R. Leigh] Transp. Rett. 127
When Arch-bishop Abbot was suspended we might say his
metropolitan toe was cut off.
2. Of, pertaining to, or constituting a metropolis ;
metropolitan city or town = Metropolis. Also,
belonging to or characteristic of ' the metropolis '
(London).
In recent use occas. applied to designate institutions, etc.
pertaining to London as a whole, in contradistinction to
those that pertain to 'the City', as in metropolitan police.
1555 Eden Decades 259 The metrapolitane citie of Mus-
couia called Mosca. 1739 Cibber Apol. (1756) II. 17 A
great deal of that false flashy wit and forc'd humour which
had been the delight oi" our metropolitan multitude. 1784
Cowper Task in. 737 Are not wholesome airs..'1'o be pre-
ferred to smoke, to the eclipse That metropolitan volcanoes
make ? 1864 Act 27 ^ 28 Vict. c. 116 § 8 This Act may be
cited.. as the 'Metropolitan Houseless Poor Act, 1864'.
1886 Bynner A. Surriage xv. 173 How fast he was losing
metropolitan tone and polish in the wilds of America. 1887
Dowden Shelley 1. vi. 236 Dublin had sunk from a metro-
politan to a provincial city.
3. Belonging to or constituting the mother-
country.
1806 Jefferson Writ. (1830) IV. 60 A safe carriage of all
her productions, metropolitan or colonial. 1810 Bentham
Offic. Apt. Maximized (1830) Pref. 21 On the question— by
the metropolitan country shall this or that distant depend-
ency be kept up, — there are two sides.
1 4. fig. (from 1 and 2). Principal, chief. Ois.
1626 Jackson Creed vur. xxi. | 1 Of which [feasts] the
passeover was the principal, or (as Chrysostome with some
other of the ancients instile it) Metropolitan. 1633 Brome
Crt. Beggar 11. i. Wks. 1873 I. 201 Some call him the metra-
politane wit of Court. 1645 Milton Tetrach. Wks. 1851
IV. 237 To acknowledge Gods ancient people their betters,
and that language the Metropolitan language. 1651 Biggs
New Disp. p 198 The Ascendand and first house, the metra-
politane place in the systeme of indications. 1686 J. Dun-
ton Lett./r. New-Eng. (1867) 74 Mr. Increase Mather:..
He is deservedly called, The Metropolitan Clergy-Man of
the Kingdom.
B. si,
1. Eccl. [In Gr. prirponoX'iTrjs, in L. metropoll-
IcTnns.] A bishop having the oversight of the
bishops of a province ; in the early church his see
was in the metropolis of the province. In the
West the term is now approximately co-extensive
with archbishop; in the Greek church the metro-
politan ranks above an archbishop and below a
patriarch.
1431-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) II. m And to the metropolitan
of London alle the cuntre of Cornewaile and alle Englonde
was subiecte vn to the floode of Humbre. 1530-1 Act 22
Hen. VHP, c. 15 Wyllyam Archebysshoppe of Canturburye
metropolytane and primate of all Englande. a 1643 Ld.
Falkland, etc. Infallibility (1646) 26 It hath beene agreed
on, that all that are under the Metropolitan of Canterbury,
should be called the Province of Canterbury, a 1674 Mil- !
ton Hist. Mosc. i. Wks. 1851 VIII. 480 The Emperor I
esteemeth the Metropolitan next to God, after our Lady
and Saint Nicholas, as being his spiritual Officer. 1710
Prideaux Orig. Tithes iii. 149 All the Metropolitans and
Bishops of King Gontrans Kingdom. 1814 Southey Rode-
rick xx. 318 If thou wert still The mitred metropolitan.
1833 R. Pinkerton Russia 189 The Council of Moscow.,
was attended by., five metropolitans, five archbishops [etc.],
1897 Catholic Diet. (ed. 5) 50/2 At present the terms 'arch-
bishop ' and ' metropolitan ' have the same meaning, except
that the latter implies the existence of suffragans, whereas
there may be archbishops without suffragans, as in the case
of Glasgow.
trans/. 1686 tr. Chardin's Coronat. Solyman 59 A new
Sadre, or Mahometan Pontiff, or Metropolitan of the whole
Empire.
b. fig. (in jocular or sarcastic use).
1630 Randolph AristippusVfks. (1875) 32 The Catholic
Bishop of Barbers, the very Metropolitan of Surgeons. 1780
Cowper Progr. Error 186 Let Comus rise Archbishop of
the land ; Let him your rubric and your feasts prescribe,
Grand Metropolitan of all the tribe.
2. A chief town or metropolis.
1549 Compl. Scot. xiii. no The toune of tribie, quhilk is
the methropolitane & capital cite of that cuntre. 1585 T.
Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. 11. ix. 72b, Mytilene..
metropolitane of al the townes of Eolea. 1628 Gaule Pract.
Theory (1629) 104 Christ could haue chosen Rome..; or
Athens..; or Jerusalem..; And yet poore Nazareth, and
little Bethlehem.. are.. preferred to those renowned Metro-
politans. 1692 Luttreli. Brie/ Ret. (1857) II. s3I Grenoble,
the metropolitane of Dauphigny. 1874 Spurgeon Treas.
Dav. Ps. lxxxvii. 3 The true ' eternal city ', the metropolitan,
the mother of us all.
1 3. fig. = Metropolis 2 b. 06s.
a 1619 Fothkrby Atheom. 11. ix. § 2 (1622) 296 The prime
and Metropolitan of the Mathematicall Sciences. 1704 N. N.
tr. Boccalims Advts. /r. Parnass. II. 204 That Naples
should be allow'd the Title of Metropolitan of all Cities
whatever for breaking of Colts, and Rome for managing of
Men.
4. One who lives in a metropolis; one who has
metropolitan ideas or manners.
'795 Jemima I. 83 You are a Paisley by nature as well as
by birth, and incapable of becoming a worthy metropolitan.
l8'5 J- Jekyll in Bentham' s Wks. (1843) X. 486 To so in-
veterate a metropolitan as myself this is no grievance. 1882
O Donovan Mem Oasis II. liv. 407 The people at Merv
considered themselves altogether as metropolitans.
Vol. VI.
401
5. A citizen of the mother-city or parent-state of
a colony.
1846 Grote Greece 11. ii. II. 311 Both metropolitans and
colonists styled themselves Hellens, and were recognised as
such by each other.
Metropolitanate (metropflitanc't). ff. Me-
tropolitan + -ate '.] The office or see of a metro-
politan bishop.
1854 Milman Lat. Chr. III. 363 That ascending ladder
of ecclesiastical honours, the priorate, the abbacy, the
bishopric, the metropolitanate. 1895 ^ ■ ^- Uutt°n Laud
iii. 120 He.. claimed the right to visit the Universities as
inherent in the metropolitanate.
Metroptvlitaney. rare-1, [f. Metropolitan
a. + -cy.] The position of metropolis.
1889 Westgarth Austral. Progr. 45 Melbourne., the.,
riva) of. . Sydney for the metropolitancy of the Australasian
section of our Empire.
Metropolita-neously, adv. [f. Metropo-
litan + -sous + -ly *.] In metropolitan fashion.
1852 Dickens Let, 19 Oct., Are you never coming to town
any more? Never going to drink port again, metropolitane-
ously, but always with Fielden ?
Metropolitanism (metr%rlitaniz'm). [f.
Metropolitan + -ism.] Metropolitan spirit, ideas,
or institutions.
1855 R. R. Madden C'less Blessington II. 174 In the
exuberance of his metropolitanism, he had a sort of reveren-
tial feeling even for the stones of London. 1861 J. S. Brewer
Ciraldi Cambrensis Op. (Rolls) I. Pref., The name Giraldus
was bandied about from mouth to mouth, as the undoubted
successor^ to the see of St. David's.. .The golden era of
Metropolitanism had dawned on benighted . . Cambria. 1883
Century Mag. XXVI. 824 The architectural manifestations
of metropolitanism.
Metropolitanize (metnyp^-litansiz), v. [f.
Metropolitan + -ize.] trans. To make metro-
politan in position, manners, ideas, etc.
1855 Eraser's Mag. LI. 630 Poor little Kirkwall.. seemed
a mere village to the metropolitanized apprentice. 1897
Spectator 25 Dec. 919 He was himself not sufficiently
metropolitanised for these efforts.
Metropolitanship (metriTpjrHtanjip). [f.
Metropolitan si. +-ship.] The office, position,
or see of a metropolitan bishop. In first quol. fig.
(11638 Mede Wks. (1672) m. 60 The Apocalyptical
Babylon is not Babylon in Chaldaea, but a Counter-type
thereof, most like for Universal Ambition and Metropolitan-
ship of Spiritual Fornication. 1640 Bastwick Lord Bps. ii.
B iij, Whatahotstirre was., heretofore bet ween the Prelates
of Canterbury and Yorke for the universal! Metropolitanship
over all England 1 1838 G. S. Faber Inquiry 267 Some
further^ divisions produced another metropolitanship in
Slavonia. a 1878 Mozley Lect. xvi. (1883) 261 The me-
tropolitanship stood upon the Letters Patent.
Metropolite (mi'tr^-p^bit). [ad. late L. me-
tropolita, a. Gr. pr)TpoTtoKirr)s, f. liijTporroMs METRO-
POLIS. Cf. F. metropolite.']
1. A metropolitan bishop ; = Metropolitan B. 1 .
X578 Chr. Prayers Y iij b marg., Archb. & Metropolite.
1591 G. Fletcher Russe Commw. xxi. 82 b, The Metropolite
of Mosko. 1679 Rycaut Pres. St. Grk. Armen. Ch. 95 The
Patriarch of Constantinople is elected by the Metropolites,
or Bishops. 1882-3 ScHAFP Encycl. Relig. Kno".vl. I. 595
With reservation of the right of the Bishop of Caesarea as
metropolite.
1 2. A metropolis. Ois.
1591 G. Fletcher Russe Commw. \. 1 b, Nouograd
velica was the Metropolite or chiefe cittie. 1635 Pagitt
Christianogr. 34 These sixe Sees, the chiefe of Provinces
and Metropolites.
3. attrii. or as adj. = Metropolitan.
1591 G. Fletcher Russe Commiu. iv. 12 b, The whole
countrey of Russia is tearmed by some by the name of v
Moscouia the Metropolite citie.
t Metropolitic, a. Ois. [ad. med.L. metropo-
liticus, f. metropolita (see Metropolite).] = next.
'555 Ridley in Coverdale Lett. Martyrs (1564) 93 Fare-
well the cathedrall churche of Caunterburye, the Metro-
politicke sea. 1612 Selden Illustr. Drayton's Poly-olb.
xviii. 303 Canterbury [was] then honor'd with the Metro-
politique See.
Metropolitical (metr<$p<jaHikal),a:. [Formed
as prec. + -AL.]
1. Eccl. Of, pertaining to, or constituting a me-
tropolitan bishop or see; = Metropolitan A. 1.
1541 Act 33 Hen. VIII, c. 31 The. .diocese, .to be of the
prouince of the Archebyshoppe of Caunturburie, and vnder
the iurisdiction metropolitical of the same. 1621 Bp.
Mountagu Diatribx 58 The new made Patriarch of Con-
stantinople, sometime but a Suffragane to the Metropoliticall
Sea of Heraclea. 1765 Act 3 Geo. Ill, c. 26 Preamble, The
Bishoprick . . [was] united to the Prouince and Metropo-
litical Iurisdiction of York. 1901 Standard 9 Sept. 3/6
Preaching in York minster yesterday, Canon Fleming said :
—Speaking to-day in this metropolitical Church [etc.].
f'S- '655 Owen Vind. Evang. Ep. Ded., Affirming, that
that Heresy hath fixed its Metropolitical seat here in
England.
2. Of, pertaining to, or constituting a metropolis
(capital or mother-city) ; = Metropolitan A. 2.
1603 Knolles Hist. Turks 1. (1621) 1 The metropoliticall
citie of Riga. J667 Waterhouse Fire Loud. 90 The River
of Thames.. will I trust in God for ever keep her in her
Metropolitical station. 1710 Strype Li/e Grindal 1. vii.
70 They., proceeded as far as the Metropolitical City. 1726
Ayliffe Parergon 91 A Metropolis or Metropolitical City
is in respect to a Colony, what a Mother is to a Daughter.
Metropolitically (metr^ppli-tikali), adv. [f.
prec. + -ly 2.]
1. As a metropolitan.
METTLE.
1637 Bastwick Litany 1. 13 If Father William of Canter,
bury think that I am affraid of him, he is metropolitically
mistaken. 1644 LAUDin Neal Hist. Purit. (17361 III. 20 =
In all churches, and in all other places where you visit
metropolitically. 1834 Ediu. Rev. LVIII. 479 Visiting
metropolitically the body of both universities.
f 2. As in a mother-state. Ois.
1723 H. Rowlands Mona Antiq. Restaurata 78 That the
Druids resided Originally and Metropolitically in the Isle of
Mona.
Metropolize {mnip-pi)hiz), v. [f. Metro-
polis + -ize.]
1. trans, {nonce-use) ?To concentrate in one place.
a 1658 Cleveland Obsequies 79 Wks. (1687) 235 To beg
a Neck with Claudius, metropolize all Worth.
2. inlr. To visit ' the metropolis '. nonce-use.
1815 Byron in J. Paget Paradoxes ty Puzzles (1874), We
mean to metropolise to-morrow, and you will address your
j next to Piccadilly.
Metrorrhagia (mArer/i-d^ia). Path. Also
anglicized metrorrhagy. [mod. I.., f. Gr. p-qrpa
' womb + -pafia breaking forth.] Uterine hoemor-
■ rhage. Hence BXetrorrha'gic a.
[1776-84 Cullen First Lines Pract. Physic (1808) II. 1
Which discharges alone, are those properly comprehended
under the present tide [sc. menorrhagia]. The title of
Metrorrhagia or hzmorrhagia uteri, might comprehend
a great deal more.] 1856 Maynb Expos. Lex., Metrorrha-
gias . . metrorrhagia . . Metrorrhagy. 1879 St. George's
\ Hosp. Rept. IX. 455 Abdominal pain and metrorrhagia.
1889 J. M. Duncan Clin. Lect. Dis. Worn. x. (ed. 4) 64 For
there may be profuse menorrhagia with more irregular and
less severe metrorrhagic loss.
Metroscope1 (mrtrt>sk<;iip). [ad. F. metro-
scope, f. Gr. /ujrpa womb: see -scope.] a. An
instrument for examining the uterus, b. An in-
strument for listening to the sounds of the heart
of the fcetus during gestation.
_ 1855 Dunglison Med. Lex., Metroscope, an instrument
invented by M. Nauche, for listening to the sounds of the
heart of the fcetus in utero-gestation, when the sounds.,
are imperceptible through the parietes of the abdomen.
Hence Metro'scopy, examination of the womb
(Mayne Expos. Lex. 1856).
Metroscope a (me-trJskoup). [f. Gr. piirpo-v
measure + -scope.] An instrument for determining
dimensions.
Snellen's metroscope, an instrument for ophthalmostato-
metry research {Syd. Sec. Lex. 1890).
1876 Catat. Sci. App. S. Kens. 38 Metroscope. For the
determination of dimensions of distant bodies.
I! Metrostaxis (mJtrostoe-ksis). [mod.L., f.
Gr./tr/Tpawomb + ara^is dropping, falling indrops :
cf. epistaxis.'] Uterine haemorrhage.
1889 J. M. Duncan Clin. Lect. Dis. Worn, xvit (ed. 4)
134 Metrostaxis or bloody flow from the womb.
Metrotome (me-tr<?t<?"m). [f. Gr. pvqrpa
womb + -tu/xos cutter, ripwuv to cut.] A cutting
instrument used in operating on the womb.
1856 in Mayne Expos. Lex. 1861 Med. Times June 573
Front and Profile View of Dr. Coghlan's Probe-pointed
Metratome [sic].
-metry (repr. Gr. -p.irpia action or process of
measuring, f. -/«'r/)i?s measurer, pirpov measure),
a terminal element of sbs. with the general sense
' action, process, or art of measuring (something
specified by the initial element)'. A few of the words
with this ending represent actual Greek words, as
geometry, stichometry ; many have been formed in
modern times on assumed Gr. types, as aerometry,
anthropometry, etc.; in the 19th c. there were many
hybrid formations in which the initial element is
a Latin or a modern word, as alkalimetry, calori-
metry. Most of the sbs. in -meter have correlative
words in -metry, denoting specifically the process
of measuring by the instrument called ' — meter'.
Metsc(h)ip, -ship, variants of Meteship Ois.
Metstiek, variant of Metestick.
Mett : see Meat, Met, Mete.
t Mettadel. Ois. [ad. It. metadetta, f. metade,
metci half.] In Italy : ' A Measure of Wine, con-
taining one Quart and near half a Pint, two
whereof make a flask '.
1731 in Bailey (ed. 5). 1833 J. Bennett Artificer's
Compl. Lex.
Mettaill, -al, obs. forms of Metal.
tMette. Obs. [OE. geniitta :-OTeut. type
*ga-matjon-, f. *ga- (synon. with L. com-) + *mat-
Meat si.~] A companion at meat.
c 1000 /F.lfric Horn. (Th.) II. 282 |>a jemettan ne moston
bses lambes ban scaenan. 1393 Langl. P. PI. C. xvi. 41
Pacience and ich weren yput to be mettes, And seten by our
selue at a syd-table.
Mette : see Meet, Met, Mete.
Mettege, Mettel(l, obs. ff. Metage, Metal.
Metter, obs. form of Meter sb.1
Mettle(me't'l), sb. (and a.). Also 6-7 mettal(l,
6-9 metal. [Originally the same word as Metal
sb., of which mettle was a variant spelling used
indiscriminately in all senses. The senses ex-
plained below are in origin figurative uses of
Metal si. and developments of these, but they
are so remote from the literal sense that the conr
U7
METTLEABLE.
402
MEUSE.
sciousness of the identity of the word has long been
lost. The graphical differentiation is recognized in
Kersey's Phillips, 1706, and in all succeeding
Diets., but was not always observed by writers
of the 1 8th and early 19th c]
1. Quality of disposition or temperament. (See
Metal sb. 1 f.)
1584 Lylv Campaspe iv. i. 41 Swearing commeth of a hot
mettal. 1601 Shaks. Twet. N. lit. iv. 300, I am one, that
had rather go with sir Priest, then sir knight : I care not
who knowes so much of my mettle. 1642 Rogers Naaman
19 To try the spirit of men, of what mettle they are made of.
1789 Wolcot (P. Pindar) SubJ. for Painters Wks. 1792
III. 104 Showing the mettle of an arrant Quean. 1828
Scott F. M. Perth in, Thou ken'st not the mettle that
women are made of. 1897 Gen. H. Porter in Cent. Mag.
June 206 It showed the mettle of which he was made.
2. Of a horse, and occas. of other animals :
Natural vigour and ardour ; spirit.
1596 Shaks. i Hen. IV, iv. iii. 22 Your Vnckle Worcesters
Horse came but to day, And now their pride and mettall
is asleepe. 1662 J. Davies tr. Olearius Voy. Ambass. 323
The taking away of the excess of Metal, which Stone-
Horses are guilty of. 1655 Walton Angler i. (1661) 8 Her
[a falcon's] mettle makes her careless of danger. 1697 Dry-
den Virg. Georg. lit. 209 As for the Females,. .Take down
their Mettle, keep 'em lean and bare. 1709 Pope Ess. Crit. 87
The winged courser, like a generous horse, Shows most true
mettle when you check his course. 1867 J. Martineau
Ess. II. 394 They have, .horses of best descent and mettle.
3. Of persons : Ardent or spirited temperament ;
spirit, courage.
1581 Pettie tr. Guazzo's Civ. Conv. in. (1586) 149 It
dulleth their wittes, and represseth their natural vigour, in
such sorte, that there is no mettall left in them. 1596 Shaks.
1 Hen. IV, n. iv. 13 A Corinthian, a lad of mettle, a 1655
Vines Lord's Supp. (1677) 368 When Jacob had seen the
sweet vision in Bethel .. it put mettle into him. 1706
Phillips (ed. Kersey), Mettle, Vigour, Fire, Life, Sprighfli-
ness, Briskness; as the Mettle of Youth. 1718 Free-thinker
No. 103. 346, I like the Lady's Wit and Mettle. 1866
G. Macdonald Ann. Q. Neighb. xxxiv. (1878) 575, I found
this only brought out his mettle.
punningly. 1604 Dekker Honest Wh. 1. i. Wks. 1873 II.
6 If the Duke had but so much mettle in him, as in a coblers
awle. 1614 Raleigh Hist. World v. i. 312 What other
worldly help than the golden metall of their Souldiers, had
our English Kings against the French?
4. Phrases, fa. To give mettle to\ to encourage.
b. To be on or upon one's mettle : to be incited to
do one's best. c. To put or set [a person) on or
upon his mettle^ to put to (occas. up to) his mettle :
to test his powers of endurance or resistance, d.
t To put (a person) off his mettle : to daunt his
courage, e. To try (a person's) mettle — c.
a. 1689 Andros Tracts II. 191 Our Conscience was that
which gave metal to our Patience.
b. 1756 Mitchell in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. 11. IV. 374,
I think it hardly possible he can escape, as everybody here
are upon their mettle. 1887 Times 9 Apr. 5/5 They would
have to contend against cavalry, who would be upon their
mettle to show their superiority over the cyclists.
C 1733 Portland Papers VI. (Hist. MSS. Comm.) 47 In
such a manner as has put the gentlemen pretty much upon
their mettle. 1800 Weems Washington i. (1877) 6 Even the
common passions, .will put him up to his mettle, and call
forth his best and bravest doings. 1859 Lever Dav, Dunn
xiii. 14 It puts us on our mettle, too, to see our old enemies
the French taking the work with us. 1895 Snaith Mistr.
D. Marvin xiii, His.. sarcasm set me on my mettle. 1900
W. Haiku Gen. Wauchope iii. 44 The soldiers were put to
their mettle.
d. a 1745 Swift Direct. Serv. r 2 Wks. 1751 XIV. 3 When
you have done a Fault, ..behave yourself as if you were the
injured Person ; this will immediately put your Master or
Lady off their Mettle.
e. 1786 Har'st Rig ii. (1794) 5 Let nane tyne heart, nor
hand refrain, But try their mettle. 1882 Froude in Longm.
Mag. Dec. 210 Romsdal's Horn .. will try the mettle of
the Alpine Club when they have conquered Switzerland.
5. attrib. passing into adj. Spirited, mettle-
some, ' game \ Now arch, and Sc.
1592 Nobody # Someb. A 4 b, Arch. Is not this Lasse
a pretty Neat browne Wench ? Sicoph. She is my liege,
and mettell I dare warrant. 1651 Fuller Abel Rediv. 487
Where mettle Colts or restie jades are to be broken. 1818
Scott Hrt. Midi, xxxii, Thou wouldst be a mettle lass enow,
an thou wert snog and snod a bit better. 1886 Stevenson
Kidnapped xxiii, He is an honest and a mettle gentleman.
Ibid, xxviii, As he went by upon a mettle horse.
Mettle, obs. form of Mktal.
t Me'ttleable, a. Obs. rare-1. In 6 mettel-
able. [f. Mettle sb. + -able.] Mettlesome.
1557-7S Diurn. Occurr. (Bannatyne CI.) 58 The watch of
the Ingliss horsemen.. brak vpone the said Frenchemen
with mettelable audacitie.
Mettled (me-t'ld), a. Also 6 mettald, 6-7
metled, 7 metal'd, metteld, 7-8 metall'd. [f.
Mettle sb. + -ed 2.]
1. Full of mettle ; mettlesome. Also in comb.
high-mettled, etc. a. of horses, etc.
1615 Latham Falconry (1633) 2I Such great metteld and
selfe wilde hawkes. 1638 Junius Paint. Ancients 267 He
shall wonder that there is such a mettled fervencie in horses,
as [etc. J. a 1764 R. Lloyd Poetry Prof. 22 Fine-bred things
of mettled blood, Pick'd from Apollo's royal stud. 1870
Edgar Runnymede xiv, Their mettled palfreys.
to, of persons.
1599 Sandys Europae Spec. ( 1632) 35What great imployment
with stirring and mettald spirits. z668 Ethf.redge She
ivou'd if she couyd m. iii, They are mettled girls, I warrant
them, Sir Joslin, let 'em be what they will. 1671 Earl
Orrery Tryphon Prol., As metled School-boys set to cuff.
1748 Richardson Clarissa (1811) V. xii. 152 The sex love
us mettled fellows at their hearts,
c. of actions.
1633 P». Jonson Love's Welcome, Welbeck, Such a light
and metall'd Dance Saw you never yet in France. 1682
T. Flatman Heraclitus Ridens No. 74 (1713) II. 206 'Twas
a mettled Speech, seasonable and successful. 1701 Cibber
Love Makes Man v. iii, I find thou hast done a mettled
Thing. 1768 Woman of Honor II. 54 Not having a heart
for such a mettled enterprize.
f2. Half-drunk. Obs. rare"*.
1678 Littleton Eng.-Lat. Did., Mettled or fudled,
madulsa, semiebrius.
3. With prefixed word: Having a 'mettle' or
temperament of a specified kind.
1598 Heauie metled [see Heavy a} 31]. 1660 H. More
Myst. Godl. 11. xii. 55 Where their minds are enraged and
heightnedby the sound of the Drumand the Trumpet, (which
are able to put but an ordinariiy-metall'd man out of his
wits). 1828 Sir J. S. Sebright Hawking 52 1'he goshawk
is so slack mettled, that it requires the most skilful manage-
ment to make him fly at all.
Mettlesome (me't'lsom), a. [f. Mettle +
-some.] Full of mettle; spirited, a. of horses, etc.
1662 J. Davies Xx.Mandelslo s Trav. 29 marg., The Indian
Oxen as metalsome as the Horses in Germany. 1749
Fielding Tom Jones iv. xiii, Her horse, whose mettlesome
spirit required a better rider. 1852 Mrs. Stowe Uncle
Tom's C. vi. 39 The instant Haley touched the saddle, the
mettlesome creature bounded from the earth with a sudden
spring.
b. of a person.
1710 Palmer Proverbs 229 Imagination, .'tis . . increas'd
by that love men have to themselves, which at once makes
'em blind and mettlesome. 1859 Thackeray Virgin, lxii,
A powerful mettlesome young Achilles.
t c. Of an organ of the body : Vigorous. Obs,
1668 Culpepper & Cole Barthol. Anat. 11. vi. 104 In the
Systole the Heart is vigorated and mettlesome, not in the
Diastole.
t d. of actions. Obs.
1681 Nevile Plato Rediv. 267 Some smart mettlesome
Debates.
Hence Mettlesomely adv. (1755 m Johnson),
Me-ttlesomeness (1727 in Bailey, vol. II).
Mettzotinto, obs. form of Mezzotinto.
Metalloid (me'tiwloid). Bot. [f. L. metula a
small pyramid (dim. of Meta) + -old.] (See quot.)
1900 Jackson Gloss. Bot. Terms, Metuloids, modified
cystidia, encrusted with lime, which project from the hyme-
nium of Peniophora, giving it a velvety appearance.
Metur, obs. form of Metre.
[| Meturgeman (mftfrrgrman). [Late Heb.
p:nno metliu?'gef?idn, f. Aram. melhurgdmt pa.
pple. of targem to interpret. Cognate with
Targtjm, Dragoman.] (See quots.)
^ 1865 Dixon Holy Land II. 146 The Meturgeman, an
interpreter of the Law, whose duty it was to stand near the
reader for the day, and translate the sacred verses, one by
one, from the Hebrew into the vulgar tongue. 1881 Ch.
Rev. Apr. 49 Persons were appointed to translate the
Hebrew into Chaldee, and explain the sense as the reader
proceeded. This was the office of meturgeman, or inter-
preter, which.. came to be recognized in every synagogue.
Metus, obs. pi. form of Meat.
t Metu'Siast. Obs. rare-1, [ad. Eccl. Gr.
/4«Toi/o"iao-Tiys, agent-n. f. *fX€Tovata£uv to change
the substance of, f. /«tci- Meta- + ovoia substance,
essence.] A believer in transubstantiation.
1607 T. Rogers 39 Art. xxviii. (1633) 176 The Metusiastes
and Papists, .beleeue the substance of Bread and Wine is
so changed into the substance of Christ his Body, as nothing
remainethbut the reall Body of Christ, besides the accidents
of Bread and Wine.
Metwand, -yard : see Metewand, Meteyard.
Metyr, obs. form of Metre.
Metzotin(c)to, obs. forms of Mezzotinto.
Men (mi«). Also 6 mewe, 6- mew. [irregu-
larly ad. L. meum.'] - Meum2.
1548 Turner Names Herbes (1881) 53 Meum. .is called of
the Poticaries Meu. Ibid.,\\.may be called in englishe mewe
orduche Dyl. 1578 LyteZW(V».siii.xv. 337 Mewgroweth
plenteously in Macedonia and Spayne. 1706 Phillips (ed.
Kersey); Meu or Meum, (Gr.) Mew, Spiknel, wild Dill, an
Herb with a Stalk and Leaves like Anis. 1828 J. E. Smith
Eng. Flora II. 84 Spignel, Meu, or Bald-money. 1866
Treas. Bot. 740/2 Mew, Meum atkamanticum.
HMenbleS (mobl), sb. pi. [Fr.: see Moble
sb.] Household furniture.
1786 Cowper Let. to Lady Hesketh 26 Nov., This house,
. . since it has been occupied by us and our Menbles, is
[etc.]. 1835 H. Greville Diary (1883) 78 The apartments
of Louis XIV.. are filled with many of the old meubles
originally taken from the old palace.
t Men'bling, vbl. sb. Obs. [f. F. meubler to
furnish, f. meuble (see Moble sb.).] Furnishing.
1621 Jas. I in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. 1. III. 169 These pro-
visions for her lying in and meubling are lyke to coste tenne
thowsande.
Meuer, variant of Mure a. Obs.
Meule, obs. form of Mole.
II Meum1 (mr#m). [Latin, neut. of meus
mine.] ' Mine', 'that which is mine *, in the phr.
Meum and tuum : * mine and thine * ; what is
one's own and what is another's. A popular
phrase to express the rights of property. Also
meum, tuum \ meum or tuum.
1594 Greene & Lodge Looking-gl. (1598) C iij, Rasni.
What, wooe my subiects wife that honoureth me ? Radag.
Tut, Kings this meum, tuum should not know. 161a Bacon
Ess., Judicature (Arb.) 458 For many times the thing de-
duced to Iudgement, may bee meum et tuum, when the
reason and consequence thereof may trench to point of
estate. 16*7 Abbot in Rushw. Hist. Collect. {1659) I. 448
You have allowed a strange Book yonder ; which if it be
true, there is no Meum or Tuum, no man in England haih
any thing of his own. 1681-6 J. Scott Ckr. Life in. {1696)
67 That which is the one's is the other's : their Meums and
Tnums are confounded together. 177a Johnson in Phil.
Trans. I. XIII. 146 They [N. Amer. Indians] are strict
observers of meum and tuum. 1847 Ruxton Adv. Mexico
242 Regardless of the laws of meum and tuum. 1887
Moloney Forestry W. Afr. 82 The distinction between
' meum ' and ' tuum ' having been temporarily overlooked.
II Meum- (mrk). Also anglicized Meu, and
in Gr. form Meon. [L., a. Gr. firjoy.] A genus
of umbelliferous plants of the N.O. Seselinem-, con-
taining only one species, Meum athamanticum,
usually called spignel.
1548 Turner Names Herbes (1881) 53 Meum called of the
grecians Meon and Meion. 1727 Bailey vol. II, Meum,
the Herb Mew, wild Dill or Spikenel. 1854 S. Thomson
Wild Ft. in. (ed. 4) 296 The root[s] of the gout-weed.., of
the meum or spignel, ..have, .been held in esteem.
Meure, -ely: seeMuRE a.Obs.yMvRELY adv. Obs.
r Meurte. Obs. rare'1, [a. OF. meurte, f.
meiir ripe : see Mure a. and -TV.] Maturity,
finished excellence.
1474 Caxton Chesse 111. v. G vj b, In al thyse maner of
people ther oughte to be meurte of good maners [etc.].
II Meurtriere (mbrtnfr). [Fr.; fern, of meur-
trier murderer, murderous, f. meurtre Murder.]
(See quot. 1802.)
1802 C. James Milit. Diet., Meutrie'res, small loop holes,
sufficiently large to admit the barrel of a rifle, gun or mus-
quet, through which soldiers may fire, under cover, against
an enemy. They likewise mean the cavities that are made
in the walls of a fortified town or place. 1843 Thackeray
Irish Sk. Bk. I. xiv. 266 The points of whose weapons may
be seen lying upon the ledge of the little narrow meurtriere
on each side of the gate,
Meuse, muse (miws, mi«z), sb. Now dial.
Forms: 6-muee, muse, 8mewse, 8-9 mews, 7-
meuse; also 6 mows, meuze, 7 muise, 8 muish,
9 muese, meesh. [a. OF. muce, musset mouce,
mod. dial, muche hiding-place, hole in a hed^je,
f. musser, muchier to hide (whence Miche v.}.
Cf. the synonymous Muset.]
1. An opening or gap in a fence or hedge through
which game, w/.hares, habitually pass, and through
which they run, when hunted, for ' relief.
i5«3 Skelton Garl. Laurel 1384 He wrate of a muse [ed.
1568 mows] throw a mud wall ; How a do cam trippyng in
at the rere warde. 1575 Turberv. Venerie 164 She . .
will all the daye long holde the same wayes . . and passe
through the same muses untill hir death or escape. 1578
Lyte Dodoens v. xlviii. 612 This herbe is founde in this
Countrie in the Meuze of Come feeldes. 1^99 Harsnet
Agst. Darell 140 But the Fox was neare driuen when he
took this muce and hee ferreted out of it by verie pregnant
depositions. 1623 Scot Highw. God 55 A Hare started
before Greyhounds will haue her accustomed way and
muse, or die for it. 1754 Cowper Ep. to R. Lloyd 52 The
virtuoso .. The gilded butterfly pursues O'er hedge and
ditch, through gaps and mews. 1756 Gentl. Afag.XXVl.
180 The most effectual method of destroying hares is by
laying snares . . in the muishes of hedges, dykes, and other
fences. 1805 R. W. Dickson Pract. Agric. II. 1206 A sort
of small trap door, to which they are led by a narrow track
or meuse. The rabbits, being thus taken [etc.]. i8ai Blackiv.
Mag. VIII. 531 It is doubted whether the stoutest March
hare will have sufficient vivacity to carry him to his muese.
1884 Upton-on-Severn Gloss. s.v. Muse, Them Welshmen
[Welsh sheep] 'd go through a rabbit run or a bar' muce.
1886 Barnes Dorset Gloss., Meesh, the run or lair of a hare.
1895 Athenseum 2 Mar. 285/3 In a stone-wall country you
will not find a hare close to the lee side.. because of th*
concentrated wind which whistles through every ' meuse '.
b. iransf. and fig. A loophole or means of
escape ; a device for, or way of, getting out of a
difficulty.
a 1529 Skelton Re/Iyc. 212 How. .ye had..deuyllysshely
deuysed The people to seduce, And cbace them thorowe
the muse Of your noughty counsell. 1606 Warner Alb.
Eng. xvi. cii. (1612) 404 When desprate Ruffins fraught with
faults finde readily a Meuse. 1647 N. Bacon Disc. Govt.
Eng. 1. lix. (1730) 115 In this Tragedy the Pope observing
how the English Bishops had forsaken their Archbishops,
espied a muse through which all the game of the Popedom
might soon escape. i6«S5 R. Fanshawe tr. Camoens" Lusiad
in. Ixxix, Stopt is eacrr Meuse, and guarded in each part.
1858 R. S. Surtees Ask Mamma xxix. 116 The Major,
after trying every meuse, and every twist, and every turn. .
was at length obliged to whip ofT.
2. The ' forrn* of a hare.
t»597 '■ see Meaze.] 16x1 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. vi. vii.
(1623) 69 Like to fearfull Hares.. who no sooner shall heare
the cry of their pursuit, but their Muise or Fortresse will be
left. 1890 Gloucestersh. Gloss., Mews, a hare's form.
Hence Meuse v. intr., to go through a ' meuse ' ;
Mousing {meshing) vbl. sb. (also attrib.).
1666 Voy. Emp. China in Misc. Cur. (1708) III. 196 They
Locked themselves together so closely, that they left no
meshing Place for them to make their Escape by. 1681
Relig. Clerict 55 Their [the Romanists'] boldest champions,
to avoid the danger of a close pursuit, muce nimbly, and
sculk in the subterfuges of this thorny wilderness. 1706
Phillips (ed. Kersey >, Musing, .among Hunters, the passing
of a Hare thro' a Hedge. 18*7 Sporting Mag. XX. 201
note, In counties so close as Yorkshire, hounds must occa.
sionally meuse, when smaller hounds have advantage.
MEVY.
Meuse, Meute, obs. forms of Mews, Mute sb.
Meuve, obs. form of Move.
Meuwe, Meuze, obs. ff. Mew sb.\ Meuse.
Mev(e)able, obs. forms of Movable.
Meve, obs. form of Mew, Move.
II Mevy. Obs. rare~x. [Related in some way
to Mew sbX\ A sea-mew.
1613-16 W. Browne Brit, Past. n. i. 17 About his sides
a thousand Seaguls bred, The Meuy, and the Halcyon.
Mevyng(e, obs. forms of Moving vbl. sb.
Mew (mul), sb.1 Forms : 1 meew (meau, meu,
mes), 5 mewe, 7 meaw(e, 6- mew. [OE. mkw
str, masc. corresponds to OS. meu (MDu., MLG.
mewe fern., whence mod.Ger. mb'we ; Du. meettw
fern.) :— OTeut. type *mafitvi-z\ related by con-
sonant-ablaut to the synon. *mai/iwo-z, whence
OHG. mik$ ON. md-r(p\. mdvar, mdfar); the pre-
Teut. forms would be *moiw(/o-sJ moiqi'-s!\ A gull,
esp. the common gull, Larus canus\ a sea-mew.
cyzs Corpus Gloss. (Hessels) A. 478 Alcido, meau. ^900
Gloss, in Cockayne Shrine 29/2 Larum, meu vet mej. a 1000
Andreas 371 (Gr.) Se jra^a maw. C1440 Promp. Pan:
346/1 Mowe, byrd, or semewe, aspergo. a 1490 Botonek
/tin. (Nasmith 1778) 147 Aves vocaue mewys. 1558 Phaek
Mneid v. M ij b, A pleasant playne of feeld, where often
Mewes and birds of seas doth kepe their haunting walke.
1624 Capt. Smith Virginia vi. 216 Meawes, Gulls,.. and
many other sorts [of birds], 1693 Dryden Persius' Sat. vi.
(1726) 292 And on her shatter'd Masts the Mews in Triumph
ride. 1814 Scott Ld. of Isles 111. xxvii, And clamour'd shrill
the wakening mew. 1867 Jean Ingelow Poems, Sea Mews
iv, A rock, Where many mews made twittering sweet.
Mew (rnu7),sb* Forms: 4-5 muwe, meuwe,
5 mu, mwe, 4-7 mewe, 4-8 mue, (7 miew), 5-
mew. [a. F. mite fern., vbl. sb. f. muer Mew v.1
Cf. the equivalent Pr., Sp., It. muda.]
1. A cage for hawks, esp. while ' mewing ' or
moulting.
13.. Guy Warw. (Caius) 77 As demure [she was] As gir-
fauk, or fawkon to lure, That oute of muwe were drawe.
c 1386 Chaucer Sqr.ys T. 635 And by hire beddes heed she
made a Mewe [for a hawk], c 1440 Promp. Parv. 347/2
Mv, of ha.wkys,falconarium. 1509 Barclay ShyP of Folys
(1874) I. 222 They make of the churche, for theyre hawkes
a mewe. 16*3 Sir T. Stafford in Lismore Papers Ser. 11.
(1888) III. 79 The faulcon your Lordship sent was so brused
and ragged, .[that I] haue put her into a mieu. 1678 Ray
Willughby's Orniih. 430 So leave them [sc. sparrow -nawks]
in the Mew till they are clean mewed. 1783 Burke Sp.
East-India Bill Wks. IV. 67 A notorious ropber and villain,
. .kept as a hawk in a mew, to fly upon this nation. 1820
Scott Abbot iv, He chanced, .to descend to the mew in
which Sir Halbert Glendinning kept his hawks.
fig. 1618 Private Mem. Sir K. Digby (1827) 64, I be-
seech you give me leave . . to please myself awhile with
flying abroad before I be put into the mewe. 1635 [Glap-
thorne] Lady Mother iv. i. in Bullen O. PI. IL 175
Were my soule Drawn from this mew of flesh twould quickly
streatch Like a swift Falcon her aspiring wings.
b. In meiv (rarely in the mew) : in process of
moulting ; tdsofig. in process of transformation.
1390 Gower Conf I. 326 As a bridd which were in Mue
Wuhinne a buissh sche kepte hire clos. i486 [see Mew v.1
1 a]. 1708 T. Ward Eng. Ref. (1716) 1 When Old King
Harry youthful grew, As Eagles do, or Hawks in Mew.
1813 Jefferson Writ. (1830) IV. 202 Our present govern-
ment was in the mew, passing from Confederation to Union.
2. 1 8" A coop or cage in which animals, esp.
fowls, were confined for fattening. Also without
article in phr. in mewt cooped up. Obs. b. Now
dial, a breeding-cage.
c 1386 Chaucer Prol. 349 Ful many a fat partrich hadde he
in Muwe. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 350/1 Mwe, or cowle (MS.
K.m\\saginarium. iss6WithalsZ>/cA (1568) 38/2^ A coupe
or mewe for capons or other birdes to be kepte in, auia-
rittm. 1566 Adlington Apuleius ix. xli. 96 She thrust him
into a mew made with twigges [L. viminea eauea]. 1601
Holland Pliny I. 297 A Barton and Mue to keepe foule.
1749 Fielding Tom Jones iv. iv, I must take care of my
partridge mew. 1861, 189a [see Eng. Dial. Did.].
f c. Misused to render med.L. muta Mute sb.
1766 Blackstone Comm. II. xxviii. 427 The king, ac-
cording to the record vouched by sir Edward Coke, is
entitled to six things ; the bishop's best horse, . . his cloak, or
gown [etc.] : and, lastly, his muta canum, his mew or
kennel of hounds.
3. f a. phr. In mew : in hiding or confinement,
cooped up. Obs.
c 1350 Will. Palerne 3336 But couwardli as caitifs couren
[3eJ here in meuwe. £ 1374 Chaucer Troylus 1. 381 To
hiden his desir in muwe Prom every wight y-born. a 1450
Knt. de la Tour (1868) 85 The quene was gretly ashamed,
whanne she saye she most be in mue. c 1450 Lydg. &
Burgh Secrees 2063 Keep tonge in mewe. 1471 J. Paston in
P. Lett. III. 12, I wold fayne my gray horse wer kept in
mewe for gnattys. c 1530 Ld. Berners Arth. Lyt. Bryt.
(1814) 503 The dolphin said:, .it anoyeth me greatly thus
long to be closed in mewe ! 1594 Spenser Amorettilxxx,
Give leave to me, in pleasant mew To sport my muse and
sing my loves sweet praise. 1600 Fairfax Tasso v. xliii,
If my good seruice reape this recompence, To be clapt vp in
close and secret mew.
+ b. A place of confinement. Obs.
c 1400 Rom. Rose 4778 To escape out of his [Love's] mewe.
1526 Skelton Magnyf. 35 Yet Lyberte hath ben lockyd vp
and kept in the mew. 1590 Spenser F. Q. ii. v. 27 Captiv'd
eternally in yron mewes And darksom dens. 1615 Brath-
w ait Strappado (1878) 120 Her husband .. kept her in a
Mew. 1622 J. Reynolds God's Revenge n. vii. 94 Vnac-
customed to bee pent up in so strait and darke a mew.
C. A secret place, a place of concealment or
403
retirement; a den. Sometimes without article in
f to mew. Now rare.
< 1430 Lvdg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 251 Skore that
place [sc. the soul] from al goostly felthc.Thyn Houly
Goost close in that litil mwe. 1436 Libel Eng. Policy in
Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 170 Oure enmyse .. flede to mewe,
they durste no more appere. 1601 Weever Mirr. Mart.
Fij, Some watchfull Poets secret mew. 1625 w- Pemble
Justification (1629) 83 An Anchorites Mue. 1855 Browning
Fra Lippo 47 I've been three weeks shut within my mew,
A-painting for the great man, saints and saints. 1898
T. Hardy Wessex Poems 109 To shun his view By her
hallowed mew I went from the tombs among To the cirque
of the Gladiators.
4. Comb, f Mew-house = sense 1.
£1470 Harding Chron. clxxxix. v, Maister of the Mew
house & his haukes fayre.
Mew, sb.3 : sec Mew int.
MeW (mi?7), v.1 Forms : 4 muwe, 4-7 mewe,
5 mwe, 6-7 (9) mue, 6- mew. [a. F. miter to
moult, also to shed horns (OK. also in wider sense,
to change) = Pr., Sp., Pg. mudar, It. mittare to
moult, change :— L. mutdre to change, whence
Mutable, Mutation.]
1. a. trans. Of a hawk : To moult, shed, or
change (its feathers) ; also of other birds. Also
in passive with the bird as subject. Often in
figurative context. Now only arch.
c 1380 Sir Ferumb. 1738 An .C. of gyrfacouns y asky to
y-muwed ouer }ere. i486 Bk. St. Albans bj, IrTan hawke
be in mewe yl same sercell feder shall be the la.st feder that
she will cast, and tyll that be cast, she is neuer mewed.
1606 Drayton Odes, To Cupid 17 He [Cupid], .in the air
hovers ; Which when it him deweth, His feathers he meweth.
a 1613 Overbury A Wife, etc. (1638) H iv b, Now she has
mewed three coats, now shee growes weary [etc]. Ibid.,
She mewes her pounces, at all these yeares she flies at fooles
and kils too. 1616 Surfl. & Markh. Country I1' arm 716
For how much the earlier bird ^he [sc. a nightingale] is, by
so much will she become the more perfect, .. because that
comming . . to mue her feathers, if she [etc.]. 1639 T. de
Gray Compi. Horsem. 167 Foules..in the summer season
mowting and mewing their feathers, a 1682 Sik T. Browne
Tracts iv. (1683) 106 Considering, .his [the Hoopebird's]
latitancy,and mewing this handsome outside in the Winter ;
they[*. e. the old /Egyptians] made it an Emblem [etc.]. 1869
Browning Ring $■ Bk. ix. 1233 Proud that his dove which
lay among the pots Hath mued those dingy feathers.
^1 b. Peculiarly used by Milton.
The precise sense intended is difficult to determine : per-
haps 'to renew by the process of moulting* ; some would
render * exchanging her mighty youth for the still mightier
strength of full age '.
1644 Milton Arcop. 34 Methinks I see in my mind a
noble and puissant Nation rousing herself like a strong
man after sleep. . : Methinks I see her as an Eagle muing
her mighty youth, and kindling her undazl'd eyes at the
full midday beam.
fc. trans/, and fig. To shed or change (any-
thing comparable to plumage, e. g. hair, clothes) ;
to change (colour). Also in passive. Obs.
c 1374 Chaucer Troylus 11. 1209 (1258) With bat he gan
hire humbly to saluwe With dredful chere and ofte his heweis
muwe. 1614 Tomkis Albumazar III. iv. (1615) F 3, Stand
forth transform'd Antonio fully mued From browne soare
feathers of dull yeomanry To th' glorious bloome of gentry.
1620 Quarles Jonah (1638) 42 Their nakednesse with sack-
cloth let them hide And mue the vestments of their silken
pride. C1620 Fletcher & Mass./,//. Fr. Lawyer \\\.\\,
'Tis true, I was a Lawyer, But I have mewd that coat, I
hate a Lawyer. 1633 Ford Broken H. 11, i, The King has
mew'd All his gray beard, in stead of which is budded An-
other of a pure Carnation colour, a 1658 Cleveland Gen.
Poems, etc. (1677) 58 The Sun hath mew'd his Beams from
off his Lamp.
causatively. c 1620 Fletcher & Mass. Double Marriage
in. ii, How he has mew'd your head, has rub'd the snow
off, And run your beard into a peak of twenty.
d. absol. and intr. To moult, f Also transf.
and fig. to change or lose one's covering; to
assume a new aspect.
c 1532 Da Wes Introd. Fr. in Palsgr. 950/3 To mue as
a hawke, muer. 1567 Turberv. tr. Spaguuoli's Eclogues ii.
C iij, Euerything doth mewe, And shiftes his rustie winter
robe. 1613 Fletcher, etc. I/on. Man's Fort. v. i, One only
suit to his backe which now is mewing. 1616 Surfl. &
Markh. Country F'arm 721 Those [finches] which are taken
in the neast, doe mue within a moneth that they are put in
[the cage]. 1725 Bradley Fam. Dict,s.v. Mexving, Those . .
which mew about the End of July, do it with Success. 1828
Sir J. S. Sebright Hawking 62 Hawks must be fed very
high, and kept very quiet when they mew.
f 2. trans. Of a stag : To cast or shed (his horns).
Also to mew his head. Obs.
C1410 Master of G ante (MS. Digby 182) H, J>ei [harts]
mewe [MS. Doucemeve] ber homes. Ibid., ]?enn pel mewe|>
hir heedes. Ibid. (MS. Bodley 546), And whanne bei haue
meved [v.r. mwed] hure heedes. 1577 [see 2 b], 1674 N. Cox
Genii. Recreat. (1677) 65 The time of Harts Mewing, or
Casting the Head.
fig. 1700 Dryden Cinyras <$• Myrrha 320 Nine times
the Moon had mew'd her horns.
b. intr.
1577 Harrison England in. iv. (1878)11. 26 It is also much
to be maruelled at, that whereas they [deer] do yeerelie mew
and cast their horns : yet in fighting they neuer breake off"
where they doo grife or mew. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist.
(1824) I. 384 When they [deer] cast their heads, they are
said to mew.
f3. In gen. sense : To change, transmute. Obs.
IS-. Helyas in Thorns Prose Rom. III. 76 They found
but vi. children, to whome they did nothing but tookeaway
theyr chaines that was about their neckes wherby incon*
tinent thei were mued in white swannes.
MEW.
Mew (mi?/), v.'* P'orms : 5-7 mewe, 5-S mue,
6- mew. [f. Mew sb,l£]
1, trans. To put a hawk in a * mew*, or cage, at
moulting time ; to keep up. To mew at large, at
the stock ox stone: sec quot. 161 1.
a 1533 Ld. Berners Huon Hi. 177, I can mew a sparhawki-.
1575 Turberv. Falconric 173 The place wherin youshoulde
mew a hawke at the stocke should be a lowe parler or
chamber upon the grounde. 1611 Markham Country Con-
tentm. 1. viii. (1615) 95-6 Mewing at the stone or stocke. ..
If you mewe at the stocke, you shal haue a broad Table, .on
which you must place, .a free-stone or blucke of two foote
hie, to which you shal fasten your hawke... If you mewe
your hawke at large you shall put her loose into the mewe.
< 1640 J. Smyth Lives Berkeleys (1883) II. 285 Merlins,
which sometimes she mewed in her own chamber. 1828
Sir J. S. Sebright Ilaivkingbi They [hawks] are sometimes
kept loose in a room ; but it is, in my opinion, much better
to mew them on perches or on blocks. Ibid. 63 As it is
difficult to procure Icelanders and gyrfalcons, these valuable
birds are well worth mewing.
t 2. To coop or shut up (poultry, etc.) in a coop
for fattening. Obs. rare.
c 1430 Lydcj. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 169 Fat Capons up
mewed to the fulle. 1522 Skelton Why not to Court! 219
lie eateth capons stewed, Fesaunt and partriche mewed.
1639 Horn & Rob. Gate Lang. xiv. § 147 Poultry shut up
[niarg. Coopt or mued up in a mue].
b. transf.
1594 Shaks. Rich. Ill, 1. i. 132 More pitty, that the Eagles
should be mew'd, Whiles Kites and Iiuzards play at liberty.
3. To shut up, confine, enclose; to hide, conceal.
a 1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 85 Euery woman that dis-
obeyed, .her husbonde. .shulde be muedalle a year. 1577-87
Stanyhukst in Holinshed I. Ded. 8 The little paine I tooke
therein was not so secreilie mewed within my closet, but
[etc.]. 1590 Stenser /''. Q. 11. iii. 34 The bush.. In which
vaine Braggadocchio was mewd. (11625 Fletcher Hum.
Lieut, iv. iv, They keep me mew'd up here as they
mew mad folkes. 1634 Sir T. Herbert 'Trav. 109 [He]
mewes hiniselfe, his Wife, two sonnes and ten thousand men
in this . . Castle. 1693 Dkyden Juvenal i. 186 Close mew'd
in their Sedans, for fear of air. 1719 D'Ubfev Pills{i8y2) L
250 I'm mew'd in a smoky house. 1810 Scott Lady ofL. v.
vi, The young King mew'd in Stirling tower, Was stranger
to respect and power. 1882 'Ouida' Marcmma I. 7^
There, galley-slaves are mewed in a bitter company.
fig. 1817 Shelley Rev. Islam 11. xxxvi, The servitude In
which the half of humankind were mewed Victims of lust.
b. To mew up, in the same sense. (Now more
usual.)
1581 Pettie tr. Guazzo"s Civ. Conv. 1. (1586) 8 You cannot
goe to visile the sicke..if you remaine alwaies mewed vp.
1617 Hales Gold. Rem. 1. (1673) 11 Not to suffer your
labours to be copst and mued up within the poverty of some
pretended method. 1628 Prynne Cens. Cozens 39 Those
Munkes and Nunnes, which.. are mued vp in Forraine
Cells and Cloisters. 1703 Farquhar Inconstant 11. i, What
does the old Fellow mean by mewing me up here with a
couple of green girls? 1791-1823 D'Israeli Cur. Lit. (1858)
I. 8 Heinsius was mewed up in the library of Leyden all
the year long. 1821 Scott Kenilw. xxi.v, Amy was no
longer mewed up in a distant and solitary retreat. 1880
Mrs. Riduell Myst. Pal. Gard. xxvi, 1 have been kept
mewed up, seeing nothing, knowing no one, going nowhere.
refl. 1581 Riche Farew. (Shaks. Soc.) 95 What moves thy
mynde to mewe thee up so close. 1605 Hist. Stukcley E iij,
We make them proud by mewing vp our selues In walled
towns. 1622 Mabbe tr. Alemau's Guzman D^Alf. (1623)
139 [He] mewes himselfe up in a corner and dares not be
seene. 1669 Penn No Cross 1. v. § 12 If every Body., should
mew himself up within Four Walls. 1695 Congreve Love
for L. 1. i, 'Slife, Sir, what do you mean, to mew your self
up hear with Three or Four musty Books? 1736 Ainswokth
Lat. Diet., To mew up one's self from the world, ab homi-
num consortia secedere.
f4. ?To restrain (speech, the tongue). Obs.
C1530 I uteri. Beauty A> Gd. Prop. Women A iij b, It is
a wonder to se theyre dyssemblyng, .. Theyre folyshnes,
theyre Ianglyng not mewde. 1594 Lyly Moth. Bombie 11. i.
113 Mew thy tongue, or weele cut it out.
Mew (mi«), v.'& [Echoic: see Mew inl. Cf.
Maw, Miaou vbs.'] intr. Of a cat {occas. of other
animals) : To utter the sound represented by
' mew \ Also of sea-birds.
c 1325 [see Mewt v.]. 14.. Voc. in Wr.-Wulcker 57T/23
Catello, to mewe. 1562 J. Heywood Prov. <y Epigr. (1867)
100, I neuer herd thy catte once mew. 1605 Shaks. Macb.
iv. i. 1. 171X Ace. Sev. Late Voy. II. in Of the Sea-
dogs. .. Their little or young ones mew like Cats. 1747
Gray Death Cat 32 Eight times emerging from the flood
She mew'd to ev'ry wat'ry God, Some speedy aid to send.
1843 Marryat M. Violet xin, The cub [of a bear] . . hurt
itself, and mewed. 1877 L. Morris Epic Hades 11. 102
The sea birds mewed Around me. 1884 Pae Eustace 129
The cat mews very little in the Hector. 190a R. W. Cham-
bers Maids of Paradise ix. 167, I heard the white-winged
gulls mewing.
b. transf. Of a person : To utter this sound
derisively. Cf. Mew int. 2,
1606 Dekker Sev. Deadly Sins To Rdr. (Arb.) 3 You
stand somtimes at a Stationers stal, looking scuruily (like
Mules champing vpon Thistles) on the face of a new Booke
bee it neuer so worthy: and goe (as il fauouredly) mewing
away. 1611 Middleton & Dekker Roaring Girl P vol 6
Each one comes And brings a play in's head with him; vp
he summes What he would of a Roaring Girle haue writ ;
If that he Andes not here, he mewes at it.
C. trans. To express by mewing.
1900 Aflalo in Comh. Mag. Nov. 628 The gulls were
still mewing their plaintive dirge over the fishy harbour.
Mew (mi«), int. and sbfi [Echoic : cf. Miaou.]
1. int. Used to represent the cry of a cat. Also
sb. as a name for this sound.
1596 Shaks. 1 Hen. /K,in. i. 129, 1 had rather be a Kitten,
117 a
MEWED.
and cry mew, Then [etc.]. 1718 Bp. Hutchinson Witch-
craft 37 Whereupon the Cat whiu'd and cried Mew. 1791
Cowper Retired Cat 88 A long and melancholy mew,..
Consoled him. 1851 Borrow Lavengro xcix, The silent
mew of my mother's sandy-red cat.
1 2. Used as a derisive exclamation. Obs.
1606 Day lie of Guts Prol. (1881) 7 The rest thinking it in
dislike of the play,, .cry ' Mew ! by Jesus, vilde ! ' Ibid.
iv. iv. 91 Let their desarts be crowned with mewes and
hisses. 1607 Dekkeh & Webster Northward Ho \. ii.
Dekker's Plays 1873 III. 11 Pox a your gutts, your kid-
neys ; mew : hang yee, rooke. 1633 Y ord Love's Sacr. 1. ii,
And how does my owne Julia, mew vpon this sadnesce?
What's the matter you are melancholly?
Mew, variant of Maugh.
c 1598 D. Ferguson Sc. Prov. (1785) 24 Make na twa mews
of ae daughter.
Mew : see Meu ; obs. f. Move v.\ obs. and dial.
pa. t. of Mow v.1 ; obs. var. Muid.
Me-ward(s, orig. to me ward(s = towards me :
see -WARD and Toward, Towards.
1849 Mrs. Carlvle Lett. II. 74 The eyes starting out of
them me-ward. 1882 Swinburne Tristr. of Lyonesse, etc.
87 Alas 1 to these men only grace, to these, Lord, whom thy
love draws Godward, to thy knees — I, can I draw thee me-
ward, can I seek, Who love thee not, to love me ?
Mewe, obs. f. Mew, pa. t. Mow v.t obs. var. Muid.
Mewed (miud)tppt. a.1 [f. Mew t/.l + -ei>i.]
Of a bird : That has moulted (once or more).
c 1380 Sir Ferumb. 1750 Gyrfacouns y-muwed & white
stedes & hertes of gresse y wene. 1486 Bk. St. Albans
a viij b, And iff she be a mewed hawke. 1621 Sir R. Boyle
in Lismore Papers (1886) II. 20, I . .am to send my mewed
goshawk to thearle of Bath. 1674 N. Cox Gentl. Recreat.
(1677J 233 Mew'd-hawks, are such which have once or more
shifted the Feather. 1727-41 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Hawk.
Mewed (raitfd),///, a.- [f. Mew z\- +-ed1.]
In senses of the vb.: Confined in a mewj shut up,
concealed. Also with up.
1610 W. Folkingham Art of Survey 1. x. 29 The dung
found in the Bartons of mewed Blacke-birdes. 1638 Raw-
ley tr. Bacon's Life <y Death (1651) 10 Amongst Mewed
Hawkes, some have been found to have lived thirty years.
And amongst Wild Hawkes forty years.
t Mew'er l« Obs. rare. [f. Mew v.1 + -ER *.]
See quot. 1688.
c 1450 Bk. Hawking in Rel. Ant. I. 305 If it [thi hawke]
be a mewer put her [in mewe] in the month of January. 1688
R. Holme Armoury 11. 236/2 A Mewer, or Mewed Hawk..
are so called from December to the middle of May.
t Mewer-. Obs. [f. Mew v.* + -ek1.] One
who mews, shuts up, or confines (another).
%6z6 Purchas Pilgrims II. 1270 They were .. jealous
mewers up of their wives.
t Mewer ;1. Obs. [f. Mew z/.s + .er1.] One
who mews ; a cat. Also, one who catcalls.
1611 Cotgr., Miauleur, a mewler, or mewer. 1649 W. M.
Wandering jew (1857) 54 Jew, I would have thee know,
I am . . a mewer of Playes, a jeerer of Poets [etc.].
Mewet, obs. form of Mute a.
Mewing (mi« "in ),»£/. j^.1 [f. Mew v.1 + -ing *.]
The action of Mew z/.l
161 1 Cotgr., Mite,, .the muing of a Hawke. 165$ Walton
Angler 1. i. (1661) 14 If I should, .treat of their several
Ayries, their Me wings,, .and the renovation of their Feathers.
1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XL 633/2 Mewing, the falling off
or change of hair, feathers, skin, horns, or other parts of
animals.
b. attrib., as mewing time.
1651 N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. 11. vi. (1739) 35 Thus
began the Mewing time of Prelacy, and the principal
Feather of their wings to fall away, a 1653 G. Daniel
Idyll iv. 27 'Tis but a mewing Time ; what matter if Cold
Gorges crampe the feet ?
Mewing (mi/Hrj), vbl. sb? [f. Mew z\-] The
action of shutting up in a mew.
1575 Turberv. Falconrie 177 Martins are also woorth the
mewyng if they be hardie. 1611 Markham Country Con.
tentm. 1. viii. (1615) 95 The mewing of long winged hawks.
Mewing (mi/rig), vbl. sb.% [f. Mew z>.3 +
-ing 1.] The act of uttering mews.
i6ix Cotgr., Miaulement, a mewling, or mewing. 1849
James Woodman xviii, Pshaw, I am sick of their mewing.
1881 Mivart Cat 226 Ail forms of mewing, howling, and
other vocal manifestations, are modified expiratory actions.
Mewing (mi«*in), ppl. a. [f. Mew i>.3 + -ing ^.J
Uttering mews.
1871 G. Meredith//. Richmond x'w, No mewing sancti-
moniousness. 1898 Allbutt's Syst. Med. V.944 A piping or
mewing sound.
Mewl (mi«l), sb. [f. Mewl v.] = Mew sb$
1857 Mrs. Marsh Rose of Ashurst I. iii. 95 A woman's
voice and a baby's mewl were heard.
Mewl (mi/71),, v. Also 9 mule. [Echoic; cf.
Miaul w.] inir. a. To cry feebly, whimper, like
an infant ; to make a whining noise. Also trans.
with out. b. To mew like a cat.
1600 Shaks. A. Y. L. It vii. 144 The Infant, Mewling,
and puking in the Nurses amies. i6ix Cotgr., Miauler %
to mewle, or mew, like a cat. 1818 Hazlitt Eng. Poets vi.
(1870) 151 Gargantua mewls, and pules, and slabbers his
nurse. 1819 Moore Mem. (1853) III. 91 It [the music] was
squalled and mewled out by Madames Branchia and Albert.
1861 Crt. Life at Naples II. 204 He would bid her dry
her eyes, and not be puling and muling like a baby. 1882
P. Fitzgerald Recreat. Lit. Man II. xviL 95 [A dog]
growling, snarling, and even mewling with rage.
Hence Mewling1 z^/. sb. andppl. a. Also Mewler.
1611 Cotgk., Miaulement, a mewling, or mewing, /bid.
404
I .!//««/«>-, a inewler, or mewer. 1755 Smollett Qttix. (1803)
IV. 67 The mewling of ihe cats. 1831 Moore Mem. (1854)
VI. 210 His enharmonics like the mewlings of an expiring
1 cat. 1844 Dickens Mart. Chuz. xxviii, You mewling, white-
faced cat !
Mewle, Mewlyter, obs. ff. Mule, Muleteer.
Mewre, obs. form of Mure.
Mews (miaz). Forms : 4 muwes, 4-7 mewes,
6 mewys, mowse, 7 mu.es, muue. muse, mewse,
S meuse, 7- mews. [Plural of Mew sb.2 ; now
construed as sing, in the senses below.]
1. The royal stables at Charing Cross in London,
so called because built on the site where the royal
hawks were formerly mewed. Now Hist.
c 1394 J. Malverne Contn. Higden's Polychron. an. 1387
(Rolls) IX. 104 Le Muwes apud Charryngg. 1529 Rastell
Pastymc (1811) 280 At the Mewys, at Charynge Crosse.
a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VII I 225 b, The kynges stable at
Charyng crosse otherwise called the Mowse. 1667 Loud.
Gaz. No. 132/4 A Bay brown Horse, .taken out of the Muse
on Thursday night. 1668 Ibid. No. 272/4 There was stoln
out of His Majesties Stables at the Mews, a Baye Mare.
a 1674 Clarendon Hist. Reb. xi. § 204 The other Officers,
with their Troops [quarter] in Durham House, the Mues,
Covent Garden [etc.]. 1691 Woou Ath. Oxon. II. 711 He
was hurried away in a Coach from the Mewse. .to the Ex-
change in Cornhill. 1720 Gay Trivia Poems 11.215 His
treble voice resounds along the Meuse, And Whitehall echoes
— Clean your Honour's shoes. 1765 Chron. in Ann. Reg.
152/2 Eleven fine barbs arrived at the royal meuse, Charing-
cross. 1820 Greville Mem. 16 June (1874) I. 30 There was
some disturbance last night in consequence of the mob
assembling round the King's mews.
2. A set of stabling grouped round an open
space, yard, or alley, and serving for the accom-
modation of carriage-horses and carriages.
a 1631 Dosne Sat.iv. 175 All whom the Mues,Baloune,
Tennis, Dyet, or the stewes, Had all the morning held.
1632 Quarles Div. Fancies 11. 1. (1660) 77 The other Steed
did stand In Persia's Mues. _ 1639 T. de Gray Compl.
Horsem. 26 Others.. by sometimes frequenting the muze
and other places where riders use to menage. 1785 Trusler
Mod. Times II. 20, I. .made my escape into the Meuse, in
which our stables stood. 1805 Med. Jrnl. XIV. 146 Mrs.
Cottis, of Great York Mews, Baker Street. 185. Dickens
Bleak Ho. xiv2 We went . .into Mr. Turveydrop's great room,
which was built into a mews at the back. 1894 G. Moore
Esther Waters log She. .saw the black dot [sc. a sparrow]
p.iss down a mews and disappear under the eaves.
b. as plural.
1848 Dickens Dombey vii, Miss Tox's bedroom (which was
at the back) commanded a vista of Mews. 1851 Mayhew
Lend. Labour II. 207/2 The mews of London.. constitute
a world of their own. 187a Black Adv. Phaeton xviii, The
large hotels in Liverpool have no mews attached to them.
3. altrib.
1707 E. Chamuerlayne Pres. St. Eng. III. (ed. 22) 552
Meuse keeper, James Lewis. 1817 W. Bray Evelyn's Diary
23 Feb. an. 1684 note, In Castle-street, near the Mews gate.
Mews(e, var. ff. Meuse; obs. form of Muse v.
Mewstead, obs. variant of Mowstead dial.
Mewt (mi«t), v. Obs. exc. dial. Forms : 4
meut, 5 mewte, 8- mewt. [Echoic] = Mew v.'&
c 13.5 Gloss. W. de Bibbesiv. in Wright Voc. 152 Chat
mynowe, meutet [MS. Camb. Univ. Gg. I. 1. mewtthj.
14*83 Cath. Angl. 238/2 To Mewte as a catte, catellare.
1737 Ramsay Sc. Prov. (1707) 86 Wae's them that ha'e the
cat's dish, and she ay mewting.
Mewys, obs. form of Mews.
Mex, Mexen: see Mix sb., Mixen.
T Me'xic, a. Pod. Obs. = Mexican a.
a 1678 Marvell Bermudas 36 Which, thence (perhaps)
rebounding, may Eccho beyond the Mexique Bay. 1806
Fessenden Orig. Poems 153 Mexick gulphs of brighter rays.
Mexieal, variant of Mescal.
Mexican (meksikan), a. and sb. Also 7
Mexioaine. [ad. Sp. Mcxicano (now written
Mejicand), f. Mexico : see -an.] A. adj. Of or
pertaining to Mexico, a tract of country (now a
republic) in the south-west of North America.
1696 Phillips, Mexico, a great and famous City of the
Mexican Province of Nova Hispania. a 1846 J. H. Frere
tr. Aristoph., Birds Introd. (1886) 178 War is not imme-
diately declared against the gods, but a sort of Mexican
blockade is established by proclamation. 1903 Blackw.
Mag. Apr. 506/1 The parson lopes by silting loose in bis
Mexican saddle.
b. In various names of natural and artificial
products, etc.; as Mexican allspice, the fruit
of Eugenia Pimenta {Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890) ;
M. banana, a name sometimes given to a species
of Yucca ; M. bird cherry, bit, blue-jay (see
quots.) ; M. cloth, ' a silk and wool French goods '
(Knight Diet. Mech. Suppl. 1884); M. clover
m next (Cent. Diet. 1890) ; M. coca, an American
herb, Richardsonia seabra, yielding a nutritious
fodder (Webster 1897) ; M. embroidery, a kind
of embroidery, the patterns of which resemble the
grotesque designs of ancient Mexican carving ;
M. gamboge, ' a gum-resin like gamboge obtained
from Vismia guttifera and other species " {Syd. Soc.
Lex.); M. goose, the snow-goose (G. Trumbull
Names Birds 1888, p. 9) ; M. goosefoot, 'the Che-
nopodiutn ambrosioides ' (Syd. Soc. Lex.) ; M. gum,
I the gum-resin obtained from Chrysophyllum gly-
cyphlceum ' (ibid.) ; M. lily, a plant with scarlet
flowers, Amaryllis rcginsc; M. mulberry (see
MEZENTIAN.
quot.) ; M. onyx, a stalactitic variety of calcite ;
M. orange-flower, ' a handsome white-flowered
shrub, Choisya ternata ' (Cent. Diet.) ; M. per-
simmon (see Pebsimmon 2) ; M. poppy, Arge-
mone mexicana ; M. sarsaparilla (see quot.) ;
M. shilling, a silver coin of the value of 1 2 \ cents
formerly current in some of the United States ( Cent.
Did. s.v. Bit'1 7); M. snake-root (see quot.) ; M.
tea , (a) = M. goosefoot '; (b) = Jesuit's tea, see Jesuit
sb. 4 c; M. thistle, Cnicus (Erythrolxna) con-
spieuus; also = M. poppy ; M. tiger-flower, Tigri-
diapavonia ; M. weasel = Kinkajou (Cent. Did.).
1884 Sargent Forests N. Amer. (Final Rep. 10th Census
IX.) 219 Yucca baccata Torrey. .. Spanish Bayonet. *Mexi-
can Banana. 1836 Penny Cycl. VI. 432/2 Cerasns Capol-
lim, *Mexican bird cherry. 1884 Knight Diet. Mech.
Suppl., ^Mexican Bit, a stiff cheek bit, having a high port,
to which is attached a large ring, which, when the bit is in
the horse's mouth, encircles the jaw. 187 . Cassettes Nat.
Hist. IV. 16 The two *Mexican Blue Jays {Cyanocitta coro-
nata and C. diademata). 1882 Caulfeild & Saw ard Did.
Needleivork, * Mexican Embroidery. 1884 Health Exhib.
Catal. 90/1 *Mexican Grass Hammocks. 1760 J. Lee In.
trod. Bot. App. 317 Lily, "Mexican, Amaryllis. 1884 Sar-
gent Forests N. Amer. (Final Rep. 10th Census IX.) 128
Morus microphylla Buckley. . .'Mexican Mulberry. 1895
Rider Haggard Heart 0/ World xix, Polished blocks of
the beautiful stone known as *Mexican Onyx. 1884 Sar-
gent Forests N. Amer. (Final Rep. 10th Census IX.) 105
Diospyros Texana, Scheele. . . Black Persimmon. "Mexican
Persimmon. Chapote. i860 Gray Man. Bot. 25 Arge-
mone Mexicana, "Mexican Prickly Poppy [1874 (ed. 5) M.
Poppy]. 1866 Treas. Bot. 1066/1 "Alexican Sarsaparilla
is yielded by Smilax medica. 1890 Billings Nat. Med.
Did., "Mexican snakeroot, Asdepiodora decumbens Gray;
plant used as a specific for snake-bite. 1829 Loudon Eh.
cycl. Plants 638 Psoralea glanditlosa, "Mexican tea. Ibid.
562 Tigridia Pavonia. "Mexican Tiger Flower.
B. sb.
1. A native or inhabitant of Mexico.
1604 E. G[rimstone] D'Acostas Hist. Indies v. iy.337
Heere the Mexicaines Idolatry hath bin more pernicious
and hurtfull then that of the Inguas. X776 Mickle tr.
Camoens' Lusiad Introd. 30 note, These authors, .have. .
greatly softened the horrid features of the Mexicans. 1837
W. Irving Copt. Bonneville I. 195 The young Mexican saw
her struggles and her agony. 1876 Besant & Rice Gold.
Butterfly Prol. i, The Mexicans rode in silence.
2. = Mexican dollar : see Dollar 4.
C1890 A. Murdoch Yoshiwara Episode iv. 36 Two thou-
sand seven hundred and thirty-six Mexicans !. .Only about
£450.
Hence Me-xicanize v. trans., ' to cause to become
like the Mexicans or Mexico, especially in respect
to frequent revolutions' (Funi's Stand. Did. 1895) j
intr. 'to become like Mexico or the Mexicans'
(ibid.~) ; hence Mexicanized ///. a.
1887 C F. Thwing SertH., Foes Car. Civ. 8 The Mexican,
ized Spaniard is here, too proud to work. Ibid. 10.
t Mexicoiiiau, a. Obs. [irreg. f. Mexico +
-ian.] = Mexican a.
1727 Ramsay ToCrilic 28 In Mexiconian forests fly Thou-
sands [of creatures] that never wing'd our sky.
Mey, obs. f. May. Meycock, var. Meacock
Obs. Meyde, -en, obs. ff. Mead, Maiden;
Meydine, var. Medine. Meydles, var. Meed-
less a. Obs. Meyd vyf, obs. f. Midwife.
Meyer, obs. f. Mayor. Meygnall, obs. f. Me-
nial. Meygne, meyheme, obs. ff. Maim v.
Meyk, obs. f. Meek a. Meyle, obs. f. Meal.
Meyme, -pryse, obs. ff. Maim v., Mainprise v.
Meyn, obs. f. Main, Mean. Meynal(l, obs.
ff. Menial. Meynchen(e, -yn, var. ff. Min-
chen Obs. Meynd(e, obs. pa. pple. of Meng v.
Meyne, obs. f. Many, Mean, Meinie, Mien;
var. Mayne v. Obs. Meyneal, obs. f. Menial.
Meynee, obs.f. Meinie. Meynel.obs. f. Menial.
Meynete(y)ne, obs. ff. Maintain. Meyney,
obs. f. Many, Meinie; Meyneyall, obs. f.
Menial. Meynge, var. Mem; v. Meyni(e,
Meynne, obs. ff. Meinie. Meynpernour,
-prise, -prize, obs. ff. Mainpernor, Mainprise.
Meynt, obs. pa. t. of Meng v. Meynteine, etc. :
see Maintain, etc. Meynyal, Meynye, obs. ff.
Menial, Meinie. MeyrYe, obs. ff. Mayor.
Meyre, obs. f. Mear, Mere '-'. Meyser, obs. f.
Mazer. Meyt(e, obs. ff. Meat. Mezail, var.
Mesail. Mezanine, -i, -o, obs. ff. and pi. of
Mezzanine. Mezcal, var. Mescal. Mezeled,
obs. f. Measled///. a.
Mezentian (m/ze-njan), a. [f. Meunt-ius +
-an.] Comparable to the cruel action of Me-
zentius, a mythical Etruscan king, who caused
living men to be bound face to face with corpses,
and left to die of starvation (Virg. sEn. vm.
485-8). So f Mezentism, action resembling that
of Mezentius.
1659 Fuller App. Inj. Innoc. HI. 81 A piece of Mezentism
in his joyning of the Dead and Living together. 1837 Syd,
Smith Let. to Archd. Singleton Wks. 1859 ''• J.59/2 That
fatal and Mezentian oatn which binds the Irish to the
English Church. 1874 Stubbs Const. Hist. i. I. 6 England
. . spared from the curse of the . . Mezentian union with Italy,
..developed its own common law.
MEZEREON.
405
MEZZOTIKTO.
Mezereon (mhlrti/u)* Forms : 5 mizerion,
7-8 mezerion, 8 mesereon, 6- mezereon. [a.
med.L. mezereon, ad. Arab. \jfy'}* mazaryun
(Avicenna).]
1. The low shrub Daphne Mezereon of Europe
and Asia, having purplish or rose-coloured flowers
and red berries; also called f Dutch mezereon.
1477 Norton Ord. Akk. iii. in Ashm. (1652) 39 Celondine
and Mizerion. 1578 Lyte Dodoens in. xxxvij. 368 Mezereon,
as Auicenne, Mesne, and Serapio do write, is of two sortes.
1597 Gkrarde Herbal in. Hx. 1216 Apothecaries of our
countrie name it Mezereon, but we had rather call it
Chetnelxa Germauica'. in English Dutch Mezereon. 1626
Bacon Sylva § 577 Mezerions. 1664 Evelyn KaL Hort.%
Mar. (1679) 13 Dutch Mezereon. 1706 J. Gardiner tr.
Rapin 0/ Gardens (1728) 59 Lib'ral of Boughs and Leaves
Mezerions bold, . .defy the sharpest Cold. 1789 Mrs. Pjozzi
yourtt. France II. 376 Pots of Mazerion [sic] in flower at
the windows. 186a Chr. G. Rossetti Goblin Market, etc.
85 My leafless pink mezereons. 187a Oliver Elem. Bot. 11.
126 The berries of Mezereon. .are poisonous.
2. Pharm. The dried bark of the root of the
plant described above, used in liniments.
1789 W. Buchan Dom. Med. (1790) 513 Those who chuse
to use the mezereon by itself, may boil an ounce of the
fresh bark [etc.]. 1807 Med. Jml. XVII. 255 Decoctions
of elm bark, mesereon, sassafras. 1874 Garrod & Baxter
Mat. Med. 346 Mezereon is a powerful local irritant.
3. cittrib. and Comb., as mezereon bark, berry,
ointment, root, tree.
1837 Penny Cycl. VIII. 308/2 A decoction of *mezereon
bark. 1874 Garrod & Baxter Mat. Med. 346 Mezereon
Bark. The dried bark of Daphne Mezereum, or Mezereon ;
or of Daphne Lauieola. 1837 Penny Cycl. VIII. 307/2
Linnaeus speaks of a person having been killed by a dozen
"mezereon berries. 1890 Syd.Soc. Lex. * Mezereon ointment.
1789 W. Buchan Dom. Med. (1790) 513 The *mezereon-root
is. .found to be a powerful assistant to the sublimate. 1626
Bacon Sylva § 592 A *Mezer ion-Tree. 1851 Mrs. Maksh
Ravensclijfe xiii, A few mezereon-trees were putting forth
their blossoms.
II Mezereum (m/zie'ri'ffm). [mod.L., altera-
tion of Mezereon.] = prec.
a 1819 G. Pearson in Pantologia VII. s.v., The mezereum
has not the power of curing the venereal disease in any one
stage. Ibid., No mezereum had been taken. 1846 Lindley
Veget. Kingd. 531 Mezereum hark, i860 Gray Man. Bot.
380 Thymeleacese. (Mezereum Family.)
Mezle,Mezlings,obs.fT. Measles., Measungs.
Mezquita, -e, var. ff. Mesquita, Mesquite.
II Mezuza(h (mez/7-za). PI. mezuzoth (me-
z;?z<? b). [Heb. rrmo mezuzdh door-post (Deut. vi. 9,
etc.) ; in Rabbinic Heb. used as below.] Among
the Jews, a piece of parchment inscribed on one
side with the texts Deut. vi. 4-9 and xi. 13-21 and
on the other with the divine name Shaddai, enclosed
in a case which is attached to the door-post of the
house, in fulfilment of the injunction in Deut. vi. 9.
The case is a glass tube, or has an opening covered with
glass, talc, or horn, through which the name Shaddai is
seen. On leaving or entering the house, a pious Jew touches
the mezuza with his finger and puts the finger to his lips,
repeating the words of Ps. exxi. 8.
1650 Chilmead tr. Leo of Modena's Rites, Customs etc.
yews 1. ii. 6 As often as they go in and out, they make it
a part of their devotion to touch this Parchment, and kisse
it: and this they call .. Me-Zuzali, that is, The Post.
1707 Ockley tr. Leo of Modena's Hist, yews 1. ii. 7 And
this they call Mezuza. 173a D'Oyly & Colson tr. Calmcfs
Diet. Bible II. 194 Mezuzoth. 185s Smedley, etc. Occult
Set. 342 The mezuzoth or schedules for door-posts. 189a
Zangwill Childr. Ghetto II. 3 They don't kiss the Mezuzahs
often in that house — the impious crew.
!i Mezza (me'dza), a. Mus, Fem. of Mezzo a.
In various Italian combinations, as mezza-bravura,
-mam'ca, orchestra (see quots.) ; also Mezza voce.
181 1 Busby Diet. Mus. (ed. 3), Mezza Bravura, an ex-
pression used by the Italians to signify an air of moderate
passion and execution. 1876 Stainer& Barrett Diet. Mus.
Terms, Mezza manica, half shift (in violin-playing]. Mezza
orchestra, with half the orchestra.
II Mezza-majolica (me'dzaimayp'Kka). [It.:
lit. 'half-majolica* (see Mezzo).] Italian decora-
tive pottery of the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries;
less ornamental and elaborate than true majolica.
1868 J. Marryatt Pottery <$• Porcelain (ed. 3) 25 The
outlines of the figures in mezza majolica are traced in black
or blue. 1873 Fortnum Catal. Maiolica S. Kens. Mus.
212 Circular Dish. ' Bacile.'. ..' Mezza Majolica.'
Mezzanine (me'zanm). Also 8 mezanine,
(9 mezzouine) ; Italian 8 mezauino, 8-9 mez-
zanino, //. 8 mez(z)anini, mezaninis. [a. F.
mezzanine, ad. It. mezzanino, dim. of mezzano
middle :— L. mediCxnus Median.]
1. A low story between two higher ones; esp. a
low story between the ground floor and the story
above, occas. between the ground floor and the
basement. Cf. Entresol. Also attrib. (quasi-
adj.), esp. in mezzanine floor, story.
171X [see Entresol]. 1715 Leoni Palladio's Archil. (T742)
I. 46 The Closets, .have Mezzantno's or half Stories above
them. /bid. 59 On the Closets are Mezanini. 1736 —
Designs 1/2 The smaller stairs, .ascend to the Mezzanines.
1741 Corr. betw. Ctess Hartford % Ctess Pomfret (1805)
III. So The princess di Forano.. .took us into the mezzanini,
where the family live. 1754 Pococke Trav. (Camden) II.
140 To the saloon and hall there are as mezaninis above the
windows. 1837 Civ. Eng. <r Arch, yrul. 1. 59/2 The domestic
offices are admirably arranged in the basement and mezza-
nine stories. 1870 2nd Rep. Def Kpr. Ird. n The ground-
floor and mezzanine story of this part of the building are
arched constructions. 1876 B. Champnevs in Willis & Clark
Cambridge (1886) III. 237 A large cupboard for stowage on
a mezzanine. Ibid., The stowage room on the mezzanine
floor.
b. A platform or flooring laid over a floor to
bring its height up to some required level.
1715 Leoni Palladio's Archil. (1742J I. 27 If any little
Room or Closet should happen to be lower than the rest,
what is wanting must be supplied by a Mezanine, or false
Floor-Cieling.
C. Theatr. A floor beneath the stage, from
which the short scenes and traps are worked.
Also mezzanine floor.
1859 Sala Gas-light <$• D. ii. 31 Work underneath the stage,
on the umbrageous mezzonine floor. 1881 P. Fitzgkkald
World Behind Scenes 46 Below the stage on the mezzanine
floor. 1886 Stage Gossip 6o The 'mezzanine' is the name
of the lower stage — the one immediately below the ' boards*
proper— and it is from here that all 'rises', 'sinks' and
* traps ' are worked.
2. A small window, less in height than breadth,
occurring in entresols and attics, etc. Also mezza-
nine window.
1731 Bailey vol. II, Mezzanine, an Entresole, or little
window, less in height than breadth, serving to illuminate
an Attic, &c. 1837 Foreign Q. Rev. XIX. 78 There are
mezzanine windows behind the entablature.
II Mezza voce (me-dza|\v?'t[>), adv. Mus. [It.
mezza (see Mezza) +voce Voice.] With but half
the voice; not loud, with a medium fullness of
sound. Also more correctly a mezza voce.
1775 Ann. Reg. 11. 64/2 Instead of singing her airs as oiher
actresses do, for the most part she only hums them over,
a mezza voce. 179a Chaklotte Smith Desmond I. v. 60
Interrupting a tune he had been humming, a mezza voce.
1811 in Busby Diet. Mus. (ed. 3), Mezza Voce.
Mezzin, obs. form of Muezzin.
II Mezzo (me'dzo), sb.1 Short for Mezzo-
soprano, also attrib. as mezzo voice.
183a Westm. Rev. XVII. 357 The distinct soprano, mezzo,
contr'alto, and tenor voices. 1893 Guster Miss Dividends
(1893) 78 This young lady. .has a brilliant mezzo voice.
Mezzo (me*dz^, sb.- Short for Mezzotint.
1886 Athenxnm 3 July 18/1 He was offered 240/. for a lot
of early mezzos. ..One of these early mezzotints was worth
a thousand pounds.
II Mezzo (me'dzt?), a. Mus. [It. mezzo middle,
half :— L. medius; see Medium.] In various Italian
combinations, as mezzo carattere, forte, piano,
staccato (see quots.) ; mezzo tenore ( a voice of
tenor quahty and baritone range ' (Stainer & Barrett
1876), See also Mezzo-soprano, and the feminine
Mezza.
181 1 Busby Diet. Mus. (ed. 3), Mezzo Carattere, an ex-
pression applied to airs of a moderate cast in point of
execution. Ibid. Introd. 30 The Mezzo Forte, or rather
loud. Ibid., The Mezzo Piano, or rather soft. Ibid., The
Mezzo Staccato.. or extremely smooth and distinct. 1878
T. H elmore Catech. Mus. xxxiii. 68 Mezzo-staccato marks.
Mezzograph (me'dz<?graf). [f. Mezzo sb.'^-r
-graph.] A photographic print imitating the effect
of mezzotint.
1890 Pall Mall G. 1 Sept. 3/3 Meritorious mezzographs
after Messrs. Burgess and Normand.
II Mezzo-rilievo (medzo ralyrvo). PI. -OS.
Also 7 mezo-, 7-9 -relievo. [It. mezzo half +
rilievo Relief sb."]
1. Half-relief ; relief in which the figures project
half their true proportions from the surface on
which they are carved.
1598 R. Havdocke tr. Lomazzo v. iii. 189 Imbossing
halfe rounde called tnezzo relievo. 1673 Ray fourn. Lmv
C. 330 Having three pair of brass doors artificially cast or
engraven with curious figures in mezo relievo. 1703
Maunorell youm. yerus. (1810) 49 We saw.. figures of
men, carv'd in the natural rock, in mezzo relievo. 1820
T. S. Hughes Trav. Sicily, tic. I.vii. 227 A piece of sculpture
in mezzo-relievo representing a Jupiter and a Leda. i860
J. Newlands Carp, fy yoiner's Assist. Gloss., Demi-
relievo. ..It is also called mezzo-rilievo.
2. concr. A sculpture or carving in half-relief.
1665-6 Evelyn Diary 3 Jan., There are some mezzo-
relievos as big as the life. 1821 Whitaker Richmondsh. I.
155 A mezzo relievo by Westmacott, very finely wrought.
Hence + Mezzo-relievo v.
1644 Evelyn Diary 27 Feb., In the Court is a Volary, and
the statues of Charles IX, Hen. Ill, IV, and Lewis XIII,
on horseback, mezzo-relievod in plaster.
II Mezzo-soprano (me=dzo s^prirno), sb. and a.
Mus. [It. : see Mezzo a. and Soprano.] a. The
part intermediate in compass between the soprano
and contralto ; b. a voice of this pitch or compass ;
C. a person having such a voice.
1753 Chambers Cycl. SuPf, Mezzo Soprano, in the Italian
music, is the high tenor, which has the clefTC on the second
line. 1878 T. Helmore Catech. Mus. xliii. 84 The contraltos
and mezzo- sopranos may sing the bass an octave higher in
the exercises.
d. attrib. or adj.
x8n Busby Diet. Mus. (ed. 3), Mezzo Soprano Cliff* the
name given to the Cliff when placed on the first line of the
stave, in order to accommodate the Mezzo Soprano voice.
1885 Miss Braddon IVyllard's Weird I. iii. 94 Hilda had
a superb mezzo-soprano voice.
II Mezzo terniine (me'dza te-rminf). PL -i.
[It. : mezzo middle, termine term.] A middle term,
measure, or period.
1768 H. Walpole Let. to G. Montagu 13 Aug., He only
takes the title of altesse, an absurd mezzotermine, but acts
King exceedingly. 1827 Scott Chrou. Canoug. Introd. !,
I have all my life hated those treacherous expedients called
mezzo-termini. 1841 Lady Blessington Idler in France
II. iv. 84 Oh, the misery of the mezzo termini'm the journey
of life, when time robs the eyes of their lustre [etc.J.
Mezzotint (me'dzo-, me'zotint), sb. [Angli-
cized form of Mezzotinto.]
1. vi Mezzotinto 1. Obs. or arch.
1738 Fritsch tr. Lairesse's Art Paint, n The half Tint
which is laid next to the Extremity on the light Side and
Called Mezzo-tint. 1774 ' J. Collier ' Mus. Trav. 28 Her
back-ground ; her mezzo-tints ; and her clare-obscure were
charming. 1880 Shortholse J. Inglesant (1882) II. vii.
162 Born in the dull twilight of the north, and having most
of his mature years amongthe green mezzotint:; of Germany,
he was now transplanted into a land of light and colour.
2. ( = Mezzotinto 2.) A method of engraving
copper or steel plates for printing, in which the
surJace of the plate is first roughened uniformly,
the 'nap* thus produced being afterwards com-
pletely or partially scraped away in order to pro-
duce the lights and half-lights of the picture, while
the untouched parts of the plate give the deepest
shadows. Also, a print produced by this process.
The invention has often been ascribed to Prince Rupert,
who certainly practised the method, and made it known in
England *, but it is now established that he learned it from
a Hessian colonel, Ludwig vonSiegen, of whom an example
is extant dated 1642.
1800 J. Dallawav Anecd. Arts Eng. 474 note, There is
a mezzotint taken from it by Faber. 1850 W. Irving Gold-
smith xxvii. 272 His portrait is to be engraved in mezzotint.
1886 Swinburne Misc. 86 Aurora Raby is a graceful sketch
in sentimental mezzotint.
b. attrib.
1753 Hogarth Anal. Beauty xii. 94 Could mezzo-tint
prints be wrought as accurately as those with the graver,
they would come nearest to nature, as they are done without
strokes or lines. 1839 Penny Cycl. XV. 169/1 Previous to
the mezzotint ground having been laid. 1870 RiSKisLect.
Art v. 129 The arts of etching and mezzotint engraving.
c. Photogr. (See quot.)
18.. Lea Photogr. 194 (Cent.) Others modify the effects
and soften their paper prints by interposing a sheet of glass,
of gelatin, of mica, or of tissue paper between the negative
and the paper ; in this way are made the so-called Mezzotint
Prints.
Mezzotint, v. [f. Mezzotint sb.] trans. To
engrave in mezzotint.
1827 Genii. Mag, XCVII. II. 3 Mezzotinting those on the
motto. 1829 Ibid. XCIX. 1. 347 By this discovery the litho-
grapher acquires a very valuable process for mezzotinting.
1881 Blackw. Mag. Nov. 601 The picture was. .afterwards
mezzotinted very indifferently.
b. transf.andflg. To represent as if in mezzotint.
1854 Lowell yrul. Italy Pr. Wks. 1890 I. 168 The.,
passengers.. crawled out again, .. their vealy faces mezzo-
tinted with soot. 1870 — Study Hind. (1871) 42 How
many times I had lingered to study the shadows of the
leaves mezzotinted upon the turf.
Hence Me'zzotinted ///. a., Mezzotinting
vbl. sb,
1877 ' Rita' Vivienne vi. ii, The room was furnished with
quaint mezzo-tinted cinque-cento furniture. 1884 Pall Mall
G. 13 Mar. 3/2 For the mezzotinting the authorities have
allowed Mr. Seymour Haden to remove the picture.
Mezzotinter (me'dzo-, me'zotintaj). [f.
Mezzotint sb. + -er *.] One who engraves or is
skilled in mezzotint.
1763 H. Walpole Catal. Engravers (1765) 116 Mr. John
Smith 1700. The best mezzotinter that has appeared, who
united softness with strength, and finishing with freedom.
Ibid. 130 John Faber junr... was the next mezzotinter in
merit to Smith. X895 Daily Meivs 25 Nov. 3/6 Such an
etcher or mezzotinter as Mr. Frank Short. 190Z A. Whit-
man (title) British Mezzotinters, Valentine Green.
|| SSezzotinto (medzoti'nt*?), sb. and a. Also
7 metzo-tincto, mezo tinto, mascy tinter, 8
met(t)zotinto, messo-tinto. [It.: mezzo half,
tinto tint.]
fl. In the Italian sense : A half-tint. Obs,
1660. 1. Durer Revived 18 Take a print done in Metzo-
Tincto. 1739 Eliz.Carter tr. A Igarotti on Newton 's Theory
(1742) II. 25 Neither Correggio, Titian, nor his rival
Rosalba, did ever unite and shade their Metzo Tintoes
with so much Exactness to form the Oval of a Face.
1787 P. Beckford Let. Italy (1805) I. 437 The Mosaic of
the floor, .was improved and finished by Beccafumi in 1500,
who made use of yellow marble as a mezzotinto. 1788
Burke Sp. agst. W. Hastings Wks. XVI. 224 You will see,
by this letter, that he [Hastings] kept hts accounts in all
colours, black, white, and mezzotinto : that he kept them
in all languages, in Persian, in Bengallee, [etc.].
2. = Mezzotint sb, 2.
1661 Evelyn Diary 21 Feb., Prince Rupert first shewed
me how to grave in Mezzo Tinto. 1665 Pepvs Diary
5 Nov., Mr. Evelyn . . showed me . . the whole secret of mezzo-
tinto. 1669 A. Browne Ars Pietoria no The Manner or
Way of Mezo Tinto. 1688 R. Holme Armoury \\\. 156/1
Mascy Tinter. .is a New and Late Invention of taking from
a Plate any form or shape.. by smooty shadows. 1715
Heakne Collect. (O.H.S.) V. 104 The picture that is done in
Mezzotinto of him. 1727 Swikt Let. to Gay 23 Nov., Get
me likewise Polly's Messo-tinto. 1780 Newgate Cat. V. 204
The prisoner .. was indicted for causing to be engraved and
cut in mezzo-tinto, on a plate of copper, a blank promissory
note, containing the word twenty in white letters, on a black
ground. 1883 S. C. Hall Retrospect II. 226 Martin
' scraped ' in mezzo-tinto the major part of the many en-
graved plates he produced.
b. attrib. and Comb.
MEZZOTYPE.
1688 G. Parker & J. Stalker Treat. Japanning, etc.
!title-p.), The Method ofGuilding. ., with the Art. .of Paint-
ing Mezzo-tinto-Prints. 1697 Mezzo-Tinto Graving [see
Melanochalcographer]. 1745 Daily Advertiser 1 Oct. 3/3
A Metzotinto Print of that worthy Prelate Dr. Hough, late
Bishop of Worcester. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XI. 687/2
Edial. .became a mezzotinto painter. i8iz R. H. in Ex-
aminer 28 Dec. 828/1 Mr. Meyer's ability in mezzotinto
scraping, .ranks with the most eminent. 1825 C. Turner
in Phil. Mag. LXV. 427 The deficiencies .. in mezzotinto
engraving. 1839 Penny Cycl. XV. 169/1 The mezzotinto
ground being thus laid. 1845 Darwin Voy. Nat. xv. (1873)
329 The sky .. appeared like a mezzotinto engraving.
fig. a 1788 N. Cotton A Fable 34 Baxter, with apostolic
grace, Displayed his metzotinto face ; While here and there
some luckier saint Attain'd to dignity of paint.
Hence Me-zzotinto v. = Mezzotint v.
a 1846 Gentl. Mag. cited in Worcester (1846).
Mezzotype (me'dziHaip). Photogr. [f. Mezzo
sb.% + -type. Cf.pbolo- mezzotype.] A kind of paper
for photographic printing.
1894 Brit. Jml. Photogr. XLI. 56 With plain salted
papers, or at any rate, with mezzotype, the only chemicals
used are the necessary chloride of silver and a little acid.
Ibid. 57 We believe that mezzotype is as perfect a paper of
its class as it is possible to make.
Mhendee, variant of Mendee.
Mlio (m<?u). Ekctr. [Proposed by Sir W.
Thomson (now Lord Kelvin): reversed spelling of
Ohm.] The unit of conductivity, being the con-
ductivity of a body whose resistance is one ohm.
1883 Sir W. Thomson Pop. Led. (1889) I. 130 Such an
instrument at once gives conductivity, ana you want a name
(suppose you adopt who) for the unit of conductivity, and
call the instrument a tuhometer. .The number of mlws, or
of millitnhos will, .measure the number of lamps in circuit.
1892 Gloss. Electr. Terms 12 in Lightning 3 Mar. Supp.,
Mho. The mho is the conductivity of a column of mercury
of a constant cross section of one square millimetre, and of
a length of 106-3 centimetres at the temperature of melting
ice. {Note. — The conductivity of a conductor is the recipro-
cal of its resistance.)
So Mhometer (mp'mftai), an instrument for
measuring electrical conductivities.
1883 [see above].
Mhorr (mpj). Also m'horr, moh(o)r. [Mo-
rocco Arabic] A West African gazelle named by
E. T. Bennett Gazelta mhorr, having horns annu-
lated with ten or twelve prominent rings.
' The animal is much sought after by the Arabs on account
of producing the bezoar stones so highly valued in eastern
medicine. These stones are commonly called in Marocco,
Baid-el-Mhorr, mhorr's eggs' {Penny Cycl. 1834 II. 86J.
1833 E. T. Bennett in Trans. Zool. Soc. (1835) I. 1 The
M'horr Antelope. 1834 Penny Cycl. II. 85/2 The Mhorr..
is four feet two inches long from nose to the origin of the
tail. 185s J. E. Gray Catat. Mammalia Brit. Mns. III. 59
Gazella Sosmmeringii. The Abyssinian Mohr.
Mi (ml). Mus. Also 6 my, 7, 9 me. [Orig.
the first syllable of L. intra : see Gamut.] The
name given by Guido to the third note in his
hexachords, and since retained in solmization as
the third note of the octave ; also used (as in Fr.
and It.) as a name for the note E natural, the
third note in the scale of C major. (In Tonic
Sol-fa often written me.)
a 1529 Skelton Bowge Courte 258 Lerne me to synge, Re,
my, fa, sol. 1588 Shaks. L, L. L. iv. ii. 102 Old Mantuan.
Who vnderstandeth thee not, vt re sol la mi fa. ^ £1645
Howell Lett. (1650) II. 77 The other [a German]., will drink
often musically a health to every one of these 6 notes, Ut,
Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La. 1737-41 Chambers Cycl. s. v. Gammnt,
We may begin at ut in c, and pass into the first series at mi.
1811 Busby Diet. Mus. (ed. 3) s. v. Scale, The denomination
first given to the arrangement made by Guido, of the six
syllables at) re, mi, /a, sol, la.
Mi, obs. form of My.
t Miagite. Min. Obs. [f. Miage the name of
a glacier near Mont Blanc +-ite.] (See quot.)
1811 Pinkerton Petralogy II. 63 Miagite. The rock is
generally considered as the most beautiful which has yet
been discovered . . it consists of concentric but irregular circles
of white felspar and black siderite, disposed in broad or
narrow lines. Ibid. 68 It was thought advisable, .to term
it Miagite, from the place where it was discovered by
Saus-.ure.
Mia-mia (maimsi*). Also miam, miami,
mi-mi, mia-mie. The Western Australian and
Victorian native name for : A hut, a rude shelter.
1845 R. HowiTT Australia 103 There she stood, in a per-
feet state of nudity, a little way from the road, by her miam.
185* Mrs. Perry in Goodman Ch. in Victoria (1892) 167
One of the mia mias..was as large as an ordinary-sized
circular summer-house. 1861 T. M«Combie Austral. Sk. 15
Many diggers resided under branches of trees made into
miamis or wigwams. 1868 Cari.eton Austral. Nts. 2 The
mia-mia that the native dark Had formed from sheets of
stringy bark. 1870 Tucker Mute 85 He yells the war-cry
of his tribe around That makes the warriors from their mi-
mis bound.
Miana-bug (mia'naib»g). [Miana the name of
a town in Persia + Bug.] A species of tick, Argas
persicus, whose bite is said to be occasionally fatal.
[1821 Porter Trav. Georgia, etc. I. 265 Mianna. .is a poor
place, being best known by the ill name of its bugs.] 1862
Chambers's Eucycl. IV. 100/2 The Miana Bug, or Argas
fersicus.
MiaOW (miau), int. and sb. Forms: 7 miau,
7«-8 meaw, 9 miaw, mieaou, meaow, miauw,
miaow, miow, mi-owe, meeow. [Echoic : the
406
spelling is partly influenced by F. miaou. Cf.
Mew int. and sb.*] The cry of a cat. Also, the
name of this cry.
1634 T.Johnson Parey'sChirurg. 151 They, .cryed withthe
Cats miau, miau. 1833 *****& 0'<^- I- 372/2 The word mew
would be more expressively written mieaou. 1840 Mahryat
Poor Jack xxiii, ' Miaw .' ' was the reply. They had heard
the loud miaw. 1862 H. Kingsley in Macm. Mag. June 112
'Pussey, pussey!' she [Mrs. O'Neil] began, 'kitty, kitty,
kitty! Miaow, miaow!' (Mr. Malone had accumulated
property in the cats' meat bu-iness.) 1866 Miss Braddon
Trail Serpent IV. v, The feeble miauw of an invalid member
of the feline species. 1879 E. Garrett Ho. by Works 1. 80
He [a cat] rose with a lazy mi-owe.
Hence Miaow v. intr.} to make or counterfeit
the cry of a cat (cf. Maw, Mew vbs.). Miaowing1
vbL sb.y the crying of a cat; Miaowing ///. a.t
calling like a cat. Also Miaower.
163a Sherwood, To meaw, or meawle (as a cat), miauler.
..A meawing, or meawling, miaulement.. .A meawer, or
meawler, miaulenr. Meawing, or meawling, miauleux.
1731 Bailey vol. II, Meawing, the crying of a cat. 1825 80
Jamieson, To Mianve, to mew as a cat, Buchan. 1894
Baring-Gould Kitty Alone III. 167 A stray cat came., and
meeowed.
Miargyrite (maijaud^irsit). Min. [ad. G.
miargyrit (H. Rose 1829), f. Gr. ixu-aiv less +
apyvp-os silver + -ITE.] A black sulph-antimonide
of silver, which contains a smaller quantity of
silver than red silver ore.
1836 T. Thomson Min. Geol., etc. I. 650 The constitution
of miargirite must be 11 atoms sesquisulphite of antimony,
6 atoms sequisulphuret of silver. 1845 Encycl. Metrop. VI.
514/1 Miargyrite. . .Occurs in attached crystals. 187a Ray-
mond Statist. Mines <y_ Mining 52 Our ores are chiefly
antimonial sulphides, miargyrite, dark red silver ore, and
light red silver ore.
II Mias (mai'as). Sing. and//. Also 9 maias.
[Dayak maias (Howell & Baily Sea-Dyak Did.
1900).] The orang-utan, Simia satyrus.
1840 J. Brooke Jml. in Mundy Narr. in Borneo, etc
(1848) I. 220 While lazily waiting the report of our Dyaks
who were detached in search of the mias, we fell in with
a party of Balows. Ibid. 221 After our interview with the
Balow other mias were discovered, ibid. 226 The mias,
both pappan and rembi. .have nests or houses in the trees.
1866 C. Brooke Sarawak I. 63 The Maias, or Orang-utan,
. .is very common in some parts [of Sarawak]. 1869 A. R.
Wallace Malay Archip. I. iv. 62 Just a week after my
arrival at the mines, I first saw a Mias.
Miascite (maraskait). Petrology. Also mia-
scyte and (in Diets.) miaskite. [ad. G. miaszit
(Wuttig 1814), f. Miask the name of a town in the
Ural Mountains where the mineral was obtained :
see -ite.] (See quot. 18S8.)
1854 Dana Syst. Min. (ed. 4) II. 246 Miascite, a granular
slaty rock consisting of orthoclase, mica, and ela^olite, with
sometimes quartz, albite, and hornblende. 1868 Ibid. (ed. 5)
II. 359 Miascyte. 1888 Teall Brit. Petrogr. 359 Miascite,
term introduced by G. Rose for a rock occurring in the
Ilmen Mountains in Russia, essentially composed of ortho-
clase, elaeolite, and dark mica.
Miasm (moi'sez'm). Also 7-8 miasme. [a.
F. miasme : see next.] = Miasma.
1650 Chari.eton Paradoxes Proleg. B4, Upon every
Solution of Continuity there is impressed an exotick Miasm,
or putrefactive acidity. 1669 W. Simpson Hydrol. Chym.
71 It carrys of. .the very seminal miasmes. 1799 Under-
wood Vis. Children (ed. 4) I. 288 Children born in an air.
saturated as it were with the miasm of this disease [i.e. small-
pox], .have nevertheless escaped the disease. 18x2-34 Good's
Study Med. (ed. 4) II. 423 The miasm of gaol fever. 1876
Bristowe Theory a> Tract. Med. (1878) 282 The miasm may
be carried by the wind and atmospheric currents beyond
the limits of the area in which it is produced.
I] Miasma (ma^arzma). PL miasmata
(ma^arzmata), miasmas. [mod.L., a. Gr. ftiafffia
pollution, related to utaivnv to pollute. Cf. F.
miasme.'] Infectious or noxious exhalations from
putrescent organic matter; poisonous particles or
germs floating in and polluting the atmosphere;
noxious emanations, esp. malaria.
i66«; Needham Med. Medicine 395 The Miasma or Malign
Inquination of blood and humors. i7»Quincv tr. Hodges*
Loimologia 54 The pestilential Miasmata may be destroyed
by the occursion of others. 1827 Maccui.loch Malaria i. 1
It has long been familiar to physicians that there was pro-
duced by., marshes and swamps, a poisonous and aeriform
substance, the cause, not only of ordinary fevers, but of
intermittents; and to this unknown agent of disease the
term marsh miasma has been applied. 1844 H. H. Wilson
Brit. India II. 20 The deadly miasmata which render the
forests on the skirts of the hills utterly impassable. 1862
Merivale Rom. Emp. xxxiv. (1865) IV. 181 Sardinia, .was
afflicted by a pestilential miasma. 188a ' Ouida ' Maremma
I. 35 It was full of miasma and fever in the hot season.
Jig. 1836 Hor. Smith Tin Trump., Mor. Cholera, It
seems to be the object of these institutions to propagate
and disseminate the miasmata of vice instead of prevent-
ing their circulation. 1878 Smiles Robt. Dick ii. 13 The
noxious miasmas that poison the whole human heart.
Miasmal (maiiarzmal), a. [f. prec. + -al.]
Containing miasmatic effluvia or germs.
1853 Eraser's Mag. XLVIII. 267 You wittingly expose
your innocent wife To this miasmal atmosphere of death.
1856 Mrs. Browning Aur. Leigh vn. 300 We respond with
our miasmal fog. 1895 R. F. Horton Teaching of Jesus
II. 175 Like a sunbeam on some forlorn and miasmal place,
sterilising the germs of evil.
Miasmatic (m3i|a:zmxtik), <7. [f. Gr. fxiaapriT-,
fiiaafia Miasma + -ic.] Pertaining to or having the
MICA.
1 nature of miasma ; caused by noxious or infectious
exhalations ; malarial.
1835 Cycl. Pract. Med. IV. 57/r The softening in inter-
mittents is owing to the miasmatic poison altering the
cjualities of the blood. 1857 K. Tomes Amer. in Japan
ix. 194 The entire absence ofmarshes. .must exempt it from
all miasmatic disease. 1881 l)u Chaillu Land 0/ Midnt.
Sun II. 60 The miasmatic equatorial African jungle.
Hence Miasma tical a., in the same sense ;
Miasma tically adv.. after the manner of miasma.
1855 Ogilvie Suppl., Miasmatical. 1876 tr. Wagner's
Gen. Pathol. 132 The infectious material may. .increase also
outside of the organism, in the substrata of the surrounding
soil, i.e. miasmatically.
Miasmatist (m3i(arzmatist). [f. miasmal;
Miasma + -1ST.] One versed in the phenomena of
miasmatic exhalations ; one who makes a special
study of malarial diseases. 1890 in Syd. Soc. Lex.
Miasmatize (maiinrzmataiz), v. [Formed as
prec: see -ize.] trans. To affect by miasma.
1831 T. L. Peacock Crotchet Castle x'u (/«//.), The Captain
was neither drowned nor poisoned, neither miasmatised nor
anatomised.
Miasmatology (maijce'zmat^lod^i). Med. [f.
wiasmat-, Miasma + -(o)logt.] The study of
miasmata; miasmology (Webster 1902).
Miasmatous (msi^'zmatas), a. [Formed as
prec. + -ous.] Generating miasma.
1864 Sat. Rev. 9 July 67/2 Cambodia .. is overspread
with miasmatous forests.
Miasmic (maiiarzmik), a. [f. Miasm + -ic]
-— Miasmatic,
1822-34 Goods Study Med. (ed. 4) I. 588 In a pure atmo-
sphere, the miasmic materials easily become dissolved or
decomposed. 1895 G. Parker When V'almoud tame to
Pontiac vi. {1896) 97 Beyond the mountain were unexplored
regions,, .lost in a miasmic haze.
Miasmifuge (m3i|a.''zmin/7d3). [f. Miasma
+ -(i)fuge.] That which destroys or disperses
miasmata {Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890).
Miasmology (mai|&zmp*16dgi). [f. Gr.
fitaafi-a miasma + -(o)LOGY.] A treatise on
miasma; the science that treats of miasmata
(Ogilvie 1882).
Miasmous (m3i(3e*zm3s), a. [f. Miasm + -ous.]
Miasmatic, miasmal.
1884 J. P. Mahaffv in Harper's Mag. May 903/1 A fertile
but miasmous desert. [Also in mod. Diets.]
Miau, obs. form of Miaow.
Miaul (mi|§'l), v. Forms : 7 meawle, miol,
8 meaul, 9 mioul, miaul, [ad. F. miauler, of
echoic origin. (The form meawle perh. belongs to
Mewl.)]
1. intr. To call or cry as a cat ; to mew.
1632 Sherwood, To meaw, or meawle (as a cat>, miauler.
1771 Smollett Humph. CI. 8 Nov., The poor animal [a cat)
. .meauled. 1824 Scott 67. Ronan's xxii, Lady Penelope is
miauling like a starved cat. 1859 H. Kingsley G. Hamlyn
II. 71 Domestic cats may mioul m the garden at night. 1886
K. F. Burton Arab. Nts. I. 134 A black tom-cat, which
miauled and grinned and spat.
2. trans. To sing with a voice like that of a cat.
186a Wraxall Hugo's Mistrables in. xxii. (1877) " Her
tom-cat, who might have miauled the Allegri Miserere.
1866 G. Meredith Vittoria xii, The boy. .concluded by
miauling 'Amalia' in the triumph of contempt.
Hence Miauling vbl. sb. and />/>/. a. Also
Miauler, a cat.
163a Meawler, meawling [see Miaower, M (AowingJ. a 1693
Urquhart's Rabelais 111. xiii. 107 The. .mumbling of Rabets,
. . humming of Wasps mioling of Tygers, bruzzing of Bears.
1821 Scott Kenilw. xxxiii, I mind a squalling woman no
more than a miauling kitten. 1884 Graphic Christmas No.
4/1 He. .sang in a shrill miawling treble. 1885 Ibid. 3 Jan.
7/1 While Bully is asleep the marauding miaulers come
and appropriate his bone. 1885 Punch 13 June 280/1 Hark
the . . miauling of Cats.
Miauw, variant form of Miaow.
Mica (mai'ka). Min. [a. L. mica grain, crumb.
The mod.L. use in Mineralogy was prob. originally con-
textual ; the development of the specialized meaning may
have been due to erroneous association with micare to shine.]
fl. A small plate of talc, selenite, or other
glistening crystalline substance found in the struc-
ture of a rock. In pi, mica. Obs.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Mica, . . Glimmer, or Cat-silver ;
a MettalHck Body like Silver, which shines in Marble, and
other Stones, but cannot be separated from them, a tj*8
Woodward Nat. Hist. Fossils (1729) I. 1. viii. 170 A pale
brown Earth, with very small Mica; in it. 1748 ). Hill
Hist. Fossils 556 Dr. Woodward imagin'd the white parts
of this as of the other Micae in general to be Spar. 1803
Sarrett New Pict. Loud. 114 A great variety of Micae or
spangle stones.
2. Any one of a group of similar minerals com-
posed essentially of silicate of aluminium variously
combined with the silicates of other bases, such as
soda, potash and magnesia, and occurring either
in minute glittering plates or scales in granite and
other rocks, or in crystals characterized by their
perfect basal cleavage and their consequent separa-
bility into thin, transparent and usually flexible
lamina?.
1778 Woulfe in Phil. Trans. LXIX. 20 Mica or Glimmer.
This, .is composed of very thin flexible flakes, more or less
large. 1835 R. D. <y T. Thomson's Rec. Gen. Sci. II- 445
Pinchbeck mica, iron pyrites, and titaniate of iron occur as
MICACEO-CALCAREOUS.
accidental constituents, i860 Tyndall Glac. 3 Mica is a
crystal which cleaves very readily in one direction. 1903
Edin. Rev. Oct. 390 A film of mica.
3. attrib. and Comb., as mica battery, goggles,
insulation, plate ; mica-powder, a form of dyna-
mite in which the siliceous earth is replaced by
mica in fine scales; mica-schist, -slate, a slaty
metamorphic rock composed of quartz and mica.
1849 Noad Electricity (ed. 3) 148 The lacquered knob of
the *mica battery. 1905 Daily Chron. 10 Aug. 5/6 A polo
cap, *mica goggles,, .and the usual . .allowance of lard consti-
tuted Burgess's costume. X807 Daily News 20 July 6/2 It
fused the *mica insulation of wires. 1837 Brewster Magnet.
312 The successive thicknesses of the *nrica plates. 1881
Ravmond Mining Gloss., * Mica-powder. 1833 Lvell Princ.
Gcol. III. 237 The sterile *mica-schist is barely covered with
vegetation. 1878 Lawrence tr. Cotta's Rocks Class. 23^ A
complete series of transitions from.. gneiss through mica-
schist into clay-slate. 1819 Bakewell fntrod. Mineral.
477 * Mica-slate, or micaceous schistus. 1877 Raymond
Statist. Mines ty Mining 229 A large number of fine lodes,
all occurring in limestone and mica-slate.
Micaxeo-calcareous, a, Geol [f. miedceo-
taken as comb, form of next + Calcareous.]
Containing mica and lime {Cent. Diet. 1890).
Micaceous (malkfi'jAt), a, Min. [f. Mica +
•aceous.] Containing or resembling mica; per-
taining to or of the nature of mica, esp. in Combs,
forming the descriptive names of various rocks, as
micaceous lava, sandstone, schist, shale, slate.
1774 Pennant Tour Scott, in 1772, 153 A micaceous slate,
mixed with quartz. 1813 SirH. Davy Agric. Chem.(iSj4)
193M icaceous schistus, which is composed of quartz and mica
arranged in layers. 1849 Dana Geol. ix. (1850) ^63 Blue
micaceous shale. 188a Geikie Text-bk. Geol. 11. n. iii, As this
silvery lustre is. .due to the presence of mica, it is commonly
called distinctively micaceous.
MicaciousCnisik^i'Jss),^. [as iff. "L.*micdc-em
(f. micdre to shine, sparkle) + -ioua.] Sparkling.
1836 Loudon Encycl. Plants 42 IVatsonia brevifolia has
its blossoms of a micacious hue, glittering in the sun.
a 1843 Southey Doctor Interch. xxu. (.1848) 537 There is
the Cyclopean stile, of which Johnson is the great example ;
the sparkling, or micacious, possessed by Hazlitt.
Micanite (mai'kanait). Telegraphy, [f. Mica,
after vulcanite^ A prepared form of mica used as
an insulator.
1900 Engineering Mag. XIX. 709 The micanite used for
the commutator sleeve.
1* Micant, a. Obs. [ad. L. micant-em, pres.
pple. of micdre shine.] Shining, glittering.
1657 Tomlinson Renou's Disp. 435 When micant sparks
ascend from the metal.
Micarelle (mai'karel). Min. Also -el. [App.
irreg. f. Mica.]
1. A micaceous mineral pseudomorphous after
scapolite.
1794 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) I. 213 Hence the presence
of magnesia is merely casual ; therefore it must be regarded
as a distinct species from mica, and hence I have given it
the name of micarelle. 1811 Pinkerton Petral. I. 123 The
white mica, which might be called micarel. 1836 T. Thom-
son Min. Geol., etc. I. 27 1 Meionite, or Scapolite. Paranthine,
. .micarelle [etc.]. 1896 Chester Diet. Min.
2. A name used to designate an unknown mineral
from which the pinite of Stolpen was derived.
1836 T. Thomson Min. Geol., etc. I. 386 Pinite. Micarell.
184s Encycl. Metrcp. VI. 525/1 Micarelle. Pinite or Sca-
polite.
So Micare-llite in the same senses {CasselVs
Encycl. Diet. 1885).
Micasization, Micatiza'tion. Geol.
[irreg. f. Mica + -ize + -ation.] (See quot. 1893.)
1893 Geikie Text-bk. Geol. (ed. 3) 617 Micasization — the
production of mica as a secondary mineral from felspars or
other original constituents. 1896 Van Hise in 16M Rep.
U.S. Geol. Surv. 1. 691 Some of the more important of
these processes are micatization, feldsparization [etc.].
t Mication. Obs. [ad. L. miedtion-em, n. of
action f. micdre to move swiftly, micdre digitis to
play at mora (• How many fingers do I hold up? ').]
a. The action used in playing at mora. b. A beat
of the pulse.
c 1643 Vox Turtnris 8 Hence Causabonus saith dimicare
to duell or fight is derived, which is properly by Lot or
mication to put an end to controversie. 1656 Stanley Hist.
Philos.wu. (1687)466/2 By Lot, or Mication with the Fingers
(giuoco delta mora). 1725 Bradley Earn. Diet. s. v. Pulse,
This Strength is made up with the Multiplicity and Fre-
quency of less Mications [sc. of the pulse] as in the Heights
of Fevers.
t Mice-eyed, a. Obs. rare"1, [f. mice, pi. of
Mouse + Eyed.] Having the keen eyes of mice.
i§99 Nashe Lenten Stuffe 67 O for a Legion of mice-eyed
dicipherers and calculaters vppon characters, now to augu-
rate what I meane by this.
Micelium, obs, variant of Mycelium.
II Micella (mise-la). Biol. PL mieellflB (-/*).
[mod.L., dim. of L. mica crumb.] Nageli's term
(1877) for the hypothetical solid molecular aggre-
gates of which he considered the organized struc-
tures of plants to consist. The micella is distin-
guished from the Pleon in that it consists of a
much larger number of molecules, and in that
increase or decrease of size does not affect the
chemical constitution. In certain cases the micella?
407
were assumed to be crystals. Hence Mice-liar a.,
pertaining to or composed of micellse.
1882 Vines tr. Sachs1 Bot. 664 note 1. 1885 Goodale
Physiol. Bet, (1892)218 In the adherent film of water around
each micella new micellae of cellulose are supposed to be
produced. 1893 W. N. Parkers. Weismanris Germ- Plasm
474 (Index) Micellar theory.
Mich : see Miche v., Much a. and adv.
Michael (markel). Forms: a. 1 Micha(h)el,
3 {Or min) Michasel, 4 Mychael, 4, 6- Michael.
£. 3 Missel, 4-5 Michel, 5 Mychel, 6 Mychell.
7. 3 Mihael, Michel, 4 Mihel, Mychell, 5 My-
ghell, Myghele, 7 (in Comb.) Mighill-. [repr.
Heb. toO*Q Mikhdel, lit. 'who is like God?' Gr.
Mixa4^) L* Michael, whence OF. Michiel, F.
Michel, It. Michele, Sp. Miguel, Pg. Miguel, G.
Michae I (the archangel), Michel (in popular uses).
The y forms, implying a pronunciation (miyelj, are difficult
to account for. They occur only in application to the arch-
angel or his feast ; for the baptismal name the 0 forms only
were used down to the 17th c]
1. The name of one of the archangels. The feast
of St. Michael, St. MichaePs day. Michaelmas.
ciooo ^Elfric Horn. I. 518 Michahel. ai*z$ Aucr. R.
412 Seinte Mihaeles dei. 1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 11032 A
sein Misseles [v.r. Myhelles] dai. 1340 Ayenb. 1 Holy
archanle Michael. 136a Langl. P. PI. A. viii, 36, I schal
sende ow my-self seint Mihel myn Aungel. 138a Wvclif
Dan.x. 13 Mychael [1388 Myahel]. 14. . Customs o/Malton
in Surtees Misc. (1888) 59 Eftyr be fest of Sayntt Myghell.
1667 Milton P. L. 11. 294 Somuch thefear Of Thunder and
the Sword of Michael Wrought still within them.
b. St. Michael spear [= K. poire de St. -Michel,
G. Michae lis birne] : a kind of pear that is ripe at
Michaelmas.
1837 Hawthorne Twice-told T. viii, They strung him up
to the branch of a St. Michael's pear-tree.
C. Order of St. Michael: an old French military
order instituted by Louis XI in 1462. Order of
St. Michael and St. George : an English civil
order of knighthood instituted in 181 8, shortly
after the acquisition by Great Britain of Malta
and the Ionian Islands, for the purpose of affording
a special decoration to the natives of those islands;
now granted as a reward for distinguished services
in the colonies and abroad.
1530, 1591 [see Order sb. 8]. 1839 Penny Cycl. XIII. 246/2
There are also. .knights of the Ionian order of Saint Mi-
chael and Saint George.
f 2. = Michaelmas. Also attrib. in Michael-cry,
day, term ; Michael(*s)-tide, Mi chad mas- tide.
1406 Hoccleve Misrule 422 For Michel terme bat was
last. 14*6 in Catal. Anc. Deeds in P. R. O. IV. 547 That
the said Richard be at Chestir the next Seterday after
Mygheleday in presens of the Chaumberlayn. 1573 Tusser
Husb. (1878) 28 Fresh herring plentie, Mihell brings. Ibid.
74 No danger at all to geld as they fall. Yet Michel cries
please butchers eies. 1611 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. ix. xv.
(1623) 802 From the next Michaels-tide vnto Easter. 1615
W. Lawson Country Housew. Card. (1626) 12 At Mighill-
tide it will be good to sow Wall-flowers. Ibid. 51 Generally
no keeping fruit [sc. will be readyl before Michael-tide. 1622
S. Ward Life Eaith in Death (1627) 87 To be haunted
with a Quartan from Michael to Ester. 1622 in Buccleuch
MSS. (Hist MSS. Comm.) I. 210 By Michael next my Lord
..makes accompt to bring her over.
3. As a common Christian name of men. Also
in proverbial phrases.
1340 Ayenb. 1 pis hoc is dan Michelis of Northgate, y-
write an englis of his owene hand. 1500-20 Dunbar Poems
xxiL 71 Twa curis or thre hes vpolandis Michell [rimes
knitchell and nichell ( = L. nihil)]. 0:1625 Fletcher Wo-
man's Prize l iii, Petru. Well there are more Maides then
Maudlin, that's my comfort. Mar. Yes, and more men
then Michael. 1785 Grose Diet. Vnlg. T., Michael. Hip,
Michael, your head's on fire.
Michaelite (markebit). Min, [f. name of
St. Michaels, in the Azores : see -ite.] = Fiorite.
1821 Webster in Amer, Jrnl. Sci. III. 391 From the
island where this variety [sc. of siliceous sinter] occurs (St.
Michaels) it might perhaps be distinguished by the term
Michaelite.
Michaelmas (mi'kelmas). Forms : 1 Sanct
Michaeles meesse, 3 Mi^heles-masse ; 3 miel-,
missel-, 3, 5 mi$hel, 3-5 mychel, 4 myel-,
mihele-, misschel, 4-5 myhel, 5 myhil, myhell,
michel-, mijele-, mighell-, meghel-, mykel-,
mykyl, my5hel-, 5-6 myghel(l-, mighel-, 6
myell-, myhyl-, mihel-, michall-, 7 nuchal- ;
3- masse, etc. (see Mass sb.1) ; 4 mykames ;
7- Michaelmas. Also 9 dial, Mihil-, Mile-,
Mildmas. [f. the name of St. Michael the Arch-
angel: see Mass sb^\ The feast of St. Michael,
29 Sept., one of the four quarter-days of the English
business year.
[a 1 123 O. E. Chron. an. 1101 Se eorl sySSan o5 5et ofer
see Michaeles mssse her on lande wunode. ] c 1290 S. Eng.
Leg. I. 53/229 Op-on Mi?hel-masse fourtene-ny^ht. 1297
R. Glouc. (Rolls) 9508 J>e kinges poer & is ost . . wende vorf>
to oxenford aboute mielmasse. 1377 Langl. P. PI. B. xn. 240
Fro mychelmesse to mychelmesse I fynde hem with wafres.
1389111 Eng, Gilds (1 870) 35 Be-twixen befesteofthe natiuite
of oure lady& Misschel masse. 1435 Nottingham Rec. II. 361
At ye Anounsiacion of oure Lady and Meghelmes. 1452 in
Berks, Bucks $ Oxon Archxol. Jrnl. Oct. (1903) 78 For
ij lb wex candells a ghens myhellmas xij.d. 1469 M. Pas-
ton in P. Lett. II. 365 Wednsday or Thursday aftyr My-
kylmes. 1475 Presentm. Juries in Surtees Misc. (1888) 26
MICHE.
At the gret cowrtes at Mykelmes,beyer[etc.]. 1530 Palscr.
804/2 At Mychelmesse, a la saynt Michel or le jour de
sainct Michel. 1536 Anc. Cat. Rec. Dublin (1889) I. 497
The wyche off trewythe was grawnttyd att myellmas last
past. 1539 inW. A. J. Archbold Somerset Rclig. Ho. (1892)
117 We mtende. .to letowte the pastures and demeynes now
from mighelmas forthe quarterly. 1598 Shaks, Merry IV.
I. i. 212 Alhallowmas last, a fortnight a-fore Michaelmas.
1609 Skene Reg. Maj., Burrtnv Laives c. 43. 124 The first
[sc, head-court] is after the feast of Michalmes. 1661 Mar-
vell Corr. Wks. (Grosart) II. 70 Which sum.. shall be col-
lected..at Michal masse and Lady day. 171a Steele Sped.
No. 424 p 5 By Michaelmas 'tis odds but we come to down-
right squabbling. 1819 Sport. Mag. 274 He will blow upon
his fingers before Mildmas [footnote, Michaelmas], 1864
Tennyson North. E'anuer, Old Style xii, And I'd managed
for Squoire coom Michaelmas thutty year.
b. attrib. and Comb., as Michaelmas goose,
onion, rent; Michaelmas blackbird, the ring
ouzel {Turdus torquatus); Michaelmas crocus,
the autumn crocus {Colchicum autumn ale) \
Michaelmas daisy, a sea-starwort, {a) wild astei
{Aster Tripolium); {b) one of several garden asters
of a shrubby habit and bearing masses of small
purplish flowers ; Michaelmas day = sense 1 ;
Michaelmas eve, the evening before Michael-
mas ; f Michaelmas moon = Harvest moon ;
f Michaelmas pardon (see Pardon sb.1 3 b);
Michaelmas spring, an autumnal spring; also
fig.-, Michaelmas term, a term or session (be-
ginning soon after Michaelmas) of the High Court
of Justice in England ; and also of Oxford, Cam-
bridge, and various other universities ; Michael-
mas tide, the season of Michaelmas.
Old Michaelmas day \ the day that would have been
called 29 Sept. if the Old Style had been retained without
correction : from 1900 onwards this has been 12 Oct.
182a Latham Hist. Birds V. 39 note, Ring Ouzel .. a
British Species, only seen in spring and autumn. By some
called the 'Michaelmas Blackbird. 1785 Martyn Rousseau's
Bot.xxv'i. (1794) 391 Many [Asters] as confounded under the
Vulgar title of 'Michaelmas Daisies. 1882 Garden 24 June
437/2 A brown-centred small Michaelmas Daisy, [c 1290
S. E>ig. Leg. I. 304/165 Men synguez a-'Mijheles-masse-
day In holie church also Of one bataiie bat seint Michel
with a dragun scholde do.] 1359 in Eng. Gilds (1870J 97
And yis gilde schal haue, by ^ere, foure mornspeches. .ye
fertile schal be on mykames day. 1463 Mann, ty Housch.
Exp. (Roxb.) 154 The fryday next afftyr Myhelmesse day
my mastyr delyveryd to my sayd lord..vj.s. viij.d. 1864
Chambers* Bk. Days II. 387/2 Michaelmas Day, the 29th of
September, properly named the day of St. Michael and
All Angels. 1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) S793 So bat a*Misstl-
masse eue mid nor ost hii come. 1792 Statist. Ace. Scot.
II. 438«o/f, The son-in-law binds himself to give him [the
father-in-lawj the profits of the first "Michaelmas moon.
1763 Mills Syst. Pract. Husb. IV. 34 One of these crops,
known by the name of *Michaelmas onions, is sown in
August. 1624 Capt. Smith Virginia iv. (Arb.) 619 Thus
they spend *Michaelmas rent in Mid-summer Moone,
and would gather their Haruest before they haue planted
their Come. 1763 Museum Rust. (ed. 2) I. 75 If the
markets are low, they fail in the payment of their
Michaelmas rent. 1573 Tusser Husb. (1878' 135 Be mind-
full abrode of *Mihelmas spring. 1658 Glrnall Chr. in
Arm. Verse 16. x. (1669) 210/1 God promised him a Mi-
chaelmas spring (I may so say) a son in his old age. 1721
Amherst Terras Eil. App. (1754) 281 He was, in *michael-
mas-term following, admitted commoner in Oriel college.
1765 Blackstone Comm. I. ix. 329 The morrow of All Souls
. .(which day is now altered to the morrow of St. Martin by
the last act for abbreviating Michaelmas term). 1903 Ox/.
Univ. Cat. p. xiii, Oct. 10. Oxford Michaelmas Term begins.
1903 Long7/i. Mag. Oct. 516 At *Michaelmas-tide heavy
waggons lumber through the villages.
Micbaelsonite (mrkelsansit). Min. [f. the
name of A. Michaelson (1868), who first analysed
it : see -ite.] = Erdmannite.
1868 Dana Min. (ed. 5) II. 289 Michaelsonite Dana. An
orthite-like mineral occurring near Brevig.., containing,
like muromontite, little alumina and some glucina.
Michall, variant of Mechal Obs.
Michal(l)mas, -mes, obs. ff. Michaelmas.
Michare, obs. form of Micher.
t Miche, sb.1 Obs. [a. OF. miche, of obscure
origin; it does not regularly represent L.mTca crumb.
The same word appears in MDu., MLG. micke (mod.Du,
mik), but it is uncertain whether it was adopted from Du.
into Fr. or vice versa.]
A loaf of bread.
c 1290 St. Brandan 296 in S. Eng. Leg. I. 227 Twelf ^wite
Miches [v. r. suche loues] men brynguth us. a 1300 Ret.
Ant. II. 192 He sal sitte in helle flitte with-oute wyn and
miche. c 1400 Rom. Rose 5585 He that hath miches tweyne,
..Liveth more at ese,..Than [etc.]. 1523 Ld. Berners
Froiss. I. ccclxvi. 598 The lorde of Verby sent hym wyne
largely, and thretie myches therwith. c 1640 J. Smyth Lives
Berkeleys (1883) I. 40 Fifty loafes called miches.
Hence f Michekin, a little cake.
C1440 Pro7np. Parv. 336/2 Mychekyne, pastilla.
t Miche, sb.2 Naut. Obs. Also 6 meche, 5-6
Sc.pl. mykkis. [Cf. G. micke in the senses below ;
also Du. mik forked stick. Cf. Sc. dial, mitch,
a support for a mast when lowered (E. D. D.).]
a. A forked shaft for a pump, b. A wedge for
sighting a cannon.
1495 Naval Ace. Hen. VII (1896) 157 Miches with a
swivell a bolte & Ryng belongyng to the Ingyn to draw
water owte of the seid dokke. Ibid. 194 Serpentynes of
yron..yche of them with his miches & forloke of yron..
Stone gonnes of yron .. with miches & forlokkes to the
SEICHE.
same . . Serpentynes of Brasse with his miche & forloke.
Ibid. 261 Yron worke for xx of the seid gonnes that is to
say xx miches xx boltes & xx forelokes. 1497 Ibid. 209
Michies with a swevell a bolt & a ryng of yron belonging
to the Ingynne to draw water at the Dokke. 1496 Ld.
Trias. Ace. Scoll. (1877) I. 292 For mykkis and bandis to
the gunnys. 1513 Ibid. (1902) IV. 485. 1514 Lett, f, Papers
of Hen. VIII, f. 4968 (MS.) Every chamber having one
meche and one forlock.
Miche (mil/), v . Now dial. Also 6 myche, 6-7
mitche, 9 mioh, mitch, meeoh. [app. a. OF.
muchier, mucier to hide, also intr. to skulk, lurk.]
1 1. trans. To pilfer. Obs.
[mus: cf. Micher sb.] 1390 [Implied in Miching vbl.
sb.]. C1440 Promp. Pan: 337/1 Mychyn, or pryuely
stelyn smale things. 1496 Dives f, Paup. (W. de W.)
I. liii. 94/1 That he myght haue myched or deled the
moneye awaye, for he bare the puree. 1570 Levins Mauip.
115/32 To Mych, suffnrari. Ibid. 130/10 To Pilch, miche,
suj/urari.
2. intr. To shrink or retire from view ; to lurk
out of sight ; to skulk. Also pass, and Const, off.
1558 Phaer A£neid v. (1573) O ij b, To woods, and moun-
tayn caues, and holes of rocks they miching ronne. 1581
Studley Seneca's Here. CEtxus n. 193b, Myche where
thou mayst vnspyde. 1581 Stanyhurst jEncis iv. (Arb.)
104 What doe ye forge? wherefore thus vaynely in land
Lybye mitche you ? 160a Heywood Worn. Killed w. Kindn.
Wks. 1874 II. 113, I neuer look'd for better of that rascall
Since he came miching first into our house. 1605 Hist.
Stukeley D 3, Then will we not come miching thus by night
But charge the towne and winne it by day light. 1612
Chapman Widowes T. v. i. K4b, Where found you him?
My truant was mich't, Sir, into a blind corner of the Tomb.
17J8 Bailey, To Miche, to stand off, to hang back,
b. To play truant.
1580 Lyly Euphues (Arb.) 279 What made the Gods so
often to trewant from Heauen, and mych heere on earth,
but beautie ? a 1586 Sidney Astr. \ Stella xlvi, Yet, deare,
let me his pardon get of you, So long, though he from book
myche to desire, Till without fewell you can make hot fire.
1624-5 Exeter City Mun. in Notes $ Gleanings (Exeter)
II. 187/1 Some of or children pretendinge that they went
to schoole went a meechinge half a yeare or more together.
1671 [H. Stubbe] Rosemary A> Hayes 18 Like truant chil-
dren forsook their school, to go miching after black-berries.
c 1806 T. Swift Town Seem in Poet. Reg. (1806-7) 157 On
mischief bent, the imps had mitch'd from school. 1879 in
Fitzpatrick Life Lever I. 10 One day Charley and I mitched
from school. 1900 Upward Eben. Lobb 96 The limp and
trembling boy. .now looked as if he could never mich from
Sabbath-school or throw a stone, .again.
f3. a. To grumble secretly, b. To pretend
poverty. 06s.
1598 Florio, Nicchiare, to lament . . to miche, to grumble
closely or show some signe of discontent. 1611 Cotgr.,
Faire lesenaud. .to miche it, or a rich man to make shew
of pouertie.
Miche, Michel, obs. ff. Much, Mickle.
Michelangelesque (msrkeljendseTe-sk), a.
[f. the name of Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-
11564), a famous Italian artist : see -esque.] Per-
taining to or after the manner of Michelangelo.
1784 J. Barry in Led. Paint, iii. (1848) 133 The arm is
a little too square and michelangelesque. 1864 Lowell
Fireside Trav. 220 The Michael Angelesque olive-trunks.
1886 Ruskin Prxterita II. 50, I .. progressed greatly and
vitally in Michael-Angelesque directions. 1887 Dowden
Shelley 1 1, v. 239 Visions . . of Michelangelesque sublimity.
So Michela'ng'elism, the manner or tendencies
in art of Michelangelo.
1883-C. C Perkins Hal. Sculpture ill. iv. 350 The greater
part of the sculpture, .shuns the Scylla of nullity and bad
taste only to fall into the Charybdis of Michelangelism.
Michelmasse, obs. form of Michaelmas.
Micher (mi-tjar), sb. Now dial. Forms: 3
muchare, 4-5 myoher, 4-6 miohare, 6 mychare,
4, 6 michir, 7 meeoher, mitoher, 4- micher.
[Early ME. muchare, app. a. OF. *muchere,
muchior, agent.-n. f. mucher Miche v. (which is
not recorded in Eng. till much later).]
1. A secret or petty thief. Obs.
a 1225 Aner. R. 150 pis world. .is al biset of helle mu-
chares"pet robbeS al be gold-hordes bet heo muwen under-
}iten. c 1357 Lay Folks Catech. (L.) 825 Who brekys be
seuynt comaundement, Mechers, Robbers and extorcioners.
01400-50 Alexander 35^1 To bis michare out of Messe-
done bis mandment I write, c 1440 Gesta Rom. xxvii. 107
(Harl. MS.) To slepe, when obere men wakithe, as dothe
thevis and mychers. 1530 Palsgr. 244/1 Mecher a lytell
thefe, laronceav. c 1555 Harpsfield Divorce Hen. VIII
(Camden) 204 Where is Miser and Micher Micheas? where
doth he now micher? 2563,-83 Foxe A. t, AT. II. 804/2
Callyng him [sc. Becket] micher and theefe, for that hee
wrought by craftes and imaginations. 1669 Worlidge Syst.
Agric. (1681) 102 This [Fence) makes a speedy shelter for
a Garden from Winds, Beasts, or such like injuries, rather
than from rude Michers. 1787 Grose Provinc. Gloss.,
Miehers, thieves, pilferers. Norf. 1813 Scott Peveril xxvii.
Thou art turned micher as well as padder— Canst both rob
a man and kidnap him I
f 2. One who goes ' sneaking about ' for dishonest
or improper purposes ; esp. in i6-i7th c, a pander
or go-between. Ois.
14.. Nom. in Wr.-Wiilcker 687/1 Hie circumforarius, a
mycher. e 1530 Hyckescortter 378 (Manly) Wanton wenches,
and also mychers. With many other of the devylles offycers.
1547-64 Bauldwin Mot. Philos. (Palfr.) 128 Hee detesteth &
vtterly abhorreth the whole brood of priuie michers, secret
vnderminers, hypocrites, & double dealers, a 1550 Image
Ipocr. 1. in Skelton's Wks. (1843) M. 419 Oh ye kynde of
vipers,. .That haue so many miters ! And yett ye lie but
408
mychers. a 1619 Fletcher Bonduca 1. ii, It may be a
whore too ; say it be : come, meecher, Thou shalt have both
[drink and whore]. 1630 J. Taylor (Water P.) Agst. Cursing
<y Swearing Wks. 1. 48/2 He is altogether ashamed, and like
a Micher muffles his face in his hat.
fb. One who pretends poverty. Obs.
1611 Cotgr., Scnaud. .a rich micher, a rich man that pre-
tends himselfe to be verie poore. 1696 Phillips, A Micher,
a covetous Person, a niggardly Pinch-penny.
3. A truant ; one who improperly absents himself.
1530 Palsgr. 245/1 Michar, bvissonnier. 153a More
Confut. Tindale Wks. 577/1 He like a mycher and a trew-
ant, played at buckle pitte by the way. 1594 Lyly Moth.
Bomb. 1. iii. 191 How like a micher he standes, as though he
had trewanted from honestie ! 1596 Shaks. i Hen. /K, 11.
iv. 450 Shall the blessed Sonne of Heauen proue a Micher,
and eate Black-berryes 1 1775 Ash, Micher, a lazy loiter-
ing fellow, one who keeps out of sight to avoid working.
1840 Hood Friend in Need Wks. 1862 V. 275 When a
young micher plays truant, it is not for a lounge about the
homestead. 1891 S. Mostyn Curatica 67 My schoolmaster
. .who had gained a high reputation for his skill in dealing
with the 'micher'.
4. Comb., as micher-like adv.
1586 B. Young Cuazzo's Civ. Conv. iv. 194 Hee hath
I dronke so micherlike [It. /nrlivamen I e], as though he were
' none of this companie.
t Mi-Cher, v. Obs. rare-1, [f. Micher sb.]
intr. To sneak. Hence t Mi'chering///. a.
c 1555 [see Micher sb. 1}. 1615 W. Hull Mirr. Maiestie
i 6 One meechering hypocrite crept into the marriage feast,
with-out his wedding garment.
t Mi*ch.ery. Obs. AU04-5 micherie, mecherie,
5 mychery(e. [f. Micher sb. + -y.] Pilfering,
thievishness ; cheating.
1390 Gower Con/. II. 346 With Covoitise yit I finde A
Servant of the same kinde, Which Stehhe is hole, and Me-
cherie With him is evere in compainie. Ibid. 355 For Venus,
I which was enemie Of thilke loves micherie; Discovereth at
I the pleine cas To Clymene. c 1440 Jacob's Well 196 pou
j hast get good in raueyn, thefte, & mycherye. c 1440 Promp.
Parv. 337/1 Mychery, capacitas^ manticutaius,/urtulum.
1 1496 Dives fy Pauper (W. de W.) vn. iv. 279/2 Somtyme
' a thynge is stolen preuely without wetynge of the lorde or
1 of the keper and ayenst ther wyll, & it is called mycherye.
' 1565-73 Durham Depos. (Surtees) 251 He was suspect of
1 michery and untreweth.
Michil, variant of Mickle.
Miching (m'vtfir)), vbl.sb. Obs. exc dial. Also
] 7 micking. [f. Miche v. + -ing *.] The action of
the verb Miche ; pilfering, skulking, playing truant.
j Also Comb., as viiching-time. f In miching wise :
j in a skulking or surreptitious manner.
1390 Gower Con/. II. 347 For noman of his conseil
j knoweth ; What he mai gete of his Michinge. c 1480 Henrv-
: son Fable Fox fy Wolf 5 This Fox.. durst no more wilh
1 miching intermell. 1577 Stanyhurst Descr. Irel. in Holin-
1 shed{i8o8) VI. Ep. Ded., His historic in mitching wise wan-
dred through sundrie hands. 1875 Blackmore Alice Lor-
raine I. xvu. 183 She laid upon Hilary all the burden of
! this lengthened mitching-time. 1889 P. H. Gossf. in Longm.
Mag. Mar. 517 We called it [sc. playing truant] 'miching',
1 pronouncing the i in ' mich ' long, as in ' mile ', whereas in
Devonshire the same word, in the same sense, is pronounced
: with the 1 short, as in ' mill '. 1891 S. Mostyn Curatica 67
The schoolboy's miching is the clergyman's Mondayishness.
1894 Q. Rev. July 136 These servants ..were skilful in de-
i vising means of interrupting the performance, or miching
from it to the nearest tavern.
Miching (mi'tjirj),///. a. Obs. exc. dial. Also
7 micking, meiching, 8-9 meeching. [f. Miche
v. + -ing *.] In various senses of the verb : Pilfer-
ing, skulking, truant-playing, pretending poverty.
1581 Lambarde Eiren. n. vi. (1588) 196 Either miching or
mightie theeues. 1592 Sylvester Tri. Faith iv. v, Here,
myching Jonas (sunk in sudden Storm) Of his Deliverance
findesa Fish the mean. 1609 Bp.W. Barlow A ns~u: Nameless
Cath. 68 A miching Curre, biting her behinde, when she
cannot turne backe.^ 1614 Dyke Myst.Sel/e-deceit (1615)
40 They are no miching and scraping niggards, but rather
wasteful and riotous prodigals. x6ix T. Williamson tr.
Goulart's Wise Vieillard 72 What myching couetousnesse
is it, not to bee willing to part with somewhat of that which
we haue. a 16*5 Fletcher Noble Gent, u i, O my meiching
varlet — I'll fit ye as I live. 1766 J, Adams Diary 2 Jan.,
Wks. 1850 II. 173 Meeching, sordid, stupid creatures,.. they
deserve to be made slaves to their own negroes ! 1857
Kingsley T-wo Y. Ago I. 116 You loafing, miching, wreck-
ing crow-keepers.^ 1866 Blackmore C. NowellYi, Not even a
shark's fin, or a mitching dolphin. 1877 — Erema xliii, Two
miching boys, who meant to fish for minnows with a pin.
f Miching malicho. Occurs only in the Shaks.
passage quoted, and echoes of it ; of uncertain form,
origin, and meaning.
It is probable, though hardly certain, that the first word is
Miching ///. a. The conjecture that the second word
represents Sp. malhecho misdeed (whence Malone and sub-
sequent editors print mallecho) yields a fairly satisfactory
sense ; but there is no evidence that the Sp. word was
familiar in English, and its pronunciation (malie't/o) does
not account for the forms in the early editions.
i6oj Shaks. Ham. in. ii. 146 Marry this is Miching
Malicho [sic Fol. 1 (1623): Q 1 (1603) myching Mallico;
Q 2 (1604) munching Mallico], that meanes Mischeefe. 1836
E. Howard E. Reefer xliii, There was no ' minching ma-
licho ', or anything like mischief. 1882 Stevenson in Longm.
Mag. I. 71 Other spots again seem to abide their destiny,
suggestive and impenetrable, ' miching mallecho *.
Micht, obs. Sc. form of Might.
Mick (mik). Shortened form of proper name
Michael., applied jocularly to an Irishman.
188a ' Mark Twain ' Innoc. at Home ii, When the Micks
got to throwing stones through the Methodis' Sunday-school
MICKLE.
windows. 1893 A. Fuller Lit. Courtship x. 93 If once
she gets hold of that fact, you will wish you had been born
a ' mick '.
Mickelll, Mickeson, obs. ff. Mickle, Mixen.
Mickle (mik'l), muckle (mtrkl), a., sb. and
adv. Obs. exc. dial, and arch. Forms: a. 1-2
mieel, mycel, 3 michil, 3-5 michel, mychel,
4-5 mychell, mechil, mechel, mycbil. p. 2-3
mucheie, 2-5 muchel, 3 mucchel, 3-5 mochil,
4 muchil, raochill, 4-5 mochel, 4-6 mochell,
5 mochyll, 6 {arch.) muchell. 7. [1-2 raid-],
3 mikel(l, -ul, mickel, 3-4 raikil, mykil, 3-6
mykel(l(e, mykyll, 4-5 mykill, -yl, 4-6 mykle,
5 mikille, mycul(le, 5-7 micle, mycle, 6
mykkylle, mickell, myckil, 5- mickle. S. 3-5
mekyll, 3-6 mekil(l, 4 Sc. meekle, 4-5 raekille,
-yl, 4-6 mekile, 5 mekel(l, -ul^l, mecul(le, 6
meakle,6-7^'<-.meikill,5-8mekle,95<-.meickle,
6- Sc. meikle. *. 3 mucle, 4, 6 mokel(l, 8 mukel,
8- muckle. [Com. Teut. : OE. niicel (also mycel)
= OS. mikil XMLG. michel), OHG. mihhil{UHG.
michel), ON. mikell, also mykell (nom. and ace.
neut. miket, myket, ace. masc. mikenn, mykenn ;
Sw. mycken, neut. mychel; Norw. dial, myken,
neut. myket; Da. meget neut.), Goth, mikils:—
OTeut. *mikilo-, corresponding to Gr. nf-jaXo-,
lengthened stem of ptyas great ; the shorter form
of the adj. is represented in Teut. only by ON.
tnigk adv., very, which formally corresponds to
Gr. litya neut. The root *meg- (represented also
in Armenian mets great, and perh. in L. magnus)
appears to be allied to the Aryan root *magh- of
Skr. mah, maha, mahan great.
The OE. form mycel (which is not a mere graphic variant
of micel, but stands for an actual pronunciation) is difficult
to explain ; it is commonly supposed to be due to association
with lytel Little a. The similar change of;1 into y in ON.
mykell, mykl-t is believed to proceed from the influence of
the u in the inflected forms wiklu, miklum ; but this ex-
planation is not applicable to OE.
The phonology of the ME. and modern forms is inmany
i points obscure. Normally, OE. y would become in the
S.W. u, pronounced (ii), and elsewhere i ; the abnormal 7/
(in ME. also written o) of the 0 and e forms has not yet been
satisfactorily explained. The forms with k arenorthern
and north-midland 1 the regular southern forms with eh are
obsolete, having given place to the shortened mich, Much.
In present dialectal use the prevailing form is muckle ;
but mickle and meikle are often used by modern Scottish
writers even when their own colloquial dialect has only
muckle. The archaistic use in non-dialectal poetry is rare,
and almost confined to the form mickle.]
A. adj.
1. = Gbeat a., in various applications.
a. with reference to size, bulk, stature.
o. 82s in Birch Cartnl. Sax. I. 542 ponon on anne micelne
stan. c iooo ^lfric Gen. i. 16 And god jeworhte twa micele
leoht. c 14.5 Cursor M. 1320 (Trin.) A mychel tre.
y. a 1300 Cursor M. 1320 Out-ouer pat well ban lokes
he, And sagh bar stand a mikel tre. c 1330 R. Brunne
Chron. IVace (Rolls) 12341 By a mykel fir Tie sat. 1:1375
Sc. Leg. Saints xxvii. (Machor) 874 A man bat mykill vas.
1560 Burgh Rec. Stirling (1887) 72 Ane mykle pot, ane les
pot, ane tyn pynt [etc.]. a 1657 Mure Wks. iS.T.S.) II. 254
She bure vnto him . . Ard. called mickle Archibald. 1789
Burns Toot hoc he \\\, I throw the wee stools o'er the mickle.
5- ^S37S Sc. Leg. Saints x. {Mathou) 43 A citte, bat
mekile wes & of gret fame. 137s Barbour Bruce xvm. 308
His mekill liude helit haly The armyng that he on hym had.
< 1440 Alphabet of Tales 62 pis Assenech was a mekull
large womman as Sarra was. 1500-zo Dunbar Poems liv.
5 My ladye with the mekle lippis. 1596 Dalrymple tr. Les-
lie's Hist. Scot. 1. 14 Thay mekle gret horse quhilkes. .beiris
armed men of weir. 1725 Ramsay Gentle Sheph. 11. i, Set the
meiklest peat-stack in a low. 1863 R. Quinn Heather Lintie
249 Glib cantin' Bauldy S now lies 'Neath this rouch
meickle stane.
t. 13. . E. E. Allit. P. B. 366 Was no brymme bat abod
i vnbrosten bylyue, pe mukel lauande loghe to be lyfte rered.
; ij. . Wyf Anchtirmwchty 113 in Bannatyne MS. (Hunter.
i Club) 345 Vp scho gat ane muckle rung. 1748 Thomson
' Cast. Indol. 11. vii, [He) grew at last a knight of muckel
frame. 1814 Scorr Wav. xlii, Mr. Waverley's wearied wi'
, majoring yonder afore the muckle pier-glass. 1866 J. B.
] Rose tr. Ovid's Met. 337 The cormorant short-legged, with
I muckle throat. 1889 Barrie Windowin Thrums xi. He was
', a terrible invalid, an' for the hinmost years o' his life he sat
; in a muckle chair nicht an' day.
f b. as a distinctive epithet for a place, building,
etc. Obs.
1379 Rolls of Parlt. III. 69/1 Son College appellez Mokel
TJniversite Hall en Oxenford. c 1400 Brut lvi. 50 Auri-
lambros & Vter . . assemblede a grete hoste forto come into
michel Britaigne. 1459 Paston Lett. I. 462 Castre faste
by Mikel Yermuth, in the shire of Norffolk.
c. said of a numerical aggregate, proportion, etc.
C1200 Ormin 169, & he shall turrnenn mikell flocc Of biss
Judisskenn beode Till Goddes Sune Jesu Crist, c 1105 Lay.
1746 pa Conneus of wode com mid michelene ferde. Ibid.
31435 Mucchel del heo slojen of ban monweorede. 1375
Barbour Bruce xvu. 183 He had A mekill rout of worthy
men. a 1400-50 Alexander 69 Slik was be multitude of
mast so mekil & so thike, pat alt him bo3t bot he treis a hare
wod it semyd. Ibid. 927 pe multitude sa mekill of men.
d. with reference to amount or degree. Now
rare or Obs.; merged in sense 2, from which, when
the sb. has no article, it is often hardly to be dis-
tinguished,
MICKLE.
409
MICKLEMOTE.
a. (-888 K. Alfred Boeth. xxxviii. § 2 SwiSe oft se micla
anwald 5ara yflena ^ehrist swiSe farrlice. a 900 O. E. Chron.
an. 664 (MS. A.), py Ucan geare wis micel mancuealm. c 1250
Gcn.tf Ex. 1208 Michel gestninge made abraham. c 1374
Chaucer ■/?«£/. <5- Wnr. 99 But natheles ful mychell "be-
synesse Had he or bat he myght his lady Wynne. 1390
Gower Con/. III. 381 Mechil grace ther uppon Unto the
Citees schulde falle. a 1425 Cursor M. 18123 (Trin.) per
coom a mechel steuen. c 1430 SyrGener. (Roxb.) 8445 Than
had the Soudon michel care.
/3. a 1200 Moral Ode 211 Godes wisdom is wel muchel
and alswa is his niihte. c 1200 Vices fy Virtues 47 Hit is me
to muchel iswinch Sar embe to benken. C1330 Assump.
Virg. (B.M. MS.) 747 And ihesu, borw his niochil my?t,
Here feet and handes gan to ry}t. ? a 1366 Chaucer Rom.
Rose 45 And that is she that hath, y-wis, So mochel prys.
C1386 — KntSs T. 1494 Thou shalt ben wedded vn to oon
of tho That han for thee so muchel care and wo. 1413 Pilgr.
Soivle (Caxton 1483) v. xiv. no, I was ful sory that I was so
soone departid fro so mochel ioye. <. 1460 Launfal 282 A
man of mochell myghte.
y. c 1200 Ormin 7S8 Forr batt wass to batt gode preost
Well swibe mikell blisse. c 1220 Bestiary 319 He lepeS
5anne wio mikel list, Of swet water he haued Srist. a 1300
Cursor M. 18123 And eft bar come a mikel steuen, AIs it a
thoner war of heuen. c 1330 K. Urunne Chron. (1810) 2 pe
Bretons, men of mykelle myght. c 1420 Anturs of Arth.
xliii. (Ireland MS.), He wulle stood the in stoure, in-toe so
mycul styd. 1522 World $ Child (Roxb. J A iv, Mykyll
is his myght. 1590 Spenser F. Q. 11. iv. 7 He was a man of
mickle might. Ibid. ill. iv. 20 He..mickle fame Did get
through great adventures by him donne. isgi Shaks.
1 He n. VI, iv. vi. 35 To morrow I shall dye with mickle Age.
1627 Dravton Nimphidia \xxxvin, To the Fayrie Court they
went, With mickle loy and merriment. 1819 Keats Eve St.
Agnes xiv, But let me laugh awhile, I've mickle time to
grieve. 1850 Blackie Aeschylus II. 269 The riches stored
by me with mickle care. 1891 E. Field Western Verse,
Death Robin Hood 24 With mickle woe His heart was like
to break.
&• e 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints i. (Petrus) 537 He had berof
rycht meki! wondir. c 1400 Rowland <y O. 484 p* Sarazene
cryed with mekill myghte. c 1420 Anturs of Arth. xxxviii.
(Ireland MS.), The kinge commawundet kindeli the Erie of
Kente, For his meculle curtasy, to kepe the tother kny^te.
c 1420 Sir Amadace (Camden) xiv, Ther he wanne fulle
mecul honoure. 1616 Barbour's Bruce (ed. Hart) 11. 245*
Men of meekle might.
€. 1205 Lav. 29752 And mid wurSscipe mucle halde5 his
wike. 13.. E. E. Allit. P. B. 1164, & he hem halted for
his & help at her nede In mukel meschefes mony, bat meruayl
is to here.
e. with reference to power or importance. Now
somewhat rare.
a. a 900 O. E. Martyrol. 28 Apr. 66 On bone ylcan daeg
bi5 sancte Cristofores browung baes miclan martyres. a 1325
Prose Psalter xlvii[i], 1 Our Lord is michel & wcrbi to be
praysed.
/3. a 1200 Moral Ode 92 Hwet scule we seggen ofler don
et be muchele dome. C1374 Chaucer Boeth. iv. Pr. i. 86
(Camb. MS.) The rith ordenee hows of so mochel a fader.
■y. a 1300 Cursor M. 17827 And thoru bair godd adonai,
pair mikel godd of israel, pai coniurd bam na soth to hel.
15. . Peebles to Play xxiii, The meikill devill gang wi you.
5. 1572 Satir. Poems Reform, xxxviii. 39 Solyman,
Tamer Ian, nor yit the mekle DeilL.was neuer sa wick it.
1796 Burns To Mitchell 3 Alake ! alake ! the meikle deil
Wi' a' his witches Are at it. 1800 Tannahjll Poems (1900)
120 Yon meikle folk Think siller stands for sense.
«. 1600 W. Watson Decacordon (1602) 144 Great rich
farmers or muckle carles of the countrey. 1819 W. Tennant
Papistry Storm 'd 111.(1827) 97 Our anchor's lost, ..We're
perish'da", baith sma* and muckle ! 1896' L. Keith ' Indian
Uncle i. 4 There's nae gainsaying that oor Adam's the
muckle man o' the family noo.
f. Const, of, at.
y. a 1300 Cursor M. 283 pis lauerd bat is so mikul o might.
Ibid. 15124 O bis iesu bat es sa wis Sa mikel alsua o lare.
Ibid. 17969 pat goddes sone so mychel of my^t, Among
monkynde shal he li^t.
8. C1375 Cursor M. 17969 (Gott.) pat goddes sun, sua
mekil of might. 1500-20 Dunbar Poems xxxiv. n Than
swoir ane courtyour mekle of pryd. la 1550 Droichis Part
of Play 42 in -Dunbar's Poems (S.T.S.) 315 Bot eftir he grew
mekle at fowth.
2. A great quantity or amount of; = Much a.
(In Sc. now chiefly in negative and interrogative
context.)
a. c 1000 Sax. Leechd. I. 76 jif mon on mycelre rade. .
weor5e geteorad [etc.]. 1154 O. E. Chron. an. 1137 Micel
hadde Henri King gadered gold & syluer.
0. c 1205 Lay. 7283 Heo nomen of Romanisce londe
muchel seoluer & gold. ^1380 Wvclif Whs. (1880) 92 Pre-
latis ouere bis robben oure lond of mochil tresour. 1579
Spenser Sheph. Cal. Feb. 109 A goodly Oake sometime
had it bene.. And mochell mast to the husband did yielde.
y. £1400 Maundev. (Roxb.) i. 4 pe kyng..haldes grete
and mykill land. Ibid. iv. 13 Scho had mykill tresoure.
c 1450 Mirour Saluacionn 3417 The Jewes .. gaf thaym
mykel monee als. £1450 M. E. Med. Bk. (Heinrich) 68
Take as mykel salt, as bow hast pouder. 1526 Skelton
Magnyf. 1356 By me is conueyed mykyll praty ware.
5. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints x. (Mathou) 464 He gert In-
wirone al hyre In with mekil fuel, It to bryne. 1508 Dun-
bar Fly ting a>. Kennedie 189 Thowpurehippit, vglyaverill,
..Quhilk brewis mekle barret to thy bryd. 1596 Dalrymple
tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. I. 26 He gathiris mekle money. 1676
W. Row Contn. Blair's Autobiog. xii. (1848) 439 The honest
Earl of Crawford feared mickle evil from this Session of
Parliament. 1786 Har>st Rig xii, Duncan brags how
meikle meal She's eaten here. 1823 Scott Quentin D. xxxi,
You have had as meikle good fortune as if you had been
born with a lucky-hood on your head.
«. 1720 Ramsay Edinb.'s Salut. to Ld. Carnarvon iv,
I'll no make muckle vaunting. 18x6 Scott Old Mort. xiv,
Neither of our sorrows will do muckle gude, that I can see.
a i8sg in J. Watson Living Bards of Border 8 They were
nae folk o' muckle gear. 1872 C. Gibbon For the Kingxxu,
Madam, your father has not brought you muckle comfort.
Vol. VI.
fb. Qualifying folk, people. A great number
of, many. 06s.
p. c 1275 Passion of our Lord 49 In O. E. Misc. 38 Mochel
volk hym vulede.
y. 1 izoo Ormin 15748 He full wel wisste patt ta;r wass
sammnedd mikell folic patt he}he da}3 to frellsenn.
6. c 1440 Alphabet of Tales 60 Mekle peple bat was in be
kurk war sparrid in with be watir.
3. Comb.: mickle-hammer (seequot.); mickle-
mouthed a., applied proverbially to one whose
face is rather disfigured by the disproportionate
size of the mouth; mickle wame, the stomach,
esp. that of the ox used for culinary purposes ;
t mickle-what (cf. Little-what), a great deal,
something of many kinds ; mickle wheel, the
great wheel of a spinning wheel.
1843 Holtzaitfel Turning I. 171 The spallers employ
heavy axe-formed or *rmuckle-hammers, for spalling or
scaling off smaller flakes [of granite]. 1721 Kelly Sc.
Proverbs 253 * M ickle mouth'd Folk are happy to their Meat.
1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. 1. 94 Thay take the
hail *meklewame of ane slain ox [etc.], 1390 Gower Conf
I. 320 As he which cowthe *mochrl what, a 1400-50 Alex-
ander 130 Quadrentis coruen all of quyte siluyre full
quaynte, Mustours & mekil quat mare ben a littill. Ibid.
5468. 1821 Ga;.t Ann. Parish xii, J'.oth little wheel and
*meikle wheel. 1824 Scott St. Panaris xvi, She .. talked
something of matrimony, and the mysteries of the muckle
wheel.
B. absol. and sh.
I. The adj. used absol.
1. A great quantity or amount ; much. To make
micUe of: to make much of, cherish.
a. a 1123 O. E. Chron. an. 1101 His men mycel to hearme
sfre jedydon.
y. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxx. {Theodera) 350 Hyme rat
mykil of hyre mad. c 1400 Sowdonc Bab. 1016 Mikille of
my people have thay slayn. <i 1529 Skelton Col. Clonic
559 The Church hath to mykel, And they haue to I y tell.
a 1701 Sedley Poet. Pieces Wks. 1722 II. 9 Hold, there's
enough ; nay, 'tis o'er mickle.
6. 61375.VC. Leg. Saints xiiL (Marcus) 10 Sanct lone be
ewangefiste, bat of ciistis priwete mekil wyste. a 1400-50
Alexander 4397 Bot ay mekill wald haue mare as many
man spellis. 1508 Dlnhar T%ta Mariit Wemen 60 liirdis
hes ane better law na bernis be meikill.
e. 1865 G. Macdonalu A. Forbes 2 There'll be no muckle
o' him to rise again. 1871 C. Gibbon Lack of Gold i, How
muckle will this be worth, think ye.
fb. Most, the greatest part (^/"something). Obs.
a 1578 Lindesay (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. (S.T.S.) I. 324
Quhene George Douglas come to Sanctandrois and remanitt
thair mekill of ane day in dressing of his bussieness.
c. So mickle (in 17th c. Sc. written sameikilt)
= so much.
1437 Rolls of Par It. IV. 503/2 Yef so mekill be necessarie
yerto. c 1440 Geuerydes 6451 Ye will doo so mekill as take
ye payn, To come so ferre. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj. 1. 39 b,
like ane of them sail haue sameikill, as is within his awin
lordship and dominion. Ibid., Stat. Alex. II, 15b, Quhat
he hes taken fra anie man, he sail restore sameikill to nim.
d. In certain adverbial phrases : for as mickle
as, forasmuch as ; in as (f sa) mickle as, in so far
as, inasmuch as ; + unto so mickle, so much that ;
f as mickle to say as = ' as much as to say '.
^11300 Cursor M. 19596 Sua aght all preistes . . In als
mikel als in bairn es. £1400 Maundev. ^oxb.) Pref. 2
For als mykill as it es lang tyme passed sen bare was any
general passage ouer be see in to be haly land [etc.]. c 1420
Lydg. Assembly of Gods 92 In as mekyll as hit ys now soo
That ye hym here haue as your prysonere, I shall you shew
my compleynt loo. C1440 Alphabet of Tales 145 Hur
moder. .blamyd hur & reprovid hur berfor, vnto so mekle,
sho slew hur moder. C1550 Exam. W. Thorpe in Foxe
A. <$■ M. (1583) I. 534 For as mikle as your asking passeth
my vnderstanding, I dare neither deny it nor graunt it.
1563 J. Davidson in Wodrcnu Misc. (1844) I. 192 For that
war als mekle to say as God had appointit the Kirk to be
judge betuix the thing that is and is not. a 1572 Knox
Hist. Ref. Wks. 1846 I. 283 Never twa of thame univer-
sallie aggreing in all pointis, in samekle as thei ar of men.
+ 2. {The) mickle : those who are great. Obs.
c 1220 Bestiary 548 Do am 5e little in leue la5e, De
mikle ne mai3 he to him dra^en. a 1400 Octavian 1 Lytyll
and mykyll, olde and yonge, Lystenyth now to my talkynge.
II. sb.
f3. Size, stature; bigness. Obs.
c 1369 Chaucer Dethe Blaunche 454 A wonder wel farynge
knyght. .Of good mochel [v.r. mykil] and right yong therto.
13.. Gaze, fy Gr. Knt. 142 Bot mon most I algate mynn
hym to bene, & bat be myriest in his muckel bat my3t ride.
1377 Langl. P. PI. B. xvi. 182 pre leodes in o lith non
lenger ban other, Of one mochel & my^te in mesure and
in lengthe. c 1400 Destr. Troy 6246 Ector. .Of whose mykill,
& might, & mayn strenght, Dares.. duly me tellus. C1400
Maundev. (Roxb.) xxi. 96 pe mykill of a mannes thee. Ibid.
xxii. 103 pai er ri;t faire and wele proporciound of baire
mykill. 1622 Drayton Poly-olb. xxviii. 335 Stones of a
Spherick forme of sundry Mickles fram'd.
4. A large sum or amount. Chiefly in proverb,
Many a little {ox pickle) makes a mickle.
1599 Middleton Micro-Cynicon Wks. (Bullen) VIII. 126
Some little dirty spot. .Nothing in many's view, in her's
a mickle. 1605 Camden Rem., Prov. (1614) 310 Many a
little makes a micle. 1712 Steele Sped. No. 509 P 6 But, I
think, a Speculation upon Many a Little makes a Mickle. .
would be very useful to the World. 1905 IVestm. Gaz.
29 Apr, 3/1 Mony a pickle maks a muckle.
C. adv. [OE. has in advb. use several cases of
the adj.: accus. neut. micel, genit. micles (early ME.
viucheles), dat. pi. miclum, instrumental micle.]
1. To a great extent or degree ; greatly ; by far.
Also in relative sense with as, how, so (see the
corresponding use of Much adv.).
In Sc. so tuickle was in i6-i7th c. often written sameikill.
a. C897 K. /Elfkkd Gregory's Past. C. ix. 60 Se la:ce bi3
micles to bald. .be [etc.]. a 1000 Cxdmoris Gen. 2713 Ic
bejnum bmum dyrnde & sylfum be swi5ost micle. c 1250
Kent. Serm. in O. E. Misc. 26 Herodes i-herde b^t o king
was i-bore bet solde bi king of geus, swo was michel anud.
a 13*5 Prose Psalter H[iJ. 7 He was michel worb in his
vanite. 11420 Chron. Vilod. 841 Kynge Edgar was so
mechel adredde. a 1425 Cursor M. 451 (Trin.) To god hym
self wolde he be pere Not pere alone but mychel more.
fi. a 1200 Moral Ode 258 po be sungede muchel a drunke
and an ete. < 1205 Lay. 3201 He mochul a ba wodeloktr
wilnede beos maiidenes. a 1225 Ancr. R. iqn Muchel luuede
he us. c 1275 Worn. Samaria 74 in O. E. Misc. 86 po
byleuede bat folk mucheles be more. 1340 Ayenb. 57 Mochel
hi wolden ham wrebi. c 1374 Ciiauceh Troylus 1. 386 And
ouer al bis ^et muchel more he bou^t what for to speke.
c 1400 Rom. Rose 3442 Thy request Is not to mochel dis-
honest, a 1425 Cursor M. 10981 (Trin.) Muchel for ri^te
shal he swynke.
y. c 1220 Bestiary 235 De mire is ma^ti, mikel }e swinkc-5
In sumer and in softe weder. « 1300 Cursor M. 4082
It bitidd mikel in baa dauus. ("1330 R. Brunne Chron.
Wace (Rolls) 1697 He triste to mykel on his myght. a 1340
Hampole Psalter ProL, In be trauslacioun i folow be lettre
als mykyll as i may. ci^ooRule St. Benet 11 Mikyl walde
he fie pride, be prophete, als hali writ sais. .1420 Sir
Amadace (Camden) xx, On the dede cors.. Ful myculle his
tho^te was on ! 1470-85 Maloky Arthur x. xiii. 434 Kynge
Marke rode after hym praysynge hym mykel. 1526 Skelton
Magnyf 1289 He wyll make it mykyll worse than it is.
c 1620 A. Hume Brit. Tongue (1865) 13 They usurped y, a
vnual not mikle different from i. 1859 T. Moore Song Sol.,
Durham Dial. iv. 10 How mickle better's the luv then
weyne !
6. a iipo-iqoo Cursor ./J/. 6565 (Gutt.) Mekil haue it rauayled
for 50U. ( 1400 Destr. Troy 213 Mekyll comfordes me the
crowne of this kyde realme, a 1400-50 Alexander 897 pen
merualid bam be messangirs mekill of hisspeche. 1533 Gau
Richt Vay (1888) 4, I traistit mekil of siclik orisons. 1573
Tvrie Rifut. Knox To Rdr. 1 Thair is within his buke..
sum thinges nocht meakle appertenand to the cans. 1588
A. King tr. Canisius' Catech. 66 Thay ar mair..to be
lamentit,yat thay traist samekle in yairaumblindeiudgment.
a 1600 Montgomerte Misc. Poems iii. 10 Sho is mair mobile
mekle nor the mone. 1616 J. Maitland A/ol. IV. Ma it land
in Scot. Hist. Soc. Misc. (1904) II. 166 Abot of Londores
he never wes, nor zit President of the Session, mekle les of
the Privie Councell. 1813 E. Picken Misc. Poems II. 80
He reek'dna meikle on their trim. 1839 W. M'Dowai.i.
Poems 39 (E.D.D.) Meikle wish'd the coming light Might
be fu' clear an' sinny.
e. 1786 Burns Brigs of Ayr 175 Ye've said enough, And
muckle mair than ye can mak to through. 1818 Scott Br.
Lamm, viii, I think it may do— I think it might pass, if
they winna bring it ower muckle in the light o' the window !
1893 Crockett Stickit Minister, etc. viii. 104, I would be
muckle the better o't.
2. Comb., asf micklexvise adj., greatly wise.
1650 Bulwer Anthropomet. viii. 102 All which commodities
our micklewise mothers defraud us of.
t Mixkle,"'- Obs. rare. [OE. miclian,mycclian,
f. micel Mickle a.] trans. To magnify. (In OK.
also intr. to increase.)
971 BUckl. Horn. 13 Lufian we hine nu & his noman
mycclian. a 1000 Andreas 1526 Myclade mereflod. a 1300
E. E. Psalter lxxi. 17 Alle genge mykel him bai salle.
t Mi'ckledom, mtrckledom. Obs. rare. [f.
Mickle a. + -dom.J Size, magnitude, greatness.
1596 Dalrymple tr. LesliYs Hist. Scotl. I. 31 Almaist of
that same mekledome. 1665 Sir J. Lauder Jrnls. (Scot.
Hist. Soc.) 28 In the wery center, .of the tablets planted
about the meikledoom of a truncher a beauttfull green
smaradyes. 1686 G. Stuart Joco-ser. Disc. 60 The muckle-
dom of half a crown. 1681 W. Robertson Phraseol. Gen.
(1693) 684 For the michel-dome or greatness of it.
tMixklehead, -hood. Obs. Forms: a. 3
mikelhode, mikelhade, mykelhede, 4 mikel-
hed; IB. 4 moch-, mechelhede. [f. Mickle +
-head, -hood.] Greatness ; fullness, abundance.
a. a 1300 E. E. Psalter viii. 2 For vpehouen es bi mykel-
hede [v.r. mikelhade, mikelhode ; Ags. Ps. micelnis; Vulg.
magnificentia] Ouer heuens bat ere brade. Ibid, xxviii. 3
God of masthede [v.r. mosthed, mikelhed] bonnered he
Ouer watres fele bat De- c 133° R« Brunne Chron. Wace
(Rolls) 13324 Vnder an hil he [Arthur] set bem berc.pat
when be Romayns on bem had sight, pe mikelhed schuld
make pern aflight.
/S. a 1300 Floriz $ Bt. (Camb. MS.) 51 pu art hire ilich of
alle binge, Bobeof semblaunt and of murninge, Of fairnesse
and of muchelhede. 1340 Ayenb. 93 O god hou is nou
grat be mochelhede of bine zuetnesse. Ibid. 204 Vor be be
mochelhede of be herte be moub spek|> bet zayb our Ihord
ine his spelle. Ibid. 218 Hy ..makeb be greate to mochel-
hedes and eteb be blodi snoden. a 1400 Prymer (1891) 26
Prayse 3e hym aftir the mechelhede of his gretehed. c 1400
Lay Folks Mass Bk. App. iii. 125 For whi lord in helynge of
mydeedly sykenesse schal wel be schewyd and commendyd
be michilheed of bi goodnesse.
Micklemote, micklegemote (mik'lm<?«t,
-grm£"t). OE. Hist. (Now rare or Obs.) [ad.
OE. micel gemdt great meeting : see Mickle a. and
Moot sb.] The great council or parliamentary
assembly under the Anglo-Saxon kings.
[OE. Chron. an. 977 (MS. C.) Her waes baet mycele gemot
set Kyrtlingtune.] 1647 N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. 1. xx.
(1739) 36 Unto the Kings, Lords, and Clergy, must be added,
as I said, the Freemen, to make up the Micklemote corn-
pleat. 1672-5 Comber Comp. Temple (1702) 560 A Micel-
gemot or Great Council (now called a Parliament), a 1683
Sidney Disc. Govt. in. xxviii. (1704) 349 Sometimes meeting
fersonally in the Micklegemots. 183a Austin Jurisp*. (1879)
I. xxviii. 536 The Mickle-mote or Wittenage-mote of the
Anglo-Saxons was both the legislature and acourt of justice.
MICKLENESS.
1844 Ld. Brougham Brit. Const, x. (1862) 131 Whether a j
Great Council or a Witenagemote, or a Michelgemote, or
a Colloquium, or a Parliament.
Mickleness(mi-k'lnes). 06s.exc.dKil. rorms:
see Mickle a. [f. Mickle a. + -ness.] Greatness, !
' bigness ' (in any sense; ; largeness ; size.
a. aivxE.E. Psalter xxviil 4 Steuen ofe lauerd in mikel-
nes [8. r. micelnisse, Vulg. magnificentia]. Ibid. 1. 2 And after
of bi reuthes be mikelnes pou doawai mi wickednes. a 13*5
Prose Psalter v. 7 Ich am, Lord, in be nuclenes of by mercy.
ribWian Baruch ii. 18 The soule that is son vp on the
mykilnesseof euel,. .;yueth to thee glone. c 1400 Maundev.
(Roxb.) xviL 79 Men fyndez dyamaundes . of be mvk'lnes of
hesill nuttes. 14.. MS. Lincoln A. 1. 17, If- ^ «»•'»•' A
grete multitude ofswyne, that ware alle of awonderfulle me-
kilnesse. 1868 Atkinson Clevtld. Gloss., Muklish, prMy
large ; of something in which the quality of mickleness
exists. . , ., , ■ . ,
8 c. 1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 135 pe childes michelnesse
shende be engel on fuwer bingen. a 1325 Prose Psalter l[i].
2 And efter be mychelnes of by piles do way my wickednes.
c 1380 Wvclif Sel. Wks. 111. 19 In mychilnes of pi glone
bou didist doun alle myn adversaries. 1388 — Gen. xxxil
12 The grauel of the see, that mai not be noumbrid lor
mychilnesse. — Exod. ix. 24 It was of so greet mychelnes
. .sith that folk was niaad.
Miokaon, obs. form of Mixes.
Micky (mi-ki). [Applications of Micky,
familiarly used for Michael. Cf. Mick, Mike sb.]
1. Australian slang. A young wild bull.
1881 A. C. Grant Bush-life in Queensland xvi. (1882)
165 There are three or four Mickies and wild heifers. 1890
' R. Boldrewood' Col. Reformer xviii. II. 98 The wary..
' Micky ', a two-year-old bull.
2. If. S. slang. An Irishman.
1890 Barrsre & Leland Diet. Slang; Mickey.
IrLLcle, -nes, obs. forms of Mickle, -ness.
II Mico (ml-Vo). Obs. [Sp. mico, a. Tupi mid,
= Carib mecou, applied to various species of
monkey.] A small South American marmoset
of the genus ILapale.
1760-71 tr. Juan fr Ulloa's Voy. (ed. 3) I. 55 Among the
monkies of this country [Carthagena], the most common are
the micos, which are also the smallest. 1774 Goldsm. Nat.
Hist. (1824) II. 158 The last, least, and most beautiful of all
[the sagoins], is the Mico. 1867-8 .Vat. Encycl. IX. 36
Mico, a beautiful species of monkey.
Micracoustic (maikrakau-stik), a. and si.
Also erron. 8-9 microeoustic. [a. F. micracous-
tique, f. Gr. pixpu-s small + d/rouo-TtKoj Acoustic a.]
A. adj. Epithet of an instrument which makes
weak sounds audible.
1855 Dlnglison Med. Lex., Microeoustic. a 1874 J.
Chalmers tr. Erckmann-CIiatrian in Casq. Lit. V. 304/2
My micracoustic cornet. 1890 in Syd. Soc. Lex.
f B. si. An instrument contrived to magnify
small sounds (Chambers Cycl. Supp. 1753). Ois.
i68}Phil. Trans. XIV. 482 Microphones or Micracousticks
that is Magnifying ear instruments. 1704 in J. Harris Lex.
Techn. I.
Micraesthete (maikresp/t). Biol. [f. Gr.
pUpo-s small + aio-0irrr)s ' one who perceives' (here
used for ' organ of sense ')•] One of the numerous
supposed tactile organs occupying the small pores
(micropores) in the dorsal plates of certain chitons.
1884 Moseley in Rep. Brit. Assoc. (1885) 781 These
megalaisthetes and micraesthetes. 1885 — in Q. Jrnl.
Microsc. Sci. XXV. 45 To the organs contained within the
micropores I shall give the name micraesthetes.
Micrallantoid (moikvsilavntoid), a. rare. [f.
Micr(o> + Allantoid.] Havingasmallallantois.
(Cf. Megallantoid, Mesallantoid.)
1877 W. Turner Hum. Anat. 11. 869 Milne Edwards
has grouped them [the Rodentia, Insectivora, Cheiroptera,
Quadrumana, and Man] together in a Micrallantoid legion.
Micrander (maikrarndaj). Bot. Also -dre.
[f. Gr. pTxpu-s small + arSp-, avr)p male.] A dwarf
male plant produced by certain confervoid algae.
1890 in Century Diet. 1900 Jackson Gloss. Bot.
Hence Micra-ndrons adj., pertaining to or con-
nected with the dwarf males of fresh-water algae
(CasseWs Encycl. Diet. Suppl. 1902).
|| Blicranthro'pos. nonce-wd. [Assumed Gr.,
f. p.lKp-6% small + av9pa>nos man, after MICROCOSM.]
That which represents the whole man in little.
1825 Coleridge A ids Reft. Concl. 389.
Micrencephaly (msikrense-fali). Path. [f.
Gr. fdxpo-t small + iynitpaXos brain.] General
smallness of the brain, sometimes, but not neces-
sarily accompanied by microcephaly (Syd. Soc.
Lex. 1890). Hence MiorencephaUc a., of or
belonging to micrencephaly (Ibid.). Micren-
cephalous a., small-brained; having a small
brain (Cent. Diet. 1890).
Micrify (mai krifsi), v. [Irregularly £ Gr.
yZitpb-i small, after magnify] trans. To make
small ; to render insignificant.
1836 Emerson Nature 67 This power which he (the poet]
exerts, .to magnify the small, to micrify the great. 1862
Tyndall Mountaineer, viii. 71, I should look less cheerily
into the future did I not hope to micrify, by nobler work,
my episodes upon the glaciers.
Micristology(m3ikrist<vl6di,i). Biol. [Irregu-
larly f. Micro- + Histology.] (See quot.)
1864 Thomas Med. Diet., Micristotogy, the science which
treats of the minutest organic fibres.
410
Micro (mai-kro). Ent. [Subst use of Micro- I
in microlepidoptera, microcoleoptera.] A name |
applied by collectors to any insect belonging to a j
group notably smaller than the remaining insects
of the same kind , esp. one of the microlepidoptera. j
1800 in Century Diet.
Micro- (mai-kro), before a vowel micr-, repr. ,
Gr. fu/cpo-, comb, form of pZitpos small, used chiefly
in scientific terms.
1. Prefixed to a sb. to indicate that the object
denoted by it is of relatively small size or extent,
as microbacillus, -bacterium, -conidium, -ferment,
-fungus, -gamete, -gonidium, rarely in anglicized I
form -gonid (hence -gonidial adj.) , -parasite (hence ,
-parasitic adj.), -pore (hence -porous adj.), -sporo-
phyll (hence -phyllary adj.), -zoogonidium. Mi-
croblast Biol. = Microcyte. Microffametocyte
Biol., a cell containing microgametes. Micro-
r(h)abd Zoo/., a name given by Sollas to certain
minute flesh-spicules in the form of a ' rhabdus '
found in some sponges. Mi'crosclere Zoo!., a
minute or flesh spicule of a sponge, which supports
only a single cell ; hence Microsclerous a., having
the character of a microsclere (Cent. Diet. 1890).
Microseptmn Zool., a small imperfect or sterile
septum or mesentery of an actinozoan (Hid.).
Microsphere, | Microsphse'ra Biol., (a) epithet
applied by Cohn to the micrococci found in vaccine
lymph and in small-pox pustules ; (b) the small
initial chamber of a foraminifer in which there are
a number of small nuclei; hence Microspheric a.
Mi'crostome [Gr. croud mouth] Bot., a small
mouth or orifice, as that belonging to the capsule of
certain mosses (Cent. Diet.). Microtylote Zool., a
small Tylote. Microxea Zool. [Gr. of {a, var. b(va
spear], a minute spear-shaped sponge spicule.
Microzoogonidium (pi. -ia) Bot., a zoogonidium
of minute size. Microzoospore Bot., a minute
motile spore.
1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VIII. 004 The "microbacillus of
Unna. 1875 tr. von Zicmsseti's Cycl. Med. I. 588 •Micro-
bacteria (rod-like bacteria) ; bacterium termo. 1890 Syd.
Soc. Lex., Microblast. 1898 Allbutt's Syst. Med. V. 528
These [corpuscles] according to their sizes have been named
normoblasts, megaloblasts, and "microblasts. 1871 Cooke
Handbk. Brit. FungiW. 776 Hypomycetes. . . "Microconidia
or Conidia proper very copious. 1883 H. I. Slack in Know-
ledge 1 June 323/r Former articles upon *micro-ferments
afford some information concerning . . the bacillus. 1874
Hardwicke's Sci.-Gossif 256 That rare and interesting
"Micro-fungus Xenodochus carbonarius. 1891 Hartog in
Nature 17 Sept. 484 'Microgamete. 1905 Brit. Med. Jrnl.
25 Feb. 442 After entering the stomach of the gnat, the *mi-
crogametocytes . . produce microgametes. _ 1857 Berkeley
Cryptog. Bot. § 123, The "micro-gonidia, which are supposed
to be true antheridia, have . . been described. 1884 Hyatt in
Proc.EostonSoc.Nat.Hist.XXlll. 67 These zoons.. assume
characteristics of true males or "microgonids. i8goCentitry
Diet., "Microgonidial. 1884 Science 1 Feb. 130/1 The
number of substances which are less injurious to man than
to "micro-parasites is very small. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med.
VIII. 196 Febrile 'micro-parasitic type. 1884 Moseley in
Rep. Brit. Assoc. (1885) 781 A series of smaller pores ('"micro-
pores '). 1885 — in Q. Jml. Microsc. Sci. XXV. 40, 1 shall
call them megalopores and micropores. iBgoSyd. Soc. Lex.,
"Microporous. 1887 Sollas in Encycl. Brit. XXII. 423/1
The flesh spicules when present are usually "microrabds or
spirasters. Ibid. 417/2 It is doubtful whether a distinction
between megascleres and "microscleres can be maintained
in the calcareous sponges. 1875 tr. von Ziemssen's Cycl.
Med. II. 381 In the blood., he has demonstrated the "micro-
spheres. 1891 Dallinger Carpenter's Microsc. xiv. 727 The
' microsphere' is followed by a larger number of chambers.
1894 Lister in Phil. Trans. CLXXXVI. 437 The micro-
spheresin the two "microsphericexamples measure 15 X 12-51*
and 13X 11 ». 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. I. 83 The micro-
sphere previously referred to as infesting the amoeba. 1898
Sedgwick Text-bk.Zool. 1. 9 The intervening stages between
the zoospore, produced by the megalosphenc form, and the
microsphere. 1895 Vines Textbk. Bot. 1. 432 In .. Phane-
rogams . . the *microsporophylls are morphologically simpler.
Ibid. 78 When .. the flower includes only microsporophylls,
it is called "microsporophyllary. 1887 Sollas in Encycl.
Brit. XXII. 417 (Fig. 17I, Microscleres .. r, "microtylote.
Ibid., Microscleres . . n, oxyaster ;..q, the same, with two
actines (a centrotylote "microxea). 188a Vines tr. Sachs'
Bot. 257 Other of the cells. .give birth to 16 or 32 "micro-
zoogonidia. 1875 (J. frnl. Microsc. Sci. XV. 396 "Micro-
zoospores (whtcn conjugate, but otherwise in most cases
appear incapable of germination).
2. Prefixed to sbs. and derived adjs. to denote
' microscopic' in the sense 'with the microscope',
' revealed by the microscope '.
a. Denoting operations or branches of research
carried on by means of microscopic examination,
as micro-analysis, -cautery, -chemistry (hence
-chemic, -chemical, adjs., -chemically adv.), -crystal-
logeny, -crystallography, -geology (hence -geological
adj., -geologist sb.), -metallography (hence -metallo-
grapher), -mineralogy (hence -mineralogical adj.),
-pathology (hence -pathological adj., pathologist
»b.), -petrology (hence -petrologist), -physics,
■physiography, -zoology.
1856 Highley in Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. IV. 224 "Micro-
Analysis. 1904 tr. Osmond's Microsc. Anal. Metals 65
{heading) Micro-analy-is of carbon steels. 1899 Allbvtfs
MICRO-.
Syst. Med. VIII. 835 The "micro-cautery has been used
also wiih fair results. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex. s.v., 'Micro-
chemic a., of or pertaining to micro-chemistry. X856 High-
ley in Q. Jml. Microsc. Sci. IV. 221 An instrument of
structural, physical, "micro-chemical, and crystallological
research. 1847-9 Todtl's Cycl. Anat. IV. 137/2 "Micro-
chemically the cells of cancer are insoluble in cold and
boiling water. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex. s. v., * Micro-chemistry,
the chemical examination of minute bodies under the micro-
scope. 1856 Highley in Q. Jml. Microsc. Sci. IV. 124
"Micro-Crystallogeny. Ibid. 223 "Micro-Crystallography.
1875 Dawson Daivn of Life v. 104 The "micro-geologist
well knows how.. mineral matter in solution can penetrate
the smallest openings that the microscope can detect. 1857
Amer. Jml. Sci. Ser. 11. XXIV. 434 "Micro-geology of
Ehrenberg. 1862 STODDARTin Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. II. 147
On Micro-Geology. 1895 Nature is Aug. 367/2 It may be
that the "micro-metallographer has much to learn from the
Japanese. Ibid. 367/1 The progress which has been made
in "micro-metallography during the past ten years. 1856
Highley in Q. Jml. Microsc. Sci. IV. 223 The instruments
of "Micro-Mineralogical research. 1887 Bonney in Q. Jrnl.
Geol. Soc. XLI V. 44 The result is micro-mineralogical change
only. 1856 Highley in Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. IV. 220 {title)
Contributions to "Micro-Mineralogy. 1879 Rutley Stud.
Rocks vii. 47 The special study of "micro-petrology. Ibid.
xiii. 268 A determination of their precise origin is a difficult
exercise for "micro-petrologists. 1885 Athenxum 11 Apr.
477/2 He had met with a success that gave him pre-eminence
in this department of "micro-physics, and that was the pre-
paration of the diamond ruling points. 1871 Q. Jrnl.
Microsc. Sci. XII. 409 "Microzoology.
b. Denoting properties revealed by microscopic
examination, as micro-character, foliation, structure.
1890 Century Diet.,* Microcharacter,nny zoological char-
acter derived from microscopic or other minute examination.
1887 Bonney mQ. Jml. Geol. Soc. XLIV. 44 A "microfolia-
tion only is produced, which, -appears to be parallel to the
original stratification. 1885 Geikie Textbk. Geol. (ed. 2)
136 "Micro-structure. 1898 Engineering Mag. XVI. J55/1
1 he Microstructure of Bearing Metals.
c. Denoting objects prepared for microscopic
examination, as micro-section, -slide.
1890 Century Diet, Microsection, a slice, as of rock, cut
so thin as to be more or less transparent, and mounted on
a glass in convenient form to be studied with the aid of the
microscope.
3. Phys. and Path., in sbs. of mod.L. form in
-ia, compounded with Gr. names for different parts
or functions of the body, and signifying arrested
development of the part or function in question, as
Microcephalia (see Microcephaly). Micro-
glossia, congenital smallness of the tongue
(Mayne Expos. Lex. 1856). Microphthalmia
(also anglicized Microphthalmy) [Gr. 6<pea\u6s
eye], 'a Disease in the Eyes, the having little Eyes '
(Bailey, 1 731); hence Microphtha-lmic a. Mi-
cropsia [Gr. -oipia kind of vision], term for the
state of vision in which objects appear smaller than
natural (Mayne).
1856 Mayne Expos. Lex., 'Microphthalmia, term for
a morbid shrinking or wasting of the eye-balls; microph-
thalmy. 1849 Craig, "Microphthalmy, a preternatural or
morbid smallness of the eyes. 1868 Darwin Anim. e, PI.
II. 24 Two sons were 'microphthalmia 1899 Allbutt's
Syst. Med. VIII. 107 "Micropsia, or macrop»ia may be
associated with the monocular diplopia.
4. Prefixed to an adj. with the sense ' containing
or possessed of some object or constituent in
minute form, quantity or degree', as Micro-
aero'philous [Gr. dtp-, ar)p air, <piK-os friend :
see -ous] Bot., needing but little free oxygen
(Jackson Gloss. Bot. 1900). Microcarpons [Gr.
xapTTus fruit] Bot., having small fruit ; also applied
to mosses, having small urns (Mayne Expos. L.ex.
1856). Microce'ratous, -cerous [Gr. xipa% horn]
Ent., having small antennae (Ibid.). Micro-
clastic [Clastic] Geo!., minutely clastic. Mi-
crodactylous Path. [Gr. oa/rrt/Aos digit], having
small digits (Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890). Mi'crodont
Anat. [Gr. oSovt-, oJol's tooth], having small orshort
teeth. Microdontous [f. prec], in the same sense
(Syd. Soc. Lex.). Micro-electric, having electric
pioperties in a very small degree (Cent. Diet.).
Mi'croform Bot., epithet of a hetercecious fungus
with teleutospores only, which require a period of
rest before germinating (Jackson Gloss. Bot.).
Microffraivuli'tio Geol. (see quot.). Microlepl-
dotous Zool. [Gr. XtmScoTos scaly, f. AfiriS-, Afiris
scale], having very small scales (Mayne). Micro-
petalous Bot. [Gr. ttjtoAos a petal], having very
small petals (Craig 1849). MicrophyUous Bot.
[Gx.ipvKkov leaf], having small leaves (Smart
1840). Microporphyrltio Geol, consisting of
porphyritic rock in which the felspar or other
crystals are of microscopic size. Micropterygious
Zool. [Gr. wripv{ fin], having small fins (Mayne).
Microspe rmous Bot. [Gr. o-nipua seed], having
very small seeds or grains (Mayne). Micro-
spherulitio Geo!., characterized by the presence of
microscopic spheiulites. Microspined, furnished
with minute spines or spicules. Microsplenic
Path., not accompanied by enlargement of the
spleen; Microsto-matous, micro stomous [Gr.
arofiar-, otoiux mouth], having a small mouth
MICBO-.
(Mayne). Microstylar Arch., having a small i
style or column, epithet applied to a form of archi- ,
tecture in which there is a separate small order to
each floor (Ogilvie, 1882).
1888 Teai.l Brit, Petrogr. 439 *Microclastic, an epithet
applied by Naumann to such clastic rocks as are compo.«*ed
of small fragments. 1884 Flower in JrnL Anthrop. Inst.
XIV. 185 The "Microdont section, containing all the so-
called Caucasian or white races. Ibid., Microdont Races.
1885 Geikie Text-bk. Ceo/, (ed. 2) 100 Where the minerals
are grouped in small isolated grain-like individuals,.. the i
structure has been named by French petrographers gra-
nuliiic, or where only discernible by the aid of the micro-
scope, * micro-granulitic. 1878 Lawrence tr. Cotta's Rocks
Class. 67 "Micro-porphyritic textures or structures of rock.
1879 Rutley Stud. Rocks xi. 185 Rocks in which very small
isolated crystals occur only being spoken of as micro-
porphyritic. 1885 Geikie Text-bk. Geo}, (ed. 2) in In many
cases spherulites ate only recognisable with the microscope,
when they each present a black cross between crossed Nicol-
prisms, and thereby characteristically reveal the *micro-
spherulitic structure. 1881 P. M. Duncan in Jml. Linn.
Soc. XV. 324 These.. have flesh-spicula acerate, fusiform,
curved and *microspined. 1905 H. D. Rolleston Dis,
Liver 318 Gilbert . . speaks of this as the 'microsplenic
or asplenomegalic form of biliary cirrhosis.
5. a. Physics. Prefixed to the name of a unit
to form a name for one-millionth part of that unit,
as micro-ampere, -coulomb, -farad, -gramme (Web-
ster 1902), -litre [Cent. Diet. 1890), -millimetre
(see also below), -ohm, -volt, -weber. b. In micro- ,
scopic botany, micro-millimetre has by some been
used for one-thousandth of a millimetre.
[1873 Rep. Brit. Assoc. 224 For multiplication or division
by a million, the prefixes mega and micro may conveniently
be employed.] 1904 lYestm. Gaz. 16 July 10/3 A '"micro-
ampere is the millionth part of an ampere. 189a Gloss.
Electr. Terms 12 in Lightning 3 Mar. Supp., *Microcou-
lomb. 1873 Rep. Brit. Assoc. 224 The ^microfarad is the
millionth part of a farad. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex.t *Micro*
gramme. A measure of weight . . it is equivalent to the one
thousandth of a milligiamme. 1868 L. Clark Electr. Meas. \
43 One millionth part of an ohm = t "microhm. 1884 Flint <
Princ. 1^ Tract. Med. (ed. 5) 62 Whose size is between two '
and six "inicromillimetres. 1887 tr. Ndgelify Schivendener^s
Microscope 293 Harting's proposal to use the micromilli- '
metre {=001 mm.) as the standard of unity deserves general ;
acceptance. 1868 L. Clark F.lectr. Meas. 43 One millionth
of a volt = i "microvolt. 1896 Jml. Soc. Arts 10 July 701/ 1
*Microwebers x linkages = microcoulombs X ohms.
6. Prefixed to the names of certain instruments,
as : Micro-audiphone, an instrument for rein-
forcing or augmenting very feeble sounds {Cent.
Diet. 1890). Micro -barograph, an instrument
designed to magnify the minor fluctuations of
atmospheric pressure. Micro-battery, a very
small galvanic battery (Knight Diet. A/ech. Suppl.
1884). Micro-detector, a sensitive galvanoscope
{Cent. Diet.). Micropantograph, an instrument
invented by Mr. Peters in 1852 for the production
of microscopically small writing (Knight Diet.
Mech. 1875). Micro-polariscope, a polariscope
for the analysis of microscopic objects. Micro-
refractometer, a refractometer specially con-
structed for the detection of differences in the
minute structure of blood corpuscles. Micro-
rheometer, an instrument for measuring the rate
of flow of liquids through a capillary tube ; hence
Microrheome'trical ft., pertaining to or indicated
by a microrheometer {Casselfs EntycL Diet. 1885).
Micro-tasimeter, an instrument invented in 1878
by T. A. Edran for measuring infinitesimal pres-
sure. Micro-Telephone, a telephone constructed
to render audible very weak sounds ; hence Micro-
telepho'nic a. {Cent. Diet.).
1904 Athenaeum 31 Dec. 911/3 The authors described an
apparatus called the ' *micro-barograph '. 1878 Eng. Me-
chanic 23 Aug. 602 A "Micro-battery for the Microphone.
1867 J. Hogg Mictosc. 1. ii. 147 The powers of the "micro-
polariscope cannot be better displayed than in the exhibition
of the foregoing phenomena. 1886 A the nseum 27 Mar. 427/1
Mr. Crisp exhibited . . Prof. Exner's new "micro- refracto-
meter. 1879 Proc. Roy. Soc. XXVIII. 280 The author
[J. B.Hannay] proposes to use for liquids the term ' Micro-
rneosis',. .the instrument being called the "microrheometer.
1878 Jml. Franklin Inst. CVI. 173 Edison's "Micro- ,
tasimeter. 1881 Athenxum 12 Feb. 238/2 Father Deuza,
the Italian astronomer, has been making some experiments I
with the "micro-telephone.
Micro-aerophilous, -ampere, -analysis,
-audiphone : see Micro- 4, 5, 2, 6.
Microbacillus, -bacterium: see Micro- i.
Microbal (m9ikr*3ubal), a. Biol. [f. Microbe
+ -al.] = Microbial.
1888 Med. News \2 May 506 Careful covering of the
wound to guard against microbal invasion.
Micro-barograph, -battery : see Micro- 6.
Microbfi^maikrJub). Biol. [a. F. microbe
(Sedillot 7 March 1878 in Comptes rendus Acad.
Sci. LXXXVI. 634), f. Gr. /«*/»-* small + 0tos life.
The Gr. 0i'o«_ is here, as in mod. scientific formations
generally, used in an incorrect sense : see Bio-. The sense
of Gr. "MtxpojSios would be ' short lived \]
An extremely minute living being, whether plant
or animal ; chiefly applied to the bacteria con-
cerned in causing diseases and fermentation.
411
1881 Times 1 Feb. 5/6 A small organism, or microbe, which j
. .he finds good reason to regard as the agent of the malady.
1893 Brit. Med. Jml. 20 May 1084 Ice. .has been found to
contain dangerous microbes. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med.
VII. 546 The meningitis may be produced by a growth of
microbes.
Microbia, pi. of Microbion.
Microbial (msikrJu'bial), a. Biol. [f. Mi-
crobi-on + -al.] Of or pertaining to microbes;
due to or produced by microbes.
1887 igth Cent. Aug. 244 There is a considerable difference
found "in the microbial richness of the air in different places.
1898 Nature 10 Feb. 355/2 Alcohol in relation to microbial
diseases. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VIII. 471 Rheumatism
is . . due to an infection . . by an agent of microbial nature.
So Micro bian a., in the same sense.
1883 American XVI. 318 Positively alive with microbian
organisms. 1898 Allbutt's Syst. Med. V. 34 The bronchitis
is secondary to the microbian invasion.
Microbic (maikrJu-bik), a. Biol. [f. Microbe
+ -ic] = prec.
1881 Lancet Apr. 553/1 M. Pasteur did not assert that
this was the special microbic organism of rabies. 1905
H. D. Rollkston Vis. Liter 329 It is . . remarkable that
..microbic infection does not more often occur.
Microbicide (maikrju'bissid), sb. and a. Biol.
[f. Microbe + -(i)cide1.]
A. sb. Something that kills microbes.
1887 Brit. Med. Jml. 12 Mar. 588 Many microbiddes ..
may therefore be employed subcutaneous!)'.
B. adj. Microbicidal.
1885 Brit. Med. Jml. II. 1097/1 The sulphates of copper
and zinc. .have an effective microbicide power. iSgoPortu.
AVt'. XLVIII. 87 note. Essences and spices are to a very
high degree microbicide.
Hence Microbicidal a., pertaining to the killing
of microbes.
1897 Altbutt's Syst. Med. II. 715 The use of. .microbicidal
agents. 1904 Brit. Med. Jml. ioSept. 561 The niicrocytase
being chiefly concerned with microbicidal action.
Microbiology (maikr^ibsi^lod^i). Biol. [f.
Micro- + Biology.] The science which treats of
micro-organisms; the study of microbes.
1888 Pop. Sci. Monthly XXXIII. 341 There was great
reason for creating in the Faculty of Sciences the chair of
Microbiology. 1891 Natutezo Aug. 366/1 Important as are
the researches into microbiology, there are other factors to
reckon with. 1898 AllbutCs Syst. Med.V. 347 Microbiology
has thrown great light upon this, .idiopathic pleurisy.
Hence Microbiolo'gical a., of or pertaining to
microbiology; Microbiologist, a student of
microbiology.
1885 ScienceV.yi Ideas which are just now very prominent
in the minds of microbiologists. 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med.
II. 000 This.. extremely delicate micro-biological method.
II Microbion (maikuju'bi^n). Biol. PI. mi-
crobia. Mod. Latin form of Microbe.
188$ A then&um 27 Oct. 53S/1 The treatment of diseases due
to microbia. 1884 Science IV. 145/1 These [reports], .by no
means demonstrate that the active principle of cholera
resides in a microbion.
Microbious (msiknJu-bias), a. [f. Microbion
+ -10US.] — Microbial {Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890).
Micro blast, -carpous, -cautery : see Micro-
1, 4, 2.
; Microcephale .maikr^sef^l). Path. [a. F.
microccphate.\ = Microcephalics i.
1878 Hartley tr. To(>inara"s Anthrop. v. 165 All in whom
the brain has not attained a certain degree of development,
or the cranial cavity a given capacity at adult age, are
termed mkrocephales. 1893 Westm.Caz. 19 Apr. 2/3 Idiots,
especially microcephales, have flattened retreating foreheads.
Microcephali, -Ha : see Microcephalics, -ly.
Microcephalic (maikras/fsedik), a. and sb.
Path, and Anthropology, [ad. F. microcephalia tie,
f. mod.L. microcephal'Us: see Microcephalics and
-ic.] a. adj. Pertaining to, or characterized by,
microcephaly, b. sb.- A microcephalic person.
1856 in Mayne Expos. Lex. 1864 W. Turner in Q. Jml.
Sci. I. 257 Now the Neanderthal skull cannot be regarded
as microcephalic. 1873 Eng. Cy<l.t Arts <y Sci. Suppl. 1552
Microcephalics, persons with small heads. This deformity
is associated with mental defect. _ 1879 Maudsley Pathol.
Mind v. 176 A microcephalic idiot. 1880 Nature 8 Jan.
224/1 The now extinct Tasmanian race was . . microcephalic.
Microcephalism (maikr^se-faliz'm). Path.
[f. mod.L. microcephal-us (see Microcephalics) +
-ism.] = Microcephaly
1861 N. Syd. Soc. Year-bk. Med. 2 Memoir on Microce-
phalism. 1879 tr. Ve Quatre/ages' Hum. Spec. 111 Micro-
cephalism, idiotcy, and cretinism constitute so many
teratological or pathological states.
Microcephalous (maikr^se-falas), a. [i.
mod.L, microcephal-us (a. Gr. fjiitcpot£i<pa\os small
headed, f. tiitcpo-s small + tct<pak-r] head) + -ous.]
Small-headed. &. Paih.zxA Anthropology. Having
an abnormally small head ; characterized by micro-
cephaly, b. Boi. ■ Applied to a plant that has
flowers disposed in small heads* {Syd. Soc. Lex.),
1S40 Smart, Microcephalous, little-headed, applied to the
beryx, [a] fossil fish. 1871 Darwin Vesc. Man I. iv. 121
The arrested brain-development of microcephalous idiots.
1872 — Emotions viii. 206 The eyes of microcephalous idiots
..brighten slightly when they are pleased. 1877 Black
Green Past. iv. (1878) 34 Before I would marry one of those
bedizened and microcephalous playthings.
II Microcephalia (maikrose-falos). PI. micro-
cephali v-se*falai). Path. [mod.L.: see prec]
MICROCOSM.
1. A person having an abnormally small skull.
1863 N. Syd. Soc. Year-bk. Med. 94 Healthy parents may
produce one or several microcephali. 1879 tr. Ve Quatre/ages
Hum. Spec, in Vogt has compared the brain of micro-
cephali to that of the anthropomorphous apes.
2. [Cf. Hydrocephalus.] A pathological con-
dition in which the smallness of the cranium
prevents the proper development of the brain.
1897 L. E. Holt Dis. Infancy 702 The symptoms of
mtcrocephalus are those of idiocy and cerebral paralysis.
Microcephaly (m3ikr(?se"fali). Also in mod.L.
form microcephalia, [ad. F. microaphalie, I.
mod.L. microcephal-us : see Microcephalous.]
The condition of having an abnormally small
head, esp. a. in Anthropology^ having a skull of a
capacity less than 1350 cubic centimetres (Flower
Catal. A/us. Surg. 1879); b. Path.t having an
abnormally small or atrophied skull.
1863 Goke in Anthrop. Rev. I. 168 The valuable essay of
Wagner on the subject {l'orstudieu,Th. 2) of micro-cephaly.
1863 N. Syd. Soc. Year-bk-. Med. 94 On Microcephalia.
1886 Brit. Med. Jml. 30 Jan. 184/2 The theory which
attributes microcephaly to prunature cranial syntosis.
Microceratous, -cerous, -character,
-chemistry : see Micro- 4, 2.
Microclase (morkrtfkld's). A/in. [ad. G.
mikroklas, f. Gr. fjtiKpu-s small + tcKdats cleavage.]
A potash-soda felspar occurring intercrystallized
with orthoclase, from the St. Gotthard, Switzer-
land {Casselfs Encycl. Diet. 1S85).
Microclaatic : see Micro- 4.
Micro cline (msi'knjkbin). A/in. [ad. G.
mikroktin (A. Breithaupt 1830), f. Gr. ^f«po-s +
kKivuv to incline, as indicating that the angle
between its cleavage plane differs a little from
90 degrees.] A green and blue variety of felspar.
1849 Watts tr. Gmelins Handbk. Chem. III. 442 Micro-
cline [has] precisely the same composition as felspar. 190a
Miers Mitt. 459 Microcline is the name given to anorthic
potash felspar.
attrib. 1888 F. H. Hatch in Teall Brit. Petrogr. 439
Microcline structure. The mineral microcline shows., a
cro^s hatching.
II Micrococcus (msikr^ik^k^s). Biol. PI. mi-
crococci (-kfksai). [mod.L., f. Gr. fiixpo-s small
+ kokkos berry.] Any one of a genus of minute
spherical or slightly oval organisms, generally
regarded as fission- fungi, belonging to the bio-
logical group of Sphxrodacleria or Schizomycetes.
1870 T. R. LEWIS Physiol. $ Pathol. Res. (1888) 4 A
'micrococcus colony'. Ibid. 29 Writers who advocate the
pre-existence of a germ.. to every living thing, this germ.,
being called its 'micrococcus'. 1875 Darwin Insectiv. PI.
vii. 173 The smallest micrococci which are distinctly disceru-
able under a power of 800 diameters are estimated to be
from -0002 to -0005 of a millimetre, .in diameter.
attrib. 1898 P. Manson 'Prop. Diseases xxxviJ. 560 The
little vesicles [of prickly heat] may pustulate, doubtless from
micrococcus infection.
Hence Micrococcal (-kp'kal) a., relating to or
caused by micrococci. Micrococco'logist, a
student of micrococci.
1893 W. R. Gowers Man. Dis. Nerv. Syst. fed. 2) II. 329
The micrococcal embolism of minute vessels. 1896 Allbutt's
Syst. Med. I. 702 We must distinguish several kinds of that
disease [diphtheria] (bacillary, micrococcal, and so forth).
1902 A. Lang in Longm. Mag. Apr. 568 An eminent micro-
coccologist.
II MicrOCOleoptera (m3i:kn?|k^V-ptera), sb.
pL Ent. [f. Micro- + Coleopteba.] The smaller
kinds of coleoptera.
1871 Wood Insects at Home 220.
Microconidium : see Micro- i.
Microcosm (mai-krtfkpz'm). In 5 mycro-
cosme, 5-7 microcosme. Also occas. in L. and
quasi-Gr. forms microcosmus, -cosmos, 3 Ormin
mycrocossmos. [ad. F. microcosme (14th a), ad.
med.L. microcosmusy microscosmust ad. late Gr.
filKpos tcocTfios {filKpos small, Koaftos world). Cf.
Macrocosm.]
1. The ' little world ' of human nature ; man
viewed as an epitome of the ' great world ' or
universe.
ctxoo Ormin 17595 Mycrocossmos, bat nemmnedd iss
Affterr EngHsshe spaxhe pe little werelld. 1426 Lydg. De
Guil. Pilgr. 12370 Merveylle nat .. That thow be let in
thy vyage, . .Syth ' Mycrocosme ', men the calle ; And micro-
cosme ys a word Wych clerkys calle ' the lasse world '.
1477 Norton Ord. Alch. v. in Ashm. (1652) 62 Wherefore
amonge Creatures theis two alone Be called Microcosmus,
Man and our Stone. 1570 Dee Math. Pre/, ciiij. The
description of him, who is the Lesse world : and, from
the beginning, called Microcosmus (that is, The Lesse
World). 1597 ii* Pt. Return fr. Paruass. I. i. 281 What
an unmanerlie microcosme was this swine-faced clowne.
1603 Florio Montaigne 11. xii. (1632) 301 They have thence
had reason to name it [man's Nature] Microcosmos, or little
world. 1604 James I Connterbl. (Arb.) 102 The diuers parts
of our Microcosme or little world within our selues. 16*5
Hart Anat. Ur. 1. i. 2 God. .at last made man, that micro-
cosme, or little world, as it were an epitome or abridgment
of this great vniuersall world. 1663 Gerbier Counsel 34
The Dimensions the Creator hath been pleased to give tt>
the Miciocosme Man. 1727 De Foe Syst. Magic 1. ii.
47 Among these, some studied the Microcosrn of human
Bodies, and searcht both Distemper and Medicin. 1768
Foote Devil on 2 Sticks 1. Wks. 1799 II. 243 Woman. .is
118-2
MICROCOSMETOR.
a microcosm, and rightly to rule her requires as great
talents as to govern a slate. 1838-9 Hallam Hist. Lit. III.
111. Hi. § 19. 14 The doctrine of a constant analogy between
universal nature, or the macrocosm, and that of man, or the
microcosm. 1893 Kropotkin in igth Cent. Aug. 252 The
molecule thus becomes a particle of the universe on a
microscopic scale— a microcosmos which lives the same life.
If b. Jocularly used for ' body'.
a 1680 Butler Rem. (1759) IL 83 He puts both Ends of
his Microcosm in Motion, by making Legs at one End, and
combing his Peruque at the other.
^1 nonce-use. (See quot.)
1606 B. Jonson Masques, Hymensei B ib, Here out of
a Microcosme, or Globe (figuring Man) .. issued forth the
first Masque.
2. In extended sense, applied to a community or
other complex unity regarded as presenting an
epitome of the world, or as constituting * a little
world * in itself.
1561 Eden Let. to Sir IV. Cecil in Decades (Arb.) p. xliv,
An experiment, wrought by arte to the similitude of the
vniuersall frame of the worldc.and maye therfore in my
iudgement more woorthely be cauled Michrocosmos, then
eyiher man or any other creature. 158^ Greene Euphues
to Phiiautus Wks. (Grosart) VI. 235 This citty was Micro-
cosmos, a little Worlde, in respect of the Cytties of Greece.
1590 in Tytler Hist. Scott. (186^) IV. 179 This microcosme
of Britain, separatefrom the continent world. 1791 Bentham
Panopt. 1, Postscr. 79 That scene of clock-work regularity
which it would be so easy to establish in so compact a
microcosm. 1814 Scott li'av. ii, The more judicious poli-
ticians of this microcosm. 1826 Disraeli Viv. Grey 1. ii,
The microcosm of a public school. 1845 Ford Handbk.
Spain 1. 338 [Gibraltar] this microcosmus where all creeds
and nations meet.
b. Adopted as the name of a travelling me-
chanical exhibition in the iS'th c.
1756 B, Lynde Diaries ( 1 S3o) 182, P. M. went to see micro-
cosms, a 1817 R. L. Edgeworth Mem. (1820) I. no By
accident 1 was invited [in 1765] to see the Microcosm, a
mechanical exhibition, which was then frequented by every
body at Chester.
c. A * miniature* representation of.
1808 Ackermann (title) The Microcosm of London, or
London in Miniature. i860 A It Year Round No. 52. 36 He
intended his wardrobe-shop to be a satirical microcosm of
Petty France. 1872 Morlev Voltaire vii. (ed. 2) 344 A
microcosm of the whole battle. 1877 F. Heath Fern IV.
105 That microcosm of the Fern World, the case, or pot.
H d. In the 1 7th c. sometimes used (? ignorantly)
for : A ' world , huge mass.
1611 Coryat Crudities 79 It [a mountain! is couered with
a very Microcosme of clowdes. 1641 Capt. A. Mervin in
Rushw. Hist. Coll. in. (1692) I. 216 Let then that Microcosm
of Letters Patents, .rise up in Judgment.
+ 3. AlcJu The philosopher s stone. Obs.
1477 [see 1].
Hence + Microco'smal<2., pertaining to or of the
nature of a microcosm.
a 1644 Quahles Sol. Recant, ch. xE, (1645) 58 Before the
Sun, and Moon, and Stars appear Dark in thy Microcosmal
Hemisphear. 1651 Biggs New Disj>. r 55 As if he were
the microcosmall Councel of State's chief Physitian.
t MicroCO'Sllietor. Obs. Also erron. -meter.
[mod.L. f. Ot. ftt/cpu-s small + tfoff/xrjrcup, ageut-n.
f. Koapttv to set in order, f. nu<xfio<; Cosmos ; after
Microcosm.] Term used by Dolseus for the essence
or principle of life. Hence f Micro-cosmetoric
a. (Mayne Expos. Lex. 1856).
1684 Phil. Trans. XIV. 704 The Anima Brut or nm with
him is called Microcosmeter. 17*5 Freind Hist. Pity sick
I. 265 Calling in to his aid his ancient good ally, Micro-
cosmetor, Governor of the Animal Spirits, he gives battle to
the disturbers of his rest.
Microcosmic (maikwkp'zmik), a. [f. Micro-
cosm + -ic]
1. Of or pertaining to a microcosm or ' little
world ' ; of the nature of a microcosm.
1816 G. S. Faber Orig. Pagan Idol. III. 281 The imitative
Caer-Sidee represented the microcosmic Ship resting on the
top of the mountain. 1871 B. Taylor Faust iii. I. 65 Man,
that microcosmic fool. 1893 Huxley Evol. <$■ Ethics 13
The microcosmic atom should have found the illimitable
macrocosm guilty.
2. Microcosmic salt [ = L. sal microcosmicus^
Bergmann Opusc. 1773 (ed. 1780) II. 12]: a
phosphate of soda and ammonia (HNaNH4P04 +
4H2O), originally derived from human urine, and
much used as a blow-pipe flux. + Microcosmic
acid', phosphoric acid as obtained from this salt.
1783 Withering tr. Bergmann' s Outl. A/in. 36 A precipitate
of cobalt.. which makes a blue glass with borax or micro-
cosmic salt. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XIV. 629-30 Acid
oj Phosphorus. This acid, called also the microcosmic acid,
has already been described. 1816 Encycl. Perth. V. 566/1
Urine contains the fusible salt of urine, or microcosmic salt.
1902 Miers Mineral. -271 The treatment in the bead of
microcosmic salt.
Micr0C0Smical(m3ikr(7kf*zmikal),(7. [Formed
as prec. + -al.] = prec. 1.
1570 Dee Math. Pre/, c iiij b, Whereby, good profe will
be had, of our Harmonious, and Microcosmicall constitu-
tion. 1646 SirT. Browne Pseud. Ep. 11. iii. 69 This opinion
confirmed would much advance the microcosmicall conceite,
and commend the Geography of Paracelsus. 1790 Sibly
Occult Sci. (1792} I.67 He [man] hath a microcosmical sun,
moon, and stars within himself.
Microcosmography (maikrok^zm^-gian).
1 Obs. [f. Microcosm + -(o)graphy.] The de-
scription of the ' microcosm * or man. Also
{nonce-use)t microcosmic representation.
412
1606 Birnie Kirk-Burial Ded., Ye can see no singular
thing that in some compendious Micro-cosmo-graphy does
not shine in your self. 1618 Earle (title) Micro-cosmo.
graphic or, a Peece of the World Discovered ; in Essayes
and Characters. 169b in PmLLlrs. 1856 in MATHS Expos.
Lex. In mod. Diets.
Microcosmology (msikrok^zmirlodgi). rare.
[f. Microcosm + -(o)logy.] A treatise or disserta-
tion on the ' little world ' or human body.
1856 in Mayne Expos. Lex. In mod. Diets.
Mierocoulomb : see Micro- 5.
Microcoustic, erron. form of Micracoustic.
Microcrith(mai-krokrih). Physics, [f. Micro-
+ Crith.J A unit of molecular weight ; the half
hydrogen-molecule.
1873 T. P. Cooke New Chem. (1874I 73, I propose to call
the unit of molecular weight we have adopted a microcrith,
even at the risk of coining a new word.
Micro-crystal (msikrakri-stal). Chem. [f.
Micro- + Crystal sb.~\ A crystal visible only by
the microscope.
1895 tr. Fock's Chem. Crystal/. 42 The methods of recog-
nizing, .micro-crystals became more perfect.
Microcrystalline (maikrokrrstatain), a.
Gcol. and Min. [f. Micro- -t- Crystalline.]
Formed of microscopic crystals.
1876 A. H. Green Phys. Geol. 46 The aid of a pocket lens
becomes necessary, .to recognise their crystals, and these
[rocks] are known as Micro-crystalline. 1879 Rutley Stud.
Rocks xi. i83 The central portion consists of vitreous, and
at times, micro-crystalline matter. 1891 Atheuxron 24 Jan.
1 26/ 1 A heavy, yellow, microcrystalline powder.
Microcrystallitic (mai-krokristalHik), a.
Geol. and Min. [f. Micro- + Crystallite + -ic]
Belonging to microscopic crystallites.
1882 Geikie Text-bk. Geol. io4_ This ground-mass.. may
be. .still further devitrihed, until it becomes an aggregation
of such little granules, needles, and hairs between which
little or no glass base appears (microcrystallitic).
Microcrystallogeny, -crystallography :
see Micro- 2.
Microcyst (msi-krosist). Bot. [f. Micro- +
Cyst.] An enclosed swarm-cell, an encysted
swarm-spore (of Myxomycetes).
1&87 tr. De Bary's Coi/ip. Morph. ft Biol. Fungi 427 The
term Microcyst was given by Cienkowski to the resting-
state of the swarm-cells [of Myxomycetes]. 190a tr. Stras-
burger s Bot. 303 They [the swarm-spores] surround them-
selves with a wall, and as microcysts pass into a state of rest.
Microcyte (mai-knkait). Path. [f. Micro-
+ -cyte.] A minute red blood-corpuscle.
1876 tr. Wagner s Gen. Pathol. 518 Microcytes. .are small
elements, not exceeding -003 or -004 mm. in diameter, brightly
shining, of the same colour (or even deeper) as the red
corpuscles. 1884 A. Flint Pritic. Med. (ed. 5) 62 These
microcytes are regarded by some as red blood corpuscles in
process of formation, by others as atrophied or degenerated
red corpuscles. 1897 AllbulCs Syst. Med. IV. 579 Small
red corpuscles or microcytes may occur in varying numbers.
IVIici'Ocytllseniia (maikr<7si)x~'mia). Path.
[mod.L. f. prec. + Gr. alya. blood.] The condition
of the blood when it contains many microcytes.
1876 tr. Wagner's Gen. Pathol. 518 Microcythajmia is the
name given, .to a disease, .characterized by the appearance
in the blood of .. microcytes.
Microdactylous : see Micro- 4.
Microdentism (maikrrxle'ntiz'in). [mod. f.
Gr. /ti/cpti-s small + L. dent-, dens tooth + -ism.]
Smallness of the teeth.
1889 Lancet June 1152/2 Microdentism. .was associated
with overgrowth of the molars.
[Microdermatous, a. Path. A spurious word
originating in a misreading of Mycodermatous.
1856 in Mayne Expos. Lex. 1890 in Syd. Soc. Lex.]
Micro-detector, -dont: see Micro- 6, 4.
Micro-electric, -farad: see Micro- 4, 5.
Microfelsite (moikrofe'lssit). Geol. and Min.
[f. Micro- + Felsite.] A form of felsite incapable
of resolution under the microscope. Hence Mi-
crofelsi'tic a., of, belonging to, or consisting of,
microfelsite.
1879 Rutley Stud. Rocks x. 171 It yet remains to be
shown whether micro-felsitic matter is inert upon polarised
light._ 1888 Teall Brit. Petrogr. 439 Micro/elsite, a term
first introduced by Zirkel, . . is now generally defined as a
microscopic substance, forming the base of some porphyries,
which is characterized by the possession of a granular, scaly,
and fibrous structure without the power of exerting any
definite action on polarized light.
Microferment, -foliation, -form : see Micro-
I, 2 b, 4.
Micro-gamete, -geology, etc.: see Micro-.
Micro-germ (maikrodjaim). Path. [f. Micro-
+ Germ.] A microbe. Hence Microg-ermal a.
1887; A. M. Brown Anim. Alkal. 117 The category of
affections admittedly micro-germal, parasitic Ibid. 150 It
is. .an absurdity to introduce micro-germs into the question.
Microglossia, -gonidium, -gramme: see
Micro- 3, 1,5.
Microgranite (maikrograrnit). Geol. [f.
Micro- + Granite.] A granite rock, recognizable
as crystalline only under the microscope. Hence
Micrograni'tic a., of, or pertaining to, micro-
granite. Microgra'nitoid a., like microgranite.
1885 Geikie Text-bk. Geol. (ed. 2) 109 Where a similar
structure is so fine that it can only be recognised with the
MICKOLITHIC.
microscope, it has been called inicrogranitic or euritic. 1888
Teall Brit. Petrogr. 307 The former he [Rosenbusch]
proposed to call micro-granites. 1893 [see Micro-syenite).
1903 Geikie Text-bk. Geol. 11. 11. v. (ed. 4) 151 Where their
elements are minute the structure becomes micro-granitoid
or euritic Ibid. vii. 209 Granite-porphyry (micro-granite)
a fine grained granitoid rock.
Microgranulitic : see Micro- 4.
Micrograph, (msi-krograf). [f. Micro- +
-GRAPH.]
1. A picture or photograph of greatly reduced size.
1874 Draper /?<://>. 4- Sci. v. (1875) 134 In her [the Mind's]
silent galleries are there hung micrographs of the living
and the dead ?
2. An instrument constructed for producing ex-
tremely minute writing or engraving (Knight Diet.
Mcch. 1875). Cf. Micropantograph.
Micrographer (maikrp-giafai). [f. Micro-
graphy: see -grapher.] One who practises mi-
crography ; one who describes or delineates micro-
scopic objects. So Micro-grrapliist in the same
sense {Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890).
1839-47 Todds Cycl. A nat. 1 1 1 . 527/2 The accounts given of
it bysomeoftheearliermicrographers. i8490wEN/,rtrMe«r?-
geuesis 32 note, The masterly Micrographer [Ehrenberg].
Micrographic (maiknjgrse'fik), a. [f. Micro-
graphy : see -graphic]
1. Of or pertaining to the delineation of micro-
scopic objects or to micrography.
1856 Griffith & Henfrey (title) The Micrographic Dic-
tionary; a guide to the examination and investigation of
the structure and nature of microscopic objects. 1895 Nature
15 Aug. 368/2 The applications of micrographic analysis.
2. Minutely written (as symptomatic of nervous
disorder). 1899 [see MacrographyJ.
Micrography (maikrfgrafi). [f. Micro- ♦
Gr. -ypa<pta writing. Cf. F. micrographic.']
1. The description or delineation of objects visible
only by the aid of a microscope.
1658 Phillips, Micrography, the description of minute
bodies by a magnifying glass. 1665 Phil. Traits. I. 58 He
was much surprised when he saw the Micrography of
Mr. Hook. 1670 Moral State Eng. 41 By the study of
Microgiaphy. .they have displaied a new Page of the Book
of Nature. 1731-3 Tull Norse-Hoeing Husb. xvi. 233 Tis
unreasonable to believe, that Water can have such extra-
ordinary Skill in Botany, or in Micrography [etc.]. 1869
tr. Poucket's Universe (1871) 7 Will any one accuse micro-
graphy of giving rise to those vain illusions with which those
. .are pleased to reproach it?
2. a. The art or practice of writing in micro-
scopic characters, b. Path. Abnormally small
handwriting, as a symptom of nervous disorder.
1899 [see Macrocrapiiv]. 1905 Daily News 3 July 12
The achievements in micrography of Mr. Sofer, who is
giving the King a portrait composed of a biography of
44.000 letters.
Microhm : see Micro- 5.
II Mi cro-lepido ptera, sd. pi. Ent. [f.
Micro- + Lepidoptera.] A collector's term for
certain small moths.
185a H. T. Stainton (title) The Entomologist's Companion ;
being a Guide to the Collection of Micro- Lepidoptera. 190a
Westm. Gaz. 8 Mar. 8/1 The special library formed by Lord
Walsingham for the study of micro-lepidoptera.
Hence (in recent Diets.) Microlepidopter, one
of the micro-lepidoptera. Microlepido pteran,
(a) adj., microlepidopterous ; (*) si., one of the
micro-lepidoptera. Microlepido pterist, one who
studies the micro-lepidoptera. Microlepido'pter-
OTis a., of or pertaining to the micro-lepidoptera.
185a Stainton Entom. Cotup. 3 Book-muslin . .is therefore
best adapted for Micro-lepidopterists.
Microlepidotous : see Micro- 4.
Microline (mai-krolain). Microscopy. [f.
Micro- + Line.] A unit of diameter for objects
viewed under the microscope.
1857 Rep. Brit. Assoc., Trans. Sect. 115 He (Dr. Lyons)
would propose that some definite micrometric integer should
be assumed, being a determinate part of unity. He proposed
that this measure should be denominated a Microline.
Microlite (maikrolait). [f. Micro--*- -lite.]
1. Min. Impure calcium pyrotantalate,Ca2Taa07.
First found in very small crystals, whence the name.
1833 C. U. Shephard in Amer. jfml. Sci. XXVI I. 361
Microlite, a New Mineral Species. 1868 Dana Min. (ed. 5)
11.5.3-
2. Petrology. = MlCROLlTH.
1878 Lawrence tr. Cotta's Rocks Class. 69 These bubbles,
as well as the above-mentioned microlites. 1888 Teall
Brit. Petrogr. 14 Microlites differ from crystallites in
possessing the internal structure of true crystals.
Microlith (maikrolij-). Petrology, [f. Gr.
fit/epos small (see Micro-) + At'flos stone.] A term
proposed in 1867 by Vogelsang for the microscopic
acicular particles contained in the glassy portions
of felspar, hornblende, etc. (Cf. Microlite 2.)
1879 Rutley Stud. Rocks x. 107 Microliths of hornblende
are comparatively rare.
Microlithic (m3ikrt>li-hik), n.l Antiq. [f. Gr.
fiixpus small + \180s stone: see-ic] Consisting or
constructed of small stones. Hence, of a period,
a people, etc. Characterized by the erection of
microlithic monuments (opposed to Megalituic).
187a Fbrcusson Rude Stone Mott. ii. 40 The people.,
affected . . what may be called microlithic architecture. Ibid.
MICROLITHIC.
413
MICBOPHAGE.
47 The cognate examples in the microlithic styles afford us I
very little assistance in determining either the origin or use [
of this class of monument.
Microlithic (maikrolrjrik), a!1 [f. Micro-
lith + -ic] Pertaining to microliths ; charac- ;
terized by the presence of microliths.
1877 Geikie in Nature 4 Oct. 474/2 The abundance of
the glassy microlithic base. 1882 — Text-bk. Geol. 131 i
Microlithic, characterized by the abundance of microliths.
Microlitic (maikroli'rik), a. [f. Microlite +
-ic] = Microlithic 0.-
1879 Rutley Stud. Rocks xL 185 [The term] microlitic.
might.. be given to. .rocks which contain.. microliths. 1903
Geikie Text-bk. Geol. 11. 11. § vii. (ed. 4) 228 This micro-
litic fult is a distinctive character of the Andesites.
Microlitre : see Micro- 5.
Micro-logical (maikr^'c^ikal), a. [f. MI-
CROLOGY+-1CAL.]
1. Characterized by minuteness of investigation j
or discussion.
1879 O. W. Holmes Motley § 7. 53 He [sc. Balzac] is.. '
a microtogical, misanthropical, sceptical philosopher.
2. Of or pertaining to the study of minute
objects; belonging to Micrology 2.
1847 Todofs Cycl. Anat. IV. 71 The existing impulse
towards micrological study.
Hence Microlo'gically adv.
1872 Lowell Milton Prose Wks. (1890) IV. 88 note., If
things are to be scanned so micrologically, what weighty
inferences might not be drawn from [etc.].
Micrologist (maikrfrlod^ist). [f. Micrology
+ -IST.] One skilled in the examination and de-
scription of minute objects. So Microlog*ue
(mai'krfllfg), one who is occupied with micro- 1
scopic research {Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890).
1841-71 T. R. Jonks Anim. Kingd. (ed. 4) 13 The dis-
tinguished German micrologist Kolliker, whose researches
. .are calculated to clear up many doubtful points.
Micrology (maiknrldd^i). [ad. Or. fxltepokoyia,
f. piKpo-s small + -\oyia : see -logy. Cf. F. micro-
logic.}
1. The discussion or investigation of trivial
things or petty affairs ; * hair-splitting '.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Micrologic, curiosity about things
of no value ; a speaking or treating of petty affairs. 1727 in
Bailey vol. II. 1820 W. Tooke tr. Lucian I. 400 What
a parcel of fiddle-faddle and micrology. 1829 I. Taylor
Enthus. ii. (1867) 35 The philanthropist.. is not found to
spend his nights and days in pursuing any such subtile
micrologies. 1882 Farrak Early Chr. I. 525 How could
one who had never learnt letters, .. listen without reverence
to that micrology of erudition.
2. (Properly a distinct word formed after Micro-
scope.) That part of science which depends upon
the use of the microscope ; a treatise on micro-
scopic animals and plants.
1849 in Craig; and in later Diets.
Microin, mikrom (mai'kr^m). [f. Micro-
+ the initial letter of Metre.] A term suggested
by Lord Kelvin in place of Micron.
1898 Ld. Kelvin in Nature 17 Nov. 57/1 Langley, fourteen
years ago, used . . the word ' mikron ' to denote the millionth
of a metre. The letter u has no place in the metrical system,
and I venture to suggest a change of spelling to 'mikrom'.
Micromania (maikr<?m#*nift). Path. [f. Gr.
fit'Kpos small (see Micro-) + Mania.] ' A form of
mania in which the patient thinks himself, or some
part of him, to be reduced in size ' {Syd. Soc. Lex.
1890). Also, an insane habit of belittling oneself.
Microma niac, one affected with micromania.
1899 AtlbutPs Syst. Med. VII. 703 Micromania is a name
used in contrast to megalomania and to indicate what
Dr. Mickle calls 'belittlement'. Ibid., Micromania is met
with . . in senile degeneration or mental degeneration of one
kind or another. 1902 Speaker 8 Nov. 142/2 The cult of
humility is a wholly spurious micromania. Ibid., He is the
one micromaniac of whom we have any record.
II Micromelus (maikrp'mil^s). Path. [mod.
L., f. Gr. fiiKpo-s small +/i4kot limb. (Gr. had
tUKpofjLt\T}s adj., small-limbed, f. the same ele-
ments.)] A human being with all limbs dwarfed.
1890 in Syd. Soc. Lex. 1903 J. Coats Man. Pathol. 44
Partial dwarfing.. may affect all four limbs, micromelus.
Micromere (msrkrflml-u). Embryology, [f.
Gr. fxiKpo-s small + pipo? part.] The smaller of
the two masses into which the vitcllus of the de-
veloping ovum of Lamellibranchiata divides (cf.
Macromere). Hence Micromeral, Microme-
ric aJjs., of or pertaining to the micromere.
1877 Huxley Anat. Inv. Anim. viii. 484 Layer of blasto-
pores, of which those of one hemisphere have proceeded
from the micromere, and those of the other from the macro-
mere. Ibid. 49S The edges of the miciomeral layer. 1886
Jrnl. R. Microsc. Soc. Ser. 11. VI. i. 224 The segmentation
resembles that of other molluscs, the ' micromeres ' appearing
at the formative pole by separation of the 'protoplasmic'
portion of the ' macromeres'.
MicromeriticCm^Wmerrtik),^. [f. Micro-
+ Gr. (xtp-os part + -ite + -10.1 Of granitoid rocks :
Having a structure discernible only with the mi-
croscope. 1882 [see Macromeritic]. In mod, Diets.
Micro-metallography : see Micro- 2.
Micrometer (maikrp'rrutai). [ad. F. micro-
metre (Azout 1667), f. Gr. fxlKpu-s small + pirpov
measure: see -meter.] An instrument for mea-
suring minute objects or differences of dimension.
1. An astronomical instrument applied to telt-
scopes for the purpose of measuring very small
angular distances.
Of this instrument, which was first invented by \V.
Gascoigne about 1640, there are several forms, as thcanuular
or circular, dioptric (catadioptrie) or double-image, double-
refraction, duplex, filar, prism, ring, wire micrometer.
1670 Flamsteed in Hone Evcry-day Bk. I. 1092, I . .had
Mr. Townly's Micrometer presented to me by Sir Jonas
Moor. 1759 Gent I Mag. 72 The method of using Mr.
Dollond's new catadioptrie Micrometer. 1836 Penny Cycl.
V. 228/2 The double-refraction micrometer. 1853 Hkrschel
Pop. Led. Sci. v. § 17 (1873) 193 What astronomers call
a ' ring micrometer '. 1866 Branue & Cox Diet. Sci., etc.
II. 517/2 The prism micrometer, .has this important defect
[etc.]. 1883 Encycl. Brit. XVI. 248/1 Grubb's duplex
micrometer. Ibid. 249/2 Double-Image Micrometers with
Divided Lenses Ramsden's dioptric micrometer.
2. An instrument applied to the microscope for
the purpose of measuring small objects.
c 1790 Imison Sch. Art I. 240 The new micrometer is
nothing more than a stage (on which the objects are placed)
moveable by a fine screw which has a hand, .passing over
the divisions of a graduated circle. 1855 tr. iVedl's Rndim.
Pathol. Ilistol. 1. i. tSyd. Soc.) 10 The glass micrometer.,
has supplanted the.. screw micrometer. 1866 Brande &
Cox Diet. Set'., etc. II. 518/1 The instruments in use among
microscopists are Jackson's micrometer and the cobweb
micrometer. 1877 Darwin Forms of El. i. 16, I measured
with the micrometer many specimens, both dry and wet.
3. An instrument used in machine-construction,
watchmaking, etc., for obtaining an extreme
degree of accuracy in measurement.
1884 F. J. Britten Watch $ Clockm. 76 The new one [a
plug] may be gauged with a Micrometer or Registering
Callipers.
4. attrib. and Comb., as micrometer cell ', eye-piece,
measurement, pointer, scale, slide, square, wheel,
wire ; micrometer balance, a balance for ascer-
taining minute weights with exactitude, esp. used
for weighing coins; micrometer gauge, a gauge
fitted with a micrometer, used in machine-making ;
micrometer-microscope, an apparatus for reading
and subdividing the divisions of large astronomical
and geodetical instruments ; micrometer screw,
a screw attached to optical and other instruments
for the exact measurement of very small angles.
1875 Knight Diet. Mech. 1431/2 Kenshaw's *micrometer-
balance, invented about 1842, consists of a beam or steel-
yard supported on a knife-edged fulcrum. 1898 Allbutt's
Syst. Med. V. 443 The lines which form the divisions of the
*micrometer cell may be made more distinct [etc.]. 1835
Ure Philos. Manuf. 126 For very nice measurements
Troughton's "micrometer eye-piece . .may be attached to the
instrument. 1902 Marshall Metal Tools 10 Another very
useful type of gauge for making fine measurements is the
""micrometer gauge. 1835 Ure Philos. Manuf. 96 *Micro-
meter measurements taken from the spectral image.. are
apt to lead to great fallacies. 1849 R. V. Dixon Heat
1. 25 The microscope e' was hence called the "micrometer
microscope. 1883 Encycl. Brit. XVI. 249/2 A dull phos-
phorescence sufficient to make the "micrometer pointer.,
faintly visible. 1854 Pereira's Pol. Light 45 A very
minutely grooved surface.. presents an iridescent appear-
ance in white light.. .*Micrometer scales frequently present
the same appearances. 1788 Trans. Soc. Arts VI. 190
Moved by the *micrometer screw. 1883 Encycl. Brit. XVI.
244/1 The oblong frame, containing the "micrometer slides.
1898 Allbutt's Syst. Med. V. 441 The corpuscles .. are
reckoned by means of a series of *micrometer squares ruled
over a certain area of the glass floor of the chamber or cell.
1862 Catal. Internat. Exhib. II. xi. 23 The tangent back
sight is elevated by a rack and pinion, the latter having a
*micrometer wheel for finer readings. 1806 J- A. Hamilton
in Trans. Roy. Irish Acad, m In adjusting the telescope
and "micrometer wires.
Micrometric (msikrcjme'trik), a. [f. prec. +
-IC. Cf. F. microm£triqueI\ = next.
1835 Ure Philos. Manuf. 126 A microscope, provided with
a micrometric glass plate. _ 1837 Athensenm 28 Jan. 64/2
Diameter of Penumbra by micrometric measure— 58". 4. 1883
Encycl. Brit. XVI. 243/2 Sir William Herschel's discovery
..gave an impulse to micrometric research.
iransf. 1880 T. W. Webb in Nature XXI. 213/2 The
Italian professor . . inconvenienced by colour-blindness, but
of micrometric vision, . . has plotted a sharply-outlined chart.
Micrometrical (maikrome-trikal), a. [f.
prec. +-al.] Pertaining to or of the nature of a
micrometer ; carried on by or resulting from the
use of the micrometer.
1712 Derham in Phil. Trans. XXVII. 523, /. ;/. The en-
lightned part of the Moon, being 1025 Micrometrical Parts,
or 20'. 1829 Herschell Ess. (1857) 537 The micrometrical
measurements of double stars. 1837 Goring & Pritchard
Microgr. 4S The divisions of the scale of micrometrical
eye-pieces. lS&zAtkenxutu No. 2833. 194 A third catalogue
of micrometrical measures of double stars made at . . Rugby,
..is contained in the volume, .before us.
Hence Micrometrically adv., by means of a
micrometer.
1834 Mrs. Somerville Connex. Phys. Sci. (1849) 419
Whose motions have been micrometrically measured. 1876
G. F. Chambers Astron. 11 This was micrometrically
established in a lateral direction by Challis in 1857.
Micrometry (msikrp-metri). [f. Gr. filnpS-s
small + -fxtrpia measuring (see -metry) after
Micrometer.] The measurement of minute objects ;
the use of the micrometer.
1853 C. Johnson in Bol. $ Physiol. Mem. (Ray Soc. 1854)
416 Mohl has discussed the methods of micrometry in a pro-
found manner. 1862 Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Set'. II. 306 Micro-
metry. A good deal was written some time ago about the
best form of micrometer.
Micromillimetre, -mineralogy: see Micro-
Si 2 a-
Micromorph (marknmi^jf). Zoot. [f. Gr.
fxtupu-s small + pop<prj form.] A specimen smaller
than is normal in the species.
1888 Hudleston Gasterop. (Palaiont. Soc.) 112 Micro-
morphs. .occur, .in many parts of the Inferior Oolite.
Micron, mikron (moi'kr^n). [ad. Gr. piKpuv,
neut. of piKpos small.] The one-millionth part of
a metre ; denoted by the symbol pi.
1892 Barker Physics 15 Divided into, .thousandths of a
millimeter; i.e. into microns. 1898 Lo. Kelvin in Rip.
Brit. Assoc. 7S3 Measured wave-lengths as great as 15 mi-
krons in rad'umt heat. 1905 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 25 Feb. 404
The lymphocytes showed all variations in size, fiom the
smallest to some which were 15 microns in diameter.
Micronesian (moikrenrpan), a. and sb. [f.
Micronesia (see below : f. Gr. plfcpu-s small +
vija-Qs island) + -AN.
The name, modelled after Polynesia, was intended to
mean 'the region of small islands'.]
A. adj. Of or pertaining to Micronesia (a group
of small islands in the western region of the North
Pacific, including the Caroline, l.adrone, Marshall
and Gilbert Islands, etc.), its inhabitants, language,
etc. B. sb. a. A native of Micronesia, b. The
language of the Micronesians.
1896 Codrim.ton Diet. Mota Pref. 6 The Micronesian
Group [of language^] takes in the Caroline Islands, Pellew,
Marshall, and Gilbert Islands. 1899 Christian in Jrnl.
Anthrop. Inst. XXVIII. 288 On Micronesian Weapons,
Dress, Implements, etc. 1899 Ella Ibid. XXIX. 159 Me-
lanesian and Micionesian tongues are to some extent in-
flexional. 1900 Edin. Rev. Apr. 490 The Micronesians will
be the happier for this transfer.
Micronucleus (m9ikr<?ni»-kl/'1£s). Zool. PI.
-nuclei, [f. Micro- + Nucleus.] The smaller
of the two nuclei of a protozoon. Hence Micro-
ntvclear a. , of or pertaining to a micronuclcus.
1892 [see Macko-nucleus]. 1901 G. N. Calkins Pro-
tozoa 194 The micronuclei play the most important part in
conjugation. Ibid., The new macronuuleus is formed by
the enlargement of a daughter-micionucleus. 1905 Brit.
Med. Jrnl. 25 Feb. 441 A special ingrowth of micronuclear
cells, .gave rise to the mesamueboid (mesoblastic) cells.
Micrcnymy. nonce-wd. [f. Gr. + piitcpo-s small
+ ovvpta name, ovojj.a, after synonymy, etc.] The
use of short words in scientific nomenclature.
1889 Buck's Handbk. Med. Sci. VIII. 529/1 Astronomers
have set an example in micronymy that anatomists might
well follow.
Micro-Organic (malkr^igps-nik), a. [f.
Micro- + Organic] Pertaining to or connected
with micro-organisms.
1884 J. Tait Mind in Matter {1892) 317 The micro-
organic world is found to be silent as tiie grave on evolution.
Micro-organism (mai kn^uganiz'm). Biol.
[f. Micro- + Organism.] A microscopic animal or
plant ; a microbe. Hence Micro-orgrani'smal a.,
of or induced by micro-organisms.
1880 MacCormac Antisept. S/ng. 105 The presence of
micro-oiganisms in the atmosphere .. is certain. 1898
Allbutt's Syst. Med. V. 564 A manifestation of a micro-
organismal disease.
Micropantograph, -parasite, -pathology :
see Micro- 6, 1, 2.
Micropegmatite (maikrope-gmatait). A/in.
[f. Micro- + Fegmatite.] (See quot. 1888.) Hence
Micropegmati'tic a., having the structure of
micropegmatite or of graphic granite.
1885 Geikie Text-bk. Gcol. (ed. 2) no The structure is..
micropegmatitic where the help of a microscope is needed.
1888 Teall Brit. Petrogr. 30 Graphic granite and ..its
microscopic equivalent, generally termed micro-pegmatite.
1896 Nat. Sci. Aug. 86 The garnet often streams out.,
forming micropegmatitic intergrowths with other materials.
Microperthite (maikr^psubait). Min. [f.
Micro- + Perthite.] (See quot. 1885.) Hence
Microperthi'tic a.t pertaining to or resembling
microperthite.
1885 Geikie Text-bk. Geol. (ed. 2) 132 note, F. Becke. .
described this structure and names it microperthite. Ibid.
133 The felspar, .presents the peculiar fibrous structure re-
ferred to in the foregoing description of gneiss (microper-
thite, microcline). 1888 Teall Brit. Petrogr. 31 The
microscopic equivalent of perthite termed microperthite by
F. Becke. 1888 Nature 15 Mar. 459/2 Judging from the
frequent occurrence of striated and microperthitic felspars.
Micropetalous, -petrology: see Micro- 4, 2.
Microphage fmaHacafiPdg), Phys. Also mi-
crophag. [ad. G. mikrophag (MetchnikofT), f.
Gr. ptiKpo-s small + phag short for Phagocyte.] A
certain form of the white blood-corpuscles (see
quot. 1903). Also attrib.
1890 [see Macrophage^ 1893 Starling tr. Metchnikoff*s
Comp. Patlwl. 191 In. .acute inflammations it is mainly the
microphages, or neutrophile polynuclear leucocytes, that
are involved. 1896 Allbutt's Syst. Med. I. 953 Tne "ncro-
phage cells in the spleen. 1903 Coats Man. Path. (ed. 5)
148 Polymorphonuclear leucocytes are called Microphags,
and the cells derived from the fixed cells of the tissues, which
are larger, and have large oval nuclei, are macrophags.
MICROPHAGIST.
Microphagist ^maikrp-fad.^ist,. [f. Gr. pi/cpos
small + <pay-y tpayuv to eat + -1ST.] An eater of
microscopic organisms.
1853 W. Smith Brit. Diatom. I. p. xxxiii, Several species
[of diatoms] . . have been supplied in abundance by a careful
dissection of the above microphagists.
Micx'OpliagOCyte (mairkrtffas'g&ait). Phys.
[f. Micro- + Phagocyte.] •= Micbophage.
1896 Allbutt's Syst. Med. I. 79 Classifications of the
varieties of leucocytes. . . Microphagocyte.
t Microphily. Obs. rare-1. In 7 -philie.
[Badly f. Gr. piicpo-s small + <pt\ia friendship.]
The friendship of a ( small ' man with a great.
1608 D. T[uvil] Ess. Pol. <y Mor. 95 b, So likewise, where :
there is a disproportion eyther in meanes, or mindes, there
can bee no other friendship, then that Microphilie, which
Plato had with Dionysius the Tyrant
Microphone (mai'kwi^ui). [f. Gr. f/iitp6*$
small + ifxovr) sound.]
1. An instrument by which small sounds can be i
intensified.
1683 Phil, Trans. XIV. 482 Microphones or Micracou-
sticks that is Magnifying ear instruments. 1727 in Bailky
vol. II. 1827 C. Whbatstonb in Q. Jml. Set. 11. 69 An
instrument which, from its rendering audible the weakest
sounds, may with propriety be called the Microphone. 1842
Brande Diet. Set., etc., Microphone, an instrument for in-
creasing the intensity of low sounds.
2. spec. An instrument (invented almost simulta-
neously in 1878 by Prof. Hughes and Dr. Liidtge) !
by means of which the telephone is made to re- 1
produce faint sounds with more than their original |
intensity.
1878 Hughes in Proc. Roy. Soc. XXVII. 365, I have also
devised an instrument suitable for magnifying weak sounds,
which I call a microphone. The microphone, in its present
form, consists simply of a lozenge-shaped piece of gas car-
bon, one inch long [etc.].
Hence Microphonic a., pertaining to the micro-
phone ; sb. pi., the science of magnifying sounds.
1846 Buchanan Techno/. Diet., Microphonics, the science
of magnifying small sounds. 1878 J ml. Franklin Inst.
CVI. 270 Microphonic Anticipations. 1879 N. Eng. Hist.
■V Gen. Reg. XXXIII. 158 Look at the amazing progress
in telegraphic, microscopic, telephonic and microphonic
arts ! 1881 Athenaeum 2 July 19/1 Dr. Moser read a paper
'On the Microphonic Action of Selenium Cells'. 1893
Prerce & Stubbs Man. Telep/wny 121 The adoption of the
microphonic transmitter in any case necessitates the em-
ployment of a battery. ;
Microphonograph (md^kroftu-ndferaf). [f.
Micro- + Phonograph.] An instrument com-
bining the principles of the microphone and the
phonograph, designed for rendering sound audible
to deaf-mutes.
1897 Daily News 26 Mar. 2/2 The microphonograph lie
[Professor Dussaud] has just issued to the world magnifies
the human voice in the same way as a lens magnifies a pic-
ture. 1898 Nature 13 Jan. 255/2 It is suggested that the
micro-phonograph may become an important factor in the
education of deaf and dumb subjects.
Microphonous'maikrjrf^nss),**.1 rare~°. [f.
Microphone + -ous.] Having the property of aug-
menting weak sounds. 1855 Dunglison Med. Lex.
Micro phcmoxis, a,^ rare"0, [f. Gr. futcpo-
ipojv-os (see next) + -ous.] * Having a slender weak
voice' (Mayne Expos. Lex. 1856).
Microphony (maikrp'foni). rare~°. [ad. Gr.
fxifepotyojuia, f. niKp6<pajv-os weak-voiced, f. pitKpo-s
small + (pojvq voice.] Weakness of voice.
1849 in Craig.
Microphotogram (mai-kn?(f(?u't#gr;em). [f.
Micro- + Photogkam.] A microphotograph.
1898 P. M anson TroJ). Diseases i. 20 Microphotogram
shewing the necessarydisposition of blood-corpuscles in slides
for examination for the Plasmodium.
Microphotograph (maikr^fjuttJgiaf;. [f.
Micro- + Photograph sb.]
1. A photograph reduced to microscopic size ; a
microscopic photograph.
1858 [see Photomicrograph].
2. A photograph of a microscopic object on a
magnified scale: = Photomicrograph.
i860 Photogr. Neivs 13 Jan. 228/1 The production of good
micro-photographs appears very much to depend on the
employment of a suitable collodion. 1875 tr. VogeVs Chem.
Light xiv. 208 The beauty of the micro- photograph depends
essentially on the beauty of the preparation to be photo-
graphed. 1896 Allbutt's Syst. Med. I. 183 Microphoto-
graphs of two pyramidal cells from a case of general para-
lysis of the insane.
Hence Microphotogra'phic a., pertaining to or
connected with microphotography. Microphoto-
graphically adv., by means of microphoto-
graphy.
1858 T. Sutton Diet. Plwtogr. 296 Micro-photographic
operations. 1863 Brit. Jrul. Photogr. 24 Mar. 153/1 De-
scription of the Micro-photographic Apparatus. i88j R.
Norris {titter Physiology and Pathology of the Blood...
With mikro-photographic illustrations. 1895 Daily News 26
July 3/1 Insect anatomy, illustrated micro- photographically.
Microphotography (mabkofftfrgr&fi). [f.
Micro- + Photography.]
1. The art or process of making photographs of
very small size.
1858 T. Sutton Diet. Photogr., Micro- Photography. Under
414
this head may be included two different processes One - . (
consists in copying objects on an exceedingly small scale, 1
the photograph being intended to be viewed through a
magnifier. . . The other . . consists in producing enlarged \
photographs of minute objects— that is, in fixing the images
obtained in the microscope. 1867 Sutton & Dawson Diet.
Photogr., Micro- Photography. This term is now used to ;
designate the reduction of negatives to a very minute size,
and serves to distinguish it from the process denominated
'Photo-micrography'. 1900 Westm. Gaz. 12 Sept. 8^2 A (
letter printed in microphotography is gummed to his [a
bee's] little back, and he is thrown into the air.
2. The art or process of producing by photo- |
graphy an enlarged image of a microscopically !
minute object: - Photomicrography.
1858 [see 1]. 1875 tr. VogeVs Chem. Light xiv. 209
Excellent results have been achieved in microphotography ;
by Neyt at Ghent. 1889 Anthonys Plwtogr. Bull. II. 104 \
Examples may also be given of balloon, stellar, and micro- j
photography.
Microphthalmia, etc. : see Micro- 3.
Microphylline (maikwfi'toin), a. Bot. ;
[Formed as next : see -INK.] Composed of minute \
leaflets or scales.
187a E. Tuckerman Gen. Lichenutu 245 The foliaceous
Verrucariacei . . passing . . into microphylline and . . into
finally almost crustaceous forms.
Microphyllous : see Micro- 4.
Microphysics,-physiography: see Micro- b.
Microphyte (mai'kwfoit). [mod. f. Gr. pi/cpos
small + tpvruv plant. Cf. F. microphyte] A micro-
scopic plant(esp.abacterium. Hence Microphytal,
Microphytic adjs., pertaining to microphytes.
1863 Slack in Intell. Ohserv. Dec. 379 In the fermenta-
tion of wheat flour he [Lemaire] observed in the course of
fifteen days, bacterium, vibrio, spirillum, amoeba, tnonas,
and Paramecium, after which came what he calls micro-
phytes. 1867 Mvrchison Siluria App. O. ted. 4) 546 The mi-
crophytes above mentioned. 1876 Page Adv. Text-bk. Geol.
xx. 440 The innumerable organisms in microphytal and
microzoal deposits. 1881 J. Simon in Nature No. 616. 373
The microphytic origin of an important cancroid disease of
horned cattle. 1896 Allbutt's Syst. Med. I. 210 After the
rise of modern bacteriology the first attempts made were to
cultivate a specific microphyte from such tumours.
Micropod (moi*kn?pfd). Zoo/, [ad. mod.L.
Micropoaa, f. Gr. fil/tpo-s small + wo5-, irovs foot.]
Any one of the Micropoda, in some classifications
a division of bivalve molluscs including the oyster.
1854 Adams, etc. Man. Nat. Hist. 158 Micropods (Micro-
poda^.
Micropodal (maikrfrpfldal), a. [f. Gr. futcpo-
710S-, luttpuwovs (f. fUKpos small + 7ro5-, vovs foot) +
-AL.j Small-footed ; esp. having the foot abnor-
mally small though regularly developed. So Mi-
cropo'dic, Micro podous adjs.
1857 Mayne Expos. Lex. (s.v. Aficropodus) Micropodous.
1859 Chamb. Jml, XI. 323 The micropodic young person.
190a Wkbstek, Micropodal.
Micro-polariscope, -pore, -porphyritic,
-prismatic, Micropsia : see Micro- 6, if 4, 3.
t Micropsychy. Obs. [ad. Gr. pxKpofyvxia}
f. fUKpoif/vx-os pusillanimous, f. ftiKpo-s small + ifvxij
soul.] Pusillanimity.
1651 Biggs New Disp. 149 The powers .. being .. exani-
mated into a dull and faint mycropsychie. 1654 Gayton
Pleas. Notes iv. xvii. 259 To what purpose didst thou kneel
for a Licence, if thou wilt not take the liberty to fight?
Though Cyd Hameti Benengeli doth not discover the reason
of this Micropseuchy [printed Mieropseachy] of the Don.
1674 Blount Glossogr. (ed. 4), Micropsychy, feeble courage,
faint 1 less of heart.
Micropterous (maikr^pteras\ a. Zoo/, [f.
Gr. niKpoiTTtp-os (f. piKpo-s small + imp'QV wing) +
-ous.] Small winged or finned. So Micropte-
rism, abnormally small wing-development
1826 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. IV. xli. 141 Most of the micro-
pterous tribes {Staphylinus L.) have a fetid smell. 1895
D. Sharp Insects \. 339 (Camb. Nat. Hist.) Some specks
are always micropterous. Ibid., A curious form of variation
occurs in this family [Gryllidae], and is called micropterism
by de Saussure.
Micropterygious : see Micro- 4.
Micro-ptic, a. nonce-wd. [f. Gr. piKpo-s small
+ oittikos Optic a.] Microscopic.
1800 Hurdis Fav. Village 104 If to the spot invisible we
strain Our aching sight, and with microptic tube Bring it
at last within our feeble ken.
Micropylar (mai'kr0p3ila.i), a. [f. next + -ar.]
Pertaining to or of the nature of a micropyle.
1869 W. S. Dallas tr. Midler's Facts for Danvin 132 The
formation of the ' micropylar apparatus [in the Amphipoda].
Micropyle (mai-kropail). [a. F. micropyle,
I f. Gr. fiiKpo-s small +-nv\r} gate.]
1. Bot. The foramen or orifice in the integument
' of an ovule, by which the pollen penetrates to the
apex of the nucleus or radicle. Also, the external
aperture which represents this foramen in the
mature seed.
1821 tr. Decandolle <V SprengeFs Elem. Philos. Plants 79
In the seeds of many of the Leguminous plants, a small
cavity appears under the umbilicus, called micropyle. but
its use is unknown. 1830 Lindley Nat. Syst. Hot. 181 The
1 woody shell of the seed of Sapoteae is certainly testa,, .as
is proved by the presence of the micropyle upon it. 1875
Bennett & Dyer tr. Sachs' Bot. 429 It fthe pollen] then
forces itself into the micropyle and advances as far as the
embryo-sac.
MICROSCOPIC.
2. Z00L A special opening in a female cell for
the entrance of the fertilizing cell.
1859 Todd's Cycl. Anat. V. [971/2 Discoveries . . as to the
existence of the micropyle in hshes. 1875 Kay Lankester
in Q. Jrnl. Mierosc. Sci. XV. 38 The egg-shell . . has a small
hole at the narrower pole, which may be called a micropyle.
1893 Tuckey Amphioxus 41 This . . explains how it is that
without the formation of a micropyle the spermatozoon can
force its way into the egg.
Microrvh. abd, microsclere : see Micro- 1.
Micro-refractometer, etc. : see Micro- 6.
Microscope (m^i■kr<!fsk<7up, , sb. Also 7 my-
croscop(e. [ad. mod.L. micro scopium^i. Gr. fiiKpo-s
small + otcon~tiv to look, see : see -scope. Cf. F.
microscope, Sp. microscopio, It, microscopio, G.
mikroskop.]
1. An optical instrument, consisting of a lens or
a combination of suitably adjusted lenses, (or,
rarely, also of mirrors) by which objects are so
magnified that details indistinct or invisible to the
naked eye are clearly revealed.
1656 tr. Hobbes' Elem. Philos. I. iv. xxvii. 332 There are
now such Microscopes . . that the things we see with them
appear a hundred thousand times bigger, then they would
do if we looked upon them with our bare Eyes. i66x S. P.
New Sect Latitude-men 21 The severall discoveries we are
beholden to the new invented microscope for. 1678 Depos.
Cast. York iSurtees) 233 Polishing glasses for prospec lives,
and spectackles and mycroscops. 1706 Reflex, upon Ridicule
244 The effects of prejudice .. are the same with those of
microscopes. 1831 Brewster Optics v. 51 When such a
lens is used to magnify the magnified image produced by
another lens, the two lenses together constitute a compound
microscope.
attrib. 1826 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. III. xxix. 193 Till..
they may first enter the range of the microscope- aided eye.
1875 Huxley & Martin Elem. Biol. (1877) 247 Microscope-
needle. 1899 Cagney tr. Jaksch's Clin. Diagn. x. (ed. 4) 431
An Abbe's or other condenser adjusted movably to the
microscope-stand.
b. Lucemal, solar, oxy-hydrogen microscopes :
instruments of the nature of the magic lantern, in
which the illumination employed comes from a
lamp, the sun, and an oxy-hydrogen lime-light
respectively.
1740 H. Baker in Phil. Trans. XLI. 516 The Solar or
Camera Obscura Microscope, and the Microscope for opake
objects. 1787 G. Adams Ess. Microscope 6^ This [lucernal]
microscope was originally thought of, and in part executed
by my father. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XI. 725 The im-
proved lucernal microscope. 1839 Penny Cycl. XV. 188/2 A
few achromatic glasses for oxy-hydrogen microscopes have
been made. 1845 Encycl. Metrop. III. 470/2 The solar micro-
scope differs entirely ..from those above described.
2. trans/, and _/?£■.
1671 Milton /*. A\ iv. 57 Many a fair Edifice .. (so well
I have dispos'd My Aery Microscope) thou may'st behold
Outside and inside both. 174a Pope Dune. iv. 233 The
critic Eye, that microscope of Wit, Sees hairs and pores,
examines bit by bit. 1839-52 Bailey Festits xiv. 162
Watching the thoughts of men and angels Through moral
microscopes. 1903 Westm. Gaz. 21 Feb. 7/1 The Board
would work., under the microscope of a Committee of
Censure.
3. Astron. (Also in mod.L. form Microsco-
pium.) A constellation south of Capricorn, intro-
duced by Lacaille in 1752.
Microscope (mai-kr^sk^up), v. rare. \i. Mi-
croscope sb.} trans, a. To magnify, b. To
scrutinize minutely. Hence Microscoped///. a.t
fig. microscopically selected.
1888 T. DEW.TALMAGEin F«Vc(N.Y.i 6 Sept., He talked
against you. He microscoped your faults. 1896 Mrs. Caf-
eyn Quaker Grandmother ^206 He looked much more likely
to spring upon her unawares, and microscope her. 1889
J. M. Robertson Ess. Crit. Method 87 The specialist's
literature of microscoped minutiae.
t Microsco'pial, a. Obs. [f. mod.L. muro-
scopi-ttm + -AL.] = Microscopical.
1738 D. Bavne Gout 102 No secretion or excretion is per-
formed without a mixture, .of several sorts of particles, .as
appears by microscopial observations. 1740 Baker in Phil.
Trans. XLI. 453 Being aware how much Imagination has
frequently had to do with microscopial Observations, I dis-
trusted my own Eyes.
Microscopic (,maikn?skf?-pik), a, [ad. mod.L.
I microscopic- us, f. microscopium : see Microscope
and -ic. Cf. F. microscopiqtie , It. microscopko,
j Sp. mkroscopico,]
1. = Microscopical a. 1. Now rate exc Jig.
1857 & Birds Urin. Deposits (ed. 5) 199 The microscopic
examination of a sediment composed of cystine. 1863 Ray
Lankester in Q. Jrnl. Mierosc. Sci. III. 83 Nor are they
generally known to microscopic observers in this country.
1877 W. Thomson Voy. Challenger I. i. 15 The substances
in common use in mounting microscopic preparations.
fig* »779-8* Johnson L. P., Rowe Wks. III. ^8 Few cha-
racters can bear the microscopick scrutiny of wit quickened
by anger. 1850 Robertson Serm. Ser. 111. viii. in It is not
a microscopic self-examination. 1877 Stubbs Led. Med. <$•
Mod. Hist. v. (1886) 103 The tree.. bears to the microscopic
I investigator marks of every winter that has passed over it.
1904 Sat. Rev. 29 Oct. 551 The microscopic inquiry of the
I Dictionary of National Biography.
2. Possessing or exercising the functions of a
I microscope.
173a Pope 2m. Man 1. 193 Why has not Man a microscopic
I eyeT For this plain reason, Man is not a Fly. 1744 Thom-
! son .Summer 288 Gradual, from These what numerous
1 Kinds descend, Evading even the microscopic Eye ! a 1761
MICROSCOPICAL.
Cawthorn Antiquarians 80 To ev'ry corner of the brass
They clapp'd a microscopic glass. 1876 Lowell Among
my Bks. Ser. n. 278 Gulliver's microscopic eye.
fig, a ifi8o Butler Rem. (1759) I. 10 His Excellence In
..magnifying all he writ With curious microscopick Wit.
1863 Kinglake Crimea (1877) II. vii. 65 His intellect being
subtle and microscopic. 1^03 Mobi.ev Gladstone I. 4 The
microscopic subtlety of a thirteenth century schoolman.
3. Of such minute size or proportions as to be
invisible or indeterminate without the use of a
microscope.
176. Wesley Serm. lxxiv. 1. § xi Wks. (1811) IX. 314 Are
Microscopic Animals, so called, real Animals or not ? 1770
Horslev in Phil. Trans. LX. 431 The eyes of the smallest
microscopic animals. 1802 Bournon ibid. XCII. 300 We
may . .by means of a lens, perceive small microscopic crystals
of thallite. 1819 Children Chem. Anal. 271 From the
mountainous elephant to the microscopic insect. 1899 All-
butt's Syst. Med. VI. 891 Some of which vessels, .presented
evidences of microscopic gummata.
Jig. 1849 Stovel Canne's Necess. Introd. 78 Every.. care
was taken to find .. terms the most microscopic to express
the littleness of those ' mere ceremonies \ 1887 G. H. Dar-
win in Fortn. Rev. Feb. 273 They are microscopic .. earth-
quakes. 1887 Ruskin Praeterita II. 24 Turner's micro-
scopic touch.
Microscopical (maikr^sk^'pikal), a. [Formed
as prec. + -AL.J
1. Pertaining or relating to the microscope or its
use ; resembling what pertains to a microscope.
1664 Phil. Trans. I. 28 The Microscopical view of the
Edges of Rasors. 1681 Glanvill Sadducismus 1. (i6S^) 7
The certainty of which I believe the improvement of micro-
scopical Observations will discover. 1690 Locke Hum.
Und. 11. xxiii. § 12. 140 And if by the help of such Micro-
scopical Eyes (if I may so call them) a Man could penetrate
farther than ordinary into the.. radical Texture of Bodies.
1796 Bp. Watson Apol. Bible ix, (ed. 2) 94 The microscopical
discoveries of modern times. 1879 Rutley Stud. Rocks x.
104 Unsatisfactory in the present state of microscopical
knowledge. 1883 Proctor in Knowledge 18 May 300/2 Are
not microscopical papers in progress?
2. = Microscopic 3. Now rare.
1769 Harrington in Phil. 7'tans. LIX. 31 Still smaller
microscopical insects. 1771 W. Jones Zool. Eth. 76 The
microscopical feathers upon the wing of a moth. 1871
Hartwig Subterr. W, ii. 10 The aggregated remains of
microscopical animals. 1880 Gdnthek Fishes 114 It is the
membrana argentea, and composedof microscopical crystals.
Microscopically (maikr^sk^-pikali), adv. [f.
prec. -f -ly -.] By means of a microscope ; so
minutely as to be visible only with a microscope.
1795 Haighton in Phil. Trans. LXXXV. 192 Metals,
when microscopically examined, have convoluted fibrous
appearances. 1836-9 Todd's Cycl. Attat. II. 122/2 One of
these worms, when examined microscopically, presented a
rupture in the middle of its body. _ 1876 Bristowe Theory
<V Pract. Med. (187S) 57 Microscopically, they are found to
be identical in structure with the uterine muscular walls.
1879 tr. Sender's Anim. Life 40 The ovum cell being al-
ways microscopically small.
b. fig. and hyperbolically.
1824 Scott St. Rona/is v, The company examined even
microscopically the response of the stranger. 1874 tr. Lorn-
jnel's Light 18 The rays of light which reach the micro-
scopically small earth. 1885 C. F. Woolson in Harper s
Mag. Apr. 787/2 The little advances she had made had been
microscopically small.
MicroSCOpico- (maikr^skfpik*?), mod. com-
bining form ot Microscopical.
1839 Lindlev Introd. Bot. 1. i. (ed. 3) 7 Some beautiful
microscopico-chemical experiments.
Microscopist (maikrp-sk^pist, U.S. mai'kn?-
sk^upist). [if Microscope + -ist.] One skilled
in the use of the microscope.
1835-6 Todifs Cycl. Anat. I. 405/2 We find marked dis-
crepancies in the conclusions come to by different micro-
scopists. 1867 J. Hogg Microsc. 1. ii. 33 The simple hand
magnifier, so often employed by microscopists in the pre-
liminary examinations of objects. 1879 H. Grubb in Trans,
Roy. Dublin Soc. 188 Looked into at a convenient angle
somewhat similar to that usually adopted by microscopists.
trans/. 1851 Wythes [title) The Microscopist, or a Com-
plete Manual on the use of the Microscope.
Microscopize (mDikr^'skJpsiz), v. nonce-wd.
[f. Microscope + -ize.] trans. To work with a
microscope.
1846 Huxley in Life $ Lett. (1900) I. 27, I may read,
draw, or microscopise at pleasure.
Microscopy (maikrpsk^pi). [f. Microscope
+ -Y.] The art or practice of using the micro-
scope ; the science of the microscopist.
1664-5 Pepys Diary 20 Jan., To my bookseller's, and there
took home Hook's book of microscopy. 1867 J. Hogg
Microsc. 1. ii. 70 The many important contributions to mi-
croscopy by Owen, Carpenter, Quekett, Rail's etc. 1887
Times 1 Sept. 6/3 The value of microscopy when brought
to bear on pharmacy.
Microsection : see Micro- 2 c.
Microseisni (maikrtfsai'z'm). [f. Gr. n'tKpu-s
small + auoyLos shaking, earthquake.] A faint
earthquake tremor.
1887 G. H. Darwin in Fortn. Rev. Feb. 271 Earth tremors
or * microseisms ' are not confined to countries habitually
visited by the grosser sort of earthquakes. 1888 Times
24 Nov. 15/2 There may have been a succession of micro-
seisms perceptible only to the delicate senses of quadrupeds
and other dumb creatures.
Microseismic (maikrosarzmik), a. [f. prec.
+ -ic] Pertaining to or of the nature of a faint
earth tremor. So also Microaeismical a.f in the
same sense.
415
1877 Eng: Mechanic 10 Aug. 533/3 More than 20,000
microseismic observations, made from 1870 to 1875. 1886
J. Milne Earthquakes xix. 316 The most satisfactory ob-
servations which have been made upon microseismic dis-
turbances are those which have been made during the last
ten years in Italy. Ibid., A series of microseismical observa-
tions.
Microseismograph (maikrosaiv.mograf).
[mod. f. Gr. /u«pd-s small + otiafiu-s earthquake :
see -graph.] An instrument for recording slight
earth tremors, as well as the feeble effects of distant
earthquake shocks.
1881 Friends' Intelligencer XXXVIII. 556 The Micro-
seismograph, .with which Professor Palmieri. .may detect
the first faintest quiver which hints the coming earthquake.
1899 Nature 30 Mar. 523/1 The microseismograph devised
a few years ago by Prof. Vicentini, of Padua.
Microseismology (maikrosoizmflod^i). [f.
MicitosEisir + -OLOGY?f The study or science of
minute earth-tremors.
1884 Cham/'. Jrnl. 762 The study of these slight move,
ments of our great Mother is called microseismology.
1884 Athenaeum 1 Nov. 566, 2 The new branch of science
which is directed to the observation of these minute tremors
is to be called micro-seismology.
Microseismometry (maikrosaizm^'metri).
[f. Microskism t -(o)METRY.] The art or process
of measuring slight earth tremors.
1889 Nature 7 Feb. 338/1 The account that is given of the
labours of Italian observers in the field of microseismometry
is meagre and unsatisfactory.
Microseme (maWcrosfm), a. and sh. Anthro-
pology, [a. F. microseme (IJroca), f. Gr. nl/tpu-s
small + orjria sign, ' index '.] a. adj. Of a skull :
Having a small orbital index, i. c. one below S3.
b. sb. A skull having an orbital index below S3.
1878 [see Mesosemf.]. 1880 Nature 8 Jan. 224 The now
extinct Tasmanian race was . . prognathous, platyrbine, mi-
croseme. 1886 A. Macalistf.r in yrnl.Anthrop. Inst. XVI.
150 The skulls agree with the ordinary Bushman skull in
most respects, being microseme, platyrhine, tapeinocephalic,
mesaticephalic. 1897 Siirubsall ibid. XXVI 1. 283 A special
feature of the Akka skull is the microseme orbit.
Microseptum : see Micito- 1.
Microsiphon (maikrosarfan). Zool. [f.MiCRO-
+ Siphon.] The small siphon, or siphuncle, cha-
racteristic of the majority of Nautiloids and Am-
monoids.
1887 Hyatt in Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist. 402 None of
these forms, however, attained a true microsiphon.
I! Microsiphoivula (m3ikrfsiffl»Tii«81a). Zool.
[mod.L. dim. of prec: see -ULE.] A larval stage
in certain Cephalopods, when the microsiphon
begins. Hence Mlcrosiphonular a., of or per-
taining to the microsiphonula stage. Microsipho'-
nulate a., having a microsiphonula stage. Micro-
siphonnlation, the formation of the microsi-
phonula stage.
1887 Hyatt in Proc. Post. Soc. Nat. Hist. XXIII. 401
This was the beginning of the small siphon and can be
appropriately termed the Microsiphonula. The micro-
siphonula was the typical stage of nearly all the known
genera of Nautiloids. Ibid. 402 These organs entirely dis-
appeared in the true microsiphonulate forms. Ibid., Sannio-
nites was a genus in which the siphon was smaller than in
Endoceras, and probably, .inherited the tendency to micro-
siphonulation at the first septum at an earlier age than in
Endoceras.
Microsiphuncle ;maikr0siffrjk'l). Zool. [f.
Micro- + Siphuncle.] = Microsiphon.
1893 Hvatt in Proc. Amer. Phil. Sac XXIII. 414 The
metanepionic substage must obviously begin with the advent
of the characteristics of the tubular microsiphuncle.
Microsome (mai'kr<>s0i'm). Biol. Also quasi-
L. microsoma, //. -somata. [mod.L. micro-
soma, f. Gr. puxpo-t small + ouifta body.] A name
giveri by Hanstein (1880) to certain small granules
which abound in vegetating cells of protoplasm.
So Microso-matous a., epithet applied to animals
of minute size (Mayne Expos. Lex. 1856).
1885 Goodai.e Physiol. Bot. 211 Imbedded in the proto-
plasm,. .there are generally minute grannies which have a
high degree of refrlngency. . ; these are the inicrosomata of
Hanstein. 1887 Ward tr. Sachs' Physiol. Plants 79 This. .
is thickly set with very numerous small granules (micro-
somes). 1900 Ewart tr. P/eJfer's Physiol. Plants (ed. 2) I.
ii. 43 Cytoplasm may contain minute bodies, .which, .may
be termed microsomes or microsomata.
Microsomite (maikrosfln-mait). Zool. [f.
Micro- + Somite.] A permanent segment formed
during the embryonic stage of an insect. Hence
Microsomitic a., belonging to a microsomite.
1888 Amer. Naturalist XXII. 941 The secondary or
microsomitic segmentation of the primitive body. Ibid. 542
If the macrosomites of the primitive_ body were to persist,
as such, together with their later subdivisions (microsomites).
Microsommite (maikrosp'mait). Min. [f. Gr.
fUKpt-s small, as being in small crystals + Somma,
name of one of the volcanic peaks of Vesuvius +
-ITE. Named by A. Scacchi 1872 (Chester).] An
impure silicate of aluminium and other bases,
found in the matter discharged from volcanos.
1885 in Casselfs Encycl. Diet. 1900 Dana Min. (ed. 6)
411 Davyne is in part at least microsommite.
Microspectroscope. [f- Micro- + Spectro-
scope.] A combination of the microscope and
MICROTHERM.
spectroscope devised by Sorby and Browning for
the examination of very minute traces of substances.
1867 J. Hogg Microsc. I. ii. 115 Such additions as the mi-
crospectroscope can be as easily used with it as in the old
form. 1895 Altbutt's Syst. Med. V. 460 Human haemoglobin
invariably crystallizes in the reduced condition, as may be
shown by the micro-spectroscope.
Hence Microspectroscopic a., of or pertaining
to the microspectroscope; Microspectroscopy,
the art or process of using the microspectroscope
(Syil. Soc. Lex. 1890).
1871 tr. Schellen's Spectr. A nal. 454 Relating to the micro-
spectroscopic and microspectroscope investigations.
Microspermous : see Micro- 4.
Microsphere, -spherulitic : see Micro- 1,4.
Microspined, -splenic : see Micro- 4.
Microsporange (maikroisporarnd;?,). Also in
mod.L. form -sporangium, [f. Micro- + Spo-
range.] A capsule containing microspores.
1881 J. S. Gardner in Nature XXIV. 75 When the micro-
sporangium or seed becomes detached. 1875 [see Macpo-
sporangk]. l88z Card. Chron. XVIII. 40 The microspores
..occupy the cavity of the microsporange. 1887 Ward tr.
Sachs' Phys. Plants xlii. 746 The . . micro-sporangia become
expelled. 1900 in Jackson Gloss. Bot.
Microspore (markraspo'u). [f. Micro- +
Spore.]
1. Bot. and Path. A parasitic fungus which has
small spores, characteristic of ringworm. = MICRO-
SPORON.
1856 Mayne Expos. Lex, Micreaporum ..term for the
cryptogamious plant in Porrigodecalvans,.: a microspore.
1899 Altbutt's Syst. Med. VIII. 855 The microspores and
trichophytes all belong to the same family,
2. Bot. A small spore, especially one connected
with reproduction.
1858 Carpenter I'eg. Phys. § 734 One containing a mass
of fine powdery granules (microspores) ; the other including
only three or four roundish fleshy bodies (megaspores). 1875
Bennett & Dyer Sachs' Bot. 336 The Marsiliaceas and
Selaginelleae produce their antherozoids within the micro-
spore itself. 1877 Le Conti: Elent. Gtol. (1879) 355 ['there
are in I.epidodendrids] two kinds of spores— microspores
and macrospores— corresponding to stamens and pistils.
3. Zool. A spore-like form in Protozoa. Also
used for Microgamete.
1882 Kent Man. Infusoria II. 870 Microspores. The
spore-like elements, of exceedingly minute size but very
numerous, produced through theencystment and subsequent
subdivision of many monads. 1903 McCabf. tr. Haeckcl's
Ez'ol. Man I. 140 The smaller microspores have the same
shape as the larger macrospores.
Hence Microsporio a. Bot., of or pertaining to
a microspore (Webster 1S97). Microspo rous
a. Bot., having small seeds or grains (Mayne
Expos. Lex. 1856); resembling or derived from a
microspore (Cent. Diet. 1S90).
Microsporidian : see Micro- i.
II Microsporon (maikr^-spoi-fn). Bot. [mod.
L., f. Gr. /HA-po-v small + o-nopa or o-nopos seed,
Spore.] ■> Microspore i. Also attrib.
1876 tr. Wagner's Gen. Pathol. 217 Klebs describes as
septic, or tertiary haemorrhages those dependent 011 the pene-
tration of his microsporon into the arteries or veins. 1898
P. MansON Trop. Diseases xxxvii. 581, I believe that those
cases of microsporon . . dhobie itch are more easily cured
than the trichophyton varieties. 1899 Altbutt's Syst. Med.
VIII. 776 In microsporon ringworm also, there are round
bald patches.
Microsporophylil : see Micro- 1 .
Microsthene (maikr^sjifn). Zool. [mod.L.
Mierosthena pi. (see below), f. Gr. pl/cpos small
+ oBtvos strength.] A member of the Mierosthena,
one of the orders in Dana's classification of the
Mammalia, comprising the smallest and struc-
turally least powerful mammals. Hence Micro-
sthe'nic a., of or pertaining to the microsthenes.
(Cf. Megasthene.)
1862 Dana Man.Geol. 345 They are of a small type, .such
as are styled Microsthenic in the remarks on Mammals.
Ibid. 421 The Microsthenes .. the inferior type. 1863 — in
Amer. Jrnl. Set. Ser. 11. XXXVI. 9 A general structural
characteristic may yet be detected corresponding to these
megasthenic and microsthenic qualities. 1876 Dcnglison
Med. Lex., Microsthenes, a group of the mammalia having
a small size. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., Microsthenes . . Micro-
sthenic.
Mierostome, -stomatous, -stomous : see
Micro- i, 4.
Micro- structure, -stylar : see Micro- 2 b, 4.
MicrOStyloUS (maikrcstarlys) , a. Bot. [mod.
f. Gr. /uicpu-s small + otOAo-s pillar, Style 4- -ocs.]
Having a short style in association with elevated
anthers.
1887 Ward tr. Sachs' Phys. Plants xlv. 790 When the
pollen of the macrostylous flowers is transferred to the mi-
crostylous stigma.
Microtasimeter, -telephone : see Micro- o.
Microtherni (mai-kntyajm). Bot. [f. Gr.
fiXitpo-s small + flf'p/"/ heat, $fp/i6s hot.] A plant,
native of an arctic or alpine region.
187s J. G. Baker Bot. Geog. 48 Microtherm, characteristic
of the arctic-alpine zone. Ibid. 50 The seeds of many of
the Microtherms . . will germinate at a temperature of little
over 320. 1884 Trans, r'ict. Inst. 38 Microtherms— plants
inhabiting alpine or arctic regions. 1888 Our Earth t$ its
MICROTOME.
416
MID.
Story (ed. Brown) II. 275 note, Microtherms, plants of the
Arctic-Alpine zone. 1900 Jackson Gloss. Bot.
Microtome (mai*krtft<?um). [f. Gr. ftl*p6-t
small + -To/xoy that cuts, f. to/*-, t«/x-, root of
rifjamv to cut.] An instrument for cutting ex-
tremely thin sections for microscopic work.
1856 Carpenter Microsc. fy Rev. 211 The 'microtome' of
M. Strauss-Durckheim. 1864 in Webster. 1875 H. G.
Bird in Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. XV. 24 If placed dry in a
rigid tube, as that of the microtome, .the addition of. .water
will, .cause the pith-cells to expand.
Hence Microtomic, Microtomical adjs., re-
lating to the use of the microtome. Microtomist,
one expert in the use of the microtome. Micrcr-
tomy, the scientific use of the microtome.
1885 Lee {title) The Microtomist's Vade-Mecum. 1887
Amer. Naturalist XXI. 1130 The development of micro-
tomical technique has made it a comparatively easy matter.
Microtylote, -volt, -weber: see Micro- i, 5.
Microxea: see Micro- i.
II Microzoa(m3tkri?2t?uaj,^.^/. Zool. In sing.
-zoon {-zovpn). [mod.L., f. Gr. n'utpo-s small +
($ov animal.] A general name for infusoria, roti-
fers, etc. Hence Microzo al, Microzo'ic adjs., of
the nature of, containing, or consisting of microzoa.
1862 Stoddart in Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. II. 150 These
small microzoa seem to be the most ubiquitous of any known
beings. Ibid. 147 Its zoophytes and other microzoic wonders.
1876 Page Adv. Texi-bk. Geol. xx. 440 The innumerable
organisms in microphytal and microzoal deposits. 1884
Brady in Challenger Rep., Zool. IX. 136 Microzoa from the
Upper Lias of Banbury. Ibid. 148 In microzoic strata.
Microzoan (m3ikn?z<?u-an), a. and sb. Zool.
[f. Microzoa: see -an.] a. adj. Pertaining to
the Microzoa. b. sb. Any member of the Microzoa
{Cassettes Encycl. Diet. Suppl. 1902).
Microzo'ary. Zool. [ad. mod.L. microzo-
aria, pi. of *mfcrozoarion, f. Gr. pi/cpos small +■
fodptov dim. of ^wov animal.] =Microzoon.
1863 Slack in lutell. Observ. Dec. 379 During the foetid
stage he [sc. Lemaire] observed thirty species of micro-
zoaries.
So Microzoa'rian, a. and sb. — Microzoan {Cent.
Diet. 1890).
Microzoogonidium : see Micro- r.
Micx'OZOoid (maikrflzJu'oid), sb. and a. [f.
Micro- + Zooid.] a. sb. (See quot.) b. adj. Per-
taining to a microzooid {Cent. Diet. 1890).
1882 Kent Man. Infusoria II. 870 Microzooids, free-
swimming zooids of abnormally minute size, which conjugate
with, or become buried within the substance of the bodies
of the normally sized sedentary animalcules of many Vorti-
cellidfe.
Microzoology : see Micro- 2.
Microzoon : sing, of Microzoa.
Microzoospore : see Micro- i.
Microzyme (mai-kr^zaim). Phys. Also mi-
crozyma (moikrozarma). [mod. f. Gr. fi!icp6-$
small + (vfiTj yeast : cf. Zymic.] A zymotic mi-
crobe ; one of a class of minute and lowly organized
living beings, to whose presence are attributed
epidemic and other zymotic diseases.
1873 Huxley Critiques fy Addr. x. 242 Two of the most
destructive of epizootic diseases . . are also dependent for
their existence, .upon extremely small living solid particles,
to which the title of microzymes is applied. 1881 Atlumaeum
23 July 118/2 These microzymas and those of chalk and
other rocks have the same origin as the microzymas of every
living organism. 1885-8 Fagge & Pye-Smith Princ. Med.
(ed. 2) 25 The word ' microzyme ' was suggested by IJechainp
and adopted by Sanderson. 1901 Longm. Mag. July 257
Water which he had obtained from the purest ice contained
microzymes.
t Miction. Obs. [ad. late L. midion-em (also
minction-em) , n. of action f. mingere to make
water. Cf. F. miction^ The action of urinating.
1663 H. More Div. Dial. I. 372 But the Laws of Miction
amongst those of the West-Indies is a pitch of Slovenliness
beyond all Cynicism, the men and women not sticking to
let fly their Urine even while they are conversing with you.
1689 G. Harvey Curing Dis. by Expect, viii. 60 The risque
of a troublesome Cure of the Wound, that seldom is performed
without, .difficulty of miction. 1856 Mayne Expos. Lex.
Micturate (mi'ktiiir^t), v. [Incorrectly f. L.
micturire : see Micturiknt. (The sense is in-
correct as well as the form.)] intr. To urinate.
1842 Lancet 26 Mar. 003/2 Another, in long-winded phrase,
tells us that his patient ' desires to micturate '. 1889 J. M.
Duncan Clin. Led. Dis. Worn, xxvii. (ed. 4) 220 She now
complains of pain on micturating. 1899 -A Jibuti's Syst.
Med. VII. 19 If the transverse spinal lesion be complete,
the desire to micturate will be lost.
t Micturient, a. Obs. [ad. L. micturient-em,
pres. pple. of micturire, desiderative vb. f. mid-,
mind-, mingere to make water.] Desirous of
making water.
i654,GAVTON/7i'a,j. Notes \s. xxii.274 Which.. gave Sancho
to perceive his condition very micturient, and cacaturient.
Micturition (miktiuri-Jan). [agent-n. t L,
micturire-. see Micturient. Cf. F. micturition.]
The desire to make water; a morbid frequency in
the voiding of urine. Often incorrectly used for:
The action of making water.
1725 Huxham in Phil. Trans. XXXIII. 388 In the con-
fluent kind, generally a Micturition and Dysury came on
about the 12th, or 13th Day. 1799 Med. Jrnl. II. 200 Fre-
quent painful micturition. 1818-30 E. Thompson Cutlen's
Nosol. Method, (ed. 3) 256 Without swelling of the hypo-
gastrium or micturition, i860 Sir H. Thompson Dis. Pro-
state (1868) 58 The barrier which the swollen prostate offers
to micturition. 1889 J. M. Duncan Clin. Led. Dis. Wont.
xxix. (ed. 4) 236 Micturition very difficult.
Mid (mid), a., s6,\ zndadv. Forms: 1 mid(d)-,
3-6 myd, 4 myde, 4-7 midde, 5 mydde, 6 midd,
3- mid. [Com. Teut. and Indogermanic : OE.
midd (found only in inflected forms, midde, middes,
midre, midne, etc.) corresponds to OFris. midde,
medde, OS. middi, OHG. mitti (MHG. mitte),
ON. miti-r, Goth, midjis :— OTcut. *mea*jo- :— Indo-
germanic *medhyo-, whence Skr. madhya, Zend
maidya, Gr. Macros {;—*melhyos), later ptioos, L.
medius, OCeltic medio- (in place-names), Olrish
mide sb., middle.] A. adj.
1. In partitive concord, expressing adjectivally
the sense : (The) middle or midst of. (In mod.
Eng. usually hyphened.)
Originally mid in this sense could be used without restric-
tion, but in mod. Eng. its application has been greatly
narrowed. It is still extensively used in scientific and
technical language ; and it is common (though rather literary
than colloquial) in advb. phrases formed with in prep., the
article being most frequently omitted, as in mid-career, in
mid-volley (see d) ; but the use of phrases of this type not
traditionally current is apt to seem affected. The attribu-
tive use of the combinations of mid- is also frequent.
exi6o Hat ton Gosp. Mark vi. 47 And ba afen was baet
scyp waes on midre s<e. c 1350 Will. Palemc 3605 Ac wil-
liams spere was stef wittow for sobe, & mette bat o^er man
in be midde scheld. 1375 Barbour Bruce xviu. 132 Quhen
in myd cawse war thai [etc.]. a 1400 Sir Pen: 2062 The
clobe in the eithe stode To the midschafte it wode. 1489
Paston Lett. III. 347 It [a whale] is xj. fadam and more
of length, and ij. fadam of bygnes . . in the mydde fyssh.
1513 Douglas .'Eueis iv. ii. 53 IJegyn scho wald to tell
furth hir intent And in the myd word stop, and hald hir
still. 1557-75 Diuru. of Occurr. (Bannatyne CI.) 104 Quhair
i at ane tabill sat the quenis Majestie at mydburd. 1609 T.
j Heywood Troia Brit ii. 2 Nor did that Nation first on
J earth begin Vnder the mid Equator. 1610 Heai.ey.S7. Aug.
\ Citie of God xvi. viii. (1620) 548 Some that haue but one eye
in their mid-fore-head. 1618 M. Barkt Horsemanship 1. 48
J He must obserue that the vse of the hand is not to cut and
teare the Horses mouth vp to the mid-cheeke, as many
heauy hands doe. 1647 J. Hall Poems 11. 104 Thou
i who canst stop the Sea In her mid-rage, stop me. a 1667
i Milton in Birch Life M.'a Wks. 1738 I. 43 Next some
Shepheard or companie of Merchants passing through the
Mount in the time that Abram was in the mid work,
relate to Sarah what they saw. 1681 Dryden Span.
Friar 1. i, I'll plant my Colours down In the Mid-breach.
1727-46 Thomson Summer 9 Hence, let me haste into
the mid-wood shade. 174a Young Nt. Th. ix. 954 Now
Sons of Riot in Mid-Revel rage. 1753 G. Wkst Odes of
Pindar, etc. I. 228 The sacred Image, that fell down from
Heav'n, In the Mid-Gally utter'd thus her Voice. 1810 Sir
A. Bos well Edinb. Poet. Wks. (1871) 48 In mid-street, fit
theme for laureate bard, The proper Castle of the City
Guard. 1810 Scott Lady of L. hi. xiv, The plough was
in mid-furrow stayed. 1818 Keats Endym. 1. 18 The mid-
forest brake, Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms.
1829 Scott Doom of Devorgoil \\\. iv, We counter'd..even
in mid-chamber. 1833 L. Ritchie Wand, by Loire 59 A
column of smoke rising from the mid-surface of a perpen-
dicular rock. 185a Wiggins Embanking 86 Between the
mid-tide level and the low-water level of neaps. Ibid., An
hour before mid-ebb, and for the same time after mid-flow.
1853 Grote Greece II. lxxxviii. XI. 513 Though this seems
a strange proceeding during mid-war, yet [etc.). 1853
Whyte Melville Dieby Grand I. viii. 206 Every oar above
the surface, as though arrestecT in mid-stroke by a charm.
1859 Tennyson Elaine 553 A Prince In the mid might and
flourish of his May. Ibid. 874 Yet the great knight in his
mid-sickness made Full many a holy vow and pure resolve.
i860 Rzm>k Cloister $■ H. xxxvii, He. .suddenly rising in
mid narrative, said [etc.]. 186a G. A. Lawrence Barr. Hon.
I. v. 95 Just as a fencer might do touched sharply in mid-
chest by hisopponent's foil. 1871 Farrar Wittt. Hist. ii. 82
A prophet of anarchy and naturalism, in the mid confession
of his faith. X873RUSKIN ForsClav. xxiii. 17 If thespider.or
other monster in midweb, ate you. 1879 Si r G. G. Scott Led.
Archit. I. 278 By placing the glass in. .the mid-thickness of
the wall. 1896 Brit. Birds I. 41 It will stop in midflight
and poise itself. 1898 Allbutt's Sysf. Med. V. 94 Occasion-
ally it [sc. a pain] is felt in the mid-axilla.
b. With article or possessive adj. interposed
between the adj. and sb. Obs.
Prob. due to association with the construction of on mid-
dan : see Amid. Cf. the still surviving similar use of Hale
a, (1 b).
r897 K. Alfred Gregory's Past. C. xlix. 383 Ga3 from
xeate tojeate Ourh midde 5a ceastre. aooo tr. Bxda's
Hist. v. i. § 2 Da we 5a wieron on midre 8aere sa;. a iaas
Ancr. R. 146 Hwui drawest tu ut bine rihte hond of midden
bine boseme [tr. L. de medio sinu]'i c 1420 Liber Cocorum
(1862) 19 Be sle$e and powre in water benne To myd bo pot.
c. Prefixed to the name of a month or season,
or the designation of a period of time. Also in
t mid eld, middle age.
c 1000 Sax. Leechii. III. 162 He leng ne leofaS bonn on
midre ilde. 1397 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 4005 Amidde haruest
[MS. 5 at myd haruest] we be setteb day of bis nexte sere.
a 1330 Roland % V. 10 Opon his fest in midmay Ther on is
front of gret noblay. 14.. Stockh. Med. MS. 11. 332 in
Angtia XVIU. 315 Betwen mydde march & mydde aprille.
^■1483 A'. E. Misc. (Warton CI.) n At myd-undure-none
wonderly I waxe. 1508 Dunb.ah 'Pwa Mar'tit Wemen 297
He was a man of myd eld. 1586 Earl qv Leicester Corr.
(Camden) 251, I would haue Antwerpe towne and Burges
or midd June. 1615 Brathwait S/rappado {iBjS) 130 Bout
mid-belten twas. 172a De Foe Plague (Rtldg.) 25 It was
now mid-July. 1859 Tennyson Geraint 612 As a leaf in
mid-November is To what it was in mid-October. 1893 F.
Adams New Egypt 86 From mid-June to mid-October.
1896 Howells Impressions <y Exp. 222 The wind rises, and
by mid-afternoon, blows half a gale. 190a B. Grundy
Thames Camp 123, I have trouble over my mid-morning
bathes on account of passing boats.
cL In various customary collocations or com-
binations with sb., as mid-career, -channel, -ocean,
-river, -thigh, -volley. Also mid-brain = Mesen-
cephalon ; mid-breast Ent. = Medipectus;
mid-breast-bone £>//. = Mesosteknum ; t mid-
calf, the * pluck* of a calf; mid-chest Ent.
= Mesothorax; mid-kidney Ancit. = Mesone-
phros ; mid-sun {rare) — midday sun ; mid-
totality Astr., the middle of the duration of the
totality of an eclipse; mid-wicket, in Cricket, the
fieldsman or his position on the off-side; when
there is a corresponding fieldsman on the other
side of the wicket, the two are distinguished as
mid-wicket on (or Mid-on) and mid-iuicket off {ox
Mid-off).
1875 Huxley & Martin Elem. Biol. (1877) 185 The en-
cephalon lies in the cranial cavity, which it nearly fills, and
is divisible into the hind-brain, the *mid-brain, and the
fore-brain. 18*6 Kirdy & Sp. Eutomol. III. xxxv. 562 We
will next say something upon those.. that compose the me-
dipectus or *mid-breast. Ibid. 566 The central part of the
medipectus, or that which passes between the mid-legs when
elevated, protended, or otherwise remarkable, is called the
7iiesosteruum or *mid-breast-bone. 1789 Farley Lond. Art
Cookery 1. xi. (ed. 6) 116 A *Midcalf. Stuff a calCs heart
. . and send it to the oven. ..When you dish it up, pour the
mincemeat in the bottom. ..Set the heart in the middle,
and lay the [fried) liver and bacon over the minced meat.
1805 Ki.iz. Raffald Eng. Housekeeper (new ed.) 101
A good way to dress a Midcalf. 1816 Yng. Woman's
Camp. 1 In a Calf, ..the head and inwards are called the
pluck ; in some places they are called the calf's race, and in
others, the mid-calf. 1730-46 Thomson Autumn 363 How,
in his *mid-career, the spaniel, struck Stiff by the tainted
gale. 1839-40 W. Irving Wolfert's R. (1855) 92 He sees
their concussion, man to man, and horse to horse, in mid-
career. 1879 Farrar St. Paul 1. 207 Souls which have been
arrested in mid career by the heart-searching voice of God.
1762 More in Phil. Trans. LII. 452 It being a light Levant,
..and both ships near *mid-chanel. 1879 Froude Carsar
xvi. 267 At sunrise they were in midchannel, .. with the
cliffs of Britain plainly visible. x8a6 Kirby& Sp. Entomol.
III. xxxiii. 379 A partition .. passing down vertically into
the *mid-chest. 1697 Dkyoen ■/£«*/<? 1. 161 Fierce Eurus..
in *mid Ocean left them moor'd a-land. 1881 Athenaeum
15 Jan. 97/3 Very interesting is the account of the pelagic
fishes, or thosewhich inhabit the mid ocean. 1571 Golding
Calvin on Ps. Ix. 1 (Interamnis) which may be termed in
Englishe, ("Midriver). 1897 Mary Kincsley W. Africa 186
We paddled on towards it, hugging the right-hand bank
again to avoid the mid-river rocks. 1810 Southey Kehama
xxin. x, The Diamond City blazing on its height With more
than *mid-sun splendour, c 1275 XI Pains of Hell 97 in
O. E. Misc. 150 Summe. .bat stondeb vp to heore kneon And
summe to heore *myd-beyh. 1506-7 Ace. Ld. Treas. Scott.
(1901) III. 252 Item, for ij elne quhit, to be tua pair hos for
the King to his myd thee, vijs. 1715 De Foe Voy. round
World (1840) 158 The grass.. being as high as our mid-
thigh. 187a Tennyson Gareth «y Z,,j'w*'/7r 790 &1 id-thigh-deep
in bulrushes. 1879 Proctor Rough Ways (1880) 5 At the
time of * mid-totality a bright light shone round the moon.
1667 Milton /'. L. VI. 854 Yet half his strength he put not
forth, but check'd His Thunder in *mid Volie. 1744. J. Love
Cricket 15 He, at ^Mid-wicket, disappoints the toe. 1849
Boy's Oion Bk. 78 Mid-wicket on, long slip, and mid-wicket-
off. 1850 ' Bat* Cricket. Man. 44 Mid-Wicket divides the
ground between the cover point and bowler.
e. Occasionally the combination of mid+sb.
(without prep.) is used adverbially. (Probably
mid in this use is apprehended as a prep. = amid:
cf. am ids hips.)
1533 Bellenden Livy v. xx. (S.T.S.) II. 214 pai sufferit
be Inemyis to ascend myd montane. 1706 Malle Hist. Picts
in Misc. Scot. I. 59 Inch Keth lyeth mid-firth almost betwixt
Leith and Kinghorn. 1808 Forsyth Beauties Scott. V. 298
About mid-hill there is commonly moss. 1837 Sir F. Pal-
crave Menh. <fr Eriar (1844) 80 An open gallery, midheight
in the guildhall wall. 1847 Tennyson Princess iv. 170 To
drench his dark locks in the gurgling wave Mid-channel.
1871 — Last Tourn. 487 The red dream Fled with a shout,
and that low lodge return'd, Mid-forest, and the wind among
the boughs. 1884 Child Ballads I. 376/1 She struck him
midshoulders, so that he fell to the ground. 1887 G. Mere-
dith Ballads <$• P. 86 Light that Caught him mid-gallop,
blazed him home.
f. In comb, with adjs. witli the general sense,
( belonging to the middle portion of the designated
tract or period ' ; as mid-agrarian, -arctic, -dia-
stolic, -dorsal, -facial, -frontal, -Italiani -monthly,
-thoracic, - Victorian adjs.
"855 J. G. Baker Flower. PI. 9 Climatic zones. . .3. *Mid-
agrarian to Midarctic. 1898 Allbutt's Syst. Med. V. 944 At
the apex was heard a *mid-diastolic murmur. '870 St.
George's Hosp. Rep. IX. 242 The fracture was in the *mid*
dorsal region. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., *Mtdfacial height...
the distance from the naso-frontal suture to the alveolar
border of the superior maxillary bone measured on the
median line. Ibid., * Mid frontal area, the area of the skull
included between two vertical lines drawn upwards from the
supra-orbital arch through the frontal eminence to the
coronal suture. Alidfron/al process, the median azygous
process of the fronto-nasal process in the embryo. 1895
Mackail Lat. Lit. i. n The keen and narrow political
instinct, by which the small and straggling *mid-Italian town
grew to be arbitress of the world. 1895 D.tily Neivs 15 Apr.
MID.
2/6 The declaration of options for the *mid-monthly settle-
ment gave a little animation to the first part of the day's
business. 1898 A llbutt's Syst.Mcd. V. 080 1 1 {L e. the cardiac
apex] may overpass the vertical "mid-thoracic line. 190s
Monthly Rev. Aug. 150 The domestic style which we in
England call the *Mid- Victorian.
2. Occupying a central, medial, or intermediate
position. Now rare (exc. as in b, c, d) ; superseded
in ordinary use by Middle a.
C1440 Jacob** Well 187 Feendys comyn & brokyn vp ..
two cheynes of bat stonyn coffre. pe myd-cheyne was stylle
hole. C1550 Exam. W. TJwrpe in Foxe A. <y M. (1583) I.
£34 In the secret of the midde Masse on Christmas day it
is written thus : Idem [etc.]. 1577-8 Reg. Privy Council
Scot. II. 665 To remove the occasioun be sum mid and
indifferent way. 1612 Donne Elegy on Death Pr. Henry
85 Our Soules best baiting, and midd-period, In her long
journey, of considering God. 1648 Bp. Hall Sel. Th. § 63
Betwixt both the^e extremes, if we would have our souls
prosper, a middisposition must be attained. 1656 Stanley
Hist. Philos. v. (1701) 196/1 Betwixt these is a mid-nature.
ci8io Coleridge in Lit. Rent. (1838) III. 339 The spirit
of life in the mid or balancing state between fixation and
reviviscence. x8ig Keats Isabella xxxii, In the mid-days
of autumn. 1838 Mrs. Browning Seraphim 11. (1892) 75
A woman kneels The mid cross under.
b. In collocations, generally hyphened, as mid-
current, -dishy -division, -hour, -incisor, -link,
-lobe, -part, -pillar, -pointy -region, -term, -toe,
•vein, -walk, -zone.
1870 Lowell Among my Bks. Ser. 1. (1873) 364 The *mid-
current of ever-gathering faith in duty. 1764 Eliz. Moxon
Eng. Houseiv. (ed. 9) 84 They [sc. oyster loaves] are proper
either for a side-dish or *mid-dish, 1885 Act 48 <J- ^9
Vict.c. 23 Sched. vii. 11, County of Lanark .. The *Mid
Division. 1415 in York Myst. Introd. 34 At the *myd-
howre betwix iiij,h and vlh of the cloke. 1667 Milton P. L.
v. 376 These mid-hours, til Eevning rise I have at will. 1703
Rowe l/lyss. in. i, The Mid-hour of rowling Night. 1879
Flower fatal. Mus. Coll. Surg. 1. 36 The deciduous "mid-
incisors, canines, and molars. 1904 Athenaeum 25 June 821/2
Prof.W.P. Ker offers important suggestions regarding French
*mid-links between the Danish and the Scottish ballads.
1870 Hooker Stud. Flora 263 Lower lip spreading, *mid-
lobe smallest, c 1440 Prom/. Parv, 337/1 Myddys, or
the *myd part of a thynge, medium, 1665 Sir T. Her-
bert Trav. (1677) 121 Their mid parts circled with a Zone of
vari-coloured Plad. 1535 Coverdale Judg. xvl. 29 He toke
holde of y° two *mydpilers, that the house stode vpon & was
holden by. c 1369 Chaucer Dethe Blaunche 660 Therwith
fortune sayd checke here And mate in *mydde poynte of ye
checkere. 1856 Hawthorne Eng. Note-bis. (1879) II. 80
The dreary midpoint of the., plain. 1879 St. George's Hosp.
Rep. IX. 80 In one, the left *mid-region was the part most
Involved. 1869 J. Martineau Ess. II. 231 [We] refer it to
the *mid-term of ordinary life. 1894 Geol. Mag. Oct. 454
Projecting at a right angle to the line of the *mid-toe. 1857
T. Moore Handbk. Brit. Ferns (ed. 3) t68 Venation (pin-
nules) consisting of a flexuous *midvein. i860 Allingham
in Athenaeum 10 Mar. 340 By yellow-leafy *midwalk slow
foots that aged Sexton. 1886 A. Winchell Walks Geol.
Field 115 A constant temperature would then exist ..at
the *mid-zone in the crust.
C. Mid-sixties, -nineties etc. : the middle years
of the seventh, tenth, etc, decade of a century.
1898 Nat. Rev. Aug. 843 In the mid-sixties, abundant
experiment had seemed to show that [etc ]. 1900 Daily
News 1 June 6/4 The progress which has been made since
the mid-nineties in the fostering of Irish not only as a
literary, but as a spoken language.
d. Special collocations : mid-angle, an angle
of 450 (Cent. Diet. 1890) ; mid-circle, f(a) the
great circle equidistant from the poles of a sphere;
(l>) the circle passing through the middle points of
the sides of a triangle ; + mid cost, the midrib ;
mid couple, Sc. f (a) a link for fastening gar-
ments ; (&) pi. in Law, the documents by which an
heir, assignee, etc., is connected with a precept of
sasine granted to his predecessor or author ; f mid-
dinner, a meal between dinner and supper ; mid-
distance - middle distance ; mid-finger (obs. exc.
dial.) = middle-finger ; mid-gut, the mesenteron ;
mid-impediment, Sc. Law (see quot. 1838) ; mid-
iron Golf, an ' iron ' with medium degree of' pitch '
orMoft'; alsoastrokemadewiththis; fmid know-
ledge, mediate knowledge ; mid-layer Biol, m
Mesoderm (Cent. Diet.) ; mid-line, a median line ;
f mid-meat, ? — mid-dinner ; f mid-motion,
mean motion ; mid-parent Anthropol. (see quot.
1889); mid-parentage, relation to the 'mid-
parent'; so mid-parental a.; f mid-part adv.,
as far as the middle, half-way; + mid-person Sc,
an intermediary ; f mid-row grains Coal Mining
(see quot.); mid-spoon Golf, a 'spoon* of me-
dium size; f mid-Sunday, the Sunday next Mid-
summer day ; mid superior Sc, Law, one who is
superior to those below him, and vassal to those
above him (Ogilvie 1882), a mesne lord; hence
mid-superiority, the position of a mid-superior ;
mid-watch, the middle watch ; mid-workings,
workings with other workings above and below
in the same mine or colliery (Gresley Coal-mim'n?
Gloss. 1883).
1700 Wildbore in Pkil Trans. LXXX. 520 If the two
great circles DOE, CQA, be continued, they will meet in
a point of the *nridcircle 900 from O. 1883 Mid-circle [see
Incircle sb.}. c 1470 Henry Wallace v. 824 Baith cannell
bayne an schuldir blaid intwa, Throuch the *myd cost.
Vol. VI.
417
1583 Invent. Ray. Wardrobe (1815) 309 With twa buttonis
or "midcuppilHs of gold joynit to the saidis settis. 183a
MoreA7.?/* in Stair Instit. I. clix, Where an heir (etc.]..
takes infeftment by virtue of a procuratory of resignation
or precept of seisin granted in favour of his predecessor or
author, it is necessary to set forth, in the instrument, the
mid-couples, or writings, whereby he is connected with the
said procuratory or^ precept. 14.. Norn, in Wr.-Wulcker
739/18 Hoc auncinium, hoc imranda, hoc merarium, a
*myddyner undermete. 184a Francis Diet. Arts etc., s. v.
Distance, The*mjd-distance. X885 Athenaeum 23 May
660/1 In the mid-distance is a clump of sober-coloured and
softly shadowed elms. 1644 Bulwer Chiron. 76 The •Mid-
finger prest to the Palm. 1875 F. M. Balfour in Q.
yrnl. Microsc. Sci. XV, 213 The ventral wall of the *mid-
gut. 1880 Huxley Crayfish ii. 66 The liver may be re-
garded as a much divided side-pouch of the mid-gut. 1896
Kirkaldy & Pollard tr. Boas' Zool. 23 The mid-gut (me-
senteron), which is usually long, and in which digestion
and. absorption go on. 1838 W. Bell Diet. Law Scot. 644
*Mid-impediment; the Romania w medium impedimentum;
is any thing which intervenes between two events, and pre-
vents, quoad the former event, the retrospective operation
of the latter. 1836 Menzies Convey, hi. ill. 605 There
shall be no mid-impediment. 1905 Westm. Gaz. 23 Aug.
5/1 Braid, with a magnificent *mid-iron, was dead on the pin.
1640 Bp. Hall Chr. Modcr. 11. vi. 36 Betwixt which two
some have placed a third, a *mid-knowledge of future condi-
tionate Contingents. 1868 W. K. Parker Shoulder-Girdle
Vertebr. 8 There is no stoppageof theossification at the "mid-
line. £1435 Torr. Portugal 1189 He wold not in passe, Till
they at *myd mete was. 1588 A. King tr. Canisius' Catech.
i. iy, To seike yerlie hir place in ye zodiake according to hir
*midde motion on ye letter day of december at noone. 1885
Galton in Rep. Brit. Assoc. 1212 A mean regression from 1
in the *mid-parents to | in the offspring would indicate
[etc.]. 1889 — A^. Inker. 87 The word ( Mid-Parent\.
expresses an ideal person of composite sex, whose Stature
is halfway between the Stature of the father and the trans-
muted Stature of the Mother. 1885 — in Rep. Brit. Assoc.
1209 By the use of this word [' deviate '] and that of * *mid-
parentage ', we can define the law of regression very briefly.
Ibid, The offspring of similar mid-parentages. Ibid. 1208
The average height of the two parents, or, as 1 prefer to call
it, the ' *mid-parental ' height. 1583 Leg. Bp. St. Androis
1058 Or ever the preiching was *midpartdone. 1535 Stewart
Cron. Scot. II. 505 Betuix Scotland and Ingland for till be
Ane *mid persone haifand auctoritie. 1567 Reg. Privy
Couneil Scot. I. 590 Mark, .hes gevin and set in fewferme
to his spous and bairnis be ane myd persoun, the saidis
mylnis. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj., Stat. David II 42 It is
lesome to them to cause their campions or ane midde persone
to fecht agains the defender. 171a H. Bellers in Phil.
Trans. XXVII. 542 A hard grey Iron Oar, with some white
spots in it, called the *Mid-row Grains. 1862 Rambling
Remarks on Golf 13 In some links, several of these clubs,
such as the *mid-spoon, baffing-spoon, driving putter, and
niblick may be dispensed with ; but in greens such as St.
Andrews, Musselburgh, Prestwich, and some others, they
all come into requisition more or less. 1906 Price List
Golf Clubs, Bulger Mid Spoons. 14.. in Rel. Ant. I. 85
The Pame sonday be-fele that yere one *Mydesonday. 1850
G. Ross LeadingCases Law Scot. II. 316 His taking up
the *mid-superiority of the lands sold was no obstacle. 1535
Coverdale Judg. vii. 19 Aboute the time whan the *myd-
watch begynneth. 1901 Af7tnsey'sMag.XXV. 344/2 Another
kind of deep sea courage is known as ' mid-watch Pluck '.
B. sb.1 Oh. exc. dial.
1. The adj. used absol. — Middle sb. in various
senses.
a 1300 E. E. Psalter exxxv. 1 1 J>at led Irael fra mid of ba.
c 1330 Arth. <fr Merl. 9765 (Kolbing) 5ete he tok pe bridde &
cleued him to pe midde. c 1400 Three Kings Cologne 121
(Camb. MS.) Euerych of be ij kyngis departed a-sonder and
saf place to her thrid felowe, and so resceyued hym to lye in
pe mydde bitwix hem bobe. a 154a Wyatt Ps. li. The
Author 3 Like as the pilgrim.. In some fresh shade lieth
down at mid of day. 1561 Hollybush/jTow. Apoth. 21 The
urine is whyte, thick, and pale above and in the midde it
is clere. ^ 1566 Painter Pal. Pleas. I. Ded. 5 Among the mid
of my reioyce of those before remembred, I cannot pretermit
the lamentable loss of the best approued Gonner that euer
[etc.]. 1634-5 Brereton Trav. (Chetham Soc.) 46 A great
number ofDutchwomen, who resolved to keep their seats in
the mid of the aisle. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. m. ii. § 58
Next his skin he was a Hermite, and wore sack-cloth ; in the
midd he had the habit of a Monk. x6. . Robin Hood newly
revived iii. in Child Ballads III. 145/1 It was in the mid
of the day. 1700 Dry den Fables, Cinyras * Myrrha 124
'Twas now the mid of Night. 1851 Cumbld. Gloss., Mid,
the middle ; the centre.
b. Comb. : Mid-deep adv., as deep as the
middle of the body.
i8u J. J. Henry Catnp. agst. Quebec 91 Jumping into the
water middeep.
2. A lamb of medium class.
1831 Sutherland Farm Rep. 80 in Libr. Use/. Kn<nvl,
Husb. Ill, The wedder lambs are divided into three sorts,
called tups, mids, and paleys.
+ C. adv. In the middle. Obs.
13.. Gaw. $ Gr. Knt. 1730 5e he lad hem bi la;, mon, be
lorde & his meyny ; On bis maner bi be mountes, quyle myd,
ouer, vnder. 14x6 Lydg. De Guil. Pilgr. 4680 To clothe the
poore, wych nakyd stood Myd off the gate. 1570-6 Lam-
BARDEPeramb. Kent (1826) 197 It ran midde betweenethe
two Bishopricks.
Mid (mid), sb.2 Jocular shortening of Mid-
shipman. Cf. Middy.
1797 Mrs. A. M. Bennett Beggar GtrHiSij) III. 120 He
put on the uniform of a mid. 1836 Marry at Midsh. Easy
xxv, When a mid is in love, he always goes aloft to think of
the object of his affection. 1893 Sloane- Stanley Remin.
Midshipm. Life xxii. 301 On reaching the gun-room they
were received by the expectant Mids with a host of questions.
1 Mid, prep.1 (adv.). Obs. Forms: 1-4 mid,
myd, 1-3 mi"8, 3 midd. Also (before dentals and
sibilants) 1-3 mit, 3 myjt. See also MlDfi. [Com.
MID.
1 Teut.; OE. mid, Northumb. mid, corresponds to
OFris. mith, OS. mid (Du. met), OHG. (MHG.,
i mod.G.) mit, ON. me6 (Sw., Da. med), Goth, mi}
(in comb, mid-), cogn. w. Gr. fitrd (see Meta-)
and Zend, mat with. The word became obsolete
before the end of the 14th c; superseded by With.
It had approximately all the modern senses of with, except
that of opposition (as in to fight ivith), which was the pro-
minent sense of wiS in OE. In OE. mid and wib were
sometimes opposed, as in the first quot. below; our ' with
the stream ' was in OE. mid strMme, while wi9 slr/ame
meant 'against the stream'.]
1. Denoting association, connexion, accompani-
ment, proximity, addition, conjunction, communi-
cation, intercourse.
rtgoo O. E. Chron. an. 837 ^Ebelhelm ealdorman xefeaht
wio pa Deniscan on Port mid Dorsxtum. ^950 Lindisf.
Gosp. Luke xiii. 1 Dara vel hiora blod [pilatus] jemengde
mid asae^dnisum hiora. C1175 Lamb. Horn. 77 Hu seal \sx
bon sobpen na Mon mine likame irineS ne mid me fleslii-he
hefde to donne. a 1200 Moral Ode 142 Betere iswori water
drunchben atter meind mid wine, a 1225 Aner. R. 248 God
Almihti .. alihte adun to helle uorto sechen feolaues, &
delen mid ham bet god bet he hefde. 1297 R. Glouc (Rolls)
5859 Ac let me speke mid my brober vor me longeb him to
se. a 1300 A'. Horn (Camb. MS.) 666 ' Kyng ', he sede, ' wel
bu sitte, And alle bine knifes mitte '. c 1315 Shoreham v.
214 Dominus tecum . . (bat hys to seggene ' god es my^tte ').
c liyo Arth. fy Merl. 1468 (Kolbing), The king was wondred
of pfs cas & al, that euer mid him was. c 1350 Will. Palerne
3133 And bat menskful maide bat bere myd be lies. 1377
Langl. /'. PI. B. iv. 77 Wisdomeand witte. .toke Mede myd
hem mercy to winne. 1393 Ibid. C. xvn. 182 And so is man
bat hab hus mynde myd liberum arbitrium.
b. In the same direction as (a stream, a wind).
709 Grant in Birch Cartul. Sax. I. 183 Onlong broces
midstreame. £1205 Lav. 13792 preoscipen godecomen mid
ban flode. 1340 Ayenb. 180 peruore hi byebase be wedercoc
pat is ope be steple bat him went mid eche wynde.
C. In agreement with, following the action of;
nnalogously to, like.
cq6i ^Ethelwold Rule St. Benet viib. (1885) 29 And bus
mhtan witejan clypi^e : 'To nahte ic waes ^ehworfen, and ic
hit nyste'. a 1225 Ancr. R. 264 Mid te gode Iosaphat,
sendeo beoden uor sondesmon anon efter sukurs to be Prince
of heouene. 1377 Langl. P. PI. B. v. 75 Drynke but myd
[A. v. 58 with] )>e doke and dyne but ones.
2. Indicating an accompanying circumstance,
condition, action, disposition of mind. With a
noun expressing feeling or attitude of mind it often
forms a combination equivalent to an adverb.
12900 tr. Baeda^s Hist. 1. vii. (1890) 36 Mid hissylfes willan.
c 1000 ./Elfric Josh. vi. 25 And his si*5an leofodon mid sibbe
betwux him. c 1175 Lamb. Horn. 3 Heo urnen on-^ein him
al ba hebreisce men mid godere heorte and summe mid ufele
beonke. c 1205 Lay. 10782 J>at bu mid gri3e me leten uaren
forS toward Rome, a 1225 Ancr. R. 32 peonneualleSadun
mid peos gretunge. 1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 2932 Hii conn*
& mette horn baldeliche mid god ernest ynou. a 1300 Vox
*r Wolf \ ft in Hazl. E. P. P. I. 63 Mid thilke wordes the
yolf lou. c 1300 Beket 451 The kyng aros mid [earlierversion
in] wraththe ynou}. ^1315 Shoreham v. 331 panne ich dar
segge mid gode ry3te bat [etc.].
b. = Having (an attribute or quality).
r 1220 Bestiary 444 De deuel is tus Se fox ilik mi5 iuele
breides and wio swik. Ibid. 736 Panter..is blac so bro of
qua], mi5 wite spottes sapen al. aizzs Leg. Kath. 1430
Ah mit se swiSe lufsume leores ha leien (etc.].
3. Indicating (a) the means or instrument; (b)
the instrumentality or cause.
a 900 tr. Bseda's Hist. 1. xvi [xxvii] (1890) 74 ToSon baette. .
untrume mid binre trymenisse syn jestrongade, & unrehte
mid binre aldorlicnesse seon jerehte. a 1000 CaedmotCs Gen.
251 (Gr.) Forpon he heom jewit forxeaf & mid his handum
Xesceop halix drihten. c 1x75 Lamb. Horn. 25 He seiS miS
pa muSe, bet nis naut in his heorte. Ibid. 87 pet heo sculden
. .merki mid pan blode hore duren. c 1205 Lay. 23572 And
no lete noht bat wraecche uolk uor-farenal mid hungre.
c 1220 Bestiary 578 And to late waken, 8e sipes sinken mitte
suk, ne cumen he nummor up. a 1225 St. Marker. 4 Al bat
biset is mit see ant mit sunne, buuen ba ant bineoSen. 1297
R. Glouc. (Rolls) 835 Clobe|j him mid be beste clob bat }e
mowe bise. Ibid. 11865 He was al so site mid goute & oper
wo. 1340 Ayenb. 44 Ase dob bise tavernyers pet uelleb be
mesure myd scome.
4. With regard to ; in respect of; touching.
a 1000 Cxdmon's Gen. 2253 (Gr.) pees sie aelmihtij drihtna
drihten dema mid unc twin, c 1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 47
Wich beau wes on be olde laje mid wimmen. c 1205 Lay.
17808 Lauerd hu mid be ? a 1225 Juliana 10 To wurchen
bi wil & al bat te wel hke3 as mit tin ahne. c 1290 S. Eng.
Leg. I. 190/24 ' Louerd ', seide Saule po, ' 3wat woltbov do
midline? ' 1297 R. Glouc (Rolls) 833 Alas quaj» be quene
bo, is it nou mid him so ?
5. In the sight, estimation, or opinion of.
c 950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. vi. 1 Mearde nabbas^e mi5 fader
iurre seSe in heafnas is. r xooo ^lfric Saints'" Lives iii.
498 past he him geswutelode hwyle basilius wsere on wurS-
scype mid him. c 1205 Lav. 12638 paet wesholi man.. & mid
godde swiSe ha;h. 1340 Ayenb. 182 Vor him bingp pet he Ls
a wel guod man and wel mid gode.
6. In the possession or power of.
a 1000 Ags. Ps. exxix. [cxxx.]4 Ysseomildheortnesmid be
[Vulg. apitd te.} c 1320 Cast. Love 399 per beb rihte domes
mitte [= mid Jje], AlTe bine werkes bep ful of witte. 1377
Langl. P. PI. B. xvn, 167 Al be my3te myd hym is in makyng
ofbynges.
V. In adverbial phrases. (See also Mididonb.)
a. Mid alle (in OE. mid ealle, eatlum) : alto-
gether ; entirely ; . . and all ; at the same time,
Withal.
a 900 O. E. Chron. an. 893 Swa bset hie asettan him on anrie
sib ofer mid horsum mid ealle. c 1000 Ags. Leg. St. Andrew
119
HID.
3- St. Veronica (Camb. Antiq. Soc.) 38 Hyne myd scryne
myd callum on feastum cwearterne beclysdon. c 1000
/Elpric Gram, xxxviii. (Z.) 239 Stirpiius grundlunge o<55e
mid stybbe mid ealle. .. radicitus grundlunga oooe mid
wyrttruman mid ealle. c isoo Trin. Coll. Horn. 51 Hegede-
rede michel ferde mid alle and sende in to Jerusalem, a 1225
Juliana 15 Ich chulle bat he wite hit ful wel & tu eke mid
al. a 1150 Owl <V Night. 666 Her to heo moste answere vynde
Ober mid alle beon bihinde. C1305 St. Cristopher iyi in
E. E. P. (1862) 64 And tuo faire wymmen mid alle seint
Cristofre be bro^te.
b. Mid the best, the most: as good, as great as
possible. So mid the first, as soon as possible.
c i»5 Lay. 9801 Alle diei ber ilseste feht mid ban maeste.
Ibid. 9806 paer wes harm mid bon meste bi-uoren Ex-
chaestre. a 1300 K. Horn. 1073 Abulf, mi godefela$e, God
kni3t mid [Laud MS. wyt] be beste, And be treweste. Ibid.
1199 (Laud MS.) Schenk hus Myd be furste.
c. Mid childe: with child (see Child sb. 17).
? c 750 Laws 0/ Abp. Egbert c 28 {title) in Thorpe Laws
II. 130 Wif Sonne heo mid cylde bib. c 1200 Trin. Coll.
Horn. 21 pe holie gast wile cumen uppen be, and godes mihte
make oe mid childe. Ibid., And bus bicam ure lafdi Sainte
Marie mid childe. c 1205 Lay. 13869 pa, wif fareo" mid childe.
1340 Ayenb. 82 pe wyfman grat myd childe.
d. Mid iwisse : see I -wis sb.
c 1*75 Sinners Beware 32 in O. E. Misc. 73 pat is in
heouene blysse ; Heo cumeb ber myd iwisse, )>at luuyeb
godes love, c 13*5 Spec. Gy Wartv. 689 He shal haue
comfort and solaz Off be holi gost..pat wole. .make men
haue, mid iwisse, Tristi hope to heuene blisse.
8. Placed after the word that it governs.
Beowulf '41 Him on bearme lse;$ madma maenijo, ba him
mid scoldon on flodes asht feor jewitan. c iaog Lay. 732
Cnihtes fused me mid [c 1275 mid me], a 1240 Sazvles Warde
in Cott. Horn. 245 For 5an be se helende under-feng ba sin-
fullan and ham mid imone hafede. a 1300 Cursor M. 21590
|>e feurth to ber hir-self mid to constantinopil.
9. absol. or as adv. With the person or thing
specified ; together.
co.50 Lindisf. Gosp. Luke xiv. 15 Sume ofSaem miS vel
Jelic hliiijendum [L. quidam de sitnul discumbentibus].
c 1000 Sax. Leechd. I. 158 Wio slapleaste jenym bysseylcan
wyrte wos, smyre bone man mid. c 1200 Trin. Colt. Horn.
115 Swo us longe to him alse diden hise apostles and teo
hus to him alse he hem dide and understonde mid on his
riche. a 1150 Owl ff Night. 136 The$ appel trendli from
thon trowe, Thar he and other mid growe. c 1400 Laud
Troy Bk. 15314 Ther him hid With twenti armed knyjtes
myd That were hardy & wondir strong.
Mid, 'mid (mid), prep? Poetical aphesis of
Amid.
1808 Scott Mann. 1. xxiii, Mid thunder dint and flashing
levin. 1853 M. Arnold Scholar-Gipsy vii, But 'mid their
drink and clatter he would fly. 1870 Morris Earthly Par.,
Man born to be King 23 Mid the faces so well known Of
men he well might call his own He saw a little wizened man.
Mid, dial, pronunciation of mighty pa. t. of May.
1780 Charlotte Smith Ethelinde (1814) III. 70 To have
a little item of where I mid look for her frinds. 1796 —
Marchtnont I. 235, I thought perhaps it middent be too late.
189s T. Hardy Tess 1. iii, You mid last ten years j you mid
go off in ten months, or ten days.
II Mi da. Ent, Obs~° [mod.L., ad. Gr. ja'Sas
*a destructive insect in pulse* (L. & So).] The
larva of the bean-fly.
1753 in Chambers Cycl. Supp. In recent Diets.
t Mid-age. Obs. [f. Mid a. + Age j£.]
= Middle age.
(-1440 Jacobus Well 171 Thynk in bi southe, in bi myd-age,
& in bin age, . . how bou hast mysspendyd hem in synne & in
euyll gouernaunce. 1509 Barclay Shyp o/Fotys (1874) II.
172 Whether thou be olde, yonge, or of myd age Set nat thy
trust to moche on herytage. 1606 Shaks. Tr. <$■ Cr. n. ii.
104 Virgins, and Boyes, mid-age & wrinkled old. 1757
Mrs. Griffith Lett. Henry <y Frances (1767) IV. 130 We. .
return back, from Midage, to Childage, again.
Hence + Mid-aged = Middle-aged.
1556 J. Heywood Spider <J- F. xxxvi. iiFrosen to death :
midaged, yonge, and olde. 1821 Sir J. D. Paul Rouge et
Noir 69 Now mark his mid-aged neighbour.
Mid air. The middle region of the air ; the
tract between the clouds and the part of the atmo-
sphere near the ground. Chiefly in phrase in mid
air. Also rarely used as adv. ( - in mid-air) and
attrib.
1667 Milton P. L. vi. 536 Zophiel, of Cherubim the swiftest
wing, Came flying, and in mid Aire aloud thus cri'd. 1706
Pope Winter 54 No more the mounting larks, while Daphne
sings, Shall list'ning in mid air suspend their wings. 1776
J. Bryant Mythol. III. 220 Here towering steep The rock
Aornon rises high in view E'en to the mid-air region. 1830
Lyell Princ. Geol. 1. 300 Large quantities of fine sand, which,
being in mid-air when detached, are carried by the winds to
great distances. X865 Dickens Mut. Fr. 1. ix, Mr. and
Mrs. Boffin sat staring at mid-air. 1883 Contemp. Rev.
June 874 A sort of spiritualistic unattached garment, floating
about in mid-air. 1886 W. J, Tucker £. Europe 409 All
those doors mid-air lead to the lofts above.
Midan, variant of Maidan.
1881 Mrs. B. M. Croker Proper Pride II. i. 14 He.. was
galloping away over the moonlit midan.
Midas (mai-daes). [a. L. Midas, Gr. Mi6a?.]
1. The name of a fabled king of Phrygia, to
whom Bacchus granted that all he touched should
turn to gold (a boon that had to be withdrawn
to prevent his perishing of hunger), and to whom
Apollo gave ass's ears as a punishment for dullness
to the charm of his lyre. Hence used allusively.
1568 T. Howell /><w«* (Grosart) 150 She. .will, .make the
weare kyng Midas eare. 1575 G. Harvey Letter-bk. (Cam-
den) oB tied like an Argus, earde like a Midas. 1591 Nashk
418
Pre/. toSidtuy's Asir. <$• Stella A 3 A number of Midasses.
1596 Shaks. Mereh. V. m. ii. 102 Thou gaudie gold, Hard
food for Midas. 17*8 Pope Dune. m. 324 Our Midas sits
Lord Chancellor of Plays ! 1861 Musgrave By-roads 211
We are looked upon as men made of money, — as so many
Midases, making gold with a touch.
b. attrib. and Comb.
1568 Grafton Chron. II. 439 Ye must vnderstand that
Princes haue sometyme Argus eyes, and Midas eares. 1670
Lassels Voy. Italy II, 350 Braue Raphael, whose only
touch of a ringer could, Midas like, turne gaily pots into
gold. 1784 Cowfer Task iv. 507 Ten thousand casks, ..
Touched by the Midas finger of the State, Bleed gold for
ministers to sport away. 1901 E. J. Dillon in Contemp.
Rev. Apr. 474 He is cordially hated by bankers, promoters,
speculators and most men of the Midas-eared class.
2. Midas' sear-, the shell of a gastropod, Auri-
cula Midas.
1713 Petiver Aquai. Anim. Amboinx 2 Auris Mida ..
Midas Ear. 1835 Penny Cycl. III. 109 Auricula Midse
(Lam.), voluia auris Midae (Linn.), the Midas's ear of col-
lectors, is a good example of the genus.
Miday, obs. form of Midday.
Mid-course, [f. Mm a. + Course.]
1. The middle of one's course. Now chiefly in
phrase in mid-course.
1561 T. Norton Calvin's Inst. in. 100 Hope stretcheth
fayth to the vttermoste bonde, that it faint not in the midde
course nor in the very beginning. 1667 Milton P. L. xi.
204 Why in the East Darkness ere Dayes mid-course.
1760-71 H. Brooke Fool o/Qual. (1809) III. 93 Three of
them, in mid-course, bore off a small ring . . on the point of
his lance. 2894 H. D. Lloyd Wealth agst. Commw. 317
The gas-company suspended its operations in mid-course.
2. A middle coarse or mode of procedure.
In some recent Diets.
Middffln eard,Middanerd,var.ff. Middenerd.
Midday (mi-d|d<?i). Forms : see Mid a. and
Day. Also 4 miday, 6 myday. [OE. midd&g
(also as syntactical comb.) =OHG. mittitag and
mitter tag (MHG. mittetac, vtittac} also syntacti-
cally in oblique cases mitten tac etc.; mod. G.
mittag), MDu., MLG. middach (mod. Du. middag\
ON. middagr and miSrdagr (Sw\, Da. middag).\
1. The middle of the day; the time when the
sun is at its highest point, noon.
971 Blickl. Horn. 47 priddan sibe on midne daej. c xooo
Sax. Leechd. III. 21 3 On bone twelftandaejbyS seo sceadu
to underne & to none xxv fota & to middae^e xxn. c 1200
Vices <$■ Virtues 125 Alswa wel on buton mid-niht alswa on
mid-dais- «>»5 Ancr. R. 34 Abute mid dei hwose mei,
& hwose ne mei beonne, o summe o3er time, bencheo Godes
rode, a 1300 Floriz $ BI. 151 Bibat hit was middai hi),
Floriz was be brigge ni3. c 1330 A rth. <$■ Merl. 5189 (Kolb-
ing) Miday passed & none cam. c 1460 Towneley Myst.
xxvi. 522 Sich melody, myd-day ne mome, As was maide
thore. 1526 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 73 b, The lyght
of the mornynge & the lyght of the myddaye . . is all of one
nature. 1594 T. B. La Primand. Fr. Acad. XL 179 They
are like to men compassed and couered with darknes at
Midday, a 1631 Donne Lett., To M. I. W. 8 Like infancy
or age to mans firme stay, Or earely or late twilights to
mid-day. 1667 Milton P. L. vni. 112 Ere mid-day arriv'd
In Eden. 17x8 Atterbury Serm. (1734) I. vii. 184 Had he
[Jesus] appeared at Mid-day to all the People, yet all the
People would not have believed in him. i860 Tyndall
Glac. 1. vi. 42 The sun at mid-day shines down the glacier.
1866 G. Macdonald Ann. Q. Neighb. xiii, The church was
always clean and ready for me after about mid-day.
fig* 1837-9 Hallam Hist. Lit. IV. iv. vii. § 10. 297 Her
letters.. were written in the mid-day of Louis's reign.
+ b. Eccl. One of the canonical hours; =Sext.
asooo Colloquy 0/ A? l/ric in Wr.-Wulcker 101/17 ^Efter
bisum we sungan midday. £1050 Suppl. jElfric's Gloss.
ibid. 175/45 Sexta, midday* £i*9© 3* Brendan 225 in
S. Eng. Leg. I. 225 J>e foweles sunge ek here matyns wel
ri$t,..& of be sauter seide be uers & sibbe also prime, &
vnderne sibpe. & middai. 7121400 Morte Arth. 1587 He
salle haue maundement to-morne or myddaye be roungene.
t2. The South. [Cf. L. meridies. F. midi.] Obs.
1481 Caxton Myrr. n. i, This place Aaron is named the
ryght myddav as she that is sette in the myddle of the
worlde. 15*6 Tindale Acts viil 26 Aryse and goo towardes
midde daye. 1604 E. G[rimstone] D'Acosta'sHist. Indies
in. ii. 121 The Southerne which blows from the Midday or
South, is hote.
3. attrib., as (in sense 1) midday-coach, -devotions,
-dinner, -heat, -light, -meal, -mealtime, -post, -rest,
-slumber, -splendour, -sun, -thermometer, -time,
-train\ f (in sense 2) midday field, /orest, side.
Also f midday circle «= Meridian circle; f mid-
day devil, fiend, transl. of Vulg. dsemonium
meridianum Ps. xc[i], for which the Eng. Bible
has 'the destruction that wasteth at noonday'
(cf. meridian devil)', midday flower, a flower
belonging to the genus Mesembryanthemum, which
opens its flowers only for a short time at midday ;
f midday line = Meridian line ; midday song
= sense 1 b; f midday sphere, ?the southern
heavens ; t midday sprite ? = midday devil.
*559. W. Cunningham Cosmogr. Glasse 21 The meridiane
or *middaie circle (saith he) is describid and drawen by the
poles of the worlde [etc.]. 1861 Dickens Gt. Expect, xxx,
To London by the #mid-day coach. .11340 Hampole Ps.
xc[i]. 6 Thou sail noght drede. .of inras and #mydday deuyll.
XS34 M?RK Com/ agst. Trib. m. ii. (1553) N vii b, In this
temptacion he sheweth himself such as the prophet nameth
him, demonium meridianum, the mid day deuill. 1709
Pope Jan. <$■ May 48 They style a wife.. A night-invasion
and a mid-day-devil. 1694 F. Bragge Disc. Parables
xiii. 435 Our "midday devotions, because we are then in
MIDDEN.
the midst of the dangers and temptations of the day.
185* Miss Mulock Agatha's Husband xx. (1875) 273 A
*mid-day country dinner. _ 1382 Wyclif Ezek. xx. 46
Prophecy thou to the wodi place, or wildernes, of the
*myddai, or south, feeld [Vulg. agri meridiani], 1388
— Ps. xc[i]. 6 Of asailing, and a *myddai feend. a 1400
Hylton Scala Per/. {W. de W. 1494I 11. xxxviii, They are
begyled of the myddaye fende. 1388 Wyclif Ezek. xx.
47 And thou schalt seie to the *myddai forest [Vulg. saltui
meridiano\. 159a Shaks. Ven. ^ Ad. 177 Titan tired in the
•midday heate, With burning eye did hotly ouer-looke them.
1614 Jackson Creed in. 315 As if there were no difference
betwixt *mid-day-light and mid-night-darkenesse. 1554 Lyd-
gate's Bochas 1. i. 2 The sonne . . more clere dyd shine Than it
doth now in his 'midday lyne. 1878 Huxley Physiogr. 7
The^ line indicated by the shadow at noon is known as the
meridian line or mid-day line. 1861 DoraGreenwell/,0£///,t
224 Come and share My *mid-day meaL 1393 Langl. P. PL
C. x. 246 At *mydday meel-tyme ich mete with hem ofte.
1857 Mks. Carlyle Lett. II. 314, I may have a letter by
the "midday post. 1821 Byron Cain m. i, His hour of
*mid-day rest is nearly over. 1612 Drayton Poly-olb. i. 172
Let vs (nobler Nymphs) vpon the *mid-daie side, Be frolick
with the best. 1837 Whewell Hist. Induct. Set. (1857) I.
14 The period of the first waking of science, and that of its
*mid-day slumber. 1853 Rock Ch. 0/ Fathers III. tl. 8 In
like manner, *midday-song or sext, and none-song, were
fone through. 1430-40 Lydg. Bochas iv. xi. (1494) o viij b,
'owarde Septemptrion [and] vnder the *mydday spere his
powerraught and his regalye. 1854 J. S. C. Abbott toapoleon
U855) IL iv. 72 A brilliant moon diffused an almost *midday
splendor, a 15*9 Skelton Sp. Parrot 507 So myche coniu-
racions for elvyshe *myday sprettes. C1420 Pallad. on
Husb. 11. 159 The *mydday sonne ek stonde hit with to
mete, In placis colde. 1591 Shaks. i Hen. VI, 1. L 14 His
sparkling Eyes,. .More dazzled and droue back his Enemies,
Then mid-day Sunne, fierce bent against their faces. 1745
Wesley Answ. Ch. 22 The Difference between them is as
great as the Difference between the Light of the Morning
and that of the Mid-day Sun. 1856 Kane Arct. Expl.
II. vii. 78 So mild that our *mid-day thermometers gave
but 70. a 1300 Cursor M. 22512 J>e sun ..quen it es be
faireston to loke At *middai time. 1874 Burnand My
time xi, He could dispose of me by a *mid-day train.
Midde(l(l, variant forms of Mid, Middle.
Midden (mid'n). Now dial, (rarely arch.).
Forms : 4 medynge, myding, 4-5 myd(d)yngl
5 middynge, myddyn, 5-6 mydding, 5-9
midding, 6 myddin, 6-7 mydinge, 7 miding(e,
7-9 middin, 7- midden. [Of Scandinavian origin :
ME. myddyng corresponds to Da. mfdding, altered
form of m/gdyn^e, f. mfg (see Muck) + dynge heap.
(The ON. form wonld be *myki-dyngja, but dyngja
in the sense of ' heap1 has not been found.)]
1. A dunghill, manure-heap, refuse-heap.
c 137s Sc. Leg. Saints xviii. (Egipciane) 468 Ay valouand
me in pat syne, as sow a medynge dois vithine. Ibid. xxx.
(Theodera) 615 J>e mylk of sowis has he tane, bat lay by in
be myddyng. c 1420 Pallad. on Husb. 1. 750 The mydding,
sette it wete as it may rote, c 1470 Henryson Mor. Fab.
1. (Cock <r ?asp.) iii, Pietie it war, thow suld ly in this mid-
ding. 1531 Nottingham Rec. III. 367 A garden . . next to
the mydding. 1570 Levins Manip. 134/9 A Myddin, /ma-
rium. _ 1667 Vestry Bks. (Surtees) 225 For takeing away
the miding of ashes out of the churchyard is. 4/r. 1718
Ramsay Christ's Kirk Gr. 111. xix, The wives and gytlings
a' spawn'd out 0*er middings and o'er dykes. 1826 E.
Swinburne in I. Raine Mem. J. Hodgson (1858) II. 74
A midden is well placed on the opposite side of them. 1887
Morris Odyss. x. 412 The herded kine as full-fed of grass
withal They come aback to the midden [Gr. es Kowpov],
b. Proverbs and allusions.
c 1598 D. Ferguson Scot. Prov. (1785) 4 A cock is crouse
on his ain midding, 1588 Churchyard Challenge (1593) 78
Much like bold Cocks that lowd on midding crowes. 1894
Hall Caine Manxman vi. xiii, Any cock can crow on his
own midden.
c.fig.
1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 628 A fouler myddyng saw thow
never nane. 1588 A. King tr. Canisius' Catech. 27 b, For-
giue me all my sinnes, and raise me poor creatur out of the
midding. 1637-50 Row Hist. Kirk (Wodrow Soc.) 437
Alace I I see all the middin (or dunghill) of the muck of the
corruption of the Kirk of Ingland comeing on upon us. 1859
Kingsley Misc. (i860) II. 30 That everlasting midden
which men call the world.
2. Short for Kitchen midden.
[1851 D. Wilson Preh. Ann. (1863) LI 37 True shell
mounds corresponding to the Danish kitchen middens.]
1866 Laing Preh. Rem. Caithn. 3 In the case of the lowest
Danish middens we are carried very far back in the scale
both of time and civilization.
3. attrib., as midden-fiy, -head, -heap, -hill, -tike.
midden cock = dunghill cock ; midden creel, a
basket for carrying manure ; midden crow, the
carrion crow ; midden fowl = dunghill fotvl;
midden hole, a place excavated to hold a manure-
heap ; j midden lair Sc, ■= Middenstead;
midden mavis, a ragpicker (Jam.) ; f midden
mount, a mound made of refuse ; midden pit,
a pit for holding manure ; midden stance =
Middenstead ; 7 midden tul5ear, one who fights
over the ' midden *, a quarrelsome person.
1818 Scott Hrt. Midi, xliii, He was as uplifted as a
*midden-cock upon pattens. 1865 Kingsley Herrw. xvxi,
The midden cock sole rival to the eagle 1 179a Burns
Willie*s Wi/e iv, Her walie nieves like *midcfen-creels.
1831 Montagu's Ornith. Diet. 113 Black Neb. Corby
Crow. .. *Midden Crow. 17*8 Ramsay Fables xxiii. 2
A paughty Bee Observ'd a humble *midding flie. 1900
H. G. Graham Soc. Life Scot, in iSth C. (1901) I. 6 The
*midden-fowls feasted and nursed their broods among
nettles and docks. 1768 Ross Helenore (1789) 85 Wese no
be heard upon the ymidden head. 1813 Galt Gilhaize II.
MIDDENERD.
x. 104 Its roots of rankness are in the midden-head of
Arminianism. 1886 Wiixock Rosetty Ends xviii. 129
Rowin' owre an' owre ane anither in the parental *midden-
heap. 1564-78 Blllein Dial. agst. Pest. (1888) 9 Like
vnto greate stinkyng mucle *medin hilles. 1785 Burns
Halloween xxii, She. .ran thro* *midden-hole an a'. 169a in
Rec. Convent. Royal Burghs Scot. (1880) IV. 571 Item, a
years [rent] of the *midding lairs at the east and west ports
r8 o o. 1832-53 Whistle-Binkie (Scot. Songs) Ser. 1. 88 Ilk
^midden-mavis, we black jaudy, A' dread and fear thee.
a 1670 Spalding Troub. (Bannatyne Club) 1. 193 The toun
of Edinburghe . . raised *midden montis at Heriot's Wark.
1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 8770 J>at alle bis world, bare we
won yhit War noght bot als a *myddyng-pytt. 1844 Ste-
phens Bk. Farm II. 654 This is easily effected by draining
the t*midden1 stance. 1500-20 Dunbar Poems II 14 He
barkis lyk ane *midding tyk. 1535 Stewart Cron.^ Scot.
(Rolls) III. 440 Seindill [is]. .Ane "mydding tul^ear in ane
battell bydar.
t Middenerd. Obs. Forms: 1 middan-
seard, -eard, 2 middanerd, middennard,
midenarde, 3 middsen eard, middeneard,
middenerd, middenherde, myddenerd. [OE.
middanieard (later -eard by association with eard
dwelling, Erd), corresp. to OHG. mittingart,
Goth, midjungards. The exact formation is
obscure, but the elements are OTeut. *mictjo-
Mid a. + *garcto-z enclosure, tract, Yard. Cf. ON.
miSgarSr Midoard, OS. mittilgard, OHG. mitti-
gart and mittilgart ; also Middle-erd.
According to Brugmann, the first element is OTeut.
*mictjuntO', superlative of *midjo- Mid a. : cf. Midmost.]
The world ; the earth as situated between heaven
and hell ; also, the inhabitants of the earth.
Beowulf 75 Manixre iruejbe fceond bisne middanieard.
c 1000 Ags. Gosp. John iv. 42 We witon baet he is sob mid-
dan-eardes haelynd. a 1175 Cott. Horn. 225 Ic wille senden
flod ofer alne middennard. c 1*05 Lay. 24778 Whar bu bat
mod nime a bissc middenerde. £1275 Passion our Lord
478 in Q. E. Misc. 50 Hit wes welneyh mydday bo buster-
nesse com In alle Middenherde fort pet hit wes non. Ibid.
544 Iesus crist .. com in-to bis myddenerd sunfulle men to
ryhte.
Middenstead (mi-d'nsted). [f. Midden +
Stead. Cf. MDa. mjddingstede (Kalkar).] The
place where a dunghill is formed ; a laystall.
1607 Burgh Rec. Glasgow (1876)1. 273 To tak in the stanis
of the vttir syd of his midinge sted. 1654 Manch. Court
Leet Rec. (1887) IV. 131 Mr. Nicholas Mosley of Collyhurst
for not repaireing the middinge stidd in the Toadlane.
1860-1 Fl. Nightingale Nursing ii. (ed. 2) 2 Ope of the
most common causes of disease in towns is having.. mid*
densteads close to the houses.
fig. 1889 Swinburne Study B. Jonson 1. 77 A very mid-
denstead of falsehood and of filth.
Middes, variant of Mids.
Middest (mi-dest), a. superl. [f. Mid a. +
-est.] Most central ; in the middle.
1590 Spenser F. Q. l. iv. 15 Yet the stout Faery mongst
the middest crowd Thought all their glorie vaine in knightly
vew. Ibid. n. ii. 13 The eldest did against the youngest
goe, And both against the middest meant to worken woe.
>593 Q* Eliz. Boeth. iv. pr. vi. 72 As . . Circle is to the
middest poynte : So [etc]. 41645 Habington Surv. IVorcs.
in IVorcs. Hist. Soc. Proe. III. 417 East wyndowe .. con-
systinge of fyve panes, in the myddest pane are no Amies.
1713 C'tess Winchilsea Misc. Poems 29 Reputation, Love,
and Death, (The last all Bones, the first all Breath, The
Midd'st compos'd of restless Fire). 1840LYTTON Pilgr.
Rhine ii, The moon was. .at her middest height.
Middest(e, obs. forms of Midst.
Middil(le, obs. forms of Middle.
Middin(g, Middis(s, var. ft. Midden, Mids.
Middle (mi'd'l), a. and sb. Forms: 1 middel,
midel, 3-6 middil, 3-5 midel, 3-6 middel,
myddel, 3, 6-7 midle, 4 medel, -11, 4-5
medill(e, myddil(l, -ul, mydil, 4-6 middille,
myddelle, myddyll(e, mydel(l, mydle, 5
medil(le, -ull(e, -ylle, middell, midil, -yl, 5-6
myddell, myddle, 6 medyl, myddle, 7 Sc.
meidle, 6- middle. Comparative. 7 midler.
Superlative. 1 midlest. 3-4 midlest(e, 4 midde-
lest, midel(e)st, midliste, mydleste, 4-5 myd-
delest(e, 5 medellust, medlyste, myddlest,
6 mydlest. [OE. middel, midl- adj., also sb.
masc. (by ellipsis of dkl part) = OFris. middel adj.,
OS. middil- in compounds (LG., Du. middel adj.
and sb. neut. and fem.), OHG. mittil adj. (MHG.
mittel adj. and sb. neut. and fem., mod.G. mittel
adj. and sb. neut.) :— WGer. *middil-, I. *middi\—
OTeut. *midjo- Mid a. The Teut. langs. have
also synonymous formations in which the suffix
-lo, •ilo is attached directly to the root (OTeut.
*med-): OHG. metal adj., ON. medal in advb.
phrase a metal between (Sw. medel sb.) ; also
ON. miOil, whence mill- for miSl- in a milli,
a millom between (Sw. mellan, emellan. Da.
melltm, imellem between, among).]
A. adj.
. Not in predicative use. In OE. and ME. mainly found
in the superlative ; the present use of the positive partly
descends from compounds, in which middel- may be equally
well taken as adj. or as sb. The superlative does not appear
in our quots. later than the middle of the 16th c, but is
given in the Leeds Glossary. The comparative, which is
the prevailing form in mod.Ger., has never been current in
English : for a solitary example, see quot. a 1682 in 2 b.
419
1. (Originally in superlative. ) Used to designate
that member of a group or sequence, or that part
of a whole, which has the same number of members
or parts on each side of it : said with reference to
position in space, time, order of succession or
enumeration, or the like. Sometimes qualifying a
plural sb.
tzoootr. BsedcCs Hist. iv. xxiv. [xxiii.](i89o) 334 t>a waeron
J>us hatne & nemde, Bosa, /Ella, Oftfor, Iohannes ft: Wilfrid".
. . Bi baem midlestan is nu to secgenne [etc.]. C900 Laws
ofK. sElfredc. 58 Se midlesta finger, a 1235 After. R. 370
pe meidenes eoden fur5re to be midleste. c 1290 S. Eng.
Leg. I. 308/313 pe nexte finguer hatte ' leche '. .* Longue-
man ' hatte be midleste for he lenguest is. c 1374 Chaucer
Troyius in. 615 [666] In bis myddel chaumbre bat ye be
Shul youre wommen slepen wel and softe. a 1400 Hylton
Scaia Per/. (W. de W. 1494) 1. lxxxii, I telle the of the
myddelest of hym that boughte the oxen. C1450 M. /•'.
Med. Bk. (Heinrich) 77 Do awey be ouerest rynde, and
take be meddellust, & stampe hit. 1577 li. Gocx;k Hcres-
baclCs Husb. in. (1586) 145 b, Shutte them vp the foure
middle houres of the day. 1590 V>. Jonson Ev. Man out
of Hum. m. i, The middle Isle in Paules. 1706 Phil-
lips (ed. Kersey), Base. .An Heraldry, the lowest part of
an Escutcheon, consisting of the Dexter, Middle and
Sinister Base-points. 1769 Goldsm- Hist. Rome (1786) II.
324 He was at that middle time of life which is happily
tempered with the warmth of youth. 1822-34 Good's Study
Med. (ed. 4) I. 515 The three arterial coats are generally
called external, middle and internal, i860 Tyndall Gtac.
I. xi. 70 The middle portion of the glacier. 1899 Allbutfs
Syst. Med. VII. 284 Occupying the middle third, or rather
middle two-fourths of the central convolutions,
b. Middle brother sister, son, etc. : the second
in age of three brothers, etc In ME. also in
superlative.
c 1205 Lay. 2116 Cambert hehte be ooer pat wes be mid-
leste brooer. c 1275 Ibid. 12909 After him was an ober pat
was be middel brober. c 1330 Arth. fy Merl. 770 iKulbing)
5ete wald be deuel ful of ond be midel soster a gile fond.
a 1400 Siege 0/ 'Troy 430 in Arckiv S tud. neu. Spr. LXXII.
21 penne com forj? AHsaunder Parys pe kyngis medlyste
sone of prys. c 1447 in F. M. Nichols Laivford Hall (1891)
App. 22 John Baddele wedded Agnes the middell daughter
of Thomas Cokefeld. 1531 Dial, on Laws Eng. \. vii. 12 If
there be thre bretherne & the mydlest brother purchase
landes [etc.]. 1757 Sir J. Dalrymple Hist. Feudal Pro-
perty (1758) 176 A middle brother dying without children,
and leaving an elder and younger brother alive. 1818
Cruise Digest (ed. 2) II. 522 She should have a writ of
partition at common law, against the middle sister.^
C. Of a point or line (f formerly sometimes of
a concrete object) : Equidistant from the extremi-
ties or boundaries ; situated at the centre or middle.
c 1400 Maundev. Prol. (1839) 2 He wil make it to ben cryed
and pronounced in the myddel place of a Town. 1591
Shaks. 1 Hen. VJX 11. ii. 6 The middle centure of this cursed
Towne. 1667 Milton P. L. iv. 195 Thence up he flew, and
on the Tree of Life, The middle Tree and highest there
that grew, Sat like a Cormorant. 1821 Craig Lect. Draw-
inS 351 In the same way you will get the middle line of the
mouth.
+ d. Average, mean. Obs.
1699 Bentley PliaL 84 We examine the Platonic, or Stoic,
or Epicurean Successions ; and compute by a middle rate.
1788 Priestley Lect. Hist. 11. x. 86 The seventeen intervals
by the father's side, and the eighteen by the mother's at
a middle reckoning amount to about 507 years. 1790 Burke
Fr. Rev. 191 The middle term for the rest of France is
about 000 inhabitants to the same admeasurement.
e. Stock Exchange. Middle price : see quot.
1893 Cordingley Guide Stock Exck. 42 With most outside
brokers the * cover ' runs off ' at middle prices ' ; that is to
say, the middle price between a jobber's buying and selling
prices. Thus, if a quotation were 142^-143, the middle
price would be 142!.
2. Intermediate, intervening.
a. With reference to position in space, time,
or order. Also of persons : Intermediary (now
rare*, cf. middle person in 6, and Middleman).
c 1200 Trim. ColL Horn. 169 WarS blisfuller his [sc. Job'sl
ende, bene was his biginninge, and on be midleste biwist be
he |?olede be 3imere pine, a 1240 Sawles VVarde in C<?//.
Horn. 257 Mi bridde suster meao speke5 of pe middel sti
bituhhe riht ant luft. 1599 Davies Nosce Teipsum 59 Will,
seeking good, finds manie middle ends. 1700 Dryden Pal. <$•
A re. in. 586 They., speed the race, And spurring see de-
crease the middle space. 1718 Rowe tr. Lucan vi. 569 The
middle Space.aValiey lowdepress'd. 1757 Foote Author 1.
Wks. 1799 I. 138, I wonder what makes your poets have
such an aversion to middle floors— they are always to be
found in the extremities; in garrets, or cellars. 1776 Adam
Smith IV. N. v.ii. (i860) II. 496 All the middle buyers, who
intervened between either of them and the consumer.
b. Of size, stature, rank, quality : Intermediate
between the two extremes, medium. Of a course
of action, an opinion : Mediating. Hence rarely of
a person : + That takes a middle course, trimming.
C1374 Chaucer A net. * Arc. 79 Yong was this quene, of
xxli yere elde, Of myddell stature, c 1400 Destr. Troy 3751
A medull size, Betwene the large & the litill. 144a Rolls
of Parlt. V. 61/t Beddes of the middel assise. 1525 in
Visit. Southwell (Camden) 124 A gowne of myddle coloure.
1545 Brinklow Compl. 43 That the pore and myddel sort
of the peple may be easyd therby. 1603 Florio Montaigne
n.xvi. (1632) 353, I have, in my daies, seene a thousand
middle, mungrell and ambiguous men .. loose themselves,
where I have saved my selfe. a 1682 Sir T. Browse
Tracts ng The first produceth a Female and large Hawk,
the second of a midler sort, and the third a smaller Bird
Tercellene. a 1716 South Scnn. (1823) IV. 130 And there-
fore men of a middle condition are indeed doubly happy.
1719 De Foe Crusoe 1. (Globe) 3 That the middle Station
of Life was calculated for all kind of Virtues and all kind
MIDDLE.
of Enjoyments. 1774 Burke Sp. Amer. Tax. Sel. Wks. I.
1 36 An Administration, that having no scheme of their own,
took a middle line. 178a Priestley Corrupt. Chr. I. 1.
145 A middle opinion has been adopted by some Arians.
1826 Scott Woods t. i, He was a stout man of middle stature.
1858 T. D. Acland Oxford A. A. Exam. 3 The want of
better education, accessible to the middle ranks on easy
terms. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) V. 74 The best condition
is a middle one. 1884 Times (weekly ed.) 5 Sept. 5/5 These
socfeties take a middle ground between agnosticism and
theism. 1902 A. E. W. Mason Four Feathers xiv \ 135 He
was a man of the middle size.
C. Middle-sized. Obs. in general sense. Of
wool : Having the staple of medium length, f Of
the voice : Moderately loud.
C1410 Mastet of Game (MS. Digby 182) xiv, It is goode
bat he haue both of be gret and of be smale and of the
mydel. c 1440 Alphabet cf Talcs 87 pe psalm was begon in
a medull voyce. 1642 Bk. Rates 2 Balkes, great, the hundred
containing 120, 12.00.00, middle .. 05 . 00 . oo, small..
02 . 00 . 00. 1663 in Rirkcudbr. War-Comm. Min. Bk. (1855)
187 note., Ane great pot, meidle pot, and ane lytle pot. 1837
Vouatt Sheep 304 A kind of middle wool. 1859 Stationers
Handbk, 17 Thin post, ranging from n to 15 lbs. ; Middle
po=t, ranging from 16 to 18 lbs. ; Thick post, comprising 19
to 23 lbs.
td. Of a battle: Indecisive. Obs.
1625 Yonge Diary (Camden) 84 A middle fight.
3. In partitive concord : ='(The) middle or
middle part of; mid'. Now rare.
785 in Birch Cartul. Sax. I. 339 Be midelen streame.
1382 Wyclif Mark vi. 47 Whanne euenyng was, the boot
was in the myddil see [1388 myddil of the see]. 1568 Graf-
ton Chron. II. 8 Marcarus. .Erie of Northumberland, and
Edwyn Erie of middle England, with Edgar Athelyng
[etc.]. 1590 Shaks. Mids. N. 11. i. 82 Neuer since the middle
Summers spring Met we on hil, in dale, forrest, or mead. 1625
Milton Death of Fair Infant 16 Through middle empire of
the freezing aire He wanderd long. 1629 — Hymn Nativ.
164 When at the worlds last session, The dreadfull judge in
middle Air shall spread his throne, a 1631 Dunne Sat. i.
15 Thou wilt not leave mee in the middle street. 1632
Lithgow Trav. lx. 402, 1 stepped downe to my middle
thigh in the water. 1663 Butler Hud. \. ii. 1142 So foul
[the Stocks], that whoso is in, Is to the Middle-leg in Prbon.
18x2 Byron Ch. Har. 11. xxix, Calypso's isles, The sister
tenants of the middle deep. 1827 Macculloch Malaria
viii. 352 The two months of middle summer and the four of
middle winter are .. the freest from original attacks of..
Malaria, i860 Hawthorne Marb. Faun xxxix. 302 The holy
cloud of incense,, .which had risen into the middle dome.
4. Philology.
a. Gram. Intermediate between active and
passive : primarily (after Gr. /«Vn btaOtois, pkoov
pTJfia), the designation of a 'voice* of Gr. verbs
which normally expresses reflexive or reciprocal
action, action viewed as affecting the subject, or
intransitive conditions. Hence applied (a) to the
system of conjugation in other Indogermanic
langs. morphologically corresponding to the Gr.
middle voice ; (b) to verbal forms in various langs.
serving to express a reflexive or reciprocal sense.
1751 Harris Hermes (1765) 176 That Species of Verbs,
called Verbs Middle. 1844 Froc. Philol. Soc. I. 232 The
middle verbs in the Icelandic language have been called. .
reciprocal instead of reflective. 1871 Earle Philol. Eng.
Tongue § 299 It gives to the English language a. Middle
Voice, or a power of verbal expression which is neither
active nor passive. 1906 J. H. Moulton Gram. N. T. Grk.
I. 161 note, Formal passives with middle meaning.
b. Prefixed (after G. mittel- as used by J. Grimm)
to the name of a language, to denote a period in
the history of the language intermediate between
those called Old and Aew or Modem , as in
Middle- English (see English sb. 1 b), Middle
High- Germany Middle-Irish. Similarly Middle-
Latin, by some used for Mediaeval Latin.
On the other hand Middle German (without the limiting
High or Lozv) is used only in a local sense, for the dialects
of middle Germany (geographically and phonological ly
intermediate between Low and High German).
fc. Phonetics. Of consonant sounds: = Medial
a. 5. Obs. rare—0. (In recent Diets.)
5. Geol. Prefixed to the name or adjectival desig-
nation of a formation or period, to denote a sub-
division intermediate between two others called
* Upper * and * Lower \
1838 Penny CycL XI. 138 Middle lias shale. 1855 Ogilvie
Suppl., Middle epoch, in geol., an epoch characterized by
the presence of the new red sandstone. 1859 J* R-# Greene
Man. Protozoa 25 They are chiefly characteristic of the
Middle Eocene.
6. Special collocations : middle bachelor, a
B.A. of standing between * senior* and 'junior*,
i.e. in his second year (now only If. S.) ; middle
band NauL, 'one of the bands of a sail, to give
additional strength * (Adm. Smyth) ; fmiddle bend,
some card-sharping device (see quot.) ; middle
C, Mus. (see quot. 1876); middle chest Mil.,
the front chest on the body of an artillery caisson,
so-called from its position between the rear chest
on the body and the chest on the limber (Cent. Did*
1 890) ; middle comedy (see Comedy 1 3) ; middle
cut file, a file whose teeth have a grade of coarse-
ness between the rough and bastard (Knight Diet.
Mech. 1875) ; middle deck, the deck between the
upper deck and the lower deck ; + middle dish
119-2
MIDDLE.
420
MIDDLE.
Cookery >, an entire; middle distance (see Dis-
tance sb. io c) ; middle ear, the tympanum,
sometimes also used for the tympanum together
with the mastoid cells and the Eustachian tube
{Syd. Soc. Lex. 1 890) ; used attrib, in middle ear
disease, etc.; f middle eld, m Middle age i ;
Middle Empire = Middle Kingdom; middle
frame, in Organ building (see quot.) ; middle
genus, a genus which is at the same time a species
of a higher genus {Cent. Did.) ; middle ground,
(a) Naut. a shallow place, as a bank or bar ; {b)
Painting *= middle distance ; middle height,
(a) the middle of the height, the distance half-way
up a mountain, etc.; (b) medium stature; middle
horn, one of a breed of cattle having horns
that are neither long nor short (cf. Longhom,
Shorthorn) ; + Middle Inn,? = Middle Temple;
Middle Kingdom, a name for China; middle
landlord, in Ireland, a landlord who leases a
tract of land, and sub-lets it to tenants; middle
latitude (see quots.); middle life, {a) the middle
of a person's life, middle age ; (b) the life of the
middle classes ; middle line Naut. {a) (see
quot.) ; (b) Croquet, the line of hoops placed in
the middle of the lawn ; in quot. attrib, ; j middle
mast = Mainmast ; + middle mean, moderation ;
middle motion — mean motion (see Mean a.2
7 a) ; middle oil, that part of the distillate
obtained from coal tar which passes over between
1700 and 2300 Centigrade; distinguished from
the light, and the heavy or dead oil (Webster
1897); middle passage, the middle portion (i.e.
the part consisting of sea travel) of the journey of
a slave carried from Africa to America ; middle
piece, (a) in Farriery, the part of a horse's body
between the fore and the hind legs ; (b) trans/, in
Pugilistic Slang, the chest ; {c)c/.S. = Middling 4;
middle pointed a., Arch., a name for the style
commonly called Decorated Gothic ; middle post,
in Carpentry — King-post; middle rail, the rail
of a door level with the hand, on which the lock
is usually fixed ; middle school = Middle class
school '; middle shot wheel, a breast-wheel which
receives the water at about its middle height
(Knight) ; middle space Printing, a space inter-
mediate in size between 'thick' and 'thin* (see
quot.) ; middle spear local (see quot.) ; Middle
States, the States which originally formed the
middle part of the United States, intermediate
between New England and the Southern States,
namely New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and
Delaware {Cent. Diet.) ; middle stead dial, (see
quot.) ; Middle Temple (see Temple) ; middle
term, + {a) a partial degree ; (b) Logic, the
term which is common to the premises of a
syllogism, and disappears in the conclusion ;
middle timber, that timber in the stem which
is placed amidships (Adm. Smyth) ; middle tint
Painting, ' a mixed tint in which bright colours
never predominate* (Fairholt Diet, Art 1854);
middle topsail, a deep roached sail, set in some
schooners and sloops on the heel of their top-
masts between the top and the cap (Adm. Smyth) ;
middle tree, + {a) ? a middle post in a gateway ;
{b) a pole for a cart drawn by oxen; f middle
vein, the median vein ; middle Viotorian a.t
belonging to the middle of the Victorian era;
middle wall, a partition wall; middle watch
Naut., the watch from midnight to 4 a.m.; also
the portion of the crew on deck duty during the
middle watch ; middle watcher, the slight meal
snatched by officers of the middle watch about
2.30 a.m. (Adm. Smyth) ; middle weight, a
man of average weight, esp. a boxer whose weight is
between 10 stone and iistone4lb.; middle wicket
» mid-wicket (see Mid a. 1 d) ; f middle woof,
applied attrib. to a kind of yam ; middle years,
the years in the middle of one's life, middle age.
1758 Ann. Reg. or Two "middle batchelors of the Uni-
versity of Cambridge. 1840 J. Quincy Hist. Harvard
Univ. II. 540 A Senior Sophister has authority to take a
Freshman from a Sophomore, a Middle Bachelor from
a Junior Sophister [etc.]. 1616 Capt. Smith Accid. Yng.
Seamen 9 For clamps, "middle bands and sleepers, they be
all of 6. inch planke for binding within. 1734 R. Seymour
CompL Gamester (ed. 5) 11. 6 [Whist.] The other is vulgarly
called Kingston- Bridge, or the *Middle-bend. It is done by
bending your own or Adversary's Tricks two different Ways
[etc.]. 1840 Penny Cycl. XVI. 493/1 A *middle C stop-
diapason pipe. 1876 Stainer & Barrett Diet. Mus. Terms,
Middte C. The note standing on the first leger line above the
bass stave, and the first leger line below the treble stave.
1758 J, Blake Pian Mar. Syst. 2 The "middle deck tier on
board in their proper _ places, lashed fore and aft. 1747
Mrs. Glasse Cookery ix. 84 Salamangundy for a *Middle
Dish at Supper. 1813 'Middle-distance [see Distance sb.
10 c]. 1858 Hawthorne Fr. <y It. Note-Bks. (1872) II. 47
Its great Duomo was seen in the middle distance. 1887 Brit.
Med. yrnl. 10 Feb. 407/1 Mr. Baker confined his remarks to
abscess from *middle-ear disease, a 1400 Parte. 3 Ages 280
In his *medill elde. 1698 A. Brand Emb. Muscovy to
China 100 China is known under several names . . the Chineses
have retained two,. .Chungehoa,tbatis,the*Middle Empire,
and Chunque, which is Middle Garden. 1881 C. A. Edwards
Organs 42 Sixteen ribs are used in the reservoir of bellows
..divided, .by a wooden frame called the *middle-frame.
1801 Nelson in Duncan Life (1806) 146 The Channel of the
Outer Deep, and the position of the *Middle Ground. 1850
WcaWs Did. A rch. etc. s.v., Pictures are divided into three
parts: fore-ground, middle-ground, and back-ground. 1875
Bedford Sailor's Pocket Bk. v. (ed. 2) 136 Where a middle
ground exists in a channel, each end of it will be marked
by a buoy of the colour in use in that channel. 1812 Sir H.
Davy Ckem. Philos. 91 The Andes, placed almost under
the line, rises in the midst of burning sands; about the
"middle height is a pleasant and mild climate. 1843 Borrow
Bible in Spain xxxiv, He was a thin man of about the
middle height. 1834 Youatt Cattle ii. 10 For these reasons
we consider the *middle horns to be the native breed of
Great Britain. 1450 Paston Lett. I. 159 Prentise is now in
the *Mydle Inne. 1662 J. Davies tr. Mandelslo's Trav.
215 The Chineses themselves give it the name of Chunghoa,
or_ Chungque, whereof the former signifies the *Middle
Kingdom. 1817 Mar. Edgeworth Ormond xxiii, The
tenants .. during the time of the late *middle landlord,
had been in the habit of making their rents by nefarious
practices. 1710 }. Harris Lex. Techn. II, ^Middle
Latitude, in Navigation, is half the Summ of any two
given Latitudes. 1727-41 Chambers Cycl.,, Middle lati-
tude sailing^ is used for a method of working the several
cases m sailing, nearly agreeing with Mercator's way,
but without the help of meridional parts. CX330 Arth.
<y MerL 5391 (K6lbing) pis were noble Knijtes fiue & alle of
*midel hue. 1719 De Foe Crusoe 11. init., It might be
allowed me to have had Experience of every State of middle
Life. 17^9-81 Johnson L. P., Qtway Wks. II. 219 It is
a domestick tragedy drawn from middle life. 1855 Ht.
Martineau Autobiog. (1877) II. 115 The scene [of Deer-
brook] being laid in middle life. 189s R. L. Douglas in
Bookman Oct. 23/1 The king, .does his best in a toilsome
old age to mitigate the disastrous effects of the blunders of
his middle life. 1805 Shipwright's Vade-M. 117 * Middle
Hue, a line dividing the ship exactly in the middle. In the
horizontal, .plan, it is a right line bisecting the ship from
the stem to the stern-post; and, in the. -body-plan, it is
a perpendicular line bisecting the ship from the keel to the
height of the top of the side. 1891 Laws Croquet 1 The
middle-line hoops. 163a Lithgow Trav. 11. 62 We shot
away their *middle mast. 1577 tr. Bullinger's Decades 11.
v. (1592) 161 In both, there must be had a *middlemeane
and measure. 1669 Sturmy Mariner's Mag. vi. iii. 106 The
Table of the *Middle-Motion of the Sun. 1812 Examiner
28 Sept. 621/1 Captains of the slave ships, on board whose
ships.. the. .cruelties of a *middle passage had been prac-
tised. 1829 Macaulay Pitt Misc. Writ, i860 II. 346 A
humane bill which mitigated the horrors of the middle
passage. 1817 Sporting Mag. L. 54 Randall closed this
round by a terrible blow in the *middle-piece. 1843 Ld. G.
Bentinck in Racing Life ix. (1892) 201 Colonel Anson says
he is a very clever horse, and one that must run, but thinks
him rather small in the middle-piece. 1891 H. S. Constable
Horses, Sport <y War 63 A horse with big ends and a small
middle-piece is more likely to become a roarer than a horse
with a good middle piece and thence a good constitution.
190a Eliz. L. Banks Newspaper Girl 161 Your Boston
beans_ done in an earthen pot with the middle-piece pork
just rightly browned. 1879 Sir G. G. Scott Led. Archil.
I. 347 It was to be the earliest phase of the later form of
*Middle Pointed. 1823 P. Nicholson Prad. Build. 588
*Middle-post ; in a roof the same as King Post. 1811 —
Mech: Exerc. 200 "Middle Rail [of a door]. 184s Gwilt
Archil. § 2130 In doors, the upper rails are called top rails ;
the next in descending, frize rails ; the next, which are
usually wider than the two first, are called the lock or
middle rails. X838 Bp. Wilberforce in Ashwell Life I. iv.
117 It is very desirable that ultimately we should get the
*middle schools to as much uniformity as possible in the
books they use. i860 A. Jessopp Middle-Class Exams* 15
Middle Schools — schools which occupy that large 'terra
incognita ' between the National School and the Grammar
School. 1871 Amer. Encycl. Printing (ed. Ringwalt) s.v.
Spaces, Five to an em or five thin spaces; four to an em,
or four *middle spaces ; three to an em, or three thick spaces,
1863 W. Barnes Dorset Gloss., Harrmv of agate, the backer
upright timber of a gate by which it is hung to its post.
The one in the middle, between the harrow and the head,
is the * middle spear, which is also the name of the upright
beam that takes the two leaves of a barn's door, a 18*5
Forby Voc._ E. Anglia, * Middlestead, the compartment of
a barn which contains the threshing floor ; generally in
the middle of the building. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. 1.
vii. § 1 Which honour [Apotheosis], being so high, had also
a degree or "middle tearme. 1715 Watts Logic m. ii,
Syllogisms are divided into various Kinds, either according
to the Question which is proved by them,, .or according to
the middle Term. 1805 Shipwright's Vade-M. 117 * Middle
timber. 1395 in Archaeologia XXIV. 316 De quibus..ex-
penduntur in j *mideltree imposito in port[is] Manerii per
longitudinem. 1834 Brit. Husb. 1. 159 A tongue, or middle-
tree, or shafts, are^ alternately fixed to the axle of the fore
wheels, a 1400 in Ret. Ant. I. 190 The *medyl weyn
betuen ham two The coral is cleppyt also. 1900 Westm.
Gaz. 14 Mar. 3/2 His mental crises belong to a "middle-
Victorian phase of thought 1448 in Willis & Clark Cam-
bridge (1886) II. 8 All the tymber that. .shall be ocupyed..
on the "Midelwalles and on the steires. 1611 Bible Ephes.
ii. 14 Who.. hath broken downe the middle wall of partition
betweene vs.< [1611 Bible Judg. vii. 19 Gideon .. came
in the beginning of the "middle watch.] 1851 H. Melville
Whale xliii, It was the middle watch— a fair moonlight.
1890 Allanson-Winn Boxing 82 '"Middle* weights. 1833
Nyren Yng. Cricketer's Tutor (1893) 49-50 The "middle
wicket should stand on the off-side, not more than eleven
yards from the bowler's wicket.. .There is no place in the
whole field_ where so many struggles occur to save a run. .
as at the middle wicket. 1866 Routledge's Ev. Boy's Ann.
511 Thus, long- leg to one bowler may come to cover-point to
the other; *iniddle-wicket-on may be cover-slip, short-leg
may be middle-wicket*off. 1547 Act 1 Edw. VI, c. 6 § 4
Such of the said Worsted Yarn as is called. ."Middle-wuffe
Yarn. 164a Rogers Naaman 452 Whether in youth or
* middle yeares or old age.
7. Comb, in parasynthetic adjs., as middle-
coloured, -growthed, -horned, statured, f -willed,
xuoolled.
1849 Florist 195 Satisfaction, a very good-shaped "middle.
coloured flower [Pelargonium]. 1690 Land. Gaz. No. 2607/4
John Boone, aged 17, a straight Youth, "middle growth 'd.
x8n W. H. Marshall Rev. Rep. Board Agric. III. 396 The
cattle of Norfolk— evidently a variety of the *middIehorned
breed, reduced in size [etc]. 1846 McCulloch Acc. Brit.
Empire (1854) I. 405 They may. .be divided, .into the four
classes of middle-horned, long-horned, short-horned? and
polled. 1679 Trials of Wakeman, tic 26 He wasa*middle-
statured man. 1651 Walton Life Wottond^ in Reliq. IV.
(1672), Many "middle-witted men (which yet may mean
well). i8a6 K. Digby Broadst. Hon. (1848) III. Morus 116
There is nothing so easy as to catch the phraseology which
middle-witted sophists regard as the stamp of men of judg-
ment. 1837 Youatt S/ie<p 304 Scarcely a "middle-woolled
sheep can now be found in the whole of this county.
B. sb,
1. The middle point or part (of a line, area,
volume, or anything that has spatial magnitude ;
also of a number, a period of time, a process, etc.).
a 900 Cynewulf Elene 864 He asettan heht on bone middel
basre mxran byrix beamas mid bearhtme. c 1050 Voc. in
Wr.-Wiilcker 396/z Ex centro, of midle. c iaoo Trin. Coll.
Horn. 85 Here lifes ende was bicumeliche be middel and be
biginnenge. 1197 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 1399 Aboute ierusalem
bis noumbringe tie bigan As in be middel of be world to
noumbri eche man. c 1300 Havelok 2092 Aboute be middel
of be nith Wok ubbe. 1377 Langl. P. PL B. xvn. 189
Were be myddel of myn nonde ymaymed or ypersshed.
c 1380 Wyclif Serm. Sel. Wks. I. 367 JHs gospel tellib be
middil of a storie of Seint Joon Baptist. 1420 E. E. Wills
(1882) 46, 1. bord mausure with a bond of seluer, & ouerguld,
wyth a prent in be myddylle. c 1450 Merlin 108 After the
myddill of August, after that Arthur was crowned, he held
court roiall, grete and mervelouse. 1530 Palsgr. 245/1
Myddle of the day, tnidy. 1594 Shaks. Rich. HI, in. v. 2
Canst thou. . Murther thy breath in middle of a word, And
then againe begin. 1611 Bible fudg. ix. 37 See, there
come people downe by the middle of the land. 17x5 Leoni
tr. Pailaaio's Archil. (1742)11. 11 The middle of the upmost
Wall ought to be perpendicular with the middle of the
nethermost. 1740 J. Martyn tr. Virg. BucoL Life Virgil
(1820) p. lxxix,The fourth Georgick, from the middle to the
end, was [etc.]. 177a Priestley Inst. Relig. (1782) I. 413
Pausanias .. wrote about the middle of the second century.
1863 Chambers's Encycl. V. 715/2 In 1395 they [sc. the Jews]
were indefinitely banished from the middle of France. 1865
Tylor Early Hist. Man. vi. 133 The heads, middles, and
roots of plants. 190a A. B. Davidson Bibl. 4 Lit. Ess. 266
Beginnings or middles or ends of poems,
f 2. The position of being among or surrounded
by (a number of people) or within (a town, etc.) ;
m Midst. Chiefly in phr. in the middle of= in
the midst of, among. Obst
a xooo Ags. Ps. (Spelman) exxxv. n Se 5e al.xddc Israhel
of middele heora. c 1000 Ags. Gosp. Mark ix. 36 )>a nam he
anne cnapan & ge-sette on hyra middele. c 1380 Wyclif
Sel. Wks. III. 343 But oonhede on heed of holi Chirche is
Jesus Crist here wib us, J>at is ever in be myddil of bree pat
ben gedrid in his name. 138s — Gen. xviii. 26 If Y shal
fynde in Sodom fifti ri^twis in the myddil of the cy tee, I shal
fonyue to al the place for hem. a 1400 Transl. N. T.
(Selwyn MS.) 2 Cor. vi. 17 (Paues 69) Wherfore God seyb,
Goo 4e a-wey from be myddel of hem. c 1400 Macndev.
(Roxb.) Pref. 2 He will ger crie it openly in be middell of
a toune. 1548 Udall, etc Erasm. Par. Acts xxvii. 18-26
Than Paul standyng in the mydle amonge them, sayed
[etc.]. i76o-7« H. Brooke Fool of Qual. (1809) III. 121
[He] is come to rob me in broad day, and in the middle of
my own people.
b. In the middle of', while (something) is going
on; ' in the thick of. Now rare or Obs.; cf. Midst,
1609 J. More in Buccleuck MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.) 82
As I was yesterday in the middle of removing to my house
in the Old Bayley, I [etc.]. 1760-7* H. Brooke Fool of
Qual. (1809) II. nr, I went and went again, in the middle
of my wants, and in the middle of my sorrows, to ask. .for
his pay from the Admiralty. i8aa Shelley Faust 11. 373
A red mouse in the middle of her singing Sprung from her
mouth. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 373, I have often
been stopped m the middle of a speech.
3. The middle part of the human body j the waist.
971 Btickl. Horn. 141 Hie gegripan 0n hire middel. c 1*05
Lay. 28069 J>a leo me orn foren to and iueng me bi ban midle.
«97 R. Glouc (Rolls) 8962 Gurde aboute hire middel
a uair linne ssete. ? a 1366 Chaucer Rom. Rose 1032 Yong
she was, .. Gente, and in hir middel smalle. ? a 1400
Morte Arth. 4168 Schuldirs and scheldys thay schrede to
the hawnches, And medilles thourghe mayles thay merkene
in sondire ! £"1470 Henry Wallace vii. 307 The myddyll
off ane he mankit ner in twa. 1494 in Lett. <?■ Papers
Rich. Ill $ Hen. VII (Rolls) I. 400 [Ladies] with great
chenys of gold about their middlys, and mervyleuse riche
bees a bowt their nekkes. 15*6 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W.
'S31) 3 Aboue y* myddle he was the moost amiable stature
of a man. 1653 H. Cogan tr. Pinto's Trav. xlvi. 268 The
Water came up to our Middles. 171a Addison Sped. No.
407 F 5 Stroaking the sides of a long Wigg that reaches
down to his Middle. 1769 E. Bancroft Guiana 370 A
piece of coarse blue, or brown linen, which is applied to the
middle in both sexes. i8ix Sporting Mag. XXXVIII. aao
They hold each other tight by the middle. 1843 Borrow
Bible in Spain xxxi, He has got it buckled round his middle
beneath his pantaloons.
Comb. 1894 Field 1 Dec. 838/1, 1 sit comfortably, middle*
deep under a writing table.
4. A mean, something intermediate between two
extremes of quality or degree. Excluded middle
(Logic) : see Excluded///, a.
MIDDLE.
421
MIDDLE FINGEB.
a 1*40 Sawles Warde in Cott. Horn. 247 pat ha leare ham I
mete pat me mcosure hat be middel of twa uueles. Ibid.
255 For ne mci na wunne ne na flesches licunge. .bringe
me ouer pe midel of mesure ant of mete. 1340 Ayeub.
349 SobretiS ne is ober bing banne to Ioki ri^te mesure bet
alneway halt bane middel ine to moche and to lite. 1626
Bacon Sylva § 616 Bulbous Roots, Fibrous, Roots and
Hirsute Roots... The Hirsute is a Middle betweene both.
1667 Decay Chr. Piety v. 72 There being in this case no
middle between devout reverence and horrid blasphemy.
1683 A. D. Art Converse 46 These two extreams we must '
avoid and search a middle. 1745 De Foeys Eng. Tradesman ,
(184:) I. xxii. 209 To keep the safe middle between these I
extremes. 1790 Burke Fr. Rev. 92 The pretended rights j
of these theorists are all extremes :..The rights of men are
in a sort of middle.
f 5. An intermediate cause or agency. Obs.
a u»5 Ancr. R. 180 peos cume5 also of God, auh nout ase
do8 be ooVe, wiouten euerich middel. 1678 Cudworth
Intel!. Syst. 1. iv. § 30. 468 The worshipping (besides one
supreme God) of other created Beings,.. as middles or
mediators betwixt Him and Men.
f 6. An intervening point or part in space, time,
or arrangement ; something intermediate. Obs.
1665 Manlev Grotius' Low C. Warres 397 The little
River of Neths, scituate in the middle between Antwerp
and Mechlin. 1667 Milton/*. L. ix. 605, 1.. with capacious
mind Considered all things visible in Heav'n, Or Earth, or
Middle, all things fair and good.
b. Something placed in a central position.
1796 Ld. Colchester Diary (1861) I. 35 The second
course had a pig at top, a capon at bottom, and the two
centre middles were turkey and a larded Guinea fowl.
f7. = Medium sb. 4. Obs.
1570 Dee Math. Pre/, cj, So that both theyr mouynges
be in ayre, or both in water : or in any one Middle.
8. ellipt. a. Logic. - middle term. (Cf. Medium
sb. 2.)
1826 Whately Logic 11. Hi. § 2. (1827) 92 From negative
premises you can infer nothing. For in them the Middle
is pronounced to disagree with both extremes.
D. Gram. = middle voice (see A. 4 a).
1818 Blom field tr. Matthiases Gk. Gram. II. 712 The
proper signification of the middle is most evident in the
aorists. 1006 J. H. Moulton Gram. N. T. Grk. I. 155 As a
matter of fact, the proportion of strictly reflexive middles is
exceedingly small.
9. Naut. — * middle ground* (see A. 6).
170a Land. Gaz. No. 3844/4 The Sands, .of the small
Middle, in the Narrow off of Winterton near Yarmouth.
1801 Nelson in Duncan Life (1806) 136 The Agamemnon. .
could not weather the shoal of the Middle.
10. Paper-making. The sheet, or one of the
sheets, of inferior paper placed between the two
outer sheets in making pasteboard.
1859 Stationers' Handbk. 73 Middies, a paper used for
forming the middle or inner portion of card and pasteboard.
11. Football. A return of the ball from one of the
wings to mid-field in front of the goal.
1890 G. 0. Smith Football vi. (Badm.) 108 A middle
should never be made high up in the air unless the forwards
of one's side are a heavy lot. 1902 Field 1 Mar. 314/1
Evans actually found the mark from a middle by Corbett,
but was pronounced offside.
12. (Originally middle article.) A newspaper
article of a particular class (treating more or less I
discursively some social, ethical, or literary sub-
Ject), such as is in certain journals placed between
the leading articles and the reviews.
x86a J. F.Stephen Let 10 Apr. Life (1895) 175 Last night
I finished a middle at two. 1893 G. Allen Scatlyzvag III.
68 Working away with all his might at a clever middle for
an evening newspaper. Paul was distinctly successful in j
what the trade technically knows as middles.
Middle (mi-d'l), v. [f. Middle sb. Cf. Du.
middelen, G. mitteln, ON. m&fla.]
+ 1. intr. ? To be at the middle point ; ? to inter-
vene. Obs.
138a Wyclif John vii. 14 Forsobe now the feeste day
medlinge [Vulg. mediante], or goynge bitwixe, Jhesu wente
vp in to the temple.
+ 2. intr. or absol. To perform some kind of
operation in the making of iron wire (cf. Middle-
man 1). Obs.
143S Coventry Leet Bk., For-alsomyche as Joh. Stafford,
Job. Blakemon, sen.,..& Wal, Bonde heldon for the most
part as well smethyng, brakyng middelyng and cardwire-
draweng.
f3. trans. To take a middle view of. Also
to middle it (contemptuously) : to adopt a middle
course. Obs.
1648 Manton Spir. Languish. 16 We content ourselves
with a lukewarmnesse and a mambling of profession midling
it between Christ and the world. 1748 Richardson Clarissa
I. 173 To middle the matter between both, it is pity, that
[etc.].
4. To find the middle of; to bisect.
1703 Moxon Meek. Exerc. 268 Draw the Line ab, bisect,
or middle it.
5. Naut. To fold or double in the middle.
1841 R. H. Dana Seaman's Man. 76 Get up a hawser,
middle it, and take a slack clove-hitch at the centre, c i860
H._ Stuart Seaman's Catech. 27 How do you make a reef
point? By taking five foxes and middling them. 1867
Smyth Sailor's IVord-bk. 479 Middling a sail, arranging it
for bending to the yard. 188a Nares Seamanship (ed. 6)
124 The sail is middled and hauled taut out.
6. techn. To place in the middle.
X883W. H. Richards Textbk. Milit. Topogr. (1888) no
All the micrometers should be kept nearly 'middled*, or
half way through their nuts. iH&Chamb. frnl. Mar. 188
A grandfather's clock with a bullet-hole nicely middled in
its case. 1890 Daily News 25 July 6/6 We started to heave
in on the starboard cable in order to middle the ship between
her anchors.
b. intr. To fit into the middle.
1888 Hasluck Model Engin. ttandybk. (1900) 67 If these
holes do not exactly middle, a small round file can be used
to draw the hole over as required.
7. trans, in Football. To return (the ball) from
one of the wings to mid-field in front of goal ; to
1 centre \ Also absol.
1871 Fields Jan. 61/3 The ball which had been previously
middled by A. M, Jones, was driven through the goal. 190s
Ibid. 1 Mar. 314/1 Corbett made a run and middled.
8. slang. To befool, cheat.
1869 E. Farmer Scrap Bk. (ed. 6) 53 For I've been hum-
bugged, middled, got the best on.
Middle, obs. form of Meddle.
Middle age, sb.
1. The period between youth and old age. Cf.
middle eld, middle life : see Middle a, 6.
1377 Langl. /'. /V. B. xii. 7 And of thi wylde wan-
tounesse tho thow 3onge were, To amende it in thi myddel
age. c 1440 tpomydo n 1588 He had an erne was stifle and
stronge ; Of mydille age. 1526 Pilgr. t'erf. (W. de W.
I53I) x3h, Some in theyr youth: some in theyr myddell
age : and some in theyr last dayes. c 1600 Shaks. Sonn. vii,
Resembling strong youth in his middle age. a 1631 Donne
in Select. (1840) 24 That all thy spring, thy youth, be spent
in wantonness, all thy summer, thy middle-age, in ambition.
1749 Fielding Tom Jones 11. viii, His time of life, which
was only what is called middle age. 1810 Scott Lady o/L.
1. xxi, On his bold visage middle age Had slightly press'd
its signet sage. 1884 Pae Eustace 37 He was considerably
past middle age.
2. The Middle Age, now usually the Middle
Ages: the period intermediate between * ancient*
and ' modern ' times ; in earlier use commonly
taken as extending from c 500 to c 1 500 ; now
used without precise definition, but most frequently
with reference to the four centuries after a. d. 1000.
Cf. mod.L. medium wvum, G. mittelalter, F.
moyen dge.
0. sing. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Sufp. s.v. Age, Middle
Age denotes the space of time commencing from Constan-
tine, and ending at the taking of Constantinople by the
Turks, in the fifteenth century, a 1780 Harris P/tilol.
Inquiries 1. (1781) Addr. to E. Hooper, An Essay on the
Taste and Literature of the middle Age. 1882 J. C. Mori-
son Macaulay 70 His acquaintance with the Middle Age
generally, may without injustice be pronounced slight.
p. pi. 171a Mem. Literature VI. 296 Mr. Juncker,..has
published in the German Language an Excellent Intro-
duction to the Geography of the middle Ages. 1819 Hallam
Mid. Ages (ed. 2) III. 1. ix. 304 The Middle Ages, accord-
ing to the division I have adopted, comprize about one
thousand years, from the invasion of France by Clovis to
that of Naples by Charles VIII. 184a Brande Diet. Sci.
etc., Middle ages. . . The centuries between the ninth or
tenth and the end of the fifteenth after Christ are generally
comprehended under this loose denomination. 1887 J. C.
Morison Service of Man 177 The great hollow which is
roughly called the Middle Ages, extending from the fifth to
the fifteenth century.
3. attnb., qu&si-adj. (with hyphen). Belonging to
the Middle Ages ; mediaeval.
1840 Gen. P. Thompson Exerc. V. 31 With the same
precaution that they would have consorted with the evil
spirits of middle-age romance. 1853 Ruskin Led. Archil.
iv. 217 That child is working in the middle-age spirit — the
other in the modern spirit. 1869 F. W. Newman Misc. 46
Perhaps it incapacitated the Arabs and the middleage
Schoolmen for all but formal reasoning.
Middle-aged (mid'li^d^d), a. (Stress variable.)
[f. Middle a. + Age sb. + -ed 2.]
1. Of middle-age, neither young nor old.
1676 Collins in Rigaud Corr. Sci. Men (1841) II. 453
The admirable M. Leibnitz, a German, but a member of the
Royal Society, scarce yet middle aged. 1709 Steele Tatlcr
No. 77 F 2 When I was a middle-aged Man. 1880 G. Mere-
dith Tragic Com. (1881) 81 A middle-aged, grave and
honourable man,
b. Characteristic of middle-aged people.
1886 Lowell Latest Lit. Ess., Gray (1891) 2 Cowper was
really mad at intervals, but his poetry, admirable as it is in
its own middle-aged way, is in need of anything rather than
a st rait- waist coat. 1887 Ruskin Przterita II. 269 His
already almost middle-aged aspect of serene sagacity.
1 2 . Belonging to the Middle Ages ; medieval. Obs.
17x0 Hearne Collect. (O.H.S.) III. 49 The reading and
perusing of middle-ag'd Antiquities. 1804 Mitford Inquiry
3i8_Of the modern and middle-aged Greek. 1845 Proc.
P/tilol. Soc. II. 145 The English hunger bears a strong re-
semblance to the Spanish hatnbre, formed from the middle-
aged hnt'mfamina.
Middle-ageing, ppl. a. nonce-wd. Becoming
middle aged.
1882 Howells in Longm. Mag. I. 53 Only a score of
middle-aging veterans remained.
Middleageism. nonce-wd. [f. Middle age
+ -ISM.] Medievalism.
1840 Thackeray Pict. Rhapsody Wks. 1900 XIII. 348
May we add a humble wish that this excellent painter will
..not busy himself with Gothicism, middleagism ?
Middle Class, sb. The class of society between
the 'upper' and the Mower* class. Also (now
more commonly) plural in the same sense.
x8xa Examiner 31 Aug. 556/1 Such of the Middle Class
of Society who have fallen upon evil days. X83X Brougham
Sp. 7 Oct. (1838) II. 617 By the people.. I mean the middle
classes, the wealth and intelligence of the country, the glory
of the British name. 1843 Borrow Bible in Spain iii,
Several of these were of the middle class, shopkeepers and
professional men. 1891 H. D. Traill in National Rev.
Mar. 15 The great body of the upper middle classes.
b. attnb., as in middle-class education, life,
public, society, etc.; middle-class examination,
a name sometimes given to the 'local examina-
tions' (see Local a. 2 d) in their early years;
middle-class schools, schools established for the
education of the middle classes, intermediate be-
tween primary schools and the great public schools.
1848 Mill Pol. Econ. 1, x\. § 4 To get out of one rank of
Society into the next above it is the great aim of English
middle-class life. 1857 T. D. Acland Oxford A. A. Exam.
(1858) 33 The Exeter Middle Class Examination. Ibid. 81
The education given in commercial and middle-class schools.
1858 (bid. p. xx, The consideration of the Middle Class
Examinations happened to come before the members of the
Senate at a very inconvenient time. Ibid. 3 To prepare
the way for a practical and truly English Middle-class
Education. 1868 M. Pattison Academ. Org. 3 For
centuries our middle-class public were slowly travelling.
1890 Spectator 18 Oct. 518/1 The tastes of the average
middle-class buyer of books.
c. Used as adj., with the sense : Characteristic
of the middle classes ; having the characteristics of
the middle classes. (With depreciative implica-
tion. Cf. Bourgeois a. 2.)
1893 Saltus Madam Sapphira 106 Don't talk back, it is
middle-class to begin with. 1905 Dicey Law t,- Publ. Opin.
vi. 186 Benthamism was fundamentally a middle class creed.
Hence {nonce-wds .) Middle-classer, one who
belongs to the middle class; Middle-classness,
middle-class quality.
x886 Morris in Mackail Life (iSgg) II. 157, I met some
very agreeable middle-classers there, and had much talk.
X887 Sat. Rev. 21 May 745 The slovenly middle classness
of Dublin. 1894 Miss Broughton Beginner xii, I recognise
the middle-classness.
Middle earth. Forms : see Middle and
Earth sb.
1. [An etymologizing perversion of Middle-erd.]
The earth, as placed between heaven and hell, or
as supposed to occupy the centre of the universe.
Now only arch., sometimes applied to the real
world in contradistinction to fairyland.
c x*75 Lay. 7205 He bohte to bi-winne mid strengbe and
mid ginne al be middelerbes [C1205 middel ea;rdes] lond.
Ibid. 9066 Com a bisse middilherbe [C1205 middel arde]
hone maidenes sune. a 1300 Cursor M. 8003 Bhuix be midel
erth and pe lift. 1390 Gowkv. Conf 111. 94 Fro the seconde,
as bokes sein, The moiste dropes of the reyn Descenden into
Middilerthe. c 1440 York Myst. ix. 158 Kadir, what may
pis meruaylle mene? Wher-to made god medilerth and
man? iui World $ Child (Roxb.) A v, All mery medell
erthe malceth mencyon of me. X598 Shaks. Merry W.x.v.
84 But stay, I smell a man of middle earth. x6oo W. Wat-
son Decacordon (1602) 238 O monster of mankinde fitter for
hell, then middle earth. 1813 Scott Trierm. 1. ix, That
maid is born of middle earth, And may of man be won. 1819
Crabbe T. of Hall x, A kind of beings who are never found
On middle-earth, but grow on fairy-ground. x86o Haw-
thorne Transform, xxxviii, It is difficult to imagine it [sc.
Catholicism) a contrivance of mere man. Its mighty ma-
chinery was forged and put together, not on middle earth,
but either above or below.
f 2. The middle of the earth. Obs.
Sea of middle earth, middle earth sea, the Mediterranean.
Middle earth ocean, an imaginary ocean in the middle of
the earth.
1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) I. 53 J>e grete see of myddel
erbe bygynnebjn £e west at Hercules pilers. 1494 Fabvan
Chron. v. Ixxvii. 56 In the South see of Myddell Erth. X555
W. Watreman Fardle Facions 1. iii. 34 The floude of Niius
. .passeth into the middle earth sea, with seuen amies. 1593
Norden Spec. Brit., M'sex. 1. 8 The forme of this land is
Trianguler, much like Cicilia an Island in the middle-earth
sea. 16x3 Purchas Pilgrimage vii. ii. 663 So would those
good men drowne a great part of the African and American
World.. by their imagined middle-earth Ocean.
Middle-erd. Obs. exc. dial. Forms : . see
Middle and Ebd ; also 4 myddelnerde, 2-3
middelert, 4 midulert, 5 medlert, 8 midlert,
5 middle yorde, myddell yarde. See also
Middle earth. [Formed by substitution of
middel Middle a, for middan- in middaneard,
-geard: see Middenebd. There may have been
an OE. *middel(z)eard corresponding to OS. mittil-
gard, OHG. mitlilgart.] The world ; the earth
taken as situated between heaven and hell ; also,
the people dwelling on the earth.
c 1175 Lamb. Horn. 15 J>as la?en weren from Moyses a bet
drihten com on bis middilert for us to alesnesse of deofles
onwalde. c xsoo Ormin 3638 Godess beowwess blomenn a))
Inn alle gode baewess, Her i biss middella^rdess lif. c i*>5
Lav. 25569 Lauerd drihten crist domes waldende midelarde
mund. 1297 R. Glouc (Rolls) 9052 Me nuste womman so
vair non in pe middel erde. £13x5 Shoreham vii. 580 Wy
nedde hy be ine helle y-stopped tor euere mo, Ac Nau?t
her in bys myddelnerde, For to maky men offerde. 13. .
Gaw. A> Gr. Knt. 2100 More he is ben any mon vpon myd-
delerde. a 1400 Pistill of Susan 263 (MS. A.> pou maker of
myddelert, bat most art of miht. c 1460 Towneley Myst.
iii. 100 Therfor shall I fordo All this medill-erd. ? a 1500
Chester PI. iv. 267 Father, . . I hope for all middle-yorde you
will not slaye your childe. 15x3 Douglas sEneis vi. viii.
11 Thair saw he als, with huge greit and murnyng In mydle
erd most menit, thir Troianis. 1768 Ross Helenore (1789)
59 This gate she could not long in midlert be.
Middle finger. The finger having the position
in the middle of the five ; the second finger.
Cf. ' middles! finger ' in . Middlk a. 1 (quots. c 900, c 1290),
MIDDLEGOOD.
c 1000 flUWC Gloss, in Wr.-Wulcker 158/35 Medius, uel
impndicus% middelfinger. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R.
v. xxix. (1495) 140 The thyrde fyngre is the mydle fingre,
and hyght Inpudicus also. 1643 Steer tr. Exp. Chyrurg.
vi. 21 There followed, .onely two pustels, the one in her
thumbe, the other by her middle finger. 1787 Hunter
Whales in Phil. Trans. LXXVII. 385 In the fore-finger
there are five bones, in the middle and ring-finger seven.
1861 [see Finger sb. 1].
T Middlegood. Obs. [app. f. Middle a.+
Good sb.; cf. G. mittelgut ore of middle quality.]
Some kind of linen fabric.
158a Rates Custom* Ho. D iij, Middlegood the c. elles..
xxv'us. viu.d. i6xa Sc. Bk. Customs in Haly burton's Ledger
(1867) 320 Linning cloth called Hinderlandis Middlegood and
Heidlak the hundreth elnis xvi li. a 1618 Rates Mar-
thandizes I 3, Linnen cloath vocat. Hinderlands, Middle*
good, & Headlake the hundred ells..xxvj.j. vuj.d.
Middlehard, variant of Middle-erd.
t Mi'ddlehead. Obs. In 3 middel-hed. [f.
Middle a. + -head.] The middle.
c 1*50 Gen. fy Ex. 522 Bis midelerdes beginning, And
middel-hed, and is ending.
Middleing, obs. form of Middling a.
t Middle-land. Obs.
1. = Midland sb. Also attrib. — Midland a.,
Mediterranean a.
1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 5134 AI walis & al be march & al
middel lond ywis pat is al bituene temese & homber is.
1565 Stapleton tr. Bseda's Hist. Ch. Eng. 125 Edilred kinge
of the Marshes or middleland englishmen came into Kent
with a terrible and fell hoste. 1650 Fuller Phgak 1. i. 3
Not all the water of Kishon, of Jordan, of the Red, of the
Dead, of the Middle-land Sea. .should serve to quench the
fire.
2. Agric. Land of medium elevation. In quot.
attrib.
1790 Marshall Midi. Counties I. 269 The species of grass-
land..are chiefly, Lowland grassland Middleland grass,
or *Turf; there being no Upland grass or sheepwalk
within it.
Hence f Middle-lander, an inhabitant of the
Midlands.
1644 Featly Roma Ruens 42, I am sure Bede affirmeth
that the Eastern Angli or English were first gained to
Christ by Fcelix, ..and the middle-landers by Finanus.
t Mi ddlely, adv. Obs. rare. In 5 middilly.
[f. Middle a. + -ly -.] In a medium manner.
c 1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 320 pou schalt streyne middilly,
& not to faste.
Middleman (mi'd'lmaen). [f. Middle a. +
Man sb.]
+ 1. ?A workman employed in some particular
operation in the making of iron wire. Obs.
1435 Coventry Leet Bk.t The Cardwirdrawers and the
myddelmen most nedes bye the wire that they shull wirche
of the smythiers.
f2. Mil. One of the soldiers in the fifth or sixth
rank in a file of 10 deep. Obs.
1616 Orders establ. by Soc. 0/ Armes, Lond. Av, Item,
That no man take the place of Leading or Middle-man.,
without hee be thereunto appointed by the Captaine or
Lieutenant. 1635 Markham Souldiers Accid. 28 The fifth
Ranke from the Front downeward towards the Reare, are
called Middlemen to the reare, and the sixth Rank are
called Middlemen to the front. 167a T. Venn Milii. <y
Mar. Discip. v. 11 A File so drawn is distinguished accord-
ing to their dignity of Place, a Leader, a Follower, two
Middlemen, a Follower and a Bringerup. 1696 Phillips,
Middleman (a. term in the Art-nulitary), he that stands
middlemost in a File.
3. One who takes a middle course.
1741 Warburton Div. Leg. v. § 6 Wks. 1788 III. 167
Neither Unbelievers nor Believers will allow to these middle
men that a new-existing Soul.. can be identically the same
with an annihilated Soul. 1884 A. Birri 1.1. 1 whiter Dicta
179 Middle men may often seem to be earning for them*
serves a place in Universal Biography. 1903 A. B. David-
son Called of God v\. 168 There were three parties, the true
worshippers of Jehovah, the strict idolaters, and the middle-
men who were neither.
b. nonce-use. (See quot.)
1845 Disraeli Sp. 11 Apr. in Hansard Pari. Deb. Ser. lit.
LXXIX. 565 We have a great Parliamentary middleman.
It is well known what a middleman is : he is a man who bam-
boozles one party, and plunders the other, till, having ob-
tained a position to which he is not entitled, he cries out,
' Let us have no party questions, but fixity of tenure \
4. (Originally two words.) A person standing in
an intermediate relation to two parties concerned
in some matter of business : usually in somewhat
unfavourable sense, as implying that direct rela-
tions between these parties would be more advan-
tageous. Chiefly applied, in discussions on the
theory of commerce, to the trader or any of the
series of traders through whose hands commodi-
ties pass on their way from the maker or pro-
ducer to the consumer.
1793 Burke Tk, on Scarcity Wks. VII. 401 If the object
of this scheme should be. .to destroy the dealer, commonly
called the middle man [etc.J. 1805 East Reports V. 178
The Metcalfes..were middlemen between the vendors and
the vendees. 1845 Encycl. Metrop. VIII. 52 In one Trade
at least.. a class of middle-men, who were formerly inter-
posed between the maker and the merchant, now no longer
exists.^ 1 86 1 T. G, Sheppard Fall Rome viii. 414 While to
the odious middle-man, or bailiff, was left the management
of those patrimonial estates. 1866 C W. Hatfield Hist.
Notices Doncaster I. 100 There are middlemen and others
who encourage and aid them in disposing of the stolen
goods. 1880 Lom as Alkali Trade 345 A considerable part
422
of the demand for low-strength ash and_ alkali emanates
from certain unscrupulous vendors or 'middle-men'. 1887
Westm. Rev. June 315 The helpless victims of grasping
middlemen and a grinding competition which [etc.].
attrib. 1851 Mayhew Lond, Labour (1864) II. 373 The
workmen gradually became transformed from journeymen
into ' middlemen ', living by the labour of others. . . The
middleman system is the one crying evil of the day.
b. In Ireland, one who leases land, and sub-lets
it again at an advanced rate.
180a Mar. Edgeworth Rosanna i. Wks. 1832 IV. 297 Mr.
Hopkins was what is called in Ireland a middle-man. 1903
Edin. Rev. July 209 Absenteeism with its resulting evils of
middlemen and rackrents was the worst bane of Ireland.
5. U. S. a. ( In negro minstrelsy^ the man who
sits in the middle of the semicircle of performers
during the opening part of the entertainment, and
leads the dialogue between songs.' b, 'In the
fisheries t a planter.' {Cent. Diet.)
Hence Middlemanism, Mi ddlemanship, the
system of employing middlemen.
1848 Eraser's Mag. XXXVII. 383 A sort of middleman-
ship, somewhat of the nature of the ' butty ' system carried
on m Staffordshire. 1889 G. J. Holvoake in Co-operative
News 6 Apr. 330 Middlemanism was becoming in every
country a serious question. 1899 A. White Mod. Jew 132
Their trading instincts and intuitive taste for middlemanship.
Middlemost (mi'd'lmeust), a. Now somewhat
rare. [f. Middle a, + -most.] That is in the very
middle, or nearest the middle. Now only with
reference to position ; formerly also with reference
to age, size, quality, etc. Cf. Midmost and
midd/est superl. of Middle a.
a 1300 Cursor M. 10023 J>e baile midelmast o thre, Bitakens
wel hir chastite. a 1400 Isumbras 184 His medilmast sone
jit lefte he thare. 14.. in Rel. Ant. I. 52 Tak the rote
of walwort..and do away the overmast rynd, and tak the
mydilmaste rynde. 1577-87 Holinshed Citron. 1. 14/2 Cune-
dag the sonneof Henmusand Ragaie (middlemost daughter
of Leir before mentioned). 1638 Junius Paint. Ancients
282 Although it require great skill to paint the bodie and
middlemost parts of figures, yet [etc.]. 1658 Rowland
Mou/et's Tkeat. Ins. 952 For there are these several sorts
of them, the bigger, lesser, middlemost and least. 1671
H. M. tr. Erasm. Colloq. 14 My middlemost son hath lately
entred into holy Orders. 1721 Mortimer Husb. II. 222
The undermost part of the middlemost Joints are to be
cut off half through. 1812 J. Bigland Beauties Eng. A>
Wales XVI. 517 Folding gates, the middlemost of which is
of iron. 1862 Borrow Wild Wales xxiii. (1901) 72/1 Three
men — the middlemost was praying in Welsh.
b. absol. The part in the middle.
138a Wyclif Matt. Prol. 1 In the whiche gospel it is pro-
fitable to men desyrynge God, so to knowe the first, the
mydmeste [MS. O mydelmestj other the last. 1673 Penn
Chr. Quaker vii. (1699) 60 God himself inhabits the Lowest,
and Highest, and the Middlemost.
Middle night. Obs. exc. dial. = Midnight.
BeowulJ "2782 Ligejesan waex hatne for horde, hioroweal-
lende middelnihtum. C1205 Lay. 20607 Hit was to bere
middel-niht. a 1300 K. Horn 1391 pat schup gan ariue,
Abute middelni^te. 1893 Stevenson Catriona xxi. 253
When my father and my uncles lay in the hill, and I was to
be carrying them their meat in the middle night.
Middler (mi'd'toi). Also 6 middeler, midler.
[f. Middle a. + -ER1. CC MDu. middelare (Du.
midde/aar), OHG. tnittildri (MHG. mitteler^
mod.G. mittler).]
+ 1. An intermediary, mediator. Obs.
1531 Frith Judgem. Tracy's Test. (1535) C iii, A middeler
[1573 Wks. 79/1 mid dealer] betwene God and man. a 1540
Barnes Wks. (1573) 35°/* Heare you not playnly how
we do sooner obtayne our petityon of God our owne selfe,
then by any other midlers? 1551 Matthew (Hyl) /so. xxviii.
Notes, Christ, .being here mediatour or middeler betwene
God & men. 1675 Brooks Gold. Key Wks. 1867 V. 177 This
word, M«(rtTT)t, doth, .signify a mediator or a middler.
2. The workman who performs the middle one
of three operations in the preparation of flax.
1847 Jml. R. Agric. Soc. VIII. n. 385 It is taken up by
the second man or middler, who puts it through the same
process.
3. U.S. * A member of the middle class in a
seminary which has three classes — senior, middle,
and junior — as in theological seminaries1 {Cent.
Did.).
1882 in Minutes oj Triennial Convention (U. S.) 43 I"
reading Hebrew at sight Middlers and Juniors did well.
Middle-rate (mrd'lnfit), a. [f. Middle a. +
Rate sb.] Mediocre, not first-rate.
1738 tr. Guazzo's Art Conversation 196 A middle-rate
Beauty is most commendable in a woman. 1791 Boswell
Johnson 10 Apr. an, 1775 Here (I observed) was a very
middle-rate poet.
t Midaleriff. Obs. [f. Middle a. + Riff. Cf.
MLG.,Du. middelrif.] = Midriff.
1599 A. M. tr. Gabelhouer 's Bk. Physicke 264/1 Take in
Maye the Middlereefe of a kidde.
Middle-sized, a. [f. Middle a. + Size sb. + j
-ED 2.] Of medium size, neither large nor small.
163a Brome Court Beggar n. (1653) Pa. I thinke you able I
to maintaine your selfes midle-sis'd Gent. 1667 Boylk I
in Phil. Trans. II. 582 We put it into a middle-sized ;
Receiver. X793 Smeaton Edystone L. § 201 From the big- !
ness of a pea to that of a middle-sized turnip. 1883 F. M.
Wallem Fish Supply Norway 30 (Fish. Exhib. PubU A
middle-sized .. stockfish. 1898 Alloutfs Syst. Med. V. 4
The middle-sized bronchi.
Hence Middle-sizedness, the condition of being
middle-sized ; mediocrity.
MIDDLING.
1903 G. Mai hesos Repr. Men 0/ Bible 86 What is their
mental average ? It is not greatness, it is not smallness, it
is not even middle-sizedness : it is shortcoming.
t Mi'ddleward. Obs. [f. Middle a. + -ward;
in sense 2 perh. f. Ward sb. as in rearward, van-
ward. Cf. Midward.]
1. The middle part of anything.
c 1420 Pallad. on Husb. vm. 135 All the rynde is for this
nothing fyne, Then oonly take the tender myddelwardes.
2. The middle body of an army.
? a 1400 Morte Arth. 1988 The kynge .. Demenys the
medylwarde menskfully hyme selfene. 1577-87 Holinshed
Chron. III. 828/1 The earle himself led the middle-ward.
1665 Manley Grotius' Low C. Warres 673 Three Battels. .
of which the Middleward being double fiU'd the whole
breadth of the Shore.
Middle way.
1. A course between two extremes. Cf. mod.L.
via media.
aizxs Ancr. R. 336 pe middel weie of mesure is euer
guldene. 1390 Gower Con/. I. 2, I wolde go the middel
weie And wryte a bok betwen the tweie. 1704 Norris Ideal
World 11. ii. p8 Which absurd consequence . . falls upon
those of the middle way, who unite matter and thought in
Brutes. 17*5 Watts Logic 11. v. § 2 Where two extremes
are proposed, .and neither of them has certain and convinc-
ing evidence, it is generally safest to take the middle way.
2. The middle of the way ; one's mid-course.
1633 P. Fletcher Purple 1st. xi. xxii, Aselges..met the
virgin in the middle way. 1718 Pope Iliad xvi. 952 Apollo
dreadful stops thy middle way.
attrib. 1648 Gage West Ind. 116 A plain champaign
Countreyt which continued till within a league of the middle
way lodge.
b. Used advb. Half-way, on the way.
1568 Grafton Chron. II. 98: The King remoued his
campe to a village myddell way betwene Sainct Omers and
Tyrwine. i860 Whittier Truce 0/ Pi scat aqua m One
alone, a little maid, Middleway her steps delayed.
t Middle world. Obs. = Middle earth.
c 1100 Ormin 17538 Off bise fowwre shaffte iss all J>iss
middell werelld timmbredd. c 1*50 Gen. * Ex. 98 Of waters
froren, of yses wal, Sis middel werld it luket al. 1822 Scott
Pirate xxiv, He spoke mair like a man of the middle world,
than she had ever heard him since she had [etc.].
Middle yorde, variant of Middle erd.
Middling (mrdlirj), sb. In 6 midlyng, 7
midling. [Prob. orig. f. MlD a. + -ling1, sug-
gested by the earlier Sc. Middling a. The sur-
viving senses, however, represent absolute or
elliptical uses of the adj.
The sb. (except for the doubtful example quoted in 2 be-
low) occurs first at the beginning of the 17th c, concurrently
with the adoption of the Scottish adj. by southern writers.]
f 1. Something intermediate ; a mean, middle
term. Obs.
16x4-15 Boys Expos. Fest. Ep. $ Gosp. Wks. (1630) 573
John Baptist, the last of the Prophets, and first of Apostles,
a midling as it were betweene both. x6ao T. Granger Div.
Logikc 89 But the midlines are disparates both to the ex-
tremes, and among themselues.
2. //. Pins of medium size.
The sense in the first quot. is doubtful ; Jamieson explains
it as above. Possibly the word may be a. MDu. middelinc,
which appears to denote some k ind of nail ( m middelnagel) ;
cf. MLG. middelink, the middle finger.
"543 Aberdeen Reg. XVII I. (Jam*)» xviiij paperis of prenis,
the price xxvij sh., ane bout of midlyngis the price vj. sh.,
& tua hankis of wyir the price xxiiij sh. 18*4 Miss Mitford
Village Ser. 1. 237 Pincushions. .capable.. of containing.,
a whole paper of short-whites and another of middlings.
3. //. Used as a trade name for the middle
one of three classes into which goods are sorted
according to quality. (Cf. Middling a. 3.)
a. of fuller s teasels.
1766 Museum Rust. VI. 2 The next smallest which are
sound, and are commonly such as grow as side heads on
each branch, are thrown for a second sort, and are called
middlings. 1797 Billingsley View Agric. Somerset 111
[Teasels] are sorted into.. kings, middlings, and scrubs,
b. U. S. of cotton.
'793 Washington Lett. Writ. i8gi XII.382 The middlings
and ship stuff may be sold to answer the money calls which
you will have upon you. 1881 Standard 14 Sept. 4/7 The
class of cotton known as 'middlings '.
O. of flour or meal.
1841 P . Parley" s Ann. HI. 126 One of the nicest, cleanest,
fattest pigs that was ever killed,, .fattened with nothing
but peas and middlings, a 1845 Hood Lament 0/ Toby it,
But must I give the classics up, For barley-meal and
middlings? 1893 Gunter Miss Dividends 244 Some bread
made of middlings.
4. U.S. (See quot.)
1859 Bartlett Diet. Amer., Middlings 2. A term used in
the West for pork, meaning the portion of the animal be*
tween the hams and shoulders. Thus the Price Current
quotes hams, shoulders, and middlings.
5. 'That portion of a gun-stock between the
grasp and the tail-pipe or ramrod-thimble ' (Knight
Diet. Meek. 1S75).
Middling (mi'd'lin), a. and adv. Forms :
5 mydlyn, o midiling, 6-8 midling, 7 middle-
ing, 7- middling. [App. of Sc. origin : the
earliest examples in Eng. writers belong to the
reign of James I.
Prob. orig. f. Mid a. + -lingln adjs. like eastling,westliug
(where the suffix seems to represent a blending, in attribu*
tive use, of -ling' and .ling2). In English use of the begin-
ning of the 17th c, the adj. appears to have been appre-
hended as an attributive application of the sb., which came
in at the same time ; Ben Jonson uses both freely.]
MIDDLING.
A. adj.
1 1. Intermediate between two things ; forming a
mean between two extremes. Obs.
Quot 1645 may belong to Middling^//, a.
1456 Sir G. Have Law Arms (S. X. S.) 118 Bot than is
vertu morale in the mydlyn way. 1614 B. Jonson Barth.
Fair 11. ii, A certaine midling thing, betweene a foole and
a madman. 1645 Milton Titrach. Wks. 1851 IV. 234 As
the Physician cures him who hath taken down poyson, not
by the middling temper of nourishment, but by the other
extreme of antidote. 1677 Gale Crt. Gentiles in, 103 These
Demons the Romans called Semi-Gods and Medioxumi or
midling Gods. 1684 tr. Sonet's Merc. Compit. v. 138
A middling Medicine, between a Plaster and a Cataplasm.
1733 Cheyne Eng. Malady 11. i. § 2 (1734) 1,5 If Care be
taken to keep up the Juices in this middling condition.
1767 tr. Voltaire's Ignorant Philosopher xxxii. 86 The
middling state between health and disease.
2. Of medium or moderate size ; moderately
large. Now (exc. in middling size, middling
degree, etc.) only colloq. or vulgar, as an applica-
tion of sense 3 b.
1596 Aberdeen Reg. (1848) II. 130 Thrie midling schippis,
to pass to the His for subdewing of the hieland men. 1508
in Black Bk. Taymouth (Bannatyne CI.) 330 Off midling
plaittis thair, ii do. vi ; off greit plaittis thair, xiii. 1671
Marten Voy. into Spitzbergen in Ace. Sev. Late Voy. 11.
(■694) 80 He is as big as a midling Duck. 1707 Mortimer
Husb. (1721) II. 316 As you gather your Fruit, separate the
fairest and biggest from the middling. 179a tr. Brissot's
Trav. 349 Quarries of Marble of a middling fineness. 1831
Sir J. Sinclair Corr. II. 269 Being able to carry a soldier
of a middling size in each hand, when his arms were ex-
tended. 1853 Kane Grinnell Exp. xxx. (1856) 264 When
colder, say— 400, with a middling breeze. 1871 Blackmore
MatdofSker (1881) 77 A middling keg of Hollands, and an
anker of old rum. 1898 ' R. Boldrewood ' Rom. Canvass
Town 71 You have a middling cheque, I believe.
b. Comb., as middling-sized {\-size) adj.
a 1756 Mrs. Haywood New Present (1771) 62 Get four or
five middling.sized eels. 1776 Trial of Nundocomar 42/1
Q. What sort of a man was Mahomed Comaul? A. A
middling size man. 1840 Dickens Barn. Rndge iv, A
middling-sized dish of beef and ham.
TC. Average. Obs.
1754 Hume Mist. Eng. I. xii. 29S This is near half of the
middling price in our time.
3. Comm. Used as a designation for the second
of three grades of goods.
1550 Rig. Privy Council Scot. I. 107 The best moutoun
for ixj, the midiling moutoun for viiii, and the worst mou-
«??.,■• "'"■ ,6*3 Luttrell Brief Rel. (1857) HI- 86
Middling wheat at 561. a quarter; middling sort of rye at
g&r, a quarter. 1859 Stationers' Handbk. (ed. 2) in
Sample of the make termed Blue wove. This is a middling
quality, commoner sorts would be lower, ., better kinds
higher in colour. 1864 De Coin Cotton $ Tobacco 102
Substantial upland middling cottons of good staple. 1887
Daily News 23 Feb. 2/6 Coffee .. low middling to middling,
77* to 831 ; good middling to fine middling, 831 6rf to 88j.
1889 Century Diet. s. v. Fair a.. Fair to middling, moder-
ately good : a term designating a specific grade of quality
in the market.
b. Moderately good, mediocre, second-rate.
»«5» Tatham Scotch Fig. iv. i. Dram. Wks. (1878) i6t
Children, you talk not like men, you are but middling
Christians. 1677 Dryden Apol- Her. Poetry, Longinus.7
has judiciously preferr'd the sublime Genius that sometimes
erres, to the midling or indifferent one which makes few
faults but seldome or never rises to any Excellence. 1756
Burke Subl. s, B. Introd. Wks. 1842 I. 27 The middling per-
formance of a vulgar artist. 1833 Hood Epping Hunt
xxxn. All sorts of vehicles and vans, Bad, middling, and the
smart. 1882 M. Arnold Irish Ess. 247 The abundant con-
sumption of middling literature. 1895 H. Beveridoe in
.Speaker 14 Sept. 288/1 In the matter of trade disputes,
however, he was only a middling success.
+ 4. Middle-aged. Obs.
1610 Boys Exp. Dom. Efiist. $ Gosp. Wks. (1622) 228
Young Lawyers, old Physitians, and midling Divines are
best ; an old Preacher cannot teach so painfully, and the
young not so profitably, but the midling may doe both [etc.].
5. Belonging to the middle classes. Middling
class = Middle class.
Jft?„ R' l'Est«A"ge Fables cexxx. 201 There was a
Middling sort of a Man that was left well enough to pass by
his Father, but could never think he had enough, so long
as any Man had more. 1718 Free-thinker No. in. 120 The
Middling People of England are generally Good-natured
and Stouthearted. 1789 Anburev Trav. II. 393 This
diversion is a great favourite of the middling and lower
classes. 1847 Grote Greece 11. xxxvii. (1862) III. 357 He
was a citizen of middling station. 1897 Maitland Domes-
"ay*!. Beyond 65 Now if these things are being done in
the middling strata of society [etc.].
absol. 1781 CrevecoeurZ^/. 72 The rich stay in Europe,
■' is only the middling and poor that emigrate.
1 6. Occupying a middle position. Obs.
1747 Genii. Mag. XVII. 330 note, In many of the midling
counties, there is scarce any difference between the whole
number of members at that time and this.
t". Middling teeth (see quot.). Obs.
•753 Chambers Cycl. Snpp., Middling-Teeth, . . are the
tour teeth of a horse that come out at three years and a half,
in the room of other four foal teeth ; from which situation
they derive the title of Middling.
a. ado. (Now chiefly colloq.: common dial, and
in vulgar use.)
1. Qualifying an adj. or adv. : Moderately, fairly,
tolerably. "
1719 Df Foe Crusoe n. (Globe) 411 He form'd out of one of
the Iron Crows a middling good Anvil. 1779 E. Beatty in
hi'llv ^Hnr^T**V«Si* (,8#>> 63 The road middling
hilly ,848 Lowell B.gow P. £er. 1. ii. ,09 Mis.er Sawin,
sir, you re middlin' well now, be ye? 1680 H. James
488
Portr. Lady v, She was thin, and light, and middling tall.
189a Stevenson Across thePlitinsv, If a light is not rather
more than middling good, it will be radically bad.
2. Fairly well ; chiefly predicatively, fairly well
in health ; not very well.
1810 W. B. Rhodes Bomb. Fur. i. (1830) 7 We are but
middling— that is, but so so. 185a Dickens Bleak Ho. xxi,
How de do?' 'Middling', replies Mr. George. 1877
Pcess Alice in Mem. 6 Nov. (1884) 367, I am but very
middjing. 1894 Hall Caine Manxman v. iii. 287 ' We'll
do middling if we get a market ', said Pete.
Hence Middling-ish adv., dial, or vulgar.
l8ao J. A. Dowling Coroners Inquest on % Lees 18, I be-
lieve it was a middlingish good hat before he went to the
meeting. 1876 Farieon Love's Victory ii, 'A gentleman,
then ? Well, yes, sir ; middlingish '.
t Mi'ddling, ///. a. Obs. rare-', [f. Middle
v. + -inq2.] Acting as a go-between, intermediary.
1616 B. Jonson Devil an Ass 1. vi. 210 What doe you say
vnto a middling Gossip To bring you aye together, at her
lodging?
Middlingly (mi-dlirjli), adv. [f. Middling
<i. + -ly2] In a middling manner; fairly, in-
differently, tolerably; also, not very well in health.
»755 Johnson, Indifferently 3. Not well: tolerably ; pass-
ably; middlingly. 1814 Moore Mem. (1853) "• 44. ! dare
S'ly ' '"ought hut middlingly of them while they existed.
1819 J. Jebb Corr. (1834) 1 1. 373 For the last two days I have
relt but middlingly. 1891 H. Johnston Kilmallie I. viii.
133 Even then she was but middlingly pleased.
Middlingness (mi-dlinnes). [f. Middling a.
+ -NES8.] The state of being middling; mediocrity.
1866 Geo. Eliot F. Holt v, 'Tis a poor climax, to my
weaker thought, That future middlingness.
Jmddow, obs. form of Meadow.
Middrift, -dryfe, obs. forms of Midriff.
Midds, Middst, obs. forms of Mids, Midst.
Middy (mi-di). colloq. [f. Mid sb.i + -y.l A
midshipman.
1833 Marryat P. Simple xxix, Then went two of the
middies, just about your age, Mr. Simple. 1894 C. N
Robinson Brit. Fleet 410 The middies, with naval cadets,
are now designated 'subordinate officers '.
t Mide, prep, and adv. Obs. [Related to Mid
prep, and adv. It has not been found in OK., but
corresponds in form and use to OS. midi, OIIG.
mitt (MHG. mile).] A synonym of Mid prep.
and adv., employed a. as adv. (sometimes =
' wherewith ') ; b. as prep., usually placed after its
regimen or used ellipt. at the end of a sentence.
<• "*J Hatton Gosp. Mark xv. 41, & manege o5re be him
mide ferden on ierusalem. c 1175 Lamb. Horn. 51 And
hwat ba claSes bi-tacneS be be rapes weren mide biwunden
ciaoj Lay. 2831 Alle his cnihtes be mide him weoren.
<ziaas Aucr. R. 372 Nicodemus brouhte smuriles uorte
smurien mide ure Louerd. c 1315 Shoreham i. 241 In water
ich wel be cristny her . . For mide to wessche nis nobynge
pat man comeb to so lijte. c 1330 Arth. «,- Merl. 3094
(Kolbing), .vi. hundred knijtes he brou3t him mide.
Mid-earth. a. The middle of the earth.
Mid-earth sea, the Mediterranean Sea. (Cf.
Middle earth 2.) b. quasi-arch. = Middle
EARTH I.
»559 W. Cunningham Cosmogr. Glasse 143 Not farre dis-
tante from the midde Earthe Seas. 1895 A. Nutt in
K. Meyer Voy. Bran I. 240 That tract of earth is not
Accessible to many o'er mid-earth. 1895 Jane Menzies
Cynewulf's Elenei$ Since heaven's Lord in low degree In
this mid-earth a man was born.
Midegaitt, variant of Midgait.
Midel, obs. form of Middle sb. and a.
Midenarde, variant of Middenerd Obs.
Miderede, obs. form of Midred.
Mides, Midest, obs. forms of Mids, Midst.
Mid-ethmoid. Anal. = Mesethmoid.
1884C0UES Key N. Amer. £irds(ed. 2) 160 The permanent
plate,.. to which the name mesethmoid or mid-ethmoid is
more strictly applicable.
Mid-eval, a. rare-1, [f. Mid a. + Eval;
perhaps after coeval.'] = Mediaeval.
1840 Civil Eng. g, Arch. Jml. III. 365/1 The mid-eval
architects.
t Mid-fasten, mid-fast. Obs. [f. Mid a.
+ Fasten sb., Fast sb. Cf. ON. miS/asta, MDu.,
MLG. midde-, midvasten, MHG. mittc(n)vaste,
mitvaste (mod.G.'mitfasten).] = Mid-lent. Also
altrib.
MIDGERN.
re % \ wUcho n°wmbre- »533 Bellenden Livy 11. xiii.
tb. 1. b.) I i8ipe dictator, .come on be myd feild of saby-
nis . . with his Out of futemen. 1613 Heywood Silver Age
dial O. E. Chron. an. 1047 Her on bisum fceare was
mycel %c mot on Lundene to midfestene. c iaos Lay. 22256
He ferde to .fExcha;stra:n to ban mid-festen. 1480 New-
castle Merch. Vent. (Surtees) I. 2 The . . persones . . shall
halden wppon Thursday next after Midfast Sunday [etc], '
Mid feather.
1. (See quots.)
Jrȣg ^.""^V^A W Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3)
AVI. 626/1 Ihe body of the furnace consists of two cham-
bers, divided from each other by a brick partition called the
mid-feather. 187s Knight Diet. Mech., Mid feather, a
water-bndge in a steam boiler furnace which occupies
a middle position in the flue-space, the flame passing both
above and below it.
2. Mining. A support for the centre of a tunnel
(Webster 1S97).
Mid-field, [f. Mid a. + Field sb.] The middle
of the Field (in various senses of that word).
Now chiefly in Football.
a 1400-50 Alexander 955 He. .metes hym in be myd-feld
II. i. Wks. :
.1. 74 • . L' ,'?' Klng Ptel,:ra -with a fresh suppfy
i/ w vP,'ne.m'd-"1=ld. 190, Essex Weekly Neios 29 Mar.
8/3 Woodford were the smarter team in mid-field, but thev
did not equal Chelmsford in front of goal
en"suedA '^ B°°U' T""" '" Jan' 3/l MmM P,aV
t Midgait, adv. Sc. Obs. Also 6 midegaitt
[f. Mid a. + Gait sbS] •=- Midway.
'557-75 Diurn. Occurr. (Bannatyne CI.) 256 He wes
met be the nobilities horsmen midgait. a 1578 Lindesay
(Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. (S. T. S.) II. ,53 The Earle Mar
chall, or he come midegaitt, tyrit and grew seik that he
might do no thing nor no goode at that tyme. 1596 Dai-
rvmfle tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. v. 290 Bot or he was midgait
Cadhard. .slew him at the castel of Meffen.
II Midgard (mi-dgaad). Myth. [repr. ON.
MiSgarS-r: see Middenerd.] The proper name,
in Scandinavian mythology, of the world inhabited'
by living men, in contradistinction to Asgard
(AsgartSr), the home of the gods. Also altrib., as
midgard sea, snake.
1882 C. F. Keary Outl. Prim. Belief ' n The mid-earth
serpent called Jiirmungandr . . lying at the bottom of the
mid-gard sea.
Midge (mid,^). Forms: 1 micge, myeg,
mygc, mygg, 4-6 mydge, 5 migge, 5-6 myge,
0 mige, myghe, 6- midge. [OE. mycg masc,
myege wk. fem., corresponding to OS. muggia
fern. (Essen glosses), MDu. mugghe (Du. mug),
OIIG. mucca (MHG. mucke, miicke, mod.G.'
miicke), Sw. mygg, mygga, Da. w>y:-OTeut.
types *mugjo-z, *mugjon-. It is uncertain whether
the synonymous ON. my is related, and the alleged
cognates outside Tent, are very doubtful.]
1. A popular name loosely applied to many
small gnat-like insects; by some entomologists
restricted to the Cliironomidx.
cjtiCorPus Gloss. (Hessels) C 947 Culix, mygg. c 1000
■Sax. Leechd.V 54 Wio gnsttas & micgeas. <riooo /Eleric
Gloss in Wr.-Wiilcker 122/7 Culex, micge. a 1340 Hampole
1 Salter civ. 29 He sayd & hundfle come & mydge [L
cynomia et scinip/ies] in all baire endis. C1450 Mirour
.S<i/rt<r«o;<M459Sometymesdisesesmana miggeorels a flee
J5"3 Douglas ACneis x.i. Prol. 172 To knit hyr nettis and
hirwobbys sle, I harwith to caucht the myghe and litlill
fle. isao M. Nisbet N. Test, in Scots Matt, xxiii. 24 Blind
leidars, clengeand a myge, hot suelliand a camele. 1551
I urner Herbal I. A v b, The smoke of it [wormwood]
dryueth away gnates or mydges. 1625 Pl-rchas Pilgrims 11
1771 margin. They are called Wall-lice, because they breed
in \V als ; but in true English they are called Midges, and in
Latin Ctmices. 1658 Rowland Moufefs Thent. Ins. 951
Ihese small Summer Gnats, .are properly called in English
Midges. 1668 Charleton Ouomasticon 43 Cnlices Gnats
,/' /foTl-j""1 .Midses' " *73» T- Boston Crook in Lot
(1805)88 Midges 111 the summer will fly about those 'valking
abroad in a goodly attire, as well as about those in sordid
apparel. 1808 Scorr Fam. Lett. 31 Oct., There is a founda-
tion for the other part of the story, though no larger than
a midge s wing. 1850 Rossetti Blessed Damozel vi Where
this earth Spins like a fretful midge. 1867 F. Francis
Angling vi. (1880) 236 The Green Midge, a very delicate
little insect. 1886 Times 18 Aug. 10/6 The wheat midge
..produces the red maggots which so seriously damage the
ripening ears of corn. 1896 Kirkaldv & Pollard tr. Boas'
Zool. 276 Midges (Nemocera) are usually slender with long
antennae, which in the males are often furnished with lone
hairs. &
b. Applied to a diminutive person.
1796 Burns tVha will buy my troggin ? ix, By a thievish
midge They had amaist been lost. 1847 C. Bronte 7. Eyre
xxxvi, A more spirited, bolder, keener gentleman than he was
before that midge of a governess crossed him, you never
saw, ma am. 1866 Reader j7 Mar. 276 As compared to the
men and women about him he is a mere midge.
2. An artificial fly for fishing.
1799 G. Smith Laboratory II. 311 Black-midge, or gnat
Dubbing, of the down of a mole.
3. The fry of various fishes (Funk). Cf. mackarel-
midge.
183a Couch in Mag. Nat. Hist. V. 15 Midge (Ciliala
glajica). Ibid. 16 It is the mackarel midge of our fishermen
. .For brevity's sake I have retained only the name Midge.
4. A kind of small one-horse 'fly' or cab.
1877 Rip- P'ovinc. 133 (E. D. D.) Small flys licensed to
carry two or at most three persons, to be seen on all the
cab-stands about Torquay, are almost always called Midges
about that town. 1896 Mrs. Oliphant Old Mr. Tredgold
11. (1898) 16 [Refers to Isle of Wight.] A midge is not a
graceful nor perhaps a very safe vehicle.
5. Mining. (See quot.) Cf. Midgt.
1883 Greslev Coalmining Gloss., Midges, lamps (not
safety) carried by putters, &c.
6. attrib., as midge-like adj., midge-tail; midge
cap (see quot.); midge fly, a midge; midge
grass, Holcus lanatus (Britten & Holland, 1886).
1814 J. Hodgson in J. Raine Mem. (1857) I. 144 The la-
bourers are under the necessity of wearing a sort of veil
before their faces which they call "midgecaps. 1806 Wol-
COT (P. Pindar) Tristia Wks. 1812 V. 259 The Bard to kill
a *Midge-fly pours her Thunder. 1785 Burns Death $
Dr. Hornbook xxii, Sal-alkali o' *Midge-tail clippings.
t Midgern. Obs. exc. dial. Also I micgem(e,
5 medryn, mydrun, myg(g)erne, 9 dial.
midgen, midgerum, middren, etc. (see E.D.D.).
[OE. miegp-n = OS. midgai~ni, OHG. mittigarni
'■— OTeut, type *midjogamjom , f. *midjo- Mm a. ->-
MIDGET.
424
MIDMOST.
*garn& (ON. gorn fern.) bowel, gut, cogn. w.
*garnom Yarn.] The fat about the entrails of an
animal ; suet ; in mod. dial, use the fat about the
kidneys of a pig ; leaf-lard.
c 1000 /Elfric Gloss, in Wr.-Wiilcker 162/28 Exugium,
micgern. u. . Nom. ibid. 678/22 Hec omomestra, a medryn.
14. . Voc. ibid. 599/3 Omentum, a pauncheclout (vel Myg-
gerne). C1420 Liber Cocorum (1862) 10 Take, .bo mydrun
and be kydnere, And hew horn smalle. c 1475 /Ycr. Foe.
in Wr.-Wulcker 747/31 //oc omestrum, a mygerne.
1Tb. App. confused with Midriff.
a 1440 Promp. Parv. [Several texts have midrym, mid-
dryn, instead of midriff rendered diafragma.] ify^North-
umb. Gloss., Middern, the midriff or diaphragm.
Midget (mi-d^et). [f. Midge + -et.]
1. An extremely small person ; spec, such a person
publicly exhibited as a curiosity.
1865 W. Cornw. Words in Jrnl. R. Inst. Cornw. Apr. 50
Midget, very small, a mite. 1869 Mrs. Stowe Old Town
Folks xvi. (1870) 159 Now you know Parson Kendall's a little
midget of a man. 1884 Pall Mall G. 22 Aug. 10/2 A child.,
which had been exhibited by a showman, .as the smallest
' Midget' in the world. 189a E. Reeves Homeward Bound
7 There are 120 saloon passengers, adults, 40 children, and
2 ' midgets ' on board. 1903 Revieiv of Rev. Apr. 347 The
undersized midgets of new recruits.
2. A Canadian name for the Sand-fly.
1859 in Bartlett Diet. Amer.
3. More fully midget-photograph. The trade
name for a very small size of photographic portrait.
1888 Lady 2$ Oct. 374/3 A smaller frame, screen shape, . .
to hold six ' midget ' photographs.
Midgety, a. [f. Midget + -t.] Very small.
1798 Jane Austen Lett. (1884) 1. 177 [My] cap., was before
too midgetty to please me.
Midgy (mi-d,?i), si. Mining, [f. Midge + -y.]
See quot., and cf. Midge 5.
1849 Green well Coal Trade Gloss. (E.D.D.), Midgy, an
oblong box without a front, carried upright, the use of which
is to carry a lighted candle or small lamp in a current of air.
Midgy(mi-dji),a. [f. Midge + -y.] Consisting
of midges.
1806 J. Grahame Birds Scot. 11. 65 When dance the midgy
clouds in warping maze Confused.
Mid-heaven. [Mid a.]
1. Astron. and Astrol. The meridian, or middle
line of the heavens ; the point of the ecliptic on
the meridian.
1594 Blundevil Exerc. vi. xxix. (1597) 308 b, The Fidu.
cialf line of the label crossing the Zodiaque, will shew the
degree of mid heauen at that houre. 1610 Healey St. Aug.
Citie o/God 203 Mid-heaven, the point between the Horo-
scope and the west-angle. 18x9 J. Wilson Diet. Astrol.
272 The 10th [house] is the midheaven, or medium cceli, or
south angle.
2. The middle of the sky.
161* T. Taylor Comnt. Titus ii. 11 The sunne is not
only risen and in our midheauen, but the light of it is
seauen fold bigger then it was before. 1667 Milton P. L.
xii. 263 Or how the Sun shall in mid Heav'n stand still. 1871
Tennyson Last Tourn. 737 The red fruit Grown on a magic
oak-tree in mid-heaven.
3. The midst of heaven as the abode of angels.
1667 Milton P. L. ix. 468 But the hot Hell that alwayes
in him burnes, Though in mid Heav'n, soon ended his
delight.
tMididone, adv. Obs. Also 4 midydone.
[Orig. a syntactical phrase, mid idone, where Mid
prep, governs i-done pa. pple. of Do v. The literal
sense is thus ' with this being done'.] Forthwith,
immediately.
c 1190 S. Eng. Lee. I. 468/226 He helpez bobe king and
kfxyuxt, be pouere alle mididone. c 1330 Art/i. If Merl. 4138
(Kolbing) pe cherl bent his bowe sone & smot a doke midi-
done.
Midil, Midilerth(e, Midiling, obs. ff.
Middle a., Middle earth, Middling a.
Miding, obs. form of Midden.
Midis, obs. form of Mids.
Mi'dlag. Antiq. [Source unknown: Meyrick's
explanation ' mid-leg ' cannot well be correct.] An
alleged name for a kind of tabard : see quots.
1824 Meyrick Ant. Armour II. 84 These long tabards
were peculiar to the English, being called midlags, because
as they were made in imitation of the surcoat, they reached
to the middle of the legs. i83o[E. Hawkins] Anglo-French
Coinage, This feeble monarch [Ric. II] is represented in his
state tabard or midlag.
Midland (mi-dland), so. and a. [f. Mid a. +
Land.] A. sb. The middle part of a country. Also
//. esp. applied to the middle counties of England ;
and, in hunting use, with narrower sense to the
champaign country including parts of the counties
of Leicester, Rutland, Northampton, Warwick,
Nottinghamshire, and Derbyshire.
1555 Eden Decades 320 The three sayde prouinces occupy
this mydlande of the worlde. 1612 Drayton Poly-olb. xiii.
1 Vpon the Mid-lands now th' industrious Muse doth fall.
.11637 B. Jonson Discov., De orationis dignitale. .Meta-
phora, As if.. a Gentleman of Northampton-shire, Warwick-
shire, or the Mid-land, should fetch all the Illustrations to
his countrey neighbours from shipping. 1684 T. Burnet
Th. Earth 1. ii. 13 If the Sea lie. .lower generally than the
shore, and much more than the mid-land. 1717 A. Hamilton
New Ace. E. tnd. II. 1. 216 The mid Lands seem very
mountainous. 1889 C. Edwardes Sardinia 340 The Sarde
midlands. 1898 Story 0/ Midlands 10 The Midlands are
rich in mineral wealth.
B. adj.
1. Situated in the middle of the land ; inland ;
remote from the sea. Midland counties (of
England) : the counties south of the Humber and
Mersey and north of the Thames, with the exception
of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Middlesex, Hertford-
shire, Gloucestershire, and the counties bordering
on Wales. The counties now forming the Midland
circuit (see Circuit si. 5) are Derby, Nottingham,
Lincoln, Leicester, Rutland, Northampton, War-
wick, Bedford, and Buckingham.
x6ox Holland Pliny 1. 40 In the midland parts far from
the sea. 1675 Ocildy Britannia (1698) 6 The chief Trade
[of Bristol] is manag'd from Wales, and the Midland-Coun-
tries. _ 1785 J. Phillips 'Treat. Inland Navig. p. vi, The
inhabitants of the Northern . . parts of England, would be
little acquainted . . with those of the mid-land parts. 1851
Stephens Bk. Farm I. 157 In use in Forfarshire and the
midland districts. 1878 t. S. Williams Midi. Railw. 8
Such was the origin of the Midland Counties Railway.
b. Belonging to the Midlands.
Midland dialect : (a) with reference to the ME. period,
the dialect (divided into East and West Midland) spoken in
the region between those of the ■ northern ' and ' southern
dialects ] ; in addition to the central parts of England this
region included South Lancashire, the Welsh borders,
Lincolnshire, and EastAnglia; [b) in A. J. Ellis's classifica-
tion of modern English dialects, the dialect of an area
extending from Wharfedale in Yorkshire to Stratford on
Avon, and from Chester to the Lincolnshire coast.
. ,837 Yovatt Sheep viii. 341 The Midland Long-woolled
Sheep.
2. = Mediterranean a. 2. Midland Sea, the
Mediterranean Sea.
1579 Fulke Heskius' Pari. 34 From the mid lande sea to
both the Oceans. 1683 T. Hoy Agathocles 3 Fruitful Italy,
The Pride, and Envy of the Mid-land Sea. 18x8 Byron Ch.
Har. iv. clxxv, The midland ocean breaks on him and me.
X853 M. Arnold Scholar-Gipsy xxv, O'er the blue Midland
waters with the gale, Betwixt the Syrtes and soft Sicily.
+ b. Of or pertaining to the Mediterranean Sea.
x66o R. Coke Pcnoer ff Sub/. 36 In lib. 3. cap. 4 he [Dio-
dorus] makes four kinds of Libyans to inhabit the midland
coasts about Cyrene and Cirtes.
Hence Mitllander, one who lives in the Mid-
lands ; Mi'dlandlze v. trans., to assimilate to the
Midland dialect; Mi'dlandward adv., towards
the Midlands.
x6ox Holland Pliny I. 91 Vpon whom ioine the mid-
landers, to wit, the Gaetulianders. X865 Kingsley Hemu.
xviii, The young earls went off— one midlandward, one
northward. 1879 T. F. Simmons in Lay Folks Mass Bk.
Introd. 58 The Northern form may have been copied me-
chanically by the scribe, although Midlandized in other
cases.
Midle, obs. Sc. f. Meddle ; obs. f. Middle.
Mid leg. [Mid a.]
1. The middle of the leg.
1590 Sir J. Smyth Disc. Weapons Ded. 10 b, Their
souldiors in their watches, .stoode to the mid legges in dyrt
and myre. 1748 Earthquake Peru iii. 259 A large Handker-
chief, which hangs down behind to the Mid-Leg.
b. Used advi. : To the middle of the leg.
1829 W. H. Maxwell Stories 0/ Waterloo I. 194 His
jockey boots. .were in the newest style ; the top. .was met
midleg by short tights of tea-coloured leather. 1878 H. S.
Wilson /f//t./)s<r(.«(iii.42Wearewadingmid-leg through it.
c. Comi., mid-leg deep, mid-leg high.
1771 Wesley frnl. 16 Mar., Snow . . lay mid-leg deep in
.. the streets. 1788 M. Cutler in Life, etc (1888) I. 404
We found fine feed in the road, clover mid-leg high. 1837
Hawthorne Twice-told T. (1851) II. ix. 131 A solitary pas-
senger is seen, now striding mid-leg deep across a drift.
2. Ent. One of the intermediate or second pair
of legs of an insect. Also attrib.
1816 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. III. xxxiii. 379 Pedes Inter-
medin (the Mid-legs). Ibid. III. xxxv. 5341'hefirst ormid-
leg segment is not nearly so elevated as that of the hind-legs.
Mid-lent. [Mid a.] The middle of Lent.
1470 Paston Lett. II. 394, I am halffe in purpose to com
home with in a monythe her afftr, or abowt Med Lente.
1517 Torkington Pilgr. (1884) i The ffryday a for mydlent.
1667-8 J. Breton in Willis & Clark Cambridge (1886) II. 706
It is possible he may be in London by Midlent.
b. attrii., in Mid-lent Sunday, the middle or
fourth Sunday in Lent.
c 1450 Godstow Reg. 194 At two termes in the yere.., that
is to sey, the Sonday of Sexagesymc . . , and on mydlent
Sonday. 15x7 Torkington Pilgr. (1884) 1 Midlente sonnday,
the xxij Day of Marche. 1613-4 Laud Diary 7 Mar., Mid-
Lent Sunday. I preached at Whitehall. 1837 Penny Cycl.
VIII. 31/2 Saturday after Midlent Sunday.
tMidlenten. Ois. [f. Mid a. + Lenten.]
= Mid-lent. Chiefly in Midlenten Sunday.
1377 Langl. P. PI. B. xvi. 172 panne mette I with a man
a mydlenten sondaye. 1513 Bradshaw St. Werburge 11.
1600 On sonday in mydlenton the viii houre. 1538 Aber-
deen Reg. XVI. (Jam.), Betuix this & Sonday mydlentrene
nixt to cum.
Midlenting (midle-ntitj), vil. si. [f. Mid-
lent + -ingI.J The custom of visiting parents
and giving them presents on Mid-lent Sunday.
1710 Wheatly Bk. Com. Prayer (ed. 3) 225 The Appoint-
ment of these Scriptures upon this Day [Midlent-Sunday],
might probably give the first Rise to a Custom still retain'd
in many Parts of England, and well known by the name of
Midlenting or Mothering.
Midler, obs. comparative of Middle; obs. f.
Middler.
Midlerd, Midlert, var. forms of Middle-erd.
•rMidless, a. Obs.
Having no middle.
[f. Mid si. + -less.]
1591 Sylvester Du Bartas I. i. 343 An un-beginning,
midlesse, endlesse Ball [sc. the World].
Midlest(e, obs. superlatives of Middle.
t Mi'dlike, adv. Ois. [f. Mid si. + -like.]
Moderately.
X375 Barbour Bruce in. 71 He set ensample thus mydlike.
t Mid-lying, vil. si. Ois. [f. Mid adv.- +
Lying vil. si.] Adultery.
C1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 13 Unrihte luue is hordom and
mid-liggunge be men drigen bi-twenen hem.
t Mid man. Obs. [Mid <j.]
1. A mediator, umpire.
1646 R. Baillie Anabaptism (1647) 17 In this accomoda-
tion these mid men proceeded so far. 1654-5 — Lett. <$■
Jrnls. (Bannatyne Club) III. 179, 254, 296.
2. A man-midwife.
1706 Baynard in Sir J. Floyer Hot ff Cold Baths II. (1709)
345 The Mid-men have so far consented to this fatal and
pernicious Practice as never to. .forbid it.
Midmast, obs. form of Midmost.
t Midmeasnre, v. Obs. [f. Mid adv. +
Measure v.] trans. To divide in the middle.
1578 Banister Hist. Man vil. 90 This reduplication . . of
Pleura, is in this place, called Mediastinum, because it mid-
measureth the brest.
Midmest(e, obs. forms of Midmost.
Midmore, -morewe, var. ff. Midmorbow.
Mid morn. Themiddleofthemorning; 9a.m.
a 1225 Ancr. R. 24 Also vrom Prime vort mid morwen
hwon pe preostes of oe worlde singeS hore messen. 13..
Gaw. ff Gr. Knt. 1073 Cum to bat merk at mydmorn. i486
Bk. St. Albans Ciij, Yeue the hawke therof eueri day at
mydmorne and att Noone. 1876 Lanier Clover 5 The mid-
morn empties you of men.
t Midmorrow. Obs. Also 4 midmor(e)we,
mydmorw, 5 mydmor(o)we, mydmore, myde
morroo. [f. Mid a. + Morrow.] = Midmorn.
13.. 5. Eng. Leg. in Archiv Stud. neu. Spr. LXXXII.
308 To mydmorw, vndrin & mydday. X3.. Seuyn Sag.
(W.) 1626 The stiward made moche sorewe, Til hit were
half wai midmorewe. c 1430 Hymns Virg. (1867) 83 At
mydmore y lerned to go, And plaied as children doon in
strete. 1496 Dives ff Paup. (W. de W.) ix. xi. 363/1 For
thou woldest not helpe me as I badde the, therfore as this
daye mydmorowe thou shalt dye.
D. attrib., as midmorrow day, tide.
c 1330 A rth. Ij- Merl. 7982 (Kolbing) pis was in time of
May, Ri;t aboute midmorwe day. 136* Langl. /'. PI. A.
11. 42 In middes on a Mountayne at Midmorwe tyde Was
piht vp a Pauilon.
Midmost (mi'dmonst), a. and adv. Forms:
I midmost, middemyst, 3 mydmest, 3-4 mid
meste, 4 mydemyst, mydmest(e, 5 midmast,
6 midmest, 7- midmost. [OE. midmest, formed
with suffix -est on WGer. *tniddjumo- (OHG. in
mittamen in the middle), OTeut. *miijumo- (see
Middenerd) :— Indogermanic *medhy>mo- (Skr.
madhyamd), superlative of *medhyo- Mid a.
OE. had also a synonymous medemest, formed with suffix
•est on OTeut. mmettumo- (Goth, tniduma, OHG. metatn-
in compounds ; cf. metami, OE. medume, medemt : — *mea*-
vmjc-, moderate) : — Indogermanic "medh?mo-, a superlative
formed directly from the root *medh-.'\
A. adj. 1. That is in the very middle, with regard
to position, age, etc.
c 1 coo Sax. Leeehd. III. 1x2 panne sceal hym man Ueten
blod on ban earme on ban middemyste sedra. 1397 R. Glouc.
(Rolls) 685 pre dojtren bekingaddebe eldost het gornorille
pe midmeste het regan. c 1375 Cursor M. 10023 (Fairf.)
The mydmest bayly of b« thre Bytokenyb wele hir chastite.
1587 Reg. Privy Council Scot. IV. 205 Thai, .hes dismem-
bent him. .of the haill twa midmest fingaris. 1663 Cowley
Verses Stv.^ Occas., Christ's Passion iii, My greedy eyes
fly up the hill, and see Who 'tis hangs there the midmost of
the three. 1697 Dkyhen sEnei.t x. 1083 Proud Mezentius
. . rush'd into the Plain, Where tow'ring in the midmost
Ranks he stood. X7X6 Pope Iliad vm. 270 High on the
midmost bark the king appear 'd. 1882 Farrar Early Chr.
I. 308 He [Philo] compares it [the Word of God] to the
midmost branch of the golden candlestick.
b. aisol. The midmost part, the middle.
138a Wyclip Matt. Prol. 1 In the whiche gospel it is pro-
fitable to men desyrynge God, so to knowe the first, the
mydmeste, other the last, that [etc.]. 1865 Palgrave
Arabia I. 102 A huge parallelogram, placed almost diago-
nally across the midmost of Arabia. 1865 Swinburne
Dolores 333 From the midmost of Ida. 1905 Edin. Ret>.
Oct. 367 We are made to feelthe young girl's enjoyment.,
even in the midmost of her grief.
2. In partitive concord : The middle or midst of.
1807 J. Barlow Columb. vil. 420 Where York and Gloster's
rocky towers bestride. .Virginia's midmost tide. 1885-94
R. Bridges Eros fy Psyche Oct. xvii, She sank Silently
weeping on the temple stair, In midmost night. 1887 Bowen
Virg. /Eneid 11. 329 High in the midmost city the horse
pours forth from its side Warriors armed.
3. Most intimate.
1846 Hawthorne Mosses I. i. 19 It comes flowing softly
through the midmost privacy.
B. adv. In the middle or midst.
X700 Dryden Pal. 4- Arc. m. 536 The king goes midmost.
1800 Coleridge Piccolom. v. iii, Then midmost in the battle
was I led In spirit. 189a ' M. Field ' Sight 4- Song 13 Mid-
most of the breeze.
b. prep. In the middle or midst of.
1870 Morris Earthly Par. Introd., Midmost the beating
of the steely sea. 189a Lo/igm. Mag. Aug. 397 It stands
midmost a marsh-country.
MIDNIGHT.
425
MIDS.
Midnight (mi'dnait), sb. Forms : a. see Mid
a. and Night; in I inflected midder, mid(d)re,
middyre niht(e ; 0. i midderneeht, 3 midder-
niht(e. [OE. midnikt — MDu. midnacht, midde-
naeht, OHG. mittinaht (MHG. mitnahl), Sw.
midnatt (ON. had a derivative form, midnxtli ;—
*mi#jonahtjom), f. Mid a. + Night. OE. had also
the syntactical combination midde niht, frequently
occurring in the dative as middre niht ; this in-
flected form survived into the 13th c. ; it corre-
sponds to Du. middernacht, G. mittemachtj which
from the 14th c. have been used in all cases.]
1. The middle of the night ; 12 o'clock at night.
a 900 tr. Bxdds Hist. iv. x. (1890) 286 t>a ongon heo
semninga on midde neaht cleopian baem be hire bexnodon.
C950 Lindisf. Gosp. Luke xi. 5 Sua huelc iuer haefeo friond
& gae5 to him aed middernaeht [etc.]. a 1000 Phoenix 262
JEt middre nihte. c 1200 Vices <y Virtues 125 Alswa we!
onbuten mid-niht alswa on mid-dai;. c 1205 Lay. 15943
jElche middernihte heo bigunneS to fihten. a 1225 Leg.
Kath. 1748 Ha wenden from hire, abuten be midniht. 138a
Wyclif Jndg. vii. 19 Gedeon wente in . . into a part of the
tentis, bigynnynge the watchis of the mydnyjt. 1413 Pilgr.
Sotvle (Caxton)v. xiv. (1859)81 Sodenly the belle gan sowne
the hour of mydnyght. 1533 Coverdale Matt. xxv. 6 At
mydnight there was a crye made. 1603 Shaks. Meas./or
M. iv. ii. 67 Tis now dead midnight. 1667 Milton P. L.
ix. 58 By Night he fled, and at Midnight return'd From
compassing the Earth. 1716-46 Thomson Winter 202 As
yet 'tis midnight deep. 1813 Shelley £>. Mabv. 146 Specks
of tinsel, fixed in heaven To light the midnights of his
native town ! x88« Pebody.£«£. Journalism xix. 143 There
are not many subjects upon which, if he takes up his pen at
ten o'clock, he cannot by midnight turn out a chatty and
readable column for the next morning.
2. transf and fig. Intense darkness or gloom ;
a period of intense darkness.
'593 B, Barnes Parthenophil Sonn. xxiii. inArb. Garner
V. 352 Her forehead's threatful clouds from hope removed
me, Till Midnight reared on the mid-noctial line, c 1665
Mrs. Hutchinson Mem. Col. Hutchinson (1885) I. 99
When the dawn of the gospel began to break upon this
isle, after the dark midnight of papacy. 1781 Cowper
Charity 376 Philosophy, .. while his province is the reason-
ing part, Has still a veil of midnight on his heart. 1879
Farrar St. Paul (1883) 182 It was the darkest midnight of
the world's history.
f 3. slang. Mother midnight (see quots.). Obs.
x6oi F. Hering ./*»«/. 11 One while hee playeth the Apo-
thecarie, other whiles serueth in stead of Mother Midnight.
a 1700 B. E. Diet. Cant. Crew, Mother Midnight, a Mid-
wife (often a Bawd). 1715 Mrs. Centlivre Gotham Elect.
Wks. 1872 III. 180 [To the Midwife] And you too, Mrs.
Midnight ; kiss me, you old Jade you — .
4. attrib. passing into adj.
a. Of or pertaining to midnight, occurring at
midnight, meeting at midnight.
1390 Gower Con/. II. 260 That was ate mydnyht tyde.
1634 Milton Comus 103 Mean while welcom Joy, and Feast,
Midnight shout and revelry. 1698 [R. Ferguson] View
Steles. 32 The fittest and best Qualified Candidate to be
A Midnight Gold Gatherer or an Emptier of Houses of
Office. 174a Young Nt. Th. vn. 1244 Survey this Midnight
Scene. 1815 Chron. in Ann. Reg. 70 About fifty armed
men came . . and swore all the inhabitants to be faithful to
the new system enacted by the midnight legislators of this
country[j<r. Kilkenny]. 1851 Longp. Gold. Leg.w. Refectory,
Are you such asses As to keep up the fashion of midnight
masses ? 1905 IVestm. Gaz. 26 Sept. 7/3 The mishap occurred
to the midnight train from Liverpool-street to Norwich.
b. Dark as midnight.
1601 Weever Mirr. Mart. D 8 Whilst there I lie in
midnight-dark immur'd, My friends emblazoned forth mine
injurie. 1664 Butler Hud. 11. ii. 770 It is an Antichristian
Opera Much us'd in midnight times of Popery. 1755 Young
Centaur 99 Dungeon them in midnight Dens of Fraud and
Destruction. 1855 Browning Bp. Blougram's Apol. 253
What 's midnight doubt before the dayspring's faith? i860
Hawthorne Marble Faun xi, In all that labyrinth of mid-
night paths.
5. attrib. and Comb.,v& midnight-shrouded, -woven
adjs.; midnight appointments U.S. politics,
appointments made during the last hours of an ad-
ministration ; specifically, those so made by Pre-
sident John Adams(CV«/. Diet.); fmidnight cart,
a cart for carrying away night soil ; midnight oil,
usedy^. in phrase to burn (etc.) the.midnight oil, to
sit up or work after midnight ; midnight sun, the
sun as seen in the Arctic regions at midnight.
1698 J. Collier Immor. Stage 204 To present Nature
under every Appearance would be an odd undertaking.
A *Midnight Cart, or a Dunghil would be no Ornamental
Scene. 1635 Quarles Embl. 11. ii. 33 Wee spend our
mid-day sweat, our *mid-night oyle ; Wee tyre the night in
thought ; the day, in toyle. 1744 Shenstone Elegies xi, I
trimm'd my lamp, consum'd the midnight oil. 1882 Serjt.
Ballantine Exj>er. iii. 32, 1 cannot say that I burnt much
midnight oil. 1857 Dufferin Lett. High Lat. (ed. 3) 316
The nights were even brighter than the days, and afforded
Fitz an opportunity of taking some photographic views by
the light of a ^midnight sun. 1810 Associate Minstrels 76
Then desolation's *midnight-woven pall Shall m one sable
fold envelope all.
t Midnight, v. [f. Midnight sb,'] trans. To
plunge into midnight darkness.
16*7-47 Feltham Resolves 1. lxi. 187 Of all objects of
sorrow, a distressed king is the most pitifull; because it
presents most the frailty of humanity : and cannot but most
midnight the soule of him that is falne.
t Midnighting, vbl. sb. [Formed as prec. +
-INO 1.] ? The coming (of a star) to the meridian.
Vol. VI.
I 1570 Dee Math. Pre/ d iiij b, By foreseing the Rising,
[ Settyng, Nonestedyng, or Midnightyng of certaine tem-
| pestuous fixed Sterres.
Midnightly (mrdnsitli), a. and adv. [f. Mid-
night sb. + -ly.] a. adj. Taking place at mid-
night, or every midnight, b. adv. Every midnight.
1836 Eraser's Mag. XIV. 107 'The Highflyer *.. rushed
midnightly through a village about nine miles distant. 1873
Leland Egypt. Sketch Bk. 194 To this day he may be seen
midnightly. .counting the graves and waiting his turn.
f Mid-noctial, a. nonce-wd. [hybrid f. Mid
■ a. + -noclial in Equinoctial.] Belonging to mid-
night.
1593 [see Midnight 2].
Midnoon (midn«n : stress variable), [f. Mm a.
' + Noon.] Midday; noon.
1580 Lyly Euphues (Arb.) 442 The Gentlewoemen in
Greece and Italy, who begin their morning at midnoone.
1667 Milton P. L. v. 311 Seems another Morn Ris'n on
mid-noon. 17*5 Watts Logic 11. v. § 7 They can tell pre-
cisely., what Altitude the Dog-star had at Midnight or
Midnoon in Rome. 183a Tennyson CEnone 91 It was the
deep midnoon. a 1864 Hawthorne Amer. Note-Bks. (1879)
I. 157 Far towards midnoon.
b. transf. and fig.
1814 Wordsw. Excurs. vi. p. 305 The approved Assistant
of an arduous course P'rom his mid noon of manhood to old
age! x86o Ld. Lytton Lucile 11. n. i. 27 A man of your
years, At the midnoon of manhood, with plenty to do.
c. attrib. passing into adj. Of or pertaining to
midnoon ; occurring at midnoon.
1804 J. Grahame Sabbath (1808) 64 Here nature in her
midnoon whispers speaks. 1805 Socthey Madoc in IV. VI,
From early morning till the midnoon hour.
Mid-off. Cricket. [Short for mid-zvicket off: see
Mid a. 6.] A fieldsman on the off-side, in front of
the batsman and near the bowler. Also the place
where this player stands.
i88x Daily Neius 9 July 2 He was badly missed at mid-off
from a very easy chance by Cave. 1894 Times 23 May 7/3
Davidson, .hit the ball into the hands of mid-off.
Mid-on. Cricket. [Cf. prec] A fieldsman on
the on-side, in front of the batsman and near the
\ bowler. Also the place where this player stands.
1881 Daily Neivs 9 July 2 Routledge was neatly caught
■ by mid-on running in at 194. 1888 A. G. Steel Cricket
' (Badm. Libr.) 208 On a true hard wicket we never like to
see a captain putting his mid-on or short-leg close to the
batsman, to field what is called ' silly ' mid-on. 1891 W. G.
: Grace Cricket 265 Mid-on is one of the easiest places in the
! field.
t Midovernoon. Obs. [f. Mid a. + Over
prep. + Noon.] The middle of the afternoon.
(In quot. a 1300 app. used by mistake for Mid-
overundern, which is the reading of other MSS.)
1297 R. Glouc (Rolls) 7302 Fram anon amorwe uorte mid
ouer non, |>e bataile ilaste strong. Ibid. 7487 Fram bat it
was amorwe be bataile ilaste strong Vorte it was hei mid-
ouernon, & bat was somdel long, a 1300 E. E. Psalter
xxxvi. 6 And he sal lede als light bi rightwisnes, And als
mid over-none [Wyclif, as mydday] pi dome bat es. c 1400
Laud Troy Bk. 10673 He was two hundred mennes ban, —
Or it was passed myd-ouer-none.
fig. ^1430 Hymns Virg. (1867) 84 At vndren to scole y
was sett. .At mydday y was dubbid kny5t. .At hi} noon y
was crowned king.. At mydouernoony droupid faste, Mi lust
& liking wente away.
t Midoverundern. Obs. [f. Mid a. 4- Over
prep. + Undern.] ? Midday.
a 1300 E. E. Psalter xxxvi. 6 He sal lede bi rihtwisnes als
liht, And bi dome als midoverunder briht. a 1400-50
A lexander 3853 pus rajt he fra bis reujr be many ruse waies
To it was meten to be mere to myd-ouir-vndorne.
Mid place.
f 1. A place in the middle. Obs.
a 1300 Cursor M. 21539 Vnto be tun bar pai baa tre, J>ar
war bai don als in mide place, c 1400 Maundev. ( 1 839) xxviii.
280 In mydd place of that vale, vnder a roche, isanhedand
the visage of a deuyl bodyliche. 1610 Healey St. Aug.
Citie o/God 350 The mid-place is neither the highest nor
the lowest. 1658 W. Burton /tin. Anton. 131 In the mid-
place between, the River Dee runnes along.
2. dial. (See quot.)
1871 C. Gibbon Lack 0/ Gold xv\, Entering the door there
was an apartment on each side, a ' mid-place '—that is, a big
cupboard.
|| Midrash (mi'draef). Also 7 med-, midrasch.
PI. midrashim (midrajfm). [Heb. ©-itd mid-
rash * commentary* (2 Chron, xxiv. 27, Revised
Version 1884), f. root izm to investigate, search.]
An ancient Jewish homiletic commentary on some
portion of the Hebrew scriptures, in which free
use was made of allegorical interpretation and
j legendary illustration. Also, the mode of treat-
'■ ment characteristic of this class of commentaries.
16x3 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 192 Mardochseus (saith
their Medrasch) sucked the breasts of Hester. 1625 T. God-
win Moses <$■ Aaron (1641) 28 The Disputer. He insisted
upon allegories, and searched out mysticall interpretations
of the Text. Hence himselfe was tearmed Darschan, and his
exposition, or homily, Midrasch. 1878 Schiller-S2inessy
in Academy 28 Dec. 606A It [the Yalqut\ saved a goodly
number of the smaller Midrashim. .fromperishingaltogether.
1879 Farrar St. Paul (1883) 5DI A happy Rabbinic midrash
on the non-muzzling of the ox that treadeth out the corn.
Hence Midrashic a.$ of or pertaining to the
Midrashim ; of the nature of midrash.
1874 Deutsch Rem. 403 Midrashic literature.
Midred (mi-dred). Obs. exc. dial. Forms :
1 midhridir, -hritfre, -hry'8(e)re, 5 mideredet
midredyn, mydred(e, -rid, -ryde, 6 midridde,
Se. modereid. Also 9 dial, midred, middrit,
etc. (see E.D.D. and Jam.). [OE. midhridre
(:— OTeut. type *midjohriprjom), f. midd Mil) a.
+ Jire6er inward part ; = OKris. mithridriy
midrithere, midrilh, midrede.] The diaphragm,
midriff. Sometimes misused for Midgern.
C725 Corpus Gloss. (Hessels) I 44 Ilia, mid hridir, nio3an
weard hype, a 1100 Voc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 293/5 Omentum,
midhriSre. < 1335 Gloss IV. de Bibbesw, in Ret. Ant. II. 78
Miderede, li gist rate. 14.. Nom. m Wr.-Wiilcker 678/5
Hec dia/ragma, a mydrede. c 1450 St. Cuthbert (Surtees)
2388 With half be mydrid of a swyne. 1483 Cath. Angl. 239
A Midredyn {MS. A. mydryde), ..omentum. 1535 Stewart
Crou. Scot. II. 432 Livar and lungis, modereid and melt.
1570 Levins A/anip. 1 16/10 Y'- midridde, diaphragma.
Midrefe, obs. form of Midriff.
Midriasis, obs. form of Mydriasis.
Midrib (mi'drib). [f. Mid a. + Rib.]
+ L In phrase mid-rib deep, up to the middle of
the ribs (of a horse). Obs.
1696 Phil. 'Trans. XIX. 350 Nets trailed on the Ground by
two Horses, one goeth Mid-rib deep into the Sea. 1807
P. Gass yrnl. 236 A north branch.. is 40 yards wide and
was mid-rib deep on our horses.
2. Bot. A principal rib continuous with the
petiole extending through the central part of the
blade of a leaf.
1776-96 Withering Brit. Plants(cd. 3) II. 91 Scales spear-
shaped, skinny, yellow, with a green midrib. 1794 in Martyn
Lang. Bot. 1884 Bower & Scott De Bary s Phaner. 445
The petiole and midrib of the leaves.
3. Bee-keeping (see quot.).
1884 Phin Diet. Apiculture Introd. 13 The word midrib
has been used to denote the septum or partition between
the two sheets of cells which are found in every comb.
Midribbed (mi-dnbd), ppl. a. Bot. [f. Mid-
rib + -ed L\] Having a midrib.
1776-96 Withering Brit. Plants (ed. 3) III. 326.
Midridde, obs. form of Midred.
Midriff (midrit). Forms: 1 midhrif, midrif,
4-6 mydryf, 5 mydrof(e, mydrif, myddereffe,
5-6 mydryrT(e, 6 middryfe, midrefe, mydd-
reffe, mydryfe, 6-7 midrif: f)e, 7 middrift,
6- midriff. [OE. midhrif, f. middi»Un a.-rhrif
belly, Riff. Cf. OFris. midref]
1. The diaphragm. To shake, tickle the midriff:
said of what causes laughter.
c 1000 Sax. Lecchd. II. 278 Hwilum onginne5 of bam
midhrife se is betweox ba?re wambe & ba^re lifre. c 1400
Lan/rancs Cirurg. 148 He [sc. the cesophagus] declineb
into be ynnerepartie til bat hepeerse boru^ be mydrif. C1440
Promp. Pari>. 337/1 Mydryf of a beste,. .dia/ragma. i486
Bk. St. Albans E viij, In the mydref that callid is the
rondell also. 1533 Elyot Cast. Helthe (1541) 49 The
entrayles, which be underneth themyddreffe. 1:1550 Lloyd
Treas. Health A viij, A wounde in the braynes, hert, midrife,
..or lyuer is deadly. 1596 Shaks. 1 Hen. IV, in. iii. 175
There's no roome for Faith, Truth, nor Honesty, in this
bosome of thine : it is all fill'd vppe with Guttes and Midriffe.
1613 M. Ridley Magn. Bodies 28 An Aequator, or middle
fence, that divideth the whole body in the middest between
the two Poles, like a Middrift. 1641 Milton Re/orm. 11.
Wks. 1851 III. 67 We would burst our midriffes rather
then laugh. 1725 Bradlky Earn. Diet. s. v. Oesophagus, It
..passes through the Midriff. 1831 Lamb Elia Ser. 11.
Neivsp. 35 Yrs. Ago, That conceit.. still tickles our midriff
to remember. 1847 Tennyson Princess 1. 198 A sight to
shake The midriff of despair with laughter.
Comb. 1884 Tennyson Becket m. iii, Many midriff-shaken
even to tears.
f 2. transf A partition. (Cf. diaphragm.) Obs.
1660 Boyle Neiu Exp. Phys. Mech. Proem 12 In the
midst of which frame, is..nail'd a board,. .which may not
improperly be call'd a Midriff. 1766 ComJ>l. Farmer s. v.
Ventilator, A square box. .in the middle of which is placed
a broad partition, or midriff, made to move up and down,
fb. Applied as a term of contempt. Obs.
1600 Dekker Shoomakers Holiday Wks. 1873 1. 13 Wi/e.
Seuen yeares husband? Eyre. Peace Midriffe, peace, I
know what I do, peace. Ibid. 19 [Eyre.] What Nan, what
Madge-mamble-crust, come out you fatte Midriffe-swag-
belly whores.
Midryde, obs. form of Midred.
Mids, sb., adv., and. prep. Forms : 3-6 myddes,
4 mides, mydis, -ys, 4-6 myddis, 4-7 middes,
5-6 middys, mydds, 5-7 middis, 6 mydes,
myds, Sc. middiss, 6-7 midds, 7 Sc. midis,
6- mids. Also 7-9 Sc* (in senses 2 and 3) midse.
[ME. middes, evolved from the advs. in-middes,
on-middes (see Ix-mids and Amidst) which are
altered forms of OE. in middan, on middan
(where the prep, regularly governs the dative of
midde sb. or of the wk. neuter adj. : see Mid a.
and sb.). The alteration is due to the analogy of
td middes in the middle (see To-mids), where to
governs the genitive as in some other phrases.]
A. sb.
1. The middle, middle part or point ; the midst.
Chiefly in phrase in (the) mids {of). Obs. exc. Sc.
(see E.D.D.)-
1340 Hampole/V. Consc. si02t>ar-for Crist sal sytte bar bat
day, Onence be myddes of erth bus for to say. c 1375 Sc. Leg.
Saints xix. (Cristo/ore) 14 Of his lyf al be begynnynge, & b«
MIDS.
426
MIDST.
mydis, & als be endynge. 1375 Barbol'r Bruce xv. 167 Syne
with his baneris hardely I'Hie] myddis of the toune he tais.
1377 Langu P. PI. B. 11. 184 Anci thus fals and fauel fareth
forth togideres. And Mede in be myddes and alle bise men
after. .1400 Destr. Troy 1548 The walle..of marbill was
most fro be myddes vp, Of diuers colours. 1449 in Cat.
Proc. Chanc. Q. Eliz. (1830) II. Pref. 55 The beames shullen
be in brede atte myddes xij inches and in thiknesviij inches.
c 1450 Holland Hmvlat 1 In the myddis of May. 1530
Palsgr. 245/1 Myddes parte of a channel!, le fit dune
riuiere. a 1533 Ld. Berners Gold Bk. M. Aurel. (1546) I,
A spyder that is in the myddes of her webbe. 1536 R.
Beerlev in Four C. Eng. Lett. (1880) 35 Sume cum to
mattens begenynge at the mydes, and sume when yt ys
allmost done. 1544 in Willis & Clark Cambridge (1886) I.
213 In breadythe in the mydds Fyftye and fyve Foote.
1548-9 (Mar.) Bk. Com. Prayer, Communion, The Priest
standing humbly afore the middes of the Altar. 1564
Harding Answ. yetuel'w. 122 King Dauid thought it very
vnfitting. .that. .the Arke of God was putte in the myddes
of skynnes, that is, of the tabernacle. 1611 Bible Luke
iv. 30 He passing thorow the mids of them. Ibid. 35 When
the deulll had throwen him in the middes. i6ai Ainsworth
Annot. Pentat., Gen. xxiv. 22 (1639) 92 A weight called in
Hebrew bekagh, which signifieth cleft or cut in the mids.
1641 Hinde y. BruenxW. 129 A man who knew right well.,
what it was that did make a mans face to shine in the mids
of his own house and in the Congregation.
f 2. A means. Obs.
1320.9/. Papers Hen. VII f, II. 32 Wetruste. .of this your
hard and goode begynning shall folowe a better myddes.
15. . 1st Bk. Discipl.Ch. Scot. (1621) 7 4 Heuseththeministery
of men, as the most necessary middes for this purpose. 1616
J. Maitland Apol. Maitland of Let hington in Scot. Hist.
Soc. Misc. (1904) 200, I hoip that my father his dealings sal
appeir s'mcer. .& his endis & midis lauful & honest. 1646
R. Baillie Lett. $ Jrnls. (Bannatyne Club) II. 355 Your
debates about the midses mak the end among your hand
to be lost, a 1658 Durham Exp. Rev. 11. iv. (1680) 129
A sinful midse for attaining an end. 1710 Wodrow Corr.
(1843) I. 144 This is the midse [method] that is fallen upon at
present to prevent rents.
3. A mean between two extremes ; a middle
course, a compromise. Obs. exc. Sc.
'553 Kennedy Compend. Tract.'m IVodr. Soc. Misc. (1844)
143 Betuix thir twa extremiteis geve it plesit God that the
myddis sulde cum furth, apperandlie it wer ane gret ease.
1582-8 Hist. Jas. VI (1804) 172 Quhair they conferrit lang
with the Lordis upoun the xxi day of May for sum articles
of peace, bot neuerconcludit any midds. 1637-50 Row Hist.
Kirk (Wodr. Soc.) in The Assemblie laboured to take a
mids in the mater. 1700 W. Stewart Collect. Worship. Ch.
Scot. 244 Temperance is the Golden Mids between Absti-
nence and Intemperance. 1720 T. Boston Fourfold State
(1797) 238 1'here is a mids betwixt omitting duty and the
doing of it as thou dost it. 1 1875 W. Alexander Sk. Ain
Folk xii. 67 There's a midse i' the sea, ye ken, an' it is not
wisse-like to gae sic len'ths.
t4. attrib. and Comb.', midsfinger, the middle
finger; midsman, (a) a mediator; (b) in Ireland
= Middleman* ; mids-world, = Middle earth.
c 1250 Gen. % Ex. 42 Do bad god wurSen stund and stede,
Dis middes werld 5or-inne he dede. 1483 Cath. Angl. 239/1
pe Middis fynger, medius degiius [sic], a 1662 R. Baillie
Lett. (1775) II. 401 Mr. Blair and Mr. Durham appeared
as mids-men [ed. Bannatyne Club midmen: see Midman].
1801 Ann. Beg. 23 What has been the main cause of the
wretchedness of the Irish and the Highlanders of Scotland ?
The midsmen of the former, and the tacksmen of the latter,
t B. adv. In the middle or midst. Obs.
c 1407 Lydg. Reson <$• Sens. 5197 And myddysofthesoote
herbage Ther be bestys eke savage, c 1430 — Min. Poems
(Percy Soc.) 12 Middes above, in ffulle riche aray, Ther salt
a child offbeaute precellyng.
t C. prep. In the middle of. Obs.
a 1400 50 Alexander 1061 pan metis him myddis be way
was meruale to sene, A hert. CX475 Partenay 5779 Thys
wonderfull and meruelous best ne out on ey hath middes
theforehed. c 1611 Chapman Iliad xvin. 549 To end which
two begun (Mids all) a song.
t Mids, v. Obs. [f. Mids sb.] trans. To take
a middle view of.
1693 Stair Instil, n. i. § 41. 177 Tribonian midseth the
matter thus.
Mid-sea. The middle of the sea, the open sea.
1582 Stanyhurst sEneis in. (Arb.) 73 Thee Creet He in
mydseas dooth stand too Iuppiter hallowd. 1667 Milton
P.t L. vii. 403 Shoales Of Fish that with thir Finns &
shining Scales Glide under the green Wave, in Sculles that
oft Bank the mid Sea. 1853 G rote Greece 11. Ixxxiv. XI.
123 A gentle and steady Etesian breeze carried them across
midsea without accident or suffering. 1871 R. Ellis tr.
Catullus Ixiv. 167 He rides far already, the mid sea's
boundary cleaving.
b. attrib. quasi-****/.
JS79 J- Stubdes Gaping GulfD vj b, When it was not
yet enlarged with hir Italian dominions and midsea lies.
1897 Kipling Captains Courageous viii, 153 Three boats
found their rodings fouled by these reckless mid-sea hunters.
Mid-season.
f 1. The time in the middle of the day; noon.
1610 Shaks. Temp. 1. ii. 239 Pro. What is the time o' th*
day? Ar. Past the mid season.
2. The middle of the season.
1902 Eliz. L. Banks Newspaper Girl 166, I was wearing
my new Paris hat, which, as it was mid-season, I had bought
for eighteen shillings and sixpence.
attrib. 1882 Garden 14 Jan. 30/3 A mid-season house con-
taining mixed kinds may now be started in the usual way.
1889 Daily News 22 Oct. 6/1 A few really tasteful and
appropriate mid-season dresses.
Midship (mi-djlp). Naut. [f. Mid a. + Ship.]
The middle part of a ship or boat.
1555 Act 2 <V 3 Ph. <y Mary c. 16 § 7 Any Wherry. .which
shall not be..iv. Foot and a Half broad in the Midship.
a 1618 Raleigh Royal Navy 33 It is a great weakening to
a ship to have so much weight.. at both the ends, and
nothing in the Mid-Ship. 1865 J. H. Ingraham Pillar of
Fire (1872) 31 A singer that stood upon the bridg« across
the mid-ship.
b. The rower who sits in the middle of a boat
1897 Mary Kingsley W. Africa 173 Midship backed and
flapped like fury.
C. Comb. : midship beam (see quots.) ; midship
bend, = midship frame ; midship body (see
quot.) ; midship frame, that timber or frame in
a ship which has the greatest breadth ; midship
port, a porthole in the middle part of a ship.
1692 Capt. Smith's SeamatCs Gram. 11. xv. 122 The
breadth upon the *Midship-beam 20 foot, c 1850 Rudim.
Navig. (Weale) 95 The Midship-Beam is the longest beam
of the ship, lodged in the midship frame, or between the
widest frame of timbers. 1805 Shipwright's Vade-M. 117
*Midship-bend or frame, that bend which is called Dead-
Flat. 1875 Knight Diet. Mech. s. v. Midship-bend, When
the middle of the ship has a portion of a uniform cross-section,
such is called the *midship body. 1769 Falconer Diet.
Marine (1780) C 2 b, The most capacious of these represents
what is called the * midship frame. 1836 Marrvat Midsh.
Easy xxx, Two of the *midship ports of the antagonist were
blown into one.
Midshipman (mi*djipm?en). [f. prec. + Man.
So called because stationed 'amidships when on duty.]
1. In the navy, the designation of a rank inter-
mediate in the line of promotion between that of
naval cadet and that of the lowest commissioned
officer (i. e. in the liritish navy that of sub-
lieutenant, in the U.S. navy that of ensign).
[1626, 1627 : see midships-man s. v. Midships.] 1685 Lond.
Gaz. No. 2054/3 Mr* Littleton, and.. Mr. Brisbane, both
Midshipmen Extraordinary. 1701 Luttrell Brief Rel.
(1857) V. 100 Her lieutenant and 2 midship men killed.
1769 Falconer Did. Marine (1780), Midshipman, a sort
of naval cadet, appointed by the captain of a ship of war, to
second the orders of the superior officers. 1855 Mrs. Gaskell
North A> .S". xiv, How well he looked in his midshipman's
dress. 1900 W. Baikd Gen. Wauchope ii. 33 Midshipmen's
amusements and practical jokes are proverbial.
2. U.S. 'A batrachoid fish, Porichihys margari-
talus : so called from the rows of round luminous
bodies along the belly, like the buttons of a naval
cadet's coat' (Cent. Diet.).
1882 Jordan & Gilbert Syuop. Fishes N. Amer. 751
Porichthys porosissimus — Midshipman.
3. Comb. : midshipman's butter, the Avocado,
Persea gratissima ; midshipman's half pay (see
quot.); midshipman's nuts, broken pieces of
biscuit as dessert (Smyth Sailor's Word-bk. 1867).
1866 Treas. Bot. 867/1 Persea gratissima.. .They contain
a large quantity of firm pulp possessing a buttery or mar-
row-like taste, and are hence frequently called Vegetable
Marrow or *Midshipman's Butter. 1871 Kingsley At Last
ii, Avocado, or Alligator pears, alias midshipman's butter,
c 1851 — Lett, A> Life (1877) I. 277 ^Midshipman's half-pay
(nothing a-dayand find yourself).
Hence Midshipmanship, the office or position
of a midshipman.
1789 Cowper Let. (in Pearson's 76th Catal. (1894) 16), I
. -rejoice with thee that thou hast succeeded in procuring
a midshipmanship (there's a word for you) for the poor
young man in question. 1857 Chamb. Jrnl. VIII. 103 He
was undergoing the preliminary ordeal of midshipmanship.
Midshipmite (mrdjipmait). A sailor's per-
version of Midshipman. (Adopted by humorous
writers as suggesting Mite sb.)
1833 Marrvat P. Simple viii, One of them ere mid-
shipmites. x868 W. S. Gilbert Bah Ball., Nancy Bell, A
bo'sun tight, and a midshipmite. 1880 Theatre Jan. 39 As
for the Midshipmite, he creates a roar whenever he struts
across the deck.
Midships (mi'djips), sb. and adv. [App.
aphetic for Amii>shii>s, though appearing earlier
in our quots.] A. sb. The middle part of a vessel
either with regard to her length or breadth.
i6j6 Capt. Smith Accid. Yng. Seamen 7 In a fight the
Forecastle is his [the Lieutenant's] place, to make good ; as
the Captaine doth the halfe decke ; and the quarter Maisters
the midships. 1705 Lond. Gaz. No. 4116/3 Only her Hull
from the Taffrill to the Midships remained above Water.
1762-9 Falconer Shipxvr. 11. 901 Both stay-sail sheets to
mid-ships were convey'd.
b. Comb.-, f midships man = Midshipman.
i6»6 Capt. Smith Accid Yng. Seamen 2 His Mates are
onely his Seconds, allowed sometimes for the two Mid-
ships men. 1627 — Seaman's Gram. xiii. 61 Midships men
see the tops and yards well manned.
B. adv. = Amidships.
1838 Civ. Eng. <V Arch. Jrnl. I. 384/2 Clear beam mid-
ships.. 32 ft. 185a H. W. Pierson Missionary Memorial 145
On retiring, we stopped midships to sing a hymn of thanks-
giving. 1883 Law Times Rep. XLIX. 332/2 The Clan
Sinclair with her stem took the port side of the Margaret
abaft midships.
Mid-side. [Mid «.] The middle of the side.
c :aH Bestiary 622 In water $e sal stonden, In water to
mid side, a 1300 Body A> Soul in Map's Poems (Camden)
338 Forth was brou^t there, with a bridel, A corsed devel
als a cote.. With a sadel to the mid side, c 1470 Henry
Wallace vii. 991 Wallace selfT, at mydsid ofTthe toune, With
men of armys thai was to bargane bown. 1581 Burne
Disput. 107 Sua that sence thay are al enterit in thescheip-
fauld of Christ, nocht be the dur bot be the midsyd of the
house, it is [etc.]. 1651-7 T. Barker Art of Angling (1820)
17 The fish may He up to the mid-sides in the liquor.
Comb. 1794 Wedge Agric. Chester 55 The cheese, .is then
taken and placed midside deep in brine.
Mid-sky. [Mid a.] The middle of the sky.
1634 Milton Comus 957 Com let us hastej the Stars grow
high, But night sits monarch yet in the mid sky. 1667 —
P. L. vi. 314 Two Planets rushing from aspect maligne Of
fiercest opposition in mid Skie. i860 Hawthorne Marble
Faun (1879) II. iii. 37 Out of the mid-sky.
attrib. 1807 J. Barlow Columb. i, Thro all the midsky
zones, to yon blue pole, Their green hills lengthen.
Midst (midst), sb., adv., and prep. Forms :
5 medeste, 5-7 myddest, 5-8 (9 arek. rare)
middest, 6 middeste, mydst, 7 middst,
midd'st, midest, 8 mid'st, 6- midst. [First
appears in the 15th c. as middest. Prob. two
different formations have been confused : (1) an
extended form of middes, Mids, with the excrescent
(euphonic or analogical) / as in amongst, against,
whilst, and the dialectal onst for once, nicest (nsist)
for nice; (2) an absolute use of the superlative
Middest a.] A. sb.
1. The middle point or part; the centre, middle.
Obs. or arch.
a 1400-50 Alexander 5396 He saje a dym cloude Full of
starand sternes and sti^tild in be myddest A grete grysely god.
c 1440 Alphabet of Tales 455 He was at pe myddest of be
hrygg. c 1489 Caxton Blanchardyn liv. 208 Subbion in the
middest, and Blanchardine the hindmost. 1517 Ace. Bk.
W. Wray in Antiquary XXXII. 214 King James .. about
the middest of march tooke his p'gresse towards Scotland.
1570-6 Lamuarde Feravib. Kent (1826) 197 Hee died before
he had brought the worke to the midst. 1588 Kvd Househ.
Phil. Wks. (1901) 250 Ierusalem. .is in the midst of our
Hemysphere. 1592 Timme Ten Eng. Lepers Fj, I will but
touch three parts: to wit, the beginning, the middest, and
the end. 1654 Earl Monm. tr. Bentivoglio*s Wars Flanders
210 About the midst of January, a 1661 Fuller Worthies,
Shropsh. (1662) in. 1 This Shire being almost in the middest
of England. 1671 H. M. Erasm. Colloq. 319 If thou open
the black stone Cyamea, thou shalt find a bean in the midst.
1695 Dryden Dufresnoy"s Art Painting Pref. 44 One Play
..where there is nothing in the First Act, but what might
have been said or done in the Fifth ; nor any thing in the
Midst, which might not have been plac'd as well in the
Beginning or the End. a 1894 Stevenson Tales and Fanta-
sies, y. Nicholson (1905} 76 He was not past the midst of
the first field.
2. The position of being in the interior of,
involved or enveloped in, or surrounded by (some-
thing, or a number of things or persons, specified
or implied). Now almost exclusively in the
phrase in the midst of (formerly also + among the
midst of), chiefly in the senses: Among, amid,
surrounded by (a number of things or persons) ;
while fully engaged with, ' in the thick of (occupa-
tions, troubles, etc.); during the continuance of
(an action or condition').
?rtX5oo Chester PI., Saint. $ Nativ. (Shaks. Soc. 1843)
113 And one his breste written also Thelandes naimes and
goodes bouth too, And sette also in the medeste [E. E. T. S.
ed. p. 127, myddes] of thoe, God of Rome righte as a kinge.
1535 Coverdale Luke iv. 35 And the deuell threw him in
the myddest [1611 middes] amongethem. 1548-9 (Mar.) Bk.
Com. Prayer, Burial of Dead, In the myddest of lyfe we
be in death. 1558 Knox First Blast (Arb.) 12 A woman
sitteth crowned in parliament amongest the middest of men.
a 1586 Sidnev Arcadia 1. (1590) 58 While you were in the
middest of your sport. 1606 G. W[oodcocke] Hist. Ivstiue
xxxii. 109 In the midest of the battel). 1611 Bible Dent.
iv. 12 And the Lord spake vnto you out of the midst of the
fire. 163a Lithcow Trav. vi. 270 In the middest of all this
hurley burley. 163a Sanderson Serm. 315 To plucke thee
out of the middest of a froward and crooked generation.
a 1658 Cleveland Rustick Rampant Wks. (1687) 445 Made
his Way with his Sword alone.. into the middest of their
Troops. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 153 p6 In the midst
of an adventure. 1818 Shelley Rosal. A> Helen 860 In the
midst of a city vast and wide. 1849 Macaulay Hut. Eng.
iii. I. 289 Armies . . were kept up in the midst of peace. 1863
Geo. Eliot Romola 11. i, From the midst of those smiling
heavens he had seen a sword hanging. 1887 Bowen Virg.
jEneid 111. 104 Crete, in the midst of the waters lies. Mod.
In the midst of his enormous labours, he has found time
to [etc.].
f b. To have in the midst [ = L. in medio
relinquere] : to leave undecided, abstain from
giving an opinion on.
1625 Gill Sacr. Philos. 1. 107, 1 leave it in the middest, till
further proofe of the truth be made.
C. With a possessive, usually of plural pronoun,
(*/*) our j your% their midst.
This use is scarcely found before the 19th century ; the
solitary example from the 16th c. does not prove that it was
current. Cf. in her middes' ( = in their midst) Apol. LolL
(c 1400) 12.
c 1586 C'tess Pembroke Ps.cxxxv. iv, Not sohisdreadfull
showes he ceas'd, But did them still in ./Egipts mid'st renew.
1794 C.John in Southey Life A. Bell(iB^) 1. 205 If we then
could have had our dear Dr. Bell in our midst, our pleasures
and improvements would have been greatly heightened.
1811J J. Montgomery in Chr. Psalmist (1828) 414X0, in
their midst his form was seen, The form in which He died.
i86iKRYCE Holy Rom. Emf. xi. (1866)200 When, .his shield
[should] be hung aloft again as of old in the camp's midst, a
sign of help to the poor and the oppressed. 1867 W. L.
Newman in Quest. Reformed Pari. 119 Her vast and avail-
able coalfields, her iron mines, the energy of her people,
founded cities in her midst. 1869 J. Maktineau Ess. II.
133 The enduring light that broke out in their midst.
cL With omission of article, in midst {of). Now
only poet. {rare).
1590 Spenser F. Q. i. vii. s In middest of the race. Ibid.
1. ix. 10, 1 ever..ioyde to stirre up strife, In middest of
MIDSTREAM.
427
MIDWAY.
their mournfull Tragedy, a 1617 Bayne On Eph. (1643)
114 To reckon liim m middest of his dearest favorites.
1617 Janua Ling. Advt., That should haue brought thee
in midstafaireorchyard. 1861 Lytton&Fane Tannhiiuser
: 12 In midst, His worn cheek channell'd with unwonted tears,
The Landgrave. 1880 Watson Prince's Quest 63 There
towered In middest of that silent realm deflowered A palace.
% poet, with transposition of possessive adj.
1671 Milton Samson 1339 And in my midst of sorrow and
heart-grief To shew them feats.
f 3. A medium, middle course or term, mean.
Sc. Obs. Cf. Mids.
c 1610 Sir J. Melyil Mem. (1735) 19 Rather following the
Extremity than the right Midst, a 1649 Drumm. of Hawth,
Hist. Jas. II, Wks.(i7ii) 30 The majesty of a prince hardly
falleth from a height to a midst, hut easily is precipitated
from any midst to the lowest degree and station. 1678
R. Barclay Apol. Quakers vii. § 2. 202 They have laboured
after a Midst betwixt these two extreams. 1786 A. Gin
Sacr. Contempt. I. vn. ii. 158 There can be no proper midst
in a Soul, betwixt moral good and evil.
B. adv.
1. In the middle place. Only in Milton's phrase.
[Prob. to be regarded as a contracted form of Middest a.
used advb.]
1667 Milton P. L. v. 165 On Earth joyn all yee Creatures
to extoll Him first, him last, him midst, and without end.
1773 Burke Corr. (1844) I. 426 May God grant you every j
blessing. Remember Him first, last, and midst. 1854 De
Quincey War Wks. 1862 IV. 271 Every nation's duty first,
midst, and last, is to itself.
2. =' In the midst \ Const, of. poet. rare.
1675 N. Lee Nero iv. i, If I gaze long, I shall my nature
lose : Mid'st of my full carreer, I stop and muse. 1883
R. \V. Dixon Mano 1. vi. 16 And midst there was a goodly
chantry seen. 1885-94 R* Bridges Eros fy Psyc/ie June v,
The grassy plat 'M idst of her garden, where she had her seat.
C. prep. In the midst of ; t between. Commonly
written 'midst, as if aphetic for Amidst.
1591 Shaks. i Hen. VI, 1. ii. 24, I would ne're haue fled,
But that they left me 'midst rny Enemies. 1593 — Lucr.
566 And midst the sentence so her accent breakes, That twise
she doth begin ere once she speakes. 1667 Milton P. L. vi.
28 From whence a voice From midst a Golden Cloud thus
milde was heard. 1682 Creech Lucretius (r683) 77 The
peaceful Ox contains most parts of Air, Not subject unto
too much Rage, nor Fear, A temper, 'midst the Lion, and
the Deer. 1704 Pope Windsor For. 26 And 'midst the
desart fruitful fields arise. 1821 Shelley Adonais xxxi,
Midst others of less note, came one frail Form, A phantom
among men.
Midstream (mi:dstri"*m). [f.MiDtf. + Stream.]
The middle of the stream. Also_/%-.
c 1315 Grcenzuich Hosp. MS. Documents (P. R. O. Box 20,
bundle O, No. 12), En prinris a commenserede mydstreme
de Derwent. 1669 Dryden Tyrannic Love 11. i, The mid-
stream's his; I, creeping by the side, Am shoulder 'd off by
his impetuous Tide. 1735 Somerville Chase hi. 546 Down
the Mid-stream he wafts Along. 1827 E. Mackenzie Hist.
Newcastle II. 742 note, The midstream of the river, taken
at low water, is considered the boundary between the coal-
mines. 1849 E. B. Eastwick Dry Leaz'es 99 He was
obliged to have the boat kept in mid-stream. 1899 T. Nicol
Recent Archxol. fy Bibte ii. 94 We are brought into the
midstream of Biblical History.
attrib. t 1894 Outing (U. S.) XXIV. 452/2 On the mid-
stream side of the rocky islet, .the bank was eight or ten
feet high. 1905 Daily Chron. 13 Mar. 4/4 The ford would
land us on a mid-stream island.
b. Used advb.
1872 Tennyson Gareth $ L. ioisWhom Gareth met mid-
stream.
Midsummer (mi'dstfmai). Forms : see Mid
a. and Summer sb.; also, 3-5 missomer, 4
mesomur, misomere, myssomer(e, mysomer.
[OK. midsumor ; see Mid a. and Summer; cf. ON.
midsumar (Sw. midsommar, Da. midsommer),
MDu. midsomer, middesomer, middensomer (Du.
midzomer), mod.G. mittsommer. In OE. also as
two words, with inflexion of the adj.]
1. The middle of summer; the period of the
summer solstice, about June 21st.
a 900 ir. Bxda's Hist. v. xii. (1890) 425 Swasunnan upgong
bi<5 aet middum sumere. c 1055 Byrht/ertlCs Handboc in
Anglia {1885) VIII. 311 past ys on lyden solstitium & on
englisc midsumor. a 1113O.E. Chron. an. 1101 patomidde
sumeran ferde se cyng ut to Pefenesze. c 1290 Bcket 1693
in S. Eng. Leg. I. 155 A-^ein Midsomer it bi-ful. 1297
R. Glouc (Rolls) 10546 Subbe he nom iwis Winchestre
aboute missomer. 1389 in E'lg- Gilds (1870) 313 Every
person, .shalle pay, euery yere, fforhys ffeste, at Myssomere,
xij</. 141 2 Catterick C/i. Contract (Raine 1834) 11 Be
mysomer next. 1473 Warkw. Chron. (Camden) 6 At mysso-
mere, the Duke of Clarence passede the see to Caleis.
1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Cotnm. 153 His wyfe. .after aboute
Midsomer, ended her life there. 1596 Shaks. i Hen. IV,
iv. i. 102 Gorgeous as the Sunne at Mid-summer. 1625
N. Carpenter Geog. Del. 1. x. (1635) 223 Their longest day
at Midsummer is 24 houres. 17x4 Gay Sheph. Week iv. 27
At Eve last Midsummer no Sleep I sought. 1840 J. Buel
Farmer s Comp. 44 The crops may then mature before they
are injured by the intense heats of our mid-summers.
fig. -1450 Godstoiv Keg. 18 Bryng us mydsomer of
heuenly blys, I pray }ow, martyrs both, Paule and Iohn. ■
tb. Pkr. To have but a mile to midsummer'.
to be somewhat mad. (Cf. midsummer madness.')
c 1465 Eng. Chron. (Camden 1856) 92 Tho bestys that thys
wioughte to mydsomer have but a myle.
2. = Midsummer day, June 24th.
x530 Palsgr. 245/1 Mydsomer, la sainct Jehan. 16..
Robin I food $■ Pr. Arragou xix. in Child Ballads III. 148/2
'On Midsummer next', the damsel said, * Which is June the
twenty-four '.
3. altrib. and Comb., as midsummer-beauty, fair,
•night, -pomp, -quarter, -rose, -sunbeam, term,\-tide,
-time ; f midsummer ale, a festive gathering
held at midsummer; midsummer chafer U.S., a
beetle, Rhizotrogus solstitialis (Cent. Diet. i8yo) ;
midsummer daisy, Chrysanthemum Leucanthe-
mum (Prior Ptant-n. 1879) ; Midsummer Day,
the 24th of June, one of the recognized 'quarter-
days' in England; midsummer eve, f even, the
evening before Midsummer Day ; midsummer
games, festivities held at midsummer; midsummer
growth, a second start into growth after ceasing
(Jackson Bot. Terms 1900); midsummer mad-
ness, the height of madness (cf. midsummer
moon) ; midsummer men, Sedum Telephium, a
plant used by girls on midsummer eve to divine
whether their lovers are true ; f midsummer
moon, ?the lunar month in which Midsummer
Day comes ; sometimes alluded to as a time when
lunacy is supposed to be prevalent ; f midsummer
sights, rural dramatic performances at midsum-
mer; midsummer silver, the silver-weed, Poten-
tilla anserina.
1633 Makmion Antiquary iv, (1641) I 3, And now next
*Midsummer ale, I may serve for a fool. 1867 'Ouida'
C. Castlemaine (1879) 5 The country was in its glad green
*midsummer beauty, c 1000 Sax. Leechd. I. go Wi& lifre
sar ^enim on "midde sumeres da.-^ ba ylcan wyrte. 1297
R. Glouc. (Rolls) 10266 Alle pe bissopes. .pat ar missomer
day in to this londe come. 1359 in Eng. Gilds (187c) 07
On mesomur day. c 1425 St. Alary oj Oignies 11, x. in
Anglia VIII. 177/45 *r0 Pe annuncyacyone of oure lady
vnto myssomer-daye. 1556 Chron. Gr. Friars (Camden) 29
The mydsomer day followynge was his sonne crownyd Henry
the viij'h at Westmyster. 1710 Addison Tatter No. 221
P2 Upon Midsummer-Day last, as he was walking with me
in the Fields. 1426-7 Rec. St. Mary at Hilt 66 On *myd-
soiuer eve a dawber and his man...\iiij d. 1820 W. Ihving
Sketch Bk. II. 128 On Midsummer eve, when it is well
known all kinds of ghosts, goblins, and fairies, become
visible and walk abroad. 1904 F.din. Rev. Jan, 53 The
elderbush is cut on Midsummer Eve. 1352 Wynnere <y
Wastoure 166 in Part. Three Ages (Roxo. Club) 95 One
"Missomer euen. 1556 Chron. Gr, Friars (Camden) 16 On
mydsomer evyn [1433] the duke witli hys wyffe came to
London, c 1566 Scogiti's yests (Hazl.) 145 On a time about
*Midsummer faire, he.. went to Barnwell. 1577 B. Googe
Heresbach's Husb. 1. 6 b, The Fathers .. busied them
selues rather with Pageantes and *Midsommer games, then
with the Vineyard. 1601 Shaks. Tivel. N. 111. iv. 61 Why
this is verie *Midsommer madnesse. 175s Connoisseur
No. 56 P s, I likewise stuck up two *Midsummer Men,
one for myself, and one for him. Now if his had died
away, we should never have come together. 1877 W.
Jones Finger-ring 169 It was an olden superstition that
the bending of the leaves to the right or to the left of the
orpine plants, or Midsummer men, as they were called ..
would never fail to tell whether a lover was true or false.
1523 Fitzherb. Husb. § 124 Wede them clene in *myd-
somer mone. 1589 Marprel. Epit. (1843) 14 Whether
it be midsommer Moone with him or no. 1690 Dryden
Amphitryon iv. i, What's this? midsummer-moon! Isallthe
world gone a-madding? a 1350 Birth Jesus 641 in Horstm.
Altengl. Leg. (1875) 93 pe schorteste ni5t bat was bo, was
•missomerni^t. 1600 Shaks. ASY.L. iv. i. 1Q2 If it had not
been for a hot Midsomer-night. 1866 M.Arnold Thyrsisvii,
Soon will the high *Midsummer pomps come on. 1553-4 in
Swayne Santni Churchzv. Ace. (1896) 99 Wyllyam lobbe for
kepynge of the clocke for *mydsomer quarter xx d. c 1430
Lydg. MituPoems (Percy Soc.) 22 All start in chaunge like a
"mydsomer rose. 1577 B. Googe Heresbac/i's Husb^ 1. 16 The
husbandes. .spent their time rather in Maygames and "Mid-
sommer sightes, then with tylling the ground, or planting of
Vines, a 1697 Aubrey Nat. Hist. Surrey (1718) III. 62 In
this place [Lingfield, Surrey] the Inhabitants are very fond of
Ghirlands, or Garlands, made of "Midsummer Silver, a little
Herb, w,hich continues all the Year of a bright Ash Colour,
and have crowded the Church and their own Houses with
them. 1809 Manning & Bray Hist. Surrey II. 340 No
such customnow prevails (1808), nor do old people remember
it. The Midsummer Silver is common here. 1859 Geo.
Eliot A. Bede xii, Warmed by the "midsummer sunbeams.
1538 Ldi Treas. Ace. Scotl. (1905) VI. 430 Item, Charles
Geddes, in compleit payment of xl merkis for his fe of the
"mydsomer terme last bipast. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron.
(1810) 224 Fro "Midsomertide to be Apostle S. Thomas.
«375 Barbour Bruce x. 823 Gif at "Mydsummer tyme ane
;eir To cum, it war nocht with bata[i]ll Reskewit, than
[etc.]. 1601 Holland Pliny I. 45 The riuer Nouanus at
euery midsummertime swelles and runs ouer the bankes.
Midsummerish. (mi-dstfmarij), a. [-ish.]
Having the characteristics of midsummer.
1836 Mrs. Gore Mrs. Armytage I. 302 The days, long
and Midsummerish as they were, passed away.
Midsummery (mi ds^mori ,a. [f. Midsummer
+ -v.] Of or pertaining to midsummer.
1866 Motley Corr. (1889) II. 217 The weather has been
mid-summery. 1883 Century Mag. XXVII. 108 A species
of golden-rod with a midsummery smell.
tMid-terraneaivz. Obs. = Mediterranean.
1598 Svlvester Du Bartas 11. ii. ill. Colonies 86 North-
ward with narrow Mid-terranean Sea, Which from rich
Europe parts poor Africa.
t Midtholing. Obs. [f. Mid prep. + Thole
v. + -1NO l.l Compassion.
1340 Ayenb. 157 Ich ssel habbe pite and mid polyinge.
Midtime (mi-d,taim). [f. Mid a. + Time.] The
time in the middle (of the day, etc.).
1571 Golding Calvin on Ps. Iv. 17 The midtyme was
appoynted for theire Sacrifices. 1619 Drayton Bar. Wars
vr. Ixxiii, It being then the mid time of the Night. 1650^.
Metr. Ps. cii. 24 0 take me not away In mid-lime of my
dayes.
Midulert, variant of Middle erd Obs.
Midwald,-wall, var. ff. (in Diets.) of Modwall.
Midwall (mrd\v§l). Arch. [f. Mid a. + Wall.]
Used altrib. in midwall shaft, a shaft or baluster,
placed in the middle of the thickness of the wall,
in an early type of English belfry windows.
1880 Freeman in Macm. Mag. No. 246. 453, I doubt
whether a midwall shaft is to be found between the Avon
and Exmoor. 1893 C. Hodges in Reli'/uary j^n. 17 The mid-
wall shafts, which are slightly barrel-shaped, are ten inches
in diameter.
Xfti'dward, a., sb., adv. and prep. Forms : 1
middeweard (as sb. -wearde), -weerd, -ward,
-weard, 2 middewarfte, 4 mydwarde, />/.
myddwardis, 4-5 Sc. mydwart, 4-6 midwarde,
5 //. midwardis, 5-6 mydward, 4- midward.
[OE. ?niddeweard: see Mid a. + -ward. Cf. MDu.
m/ddeToaert. (The 1 2th e. form middewarde may
be a misreading for middcivardre dat. fern.)]
A. adj.
fl. In partitive concord : The middle of. Obs.
After OE. only preceded by in\ the definite article, when
used, was placed between the adj. and sb. In midward as
thus used has theappearance of being a prepositional phrase
governing the sb. : cf. Amidward, E.midward.
c 893 K. /Elfred Oros. n. vi. § r /Efter bajin Eufrate pa
ea, seo is ma^st eallra ferscra wxtera, & is irnende J'uih
middewearde Babylonia bur?;. CI175 Lamb. Horn. 43 Seo3-
|>an he him steawede and stude inne midde-war5e belle.
a 1300 Cursor M. 655 Bot yhon trc cum bou nawight to, pat
standes in midward paradis. '/t 1315 K. Horn 590 (Laud.
MS.\ Ich sal do pruesce, For be lefwyt schelde, In midtr-
ward be felde. 1340 Ham pole Pr. Consc. 6319 'Als a litid
spark of fire ', says he, 'In mydward be mykel >^e, Right swa
alle a mans wykkednes Un-lo be mercy of God es \
2. Occupying the middle. Obs. exc. arch.
a 1300 Cursor M. 9921 (Cott.) J>e midward heu es bat
i mene. c 1375 Hid. 764 (Fairf.) Of al be trees [we etc] bot
of ane, be midwarde tree ys vs out-tane. 1876 MoKRIS
Sigurd (1877) 2 The midward time and the fading, and the
last of the latter days.
fB. sb. The middle, the middle part. Obs.
c 1000 Ags, Ps. xxi. 15 (Lamb.) On middeweardan innobes
mines in medio ventris mei 1303 K . Brunne Handl. Synne
9664 God ys shapper of alle pyng, He wote be mydwarde,
and be endyng. X375 Bakhouk Bruce in. 682 Ane ile. .may
weill in mydwart be Betwuix Kyntyr and Irland. (71400
Beryn 2759 In mydward of this gardyn slant a feire tre.
c 1450 Lovelich Grail xl. 550 But as In the Midwardis,
vndirstonde bou here, that wbanne he Cam to his Middyl
Age, he wax A man bothe sad and Sage, t 1470 Henry
Wallace vi. 503 Als mony syne in the mydwart put he.
1505 in Mftn. Hen. VII (Rolls) 231 The fashion of her no.-.e
is a little rising in the midward. c 1550 R. BiBSTON Bayte
Fortune Bjb, Yf thou were in Terns in midwarde of the
sande.
T C. adv. In the middle. Obs.
c 1470 Henry Wallace v. 920 Off kyn he was, and Wallace
modyr ner, Off Craufurd syd that mydward had to ster.
D. prep. In the middle of. Obs. exc. arch.
a 1300 Cursor M. 1032 Midward bat land a wel springes.
1817 Scott Harold v. ii, Midward their path, a rock of
granite grey From the adjoining cliff had made descent.
Mid-water, [f. Mid a. + Water sb.] The
middle portion of the water vertically, near neither
to the bottom nor the surface.
1653 Walton Angler xii. 183 Letting him [a minnow]
swim up and down about mid-water, or a little lower. 1816
Kirby & Sp. Entontol. xxii. (1818) II. 295 Some move in
midwater, either by the same motion of the legs as they
use in walking, or by strokes, as in swimming. 1905
Holman Hunt Pre-Raph. I. 69 Red-spotted trout poised
in mid-water.
attrib. 1868- Daily Tel. 5 June 5/1- It is the same with
herrings, cod, ling, and all the mid-water fish.
+ Mid waters, adv. Obs. [f. Mid a. + Wateh,
with advb. s.~\ In the middle of the waters.
a 1800 Coble o' Cargill vi. in Child Ballads IV. 35gBefore
that he was mid-waters, The weary coble began to fill.
Midway (mi'dw^, midw^), sb., a., adv. and
prep. [f. Mid a. + Way. Cf. MDu. middewech ;
also Da. midtvei.] A. sb,
fL The middle of the way or distance. Obs.
c 897 K. Alfred Gregory's Past C. H. 390 Donne bi5 5aH
swa swa Segor stod on midweje betweox 5a.*m muntum &
5aem merscum 5e Sodoma on was. la 1400 Morte Arth.
2682 Sir Wychere, Sir Walchere, theis weise mene of armes,
. .Mett himin the mydwaye. c 1400 Maundev. (1839) iv. 31
Fro Calabre or fro Cecyle to Akoun, be See, is 1300 Myles
of Lombardye. And the Ile of Crete is right in the myd
weye. 1586 T. B. La Primaud.Fr. Acad. I. 68Thestudie
of letters is. .so long and uneasie a journey, that they which
thinke to finish it, oftentimes staie in the midwaie. 1677
W. Hubbard Narrative (1865) I. 36 Newhaven. .seated
near the Midway betwixt Hudsons River and that of Con-
necticut. 1770 King in Phil. Trans. LXI. 256 She men-
tioned a very steep shelf, or descent, in the midway.
+ 2. A medium ; a middle course. Now rare.
'599 Shaks. Mitch Ado 11. L 8 Hee were an excellent man
that were made iust in the mid-way betweene him and
Benedicke. 1606 — Ant.fyCl. ut. iv. 19 No midway'Twixt
these extreames at all. a 1656 Br. Hall Rem. Wks. (1660)
168 Our sorrow must walk in a mid-way betwixt neglect and
excess. 1677^ Goz't. Venice 56 The Senat having chosen the
midway, which in great dangers, and doubtful, is always
the worst. 1847 Emerson Poems (1857) 39 Nor mount, nor
dive; all good things keep The midway of the eternal deep.
120-2
MID-WEEK.
B. adj.
1. Situated in the middle of the way, occupying
the middle, rare exc. poet.
1605 Shaks. Lear iv. vl 6 The Crowes and Choughes,
that wing the midway ayre Shew scarce so grosse as Beetles.
174a Young Nt. Th. ix. 1218 In Mid-way Flight Imagination
tires. 1879 Geo. Eliot Theo. Such 221 The midway parting
of his crisp hair. 1898 G. Meredith Odes Fr. Hist, 29 No
more at midway heaven.
2. fa. Medium, moderate. Obs.
1573 Tvrie Refut. Knox To Rdr., Als conuement to begyle
the simple reader, as to impesche and trauel men of gude
ingyne and midway knawlage, to cum to the'vnderstanding
of the veritie. 1596 Dalrvmple tr. Leslies Hist. Scot. vii.
43 He was of midway stature. 1675 G. R. tr. Le Grand's
Man without Passion 59, I confess that I understand not
that competent or midway knowledg by him found out.
b. Of an opinion : Mediating, rare.
1905 Jas. Orr Problem Old Test. ix. 327 The midway
theory advocated by Noldeke.
C. adv.
1. In the middle of the way or distance; half-way.
a n*5 Ancr. R. 412 A sunedei midwei bitweonen bet and
ester. 1577-87 Holinshed Chron. III. 1116/t Lithquo,
midwaie betwixt Sterling and Edenburgh. 1608 Shaks. Per.
v. i. 48 She . . would . . make a battrie through his defend parts,
which now are midway stopt. 1692 R. L'Estrance Fables
cxxxiii. 123 The Hare lay'd himself down about Mid-way.
1794 Mrs. Radcliffe Myst. Udolpho iv.The vapours floated
mid-way down the mountains. 1868 Miss Yonge Cameos
(1879) I. xxvii. 225 Midway in the strait he met the French
fleet. 1896 Howells Impressions <y Exp. 197 The band. .
playing in the afternoon midway of the long veranda.
2. fa. In a medium manner, tolerably. Obs.
1596 Dalrvmple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. 1. 117 Nathir sulde
ony mervel heirof, quhen na man, quha leiues bot midway
teinperat, in the tounes of Scotland, is nocht sune rich.
D. prep. In the middle of. rare.
185. Maury in Olmsted Journ. Cotton Kingd. (186OI.143
Norfolk [Virginia] is.. midway the coast. 1868 Swinburne
Ess. <T Stud. (1875) 374 A boat is moored, and women, .are
about to enter it : one is already midway the steps of the pier.
Mid-week. [f. Mid a. + Week. Cf. MDu.
middeweke, MHG. mittwoche (mod.G. Mitlwoch),
ON. midvika, Wednesday.] The middle of the
week. In Quaker language, a synonym for Fourth-
day or Wednesday.
1707 S. Sewall Diary 23 July, Midweek, visited Madam
Leverett. 1898 Daily News 10 Jan. 8/7 By mid-week
there was a good attendance on 'Change again.
b. attrib.
1706 S. Sewall Diary 27 Apr., He had aToothpuIl'd out
..on Mid-week night. 1883 J. Parker Apost. Li/e II.
35 Herein is a justification for mid-week meetings. 1898
Cycling 88 Two or more severe races on the Saturday, with
perhaps a mid-week meeting in between.
Midwife (mrdwaif ), sb. Forms : 4 medewife,
-wyve, meedwijf, midewyve, midwiif, myd-
wijf, -wyffe, 4-5 midwyf, 4-6 medwyf(e,
mydwife, -wyf(e, 5 medwif(e, myddewyffe,
mydewyf, mydwif, -wyff, 5-6 midwyfe, 6 raede
wif, meyd vyf, 4- midwife, [f. either Mid a. or
Mid prep, {adv.) + Wtife (in the older sense of
' woman ). On the former view the primary sense
would be ' a woman by whose means the delivery
is effected' ; on the latter view, * a woman who is
with the mother at the birth*. The latter seems
the more likely, though analogies are wanting for
this mode of formation. The Sp. eomadre, which
is sometimes quoted, is not to the point, as the
sense ' midwife ' is merely developed from that of
'gossip', originally ' fellow-(god)mother\ The
mod.G. beifrau, midwife's assistant, has also been
compared.
The early (but not earliest) form medezutfe seems to be due
to etymologizing association with Meed sb., as mede- does
not otherwise occur as a ME. variant of mid'. The collo-
quial pronunciation (mi'dif) is now seldom heard.]
1. A woman who assists other women in child-
birth, a female accoucheur.
1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 9633 pe prest askede be
mydwyfTe, 5yfc hyt were cristenede whan hyt hade lyffe.
a 1400 Maria Magd. 78 in Archiv Stud. neu. Spr. XCI.
219 In alle my grete sorowe of my trauail of childe thou
were to me amydwife. c 1^00 Art h.fy Merl. 1001 (Kolbing),
Ful glad was bo pe medwif And tok beo child al so blyue.
i486 Materials Hist. Hen. VII (Rolls) II. 65 Alice Massy
..medwif to our derest wif the quene. 150* Ld. Treas.
Ace. Scott. (1900) II. 47 Item . . to the mede wif, xlij s. 1549
Compl. Scot. xv. 129 His mother vas ane meyd vyf. 159s
Shaks. Rom. <y Jul, 1. iv. 54, 1 see Queene Mab hath beene
with you ; She is the Fairies Midwife 16x5 Crooke Body
of Man 269 Adde hereto theskilfull hand of the heads- woman
or Midwife as we cal them. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776)
II. 104 Women, in these circumstances, are said, by the
midwives, to be all mouth and eyes. 1839 Fr. A. Kemble
Resid. inGcorgia (18631 28 A ludicrous visit this morning
from the midwife of the estate.
f2. = Man-midwife. Obs.
1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Hnsb. in. (1586) 139 It be-
hooueth the shepehearde to be skilfull in medcening of his
cattell, and so cunning a midwife withal, as if neede require
he may helpe his Ewe. 1711 Swift Jrnl. to Stella 29 Apr.,
The Admiral is your Walker's brother the midwife. 1770
Phil* Trans. LX. 451 Mr. John Latham, Surgeon and
Midwife.
3. fig. One who or that which helps to produce
or bring anything to birth.
1593 Shaks. Rich. II, u. ii. 62 So Greene, thou art the mid-
428
wife of my woe, And BuIHnbrooke my sorrowes dismall heyre.
1658 Osbokn Adv. Son (1896) p. xxvii, There is another
piece of mine ready to peep abroad, but that Mr. Wood,
my Midwife, is so taken up with raising an estate in Ireland,
as he cannot attend the press. 1700 Dryden Pal. ty Arc.
11. 562 And Midwife Time the ripen'd Plot to Murder brought.
1771 Smollett Humph. CI. 10 June, Let. i, This midwife
of the Muses used exercise on horseback. 1883 J. T. Morse
Jefferson iii. (1885) 39 Jefferson, .had acted as undertaker
for the royal colonies and as midwife for the United States
of America.
+ 4. An effeminate man. Obs.
1596 Drayton MortimeHados T, No Apish fan-bearing
Hermophradite, Coch-carried midwyfe, weake, effeminate.
Midwife (midwaif), ». "Sow rare. Also mid-
wive. [f. Midwife sb.]
L trans. To act as midwife to.
1674 Brk.\wt Saul at Endorlv. 86 WruTst she is elsewhere
. . in a rich Abby M id-wiving an Abbess, whom her Steward
had unfortunately gotten with Child.
2. To help in bringing (a child) to the birth by
acting the part of a midwife. Also with out.
1638 Bp. H. King in Sandys Div. Poems To Author 34
This Child of yours, borne without spurious blot, And Fairely
Midwivd, as it was begot. 1653 in i'eruey Mem. (1894) III.
203 Madcapp saith though she sould you the mare, yett she
did not sell you the colt, therefore she laies her commands
on you, to midwife it out, and to tittle it upp. 1708 T.
Ward Eng. Ref. (17 10) 2 So Jove himself. .Bred in his
Head his Daughter Pallas, Whom Vulcan Midwiv'd [etc.].
1736 Ainsworth Lat. Diet. iv. s. v. Pallas, The daughter
of Jupiter's own brain,, .and midwived by Vulcan.
b. fig. To help in bringing to light or into being.
1647 Ward Simp. Cobler (1843) 6 That he might watch
a time to midwife out some ungracious Toleration for his
own turne. 17*5 Bailey Erasm.Colloo. 124, I have some-
thing runs in my Mind, and I'm with Child to have it out.. .
If it be a Dream, you shall be the Interpreters, or midwife
it into the World. 1829 Lam b Let. to H. C. Robinson 27 Feb.,
Expectation was alert on the receipt of your strange- shaped
present, while yet undisclosed from its fuse envelope...
When midwifed into daylight, the gossips were at a loss to
pronounce upon its species.
Hence M id wiring- vbl. sb.
1382 Wyclif Exod. i. 19 Thei forsothe han the kunnyng
of mydwyuyng [Vulg. ipsx enim obstetricandi habent
scientiam], 1750 Warblrton in IV. ff Hurd"s Lett. {1809)
47 Where was the Genius loci of the school when this
disaster happened ! perhaps in the office of Diana when
her Temple was a burning, gone a midwifing to some
Minerva of the brain.
t Mi'dwifely, a. Obs. [f. Midwife j£. + -LY1.]
Of or pertaining to a midwife.
1607 Markham Caval. 1. (1617) 25 With other such like
midwifely precepts, which I wish euery good breeder rather
to hazard then proue the experiment.
f Mrdwifer. (See quot.)
1825 D. D. Davis Elem, Midwifry 3 Julian Clement.,
was soon after appointed to the new and lucrative office of
Midwifer to the Princesses of France. 1828 M. Ryan Man.
Midwifery p. \\, Professor Davis, of the London University,
has proposed the term midwifer, for the word accoucheur.
Midwifery (mi'dwaifri, mi'dwifri, mi'difri).
Also 5 medewifry, 6 midwifrey, -rie, 6-8
midwifry. [f. Midwife sb* + -ery.] The art or
practice of assisting women in childbirth ; the
department of medical knowledge relating to this ;
obstetrics.
1483 Cath. Angl. 232/2 To be Medwyfe (MS. A. to do
Medewifry), obstetricare. 1570 Levins Manip. 105/10
Midwifery, obstetricium. a 1673 Caryl in Spurgeon Treas.
Dav. Ps, xxix. 9 He. .shows his midwifery in helping these
savage beasts when their pains come upon them. 1799 Med.
Jrnl. II. 191 Dr. Osborn and Dr. Clarke propose to begin
their lectures on the principles and practice of midwifery.
1845 McCulloch Ace. Brit. Empire (1854) II. 361 The
professors of Pathology, . . Midwifery, and Clinical Medicine,
receive no fixed salaries. 1900 H. G. Graham Soc. Li/e
Scott, in iBth C. xm. ii. (1901) 481 note, Midwifery was
practised entirely by women.
fig- x597 Pitgr. Parnass. 1. 35 What wisedom manic
winters hath begott Tyme's midwifrey at length shall bringe
to light, a 1707 Stepney To Earl of Carlisle 61 So hasty
fruits, and too ambitious flowers, Scorning the midwifery
of ripening showers,, .spring from th' unwilling earth.
b. attrib.
1791 T. Jones in Beddoes Calculus (1793) 30 Upon the
principle of Smellie's midwifry forceps. 1799 Med. Jrnl. I.
81 The midwifery-wards in the house. 1829 Gooch Acc.
Some Dis. Women 75 A general practitioner, in large mid-
wifery practice. 1884 M. Mackenzie Dis. Throat <$• Nose
II. 282 The ordinary midwifery forceps.
+ Midwifish, a. Obs. [f. Midwife^. + -ish.]
(See quot.)
^SS Johssok, Obstetrick, midwifish, befitting a midwife;
doing the midwife's office.
Midwinter (midwi-ntaj). [f.MiDa. +\Vintek.
In OE. found both as compound and as two words
with inflexion of the adj. Cf. OFris. midwinter,
MDu., MLG. mid-, middewinter. MHG. mitte-
winter (mod.G. mittwinter), ON. midr vetr. Sw.
midvinter."\ The middle of winter ; spec the
winter solstice, Dec. 21st, or the period about
that time. Also formerly applied to Christmas.
a 900 O. E. Chron. an. 827 Her mona abistrode on middes
wintres maesse niht. riooo Sax. Leechd. III. 164 jif seo
midwinter biS on wodnesda;^ bonne bi5 heard winter, c xsoo
Trin. Coll. Horn. 55 We auen forgult ure saules wille si5e
mid winter com hiderwardes and ouercumen it. 1*97 R.
Glolx. (Rolls) 7160 He sende after is barony at midewmter
mid him to be. la 1400 Morte Arth. 77 Whas neuer syche
noblay, in no manys tyme, Mad in mydwynter m tha weste
MIEN.
marchys ! 1590 Greenwood Ausw. Def. Read Prayers 25
You compel men to pray against thunder and lightning at
midd winter. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. 1. 319 Nor
cease your sowing till Mid-winter ends. 188a A. W. Ward
Dickens iii. 49 A journey across the Atlantic in midwinter
is no child's-play even at the present day.
b. attrib. and Comb., as midwinter month,
morning, snow, etc. ; f midwinter('s) day, Christ-
mas Day; f midwinter(,s) eve, even, night,
Christmas eve ; t midwinter('s) tide, Christmas
time.
X154 O. E. Chron. an. 1135, & halechede him to kinge ori
*mide-wintre-daei. c 1105 Lay. 22905 A midewinteres dsei.
1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) V. 19 Me scbulde synge bre
masses wib Gloria in excelsis a mydwynter day [orig. in festo
Natalis Domini], 1867 Freeman Norm. Conq. (18771 1, i'i-
71 On Midwinter-day, eight hundred years back. 1300-1400
R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) App. XX. 141 In be bridde
5ere of his crouning A * midewinteres eue to bedeforde hecom.
c 1420 Chron. Vitod. 4081 Gerleyne was bat monnus name
y-wys pe whiche in ^midwintrus-^evyn to bat chirche dude
gone. 1814 Wordsw. Excurs. V. 804 Three dark *midwinter
months. 1896 Atlantic Monthly Feb. 203 How well the rap-
ture of that frosty *midwinter morning is remembered.
c 1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 7 Swo abiden ure helendes tocume
bat neihlacheS nu8e fram dai to daie and bed on *mide-
wintres niht. a 1450 Myrc Festial 51 J?ys geanology bat ys
red yn mydwyntyr-nyght. 1877 TJkyant Sella 63 Two
slippers, white As the *midwinter snow, c 1030 Fid. Laws
of C nut Prol., On oWe haljan *midewintres tide. C1330
Amis $ A mil. 1887 It was mid winter tide.
C. quasi-adj. {fig.), cold as midwinter.
1870 Morris Earthly Par. III. iv. 29 Because youth and
maid Midwinter words of hope that day had said Before
the altars. 1884 Tennyson Becket 1. ii, Tis known you are
midwinter to all women.
Mid-winterly, a. [f. Midwinter + -ly1.]
«= MlD-WINTRV.
189a Pall Mall G. 16 Apr. 4/3 The thoughts of Londoners
..will naturally turn., to amusements more in accordance
with the mid-winterly temperature.
Mid- win try, a. [f. Mid winter + -y.] Of or
pertaining to midwinter.
185a Mundy Our Antipodes (1857) 4 At 3 p. m. of an Aus-
tralian nud-wintry but splendid day the anchor was dropped
in that snug little haven. 1900 Westm. Gaz. 27 Aug. 8/1
The stars last night were of a mid-wintry brightness.
Midwise (mrdwaiz), adv. [f. Mid a. + Wise
sb.] In a medium or moderate manner.
1889 J. Payne Alaeddin no They ceased not to live at
their sufficiency, midwise [betwixt rich and poorj, without
excessive spending or squandering.
t Midwonian. Obs. A midwife.
a 1300 Cursor M. 5543 Bremli command he and badd
Midwimmen be o be self land.
Mid world, fa. = Middle earth {obs.),
b. An intermediate * world ' (in various applica-
tions of the word).
c 1530 tr. Erasmus' Serm. Child Jesus (1901) 8 Who is of
wider imperye than he, whiche they in heuen magnifie, they
in helle trembleat, this mydde worlde humbly worshyppeth . . ?
1853 Lynch Selflmprov. iii. 61 Poetry is seen in him ; and
the mid world of feudality and chivalry shines around in a
light soft and lustrous. 1898 ll'estm, Gaz. 3 Dec. 3/2 The
sombre desolation of the mid-world between the snows and
the pastures.
Mid-year. [f. Mid a. + Year.]
■(■1. Midsummer. Obs.
inf& Leg. Saints xxv. (Julian) 446 |>e chyld semyt
ban fere mare clere pane is be sowne in myomere.
2. LT.S. Used attrib. in Alid-year examinations
(also Mid-years), the Harvard university examina-
tions held in the middle of the academic year (in
January).
1897 Howells Landl. Lions Head 216 He had reckoned
upon.. a dance after the Mid-Years. Ibid. 236 A large
party was given on the eve of the Harvard Mid-Year Ex-
aminations,
Midyl, obs. form of Middle sb.
Mieke, Mieknesse, obs. ff. Meek, -ness.
Mielch, Mielde, obs. forms of Milch, Milds.
Mieldew, obs. form of Mildew.
Miele, variant of Meal sb.z Obs.
Mielmesse, obs. form of Michaelmas.
Miemite (mai'emait). Min. [Named by
M. H. Klaproth {Miemit) in 1802, from Miemo
in Tuscany, its locality : see -ite.] A greenish
variety of Dolomite.
1819 Brande Chem. 225 Magnesium. A variety found at
Miemo, in Tuscany, has been called Miemite. 1843 Port-
lock Geol. 214 Miemite of a rich yellowish-green, or oil
yellow colour.
Mien (mfn), sb. Only literary. Forms: 6
men(e, 6-7 meane, 6-8 mine, 7 meine, 7-8
meen, mein, 7- mien. [Prob. orig. an aphettc
form of Demean sb. ; afterwards partly assimilated
in sense and form to F. mine, expression or aspect
of countenance, hence gen. look, appearance,
whence G. miene in the same sense.
The origin of F. mine is uncertain ; connexion with Rom.
minare (F. mener) to lead, is impossible. A Celtic origin
has been suggested: cf. Breton min muzzle, beak, Wel*h
min lip, Cornish «/«"«, men lip, mouth, Irish men mouth. J
The air, bearing, carriage or manner of a person,
as expressive of character or mood.
1513 Douglas sEneis vin. xi. 20 Lyk as he had dyspyt and
bostand men. Ibid. xn. Prol. 210 To hant bawdry and onlesum
mene. 1593 J. Eliot Fruits 167 He is an Alchymist by his
mine (F. mine], 1596 Sienser F. Q. vi. ix. ti Her rare de-
MIEN.
429
MIGHT.
meanure, which him seemed So farre the meane of shepheards
to excell, As that [etc.]. x6m J. Havward tr. BiondCs Era-
mtna 158 The Princesse, who had now converted her wid-
dowly meane into fresh teares of conjugal! affection. 1713
Steele Englishman No. 1. 2 It is a Jest. .to talk of
amending the Mein and Air of a Cripple. 1784 Cowper
Tiroc. 829 See. . Fops at all corners, lady-like in mien. 1865
Trollops Belton Est. v, He could assume a look and
mien that were almost noble. 1887 Ruskin Prxterita II.
174 Gordon's downcast mien did not change.
f b. transf. Appearance (of a thing). Obs.
,11641 Suckling Lett. Wks. (1646)60 Nothing, Madam, has
worse Mine than counterfeit sorrow. 1684 Burnet Th.
Earth I. 1. iii. 31 Then what can have more the figure and
meen of a ruine, than Crags and Rocks, and Cliffs. 1695
Woodward Nat. Hist. Earth 1. 18 Some. .had. .Metallick
or Mineral Matter. .insinuated into their substance. .so as
to disguise them very much, and give them a face and
mien extremely unlike to that of those Shells [etc,].
He. Expression (of the face). Obs. rare. [After
F. mine du visage.]
1680 H. More Apocal. Apoc. 196 The mien of his face
conjoyned with the posture of his body betrayed such a
pitch of veneration and worship, as [etc.]. 1697 Bentley
/Via/, xiii. 51 The same word is inverted to a new sense and
notion ; which in tract of time makes as observable a change
in the air and features of a language, as Age makes in the
lines and mien of a Face. 1699 Ibid. Pref. 96 Another
happy phrase, which he [Boyle] says, I have newly minted,
is the Meen of a Face ; which as he takes it, is much the
same thing with the Behaviour of a Look or the Carriage of
a Smile. . . Meen does not signifie behaviour, even when it's
spoken of the whole Person, but the Air and Look that
results from it.
d. Phrases (chiefly Gallicisms), f WUk full
mien, undisguised {obs.). f To make good mien
upon, to put a good face upon {obs,). To make (a)
mien to do or of doing (something), to pretend to
do or make a show of doing (something).
1649 G. Daniel Trinarch., Hen. IV, xlix, That Masque
put off, she comes in w*> full Meine. 1683 Temple Mem.
Wks. 1731 I. 457 The Court there were surpriz'd, .. but
made good Mien upon it, took it gently. 1711 Blackadkr
Diary 25 Jul}', The French made a mien to oppose us. 1851
Gallenga Italy 253 The Austrians made mien of holding
out to the last.
tMien, v. Obs. rare"1, [f. Mien sb.] refl.
To comport oneself (in a specified way). Cf.
Demean v.1 6.
c 1680 Beveridge Servt. (1729) I. 354 Methinks I see him
looking upon them, and miening himself as angry with them.
Miene, obs. form of Mine sb.
Mier : see Mire, Myer.
Mierie, -ness, obs. forms of Miry, -ness.
Mieu, Mieve, obs. forms of Mew, Move.
Miff (mif), sb. eolloq. and dial. [Pern, imita-
tive of an instinctive expression of disgust ; cf.
early mod.G. muff int. (also miff-muff), whence
muff sb., a manifestation of disgust (see M. Heyne
in Grimm s.v.).] A fit of peevish ill-humour; a
petty quarrel ; a huff, tiff ; esp. in phr. to get, have,
take a miff, + to take miff, to be in a miff.
1623 C. Butler Fern. Mon. v. (ed. 2) L iv, This is not to
be done, .lest some of the Bees take a miffe and goe home
again. 1726 Arbuthnot Let to Sivi/t 8 Nov., I gave your
service to Lady Harvey. She is in a little sort of a miff
about a ballad, that was wrote on her. 1749 Fielding Tom
Jones m. vi, When a little quarrel, or miff, as it is vulgarly
called, arose between them. 1821 Mrs. Nathan Langreath
1. 136, I should take miff every time I come into your house.
1825 J. Neal Bro. Jonathan L 374 If she should git another
miff, we'd never be able to appease her. 1844 Willis Lady
Jane 11. 716 Like ladies in a miff who won't explain ! 1854
De Quincey IVarWVs. 1890 VIII. 378 We have a French
anecdote . . which ascribes one bloody war to the accident
of a little 'miff1 arising between the king and his minister
upon some such trifle as [etc.]. 1894 T. Hardy Li/e's Little
Ironies (ed. 3) 232 'Twill cause 'em to kick up a bit of a
miff, for certain.
Miff (mif), a. rare. [f. Miff sb.] Out of
humour, offended {with).
The first quot. may belong to Miff v.
1797 Coleridge Sonn., To Simplicity, But should a friend
and I Grow cool and miff, O ! I am very sad ! 1802 W.
Taylor Let. to Southey 6 Feb. in Robberds Mem. I. 447
You are right about Burnett, but being miff with him my-
self, I would not plead against him in the least particular.
Miff (mif), v. [f. Miff sb.]
1. intr. To take offence with or at. Also transf.
of a plant, to miff off % to go off, fade.
1797 Lady A. Barnard Lett. (1901) 73 We wish to have
no quarrels and no miffs. They had wished to miff with
us, but we are so civil,. .they cannot make it out. 1879
Miss Jackson Shropsh. Word-bk., Miff, to take offence
hastily. ' 'E miffed at it direc'ly.' 1895 Ellacombe Glouc.
Garden xviii, Another alpine which is very apt to ' miff off'
if grown in the open border.
2. trans. To put out of humour. Chiefly in pa.
pple.
1824 Scott Redgauntlet let. xii, ' What needs she another
,.?' answered my Thetis, a little miffed perhaps — to use the
women's phrase — that I turned the conversation upon my
former partner. 1851 Mayne Reid Scalp Hunt. xxx. 230
1 No-o ', slowly drawled Rube, apparently ' miffed ' at being
thus interrupted.
Miffy (mi'fi), a. eolloq. and dial. Also 8 mifty.
[f. Miff sb. + -Y.] Liable to * take a miff* ; easily
offended. Also transf. of a plant.
a 1700 B. E. Diet. Cant. Crew, Mifty, apt to take Pet, or
be out of Humor. 1725 in New Cant. Diet. 1739 Cibber
Apol. (1756) I. 221 She mutter'd out her words in a sort of
mifty manner at my low opinion of her. 1810 Beresford
Bibliosophia, etc. 119 And very lucky it was, by the way
(considering how very miffy those Ladies are said to have
been). 1835-40 Haliburton Clockm. (1862) 126 Well, says
I, I'll tell you if you won't be miffy with me. 1850G1.ENNY
Hand-bk. EL Card. 220 This [Lotus Jacobxns] is rather a
delicate, or what is called a 'miffy 'plant, being liable to
damp off in winter. 1879 Miss Jackson Shropsh. Word-
bk., Miffy, apt to take offence; touchy. 1894 Blackmore
Perlycross 301 The slightest change of human weather is
inevitably fatal to our very miffy plant [sc. gratitude].
Hence Miffiness, the condition of being miffy.
1845 Ford Handbk. Spain 1. 84 We must never compare
the sensitiveness of the punctilious hidalgo with the vulgar
miffyness of the newly-enriched upstart.
Mig (mig). Obs. exc. dial. Forms : 1 micge,
migga, migge, 3 migge, 5- mig. [OE. micge
wk. fern., migga wk. masc. :— prehistoric *migfon-,
-on, f. *mig- wk. -grade of OTeut. *mtg- (OK.
migan, ON. miga) to make water, cogn. w. L.
mingtfre.] Urine ; or the drainings from manure.
Alsoy?^-.
c iooo Sax. Leechd. I. 354 Drince eft buccan micgan.
Ibid. III. 132, & his [sc. the man's] migga byb hwit. a 1225
Ancr. R. 402 And tet [sc. Greek fire] ne mei noSing bute
migge, and sond, and eisil, ase me sei5, acwenchen. <• 1400
Apol. Loll. 58 (>e swyn of vnclennes drownib himself in be
mig of lecherie. 1868 Atkinson Clez'eland Gloss., Mig,
liquid manure ; the fluid which runs away from the midden,
or from the stall drains of a cow-house, &c,
1 Migale. Obs. rare~l. [ad. L. mygale, ad.
Or. nvyaKi), f. fivs mouse + yaXtrj weasel.] A shrew-
mouse or field-mouse.^
1382-8 Wyclik Lev. xi. 30 Thes forsothe among polutid
thingesshulen be holde. .a mygal. 1398 Trevisa liarlh. De
P. K. xviii. Ixxv. (1495) 829 A fyrette hyghte Migale. 1609
Bible (Douay) Lev. xi. 30 The migale, and the camelean.
Mige, migge, obs. forms of Midge.
Mighel(T)mas, Mighill : see Michaelmas,
Michael.
Alight (mait), sb. Forms: 1 meant, maht,
mseht, meht, mieht, miht, 2-3 maht(e, meht(e,
3 m\8Dht(e, Ormin mahht(e, (3 mayht), 2-4
miht(e, 3 Ormin mihht, 3-4 migt^e, myht^e,
3-5 my5t(e, (3 mighte, 4 mit), 3-6 Sc. micht,
4-6 myght(e, St. mycht, (4-5mygth(e, 5 myhth,
6 miht, mighte), 3- might. See also M AUGHT,
to which some of the early forms above may
belong. [OE. miht, Anglian and Kentish mseht,
fern. = OS. maht (Du. macht), OIIG., MUG.
maht (mod.G. macht), Goth, mahts :— OTeut.
*ma//ti-z f. root *mag- to be able or powerful :
see May vA ON. had *mdlt-r:—*mahlu-z from
the same root, whence Maltcht ; the late Olcel.
maht fern., MSw. makt (mod.Sw. makt, magi)
fern., Da. magt are from German,
Outside Teut. a corresponding formation exists in OS1.
mostl (:-pre-Slav. *mokti-s).]
1. The quality of being able (to do what is
desired) ; operative power (whether great or
small). Const, inf. Obs. exc. poet.
971 Blickl. Horn. 31 For5on..he [sc. the Devil] nasnije
mente wid us nafab. c 1200 Ormin 2956 Drihhtin me 3ifeb
witt & mihht To forbenn wel min wille. 1297 R. Glouc.
(Rolls) 4853 panne vyjteb hii a^en vs, as moche as is hor
mi^te. a 1300 Cursor M. 26271 par-til has simple preist na
might .. wit-vten biscop ordinance. £1384 Chaucer H.
Fame 1. 41 Yf that spiritis haue the myght To make folke to
dreme a-nyght. ? 1464 Paston Lett, II. 171 Ze have no
myght, neyther power to absteyne and rewle yourself.
1500-20 Dunbar Poems xxxvii. 13 The knychtis. . Fell doun
as deid, afferit of his licht, Quhome to behald thay had no
grace nor mycht. 1606 Shaks. 7V. fy Cr. in. ii. 164 For to
be wise and loue, Exceedes mans might, that dwels with
gods aboue. 1850 Tknnyson In Mem. cviii, What profit
lies in barren faith, ..tho' with might To scale the heaven's
highest height. 1869 M. Arnold Urania, But our ignoble
souls lack might.
b. In various phrases ; esp. over might, beyond
one's powers ; + to lay might, to do one's utmost.
Obs. exc. in the phrase -with all one's might, with
all one's powers ; to the utmost of one's ability.
C1175 Lamb. Horn. 39 pu scalt sahtnien pa be beod uni-
sahte mid alle bine mahte. c izoo Ormin 945 Foll$henn
itt [hiss lare] A33 affterr jure mihhte. c 1275 Passion our
Lord in in O. E. Misc. 40 pu [Iudas] hit seyst. .and dest
al bine mihte. £1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 30/35 [They] duden
him harm bi al heore mighte. a 1300 Cursor M. 19625 It es
to be vte ouer might A-gain be stranger for to fight. Ibid.
26294 If- -bou haf oft-sith laid, might [c 1375 Fair/, done bi
mi^t] his wrangwis liuelade for to right. 1390 Gower Con/.
III. is6Cinichus. .A Somme which was over myht Preide of
his king Antigonus. c 1460 Towneley Myst. xv. 28 Tyll
egypp shall thou fare with all the myght thou may. 1500-20
Dunbar Poems x. 36 Be myrthfull now, at all 3our mycht.
1611 Bible Eccl. ix. loWhatsoeuer thy hand fmdeth to doe,
doe it with thy might. 1667 Milton P. L. iv. 346 Th' un-
wieldly Elephant To make them mirth us'd all his might.
1782 Cowper J. Gilpin 92 He grasped the mane with both
his hands, And eke with all his might.
c. As an attribute of impersonal agents : Power,
efficacy, virtue. Obs. exc. poet. \ Also in particu-
larized sense, a specific virtue or active property.
c 1000 Sax. Leechd. I. 126 j^enim bas ylcan wyrte heo of
sumre wundurlicre mihte helped. 1x175 Lamb. Horn. 47
For heo [sunne dei] haf5 mid hire breo wurdliche mihte.
c 1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 119 Fire haueSon him bre mihtes.
a 1300 Cursor M. 8454 Lerd he, Bath o tres, and gress fele,
Quil war bair mightes soth and lele. c 1386 Chaucer Sgr."s
T. 125 This mirrour..Hath swich a myght bat men may in
it see Whan ther shal fallen any Aduersitee. c 1402 Lydg.
Compl. BI. Knt. 87 The water was so holsome and vertuous,
Thurgh myghte of herbes growynge there beside. 1590
Spenser /*'. Q. 1. vii. 30 One pretious stone Of wondrous
worth, and eke of wondrous mights. 1599 Shaks. Hen. V,
II. i. 70 An oath of mickle might. 1600 — A. 1\ L. m. v.
82 Dead Shepheard, now I find thy saw of might, c 1600 —
Soil". Ivi, Appetite, Which but to-day by feeding is allay'd,
To-morrow sharpen 'd in his former might. 1820 SnELLr.v
Witch 0/ Atlas 177 Liquors, .whose healthful might Could
medicine the sick soul to happy sleep. — Hymn Merc, lxv,
I swear by these most gloriously-wrought portals (It is, you
will allow, an oath of might). 1832 Tknnyson Eleanore vii,
In thee all passion becomes passionless,. .Losing his fire and
active might.
•j-d. //. Active powers (of the heart, soul, brain,
etc.). The fivefold mights : the five senses. Obs.
c 1175 Lamb. Horn. 75 pe aide deouel blou on adam and
on eue. .swa bet heore lit-falde mihte honi wes al binumen.
r izoo Trin. Coll. Horn. 35 And bur-h bes fifealde gultes
forleas be fiffeald mihten be god him }ef. c 1340 Hampoi.e
Psalter xii. 6 When all be myght is of my hert ere raised in
till be soun of heuen. c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 3 Sibt* bei
my^ten. .ocupie al be myitis bobe of soule & body be pat
clene religioun. Ibid. 217 IJi pis glotonye. .bei. .lesen. .
iu>3ttis of be soule, as vnderstondynge, mynde & reson.
a 1400 Hvlton Scala Per/. (W. de W. 1494) 11. iv, Thenne
shall the soule receyue the hole and the full felynge of god
in all myghtesof it. 14.. Stockh. Med. MS. 11. 64 in Anglia
XVIII. 309 It comfortyth pe stoniak & mythys degestyf.
1450-1530 Myrr. our Lady e 191 Adam loued god wyth all
the myghtcs of hys harte. 1460-70 Bk. Quintessence 17 If
it..a-sende vp to be heed, it troublib alle be myitis of be
brayn.
T 2. Bodily strength (^reat or small). Obs.
1 1000 Sax. Leechd. II. 254 ^if h«eto obbe meht ne wyrne
I;t:t him blod. a 1250 Qtolff Night. 1670,8: wiltu, wrecche,wib
me vyhte? Na, nay, nauestu none Mihte. a 1300 Cursor M.
7090 He [Samson] had tuenti mens might. 1470-85 Maloky
Arthur VI. xiii. 203 Now by my feylhcl wylle preue sir
kayes myghte. 1500-20 Dunbar Poems li. 17 He is ane
mastyf, mekle of mycht. 1587 Mascali. Govt. Cattle, Horses
(1627) 102 Whereas a horse is weak in couering, so much
weaker shal the colt be in growing & might. 1601 Shaks.
Jul. C. n. iv. 8, I haue a mans minde, but a womans might.
1611 Bible Jcr. li. 30 Their might hath failed, they became
as women.
3. Great or transcendent power or strength ;
mightiness. Now somewhat. rhetorical.
a. As an attribute of God.
971 Blickl. Horn. 31 Forbon his miht bio a ece, his rice
ne biS Xewemmed. CI175 Lamb. Horn. 59 In eorSe in
heuene in his mahte. 1567 Satir. Poems Rejorm. iv. 23
And puir anis did pryse thair Maker of mycht. i6soScotch
Psalms xciii. iv, The Lord that is on high is more of
might by far Than noise of many waters is. 1781 Cowtkr
Conversat. 473 Fruits of his love and wonders of his might.
b. Of persons or living beings, nations, etc.,
with reference to bodily or mental power, com-
manding influence, military resources, extent of
dominion, etc.
a 900 tr. B&da*s Hist. 11. viii. [ix.] (1B00) 120 geweox
meaht eorSlices rices [of Eadwine]. 1297 R. Glouc (Rolls)
547 pes were as bre kinges & men of muchel mi3te. 1390
Gower Con/. III. 4 Ther mai nothing his [love's] miht
withstonde. a 1400 Pol. Ret. <•(■ L. Poems (1903) 262 Loue,
bou art of mikel mit. < 1400 Maundev. (Roxb.) xxvii. 126
He es a grete lord of my5t and of landes. c 1460 Fortkscue
Abs. A; Lim. Mon. ix. (1885) 129 We haue sene a subgett
off the ffrench kynges in such myght, bat he hath gyven
bataill to the same kyng, and putt hym to flight, c 1475
Ran/ C oil-car 182 The gentill King, Charlts of micht.
1500-20 Dunbar Poems Ixxxviii. 7 Of merchauntis full of
substaunce and myght. 1597 Shaks. 2 Hen. IV, iv. v. 130
England, shall giue him Office, Honor, Might. 1667 Mil-
ton P. L. iv. 986 On th' other side Satan allarm'd Collect-
ing all his might dilated stood. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg.
III. 363 When he [sc. a bull] stands collected in his might.
1818 Shelley Eugan. Hills 196 As divinest Shakespeare's
might Fills Avon and the world with light. 1857 Gladstone
Sp. 3 Mar., That metamorphosed consul is forsooth to be
at liberty to direct the whole might of England. 1891 T.
Roosevelt Hist. Totvns,Ne%vYork'\.-z (Funk), Spain ..was
a power whose might was waning.
f C. //. in the same sense. Also, acts of power ;
mighty works. Obs.
a 1000 Czdmon's Hymn 2 (Gr.) Nu scylun her^an hefaen-
ricaes uard, metudaes maecti end his mod^idanc. c 1300
St. Margarete 169 Also yneleoue hit no3t bt his mihtes were
so stronge Eni so holi creatoure in his wombe afonge. 1375
Barbour Bruce in. 366 God help him, that all myentis may !
c 1460 Toiuneley Myst. xii. 485 He that all myghtys may the
makere of heuen. a 1550 Christts Kirke Gr. x, For he es-
chapit, throw michts of Mary.
d. Of things or impersonal agencies. (Cf. 1 c.)
c 1250 Gen, <y Ex. 584 Fowerti dais and fowerti nht, So
wex water mi5 ma^ti mqt. a 1300 Cursor M. 22679 QQen
all be stanes . . Sal smitt togedir wit sli maght Als thoner dos.
1728 Pope Dune. 11. 318 Whirlpools and storms.. With all
the might of gravitation blest. 1819 Shelley Peter Bell
iv. xix, He proudly thought that his gold's might Had set
those spirits burning. 1831 Wordsw. Depart. Sir W. Scott
8 The might Of the whole world's good wishes with him
goes. 1833 Tennyson Fatima i, O Love, Love, Love ! O
withering might !
4. Superiority of strength or power as used to
enforce one's will. Chiefly in contrast with right.
Also t by might : by wrongful force or violence.
a 1327 Pol. Songs (Camden) 254 For miht is right, the lond
is laweles. 1381 in Knighton Chron. (Rolls) II. 139 Lat my?t
helpe ry^t, and skyl go before wille and rygt before my3t,than
gotn oure mylne aryght. 1559 Mirr. Mag., Dk. York iv,
To kepe by murder that they get by might. 1573 G. Harvey
Letter-bk. (Camden) 3 Miht bad alreddi overcumd riht.
\
MIGHT.
1596 Spenser F. Q. iv. ix. 6 He her unwares attacht, and
captive held by might. 1657 Lu. Say & Seale in Eng.
Hist. Rev. (1895) X. 107 With them [your lawers] 1 thearfore
whear thear is might thear is right, it is dominion if it
succeed, but rebellion if it miscarry. 1881 Jowett Thucyd.
I. 192 They went to war, preferring might to right.
5. In senses 1-3 formerly often strengthened by
being coupled with the synonymous main. Now
rare exc. in phr. with {all ones) might and main,
which is now only a more emphatic substitute for
1 with all one's might ' (see 1 b). Also as advb.
phrase, might and main ; strenuously, vigorously.
c 950 Lindsf. Gosp. Luke iv. 36 paet is Sis word baette in
miebte & mas^ne [in potcstate et uirtute] zehateS gastum
unclamum & xeongas. 1297 K. Glouc (Rolls) 218 pes were
in bisse bataife of mest mi^t & mayn. a 1300 Cursor M.
17028 For sin bat suet iesus had sua mikel might and main.
c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 56 Toward Wircestre he
com with myght & mayn. c 1400 Melayne 282 Fyfty
Lordis af gret Empryce, . . Hase toste bothe Mayne ix
myghte. 15*1 World fy Child 195 (Manly) To serue hym
true!y..With mayne and all my myght. Ibid. 243, I haue
myght and mayne ouer countreesfare. 1577 Vautrouillier
Luther on Ep. Gal. 80 The Deuill set vppon him with
all might and maine. 1650 Howell draft's Rez*. Naples
I. (16641 48 The Card. Archb. of Naples with all his might
and main, .did not spare pains. 1787 Mme. D'Arblay Diary
4 June, The hair-dresser. . went to work first, and I second,
with all our might and main. 1804 Nelson Lett. (1814) II.
They call out, might and main, for our protection, i860
merson Cond. Life Hi. (1861) 56 The manly part is to do
with might and main what you can do. 1873 Black Pr.
Thulc xiv, Two or three idlers.. were staring with might
and main in at the door of the shop. 1888 Bryce Amer.
Commw. III. Ixxxiv. 121 Men.. who did not regard even
the gods, but trusted to their own might and main.
+ 6. As rendering of L. virtus, a. A virtue. Obs.
c 1175 Lamb. Horn. 105 Nu beo5 .viU. heafod mihtan be
ma^en ouercumen alle bas sunnan. cxzoo Vices <J- Virtues
25 An hall mihte is icleped_/?</f s recta, c 1230 Halt Meid.
14 [Mei3had is] mihte ouer alle mihtes.
t b. //. The fifth of the nine orders of angels
of the celestial hierarchy according to the arrange-
ment of Dionysius the Areopagite. Cf. Virtue.
Also^t'«. heavenly powers, angels. Obs.
c 1000 /Eli-ric Hom.X. 342 Uirtutes[sind ^ecwedene] mihta,
Surh 6a wyrc5 God fela wundra. c 1440 1 'ork Mysi. i. 33 Of
all be mightes I haue made moste nexte after me, I make be
[Lucifer] als master and merour of my mighte. 1535 Cover-
dale Eph. i. 21 And set him..aboue all rule, power, and
mighte, and dominacion. 165a Bp. Hall Invis. World 1.
vii. (1847) 88 The presumption of those men, who.. have
taken upon them to marshal these Angelical spirits... In the
second (Hierarchy] of universal regency ; finding.. Mights,
to be the Generals of the heavenly Militia.. .In the third
of special government, placing. .Powers, forty times more
than Principalities: Mights, fifty more than Powers.
t Might, a. Obs. rare. Forms : 3 mi^t, 5
myght. [? f. Might sb.: cf. Almight a. (OK. had
meaht adj. :— prehistoric *mahto-, a ppl. formation
from the same root.)] = Mighty.
[a 1000 Phoenix 377 (Gr.) Forjeaf him se meahta mon-
cynnes fruma.] c 1250 Gen. fy Ex. 3038 And knowen sal ben
In euerile lond min mi^te name, c 1460 Play Sacram. 85
For of a merchante most myght therof my tale ys told. Ibid.
182 Mace, mastyk that myght ys.
Might, pa. t. of May z/.i
t Mrghtand, a. Obs. [f. Mighty sb. with pr.
pple. ending.] Mighty. Also absol., a mighty man.
a 1300 E. E. Psalter xxiii. 8 Laverd Strang And mightand
in fight. Ibid, lxxxviii. 20, I sete helpe unto mightand.
Ibid. Ixxxix. 10 And if in mightandes [v.r. weldinges] four-
skore yhere And mare, of bam swinke and sorw here.
Might-be. [Cf. May-be, Might-have-been.]
What might be ; an unlikely possibility.
1633 Ames Agst. Cerem. n. 306 [He] bringeth meer con-
ceits and might bees for proving Arguments. 187a Geo.
Eliot Middlem. xii, Better than any fancied 'might-be' such
as she was in the habit of opposing to the actual. 1891
Lecky Poems 99 He sought not far The l might-be ' in the
things that are.
t Blighted, a. Obs. rare—1, [f. Might sb.+
-ED-.] Having might. (In comb, cleanest- might ed.)
1470 85 Malory Arthur x. Iviii. 512 He was the clenest
my^ted man and the best wynded of his age, that was on lyue.
Mightful (maitful),a. arch. [f. Might sb.+
-pul ; cf. G. machtvoll.]
1. Mighty, powerful ; f efficacious.
c 1250 Gen. Sr Ex. 100 He <5e it made is mi^tful and wis.
1340 Ayenb. 237 Pe sacrement bet is y-mad. .be be hand of
be kueade ministre ne is na^t . . lesse mi^tuol uor to haljy
ham. 1420 E. E. Wills (1882) 47, I bequeth my soule into
the mercy off mythfull Ihesu. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot.
II. 396 The michtfull maker of the sone and mone. 1586
Ferne Blaz. Gentrie 1. 55 Musicke. .is so mightfull, that it
preuayleth in the taming of beastes. 1588 Shaks. Tit. A.
iv. iv. 5 The mightfull Gods. 1859 Tennyson Geraint fy
Enid 95 Far liefer had I . .watch his mightful hand striking
great blows At caitiffs. 1876 Blackie Songs Relig. «y Life 58
Not with blastsof mightful preaching. 1891 Blackw. Mag.
CL. 837 Mightful arms and thoughtful brains.
fb. absol. Also sb., a* mightful' man. Obs. rare,
c 1250 Gen. <$- Ex. 3755 And two mijtful he hauen taken,. .
On dathan an oSer Abiron. a 1400 Relig. Pieces fr.
Thornton MS. (1889) 53 We rede in a buke of Danyele pat
a myghtfull was bat [etc.].
2. Of actions: Proceeding from arbitrary power.
1895 Tablet 25 May 804 These mightful assaults by the
Slate on the Church,
Hence Mfghtlully adv., Mi'ghtfulness.
c 1315 Metr. Horn. 14 He herid het als mihti thain, And
brohi thaim al that war his, Mthtfullik in till his blis. 1340
430
Hampole Pr. Consc. 754 If in myghtfulnes four scor yhere
falle, Mare es hair swynk and sorow with-alle. c 1440 Gesta
Rom. Ixi. 256 (Harl. MS.) As he Iustid with a sone of the
kny^tes, he caste him downe of his horse myattefully. 1567
Gude 4- Godlie b'all. (S.T.S.) 108 Hesallsaifthe mychtfullie.
Might-have-been. [Cf. May-be, Might-
be.] That which might have been; something
which might have happened ; a person who might
have been greater or more eminent.
1848 Clough Bothie in. 158 He to the great might-have-
been upsoaring, sublime and ideal. 1886 Kipling Departm.
Ditties (1888) 19 Boanerges Blitzen, servant of the Queen,
Is a dismal failure — is a ' Might-have-been*.
tMrghthead. Obs. [f. Might sb. + -hed,
-head; but cf. Mightsome v.] Mightiness.
a 1300 E. E. Psalter cxliv. 7 Minde of mighthed of bi
softnesse [Vulg. Memoriam abundantly suavitatis tux\.
t Mightiful, a. Obs. [f. Mighty +-ful.]
= Mightful.
0:1300-1400 Cursor M. 15161 (Gott.) pat suete mightiful
king was comen. 1421 Sir H. Luttrell in Ellis prig. Lett.
Sen 11. I. 84 Wei excellent, and myghtyfull Prince. 1548
Udall Erasm. Par. Luke vii. 14 Onlesse Iesus vouchesalue
with his mightifull hande to touche the biere.
t Mi'ghtihead. Obs. rare- l. h^my^tihed.
[f. Mighty a. + -head.] Power.
138a Wvclif Ecclus. x. 11 Of eche my^tihed [Vulg.
potentatns', 1388 power] short lif.
Mightily (martili), adv. Forms : see Mighty
a. and -ly *; also 4 mythylyke, 5 mythyle, 7
mitily. [f. Mighty a. + -ly 2,]
1. In a mighty manner, with great power or
strength; with powerful effect; falso, with great
effort, vigorously, vehemently.
c888 K. Alfred Boeth. xxxv. § 4 t>aet hehste god, oaet
hiteall swa mihti^lice macad. a 1300 Cursor Af. 23551 Sua
mightili bair [se. the saints'] might to fill. 13.. Gaw. <y Gr.
Knt. 2290 He myntez at hym ma^tyly. C1374 Chaucer
Troylus v. 262 Another tyme he sholde mightily Conforte
him-self, and seyn it was folye. 14.. Stockh. Med. MS. 11.
46 in Anglia XVIII. 308 pat purgyth be neris mythylyke.
t 1420 Patlaii. on Hush. XL 471 Moue it [the wyne] myghtily
[L. vehemenler] With reed al grene. 1490 Caxton Eneydos
xxvii. 95 Eneas made the mariners to rowe myghtyli. 1596
Shaks. Tarn. Shr. \. \\. 279 Do as aduersaries do in law,
Striue mightily, but eate and drinke as friends. 1507 Hooker
Eccl. Pol.v. xxii. §4 The power of the word of God., worketh
mightily.. to their conversion. 1611 Bible Jonah iii. 8 Let
man and beast, .cry mightily vnto God. x68o Sir C. Lvt-
telton in Hatton Corr. (Camden) 1. 237 My I/1 Essex mitily
opposes this. 1746-7 Hervev Medit. 4- Contempt. (1818) 67
Ye.. cry mightily to the Father of your spirits for faith in
his dear Son,
1 2. So as to be strong or powerful. Obs.
1414 Brampton Penz't. Ps. (Percy Soc.) 29 My bonys were
stronge, and myghtyly made, c 1420 Pallad. on Husb. \.
399 But se that hit be tymbred myghtyly. 1464 Paston Lett.
II. 160 Arme yowr selve as myghtyly as ye kan ageyn yowr
enmyes.
3. In a great degree, to a great extent ; greatly,
very much. Now somewhat rare; very common
in 17-iSth c.
1503 Shaks. 3 Hen. VIt in. ii. 74 Therein thou wrong'st thy
Children mightily. 163a Lithgow Trav. 11. 74 [Athens] was
after mightily inlarged by Theseus. 1667 Pepvs Diary
6 Feb., I sat mightily behind, and could see but little. 1711
Steele Sped. No. 145 p 2 A Gentleman., who deals mightily
in Antique Scandal. 1756-82 J. Warton Ess. Pope (ed. 4)
II, xii. 278, I should be mightily obliged to you if you could
get me a copy of his verses. 1760 Gray Corr. (1843) 204 A
carpet mightily finished. 1838 Dickens Lett. (1880) I. 13
It amused us mightily. 1886 Kuskin Prxterita I. 421, I
wonder mightily now what sort of a creature I should have
turned out.
Mightiness (mai-tines). [f. Mighty + -ness.]
The state or condition of being mighty.
13. . S. Augustin 1273 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1878)83
pi mihtinesse we worschupeb, lord, Bobe in dede and in
word, c 1511 1st Eng. Bk. Amer. (Arb.) Introd. 30/2 Pope
Iohn whose myghtynes & rychedome amounteth aboue all
prynces of the world. 1526 Pilgr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531)
274 b, Yf he so do, the myghtynesse of the newe wyne wyll
breke the vessell. 1534 More Com/, agst. Trib. in. xxvii.
(I553) V viij.Toshewe y* mightinesof theyr malice, a 1586
Sidney Arcadia 111. (1590) 318b, A cunning mastiffe, who
knowes the . . strength of the Bui, fights low . . answering
mightines with nimblenes. 1613 Shaks. Hen. VIII, Prol.
SThinke yousee them Great. . : Then, in a moment, see
ow soone this Mightinesse meets Misery. 1725 Pope
Poslscr. to Odyss. (1840) 390 Language, which.. rattles like
some mightiness of meaning in the most indifferent subjects.
x76o-7a H. Brooke Pool o/Qual. (1809) III. 37 The weak
would have the mightiness of the law for their support.
1802 Wordsw. Sonn., * Inland, within a hollow vale, I stood ',
What power is there ! What mightiness for evil and for
good ! 1838-43 Arnold Hist. Rome III. xliv. 146 The
mightiness of her energy.
t b. As a title of dignity Your mightiness.
1588 Shaks. Tit. A. il iii. 126 This Minion.. braues your
Mightinesse. c 1590 Greene Pr. Bacon xvi, In royahzing
Henry's Albion With presence of your princely mightiness.
1622 Fletcher & Mass. Prophetess in. i, Does your Mighti-
nesse..yet understand our faces?
c. High Mightiness (also f High and Mighti-
ness) : a title of dignity ; esp. in pi. = Du.
hoogmogendheden, the title of the members of the
States- General of the United Provinces of the Ne-
therlands. Now only Hist. Also as an ironical title.
1668 Temple Let. to De Witt Wks. 1731 II. 88 His
Majesty and their High and Mightinesses have begun, .this
glorious .. Design of a general Peace. 1700 T. Brown
MIGHTY.
Amusem. Ser. <$■ Com. iv, (1709) 43 Now for that Majestical
Man and Woman there, stand off, there is no coming within
a Hundred Yards of their High Mightinesses, they have
revolted like the Dutch. 1707 Lond. Gaz. No. 4389/2
Monsieur Lintelo, Envoy Extraordinary of the States
General, delivered the King a Letter from their High
Mightinesses. 1733 Budgell Bee I. 71 A Letter directed to
the States General, in which their High and Mightinesses
are reproached, 1792 M. Cutler in Life, etc (1888) I. 486
However important their High Mightinesses of Congress
may appear abroad. 1825 K. P. Ward Tremaine II. vii. 68
To lay my whip across his high mightyness's shoulders.
1883 Black: Shandon Bells xxx, Being particularabout good
dinners.. is beneath their high mightinesses' notice.
t Mi- gh ting. Obs. rare. Power.
a 1300 E. E. Psalter lxiv. 7 Gird with mightinge [Vulg.
accinctus potential Ibid. cv. 2 Wha sal speke of lauerd
mightinges [Vulg. potentias domini].
fMi'ghtioUS,"- Obs. rare— l. In 5 myghtyus.
[f. Mighty a. +-ous.] Full of might or power.
c 1460 Tawneley Myst. xvi. 220 Of bedlem a gracyus lord
shall spray, That of lury myghtyus kyng shalbe ay.
Mightless(mai*tles),a. Nowarr^. [f.MiGHTj/;.
+ -less.] Without might ; impotent; powerless.
cir^s Lamb. Horn, m He. .bi5swa mihtleson his modes
streche bet [etc.]. <ri33oR. Brunne Chron.(iSio) 280 Priue
pride in pes es nettille in herbere, J?e rose is myghtles, be
nettille spredis ouer fer. c 1450 Myrc Festial $$ pys vny-
corn . . layth hys hed yn hur barme, myghtles without
strengthe : and soo ys taken. 1553 Becon ReliquesofRomc
(•563) 172b, Olde people y1 bene myghtlesse, weake, and
impotente. a 1584 Montcomerie Cherrie tySlae^os Baith
sichtles, and michtles, I grew almaist at aims. 1887 Morris
Odyss. x. 521 Utter thou thy praying to the mightless heads
of the dead. 1888 Ibid. xvm. 130 There is nought more
mightless than man of all that Earth doth breed.
b. Const, inf.
1340-70 Alex. cV Dind. 74 pat may not be graunted Of me,
bat mi^hteles am my silf so to kepe. a 1450 Myrc Pestial
82 Old men passed age and myghtles to fast. 1598 Sylvester
Du Bartas 11. ii. 11. Babylon 125 Mightdesse our selves to
succour, or advise.
t Miglltly, adv. Obs. In 1 meahte-, mihte-,
mihtlice ; for later forms see Might sb. and -ly 2.
[OE. mihtelice} app. a var. of mihtiglice Mightily;
for the form cf. crseftelice, hefelice, grxdelice,
gepyldelice.'] ~ Mightily in various senses.
<z9oo tr. Bxdas Hist. v. xix. [xxi.J (1890) 468 Mid bam he
3y mihtlicor wioscufan mihte. c xooo /Llfric Horn. I. 108
Sae oncneow 3a Cristofer hyre y3a mihtelice eode. a 1300
Cursor AL 17267 J>ou spede me, lauerd ! for-to spell Hu
mighteli |>ou hanid hell. 1390 Govver Conf. HI. 92 This
soubtil water myhtely, . -The strengthe of therthe perceth
ofte. C1410 Master of Game (MS. Digby 182) xv, It is bt
best houndc.forto take alle manere of beestes and holde
myghtliche. 1420-za Lydg. Thebes 1. in Chaucer's Whs.
(1561) 363/2 A porche, bilte of square stones Ful mightely.
1480 Caxton Chron. Eng. cexxix. 241 That he myght the
my^tloker fyght and defende the reame. 1526 Tindale
Rom. viu. 26 The Sprete maketh intercession mightely for
us. 158a N. Lichekield tr. Castanheda's Cong. E. Ind. 1.
1.4 Whereby the Christian faith is so greatly increased.,
and the royall house of Portingale so mightely honoured.
1610 Bible (Douay) Wisd. viii. 1 She reacheth therfore
from end vnto end mightely, and disposeth al thinges swetely.
1744 Cot. Rec. Pennsyh'. IV. 707 Finding what friendship
subsisted between us and the Dutch, he approved it mightly.
[Mightsome, z>.,Mightsomnes, which render
L. abundare, abutuiantia in the Early English
Psalter, presumably originated from misreading of
early ME. *inihtsumien, -sumnis :— OE. genyhl-
sumian, -sumnis, these being the words used in
the same passages in the Vespasian Psalter.
In some of the passages the Surtees editor prints nuhtsom,
which is impossible in a northern text,
a 1300 E. E. Psalter xxix. 7, xlix. 20, lxiv. 14, lxxii. 12,
lxxvu. 38.]
Mighty (mai'ti), a. and adv. Forms : 1
msehtis, meahtis, mihti3, 1-2 mentis, 2-4
mihti, 2-3 Ormin mahhti;, 3 maehti, mahti,
ma3ti, mi;ti, michti, 4 mihty, myhti, -y, 4-5
majte, mi;ty, -i, my;ty, -i, (4 -tty, 5 -tie),
mi;eti, myhety, 3-5 mighti, 4-5 Sc. mychty,
4-6 myghty, (5 myghti, -tty, my;hty, mygthty,
mythty,mytheti, Sc. michtie), 5-6 Sc. mychti,
6 mygghty, myghty(e, Sc. michti, -ie, -y, -tty,
mychte, -ie, myghti, 6-7 mightie, -ye, 4-
mighty. [OE. mihtig = OFris. mechtig, machtig,
OS. mahtig (MLG. mechtig, MDu. machtich, Du.
machlig), OHG, mahtig (MHG. mehtic, mod.G.
mdchtig), ON. matteg-r, mfttug-r (also contracted
in inflected tndttk-), Goth, mahteig-s :— OTeut.
types *mahtigo-t*mahtugo-t f. *mahti-z, *mahtu-z:
see Might sb. and -y 1J
1. Possessing * might' or power ; powerful, potent,
strong. Now only rhetorical, connoting a tran-
scendent or imposing degree of power.
a. Said of God, rulers, nations, etc
C825 Vesp. Psalter xxxv. 8 Dryhten strong & mat-lit is,
dryhten ma;hti* in ^efehte. a 900 tr. Bxda's Hist. 1. xiv.
[xxv.] (1890) 56 Da was on ba tid ^5elbyrht cyning haten
on Centrice, & mihti$. a 1175 Cott. Horn. 231 An rice king
wes, Strang and mihti. a 1240 Wohunge in Cott. Horn. 273
Drihtin is mahti strong and kene ifihte. 1390 Gower Conf. I.
16 Thei sein that god is myhti there, And schal ordeine what
he wile, c 1470 Got. <y Gaw. 682 Thai mighty men ypon mold
ane riale course maid. 1590 Shaks. Com. Err. v. i. 282 Most
mightie Duke, vouchsafe me speak a word. 1667 Milton
P. L. xii, 124 God. .from him will raise A mightie Nation.
1697 Dkvden Virg. Georg. iv. S09 Mighty Caesar, thund 'ring
MIGHTY.
from afar, Seeks on Euphrates' Banks the Spoils of War.
1761 Gray Odin 83, 1 know thee now ; Mightiest of a mighty
line. 1864 Tennyson Boddicea 40 Fear not, isle of blowing
woodland,, .thou shalt be the mighty one yet !
ellipt. and absol. CI175 Lamb. Horn, 129 Drihten alesde
bene wrechan of pan mehtijan. 1340 Ayenb. 103 He is be
ri3tguod,..beri5tmi3ti.
b. of persons, with reference to wealth, social
position, or influence. Formerly often predica-
tively, const, of in.
C1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xli. {Agnes) 105 My spouse is
mychtyere bane bi son, & fere richere. i486 Rec. St. Mary
at Hill 6 That the saide Preest. .be chosen and presented..
by iiij of the worthyest & myghtyest men of the said
ririssh. 1508 Dunuar Tua Mariit Wemen 296 Syne maryit
a marchand, myghti of gudis. 1601 R. Johnson Kingd.
Hf Comntzv. (1603) 40 This prince is so mightie in gold and
silver. 1650 Fuller PisgaJi 11. ix. 186 They were all richly
married to mighty matches of landed men.
absol. 1484 Caxton Fables of JEsop 1. vi. (1889) n The
poure ought not to hold felauship with the myghty. 1651
Hobbes Let'iath. 11. xxx. 180 As well the rich, and mighty,
as poor and obscure persons.
C. of persons or animals, their actions or attri-
butes, with reference to physical strength or valour.
f In early use often merely : Able-bodied. Obs.
r8a5 Vesp. Psalter cxxvi. 4 Swe swe strelas in honda
maehtses. £1386 Chaucer Knt.'s T. 565 Wei koude he
hewen wodcftbr he was yong and myghty. c 1400 A/>ol.
Loll, in Bi lawe cyuil it is not Ieful to a mi^ty body to beg.
1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) I. 263 Thei gette myghty childer
[1387 Trevisa stalworbe : L. robustam sobolem]. a 1500 in
ArnoldeCAr<m.(i8n) 92 Yf ony. .myghty beggar be within
the warde. 1500-20 Dunbar Poems Ixxvii. 36 And syne the
Bruce . . cum rydand . . As nobill, dreidfull, michtie campioun.
a 1525 Vergilins in Thorns E. E. Prose Rotn. II. 23 Her
chyld.. began to wexebygge and stronge and myghty anough
to berearmes. 1530-1 Act 22 Hen. VIII, c. 12 If any person
.. bey nge hole and myghty in body.. be taken in begging.
1535 Coverdale Gen. x. 9 Nemrod..was a mightie hunter.
1590 Spenser F. Q.u. vi. 29 Their mighty strokes their haber-
jeons dismayld. 1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. II.
163 The Scottis couragious, of a blyth hope, and a mychtie
spirit, leipis to straikis. 1598 Shaks. Merry W. 111. i. 111
Your hearts are mighty. 1601 — Jul. C. v. i. 81 On our
former Ensigne Two mighty Eagles fell. 1622 R. Haw-
kins Voy. S. Sea (1847) 126 Our ship gave a mightie blow
upon a rocke. 1733 Pope Ess. Man in. 297 Where small
and great, where weak and mighty, made To serve, not
suffer, strengthen, not invade. 1839 Longp. Vill. Blacksm.
i, The smith, a mighty man is he, With large and sinewy
hands. 1859 Tennyson Lancelot 63 For so by nine years'
proof we needs must learn Which is our mightiest.
d. of persons, their actions and attributes, with
reference to mental ability or executive skill.
Formerly often predicative, const, in or inf.
Mighty works', in Biblical use ( = Gr. Ivvapui),
miracles.
c 825 Vesp. Psalter li. 3 Du mffihtig er5 in unrehtwisnisse.
C897 K. /Elfred Gregorys Past. C. xv. 00 Se lareow
sceolde beon mihtij to tyhtanne on halwende lare. 1362
Langl. P. PI. A. i. 150 pei} je be mijty to mote hep meke
of 3our werkis. 138a Wyclif Acts xviii. 24 Apollo.. a man
eloquent, ..my^ti in scripturis. C1470 Henry Wallace VI.
346 Thar feild..Quhar claryowns blew full mony mychty
sonis. 1535 Coverdale Ps. xxviii. 4 The voyce of the
Lorde is mightie in operacion [Vulg. Vox Domini in vir-
tute], — Matt. xiv. 2 He is rysen agayne from the deed,
therfbre are his deedes so mightie. 1611 Bible Matt. xiii.
54 Whence hath this man this wisedome, and these mighty
works? 1718 Echard Hist. Eng. II. 11. ii. 565b, Thomas
Lydyat . . of a great Soul and incomparable Learning ; being
a Match for the mighty Scaliger and Selden. 1737 Pope
Hor. Epist. 11. 1. 137 Or what remain'd so worthy to be read
By learned Critics, of the mighty dead. 174a — Dune. iv.
211 Thy mighty Scholiast, whose unwearyd pains Made
Horace dull. 1802 Wordsw. Resol. <y Inehpetid. xvii, And
mighty Poets in their misery dead.^ a 1853 Robertson Lect.
ii. (1858) 146 Out of which a mightier master of the art than
Pope could scarcely have struck the notes of true passion.
1881 Bible (R. V.) Mark ix. 39 For there is no man which
shall do a mighty work [Wyclif a virtue ; 1 535 Coverda le,
161 1 a miracle] in my name. [So also Acts ii. 22.]
e. of things or forces, or their operation.
c 1250 Gen. <$• Ex. 3797 A fier ma^ti Sat folc fest on. a 1300-
1400 Cursor M. 9384 (Gott.) For sune and mone . . Had
seuen sith mar ban nou of lint, And all thinges was ban. .
Wele mihtier ban bai er nou. 1535 Coverdale Exod. xv.
10 They sancke downe as leed in the mightie waters. _ 1593
Shaks. 3 Hen. VI, 11. v. 5 Now swayes it this way, like a
Mighty Sea, Forc'd by the Tide, to combat with the Winde.
i6ii Bible i Esdras iv. 41 Great is trueth, and mightie
aboue all things. 1781 Cowper Charity 283 But_ shipwreck,
earthquake, battle, fire, and flood, Are mighty mischiefs, not
to be withstood. 1806 Wordsw. Ode Intim. Immort. 168
And hear the mighty waters rolling evermore. 1864 Tenny-
son Enoch Arden 767 Then he, .. Because things seen are
mightier than things heard, Stagger'd and shook.
f. Of drugs, liquors, spells: Potent, efficacious.
f Also, of a material : Stout, strong. Obs.
ciooo Sax. I.eechd.t III. 32 Ond bu we^brade wyrta
modor eastan opone innan mihtigu. a 1240 Ureisun in
Cott. Horn. 187 Min heouenliche leche bet makedest us of
hi seolf se mihti medicine, c 1386 Chaucer Millers T. 311
This Carpenter . .broghte of myghty Ale a large quart, c 1400
Maundev. (Roxb.) xxi'i. 102 It es rfcjt myghty wyne. c 1430
Two Cookerybks. 12 Take myghty brothe of Beef, c 1448
Hen. VI Avyse in Willis & Clark Cambridge (1886) I. 367
Good and myghtty morter. 1497 Naval Ace. Hen. VII
(1896) 242, Ixvj boltes of Grete myghty canvas. 1576 Baker
Jewell 0/ Health 230 Where the spyrit of the wyne shall be
sufficient myghtye. 1610 Rowlands Martin Mark-all 22
Their Beere is.. so mightie, that it serueth them in steade
of meate, drinke, fire, and apparrell. 1781 Cowper Anti-
Thelyph. 37 On every mind some mighty spell she cast.
1819 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd (1827) 115 Barls o*
michtie beer.
431
f g. Ofa legal document: Valid. efficacious. Obs.
c 1450 Oscney Reg. (E. E. T. S.) 19 This present writyng,
with pe strengh of our seele we haue i-made hit my3ghty
and stronge.
f h. Forcible, emphatic. Obs.
1642-7 Jer. Taylor Episc. 229 The Councell of Aquileia
..is full and mighty in asserting the Bishops power over
the Laity.
2. Of huge proportions; massive, bulky.
1413 Pitgr, Sorvte (Caxton 1483) iv.ii. 50 This tree is
wondre stronge and myghty aretchyng in to heuen 1420-22
Lydg. Thebes 1. in Chaucer's Wks. (1561) 357 b/i, The citee
Thebes, of mightie square stones As I you told. 1658 Sir
T. Browne Hydriot. 1. (1736) 17 That large Urn found at
Ashbury, containing mighty Bones. 1760 Fawkes tr. Ana-
creon, Ode Ivii. 1 Bring hither, Boy, a mighty Bowl. 1810
Scott Lady of L. 1. iii, And silence settled. .On the lone
wood and mighty hill. 1851 Ruskin Stones Ven. (1874) I.
xxviii. 327 A plain, deep-cut recess with a single mighty
shadow. 1895 Safflino Land of Broads 6 The older farm-
houses, with their mighty kitchens.
3. Of things, actions, events, etc. : Very great in
amount, extent or degree. In later use, chiefly
colloquial or familiar.
1586 A. Day Eng. Secretary 1. (1625) 68 Thcmutuall
society betwixt man & wife being of such mighty efficacie.
1605 Shaks. Lear ill. v. 17 If the matter of this Paper be
certain, you haue mighty businesse in hand. 1668 Cul-
pepper & Cole Bar/hot. Anal. Man. 11. i. 317 There is a
mighty flux of blood. 1697 tr. C'tess D'Aunoy's 7>vm (1706)
220 The difference of times makes a mighty alteration in
the Events of things. 1754 Fielding Jonathan Wild 11.
iv, That gentleman .. made such mighty expedition that
he was now upwards of twenty miles on his way. 1843
Borrow Bible in Spain xi, Huge serpents, .which some-
times come out and commit mighty damage. 1865 Kings-
ley Herew. i, Mighty fowling and fishing was there in the
fen below. 1871 R. Ellis tr. CatullusXxxxm. 2 This to the
fond weak fool seemeth a mighty delight.
b. With agent-nouns, etc. : That does or is to
a very great degree (what is indicated by the noun).
1692 Bulstrodi; in 15M Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. it,
21 He was. .a mighty Tory. 1712 Steele Sped. No. 466
p 7, I, who set up for a mighty Lover.. of Virtue. 1743
Bulkelev & Cummins Voy. S. Seas 81 This Plastow was a
mighty Favourite with the Captain. 1843 Borrow Bible in
Spain xxx, He is a mighty liberal.
4. quasi -J^. (with //.). A mighty or powerful
person. Chiefly pi., as in {David's) three mighties.
1382 Wyclif i Chron. xi. 12 Eliazar, the sone of his vncle
Ahoites, that was among the thre my^ty [1388 mi;ti men ;
1611 the three mighties, Vulg. inter tres potentes}. t ^1470
Got. -V Gaw. 300 Quhan thai saw that mighty [the king] sa
mouit in his mude. 1600 W. Watson Decacordon (1602)
200 Emperors and kings and the mighties of the world.
1606 W. Crashaw Rom. Forgeries E ij, Our royall Dauid
and many of his Mighties. 1647 Trapp Comm. 1 Cor. i.
26 Hence so many mighties miscarry. 1901 ' Ian Mac-
laren ' Yng, Barbarians iv, Speug's officers, such mighties
as Bauldie and Johnston, . .clustered round theircommander.
5. eliipt. in the interjections Mighty I Mighty
me ! Sc. and dial.
1867 Gkegor Banff's. Gloss., Michtie, interj. expressive of
surprise. Michtie me is another form. 1869 A. Macdonald
Disput. Settlement (1877) 61 (E.D.D.) Eh, mighty! that
surely canna be. 1874. T. Hardy Madding Crowd xxxit,
Mighty me ! Won't mis'ess storm, .when she comes back !
6. Comb., parasynthetic, as mighty -brained,
-handed, -minded, -mouthed, -spirited adjs.
1611 Beaum. & Fl. Maid's Trag. v. iii, Though he be
mighty-spirited, and forward To all great things. 1855
Lynch Rivulet lxxxii. iii, How came it, men of faith,
to pass That ye were mighty-handed? 1864 Tennyson
Milton 1 O mighty-mouth'd inventor of harmonies. 1865
Swinburne Atalanta 1009, I am not mighty-minded, nor
desire Crowns. 1892 W. Watson Lachryma? Mits. Poems
(1898) 21 Mightiest-brained Lucretius,
B. adv. (Qualifying an adj. or adv., + rarely
an adj. phrase.) In a great degree ; greatly ; ex-
ceedingly; very. Now colloq. ox familiar, often
with ironical implication ; = ' vastly \ ( precious \
a 1300 Cursor M. 14396 pair blisced lauerd-.bat. .was..
Sa mighti meke, sa mild o mode. 1535 Coverdale Exod.
ix. 18 Tomorow-.wyll I cause a mightie^ greate_ hayle to
rayne. 1602 Marston Antonio^s Rev. v. iii, He is mightie
on our part. 1660 Barrow EuclidVref. (1714) 2 The mighty
near affinity that is between Arithmetick and Geometry.
1715 De Foe Fam. Instruct. 1. iv. (1841) I. 91 You are a
mighty good obedient thing. 1767 Gray in Corr. G. <y
Nicholls (1843) 70 To this purpose .. would I write, and
mighty respectfully withall. 1838 Dickens O. Twist xlix,
This is all mighty fine. 1844 Kendall Santa F4 Exped.
I. 32 ' You'll be mighty apt to get wet ', said a thorough-
bred Texan. 1862 Mrs. Carlyle Lett. III. 105, I myself
know always mighty well what I want. 1883 Stevenson
Treas. I si. xxix, It . . looks mighty like a horn-pipe in a
rope's end at Execution Dock.
Mightyship. nonce-wd. [f. Mighty + -ship.]
Only in the mock t\\\t your mightyship.
a 1726 Alsop Tale, To Chlorinda xv. in Dodsley Poems
(i75S) VI. 248 Is it fit, let your mightyship say. .1
Mignature, obs. form of Miniature.
t Migniard, a. and sb. Obs, Also 7 mignard,
miniard, Sc. mingeard. [a. F. mignard ; related
to Mignon.]
A, adj. Dainty ; mincing ; caressing.
1599 Jas. I Baut\. Awpof 111. (1603) 107 In the forme of
your meat-eating, be neither vnciuilL.nor affectatlie mig-
narde. Ibid. in. 115 In your language be plaine,. eschew-
ing ..all mignard and erTceminate termes. 1611 Cotgr.,
Mignard, migniard, prettie. quaint, neat, feat ; wanton ;
daintie, delicate. 1616 B. Jonson Devil an Assu iv, Loue
is brought vp with those soft migniard handlings. 162a
mignonette.
A. Bysset in G. G. Smith Middle Scots (1902) 240 Neither
have I vsed min^eard nor effeminate, taming, invectiue,
or skornefull wordis. 1652 Urquhart Jewel Wks. (1834)
294 The milder sexe and miniard youth. 1653 — Rabelais
1. Ivii. (1664) 250 Never weie seene Ladies so proper and
handsome, so miniard and dainty.
Hence f Migrniardly adv., daintily.
1653 Urquhart Rabelais 1. Ivii. (1664) 249 Their fists
miniardly begloved.
B. sb. [ = QF.tuignarde.~\ A courtesan, mistress.
1616 in Crt. <r Times Jas. /{1849) I. 416 She says the
honour.. of his embassy consists in three mignards, three
dancers, and three fools. 1652 Kikkman Cler/'o ty Lozii 93
Idle Migniards, dinner hatli waited for you till it is cold.
t Migniardise. Obs. Also mignardize,
miniardise. [a. F. mignardise, f. mignard: see
prec] Caressing treatment ; affected delicacy of
behaviour or appearance.
1603 Klorio Montaigne in. xiii. 636 The disdainfull
churhshnesse wherewith they beate them, are but mignard-
izes and affectations of a motherly favour. 1625 B. Jonson
Staple of N. in. 1, Kntertaine her, and her creatures, too,
With all the nugniardise, and quaint Caresses, You can
put on 'hem. 1652 Urquhart Jewel Wks. (1834) 233 The
gracefulness of his hand and foot, with the i[iiaint miniard-
ise of the rest of his body. 1689 H. Bf.kston ml'ota
Oxoniensia, No.. Patches and spots, No Mignardize of
face at all From Spanish paper or from English gall.
t Miglliardize, v. Obs. Also 7 miniardize.
[f. MIGNABD + -IZE.J trans. To make (lan^ua^e;
affected in character; to treat (a person) caress-
ingly. Hence Migniardized ///. a., Migni-
ardizing vbl. sb.
1598 Flokio, Vezzo, a wantonnes, a quaintnes, a squeam-
ishnes, a dandling, a dalliance, a wantonizing, a mignardjz-
trig, a pampring [etc.]. c 1645 Howell Lett. (16551 IV.xix.
49 Softnes of pronunciation proceeding from wanton spirits
that did miniardize, and make the Language more dainty
and feminine, a 1670 Hackkt Alp. Williams \. (1693) 95
Men that are sound in their Morals, and in Minutes imper-
fect in their Intellectuals, are lest reclaimed when they are
mignarized [sic], and strok'd gently.
Mignion, obs. variant of Minion.
II Mignon (mmJ'oa), a. Also (with fem. re-
ference) 6 mignone, 7-9 mignonne ; and see
Minion a. [F. mignon, -onne adj. and sb.]
A. adj. Delicately formed; prettily small or
delicate.
1556 Aurelio $ Isab. (1608) Lvj, My mignone Isabel.
[1668 Dryden Evening's Love vi, That sigh too, I think,
is not altogether disagreeable; but something cltarmanie
and mignonne.) 1772 Mrs. Sarah Scott 'I est Filial Duty
II. 59 Salvator Rosa's wildest designs are mignonne and
finical to some places in this neighbourhood. 1859 (J.
Meredith R. Fcvcrel xxxvii, A mignonne beauty. 1873
Pater Stud. Hist. Reuaiss. 42 Bright small creatures of
the woodland, with arch baby faces and mignon forms.
1886 Marie Corelli Rom. two Worlds i, Her pretty mig-
nonne face and graceful figure.
B. sb. A pretty child.
1827 Souvenir I. 71/2 (Stanf.) Little mignons, not three
feet high, were there, arrayed like puppets.
Hence fMi-griion v. trans., to treat tenderly;
f Mi-gnonness, over-delicacy, effeminacy.
i53oPalsgr. 245/T Mignyonnesse,;«/£7/0//s-f. 1597 Daniel
Philotas Apol., Wks. (Grosart) III. 183 For though the
affection of the multitude, (whom he did not mignion) ..
discerned not his ends . . : Yet [etc.].
Mignon : see Minion sb.
Mignonette (mi:ny3ne't). Also 8 mign(i)o-
net, minionette, mennuet, minianet, 8-9
mignionette. [a. F. mignotmetle, fem. of f mig-
nonnetj dim. of mignon : see Mignon a.~]
1. A plant {Reseda odoratd) cultivated for the
fragrance of its blossoms.
When trained to grow with a bushy head it is known as
tree-mignonette. Wild mignonette, the plant A', lufeola.
The ordinary Fr. name for mignonette is reseda ; but
Littre says that mignonnette is applied to this plant as well
as to several others.
[1752 Miller Gard. Diet. (1759) s. v. Reseda, 6. Reseda
foliis tntegris trilobisoue. .. Bastard-rocket .. commonly
called sweet Reseda, or Mignonette d'Egypt.] 1798 C.
Marshall Garden, xix. 333 Hardy Annuals. .. Mignonette,
(trailing) or sweet-scented reseda. 1799 Sir H. Daw in
Beddoes Contrib. Phys. <$■ Med. Knowl. 154 A small plant
of Minianet in a state of healthy vegetation. 1817 Bot.
Register III. 227 Reseda odorata. p. snffrutescens, Tree-
Mignonette. 1820 Trans. Hortkult. Soc. III. 178 With
Lord Bateman [who sent the seed from France in 1742] the
appellation of Mignonette originated ;. .he gave to it this
name of endearment, by which it is not known in France.
1832 Tennyson A////£r',fZ>tfK.xi, A long green box of mignon-
ette. 1861 Miss E. A. Beaufort Egypt. Sepulchres, etc1.
II. xix. 116 The ground is strewed with wild mignonnette.
fig. 1847 Tennyson Princess Prol. 164 They, .miss'd the
mignonette of Vivian-place, The little hearth-flower Lilia.
b. Jamaica mignonette : the name given in the
West Indies to the henna plant, Lazvsonia alba or
inermis, which is naturalized there.
1866 Treas. Bot. 665/2.
c. A colour resembling that of the flowers of
mignonette; greyish green or greenish white.
1883 Daily News 19 Feb. 2/1 The soft tints of greyish
green known as ' mignonette ' are to be in great favour this
year. 1899 B. W. Warhurst Colour Diet. 47 Mignonette.
Should be delicate light green.
2. A kind of lace: see quots. 1865, 1900. (More
fully mignonelte /ace.) Also, a fine kind of net.
[1699 Le Mcrcure Galant in Mrs. Palliser Hist. Lace
(1865) 31 note, On employe aussi pour les coeffures de la
MIGNOTE.
mignonette, et on a tellement perfectionne cette dentelle,
que, etc.] 1757 Jeffrey Coll. Dresses ii, A pink lutestring
dress covered with a white mignonet. 176a Lond. Chron.
16-18 Feb. 167/3 The Ranelagh Mob... This is a piece of
Gauze, Minionett,..&c, &c. which is clouted about the
head. 1771 Smollett Humph. CI. 13 July, Laces of Mech-
lin or mignionette. 1865 Mrs. Palliser Lace 30 The laces
known at that period [1665] were— ..5. Mignonette.— A
light, fine, pillow lace. .. This lace was.. at times in high
favour.. for head-dresses and other trimmings. 1900 Mrs.
F, N. Jackson Hanti-made Lace 182 Mignonette was a
narrow lace, never exceeding two or three inches. .. Migno.
nette pattern is still largely made.
3. attrib. and Comb., as mignonette- coloured adj.,
mignonette-green, 'grey (see 1 c), mignonette-pot ;
mignonette netting (see quot.) ; mignonette
pepper, coarsely ground pepper; mignonette-
vine (see quot.).
1897 Daily News 1 Mar. 5/4 *Mignonette-coloured crepe
de Chine. 1888 Lady 25 Oct. 374/3 Alternate bows or loops
of "mignonette-green and pale salmon-coloured ribbon. 1900
Daily News 3 Mar. 6/5 Tones of. .cigar-brown, and *migno*
nette-grey are in great favour. 1882 Caulfeild & Saward
Diet. Needlework 361/2, "Mignonette Netting. — This is
used for curtains and window blinds, it being extremely
easy, and worked with one Mesh. 1877 Casselts Diet.
Cookery 1177 "Mignonette Pepper. 1840 Thackeray Pict.
Rhapsody Wks. 1900 XIII. 331 The *mignonette pots
in a Cockney's window. 1896 T. W. Sanders Encycl.
Card. (ed. 2), Madaria (*Mignonette Vine). — Ord. Com-
positae. Hardy Annual. Nat. California.. .Flowers, yellow,
1 Mignote. Obs. rare~x. [a. OF. mignote
fem. o\ mignot wanton, cogrt. w. mignon: see
Mignon, Minion.] A wanton woman.
1489 Caxton Faytes of A. I. vii, Ne that he be not curyous
of mygnotes, Jolyetes, ne of iewellis.
|| Migraine (m*grgn). [F. migraine : see
Megrim.] = Megrim l i, Hemichania.
1777 H. Walpole Lett. (1857) VI. 444 Madame de Jarnac
had a migraine. 1837 B'ness Bunsen in Hare Life I. x.
446, I am obliged to take to my bed by an unusual degree of
migraine. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VIII. 107 Ophthalmic
migraine— that is paroxysmal pain in the eye or temple.
Migrainous (migr/i'nas), a. [f. Migraine
+ -OD8.] Pertaining to or of the nature of migraine.
1889 Lancet 30 Mar. 640/2 All the various forms of head-
ache—dyspeptic, migrainous, . . and so on. 1897 Trans.
Attter. Pediatric Soc. IX. 123 Migrainous epilepsy. [So
called] because it commonly occurs in patients who have
suffered from migraine.
Migram, obs. form of Megrim 1.
c 1450 in Vicary's Anat. {1888) App. ix. 230 Warke in be
swldyrs &. migram in be heue[de].
Migrant (mai-grant), a. and sb. [ad. L.
migrant-em, pr. pple. of migrare to Migrate.]
A. adj. Migrating; given to migration.
a. of animals ; spec, of birds.
1672 Sir T. Browne Let. Friend% 4 Passagerand migrant
birds, .whom no seas nor places limit. 1768 Pennant Zool.
II. 278 They [Grosbeaks] visit us only in hard winters, and
are not regularly migrant. 1843 P. Parley^s Ann. III. 306
The usual watering-places of the migrant animals. 1876
Mrs. Whitney Sights <$• Ins. II. xxxvi. 651 Do you wonder
we felt ourselves more like happy migrant birds than ever?
b. of persons, a tribe.
1807 J. Barlow Columb. 11. 178 And migrant tribes these
fruitful shorelands hail. 1899 B. King Dal. Unity I. 84 Mi-
grant labourers came in gangs from the hills in harvest-time.
B. sb. One who or something which migrates.
a. A migratory animal ; spec, a bird of passage.
1768 Pennant Zool. II. 511 The migrants of this genus
continue longest in Great-Britain in the southern counties.
1876 A. R. Wallace Geog. Distrih. Anim. I. 1. L 20 The
chaffinch is a constant resident in England..; but a migrant
in the south of France.
b. A person who migrates ; rarely f a traveller.
1760 Foote Minor Ded., Wks. 1799 I. 225 The unhappy
migrants may be.. at least hospitably entertained. 1864
R. A. Arnold Cotton Fan/. 383 To facilitate migration from
the cotton districts, and to direct the migrants to the best
markets for their labour.
Migrate (mai'gr^t), v. [f. L. migrat-, ppl.
stem ot migrare.]
1. intr. To pass from one place to another. Also
trans, in pass. To be transported.
1697 Potter Antiq. Greece 11. x. (1715) 292 A blow .. dis-
sever'd the Sutures of his Skull, thro' which his Soul migrated.
1768-74 Tuckrr Lt. Nat. (1834) I. 386 If one of us were
migrated into their enormous hulks. i784Cowper Task 11.
108 The sylvan scene Migrates uplifted,. .Alighting in far
distant fields [Sicilian earthquake],
2. intr. Of persons, a tribe, etc.: To move from
one place of abode to another; esp. to leave one's
country to settle in another; to remove to another
country, town, college, etc. Also trans/'.
1770 Langhorne (Wore), The Tuscans were a branch of
the Pelasgi that migrated into Europe. 1784 Johnson/-^/.
to Ld. High Chancellor Sept. in Boswell, If i grew much
better, I should not be willing, if much worse, not able, to
migrate. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. iii. I. 356 Almost all
the noble families of England had long migrated beyond
the walls. x86a Sir B. Broime Psychol. Ino. II. iv. 117 The
agricultural labourer is tempted. .to migrate to a manu-
facturing town. 1881 L. Campbell Clerk Maxwell \\. 147
The advice which was pressed upon him.. that he should
migrate to Trinity.
b. Nat. Hist. Of animals | To go from one
region or habitat to another ; spec, of some birds
and fishes, to come and go regularly with the
seasons (see Mioration).
432
'753 [cf* Migrating p$l. «.]. 1768 Pennant Zool. I. 121 I
Thiskind of eagle sometimes migrates into Caernarvonshire. 1
Ibid. 115 The birds [Fieldfares] that migrate here come from
Norway. 1808-14 A. Wilson Amer. Ornith. II. 112 They 1
[robins] not only migrate from north to south, but from east
to west, to avoid the deep snows. 1889 A. R. Wallace
Darwinism 27 Of those [birds] which migrate in autumn
a considerable proportion are probably lost at sea.
3. Histol. Of a cell : To move out of the blood-
vessels into the tissues. (Cf. Migratoby a. i c.)
1896 [see Migrated///, a.].
Hence Migrated ppl. a. ; Migrating vbl. sb.
1796 Morse Amer. Geog. II. 72 Migrated Europeans from
every part of Europe. 1831 Trelawny Adv. Younger
Son III. 198 A migrated settler. 1884 W. J. Linton
Poems <y Transt. (1889) 1S2 Knows He not, stork ! the hour
thy migratings begin ? 1885 Riverside Nat. Hist. (1888) IV.
18 Diagram showing the main migrating routes of the
littoral, .birds of Europe. Ibid. 20 The origin of the mi-
grating habit. 1896 Allbutt's Syst. Med. I. 88 A large
collection of migrated leucocytes.
Migrating, ///. a. [f. Migrate v. + -ing ^.]
That migrates, in the senses of the verb.
1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp., Migrating-Birds. Ibid.,
Migrating- Bog. — These soft masses of earth have been
sometimes known to move out of their place. 1774 Goldsm.
Nat. Hist. 11^24) III. 70 Of all migrating fish, the Herring
and the Pilchard take the most adventurous voyages. 1788
Priestley Lect. Hist. v. xhv. 329 The whole body of the
migrating people. 1893 Newton Diet. Birds 572 These
noises proceed from migrating birds.
Migration (msigrt'ijsn). [ad. L. migration-em,
n. of action f. migrare to Migrate.] The action
of moving from one place to another ; also, an
instance of this. a. gen. chiefly of things.
1611 Cotgr., Migration, a migration, a remouing, or
shifting of places. 1650 Hobbv.s De Corp. Pol. 133 The Tenets
of Aristotle, .concerning Substance and Accidents, Species,
Hypostasis, and the Subsistence and Migration of Accidents
from place to place. 1695 Woodward Nat. Hist. Earth 1.
45 Although such Alterations,. .Transitions, and Migrations
of the Centre of Gravity : . . have actually happened, yet [etc.].
1727-51 Chambers Cycl. s, v., The migration of the souls of
men into other animals after death. 1871 Blackie Four
Phases 1. 154 To pray to the gods, that our migration hence
may take place with good omens. 1873 T. H. Green I tit rod.
Pathol, {ed, 2) 100 The migration or transmission of elements
from some primary growth, which . . constitute the centres of
secondary formations. 1875 Joweit Plato (ed. 2) I. 373
There is a change and migration of the soul from this world
to another.
b. esp. of persons, a tribe : The action of moving
from one country, locality, etc., to settle in another;
also, simply, removal from one place of residence
to another.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. VI. vi. 302 The first man
ranged farre before the Flood, and laid his bones many miles
from that place, where its presumed he received them : And
this migration was the greater, if. .he was cast out of the
East-side of Paradise. 1766 Blackstone Comm. II. 17 The
right of migration, or sending colonies to find out new habita-
tions. 1766 Goldsm. / ic. lr\ i, All our adventures were by
the fireside, and all our migrations from the blue bed to the
brown. 1817 Moore Lalla R. (1824) 290 A favourite resting
place of the Emperors in their annual migrations to Cash-
mire. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. i. I. 10 In the ninth
century, began the last great migration of the northern
barbarians. 1891 S. C. Scrivener Our Fields iff Cities 49
The poverty of the majority is the cause of the continual
migration to London.
c. Nat. Hist. Of animals : The action of moving
in flocks, shoals, etc. from one region or habitat
to another; spec, of some birds and fishes, the
periodical departure from and return to a region
at a particular season of the year. Bathic migra-
tion (see quot. 1877). Equatorial migration,
ordinary meridional migration from or towards
the equator.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. iv. xni. 223 By this way
Aristotle through all his bookes of Animals, distinguisheth
their times of generation, Latitancy, migration, sanity and
venation. 1704 Ray Creation (ed. 4) 149 The migration of
Birds. .according to the Seasons. Ibid., The migration of
divers sorts of Fishes. As for example ; The Salmon.
Ibid. 366 They [frogs travelling across dry land] had lived '
(till that time of their migrationj in the Waters 1830 Lyell
Prine. Geol. (1875) II. 11. xxxviii. 339 The former wide range
of these quadrupeds implies a migration of Old World Forms ]
into the new World. 1876 A. K. Wallace Geog. Distrib. ,
Anim. I. 1. ii. 18 The term ' migration * is often applied to i
the periodical or irregular movements of all animals ; but it !
may be questioned whether there are any regular migrants
but birds and fishes. 1877 & ^. Goods Menhaden 51 <U. S.
Fish Comm. Rep.), The former may be called equatorial,
the latter [1. e. changing to waters of less or greater depth]
bathic migration. 1880 Gunther Fishes 648 Comparatively
few are subject to periodical migrations to the sea, like Salmo.
d. Of a bodily organ : Alteration of position
whether from normal or pathological causes.
1890 in Syd. Soc. Lex.
U The alleged sense ( Residence in a foreign ,
country; banishment' given in some recent Diets. '
is fictitious. The word in the authority cited is a
misreading of a later edition for * extermination \
e. attrib. and Comb, (sense C), as migration- !
route; migration-station, a fixed place for the
regular observation of the migration of birds.
1893 Newton Diet. Birds 561 Every species on Migration
goes its own way, and what is called a "Migration.route is !
only the coincidence of the way taken by more or fewer of
them. 1884 Science 17 Oct. 374/2 "Migration-stations now j
MIKADO.
exist in every state and territory of the Union, excepting
Delaware and Nevada.
Migrational (maigr^Janal), a, [f. prec. +
-al.] Of or pertaining to migration or movement
to another place.
1888 J. T. Gulick in Linn. Soc. 7rnt. XX. {Zool.) 223 In
the case of plants and low types of animal life, the suitable
situation is reached by a wide distribution of avast number
of seeds, spores, or germs, and the same situation is main-
tained by a loss of migrational power as soon as the germs
begin to develop.
MigTationist (maigr^-Janist). rare. [Formed
as prec. + -ist.] An individual that participates
in a migration.
1887 Gomme in Jrnl. Anthrofi. Inst. XVII. 130 The
descendants of previous ages of migrationists.
Migrative (margtativ), a. [Formed as prec.
+ -IVE.J Given to migration ; migratory.
1831 J. Rennie Montagu s Ornith. Diet. 322 The migrative
species. Ibid. 534 It is a migrative bird, visiting our coasts
in August. 1863 Carlyle in jWrr. Carlyle's Lett. (1883) 1 1 1.
181, 1 was as if stupefied more or less, and flying on like
those migrative swallows of Professor Owen, after my
^.trength was done.
Migrator (maigrJi-tai). [a. L. migrator, {.
migrare : see Migrate.] One who migrates ;
also spec, a migratory bird.
1818 Shellev Let. to Peacock 25 July, It would be a little
dangerous to the newly unfrozen senses and imaginations of
us migrators from the neighbourhood of the pole. 1836
Swainson Nat. Hist. Birds I. 1. iii. 97 The swallows .. are
..both the swiftest and the most distant migrators. 185a
Bristed Five Yrs.Eng. Univ. 100 A migration is generally
tantamount to a confession of inferiority, and acknowledg-
ment that the migrator is not likely to become a Fellow of
his own College. 1889 K. B. Anderson tr. Rydberg's i eut,
Mythol. 31 Everywhere this gteat multitude of migrators
was well received by the inhabitants.
Migratorial (mai gr#o»-rial), a. rare. [f.
Migratory + -AL.] Ol or pertaining to migra-
tion ; migratory.
1865 Daily Tel. 28 July, Among their migratorial visitors
are quails, landrels, and wrynecks. 1876 Smiles Sc. Nat,
xi. (ed. 4) 209 Those llocusts] here alluded to are. .the best
known from their migratorial flights.
Migratory (mai'gr/tari;, a. and sb. [f. L.
migrat-, ppl. stem of migrate to Migrate.]
1. Characterized by migration; given to migrating.
1755 Johnson, Horde, a clan ; a migratory crew of people.
1815 Elphinstone Ace. Caubut 11842) II. 79 The ..
migratory tribes to the west of the pass of Gholairee.
1839 Yeowell Anc. Brit. Ch. xi. (1847) 116 The migratory
nature of the primacy seems to have weakened its stability.
1878 Wolselev in 19M Cent. Mar. 449 Our population is so
migratory that recruits are seldom enlisted in the parishes
they were born in. 1879 Froude Caesar v. 41 A vast migra*
tory wave of population had been set in motion behind the
Rhine and Danube.
b. Ol animals ; spec, in Nat. Hist. : Charac-
terized by or given to periodical migration. Some-
times as a rendering of a mod.L. specific name, as
in Migratory Locust, Pigeon.
[a 167a Willughby Ornithol. 1. ix. (1676) 17 Avium.. quae
statis anni temporibus advolant iterumque discedunt, migra-
torue diet*. (Ray translates: Which we call Birds of
passage.)! *753 Chambers Cycl. Supp. s. v. Bird, Migratory
Birds, the same with birds of passage. 1793 tr. Bujffon's
Birds VI. 489 [Swallows.] Some are there permanent settlers
and others migratory. 1808-14 A. Wilson Amer. Ornith.
II. 293 Columba migratoria, Linnxus and Wilson. Migra-
tory Pigeon... The wild pigeon of the United States. 1835
W. Irving Tour Prairies zoo We were on the great highway
of these migratory herds. 1839T. C. Hofland Brit.AnglePs
Man. iv. (1841) 107 lt (the grayling] is very migratory, and
frequently leaves one part of the river for another. 1875
Nicholson Man. Zool. (ed. 4) 290 The Migratory Locust
(Acrydium mtgratorinm) of Africa and Southern Asia.
1876 A. R. Wallace Geog. Distrib. Anim. I. 1. i. 20 The
same species is often sedentary in one part of Europe and
migratory in another.
C. Of a bodily organ, a disease, etc. : Charac-
terized by movement from its normal position ;
esp. in Histol. of a cell : Given to migration from
the blood-vessels to the tissues.
1876 Quain Anat. (ed. 6) II. 12 The pale blood-corpuscles
may some of them make their way out of the blood-vessels
and move freely in the surrounding tissues : hence the term
* migratory cells' (IVanderzellen) applied to them. 1877 tr.
H. von Ziemssetis Cycl. Med. XV. 763 The Movable (Mi-
gratory) Kidney. 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. III. 13 One of
the most characteristic features of the disease [Acute Rheu-
matism] is the migratory nature of the joint affection.
2. Of or pertaining to migration.
1757 Burke Abridgem. Eng. Hist. Wks. X. 274 This
purpose (intermixture of mankind] is sometimes carried on
by a sort of migratory instinct, sometimes by the spirit of
conquest. 1839 Selby in Proc. Bent: Nat. Club I. No. 7.
190 The wild-fowl began to.. yield to that influence which
directs their migratory movements. 1856 Kane A ret. Expl.
I. viii. 80 The migratory passages of the reindeer.
B. sb. A migratory bird. rare.
1898 G. Meredith Odes Fr.Hist. 27 Winged migratories,
having but heaven for home.
Migrym, obs. form of Megrim1.
Mihel, Mihel(e)mas^se, obs. ff. Michael,
Michaelmas.
Miht(e, obs. forms of Might sb.
Miin, mijn, obs. forms of Mine/<w. pron.
II Mikado (mika-do). Also 8-9 Mikaddo.
[Japanese mi august + kado door : for the
MIKE.
The title of the
sense cf. 'Sublime Porte'.]
emperor of Japan.
It was usual for European writers to describe the Mikado
as a 'spiritual ' emperor, and the Shogun (who was the de
facto ruler until 1867) as a second or ' temporal ' emperor.
17.7 Scheuchzer tr. Kzmpfcrs Japan III. ii. I. m In
Spiritual Affairs, they are under the absolute jurisdiction of
the Mikaddo. Ibid. 212 The Secular Monarch professes the
religion of his forefathers, and pays his respect and duty
once a year to the Mikaddo. 1845 Encycl. Metrop. XX.
476/1 Their Spiritual ruler is the Mikaddo, i. e. Sublime
Porte, a term commonly used to express the Dai'ri himself
as well as his Court. 1875 W. E. GRiFFisinJ^. Amer.Rev.
CXX. 282 The restoration of the mikado, or true emperor
[of Japan] to his ancient and rightful supreme power. 1890
B. H. Chamberlain Things Japanese 155 Japan.., though
..avowedly^ ruled by the Shoguns from a. d. 1190 to 1867,
always retained the Mikado as theoretical head of the state.
Hence Mika'doate, the office of Mikado.
1899 F. V. Dickins in Eng. Hist. Rev. Apr. 22g The
mikadoate of old Japan entered upon its final stage,
t Mike, sb.1 Obs. rare. Forms : 3 mik, 4-5
myke. ? A friend.
a 1300 Cursor M. 2807 ' Has bou her ', bai said, ' ani man,
Sun ordoghter, mikor mau tope langand . 13.. E. E. Allit.
P. A. 572 For mony ben calle[d] ba} fewe be mykez. c 1470
Harding Chron. lxxii. iv, He made. . Hymselfe like Erethel
in all semblaunce That [then was] the dukes preuy myke.
t Mike, sb.2 [? a. MDu. miche (mod.Du. mik) :
cf. Meck, Miche sb.2] ?A 'cratch' or forked
support on which a boom rests when lowered.
13. . E. E. Allit. P. B. 417 Hit waltered on be wylde
flod,..\Vith-outen mast, ober myke, ober myry bawelyne.
Mike (maik), sbfi slang. [Belongs to Mike ».]
In phr. To do or have a mike, to idle away one's
time (see quots.).
18*5 Egan Life Actor 28 The performances of the last
night at the theatre are often discussed over a mike at the
fireside the next morning respecting the abilitiesof the actors.
Fool-n., Mike or Skamtnock. Technical or cant phrases
amongst printers. To have a mike is to loiter away the time,
when it might be more usefully or profitably employed.
1890 Barrere & Leland Diet. Slang s. v., Mike (tailors),
to do a mike, to pretend to be working or hang about.
Mike (msik), sbA slang. [Shortened from
Michael.'] = Mick.
1874 Hotten's Slang Diet., Mike, an Irish hodman, or
general labourer.
Mike (maik), v. slang. [Of obscure origin:
cf. Miche ».] intr. To 'hang about', doing
nothing or waiting for a job.
1859 Hotten's Slang Diet., Mike, to loiter ; or as a coster-
monger defined it, to ' lazy about '. 1887 W. E. Henley
Villon's Gd. Nt. 3 You spunges miking round the pubs.
Mike, -lik, -ness, obs. ff. Meek, -ly, -ness.
Mikel(l, mikil(le, mikle, obs. ff. Mickle.
Mikrom, -on, variant forms of Microm,Micron.
Mikul, obs. form of Mickle.
Mil (mil). Also 8 mill. [ad. L. mille thousand.
In senses 2 and 3 short for L. millesimum thou-
jandth, on the analogy of Cent 2, 3.]
1. Per mil : per thousand. (CI. per cent.)
1711 C. King Brit. Merck. 1. 294 Ox-bones | 30400 i o. 6. 8
per Mill | ia 2. 8. 1753 Hanway Trav. (1762) I. vn. lxxxviii.
407 Koeninsburg draws in current money, 1 per mil, accord-
ing to custom, being deducted.
2. A proposed coin of the value of the thousandth
part of a pound sterling. See also Mill sb.5 b.
1854 Humphreys Coin. Brit. Emp. 149 It is proposed that
the smallest coin, one thousand to the pound, shall be called
a mil. 1875 Jevons Money xiv. 176 The two principal
schemes [of decimalization], .are the Pound and Mil scheme,
and the Penny and Ten-franc scheme.
3. A unit of length used in measuring the
diameter of wire, = njVtr of an inch. Circular
mil, a unit of area for measuring cross- sections
of wires, tubes, and rods, being the area of a circle
whose diameter is one mil.
1891 L. Clark Diet Metric Meas.
4. Used in Pharmacy for Millilitre.
Proposed (together with decimil for -cool litre, and centi.
mil for -ooooi litre) by Mr. J. Humphreys in 1904. The
three terms were authorized by the Board of Trade in 1905.
II Milady (mil^-di). Alsomiladi. [F. milady:
cf. Miloru.] A continental rendering of 'my
lady ', used as an appellation in speaking to or of
an English noblewoman or great lady.
,839 James Genii. Old School xii, 'I did not wish to
listen to your conversation, miladi ', interrupted Philippina.
1873 E. FitzGerald Lett. (1889) I. 361 What do you and
Miladi think of these two Lines of his which returned to me
the other day? 1886 Boston (Mass.) Jrnl. 13 Aug. 2/3 In
the outfit of the full-dressed dog of the English milady.
Milage, variant of Mileage.
Milan1 (mi'lan). Forms: 5 Melayne, -eyn,
Mylleyn, 5-6 Mil(l)ayn(e, 6 Myllain, Myll-,
Millan, -en, -in, -on, Myllaue, Melane,
Mul(l)ane, Mil(l)ion, Millian, 6-7 Millane,
Millain(e, 6- Milan, [ad. It. Milano.] The
name of the chief city of Lombardy ; used atlrib.
to designate certain of its manufactures, chiefly
textile fabrics and steel-work, as f Milan bonnet,
i fustian, f gloves, lace, f sleeves ; f Milan needle,
a sail-needle; Milan point (see quot. 1882);
Milan steel (Hist), steel used by the armourers of
Vol. VI.
483
Milan in the manufacture of coats-of-mail, swords,
etc. (so Milan hauberk, knife, mail).
[1431 Test. Ebor, II. 13 Unam loricam de Milan.] 1495
Naval Ace. Hen. VII (1896) 276, vjC. mylleyn nedylles
. -spent abought reparacion & amendyng of the seyd Sayles.
1503 Ace. Ld. High Treas. Scot. (1900) 1 1. 234 Item for thre
elne Melane fustiane. 1507 Ibid. (1902) IV. 15 Five Melane
bonetis. 1530 in Form o/Cury (1780) 167 A pair of Myllen
Sieves of white sattin. \%-^%Proclam.\Z Aug. xnCkron. Calais
(Camden) 116 To apparell there servauntes in. .red Myllen
bonnettes. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. (Rolls) I. 235 The
MiHane meljeis mendit nocht ane myte, The brandis orient
sa bitterlie did byte. 1545 Rates Custome Ho. bviij, Millin
gloues or canary the groce, xxvi.s. \\\\.d. 1588 in Ane.
Invent. (Halliw. 1854) 126 A quilte. .lyned with Million
fustian. 1601 J. Wheeler Treat. Comm. 23 Milan Fustians.
16.. K. Arth. <$■ K. Cormu. 168 in Percy Fol. MS. !. 68
He sayes, 'Collen brand Ilehaue in my hand, And a Millaine
knife fast by my knee.1 162a Mabbe tr. Alcman's Guzm.
a"Alf. 1. 158 A BufTe Ierkin, laid on with a costly Milane-
Lace. 1828 Scott F. M. Perth xi, Canst thou take up a
fallen link in my Milan hauberk? 1882 Caulfeild& Saward
Diet. Needletvork s. v. Milan Point, The Milan Points..
were fine hand made laces similar to the Spanish and
Venetian Points.
f b. Short for Milan steel. Obs.
1464 Mann. <$■ Househ. Exp. (Roxb.) 194 A stondard of
maylL.anda salat wyth a vesere of meleyn. 15.. Chevy
Chase 65 (Ashmole MS.), With swordes that wear of fyn
myllan. 16.. Eger <$• Grine 169 in Percy Fol. MS. I. 359
My Habergion that was of Millaine fine,
t Milan 2. Obs. rare. In 5 myl(l)an, 6
myllaine. [a. F. milan.] A kite.
c 1484 Caxton Fables of M sop 1. iv. (1889) 8 The myllan.
Ibid. 11. ii. 34 The kyte or mylan. 1575 Turberv. Falconrie
124 The Myllaine and the Lanerette.
Milaner, -ery, obs. ff. Millineb, Millixery.
Milanese (milanf'z), a. and sb. Forms: 5
mylannoys, 8 Milaneze, 8- Milanese, [ad. Tt.
Milanese : see -ESE.] A. adj. Of or pertaining
to Milan, its inhabitants, manufactures, etc.
Milanese lace (see quot. 1882).
1756-7 tr. Keysler's Trav. (1760) I. 384 The freedom and
liberality of the Milanese ladies. 1866 G. Meredith Vitto-
ria xxix, A printed song in the Milanese dialect. 1882
Caulfeild & Saward Diet. Needlework, Milanese Lace. —
This is made in the Philippine Isles, with Manilla grass.
The work is a combination of Drawn Work and open Em-
broidery, and has not much the appearance of lace. 1896
Henty Knt. W^fVffOw.rxvii. 269 A superb suit of Milanese
armour.
B. absol. or as sb.
1. A native or an inhabitant of Milan.
Unchanged for pi. : cf. Chinese, Maltese. In 6 t Mila>
nesis.
1484 Caxton Fables of Poge iv. (1889) 297 A mylannoys
named Paulus. 158a N. Lichefield tr. Castanheda's Cong.
E. Ind. 1. liv. 116 b, With them went two Milanesis, which
were Lapidaries, a 1715 Burnet Own Timew. (1734) II. 177
That the Milaneze should have a neutrality granted them.
x886 Ruskin Pr&terita I. vi, 200 To drive to the Corso,
where at that time the higher Milanese were happy and
proud as ours in their park.
2. The Milanese : the territory of the old duchy
of Milan.
a 1715 Burnet Own Time vu. (1734) II. 354 If the King
of France, .became Master of the Milaneze. 1769 Robert-
son Chas. V, 11. Wks. 1851 III. 483 Seizing by surprise, or
force, several places in the Milanese. 1841 W. Spalding
Italy ff It. Isl. III. 44 The allies overran the Milanese
and Piedmont.
Milboard, obs. form of Millboard.
t Milce, sb. Obs. Forms : 1 milds, 1-2
milts, 2-3 mildce, 2-4 milce, 3 millce (Orm.)f
milze, milzce, mildze, milohe, 3-4 milse,
mulce, 4 mylse. [OE. milds, milts fem. :—
OTeut. type *milctisjd, f. *milajo- Mild a. ; cf.
Bliss sb. The z of early ME. forms = fs.]
1. Mercy, clemency, forbearance, favour. Often
coupled with ore, grace, or mercy. Also pi. mercies.
Beenvulfw}i\ (Gr.) Us wses a syooan Merewioinga milts
unsyfeSe. c 8»5 Vesp. Psalter xxiv, 6 jemyne mildsa Sinra
dryhten. c 1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 119 Bidde we nu be
holigost bat he haue milce of us. c 1200 Vices $■ Virtues
81 After Sine manifealde mildces 5e 5u hafst ihafd to man-
kenne, do awei fram me Sese michele unrihtwisnesse. c 1205
Lav, 21889 We geomeS £ine milzce. a 1250 Owl <f Night.
1083 Ic hadde of hire Milce [MS. Cott. milse] & ore. c 1250
Gen. $ Ex. 3603; Louerd, . .Merci aet for Sin milde mod !
Or Su Sis folc wio milche mo5[rra«/loc] Or do min name ut
of Sin boa 1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 775 Hc.hopede vor to
finde of hire betere mulce & grace, a 1310 in Wright Lyric
P. xviii. 58 Tharefore y bidde thin mylse ant ore, Merci,
lord, ynul na more ! CX330 Arth. $ Merl. 667 (Kolbing),
Hou Jesu of a maide iHirch his milce was ybore.
2. Comb.: milce-hearted adj. [cf. OE. milts-keort'} ;
milce-witter a., knowing mercy.
c 1250 Gen. ly Ex. 2003 Netajte ic hem no^t. .Min mi^tful
name adonay ; Min milche witter name eley He knewen
wel, and ely. a 1300 [see Milcer],
t Milce, v. Obs. Forms: 1 mildsian, 1-2
mil(t)sian, 2 milcian, -en, 3 millcenn (Orm.)t
milse, mylce, milce. [OE. mildsian :— OTeut.
type *mildisdjan, f. *milajo- Mild- a.] trans. To
have mercy on, or show mercy to (a person) ; to
be kind, compassionate, or gracious to. Also absol.
Hence Milciende ppl. a., merciful.
c-8»5 Vesp. Psalter 1. 1 Miserere niei, mildsa min. <:888
K. ^Elfrf.d Boeth. xxxviii. § 7 Nis nan riht taet mon bone
yflan hatige, ac hit is rihtre ba?t him mon miltsi^e. a 1175
Cott. Horn. 235 Majie wiman forjetcn his oje cild bat hi ne
MILCH.
milsi hire barn of hire ojen innoS. c 1175 Lamb. Horn, ti
Muchel is us benne neod . . bet we ;erne bidden ure
milciende drihten bet [etc.]. c 1275 Lay. 16784 For |?e
loue of God al-mihtt milce me and mine cnihtes. c 1275
Duty 0/ Christians 18 in O. E. Misc. 141 Iblessed beo such
ebeling vs mylce bat he wolde. a 1300 E. E. Psalter cxiv.
5 (Horstm.) And oure god milse sal.
tMi'lcefuly a. Obs. [f. Milce j£. + -ful.]
Merciful, gracious. Hence f MMcefulness.
a 1225 Ancr. R. 30 Milcefule Louerd. Ibid. 264 Milsfule.
a 1223 Juliana 52 (Roy. MS-), Xe beoS cristene men..
merciableant milzful. c \\zoCast. Love 543 pou art, Fader,
so milsful kyng. £1330 W. Herebeht Antiphones in Rcl.
Ant. I. 88 'Ihe mylde gode sped in rithfolnesse, To sunfole
men sheu mylsfolnesse.
t Milcer. Obs. rare—1, [f. Milce v. + -ER1.]
One who shows mercy or pities.
^1300 E. E. Psalter cxliv. 8 (MS. Egerton), Milzer &
milzeherted [L. miserator et miser icors],
t Milch, sb. Obs. [?f. the vb.] The capacity
or condition of giving milk ; also, a yield or
quantity of milk.
1634 W. Wood New Eng. Prosp. 1. iv, [Cattle] being
generally larger and better of milch. 1642 J. Eaton Honey-c.
Free Justif, 380 Like a shrewd cow, that gives a good milch,
and then kicketh it all downe, when she hath done.
Milch (miltj), a. Forms: 3 mielch, 3, 6-7
milche, 4-6 melche, 5-7 mylche, 6 mellche,
mylch, 6-7 melch, 6- milch. [ME. mielch,
milche, repr. OE. *milce (in pri-milce, month of
May, when the cows can be milked thrice in the
day) :— OTeut. type *melu£jo-, f. *meltdr- Milk sb.
The adj. actually found in OE. with this sense is vteolc,
melc, corresponding to MDu., MLG. melk, OHG. melch
(MHG. melch, melc, mod.G. melk), ON. miolh-r; the stem
of this adj. is identical with that of Milk sb., and is probably
evolved from compounds.]
1, Of domestic mammals : Giving milk, kept for
milking, * in milk '. (The opposite of dry.) See
also Milch cow.
c 1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 351/228 5wane heo [sc. the cow] cam
horn at eue, fair and round heo was, And swybe Mielch
at-so. C1440 Jacob's Well 37 pe tythe of be pasture to pe
drye beestys ow^te to be payid as wel as to bi melche
beestys. 1548 in ReLAnt. II. 17 Item, ij. mellche beastes,
whtche were belongmge to the norcerye. 1560 Bible
(Geneva) Gen. xxxii. 15 Thirty milche camels with their
coltes. 1592 Shaks. Ven. <y Ad. 875 Like a milch Doe,
whose swelling dugs do ake, Hasting to feed her fawne.
1626 Bacon Sylva § 778 Mixtures of Water in Ponds for
Cattell, to make them more Milch. 1759 Chesterf. Lett.
16 Mar., I have just now bought a milch-goat, which is to
graze, and nurse me at Blackheath. 1774 Golds.m. Nat.
Hist. III. 14 That fine milch breed, which excels the cattle
of any other part of the world. 1789 G. White Antiq.
Selborne v . 324 Though barrow-hogs and young sows found
no inconvenience from this food [yew-berries], yet milch-
sows often died after such a repast. 1887 Morris Odyss.
ix. 341 So to the milking his milch-ewes and his bleating
goats he sat.
fb. Applied to a woman, esp. a wet-nurse. Obs.
_ r 1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 472/362 pat child wolde souke and
it nuste ?wam, pare nas no milk a-boute, ne no mielch
wumman. c 1325 Lai le Freine 196 He . . tok it [the child]
his douhter, and hir bisought, That hye schuld kepe it
as sche can, For sche was melche and couthe theran, 1563
Hvll Art Garden. (1593) 49 And neither women in childe-
bed, nor milch nourses, . . may eate Parcely with their meats.
1662 Graunt Bills Mori. iii. 19 [Deaths] caused by care-
lessness, ignorance, and infirmity of the Milch-women. 1709
Steele Tatler No. 15 p 2 One Country Milch-Wench, to
whom I was committed, and put to the Breast.
1658 J. Harrington Prerog. Pop. Govt. 1. xi. Wks. (1700)
300 Thus a populous City makes a Country milch, or popu-
lous by sucking.
t d. applied to the breasts or teats ; also trans/.
to the eyes when weeping. Obs. rare.
1600 J. Lane Tom Tel-troth 123 Pallas, the Nurse of
Nature-helping Art, ..From whose milch teates no pupils
would depart. 1602 Shaks. Ham. 11. ii. 540 The instant
Burst of Clamour that she made. .Would haue made milche
the Burning eyes of Heauen.
T 2. nonce-uses. a. Of plants : Milky, full of
milk. b. Of dew : Exuding like milk. Obs.
c 1420 Pallad. on Husb. m. 1081 Item [sc. plants] that
beth melche in ver novelles grene [L. uerno magis cum
lactent nouella uireufia] Beth nought to fede. 1612 Dray-
ton Poly-olb. xiii. 171 Exhaling the milch dewe which there
had tarried long, And on the ranker grasse till past the
noone-sted hong.
f Milch, v. Obs. [app. f. Milch a.
Not repr. OE. melcan str. vb. or vieolcian, {ge)milcian
wk. vb. : see Milk v.]
trans. To milk (an animal). Also^. Hence
Milohed^/. a., Mi'lching vbl. sb.
1570 Levins Manip. 130/7 To Milch, mitlgSre. 1589
Fleming Virg. Bucol. in. 9 And let him couple foxes too,
and milch the male-kind gotes. 1648 H. Ferne Serm.
(1649) 8 Two new-milcht Kine drawing the Arke of God.
1648 Hexham, Een melckinge, a Milking, or a Milching.
1784 Twamley Dairying 23 The owner made a point of
never keeping a Cow that was too old Milcht, or Milk'd
too long from the time of Calving ; or when any Cow went
off her Milk . . he always replaced her with a new Milcht
one. 1805 R. W. Dickson Pract. Agric. II. 986 Where
they [sc. calves] suck stale milched cows.
b. Comb, (the verb-stem used atlrib.), as milch-
barn, -bowl, -house.
1599 Ace. Bk. IV. Wrayxn Antiquary XXXII. 243, xv
milche boules. Ibid., In the milche house. 18x0 Splendid
Follies II. 177 The equestrians . . arrived at the milch-barn.
121
MILCH-COW.
Milch-cow. [Milcu a.]
1. A cow ' in milk ' ; a cow giving milk or kept
for milking.
1414 in E. E. Wills (1882) 57. I «rul my wyf haf half my
mylche kye. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 337/2 Mylche cowe,
bassario, vel vacca mulsaria. 15*3 Fitzherb. Huso. § 70
Melch kye and draught oxen, wyll eate a close moche barer
than as many fatte kye and oxen. 1583 Stubbes A nat.
Abus. 11. (1882) 47 And so solde the former barren cowe with
hir adulterate calfe, for a melch cowe. 1596 Shaks. Tarn.
Shr. 11. i. 359, 1 haue a hundred milch-kine to the pale. 1879
Hingston Australian Abr. ix. 102 China, as a Nation, is
as weak and defenceless now as a milch cow.
trans/. 1816 Kirbv & Sp. Entomol. xvu. (1818) II. 65
Aphides and Cocci, which are the milch kine of our little
pismires.
2. fig. A source of regularly-accruing gain or
profit ; esp. a person from whom money is easily
drawn , one who ' bleeds freely '. (So F. vache a lait.)
1601 J. Wheeler Treat. Camm. 40 So profitable a Milch-
cowe as the English Trade was vnto the Lowe Countries.
1617 Chamberlain Let. in Ct. ft Times Jas. /, II. 8 That
he had been a good milch cow to Dixon . . and that he had
yielded ,£200 a year, a 1700 B. E. Diet. Cant. Crew,
Milch-kine, a Term us'd by Coalers, when their Prisoners
will bleed freely to have some Favor, or be at large. 171a
Arbuthnot John Bull 1. xii, John's cause was a good milch
cow, and many a man subsisted his family out of it. 1885
Ch. limes 18 Dec 093/4 1'he • • private patron . . far more
frequently viewed his advowson as a milch-cow for his
private profit.
Milche, obs. f. Melsh, a. (With milche-
hearted cf. early ME. milce-herted s.v. Milce sb.)
155a Huloet, Milche harted, lentosus.
Milclier (miltjai). [f. Milch a. or v. + -ebI.]
An animal that yields milk ; a milch-beast.
1813 E. Moor Suffolk Words 229 A good milcher. 1890
' R. Boldrewood ' Col. Reformer (1891) 417 Those minia-
ture milchers [sc. goats]. 1891 T. Hardy Tess xvi, All
prime milchers, such as were seldom seen out of this valley.
Milchy (miltji), a. [f. Milch a. + -y 1.]
1 1. Milk-giving, yielding milk. Obs. rare.
1635 Sir T. Hawkins tr. Horace, Odes Epode xvi. (ed. 3)
86 There, milchy Gotes come freely to the Paile.
2. ? U.S. ' Milky, as an oyster' (Cent. Diet. 1890).
Milcie, var. Milce v. Obs., Milsey Sc.
t Mild, sb. Obs. rare. [f. Mild a.l Cf. ON.
mildi, OHG. milti.] Gentleness, pity.
c 1430 in Pol Rel. tr L. Poems (1903) 197 Lete mylde &
meekenes [v.r. mylde mekenes] melte in bin herte. 1576
Gascoigne Philomene (Arb.) 112 Then Progne phy for thee,
Which kildst thine only child, Phy on the cruel crabbed
heart Which was not movde with milde.
Mild (maild), a. Forms: 1-7 milde, 3-6
myld(e , 5 myelde, myyld, 5-6 my ild(e, 6 miled,
3- mild. [Com. Teut. : OE. milde = OFris.
milde, OS. mildi (MDu. milde, Du. mild), OHG.
milti (MHG. milte, mod.G. mild), ON. mild-r
(Sw., Da. mild), Goth, -mild-s (in compounds,
friapwamildjai masc. pi., loving, unmildjai masc.
pi., unkind ; also in derivative mildipa kindness):—
OTeut. *mildjo-, *mildi-, f. Indogermanic root
*meldh- (: moldh- : mldh), whence Gr. (ia\6ait6s
soft, mild, Olrish meldach tender, Skr. mrdh to
neglect, also to be moist.]
1. Of persons, their disposition and behaviour.
a. (Chiefly of a superior, e. g. a king) : Kind,
considerate, gracious, merciful, indulgent; not
harsh or severe. Now rare or Obs.
<z7»5 Laws A". Wihtrzd Prol., Dam mildestan cyninge
Cantwara Wihtrade rixijendum. 1387 Trevisa Higden
(Rolls) VII. 483 pat tyme Theobald be mylde [L. pius\,
eorle of Campania, was in his floures. 1667M1LTON P. L.
x. 1046 Remember with what mild And gracious temper he
both heard and judg'd Without wrauth or reviling. 1715
Pope Odyss. xiv. 160 So mild a master never shall I find.
1831 Heraud Voy. fr Mem. Midshipm. ix. (1837) 157 This
mild prince, .is deservedly popular with his. .subjects.
b. Applied to God, Christ, and the Virgin Mary.
Obs. exc. in traditional collocations.
971 Blickl. Horn. 71 Secggab Siones dohtrum bat heora
cining cymeb, milde & monbwsere. c isoo Trin. Coll. Horn.
21 pus mildeliche andswerede be milde quen of heuene.
a i«5 Leg. Kath. 2411 Milde Iesu. a 1 300 Cursor M.
24748 Quen i ma mening o bat mild [the Virgin]. 1389 in
Eng. Gilds (1870) 47 His mild modir seynt marye. 1567
Cude \ Godlie B. (S. T. S.) 84 Thow blissit Virgin mylde.
1603 Knolles Hist. Turks (1621) 121 Libertie would availe
me nothing, if Christ by his most milde incarnation had not
taken away our captivitie. a 1729 J. Rogers 19 Serm. i.
(1735) 5 It teaches us. .to adore him as a mild and merciful
Being, of infinite Love, .to his Creatures. 1810 Scott Lady
of L. 111. xxix, Ave Maria 1 maiden mild ! 1828 Jolly
Sunday Serv. (1848) 206 This mild Majesty of God incarnate
..was now about to ascend to Heaven.
c. const, to or + dative ; occas. f with.
971 Blickl. Horn. 47 God bib milde ba?m monnum be. .on
hine selefab. c xao5 Lay. 14802 He [Vortimer] wes milde
seiche cnafe. a 1150 Owl <$■ Night. 1775 WiS heore cunne
heo beob mildre. 13 . . Assump. Virg. 888 (Add. MS.) For
oure ladi hure schal be mylde. a 1430 Myrc 29 In worde
and dede bou moste be mylde Bothe to mon and to
chylde. 1579 Lyly Euphues (Arb.) 165 Yet is he milde to
those that aske forgiuenesse. 1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's
Trav. 1. 58 They erect a stone over the head of the de-
ceased, to serve for a seat to the Angels who are to examine
him, that they may be the milder to him.
d. Gentle and conciliatory in disposition or
behaviour; not easily provoked, and giving no
offence to others ; not rough or fierce in manners.
484
In mod. prose used with more or less disparaging implica-
tion : cf. 6 b.
a 1000 Guthlac 711 (Gr.) Swa baet milde mod ..dryhtne
beowde. c xaoo Ormin 2938 Milde he [Joseph] wass. -I batt
he nollde wre^enn patt wimmann batt wass gilltelajs. 136a
Langl. P. PI. A. x. 83 Drede is such a Mayster pat he
makeb Men Meoke and Mylde of heore speche. 1387 Tre-
visa Higden (Rolls) I. 173 And bere ynne beb more mylde
peple [L. quae gentem habet magis piam, contrasted with
/eras gentes], c 1440 Promp. Parv. 337/2 Myyld, and
buxum, plus, benignus, mansuetus. 1530 Palsgr. 776/1,
I have knowen hym a heedye felowe, but he is waxen mylde
nowe : je lay congneu vng testart, mays il se est bien
hutnylii mayntenant. 1596 Spenser F. Q. v. xii. 42 Most
bitter wordes they spake. .That they the mildest man alive
would make Forget his patience. CX645 Howell Lett.
(1655) II. liv. 63 A harsh Mother may bring forth somtimes
a mild daughter. 17*0 Pope Itiad xxiv. 963 In whom the
gods had join'd The mildest manners with the bravest
mind, a x86a Buckle Civiliz. (1873) III. ii. 53 The mildest
spirit might well have been roused by this.
absoL CI175 Lamb. Horn. 113 Drihten . . on-hefS ba
mildan. C1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxiv. {Alexis) 103 Syne
dyliuere was bat myld, thru godis helpe, of a knaf chyld.
1813 H. G. Knight Alashtar m. xiii, Let the weak bewail !
Well may the mild, the woman-hearted fail.
6. of looks, language, etc.
Beowulf 1172 Spree mildum wordum. c 1175 Lamb. Horn.
45 |>a onswerede him drihten mildere steuene. c xaoo Trin.
Coll. Horn. 123 pe like louerd..pe bus loke5 of heuene to men
mid his milde e?en. c 1430 Ckron. Vilod. 1013 Hure voys
was bothe myelde & swete. 1568 Grafton Ckron. II. 36
With such mylde aunsweres he put off the tyme. 1771
Junius Lett. xlix. (1788) 266 But this language is too mild
for the occasion. 1707 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XI. 759 Their
features are extremely mild and pleasing. 1813 Shelley
Q. Mob in. 158 His mild eye beams benevolence no more.
1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng. xxii. IV. 754 If he sometimes
stooped to be a villain— for no milder word will come up to
the truth.
f. of rule, punishment, treatment of persons,
influence, and the like. Now chiefly in compara-
tive : Less severe.
*577 tr- Bulli tiger's Decades If. viii. (1592) 191 But this
kind of quieting and setting parties at one, is verie milde
in comparison of reuengement and punishment, a 1645
Waller Pens-Hurst \. 44 Ah ! cruel Nymph !. -her humble
swaine. .from the winds and tempests doth expect A milder
fate then from her cold neglect! c 1655 Milton Sonn.t
4 When I consider' % Who best Bear his milde yoak, they
serve him best. 1776 Adam Smith IV. N. iv. viii. (1869) II.
232 The penalties imposed by this milder statute. i8a5
Macaulay Ess., Milton (1899) 17 But., why not adopt
milder measures? 1871 Freeman Norm. Cong. (1876) IV.
xvii. 73 The South . . was put under the milder rule of the
Bishop.
g. in proverbial similes, As fnild as a dove, as
May, as milk, etc.
1530 Palsgr. 626/2 Whan he is angryest of all I can make
hym as mylde as a lambe. 1500, ?Shaks. Pass. Pilgr. vii,
Faire is my loue, but not so (aire as fickle; Milde as a
Doue, but neither true nor trustie. 1704 Pope Pastorals,
Spring 81 Sylvia's like autumn ripe, yet mild as May. 1874
1 . Hardy Madding Crowd iv, A temper as mild as milk.
fh. Mild mother (tr. Pia Mater) : see Mother.
2. Of an animal : Tame, gentle ; not wild or
fierce. {Obs. exc. as directly transf. from I d.)
C1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 39/183 J>e Bollokes and be ^oungue
steores bat weren er so wilde, Anon so huy touward heom
come huy woxen tame and milde. 1377 Langl. P. PI. B.
xv. 275 Egydie after an hynde cryede, And borw pe mylke
of bat mylde best be man was susteyned. 1390 Gower
Con/. I. 39 Of so good mesure He song, that he the bestes
wilde Made of his note tame and milde. 1671 Milton
P. R. 1. 310 Among wild Beasts : they at his sight grew
mild. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. IV. 254 Mild, peaceful, and
brave, it [the elephant] never abuses its power or its strength.
1801 J. Jones tr. Bygge's Trav. Fr. Rep. viii 154 The
menagerie seems to be separated into two parts, the one
for mild animals, and the other for the wild and ferocious.
1840 Penny Cycl. XVIII. 476/1 The Kinkajou is very mild
in captivity.
b. Of a plant: Cultivated, not wild. Obs. rare.
i6ox Holland Pliny II. 168 As many vertues as the mild
fig-tree hath, yet the wild is much more erTectuall.
B. Of weather, etc.: Not rough or stormy, not
sharp or severe ; calm, fine, and moderately warm.
Of a climate : Temperate.
14.. Seven Deadly Sins 3 in Pol. Rel. fy L. Poems (1866)
215 Apon a mylde mornyng of may. 1530 Palsgr. 318/2
Mylde of wether, paisible. 1634 Milton Comus 4 In
Regions milde of calm and serene Ayr. 17x4 Gay Trivia
1. 144 Signs . . Of milder weather, and serener skies. 1819
Shelley Prometh. Unb. 1.793 Spring ..Whose mild winds
shake the elder brake. 1892 Emily Lawless Crania I. 1
A mild September afternoon. ^
fig. x6o8 Shaks. Per. m. i. 27 Now mylde may be thy
life, For a more blusterous birth had neuer Babe.
4. Of light, or a luminous body: Shining with
tempered lustre, softly radiant.
a 1645 Waller To Vng. Lady Lucy Sidney 10 The rosy
mome resignes her light, And milder glory to the Noon.
1768-74 Tucker LU Nat.t Theol. xviii. (1852) I. 367 The
Governor of the Universe is a more discernible object, . .
clothed with milder rays of glory. 1819 Keats Lamia 1.
382 A silver lamp, whose phosphor glow Reflected in the
slabbed steps below, Mild as a star in water. 183a Standish
Maid o/Jaen 21 The moon's mild orb was shining seen.
5. Of a medicine : Operating gently ; not violent
or strong in its effects. Of food, tobacco, etc. :
Soft to the palate, not rough or sharp or strong in
taste or odour, not over-stimulating or over-feed-
ing. Of pathological secretions : Not acrid or
irritating.
a 1400-50 Alexander 4824 Was neuir no mede ne no milke
MILD.
so mild vndire heuen. 1577 B. Googe Heresback's Hush.
n. (1586) 58 b, The smoother the leafe is, the mileder and
the sweeter is the roote. 165a Culpepper Eng. Physic. 12
The milde Arsmart is good against hot Imposthumes. 173a
Arbuthnot Rules o/Diet in Aliments, etc. 257 Anti-acids
of a milder kind. 1768 Bickerstaff Lionel A> Clarissa 1.
(1786) 9 Why, one bottle [of hock] won't hurt you, man— this
is old, and as mild as milk. 1822-34 Goods Study Med.
(ed. 4) IV. 62 The matter discharged is whitish and mild,
producing no excoriation, .or other disquiet. X83X Youatt
Horse x. 171 Avery mild dose of physic. 1845 Eliza Acton
Mod. Cookery 122 Mild Ragout of Garlic... By changing
very frequently the water in which it is boiled, the root will
be deprived of its naturally pungent flavour and smell, and
rendered extremely mild. X855 Anti-Maud xxix, Sipping
their Seltzer and Hock, and smoking a mild cigar. 1899
Allbutt's Syst. Med. VIII. 614 The milder form of sulphur
lotion is preferable.
fig. X781 Cowper Charity 502 Most satirists are indeed
a public scourge ; Their mildest physic is a farrier's purge.
b. Of ale or beer : In early use app. free from
acidity, not sour or ■ stale ' ; now applied to those
kinds that are not strongly flavoured with hops
(opposed to bitter). Also absol. = mild ale. For
the phr. to draw it mild see Draw v. 40 b.
x6a6 Bacon Sylva § 52 A good draught of Milde Beer.
1717 Prior Alma 11. 203 Suppose your eyes sent equal rays
Upon two distant pots of ale, Not knowing which was mild
or stale. x8i8 Kitchiner Cook's Oracle (ed. 2) 502 Cool
Tankard, or Beer Cup. A quart of mild ale, a glass of
white wine, one of brandy [etc]. x886 'John Bickerdyke '
Curios, Ale $ Beer 391 A pint, .of mild beer, half a pint of
brandy [etc.], X889 A. Barnard Noted Breweries 1. 357
Cellars, .for racking and storing mild ales.
c. Of a disease, or an attack of disease : Not
severe or acute.
1744 Berkeley Siris § 3 Others had it (small-DOx] in the
mildest manner. 1800 Med. Jml. IV. 187 The inoculated
Cow-Pox is a much milder and safer disease than the in-
oculated Small-Pox. 1840 Macaulay Hist. Eng. iii. L 401
The.. genius of Butler, if it did not altogether escape the
prevailing infection, took the disease in a mild form.
6. Of bodily exercise : Moderate, gentle, easy.
Of amusement or recreation : Not boisterous, not
exuberant in enjoyment or mirth.
183X Youatt Horse x. 171 Mild exercise should be used.
188a A. Bain Jos. Mill 388 There should also be social
amusements of a mild character, such as to promote cheerful-
ness rather than profuse merriment.
b. Used sarcastically to connote tameness or
feebleness (in persons and their actions), where
audacity, cleverness, recklessness, etc. might have
been expected.
1885 Sat. Rev. 7 Feb. 166/1 Most of us have no wish to
cheat railway Companies by travelling first class at third-
class prices, but there are ingenious adventurers who prac-
tise this mild swindle. 1886 Pall Mall G. 2 Oct, 3 A mild
attempt to anarchize English grammar. 1897 Barr£re &
Leland Diet. Slang, Mild bloater, weak young man who
has pretensions to being horsey. Mod. We had a mild
game of whist.
t7. Chem. ? Neutral. Obs.
1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) I. 6 Mild Calx (so I call
lime united with fixed air). 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) IX.
346/2 The brown calx of iron united with the white calx of
manganese, and mild calcareous earth in various propor-
tions. X799 Kirwan Geol. Ess. 140 The limestone of Malta
contains both calcareous earth and magnesiat but most pro-
bably in a mild state. Ibid., The selenite is decomposed
by the mild magnesia contained in the stone.
8. a. Of soil, wood : Soft, easy to work. dial.
185a S. W. Hoskyns Talpa xix. 163 This'll be mild enough
for anything presently ; you don't call this a stiff soil ? 1875
T. Laslett Timber xiv. 84 The Modena, Roman, and
Sardinian [Oaks] are what the workmen call milder in cha-
racter— that is to say, they are easier to work, and a little
lesshard than the former [kinds]. 1880 JefferiesC^. Estate
ix. 164 * These old French burrs be the best stone ; they be
hard, but they be mild and takes the peck well.'
b. Mild steel: steel containing only a small
percentage of carbon, of great strength and tough-
ness, but not readily tempered or hardened.
1868 Joynson Metals 90 Wnat is called in the trade ' ho-
mogeneous iron 'is a species of 'mild-steel*, and has been
introduced by a Sheffield firm. 1884 W. H. Greenwood
Steel $ Iron 202 The mild steels produced by the Siemens
and the Bessemer processes. Ibid. 399 The elongation of
the milder qualities of steel before fracture occurs is superior
to that of malleable iron.
C. Physics. (See quot.)
1878 J. C. Maxwell in Encycl. Brit. VI. 312/1 A body
which can have its form permanently changed without any
flaw or -break taking place is called mild. When the force
required is small the body is said to be soft ; when it is
great the body is said to be touglu
H9. Peculiarly used by Byron. Of a slope:
Gentle. Of a wood : Not thorny.
1818 Byron Ch. Har. iv. Ixvii, Upon a mild declivity of
hill. 1823 — Island 11. xx, For even the mildest woods will
have their thorn.
10. Used poet, in the place of an adv., = Mildly.
a 900 Cynewulf Crist 249 (Gr.) pu bisne middanxeard
milde xeblissa purh Sinne hercyme, haelende Crist ! X667
Milton P. L. vn. 110 And thus the Godlike Angel answerd
milde. 1730-46 Thomson Autumn 1098^ The pale deluge.,
streaming mild O'er the sky'd mountain to the shadowy
vale. X739 C. Wesley Christmas Hymn 21 Mild he lays
his Glory by, Born— that Man no more may die. 1781
Cowper Task in. 443 As oft As the sun peeps and vernal
airs breathe mild.
11. Comb, (chiefly parasynthetic and adverbial),
as mild-aspected, f -aspecting, -brewed, -cured,
-eyed, -/aced, -flavoured, -mannered, -mooned,
MILD.
435
MILDSHIP.
t -persuading, -scented) -seeming, -spirited
(f-sprited), -spoken, -tempered, -worded adjs.
1597 Drayton Heroic Ep., Isat>. to Mortimer 17 That
blessed night, that *mild-aspected howre, Wherein thou
mad'st escape out of the Towre. 1601 Wekver Mirr,
Mart. C6b, On Sea the *mild-aspecting heauens would
guide me. 1905 W. L. Courtney Father Time fy Childr.
in Queen s Christmas Carot 95 October comes to give men
cheer, With purple grapes and *mild-brewed beer! 183a
Tennyson Lotos-Eaters 27 The *mild-eyed melancholy
Lotos-eaters came. 186a Howells Venet. Life vii, A very
*mild-faced old priest. 1575-85 Abp. Sandys Serm. xvi.
284 Let her bee milde-worded and *milde-manered. i8zi
Byron yuan in. xli, He was the mildest manner'd man
That ever scuttled ship or cut a throat. 1819 Keats Lamia
1. 156 A deep volcanian yellow took the place Of all her
*milder-mooned body's grace. 1601 Weever Mirr. Mart.
03 b, In *rnild-perswading words and deedes. 1776-96
Withering Brit. Plants (ed. 3) III. 677 Prickly, or *Mild-
scented Lettuce. <u586Sidney Arcadia in. (1598) 386 The
sheepe [gave] *mild-seeming face. 1607 T. Campion Afaske
B 4 b, *Mild sprited Zephyrus haile. 1712-27 Arbuthnot
JohnBulli.\. MiscelL II. 12 The Neighbours reported that
he was Henpeck't, which was impossible, by such a mild
spirited Woman, as his Wife was. 1737 Art Speaking in
Publick vi. 84 An Orator ought not to be too Remiss,
neither in his Action, nor too *Mild-spoken. 1838 Dickens
Nick. Nick, xxix, You're always so mild spoken. 1747 tr.
Astruc's Fevers 169 A cold *mild-tempered easy patient.
1575-85 *Milde-worded [see mild-mannered].
tMild,"*. Obs. [f. Mild a. * OE. had mildian
intr., to become mild.] trans. To make mild or
gentle. Also refl.
1340 Ayenb. 117 We byej> be more ymylded and be dred-
uoller. Ibid. 177 peruore ssel be zene^ere him mildi ase
moche are ha may beuore god. 1494 Fabyan Chron. vi.
exevii. 203 This message mylded nothyng the kynges
courage. 1627-47 Feltham Resolves 1. xvi. 55 As for man,
it [the Gospel] teaches him to tread on cottons, milds his
wilder temper.
Mildce, Milde, var. Milce sb.y Mile sb.2 Obs.
Milded: see Mile v. Obs.
Milden (maWd'n), v. [f. Mild a. + -en5.]
1. trans. To make mild or milder.
1603 Florio Montaigne m. xii. 620 The very names by
which they call diseases doe somewhat mylden and diminish
the sharpnes of them. 1820 L. Hunt Indicator No. 63
(1822) II. 83 What follows .. is mildened a little by the
introduction of the name of Erasmus, More's intimate
friend. 1900 A. B. Davidson in Expositor Jan. 9 Polygamy
and slavery were treated in two ways : their use was mild-
ened and circumscribed.
2. intr. To become mild or milder.
1853 [see Mildening, ppl. a.]. 188a in Imperial Diet. Suppl.
Hence Mrldened, MHdening ///. adjs.
184a Cardl. Wiseman Prayer § Prayer- Bks. Ess. 1853 I.
397 It is not Saul alone . . that hath felt the mildening and
calming influence of David's harp. 1853 Kane Grinnell
Exp. xxxvii. (1856) 341 The mildening temperature. 1864
Lowell Fireside Trav. 315 Suffused with a tremulous,
glooming glow, a mildened glory.
Milder, v. dial. (Lines.) [?cogn. w. Moulder
v.] intr. To moulder, decay; to crumble away,
lit. and Jig. Hence Mildering///. a.
1610 W. Folk ingham Art of Survey \. ix. 20 This practise
is most approuable and peculiar fa mildring Clay, which
otherwise byshootingand meltingdowneintoopen Trenches,
would choake vp the water-passages. 163a Sanderson
Serm. 353 Their estates crumble and milder away. 1647
H. More Cupids Conflict xv, Unthankfull wretch ! Gods
gifts thus to reject And maken nought of Natures goodly
dower. That milders still away through thy neglect. 1671
Skinner Etymol.Ling.Angl, Moulder, agro Line. Milder.
1886 S. IV. Line. Gloss. s.v., The stone-work is so mildered.
It's clean mildered away. The frost lays hold on it and it
milders down.
Mildernix, variant of Medrinacks Obs.
Mildew (mi'ldiw), sb. Forms : 1 meledeaw,
mildeaw, 3 mildeu, 4-6 myldew, 4-8 meldew,
5-7 meldewe, 6 myldewe, mild-, myldeawe,
6-7 mildewe, 7 mieldew, 7-8 milldew, (8
mealy-dew), 4- mildew. [OE. meledJaw, mil-
dfaw = 0\\(j. militou{MHG. miltou, mod.G. with
etymologizing alteration mehlthaii), Sw. mjbldagg,
Da. meldug; f.OTeut. *melip{Gotn. tnilip) honey +
*dawwo- Dew sb. The first element is in most of
the Teut. langs. assimilated to *melwo~ Meal sb.1]
fL = Honey-dew. Obs.
a 1000 Phoenix 260 No he foddor bi^ecS mete on moldan,
nemne mele-deawes dael Sebyrje, se dreose5 oft set middre
nihte. c 1050 Voc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 455/19 Nectar, huni^,
o35e mildeaw. a 1240 IVohunge in Cott. Horn. 269 Swetter
is munegunge of be ben mildeu o murSe. 1563 W. Fulke
Meteors (1571) 53 b, Ther is another kind of swete dewes,
that falleth in England called the meldewes, which is as
sweet as hony. 1598 F. Rous Thule T, She . . with sweete
Mel-dewes doth anoint her face. 1608 Topsell Serpents 65
The Honny of Bees is longer kept pure and fine, then any
Manne or Meldew. 1658 Rowland Moitfefs Tlieat. Ins.
908 Akindeof heavenly Ambrosia falls down upon the leaves
of plants (which they call honey dew, but I rather mieldew).
fig. 1600 Fairfax Tasso 11. Ixi. 31 While on the Christian
Lords Downe fell the mildew of his sugred words.
2. A morbid destructive growth upon plants,
consisting of minute fungi, and having usually the
appearance of a thin whitish coating. Also, a
similar growth on paper, leather, wood, etc., when
exposed to damp. Usu. collect, sing.; also with a
and pi., denoting a particular attack of the disease.
1340 Inquisitiones Nonarum 334 b (Record Comm.), Maxi-
ma pars frumenti in parochia praedicta seminati distrueba-
tur .. hoc anno .. per quondam rorem qui vocatur mildew.
138a Wvclif Gen. xli. 6 Seuene. eerys, thinne and smytun
with meldew. c 1440 P 'romp. Pa n>. ^yj/v M yldew, meio.
1523, Fi 1 zherb. Husb. § 54 They [sc. pasture-shepe] selden
rot out with myldewes. 1570 B. Googe Pop. Kiugd. 111. 39
Indocus doth defende the come, from myldeawes and from
blast. 1677 Plot Oxfordsh. 246 If the place be subject to the
annoyances of Smutting, Meldews, Birds, &c. 1763 Mills
Syst, Pract. Husb. II. 411 The rust of corn, the honey-dew,
the mealy-dew. 1830 Penny Cycl. XV. 209/2 The common
orange-red mildew of the Berberry is JEcidium Berberides.
1850 Ogilvie, Mildew, . . spots on cloth or paper caused by
moisture. 1859 Jephson Brittany x. 153 Damp and moss
and mildew are not such deadly enemies to art as the chisel
of the modern stonemason.
fig. 1640 Ld. J. Digby Sp. in Ho. Com. 9 Nov. 7 [It] hath
fallen againe upon the Land. .in Hailstones and Milldews,
to batter and prostrate . . our liberties, to blast . . our affec-
tions. 1818 Hallam Mid. Ages(\Sj2) III. 84 Neither the
blasts of arbitrary power could break them off, nor the
mildew of servile opinion cause them to wither. 1874 I..
Stephen Hours in Library (1892) I. iv. 138 Something of
the mildew of time is stealing over the Waverley Novels.
3. allrib. and Comb., as mildew-blast, -drop,
-plant', mildew-gangrene, -mortification, gan-
grene produced by diseased grain, such as gan-
grenous ergotism (Syd. Soc. J.ex. 1890) ; fmildew-
grass, grass tainted with mildew.
1634 Milton Connts d^oOf sov'ran use 'Gainst all inchant*
ments, "mildew blast, or damp. 1808 Scott Marm. it.
xviii, The *mildew-drops fell one by one, With tinkling plash,
upon the stone. 1523 Fitzhekb. Husb. § 54 *Myldewe-
grasse is not good for shepe. 1822-29 Good"s Study Med.
(ed. 3) III. 493 Gangrxna ustilaginea. "Mildew-mortifica-
tion. 1839 Penny Cycl. XV. 209/2 Every precaution should
be taken to prevent the spores of the *mildew-plants from
being communicated to the soil.
Mildew (mi-ldiw), v. Also 7 melldew, 8
milldew. [f. the sb.]
1. trans. To taint with mildew.
155a [see Mildewed///, a.]. 1605 Shaks. Lear in. iv. 123
Hee . . Mildewes the white Wheate. 1747 Franklin Let.
Wks. 1887 II. 76 A great deal of hay has been lost, and
some corn mildewed. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng. xxi. IV.
541 The Licensing Act. .detains valuable packages of books
at the Custom House till the pages are mildewed.
Jig. 1631 Brathwait Whimzies, Almanack-maker 14
Whole summer nights long hee lyes on his backe, as if hee
were melldew'd or planet-struck, gazing on the starrie gal-
lerie. 1807 Montgomery Molehill 72 Tyrants, the comets
of their kind, Whose withering influence .. smote and mil*
dew'd man. 1898 Bodley France II. HI. i. 47 Nor are the
members of the Institute, with all their learning, recluses
mildewed in the dust of folios.
2. intr. To become tainted with mildew.
1651 R. Child in Harllib's Legacy (1655) 14 Rank Land
where Corn is apt to lodge, and consequently to Mildew.
1824 J. Johnson Typogr. II. xiii. 482 Authors sometimes
detain proofs so long, that the paper allotted for those
sheets will mildew. 1839 Penny Cycl. XV. 210/1 Mr. Knight
prevented his peas from mildewing by watering them abun-
dantly and constantly.
fig. 1864 Tennyson Aylmer" s F. 383 These old pheasant-
lords, . . Who had mildew'd in their thousands, doing nothing.
Hence Mildewer.
1807 Anna Seward Lett. (i8n)VI. 389 The man., is a
noted mildewer on the profits of the noblest verse.
Mildewed (mrkliwd), ppl. a. [f. Mildew v.
+ -ed 1.] Tainted with mildew.
1552 Hui.of.t, Mylle dewed, rubiginosus. 1602 Shaks.
Ham. in. iv. 64 Like a Mildew'd eare. a 1711 Pope Lett.,
to Dk. Buckhm. Wks. 1737 VI. 26 Two or three mill-dew'd
pictures of mouldy ancestors. 1813 Sir H. Davy Agric.
Chem. (1814) 265 Great care should be taken that no mil-
dewed straw is carried in the manure used for corn. 1897
Hare Story of my Life (1900) VI. xxx. 472 The mildewed
rooms have some scanty remnants of their old furniture.
Jig. 1605 Marston Dutch Courtesan in. i. 128 Tisse.
Fayth Ioyce is a foolish bitter creature. Crisp. A pretty
mildewed wench she is. Tisse. And faire. 1626 E. F. Hist.
Edw. II (1680) 24 His hypocritical Entreaties and mildewed
Promises.
Mildewy (mHdi«,i), a. [f. Mildew sb. + -y -.]
Tainted with mildew ; of the nature of, or re-
sembling, mildew.
1835 Dickens Sk. Boz, Scenes xiii. (1892) 113 The damp
mildewy smell which pervades the place. 1838 — 0. Twist
xxvi, Heaps of mildewy fragments of woollen-stuff. 1862
Thoreau Excursions, Wild Apples (1863) 296 Foggy mil-
dewy days.
fig. 1884 R. Buchanan Foxglove Manor III. xxxiv. 147
A creed so worn out, mildewy, and old-fashioned.
t Mrldfal, a. Obs. [? f. Mild sb. + -ful. See
also Milful.] Merciful. Hence f Mindfulness.
a 1225 Juliana 55 ]>e mihti mildfule godd. (11300 PI. E.
Psalter cxiv. 5 Mildeful lauerd al And rightwise [Vulg.
misericors Dominus et Justus], CX440 R. Glouc. (Rolls)
8966 (MS. 5) Mildfol. Ibid. 8975 (MS. e) Myldefulle. 1489
Caxton Faytes of A. 111 xvii. N viij, But of ryght vryton he
ought to be myldefull vnto hym. Ibid.. Thou hast sayde
..that to a prysoner is myldefulnes due of ryght vnto hyin.
t Mild-heart, a. Obs. (For forms see
Heart.) [f. Mild a. + Heart sb. Cf. OHG.
milt-kerzi.'] Merciful, kind-hearted.
C950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. v. 7 Ead^e buSon miltheoite
[c 1000 Ags., c 1160 Hat/on, ba mild heortanl for'don hioia
vet 3a miltheortnise him^efylges. c 1200 I'rin. Coll. Horn.
T2i Mild-heorte he is togenes heom. c 1205 Lay. 16813 pe
king wes mild heorte & heold hine stille. [1340 Ayenb. 142
pe milde herten and simple.]
Hence f Mildheartful a., merciful ; Mildheart-
laik (Ormin), + Mildheartness, mercifulness.
C900 Laws oj /Elf red c. 49 Hie 3a gesetton, for Ssere
mildheortnesse be Crist laErde,..b£ette [etc. J. c 1200 Ormin
1142 patt he be^tn burrh hiss mildherrtU^c Forr^efe be^re
gilltess. Ibid. 2893 Forr a^ birrb rililitwisnes^e ben |>urrh
mildheorrtnesse temmpredd. a 1225 Juiianad6 Mildheort-
fule godd milce pi meiden. a 1300 E. E. Psalter lxxxviii.
1 Mildeliertnesses of lauerd [Vuig. misericordias Domini].
Mild-hearted, a. [Formed as ptec. + -ED -.]
Tender-hearted, gentle, merciful.
c 1175 Lamb. Horn. 23 For5on drihten is mildheorteS inoh
he wule hit me for^euen. C1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 95 Mild-
heV"ted be3 be man be reouft hisneh^ebures unselSe. a 1300
/*". E. Psalter ci'i. 8 Rewful and mildeherted lauerd gode.
1843 Marryat Al. Violet xxxiii, Mild-heaited savages.
Hence Mild-heartedness.
1867 V uf.EMAN Norm. Conq.{\ 877) I. App. 553 King /Flfred's
notion, .that the. .wergild was introduced by the Christian
Bishops in imitation of the mild-heartedness of Christ. [Cf.
quot. C900 s.v. Mildheahtnkss.]
■i MiTdliede. Obs. [f. Mild a. + -hede, -head.]
Mildness, mercifulness ; meekness.
(1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 291/108 pat swete niayde [sc. the
Virgin Mary] so hende cudde hire milde-hede, and fiam
heouene to him a-doun gan uende. 1340 Ayenb. 133 pet is
ari^t pouerte of gost and mildeliede of herte. 1489 Caxton
Faytes of A. 111. xvii. N vii, Yf myldehede is due to hym
[a prisoner].
Mildish (mai-ldij), a. [f. Mild a. + -lsh l.]
Somewhat mild.
"853 O. J. Cayi.ey Las Alforjas II. 145 So they changed
their cries of malegro for ' Que lastima! ' (what a pity), a
mildish reparation under the circumstances.
t Mildly, a. Obs. [f. Mild a, + -ly*. Cf.
ON. mild/igr.] = Mild a.
ag$a Durham Ritual (Surtees) 37 Mildelic, propitius.
C1205 Lay. 8832 Mid mildliche worden.
Mildly i^msi-ldli), adv. [t. MlLD a. + -LY 2.]
In a mild manner. (See the senses of the adj.)
C893 K. ./Elfred Oros. 1. viii. § 1 His se cyning . . milde-
lice onfeng. a 1225 Ancr. R. 136 Ine swete munegunge of
be so3e wunden bet he o3 sooe rode mildeliche bolede.
ri2So Gen. fy Ex. 2778 For3 he nam to sen witterlike, Hu
3at tier brende milde-like. <r 1300 Cursor M. 15651 Ful
rnildli to bam he spak. 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) VII.
97 Canute .. afterwarde dede more myldely [MS. 0, myld-
loker, y, myldelokur] wib seynt Edmond. n45o tr. De
Imitations in. li. 123, I owte in euery blamyng & repreuyng
to meke myself & suffre myldely. 1593 Shaks. Rich. II, v.
i. 32 Wilt thou, PupiIUike,Take thy Correction mildly, ki>se
the Rodde.. ? 1626 V,hcoti Sylva §375 The Aire once heated
. .maketh the Flame burne more mildly, and so helpeth the
Continuance. 1G46 Mayne Serm. Unity 13 Pardon the
hardnes of the language, I cannot make the Scripture
speak mildlyer then it doth. 1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin.
Med. xxviii. 360 We ought to have treated her mildly, giving
small doses of calomel or blue pill.
Comb. 1567 Drant Horace, Ep. 1. xv. Evj, Then do I
hope to drinke Lyuely and myldlie rellesde wynes. 1876
Geo. Eliot Dan. Der. xxviii, The mildly-uttered sugges-
tion. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VII. 681 The patient be-
came mildly demented.
Mildness (msHdnes). [-Ness.] The quality
of being mild ^see the adj.) ; a. as an attribute of
persons, their actions, etc.
H1310 in Wright Lyric P. xxv. 73 Iesu, thi mildenesse
froreth me. 1377 Langl. P. PI. B. xv. 169 And alle manere
meschiefs in myldenesse he suffreth. 1526 Pilgr. Per/'. (W.
de W. 1531) 31b, To haue myldnes, gentylnes, and good
maner in all our conuersacyon. 1593 Shaks. 3 Hen. VI,
iv. iv. 20 This is it that makes me bridle passion, And beare
with Mildnesse my misfortunes crosse. 1643 Milton Di-
vorce 11. vii. Wks. 1851 IV. 79 The terror of the Law was as
a servant to amplifie and illuslrat the mildnesse of grace.
1768 Sterne Sent. Journ., Calais (1775) I. $ The Bourbon
is by no means a cruel race . . there is a mildness in their
blood. 1813 Eustace Italy (1815) III. vi. 226 The Roman
Government . . though despotic and above alt control, . . is
exercised by the Pontiff with mildness. 1839 Thirlwall
Greece VI. 131 Ariaspes. .was generally beloved on account
of the mildness of his character.
b. of things.
1605 Camden Rem. 9 Being mellowed and mollified by the
mildenes of the soyfe and sweete aire. 1608 D. T[uvil]
Ess. Pol. ty Mor. 73 b, Let him not glorie in the mildnesse
of his starres. 1707 Mortimer Husb. 273 The Drink hath
a delicate mildness. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) V. 2r
The mildness of the season. 1832 Lewis Lett. (1870) 25 The
perfect mildness and serenity of trie weather is extraordinary.
Mildrop, vnriant of Meldrop.
Milds, miles, dial. Forms : 1 melde, 5
mielde, medles, 7 meedles, 8 mails, 9 melgs,
meals, meols, myl(i)es, miles, milds. [OE.
melde wk. fern., cogn. w. OHG. me/da, melde
(MHG., mod.G. melde), also with different ablaut-
grades malta, motto, MLG., Du. melde. Some
scholars suggest that the Tent, word may be
cogn. w. Gr. &\irov (? = *ix\itov) Bute.] A name
for various species of Atriplex and Chenopodium.
c 1000 Sax. Leechd, III. 6Mugwyrt,organa,melde,quinque
folium. Ibid. 54 Nim eac meldon 5a wyrt. c 1350 Med. MS.
in Archxolofia XXX. 410 Medles. c 1450 A Iphita (Anecd.
Oxon.) 16 A t/ripiexagreslis,..ar\g. mielde. 1633 Gerarde's
Herbal Suppl. to Gen. Table, Meedles, Arage. 1808 Jamie-
son, Middenmylies.. .Chenopodium viride, et album, Linn. ;
thus denominated, as growing on dunghills. 18x1 W. Aiton
Agric. Surv. Ayrs. 675 (Jam.) Chenopodium several species,
Goosefoot ; wild spinage, or mails. 1839 Mag. Dom. Econ.
IV. 248 The mild succulent weeds, such as chick-weed, and
miles or fat-hen. 1853 G. Johnston^/1. E. Bord. 171 Che-
nopodium album. Myles. 1878 Cumberld. Gloss. Introd.
19 Chenopodium album. Meols, Fat hen.
t Mi'ldsllip. Obs. [-ship.] Mildness.
c 1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 49 Habbe we. .mildshipe of dune.
c 1205 Lav. 17146 Whan, .mon me mid mildescipe wulle me
bisechen. c 1230 HaliMeid. 659 Miltschipe & meokeschipe
121-2
MILDY.
436
MILEWAY.
of heorte. a 1*40 Wohunge in Cott. Horn. I. 273 Meknesse
and mildschipe makes mon eihwer luued.
t Mi-ldy, a. Obs. [f. Mild a.+ -y.] Mild.
1598 Q. Eliz. Englishings 139/24 Who.. is Of mildy spirit
[Gr. 4>v<m irp^of].
Mile (mail), jA1 Forms : 1 mil, 3-7 myle, 4-6
myl, 5 Sc, myill, 5-6 mylle, 7 mille. [OE. mil
fem. = MDa. mile (Du. miff), OHG. mtla, nulla
(MHG. milt, mod.G. mei/e), ON. ml/a (prob.
from OE. ; Sw., Da. mil) :-\VGer. *mil/a, a. L.
nulla, millia, pi. of mile, mllle thousand. In the
Rom. langs. the L. sing, is represented by F. mil/et
It. miglio mas:., and the pi. by Pr., Sp. milla, Pg.
mil ha fern.]
1. Originally, the Roman lineal measure of
1,000 paces (niil/e passus or passuum), computed
to have been about 1,618 yards. Hence, the unit
of measure derived from this, used in the British
Isles and in other English-speaking countries. Its
length has varied considerably at different periods
and in different localities, chiefly owing to the in-
fluence of the agricultural system of measures with
which the mile has been brought into relation (see
Furlong). The legal mile in the British Empire
and the U.S. is now 1,760 yards. The Irish mile
of 2,240 yards is still in rustic use. The obsolete
Scottish mile was longer than the English, and
probably varied according to time and place ; one
of the values given for it is 1,976 yards.
The use of the sing, form with a plural numeral is now
only vulgar or dialectal ; in the earlier part of the 19th c. it
was recognized as permissible colloquially.
971 Blickl. Horn. 129 Ac eac swylce Gerusalem pa burh,
seo is west bonon from baere stowe on anre mile, c 1000
/Elfric Gloss, in Wr.-Wiilcker 147/22 Miliarium, leouue,
mile, c iaoo Vices fy Virtues 127 Se 5e net be to gonne mid
him twa milen, ga mid him brie, c 1290 S. Eng. Leg. I.
48/48 f>at bote breo Mile banne it nas. 1 a 1300 Shires <f
Hundreds of Eng. in O. E. Misc. 145 Engle lond is eyhte
hundred Myle long, from penwyb steorte bat is fyftene
Mylen by-yonde Mihhales steowe. 1340 Hampole Pr,
Consc. 7683 And pat ilka myle fully contene A thowsand
fases or cubites sene. c 1470 Henry Wallace v. 782 The
nglishmen was than within a myill. 1470-8$ Malory
Arthur w. iv. 123 Kyng Pellinore was within thre myle
with a grete hoost. 153a More Epitaph Pref., Wks. 1419/1
Thre smal Miles from London. 1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's
Hist. Scot. I. 27 The craig is a myl within the Sey. 1655
Fuller Hist. Camb. 37 An hairs breadth fixed by a divine
finger, shall prove as effectuall a separation from danger,
as a miles distance. 167a Petty Pol. Anat. 375 Eleven
Irish miles make 14 English. 1690 Marlborough in Ld.
Wolseley Life (1894) II. 213 A place called Macrom twelfe
milles from hence. 1699 Bentley Phat. 1. 97 The Mistake
in the Situation, might perhaps be five Mile. 1769 CJoldsm.
Hist. Rome (1786) II. 51 In this plain, .were two little hills
at about a mile distance from each other, a 1796 Burns
* O, my luve's like a red, red rose\ And I will come again,
my luve, Tho1 it were ten thousand mile. 1838 Thirlwall
Greece xx. III. 154 The channel between the two points is
not quite a mile broad. 1850 Dickens Dav. Copp. xl, I'd
go ten thousand mile.
b. (Explicitly square or superficia/ mile.) A
measure of area equal to the content of a square
with a side one mile in length. So, rarely, cubic
(f cubical) mile : a measure of volume equal to
that of a cube bounded by lines one mile in length.
1698 Keill Exam. Th. Earth (1734^ 129 Twenty six Po's
will pour into the Sea one Cubical mile of water in a day.
1864 Trevelyan Compel. Wallah (1866) 121 A thousand
square miles,
c. A race, or a portion of a race, extending over
a mile's length of the course.
190X Dally Pel. 12 Oct. 10/2 Fourier .. broke all automobile
records. . . The time for the fastest mile was 66-4-5 sec.
d. transf. znAfig. Chiefly adverbially in plural,
implying a great distance or interval.
1588 Shaks. L. L. L. v. ii. 54 The Letter is too long by
halfe a mile. 159a — Rom. fy Jul. m. v. 82 Villaine and he,
be many Miles assunder. 1889 Ruskin Prxterita 109 My
eldest Irish pupil . .was miles and miles my superior. 1890
' R. Boldrewood' Col. Reformer (1891) 282 Awful fuss al-
ways made about him. No swell within miles of him.
2. Used to render its etymological equivalent in
other European languages.
In Italy (where there are many different miles), Spain, and
Portugal, the ' mile ' has been developed from the ancient
Roman measure, and its length ranges between \ and ii
English mile, In Germany, Austria, Holland, and the
Scandinavian countries, on the other hand, the 'mile 'seems
to represent the ancient Germanic rasta, to which the Latin
name was apparently applied arbitrarily; its values range
from about 3I to over 6 English miles.
c 1400 Maundev. (1839) v. 55 It is wel a 1880 Myle of Lorn-
bardye. 1538 Elyot Diet., Rasta, a duche myle. 1559
W. Cunningham Cosmogr. Glasse 57, 8. of these furlonges
do make an Italian or EngUshe mile, which beyng multiplied
by_ 4. makes .32. furlonges, the length of a comon Germanie
mile. 1617 Moryson I tin. 1. 179 After I had ridden four
houres space (for the Sweitzers miles are so long, ..); I
wondered to heare that we had ridden but one mile. 163a
Lithcow Prav. ix. 415 The Hungarian miles are the longest
vpon earth, for euery one of theirs, is sixe of our Scots miles,
nine English. 1753 Hanway Prav. (1762) I. vn. Ixxxix. 408
note, These computed German miles are in some places four,
in others five miles English.
3. Geographical ^geometrical, ■fmaritime,tiaulic(al
mile : a measure of length — one minute of a great
circle of the earth.
Owing to the fact that the earth is not a true sphere, the
'mile* as thus defined varies considerably, the difference
between the extreme values being about 62 feet ; when taken
as a minute of the meridian, the value increases with the
latitude, in consequence of the varying curvature. It has
therefore been found convenient to assign a standard value
for nautical use ; the British Admiralty fixes it at 6,080 feet.
163a Lithgow Prav. vm. 362 Three hundred Maritime
miles. 1697 Dampjer Voy. (1729) I. 287 Italian or geometri-
cal miles (at the rate of 60 to a degree). 1834 Nat. Phitos.,
Navig. 11. ii. 15 (Usef. Knowl. Soc.), A geographical or
nautical mile is & of a degree of a great circle of the earth.
1875 Bedford Sailor's Pocket Bk. v. (ed. 2) 201 note, The
Nautical mile as defined by hydrographers is the length of
a minute of the meridian, and is different for every different
latitude. 1890 E. F. Knight Cruise of'Alertc' viii. 131
Trinidad is roughly 680 nautic miles from Bahia.
f 4. As a vague measure of time ; the time in
which one might journey a mile; =Mileway. Obs.
c 1330 Florice $ Bl. (1857) 504 Hire cussing laste amile
And that hem thoughte litel while. 1390 Gower Conf. II.
24 And thogh I stonde there a myle, Al is foryete for the
while. 14. .Sir Beues 775 (MS. C.), A long myle he soght,
Or he the bore fynde moght. cx^alpomydon 1466 Hehad
not slepyd but a while, Not the space of a myle. c 1450 St.
Cnthbert (Surtees) 5059 For before a litil while Noght be
space of half a mile. 1594 Spenser Amoretti Ixxxvi, And
maketh euery minute seem a myle.
5. attrib. and Comb. a. simple attrib., as in
mile-race ; also in combinations with prefixed
numeral, as twenty-mile walk, six-mile track.
b. Combined with adjs., as in mile-deept -high,
-long. Also {nonce-uses) in attributive or adjec-
tival uses of advb. phrases, as mile-away, mile{s-off.
1897 Kipling Captains Courageous 101 The tiny black
buoy-flag on the shoulder of a *mile-away swell. 1903 —
Settler 20 in 5 Nations 154 The locust's *mile-deep swarm.
1834 De Quincey in Paifs Mag. I. 85/1 At times we turned
offinto some less tumultuous street, but of the same *mile«
long character. 1870 Miss Broughton Red as Rose I. 140
The rooks . . have flapped heavily home to the *mile-off
rookery. 1881 T. Hardy Laodicean v. v, There was a
miles-off expression in hers [sc. her eyes].
C. Special comb.: mile-horse, a horse trained
for a mile race ; mile-hunter, a cyclist who is
intent on accomplishing great distances; mile-
mark, a milestone or other object placed to indi-
cate the distance of a mile from a starting-point
or from another mark ; mile-post, a post serving
as a mile-mark ; + mile-square, a square mile.
1829 Sporting Mag. XXIII. 266 As to the *mile horses,
I spoke of rackers, and not of trotters. 1898 Cycling 26 En
route— Do not degenerate into a ' *mile-hunter_\ 1610 Hol-
land Camden's Brit. 1. 423 London-stone, which I take to
have beene a Milliarie or *Milemarke. 1892 Stevenson
Across i/u Plains 308 Christmas is not only the mile-mark
of another year. 1812 Sporting Mag. XXXIX. 50 Beal
headed Wood at every *mile-post. 1754 Edwards Freed.
Will iv. viii. (1762) 242 'Tis improper to talk of Months and
Years of the Divine Existence, and *Mile-square5 of Deity.
fMile,^.2 Obs. Forms: 1 miil,mil,4-5mylie,
4-6 myle, mile, 5 myld(e, milde. See also Mill
sb.2- [OE. mil (and, prob. independently, ME.
myle), ad. L. milium : see Millet.] =* Millet.
a 800 Ags. Voc. in Wr.-Wulcker 32/35 Milium, mill.
c xoijo Voc. ibid. 443/19 Milium, mil. 1382 Wyclif Isa.
xxviii. 25 Barly, and myle, and ficche. — Ezek. iv. 9 Take
thou to thee whete, and barli, and bene, and lent, and mylie.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xvn. cv. (1495) 669 Myle [v. r,
mile] is an herbe with a longe stalke. c 1420 Pallad. on
Husb. 1. 722 Eek myld is good [for geese}. 1551 Turner
Herbal 11. 40 Lithospermon . . is called gray mil . . to put a
difference betwene it and the other mile or millet. 1568
Ibid. in. Pref., Myle called in Duche Herse, in Latin Milium.
f Mile, v. Obs. rare, trans. To ornament (a
cloth) with stripes near the edge. Only in Miled
(later milded)///. a. ; Miling vb/. sb.t a stripe.
The sense seems to be certain from a comparison of quot.
1523 with an entry of 1496-7 in the same document, p. 32 :
* An Awlter clothe diaper. .with uij Blewe Rayes at euery
ende of the saide cloth '.
iS" in Jacobs Hist. Faversham (1774) 164 A lyttel olde
towell pleyn miled with blewe. 1523 Rec. St. Mary-at-Hill
(1904) 35 An aulter cloth of fine dyaprewith aCros of Sylke
in the Middes. .& at euery ende v. olewe Mylynges. 1548
MS. Ace. St. John's Hosp., Canterb., A Towell of dyapar
myleed wyth blewe. 1566 Churchw. Ace. St. DunstatCs,
Canterb., A towell mylded with blewe. One towelle mylded.
One towelle mylded with whyt. 1590 in Archxologia XL.
340 Itm, two mylded napkins.
Mileage (mai'K-d^). Also 8 milage, [f. Mile
Sbl + -AGE.]
1. A travelling allowance at a fixed rate per mile ;
spec. U.S. the allowance made to a member of ;
congress to cover the expenses of the journey be- j
tween his home and the capital.
1754 Franklin Place of Union Wks. 1887 II. 345 Members'
Pay. — shillings sterling per diem, during their sitting, and
milage for travelling expenses. 1776 H. Gates in Sparks
Corr. Amer. Rev. (1853) L 281 The militia were promised ''
their mileage and billeting-money. 2888 Bryce Amer. !
Commw. (1890) II. xl. 95 A small allowance, called mileage,
for travelling expenses.
b. See quot.
1845 M*CuLLocH Paxation n. vi. (1852) 280 The duty on ,
stage-carriages consists of a licence duty of 3/. 3$. a year,
and of a mileage, or duty of so much per mile travelled over,
according to the number of passengers the carriage is
licensed to carry.
2. The aggregate number of miles of way made,
used or travelled over; extent or distance in miles.
Also, rate of travel in miles.
1861 Smiles Engineers I. 220 The total mileage of turn-
pike roads. .was about one hundred and eighty miles. 1881
Lubbock in Nature No. 618. 412 The present mileage of
railways is over 200,000 miles. 1890 Spectator 7 June 792 To
compute the speed or mileage of quick-moving animals.
1891 T. Hardy Pess xliv, As the mileage lessened between
her and the spot of her pilgrimage, so did Tess's confidence
decrease. 1901 Wcstm. Gaz. 5 Apr. 10/1 There has been
a very material decline in the traffic receipts though the
mileage run has been practically the same.
h.fg.
i860 Russell Diary India I. x. 155 It has been a heavy
mileage of neglect for which we have already paid dearly.
igoz Daily Chrott. 15 Oct. 3/2 A study less common than the
mileage of metrical English might lead one to suppose.
C. attrib.
1885 H. O. Forbes East. Archipelago 52 Stations.. which
private travellers can obtain permission to make use of on
payment of small mileage dues. 1895 Westm. Gaz. 14 May
8/2 The mileage rate of threepence for each first-class pas-
senger.
Mi le-Castle. Antiq. One of a series of fortifi-
cations erected by the Romans at intervals along
the lines of their military walls.
173a Horslev Rom. Antiq. Brit. 118 These castetla seem
to have stood closest, where the stations are widest, and are
by some modern authors called mite castles or miitiary
castetla.
Mileguetta, obs. variant of Malaguetta.
1727 Ijailey vol. II, Milegitctta, Cardamoms, Grains.
Miled, obs. form of Mild.
tMiler1. Obs. rare~l. [a- F. millier (from
nth c.) :— L. milliarium, f. mille thousand.] A
military corps or company of one thousand men.
c 1330 R. Brunne Chrott. Wace (Rolls) 13527 By milers &
by centeners Sette bey be bataille seers.
Miler 2 (msi'bj). Sporting slang, [f. Mile! +
-er1.] A man or a horse specially qualified or
trained to run or race a mile course.
1891 Lock to Lock Times 24 Oct. 14/1 Allen is one of the
best ' milers ' in the country. 1894 Astley 50 Years Life
II. 100 Vexation colt, .turned out a real good miler.
Miles, variant of Milds dial.
Milesian (mailfj'an, mi-), a.1 and si.' [f. L.
Milesius (Gr. MiAtjo-ics) of or pertaining to Miletus
+ -an.] a. adj. Of or pertaining to Miletus, a city
of Asia Minor, or to its inhabitants, b. sb. An
inhabitant of Miletus.
Milesian tales (Gr. ri MiAijfftajta, L. Milesix scfabulx),
a class of voluptuous romances mentioned by ancient writers.
1649 Ocilbv tr. Virg . Georg. ill. (1684) 102 In rich Milesian
Fleeces cloth'd. 1655 Stanley Hist. Phitos. 11. (1687) 61/1
Anaximander a Milesian. 1886 Encycl. Brit. XXI. 319/1
The Milesian tale . . grew in the hands of Petronius and
Apuleius into the satirical romance.
Milesian (mailrfian, mi-), a.2 and sb.2 if. the
name of Milesius (Miledh), a fabulous Spanish
king whose sons are reputed to have conquered
and reorganized the ancient kingdom of Ireland
about 1 300 B.C.] a. adj. Of or pertaining to King
Milesius or his people ; Irish, b. sb. A member of
the race descended from the companions of Mi-
lesius. Hence (sometimes jocularly), an Irishman.
1771 Mrs. Griffith Hist. Lady Barton I. 54Theold Irish
families stile themselves Mitesiansfiom M ilesius,a Spaniard,
who brought over a colony of his countrymen to_ people the
island. 1771 Macpherson Introd. Hist.Gt. Brit. 102 Some
Irish annalists affirm, that the Picts..were tributary to the
Milesian Scots of Ireland. 1773 — Ossian's Poems, Dissert.
(1806) I. p. xli, As a Scotchman, and of course, descended of
the Milesian race.
Milestone, [f- Mile ,r/'.i + Stone.]
L A pillar set tip on a highway or other road or
course to mark the miles.
a 1746 Holdsworth Virgil (1768) 483 The first mile-stone
on the Via Appia. 1774 Beverley tt Hessle Road Act ii. 17
Roads to be measured and mile stones erected. i8j8 Lytton
What will he do I. iii, The cobbler seated himself on a lonely
milestone.
Jig. 1847 Emerson Repr. Men, UsesGt. Men Wks. (Bohn)
I. 288 For a time, our teachers serve us personally, as metres
or milestones of progress. 1897 A^. * Q. 8th Ser. XII. 154/2
Ever since I have passed my eightieth milestone.
2. slang. (See quot.)
1811 J. H. Vaux Flash Diet., Milestone, a country booby.
Milet, obs. form of Millet.
t Mi-leway. Obs. [f. Mile sb\ + Wat.]
1. The space of time in which a mile may be
travelled on foot; a period of twenty minutes.
Hence Astr., a third of an hour of angular mea-
surement.
13.. Evang. Nicod. 704 in Archiv Stud. neu. Spr. LIII.
404 pe sonne at his ded wex all wan wele thre myle way or
mare, c 1350 Will. Palerne 1 578 Alle be surgens of salernc
so sone ne coben Haue lesed his langour and his liif s
f saued,
As be maide meliors in a mile wei dede. c 1386 Chaucer
Shipman's T. 276, I shal nat faille surely of my day, Nat for
a thousand frankes, a myle-way. c 1391 — Astrol. 1. § 16 As
I have said, 5 of thise degrees maken a mile-wey, and 3 mile-
wey maken an houre.
2. A distance of one mile.
13. . K. A lis. 3487 He swam in thilke hevy armes ; A mile
waie with strengthe of armes. 136a Langl. P. PI. A. vm.
131 On Maluerne hulles, Musyng on bis Meeteles A myle
wei Ich Jeode. c 1470 Col. ft Gaw. 572 Thus thai mellit on
mold, ane myle way and maire. 1530 Palsor. 862/1 Over
a myle way, oultre vne mile.
3. A name applied to certain roads in the neigh-
bourhood of Oxford. Also attrib.
MILFOIL.
437
MILITARILY.
1771 Act 11 Geo. Ill, c. 19 {title) An Act for amending
certain of the Mile-Ways leading to Oxford. Hid., Whereas
such of the several Roads near the University and City
of Oxford usually called the Mile- Ways, as are not Part of
any Turnpike Road, are in a very bad State [etc.]. 1798 in
Mrs. B. Stapleton Three Oxford Parishes (O.H.S.) 164
Paid Scroggs, surveyor, the Mileway money, £700.
Mileyner, obs. form of Milliner.
Milfoil (mrlfoil). Forms: 4 mille-, mylfoly,
5 myllefoyle, millefoil, melle-, myllyfoly,
5-6 mylfoile, 6 mylfoyle, myllefoly, 6-7 mil-
foile, 7 millefoil(e, 3, 7- milfoil. [ME. mil/oil,
a. OF. milfoil masc. (also millefueille, mod.F.
mille-feuille fern., after feuille leaf) :— L. mili-
folium, millefolium, f. mile, mille thousand +
folium leaf. The name alludes to the many finely-
divided leaves of the plant. Cf. the synonymous
Gr. x'^'fyv^os (f. X'^'0' thousand + <pv\\ov leaf),
It. millefoglio, millefoglie, Pg. millfolhas.']
1. The common yarrow, Achillea Millefolium.
[c 1000 Sax. Leechd. I. 104 Wi5 »,eswell, *enim bas ylcan
wyrte myllefolium.] £1165 Voc. Plants inWr.-Wiilcker 555/9
Millefolium, Milfoil. 14.. in Rel. Ant. I. 55 Takconfery,
marigolde, matfelon, mylfoyle. 14. . Stockh. Med. MS. I.
173 in Anglia XVIII. 299 Take mylfoly & flour & comyn.
c 1450 ME. Med. Bk. (Heinrich) 112 Take betoyne, verueyne
millefoil, & quintfoile, ana, wasshe hem, & grynde hem in
a morter. 1567 Maplet Gr. Forest 52 Mylfoile, of some
Yarrow or Nosebleede, is a small and short set or shrub.
1579 Langham Card. Health (1633)397 Milfoile or yarrow :
The decoction thereof doth cure the bloudy flixe and all
other lasks. 1615 Brathwait Strappado (1878) 88 The
pinke, the plantaine, milfoile, eueryone. 1718 J. Gardiner
tr. Rapin On Gardens 41 The Milfoil next her thousand
Leaves displays. 1877 Besant & Rice Harp ff Cr. i, The
. .yellow hawkweed, pink herbrobert, and the white milfoil.
b. The genus Achillea.
1789 W. Aiton Hortus Kcwensis III. 230 Achillea Santo-
Una. . Lavender-cotton-leav'd Milfoil. Ibid., A. Ageratum . .
Sweet Milfoil, or Maudlin. Ibid., A. tomentosa..Vi 'oolly
Milfoil. ..A. pubescens. .Downy Milfoil Jetc.J. 188a Garden
12 Aug. 134/2 Unlike most of the Milfoils, it is . .a decidedly
handsome and stately border plant.
2. In the names of plants of other genera, as
hooded (water) milfoil, the genus Utricularia ;
knight's milfoil, Stratiotes aloides ; water mil-
foil, (a) the genus Myriophyllum ; (b) the water
violet, Hottonia palustris.
1578 Lyte Dodoens 1. ci. 142 Water Milfoyle or Yearrow.
Ibid. 143 Knights Milfoyle : souldiers Yerrow. 1507
Gerarde Herbal 11. eclxxxvi. 678 Water Milfoile or water
Yarrow hath long and large Ieaues [etc.]. 1741 Compl. Fam.-
Piece II. iii. 380 Likewise these in the Water-tubs, .. the
Water Violet, and Water Milfoil, with some others. 1760
J. Lee Introd. Bot. App. 319 Milfoil, Water, Hottonia.
Ibid., Milfoil, Water, Myriophyllum. Ibid., Milfoil, Water,
Utricularia. 1854 S. Thomson Wild Fl. 111. (ed. 4) 205 We
may find one or other of the water mill-foils. 1863 Prior
Brit. Plants s. v., Hooded-Milfoil, Utricularia, L., Water
Milfoil, Myriophyllum, L. 1866 Treas. Bot. s. v., Water
Milfoil, Myriophyllum ', also Hottonia palustris.
tMilful, a. ? var. Mildful or Milceful.
e 1400 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 8966 (MS. B) Mylfol. Ibid. 8975
(MS. B) Mylfol, (MS. «) milfol.
t Milge, a. Obs. In 5 mylge. trans. To dig
round about. Hence Milging vbl. sb.
c 1420 Pallad. on Husb. 11. 296 Mylge hem not [orig. cir-
enm/odi uon debent] in tymes whan thai floure. Ibid. 362
In their age a mylging they desireth, Lest thai therynne al
hoor yberded goo. Ibid. in. 522 In the semynary sholde
The plauntes now be mylged euerychon.
II Milia (mi'lia), sb. pi. Path. [L., pi. of milium
Millet, Milium.] Minute spots, resembling those
of measles, which occur in miliary fever.
1876 Duhring Dis. Skin 119 Milia have their seat for the
most part upon the face, especially on the forehead and about
the eyelids. 1890 in Syd. Soc. Lex.
Milia : see Milly Obs.
Miliaceous (mili^i-Jss), a. [f. prec. +
-aceous.] Of the nature of milia ; like millet or
the millet-seed.
1684 tr. Bonefs Merc. Compit. xvm. 610 Some miliaceous
roughnesses, .arose upon the skin. 1890 in Syd. Soc Lex.
t Iff i'liad. Obs. rare, [irreg. f. L. milia, pi. of
mille thousand: cf. Myriad.] A collected thousand.
1616-61 Holyday Persius 298 Thou shalt not buy . . This
my dear scoff, my nothing, for whole miliads Of any base
poets long-winded Iliads. 1732 Stackhouse Hist Bible
(1767) III. vl. i. 575 This miliad of wives and concubines.
T Miliar. Obs.rare~l. In 5 milyair. [ad. L.
milidrium.'] A tall narrow vessel used in Roman
baths for drawing and warming water.
c 1410 Pallad. on Husb. 1. 1093 A milyair of leed [orig.
iniliarium plumbeum],
II Miliaria (miliie<»Ti|a). [mod.L. uses of L.
miliaria, fem. of milidrius : see Miliary a.]
+ 1. The corn-bunting, Emberiza miliaria. Obs.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Miliaria, a Bird that feeds
upon Millet, a Linnet.
2. Path. Miliary fever : see Miliary a. 2.
itoj Med. Jrnl. XVII. 399 Section 2. Exanthemata ..
miliaria, urticaria, . . and variola vaccina. 1822-34 Goods
Study Med.ied. 4IIII. 408 Various species of ecpyesis, small-
pox and in one instance miliaria. 1876 Duhring Vis. Shin
230 Miliaria is an acute, inflammatory disorder of the sweat-
glands. 1890 in Syd. Soc. Lex.
Miliary (mrliari), a. [ad. L. milidrius per-
taining to millet, f. milium Mill sb?, Millet:
see -ary.]
1. Phys. and Path. Resembling a millet-seed in
size or form ; resembling an aggregation of millet-
seeds. Miliary gland: one of the sebaceous glands
of the skin. Miliary tubercle : a greyish-white
spherical body about the size of a millet-seed,
common in diseased tissues of the lungs and in
the membrane of the brain.
1685 Boyle Salubr. Air 23 The minute or miliary Glandules
of the Skin. 1715 Cheyne Philos. Priuc. Relig. I. vi. 325
Between these Scales the Excretory Ducts of the Miliary
Glands of the true Skin open. 1725 Huxham in Phil. Trans.
XXXIII. 380 There would appear in the Interstices of the
Pox several miliary Pustules. 1816 Keith Phys. Bot. I. 68
The miliary glands of animals. 1834 J. Forbes Laennec's
Dis. Chest (ed. 4) 325 We find a great many ulcers in the
intestines, and in most of these, small miliary tubercles.
1854 Jones & Siev. Pathol. Anal. (1875) 241 The deposit of
tubercle, .occurs in the shape of small miliary granules. 1899
Allbutt's Syst. Med. VIII. 478 A firm, miliary or prurigo-
like papular projection.
2. Path. Attended or characterized by spots or
vesicles resembling millet-seeds or an aggregation
of millet-seeds. Miliary fever : a specific disease
characterized by the presence of a rash resembling
measles, the spots of which exhibit in their centres
minute vesicles of the form of millet-seed.
1737 D. Hamilton {title) A Treatise of a Miliary Fever.
1742 H. Walpole Let. to Mann 15 Apr., The Duchess of
Cleveland died last night of what they call a miliary fever.
1844 T. J. Graham Dom. Med. 647 It [scarlet fever] maybe
distinguished from miliary fever by the miliary eruption
being, .attended by considerable perspiration. 1874^. jfrnl.
Microsc. Sci. XIV. 311 A form of grey degeneration occur-
ring in the brain and spinal cord, and designated by Drs.
Batty Tuke and Rutherford, ' miliary sclerosis '.
3. Nat. Hist. Having numerous small granula-
tions or projections. Miliary gland {Bot.), a stoma
or stomate.
1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. 111. xviii. (1765) 211 Miliary, like
grains of Millet. 1836 Loudon Encycl. Plants 655 Citron
Medico.. .The outer [rind] thin, with innumerable miliary
glands. Gloss., Miliary, granulate, resembling many seeds.
1852 Dana Crust. 1. 447 A smooth even surface, excepting
a neat miliary granulation. 1866 Treas. Bot., Miliary
Glands, the same as Stomates.
b. Miliary sized: having the size of millet-seeds.
1890 Allbutt s Syst. Med. VIII. 592 It [sc. the polygonal
papule of lichen] is miliary to pepper-corn sized.
4. As sb. Zool. A minute tubercle on the shell
or skin of some animals (Webster 1897).
Miliary, obs. form of Milliaby.
t Milice. Obs. [a. F. milice ' warlike disci-
pline' (Cotgr.), ad. L. militia warfare.] Militia;
military service or training.
163s J. Hayward tr. Biondis Banistid Virg. 139 My
Father not knowing how to refuse the destinated milice,
bethought himselfe of sending me into Persia. 1673 Sir W.
Temple Observ. Netherl. i. 13 The Forces of these Counts
were composed of. .a Milice, which was call'd Les gens
dordonnance, who served on foot, and were not unlike our
Train-bands. Ibid. vii. 227 Out of this Revenue is supplied
the charge of the whole Milice.
Milicia, obs. form of Militia.
II Milieu (milyo). [F. milieu middle, medium,
f. mi :— L. medius (see Medium) + lieu place.] A
medium, environment, 'surroundings'.
1877 J. A. Symonds Renaiss. It., Reviv. Learn. 4 The
intellectual and moral milieu created by multitudes of self-
centred, cultivated personalities was necessary for the evolu-
tion of that spirit of intelligence, ..that formed the motive
force of the Renaissance. 1893 Fortn. Rev. Mar. 322, I
prepared a Milieu,consisting of seventy-five partsof broth and
twenty-five parts of the liquid, to which I wished to habituate
the Microbe. 1900 Daily News 15 Aug. 6/4 The story,
which is set in a middle-class milieu, succeeds in being
pleasantly homely.
tMiligant. Obs.
a 1500 Colkelbie Sow Proem i. 55 (Laing), A miligant and
a michare.
Miliner, obs. form of Milliner.
Miling : see Mile v. Obs.
II Miliola (milai-ola), //. -ffl. Zool. [mod.L.,
dim. of L. milium millet.] An important genus of
imperforate foraminifera ; an animal of this genus.
1836 Buckland Geol. Jy Min. (1837) I. 385 The Miliola, a
small multilocular shell, no larger than a millet seed, with
which the strata of many quarries in the neighbourhood of
Paris are largely interspersed. 1879 Carpenter in Encycl.
Brit. IX. 376/2 The shells of the Miliolx . .are at present
found in the shore sands of almost every sea.
Miliolid (mrluHid). Zool. [f. Miliola + -id.]
Any member of the foraminiferal family Miliolida.
1894 Lister in Phil. Trans. CLXXXVI. 408 The forms
which had been shown to exist in the species of Nummulites
and Miliolids.
Milio liform, a. Zool. [f. Miliol-a +
-(i)FORM.] = MILIOLINE. In recent Diets.
Milioline (mi'li^bin), a. and sb. Zool. [f.
Miliola + -ine.] a. adj. Pertaining to or con-
sisting of Miliolse. b. sb. A foraminifer belonging
to the genus Miliola or to the family Miliolida.
1873 Dawson Earth # Man 243 The milioline limestone
of the Eocene, so called from its immense abundance of
microscopic shells of the genus Miliolina. 1879CARPENTER
in Encycl. Brit. IX. 376/2 Milioline shells .. often show
some kind of 'sculpture '. Ibid., From this simple undivided
spire we may pass along two divergent lines, one conducting
us to the milioline and the other to the orbiculine type.
Ibid., In the typical Miliolines it [the structure] is more
or less obscured by the extension of the later chambers over
the earlier. 1884 Brady in Challenger Rep., Zool. IX. 137
The more strictly Milioline Foraminifera.
Miliolite (mHWlait), a. and sb. Geol. and
Palseont. In 9 erron. milliolite. [f. Miliola +
-HE1.] a. adj. Formed or consisting of Miliola:.
b. sb. A fossil milioline foraminifer. Hence Milio-
li'tic a., containing miliolites.
1833 Lyell Princ. Geol. III. 246 Coarse marine limestone
through which the small multilocular shell, called milliolite,
is dispersed in countless numbers. 1847 Ansted A nc. World
xii. 289 The beds of nummulites and miliolites contempora-
neous with those containing the Sheppey plants. 1872
Nicholson Palseont. 66 The Miliolite Limestone of the
Paris basin. 1883 Ann. <5- Mag. Nat. Hist. July 68 All the
species of Miliolites that we have studied are dimorphous.
Milion, obs. f. Melon, Milan, Million.
Milioun, obs. form of Million.
Militancy (mi'litansi). [f. Militant a. : see
-ancy.] The condition of being militant.
1648 W. Mount ague Devoute Ess. 1. x. § 7. 122 All humane
life, especially the active part, is constituted in a state of
continual militancy {printed malitancy]. 1826 E. Irving
Babylon II. VII. 180 Emblem of the Church's passage from
militancy; to glory upon the earth. 1856 FrovueHisI. Eng.
(1858) I. i. 88 The nation was in a normal condition of mili-
tancy against social injustice.
b. In Herbert Spencer's use : The condition of
being a ' militant' community; social organization
framed with a view to a state of war.
1876 H. Spencer Princ. Socio!. (1877) I. 708 Where.. the
chiefly power is small, the militancy is not great.
Militant (mi'litant), a. and sb. [a. F. militant,
a. L. militant-em, pr. pple. of militare to serve as a
soldier, wage war (see Militate v.), f. mflit-,
miles soldier.] A. adj.
1. Engaged in warfare, warring. Church mili-
tant : see Church 4 b.
1413 Piter. Sowle (Caxton) v. vi. (1859) 76 The chirche
militant, that laboureth here in erthe. 1500-20 Dunbar
Poems lxx. 19 Thow, that art of mercy militant, c 1550
Coverdale Carrying Christ's Cross vili. 94 Yet shouldc
they {sc. the departed] in this case be discerned from the
mylitaunte members, they beyng at reste. 1590 Spenser
/'. Q. II. vili. 2 How oft do they with golden pineons cleave
The flitting skyes.. Against fowle feendes to ayd us mili-
tant ! 1615 Brathwait Strappado (1878) 223 For his abid-
ing, hee's as in a Tent, Wherein hees militant, not perma-
nent. 1672 Wilkins Nat. Relig. 251 Our condition, whilst
we are in this world, is militant, wherein every one is with-
out reluctancy to submit to the orders of his great captain
or general. 1755 Young Cenlaurv. Wks. 1757 IV. 223 This
is a militant state ; nor must man unbuckle his armour, till
he puts on his shroud. 1873 I. H. Newman Hist. Si. III.
I. 1 The Church is ever militant ; sometimes she gains,
sometimes she loses.
b. Sociology. Epithet employed by Spencer for
a system of social organization in which efficiency
in war is the primary object aimed at.
1882 H. Spencer Princ. Social. § 521 II. 662 Under the
militant type [of society] the individual is owned by the
State.
f 2. Of a standard : Military. Obs.
1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 22 b/r, The kynge of heven per.
durable hath hys signes mylytant in the chirche. 1609
Holland A mm. Marcell. Annot. b j, The militant ensignes
or banners in the Romane legion.
3. Combative.
1603 Florio Montaigne 1. xlix. 161 He would maintaine
by militant reasons [orig. par vines raisons] that the waste
was in his right place. 1809-10 Coleridge Friend (1S65) 57
That we be sedulous, yea, and militant in the endeavour to
reason aright, is His implied command. 1841 Myers Cath.
Tit. in. § 40. 147 This is a condition which must instigate
to resistance in the most pacific, and to rebellion in the more
militant. 1903 J. Willcock Gt. Marquess vi. 88 The ex-
penses of the militant Presbyterians.
Hence Mi'litantness, the quality of being mili-
tant (1727 in Bailey, vol. II).
B. sb. One engaged in war or strife.
1610 G. Fletcher Christ's Vict. 11. xxx, Looking down
on His weake militants. 1643 Sir T. Browne Relig. Med.
II. § 3 Even amongst wiser militants, how many wounds
havebeen given, and credits slain. 1814 Southey Let. to J.
White 2 May in Life (1850) IV. 74 Horsley was the militant
of the last generation. 1900 Daily News 6 Apr. 6/5 They
[Anarchists in England) are divided into two bodies :
'Idealists 'and 'Militants'.
b. A member of the military profession.
1842 United Service Mag. 11. 540 Will this modicum of
embryo scientific militants suffice for every regiment ?
Militantly (mi-litantli), adv. [f. prec. + -ly 2.]
In a militant or combative manner.
1628 B. Hall Serm. Lds. Pari. 5 Apr. 48 How do they
looke vp at us, as euen now Militantly-triumphant, whiles
[etc.]. «886 Academy 2 Oct. 215/2, I do not in the least
mean that Faust, any more than 'Hamlet ', is a militantly
heathen poem. 1887 Benson Laud 225 Laud's ideal was a
high one, but it was. .too militantly. .held.
t Militar e, a. Obs. [ad. F. militaire : see
-ar -. Cf. Military.] Military, martial.
1533 Bellenden ZiV.yii.xix. (S.T.S.) I. 205 Itwasgovernit
be ressoun militare. 1588 J. Harvey Disc. Probl. 82 What
were states, .without, .the militar discipline of armies..?
1624 Wotton Archil, in Relig. (1651) 216 They are surely
fitter for Militar Architecture. 1625 Bacon Ess., Vain-
Glory, In Militar Commanders and Soldiers, Vaine-Glory
is an Essential Point. 1640 Hadington Edw. IV 142 The
militar exercise of the French.
Militarily (mi-litarili), adv. [f. Military +
-LY 2.]
MILITARINESS.
1. In a military or warlike manner.
1660 Trial Regicides 155 Because we were militarily
affected. 1831 Gen. P.Thompson Exerc. (1842) I. 430 There
is no disgrace in being militarily conquered after resisting
to the last. 1870 W. R. Greg Polit. Problems 38 We could
not interfere militarily without the assistance of a Con-
tinental Power.
2. From a military point of view.
1793 Sir M. Eden in Ld. Auckland's Carr. III. 207 The
Emperor's journey, civilly and militarily, has had an ex-
cellent effect. 1839 T. Hook in New Monthly Mag. LV1.
2 This, militarily speaking, ' signifieth nothing . 1898G. W.
Steevens Egypt xiv. 163 Egypt was left militarily in the
most exposed situation imaginable.
Militariness (mHitarines). [f. Military +
-ness.] The state or condition of being military.
1834 M. Scott Cruise Midge xvi, Don't be surprised at
the militariness of my lingo, for I am colonel of the regi-
ment of foot militia here. 1897 Maitland Domesday jr
Beyond 152 All sense of militariness.. seems to be dis-
appearing.
Militarism (mi-litariz'm). [a. F. militarism*,
f. mililaire : see Military and -ism.]
1. The spirit and tendencies characteristic of the
professional soldier; the prevalence of military
sentiment or ideals among a people ; the political
condition characterized by the predominance of
the military class in government or administration ;
the tendency to regard military efficiency as the
paramount interest of the state.
1864 Daily Tel. 28 Apr. (tr. G. Garibaldi 1, An army, bright
in glory, yet untainted with that disease^ of modern times,
known under the sinister name of militarism. 1868 Macm.
Mag. XIX. 156 Prussian officialism is supreme and ..
Prussian militarism as welL 1891 J. W. Cross in Fortn.
Rev. 469 Industrialism as opposed to militarism, is now the
central idea of the New World.
2. A military habit or mannerism.
1893 D. C. Murray Time's Revenges III. xlvii. 268 Their
militarisms and legalities made the more openly senti-
mental-minded folk altogether ill at ease.
Militarist (mi'litarist). [f. Military + -ist.]
A soldier, warrior; one who studies military
science ; one dominated by military ideas.
1601 Shaks. Alls Well iv. iii. 161 This is Mounsieur
Parrolles the gallant militarist, that was his owne phrase.
i860 Gen. P. Thompson Audi Alt. (1861) III. cxvi. 51
Questions for the solution of the youthful militarist. 1884
f. R. Seelev in Encycl. Brit. XVII. 226/1 Napoleon .. a
ruthless militarist, cynic, and Machiavellian.
Hence Militari'Stic adj., characterized by mili-
tarism. , .
1905 Atlunxum 15 July 73/1 A political organization and
a moral tendency common to all nascent civilization of the
militaristic order.
Militarization (militaraiz/i-Jan). [f. Mili-
tarize v. + -ATION.] Conversion to a military
status or to military methods.
1881 Fortn. Rev. Mar. 356 This voluntary militarization
in a country where the people may calculate upon con-
tinual peace. 1891 Sat. Rev. 1 Aug. 133/2 There are some
who.. talk about the 'militarization' of the annual rifle
competitions.
Militarize (mi-litaraiz), v. [f. Military +
-ize.] trans. To convert to military methods ; to
train as a soldier ; to imbue with militarism.
1880 Fortn. Rev. Feb. 293 A war by which a military
dominion is yet further militarised. 1888 Lane. Even. Post
3 Feb. 2/4 Sir Charles Warren . . had done his best to mili-
tarise Scotland Yard. 1889 Times 21 Oct 5/4 The mili-
tarizing of the Civil Service.
Military (mHitari), a. and sb. Also 6-7 -rie.
[f. F. militaire, ad. L. mtlilar-is, (. milit-, miles
soldier. Cf. Sp., Pg. militar, It. militare]
A. adj.
X. Pertaining to soldiers; used, performed, or
brought about by soldiers ; befitting a soldier.
1585 T. Washington tr. Nidwlay's Voy. 111. iii. 74. The
Pretorian legions . . began to become rulers over their maisters,
vnder pretext of such a Militarie gift. 1591 Garrard Art
IVarre 17 Which he must weare to honour the Militarie
profession. 1597 Shaks. 2 Hen. IV, 11. iii. 30 So that in
Speech, in Gate,. .In Militarie Rules,. .He was the Marke
and Glasse. .That fashion'd others. 1611 Hevwood Gold.
Age 11. i. Wks. 1874 III. 2i Train'd my youth, In feats of
Armes, and military prowesse. 1665 Manley Grotius' Low
C. IVarres 119 They esteem luxury, and all other licentious-
ness, as Military Gallantry. 1667 Milton P. L. iv. 955
Was this. .Your military obedience..? Ibid. XI. 241 Over
his lucid Armes A militarie Vest of purple flowd. a 1718
Penn Tracts Wks. 1726 I. 575 Maugre all the Military
Opposition of the Jews. 1776 Burney Hist. Mus. I. 1. iv.
340 With respect to Military Music, the trumpet is men-
tioned by Homer in a simile. 1836 Dickens St. Boz, Scenes
xiv, A military band commenced playing. 1843 Borrow
Bible in Spain xliv, The late military revolution. 1849
Macaulay Hist. Eng. vi. II. 142 TyrconneL.knew nothing
of military duty, i860 A 11 Year Round No. 42. 370 They
march along with their military heels, their shortened petti-
coals abruptly terminating. 1901 Daily Chron. 4 June, The
allied troops rendered military honours to the departing
commander-in-chief.
2. Engaged in the life of a soldier; belonging to
the army.
1597 Shaks. 2 Hen. IV, iv. i. 62 The Throngs of Militarie
men. 1617 Moryson Itin. u. 45 That dependancy which all
military men already had on htm. 168a Dryden Medal
170 Thy military chiefs are brave and true.
trans/. 1816 Kirby& Sp. Entomol. xvii.(i8i8) II. 65 When
the military ants before alluded to go upon their expeditions.
438
b. Having the characteristics of a soldier ;
soldierly.
1588 Shaks. L.L.L. v. i. 38 Most militarie sir, salutation.
161a Bacon Ess., Grealu. Kingd. (Arb.) 472 Walled Towns,
Ordinance, and Artillerie, they are all but a Sheep in a
Lions skin, except the breed and disposition of the people
be militarie. 1839 Bailey Festus xii. (1852) 146 Man is a
military animal, Glories in gunpowder, and loves parade.
1863 Kinglake Crimea I. 64 He was a man too military to
be warlike.
3. Having reference to armed forces or to the
army; adapted to or connected with a state of
war ; distinguished from civil, ecclesiastical, etc.
1590 Sir J. Smyth Disc. Weapons Ded. 1 b, Our auncient
proceedings in matters Militarie. 1600 J. Pory tr. Leo s j
Africa App. 373 His fourth militarie forces, are the Arabians.
1601 Warner Alb. Eng. Epit. (1612) 357 jEtius. .caused
this maruellous and militarie Wall then to be builded. 1611
Selden Illustr. Drayton's Poly-olb. xv. 244 Excepting
those [orders] of Templars, .and such like other which were
more Religious then Military. 1768 Blackstone Comm. \
III. 113 The public ecclesiastical, military, and maritime
jurisdictions. 1804 Duke of Grafton in Autobiog., etc.
(1898) 3 A parent, who, had he lived, would probably have
been as distinguished a character in the civil, as he had I
shown that he was in the military [1. e. naval] line. 1815 J-
Neal Bro. Jonathan III. 115 Washington would have lost
a part, or the whole of. .his military stores. 1850 W. p.
Cooper Hist. Winchclsea 37 The Strand Gate. .leading by
the new Military road to Rye.
b. In special collocations. Military archi-
tecture, the science of fortification. Military
art, fart military, the art of war (also jig.).
Military board, a board specially appointed to
deal with the affairs of the army. Military chest,
the treasury of an army. Military drum, the
side or ' snare ' drum. Military engineering «
Military architecture. Military execution (see
quot. 1 704). Military feud, a feudal estate held
on certain conditions of armed service to be
rendered to the feudal superior. Military fever,
enteric or typhus fever. Military hospital, a
hospital designed for the reception of soldiers, esp.
a field hospital. Military law, the body of enact-
ments and rules for the government of an army ;
also, an enactment or rule forming part of this.
Military mast, a mast carried by a war-ship
for fighting purposes only. Military offence,
an offence cognizable by a military court. Mili-
tary service, the service in war due from a vassal
to his feudal superior. Military tenure, a feudal
tenure under which a vassal owed his superior
certain defined services in war. Military testa-
ment, a nuncupative will by which, in the Roman
law, a soldier might dispose of his possessions
without the formalities required in an ordinary
testament Military top, an armoured platform
placed on a military mast for signalling and other
warlike purposes. + Military yard, a place set
apart for the training of soldiers.
1688 Capt. J. S. Fortification 23 Fortification, or "Mili-
tary Architecture, is a Science [etc.]. 1590 Sir J. Smyth
Disc. Weapons Ded. 1 And speciallie in the *Arte Militarie.
1693 Congreve Old Bach. v. xv. That you are overreached
too, ha ! ha ! ha I only a little art-military used. 1726
Swift Gulliver iv. xii, Their prudence, .would amply sup-
ply all defects in the military art. 1800 Wellington in
Gurw. Desp. I. 233, I admire the attention to economy in
the 'Military board. 1753 Hanway Trav. (1762) II. v. i.
126 The 'military chest.. fell also into the hands of the
Abdollees. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. vi. II. 63 The Uni-
versities were preparing to coin their plate for the purpose of
supplying the military chest of his enemies. 187a Nature
n Apr. 465/1 It is to the School of 'Military Engineering
that the young lieutenants of Engineers are sent 1704
J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, "Military Execution, is delivering
a Country up to be ravaged and destroyed by the Soldiers,
when it refuses to pay Contribution, &c. 1730 M. Wright
Law Tenures 32 'Military Feuds in most Countries began to
descend to the eldest Son only. 1885-8 Fagce & Pve-Smith
Print. Med. (ed. 2) I. 131 Morbus Castrensis or 'military
/ever. 1709 Med. Jrnl. I. 455 The want of proper 'military
hospitals nas been severely felt. 1883 Encycl. Brit. XVI.
295/2 The 'military law of England in early times existed
I . .in a period of war only. 1887 Daily News 25 July 2/5 One
I bare pole called a "military mast. 1808 Westm.Gaz.8 June
5/2 One of the Spanish shot hit the military mast of the
Massachusetts. 1848 Wharton Law Lex., "Military
offences, those matters which are cognizable by the courts
military, as insubordination, sleeping on guard, desertion,
&c. 1818 Hai-lam Mid. Ages ii. 1. (1868) 79 It by no means
appears, that any conditions of 'military service were ex-
pressly annexed to these grants. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3)
XII. 14/2 Soon after the restoration of king Char. II. when
the "military tenures were abolished. 1879 Ibid. (ed. 9) IX.
175/2 The king, .had a right to the military service of such
among his subjects as held lands by military tenure. 1797
Tomlins Jacob's Law Diet., "Military Testament. 1887
Times (weekly ed.) 26 Aug. 8/1 Two mainmasts with "mili-
tary-tops. 1630 R. Johnson's Kingd. <y Commw. 28 That
little use which he hath had of his Armes in the Artillery
garden, and ''Military yard. 1635 Barriffe Mil. Discip.
xcix. (1643) 286 The Gentlemen of the Military yard. 1659
Rushw. Hist. Coll. I. 422 The Military-yard near St. Mar-
tins in the Fields.
B. sb.
1. Soldiery; soldiers generally. Chiefly, the
military ; now with plural verb.
1757 J. H. Grose Voy. E. Indies 202 None, of the Par>
MILITIA.
sees either meddle at all with the government, or with the
military. 177* Ann. Reg. 93/1 The military marched down
to the ship 1813 Chron. ibid. 76 The whole escorted by
400 military. 1868 M. E. G. Duff Pol. Snrv. 16 Their
procession was interrupted by the military.
t b. The military profession, the army. Obs.
1775 Tender Father I. 189 Even to the gentlemen in the
military,. .Mr. N would not allow of any material ex-
f2. A military man, esp. an officer in the army.
1736 Mrs. Manley Secret Mem. I. 157 A certain Mili-
tary's Wife has had more Darts for him than are necessary.
1804 Anna Seward Mem. Darwin 149 Fox-hunting esquires,
dashing militaries, and pedantic gownsmen. 1837 Lett./r.
Madras (1843) 94 The civilians all expect to come to us. .;
and the militaries go to Captain Price.
Hence Mi'litaryism, militarism. Military-
ment, military experience or ability.
1776 Jefferson Let. Writ. 1893 II. 88 Pray regard mill-
taryment alone. 1886 E. B. Bax Relig. Socialism 6 Hence
the prominence of militaryism in all early civilisations. 1885
Atlunxum 31 Oct 569/3 In England and the United States
. . militaryism is less dominant.
t Militaster. Obs. rare. [f. L. mi lit-, miles
soldier + -aster.] A soldier without military
skill or knowledge.
1640 Bromf. Antipodes m. iv, Dia. ..But who comes here?
a woman 1 Let. Yes ; that has taken up the newest fashion
Of the towne-militasters. a 1651 — Covent Gard. v. 111, What
would an upstart Militaster now, That knew no rudiments
of discipline, nor Art of wane, do in a sudden service J
Militate (mi'lit^t), v. [f. L. militat-, ppl.
stem of militcire to serve as a soldier, f. milit-,
miles soldier : see -ate 3.]
1. intr. Of persons: To serve as a soldier; to
take part in warfare.
1635 W. B. True School War 41 This . . moues many
Italian Caualiers to militate in the warres of Holland. 1661
Earl Orrery State Lett. (17431 H. 437 The faithful Chris-
tians, .militating against the hereticks. 1769 Burke Late
St. Nat. Wks. 1842 I. 82 The supply of her armies militat-
ing in so many distant countries. 1831-40 K. Digby Mores
Cathottci <\%\i) III. 148 Men who militate merely for pay.
183a De Quincey Cxsars Wks. 1859 X. 216 Originally it
had militated for glory and power; now us militancy was
for a free movement of aspiring and hopeful existence.
fb. trans/, and fig. To contend, make war,
exert power or influence ; to strive. Obs.
1643 Prynne Sov. Power Pari. App. 199 Lest ..whiles
they seeke to deserve well of the Common-wealth, they
militate to the private lust of any. 1675 Baxter Calk.
Theol 1 111. 22 God doth not militate against himself. 173s
Berkeley Reasons § 17 This learned professor, who at
bottom militates on my side. 1781 Gibbon Ded. t, P. xxvit.
Ill 64 The invisible powers of heaven, .seemed to militate
on the side of the pious emperor. 1799 E. Du Bois Puce
Family Biog.XW. 157 To incur the severe displeasure of his
father and sir David, by disobeying the one, and militating
against the peace of the other, was what he could not bear.
1851 Landor Popery 36 They who litigate and militate in
the church about him.
2. Of things, t a. To conflict, be inconsistent
with; also (of speech or action), to be directed
against. Obs. b. Of evidence, facts, circum-
stances : To have force, ' tell ' against (rarely A for,
in favour of) some conclusion or result.
1642 Heylin Hist. Episc. 11. 4 The discourse of Clemens. .
doth militate as well against the one, as against the other.
1658 Baxter Saving Faith 22 Your reasons. .do learnedly
militate for the Assertion that I maintain. 1756 Amory
Buncle (1770) II. 193 It militates with the revealed truths of
God. 1791 KvmE.App.WhigsWs.\l. 132 Something which
militates with any rational plan. 179* Earl Malmesbury
Diaries t, Corr. III. 355 It militated directly against the
principle, .laid down. 1804 tr. La Marlehere s Three Gil
Bias II. 272 The same reasons militated in their favour.
1816 Peacock Headlong Hall xiii, Your observation mili-
tates on my side of the question. 1838 Sir W. Hamilton
Logic xxxiv. 0866) II. 195 Everything may militate for,
and nothing militate against, its authenticity, a 1851 1 Web-
ster Win. (1877) III. 210 Dispatches are read, which, It is
said militate with one another. 1853 Mansel Lett., Led.,
eic (1873) App. 102 The whole character and history of
mathematical science militates against the admission of this
consequence. 1864 Maine Auc. Law 122 lis connexion
with Scripture rather militated than otherwise against Its
reception as a complete theory. 1874 A. J. Christie in
Ess. Relig. * Lit. Ser. m. 65 The same reasons which mili-
tated in favour of the necessity of the Church s living
authority in the first four centuries, militate for it now
f3. trans. To fight out, debate (a question). Obs.
1754 A. Murphy Gray's Inn Jrnl. No. 78 The present
question must be militated before any other question can be
received. 176a Foote Orator 1. Wks. 1799 I. 198 When
affairs of state are weighed at a common-council, religious
points militated at the Robin Hood,.. or politics debated
near Westminster .abbey [etc.].
Hence Milita'tion sb., conflict.
1659 Z. Crofton in Morn. Exerc. (1845) V. 387 Repen-
tance doth not cut down sin at a blow ; no, it is a constant
militation, and course of mortification. 1778 B. Lincoln in
Sparks Corr. Amer. Rev. (1853) 1 1- *4' Dissension between
the civil and military, and a militation of orders.
Militaunt, obs. form of Militant a.
Militia (milija). Also 6 milicia, 7 melitia,
mal|l)itia. [a. L militia, f. milit-, miles soldier.
Cf. F. milice.)
1 1. A system of military discipline, organization,
and tactics ; manner of conducting warfare ; the arts
of war. Obs. .
1590 Sir J. Smyth Disc. Weapons Ded. 3 Diuers Nations
that haue had notable Milicias and exercises Militarie in
great perfection. 1598 Barret Theor. Warres in. L 3»
MILITIA.
The true and orderly trayning of your people in this our
Moderne Militia. 1605 Raleigh Introd. Hist, Eng. (1693)
23 The Normans had a peculiar Militia, or Fight, with
Bowes and Arrowes. 1636 Massinger Bash/. Lover v. i,
Pisa. Where's your Regiment ? Mart. Not rais'd yet ; All
the old ones are cashier'd, and we are now To have a new
Militia. 1646 J. Hall Horx Vac. 162 The modern Militia
diners much from the ancient, there being in it more roome
for stratagems then personall valour. 1651 Hobbes Govt, fy
Soc. xiii. § 14. 203 The Militia, was of old reckoned in the
number of the gaining Arts. 1658 Earl Monm. tr. Partita's
Wars Cyprus 121 The enemy were still the same, weak, and
unexperienced in the true Militia.
Jig. a 1678 Marvell Appleton Ho. 330 Unhappy! shall
we never more That sweet Militia restore, When Gardens
only had their Towers, And all the Garrisons were Flowers.
+ b. Military service; warfare. Obs.
a 1635 Naunton Fragm. Reg. (Arb.) 48 He first exposed
himself to the Land service of Ireland, a Militia which then
did not yeeld him food and rayment. 1656 Earl Monm. tr.
Boccaiinis Advts.fr. Parnass. n. lxi. (1674) 213 They ended
their unfortunate Militia with the Romans. 1681 Sir T.
Browne Chr. Afar, 1. § 18 Raise timely batteries against
those strongholds built upon the rock of nature ; and make
this a great part of the militia of thy life. 1684 Contempt.
St. Man 1. vi. ( 1690) 66 He entred us into this Milita [sic] and
Warfare. 1685 Baxter Paraphr. N. T. (1701) i Thess.
it 15-16 Because this Preaching is the Means to save Souls,
it is that Satan aimeth his Militia against it.
fc. Weapons; instruments of war. Obs.
1656 Earl Monm. tr. Boccaiinis Advts.fr. Parnass. 11.
vi. (1674) 144 [Princes] should wear the powerful Militia of
boundless Empire . . by their side, for the security of such as
are good, but . . should never make use of it . - [to shield] such
as were guilty. 1656 Blount Glossogr., Militia, Warfare,
or all implements of War. 1694 Westmacott Script. Herb.
(1695) 25 Box-Combs, which . . bear no small part in the
Militia of the Female Art.
f 2. The control and administration of the
military and naval forces of a country. Obs.
162a Bacon Holy War Misc. Wks. (1629) 129 Now let me
put a Feigned Case.. of a Land of Amazons, where the
whole Gouernment, Publike and Priuate, yea the Militia
it Selfe, was in the hands of Women. 1641 Verney Notes
Long Part. (Camden) 132, [7 Dec] Sir Arthur Hazelrigg
did bring in a bill to dispose all the militia of England into
two generalls for life. 1641 in Rushw. Hist. Coll. in. (1692)
I. 525, I do heartily wish that this Great Word, this New
Word, the Militia, this Harsh Word might never have come
within these Walls;.. I take the meaning of those Gentle-
men, who introduced this Word to be, the power of the
Sword,., which is a great and necessary power, and properly
belonging to the Magistrate. 1641-1 frnls. Ho. Comm.
20 Jan. II. 389 They humbly beseech Your Sacred Majesty
to raise up unto them a sure Ground of Safety, .by putting
the Tower, and other principal Forts of the Kingdom, and
the whole Militia thereof, into the Hands of such Persons
as Your Parliament may confide in. 1643 in Clarendon
Hist. Red. vn. § 166 That the militia, both by sea and land,
might be settled by a bill. 1647 May Hist. Part. 11. v. 94
He was esteemed by the Parliament (in this important busi*
nesse of setling their Militia by Land and Sea) the fittest
man to take Command of the Navie.
3. A military force, esp. the body of soldiers in
the service of a sovereign or a state ; in later use
employed in more restricted sense ( = F. mi/ice),
to denote a * citizen army ' as distinguished from a
body of mercenaries or professional soldiers.
1590 Sir J. Smyth Disc. Weapons Ded. 3 Any forraine
Nation or Nations, that haue had a puissant and formed
Milicia. 1625 Bacon Ess., Greatn. Kingd. (Arb.) 475 Let
any Prince or State thinke soberly of his Forces, except his
Militia of Natmes be of good and Valiant Soldiers. Ibid.
481 [The Spaniards are accustomed] To employ, almost in-
differently, all Nations, in their Militia of ordinary Soldiers.
1665 Sure. Aff. Netherl. 93 The High and Mighty draw in
their Money,.. raise Fortifications,.. Rendezvouz Militiaes,
and withdraw 200 Families at least to Hamburgh. 167a
Petty Pol. Anat. (1691) 42 There be in Ireland, as else-
where, two Militias ; one are the Justices of Peace, their
Militia of High and Petty Constables; also the Sheriffs
Militiaof his Servants and Bailiffs, and Posse Comitatns...
There is also a Protestant Militia, of about 24000 Men.
i6p6 Phillips, Militia, the People and Inhabitants of a
Kingdom trained up in War for the Defepce of it. 1706 —
(ed. Kersey), Militia, a certain Number of the Inhabitants
of the City and Country formed into Regular Bodies, and
train'd up in the Art of War, for the Defence and Security
of the Kingdom. 1776 Adam Smith W, N. v. i. (1869) II.
281 It [the state] may. .oblige either all the citizens of the
military age, or a certain number of them to join in some
measure the trade of a soldier to whatever other trade or
profession they may happen to carry on. Its military force
is (then) said to consist in a militia. 1844 Ld. Brougham
Brit. Const, xx. (1862) 383 A good militia, that is, a certain
portion of the people called out in turn to learn the use of
arms. 1865 Merivale Rom. Emp. VIII. lxvii. 311 A
genuine militia, chosen from the citizens themselves.
fb. A particular species of warlike force; a
branch or department of the establishment main-
tained for purposes of war. Obs.
1647 Clarendon Hist. Reb. v. § 36 They had their eye
upon another militia, the royal navy. 1654 H. L'Estrange
Chas. I (1655) 19 Mighty preparation was made, .for the re-
inforcing of Navall strength. Nor was the Land-Militia
left unregarded.
c. trans/. and fig.
1599 Sandys Europx Spec. (1632) 157 Fourty hundred
sure Catholikes in England alone, with foure hundred
English Romane Priests to mainetaine that Militia. 1630
B. Jonson Nezu Inn Argt. Act ii, The Fly of the Inne is
discouer'd .., with the Militia of the house, below the
stayres,in the Drawer, Tapster, Cham berlaine, and Hostler,
inferiour officers, ibid. 11. iv, He has form'd a fine militia
for the Inne too. 1711-14 Pope Rape Lock 1.42 Know then,
unnumber'd Spirits round thee fly. The light Militia of the
lower sky. 1821 Scott Kenihv. xix, Out tumbled Will
489
Hostler, John Tapster, and all the militia of the inn. 1838
Prescott Ferd. a> Is. (1846) I. Introd. 38 The mendicant
orders.. that spiritual militia of the popes.
4. spec. The distinctive name of a branch of the
British military service, forming, together with the
volunteers, what are known as 'the auxiliary
forces' as distinguished from the regular army.
Also, a similar force raised in British North
America. (Construed either as sing, or plural.)
The militia consists of bodies raised by the several coun-
ties in numbers varying according to the population and
other circumstances, the number or ' quota ' to be provided
by each shire being fixed by the government. Since 1803,
the law has been that the quota may, if necessary, be
raised by compulsory enlistment, a ballot being taken among
the men between 18 and 35 ; but as sufficient numbers are
at present obtainable by voluntary enlistment, a 'Militia
Ballot Suspension Act ' is passed annually. The militia are
bound to assemble for 28 days in every year for training,
and may at anytime be embodied for compulsory service
within the kingdom, but cannot be sent abroad except as
volunteers, and then only by consent of Parliament.
1659-60 Pepvs Diary 29 Feb., We found, .the militia of
the red regiment in arms. Ibid. 2 Mar., I hear the City
militia is put into good posture. 1699 in Archives of Alary-
land (1002) XXII. 562 An Act for the Ordering and Regu-
lating the Militia of this Province for the better Defence &
Security thereof. 1714 De Foe Mem. Cavalier (1840) 187
They.. fired, .very regularly, considering them as militia
only. 1755 Johnson, Militia, the trainbands. 1759 H. Wal-
pole Let. to Mann 16 Nov., I am one of the few men in
England who am neither in the army or militia. 1761
Churchill Rosciad Poems 1763 I. 30 Like Westminster
militia train'd to fight. 1763 Brit. Mag. IV. 50 The following
aldermen took the oaths to qualify them for colonels of the
six regiments of the city militia, viz. . . Beckford, . .col. of the
white regiment.. .Ladbroke, col. of the blue.. .Rawlinson,
col. of the red.. .Glyn, col. of the orange. . . Blackiston, col.
of the green. .. Fludyer, col. of the yellow. 1903 Westm.
Gas. 7 July 12/2 The attempt, .was opposed, .on the ground
that the Militia must in future be ' more soldierly \
b. U.S. l The whole body of men declared by
law amenable to military service, without enlist-
ment, whether armed and drilled or not ' (Cent.
Diet. 1890).
1777 W. Heath in Sparks Corr. Amer.Rev. (1853) I. 329
Our troops are all militia, and, although perhaps as good
as any militia, yet they are not disciplined. 1789 Constit.
U. S.\.%% Congress shall have power, .to provide for call-
ing forth the militia. 1865 H. Phillips Amer. Paper Curr.
II. 85 Militia were kept constantly guarding the Schuylkill.
1899 Westm. Gas. 14 Mar. 2/3 The naval militia in the recent
war between the United States and Spain.
5. attrib., as militia act, army, bill, carpenter,
commission, force, guard, officer, regiment, service',
militia reserve (see quot. 1876).
x88z Act 45 <$- 46 Vict. c. 49 § 1 This Act may be cited as
the ''Militia Act, 1882. 1813 Wellington in Gurw. Desp.
(1838) XL 140, I should very much doubt that a large *militia
army would be very useful in the field. 1902 Encycl. Brit.
XXVIII. 226/1 Voluntaryenlistmentunder the new*Mi!itia
Bill [of 1852] was to be the rule. 1756 Washington Writ.
(1889) I. 356 Forty pounds of tobacco per day, which is pro-
vided by act of Assembly for *militia carpenters. 1844
Regul. <y Ord. Army 4 Their *Militia Commissions. 1802
Act 42 Geo. Ill, c. 72 § 29 Any Act made.. concerning the
* Militia Forces of England. 1726 Swift Gulliver 11. iv, A
*militia guard of five hundred horse. 1775 Sheridan St.
Pair. Day 1. ii, I hate *militia officers ; a set of dunghill
cocks with spurs on. 1655 Clarke Paters (Camden) III. 23
The citty have named Alderman Underwood, Alderman
Tichborne, and to bee 3 of theire Collonells to comand
theire ^Militia regiments. 1876 Voyle & Stevenson Milit.
Diet., * Militia Reserve, a force created by the act of 1867 ;
its numbers not to exceed one-fourth of militia quota ; the
men to be enlisted for five years, during which time they
remain on the strength of militia regiments, but are liable
to be drafted into the army in time of war. 1818 Cobbett
Pot. Reg. XXXIII. 83, I mean the 'Militia Service and
other compulsory military and naval service.
t Milrtia, v. Obs. [f. prec] trans. ? To call
out as militia,
1724 Warburton Misc. Transl. 106 Their Country's Cause
provokes to Arms The active Pigmy Troops militia'd out,
In fronted Brigades.
Militiaman (milrjaman). [f. Militia jA +
Max.] A member of a militia force.
1780 Hamilton Wks. (1886) VIII. 21 The militiamen re-
plied they were of the lower party. 1844 Ld. Brougham
Brit. Const, xx. (1862) 383 Militiamen drafted into the
regular forces. 1876 Bancroft Hist. U. S. VI. Hi. 393 Six
hundred militia-men of Virginia.
t Mili'tiate, v. Obs. [f. Militia sb. : see
-ate.] a. trans. To organize for warfare, b. intr.
(nonce-uses.) To raise militia; to be occupied in
soldiering. Hence Mili'tiating^/. a.
1642 Answ. Observ. agst. King 15 He must not have
the reason that he is a King, who in extraordinary danger
will not militiat his kingdome. 1759 H. Walpole Let. to
Mann 16 Nov., We continue to militiate and to raise light
troops. 1761 Sterne Tr. Shandy iv. xxii, I had no thoughts
. .in the character of my uncle Toby— of characterizing the
militiating spirits of my country.
Milium (milium). In 4 mylium, 6 millium.
[a. L. milium millet.]
1. = Millet. Obs. exc. as mod.L. in Pharmacy.
Also Bot. the name (Linnceus) of a graminaceous
genus, * millet-grass \
1388 Wvclif Isa. xxviii. 25 Barli, and mylium, and fetchis.
XS35 Coverdale Rzek. iv. 10 Take vnto the. .giowell sede,
milium and fitches. 1598 Hakluyt Voy. I. 104 They haue
the seed of Millium in great abundance.
MILK.
b. Milium Solis: Graymill orGromwell, Litho-
spermum officinale. (Cf. Millensole.)
[1597 Cerarde Herbal w. clxxx. 487 Gromell is called.,
in shops and among the Italians Milium solis.] a 1648 Ld.
Herbert in Life (1886) 44 Posset drinks of herbs, as mi-
lium solis, saxifragea, &c.
2. Path, An affection of the sebaceous glands
in which hard white or yellowish tubercles re-
sembling millet-seeds are produced, immediately
below and projecting from the cuticle. Cf. MlLU.
1856 Mayne Expos. Lex., Milium... Name for a white
hard tubercle. 1876 tr. Wagner's Gen. Pathol. 331 Colloid
milium of the skin. 1899 Allbutfs Syst. Med. VIII. 764
Milium forms firm white or yellowish masses.
b. Surgery. (See quot.)
1884 Knight Diet. Meclt. Suppl., Milium Needle, a fine
needle with curved hastate point used in skin grafting.
IMEilk (milk), sb. Forms: 1 raeolc, 1-3 mile,
3 millc, 4 melke, 4-5 melk, 4-6 mylk(e, 4-7
milke, 6 mylcke, railcke, 7 milck, 3- milk. [Com.
Teut. : OMercian mile (rare) = \YS. meolc, meohtc
fem. (whence the southern ME. melk), correspond-
ing to OFris. me/ok, OS. miluk (Du. melk), OHG.
miluh (MHO. milich, milch, mod.G. milch), ON.
miolk (Icel. mjolk, Sw. mjolk, Da. mn-lk, melk),
Goth, miluk-s :— OTeut. *meluk-s fern., f. Teut. root
*me/k- to milk (in the str. vb. OE. me/can, LG.,
Du. melken, OHG. melchan, MHG. melchen; the
mod.G. melken is also conjugated weak) :— pre-
Teut. *melg-, cogn. w. Gr. dfickyuv, L. mulgere,
OS1. mlesti, Olrish bligim (:— *mf.g-), to milk.
A corresponding sb. (exc. in declension) occurs in Olrish
melg milk (:-*»/elgos-). The synonymous OS1. meleko
(Russian moloko, Czech mleko) is adopted from Teut., as it
has k instead of the regular £; For the phonology of the
OE. forms see Bulbring Ags. Gram///. § 202.]
1. An opaque white or bluish-white fluid
secreted by the mammary glands of the female
individuals of the Mammalia including man, and
adapted for the nourishment of their young.
rtooo tr. B<vda's Hist, in, xix. (1890) 244 Elles ne beah
nemne medmicel hlafes mid binre meolc. cizooOrmin 6446
Forr naffde jho nan millc till himni, $irT ban ^ho na;re hiss
moderr. 1377 Langl. /'. /'/. B xv, 462 pc cow-talf coueyt-
eth swete mylke. 1300 Gowf.r Conf. II. 262 Warm melk
sche puttctherto With hony meynd. (.1460 J. Russfll
Bk. Nurture 93 Milke, crayme, and cruddes, and eke the
Ioncate. 1471 Caxton Recuyetl (Sonuner) 31 The melk of
a goot. 1565 Cooi'KR Thesa/trus s. v. Lac, Glauciscus
eaten in broth make women haue plentie of milke. 1610
Shaks. Temp. 11. i. 288 They'I take suggestion, as a Cat
laps milke. 1616 R. C. Times' Whistle in. 1048 Goats pure
milck. 1661 Lovell Hist. Auim. <y Mi//. 110 Of milks the
Womans is most temperate. 17*5 N. Robinson Th. Phys/ck
208 If the Ass's Milk stands twelve Hours, it will gather no
Cream. 1836-41 Drande Chcm. (ed. 51 1353 Fresh milk
slightly reddens litmus. 1861 Jrnl. R. Agr/c. Soc. XXII.
1. 35 These milks came from the same dairy. 1896 tr. Boas'
Texl-bk. Zool. 496 The young ones [sc. of the Duck-billed
Platypus], when hatched, are fed with milk by the mother.
b. In proverbial comparison as white as milk.
Also as like as milk to milk (a LatinisnrT.
la 1366 Chaucer Rom. Rose 1196 Through hir smokke,
wrought with silk, The flesh was seen, as whyt as milk.
c 1420 At/turs of Arth. ii,One a mule as he mylke Gaili she
glides. 1596 Shaks. Merck. V. m. ii. 86 How manie
cowards. .Who inward searcht, haue lyuers white as milke.
1638 Chillingw. Relig. I'rot. 1. ii. § 160 They are as like
your own, as an egge to an egge, or milke to milke. 1660
Jer. Taylor Duct. Dubit. (1676) 417 It looks so like intem-
perance, as milk to milk.
C. Phrases. Mothers-milk : in literal and figura-
tive contexts. In milk, +(a) fig. (a Latinism) in
infancy ; (b) in a condition to yield milk. Brought
to milk, brought to be in milk, f Water of milk
= milk-water (see 10).
1500-20 Dunbar Poems Ixxv. 37 My clype, my vnspaynit
gyane, With moderis milk ^it in }our mychane. 1565 Jewel
Repl. Harding 11611) 391 There be certaine men, that.,
fearing, that if they attaine to any knowledge, they shall
be proud : and so they remaine still only in Milke [tr. Au-
gustine: et remanent in solo lade]. 1611 Cotgr.s.v. Laid,
Eau de laid .. also, water of milke or drawne by stillatorie
from milke. 1687 A. Lovell tr. ThevenoCs Trav. 1. 40
The earth squeezes the poor wretch so hard, that his
Mothers milk comes running out at his nose. 1727-41
Chambers Cycl., Milk. . .In the Philosophical Transactions,
we have an account of a wether brought to milk by the
sucking of a lamb. 1797 Monthly Mag. III. 486 The best
three-year-old heifer, which, .shall be in milk at the time of
show. 1847 James Convict II. 50 His auditor, .had sucked
in such doctrines with his mother's milk. 1852 R. S. Sur-
tees Spongers Sp. Tour 1, When people talk of cream, and
ask how many cows you have, they mean in milk.
f d. Milk considered as in process of secretion ;
hence, the milk-yielding condition induced by
childbirth, lactation. Obs.
1512 Ld. Treas. Ace. Scott. (1902) IV. 356 To ane nurice
to the Prince .. at was prewit with sex wolkis mylk. 1616
Sir E. Mountagu in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.)
I. 249 One nurse with one milk did suckle six of us. 1676
Wiseman Surg. 1. iv. 25 Milk . , is certainly the occasion of
many Tumours of divers kinds. 1697 Dryden Virg. Past.
in. 152 When Milk is dry'd with heat, In vain the Milk-
maid tugs an empty Teat. -
f e. Put for : The period of infancy. Obs.
a 1637 B. Jonson Discov., Imo serviles (1640) 114 Wee see
in men, even the strongest compositions had their begin-
nings from milke, and the Cradle [transl. of Quintilian 1. i.
21 a lade cunisque].
MILE.
f. The quantity of milk drawn from a cow at a
single milking.
1611 Cotgr., Mousson, a Cowes milke,.. as much as she
yeelds at a milking.
2. fig. a. As the appropriate food of infancy ;
often (after i Cor. iii. 2, Heb. v. 12) contrasted
with ' (strong) meat '.
<: 1386 Chaucer fan. 7\ r 530, Flatereres been the deueles
norices, that norissen hise children with Milk of losenger.e.
1406 Lvdc. .0* G«rV. Pilgr. 14706 With my mylk off
fflaterye I was noryce, and ek guyde, In especyal vn-to
Pryde. 1641 H. Peters (title) Milke for Babes, and Meat
for Men : or, Principles necessary to be knowne..of such
as would know Christ. 177* Nugent Grosleys London
I.318 Tithes were the first milk of these rising establish-
menu [«. monasteries]. 1803 ditto Milk for Babes ; ; or, a
catechism in verse. 1810 Sporting Mag. XXXVI. ««
Neither are their consciences of that puling kind, that will
submit to be fed with this milk of babes, i860 Pusey Mm.
Proph. 70 He was nourished, not by solid food, but by milk,
i. e. by the rudiments of piety and righteousness.
b. As a type of what is pleasant and nourishing.
150a Shaks. Rom. <$• Jul. 111. iii. 55 Aduersities sweete
milke, Philosophie. 1654 Z. Coke Logick aj, It. .turneth
into Milk bony Paradoxes. 1797 Coleridge Kubla Khan
53 For he on honey-dew hath fed, And drunk the milk of
Paradise.
c. In proverbial phrases. Milk and honey (or
T mellie) : (a) in the Bible phrase ' flowing with
milk and honey ', hyperbolically descriptive of the
richness of the Promised Land ; hence (6) used to
express the abundance of means of enjoyment.
Milk and roses: said of a beautiful pink-and-
white complexion. Milk of human kindness (after
Shaks.) : compassion characteristic of humane
persons. Spill milk : anything which once mis-
used cannot be recovered, t To wash the milk off
(one's) liver: to purge (oneself) of cowardice,
f To give down (its) milk: to yield the expected
assistance or profit ; to consent to be ' milked '.
c 1000 ."Elfric Num. xvi. 1 3 Of bam lande, be weoll meolce
and hunie. 138a Wyclif Ezek. xx. 6 The loond which Y
hadde purueiede to hem, flowynge with mylk and hony.
ciwi Marlowe Jew 0/ Malta iv. (1633) H2b, Ith. How
now? hast thou the gold? Pit. Yes. Ith. But came it
freely, did the Cow giue down her milk freely? 1605 Shaks.
Mad. 1. v. 18 Yet doe I feare thy Nature, It is too full o
th' Milke of humane kindnesse. i6n Cotgr. s. v. Souhait,
Wash thy milkeoff thy liuer (say we). 1614 J. Davies Eclogue
10 For fro thy Makings, milke, and mellie, flowes To feed
the Songster-swaines with Arts sootmeats. a 1638 Preston
Breastpl. Love vii. (1630) 181 They shall not give downe that
milke for your comfort. 1641 S. Marmion Antiquary 1. B 1,
I must flatter him, and stroke him too, he will give no milk
else. 1654 H. L'Estrange Chas. I (1655) 187 The City was
sullen, would not give down their milk, and pleaded.. poverty.
1783 J. King Th. on Difficulties, etc. ii. 28 America is now
the fancied land of milk and honey. i8a6 Disraeli Viv.
Grey 11. i, The milk and honey of the political Canaan, i860
Trollope Castle Richmond I. vi. 113 It's no use sighing
after spilt milk. 1894 Howells in Harpers Mag. Feb. 380
The die is cast, the jig is up, the fat's in the fire, the milk s
spilt. 1900 H. Sutcliffe Shameless Wayne ii, Dainty of
figure she was, with a face all milk and roses.
3. A milk-like juice or sap secreted by certain
plants. Cf. Latex 2.
1308 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xvu. lxi. (1495) 637 The
mylke of the fygge tree. 1565 Cooper Thesaurus s. v. Leu,
The milke that is in greene figges. Ilerba lactaria, an hearbe
that hath milke in it as spurge, &c. 1616 Bacon Sylva % 639
There be Plants, that have a Milk in them when they are
Cut ; as Figs, Old-Lettuce, Sow-Thistles, Spurge, &c. 1757
I H. Grose Voy. E. Indies 30 The milk of cocoa nuts.
1797 EncycL BrtHei.il X.83/1 The milks of wild.poppies
garden-poppies, dandelion, hawk-weed, and sow-thistle gave
brown or brownish-red stains. 1898 Engineering Mag. XVI.
1 38/1 Analyses of the milk of a variety of rubber plants.
b. Of grain : In the milk : having a milky con-
sistency due to incomplete development. Out of
the milk : beginning to mature.
179a Belknap Hist. New Hampsh.lll. 21 The corn then
being in the milk, a 1817 T. Dwight Trav. Neiu Eug.,
etc. (1821) II. 341 When the kernels of wheat. .are in the
milk. 1878 Ure's Diet. Arts IV. 153 At the time when
the contents of the berry [sc. of wheat] are in the condition
technically known as ' milk '. 1899 Evesham Jrnl. 29 Apr.
(E.D.D.), The sparrows began [sc. to eat the wheat] as soon
as the corn was just out of the milk.
4. A culinary, pharmaceutical, or other prepara-
tion of herbs, drugs or the like, having some more
or less real resemblance to milk.
Milk of almonds = Almond-milk. Milk of lime: hydrate
of lime mixed in water, t Milk of mercury : corrosive
sublimate beaten up in fumitory water. Milk of sulphur:
precipitated sulphur.
c 1430 Two Cookery Ms. 48 Take gode Milke of Almaundys,
& flowre of Rys. i6a6 Bacon Sylva § 50 Pistachoes . . made
into a Milk of themselves, like unto Almond Milk. 1686
W. Harris tr. Lemery's Chym. (ed. 2) 493 This Tincture is
a dissolution of the Rosine of Benjamin made in Spirit of
Wine. When it is mixed in a great deal of water, it makes
a Milk. 1694 Salmon Bate's Dispone. (1713) 561 Milk of
Ibid. 23/a Water in which quicklime has been slaked, which
. .has hence been called the milk of lime, a 1814 Intrigues
of a Day in New Brit. Theatre I. 76 A little milk of roses.
1875 Ure's Dict.Artslll. 1059 Milk of Wax is a valuable
varnish. 1880 Lomas Alkali Trade 298 Milk of lime. 1898
Rev. Brit. Pharm. 41 Milk of sulphur.
5. Bristol milk: originally a slang name for
440
sherry ; now, the name in the wine trade of a par-
ticular class of sherry.
1644 [see Bristol], a 1661 Fuller Worthies, Bristol (1662)
111. 35 Bristol Milk. . . This Metaphorical Milk, whereby
Xeresor Sherry-Sack is intended. 1895 Westm. Gaz. 31 Dec
l/iPalesherry(Bristol cream) realised^ per dozen, and 95J.
was the price per dozen of the sherry known as Bristol milk.
f 6. Milk of the moon : ' a white, porous, friable,
insipid earth, frequently found in form of a white
farinaceous powder, but sometimes concreted into
a mass, not unlike agaric' (Chambers Cycl.
1727-52).
7. A cloudy impurity found in some diamonds.
1875 Ure's Diet. Artsll. 24.
8. t a. The milt of a fish. Obs. [So G. milch,
Da. vielk, Sw. mjblke.~]
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xiil xxvi. (1495) 458 Whan
the female of fysshes lay egges or pesen, the male comyth
after and shedeth hys mylke vpon the egges. 14. . Voc. in
Wr.-Wfilcker 591/16 Lactes, roof of fyshe, or mylke of
fyslie. 1718 [see Milter].
b. The spat of an oyster before its discharge.
1858 Homans Cycl. Comm. 1480/2 The breeding-time of
oysters is in April or May, from which time to July or
August the oysters are said to be sick or in t/ie milk.
9. attrib. and Comb. a. Simple attrib. in sense
(a) ' made or consisting of, prepared with, or
obtained from milk', as milt-arrowroot, -butter,
-curd, -diet, -fat, -flow, -globule, -porridge, -pottage,
-pudding, -scone, -soup, -yeast; (b) 'of or per-
taining to milk', as milk-\ambry, -board, -bowie
(Sc), -bowl, -bucket, -can, -cart, -cellar, -cog, -cooler,
■dish, -float, -jug, -keeler, -kettle, -pail, -piggin,
-pot, -ranch, -shop, -sieve, -skeel, -stall, -sye (dial.),
-tin, -tub, -vein ; milk-secretion ; (c) ' having
dealings with milk ', as milk-boy, -folk, -girl, -lass,
-nurse ; (d) (of animals) ' producing milk', as milk-
ass, -camel, -sow ; also Milk-cow ; (e) used to de-
signate the deciduous teeth formed in the mamma-
lian jaw during the stickling period, as milk-canine,
-dentition, -molar, -tusk ; also Milk tooth.
1594 Knaresborough Wills (Surtees) I. 199 "Milk ambry.
1896 Allbutt's Syst. Med. I. 401 *Milk arrowroot and a
little brandy with it is useful. 1688 in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser.
11. IV. 157 Though I can (to my sorrow) say why "milk-
asses are provided for. 160a in Grosart Spenser's Wks.
I. p. xix, One stone or "milk-board. 1714 Ramsay Tea-t.
Misc. (1733) II. 222 To bear the «milk-bowie nae pain was
to me. 1570 Wills <y Inv. N. C. (Surtees) I. 341, lxxxx
"mylke bowlles iij1. 1609 Armin Maids of More-Cl. (1880)
84 They are maids of More-clacke, homely milke-bole
things. 1815 Sporting Mag. XLVI. 17 A new milk-bowl,
of wood skilfully carved. 1884 W. H. Rideing in Harper's
Mag. June 70/1 Chantrey was a "milk-boy in Sheffield.
1830 Jliss Mitford Village Ser. iv. 103 Her *milk-bucket
in her hand, c 1830 Glove. Farm Rep. 35 in Libr. Usef.
Knowl., Husb. Ill, Making cheese of the first quality is
more profitable than either making "milk-butter or feeding
veal. 1535 Coverdale Gen. xxxii. 15 Thirtie *mylck camels.
1838 Dickens O. Twist xlv, Three pint-pots and a "milk-
can. 1879 Flower Catal. Mus. Coll. Surg. I. 39 The "milk-
canine permanently retained. 1808 Curwen Econ. Feeding
Stock 6$ The "milk -cart was met before it reached the town.
1787 Garthshore in Phil. Trans. LXXVII. 355 A woman
at a "milk-cellar . . was delivered [etc.]. 1595 Duncan App.
Etymol. (E. D. SO, Mulctra, vet, -urn, mulctrale; a "milk-
cog. 1844 H. Stephens Bk. Farm III. 900 Stone "milk-
coolers. 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. III. 339 Small patches
of adherent "milk-curd. 1863 Huxley Man's Place Nat.
i. 23 The "milk dentition consists of 20 teeth. 1677 Temple
Gout in Misc. 1. (1680)221, I concluded.. if it. .continued to
confine my self wholly tothe*Milk-dyet. 1844 H.Stephens
Bk. Farm III. 900 After it has cooled, the milk is passed
through the milk-sieve into the "milk-dishes. 1901 Daily
Chron. 7 Aug. 6/4 When a sample of milk . . shall be found
to contain less than 3 per cent, of "milk fat,.. it shall
be presumed . . that the milk is not genuine. 1887 Bury
Times 3 Sept. 6/4 He noticed the defendant driving a
"milk float towards him at a great speed. 1821-34 Goods
Study Med. (ed. 4) IV. 74 Galactia Prematura. Prema-
ture "Milk-Flow. Ibid. 75 Galactia Defectiva. Deficient
Milk-Flow. 1700 T. Brown A musem. Ser. <J- Com. vi. (1709)
58 The Noisy "Milk-Folks, crying, A can of Milk, Ladies.
1810 Splendid Follies III. 66 [Madam Lynx] having
caught her immaculate husband chucking the "milk-girl
under the chin. 1864 Chambers's Encycl. VI. 454/2 In ad-
dition to "milk globules, colostrum globules . . occur in the
milk. 185a Bristed Five Yrs. Eng. Univ. 60 Drowning
mice in his "milk jug. 1600 in W. F. Shaw Mem. Eastry
(1870) 226 Three 'milk keelers. 1596 Wills * Inv. N. C.
(Surtees) II. 271 The milke-house stufle. .j "milke kettle 24*.
1805 R. W. Dickson Pract. Agric. 1 1. 993 Brass milk-kettle.
a 1690 G. Fox Jrnl (1827) I. 79 He told my troubles, .to his
servants, so that it was got among the "milk -lasses. 1849-52
Todd's Cycl. Anat. IV. 91 1/1 The fourth premolar displaces
the . . tubercular "milk-molar, c i8a6 Earl Richard ix. in
Child Ballads (1886) II. 462 My mither was a gude "milk-
nurse, c 1440 "Mylke payle [see milk-stop], c 1475 Pict.
Voc. in Wr.-Wi'ilcker 793/23 Hoc multrum, a mylkepayle.
1831 Scott Jrnl. 1 Jan., Cadell is of opinion if I meddle in
politics,. .1 shall break the milk-pail. 1579-80 North Plu-
tarch, P. JEmilius (1595) 267 Womens brests are not al-
waies full of milke (as "milke pans are. .). 1840 T. A. Trol-
lope Summer in Brittany I. 40 A brown dish of the size
and shape of a milk.pan. 1885 Miss MvRFREEProphe t Gt.
Smoky Mts. iii. 57 She carried her "milk-piggin. 1567
Harman Caveat (1869) 86 Baken, chese and "mylke porrage.
1711 Swift Jrnl. to Stella 15 May, My breakfast is milk
porridge. 1535 Coverdale Judg. iv. 19 Then opened she
a "mylke pot, & gaue him to drynke. 1838 Dickens O.
Twist xxvii, Mr. Bumble . . made a closer inspection of the
milk pot. i6ao Middleton Chaste Maid 11. ii. 109 Herrings
and "milk-pottage. 1899 Annie E. Holdsworth Valley
MILK.
Gt. Shadow iv, Beef-tea and "milk-pudding had had their
day. 1856 Farmers Mag. Jan. 7 The Physiology of
"Milk-Secretion. 1883 Encycl. Brit. XV. 797/2 The privy
council has issued an order, under the Contagious Diseases
(Animals) Act of 1878, called the Dairies, *Milkshops, and
Cowsheds Order. 1844 "Milk-sieve [see milk-dish]. 1483
Cath. Angl. 240/1 A 'Milke skele, mulgarium. 1767 Mrs.
Glasse Cookery App. 343 *Milk soop the Dutch way. 1897
Allbutt's Syst. Med. IV. 191 From three and a half, to
four pints [of milk] a day may be given to an adult . . in the
form of a milk soup. 1797 Monthly Mag. III. 531 A "milk
sow was offered at the opening of the assembly, c 1440
Promp. Parv. 338/1 "Mylke stop, or payle, mullra, vel
multrum. c 1440 Medulla Gram, in Promp. Parv. 79
note, Colum, a "mylke syhe. 15. . Wcrwing Jok f, Jynny
28 in Bannatyne MS. (Hunter. CI.) 388 Ane milk syth.
1846 J. Baxter Libr. Pract. Agric. (ed. 4) I. 209 The
whole mass . . with the cream and new milk is run through
the scarce into the milk-sye. 1868 Atkinson Cleveland
Gloss., "Milk-tin, the metal vessel in which the milk is set
to cream. 1805 R. W. Dickson Pract. Agric. II. 1017 The
"milk-tub is covered up by a board. 1799 Corse in Phil.
Trans. LXXXIX. 211 The first or "milk tusks of an ele-
phant never grow to any size. 1844 H. Stephens Bk. Farm
II.445 The "milk-veins along the lower part of the abdomen
become larger. 1876 tr. Wagner's Gen. Pathol. 86 "Milk-
yeast can grow fungus-like, if submerged.
b. objective, as milk-carrier, -dealer, -heater,
■seller, -tester, -vendor; milk-breeding, -curdling,
-drinking, -making, -yielding adjs. Also (of the
secretions of plants) milk-giving, -bearing adjs.
1855 Sir E. Smith in Syst. Nat. Hist. I. 28 The "milk-
bearing tissue so readily inferred to exist from the white
exuding juice of the cut dandelion [etc.]. 1656 Blount
Glossogr., Lactifcal, "milk-breeding, milk-making, milk,
yeelding. 1805 Mod. London App., Cream is sold by the
•Milk-carriers at ls.+d. per pint. 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med.
III. 287 ' Rennin ', a "milk-curdling ferment. 1805 R. W.
Dickson Pract. Agric. II. 969 Cows for the supply of the
"milk-dealer. CI17S Lamb. Horn. 7 Drihten bu dest be lof
of "mile drinkende childre muSe. 1898 Daily News 4 Apr.
2/1 The productive or "milk-giving [rubber] trees. 1905
Westm. Gaz. 5 Oct. 5/2 Ovens, grillers, .."milk-heaters, ..
sterilisers, and other things are all there. 1656 "Milk-
making [see milkJireediug], 1600 J. Pory tr. Leo's Africa
111. 132 Next vnto them stand the "milke-sellers. 190a Daily
Chron. 5 Dec 6/5 It is quite easy for the consumer to protect
himself— in quality, by purchasing a is. 6rf. "milk tester.
1851 Mayhew Lond. Labour I. 191/2 The "milk-vendors sell
..twenty quarts per day. 1611 Cotgr., Laictier, milkie,..
"milke-yeelding. 1897 Daily Nnvs 28 Sept. 8/3 The herd
is entirely of the milk-yielding . . Ayrshires.
C. parasynthetic and instrumental, as milk-
barred, -blended, -borne, -budded, -faced, -fed,
-hued, -outstretched, -washed adjs.
1849 M. Arnold Strayed Reveller 197 Jasper and chalce-
dony, And "milk-barr'd onyx-stones. 190a Westm. Gaz.
3 Mar. 11/3 The compound called ' "milk-blended butter .
1904 Daily Chron. I4july 5/1 Epidemics of definite ' "milk-
borne ' diseases. 1905 1. L. Dodd Municip. Milk 6 Epidemics
of milk-borne scarlet fever. 1865 Swinburne Dolores xl, And
"milk-budded myrtles with Venus.. he trod. 1815 Milman
Fazio in. i. That "milk-faced mercy will come whimpering
to me. 1856 Kane A ret. Expl.ll. i. 13 The two last of
the family, who will then.. be tolerably "milk-fed, I shall
reserve for my own eating. 1887 Pall Mall G. 16 Aug. 5/1
The well-known "milk-hued gem. 1886T. Hardy Mayor of
Casterb. i, New, milk-hued canvas. 1600 Fairfax Tasso xii.
xxxi The gentle beast with "milke out stretched teat ; (As
nurses custome) proffred thee to feed. 1598 F. Rous Thu/e
B 4, Viceina whose most pure "milk-washed hart Neuer
supposde what fraud before did plot, Told bim [etc].
d. similative, as milk-like, -mild adjs. Also
Milk-warm.
1813 T. Busby tr. Lucritius v. 1028 "Milk-like nurture
from her bosom flowed, c 1800 Misc. (1829) 52 Grass cut
Virginia, or "milk-mild Oronoko [tobacco].
10. Special combinations, as milk-abscess, an
abscess occurring in the breasts of women during
lactation ; milk-blotch, an eruption of the skin in
sucking infants, porrigo larva/is ; milk-brother, a
foster-brother; milk-cell, Bot., the cell in which
the milky juice or latex of plants is contained ;
f milk-circle ■ Milky-way ; milk-crust, an
eruption of the skin in infants, crusta lactea (Syd.
Soc.Lex. 1890); tmilkdame, a wet-nurse; milk-
diphtheria, epidemic diphtheria spread by means
of infected milk ; milk-duct, Anat., any one of
the several ducts which convey milk from the
secretory glands through the nipple to the exterior
(Syd. Soc. Lex.) ; milk escutcheon, an area
covered by a reversed arrangement of the direction
of the hair on the udder and thighs of a milch
cow ; milk factory, a factory in which cream is
extracted from milk; milk-farm, a dairy farm;
milk-farmer, a dairy farmer; milk-fever, a
slight feverish attack which sometimes occurs in
women two or three days after childbirth ; also, a
similar complaint in milch cows; milk-fish, a
clupeoid fish, Ckanos salmoneus, from the Indo-
Pacific (Cent. Diet. 1890); milk-fungus, any
fungus of the genus Lactarius ; milk -giver, one
who or that which gives milk ; also fig. ; milk-
glass, (a) a semi-translucent or opalescent glass,
cryolite glass; (b) a glass vessel applied to the
breast to receive a superabundant flow of milk
(Syd. Soe. lex.); milk-house, a dairy, a place
for the storing or sale of milk ; also attrib. ; milk-
kinship, the kinship arising from adoption or
MILK.
441
MILK.
fostering; milk-leg, 'white swelling', a painful
swelling, usually of the lower extremities, very
common after parturition ; frailkmadge, a milk-
maid ; milk-mirror = milk escutcheon ; milk-
mite = Cheese-mite {Cent. Diet.) ; f milk-pap, a
teat or nipple ; milk-pump — breast-pump (Mayne
Expos, Lex. 1857) ; milk-quartz, an opaque
white variety of quartz (cf. milky quartz) ; milk-
ranch U.S. (California), a dairy farm (Scheie de
Vcre 1872) ; milk-scab, -scall, the same as milk-
blotch and milk-crust ; milk-scarlatina, epidemic
scarlatina spread by means of infected milk ; milk-
score, a tally or other account of the purchase and
sale of milk; milk sea, a particular kind of
phosphorescent appearance on the sea (also milky
sea) ; milk-shield = milk escutcheon ; milk-sick
a., affected with milk-sickness; also as sb.=milk-
sickness ; milk-sickness U.S., an endemic disease
in cattle peculiar to the Western States of America,
and sometimes communicated to man through
the consumption of infected meat ; milk-spot,
(a) a lustrous white callosity frequently observed
upon the surface of the pericardium ; (b) a white
mucous patch in secondary syphilis {Syd. Soc.
Lex.); {c) a form of tooth-rash (Ibid.); milk-
sugar, sugar of milk, lactose; milk-teething,
the process of cutting the milk-teeth; milk-thrush
= Aphtha ; milk-tie = milk-kinship ; milk-
tube Bot., a laticiferous tube ; milk-vessel, (a)
a dairy utensil for holding milk ; {b) the udder of
a cow; (c) Bot., one of many tubes in which
a milky fluid is secreted ; milk-walk, a milkman's
regular round for the sale of milk; f milk-water,
a cordial water distilled from milk and herbs;
f milk way = Milky-way ; also fig.\ milk-
whisky = Koumiss ; f milk- wife — next ; milk-
woman, a woman who carries round milk for sale.
1799 Underwood Dis. Childr. (ed. 4) III. 1 t 1 note, A Trea-
tise . . in which the * in ilk-abscess, and sore nipples are fully
considered. 1797 Ibid. I. 97 *Milk-blotches appear first on
the forehead. 1B90Syd.Soc.Lev., Milk-blotch. t8gy Strand
Mag. Christm.No. 617/1 Ivan was what is termed in Rus-
sian the ' *milkbrother ' of Alexia Bobrofsha. 1884 Bower
& Scott tr. De Bary's Pkancr. 195 Those solitary spindle-
shaped initial cells of the *milk-cells do not exist. 1890
Syd. Soc. Lex., Milk-cells. 1601 Holland Pliny I. 16
That white, which hath taken the name of the *Milk circle
[marg. Galaxi]. 158a Stanyhurst JEneis IV. (Arb.) 118
Her owne "mylckdame in byrth soyl was breathles abyding.
1887 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 7 May 1020/1 *Milk-diphtheria at
Camberley and York Town. 1881 J. P. Sheldon Dairy
Farm. 7/2 This *milk escutcheon, or shield, then, is one of
those theories of which [etc.]. 1886 Bagot Handbk, Dairy
Factories 8 Factories [in Ireland] . .where the whole milk
is purchased from the farmer— we call*milk factories. 1867
Crim. Chronol. York Castle 195 She had a small *milk-
farm, which the prisoner managed. 1805 R. W. Dickson
Pract. Agric. II. 968 The sort of cow most adapted to the
intentions of the *milk-farmer must of course vary. 1758
J. S. Le Dran's Observ. Surg. (1771) Diet. Ccb, Ladea
Febris, the *Milk-Fever attending Women for some Days
after their Delivery. ^ 1894 ' Mark Rutherford ' Catharine
Furze iv, My belief is, she'll have milk fever. 1888 Clodd
Story of Creation (1894) 129 The Marsupials, or pouched
''milk-givers. 1874 Knight Diet. Meek. 931 It [Cryolite] is
found in great abundance and purity in Greenland, and
serves to make a fine *milk-glass. 1589 Puttenham Eng.
Poesie 111. xxiv. (Arb.) 290 Who would not thinke it a ridi-
culous thing to see a Lady in her *milke-house with aveluet
gowne? 1596 Wills «$■ Inv. N. C. (Surtees) II. 271 The
milke-house stuffe. 1891 T. Hardy Tess xvii. (1892) 146 It
was a large room over the milk-house. 1885 W. R. Smith
Kins/tip <y Marr. v. 149 We find among the Arabs a feeling
about *milk-kinship so well established that [etc.]. 1809
Allbutt's Syst. Med. VI. 216 Tense, shiny, smooth, white
or mottled skin, marked often by dilated veins, whence
comes the name *milk-leg or white leg. 1582 Stanyhurst
/Eueis iv. (Arb.) 114 Shal I now, lyke a castaway *milck-
madge, On mye woers formoure bee fawning? x88x J. P.
Sheldon Dairy Farming 6/2 The ' *milk-mirror ' or 'es-
cutcheon' theory of M. Guenon. 1607 Shaks. Timon iv.
iii. 115 Those *Milke pappes That through the window
Barne bore at mens eyes. 1836 T. Thomson Min.t Geot., etc.
I. 64 Rock crystal, .. rose quartz, *milk quartz, siderite.
1836 Mayne Expos. Lex., * Milk-Scab, another common
term for Porrigo larvalis, or Crusta ladea, or milk-blotch.
. * Milk-scall. Same as Milk-scab. 1887 Brit. Med. Jrnl.
19 Feb. 409/2 Mr. Power's report of the Hendon *milk-
scarlatina outbreak. 1687 T. Brown Saints in Uproar
Wks. 1730 I. 77 A pack of vermin, bred up to. .rubbing out
of "milk-scores. 171a Addison Sped. No. 482 p 4 He is
better acquainted with the Milk-Score, than his Steward's
Accounts. ( 1898 F. T. Bullen in Nat. Rev. Aug. 859 That
beautiful, inexplicable phenomenon of the ' *milk sea ' sud-
denly appeared ! 1881 "Milk-shield [see milk-cscutcfieon\
1885 Miss Murfree Prophet Gt. Smoky Mts. ii. 46 The
bars of the *milk-sick pen. Ibid., She [a cow] lay down
an' died o' the milk-sick. 1834 Hoffman Winter m West
(1835) 11.66, 1 passed a deserted village, the whole population
of which had been destroyed by the ' *milk sickness \ 1859
Bartlett Diet. Amer.y Milk Sickness, a fatal spasmodic
disease, peculiar to the Western States. 1897 Allbutt's Syst.
Med. IV. 530 These thickenings, which resemble the *milk-
spots on the heart, are not [etc.]. 1846 Penny Cycl. Suppl.
II. 635/2 * Milk-sugar is an integral constituent of the milk of
the mammalia. 1822-34 Good's Study Med. (ed. 4) I. 30
*Milk teething. 1855 Dunglison Med. Lex., Aphthae...
Thrush or sore mouth. ..White Thrush. *Milk Thrush.
1870 Lubbock Orig. Civiliz. iii. (1875) 89 The symbol
of adoption represented not the birth, but the *milk-tie.
Vol. VI.
1884 Bower & Scott tr. De Bary's Phaner. 198 The sharp
difference of structure between the sieve- and *milk-tubes is
always particularly clear. 1902 Encycl. Brit. XXV. 409/1
In one genus (Ladarius) ' milk-tubes ', recalling the lacti-
ferous tubes of many vascular plants, are found. 14 . . Voc. in
Wr.-Wulcker 573/39 Coagulaiorium, a *mylkefessell. 1566
in Peacock Eng. Ch. Furniture (1866) 41 He haith melted
y' [a ' haljy water fatt'J and made mvlke vessell thereof.
1855 Sir E. Smith in Syst. Nat. Hist. I. 29 Milk vessels
from the stipules of the Ficus elastica. 1842 J. Aiton
Dom. Econ. (1857) 210 He must examine .. the calf itself,
— its head, and above all, its milk-vessel and its teats.
1805 Mod. London App., ^Milk-Walks, that is, a certain
proportion of neighbouring streets served by a particular
person. 1697 Kidder Horneck (1698) 53 He wd sup with
an Apple or two, with a little Bread, and small Ale, or
*Milk-water. 1769 Mrs. Raffald Eng. Housekpr. (1778)
365 To distill Milk Water. 1555 Eden Decades 245 The
parte of heauen cauled Via I.actea, that is the * mylke
waye. 1593 G. Harvey New Let. Notable Cant. B, The
ascending scale and Milk-way to heauenly excellency. 1511
MS. Ace. St. John's Hosp., Canierb., Payd to b« *mylke
wyffe for a hoole yere. 1642 Ord. <y Dectar. Ho. Parlt.,
Lord's Day 6 Or [that they suffer] any *milke-woman to
cry milke on that day.
b. Prefixed to names of plants, chiefly in the
sense ' containing milk ', as milk-bush, (a) =
milk-hedge ; (b) a milk-yielding shrub of the apo-
cynaceous genus Wrightia, native of India ; {c) a
similar shrub, Wrightia saligna, native of Queens-
land (Morris Austral Eng. 1898); milk -grass =
Corn-salad ; milk-hedge, a shrub or small tree,
Euphorbia Tirucalli, native of Africa, and culti-
vated or naturalized in parts of India ; milk
lentil = Milkwort (?) ; milk-parsley, Peuceda-
num pa lustre ; milk pea, plant, a prostrate legu-
minous plant of the genus Galactia, esp. G. glabella
and G. mollis, native of the warmer parts of
America ; milk purslane, Euphorbia maculata ;
f milk-reed = Spurge; milk-thistle, (a) = Lady's
thistle ; {b) = Sow-thistle ; milk-tree, (a) =
milk-hedge; (b) any tree yielding a wholesome
milky juice, esp. the Cow-tree ; {c) an apocy-
naceous tree, Tanghinia venenifera, native of
Madagascar, the poisonous seed of which is
employed by the natives in trials by ordeal ;
•j-milk-trefoil, Medicago arhorea ; milk-vetch, a
plant of the leguminous genus Astragalus; milk-
wood (tree), (a) a Jamaican milk-yielding tree,
Pseudolmedia spuria ; (b) a species of Bignonia ;
(c) the Australian paper-bark tree, Melaleuca leuca-
dendron; (d) one of the sapotaceous ironwood
trees, Sideroxylon inerme, native of the Cape of
Good Hope; {e) a sapotaceous timber-tree, Mi-
musops obovata, native of South Africa.
1780 Munro Narr. (17S9) 80 Thorn hedges are sometimes
placed in gardens ; but in the fields the *milk bush is most
commonly used. 1882 Floyer Unexpi. Baluchistan 15
Pitching rhe tent so as to enclose three large milk bushes.
1893 ' R- Iron' Dream Life 13 Jannita sat alone beside a
milk-bush. 1744 in \V. Ellis Mod. Husbandm. (1750) III.
in. xxi. i6t In June, at a Distance, the Fields look as if all
covered with spilt Milk; which is from a Flower, for that
reason called *MUk-Grass. 1780 Munro Narr. (1789) 80
A horse will have his head and eyes prodigiously swelled
from standing for some time under the shade of a *milk
hedge. 1840 E. E. Napier Scenes <$■ Sp. Foreign Lands
II. vi. 183 The . . green rows of the milk hedges. 1787 tr.
Linnxus' Fam. Plants I. 182 Selinum. . .*Milk Parsley.
1874 Gray Less. Bot. 142 Galactia ..*Milk-Pea. 1845-50
Mrs. Lincoln Led. Bot. App. 104 Galactia mollis... *Milk
plant. x6ix Cotgr. s.v. Laictier, L'herbe laictiere. Ty-
thimal, Spurge, *Milke-reed, Wolues- milke. 14.. Voc. in
Wr.-Wulcker 610/5 Scariola, the *mylkthystel. 156a Turner
Herbal 11. 146 Leucacantha.. named in English milkthystel.
1866 Treas. Bot. 1072 Sonchus oleraceus and S. asper or
Milk Thistle. 1698 Fryer Ace. E. India $ P. 105 The
Hedges and Lanes are chiefly set with two sorts of Bushes,
called by us *Milk-Trees. X830 Lindlf.y Nat. Syst. Bot.
214 A milk-tree called Hya-hya in Demerara. 1885 Lady
Erassey The Trades 112 The milk-tree {Tanghinia lac-
taria) yields a sap in colour and taste like milk, if drunk
while fresh. 1597 Gerarde Herbal m. xi. 1121 Of *milke
Trefoile, or shrub Trefoile. Ibid. 11. cccccii. 1058 Of *milke
Vetch. 1760 J. Lee Introd. Bot. App. 319 Bastard Milk
Vetch, Phaea. 1856 Mayne Expos. Lex., Milk-Vetch,
Stemless. Common name for the Astragalus escapes. 1725
Sloane Jamaica II. 21 *Milk-wood Tree. The bark of
this tree being deeply gash'd yields a great quantity of
milk. 1759 Miller Gard. Diet. (ed. 7) s.v. Bignonia, Tree
Milkwood, having Pods, with five Leaves, . . commonly
called in America, White or Milkwood, and Tulip Flower.
1887 Mrs, Daly Digging $ Squatting 43 Ironbark trees,
casuarinas, and the bright green milkwood tree grew here.
Till. Used as adj. = Milkwhite. rare—1.
1853 M. Arnold Sohrab fy Rnstum 162 That vast sky-
neighbouring mountain of milk snow.
Milk (milk), v. Forms : 1 meolc(g)ian, mil-
cian, mylcian (JVorthumb. semilcisa), 3, 5, 7
milke, 4 melke, 4-6 mylke, 6 molke, mylcke,
6- milk. [OE. milcian, meolcian, f. mile, meolc
Milk sb.; cf. ON. miolka (Olcel. mjolka, molka,
MSw. molka, Sw. mjolka, Da. malke). OE. had
also the str. vb. melcan (mealc, molcen) inherited
from OTeut. (see Milk sb.); no clear traces of
this have been found later than the OE. period ; a
solitary instance of violken pa. pple. occurs in
1527, but it translates the Ger. gemolken.]
L In literal sense.
1. trans. To extract milk by handling from the
teats of (a cow, goat, ewe, etc., rarely, a woman).
Also absol.
To milk the ram, the bull: Jig. to engage in an enterprise
doomed to failure. (Cf. mulgeat hircos, Virg. F.cl. iii. 91.)
i 1000 Sax. Leechd. III. 178 Hyt bi5 xac god ceap to
milcian. a 1000 in Cockayne Shrine 130 Se ^ebyrsta mon
meolcode 3a hinde. c X290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 351/230 Heo ne
aaf a-morewe nobe lasse, be! heo were i-milked an eue. 1387
Trevisa Higden (Rolls) I. 359 Olde wyfes..were i-woned..
forto schape hem self in liknes of hares for to melke here
nei^hebores keen. 1393 Langl. /'. PI. C. xvm, 10 An hynde
ober-while To hus selle selde cam and sufirede to be nielked.
c 1400 Mauhdev. (18^0) vL 71 For as mechc as sche had to
meche Mylk in hire Pappes, . .sche mylked hem on the rede
Stones, a 1450 Paston Lett. I. 98 He speke with wemen
which were mylkand kyne. 1530 Palsgk. 636/1, I mylke
a womans brest./fi tire du laid dunefemme. 1591 Shaks.
Two Gent. in. i. 302 Speed. Inprimis She can milke. a 1656
Hales Tract Sacr. Tracts (1677) 40 That fell out which is m
the common proverb, sc. Whilst the one milks the Ram, the
other holds under the Sieve. 1718 Porn Let. to Lady M. W.
Montagu 1 Sept., When she milked, it was his morning
and evening charge to bring the cows to her pail. 1725
Ramsay Gentle Sheph. v. ii, To leave the green-sward dance
when we gae milk. 1806 Med. Jrnl. XV. 382 This cow
being troublesome., he had ..milked her himself.
b. To extract or draw (milk). Chiefly passive.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xix. Ixv. (1495) 901 That
mylke is beste that is next to the complexyon of mankynde :
..And the nere it is mylked the better it is. 1527 Andrew
Brunsnyke's Dislyll. Waters G iv, The mylke whiche is
molken in the mornynge. 1846 J. Baxter Libr. Pract. Agri:.
(ed. 4) I. 196 If the same milk had been put into the milk-
pans directly after it is milked.
+ c. To cause (milk) to flow. Also with out.
c 1400 Maundev. (Roxb.) ix. 36 And for scho had to mykill
mylke in her Dapper, ..scho mylked it oute apon be reed
stanes. 1544 Phaer Regint. Lyfe (1560) A vij b, Also ye
muste shave hys heade, and mylke theron womans mylke.
f d. To obtain milk from by sucking. Obs.
1605 Shaks. Afacb. 1. vii. 55, 1 haue giuen Sucke, and know
How tender 'tis to loue the Babe that milkes me.
e. To keep (cattle) for the purpose of milking.
1898 Westm.Gaz. 4 Apr. 10/1 The largest farmer in Eng-
land . . milks at least a thousand cows.
2. intr. To give or yield milk. In early use of
women (? = sense 3 absol.) ; now only of cattle.
971 Btickl. Horn. 93 pa breost ba be nxfre meolcgende
nacron. < 1400 Rom. Rose 5418 For liche a moder she can
cherishe And milken as doth a norys. X765 Museum Rust.
IV. 225 The eating of the first shoots of rye makes ewes
milk extraordinarily. 1886 C. Scott Sheep Farming 178
Some of the breeds of sheep milk very heavily.
+ b. To eject milk. Obs.
c 1450 Myrc Festi'al no perwyth [she] toke out hyr swete
pappe, and mylked on hys brote.
f 3. trans. To suckle. Obs.
138a Wyclif Lsa. Ix. 16 With the tete of kingis thou shalt
bemylkid. c 1475 Partenay 6456 Glorius virgin .. which
milkest with-all The sone of god with thy brestes brod. 1573
L. Llojd Pilgr. Princes (1607) 1 b, A Bitch.. fedde him and
milkt him.
II. trans/, and jig.
4. trans. To drain away the contents of; to get
money out of, 'bleed* pecuniarily; to exploit,
turn into a source of (usually) illicit profit. In
early use const, from.
c 1526 Frith Disp. Purg. To Rdr. A vj,This theyr painful
purgatorye. .hath of longe time but deceaued the people and
mylked them from theyr monye. 153a More Con/. Tindale
Wks. 639/2 They mylke them so euaungelically.that when
their maisters call theini home, they gyue theim a very
shrewed rekemng. 1537 Bi ble (Matthew) Ezek. x\'\\i.Comm.
(end), Or y' the prestes benefyces were not sufficient for
them to lyue on, with out soch pyllage : or yet that the pore
people coulde by any other meane be mylcked from that
thynge, wherwyth they, their wyues, their housholde and
chyldren shulde lyue. 1591 Lyly Endym. hi. iii. 23 Loue
hath as it were milkt my thoughts, and drained from my hart
the very substance of my accustomed courage. 1695 Ven-
tris Rep. (1716) II. 28 He would milk her Purse and fill
his own large Pockets. 1781 Ramsay Prospect 0/ Plenty
51 [Spain] grasps the shadows, but the substance tines,
White a' the rest of Europe milk her mines. 1893 Saltus
Madam Sapphira 204 ' They have got something ', he
would insist, 'or else Tooth is milking his client'. 1904
Daily News 8 Oct. 6/2 It will be possible for the Depart-
ment to 'milk ' these grants as much as they like.
Comb. 1658 J. Jones Ovids Ibis 41 Milk-purse Lawyers
(so Erasmus termes them) are far more tolerable then Cut-
purse tyrants.
b. U.S. slang. To milk the market, street, to
hold stock so well in hand as to make it fluctuate
at will, and so yield any financial result desired.
1870 Medbery Men fy Myst. Wall St. 336 To use the
slang of the financial quarter, they ' milk the street '. 1883
Harper's Mag. 820/2 The . . process of ' milking the market'.
C. Horse-racing (see quot.).
186a Times 2 Jan. 8/6 By such tricks as ■ milking '— i. e. by
keeping a horse a favourite at short odds for a racein which
he has no chance whatever, only to lay against him [etc.],
1865 Hotten's Slang Did. s. v. Milk. . . When a horse is
entered for a race which his owner does not intend him to
win, and bets against him, the animal is said to be ' milked '.
d. To ■ tap', steal the message from (a telegraph
or telephone wire) ; to intercept (a telegram).
1879 Prescott Sp. Telephone 108 The. .simplicity of the
means by which a wire could be milked. .struck the whole
of the party, 1899 Tit-Bits 3 June 185/1 * Milking' tele-
grams., is a fairly common practice.
f 5. To ' handle ' a person enticingly ; to draw on
by wiles. Obs.
122
MILK-AND-WATER.
16a* Fletchf.r Rule a Wife II, iv, All this is but in seem-
ing To milke the lover on.
tJ. a. To elicit, draw out.
a 1628 Preston New Cov. (1630) 477 To milke consolation
out of the promises. 166a Gurnall Chr. in Arm. 111. 176 If
ever you had but the sweetness of any one promise in it [sc.
the water of life] milked out unto you. 1831 Mrs. Carlyle
Early Lett. (1889)189, 1 took nothing in hand the whole day
but milking news from her (a rather rural metaphor), which
she with unabating copiousness supplied.
b. To drain away, oat of.
165a Needham tr. Seldens Mare CI. Ep. Ded. 6 Hee
never made any farther use of them than to milk away the
Subjects monie under pretence of building Ships. i 1891
C. E. Norton Dante's Purgat. xxiv. 152 Here it is not I
forbidden to name each other, since our semblance is so I
milked away by the diet. 1900 Kipling in Daily Mail
24 Apr. 4/4 Dysentery that milks the heart out of a man.
7. To extract juice, virus, etc. from.
1746 Mass. Acts fy Resolves (1878) III. 307 Any liberty
obtained.. from any Indian or Indians, for cutting off any
timber, wood, hay, milking pine-trees,, .shall not be any bar
to said guardians in their said action or actions. 1871 R.
Ellis tr. Catullus Ixviii. 112 Strainer of ooze impure milk'd
from a watery fen. 1896 Westm. Gaz. 31 Jan. 2/1 A large
black snake.. not milked for, say, eight days, will give as
much as four and a half grains of liquid poison.
8. To manipulate as one does the teat in milking.
1642 H. More Song of Soul \. 11. lxxxiii, He. .with his
fingers milked evermore The hanging frienge. 1905 Brit.
Med. Jml. 1 July 16 The other loops of distended bowels
may then be ' milked ' between the rubber-covered fingers.
t 9. nonce-use. To instil with the mother's milk.
1682 Dryden & Lee Dk. Guise iv. i. (1683) 39 You. .milk'd
slow Arts Of Womanish Tameness in my Infant Mouth.
Milk-and-water. Milk, diluted with water;
hence trans/, and fig.
f 1. The colour of milk and water ; a bluish
white colour. Also, a kind of cloth of this
colour. Obs.
1511 Ace. Lit. High Treas. Scot. (1902) IV. 245 For iij
elnis Franche claith of the new mylk and wattir, to be him
ane coit. 1515-16 Ibid. (1903) V. 75, xvj elne of claith callit
mylk and waiter. 1555 in Beck's Drapers Diet. (1886)
s. v., xj yards of my Ike and waiter, 18s. 1562 Richmond.
Wills (Surtees) 152 To Charles my Sone. .one clock [cloak]
of colour callid milk and waiter. 1571 in Wills <y Inv. N. C.
(Surtees) I. 363, xv yeardes of blewe carsay xv«— j pece of
mylk & waiter j' \]% [etc.].
2. Feeble or insipid discourse ; mawkish or
weakly amiable sentiment.
1819 Byron Let. to Murray 1 Feb., The discouragement
of the milk and water they have thrown upon the First
[Canto]. 1844 Thackeray Crit. Rev.Wks. 1886 XXIII. so3
Inspired by that milk-and-water of human kindness. 1867
Trollope Chron. Barset II. li. 79 The conversation had
had so much of milk-and-water in its composition, that [etc.]
3. attrib. as adj. Like milk diluted with water ;
hence ' wishy-washy ', insipid, feeble, mawkish,
weakly amiable.
1783 Jml. Amer. Congr. (1823) IV. 209 Change the milk-
and-water style of your last memorial ; assume a bolder
tone. 1823 Byron yuan vin. xc, All their pretty milk-and-
water ways. 1848 Thackeray Van. Fair v'iix, My rascals
are no milk-and-water rascals. 1870 Friswell Mod. Men
of Lett. i. 14 A milk-and-water damsel of the real Dicken-
sian ideal.
Comb. 1864 Kimball Was he successful? iv. 36 A pale,
milk-and-water-looking youth.
Hence Milk-and-water v. intr., to feed upon
milk and water. Also Milk-and-waterish,
-wa'tery, adfs., Milk-arul-wa'teriness.
1807 Scott /''am. Lett. Nov. (1894) I. iii. 87 It. .would be
giving the signal to build some vile milk-and-waterish
legendary tale upon so beautiful a subject. 1819 Metropolis
1 1. 94 As milk-and-watery as a Roman senator. 1834 Westm.
Rev. XX. 268 The ancient beauty.., however, opines
in the milk-and-wateriness of her benevolence, that 'an
adjustment of the question on this footing would satisfy all
reasonable persons . 1836-9 Dickens Sk. Boz, Tuggses at
Ramsgate, Five children milk-and-watering in the parlour.
1865 — Mut. Fr. iv. iii, This gentleman, .is more milk and
waiery with you than I'll be.
Milk-COW. Now dial. = Milch-cow 1, 2.
1535 Coverdale i Sam. vi. 7 Two mylke kyne vpon y*
which there neuer came yock. 1606 Choice, Chance, etc. (1881)
48 What a spight it was to see. .a milk-cowe to be stung by
a hedgehog. 1717 A. Hamilton New Ace. E. Ind. I. xxv.
315 Whether our East-india Company got or lost by that
War, I know not..; but this I know, that the Chief lost a
good Milk Cow. 1794 W. Hutchinson Hist. Cumberld. I.
210 note. Several farmers keep about twenty milk cows.
1862 Carlyle Fredk. Gt. xm. 1.(1872^.5 Hanover was the
Britannic Majesty's beloved son ; and the British Empire
his opulent milk-cow.
Milken (mi'lk'n), a. Now rare or Obs. [f.
Milk ^. + -en^. OE. had my hen, but the word
was prob. formed afresh in the 16th c]
1. Consisting of milk ; occas. abounding in milk.
1570 Levins Mantfi. 62/39 Mylken, lacleus. 1607 R.
GEaUW] tr< Estieune s World of Wonders 18 The hony and
milken riuers. a 1618 Raleigh Pilgrimage 16 There will I
..drink mine euerlasting fill Vpon euery milken hill. 1677
Sir W. Temple Gout in Misc. 1. (1680) 229 A constant course
of the Milken-dyet.
2. Of the colour of milk, milk-white.
a 1586 Sidney Arcadia iv. (1598) 407 A prety palenesse
(which did leaue milken lines vpon her rosie cheekes). 1633
T. Adams Exp. 1 Peter i. 16 She [i. e. truth] reacheth forth to
usher milken hand.
3. fig. Soft, mild, gentle.
1648 Gage West. Ind. v. (1655) 15 A quiet and milken sea.
1650 Trapp Comm. Num. xxxi. 3 Lactantius being (accord-
ing to his name) a mild and milken man.
442
4. Milken way, race- Milky way.
a 1586 Sidney Astr. $ Stella Song v. ii. (1591) G2D, I |
said thy eyes were starres, thy breasts the milken way.
1596 C. Fitz-Geffrey Sir F. Drake F 2 b, O you once
matchlesse monarches of the seas, But now aduanced to an
higher place.. In that faire palace neere the milken race,
1612 Bacon Ess., Fortune (Arb.) 376 The way of fortune is
like the milken way in the skie.
Milker (mi-lkai). [f. Milk z>. + -er1.]
1. One who milks (cows, etc.) ; one who draws
milk from the udders of cattle. Milker s cramp,
a form of cramp to which milkers are liable.
c 1475 Pict. Voc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 793/23 Hie mulsor, a
mylker. 1598 Florio, Caprimulgo . . a milker of goates.
1641 Best Farm. Bks. (Surtees) 134 In hyringe of mayde
servants yow are to make choice of such as are good milkers.
1891 T. Hardy Tess xvii. (1892) 140 The milkers formed
quite a little battalion of men and maids. 1899 Allbutt's
Syst. Med. VIII. 14 Milker's cramp.
f2. =Milt. Cf. Milk sb. 4 and Du. melker.
c 1475 Pict. Voc. in Wr.-Wulcker 765/26 Hee lactis,
mylke re.
3. An animal that yields milk, esp. a milch cow.
Chiefly with nd).,good, bad, etc.
1807 A. Young Agric. Essex (1813) II. 276 They [York-
shire cows] are excellent milkers. 1886 All Year Round
14 Aug. 34 Weed out the bad milkers, and never keep a
cow after her fifth calf. 1891 Eug. I llustr. Mag. No. 88.
299 The gentle lowing of the milkers in the stockyard.
4. An apparatus for milking cows mechanically.
Also, cow-milker (Knight Diet. Mech. 1875).
5. One who ' milks ' a telegraphic message.
1891 Cassell's Sat. Jml. Sept. 1036/2.
Hence MiTkeress, a milkmaid.
1839 John Bull 28 July 354/1 The red-elbowed cow-
milkeress of Cornwall.
Milkful (mi-lkfui), a. Obs. exc. dial. [f. Milk
sb. + -ful.] Abounding in or replete with milk.
1589 Fleming Virg. Georg. 11. 35 Kine downward stretch
their milkfull vdders. 1608 Sylvester Du Barlasu. iv. iv.
Decay 1053 O Milk-full Vales, with hundred Brooks in-
dented. 1882 J. Walker Jaunt to Auld Reekie 227 Milk-
ful crummies rowtin' up the loans,
Milkiness vmi'lkines). [f- Milky a. + -ness.]
1. The state of being milky ; the condition of
resembling milk in appearance or quality.
1696 Floyer Auim. Humours viii. 88 The Saltness and
Oyhness of the Blood, which absorbing the Acid of the Chyle,
it loses its Milkiness. (1172a Lisle Husb. (1757) 395 'i his
milkiness of the eyes shows that such sheep are far gone.
1891 Anthonys Photogr. Bull. IV. 96 If no milkiness ap-
pears, a solution of common washing soda, .should be made.
1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VI. 444 The milkiness [of certain
ascitic fluids] is due to the presence of albumin.
b. Of sidereal and meteorological phenomena:
Cloudy whiteness.
1791 Herschel in Phil. Trans. LXXXI. 77 Among them
is..Orionis, a cloudy star, .but it does not seem to be con-
nected with the milkiness any more than the rest, i860
Tyndall Glac. 1. xxvii. 196 After which a milkiness slowly
stole over the heavens. 1879 Newcomb & Holden A st ron.
458 So distant as to cause the individual stars to disappear
in a general milkiness or nebulosity.
2. fig' Mildness, softness, gentleness ; weakness.
(Very common in the 18th c.)
1692 Dryden Cleomenes 1. i. 4 Would I could share thy
Balmy, even Temper, And Milkiness of Blood. 1753 Smol-
lett Cut. Fathom (1784) 51/2 One may therefore easily
conceive with what milkiness of resignation he bore the loss
of the whole. 1768-74 Tucker Lt. Nat., Hum. Nat. xxxiv,
There is a softness and milkiness of temper that cannot say
nay to any thing. 1864 Hawthorne S. Felton (1883) 378
The doctor.. by no means increasing the milkiness of his
mood by frequent applications to the black bottle.
Milking (mWkin), vbl. sb. [f. Milk v. + -ING*.]
The action of the verb Milk.
1. The drawing of milk from the udders of cows
or other animals.
.1440 Promp. Parv. iffH Stoppe, vessel for mylkynge,
..mulira. <: 1574-5 G. Harvey Lett.-bk. (Camden) 144 P.
watchd her going a milking a mile from y° towne. 1834
Youatt Cattle iii. 18 Their qualities may be referred to
three points; their working, fattening, and milking, i860
Tyndall Glac. 1. iii. 24 Milking was over when we returned
to the chalet.
2. eoncr. The quantity of milk drawn from a
cow or from a dairy at one time or operation.
1538 Elyot Diet., Mulctra, the mylkyng, the payle, wher-
into it is milked. 161 1 Cotgr., Mousson, a Cowes. .milking;
as much as she yeelds at a milking. 1850 J. Struthers Life
Poet. Wks. I. p. xxix, The whole milking went to the floor.
3. teclm. The steeping of cloth in sour milk
during the bleaching process.
1837 Whittock, etc. Bk. Trades (1842) 31 The next pro-
cess is called the milking, or the souring.
4. attrib., as milking cow, cramp, gear, machine,
pail, pot, side, fskeel, stool, time, trade, tube, yard;
milking-loan dial, (see quot.).
1784 Twamlev Dairying 97 The people., who buy Cows,
always make a large bag in a *Milking Cow their first
object. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., * Milking- cram p. 1891 T.
Hardy Tess xvii. (1892) 145 Without the *milking-gear
nobody could have guessed what he was. 1844 II. Sn-.:-
phens Bk. Farm III. 824 The shepherd or cattle-man
taking it as a part of his duty to bring them to a certain
spot of the field to be milked, and which is usually named
the "milking loan. 1891 Daily News 14 Oct. 2/6 A good
deal of curiosity was attracted, .by Mr. J. Gray's (*milking
machine'. 1548 Elyot Diet., Mulctrale,&.* my\Vy\\% payle.
1897 Crockett Lads' Love xvi, The white streams hissed . .
into the milking pails. 15m MS. Ace. St. John's Hosp.,
Canterb., For a new *mylkyng pot jd. ob. 1844 Stephens
MILK-PUNCH.
Bk. Farm 1 1. 456 There is one side of a cow which is usually
called the *milking side. 1577 Wills <y Inv. N. C. (Surtees)
I. 421 In The Kitchinge And Larder House.. iiij *milken
skeales, and one wassinge toobe. 1830 Miss Mitford Village
Ser. iv. 103 Her little brother following with the *milking-
stool. 161 1 Shaks. Wint. T. iv. iv. 246 Is there not "milk-
ing-time? 1725 Pope Odyss. ix. 263 Full pails, and vessels
of the *milking trade. 1881 J. P. Sheldon Dairy Farm.
58/1 A silver ' syphon ' or ' "milking-tube \ 1888 W. Senior
Near <$■ Far 281 The magpie fluted sweetly from the three
gum-trees by the *milking-yard.
Milking (mrlkir) ,, ppl. a. rare. [f. Milk v.
-j-'INg'^.] That milks.
1821 Clare Vill. Mi'nstr. I. 203 Milking maids and boys.
1847 Tennyson Princess v. 213 You did but come as goblins
in the night, . . Nor burnt the grange, nor bus^'d the milking-
maid. 189 1 T. Hardy Tess xxii. (1892) 178 One or two of the
mi Iking- men.
t Mi'lkisll, a. Obs. [f. Milk^. + -ISH.] Milky.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. v. xlv. (1495) 162 Amonge
the colours of vryne some bytoken defawte of digestion as
white mylkysshe andyelowe. 1698 Fryer Acc. E. India <$■ P.
322 The Occidental [pearls] are of a Milkish Colour.
Milkless (mi'lkles), a. [f. Milk sb. + -LESS.]
1. Having no milk, devoid of milk.
c 1620 Z. Boyd Zions Flowers (1855) 33 The sucklings. .
Doe from their milklesse mother's brests draw blood. 1816
'Quiz' Grand Masters. 120 With musty bread, and milkless
tea. 1903 Contemp. Rev. Mar. 311 Helpless babes were
slowly dying at their milkless breasts.
fig. 1643 T. Goodwin Child of Light 179 Hast thou found
apromise, which is a breast of consolation, milklesse ?
2. Bot. Not secreting ' milk * or latex. (Said of
certain fungi.)
1871 Cooke Handbk. Brit. Fungi I. 217 Russula. .GUIs
nearly equal, milkless, rigid, brittle, with an acute edge.
Milk-livered, a. Cowardly, ' white-livered \
1605 Shaks. Lear iv. ii. 50 Milk-Liuer'd man, That bear'st
a cheeke for blowes. 1760-72 H. Brooke FoolofQual. (1809)
III. 20 You. .hare-hearted, milk-livered poltroon.
Milkmaid, [f. Milk sb. + Maid.]
1. A woman that milks or is employed in a dairy.
155a Huloet, Mylker or mylke mayde. 1570 Foxe A. <$•
M. (ed. 2) 2294/2 Elizabeth. .hearyng- .a certeine milke-
mayde singing pleasauntly, wished her self to be a milke-
j mayde as she was. 1697 Dryden Virg. Past. in. 153 In
' vain the Milk-maid tugs an empty Teat. 1768 Beattie
Minstr. I. xxxix, Crown'd with her pail the tripping milk-
maid sings. 1849 James Woodman ii, Barons' heirs would
be marrying milkmaids.
Comb, c i860 Patmore in B. Champneys Mem. (1900) I.
x. § 5. 141 So splendid a beauty with so milkmaid-like an
absence of pretension.
2. Local or book name of several plants (see
quots.).
1853 Naturalist III. 225 Ilex aquifolium albo-pictum,
White-spotted-leaved Common Holly ; known also by the
name of Milkmaid. 1886 Britten & Holland Ptant-n. 33s
j Milk Maid, or Milk Maids (1) Cardamine pratensis,. .(2)
Stellaria Holostea, .. (3) Lotus corniculatns, .. (4) The
flowers of Com'olvulus sepinm,..(s) Primula vulgaris,
L. var. (the ' oxlip '). 1887 K. Francis Saddle fr Mocassin
1 88 Myriads of daisies and ' milkmaids ' powder it [the grass]
with snowy flakes.
Milkman (mi-lkman). [f. Milk sb. + Man.]
1. A man who sells milk.
1589 Rider Bibl. Schol., A milke man, lactarius. 1656
Blount Glossogr., Lactary, a Dairyhouse, and may be
i used for a Dayry-man, Milk man, or Chees-monger. 1679
Trials of Green, Berry, etc. 65 On Friday morning our
Milkman came and told us, that one Mr. Godfrey was found
murdered. 1838 Dickens O. Twist x, The butcher throws
down his tray,.. the milk-man his pail.
2. A man who milks cows.
1902 Contemp. Rev. Dec. 831 The milkmen had donned
their blouses of giey hemp-linen.
t Milkmeat. Obs. [f. Milk sb. + Meat.]
I Food made with or from milk.
c 1440 Promp. Parv. 338/1 Mylke mete, or mete made
1 wythe mylke. c 1450 Two Cookery-Iks. 106 Milkemete.
1 Take fnire mylke and floure [etc. J. 1699 Phil. Trans. XXI.
62 The various sorts of Cheese, and some other Milk-Meats,
made in Italy. 1764 Harmer Observ. x. iv. 154 One would
have imagined, .trie Septuagint would have been at no loss
I in translating passages which speak of cheese, or in de-
, termining what they meant, if some other kind of milk-
j meats were meant in them.
Milkness (miTknes). Obs. exc. Sc. dial. [f.
! Milk sb. + -ness.] The aggregate yield of milk
j of a cow, ewe, etc., or of a dairy of milking cattle.
; Also milk and its products generally, dairy produce.
149a Ada Dom. Concil. (1839* 289/2 The saidis personis
: sail .. pay., for |>e promt of be mylkness of be said five : ky
! [etc.J. Ibid., For pe profrit of be mylknes of be said iiij1*
of ;owis be he said thre ^eris xlviij stane of cheiss, price of
I be stane ijs. 1536 Bellenden Cron. Scot. (1821)!. 46 The
I residew of the Scottis .. debaitit thair miserabill liffis, ..
\ with scars and hard fude; tevand, in the somer, on milknes,
..and in the winter, of wild flesche of the montanis. 1674
I in Proc. Soc. Ant. Scot. (1896) XXX. 19 At least_ ane stirk
' to be brought up betwixt each twa [cows], reserving to the
! said persones the milkness. 1678 Ibid. 21 Reserving ther
I milknes to the said Duncane. a 1774 Fergusson_ Drink
; Eel. Poems (1845) 52 Crummie nae mair for Jenny's hand
will crune Wi milkness dreepin' frae her teats adown. 1842
J j. Aiton Dom. Econ. (1857) 89 Meat very soon communi-
j cates a taint to milkness in all its states of. .preservation.
Mi lk-punch. A drink made of spirits mixed
■ with milk, etc.
1704 T. Pocock in Torrington Mem. (Camden) 181 He
treated me this evening with a bowl of milk punch. 1764
i Eliz. Moxon Eug. Houseiv. 153 To make Milk Punch.
i Take two quarts of old milk, a quart of good brandy, the
1 juice of six lemons or oranges, . . and about six ounces of
MILKSILE.
443
MILKY WAY.
loaf sugar, mix them altogether [etc.]. 1837 Dickens Pickw,
1, ft smells, I think, like milk-punch.
Mi'lksile. Ods.exc.dia/. Also 5 -sele, -syle.
[f. Milk sb. + Sile. Cf. milk-sye, Milsey.]
1. A strainer for milk. (See E. D. D.)
1459 Durham Ace. Rolls (Surtees) 89, j Milksyle.
2. Lady's milksile : the milkmaid, Cardamine
pralensis (Britten & Holland, 1886).
Milk-snake. [See quot. 1863.] A hand-
some colubrine snake, Ophibolus eximiits, common
in many localities in the United States.
1843 Holbrook N. Amer. Hcrpetol. III. 69 Coluber ex i-
mius... House Snake or Milk Snake, Vntgo. 1863 Wood
Nat. Hist. III. 131 The Milk Snake, or House Snake
[Coluber ext'mius) is common in many parts of North
America, and has derived its popular names from its habit
of entering houses and its fondness for milk, which some
persons fancy it obtains from the cows.
Mi'lksop. [f. Milk sb. + Sop sb.]
T"l. A piece of bread soaked in milk. Obs. rare.
c 1420 Liber Cocorum (1862) 53 Melle white biede in
dysshes aboute, Powre in wellyd mylke, with outen doute,
pat called is mylke soppys in serves For Satyrday at ny^t.
1 1>. fig. \ii pi. ' Soft sayings'. Obs.
1577 Hanmer A/tc. Eccl. Hist. 71 Lingering in their
milksoppes and smoothe Exhortacions.
f c. Milksop dishes, dishes made of ( milkmcats \
1628 Earle Microcosm. (Arb.) 47 Quaking Tarts and
quiuering Custards, and such milke sop Dishes.
2. +a. An infant not advanced beyond a milk
diet. Obs, rare.
c 1460 Towueley Myst. xii. 469 Secundus pastor, hayll,
lytyll lyn mop., hayll lytyll mylk sop ! hayll, dauid sede !
b. Jig. An effeminate spiritless man or youth ;
one wanting in courage or manliness.
[1246-56 in 35M Rep. DeJ>. Kpr. Rec. (1874) App. 17
A villein called Robert Milc^op.] c 1386 Chaucer Monk's
Prol. 22 Alias she seith that euere pat I was shape To
wedden a Milksope or a coward ape. 1568 GraftomCA^w.
II. 847 The Erie of Richmond Capiiayne of thys rebellion,
he is a Welshe milksop, a 1619 Fletcher, etc. Knt. Malta
n. i, Thou milksop, ..canst thou feare to see A few light
hurts, that blush they are no bigger? 1749 Fielding Tom
Jones xt. vii, I ought to be d — n'd for having spoiled one of
the prettiest fellows in the world, by making a milk-sop of
him. 1876 L. Stephen Eng. Th. in 18/ A C. II. 377 Fielding
has a contempt for Richardson as a milksop.
c. attrib. and Comb.
1549 Chaloner Erasm. on Folly P ij, Farre more milke-
soplyke and womannishe to cast foorth teares. 1750 Student
I. 141 The milksop looks and mincing steps of the pretty
gentlemen. 11839 PRAED Poems (1864) II. 97 Like a fool
Ripe from a milksop boarding-school.
Hence Milksoppishness, MiTksopism, the
characteristics of a milksop. Mi'lksoppingr a.,
imbued with ' milksopism \ Mi'lksoppy a. =
MlLKSOPPING.
1832 J. Wilson in Blackw. Mag. XXXII. 392 This new
dandyfied era of milksoppism. 1888 Stevenson Black
Arrow 1. ii, Y'are a milk-sopping baby, so to harp on
women. 1871 T. A. Trollope Durnton Abbey II. via, 126,
' I think I won't take any brandy this morning ', said Regi-
nald, blushing painfully at the consciousness of his milk-
soppi'shness in this respect. 1886 G. Allen Matmiis Sake
xi, About eighty-seven per cent, of male humanity belongs
absolutely to the milksoppy section.
Milkstone (mi-lkstJun). [f.MiLK sb. + Stone.]
L A name for various white stones (see quots.).
1856 Mayne Expos. Lex., Milk-Stone. Common name
for the Galactites.^ i860 Piesse Lab. Chem. Wonders 2
Two rounded whitish flint pebbles such as boys call milk-
stones. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., Milk-stone. Same as Galac-
tiles. Also, the same as Morochthus.
2. Path. pi. i Hard concretions resulting from
the retention or extravasation of milk in the breast,
and its gradual inspissation and calcification by
the absorption of its watery constituent (Syd. Soc.
Lex. 1890).
Milk-tooth, One of a temporary set of mam-
malian teeth which are replaced by the permanent
teeth (cf. milk-canine, molar, etc.").
1727-52 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Tooth, Twelve foal-teeth or
milk-teeth [of a hoisel. 1835 Todd's Cycl. Anat. I. 68/1
The milk-teeth, .by the end of the seventh year have given
way to the . . permanent series. 1886 C. Scott Sheep Farm-
ing 15 At a month old a Iamb will have eight incisors or
milk teeth, which ate temporary.
Milk-warm, a. Of the approximate tem-
perature of milk fresh-drawn from the cow; new-
milk warm.
C1410 Master of Game (MS. Digby 182) xii, Caste per in
oyle of camamyle mylke warme m. dropes. a 1608 Dee
Relat. Spir. 1. (1659) 253 The first part let her drink (being
milk-warm) by little and little. 1766 Smollett Trait. II.
xxxii. 135 They had baths of cool water for the summer:
but in general they used it milk-warm. 1837 Flemish. Husb.
62 in Libr. Use/. Knowl., Husb. Ill, This mess is given
milk-warm to the calf.
Milkweed (mrlkwfd). [&Milkj&, + Wm>j&]
1. A name given to certain British wild plants
with milky juice, a. The sow-thistle, Sonchus
oleraceits. b. The brimstone-wort, Peucedanum
palustre; called also Marsh milkweed, c. The
sun-spurge, Euphorbia Helioscopia.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Milk Weed. 1736 Ainsworth
Lat. Diet., Milk weed, Sonchos vel sonchus. 1796 Wither-
ing Brit. Plants (ed. 3) II. 293 Selinum sy Ives t re.. Marsh
Milkweed. Ibid. III. 675 Sonchus oleraceus... Sowtbistle.
..Milkweed.
2. Any plant of the North American genus
Asclepias, esp. A. syriaca or Cornuti, the common
milkweed or silkwecd of the United States, which
has a copious milky juice, and seeds tufted with
long silky hairs. Green milkweed, the asclepia-
daceous genus Acerates.
1845-50 Mrs. Lincoln /,££/. But. App. 77 .-/ sclepias syriaca
(common milkweed), i860 Gray Man. Bol. u. S. 350 As-
clepiadaccae (Milkweed Family). Ibid. 354 Acerates, Green
Milkweed.
attrib. 1862 Lowell Biglow P. Ser. II. No. vi, While
Fancy's cushin'. .Makes the hard bench ez soft ez milk-
weed-down.
Milk-white, a. White as milk.
Usually employed in the sense of ' pure white ' ; for a pro-
posed use In botanical descriptions, see quot. 1839.
?cxooo Prudent. Gloss, in Germania N. S. XI. 389/70
Of meolc hwyttre, lacteo. Ibid. 397/32 Meolchwitum, lac-
let's. C1205 Lay. 15938 pe oder [drake] is milc-whit. c 1325
Citron. Eng. 621 (Ritson) Thre hondred steden mylk-whytc.
J595 Aliilia(iZj<-j) 19 The snow, Whose milke-white mantell
ouerspreeds the ground. 1639 T. de Gray Compl. Horsem.
59 The horse which is milke-white. 1718 Prior Dove 78
Her blushing face the lovely maid Rais'd just above the
milk-white sheet. 1808 Scott Mart/i. iv. vii, On milk-white
palfrey forth he paced. 1839 LlNDLEY Inirod. Bot. 477
Milk-white. . ; dull white verging to blue. 1890 ' R. Boldre-
woop' Cot. Reformer (1891) 154 A broad, milk-white beach
received the vast rollers.
absol. 1683 A. Ss ape Anat. Horse 1. i. (1686)2 The Horse
will be of a milk-white or yellow-dun.
f b. Milk -white way- Milky Way. Obs.
IS55 Edkn Decades 94 The tracteof heauen cauled Laciea
via, that is the mylke whyte waye. 1504 Taming of a Shrew
(1607) D3I), As faire as is the milke white way of Ioue.
1594 Hlundevil Excrc. iv. xix. (1636)475 Having described
unto you .. as many stars as are named in the Globe, and
also the milkewhite way [etc.].
Milkwort (mi'lkwwt). [f. Milk sb. f Wort.]
1. Any plant of the genus Polygatai formerly
supposed to increase the milk of nurses; esp. Poly-
gala vulgaris, a common British plant bearing
racemes of very irregular bright blue or sometimes
pink or white flowers. Bitter milkwort : the Poly-
gala amara {Treas. Bot. 1866).
1578 Lyte Dodoens 1. xxxiii. 48 There be two kyndes of
Mylkewurte, differing both in name and figure: whereof
one is called Glaux, and the other Potygala. 1597 Gerarde
Herbal 11. clx. 448 Of Milkewoorte. 1671 Salmon Syn.
Med. in. xxii. 420 Polygala WoKvyaXov Milkwort, a hand-
ful steeped all night in white wine .. purgeth Choller.
1759 B. Stillingi-leet tr. Gediter's Use Curios, in Misc.
Tracts (17 -62) 191 No physician would have evtn suspected,
that our milkwort would be usefull in the bite of serpents,
. . unless the principles of botany had led him to it. 1873
Miss Thackeray Wks. (1891) I. 70 Dandelions and milk-
wort among the beds.
2. A primulaceous plant, Glaux maritima,
common on the sea-coast and in salt marshes.
Also Sea milkwort.
1578 Lyte Dodoens 1. xxxiii. 48 Glaux. Milkewurte, or
sea Tryfoly. 1597 Gerarde Herbal 11. clix. 443 The true
Glaux or Milkwoort groweth very plentifully in salt places
and marshes neere the sea. /bid., It shall suffice to call it
in English Sea Milkwoort. 1640 Parkinson Theat. Bot.
Index 1741/2 ISlacke Milkewort, or Sea MUkewort.
3. (Our) Ladys milkzvort : lungwort, Pulnw-
naria officinalis.
1578 Lyte Dodoens 1. Ixxxv. 125 We call it in English
. .Cowslip of lerusalem : . . in base Almaigne Onser vrouwen
melck cruyt, ..that is to say, Our Ladies Milke worte,bycause
the leaues be full of white spottes.
4. Any plant of the genus Euphorbia.
1640 Parkinson Theat. Bot. 184 Tithymalus sive Lac-
taria. Spurge or Milkeworte. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp.
Add., Milk-wort, or Wart-ivort, is also a name sometimes
given to the Euphorbia. 1886 Britten & Holland Plant-
Names App., Milkwort, Euphorbia He Hose opt 'a and other
species (Essex),
5. //. Name for the root vi Campanula rotundi-
folia (Jam. 1880).
Milky (mi-lki), a. [f. Milk sb. + -y.]
1. Having the appearance of milk, or of water
into which milk has been dropped. Also (chiefly
poet.), resembling milk in colour, milk-white.
Milky white : in poetical use — Milk-white; in prose use,
rather, white resembling that of milk diffused through water.
1384 [see Milky Way]. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R.
xv. lxvi. (1495) 511 Sibel callyth frensshmen, Galles, that is
whyte and sayd that in one yere mylky neckes shall be
mynyd. 1567 Maplet Gr. Forest 76 The Caladrius sayth
Aristotle is of milkie colour, without any black spot. 1653
Nissena 8 Lips of Coral .. Eyes brighter then the Sun,
Milky hands; such .. were the ravishing graces. 1697
Dryden Virg. Gcorg. in. 600 With Fleeces milky white.
1758 Reid tr. Macquers Chym. I. 395 With regard to the
white powder that renders the solution milky.. it is nothing
but a portion of the Lead. 1791 Herschel in Phil. Trans.
LXXXI. 81 A star with a pretty strong milky nebulosity.
Ibid. 85 Tinged with milky nebulosity. 1818-20 E. Thomp-
son tr. Cuileu's Nosol. Method, (ed. 3) 226 A milky humour
like chyle. 1850 Tennyson In Mem. cxiv, The flocks are
whiter down the vale, And milkier every milky sail. 1859
— Geraint $ Enid 1 so A hart Taller than all his fellows,
milky- white. 1869 G. Lawson Dis. Eye (1874) 157 A piece
of tough milky white looking lens capsule. 1878 Huxlfy
Physiogr. 82 The liquid becomes milky as the carbonic acid
gas. .bubbles through. 1883 Times 27 Aug. 8/3 The whole
of the bay wore a milky look.
b. said of the juices of plants and fruits.
1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. 11. (1586) 109 b, The
sappe . . in the Figge tree .. is milkie. 1660 Hickeringill
yamaica (166O 24 The Coco Nuts .. in whose content, is
barrell'd up., a milky liquor. 1766 Compl. Farmer s.v. Sap,
In plants, particularly in such as abound with a milky sap.
1855 Sir E. Smith in Syst. Nat. Hist. I. 30 The latex, or
milky fluid, is of immense service to man. Ibid. 31 The
following is the mode in which the India-rubber is prepared
from the milky juice. 1884 Howkr & Scott De Bary's
Phaner. 184 The slightly milky latex.
e. Path. Milky ascites: that variety of ascites
in which the contained fluid is milky.
1899 Allbutfs Syst. Med. VI. 449 Such cases [of ascite-]
are described as milky, non-fatty ascites.
2. Of or consisting of milk. rare.
155a Huloet, Milkye meates, or meates made of milke.
Lactaria. 1697 Dryden l-'irg. Gcorg. in. 482 The salacious
Goat . . twice as largely yields her milky Store. 1791 Mrs.
Kadclitfe Rom. Forest III. xxvi. 339 Several peasant
girls.. were dispensing the milky feast.
3. Containing, abounding in, or yielding milk.
1641 J. Jackson True Evang. 'T. n. 103 The milkie fruit-
fulnesse of the Cow. 1675 G. K. tr. Le Grand's Man tvith-
out Passion 36 When those two Milky Mountains become
one double bag full of Blood, they are no more desired by
men. 1714 Gay Shtph. Week Mon. 78 As my IHixoma ..
With gentle linger stroked her milky caie. 1870 BftYANT
Iliad ix. 272 Argo^, richly stocked In milky kine.
b. Bot. Yielding milk-like juice.
1861 1'entley Man. Bot. 583 The Goodcnia Order. — Heibs
or rarely shrubs, not milky. Ibid., The Stylewort Order. —
Herbs or under-shrubs, not milky. 1884 Bower & Scott De
Bary's Phaner. 432 In milky plants provided with phloem-
pot lions, .these also are accompanied by laticifcrous tubes.
C. Of food : Promoting the secretion of milk.
1886 C. Scott Sheep Farming 50 Cabbages, .are also pre-
ferable, .for ewes at lambing time, and are very ' milky'.
d. Of an oyster: Full of spawn. Ci. Milk sb.
8 b.
1865 Chambers^s Encycl. VII. 324/1.
4. trans/, and Jig. Of persons, their actions,
attiibutes, etc. Soft, gentle ; in bad sense,
timorous, effeminate, weakly amiable.
1602 2nd Pt. Return fr. Parr/ass. 1. iv. (Arb.) 17 Sec
what a little vermine pouerty altereth a whole milkie dis-
position. 1607 Shaks. Timon in. i. 57 Has friendship such
a faint and milkie heart, It turnes in lesse then two nights?
1658 Manton /:.>/. J tide 20 Peter wiiteth in a milky, sweet,
middle way. 1764 Koote Patron in. Wks. 1799 I. 352 If
you find the audience too indulgent, inclined to be milky,
[etc.]. 1782 Mrs. H. Cowley Bold Stroke Jbr Husb. 1. ii,
I long to set a pattern to those milky wives, whose mean
compliances degrade the sex. 1813 Byron 5 Sept. in Moore
Lett. § Jrnls. (1830) I. 426 They made . . me (the milkiest
of men) a satirist. 1883 J. Parker Tyne Ch. 3 People who
..spoke a soft and milky language. 1884 \V. C. Smith
Kildrostan 92, I hate Your meek and milky girls, that dare
not kiss A burning passion, clinging to your lips.
5. Comb, j as milky -farinaceous , -looking, -'watery
adjs. ; milky cap, one of the gill-bearing fungi,
Russztla laciea; t milky circle, the milky way;
milky-fever, -hedge, -parsley, -scall, -sea =
milk-fever, -hedge, etc. (see Milk sb. 10, 10 b) ;
milky tree ^= Cow-tree i.
1887 Hay Brit. Fungi 112 Russula laciea, The "Milky-
cap. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. vn. iv. 346 The
Gala.xia cr *milky Circle. 1896 Althutt's Syst. Med. I. 411
The most satisfactory diet . . is a *milky-faiinaceous one.
1747 tr. Aslruc's Fevers 355 A fever, with a swelling of the
breasts can be taken for no other than a *mi)ky fever. 1797
Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XII. 23/2 ^Milky-Hedge, the English
name of a shrub growing on the coast of Coromandel. 1862
Miller Elem. Chem., Org. (ed. 2) 268 A 'milky-looking
fluid or emulsion. 1640 Parkinson Theat. Bot. 928, I have
entituled it .. Wild "milkie Parsley. 1759 Miller Gard.
Diet. (ed. 7) s.v. Selinum, Milky Parsley. 1822-34 Good's
Study Med. (ed. 4) IV. 487 Whence the French name of
croute de la'tt and our own of *milky scall. 1871 Kingsley
At Last \, That most rare and unexplained phenomenon
of a ' *milky sea '. 1666 J. Davies Hist. Caribby Isles 49
Others have venemous qualities, as the 'Milkie tree. 1886
J. R. Rees Pleas. Bk.-Worm v. 168 Languishing *milky-
watery young men.
Hence Milkily adv. rare.
1881 Watson in Jrnl. Linn. Soc. XV. 247 The shell is
milkily transparent. 1903 N. Munro in Blackw. Mag.
June 813/2 The byre was warm and odorous milkily.
Milky Way. [f. Milky a. + Way sb., transl.
of L. via laciea. CI. milk way (Milk sb. 10).]
1. = Galaxy i.
(71384 Chaucer//. Fame 11. 429 Se yonder loo theGaloxie
Whiche men clepeth the melky weye. 1551 Recorde Cast.
Knowl. (1556) 105 The Milkye wayin heauen, whiche many
men in England do call Watlyng streete. 1615 Crooke
Body of Man 455 As we thinke the via laciea or Milky
Way in heauen is occasioned by an infinite number of small
starres. 1732 Pope Ess. Man 1. 102 Far as the solar walk,
or milky way. 1868 Lockyer Elem. Astron. i. § 1 (1879)
11 This belt is the Milky Way.
2. fig. and allusively, a. A way brilliant in
appearance, or leading to heaven.
1649 W. M. Wandering 5^0(1857)56 The path to Heaven
is a milky way; not a bloudy. 1670 Eachard Cottt. Clergy
60 Goodness is the milkey-way to Jupiter's palace.
fb. Poet. The region of a woman's breast. Obs.
1622 Wither Fair Virtue E, Whatsceuer others say,
There's alone the Milkie-way, That to beauties walkes doth
goe. 1630 Drumm. of Hawth. Flowres Sion 48 From her
heauie Eyne Along her Cheekes distilling christall I5rine,
Which downe-wards to her yuorie litest was driuen, And had
bedewed the milkie- Way of Heauen. a 1704 T. Brown On
Beauties Wks. 1730 I. 43 Two snowy mounts, so near her
heart. . . Between those hills, a milky way there leads. 1721
Ramsay Tartana 243 Behold her heav'nly face and heaving
milky way,
122-2
MILL.
Mill (mil), sb.'1 Forms : a. I mylen, 1-2, 6-7
myln, 3-7 mulne, 4-7 mylne, 5 myllne,
myllen, 7, 8-9 dial, miln ; 0. 1 my 11, 3-4 mulle,
4 mille, 4-5 mylle, 4-6 melle, 5 myl, 6-7
my 1(1, 6- mill. [OE. mylen masc. and fem.:—
prehistoric *mulino-, *mulina, a late L. molinum,
moltna (whence F. moulin, Pr. molin-s, moti-s,
Sp. molino, Pg. moinho, It. mulino, molino), f.
w^/tz mill, f. ww/- root of M&£>Y to grind : see
Meal j&1 The late L. word was early adopted
into the other Teut. Iangs. : cf. MDu. moiene fern.
(Du. mo/en, f meulen masc), OHG. muli{n fem.
(MHG. miil, mod.G. miihle), ON. mylna fem.,
pcrh. from Eng. (Sw. m'olla, Da. mfltc).
For the loss of the n cf. (t*7«, in most dialects pronounced
(kil).]
1. A building specially designed and fitted with
machinery for the grinding of corn into flo.ur.
Also furming the second element in certain
obvious combinations, as water-, wind-mill, flour- ,
grist mill, many of which are treated under the
first element.
C961 .tEthelwold Rule St. Benet Ixvi. (Schruer 1885) 127
pact is waeterscype, mylen [c 1020 (Logeman) myll], wyrtun
and sehwylce misenUce cra:ftas [etc.]. 98a in Kemble Cod.
Dipt. 111. 189 Se mylenham and se myln 5a;rto. tfiioo
Gcrefa in A uglia (1886) IX. 261 Faldian, ftscwer and mylne
macian. a i«S Ancr. R. 88 Vrom mulne & from cheping,
from smiSe, & from ancre huse, me ti5inge bringe5. 13..
Gaw. <y Gr. Knt. 2203 What ! hit wharred, & whette, as
water at a mulne. c 1374 Chaucer Former Age 6 On-
knowyn was be quyerne and ek the melle. c 1400 Destr.
Troy 1604 There were bild by the bankes of be brode
stremes, Mylnes full mony. 1426 Lvdg. De Guil. Pilgr.
5422 Thys greyn was to the melle brouht. 1481 Caxton
Godeffroy xx. 51 They sawe vij myllenes, whiche stode at
brygge nyghe the town and settethemafyre. 1568 Grafton
Chron. II. 526 A Miller that kept a .Mill adioinyng to the
wall. 1601 Fl'luecke 1st Pi. Parall. (1602) 39 She shal not
so be "indowed of a milne, but shall haue the third part of
the profit of the milne, because the milne cannot be seuered.
«i63» G. Herbert Jac Prudent. 153 The mill cannot
grind with the water that's past. (11766 J. Cunningham
Miller 2 In a plain pleasant cottage, conveniently neat,
With a mill and some meadows. 1770 Goldsm. Des. Vtll.
11 The never-failing brook, the busy mill. 18x8 Cruise
Digest (ed. 2) VI. 406 Edward Manning being possessed of
the moiety of a mill for the term of fifty years, made his
will. X903 Blackiv. Mag. Sept. 365/1 A leet. .whose waters
work the mill below.
b. In figurative and other phrases. To draw
water to {one's) mill: to seize every advantage.
Jo go {pass) through, the mill: to pass through
a definite course of labour or experience ; similarly,
to put through the mill. To bring more sacks to
the mill: to supplement argument with argument
or weight with weight. Much water runs by the
mill that the miller knows not of: many things
happen before us of which we know nothing.
1522 Skelton Why nat to Court ? 107 They may gar-
lycke pyll Carysackes to the myll. X546 J. Heywood Prov.
{1S67) 60 Muche water goeth by the myll. That the miller
knowth not of. 1590 Nashe PasquiTs A60I. 1. C ij b, To
the next, to the next, more sacks to the Myll. X622 Mabbe
tr. Aleman's Guzman D'Alf. 1. 11630) 136 When there was
nothing to be done at home, your Lacktes.. would, .fright
me with Snakes, hang on my backe, & weigh me downe,
crying, More sackes to the Mill. 1649 Howell Pre-em.
Part. 10 Lewis the eleventh.. could well tell how to play
his game, and draw water to his owne Mill. 1677 W.
Hughes Man of Sin 11. viii. 118 The Invention of bringing
more water to the Popes Mill. 1890 ' R. Boldrewood1
Col. Reformer (1891) 147 Going to do wonders, and make
important changes. That will wear off— we've all passed
through that mill.
c. A mechanical apparatus, whether simple or
complicated, for grinding com.
Not found until the 16th century; the quots. 1535 hardly
prove its currency, as Luther, whom Covei dale very often
follows, has trtu/tle in both passages. The older word for
a handmill was Quern ; in the case of a water-mill or wind-
mill, there was little occasion to separate the_ notion of the
machinery from that of the containing fabric which was
necessarily connected with it.
1535 Coverdale Exod. xL 5 The mayde seruaunte which
is behynde v** myll. — Matt. xxiv. 41 Two shal be grynd-
inge at the Myll. 1563-87, 1573-80 [see Hand-mill]. 1614
Markham Cheap Husb. (1668) 1. v. 40 If you cause these
Beans to be spelted upon a Miln, and so mixt with Oats, it
will recover him. X674 Boyle Grounds Mech. Hypothesis
21-2 A Water-mill, or a Wind-mill, or a Horse-mill, or a
Hand-mill. 1791 Cowi-er Odyss. xx. 135 She rested on her
mill, and thus pronounced The happy omen by her lord
desired, X903 Pilot 22 Aug. 179/2 San-niang-tzu then pro-
duced a small mill and ground the wheat to flour.
2. A machine or apparatus for grinding or
reducing to powder or pulp some solid substance.
Also, a building fitted with machinery for this
purpose. Often as the second element of obvious
combinations, as in coffee-, pepper-mill, paper-,
powder-mill, etc.
1560 Gresham in Burgon Life (1839) I. 294 The Quene's
Majestie should do well to mackc.iiij or vi mylles for
the macking^ of powdyr. X596 Lambakde Peramb. Kent
453 Two Milles of rare deuise . . the one emploied for the
making of all sortes of Paper.. the other exercised for the
drawing of Iron into Wyres [etc.]. 1666-7 'n Boyle's Whs.
(1772) VI. 551 Tin always., must be prepared., by stamping,
or knocking mills, which reduce the whole body to a very
small sand. Ibid. 552 The tin-slag, may, by being exposed
444
to the open air and rain for a time, be sooner prepared in
the mill, and melted down. X7xa-i4 Pope Rape Lock
in. 106 The board with cups and spoons is crown'd, The
berries crackle, and the mill turns round. 1800 tr. Lagrange s
Client. II. 71 The result will be a sulphate of lead ota beau-
tiful whiteness, and exceedingly fine, if it be washed in
a large quantity of water, and then carefully mixed in a
mill. 1889 C. G. W. Lock Pract. Gold-mining 226 A new
mill for reducing cement, known as Drake's cement-mill . .
is in form of a tube [etc.]. Ibid. 437 The order in which the
stamps drop varies in different mills.
fig. #1633 G. Herbert Jacula Prud, 747 Gods Mill
grinds slow ; but sure. 1850 Tennyson In Mem. lxxxviii,
Ground in yonder social mill We rub each other's angles
down. 1870 Longk. tr. Von Logau, Reiribulion,Though the
mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding small.
b. An instrument designed to express the juices
from any succulent matter by grinding or crushing;
usually with defining prefix, as cane, cider mill.
i676WoRLiDGE(//V/^)Vinetum Britannicum: or, a Treatise
of Cider... And a Description of the new-invented Ingenio
or Mill, For the more expeditious and better making of
Cider. 1697 Drvden Virg. Georg. \\. 757 Then Olives,
ground in Mills, their Fatness boast. 1794 J. Clark Agric.
Hereford. 40 The [sc. cider] mill consists of a stone like a
mill-stone (runner) set on its edge, with an axle through the
center [etc.]. 1853 Ure Diet. Arts (ed. 4) II. 284 They give
the name virgin oil to that which is first obtained from the
olives ground to a paste in a mill.
C. Sc, A snuff-box ; originally, + one in which
tobacco could be ground to powder by a simple
mechanism. (Cf. Mull.)
1776 C. Keith Parmer's Ha" vi. (17941, Wi' mill in hand,
and wise adage He spent the night, a 1780 Shirrefs
Poems (1700) 215 And there, o'er pot o' beer right spruce,
And mill in hand, The carls crack d awa' fell crouse About
the land. 1805 G. MTndoe Million Potatoes in Chambers
Pop. Hum. Scot. Poems (1862) i^o Inthe laird's nieve John
ramm'd his mill, The land ca'd in anither gill.
3. In the 1516th c, applied by extension to any
machine worked by wind or water power in the
manner of a corn-mill, though not used for the
purpose of grinding. In later use applied to
various machines for performing certain operations
upon material in the process of manufacture ; often
with defining word, as in flatting-, fulling-, roll-
ing-j saw-mill.
1417-18, etc [see fulling-mill s.v. Fulling vbL sb.\. 1463-4
Rolls of Parlt. V. 502/2 Wollen Cloth, fulled in mifles
called Gygmylles and Toune Milles. X596 [see 2J. 1621
Elsing Debates Ho, Lords (Camden) App. 138 Ireland and
Norton came back and. .surprised one milne used for other
works of his trade. 17*5 Watts Logic iv. i. § 1 In order to
make mills and engines of various kinds. i7»7~4x Cham-
bers Cycl., Mill., among gold-wire-drawers, is a^ little
machine consisting of two cylinders of steel, serving to
flatten the gold, or silver wire, and reduce it into lamina;, or
plates. . . They have also mills to wind the gold-wire or thread
on the silk. Ibid., There are also 5VA.--Mills, for spinning,
throwing, and twisting silks. 1863 P. Barry Dockyard Picon.
242 The productive power of this mill is astonishing : it will
manufacture armour-plates from 20 to 40 feet long [etc.].
fig- x77x Smollett Humph. CI. 10 June Let. lii, He ob-
served, that her ladyship's brain was a perfect mill for pro-
jects. X848 Low ell Biglow P. Ser. 1. iv. Poet.Wks.(i879) 200
Babel was. .the earliest mill erected for the manufacture of
gabble. 1883 G. H. Boughton in Harpers Mag. Apr, 694/1
Model villages,, .all turned out of the same mill.
b. A machine invented by Antoine Brucher in
the i6thc. for the stamping of gold and silver coins.
In the English Mint it permanently superseded the earlier
practice of striking with the hammer m 1662.
x66i Order in Counc. in Folkes Table Eng. Silver Coins
(1745) 104 Materials for the coining of money by the mill.
x66a Ibid., Several proposals. .about coining his majesty's
moneys by the mill and press. 1695 W. Lowndes A mendm.
Silver Coin 93 All the Moneys we have now in England.. are
reducible to Two Sorts, .one stampt with the Hammer, and
the other Prest with an Engine, called the Mill. 18x7
Ruding Ann. Coinage 1. 139 The advantage of this machine
(which is known by the name of The Mill and Screw) over
the old mode of striking with an hammer, consists [etc.]. 1854
Humphreys Coin. Brit. Em/. 113 Pieire Blondeau. .who had
carried to perfection the.. modes of stamping coins by the
mill and screw, was invited to England. ,7a9 produced
patterns of half-crowns, shillings, and half-shillings, coined
by the new mill and screw, by which means a legend was im-
pressed for the first time upon the edge.
c. Calico and Bank-ttote printing*. A roller of
hardened steel having impressed upon it, from a
hand engraved die, a pattern which by pressure is
transferred in intaglio to the calico-printing cylinder
or note-printing plate.
1839 Ure Diet. Arts 218 The first roller engraved by hand
is called the die ; thesecond. .iscalled themill. 1875 Knight
Diet. Mech.% Mill... The hardened steel roller having the
design in cameo, and used for impressing in intaglio a plate . .
or a copper cylinder.
d. A hollow revolving cylinder in which leather
is ' tumbled ■ in contact with oil, tan, or any amelio-
rating liquid.
1884 Knight Diet. Mech. Suppl. 606/2 The mill is used
for stuffing light leather, and for other purposes. After
stoning, skiving, and shaving, the sides are put in the mill
with some tan liquor to soften them and make them porous.
4. A building or other place or establishment
fitted with machinery in which a certain industry,
manufacture or manufacturing process is carried
on ; esp. with prefixed word, as in cotton-, silk-,
silver-mill, etc., q.v. under the first element.
1502 Ace. Ld. High Treas. Scot. (1900) II. 143 Item, .to the
Franch armorar to set up his harnas myln. 1531 Ibid. VI.
MILL.
I 34. 1630 R. Johnson's Kingd. >r Commw. 347 Six mills, in
which they make plale for armour. _ 1674 Ray Collect.
IVords, Smelting Silver 113 The Smelting and Refining of
1 Silver at the Silver Mills in Catdiganshire. 1835URE Philos.
Manuf. 287 He [Mr. Graham] cannot admit a new hand
into his mill unless he has joined the combination. 1854
Ronalds& Richardson Chtiu. Tccnnol.ied.3) I. 132 Large
quantities of saw-dust accumulate at the mills. 1881 Ray-
mond Mining Gloss., Mill, i, Eng. That part of an iron
works where puddle-bars are converted into merchant-iron.
1005 Edin. Rev. Apr. 478 He . . built mills in the neighbour-
ing villages, .for the manufacture of tools [etc. J.
5. A machine which performs its work by rotary
( motion, esp. a lapidary s mill.
1839 Ure Diet. Arts 1096 It [the seal engraver's lathe]
consists of a table on which is fixed the mill. Ibid., Having
fixed the tool.. in the mill, the artist applies to its cutting
i point, or edge, some diamond-powder [etc.]. 1860T0MLINSON
! Artstf Manuf. Ser. II. Pens 44 Each of these lengths is then
I pointed at each end at a machine called a mill, consisting
I of a circular single-cut file and a fine grit-stone. 1870 En-
\ cycl. Brit. X. 663/2 The [glass] articles are held in the
hand, and applied to the mill while rotating. _ i88j Ibid.
XIV. 299/1 Another form of lapidary's mill consists [etcl.
6. slang. Shortened form of Treadmill.
184a Barham Ingol. Leg. Ser. 11. Misadv. Margate, A
landsman said, ' I twig the chap— he's been upon the Mill.
1888 Pall Mall C. 6 June 7/1 When after three days of the
mill I got off at night I found my feet were four or five times
their ordinary weight.
7. A pugilistic encounter between two persons.
1825 C. M. Westmacott Eng. Spy I. 270 To cut a dash at
races or a mill. 1864 [Hemyng] Eton School Days vii. 77
We are waiting to see your mill with Butler Burke. _ 1869
Blackmore Lorna D. ii, They who made the ring intituled
1 the scene a ' mill ', whilst we who must be thumped inside
it tried to rejoice in their pleasantry.
8. Mining, a. An excavation in rock, transverse
to the workings, from which material for filling is
obtained (Webster 1897). b. A passage under-
ground through which ore is shot {Ibid.).
9. alt rib. and Comb., as mill-bridge, -builder,
■burn, -clack, -close, -gearing, -girl, f-inave, -labour,
-lade, -lead, -lord, -owner, -process, -rent, -roller,
-room, -sluice, -wall; mill-spun aA).
1833 Tennyson Poems 41, 1 stepped upon the old "mill-
bridge. 1759 Smeaton in Phil. Trans. 1. 1. 140 All our modern
*milT-builders[etc.]. 1843 Bethune Sc. Fireside Stor. n 1 The
mill from which the *mill burn, .sweeped nearly half round
the village. 1768 Ann. Reg. 73 His servant-man. .carried
him into the *mill-close. 1815 J. Nicholson Operat. Me-
1 chatiic 364 The appropriate modes described under the
article ' *Mill-geering '. 1856 Whittier Mary Garvin 18 O
! 'mill-girl watching late and long the shuttles' restless play !
1609 Skene Reg. Maj., Stat. Will. 3 All they quha hes
milns. .salt haue ane maister, and tua servants *mil-knaves.
1861 Kincsley in Life (1877) II. 138 "Mill-labour effemi-
nates the men. 1868 Peard IVaterfarni.iv. 39 The dangers
produced by 'mill-lades and sluices. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj.,
' Chalm. Air c 11 § 4 Myllers. .take the fry, or smolts of
1 salmon, in the mylne dame or "lead, contrair the ordinance
of the law. i9u] Daily News 11 Apr. 6/2 The water flowing
in the mill-lead. 1880 Disraeli Endym. Ixiii, Perhaps we
shall get rid of them all some day— landlords and "mill-
lords. 183s Ure Philos. Manuf. 348 Assassins who had
hired themselves .. to murder "mill-owners. 1854 Hum-
phreys Coin. Brit. Emp. 113 They are exceedingly well
executed by the "mill process, and have the laureated bust of
the protector, with olivar. d.g. [etc]. 187a Raymond Statist.
Mines /$ Mining 136 The ore. .produces very base bullion
by mill process. 1894 R. S. Ferguson Hist, li'estmortd.
165 Mills, .still pay "mill-rents to this day. 1834 M. Scott
Cruise Midge k. (1836) 332 It being part of Rory's trade to
prepare "mill-rollers and other large pieces of hard-wood
required for the estates below. 1696 Lond. Gaz. No. 3186/4
Ordered that none but. .those concerned in the Coinage, be
permitted to enter the Melting-houses, "Mill-rooms letcj.
1844 Stephens Bk. Farm I. 273 The protective effects of
running water, such as water-falls from "mill-sluices. 1825 J.
Nicholson Operat. Mechanic 389 "Mill-spun yarn answers
better for the coarse as well as the finer fabrics. 1870
Morris Earthly Par. I. I. 157 While the smooth "millwalls
white and black Shook to the great wheel's measured clack.
10. Special Combinations, as mill-banding,
belting for the wheels of mill machinery; mill-
bar (iron), rough bar iron as drawn out by the
puddlers' rolls ; mill- bed, the cast-iron bed of a
machine for breaking flax, expressing oil, etc. ;
mill-beetle, the cockroach ; mill bill, a steel
adze fixed in a wooden thrift used for dressing and
cracking millstones; mill-boom, the barrier of
floating timber stretched about a saw-mill to retain
floating logs; mill-brack, a rent in cloth made
during the process of fulling (see Brack sb.1 3) ;
mill-bundle (see quot.) ; mill-cake, (a) the mass
resulting from the incorporation of the ingredients
in the process of manufacture of gunpowder; (/')
linseed cake (Knight Diet. Mech. 1875); ivaiW-
case (see quot. 161 1) ; mill-cinder, the slag
from the puddling-fumace of a rolling-mill (Ray-
mond Mining Gloss. 1881); mill-clack, i(a)
= Clack 3 ; (b) Her. a representation of a mill-
clack; mill-eog, one of the cogs of the wheel on
the driving shaft of a wind-mill or water-mill ;
mill-course = Mill-race ; mill-dog, (a) a dog
used for turning a mill ; (<5) in Canada, a kind of
clamp for securing logs in a saw-mill ; mill-
dust, the fine floury dust thrown out during the
process of grinding corn; mill-eye,the eye or open-
ing in the runner of a mill through which the meal
MILL.
445
MILL.
escapes ; mill-fever, a form of low fever prevalent
amongst the young hands in linen mills; mill-file
(see quot. 1884); f mill-fleam, a mill-stream;
mill-gang Warping, that part of the warp which
is made by a descending and ascending course
of the threads round the warping-mill (Knight
Diet. Mech. 1875) ; mill-gold, ?gold obtained by
stamping; mill-hand, one employed in a mill or
factory; mill-head, {a) that part of a horse-mill
from which the driving-gear is suspended ; (/•)
(see quot. 1825) ; mill-head, -headed adfs.t
having a milled head; f mill-holm, a watery
place about a mill-dam (Ray iV.C. Words 1674);
+ mill-hoop — mill-case ; mill-hopper — Hop-
per 3, 4; mill-iron = ? Mill-pick or Mill-
bind; mill-jade, a mill-horse; mill-lodge dial.,
a mill-pond ; f mill-mail, toll paid in feudal
times for grinding corn at the superior's mill ;
f mill-money, money coined in the mill and
press, not struck with the hammer (cf. mill-six-
pence, -tester) ; mill-moth = mill-beetle ; mill-
ore Mining, metallic ore fit for stamping or
crushing; mill-pin, (a) ? = mill-spindle; U>)
Her. a representation of this ; mill-pot, ? a
basket contrived to capture and retain fish ; mill-
puff dial., a kind of flock used for stuffing mat-
tresses, etc. ; mill-ream (see quot.) ; f mill-reek
dial., a disease to which workers in lead-mines
are subject; mill-ring, (a) the space in a mill
between the runner and the frame surrounding it ;
(b) the meal which remains about the millstones
(regarded as a perquisite of the miller) ; (c) the
dust of a mill (Jam.) ; mill-run, (a) Gold Mining,
the work of an amalgamating mill between two
' clean-ups ' ; (b) a mill-race ; (e) Mining, a test
of a given quantity of ore by treatment in a mill ;
hence mill-run v., Mining, to yield (a given per-
centage) at a mill-run ; mill-sail, the sail of
a wind-mill; so mill-sail-shaped a. (see quot.);
mill-saw, a saw for use in a saw-mill ; mill-saw
file, a file used for sharpening mill-saws ; mill-
saw web, the blade of a mill-saw ; mill-scale,
an incrustation of black oxide of iron formed on
the surface of iron in the process of being rolled
{Cent. Diet. 1890); mill-seat, a site suitable for
a water-mill ; mill-seed (see quot.) ; mill-shaft,
(a) a metal shaft used for driving machinery in
a mill ; (6) the tall chimney of a mill ; mill-
sixpence, a sixpence coined in a mill ; mill-
spindle, a vertical shaft supporting the 'runner'
of a flour-mill ; mill-staff, an oak staff designed
to test the flat face of a millstone ; mill-stank, a
mill-pond; fniillstock = fid ting- stock; mill-
stream, a mill-race ; also fig. ; mill-tester, a
tester coined in a mill ; mill-timber, ? timber
that has been dressed in a saw-mill ; f mill-tooth,
a grinding or molar tooth; f mill-trough, (a) a
corn-bin ; (b) a mill-race or -pond ; mill-wash,
? = Mill-tail; mill-way, a thoroughfare leading
to a mill ; mill-work, (a) the machinery used in
mills or factories; (6) the designing or erection of
the machinery in mills or factories ; mill-worker,
one who works at or in a mill; fmill-yemer,
one who has the custody of a mill. Also Mill-
dam, Mill-hobse, Mill-house, Mill-ink, etc.
1894 Daily News 11 Dec. 7/4 Unpuncturable Canvas
Lining, for *mill-banding, driving belts,.. and cycle tyres.
1839 Ure Diet. Arts 706 Passing through the remaining
grooves till it comes to the square oneSj where it becomes
a*mill-bar. Ibid. 707 This iron called mill-bar iron, is how*
ever of too inferior a quality to be employed in any
machinery. 1825 J. Nicholson Operat. Mechanic 406 Fig.
436 represents the section of a ''mill-bed. 1771 J. R. Fokster
tr. Osbeck's Voy. 1. 170 The "Mill beetles, .annually come in
ships from the East Indies. 1631 Winthrop Let. in New
Eng. {1825) I. 381 Bring. .mill-stones.. with bracings ready
cast, and rings, and *mill-bills. 1897 in Sheffield Trade List
27 Mill Picks and Bills to order. 1877 Michigan Rep.
XXXV. 518 Complainants had a large quantity. .of timber
..in their *mill-boom at East Tawas. 1552 Act 5 <$• 6
Edw. VI, c. 6 § 27 If.. Cloth. .prove. .to be full of Holes,
"Mill-bracks, or to be holely. 1859 Stationers' Handbk.
(ed. 2) 74 Bundle of Paper (*mill bundle), a parcel of
paper tied in one bundle as it comes from the mill. 1839
Ure Diet. Arts 629 The *mill-cake powder of Waltham
Abbey is submitted to a mean theoretic pressure of 70 to
75 tons per superficial foot. 1594 Plat Jewell-ho. in. 56
The worme . .which is found in a *mil-case, or where Bakers
vse to boult their meale. x6xx Cotcr., Archure, a.. mill-
case; the open chest that holds the millstones. 1638 Ford
Fancies 111. iii, His tongue trouls like a *mill-clack. 1874
Papworth & Morant Ord. Brit. Arm. 957 Az. a millclack
in fess or Mills. 1707 Mortimer Husb. 11721) II. 42 The
Timber is useful for *Mill-coggs. 1802 Mar. Edgeworth
Rosanne iv. The neighbours all joined in restoring the water
to the *mill-course. 1402 Pol. Poems iRolls) II. 53 But
thou, as blynde Bayarde, berkest at the mone, as an olde
*mylne dog when he bygynnith to dote. 1877 Lumberman's
Gaz.24 May, Parties are attempting to introduce Mill Dogs
which areinfringements of mine. 1880 Ibid. 28 Jan., A,
Rogers . . is the inventor and owner of a mill dog. 1543
Traheron Vigo's Chirurg. 11. iii. 18 The place.. muste be
playstred with floure of barleye, and wyth *myldust. 1822-
34 Good's Study Med. (ed. 4) I. 257 There can be little
doubt, that much of the mill-dust.. is derived from the
powder furnished by these [mill-] stones. 1641 Best Farm.
Bks, (Surtees) 103 Measure the meale therein, .just as it
commeth from the *milne-eye,and afore it be temsed. 1825
J. Nicholson Operat. Mechanic 147 To find the weight of
a quantity of stone equal to the mill-eye. 1889 Brit. Med.
Jml. 30 Mar. 704/1 The disturbance of health called ' *mill-
fever ', which attacks young hands. 1884 Knight Diet.
Mech. Suppl., * Mill File, a thin flat file used in machine
shops for lathe work and draw filing. 1475-6 Durham Ace.
Rolls (Surtees) 646 Pro Ie scowrynge medietatis de le *myln-
lleme. 1486-7 Ibid. 650 Operantibus super le mylnfleme.
1877 Raymond Statist. Mines <$■ Mining 289 The following is
the currency and gold value of > mill-gold. 1865 Daily Tel.
6 Dec. 4/4 The party which would now refuse the suffrage to
the *mill-hands. 1805 R. W. Dickson Pract. Agric. I.
Plate xviit, The *mill-head is erected on a floor about seven
or eight feet above the ground floor. 1825 J. Nicholson
Operat. Mechanic Gloss., Mill-head, the head of water
which is to turn a mill. 1865 Kingsley Herexv. i, A duck
put into Bourne pool would pass underground into the niill-
headof the said village. 1805 Trans. Soc. Arts Will. 296
By the help of the *mill-headed nut. 1790 Roy in Phil.
Trans. LXXX. 153 The insertion of a small *mill-head key,
on a square pin fitted to receive it. x6is Cotcr., Archure,
a *mill-hoope, or mill-case ; the open chest that holds the
mill-stones. 1570 Levins Manip. 80/8 A *Mil-hopper, in-
fuudibulum. 1858 Carlylk F'redk. Gt. v. vi. (1S72) II. 110
A stiff-backed, close-fisted old gentleman, with mill-hopper
chin. ?<I343 Durham Ace. Rolls (Surtees) 543 In., ij
*MiInyrenes. 1471-2 I bid. 643 Pro factura del milniryns
dictorum molendinorum. x6io B. Jonson Alch. 111. iii, Would
you haue mestalkelike a*mill-iade, All day, for one, that will
not yeeld vs graines 'i 1891 Jrnl. Oldham Microsc. Soc. May
101 The shades of green in our *mill-lodges are continually
changing. 1891 Mom. Post 23 Dec. 3/2 A number of boys
were skating on a mill lodge at Stubbins, near Bury. IZ87
Yorks. Inauis, (Yorks. Rec. Soc.) II. 61 [In Newlandj
•milnemale [6d.]. 1613 Fletcher, etc. Captain 1. iii, Only to
liveto make their children scourge-sticks And hoord up*mill-
money. 1658 Rowland tr. Moufet's Thcat. Ins. 998 There-
are three sorts of Blattae ; the soft Moth, the "mill Moth,
and the unsavoury or stinking Moth. 1877 Raymond Statist.
Mines ty Mining 204 The *mill-ore produced has been of high
grade. 1523 Ld. Berners F'roiss. I. ccexxv. 507 Sir George
of Besinede . . bare in his armes syluer, a *myllpyn gowles, a
border endented gowles. 1630 in Deser. Thames (1758) 66 No
Fisherman, .shall use. .any Weel called a Lomb, or a 'Mill
Pot, or any other Engine, with the Head thereof against the
Stream. 1851 Catal. Gt. Exhib. II. 496 Specimens of mat-
tress-wools, woollen *millpuffs, and flocks. 1881 Instr. Census
Clerks (1885) 64 Mill PufT Maker. 1884 West. Mom. News
3 Sept. 1/2 Milpuft" Pillows.. .Full-size Milpuff Beds. 1859
Stationers' Handbk. (ed. 2) tor A ream of writing paper..
is required to contain 18 quires of 24 good sheets and 2
quires of 20 sheets of outsides,.. 472 sheets in all, good and
bad— this is called a *mill ream. 1754 J. Wilson in Ess. <y
Observ. Edinb. Soc. I. 459 The disease which the people at
Leadhills call the *mill-reek. 1811 G. S. Keith Agric. Surv.
Aberd. 506 (Jam.) A number of the mill-masters apply the
*mill-ring to the feeding of horses. 1828 Earl Richard,
Queen's brother xlii. in Child Ballads II. 467 And she would
meal you with millering [sic]. That she gathers at the mill.
1875 W. McIlwraith Guide Wigtownshire 136 A workman,
in making an excavation near the mill-ring, came on a large,
flat stone, aneath which were the remains of a clay urn. 1874
Raymond Statist. Mines fy Mining 292 The *millruns have
been as high as 3 02. gold with from 30 to 60 oz. in silver.
1877 Ld. Hatherley in Law Repts., App. Cas. II. 842 What
is called a mill-lade or mill-run. 1882 Rep. to Ho. Repr.
Prec. Met. U. S. 306 The ore gives mill-runs of $60 to the
ton. 1898 Daily Neius 8 Mar. 2/7 The mill-run during Feb-
ruary has been irregular, c 1449 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 222
Wylloby. Oure *MylIe-saylIe wille not abowte, Hit hath so
longe goone emptye. 1835 Lindley Introd. Bot. in. Gloss.
(1839) 451 Mill-sait-shaped ; having many wings projecting
from a convex surface ; as the fruit of some umbelliferous
plants. 1897 in Sheffield Trade List 15 "Mill Saws, Mill Saw
Webs [etc.]. Ibid., Mill Saw Files, one round edge. 1792
Descr. Kentucky 56 The cheapness of "mill seats and null
work in the United States. ^1817 T. Dwight Trav. New Eng.,
etc. (1821) II. 27 Directly under the bridge commences a ro-
mantic fall, which . . furnishes a number of excellent mill-seats.
1842 J. Aiton Dottiest. Econ. (1857) 194 As some of the shells
still remain among the meal, they are separated from it by
hand-sieves ; these shells, thus separated, and having the
finer particles of meal adhering to them, called ^mill-seeds,
are preserved for sowins. 1833 J. Holland Mann/. Metal
II. 141 Turning very large articles, such as the outsides of J
cylinders,*mill-shafts, cannon, &c. i8gS Daily News 21 Nov.
8/6 We should stir ourselves, and clap the stopper on these
belching mill-shafts. 1598 Shaks. Merry W. 1. i. 158 Seauen
groates in *mill-sixpences. 1639 Mayne City Match 11. iii.
14 Had I. .but forty Mark.. And were that fortie Mark Mil
sixpences, I would despise you. 14.. Voc. in Wr.-Wvilcker
596/31 Molucrum, [the *mylle spyndelle]. 1880 Jefferies
Gt. Estate 166 He laid down the millpeck, and took his
*millstaff to prove the work he had done. 14.. IterCamer. 1
xi. in Sc. Acts (1814) Ij t>ai [sc. millers] tak smoltis in be
*myll stank again be mnibicioun of law. 1546 in W. H.
Turner Select. Rec. Oxford (1880) 182 For carege of one
*myl!stock for the fullyng myll. t'931 in Birch Cartul. Sax.
II- 377 Of hlippenham in to bam *milestreame, Of bam myle-
streame innan ba nor5 lange die. 1794 Coleridge Pari.
Oscill. 33 Both plunged together in the deep mill-stream.
1636 Davenant Wits 1. i. B 3 b, His wives Bracelet of *Mill-
Testers. 1804 NavalChron. XI. 156 Laden with mahogany
and *mill-timber. 1731 Xk^vth^ot Aliments (1735) 223 The
best Instruments . . for cracking of hard Substances . . [are]
Grinders, or *Mill«Teeth. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., Mill tooth,
a molar tooth, c 1000 Ags. Gloss, in Wr.-Wiilcker 198/25
Canalis, pruh, vel *mylentroh. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 338/1
MylIetrow,orbenge(milltroughe, or beugge, sic, P.),farri-
capsa. 1530 Palsgr. 245/1 Myll troughe or broke, auge.
1861 W. Longstaffe in Siege Pontefract Castle (Surtees)
Introd. 17 An old bridge over the *millwash. c 1325 in Ken-
nett Par. Ant. I. 566 Item una acra apud le *mulnewey.
1598 Manwood Lawes Forest xxiii. (1615) 228 If any man
hauc stopped or strayted any Church-way, Mill-way, or other
wayes in the Forest or Purlieu . . you shall do us to weet
thereof. 1791 W. Jessop Rep. River Witham 8 Have an in-
crease of power for *Mill-work. 1799 ////// Advert. 29 June
2/2 A colour manufactory ..together with the mill-work and
several utensils, 1814 R. Blchanan {title) Practical Essays
on Mill Wrork. 1892 Daily News 12 Dec. 2/3 Machinery
and millwork. 1835 Ure P kilos. Mauuf. 348 An astonishing
difference between their intelligence and that of the ^nil-
workers. 1895 Daily News 3 Sept. 2/4 The strike of thirty
thousand millworkers in Dundee. 1530 in J. Allen Hist.
Liskeard 11856) 26S *Millemers and downemers. 1604-5
Ibid. 234 Le millheymers and downheynurs.
t Mill, $b? Obs. Also 6 myll(e, mill(e. [a.
F, mil Cf. Mile rf.2]
1. ^Millet. Turkey w;'//=Turkey millet.
1525 Ld. Berners Froiss. 11. cexxiii. [ccxix.] 697 Bredde,
made of agrayne called my lie. i533Elyoi Cast. Helthe (1541)
10 b, Meates inflatynge or wyndye : Beanes :..Mille : Cu-
cumbers. 1545 Raynold Byrth Mankynde 52 Ryse, myll,
N; many other thynges. 1597 Gerardi: Herbal \. Iv. 77 It is
called. .Turkie Millor Turkic Hirsse. 1610 W. Folkingham
Art of Surveyi. xi. 35 Tare, Cich and Mill loue moisture.
1660 F. Bkooke tr. Le Blanc's Trav. 323 They. .get Mill,
Rice, Pulse, and other graine.
b. Mill-seed '= Millet-seed.
1565 Cooper Thesaurus, Ceuehriles, a precious stone,
hauyng in it thinges lyke mill seede.
2. Mill of the sun, transl. of mod. Latin milium
soils : see Milium i b.
1559 MoRWYNG Evonym. 139 Take the rotes of fenell..
mill of the sunne, scariolx, of everye one like much.
tMill, sb?> Obs. [? f. Mill v., or short for
some comb, of Mill sb.^\ Ground oak-bark for
tanning.
1626 Bacon Sylva § 625 The Conservation of Fruit would
be also tried in Vessels, filled with Fine Sand, . .Or in Meal
and Flower ; Or in Oakwood ; or in Mill. 1697 Loud. Gaz.
No, 3285/4 All other Makers or Dressers of Leather in
Wooze, Mill, Oyl, Salt, Allom. 1711 Ibid. No. 4E62/4 Skins
..to be tanned, tawed or dressed in Wooze, Mill, Alom.
t Mill, sbA slang. Obs. = Mill-ken.
1607 Dekker & Welkins Zests to make you Mcrie 43
A word or two of the mill, quasi breakehouse. Ibid., A strong
Iron barre made sharpe at one end, and they which trade
with that are called Mils. 1676 Warning for House-Keepers
(title-p.), Thieves and Robbers which go under these titles,
viz. the Gilter, the Mill, the Glasier [etc.].
Mill (mil tsb.b [Shortened from L. miilesimum
thousandth part, on the analogy of Cent. Cf.
Mil.] a. A money of account in the U.S., being
one-thousandth of a dollar (one-tenth of a cent).
b. A proposed coin in value the one-thousandth
of a pound ^to replace the farthing) in a projected
system of decimal coinage for Great Britain.
An alleged sense 'a thousandth part of anything ' appears
in recent U. S. dictionaries, but without quotations.
1791 Jeffekson in Harper's Mag. Mar. 535/1 At 20 cents
pr lb it is 8 mills per dish. 1809 Kendall Trav. I. xviii, 193
The denominations of money in the United States are dollars,
cents or hundredth parts of dollars, and mills or thousandth
parts. 181 1 P. Kelly Univ. Cambist I. 9 A uniform way
of keeping Accounts has been established in the United
States (by an act of Congress in 1789) namely, in Dollars of
10 Dimes, 100 Cents, or 1000 Mills. 1821 J. Q. Adams Rep.
Weights <y Meas. 55 Ask a tradesman, .in any of our cities
what is a dime or a mille, and the chances are four in five that
he will not understand your question. 1882 Scudder Noah
Webster u. 71 A premium for copyright of five mills a copy.
1896 H. W. Broughton in Westm. Ret: June CXLV. 668
Let the jfa of a pound, the coin to be issued in lieu of the
farthing, be called a 'mill', and let ten of these make a
' victoria'. 1902 Encyct. Brit. XXXI. 292/1 The denomina-
tions [of coins in Hong Kong] are the dollar and 50, 20, and
5 cents in silver, and the cent and mill in bronze.
Mill (mil), z/.l Also 6 myll, mil. [f. MiLhsdA]
I. trans. To subject to the operation of a mill.
1. To pass (cloth or other material) through a
fulling-mill; to thicken (cloth, etc.) by fulling.
1552 Act 5 Sf 6Edw. VI, c. 6 § 1 And beinge wellscowred,
thicked, mylled, and fully dried, everie yarde of everiesuche
Clothe shall waye thre pound at the leste. 1633 Proclam.
in Rymer F'oedera XIX. 447/2 All such white Worcester
Clothes. .as shall be milled in Gloucestershire. 1706 Boyer
Ann. Q. Anne IV. 27^ All broad-cloaths. .after the same are
fully mill'd and furnish 'd. 1844 G. Dodd Textile Manuf.
iii. 103 The cloth . . is then ' milled \ fulled ', or ' felted \
that is, beaten until the fibres of the wool become so locked
into each other [etc.].
transj. 190a Brit. Med. Jrnl. No. 2146. 378, It [sc. the
folded ' form '] is then ' milled ' or pounded with heavy oak
hammers.
2. To grind (corn) in a mill ; to produce (flour)
by grinding.
Chiefly in passive, used in market reports and the like.
1570 Levins Manip. 123/31 To Mil, molere. 1830 Kyle
Farm Rep. 47 in Lihr. Usef.Knowl., Husb. Ill, The grain
thrashed is set down on one side,, .and, when milled, the
meal is entered separately. 1902 Q. Rev. July 327 By Lord
Stanley's Act of 1843 a certain advantage was given to flour
milled in Canada.
b. To pound or powder (tobacco).
1782 Cowper To Rev. W. Bull 38 This oval box, well
filled With best tobacco finely milled. 1887 Blackmobe
Springhaven xxvi, Shaving with his girdle-knife a cake of
rich tobacco, and then milling it complacently betwixt his
horny palms.
c. To hull seeds by means of a mill. Also
intr., to undergo hulling or milling.
1863 Buckman in Card. Chron. 23 May 493 The best plan
. .to pursue is to mill the Sainfoin seed, in which case jts
outer covering is removed. Ibid., The Burnet, .will not mill,
but simply gets its wings broken off.
MILL.
d. Porcelain manufacture.
1875 Kortnum Maiolica v. 4 The vitreous substance.,
being milled with water to the consistency of cream.
3. To roll (metal) ; to flatten (metal) under a
roller or beater.
1677 [see Milled ///. a. 4]. 1691 T. H[ale] Acc. New
Invent. 60 When this way of Milling Lead for Sheathing of
Ships was first invented.
4. To stamp (coins) by means of the mill and
press (see Mill sbj- 3 b).
1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. 11. 89 They [sc. coins]
are stamped (as all the rest of their money) with the hammer,
and not milled.
b. To flute the edge of (a coin or any piece of
flat metal) ; to produce uniform or regular mark-
ings upon the edge of (a coin),
17*4 Swift Drapier's Lett. iii. Wks. 1751 VIII. 329, I find
the Half-pence were milled ; which.. is of great Use to pre-
vent Counterfeits. 1855 Macai-lay Hist. ling. xxii. IV. 805
The new crowns and half-crowns, broad, heavy and sharply
milled, were ringing on all the counters. 1875 Knight
Diet. Mech. 1441/1 Castaining's machine for milling coin
was introduced into the French mint in 1685. 1889 Science
20 Dec- 414 These bearings are conical, and milled through.
5. To beat or whip (chocolate, etc.) to a froth.
To mill up, to beat together. Alsoy^.
1662 H. Stubbe Indian Nectar ii. 9 They dissolved it [sc.
chocolata] (being pouder'd) and milled it, tempering it by
little and little with water in an Indian cup. 1747 Mrs.
Glasse Cookery xvi. (1767) 290 Mill the cream till it is all of
a thick froth. J bid., Then, .over that whip your froth which
you saved off the cream very well milled up. 1764 Eliz.
Moxos Eng. Housew. (ed. 9) 116 Take four ounces of
chocolate,., and boil it in a pint of cream, then mill it. .with
a chocolate stick. 1769 Mrs. Raffald Eng._ Housekpr.
(1778) 207 Mill them with a chocolate mill, to raise the froth,
and take it off with a spoon as it rises. 1829 Landor Imag.
Conv. Wks. 1853 II. 83/2 A chaplain milling an egg-posset
over the fire. 1859 Dickens T. Two Cities 11. vii, A second
milled and frothed the chocolate. 1897 Kipling Captains
Courageous vii. 142 Graaa— ouch! went the conch, while
sea and sky were all milled up in milky fog.
Jig. 1817 Coleridge Satyrane's Lett. i. in Biog. Lit., etc.
(1882) 245 What Pericles would not do to save a friend's
life, you may be assured I would not hazard merely to mill
the chocolate-pot of a drunken fool's vanity.
6. To throw, as undyed silk.
1844 G. Dodd Textile Mann/, v. 151 Directions were also
drawn up for. .grassing, milling, and hand-scutching the
flax. 1875 Knight Diet. Mech., Mill .. to throw undyed
silk.
7. To tumble (leather) within a wheel or cylinder
containing some softening or tanning liquid.
1885 C. T. Davis Manuf. Leather xxvii. (1897) 415 Then
they [sc. the sides] are put into a pin-wheel and milled for
ten minutes.
8. To cut (metal) with a milling-tool.
1875 Knight Diet. Mech., Mill.. a machine designed for
milling where only a light or medium cut is required. 1884
Ibid. 607/1 By means of the swinging sleeve true circles of
greater or less diameter can be milled on the face of the work.
0. To saw (timber) in a saw-mill.
18.. Art Age IV. 46 (Cent.), Lumbermen charge the
consumer for the full measurement of the boards [for floors]
before they are milled.
10. Mining. To crush or pound into fragments ;
to grind to powder.
1883 Standard 20 Jan. 1/5 The whole of the quartz
removed has been milled. 1895 Times 19 Feb. 3/6 For the
year 1894 there was milled 2,827,365 tons.
b. To yield under the process of crushing or
grinding.
1877 R aymond Statist. Mines <y Mining 247 The quartz
. .will mill about $20 to the ton. 1897 Westtn. Gaz. 19 Oct.
8/3, I would not like to say that it will mill that. It will
certainly mill 1 oz.
II. 11. slang. To beat, strike, thrash ; to fight,
overcome ; to smash, break, break open. Also
intr. or absol. to box ; occas. with away.
C1700 Street Robberies Consider d, Mill, to beat. 1753
Discov. J. Poulter (ed. 2) 39 Mill the Cull to his long Libb ;
kill the Man dead... Mill the Quod; break the Gaol. Ibid
40 Mill his Nobb; break his Head. 1810 Sporting Mag.
XXXVI. 231 The Black, .threatens to mill the whole race
of fighters of the day. 1815 C. M. Westmacott Eng. Spy
I. 282 Milling the glaze. 1840 Thackeray Cox's Diary Wks.
1900 III. 223 Tug. .milled away — one, two, right and left,
—like a little hero as he is. 1864 [Hemyng] Eton School
Days vii. 75 Butler Burke was going to mill Chorley. Ibid.
77 Are you going to mill, or are you not?
b. To mill dolly dolly : to beat hemp or flax as
a prison occupation. Cf. Mill-doll sb.
1714 A. Smith Highwaymen (ed. 2) I. 141 Having been
often punisht at hard Labour in Bridewell, which beating of
Hemp the Thieves call Mill dolly. 1733 Budgkll Bee iv.
477 'lhen mill on dear Polly, ..The Hemp thou art beating
may hang him to-Morrow. 1780 R. Tomlinson Slang Past.
vi. 7 When sitting with Nancy, what sights have I seen !..
But now she mills doll. 1785 Gkose Diet. Vulg. Tongue.
III. To go round like a mill.
12. intr. Of cattle : To keep moving round and
round in a mass ; also, to move in a circle.
1888 T. Roosevelt in Century Mag. Apr. 862/1 The cattle
may begin to run, and then get ' milling —that is, all crowd
together into a mass like a ball, wherein they move round
and round. 1895 Kipling 2nd Jungle Bk. 79 The deer and
the pig and the nilghai were milling round and round in a
circle of eight or ten miles' radius.
b. trans. To cause to * mill ' or mass in a circle.
1901 Munsey's Mag. XXV. 406/2 At last the cattle.. ran
with less eneigy, and it was presently easy to ' mill ' them
into a circle and to turn them where it seemed most desirable.
446
13. intr. Of a whale.
1840 F. D. Bennett Whaling Voy. II. 221 A whale
'nulled', or turned suddenly round, upon receiving the
harpoons. 1874 Scammon Marine Animals 311 Gloss., Mill,
to turn in an opposite direction, or nearly so; as, "The
whale was running to windward, but *' milled ", and ran to
leeward '.
Mill (mil), v.2 slang. [Possibly a use of prec:
cf. Mill v.1 II.] trans. Orig. in phrase To mill
a ken, to rob a house. Later, to steal.
1567 Harman Caveat 84 To myll a Ken, torobbea house.
1609 Dekker Lanth. % Candle Lt. ciij b, If we niggle or
mill a bowsing ken. 1621 B. Jonson Gipsies Metamorph.
(1640) II. 65 Can they Cant, or Mill? are they masters of
their Arts? a 1700 B. E. Diet. Cant. Crew, Mitt, to Steal,
Rob, or Kill. 1753 Diseov. J. Poulter (ed. 2) 10 When we
went a Milling that Swagg, that is, a Breaking open that
Shop. 1811 Sporting Mag. XXXVII. 13 He had milled
my wipe. 1818 Scott Hrt. Midi, xxx, One might have
milled the Bank of England, and less noise about it.
Mill, obs. form of Mil.
Millage (rniled.^). U.S. [f. Mill ^.5 + -age.]
The rate of taxation in mills per dollar to which a
given place is liable.
1891 in Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch 20 Feb., There are
cities in which the rate is higher than in Toledo, for instance,
Findlay 357 mills, Lima 334 mills, Tiffin 30-4 mills, . .but in
the eastern or southern part of the State, excepting Ironton,
as great millage as Toledo is not presented in the tables.
Millain(e, -an e, -ayn(e, obs. ff. Milan1.
Millainer, -aner, obs. forms of Milliner.
Millathowme, obs. form of Miller's thumb.
Millboard. [Altered from milled board \ see
Milled ppL a. 4.] A kind of stout pasteboard,
made of a pulp of old rope, sacking, paper, and
other coarse matter and ' milled ' or rolled with
high pressure. Also, a ' board ' or piece of this
material. Millboard cutter (see quot. 1884).
1712 Loud. Gaz. No. 5014/5 Duties upon.. Past board,
Millboard, Scaleboard. 1812 J. Smyth Pract. 0/ Customs
(1821) 155 Mill Boards are the thickest sort of Pasteboard,
used by Book-binders for the covering of Books. 1884
Knight Diet. Mech. Suppl., Mill Board Cutter, amachine
for cutting to size mill and card boards for binding, etc.
b. A specially prepared * board ' for sketching.
1854 Thackeray Newcomes I. xxvii. 258 Those smooth
mill-boards, those slab-tinted sketching blocks [etc.]. 1859
Gullick & Timbs Paint. 217 Milboards are. .well adapted
for sketching in oil colours from nature.
Mill-dam. [Mill j<5J] A dam constructed
across a stream to interrupt its flow and raise its
level so as to render it available for turning a
mill-wheel. Also, the entire area covered by the
water held in check by the dam.
1182 in Kennett Par. Ant. (1818) I. 187 Per le mulnedam
..in veterem rivulum et ipsam mulnedam. 1394-5 Durham
Acc. Rolls (Surtees) 599 Mosse pro le Milndam. c 1440
Alphabet of Tales 183 He went furth vnto be myln dam of
be abbay, 8: per he lowpid in & drownyd hym. c 1575 in
Balfour's Pfactieks (1754) 581 Thay tak smoltis or salmond
in the miln-datnmis. 1632 Morpeth Ct. Lect Rec. in
1 Archeeol. sEtiana XVI. 72 For Castinge hir yarne into the
millne dame.. and dampnum iij^. 1763 Brit. Mag. IV. 51
As thirteen boys were sliding near a mill dam.. the ice
broke by the miller's suddenly drawing up the sluices. 1880
Jamieson, Mill-dam ,. .the water collected, by means of
a dam, to supply a mill.
attrib. 1833 Tennyson Poems 33 Fishing in the milldam-
water.
Milldew, obs. form of Mildew sb.
t Mill-doll, sb. Obs. slang, [f. Mill v.1 + Doll
sb.1] The bridewell. Cf. Mill z>.* ii b.
1781 Messink Choice of Harlequin (Farmer), * Keeper of
Bridewells Song', I'm Jigger Dubber here, and you are
welcome to mill doll. 18*3 'Jon Bee ' Diet. Turf. 1812
J. H. Vaux Plash Diet., Mill-doll, an obsolete name for
Bridewell house of correction in Bridge-Street, Blackfriars.
Mi 11-doll, v. IV haling. [Prob. in some way
connected with the phr. in Mill v.1 lib. (Cf.
Dolly sb. 4 b.)] (See quot.)
1820 Scoresby Acc. Arctic Reg. I. 310 note, Mill-dolling,
consists in breaking a passage through thin ice.. by a sort
of ram, let fall from the bowsprit.
Mille (mil), sb. In certain card games : A
counter representing ten 'fishes' or 'points*.
1830' Eidrah Trebor' Hoyle Made Fam. 37. 1876CAPT.
Crawley Card Player s Man. 196 (Quadrille), Mille is a
mark of ivory which is sometimes used, and stands for ten
fish. 1878 H. H. Gibbs Ombre 8 The small round counters,
which used to be called Milles, count as ten points,
Mille, obs. form of Mile.
Milleerate, variant of Meliorate Obs.
1563 Hyll Art Garden. (1593) m Buglosse steeped in
wine, and tempered with Milleerate.
1 Millecuple, a. Obs. [irreg. f. L. mille
thousand, after decuple.] Thou sand- fold. Hence
t Millecuplatiou, the action of increasing a
thousand- fold.
1659 H. More Immort. Soul 111. iv. 367 Every Object that
is near would not onely seem double, but centuple, or
millecuple. 1678 Cudworth Intell. Syst. 1. § 37. 173 Nor
any Triplication or indeed Milleclupation [sic] of them
improve the same into Reason and Understanding. 1754
Hildrop Misc. Wks. II. 47 If any of these [sc. People]
should . . be created your Lordship's Peers, they would be in
the same millecuple Proportion greater, and wiser, and
better than they were before.
Milled (mild), ppl. a. [f. Mill vA + -ed».]
t L ? Polished by some mechanical process. Obs*
MILLEFOLIATE
1622 F. Markham Bk. War 1. x. 39 All these seuerall
parts of Armor is rather to bee of a Russet or blacke collour
then mil'd.
2. Of coins : a. Coined or struck by the mill
and press ; made in a mill. b. Having the edge
fluted or grooved by the operation of milling.
1659 Lotid. Chanticleers xii. 26 He has got my box of
mill'd sixpences and Harry groates. 1662 in Folkes Table
F.ng. Silver Coins (1745) ISI Milled unites of the same
weight. 1697 Dryden ^neis Ded. (0 2, I had certainly
been redue'd to pay the Publick in hammer'd Money for
want of Mill'd; that is in the same old Words which I
had us'd before. 170a Addison Dial. Medals iii. 153,
I have seen several modern Coins . . that have had part
of the Legend running round the edges, like the Decus et
Tutamen in our milled money. 1854 Humphreys Coin.
Brit. Emp. 116 In 1663 the first issue of the improved
milled coinage took place. x88o Acoiiemy 29 May 406
A selection of rare . . milled shillings from Elizabeth to
George III.
c. trans/. Marked with transverse grooves or
ribs ; esp. of the head of a screw, etc., serrated to
afford a hold for adjustment.
*7°5 J- Petiver in Phil. Trans. XXV. 1955 The Strue
are flat and milled, like the edges of a new Shilling. 1803
Mudge ibid. XCIII. 404 At EE are seen two milled-
headed screws. 1861 C. W. King Ant. Gems (1866) 167
These bordets are milled, or formed of small strokes set
close together. 1872 Nicholson Palxont. 106 Above the
Acetabulum, -there is a. .ring, more or less ' milled ', for the
attachment of the muscular fibres which move the spine.
1898 Cycling 38 A milled or hexagonal ring k is then
screwed over the inner steering tube.
fd. Of stockings and caps : ? Ribbed. Obs.
1684 Otway Atheist \. i, Buzzing about your Ears con-
cerning Poets, Plays., mill d Stockings, .and everything else
which they do not understand. 1691 Satyr agst. French 7
Kay, we are grown so arrogantly vain, Our Stockings must
be Mill'd, our Shooes Campaign. 1789 Trans. Soc. Arts I.
25Cambrick, Lace. Milled Caps, and various Kinds of Paper.
1809 A. Henry Trav. 34, I. .covered myself only with, .a
molton, or blanket coat ; and a large, red, milled worsted cap.
3. Pressed, rolled, 'fulled'.
1642 Rates Merchandizes 48 Double Sayes, or Flanders
Searges.. .Mild Sayes the piece.. 06. 00.00. 1670 Lond. Gaz.
No 517/4 A Stuff Cloak lined with Mill'd serge. 1802 in
Spirit Publ. Jrnls. (1803) VI. 283 Her coachman, .within
the cumbrous circumference of a double-milled great coat.
183.1 Double-milled [see Double C 4].
4. Flattened by rolling or beating; esp. m milled
board ( = Millboard), milled lead.
1677 Lond. Gaz. No. 1232/4 The late Invention for Milled
Lead. 1691 T. H[ale] Acc. Neiu Invent, (title-p.), The
Mill'd-Lead-sheathing, and the Excellency and cheapness of
Mill'd-Lead in preference to Cast Sheet-Lead. 1707 Lond.
Gaz. No. 4342/4 At the Pastboaid Warehouse, .are sold
brown Mill'd Boards ready beat, fit for Bookbinders. 1711
Act 10 Anne c. 18 § 37 All Pastboards, Mildboards and
Scaleboards which shall be imported. 1858 Skyring's
Builders' Prices (ed. 48) 105 M illed Lead, per cwt. £ 1 -jsod.
1859 Stationers'' Handbk. 74 Milled Boards, strong flexible
boards, of various thicknesses and sizes, made from old
tarred rope. 1868 Ibid. (ed. 4) 119 Milled, a term applied
to paper, when rolled to an oidinary surface.
o. Whipped or beaten to a froth.
1760-72 H. Brooke Fool of Qual. (1809) I. 171 They..
breakfasted on a pot of milled chocolate.
6. a. Ground in a mill. b. Hulled. C. Pressed
in a mill to extract juice.
1813 T. Davis Agric. Wilts Gloss., Milled Hop, hop
clover-seed cleaned from the husk, a 1831 Bentham Lang.
Wks. 1843 VIII. 317/1 Milled corn is not cold ; ice is cold.
1884 G. W. Cable Creoles of Louisiana xxxii. (1885) 249
Milled breadstuff's still sought the cheapest rates of freight.
7. (See quot. ; perh. not the same word.)
1886 C. Scott Sheep-Farming 18 When they [ewes] have
been crossed with rams of a different breed, they are called
crones, crocks, or milled ewes.
Millefiore (mib"no->*r/). Also -fiori. [a. It.
milltyiori, f. mille thousand +Jiori pi. ot" fiore
flower.] (Also millefiore glass.) A kind of orna-
mental glass made by fusing together a number of
glass rods of different sizes and colours, and cutting
the mass into sections which exhibit ornamental
figures of varying pattern, and are usually em-
bedded in colourless transparent glass to make
paper-weights, etc.
1849 Pellatt Curios. Glass Making 25 Millefiore Glass.
Ibid. 1 10 The Mille-Fiore, or star-work of the Venetians.
1874 Jrnl. Archaeol. Assoc. Dec. 440 It is of early Millefiori
glass, the mass looking much like chalcedony.
II Millefleurs (im'lflor). [F. eau de mille-
jieurs, lit. 'water of a thousand flowers'.] A per-
fume distilled from flowers of different kinds.
1854 Thackeray Newcomes v, When you appeared in
your neat pulpit with your fragrant pocket-handkerchief
(and your sermon likewise all millefleurs). 1868 Miss
Braddon Dead Sea Fr. iii, The letters exhaled a faint
odour of millefleurs.
Milleflorous (mil/flo^rss), a. Bol. [f. L.
mille thousand +jidr-,jios flower + -ous.] Having
very numerous flowers.
1856 in Mayne Expos. Lex. 1890 in Syd. Soc. Lex.
Millefoil(e( obs. forms of Milfoil.
Millefoliate (mimiMii/t). Bot. [f. L. «/'//*
thousand +/oli-um leaf + -ate 2.] ' Having leaves
that are very much incised, so as to resemble many
smaller leaves' (Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890).
Millelote, obs. form of Melilot.
Millemeter, obs. form of Millimeter.
MILLENAR.
Millen, obs. form of Milan.
t Millenar, sb. and a. Obs. rare—1, [ad. L.
millenarius'. see Millenary.] = Millenakian.
1654 Vilvain Theol. Treat, iv. 118 Prophecies in the old
Testament of the Messiah. .Millenars apply.. to Christ's
second coming. Ibid, vii. 198 The Millenar doctrine was. .
general in the next age after Apostles.
Milieu aria H (mil/nee'rian), a. and sb. Also
8-9 millennarian. [(. L. millenarius (see Millen-
ary) + -an.] A. adj.
1. Of or pertaining to the millennium ; holding
the doctrine of the millennium.
1631 Hevlin St. George 46 So the Papists adore Papias
a Millenarian Hereticke. 1785 Gentl. Mag. LV. 392 Those
Millennarians, believing the certainty of Christ's second
coming, and his Millennarian Kingdom, lived not the holy
life enjoined them. 1853 W. H. Goolu in Owen's Wks.
XI. 3 Goodwin may have held some millenarian views akin
to the notion of a fifth monarchy.
b. Suited or appropriate to a millenarian.
1684 T. Burnet Th. Earth it. 175 As to the epistle of
Barnabas,, .the genius of it is very much millenarian.
2. In the etymological sense : Relating or per-
taining to a thousand. In mod. Diets.
B. sb. One who holds or believes that Christ
will reign on earth in person for a thousand years ;
a believer in the millennium.
[155a Articles of Religion xli, Thei that goe aboute to
renewe the fable of heretickes called Millenarii, be repug-
nant, .to holie Scripture.] 41674 Clarendon Surv.Levialh.
(1676) 221 He makes his Reign longer upon Earth than ever
the Millenarians imagin'd. 1787 Minor iv. ii. 206 Was I a
millenarian, I probably should not hesitate to pronounce it
the spot intended for the thousand years enjoyment after ttie
day of judgment. 1883 Encycl. Brit. XVI. 318/1 The millen-
narians ofthe ancient church. 1890 Spectator 6 Sept. 305 It is
hard to be honestly contemptuous of a convinced Millenarian.
Mi 11 en aria 11 ism (mil/neVrianiz'm). [f. prec.
+ -ism.] The doctrine of or belief in the coming
ofthe millennium.
1864 Chambers'' s Encycl. VI. 459/2 From this time, the
church formally rejected millenarianism in its sensuous
' visible ' form. 1881 Stanley Chr. Instil, v. (ed. 2) 85 The
whole history of early Millenarianism implies the same in-
capacity for distinguishing between poetry and prose.
t Millenarism. Obs. [f. Millenar + -ism.]
= Millenarianism.
1650 Bp. Hall Ret'. Unrepealed viii, The First Paradox of
Millenarism.
Millenar is t (mH/narist). In 9 millennarist.
[f. Mli,LENAR-Y + -lST.] = MILLENARY sb.
186a E. B. Elliott Horae Apoc. (ed. 5) I. 21 The works of
both Irenaeus and of other early Millennarists.
Millenary (mi'1/hari), a. and sb. Also 7
millinary. [ad. L. millenari-us consisting of or
containing a thousand (in Eccl. Latin used sb. in
the sense B 4 below), f. millenl a thousand each,
f. mille thousand. Cf. F. milUnaire!\
A. adj.
1. Consisting of or peitaining to a thousand, esp.
a period of a thousand years.
a 1641 Bp. Mountagu Acts <$■ Mon. (1642) 250 Yet the
Jews, .gave not over complaints and petitions.., a Millenary
number of Complainants there were. a. 1646 J. Gregory
Posthnma, Kai.Vai' Aei/Tepoy (1649) 84 After six daies, that is
six thousand Years duration of the World there shall bee
a seventh daie, or Millenarie Sabbath of Rest. 1727
Arbuthnot Tables Anc. Coins, etc. 13 The millenary Ses-
tertium. .is marked with a line cross the top thus HS. 1783
Cowper Let. to y. Newton 30 Nov., I have wondered in
former days at the patience of the Antediluvian world ; that
they could endure a life almost millenary, with so little
variety as seems to have fallen to their share. 1796 Pegge
Anonym. (1809) 270 The elliptical expressions, in the year
2o,or/« theyear 88, wherein the millenary and the centenary
numbers are omitted, are not altogether modern. 1855
W. H. Mill Applic. Panth. Princ. (1861) 132 The millenary
periods of Greek and Roman domination, x888 Pall
Mall G. 12 May 6/1 In 1886 was the millenary commemora-
tion of the Domesday Book.
b. Commanding one thousand men.
i6c6 Willet Hexapla Exod. 274 There were sixe hundred
tribunes or millenarie officers. 1633 Holland Cyrupaedia
167 Cyrus commaunded the Persian millenarie Colonels, .to
come unto him.
c. Hist. Millenary petition : a petition presented
by a number of Puritan ministers (represented as
one thousand) on the progress of James I to
London in April 1603, praying for certain changes
in ecclesiastical ceremonial, etc. Millenary plain-
tiffs : the ministers who presented this petition.
1603 Bp. W. Barlow Confer. Hampton Crt. (1604) 2
Agentes for the Millenarie Plain tiffes. 1733 Neal Hist.
Pnrit. 1 1. 5 The Puritans presented their Millenary Petition,
so called because it was said to be subscribed by a thousand
hands. 1874 Green Short Hist, viii, § ii. 464 The Millenary
Petition, .which was presented to James the First.. by
nearly eight hundred clergymen.
2. Of or pertaining to the millennium, or those
believing in the millennium.
1577 Hanmer Anc. Eccl. Hist. (1663) 50 He said there
should be the term of a Millenary feast allotted for marriage.
1651 Jer. Taylor Serm. Summer Halfyr. xii. 154 We are
apt to dream that God will make his saints raigne here as
kings in a millenary kingdom. 1690 Baxter Kingd. Christ
ii. (1691) 12 The Millenary Opinion was. .early received by
some followers of Papias.
b. trans/, anclyf^.
1700 Drvden Pal. $ Arc. Ded. to D'chess Ormond 81
447
When at Your second Coming You appear, (For I foretell
that Millenary Year) The sharpen'd Share shall vex the
Soil no more. 1723 Pope Let. R. Digby 10 Oct., Tis like
the Kingdom ofthe Just upon Earth. ..Why will you ever,
of your own accord, end such a Millenary Year in London :
B. sb.
1. An aggregate of one thousand ; esp. a con-
tinuous period of one thousand years ; ten centuries.
1550 Bale Eng. Notaries 11. 10 b, Thys most deuylysh
Syluestre, after the full accomplyshement of thys myllenary
of yeares,..ded many tymes..make sacryfyce to y° deuyll.
1622 Malynks Anc. Law-Merch. n Others doe account the
same by thousands, or millinaries. 1646 Sir T.UKOWNE/\ye»rfr.
Ep. vr. i. 278 Heconceaveththe Elemental L frame shall end in
the seventh or Sabbaticall millenary. 1684 T. Burnet Th.
Earth 11. 35 Johannes Damascenus. .takes seven millenaries
for the entire space ofthe world. 1704 Hearne Duct. Hist.
(1714) I. 31 It [this Period of 4000 Years] fills up the
Vacancies which the Silence of the Scripture has left towards
the end of the Fourth Millenary. 1853 J. H. Newman
CalHsta (1890) 44 We danced through three nights, dancing
the old millenary out, dancing the new millenary in. 1875
E. White Life in Christ til. xxiii. (1878) 332 If that pro-
phetic millenary stands, by a figure of days, for years.
2. Hist. One of the signatories of ' Millenary
Petition * (see A. 1 c above).
1691 Wood Ath. Oxon. I. 351 Dr. Sparke was. .called to
the Conference at Hampton-Court .. appearing in the
behalf of the Millinaries.
3. An officer in command of a thousand men.
1555 W. Watreman Fardle Facions 11. x. 211 The Centu-
riane obeied the Millenarie, that had charge of a thousande,
1598-1600 Hakluyt Voyages I. 62 Ouer ten Millenaries or
captains of a 1000 he [Chingis Cham] placed, as it were,
a Colonel.
4. A believer in the millennium ; one who holds
that Christ will reign in person over the earth for
a period of one thousand years,
1561 T. Norton CalvitCs Inst. ill. xxv. 264 b, In a little
after there folowed the Millenaries, whiche limited the
reigne of Christe to a thousande yeares. 1605 Chapman, etc.,
Eastw. Hoe v, I have had of all sorts of men . . vtxler my
Keyes : & almost of all Religions i1 the land, as Papist, Pro-
testant,. .Millenary, Famelyo' Eoue,. . &c. 1645 R. Baillie
Lett. <y Jmls. (Bannatyne CI.) II. 313 Send me the rest of
Forbes :..I marvell I can find nothing in its index against
the Millenaries: I cannot think the author a Millenarie.
1708 Brit. Apollo No. 39. 1/2 The Millenaries found their
Opinion upon several Texts. cx8io Colf.ridge in Lit.
Rem. (1838) III. 262 The Catholic Millenaries looked for-
ward to carnal pleasures in the Kingdom of Christ, i860
All Year Round No. 38. 270 Of Millenaries or Chiliasts
there have been three classes.
Millenary, -n(d)er, obs. ff. Mili inery. -neb.
t Millenier. Obs. rare—1, [a. OK. millenier,
ad. L. millenarius.] = Millenary sb. 2.
1689 Def. Liberty agst. Tyrants 69 The ordinary Judges
of Jerusalem, to wit the Milleniers, and the Centurions.
Millenier, obs. form of Milliner.
t Millenize, v- Obs. [f. L. millen-J (see
Millenary) + -ize.] intr. To favour millenarian
views.
1593 Bell Motives cone. Rom. Faith Ded. (1605) 1 If
Tertullian.. erred montanizing ;. .if Eusebiusarrianizing: ..
if Ambrose millenizing [etc.].
Millennial (mile*nial), a. and sb. Also erron.
millenial. [f. L. type *millenni-um (see Mil-
lennium) + -AL.]
A. adj. 1. Of a thousand years.
1807 J. Barlow Columb. 1. 763 Millenial cedars wave their
honors wide. 1819 Byron Proph. of Dante 111. 1 1 The bloody
scroll of our millennial wrongs. 1830 Tennyson Kraken 6
Huge sponges of millenial growth and height. 1899 D. G.
Hogarth in Authority $ Archxol. 231 The middle ofthe
second millennial period B.c.
2. Of or pertaining to the millennium, or Christ's
anticipated reign of a thousand years on earth.
1664 H. More Exp. 7 Epist. Pref. c vij b, This is that
illustrious Reign of Christ in his Millenniall Empire of Love.
1690 Baxter Kingd. Christ ii. (1691) 12 The Millennial
Opinion I have never been a censorious opposer of. 1742
Young Nt. Th. ix. 703 Their [sc. the planets'] reciprocal,
unselfish aid Affords an emblem of millenniaMove. 1825-9
Mrs. Sherwood Lady of Manor III. xviii. 12 The last
millennial glory. 1877 Sparrow Serm. xxv'ii. 229 But in
Millenial times, how will things be changed !
b. trans/, andy?^.
1859 Geo. Eliot A. Bede vii, Every tenant was quite
sure, .there was to be a millennial abundance of new gates,
. .and returns often per cent. 1897 Mrq. Salisbury Sjfi. Ho.
Lords 19 Jan., You must not think that we are the victims
of millennial anticipations if we hope that something may
be done by an arbitration treaty.
B. sb. A thousandth anniversary, or its celebra-
tion.
1896 IVestm. Gaz. 9 Mar. 1/3 In order to celebrate the
millennial of Hungary with proper respect.
Hence Mille'nnialist, one who believes in a
millennial reign of Christ on earth (Webster 1847
citing Stowe). Millennially adv., during a
thousand years or during the millennium.
1851 G. S. Faber Many Mansions 326 The Abyss, in which
he will be millennially confined, is that proleptic Hell.
Millennial! (mile'nian), sb. and a. Also 7
millenian. [Formed as prec. + -an.]
A. sb. A believer in the millennium.
1657-83 Evelyn Hist. Relig. (1850) II. 230 Chiliasts, or
Millenians .. held that our Blessed Lord should reign on
earth a thousand years. 1827 G. S. Faber Sacr. Catend.
Prophecy (1844) I. 277 The gradual corruption of the once
holy millennians.
MILLEPEDE.
B. adj. 1. Of or pertaining to the millennium.
1806 G. S. Faber Diss. Proph. (1814) I. 51 The millennial!
reign of Christ upon earth, 1851 — Many Mansions 193
A Millennian Kingdom upon Earth.
2. Belonging to a period of a thousand years.
1867 liuRToN Hist. Scot. (1873) 1. xii. 411 It [sc. the terror
caused by ttie expectation of the end of the world in A.D.
1000] is known as the millennian panic.
Hence t Millennianism, the doctrine of the
millennians. t Mille nnianite^ Millenary 1/1.4..
169a Wood Ath. Oxen. II. 49 'Tis said that he [Sit W.
I Ralegh] wrot a Tract of Millinanism [1721, II. 96 Mille.
ninanism], a 1845 Mrs. Bray Warleigh xliv/I 'he constable,
who was a Millennianite, was with some difficulty stopped
in the midst of his haiangue.
Millenniarism (mile-niariz'm). [f. next +
-ism.] = Millenarianism (Cent. Diet. 1890).
Millenniary (mile-niari), a. [f. Millenni-um
+ -ary.] -Millennial 2.
1828 PusEY Hist. Ena. I. 81 The millenniary dreams of
I apocalyptic writers. Ibid. 11. 289 Fanatical expectations of
a visible millenniary kingdom of Christ.
t Millennist, millenist. Obs. [Either f.
Millenn(ilm) or f. L. millln-i (see Millenary)
+ -IST.] One yvho believes in the millennium, a
millenarian. So Millenism, millenarianism.
1664 H. More Synopsis Proph. 512 Every faction will be
content to be Millennists upon condition that Christ may
reign after their way or mode. 1676 Dot trine of Devi U 121
So was the Church in respect of Millenisme, Arrianisnie
[etc.]. 17SS Johnson, Millenist. 1795 Seward Anecd. fed. 2)
I. 318 So feeble-minded as to be a Seeker and Millennist.
Millennium (mileniiJm). l'l. millenniums,
occas. millennia, [ad. mod.L. type ''millennium,
f. L. milk thousand + annus year, on the analogy
of biennium, triennium, etc.]
1. A period of one thousand years. Also, a
thousandth anniversary.
a 1711 Ken Hymnarinm Poet. Wks. 1721 II. 54 They on
one Theme Milleniums spend. 1762 MacpherSON Ossian's
Poems, Dissert. (1806) I. p. xxxv, It is.. needless to fix
its [the kingdom of the Scots] origin a fictitious inillenium
before. 1840DEQCINCEY Mod. Superstit. Wks. 1862 III. 341
We may pass by a vast transition of two and a half millennia.
1832 Tennyson J'wo Voices 89 Let Thy feet, millenniums
hence, be set In midst of knowledge. 1899 E. Markiiam
Man ~.vith Hoe, etc. 33 The wise King out of the nearing
heaven comes To break the spell of long milleniums.
2. The period of one thousand years during
which (according to one interpretation of Rev. xx.
1-5) Christ will reign in person on earth.
a 1638 Meoe IV ks. v. (1672) 892 The Millennium of the
Reign of Christ is that which the Scriptures call The Day
of Judgment. 177a Priestley Inst. Relig. 11782) II. 417
Arguments [are] advanced . .against the literal interpretation
ofthe millenium. 1890 R. Buchanan Coming PcrioriiZgii
62 Possibly, until the Millennium, there will always be drones.
3. Jig. and in figurative context : A period of
happiness and benign government.
1820 Byron Mar. Fal. IV. ii. 156 But this day, black
within the calendar, Shall be succeeded by a bright mille-
nium. 1857 ToULMIN Smith Parish 421 The millennium
will indeed have come for professional vagrants. 1899 Edin.
Rev. Jan. 187 A millennium, which lasted a fortnight,
succeeded his [George IV's] visit.
Hence Millenniumism, the doctrine of the
millennium. Mille'nniumite, one who believes
in the millennium.
1832 Eraser's Mag. V. i2t Who writes Political Economy,
and Phrenology, and Millenniumism, but Scotchmen ? 1837
New Monthly Mag. XLIX. 341 The movement party, with
its train of optimists, millenniumites, and other indescribable
shades and varieties of perfectibility-men.
t Millensole. Obs. Also 6 myllin soole,
millium sole. [Corraption of milium soli's : see
Milium i b and Mill sb.2 a.] Gromwell.
154S Rates Custome Ho. b viij, Myllin soole the pounde
iiii d. 1582 Ibid. D iij, Millensole. . . Millium sole.
Millepede (mil/"p/"d). Zool. Also7millipeed,
7-8 millepide, 8, 9 (in Diets.) milleped, 8-9
millipede, [ad. L. millepeda woodlouse, f. mille
thousand + ped-, pes foot. Cf. F. mille-pieds.']
1. Any one of the chilognathan myriapods (esp.
of the British genera Zulus and Glomens), in
which the numerous legs are usually placed on
each of the segments in double pairs, except the
three or four pairs immediately behind the head.
1601 Holland Pliny xx. ii. 37 The Millipeed, which the
Greeks call Seps, a long Wrorme with hairie feet. (1706
Phillips (ed. Kersey), Millepeda, a Worm, having a great
number of furry Feet ; a Palmer.] 1835 Kirby Hab. f, Inst.
Anim. II. xvi. 65 These [Chilognathans] are called Milli-
pedes. 1877 Huxley Ana/. Inv. Anim. vii. 391 In the
Millipedes, the sternal region is rudimentary.
2. Any one of several terrestrial isopod crusta-
ceans, esp. the common woodlouse, Oniscus
asellus ; the armadillo, Armadillo vulgaris ; and
the slater, Porccllio scaber.
1651 French Distill, iv. 101 Take, .of Millepides (/) Wood-
lice one hundred. 1667 E. King in Phil. Trans. II. 428
Millepedes and Earwigs. 1757 Parsons ibid. L. 406 This
body seems to be a Milleped, or Wood-louse. 1883 Wood
in Cd. Words Dec. 764/1 The millepedes . . are plentiful
under the stones and flower-pots. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex.,
Millepede,, .the Oniscns armadillo.
3. = Centipede.
1705 tr. Bosnian's Guinea 379 It is not more prejudicial
than the Sting of the Millepedes. 1756 A. Russell Nat.
MILLEPORE.
Hist. Aleppo 264 The third kind of Mai, which they call
the pinch of a millepedes, begins like the two others, but
[etc.]. 1861 Hulme tr. Moguin-Tandon 11. v. ii. 265 The
Scolopendra are.. commonly termed Millipedes.
4. attrib. or as adj. : Thousand-footed.
1834 Eraser's Mag. X. 562 Many frightful hydra-headed
and millipede insects.
Millepore (mi'l/poej). Zool. Obs. exc. Hist, ,
[ad. mod.L. millepora, f. mille thousand +por-us
passage, Pore sb.t or ad. F. millepore. (See the note
s.v. Madrepore.)] Any one of the Hydro medusas
(formerly regarded as zoantharian corals) of the
genus Miltepora or of the family Milleporidx, in j
which the coral-like calcareous skeleton is covered j
with minute pores. I
1751 Stack in Phil. Trans. XLVII. 440 The several
species of vermicular tubes found in the sea, the madrepores,
millepores, lit hophytons, corallines, sponges. i86aSroDDART
in Q. Jrnl. Microsc. Sci. II. 149 Millepores, Madrepores,
Senatopores [etc.].
Hence Milleporiform a.% having the form or
appearance of a millepore {Cent. Diet. 1890).
Mi'lleporine a., pertaining to or having the
characters of the hydrozoan family Milieporina ;
resembling a millepore {Cent. Diet.). Mille-
poreous a. = AIiileporous (Mayne Expos. Lex,
1S56). Milleporite, a fossil millepore. Mille-
po'rous a., belonging to or resembling a mille-
pore ; having thousands of pores (Mayne).
1755 J. Ellis Corallines Contents d, Foliaceous mille-
porous Eschara. 1802-3 tr. Pallas' Trap, (1812) II. 128
We occasionally noticed single entrochites, or almost
obliterated traces of milleporites.
Millepunctate (miirp^nkt^t), a. [f. h. ,
mille thousand + punctatus marked with points,
f. punctum Point sb. : see -ate2.] Covered with
a multitude of points {Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890). So
Millepu-nctated a., in the same sense (Mayne
Expos. Lex. 1856).
Miller (mrbi). Forms: a. 4 mulnere, myl-
nere, 5 milnare, mylnar, melner, 5-7 mylner,
6 myllner. 7 milliier, 5-8, 9 dial, milner. 0.
4 mellere, millere, 5 mylur, myllar(e, 6 myller,
miliar, 7 miler, 4- miller. [Not found before
the 14th c. ; the a and 0 forms pern, represent
formations of that period on the two ME. forms
of Mill sb.1 {mylne, my 11) + -er 1.
The late appearance of the word is unfavourable to the
assumption of an OE. *mylnere; if such a form existed, it
might, with some of the synonyms in continental Teut.,
represent a WGer. adoption of late L. molindrius (whence !
F. meunier) f. mollna Mill sb} Cf. OS. m u tin iri {MDu. \
molenare, mulner, muldener, MLG. molner, mod.Du.
molenaar, mulder), OHG. mulinari (MHG. tniilnxre,
miilner, mod.G. matter), ON. mylnari (Sw. mjolnare, Da.
mpller\. That the Eng. word was adopted from Du. or LG.
is not altogether impossible.]
1. One whose trade is the grinding of corn in a
mill ; the proprietor or tenant of a corn-mill.
Also {?di(d.) applied to that workman in a mill
who has charge of the actual grinding.
The OE. word was mylniveard (lit. 'mill-keeper': see
Millward), denoting the custodian or manager of the mill
belonging to the lord. The word miller would have the
same application so long as ' the lord's mill ' continued to be
one of the customary appurtenances of a manor.
a. 136a Langu P. PI. A. 11. 80 Monde be Mulnere [later
texts -mellere, mylnere], and moni mo obure. c 1425 Wyn-
toun Cron. vi. xvi. 1625 This milnarehada dowchtyr fayre.
1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) IV. 319 A mylner callede Athus.
1513 Fitzherb. Bk. Snrv. 10 But dout ye nat the mylners
wyll be no losers. 1619 in Ferguson & Nanson Munic. Rec,
Carlisle (1887) 278 We amercye Archives Armestronge for
keping his wief to play the milner, . .iiir. $d. 17*5 Lond.
Gaz. No.6384/7 John Hodgson,. .Milner.
0. 1386 Chaucer Prol. 542 Ther was also a Reue and
a Millere. Ibid. 545 The Millere was a stout carl, c 1415
Voc. in Wr.-Wulcker 650/22 Hie molendinarius, mylur.
c 1440 Promp. Pan'. 337/2 Myllare, molendinarius. c 1515
Cocke Lorelfs 5. 3 A myller dusty-poll than dyde come.
1646 SirT. Browne Pseud. Ep. vn. xiii. 365 Gillius. .who.,
made enquiry of Millers who dwelt upon its shoare received >
answer, that it \sc. the Euripus] ebbed and flowed foure
times a day. 1S24 R. Stuart Hist. Steam Engine 133 A ,
similar irregularity in the motion of corn-mills, .had early
exercised the ingenuity of millers.
fig. i657 Cokaine Obstinate Lady Poems (1669) 301 My
noble milner of words, thou that dost grind thy speeches
with a merry pronunciation.
\ b. In proverbs imputing to millers dis-
honesty in the taking of toll.
The proverb given by Ray seems to mean that there are
no honest millers, and to allude to the use of the thumb in
taking toll of flour. It is probable that this is the original
form, and that Chaucer and Gascoigne played uponthe '
phrase, taking the ' thumb of gold ' to mean one that brings
profit to the owner.
C1386 Chaucer Prol. 563 Wei koude he [sc. the miller] ■
stelen corn and tollen thries And yet he hadde a thombe of !
gold pardee. 1576 Gascoigne Steele Gl. (Arb.) 79 When ;
smithes shoe horses, as they would be shod, When millers
toll not with a golden thumbe. 1678 Ray Prov. (ed, 2) 176
An honest miller hath a golden thumb. 1876 Mrs. Ewing
Jan 0/ Windmill xxxii, Was 'ee ever in a mill ? 'ee seems to !
have a miller's thumb.
c. Proverb. Too much water drowned the ,
miller\ used to express that one can have too |
much of a good thing. Hence in figurative phrase ,
To drown the miller', to add too much water to |
448
spirits, dough, etc. (in this use also to put the
millers eye out) ; also f Sc. * to become bankrupt '
(Jam.). For recent examples see Eng, Dial, Diet.
1805 A. Scott Poems (1S08) 136 Honest men's been ta'en
for rogues, Whan bad luck gars drown the miller. 1816
Scott Antiq. xxi, The hale folk here, .hae made a vow to
ruin my trade, as they say ower muckle water drowns the
miller. 1823 — Pirate xvi, ' A fine, a fine *, said the Udaller,
I . .he shall drink off the yawl full of punch, unless he gives
us a song on the spot ! ' ' Too much water drowned the
miller', answered Tnptolemus. 1834 Esther Coplev House-
kpr.'s Guide x. 233 If after. .' putting out the miller's eye'
by too much water, you add flour to make it stiff enough
for rolling out [etc.].
d. One who regulates or works any machine
called a 'mill'. Chiefly in parasynthetic com-
pounds, as cloth-, saw-, scribbling-mitler, etc.
1839 Ure Diet. Arts 992 The use of this machine [a lamp
called a steel mill] entailed on the miner the expense of an
attendant, called the miller, who gave him light. 1888
Barrie When a Man's Single i, The saw-miller's letter.
1900 Daily Neu-s 10 Oct. 7/3 He was a cloth miller.
2. Applied a. to certain white or white-powdered
insects, as (a) the cockchafer, Melolontha vulgaris;
(b) a neuropterous insect, Sialis lutaria; (c) a
small moth often used by anglers ; also, the ghost
moth, Hepialus humttli (E.D.D.); b. to certain
hairy caterpillars. See also dusty miller, DusTYa. 5.
1668 Chari.eton Onomasticon 47 Blatta. . .Molendinaria,
the Miller, because always whited with a delicate Down.
1681 Glanvill Saddiuismus 11. 144 A Fly like a great Millar
flew out from the place. 1829 Glovers Hist. Derby I. 177
White miller or owl fly . .yellow miller or owl fly. 1858 H. W.
Bf.echerZ/A Ph. (1859) 170 Would you put the lamp out in
your house because moths and millers burn their wings in it 1
1869 E. Newman Brit. Moths 251 The Miller {Acronycta
leporina). 1883 Miss Burne Folk-Lore Shropsh. 194 Another
amulet . . is composed of a ' miller', or hairy caterpillar.
3. Applied to certain vertebrates, as a. one of the
rays, Myliobatis aquila ; b. dial, the young of the
spotted flycatcher, Muscicapa grisola; c. the hen-
harrier, Circus cyaneus, and Montagu's hanier, C,
cineraceus; d. the whitethroat, Sylvia tufa or
cinerea ; e. the ringed plover {Manx Bird-names
in Zoologist Feb. 1897 >.
1620 J. Mason New-found-land in Capt. John Mason
(Prince Soc. 1887) 152 What should I speake of. .Cunners,
Catfish, Millers, thunnes, &c. ? 1836 Yarrell Brit. Fishes
II. 446 From . . the crushing power of these teeth, the fish has
acquired the additional name of the Miller. 1885 Swainson
Ptov. Names Birds 49 In Salop the name of Miller is given
to young flycatchers. Ibid. 132 Hen harrier.. Miller. 1893
Newton Diet. Birds 572 Miller, a name given to the grey
males of Circus cyaneus and C. cineraceus . . ; and also locally
to the Whitethroat.
f 4. A vaulting trick in horsemanship = Aimer's
pass (see 7 b). Obs.
1641 W. Stokes Vaulting Master C 3 The fifth Passe,
called the Miller.
5. slang, a. A pugilist. + Also, a murderer. Obs,
a 1700 B. E. Diet. Cant. Cretv, Miller, a Killer or
Murderer. 1812 Sporting Mag. XXXIX. 143 Next rings
the fame of gallant Crib A cool and steady miller. 1833' Jon
Bee ' Diet. Turf, Millers— second rate boxers, whose arms
run round in rapid succession [etc.]. 1830 S. Warren Diary
Physic, vii. (1832) I. 135 The Captain, .being a first-rate
' miller \ as the phrase is, . . let fall a sudden shower of blows.
fb. Applied to a vicious horse. Obs.
1825 C. M. Westmacott Engl. Spy I. 236 An incurable
miller.
6. A milling-machine. In mod. Diets.
7. attrib, and Comb., as miller-maiden; miller-
dog', a kind of dog-fish, Galeus cam's; 7 miller-
grape, a kind of grape; miller-moth, a white or
'mealy-scaled1 moth (cf. sense 2); f miller-pit
= Mill-pool ; f miller quarrier, one who quarries
(millstones) for a miller.
1848 Zoologist VI. 1974 *Miller Dog, Galeus vulgaris.
1763 Mills Pract. Ifnsb. IV. 381 The meunier, or *miller
grape, delights in light sands. 1828 Miss Mitforu Village
Ser. in. 237 Our simple "miller-maiden. 1819 Samouelle
Entomot. Compeud. 382 * Miller moth {Noctua leporina).
1878 T. Hardy Ret. Native iv. vii, White miller-moths flew
into the air. 14. . Nom. in Wr.-Wulcker 725/8 Hie assicus,
a *mylnerpyt. 1497 Ace. Ld. High Treas. Scot. (1877) I.
328 Giffin to the foure "miliar quareouris in Dunbar for
stanis wynnyng and breking, iiij lib. xviij s.
b. With possessive: miller's coat, a coat of
fence in use in the sixteenth century, apparently
a buff-coat or similar defence of leather {Cent.
Diet. 1890); miller's dog, a kind of dog-fish,
Galeus cam's; miller's -maze, ? = millers round;
f miller's pass -sense 4 (see quot. 1653); miller's
round, a kind of dance ; miller's soul, a large
white moth, probably the ghost-moth, Hepialus
humuli. Also Miller's thumb.
1836 Yarrell Brit. Fishes II. 390 It is known by the
names of Penny Dog and "Miller's Dog. 1880-4 F. Day
Brit. F'ishes II. 292 Galeus vulgaris, .miller's dog, from its
light gray colour. 1597-8 Bp. Hall Sat. iv. iii. 59 Some of
thy stallion-race Their eyes boar'd out, masking the "millers-
maze. 1641 W. Stokes Vaulting Master Plate 5 The
•Millers Passe. 1653 Urquhart Rabelaisx. xxxv, He brought
himself betwixt the horses two eares, springing with all his
body into the aire, upon the thumb of his left hand, and in
that posture turning like a windmill, did most actively do
that trick which is called the Millers Passe. 1585 J. Higtns
Junius' Nomenclato>\ Pyrallis. .a candle flie ; a stout or
*millers soule. 1894 T. Hardy Life's Ironies 253 He saw
one of those great white miller's-souls, as we call 'em— that
MILLET.
is to say. a miller-moth. 1579 Spenser Sheph. Cal. Oct.
52 Carroll lowde, and leade the 'myllers rownde.
Milleress (mi-lares), rare. [f. Miller sb. +
-ess.] A miller's wife.
1680 J. Aubrey in Lett. Eminent Persons (1813) III. 391
My father was a miller, and my mother a milleresse, and
1 am now a ladie.
Millering (mi-larirj), vbl. sb. [f. Miller v.
+ -no !.] 1 he work or trade of a miller.
1798 Washington Lett. Writ. (1893) XIV. 4 To carry on
the millering and distillery business. 1817-18C0BBETT Kesiil.
U. S. (1822J 337 Any of the men . . could do the millering very
well.
Millerite J (mi-larsit). U.S. [f. the proper
name Miller (see below) + -ite '.] A believer in
the doctrines of William Miller {died 1849), an
American preacher who interpreted the Scriptures
as foretelling the early coming of Christ and the
end of the world. So Millerism, the doctrines
of William Miller.
1846 O. Bkownson Wks. VI. 221 St. Paul writes to the
Thessalonians not to believe the Milleiites of their time.
1854 E. G. Holland J. Badger xv. 418 Millerism came
along showing large maps of the world's chronology, .and all
that. 18.. Whittier IVorld's End Prose Wks. 1889 II.
424 One of the most ludicrous examples of the sensual phase
of Millerism.
Millerite 2 (mi brait). Min. [ad. G. millerit :
named by W. Haidinger in 1845 after W. H.
Miller, professor of mineralogy at Cambridge
1832-1870: see-lTE1.] Native sulphide of nickel,
usually occurring in brassy or bronze crystals ;
capillary pyrites.
1854 Dana Syst. Min. (ed. 4) II. 49 Millerite, If aid.
Capillary Pyrites. Sulphuret of Nickel (etc.). 1881 Ruskin
Let. in St. George (1003) VI. 358, I would have kept the
millerite, but the specimen was not pretty.
Miller's thumb. Also 5 millathowme.
[Suggested by the proverbial phrase under Miller
sb. 1 b; the head of the fish so called has some
resemblance to a thumb.]
1. A small freshwater fish. Cot/us gobio (Aspido-
phortts cataphractus) ; the bullhead.
c 1440 Ptomp. Parv. 337/2 Myllarys thowmbe, fysche
(King's Coll. MS. millathowme, fische\ capito. 1530
Palsgr. 245/1 Myllers thombe a fysshe, chabot. _ c 1614
Fletcher, etc. Wit at sezi. Went. v. i, Clow. 'Twill ne're
be a true water. Cun. Why thinke you so? Clow. I war-
rant you, I told a thousand Millets thumbs in it. 1634
T. Johnson Parey's Clururg. xx. iv. (16781 457 The little
Fish which the French call Chabot, we a Millers Thumb.
1741 Couipl. Fam.-Piece 11. ii. 350 Bull-Head, or Miller's
Thumb, is to be met with in Holes, or among Stones, in
clear Water. 1895 Cornh. Mag. Oct. 387 A bullhead or
' miller's thumb ' has proved loo much for a water rail.
2. Applied to other fishes, as a. the whiting-
pout, Gadus luscus ; b. i'.S., any fresh-water scul-
pin of the genus Uranidea; c. (see quot. 183S).
1838 J. Couch Cornish Fauna 1. 37 Rock Goby, Gcbius
niger. . Millet's Thumb, Black Goby. 1880-4 F- Vm Brit.
Fishes I. 287 Gadus luscus. .. Names— Bib, pout, whiting-
pout [etc. 1- It is likewise said to be ' Miller's thumb '. 188s
Jon dan & Gilbert Synops. Fishes N. A titer. 693 Uranidea
.Miller's Thumbs. Ibid. 696 U. richardsonii .. Miller's
Thumb, Blob, Muffle-jaw, Bullhead.
3. Applied locally to certain small birds(seequots.).
1838 J. Couch Cornish Fauna 1. 13 White Throat. .Wood
Wren.. Willow Wren.. ChilT CharT. . Lesser White Throat.
The three or four latter Species are sometimes seen crossing
the Channel to us, in Spring ; and are confounded together
by Sailors under the name of Miller's Thumbs. 1878
Cutuberld. Gloss. 63/2 Milly thoom, Miller's thumb, the
willow wren. 1885 Swainson Prov. Names Birds 25 Golden-
crested wren. .Miller's thumb. Ibid. 32 Biitish long-tailed
titmouse. . Millilhrum, i. e. Miller's thumb.
Millesimal (mile'simal), a. and sb. [f. L.
niiUesim-us thousandth + (f. mille thousand) -al.]
a. adj. Thousandth; consisting of thousandth
parts. Also, of or belonging to a thousand, deal-
ing with thousandths, b. sb. A thousandth (part).
1719 I. Pound in Phil. Trans. XXX. 1022 The addition
of the equation of Numb. B. gives the true angle of Com-
mutation in the same Millesimals of a Circl£. 1741 Watts
fntprov. Mind I. i. Wks. 1753 V. 188 He laboured long in
millesimal fractions. 1873 I. Grecorv Brit. Metric Syst.
Note to Rdr., Calculating in units with fractions in deci-
mals, centesimals or millesimals. 1874 8th Rep. Warden 0/
Standards xxiii, The legal allowance of error for gold coin
in millesimal fineness is 0-002 in excess or deficiency.
t Millesm, Obs. Also 7 -sme. [a. F. milliesnie,
now millihm :— L. millesim-um, neut. of millisi-
mus : see prec] A thousandth part.
1635 Gellibrand Variation Magn. Needle 2 The Horizon
supposed, .to be divided into 360 parts, and each part sub-
divided into Centesmes or Millesmes. 1640 W. Crabtreeui
Phil. Trans. XXVII. 289 We intend to use the Centesmes
or Millesmes of Degrees, because of the ease in Calculation.
Millet (mHet). Forms : 5, 7 milet, 6 myl-
let(t, rnylet, millette, 8 millett, mellet, 6-
millet. [a. F. millet, dim. of mil: see Mill sb.-~\
1. A graminaceous plant, Panicum miliaceum,
native of India but extensively cultivated as a
cereal in the warmer parts of Europe, growing
three or four feet high, and bearing on a terminal
spike or panicle a large crop of minute nutritious
seeds. a. The grain.
C1400 Maundev. (Roxbl. xxx. 134 pai ete milet and rysr.
1561 Turner Herbal 11. 57 Millet in brede norisheth lesse
MILLET-GRASS.
then other comes do. 1634 Peacham Gentl. Exerc. II. vii.
125 A handfull of Millet Oates, and Panicle. 177a Ann.
Reg. i65/aHe has subsisted chiefly for these ten years past
on raw onions and millet. 1865 Miss Caky Ball. a> Lyrics
227 Turn in the little seed, brown and dry, Turn out the
golden millet.
b. The plant.
1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. (1586) 31 b, Millet called
in Latine Millium, . . having as it were a thousand graines in
an care. 1653 H. Cogan tr. Pinto's Trav. xxviii. 109 Great
plains full of wheat, rice, beans, pease, millet, panick [etc.].
176a VLaxsSytt. Pract. Husb. I. 448 Millet, either green, or
after its grain is threshed out, is very good fodder for cattle.
'859 JzPHSOtiBri/lanyxi. \-j-j Besides the usual crops, I ob-
served extensive fields of millet.
2. Applied to other graminaceous plants, esp.
Sorghum vulgare (African, Black, Indian, Turkey
Millet) and Setaria italua (Italian or German
Millet). (See quots.)
'54* Turner Names o/Herbes 54 Milium indicum is nowe
muche sowen in Italy... It were better to cal it .. turkish
millet. 1597 Gerarde Herbal 1. liii. 73 Milium nigrum.
Blacke Millet. Ibid. 1. lv. 77 Tvrkie Millet is a stranger in
England. 1640 Parkinson Theat. Bat. 1136 Melica sive
Sorghum. Indian Millet. Ibid. 1137 Turkie or Indian
Millet, and of some [called] Italian Millet. 1764 Grainger
Sugar Cane iv. 567 Let Indian millet rear its corny reed.
nii Museum Rust. v. 74 The African millet, sorghum, mi-
lium nigrum. 1839 Penny Cycl.XV. 225/1 Caffre millet (/Yd/.
cus Ca/er) is a native of the Cape of Good Hope. Ibid. 225/2
Drooping millet (Sorghum cernuum) is cultivated in Arabia,
Syria, and various parts of the Levant. 1846-50 A. Wood
Class-bk. Bot. 596 Piptatherum nigrum. Black-seeded
millet. 1861 Swinhoe N. China Camp. 372 The chief pro-
duce of the country is the Kaouleang, or Barbadoes Millet
{Sorghum). 1864 Chambers's Encycl. VI. J61/2 Penicil-
laria spicata, or Pennisetum typlioideum, is very exten-
sively cultivated in Africa... It often receives the names
Egyptian Millet and Guinea Corn. 1869 E. A. Parkes
Pract. Hygiene (ed. 3) t78 The Hindu diet consists of some
of the millets (cholum, raggee) [etc.]. 1874 Treas. Bot. 1318/1
Millet, Texas, Sorghum cernuum.
% Grey millet : see Grey a. 8.
3. t a. //. A skin disease attacking the fetlocks
of horses. 06s.
1523 Fitzherb. Husb. § no Myllettes is an yll sorance,
and appereth in the fetelockes behynde.
b. sing. A disease of the mouth, most common
in infants, in which small white points or patches
appear.
1841 Guy Hooper's Physician's VadeMecum^i Stomatitis,
with alteration of the Secretion— Muguet— Millet.
1 4. = Cenchrine. 06s.
1608 Topseix Serpents (1658) 743 Of the Millet or Cen-
chrine. 1661 LoVEtx Hist. Anim. % Min. 253 Myllet, or
Cenchrine.. .They are.. venimous in the second degree...
They are spotted like millet seed, about two cubits in length,
attenuated towards the taile, the colour is darke like the
Millet, and is then most ireful when this herb is highest.
5. attri6. and Comb., as millet-field, flour,
grain, -meal, pudding, -straw ; millet-ale, "beer,
a fermented liquor made from millet-seed ; millet-
rash, miliary fever. Also Millet-grass, Millet-
seed.
1834 Pringle A/r. Si. 1. 19 The honey-mead, the "millet,
ale, Flow round. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., « Millet beer, a fer-
mented liquor made from millet-seed in Roumania. 1873
1 Ouida ' Pascarel 1. 107 We went through the "millet-fields
at sunrise. 1747 tr. Astrnc's Fevers 334 Many pustules . .
of the bigness of "millet-grains. 176s Museum Rust. V. 76
The millers . . return a good third of a bushel of "millet-
meal for every bushel sent to them. 1747 Mrs. Glasse
Cookery ix. 107 A "Millet Pudding. You must get half a
Pound of Millet-seed [etc.]. 1762 W. Gelleroy London
Cook 175 A Mellet Pudding. 1812-34 Goods Study Med.
(ed. 4) IV. 440 Species IV. Exormia Milium. "Millet-
Rash. 1844 Stephens Bk. Farm II. 379 They considered
"millet. straw as the best for cattle.
Millet, obs. variant of Mullet.
Millet-grass. The genus Milium, esp. M.
effusum, a tall handsome grass, widely distributed
throughout the northern hemisphere.
»S97 Gerarde Herbal 1. iv. 6 Gramen Miliaceum. Millet
Grasse. 1796 Withering Brit. PI. (ed. 3) II. 122 Soft Millet.
Millet Grass. Wet woods, common. i86±Chambers's Encycl.
VI. 461/2 The Millet Grass (Milium effusum) of Britain.
Millet-seed. The seed or grain of millet.
Also atlrib., as millet-seed papula, an isolated
pimple as seen in miliary fever; millet-seed rash,
miliary fever.
'S99 T. M[oufet] Silkwormes 66 Their egges..are likest
of all thtnges to Millet seede. 1671 Salmon Syn. Med. 1.
113 I he Measles are Pustules like Millet-seed. J707 Curios.
m Husb. Sr Card. 350 Little Cray-fish, no bigger than Millet-
seeds. 1822-34 Goods Study Med. (ed. 4) I. 176 An efflo-
rescence on the surface [of the skin] sometimes in the form
of minute red millet-seed papula;. 1851 Carpenter Man.
Phys. (ed. 2) 429 Minute lobules . . about the average size of
a J^'.let-seed. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., Millet seed rash.
Mill-foil, variant of Milfoil.
Millfnl (milful). [f. Mill rf .1 + -eul.] As
much as a mill will contain ; f spec, the quantity
produced at one operation by a thread-mill.
1799 Hull Advertiser 23 Feb. 3/2 Nine thread-mills and
upwards of 500 millfuls of twined thread.
Mill-horse, [f. Mill sbl + Horse s6.] A
horse used for turning or working a mill.
1552 Huloet, Myll horse, molarius equus. 1S17-&1 Holin-
shed Chron. II. 17/1 As if a Irian would reason thus : Be-
tore saint Patrike his time there was no horssemill in Ire-
land : hrgo before his time there was no milhorsse. a 1586
Vol. VI.
449
Sidney Arcadia n. (1590) 197 His Impresa was, a mill-
horse still bound to goe in one circle. 1650 B. Discollimi.
nium 19 Hob, my blind Mil-horse. 1781 C. Johnston Hist.
J. Juniper II. 219, 1 was obliged to drudge on like a blinded
mill-horse.
b. trans/, and fig.
1600 W. Watson Decacordon (1602) 47 And so by con-
sequent all runne Hysteron Frotheron, a milne horse, a
King Pope, a Curch Spaniard. 1673 Dryden Amboyna 11.
i, Vou are the mill-horses of mankind. 1890 Spectator
21 June, Will the work of intellectual mill-horses suit the
..more sensitive natures of women?
c. attri6.
1881 Ruskin in Lett. Art % Lit. (1894) 65 It cost Turner
forty years of mill-horse toil. 1903 Contemp. Rev. Oct. 514
Her mill-horse round of vain repetitions.
Mill-house. A building in which milling or
grinding is carried on ; f in early use = Mill sb.l I.
c 1300 Havclok 1967^ Summe grop tre, and sum grop ston,
And driue hem ut, pei he weren crus, So dogges ut of milne-
hous. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 337/2 Myllehowse, molendina.
1508 Dunbar Flyting w. Kennedie 243 Chittirlilling, ruch
rilling, lik schilling in the milhouse. 1657 R. Ligon Barba-
does (1673) 9° [Sugar-making.] From the Mill-house to the
boyling house. 1766 Compl. Farmer s. v. Flax, It requires
a less expensive mill-house [sc. for flax dressing]. 1888 War-
ren & Cleverly Wanderings ' Beetle ' 129 A bridge bear-
ing four tumble-down mill-houses.
Milli- (mi'li), combining form of L. mille
thousand, used esp. in the metric system of
weights and measures to denote the thousandth
part of the unit, as milliare, r^ of an are, etc.
1816 P. Kelly Metrology 17 The word Milli expresses
the 1000th part.
Millia, variant of Milly 06s.
Mi-Iliad, rare. [Badly f. L. mille thousand,
after myriad.] A period of one thousand years.
1851 H. Torrens in Jrnl. Asiatic Soc. Bengal 2 Not by
centuries but by milliads. 1891 L. Clark Vict. Metric
Meas., Milliade, a thousand years.
Milliampere (mWiaempeo:.i). Electr. [f. L.
mille thousand + Ampere.] An electrical unit |
equal to the thousandth part of an ampere. Also I
atlri6. milliampere meter, an instrument for j
measuring milliamperes of electricity.
1891 in L. Clark Diet. Metric Meas. 1893 A. S. Eccles <
Sciatica 56 From five to eight milliamperes of current. '
1905 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 16 Sept. 620 A milliamperemeter
to indicate the current going through the tube.
Millian, obs. form of Milan, Million.
Milliard (mi'liajd). [a. F. milliard, f. mille I
thousand.] A thousand millions.
1793 A. Young Examp. France (ed. 3) 1 85, 1 may state their
extra resources, from the regal and ecclesiastical plunder,
at four milliards. 1823 Byron Juan xrv. c, I'll bet you ■
millions, milliards. 1874 Deutsch Rem. 290 All those un- !
told milliards of human beings.
Milliare (milie^'j). [a. F. milliare : see !
Milli- and Are s6.] In the metric system, the
thousandth part of an are ; 154-07 square inches.
1889 E. Noel Sci. Metrology 12 The deciare . . is not a real
square measure;. .the milliare. .is non-existent. 1891 in L.
Clark Diet. Metric Meas.
Milliary (mi-liari), a. and si. Also miliary,
[ad. L. millidrius (neut. -urn), f. mille thousand
(paces), Mile.] A. adj.
1. Pertaining to the ancient Roman mile of a
thousand paces ; marking a mile.
1644 Evelyn Diary 7 Nov., Before this was once placed a
Miliary Column. 1753 Phil. Trans. XLVIII. 136 Milliary
pillars [are] elected to mark out the distance of the ways.
1778 Eng. Gazetteer (ed. 2) s.v. Spittle in the Street, Line,
It is pleasant riding from hence to Lincoln, in a country
wholly champaign, or heath, with miliary stones all the way,
of which some are thought to be Roman, i860 J. Newlands
Carp. Sf Join. Assist. Index & Gloss., Milliary column,
a column^set up to mark distances ; a milestone. Ibid. s. v.
Column, The miliary column, set up as a centre from which
to measure distances.
f 2. Of or pertaining to a millennium. Obs.
'753 Chambers Cycl. Supp. s. v. Age, Milliary or Millenary
Age, sxculum viilliarium, or millenarium, on medals de-
notes the last year of a Millennium or thousand year.
B. s6.
1. A stone or mark set up by the ancient Romans
to form a point of departure in measuring distances
of a thousand paces ; a milestone.
16x0 Holland Camden's Brit. 423 London-stone . . I take
to haue beene a Milliarie or Milemarke. 1741-3 Pococke
Descr. East (1745) II. 85, 1 saw, about a mile from the town,
an antient Roman milliary. 1865 Reader 18 Mar. 313/2 He
found no traces whatever of the letters, and therefore he
inferred that they had never been inscribed on the milliary.
1 2. A believer in the millennium. 06s.
1650 Bp. Hall Rev. Unrevealed% 4 The ancient heresy of
the Militaries, as Austin calls them.
Milliary, obs. form of Miliary.
t Millifold, a. Obs. [f. L. mille thousand +
-fold.] Thousand-fold.
•6oo I. Davies Holy Roode 12 b, Yet ere he parts, his kisses
millifold, Bewray his loue, and louing diligence.
t Milliform, a. Obs. [f. L. mille thousand
+ -form.] Of a thousand shapes or aspects.
<75.8i XwGrindatsRem. (Parker Soc.) 471 It was like that
religion, which of his own nature should be uniform, would
against his nature have proved milliform, yea, in continu-
ance nulliform.
Milligrade (mHigrml), a. [f. L. mille +
grad-us step, degree.] Having a thousand degrees.
MILLINERY.
1 1802-12 Bentham Ration. Judic. Evid. (1827) I. 76 Sub-
stitute, .a centigrade scale : and if that be not yet sufficient
I a milligrade.
Milligramme (mriigrsem). Also 9 -gram.
I [F. milligramme : see Milli- and Gramme.] In
the metric system, a weight equal to T^ of a
gramme, or -0154 of an English grain.
1810 NavalChron. XXIV. 302 Milligram (weight of cubic
millimeter of water). 1875 Bennett & Dyer Sac/is' Bot.
776 In Passi/lora gracilis a pressure of r milligram is suf-
ficient to cause curvature in a very short time.
Millilitre (mrlllftu, Fr. mililitt). Also 9
-littre. [Fr. : see Milli- and Litre.] In the
metric system, a measure of capacity equal to
nhis of a litre, or .061 of a cubic inch.
1810 Naval Chron. XXIV. 301 Millilittre, Centimeter cube.
Millimetre (mHimaaj, Fr. nwlimjtr). Also
-meter. [F. millimetre : see Milli- and Metre]
In the metric system, a measure of length equal
to uV, of a metre, or .0393 inch. Also attrib.
Frequently abbreviated millim or mm.
1807 Med. Jrnl. XVII. 418 An incision, .about the length
of six millemeters (three lines). 1877 W. Thomson i'oy.
Challenger I. 41 A paper millimetre scale. 1883 McLach-
lan in Ann. Iff Mag. Nat. Hist. Oct. 237 Length of abdomen
6 37 millim. 1887 Ward tr. Sachs' Physiol. Plants 47 A
lamella., a few tenths of a millimeter thick.
t Millimillenary, a. 06s. rare-1. In 7
millimillinary. [f. Milli- + Millenary a.]
Correct within a millionth part.
1690 Leybourn Curs. Math. 311, I shall lay before you
these. .Proportional Conclusions in the Circle, and that to
a Millimillinary solution of the Truth.
1 Milli-millesm. 06s. rare-1, [f. Milli-
+ Millesm.] A millionth part.
1650 J. Wybard Taclometria 22 The fractionall part of
that solidity, j>t, being converted into milli-millesms, or Cubi-
cal! centesms.
Millin, Millinary, obs. ff. Milan, Millenary.
Milliner (milinaj). Forms : myllaner,
-ener, -oner, -yner, mileyner, millioner, mil-
lainer, (millender), 6-7 milner, 6-8 millener,
7 millaner, millenier, 7-8 milaner, 6- milliner.
[f. Milan 1 + -eb '.]
1. A native or inhabitant of Milan.
1529 Rastell Pastyme, Hist. Fr. (181 1) 83 He was encoun-
tered by the Mylleners and the Venicyans. 1604 Dekki-'r
1st Pt. Honest Wh. Plays 1873 II. 9 You know we Mil-
laners love to strut vpon Spanish leather. Ibid. 42 Stranger ?
no sir, I me a natuiall Milaner boine. 1828 Scott /'. M.
Perth xi, The Milaner shall not know my woik [on a Milan
hauberk] from his own.
2. ■)■ a. A vendor of ' fancy ' wares and articles
of apparel, esp. of such as were originally of
Milan manufacture, e.g. ' Milan bonnets ', ribbons,
gloves, cutlery (06s.). b. In modern use, a person
(usually a woman) who makes up articles of female
apparel, esp. bonnets and other headgear.
1530 in Privy Purse Exp. Hen. VIII (1827) 33 Paied to
the Mylloner for certeynecappestrymmed. .witbe botons of
golde. 1531 Ibid. 173 Paied to xpofer mylloner for ij myllain
bonettes. Ibid. 174 Paied to the mylloner for a knif for
the king, c 1550 Disc. Common Weal Eng. (1893) 64 No
not so much as a spurre, but it must be fett at ihe milliners
hand. Ibid. 91 Mercers, grocers, vinteners, haberdashers,
mileyners, and such as doe sell wares growinge beyond the
seas. 1573 in Cunningham Revels at Crt. (1842) 24 To the
Millioner for one yard qlr of counterfele cloth of gold. 1592
Greene Quip Upstart Courtier G 4 b, The other a French-
man and a Myllaner in saint Martins, and sels shirts, bandes,
bracelets, Iewels, and such prelty toies for Gentle women.
1611 Shaks. Wiut. T. iv. iv. 192 No Milliner can so fit his
customers with Gloues. 1617 Minsheu Ductor 5620 An Hab-
berdasher of small wares. . . In London also called a Millenier,
a Lat. mille, i. a thousand, as one hauing a thousand small
wares to sell. 1693 Luttrell Brie/ Pel. (1857) III. 7 Two
[highwaymen] are said to be tradesmen in the Strand, one a
goldsmith, th'other a milliner. 1706 Phillu-s (ed. Kersey),
Millener, one that sells Ribbons, Gloves, &c. 1713 Gay
Guardian No. 149 F 22 The milliner must be thoroughly
versed in physiognomy ; in the choice of ribbons she must
havea particular regard to the complexion. 1742 Richardson
Pamela IV. 280 Tailors, Wigpufters, and Milaners. 1777
Sheridan Sch. Scand. iv. iii, 'Tis a little French milliner,
a silly rogue that plagues me. 1797 Directory Sheffield 56
Calton, Godfrey, haberdasher, and milliner. 1799 Han.
More Fern. Educ. (ed. 4) I. 191 Among milleners, mantua-
makers, and other trades where numbers work together.
1827 Wordsw. in Lit. Crit. (ed. N. C. Smith) 258 He [T.
Moore] is too lavish of brilliant ornament. His poems smell
of the perfumer's and milliner's shops. 1884 West. Daily
Press 20 May 3/7 A black butterfly is unknown to entomo-
logists, but at present is a favourite insect with milliners.
Hence f MiTlineress, a female milliner. Milli-
ne rial a., pertaining to milliners or millinery.
Millinering v6l. s6., milliner's work ; ///. a., that
works as a milliner (in quot.^z^-.).
1802 in Spirit Publ. Jrnls. (1803) VI. 93 The advertise-
ments of the lady millineresses. 1831 Trelawny Adv. '
Younger Son exxix, They have no Miss Edgeworth, nor
any of those millinering cutters-out of human nature into
certain patterns of given rules in education. 1886 Rosa
Mulholland Marcella Grace i, To go running about after
millinering and dressmaking. 1888 Lond. Society May 557
The dramatic interest is fairly divided with the millinerial.
Millinery (mi-linari). Forms : see Milliner.
[f. Milliner : see -ery.]
1. The articles made or sold by milliners.
1679-88 Seer. Serv. Money Chas. $ Jas. (Camden) 91 To
123
MILLINET.
Benjn Drake, in full of a bill for millenary, wares [iread I
millenary wares), &c. bought of him by the Dutchess of
Cleaveland. 1796 Burke Regie, Peace in. (1892) 236 You
will hardly expect me to go through the tape and thread,
and all the other small wares of haberdashery and millinery
to be gleaned up among our imports. 1855 Tennyson Maud
1. vi. 43 That dandy-despot, he, That jewell'd mass of j
millinery. 1901 Max MLxler Autobiog. 280, I could not \
understand how these men . . could put aside the fundamental
questions of Christianity and give their whole mind to what
seemed to me rightly called in the newspapers ' mere '
millinery '.
2. The trade or business of a milliner.
1838 Dickens Hick. Nick, xvii, Processes known only to \
those who are cunning in the arts of millinery and dress- j
making.
3. attrib.
1741 Richardson Pamela II. 351 What can be done in ,
Town, as the Milanery Matters, &c, to be completed there.
1748 Anson's Voy. 11. x. 246 European milliner)* ware for
the women. 1880 Mrs. Hervey M our tray Fam. IV. 96
My maid came to ask, if I chose to see some very pretty j
millinery articles. 1882 Daily Neius 4 Mar., Cotton mil-
liner)' laces are still greatly run upon. 1896 Ibid. 26 Sept.
6/4 Chrysanthemums in all colours are the millinery flower
of the moment. 1900 Wtstm. Gaz. 5 Dec. 9/1 The eminent !
millinery establishment.
Millinet (miline-t). ? Obs. [?f. Millix(ert)
+ -ET.] 'A sort of coarse, stiff, thin muslin'
(Worcester i860).
1832 Mrs. Child Girts Own Bk. (ed. 4) 118 Baskets of
millinet and straw. . . Pieces of millinet should be cut [etc.].
Milling (mrlirj), vbL sb. [f. Mill z\i + -nra 1.]
1. The action or process of subjecting something
to the operation of a mill. a. The action or
business of grinding (esp. corn) in a mill.
High milling, milling in which the wheat grain is reduced
to flour by successive crackings or slight and partial crush-
ings, alternating with siftings and sortings of the product, re-
suiting in a flour of extreme whiteness and nutritive quality.
Low milling, milling in which the corn is reduced to flour
by a system of mashing, repeated scraping and squeezing,
usually attended with some heating of the product, and a
single bolting.
1466 Mann. <y Househ. Exp. (Roxb.) 346 Item, delyverd
to Blowbolle fore mellenge and otemelle, vj.d. 1669 Wor-
lidge Syst. Agric. (1681) 158 The description and manner
of drying and Milling thereof [i. e. madder roots]. . I leave
to those that are better experienced therein. 1879 Encycl.
Brit. IX. 344/2 Thus we have these various systems: — (t)
flat milling or grinding; (2) high milling or granulation;
(3) roller milling or crushing; (4) disintegrator milling or
crushing. 1905 Q. Rev. Oct. 641 There is little hope, how-
ever, of rural milling being revived.
b. The treatment of a substance or material in
any of the machines known as mills; e.g. the
operation of fulling cloth, rolling metals, crushing
minerals, etc.
t 1617 Ledsam & Williams in Buccleuch MSS. {Hist.
MSS. CommJ I. 2o3 The drawing of gold and silver wire,
and milling of it after the manner of England and France.
1679 Holghton Collect. Husb. fy Trade No. 266 (1727) II.
211 Lead is mightily improv'd of late by a new invention of
milling. 1727-41 Chambers Cycl., Milling, or throwing 0/
silkt is the last preparation of silk before dyeing. . . To prepare
the silk for milling, they first put it in boiling water. 187a
Raymond Statist. Mines fy Mining 35 The prices of labor,
lumber, and charges for milling [sc. quartz] during the year,
have not varied much. 187s Knight Diet. Mech., Milling,
. .the mastication and grinding of slip for porcelain. 1884
W. S. B. McLaren Spinning i. (ed. 2) 12 We have seen a
piece of worsted cloth, .shrink after two hours' milling into
one-third of its former dimensions. 189a Hasluck Milling
Machines 1 Milling is a term now generally understood as
meaning the shaping of metals with rotary cutters.
2. Coining. The operation of producing byspecial
machinery a crenatioa or series of transverse lines
on the edge of a coin as a protection against
clipping. Now only concr. the crenation itself.
Another sense, ' the action of upsetting the edge of a coin,
so as to make raised flanges protecting the devices on the
faces '. given in Knight Diet. Mech. and the U. S. Diction-
arieSj is not known at the English Mint, where this opera-
tion is called 'marking'.
1817 Ruding Ann. Coinage I. 141 A graining has been
devised forthe protection of their [the smaller coins] outer
edge. This, which is generally known by the technical
term Milling, was first used in 1663. Ibid. 142 The whole
operation of Milling is yet kept a profound secret in the
Mint. 1876 Mathews Coinage i. 7 The saw-like edge pos-
sessed by modern coins is called the milling.
3. slang, a. The action of robbing or stealing.
b. The action of beating or fighting with the fists,
a beating. + c. ■ Old term for kicking in horses '
{Encycl. Sport 1897).
1567 Harman Caveat 67 They wyll send them into some
house.. to steale and robbe, which they call in their lan-
guage, Milling of the ken. 1670 R. Rhodes Floras Vagaries
16 We have all the Querks and Nicety of Roguery, Prig-
ging,. .Milling, all, all, Sir. 18x5 Sporting Mag. XLVI.
148 All three got a merited milling in a few minutes.
4. Simple attrib., as milling-cutter, -machine,
-power, -right, -tool; also with the sense ' suitable
for being milled ', as milling-gold, -ore, -wheat.
1884 F. J. Britten Watch % Clockm. 177 *Milling cutters
have the advantage of retaining their sharpness for a con-
siderable time. 1895 Daily News 3 Dec 9/3 The average
yield of free *milling gold is about ii ounce per ton. 1876
^. Rose Pract. Machinist xvi. 301 The position occupied
y the *milling-machine in modern practical mechanics is
almost as important as that occupied by the lathe or plan*
ing-machine. 1877 Raymond Statist. Mines ft Mining 257
A large part of the ore is 'milling-ore. 1856 Olmsted
450
Slave States 540 Running water, frequently affording |
excellent "milling power. 1870 Law Rep., Comm. PL V.
671 The exercise of a "milling right on a river. 1876 J. Rose
Pract. Machinist xvi. 303 One of the main advantages of
•milling-tools is that the work will, in nearly all cases, be
true. 189$ Model Steam Engine 00 A Milling tool is
similar to a steel cog-wheel. 1865 Public Opinion 4 Mar.
218/2 Where are the "milling and corn trades, formerly so
prosperous in Ireland? 1887 Pall Mall G. 23 Sept. 2/2 It. .
makes so excellent a "milling wheat that [etc.].
b. In the sense * pertaining to pugilism or pugi-
lists', as milling-match, mug, phrase.
1819 T. More Tom Crib's Mem. (ed. 3) 49 Account of the
"Milfing-match between Entellus and Dares, ill* Sporting
Mag. XL. 249 The qualifications of the renowned Jem Bel-
cher's weight, a "milling mug and fearless resolution. 1814
Byron Let. to Moore 3 Aug., London.. is the only place to
take the conceit out of a man— in the "milling phrase.
Killing (mi -lirj ,,ppl a. [f. Mill V.- + -ING2.]
1. slang, fighting, pugilistic.
1812 J. H. Vaux Flask Diet., Milling-cove, a pugilist.
1815 Scott Let. to Dk. of Buccleuch Aug. in Lockhart Life*
Shaw, the milling Life-Guards' man.
2. That carries on a mill or mills.
1886 Leeds Mercury 16 Feb. 6/6 The large milling firms
in London. 190a Daily Citron. 6 Oct. 7/6 Information
circulated in milling circles yesterday.
3. Of cattle, fish, etc. : Going round in a circle.
Cf. MlU.v.1 12.
1901 Munsey's Mag. XXIV. 483/2 They were passing in
front of the milling herd.
Bffi'll-ink. A mill-rind : in Her., a con-
ventional figure or representation of this.
157a [see Ink sb.?]. 1874 Papworth & Morant^W. Brit.
A rm. 956 Or on a mill-ink sa. five estoiles of the first. Jaque.
Millio : see Milly Obs.
Million (mi'lvan). Forms : 4 melione, mil-
yon, 4-5 mi-, mylioun, 4-7 milion, 5 myl-
(l'ione, melyone, mi-, myllyon, Sc, myl:jon(e,
mulgeon, 6 myllyant, -io(u)n, -ian, mylion,
millian, 7 Sc. milleoune, 4, 6- million, [a. F.
million (1359 in Hatz.-Darm.) = Sp. milion, Pg.
milhdo, ad. It. mitlione (now written milione), f.
millt thousand + -one augmentative suffix. From
Fr. the word has passed into the Teut. langs.;
G. million, Du. miljoen, Sw., Da. million.]
1. The cardinal number equal to a thousand
thousands. (Often used indefinitely or hyperbo-
lically for an enormous number.)
a. As sb. or quasi-sb., with plural
(a) In singular. Usually a, emphatically one
million ; in phrases expressing rate, the million.
1370-80 XI Pains of Hell 316 in O. E. Misc. 232 pen
kneled Poul, and Mihel And a Milioun Angeles, wel.
c 1386 Chaucer Som/n. Prol. 21 Now sire quod he han freres
swich a grace That noon of hem shal come to this place?
Yis quod this Angel many a Millioun. c 1420 Antnrs of
Arth. 706 (Douce MS.) Prestes with processione to ptay
were prest, With a my Hone of masses to makebemynnynge.
1480 C ax ton Citron. Eng. cexxx. 243 Ye shal vnderstonde
that a myllyon is /M/M/. 1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist.
391 What is he among a my Mian that is not surprised with
son-owe, when [etc.]. 1591 Shaks. Two Gent. 11. i. 105 Oh,
'giue ye-good-ev'n : heer*s a million of manners. 1629
Wadsworth Pilgr. i. 5 Through a Million of dangers we
arriued the Spanish coasts. 1710 Palmer Proverbs 334 Tis
a million to one but they wish it had never been done.
17*6 Swift Gulliver iv. v, A million of yahoos might have
been killed. 1778 Miss Burney Evelina (1791) II. xxvii,
171 He had a million of things to say to me. 1800 Mrs.
Hervey Mouriray Fnm. II. 6 We charged him with a
million of thanks. 1815 J. Smith Panorama Set'. <•$• Art I.
524 The sun is a million of times larger than the earth. 1885
Manch. Exam. 24 July 5/1 He could count his soldiers by
the million.
(b) In plural : millions.
1361 Langl. P. PI. A. x. 148 Mony Milions mo of Men and
of Wymmen. 1494 Fabyan Ckron. vu. 471 Thre millyons
of scutes of golde. 1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 277 His
head being fraught wl myllians of imaginations. 1597 J.
King On Jonas (1618) 18 Ten and ten millions of men.
1611 Bible Gen. xxiv. 60 Be thou the mother of thousands
of millions. 1615 Mure Misc. Poems xiv. 12 Till contrarie
fortoun.. Metamorphos'd his thowsands in milleounes of
lyce. 1708 J. Phillips Cyder 1. 345 The polihh'd Glass,
whose small Convex Enlarges to ten Millions of Degrees
The Mite. 1834 Penny Cycl. II. 339/1 Hundreds of thou-
sands of millions of millions. 1893 R. T. Jeffrey Visits to
Calvary 366 After millions of millenniums.
(*r) After a numeral adjective, million sometimes
occurs as a collective plural. (Cf. dozen, hundred?)
Now rare or Obs.
c 1530 Crt. of Love 589 Yet eft again, a thousand milion,
Rejoysing, love, leding their life in blis. c 1590 Greene Fr.
Bacon ii. 160 A thousand thousand million of fine bells.
b. As adj. or quasi-adj. (in prose use, always
with a or prefixed multiplier), followed imme-
diately by a plural (or collective) noun.
1843 Borrow Bible in Spain xv. 107 The roar of a million
cannon. 1846 Landor /mag. Com/., Windham $ Slieridan
Wks. 1853 II. 179/2 The crown-lands in Ireland, ..are large
enough to support half a million subjects. 1868 Lynch
Rivulet clxv. hi, From Thee million spirits have their name.
1885 W. Watson Poems (1892) 106 Her veins are million
but her heart is one.
C. The cardinal form million is also used as an
ordinal when followed by other numbers, the last
of which alone takes the ordinal form.
1866 J. H. Newman Gerontius § 3 Divide a moment, as
men measure time, Into tts million-million-millionth part.
MILLIONED.
2. Elliptical uses. a. A million coins or units
of money of account of some understood value,
esp. (in British use) a million pounds or (in the
U.S.) dollars.
136a Langl. P. PL A. in. 255 Coueyte not his goodes For
Milions of Money e. c 1422 Hoccleve Learn to Die 397
Many a milioun Of gold and siluer. c 1430 Batayle of
Eyngeconrte 82 in Hazl. E. P. P. II. 06 Our kynge they
solde. For a myllyant of golde. c 1470 Henry Wallace iv.
142 Of eler gold a fyne myljone and mor. 1570 Ibid. vii.
1280 Thocht he him gaifane mul3eon of gold, e 1586 C'tess
Pembroke Ps. cxix. I. iv. [verse 72], Millions then, and mines
adieu, Gold and silver, drosse you be. 1615 Massingek
New Way 1. iii, We must be strangers, Nor would I haue
you seene here for a million, a 1704 T. Brown Sat. Fr.
King Wks. 1730 I. 59 I'd not be, fora million, in thy jerkin.
1790 Beatson Nav. <)• Mil. Mem. I. 39:, Increasing the
national debt to near eighty millions Sterling. 1841 R. P.
Ward De Clifford III. vii, in By loans,, .and other specu-
lations, he achieved his million, and now acts the grandee.
190a Westm. Gaz. 10 June 2/2 This four millions was taken
account of in the Budget statement.
b. The million : the multitude ; the bulk of the
population.
160* Shaks. Ham. 11. ii. 457 The Play I remember pleas'd
not the Million. 176a Foote Lyar 1. Wks. 1799 I. 283 If
you would descend a little to the grovelling comprehension
of the million, I think it would be as well. 1894K. Grahame
Pagan P. 29 The two-and-sixpenny edition for the million.
3. attrib. and Comb., (a) simple attrib. or objec-
tive, as million maker; {b) forming adjectival
compounds with sb., as million dollar {billj etc.) ;
(*r) parasynthetic, as million-billowed, -eyed,
-handed, -minded adjs.; instrumental, as million-
peopled adj.; million-act, an act of parliament
authorizing a lottery to be held in 1694 and
succeeding years, by which a million pounds was
to be raised by the sale of lottery tickets at ten
pounds each ; so million lottery,
1694 J. Briscoe {title) A Discourse on the late Funds of
the Miflion-Act, Lottery-Act, and Bank of England. 1895
W.Watson Apologia, He. .beholds. .In "million-billowed
consentaneousness, The flowing, flowing, flowing of the
world. 189a A. E. Lee Hist. Columbus, Ohio II. 90 The
General Assembly .. passed this "milliondollar bill. 1893
Chr. Rossetti Verses 101 Wisdom that loveth thee grows
million-eyed. 1847 Emerson Poems (1857J 47 The 'million-
handed painter pours Opal hues and purple dye. 17x0 Swift
Jrnl. to Stella 15 Sept., Colonel Freind, and I, went to see
the *million lottery drawn at Guildhall. 1849 Robertson
Serm. Ser. 1. i. (1866) 10 The *million-minded Poet. 1819
Shelley Prometh. Unb. u 551 A 'million-peopled city.
Million, obs. form of Melon, Milan l.
Millionaire :4milyane«*i). Formerly also in
Fr. form. [a. F. millionnaire , f. million : see
Million.] A person possessed of a ' million of
money*, as a million pounds, dollars, francs, etc.;
a person of great wealth.
1826 Disraeli Viv. Grey \. ix, Were I the son of a Million-
aire, or a noble, I might have all. 1830 Gen. P. Thompson
Exerc. (1842) 1. 225 He was what the French call a million-
naire. 1853 Miss Mitford in L'Estrange Life (1870) III.
xiv. 254 Mrs. Stowe, from the poorest of the poor, is become
quite a millionaire.
b. quasi-adj. Possessing a million of money.
1865 Sat. Rev. 11 Nov. 614 A few millionaire families.
Hence Millionai redom, the condition of being
a millionaire. Millionairess jocular, a female
millionaire. Millionai rish a., of or pertaining
to a millionaire. MillionaiTism, the existence
or rule of millionaires as a characteristic of a social
system.
1881 J. Payn Grapefrom a Thorn xiii, Even though he
married an heiress or even a Millionairess. 1888 Pall Mall
G. 8 Feb. 4/2 The schoolboy of to-day, with his millionairish
ideas of pocket-money. >. 1890 A. Murdoch Yoshhoara
Episode 23 He had not as yet struck the path that leads
unto millionai redom. 1891 Harper's Mag. Jan. 320/2 Our
political turmoil, our demagogism, our miluonairism.
Millionary (mHysnari), a. and sb. [f. Million
+ -arv, after K millionnaire : see prec] A. adj.
1. Possessing millions (of money).
1816 Jefferson Writ. (1830) IV. 284 All this to feed the
avidity of a few millionary merchants. 1897 Kipling
Captains Courageous 230 He had a dread that these mil-
lionary people . . might take undue interest in his companion.
2. Pertaining to or consisting of millions
(Pinkerton, cited by Webster 1864).
B. sb. «= Millionaire.
1834 Eraser's Mag. IX. r 16 And sighs— the millionary sighs
— for more. 1855 Mrs. Gore Mammon II. 81 Fortunately
for the new millionary, his wife, like the spouse of John
Gilpin, possessed a frugal mind. 1873 M. Collins Squire
Silckester II. vi. 70 Could not some English millionary give
a few hundred thousands to endow such an institution 't
Millioned (mi-lyand), a. [f. Million + -ed 2.]
1. Numbered by the million.
In the Shaks. quot. milliond may be a form of million.
(So often in mod. dialects.)
c 1600 Shaks. Sonn. cxv, But reckening time, whose
milliond accidents Creepe in twixt vowes, and change
decrees of Kings. 1749 Deity 41 Thy hand thou open'st,
million 'd myriads live. 1899 ' H. Deluscar ' Merris 157
The ramping, millioned mob.
2. Possessed of millions (of money).
1747 P. Whitehead Honour (1748) 44 The milhon'd
Merchant seeks her [Honour] in his Gold. 1858 O. W.
Holmes Aut. Breakf.-t. ii, A few Northern millionaires
more or less thoroughly millioned.
MILLIONER.
451
MILLSTONE.
Millioner (mrlyanw). [f. Million +-ER1.] |
^ Millionaire.
1882 Lowell Last Poems (1895) 38 No millioner, poor \
I fill up With wishes my more modest cup.
Millioner, obs. form of Milliner.
Millionfold (mrlyanfonld^, <z. and adv. [f. I
Million + -fold.] a. adj. A million times as i
much or as many. b. adv. A million times (in i
amount) ; in a millionfold proportion : always I
with the indefinite article a.
1865 Masson Rec. Brit. Philos. 256 Strengthened, enlarged,
and educated by millionfold repetitions and associations. 1
1869 Proctor Light Sci. Let's. Hours (1871) 296 The radius
, .might be increased a million-fold.
Millionism (mrlyaniz'm). [f. Million + i
-ism.] The state of possessing a million (of money), j
1858 O. W. Holmes Ant. Breakf-t. xii, The tea-spoon is
of white silver,.. solid, but not brutally heavy,— as people in <
the green stage of millionism will have them.
Millionist (mHyanist). rare~x, [f. Million '
+ -ist.] A millionaire.
1834-43 Southev Doctor ccxxxiii, His revenue is less
than that of many a.. commercial Millionist.
Millionize (mrlyanaiz), v. [f. Million +
-ize.] trans, a. To multiply by a million or
millions, b. To enrich greatly or to the extent of
millions (of money).
c 1700 Eternity m Coll. Poems 90 Ages, Worlds, Thousands, I
Myriads Millionize, Fatigue Conception, 'twill not all com-
prize Thee, O Eternity ! 1841 R. Oastler Fleet Papers I.
xii. 96 Which enables a very large capitalist to ruin a whole
neighbour hood, and millionize himself.
Hence Millionized a., accustomed to millions.
1849 Smyth in Archaeologia XXXIII. 201 To our now 1
millionized conceptions the foregoing 'accompts ' appear to
be in a very moderate ratio.
Millionnaire, French form of Millionaire.
Millionocracy (midyanpkrasi). nonce-wd. [f.
Million + -(o)cracy.] The rule of millionaires.
i860 O. W. Holmes Elsie V. 1, The millionocracy..is not
at all an affair of persons and families, but a perpetual fact
of money with a variable human element.
tMi llionous, a. Obs. rare—1, [f. Million +
-OU3.] Numbered by the million.
1666 G. Alsop Char. Prov. Maryland (i860) 42 They
[water-fowl] arrive in millionous multitudes in Mary-Land
about (he middle of September.
Millionth (mi'lyanjt), a. (sb.) Also 7-8 mil-
lioneth. [f. Million, on the analogy of Hun-
dredth.] The ordinal number belonging to the
cardinal Million. Millionth part, one of a
million equal parts into which a whole is or may
be divided. Also absol.y attrib., and quasi-.r£.
1673 Flamsteed in Rigaud Corr. Sci. Men (1841) II. 164
So that I find the earth is but the millionth part of the sun.
1684 T. Burnet Th. Earth I. 312 Tis not the millioneth
part of the universe that is known to us. c 1763 Bayes in
Phil. Trans. LIII. 410 There would be the odds of the
millioneth power of 2 to one. 1838 De Morgan Ess. Probab.
28 A millionth of certainty, a 1853 Robertson Led. i. (1858)
14 It is but the millionth part of the injury which may arise
from a bad law. 1876 Caial. Sci. Apparatus S. Kens. Mus.
(1877) 49 Millionth Measuring Machine. 1893 Sir R- Ball
Story of Sun 94 The millionth part of a second.
Milliped, variant of Millepede.
Millistere (mi-listwi). [a. F. millistere : see
Milli- and Stere.] In the metric system : A
thousandth part of a Stere.
1S10 Naval Chron. XXIV. 301 Millistere, cubic Decimeter. I
Millitary, Millium, obs.ff.MiLiTART, Milium. '
Mallium sole : see Millensole.
Millivolt (mHivplt). Physics, [f. Milli- + 1
Volt.] The thousandth part of a volt.
1890 in Century Diet.
Milliweber (mMiwfbw). Physics* [f. Milli- |
+ Weber.] The thousandth part of a weber.
1897 in Webster.
Mill-ken. slang. Obs. [f. Mill r, 2+ Ken.]
A housebreaker.
1669 Nicker Nicked in Harl. Misc. (1809) II. 108 Kid-
nappers, vouchers, mill-kens, piemen, decoys [etc.]- 1673 in
R. Head Canting Acad. 191 The fourth is a Mill-ken, to
crack up a Door. 1743 Fielding Jon. Witdi.v, The same
capacity which qualifies a Mill-ken., to arrive at any degrees
of eminence., would likewise raise a man in what the world
esteem a more honourable calling.
Mill-lands, pi. [Mill sb.1] Certain lands |
which by legal custom appertained to a corn-mill,
esp. in Scotland.
1563 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 24$ Tua mylnis of North
Berwick, with the myllandis, multuns, and sukkin thairof.
c 1680 Dallas Stiles (1697) 724 The Towns, Lands, Milns,
Miln-Lands, Patronages, Teinds, and other after-mentioned !
[etc]. 1710 Contract in Sheriff Court-bk. Inverness (MS.) j
(5 Apr. 1723), The miln of Davochgarrioch, miln Lands, I
multures, sucken, sequells and Knaveship of the samyn j
[etc.]. 189a Blomfield Hist. Over Heyford 15 AH rents \
and farm of the mill-lands and tenements.
Mill-leat. [Mill sb.1] An artificial channel
for the conveyance of water to a mill.
1609-10 Act 7 Jas. /, c. 19 § 1 A newe Milleate or Trench
far the Conveyance of the said Water to the said Milles.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Leat or Mill-leat, corruptly Mill-
eat, a Trench for conveying Water to or from a Mill. 1832
Act 2 Sf 3 Will. IV, c. 64 Sched. (O) 9 Along Hall's Mill
lane to the point at which the same meets the Mill leat.
Millman (mrlmsen). [f. Mill sb.1 + Man sb.]
a. A man who has charge of and works a mill
of any kind. b. A man employed in a mill.
1551-a Act $%■ 6 Edw. VI) c. 6 § 6 Vf. .any Clothe, .prove.,
thoroughe the defaulte or negligence of the Milman or other-
wise to be full of holes [etc.]. 1837 Hawthornk Twice-told
T. (1851) I. vii. 136 The whole population of Parker's Falls,
consisting of shopkeepers, mistresses of boarding houses,
factory girls, millmen, and schoolboy-;. 1874 Raymond
Statist. Mines <$■ Mining 501 You cannot ask the mill-man
to vary the weight or speed of his stamps. 1885 Manch.
Exam. 25 Mar. §{4 The puddlers and millmen. .resolved.,
to give their services, for a week, gratuitously.
Mi'11-mou ntain. ? Obs. [Of obscure origin ;
the 1633 editor of Gerarde says the plant was sold
under this name at Winchester.] Fairy flax,
Lintim catharticum.
1633 Gerarde^s Herbal 11. clxvii. 560 Take a hnndfull of
Mill mountaine [etc.]. 1640 Parkinson Theat. Hot. 1336.
1828 J. E. Smith Eng. Flora II. 119 Purging Flax. Mill-
mountain.
tMi'llocke. Obs. rare—0, [f. Mill sb,1 +
-ock.] A little mill.
1570 Levins Manip. 1 50/12 Millocke. parua mola.
Millocracy (milfrkrasi}. noncc-wd. [f. Mill
^.1 + -(o)cracv.] The rule of mill-owners; the
body of mill-owners regarded as a dominant class.
1843 Carlvle Past. <f Pr. in. i, In hydra-wrestle, giant
' Millocracy' so-called, .wrestles and wrings.
Millocrat (mi -bkrset). [f. M 1 ll sb.1 +
-(o)cbat.] A member of the mill-owning class
viewed as a ruling caste.
1839 Mrs. F. Trollope M. A rmstrong xiii, Millocrats who
pile thousands upon thousands, and acres upon acres. 1851
W. E. Aytoun in Btackw. Mag. LXX. 227, I prefer a feudal
baron to a modern millocrat.
Hence Millo'cratism, the rule of the millocrats.
1849 Lvtton Caxtons sail. iv. II. 334 The misery which
accompanies the reign of millocratism.
Millon, obs. form of Melox, Milan.
Mill-pick, -peck. [f. Mill ^.i + Pick sb.,
Peck sb.-\ An iron tool for giving to mill-stones
the requisite corrugated surface.
c 1357 Durham Ace. Rolls (Surtees* 560, 6 Milnpikkes.
1525 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxf (1880) 55 The makyng
of spyndyll and the myll pycks. 1588 in Nichols Progr.
Q. Eliz. 11823) 11'- 3 Furred throrough with mynnyover and
calloper like myll pykes. 1880 Jefferies Gt. Estate 163
The millpeck is a little tool like a double adze.
b. Her. A figure or representation of a mill-pick.
1562 Leigh Armorie < 1597) 92 b, The Frenchmen take it
[the Fusil] for a spindell,..and the Dutchmen take it for
a milpeck. 1634 Peacham Gentl. Exerc. lit. 150 Very
honourable and ancient. As the Crosse Moline (given by
the. .family of Molineux) Mil-peckes, and most irons apper-
taining to the Mill. 1874 Pai'worth &. Morant Ord. Brit.
Arm. 970. Arg. three mill-picks gu. Pickxvorth.
So f DCill picker, one who fashions the grinding
surfaces of millstones.
c 1515 Cocke LorelVs B. 5 Here is wyll wyly the myl peker.
Mill-pond. [Mill sb.1] The water retained
above a mill-dam for driving a mill. Also attrib.
1697 Dampier Voy. I. 217 It was quite calm, and the Sea
as smooth as a Mill-pond. 1766 Smollett Trav. I. xix. 301
In the month of November, when the Mediterranean is
always calm and smooth as a mill-pond. 1886 A. Winchell
Walks Geol. Field 51 The farmer's fields contributed the
material that lies in the bottom of the mill-pond.
attrib. axyab Evelyn Sylva in. iv. (1776) 521 Lay there-
fore your boards a fortnight in the water, (if running, the
better, as at some mill-pond head).
b. humorous. The Atlantic, esp. that part of
the ocean traversed by ships passing between
Britain and North America. Cf. Herring-pond.
1865 G. Allen Babylon xi. (1886) 79 And now, while
Minna Wroe was waiting at table in Regent's Park,.. how
was our other friend Hiram Winthrop employing his time
beyond the millpond ?
Mill-pool. [Mill sb.1] A mill-pond.
c8oo in Birch Cartul. Sax. I. 418 In bone mylen pol of
bam pole to baere port straete. C883 Ibid. II. 174 On myle
pul of mylen pulle in afene stream, c 1530-40 J. Hevwood
Play of Wether 461 (Brandl) Our floodgate, our mylpoole,
our water whele. 1604 Breton Grimellos Fortunes D iv,
This . . man, drawing one daie a Mill-poole, among other fish,
lighted on a verie great Eele. 1808 Sporting Mag. XXX.
248 The mill-pool of Mr. Rodwell of East Harling, Norfolk.
1905 Macm. Mag. Nov. 6 The chub are beginning to rise in
the mill-pool.
Mill-post. [f. Mill sb.1 + Post sb.]
1. The post on which a windmill was formerly
often supported. Often in similative phrases, as
the type of something thick and massive; hence
jocularly a massive leg.
a 1327 Pol. Songs (Camden) 70 The Kyng. .Makede him a
castelof amulnepost. 1378-9 Durham Ace. Rolls (Surtees)
588,2milnepo5tes,4J. 156a J. He\wood Prov. fy Epigr.(iS6?)
204 A pooddyng pricke is one, a mylpost is an other. 159a
G. Harvey Pierces Super. Wks. (Grosart) II. 244 He hath
thwittled the milpost of his huge conceit to a pudding-pricke.
1668 R. L'Estbange Vis. Quev. (1708) 27 A dressing with
Dr. Whackum's Plaister, that shall fetch up a Man's Leg to
the size of a Mill-post. 01704 T. Brown Walk round
Lond.^ Quakers Meet. (1709) 21 His Mill-post Legs are well
adapted for the Load of his Body. 1727 Swift Wonder of
Wonders Wks. 1755 II. 11. 57 Her legs are as thick as mill-
posts. 1739 ; R. Bull ' tr. Dedekindus' Grobianus 4 Let
dangling Stockings, with becoming Air, Leave to the Sight
your brace of Mill-posts bare. 1855 Lady Holland Syd.
Smith I. vii. 163 Out-of-doors reigned Molly Mills,.. with
her short red petticoat, legs like mill-posts [etc.]. 1858 Hogg
Life Shelley II. 247 The daughters of Erin lost no oppor-
tunity of exhibiting their millposts to an unprejudiced and*
observant stranger.
2. U.S. ' A post upon which the cap of a smock-
mill, bearing the sails, turns' {Cent. Did. 1890).
Mi' 11- race. [f. Mill .nM + Race sb.] The
current of water that drives a mill-wheel ; the
channel in which the water runs to the mill.
M7*H? Durham Ace. Rolls (Surtees 647 Operantibus in
muracione murorum et posicione del Milnras^es et le bay
ejusdem molendini. 1536-7 Ibid. 702 Le mylnerasse de
Scaltok. 1822 BtwicK Mem. 49 Oti.ers were dicing a
mill-race of about a quarter of a mile in length. 1874 Grken
Short Hist. ii. § 7. 100 To rescue his hawk, .he once plunged
into a millrace, and was all but crushed by the wheel.
Millree, -reye, obs. forms of Milkeis.
Mill-rind milroind. Also 6-9 -rynd, 7-8
milrine. [f. Mill sb.1 4- Kind sb.] The iron
which supports the upper millstone of a corn-mill,
and carries the eye which rests upon the end of the
mill spindle.
1542 Rutland MSS. (1905) IV. 325 A spendyll and a melle
rynd for the lyttel Itallyon melle. iSyoEug. Mech. n Mar.
624 '1 ' Back la>h '. .frequently occasions a ' break down ' by
fracturing the ' millrynd '. 1888 J. Wakd in Jrnl. Derbysh.
Ar^hxol. Sac, X. 54 Mr. Jno. Evans .. suggest that they
were for the insertion of a ' millrine *.
b. Her. A conventional representation of this.
1562 Lek;h Armorie (1597] 34 b, Vee should cal it a Ferde-
molene, which is as much to say, as a Milri:id. 1680 Mac-
kenzie Heraldry 46 A cross milrine. 1727 Bailey vol. II,
s.v., A Cross Milrine^ is a Cross that has the 4 Ends clamped
and turned again .. only the Milrine hath but 2 Limbs,
whereas the Cross Moline hath 4. 1874PAPW0BTH & Morant
Ord. Brit. Arm. 956 Or on a rnillrind sa. five estoilts arg.
Mill-round. The circular path travelled by
a mill-horse. In quots.yijf.
1851 Emerson Ess. Ser. 1. vi. Motto, O Friend .. The
mill-round of our fate appears A sun-path in thy worth. 1897
Allbutt's Syst. Med. VIII. 377 Melancholies left to their
own thoughts are assuredly beating the mill-round of their
disorder deeper and deeper.
Millstone (mi*lst<?un). Forms : ^ee Mill j£.'
and Stone sb. [f. Mill sb.1 + Stone sb.; cf. Du.
molensteen, MHG. miilstein (mod.G. muhlstein ,
Da. mfllesten.]
1. One of a pair of circular stones (the upper
of which rotates upon the lower or ' nether ' ,
used for grinding corn in a mill. Nether mill-
stone', see Nether a.
c 1050 Ags. Voc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 273/1 Lima, mylenstan.
Ibid. 430/28 Lima, feol, o35e mylenstan. 4-1290 S. Eng.
Leg. I. 316 580 A Mulleston, hescholdeal-to-driue. c 1380
Wvclif Wks. (1880) 61 It spedib to him bat a mylneston of
assis be hangtd in his necke. 1393 Langl. P. PI. C. xxi. 255
Sette mahon at be mangonel and mulle-stones broweb.
t" 1450 Mirour Saluacioun 4041 A pece of a mylnestone
threwe doune there a womman. 1560 Bible (Geneva) Rev.
xviii. 21 Then a mightie Angel toke vp a stone like a great
milstone, & cast it into the sea. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj.y
151 They malitiouslie occupyes ane greater space betwix
the happer and the mylnstane, for their awin profite. 1622
Drayton Poly-olb. xxv'u 391 Shee Mil-stones from the
puarrs, with sharpned picks could get. 1751 J. Ferguson
in Fam. Rose Kilravock (Spald. CI.) 443 The water-wheel
moves a train for turning two mill-stones. 1877 Bryant
Song of Soiver ii, Steadily the millstone turns Down in the
willowy vale.
b. Stone suitable for the making of millstones.
1661 J. Childrey Brit. Baconica 153 Millstone is digged
in this shire.
c. Carpenter s millstone (see quot.).
1859 R. Hunt Guide Mus. Pract. Geol. (ed. 2) 55 The car-
penter's millstone, is a hard and close variety of the Yorkshire
sandstones.
d. Her. A representation of a millstone (usually
depicted with the mill-rind attached).
1688 R. Holme Armoury in. 341/1 He beareth Sable,
a Mil-Ston Argent. 1874 Papworth & Morant Ord. Brit.
Arm. 1100 Az, three millstones ppr. Melveton.
2. In phrases : To see far in {into, through}, to
look into (through)^ to dive into a millstone, used
chiefly in ironical commendation of pretended
extraordinary acuteness.
1546 J. Heywood Prov. (1867) 21 She thought Ales, she
had seene far in a milstone Whan she gat a husbande, 1577
Stanyhurst Descr. Irel. in Holinshed (1808) VI. 18 He
would see further in a milstone than others. 1580 Lyly
Euphues Wks. 1902 II. 67 Your eyes are so sharpe, that
you cannot onely looke through a Milstone, but cleane
through the mind. 16*5 Hart Anat. Ur. n. vii. 92 They. .
could see as farre into a milstone as any of our. .Physitians.
a 1704 T. Brown Lett, to Gentl. <$• Ladies Wks. 1709 III.
11. 93 Thou..can'st see as far into a Mill-stone, as the oldest
Match-maker in Town. 1871 C. Gibbon Lack of Gold ii,
That's all the length your learning helps you to see through
a mill-stane.
^i b. (His) eyes drop millstones : said of a hard-
hearted person. (Perhaps suggested by the hyper-
bolical phrase in quot. c 1400.)
[c 1400 Beryn Prol. 35 Teris..As grete as eny mylstone.]
1594 Shaks. Rich. Ill, 1. iii. 354 Your eyes drop Mill-stones,
when Fooles eyes fall Teares. 1606 — Tr. <V Cr. L ii. 158.
1607 Caesar <r PomPey 11. iv. C 3, Mens eyes must mil-stones
drop, when fooles sned teares.
f c. Of dice : To run a millstone.
1680 Cotton Compi. Gamester (ed. 2) 11 Placing the one
[die] a top the other, not caring if the uppermost run a
Mill-stone (as they use to say) if the undermost run without
turning. 1680 Kikkman Eng. Rogue iv. xvi. 226 Knapping,
123 - 2
MILLSTONE GRIT.
452
MILTER.
is when you strike one Die dead, either at Tables or Haz-
zard let the other run a Milstone, as we use to say.
3. fig. a. A heavy burden (suggested by Matt,
xviii. 6) ; b. a grinding or crushing instrument.
aijMO Sewel Hist. Quakers (1795) I. IV. 272 When I
was between the mill-stones, and as one crushed with
the weight of his adversary. 1787 Bentham De/, Usury
x. 109 The mill-stone intended for the necks of those vermin
. .the dealers in com, was found to fall upon the heads of the
consumers. 1875 Stubbs Const. Hist. II. xiv. 99 John's
heart was of millstone, Henry's of wax. 1877 'Rita'
Vivienne iv. iv, It is the millstone they hang round our
necks.
f4. The appellation of a form of taxation in Spain.
1630 A*. JohnsotCs Ki'igd. fy Cotumw. 232 There doe not
want also other meanes and devices to raise money, as the
imposition of the Milstone; which as it is supposed,, .will
amount to two millions of gold yearely. 1642 Howell For.
'J'rav. (Arb.) 74 The Tally and taillage of France, the
Milstone of Spaine, . . the Gabels of Italy.
5. Bell-founding. (See quot.)
1756 Diet. Arts fy Sci. s. v, Foundery of Bells, The stake
is surrounded with a solid brick-work perfectly round, 5 or 6
inches high, and of a diameter equal to that of the bell.
This they call a mill-stone.
6. attrib. , as mil 1st one -maker, -quarry ; mill-
stone bridge (see quot.) ; millstone dress =
Dress sb. 3 c; millstone dresser, (a) a machine
for cutting grooves in the grinding-face of a mill-
stone (Knight Diet, Meeh. 1875); (b) one who
dresses or prepares millstones (Cent, Diet. 1890);
millstone hammer, pick = Mill-pick (Knight);
f millstone rag, a coarse stone suitable for the
making of millstones; f millstone silver, the
fee payable for the grinding of corn.
Also in many technical terms, as millstone-alarm, -bal-
ance, -bushy -crane, -curb, •driver, -exhaust, -feed, -hoist :
see Knight Diet. Meeh. 1875 and Suppl. 1884.
1875 Knight Diet, Meeh. 1443/1 * Millstone-bridge, the
bar across the eye of a millstone by which it is supported
on the head of the spindle. 1875 Ibid., The draft of a *mill-
stone dress is the degree of deflection of its furrows from
a radial direction. 1876 Dunglison Med. Lex,. * Millstone'
makers'' Phthisis, a form of severe bronchitis dependent on
the inhalation of the fine particles which separate in the
manufacture of millstones. 1806 Gazetteer Scoll. (ed. 2) 9
Two *millstone quarries of excellent quality are wrought to
good account. 1709 Hearne Collect. 16 Apr. (O. H. S.) II.
187 Coarse "millstone rag. x66x Min. Baron Crt.Stitchill
(1905) 21 Dew for payment of Grass maill & *mylle stain
silver at thes term of Mertinmas.
Millstone grit. Geol. [f. Millstone +
Giut sbA] A hard siliceous rock belonging to
the carboniferous series and occupying in Britain
and elsewhere a stratigraphical position imme-
diately below the coal-measures.
1786 Whitehurst Orig. St. Earth (ed. 2) 182 Millstone-
Grit, . . a coarse sandstone, composed of granulated quartz
and quartz pebbles. 1813 Bakewell fntrod, Geol. 136 A mass
of coarse grit-stone, called by Mr. Whitehurst mill-stone
grit. 1876 Page Adv. Texl-bk. Geol. xiv. 250 Thick beds of
quartzose sand-stone known as the millstone grit.
Mill-tail. [f. Mill sbA + Tail j*.] The
water which runs away from a mill-wheel; also,
the channel in which the water runs away.
1611 Cotgr. s. v. Moulin, He that hurts himselfe to helpe
others, will dye of thirst at the Mill-tayle. 1667 Boston Rec.
(i88i)VII. 33 Will Whitwell hath liberty. .to wharfe one
the North side of the mille taile for landing wood. 1724
De Foe's Tour Gt. Brit. I. m. 87 The Mill Tayl, or Floor
for the Water below the Wheels is Wharft up on either
Side with Stone. 1887 Sir R. H. Roberts In t/te Shires x.
166 [HeJ tells me the mill-tail is full offish !
attrib. 1875 Croll Climate <$• T, vi. 113 This, .water. .
would flow off in currents with almost mill-tail velocity.
t Mi'llward. Obs. Forms : 1 mylenwyrd,
myleweard, 4 milwarde, 5 millewarde, myl-
nard, 6 Sc. mylvart, 7 Sc, milwar(e, 8-9 .Sir.
millart, 9 dial, millard, -ert. [OK. myle(n)-
weard, f. mylen Mill sb.1 + weard Ward sb.s
keeper.] Originally, the keeper of a (manorial)
mill; in later use = Miller i.
c xooo ^Elfric Gloss, in Wr.-Wiilcker 141/1 Molendinart'us,
net molinarius, mylenwyrd. £"1050 Vac. ibid. 448/18 Mo-
lendarius, myleweard. c 1305 Pilate 6 in E. E. P. (1862) in
\>e meleward bat hire fader was. 1380 Poll Tax in Rogers
Oxf .City Doc. (1891)11 DeWUIelmoreMulIewardet Johanna
vxore eius xviij.a. 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) IV. 319
He gat a sone on oon Pila a milwardes doujter bat heet
Atus. c 1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode 111. xvii.(i869) 144 Mille-
wardes also that filleth here resoun with oute clepinge of
resoun. 1598 Aberdeen Reg. (1848) II. 175 Alexander Mar-
schall, mylvart at the natner mylne of this burght. 1650
Croy Parish Session Min. Bk. 16 Aug. (MS,), Alexander
McPhail Milware. Ibid. 15 Sept., Ye minister having askit
ye elderie . . giffe yai did try any privat hanting betwixt ye
said William Dolas and his Milwars wyflfe yai . . Declairis
yat yai could not [etc.]. c 1760 Skinner Christmas Baling
xxv. in Misc. Poet. (1809) 130 The millart's man, a suple
fallow, Rail's he had been red wud. 1880 Mrs. Parr Adam
fy Eve xiii, I've brushed till my arms ache, but my things is
still like a millard's. x88x htstr. Census Clerks (1885)62
Corn miller.. .Millard.
Mill-weir (milwl^j). [f. Mill ^.i + Weir.]
■■ Mill-dam.
1044 in Kemble Cod. Dipl. IV. 92 Andlang streames $aet
it cymS to 6am mylewere. 1890 in Century Diet.
Millwell, variant of Mulvel.
Mill-wheel, [f. Mill^.i + Wheels.]
1. A wheel used to drive a mill, esp. a water-
wheel used for that purpose.
c 1000 Sax. Leechd. Ill, 232 Seo heofon .. tyrn5 onbutan
us, swiftre bonne senix mylnn-hweol. c 1460 Towneley Myst.
xii. 126 Syr, a letter of youre grace, Here comys slaw-pase
ffro the myln whele. 1591 Spenser Daphn. lxii, So all the
world . . round about doth goe Like a Mill-wheele in midst
of miserie. 1610 Shaks. Temp. 1. ii. 281 Imprison'd, thou
didst painefully remaine A dozen yeeres : . . where thou didst
vent thy groanes As fast as Mill-wheeles strike. 1789 J. Pil-
kincton View Derby I. 344 Cogs for mill-wheels are made
of it. 1871 B. Taylor Faust (1875) I. iv. 78, I feel as stupid
from all you've said, As if a mill wheel whirled in my head.
b. Her. A figure or representation of this.
1688 R. Holme Armoury m. 341/1 He beareth Azure.. a
Mill Wheel, or a Clock Wheel, Argent. 1874 Papworth &
Morant Ord. Brit. Arm. 1122 Gu. three mill-wheels or.
Chawcers.
c. Jig. or in figurative context.
1861 Mrs. Norton Lady La G. III. 122 Till in his brain
the grief he tries to cheat, A dreary mill-wheel circling
seems to beat. 1891 Kipling Light that Failed (1900) 210
The mill-wheel of thought swung round slowly.
t 2. A form of grindstone employed for polishing
armour. Obs.
1473-4 Ace. Ld. High Treas. Scot. (1877) I. 65 Gevin to
Cuthbert Knychtsone .. for mylne quhelis for the dich[t]ing
of the Kingis harnes.
Millwin, variant of Mulvel.
Millwright, [f. Mill sbl + Wright.] An
engineer or mechanic whose occupation it is to
design or set up mills or mill machinery.
1481-90 Howard Househ. Bks. (Roxb.) 107 The same day,
I payd to Bochen the mylle wryte vj.s. viij.d. 1561-3 Act
5 Eliz. c. 4 § 23 Tharte or Occupation of a Smithe . . Myll-
wright, Carpenter [etc.]. 1650 B. Discollimininm 14 A
French Millwright who was an exquisite workman. 170a
Savery Miner's Friends According to the different Genius
and Abilities of the Mill-right. 1866 Hatfield Hist. Notices
Doncaster I. 203 Experiments, .were made by a mill-wright.
attrib. 1835 Ure Philos. Manuf. 35, I have frequently
been at a loss, in walking through several of the millwright
factories, to know whether the polished shafts, .were at rest
or in motion.
Hence MiTlwrigrhting' vbl. sb.} the labour or
trade of a millwright.
18.. Engineering LXVII. 63 (Cent.) Engineering and
millwrighting, though synonymous, are often two distinct
branches in a shop.
t Milly. Obs. Also 7 millya,millio,mil(l)ia.
[a. Pg. milho Millet: cf. Mealie.] A kind of
millet.
a 1600 May in Hakluyfs Voy. III. 571 In this pangaia
we had certaine corne called millio. 16x3 Purchas Pil-
grimage (16:4) 650 The Guineans.. stamp thetr milia as
we do spice,.. and grinde it.. till it be dowe, which they
temper with fresh water and salt, and make rolls thereof.
1629 Capt. J. Smith Trav. <$■ Adv. Wks. (Arb.) 856 Their
bread is made of. .Cuskus a small white seed like Millya
in Biskay. 166$ Golden Coast 14 Their Corn is of two sorts,
1 Milly. 2 Mais. 1 Milly, and that hath lone Ears, and
is a seed of colour like Hemp-seed, and long like Canary-
seed, having no shells, but growing in a little husk, which
is very white within. Ibid. 76 Their bread is of Millia, or
Mais, baked on a warme Harth.
Millyon, Miln(e, obs. ff. Million, Mill sbA
Milner, obs. variant of Miller and Milliner.
II Milord (mi\or). [F. milord (in 16th c.
milour), a. Kng. my lord (set Lord sb. 15). Cf.
It. milordo ; also the following Scottish example :
1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. I. 14 Thair ar
Knichtes, Barrounis and mony vthiris Nobilis, quhome we
cal milordis.]
The French designation for: An English lord;
often applied to any wealthy Englishman.
1824 Byron yuan xvi.xxxviii, 'Jest !' quoth Milor. 1863
Sala Qualk the Circumnav. 70 An eccentric child of Albion,
a milord, afflicted with the ' spleen '. 1876 Geo. Eliot Dan.
Der. livj The milord, owner of the handsome yacht.
Milreis (mi'lr^s). Also 6 millreye, 6, 8
milrey, 7 milreise, milleray, 8 mill-ree, mil-
rea, 9 milree. [a. Pg. milreis., f, mil thousand
+ reis (see Reis).] A Portuguese gold coin and
money of account equal to 1,000 Reis, and of the
value of 4J. $$d. English money. Also, a Brazilian
silver coin of the value of 2s. id.
In the 17th cent, the Portuguese milreis was valued at
between 131. and 14^,, and afterwards at 10s.
1589 Discourse Voy. Spaine fy Port. 9 Missing of their
Portegues and Milrayes they dreamed on in Portingall.
1598 W. Phillip tr. Linschoten 1, iii. 4 The Master and
Pilot haue . . each man 120 Milreyes, euery Milreyes being
worth . . seauen guilders. x6ix Cotgr., Milrai, a Milleray ;
a coyne of gold worth betweene 13 and 14 shillings sterl.
1694 tr. Milton's Lett. State Wks. 1 738 1 1. 205 Seven thousand
of our Pounds, or twice as many Milreys of Portugal Money.
1721 C. King Brit. Mereh. I. 348 They have cost. .22 Mill-
rees per Pipe at a Medium. 1885 Pall Mall G. 17 Mar. 5/2
Government intend to propose certain measures tending to
restore to par the real value of the milreis — namely, is. 3d.
1890 Daily News 25 Jan. 5/6 The paper milrei is now
worth ?6d.
Milrine,obs.f.MiLL-RiND;Milse,var.MiLCE^.
Milsey (mi'lsi). Se. Forms : 6 milsie, 9
milcie, 9- milsey. [Contraction of milk-sye (see
Milk sb. 9 a). Cf. milk-sieve (ibid. : perh. an
interpretative rendering of this word) and MlLK-
sile.] A milk-strainer.
1724 Rob's Jock iv. in Ramsay's Tea-i. Misc. (1775) 1. 182
A milsie and a sowen-pail. 1811 W. Aiton Agrie. Ayr.
451 The milk is dropped through a sieve (provincially called
a milsey).
attrib. 1801 J. Thomson in Mod. Scott. Poets (1893) XV.
317 It minds me 0' a mikie-clout Nae sooner filled than it
rins out.
Milsi, Milstone, var. ff. Milce v., Millstone.
Milt (milt), sb. Forms : 1 multi, milti, i, 3-6
milte, 4-6 mylte, 5-6 mylt, 6 melte, 4, 6- (now
dial.) melt, 6 milt. [OE. mille str. masc, also
wk. fern., spleen = OFris. mille fern., spleen, MDu.
milte (Du. milt) fern., spleen, also milt of fish,
OHG. mihi neut. (MHG. milze neut., mod.G.
milz fern.), ON. milti neut., spleen (OSw. mjdlte,
mjaltery milter, mod.Sw. mjelte masc., Da. miltt
spleen, Norw. mjelte masc., spleen, milt offish) :—
OTeut. types *milljo-f *miltjSn-, perh. f. the root
of Melt v., with reference to the supposed diges-
tive function of the spleen. The sense t spawn of
fish' may have been adopted from Du.; as the
milt of a fish is of soft substance like the spleen,
the transferred use was not unnatural, but it was
no doubt helped to gain currency by the resem-
blance in sound between milt and milk (Du.
milch : see Milk sb.)> the older name for the soft
roe of fish. The sense also exists in Norwegian,
where it is to be noted that mjelte milt is homo-
phonous with mjelte a milking, connected with
ON. mialta to milk.
The spelling multi in the Epinal Glossary cannot be ex-
plained with certainty, but it certainly cannot represent an
ablaut-variant, of which there is no trace in any Teut. lang.J
I. 1. The spleen in mammals ; also, an analogous
organ in other vertebrate animals.
a 700 Epinal Gloss. 594 Lien, multi. cjz$ Corpus Gloss.
(Hessels) L. 172 Lien, milte. Ibid. S. 472 Splenis, milte.
c 1000 Sax. Leechd. II. 242 Hu se milte bi3 emlang & ga>
derten^e fcere wambe hajfS bynne filmene sio haf8 fette &
piece scdra. c 1250 Death 171 in O. E. Misc. 178 Nu schal
for-rotien. .pi mahe and bi milte H liure and pi lunge. 1398
Trevisa Barth. De P. R. v. xll (1495) 157 The substaunce
of the mylte is blacke. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes o/Aymon L
52 His nayles stacke in to my lyuer and my mylte. 1533
Elyot Cast. Helthe (1541) 22 The splene or mylte is of yl
juice, for it is the chamber of melancholy. 1658 Rowland
tr. Mou/et's Theat. Ins. 11 10 In the milts of Sheep .. innu-
merable worms are oft-times found, t 1720 W. Gibson
Farrier's Guide 1. ii. (1738) 12 The Spleen, or Milt is a soft,
spungy Substance. 1764 Museum Rust. II. Ii. 146 The
melt or spleen was very small and thin. 1847 W, C L.
Martin Ox 130 Inflammation of the spleen or melt.
b. attrib. and Comb., as milt-grown a.t affected
by an enlarged spleen ; milt-like a.t resembling
the substance of the mammalian milt ; milt-pain,
a disease amongst swine ; milt-sickness, a disease
of the spleen amongst cattle ; so milt-sick a. ;
+ milt-vein (see quot.) ; milt-wort = Miltwaste.
1731 Gentl. Mag. I. 101 [The world] has an ugly hoslcey
cough, and is *milt-grown. 1822-34 Good's Study Med.
(ed. 4) I. 187 One [polypus] is termed "miltlike by Professor
Munro. 1704 Diet. Rust, et Urb., *Milt-pain is a Disease
in Hogs, proceeding from greediness of eating Mast. 1882
Times of Natal 8 June, He never knew of a case of illness
from eating a *melt-sick ox. Ibid., An ox suffering from
* melt-sickness. 1597 A. M. tr. Guiltemean's Fr. Chirurg.
2q b/2 In the left hande, shee [the Liver vayne] is called the
*miltvayne. 1611 Cotgr., ScoloPendrie, Spleenwort,*Milt-
wort, Finger-fearn. 1668 Wilkins Real Char. Index,
Miltwort [text p. 71 Miltivast].
2. trans/. (See quot. 1599.)
1587 Mascall Govt. Cattle (1596) 106 If a colt when he is
fold do not cast his milt, husbandmen say he will not Hue
long, . . some colt will cast two miltes, no horse that Hues
xii. yeares hath any milt within him. 1599 A. M. tr. Gabet-
houer's Bk. Physicke 23/1 In the first foalinge of a Mare,
her Foale hath . . on the tung a peece of fleshe which re-
sembleth the Milt of an Oxe, and of some is also called
a Milt. 1677 Johnson in Ray's Corr. (1848^ 128 Horse-
men have not agreed what that is the foal is said to sneeze,
which they call a milt.
II. 3. The roe or spawn of the male fish ; the
1 soft roe ' of fishes.
1483 Caxton Gold. Leg. 77 b/i Open the fysshe and take
to the the herte the galle and the mylte. 1530 Palscr. 245/1
Mylte [of] a fysshe, la lat'cte; laiete depoisson. 1596 Dal-
kymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. I. 19 Quhen now thay ar
gutted, and the meltis takne out, thay [etc.). 1611 Cotgr.,
Laiete, the milt, or soft roe, of fishes. 1653 Walton Angler
viii. 162 You shall scarce or never take a Male Carp without
a Melt, or a Female without a Roe or Spawn. 1718 J. Cham-
berlavne Relig. Philos. (1730) II. xxii. § 36 Some of the
Females discharge their Spawn, and the males their Melt
or Seed in the Water near each other. 1884 Braithwaite
Salmonidae Westmld. \. 3 Milt is found in the males and
ova in females.
b. attrib.j as milt-like a., resembling the con-
tents of the soft roe of a fish.
1808 Edin. Rev. XI. 322 The milt-like fluid of the drones
might be seen in the cells.
Milt (milt), v. [f. prec] trans. *To im-
pregnate the roe or spawn of the female fish ' (J.).
1694 Motteux Rabelais v. xxxi. (1737) 143, I.. saw.. Fish
..milting, spawning. 1884 Field & Dec. 787/1 A female
[char] gave 146 eggs, which were milted from a male of the
same hybrid race.
Milter (mi-ltaj). Also 7 meltere, 8 miltor.
[f. Milt sb. + -er j ; perh. adopted from the equiva-
lent Du. milter.] a. A male fish, esp. in spawn*
ing time. b. = Milt sb. 3.
x6oi Holland Pliny I. 245 If a man do the same with
a female in spawning time, hee shall haue as many milters
follow after her. 1653 Walton Angler viii. 164 Three
MILTH.
453
MIMETIC.
Melters for one Spawner. 1718 Jacob Compl. Sportsman
121 The Spawner lays her Spawn, and upon it the Melter
drops his Milk. 1758 Dcscr. Thames 172 Then the Male,
or Miltor, advances, and covers the Spawn with his Belly.
1834 Medwin Angler in Wales I. 332 At this time also the
melter is more easily distinguished from the roe. 1883
Blackw. Mag. Feb. 281 A greater stock of ' Spawners ' and
' Milters' than its tributaries have room to contain.
t Miltli, sb. Obs. [f. Mild a. + -th.] Mercy.
Hence fMilth v. intr.f to have mercy (of, to).
f Mi'lthlich adv., kindly. fMi'lthness sb,,
mildness.
(Z1300 E. E. Psalter xxiv. 6 Laverd, of bine reuthes mine
bou mare, And of bine milbes of werld bat are. Ibid. xxiv.
11 Laverd, milpe to my sinne. Ibid. Iv. 1 Milbe of me,
lauerd, for man fortrade me. Ibid, lxxvi. 8 Or he sal awai
kerue is milbe in ende Fra geting and geting of strende.
Ibid. Ixxxvii. 12 Wher ani in thrughes sal telle bi milthnes.
c 1300 St. Brandan 51 He welcomede ous everechon milthe-
liche and suete.
t Milting, vbl. sb. (See quot. 1587.)
1587 Mascall Govt. Cattle (1506) 45 The milting of Oxe,
Cow, or other beast is called of husbandmen, when he will
sodaine lie down if ye shall stay neuer so little, being at
plough or cart. 1614 Markham Cluap Husb. (1623) 99 Of
milting of a beast. Milting, is when a beast will oft fall.
Miltonian (milt<7u*nian), a. [f, the name of
the poet John Milton + -ian.] Of or relating to
Milton, or resembling his style or imagery.
1708 J. Philips Cyder 1. 1 Thy gjft Pomona in Miltonian
verse Adventrous I presume to sing. 1816 Keats Epist.
C. C. Clarke 57 Miltonian storms, and more, Miltonian
tenderness. 187a Lowell Milton Prose Wks. 1890 IV. 76
It is merely a Miltonian way of saying that he took regular
exercise.
Miltonic (miltp'nik), a. (and sb.) [f. Milton :
see prec. and -10.]
1. adj. — prec.
1708 Gay Wine 15 Inspir'd, sublime, on Pegasean wing
By thee upborne, I draw Miltonic air. 1818 Byron Juan
Ded. x, If Time, the Avenger, execrates his wrongs, And
makes the word 'Miltonic' mean 'sublime' [etc.]. 1886
Swinburne Misc. 14 A Shakespearean adept may be a Mil-
tonic believer.
2. qnasi-jtf. Miltonic language.
1711 Henley Sped. No. 396 Pa That Mungrel miscreated
(to speak in Miltonic) kind of Wit, vulgarly termed the
Pun.
3. sb.pl. Verses of Milton, nonce-use.
179a Cowi'ER Wks. (1837) XV. 237 Having translated all
the Latin and Italian Miltonics, I was proceeding merrily
with the Commentary on the Paradise Lost.
Hence Milto'nically adv.
1905 Q. Rev. July 8 To speak Miltonically, the Muse
utters the oracle, and her ' prophet ' renders it in rhyme.
Miltonism (mrltaniz m). [f. .&/*'#<?«+ -ism.]
A form of expression imitating Milton.
180a Lamb Lett. (1888) I. igo Cowper's blank verse detains
you every step with some heavy Miltonism,
Miltonist (mi-ltanist). [f. Milton + -ist.] A
follower of Milton in his views on divorce.
1806 Symmons Milton (1810) 250 A party, distinguished
by the name of Miltonists, attested the power of his pen,
and gave consequence to his pleading for divorce. 1836
Southey Cowper III. 81 Hayley . . had reasons for being
what in the days of the Commonwealth was called a Mil-
tonist.
Miltonize (mHtanaiz), v. [f. Milton + -ize.]
a. trans. To impart a Miltonian dignity to. b.
intr. To imitate the literary style of Milton.
1 x%^ A theme um 2^ Feb. 254/3 This [.repainting] is a noble
example of Palmer's ability to Miltonize landscape. 1903
Academy 4 Apr. 336 Mr. Johnstone has .. gone to Milton
for his model, and Miltonizes as best he may.
Miltor, Milts, Miltschipe, var. ft*. Milter,
Milce, Mildship.
Miltwaste (mrltwg'st). Also 6-7 -wast, 7
-waist, [f. Milt sb.1 + Waste.] The finger-fern,
one of the spleenworts, Asplenium Ceterach.
1578 Lyte Dodoens ui. Ixv. 406 Of brode or large Splene-
wort or Miltwast. Ibid. in. lxvii.408 This herbe is called, .in
English. .Scaleferne, Finger feme.. and Myltewaste. 1657
B. W. Expert Phisician 189 Agrimony, Burnet, Miltwaist,
Mercury, each a handful. 1866 Treas. Bot. 258/2 A com-
monish native fern called Miltwaste or Scale Fern.
Milty (mi'lti), a. [f. Milt sb. + -y,] Re-
sembling or of the nature of the milt or spleen.
i66» J. Chandler Van Helmont's Oriat. 306 Nothing is
milty or like to the milt, if it do not swell with the properties
of the milt.
Milvine (miTvain), a. and sb. [ad. mod.L.
milvm-uSy f. L. milv-us kite + -ine.] a. adj. Per-
taining to a kite ; belonging to the genus Milvus
or the family Milvinx. b. sb. A member of the
genus Milvus or of the family Milvinse ; a kite.
1717 Bailey vol. II, Milviney belonging to a Kite or Glede.
1842 Brande Diet. Sci. etc., Milvines, Milvini, a family of
Raptorial birds, of which the kite {Milvus) is the type.
Hence Milvinous (milvai'nas) a., in the same
sense (Mayne Expos. Lex. 1856).
Milwarde, -well, -wyn, var. forms of Mill-
ward, Mulvel.
Milz(c)e, variant forms of Milce sb. Obs.
Mim (mim), a. Sc. and dial. [Imitative of
the action of pursing up the mouth; cf. Mum.]
Affectedly modest, demure, primly silent or quiet.
Also ' affecting great moderation in eating and
drinking' Jam.).
? 1679 Mc\Vard in Earnest Contend. Faith (1723) 323
The best of our Synods (for as mim as we have made it
to this Day) are justly chargeable with the Blood of that
renowned Martyr [Guthrie]. 17x5 Kamsay Chrislis Kirke
Gr. 11. 48 She was.. mim that day. 1768 Ross He/enore
(1789) 106 Now Nory all the while was playing prim, As
ony lamb as modest, and as mim; And never a look with
Lindy did lat fa'. 1785 Fergusson's Prov. 24 Maidens
should be mim till they're married, and then they may burn
kirks. x8x6 Scott Bl. Dwarf ii, Did I not say it wasna
want o' spunk that made ye [sc. the young Laird] sae mim?
• 1 1825 Forby Voc. E. Anglia, Mim, primly silent, with
lips closed lest a stray word should escape. 1880 Mrs. Parr
Adam <$• Eve xiii, Worth twenty o' that stuck-up London
consarn, with her pasty face and mim ways.
b. Used adverbially.
1786 Burns Holy Fair xvi, See, up he's got the word o'
G— , An' meek an' mim has view'd it.
c. Comb., as mini-looking, -spoken ; also mim-
mouthed, 'reserved in discourse, not communica-
tive, implying the idea of affectation of modesty '
(Jam.). AlsoyT^". Hence Mim-mouthedness.
1721 Ramsay Lucky Spetice iii, Mim-mou'd Meg. 1820
Smugglers I. xiii. 164 I'm no for being mim-mou'd when
there's no reason; but a man had as gude, whiles, cast a
knot on his tongue. 1849 C. Bronte Shirley vii, Some o"
t' bonniest and mimest looking too. 1889 Sat. Rev. 12 Jan.
37/1 That ' mimmouthedness ' which has become a fashion
of late. 1896 ' Leslie Keith ' Indian Uncle xi. 189 Douce,
plod-plodding, mim-spoken lads.
1 Miniature. Obs. rare*1, [f. L. mim-us
Mime sb. + -ate 3 + -ube.] Mimicking, mimicry.
1638 Mayne Lucian (1664) 253, I shall present her to you
various, and in diverse shapes, and shall approve my selfe
not outdone by you in Miniature. Imagine her, then.
Mime (maim), sb. [a. L. mim-us, a. Gr. pipos.
Cf. F. mime, Sp., Pg., It. mimo.]
1. Antiq. A performer in the dramatic pieces
described in sense 4.
[<X900 O. E. Martyrol. 25 Aug. 152 Se waes airest sumes
kaseres mima, pact is leasere, ond sang beforan him scand-
Hcu leo5 ond plegode scandlice pieman.] 1784 T. Daviks
Dram. Misc. III. 51 The antient mimes were so expert at
the representation of thought by action. 1888 Lowell
Heartsease § Rue 51 Mime and hetxra getting equal weight
With him whose toils heroic saved the State.
2. A mimic, jester, buffoon ; a pantomimist.
1616 B. Jonson Epigr. 1. exxix, Think'st thou, Mime, this
is great? 1642 Milton Apol. Smect. 9 Whereas he tels us
that Scurrilous Mime was a personated grim lowring foole.
1760 Foote Minor 1. (1767) 14 He is an admirable mime, or
mimic, and most delectable company. 1828 Scott F. M.
Perth xvii, That which may well shock the nerves of a
prince of mimes and merry-makers. 1840 Carlyle Heroes
(i8s8) 251 Delia Scala stood among his courtiers, with mimes
and buffoons (nebulones ac histriones) making him heartily
merry. 1902 J. Conrad Heart Darkn. 142 In motley, as
though he had absconded from a troupe of mimes.
b. in figurative context.
1877 Morley Crit. Misc. Ser. 11. 245 That dance of mimes
which passes for life among the upper classes.
3. trans/, and fig. An imitator.
1677 Gale Crt. Gentiles II. in. 82 Mimes or imitators
make only phantasmes or pictures not things. . . The Mime
wil neither know nor think aught of those things he imitates
as to good or evil. 1902 Cornish Naturalist Thames 166
Those, .famous mimes, the Indian mynahs.
4. Antiq. A kind of simple farcical drama among
the Greeks and Romans, characterized by mimicry
and the ludicrous representation of familiar types
of character ; a dialogue written for recital in a
performance of this kind. Also occasionally applied
trans/, to similar performances or compositions in
modern times.
1642 Milton Apol. Smect. 9 Scaliger describes a Mime to
be a Poem imitating any action to stirre up laughter. 1693
Dryden Persius' Sat. n. (1726) 255 note, Liberius in the
Fragment of his Mimes, has a Verse like this. 1790 Malone
Eng. Stage in Shaks. Wks. I. 11. 118 The Exodiarii and
Emboliariae of the Mimes are undoubtedly the remote pro-
genitors of the Vice and Clown of our ancient dramas, a 1834
Coleridge Shaks. Notes (1849) 12 The mimes of Sophron
were written in prose. 1850 Tennyson In Mem.^ cv, No
more shall wayward grief abuse The genial hour with mask
and mime. 1904 J. A. Nairn Herodas Introd. 22 A Mime
is a piece depicting actual life, generally the life of the
common people, ana employing their language.
f 5. An imitation. Obs. rare.
1650 T. Vaughan Anthroposophia To Rdr., Excellent
patterns commend their Mimes.
6. attrib., as mime-play; + mime-man, a mimic.
1630 B. Jonson New Inn v. i, Tipto, and his Regiment of
mime-men [printed (1631) mine-men], al drunk dumbe. 1894
Daily News 7 May 3/4 * Jean Mayeux*, the new 'mime
play '...will be performed at the Princess's,
Mime (maim), v. [f. prec. sb. Cf. F. mimer;
Gr. has /u/«f<r0cu to imitate.]
L intr. To act or play a part, with mimic
gesture and action and usually without words.
1616-1837 [see the vbl. sb.]. 1897 Westm. Gaz. 18 May
10/2 Mile. Jane May.. can sing and act as well as mime.
b. trans/, andy^f.
1728^ North Mem. Music (1846) 36 Our paltry imitators
are mistaken when they attempt to mime it upon a silent
stage. 1843 Carlyle Fast .y Fr. in. xv, Miming and chat-
tering like a Dead-Sea Ape. 1887 Rider Haggard Jess
xviii, We cannot bedeck our inner selves and make them
mime as the occasion pleases, and sing the old song when
their lips are set to a strange new chant.
c. trans. To represent by mimic action.
a 1894 Stevenson Weir of Hermiston iv, She made it [the
hearthrug] a rostrum, mimeing her stories as she told them.
2. trans. To imitate, mimic.
1733 Introd. Verses to Fielding's In/rig. Chamboutaid,
Mark, in his mirth how innocent he plays ! And while he
mimes the mimtck, hurts not Bayes. 1890 Harper's Mag.
Feb. 422/2 Miming the cuttle-fish devouring its prey.
Hence Miming vbl. sb.
1616 B. Jonson Epigr. 1. cxv, [He] Acts old Iniquitie, and
in the fit Of miming, gets th'opinion of a wit. 1642 Milton
Apol. Smect. Wks. 1851 III. 262 But in an ill houre hath his
unfortunate rashnesse stumbl'd upon the mention of mi-
ming. 1837 Howitt Rur. Life vi. xi. 520 All kinds of
pageants, mimings, masks, and frolics.
Mimeograph ,mrnuV|graf), sb. [irreg. f. Gr.
IxTfxionat 'I imitate' + -graph.] An apparatus,
invented by T. A. Edison, for producing stencils
of written pages, from which a large number of
copies may be obtained.
1889 Voice (N. Y.) 19 Sept., The ' mimeograph' and the
' autocopyist '..will give any number of copies of a letter.
1903 T. P.ys Weekly 6 Nov. 720/1 A typewriter who could
multiply for him copies of these stories on the mimeograph.
Hence Mimeograph v. trans. , to reproduce by
means of a mimeograph. Mimeographed ///. a.
1895 Mary E. Bamford in Chicago Advance 6 June
1290/2 The copies were mimeographed at last, thanks to her
mother's help. 1903 Miss Faithfull W. Land. Typewr.
Off. Circular, Terms for mimeographing. Mimeographed
Circulars can be sent by the id. post.
Mimer (mai'msi). [f. Mime v. + -er1.] A
mime or mimic, a buffoon or jester.
1755 Johnson [quoting Milton Samson 1325, where Mt'mirs
in the first edition is a misprint, corrected in the Errata to
Mimics]. 1819 H. Busk Ves triad 11. 128 The Muse, who
taught th' enliv'ning dance, I n Greece to mimers, and to gods
in France. 1835 W. Irving News lead Abbey Crayon Misc.
(1863) 298 We had mummers and mimers too.
II Mimesis (msimrsis). [Gr. fii^rjats imitation,
f. pifi(t(j9ai to imitate, f. ^iifios MlME sb.]
1. Rhet, A figure of speech, whereby the sup-
posed words or actions of another are imitated.
1650 Trait Comm. F.ccles. xi. 9. 154 Solomon. .by a
Mimesis brings in a wild yonker thus bespeaking himself.
Rejoice [etc.]. 1681 Flavel Mc.'/i. Gmcexxxiv. 568 Satan
called here (by a Mimesis) the god of this world, not simply
and properly, but because he challenges to himself the
honour of a god.
2. Biol. » Mimicry 3.
1845 Strickland in Lond. etc. P kilos. Mag. XXVIII.
356 This term [Iconism], suggested by the Rev. Dr. Ingram,
..appears preferable to Mimesis, which I had originally
proposed to use. 1885 in CasselCs Encycl. Did. 1896 A. H.
King Ethnology 196 With the growing needs of society, it
could not fail to develop by various processes — mimesis,
reduplication, repetition [etc.].
Mimester (mai-msta-i). rare. [f. Mime v. r
-steb.] — Mime sb. 2, a mimic.
1873 T. Cooper Paradise of Martyrs (1877) 299 The
mimesters who beclout themselves anew with rags of Rome.
tMimetene, Mimetese, Mimetesite.
A/in. [Orig. F. mimetese (Beudant 1832) meant to
represent Gr. fiinrjTTjs imitator. Mimelenet Mime-
tesite (G. mimetesit, Breithaupt 1 84 1), and Mimetite
are alterations intended to make the name less
anomalous in form.] Older names for Mimetite.
1835 C. U. Shepard Treat. Min. 11. II. 46 Mimetene.
1843 Chapman Min. 33 Mimetese. 1867 Pract. Mechanic's
Jrnl. 1 Sept. 190 An arseniated plumbic apatite (mimetesite).
Mimetic (maime'tik), a. (and sb.). [ad. Gr.
fAipr}TtKost f. fiifiu<r$ai to imitate : see Mimesis.]
A. adj.
L Addicted to or having an aptitude for mimicry
or imitation. Also, pertaining to imitation.
1637 Whiting Albino fy Bellama 9 But Fucus, lead by
most mimetick Apes, Could not depinge Don Fuco's antick
shapes. 176a Goldsm. Cit. W. lxxix,The mimetic troops.,
begin their campaign [at the theatres] when all the others
quit the field. 1769 R. Wood Ess. Genius Homer To Rdr. 2
We shall confine our inquiry to Homer's Mimetick Powers.
1843 Carlvle Heroes (1858) 316 Chatham himself lives the
strangest mimetic life, half-herOj half-quack, all along. 1845
R. W. Hamilton Pop. Educ. iv. (ed. 2) 70 The.. mimetic
tendency of infancy. 1876 Geo. Eliot Dan. Der. lxii,
Crying when she expected him to cry, and reflecting every
phase of her feeling with mimetic susceptibility.
2. Characterized by, or of the nature of, imita-
tion.
1669 Gale Crt. Gentiles 1. in. i. 18 Mimetic Poesie : which
the Platonists distribute into..Eicastic, and . . Phantastic.
1744 Harris Three Treat. Wks. (1841) 33 The mimetic art
of poetry has been hitherto considered, as fetching its imita-
tion from mere natural resemblance. 1884 H. Jennings
Phallicism ix. 99 Among the Greeks all dancing was of the
mimetic kind. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VII. 338 Cases
..in which with lesion of the optic thalamus there has been
no defect in the mimetic movements*
3. = Mimic a. 3.
1756 J. G. Cooper in World No. 159 V. 169 They maybe
enabled to make an exit as they have lived, in mimetic
grandeur. 1841 D'Israeli Amen. Lit. (1859) I. 59 When the
Duke of Normandy visited . . Edward the Confessor, he
beheld in England a mimetic Normandy. 189a Stevenson
Across t/te Plains 266 A false and merely mimetic poverty.
4. a. Zool. and Bot. Of animals or plants :
Characterized by * mimicry * or resemblance in ex-
ternal appearance to some essentially different
animal or plant, or to some inorganic object. Of
appearances or processes : Of the nature of
' mimicry \
1851 Woodward Moltusca 1. 56 A second class of ana-
MIMETICAL.
454
MIMICAL.
logical resemblances are purely external and illusive, they
have been termed mimetic. 1861 H. W. Bates in Trans.
Linn. Soc. XXIII. 502 Mimetic analogies .. are resem-
blances in external appearance, shape and colours between
members of widely distinct families. 1870 Nicholson Man,
Zool. Gen. Introd. §7(1875) 19 It appears that the mimetic
species is protected from some enemy by its outward simi-
larity to the form which it mimics. 1882 Garden 28 Jan.
53/2 There are also cases of mimetic variation.
b. Path. (See quots.)
1856 Mayne Expos. Lex., Mimetic, applied to diseases
that resemble, or appear like imitations of others.
C. Cryst. (See quot. 18S8.)
1881 W. J. Lewis in Na/ure'So. 616. 355 Twin and mimetic
crystals. 1888 Teall Brit. Petrogr. 4^0 Mimetic. Tscher-
mak proposed to call those crystals mimetic which possess
externally a high degree of symmetry, but are built up by
polysynthetic twinning of crystals having a low grade of
symmetry. Thus chabasite is termed a mimetic rhombohe-
dral crystal. 1895 Story- Maskelyne Crystallogr. Index,
Mimetic crystals.
5. Gram. (See quot.) rare.
1877 March Con//. Ags. Gram. § 40. 27 Mimetic changes
are those occurring through the influence of other words.
fB. sb. ?A mime, buffoon.
1631 R. H. Arraignm. Whole Creature Ep. Ded. 8 It is
rather fit for the Mimeticks to dispute, then for mee to deter-
mine.
f Mime'tical, a. Obs. rare. [Formed as prec.
+ -ical.] = Mimetic a. 2.
a 1617 Bayne On Coloss. (1634) 360 He doth unfold it by a
mimeticall expressing the charges that these false teachers
gave. 1764 Hurd Dial. vii. Foreign Trav. {1765) III. 5 A
Dialogue in the old mimetical, or poetic form.
Mimetically (maimctUc'U), adv. [f. prec. +
-ly^.J In a mimetic orimitative manner; by mimesis.
1647 Trapp Comm. Col. ii. 21 The words of those impos-
tours, which are here mimetically or by way of imitation
related. 1795 MacKnight Comm. Epistles (1820) II. 574
The apostle writes mimetically here, personating the false
teachers. 1857 H. Spencer in Westm. Rev. Apr. 464 The
deeds of the god-king, chanted and mimetically represented
in dances round his altar.
Mimetism (mai-m/'tiz'm). Biol. [f. Mimet-ic
+ -ism.] = Mimicry.
1882 in OGILVlB ; and in later Diets.
Mimetite (marm/tait). Min. [ad. G. mime-
tit (Haidinger 1845), f. Gr. fii^ijr-Tjs imitator +
-1TE. (See Mimetene.)] ' Arsenate of lead, found
in yellow to brown crystals, resembling pyromor-
phite' (Chester Diet. Min. 1896).
1852 Brooke & Miller Phillip'' s Min. 481.
Mimetry (marmetri). Cryst. [f. Mimet-ic
+ -RY.] » PSEUDOSYMMETRY.
1895 in Funk's Stand. Diet.
Mi-mi, variant of Mia-mia.
II Mimiambi (mai-, mimiae'nibai), sb.pl. (In
Diets, as sing, mimiambus.) [Latin, a. Gr.
ptpiafi0oi pi., f. fUfiO-s Mime sb. 4- tan@o$ Iambus.]
Mimes written in iambic or scazontic verse.
1706 Phillips fed. Kersey), Mimiambus, a kind of Verse,
anciently us'd in Lampoons, Farces, &c 17*1 in Bailey.
1905 Academy 4 Nov. 1145/1 The mimiambi of Herodas.
Mimiaillbic (mar-, mi'miaimbik), a. and sb.
[ad. mod.L. mimiambiC'US, f. mimiambi: see prec]
A. adj. Pertaining to or of the nature of mimi-
ambi. Of a poet : That wrote mimiambi.
1700 Collier 2nd Def. Short Viewj Another Mimiiambick
poet. 1846 Smith's Diet. Biogr. <y Mytlwl. II. 695/2 Matius
. .a mimiambic poet.
B. sb. pi. m Mimiambi.
1845 Encycl. Metrop. X. 412/1 Contemporary with La-
berius and Publius was Cneius Matius, who wrote Mimi-
ambics, which differed from the Mimes of the two former
authors only by being written in scazontics. 1894 A thenmum
27 Jan. 108/3 .The mimiambics of Herondas have already
made a sensation in the learned world.
Mimic (mimik), a. and sb. Forms: 6-7
mimmick, mimicke, -ique, 6-8 -ick, 7 mimik,
mymik, 7- mimic, [ad. L. mimic-us, ad. Gr.
fiifxtKos, f. fup-m: see Mime sb. and -ic. Cf. F.
mimiaue} Sp. mimico, Pg., It. mimical A. adj.
1. fa. Exercising the profession of a mime or
buffoon ; having the characteristics of, or re-
sembling, a mime (obs.). b. Addicted to or having
aptitude for mimicry ; imitative.
1598 Marston Sco. VUlanie m. x. H vij b, The long
fooles coat, the huge slop, the lugg'd boot From mimick
Piso all doe claime their roote. 1647 Ward Simp. Cooler
26 They would disdain to be led about like Apes, by such
mymick Marmosets. 1667 Milton /*. L. v. no Oft in her
absence mimic Fansie wakes Toimitate her. 1708 Rowe Roy.
Convert 11. i, Some mimick Fantom wears the lovely Form.
17*6 Arbuthnot It cannot ?ain but it pours in Swift's
Whs. 1751 VI. 200 Aristotle saith, that Man is the most
Mimick of all Animals. 1730 Swift Market-hill V/\ts. 1751
X. 146 Sly Hunters. .To catch a Monkey by a Wile, The
mimic Animal amuse, They place before him Gloves and
Shoes. 17 . . Cowper Transl. jr. V. Bourne^ Parrot iii,
'Sweet Poll'.' his doting mistress cries, 'Sweet Poll!'
the mimic bird replies. 1821 Bryant Ages iii, Let the
mimic canvass shew His calm benevolent features.
2. Of actions, expression of countenance, etc
t a. Pertaining to or characteristic of a mime ;
histrionic ; hence, hypocritical. Obs. b. Pertaining
to, or of the nature of, mimicry or imitation.
1601 Marston Antonio's Rev. 1. v, Woulds't have me.,
wring my face with mimic action ? 1624 Gataker Tran-
subst. 113 Where are all those., mimicke gestures and apish
fooleries that their Masse-bookes enjoyne? 1638 Sir T.
Herbert Trav. (ed. 2) 10 They circle the grave with
mimmick gestures and ejaculations, c 164J Howell Lett.
(1655) I. 219 No simpring smiles, no mimic face, Affected
gesture, or fore'd grace. 17*7 Swift Misc., On Dreams 10
The busy Head with mimick Art runs o'er. The scenes and
Actions of the Day before. 1797 Mrs. Radcliffe Italian
xxvi, Vivaldi concluded, that his dream had mocked him
with a mimic voice. 1865 Tylor Early Hist. Man. ii. 19
As I taught him the written signs of our language, Massieu
taught me the mimic signs of his.
3. That is a copy of, or imitatively resembles,
what is properly denoted by the name ; imitative
as opposed to real.
Unlike its approximate synonyms, ' counterfeit ', * mock ',
'simulated ', etc., the word does not now imply any decep-
tive intention or effect, being applied primarily to artistic
or playful imitation, and usually suggesting that the copy
is ludicrously diminutive or insignificant as compared with
the reality imitated.
1625 K. Long tr. Barclay's Argenis iil xix. 213 This
mimicke Goddesse, who usurped divine honours. 1641
Milton Ch. Govt. v. Wks. 1851 III. 119 To frame out of their
own heads as it were with wax a kinde of Mimick Bishop
Hmm'd out to the life of a dead Priesthood. 17*6 Pope
Odyss. xvi. 54 A bowl.. Around whose verge a mimic Ivy
twines. t 1749 Smollett Regicide rv. iii, Not all this pride Of
mimic virtue. .Shall shelter thee, deceiver ! 1751 Franklin
Lett. Wks. 1840 V. 225, I send you some [needles], that have
had their heads and points melted off by our mimic lightning.
1757 Mrs.Griffith Lett. Henry ff Frances (1767) II. 193
Instances in brutes of what we partially stile mimic reason.
1811 Gen. Hist, in Ann. Reg. 212 The mimic monarch [of
Hayti] has been encountered with superior force by his rival.
1832 Scott Life in Forest, Along the silver streams of Tweed
'Tis blithe the mimic fly to lead. 1839 Alison Hist. Europe
liv. § 62 (1850) VIII. 524 The mimic warfare of the opera
stage. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed.a) V. 399 If any one dies in
these mimic contests, the homicide is involuntary.
4. Path. (See quot.)
1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., Mimic convulsion, same as Facial
spasm. Mimic facial palsy, an immobility and relaxation
of the facial muscles which are supplied by the paralysed
nerve... Mimic spasm, sudden and transient contraction of
the muscles supplied by the portio dura of the seventh pair
of cerebral nerves.
B. sb.
1. f A mime, burlesque actor (obs.) ; a performer
who imitates the manner, attitudes, or voice of
another in order to excite laughter ; hence, in
wider sense, one who practises or is skilled in
mimicry or ludicrous imitation.
1590 Shaks. Midi, N. 111. ii. iq Anon his Thisbie must he
answered. And forth my Mimmick comes. 1599 B. Jonson
Cynthia's Rev. m. iv, Waited on By mimiques, jesters. 1609
Dekker Gvls Home-bk. vi. 31 Draw what troope you can
from the stage after you: the Mimicks are beholden to you,
for allowing them elbow roome. c 1660 Wood Life 8 Oct.
(0. H. S.) I. 336 He was a great mimick, and acted well in
several playes.^ 1697 Potter Antic. Greece 1. iv. (1715) 19
[They] preferr'd a Mimick, or a Stage-player before the
most Valiant Captain. 1739 Cibuer A pot. (1756) 1. 123 The
mimick.. is a great assistant to the actor. 177* Boswell
21 Mar. in Johnson, A mimick can not only give you the
gestures and voice of a person whom he represents ; but
even what a person would say on any particular subject.
1830 Ann. Reg., Citron. 249 Deaths .. Mr. Ralph Sherwin,
mimic and comedian. 1849 Macau lay Hist. Eng. ii. I. 196
Themimics,revellers,and courtesans who crowded the palace.
b. 'A mean or servile imitator* (J.). Occasion-
ally of a thing : Something that mimics or feebly '
resembles.
1624 Wotton Archil. 1. 7 What are the most iudicious '
Artisans but the Mimiques of Nature ? 1711 Addison Spect.
No. 225 r 7 Cunning is only the Mimick of Discretion. 1791
Burke To Member of Nat. Assemb. Wks. 1792 III. 346
When full grown, it [vanity] is the worst of vices, and the I
occasional mimic of them all. It makes the whole man
false. 1818 Byron Ch. Har. iv. clii, Turn to the mole which I
Hadrian rear'd on high, Imperial mimic of old Egypt's piles, i
1840 Dickens Barn. Rudge xxiv, Despisers of mankind— \
apart from the mere fools and mimics, of that creed— are of ;
two sorts. 1871 Palgrave Lyr. Poems 22 The cottage gable,
bare and high, Poor forlorn mimic of the mountain crest.
+2. A writer of mimes, mimographer. Obs.~°
1721 Bailey, A Mimick, a Writer of Lampoons or short
jests.
3. Zool. and Bot. A mimetic animal or plant.
Also appos. in mimic beetle (see quot. 1855).
1855 W. S. Dallas in Syst. Nat. Hist. I. 408 This position
is always assumed by these Beetles [Histeridar and Byr-
rhidae\ when alarmed ; and, from this assumption of a death-
like attitude, some of the commonest species have received
the name of Mimic Beetles. 1893 Newton Diet. Birds s. v. '
Mimicry, It is pretty clear that the Mimeta. .is rightly
named the mimic, since it is a comparatively weak bird, ,
and must benefit by being mistaken for the strong, pugna-
cious and noisy Philemon.
4. * Play-acting', mummery (pds.) ; mimicry, .
imitation, rare.
a 1631 Donne Poems f 1650) 6 Compar'd to this, All honour's
mimique ; All wealth alchymy. 183a Eraser's Mag. V. 197 !
The son of the soldier already will dare To mount the old
charger, in mimic of war.
Mimic (mi'mik), v. [f. Mimic sb.]
1. trans. To ridicule by imitating or copying (a
person, his speech, manner, gestures, etc.).
1697 Burchope Disc. Relig. Assemb. 121 To misrepresent '.
his words and mimick his gestures. 1700 Drvden OvioTs
Met. xi. Ceyx <y Alcyone 330 Morpheus.. express'd The
Shape of Man, and imitated best ; The Walk, the Words,
the Gesture cou'd supply, The Habit mimick, and the Mien
bely. 1770 Langhorne Plutarch (1879) '■ 229/2 Androcles
..accused Alcibiades,. of mimicking the sacred mysteries.
1821 Shelley Chas. I, ii. 98 He mocks and mimics all he |
1 sees and hears. 1838 Dickens Nich. Nick, xiii, Mimicking
the voice and manner of the usher. 1871 C. Gibbon Lack
of Gold vi, The laird was mimicking the miller's voice and
manner as well as he could. 1891 Kipling Light that Failed
(1000) 91 'This is disgraceful', said Maisie, mimicking
Mrs. Jennett's tone.
2. To imitate or copy with mii.ute accuracy in
external characteristics, e.g. in voice, gesture,
style, or manner of doing anything. Chiefly in
contemptuous use, as implying servile, unintelli-
gent, or otherwise ridiculous imitation.
1687 Dryden Hind. (J- P. 1. 40 The buffoon Ape.. mi-
micked all sects and had his own to chuse. 1697 « — Virg.
Past. v. 116 Alphesibceus, tripping, shall advance; And
mimick Satyrs in his antick Dance. 1761 Churchill Rosciad
Poems 1763 1. 50 Just in the way that monkies mimic man.
1843 Macaulay Ess., Addison (1899) 724 Thus much.. is
certain, both Swift and Voltaire have been successfully
! mimicked, and that no man has yet been able to mimic
Addison. 1844 Thirlwall Greece VIII. 27 The rest only
mimicked the hero [sc. Alexander the Great] . . in their
demeanour, and in the trappings and state of royalty. 1871
I L. Stephen Playgr. Fur. (1894) viii. 168 The absurdity of
mimicking a man who was his junior.
b. with an action or attribute as object.
17*6 Swift Gulliver 11. iii, He observed how contemptible
a Thing was human Grandeur, which could be mimicked by
such diminutive Insects as I. 1726 De Foe Hist. Devilu.
x. (1840) 328 The devil is known to mimic the methods, as
well as the actions of his maker. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng.
ii. I. 165 When a sect becomes powerful, .men crowd into it,
. .conform strictly to its ritual, mimic its peculiarities. 1858
Buckle Civiliz. (1869) II. viii. 570 They mimicked the voice
of liberty — they aped her very gestures. 190s W. H. Mal-
lock in igt/t Cent. Sept. 497 The devil had mimicked the
art of the Creator.
c. of immaterial or inanimate things personified.
1712 Granville Poems 173 Who wou'd with Care some
happy Fiction frame, So mimicks Truth, it looks the very
same. 171a Steele Sped. No. 514 r 2 Vice has learned so lo
mimick Virtue, that it often creeps in hither under its Dis-
guise. 1750 Johnson Rambler No. 77 F 3 The prattle
of affectation mimicking distresses unfelt. 1854 Patmohl
Angel in Ho. 1. 11. vii, The leaves, all stirring, mimick 'd
well A neighboring rush of rivers cold. 1878 Stevenson
Edinburgh (1889) 8 Behold the palace re-awakened and
mimicking its past.
3. To represent imitatively, as by drawing,
painting, etc. Of things : To have a close re-
semblance to, to have or assume the appearance of.
1770 T. Whately Observ. Gardening 23 Such whimsical
wonders, however, lose their effect, when represented in
a picture, or mimicked in ground artificially laid. 1814
Wordsw. Excursion vi. 315 Like.. clouds that mimicked
land Before the sailor's eye. 1819 Keats Lamia 11. 125
Fresh carved cedar, mimicking a glade Of palm and plantain,
met from either side, i860 Keade Cloister «$■ H. lxiil, He
showed her how closely he could mimic marble on paper.
4. Path. Of a disease: To exhibit symptoms
that have a deceptive resemblance to those of
(another disease) ; to simulate.
1744 Berkeley Sin's §90 The scurvy, .which indeed must
be allowed to create or mimic most other maladies. 1809
A libit/ t's Syst. Med. VIII. 473 Nodular forms are closely
mimicked by the. .febrile outbursts of nodular leprosy.
5. Zool. To have a ' mimetic ' resemblance to
(something else) in form or colour.
1861 H. W. Bates in Trans. Linn. Soc. XXIII. 504 The
Leptalides. .fly in the same parts of the forest, and generally
in company with the species they mimic. 1879 Lubbock
Set'. Led. ii. 62 The Gcometridae. .closely mimic bits of dry
stick.
Mimical (mrmikal), a. (and sb.). Also 7
mymicall. [(. Mimic a. + -al.] A. adj.
f i. m Mimic a. i. Obs.
1603 Harsnet Pop. Impost. 104 The Puppets have alwaies
a Mimicall prolocutor to tel what they meane. a 1618
Raleigh Rem. (1644) 264 A Mimical French-man whom
I entertained . . for his Iests. a 1661 Fuller Worthies,
Kent (1662) 11. 80 A Mimical Ape. 1693 J. Edwards
Author. O. * N. Test. 293 Devils. .are a mimical sort of
creatures., diligent emulators of the most holy persons.
2. + Befitting a mime or burlesque actor {obs.) ;
pertaining to, characterized by, or of the nature of
mimicry.
1610 Healf.y St. Aug. CitieofGodvu i. (1620) 226 It were
like Mimicall scurrility to demand any thing of any one of
them [sc. gods], which restethvnder the disposing of another.
1617 Moryson /lift. in. 7, 1 beheld the mimicall gestures, .of
the Roman Priests. 1617 Bp. Hall Quo Vadis ? (1628) § 14
A few waste complements and mimicall courtesies. 1676
Wiseman Surg. 1. xxiii. 132 Without speaking or opening his
Eyes for many months, onely some odd mimicall gestures he
used. 1709 Steele Tatter No. 99 p 1 By introducing mimical
Dances, and fulsom Buffoonries. 1711 Shaftesb. Charac.
III. ii. 93 The petty Tyrannys and mimical Politysofsome
new Pretenders. 1774 Warton Hist. Eng. Poetry (1775) I.
i. 49 No priest shall be a poet, or exercise the mimical or
histrionica! art in any degree. 1840-1 De Quincey Style
Wks. 1859XI. 171 The mimical situations of novels. 1873
Q. Rev. Oct. 340 She had musical and mimical talents.
f3. = Mimic a. 3. Obs.
1624 Gee New Shreds of O. Snare 17 The Actor that
puts life into this mimicall Artillery by motion and voice.
1663 Proposal to use no Conscience 2 Small mimical oaths,
as when we swear by our Honor . . or Faith. 1693 Em/lianne's
Hist. Monast. Ord. 11. L 232 The Nuns. .did in progress of
time attribute to their cutting off their Hair,., and mimical
Habits, a holy Virtue.
B. sb. An imitator; an actor.
1688 R. Holme Armoury 11. 9/2 Euterpe, .is the goddess
of Mymicals.
Hence Mi'mically adv., f Mi'micalneas.
1613 Cockeram ii, ScofBngly, /rronically, Mimically.
MIMTCATION.
164s Fuller Holy <y Pro/, St. in. xii. 181 So long mimically
imitating mad men that he became one. a 1661 Fuller
(Ogilvie 1882), The mimicalness of the ape. 17x1 Puckle
Club 107 Be neither mimically in, nor ridiculously out of the
fashion.
t Mimica'tion. Obs. rare"1, [f. Mimic v. +
-ation.] A mimicking, counterfeit.
1716 M. Davies Athen. Brit. III. Arianism 83 Several
imperfect notions and mimications of the Christian Religion.
Mimicked (mi"mikt), ///. a, [f. Mimic v.+
-ed !.] In senses of the verb.
18x8 Byron Ck. liar. iv. xli, The lightning rent from
Ariosto's bust The iron crown of laurel's mimick'd leaves.
186. Darwin Orig. Spec. xiii. (1866) 507 Many of the
mimicking forms of the Leptalis, as well as of the mimicked
forms, can be shown by a graduated series to be merely
varieties of the same species.
Mimicker (mi-mikai). [f. Mimic v. + -ER1.]
One who or something which mimics.
1847 in Webster ; and in later Diets. i86t H. W. Bates in
Trans. Linn. Soc. XXIII. 509 Amongst the living objects
mimicked by insects are the predacious species from which it
is the interest of the mimickers to be concealed.
Mimicking (mi*mikirj), ppl. a. [f. Mimic v.
+ -ing 2.] In senses of the vb. ; Zool. = Mimetic a.
1733 Cheyne Eng. Malady 11. xii. § 5 (1734) 244 Saint
Vitus's Dance, (as it is call'd) the mimicking Distemper.
186. [see Mimicked]. 1872 Nicholson In trod. Stud. Biol.
52 The mimicing butterflies.. are liable at a distance to be
mistaken for the distasteful Heliconidst. 1877 E. Leigh
Cheshire Dial. s. v. Mimick, ' Mimicking work ' is work
made to look well for a time, but not to last, like bad contract
work.
Mimicry (mrmikri). Also 7 mimmickry.
[f. Mimic so. + -by.]
1. The action, practice, or art of mimicking or
closely imitating, either in sport or otherwise, the
manner, gesture, speech, or mode of action of
persons, or the superficial characteristics of a thing.
1709 Steele Tatler No- 38 P 6 A wretched Belief, That
their Mimickry passes for Real Business, or True Wit. 1 8 10
Scott Lady of L. il xxvi, The chase I follow far, 'Tis
mimicry of noble war. 1829 Cunningham Brit. Paint, i. 58
Mimickry, common to all children, was remarkable in me.
1870 Huxley Lay Serm. iii. (1874) 49 The successful mi-
micry of the measure of a Greek song. 1903 R. D. Shaw
Pauline Epist. 175 A learned and distinguished Comedian
. . daily went through his antics and mimicry on the Capitol.
b. In mimicry of \ in imitation of.
1814 Southey Roderick vm, 107 As if in mimickry of
insect play. 1839 Thirlwall Greece xlvui. VI. 139 [He]
wore a lion's skin, and armed himself with a club, in mimicry
of Hercules.
c. An act, instance, or mode of mimicking.
Also earner, a production by which something is
mimicked.
1687 N. N. Old Popery i/Those trivial upstart Mimmickries
of them [sc. the Roman Church] practiced only within the
narrow Limits of the Church of England. 1711 Addison
Sped. No. 169 T4 We shall find it [Good-Breeding] to be
nothing else but an Imitation and Mimickry of Good-nature.
1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) IV. 219 They {sc. monkeys]
soon begin to exert all their sportive mimickries. 1877
Shields Final Philos. 236 The Latin apologists . . had
denounced the myths and oracles of paganism as Satanic
mimicries. 1879 C. H. Wilson in Encycl. Brit. X. 673/2
In France an imitative school.. has executed mimicries of
ancient glass painting.
2. Zool. A close external resemblance which
a living creature (or sometimes a nest, etc.) bears
to a different animal, or to some inanimate object.
i86x H. W. Bates in Trans. Linn. Soc. XXIII. 309 note,
The author [Rossler] enumerates many very singular cases
of mimicry ; he also states his belief that the mimicry is
intended to protect the insects from their enemies. 1893
Newton Diet. Birds s. v. Mimicry, We must always re-
member that the Mimicry, however produced, is unconscious.
Miminy-piminy (mi:mini|prmini)f a. and sb.
Also raimrainee-pimminee. [Intended as pho-
netically symbolic : cf. Mim; also Niminy-piminy.]
A. adj. Ridiculously delicate or over-refined ;
finicking.
1815 Mrs. Pilkington Celebrity II. 229 Your miminy-
piminy fears of hurting the feelings. 1863 Reade Hard
Cash xxxiii, In a miminy-piminy voice [she] said she was
come to make her submission. 1881 W. S. Gilbert Patience
11, A miminy piminy, Je-ne-sais-quoi young man.
B. sb. Finicking or affected composition.
1818 Hazlitt Eng. Poets viiL 293 All the tantalizing,
teasing, tripping, lisping mimminee-pimminee of thehighest
brilliancy and fashion of poetical diction. 1825 — Spirit of
Age 397 The two lines immediately after, .are a mere piece
of enigmatical ingenuity and scientific mimminee-pimminee.
Mimique, obs. form of Mimic.
t Mimist. Obs. rare"1, [f. Mime sb. + -ist.]
One who imitates. ( Erroneously used by Puttenham. )
1589 Puttenham Eng. Poesie 1. xi. (Arb.) 42 There were
others [sc. poets] that . . vsed in places of great assembly, to
say by rote nombers of short and sententious meetres, very
pithie and of good edification, and thereupon were called
Poets Mimistes : as who would say, imitable and meet to
be followed for their wise and graue lessons.
Mimmation (mim^-Jan). Assyrian Gram.
Also mimation. [f. Arab, mzm, name of the
letter m -r -ation, after Nunnation.] The ap-
pending of m to the flexional vowels in Assyrian.
(A characteristic of the Babylonian dialect of that
language, as nunnation is of classical Arabic.)
*873 Eng. Cycl. Arts <$• Sci. Suppl. 173. 1896 W. St. C.
Boscawen Bible f Mo n. i. 30 The . . elaborate power of
455
word-building, as well as the preservation of the mimation
. .attest this similarity. 1903 Expositor Oct. 280 Jaum is
the same as Jauonly with the Babylonian mimmation added.
Mrmmering, a. ?Pseudo- arc h. [Cf. next.]
? Doting, dreaming.
1827 G. Darlev Sylviabt, A half-brain'd loon ! A mimmer-
ing driveller 1
t Mimmerkin, Obs. Sr. In 6 mymraerken,
-in. [Cf. Du. mijmeren (MDu. mimmeren, mi-
meren) to dote; and see -kin-.] ?A dotard.
1508 Kennedie Flyting w. Dunbar 29 Mandrag mym-
merkin, maid maister bot in mowis. Ibid. 514 Cankrit Cayin,
..Tutiuillus, Marmaidyn, mymmerken, monstir of all men.
Mimmick, -ry, obs. forms of Mimic, Mimicry.
Mimmulus, obs. form of Miliums.
Mimness (mi'mines). [f. Mim a. + -NK8S.]
Primness, demureness.
C1817 Hoco Tales $ Si., Edits. Baillie (1878) V. 224 My
angel Lady Jane . . had now lost all her jocularity and
flippancy of speech ; there was nothing but mimness and
reserve m the Marquess's presence.
t Mimograph. Obs. rare—1, [ad. L. mhno-
graphus, Gr. )unoypa<p-os : see next. Cf. \geograph,
bibliography = next.
1656 Stanley Hist. Philos. v. 13 {Plato), Sophron the
Mimographe.
Mim.ograph.er (msimcgrafaj). [f. L. viTmo-
graph-tis (a. Gr. ftTfio-fpa<pos, f. /n"/io-s Mime sb. +
-ypa<pos writer) + -er 1 : see -GRAPHER.] A writer
or composer of mimes.
1638 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (ed. 2) 235 Mimographers
I needs must call them. Ibid. 267 Some are Poetasters, or
Mimographers. 1711 Shaftesb. Charac. (1737) I. 196 'Tis
in this that the great mimog_raoher, the father and prince
of poets, excels so highly ; his characters being wrought to
a likeness beyond what any succeeding masters were ever
able to describe. 1858 Donaldson tr. C. O. Mailer's Hist.
Lit. Anc. Gr. xxxix. § 4 II. 215 Sophron the nomographer.
t Mimologer. Obs.~" [f. Gr. /iTfioXuf-os
reciter of mimes (f. lupo-s Mime + -A0705 that
speaks) + -ER ! : see -loger.] A reciter of mimes.
So Mimolog-ist.
17*7 Bailey vol. II, Mimologer, one who recites Rhymes.
183a Examiner 21/1 She is the Psyche of the Mimologists.
t MimO'logy . Obs. [ad . Gr. pTnoXoyia,
f. /xliiokuyos : see prec] Recitation of mimes.
1717 Bailey vol. II, Mimology, a making of Rhymes.
Mim.0ph.3rre (mai'miyfaiaj). Petrology. [f.
mimo- (see next) + -phyr ending of G. porphyr
porphyry.] An uncrystallized rock having the
appearance of porphyry.
1841 Penny Cycl. XX. 56/2 Mimophyre. Cement argil-
laceous, uniting distinct grains of felspar, &c.
t Mimo-prophet. Obs. nonce-wd. [f. Gr.
luixo-i Mime (taken in the sense of mimic', 'sham')
+ Prophet.] A mock or pretended prophet.
Hence f Mlmoprophetic a.
1668 H. More Div. Dial., Schol. (1713) 367 When the
whole Empire of the World was promised, -to the Familists,
by their Mimo- Prophet H. N. Ibid. 571 The Quakers.,
are to be esteemed.. a Mimoprophetick sort of People.
II Mimosa (mim<?n-za, mimiFirsa). PI. -as, also
Lat. -89. [mod.L. (Colin 1619: see Hatz.-Darm.
s.v.), app. f. L. piim-us Mime sb. + -osa fern, of
-osus suffix : see -ose. The name seems to have
been meant to allude to the ' mimicry' of conscious
life shown by the Sensitive Plant.]
1. a. Bot. A genus of leguminous shrubs, natives
of tropical and sub-tropical regions; the best
known representative is the common Sensitive
Plant, M. pudica. The genus was originally
nearly co-extensive with the present sub-order
Mimoseie, but has been greatly narrowed by the
separation of Acacia and other genera. Also, a
plant of this genus, b. In popular language
applied chiefly to the Sensitive Plant and to certain
trees of the genus Acacia, esp. the Australian
species otherwise known as Wattle-trees.
[1704 J. Harris Lex. Techtt. I, Mimosae Plantx, the same
with Seusative.] ^ 1751 J. Hill Hist. Plants 474 The
legume of the Mimosa is articulated, and the leaves are
sensitive. 1753 Chambers Cycl. Supp., The species of
Mimosa, enumerated by Mr. Tournefort, are these : 1. The
common sensitive shrub. 2. The prickly and more sensitive
Mimosa. . . 5. The prickly Pernambuco Mimosa. 1775 Nat.
Hist, in Ann. ^^.(1783)93 The Mimosae, or sensitive plants.
1801 Southey Thalaia 1. xiv, Beneath a tall mimosa's
shade . . They saw a man reclined. 1808 Scott Marm.
iv. Introd. 196 For not Mimosa's tender tree Shrinks sooner
from the touch than he. 1847 Longf. Ev. il ii. 42 At the
tramp of a horse's hoof on the turf of the prairies, Far in
advance are closed the leaves of the shrinking mimosa. 1857
Livingstone Trav. xi. 203 White-thorned mimosa {Acacia
norrida). 1862 G. T. Lloyd 33 r'rs. in Tasmania iii. 33
The Mimosa or Wattle, which prevails throughout the most
fertile lands of Tasmania. 1867 Baker Nile Tribvt. i. (1872)
9 A few miserable stunted thorny mimosas.
2. The bark of various Australian species of
Acacia, used in tanning ; also called Wattle-bark.
1852-4 Tomlinson's Cycl. Use/. Arts, etc. (1866) II. 28
Mimosa or Wattle-bark, is procured from different species
of mimosa, which grow in Australia and New Zealand.
3. attrib. and Comb., as mimosa-bush, family,
scrub, shrub, -thorn ; mimosa-bark = sense 2 ;
mimosa gxxm=gum arable (see Arabic a. 2).
MIMY.
1848 W. Westgahth Australia Felix xvii. 255 The other
exports of Australia Felix consist chiefly of tallow, . .*mimosa
bark, and gum-wood. 1900 Kipling in Daily News 16 June
4 '5 McManus went for a walk through the * mimosa-bushes.
i860 Gray Man. Bot. 91 Mimoseae, the "Mimosa Family.
1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., 'Mimosa gum. 1900 Doyle Green
Flag 4 1'hick clumps of *mimosa scrub. 1830 R. Dawson
Pres. State Austral, v. (1831) 202 Gum arabic, which exudes
from the *mimosa shrubs. 1894 Sir G. H. Portal Mission
Uganda 35 Clumps of *mimosa thorns. 1898 Daily News
6 Sept. 4/7 They stood behind the thin breastwork of mimosa
thorn bushes. 1775 Masson Journeys at Cape in Phil.
Trans. LXVI. 200 We encamped under a large "mimosa tree.
Mimose (raim^u-sj. Petrology, [a. F. mimose.]
A uniformly greyish coloured lava composed of
compact feldspar closely united with pyroxene.
1841 Penny Cycl. XX. 56/2 Mimose. Laminated felspar,
and augite.
Mimosite (mimfJu'sait). Palmnt. [ad. mod.L.
Mimosites (see J. H. Balfour Man. Bot. 1849,
§1189): see Mimosa and -HE.] Any fossil
remains of plants supposed to have belonged to
the sub-order Mimosese.
1882 in Ogilvie; and in later Diets.
Mimo tannic (mim<?tarnik), a. Chcm. [f.
Mimo(sa) + Tannic a.] Mimotannic acid-, a
variety of tannic acid found in the mimosa.
1857 Miller Elem. Chem., Org. v. § 4 (1862) 403 The
essential constituents of catechu are mimotannic acid and
catechin. 1874 Gakrod & Baxter Mat. Med. 235 Kino
contains a species of tannin, called mimotannic acid (or
catechu-tannic acid).
Mimotype (,mrm<?t3ip). Zool. [f. Gr. ^f^o-j
Mime sb. (taken in the sense of * mimic') + Type
sb.] l A type or form of animal life which in one
country is the analogue or representative of a type
or form found in another country, to which it is
not very closely related' {Cent. Did.).
1881 T. Gill in Smithsonian Rep. 460 The quasi-repre-
sentative forms are not only isotypes, but simply mimotypes.
Foot-n. J)fimotjpes, forms distantly resembling each other,
but fulfilling similar functions.
Hence Mimotypic (mimati'pik) a.y relating to
or having the character of a mimotype.
1890 in Century Diet. ; and in later Diets.
Mimp (mimp), sb. and a. [Phonetically sym-
bolic : cf. Mim.]
A. sb. A pursing up of the lips.
? 1820 Heiress 54, I am preparing the cast of the lips for the
ensuing winter, .thus. ..It is to be called the Paphian mimp.
B. adj. Prim, precise, affected, mim.
1882 in Lane. Gloss., Mimp, prim, precise, affected.
So Mi'xnpetty mimp adv., in prim silence.
1798 Charlotte Smith Yng. Philos. I. 168, I am so teased
and so lectured by the old folks that I sit mimpetty mimp
before them merely for peace sake.
Mimp (mimp), v. dial. [Cf. Mimp sb.]
fl. trans. To purse up (one's mouth).
1710 Brit. Apollo III. No. 35. 2/2 She mimp'd up her
Mouth with scorn.
2. intr. ' To speak or act in an affected or mincing
manner ; to toy or play with one's food in an
affected manner' (E. D. D.).
c j86i Staton Rays from Loominary 41 Peggy coom
mimpin up besoide him, lookin bonnily confused. 1880
Mrs. Parr Adam fy Eve vi. 83, I thought you'd be mimpin'
and mincin\ and that nothin' ud please 'ee.
t Minipins. Obs. ? School slang. (See qnot.)
1820 L. Hunt Indicator No. 35 (1822) I. 275 There used
to be a mystery called mimpins, which as Dr. Johnson would
say, made a pretty sweetmeat.
Mimsey (mrmzi), a. dial. Also mimzy. [f.
Mim a. : cfT clumsy ', flimsy ', tipsy.] ' Prim, prudish ;
contemptible' (E. D. D,).
1880 A ntrim <$■ Dmvn Gloss., Mim, Mimsey, prim, prudish.
1895 S. Christian Sarah (ed. 4) 262 She is no mimzy miss to
be scared, or a reed to break if you lean your hand on it.
II Mimulus (mi-mi«l#s). Bot. Also 8 mim-
mulus. [mod.L.; app. dim. of L. inimus Mime
sb. The application by Linnaeus (sense 2) is sup-
posed to allude to the resemblance of the flowers
to a mask.]
1 1. The Louse-wort or Red Rattle, Pedicularis
sylvatica. Obs."0
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Mimmulus, the Herb Rattle,
or Louse-wort. 1727 Bailey vol. II.
2. A genus of flowering plants (N.O. Scrophu-
larinese), indigenous in America, Asia, and Africa;
a plant of this genus (in popular use esp. Af. luteus,
the * monkey-flower' or ' monkey-plant').
M. moschatus is commonly known as the musk plant.
1824 Loudon Encycl. Gardening Index, Mimulus, monkey-
flower. 1882 Garden 10 June_4o6/3 Single Mimuluses in
variety, .have been the most brilliant outdoor hardy flowers
I have. 1905 Longnt. Mag. Jan. 253 The showy yellow
flowers of the North American mimulus may be seen.
II Mimus (mai'mos). Orniih. [mod.L. use of
L. mimus Mime sb.] A genus of American birds
including the mocking-bird, M. polyglot 'lus ; a bird
of this genus.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Mimus,. .the Indian Mock-
bird, not much unlike the Jay, but somewhat smaller.
attrib. 1896 Newton Diet. Birds 958 In the Mimus-
group the tarsus is anteriorly scutellated.
t Mi/my, a. Obs. rare-1, [f. Mime sb. + -y *.]
Of or pertaining to a mime or mimic.
MIN.
456
MINATORY.
1683 O. U. Parish Ch. No Conventicles 4 When his mlmy
Face should appear, with Gravity and Laughter at the same
instant
t Miu, J^.1 Obs. Forms: I, 4 myne, mine,
3 mune-, 3-4 min, 4 minne, 4-5 myn(ne. [OE.
myne masc., = OS. muni- (in munilic lovable), ON.
mun-r mind, desire, love, Goth, mun-s :— OTeut.
*muni'Z, f. wk. -grade of the Indogermanic root
*men~ (: *mon- : mn-) : see Mind sb.]
1. a. Mind, purpose, intention (OE. only), b.
Remembrance, memory, mention. To make min
of: to mention.
Beowulf in? Ltessan hwile . . bonne his myne sohte. a 1300
Cursor M. 5174 Yee ha sin bat yee mak of him ani min.
Ibid. 8835 To haf o ^at tre lastand min. a 1450 Myrc 1852
On by power ben haue bow mynne, pat bou my^t a-soyle of
alle synne. £1460 Tmvneley Myst. jnriv. 361 Now,gramercy
agayn ! Mekill thank and myn and this shalbe ment.
2. Comb. : min-day = Mind-pay ; also attrib.
a 1M5 Alter. R. 22 Ine anniuersaries, bet is ine mune-
dawes of ower leoue vreond. 153a in Weaver Wells Wills
(1890) 84 A myndey cowe that I had of my mother.
t Min, sb.2 Sc. Obs, Shortened form of
Minnie, mother.
I... Johnnie Faa in Child Ballads IV. 284 (Cent.) I'm
Johnny Faa o' Yetholm town, There dwall my min and
daddie O.
r Min, a. Obs. Also 3 minne, 4-5 myn(n)e,
4-6 myn. [a. ON. minne (:— *minra) =OKris.
minnera, minra, OS. minnero (MDu. minre,
minder, Du. minder) t OHG. minniro (MHG.
minre ,mintier, mod.G. minder), Goth, minniza:—
OTeut. *minnizon-t *minwizon-, cogn. w. Gr.
fuvvBuv to make or grow smaller, L. mintitlre to
diminish, L. minor less.
The alleged OE. min does not exist ; the word in the
supposed examples is minne with the sense ; wicked, harm-
ful ', prob. cognate with man Man a. and sb.*]
Less. Always coupled with more.
01300 E. E. Psalter \x. 5 J>ou snibbid genge mare and
minne, Forworthed wiked for his sinne, 13.. Gaw.fy Gr*
Knt. 1881 Dere he schrof hym schyrly, & scnewed his mys-
dedez, Of pc more & be mynne, & merci besechez. c 1400
Rule St. Benet 175 Who so makes myrth mor or min, In
fod behoues his ioy begin. 1-1440 York Myst. be. 34 My
adir knewe both more and mynne,. .That al bis worlde
shuld synke for synne. 1571 H. Chartebis Lyudesay's
Whs. Adhort. avj b, Idolateris. .Reid heir 3our lyre at large,
baith mair and min.
t Min, v.1 Obs. Forms : 1 (*mynian, *myn-
nan), yd sing. pres. myneb, subj. menese ; 4-5
myn(n. [OE. * my matt t f. myne Minj<U] intr.
To intend, purpose ; to direct one's course, go.
a 1000 Guthtac 1061 paer min hyht myneS to gesecenne.
a 1000 in Cockayne Shrine 163 Ic lare aelcne 5ara be DUXft
si & manigne wsn haebbe baet he meni^e to bam ilean wuda.
13.. Gaw. <y Gr. Knt. 982 pe lorde.. Mynned merthe to be
made vpon mony sybez. a 1400-50 Alexander 4787 Vpata
majte mountane he myns with his ost.
t Min, ».2 Obs. Forms: 2-4 mine, 3-4 munne,
min(ne, 4-5 myn(e, mynne. [a. ON, minna
(:— OTeut. type *minjan, *menj'ant f. root *men- :
see Mind sb. The first quot. may belong to OE.
mynegian : see Ming v.]
X. trans. To remind.
c iaoo Triu. Coll. Horn. 139 And he minede alle men to
forleten here sinnes, and beten. a 1400-50 Alexander 4613
Ne neuire na mercy 50W emell as mynes me $our pistil).
a 1450 Le Mortc Arth. 169 Syr, of one thinge I wolle you
mynne.
2. impers. Me mins = I recollect, I remember,
I think. Const, of on.
a 1300 Cursor M. s^lA Ne minnes yow noght, now mam
dai, Of a drem, lang siben gan? 13. . Sir Beues (A.) 185
' 5e ', ?he seide, ' of a wilde bor I wene, me mineb boute for,
Al of be feure ! ' a 1400-50 Alexander 1625 For in be
marche of Messedone me mynes [MS. Dublin me menys] on
a tyme, pat [etc.). c 1460 Towneley Myst. xxviii. 200 Cryst
saide his self, mynnes me, That [etc].
3. trans. To remember, to have or bear in
mind ; to call to mind or remembrance, recollect.
13. . Gaw. <J- Gr. Knt. 995 On be morne, as vch mon mynez
bat tyme. c 1400 Destr. Troy 1434 Happye xs be here
In no hate lengis,..Ne mynnes no malis bat is of mynd
past, a 1400-50 Alexander 1094 As jone ^ondire hi^e hill
sail ay hald his place, So sail px name fra now furth be
mynned in mynde. 14.. in Petit. Relt'g. $ Love Poems
(1903) 219 My merci, if bou it mynned, Y haue schewed it
bee on many wise.
b. intr. and reft. Also, to think (of something
or some one). Const, of, on, upon.
111300 Cursor M. 112 A lastand ware apon to myn.
Ibid. 8252 Of cercles bat he toke a-wai OfTrand he made at
min on ai. ^1340 Hampole Psalter v'x'x'x. 5 What is man
bat bou ert mynand of him ? 13. . E. E. A Hit. P. A. 583
Fyrst of my hyre my lorde con mynne. 1373 Langl. P. PI.
B. xv. 454 5e mynnen wel how Mathew seith how a man
madeafeste. a 1435 Cursor M. 21873 (Trin.) Hongres& deeb
vpon to mynne. c 1460 Towneley Myst. xxviii. 136 Myn ye
noght that I you told. .That my body shuld be sold.
4. trans. To commemorate.
a 1315 St. Marher. 2 pe eadi meiden bat we munni8 to
dei.
5. trans. To say, tell, mention, record, relate.
a 1300 Cursor M. 23953 Of hir truli it es mi tale, Hir
murning for to min. Ic 1315 Old Age iv. in E. E. P. (1862)
149 Iset ic am wib sunne bat i ne mai no}t munne. a 1375
Lay Folks Mass Bk. App. iv. 456 Sebbe trewely trouwe
b«r-Inne, And fulliche out of ;or moup hit mynne, per-to
liht muche mede. c 1400 Destr. Troy Prol. 37 Amonges
bat menye, — to myn hym be nome, — Homer was holden
haithill of dedis. a 1600 Flodden Field lxxii. in Child Bal-
lath III. 358 The first word that our prince did myn, 'Wel-
come, dukes and erles, to mee ! '
Min, obs. form of Mine.
II Mina l (mai-na). PL min® (main/-), minas
(mai-naz). Also 7 myna, mine, 8 minah ; pi. 7
minaes, mynaes. [L. mina, ad. Gr, /ivd (see
Mna), prob. from a Babylonian source: cf.
Maneh.]
1. A unit of weight anciently used in Western
Asia, Greece, and Egypt.
In Greek-speaking countries it contained 100 drachmas ;
it varied according to locality and time, but was not far
from 1 lb. avoirdupois ; 100 minas made a talent. In As-
syria and Babylonia there seem to have been two different
minas, one being double of the other.
1603 Holland Plutarch Explan. Words, Mina or Mna,
a weight, answering to Libra, that is to say, a pound.
1771 Raper in Phil. Trans. LXI. 487 It weighed 72 Attic
Minas. 1845 P. Smith "in //'. Smith's Diet. Gr. <$- Rom,
Ant. s. v. Talentum, Another standard of the talent, which
was used in commercial transactions, . .the mina of which
was called the commercial mina. . . This mina is mentioned
..as weighing 138 drachmae. 1903 19M Cent. Aug. 271
The Babylonian ordinary mina was equal to 982-4 grammes.
Sixty minne made one talent.
2. A denomination of money anciently current
in Greece and Greek-speaking countries, = 100
drachmas, or about ^"4. (Rendered * pound * in
the English versions of the N.T.)
1579-80 North Plutarch, Lysander(i$as) 486 A tallent of
siluer, twoand fifty Minas[etc.]. 1638S1K I. Herbert Trav.
(ed. 2) 242 Each supper stood him in a hundred Mynaes of
gold, each mina or dina, in our money valuing six and twenty
shillings and eight pence. 1659 Stanley Hist. Philos. xi,
(1687) 768/2 He [Protagoras] was the first, that took a hun-
dred Mina; for a gratuity. 1685 Cotton tr. Montaigne
xxxiv. (1711) I. 312 He was presently awarded ten Attick
Mines. 1776 Adam Smith W. N. 1. x. (1869) I. 141 Four
mina were equal to thirteen pounds six shillings and eight
pence. 1838 Thirlwall Greece xxxiii. IV. 296 Cyrus had
promised them a largess of five minas a-piece. 1845 P.
Smith in W. Smith's Dict.Gr.fy Rom.Ant.&.v. Talentum,
The [Attic] mina was 4/. if. yt. ..The Aeginetan mina was,
according to the existing coins, 5/. i^s. -jd. 1877 C. Geikie
Christ liv. (1879) 657 He gave them each, only a mina, one
hundred drachmae.
3. -Maneh.
1737 Whiston yoscphus p. cl, Maneh, Mna, or Mina, as
a coin = 6o Shekels. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XII. 37/2
[Ezekiel] tells us that the minah or maneh was valued at
60 shekels.
! Mina - (moina). Forms: 8 maynat, 8-9
mino, minor, 9 minah, minar, miner, myna,
mynah, myneh, maina, 9- mina. [Hindi mai'
na~J\ A name applied to several different stumoid
passerine birds of India and countries further east,
belonging to the genera Acridotheres and Eulabest
esp. Eitlabes ^formerly Gracula) retigiosa, the
common talking starling of India. In Australia
also applied to various species of the genera Mano-
rhina and Myzantha.
1769 Lady M.Coke Jrnl. 11 Aug. (1892) III. 131 A number
of fine Birds presented themselves before me: an Noble Mino
that I wanted to Buy, but [etc.]. 1800 Misc. Tracts in Asiat.
Ann. Reg. 4/2 The maynat. 1813 J. Forbes Oriental Mem.
I. 47 The myneh is a very entertaining bird,, .articulating
several words in the manner of the starling. 1831 Tbelawnv
Adv. Younger Sou III. 246 The mina, of deeper blue than
the sky. 1848 Gould Birds Australia IV. pi. 79 Yellow-
throated Miner. 1859 Lang Wand. India 263 A minar was
chased by a small hawk. 1879 M. Stokes Ind. Fairy
Tales iv. (1880) 18 So the dog went to a maina and said :
' What shall I do to hurt this cat?' 1888 D. Macdosald
Gum Boughs 146 Yellow-legged minahs, tamest of all
Australian birds. 1893 Myna, Maina, Minor [see Grackle iJ.
b. Comb.t as mina-bird, -grackle.
1782, 184a Minor Grakle, mino grakle [see Grackle i].
1864 Chambcrs*s Encycl., Mina bird.
Minace, obs. Sc. form of Menace v.
Minacions (min^'Jas), a. [f. L. minaci-%
minax (f. minari to threaten) + -0U8. Cf. It.
minaaioso.'] Menacing, threatening; of a threaten-
ing character ; full of threats or menaces.
1660 H. More Myst. Godl. m. iii. 63 Whether the face of
Heaven. .look upon us with a. .sad and minacious counten-
ance, a 1711 Ken Hymnotluo Poet. Wks. 1721 III. 349 He
ghostly Wants supplies, gives inward Joys, Which most
minacious Crosses overpoise. 1889 Arp. Benson in Life II.
286 He went away with a kind of minacious ' Very well '.
absol. 1824 Blackw. Mag. XVI, 68 You have often a touch
of the minaceous [sic].
Hence Mina'ciously adv., Kina'cionsness.
1674 Rec. Presbyt. Inverness (S.H.S.) 43 Donald dow
Mack conachie . . menaciouslie threatened the Minister. 1864
Q. Rev. Oct. 571 The attitude of the Papal communion
before this new enemy is that of a startled, trembling
minaciousness. 1895 Punch 21 Dec. 300/2 Two. .terriers,
which barked minaciously at my legs.
Minacity (mimt'siti). [f. L. minde-em, minax
threatening (see Minacious <7.) + -ity.] * Disposi-
tion to use threats' (J.) ; denunciation.
1656 in Blount Glossogr. 1841 L. Hunt Seer 11. (1864)
76 Nor is the district without its historical minackies. 1854
Milman Lat. Chr. vi. iii. (1864) III. 481 The warning was
couched in words of prophetic minacity.
t Minacy. Oft. Also 6-7 menacy. [ad. L.
minmix threats, f. minic-t minax threatening : see
Minacioi's and -acv.] *=Menack.
1565 Stapleton tr. Bede's Hist. Ch. Eng. 17 Saynt Albane
. . title heeded the menacies [L. minas] of the Prince. 1645
Featly Dippers Dipt 11646) 79 According to that dreadful!
menacy in the second Commandment, a 1670 Hacket
Abp. WilHojus n. (1693) 17 Yet was I left under that minacy
and the minacer..left to his course against me.
Minah, variant of Mina1 and Mina2.
Minal, variant of Monaul.
Minam,var. Mennom Obs. exc.dial., a minnow.
1656 Spelman Vitlare Angl. Pref. 3 What Dragg<net..
can be so cast to catch all Minams that come under it ?
t Mi*nant, a. Obs. [f. L. minant-em, pr. pple.
of minari to threaten.] That threatens.
1646-8 G. Daniel Poems Wks. 1878 I. 197 A Minant
Exhalation.
II Minar (minau). Also 7 mynar. [a. Arab.
U* manar, f. root of Ij nar fire.] A lighthouse,
a tower, or turret. Cf. Minaret.
1665 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (1677) 142 High slender
Turrets which the Mahometans, .term. .Minars, i.e. Towers.
Ibid. 318 A Tower, Mynar [edd. 1634, 1638, manor]. 1864
Chambers's Encycl. s. v., In India, Minars, or pillars of
victory.are frequently erected in connection with mosques. . .
They.. are divided into stories by projecting balconies, like
the minarets. 1898 G. Smith Twelve Ind.Statesm. iii. 100
The Taj itself.. was illumined by the electric light from its
four minars and the mosques on either side.
Minar, variant of Mina 2.
Minaret (mi-naret). Forms : a. 7 minoret,
8 minarat, mineret, 9 menaret, 7- minaret;
0. 8-9 minaree, minareh, menareh. [a. Arab.
5 Lu nianara^y mandrat (in Turkish pronunciation
mindre), f. root of nar fire: cf. Minar. The
immediate source may be F. mitiaret \ cf. Sp.
minarete, Pg. minareto, It. minaretto.~\ A tall
slender tower or turret, connected with a mosque,
surrounded by one or more projecting balconies
from which the mnezzin calls the people to prayer.
a. 1682 Wheler Journ. Greece v. 364 They have built a
Minoret, or tall, slender Steeple ; out of which they make a
Noise, to call People together, at their set times of Prayer.
1695 Motteux Saint-Dion's Morocco 72 Two Mosques,
whose Minarets are ofa considerable height. 1728 Morgan
Algiers I. iv. 157 This Khalifa was the first who erected
Minarets in the Mosques. 1760 Ann. Reg. 87 All the
minerets . . were thrown down. 181s Byron Cm, Har. 11.
xxxviii, The cross descends, thy minarets arise. 1839 Lane
Arab. Nts. I. 18 Thcmenaret of each mosque. 1869
Tozer Night. Turkey I. 51 The minarets and the castle
which crowns the highest position produce a striking effect.
fi. 1775CHANDLER Trav. Asia M. (1825)1. 59 Amid these the
tall minarees rise, and white houses glitter, dazzling the
beholder. 1798 Tweddell in Rem. (1815) I. 235 One of the
minarehs of St. Sophia. 1839 Lane Arab. Xts. I. 379 The
mueddinson the menarehs had chanted the Selam of Friday.
b. transf and fig.
i860 Tvnuall Glac. 1. U. 13 This beautiful minaret of ice.
1870 B. Haute Dickens in Camp i, The dim Sierras, far
beyond, uplifting Their minarets of snow.
C. attrib., as minaret-top^ 'tower.
1856 Kane Arct. Expl. I. xviii. 224 A solitary column or
minaret-tower. 1867 Lady Herbert Cradle L. i. 37 The
only call for prayer U from the minaret top.
Minareted (mrnareted), a. Also minaretted.
[f. Minaret + -ed ^.] Possessing, furnished with,
or characterized by minarets.
1844 Ld. Houghton Palm Leaves 138 In the minaretted
distance gleamed Purple and faint-green relics of the day.
1893 W. S. Burrell & Edith E. Cuthell Ind. Ment. 37
The family mosque, a tiny minareted building.
Minargent (mina\id3ent). [f. (Alu)min(ium
+ Argent.] A kind of aluminium-bronze.
1875 in Knight Diet. Mech. s. v. 1889 Brannt Krubf
fy Wildberger's Metallic Alloys 322 Minargent. This
alloy, which has a very beautiful white color, is composed
of copper 1000 parts, nickel 700, tungsten 50, aluminium 10.
Minas(s)e, obs. Sc. forms of Menace v.
Minati, obs. form of Manatee,
Minatorial (minato'rial),a. [f. Minatory +
•al.] Minatory, threatening.
1885 in Cassells Encycl. Diet. ; and in later Diets.
Hence Minatorially adv. -■=■ MlNATORILY.
1847 in Webster ; and in later Diets.
Minatorily (mrnat6rili),<i<ft/. [f. Minatory
+ -LY ^.] In a minatory or threatening manner.
a 1670 Hacket Abp. Williams 1. (1693) 103 His other
Works being prohibited so strictly and minatorily, that
Bishops might not read them.
Minatory (mimatori), a. and sb. Also 6 mino-
tary, mynatory, 6-7 minatorie. [ad. OF. mina*
toire, ad. late L. mindtorius ,f. minari to threaten.]
A. adj. Expressing, uttering, or conveying a
threat ; also, of the nature of a threat or menace;
threatening, menacing.
153* More Confut. Tindale Wks. 612/1 Those wordes be
mynatory and threttes. 1543 Grafton Contn. Harding
522 Kyng Rychard. .reiected the dukes request with many
spitefull and minotary woordes. 1577 Stanyhurst Descr.
I ret. in Holinsktd ^{1808) VI. 29 With rough and minatorie
speeches [he] began to menace them. 1644 Bulwer Chirol.
59 This minatory Agitation of the Hand. 1851 Carlvle
Sterling 1. xiii, Considerable clouds of Invasion . . hung
minatory over the North and North-East of Spain. 1898
Bodlby France II. iv. vii, 425 A doctrine minatory to the
army of France.
+ B. sb. A threat, a menace. Obs. rare.
157a Burleigh in Dirges Compl. Ambass. (1655) 334 With
1 some sweet minatories, he intrated that he might be staied.
s
MINAUDERIE.
1686 Evelyn Diary 22 Sept., The Emperor sending hi?
Minatories to the King of Denmark.
Minature, obs. form of Miniature.
\ Minauderie (m*iwctor#). [Fr., f. minauder
to put on affected expressions, f. mine expression
of face : see Mien*.] Coquettish airs.
1763 H. Walpole Let. to Mann 11 Aug., The Duchess.,
is a neap of minauderies and affectations. 1813 Scott
Peveril xl, [She] neglected nothing that effrontery and min-
auderie could perform to draw upon herself some portion of
the King's observation. 1849 Thackeray Pendennis xlvii,
How much pleasanter than the minauderies of the young
ladies in the ball-rooms.
Minaul, variant of Monaul.
t Minaway. Chiefly Sc. Obs. Also 7 min-
naway , 8 minuwae , 9 minowaye , minua.
Phonetic adoption of F. menttet, Minuet.
? 1695 Ballad, Constant Condon ii, No Minna. way Dance,
or Boree, Was ever so sweet a strain. 1787 Burns Let. to
W. Nicol 1 June, Shc.tipper-taipers when she talcs the
;ate, first like a lady's gentlewoman in a minuwae. 1816
-Iogg Poetic Mirror (1817) 202 The Otar dancit ane mino-
waye. 1821 [see Mince v. 6 b]. 1826 Galt Last of Lairds
xiv, Like a maid of honour dancing a minaway wi' the
lord -chancellor.
Mince (mins), sb. [f. Mince v.]
1. Minced meat ; mincemeat.
a 1850 Rossetti Dante <y Circ. 11. (1874) 274 Then let them
hew me to such mince As a man's limbs may make. 1863
[see Hash sb. i\. 1869 Mrs. Stowe Old-town Folks xxvh.
(1870) 305 ' We children ' were employed in chopping mince
for pies. 1899 O. Seaman In Cap $ Bells (1900) 84 Those
pies at which you annually wince, Hearing the tale how
happy months will follow Proportioned to the total mass of
mince You swallow.
2. An act of ' mincing * in speech or gesture.
Richardson 1837 has a quot. in which mince is a misprint
for minde. The sense appears in many later Diets., and
though no authority is cited, it is so completely according
to analogy that it might be used without producing any
sense of novelty.
Mince (mins), v. Forms: a. 4-6 mynce, 5-6
mynse, 5 mence, (7 minze), 6-7 minse,
6- mince ; (J. dial. 5 mynsh, 7 minche, 9
minsh, 6- minch. [Late ME. mynce, mynsh,
ad. OF. minder, minchier (mod.F. mincer),
accentual variant of menuisier :— popular L. *mi-
nutidre, f. L. minutia (see Minutia), f. miniitus
Minute a. Cf. It. minuzzare and (am)mencire.']
1. trans. To cut or chop (meat, etc.) small, or
in little pieces. + Also, to cut up tobacco.
a.,1 c 1390 Form 0/ Cury (1780) 12 Mynce Oynouns and cast
per to Safronn and Salte. c 1420 Liber Cocorum (1862) 18
Above bese herbus a lytul larde Smalle myncyd. c 1430 Tzvo
Cookery-bks. 41 pen mence Sawge. £1460 J. Russell Bk.
Nurture 400 Mynse hem [sc. partridges, etc.] smalle in be
siruppe. 1555 W. Watreman Fardle Facions 1. 48 Rawe
fleshe very finely minced. 1611 Middleton & Dekker
Roaring Girle n. L C 3 Shee that minces Tobacco. 1693
J. Dryden in Dryden* s Juvenal xiv. (1697) 353 The least
Remains of which they mince, and dress It o'er again to
make another Mess. 1726 Swift Gulliver 11. i, [At dinner]
The Wife minced a bit of Meat, then crumbled some bread
on a Trencher, and placed it before me. a 1756 Mrs.
Haywood Nezu Present (1771) 159 Mince very fine the white
of a chicken. 1863 Mrs. Gaskell Sylvia's L. xxxiv, The
sergeant asked for pepper and salt ; minced the food fine and
made it savoury. 1887 Spon's Househ, Managem. 284
Mince the flesh of a hen lobster to the size of small dice.
absol. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 230 And who has to
kill and skin and mince and boil and roast ? The cook, I said.
0. 1760-72 H. Brooke Foot of Qual. (1792) I. 291 A small
joint of meat,.. served us cold, hashed and minched, from
one week to the other. 1821 [see 7]. 1880 Jamieson, To
Minch, Minsk, to cut into small pieces.
b. To chop up or grind small with a knife or
mincing-machine and cook (meat, usually the
remains of a joint, etc., left from a previous meal).
Mod. We will have the cold meat minced for dinner to-day.
e. trans/. To cut (a person) in small pieces,
160a Shaks. Ham. 11. ii. 537 She saw Pyrrhus make mali-
cious sport In mincjng with his Sword her Husbands limbes.
1607 — Timon iv. in. 122 Spare not the Babe. .Thinke it a
Bastard . . And mince it sans remorse. 1648 Gage West Ind.
200 Fearing that many would fall upon him cowardly and
mince him small in pieces. 1742 Pope Dune. iv. 120 Revive
the Wits ! But murder first, and mince them all to bits.
1819 Shelley Cyclops 359 He.. minces their flesh and gnaws
their bone With hiscursed teeth. 1806 Farmer & Henley
Slang, Mince (medical students'), to dissect.
. 0. 1635 H eywood Hierarchie 11.64 Thinking to minch me
into parts and fleece Me of my right
f d. To cut or slash. Obs. rare.
a 1560 Becon Jezvel 0/ Joy Wks. 11. 19 b, Theyr dublets
and hoses,.. for the most parte are so mynsed cutte and
iagged, that [etc.]. 1582 Stanyhurst AZneis 11. (Arb.) 63
Lyk on a mountayn thee tree dry wythered oaken Sliest by
the clowne Condon rusticks with twibbil, or hatchet. Then
the tre deepe minced, far chopt dooth terrifye swinckers.
+ ©. The alleged proper term for : To carve (a
plover). Obs.
i486 Bk. St. Albans F vij b, A Plouer Mynsed. 1513 Bk.
Keruynge in Babees Bk. 151 Wynge that quayle mynce that
plouer thye that pegyon. 1661 Rabisha Cookery Dissected
253 Mince that Plover. 1840 H. Ainsworth Tower 0/
London xxxix, In the old terms of his art, he leached the
brawn,, .minced the plovers, thighed the pigeons.
2. trans/. and_/?^. To cut up, subdivide minutely.
Also with up. f To mince away : to nullify by
multiplied petty exceptions.
a. c 1450 St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 6758 All northumberlande
prouynce He thoght as croms of brede to mynce. 1581
Vol. VI.
457
1 Mulcaster Positions xxxix. (1887) 190 To mince his labour
1 so, as ech one can haue but some Htle. 1639 Fuller Holy
War v. xxi. (1640) 264 We will not take notice of Germame
as it is minced into pettie Principalities. 1689 T. R. View
1 Govt. Europe 62 The Jesuits there have.. mine'd away all
the old remains of Morality and Conscience, a 1748 Watts
Improi'. Mindu. vi. § 2 (1801) 241, 1 have always thought it a
mistake in the preacher to mince his text or his subject too
small, by a great number of subdivisions, 1833 Marsden
Early Purit. 244 Their [sc. the Puritans'] sermons were not
studiously minced up in tiny fragments.
refi. 1643 Sir T, Browne Relig. Med. 1. § 8 Nor contented
with a general breach or dichotomy with their Church do
subdivide and mince themselves almost into Atoms.
0. 1637 Rutherford Lett. 11 Mar., And let Christ have all
your love, without minching or dividing it. 171a M. Henry
Life P. Henry Wks. 1853 !*• 647/1 In his expositions, he
reduced the matter of the chapter . . read to some heads ;
not by a logical analysis, which often mincheth it too small.
f 3. To diminish, take away from. Obs.
a. 1646 J. Besbricge Vsura Accom. 20 He that minceth
his estate, doth diminish the Magistrate's Right [ = Taxes].
6. 1499 in N. Riding Rec. (1894) 178 Wherby the seid
wode is mynshed and hurt. 1606 Birnie Kirk-Buriall
(I833) 35 Lawlesse publicans, tyke Hophnees with elcrookes
to minche and not Samueles, to mense the offerings of God.
4. To lessen or diminish in representation ; to
make little of, minimize; to disparage; to pal-
liate, extenuate (faults). Now rare.
a 1591 H. Smith Serm. (1637) 395 Wee mince our sins as
though they needed no forgivenesse. 1609 W. M. Man in
Moonc (Percy Soc.) 46 To mince and extenuate any laudable
part in her, but to display and augment whatsoever deformity
you know by her. 1638 Ford Lady's Trials, iii, Be gone
Futelli, doe not mince one syllable Of what you heare.
a 1676 Hale Prim. Orig. Man. 11. vii. 186 The Author of
the Dissertation .. seems to mince the Universality of the
Flood. 1685 Dryden Sylvx Pref. a 3 b, If to mince his
meaning,. . I had. .omitted some part of what he[.rr. Lucre-
tius] said,.. I certainly had wrong'd him. 1717 Swift
Gulliver, Let.fr, Capt. G. to Sympson 14 You have either
omitted some material circumstances, or minced or changed
them in such a manner that I do hardly know mine own
work. 1736 Ainsworth Lat. Diet., To mince or pass a
thing slightly over. 1839 Bailey Festus v. (1848)41 Ye
see 1 do not mince the truth for ye.
fb. absol. Obs.
1615 Jackson Creed iv. 11. vi. § 5 Abraham . .was then re-
justified not by works though not without faith, as Bellar-
mine minceth, but by faith without works, as the Apostle
strongly and peremptorily infers. i6zi 1st Bk. Discipl. Ch.
Scot. Pref. (1641) A 3, Some of the Disciples, .at first did
mince, and sparingly speake, but afterward practise and
loudly preach ; that [etc.]. 1681 Glanvill Sadducismus 11.
{1726) 455 Who confidently and without mincing, denied
that there was any such Being.
c. To mince the matter: in early use, to ex-
tenuate or make light of the particular matter in
question. Now only in negative contexts, to
moderate one's language in condemnation, to ex-
press oneself politely or delicately. So to mince
matters.
a '535 tsee Mincing vbl. sb. 2]. 1604 Shaks. Oth. 11. iii.
247 lago, Thy honestie and love doth mince this matter,
Making it light to Cassio. 1649 Bp. Hall Cases Consc.
(1650) 160 Some Doctors., would either excuse, or mince the
matter. 1668 Owen Nat. <$■ Power Indxv. Sin Wks. 1851 VI.
315 Here it [sc. the law] minceth not the matter with Sinners.
1679 J. Goodman Penit. Pard. in. v. (1713) 335 A learned
Jew endeavours to mince the matter, and to turn the story
into an allegory. 17^1 Richardson Pamela II. 82 Well,
Tom, said he, don't mince the matter. Tell me, before Mrs.
Andrews, what they said. 1778 Mme. D'Arblay Diary 26
Aug., His determination not to mince the matter, when he
thought reproof at all deserved. 1840 Carlyle Heroes ii.
(1858) 239 A candid ferocity, if the case call for it, is in him ;
he does not mince matters ! 1857 W. Collins Dead Secret
11. ii. (1861) 49 A man's speculative view depends — not to
; mince the matter— on the state of his secretions. 1891 Mrs.
I Oliphant Jerus. iv. iii. 483 Language of condemnation . . J
! made when men did not mince matters.
d. f To report (expressions) euphemistically
I (obs.) ; to moderate (one's language), restrain
, (one's words) within the bounds of politeness or
! decorum. Also to mince it. To mince an oath :
, to substitute some euphemistic perversion for it
(also used in sense 5).
1599 Shaks. Hen. V, v. ii. 130, 1 know no wayes to mince
it in loue, but directly to say, I loue you. 1606 — Ant. <J- '
CI. 1. ii. 109 Ant. Speake to me home, Mince not the general
tongue, name Cleopatra as she is call'd in Rome. 1720
Swift Let. Advice Yng. Poet Misc. (1722) 107 My young
Master, who at first but mine'd an Oath, is taught there to
mouth it gracefully, and to swear, as he reads French, Ore
rotundo. 1754 Richardson Grandison III. vii. 112 Shall
I give it you in plain English ? You don't use to mince it.
1826 Disraeli Viv. Grey \\. ii, I will not mince my words.
1897 S. S. Spricce Life T. Wakley xxxiL 294 These were
hard sayings, but men did not mince their words in those days.
5. a. trans. To utter in an affectedly refined
manner; to pronounce with affected elegance, ;
1 clip ' (one's words), b. absol. or intr. To speak ,
with affected elegance or delicacy of pronunciation.
1549 Coverdale, etc. Erasm. Par. Thess. 3 We came not
unto you with bragging, .. nor curiously mincing a sorte of
great wordes. 1807 Crabbe Par. Reg. 11. Wks. 1834 II.
179 Low spake the lass, and lisp'd and minced the while.
1874 L. Stephen Hours in Library (1892) I. x. 347 [The]
fine gentleman who minced his mother tongue.
6. intr. To walk with short steps or with
affected preciseness or nicety ; to walk in an
affected manner; to show affectation or affected
delicacy in manner of gait. Also to mince it.
MINCED MEAT.
I 156a Jack Juggler (Roxb. Club) 9 She minceth, she bride-
1 leth, she swimmeth to and fro. 1567 Drant Horace, Ep.
1 1. xiv. E v, Thou hast no trippinge trull to mince it with the
now That thou mighst foote it vnto her as nimble as a cow.
*593 Drayton Ed. vii. 13 Now Shepheards. .in neate
Jackets minsen on the Playnes. 1598 Shaks. Merry W. v. i.
9 Fall. Away I say. time weares, hold vp your head &
mince. 1611 Bible Isa. iii. 16 The daughters of Zion are
hautie, and walke with stretched forth necks, and wanton
eyes, walking and mincing \marg., tripping nicely] as they
goe, and making a tinkeling with their feet. 1616 R. C.
Times' Whistle etc. (1871) 133 Then gan she trip it proudlie
one the toe, And mince it finely vpon London streetes. a 1639
W.Whateley Prototypes 1. xix.( 1640) 240 Mincing with ones
feete, or any other affected kind of going, is an act ofhaughti-
nesse. 1736 Ainsworth Lat. Diet., To mince it in walking.
1753 Koote Ettg. in Paris 1. Wks. 1799 I. 36 The men are
all puppies, mincing and dancing, and chattering. i8a6
Blackw. Mag. XX. 4S4 She. .minced, and primmed, and
tossed her head. 1868 Miss AlcottZ-;"/. Women xix, It was
a comical sight to see her mince along. 189a Stevenson &.
I- OSBOURNE Wrecker ii. 28 My aunt might mince and my
cousins bridle, but there was no getting over the solid
physical fact of the stone-mason in the chimney-corner.
b. trans. To perform or enact mincingly.
1603 Dekker Batchelars Banq, xi, Fine Dames and
dainetye Girles..whoe can finely mtnee their measures.
1605 Shaks. Lear iv. vi. 122 Behold yond simpring Dame,
..that minces Vertue & do's shake the head to heare of
pleasures name. 1648 J. Beaumont Psyche ill. clxxxii, To
the ground Three times she bows, and with a modest grace
Minces her spruce retreat. 1821 in A. Lowson J. Guid-
follow (1890) 233 [The witch] Could mince a minua on mist,
Or caper on a cloud !
7. Comb. The verb-stem used attrib. a. with
object-noun, as in f mince-speech, one who
'minces' his language; b. in the sense of minced',
as in f mince-collop, Mincemeat, Mince-pie.
a. 1621 Brathwaite Nat. Embassie, etc. (1877) 278 Mins-
speech, miff-pace sleeke-skin, and perfum'd breath.
&. 1821 Galt Ayrsh. Leg. xxv. (1895) 223 A steam-ingine
that minches minch-collops as natural as life.
f Mi nceative, a. and sb. Obs. In 7 mynsa-
tive, minsitive. [f. Minxe v. + -ative.] a. adj.
V Mincing, affected, b. sb. ? One given to mincing.
1601 B. Jonson Poetaster iv. i, Neuer say, your Lordship,
nor your Honour; but, you, and you my Lord, and my
Ladie : the other they count too simple and minsitiue.
1606 Sir G. Goosecappe 1. ii. B ij b, Tis the mind of man,
..to affect new fashions; but to our Mynsatiues for sooth, if
he come like to your Besognio, or your bore, so he bee rich
or emphaticall, they care noL
Minced (minst), ///. a. [f. Mince v. + -ed 1.]
1. Of meat, etc. : Cut up or chopped into very
small pieces. Minced collops, see Collop l 2 c.
See also Minced meat, Minced-pie.
c 1420 Liber Cocorum (1862) 17 Frye smalle mynsud
onyone In oyle. c 1430 Two Cookery-bks. 15 Also mencyd
Dates, Clowes, Maces [etc.]. c 1450 Ibid, no Take vynegre
and poudre gingere, salt, and cast a-pon be mynced shulder
[of mutton]. ? a 1584 Tom Thumbe 100 in Hazl. E. P. P. II.
181 His mother. .Into a pudding thrust her sonne instead of
minced fat. 1821 Lamb Elia Ser. I. Grace be/ore meat, One
who professes to like minced veal. iS$$Mrs, Beetons Cookery
Bk. iii/i Minced Fowl— an Entree (Cold Poultry Cookery}.
b. fig. (See Mince v. 2.)
1581 Mulcaster Positions viii. (1887J 53 Writers make to
many, and to finely minced distinctions. 1606 Shaks. Tr. fy
Cr. 1. ii. 279 Is not birth, beauty, . .and so forth : the Spice
and salt that seasons a man? Cres. I, a mine'd man and
then to be bak'd with no Date in the pye, for then the
mans' dates out.
2. Uttered or performed in a mincing or affected
manner. ? Obs.
1545 BrinklowCVw//. i. 8The mombled and mynsed Masse
(wherby neither God is glorifyed, nor the hearers edifyed).
1553 Becon Reliques of Rome (1563) 117 The minsed musike
that now beareth chief rule in Churches.
f3. Diminished; deprived of some essential
part, mutilated. Obs.
1609 J. Rawlinsos Fishermen Fishers of Men 34 A
minced and curtail mainteinance. 1695 Sage Fund. Charter
Presb. (1697) 216 Giving us only a Minced account of this
Petition. 1707 Vulpone 15 [Of the Scotch Representation
at the Union.] To agree to such a minced Representative,
and give away the Birth-rights of their Lords, Barons and
Boroughs.
b. Of an oath : see Mince v. 4 d.
1880 Brewer Reader's Handbk. (1885) 606 Mr. Mantalini
. . is . . noted for . . his minced oaths [etc. ].
Minced meat.
1. a. Meat cut or chopped up very small.
1578 Lyte Dodoens 1. ciii. 146 Chopte or minsed meate.
1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy m. xi. 90 b, Pies of
minced meate, and rice. 1626 Bacon Sylva § 46 With a
goodstrong Chopping-knife, mince the two Capons . . as small
as ordinary Minced Meat. 1839 Lane Arab. Nts. I. 123
Stuffed with rice and minced meat.
b. = Mincemeat i b. Also attrib. rare or Obs.
1762 Gelleroy Loud. Cook 236 Mix your minced meat and
sweetmeats accordingly. 1824 Miss Mitford Village Ser. 1.
235 The apple-room, the pear-bin, the cheese-loft, the minced-
meat closet were household words. 1885 in CasselCs En.
cycl. Diet.
2. fig. Any thing cut up very small ; esp. in
phrases : see Mincemeat 2.
1649 G. Daniel Trinarch., Hen. IV, xxxiv. Neighbour
Kings. .Hee Courts by his Ambassadors ; and fitts with a
new minc't-meat, seueral appetites. x668 Dryden Evening's
Love iv. ii, The sun and moon, and those little minced-meats
of them. 177a Nugent Hist. Fr. Gerund II. 208 So as to
displume him, ..so, in short, as to make minced-meat of
him. 1898 A. Balfour By Stroke of Sivord xxi, Father
Miguel, .was straightway resolved into minced meat.
124
MINCEDNESS.
t Mincedness. 06s. rare-1, [f. Minced
ppl. a. + -NESS.] Affected delicacy.
1583 Stubbes Anat. Abtis. i. (1879) 78 Their coynesse in
gestures, their minsednes in woords and spcaches.
Minced-pie.
1. = Mince-pie i. Now only U.S.
a. 1607 R. Johnson Pleas. Conceites OldHobson (Percy Soc.)
9 Cramming their bellies with minced pyes. 1655 Moufet
& Bennet Health's Improv. (1746) 297 Dates are usually
put into. .minced pies. 1748 Mrs. Harrison House-Kpr. s
Pocket-Bk. ii. (ed. 4) 6 Christmas or Minced Pyes, are gene-
rally brought in with the first Course. 1753 Scots Mag.
Oct. 491/i^The fore corner of my hat was considerably ele-
vated and shortened, so that it resembled, .the corner of a
minced pye. 176a Gellerov Land. Cook 237 Minced Pies
with Eel, or Oysters. 187a Schele de V 'ere Americanisms
506 Minced-pies represent in America the English Christmas-
pies.
B. 1609 Df.kker Worke for Armorours Wks. (Grosart)
IV. 117 And vpon Christmas day (in stead of minched pyes)
had no better cheere then prouant.
2. = MlNCE-PIE 2.
1739 Gkay Let. to West 22 May, Sugar-loaves and minced-
pies of yew.
Mi ncemeat. [Altered from Minced meat :
see Mince v. 7 b.]
1. + a. = Minced meat i a. 06s.
1747 Mrs. Glasse Cookery iv. 60 Then lay in your Dish
a layer of Mince-meat.
Jig. 1742 Pope Dune. iv. 228 note, Stobaeus,. .an author,
who gave his Common-place book to the public, where we
happen to find much Mince-meat of old books.
b. A mixture made of currants, raisins, sugar,
suet, apples, almonds, candied peel, etc., and some-
times meat chopped small ; used in mince-pies.
1845 Eliza Acton Mod. Cookery 358 Mince Pies. Butter
some tin pattypans well, and line them evenly with fine puff
paste rolled thin; fill them with mincemeat [etc.]. 1886
G. R. Sims Ring d Bells, etc. IV. n. 129 My wife makes
her own mincemeat and her own plum-puddings.
2. To make mincemeat of (a person), and similar
phrases : To cut or chop him into very small
pieces ; to destroy, to annihilate.
a. 1663 Cowlev CutterColwanSt. 11. iv, I'll hew thee into
so many Morsels, that [etc.]. . .Thou shall be Mince-meat,
Worm, within this Hour. 1708 Mrs. Centlivre Busy Body
II, iii, If I should find a man in the house I'd make mince-
meat of him. 1853 Ld. Strangforo in Croker Papers (1884)
III. xxviii. 296 They blame you for letting Johnny Russell
off so easily [in a review], when you might have made
mincemeat of him. 190a L. Stephen Stud. Biog. IV. ii. 76
Macaulay . . makes mincemeat of Southey's . . expositions
of political economy.
6. #1774 D. Graham Writings (1883) 1. 136 Which made
him minch-meat for the grave.
Hence Mi'ncemeat v. trans., to cut to pieces.
1879 Atcherley Boerltind 202 Concluding that I was about
to be mincemeated by a Basuto impi. 1897 Gunter Susan
Turnb. ii. 15 Bring him up here, or. .I'll mincemeat you !
Mince-pie*. [Alteration of Minced-pie : see
Mince v. 7 b.]
1. Apie containingmincemeat (see Mincemeat i b).
Usually, one of the small pies (now commonly round, but
cf. quots. 1807 below and 1753 s. v. Minced-pie) which form
a prominent part of English Christmas fare.
a. 1600 [see 3]. 1661-Z Pepys Diary 6 Jan., We had,
besides a good chine of beef and other good cheer, eighteen
mince pies in a dish, the number of the years that he hath
been married. 1673 Shadwei.l Epsom Wells iv. Wks.
1720 II. 247 For currants to make mince-pyes with. 1711-12
Swift Jrnl. to Stella 2 Jan., I see nothing here like Christ-
mas, except brawn and mince-pies in places where I dine.
1747 Mrs. Glasse Cookery 116 Lent Mince Pies. 1807
Southev Espriella's Lett. III. 384 Old bridges danger-
ously narrow, and angles in them like the corners of an
English mince-pie, for the foot-passengers to take shelter in.
a 1825 Parr in Chambers Bk. Days (1864) II. 75^/2 Please
to say Christmas-pie, not mince-pie; mince-pie is puri-
tanical. 1867 Trollope Chron. Barset I. xix. 167 There
was roast pork and mince-pies, and a bottle of wine.
B. 1846 M. A. Richardson Local Histor. Table-bk. VIII.
377 'Tis I that's to .. send thee to Satan to make minch
Pies. 1889 N. W. Line. Gloss., Minch-pie, a mince.pie.
It is said that mince-pies and minch-pies are not quite the
same. Minch-pies, we are told, have meat in their composi-
tion ; mince-pies have not.
2. transf. A yew-tree or other shrub cut or
trimmed to the shape of a mince-pie.
1756 Mrs. Delany in Life <$■ Corr. (1861) III. 435 The
gardens laid out in the old-fashioned way of mince-pies,
arbours, and sugarloaf yews.
3. attrib. and Comb.
1600 Rowlands Lett. Humours Blood ii. 8 Or Mincepie-
like He mangle out the slaue. 1906 Month Jan. 35 Pitt's
'mince-pie* Administrations, as they were sarcastically
called.
Mincer (mi-nsai). [f. Mince v. +-erA]
1. A person who minces or chops small.
1611 Middleton& Dekker Roaring Girl 'n.i. Csb,Green.
Troth, this [tobacco] is finely shred. Lax. Oh women are
the best mincers. 1850 Scoresby Chcever's Whalem. Adv.
v. (1859) 67 The mincer with a two-handed knife slashes it
nearly through into thin slices.
b. A mincing-machine.
1885 Pall Mall G. 31 Mar. 3/2 How many mincers are in
use at workhouses which [etc.]. 1904 Daily News 19 May
0 In the East-end ..there is a large trade in converting
horse flesh by means of the mincer. One thing is certain—
these are not sold as horse flesh sausages.
t2. One who diminishes or disparages. 06s.
Tennyson's use (quot. 1847) is fig. of 1, but prob. echoes
some example of the sb. in this sense or of Mince v. 4.
1619 Pukchas Microcosmns Ixxiv. 737 She accounted his
458
Fame a Mincer, and .. a Halfe-reporter of his Prosperitie
and Wisedome. (1847 Tennyson Princess iv. 494 Mincers
of each other's fame.]
3. One who minces words : one who speaks
mincingly or in an affected manner.
1587 Fleming Conln. Holinshed III. 1284/2 Nicholas
Stanleie, whome Leland the minser and refiner of all Eng
lish names dooth most curiouslie in Latine call Nicholaum
Steuelegium. 1867 A. J. Ellis E. £. Pronunc. 1. iii. § 4. 194
The mincer, so far from dropping the front of the tongue
from the palate, raises the middle part and produces (lj)
which degenerates into (i), as in Modern French.
t Minchen. Obs. Forms : 1 mynecenu,
-ceeriu, munecenu, 3 mun(e)chene, 4-5 myn-
choun, 4-6 -yn, 5 -on, -eon, -un, -ine, 5-6
-ion, 5, 8-9 -en, 6-7 minchun, -eon, 6, 8 myn-
chin, 7 minching, 7-9 -in, -en, (9 mynekin) ;
4-5 meynchen(e, -yn; 4-5 menchon, -en, 5
-one, 7 -ion, mention ; 4-5 monchyn, -on(e,
-en, 5 -ioun. [OE. mynecenu (:— prehistoric
9tnumkint) fern, of mitnue Monk.] A nun.
The distinction suggested in quot. 1844 between * min-
chens ' and ' nuns ' does not seem to have any foundation
in the use of the words.
c 1000 JElyricGIoss. in Wr.-Wulcker 155/26 Monacha, itel
mouialis, mynecenu. c x»5 Lav. 28476 And heo wes . .
munechene. c 1315 Shoreham 7 Sacraments 1780 Sudeakne
mey be ywedded nau3t, Monek, munechene, ne frere [MS.
muneche, ne no frere], 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) VI.
403 Sche was i-made mynchoun [v.r. monchon, meynchyn].
1395 E. E. Wills (1882) 6 My suster Thomase Blount, Men-
choun of Romeseye. c 1420 Chron. Vilod. 3927 pere was
a mynchun w'-inne bat abbay bo, pe wheche was come off
hey^e lynage. c 1450 St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 7164 par war,
in diuers mansiouns Duelland, monkys and monchiouns.
1485 Caxton Paris fy V. (1868) 39, I would rather make
you a noune or a menchon. 1495 Will of Terbuck (Somer-
set Ho,!, Euery mynchion wl in the same abbey. 1538 in
Lett. Suppress. Monasteries (Camden) 228 Many of the
mynchys [read mynchyns] be also agyd. a 1539 in A rchxo-
logia XLVII. 54 That euery nunne and mynchin of this
house . . obserue ther deuyne seruice. 1603 Stowe Surv.
134 Pertayning to the Minchuns, or nuns of Saint Helens.
161 1 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. vii. v. 215 Ermengith a mention.
Ibid. xi. 256 Lady Nithgith . . was a Menchion. 1658
Phillips, Minchings, an ancient word for those consecrated,
whom we call Nuns. 1844 Lingard Anglo-Sax. Ch. (1858)
I. v, 198 note 1 The mynekins were so called from the
Saxon 'munuc', because they observed the rule of the
monks, while the nuns observed the rule of the canons.
transf 1^31 Elyot Gov. in. xviii, A Mynchen in the
temple of Diana.
b. attrib., as minchen clothing', also in the names
of places, as Minchen lane, -meadow, -ivood.
1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) VI. 473 pis Wilfritha was
nou^t verrayliche a mynchoun .. but for drede of kyng
Edgar , . sche took myncnene clobynge. 1598 Stow Surv. 97
A thirde lane out of Tower-streete, on the North side, is
called Mincheon or Minion lane. 1640 Somner Antiq.
Canterb. 69 The which Wood retaines to this day the name
of Minchen- Wood, a 1691 Aubrey Nat. Hist Wilts (1847)
49 About Priory St. Maries, and in the Minchin-meadowes
there, . . there is infinite variety of plants.
Mincliery (mrntjari). Hist. Forms : 7 min-
cherie, rninchionrea, 8 minshery, 9 mynchery,
8- minchery. [f. Minchen + -ry.
First recorded as the proper name of the conventual build-
ing at Littlemore near Oxford, and thence adopted in general
application by archaizing writers.]
1661 Wood Life {O. H. S.) I. 403 An antient house called
Minchcri'e, or Minchionrea, that is ' the place of nunns ',
founded there of old time. 17x0 Hearne Collect. (O. H, S.)
III. 84 A great many .. Bones of Men, etc., found at the
Minshery by Littlemore. 1841 F. E. Paget Tales of Village
(1852) 225 Upon condition that a mynchery {as the Saxon
nunneries were called) should be forthwith erected. 1893
W. D. Macray Catal. Bodl MSS. v. in. 474 The view of
Littlemore Minchery is given in three states.
II Minchiate (nunkia-fc?). [It., sb.pl. ; in Florio
(161 1 ) menchiatte.'] A card game chiefly played
in Tuscany, a modification of tarot. Also, as
plural (the original use), the cards used in the game.
1768 Barett! Ace. Manners <$• Cust. Italy II. 219 The
games I mean, are those which we form out of those cards
called Minchiate and Tarroccd's. lbid.% Both the minchi-
ate and the tarrocco's consist of five suits instead of four,
as common^ cards do. 1803 R. Smith in Archxologia XV.
140 There is no game on the cards, .. that requires closer
attention., than this of Minchiate. Ibid., A complete set
of Minchiate cards, such as have been long in use at Flor-
ence. Ibid. 141 A Minchiate pack consists of ninety-seven
cards, of which fifty-six are called Cartiglia, forty Tarocchi,
and one Matto. 1905 Athenaeum 18 Nov. 684/1 For those
with a taste for long-drawn-out pleasures, tarot and min-
chiate—for others, basset, trappola, [etc.]— succeeded each
other as fashionable games.
Minchun, variant of Minchen Obs.
Mincing (mi'nsin), vbl. sb. [f. Mince v. +
-ing 1.]
1. The action of chopping or cutting up into
very small pieces ; f concr. a small shred or piece
(of meat, etc.).
1598 Florio, Sminuzzoli, mincings, mammocks, shreds
or small peeces. 1626 Bacon Sylva § 54 Mincing of meat,
as in Pies, . . saueth the Grinding of the Teeth. 1638 Raw-
ley tr. Bacons Life fy Death (1650) 47 Gravies of Meat,
and the Mincings of them small well-seasoned. 1899 All-
butt's Syst. Med. VIII. 797 Scarification consists in a minc-
ing of the lupus tissue by the knife.
2. The action of extenuating, minimizing, pal-
liating, or glossing over a matter; the suppression
of part of a fact or statement.
MINCINGLY.
a. 1533 More Debell. Salem Wks. 964/2 The myncynge
of suche matters, a 1591 H. Smith Wks. (1866-7) I- 449
A spiritual ear can hear God reproving this land for this
mincing of his worship. 1701 N orris Ideal World 1. ii. 131
What means this mincing and this disguising of a plain and
unavoidable truth? 1866 Felton Anc. $ Mod Gr. I. 100
If they [Homer's characters] get angry, out it comes,., with
no mincing of phrase.
0. 1604 T. Wright Passions (1620) 290 It is admirable
how the minching and particularizing of the object of de-
light increaseth and augmenteth delight.
3. The action or habit of speaking or acting
in an affectedly nice or elegant manner.
1613 Shaks. Hen. VIII, 11. iii. 31 Which guifts (Sauing
your mincing) the capacity Of your soft Chiuerell Con-
science, would receiue. 1828 Scott F. M. Perth xii, Such
shalt thou be, for all thy mincing and ambling [etc.].
4. attrib. and Comb., as mincing-horse, a
wooden horse or stand on which whale-blubber is
minced or chopped ; mincing-knife, a knife used
in mincing meat, etc. ; also in whaling, for cutting
up blubber into small pieces; mincing-machine,
a machine for mincing meat, etc. ; also for cutting
up blubber; mincing-spade, a spade used for
cutting up blubber.
1586 Wills fy Inv. N. C. (Surtees) II. T49, ij minsinge
knives. 1634 in Anc. Invent. (HalHw. 1854) 18, 3 beefe
forks, 2 mincinge knyves, 1 cleaver [etc]. 1874 C. M.
Scam moh Marine Mammals 238 The blubber is transported
in strap-tubs to the mincing-horse, where the ordinary two-
handled knife is used. 1875 Knight Did. Mech., Mincing-
machine,., a sausage-machine. 1884 Ibid. Suppl., Mincing-
knife (Whaling). Ibid., Mincing machine, a machine with
knives on a roller, used in cutting blubber small for trying.
Ibid., Mincing spade. 1885 Pall Mall G. 31 Mar. 3/2 The
Eastbourne board of guardians have ordered a mincing
machine to be supplied for the use of aged and toothless
paupers in their workhouse.
Mincing (mi-nsin),///. a. [f. Mince z>. + -ing2.]
1. That minimizes, extenuates, or diminishes.
1581 T. Howell Denises (1879) 233 My symple meaning
plaine, not carued with mincing stile. 1593 Rainolds Over-
throw Stage-pl. (1599) 108 My speech was too minsing,
when I named bawderie. If I had termed it most filthy
beastly bawderie, my wordes had bene broder, though not
brode enough yet. a 1640 J. Ball./!«57(>. toCnnne 1. (1642)
127 Your minsing figure of extenuation. 1778 Mrs. Scott
in Doran Lady of last Cent. x. (1873) 242, I hate those
mincing names, designed only to palliate wrong actions.
1827 Scott Jrnl. 10 Mar., The mincing English edition in
which he has hitherto been alone known.
2. Of speech, gait, mien, etc. : Affectedly dainty
or elegant.
1530 Palsgr. 830/2 A mynsynge pace, le pas menu. 1596
Shaks. Merch. V. in. iv. 67 lie . . turne two minsing steps
Into a manly stride, c 1645 Howell Lett. (1650) II. 4 The
fawning and soft glances of a mincing smile. 1717 Pope, etc
Art of Sinking in The Finical Style, which consists of the
most curious, affected, mincing metaphors. 1776 Mme.
D'Arblay Early Diary 2 Dec, Her voice low, and deli-
cate, and mincing. 1848 Dickens Dombey i, Possibly her
mincing gait encouraged the belief, and suggested that her
clipping of a step of ordinary compass into two or three,
originated in her habit of making the most of everything.
1861 Geo. Eliot Silas M. iii, (Oho\ said Dunsey.. trying
to speak in a small mincing treble. 1893 A. Griffiths
Secrets Prison Ho. II. iv. ii. 63 She walked with a mincing,
self-satisfied air down the passage.
b. Of a person : Speaking, walking, or behaving,
in an affectedly dainty or nice manner.
1560 Ingflend Disob. Child Djb, This myncing Trull.
1590 Spenser F. Q. ii. ii. 37 Fitt mate for such a mincing
mineon. 1634 Milton Comus 964 As Mercury did first de-
vise With the mincing Dryades On the Lawns. 1700 Drvden
Fables Pref. C 1 b, Distinguish'd from each other as much
as the mincing Lady Prioress and the broad -speak ing gap-
tooth'd Wife of Bathe. 1849 James Woodman vii, I can be
as delicate and mincing as a serving maid should need be.
1887 A. J. C. Hare Story my Life xxiv. (1900) VI. 94 [She]
frightened a mincing curate out of his life.
C. In jingling reduplication. ? nonce-use.
1822 Moore in Mem. (1853) IV. 7 The mincing-pincing
style of talking among the French women.
Hence Mi'ncingness.
1866 Geo. Eliot F. Holt xix, That frigid mincingness
called dignity,
Mincingly (mi'nsinli), adv. Also 6 mins-, 7
miuz-, minchingly. [f. Mincing ///. a. + -ly ^.]
+ 1. In small pieces. Obs.
1598 Florio, Sminutamente, mincingly, . . in small peeces.
2. f Sparingly, in grudging measure {06s.) ; in a
minimizing or extenuating manner.
o. 1594 Hooker Eccl. Pol. 1. xi. § 5 The iustice of one that
requiteth nothing mincingly, but all with pressed and heaped
and euen ouer-inlarged measure. 1699 F. Bugg Quakerism
Exposed To Rdr. 1 Several do Certifie (tho' mincingly) that
they have Publicly Charged him with Lies. 1736 Ains-
worth Lat. Diet., Mincingly, or slightly, letnter, 1892
Chicago Advance 18 Feb., [Jeremiah] mustspeak the truth.
. . And better to speak it plainly, than mincingly.
B. a 1624 Bp. M. Smith Serm. (1632) 256 It is written of
Galba, that he gaue pinchingly and minchingly, as though
he had not beene Emperour.
3. In a mincing or affectedly elegant manner.
1596 Nashe Sajfron-Walden M 3, A turne or two hee
mincingly pac't with her about the roome. 1598 Florio,
Mangiare a ?niccino, to eate minsingly, a crum, a iot.
1657 J. Sergeant Schism Dispach't 601 Though it seeme to
speak coyly and mincingly. 1741 Richardson Pamela
(1824) I. xxix. 293 She trips up and down mincingly, and
knows not how to set her feet. 1838 Dickens Nich. Nick.
xxxiv, He led her mincingly away. 1878 Hesba Stretton
Needle's Eye II. 146 She tossed her head higher, and stepped
more mincingly than usual.
MIND.
tram/. 1814 New Monthly Mag. X. 133 Crow-quills that
move mincingly between embossed margins. 1841 Tait's
Mag. VIII. 119 A soul of large capacity will not sip minc-
ingly.
Mineks, obs. form of Minx.
Mind (maind), sb.l Forms: 1 semynd, 2-3
imunde, 3 yraunde, 2-4 munde, 2-7 minde,
3-4 muynde, muinde, 4-5 mende, meende,
(5 myynde), 4-7 mynd(e, 3- mind. [ME.
mynd, repr. (the prefix ge- being lost as in all
other sbs.) OE. gemynd fern, (also neut.) = OH(J.
gimuni, Uoth. gamund-s memory :— OTeut. *ga-
mundi-s, f. *ga- prefix (see Y-) + *mun- wk.-grade
of the root 'men-, man-, mutt- (:— Indogermanic
*mcn-, mon-, »/«-) to think, remember, intend.
A parallel formation with different ablaut-grade
is OTeut.*g<iminJ>Jom nettt., whence Goth, gaminpi
memory, ON. minni neut. (Sw. mimic. Da.
minde) memory, memorial. Other derivatives of
the root are OE. munan, gemunan to think, re-
member ( = ON. munu, Goth, gamunan), tnynt
thought (see MlN si.1), manian to admonish.
Outside Teut. the root (Skr. man) is represented
by innumerable derivatives, e.g. Skr. matt thought
( = L. mens:— O Aryan m'jti-), manas mind ( = Gr.
jteVoj rage) ; Gr. nt/iova I yearn, L. memini I re-
member, monere to advise.]
I. Memory.
+ 1. The faculty of memory. Obs.
c 1000 AClfric Horn. (Th.) I. 288 purh baet semynd se man
ge<5enc5 ba 5ing 5e he jehyrde, obbe jeseah, o))be jeleornode.
1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 774 His mynde es short when he
oght thynkes. c 1386 Chaucer Man of Law's T. 429 She
seyde she was so mazed in the see That she forgat her
mynde by hir trouthe. 1387 Tkevisa Higdtn (Rolls) II. 191
He was so my?ty of mynde [L. tanta mtmoria vignit] bat
he rehersed two bowsand names arewe by herte. c 1440
Promp. Parv. 332/1 Meendfulle, or of good meende, vie-
moriosus.
2. The state of being remembered; remembrance,
recollection. Chiefly in phrases, as f a. ( To be) in
mind, to be remembered, be kept in memory. So
to come in mind, to occur to one's thoughts.
a 1000 Boeth. Metr. vii. 39 peer se wisdom a wunao" on
jemyndum. 1*97 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 636 5o wolde bat ire
name were eueremo in munde. 1377 Lancl. P. PL B. xi.
49 Coueytyse-of-eyes cam ofter in mynde pan dowel or dobet
amonge my dedes alle. 1390 Gower Con/. II. 67 The whos
knyhthode is yit in mende, And schal be to the worldes ende.
1500-20 Dunbar Poems lxiii. 28 Als lang in mynd my wark
sail hald . . As ony of thair werkis all.
b. To have, bear, keep, (t hold) in mind: to
remember, retain in memory. Now only with
mixture of sense 7 : To keep before one, keep
one's attention fixed upon. Also in Arithmetic,
f To keep in mind : to ' carry '.
a 900 tr. Bxda's Hist. iv. xxiv. (ed. Miller) 344 pa aras he
from bsein sUepe, & eal pa be he sbjepende song faeste in
gemynde haefde [L. tnemoriter retiuuit], c 1200 Trin. Coll.
Horn. 209 Listeo nu..and undernimecS hit on heorte and
habbeS hit on minde. c 1290 5. Eng. Leg. I. 67/460 A^ein
kuynde huy sounguen bere, ase bei buy hadden in muynde
hou muche he was anoured er of foules. c 1386 Chaucer
Man 0/ Law's T. 1029 In the olde Romane geestes may
men fynde Maurices lyf I bere it noght in mynde. 1387
Trevisa Higden (Rolls) VII. 415 He dede oon dede bat is
worby to be kepte in mynde [ v.r. munde]. c 1425 Cursor
M. 6095 (Trin.) In mynde shal ?e holde bis day. 1431 Rec.
St. Mary at Hill 27 Also haue in mende of ij chales. 1550
Crowlev Epigr. 1228 The Lorde wyll haue all theyr iuell
doynges in mynde. c 1586 C'tess Pembroke Ps. cxv. v,
Iehovah. .us in mind doth beare. 1612 Colson Gen. Treas.,
Art Aritlim. G gg 4, Which maketh 17. pence, I write j.
in a place further towards the right hand, and keepe 1. in
minde, then 2. times 9. is 18. and X. in minde maketh 19.
1656 Willsford Arithm. 33, 4 times 5 is 20, for which
subscribe a cypher, and keep 2 decimalls in minde;.. then
say 4 times 3 is 12, and 2 in minde is 14. 1827 Disraeli
Viv. Grey vi. v, Bearing in mind the exact position . . in
which I stand. 1881 Mrs. Craik Sydney I. vii. 154 Will
you keep in mind that we have got to be better friends ?
1895 Sir A. Kekewich in Law Times Rep. LXXIII. 662/2
Keeping that fact in mind.
tc. To come, fall, run (to a person) to mind:
to occur to his recollection. Obs.
c 1374 Chaucer Troylus 11. 553 [602] And euery word [she]
gan vp and doun to wynde, That he hadde seyd as it come
here to mynde. c 137s Sc. Leg. Saints xii. {Mathias) 210,
& alsa rane hyme bane to mynd, bat he, as a wykyt man &
vnkynd, had slane hyr sone. c 1412 Hoccleve De Reg.
Princ. 22 Me fel to mynde how that, not long ago [etc].
1433 Lydg. St Edmund m. 61 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg.
(1881) 415 But now to mynde kometh the champioun Off
Estyngland. .Callid seynt Edmund.
d. To bring, call to mind: to summon to re-
membrance, remember, set before one.
1433 Lydc. St. Edmund in. 381 in Horstm. A llengl. Leg.
(1881) 420 The olde serpent. .Brouht onto mynde his stat,
his regalye Off tyme passid [etc.]. 1309 Hawes Past.
Pleas, xvi. (Percy Soc.) 6s Be not to pensyfe ; call to mynde
agayne How of one sorowe ye do now make twayne. 1697
Dryden Virg., Past. IX. 76 These, and morethan I to mind
can bring. X788 Burns Auld Lang Syne i, Should auld
acquaintance be forgot And never brought to mind ? 1868
Dickens Unconwi. Trav. xxi, Calling these things to mind
as I stroll among the Banks.
e. To be {go, pass) out of mind (also t of, from
mind) : to be forgotten. So f to set out of mind,
to forget, disregard. Obs. exc. in the proverb,
459
'Out of sight, out of mind*, and 'time out of
mind' (see f ).
€ 1381 Chaucer Pari. Foules 6g, & al schulde out of mynde
That in this worlde is don of al mankynde. 1421 Hoccleve
Complaint 80 Forgeten I was, all owte of mynde a-way.
a 1425 Cursor M. 3196 (Trin.) pi dede shal neuer of mynde
go. c 1450 tr. De Imitatione 1. xxiii. 30 Whan man is oute
ofsi^sone he passib oute of mynde. 1539TAVERNER Erasm.
Prov. (1552) 30 Oure Englyshe prouerbe. .Oute of syght,
oute of minde. ? a 1550 Droichis Part Play 89 in Dunbar s
Poems (S. T. S.) 317 One thowsand }eir is past fra mynd,
Sen I was generic! of his kynd. 1704 M. Henry Friendly
Visits 16 Though they are out of sight they are not out
of Mind.
f. Time out of mind \ used as adv. phr. ^ from
time immemorial ; occas. f in, from time out of
mind. (fAlso rarely, for an inconceivably long
future time : cf. sense 7 c.) Formerly also of from,
out of time that no mind is (of) ; before, without
time of mind; and simply out of mind. Similarly
sith, in, within time of mind, time within mind of
man = within the memory of man.
? 1386 Rolls of Parlt. III. 225/2 As out of mynde hath he
used*. 1414 Ibid. IV. 60/1 By old tyme, and sithe tyme of
mynde. 1432 Ibid. 417/1 [The inhabitants of Lymington
petition] That hough tyme oute of mynde. .there were wont
many diverse Shippes. .to comc.yn to the saide Havenes.
1455 Ibid. V. 337/1 Had, enjoyed and prescribed, fro the
tyme that no mynde is. 1473-S Cat. Proc. Chanc. Q. Eliz.
(1830) II. Pref. 61 Unto the which maner the advoweson of
the church.. ys and withoute tyme of mynde hath be ap-
pendaunt. 1530 Palsgr. 591/1 This count ray is nothyng so
well inhabyted as it hath ben within tyme of mynde. 1544
tr. Littleton's Tenures (1574) 36 By tytle of prescription,
that is to say, from time whereof is no mind. 1566 Painter
Pal, Picas. II. 307 My . . sleepinge body, under toumbe,
shall dreame time out of mynde. 1592 Shaks. Rom. <y
Jul. 1. iv. 69. 1623 T. Scot Higkw. Cod 12 To follow
that faith which his forefathers professed time out of minde.
1700 Dryden Sigismotida <y Guise. 140 The Cavern-mouth
alone was hard to find, Because the Path disus'd was out of
mind. 1898 G. W. E. Russell Coll. <V Recoil, xxii. 292
A favourite theme of satirists time out of mind.
3. [? Developed from 2 c] To put (a person) in
mind: to remind. Const, of; also hoiv or that
with clause, to with infin.
1530 Palsgr. 674/2 Within this syxe dayes I wyll put hym
in mynde of his promesse. 1665 Sir T. Herbert Trav.
(1677) 120 This being in Asia puts me in mind, That no part
of the World is so subject to earth-quakes as Asia is. 171 1-
12 Swift Jrnl, to Stella 30 Jan., Stella used to do such
tricks formerly; he puts me in mind of her. 1839 James
Gentl. Old Sch. xii, Pray.. put my young friend, Ralph, in
mind, that he promised me a visit this afternoon. 1853
Lytton My Novel 111. xxix, You put me in mind of an old
story. Ibid. v. ii, Jarvis, put me in mind to have these
inexpressibles altered.
f4. That which is remembered of (a. person or
thing) ; the memory or record of Also in phr. of
good mind— * of happy memory '. Obs.
c 1000 /Elfric De Vet. Test, (init.), pa simeleasan men,.,
heora semynd is . for^iten on hal^um gewritum. 1387
Trevisa Higden (Rolls) I. 5 But besines of writers to oure
vnkunnynge hadde iholde and i streyned mynde of olde
dedes [L. memoriavi transactorum]. 1489 in Exch. Rolls
Scotl. X. 121 note, The charter of umquhile owre grauntsir
and faider of gud mynd quham God assoilze.
5. The action or an act of commemorating;
something which serves to commemorate; a com-
memoration, a memorial.
971 Blickl. Horn. 189 And feower syllice stanas on ^xre
ilean stowe alexdon, to ^emynde & (0 cybnesse bss aposto-
lican si^es ob Jjysne andweardan da23. c 1320 R. Brunne
Medit. 196 Yn a memorand of hym with outyn ende. He
seyd, ( makeb bys yn my mende '. e 1386 Chaucer Knt. s T,
1048 (Harl. MS.) And westward in be mynde and in memory
Of mars he haj> I-maked such an o)?er [altar]. 1388 Wyclif
Luke xxii. 19 Do ?e this thing in mynde of me. 1412-20
Lydg. Chron. Troy 11. xvii. (1513) Kiij, Nynus. .an ymage
dyde make . . And sette it vp, for consolacion And for a mynde,
and a memoryall. 1423 Jas. I Kingis Q. lxxxv, Here bene
the princis..In mynd of quhom ar maid the bukis nevve.
1433 Lydg. St. Edmund 1. 769 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg.
(1881) 390 At his comyng he bilt a roial toun \Vhjch stant
ther yit for a manier mynde For his arryuaile into this
Regioun. la 1500 Wycket (1828) p. xiv, The breade is the
fygure or mynde of Christes bodye in earth.
+b. spec. The commemoration of a departed soul,
esp. by a requiem said or sung on the day of the
funeral in any month or year following. Also, in
OE., the annual commemoration of a saint. Chiefly
in Month(*s mind, Twelve-month ('s or Yeak('s
mind.
a 900 O.E. Martyrol. 2 May 70 On bone sefteran dsegfces
monSes bi5 bxs halgan biscopes semynd sancte Athanasi.
1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) VII. 315 At Wynchestre he
took his fader tresorie, and ?af moche for his fader mynde
[v.r. munde; L. pro patris memoria], 14.. in Collecta-
nea Topogr. (1836) III. 260 That xx.s. be yeve to eche of
the places wher as our bodyes lyith, for holding of the
mendys. 14x8 E. E. Wills (1882) 32, Y bequethe to. .holde
my Mynde euery 5ere duryng vij ^ere next folwyng after
my desese,. .vij 1L i486 Rec. St. Mary at Hill 11 In due
fourme as to a yerely mynde perteyneth. 1526 in Strutt
Mann. Cust. etc. (1776) III. 172 For yerely obytes, and
yerelye myndes. 1649 Jer. Taylor Gt. Exetnp. in. Disc.
xviii. 112 In the monethly minds and anniversary commemo-
rations. 1660 — Duct. Dub. 11. ii. Rule vi. § 55 Upon the
Anniversary, or the monthly, or weekly minds.
f6. Mention, record. Chiefly in phr. To make
mind', const, of "or with clause.
c 1325 Deo Gracias 38 in E. E. P. (1862) 125 Holichirche
Muynde of hit maas. 1377 Langl. P. PI. B. ix. 121 Of such
MIND.
synful shrewes be sauler maketh mynde. c 1410 Love Bona-
vetit.Mirr. vi. ^GibbsMS.), And ?ytte bowe ber was so myche
ncde I fynd noo mynde of furrures or pylches. c 1412 Hoc-
cleve De Reg. Princ. 1723 The bible niakib no maner of
mynde Wheber bat phanio lay by hire oght. 1433 Lydg. St.
Edmund 111. 765 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1881J 427 Blyssid
Fremund,— affbrn heer put in mynde. _ 1450-1530 Myrr. our
Ladye 70 Specyally on fryday, where is made mynde ofourc
lordes holy passyon. Ibid. 191 Holy scrypture. .makyth no
mynde that he was vnobedyente [etc.].
II. Thought ; purpose, intention.
f 7. The action or state of thinking about some-
thing; the thought of (an object). Chiefly in
phrase to have mind ^/"(also on, upon') : to think
of, give heed to. Also const, how or that and
clause, and to with inf. ( = be careful to do). Simi-
larly to take mind to, upon. Obs.
971 Blickl. Horn. 83 Se be nu forhojab bxt he Codes
bebodu healde.obbe a;nissemyn(^ haebbe Drilitnes eabmod-
nesse. a 1250 Oiul <y Night. 252 So dob bat beob of bine
cunde, Of lintenabbebhi none imunde, c 1275 Passion of our
Lord 6 in O. E. Misc. 37 Lute ymvnde hi hedde of gode.
1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 5867 Pers, I hauu mynde of
he. C1325 Poems temp. Ediv. II (Percy) Ixvi, And }et
is ther non man That to God taketh mynde With r>'5te.
(-1380 Lay Folks Catech. (MS. L) 607 Fyrst haue mende
how god made heuyn and erthe. c 1412 Hoccleve De Reg.
Princ. 4997 pat bei bat haue of him lest bought 8: mynde
By bis peynture may ageyn him fynde. c 1440 Alphabet 'of
'Tales 93 per was a bruther bat gretelie was turment with
mynd of a womman bat he saw som tyme. c 1450 Cov. Myst.
xxv. (Shaks. Soc.) 240 But now mervelous mendys rennyn in
myn re me m be raw ns. 1493 Fcstivall (W. de W. 1515) 7 He
shall fynde >"-' mynde of deth ye princypall salue of all manner
synnes. 1550 Crowley Last Trumpet 245 Haue minde,
therfore, thyselfe to holde Within the bondes of thy degre.
1560 Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 302 b, Yl..they will have
some consideration, and mynde of hym [L. uttpsius rationeni
habeaut}. 1589 R. Robinson Gold. Mirr. (Chetham Soc.)
34 Haue minde vpon thy mercy Lord.
fb. To put (a person) in mind: to suggest an
idea to (him). Obs.
1579 Gosson Sch. Abuse (Arb.) 37 He feared that hee
shoulde rather put men in minde to commit such offences.
+ c. Out of mind \ more than one can calculate.
a 1400-50 Alexander 3018 He had of men out of mynde
many mayn hundreth.
8. That which a person thinks about any subject
or question ; one's view, judgement, or opinion.
Now chiefly in phrases : see 9.
a 1400 Of Ionian 888 The good wyfseyd : ' Be Seynt Deny*,
Swyche ys my mende '. 1512 Act 4 Hen. VIII, c. 19 Pre-
«/«£&, Theseid Frensche Kyng. .abydyng in hisseid indurat
& pervart opynyons & erronyous mynde. 1530 Palsgr. 680/1
I reason with one in a mater to fele his mynde in it. 1560
Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 1 b.Such as could not be there
present he desyred to send their myndes in wryting. 1593
Shaks. 3 Hen. VI, 111. ii. 17 Widow, we will consider of your
suit And come some other time to know our minde. 1689
Col. Rec. Pennsylv. I. 250 The Governor Desired Every
Member of ye board would deliver his minde, and give him
advice therein. 1706 Pope Let. to Wycherley 10 Apr., Pray
let me know your mind in this, for I am utterly at a loss.
1781 J. Moore View Soc. It. (1790) II. lxv. 294 Would to
heaven these doubters would keep their minds to themselves.
9. Phrases, a. To speak one's mind (out) : to
give one's judgement or opinion ; esp. to express
one's sentiments candidly or plainly, to speak
freely. Similarly to tell (a person) one's mind, to
let (a person) know one's mind. For a piece or
bit of one's mind, see Piece sb. 2 d, Bit sb* 4.
1508 Fisher 7 Petti t. Ps. cii. Wks. (1876) 140 A mannes
entent or mynde spoken by his owne mouth moueth more
the herer than it were shewed & spoken by ony other. 1530
Palsgr. 478/2 And I may catche hym ones, I shall tell hym
more of my mynde. 1596 Shaks. Tam.Shr. iv. iii. 75 Your
betters haue indur'd me say my minde. 1600 — A. V. L.
11. vii. 59 Giue me leaue To speake my minde. 1676 Mar.
vell Mr. Smirke 44 'Tis happy that some or other of this
Few chances ever and anon to speak their minds out, to
shew us plainly what they would be at. 1806-7 J* Beres-
ford Miseries Hum. Life vii. lxxvii, I let them know my
mind in a manner that pretty effectually secures me from
this ' misery ', for the rest of that sitting. 1845 Browning
Souls T?-ag. 1. 207 I've spoke my mind too fully out.
b. To be of(\ rarely in) a (specified) mind: to
hold an opinion. To be ^another's) mind: to
be of his way of thinking, agree in opinion.
1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. Ep. Ded., Hee
was alwaies of opinion and minde, that, .learning, is not to
be sought for in bookes. 1593 Shaks. Rich. II, v. ii. 107
Sweet Yorke, sweet husband, be not of that minde, 1600 —
A. V. L. v. iv. 75 He sent me word, if I said his beard was
not cut well, hee was in the minde it was. 1690 Locke Hum.
Und. 11. xvii. § 20 If these men are of the Mind, That they
have clearer Ideas of infinite Duration, than of infinite Space.
1717 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. to Pope 1 Apr., I don't
doubt you'll be of my mind. 1871 Roulledge's Ev. Boy's
Ann. Apr. 242 I'm of Bradshawe's mind in the matter.
OL In my mind: in my judgement or opinion,
as I think. ? Obs. Similarly /<? my mind (cf. 14 b).
1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. xxiv. 34 The kyng..sayd, in
his mynde, there was no realine coude be compared toy0
realme of Fraunce. 1596 Shaks. Merch. V. iv. 1, Anthonio,
gratifie this gentleman, For in my minde, you are much
bound to him. x6oa — Ham. 1. iv. 14 (Qo. 1604) But to my
minde .. it is a custome [etc.]. 1663 Cowley Ess.^ iii.
Obscurity, It is, in my Mind, a very delightful Pastime.
1813 Hobhouse Journey (ed. 2) 501 The modern cestus,.. is
not, in my mind, an agreeable ornament. 1866 Mrs. Gas-
kell Wives 4- Dau. I. xvi. 182 The other is but a loutish
young fellow, to my mind.
d. To be of one or a mind : to agree in judge-
124-3
MIND.
460
MIND.
ment, purpose, or opinion ; to be unanimous,
f With one mind: unanimously, with one accord.
? 1496 in Lett. % Papers Kick. 111% Hen. VII (Rolls) II.
67 If we hadde alle nere ben of oone mynde in folowyng
directly the Kinges mynde. 1570 Satir. Poems Reform, x.
178 With ane mynde thay did consent togidder Dauid to
slay. i6ox Shaks. Alfs Well 1. iii. 244 He and his Phisi-
tions Are of a minde. 16x1 — Cymb. v. iv. 212, I would we
were all of one minde, and one minde good, a tjtz Gran-
ville Ess. Unnat. Flights Poetry 74 And, by the Tyrant's
Murder, we may find That Cato and the Gods were of a
Mind. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) IV. 537 When men have
anything to do in common, that they should be of one mind
is a pleasant thing. 1877 Spurgeon Sena. XXIII. 70 Here
they were, all of a mind, and all ready to start.
fe. Against the mind of \a person) : in opposi-
tion to his judgement, wish, or opinion, without
his approbation or consent. Also without the
mind of. Obs.
151Z Act 4 Hen. VIII, c. 20 Preamble, The said John.,
fortuned to be slayn. .ayenst the will and mynde of your
seid Beseecher. 1553 Becon Reliques Rome (1563) 213 The
Councell which is celebrated without the mynde and consent
of the Romyshe Byshop. 1668 Culpepper & Cole Barthoi.
Anat. in. x. 151 Cassenius against the mind of all Anato-
mists draws its original from the Pinnae of the Nose. 1698
Hearne Duct. Hist. I. in. ix. 324 Themistocles.. brought
the Athenians back to their City, which they fortified, and
added the Pyreum to it much against the Spartans' Mind.
10. Purpose or intention ; desire or wish. Obs.
exc. in phrases: see II.
1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 9544 J?o was it muche is munde To
come & winne engelond. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. clxxvi.
213 With hym went a varlet, who was priuy to his mynde.
c IS55 Harpsfield Divorce Hen. VIII (Camden) 125 God's
mind was to astringe and bind the Church perpetually to it.
1588 Shaks. Tit. A. v. iii. 1 Vnckle Marcus, since tis my
Fathers minde That I repaire to Rome, I am content. 1597
Bacon Ess., Suitors (Arb.) 40 Manie ill matters are vnder-
taken, and many good matters with ill mindes. 1656 in
Burtons Diary (1828) I. 302 To enquire with what mind
this was done. 1667 Milton P.L. v. 452 Sudden mind
arose In Adam, not to let th1 occasion pass.
11. Phrases, f a. To fulfil one's mind, bring
ones mind to pass: to accomplish one's purpose,
satisfy one's desire. To have or obtain one s mind :
to get what one wants. For one's mind's sake : to
gratify one's whim. Obs.
1509 Hawks Past. Pleas, xvi. (Percy Soc.) 75 Longynge
ryght sore my mynde to fulfyl!. 1530 Palsgr. 499/1 It
shall coste me a fall, but I wyll have my mynde. Ibid.
865/1 For my myndes sake, pour sat isjaire a ma phantasie.
1598 F. Rous Thule N 2 b, And she as women wont will
haue her minde. 16x4 Raleigh Hist. World II. v. iv. § 1.
585 This war he vndertooke as it were for his mindes sake :
hauing receiued no iniurie. 1671 H. M. tr. Erasm. Colloq.
82 Because I see that thou dost so earnestly desire it, I will
fulfil thy mind as well as I can.
fb. By, according to the mind of (a person) : by
desire or after the direction of. (Cf. 14 b.) Obs.
I523~4 Rec> St. Mary at Hill (1904) 322 Paid to the
Orgon maker by be mynde of Mr person for mendyng the
Orgons, iijs iiij d. 1618 Vestry Bks. (Stirtees) 74 Item more
they receyved which was given by Will1*™ Ord, and lent to
fower poore folk according to his minde, xls.
c. To know one's own mind : to form and adhere
to a decision without shilly-shallying ; to have a
line of action and keep to it.
1824 Scott St. Ronan's xii, The report, .that the young
Earl of Etherington . .intended to pass an hour, or a day, or
a week, as it might happen, (for his lordship could not be
supposed to know his own mind,) at St. Ronan's Well. 1864
Tennyson En. Ard. 475 And others laugh 'd at her _ and
Philip too, As simple folk that knew not their own minds.
1888 [see Chop v.2 4 c].
d. To make up one's mind: see Make z>.1 96 k.
e. t To be of divers or many minds ; to waver
in purpose, to chop and change (obs.). To be in
two minds: to vacillate between two intentions;
similarly to be in twenty minds.
1530 Palsgr. 428/1, I am of dyverse myndes, /tf me varie.
. . I wolde be glad to deale with hym, but the man is of so
dyverse myndes that there is no holde at hym. 1738 Swift
Pol. Conversat. 55 You'll never be mad, you are of so many
Minds. 175X R. Paltock P. Wilkins (1884) I. xxi. 208, I
was in twenty minds whether to take her first, and then catch
the chickens, or to let her go off, and then clap upon them.
1850 Dickens Dav. Copp. xxv, This missive (which I was
in twenty minds at once about recalling, as soon as it was
out of my hands). Ibid, xli, I was in several minds how to
dress myself on the important day. 1853 — Child's Hist.
II. 171 Jack [Cade]. .was in two minds about fighting or
accepting a pardon. x88i E. D. Brickwood in Encycl.
Brit. XII. 197/2 However bold the horse maybe, he will
soon refuse water if his rider be perpetually in two minds
when approaching a brook.
+ f. To be in or of mind, to be disposed or
minded, to purpose, desire {to do something) ;
occas. to be in great mind, of good mind, in a good
mind (cf. 13 a). Of mind, with purpose or inten-
tion {to do something). To run {one) in mind, to
become a purpose or resolution. To bring one
in mind, to persuade. Obs.
c X375 Sc. Leg. Saints vi. ( Thomas) 248 pane rane hym in
mynde in hy pat he vald firste quyke bam fla. a 1400-50
Alexander 1254 Sir meliager was in grete mynd a man owt
to send To alexander. 15x3 More Rich. Ill in Grafton
Chron. (1568) II. 763 He_ secretly.. caused the Queene to be
perswaded and brought in minde, that it.. should beieopard-
ous the king to come vp so strong. 1533 Ld. Berners
Froiss. I. ccccli. 796 Wherof complayntes came to the heryng
of the duke of Berrey, who was in mynde to remedy it.
1586 Let. Earlc Leycester 13 Neither did I it of minde to
circumvent her. 155(9 &*£• Privy Council Scot. (1884) VI.
40 His Majestie being of gude mynd that the said Sir
George be satisfeit of the saidis debursmentis, as ressone
requyris. a 1617 Baynk Led. (1634) 233 Pharaoh [was] in a
good minde, as wee say, to let the people goe. x66i C.
Lyttelton in Hation Corr. (Camden) 24, 1 doe not find my
brother of the mind he seemed at first to be of to buy it.
a 1814 Gonzanga 11. i. in New Brit. Theatre III. 113 Oh
lud ! if I can but get her in the mind to have me.
12. To change one's mind, to alter one's purpose,
opinion, way of thinking, disposition towards
others, etc. Similarly, one's mind changes.
1591 Shaks. TwoGent.wx. ii.59 You are already louesfirme
votary, And cannot soone reuolt, and change your minde.
1601 — Jul. C. it. ii. 96 If you shall send them word you
will not come, Their mindes maychange. 1615 W. Lawson
Country Housew. Gard. (1626) 44, I haue changed my mind
concerning the disease called the worme. 1617 Moryson
Itin. 1. 121 Cardinall Allan an Englishman, having used to
persecute the English.. had changed his mind, since the
English had overthrowne the Spanish Navy. 1719 J. Allen
in J. Duncombe Lett. (1773) I. 214, I have lived to change
my mind, and am almost of the contrary opinion. 1842
Tennyson Dora 45 It cannot be: my uncle'smind will
change ! 1883 F. M. Crawford Dr. Claudius vi, Her first
impulse was to change her mind and not go after all.
13. To have a mind: a. (With expressed inf.)
To wish, desire, be inclined or disposed to do
(something). Also with qualifying word, to have
a great, good, etc., mind, to have no mind. Some-
what arch. exc. in to have a good or great mind,
to have half a mind, now = to be strongly disposed
or inclined (to do something which one can do
if one wishes \ to have nearly made up one's mind
(to do it). (See also Month's mind.)
The confused form Put a good mind is still current in
some localities as a vulgarism.
a 1400 in Ret. Ant. II. 44 For the greet mynde that he
hath to done his maystris wille. c 1550 Bale A". Johan
(Camden) 12, I have a great mynd to be a lecherous man.
16x8 Bolton Ftorus (1636) 268 Pompey driven away, and
fled, he had a more minde to take order for securing the
Provinces, than to pursue him. 163a Chapman & Shirley
Ball in. i. (1639) 03 b, Harke you Mounsieur, this gentle-
man has a great Minde to learne to dance. 1666 S. Parker
Free # Impart. Censure (1667) 181 And now I have a mind
to set up for a Maker of Hypotheses, a 1674 Clarendon
Hist. Reb. xm. § 179 The duke of Lorrayne had a very
good mind to get a footing in Ireland. 1711 Addison Sped.
No. 45 r 6 As I had a mind to hear the Play, I got out of
the Sphere of her Impertinence. X7z6 Shelvocke Voy.
round World (1757) 462 They had half a mind to refuse me
a passage. J833 L. Ritchie Wand, hy Loire 26 It was
lucky for us that we did not follow the nuptial procession
(which we had more than half a mind to do). 185a R. S.
Surtees Sponge's Sp. Tour (1893) 65 I'm a good mind to
have his throat cut. 1853 Lytton My Novel x. iii, She had
half a mind to reply. — *Is that so strange?' But her re-
spect for Harley stopped her. 1858 Carlyle Fredk. Gt. vi.
ii. (1865) II. 47 My Brother and I had all the mind in the
world to laugh. 1870 Rogers Hist. Gleanings Ser. 11. 102
He had little mind to be a martyr, but he had still less a
mind to be a knave. 1871 Freeman Norm. Conq. (1876) IV.
xvii. 54 He had no mind to be a mere conqueror.
b. with ellipsis of the inf. (In relative and (if '
clauses.)
*i 1674 Clarendon //«/. AY£. vim. § 38 Without., restraining
them from making incursions where they had a mind. 1737
(S. BeringtonJ G. di Lucca's Mem. (1738) 261 When they
have dropp'd all [the wild Boars] that are dangerous, and
as much as they haue a mind, they open their Toils. x8a6
Scott Let. to J. B. S. Morritt 6 Feb. in Lockhart, I have
no idea of these things preventing a man from doing what
he has a mind. 1848 Thackeray Lett. 1 Aug., Those who
had a mind were free to repair to a magnificent neighbour-
ing saloon. 1874 Wkvte Melville Uncle John xxi. III.
22 They could . . burn us out if they had a mind.
U In mod. colloquial use the to of an inf. sup-
pressed by ellipsis is often retained. (See To prep.)
The quots. below enclosed in square brackets are probably
to be explained as instances of the idiom by which a prep.
governing a relative expressed or understood is removed to
the end of the sentence (cf. quots. 1674, 1711, 1726 in d).
But the indefiniteness of the antecedent and the presence of
a transitive verb in the sentence render the passages liable
to be taken as anticipations of the modern colloquial practice,
which may indeed have been partly developed from expres-
sions of this kind.
[1671 H. M. tr. Erasm. Colloq. 519 Enquire what thou
hast a mind to. 1734 Ld. Chesterk. in Lett. Ctess Suffolk
(1824) II. 115^ Amoretto was with difficulty prevailed upon
to eat and drink as much as he had a mind to. 1744 Eliza
Heywood Female Sped. No. 4 (1748) I. 189 As our sex has
the privilege of saying whatever we have a mind to. 18*7
Scott Highl. Widow \, In order to gain his consent to do
something he had no mind to.] 185a Mrs. Stowe Uncle
ToitCs C* ii, I don't need to hire any of my hands out, unless
I've a mind to, 1871 Lippincott's Mag. 27 Mar. 282 You can
call me when you are a-mind to. 1805 * Heatherbell ' in
Scott. Antiquary X. 79 They, .thought they could deal as
they had a mind to with his property.
O. with dependent clause.
1673 Temple Observ. United Prov. ii. 95 They had no
mind that Her Ambassador should be present. 1705 Penn
in Pa. Hist. Soc. Mem. X. 65, I believe he had no mind it
should be done whilst I was there.
d. With to and sb. : f To be favourably disposed
towards (a person) {obs.); to have a liking for (an
occupation) ; to wish to possess or obtain (some-
thing). Now somewhat arch,
1530 Palsgr. 580/1, I have a mynde to one, I have a
favoure to hym. 1605 Lond. Prodigal 1. ii, I have a great
mind to this gentleman in the way of Marriage. 16x6 B.
Jonson Devil an Assi. ii, They doe say, HVill meet a man
(of himselfe) that has a mind to him. If hee would so, I haue
a minde and a halfe for him. 1674 Butler Hud. 1. i. 214
That. .Compound for Sins, they are inclin'd to, By damning
those they have no mind to. 1683 Temple Mem. Wks. 1731
I. 457, I never had less mind to any Journey in my Life.
i7xx Steele Sped. No. 145 F6 There visits among us an
old Batchelor whom each of us has a Mind to. 1726 Swift
Gulliver n. ii, In a few Days, I was able to call for whatever
I had a Mind to. 1876 Geo. Eliot Dan. Der. Km, The
blacksmith said to me the other day that his 'prentice had
no mind to his trade.
e. \\\t\\for, iof: To wish for, desire.
1616 [see d]. 1775 Johnson Let. to Taylor 8 Apr., When
shall I come down to you? I believe I can get away pretty
early in May, if you have any mind of me. 1790 Bystander
134 When he has a mind of a little fun. 1855 Prescott
Philip II, 11. iii, Philip had no mind for a second collision
with the papal court. 1871 Routledge's Ev. Boy's Ann.
Jan. 45 We nave no mind for a sousing.
14. Bent or direction of thoughts, desires, in-
clinations, etc. In phrases, as Ones mind is (or
runs) on, one attends to, thinks of, is interested in.
To set {have, keep) one's mind on : to desire to
attain or accomplish, put or keep before one as an
object of desire. To give one's mind to : to addict
oneself to (a study or practice) ; to bend one's
energies towards accomplishing or attaining (an
object).
a 1400-50 Alexander 269 }e behald me sa hogely, quare-
011 is sour mynd? 1475 Sir J. Paston in P. Lett. III. 129
My mynde is now nott most uppon bokes. 1509 Barclay
Shyp of Folys (1874) II. 106 For a ryche man settynge
theron his mynde Shal into heuen right hardly passage
fynde. Ibid. 169 Gyue nat your myndes to gylefull vsury.
1677 Horneck 67/. Law Cousid.'w. (1704) 105 The wolf, .sent
to school to learn to spell, could make nothing of all that
was said to him but sheep. His mind still ran upon that.
1827 Disraeli Viv. Grey v. xv, I've set my mind upon your
joining the party. 1850 Dickens Dav. Copp. xxxv, Sordid
and selfish as I knew it was . . to let my mind run on my own
distress so much. 1859 Tennyson Vivien 476 And since he
kept his mind on one sole aim. 1861 Stanley East. Ch. vi.
(1869) 254 But each of the sacraments must often have been
deferred to a time when the candidates could give their
whole minds to the subject.
b. To one's wind: according to one's wish, to
one's taste or liking, as one would have it to be.
Also f according to, after one's mind.
1530 Palsgr. 580/1, I have a person or a beest accordyng
to my mynde, I have them in suche awe as I desyre. 1535
Coverdale Ecclus. vii. 26 Yf thou haue a wife after thine
owne mynde, forsake her not. — i Mace. iv. 6 Which had
nether harnesse ner sweardes to their myndes. 1719 De Foe
Crusoe 11. (Globe) 509 It was however, some Time before we
could get a Ship to our Minds, c 1790 Imison Sch. Art it.
92 You may brighten it to your mind by the above mixture.
1847 Helps Friends in C. (1873) I. viii. 130 Commands are
expected to be fulfilled.. exactly to the mind of the person
ordering.
15. Inclination, tendency, or way of thinking
and feeling, in regard to moral and social quali-
ties ; moral disposition ; a spirit or temper of a
specified character. *f To bear a (specified) mind:
to entertain (such and such) sentiments. For
frame of mind see Frame sb. 6.
1500-ao Dunbar Poems ix. 129 Off mynd dissymvlat, Lord !
I me confess. 1560 Daus tr. Steidane's Comm. 3 b, Luther . .
reproveth his cruell and bloudy mynde. X591 Shaks. Two
Gent. v. iii. 13 Feare not: he beares an honourable minde,
And will not vse a woman lawlesly. 1633 Earl Manch.
content to
X777 Burkk Let.
Hue is the minde 1
(1636) 29 To be willing to die, and <
ninde of a strong Christian. 1777 B
Sheriffs of Bristol Wks. 1842 I. 207 But the war is not
ended ; the hostile mind continues in full vigour. 1859
Tennyson Guinevere 334 For manners are not idle, but the
fruit Of loyal nature, and of noble mind. 1867 Freeman
Norm. Conq. (1877) I. App. 748 He was then brought to a
better mind by a rebuke from a Christian. 1884 Child
Ballads I. 278/1 Hugo was evidently not in a state of mind
to go [sc. to mass].
+ b. The way in which one person is affected
towards another ; disposition or intention towards
others. To bear good mind to: to be well disposed
towards. Obs.
1470 Tiptoft Catsar's Comm. x. (1530) 12 Whome he had
knowen and sene so specyally aboue other to bere hys good
myne (? read mynde] and fydelyte toward hym. 1530
Palsgr. 449/2, 1 beare hym good mynde, j'e suis affectionni
enuers luy. c 1550 Bale K. Johan (Camden) 74 Ye knowe
very well she beareth the Churche good mynde. 1568
Grafton Chron. II. 707 The more number of the nobilitie,
bare towarde king Henry .. their good minds and fixed
hartes. 1580 Stow Chron. Eng. Lp. Ded. r iij b, Not
doubting but your Lordship, .will, .vouchesafe to accepte
this Monument of my affectionate minde. 1591 Shaks. Two
Gent. 1. ii. 33, I would I knew his minde. i6ix Bible Ads
xii. 20 marg., Herode bare an hostile mind intending warre.
16. State of thought and feeling in respect to
dejection or cheerfulness, fortitude or fearfulness,
firmness or irresoluteness, and the like.
1500-20 Dunbar Poems lxvii. 7 Quho had all riches vnto
Ynd, And wer not satisfiet in mynd. 1530 Palsgr. 674A
He was never quyette in his mynde tyll I did put hym m
a suertye. 1610 Shaks. Temp, iv, i. 163 A turne ortwo He
walke To still my beating minde. x6xx Bible Acts ii. 6 The
multitude were confounded [marg. troubled in mind], a 1631
Donne Paradoxes (1652) 24 For our minde is heavy in our
bodies affliction. 1667 Milton P. L. ix. 1 120 Not at rest or
ease of Mind, They sale them down to weep. Ibid. 1125
High Passions .. shook sore Thir inward State of Mind.
1743 Shenstone Past. Ballad m, O how, with one trivial
glance, Might she ruin the peace of my mind ! 185a M.
MIND.
461
MIND.
Arnold Empedoctes I. u. 29 Nature, with equal mind, Sees
all her sons at play.
III. Mental or psychical being or faculty.
17. The seat of a person's consciousness, thoughts,
volitions, and feelings; the system of cognitive
and emotional phenomena and powers that con-
stitutes the subjective being of a person ; also, the
incorporeal subject of the psychical faculties, the
spiritual part of a human being ; the soul as dis-
tinguished from the body.
a 1340 Hampole Psalter cxviii. 93 For i lif in pi laghe, it
may noght slip out of my mynde. c 1440 Cencrydcs 480 She
..told hymall that lay sore in hir mynd. 1530 Palsgr. 430/2,
I am wery for occupyeng of the mynde to moche. 15,98
Shaks. Merry W. iv. vi. 30 While other sports are tasking
of their mindes. 1643 K. Baillie Lett <y Jrnls. (1841) II.
109 While they stand, the scribe and others number them in
their mind. 1690 Locke Hum. Und. t. ii. § 5 No Proposi-
tion can be said to be in the Mind. .which it was never yet
conscious of. 1692 — Educ. § 31 Due care being had to
keep the Body in Strength and Vigour, so that it may be
able to obey and execute the Orders of the Mind. 1768,
1834 [see Cross v. 13]. 1794 W. Roberts Looker-On No. 88
111. 425 Suppose a person, .to store up in his mind certain
leading passages from Scripture. 1827 Sovthey Renins.
War II.352 No such thought had ever entered Reding's
mind. 1851 Bp. C. Wordsw. Meat. Wordsw. I. 81 His mind
was filled with gloomy forebodings. 1871 Morlky Voltaire
(1886) 6 Hardly a sentence is there that did not come forth
alive from Voltaire's own mind. 1887 Miss E. Money Dutch
Maiden (1888) 56 Now, will you turn this over in your mind 'i
b. Instances of philosophical definition of this.
1704 Norris Ideal World \\. iii. 133 By Mind I think we
are properly to mean that power which both perceives and
wills. 1785 Reid In tell. P&ivcrs I. ii. 42 We do not give the
name of mind to thought, reason, or desire ; but to that
being which thinks, which reasons, which desires. 1843
Mill Logic I. iii. § 8 Mind is the mysterious something
which feels and thinks. 1846 G. Moork Power of Soul over
Body (ed. 3) 73 Unfortunately the word mind has been
almost universally employed to signify both that which
thinks, and the phenomena of thinking.
C. On one's mind: occupying one's thoughts;
said esp. of something which causes anxiety.
1850 Dickens Dav. Copp. xxxiv, I knew my aunt suf-
ficiently well to know that she had something of importance
on her mind. 1853 Lyttoh My Novel vi. v, I asked him if
he had not anything on his mind. 1864 Tennyson En. Ard.
396 Annie, there is a thing upon my mind.
d. One's mind's eye : mental view or vision,
remembrance.
c 141a Hoccleve De Reg. Princ. 2895 Haue often him by-
fore your myndes ye. 1602, 1818 [see Eye sb.1 4^1-. l883
S. C. Hall Retrospect II. 320 One such scene is in my
mind's eye at this moment.
e. Used with reference to God.
161a Bacon Ess. A theism (Arb.) 330, I had rather beleeue
all the fables in the Legend, and the Alcarou, then that this
vniuersall frame is without a minde. 1690 Locke Hum.
Und. iv. x. (end), That eternal infinite Mind, who made and
governs all Things. 1732 Pope Ess. Man 1. 266 Just as
absurd, to mourn the tasks or pains The great directing
Mind of All ordains. 1807 Wordsw. Ode Intimat. Int-
mortality viii, Haunted for ever by the eternal mind.
f. Iii generalized sense : Mental or psychical
being : opposed to mailer.
1759 Johnson Rasselas xlviii, The immateriality of mind,
and., the unconsciousness of matter. 1879 Lindsay Mind
in Lower Anitn. I. 51 Little is at present known of the
fhenomena of mind in the lowest classes of animals. 1898
llingworth Divine Immanence L § 1. 4 Thus matter, as
we know it, is everywhere and always fused with mind.
g. A person regarded abstractly as the em-
bodiment of mental qualities (thought, feelings,
disposition, etc.).
c 1580 Sidney Ps. xxxiv. ix, To humble broken minds.
This Lord is ever, ever neare. c 1600 Shaks. Sonn. cxvii. 5
That I haue frequent binne with vnknown mindes. 1642
Lovelace To Alt/tea, from Prison iv, Mindes innocent and
quiet take That for an Hermitage. 1776 MickleU. Camoens'
Lusiad Introd. 35 Some of the Portuguese courtiers, the
same ungenerous minds perhaps who advised the rejection
of Columbus because he was a foreigner. 1864 Bryce Holy
Rom. Emp. vii. {1875) 109 The Papacy, .under the guidance
of her greatest minds, of Hildebrand, of Alexander [etc.].
h. In collective sense.
1812 Sir H. Davy Chem. P/tilos. 13 In this age it was
peculiarly easy to deceive, but difficult to enlighten, the
public mind. 1837 Hr. Martineau Soc. Anter. III. 206 If
the national mind of America be judged ofbyits legislation,
it is of a very high order. 1883 Daily Tel. 10 Nov. 5/1 This
cleavage of the religious mind of Europe into two extreme
camps.
18. In more restricted application : The cogni-
tive or intellectual powers, as distinguished from
the will and emotions. Often contrasted with hearl.
£1200 Ormin 17572 & sawle iss ec wurrblike shridd purrh
Godd..Wibb witt & wille & minde. c 1350 Will. Palerne
4123 Wei I wot.. bat he [the werwolf] has mannes munde
more ban we bobe. 1382 WyCUF Matt. xxii. 37 Thou shalt
loue the Lord thi God, of al thin herte, and in al thi soule,
and in al thi mynde. c 1412 Hoccleve De Reg. Princ. 997
Mynde, ee, and hand, non may fro othir flitte. c 1639
Cowley On Death of Sir H. Wot ton, He did the utmost
Bounds of Knowledge find, He found them not so large as
was his Mind. 1784 Cowper Tiroc. 722 Possessor of a soul
refined. An upright heart, and cultivated mind.
b. Intellectual quality, intellect, mental power.
C1586 C'tess Pembroke Ps. xliv. x, His eye of deepest
minde Deeper sincks then deepest working. 1826 Disraeli
Viv. Grey 11. ix, Blue eyes, lit up by a smile of such mind
and meaning ! 1827 Ibid. vi. iv, But his pupil appears to be
a man of mind. 1853 Tennyson Maud 1. 1. vii, But these
are the days of advance, the works of the men of mind.
I 1876 ' Ouida ' Winter City iii, You mean there can be no
I mind in an imitation.
c. Absence, Presence of mind-, seethosewords.
19. The healthy or normal condition of the
mental faculties, the loss or impairment of which
constitutes insanity ; one's * reason ' or ' wits '.
Chiefly in phrases, as {to he, go) out of one's
mind , foul of mind, (Sc.) by one's mind; to lose
ones mind; to be in one's right mind, etc.
i 1369 Chaucer Dethe Rlaunche 511 For he had welnye
loste his mynde. 1412-20 Lydg. Chron. Tray (E.E.T.S. >
4276 Almost for wo he went out of his mynde. c 1440 Gesta
Rom. lxix. 317 (Harl. MS.) pe maister of be ship was halle
out of mynde. 1509 Barclay S/iyp of Folys 11874) I. 295
Than lepe they about as folke past theyr mynde. 1596
Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. x. 353 Normond with this
ansuer was halfe by his mynd. 1605 Shaks. Lear iv. vii.
63, I feare I am not in my perfect mind. 1847 Tennyson
Princess vii. 84 And still she fear'd that I should lose my
mind. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. v. I. 663 He was drunk,
they said, or out of his mind, when he was turned off.
b. in wills, etc., of sound (or unsound) mind,
7 in good mind, f whole of mind, etc.
1395 E. E. Wills (1882) 4, 1 Alice West,.. in hool estat of
my body, and in good mynde beynge. 1418 Ibid. 30 Hole
of mynde & in my gode memorie beyng. 1430 Ibid. 85
Beyng in full mende, 1438-9 Ibid. 129 Beyng yn hole
mynde 8: goode witte. 1818 Cruise Digest (ea. 2) V. 541
To prove that the said Nicholas was of unsound mind at the
time of the said fine taken. i8z6 [see Memory 2 b].
T e. One's waking consciousness. Obs.
c 1384 Chaucer //. Fame 11. 56 And with that vois soth
for to seyne My mynde came to me ageyne.
f IV. 20. A quantity, number, or amount (of
something). [Of obscure development : cf. 7 c]
c 1250 Gen, fy Ex. 3676 Fro lond ortigie cam a wind, And
bro^te turles michel mind, c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace
(Rolls) 1888 In fewe 3eres al be kynde Of folk, bey woxen
mykel mynde. Ibid. 16436 porow roten eyr, borow wykkede
wyndes, In alle stedes men dide gret myndes. 13. . Propr.
, Sand. (Vernon MS.) in Archiv Stud. neu. Spr. LXXXI.
113/24 Heuene-kyngdom is lyk 3ut To a net.-l>at of alle
; ffissches kuynde, Gedereb in to him muche muynde. a 1400-
50 Alexander 1245 Slik a mynd vn-to me ware meruaill to
1 reken, Thretti thousand in thede of thra men of armes.
V. 21. attrib. and Comb., as mind-malady,
\ -\-parts, -picture-, mind- changing, -healing, -in-
fected, f -mudding, -perplexing, -ravishing, -sich,
i -stricken, -torturing adjs.
1597 Morley Introd. Mus. 116 What strange humor or
*mind-changing opinion tooke you this morning 'i 1826
Hor. Smith Tor Hill {1838) III. 41 The placid beauties of
the country, in whose *mind-healing influences he never
failed to find consolation. _ a 1586 Sidney Arcadia 1. (1590)
70 b, These fantasticall *nund-infected people, that children
and Musitians cal Louers. 1646 Fuller Wounded Consc.
iv. (1647) 25 There is such a gulfe of disproportion betwixt
1 a *Mind-malady and Body-medicines. 1642 H. More.SVv^'
of Soul 11. i. in. xxxi, To chase away *Mind-mudding mist.
a 1586 Sidney Arcadia iv. (1598) 394 Thinking perchance
her feeling sence might call her *mind-parts vnto her. 1631
! Quarles Samson ii. 8 In whose eares she brake This "mind-
! perplexing secret. 1868 Sala in Lamias Wks.\. p. xix,
Wealth and piety scarcely fill up the *mind-picture one
I would draw of Lord Byron. 1593 Nashe Christ s T. 10, I
for-sooke all my immortall pleasures, and *mind-rauishing
melody. 1577 Harrison Englandw. i. 11877) 1. 29 Although
manie curious *mindsicke persons vtterlie condemne it as
superstitious, a 1586 Sidney Arcadia 11. (1590) 135 b, This
noble-man.. had bene so *mind-striken by the beautieof
i vertue in that noble King. 159s DanielOV. Wars ill. xciv.
60 O thou *mind-tortring misery Restles ambition, borne
in discontent.
b. Special comb. : mind-cure, the curing of a
! disease by the influence of the healer's mind upon
the patient's; mind-curer, (a) one who cures
diseases of the mind ; (b) one who practises ' mind*
1 cure'; f mind-day, the day on which a person's
death is commemorated, esp. the anniversary;
mind-healer, -healing = mind-curer, -cure ;
t mind-hill, a memorial mound or cairn ; f mind-
making, commemoration ; f mind-place, a place
where the memory of a saint is observed ; mind-
reader, one who professes to discern what is pass-
ing in another's mind, a thought-reader ; so mind-
reading vbl. sb. ; mind-sight {rare), mental vision
\ (after eyesight) ; mind-stuff, \V. K. Clifford's
name for the supposed rudimentary form of
psychical existence, which he regards as the reality
of which matter is the phenomenal aspect ; f mind-
! taking, consideration {upon a matter) ; f mind-
token, a memorial.
1885 W. F. Evans {title) Healing by Faith ; or, Primitive
*Mind-cure. 1856 Miss Yonge Daisy Chain 11. ix. 427
! Dr. May, *mind-curer, as wellasbody-curer. 1886 Buckley
in Century Mag. June 234/1 The Mormons, Spiritualists,
Mind-curers [etc.]. a 900 tr. Bsedds Hist. iv. xxx. (1890)
374 Dy dac^e be his *£emynddEej waere and his for5for.
a 1380 Eufrosyne 665 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1878) 182
Vche ^eer bei don his mynde-day holde Anon to bis day.
1438 E. E. Wills (1882) 109, I bequeth for my mynde day,
■ xx li. 1900 Century Mag. LIX. 635/1 The doctrines of
1 faith-healing, *mind-healing, and Christian Science. 1381
I Wyclif Josh. xxii. 10 Whanne thei weren coinen to the
*mynde hyllis of Jordan [Vulg. ad tumulos Jordam's],
1496 Dives fy Paup. (W. de W.) 1. iii. 35/1 Euery masse
syngynge is a specyall *mynde makynge of Crystus pas-
syon. c 1449 Pecock Repr. Prol. 4 Pilgrimage in going
to the memorialis or the "mynde placis ofSeintis. 1888
Pop. Set. Monthly Dec. 154 The professional ' *mind-
reader'. .takes his clew from indications which his subject
is absolutely confident he did not give. 1882 Proc. Soc.
Psych. Research I. 17 It was shewn that 'mind-reading
so called, was really muscle-reading. 15387 Golhing De
Mornay v. (1592) 48 Neither the Sunne, nor any thing vnder
the Sunne, can well be seene without the Sunne : likewise
neyther God nor any thing belonging to God can be seene
without God, how good eyesight or mindsight so euer we
haue. 1849 Hawk I'ar. Serm. II. 243 The more we gaze at
them the more is our mindsight improved to discern them.
1878 W. K. Ci.ikfokd in Mind III. 65 Mind-stuff is the
reality which we perceive as Matter. That element of which
. .even the simplest feeling is a complex, I shall call * Mind-
stuff. A moving molecule of inorganic matter does not
possess mind, or consciousness; but it possesses a small
piece of mind-stuff, c 1449 Pkcock Repr. 1. xix. 114 The
remembraunce and *mynde taking upon these vij maiers is
so necessarie a meene into the loue and dredeof God. 1382
Wyclif Isa. lvii. 8 And bihynde the dorc.thou settedest
thi mynde tocne [Vulg. memorial* tuum).
MincUroin^V1^ Archwol. Alsominn. [Middle
Irish mind, mod. Irish mion/i.] A name given to
crescent-shaped ornaments found in Ireland, sup-
posed to have been used as diadems.
1862 Catat. Spec. Exhib. S. Kens. 41, No. 851. Gold-orna-
ment, believed to be the ancient Celtic ' mind ' or head-
ornament. Formed of a thin semi-lunar plate of guld with
raised ribs. 1880 W. B. Dawk ins Early Man in Brit. 358
The golden coronets or minus.. worn in Ireland in legend-
ary times. 1881 W. K. Sullivan in Encycl. Brit. XIII.
257/1 The richer, .kings wore, .a golden mind or diadem.
'Milld, a. Obs. [OK. gemynde :— prehistoric
*gamundJom,f. OTeut. *gamundi- : see Mind sb.*]
i. With dat. of person : Present to one's thought.
c 1220 Bestiary 611 Oc he am so kolde of kinde Dat no
golsipe is hem minde. a 1225 St. Marker. 12 Me bu makest
to asteoruen wiS («: slrencde of bine bcoden, be beoo1 he so
imunde. a 1275 Pro:: slilfrcdbox in O. E. Misc. 135 And
ower alle obir pinke God be be ful minde.
2. Of a person : Mindful, taking thought : const.
of for, about, gain ; also with int.
^ 1000 Elcne 1063 (Gr.) pa ^en Elenan waus mod *emynde
ymb pa maeran wyrd ^eneahhe for b-"11 medium, a 1300
Cursor M. 21895 And he gain us, sa meke and mind, Sua
mikel luues nathing als urkind. J bid. 26457 Qua--so wrethes
his lauerd king, and he o merci find him mind. Hid. 2S952
pat bou be noght for pi flexs mind hot for to sustain manes-
kind. 1303 R! liRi nne Hand I, Synue 727 And yam euer so
mynde For to pray for al mankynde.
Mind (maind), v. Forms: 4-5 mende, 4-7
mynd(e, £-7 minde, 6- mind. [f. Mind sb.1
The OE. {7e)ntyndgian to remember, remind if. £f>i/yndig
mindful, i.gemynde Mind sb.l>, usually cited in Diets, as the
source of this vb., is not immediately connected.]
1. trans. To put (one) in mind ^/something ; to
remind. Also, f to admonish, exhort. Also const.
flil, on, and with clause or inf. Now rare.
1340 Hampoi.k Pr. Consc. 230 Knawyng of all bis shuld
hym lede And mynd with-alle, til mekenes and drede. c 1400
Destr. Troy 4210 Ne mynd not bes men of be mykyll harnie,
That a sone of our folke before horn has done. 1599 Shaks.
Hen. V, iv. iii. 13 Farewell good Salisbury, and good luck
go with thee. And yet I doe the wrong, to mind thee of it.
1645 Evelyn Diary Easter Monday, The season of the yeare
..minding us of returning Northwards. 1657 Sparrow Bk.
Com. Prayer {1661) 67 Minding the people what they are
about. 1658-9 Burton'' s Diary 11828) ill. 575 Itwas minded
you by my learned countryman, that no law was rightly
made, but by King, Fords, and Commons. 1669 Col. T.
Middleton in State Papers, Dom. 575, 1 hope you will mind
the treasurers about the workmen, as they would fain have
money. 1670-98 Lassels loy. Italy Pref. 3 These must be
minded that I am writing of the Latin country. 1693
Evelyn De la Quint. Comfl. Card. I. 56, I must not forget
minding those who dig along a Wall, to take care not to
come too near the Foundations, 1713 Swift Let. to W.
Draper 13 Apr., I have been minding my lord Bolingbroke
..to solicit my lord-chancellor to give you a living. 1788
Burns / Love My Jean ii, There's not a bonie bird that
sings, But minds me o' my Jean. 1847 Tennyson Princess
iv. 109 They mind us of the time When we made bricks in
Egypt. 1851 Mrs. Browning Casa Guidi Wind. 76 Spain
may well Be minded how from Italy she caught,.. A fuller
cadence and a subtler thought. 1890 W. A. Wallace Only
a Sister 95 [He] began to curse and swear like a trooper at
Elizabeth for not minding him on what he was doing.
fb. To bring (an object) to one's mind. Obs.
1590 Spenser /'. Q. 11. ii. 10 That, as sacred Symbole,
it may dwell In her sonnes flesh, to mind revengement.
1600 Abp. Abbot Exp. Jonah x. 219 In the last place 1
haue noted, that misery mindeth God vnto vs. Then the
greater our miserie is, the more is our mind on our maker.
2. To remember, have in one's memory ; to think
of (a past or absent object). Nctw arch, and dial.
1382 Wyclif Rom. Prol. i, Therfore heafermeth hem nedi
to be confermed, the vices of her paynymrie rathere mynd-
ende. 15.. Myst. Resurr. in Ret. Ant. II. 156 Now she
spekes of the scornes, Now she remembers the thomes,..
Now she spekes of his pacience, Now she myndes his obedi-
ence, That unto deth was. c 1586 C'tess Pembroke Ps.
lxxvii. viii, Nay, still thy acts 1 minde ; Still of thy deedes
I muse. 1586 Warner Alb. Eng. 11. vii. (1589) 28 King
Achelous minding her for whom began that broile, Alcmenas
Sonne remembring too, whose cause he did defend. 1625
B. Jonson Staple of N. 11. iv. 100 Hee minds A curtesie no
more, then London-bridge, What Arch was mended last. 1666
J. Fraser Polichron. (S.H.S.) 42 He minded often his
mother Queen Margaret's advice. 1667 Milton P. I*. 11.
212 Our Supream Foe in time may much remit His anger,
and perhaps thus farr remov'd Not mind us not offending.
1786 Burns Hailoiveenxv, Ae Hairst afore the Sherra-moor,
I mind't as weel's yestreen. 1864 Tennyson En. Ard. 848,
I mind him coming down the street. 1896 A. E. Housman
Shropshire Lad iii, The lads you leave will mind you Till
Ludlow tower shall fall.
MIND
b. with obj. a clause, or f with direct obj. and
complement. Also absoU
i6ai Ainsworth Annot. Pent.* Gen. iil 24 Minding him-
selfe an exile and pilgrime here one earth. 1721 Wodrow
Hist Sujf. Ch. Scot. I. 455 The Instances of invading of
Pulpits are yet fewer, that is, none at all, as far as I mind,
in the preceeding Years. 1723 Wodrow Corr. (1843) III. 2,
I mind, before Mr. Webster's death, he spoke to me about
one of that name. 1800-34 Campbell Power of Russia i.\,
Hut, Poles, when we are gone, the world will mind Ye bore
the brunt of fate, i860 Dickens Uncomm. Trav. ix, The
lovers.. so superlatively happy, that I mind when I.. went
with my Angelica to a City church. 1861 Hughes Tom
Brown at Ox/ xviii, Tunes, .as ha' been used in our chmxh
ever since I can mind. 1893 Stevenson Catriona xxiii, I
minded how easy her delicacy had been startled with a word
of kissing her in Barbara's letter. 1897 Khoscomvl White
Rose A mo 144, I mind you promised us a Welsh army by
the time we reached this place.
c. In imperative, or in context implying a
counsel or warning : To take care to remember,
to bear in mind (a fact communicated or already
known, a duty to be done, etc.). Chiefly with
obj. a clause.
[1340 Ayenb. 262 Ymende bet bis boc is uolueld ine be eue
of be holy apostles Symon an Iudas.] 1432 tr. Secreta
Secret., Priv. Priv. xxiv. 154 Mynde thow how thow arte
dedly. c 1450 Osncy Reg. (E. E. T. S.) 1 It is to be myndyd
that Robert Doyly and Roger of I uory. .come to the con-
quest of Inglonde with Kyng William bastarde. 1675 R.
UuRTHOGCE Causa Dei 19 But it must be minded that
though the Son of Man shall Judge the World, yet that he
.•-hall come to do so. .in the Glory of his Father. 1787 Burns
Let. 17 Apr. (in Pearson's Catal. May (1888I 8), In making
up the accounts of my copies, please mind that I am paid
for the following number of copies, which money I retain
in my own hands. 1878 Browning La Saisiaz 14 Mind
to-morrow's early meeting.
d. intr. with of, on, upon : To remember. (Now
dial.) Also quasi-rejl. in / mind me, he minds
him, etc. {arch.)
1422 tr. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv. xxi. 148, I ne may not
mynde me that the Emperours of Rome. . wer vnlettride
while that hare lordshupp was well gouernyd in his streynth.
1699 R. L'Estrange Erasm. Colloq. (1725) 92 Yet it seems
reasonable enough, that the poor man should mind him of
that in Hosea. 1810 Cromek's Rem. Nitksdate Song 219
O ask your heart gif it minds o' me! a 1855 Thackeray
Ballad of Bouillabaisse x, I mind me of a time that's gone,
When here I'd sit, as now I'm sitting. 1871 Mrs. H. Wood
Dene Holloiv i, I mind me that something was said about
that paper at the time, resumed the Squire. ^ 1896 ' L. Keith '
Indian Uncle ii. 21 ' Did Adam ever mention him before 1 '
' Never, that I mind of.'
3. trans. In pregnant senses.
f a. To mention, record. Also absol. Obs.
C1450, 1494 [see Minded iJ. 1513 Bradshaw.SY. Werburge
1. 2972 And was incarnate, scrypture dothe mynde, In the
vyrgynall wombe of blessed marye. 1530 Palsgr. 636/1, I
mynde a thyng, I make mencyon of a thyng or inater. Je
tncficionne.
fb. To remember or mention in one's prayers,
to pray for. Obs.
c 1420 Anturs of Arth. 230 (Douce MS.) To mende vs
with masses, grete myster hit were. 1444 Test. Ebor.
(Surtees) II. 106 To y* vicar of Mitton a pare of get bedds
for to my n my saule and mynde me in his prayers. 1688 M .
Shields in Faith/, Contending* (1780) 327 Mind us when at
the throne of grace.
c. To 'remember1, i.e. to give to (those who
need) ; to remember in a will. dial.
1714 Ramsay Elegy on y. Cowfier ix, And to keep a*
things hush and lown He minds the poor. 1886 Willock
Rosetty Ends xix. (1S87) 143 Aboot twenty o' the leadin'
inhabitants had been mindit by Ebenezer to the extent o'
sums ranging frae seventeen pounds to fifty-five pounds.
4. To perceive, notice, be aware of; to have
one's attention attracted by (something presented I
to one's eyes or outward perceptions). Also rarely [
with clause as obj. Obs. exc. dial.
c 1489 Caxton Blanchardyn viii. 33 He mynded and dyde
byholde his Ioyouse esperyte. 1596 Shaks. Tarn. Shr.
1. i. 254 My Lord you nod, you do not minde the play. x6io
— Temp. 11. ii. 17 Tie fall flat, Perchance he will not minde
me. 1701 Norris Ideal World 1. i. 21 A finite intelligence
..may sometimes, .think of somewhat else than what he is
doing, so as to be said in a manner not to mind what he is
about. 1703 T. N. City $ C. Purchaser 32 A Term used
commonly, .but I did never mind it in any one of the
Treatises of the. .Italian Architects. 1708 Swift Trttical
Ess., And Archimedes, the famous Mathematician, was so
intent upon his Problems, that he never minded the Soldier
who came to kill him. 1709 E. W. Life Donna Rost'na
63 He not minding the figure that stood near the wall
told his Master there was no body. 1781 J. Moore View
Soc. It. (1790) I. vi. 66 One of the company had already
passed (the picture] without minding it. 1789 Mrs. Piozzi
Journ. France \. 2, 1 recollect mindingthat his. .storystruck
Dr. Johnson exceedingly. 1821 Clare Vill. Afinstr. 1. 159,
I minded him oft when at church, How under the wenches'
fine bonnets he'd glower. 1880 Antrim *■• D<nvn Gloss, s.v.,
See ! d'ye mind the way she's walkin'.
absol. 1667 Milton P. L. ix. 519 Shee busied heard the
sound Of rusling Leaves, but minded not.
5. To attend to, give heed to. Often, to give
heed to (a person, his wishes, etc.) with the in-
tention of obeying.
1559 Bp. Scot in Strype Ann. Ref. (1824) I. App. vii. 422
If men wolde diligently mind St. Paul's wordes. 1673 Vain
Insolency of Rome 28 A short History, which I minded, when
I heard it, the more heedfully. 1709 Mrs. Manlev Secret
Mem. (1736) III. 107 The Emperor, is no more minded than
a Baby m Leading-strings. 1738 Swift Pol. Conversat. 124
First it should swim, in the Sea (do you mind me?) then it
462
should swim in Butter. 1739 Chesterf. Lett. (1792) I. xxxi.
107, I looked upon it as a sign that you liked and minded my
letters. Ibid. lix. 167 It signifies nothing to read a thing once
if one does not mind and remember it. 178a Miss Burney
Cecilia IV. v, I have had . . much ado to make him mind me,
for he is all for having his own way. 1819 Shelley Cyclops
494 By all means he must be blinded, If my counsel be but
minded. 1824-9 Landor Imag. Conv. Wks. 1846 II. 90
Would our father have minded the caitiffs?.. Would be.,
have minded parliament? 1866 G. Macdonald Ann. Q.
Neighb. ii, But if your reverence minds what my wife says,
you won't go wrong. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 85 Let
us take his advice, though he be one only, and not mind the
others.
b. with obj. a clause.
1642 H. More Song 0/ Soul 1. ill. vi, They neither minded
who, nor what I ask. 1669 Stukniy Mariner's Mag. 17
Mind at Helmne what is said to you carefully. 1709-10
Steele Taller No. 132 p 9 Old Reptile, .winked upon his
Nephew to mind what passed.
c. absol. or intr. To pay heed or attention.
Chiefly colloq. in imperative, used to call attention
to, or emphasize, what the speaker is saying.
1806-7 J- Beresford Miseries Hum. Life (1826) 1. Introd.,
So I bar Latin, mind. 1832 Coleridge Tablc-t. 17 Mar.,
Something feminine— not effeminate, mind— is discoverable
in the countenances of all men of genius. 1853 Lytton My
Novel IV. xxiii, Now mind, mother, not a word about Uncle
Richard yet. 185s Browning Fra Lippo 113 But, mind
you, when a boy starves in the streets . . Why, soul and sense
of him grow sharp alike.
f6. trans. To have in view, have a mind to (an
action, plan, etc.) ; to contemplate, purpose,
intend, aim at (doing something) ; also, to plan,
provide for (something external to oneself). Some-
times with clause as obj. Obs.
1513 Bradshaw St. Werburge 1. 575 In meane whyle the
kynge mynded maryage. 1513 More in Hairs Chron.,
Ediv. V. (1550) 2 Which thyng in all apparaunce he resisted,
although he inwardly mynded it. 1564 Reg. Privy Council
Scot. I. 310 The saidis Lordis na wyise willing to call in
doubt the autoritie and credit of the saidis lettres.., hot
rather mynding that all strangearis, freindis, and confide-
ratis of this realme. .find all favour [etc.}. 1596 Spenser
Stale fret. Wks. (Globe) 615/1 And that noble prince begann
to cast an eye unto Ireland, and to mynd the reformation of
thinges there runn amiss. 1622 Bacon Hen. VII 246 If this
King did no greater .Matters.it was long of himselfe; for what
he minded, he compassed. 1660 Sharrock Vegetables 94 A
convenient descent must be minded. 1663 Gerbier Counsel
(1664) 55 Those that mind the making use of Chalk in their
walls, must [etc.]. 1691 T. H[ale] Acc. New Invent, p. lxvii,
He could find no foot-steps of their having minded the Power
of such Conservacy.
b. With infinitive as obj. : To haveamind/»<&
something ; to wish, be inclined, purpose, intend.
Obs. exc. dial, (see E. D. D.).
1513 More in Hall's C/iron., Edw. V. (1550) 1 The duke
not entendynge so longe to tary but mindyng. .to preuent the
time. 1548-9 (Mar.) Bk. Com. Prayer, Communion, All
other (that mynde not to receive the said holy Communion).
1593 Shaks. 3 Hen. VI, IV. i. 106 Belike she minds to play the
Amazon. 1634 in Black Bk. Taymouth (Banuatyne CI.) 440
In theNorth, quhair I mynd to stay for tuo moncthes. 1671
Milton Samson 1603, I sorrow'd at his captive state, but
minded Not to be absent at that spectacle. 1683 I). A. Art
Converse 2 If you mind to play the logician. 1791 Boswell
Johnson an. 1763, Roubiliac. .minding to put a trick on him,
pretended to be so charmed with his performance, that [etc.].
C. cllipt. (in relative clause).
1573 Satir. Poems Reform, xlii. 463 Quhilk, gif thay mynd
as thay pretend, Thay wald haue begun at this end. 1890
W. A. Wallace Only a Sister 124 He was wandering round
the shelves, taking down a book here and there as he minded.
T d. To direct one's thoughts toward. Obs.
1633 W. Struther True Happiness 145 So if we minde to-
ward!! eaven,weemust walkthrough the world as Strangers.
7. To bend one's attention to (e. g. something
that one is doing or occupied with) ; to direct or
apply oneself to, bring one's mind or energies to
bear upon, or practise diligently.
To mind his book (colloq. J now obs. or arch.), of a school-
boy, to be diligent in his studies. To mind one's business,
to attend to it, prosecute it diligently ; hence to mind one's
envn business, to attend to one's own affairs and leave other
people's alone (see Business 16 d>.
c 1400 Destr. Troy 9305 Achilles . . Myche myndit the mater,
in the inene tyme, And to bryng hit aboute besit hym sore.
1530 Palsgr. 636/1, 1 myndea thynge, 1 regarde it, or set my
myndeupon it. Jetnets le cueur dessus, or jc pi ens an cueur.
It can nat go forwarde with the, for thou iiiyndest it nat.
1577 B. Googe Heresbach's Husb. 1.(1586) 13b, A man would
thinke you had neuer minded any other profession. 161 1
Bible Rom. viii. 5 For they that are after the flesh doe minde
the things of the flesh. 1625, etc. [see Business i6d]. 1660
Trial Regie. 52 All those . . had a mind for Peace, ^that
minded their duty, and Trust, and Allegiance to their King.
1662 Gerbier Princ. 1 Whereas Building ismuchmindedin
these times. 1712 Addison Sped. No. 383 ri Bidding hiin
beagoodChildandmindhis Book. 1732 Berkeley A tciphr.
11. § 19 If some certain persons minded piety more than poli-
tics. 1835 J. H. Newman Par. Serin. (1837) I. xviii. 272 Mind
little things as well as great. i877Spurgeono>>v/;. XXIII.
360 He went back to Samaria and minded his business. 1889
Browning Pope ly Net, So much the more his boy minds
book.
f b. To care for, like, value, wish for. Obs.
1648 Gage West Ind. 137 The only want of wheat is not a
want to them that mind bread of Wheat more then of Maiz,
for in two dayes it is easily brought. 1666 Stillingfl. Serin.
(1673) 13 They [the kine of Bashan] minded nothing but ease,
softness, and pleasure. 1748 Smollett Rod. Rand. ii. (1 760)
I. 10 His heir, .minded nothing but fox-hunting.
8. In negative, interrogative, and conditional
sentences : (Not) to care for, trouble oneself or be
MINDED.
concerned about, be affected by. Hence : (Not)
to object to, be troubled or annoyed by, dislike
(something proposed, something offered to one,
etc.). Often in polite or tentative formulas, as
/ should not mind (something) = I should rather
like it, I should be glad to have it or do it ; do you
or would you mind (doing something) ? = be so
kind as to do it ; if you don't mind, if you have
no objection.
1608 Shaks. Per. 11. v. 20 Now absolute she's in't, Not mind-
ing whether I dislike or no. X710 Steele Tatter No. 206 r 2,
I did not mind his being a little out of humour. 1747-96 Mrs.
Glasse Cookery xxiii. 365 They will look quite yellow, and
stink, but you must not mind that. 1750 Lady Bradshaigh
in Richardson's Corr. (1804) VI. 95, 1 do not mind him of two
straws. 1776 Foote ( apuchin 1. Wks. 1799 II. 389 Why.yes,
you may venture, Sir Harry: it is not minded in London.
1777 Sheridan Sch. Scand. iv. i, Never mind the difference,
we'll balance that another time, i860 Dickens Uncomm.
Trav.vi, I am rather faint, Alexander, but don't mind me.
1863 liid. XX, Would you mind my asking you what part of
the country you come from ? 1874 Whyte Melville Uncle
John xviii. II. 200, I shouldn't mind a cup of tea myself.
1889 ' J. S. Winter ' Mrs. Bob (1891) 48 Stay, do you mind
ringing the bell for me first 1
b. Hence occasionally in an affirmative sentence :
To object to, dislike.
1861 Cunningham Wheat <y Tares 136 Yet her heart smote
her now,for Ella minded going dreadfully and was unusually
nice and affectionate.
C. absol. and intr. = (not) to care, trouble one-
self, object, etc. Const, about. Often in colloq.
imper. phr. never mind = don't let it trouble you,
it does not matter; also offensively (see quot.
1S37) = it is none of your business.
1786 Miss Burney Diary 25 July, She begged me not to
mind, and not to hurry myself, for she would wait till it was
done, a \Z\^Gonzanga\\. i. in Ne~.v Brit. Theatre Til. 112
Never mind, father, don't be obstroperous about it. 1837
Dickens Pickiu. xxiv, There must be something very com-
prehensive in this phrase of ' Never mind ', for we do not re-
collect to have ever witnessed a quarrel in the street,. .in
which it has not been the standard reply to all belligerent
inquiries. * Do you call yourself a gentleman, sir ? ' — ' Never
mind, sir '. 1837 S. R. Maitland 6 Lett. Fox's A. A> M. 70
note, The person whom Fox calls the Bishop of Penestrum
(for we will not mind about a supposed misspelling). 1849
Thackeray Pendennis xxxi, The public don't mind a straw
about these newspapers rows. 1884 Mrs. Ewtng Mary's
Meadow ii, Mother was very angry, but Father did not
mind. 1898 Times 5 Oct, 3/3 Sir Herbert Kitchener told
them never to mind and to come as they were.
9. To bear in mind and be careful to do (some-
thing) ; to remember and take care that something
is done. Mind you do (so and so) = don't fail to
do it.
1641 Best Farm. Bks. (Surtees) 16 In setting of their
barres they are allwayes to minde to sett that side of the
barres inwarde. 1710 Swift Jml. to Stella 12 Oct., But
I will mind and confine myself to the accidents of the day.
1782 Miss Burney Cecilia vnl. vii, But pray mind that she
is kept quiet. 1837 Disraeli Venetia 1. xix, Never mind
about your handwriting ; but mind you write.
10. To be careful about, take care of ; to employ
carefully or heedfully; to take heed (what one
does). Mind your eye, ' look out ', keep your eyes
about you (see Eve si.1 2 a). To mind ones J*s
and Q's : see P 3 b.
1737 Bracken Farriery fmpr. (1757) II. 33 It is an easy
Matter to .. skreen Blemishes in the Hoof, if you don't
mind your Eye. 1759 Sterne Tr. Shandy I. i, I wish either
iny father or my mother, -had minded what they were about
when they begot me. 1809 Malkin Gil Bias v. i. T 2, I began
to mind a little what I was about. 1840 Dickens Barn.
Fudge xxx, He would recommend him., to mind his eye for
the future. 1892 Mrs. H. Ward D. Grieve 11. ii, ' Mind
what you're about ', cried Purcell, angrily.
b. To be wary concerning, be on one s guard
against, look out for (something that is to be
avoided). Now only in the imperative or in con-
texts conveying counsel or warning.
1690 Locke Hum. Und. 11. xxxiii. § 8 And though those
[impressions] relating to the health of the body, are, by dis-
creet people, minded and fenced against. 1881 Ruskin
Morn, in Florence 25 You may let your eye rest .. on the
glow of its glass, only mind the steps balf way. 1881 A. C.
Grant Bush Life Queensl. x. (1882)94 'You better mind
that fellow, Mr. Fitzgerald ', said the Native.
c. absol., esp. in colloq. phr. if you don I mind
= if you are not careful (to avoid something).
1691 Wood Life 9 Apr. (O. H. S.) III. 359 Bein8 in hast.
not minding, [she] set the cotton., on fire. 1839 James
Gentl. Old Sch. xiii, Take care ..they'll see you, if you
don't mind, as you get over the bank in the moonlight,
1894 R. Bridges Feast Bacchus iv. 1290 You'll certainly be
his death, unless you mind.
11. trans. To take care of, take charge of, look
after ; to have the care or oversight of.
1694 Dryden Love Triumphant Epil. 34 The wife, that
was a cat, may mind her house. 1732 Neal Hist. Purit. I.
26 They were . . to exhort them to stay at home and mind
their families. 1802 Mar. Edgeworth Moral T. (1816) I.
246 The men .. were gone to dinner : I stayed to mind the
furnace. 1873 W. Collins New Magd. xviii. II. 8 The
lodge-keeper's wife. . is minding the gate. 1884 Mrs. Ewing
Daddy Darwin's Dovecot iv, Let me mind your pigeons.
Minded (mai-nded), ///. a. [f. Mind si.1 and
v. + -ED.]
fl. [From the vb.] 1. That has been men-
tioned. Also fore-minded - forementioned. Obs.
MINDER.
MINE.
c%4S° Godstow Reg. 147 pe fore sayde Iohn perschore ..
scholde waranti3e to J>e fore-myndyd religiouse women, . .
\fi fore-sayde londes. Ibid. 424 The mynded luke yaf to
the mynded William at the entryng vij. mark. 1494 Fabyan
Chron. v.xcii. 68 Hethenbuylded the Castell before myndyd.
II. [From the sb.] 2. * Having a mind ' to do
something; intending, disposed, inclined. Also
[rarely) with clause. To be so minded: to be
inclined to do what has been mentioned.
1503-4 Act 19 Hen. VII z. 28 Preamble, His Highnes is
not mynded . . to calle & somone a newe parliament. 1530
Palsgr. 482/1 He was so mynded yesterday, but I have
chaunged his purpose nowe. a 1^33 Ld. Berners Gold.
Bk, M. AureL (1559) Oo iij b, For if that the goddes giue
me longe life, I am mynded for to amende. 1653 H. Cogan
tr. Pinto's Trav. Ixx. 285, I am not minded to make men-
tion of them. 1703 Moxon Meek. Exerc. 249 They are
minded to make their Plastering very streight and even . 1775
Sheridan Rivals IV. i. Ne'er a St. [sic] Lucius O'Trigger
in the kingdom should make me fight, when I wa'n't so
minded. 18x6 Scott Antiq. xxxvii, I am no minded to
answer ony o' thae questions. 1861 Mrs. Carlyle Lett.
III. 73 Mr. C. was minded to go nowhere this summer.
1874 H. H. Gibus Ombre 29 Discarding at once himself..
if he he so minded. 1887 Bowen Virg, sEncid iv. 638, I am
minded to finish the rite.. Sacred to Stygian Jove.
f3. Having a certain disposition (favourable or
hostile) towards a person or thing. Well-minded :
well-disposed, friendly. Obs.
1513 More in Grafton's Chron. (1568) II. 758 Which [sc.
Clarence's death] he [Richard] resisted openly, how be it
somewhat (as men demed) more faintly than he that were
hartily mynded to his welth. 1577-87 Holinkiied Chron.
I. 148/2 This worthie prince minded well toward the com-
mon wealth of his people.. did studie [etc.]. 1579 W. Wil-
kinson Confut. Familye 0/ Lone 3 He .. standeth minded
agaynst God, and his Church. 1613 Shaks. Hen. {■'Ill,
in. 1. 58 We come. .to know How you stand minded in the
weighty difference Hetweene the King and you. 1677 W.
Hubbard Narrative 98 A well minded Squaw that was
among them.
4. Qualified by advs. (forming combinations
which when used attrib. are often hyphened) :
Having one's habitual thoughts, tastes, or sympa-
thies, inclined in a specified direction.
i6ii Bible Rom. viii. 6 For to be carnally minded, is
death: but to be spiritually minded, is life and peace
[Coverhale 1535, has fleshly mynded, goostly mynded],
1890 Imperially-minded [see Imperially adv. i b]. 1903
Daily Chron. 9 Jan. 3/3 Rather monotonous even to the
most commercially and statistically-minded.
U b. The combinations with adv. have some-
times been used in the senses more properly ex-
pressed by parasynthetic formations with the cor-
responding adj.
171a A. Philips Disirest Mother iv. vii. 43 Pyrrhus is
nobly minded; and I fain Would live to thank him for
Astyanax. 1828 Sporting Mag. XXII. 229 This man was
strongly minded. 1843 Ruskin Mod. Paint, n. in. iv. § 10
We are in the constant hope of seeing this finely-minded
artist shake off his lethargy.
III. 5. Having a mind of a specified character.
Chiefly in parasynthetic formations with prefixed
adj. (The more common words of this formation,
as absent-, bloody-, double-, feeble- , healthy-, high-,
noble-, strong-minded, are either given as Main
words, or are illustrated under their first element.)
1503 [see High-minded a.]. 1528 [see Fleshly a.]. 1589
Puttenham Eng. Poesie 1. (Arb.) 33 Being a quiet mynded
man and nothing ambitious of glory. 1603 Dekkf.r Bat-
chelor^s Banq. vii. heading, The humor of a couetous
minded woman. 187a Lever Ltt. Kilgobbin (1875) 172 Sup-
porters, one-minded with them in everything. 1872 Ruskin
Eagle's N. § 207 You want to know what sort of a minded
and shaped creature it is.
Minder (marndai). Also 5 mendowre. [f.
Mind sb.1 and v. + -er 1.]
f 1. One who remembers. Obs. rare.
c 1440 Promp. Parr', 332/1 Meende haver, or mendowre,
memor.
^12. As transl. of to voovv (the thinking subject \
1587 Golding De Mornay vi. 86 [Plotinus] his conclusion
is, that the Mynder, the Mynding, and the Mynded, are in
the Godhead all one thing.
3. One who minds. + a. One who sets his mind
upon (something). Obs.
1650 O. Sedgwick Christ the Life 25 The Apostle speaks
of Some who are Lovers of themselves . . and who are
Minders of themselves; they mind Earthly things.
b. One whose business is to ' mind * or attend
to something ; often with defining word as card-,
cattle-, engine-minder.
1835 Ure Philos. Mannf. 214 His machine should reduce
the minder and the screwer to one person. 1867 Even.
Stand. 14 Feb., Henry Clearby, a minder of carts. 1874
Sunday Mag. 610 ' Minders', I echoed. 'Yes, women who
make a trade of baby minding, taking them by the day at
so much a head '. 1884 W. S. B. McLaben Spinning (ed. 2)
215 When the lap is large enough, it is taken off by the
card-minder. 1885 Spectator 30 May 698/2 The engine
minder who goes to the parish doctor because a spark has
flown in his eye. 1902 \Vestm. Gaz. 4 Apr. 6/2 One of
the King's cattle-minders.
4. A child who is ' minded ' or taken care of at
a ' minding school '.
1865 Dickens Mnt. Fr. 1. xvi, 'Those are not his brother
and sister?'. .' Oh, dear no, ma'am. Those are Minders'.
' Mmders? ' the Secretary repeated. 'Left to be Minded,
sir*. 1903 Treasury Sept. 1046 There had been a dame
school, kept by an old woman. .. She was quite illiterate,
and her pupils were simply minders.
Mindererus (minderp'ros). Pharmacy.
[Latinized name of R. M. Minderer of Augsburg
{died 1621) who first recommended its use.] Spirit
of Mindererus, f Mindererus *s spirit: a solution
of acetate of ammonia, which is used medicinally I
as a febrifuge. (Now often with small initial.)
1776 Fothergill in Phil. Trans. LXVI. 589 Spirit of
Mindererus, volatile spirit of sal ammoniac. 184a Francis
Diet. Arts, etc., Mindererus' s Spirit. 1871 Naphevs Prev.
<$• Cure Dis. in. xi. 1646 Spirits of mindererus are of
service.
Mindful (m3i-ndful),fl. Forms: see Mind sb.'1
[f. Mind sb.1 + -ful.]
1. a. Taking thought or care of; heedful of;
keeping remembrance of. Also const, with obj.
clause and how or that.
a 1340 Hampoli: Psalter lxii. 7 If J was myndefull of the
of my bede. 138a Wyclif Heb. ii. 6 What thing is man,
that thou art myndeful of him? 1579 B. Googe tr. Men-
dozas Prov. 49 That where hee [sc. Ca;sar] was verie
mindefull of all other thinges, hee neuer would remember
any iniurie doone vnto him. 1661 Marvkll Corr, Let.
xxvi. Wks. (Grosart) II. 63 We beseech you be mindfull
that the 29th of May be kept for a thanksgiving. 1736
Berkeley Discourse Wks. 1871 III. 421 In all their actions
to be ever mindful of the last day. 1849 Macaulay Hist.
Eng. iv. I. 428 He had always been mindful of his health
even in his pleasuies. 1873 Black Pr. Thule x, Mindful
of the fastidious ways of his friend.
"b. Having remembrance of. nonce-ttse.
1859 Tennvson Geraiut <y- Enidigi Guinevere, not mind-
ful of his face, .desired his name.
c. const, with inf.
1581 J. Bell Haddon's Ansiu. Osor. 420 To be Bapti/ed
in Churchyardes ..was an auncient custome .. that so such
as were to be Baptized might be made y° more myndefull
to confesse a rising agayne from y* dead. 1664 Evelyn
Kal. Hort., Mar. (1679) -3 Be mindful to uncover them
[the plants] in all benign, and tolerable seasons. 169a Stkat
Coutriv. Blackhead \. 19, I was not so mindful to preserve
the Letters that came to me. 1889 Gretton Memory's
Harkb. 324 The monks were always mindful to establish
themselves where there was water close at hand.
d. without const.
1567 Turberv. Ovid's Ept'st. 141 b, So she with mindefull
wrath Upon my corse for thee awroken is. 1605 Camden
Rem. 32 Antient families have given those names to their
heires, with a mindefull and thankefull regard of them.
i7a8 Pope Dune. I. 93 Much to the mindful Queen the feast
recalls. 1747 Collins Ode to Liberty 16 Let not my shell's
misguided power E'er draw thy sad, thy mindful tears.
1854 S. Doiiell Balder i, Point with mindful shadow day
and night, Where we lie dust below.
f2. Minded, inclined to do something. Also
with ellipsis of vb. of motion. Obs.
163a Lithgow Trav. 11. 59 A great number of passengers
..that were all mindefull to Zante. Ibid. 61 The Turkes
retired till morning, and then were mindfull to give vs . . a
second alarum. 167a in L'pool Mumc. Rec. (1883) I. 2S5
Any that shall bee mindfull to build upon or improve any
such wast. 1681 Chetham Anglers Vade-m. xxxii. § 1
(1689) 173 Tired and mindful to rest.
Mindfully ,n.3i-ndfuli), adv. [f. prec. + -LY 2.]
In a mindful manner; ' attentively ; needfully '
(J.) ; thoughtfully, earnestly, intently.
1382 Wyclif Job xxxv. 5 Behold heuene, and loke, and
myndefullt see the cloudis, that is he^ere than thou, c 1540
Compl. Roderyck Mors xxiv. G viij b, We must regard, that
our mouthe, spirit and hart be eleuated together mindfully
in faith, a 1568 Ascham Scholem. \\. (Arb.) 122 Tullie did.,
purposel'ie and mindfullie bend him selfe to a precise and
curious Imitation of Plato. 1585 T. Washington tr. AY-
cholay's Voy. 1. ii, The Ambassadour being mindfully bent
to his charge. 1871 Daily Nexvs 20 Jan., He has mindfully-
left for me a message.
Mindfulness (moi'ndfiilnes). [Formed as
prcc. + -ness.] The state or quality of being
mindful; 'attention; regard* (J.) ; f memory;
t intention, purpose.
1530 Palsgr. 245/2 Myndfulnesse, pencee. 1561 T. Hoby
tr. Castiglione's Courtyeru. (1577) Giv, To lose, .the mind-
fulnesse of them. 1577-87 Holinshed Chron. I. 169/2
There was no mindfulnesse amongest them of running awaie.
1612 T. Taylor Comm. Titus iii. 1 (1619) 541 To keepe in
mens memories the mindfulnesse of their duties. 1817
Moore Lalla R. (ed. 2) 72 That deep-blue, melancholy
dress Bokhara's maidens wear in mindfulness, Of friends or
kindred, dead or far away. 1820 Jay Prayers 355 Let us
not forget our souls, in our mindfulness of the body.
Minding (mai'ndin), vbl. sb. [f. Mind v.+
-ing -.] The action of the verb Mind.
1. The action of remembering, regarding, paying
attention to, or caring for; also (now only dial.),
remembrance, recollection.
c 1449 Pecock Repr. n. ix. 19T Into suche now seid re-
membrauncis and myndingis to be gendrid and had . . mai
and wole serue at ful Holi Scripture [etc.]. 1534 More
Comf. agst. Trib. m. Wks. 1257/2 This matter cosin lacketh,
as I beheue, but either full fayth or sufficiente mynding,
i6ix Bible Rom. viii. 7 The carnal mind [tnarg. the mind-
ing of the flesh] is enmitie against God. a 1652 J. Smith
Set. Disc.^ ix. 482 To awaken and exhort every one to a
serious minding of religion. 1701 Howe Carnality Relig.
Content. Wks. (1846) 230 Souls for their too intent minding
of earthly things are called enemies to the Cross of Christ.
2. dial. A reminder; =Mingingz-£/. sb, I. Also,
pi. ' the marks on a stone about to be sawn, for
the guidance of the sawyers' (E. D. D.).
1601 Holland Pliny xxiv. xvii. II. 202 Ifamanor woman
happen to be sick of any disease, at what time as this Aproxis
is m the flower, although he or shee bee throughly cured of
it, yet shall they have a grudging or minding [L. admoni-
tionem] thereof as often as it falleth to flower againe. 1893
Wiltshire Gloss, s.v., After a severe illness you are apt to
have ' the mindings on't' now and again.
3. Comb., as minding-school, a dame-school of
which the chief purpose is to keep the children
out of mischief.
1865 Dickens Mnt. Fr. 1. xvi, I keep a minding-school :
I can take only three.
t Minding, ///. a. Obs. [f. Mind v. + -ing 2.]
That reminds.'
c 1449 Pecock Repr. 11. ii. 137 The vsing of hem [sc. images
in churches] as rememoratijf or mynding signes is not re-
proued by eny ground of feith.
Mindless (marndK-s),^. [f. MindjA.1 + -less.]
1. Chiefly of persons and their attributes: Desti-
tute of mind ; unintelligent, senseless. Also, fthat
is out of his mind, stupefied, insane.
*: 1000 /Klfric I loin. II. 326 Se wisdom, .bine sylfne aubret
fram. .myndleasum £,e3ohtum. a 1400-50 Alexander 5399
Oure mode kyng was so maied myndles him semed. 1509
Barclay Shyp of Fotys (1570) 118 As men mindelesse. 1513
Douglas AKueis iv. ii. 30 And, half myndles, agane sche
langis sair. 159a Davies Immcrt. Soul ix. ii, God first
made Angels bodiless, pure Minds; Then other Things,
which mindless Bodies be. 1633 Orkney Witch Trial in
Abbotsford CI. Misc. I. 151 Scho was senceles and myndles
for ane long speace. a 1679 W. Oltram Serm. (1682) 468
Nor is the Devil asleep or mindless. 1843 Ruskin Mod.
Paint. 1. 1. i. 5 The mindless copyist studies Raffaelle, but
not what Raffaelle studied. i&66Snt. R/'?: 19 May 602/2
What an amount of mindless rubbish a well-educated gentle-
man has the audacity .. to lay before the public. 1885 J.
Martineal* Types Eth. Th. I. 35 It.. stands fast in mindless
immobility.
2. Unmindful, thoughtless, heedless, disregardful,
negligent, forgetful, careless of.
a 1547 Surrey ,-Eneid iv. (1557) F iij b, Beastes and fowles
. .Laide downe toslepe by silence of the night . . ; mindlesse
of trauels past. 1641 Hinde J. Brueu viii. 30 So mindlesse
of their owne duties. 1697 Dryden /Encid v. 225 Mindless
of others Lives ..and careless of his own. 1795 Hist, in
Ann. Reg. 22 The ministers of Russia, .. mindless of this
representation, insisted on the appointment. 1895 Sir J.
Crowe Remit*, ix. 242 The younger men., dive for six-
pences, mindless of sharks.
b. const, in, whether.
1641 Hinde J. Bruen xviil. 58 Being both mindlesse in
observing, and carelesse in retaining what they heare. 1786
Anna Seward Lett. (1811) I. 232, 1 choose .. the strongest
which spontaneously occur, to express my idea.. ; mindless
whether they do, or do not form a part of the fashionable
vocabulary of Lord Fillagiee and Lady Pamtickle.
Hence Mindlessly adv., in a mindless or un-
intelligent manner. Mrndlessness, the state or
condition of being mindless, heedlessness; occas.
total privation of mental power.
1646 T. Coleman Brotherly Exam. Re-c.v. 5 There was
either ignorance or mindlessnesse in him that sets it downe.
1681 H. More Exp. Dan. vi, 171 He observed the luxury
and dissoluteness of Philopator and his mindlesness of his
affairs. 1704 M. Henry Fain. Relig. Wks. (1853) I. 266/2
Your backwardness and mindlessness will be their greatest
discouragement. 1857 Nat. Mag. II. 15 A poor idioi-girl
who always came, — but as I thought mindlessly, — burst into
tears and exclaimed, My mother, my Mother ! 1899 All-
butt's Syst. Med. VIII. 304 We should have mindlessness
before complete organic decay and death take place. Ibid.
383 The general aspect is that of mindlessness.
t Mi'ndly, a. [f. Mind sbA + -ly i.]
1. Mindful.
1435 Misyn Fire 0/ Love 1. v. 10 Whylk fyer byrnand in
bam bat is chosyn, myndelyeuer makes bame vp forto loke,
and dede in per desyre continuly to with-hald. c 1445 Lydg.
Nightingale 128 Enprinie that fall [sc. Lucifer's] right
myndely in thy herte.
2. Pertaining to the mind ; mental.
1434 Misyn Mending Life xii. 128 Myendly [sic] sight
truly is takyn vp heuenly to behald be schadoly syght }it
& meroly, not clere and opyn. 1587 Golding De Mornay
vi. (1592) 62 The Father created the mindly shapes, and
gaue the gouernment of them to this second Minde. Ibid.
81 By his mindly Inworking he is the verie eternitie it selfe.
1832 Praser^s Mag. VI. 732 There to put off your lingering
mindly drop of mortality, and be one of the blessed.
Mi'ndsman. nonce-wd. A man of mind.
1837 C. Lofft Self-formation I. 96 Those whose ambition
it is to separate themselves from the herd, to rise to the
rank of mindsmen.
+ Mindy, a. Obs. rare. [OE. myndig, ge?nindig,
f. (ge)mynd Mind sbX\ Mindful. Hence Mi-ndi-
ness (Ormin), mindfulness.
C975 Rushw. Gosp. Mark xiv. 72, & myndtj wjes petrus
wordes 5stte cweden waes him oe haeland. c 1200 Ormin
11508 Forr sawle onnfob att Drihhtin Godd Innsihht &
minndi^nesse. 1435 Misyn Fire of Love 11. xi. 98 That
parfite lufe to god . . makis man myndy of his god.
Mindy, variant of Mindee.
KCine (main), sb. Forms: 4-7 myn(e, 6 myene,
miene, mynne, Sc. mynd(e, 4- mine. [a. F.
mine (1314 in Hatz.-Darm.), whence Pr., Sp., It.
mina ; also G., Da. mine, Du. ?nifn, Sw, mina.
The origin of the Fr. word is doubtful. The evidence
seems to point to the derivation of the sb. from the vb. (see
Mine v.), which in the earliest instances had the general
sense to excavate, make underground passages, undermine.
(The alleged 9th c example of med.L. mina plumbi ' lead-
mine' given by Du Cange is from a spurious charter.) This
renders it difficult to accept the otherwise plausible con*
nexion of the sb. with the OCeltic *meini- ore, metal
(Welsh mwyn, Irish mtinri).]
1. An excavation made in the earth for the pur-
pose of digging out metals or metallic ores, or
MI WE.
464
MINE.
certain other minerals, as coal, salt, precious
stones (in i6th-l7th c. occas. building stones,
sand). Also, the place from which such minerals
may be obtained by excavation.
Royal mine, mine royal', in English Law, any mine
yielding more gold or silver than will cover the cost of
working : all such mines being liable to be claimed as the
property of the Crown.
1303 R. Brvsxe Ha ndl. Synne 10737 A perylous chaunce
to hym fyl ; For, a grete party of bat yche myne Fyl dowun
yn be hole, and closed hym ynne. 1390 GowEnConf. II. 83
Ferst forto gete it out of Myne, And after forto trie and
fyne. c 1407 Lydg. Reson <$■ Setts. 6080 Of awmber ryche
and fyn, Pulshed ful clene out of the Myn. 1467-8 Rolls 0/
Partt. V. 582/2 Myites of Coles and Leede, and all other
Possessions. 1535 Covf.rdale i Mace. viii. 3 The Mynes
of syluer and golde that are there. 1551 Robinson tr.
Afore' s Utopia r. (1895) 64 Them they condempned into
ston quarris, and in to myenes to dygge mettalle. 1555
Eden Decades 1. nr. 11 By reason of a myne of stones
which was nere vnto the same, seruynge well bothe to
buylde with, and also to make lyme. ? 1568 in Vettus Eodime
Reg. (1670) 54 The Governours, Assistants, and Commonalty
for the Mines Royal. 1638 Rawi.ey tr. Bacon's Life <y
Death (1650) 3 Stones continue longer, if they be laid
towards the same Coast of Heaven, in the Building, that
they lay in the Mine. 1649 Blithe Eng. Improv. Imp>;
(1653) 149 Bring in several I Loades of Sands either out of
the streets or wayes, or from a sand-pit or mine once or
twice a week. 1671 Boyle Ess. Gems 31 In East-India,.,
they are wonderfully unskillful at digging Mines; as I
have gathered from the Answers of some, who.. went to
visit the Diamond Mines, as they call them. 1696 Phillips
fed. 5), Mine is also that part of the Earth where Metals and
Minerals are found, and out of which they are digg'd. 1698
Keill Exam. Th. Earth (17341 37 If we descend into the
Mines or Pits, we shall find the matter there to be three or
four times heavier than the earth above. 1813 Bakewell
Introd. Geol. (1815) 276 The deepest mine that has been
worked in Europe .. is one at Truttenberg in Bohemia.
1870 Yeats Nat. Hist. Comm, 113 Gold and silver mines
abound in the Andes. 1882 Refi. to Ho. ReJ>r. Free. Met.
U. S. 96 The hydraulic and drift-mines during the last year
have produced large sums.
f b. hyperbolically. An abundant mass of gold.
1656 Cowley Pindar. Odes, Extasic ix, The Horses were
of temper'd Lightning made, .. The noblest, sprightful'st
Breed, And flaming Mines their Necks array'd.
c. fig. An abundant source of supply ; a store
from which (something specified) may be obtained
in plenty.
1541 R. Copland Guydon's Quest. Chirurg. O ij, Specy-
ally aboute the pryncipal membres that are the mynes of
strength. 1601 Shaks. Phcenix <f- Turtle 36 So betweene
them Loue did shine, That the Turtle saw his right, Flam-
ing in the Phoenix sight; Either was the others mine.
a 1764 Lloyd Dial. Poet. Wks. 1774 II. 4 You must have
a fund, a mine, Prose, poems, letters. 1819 Byron yuan 1.
xi, Her memory was a mine; she knew by heart All Cal-
deron and greater part of Lope. 1905 Athenreum 30 Dec.
887/2 Her book is a mine of valuable information.
T d. trans/. A subterranean cavity. Obs.
1604 Shaks. Oth. iv. ii. 79 The baudy winde that kisses
all it meetes, Is hush'd within the hollow Myne of Earth
And will not hear't. c 1611 Chapman Iliad xvii. 51 When a
whirlewind . . tosseth therewithal! His fixt root from his
hollow mines.
e. dial. (See quot.)
1750 W. Ellis Mod. Husbandm. VI. r. xvi. 92 The
Middlesex Farmers about Harrow . . get a . . great deal of
Sullidge out of the Bottom of Drains in Roads, Commons,
and other Places, which they here call a Mine.
2. Mineral or ore. Now only used for iron ore.
Also with defining prefix, forming adjs. (often used
ellipt.) : all-mine, designating the best quality of
pig-iron, made from ore only ; part-mine, designat-
ing pig-iron made from ore mixed with cinder.
Orange mine : see Orange so.1 B a c.
c 1400 Maundev. (Roxb.) xxxiit. 149 pe erlheesfull of myne
of gold and siluer. 1460-70 Bk. Quintessence 3 Good gold
naturel, and of be myn of be erbe, is clepid of philosophoris
sol in latyn. 1581 Lambarde FUren. 11. vii. (1588) 305 Every
occupier of any maner of Ironworks, which shall cary any
coles, Mine, or Iron, to or from the same, a 1650 Boate
/ret. Nat. Hist. xvi. (1652) 126 In Ireland,.. in some places
the Oar of the Iron is drawn out of Moores and Bogs, in
others it is hewen out of Rockes, and in others it is digged
out of Mountains: of which three sorts the first is called
Bog-mine, the other, Rock-mine, and the third with several!
names, White-mine, Pin-mine, and Shel-mine. 1651 French
Distill, v. 166 Take of the Mine of allum, or allum stones.
1674 Ray Collect. Words, Prep. Tin (E. D. S.) 12 The
water runs out, and carries away with it the mine that is
pounded small enough to pass the holes. 1861 Fairbairn
Iron 53 To increase the quantity of mine or ore to the
charge. 1900 Daily Neivs 24 Oct. 2/4 Pig iron sells slowly
at. .65*. for part-mine, 62^. 6d. to 70J. for all-mine.
Jig. 1608 Machin Dumb A'nt. t. i. B 4 b, The mine Which
doth attract my spirit to run this marshall course, Is the
faire guard of a distressed Queene.
+ b. Applied spec, to gold. Obs.
1627 P. Fletcher Locusts 11. xxi, Poore Soules, they dare
not soile their hands with precious mine. 1633 — Purple
1st. vnt. xxyi, Thus wallowing on his god, his heap of mine,
He feeds his famished soul with that deceiving shine.
3. Mil. In ancient warfare, a subterranean pas-
sage excavated under the wall of a besieged for-
tress, for the purpose either of directly giving
entrance to the besiegers, or of causing the wall to
fall by removal of its foundation. In modern
warfare, a subterranean gallery in which gun-
powder is placed, for blowing up the enemy's
fortifications ; the charge of powder contained in
such a gallery. Also, in recent naval warfare, a
receptacle filled with dynamite or other explosive,
sunk at the entrance to a harbour, and provided with
machinery by which it can be made to explode so
as to destroy an enemy's vessel attempting to enter.
Contact-mine : see Contact sb. 6.
1483 Calh. Angl. 240/1 A Myne, cunus, via snbterranea,
cunutus, cunicutus. 1523 Ld. Berners Eroiss. (1812) I.cix.
132 Then he called to hym his myners, tothyntent that they
shuld make a myne vnder all the walles. 1533 Bellenden
Livyv. viii. (xix.)(S. T. S.) II. 173 pai madeane mynde [MS.
B. myn] vnder be erde to mak ane gate be quhilk bai mycht
cum to be castell of Veos. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 981 Sir
Alexander Baynam. .caused a myne to be enterpnsed to
enter into the towne, but the Frenchmen perceyumg that,
inadeacountermine. i574WniTCiFTZ'tyr^«j7t'. i4iTobuyld
vp the walles of Jerusalem, whiche you haue broken downe :
and to fill vp the Mines that you haue digged. 1599 Shaks.
Hen. K, in. ii.61 To the Mynes? Tell you the Duke, it is not
so good to come to the Mynes : for looke you, the Mynes is
not according to the disciplines of the Warre. 1695 Prior
Ballad 36 Cannons above, and mines below, Did death and
tombs for foes contrive. 1781 Gibbon Dec I. % E. (1869) I.xxiv.
689 A mine was carried under the foundations of the walls.
1844 H. H. Wilson Brit. India 1 1. 476 The fort was carried
by storm after the destruction of part of its defences by the
successful explosion of a mine. 1853HERSCHEL/V/. Lect.Sci.
§ 24 (1873) 18 As if a succession of mines had been sprung.
Jig. 1639 S. Du Verger tr. Camus' Admir. Events 30 All
the subtilties, which he invented to intrap her, were as so
many vented mines, without any effect. 1647 May// 1st. Pari.
in. vi. 100 Many Mynes and Countermynes were every day
working.. on both sides. 1722 De Fok Col. Jack (1840) 286
An unseen mine blew up all this tranquillity.
4. (See quot.)
1869 Routledge's Ev. Boy's Ann. 632 The mine. .is a fire-
work in which a number of crackers . . are thrown up into
the air.
5. at t rib. and Comb. a. simple attrib., as mine-
agent, -fire, -owner, -pump (in quot. attrib.), -shaft,
'Water, b. objective, as mine-digger, -digging.
1855 J. R. Leifchild Cornwall Mines 262 WThat exactly
suits tlie views of a *mine-agent, may not exactly suit yours.
a 1691 BoylE (J.), A "mine-digger may meet with a gem,
which he knows not what to make of. 1648 Owen Tolera-
tion Wks. 1 85 1 VIII. 176 Which penalty, .was inflicted unto
banishment, imprisonment, *mine-digging. 1813 Scott
Trierm. m. xxxin, Foul vapours rise and *mme-fires glare.
1877 Raymond Statist. Mines <y Mining 341 *Mine-owners
are naturally elated and hopeful under this new. .condition
of affairs. 1824 R. Stuart Hist. Steam Engine 117 The
*mine-pump end of the lever-beam. 1831 Carlyle Sart.
Res. i. iv, On the whole, as in opening new *mine-shafts is
not unreasonable, there is much rubbish in his Book. 188a
Rep. to Ho. Repr. Free. Met. U. S. 640 A very ingenious
utilization of a portion of the *mine-waters is made.
6. Special comb.: mine adventure, a specula-
tion in mines; mine-adventurer, one who takes
part in a mine adventure ; mine-captain, the
overseer of a mine (Worcester, i860); mine-
clearing, the operation of freeing a harbour from
mines ; mine-dial (see quot.) ; mine-dragging,
the operation of dragging the bottom of the sea
in order to remove the mines laid by the enemy ;
mine dredger, an apparatus for taking up mines
laid ; mine earth (see quot. and cf. sense a) ;
mine field, a portion of the sea in which mines
have been laid ; mine greys, ' thin beds of shelly
limestone* (E.D.D.) ; mine ground (see quot.);
mine-iron = mine pig ; mine-lamp, a lamp used
in a mine; also fig. ; tniine man, a miner;
mine-master, (a) Mil. one who superintends the
laying of mines ; {b) the overseer of a mine ;
mine-pig, pig-iron made from mine or ore, as
distinguished from cinder-pig; mine-pit, a pit
or shaft belonging to a mine; mine ship Naut.,
(see quot.) ; mine-spirit, a spirit supposed to
inhabit a mine (cf. Fairy sb. 4 b) ; mine-stone,
-stuff, ore, esp. ironstone ; mine surveyor (see
quot.) ; mine-sweeper, a ship for mine-sweeping ;
mine-sweeping = mine-dragging ; mine tin, tin
worked out of the lode, cf. moor-tin, stream-tin ;
mine-town, a town of which the population consists
chiefly of miners ; mine-viewer = mine surveyor ;
mine- work, (a) Afil.pl. subterraneous passages of
the nature of mines; (b) a system of 'workings'
or excavated passages belonging to a mine.
1700 Broadside, List of all the Adventurers in the *Mine
Adventure, May the First, 1700. 1703 Steele 'Tend. Husb.
11. i. 26, I consider'd all the Stocks.. and Mine-Adventures,
till she told me [etc.]. 1778 Eng. Gazetteer (ed. 2) s, v.
PulloX'Hilt, A gold mine was discovered here .. by the
society of royal * mine-adventurers. 1905 Q. Rev. Jan. 204
Several smaller craft were destroyed in the operation of
*mine.clearing. 1701 Moxon Math, fnstrunr. 12 * Mine-
dial, a Box and Needle with a brass Ring, divided into 360
degrees, with several Dials Graduated thereon, generally
thus made for the use of Miners. 1905 Blackiv. Mag. Jan.
167/1 On May 12 *mine-dragging operations in Talien Bay
cost him a torpedo-boat. 1904 Daily Chron. 9 Aug. 5/1
Our ships, preceded by *mine dredgers, steamed towards
Lungantan. 1883 Greslev Coal-mining Gloss., *Mine
Earth (N.S.). Synonymous with ironstone in beds : a term
used as much as 200 years ago. 1886 Pall Mall G. 21 Aug.
1/2 It has been already shown by similar attacks upon "mine
fields unprotected in this way that the removal of such
obstacles is a simple enough affair. 1862 A. C. Ramsay, etc.
Descr. Catal. Rock Spec. (ed. 3) 149 In many of the localities
in the Weald these limestones are known by the name of
*mine greys. 1883 Gbesley Coal-mining Gloss., *Mine
Ground, strata containing ironstone in layers. 1838 Civil
Eng. A> Arch. Jml. I. 144/1 The iron is. .to be made wholly
of pure or *mine-iron. 1820 Shelley Sens. Plant 1. 63 As
*mine-lamps enkindle a hidden gem. 1579-80 North Plu-
tarch, P. jEmMus (1595) 268 They are confuted by the
common experience of these *mine men, that dig in the
mines for mettall. 1755 Johnson, Adit,., a term among the
minemen. 1598 Barret Theor. IVarres v. iii. 133 There
must be, "Mine-maisters, Smithes [etc.]. 1665 Phil. Trans.
I. 112 The Requisits toaperfect knowledge ofthe Metallick
Art, and of the qualities of the Mine-master. 1683 in
Cochran- Patrick Rec. Coinage Scotl. (1876) II. 200 That he
or his deput or the myn master be judges in all debaits
about myns and levells. 1881 Raymond Mining Gloss.,
* Mine-pig, Eng. See Pig-iron. 1884 W. H. Greenwood
Steel <y Iron iv. 56 Cinder-pig in contradistinction to all
mine pig — i.e., pig smelted entirely from ore or mine— is
obtained by [etc]. 1650 Trapp Comm. Num. iv. 3 A
labouring even to lassitude; compared therefore to. -digging
in *mine-pits. 1862 A. C. Ramsay, etc. Descr. Catal. Rock
Spec. (ed. 3) 148 These still go by the name of 'mine-pits',
and must not be confounded with the ' marl-pits *, or those
other deeper openings. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey) * Aline
Ships or Powder-Shiis, Ships fill'd with Gun-powder,
enclos'd in strong Vaults of Brick or Stone ; to be brought
up, and fired in the midst ofthe Enemies Fleet. 1756-7 tr.
Keyslers Trav. (1760) IV. 144 It is said that the miners of
Idra have formerly been so superstitious as to set some
provisions for the *mine-spirit everyday. 1612 Sturtevant
Metallt'ca 35 Prepared or roasted oares, *Mine*stones, or
Mettle-slones beeing the fitt matter of Metallique liquours.
1703 T, N. City <S- C. Purchaser 185 Tis the first Iron that
runs from the Mine-stone when 'tis melting. 1862 A. C.
Ramsay, etc Descr. Catal. Rock Spec. (ed. 3) 148 The sites
..where the 'iron-mine' or 'mine-stone* was extracted.
1839 Ure Diet. Arts 969 During this operation, all the
water and *mine-stuff are drawn off by the pit. i860 Eng.
A> E'or. Min. Gloss. (S. Staffs.), *Mine Surveyor, a person
who dials the working of a colliery as often as requisite, and
makes plans of the mines got and ungot. 1905 IVestm. Gaz.
27 Sept. 4/2 *Mine-sweepers are to play a great part, it
seems certain, in future naval warfare. 1905 Daily Chron.
12 Sept. 3/1 He took part in the risky game of *mine-
sweeping. 1904 Ibid. 9 Nov. 5/2 Five mine-sweeping
steamers have been sunk by Japanese shells. 1602 Carew
Cornw. (1723) 15 b, A foote of. .the *Myne Tynne..{will
weigh] fiftie two pound. 1839 Ure Diet. Arts 1244 Aline
tin requires peculiar care in its mechanical preparation or
dressing. 1802 Brookes' Gazetteer (ed. 12), Platen, a •mine-
town of Bohemia. 1835 >^re Diet. Artst2yi Atthe pleasure
of the skilful *mine-viewer. 1583 Stocker Civ. IVarres
Lcnve C. iv. 49 b, The Enemie had in suche sorte wrought
his 'Mine woorkes, as that he had gotten intoa Monasterie
within the Citie. 1665 Phil. Trans. 1. 112 Other chief Over-
seers of ihe Mine-works. 1900 Baring-Gould Bk. Dartmoor
231 An old mine-work, now filled with water.
Mine (main), poss. pron. Forms : 1 mfn, 2-4
min, 3-6 mynfe, 4 mein, miin, 6 mijn, Sc.
mynn(e, 3- mine. In 1-3 inflected as str. adj.
(2-3 dat. sing. fern, mire); in 4 sing. min,//.
mine. [Com. Teut. : OE. w/« = OFris., OS. min
(Du. mijn), OHG. min (MHG. min, mod.G.
mein), ON. ?nln-n (Sw., Da. min), Goth, mein-s :—
OTettt. *mtno-j {. *me- : see MEpers. pron.
A case-form (whether ablative, locative, or instrumental is
uncertain) of this possessive adj. serves in all early Teut.
langs. as the genitive ofthe pronoun of 1 pers. sing. : OE.
;«/«,OFris.,OS.,OHG. w/?»,ON. mfu, Goth, meiua. The
OE. mfn as genitive did not survive into ME. (uses like
malgre min being not survivals, but imitations of French) ;
and is therefore not illustrated here.]
The possessive pronoun of the first person sing.
1. Qualifying a following sb. Now only arch.
or poet, before a vowel or h ; otherwise superseded
My, q.v. for the various uses.
Already in the 13th c. the rule in southern and midland
Eng. was to use myn before vowels and h, and my before
consonants, and this subsisted until the 18th c, though
occasional examples of mine before consonants are found
even in the 16th c. In Sc. the longer form was commonly
used in all contexts down to the 15th c.
c 1000 Ags. Gosp. Luke xv. 24 For-bam bes min sunu waes
dead, a 1175 Cott. Horn. 225 panne beo ic ^emene^ed mines
weddes. < 1200 Ormin 2956 Drihhtin me ?itVb witt & inihht
To forbenn wel min wille. c 1205 Lay. 8407 pe o8er wes mire
suster sune. Ibid. 28220 pat ich habbe minne aem awrajke
mid ban bezste. a I2« Ancr. R. 406 Bute }if ich parii
urom ou, be HoliGost, pet is, min and mines Federes luue,
ne mei nout kumen to ou. c 1374 Chaucer Compl. Mars
57 Then seyde he thus — myn hertes lady swete (etc.]. c 1375
Sc. Leg. Saints Prol. 169 At Petir firste I wald begyne, And
sa furtht to myn purposs win. 1400 in Ancestor July (1904)
14, I bequeth to Hawys myn wyff all myn necessaries that
arn in myn place. 1467 in Bury Wills (Camden) 46, I wyll
that John myn sone haue myn seid place callyd Upwode
Halle. 1484 Caxton Fables oj Msop 1. vi,He shall be
myn mortal enemy. 15*6 Tindale "John xvi. 26 At that
daye shall ye axe in myne name. 1558 in SXxy^zAnn.ReJ.
(1824) I. ii. 72, I do send you at this present mine faithful
Chaplain. 1596 Shaks. i Hen. IV, m. Hi. 93 Shall 1 not
take mine ease in mine Inne. 1638 Hakewill in Usshcr's
Lett. (1686) 399 During mine abode in the University. 1726
Swift Gulliver 11. vii, Till I had gotten a little below the
level of mine eyes. 1756C. Lucas Ess. JValers I. Ded.,[I[]
would be very far from desireable, in mine estimation. 1871
R. Ellis tr. Catullus Ixiv. 223 Rather, first in cries mine
heart shall lighten her anguish.
b. In association with another possessive, mine
is by some used (without intention of archaism)
instead of my.
1559 Hales in Foxe A. $ M. (1583) II. 2117/1, I haue..
discouered myne, yours, and Englands enemies. 1610
Shaks. Temp. in. iii. 93 His, and mine lou'd darling. i6it
, 930 On Gentlemen, helpe, Mine and your
by
— Cymb.
MINE.
Mistris. 1761 Mrs. F. Sheridan Sidney Bidulph III. 165
As mine and my child's future welfare must be [etc.]. 1804-6
Syd. Smith Mor. Philos. (1850) 209, I bought them both the
same day, mine and your ticket.
f c. Phr. Min dim repr. F. mon Dieu ! my
God! Obs.
C1330 Arth.^r Mert. 961 (Kolbing) 'A, mill dieu', seyd
the justise, ' pine tales ben gode & wise '.
2. Placed after the sb. Now only arch, in vocative.
ciaoo Ormin Ded. 1 Nu, broberr Wallter broberr min.
ci.205 Lay. 12064 5*f hit wule Appolin pat is deore lauerd
min. a 1250 Oiul $ Night. 711 (Jesus MS.) Hwy axestu of
craftes myne. a 1300 E. E. Psalter vii. 6 (Horstm.) Fylcgh
saule mine be faa. c 1330 Art A. $ Merl. 1442 (Kolbing)
Tel me now, sone mine, Whi [etc.]. Ibid. 4977 Y dar legge
heued min, pat [etc.]. C1386 Chaucrr Clerks T. 309 This
is ynogh Grisilde myn quod he. c 140a Lydg. Compi.
Bl. Knt. 639 0 gladde sterre, O lady Venus myne ! c 1550
Cheke Matt. xxvi. 25 Is it J Mr mijn, quoth he. 1567
Gude % Godlie Ball. (S. T. S.) 38 0 Father myne, howlang
haif I Thy trew and faithfull seruand bene. 1592 Shaks.
Rom. fy Jul. n. iii. 82 Rom. Thou chid'st me oft for louing
Rosaline. Fri. For doting, not for louing pupil! mine.
1611 Florio, Mamma,, .also Mam, Mother-mine, or Mam-
mie, as children first call their Mothers. 1852 Bristed Five
Yrs. Eng. Univ. 67 There, reader mine ! Is that last page
grave and solid enough for you ?
1 3. In idiomatic phrases, mine Alone, mine One,
mine Unwitting, Maugre mine ; see those words.
4. As predicative adj. : Belonging to me.
< 1000 /Klfric Exod. xix. 5 Eall eoroe ys min. CI175
Lamb. Horn. 35 Me were leofere benne af world pat hit
were min. c 1200 Ormin 17964 piss blisse issmin lafuliwiss.
a 1300 Cursor M. 970 (Cott.) Of alldn fruit haf bou be nine
For i wil bat be tend be mine [Gott. mein, riming with neien],
1362 Langl. P. PI. A. v. 90, I wusshe hit weore myn. c 13B5
Chaucer L. G. W. Prol. 145 Blessed be seynt Valentyne !
For on his day I chees yow to be myne. 1484 Caxton
Fables of /E sop 1. vi, The fyrst part is myn by cause I am
your lord. 153s Covkrdale John vii. 16 My doctryne is
not myne, but his that hath sent me. 1603 Shaks. Meas.
for M. v. i. 497 Giue me your hand, and say you will be
mine. 1697 Dryden Virg. Eclog. x. 54 Ah ! that your
Birth and Bus'ness had been mine. 183a Tennyson May
Queen Conclus. x, It's not for them : it's mine. 1864-%
Browning James Lee's Wife iv. v, Such as you were, I took
you for mine.
5. Elliptically, equivalent to My with a sb. sup-
plied from the context.
a 1175 Cott. Horn, 11$ For ban be (bu] were hihersam
bines [wifes] wordum mor 5an mine. .1205 Lay. 676 He
de5 him selua freoma ba helpeo" bis freondene swa ich wile
mine, c 1386 Chaucer Reeve's T. 165 Lay doun thyswerd
and I wil myn alswa. 1395 E. E. Wills (1882) 7 To preye
for my lordes soule Sir Thomas West, and for myn, c 1500
Melusine 157 Your wylle & myne be one. 1592 Shaks.
Rom. fy Jul. it. iii. 59 My hearts deare Loue is set, On the
faire daughter of rich Capulet : As mine on hers, so hers is
set on mine. 1625 K. Long tr. Barclay's Argent's in. xix.
211 If more holilyand religiously wee esteeme of my Fathers
preserver and mine. 1786 G. Horne Duty Contend. Faith
8 note, When a man deceives _ me once, says the Italian
proverb, it is his fault ; when twice, it is mine. 1843 Borrow
Bible in Spain xxxii, I am pleased with your company, as
I make no doubt you are with mine. 1866 J. C. Maxwell
in Phil. Trans. CLVI. 268 In M. Meyer's experiments the
time of vibration is shorter than in most of mine.
6. absol, a. Those who are mine; chiefly, my
family, my kindred.
C950 Lindisf. Gosp. John xvii. 10 Mino alle 5ino sint &
5ino mino sint. C97JS Rushw. Gosp. ibid., Mine alle 5ine
sindun & Sine mine smdun. a\jpo Cursor M. 5371 He has
saued me and mine fra mikel nede. c 1300 Harrow. Hell
64 Y shal be bringe of helle pyne, ant wyb be alle myne.
c 1386 Chaucer Melib. f 915, L.foryeue yow outrely alle
the offenses Iniuries and wronges bat ye haue doon agayn
me and myne. c 1400 Laud Troy Bk. 16851 ?it I hope that
I & myne Schal venge his dethe on the & thine. 1456 Sir
G. Haye Law Arms (S. T. S.) 164 Unharmyt of me or ony
of myn. 1594 Shaks. Rich. Ill, 11. i. 24, I will neuer more
remember Our former hatred, so thriue I, and mine. 1683
Robin Consc. 15 Both I and mine alas would starve. 1829
Wordsw. Mem. 1 1. 209, I and mine will be happy to see you
and yours here or anywhere. 1884 A. Phelps Let. 14 Dec.
in E. S. Phelps Mem. (1891) 275 God is so unspeakably
good to me and mine. 1891 Sir J. Paget in Mem. $■ Lett.
(1901) 387 The unhappiness of being here alone is greater
than the happiness of seeing things which, if any of mine*
had been with me, I should [etc.].
f b. That which is mine ; my property; also, my
affair, my business. Obs.
Beowulf '2737 Ic on earde bad mselsesceafta, heold min tela.
a 1225 St. Marker. 8 Ich .. hit neauer nuste bat be of min
hearmhefde. c 1300 Harrow. Hellgj Sebbehe wesboht wy|i
myn, wybresoun wolie ich hauen hym. a \3po-\q0o Cursor
M. 2429 (Gott.) Of bin wil t neuer a dele, Bot leuer me es of
mine bu haue, 138a Wyclif John xv't. 14 Of myne he schal
take, e 1450 tr. De Imitatione m. Iv. 132 To be I commttte
me & all myne to correcte. 1555 Eden Decades 1. in. 17 b,
Myne and Thyne (the seedes of all myscheefe) haue no
place with them. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 86 Your grace
hath hetherto cherished mee but for mine, but now I will go
to him that is more redier to geue then to take. 1596 Shaks.
Tarn. Shr. 11. i. 385 She shall have me and mine. 1603 —
Meas. for M. n. ii. 12 Goe to ; let that be mine.
c. Of mine : belonging to me : see Of prep. 44.
f7. Comb, mine -take- it, app. a phrase in some
childish game. Obs,
1694 S. Johnson Notes Past. Let. Bp. Burnet I. 28 The
ridiculous Ownership we have, is the ridiculous English
word, Mine-take-it; which all the Children in England
Know, is equivalent to Your's-take-it.
Mine (main), v. Forms : 4 mini, myny, 4-6
myne, (7 moine), 4- mine. Pa.pple. 4 ymyned.
[ad. F. miner (from I2-I3th c.) = Pr., Sp., Pg.
minor, It. minare ; related to mine Mine sb.
Vol. VI.
465
The view of Diez, that the vb. is identical with popular L.
minare to lead, drive, is nut without semasiologicafplausi-
bility (cf. Drive v. 10) ; but the normal phonetic representa-
tive of minare in Fr. is mener. Scheler's hypothesis, that
F. miner was a learned adoption of med.L. minare used in
technical works, would remove the phonological difficulty,
but seems in itself somewhat unlikely.]
1. intr. To dig in the earth; esp. in a military
sense, to dig under the foundations of a wall, etc.,
for the purpose of destroying it. Also, to make
subterraneous passages. ? Obs.
13.. A". Alt's. 1216 Alisaundre quic hoteth his hynen,
Under heore walles to myne. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron.
(1810) 179 R. had minoures, bat myned vndere be walle.
5375 Barbour Bruce xvn. 600 With armyt men enew thar-
in, And instrumentis als for to myne. c 1425 Wyntoun
Cron, VIII. xxxvii. 5538 Wndyre the erde he gert thaim myne.
c 1440 Gesta R om. xxx. no(HarI. MS.), He saw. .an hidowse
pitte, and an orible dragon bere in, myning at the tree. 1480
Caxton Chron. Eng. v. (1520) 43/1 Do you myne depe tyll
your men come to the ponde. 1483 Cath. Angl. 240/2 To
Myne, arapagere, cuuire. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 327
They beganne to mine vnder the Castell. 1609 C Butler
Fern. A/on. (1634} 57 Then, making more room beneath, by
moining and carrying out the earth, they [sc. wasps] hang an
other comb under the first, by little pins. 1614 Raleigh
Hist. WorldW.M. iii. §9. 465 The Enemie mined; and they
countermined.
b. transf. and Jig.
1340 Ayenb. 108 |>anne nymb he his pic and bis spade and
beginb to delue and to myny and geb in-to his herte. c 1374
Chalcf-k Troytus 11.628 [677] His manhod and his pyne
Made loue with-Inne hire for to myne. 1387-8 T. Usk
Test. Love t. Prol. (Skeat) 1. 5 Dul wit and a thoughtful
j soule so sore have myned and graffed in my spirited, c 1407
j Lydg. Reson <y Sens. 6918 Water that droppi:th euer in oon
j Myneth ful depe in-to A stoon. 1426 — De Guil. Pilgr. 4282
Thys mortal werm wyl neuere fyne Vp-on hys mayster for
to myne. Ibid, n 872 And many kankres wych on hem
myne. c 1430 — Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 233 In amerous
hertys brennyng of Kyndenesse, This name ofjhesu moost
profoundly doth myne. 1605 Uacon Adv. Learn. 11. xxv.
§ 6 To search and mine into that which is not reuealed.
2. trans. To dig or burrow in (the earth) ; also,
to make (a hole, passage, one's way) underground.
c 1400 Maundev. (1839) xxvi. 267 A Foxschallcmynenan
hole, /bid., So longeheschallemynenandptrce the Erihe,
til that he schalle passe thorghe. 1555 W. Watreman
Fardle Facions 1. vi. 93 The Troglodites myne them selues
caues in the grounde, wherin to dwell. 1813 Scott Rokeby
11. ii, Condemned to mine a channell'd way, O'er solid sheets
of marble grey.
b. transf. andyf^. To make a hollow or groove
in; to burrow below the surface of; to make (a
passage) by burrowing.
c 1477 Caxton Jason 20 b, How well the stone is myned
and holowed by contynuell droppyng of water. 1802 Er.
Darwin Orig. Soc. iv. 35 The cruel larva mines its silky
course. 18x1 Pinkerton Petral. II. 551 This stump and
the trunk, hollowed and mined by the subterranean heat.
1816 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. xxii. (i8i8)II. 279 A subcutane-
ous larva, .that mines the leaves of the rose. i8*oHazlitt
Led. Dram.Lit. 165 He may be said to mine his way into
a subject, like a mole.
C. To supply with subterranean passages; to
make subterranean passages under.
1820 Shelley Witch Atl. lx. 5 Through fane, and palace-
court, and labyrinth mined With many a dark and subter-
ranean street. 1862 Merivale Rom. Emp, (1865) VII. lix.
245 The site of Jerusalem itself is mined with vaults and
galleries.
f3. To bury in the ground. Obs. rare"1,
c 1420 Pallad. on Husb. in. 334 The long endurld, old,
forfreton vine Is not to helpe..To delue hit vnder al, but
to reclyne Hit lyke a bowe and vnder lond hit myne.
4. To dig away or remove the foundations of (a
wall, fort, etc.); to undermine in order either to
cause collapse or to effect a hostile entrance. ? Obs.
c 1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. II. 408 If be hosebonde man wiste
what hour be beef were to come, certis he wolde wake, and
suffre him not to myne his hous. 1388— Job xxiv. 16 The!
mynen housis in derknesses. 7 1x1400 Morte Arth. 351
Merke vn-to Meloyne, and myne doune the wallez. c 1400
Brut or Chron, Eng. (E. E. T. S.) 136 William Bastard . .
hade taken al be lande aboute Hastynge, & hade also
mynede be castell. c 1430 Pilgr. Lyf M anhode \\\. vi. (1869J
139 The kyng first bifore wente, and mynede the founde-
ment. 15x3 Douglas^ JEneis v. yiii. 42 To mynd the
castell on the rochis hie, Lurkand in harnes wachis round
about. 1570 Levins Manip. T39/22 To Mine, suffodere.
transf. 1807 J. Barlow Columb. \. 375 Pastaza mines
proud Pambamarca*s base. 1824 Bryant Green River ii,
The plane-tree's speckled arms o'ershoot The swifter current
that mines its root.
b. fig. To attack, overcome, ruin, or destroy by
slow or secret methods; to undermine. Occas.
with down, away.
C141S Hoccleve De Reg. Princ. 3133 They at \>e fulle
kunne his herte myne. 1426 Lydg. DeGuil. Pilgr. 15650
Whan Ire doth myn herte myne. 1600 Shaks. A. Y.L. 1.
1. 21 Hee. .mines my gentility with my education. 1605 B.
Jonson Volpone\\\.\} I haue done Base offices in. .Whisper-
ing false lies, or mining men with prayses. 1751 J. Brown
Shaftesb. Charac. 239 'Till .. irreligion and licentiousness
appear ; mine the foundations of the fabric, and sink it in
the general abyss of ignorance and oppression, a 1814 Love,
Honor Sf Interest 1. i.in Neto Brit. Theatre III. 260 While
love is mining down The strength and virtue of my own
esteem. 1847 Lytton Lucretia 31 The wreck of man is fretted
and mined away by small pleasures and poor excitements.
absol. 1748 Johnson Van. Hum. Wishes 332 The rival
batters, and the lover mines.
5. In modern warfare; To lay mines (see Mine
sb. 3) under, for the purpose of destruction.
MINER.
1630 Hayward Edw. VI 60 They mined the walls, laid
the powder and rammed the mouth. 1686 Land. Gaz. No.
2158/1 A Deserter.. had informed the Imperial Generals
that the said Towers were Mined. 1775 Johnson West. /si.
Wks. X. 482 It is built upon a rock, as Mr. Bos well remarked,
that it might not be mined. 1820 (Jrevili.k Mem. 10 Dec!
(1874) 41 The Prussians arrived, mined the arches, and"
attempted to blow up the bridge, 1831 Gladstone in
Morley Life (1903) I. in. vi. 403 The ground is mined and
the train is Jaid. 1862 Thackeray Philip vii. I. 135 Old
Parr Street is mined, sir, — mined! And some morning we
shall be blown into blazes. 1883 N. Amer. Rev. Sept.
274 Although the waters may be reported as mined in all
directions, a bold test would show them to be clear of such
dangers.
6. trans. To obtain (metals, etc.) from a mine.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xvi. xciv. (M95) 585 In
Capodoce is yelow salt digged and myned. Ibid. xiv. ii.
(Tollem. MS.), Noble metal is myned out of vtynes of
mounteynes. 1866 Rogers Agrt'c. $ Prices I. xxiii. 599
'1 he Kastern produce [of tin] not being yet introduced into
Kurope, if indeed it were mined at that time. 1878 D. C.
Da VIES State # State Quarrying 78 The stone is mined
underground and brought up by shafts to the surface. 1878
Eraser's Mag. XVIII. 273 Lignite, .is mined near Biousa.
1885 Manch. Exam. 10 July 5/3 Gold and other mineral
wealth, .are as yet not mined on any considerable scale.
7. intr. To dig for the purpose of obtaining
minerals, etc. ; to make a mine ; to work in a mine.
?6i4oo [see Mineral sb>\. ? 1568 in Pettus Fodinv Reg.
(16701 6_> She grants unto them to starch, dig. and mine for
the Callamine stone in all places of England. 1677 /'////.
Trans. XII. 912 The F.arth they Mine in, is very red. 1748
Anson's Voy. 1. v. 50 The workmen break off the rocks, and
do not properly mine into them. 1819 Byron Juan 1. exxxii,
Coals Are safely mined for. 1828 Scott /•'. M. Perth xxii,
He considered Ramorny as one whom nature had assigned
to him as a serf, to mine for the gold which he worshipped.
8. trans. To dig in or penetrate for finding ore,
metals, etc.
1839 Ure Diet. Arts 748 Lead veins have been traced even
further down,, .but they have not been mined. 1867 W. W.
Smyth Coalf? Coal-mining 1% The., rich coalfield, .of West-
phalia : which, although mined . . as early as 1302, has only
within the last quarter of a century risen to a high degree
of importance. 1899 Westm. Gaz. 2 Aug. 3/1 We must
leave the reader to mine this rich quarry for himself.
Mineable (moi'nabT, a. Also 6-7 minable.
[f. Mine v. + -able.] Capable of being mined (in
any sense of the vb.).
1570 Levins Manip. 2/46 Myneable, fossilis. 1579-80
North Plutarch, Camillus (1595) 144 He beganne to vnder-
mine it (finding the earth all about very minable). 1589
Late Voy. Sp. ty Port. (1881) 60 General Norris having..
fouiul one place thereof myneable, . .did presently set woik-
men in hand withal. 1611 Si'kkd Hist. Gt. Brit. ix. xxiv.
(1623) 1 208 One place was found mineable, where the Gene tall
the fourth day of this siege set men on worke. 1647 Spriggr
Anglia Rediv. 11. iii. (1854) 91 Being well informed that the
ground wheron it stood was minable. 1893 Columbus
(Ohio) Dispatch n Sept., Coal is being found in mineable
deposits in all parts of the world.
Mined (maind), ///. a. [f. Mine v. + -ed 1.]
1. That has been excavated.
£-1400 tr. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 87 It ys lyk in
manere to stoones of mynyd hilles, and of planetz, and of
binges hauynge soule.
2. Produced from mines.
1903 Daily Chron. 9 Aug. 3/3 The value of her mined
wealth has mounted up from 314,000,000 marks in 1871 to
1,263,000,000 marks in 1900.
3. Furnished with mines.
1870 Instr. Milit. Eugin. I. 76 The following description
of a mined magazine, is suitable for a site where [etc.].
Mined, obs. form of Mind v.
Mvnehood. nonce-wd. [f. Mine poss. pron.
+ -HOOD.] The fact of being ( mine*.
1662 J. Sparrow tr. Behme's Rem. Wks., 2nd Apol. to
Tylcken 17 He inclineth himself to my Minehood, and my
Ihood inclineth it self up into him.
jMinekin, obs. form of Minikin sb.
■t Mineless, a, Obs, [f. Mine sb, + -less.]
Without mines.
1614 Sylvester Little Bartas 866 There, without stroak
to conquer in the field ; And mine-less make their tumbling
wals to yeeld.
Minem, obs. form of Minim.
Minement, obs. form of Muniment.
Mineon, obs. form of Minion sb.1
Miner1 (mai'nai). Forms: 3-4 mynur, 4-5
minour(e, myno(u)r, mynowre, 5 minere,
mynere, -oure, Sc. myndoure, 5-7 myner, 7
minor, mioner, myoner, 5- miner. [MK.
mynur, minour, a. OF. min'eor, minonr (mod.F.
mineur), f. miner to Mine : see -or 2 b.]
1. One who excavates the ground, or makes sub-
terranean passages; esp. one who undermines a
fortress, etc. ; now Mil, a soldier whose special
duty is the laying of mines. Sappers and Miners :
see Sappeb.
c 1275 LuueRon 123 in O. E. Misc. 97 Ne may no Mynur
hire vnderwrote. c 1330 R. Brunnk Chron. (1810) 179 R.
had minoures, \>oA myned vndere be walle. c 1400 Destr.
Troy 4774 Mynours then mightely the moldes did serche,
Ouertyrnet the toures, & the tore walles. c 1470 Henry
Wallace ix. 1139 Mynouris sone thai gert perss throw the
wall. 1530 Palsgr. 245/2 Myner under the grounde,'*
Pionnier. 1606 Arraign, late Traitors in Hart. Misc.
(Malh.) III. 48 [Guy] Fawkes the minor, justly called The,
Devil of the Vault. 164s Ld. Fairfax Let. to Lenthatl
125
MINER.
cone. Sherborn Castle 15 Aug. 4 The Myoners having fully |
wrought the Mine through the Castle wall. 1692 Luttbell
Brief ReL. (1857) II. 470 A miner and another person were
taken fixing a train. 1709 Steele Taller No. 38 F 13 A
great Body of Miners are summoned to the Camp to counter-
mine the Works of the Enemy. 1711 Milit. s, Sea Diet. 1,
Miners, Men appointed to work in the Mines, being a
particular Company of themselves, commanded by a Captain
of the Regiment of Fuzileers. 1816 Byron Ch. liar. III
Iviii, Here Ehrenbreitstein, with her shatter d wall, Black
with the miner's blast.
b. trans/, s-Vici fig.
c 1614 Cornwallis in Gutch Cell. Cur. I. 158 Jesuites,
and Priests, the only moths, and miners of this common-
wealth. 1742 Young Nt. Til. I. 35^ Death's subtle seed
within, (Sly, treacherous miner !) working in the dark, Smil d
at thy well-concerted scheme. 1784 Cowper Task 1. 273
Hillocks green and soft, Raised by the mole, the miner of
the soil. 1879 Jefferies Wild Life in S. Co. 215 Sometimes
when waiting quietly on a bank, you may see the miner
[a rabbit] at work. 1897 W. Anderson Surg, treat. Lupus
2 Rarely attempting to deal with the apparently healthy
tissues which conceal the bacillary sappers and miners who
are at work in advance of the main body.
+ C. Phr. Tofix or attach the miner, tofix miners.
1676 Load. Gaz. No. 1 123/3 We nxed lhe Mi',ier to th,e
Ravelin, and filled up the Ditch. 1684 /W.N» 1951/3
The Imperialists had on the 20th attached their Miners to
the Wall of the Upper Town in four several places. 1685
Travf.stin Siege Newheusel 23 This night we attempted to
fix our Miners. 1685 Lond. Gaz. 17-20 Aug. 1 We made
a lodgment in the Ditch in order to fix the Miner. 1704
Collect. Voy. (Churchill) III. 737/2 Being afterwards ad-
vane'd to the Ditch, they fix'd their Miners. 1834 Sir W.
Napier Penins. War son. iii. (1S46) IV. 43 The besiegers
..attached the miner to the scarp.
2. One who works in a mine ; one engaged in
extracting minerals from the earth.
1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 10733 J>ys mynur so3te
stones vndyr be molde, pat men make of, syluer and golde.
13. . Metr. Horn. (Vernon MS.) in Arcltiv Stud. neu. Sir.
LVII. 287 A Mynour wonede in a Citee, Mynours pei
makep in hulles holes As men don bat secheb coles. 1377
Langl. P. PI. B. Prol. 221 Masons and mynours and many
other craftes. c 1400 Destr. Troy 1532 Mynors ofmarbull
ston & mony ober thinges. 1489 Caxton Faytes of A . I. xiv.
38 Mynours that coude ful craftly digge vndre the erthe.
1555 Eden Decades 22 The myners dygged the superficiall or
vppermost parte of the earthe of the mynes, 1607 Topsei.l
Fourf. Beasts (1658) 525 This (he saith) may be tryed in
Laborers, Mioners, Diggers, and Husbandmen. 1625 N.
Carpenter Gcog. Del. 11. ix. (1635) 153 Minors and such
as digg deepe into the earth. 1774 Goi.dsm. Nat. Hist.
(1776) I. 78 If we examine the complexion of most miners,
we shall be very well able to form a judgment of the un-
wholsomness of the place where they are confined. 1881
Raymond Mining Gloss., Miner, Penn. The workman who
cuts the coal, as distinguished from the laborer who loads the
wagons, etc. 1901 Census Schedule, Instruct., Miners.,
should always state the kind of mine in which they work-
as, Lead-miner.
3. A name applied to various burrowing insects
or larva;. (See also leaf-miner^)
1816 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. xvii. (1818) II. 81 Another
species of ant, which I shall call the miners {Formica
cunkularia, L.). 1890 Eleanor A. Ormf.rod Injur. Insects
(ed. 2) 49 (Celery and Parsnip Fly]. The ' miner' maggots
go through their changes from the egg to the perfect fly so
rapidly [etc.].
4. A kind of plough.
180s R. W. Dickson Pract. Agric. I. 12 The Miner is
another plough, which is used for opening ground to a great
depth ; it is made very strong, but with a share only. Ibid.
385 The land may be opened up as deep as possible by the
common plough, having others, such as that which has been
termed a miner, following in the bottom of the furrow. 1845
Encycl. Metro/. XIV. 232/1 The miner is very similar to
the binot.
5. A vessel used for the purpose of laying sub-
marine mines.
1898 Daily News 8 June 2/7 In a sudden squall, the miner
he was on collided with the steam launch Volta.
6. attrib. and Comb., as miner-like adj. ; miner
ant, see sense 3 ; miner's friend, a name for the
Davy safety-lamp ; miner's inch = Inch 1 d ;
miner's right, in Australia, a licence to dig for
gold.
1816 Kirby & Sp. Entomol. xvii. (1818) II. 84 The negro
and "miner ants. 184a Francis Diet. Arts, etc., 'Miner's
Friend, or Miner's Lamp. 1867 J. A. Phillips Min. <J-
Metalt. Gold .J- Silver 152 note. The "miner's inch of water,
in California, is the quantity which will flow through an
opening one inch square under a mean head of six inches.
1880 S. Harper in Pioneer Mining Co., Debenture Pros-
pectus 3 If the above properly be carried out in a "miner-
like manner, -it will not fail to become one of the best Mines.
1890 ' R. Boldrewood' Miner's Right i. (1809) 7, I am a
real gold-digger . . and the holder of a "Miner's Right,
a wonderful document, printed and written on parchment.
b. In names of diseases contracted by miners,
as miner's anmmia, -asthma, -consumption,
tlisease, elbow, -lung, phthisis, -rot, sickness,
-~vorm. (See Syd. Soc. Lex.)
1898 P. Manson 'Prop. Diseases xxxvi. 557 In Europe it
[i. e. ankylostomiasis] is sometimes known as ' "miners'
anaemia'. 1855 J. R. LElPCHiLDC<?r«7(vr// MiucszZs There
is a disease called the "miner's consumption. iStfiAllbulfs
Syst. Med. V. 244 'Grinders' rot ', * "miners' rot' and so
forth. 1903 Daily Chron. 21 Oct. 4/2 An Ayrshire medical
man, who wrote to the Home Secretary asking whether his
Department is doing anything to stop the disease known as
' "miners' worm '.
t Mi'ner '*-. Obs, [Anglicized form of Minera.
Cf. G. miner, MDu. minere, mineer.] = Minera.
Also, a mineral impregnation.
466
1471 Ripley Comp. Aleh. vi. xxvii. in Ashm. (1652) 167 1
And make them then together to be Dysponsat By Conge-
lacyon into a myner metallyne. 1561 Turner Baths 1 1 hen
seynge that there can not be found any other miner or mater
to be the chefe ruler in these baths. Ibid. (1568) 3 Two
thinges whereby the miner or metall, or vayneof a bath may
be knowne.
Miner, variant of Mina sbfi
II Minera. Obs. [med.L., ad. OF. miniere,
minere mine = Pr. meniera, Sp. minera, Pg. mi-
neira, It. minera :— Com. Rom. type *minaria (a
med.L. miliaria is found in the 13th c), f. *mina,
minare : see MINE sb. and v.] The matrix in
which a metal or a precious stone was supposed
to grow ; in later use, the ore of a metal. Also fig.
1652 Gaule Magaslrom. 42 He hath discovered the
Minora of man, or that substance out of which man.. was
made. 1655 T. Vaughan Euphrates 120 This made the
Philosophers seek a more crude minera, whose fume was
moist. 1667 Phil. Trans. II. 469 Extracting the perfect
Mettals out of their Minera's without Lead.. by casting
a Powder upon the Minera. 1673 Ray Jouru. LcnoC. 246
A large piece of the minera or matrix of Emeralds, with the
stones growing in it. 1754 HuxHAMin Phil. Traus.YJ\N\\\.
839 Thus the dust, or minera, or ashes of iron, are harmless,
and may be swallowed safely. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., Minera,
. .a mine, also used frequently to designate a mineral which
contains a shining metallic substance.
t Mi'nerable, a. Obs. [a. OF. minerable, f.
med.L. Minera : see -able.] = Mineral a.
1560 Whitehorne Ord. Souldiours (1573) 24 b, The other
writers beleved that it [salt-peter] was minerable.
Mineral (mi'neral), sb. Forms : 4-7 minerall,
5 minorale, 5-7 myneral, 6 minorall, myno-
ralle, Sc. manerialle, 6-7 mynerall, 7 mine-
rale, minrall, 4- mineral, [a. (perh. through
OF. mineral) med.L. minerale, neut. of mineralis
Mineral a. Cf. F. mineral, Sp., Pg. mineral, It.
minerale, G. mineral (pi. minera/ien).']
1. Any substance which is obtained by mining ;
a product of the bowels of the earth. In early
and in mod. technical use, the ore (of a metal).
? e 1400 Lydg. jEsop's Fab. Prol. 25 Who, that myneth lowe
in the grounde, Of gold and siluer fyndith the myneral.
1471 Ripley Comp. Alch. VI. xx. in Ashm. (1652) 166
Mineralis be nurryshyd by mynystracyon ; Of Moysture
radycall. 1576 Fleming Panopl. Epist. 288 Some dig for
mettalls and mineralis to erect stately buildinges. e 1615
Bacon Adv. Sir G. Villiers vi. § 16 The minerals of the
kingdom, of lead, iron, copper, and tin,, .are of great value.
1634 Habington Castara 1. (Arb.) 28 In a darkecave-.lt
doth like a rich minerall lye. 1656 Blount Glossogr.,
Mineral, any thing that grows in Mines, and contains metal.
1667 Milton P. L. vi. 517 Part hidd'n veins diggd up.. of
Mineral and Stone. 1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, Minerals,
are hard Bodies dug out of the Earth or Mines, (whence
the Name) being in part of a Metalline, and in part of a
Stony Substance. 1717 De Foe Syst. Magic I. i. (1840) 7 As
one to music, another to working in and finding out metals
and minerals in the earth. 1839 Penny Cycl. XV. 235/2 By
this plan the ore or mineral is divided into more convenient
masses for extraction. 1858 Lu. St. Leonards Bandy Bi.
Prop. Law xvi. 105 With special provisions as to minerals
and the interests therein of remainder-men. 1881 Raymond
Mining Gloss., Mineral, in miners' parlance, ore.
fig- 1598 F- Rous Thule Q 4 He sees where death with
greedie spade, Meanes vp to dig the minerals of his hart.
f b. //. The science of minerals. [Perh. with
allusion to the Liber Mineralium (or De Mine-
ralibus) of Albertus Magnus.] Obs.
c 1590 Marlowe Faust, i, He that is grounded in astrology,
Ennch'd with tongues, well seen in minerals, Hath all the
principles magic doth require.
f 2. Mining or metallurgical industry or ait. Obs.
c 1470 Henryson Mot. Fab. v. {Pari. Beasts) xliv, Richt
as the minor in his minorale Fair gold with fire may fra the
leid Weill win. 1570-6 Lambarde Peramb, A"V»/(i826) p. v,
It is the manner, .of such as seek profit by Minerall, first to
set men on woorke to digge and gather the Owre : Then [etc.].
•f 3. A mine. Obs.
1598 Br. Hall Sat. vi. i. 87 Shall it not be a wild-figg in
a wall, Or fired Brimstone in a Minerall? 1602 Shaks.
Ham. IV. i. 26 O're whom his very madnesse like some Oare
Among a Minerall of Mettels base Shewes it selfe pure.
1602 Life T. Cromwell 1. ii, My study, like a mineral of
gold, Makes my heart proud wherein my hope's enroled.
4. A material substance that is neither animal
nor vegetable ; a substance belonging to the
' mineral kingdom '. 1 Obs.
1601 Warner .4/*. Eng. xm. lxxvi. 316 Vigitiues, as trees,
fruits, herbes, and such: Dead- Beings too, as Mynerales.
1661 Lovell Hist. Anim.fr Min. Inttod. 78 As for Minerals,
they are bodies perfectly mixt; inanimate, not having sense
or motion. 1695 Woodward Nat. Hist. Earth iv. 174 Nor
do Metalls only sort and herd with Metalls in the Eaith ;
and Minerals with Mineralis. 1874 J. H. Collins Metal
Mining 20 Any natural substance which is not of animal or
vegetable origin, and which is in all parts of the same com-
position, is called a mineral. Among miners, however, the
term is only applied- to such substances as are usually ob-
tained from mines.
+ b. spec, in Alchemy. One of the three
varieties of the philosophers' stone (the others
being lapis animalis and lapis vegetabilis). Obs.
It is doubtful whether quot. i6iomaynot belong to 4 or 4 c.
1390 Gower Conf. II. 87 The thridde Ston in special Be
name is cleped Minerall. .. This Mineral, so as I finde,
Transformeth al the ferste kynde. 1610 B. Jonson Alch.
1. i, All your alchemy and your algebra Your mineralis,
vegetalls, and animalis.
+ c. A mineral medicine or poison. See also
yllTBIOPS MINERAL. Obs. .
MINERAL.
1563 T. Gale Antidot. u. 54 Make all these mynorallesin
fyne pouder and mixe with the Oyle. 1588 Greene Peri-
modes Wks. (Grosart) VII. 20 Our late Phisitions haue found
out a singular minerall, called Hope: applie this to your
stomack as a soueraine simple against disquiet and feare.
1604 Shaks. Oth. 1. ii. 74 That thou hast practised on her
with foule Charmes, Abus'd her delicate Youth, with Drugs
or Minerals. 1611 — Cymb. v. v. 50 She did confesse she had
For you a mortall Minerall. 1622 Fletcher Sea Voy v. i,
[Famine] as the wise man says, Gripes the guts as much as
any minerall. a 1634 Chapman A Iphonsus iv. (1654) 49 [They]
Gave me a mineral not to be digested, Which burning eats,
and eating burns my heart. 1730 Burdon Pocket Farrier
40 Sweet Oil a Spoonful, /Ethiops Mineral an Ounce.
5. In modem scientific use, each of the species
or kinds (defined by approximate identity of
chemical composition and physical properties)
into which inorganic substances as presented in
nature are classified.
1813 Bakewell Introd. Geol. Pref. (1815)9 The number of
simple minerals which form rocks and strata is small. 1823
H. J. Brooke Introd. Crystallogr. 80 Cleavage alone cannot
be relied on for determining the primary form of a mineral.
1896 A. H. Chester {.title) A Dictionary of the Names of
Minerals.
6. attrib. and Comb., as mineral dealer, -train ;
mineral-bearing adj.; mineral map, a map for
the purpose of showing the localities where minerals
are to be found; mineral right (see quots.);
mineral rod, a divining-rod for finding mineral
veins.
1877 Raymond Statist. Mines ff Mining 174 The croppings
of a heavy "mineral-bearing lode are clearly traceable. 1878
Gurney Crystallogr. 57 This isgenerally sold by the "mineral
dealers. 1876 Nature 14 Dec. 150/1 Along with this is a
•mineral map of New South Wales, showing the localities of
the principal minerals. 1839 Penny Cycl. XV. 237/2 Certain
stipulations are then entered into between the company and
the proprietor of the land in which the vein or deposit is
situated, or should the "mineral right not belong to him,
with [etc.]. 1881 Raymond Mining Gloss., Mineral right,
the ownership of the minerals under a given surface, with
the right to enter thereon, mine, and remove them. 1809
Kendall Trav. III. 101 The mysteries of the "mineral-rods
are many. 1894 Ld. Tweedmouth in Daily News 5 Oct.
5/6 Our express had a short distance to the north of North-
allerton run into a "mineral train.
Mineral (mineral), a. [a. F. mineral, ad.
med.L. mineralis pertaining to mines, f. minera :
see Minera. Cf. Sp., Pg. mineral, It. minerale.
The adj. is in Eng. of later appearance than the
sb., and is in some uses not to be distinguished
from the attributive use of the sb.]
1 1. Pertaining to mines or mining. Of persons :
Skilled in mining matters. Obs.
1592 Stow Annals 11 The saide Philosopher, .in this land
taught the knowledge of mynerall workes. c 1600 Norden
Spec. Brit., Cernw. (1728) 18 It were not amiss that Minerall
Artistes dyd strayne their skyll to make a more generall
proofe by a more exacte searche. Ibid. 70 The howse of
Sir. Windesore, situate amonge the minerall hills. 1602
Carew Cornwall 13 Sir Francis Godolphin. .entertained
a Duch mynerall man. 1667 Colepresse in Phil. Trans.
II. 481 John Gill, a Man well experienced in Mineral
affairs. 1672 Boyle Ess. Gems 31 As I have been inform d,
not only by some Mineral Writers of good credit, but also
by eye witnesses. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Mineral
Courts, certain peculiar Courts for regulating the Concerns
of Lead-Mines, as Stannary-Courts are for Tin.
U b. nonce-use. Deeply buried ; recondite.
,11615 Donne Ess. (1651) 28 Nothing was too Mineral!,
nor centrick for the search and reach of his wit.
t 2. Mineral virtue : the supposed occult power
by which metals are developed. Obs.
1477 Norton Ord. Alch. i. in Ashm. (1652) 19 The vertue
Minerall. 1750 tr. Leonardus's Mirr. Stones 22 By an
example which we shall bring from the animal seed, it will
appear, in what manner the mineral virtue operates in stones.
3. Having the nature of a mineral (Mineral
sb. 1) ; obtained from the bowels of the earth.
1581 in Trans. Jewish Hist. Soc. Eng. (1003) lv- 98 The
v"' corruption [of copper ore] is Calcator, beinge the mother
or corpus of vitriall, and a mynerall substance. 1600 J. Pory
1 tr. Leo's Africa Introd. 11 Heere also you haue minerall
salt- 1612 Woodall Surg. Mate Wks. (1653) 207 Under the
I name of mineral salt is comprehended the salts of all metals
' [etc.]. 1617 Moryson Itin. 111. 80 Minerall salt which in
Poland they dig out of pits like great stones. 1695 Wood-
ward Nat. Hist. Earth iv. 175 By Experience. . in any Place
or Mine, a Man may be enabled to give a near Conjecture
at the Metallick or Mineral Ingredients of any Mass
commonly found there. 1712 Blackmore Creation 111. 422
Endless Store Of Min'ral Treasure and Metallic Oar. 1875
lire's Diet. Arts III. 304 When the mineral ores he in
nearly vertical masses, it is [etc.].
b. Impregnated with mineral substances. (See
Mineral water.) Also of colour, f indicating
mineral impregnation.
1632 Liihgow Trav. ii. 57 Two Riuers, Acheron and
Cocytus ; who for their minerall colours, and bitter tasts,
were surnamed the Riuers of Hell. 1797 Eniycl. Brit. (ed. 3)
IX 346/1 About two leagues to the eastward is a brackish
mineral spring. 1834 W.India Sk. Bk. II. 139 Invalids, many
of whom come . . for the . . mineral baths.
4. Of material substances : Neither animal nor
vegetable in origin ; inorganic.
1599 B. Jonson Cynthia's Rev. v. ii, I haue an excellent
mineral Fucus, for the purpose. 1601 Holland Pliny II. 454
Men vpon a couetous mind would needs seeke for siluer, and
not satisfied therwith, thought good withall to find out
Minerall vermilion. 1605 Bacon Adv. Leant. 11. x. ) 11
Mineral medicines have been extolled. 1685 Boyle Salub.
MINERALINE.
467
MINERIST.
Air 35 Some Metalline ores, and some mineral earths them-
selves have heen observ'd by Mineralogists. 1794 Sullivan
View Nat* II. 104 Other opinions, indeed, would fix it a solid
mineral bitumen. 1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2)11. 5 The
other, extracted from some maritime plants, but most fre-
quently of mineral origin, and thence called Mineral Alkali.
Ibid, 51 Mineral Carbon, impregnated with Bitumen. 1797
Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) IX. 347/2 Mr. Rinman.. has found that
dephlogisticated calces of iron, and particularly its solutions
in mineral acids, have no binding power. 1834 Cycl. Tract.
Med. III. 109/2 Of medicines, the vegetable tonics are
scarcely so serviceable as the mineral. 1843 J. A. Smith
Product Farming{ed. 2) 139 Of Manures of Mineral Origin,
or Fossil and Artificial or Chemical Manures.
h. Pertaining to inorganic matter. Mineral
kingdom : see Kingdom 5.
1876 Encycl. Brit. V. 520/2 The study of the remaining
elements and of their compounds constituting inorganic, or,
as it is also termed, mineral chemistry,
5. Special collocations and combinations :
mineral candle (see quot.) ; mineral caout-
chouc — Elaterite ; mineral chameleon (see
Chameleon 5); mineral charcoal, 'a charcoal-
like substance, often found between layers of coal '
(Chester Diet. Names Min.) ; mineral coal, f {a)
a variety of coal in which there are no traces of
vegetable structure (obs.) ; (b) native coal, in contra-
distinction to charcoal; mineral cotton, f mineral
crystal (see quots.) ; mineral jelly, vaseline
(Webster Suppl. 1902); mineral oil, a general
name for petroleum and the various oils distilled
from it ; mineral pitch, asphaltum ; mineral
solution (see quot.); mineral tallow = Hatchet-
tite; mineral tar — PlSSASFHALT; mineral wax,
= Ozocerite ; mineral wool, a variety of mineral
cotton, slag-wool (Raymond Mining Gloss. 1881).
Also Mineral WATER,
1890 Century Diet., *Mincral candle, a kind of candle
made from a semi-fluid naphtha obtained from wells sunk in
the neighbourhood of the Irrawaddy river in Durma. 1801
Encycl. Brit. Suppl. II. 230/2 *Mineral caoutchouc. 1805
R. Jameson Syst. Min. (1816) II. 401 *Mineral Charcoal.
1802 Playfair Illustr. Mutton, Theory 150 *Minerat-coal
..is the same which Dr. Hutton derives from the vegetable
juices, .carried into the sea and there precipitated, .to be-
come afterwards mineralized. 1854 Ronalds & Richardson
Chem. Technol, (ed. 2) 1. 37 Mineral or pit coal. 1875 Knight
Diet, Mech., * Mineral cotton, a fiber formed by allowing a
jet of steam to escape through a stream of liquid slag, by
which it is blown into fine white threads. 1706 Phillips (eel.
Kersey), * Mineral Crystal (among Chymists), a Composition
of Salt-peter well putrify'd, and Flower of Brimstone. 1805
R. Jameson Syst. Min, (1816) II. 358 ^Mineral Oil, or Pe-
troleum. 1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) II. 45 ^Mineral
Pitch, Asphaltum. Mineral Tar exposed to a moderate heat,
and the action of the air, hardens into this substance. 185s
Ogilvie Suppl., * Mineral solution, arsenical Mquor,or lia nor
potassx arsenitis. 1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) II. 47
•Mineral Tallow. Its colour is white, its consistence that of
Tallow, it feels greasy and stains paper. Ibid. 44 "Mineral
Tar, Barbadoes Tar. This is Petrol still further altered by
exposure to the air. 1864 Webster, * Mineral wax.
b. in names of pigments : mineral black, a
native impure variety of carbon ; mineral blue,
a variety of Prussian blue, made lighter by the
addition of alumina; mineral grey, a pale blue-
grey pigment obtained in the making of ultramarine
from lapis lazuli ; mineral green, Scheele's green,
arsenite of copper ; mineral lake (see quot. 1902) ;
mineral purple, (a) see quot. 1850; (b) purple
of Cassius (Cassettes Encycl. Diet. 1882) ; mineral
white, permanent white (see Permanent 1 d) ;
mineral yellow, a lead pigment made by digesting
litharge with common salt.
1849-50 Weale Diet. Terms A rchit. etc., * Mineral black.
1890 Century Diet., * Mineral gray. 1815 J. Smith Pano-
rama Sci. <■}• Art II. 382 If to this sulphate of copper be
added a solution of arseniate of potass, a beautiful green
precipitate is formed, called Scheele's green, or *mineral
green. 1902 Webster Suppl., *Mi>ieral lake, a pink pig-
ment consisting of a glass colored with tin chromate. 1850
G. Field Painters* Art 79 Purple Ochre, Or *Mineral
Purple, is a dark ochre, native of the Forest of Dean. 1902
Webster Suppl., * Mineral white = permanent white. 1844
Hoblyn Diet. Med., * Mineral Yellow, Patent Yellow, a
pigment consisting of chloride and protoxide of lead.
•f Minerale'ity. Obs. [i.Mineral a., after cor-
poreity, etc.] The attribute of being mineral.
1757 tr. Henckel's Pyritol. 148 A material cause and pro-
perty of mineraleity.
t Mrneraline, a. Obs. [f. Mineral sb. +
-ine.] Composed of mineral substances.
1674 R. Godfrey Inj. <$■ Ab. Physic 33 A Minerailine dose
which another .. unlearned Chymist gave him. Ibid, iji
Their perverse Mineralme Remedies.
t Mrneralist. Obs. [f. Mineral sb. + -ist.]
1. One who is skilled in or employed with
minerals ; a mineralogist.
1631 Capt. Smith Advt, Planters 3 Better there may be,
for I was no Mineralist. 1670 Pettus Foditue Reg. Table,
Mineralist, such as deal in Minerals, a 1728 Woodward
Nat. Hist. Fossils(ij2g) 1. 1.84 The. . Minerahsts of Germany
. .all agree that the Ludus Paracelsi is the tessellated Pyrites.
1796 Morse Amer. Geog. I. 660 The mountain, .has several
of the appearances described by mineralists.
2. One who follows Paracelsus in the use of
minerals in medicines.
16*8 Ford Lover's Mel. 1. ii, Mountebanck, Empiricks,
Quacksaluers, Mineralists [etc.].
Minerality (minene'liti). [f. Mineral a. +
-ITT.] The quality of a water containing mineral
salts. 1890 in Syd. Sec. Lex.
Mineraliza"ble (mineraLoi'zab'l), a. [f. Mi-
neralize. + -able.] Capable of being mineralized.
1890 in Century Diet.
Mineralization (mineratoiz^'Jan). [f. Mi-
neralize V. + -ATION.]
1. The action or process of mineralizing, or the
state of being mineralized.
1757 tr. Henckefs Pyritol. ix. 145 The mineral damps, that
lodge any where for mineralisation, may happen to be of
different mixtions. 1798 Hatchet t in Phil. Trans.
LXXXVIII. 580 This tarnish is principally a commence-
ment of mineralization on the surface. 1837 IJuckland
Geol. fy Min. I. 352 note. As happens when vegetable.-, are
converted into coal, under the process of mineralization.
1885 Goodalk Physiol. Bot. 39 Mineralization of the [cell-1
wall may be general or local. .. General mineralization of
the wall depends most frequently on silicic acid. 1895 < )L1VEM
tr. A'eruer's Nat. Hist. Plants I. 264 The final re?-ult of
the decomposition of organic bodies by bacteria has been
termed mineralization.
b. concr. A product of this process, a petrifaction.
1799 W. Tooke View Russian Emp, I. 109 In which
mineralizations the tender white rind.. is preserved quite in
its natural appearance.
2. Mining. The condition of being well supplied
with ore.
1899 Daily News 3 May 6/6 A sufficient proof, .that City
men believe in the mineralisation of the country.
Mineralize (nuTieraloiz), v. Also 7 mineral-
lise,<S-r>mineralise. [f. Mineral sb.anda.+ -ize.]
1. trans. To combine with (a metal) so as to
convert (it) into the state of ore. ? Obs.
1655 T. Vaughan Euphrates 29 When it is Minerallised by
itself,and without any foeculent mixture, then [etc.], 1757
tr. HenckeCs Pyritol. 151 Sulphur in its separate state..
mineralises,or reduces metals to an ore-state. 1796 Hatchett
in Phtl. Trans. LXXXVI. 291 This yellow colour probably
occasioned the supposition that the lead was mineralized by
the tungstic acid. 1813 Hakewkll Introd. Geol. 221 They
[metals] are usually combined with some substance by which,
they are mineralized. 1855 J. R. Leu-child Cornwall Mines
84 Iron, lead, and mercury, . .when mineralized by sulphur,
form respectively the following sulphurets, iron pyrites,
galena, and cinnabar. 1880 D. C. Davies Metal/if. Min. -y
Mining (ed. 2) 4 These metalliferous minerals occur in nature
in two distinct forms: — ist. Native.. 2nd. Mineralised, or
associated with other minerals, and in combination with
the gases or earthy admixtures.
2. trans. To convert into a mineral substance.
*799 Wi Tooke Vieiu Russian Emp, I. 109 Here are seen
..leaves, and roots of birch-trees, .entirely mineralized by
iron. 1823 Buckland Relit/. Diluv, a The bones found in
caverns are never mineralised. 187a W. S. Symonds AVc.
Rocks v. 142 The rocky axis, even in that far remote period
was as consolidated and mineralised as at present.
b. intr. for refl. To become mineralized. In
quot. fig.
1845M0ZLEY Ess., Laud (1Z78) I. 192 A mind, by under-
going a certain ordeal, mineralises and turns into hard
transparent crystal.
3. trans. To impregnate with mineral matters.
1789 Pilkingion View Derby. I. 235 M. de Fourcroy
imagines, that some waters contain the liver of sulphur ; and
that others are mineralized by hepatic gaz.
4. intr. To seek for minerals; to study minerals.
179a A. Young Trav. France 26 Can he clamber the rocks
to mineralize? 1857 Mrs. Crosse Mem. A. Crosse 171 [He]
was walking with his eyes fixed on the ground {a habit
acquired from mineralising).
5. passive. To be stocked with ore.
1890 Melbourne Argus 28 May 7/6 A great quantity of
stone, well mineralised, in the level. 1899 Daily News 23
May 7/2 By cablegrams :..Lode is heavily mineralised, in
so far as 3 feet, average assay value 10 dwts. per ton.
Mineralized (mi-nerabizd), pfl, a. [f. Mi-
neralize v. + -ed 1.]
1. Changed to a mineral.
1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XI. 428/1 Mineralised ores.
1878 A. H. Green Coal'x. 16 Coal is little else but mineralised
vegetable matter. 1890 Nature 27 Feb. 392 The bone-
corpuscles differ from the dentine-corpuscles in becoming
completely embedded in the mineralized matrix.
2. Of water : Impregnated with minerals; con-
taining mineral substances.
1893 Nation (N. Y.) 27 July 70/3 Were there not lines of
weakness in the earth, along which lavas and hot mineralized
solutions could penetrate. 1896 Allbutt's Syst. Med. I. 319
Many other slightly mineralised warm-waters, .might be
mentioned.
3. Mining. Of a district : Abounding in ore.
1881 Raymond Mining Gloss., Mineralized, charged or
impregnated with metalliferous mineral. 1895 Tablet 2 Feb.
158 It was also a highly mineralized country, and a highly
1 payable ' country.
Mineralize!* (mi'nerabizai). [f. Mineralize
v. + -er !.]
1. A substance that combines with a metal to
form an ore, as sulphur, arsenic, etc.
1795 Nicholson Diet. Chem, 503 The commonest mine-
rahzers are sulphur, arsenic, and fixed air. 1807 Aikin
Diet. Chem. 11. 105/1 Mineralizer is any substance found in
natural combination with a metal. 1854 J. D. Whitney
Metallic Wealth U.S. ii. 81 Silver, tin, copper, lead, zinc,
and iron are obtained almost exclusively in the form of ores,
that is, in combination with a mineralizer.
2. The mineral with which a water is impregnated.
1799 Med. Jrnl. II. 358 The principal mineralisers of this
water are the sulphats of iron and alumin.
Mineralizing (mrneralamrj), ppL a. [f. Mi-
neralize v. + -ING ^.] That mineralizes.
1796 Hatchett in Phil. Trans. LXXXVI. 286 Although
the substance was indisputably proved to be an ore of lead,
yet the mineralizing principle of it remained unknown.
1875 Lyell Princ. Geol. I. 11. xvii. 405 In some instances,
alumina.. is the mineralizing material. 1890 Athenaeum
18 Jan.8S/i The action of fluorine as a mineralizing agent
has been widely recognized.
t Minerallic, a. Obs. [f. Mineral + -ic]
1778 Pkyce Min. Comub. p. ix, Tin. .is.. more rich in its
minerallick Ore than Copper.
tMrneralness. Obs. [f. Minerals. + -nes.s.]
The quality of being impregnated with minerals.
1661 J. Childrbv Brit. Bacouica 33 The Mineralness of
these waters appears.
t MineralO'gic, a. Obs. [Formed as next.]
= MINERALOGICAL.
1811 PlNKERTON PetraL I. 242 Hie description of the latter
has been given by several mineralogic authors. Ibid. II.
i2g Saxony, the very focus uf mineralogic knowledge.
Mineralogical mineraty'dgikal), a. [f. MI-
NERALOGY: see -logical.] Of or pertaining to
mineralogy; concerned with the study of minerals;
used in the study of minerals.
1791 Beddoks in Phil. Trans. LXXXI. 64 This rule has
been found to hold good by so many mineralogical travellers
that [etc-1 1859 Darwin Orig. Spec. x. (1873) 272 The
frequent and great changes in the mineralogical composition
of consecutive formations. 1867 J. Hogg Microsc. 1. iii.
208 The sharp edge of a mineralogical hammer. 1876 Pace
Ad7>. 'Text-bk. Geol. v. 99 Geological, mineralogical, and
chemical considerations are thus inseparably interwoven.
Mineralogically (mineiaVd^ikali), at/v. [f.
Mineralogical a. + -ly -.] In a mineralogical
manner; with regard to mineralogy.
1801 Chenevix in Phil. 'Trans. XCI. 239 Whether we
consider it mineralogically or chymically, it certainly is an
interesting substance. 1845 Encycl. Metrcp.Xl. 562/1 J he
most important point of view under which mica slate can be
considered mineralogically is [etc.].
Mineralogist (mineiarlodsist). [f. Mine-
ralogy + -1ST.]
1. One who is versed in or studies mineralogy.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. F.p. 11. i. 49 Yet are there also
many Authors that deny it, and the exactest Mineralogists
have rejected it. 1791 Newte Tour F.ng. >y Scot. 429 The
patrons of church livings,, .would naturally, like King
Charles, desire that his spiritual pastor might be a good
chymist, a good mineralogist, and a good botanist. 1830
Herschel Stud. Nat. Phil. 139 The number of simple
minerals actually recognised by mineralogists does not exceed
a few hundreds, i860 PlESSE Lab. Chem. IVondcrs 33 The
shop of Mr. Tennant, the mineralogist. 1879 Cassell's
Techn. Editc. IV. 310/2 John James Ferber, the eminent
Swedish mineralogist.
2. Zool. A name given by collectors to the
gasteropods of the genus P/wn<s, which attach
stones to the margin of their shells ; a carrier shell.
1851 S. P. Woodward Mollusca 1. ij6 Most of the phori
attach foreign substances to the margins of their shells as
they grow ; particular species affecting stones,, .are called
' mineralogists \..by collectors.
Mineralogize (minerarlod-soiz), v. [f. Mi-
neralogy+-ue.] intr. To look for minerals.
1804 Mar. Edgkworth Eunuivi, \Vks. 1832 XI. 143 While
he was not studying, he was botanizing or mineralogizing
with O'Tooles chaplain. 1807 Solthey Espriella's Lett.
II. 43 Some to mineralogize, some to botanize, some to take
views of the country.
Mineralogy (minemrl6d,$i). [f. Mineral sb.
+ -logy. Cf. F. min^ralogie (1 732 in Hatz.-Darm.),
G. mineralogies Sp. mincralogia, It. minera/ogia.]
The science which tieats of minerals.
1690 Boyle Prev. Hydrostat. Way 0/ Estimating Ores
Advt. 149 This . . will not perhaps be unwelcome to some that
Love Mineralogy, much better than they vnderstand it.
1796 Kirwan Elem. Min. (ed. 2) I. Pref. 5 In the preceding
decennial period, from 1774 to 1784, mineralogy may be said
to have for the first time assumed its rank among the sciences.
1876 Page Adv. Text-bk. Geol. v. 97 The student must on
no account learn to underrate the value of Mineralogy as a
branch of Geology.
Mineral water, a. Originally, water found
in nature impregnated with some mineral sub-
stance, usually, such as is used medicinally. Also
(with a and plural) a kind of such water, b.
Later, applied also to artificial imitations of
natural mineral waters, e.g. soda-water, seltzer-
water ; and in recent use extended to include other
effervescent drinks, as lemonade and ginger-beer.
1562 Turner Baths 9 Thys minorall water is cleare. .and
springeth out of sande. 1577 1*. Gooce Hercshaclts Husb. '
(1586)903 Their drinesse they cure with baths, and their
throat with drinking mineral waters. 1694 Salmon Bale's
DisPens. (1713) 406/2 To be drank at several Draughts, as
you drink Mineral- waters, for the cutting and loosening of
gross Humours. 1747 tr. Astruc's Fevers 340 The purgative
mineral waters, as those of Val, &c. prove the most universal
remedy. 1831 J. Davies Man. Mat. Med.^ 91 We_ apply the
name Mineral Waters to such as contain in solution one or
more foreign substances in sufficient cpnantity to exercise a
more or less marked action on the animal economy. These
waters are either natural or artificial.
attrib. 1851 in Illustr. Land. News 5 Aug. (1854) 115 '2
Mineral-water manufacture. 1903 Daily Chron. 16 Man 3 7
There are 3,500 mineral-water manufacturers in the United,
Kingdom.
tMrnerist. Obs. [f. Mineba + -ist.j A
mining expert.
MINEROUS.
1683 Pettus Fleta Min. I. Pref., This art is very profitable
to Minerists and such as work in .Mines.
t Mi'nerous, a. Obs. [f. Miner a + -ous. Cf.
It. mineroso.] Containing minerals.
1611 Florio, Mineroso, minerous, miny, full of mines.
1612 Drayton Poly-olb. iii. 212 That naturall power . .
Which in that minerous earth insep'rably doth breed.
Minerva (mina-jva). Also 4 mynerfe, my-
nerff, 4-6 minerve, 6 mynerve. [a. L. Minei-va,
earlier Menerva :-pre-L. *menes-wa (cf. Skr. ma-
nasvin ' full of mind or sense ', Manasvini name
of the mother of the moon) f. *menes- = Skr.
manas mind, Gr. /twos courage, fury, f. root
*men- : see Mind sb.~\
1. The Roman goddess of wisdom, anciently
identified with the Greek Pallas Athene, 'the
goddess of wisdom, warlike prowess, and skill in
the arts of life ' (L. & Sc.). fin spite of Minerva
(tr. L. invito Minerva) : contrary to one's natural
bent, without natural aptitude.
1375 Harbour Bruce IV. 262 He callithir his deir mynerfe.
1390 Gower Con/. I. 70 A Sacrifice unto Minerve. 1503
Hawks Examp. Virt. iv. 2 A noble vyrgyn there dyde her
serue That fyrst made harnes called Mynerue. 1589 Putten-
ham Eng. Poesie 111. xxv. (Arb.) 31 1 That which he doth by
long meditation rather then by a suddaine inspiration, . . (and
as they are woont to say) in spite of Nature or Minerua. 1611
Shaks. Cymb. v. v. 164 For Feature, laming The Shrine of
Venus, or straight-pight Minerua. 1638 Junius Paint.
Ancients 333 In spight (as the common saying is) of Minerva,
that is, our nature not giving way to it. 1835 Thirlwai.l
Greece iii. I. 67 The goddess Athene', whom, with the
Romans, we name Minerva.
fb. fig. a. Used for: Wisdom, ability, b.
With allusion to the myth that Minerva (Athene)
was born from the head of Jupiter. Obs.
1615 Chapman Odyss. xm. 179 Then, the Strand They
strew'd with all the goods he had, bestow'd By the renown'd
Phxacians, since he show'd So much Minerua. 1665 Glan-
vlLLSeepsts Sci. xvi. 09 Self-love engageth us for any thing,
that is a Minerva of our own. 1685 Graciau's Courtiers
Or.ic. 178 Every one then ought to labour to know his
Destiny, and to try his Minerva, a 1734 North Exam. m.
vi. § 26 (1740) 442 The Thing itself [is] no better than a
Minerva of his own fertile Brain.
2. transf. A woman having the stately mien of
Minerva as represented in sculpture.
1877 Reade Woman Hater iii, Ashmead. .chuckled inter-
nally at the idea of this Minerva giving change in a cafe'.
3. Short for Minerva machine (see 4).
1883 If ham Daily Post n Oct., Printers.— Youth Wanted,
accustomed to Minerva.
4. attrib. and Comb., as Minerva birth ; Minerva-
like adj. Minerva machine Printing (see quot.).
Minerva press, (a) the name of a printing-press
formerly existing in Leadenhall Street, London ;
hence, the series of ultra-sentimental novels issued
with the imprint of this press c 1800; (6) (Print-
ing) = Minerva machine.
1632 Brome North. Lasse Ded., A Countrey Lass I present
you, that "Minerva-like was a brayn-born Child, and Jovially
begot. 1894 H. Gamlin Romney 51 Reynolds was fortunate
in having so Minerva-like a model. 1888 Jacob! Printer's
Vocab., 'Minerva machine, a small platen jobbing machine
—the original Cropper machine. 1828 CarlvleA//jc. (1857)
I. 173 So Meister was ranked among the legal coin of the
"Minerva Press. 1850 Athenzum 7 Dec. 1274/1 The relief
provided for the Be'um [in Pcndennis]..h Minerva Press
every grain of it. 1866 Ibid. 10 Nov. 602/2 Such a flow of
Mincrva-press melo- dramatic diction. 1888 Encycl. Brit.
XXIII. 70s (art. Typography) Fig. n, Minerva Press.
Minerval (minauval), sb. [a. L. minerval, f.
Minerva : see prec] A gift given in gratitude by
a scholar to a master; also, money paid to a
schoolmaster for teaching.
1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 454 Vou are well enough
served and receive a due Minerval! for your schoolage.
1674 Charleton in Lett. Eminent Persons (1813) I. 5 To
accept my mean oblation, . .not as an ornament to her public
library, but a minerval or simple testimony of my respects
and gratitude. 1700 J. Brome Trav. Eng., Scot., etc. iii.
(1707) 117 The School.. was Built and Endowed by King
Edward., with a generous Minerval for a Master and Usher.
1885 W. Corv Lett. t, Jrnls. (1897) 513 At the end of our
year's Greek reading, they [girls] gave me a minerval, to wit,
the simple ' Autobiography of George Napier '.
t Minerval, a. Obs. [ad. L. Minervalis :
see Mineeva and -al.] Pertaining to Minerva.
1623 C Brooke On Sir A . Chichester 201 Thus he spun
Honor's Minervall web.
Minery (mainari). [ad. med.L. mineria,
miliaria, f. minare to Mine.]
1. A place where mining operations are carried
on ; f also, a mine.
[1279 Norlhumb. Assize Kelts (Surtees) 266 Quod Aldene-
ston et mynaria ejusdem et homines ejusdem minaria;
. .fuerint alienatij 1567 Mai'Let Gr. Forest 13 It is found
also in Mineries in maner like to Grauel! and Sande. 1577
Frampton Joyful News m. (1596) 103 Euery day they dis-
couer in those countries great Mineries of metals. 1633 T.
Adams Exp. 2 Peter iii. 5 If we dig into her inwards, we
find metals, mineries, quarries. 1670 Pettus Fodiux Reg.
88 Every other Trespass done upon the Minerie shall be
fined at 2d. 1799 W. Tooke View Russian Emp. II. 506
Certain wrought goods for the army and navy, as cannon-
balls from the mineries. 1876 W. White Holidays Tyrol
xvii. 134 A thank-offering from the minery to the church.
1898 Ravmond Two Men d Mendip iii, I'll ride across to
the mineries, myzelf, so quiet as I can.
468
attrib. 1681 in Phil. Trans. Abr. (1722) II. 369 Which
came from the Washing of Lead in the Minery Ponds,
t b. fig.
a 1653 Binning Chr. Love ii. Wks. (1847) 528 All these
lusts, .are the mineries of contentions, and strifes, and wars.
1 2. A military mine. Obs.
1591 Sparry tr. Catlan's Gcomancie 86 Vnlesse it bee to
put fire vnto Myneries or Artillerie.
+ b. Materials for mining. Obs.
1687 Rvcaut Knolles' Hist. Turks II. 312 The besiegers
had endeavoured to pass the Ditch in Boats, and so carry
over their Minery.
1 3. The science of mining. Obs.
1777 tr. Bom's Trav. Hungary xiii. 107 A naturalist en-
dowed with a proper knowledge of minery.
Minestrale, obs. form of Minstrel.
MinetteKmine-t). Min. [z.Y. minette.] (See
quot. 1888.)
1878 Lawrence tr. Cotta's Rocks Class. 166 It is sometimes
difficult to distinguish minette from mica-porphyry. 1878
Bonney & Houghton in Q. Jrnl. Geol. Soc. XXXV. 166
We propose the analogous term minette-felsite. 1888
Teall Brit. Petrogr. 350 Minette, this is a local name used
by miners in the Vosges for a rock essentially composed
of dark mica, orthoclase and a felspathic matrix. It was
introduced into geological literature by Voltz in 1828.
Minette 2 (mine-t). The smallest of regular
sizes of portrait photographs. 1897 in Webster.
Minever, variant of Miniver.
Minew, obs. form of Minnow.
Ming (min.), sb. dial. [f. ming, Meng v.~\
a. A mixture, b. (See quot. 1856.)
1823 Caledonian Merc. 4 Dec. (Jam.), Various sorts of mix-
tures, in none of which tar is an ingredient. These mings
do not clot the fleece as tar does. 1836 P. Thompson Hist.
Boston 715 Land of different proprietors lying mixed, is said
to be lying in ming. 1866 J. E. Broguen Prov. Words
Lines.
t Ming, v. Obs. Forms: 1 rnyug-, mynegian,
menegian, 2-3 munegen, -ejen, 3 minegen,
-e5en, -ijen, monejjen, munijen, 5 miniye,
mynye, munye, 4 7 minge(n, 4-6 mynge(n,
4-5 menge(n, 4 mene5e(n, menewe, monewe,
munge(n, mynewe, 6- ming. [OE. (^myne-
gian, myngian wk. vb. :— WGer. *munigijan (cf.
OHG. bi-munigon), f. OTeut. *muni- (OK. myne:
see Mm sb.1).]
1. trans. To put in mind, remind (a person) ; to
admonish. Const. of(\n OE. genit. case), on, to
with inf.; also with dependent clause.
«I02J Wulfstan Horn. (1883) 210/9 Drihten..us bonne
myngaS bajssunnandaj^esweorces. c 1175 Lamb. Horn. 147
pet luueo world wunne he munched, c 1290 S. Eng. Leg. 1.
413/368 Seint Iohan him [i. e. the Bishop] chargede of is
warde ; and muneguede him wel ofte bat he him wuste
swibe wel. 1415 Hoccleve To Sir J. Oldcastle 1,1s, The
sighte us myngith to the seint to preye. — Min. Poems
71/144 Mynge him ther-on. c 141$ Eng. Cong. /ret. 84 He
mmiyed the Erie of his beheste.
b. absol. with clause.
cijco Trim. Coll. Horn. 215 Prest specS inne chirche of
chirche neode and mine3e<5 pat me niwe cloSes o<5er elde bete.
2. To bring into remembrance ; to commemorate;
to mention. (In OE. with obj. in genitive.)
ciooo Ags. Ps. (Th.) xliii. argt., Dauid. .myngode baira
gyfa, be he his fjedrum and his foregengum sealde. c 1200
Trin. Coll. Horn. 169 He minegede alle his wrecche sioes
be he bolede on bis wrecche worelde. c 1315 Shoreham t.
1892 More godsibrede nys ber nau3t bane hys y-meneled
here, c 1320 Cast. Love 1193 Marie, Mayden schene,. .For
deol mungen I lie may pe pyne b' bn boledest bulke day.
ax45oMvRC 1915 More, I pray bat bow me mynge, In by
masse when tnow dost synge. 152a World «y Child 426
(Manly) Ye must loue God aboue all thynge, His name in
ydelnes ye may not mynge. 1598 Dp. Hall Sat. IV. ii. 80
Could neuer man worke thee a worser shame Than once to
minge thy fathers odious name. 1623 Lisle AVlfric on O.
f, N. Test. To Rdr. 13 This that I minged last was not the
least motiue I had. a 1656 Sir Cawline xxi. in Child
Ballads II. 59/1 For because thou minged not Christ
before, The lesse me dreadeth thee. 1674 Ray Af. C. Words
48 To Ming at one, to mention. 1787 Grose Prov. Gloss.,
To ming at one, to remind, give warning or allude to a
thing.
3. To remember. Also refl. to bethink oneself.
1362 Langl. P. PI. A. vii. 88 He is holden, ich hope to
haue me in muynde, And munge me in his memorie. 1377
ibid. B. iv. 94 And thanne gan Mede to mengen here and
mercy' she bisought. 1596 Br. Hall Elegy en Dr. Whitakcr
100 The memorie of his mighlie name Shall hue as long, as
aged Earth shall last :..Aye ming'd, aye mourn'd.
4. intr. To give an account ; to relate.
13.. E. E. A Hit. P. A. 855 For bay of mote couthe neuer
mynge. c 1330 Will. Palerne 1067 Hit tidde after bi time as
be tale minces, c 1460 Emare 926 The Kyng yn herte was
full woo, When he herd mynge tho Of her that was his
qwene.
t Minge, »• Obs. rare. [ad. L. mingere to
void urine.] trans. To discharge as urine.
1611 Tarlton's Jests (1844) 43 A horse mingeth whay,
madam, a man mingeth amber, A horse is for your way,
madam, but a man for your chamber.
Ming(e, variant ff. of Meng v. Obs. exc. dial.
Mingel, obs. form of Mingle v.
+ Mi'ngent, a. Obs. rare. [ad. L. mingent-cm,
pr. pple. of mingere.'] Discharging urine.
1:1685 Dk. Buck'hm.'s Confer. (1714) 22 She. .continued
in mingent Circumstances from the Morning till Night.
+ Minging, vbl. sb. Obs. [f. Mingja + -ing 1.]
1. The action of the verb Ming ; an admonition ;
MINGLE.
a warning or reminder. In 17-1 8th c. a pre-
monitory symptom. (Cf. Minding vbl. sb. 2.)
«94o Laws of ' /Elhelstan\. vii, Nefortete he..ba myne-
gunge. 1674 Ray N. C. Words 48 Mynegung an admoni-
tion, warning or minding ; so it is usually said, I had a
minging, suppose of an Ague or the like Disease, that is, not
a perfect Fit, but so much as to put me in mind of it. 1703
M. Warwick in Floyer Hot q Cold Bath. 11. 298 When the
Wind is Northward, I meet a little minging of Pains, but
no contraction.
2. A memorial.
c 1175 Lamb. Horn. 45 Uwilc sunne-dei is to locan alswa
ester dei for heo is mune^ing of his halie ariste. a 1225
Ancr. R. 136 Cus be wunde studen, ine swete munegunge
ofJ>e so3e wunden. c 1250 Gen. ej Ex. 1623 Selte he up
5at ston for muniging.
Mingle fmirjg'l), sb. Now rare. [f. Mingle v.]
The action of mingling, the state of being mingled ;
mixture. Also cotter, a mingled mass, a mixture.
1548 Elyot Diet., Aceritalim, on heapes, without ordre, in
a mengle [1545 mengley]. 1606 Shaks. Ant. t, CI. 1. v. 59
He was not sad. . . He was not merrie, Which seem'd to tell
them, his remembrance lay In Egypt with his ioy, but
betweene both. Oh heauenly mingle ! Ibid. IV, viii. 37
Trumpetters With brazen dinne blast you the Citties eare,
Make mingle with our ratling Tabounnes. 1631 Lady M.
Wroth Urania 156 Neither Masque nor properly any one
thing, but a mingle of diuers sorts. 1668 Dryden Dram.
Poesy Ess. (ed. Ker) I. 61 Scenes admirable in their kind,
but of an ill mingle with the rest. 1714 Swift Let. to Ld.
Bolingbroke 7 Aug., To represent persons and things with-
out any mingle of my own interest or passions. 1720 T.
Boston Fourf. State (1797) 385 In a mingle of many different
seeds the expert gardener can distinguish between seed and
seed. 1811 Ora # Juliet IV. 76 Her thoughts were a
mingle of thankfulness and dread.
b. Comb., in f mingle-eoloured adj.
1593 Nashe Christ's T. (1613) 62 Her high roofe was
mingfe-coloured with mounting drops of bloud. 1660 Mer.
curius Publ. 24-31 May 349 A mingle-eoloured wrought
Tabby Gown of Deer colour and white.
Mingle (mi-i)gT), v. Forms: 5 myngel, Sc.
mengill, 5-6 mengel, mengle, myngle, 6 men-
gyll, mingel, -il, myngell, 6- mingle. [Late
ME. mengel, frequentative f. Meng v.: see -le 3.
Cf. MDu., Du. mengelen (which may possibly have
suggested the formation), MHG., mod.G. mengeln,
of the same meaning.]
1. trans. To mix (things together or one thing
■with another) so that they become physically
united or form a new combination ; to combine in
a mixture, to blend.
1495 Naval Ace. Hen. VII (1896) 225 Talowe. .mengeled
with pytche. 1526 I'ilgr. Per/. (W. de W. 1531) 3 Electrum
is a myxture of syluer & golde myngled togyder. 1535
Coverdale Ps. ci. 9, I.. mengle my drynke with wepynge.
1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevenol's Trav. 1. 31 There is a little
Bason. .and over it a cock of warm water; and.. above.,
another cock, for cold water, so that you may mingle them
as you please. 1706 London & Wise Retir'd Card. I. 11.
xii. 167 Take some Mould mingled with soft Hay. 1839
Ure Diet. Arts 826 The sulphuret of antimony mingled
with its gangue may be subjected to the same mode of
assay, a 1852 Webster Wks. (1877) III. 317 The bones of
her sons, .now lie mingled with the soil of every State from
New England to Georgia.
f b. fig. To put together so as to make one, to
1 pool '. Obs.
i6n Shaks. Cymb. 1. vi. 186 Some dozen Romanes of vs. .
haue mingled summes To buy a Present for the Emperor.
t C. Const, to. Obs. rare.
1563 Hyll Art Garden. (1593) 18 To this water also mingle
a little dunge. , ...
d. poet, nonce-use. To put in as an ingredient.
1842 Tennyson Vision Sin iv. xxxvi, Fill the cup, and
fill the can ! Mingle madness, mingle scorn !
2. To bring together, intersperse, or associate
(material or immaterial things, persons, etc. with
or among others), to unite or join in company.
Also to mingle up.
<:i45o tr. De Imitation! m. lviii. 135 Grace .. suffnb not
itself to be menglid with straunge {.inges. 1494 rAiiyAN
Chron.\. cxl. 126 They were greatly myngelyd ormedelyd w>
other nacions. 1526 Filgr. Perf. (W de W. J531) 217 He
myngleth y" trewth with errour & heresy. 1596 shaks.
1 Hen IV, 111. ii. 63 The skipping King. .Mingled his
Royaltie with Carping Fooles. 1598 Grenewev Tacitus
Ann. 1. viii. (1622) 14 Besides this, womens quarrels were
mingled among. 1630 Prvnne God no Impostor 16 Repro-
bates are mingled with the Elect, as the weedes, the tares are
with the corn and grasse. 1736 Swift Gulliver iv. vii, lo
devour everything that came in their way, whether herbs,
roots, berries, the corrupted flesh of animals, or all mingled
together. 1817 Jas. Mill Brit. India II. iv. iv. 151 In an
instant the two regiments were mingled at the push ot tne
bayonet. 1840 Dickens Bam. Rudge iii, A strong tendency
to mingle up present circumstances with others which have
no manner of connexion with them. 1859 Jethson Brittany
i. 2 We must mingle our regrets when our only fare is a
gigot. 187s Lyell Princ. Geol. II. 111. xlvi. 544 Mingled
with the rest, the corpses of two men and one woman. 1875
Jowett Plato (ed. 2) V. 235 The order of the voice, in which
high and low are duly mingled, is called harmony.
b. refl.
14 . How Good Wife taught Dau. 86 Thoill thaim
nocht.. mengill thame [sc. women] with neuir vtth ladry.
I53S Coverdale i Esdras viii. 70 Both they and their
soniies haue mengled them selues with the daughters of them.
1703 Echard Eccl. Hist. (1710) 6S He caus'd soldiers.. to
mingle themselves among the people in private apparel.
1725 De Foe Voy. round World (1840) 25S It is impossible
to describe how the sound [of falling water], crossing and
interfering, mingled itself. 1856 Kane Arct. ExpU 1. xxix.
MINGLEABLE.
384 The renewed chorus.. mingling itself sleepily in my
dreams with school-boy memories.
f c. To associate (a person) in common action.
c 1607 Donne Lett. (1651) 60, I owe you so much of my
health, . . as I would not mingle you in any occasion of repair-
ing [1839 ed. impairing] it.
fd. To join (conversation, friendship, etc.) with
another person. Also to mingle eyes, look into
each other's eyes. Obs.
1606 Shaks. Ant. $ Ct. hi. xiii. 156T0 flatter ^Caesar, would
you mingle eyes With one that tyes his points. 161X-—
Wint. T. 1. ii. 109 To mingle friendship farre is mingling
bloods. Ibid. iv. iv. 471 Oh cursed wretch, That knew'st
this was the Prince, and wouldst aduenture To mingle
faith with him. 1650 Howell GiraffVs Rev. Naples I, 20
The Bishop . . being not able to com himself to mingle
speech with him.
e. Card-making. (See quot. 1867.)
1837 [see Mingling vol. sb.]. 1867 Fry P laying-Card
Terms in Philol. Soc. Trans. 57 Mingle, to place papers, or
cardboards, intended to be pasted, in such a way, that the
paster can readily take up the sheets in the order in which
they are to be pasted.
3. To form or make up by mixing various
elements or ingredients, to concoct, compound.
1611 Bible Isa. v. 22 Woe unto them that are.. men of
strength to mingle strong drinke. 1667 Milton P. L. vi.
277 Hence then,, .to the place of evil, Hell, Thou and thy
wicked crew ; there mingle broiles, Ere this avenging Sword
begin thy doome. 1871 Blackie Four Phases \. 153 The
man whose duty it was to administer the drug mingled in a
bowl.
absoL 1635 Pagitt Christianogr. 1. iii. (1636) 121 He took
theCupofthefruitofthe Vine mingling, giving thankes[etc.].
+ b. To mix up so as to cause confusion in, to
confound. Obs.
1549 Latimer Ploughers (Arb.) 32 Thys is the marke at
the whyche the Deuyll shooteth,. .to mingle the institucjon
of the Loordes supper. 1551 Bible (Matthew) Gen. xi. 7
Let vs. .myngle theyr tonge euen there, that one vnderstand
not what an other sayeth.
4. intr. Of things material and immaterial : To
unite or combine in some intimate relation ; to join
together (or with another) ; to mix, blend.
1530 Palsgr. 634/2 Oyle and water wyll never mengyll
togyther. 1597 Shaks. 2 Hen. IV, v. it. 132 The Tide of
Blood in me, . . Now doth it turne, and ebbe backe to the Sea,
Where it shall mingle with the state of Floods. 167X Milton
P. R. iv. 453, I heard the rack As Earth and Skie would
mingle. 1756-7 tr. Keysler's Trav. (1760) III. 176 Which
discharge themselves into the Topino, and under that name
mingle with the Chiascio. 1787 G. White Selbome i. 4 The
soil becomes an hungry lean sand, till it mingles with the
forest. i86oTyndall(7/<zt. ii. App. 427 In nature, mechani-
cal and molecular laws mingle, and create apparent confu-
sion. 1885 W. C. Smith Kildrostan 52 When a wave,
Broken and spent, ebbs back, what should it do But mingle
with the new wave flowing in, And swell its volume?
5. Of a person : To mix or join oneself in any
kind of association with others; to have inter-
course with ; to move about among, or in a
gathering. Also, to be associated or take part
with others in some action or combination.
1605 Shaks. Macb. in. iv. 3 Our selfe will mingle with
Society, And play the humble Host. 1683 Temple Mem.
Wks. 1731 I. 38oSomeoftheTrain'd Bands, .mingled among
them. 1685 Otway Windsor Castle 24 Imagine Fate t'
have, .mingled in the Throng. 1769 Robertson CAas. V,
vi. Wks. 1813 VI. 106 He is dead to the world and ought
not to mingle in its transactions. 1818 Shelley Homer's
Hymn Moon 21 The Son of Saturn with this glorious
Power Mingled in love and sleep — to whom she bore
Pandeia. c i8zo S. Rogers Italy, Bologna 32 Observed,
nor shunned the busy scene of life, But mingled not. 185*
Thackeray Esmond 1. x, Nor caring to mingle with the
mere pleasures and boyish frolics of the students. 1870
E. Peacock Ralf Skirl. I. 8 They often mingled in Court
society. 187a Yeats Growth Comm. 138 The Batavians
mingled afterwards with the Frisians. 1885 Lata Times
LXX.X. 10/1 He is very anxious to avoid any appearance
of mingling in party disputes.
Mingleable (mi'rjg'liab'l), a.? Obs. [f. Mingle
v. + -able.] That may be mingled ; miscible.
1666 Boyle Orig. Formes fy Qual. 196 Pistill'd Lkjuors,
readily & totally mingleable with Water. 1682 Grew
Atiat. Plants, Disc. Mixture App. 237 So as to become
easily mingleable with any unoyly Liquor.
Mingled (mi-ng'ld), ppl. a. [f. Mingle v. +
-ed l.] In senses of the verb.
1335 Coverdale Lev. xix. io Nether sowe thy felde with
myngled sede. 1611 Bible Jcr. xxv. 20 All the mingled
people, a 1739 J. Rogers iq Serin. U735) 330 Even the best
of us appear contented with a mingled, imperfect Virtue.
1746 Hervey Medit. (1818) 32 See their mingled graces
transfused into their offspring. 1859 Kingsley Misc. (i860)
I. 40 Her mingled justice and mercy.
b. Of textile fabrics : Woven in mixed colours.
1655 E. Terry Vay. E. India 118 Silk, of which they make
Velvets, Sattins, Taffataes, either plain, or mingled, or
striped in party-colours. 1639 Howell Vocab. xxv, Mingled
cloath,/rt««(7 mt'schio, ofianno vergato.
Hence f Mi'ngledly adv. rare.
1573 Baret Alv. H 381 Here and there, mingledly,
sparsim. 1650 W. Sclater Comm. Malachy 24 Duties to
him performed, mingledly, of feare and love.
Mingle-mangle (mrnglimarrjgT. Also 6
myngle mangle, mingle mangel. [A varied
reduplication of Mingle sb.] A mixture; fa
mess of mixed food for swine. Chiefly in con-
temptuous or disgusted use, a confused medley
(of things or persons).
1549 Latimer 3rd Sertn. be/. Edw. VI (Arb.) 98 They
469
say in my contrye, when they cal theyr hogges to the
swyne troughe Come to thy myngle mangle, come pyr.
1549 Coverdale, etc. Erasm. Par. fas. 25 Their doctrine
is ouer muche tempred with myngle mangle. 1603 Dekkek
Wonderful Year D j, The maine Army consisting, .of a
mingle-mangle, vi/. dumpish Mourners, merry Sextons [etc.].
1623 Lisle Mlfric on O. $ N. Test. To Rdr. 37 Tell me
not it [the English tongue] is a mingle-mangle. 1741 S. A.
Laval Hist. Reform IV. vm. 1035 A Speech . . no better than
a Mingle-mangle of base Adulations, i860 A it Year Round
No. 70. 476 This mingle-mangle of dirty lanes, solemn,
sorrow-stricken gaols [etc.].
b. attrib. or as adj. Like a mingle-mangle or
hotch-potch, mixed confusedly.
'577 Hanmer A ne. Eccl. Hist. (1663) 73 Tatianus. . patched
together, I wot not what kind of mingle-mangle consonancy
of the Gospels. 1589 J. Rider Bibl. Schot., In mingle
mangle wise, or conftisedlye. a 1641 Up. Mountagu Acts
<r Mon. (1642) 468 Professing a mingle-mangle^ hotch-potch
religion. 1799 Southey St. Gualberto xxv, The mingle-
mangle mass of truth and lies. 1888 I'all Mall G. 2 Oct.
9/1 The wine drunk nowadays was a mingle-mangle mixture
of all things except that which was good.
So Mingle-mangle v. trans., to make a mingle-
mangle of, whence Mingle-mangler. Also
Mlngle-mangleness.
1549 Coverdale, etc. Erasm. Par. 7as. iv. 7-17 Whoso
euer backbiteth his neighbour, he either condemneth the
lawe,..or backbiteth it as though it were to muche myngle
mangled, and walowyshe. 1550 Latimer Last Scrm. bef.
Edtv. I*/ (1562) 119 Yet ther be Leaueners yet styll and
mingle manglers, that haue sowred Christes doctrine, with
the leauen of the Pharises. 1614 J. Taylor (Water-P.)
Nipping Abuses IJ 3 b, How pitteous then mans best of
wit is martyr'd, . . So mingle mangled and so hack't and
hewd. 1694 Motteux Rabelais iv. lx. (173^) 247 Then is
sacrifie'd to him, Haberdines, Poor-Jack, minglemangled,
mishmxsh'd. 1827 Southey Lett. (1856) IV. 56, I wish you
could see what is done, which for oddity, mingle-mangleness,
and out-of-the-wayness may vie with anything that has ever
preceded it.
Minglement (mirjg'lment). [f. Mingle v. +
-MENT.J The action of mingling; an instance or
result of this, a mixture.
1674 N. Fairfax Bulk <v Selv. 28 'Tis taking in a daily
minglement of bigger bodies. 1823 Moore Loves 0/ Angels
in. xii. 259 That happy minglement of hearts. 1868 Con-
temp. Rev. VIII. 560 The difficulty is, not to produce
minglement of race, but to keep blood pure.
Mingler (mi-rjgba). [f. Mingle v. + -EB1.]
One who mingles, in senses of the verb.
1581 Act 23 Eliz. c. 8 § 1 The said Melter, Myngler or
Corrupter, Causer or Procurer thereof, shall forfeyte [etc.].
1605 Verstegan Dec. Intell. vii. 203 Chaucer . . was in deed
a great mingler of English with French. 1678 Cudworth
Intell. Syst. 306 Proclus..was indeed a confounder of the
Platonick theology, and a mingler of much unintelligible
stuff with it. 1888 A. S. Wilson Lyric of Hopeless Love i2r
No sense of mine can hear or spy The mingler of the spell.
Mingling (mi-ng(Urj), vbl. si. [f. Mingle v.
+ -ing 1.] The action of the vb. Mingle.
1513 More Edw. V, Wks. 63/2 The mengling of whose
bloodes together, hath bene the effusion of great parte of
the noble bloode of this reahne. 1626 Bacon Sylva § 232
Sound is likewise Meliorated by the Mingling of open Aire
with Pent Aire. 1819 T. Chalmers in Mem. (1850) II. 250
From my extensive minglings with the people, I am quite
confident in affirming [etcj. 1837 Whittock, etc. Bk. Trades
(1842) 99 (Cardmialrer) The various sorts of paper of which
a card-board is composed are then placed alternately in the
manner called by the trade 'mingling'. 1883 Athcmeum
1 Dec. 695/1 There was a constant mingling of merchant
princes and illustrious professors.
Mingling (mi'nglir)), ppl. a. [f. Mingle v.
+ -ing?] That mingles, in senses of the verb.
Hence Mi'nglingly adv. (Webster 1847-54).
173S Somerville Chase 11. 408 The Forest seems One
mingling Blaze. 1812 Byron Ch. liar. 11, xxiii, When
mingling souls forget to blend, Death hath but little left
him to destroy !
t Mingly. Obs. rare. Also 6 mengl(e)y.
[? Alteration of mengle, Mingle sb., after Medley.]
A mixture or medley.
154S Elyot Diet., Aceruatim, in heapes, without ordre,
in a mengley [1548-52 mengle]. 1565 Cooper Thesaurus,
I Ciunus..a mengly [1578 mingly] of diuers thinges together.
Minheer, obs. form of Mynheer.
Miniaceous (mini<?i-j3s), a. [f. L. minidce-us,
j f. minium native cinnabar, also red-lead : see
-aceous.] Of a cinnabar-red colour. = Miniate a.
1688 R. Holme Armoury 11. 313/1 Miniaceous colour,
a scarlet, or vermilion colour. 1846 Dana Zooph. (1848) 643
Cortex miniaceous within.
Miniard, Miniardize : see Migniard, -ize.
Miniate (minu"t),o. rare-". [ad.L.niinial-us,
pa. pple. of minidre to Miniate.] (See quots.)
1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., Miniate, coloured like red-lead ;
vermilion-coloured. 1900 Jackson Gloss. Bot. Terms,
Miniate, the colour of red lead ; more orange and duller
than vermilion.
Miniate (mrnie't), v. [f. L. minidt-, ppl. stem
of minid-re (f. minium: see Minium) + -ate 3.]
trans. To colour or paint with vermilion ; to rubri-
cate or (in extended sense) to illuminate (a manu-
script). Also trans/.
1657-83 Evelyn Hist. Relig. (1850) I. 30 Flowery parterres
of roses, lilies, tulips . . dressed, figured, fringed, folded,
miniated and decked by the hand of Him who made the
heavens. 1670 Blount Glossogr. (ed. 3), Miniated, painted,
or inlaid ; as we read of Porcellane-dishes miniated with gold.
1774 Warton Hist. Eng. Poetry (1781) III. Gcsta Rom. 5
All the capitals in the body of the text are miniated with
MINIATURE.
a pen. 1862 Burgon ±*ett. fr. Rome ii. 16 Vermilion is
introduced abundantly. Thus, the first verse of St. John's
gospel is miniated.
Miniator (miTiitf'tai). [a. L. minia/or, agent-
noun f. minidre: see Miniate v. Cf. It. minia-
lore, Sp. miniador (Minsheu).] One who 'mi-
niates' (a manuscript), a rubricator, an illuminator.
1865 M. Pattison in Q. Rev. Apr. 359 But for copies ' de
luxe', ..copyist and miniator still continued in request.
Miniatons (miruV'tas), a. [f. L. minidl-us,
pa. pple. of minidre : see Miniate a. and -ous.]
Of the colour of minium or red-lead; miniate.
1826 Kirdy & Sp. Entomol. IV. xlvi. 279 Miniatous,. .the
colour of red lead.
Miniature (mi-niatidr, mi'nitiCu", sb. and a.
Also 7-8 mignature, minature, miniture. [ad.
It. miniatura, a. med.L. minidtura, i. minidre to
rubricate, illuminate : see Miniate v. Cf. F.
miniature (1653 in Hatz.-Parm.).
The small size characteristic of paintings in miniature has
led to a pseudo-etymological association of the word with
the L. mm- expressing smallness (in minor less, minimus
least, miuuere to diminish), which has prob. affected the
development of the transferred and figurative senses.]
A. sb.
f 1. The action or process of rubricating letters
or of illuminating a manuscript. Obs.
1645 Evelyn Diary 18-23 Jan-. Mss- of remarkable
miniature. 1686 [G. Hickls] Spec. B. Virginis 9 If ihe
names of other Saints are distinguished with Miniature,
Her's ought to Shine with Gold.
2. concr. A picture in an illuminated manuscript,
an illumination ; also, illuminated work in general.
1680 Evelyn Diary 2 Sept., [There] were 3 or 4 Romish
breviaries, with a great deal of miniature and monk^h
painting and gilding. . .There is also the processe of the
philosophers great elixer, represented in divers pieces of
excellent miniature. 1803 Asti.e Orig. Writing viii. 195
Miniatures preserved in some of the finest and best executtd
manuscripts in Europe. 1895 E. M. Thompson [Eng. Ilium.
MSS. 36 It is a very beautiful manuscript, written on fine
vellum. ., and decorated with miniatures.
3. The designation of the branch of pictorial
art developed from the art of the media;val illumi-
nator ; the painting of ' miniatures ' (in sense 4
below). Chiefly in phrase in miniature.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Miniature,. -the art of drawing
pictures in little, being commonly done with red lead. 1669
A. Browne Ars Pictoria 77 The Art of Miniture or Limning.
1679 Evekard Popish Plot 3 She further produced a picture
in mignature of the said Chancellor. 1712 tr. Pomct's Hist.
Drugs I. 14 A sort of Pink for Painting in Oil and Minia-
ture. 1759 Johnson Idler No. 64 r 4, I . .heard every day
of a wonderful performer in crayons and miniature, and
sent my pictures [sc. portrails] to be copied. 1771 H. Wai.-
pole Vertue's Anecd. Paint. IV. 90 Painters in Enamel and
Miniature. 1821 Craig Led. Drawing- vi. 345 The practice
of portrait painting in miniature. 1887 Propert Miniature
ArtPrtf.s Materials., illustrative of the history of miniature.
4. concr. A portrait ' in miniature ' ; a portrait
painted on a small scale and with minute finish,
usually on ivory or vellum; formerly always in
water colour, but now often in oil.
1716 Lady M. W. Montagu Lett. 10 Oct. (1887) I. 129
There are a vast quantity of paintings, among which are
many fine miniatures. 1765 H. Walpoi.e Vertue's Anecd.
Paint. I. 73 His [Holbein's] miniatures have all the strength
of oil-colours joined to the most finished delicacy. 1815
J. Smith Panorama Sci. «, Art II. 743 Miniatures are
painted with extreme precision and brilliancy.. .1 hey may
be executed either with oil or water-colours. i854Thackeray
Newcomcs I. 53 A feeble miniature of the lady with yellow
ringlets. .
5. trans/, and fig. A reduced image; a repre-
sentation on a small scale. Also occas. a minutely
finished production.
a 1586 Sidney Arcadia 11. (1590) 150 As the Ladies plaid
them in the water,.. the water (making lines in his face)
seemed, .with twentie bubbles, not to be content to haue the
picture of their face in large vpon him, but he would in ech
of those bubbles set forth the miniature of them, a 1680
Rochester Let.fr. Artemha in Tenon, Kiss me, thou
curious Minature of Man [sc. a Monkey]. 1697 Dryden
Mncis Ded., Ess. (ed. Ker)II. 157 Tragedy is the miniature
of human life; an epic poem is the draught at length.
a 1711 Ken Preparatives Poet. Wks. 1721 IV. 35 '1 he great
Creator's Power and Wisdom shine, Concenter'd in this
Miniature Divine [sc. a fly]. 1827 De Quincey Murder
Wks. 1862 IV. a As to Shakspere.. witness his incomparable
miniature in Henry VI of the murdered Gloucester. 1842
Tennyson Gard. Dan. 12 A miniature of loveliness, all
grace Summ'd up and closed in little. 1856 Emerson Eng.
Trails, Land Wks. (Bohn) II. 18 In variety of surface,
Britain is a miniature of Europe. >
b. In miniature : on a small scale ; in a brief
or abridged form.
1700 Southerne Fate of Capua iv. iv, How have I hung
upon the little lines Of that dear face,. .To find the mother
there in minature. 1704 Swift T. Tub Wks. 1768 I. 32
Their persons I shall describe particularly and at length ;
their genius and understandings in mignature. 1813 T.
Busby Lucretius I. 11. Comm. 34 That which is correct in
miniature will be true in the large, i860 Maury Phys. Geo/.
Sea (Low) xvi. 698 Land and sea breezes are monsoons in
miniature. 1872 Spurgeon Treas. Dav. Ps. lxv. 4 This
verse is a body of divinity in miniature.
C. Minuteness of workmanship. rare~ '.
c 1790 Imison Sell. A rt I. 243 The human mind is infinitely
insufficient to explore the amazing and inconceivcablc
gradations of miniature in every part of nature.
% 6. A lineament.
MINIATURE.
470
MINIM.
16*9 Massinger Picture iv. i, There are lines Of a darke
colour, that disperse themselues Ore euery miniature of her
face. 1636 — Gt. Dk. Flor. v. ii, There's no miniature In
her faire face, but is a copious theme Which would . . make
a volume. Whatcleare arcVd browes? what sparkling eyes?
7. attrib. and Comb., as miniature art, colour,
drawing, -kind, painter, painting, -picture, portrait ;
miniature-initial, an ornamental initial having a
miniature picture painted within it.
1711 Shaftesb. Charac. (1737) I. 143 note, When a Piece
is of the Miniature-ktnd *, when it runs into the Detail, and
nice Delineation of every little particular. 1733 School 0/
Miniature 15 Miniature Colours. Ibid. 17, I advise all
Miniature Painters to practise it. 1781 {title) Miniature
Pictures. Written Originally by Mr. Gray. . . Newly adapted
to The most Fashionable and Public Characters. 1797
Encycl. Brit. fed. 3) XII. 146 Miniature-painting. 1806
Suhr Winter in Loud. (ed. 3) III. 85 A very small miniature
portrait of a gentleman. 1883 Encycl. Brit. XVI. 439/2
With regard to miniature art in Germany, .little can be said.
1895 E. M. Thompson Eng. Ilium. MSS. 43 The first fifty-
six leaves are occupied by a series of most exquisite
miniature drawings. Ibid. 60 The. .ornamental-initial (to
be distinguished from the miniature-initial).
B. adj. Represented on a small scale.
1714 Gay Fan 1. 170 Here shall the Pencil bid its Colours
flow, And make a Miniature Creation grow. 1740 Chevne
Regimen 180 He might, no doubt, have foreknown every
thing.. by the self-motive Powers of his created miniature
Judges. 1816 Accum Chem. Tests (1818) 321 Very little can
be determined in these miniature assays. 1812-56 Df.
Quincey Confess. (1862) 122, I. .took a very miniature suite
of rooms. 187a Jenkinson Guide Eng. Lakes (1879) 150
This stream contains many lovely miniature cascades.
miniature (mrniatiuj, mi'nitioi), v. [f. Mi-
niature sb.]
1. trans. To embellish (a manuscript) with mi-
niatures.
1716 M. Davies At/ten. Brit. III. 85 A MS.. .in Golden
Letters upon Vellum miniatur'd.
2. To represent or describe in miniature.
1833 Neiv Monthly Mag. XXXVIII. 402 Take this round
orb ; it miniatures the world, 1865 S. Lanier /Wwj (1884)
231 Still shine the words that miniature his deeds. 1895
H. Callan From Clyde to Jordan xxix. 302 Is not the
whole Anglo-Egyptian situation miniatured in this incident?
3. To reduce to miniature dimensions. Hence
Miniaturing vbl. sb. (in quot. attrib?}.
1881 Nature No. 622. 514 Three sets of achromatic lenses
forming a focal power of forty at ten inches, or a miniaturing
power of one fortieth.
Miniaturist (mi*niatiurist, mi*nitiurist). [f.
Miniature sb. -t-ist. Cf. F. miniaturiste.]
1. One who executed the miniature-illuminations
of a manuscript ; a miniator,
1851 Millington tr. Didron's Ckr. Iconogr. I. 260 It is
possible, .that the deficiency is owing to an error of the
miniaturist. 1892 J. H. Middleton Ilium. MSS. 255 When
the scribe, the rubricator, the illuminator and the miniaturist
. . had completed the manuscript it was ready for the binder.
2. One who paints miniature pictures or portraits.
1856 Thackeray Christmas Bks. (1872) 52 A couple of
young artists, young Pinkey the miniaturist and George
Kumbold the historical painter.
Minibus (mi*nibz>s). ? Obs. [f. L. minimus
least, smallest, after omnibus.'] (See quots.)
1849 Craig, Minibus, a light covered vehicle, constructed
for the expeditious conveyance of passengers for short
distances. 1857 Otte tr. Quatrefages* Rambles Nat. II.
143 A tolerably good road now joins Biarritz to Bayonne.
Various omnibuses and minibuses, .carry on an active traffic.
1864 Macm. Mag. X. 205/2 When the first street cab or
' minibus' was set up in it [St. Andrews].
Minie (mi'nte). The name of the inventor of
the Minie' bullet (see below) used attrib., as
Minie ball, ballet, an elongated bullet invented
by M. Minie of Vincennes, which, when fired,
was expanded by the powder contained in an
iron cup inserted in a cavity at its base ; Minie*
rifle, a rifle adapted for firing the Minie bullet
(see quot. 1876).
1853 Stocquelkr Milit. Diet, Minie Rifle, or Culot Ball,
a new species of fire-arm. 1838 Greener Gunnery 350 In
1847 and 1848 Captain Minie. .proposed a hollow iron cup
to fill up the cavity in Delvigne's bullet, and from this
circumstance we get the name of Minie rifle. 1859 Lever
Dav. Dunn xiii. 113 Under all that hailstorm of Minie-balls.
1876 Vovle & Stevenson Milit. Diet. s. v., In 1851 a rifle
musket of the Minie* pattern was supplied to the English
army... It was found to be defective in practice, and was
superseded by the Enfield rifle in 1853. 1884 H. Bond
Milit. Small Arms 202 This discovery caused, .the Minie*
rifle (an ordinary rifle firing a Minie bullet) to become the
favourite arm.
Minifer, variant of Miniver.
Minify (mi-nifoi), v. [Incorrectly f. L. minor
less, minimus least, after magnify."]
L trans. To diminish in estimated size or im-
portance; to regard or represent (something) as
smaller than it really is.
1676 Doctrine 0/ Devils Ep. Rdr., Their magnifying his
Irady into animmensity sometimes ; and then again at the
same time minifying him in the smallest atomes of a wafer-
cake. 1834-43 Southey Doctor exevii. (1862) 524 Is man
magnified or minified by considering himself as under the
influence of the heavenly bodies? 189a Lounsburv Stud.
Chaucer II. v. 304 The achievements of these celebrated
men were minified rather than magnified.
2. To reduce in actual size or importance; to
lessen.
1866 Contemp. Rev. I. 91 These are powerless,— we will
not say altogether to repress and eradicate these evils, but
to minify them.
Hence Mi'nified///. a., Minifying vbl. sb. and
///. a.
1837 J. Dixon M'NicolIs Whs. Mem. D. M'Nicoll 20 It
[Divine truth] is crude or well-digested,, .minified or sublime,
just in proportion to the qualities of his [the instructor's]
mind. 1850 T. Parker Wks. (1863) IV. 205, I have not seen
anything very great in General Taylor, though I have
diligently put my eye to the magnifying glasses of his
political partizans; neither have I seen any thing uncommonly
mean and little m him, though I have also looked through
the minifying glasses of his foes. 1906 J. Orr Problem
O. T. viii. 266 On these [phenomena] the minifying end of
the critical telescope is persistently turned.
Minik (mi'nik). Short for Minikin (sense 5).
1899 N. fy Q. 9th Ser. IV. 535 Minik. This name is applied
by match-makers to their smaller-sized wooden splints.
Minikin (mi'nikin), sb. and a. Forms: 6
mynykyn, menekyn, -in, menyking, 6-8 mini-
ken, minnekin, 7 mynnikin, 7-8 miniking,
6-9 minnikin, minikin. Also 7 minckirs
(sing.), [ad. early mod.Du. minneken (MDu.
minnekijii), f. minne love + -kijn -kin.]
A. sb.
1. A playful or endearing term for a female. Obs.
exc. dial, (see quot. 1879).
a 1550 Image Ipocr. in Skelton's Wks. (1843) II. 419/1
Your riche rmges, ..Which your mynykyns And mynyon
babbes,..\Vhen masse and all is done, Shall were at after*
none. 1605 Land. Prodigal in. iii. E 3 Minckins looke you
doe not follow me. 1608 Day Hum. out of Br. 11. v, You
take your parts too low, you are trebble Courtiers, and will
neuer agree with these Country Mynnikins. 1618 B. Holi-
day Technog. v. vi. {1630I O 3 Melan [to Musica]. .Come,
my little Minikin, thou and I will be play-fellowes. 1640
Glapthorne Hollander 11. C4 b, Surely the Minikin is
enamoured on me. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey^, Minnekin
or Minks, a nice Dame, a mincing Lass. 1879 Miss Jackson
Skropsh. Word-bk., Minikin, a slight, delicate, affected girl
— ' sich a minikin as *er is '.
t 2. A thin string of gut used for the treble string
of the lute or viol. Also attrib., as minikin string.
1541 Rutland MSS. (1905) IV. 325 For ij dossen off lewte
stnnges callyd ' menekyns '. 1545 Ascham Toxoph. 1. 2 b, In
luting, .a treble minikin string must alwayes be let down,
but at suche time as when a man must nedes playe. 1580
Ace. Bk. W. Wray in Antiquary XXXII. 81, ij knotes of
menykinges, iiij d. 1667 Pepys Diary 18 Mar., Mr. Oesar
told me a pretty experiment of his, of angling with a minni-
kin— a gut-string varnished over, a 167a Hacket Abp.
Williams 1. (1693) 147 Sir Francis Answered him with the
Old Simile, That his Lordship was no good Musician, for
he would peg the Minikin so high, till it crack'd. 1676
T. Mace Musick^s Mon. 65 Be carefull to get Good Strings,
which would be of three sorts, viz. Minikins, Venice-Catlins,
and Lyons. 1721 C. King Brit. Merck. I. 284 Lutestrings
Catlings . . Minikings.
b. esp. in the phrase f to tickle (the) minikin,
to play the lute or fiddle. (Frequently used by
early 17th c. dramatists, often with allusive sug-
gestion of sense 1.)
1601 ? Marston Pasquil «y Kath. 1. 14 When I was a yong
man and could tickle the Minikin, ..I had the best stroke,
the sweetest touch, but now.. I am falne from the Fidle, and
betooke me to thee [the Pipe]. 1608 Middleton Fat//.
Love 1. iii, Of which consort you two are grounds, one
touches the Base, and the other tickles the minikin. 1635
[Glapthorne] Lady^ Mother n. i. in Bullen O. PI. II. 131
Thou dost tickle minikin as nimbly.
Jig. phrase. 1606 Dkkker News from Hell Hyb, Perge
mentiri. Tickle the next Minkin [sic).
f c. trans/, of a high-pitched voice. Obs.
160a Marston Ant. $ Mel. in. ii, Cast. Good, very good,
very passing passing good. Fel. Fut, what trebble minikin
squeaks there, ha? good? very good, very very good?
3. trans/, and Jig. A small or insignificant thing;
a diminutive creature.
1761 Colm ax Genius No. II. in Prose Sev.Occas. (1787)1.22
A make-weight in the scale of mortality ; a minim of nature ;
a mannikin, not to say minnikin. 1787 Minor iv. viii. 232
I shan't advance a minikin beyond the truth. 1804W0LCOT
(P. Pindar) Ep. to Ld. Mayor Wks. 1816 IV. 278, I shall
suppose, That Addington's invet'rate foes Impede this
honest scheme of thine. Then take this minikin of mine.
1808 E. S. Barrett Miss-led General 166 A son — a very
minnikin indeed. Ibid. 168 Le panvre petit garcon, the
fiddler's minnikin.
4. A small kind of pin (cf. B. 5 below).
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Minnekius, the smallest sort
of Pins, us'd by Women for their Clothes. 1755 in Johnson.
1857MRS. Mathews Tea-Table Talk I. 235 [An] apprentice
..with haply a provident row of minikins darned with
precision on his sleeve. 1881 in Leicestersh. Gloss.
5. (See quot. ; also Minik.)
185J-4 Tomlinson's Cycl. Useful Arts (1866) II. 143/1
The large [match] splints or the second size called mtnnikins.
6. Typogr. A size of type smaller than * brilliant \
1890 Jacobi Printing.
7. Comb. : + minikin tickler, a fiddler.
1607 Marston What yon ivill iv. i, A fiddler, a scraper,
a miniken tickler, a pum, pum.
B. adj.
1. Dainty, elegant, sprightly. Now contemp-
tuously : Affected, mincing.
a. of a person; formerly of a girl or woman,
but now applied to a person of either sex. Also
in jingling combinations, minikin-finikin, -finical.
1573 Tusser Husb. (1878) 20 The credite. .of mistresse, to
minnekin Nan. 1598 Florio, Mingherlina, a daintie lasse,
a minnikin smirking wench. 1600 Holland Livy xxxix.
vi. 1026 Then came up the maner of having at bankets
singing miniken wenches, and such as could play upon the
dulcimers. 1696 Tryon Misc. iv. 121 Fare.. such as the
Proud Wives and Miniking Daughters would scarce offer
to their .. Dogs. 1768 Bickekstaef Lionel <y Clarissa
1.(1781.) 9 A coxcomb, a fop. .A minikin, Finikin, French
powder-puff. 1858 Hawthorne Fr. A> It. Notc-bks. II. 143,
I wish I could put into.. one sentence the pettiness, the
minikin-finical effect of this little man. lSBSShejfield Gloss.,
Minikin, delicate, effeminate. Frequently used in the
phrase, 'he's a minikin-finikin fellow'.
b. of a person's actions, attributes, etc.
1545 Ascham Toxoph. \. 10 b, The minstrelsie of lutes,
pipes, harpes, and all other that standeth by suche nice, fine,
minikin fingering, .is farre more fitte for the womannish-
nesse of it to dwell in the courte among ladies. 1781 T.
Twining in Set. Papers Twining Fan/. (1887) 101 What
have you and I to do with., the minikin duties of civility
and biensiancet 187a S. Mostyn Perplexity I. x. 190
None of your minnikin governess- schemes for me.
Comb. 1876 Browning Pacchiarotto viii, And his voice,
that out-roared Boanerges, How minikin-mildly it urges.
f 2. Of a voice : Shrill. (Cf. A. 2 c above.)
160a Marston Ant. ty Mel. v. i, I had rather haue a
seruant with a short nose, and a thinne haire, then haue
such a high stretcht minikin voice. 1608 Shaks. Lear 111.
vi. 45 (Qtos. 1-2) For one blast of thy minikin mouth, thy
sheepe shall take no harme.
3. Of a thing : Diminutive in size or form ;
miniature; tiny. Also in + minikin name, a pet
name, endearing diminutive.
1589 R. Harvey PI. Perc. 9 Euery cut-purse vseth them
[their words] at the Old Bayly, that hath had any skill in his
miniken Handsaw. 1617 Collins Def. Bp. Ely 11. x. 444 The
Church is the better for beeing without them [sc. miracles],
without sicke dogges healed, and lame cattes cured by your
minikin-miracles, done at Minich. 1756 Mks. F. BrookeC/^
Maid No. 34 (1764) 279 Polly Instep, the dancing-master's
daughter, insists upon being called Pally, ' because (says she)
. .it is the minikin name for Pallas '. 1778 [W. Marshall]
Minutes Agric. 1 July an. 1775 Make it into light minikin
cocks. 1784 Cowper To the Halibut, In thy minikin and
embryo state. 1826 Hoou Fairy Tale i, A little hou^e
some years ago there stood, A minikin abode. 1847 bait's
Mag. XIV. 449 He was pervious all over, and allowed
minnikin arrows.. to rouse his rage. 1851 Thackeray Eng.
Hum. iv. (1858) 188 They [sc. pastorals] are to poetry what
charming little Dresden figures are to sculpture ; graceful,
minikin, fantastic. 1887 Ruskin Prwterita II. 154 In the
distance., the great walnut-trees have become dots, and the
farmsteads, minikin as if they were the fairy-finest of models
to be packed in a box.
f4. Used to designate some kind of baize. Obs.
1604 Lismore Papers Ser. 11. (1887) 1. 108, Vij yeards halfe
of minikin bayste to make y* same gowne. a 16x6 Beaum.
& Fu Scorn/. Lady 1. (1616) C 2, Steward this is as plaine
as your olde minikin breeches. _ 1711 C. King Brit. Merck.
II. 306 Bays (Double or Minikin) by the same Tariff.
5. Minikin pin (see A. 4 above).
174a Phil. Trans. XLII. £7 Minnikin Pins, or small Pins.
1843 Hood Drop of Gin iii, No prospect in life worth a
minnikin pin.
Hence Mi'nikinly adv.
1580 Baret Alv. G 30 Galantly, gaily, mmikinly [1573
reads mimonly]. 16*3 tr, Favine's Theat. Honour 11. vi.
no, I think it a matter hard to. .represent a Floure de
Luce minikinly trussed, but by an excellent Painter.
Minim (mrnim), a. and sb. Forms : 5 mynyn,
mynnym, 6 mynym(me, minnum, 6-7 minime,
minum, (6 minnem, *j minem, min(n)om,
minimme, (minume), 6- minim, [ad. L. mi-
nim-us smallest, a superlative f. the root mitt- :
see Minor. The sb. represents various elliptical
or absolute uses ot the adj. in med.L. Cf. F.
minime adj. and sb.]
A. adj. Smallest, extremely small. fOf a
particle : Atomic. Obs.
a 1670 Hacket Christian Consolat. ii, in Heber Taylor
(1822) 1. 108 For nailing our great sins to the cross of Christ,
and for acquitting us from the innumerable fry of minim
sins. 1684 tr. Sonet's Merc. Compit. xviii. 620/2 [Quick-
silver] is a Body most exactly mixt, and its minime Parts
do pertinaciously one stick to another. 1600 N. Lee
Massacre of Paris m. ii, Fat Porcpise Bauds, the Mer-
maids too of Honour, The Minim Pages, all the twinkling
Host So fill'd, the Snare of Hell must crack to hold you.
i8ji Blackw. Mag. VIII. 663 The savage tribes, .sent forth
their puny fleets Athirst for blood, and wing'd with minim
sails. 1876 Geo. Eliot Dan. Der. v. xxxviii, A minim
mammal which you might imprison in the finger of your
glove. 1876 R. Bridges Growth of Love Iv, For man, a
minim jot in time and space.
B. sb.
L Mus. A symbol for a note half the value of a
semibreve and double the value of a crotchet; a
note of this value. Also attrib., as minim rest.
In ancient music this note was of the shortest duration, hence
its name not a minima', in modernmusic it is second in
value to the semibreve. The symbol is figured with an open
head, in shape round, inclining to oval (formerly lozenge-
shaped), and with a tail.
C1440 Promp. Pan: 338/1 Mynyn' of songys {Hart. MS.
2274, P., mynyml, minima. 14. . Proverbs in Antiq. Rep.
(1809) IV. 408 He maakithe so his mynnyms fro the square,
that it shall sownde wronge. 1550 Marbeck Bk. Com.
Prayer noted A ij, The iii. {note is] a prycke and is a myn-
ymme. 1587 Golding De Mornay xii. (1617) 184 Our life
is lesse than a short Minim in comparison of a whole song.
I5pj Shaks. Rom. <r Jul. 11. iv. 22 He fights as you sing
pncksong,..he rests his minum, one, two, and the third in
your bosom. 1609 Douland Ornith. Aticrol. 39 A Minime
is a Figure like a Sembreefe hauing a tayle, ascending or
descending. x6ai Peacham Co/npi. Gentl. xi. (1634) 101 A
minim rest. 178a Burney Hist. Mus. II. Hi. 185 A Long
and a Breve.. differ no more in their effect on the ear, than
a Minim and Crotchet.
MINIMAL.
trans/. 1596 Spenser F. Q.x\. x. 28 Great Gloriana . .
Pardon thy shepheard, mongst so many layes As he hath
sung of thee.. To make one minime of thy poore handmayd.
2. Calligraphy. A single down stroke of the
pen; esp. in Court- or Secretary -hand, the short
down stroke in the letters m, n, u, etc.; also attrib.
t To be in one's minims : to be learning to write
' straight strokes '.
1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 1020 Those who when
they write a running hand in haste, doe not alwaies make
out the letters full, but use pricks, minims and dashes. 1607
Dekker ft Webster Westw. Hoe 11. i. She tooke her let-
ters very suddenly : and is now in her Minoms. 1612
Bkinsley I.ud. Lit. 39 Striuing. .to make minimes, and
such like letters sharp at tops & bottoms, or iust to the pro-
portion of their copies. 1658 Cocker Peris Triumph 14
For Set Secretary. . . Your miliums must be all alike, as the
down-right stroke of the a, the strokes of the t, m, «, it, and
the first of the w. 1674 Jeake Arith. (1696) 293 And so in-
creasing the Minnoms according to the Index of the Figural
Number. ;■ 1680 Cocker Pens Perfection 6 You must shape
the nib of your pen to the breadth of the minum stroke.
1771 Luckombe Hist. Printing 254 So far [mi) they [the
Romans] could easily number the miniums [sic] or strokes
with a glance of the eye. 1800 Collectanea (O.H.S.) II.
290 Mr. Jacobs reads ' pointeur . It might be read ' poni-
teur', there being three minims between the o and the I.
3. The least possible portion (of something), a
' jot ' ; in scientific use, f an atom, minute particle.
1592 Nashe Four Lett. Con/ut. (1593) 54 Canst thou ex-
emplify vnto mee..one minnum of the particular deuice of
his play that I purbind ? 1590 — Lenten Stuffe 28, I vary
not a minnum from him. 1657 Trapp Coimii. Ps. ii. 12 ' When
his wrath is kindled but a little '. It it sometimes let out in
minnums. 1662 Stillingel. Orig. Sacr. m. ii. § 16 Therefore
Tully asks that question, C-ur declinet uno minimo, noti
dechnet duobus aut tribusl why only it declines one minime,
and not two or three. 1686 Goad Celest. Bodies in. ii. 440
The Red Earth may be more resolvable into Minims, than
a White Chalk, or Marble. 1766 Amorv Buncle (1770) IV. 94
By impregnating the most generous white wine, with the
minims or leasts of antimony. 1884 Public Opinion 5 Sept.
290/2 He has not the smallest intention of.. yielding one
minim of the rights and interests of Germany.
4. A creature or thing of the least size or im-
portance. Chiefly used contemptuously of a
person. Minim of nature, one of the smallest
forms of animal life.
1500 Bp. Andrewes Serm. (1629) 279 They be the base
people, the minims of the world. 1600 Ev. Woman in Hum.
it. 1. D 3, What will ye ? heere he is, you minime. 1667
Milton P. L. vil. 482 At once came forth whatever creeps
the ground.. not all Minims of Nature; some of Serpent
kinde Wondrous in length. 1679 V. Alsop Melius Inqui.
readmit 11. viii. 367 The Minims of Justice ought to vail to
the Magnalia of Charity. 1762 Goldsm. Cit. W. cxv, With
what a degree of satirical contempt must they. .see., minims,
the tenants of an atom, thus arrogating a partnership in the
creation of universal nature I 1823 Lamb Elia Ser. 11.
Tombs in Abbey, These insignificant pieces of money, these
minims to their sight. 1863 Cowden Clarke Shahs. Char.
xii. 314 He must be a minim of a historian who confines
himself to those facts only. 1873 Browning RedCott. Nt.-
cap 228 This insect on my parapet,— Look how the marvel
of a minim crawls !
5. A friar belonging to the mendicant order
(Ordo Minimorum Eremitarum) founded by St.
Francis of Paula (c. 1416-1507). Also attrib.
1546 Langley tr. Pol. Verg. TO. v. 142 b, The order of
Minimes or lest brethren were founded by one Franciscus
Paula. 1638 Baker tr. Balzac's Lett. (vol. III.) 49 The
Fathers of the Minimme Order. 1671 Woodhead St.
Teresa 11. xxxv. 232 The Fathers Minims were then come
hither to found, a 1718 Penn Maxims Wks. 1726 I. 825
He [the covetous man] always looks like Lent : a sort of
Lay-Minim, a 1774 Goldsm. tr. Scarroris Com. Romance
(1775) I. 124 Two Minim friars of the Trinity of the Mount
..ran to my assistance. 1885 W. W. Roberts Pontif.
Decrees Introd. 53 The Minims Le Seur and Jacquier were
permitted to bring out the treatise.
8. (See quot.) [In Fr. minime (f coulettr de
minime, gris de minime, Cotgr.) ; according to
Littre' from the colour of the robe of the Minim
Friars : see 5.]
i6j9 Howell Vocab. xxv, Minim colour; Minimo, 6
color dt nocella. 170S Phillips (ed. Kersey), Minim or
Dark Minim, a brown, tawny, or dun Colour.
+ 7. Printing. A certain small size of type:
? = Minion. 06s.
1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Minim is also a small sort of
Printing-Letter. 1818 in Todd.
8. The smallest unit of fluid measure, about
equivalent to one drop of liquid ; the sixtieth part
o! a fluid drachm. Also attri6., as minim-measure.
1809 R. Powell tr. Pharmacopoeia (ed. 2) 3 The flui-
drachm contains Sixty minims. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., Minim
measure, a measure usually holding a drachm graduated
into sixty parts. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VI. 37 A minim
°Tur™ • a--tr'n'tr'ne solution may often be added.
Mmim, variant of Mennom, minnow.
Minimal (mi'nimal), a. [f. L. minim-us
smallest, least (see Minim) + -al.] Extremely
minute in size ; of the nature of or constituting a
minimum; of a minimum amount, quantity, or
degree ; that is the least possible.
1666 G. Harvey Morb. Augl. x. 89 Choler being set on
tire and acting upon Melancholy, or rather calcining it into
small acuated minimal bodies. 1878 Smithsonian Rep. 367
1 he strength of which [elements of an electric battery] was
«3 1cei s0 M to Produce a minimal contraction. 1891 Brit.
Med.Jrnl. 17 Jan. 142/1 Without charge, save a minimal
one for drugs. 1894 Lister in Phil. Trans. CLXXXVI.
471
428 Multitudes of minute nuclei of minimal size. 1899 A 11-
butt's Sysl. Med. VI. 846 The minimal limit [of the field of
vision] in health is 55 degrees.
t Mi-nimate, v. 06s. nonce-wd. [f. L. mi-
nim-us (see Minim) + -ate 3.] trans. To reduce
to the smallest size.
1623 Bp. Andrewes Serm. Nativ. xvi. (1629) 154 When
was it, that He was so capite minutttsl Sure, never lesse,
never so little, never so minorated, so minimnted . .as now.
Miniment, obs. form of Muniment.
Minimeter(mini'mft3j). [f. Minim + -meteh.]
'Alsop's term for an apparatus for measuring
minims' (Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890).
1855 'n DtJNGLisoN Med. Lex.
Minimifidian (minimifi-dian), a. and sb.
[f. L. minim-us least + Jid-Us faith + -ian.] a. adj.
Reducing faith to a minimum, b. sb. One who
has the least possible faith in something. Hence
Minimifl-dianism.
1825 Coleridge Aids Re/I. (1848) I. 164 Again, there is a
scheme constructed on the principle of retaining the social
sympathies, that attend on the name of believer, at the least
possible expenditure of belief. . . And this extreme I call
Minimi-fidianism. Ibid. 295 The Minimifidian party err
grievously in the latter point. 1882 Spectator 2 Dec. 1547
Lady Bloomfield's 'supernatural ' stories. .are not of a kind
to challenge the scrutiny of a minimifidian in pneumatology.
Miniminess. nonce-wd. [f. L. minim-us (see
Minim) + -ness.] The condition of being very
small or insignificant.
1615 Bp. Andrewes Serm. Nativ. x. (1629) 87 But these,
though they agree well, yet none of them, so well, as this,
that it [Bethlehem] was minima : the very miniminesse
(as I may say) of it.
Mimmism (mi-nimiz'm). [f. L. minim-us
(see Minim) + -ism.]
1. nonce-use. Absorption in minute details.
1820 Coleridge in Blackw. Mag. VII. 630/2 Youi advice-
mongers., whose critical minimism. .might remind one of
thosetiny night-flies, that, as they hurry across one's book,
contrive.. to cover a word at a time.
2. Theol. The disposition to minimize the im-
plications of an accepted dogma ; the minimizing
view of what is involved in a dogma, esp. that of
papal infallibility.
1874 J. H. Newman Cert. Diffic. Anglic. (1876) 330 Such
a tone of mind [sc. a generous loyalty towards ecclesiastical
authority] has a claim, .to be met and to be handled with a
wise and gentle minimism. 1884 W. Palmer Narr. Events
Suppl. iv. 278 The doctrine of Minimism, adopted by New.
man from Bishop Fessler. .gives liberty to the theologian
to examine whether the Papal decree on any given point is
or is not infallible.
t Minimistic (minimi-stik), a. [I. L. mi-
nim-us (see Minim) + -istic.] Characterized by
or of the nature of Minimism 2.
1897 10M Cent. July roo Seeing how very far the ancient
..Church.. was from accepting alien orders on the mini-
mistic principles for which anglicans contend.
Minimite (minimait). [f. Minim (sense 5)
+ -ite.] A friar belonging to the order of Minims.
In quot. attrib.
1879 Encycl. Brit. IX. 695/1 The building of a chapel in
1436 is generally considered as marking the first beginning
of the Minimite order.
Minimization (mimimaiz^i-Jan). [f. Minim-
ize v. + -ATioN.] The action of reducing to, or
estimating at, the least possible amount or degree.
1802 Bentham Princ. Judic. Procedure Wks. 1843 II. 9
How to unite the maximization of redress for the injured in
the character of pursuers, with the minimization of hard-
ship..in the character of defendants. 1830 — Offic. Apt.
Maximized Pref. 9 Maximization of official aptitude, and
minimization of official expense. 1889 Sat. Rev. 9 Feb.
167/2^ Dr. Struthers's minimization of sea-sickness.
Minimize (mi'nimaiz), v. [f. L. minimus
(see Minim) + -ize.]
1. trans, a. To reduce to the smallest possible
amount, extent, or degree, b. To estimate at the
smallest possible amount.
1802 Bentham Princ. Judic. Procedure Wks. 1843 II. 8
The adjective branch.. may be said to have two specific
ends : the one positive, maximizing the execution and effect
given to the substantive branch : the other negative, minimiz-
ing the evil [etc.]. 1825 — Offic. Apt. Maximized, Observ.
Peel's Sp. (1830) 27 You may maximize attendance, and you
may minimize it. 1882 J. H. Blunt Re/. Ch. En?. II. 413
The vestments of the clergy were to be minimized. 1884
Chr. World 28 Aug. 649/5 Let no one think.. Jesus ever
minimised the exceeding sinfulness of sin. 1888 Bryce
Amer. Commit). II. xlii. 124 Other causes were at work to
mitigate and minimise their evils.
2. intr. To take the most moderate view possible
of what is implied by an accepted dogma.
1875, 1898 [see Maximize v. 2].
Hence Mi-nimized///. a. ; Minimizing vbl. sb.
and ppl. a.
1868 I H. Blunt Re/. Ch. Eng. I. 90 Comparing the
original design for Christ Church with its minimized execu-
tion. 1874 J. H. Newman Cert. Diffic. Anglic. (1876) 332
lhat principle of minimizing so necessary .. for a wise
and cautious theology. 187s Gladstone Vaticanism 51
Dr. Newman and the minimising divines. 1878 — Glean.
(1873) }■ II2 We are now. .witnessing the expansion of the
minimised demands of the Conference. 1906 Athemeum 3
Mar. 264/1 We cannot support his minimizing of Froude's
inaccuracy.
Minimizer (mi-nimsizaa). [f. Minimize v.
+ -er 1.] One who minimizes. Chiefly in Theol.
MINIMUS.
i8«7 Union Rev. V. 361 Anglicans in 1866, see numbers of
those who went over in the interval stigmatised as 'mini-
misers 1874 J. H. Newman Cert. Diffic. Anglic. (1876)
321 A few years ago it was the fashion among us to call
writers, who conformed to this rule of Ihe Church, by the
name of ' Minimizers'. 1880 I.ittledale Plain Reas
lxxxix. 162 The two parties, .are now called Maximizers and
Minimizers; the Maximizers pushing the dogma of Infalli-
bihty to its furthest possible extent. . j the Minimizers en-
deavouring to reduce within the narrowest limits so danger-
ous a proposition.
Minimum (mi-nimz"m), sb. and a. Tl. mi-
nima (mi'nima) ; 7-8 crron. minimaes, mi-
nima's, [a. L. minimum, neut. of minimus least,
smallest : see Minim.] A. sb.
fl. Nat. Philos. The smallest portion into
which matter is divisible; an atom. Also, the
hypothetical smallest possible portion of time or
space. Obs.
1663 Harvey Archxol. Philos. Nova 11. 1. vi. 29 For mini-
ma's are indivisibles, otherwise they could not be minima.
Ibid. 30 There is a minimum and maximum in all natural
bodies. Ibid. vii. 32 Neither are we to imagine, that God
did create all the minima's of the world, before he united
them to one Mass. 1691 Ray Creation I. (1692) 19 Why
do they [atoms] decline the least interval that may be, and
not a greater? Why not two or thiee minima as well as
one? 1739 Hume Hum. AW. I. ii. § 1 (1888) 27 The im-
agination reaches a minimum, and may raise up to itself an
idea, of which it cannot conceive any sub-division. Ibid.,
Because they are remov'd beyond that distance, at which'
their impressions were redue'd to a minimum, and were in-
capable of any farther diminution.
fb. A creature of the smallest size. Obs. rare—1.
1796 Mod. Gulliver 25 Architecture must have been a
science earlily studied by these minima™; of mankind.
2. The least amount attainable, allowable, usual,
etc. Also in the phrase to reduce to a minimum.
1676 W. Row Conln. Blair's Aulobiog. xii. (1848) 390 That
was the minimum that was to be required of every intrant.
1740, 1806 [see Maximum 2]. 1823 Bentham Not Paul 128
Of ihe length of this interval three years is the minimum.
1857 Mrs. Carlyle Lett. II. 323 The maximum of bother
to ariive at the minimum of comfort. 1861 Smiles En-
gineers II. 217 Means should be provided.. to reduce the
recoil of the waves to a minimum. 1863 Geo. Eliot Ro-
viola xlvi, The minimum of time had been given him for
decision. 1871 Tyndall Fragm. Sci. (1879) I. i. 20 Her
motion, and consequently her vis viva, is then a minimum.
1900 Westm. Gaz. 29 Jan. 11/3 About 60 per cent, of the
parcels which we [barge-owners] carry are what is known as
mimmums of twenty ions. 1903 H. B. Swete in Expositor
June 412 There must be at least two disciples acling in
Christian fellowship. .. But this minimum is assuied of
Christ's presence no less than the largest congregation.
II 3- Psychol. In mod. Latin phrases minimum
audibile, sensibile, tangibile, visibile (see quots.).
1709 Berkeley Th. Vision § 54 There is a Minimum
I angibile, and a Minimum Visibile, beyond which Sense
cannot perceive. 1836-7 Sir W. Hamilton Metaph. xviii.
(1859) '• 35o The minimum visibile is the smallest expanse
. .which can consciously affect us,— which we can be con-
scious of seeing. Ibid., In this sense [of hearing], there is,
in like manner, a Minimum Audibile, that is, a sound the
least which can come into perception and consciousness.
1874 J. Sully Sensation s, Intuition 45 Impressions of sound
and light, ..which approached very closely the minimum
sensibile.
4. Math. = minimum value : see B. below.
1743 Emerson Fluxions 123 When a Quantity is required
to be the greatest or least possible, under certain Con-
ditions, it is called a Maximum or Minimum. 1807 Hutton
Course Math. II. 304 Others again decrease continually;
and so have no minimum... But, on the other hand, some.,
decrease to a certain finite magnitude, called their Minimum,
or least state. ._. And lastly, some quantities have several
maxima and minima.
5. The lowest amount or degree of variation (of
temperature, a spectrum, etc.) attained or recorded.
1823 J. Mitchell Diet. Math. K, Phys. Sci. 512/1 On in-
crease of temperature, the spirit [in the thermometer] goes
forward and leaves the index, which therefore shows the
minimum of temperature since it was set. 1831 Brewster
Optics vii._ 73 The two Minima of each of the three primary
spectra coincide at the two extremities of the solar spectrum.
i860 Maury Phys. Geog. Sea (Low) vii. § 348 At the same
hours, the needle attains the maxima and minima of its
diurnal variations. 1894 W. L. Dallas in Indian Meteorol.
Mem, VI. 2 The heat given out by the sun goes through a
cycle which reaches. .its minimum at the time of minimum
sunspots.
6. attri6. and Com6., as minimum period; mini-
mum thermometer, one which records automati-
cally the lowest point to which the temperature has
fallen since its last adjustment.
i860 Tyndall Glac. 1. xvi. 113 A minimum-thermometer.
1868 [see Maximum 5 b].
B. adj. [The sb. used appositively.] That is a
minimum ; that is the lowest attainable, allowable,
usual, etc. Minimum value (of a function) Math.,
its value when it ceases to decrease and begins to
increase, as the value of the variable changes con-
tinuously.
1810 Bentham Packing (1821) 44 But this is the minimum
rate. 184s Stocquelek Handbk. Brit. India (1854) 301 Its
minimum height from the sea is 900 feet. 1885 Watson &.
Burbury Math. Th. Etectr. t, Magu. I. 19 [It] has a mini-
mum value when [etc.]. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VIII.
849 The rule is to begin with a minimum dose. 1904 Daily
Neivs 25 Feb. 12/3 Parliament . . has enacted that a minimum
number of trains with a minimum mileage shall be run.
Minimus (minimis), s6. and a. PI. minimi
(mi'nimai). [a. L. minimus : see Minim.] A. sb.
MINING.
472
MINIONISM.
1. A creature of the smallest size ; a small or
insignificant creature.
1590 Shaks. fltids. N. in. ii. 329 Get you gone you dwarfe,
You minimus. 1879 G. Macdonald Sir Gihbie I. xx. 273
An evil cloud of anger at the presumption of the unknown
minimus [sc. ' a tiny ragged urchin '] began to gather. Ibid.
III. v. 83 Mr. Sclater beheld only the minimus which the
reversed telescope of his own enlarged importance, .made
of him.
2. ' The fifth or smallest digit of the hand or
foot' (Syd. Soc. Lex. 1890).
1881 Mivart Cat iv. 99 The fifth [toe, or digit, of the fore-
paw] is the minimus, or little digit.
3. Nwnism. (See quot.)
185a T. Wright Celt, Roman, fy Saxon xiv. 430 On many
Roman sites.. are found very small coins in brass. . .These
coins from their diminutive size, are termed by numismatists
minimi, and are supposed to have been struck during the
period between the abandonment of the island by the im-
perial government and the establishment of the Saxon
kingdoms.
4. Path. Short for lupus minimus, the least
virulent form of Lupus. In quot. atlrib.
1889 J. M. Duncan Dis. Women xxv. 205 But there are
other cases where, without inflammation, and generally in
minimus cases, the sensitiveness is extreme.
B. adj. In some schools, appended to a surname
to designate the youngest (in age or standing) of
three or four boys having the same surname.
Abbreviated min. or mini. (Cf. Minor A. 7 b.)
1791 in Eton School Lists (1863), Langford mi.. .Langford
min. 1808 List of Eton Coll., Cook^on mi. Cookson mini.
1852 Rowcroft Con/. Etonian I. 72 The boys at Eton are
not known by their Christian names, and when there are
more than one bearing the same surname,, .the individuals
are distinguished by the addition of maximus, major, minor,
and minimus. 1891 Blew Vyner's Not.Venat. (1892) Pref 8
Musters minimus. 1899 E. Phillpotts Human Boy 101
Corkey minimus.
Mining (mornirj), vbl. sb. [f. Mine v. + -ING1.]
1. The action of the verb Mine in various senses.
1533 Ld. Berneks Froiss. I. ccli. 372 They coude nat geat
it by no assaute, nor none other wayesat their ease, without
it were by mynynge. 1^79-80 North Plutarch, Camillas
(1595) 145 Now when his mining fell out according to his
good hope, he gaue an assaulte to the walles. 1645 Milton
Te track. Wks. 1851 IV. 257 St. Paul having thus clear'd
himselfe, not to goe about the mining of our -Christian
liberty. 1764GHAINGKR Sugar Cane iv. 305 They..' melt
with minings of the hectic fire'. 1776 Adam Smith IV. N.
I. xi. (1869) I. 181 Mining, .is considered, .as a lottery. 1845
Darwin Voy. Nat. xii. (1879) 258 The rage for mining has
left scarcely a spot in Chile unexamined.
b. with qualifying word prefixed, as gold-, lead-,
tin-mining ; placer- , vein-mining ; hydraulic-
mining, etc., for which see those words.
f2. concr. A (military) mine. Obs.
1598 Barret Theor. Warm 136 Pioners to make trenches,
Rampiers, Minings.
3. attrib. and Comb., as mining-camp, -district,
-lamp, -speculation, -statute, -tool, -town, -town-
ship (Austral.), -work; mining-hole, a hole
bored to receive a blasting-charge in mining;
mining-ship, one that carries and lays down sub-
marine mines in naval warfare.
1555 Eden Decades 49 AH maner of dygginge or myninge
tooles. 1633 T. James Voy. 69 Wee continued our myning
worke. 1834 R. Stuart Hist. Steam Engine 121 The
failure of some of the great mining speculations. 1838
Murray's Handbk. N. Germany 421 The mining district of
the Erzgebirge.^ 1839 Ure Diet. Arts 852 The ore.. was
attacked by a single man, who bored a mining hole. 1890
' R. Boldrewood' Col. Reformer (1891) 283 The mining
township of Turonia. 1895 Dublin Rev. July 652 The most
perfect combination of mining-lamp and fire-damp indicator
yet produced. 190a Eliz. L. Banks Newspaper Girl 87
The mining towns of Lancashire and Yorkshire. 1905
Westm. Gaz. 28 Jan. 2/2 If the Russians took mines out ten
miles from the shore in a mining-ship and laid them there.
Mining (mai'nirj ),///. a. [f. Mine v. + -ing 2.]
That mines, in the senses of the verb.
1561 Norton & Sackv. Gorboduc 1. ii. (1590) B nij b, That
myning fraude shall finde no way to creepe, Into their
fenced eares. (11639 Wotton in Reliq. (1651) 526 The
mining Conies shroud in rockie Cels. 1816 Byron Ch. Har.
111. xciv, The. .Rhone. .whose mining depths so intervene,
That they can meet no more.
t Minio'grapher. Obs.—0 [f. L. mitii-um (see
Minium) + -ographer. Cf. med.L. miniografare
(Du Cange).] (See quot.) So fMiniography.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Miniographer . ,h& that paints or
writes with Vermilion, or any red colour. 17*7 Bailey vol.
II, Miniography, a writing with Vermilion.
Minion (mi-nyan), sb.1 and a. Forms: 6-7
minyon, mynyon(e, mynion, mineon, 6 myn-
ny(e)on, mygnyon, mynon, mignyon, Sc.
moyn3eoun, rnun3(e)oun, min:$eo(u)n, myn-
3on, -$eoun, 7 minnion, (minione), 7-8 mig-
nion, 7-9 mignon, 6- minion, [a. F. mignon
(also fern, mignonne) sb. and adj.
The ultimate etymology is disputed; according to some
the word is a derivative of OHG. minnja, minna love ; others
refer it to Celtic min- small,]
A.sb.
1. A beloved object, darling, favourite.
a. A lover or lady-love. Chiefly, and in later
use exclusively with contemptuous or opprobrious
sense, a mistress or paramour. Now rare or Obs.
1500-20 Dunbar Poems Ixxv. 52 Quod scho, ■ Now tak me
be the hand,. .My chirrie and my maikles munjoun '. 1548
Latimer Ploughers B iiij b, Theypastyme in their prelacies
..with theyr daunsyng minyons. 1590 Spenser F. Q. ii.
ii. 37 A mincing mineon, Who in her loosenesse tooke ex-
ceeding ioy. 1597 J. Pavne Royal Exch. 27 Sum gay pro-
fessors (kepinge secret minions) do love there wyues..to
avoyde shame, a 1677 Barrow Serin. Wks. 1716 I. 250
What will not a fond lover undertake, .for his minion
although she be. .the worst enemy he can have? 1815
Byron Parisina x, The minion of his father's bride, — He,
too, is fetter'd by her side.
b. One specially favoured or beloved ; a dearest
friend, a favourite child, servant, or animal ; the
1 idol ' of a people, a community, etc. Often Jtg.y
as in minion of fortune. Now only in contemptuous
sense.
1566 Painter Pal. Pleas. I. 44 One of his dearest frends
named Araspas which was. .the very minion, playe felow
and companion of Cyrus from his youth. 1581 Pettie
Guazzo's Civ. Conv. ill. (1586) 150 b, I cannot abide the
folly of some fathers who make some one of their children
their darling and minion. 1596 Shaks. i Hen. IV, 1. i. 83
A Sonne. .Who is sweet Fortunes Minion, and her Pride.
Ibid. ii. 30 Gentlemen of the Shade. Minions of the Moone.
c 1626 Dick 0/ Devon 1. ii. in Bullen O. PL II. 13 That
wonder of the land and the Seas minyon, Drake, of eternall
memory, a 1627 Hayward Edw. VI (1630) 17 For enter-
prises by armes, he was the Minion of that time, so as few
things he attempted, but he atchieued with honour, a 1631
Donne Serm. cxv. Wks. 1839 V. 24 John the minion of
Christ upon earth. 1735 Somekville Chase in. 125 That
pamper'd Steed, his Master's Joy, His Minion, and his
daily Care. 1753 Hanway Trav. (1762) I. yii. xc. 411 His
disinterested practice,.. and his great charity to the poor,
render him the minion of the people. 1859 Macaulay
Pitt Biog. (i860) 176 Pitt was.. the minion, the child, the
spoiled child of the House of Commons. 1865 Dickens
Mut. Fr. it. vii, All offered up sacrifices to the minion of
fortune and the worm of the hour !
c. esp. A favourite of a sovereign, prince, or
other great person ; esp. opprobriously, one who
owes everything to his patron's favour, and is
ready to purchase its continuance by base com-
pliances, a 'creature'.
1501 Douglas Pal. Hon. in. lx, The kingis mm^eoun
roundand in his eir, Hecht Veritie. a 1548 Hall Chron.,
Hen. IV, 7 b, Item the same kyng put oute divers shrives
lawefully elected and put in their romes divers other of his
owne minions, a 1593 Marlowe Edw. //(1598) B 3, The
king is loue-sicke for his minion, a 1635 Naunton Fragm.
Reg. (Arb.) 16 Her Ministers and Instruments of State.,
were many,. .but they were onely Favourites, not Minions.
1639 G. Daniel Vervic. 147 The fall Of Mignion Somerset.
1726 Swift Gulliver xv. x, I had no Occasion of bribing, flat-
tering, or pimping, to procure the Favour of any great Man,
or of his Minion. 1828 DTsraeli Chas. I, II. vii. 162 The
portrait of Buckingham is usually viewed in the caricature of
a royal minion. 1888 Bryce Amer. Commw. II. Ixiii. 455 It
is no wonder if he helps himself from the city treasury and
allows his minions to do so.
d. iransf. applied to things.
a 1640 Day I'eregr. Schol. (1881I 65 Violets, roses, and
lillies, and like mineons and darlings of the springe. 1699
South Serm. (1842) III. 54 That one [thing] which is the
sole minion of their fancy and the idol of their affections.
1793 Coleridge Songs 0/ Pixies iii, When noontide's fiery-
tressed minion Flashes the fervid ray.
e. As a form of address: f(a) endearingly —
darling, dear one {obs.); (b) contemptuously =
hussy, jade; servile creature, slave.
1560 Rolland Crt. Venus 1. 194 Myn^eoun, quhairfoir do
ae sustene Sic displesure in hert be countenance, a 1586
Sidney Arcadia 11. (1598) 163b, Minion said she (indeed
I was a pretie one in those daies though I say it) I see
a number of lads that loue you. 1591 Shaks. 'Pwo Gent. 1.
a. 92 You (Minion) are too saucie. 1600 Heywood 2nd Pt.
Edw. IV, P 2 b, Come away minion you shall prate no more.
1825 Scott Betrothed vi, Go hence, thou saucy minion \
said the monk. 1835 Lytton Rienzi 11. iii, Peace, minion !
draw back !
f2. A gallant, an exquisite. Obs.
1547 Bookde Introd. K'junvl. i. (18701 117, I wyll get a
farnient, shal reche to my tayle ; Thau I am a minion, for
were the new gyse.
+ 3. A small kind of ordnance (see quot. 1644).
1547 in Archieologia LI. 262 Gonnes of Brasse . . Culverynes
vj(. Sacres vj\ Mynnyons x,u. 1587 Hakrison England
n. xvi. (1877) '• 281 Minion poiseth clcauen hundred pounds,
and hath three inches and a quarter within the mouth. 1644
Whitelock Memorials (1853) I. 273 They lost five drakes,
a minion, and two leather guns. 1644 Nye Gunnery (1670)
77 Minions of the largest size, are three inches and a quarter
Diameter in the mouth. ..The ordinary Minion, the mouth
3 inches high. 1894 C. N. Rodinson Brit. Fleet 217 Sakers
(5-pounders) and minions (4-pounders) were mounted on
skids.
4. a. Akindofpeachjinfull minion peach. [ = F.
pfche mignonne.'] b. A small kind of lettuce.
1699 Evelyn Kal Hort., Aug, (ed. 9) 100 Minion Peach.
Ibid. 170 Peaches and Nectarins.. Maudlin, Mignon. 1706
L0NDON& Wise Retired Card. I. viii. 37 [Peaches,] The
Minion is very large, but not soroundaslong. 1707 Morti-
mer Husb. (1721) II. 148 Of this sort there are two others,
viz. George Lettices. .and the Minion which is the least
sort. 1766 Compl. Farmer s. v. Peach-tree, The French
mignon ; this is a most excellent melting peach.
6. Printing. (In full minion type or letter?)
The name of a type intermediate in size between
' nonpareil ' and ' brevier '. [So F. mignonne
(mignone, Foumier Man. Typogr. 1766).]
1659 Howell Vocab. H, Letters of all sorts, as.. Non-paril,
Minion, Breviere [etc.]. 1770 [Luckomhe] Hist. Printing
i52(Specimensof Printing Types) Minion. 1824 J. Johnson
Typogr. II. 83 Why this letter was denominated Minion,
I we have not yet been informed. 1865 M. Pattison Ess.
1 (1889) I. 72 A pocket Greek Testament in mignon letters.
1894 D. C. Murray Making of Novelist 19 Three columns
of leaded minion.
6. attrib. and Comb.\ a. (sense 1) as minion
tnaint ainer ; minion-guided adj. ; minion-like adv.
(Cf. also B. 1.)
1599 Broughton'1 s Let. v. 17 An whoremaster and a minion
maintainer. 1605 Camden Rem. 18 Hitherto will our
sparkefull Youth laugh at their great grandfathers English,
who had more care to do well, than to speake minion like.
1612 Dkayton Poly-olb. xvii. 23 That with the fern-crown'd
Flood he [the Wey] minion-like doth play. 1773 Gentl.
Mag. XLIII. 455 Third Henry's feeble minion-guided rule.
+ b. (sense 3), as minion bore, gun; minion
drake, some kind of small cannon ; minion
proofs., proof against minion shot ; minion shot,
shot used with a minion, also, the range of a
minion. Obs.
1633 Winthrop New Eng. (1853I I. 148 A vessel.. to be
minion proof, and the upper deck musket proof. 1647
Clarendon Hist. Reb. vi. § 248 Two small iron minion-
drakes (all the artillery they had). 1648 — St. Papers II.
415 The Vice-Admirals, .were within minion shot one of the
other, a 1661 Fuller Worthies, Cornw. (1662) 1. 212 Two
small Mynion-Drakes. .were planted on a little Barrough
within Randome-shot of the Enemy. 1699 Dam pier Voy.
II. 144 He had 2 or 3 small brass Guns of a Minion bore.
1727 A. Hamilton New Ace. £. Ind. I. xxx. 374 [I] had
eight minion Guns to scour the Sands.
B. adj. Now rare. (Cf. Mignon a.)
1. Dainty, elegant, fine, pretty, neat. a. of a
person, his actions, attributes, etc.
IS-. Songs Costume (Percy Soc.) 58 Off servyng men
I wyll begyne...For they goo mynyon trym. 1529 Frith
Antithesis 100 b, Some enter [the fold] thorow their curious
singinge and minyon dawnsinge. 1530 Songs inAngliaXll.
591, I shal deck your mynyon face that yt shal shyne in
euery place. 154a Udall Erasm. Apoph. 125 A young
ruffleer tryinmyng hymselfe after y° moste galaunte and
mynion facion. Ibid. 189 b, A passyng faire damysel, beeyng
a mynion dooer in syngyng. a 1553 — A' oyster D. (Arb.) 80
WT10 so to marry a minion Wyfe, Hath hadde good chaunce
and happe. 1579 Plttenham Parlheniades xi, O mightye
Muse, 'Die mignionst mayde of mounte Parnasse. 1605
Camhen Rem. 28, I may be charged by the minion refiners
of English, neither to write State-English, Court-English,
nor Secrelarie-English. 1718 Rowe tr. Lucan 1. 313 In
silken Robes the minion Men appear, Which Maids and
youthful Brides shou'd blush to wear. 1864 Tennyson
Aylmer's F. 533 My lady, — who made . . A downward
crescent of her minion mouth.
b. of a thing, an animal.
1528 St. Papers Hen. VIII, I. 307 His Hynes lykythe
youre mynyon bowse so well, that [etc.], 1543 Test. Ebor.
(Surtees) VI. 175 To my lorde of Northfolke a mynyon
geldinge. a 155a Leland Itin. V. 123 Wreshil a very fayre
and mynion Castle. 1581 J. Bell Haddons Answ. Osor.
264 What shall he regarde the lofty grace of Cicero?, .or his
mynion deuises and toyes?
2. Dearly loved, favourite, pet. (Cf. F. pjche
migtton, one's 'darling sin'.)
a 1716 South Serm. (1823) III. 257 A secret love to some
base minion lust. Ibid. VI. 167 When the tempter shall
dress up any beloved minion sin. a 1849 H. Gu-kiuiice Ess.
(1851) I. 89 They will have some pet production, some
favourite passage, some minion thought.
Minion (mrnyon), sb.2 [a. F. minion (Cotgr.),
f. L. minium.~\
tl. ■= Minium. Obs.
1621 Burton Anat. Mel. in. ii. in. iii. (1651) 477 Let them
paint their faces with minion and cerusse. 1654 R. Cod-
rington tr. lustine xhv. 517 The Countrie doih abound
with Lead, and Brass, and with Minion also. Ibid. xliv. 514.
2. Calcined iron ore, * used with lime as a water-
cement' (Ogilvie 1850).
1793 Smeaton Edystone L. § 213 What I used was the
siftings of the iron stone, after calcination at the iron
furnaces. ..This material, among the furnace men in these
parts, is called Minion. Ibid. § 214 Minion, or iron stone
burnt. 1873 Weale's Diet. Terms, Minion, the siftings of
iron-stone after calcination at the iron-furnaces.
t Minion, v. Obs. rare. [f. Minion sb.*]
trans. To treat as a minion; to caress. Implied
in f Mi'nioning vbl. sb.
1604 Marston Malcontent iv. i, Sooner hard Steele will
melt with Southerne wind . . Then women vow'd to blushlesse
impudence, With sweet behauiour and soft minioning, Will
turne from that where appetite is fixt.
Minion, var. munnion, obs. f. Mullion.
t Mi*nionate,«. Obs. rare"1. In 5 mynyo-
nat. [f. Minion a. + -ate.] = Minion a. 1.
c t4Q$ Epitajfe, elc. in Skeltons Wks. (1843) II. 391 Lad yes,
damosels, mynyonat and gorgayse.
Minionette (minyanet), sb. U.S. Printing.
[f. Minion jM-f-ETTE.] (See quot.)
1871 Ringwalt's Amer. Encycl. Printing, Minionette,
a very small size of type, used chiefly in small ornamental
borders.
t Minionette, a. Obs.
[ad. F.
mignonnette fem. adj., after Minion a.] Small and
pretty.
1749 H. Wali'ole Lett. (1857) II. 163 His minionette face.
Minionism (mrnyaniz'm). [f. Minion sb.* and
a. + -ism.] f a. The quality of being ' minion ' ;
a manifestation of this quality {obs.), b. Partiality
for a minion or favourite, rare"1.
1611 Florio, Mignardaggine, minionisme, wantonnesse.
Mignardigie, mignardises, ininionismes. 1611 Cotgr.,
Mignonnete", minionisme. quauitnesse, trimnesse, delicacie,
sprucenesse, featnesse, finesse. 1818 Colekidce in Lit.
MINIONIZE.
Rem. (1838) III. 198 Vet how many points, .must be brought
together before we can fairly solve the intensity of James's
mmionism, his Kingly egotism [etc].
t Minionize, v. Obs. rare, [f. Minion sb.1
+ -ize.] a. trans. To raise to the position of a
minion ; hence fMinio'nized ///. a. b, iiitr.
(See quot. 1604.)
1604 R. Cawdrev Table Alph., Mignionise, play the wan-
ton. x6ooJ.Davies Holy Roode Ij b, His Minions.. Whom,
of base Groomes, his Grace did Minnionize. 16x6 [T« G.j
Rich Cabinet 3 b, Anger, made Great Alexander.. kill his
minionized friend Clytus.
f Minionly, adv. Obs. [f. Minion sbA and a. +
-LY2.] In a' minion ' manner; delicately, elegantly.
1539 Taverner Erasm. Prov. (1545) 100 At Athens he
wolde.Jiue mynionly and elegantly. 1633 J. Done Hist.
Septuagint 171 A house. .very stately and minionly decked
and trimmed.
t Mi'liionness. Obs. rare"1, [f. Minion sb.1 +
-Ness.] The condition or behaviour of a minion.
a 1533 Ld. Berners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546) Rj, He
muste suffre hir nice mynionnesse [orig.Sp, sus regalos\,fo'c
euery faire woman will passe hir life in plesure.
t Minionship. Obs. rare"1, [f. Minion sbA
+ -SHIP.] The position of a minion or favourite.
c 1645 Howell Lett. I. r. xvu, The Favourit Luines
strengthneth himself more and more in his minionship.
t Mi'nious, a, Obs. rare—1, [f. L. minium
Minium + -ous.] Of the colour of minium, red.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. vi. ix. 320 They which
hold the [Red] Sea receiveth a red and minious tincture
from springs, .that fall into it. [Whence 1656 in Blount;
and in later Diets.]
Minise, obs. form of Minish.
Minish (mrnif), v. Now only arch. Forms :
4-5 menus e, (4 mynus(c)h, menus(c;h, Sc.
menes, myniss, 5 menuze), 4-6 mynyssh(e,
5 minussh, (minys, minise, -issh, mynes(ch,
mynuyssh, mynyss), 5-6 mynys, 6 mynish(e,
(-issh, -essh, -usshe, myn(n)yshe), minishe,
-issh(e), mynysch(e, Sc. menis(che, 6- minish.
[ad. OF. memtsier, menuisier= Pr. menuzar, It.
minuzzare :— vulgar Latin *minutidre, f. minut-us
Minute a. Cf. Mince z/.]
1. trans. To make fewer in number or less in
size; to make less in amount or degree; to reduce
in power, influence, etc. (rarely f const, of),
c 1375 [see Minishing vbl. sb.]. 138a Wyci.if IVisd. xi. 8
Whan thei weren mynusht [Vulg. mimterentnr\. .thou }eue
to them abundende water, c 1386 Chaucer Pars. 'P. p 303
(Cambr. MS.) Ek ^if he withdrawe or menuse the almesse
of the poore. c 1440 Alphabet of Tales 31, I remevid bis
stone in be feld, to be entent bat I wolde enlarge myne awn
ground & mynys ober mens ground. 1465 Pas/on Lett. II.
175 And yff they wold wyrke ayenst me to minussh my
power. 1513 Douglas /Eneis 1. Prol. 371 Latyne wordis..
That in our leid ganand translatioun hes nane, Lesthan we
menis tharsentenceand grauite. 1535 Coverdale/^. cvi[i].
30 When they are minished & brought lowe thorow oppres-
sion. 1538 Starkev England 1. L 14 Vertues..be no les
vertues, nor mynyschyd of theyr excellency, by any such
frantyke fansy. a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. V 46 b, His
armie by sickenesse was sore minished and appaired. 1614
Jackson Creed m. xxi. § 18 The testimonies of the Law and
Prophesies, serued as a light.. to minish the terrors of the
night. 1826 Scott IVoodst. iii, I may come to trouble, since
it may be thought I have minished their numbers. 1848
Lowell Bigloiu P. Poems 1890 II. 68, I would not.. minish
by a tittle the respect due to the Magistrate.
absol. 1509 Hawes Past. Pleas. (Percy Soc.) 111 She
[Nature] werketh upon all wonderly, Bothe for to minysshe
and to multeply.
b. To break up into (powder, parts).
1381 Wyclif 2 Kings xxiii. 15 And that hee} auter he..
mynuschede in to poudre. 1851 Landor Popery 33 Our
kingdom is minished into parts and parcels.
fc. To reduce (a coin) by clipping or sweating.
Obs. rare. Cf. Diminish v. i b.
1612 [see Minished///. a.].
2. To remove, withdraw (a portion of or from
something).
c 1483 Caxton Chaucer's Cant. 'P., Proheme, I had made
it accordyng to my copye and by me was nothyng added
ne mynusshyd. 1525 Test. Ebor. (Surtees) V. 207 Shall
mynysche noe part of yere. 1581 W. Stafford Exam.
Covipl. i. (1876) 19 We are forced, either to minishe the third
part of our househoulde, or to raise the thirde part of our
reuenewes. i860 Pusey Min. Proph. 342 What they minish
from the measure, that they add to the wrath of God.
b. absol.
c 1400 Apol. Loll. 3 Not presumand to put to His lawe, ne
to minys berfro. ? 1421 Lett. Marg. Aujou fy Bp. Beckington
(Camden) 28 And ever to have libertee to adde and minise
chaunge and amende. 1506 Bury Wills (Camden) 108 My 11
executours shall mynysshe as they thynke accordyng to
conciens. 1526 Tindale Rev. xxii. 19 And yf eny man shall
mynnyshe of the wordes off the boke of this prophesy.
3. To decry the importance or worth of; to
depreciate, belittle.
1402 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 53 Tht baffyng, lye thou never
so lowde, may not menuse this seint [Wyclif]- Ibid. 85
Thou assentist thi silf in tresoun, menusynge the kyngis
majeste. x866 J. B. Rose tr. Ovid's Metam. 136 Vaunted
the Titan deeds, and minished those Of the great gods.
4. intr. To become less in quantity, number,
size, power, etc.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. iv. vii. (1495) 90 As fatnesse
wexyth the blode mynysshyth. 1494 Fabvan Chron. v.
cxviii. 94 Careticus. .prouyd the strengthe of his enemyes,
and sawe y[ they increasyd, and his knyghtis lassed and
Vol. VI.
473
mynysshed. 15x1-12 Act 3 Hen. VIII, c. 3 Preamble,
Archeric.is right litell used but dayly mynessheth decayth
and abateth. 1535 Coverdale 2 Sam. iii. 1 But Dauid
wente and increased, and the house of Saul wente and
mynished. 1535 Stewart Cron.Scot. III. 539Quhi!kcausit
science to grow . . And vice to menische ilk da les and les. ioox
Henley Hawtliorn fy Lavender 7 The sovran sun, As he
goes southing, weakening, minishing, Almighty in obedience.
Hence Minished />/.'. a. Also Mi'uisher.
1564 Becon Wks. Pref. A v, He is not Episcopus, but
Aposcopus, not a Minister, but a Minisher. 1590 Spenser
P. Q. 1. xi, 43 The paw yett missed not his minisht might.
1622 Bacon Hen. VII 215 In making all clipped, minished,
or impaired Coines of Siluer, not to bee currant in paj'ments,
Minishing (rnrnijirj), vbl. sb. [-ing*.] The
action of the verb Minish, in various senses.
c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxxvii. ( Vincencius) 184, & bare-fore
wil nocht ony wyse bou to my Ioy mak lessing, na to my
reward menesinge. 1485 Rolls 0/ Par It. VI. 338/2 Savyng
only to the abatement, discharge, mynesyng, and relesyng
of the Fee Ferme of the said Towne. 1513 More Rich. Ill
in Stow Ann. (1592)743 Inticing him to many things highly
redounding to the minishing of his honour. 1551 Turner
Herbal t. Prol. Aiij b, Euery man.. will become a Phisician,
to the hynderaunce and ininishyng of the study of liberal!
artes. 1651 R. Child in HartUb's Legacy (1655) 137 The
dulling and minishing of the Spirit. x86o Dora Grefnwhll
Patience of Hope 18 [It] has set the ideals of Christ and
Humanity so far apart, that the wealth of the one can only
be attained through the minishing of the other.
t Minishment. Obs. [f. Minish v. + -ment.]
The action or process of lessening ; diminution.
1533 More Debell. Salem. Wks. 967/2 If you fynde.-that
the putting away of that lawe, be better.. for this lande
without the minishment of the fayth in the same. 1577-87
Holinshed Chron. III. 1140/1 That the castell with all.,
munitions of warre, should be wholie rendred without
wasting, hiding, or minishment thereof. 1664 Atkyns Orig.
Printing 9 That they shall keep all the Lands, Honours,
and Dignities, .whole, without any manner of minishment.
Minisse, -issh, obs. ff. Menace, Minish.
t Ministello. Obs. [f. Minister + It. dim.
suffix -ello.'] A petty minister.
1659 Gauden Tears o/Ch. u. xiv. 194 Consider, I beseech
you, what pitifull Ministellos, what pigmy Presbyters, . . this
Nation in after-ages is like to have if [etc.].
Minister (mi-nistoi), sb. Forms : 3-6 mi-
nistre, 4 minystre, mynystyr, mynystere,
mynistere, minster, 4-6 mynyster, -ister,
-istre, 5 minstre, mynestre, -ter, mynstre,
minestre , my nny ster, Sc. myiiistir, 4- mi-
nister, [a. OF. menestre, minislre, a. L. minister
servant, f. *minis-} minus less, parallel in forma-
tion to the correlative magister Master sb., f. magis
more. Cf. Sp., Pg., It. ministro, G. minister.']
+ 1. A ^ervam\ attendant. Obs,
c 1375 Sc. LegTSaints xxii, (Laurentitts) 12T Fadyr.quhare
gais bu hot minsteris? a xgoo Chaucer's Dreme 2132 With
ladyes, kntghtes, and squieres, And a grete ost of ministeres,
With instrumentes and sounes diverse. 1513 Bradshaw
St. Werburge,\. 1728 The mynysters were redy theyr offyce
to fulfyll Tov|b$» vp the tables at theyr lordes wyll. 157*
Sir T. Smith in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. n. III. 15 Scarcely
the ministers cowld have rowme to bring the meate or the
drinck to the table. 1611 Bible 2 Kings vi. 15 When the
servant [marg. minister] of the man of God was risen early.
1612 Woodall Surg. Mate Wks. (1653) 4°6 I*et the Surgeon
have at hand at the least two or three ministers or servants
besides himself, to assist him in the work. 1781 Gibbon
Decl. fy F. xxxi. III. 206 A multitude of cooks, and inferior
ministers, employed in the service of the kitchens.
\b. One who waits upon, or ministers to the
wants of another, arch.
18x8 Byron Ch. Har. iv. clxxvii, Oh ! that the Desert
were my dwelling-place, With one fair Spirit for my minister.
1868 FitzGerald tr. Omar Iv, And lose your fingers in the
tresses of The Cypress-slender Minister of Wine.
2. One who acts under the authority of another ;
one who carries out executive duties as the agent
or representative of a superior. Now rare.
£-1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 301/65 Godes ministres aungles
beoth, seint Michel and obere mo. c 1327 Rolls o/Parlt.
II. 430 His writings and other goods, &c, arrested by the
King's ministers. 1390 Gower Conf. 1. 61 Pride, .hath with
him in special Ministres five ful diverse, Of whiche,. .The
ferste is seid Ypocrisie. C1412 Hoccleve De Reg. Princ.
2535 If be ministres do naght but iustice To poore peple, in
contre as J>ei go, Thogh pe Kyng be vniust, yit is his vice
Hid to pe peple. 1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) II. 339 Iosue,
the minister of Moyses, rewlede the peple of Israel. 1526
Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 139 b, The goostly ennemy our
olde aduersary & all his mynysters put to flyght & confusyon.
1535 Coverdale Rom. xiii. 6 He is the minister of God for
thy wealth. £1586 C'tess Pembroke Ps. cm. xu, Spirits of
might, . , You ministers that willing work his will . . His praise
extoll. 1595 Shaks. 2 Hen. VI, v. ii. 34 O Warre, thou
sonne of hell, Whom angry heauens do make their minister.
1628 Coke On Litt. 147 The Kings Baily should be but his
Minister to distreine for his rent. 1667 Milton P. L. v,
460 His wary speech Thus to th' Empyreal Minister he
fram'd. 1681-6 J. Scott Chr. Life (1747) III. 314 The first
and supreme Minister by which Christ rules his Kingdom
is the Holy Ghost. 1750 Johnson Rambler No. 81 p 6 The
community, of which the magistrate is only the minister.
"b. Const, of: One who is employed by another
to carry into effect (a purpose or intention) or to
convey (a gift, etc.). Also transf. of things. Obs,
exc. as coloured by religious use.
<:i38o Wyclif Serm. Set Wks. I. 18 Jesus Crist dide
more miracle, and bad hise disciples serve pe puple at be
mete, to teche us bat we ben mynystris and not autouris of
miracle, c 1386 Chaucer Can. Yeom. Prol. $ T. 747 Al to
symple is my tonge to pronounce As Ministre of my wit,
MINISTER.
the doublenesse Of this Chanon. 1580 Lvlv Euphues (Arb.)
354 Philautus determined, hab, nab, tosende his letters,, .and
..he thus beganne to frame the minister of his loue. 1593
Shaks. 2 Hen. VI, m, i. 355 For a minister of my intent,
I haue sedue'd a head-strong Kentishman. 1720 Ozei.l
tr. Vertot's Rom. Rep. II. xu. 215 Catiline. .had been the
Minister of the Cruelties of Sylla, 1722 Wollaston Relig.
Nat. ix. 186 Whydoth the scene ofthinking lie in our heads,
and all the ministers of sensation make their reports to
something there. 1784 Cowper Task v. 816 Those fair
ministers of light to man That fill the skies. 1866 Liddon
Bampton Led. vi. (1875) 321 The Angels are ministers of
the Divine Will.
f c. An officer entrusted with the administration
of the law, or attached to a court of justice. Obs.
c 1386 Chaucer Nun's Pr. T. 223, I crye out on the
Ministres quod he That sholden kepe and reulen this Citee.
' 1450 Godstoiv Reg. 149 Vndurshreuys, or ober ballyfs
or mynysters what*so-euer they be. 1483 Anc. Cat. Rec.
Dublin (1889) I. 303 The clcrkys and mynnysters of the
courte of Tolsyll. 1526 Tindale Matt. v. 25 Lest.. the
iud<re delivre the to the minister. 1538 Starkey England
1. iii. 83 Gud mynystrys of justyce are to few. 1723 Royal
Proclam. in Lond. Gaz. No. 6135/3 Before the next Magi-
strate or Minister of Justice.
yd. An officer subordinate to another, an un-
derling. Obs,
1442 Rolls 0/ Parlt. V. 54/2 Custumers..have diverse
persones to be here Clerkes, Deputees and Ministres in here
seide Offices, i6ox Ld. Mountjoy in MorysotCs Itin. 11.
(161 7) 174 It grieveth tne to see her Majesty so ill served in her
Musters, . .for all the Ministers in that kind, are but ciphers
or false numbers. 1602 Ibid. 256 Errours of subordinate
Ministers in these matters of accompts and reckonings.
1625 Glanville Voy. Cadiz (1883) 29 The Capiaine is to
give them [his superior's commands] in charge to all other
officers and ministers in the shipp.
3. A high officer of state, a. A person ap-
pointed by the chief of a state to act for him in a
particular department of government; one entrusted
with the administration of a department of state;
a minister or secretary of state, as minister f at
(now for, of) war, minister for foreign affairs, etc.
T first minister, the same as Prime minister.
f Premier, prime minister, see the adjs.
In plural often without article — the Ministry, the members
of the Government.
1625 IJacon Ess., Envy (Arb.) 516 This publique Enuy,
seemeth to beat chiefly, vpon principall Officers, or Ministers,
rather then vpon Kings and Estates themselues. 1696
Phillips, Minister of State, is one upon whom a Prince re-
poses the Administration of his Kingdom. 1741 Lords'
Protest in Morley Walpole vii. (1889) 163 We are persuaded
that a sole, or even a First Minister, is an officer un-
known to the law of IJritain. 1745 Hardwickr in G. Har-
ris Life (1847) U* io9) Chancellor. . .Your Ministers, sir,
are only your instruments of government. King— .(smiles) —
Ministers are the King, in this country. 1795 Anna Seward
Lett. (1811) IV. 140, I blame ministers for such an evident
waste of English blood and treasure. 1803 Ld. Melville
in Morley Walpole vii. (1889) 162 That power must rest in the
person generally called the First Minister, and that minister
ought, he [sc. Pitt] thinks, to be the person at the head of
the finances. 1805 Jefferson Writ. (1850) IV. 45 That
there is only one minister who is not opposed to me, is
totally unfounded. 1836 Dickens Sk. Boz, Tales ii, Well,
Brogson, what do Ministers mean to do? Will they go out
or what? 1838 Gre\tlle Mem. 11. (1885} I. 87 In the
first place the Colonial Minister should have made some
arrangement [etc.]. 1843 Borrow Bible ^ in Spain xiii,
Isturitz became head of the cabinet, Galiano minister of
marine, and a certain Duke of Rivas minister of the interior.
1868 M.E. G. Duff Pol. Surv. 16 The King.. immediately
dismissed his Ministers. 1877 D. M. Wallace Russia
(ed. 2) I. 315 TheProcureur. .is directly subordinated to the
Minister of Justice. Ibid. 322 The Minister for Foreign
Affairs explained that [etc.].
b. A political agent accredited by one sovereign
state to another; an envoy from one country to
another charged with the duty of protecting and
furthering the interests of the state by which he is
accredited.
1709 Lond. Gaz. No. 4547/1 He received the compliments
of the Foreign Ministers residing here. 17x1 Swift Jrnh
to Stella s Dec, The Elector of Hanover's Minister here
has given in a violent memorial against the peace. 1789
Const. U. S. ii. § 3 The president, .shall receive ambassadors
and other public ministers. x86o Malmesbury Mem. Ex-
Minister (1884) II. 234 In consequence of this violent act
of invading Romagna, Louis Napoleon has recalled his
Minister from Turin, leaving a charge" d'affaires. 1880
W. Cory Mod. Eng. Hist. I. 1^8 note, The term Minister is
applied, .to an envoy residing in a foreign capital.
4. Ecclesiastical and religious uses.
a. In Pre -Re form at ion English, applied to a
person in orders officially charged with some
function in the celebration of worship in a par-
ticular church, chapel, chantry, etc. In the rubrics
of the Book of Common Prayer the word denotes
the clergyman, or any of a number of clergymen,
engaged in conducting worship on a particular
occasion.
C1315 Shoreham i. 1539 5ef ber nys suiche mynystre non,
Pys temple stent iuere. 148a Rolls ofParlt.Vi. 209/2 The
noumbre of ministres daily servyng Almyghty God in the
seidChapell. 1501 in Bury Wilts (Camden) 89, 1 beqwethe
to the vicars and to the chawntery prestys. .to eche of them
vj. d. and to mynysters and queresteres after the rate. 1549
Bk. Com. Prayer, Communion, Then shall this generall con-
fession bee made, in the name of all those that are minded to
receyue the holy Communion, eyther by one of them, or els by
one of the ministers, or by the Prieste hymselfe. i66« Ibid.,
When all have communicated, the Minister shall return to the
Lord's Table.. .Then shall the Priest say the Lord's Prayer.
126
MINISTER.
474
MINISTERIAL.
b. In phrases such as minister of the church, of
the gospel, and the scriptural phrases minister of
God, of Jesus Christ, of the sanctuary, applied as
general designations for a person officially charged
with spiritual functions in the Christian Church.
Hence from the 16th c. onwards (after the example
of foreign Protestant, esp. Calvinistic, use) em-
ployed absol. in the same sense, at first chiefly by
those who objected to the terms priest and clergy-
man as implying erroneous views of the nature of
the sacred office. The use of minister as the de-
signation of an Anglican clergyman (formerly ex-
tensively current, sometimes with more specific
application to a beneficed clergyman) has latterly
become rare, and is now chiefly associated with Low
Church views ; but it is still the ordinary appella-
tion of one appointed to spiritual office in any non-
episcopal communion, esp. of one having a pastoral
charge. The term minister of religion, as applied
to a 'clergyman* or 'minister' of any religious
denomination, is common in official use.
Minister's man : in Scotland, a man who acts as personal
servant to a parish minister, and is employed by him in
various offices connected with the church and parish.
1340 Ayenb. 236 f>e gerdel huermide be niinistres of holy
cherche ssolle ham gerde ope be lenden is chastete. 1485
Caxton C/tas. Gt. 196 The bysshop wyth other mynystres
of the chyrche dyd halowe the fonte. 1560-1 Machyn
Diary (Camden) 249 Parson Veron the Frenche man dyd
pryche ther, for he was parson ther, and ys menyster. 1583
Stcbbes Anat. Abuses n. {1882) 106 Such [names] as at
anie hande a Minister of the Gospell ought not to bee called
by. 1590 Articles agst. Cartwright in Fuller Ch. Hist.
ix. vii. 198 We do object.. against him, that he, being a
Minister (at least a Deacon) lawfully called, ..hath forsaken,
..and renounced the same orders Ecclesiastical. Ibid.
199 The manner of Ordination of Bishops, Ministers and
Deacons. 1609 B. Jonson Sii. Worn. 11. v, Get me a minis-
ter presently, with a soft low voice to marry vs. 1641 J.
Trappe Theol. Theol. 253 A Minister, if any man, had need
to bee godly. 1678 Wanley Wond. Lit. World v. iii.
§ 8. 474/1 Sixtus [I]., ordered that holy things and
vessels should be touched by none but Ministers. 1698 J.
Collier hnmor. Stage 137 To make the Ministers of
Religion less upon the score of their Function, would be a
Penalty on the Gospel. 1704 Nelson Fest. .$■ Fasts IL iii.
(1705) 395 Bishops. .only have Authority to send Ministers
into the Lord's Vineyard. 172a De Foe Relig. Courtsh. i.
13 Ministers are but Men. 1726 Ayliffe Parergon 71 Tho'
the word Minister sometimes denotes an Office, as that of a
Priest or Deacon *, and sometimes it is put for a Rector of a
Parish. 1727 Swift What passed in London Wks. 1755
III. 1. 187 The like might be observed in all sorts of minis-
ters though not of the church of England. 1813-15 Proc.
Ch. Miss. Soc. IV. 338 The minister of the Gospel ought
not to be left alone among a heathen people. 1833 Tracts
for Times No. 11. 12 The minister of the Independent
chapel. 1837 Lockhart Scott vii. (1839) 48/1 Macdonald. .
then officiated as minister to a small congregation of Epis-
copalian nonconformists. 1867 Geo. Eliot in Cross Life
III. 5 Renan's appearance is something between the Ca-
tholic priest and the dissenting minister. 1901 Scotsman
29 Mar. 6/8 Everyone .. was .. familiar with the duties
which a minister's man had to perform.
Comb. 1589 R. Harvey PI. Perc. (1590) 17 How dare
these fellowes aspire to further authontie in Minister-
making.
C. Applied to non-Christian religious function-
aries. Obs. exc. occas. with reference to Jews.
C1400 Maundev. (Roxb.) xix. 87 pe mynisters bat kepez
bat ilk mawmet. Ibid, xxxiv. 153 pe prestez and ministres
of ydoles er obedient to him. 1582 N. Lichefield tr.
Castanheda's Conq, E. hid. 1. vii. 18 A white Moore which
was a Minister of the Moores of Mousambicke. 1687 A.
Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. 11. 164 One of their Ministers
goes along with the Man that carries the Child ; and when
they are come to the River-side the Minister says these
words [etc.]. 1770 Langhorne Plutarch (1879) I. 166/2
The priests and ministers of the gods.
d. The title of the superior of certain religious
orders ; also minister general. In the Society of
Jesus, each of the five assistants of the general.
1450 Rolls o/Parlt. V. 195/2 Nicholas, nowe Maistir or
Minister of the ordre of Seynt Gilbert of Sempyngham.
c 1470 Henry Wallace 11. 289 Thomas Rimour in to the
Fade \sc. monastery] was than, With the mynystir, quhilk
was a worthi man. 1727-41 ChambersCj-cA s. v., Minister
is also the title which certain religious orders give to their
superior. In this sense we say, the minister of the Ma-
thurins, or Trinitarians. Minister, among the Jesuits, is
the second superior of each house. The general of the
Cordeliers order is also called the minister general. 1884
Catholic Diet. (1885) 580/1 Minister, among trie Franciscans
and Capuchins the head of the order is the minister-general.
..Again, the general of the Society of Jesus has five assis-
tants, called ministers, who are elected by the general con-
gregation.
t e. An assistant clergyman, curate (an applica-
tion of sense 2 d). Obs.
1624 in Ripon Ch. Acts (Surtees) 364 To Mr. Thompson,
my minister at Dighton, 40 s, To Mr. Beilbe, now vicar of
Palely Bridge, which was my minister at Dightonn, one
whole suite of my workeday apparell.
1 5. Law. An executor of a will ; an administrator
of an estate. Obs.
1433 Rolls of Parlt. IV. 472/1 That he be not..greved
by the Kyng, nor his heirs, nor his Ministres in tyme to
come. 1463 in Somerset Medieval Wills (1901) 197 My
trieu executors, feoffees and ministers, as they wille answere
afore God. 1546 in Trans. Cumb. % Westm. Arch&oL Soc.
X. 26, I gif to Godfray muncastor j quy by the Discrecion
of my mynistour.
+ 6. One who administers (medicine). Obs,
'559 Morwyng Evonym. Advert., Without any great
profit to the pacient or worship to the minister, because
their medicines are negligently prepared.
7. US. The catfish, Amiurus nebulosus.
[From sense 4 b : see quot.]
1872 Schele de Vere Americanisms 382 A species [of the
Catfish] is known also as Mudpout,. .and irreverently, from
its black color perhaps, as Minister.
Minister (mi*nist3i), v. Forms : see prec. sb.
[a. OF. ministrer, ad. L. ministrare, f. minis-
ter Minister sb. Cf. Sp., Pg. ministrar, It.
ministrare.']
L Transitive uses.
fl. To serve (food or drink). Obs.
«.. E. E. Allit. P. B. 644 Abraham.. Mynystred mete
byfore bo men bat my3tes alweldez. 1426 Lydg. De Guil.
Pilgr. 3286 Off" that foodc.He Gaff* to etyn to hem alle
Thys newe mete most vnkouth, Mynystryng yt in-to ther
mouth, c 1440 Gesta Rom. lxx. 322 (Harl. MS.) Eueryday
he mynystrid to be Emperour of drynke. 1662 H. Stubbe
Ind. Nectar \\. 10 Chocolatte.. which they minister in great
cups of above a pint.
2. To furnish, supply, impart (something neces-
sary or helpful. Now only {arch, or literary^)
with immaterial object.
C1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 377 Bi occasion of graceofgod
mynystred to eny creature. 1390 GowerC<?«/C III. 119 His
Monthe assigned ek also Is Averil, which of his schoures
Ministreth weie unto the floures. c 1400 Maundev. (Roxb.)
vii. 23 pai hafe na moisture bot bat be forsaid ryuer minis-
ters, c 1450 Mirour Saluacioun 4206 To whame so salutere
techinges he mynystres so freely. 1517 Torkington Pilgr.
(1884) 40 The lyght ys ther mynystred by many lampes.
1533 P'cess Mary in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. 1. II. 30 Ye
thereyn shulde mynestre unto me veraye acceptable pleasor.
1535 Goodly Primer (1834) 33 He that doth minister house,
license, place, time, or help, to the works of this abominable
lust. 1553 Eden Treat. Neive Ind. (Arb.l 33 The sea also
ministred vnto them great abundaunce of shelfishe. 1605
Bacon Adv. Learn. 1. vi. § 16 They minister a singuler
helpe and preseruative against vnbeleefe and error. 1613
Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 90 How great a quantity soeuer
[sc. of glassie sand] is by ships carried thence, is supplied by
the Winds, which minister new sands. 1653 H. Cogan tr.
Pinto's Trav. lxxix. 320 We were thus ministring matter
for the company to laugh at us. 1742 Young Nt. Th. nil.
598 Wisdom, ..Was meant to minister, and not to mar, Im-
perial pleasure. 1862 Stanley Jew. Ch. (1877) I.xvi. 317 The
story.. was able to minister true consolation, a 187a Mau-
rice Friendship Bks. iii. (1874) 83 The wisdom and consola-
tion which it [learning] ministered to the common wayfarer.
jb. To communicate, make known. Obs.
1535-6 Act 27 Hen. VIII, c 63 (Deputy's oath) Yf any
defaulte ye fynde therein ye shall mynyster and shewe it
unto theym.
T C. To prompt, suggest. In quot. absol. Obs.
1603 Shaks. Me as. for M. iv. v. 6 Sometimes you doe
blench from this to that As cause doth minister.
1 3. To dispense, administer (a sacrament, the
'elements* or the like). Obs.
c 1400 Lay Folks Mass Bk. App. iii. 123 To ministre bis
moste worschipeful sacramente. 1510-20 Everyman 742
Thou mynystres all the sacramentes seuen. 1549 Bk. Com.
Prayer, Commun. 118 b, As y> prist ministreth the Sacra-
ment of the body, so shal he [sc. the deacon], .minister y°
Sacrament of the bloud. 1637 Sc. Prayer Bk., Confirma-
tion (Rubric), It was ordained that confirmation should be
ministred to them that were of perfect age. 1816 J. Wilson
City of 'Plapte in. i. 197 'Tis but two nights ago I thither
went To minister the sacrament.
4. To apply or administer (something healing) j
also absol. axxlfig. ? Obs.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. vii. lix. (1495) 275 Agaynst
the Canker men shall mynistre medycynes whyche brennen
and frete the deed flesshe. 1426 Lydg. De Guil. Pilgr.
1540 For they mynystre ther oynement To boystously,
& no thing soffte. 1484 Caxton Fables 0/ Poge x, [He]
mynistyred alwey his pylles to euery man that came to
hym for ony remedy. 1542-3 Act 34 # 35 Hen. VIII, c. 8
An Acte that persones being no comen Surgeons maie
mynistre medicines owtwarde. 1590 Barrough Meth. Phy-
sick 1. v. (1639) 8 If the patient be any thing costive, you
may minister this decoction. 1619 Fletcher M. Thomas
in. i, Such a Physicke May chance to find the humour : be
not long Lady, For we must minister within this halfe houre.
1680 Otway Orphan 1. i, As calmly as the wounded Patient
bears The Artist's hand that Ministers his Cure.
+ 5. To. execute or dispense (justice, law); to
administer (punishment). Obs.
1454 Rolls of Parlt. V. 239/2 After the cours of Iawe to
mynystre justice. 1467-8 Ibid. 622/2 This Londe was full
naked and bareyn of Justice, the Peas not kepte, nor Lawes
duely mynystred within the same, c 1550 Bale K. fohan
(Camden) 52 Her custome ys to mynyster ponyshment To
kynges and princes beyng dyssobedyent. 1596 Dalrymple
tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. 1. 11. 169 Justice and asquitie he minis-
terit amang his awne wl gret commendatione.
1 6. Law. To administer (an interrogatory, oath
or the like). Obs.
1425 Rolls of Parlt. IV. 271/1, I ynne his name, shall
answer to ye boke last mynystred by ye partie of my Lord
Mareschall, and synglerfy to each article yrof. a 1541
Wyatt De/ence\yks. (1861) p. xxx, What they mean by deny-
ing of this ; minister interrogatories. Let them have such
thirty-eight as were ministered unto me. 156a Act 5 Eliz.
c. 1 § 5 Every Archebushopp.. shall have full power.. to
tender and minister the Othe. a 1631 Donne Serm. viii.
84 Is he not thy Father? is an Interrogatory ministered by
Moses. 172a De Foe Plague (1756) 46 To minister unto
them Oaths for the Performance of their Offices.
+ 7. To guide, direct, manage (affairs, etc.). Obs.
c 1374 Chaucer Boeth. m. met. vi. 61 (Camb. MS.) On
allone is fadyr of thynges. On allone mynystreth alle thinges.
c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 391 And silt bai daymen so
ferforbli bes tibis, pat no man lawfully may wib-holde
hem or minystre hem save bai. 149a in 10M Rep. Hist.
AfSS. Comm. App. v. 323 They that ony maters shall have
in courte to be mynstred. 1540-1 Elyot Image Gov. (1549)
104 A counsaile, wherby the affaires of the citee. .shoulde
be ruled and ministred.
t b. To execute the duties of (an ofnce). Obs.
154a Udall Erasm. Apeph. 284 b, That he had in suche
wyse executed & ministred y° office of a capitaine that [etc.].
II. Intransitive uses.
8. To serve, wait at table ; to attend to the
comfort or wants of another; to render aid or
tendance. Const, to, unto, \for (a person, his
wants) ; also f dat. of person.
c 1380 Antecrist in Todd 3 Treat. Wyclif 124 He bat
mynystrib me folowe he me seib Crist. 138a Wyclif Luke
xxii. 27 For whi who is the more, he that restith, other he that
mynistrith? 1388 — Isa. Ix. 10 The kyngis of hem schulen
mynystre to thee. 1393 Langl. P. PI. C. xix. 97 Maidenes
and marteres ministred hym her in erthe. 1433-50 tr. Higden
(Rolls) II. 353 The peple of Israel ministrede [orig. servivit]
to Eglon the fatte kynge of Moab. 1509 Fisher Funeral
Serm. C'tess Richmond Wks. (1876) 297 In theyr sykenes..
mynystrynge vnto them with her owne bandes. 1611 Bible
Markx. 45 The Sonne of man came not to bee ministred vnto,
but to minister. 1667 Milton P. L. v. 444 Mean while at
Table Eve Ministerd naked. 173a Law Serious C. v. (ed. 2)
69 To assist, protect, and minister for them who shall be
heirs of Salvation. 1816 J. Wilson City of Plague 11. i v.
131 For these three months, Hath she been ministering at
the dying bed. 1866 G. Macdonald Ann. Q. Neighb. xvii.
(1878) 342 Add to your kindness this day, by letting my wife
and me minister to you.
9. To serve or officiate in worship ; to act as a
minister of the Church.
C1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 80 pel ordeynd a couent,
to ministre in bat kirke. c 1400 Apol. Loll. 11 If minstris
of be kirke wele not frely minster to hem bat bei [schuld?]
frely minster to, not but if mony or ober bing be geuen
to hem. 1521 Bp. Longland in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. 111.
I. 252, I mynystred as my weykenes wold seive, in ponti-
ficalibus. 1563-83 Foxe A. «$■ M. II. 1613/2 Such Byshops
as Minister not, but Lord it. 1678-5 Comber Comp. Temple
(1702) 53 While he that Ministred repeated this Office, all
present were to joyn with him. 1710 Prideaux Orig. Tithes
II. 86 Who then Ministred in holy things. 1855 Milman
Lat. Chr. (1864) xiv. vi. IX. 213 The Teutons .. were com-
pelled to possess one qualification, the power of ministering
in that Latin Service.
10. To be helpful or serviceable; also, to be
conducive, contribute to something,
1696 Whiston Theory Earth iv. (17221 332 The Waters.,
were so dispos'd as to minister to his Necessities. 1711-ia
Smalridge 12 Serm. (1717) 343 Fasting is not Absolutely..
Good, but Relatively, and as it ministers to Other Virtues.
1831 Lytton Godolphin 3, I ministered to their amusement.
1850 McCosh Div. Govt. 11. 1. (1874) 137 The useful.. minis-
ters to the love of the beautiful.
Hence Ministered///, a.
< 1425 Found. St. Bartholomew** (E.E.T.S.) 31 Plenty
of mynystryd grace from God.
Minister, obs. form of Minster.
Ministerial (mi:nistle*rial), a. and sb. [ad. F.
minisie'riel, ad. med.L. minisierialis, f. L. ministe-
rium Ministry. But the word appears to have
been generally apprehended as a direct derivative
of Minister sb., and this view of the etymology
has influenced the sense.] A. adj.
1. Pertaining to, or entrusted with, the execution
of the law, or of the commands of a superior;
pertaining to or possessing delegated executive
authority.
Ministerial act : an act which is a necessary part of a
person's official duty, or which is required by law in a given
state of circumstances, so that the agent is exempt from
responsibility for its propriety or consequences.
1577 tr. Bullinger,s Decades (1592) 836 And there is also
one sort of power which is free and absolute, and another
sort of power which is limited, which is also called mini-
steriall. 1647 N. Bacon Disc. Govt. Eng. 1. xxiii. (1739) 41
He was partly ministerial, and partly judicial, a 1680
Butler Rem. (1759) II. 104 He is but subordinate and
ministerial to his Wife, who commands in chief. 1765 Black-
stone Comm. I. 427 There is yet a fourth species of ser-
vants, if they may be so called, being rather in a superior,
a ministerial, capacity ; such as stewards, factors, and
bailiffs. 1834 J. Marshall Const. Opin. (1839) 325 The
warrant of a ministerial officer may authorize the collection
of these penalties, &c. 1846 McCulloch Acc. Brit. Empire
(1854) II. 221 The ministerial or executive duties of the
sheriff are multifarious. 1863 H. Cox Instil. 1. vii. 92 He
. .puts questions to the vote, . . and performs various func-
tions of a ministerial character.
2. Concerned as a subordinate agent, or as an
instrument or means ; subsidiary ; instrumental.
1607 Topsell Four-f Beasts (1658) Pref., As Life is the
Ministerial Governor and Mover in this World, so is Learn-
ing the Ministerial Governor and Mover in Life, a 1619
Fotherby Atheom. 1. xi. § 4 (1622) 118 The most abiect and
ministeriall parts of his body. Ibid. n. i. § 8. 1S6 Inferior
and ministeriall Arts. 1665 Sir T. Herbert Traz>. (1677)
238 Cyrus .. with Harpagus .. were ministerial together in
the subduing Astyages. a 1674 Clarendon Hist. Reb. xm.
§ 7 The States of Holland thought they had merited much
in suffering their ships to transport him, and so being
ministerial to his greatness. 1713 Derham Phys.-Theol. iv.
xi. 195 From the Teeth, the grand Instruments of Mastica-
tion, let us proceed to the other Ministerial Parts. 1840
De Quincey Rhetoric Wks. 1859 XI. 29 We may admit arts
of style and ornamental composition as the ministerial part
of rhetoric, a 1859 — Conversat. Wks. i860 XIV. 167 In
speaking above of conversation, we have fixed our view on
those uses of conversation which are ministerial to intel-
lectual culture, a 1871 Grote Eih. Fragm. \. (1876) 136
MINISTERIALISM.
The supreme, or architectonic, ends, are superior in eligi-
bility to the subordinate, or ministerial.
3. Pertaining to the office, function, or character
of a minister of religion.
1561 T. Norton Calvin's Inst. iv. vi. 34 There may
be vnder hym [Christ] an other ministerial hed (as they
terme it) that may be his vicegerent in earth. 1597
Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. lxxvii. § 2 Ministeriall power is a
marke of separation, because it seuereth them that haue it
from other men. 1653 Milton Hirelings Wks. 1851 V. 347
It will not be deni'd that in the Gospel there be but two
ministerial Degrees, Presbyters and Deacons. a 1716
Blackai.l Wks. (1723) I. 109 Not that 'tis lawful for any
Man to invade the ministerial Office, who is not call'd and
ordain'd thereto. 1894 H. Gardener Unoff. Patriot 65
The exigencies of his ministerial life had so far made it
necessary for him to leave the plantation but twice.
4. Of or pertaining to a minister of state ; of or
belonging to or having relations with a pnblic
minister or ministry; siding with or supporting
the Ministry as against the Opposition.
1655 Digges Cotnpl. Ambass. Pref., The cheif ministerial
parts lay upon Burleigh and Walsingham. 1735-8 ISoung-
broke On Parties Ded. 21 There are Persons, who take to
Themselves the Title of ministerial Writers. Ibid. 8 They
who could never brook a Regal, will have the Merit of
saving their Country from the Danger of a Ministerial
Tyranny. 1747 H. Walpole Lett. (1846) II. 200 My con-
nexions with anything ministerial are as little as possible.
1830 Lo. Valletort in Hansard's Pari. Deb. XXIV. 1233
Those who sat on the Ministerial side of the House. 1850
Ht. Martineau Hist. Peace v. i. (1877) ".'■ l83 Parliament
was to be dissolved on the first ministerial reverse. 1863
H. Cox Instit. 111. viii. 723 The supreme ministerial authority
is delegated by the Crown to a Secretary of State. 1889
Daily Naus 14 May 3/3 Ministerial cries of ' Oh,' and
cheers from the Irish members.
B. sb.
fl.pt. Subsidiary provisions. Obs.
1647 Trait Comin. Matt. v. 18 The ministerial of this
law shall pass away together with this life.
2. Hist. An executive household officer under
the feudal system. (Cf. Du Cange s.v. JMinis-
leriales.)
1818 Hallam Mid. Ages (1872) 1. 182 Prelates and barons,
who surrounded themselves with household officers^ called
ministerials. 1849 Kemble Saxons in Eng. \\. viii. 391
They [the clergy] were called upon to take their place with
other landowners, lords, or ministerials in the popular
councils.
Ministerialism (mrnistl'Tializ'm). [f. prec.
+ -IS5J.]
1. Partisanship of the ministry in power.
1830 Eraser's Mag. II. 258 His unbending ministerialism
. .cut him oft" from Whig sympathy. 1873 Daily Nexus
28 July 4/7 An exaggerated Ministerialism is ill met by an
exaggerated sectarianism.
2. The ideas and conduct characteristic of a
minister of religion.
1884 Fullerton in Sword f Trozvel July 342 There are
scores of men whose sole ambition seems to be to sink their
manliness in ministerialism.
Ministe'rialist. [f. Ministerial a. + -ist.]
A supporter of the Ministry in office.
1793 Burke Policy ofAllicsV/ks. VII. 152 note, This was
the language of the ministerialists. 1820 W. Irving in Life
A> Lett. (1864) I. xxvii. 455 The visitors are men of different
politics, though most frequently ministerialists. 1882 Times
24 Oct. 9 Those Ministerialists who are not in office them-
selves.
Mi nisteria'lity, nonce-wd. [f. Ministerial
a. + -ity.] The quality or fact of being ministerial.
1858 De QufNCEY Language Wks. IX. 95 It is a capital
error, under theldea of its mtnisteriality, to undervalue this
great organ of theSadvancing intellect.
Ministerially (mi:nisti«Tiali), adv. [f. Mi-
nisterial a. + -LY K] In a ministerial manner or
capacity ; as a minister (in any sense of the word).
1601 Deacon & Walker Spirits A> Divels 14s The hus-
bandman (by applying and mixing wheat with earth,) may
ministerially be saide to bring foorth the said wheat. 165a
Gaule Magastrom. 207 Whether the good angels can do
miracles? Ministerially and instrumentally they may, but
not principally and authoritatively. 1752 J. Gill Trinity
ii. 38 The angel of the Lord.. spoke in his own name, and
not ministerially in his who sent him. 1848 C. A. Johns
Week at Lizard vo\ My informant was called onto visit
ministerially one of the . . persons . . , then . . lying on his death-
bed. 1885 Law Times 11 Apr. 421/1 [He] must have been
acting judicially and ministerially.
Ministe'rialness. rare. [f. Ministerial a.
+ -NESS.] The quality of being ministerial.
1836 Pusev in Liddon, etc. Life (1893) I. xvii. 401 The
Ministerialness of the act consists in that it has pleased
God that the absolution should be conveyed through a
minister.
Ministerie, obs. form of Ministry.
Ministering (ministarirj), vbl. si.
nister v. + -ing i.] The action of
Minister; ministration, administration.
C1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 437 Prests shulden have
betere ordre in minstryng of sacraments. _ 1530 Palsgr.
583/1, I heale one by mynystryrige of medycines to hym,/*:
medicine. 1611 Bible Rom. xii. 7 Or ministery, let vs wait,
on our ministring. 1824 Lamb Elia Ser. n. Capt. Jackson,
The anxious ministerings about you. 1901 Macm. Mag.
Apr. 412/2 The Church of Ireland clergy as a rule do a deal
of ministering to the Roman Catholic sick and poor.
attrib. 1535 Coverdale i Chron. x. 28 Some of them had
the ouersight of the mynistrynge vessell. 1566 (title\ A
briefe discourse against the outwarde apparrell and niinistnng
garments of the Popishe church.
[f. Mi-
the verb
475
Ministering (mrnistsriij), ppl. a. [f. Mi-
nister v. + -ing2.] That ministers or serves;
serving as a subordinate agent ; performing help-
ful services; administering, officiating.
153S Coverdale Heb. \. 14 Are they [sc. Angels] not all
mynistrynge spretes? 1654 Jer. Taylor Real Pres. 71 The
Greek Church universally taught that the Consecration was
made by the prayers of the mimstring man. 1764 Foote
Mayor of G. 1. Wks. 1799 I. 162 Is it your Worship's will
that I lend a ministring hand to the maim'd ? 1808 Scott
Marm. vi. 30 O Woman ! . .When pain and anguish wring
the brow, A ministering angel thou ! 1886 A. Weir Hist.
Basis Mod. Eur. (1889) 27 Though despotic, [both monarchs]
were conscious of the ministering nature of their office.
!l Ministerinm (ministio-riz>m). Eccl. [L. :
see Ministry.]
1. (See qnot.)
1858 Direct. Angl. 233 Ministerium, the Epistle corner
of the altar. So called from the Sacred Ministers preparing
the chalice, &c, there when the elements are removed from
the credence.
2. The body of ordained ministers of the Lutheran
church in any district, charged with the ruling of
the congregation and the selection of candidates
for clerical preferment.
1881 PhUad. Record No. 3457. 1 In to-day's session of the
Lutheran Ministerium a report on Muhlenberg College
showed [etc.]. 1882-3 Schajfs Encycl. Relig. Kno-ivl. Ill,
2126 Schmuker, S. S...was admitted into the ministry by
the Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania in 1820.
Ministership (mrnistajjip). [f. Minister
sb. + -ship.] The office of a minister ; the position
or fact of being a minister.
1565 Jewel Def. Apol. (1611) 412 How vainely you snap
..now at our Superintendentships : now at our Minister-
ships. 174a H. Walpole Lett, to Mann 3 Mar. (1857) I. 137
Think of his talking of making it dangerous for anyone else
to accept the first ministership ! 1863 Daily Tel 8 Oct., We
are obliged to write of Sir James Hudson's Ministership as
a thing of the past. 187a Daily News 1 Oct. 5, I am not
a footman, and the ministership you would give me under
a regime such as this would be a menial office.
Ministery, obs. form of Ministry.
t Ministral, a. Obs. rare. [a. F. ministral, L.
ministral-is , f. L. minister : see Minister sb. and
-al.] Pertaining to a minister or agent.
1727 Bailey vol. II, Ministral, belonging to a minister.
1851 G. S. Faber Many Mansions 105 When our Bodies
shall be glorified, they will be capable . . of a divestment of
their glory, should such a divestment be . . necessary for
accomplishing the ministral purposes of the Deity.
Ministralle, obs. form of Minstrel.
Ministrant (mi'nistrant), a. and sb. [a. L.
ministrant-em , pr. pple. oiministrdreto Minister.]
A. adj. That ministers. Const, to.
1667 Milton P. L. x. 87 Him Thrones and Powers,
Princedoms, and Dominations ministrant Accompanied to
Heaven Gate. X718 Pope Odyss. x. 413 Ministrant to their
Queen, with busy care Four faithful handmaids the soft
rites prepare. 1805 Southey Modoc in W. xii, The place
To that despondent mood was ministrant. 1871 B. Taylor
Faust (1875) I. i. 31 The sweet, consoling chant, Which,
through the night of Death, the angels ministrant Sang.
B. sb. One who ministers.
1818 Keats Endym. 1. 285 Strange ministrant of unde-
scribed sounds. 1874 S. Cox Pilgr. Ps. xv. 323 The heavenly
ministrants do, we know, look down on us with, .compassion.
1884 Browning Founder of Feast 14 When, night by night
..Music was poured by perfect ministrants. 1885 Vpool
Daily Post 23 Oct. 4/7 Ministrants at the altar.
t Mrnistrate, R Obs. Also pa. pple. 6-7 Sc.
ministrat(e. [f. L. ministrdt-t ppl. stem of
ministrdre to Minister.]
1. trans. To administer.
1533 Bellenden tr. Livy in. xvi. (S. T.S.) II. 8M. Clau-
dius had complenit a Htill bat na Iustice was ministrate to
him. 1559 in Tytler Hist. Scott. (1864) III. 391 Their
minister shall have full liberty . . to ministrate the sacraments,
publicly and privately. 1639 Marq. Hamilton Explan.
Meaning Oath a> Covenant 12 [They] refuse the participa-
tion of the holy sacraments as they are now ministrate. 1727
Bailey vol. II, To Ministrate, to minister or serve.
2. intr. To minister to.
1887 Browning Parley ings, Furini 154 Learn how they
ministrate to life and death.
Ministration (mi:nistr^-j3n). [ad. L. mini-
stration-em^ n. of action f. ministrdre to Minister.
Cf. obs. F. ministracion (14th c.)-]
1. The action {rarely, an act) of ministering or
serving ; the rendering of aid or service.
a 1340 Hampole Psalter, Cant. 524 Grete thing he did til
hur in quantite of grace, gretter in mynystracyon of Aungell.
1382 Wyclif 2 Cor. in. 7-8 If the mynistracioun of deeth
defformyd by lettris in stoones was in glorie . .hou not more
the mynistracioun of spirit schal be in glorie ? 1560 Daus
tr. Sleidane's Comm. 49 b, Let them not be covetous, nor
for theyr ministration extorte money gredelye. 171683 Owen
True Nat. Gosp. Ch. Wks. 1853 XVI. no Ministration unto
the poor of the Church, for the supply of their temporal
necessities is an ordinance of Christ 1712 M. H enry Daily
Commun. 11. (1847) 126 What a security is the ministration
of those good spirits against the malice of evil spirits I 1875
Jowett Plato I. 206 Nor is any one to be blamed for doing
any honourable service or ministration to any man.
+ b. Exercise of official functions. Obs.
1651 Hobbes Govt. $ Soc. x. § 15. 162 Content with the
nomination of Magistrates, and publiquei Ministers, that is
to say, with the authority without the ministration,
t e. Agency, instrumentality. Obs.
I3g8 Trevisa Barth, De P. R. iv. iv. (1495) 85 The vertues
MINISTRESS.
of the spirites werke their efTectes in al the lymmes of the
body by mynystracion and seruyse of humours. 1553 Eden
Decades 80 What so euer god by the ministration of nature
hath created.
2. spec. The action of ministering in religious
matters ; service as a priest or minister ; pi. the
services of ministers of religion.
1535 Coverdale Acts i. 17 For be was nombred with vs
& had opteyned the felashippe of this mynistracion. 1548-9
[see Ministry 3]. 1660 South Serm. {1727) IV. i. 62 At the
thirtieth Year of their Age they began their Levitical Minis-
tration. 1841 A. R. C. Dallas Past. Superintend . 5 A snare
had long been spread for us. .leading usto injure our means
of usefulness, through a depreciation of order in our minis-
trations. 1884 Law Times 14 June 122/2 There should be
a provision for religious ministrations.
f b. A ministerial office or employment. Obs.
1550 Crowley Ware to Wealth (E. E. T. S.) 145 Ye have
benefices, or other spirituall promotions, as you call theym,
for ye are ashamed to call them ministracions.
f3. The action of administering the sacraments,
justice, law, an estate or revenue, etc.; adminis-
tration ; occas. executorship. Obs.
c 1340 Hampole Prose Tr. (1866) 25 Thes holy menne lefte
not witterly the ministracion of the lokynge and the di-
spendynge of worldely goodis. 1422 E. E. Wills (E.E.T.S.)
50, I wole bat he haue hem vpon this condicion, .. bat he
lete hem note off ministration of myn other goode. 1432-50
tr. IHgden (Rolls) V. 109 The ministracion of baptym and
of beryenge. 1439 E. E. Wills (E, E. T. S.) 128 Wich of
hem as laboureth for the execucion of his will, and taketh
vpon him mynystracion shall [etc.]. 1442 Rolls of Pari/.
V. 57/1 The ministration of the revenuez. 1512 Act 4
Hen. VIII, c. 20 Preamble, Your true Subgectes beyng in
Compeny with hym for mynystracion of your lawes. 1527
RasteWs Abridg. Stat. 99b, Any other that take vppon
them the mynystracion of the forest. 1533 More Debell.
Salem Wks. 1023/1 Their authorite in ministracion of the
sacramente*. <ri55o Coverdale Calvin's Treat. Sacram.
etc. F j b, The mynistracion of holye baplime. Ibid., The
due ni'inistracyon of holy wedloke. 1579 FuLKE Heskins*
Pari. 309 Many corruptions, that were crept into the Church
about the ministration of the cup.
4, The action of supplying, providing, or giving
(something). Const, of.
1460-70 Bh, Quintessence 15 panne comforte him wib
ministracioun of oure quinte essencie afore seid. 1547
Boorde Bra'. Health 2 The ministracion of phisicki;. 1862
Tyndai.l Mountaineer, i. 3 The ministration of unwhole-
some food. 1873 Browning Red Coil. Nt.-cap 184 Yours
the care That any world . . be easy of access Through mi-
nistration of the moneys due.
Ministrative (ministr^tiv), a. [ad. L.
Xministrdtiv-us, f. ministrdre : see Minister v.
and -ive.] Pertaining to or of the nature of mini-
stration; affording service or assistance.
'833 J. H. Newman Ariatts 1. v. (1876) 125 His ministra-
tive office in the revealed Economy of the Godhead. 1850
Gladstone Homer II. 105 When Minerva alters the personal
appearance of Telemachus, [etc.] . . she uses no sign or minis-
trative act.
Ministrator (mi-nistr^ts-O. rare. [a. L.
ministrator, agent-n. f. ministrdre : see Minister
v.] One who ministers or administers ; + a testa-
mentary executor.
1523 Fitzherb. Husk § 165 Prayer.. must nedes be done
in the chyrche by the mynystiatours of the same before
the people. 1559 Richmond Wills (Surtees) 132 Whome
I maike juntly together executores and ministratores of yis
my last wyll and testament. 1598 Durham Wills (Surtees
No. 38) 332 Widowe Maire,. .lawfull ministrator to hir Iaite
husband. 1654 R. Codrington tr. Justine xin. 208 Who
would therefore wonder that the world should be conquered
by such ministrators. ^1734 North Exam. (1740) 74 The
Law, and the Ministrators of it. 1884 Schajfs Encycl.
Relig. Knovjl. s.v. Angels, They were the ministrators of
the law.
t Ministratoriously, adv. Obs. rare-1.
[f. late L. ministrdtori-us (see next) + -OUS + -ly 2.]
In the capacity of an administrator.
1563-83 Foxe A. <y M. I. 432/1 A man cannot onely minis-
tratoriously geue any temporal or continuall gift, eyther as
well to his naturall sonne, as to his sonne by imitation.
t Ministratory, a. Obs. rare"1. [ad. L.
ministrdtori-us, f. ministrator, agent-n. f. mini-
strdre : see Minister v. and -oby.] Having the
function of ministering.
1625 Godwin Moses $ Aaron (1655) 255 To shew his
ministratory office.
Ministre, -trele, obs. ff. Minister, Minstrel.
Ministrer (mi-nistrai). [f. Minister v. +
-er 1.] One who ministers or serves.
?i4-. in Wars Eng. in France (1864^ II. 525 Officers
royalle and mynystroures belongyng aftir the custome of
Fraunce. 1509-10 Act 1 Hen. VIU, c 16 § 1 Wages due
. . to the Officers and Ministrours of the same. 1530 Palsgr.
245/2 Mynistrer of justyce, droicturier. 1836 Neiu Monthly
Mag. XLVIII. 219 My business is not with the 'sincere
and conscientious ' ministrer of comfort.
Ministress (mi-nistres). [f. Minister sb. +
-ess. Cf. F. ministresse (Cotgr.).] A woman who
ministers or serves. Also trans/, and fig.
1600 Hosp. Incur. Footes a j, Nature (diuine ministresse)
contending ..to imprint in them the seale and forme of
Diuinitle. 166a J. Sparrow tr. Behme"s Rem. Wks., Apol.
cone. Perfect. 48 It should, as a Noble Ministresse or Maid
of Honour to its Bridegroom the Soul, draw the Soul there-
unto. 1744 Akenside Pleas. Imag. 1. 373 Thus was Beauty
sent from heaven, The lovely ministress of truth and good
In this dark world. 1891 C. E. Norton Dante's Hell xxix.
159 The ministress of the High Lord- infallible Justice.
Ministring, obs. form of Ministering.
126 - 2
MINISTRY.
476
MINK.
Ministry ^mrnistri). Fornix : 4 mynysterye,
-ie, mynisterie, min3tri, 5-6 mynistery, 5-8
ministery, 6 mynystery, ministeree, minstirie,
-y, 6-7 mmistsrie, -trie, 8 ministrey, 6- mi-
nistry. [ME. ministerie, ad. L. ministerium
office, service, f. minister: see Minister sb. Cf.
F. minister* (16th a), Pr. ministeri, Sp., Pg., It.
ministerio. Cf. Mister sW]
1. The action of ministering ; the rendering of
service; the performance of any office or labour
for another. Now only in religious use or coloured
by association with this.
138a Wyclif Ezek. xliv. 14, I shal 3eue hem porters of the
hous, in al the mynysterie therof. c 1450 tr. De Imitatione
in. xi. 78 pou hast ordeined also angels in to niannys mynis-
tery. 15*6 Pi/gr. Per/. (\V. de W. 1531) 257 b, More plea-
saunt was to hym y* poore seruyce of nis mortall creatures
than shold haue ben y° gloryous mynystery of aungels.
c 1555 Harpsheld Divorce I feu. Will (Camden) 245 That
woman doth not pertain to matrimony with whom .. there
was no matrimonial ministry. 1576 Fleming Panopl. Bpist.
354 The Oxe is a fellowe labourer with his maister,. .so that
wee finde speciall benefites redounding to vs, by and through
the vse of their ministerie. 1681-6J. Scott Chr. Life (1747)
III. 379 Another of those Ministries which Princes are
obliged to render his Church, is, to chasten and correct the
irregular and disorderly Members of it. 1777 Robertson
Hist. Amer, v. (1778) II. 112 People who were unacquainted
with the ministry of domestic auimals, or the aid of ma-
chines, to facilitate any work of labour. 189a Tennyson
in Mem. (1897) II. 421 My idea of heaven is the perpetual
ministry of one soul to another.
f 2. A mode or kind of service ; a specific de-
partment of usefulness ; a function, office. Obs.
1432-50 tr. Higden (Rolls) III. 461 Whiche suppose bene-
fites grauntede to vs for necessites as thynges grevous,
seyenge be ministerys of artes as wickede thynges, destroy-
enge at the laste the lawes off lyvyuge. 1546 Langley/W.
Verg. De Invent. Pref. 5 They that have excogitated.. any. .
handy craftes or ministeries to the maintenance, aid and com-
fort of the Body. 1553 Bale V'ocac. 9 b, From the shippe,
from y° costomehowse, 6: from other homily ministerys, called
he not y° stought, sturdye &: heady sort of men. 1635-56
Cowley Davideis u. note 30 The daughters of Cocalus
washt Minosat hisarrival in Sicilie. But the more ordinary,
was to have young and beautiful servants for this and the
like ministeries. 1644 Milton Areop. (Arb.) 75 It is not
possible for man to sever the wheat from the tares. .; that
must be the Angels Ministery at the end of mortall things.
3. The functions, or any specific function, pertain-
ing to a minister of religion ; the action, or an act,
of ministering in holy things.
1382 Wyclik Cot. iv. 17 Se the mynisterie, that thou hast
takun of the Lord, that thou fulfille it. c 1400 Apot. Lotl.
32 It semib bat God enionib to doctors and dekunis be
minstri of presthed, and of dekunhed, bat are ri^tful. 1432-50
tr. Higden (Rolls) IV. 405 Seynte Petyr ordeynede lj. bi-
schoppes at Rome, other ij. helperes to hym .. to fullefille
the ministery off pristes to the peple. 1548-9 (Mar.) Bk.
Corn, Prayer, Communion (Rubric), The Priest that shal
execute the holy ministery, shall put upon hym the vesture
appoincted for that ministracion. 1581 Mabbeck Bk. of
Notes 602 IntheBaptime, the outward ministerie or mysticall
washing doth regenerate. 1612 T. Wilson Chr. Diet., To
Prophesie sig[nifieth] .. to bee present at the publicke mi-
nistry, and partake in the Doctrine thereof. 1635 Swan
Spec. M. (1670) 311 A certain Priest .. was suspended from
his ministry at the Altar. 1667 Milton P. L. vn. 149 This
high Temple to frequent With Ministeries due and solemn
Rites. 1704 Nelson Pest. <V -Fasts 1. xi. (1705) 133 Whereas
the other Apostles chose this or that Province as the main
Sphere of their Ministry, St. Paul over-ran as it were the
whole Roman Empire. x868W. B. Marriott {title) Vesti-
arivm Christianvm. The Origin and Gradual Development
of the Dress of Holy Ministry in the Church.
+ b. A ministerial office or charge. Obs,
1588 J. Udall Demonstr. Discipl. ii. (Arb.) 24 A minister
ought not to be ordained before there be a ministery wher-
vnto he is to be allotted.
C. The ministration of a particular minister.
1625 N. Rogers Sir. Vineyard '168 Many who haue heard
the Word with thee, beene of the same Parish, vnder the
same Ministery. 1879 Geo. Eliot Theo. Such ii. 50 The
roofs that have looked out. .below the square stone steeple,
gathering their.. olive-green mosses under all ministries.
d. The office of minister of the church, or of a
religious body or congregation.
1824 Scott St. Ronarts xvi, A weak constitution . . induced
his parents., to educate him for the ministry. 1845 S. Austin
Rankers Hist. Re/. II. 37 He was reproached with having
intruded himself uncalled into the ministry. 1900 Daily
News 11 Dec. 11/3 The Rev. A. B. has retired from the
ministry of the M— Congregational Church.
e. The body of men set apart for spiritual func-
tions in the Christian church or in any religious
community. Now rare.
1566 Reg: Privy Council Scot. I. 494 Hes assignit for sus-
tentatioun of the said ministerie certane victuales and money
.. to be tane up and dispomt be the said Ministerie and
thairCollectouns or Chalmerlanis. a 1578 Lindesay (Pit-
scottie) Ckron. Scot. (S.T. S.) II. 315 The maist pairt of the
nobilitie and ministrie var in Edinburgh. 1604 E. Gf_RiM-
stone] D'Acosta's Hist. Indies v. xiii. 364 There were in
them [sc. temples] places for the ministerie, colleges, schooles,
and houses for priests, 1659 Sqvth Serm. (1727) I. iii. 84 We
have Christ consulting the Propagation of the Gospel; . .send-
ing forth a Ministry, and giving them a Commission. 1847-
54 in Webster. [And in later Diets.] 1848 A. Thomson Ong.
Secess.Ch. i64_Patronage . . was the most effective instrument
of placing a hireling ministry in the pulpits of Scotland.
4. The condition or fact of being employed as an
executive agent or instrument ; agency, instru-
mentality. Now only with religious colouring.
1581 Lambarde Eiren. 1. v. (1588; 28 All others .. be or- j
dained by the meane of the great Seale, and by the minis-
terie of the L. Chauncellor. 1672 Cave Prim. Chr. 111. ii.
(1673) 264 Not by the Ministery of her servants .. but with
her own hands. 1705 Atterbuky Serm, A\ Oct. 29 The
Ordinary Ministry of Second Causes, a 17x8 Parnell Her-
mit 231 'Twas my Ministry to deal the Blow. 1753 Smol-
lett Ct. fathom (1784) 44/1 The messenger, doubly re-
joiced at her atchievement, which not only recommended her
ministry, but also gratified her malice; returned to herprin-
cipal. 1817 Coleridge Biog. Lit. xii. (1882) 120 This be-
comes intelligible to no man by the ministry of mere words
from without. 1891 A. Phelps Note-Bk. i. 24 Heroic be-
lievers become such by the ministry of heroic pains.
fb. (Good or bad) conduct as an executive
agent. Obs.
1700 Tyrrell Hist. Bug. II. 894 The Kingdom, .felt the
Effects of their ill Ministery.
5. The body of ministers charged with the ad-
ministration of a country or state. + I"- &C J^th c.
often used- without article.
1710-11 SwiFT Lett. (1767) III. 83 The ministry hear me
always with appearance of regard. 1779 Wilkes Corr.
(1805) V. 213 You told him, that you had voted with ministry
as long as any man of honour could. 1791 Burke App.
Whigs\JY?>. VI. 145 A Whig ministry, and a whig house
of commons. 1795 — Regie. Peace iii. Wks. VIII. 324 The
1 parliament has assented to ministry; it is not ministry that
las obeyed the impulse of parliament, a 1859 Macallay
Hist. Eng. xxiv. (1861) V. 124 The date from which the era
of ministries may most properly be reckoned is the day of
the meeting of the Parliament after the general election of
1695. 1865 Ld. Iddesleigh Led. <y Ess. (1887) 251 The
Cabal Ministry were in power. 1879 M*Carthy Own Times
xxiil II. 1S6 Their existence as a Ministry was only a
question of days.
6. With reference to foreign nations : A minis-
terial department of government ; a minister and
his associated subordinates. Also, the building in
which the business of a (specified) government de-
partment is transacted.
1877 D. M. Wallace Russia (ed. 2) I. 302 Immediately
below these three institutions stand the Ministries, ten in
number. Ibid. 305 The Governor .. is the local representa-
tive of the Ministry of the Interior.
7. Hist. The name applied to the houses of
certain religious orders. [med.L. ministerium.']
1889 W. Lockhart Ch. Scot, in 13//1 C. 25 notex Their [the
Red Friars'] houses were called hospitals or ministries.
Ministryship. rare"1, [f. Ministry +
-ship,] The office of a minister of state.
1730 Pultkney in Siui/t^s Lett. (1768) IV. 249, I suppose
it is not yet in your view to entail the ministryship in your
family.
Millitabund (mi'nitabtfnd), a. rare~l. [ad.
L. minitdbund-us threatening, f. minita-ri, fre-
quentative f. mindri to threaten.] Threatening.
1890 Sat. Rev. 14 June 720/2 Mr. Stanley, who passes,
minitabund to Lord Salisbury, throughout the land.
Minitant (mi'nitant), a. rare—1. [ad. L.
minitant-emf pr. pple. of minitdrlx see prec]
Threatening, forming a menace.
1854 R. G. Latham Native Races Russian EmP. 327 Azov
was made into a naval arsenal, minitant to the Crimea.
Minite, obs. form of Minute sb.
t Mi'nitive, a. Obs. rare"1, [aphetic form of
Diminutive.] Diminutive.
160a Narcissus (1893) 425 Loves little minitive god.
Miniture, obs. form of Miniature.
Minium (mi*nii>m). Obs. exc. Hist. [a. L.
minium native cinnabar; also, red lead.]
1. = Vermilion. Also attrib.
1398 Tkevisa Barth. De P. R. xix. xxvi. (1495) 878 Minium
is a red colour and theGrekis founde the matere therof in
Ephesym. In Spayne is more suche pigment than in other
londes. 1604 E. G[rimstone] D%Acosta's Hist. Indies iv.
xi. 238 The Antients made great accompt of this Minium
or vermillion, holding it for a sacred colour. x866 H. Shaw
A rt Ilium. 2 The use of minium, or vermilion, in marking . .
particular words of manuscripts, is of very high antiquity.
2. =» Red lead. Sometimes red minium. Also,
T the colour of red lead.
1650 J. F. Chyni. Dict.t Minium is the Mercury or rather
Crocus of Lead precipitated. 1665 Hooke Microgr. 52
White, Yellow, Orange, Minium, Scarlet, Purple. 1686
Aglionby Painting lllustr. 133 In a little Book of Designs. .
I have ..two or three little Things of his in Red Minium.
1731 J. Peele Watcr>Colours 38 The Minium, or Red Lead,
is as heavy and strong a Colour as most we have. 1806
Smithson in Phil. Trans. XCVI. 267, I have found minium
native in the earth. 1882 A. S. Herschel in Nature No. 642.
362 One or two ounces of powdered minium, or red-lead.
3. trans/. Red earthy matter resembling minium.
1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 90 The winds .. doe ..
carry downe alongst the streame a great quantitie of that
red Earth or Minium of Libanus whereby it passeth. 1703
Maundrell Journ. 7erus. (1732) 35 A sort of Minium, or
red Earth, washed into the River.
Miniver (mrnivsi). Forms : 3 menivieyr,
menuver, 3-5 menyvere, 3-4, 7-8 meniver,
4 meyneveir, menevayr, -veyr, -voir, meni- I
vere, menuveyr, -voyr, menyvaire, 4-5 raene-
vere, menyver, 5-6 menever, mynever, 6 j
miniveere, 6, 9 minivere, 6-9 minever, 7 mi-
nerver, 7, 9 dial, minifer, -fa, 9 mineveer, 6-
miniver. [a. F. menu ztt»V(i4thc. in Godef.),
1 the furre Mineuer ; also, the beast that beares it ' '
(Cotgr.) ; lit. 'little vair* (menu:—!,, miniitus 1
Minute a.t and vain see Vair).]
1. A kind of fur used as a lining and trimming
in ceremonial costume.
French lexicographers say that menu vair is the fur of the
Peiit'gris, a variety of the common squirrel. What the Eng.
miniver meant in early use is uncertain ; some have sup-
posed that it was the white fur of the Siberian squirrel ; the
application may have varied at different times, but etym-
ology would suggest that it must have been an artificially
spotted or variegated fur, with a smaller pattern than that
of vair. In 1688 R. Holme explains miniver zs ' plain white
fur ', and this (notwithstanding Cotgrave's divergent ex-
planation) may have been the meaning of the word as used
with reference to the costume of judges and the lower
nobility in the i6-i7th c In this sense the term was revived
in the official regulations for the coronation of Edward VII,
and it has since nad some currency in the description of the
ceremonial costume of peers.
Pured miniver^ miniver pure = NY . meniver pure, 'pow-
dered miniver ' ; but in modern times the adj. has been
misinterpreted as ' pure white*.
a 1300 Floriz fy Bl. 515 (Hausknecht) A mantel of scarlet
Ipaned al wib meniver. 1377 Langl. P. PI. B. xx. 137 For
a mantel of menyuere he made lele matrimonye Departen
ar deth cam. a 1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 65 Her good
and gay clothing and furresof gray[,] meniuere and letuse.
1463-4 Rolls 0/ Parlt. V. 505/1 Furresof Mattrones, Funes,
Letyce, pured Grey, or pured Menyver. 1470-85 Malory
Arthur -km. i. 593 A lykely knyghte and wel apparaylled
in scarlet furred with myneuer. a 1548 Hall Chrou.,
Hen. VIII 214 The knightes of the bath in Violet gounes
with hoddes purfeled with Miniuer lyke doctors. 1593 Dray-
ton Eel. iv. 178 His Hood of Miniveere. 1611 Cotgr. s. v.
Vair, Menu Vair^ Mineuer; the furre of Ermines mixed,
or spotted, with the furre of the Weesell called Gris. 1647
Ward Simp. Cobler 76 It seems in fashion for you to..
dapple your speeches with new quodled words. Ermins in
Minifer is every mans Coat. 1688 R. Holme Armoury m.
iii. 50/2 They [sc. ViscountsJ have no Ermine on their
Mantles, but three doublings of Miniver, or plain White
Furr, the Baron having but two on the cape of his Mantle.
1766 Entick London IV. 33 If they be of Cambridge, they
wear white meniver. 1867 Jean Ingelow Story Doom \i.
214 And served in gold, and warmed with minivere. 1901
Lond. Caz. 4 Oct 6477 That the robe or mantle of the
Peers be of crimson velvet, edged with miniver, the cape
furred with miniver pure, and powdered with bars or rows
of ermine (*. e.t narrow pieces of black fur).
IT Recent Diets, attribute to the word the sense
that belongs to menu vair in Fr. heraldry, viz. a
fur distinguished from vair in that the shield menu
vairhas six rows of spots instead of four. But this
use has never been recognized in English heraldry.
2. + a. The animal from which the fur was sup-
posed to be obtained (obs.). b. dial. The stoat or
ermine, Mustela erminea, when wearing its white
winter coat.
1665 Sir T.Herbert Y><xf. (1677)1 So Furs of Foxes, Sables,
. . Miniver, Beaver, Otter, Squirrel and the like, a 1825 Forbv
Voc. E. Angliat Mini/irt the white stoat or ermin. 1895
P. H. Emerson Birds, etc. Nor/. 345 In winter, of course, he
[sc. the stoat] is often white, with a black tip to his tail —
hence his name of 'minifa1. 1895 Daily News 27 Nov. 6/3
To this day the white stoat is called 'minifer* in Norfolk.
3. attrib. and Comb. , as miniver cap7 hood, mantle,
skin.
1589 Rider Bit'l.Schol., A *Menever cappe, redimiculum.
1600 Dekker Gentle Cra/t Wks. 1873 I. 72 Shall Sim Eyre
learne to speake of you Lady Maggy? vanish mother
Mineuer-Cap. 163a Massinger City Madam iv. iv, You
wore, .somtimes A dainty Miniver cap. 1393 Langl. /'. PI.
C. xxiii. 138 For a *menyuer mantel he made leel matri-
monye Departe er deb come. 1656 Earl Monm. tr. Boc-
calinCs Advis. /r. Parnass. 1. x. (1674)12 "Minerver-skins,
Sables, and other very pretious Furrs.
Minivet (mi*nivet). [Etym. obscure.] Any
bird of the campophagine genus Pericrocotus.
x86a Jerdon Birds 0/ India \. 418 The Red Shrikes or
Minivets (as Mr. Blyth has called them in the^ Museum
Asiatic Society). Ibid. 425, I have found this Minivet ex-
tensively spread throughout India. 187. CasselTs Nat.
Hist. IV. 30 The Grey Minivet {Pericrocotus cinereus).
1880 A. R. Wallace 1st. Lt/e iii. 44 The brilliant little
minivets are almost equally universal.
BEEink (mink). Also 5-6 mynk(e, 8 minck,
8-9 minx. [Found in Sw. as mank, menk, 'a
stinking animal in Finland*. (The word is app.
not known as Finnish.) ]
1. The skins or fur of the animals mentioned
below (see sense 2).
1466 Mann. <$■ Housch. Exp. (Roxb.) 37iMy mastyr bout
of the skynner of Bury xx. mynkes prise xiij.s. viij.d. 1530
Palsgr. 245/2 Mynkes a furre, minques. 1545 Lane. Wills
(1857) II. 63 My gowne faced withe mynkys and welted
withe tawnye velvet. 1707 E. Chamuerlayne Pres. St.
Eng. in. ii. 256 Of Furrs, Filches, .. Mincks, Sables, 40
Skins Is a Timber. 1883 Harper's Mag. Dec. 90/1 The
bewitching little muff trimmed with mink.
2. A small semi-aquatic stoat-like animal of the
genus Putorius ; originally, the European species
P. /utreo/a; but now more commonly applied to
the American P. vison, also called mink-otter.
1624 Capt. Smith Virginia 11. 27 Weesels, and Minkes we
know they haue, because we haue seene many of their
skinnes. 1771 J. R. Forster tr. Nairn's Trav. N. Amer.
II. 61 The English and the Swedes gave the name of Mink
to an animal of this country. 179a Pennant Arctic Zool.
I. 100 Minx Otter. i8xa J. Smyth Pract. o/Customs (1821)
220 Its skin ts blacker than that of an Otter. .; 'as black as
a Mink' being a proverbial expression in America. 1839
Penny Cycl. XV. 253/2 Minx, a name for the Vison-weasel.
1834 McMurtrie Cuviers Anim. Kingd. 62 M[ustela]
lutreola, Pall. (The Mink or Norek.) It frequents the
banks of rivers, &C, in the north and east of Europe... It
is the Mink of the United States. 1883 Eis/ieries Exhik
MINNESINGER.
477
MINOR.
Catal. (ed. 4) 160 Specimens of Otters, Fishers, Minks,
Musk-rats, Weasels, Seals.
3. - Kinufish d.
1888 Goode Amcr. FisJtes 122 The King-fish, Meuticirrus
nebulosus, also known as. . the ' Sea Mink ' in North Carolina.
4. attrib., as mink head, skin, tuil, throat.
1812 J. Smyth Pract. of Customs (1821) 220 Mink skins.
1893 Daily News 15 Oct. 7/2 Mink tail is much used by
those who cannot afford sable. 1902 Ibid. 18 Dec. 4/2 The
mink throat has pretty white markings, whilst the mink
head is plain brown.
Hence Minkery U.S,t a ' kennel1 or breeding
place for minks.
1877 Coues Fur A nim. vi. 1S2 Mr, Resseque's minkery
consists of twelve stalls.
Minks, obs. form of Minx.
Minn : see Mind sb?
Minnaway: see Minaway (= minuet).
Minne, Minnekin : see Min, Minikin.
Minnem, Minner : see Minim, Minnow.
II Minnesinger (mrnifcinw). [Ger. (also
minnesanger) f. minne love + -singer (also Sanger)
SlNGElt.] One of the German lyrical poets and
singers of the 12th, 13th, and 14th centuries, so
called because love was the chief theme of their
songs. Hence Minnesinging" vbl. sb. {attrib.).
1825 E. Taylor (title) Lays of the Minnesingers, or Ger-
man Troubadours. Ibid. 199 The great fostering place of
the Minnesinging art. 1829 Scott Anne of G. iv, The
foolery of minstrels and strolling minnesingers. 1871 Longf.
in Lift (1891) III. 176 Mr. Kroeger's Specimens of the
Minnesingers, which I want him to publish.
transf 1845 Longf. Waltervon der VogelweidvX, Round
the Gothic spire, Screamed the feathered Minnesingers.
Minnie (mi'ni). Sc, and north, dial. Also 6
mynnye, -nie, 8-9 minny. [Of obscure origin ;
perh. a child's alteration of mammy.'] A familiar
word for mother.
1500-20 Dunbar Poems lxxv. 16 Sen that I borne wes of
my mynnye, I nevir wowit weycht bot 30W. 1600 W. Wat-
son Decacordon (1602) 144 A lacke what ailes my nnnnie at
me heigh hoe. 1681 Colvil Whigs Suppiic. (1751) 158 My
Minnie hath the lave on't. 1790 Burns Tarn Glen iv. My
minnie does constantly deave me, And bids me beware o'
young men. 1816 Scott Antiq. xl, Light loves I may get
nionya ane, But minnie ne'er anither. 1858 Kingsley An-
dromeda, etc., Oubit 3 My minnie bad me bide at haine until
I won my wings.
Minnie, -nikin, var. ff. Minnow, Minikin.
t Mi'nning, vbl. sb.i Obs. [f. Min v. + -ing l.J
1. Remembrance, memory; memorial.
c 1250 Gen. ty Ex. 3344 Moysen dede ful oe gemor, In a
gold pot, for muning Sor. a 1300 Cursor M. 3196 J>i dede
in minnyng sal last ai. Ibid. 25584 To haf mining o bi
dede bat bou boght sua dere. 13. . St. Erkenwolde 269 in
Horstm. Altengl. Leg. u88i) 272 More he menskes men for
mynnynge of n^tes pen for al be meritorie medes. c 1400
Rule St. Benet xlv. 31 Sain benet cumandis . . bat ta pat
faile in bekirke at te minning of pe salmes..sal [etc].
b. A commemoration of a departed soul ; also,
a peal of bells rung on such an occasion : see
Mind sb. 5 b.
<: 1420 Anturs of Art h. 236 (Douce MS.) Here hertly my
honde, pes hestes to holde, Withe a myllione of masses to
make be mynnyng. c 1460 Toivneley Myst. xxxi. 158 Youre
goodys ye shall forsake. .And nothing With you take Bot
sich a wyndyng clothe ; youre Wife sorow shall slake, Youre
chylder also both, Vnnes youre mynnyng make. 1524 Test.
Ebor. (Surtees) V. 188, I will that ,. the said Sir William
shall every yere cause a mynnyng to be rongyn.
2. Mention.
.11300 Cursor M. 5169 Quar ar yee mas minning now
O ioseph. Ibid. 8518 Chdder had he wit wijfes sere O quilk
i mak no mining here.
3. pi. Premonitory symptoms (of a disease) :
— Minding vbl. sb. 2, Minging vbl. sb. 1.
1724 Bailey (ed. 2), Minuings of a Disease, the previous
or foregoing Symptoms of it.
4. attrib. or Comb., as minning-date, minning-
day = Mind-day.
a 1330 Syr Degarre 2 Hys wyvys mynnyng day. 1426
Will of Hyton (Somerset Ho.), Memoriale vocat. myneng
day. 1543 Lane. Wills (1857) I. 67 And y* every of thaf-
foresayd xvij yeares that vj* viijd be dysposed upon an obyte
or mynnynge day. 1556 Olue Antichrist 157 b, A certain
nombre of masses, certayn mynnyng dates, certain meri-
torious praiers. 1661 Blount Glossogr. (ed. 2), Minnyng
days. 1777 Brand Pop. Antiq. (1849) II. 314.
t Mi'nning, vbl. sb.1* rare"1, [f. *min vb.
(f. Min <z.) + -ixgL] Lessening, diminution.
c 1557 Lay Folks Catech. (T.) 125 Withouten ony merryng
of hir modirhede, Withouten ony mynnyng of hir maiden-
hede.
Minnion, Minnite, obs. ff. Minion, Minute.
Minnom, obs. form of Minim.
Minnow (mi*n<?u). Forms : [4 Sc. raenoun,]
5 menawe, 5-8 menow, (5//. menwus), 6 menewe,
menowe, 6-8 minew, 6-8, 9 dial, minnie, -ny,
7 menew, mynnowe, minoe, -ow, 7-9 men-
now, 9 dial, or slang minner, 6- minnow.
[Prob. repr. OE. *mynwe wk. fem.= OHG. mune-
wa, munua (? for *munizua) glossing L. capedo
i.e. capito, a fish with a large head. The recorded
OK. myne str. masc. (pi. mynas) glosses L. capito
and mena ; it is not certain what fish was meant ;
the L. capito is also rendered -jdleputa Eel-pout.
The forms, and perh. the application, of the word
have been influenced by association with F. menu
{poisson) small (fish). Cf. Menise.
The Sc. form menouu in Barbour may perhaps represent
an AF. formation on the Eng. word. Cf. mod.Sc. menon,
Mennom.]
1. A small cyprinoid freshwater fish, Leuciscus
phoxinus or Phoxinus l&vis. common in the
streams, lakes, and ponds of Europe. Often
loosely applied to any small fish ; in Eng. dialects
chiefly to the stickleback {Gastrosteus). In the
U.S. it is applied (sometimes with prefixed defining
word) to many different fishes of small size, chiefly
cyprinoids; and in Australasia to fishes of the
genus Gataxias.
In early quots. the application of the name is uncertain.
[1375 Barbour Bruce 11. 577 Trowtis, elys, and als menov-
nys.] 14.. Nom. in Wr.AVulcker 704/44 Hie solimicns, a
menawe. 1 1420 Liber Coc or um (1862) 54 Trou^te, sper-
lynges and menwus. 1496 Bi: St. Albans, Fishing (18S3) 30
The menow whan heshynith in thewater,thenneishebyttyr.
x558 Act 1 Eliz. c. 17 § 4 Places where Smeltes, Loches,
Mynneis, .. or Eeles, bathe been used to bee taken. 1611
Cotgr., Freguereul, the little fish called, a Mennow. 1635-
56 Cowley Davideis 1. 1024 The mute Fish witness no less
his Praise. .. From Minoes to those living Islands, Whale-.
1668 Charleton Onomasticon 160 Phoxinus La'vis, sen
varius . .the Minow, or Minoe. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey),
Menow, a little Fresh-water Fish, otherwise call'd a Cackrel.
X787 Bksi Angling (ed. 2)60 The minnow, though one of
the smallest fishes, is as excellent a one to eat as any of the
most famed. 1808 Wolcot (P. Pindar) One more Peep at
R. A. Wks. 1816 IV. 405 To move a mennow, who would
wish — In paltry brooks a paltry fish — While Nature offers
him to roll a whale ! 1820 in Smithsonian Collect. (1877)
XI II. ix. i. 32, 51st species, Red Minny, Rutilus ? Ruber.
1877 Jordan ibid. 32 note, I add here a fine small fish,
..it is said to live in the small streams which fall into
the Elkhorn and Kentucky. It is a slender fish, only
2 inches long. . . It is commonly called Red-minny. Ibid.
30 note, Length [of Warty Chubby] from 3 to 4 inches, often
called Minny or Red-Fin. 1879 Jefferies Wild Life in
S. Co. 356 The minnie, as the stickleback is locally called.
1880 GUnther Fishes 596 Other similar genera [sc. of carps]
from the fresh waters of North America, and generally
called 'Minnows', are Pimephales [etc.]. Ibid. 599 The
'Minnow' (Leuciscus phoxinus), abundant everywhere in
Europe, and growing to a length of seven inches. 1898
Morris Austral Eng. s.v., Manga. .a. New Zealand fish...
It is often called the Whitebait and Minnow.
b. transf. and fig., as a type of smallness. A
Triton of or among the minnows : one who ap-
pears great by contrast with the insignificance of
all those around him.
1588 Shaks. L. L. L. 1. i. 251 That low-spirited Swaine,
that base Minow of thy Myrth. 1607 — Cor. ill. i. 89 Heare
you this Triton of the Minnowes? 1796 Lamb Let. to Cole-
ridge 27 May (end), My civic and poetic compliments to
Southey if at Bristol. Why, he is a very Leviathan of
Bards ! — the small minnow, I ! 1906 A. Noyes Drake 11.
in Blackiv. Mag. Apr. 470 Those five Small ships mere
minnows clinging to the flanks Of that Leviathan.
2. Angling, a. A minnow attached to a hook in
such a manner as to serve as a bait for other fish.
b. An artificial fish made in the form and colour
of a minnow, and used as a bait.
1615 Markham Country Contentm. \. xiv. (1668) 72 His
best bait is a little small Roch, Dace, or Menew. 1622
Peacham Compl.Gentl. xxi. (1634) 252 For your live baits,
they are wormes of all kinds, . . Gudgens, or Loches, Myn-
nowes, &c. 1651 T. Barker Art of Angling (1653) 4 The
angling with a menow .. for a Trout is a pleasant Sport.
1655 Walton Angler 1. v. (1661) 96, I have .. an artificial
Minnow, .the mould or body of the minnow was cloth, and
wrought upon or over it thus with a needle, the back [etc.].
1767 Johnson in Ray's Corr. (1848) 128 They will not only
take a worm, or minnow, or other small fish, but swallow the
bait with the hook down into the stomach. 1883 Fisheries
Exhib. Catal.iii Flexible Minnows. .Caledonian Minnows
. .Phantom Minnows.. Protean Minnows. lSg^Daily News
22 Aug. 5/1 The fact that he [a salmon] bites at a fly or
angel minnow is . . ascribed to anger.
3. attrib. and Comb., as minnow-can, crate; min-
now-fisher, {a) an angler who fishes with a min-
now as bait ; {b) one who fishes for minnows ;
minnow-fishing, fishing with a minnow for bait ;
minnow-rod, a rod used for spinning with a
minnow ; minnow-tackle, fishing tackle used for
spinning a minnow ; minnow- tansy, a dish of
fried minnows seasoned with tansy ; minnow-
trace, a trace intended to carry a minnow.
1893 Outing (V. S.) XXII. 86/2 The inside of her *minnow.
can was lifted with care over the side. 1883 Fisheries
Exhib. Catal. 214 Folding *Minnow Crate. 1863 Atkinson
Stanton Grange (1864) 152 The wonderful skill of a *min-
now-fisher. 1895 Bailey's Mag. May 358/1 There is no
accusation of easy times that can be justly applied to the
minnow-fisher. 1655 Walton Angler 1. xviii. (1661) 234
The nimble turning of that [/. e. a sticklebag], or the
Minnow, is the perfection of *Minnow-fishing. 1839 T. C.
Hofland Brit. Angler's Man. iv. (1841) 70 The first
[manner of baiting with a minnow] .. is particularly calcu-
i lated for a clear water, as your tackle is finer than in any
other mode of minnow-fishing. Ibid., The *minnow-rpd
should be of bamboo cane. Ibid. 72 Various kinds of '"min-
now-tackle may be purchased. 1655 Walton Angler 1.
xviii. (1661) 231 In the spring they make of them excellent
•Minnow-Tansies. 1839 T. C. Hofland Brit. Angler's
Man. iv. (1841) 71 You must now prepare a "minnow-trace
of three yards of gut.
b. quasi -adj. Very small, tiny.
1824 Dibdin Libr. Cotup. 623 The tribe of little minnow
pocket-editions.
me-
40
Hence Mi'nnowy a., abounding in minnows.
1826 Campbell Field Flowers 23 What pictures of pebbled
and nvinnowy brooks.
Minnuet, Minnum, obs. ff. Minuet, Minim.
Minny, dial, variant of Minnie, Minnow.
Mino, Minoe, obs. ff. Mina-, Minnow.
Minom, obs. form of Minim.
Minor (marnaj), a. and sb. Forms: 3-4
menor, 4 mynor, 4-5 menour, 5 menoure,
-owre, -eour, minore, 6- minor, fa. 1.. minor,
nom. sing. masc. and fern. (neut. minus Minus,
declension-stem minor-') smaller, lesser, junior, f.
Indogermanic root *min- small : cf. I., minnifre,
Or. pivvBttv, OE. minsian to diminish, OTcut.
*minwiz less, *mimuizon- lesser: see Min a.
OFr. had menour (whence mo*t of the ML. forms' :-L.
minbrem accus., beside vteindre (mod.F. ntoindre) :-L.
1 minor. In early mod. Fr. the Latin word was adopted in
, special uses as minenr. Cf. ^p., Pg. menor, It. miuore.]
A. adj.
I. 1. Friar Minor,-\ Minor F'iar: aFranci^can.
Rendering odned A, . Fratrcs Minores, lit. ; lesser brethren ',
the name chosen by St. Francis for the order founded by
him, as expressing the humility which he desired its mem-
bers to cultivate. Cf. B. 1.
The plural is now friars minor; (ormti]y friar minors,
friars minors, were common.
1397 R. Glolc. (Rolls) j 0241 peordrebiganof fiere menois
I bulke sulue 3er [i.e. 1210] ywis. c 1400 Maunoev. (Roxb.j
xxxi. 139 Twa frere meneours of Lombard y. c 1440 Promp,
Part'. 333/1 Menour frcre, or here menowre, {P. it
nowre friyr), minor. 1526 Pilgr. Pe>f. (\V. dc W. 1531) 1
Though the frere minor gyue great example of holynes, ..
yet [etc.]. 1635 Pagitt Christianogr. 1. iii. 11636)93 The
Friers Minors onely, aie esteemed to be 60 thousand. 1670
G. H. Hist. Cardinals in. I. 238 They elected Pietro Fi-
lardo, a Minor Fryer. 1727-51 Chambers Cycl.s.v. Friar,
Franciscan, or grey, or minor, or begging, friars. 1862
Chambers's Encyct. IV. 518/ j The Franciscans were properly
denominated ' Friars Minor ' {Fratres Minorcs).
II. — Lesser in various specific applications.
(Not followed by than.')
2. Used as the distinctive epithet of the lesser
(in various senses) of two things, species, etc., that
have a common designation ; also applied to those
members of a class that collectively form a sub-
i division as being smaller than the rest ; opposed
to major. Chiefly in certain special collocations,
i many of which originated in med. or mod. Latin ; in
most of these lesser may be substituted. Minor
canon, excommunication, orders, prophets [see
those sbs.). \Minor Fellow (Cambridge): a junior
fellow. Minor planet : one of the asteroids or
small planets between Mars and Jupiter.
1654 TRAM {title) A commentary., upon the xn Minor
Prophets. 1670 Walton Lives iv. 21 He was made Minor
Fellow in the year 160Q .. Major Fellow of the Colledge,
March 15, 1615. 1679-88 Seer. Serv. Money Chas. <y Jus.
(Camden) 92 John 'linker, one of the minor canons of the
collegiate church of St. Peter's, Westmr. 1683 J. Poyniz
Tobago 29 The Brazil Tree.. .Brazilleto, is a Minor or Junior
Brazil. 1861 G. F. Chambers Aslrou. 1. ix. 51 A numerous
group of small bodies revolving round the Sun which are
Known as the Minor Planets. 1863 Handbk. Chess <$•
j Draughts 19 The Knight and Bishop, in contradistinction
j to the Rook and Queen, are teimed minor pieces. 1899
Allbutt*s Syst. Med VII. 765 The first fits occur during
retarded dentition . -as very slight ' minor * attacks.
b. In less definite sense : Comparatively small
or unimportant ; not to be reckoned among the
greater or principal individuals of the kind. (Not
now used with reference to physical or spatial
magnitude, exc. as this involves importance.) Often
in minor poet.
A favourite use with Sir T. Browne, and common in
subsequent writers.
1623 B. Jonson Time Vind. (1640) 95 The unletter'd
Clarke ! major and minor Poet ! 1643 Sib T. Bkowne Relig.
Med. 11, § 1 Neither in the name of Multitude do I onely
include the base and minor sort of people. 1646 — Pseud.
Ep. v. xiii. 254 Petty errors and minor lapses, a 1682 —
Tracts (1684) 36 The providence of Nature hath provided
this shelter for minor fishes. 1693 Humours Tmun 36 Gain-
ing the Author .. Reputation .. with the Minor Criticks.
Ibid. 106 Minor Authors, Beaux, and the rest of the illiterate
Blockheads. 11734 North Exam. in. vit. § 65 (1740^ 55*
The Troubles that fell upon the Minor Abhorrers. 1771
Junius Lett. xlv. (178S) 257 The minor critic, who hunts
for blemishes. 1780 Burke Sp. Econ. Reform Wks. III.
262 These minor principalities. 1844 Stephens Bk. Farm
II. 596 Three principal cross-rails ..besides a minor-rail.
i860 Cornh, Mag. Dec. 745 A minor theatre. Ibid. 750 The
minor parts will be mistakenly rendered or slurred. Ibid.,
Your minor gentlemen may walk about in palatial drawing-
rooms with hats upon their heads [etc.]- 1879 McCarihv
OiviL Times xxix. II. 387 The air was filled with the voices
of minor singers. 1807 Spectator 27 Nov. j-ji Herrick,
Crashaw, Christopher Smart, and, in our own time, Rossetti,
would be ranked as minor poets because of a certain aloof-
ness from the great human concerns. 1899 Allbutt"s Syst.
Med. VI. 751 In all minor neuralgias.
f c. St. James {the) minor : = St. James the
Less (see Less a. 3). Obs.
?I4.. Stasyons cf ferns. 515 in Horstm. Aliengl. Leg.
(1881)362 This was James pe mynoure. 1687 A. Lovell tr.
Thezenoi's Trav. 1. 205 St. James the Minor, first Patriarch
of Jerusalem. 1717-41 Chambers Cycl. s.v., Thus we say,
St. James minor ; Asia minor.
d. Ent. In collectors' names of certain moths.
1775 M. Harris Eng. Lepidopio a 9 Beauty, minor. 1869
MINOR.
478
MINORESS.
E. Newman Brit. Moths 398 The Minor Shoulder-knot
{Epunda viminalis).
e. Surgery. Minor operations, those operations
which do not involve danger to life {Syd. Soc. Lex.
1890) ; hence, minor operation or operating instru-
ment t an instrument for the performance of such
operations. Minor surgery, the smaller operations
required in the treatment of slight wounds and in-
juries {Ibid.).
1862 Catai. Exhib. 11. xvn. 125/2 Minor Operating In-
struments, a complete set. 1895 Arnold's Catai. Surg.
Instr. 45 Minor operation and hernia instruments.
f. Football. Minor point: A' try* (in the Rugby
game). Also, see quot. 1S99.
1896 Field 1 Feb. 172/2 Ashford improving on the minor
point by kicking a splendid goal. 1899 Macnaghten in
Football (Badm. Libr.) 39 In the Eton field game there are
thus two possible points to be scored— first the major point,
or 'goal ',. .and the minor point, or ' rouge ', three of which
are equivalent to a goal.
3. Math, f a. (See quot.) Obs.
1571 Digges Pantom. iv. X iv b, The diameter of the com-
prehending sphere being a line rationall, the Icosaedrons
side is a line irrationall, called of Euclide Minor. Ibid. Y j,
The comprehending spheres diameter being rational* his
conteyning circles semidiameter is an irrational of that kinde
which Euclide calleth Minor.
b. Minor axis (of an ellipse): the axis perpen-
dicular to the major or transverse axis, and passing
through the centre.
186a Catai. Internal. Exhib. II. xi. 15 The difference
between major and minor axis being -012 of an inch. 1885
Lkudesdorf Cremona's Proj. Geom. 275 The polar reciprocal
of an ellipse (hyperbola) with respect to a circle having its
centre at a focus and its radius equal to half the minor
(conjugate) axis is the circle described on the major (trans-
verse) axis as diameter.
c. Minor determinant ; a determinant whose
matrix is formed from that of another determinant
by erasing one or more rows and columns.
1850 Sylvester in Philos. Mag. Nov. XXXVII. 365 Now
conceive any one line and any one column to be struck out,
we get. .a square, one term less in breadth and depth than
the original square ; and by varying in every possible
manner the selection of the line and column excluded, we
obtain, supposing the original square to consist of « lines
and « columns, u7 such minor squares, each of which will
represent what I term a First MinorDeterminant relative
to the principal or complete determinant. Now suppose
two lines and two columns struck out from the original
square. . . These constitute what I term a system of Second
Minor Determinants; and., we can form a system of rth
minor determinants by the exclusion of?- lines and r columns.
4. Logic. Minor term : the subject of the con-
clusion of a categorical syllogism. Minor premiss,
proposition : that premiss of a syllogism which
contains the minor term.
1581 J. Bell H addons Answ. Osor. 152 For the same
purpose the minor proposition must bee denyed. 1650 Bax-
ter Saints" R. II. vi. § 1 (1651) 250 The Major Proposition
will not sure be denied... All the work therefore will lie in
confirming the Minor. 17*7-41 Chambers Cycl. s. v, Syl-
logism, They [/. e. the two propositions of a syllogism] are
both called, .premises, .and.. both are called antecedents,
only the first the major, and the latter the minor. 1827
Whately Logic iii. (ed. 2) 96 The proper order is to place
the Major premiss first, and the Minor second ; but this
does not constitute the Major and Minor premises; for
that premiss (wherever placed) is the Major which contains
the Major term, and the Minor, the Minor. 1843 Mill Logic
11. ii. § 1 The premiss, .which contains the middle term and
the minor term is called the minor premiss of the syllogism.
5. That constitutes the minority. Also rarely in
predicative use : In a minority.
1641 Chas. I Answ. to Printed Bk. 13 That the Minor
part of the Lords might joyn with the Major part of the
House of Commons. 1659 Baxter Key Cath. xx. 99 If a
minor party, .may step into the Tribunal, and pass sentence
against the Catholick Church [etc.]. 1774 T. Hutchinson
Diary 3 Oct., A person had the majorvote for Alderman...
Another person. -had the minor vote in the election. 1796
Jefferson Writ. (1859) IV. 150 There may be an equal
division where I had supposed the republican vote would
have been considerably minor. Ibid. 152 In every other,
the minor will be preferred by me to the major vote.
6. Mus. a. Applied to intervals smaller by a
chromatic semitone than those called major', as
minor third, sixth, seventh (and sometimes minor
fourth and fifth, more usually called diminished
or imperfect). Hence also applied to the note
distant by a minor interval from a given note.
Also, in acoustical theory, applied to the smaller
of two intervals differing by a minute quantity, as
minor tone (vibration ratio Y, being less by a
comma than the major tone, f ) ; so, occasionally,
minor semitone (usually called chromatic semitone).
b. Applied to a common chord or triad contain-
ing a minor third between the root and the second
note ; hence to a cadence ending on such a chord.
c. Denoting those keys, or that mode, in which
the scale has a minor third (also, usually, a minor
sixth, and often a minor seventh). (In naming a
key, minor follows the letter, as A minor*)
1694 W. Holder Harmony (1731) 49 If A to B [lengths of
strings] be as 6 to 5, they sound a Trihermtone, or Third
Minor. Ibid. 50, J sound a Third Major,.. | a Sixth Minor.
Ibid. 114 There are two sorts of Tones; viz. Major and
Minor. .. Tone Minor (10 to 9) .. is the difference between
Third Minor and Fourth. Ibid, 121 From F to $ F, is ■
Minor Hemitone, 25 to 24. Ibid. 129, 7th Minor.. 9 to 5.
1742 North Life Ld. Kpr. Guilford 208 He [sc. Holder]
makes great ado about dividing Tones Major, Tones Minor,
Dieses and Commas, with the Quantities of them. 1777 Sir
W. Jones Ess. Imit. Arts Poems, etc. 200 The minor mode
of D is tender. 1776 Burney Hist. Mus. I. Diss. i. 19 All
the ancient modes were in what we should call minor keys.
1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XII. 511 note, Thus far we have
only treated of fifths, fourths, thirds major and minor, in
ascending. Ibid. 512/2 The first are called perfect chords
major, the second perfect chords minor. 1811 Busby Diet.
Mus. s.v. Key, The natural keys of C major and A minor.
1855 Browning Lovers' Quarrel xviii, We shall have the
word In a minor third There is none but the cuckoo knows.
1878 \V. H. Stone Sci. Basis Music v. § 83, £} o Minor
Semitone. 1889 E. Prout Harmony (ed. 10) vii. § 171 This
form is known as the Harmonic Minor Scale, the other two
being called Melodic Minor Scales.
d. Minor chords and keys, as compared with
major, have usually a mournful or pathetic effect ;
hence various figurative allusions.
1869 T. H. Higginson Army Life 222 This minor-keyed
pathos used to seem to me almost too sad to dwell upon.
1874 Burnakd My Time xvi. 142 His conversation was
pitched in a minor key. 1900 Daily News 17 Oct. 4/7
— 's address., was pitched m a painfully minor mode.
7. Following the sb. qualified, a. In certain
combinations correlative with similar combinations
of Major, e. g. quint, tierce minor, bob-minor :
see Quixt sb.~, Tierce, Bob sb.^ b. In boys'
schools, appended (as a Latin adj.) to a surname
to distinguish the younger (in age or standing) of
two namesakes. (Abbreviated mi.)
1791 in Eton School Lists 1791-1850 (1S63) 2 Mr. Douglas
jna. Mr. Douglas mi, 185a Rowcroft Conf. Etonian I.
71 A member of the fifth form, Green minor by name. 1899
li. Phillpotts Human Boy 108, I bet she will, when Corkey
minor turns up.
III. 8. Under age ; below the age of majority.
Now rare.
1579-80 Reg, Privy Council Scot. III. 272 We, being yit
minor, within the aige of fourtene yeiris . . annull all the
saidis infeftmentis. 1597 Skene De Verb. Sign. s.v. Ho-
magium, [Homage] sulde be maid bi the vassall being
minor, or maior, to his ouer-lorde. 1622 Bacon Hen. VII
145 At which time neuerthelesse the King was Minor. 1658
Sir T. Browne Hydriot. ii. 9 Many, .were persons of minor
age, or women. 1754-62 Hlme Hist.Eng. I.xiv. 351 A wife
. .had made her minor son an instrument in this unnatural
treatment of his father. 1818 Hallam Mid. Ages (1872) II.
273 The public security, .was thought incompatible with a
minor king. 1844 H. H. Wilson Brit. India [I. x. II. 431
A regard for the interests of the minor Raja.
B. sb. [The adj. used el/ipt,']
1. A Franciscan friar. Cf. A. 1. Also Comb.
Minor- Observantine — Observantine.
13. . Poem Times Edw. II 163 in Pot. Songs (Camden) 331
Menour and Jacobin, And freres of the Carme, and of Seint
Austin, a 1325 Trental St. Gregory n in Anglia XIII. 303
To mynor ne to frere Austyn To caryne [read carme] ne to
Jacobyn. ^1330 R. Brl'nne Citron. (1810) 330 He sent for
Jon Comyn, pe lord of Badenauh ; To Dounfres suld he
come, vnto be Minours kirke. 1447 Bokenham Seynlys
(Roxb.) 301 He.. to the menours ordre went, c 1550 Bale
K. Jofian (Camden) 18 Jacobytes, Mynors, Whyght Carmes,
and Augustynis. 1700 Tyrrell Hist. Eng. II. 882 The
Preaching Friars and Minors exhorted him. 1761 Ann.
Reg. 146 In the neighbourhood of Bagni. .three convents of
the brothers of M inor-observantinsof the order of St. Francis.
2. Logic. The minor term or the minor premiss
or proposition of a syllogism.
c 1380 Wyclik IVks. (1880) 382 Gabriel schal blow his home
or bai ban preuyd be mynor. 1540 Coverdale Confut.
Standishg\\\\x Of an euell Maior and Minor foloweth a
weake conclusion. 1660 Bond Scut. Reg. 246 The Major
no man can deny, the Minor is inviolable, and the Conclu-
sion perfect and sound. 17x1 in lotk Rep, Hist. MSS.
Comm. App. v. 175 The minor, or the assumption, is uncon-
troulable. 1840 Macaulay Clive Ess. (ed. Montague) II.
463 Here the Commons stopped. They had voted the
major and minor of Burgoyne s syllogism ; but they shrank
from drawing the logical conclusion.
3. A person under (legal) age; = Infant 2.
1612 T)A\\r,stVhy Ireland, etc. 88 King Richard the second
. . for the first tenne yeares of his raigne was a Minor. 1771
Smollett Humph. CI. 5 June, My uncle then gave him to
understand that I was still a minor. 1848 Kingsley.SWw/'.j
Trag. 111. iii. 143 The minor's guardian guards the minor's
lands. 189a Gillespie Bar's Priv. Internal. Law (ed. 2)
312 A Dutch minor, who is by the law of Belgium major,
cannot dispose of his real property in Belgium without [etc].
transf. nndftg. c 1680 Beveridge Serm. (1729) I. 35 Our
christian being thus confirmed he is now looked upon in the
eye of the church as no longer a minor.
4. Mus. Short for minor key, mode, etc.: see A. 6.
1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XII. 547 note, Such a piece is. .
upon A, with mi, la, and its minor. 1841 Jebb Led. Cathe-
dral Serv. ii. 15 A judicious use of the swell and a change
from major to minor in the course of the Psalm. 1844 Mrs.
Browning Drama of Exile Poems 1850 I. 83 Floated on a
minor fine Into the full chant divine.
b. In figurative or allusive use : see A. 6 d.
1844 Mrs. Browning Perplexed Music Poems 1850 I.
329 The strain unfolds In sad, perplexed minors. 1873
Browning Red Colt. Nt.-cap 268 Over this sample would
CorelH croon, Grieving, by minors, like the cushat-dove.
5. Math. fa. Arith, = Subthahend. Obs.
1612 Colson Gen. Treas., Art Arithm. B bb 2 b, Of Sub-
straction. . . The first number is to be called the Maior, grosse
sum, sum total, or superior number. . .The second is named
the Minor.. .The third is called the Remainer.
b. Minor of a determinant — minor determinant
(see A. 3 c).
1850 Sylvester in Philos. Mag. XXXVII, 366 The whole
of a system of rth minors being zero. Ibid., We shall have
only to deal with a system of first minors.
6. A name for moths of the genus Miana.
1843 Humphreys & Westwood Brit. Moths I. 179 Miana
literosa (the rosy minor). Miana strigilis (the marbled
minor). 1862 F. O. Morris Brit. Moths II. 115-117.
7. Football. A minor point.
1890 Stratford on Azou Herald 24 Oct. 2/1 No other
points being scored, the 'good old second ' were left victo-
rious by 1 try and 2 minors to 1 minor. 1896 Field 1 Feb.
171/3 The bid for goal led to a minor being conceded by
the visitors.
8. In boys' schools: One's younger brother or
'minor' namesake.
1863 [Hemyng] Eton School Days vii. 82 Let my minor
pass, you fellows !..Here, Chudleigh, just make room there.
9. Short for 'minor theatre', 'minor work*.
1837 T. Hook Jack Brag xvii, She is engaged at one of
the Minors, and calls herself, in the bills, Roseville. a 1849
H. Coleridge Ess. (1851) II. 153 Why is this play set down
among Shakspeare's minors?
Minor, obs. or erron. f. Mina 2, Miner, Minot.
Minorage (marnortd^). [f. Minor + -age.]
The condition of being under age; minority.
1888 E. Salt Hist. Standon 84 During the minorage of
the heir.
Minorale, -all, obs. forms of Mineral.
t Mi no rand. Arith. Obs. [ad. med.L. mind-
randus (sc. numcrus), gerundive of minordre : see
next.] = Minuend.
1709-29 V. Manoey Syst. Math,, Arith. 13 The Remainer
added to the Subducend, if the Sum makes the Minorand,
'tis right.
i Minorate, v. Obs. [f. med.L. minorat-,
ppl. stem of minordre to diminish, f. L. minor-em
less : see Minor.] trans. To diminish, depreciate.
1534 Act 26 Hen. VIII, c. 6 § n This present acte. .shall
not extende. .to. .or minorate any liberties, .or auctoritie of
any lorde marcher. 1623 [see MiMMATEf.]. 1628 A. Leigh-
ton in Camden Misc.X II . p. vi, Magnanimious Henry whom
we do not name to minorate the parts of our present Sove-
raigne. 168a Sir T. Browne Chr. Mor. 111. § 10 Forget not
how assuefaction unto anything minorates the passion from
it. 1727 Bailey vol. II, Minorated, diminished, or made less.
t Minora'tion. Obs. [agent-n. f. med.L.
minordre : see prcc. and -ation.]
1. A lessening, diminution.
1607 Walsall Life Christ C4, This willing minoration
and exinanition of himselfe. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud.
Ep. 11. v. 86 The Loadstone, whose effluencies are both
continuall, and communicable without a minoration of
gravity. 1649 Jer. Taylor Gt. Exemp. 1. Ad Sect. v. 58
The excuse andf minoration of our actuall impieties. 1696
Phillips, Minoration, a diminishing, or making less. 1856
in Mavne Expos. Lex.
2. Mild purgation by laxatives.
1684 tr. BoneCs Merc. Compit. vi. 229 Some minoration of
the crude matter must be procured first by Clysters.
t Mi/norative, a. and sb. Obs. [f. Minorate
v. + -ive. Cf. F. minoratif (Cotgr.).] a. adj.
That diminishes or lessens. Of medicines : Gently
laxative, b. sb. A gently laxative medicine.
1543 Traheron Vigo's Chirurg. ix. Add. 225 Clysters
sometymes do supplye the rowme of minoratyve medicines.
1633 Hart Diet of Diseased in. xiv. 284 When . . wee feare
lest nature faint before perfect concoction, we may some-
times use a gentle minorative. 1747 tr. Astruc's Fevers 112
Nothing but minorative apozems should be ordered. Ibid.
232 Others give minoratives more frequently.
Minorca (minjrjka). Also 9 Menorca. [Sp.
Menorca.'] The name of the second in size of the
Balearic islands. Vsedaltrib., as Minorca-fowl '(also
Minorca), a much esteemed black variety of the
domestic fowl introduced from Spain; Minorca
holly (see quot.). Hence Minorcaa and the equi-
valent f Minorquln, f Menorquine [Sp. Menor-
quiri\. a. adj. of or belonging to the island of
Minorca ; b. sb. an inhabitant of Minorca ; also, the
language of the inhabitants of Minorca.
1760 Smollett Contin. Hist. Eng., Geo. II, ann. 1756 I. 327
Five and twenty Minorquin bakers were hired. 1785 Gentl.
Mag. LV. 1. 66 The Minorquins, when they see an English-
man, follow him. 1839 Penny Cycl. XV. 97/2 In character and
manners, the Menorquines resemble the natives of Mal-
lorca. 1848 E. S. Dixon Orti. $ Dom. Poultry 251 In North
Devon they call the Spanish Fowls ' Minorcas '. 1853
Naturalist III. 225 Ilex Batearica, the Minorca Holly;
a very distinct variety of the Common Holly, being readily
distinguished by its yellow green leaves. 1882 3 Schajfs
Encycl. Relig. Knowl. III. 2065 During the British sway,
a number of Minorcans and Greeks were introduced by
Mr. Turnbull [into Florida]. 1807 Baghot De la Bere New
Poultry Guide 11. 38 Blue Andaiusians, black Minorcas, and
white Leghorns, all universally admitted to be prolific layers.
MinoreSS1 (mai'nori-s). Obs. exc. Hist. Forms:
4 menouresse, 5 meneresse, 7 minoress. [ME.
menouresse, a. OF. menouresse, f. menour Minor
sb. 1 : see -ess. (In med.L. mindrissa.)] A nun of
the second order of St. Francis, known as Poor
Clares, whose house outside Aldgate gave its
name to the Minories, a street still existing in the
City of London.
Susters Meneresses (quot. 1451) is after OF. sereurs me-
neuresses.
1395 E. E. Wills (1882) 7 The Religiouse Wommen the
Menouresses dwellyngge withoute algate of london. 1451
Rolls of Par It. V. 224/1 The Abbesse and Covent of the
Susters Meneresses withoute Algate. 1631 Weever Anc.
F'uneral Mon. 755 These Nunncs were of the order of S.
MINOBESS.
Clare, and called Minoresses. 1897 Cath. Did. (ed. 5) 726/2
The first monastery of Franciscan nuns or Minoresses formed
in England (1293) was outside Aldgate.
MinoreSS - (marnores). rare~°. [f. Minor
+ -ess.] A female minor. 1882 in Ogilvie.
Minorist (msi'norist). rare~\ [f. Minor*
-1ST.] = Minorite sb. 1.
1836 Tracts for Times No. 75. 9 The Fratres M'mores
(Minorists or Franciscans) adopted the new usage.
Minorite (marnoroit),^. and a. [f. Minor
+ -ite.] A. sb.
1. A friar minor or Franciscan.
1577-87 Holinshed Chron. II. 41/2 Malachias, the minorit
or greie frier. 1613 Pcrchas Pilgrimage (1614) 427 Iohn a
Monte Coruino, a Minorite. 1760 Jortin Erasm. II. 118
Then follows a short letter to some Minorites, who defamed
Erasmus. 1883 Jessop in 19M Cent. July 99 The Mino-
rites were the Low Churchmen of the 13th century.
2. + a. A person of minor rank {06s.), h. allu-
sive nonce-use. One busied about minor matters.
1644 Milton Areofi. (Arb.) 41 Our inquisiturient Bishops,
and the attendant minorites their Chaplains, a 1670 Hacket
Abp. Williams n. (1693) 102 The Respondent takes no
notice that a Bishop wrote the Letter : For why not rather
some Minorite among the Clergy? 1807 South ey Espri-
ella's Lett. (1814) I. 233 The ordinary pursuits of mankind
are not as innocent as that of these experimental Minorites
or Minims.
B. adj. Of the order of Friars Minor.
1563-87 Foxe A. fy M. (1596) 236/2 The order of the
minors or minorit friers descended from one Francis, .of. .
Assisium. 1598 Hakluyt Voy. I. 53 A Frier Minorite,
called Simon de Sanct. Quintm. a 1604 Hanmer Chron,
Irel. {1633) 73 There was another Livinus a French man, a
Fryer minorite. 1766 ENTICK Loudon IV. 310 On the scite
. . there anciently stood the abbey of Minorite nuns. 1892
K. Gould Conversat. Dollinger x. 245 S. Bonaventure,
a member of the Minorite order.
Minority (minp'riti). [ad. F. minorite" or
med.L. minoritds, f. L. minor-em Minor : see -ity.
Cf. Sp. minoridad, Pg. minoridade, It. minorita.]
fl. The condition or fact of being smaller, in-
ferior, or subordinate. Obs.
1533 More Answ. to Poysoned Bk. Wks. 1051/2 The
minoritie, and the obedyence yl the scripture speketh of in
Christ, is all merit of his manhod. 159a KVD Sol. <f Pers.
iv. ii. 62 What, art thou that petty pigmie that chalenged
me at Rhodes, whom I refused to combat for his minoritie?
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. in. vi. 117 There may, I
confesse, from this narrow time of gestation ensue a mi-
nority, or smallnesse in the exclusion. 1727-51 Chambers
Cycl. s.v. Character, L. Is the sign of minority.
2. The state of being minor or under age ; the
period during which a person remains under age;
nonage; f in, + within minority ', under age.
1547 Reg. Privy Council Scot. 1. 78 Dispensand with thair
minorite and less aige, . . without payment of ony teind penny,
1579-80 North Plutarch, Comp. Theseus fy Rom. (1595) 45
Theseus.. stole awaye Helen in hir minoritie, being nothing
neere to consent to marrye. 1617 Moryson I tin. 111. 217
The PupilL.is held under daies or in minority till he be
twenty one yeres old. 163a Lithgow Trav. 1. 7, I.. being
young, and within minority. 1642 Fuller Holy <%• Prof.
St. v. xviii. 432 The minority of Princes ought not to lessen
their Subjects reverence unto them. 1751 H. Walpole
Lett. (1846) II.404 It is become the peculiarity of the House
of Orange to have minorities. 1856 Emerson Eng. Traits,
Wealth Wks. (Bohn) II. 76 A youth in England, emerging
from his minority. 1874 Green Short Hist. vi. § 1. 265 The
long minority of Henry the Sixth, who was a boy of nine
months old at his father's death.
+ b. The early part of life, youth. Obs.
1632 Lithgow Trav. ix. 415 Such a man can neither seduce
his minority with ill examples, nor marre his waxen age
with a false impression. 1728 R. Morris Ess.Anc. Arc/tit.
p. xix, A Principle imbibed in Minority.
C. trans/, and jig. Now rare.
1611 Donne Anat. World, isl Annivers. (1625) 12 When
Stag, and Rauen, and the long Hu'd trec.dy'de in mino-
ritee. 1631 Weever Anc. Funeral Mon. 160 An old booke
in broken English, which crept into the world in the mino-
ritie of Printing. 1632 tr. BrueVs Praxis Med. 59 This
disease, .doth sticke close to the patient, vnlesse it bee
taken away by medicines in its minority. 1646 Sir T.
Browne Pseud. Ep. 1. vii. 25 Yet are our authorities but
temporary and not to be imbraced beyond the minority of
our intellectuals. 1653 Milton Hirelings Wks. 1851 V.
373 For the Magistrate, .to make the Church his meer
Ward, as always in Minority, .. is neither just nor pious.
1742 Young Nt. Th. vi. 616 In this her dark minority, how
toils.. the human soul !
3. The smaller number or part ; a number which
is less than half the whole number ; spec, the
smaller party voting together against a majority
in a deliberative assembly or electoral body.
1736 Ainsworth Lat. Diet., Minority (lesser number).
'755 hi Johnson. 1789 Burke Corr. (1844) III. 95 We are
a minority ; but then we are a very large minority. 1790 —
Er. Rev. (ed. 2) 186 In a democracy, the majority of the citi-
zens is capable of exercising the most cruel oppressions upon
the minority. 1809-10 Coleridge Friend (1865) 137 The
tone of men, who are conscious that they are in a minority.
1828 Macau LAY Ess., Hallam ad fin., Conspiracies and in-
surrections in which small minorities are engaged. 1886-94
H. Spencer Autobiogr. II. liii. 298 It is my habit to say what
I think, though I may so show myself one of a very small
minority, or even a minority of one. 1898 Allbutts Syst.
Med. V. 1004 The insufficiency of the mitral valve, which
occurs in a minority of cases of exophthalmic goitre. 1903
R. D. Shaw Pauline Ep. 11, i. 86 Men of pure Gallic blood
must in Paul's time have been greatly in the minority.
4. In voting, the number of votes cast for or by
the party opposed to the majority.
479
1774 Burke Sp. Amer. Tax. Wks. II. 414 The minority
did not reach to more than 39 or 40. 1788 Jeh-ekson Writ.
(1859) II. 533 The minorities in most of the accepting States
have been very acceptable.
5. attrib. and Comb., as minority debt, a debt
incurred by a person while under age ; minority-
platform U.S., the ' platform ' put forward by
the minority of a party; minority report, a
separate report framed by those members of a
committee or other body who are unable to agree
with the majority; minority teller, one who
counts or records votes for a minority ; f minority
waiter (meaning obscure ; by some explained as
' a waiter out of work ', by others as ' an extra-
ordinary tide-waiter ', i. e. one not regularly em-
ployed).
1897 Daily News 13 May 8/5 The half-crown cigars were
also *minority debts? 1905 Daily Chron. 24 June 6/6 He
has raised ^45,000. .out of which he paid his minority
debts. 1901 N. Amer. Rev. Feb. 271 The captors were
able to defeat the *minority platform. 190a Daily Chron.
27 Feb. 5/1 He had to occupy the unusual position of being
the 'minority-teller at the table. 1775 Sheridan Rivals n.
i, I told Thomas that your Honour had already inlisted five
disbanded chairmen, seven *minority waiters, and thirteen
billiard markers.
t Mrnorize, v. Obs. rare-1, [f. Minor a. +
-izk. Cf. MlNORATE v.] trans. To depreciate.
1615 Sir E. Houy Curry-combe i. 34 Hee that will take
vpon him to Minorize the learning of Authors.
T Minorque. Obs. rare—'. [Fr. : see Ml-
Kohca.] A kind of cloth.
179a A. Young Traz'. France II. xix. (1794) II. 539 They
make, .camblets, calimancoes, minorities, coarse cloths.
Minorship (msrnojjiip). [f. Minor t-smr.]
The state of being a minor ( Ogilvie 1882).
II Minot (rain?), [F., f. mine a measure of 6
bushels.] An obsolete French measure of capacity,
varying according to locality and the nature of the
commodity to be measured : the standard value
was 3 (French) bushels = about 39-36 litre.
1585 T. Washington tr. AWeholay's Voy. iv. xxxiii. 155 b,
Those which were found aswel in grayn, as fruits of yerely
reuenues the quantity of 500. minots. 1668 Lond. Gaz. No.
259/4 His Majesty, .intends, .to abate 4 downs upon
each Minot [printed minor], or measure of four French
bushels of Salt. 1737 Bradley Fam. Diet. s. v. Bread, They
take a Minot of this Flower, .leaven and boult it, and cover
it well with the same Flower or Meal. 1727-41 Chambers
Cyc I. s. V. Measu re. The minot consists of three bushels;
the mine of two minots. 1820 Ranken Hist. France \ III.
VIII. vi. 393 The minot contained three bushels.
Minotary, obs. form of Minatory.
Minotaur (mi-mJtgj). Gr. Myth. [ad. Gr.
J/IivuiTavp-05 (L. Minotaur-us, OF. Minotaur, F.
Minotaure), f. MiYare Minos + ravpos bull.] A
fabulous monster, the son of Pasiphae, wife of
Minos king of Crete, and a bull, represented as
having the body of a man and the head of a bull.
He was confined in the Cretan labyrinth and fed
with human flesh. He was slain by Theseus, who
thus freed Athens from her annual tribute of seven
youths and seven maidens to be devoured by the
monster. Hence used allusively.
c 138s Chaucer L. G. W. 2104 {Ariadne) The mynatour
[v. rr. Mynotawr(e, -taure, Mynataur]. 1390 Gower Con/.
II. 304 Minotaure. t 1470 Henrvson Mor. Fab. V. {Pari.
Beasts) xiv, The minotaur, ane monster meruelous. 1500-20
Dunbar Fenyit Freir 66 The Menatair [v.r. Mynataur]
marvelus. 1591 Shaks. i Hen. VI, v. iii. 189 There Mino-
taurs and vgly Treasons lurke. 1592 Daniel Compl. Rosa-
mond lxix, Heere I inclos'd from all the world a sunder,
The Minotaure of shame kept for disgrace. 1876 Geo. Eliot
Dan. Der. III. xxii, But don't give yourself for a meal to a
minotaur like Bult. 1900 Unitea I Service Mag. Jan. 427 All
those who were the hope and future strength of the race
were devoured by the Imperial Minotaur [sc. Napoleon] in
pursuit of his dream of universal domination.
b. A representation of this, esp. Her.
C1386 Chaucer A'nt.'s T. 122 And by his Baner born is
his penoun Of gold ful riche, in which ther was ybete The
Mynotaur which bat he slough in Crete. 1572 Bossewell
Armorie 11. 49 R. beareth azure, a Minotaure d' Argente.
1776 Burney Hist. Mne. (1780) I. 11. iii. 337 In a medal in-
scribed Caleno the Minotaur is seen.
Minouet, obs. form of Minuet.
Minour, obs. form of Miner.
t Mino-very. Law. Obs. [app. a corrupt
form of Manoeuvre. The source from which
Cowell obtained the word is unknown.] (See qnot.)
1607 Cowell Interpr, Minovery.. sigmfieth some tres-
passe or offence committed by a man's handle work in the
Forest, as an engyn to catch Deere.
[Hence in Diets. ; those of recent date substitute
the form manovery.~\
Minow, obs. form of Minnow.
Minowaye, variant of Minaway ( = minuet).
1 Minozin. Obs.
1680 Lond. Gaz. No. 1567/4 A sad Minozin colour cloth
Coat.
Minrall, Minre, obs. ff. Mineral, Mine pron.
Minse, -sed, -sen, -ser, obs. ff. Mince, etc.
Minsh, -ery, obs. forms of Minch, -ery.
tMinsical, a. Obs. rare~l. [?f. Mince v.
+ -ICAL.] ? Mincing, dainty.
a 1586 Sidney Wanstcad Play in Arcadia, etc. (1605) 571
MINSTRALY.
A woman, of a minsicall countenance, but, .not three quar-
ters so beautious as your selfe.
t Minsing, Obs. [f. *minse vb. (cogn. w. Mix
v.) + -ing *.] Remembrance.
c 1330 R, Brl'nne Chron. Wace 326 Of hym ys mynsyng
wib-outen ende, ffor he made a cite of ioye After his name,
& calde hit Troye. — Chron. (1S10) 201 pi misdede be in
\A mynsyng, Euer more to drede, eft to do suilke bing.
Minsitive : see Minceative.
Minster1 (mi'nstai). Forms: 1, 4-6 myn-
ster, 3-6 mynstre, 2 minister, 3 munster,
-tre, 4 mynyster, -tre, menestre, mynstire,
4-5 mynstere, mynistre, 5 mynester, rnyn-
stir, ministre, minstre, 1, 6- minster. [OE.
mynstcr :— prehistoric *mtinislrjo, a. popular L.
*monisterium = Eccl. L. monasterium Moxastekv.
Cf. OHG. munistri (MUG., mod.G. miinster),
MDd. monster (early mod.Du. munster), ON.
mustari.']
f 1. A monastery; a Christian religious house.
a 900 tr. Breda's Hist. 1. xxxiii. (SchipperJ, Wees sesresta
abbud ba:s ylcan mynstres [L. ciusdem vionasteni] Petrus
haten. c 1205 Lav. 29357 Gurmund falde ba munstre-^ and
an-heng alle ba munkes. 1387 Tkkvisa ///^v/^« (Rolls) I.
261 Faste by \>e mynystre [L. cenobium\ of Seint Michel is
marbil i-founde. c 1450 St. Cuthbcrt (Surtees) 6695 A myn-
stere, Duellyng for monkes and him in fere, c 1475 Partoiay
2596 Faire maillers, that ministre roiall. 1513 Hradshaw
St. Werburge n. 91 Erie J-eofrice repared .. The mynstre
of Werhurge, gyuyng therto liberie.
2. The church of a monastery; a church which
had its origin in a monastic establishment ; also
applied gen. to any church of considerable size or
importance, esp. a collegiate or cathedral church.
co6o Latvs A'. Edgar 1. 1, Man agife aulce teoSunge to
bamealdan mynstre [L. ad matron ccclesiam] be seohyrnes
tohyr3. 1056-66 Inscription fat Kirkdale Ch. YOrksh.), Orm
Gamal svna bohle scs Gregorivs minster 3onne hit wes se\
tobrocan & tofalan. 1297 K. Glolc. (Rolls) 3230^6 heye
niunstre of winchestre. 13.. E. E. Ailit. P. A. 1063 pe
al-m>'3ty was her mynyster mete, pe lombe be saker-fyse ber
to reget. 1389 in Eng. Gilds (1S70) 30 Seynt WiHyams
toumbe in ye mynstre of ye trinyte. ^1450 Merlin vi. 98
Than thei..yeden a-gem in-to the rnynistre to heir oute the
masse. 1470-85 Malory Arthur xin. ix. 624, I shal assay
to here hit [the shield], and soo bare hit oute of the mynstre.
c 1599 Ace. Pk. W. Wtay in Antiquary XXXII. 278 The
colligiat churehe or minster. .in Ripo'. <* 1645 Hadington
Surv. Wares, in Worcs. Hist. Soc. Proc. 11, 191 The cioyster
of the Mynster of Worcester. 1675 Ogilhv Brit. (1698) 20
The Cathedral or Minster [at Lincoln] is a stately structure.
1771 Smollett Humph. CI. 4 July, As for the minster [at
\ ork], I know not how to distinguish it, except by its great
size. ,; 1878 Sir G. G. Scott Lect. Archil. (1879) I. 200
Yorkshire is especially the land of minsters and abbey-
churches. 1898 Leach in Beverley Ch. Act Bk. (Surtees)
Introd. 34 The word minster itself is peculiarly one used not
of monasteries but of secular churches — York, Iieverley,
Ripon, Southwell, Lincoln, Lichfield, Wimborne, these are
the churches to which the title of minster has clung, ..and
they were one and all churches of secular canons,
f b. trans/. A temple. Obs.
C1200ORMIN 75S0 pe;} comenn inntill 5errsakem & inntill
Godess minnstre. a 1400-50 Alexander 2174 When he was
full bare & fedd he fiittiswith his ost.ToTergarontes he te^e
bare ti$t was a mynstre. c 1400 Maundev. (1839) XVi- J74
Before the Mynstre of this Ydole is a Vyvere. 1562 Phakk
AZneidvu. Z iv b, Three hundred mynsters chief along the
towne wyde open stands. 1581 Nuce Seneca's Octavia 11.
U. 174 b, Whom as a God in minsters we adorne.
3. attrib. and Comb.t as minster-aisle (also_^f.),
-church, -door, -fund, -gate, -garth, pile, -quire,
-yard\ t minster book, a book used in church.
c 1450 St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 4263 pe *mynster yles were
made as warde. 1863 Hawthorne Our Old Home, Lich-
Jleldl. 211 Overarched by a minster-aisle of venerable trees.
c 1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 109 Alse be holi *minster-boc seiS.
1828 Scott F. M. Perth iii, I believe she thinks the whole
world is one great *Minster-church. 13.. St, Erkenivolde
128 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1881) 269 *Mynster-dores
were makyd opone, quene matens were songene. 13 . . E. E.
Allil. P. C. 268 As mote in at a munster dor, so mukel
wern his chawlez. 14., Sir Beues (M.) 4275 The kyngis
doughter was. .to the mynester durre I-led, Vnto sir MyTes
was she wed. 1829 G. Poulson Beverlac 681 Trustees of
the "minster fund, c 1400 St, Alexius (Cotton) 200 Wuh-
owtyn att the *mynster yate. 1393 Test. Ebor. (Surtees) I.
185 My graven in the *mynster Garth. 1866 Neale Se-
quences 4- Hymns 131 Lincoln's *minster pile. 1634-5
Brereton Trav. (Chetham Soc.) 72 Erected in the *minster-
quire. 1842 W. White Directory Lines. 124 *Minster yard.
+ Mi' lister 2. Obs. [From the name of Munster
a German city, capital of Westphalia.] A kind of
linen cloth originally imported from Munster.
1612 Sc. Bk. Customs in Halyburtoris Ledger (1867) 321
Minsters the rowle contening xv hundreth elnis, iiicxx li.
1698-9 Houghton Collect. Hnsb. <V Vrade No. 343 (1727)
II. 382 Of minsters from Germany 74246 ells.
Minster, obs. form of Minister v.
Minstracy, -trail, -tralsie, -sy, obs. ff.
Minstrel, -trelsv.
t Mi'nstraly. Sc. Obs. Forms : 4 menstrely,
4, 6 -traly, 6 menstrallie, -tralie, -ye. [f.
Minstrel + -y.] = Minstrelsy.
£*375 «S5ff« £flji Saints xxxiii. {George) 191 Til haf had
menstrely & in all degre haf mad inery. Ibid. 662 pane
wes mad gret Ioy in hy with syndry kynde of menstraty.
1500-20 Dunbar Poems lxxviii. 13 For mirth, for menstrallie
and play. 1549 Compl. Scot. vi. 65 Appollo. .vitht hissueit
menstralye. 1567 Gude % Godlie Ball. (S.T.S.) 37 Quhen
thathe. .hard the menstrallie [v.r. menstraly] anone, The
dansing, and the greit blyithnes [etc.].
MINSTREL.
Minstre, obs. form of Ministry.
Minstrel (mi'nstreT), j£. Forms: a. 3 mene-
stral, (//. menestraus) ; 0. 4 mynystrel, minis-
tr3le,minestrale, 4-5 mynystral, 5 mynistralle,
6 myny stroll, my nny stroll© , (7 arr/i.ministrel) ;
7. 4 menstrelle, 4-5 menstrale, -alio, 4-6, 7
Sc. menstral, 5 Sc, menstraille, 5-6 menstrell,
6 menstrall ; 2. 4 mynstraell, -tral(e, (mun-
stral), 4-5 minstral(e, mynstralle, 4-6 myn-
strel(le,minstralle,5 m ins trail, 5-6 minstrelle,
6 minstril,mynstrell,6-7minstrell, 7minstrill,
6- minstrel, [a. OF. menestral, -terel, mini strain
-terel (F. minestrel) = Pr. menesiral officer, person
employed.attendant, musician :— late L. ministerial-
em one having an official duty, f. ministcrium : see
Ministry.
OF. had a synon. menestrt'er (mod.F. menetrier village
musician), f. menestrel with alteration of suffix. The It. mini-
strello, Sp. ministril, Pg. ministrel, ace formed after Fr.]
fl. gen. A servant having a special function.
Obs. rare~x.
a 7*2$ A ncr. R. 84 An o<5er half, nime<5 nu^eme of hwuche
two mesteres beos two menestraus [sc. the flatterer and the
backbiter] serue5 hore louerde, be deofle of helle.
2. In early use (i.e. down to the end of the
16th c.), a general designation for any one whose
profession was to entertain his patrons with sing-
ing, music, and story-telling, or with buffoonery or
juggling. In modern romantic and historical use
commonly with narrowed and elevated applica-
tion : A mediaeval singer or musician, esp. one
who sang or recited, to the accompaniment of his
own playing on a stringed instrument, heroic or
lyric poetry composed by himself or others.
The use of the word in romantic poetry and fiction has
so coloured its meaning that the application to a mere jester,
mountebank, or conjuror, originally common, would now
seem inappropriate.
1297 K. Glouc. (Rolls) 5509 Menestrel he was god
ynou & harpare in eche poynte. 136a Langl. P. PI. A.
Prol. 33 And summe Murbhes to maken as Munstrals
cunne. 1ai^66 Chaucer Rom. Rose 764 Ther mightest
thou see these floutours, Minstrales, and eek Iogelours.
c 1386 — Sir Thopas 1 34 Do come he seyde my Mynstrales
And geestours for to tellen tales Anon in myn Armynge.
14.. Nom. in Wr.-Wiilcker 693 Hie prestigiator, myn-
stralle. 1423 in T. Sharp Diss. Pageants Coventry (1825)
207 Thei have retained Matthew Ellerton. .& John Trum-
por Mynstrells as for the Cite of Coventry. c 1440 Alphabet
of Tales ccclv'i. 245 He saw mynstrallis & ioguliurs. Ibid.,
He said, hym had levur clethe Criste ber-with, or pure men,
ban for to giff bairn to mynstrallis, for, he said, it was no
noder to giff to mynstrals bod for to offyr to fendis. 1508
in Lysons Envir. Loud. (1792) I. 226 To the menstorell
upon May-day, 004. 1535 Covkrdale Matt. ix. 23 When
Iesus came into the rulers house, and sawe the minstrels
[so 1611] and the people raginge. 1539 Cromwell in Merri-
man Life fy Lett, (1002) II. 236 Item youe shall allowe to
Mr. Brereton and Mr. Gryffith their chaplaynes and min-
stralles, 1553 Eden Treat. Newe Ind. (Arb.) 25 Al the
musicions & minstrels, .playe on theyr instrumentes. 1559
Abp. Hf.the inStrype^««.^?c^(I824)I- App.vi.403 Kinge
Davyd.. placed himselfe amongest the mynystrells. 1597
Maldou, Essex Liber C 146b, The said John Cooke ..shall
. . the said John Hill, .instructc.in the . .arte mistene and
facultie of a minstrell. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Minstrel,
a Player on the Violin; a Fidler, or Piper. 1768 Beattik
{title) The Minstrel. 1805 Scott {title) The Lay of the Last
Minstrel. 1846 Wright Ess. Mid. Ages I. it 68 The [Anglo-
Norman] minstrel shows himself everywhere a bitter satirist
upon ecclesiastics. 1850 O. Wwslow Inner Life vi. 181 The
banquet is ready and the minstrels are tuning their harps.
lib. Used derisively with pun on minister.
1589 Nashe Almond for Parrat 8 b, I forgette to tel you
what a stirre he keepes against dumbe ministers, and neuer
writes nor talkes of them, but hee callcth them minstrels.
3. trans/. Used poet, or rhetorically for a
musician, singer, or poet.
17:8 Prior Solomon it. 71 Music's force can ;. make, .the
lynx forget His wrath to man, and lick the minstrel's feet.
1819 Wordsw. To Dr. Wordsw. 1 The Minstrels played
their Christmas tune To-night beneath my cottage-eaves.
1831 — yarrow Revisited 1. 8, I stood, looked, listened,
and with Thee, Great Minstrel of the Border ! 1839 —
Th. on Banks Nith 56 Sweet Mercy ! tothe gates of Heaven
This Minstrel lead, his sins forgiven. <i 1881 Rossetti
House of Life ix, Behold this minstrel is unknown; Bid
him depart, for I am minstrel here.
4. Chiefly in plural and with prefixed defining
word, as Christy, negro, nigger minstrels : The
designation assumed by certain bands of public
entertainers in the U.S. and subsequently also in
England, who, with blacked faces and wearing
grotesque costumes, performed interludes represent-
ing negro life in the southern states, with songs
and music ostensibly of negro origin.
1864, 1871 [see Negro 3]. 1873 [see Christy]. 1904 Daily
Chron. 29 Mar. 3/6 April 9 has been fixed for the last per-
formance of the Mohawk Moore and Burgess Minstrels at
St. James's Hall.
5. at t rib.
1715-ao Pope Iliad xxiv. 81 This Minstrel God, .. Stood
proud to Hymn, and tune his youthful Lyre. 1767 Percy
Ess. Anc. Minstrels in Reliq. (1794) I. p. liv, The old
Minstrel-ballads are in the northern dialect. 1810 Scott
Lady of L. vi. xiv, Free from thy minstrel-spirit glanced,
Fling me the picture of the fight. 1813 — Trierm. t.
xix, The attributes of those high days Now only live in
minstrel-lays.
480
Hence Mi'nstrel v. trans., to sing of, celebrate
I in' song. Mi'nstreless, a female minstrel. Mi*n-
streUing" vbl. s6., the performance of music,
t Minstrelship, (a) minstrelsy, the performance
of music ; (b) (with possessive pronoun) the per-
sonality of a minstrel.
1471 in T. Sharp Diss. Pageants Coventry (1825) 35 It'
1 paid to the waytes for mynstrelship. .yj*. a 1578 Lindesay
! (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. (S. T. S.) I. 381 With singing and
clanceing, minstrelling and playing. 1647 Haddington
' Presbyt. Rec. in Baron Crt. of Stitchilt (1905) Introd. 35
Profane minstrellings in time of dinner or supper tends to
great debauchery. 18x7 Blackw. Mag. 1. 169 No monument
tells, 'mid the wilderness green, Where the minstreless lies
! of the Border the last. 182* T. L. Peacock Maid Marian
xvi. 218 I'll knock your musical noddles together. .. That
I will be a new tune for your minstrelships. Ibid. 219 Touch
i thou shalt not : my minstrelship defies thee. 1873 Leland
Egypt. Sketch Bk. 127 Such poets as Bayard Taylor, who
once minstrelled an Arab's horse.
Minstrelsy (mrnstrelsi). Forms : a. 4 me-
nestrelsy, -tralcie, menistralsi; ft. 4 men-
stralcye, 5 menstralcy, -sie, -sy ; 4menstracie,
menstracy, 5 menstrasyfe ; 7. 4 mynystralsye;
5. 4 (mistralsx, munstralsye), minstralcie,
: -eye, mynstralcie, 4-5 minstralcy, myn-
stralcye, -sy, 4, S miustralsy, 5 mynstralsi,
-sie, mynstrelsee, -eye, mynstrylsy, 5-6 myn-
stralcy, -sye, mynstrelsy, 6 minstrelcy, 6-7
minstralsie, 7 minstrelsie ; 4 minstracie, myn-
strasy, -trecye, -trisye, 5 (munstrassye\ myn-
stracy ; 7- minstrelsy, [ad. OF. menestralsie,
-trancie, f. menestrel a minstrel : see Minstrel.]
1. The art, occupation, or practice of a minstrel;
the practice of playing and singing; in mod. use
! only poet, and arch, f To make minstrelsy, to
produce music.
1303 R. Brunnf Handl. Synne 4716 He hadde no grace
to sey with-alle His graces ryghte deuoutely For be noyse
1 of be mynstralsy. 13.. Seuyn Sag. (W.) 3363 Than was
thare made grete menestrelsy. a 1350 .SY. Thomas 38 in
: Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1881I 20 pare was .. grete mirth of
sere menistralsi \v.r. mistralsi]. c 1350 Will. Palerne 1155
Alle maner menstracie bere was mad. 1361 Langl. P. Ft.
' A.m. 11 per was Murbe and Munstralsye Meede with to
plese. 1393 Ibid. C. XVL 196 What manere mynstralcie ..
Hast bow vsed? c 1440 Bone Flor. 168 Thorow the towne
, the knyghtes sange, .. Makeyng swete mynstralcy. 1535
, Covkrdale Ecclus. xl. 20 Wyne and mynstralsye reioyse
the hert. 1602 2nd Pt. Return fr. Pamas. 1. ii. (Arb.) 11
! He did chaunt his rurall minstralsie. 1697 Colufr Ess.
Mor. Subj. n. (1709) 24 To have our Passions lie at the
mercy of a little Minstrelsy. 1768 Brattie Minstr. 1. xvi,
j Save one short pipe of rudest minstrelsy. 186a Goulburn
I Pers. Relig. 104 The minstrelsy of psalms and hymns, and
spiritual songs. 1867 Freeman Norm. Conq. (1877) I. v.
I 274 Verses which breathe the true fire of the warlike min-
strelsy common to Greek and Teuton,
fb. Harmony. Obs.
1605 Camden Rem., Rhymes 18 Which delighted in no-
thing more then in this Minstrelsie of meeters.
2. A body of minstrels ; an assemblage or gather-
ing of minstrels.
C1350 Will. Palerne 5011 So many maner minstracie at
bat manage were. < 1386 Chaucer Sqr."s T. 260 Toforn
hym gooth the loude Mynstralcye. ( 1440 Gesta Rom.
Ixiv. 276 (Harl. MS.), Ober worthi lady }ede to pe same
\ chirch, with gret mynstracy afore hire. 1480 Caxt ^on Chron.
\ Eng. ccxli. 267 Euery man in good aray and euery crafte
with his mynstralsye. 1667 Milton P. L. vi. 168 Ministring
Spirits, trained up in Feast and Song ; Such hast thou
aim'd, the Minstrelsie of Heav'n. 1740 Somerville Hob-
binol 111. 231 before him march in Files The rural Min-
j stralsy. 1800-24 Campbell On Camp Hill near Hastings
1 iii, At the Conqueror's side There his minstrelsy sat harp
in hand. 1855 Prescott Philip II, 1. iv. I. 49 The minstrelsy
! played before them till they reached the royal residence.
I f 3. collect. A number or collection of musical
instruments. Also, a kind of musical instrument.
c 1386 Chaucer Manciple" s T. 9 Pleyen he koude on euery
Mynstralcie. 1447 Bokenham Seyntys (Roxb.) 186 The
voysof orgons and of dyvers menstralcy. 15*3 Ld. Brrners
Froiss. I. cexcix. 443 The spanyerdes .. departed, makyng
great noyse of trumpettes and other mynstrelsies.
4. Minstrel poetry ; occas. a body of minstrel
poetry.
180a Scott {title) Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border. 1830
; H. N. Coleridge Grk. Poets (1834) 35 The Iliad and the
I Odyssey . . are compilations . . arranged by successive editors,
but still compilations of minstrelsies, the works of various
j poets in the heroic age. 1845 Craik Hist. Lit. Eng. V.
150 That remarkable oody of national song known as the
Jacobite minstrelsy.
Minstryng, obs. form of Ministering sb.
Mint (mint), sbA Forms : 1 mynyt, -it, -et,
munet, 1-2, 4-5 menet, 5 myntte, 5-7 mynt,
j 6 minte, 6- mint. [OE. mynct neut., repr.
! (with change of gender) WGer. *munita fern.,
\ a. L. moneta : see Money. Cf.OFris. menote, munte
\ fern., OS. mttnila fern. (MDu. munte, Do. munt
\ fem.% OHG. muntaa fern., mum\ masc. and neut.
: (MHG. miln^e, mod.G. miinze fern.). From LG.
j the word passed into the Scandinavian langs. :
I ON., S\v.,Da. mynt.]
1. A piece of money, a coin ; money. Obs.
From 16th c. only slang: possibly reintroduced in this
use from LG.
( 7«5 Cor/us Gloss. (Hessels) N 144 Nomisma, mynit.
I r 975 Rushw. Gosp. Matt. xxii. 19 EawaS me mynet [e 1000
MINT.
Ags. Gosp. mynyt, c 1160 Hatton menet ; Vulg. numisma]
bees ga:Hes. exooo Sax. Leechd. II. 192 genim pipores
swilce an mynet seweje, diles saedes swilce .iiii. mynet
Sewejen. 1340 Ayenb. 241 Vor pouerte is bet menet huer-
mide me bayp be riche of heuene. c 1420 Pallad. on Husb.
m. 1069 These [sc. pigsl if me spende, or mynt for hem
reseyue. 1567 Harmks Caveat {i86g)B3 Mynt, golde. 1611
B. Jonson Metam. Gypsies in Horace, etc. (1640) 54 Strike
faire at some Jewell That mint [1641 fol., mine] mayaccrue
well. 1666 Head Eng. Rogue 1. iv. 33. a 1700 B. E. Diet.
Cant. Crew. 1848 Mrs. Gaskell M. Barton xxiii, You'll
want money. . . You must take some of the mint I've got laid
by in the old tea-pot.
2. A place where money is coined ; usually, a
place where lawful money is coined under the
authority and direction of the state. A/aster of the
mint (perh. orig. in sense 1) : the chief officer and
custodian of the mint.
(Since 1869 the offices of Master and Worker of the
Mint have been nominally held by the Chancellor of the
Exchequer, who has direct control of the establishment.)
14*3 Rolls of Partt. IV. 256/2 The maister of the mynte
aforeseid [previously called maistre of the koyne]. c 1475
Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 286 For and ther were a myntte
ordeyned ny therby. a 155a Leland I tin. (1769) IV. 125
There was .. a Mint of Coynage in Coventrye. 1553 in
Strype Eccl. Mem. (1721) III. App. v. 8 Her Majestic hath
ordered and established to be made within her mintes these
seueral coynes. 1603 Jas. I in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. 1. III.
67 The Warden of our Mynt and Woorkmaster of our
Moneys there. 1670 Lady ^lARY Bertie in 12M Rep. Hist.
MSS. Comm. App. v. 21 At the Tower .. I saw the lyons
and Mint. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Master of tfie Mint,
an Officer now call'd The Warden of the Mint. 1787 Phil.
Trans. LXXVII. 204 note, The experiments, .were made..
at his Majesty's Mint in the Tower. 1836 in Rep. Com-
mittee Roy. Mint (1837) App. 28 The Cash Account of the
Master of the Mint. 1853 Humphreys Coin-coll. Man. I.
vi. 66 The Carthaginians . . had a national mint established
in the Acropolis of Carthage.
b. A set of machines for coining.
159a R. D. HyPnerotomachia 7 This Image was. .mooved
about with such a noyse. .as if the mynte of the Queene of
England had been going there ! 1642 Chas. I Sp. Wks.
1662 I. 412, 1 have sent hither for a Mint. 1831 Babbage
Econ. Manuf xL (ed. 3) 94 The mint which was sent a
few years since to Calcutta was capable of coining 200,000
pieces a day.
3. trans/, and Jig. A place in which the fabrica-
tion (of anything) is carried on ; a source of in-
vention or fabrication.
1555 Eden Decades 331 b, The. .matrices of moste eslemed
ryches, and the myntes of al treasures are the mountaynes.
1588 Shaks. L. L. L. i. i. 166 A man. .That hath a mint of
phrases in his braine. 1610 Bp. Carleton Jurisd. 141 If
that decree were forged,, .with many moe ; Let the Romane
forgery be acknowledged, and the Masters of that mint
knowne. 1709 Sacheverell Serm. 15 Aug. 16 The Pulpit,
and the Press, those Mints of Atheism. 1715 Bentlev
Serm. x. (1809I 348 Rome .. should possess the sole mint of
all spiritual licences and pardons, a 179a Wolcot (P. Pin-
dar) Ode to Pretty Milliner Wks. 1794 III. 327 A kiss !—
a thousand kisses let me add— Ten thousand from thy un-
exhausted mint. 1850 Tennyson In Mem. lxxix, But thou
and I are one in kind, As moulded like in Nature's mint.
1874 L. Stephen Hours in Library (1892) I. v. 192 All
these [tak-s] bear the unmistakable stamp of Hawthorne's
mint. 1905 R. F. Horton Child <y Relig. vii. 276 The
Bible ought to be taught to every English child, as .. the
Mint of our noblest speech.
f4. Coinage. Obs,
1483 in Lett. % Papers Rich. Ill <fr Hen. VII (Rolls) I.
45 A leu re undre the kinges prive seall concernyng the
mynte of Irlande. 161a Bacon Hen. VII ^235 For Minte,
and Warres, and Marshall Discipline, (things of Absolute
Power) he would neuerthelesse bring to Parliament.^
b. In phrase to pass the Mint (with allusion to
the assaying department of the Mint).
1656 Blount Glossogr. To Rdr. A 4 b, So when any con-
siderable Supplement of New English Words have legally
pav;'d the Mint and Test of our Vertuosi, the sameliberty
[of reprinting with additions] may be allowed this Work.
5. f a. A quantity (of money) coined. Obs.
1579 Fenton Guicciard. I. (1599) »6 They were plentifully
furnished . .with so rich a mynt of money [orig. tanta copia
di danan], that it sufficed against all wants.
transf. 1598 J. Dickenson Greene in Cone. (1878) 100
He vanished, leauing mee extreamely discontented ; for I
had ready a mint of questions.
b. 1 lence, a vast sum (of money) ; rarely transf.
a vast amount (of something costly).
1655 Ft ller Ch. Hist. ix. vi. § 19. 172 A mass, a mint, a
mine of mony could easily be advanced to defray the ex-
pences thereof. 17*9 Bradley Riches of Hop-garden 2
Expect Mints of Money to tumble into their Laps for a
little Secret. 1833 Marryat /'. Simple i, He must have
lost a mint of money. 1869 Blackmore Lorna D. xxi, He
was so tasselled, and so ruffled with a mint of bravery.
1874 Spurgeon Treas. Dav. Ps. xciv. 16 Our John Knox
would be worth a mint at this hour, but where is he ?
6. atlrib. and Comb., as mint-bill, a bill or pro-
missory note given by the officers of the mint to
the importer of bullion deposited for coining;
mint duties, certain taxes formerly appropriated
to the maintenance of the Royal Mint; mint hog
slang, an Irish shilling; fmint house, a building
in which money is coined; fmintmaker, 'a
moneyer*; fmint man, one engaged or skilled
in coining; also transf. ; mint phrase, a phrase
coined for a purpose; mint price, the standard
price of bullion as recognized at the mint ; mint-
stamp Numism.- Mint-mark (alsoy%0; mint-
state Aumism., the condition in which a coin
MINT.
comes from the mint (also trans/., of a postage-
stamp) ; mint-token, a token of a nominal value
issued by legal authority from a mint ; mint value
= mint price. Also Mint-mark, Mint-master.
1707 Land. Gaz. No. 4330/5 The New Edict in France for
making their *Mint-Bills current throughout the Kingdom.
1839 Penny Cycl. XV. 253/1 It [coin] is delivered to the
owner weight for weight, as expressed in the mint bill which
had been given. 178a G. & F. Garbett in Rep. Committee
Roy. Mint (1837) App. 221 Certain duties upon brandy and
strong waters under the title of *Mint duties. 1806 Carr
Stranger in Ire/. Hi. 65 The genuine Irish shillings, called
by the low Irish *Mint hogs. 1605 Stow Ann., Jas. I, 1414
The next day he saw .. the *mint-houses. 1796 Morse
Amer. Geog, II. 248 The Hungarian gold and silver em-
ployed mint-houses, not only in Hungary, but in Germany,
and the continent of Europe, c 1483 Caxton Dialogues 2
Of *myntemakers [F.mo/tnoyers] and pybakers. 1605 Timme
Quersit. 1. xvi. 82 The which is wel known to. .euery gold-
smith and "mintman. 1624 Bacon War 7v. Spain (1629) 2
He that thinketh Spaine to be some great Ouermatch for
this Estate, .is no good Mint-man; But takes greatnesse of
Kingdomes according to their Bulke and Currency. 175a
Carte Hist. Eng. III. 384 They proposed to coin their
plate to pay them : but the mintmen stole off with their
stamps and irons. i6a6 B. Jonson Staple ofN. iv. iv. 74,
I wyll tyde This affayre for you ; giue it freight and pas-
sage, And such *mynt-phrase, as 'tis the worst of canting,
By how much it affects the sense it has not. 1758 J.
Harris Money <y Coins 11. ii. 56 The market price of bullion
might be frequently above the *mint price. 1892 H. R.
Grenfell in Pall Mall G. 24 Dec. 2/3 Law has instituted
the so-called mint price for gold. 1817 D'Israeli Cur.
Lit. 1st Ser. III. 183 That all men .. should take the
*mint-stamp of their thoughts from the Council of Trent.
1837 in Rep. Committee Roy. Mint Index 22 The Mint
stamp is for the security of the refiner. 1902 Daily Chron.
16 Jan. 7/7 The Niger Coast $s, [sc. postage stamp] in violet
on 2d., and the jos. in vermilion on $d., both unused and
in "mint state. 1716 Land. Gaz. No. 5439/3 A small Copper
Coin, under the Name of *Mint-Tokens, shall be current
throughout his Dominions for half a Rixdollar.
Mint (mint), sb* Forms: 1-6 minte, 1, 4-6
mynte, 3-7 mente, 5~6mynt,6 mynthe,6- mint.
[OE. minte wk. fern. (? Mercian mint str. fem.)
= OHG. minza (MHG., mod.G. minze):-\VG.
*mintatd.. L. menta t mentka, Gr. yxvBr\ (also itivOos).
A synonym of unexplained form is WGer. *muntja^
represented by M.Du. munte (Du. munt fem.),
OHG. munza (MHG., mod.G. miinze). The
obsolete Eng. form mente may be influenced by
F. mente (now written menthe), whence also the
MDu. variant mente.']
L Any one of the aromatic labiate plants of the
genus Mentha, esp. M. viridis, Garden Mint or
Spearmint, well known in cookery. Until the
18th c. frequently with a and in pi.
^975 Rushw. Gosp. Matt, xxiii. 23 Forbon je be txgbisap
mintai [c 1000 Ags. Gosp. mintan] & dile & cymen. 1 1260
Gloss. Names Plants in Rel. Ant. I. 37 Menta, mente,
minten. 7*71366 Chaucer Rom. Rose 731 A litel path
.. Of mentes ful and fenel grene. 1398 Trevisa Barth.
De P. R. xvn. cvi. (Tollem. MS.), Mynte of gardynes is an
herbe bat multiplyeb it selfe. c 1400 Lan franc s Cirurg.
60 Mintis stampid wib salt, c 1450 ME. Med. Bk. (Hein-
rich) 69 Take smalache, & myntes, & rewe, and betonye.
1530 Palsgr. 660/2 Plucke these roses whyle I plucke these
myntes. 156s Cooper Thesaurus, Menta, mentse, . . Mintes.
1593 B. Barnes Parthenophil Ode xi. in Arb. Garner V.
456 Fragrant violets, and sweet mynthe, Matched with
purple hyacinth. x6x8 Latham 2nd Bk. Falconry (1633)
143 Mintes is hot and dry in the third degree. 1733 Tull
Horse-Hoeing Hnsb. i. 11, I plac'd a Mint, withnalf its
Roots in the Glass. Ibid., The Mints stood just upon the
ends of the Trough. 1876 Harley Mat, Med. (ed. 6) 471
Mint has long been used in Medicine.
b. With defining word, as bergamot mint, M.
citrata ; brandy mint, Peppermint, M. piperita ;
brook, fish, horse, water, wild mint, M. syl-
vestris and other wild species ; brown, mackerel
mint, old names for M. viridis \ corn mint, M.
arvensis; crisp(ed, cross, curled mint, M.crispa.
1578 Lyte Dodoens 11. lxxiv. 243 The garden Myntes are
of four sortes, that is to say, Curlde Mynte, Crispe M^nte,
Spere Mynte, and Harte Mynte. The wilde Mynte is of
two sortes, that is, the Horse Mynte, and the Water Mynte.
1597 Gerarde Herbal 11. cexv. 553 The first Mint is called
. .browne Mint, or red Mint. The second, .crosse Mint, or
curled Mint. The third .. Speare Mint, common Garden
Mint, our Ladies Mint, Browne Mint and Macrell Mint.
The fourth . . Hart Woort or Hart Mint. Ibid, cexvii. 555
Water Mint, Fish Mint, Brooke Mint, and Horse Mint.
call this Brandy-mint in Westmoreland. 1796 Withering
Brit. Plants (ed. 3) III. 525 Corn Mini. Watery places
and moist corn fields. 1831 J. Davies Manual Mat. Med.
179 The most used of them are, the Crisped Mint, Mentha
crispa, Lin. ; the Green Mint, M. Viridis, ..the Elegant
Mint, M. gentilis, Lin.
2. Applied with defining word to plants of allied
genera, e. g. Calamintha and in U. S. Pycnanthe-
mtitn and Monarda. See also Catmint.
1548 Turner Names 0/ ' Herbes 22 Calamintha.. called in
english cornemint and calamynt. 1597 Gerarde Herbal ir.
cexviii. 556 Calamint, or mountaine Mint. 1846-50 A. Wood
Class-bk. Bot. 417 Monarda didynta, Mountain Mint. M.
punctata, Horsermnt. Ibid. 4ig Pycnanthemum incanum,
Mountain Mint. 1886 Britten & Holland Plant-n. s. v.,
Calamintha officinalis is in Yks. Cap Mint or Cat Mint ;
..Teucrium Scorodonia is Rock Mint in Som. and Wild
Mint in Suss. ', Ajuga reptans is Wild Mint in Berks.
3. attrib. and Comb. : mint-cake dial., (a) a cake
Vol. VI.
481
made of flour and dripping or lard, flavoured with
sugar and chopped fresh mint, and rolled out very
thin (E. D. D.) ; (6) a sweetmeat flavoured with
peppermint {Ibid.); mint julep (see Julep 2);
mint-rock, a sweetmeat (see Rock sb.) flavoured
with peppermint ; mint-stick, a stick of mint-rock
or similar sweetmeat; mint tea — mint-water)
mint tree, an Australian labiate tree, Prostatic
ihera lasiantha (Treas. Bot. 1866); mint- water,
a cordial distilled from mint. Also Mint-sauce.
1825 Mrs. Cameron Seeds of Greediness 2 (in Houlston
Tracts I. No. 22) Apples, *mint cakes, and other things.,
very tempting to children. 1817 Paulding Lett. Jr. South
(1835) 1. 21 The best compounder of "mint-juleps of any man
in Virginia. 1845 Eliza Acton Mod. Cookery 540 Mint
Julep. 1863 Neio York Tribune 13 June (Cent.), The
soldiers hunger for dates, figs, *mint-stick [etc.]. 1872
Schele deV ere Americanisms 395 Sage-tea and *Mint-
tea were. .familiar to all nurses. 1666 Phil. Trans. I & II.
No. 12. 212 *Mint-water. 1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin.
Med. xii. 131 A draught composed of two drachms of mint
water [etc.].
t Mint, sd.3 Obs. [Of obscure origin ; possibly
contraction of Minute sb. (cf. Mint-while).]
1. A small insect, mite, weevil.
14.. Voc. in Wr.-Wiilcker 623 Bibiones, uervtes, Anglice
myntys. C1475 Pict. Voc. ibid. 767/8 Nomina vermium. .
Hec mica, a mynte. 1789 \V. Marshall Glouc. I. 330
Mints, mites. 1842 in Akerman Witts Gloss.
2. A denomination of weight, -fa of a grain ;
= Mite.
«i6oo MS. Rawlinson D. 23 Pref. 1 b, The weyghtes
called myntes which is the smallest weyhte here sette
downe, saving the weyghtes called droytes, Theise weyghtes
called myntes hathe no abbrevyacion sette here downe.
Mint (mint), sbA Sc. and north, dial. Also
4 munt, 4-6 mynt. [f. Mint vA]
1. Purpose, intention.
a 1300 Cursor M. 463 Bot he was merred of hys mint,
Fulson he fand vnsterne stint. 13. . E.E. Allit. P. A. 1160
Bot of bat munt I was bi-talt.
2. An attempt, effort; an attempt to strike; a
blow aimed ; a threatening gesture or movement.
c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. IVace (Rolls) 12367 He [Arthur]
sey wel how he [Dynabrok] made his mynt, & wib his
mace he teysed his dynt. 13. . Gaw. fy Gr. Knt. 2345 Fyrst
I mansed be muryly, with a mynt one, & roue pe wyth no
rof. Ibid. 2350 pat ober munt for be morne, mon, I J>e pro-
fered, pou kyssedes my clere wyf. c 1400 Yivaine <$- Gaxu.
2613 A ful fel mynt to him made. 1513 Douglas sEneis v.
viii. it Now bendis he wp his burdoun with a mynt, On
syde he bradis for till eschew the dint. 1573 Satir. Poems
Reform, xxxix. 361 He..Brocht thame to miserie maid ane
mynt to wrang vs. a 1584 Montgomerie Cherrie <y Slae
1158 'jilt', quod Experience, 'at thee Mak mony mints
I may'. 1589 J. Melvill Autobiogr. (Wodrow Soc.) 273
His brother, .making a mint, maid the lown to flic a 1699
J. Fraser Mem. vi. § 2 (1738) 139 Nor made I ever any
extraordinary Mint to seek God, but [etc.], 17*8 Ramsay
To Starrat 39 The lawly mints of my poor moorland muse.
Mint (mint), vX Now dial, or arch. Forms:
1 myntan, 2 mintan, 2-3 munten, 3-6 mynt,
3-7 minte, 4, 6 mente, 5 munt, 6 ment, mynte,
3- mint. [OE. myntan, perh. from *mynettany
f. niyne thought, intention : see Min sbj\
+ 1. intr. and trans. To think. Obs.
c 1000 Judith 153 (Gr.) Mynton ealle, baet se beorna brejo
& seo beorhte ma^S in Sam wlitejantraefewaeronaetsomne.
a 1300 Cursor M. 28979 For euer ai prai wit-vten stint, He
bat graithli to god has mint, a 1310 in Wright Lyric P.
x. 37 Of munnyng ne munt thou namore. c 1330 R. Brunne
Chron. IVace (Rolls) 7225 pey seide til ober, ' what haue
je mynt?'
2. With inf. (rarely with clause). To purpose,
intend ; also, to make an effort, attempt, endeavour ;
to venture.
Beowulf [712 Mynte se manscac-a manna cynnes sumne
besyrwan in sele bam hean. 1154 c?. E. Chron. (Laud MS.)
an. 616 Da mynte Laurentius f>e 5a was ercebiscop on
Caent. bat he wolde sub ofer se. 1154 Ibid. an. 1137 And
gif he leng moste liuen, alse he mint to don of be horder-
wycan. a 1300 Cursor M. 10759 Hir to haf had he noght
mint, If he moght anigat it stint. 1390 Gower Couf. III.
261 Sondrt times as sche minte To speke, upon the point
sche stinte. 1530 Palsgr. 421/2, 1 am aboute to do a thynge,
or I ment or purpose to do a thynge, je tache. 1596 Dal-
rymple tr. Leslie s Hist. Scot. ix. 193 The Erie of Surrie. .
minted nocht to cum an inche ner vs. 1633 Rutherford
Lett. xxix. (1862) I. 105 Jesus is looking up that water
and minting to dwell amongst them. 17x3 Humble Plead-
ings for Good Old-way 137 We the people that adhere to
him have minted to plead with this church. 1715 Ramsay
Gentle Sheph. 1. i, To speak but till her I dare hardly mint.
1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xii. (1873) 76 He's ready
to confess Christ afore men aifter a fashion that I hae never
mintit to dee yet.
f b. With ellipsis of verb of motion. Obs.
Beowulf '762 Mynte se maera, baer he meahte . . banon fleon.
a 1325 Prov. Hendyng xxx, Mon bat munteb ouer flod,
whiles bat be wynd ys wod abyde fayre ant stille. 1660 D.
Dickson Serm. Sel. Writ. (1845) I. 135 We are like Peter
who minted to his Master on the water.
C. absol.
1513 Douglas Mneis xn. xiv. 49 Ne went it [the stone]
all the space, as he dyd mynt, Nor, as he etlyt, perfornyst
nocht the dynt.
3. trans. To intend ; to attempt ; to aim (a blow).
c 888 K. Alfred Boeth. xxxv. § 3 Ac wit sculon swabeah
secan bast bset wit Kr mynton. C1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 11
And bat wreche man [leueS] pat swilche bing him mai letten
of bat be god him haueS munt. a 1300 Vox fy Wolf 244 in
MINT.
Hazl. E. P. P. I. 66 Wat hauest thou i-munt, weder wolt
thou V a 1330 Otuel 1 82 For jef ani of 50U so hardi be, pat
any strok munteb to me. c 1400 Yivaine <$- Gaw. 3437
What so my sister ever has mynt, Al hir part now tel i tynt.
1818 Scott Rob Roy xxv, I will cleave to the brisket the
first man that mints another stroke, a 1825 Forby Voc.
E. Anglia, Mink, Mint, to attempt, to aim at.
fb. To direct, address (speech). Obs.
c 1491 Chast. Goddes Chyld. xviii. 49 As he minteth us his
speche wythouten ony taryeng of worde.
4. intr. To aim a blow ; to take aim in shooting;
to make a threatening movement. Const, at, to.
13. . Gaw. fy Gr. Knt. 2262 With atle be bur in his body he
ber hit [his axe] on lofte, Munt as ma^tyly.as marre hym he
wolde. Ibid. 2274 Nawbcr fyked I, ne fla^e, freke, quen
bou myntest. c 1400 Yivaine fy Gaw. 2448 Unto Sir Ywayn
he mynt, And on the shelde he hit ful fast. 1423 Jas. I
A'ingis Q. cv, For oft, There as I mynt full sore, I smyte bot
soft, (:142s Wyntoun Cron. vim. xvi. 2606 Thai myst bot
seldyn quhare thai wald mynt. 1530 Palsgr. 635/1, I dyd
ment at a fatte bucke but I dyd hyt a pricket, a 1600
Montgomerie Misc. Poems ix. 16 Vhair thou mints thou
missis not the mark. — Souu. liv. 9 Hot hola, Muse! thou
mints at such a mark, Vhais merit far excedes thy slender
skill. 1600 Goiurie's Conspir. Ii 3, Minting to his Highnes
heart with the dagger.
fb. To make a movement to seize something.
Const, to. Obs.
1613 in R. M. Fergusson Hume (1899) 199 Dispersoning
of him and minting to ane quhinger to have struckin him
thairwith. a 1828 Earl Lithgoio xxxi. in Child Ballads
II. 469/1 It's thrice she minted to the brand.
C. To point.
a 1400-50 Alexander 1089 Seraphis aperis, .. Toward a
mi^ti montayne him myntis with his fynger.
5. To make an attempt ; to aim at, aspire to.
a 1300 Cursor M. 28314 Quen i til ony gode ded<j mynt Ful
eth it was do me to stint, c 1440 Promp. Pan.'. 33S/2
Myntyn, or amyn towarde, for to assayen. 1721 Ramsay
Keitha 81 The lasses wha did at her graces mint, Hae
by her death their bonniest pattern tint. 1820 Scott
Monast. xvii, They that mint at a gown of gold, will always
get a sleeve of it.
+ 6. trans. To mention, speak of. Obs.
c 1375 Cursor M. 1402 1 (Fairf.) Simonde. .wondred& saide
in his bo?t bot wib his moub he mynt [earlier texts said] hit
no^t. c 1400 Destr. Troy 431 This Medea the maiden, bat
1 mynt first.
Hence Mi'nting vbl. sb.
1508 Dunbar Flyting w. Kennedie 4 Bot had thay maid
of mannace ony mynting In speciall, sic stryfe sould ryse
but stynting. a 1653 Binning Serm. (1743)605 God in Christ
accepts of endeavours andminting. 1703THORESBY Let. to
Ray s. v. Munt, I know your Meaning by your munting.
Mint (mint), v.'1 Forms: see the sb. [f.MiNT^.1
OE. had mynetiau = OHG. munizon (mod. G. munzen),
Du. munten.]
1. trans. To make (coin) by stamping metal.
1546 Langlf.y Pol. Verg. De Invent. 11. xiii. 57 b, Phedon
began syluer coyne in the yle Egina. It was mynted in
Rome. 1691 Locke Lower. Interest 148 Had all the Money
in King Charles the II. and King James the II. time been
Minted according to this new proposal, this raised Money
would have been gone as well as the other. 1862 Merivai.e
Rom. Emp. lvii. (1865) VII. 149 Gold and silver money,
minted for the occasion. 1881 Metal World No. 3. 37 No
more half-crowns or fourpenny bits will be minted.
b. trans/. ? nonce-uses. To make (paper money,
a seal).
1736 Berkeley Querist u. 125 Whether it was not mad-
ness in France to mint bills and actions, merely to humour
the people. 1871 Miss Yonge Cameos (1877) II. xxi. 324
The Great Seal was cancelled in order that another for both
England and France might be minted.
c. To mint gold) money (mod. colloq.) : to gain
or *make* money with facility. Cf. Coin v.1 i c.
1842 Mrs. Stone IV. Langshawe II. vii. 78 If he can but
weather the corner, he'll mint gold.
d.Jig. To produce (something regarded as com-
parable to coin) ; to 'coin* or invent (a word or
phrase) ; in contemptuous use, to invent, fabricate
(something counterfeit). Cf. New-mint v.
1593 [see New-mint v.] 1x1643 Cartwright Siege v. Iv,
Nature's sincerer kingdome, where she mints And shapes
refin'd delights. 1648 Gataker Myst. Cloudes 2 They
might, by some colourable glosses, and nice distinctions
newly minted, make them seem [etc.]. 1652 R. Boreman
Countr.Calech.x.2$ Broaching new opinions, .such as shall
be minted in the braines of their Tutors. 1659 Gentl.
Calling iv. (1660) 38 That it may every Year appear in
some new piece of Dress, have some Oaths fresh minted
to set it off", a 1680 Charnock Attrib. God^n) II. 565
Such was [his] usurpation,.. as if he had power to mint
gods. 1698 C Boyle Bentley's Epist. Phal. (ed. 2) 73
One Happy Phrase, newly minted by the Dr. a ijrn Ken
Edmund Poet. Wks. 1721 II. 226 Curs'd Heresies and
Schisms they all disclaim, Minted in Hell, and kindled by its
Flame, a 1800S. Pegge^?/«^. Eng. Lang. (i8o3>3sQueen
Elizabeth was very successful in minting the Latin word
Faminilis. 1895 Sir H. Maxwell in Forum (N. Y.) Oct.
159 The name has not yet been minted which shall serve to
distinguish the Unionist party of the twentieth century.
2. To convert (bullion) into coin or money. ?Obs.
1569 Sir T. Gresham in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. 11. II. 318
Seing this monney.. doth appertain to merchauntes, I would
wishe the Quenes Majestie to put it to use. .as to mynt hit
into her own coyne. 1668 Lond. Gaz. No. 287/3 The
Barres of Silver which arrived lately, are to be suddenly
minted. 1670 Pettus Fodinse Reg. 42 Metall being thus
Coyned or Minted, it is called Coyn,
f b. transf. To fashion or convert into. Obs.
a 1680 Charnock Attrib. God (1682) 30 The Mouth takes
in the meat,.. the liver refines it and mints it into blood.
C. Jig. To impress (something) with a stamp or
127
MINTAGE.
character. Also with out, upon. Also, to stamp
(an impress) upon.
1664 H. More Myst. Iniq., Apol. 544 Though it were in
our power to mint Truth as we please, .yet we should find
that it would not serve all Emergencies. 1641 Milton Re-
form. 11. 45 But by what example can they shew that the
form of Church Discipline must be minted, and modell'd out
to secular pretences? 1760-72 H. Brooke Fool of Qual.
(1S09) II. 75, I would.. he had now been present.. to have
his soul melted and minted as mine has been. Ibid. 107, I
was melted down and minted anew, as it were.
Mintage (mi-nted^). [f. MiNT^^or^.1 + -age.]
1. The action or process {pccas. the privilege) of
coining or minting money ; coinage.
c 1570 MS. Rawtinson D. 23 If. 13 A treatyse concerninge
the myntage of the monyes. i6ix Si'EED Hist. Gt. Brit. vn.
xxxviii. § 14. 342 He did [enrich] certaine Cities with the
Mintage of his money, whereof in London were eight houses,
..at Lewis two [etc.]. 1779 Genii. Mag. XLIX. 410 A
curious account by the President of the Roman mintage under
Honoriusand Arcadius. 1820 D.Turner Tour Normandy
II. 261 From time immemorial, the chapter has enjoyed the
right of mintage. 1824 Byron Juan xv. vii, Bright as a new
Napoleon from its mintage. 1853 Humphreys Coin-Coll.
Man. I. xxiv. 344 Coins of Roman mintage.
2. transf. andy%-. The fabrication or production
of something compared to coin; the * coining' or
deliberate formation of a new word, etc.
a 1631 Donne Valed. Weeping 4 Let me powre forth My
teares before thy face,. . For thy face coines them, and thy
stampe they beare, And by this Mintage they are something
worth. 1657 W. Morice Coena quasi Koi»oj Diat. vi. 315
They had the monopoly and mintage of godliness. 1662
Sir A. Mkrvyn Sp. Irish Aff. 2 It is now in its Mintage,
and our care must be, that the Miter be not stampt instead
of the Crown. 1745 Warton Pleas. Melancholy 88 Which
Reason's mintage fair TJnmoulds, and stamps the monster
on the man. 1839 De Quincey Recoil. Lakes Wks. 1862
II. 116 A new word of German mintage. 1883 Maine Early
Law fy Cust. 15 Few literary theories of modern mintage
have more lo recommend them.
3. concr. The product of a (particular) mint ;
a coin, or the coins collectively, minted by a
specified person or in a specified place or country.
Also transf. and_/rf. (cf. 2).
1638 T.Carew in CarysMalvezzi To Translator ioOr what
the Crusca yet For currant Tuscan mintage will admit. 1651
Cleveland Poems 3 Thus did Natures mintage vary, Coyn-
ing thee a Philip and Mary. 1839 J. Sterling Poems 167
Stamped in clay, a heavenly mintage, All from dust receive
their birth. 1851 Sir F. Palgrave Norm. $■ Eng. I. 42 The
Romans, .purposely sowed and buried their mintage. 1871
Farrar Witn. Hist. iv. 147 Christianity, .stamped them.,
and made them current amid the coins of a debased mint-
age. 1887 A thenxitm 5 Nov. 598/1 A timely withdrawal of
the worn coins may lead to the substitution of a better class
of mintages. 1888 Ch. Times 341/3 Parodies of his most
studied turns of phrase, witty travesties of his mintages.
4. The charge for or cost of coining ; the duty
paid for minting or coining.
1645 Virginia Stat. (1823) I. 308 To allow for the mintage
i2(/. per pound soe there will remaine ^9500 sterl. The
mintage allowed and deducted. 1825 Blackxv. Mag. XVIII.
240 Mintage, altarage, and small dues, are almost unknown.
1869 [see Coinage i]. 1875 Jevons Money xiv. 168 Some
small savings would accrue from the less amount of mintage
required.
5. The stamp or impression placed on a coin.
In quots. Jig.
1634 Milton Comus 529 And the inglorious likenes of a
beast Fixes instead, unmoulding reasons mintage Char-
acter'd in the face, a 1664 Kath. Philips Friendship
Poems (1667) 78 Those kind Impressions which Fate can t
controul, Are Heaven's mintage on a worthy Soul. 1822
Byron Werner 111. i, Methinks it wears upon its face my
guilt For motto, not the mintage of the state. 1882 Times
6 Feb., Who thus became stamped with the common mint-
age of their colleagues' manners.
6. attrib., as mintage place ', system.
c 1630 RisooN.S'Krz/. Dez'on § 276 (1810) 287 Con., .implieth
the mintage place. 1898 Westm. Gaz. 6 Apr. 7/2 The
early efforts of the Edwards to set the coin of the Realm on
a proper mintage system.
Mint-drop. [f. Mint sb* + Drop sb.]
1. ' A sugar-plum flavoured with peppermint '
{Cent. Diet. 1890).
2. U. S. slang. With pun on Mint sb.1 : A coin.
187Z Schele de Vere Americanisms 291 When the Hon.
T. H. Benton . . put his whole strength forward . . to introduce
a gold currency, he accidentally called the latter mint-drops,
with a slight attempt at a pun. . . For many years gold coins
were largely known as Benton's mint-drops.
Minted (minted), ppl. a.i [f. Mint v? +
-ed *.] Coined, made into coin or money ; in the
form of coin. Also transf. and_/5g-.
1598, etc. [see New-minted ///. a.]. 1640 Two Lane.
Lovers 60 (HalHw.) Pretending an indisposition of health,
or some other minted excuse, a 1678 Marvell Dial. Soul
<f Pleas. 58 Wheresoe're thy foot shall go The minted gold
shall lie. 1820 C. R. Maturin Melmoth (1892) III. xxx.
202 The sterling gold of a heart-minted look. 185a James
Pequinillo II. 55 A hundred good and well-minted sequins.
1874 Holland Mistr. Manse xxi, The minted silver that
his largess scattered wide.
Minted (mrnted), ppl. a? [f. MlNT sb? +
-ed 2.] Flavoured with mint.
i88x C. E. Turner in Macm. Mag. XLIV. 311 A silver
jug with a kind of sparkling minted kvass, the pleasant
odour of which filled the whole room.
Minter (mrntaj). Forms : 1 mynetere,
mynytere, (Nbrlhumb. mynittre), 2 monetere,
minitere, 3-4 munetere, 4-5 mynter, 6-
482
minter. [OE. mynetere = OS. *munitari (MDu.,
1 Du. munter)y OHG. munizzdri, a. L. memetarius,
f. moneta: see Money. The modern word may
partly descend from OE., and partly be an inde-
pendent formation on Mint v.* + er1.]
+ 1. Used to render L. nummularius (( money-
changer'). Obs.
C950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. xxi. 12, xxv. 27, etc. c 1000 Ags.
Gosp. ibid, t 1300 Life Jesu 853 (Horstm.) And Muneteres
also bat oncoube Men m'rjten moneie finde.
2. One who coins or stamps money ; a moneyer.
c 1000 ^Elfric Horn. (Th.) II. 554 Godes feoh. -biS befxst
' myneterum to sleanne. a\\%\ O. E. Chron. an. 1125 Man
scolde beniman ealle pa minitere be wa;ron on Engle lande
I heora liman. 1423 Rolls of Pari t. IV. 256/2 margin, Myn-
ters and Goldsmithes. 1549 Latimer Ploughers (Arb.) 27
i Since priests haue bene minters, money hath bene wourse
then it was before. 1605-6 Act 3 fas. I, c. 27 § 9 Other
Officers Minters and Workemen. .in any the Kinges Ma-
jesties Mintes. 1780 Noble Mint $ Coins Durham 3 They
I ..employed the same Minters as Edward the Confessor.
1828-40 Tytler Hist. Scot. (1864) I. 278 Foreigners appear
, to have been the great coiners or minters of those times.
transf. a 1631 Donne Serm. (1640) vii. 62 God stamped his
j Image upon us, and so God is. .our Minter, our Statuary.
3. Jig. An inventor; a deliberate fabricator;
- Coiner sb. 3.
1654 Gayton Pleas. Notes iv. xi. 242 O generation of ficti-
I tious Mynters ! who knows not that Apollo is a Deity
i Errant. 1702 C. Mather Magn. Chr. vn. n A most pro-
j digious Minter of Exorbitant Novelties. 1818 in Todd.
1 4. [A distinct word, f. Mint sb.l + -er l.] A resi-
' dent in the precincts of the ancient Mint in South-
wark, once a reputed sanctuary for debtors. Obs.
a 1700 15. E. Diet. Cant. Crewt Rum-dukes* the boldest
Fellows amongst the Alsatians, Minters, Savoyards, &c.
1706 Luttrkll Brief Ret. (1857) VI. 20 The riotous pro-
ceedings of the minters in Southwark. 1723 Weekly J ml.
20 July, The Southwark Mint.. got to be such a pest, that
special statutes, .were passed ordering the abolition.. .The
exodus of the. .train of 'Minters'.. included some thousands.
Minting (mi'ntirj), vbl. sb.1 [f. Mint v.z +
I -ing !.] The action of Mint z>.-, lit. and fig.
1549L atimer Ploughers (Arb.) 27 If the Apostles mighte not
leaue the office of preaching to be deacons, shall one leaue it
1 for myntyng ? 1579 Fenton Guicciard. (i6t8) 17 For money,
his M ines and mintings furnished aboue all wants that could
: happen. 1665 Pefys Diary 11 Dec, He [sc. the king] was
forced to borrow thereupon till the tools could be made for
the new minting in the present form. 1715 Lond. Gaz.
I No. 5339/1 The Minting of the.. Copper-Pieces, .is. .sus-
! pended. 1841 D'Israkli Amen. Lit. (1B67) 131 The minting
' of new words, 1894 Athenaeum 1 Sept. 294/2 An enormous
collection of old coins, the residue of a century's minting.
b. attrib., as minting apparatus , house, -mill.
177a Hist. Rochester 10 He established three minting
houses. 1875 Knight Diet. Mech., Minting-mill, a coining-
machine. 1903 Daily Chron. 29 Sept. 4/6 A complete mint-
ing apparatus was discovered.
Minting, vbl. sb.~ : see Mint v.1
Mintjac, variant of Muntjac.
Mi'iit-mark. [Mint sb.*] A mark placed
i upon a coin to indicate the mint at which it was
I struck.
1797 Eneycl. Brit. (ed. 3) XII. 167/2. 1826 Hawkins
Anglo-Gallic Coins Brit. Mus. 87 note, The mint mark is
a cross patonce. 18^3 Humphreys Coin<oll. Man. 1. vi. 49
There is on this coin a small figure of /Esculnpius, a sort
of mint mark.
fig. a 1849 H. Coleridge Ess. ^1851) I, 226 What can
the loyal poet do, but . . impress it with the mint-mark of his
own devoted fancy? 1887 Lowell Democr., etc. 108 That
spontaneousness which is the mint-mark of all sterling
speech.
Mi'iit-master. [f. Mint sb.1 : cf. Du. muni-
meester7 G. ??iiinzmeister.]
1. An officer of the mint whose duty it is to
superintend the coinage of money.
1518 in Lett. <* Pap. Hen. VIII. IV. 11. 1723 Th'artycles
that we ben sworn to consernyng the mynt maysters. 1622
Malynes Anc. Law-Merch. 279 The principall Officer is
the Warden of the Mint ; next is the Mint-master. 1761-71
H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Paint. (1786) I. 15 notetO(
William is a curious seal, as Mint-master. 1845 Selby in
Proc. Benv. Nat. Club II. No. 13. 160 note, In VEthelred's
mint were upwards of forty mintmasters. 1879 H. Phillips
Notes Coins 14 The daughter of the mint-master stood in
one scale while her weight in Massachusetts shillings was
poured into the other for her dowry.
2. Jig. A 'coiner* of new ideas, words, etc.
Common in 17th C.J now rare or Obs.
1599 Broughlon's Let. ix. 30 The graund Mintmaster of
learning in our age. Ibid. 47 You will be counted.. the
mintmaster of fancies. 1641 Milton Animadv. Wks. 1851
III. 204 The odde coinage of your phrase, which no mint-
maister of language would allow for sterling. 1690 Locke
Hum. Und. 111. x. § 2 The great Mint-Masters of these kind
of Terms, I mean the School-men and Metaphysicians.
Mi nt-sau*ce. [f. Mint sb* + Sauce sb.]
1. A sauce made of finely chopped mint mixed
with vinegar and sweetened with sugar ; it is usu-
ally eaten with roast lamb.
1747 Mrs. Glasse Cookery 4 It will eat like Lamb with
Mint Sauce. 1760 Earl Carlisle in Jesse G. Sehvyn fy
Contemp. (1843) IL 363 Sir P. Lambe .. said he would give
Lady Henrietta mint sauce. i8a6 Mrs. Dods Cookfy Housiv.
Man. 169 Mint Sauce for Hot or Cold Roast Lamb.
2. With punning allusion to Mint sb.2 : Money.
1838 Ecan Finish Tom fy Jerry (1871) 53, I. .only hope
that he gets lots of mint-sauce. 1838 Dickens Nich.
MINUET.
Nick, xxxiv, It is to melt some scraps of dirty paper into
bright shining, chinking, tinkling, demd mint sauce.
t Mint-while. Obs. rare. [App. for minute-
while: see Minute sb. 1. Cf. Mint sk*] The
duration of a minute.
1393 Langl. P. PI. C. xiil 217 An vnredy reue bi residue
shal spene, That menye mothpe was [maister] ynne in a
mynte-while. Ibid. xx. 194 As we may seo a wynter, Isykles
in euesynges, thorgh hete of be sonne Melteb in a mynt-
while U377 B-text mynut while] to myst and to water.
Minty (mrnti), a. [f. Mint sb.2 + -y*.]
a. Abounding in mint. b. Resembling the flavour
of mint.
1878 B. Taylor Deukalion 111. i. 98 Where the minty
meadow breath makes cool Thine ardent brow. 1904 Daily
Nerws 27Dec. 10 Among the flavours avoided like the plague
by every self-respecting blender [of tea] are those described
in the trade as ' herby ', ' stemmy ', ' mousy ', ' minty ' [etc. J.
Minua, variant of M in away.
t Minuate, v. Obs. rare, [irreg. f. L. minuere
to lessen + -ate 3.] trans. To make less, diminish.
1657 Tomlinsos Renoiis Disp. 235 Its faculty is to minu-
ate the spleen.
t Minuca. Obs. rare. In 6 mynuca. [app.
med.L. ; cf. med.L. nucha in the same sense (? a.
Arab. ««XX marrow, or nu\t spinal marrow).]
The spinal cord.
1548-77 Vicary Anat. ii. (1888) 19 The Sinew. ; [has] his
beginning from the braine, or from Mynuca, which is the
marowe of the backe.
Minuend (mi-nw/|end). Arith. [ad. L. mi-
nuend-us (sc. numerus)t gerundive pple. of minuere
to diminish.] The number from which another
number is to be subtracted.
1706 W. Jones Syn. Palmar. Matheseos 12 The greatest
of the given Numbers is called the Minuend. 189a Barn.
Smith & Hudson Arith. for Schools 11 The smaller number
is called the subtrahend. The greater is called the minuend.
II Minuendo, adv. Mus. Obs. [It., gerund of
minuire to diminish.] = Diminuendo.
attrib. 1834 Georgian Era IV. 452/1 A certain singer's
minuendo notes.
Minuet (miniwe't). Also 7 minnuet, mi-
nuett, 7-8 minouet, menuet, 8 minuit ; and see
Minaway. Also (sense 2) in It. form minuetto.
[ad. F. menuet, subst. use of menuet adj., small, fine,
delicate, dim. of menu small : see Menu, Minute a.
The form of the Eng. word was perh. influenced
by the It. minuetto, which is adapted from Fr., as
are Sp., Pg. minuete, Sp. minue.
The pronunciation (mrmwet or mi'niwet), given in all
Dictionaries, is now seldom heard.
L A slow, stately dance, in triple measure, for
two dancers; derived from France in the latter
part of the seventeenth century, and fashionable
throughout the eighteenth.
1673 Drvden Marr. a la Mode n. 1, And what new
Minoucts have you brought over with you ! their Minouets
are to a miracle. X676 Etheredge Man of Mode iv. i,
I am fit for Nothing but low dancing now, a Corant, a
Boree, Or a Minnuet. 1706 Phillips (ed. Kersey), Menuet,
or Minuet, a sort of French Dance, or the Tune belonging
to it. 176a Goldsm. Nash 34 Each ball was to open with a
minuet, danced by two persons of the highest distinction
present. 1778 Mrs. E. Montagu in Doran Lady Last Cent.
ix. (1873) 231 To excel in dancing a minouet. 1810 Sir A.
Boswell Edinb. Poet. Wks. (1871)52 To walk a minuet with
becoming grace. 1864 Tennyson Aylmer's F. 207 A stiff
brocade in which., she, Once with this kinsman,.. Stept thro'
the stately minuet of those days.
2. The music used to accompany this dance.
Hence, a piece of music in the same rhythm and
style, consisting of two sections (the second of
which is often called a trio) ; frequently forming
one of the movements of the Suite, and, later, of
compositions in Sonata-form.
1686 Lond. Gaz. No. 21 19/4 There are designed to be
published several Overtures or Sonatta's, containing Variety
of Humors, as Grave Aires, Minuetts, Borees, &c. 1717
Gay Epist. Pulteney 144 He. .Hums a soft minuet. 1762
Jefferson Writ. (1892) I. 341 They carried away, .half a
dozen new minuets I had just got. 1763-71 H. Walpole
Vertue"s Anecd. Paint. (1786) IV. 75 As a dancing-master
would, if he expected Orpheus should return to play a
minuet to them. 1888 Academy 21 Jan. 51/2 The wonder-
ful largo was at times rough, and the minuetto taken at too
rapid a rate.
3. attrib. and Comb., as minuet dance, -dancer,
dancing, form, -step, -time, -tune.
1831 Carlyle Misc. (1857) II. 268 The graceful "minuet
dance of Fancy. 1711 Steele Sped. No. 308 p 6 John Trot
..has the Assurance to set up for a *Minuit-Dancer. 1840
Dickens Barn. Rudge iv, Sim. .sprang from his seat, and
in two extraordinary steps, something between skating and
*minuet dancing, bounded to a washing place. 1875 Ouse-
ley Mus. Form vii. 4^3 The original *minuet form always
consisted of a piece m triple time and of moderate speed.
1711 Steele Sped. No. 148 r 1 The Gentleman who.,
practised *minuet-steps to his own Humming. 17*8 Field-
ing Love in Sev. Masques 11. i, The airy Sir Plume, who
always walks in the minuet-step. 1851 Thackeray Eng.
Hum. iv. (1858) 188 A *minuet-tune played on a bird-organ.
Hence Minuet v., to dance a minuet ; Minnet-
ing vbl. sb. Also Minue'tic, Minuetish adfs.
174a Richardson Pamela IV. 114 A Glut of minuitish Airs.
a 1847 Eliza Cook Dancing Song v, See the sweet rose
Bend to the blue-bell, in light minueting ! 1856 Bacehot
Lit. Stud. (1879) H' 34 You should do everything, said
MINUTTY.
Lord Chesterfield, in minuet time. It was in that time that
Gibbon wrote hU history. .. You perceive the minuetic
action accompanying the words. 1890 Temple Bar Feb.
297 Twenty years ago people minuet-ed.
t Minu*ity. Obs. rare. [ad. OF. tninuite,
irre^. f. I- mmutus Minute a.} A trifle.
2612 Shhlton Quix. 1. 111. vi. (1620) 174, I would not haue
my souk suffer in the other world for such a minuity as is
thy wages.
t Mi'iiulize, v. Obs. rare—1. [Perh. an im-
perfect recollection of Gr. furvp*f«*v.] trans. To
warble lightly or softly.
1600 Tourneur Trans/. Metam, xxviii, The Thrush, the
Lark, and nights-ioy nightingale, There minulize their pleas-
ing laies anew.
Minum, variant of Mennom dial., minnow.
Minum(e, obs. forms of Minim.
Minument, obs. form of Muniment.
Minus (manias). Also 5 mynus. [a. L.
minus neat of minor less : see Minor a.
The quasi-prepositional use (sense 1), from which all the
other EbRt uses have been developed, did not exist in
Latin of any period. It probably originated in the com-
mercial language of the Middle Ages. In Germany, and
perhaps in other countries, the Latin words//«s and minus
were used by merchants to mark an excess or deficiency in
weight or measure, the amount of which was appended in
figures. The earliest known examples of the modern sense
of minus are German, of about the same date as our oldest
quotation. In Widinann's book on commercial arithmetic
(1489) the signs (— ) and (+) occur for the first time in print,
and are directed to be read as minus and mer. In the
Bamberger Reckenbuch (1483) the tare to be deducted from
the weight of a package is called das Minus. In a some-
what different sense, plus and minus had been employed
in 1202 by Leonardo of Pisa for the excess and deficiency in
the results of the two suppositions in the Rule of Double
Position ; and an Italian writer of the 14th c. used meno to
indicate the subtraction of a number to which it was pre-
fixed. For the passages referred to, see Cantor, Vorlesun-
gen fiber Geschichte Her Mathematik II. (ed. 2,1899).
The origin of the symbol (-), read as minus, is disputed;
some have conjectured that it arose as a merchants' mark,
while others believe it to descend from the obelus (see Obe-
lisk 2) used by ancient critics to indicate that a passage
should be removed from the text. It has certainly no his-
torical connexion with the mark /ft (explained as the letter
1^ inverted) used by Diophantus for the same purpose. In
Denmark the sign { — ) is used for minus.]
1. qua.si-frep. Placed between two expressions
of number or quantity to indicate that the second
of them must be subtracted from the first. In
mathematical use only as the oral rendering of the
symbol (— ). Hence, in non-technical use: With
the deduction of, exclusive of (some specified
portion or constituent element of the whole). Cf.
Less a. 4, and the equivalent F. moins, G. weniger.
1481-90 Howard Househ. Bks. (Roxb.) 4*7) v- yerdys,
mynus the nayle, welwet blake. 1727-52 Chambers Cycl.
s. v. Character, Thus 14-2, is read, 14 minus, or abating, 2.
1808 J. W, Croker SI: St. Irel. (ed. 2) 42 Competitors offer
the whole value of the produce minus that daily potatoe.
1811 East A*. B. Rep. XIII. 214 There was not 100/. due. .
but only that sum minus the rebate of interest for the times
which the bills had then to run. 1830 M. Donovan Dottt.
Econ. I. 123 It might be supposed.. that acetic acid is alco-
hol minus carbon. 1849-52 Todd's Cycl. Anat. IV. 962/2
An imperfect cranium, composed principally of the cranial,
minus the facial, bones. 1859 Mill Liberty ii, If all man-
kind minus one, were of one opinion. 1874 ]. Cairo Uni-
versity Addr. (1898) 16 The least and lowest fact of outward
observation is not a bare fact, an independent entity, fact
minus mind.
b. predieatively in colloquial use : Deprived of,
' short of, without (something). Also rarely
minus of Hence occas. as adj., standing in the
position of a loser, worse off than before ; also,
unprovided, destitute of something implied.
1813 Citron, in Ann. Reg. $4 He was considerably minus
at the last Newmarket meeting. 1823 Byron yuan vi. xxi,
Which leaves you minus of the cash. 1836 Lett.fr. Madras
(1843) 33 Twelve boatmen, .with very small matters of
clothes on, but their black skins prevent them from looking
so very uncomfortable as Europeans would in the same
minus state. 1840 J. B. Fraser Trav. Koordistan, etc.
II. xv. 310 We reached our munzil of Toorkomanchai about
six in the evening, minus one horse. 1861 Calverley Lines
14/A Feb. (11.) 10 Yea ! by St. Valentinus, Emma shall not
be minus What all young ladies .. Expect to-day. 1903
Review of Rev. Apr. 385/2 The Englishman got back to
civilization minus his left arm.
2. Used as the oral equivalent of the symbol ( — )
in its algebraical interpretation, as forming with
the expression to which it is prefixed the repre-
sentation of a negative quantity, e.g. in ' — 3 \
' — x\ which are read as minus 3, minus x.
1579 Digges Stratiot. 11. iv. 38 The same or like Signes
multiplied produce + Plus. Contrarie or diuerse Signes
produce alway — Minus.
b. Hence attrib. or as adj. in minus quantity,
a quantity which has the sign (— ), a negative
quantity ; popularly often misused for ' something
non-existent \
1863 W. Phillips Speeches xvii. 392 Such states are
a minus quantity.
c. adj. Of the nature of a 'minus quantity* or
deficit ; also colloq. lacking, non-existent.
1800 Proc. Parlt. in Asiat. Ann. Reg. 49/2 There were
six millions minus. 1852 C. A. Bristed Five Yrs. Eng.
Univ. 53 His mathematics are decidedly minus, but the use
of them is past long ago. 1867 Carlyle Remin. (1881) II.
483
144 The villain of a partner eloped, and left him possessor
of a minus 12,000/. 1897 Encycl. Sport I. 62 Penalise.
Strictly speaking, a penalty is a minus handicap, i.e. the
man who is giving the other competitors starts, is placed
behind the line from which the distance to be run is reckoned.
d. adv. and adj. Negatively (electrified).
1747 Franklin Lett. Wks. 1887 II. 71 B is electrized plus ;
A, minus. And we daily in our experiments electrize
bodies plus or minus, as we think proper. 1789 Nicholson
in Phil. Trans. LXXIX. 270 It affords the means of pro-
ducing either the plus or minus states in one and the same
conductor. 1849 Noad Electricity (ed. 3) 5 A body haying
more than its natural quantity [of electric fluid] is electrified
Positively or plus, and one which has less is electrified
negatively or minus. 1854 T. Scoi-kern in Orr*s Circ. Sci.,
Chcm. 225 Its counterpart of — or minus electricity.
fig. 1817 Coleridge Statesm. Man. 54 Apparent con-
traries, which are yet but the two poles, or/Y«fand Minus
states, of the same influence.
3. sb. in various applications : a. The mathe-
matical symbol ( — ); also minus sign. b. An
operation of subtraction, a quantity subtracted or
taken away ; a loss, deficiency. C. A negative
i654Q\Vhitloc^ Zootomia 385 For the Algebra (as I
may tearTrWffwTva/Krt' of Reprehension, giveth the Plus
to the Reprover, and the Minus to the Reproved. 1668
Brancker Introd. Algebra 4 The Sign for Subtraction is
— i.e. Minus, or the Negative Sign. 1685 Wallis Algebra
xvi. 69 The Signs + and — (or Plus and Minus) the former
of which is a Note of Position, Affirmation or Addition ;
the other of Defect, Negation, or Subduction. 1708 Pkior
Turtle fy Sparrow 329 Now weigh the pleasure with the
pain, The plus and minus, loss and gain. _ 1836 E. Howard
A'. Reefer xxvi, A slatefull of plusses, minusses, x, y, z's.
1876 Geo. Eliot Dan. Der. vi. xlvni, That new gambling,
in which the losing was not simply a minus but a terrible
plus that had never entered into her reckoning.
Hence Mi*nus v. {tionce-wd.) trans., to subject to
a loss or privation.
i8ot Coleridge Let. to Southey 13 Apr. in Life of S.
(1850) II. 146 Alas ! you will have found the dear old place
sadly minused by the removal of Davy.
Minuscnlar (minzrskitflai), a. Pal&ogr. [f.
L. minuscul-us : see Minuscule and -ar.] Of the
nature of a minuscule ; composed of minuscules.
i756SwiNT0Nin Phil. Trans. L. 177 After the introduction
of the Omega of the minuscular form . . upon the Parthian
coins. 1882-3 Schajf's Encycl. Relt'g. Knmvl. s. y. Alpha,
The u is of that uncial form which resembles the minuscular.
Minus cula ted (min^'skiwhrUed), a. nence-
wd. [f. Minuscule + -ate3 + -ed *.] Written as
a c minuscule* or small letter.
1843 Humphreys Brit. Moths II. 125 Somewhat resembling
the Greek minusculated letter A.
Minuscule (miny*ski«l), a. and sb. [a. F.
minuscule, ad. L. minusctda (sc. littera), fern, of
minusculus rather less, dim. of minor (neut.
minus): see Minor a. and Minus a.~\ A. adj.
1. fa. Printing. Of a letter: Small, not capital,
* lower-case \ Obs. h. Palseogr. Of a letter : Small
(see B. b). Also, written in minuscules.
1727-41 [see Majuscule a.]. 1850 A. Way in Archteol,
yrul. VII. 356 A little mark at the close of the first line,
resembling a minuscule C is somewhat indistinct. 1883
I. Taylor Alphabet I. 71 The letters of the beautiful
minuscule manuscripts of the 10th and nth centuries.
These minuscule letters are cursive forms of the earlier
uncials. 1900 Expositor Mar. 175 Annotations are found
in the minuscule codices.
2. gen. Extremely small.
1893 Nation (N. Y.) 20 July 51/1 The theories that are
put forth by minuscule scholars as personal contributions to
the advance of science. 1898 Edin. Rev. Apr. 420 Only
think of the minuscule touches of advance that Ictinus
added to his predecessors* designs. 1904 Null's Catal.
Sept. p. ix-jSirGawain at the Grail Castle. Three Versions,
translated . . by Jessie L. Weston. Minuscule 4to.
B. sb. fa. Printing. A small or * lower-case'
letter as opposed to a capital. Obs. b. Pa/ssogr,
A small letter, as opposed to a capital or uncial ;
the small cursive script which was developed from
the uncial during the 7th-9th centuries ; also, a
manuscript in this writing.
1705 H. Wanley in Phil. Trans. XXV. 1996 Some MSS.
written with Minuscules. [1727-41 Chambers Cycl., Min-
usculse, in printing, denotes the small, or running letters.]
1782 Burney Hist. Mus. II. 32 A notation for three octaves,
the gravest of which he expressed by capitals, the mean by
minuscules, and the highest by double letters. 1851 Sir F.
Palgrave Norm. <$■ Eng. I. 228 The initial difference of a
minuscule or a capital, a 1876 Eadie Comm. Thess. (1877)
23 A few minuscules read auTou? rfnat. J883 I. Taylor
Alphabet II. 160 The minuscule arose in the 7th century as
a cursive monastic script.
Minussh, obs. form of Mintsh.
T Mrnutable, a. Obs. rare. [f. Minute v. +
-able.] Suitable for making a minute of.
1778 [W. Marshall] Minutes Agric. Digest 2 He threw
every thing he thought mtnutable, into a series of Minutes.
[Minutal : see List of Spurious Words.]
t Mi*nutary, a. Obs. [f. Minute a. and sb.
+ -ART.]
1. ? Pertaining to minute quantities,
1610 Healey St. Aug. Citie ofGodxv. xxvii. Fives' Comm.
569 One cubit is generally taken for sixe of our common
cubits, or for three hundred minutary cubits [orjg. Apud geo-
metras. .vel in sex cubitos vnus deputatur, si generaliter,
vet trecentos, si minutatim dicatur).
MINUTE.
2. Consisting of minutes (of time).
1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. lit. Ded., No mortal man can assign
the minutary juncture of Time.when preparing grace, .ended,
and saving grace . . did first begin, a 1661 — Worthies,
Berks (1662) I. 95 This their Clock gathering up the least
Crume of Time, presenting the Minutary fractions thereof.
r Miliuta "tioii. Obs. [f. Minuted. + -ation.]
The action of making minutes (of observations,
etc.). (Frequent in Bentham.)
1 802-12 Bentham Ration, Judic. Evid. (1827) II_ 127 By
this division, writing, minutation and recordation.. is neces-
sitated.
Minute (mi-nit), sb\ Forms : 4 mynut, 4-6
mynute, 4-7 minut, 5 mynwt, mynnate, 6
mynite, -ewte, -iute, Sc. minuth, munet, -it,
6-8 mynuit, 7 min-, mynutte, rainit, niiimite,
4- minute. [In senses 1-3 and 6 a. F. minute
fern, (whence G. minute, Du. minuut), ad. L. mi-
nuta, subst. use of the fern, of miuulus Minute a.
In senses 4 and 5 ad. L. minutum (the neuter of the
same adj.) used subst. in various applications in
late Latin. Sp., l'g. and It. have minuto masc.
(ad. L. minulum 1 in senses 1-3, but minuta (after
Fr.) in sense 6.
Senses 1-2 (whence sense 3 is derived) represent the tned.I..
minuta, more fully pars minuta prima, denoting the fr, of
a unit in the system of sexagesimal fractions fined. L.
miuutix physics), which, originally derived from Babylon,
was used, like the modern decimals in scientific calculations
as more easy to handle than * vulgar fractions' {minntix
simply). The lower denominations o( the system were
(partes minuts) secuudx (our ' seconds *)i terUx, quarts,
etc., the understood denominators being the successive
powers of 60. The system (6 T/jv t^Koi'Taios 7porroO was
recognized by Ptolemy (c 150 a. d.', who applied it to the
degree f^otpa) of the circle, to the sixty sections into which
he'divided the radius, and to the day; the application of
the system to the division of the hour is much later, per-
haps not earlier than the 13th c. Ptolemy has no terms
corresponding to the med.L. minuta?, secundz, etc., but
merely uses ^t'pov ' part ' or *£>ji«oot6i' ' sixtieth'. 'J he word
tninuta is referred to as a term of the ' mathematici ' (app.
meaning 'minute ' of the circle) by St. Augustine De diver-
sis (Juarstt. octoginto. tribus xlv, who also mentions minute
minittarum, ' minutes of minutes ' (see 2), i. e. seconds.
Sense 6 is from F. minute, though Littre has no example
before 16th c, and the one quot. for med.L. minuta in this
use is of date C1500. The primary notion seems to be that
of a rough copy in smatt writing (L. scriptura minuta) as
distinguished from the ' engrossed ' document.!
I. A sixtieth (or other definite part) of a unit.
1. The sixtieth part of an hour (divided into
sixty seconds). In earlier use frequently f minute
of an hour, t minute ivltile. Also, one ol the
lines upon a dial which mark the minute spaces.
The minutum of early medixval writers, which was one-
tenth of an hour, has no historical connexion with this. For
the system of time-reckoning to which it belongs, see Atom 7.
1377 Langl. P. PI. B. xi. 372 He mijte amende in a
Minute while al pat mys standeth. Il'id. xvn. 228 Ysekeles
in eueses borw bete of be sonne, Melteth in a mynut while
to myst & to watre. 1390 Gower Con/. II. 9 For the
lachesse Of half a Minut of an houre [ = L. nnius momeuti
tardacione] . . He loste all that he hadde do. a 1485
Promp. Pan: 338/2 (MSS. K., S.) Minute of an howur,
minuta. 1552 Lyndesay Monarche 6014 The small Minuth
of one hour To thame salbe sogret dolour, Thaysall thynk
thay haif done remane Ane thousand yeir in to that pane.
1588 Smaks. L. L. L. v. ii. 797 Now at the latest minute of
the houre, Grant vs your loues. 1591 — 1 Hen. VI, 1. iv.
54 Wherefore a guard of chosen Shot I had, That walkt
about me euery Minute while. 1603 Owen Pembrokeshire
i. (1892) 1 Our longest sommers daies must be of xvn
houres and fortie three mynuttes longe. 1684 R. Waller
Nat. Exper. 9 From 35, to 50 Drops lsc. of moist particles]
have fallen in a Minute of an Hour. 170s Lond. Gaz. No.
3844/1 The Great Guns were fired at a Minute's distance.
1817 T. L. Peacock Nightm. Abbey xv, The hour-hand
passed the vn.- the minute-hand moved on ;— it was
within three minutes of the appointed time. 1843 Penny
Cycl. XXVII. 107/1 There are other repeaters which also
strike the minutes.
b. Vaguely used for : A short space of time ;
also, a point of time, an instant, moment.
1390 Gower Con/. III. 77 Every houre apointeth so, That
no mynut therof was lore. 1411-20 Lvdg. Citron. Troy
(E.E.T.S.) 2817 pe cok..of pe tyme a mynute wil not passe
To warnen hem bat weren in be place, Of be tydes and
sesoun of be ny3t. c 1485 Digby Myst. iv. 518, I inyght not
leve, nor endure On mynnate, bot I am sure The third day
ryse shall hee. 1590 Shaks. Mids. N. 11. ii. it2 Content
with Hermia ? No, I do repent The tedious minutes I with
her haue spent, c 1600 — Sonu. xiv, Nor can I fortune to
breefe mynuits tell ; Pointing to each his thunder raine and
winde. 1697 Dampier Voy. 1. 80, 1 could not expect to find
them at a minutes call. 1736 Ainsworth Lai. Diet., A
minute [moment or instant], momentum, punctum temporis.
1800 Lamb Let. to Manning 5 Oct., I have barely time to
finish, as I expect her and Robin every minute. 1871
R. Ellis tr. Catullus lxvii. 38 You, from your owner's gate
never a minute away! 1898 Flor. Montgomery Tony 13
The train will be starting in a minute.
c. A particular instant of time ; also occas. the
appointed or fitting moment. The minute (that)
. . : as soon as.
1398 Shaks. Merry W. v. v. 1 The Windsor-bell hath
stroke twelue : the Minute drawes-on. a 1640 Carew To
A. L. 70 O love me, then, and now begin it, Let us not lose
this present minute, a 1711 Keill Maupertius' Diss. ('734)
15 The Minute we recur to an Almighty Agent;..it should
be said that such Laws imply a Contradiction, a 1745
Swift Direct. Sent., Gen. Wks. 1751 XIV. 11 He had but
127-2
MINUTE.
just that Minute stept out. 1799 Lamb Let. to Southey J
00 Mar., My plan is but this minute come into my head. |
U59 Geo. Eliot A. Bede i, I can't abide to see men throw ,
away their tools i' that way the minute the clock begins to
strike.
2. Geom. (Astr., Geog., etc.) The sixtieth part of
a degree, t Minute of a minute : the sixtieth of \
a minute, a second.
The sign for minutes is ', thus 5" 8'= five degrees eight
minutes. . , ,. ..
c 1391 Chaucer Astro!. 1. § 8 A deg/ee of a stgne contieneth
60 minutes. 1549 Comfl. Scot. vi. 50 The circle artic is
xxiij degreis xxx munitis fra the pole artic. 1603 Uwen ,
Pembrokeshire (1892) 1 Longitude 17 degrees, and 20 rmnuttes J
west /M</.,52degreeswhichis4omynutteshigher thenthat
of the Cittie of London. 1652 Gaule Magastrom. 68 Those 1
numbers and minutes, yea numbersof numbersand minutes
of minutes (which Astrologicall Mathematicians pretend to I
work byl. 1755 H- Martin Mag Arts I, Sci. 1. x. S8 Each
Degree is supposed to consist of 60 Minutes, thus marked
('). 1861 Bache Discuss. Magn. t, Meteorol. Observ. II. 9
The scale divisions have been converted into minutes of arc.
3. a. Arch. The sixtieth or occas. some other
part of the Module. 1 Obs.
1696 in Phillips. 1717-51 Chambers Cycl., Minute, in |
architecture, usually denotes the sixtieth, sometimes only f
the thirtieth part, or division of a module. [In recent Diets.] ,
b. Art. A unit of a scale of head measurement
by which the proportions of the face may be regu- j
lated or denned ; the forty-eighth part of the |
height of the human head. [So F. minute]
1875 Sir T. Seaton Fret Cutting 132 Draw a line corre- j
spoiiding to the line within the oval, and divide this also into
four equal parts. One of these parts must be subdivided
into twelve parts, these are called minutes. Ibid. 133 The
length of a head— from forehead to back— in a full-grown
person, is three parts eight minutes for a man, and three
parts eleven minutes for a woman.
II. Something small.
+ 4. A coin of trifling value ; a ' mite'. Obs.
1381 Wvclif Mark xii. 42 Tweye mynutis (Vulg. duo mi-
nuta, Gr. Atirri Mo], that is, a ferthing. 1543 Becon Nosegay
Ded. B j b, Yet let vs with the poore widowe of the Gospell
at the leest gyue two minutes. 1589 J. Rider Bibl. Scliol.,
A Minute or Q, which is halfe a farthing, mmutum. _
f5. Something minute or small, a. pi. Little
fishes, ' small fry ' (cf. Menise). b. A small par-
ticular, a detail ; a minutia. o. Something of small
size or slight importance. Obs.
mo8 Florio, Pesciolini, all manner of minutes, frye, or
small fishes. 1626 B. Jonson Staple o/N. 1. v. 138 Let me
heare from thee euery minute of Newes. a 1628 F. Gkevil
Sidney (1652) 00 That Heroicall design . .how exactly soever
projected, and digested in every minute. — Alaham 11.
Chorus ii. (1633) 39 When I propound in grosse.you minutes
play 1647 Jer. Taylor Lib. Proph. xvi. 213 And such are
all the s-cts and all the pretences of Christians, but pieces
and minutes of Christianity. 1654 — Real Presni They
have made it to be unintelligible, inexplicable, indefensible,
in all their minuits and particularities, a 16S0 Hammond
Serin. (Prov. i. 22) (1664) 46 The last minute of my last
particular, a 1670 (see Migniardizp:].
III. 6. A rough draft (of something to be
further elaborated); a note or memorandum for the
direction of an agent or servant, or for preserving
the memory of current transactions or events ; a
brief summary of events or transactions, esp. (usu-
ally//.) the record of the proceedings at a meeting
of an assembly, corporate body, society, company,
committee, or the like, t In minute : in the form
of a minute or minutes.
150a in Lett, ft Papers Rich. Ill* Hen. VII (Rolls) I.
147 He received a mynite of instructions. 1511 Clerk in
Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. 111. I. 314 The Pope. .caused it [the
mynute] to be staied, and an other minute to be made which
was not sped bifor his death. 1531 Cromwell in Mernman
Life Ii Lett. (1902) I. 340, I haue sent herein Inclosed the
Mynewte with your Instruccions. 1640-1 Kirkcudbr. War-
Comm. Min. Bk. (1855) 37 Ordaines James, the next
Committie day, to produce the said minute of contract. 1681
Evelyn in Pcpys' Diary, etc. 1 1879) VI. 140 These were only
minutes relating to ampler pieces. 1697 in W. S. Perry Hist.
Coll. A tuer. Col. Ch. 1. 52,1 began to taketheir sense in minute
as right as I could, c 1710 Celia Fiennes Diary (1888) 276
To him are added in the House of Commons also scribes or
secretaryes which record and take minutes also. 1713
Pope Guard. No. 92 r 8 It is my business whenever we meet
to take minutes of the transactions. 1728 Morgan A Igiers
II. v. 316, I some where said my memory was treacherous ;
nor do I ever keep minutes. 1741 Middleton Cicero 1. vi. 5 1 1
It was his custom to keep the minutes or rough draught of
all his pleadings. 1771 P. Parsons Newmarket II. 187
My paper of neads or minutes perished in a different
manner. 1776 in Archxol. (1789) IX. 365 That such curious
communications, .be extracted from the Minutes of the
Society, and formed into an Historical Memoir. 1827 Scott
Surg. Dau. i, Lawford drew up a proper minute of this
transaction, by which he himself and Grey were named
trustees for the child. 1851 Dickens Bill-sticking in
Househ. Words II. 605 These are the minutes of my con-
versation with His Majesty, as I notedthem down shortly
afterwards, i860 Motley Netherl. vii. (1868) I. 409 The
minute of a letter to Elizabeth.. was submitted to the
ambassador. 1876 Grant Burgh Sck. Seotl. Pref. 8 The
minutes of his town council. 1890 Gross Gild Merch. I.
149 The minutes of both Companies were kept in the same
book.
b. An official memorandum authorizing or re-
commending the pursuance of a certain course.
Treasury minute: a minute or memorandum issued
by the treasury.
1564 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 301 In terms of minute
484
27th November. 1783 Burke On Fox's East lud. Bill
Wks. IV. 75 In his minute of consultation, Mr. Hastings
describes forcibly the consequences which arise [etc.]. 1798
Wellington in Gurw. Dcsp. (1837) I. 9 A very able minute
in the Secret department. 1817 Tiekney in Pari. Deb. 768
That committee, by a Treasury minute of the 5th of April,
1816, was required to examine and report what offices had
been created since the year 1793. 1845 M'Culloch Taxa-
tion 11. v. (1852) 230 This fraudulent practice has been
indirectly legitimated by a Treasury Minute ofthe4th of
August, 1840. 1863 H. Cox Instil. 1. v. 29 The Bank of
England . . was directed to suspend cash payments by a
Minute of Council. 1880 Gen. Adye in 19th Cent. No. 38.
694 Lord Napier.. in a masterly minute pointed out the
various evils of the whole system.
f c. An agreement, precise understanding. Obs.
1720 Wodrmu Corr. (1843) II. 519 At Edinburgh I have
come to a minute with the printer.
d. Sc. Law. A memorandum of intention pre-
sented to the court by a party to a suit.
1848 Shand Pracl. Crt. Sess. I. 343 "de, A rninute of
abandonment of the cause, in such form as the following, is
put into process. 1904 Dundee Advertiser 19 Nov. 7 Yester-
day a minute was lodged in the Bill Chamber of the Court
of Session stating that no answers are to be lodged to the
note by the Free Church [etc.].
IV. 7. at/rib. and Comb., as minute bell, the
tolling of a bell at intervals of a minute ; minute-
book, f (a) a * book of short hints ' (J.) ; (<5) a book
containing systematic records of the transactions
of a society, court, or the like ; minute clock, a
stop clock used in making tests of gas (Knight
Diet. Meek. 1884) ; minute-flourish, a fanfare of
trumpets sounded minute by minute; minute-
glass, a sand-glass that runs for a minute ;
minute-gun, the tiring of a gun at intervals of
a minute (also attrib.) ; minute-hand, the long
hand of a time-piece which indicates the minutes ;
f minute-jack (Vcf. Jack sb. 6), one who changes
his mind every moment, a fickle or changeable
person ; minute jumper, an electric clock in which
the hands move only at the end of eacli minute,
the minute-hand moving over a whole minute at
each step {Cent. Did. 1890); fminute-line Naut.,
a log-line ; minute-lust, momentary desire ; mi-
nute mile (see quot. 1867); t minute-motion,
the mechanism of the seconds hand of a watch ;
minute-repeater, a watch which ' repeats ' the
minutes ; minute space, the duration of a minute ;
minute stroke, the measured 'minutely' stroke
of an oar; minute tide, (a) <m minute while
(see sense 1); (*) (see quot. 1865); f minute-
watch, a watch that distinguishes minutes of time
or on the dial of which minutes are marked (also
t minute pendulum watch) ; minute-wheel, the
wheel that moves the minute-hand of a clock or
watch; hence minute-wheel nut, pinion (see quot.
1884); fminuta while (see sense 1); minute-
writing, the art or practice of recording minutes
or administrative memoranda. Also Minute-man.
1827 Keble Chr. K, 1st Sunday Advent xii, Faith's ear,
with awful still delight, Counts them like "minute bells at
night. 1736 Ainsworth Lat. Diet., A "minute book,_ liber
vel libellus memorialis. 1772 Ann. R eg. 66* The minute-
book of recognizances belonging to the Lord Mayor's court.
1838 Act i<y2 Vict. c. 118 §22 The Minute Book of the Court
of Session and Teind Court. 1904 A thenxum 24 Dec. 881/2
A ' History of the Society of Apothecaries ', . .compiled from
the Minute-Books of the Society. 1802 Mrs. Raucliffe
Gaston de Blondev. Posth. Wks. 1826 I. 87 The trumpets,
that charged so loud and shrill their "minet-flourishes. 1626
Capt. Smith Accid. Yng. Seamen 29 Turne vp the "minute
glasse, obserue the hight. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk.
480 Minute and Halfminute glasses. 1747 Gentl. Mag.
XVII. 246/1 "Minute guns were fired by the whole squadron.
1884 Times (Weekly ed.) n Apr. 2/3 The boom of the minute
guns on the hill beyond could be heard above the funeral
music of the bands. 1726 Swift Gulliver \. ii, He was amazed
at . . the Motion of the "Minute-Hand, which he could easily
discern. 1892 E. Reeves Homeward Bound iZs Clock faces
marking six, twelve, and twenty-four hours, mostly without
minute hands. 1607 Shaks. Timon III. vi. 107 Cap and knee-
Slaues, vapours, and "Minute Iackes. 1644 "Minut-line
[see log-line in Log sb.1 9]. 1696 Phillips, Log-line or
*Minute-line. 1635 Quarles Embl. 11. x\. 106 The fleshly
wanton, to obtaine His "minit-lust, will count it gaine
To lose his freedome. 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk.,
*Minnte mile, the sixtieth part of a degree of longitude
or latitude. 1684 T. Burnet Th. Earth 11. iv. 210 In a
Watch,, .you may have a fancy to have an Alarum added,
or a "Minute-motion. 1843 Penny Cycl. XXVII. 107/1 These
by way of distinction are called "minute-repeaters. 1621
Wither Motto A 8, I haue not of my selfe, the powre, or
grace, To be, or not to be ; one "minute-space. 1833
Marryat P. Simple xxx, The crew dropped their oars into
the water without a splash, and pulled the "minute stroke,
14.. Ryman Poems in Archiv Stud. neii. Spr. LXXXIX.
255 This lyfe vnto celestiall Is but a "mynute tyde. 1865
Macgregor Rob Ro% in Baltic (1867) 163 This is called the
' minute tide', in which a swelling of the water once every
minute fills up and empties again a quiet pool a little with-
drawn from the river's course. 1660 Boyle Neiv Exp.
Phys. Mech. xi. 79 A "Minute-Watch we kept by us on
this occasion. 1705 Daily Courant 5 Sept., Dropt in St.
James's Park, September the 3rd, 1705, a Gold Minuit
Pendulum Watch, &c. 1797 Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) V. 74/2
The minute and hour hands turn on the end of the arbor of
the minute-wheel. 1884 F. J. Britten Watch A- Clockm.
177 [The] "Minute Wheel Pinion, or 'Nut '..[is] the pinion
in the motion work of watches that drives the hour wheel.
MINUTE.
1895 Daily News 10 Sept. 5/4 An Under-Secretary, trained
in a bureaucracy where "minute.writing has been brought
to the highest pitch of perfection.
t Minute, sb.* Law. Obs. [ad. Law Latin
miniita, vbl. noun f. minuere to diminish.]
-^ MlNISHING.
1495 Rolls o/Parlt. VI. 501/1 Of the Ferme of all Asartis,
Wastes,Purprestureandminutez,oftheparcellesoftheForest.
Minute (miniw't, maini«t), a. Also 5-6 my-
nute. [ad. L. minut-us (whence F. menu small),
pa. pple. of minuere to make small, diminish.]
1 1. Chopped small. Obs. rare.
c 1420 Pallad. on Husb. iv. 492 Hem summe in cedur
scobe, & summe in stre Mynute, and sumine in smal chaf,
wel witholde.
1 2. Of imposts, etc. : Lesser ; esp. in minute
tithes = ' small tithes '. Obs.
[1464 Rolls o/Parlt. V. 569/1 Sume ferme by the name of
the Manent' fume com' post terras dat'..and sume under
the name of minute firme to you.] 1542-3 Act 34 4> 35
Hen. VIII, c. 16 § 1 The fermes of diuers purprestures,
assertes, sergeantes, & minute rentes. 1546 in Eng. Gilds
(1870) 222 Thepreste. .hathe the mynute tythes of the village
of Bysshopton. 1647 Clarendon Hist. Reb. iv. § 38 The
Dependence of the Church,, .(except their minute Tythes)
was entirely upon this Law. 1696 Phillips, Minute Tithes,
small Tithes, such as usually belong to the Vicar ; as Wooll,
Lambs, Piggs, Butter, Cheese, Eggs, Honey, &c.
3. Very small in size, extent, amount, or degree.
In the 17th and 18th centuries the comparative minuter
frequently acquires the sense ' smaller or more insignificant
than another ', without the implication of extreme smallness.
a 1626 Bacon Nero All. 40 Wee haue also Glasses and
Meanes, to see Small and Minute Bodies, perfectly and dis.
tinctly. 1665 Phil. Trans. I. 31 An Instrument to shew all
the Minute Variations in the pressure of the Air. 1698
Fryer Ace. E. India t, P. 39 Those [chapels] of a minuter
dimension were open. 1699 Pomfret Cruelty t, Lust 79
Suppose the Accusation justly brought, And clearly prov d
to the minutest fault. 1713 Derham Phys.-Theol. IV. 11.
106 One single Minutest Thread or Fibre. 1742 Young
Nt. Th. vi. 690 With this minute distinction,. .Nature re-
volves, but man advances. 1748 Anson's Voy. l v. 43 The
neighbouring coast, and the minuter isles adjacent. Ibid.
11. x. 237 Vast quantities of. .callicoes and chints, ..together
with other minuter articles, as goldsmiths work, etc. 1816
Bentham Chrestom. 24 The distance in question isso minute
as to be incapable of measurement. 1832 Babbage Econ.
Manuf. (ed. 3) 83 The minuter cavities can only be filled
under an exhausted receiver. 1867 H. Macmillan Bible
Teach, vi. (1870) 118 The seed vessels in this plant are exceed-
ingly minute. 1871 Tyndall Fragm. Sci. (1879) I. i. 23 What
is true of the earth . . is also true of her minutest atom. 1880
Geikie Phys. Geog. ii. 57 I' 's possible to measure very
minute changes of temperature.
4. Of very little consequence or importance;
trifling, petty.
Minute philosopher is an echo of Cicero's guidam minuti
philosophi(Di Senect. xxiii, also De Div. 1. xxx), where the
adj. appears to have this sense, though in Eng. use it is
sometimes apprehended as if belonging to sense 5.
c 1650 Denham Old Age iv. 249 Some minute Philosophers
pretend, That with our dayes our pains and pleasures end.
1668 Wilkins Real Char. To Rdr., If any shall suggest
that some of the Enquiries here insisted upon., do seem too
minute and trivial, for any prudent Man to bestow his
serious thoughts and time about. Such Persons may know
[etc.]. 1732 Berkeley Alciphr. 1. § 10 These minute philo-
sophers, .are a sort of pirates who plunder all that come in
their way. 1748 Anson's Voy. in. ix. 396 The Mandarine. .
returned all that had been stolen.. even to the minutest
trifle. 1772 Burke Corr. (1844) I. 377 Your grace dissipates
your mind into too great a variety of minute pursuits. 1872
Minto Eng. Prose Lit. 11. iii. 279 As Lord Chancellor,, .he
proved unequal to the minuter duties of the office.
5. Of investigations, regulations, records, etc.
(and hence of persons) : Characterized by atten-
tion to very small matters or details ; very precise
or particular ; very accurate.
168. Aubrey Lives, Hobbes To Rdr. (1813) I. 594 For that
I am so minute, I declare I never intended it [etc.]. 1716
Addison Freeholder No. 42 r 14 We cannot be too minute
and circumstantial in accounts of this nature. 1751 Johnson
Rambler No. 86 T 5 He knew with how minute Attention
the ancient Criticks considered the Disposition of Syllables.
1788 Reid Aristotle's Log. IV. ii. 71 He is more ">"• more
minute and particular than any of them. 1799 Wellington
in Gurw. Desp. (1837) I. 25 His minute private diary. 1807
T. Thomson Chem. (ed. 3) II. 383 A very minute and accu-
rate series of experiments. 1833 Ht. Martineau Brooke
Farm i. 10 A reporter as faithful as he was minute. 1864
Pusey Led. Daniel (\%it>) 376 A minute, natural, accurate,
history. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) V. 96 Minute regulations
are apt to be transgressed.
Minute (mi-nit), v. [f. Minute rf.H
1. trans. To ascertain or determine to the minute
the time, duration, or rate of; to 'time' accu-
rately. Also f To minute out : to assign (time)
precisely.
1605 Camden Rem. 92 About the yeare of our Lord 1000
(that we may not minute out the time), a 1661 Fuller
Worthies, Suffolk iil (1662) 62 All Accidents are minuted
and momented by Divine Providence. 1762 Phil. Trans.
LI I. 582 The above observations were minuted from a stop-
watch of Mr. Ellicott's. 1773 G. White Selborne 8 July
(1789) 153, I have minuted these birds with my watch for
an hour together, . . they return . . about once in five minutes.
1775 Ibid. 1 Nov. 198 A good rush,.. being minuted, burnt
only three minutes short of an hour. 1784 Blagden in
Phil. Trans. LXXIV. 217 Scarcely any one had sufficient
presence of mind to minute the time by his watch. 1813
Mar. Edgf.worth Patron. (1832) I. iii. 42 [They] went to
see High Blood rubbed down . . exercised and minuted. 1822
Beddoes Brides' Traf. 11. iii, Do not minute The movements
MINUTED.
of the soul. i8as Sporting Mag. XV. 340, I did not minute
this run, but., it must have been a trimming one. 1862 Smiles
Engineers III. 277 Captain Scoresby,. .minuted the speed of
the train. 1888 Temple Bar Jan. 29 The Bishop .. sat by
with his watch on the table, for he had to minute each inter-
view.
2. To draft (a document, a scheme) ; to record
in a minute or memorandum; to enter in the
minutes or records of a society, company, or the
like ; to make a minute of the contents of (a
document). To minute down, to make a note of.
a 1648 Ld. Herbert Hen. VIII (1683) 48 All which
minuted by Louis de Longuevillcwas at last thus fully con-
cluded. Ibid. 84 The design for the Interview with
Francis continued ; which being minuted by our Ambas-
sador, .. was continued by his successor. 1661 Evelyn
Chalcogr. 94 It might not seem requisite to minute the
works which he has published. 1711 Land. Gat. No. 4842/3
All such disabled Seamen and Marines as are minuted to
be taken into the said Hospital. 171a Addison Spect.
No. 439 f 3 The Cardinal is represented as minuting
down every thing that is told him. 1778 [W. Marshall]
Minutes Agric, Observ. 153 note, I minuted it as an extra
observation. 1789 Franklin Ess. Wks. 1840 II. 151
Nothing was concluded [sc. at the next meeting] so as to be
minuted. 1836 H. Rogers % Howe v. (1863) 141 His
thoughts on this occasion he minuted down. 1876 Ban-
croft Hist. U. S. IV. xxvi. 19 The Empress of Russia with
her own hand minuted an edict for universal tolerance.
1888 Uryce Amer. Commw. II. 11. xlviii. 228 A Town-clerk,
who keeps the records, and minutes the proceedings of the
meeting. 1897 P. W a rung Tales Old Regime 139 Yes,
your Excellency. Shall I minute that observation? 1898
G. W. E. Russell Coll. # Recoil, xxxiv. 465 The paper.,
is minuted by each, and .. gradually passes up . . to the
Under-Secretary of State.
absot. 1893 Ld. Lvtton King Poppy 1. 351 Whereon His
Majesty thus minuted.
3. 71? minute over: to reckon up, enumerate
point by point.
a 1770 Cath. Talbot Lett. (1808) 60 The most agreeable
thought (as I experienced last night when we were minut-
ing over all these things) will be, that it cannot be long [etc.].
4. intr. With by : To pass minute by minute.
a 1806 H. K. White To Thought v, And count the tedious
hours, as slow they minute by.
Hence Mi'nuting vbl. sb., the recording of mi-
nutes ; Mi'nuting///. a., that minutes.
1737 J. Chambkrlayne^V. Gt. Brit, XL in. (ed. 33) 121 Minut-
ing-clerk to Master General. 1882 London Police Court
Rep., Those having the minuteing and the carrying out of
the details and business of the Court.
Minuted (mi'nited), a. [f. Minute v. + -edI. ]
1. Recorded or set forth in a minute or note.
1716 M. Davies Athen. Brit. II. ToRdr. 38, 1 hope those
minuted Layes of Seraphick Contemplations,, .will engage
the studious Youth of both Sexes, to be favourable to this
undertaking. 1802-12 Bentham Ration. Judic. Evid. (1827)
I. 279 Publication by authority, whether of the minuted
viva-voce testimony, or of the ready-written depositions.
2. Timed or numbered by minutes.
1829 Southey Sir T. More II. 352 He is like the mail
coach traveller,, .and must therefore take at his minuted
meals whatever food is readiest. 1859 Mrs. Gaskell
Round the So/a II. 70 Some sore internal bruise sapping
away his minuted life.
t Minuteless, a. Obs. [f. Minute sbl +
-less.] Not to be measured by minutes.
1651 Gaule Magastrom. 68 The starres, whose numbers
are numberless and motions minuteless.
Minutely (mi'nitli), a. [f. Minute sb. + -lt l.]
Happening every minute.
1605 Shaks. Macb. v. ii. 18 Now do's he feele His secret
Murthers sticking on his hands, Now minutely Reuolts
vpbraid his Faith-breach. 1658 Whole Duty Man xvii. § 7
All that we possess is in minutely danger of losing. 1720
Humourist 93, I have staid four Hours in Minutely Expecta-
tion. 1802 Coleridge Lett. (1895) 390 Our minutely con-
duct towards each other. xZ6$Ez'en. Exchange 10 Feb. 1/1
The hourly and minutely fluctuations of the . . Markets.
Minutely (mini?7*tli), advX [f. Minute a. +
-LY*.]
1. fa. Into small pieces (obs.). b. On a minute
scale ; with minute subdivision.
1599 A. M. tr. Gabelhouer' s Bk. Physicke 89/2 Contunde
all that is to be contundede, & cut the rest minutly, then
mixe it to a paeste with good wine. 1613 R. Cawdrey
Table Alph., Minutely, smally. 1869 Phillips Vesuv. x.
279 Realgar occurs minutely but well crystallized.
Comb. 1836 E. Howard R. Reefer \\, The., minutely-
sanded beach.
2. In a minute manner, kind, or degree; with
great or absolute precision or preciseness; with
exactness.
1732 Berkeley Alciphr. 1. § 10 Considering things
minutely, and not swallowing them in the gross. 1736
Butler Anal. 1. v. Wks. 1874 I. 105 Observations of this
kind cannot be supposed to hold minutely, and in every
case. 1821 J. W. Croker Diary 24 Aug., The King went
minutely through the museum, and other parts [etc.]. X863
H. Cox Instit. in. vii. 680 He most minutely and learnedly
investigated the ancient course of the Exchequer. 1893 Ld.
Esher in Law Times Rep. LXXIII. 650/1 It is not
necessary to disclose minutely and in detail every material
fact. 1903 T. P.'s Weekly 18 Sept. 495/1 Mr. John Hol-
lingshead has minutely described a little dinner with Dickens,
fb. Intimately. Obs.
1823 J. Badcock Dam. Amuse/ft. 106 The ingredients are
more minutely disseminated than can be performed by hand.
Minutely (mi'nitli), adv.* [f. Minute sb.* +
-ly'A] Every minute, minute by minute.
*509 Nashe Lenten Stujfe 22 [The red herring].. is the
onefy vnexhaustible mine that hath rais'd and begot all
485
this, and minutely to riper maturity fosters and cherisheth it.
1637 Sanderson Serm. (1681) 11. 8g We,, .by most unworthy
provocations daily and minutely tempt His patience. 1654
Hammond Fundamentals viii. 66 As if it were minutely
proclaimed in thunder from heaven. 1708 J, Philips Cyder
11. 263 Their frying Blood compells to irrigate Their dry
furr'd Tongues, else minutely to Death Obnoxious, dismal
Death, th' Effect of Drought. 1803 Coleridge Lett. (1895)
439 The sharpshooters were behind exercising minutely.
1807 tr. Three Germans II. 52 A friend, whom I now
minutely expect at the castle gates. 1845 Wilberforce in
A. R. Ashwell Life (1880) I. 269 Two daughters. .played
daily, hourly, minutely . .by a very clever, reaching mother,
for coronets and a settlement.
Mi'nute-man. Hist. [f. Minute sb. + Man.]
One of a class of militiamen, during the American
revolutionary period, who held themselves in readi-
ness for instant military service.
1774 in N. Eng. Hist. <y Gen. Reg. (1875) XXIX. 107
Minute or Picquet men in the Town of Brookrield. 1775-83
Thacher Mil. jfrtil. (1823) 17 Active men in every town have
formed military companies under the name of minute men.
1903 F. Norris The Pit 43 Ample fireplaces, where once the
minute-men had swung their kettles.
transf 1863 J. Weiss Life Th. Parker I. n The same
old cause, whose minute-men are again first in thefield[i86i].
Minuteness (miniw'tnes). [f. Minute a. +
-ness.] The quality of being minute.
1. Extreme smallness; an instance of this.
1666 Boyle Orig. Forms <y Qual. Exp. ix. 396 Whose
Corpuscles, by reason of their Minuteness, swimme easily
for a while in the Water. 1754 Richardson Grandison
(181 1) II. v. 84 The discretion of a person is often most seen
in minutenesses. 1751 Earl Orrerv Remarks Siuift
(1752) 86 A convex mirrour, by which every object is re-
duced to a despicable minuteness. 1770 C. Jennkr Placid
Man I. 1. iv, 35 All the minutenesses which distinguish the
domestic manners of one nation from another. 1830 Her-
schel Stud. Nat. Phil. 250 Particles of inconceivable
minuteness. 187J Ruskin Eaglets N. § 122 The noble
human sight, careless of prey, disdainful of minuteness, and
reluctant to anger.
2. Attention to minute details ; precision as to
details; critical exactness.
1640 Sir K. Digby in Lismore Papers Ser. 11. (1888) IV. 137,
I am afraid, .that minutenesse would rather appeare tedious
then punctuall to you. 1716 Swift Gulliver iv. ix, The
Justness of their Similies, and the Minuteness, as well as
Exactness of their Descriptions, are indeed inimitable. 1774
Goldsm. Nat. /list. {1776)1.193 Such .. may consult Hawks-
bee, Morgan, Jurin, or Watson, who haveexamined the subject
with great minuteness. 1853 Lytton My Novelux. xvi, He
had studied it with the minuteness with which a scholar
studies a dead language. 1858 Buckle Civiliz. (i860) II.
vii. 364 The chemist by his minuteness, and the geologist by
his grandeur, touch the two extremes of the material uni-
verse. 1884 Lady Verney in Contemp, Rev. Oct. 545
Every gown. .is chronicled with affectionate minuteness.
t b. Excess of detail, 'niggling'. Obs.
1748 Anson's Voy. m. x. 412 There is a stiffness and
minuteness in most of the Chinese productions.
Minuter (mi-nitai). [f. Minuted. +-erV]
1 1. One who writes minutes, a note-taker. Obs.
1825 Celebrated Trials, etc. IV. 172 Thomas Gurney, the
minuter, was called, who deposed from his minutes.
2. Sc, Law. One who moves the court by minute.
1904 Dundee Advertiser 19 Nov. 7 They do not admit
that the judgments of the Court in the cases of Bannatyne j
and others v. Lord Overtoun and others, and Young v. j
Macalister,.. settle or determine the rights of the minuters
in the present suspension.
II Minutia (miniz*-Jia). PI. minutiae (-it).
Also 8 pi. minutias ; erron. 8-9 //. minutia, sing.
minutiae, [a. L. minutia smallness, pi. minutm
trifles, f. minutus Minute a.] A precise detail; a
small or trivial matter or object. Usually //.
In Chesterfield's Letters the French minutie frequently
occurs as synonymous with minutia.
1751 Earl Orrery Remarks Swift {17 '52) 52, I should hope
that all the minutiae of his idle hours might be entirely
excluded. 1759 Johnson Idler No. 47 r 12 He .. often
declares himself weary of attending to the minutiae of a
shop. 1768 Blackstone Comm. III. xxvii. 446 No excep-
tions to formal minutiae in the pleadings will be here
allowed. 178a Eliz. Blower Geo. Bateman I. 106 On
the observance of some little minutias, no small share of the
beauty.. depended. 1796 Burney Mem. MetastasioW. 270
Descending to the minutia of all the events and occasions
which may be imagined. 1797 Mrs. A. M. Bennett
Beggar Girl (1813) II. 217 Strict attention to every minutiae
of her domestic arrangement. 1804 Eugenia de Acton Tale
without Title II. 208 She.. determined. .to unfold every
minutiae of her former circumstances. 1804 tr. Piguenards
Zoflora I. 4 Those minutia concerning him, which may even
have the appearance of puerility. 1849 Miss Pardoe
Francis /, xiv. 343 They were arranged with a punctilious
minutia. 1882 Serjt. Ballantine Exper. II. 191 The
minutia: were very exact and carefully executed.
t Minu'tial, a. Obs. [f. Minutia + -al.] Of
the nature of minutiae ; pertaining to details.
16x2 T. Taylor Comm. Titus ii. 14 In smaller, and minu-
tiall matters to carrie an vnbounded. .zeale, were to call*for
a sword to kill a flie. 1778 [\V. Marshall] Minutes Agric,
Digest 16 The minutial management of Farms. 1796 — W.
England II. 170 In minutial practices, .the Vale [of Exeter]
pursues the Devonshire method.
t Minu'tion. Obs. [ad. L. minutidn-emy n. of
action f. minuere to lessen.] A diminishing or
making less ; a lowering ; spec, a lowering of the
system by blood-letting.
1386 Almanac (1812) 52 Mynucyons to be made by blode
lattyng or ventosyng es ful profytabul. 1607 J. Carpenter
Plains Mans Plough 124 The Phisitians. .prescribe, .some-
MIOCENE.
\ times unctions, sometimes minutions. 1656 Blount Glossogr.,
' Minntion, a diminishing or making less.
MinutiOSe (mini/rjkms), a. [ad. L. tninii-
' tids-us, i. minutm \ see Minutia. Cf. F. minu-
! tieux.] Dealing with minutia?.
1868 F. HALLBenares 15. 1892 — in Nation (N.Y.) 1 Dec.
412/1 He has achieved, among minutiose philologists, an
; eminence which, .is likely to be recognized as all his own.
MinutiouS (mini/rjias), a. [ad. F. minutieux,
f. minutie Minutia : cf. prec] Attentive to mi-
nutiae ; characterized by minute attention to detail.
1819 Metropolis III. 252 Minutiousand troublesome atten-
tions. 1891 Fortn. Rev. May 802 His leisure was too limited
to allow him to be pedantic or minutious. 1899 Month Apr.
433 [He] sent them [the proofs] back covered with minutious
criticism.
t Minuti-ssim, a. Obs. rare~x. [ad. L. mi-
nutissim-us, superl. of minutus small : see Minute
a.] Extremely minute.
1768-74 Ticker Li. Nat. (1834) I. 475 The whole human
body, together with all its. .minutissim glands.
+ MinU'tulous, a. Obs. [f. L. minutul-us
(dim. of minutus Minute a.) + -ous.] Very small.
1651 Bicgs New Disfi. P248 Minutulous drops of pus.
Minuwae: see Minaway (= minuet).
Minx (minks). Also 6 mynxe, minxe, mincks,
6-7 miukes, 7-8 minks. [Of obscure origin ;
possibly a corruption of minikin, with the added s
not uncommon dial, in playful terms of endear-
ment, e. g. duels, darlings , pets : cf. Alinckins in
quot. 1605 s. v. Minikin i . Sense 2 agrees closely
with the sense of LG. minske -^ G. mensch neut.]
f 1. A pet dog. Also as proper name. Obs.
1542 Udall tr. Erasm. Apoph. 127 b, There been lit Ie
mynxes, or puppees that ladies keepe in their chaumbers for
especial I iewellesto playe witha.ll. Ibid., When I am houn-
gry I am a lit It: mynxe full of playe, and when my bealy is
full, a mastife. [1605 SYLVESTER Du Bartas 11. iii. iv.
Captains 3S6 Milk-white Minks and Lun (Gray-bitches
both, the best that ever run).]
2. A pert girl, hussy. Now often merely playful.
1592 Nobody <y Someb. E 2b, Thus, you minx, lie teach
you ply your worke, 1594 I.yly Moth. Bomb. 1. iii. 17
Your minxe had no better grandfather than a Tailer. c 1600
Dav Begg. Bednall Gr. 11. i. (1881) 31 Come, Minx, what
Iewell did you give this Rogue. 1636 Heywood Love's
Mt'str. v. i. Wks. 1874 V. 155 That Minks [Psyche] is come
from hell, And heere she harbours. 1695 Congreve Love
for L. 11. i, How, hussy ! was there ever such a provoking
minx ! 1706-7 Farquhar Beaux* Strat. 1. i, You deserve
to have none, you young Minx. 1742 Fif.lding % Andreivs
iv. xiii, ' She ! a little ugly minx ', cries Slipslop, ' leave her
tome '. 1812CRABBE Tales xiii. 136 She thinks To make her
fortune, an ambitious minx ! 1838 Dickens Nich. Nick.
ix, 'I scorn your words, Minx ', said Miss Squeers. 1861
Hughes Tom Brown at Oxf. xxix, She is a dressed-up
little minx, who runs after all the young men of the parish.
1882 Mrs. Raven's Tempt. III. 181 We shall be sorry if this
young minx brings more trouble on the Agates.
fb. A lewd or wanton woman. Obs.
1598 Florio, Magalda,. ,a trull or minxe. 1602 North's
Plutarch, Seneca (1612) 1214 Nero..tooke from him this
minxe that knew the trickes of the occupation. 1604 Shaks.
Oth. iv. i. 159 This is some Minxes token. 1621 Burton
Anat. Mel. 111. iii. 1. ii. (1651) 600 If thou be absent long,
thy wife then thinks, Thou'rt drunk, at ease, or with some
pretty minks. 1678 Drvden Limberham 1. i. They are a
Couple of alluring wanton Minxes. 1728 Gay Polly 1.
(1777) 24 And so, sir, I leave you and your minx together.
t C. Mistress minx. Obs.
1 1590 Marlowe Faustus vi. 162 What are you, Mistress
Minx, the seventh and last? 1592 Nashe P. Penilesse {ed.
2) 10 b, Mistris Minx, a Marchants wife, that wil eate no
Cherries forsooth, but when they are at twenty shillings a
pound. 1671 Kirkman & Head Eng. Rogue iv. (1874) 139
How now, Mrs. Minks. _ 1735 Miss Collier Art Torment.
50 Let me tell you, Mistress Minx, 'twould much better
become my station, than yours.
Hence [nonce-wds.) fMInx v. intr. (with it), to
play the minx ; Minxishness, Minxship, the
condition or quality of a minx.
1609 Bp. W. Barlow Answ. Nameless Cath. 303 The
Apologue describes Venus trans-formed waiting maide, who
beeing trick't vp like a Gentle-woman, mink'st it a while til
she spied a Mouse, but then made it knowneshee was a Cat.
1632 Massinger City Madam 11. ii, On these terms Wil
your minxship be a Lady. 1885 L. Wingeield Barbara
Philpot I. x. 271 Was not the sex built up of foibles and
minxishness?
Minx, obs. form of Mink.
Miny (mai'ni), a. rare. [f. Mine sb. + -Y1.]
1. Pertaining to a mine ; mineral,
1611 Florio, Mineroso, m'merous, miny. 1662 J. Chandler
Van Ilelmont's Oriat. 322 The minie and saltish minerals
of the microcosme [Lat. microcosmi fodinas minerales
atque salinas],
2. Of the nature of a mine ; subterraneous.
1730-46 Thomson Autumn 800 Unveil The miny caverns
..Of Abyssinia's cloud-compelling cliffs.
3. ' Abounding in mines' (Webster 1828-32).
Minyon, Minys, obs. f. Minion, Minish.
Minzingly, obs. form of Mincingly adv.
Miocene (mai-^sm), a. Geol. Also meiocene.
[irreg. f. Gr. /«iW less + xatvos new, recent.]
1. The epithet applied to the middle division of
the Tertiary strata (as containing remains of fewer
now existing species than the Pliocene), and to
the geological period which it represents.
MIOLITHIC.
486
MIRACLE.
1833 Lyell Print. Gcol. III. 54 The next antecedent
tertiary epoch we shall name Miocene. 1877 Nature"] June
101/2 The European miocene flora. 1880 Dawkins Early
Man i. 10 The Meiocene group.
2. quasi-sb.
1882 Geikie Text Bk. Geo/, vi. iv. Hi. § 1. 862 The flora
indicates a decidedly tropical climate in the earlier part
of the Miocene. 1885 ^ theumum 24 Oct 541/1 The . . Eppels-
heim deposits in Germany are still left in the miocene.
Hence Miocenic a.
1863 Lyell Antiq. Man xv. 314 Between the close of the
miocenic and the commencement of the glacial epoch. 1889
Lancet 6 July 45/1 A gigantic animal of the middle of the
miocenic period of the Wyoming.
Miol, variant of Meal sb*
Mioling, obs. form of Miauling.
Miolithic (mainflrbik), a. Archxol. Also
meiolithio. [ii reg. f. Gr. ptiav less -f \i$os stone +
-10.] = Mesolithic a. 2.
1877 Academy 3 Nov. 434/3 Prof. Mantovani introduces the
term Miolithic" to denote a period intermediate between the
palaeolithic and neolithic ages. 1896 A. J. Evans in Rep,
Brit. Assoc. 008 A late quaternary deposit, for which
Professor Issel has proposed the name of ' Meiohthic '.
Mioner, obs. form of Miner.
Mionite, -phylly : see Meionite, -phylly.
Miops, obs. form of Myope.
Miosis, Miostemonous, Miotaxy : see Mei-.
Mioul, Miour(e, Miowe, var. Miaul v.,
Myee, Miaow.
II Mi-parti (mzpart/), a. Her. Also 8 -party.
[Fr., pa. pple. of mipartir to divide in half, f. mi*
(:— L. medium middle) + parti V to divide.] (See
quots.)
1725 Coats Diet. Her., Mi-party ; is a Word used by French
Heralds, denoting that the Escutcheon is half Way down
parted per Pale, and there cross'd by some other Partition.
1896 Woodward Heraldry I. 478 Mi-parti — said of dimi-
diated arms, and of an ordinary parti per pale.
Miquelet (mi'kelet). Also 9 miquelete, mi-
quelite, miguelet(e. [a. F. miquelet^ ad. Sp.
miquelete, miguelete, f. Cat. Miquel, Sp. Miguel,
Michael. (For the supposed origin of the name
see quot. 1845.)] a. In the 17th c, a member of
a body of Catalonian banditti who infested the
Pyrenees, "b. Before and during the Peninsular
war, a Spanish guerrilla soldier ; also, a member of
a corps of French irregulars raised by Napoleon in
1808 for service against the Spaniards, c. In
modern Spain, the designation of the soldiers of
certain local regiments of infantry, chiefly em-
ployed on escort duties.
1670 Lond. Gaz. No. 476/4 The Miqueletsor Mountaineers
were again got together in a little Village,, .neer the
Pyrenean hills, a 1700 B. E. Diet. Cant. Creiu, Miquelets,
Mountaneers (in Spain) or Spanish Rapparies. 1721
Lett. Mist's Jml. {1J22) II. 176 No more, you Holiday
Fools, throw away your Six-pences,. .to see a Spanish
Miquelet swallow a Toad. 1779 Gent I. Mag: XLIX. 501 The
miquelets or mountaineers who so cruelly harrassed the
French armies. 1817 Southey Pem'ns. War II. 358, 10,000
Miquelets and Somatenes. .had been sent, .to take advan-
tage of any insurrection that might be attempted in Bar-
celona. 1829 Sir W. Napier Pem'ns. IVarv. iv. 57 Francisco
Milans and Milans de Bosch, with their Migueletes, keep
the mountains to the northward of Barcelona. 1843 Borrow
Bible in Spain xxiv, One of those singular half soldiers half
guerillas, called Miguelets. 1845 Ford Handhk. Spain I.
1. 41 A regular body of men was organized for that purpose
[as a government escort] all over Spain, and were called
' Miquelites ', from, it is said, one Miquel de Prats, an armed
satellite of. .Caesar Borgia. 1879 Stevenson Trav. Ce-
vennes (1886) 186 Militiaman and Miquelet and dragoon.,
they had all been sabreing and shooting.
Mir, obs. form of Myrrh.
Mirabelle (mirabe-1). Also 8 mirabel. [a.
F. mirabelle, ] A variety of plum.
1706 Ix>ndon & Wise Retir*d Gardner I. 41 The Mirabel
is a small Plum. 1840 Penny Cycl. XVIII. 287 Varieties of
plums. .Mirabelle. i860 All Year Round No. 56. 130 There
are varieties of the Mirabelle plum, .which annually bloom
profusely in England. 1890 Syd. Soc. Lex., Mirabelle, the
fruit of Prunus armeuotdes. Mirabelle 0/ Corsica, the fruit
of P/iysalis alkekengt.
t Mirabilia'rian, a. Obs. [f. L. mirabilia-
rius (see next) + -an.] = Mirabiliary a.
1624 Bp. Mountagu Immed. Addr. 218 In opinion of
Tertullian,it isno safe proceeding by this [sic] Mirabiliarian
courses, to iustifie Inuocation of Saints or Angels.
t Mirabi liary, sb. and a, Obs. [ad. late L.
mlrabiliariiis miracle-monger, applied by Augus-
tine to the Donatists.] A. sb. One who deals in
the marvellous; a collector of marvels.
1600 O. E. Repl. Libel n. iii. 50 The Mirabiliaries were
likewise condemned, for that by myracles, and prophecies,
they sought to confirme their religion. 1605 Bacon Adv.
Learn. 11. i, § 4 The vse of this worke . . is nothing Jesse then
to giue contentment to the appetite of Curious and vaine
wittes, as the manner of Mirabilaries [sic] is to doe.
B. adj. Characteristic of * miracle-mongers*.
1624 Gee Hold Fast 44, I haue formerly related some
iugling mirabiliarie tricks acted of late in this City.
t Mirabilis. Obs, Short for Aqua mirabilis.
1673 Dryden Marr. a la Mode in. i. 35 She. .opens her
dear bottle of Mirabilis. 1687 Sedley Bellamira Hi. i,
Have you any mirabilis?
t Mirabilist. Obs, [f. L. mirabilis wonder-
ful + -1ST.] One who works wonders.
1S99 Harsnet Agst. Darcll 220 Vnto which kinde of
people, and seducing Mirabilistes, Master Darrell in his
practises with Somers, may well bee resembled. 1601
Deacon & Walker Anszu. to Darell 47 The most admir-
able mirabilist, among all the mirabilistes vnder the heauens.
Mirabilite (mirre-biteit). Min. [a. G. mira-
bilit (Iiaidinger 1845) f. mod.L. (sal) mirdbil-is
'wonderful salt', the name given by Glauber to
sulphate of soda (( Glauber's salt ') : see -ite.]
Native sulphate of soda.
1854 Dana Syst. Min. (ed. 4).
t Mirabi'lity. Obs. [ad. L. mirdbilitds , n.
of quality f. mirabilis: see next and -ity.] ?Ad- !
mirable quality.
a 1691 Flavel Navig. Spirit. (1770) 232 An art of exquisite
excellency, ingenuity, rarity, and mirability.
t Mirable, a. and sb. Obs. [ad. L. mirabilis,
f. mirari to wonder : see -able.]
A. adj. Wonderful, marvellous.
c 1450 Mirour Saluacioun 899 Now fylowes it for til here '
hire mirable Conceyving. c 1450 Cov. Myst. (Shaks. Soc.)
389 A ! myrable God, meche is thy myth. 1606 Shaks. Tr.
<y Cr. iv. v. 142. 1606 Holland Sueton. 271 With mirable ,
sentences and Apophthegmes.
B. sb. Something wonderful ; a wonder.
1646 Galle Cases Consc. 33 The Arted Witch, or one
onely speculative upon the abstruse Mirables of Nature.
1653 H. Whistler Upshot Inf. Baptism 4=; Ye grave Fathers
& Bretheren, who find among the Mirables of Oxford
Library that Coat [etc.].
Mirabola(m, -lan(e, obs. ff. Myrobalan.
t Mirabu'ndous, a. Obs. [f. L. mirdbundus
(f. minlri to wonder) + -ot*s.] Wonderful.
1694 Motteux Rabelais {1737) V. 229 Our Auricles, per-
cuss'd by Fame sonorous, Your mirabundous Acts have
brought before us.
t Mi'rach. Obs. Forms : 5-6 mirac, 6 my-
rac, myracke, 6-7 mirach(e, 7 myrach(e.
[med.L., a. Arab. *| ^ mardqq pi., * the thin or
tender parts of the belly* (Lane), f. root raqqa to \
be thin or weak.] A name for the abdomen.
c 1400 Lan/ranc1 s Cirurg. 169 Alle bese bingis banne ben
comprchendid in a skyn bat is fleischi & of lacertis maad, & j
is clepid mirac, & is clepid be vttere wombe. 15*8 Paynel
Salerne's Regim. C iij b, These ventosities gether to gyther ;
betwene the places of the bealye called mirac. 1541 R.
Copland Guydon's Quest. Chirurg. H ij, Of howe many and
what & howe many partes is the myrac composed. 1621
Burton Anal. Mel. 1. iii. 11. ii. {1651) 200 If from the my-
rache, a swelling and wind in the Hypocondries. 1693 tr.
BlancarcC s Phys. Did. (ed. 2).
t Mira'Chial, a. Obs. In 7 myrachiall. [f. I
med.L. mirachia hypochondria (f. mirach*. see I
prec.) + -AL.] Hypochondriacal.
1621 Bukton Anat. Mel. 1. ii. iv. iv. Of Hypocondriacall
or flatuous melancholy, which the Arabians call Myrachiall.
Miracle (mi-raVl), sb. Forms: 4 maracle,
-kle, meracull, -kill, mercle, miracil, -cyl,
-kel, myrakil(l, -kyl, 4-5 meracle, myrrakull,
4-6 myracle, 5 mirakelle, -ylle, 5-6 mirackle,
miracule, 6 mirakill, mirakle, myrackle, 2-
miracle. [a. OF. miracle, ad. L. mtraculum
object of wonder (in Feci. L. miracle), f. mirari
to wonder, f. mir-us wonderful. Cf. Pr. miracle, \
Sp. milagro, Pg. milagre, It. miracolo.]
1. A marvellous event occurring within human
experience, which cannot have been brought about
by human power or by the operation of any natural
agency, and must therefore be ascribed to the
special intervention of the Deity or of some super-
natural being; chiefly, an act (e.g. of healing)
exhibiting control over the laws of nature, aftd
serving as evidence that the agent is either divineX
or is specially favoured by God. Phrases, to do, ,
\make, work, f show a miracle.
The L. miraculam in this sense, though common in pa-
tristic and later theology, is foreign to the Vulgate, in which
the Or. words rendered 'miracle' in the English Bible— I
trquelov ' sign ', Tfpa? * wonder ', &vvams ' power ' or ' mighty
work', are translated respectively by signum,prcdigium,
and virtits.
"%* O. E. Ckron. an, 1137 (Laud MS.), He maket ten-
ure Dnhtin wunderlice & manifealdlice miracles, a 1223
Leg. Kath. 1426 |>aet wes miracle muchel. £1250 Kent. '
Serin, in O. E. Mtsc. 30 pis was be commencement of bo !
miracles of ure louerde bet he made flesliche in erbe. a 1300 '
Cursor M, 177 Iesu..did be meracles sua rijf pat be Iuus
him hild in strijf. Ibid. y5i2 Quat man es moght se sa
bright, pat suilk a man cuth think in thoght pat mustre 1
bat mercle moght? C1330 R. Bkunne Chron. (1810) 23 ;
God did faire miracle for Elfride bat houre. a 1340 Ham* j
tole Psalter xvii. 16 He shewyd many myrakils. 1377 '
Langl- P. PL B. xv. 438 porw myracles . . al bat marche
he torned To cryst and to crystendome. c 13B0 Wvclif
Wks. (1880) 288 pou seist bat myraclis & lyues of holy
men approuen bis dowynge of be chirche. c 1400 Maundev.
(1839) xii. 139 This was the firste Myracle .. that Ma-
chomete dide in his $outhe. c 1440 Sir Gowtker 743 (Breul)
He . . gyfTus to bo mad hor wytte, And mony odur me-
racullus yytte. cisii ex* Eng. Bk. Amer. (Arb.) Introd.
35/1 Saint Thomas doeth more myracles, than ony seynt
in heuen. 1591 Shaks. i Hen. VI, v. iv. 41 Chosen from
aboue. .To worke exceeding myracles on earth. 1608 Bp.
Hall Epist. 1. vi. 73 Miracles must be iudged by the doc-
trine which they confirme ; not the doctrine by the miracles.
1611 Bible John iv. 54 This is againe the second miracle
that Iesus did. 1699 Burnet 39 Art. iv. 62 A Miracle is a
Work that exceeds all the known Powers of Nature. 1756-7
tr; Keyslers Trav. (1760) I. 466 A St. Ignatius performing a
miracle, by Rubens, on another altar. 1865 Mozley Mirac.
i. 5 Miracles or visible suspensions of the order of nature
for a providential purpose, are not in contradiction to
reason. 1872 Tennyson Gareth fy Lynette 1292 Wonders
ye have done; Miracles ye cannot.
b. In generalized sense.
^ a 1225 Ancr. R. 158 Al were he, puruh miracle, of barain
iboren [etc.]. 1390 Goweb Con/. III. 106 That therof mai
be non obstacle, Bot if it stonde upon miracle, c 1430 Lyog.
Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 13 Lyke to the watyr of Archi-
declyne, Wiche be meracle were turned into wyne. 1590
Shaks. Com. Err. v. i. 264 Then you fled into this Abbey
heere, From whence I thinke you are come \>y Miracle.
1671 Milton P. R. 1. 337 Who brought me hither Will
bring me hence. . . By Miracle he may, reply'd the Swain.
1742 Young Nt. Th. iv. 131 Am I fond of life, Who scarce
can think it possible, 1 live? Alive by miracle ! 1855 Mil-
man Lat. Chr. ix. ix. IV. 256 By what was believed to be
miracle, which might be holy art. 1869 Liddon Serin. Spec.
Occas. viii. (1897) 164 When we take up the Book of Jonah,
that which strikes us first of all . . is the degree in which
miracle pervades the whole narrative.
2. trans/, in various uses, esp. as applied hyper-
bolically to an achievement seemingly beyond
human power, or an occurrence so marvellous as
to appear supernatural.
c 1386 Chaucer A'm/.'j T. 1817 A myracle ther bifel anon.
1586 Let. to Earle Leycester, etc. 12 The bottomlesse
graces and immeasurable benefits bestowed upon me by
the Almightie..I must.. admire, .accounting them as well
miracles as benefites. 1633 T. Stafford Pac. Hib. 1. xiv. 84
Captain Flower at Lysmore, wrought miracles against the
Rebels in those parts. 1638 Junius Paint. Ancients 95 Now
these miracles of Nature may seem to fall out by meere
chance. 1692 Dryden Cleomcnes 11. it 17 O Miracle ! He
blushes ! 1738 Wesley Ps. cxxxix. v, Lord to thy Works
of Nature join Thy Miracles of Grace ! 1824 R. Stuart
Hist. Steam Engine 35 It would, indeed, have been a
miracle had a copy, of any equally unimportant book, been
found at such a distance of time in that unenviable situation.
1850 Scoresby Cheevers Whalem. Adv. xi. (1859) M5 She
was within a miracle of being upset, i860 Pusey Min.
ProPh. 257 The moral miracles were, in these hundreds
of thousands, God's over-powering grace. 1903 Daily Mail
11 Sept. 3/1 There are two theories to account for the
radium 'miracle \
b. Phrase, To a miracle : so well or successfully
as to seem miraculous ; marvellously well.
1643 Trapp Comm. Gen. xxxi. 27 Hypocrites are likened
to bull-rushes, which are green and smoothe ; and he is
cuiious to a miracle, that can find a knot in them. 1672
Dryden Assignation 1. i, Gad, sir, everything becomes you
to a miracle. 1758 J. S. Le Dran'sObserv. Surg. (1771) 335
Things went on to a Miracle. 1840 Dickens Old C. Shop
xvi, Nelly.. was soon busily engaged in her task, and ac-
complishing it to a miracle. 1882 Stevenson Netv Arab.
Nts. (1884) 94, 1 understand my part to a miracle.
c. cotter. A wonderful object, a marvel ; a
person or thing of more than natural excellence ;
a surpassing example of some quality.
c 1400 Maundev. (Roxb.) vii. 24 3it es 1": heued of bat
beste with pe homes halden and keped at AUsaunder for
a miracle. 1577 B. Googe HeresbacJCs Husb. iv. (1586) 167
The bird appeereth as it were a myracle of nature. 1595
DanielC/V. Wars v. xiv. (1609) 117 That magnanimous King,
Mirror of vertue, miracle of worth. 1597 Shaks. 2 Hen. IV,
11. iii. 33 O Miracle of Men ! 1602 Carew Eng. Tongue in
Camden's Rem. (1614) 44 Take the miracle of our age Sir
Philip Sidney. 1617 Moryson /tin. in. 64 The Bridge at
London is worthily to be numbred among the miracles of
the world. 1709 J. Lawson Nciv Voy. Carolina 145 The
Humming-Bird is the Miracle of all our wing'd Animals.
171a Addison Sped. No. 543 P 3 Sir Isaac Newton, who
stands up as the miracle of the present age. 1797 Coleridge
Kubla Khan 38 It was a miracle of rare device. 1845
Craik Sk. Hist. Lit. Eng.W. 174 To Garrick, a miracle of
an actor,, .we owe [etc.].
t3. A miraculous story; a legend. Obs.
(1386 Chaucer Sir ThoPas Piol. 1 Whan seyd was at this
miracle, euery man As sobre was that wonder was to se.
4. One of a class of dramatic representations of
.the Middle Ages based on the life of Our Lord
and the legends of the Saints. Now usually called
miracle play (see 5).
1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 4659 }>at make swyche
pleyys to any man As myracles and bourdys. c 1386 Chaucer
Wt/e^s Prol. 558 To pleyes of myracles and to manages.
c 1394 P. PI. Crede 107 At marketts & myracles we medleb
vs nevere. 1798 in Archxctogia (1800) XIII. 237 But those
theatrical pieces called ' Miracles ' were their delight be-
yond all others. 1853 Hallam Lit. Ess. <$■ Char., E. Europ.
Drama 4 Geoffrey, afterwards abbot of St. Alban's, while
teaching a school at Dunstable, caused one of the shows,
vulgarly called miracles, on the story of St. Catherine to be
represented in that town.
5. attrib. and Comb, (chiefly objective), as miracle-
abode, -author, f miracles -doing, miracle-making,
-monger (hence - monger ing), -worker, -working.
Also miracle-breeding, -proof adjs. ; f miracle man,
one who performs miracles ; f miracle minter,
one who * coins ' fictitious miracles ; miracle play
= Miracle 4 ; + miracle player, one who takes
part in a miracle play; tmir*cT© shop, con-
temptuously for a shrine at which miracles are
reputed to be wrought.
1807 Wolcot (P. Pindar) in Monthly Mag. Feb. 1 Me
thinks I see them [u. Chaucer's pilgrims] on the road To
Becket's *miracle- abode. 1749 Lavincton Enthus. Meth.
iV Papists (1820) 237 One of their famous * miracle-authors
declares, that one brother was so elevated . . that he boasted
of having visions of angels attending him. 1814 Mrs. J.
West Alicia de Lacy III. 174 By pacing at midnight the
flinty aisle of some *miracle-breeding chapel, c 1440 Alpha-
MIRACLE.
bet of Tales 305 Pe tone of bairn fell vnto be syn of lichorie, |
& her-for God deprivid hym of *meracles-doyng. c 1449
Pecock Repr. 11. viii. 18S Bi the seid euydencis of myraculis
doing. 1677 Gilpin Demonol. (1867) 181 When his [Satan's]
agents can go no further in the trade of *miracle-making,
he [etc]- 157* Forrest Theophilns 1235 in AngliaVW,
Bruited abroade this great *myracle Man. 1603 Harsnet
Pap. Impost. 103, I should haue acquainted you how the
*Miracle-minter in his miracle booke doth solemnly tell vs,
that [etc.]. 1584 R. Scot Discov. Witchcr. vnt. i. (1886)
125 Why doo not these (meaning *miraclemongers) ap-
point some Siloah to swim in ? 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage I
(1614) 93 We leaue to you the stile of Mirabiliary Miracle- ;
mongers. 1856 R. A. Vaughan Mystics (i860) I. 36 All the
pretences, both of heathen and of Christian miracle-mongers. (
1881 A, B. Bruce Chief End Rev. iv. 182 Legendary tales |
due to the . . *miracle-mongering spirit of the .. reporters. ,
1852 Hook Ch. Dicl. (1871) 517 "Miracle-plays were a
kind of church performance in the middle ages represent- \
ing the miracles wrought by the holy confessors, and the j
sufferings by which the perseverance of the martyrs was
manifested. 187s Ward Eng. Dram. Lit. (1809) I. 41 '
Miracle-plays, on the other hand, are more especially con-
cerned with incidents derived from legends of the Saints of
the Church, a 1400 Serm. agst. Miracle-plays in Rel.Ant.
II. 46 Therfore to pristis it is uttirly forbedyn not onely to
been *myracle pleyere but also to heren or to seen myraclis
pleyinge. 17x1 Shaftksb. Charac. (1737) II. 328 The safest
station in Christianity is his who can be mov'd by nothing
of this kind, and is thus *mirac!e-proof. i62g Donne Serm. i
xxiv. (1640) 239 In the Romane church (where miracles for
every natural! disease may be had at some Shrine or
*mirade-shop, better cheap, then a Medicine ..). 1561 T.
Norton Calvin's Inst. C.'s Pref. A iv b, The Lorde hath
made vs ware agaynste suche *miracle workers. 1857
Stanley Mem. Canterb. ii. (ed. 3) 103 His [Becket'sJ fame
as the great miracle-worker of the time, was increasing
every month. 1605 Bacon Adv. Leant. 11. xi. § 3 They
haue exalted the power of the imagination to be much one
with the power of *Miracle-working faith. 1867 Macfarren
Harmony iv. (1876) 152 This miracle-working harmony.
Miracle (miTak'l), v. nonce-ivd. [f. Miracle
sb.] a. refl. ?To be revealed by miracle, b. t'nlr.
To work miracles.
i6ix Shaks. Cymb. iv. ii.29 Ime not their Father, yet who
this should bee Doth myracle it selfe, lou'd before mee.
a 1656 Hales Tracts (1677) 169 Their undaunted fortitude,
their power of miracling.
Miracle, corrupt form of Mebel, a game.
t Mi'raclely, adv. Obs. In 4 meraclelyche.
[f. Miracle sb. + -ly2.] By a miracle.
c 1420 Chron. Vilod. 1432 |?ey cryede god mercy alle pat
ny}t — And meraclelyche god toke hede perto.
t Mi'racler. Obs. [f. Miracle v. + -sb1.]
One who works miracles.
1676 Doctrine of Devils Ep. to Rdr. A ij, Who the
greater Miracler, Christ or Belial?
+ Miraclist. Obs. [f. Mibacle sb. + -ist.]
One who records miracles.
1603 Harsnet /V/. Impost. 113 Heare the Miraclist report
it, who himselfe was an Actor. Ibid. 12s Thefirst honour
the Miraclist doth bestow vppon it [the cross] is this : that
it serued to discouer Sara to haue a deuil [etc.].
T Miracular, a. Obs. [f. L. mTrdeultim
Miracle sb. + -ar.] Of or pertaining to miracle.
1728 North Mem. Music (1846) 15, I waive the cure of
Saul's frenzy by Musick as miracular. 1812 Coleridge in
Lit. Rem. (1836) I. 371 A scripture miracle, therefore, must
be so defined, as to express, not only its miracular essence,
but likewise the condition of its appearing miraculous.
+ Miraxulate, v. Obs. [f. L. miraculum
Miracle sb. + -ate 3.] trans. To produce by
means of a miracle.
1633 T. Adams Ex£. 2 Peter \. 2 The vessels whereinto
Christ miraculated wine, were filled up to the brim.
t Miraculi'fic, ct. Obs. [f. L. miraculum
Miracle sb. + -ific] Performing miracles.
177a Nugent tr. Hist. Fr. Gerund I. 478 Saint Francis
Xavier, the divine Heliotrope, or sacred Sun-flower, as he fol-
lowed, in the course of his miraculific life . . that planet [etc].
f Mir a "enlist. Obs. [f. L. miraculum
Miracle sb. + -ist.] a. One who works miracles;
in quot. quasi-^*. b. A believer in miracles.
1666 H. Stubbe (.title) The miraculist Conformist ; or, an
Account of several miraculous Cures performed by the
Stroking of the Hands of Valentine Greatarik. 1804
Southey in Ann. Rev. II. 200 It will be equally intelligible
to the reasoner and the miraculist. 1825 Hone Every.day
Bk. I. 1394 Their biographers were miraculists.
Miraculize (minE'kuTfoiz), v. [f. L. mira-
culum + -ize.]
1. trans. To make miraculous; to consider as
miraculous.
171X Shaftesb. Charac. (1737) II. n. v. 335 You are search-
ing Heaven and Earth for Prodigys, and studying how to
miraculize everything. 1891 Max Muller Anthrop. Relig.
Pref. (1892) 16 A real historical fact.. which from very early
days was miraculised and misinterpreted.
2. ? To work upon by miracle, nonce-use.
1751 Lavington Enthus. Metk. Sf Papists hi. (1754) 164
Whatever Miracles Mr. Wesley may bring to account;
I judge, that I ought to be impartial, . . though, in Conse-
quence, I should be miraculized into Dread and Shame.
+ MiraculO'Sity. Obs. [as if f. L. mTracu-
los-us (see next) + -ity.] The quality of being
miraculous.
1608 T. James Apol. Wyclify$ He preached against the
pretiosity, speciosity, and miraculositie, and sundry other
sophistications about images. 1653 Gataker Vind. Annot.
Jcr. 185 They do rather directly infringe and remoove the
miraculosity of them.
487
Miraculous (mine'kirfbs), a. Also 6 mary-
culousse, rairaculus, 6-7 myraculous(e. [ad.
F. miracu/eux, ad. med.L. mirdculos-us, f. mira-
atl-tim Miracle sb. : see -ous.]
1. Of the nature of a miracle ; produced or
effected by miracle; beyond the agency of natural
laws; supernatural.
150a Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W. 1506) v. ii. 366 These
operacyons dyuynes and maryculousses. 1605 Shaks.
Macb. iv. iii. 147 A most myraculous worke in this good
King. 1651 Hobbes Leviath. in. xx.wi. 231 The miraculous
power of foretelling what God would bring to passe. 1671
Milton Samson 587 Whyelse this strength Miraculous yet
remaining in those locks? 1704 Nelson Pest. <y Pasts xxiii.
(1739) 287 The miraculous Gifts which the Apostles received.
1856 Max Muller Chips (1880) II. xvi. 3 Men who had no
sense for the miraculous and supernatural. 1884 F. Temple
Relat. Relig. <y Set. v. (1885) 156 They profess to have
miraculous power.
■fb. Concerned with miracles. Obs.
< 1540 tr. Pot. I'erg. Eng. Hist. (Camden) I. 176 Ihon,
archebusshopof Yorcke,..went into Beverlaye, ..where at
this daye he is remembered with miiaculus memorie. 1585
T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. in. xix. 106 Of whom
they do say . . miraculous fable. 1845 Encycl. Metrop. II.
868/1 The testimony by which the miracles of our Lord are
accredited is .. distinguished, by its strength, from that
which supports any other miraculous accounts.
2. transf. and hyperbolical!}: (Cf. Miracle sb. 2.)
Resembling a miracle ; so extraordinary as to
appear supernatural; marvellous; astonishing.
In some of the earlier instances the sense may be directly
based on the primary sense of L. miraculum, ' object of
astonishment '.
1573 {title) A letter sent by a Gentleman of England to
his frende contayning a confutation of a French mans
errors in the report of the myraculous starre now shyninge.
1601 Holland Pliny II. 585 The miraculous workes that
Q. Marcius Rex performed. 1601 R. Johnson Kingd. $
Commw. (1603) 127 Neither is it miraculous amongst them
to see a manne live above an hundred and thirty or forty
yeares. 1602 Shaks. Ham. 11. ii. 623 For Murther, though
it haue no tongue, will speake With most myraculous
Organ. 1698 Fryer Ace. E. India % P. 75 [A mountain]
on whose Summit was a miraculous Piece hewed out
of solid Stone. 1710 T. Fuller Pharm. Extern^. 150
Twas communicated to me.. as a miraculous Experiment,
against bleeding at the Nose, 1742 Young Nt. Th. i. 395 Of
man's miraculous mistakes, this bears The palm, 'That all
men are about to live ' : For ever on the brink of being born.
3. Of things (formerly also of persons) : Having
the power to work miracles; wonder-working.
X596 Dalrymfle tr. Leslie'' s Hist. Scot. vr. 334 _ In takne
of his rare and excellent halynes, .. he was miraculous,
canonizet and reknet with the haly number. 1610 Shaks.
Temp. 11. i. 86 His word is more then the miraculous
Harpe. 1618 Rowlands Sacred Mem. 29 He miraculous
did heale them all. 1703 Maundrell Journ. Jerus. (1732)
132 A certain Sacrilegious Rogue took an opportunity to
steal away this Miraculous Picture. 1781 Gibbon Decl. $
F. xxxi. III. 247 The miraculous tomb of St. Fselix. 1850
Mrs. Jameson Leg. Monast. Ord. (1863) 79 The flask is
always supposed to contain the miraculous oil which flowed
under her shrine. 1872 Morley Voltaire (1886) 6 Some
miraculous soil, from which prodigies and portents spring.
b. In names of plants : miraculous berry, in
Western tropical Africa, applied by the English
residents to the fruit of Sideroxylon dulciflcum,
from its extraordinary power of rendering sour
substances intensely sweet (Trcas. Bot. 1866);
miraculous fruit, the fruit of Thaumatococcus or
Phrynium Danielli, native of the Soudan (Moloney
Forestry W. Afr. 1S87, p. 428).
f 4. As adv.
1766 Genii. Mag. July 331/1 The scenes,. .Shifting back-
wards and forwards,. .And painted miraculous fine.
Miraculously (mirae'kitfbsli), adv. [f. prec.
+ -lt v.] la a miraculous manner ; by or as by
miracle ; in a miraculous degree.
1494 Fabyan Chron. vi. exevi. 201 And whyle they were
there in great argument for this matyer . . a rode there
beynge. .spake myraculously and said, that Dunstans waye
was good and trewe. 1^54 Act 1 # 2 Phil, fy Alary c. 10
§ 4 He hathe hitherto miraculouslye preserved the Quenes
MatiB from many greate and imminent perills and dangers.
1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslies Hist. Scot. 1. 40 Lochbroune in
commendatione has the first place, copious in herring
miracolouslie. 1656 Wood Life (O. H. S.) I. 203 note, An
elegie on the miraculously learned bishop of Armagh [Usher],
1774 Pennant TourScotl. iniq-ji, 236 Preserved miraculously
for twohundred years. 1885 Manch.Exam. 6 Apr. 5/2 Savages
,. prove almost miraculously quick in hearing and seeing.
Miraculousness (mirse-kuibsnes). [f. Mi-
Baculous a. + -ness.] The condition, quality, or
state of being miraculous.
i587GoLDiNGZ??./l/0rMaj'xxvi.(i592)4io,I will not alledge
any miraculousnes. 1676 Towerson Decal. 297 They could
..outshine the laity, .by the miraculousness of their works.
1754 Sherlock Disc. (1759) 1. 1. 67 The Miraculousness of
an Escape adds to the Pleasure and Joy of it. 1873 M.
Arnold Lit. fy Dogma(iBj6) 151 The more the miraculous-
ness of the story deepens, . .the more does the very air and
aspect of things seem to tell us we are in wonderland.
II Mirador (rm'radp'r). Also miradore. [Sp.,
f. mirar to look.] a. A watch-tower, b. A turret
or belvedere on the top of a Spanish house.
1670 Dryden Conq. Granada 1. i, Your valiant Son, who
had before Gain'd Fame, rode round to ev'ry Mirador. 1797
Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3) IV. 9/2 Few are without a mirador or
turret for the purpose of commanding a view of the sea.
183a W. Irving Athambra I. 112 The delightful belvidere,
MIRE.
originally a mirador of the Moorish Sultanas. 1888 Fall
Mall G. 4 Sept. 14/1 The curious miradores, or turrets on
the tops of the houses.
Mirage (m/ra-.^). [a. F. mirage% f. {se) mint-
to look at oneself in a mirror, to be reflected.]
Originally, and still most commonly, that species
of optical illusion, common in hot countries, and
especially in sandy deserts, which consists in the
appearance of a sheet of water at some distance
from the spectator, where no water actually exists;
now frequently extended to include other forms of
optical illusions similarly produced by atmospheric
conditions, e.g. the appearance in the sky of a
reflected image of a distant object.
[1803 \V. H. Wollaston in Phil. Trans. XCIII. 1 The
phenomenon known to the French by the name of mirage,
which their army had daily opportunities of seeing, in their
inarch through the deserts of Egypt.] 1837 Carlyle Fr.
Rev. (1872) II. I. iv. 29 Mirage, or shadow of still waters
painted on the parched ground. 1861 Court Lift at Naples
II. 106 The thirsty traveller in the desert pants to attain
the cooling stream in the far distance. Alas! 'tis but a
mirage ! 1865 Livingstone Zambesi xiii. 270 The mirage
lifted them at times half-way to the clouds. 1885 Ji:nnings
it Lowe in Expositor Aug. 130 Isaiah (xxxv. 7) certainly
mentions the 'mirage1.
b- fig-
1812 Southey Ess. iv. 81 Against this Goliath of the philo-
sophistical Canaanites [Godwin], Mr. Makhus stept forth,
at a time when the mirage in which Goliath had made his
appearance was pretty well dispersed, and had left him in
his natural dimensions. 182s Colebidge Aids Refl. (1848)
I. 130 If the self-examinant will .. exchange the safe circle
of religion and practical reason for the shifting sand-wastes
and mirages of speculative theology. 1876 Lowell Among
my Bks. Ser. 11. 141 They lie beyond the horizon of (he
every-day world and become visible only when the mirage
of fantasy lifts them up.
Hence Mira'ge v., to affect with mirage ; Mira'-
g-eovia a., of or pertaining to a mirage ; Mira'-
treously adv.t as a mirage; Mira'gy a., of,
pertaining to, or of the nature of a mirage.
1890 Gunter Miss Nobody iii, Atmosphere so clear that
thirty miles would look as ten, did not a blazing sun make
a heat mist that seems to mirage everything. 1895 W.
Wright Palmyra fy Zenobia xxiii. 259 Magnified by the
miragy atmosphere. 1905 Blackw. Mag. July 81/2 IJy the
side of a deep mirageous lagoon there sprang up a deep
mirageous homestead. Ibid., I pictured her mirageously
there on the deep verandah, looking out, waiting for me.
|| HHiramolin (mira;,m^l/'n). Hist. Also ma-
ramoline. [-^p.» corruption of Arab, amlrul
mumihin l Commander of the Faithful '.] The
European designation in the Middle Ages of the
Emperor of Morocco.
1779 Hist. Mod. Europe I. 392 He invited the miramolin
of Africa into Spain. 1840 Browning Sordello Wks. 1896
I. 126/2 Saracenic wine The Kaiser quaffs with the Mara-
moline.
t Mira'ndoiiS, a. [f. L. mirand-us (gerundive
pple. of mirarito wonder at) + -ous.] Wonderful.
1651 Gaule Magastrom. 47 Because of some mirandous
or stupendious things, either effected or foretold, &c.
Mirbane (m5ub^n). [Of obscure origin : F.
mirbane is in Littre* 1885.] Essence of mirbane,
oil of mirbane, nitrobenzol used in perfumery.
1857 Miller Elem. Chem., Org. ix. (1862) 656 It [Nitro-
benzol] has a very sweet taste, and an odour resembling
that of bitter almonds, which has led to its use in perfumery
under the name of Essence of Mirbane.
Mire, Mircken, Mirckenes, obs. ff. Mirk a.,
MrRKEN, MlRKNESS.
Mird, v. Sc.
1. intr. To meddle. Also, to sport amorously.
1614 Bp. P. Forbes To a Recusant 27 (Jam.) Except that
there perhaps he thought some occasion might be catched
to calumniat, or that there was ministred to him some
matter of mirding. 1768 Ross Helenore (1789) 91 'Tis nae
to mird with unco fouk ye see, Nor is the blear drawn easy
o'er her ee. £1768 — in Whitelaw Bk. Sc. Song (1875)
360/1 He there wi' Meg was mirdin* seen. 1806 R. Tamie-
son Pop. Ball. II. 335 Wi' lasses I ne'er mean to mird or
to DMA
2. trans. To attempt, to venture.
?ci74o J. Skinner Christmas Ba'ing vii. Misc. Coll.
Poetry (1800) 125 He squeel' to her like a young gyte, But
wad na mird to gang Back a' that day. 1863 JanetHamil-
ton Poems fy Ess. 300 But the nameless, though giftit, are
caul' i' the yird, Ere a sang or a word V their praise she
wull mird !
Mird, variant of Merd Obs., excrement.
1669 Cokaine Ovid 63 Oyntments Made of the spawn of
Snakes, Spittle of Jews, And Mird of Infants.
Mire (m3i»j), sb.1 Forms: 4-8 myre, 4-6
myr> 4-5 myere, 4 meore, mir, mure, muyre,
5-7 myer, 5-6 moyre, 6 mier, 4- mire. [M&
mire, a. ON. myr-r fem. (mod.Icel. myri, Sw. myr,
Da. myre, myr) :— OTeut. *miuzjtf :—*meuzfd f.
*meus- (cf. OE. me'os moss, OHG. mios, MHG.
mies), ablaut-var. of *mus- : see Moss.]
1. A piece of wet, swampy ground; a boggy
place in which one may be engulfed or stick fast.
Also in generalized sense, swampy ground, bog.
13.. Exec. Simon Eraser in Pol. Songs (Camden) 216
Now Kyng Hobbe in the mures ?ongeth. 13.. Sir Beues
(A.) 2023 And in a mure don him cast. 1387 Trevisa Higden
(Rolls) VI. 379 It stondeth in water mareys and meores.
X393 Lancl. P. PI. C. iv. 384 Bote stande as a stake bat
MIRE.
stykeb in a muyre. 14.. Sit Beues (MS. S.) 638 So he
smote on her sweres pat her hedes fel on be myres.^ a 1400-
50 Alexander 2986 Sum ware dreuyn doun in dikis sum in
depe myrys [MS. Dubt. mires]. 1:1440 Sir Gowther 417
(Breul) He toke his speyre . . And spard nodur myre ne
more ; Forthe at bo yatus on hors he went. 154a Udall
Erasm. Apoph. 222 When he had dispeched theim out of
the moyre. 1616 Surfl. & Markh. Country Farme 539
Where the ground .. yeeldeth forth such a continuall
moisture, that the smallest trampling or treading therupon
bringeth it to a veiie myre. 1789 Blake Songs Innoc,
Little Boy Lost 7 The mire was deep. 1887 Rider
Haggard She xxviii, For three whole days through stench
and mire.. did our bearers struggle along.
trans/. 1819 Shelley Mask oj Anarchy x, Over English
land he passed, Trampling to a mire of blood The adoring
multitude.
b. fig. esp. in phrases, e. g. : To bring, drag, lay,
leave, slick in the mire \ to ft tid oneself in the mire.
c 1380 Wyclif Wks. (1880) 286 Synne . . bryngib his doere
into>e same myre bat lie eschewib. c 1386 Chaucer Prol. 508
He sette nat his benefice to hy re, And leet his sheepe encom-
bred in the Myre. — Manciple's T. 186 A thousand folk hath
rakel Ire (fully fordoon and broght hem in the Mire. 1390
Gower Con/. II.93 And of hisSIouthe hedremethofte How
that hestickethinthe Myr. (-1440 York My st. xxxvii. 256,
I schall be prove be right resoune, J>ou motes his men in to
be myre. 1535 Covebdale Ps, lxviii. 1 The waters are come
in euen vnto my soule. I stickefast in the depe myre. 1559
Mirr. Mag., Mortimer xv, The subtyll quean [i.e. Fortune]
behynde me set a trap, wherby to dashe and laye all in the
myre. 1607 Shaks. Timon 1. ii. 60 Honest water, which nere
left man i' th1 mire. 162s Bacon in Spedding Li/c (1874) VII.
385 That thrice noble prince. .will help to pull me. .out of
the mire of an abject and sordid condition. 1742 Young A7.
Th. vi. 216 For sordid lucre plunge we in the mire? 1859
Kingslev Misc. (i860) I. 338 browning in the horrible mire
of doubt. 1884 Fall Mall G. 9 Sept. 1/2 Sir Edmund
Hornby., when he leaves the general for the particular finds
himself in the mire.
2. Wet or soft mud, slush, dirt. Often in
allusions to 2 Pet. ii. 22.
c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 70 William wasoglyft, his
helm was fulle of myre. 1471 Ripley Contfi. Alch. iv. v. in
Ashm. (1652) 145 Clay and Myer. 15*6 Filgr. Per/ (W. de
W. 1531) 206 Whiche threwe stones and clottes of myre at
hym. 1535 Coverdale 2 Pet. ii. 22 The sowe that was
waszhed [is turned agayne] vnto hir walowynge in the myre.
[So 1611.] 1667 Milton P. L. iv. 1010 What follie then To
boast what Arms can doe, since thine no more Then Heav'n
permits, nor mine, though doubld now To trample thee as
mire. 1755 Young Centaur ii. Wks. 1757 IV. 157 He is an
immortal being, that would lose none of its most darling
delights, if he were a brute in the mire. 1755 Johnson, Mire,
mud ; dirt at the bottom of water. 1837 Lytton E. Mat-
It av. n The roads were heavy with mire. 1871 R. Ellis
tr. Catullus xvii. 9 Headlong into the mire below topsy-
turvy to drown him.
b. fig. or in figurative context.
13.. E. E. AlHt. P. B. 1113 pa;boubeman fenny,&alto-
marred in myre whyl bou on moldelyuyes. 1765-78 Tucker
Lt. Nat. (1834) II. 279 Thus the mire of sordid appetite
must be the soil wherein to plant them all. 1882 Mrs. Lynn
Linton in Li/e xvii. (1901) 238 Turn where you will you see
pain and sacrifice — the root of the lily in the mire.
C. nonce-uses, A mass of dirt.
1871 Browning Pr. Hohenst. 1338 Until a stumble, and
the man's one mire ! 1877 Tennyson Harold iv. iii, What
late guest,, .caked and plaster'd with a hundred mires, Hath
stumbled on our cups ?
3. attrib. and Comb., as mire-fir, -hole ; mire-
deep adj.
1834 H. Miller Scenes fy Leg. xii. (1857) 187 Helen hastily
lighted a bundle of mire-fir. 1835 Haliburton Ctockm.
Ser. 1. (1837) 73 Over ditches, creeks, mire holes, and flag
ponds. 1859 Dickf.ns T. Two Cities 111. i, The mire-deep
roads.
4. Special comb. : mire-bumper Sc, the bit-
tern (Jamieson 1808-25); nrire-crow, the laugh-
ing gull, Laras ridibundus; mire-duck Sc, the
wild duck, Anas boscas (Swainson Prov. A7ames
Birds 1885) ; also U.S. the common duck {Cent.
Diet.) ; mire-pipes dial., stockings without feet.
Also Mire-snipe.
1678 Ray IVillughby's Ornith. 347 The Pewet or Black-
cap, called in some places the Sea-Crow and Mire-Crow.
1807 J. Hall Trav. Scott. II. 608 Mire-pipes or stockings
without feet.
t Mire, sb% Obs. Cf. Pismire. [ME. mire
(? :— OE. *?nire wk. fem., found only in Benson's
Anglo-Saxon Diet., but possibly genuine) cor-
responding to MDu. miere (Du. mier), MLG.,
mod.LG. mire (whence rare mod.HG. miere).
If the word is the formal equivalent of Sw. rttyra (OSw.
also myr), Da. myre, the OTeut. type may have been either
*nteuzj6n~ (-Welsh mywion, ants) or miurjdn , related by
ablaut to ON. maur-r [fiorw. maur, OSw. mdr) whence the
synonymous northern ME. Maur. Another hypothesis is
that the Eng. and LG. forms represent an OTeut. *mlr6n-,
unconnected with the Scandinavian words and not otherwise
found exc. perh. in the doubtful Crim-Goth. ruiera ; some
scholars would refer this to the root *mtg- (see Mig), so that
the etymological notion would be the same as that in the
synonymous LG. mig-ente (Woeste), mig-semeken (Scham-
bach) ; if so the compound Pismire expresses the idea twice
over. _ Outside Teut. several langs. have names for the ant
of similar sound to the Teut. words here mentioned, though
the difficulties in the way of admitting etymological con-
nexion have not yet been removed : cf. Zend tttaoiri, Or.
MvpM*l£ (and L. formica from *mormua), OSl. mravija
(Russ. MypaBeft), Olrish moirb, Welsh m6r.\
An ant. (Cf. Maur, Pismire.)
c zaio Bestiary 234 De mire is ma^ti. Ibid. 273 De mire
mune8 us mete to tilen.
488
II Mire (n»"0» sb£ [F. mire, vbl. sb. f. mirer to
look at, to sight a gun.]
1. Gunnery. Quoin of mire [= F. coin de mire] :
see quot.
1797 BneyeL Brit. (ed. 3) VIII. 233/2 The quoin of mire,
which are pieces of wood with a notch on the side to put
the fingers on, to draw them back or push them forward
when the gunner points his piece.
2. Astr. (See quot.)
1885 E. S. Holden in Sidereal Messenger (Minn.) III.
301 A mire or meridian mark, eighty feet distant.
t Mire, a. Obs. [f. Mire sb.1] Miry.
c 14*0 Pallad. on Huso. 1. 791 Yit if thy garth be mire,
a diche may stonde. 1441 in Plumpton Corr. (Camden)
p. lx, The said misdocrs followed, and drove them into
a mire more. 1557 Tusser 100 Points Husb. xxxviii, When
pasture is gone, and the fildes mier and weate. c 1656 Mil-
ton Sonn. to Lawrence, Now that the Fields are dank, and
ways are mire.
Mire (mai»j), v1 Forms : 5-7 myre, 6-7
myer, 6 myar, myir, 4- mire. [f. Mire sb.1]
I. trans. 1. To plunge or set last in the mire.
(Chiefly in passive.) Also refl.
1559 Mirr. Mag., Hen. VI, xxxiv, Whomoyled to remove
the rocke out of the mud, Shall myer him selfe. 1574
Hellowes Gucuara's Earn. Efi. (1577) 354 There be so
many quagmires, wherein to be myred. 1576 Newton
Lemnie's Complex. (1633) 179 As among Fishes, Eeles, and
other slippery Fishes that lye still myering themselves in
mudde. a 1656USSHER Ann. vi. (1658) 706 The Souldiers of
Caesar and Antonius were mired in the fens of Philippi.
175a Carte Hist. Eng. III. 207 Some of them were mired
in it [sc. a slough]. 1832 Lyell Princ. Geol. II. 276 Where
terrestrial quadrupeds were mired.
b. fig. To involve in difficulties. Formerly
often, fto discomfit or confound,^/, in a dispute.
c 1400 Beryn 3388 And nowe we be I-myryd, he letith vs
sit aloon, 1560 Rolland Crt. Venus II, 936 With the
mlssiue that sa oft did him myir. c 1570 Durham Depos.
(Surtees) 264 He. .was so myerd and blinded, by reason of
the said stroks. 1577-87 Stanyhurst Chron. /ret. 86/1 in
Holinshed, This is a doubtie kind of accusation.. wherein
they are stabled and mired at my first denial!. 1688
Prideaux Valid. Orders Ch. Eng. 74 You having been
mir'd amongst abundance of Absurdities, .already. 1728
Earbery tr. Burnet's St. Dead I. 39 But further we shall
be mired in the Difficulties of their Hypothesis. 1778 Con-
ciliation 7 Mir'd and flound'ring in th' unbottom'd Pit.
1847 Emerson Poems (1857) 185 Or mired by climate's gross
extremes. 1852 J. Bruce Biog. Samson iii. (1854) 70 It
[marriage] threatened to mire him for ever in domestic
wranglingand broils. 1896 Fr. H. Bvrsett Lady ofQual.
xvi, A devil grins at me and plucks me back, ana taunts
and mires me.
c. Of bogs, mud, etc. : To hold fast, entangle.
1889 T. N. Page/m Ole Virginia (1893) 175 The marsh on
either side would have mired a cat. 1892 A. E. Lee Hist.
Columbus (Ohio) I. 273 The bog . . began to dry up, but not
sufficiently to prevent it from hopelessly miring the village
cows.
2. To bespatter or soil with mire or filth ; to defile.
lit. axi&fig.
1508 Kennedie Ftytingw. Dunbar 472 And myritthaym
wyth thy mvk tothemyd mast. 1530 Palscr. 636/1, 1 myar,
I beraye with myar. Je crotte. 1566 Drant Horace, Sat.
1. i. Aii b, Janyvere That myrethe all the costs wyth slete.
1599 Shaks. Much Ado iv. 1. 135 SmeerM thus and mir"d
with infamie. 1622 Mabbe tr. Alemanys Guzman a"Alf. I.
228 Being myred in the Winter with durt. 1751 Johnson
Rambler No. 116 F 2, I.. did not come home.. mired and
tanned. 1851 Borrow Lavengro \x\x, I wonder how my
horse's knees are; not much hurt, I think— only mired.
1852 M. Arnold Tristram $ Iseult in. 171 Her palfrey's
flanks were mired and bathed in sweat. 1868 Tennyson
Lncretius 159 Strangers at my hearth Not welcome, harpies
miring every dish.
II. intr. 3. To sink in the mire, be bogged.
t Also with down.
1607 Shaks. Timon iv. iii. 147 Paint till a horse may myre
upon your face. 176a Mills Syst. Pract. Husb. I. 152 It
ploughed very tough, and the cattle mired in some places.
1778 [W. Marshall] Minutes Agric. 25 Oct. an. 1775 No
horse could have dragged his legs after him— he must have
mired-down. 1865 Visct. Milton & Cheadle N. West
Passage by Land 283 We had been delayed and harassed
every day by the horses miring.
t Mire, v.2 Obs. Also 7 myre. [a. F. mirer =
It. mirare, Sp., Pg. mirar :— popular L. mirare to
look at, from class. L. mirari (prc-class. mirare)
to wonder : see Miracle sb.] trans. To look at
in a mirror.
cx^pPilgr. Ly/ Manhode 1. cv. (1869) 56 A mirrour..in
whiche al the world may mire him wel and considere him.
1640 tr. Verdere's Rom. Rom. hi. 106 She by the light of two
Tapers, .myred her self in his eyes.
tMire, z».3 Obs. [a. L. mfrdrT: see Miracle.
The dial, mire ' to wonder ' is perh. aphetic for admire.)
intr. To wonder.
1582 Stanyhurst AKneis iv. (Arb.) 104 Heere but alas he
myred what course may be warelye taken.
Mire, obs. dat, sing. fem. of Wlmxpron.
Mire, obs. form of Mar v. ; variant of Meri.
Mired (mspjd),///. a. [f. Mire v.1 + -ed*.]
1. Stuck fast in the mire, bogged.
1621 Burton Anat. Mel. 11. iii. vi. (1624)285 As a myred
horse that struggles at first with all his might and maine to
get out. 1857 Kingslev Two Y. Ago II. 91 Cowards, old
Odin held ..sank, .like mired cattle, to all eternity in the
unfathomable peat-slime.
b. transf. ^nd fig. Involved in difficulty, perplexed.
1513 Douglas AEneis ix. iii. 106 Rutylianys wolx affrayit
wyth myndis myrit.
MIRIFICOUSLY.
2. Bespattered with mire; soiled or discoloured
with mud or mire.
1586 Warner Alb. Eng. 1. iv. (1612) 13 The. .Sunnc.did
shine vpon the oosie plashes myerd.
Mire-drum (mabudrtfrn). dial. Forms :
4-8 myre-dromble, 4 mir-drommel, 5 myre-
dromylle, 6 myr-drumnyl, 7 mire-drumbel,
7- mire-drum. [ME. myre dromble, formed by-
substitution of Mire sb.1 for the first portion of
some variant of the name for the bittern, which
appears in OE. as rdradumbla, rdredumla.
The original form and etymology of the word are obscure,
but the OE. form (with which cf. rdrian to Roar) seems to
be more primitive than those in continental Teut., which
■ have evidently been influenced by popular etymology.
j OHG. had horotumil (as if ' mire-tumbler', f. horo mire +
stem ottum6n, tiimaldn to tumble) and horo tubil (as if ' mire-
diver '). The MHG. r6rtumel, mod. G. rohrdommet, MDu.
1 roesdommer, rosdomp, mod. Du. roerdomp, have the first
, element assimilated to the word for reed. MHG. and early
I mod.G. have several forms with inserted r in the second ele-
j ment, as roredrumbel, -drummel, •trummel, rardrummel,
etc. (see Diefenbach Gloss, s.v. Onocrotalus) ; the alteration
! may be of onomatopoeic origin, and perh. arose indepen-
; dently in Ger. and Eng.]
The bittern.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xn. xxviii. (Tollem. MS.),
The mirdrommel is calde onacrotalus. Ibid, xxxvi, A
i myre dromble, bat is a brid of be marreyes. 1483 Cath.
Angl. 50 A Buttir, vbi myre dromylle. 1500 Or/us Voc. in
Cath. Angl. 50 note, Myrdrumnyl or a buture. 1668
Charleton Onomasticon 103 The white, and spoonbill'd
Heron, or Shoveler, or Mire-drumbel. 16^8 Ray IVUlughby's
Ornith. 282 The Bittour or Bittern or Mire-drum. 1794 W.
Hutchinson Hist. Cumbld. I. 18/2 The bittern. . .In the
spring it makes a loud bellowing kind of noise. From which
it is called in Cumberland Mire-Drum. 1866 Inverness
Courier 4 Jan., We refer to the bittern of British Zoology,
provincially, the bog-bumper and miredrum.
Mire sauce, variant of Meresauce Obs.
Mire-snipe. Sc. [f. Mire sb.1 + Snipe : cf.
ON. myri-snipa (Edda Gl.).] The common snipe,
Scolopax gallinago.
Also in phr. to catch a mire-snipe, to fall in the mire ;
hence fig. an accident, mishap (Jam.).
c 1450 Holland Howlat 213 The Martoune.the Murcoke,
the Myresnype. 1847 Zoologist V. 1008 The snipe.. known
by the name of the mire-snipe.
Miret. dial. (Cornwall). The common tern.
1838 J. Couch Cornish Fauna 1. 27 Common Tern. .
Miret ; a name which from this Species is extended indis-
criminately to the whole genus.
Mirhe, obs. form of Myrrh.
t Miri. Obs. rare. [a. OF. mirie, mire :— L.
medicum.] A physician.
c 1400 Rule St. Benet {Prose) 22 For bi sal sho do als te
wyse miri [L. medicus] dos, bat wyl hele be seke. Ibid. 23
pan sal babbes do als te sle3e miri [L. medicus].
Miri, obs. form of Merry a. and adv.
Miriad, obs. form of Myriad.
+ Miridical, ct. Obs.~° In 7 erron. mira-
dical. [f. late L. miridic-us (Quicherat), f. mir-us
wonderful + die- wk. stem of dtce're to say : see
-al.] Speaking wonderful things. Hence t Miri*-
dically adv.
165a Galle Magastrom. 215 Those things that are miri-
dically done by the Devill and magicians. 1656 Blount
Glossogr., Miradical [sic], that speaks strange things.
Mirie, obs. form of Merry.
Mirific (mairi'fik), a. rare. Forms: 5 myri-
fyke, myryfyke, 8 miriflck, 7- mirific [a. F.
mirifique, ad. L. mirificus, f. mints wonderful +
-ficus (see -Fie). Cf. It., Pg. mirtfico, Sp. mirifico.]
Doing wonders ; exciting wonder or astonishment ;
marvellous. Now chiefly jocular.
Hqq Caxton Eneydos vi. 24 Hiely decoredbymerueyllous
artes and myryfyke. a 1603 Urquhart's Rabelais 111. iv.
45 In. .very few years you should be sure to see thesancts. .
more numerous, wonder-working, and mirifick. 1717 Bailey
vol. II, Mirifick. 1831 Examiner 291/2 They haveaccom-
plished something mirific. 1848 Thackeray Bk. Snobs xxxi,
That man educates a mirific family. 1853 Blackw. Mag.
I, XXIII. 635 The mirific diminishment of the contents of the
brandy-bottle.
t Miri'fical, a. Obs. Also 7 miriflcall.
[Formed as prec. + -al1.] ■ prec.
1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 1196 That yeeld sweet
odors most mirificall. 1656 Blount Glossogr., Mirifical..
marvellous. 1829 T. L. Peacock ^ Mis/or t. Elphin^T^
Merry England, .was.. a phrase which must be a mirifical
puzzle to any one.
t Miri'ficence. Obs.~° [ad. late L. miri*
ficentia, i. mirificus (cf. Magnificence).] The
attribute of doing wonders.
1717 Bailey vol. II, Mirificence, doing wonders.
t Miri'ficent, a. Obs. rare. [f. L. mirificent-y
altered stem (cf. Magnificent) of mirific-us
Mirific] Doing wonders ; wonder-working.
1664 H. More Myst. Into, xviii. 66 The more general
Notion of Enchantment, Agrippa defines, .to be nothing
but The conveiance of a certain mirificent power into the
thing enchanted by virtue of the words and breath of the
Enchanter.
t Miri "ficOTi. sly, adv. Obs. [f. L. mirific-us
Mirific a. + -ous + -ly 2.] Wonderfully.
1657 Tomlinson Renou's Disp, 602 It mirificously conduces
to the freeing the liver.
Mirily, Mirines, obs, ff. Merrily, Merriness.
MIBINESS.
Miriness (m3i«-rines). Also 6 myrinesse,
7 mierine8S. [f. Miby a. + -ness.] Miry con-
dition or quality.
a 1608 Sir F. Verb Comm. (1657) 21 A dike or causey, . .
most used in winter by reason of the lownesse and myrinesse
of the country. 1649 Blithe Eng. Imprav. Impr. (1653) 12
Another cause of Barrenness is Bogginess or_ Mieriness.
1755 Johnson, Miriness, dirtiness, fullness of mire.
Mirinesse, obs. form of Mermness.
Miring (maio'rirj), vbl. sb. Also 6 mireing.
[f. Mire v. + -ing 1.]
1. The state of becoming entangled in a mire.
1556 Act 8 Eliz. c. 8 § 1 Wthout daunger and peryll of the
mireyng drowning and perishing of the same [horses). 1657
R. Ligon Barbadoes (1673) 29 Because their Cattle shall
not be in danger of miring or drowning. 1888 Century
Mag. Mar. 657/2 As long as everything is frozen solid there
is . .no danger from miring.
2. The action of covering with mire; a be-
spattering.
1641 ' Smectymnuus ' Ansvi. (1653) Post. 89 The tearing of
Hoods and Cowles, the miring of Copes, . .in the scuffle.
Mirinkaleon : see Myrmeleon.
fMi-rish, a. Obs. Also 8 myrish. [f. Mire
sb.'1 + -ISH.] Of the nature of mire ; miry ; foul.
1630 J. Taylor (Water P.) To Honour of O' Toole Wks. n.
17/2 Thou Hast made them skip or bogs and quagmires
mirish. 1719 D'Urfey Pills (1872) IV. 326 In that same
myrish, bloody Fen.
Mirites, obs. variant of Mirrite.
Mirk, Mirky, etc., var. forms of Murk, etc.
Mirled (maald), ///. a. Sc. [var. of Marled
///. a.2] Speckled, spotted.
1885 Times 4 June 10/6 Exhibition of Collies. . . A curiously
marked blue mirled and white specimen.
Mirligoes (meTligaz), sb. pi. Sc. Also mer-
ligoes, merrily-goes, mirlegoes, mirlygoes.
[Cf. Sc. dial, mirl to turn round, to be giddy.]
Dizziness, vertigo ; esp. in the phrase in the mirli-
goes : in a state of dizziness.
1773 Fergusson Ghaists 46 Or else some kittle cantrip
thrown, I ween, Has bound in mirlygoes my ain twa ein.
1816 Scott Old Mori, xxviii, My head's sae dizzy with the
mirligoes. 1893 J. A. Barry S. Brown's Bitnyip, etc. 99
They havena muctde likin' for sic a med'cin'. It gives them
the mirligoes.
II Mirliton. Mus. 1 Obs. Also erron. mir-
loton. [F. mirliton reed pipe ; of onomatopoeic
origin (Littre).] A toy pipe.
1819 Moore Mem. (1853) III. g The crowd of dancers,
mountebanks, mirloton players [etc.]. 1895 in Funk's
Stand. Did.
Mirly, variant of Marly a.2 Sc.
t Mirmillon. Obs. rare—", [ad. L. mirmilldn-
em.~\ A kind of gladiator.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Mirmillon.
Mirmydan, -den, -don, obs. ft. Myrmidon.
Miro (ui'»). JVetv Zealand. [Maori.] The
black pine of Otago, Podocarpus ferruginea. Also
miro-lree.
1835 W. Yate Acc. N. Zealand (ed. 2) 45 Miro. .grows to
the height of from forty to sixty feet, with a diameter of not
more than thirty inches. 1875 Laslett Timber 308 The
miro-tree is found in slightly elevated situations in many
of the forests in New Zealand.
Mirobalan(e, -bolan, obs. ff. Myrobalan.
Miroir, obs. form of Mirror sb.
Mirondones, obs. pi. of Myrmidon.
II Miroton (mz'rotofi). Cookery. [Fr.] (Seequots.)
1723 Bradley Fam. Diet., Miroton, a culinary Term,
being a K ind of Farce, and usually serv'd up for a Side-dish,
and may be made several Ways. 1877 CasselCs Diet.
Cookery 1177 Miroton, small thin slices of meat about as
large as a crown piece made into ragouts of various kinds,
and dished up in a circular form.
Mirour, obs. form of Mirror sb.
t Mirourer. Obs. Also mirorer. [f. mirour
Mirror sb. + -er2.] A maker of or dealer in
mirrors.
1309 in Cat. Let. Bk. D. Lond. (1002) 38 [25 Nov. 1309
Roger de ElvedeneJ mirourer [admitted]. 13*0 Rolls of
Farlt. I. 382/2 Ad Petitionem Johannis le Mirorer.
Mirr, mirra, obs. ff. Myrrh. Mirre, obs. f.
Merry. Mirrer, obs. f. Mirror. Mirrette,
obs. f. Merit. Mirrh'e, obs. ff. Myrrh.
Mirrines(se, obs. forms of Merriness.
Mirriounis, obs. Sc. pi. form of Morion.
Mirrold, obs. form of Mirror sb.
Mirror (miTaj), sb. Forms : 4-8 mirrour(e,
4-7 mirour, 4-6 myrour(e, myrrour(e, 4-5
meror, merour(e, 4 merrour(e, merrur, mirrur,
mirur, 5 mero, merowe, merowr, merrowre,
merur(e, murrour, myrowre, myrrore, myr-
row, 6-8 miroir, 6 miror, mirrhour, mirrold,
Sc murrur, 7-8 mirroir, myrhorr, 6- mirror.
[ME. mirour, a. OF. mirour, mireor, mireoir,
earlier (nth c, Rashi) miradoir (mod.F. miroir}
:— popular L. *miratorium, f. *mirare to look at
(class. L. mirari to wonder, admire, whence
Miracle) : see -ory. Pr. had mirador-s, and It.
miralore, miradore, in the same sense (both rare) ;
Sp., Pg. mirador has the meaning of watch-tower.
# The Eng. spelling rnir(r)oir, almost confined to the 17th c,
is due to the influence of mod.Fr.]
Vol. VI.
489
I. Literally (or with obvious metaphor).
1. A polished surface which reflects images of
objects, formerly made of metal, now ordinarily
of glass coated with amalgam ; a looking-glass.
Also rarefy, the coated glass of which mirrors are
made.
c 1225 Diet. J. de Garlande in Wright Voc. 123 Willelmus,
vicinus noster, habet . . specula (myrrys [? read myrurys]).
c 1315 Shokeham 7 Sacraments 727 To-sly ft e A[l by] myrour
bou my;t fol wel, Bote naujt be ymage schifte. 1413
Pilgr. Scnvle (Caxton 1483) iv. xxvi. 71 In a ful lytel myr-
roure thou myght see as grete an ymage as in another
that is double more. 1483 Cath. Aug?. 236 To loke in
Merowe, speculari. 1590 Spenser F. Q. i. iv. 10 And in
her hand she held a mirrhour bright. 1601 Holland Pliny
II. 478 No plates might be driuen by the hammer, nor
mirroirs made, but of the best and purest siluer. 1634 Sir
T. Herbert Trav. 59 Stones., so well polisht, that they
equall for brightnesse a Steele mirrour. 1766 Fordyce
Serm. Yng. Worn. (1767) II. viii. 43 Next morning the
mirror is consulted again. 1848 Dickens Dombey xxiii,
Mirrors were dim as with the breath of years. 1898 G. B.
Shaw Plays II. Candida 81 A varnished wooden mantel-
piece, with neatly moulded shelves, tiny bits of mirror let
into the panels.
*>&
ci374 Chaucer Troylus 1. 365 Thus gan he make a myr-
rour of his mynde. 1593 B. Barnes Parthenofhil Madr.
xi. 4 in Arb. Garner V. 370 Thine Eyes, mine heaven ! ..
made mine eyes dim inirrolds of unrest. 1602 Shaks. Ham.
III. ii. 24 Playing .. whose end .. is, to hold as 'twer the
Mirrour up to Nature. « 1633 G. Herbert Jacula Prud.
296 The best mirrour is an old friend. 1677 Gale Crt.
Gentiles II. IV. 94 The Divine Law is called perfect, as it is
an absolute perfect Miroir or Glasse. 1784 Cowper Task
n. 291 The fleeting images that fill The mirror of the mind.
1881 Gardiner & Mullinger Stud. Eng. Hist. \. ix. 174
Such books serve to hold up the mirror to the time.
C. trans/. Applied to water (chiefly/^/.)*
1595 Spenser Kpithal. 63 And in his waters, which your
mirror make, Behold your faces. 1637 Heywood Dialogues
Wks. 1874 VI. 258 Their chrystall waves are Myrrhors.
1667 Milton P. L. iv. 263 A Lake, That to the fringed
Bank . . Her chrystall mirror holds. 1713 Addison Cato 1.
vi, So the pure limpid stream ..Works itself clear, and as it
runs, refines; Till, by degrees, the floating mirror shines.
1866 G. Macdonald Ann. Q. Neighb. xiii, The stars above
shining as clear below in the mirror of the all but motion-
less water.
2. spec. a. A glass or crystal used in magic art.
13.. Seuyn Sag. (\V.) 2009 Virgil made another ymage,
That held a mirour in his hond, And oversegth all that lond.
c 1386 Chaucer Sar.'s T. 226 Alocen and Vitulon And
Aristotle that writen in hir lyues Of queynte Mirours and
of prospectiues. 1481 Caxton Reynard xxxii. (Arb.) 84
Now ye shal here of the mirrour. The glas that stode
theron was of such vertu, that [etc.]. 1533 Gau Richt Vay
12 Alsua thay that wsis corsis, christal, murrur, bukis, vordis
and. .coniuracione to find hwid hurdis in the $eird [etc.].
1859 Geo. Eliot A. Bede i, With a single drop of ink for
a mirror, the Egyptian sorcerer undertakes to reveal . . far-
reaching visions of the past.
+ b. A small glass formerly worn in the hat by
men and at the girdle by women. Obs.
x599 B, Jonson Cynthia's Rev. n. i, Call for your casting-
bottle, and place your mirrour in your hat.
3. Optics. A polished surface, either plane, convex,
or concave, that reflects rays of light ; a speculum.
Burning mirror : a concave mirror which, by
concentrating the reflected rays of the sun at a
focus, causes them to set fire to objects.
1762 H. Walpole Vertue's Anecd. Paint. (1765) I. vi. 125
Among the stores of old pictures at Somerset-house, was one
. .representing the head of Edward VI. to be discerned only
by the reflection of a cylindric mirrour. 1768-74 Tucker
Lt. Nat. (1834) II. 675 A convex mirror strengthens the
colours and takes off the coarseness of objects by_ con-
tracting them. 1822 Imison Sci. <y Art I. 262 Plane mirrors
are those whose surfaces are perfect planes, and whose
section is a straight line. Such are vulgarly called looking-
glasses. 1839 G. Bird Nat. Philos. 301 The point.. being
consequently equal to half the radius of the concavity of the
mirror.
II. Figurative uses.
4. That which gives a faithful reflection or true
description of anything. Cf. Looking-glass i b.
Formerly common in titlesof books,after med.L. speculum.
c 1385 Chaucer L. G. W. Prol. 307 What [seith] vincent
in his estoryal myrour. c 1440 Eng. Cong ■, IreL 117 That
same boke. .was . .as merrowre of al his dedys. ^ 1563 Sack-
ville Induct. Mirr. Mag. vii, A Mirour well it might bee
calde. 1647 Clarendon Hist. Reb. 1. § 94 It seemed the
more reasonable to enlarge upon the nature and character
and fortune of the duke ; as being the best mirroir to
discern . . the spirit of that age. 1751 Johnson Rambler
No. 156 F 10 The stage, which pretends only to be the
mirrour of life. 1874 Sayce Compar. Philol. v. 176 Lan-
guage is the mirror of society, and accordingly will reflect
every social change.
b. Used of a person, poet.
1563 Sackville Induct. Mirr. Mag. xvii, Those Whom
Fortune in this maze of miserie Of wretched chaunce most
wofull myrrours chose. 1594 Shaks. Rich. //1, 11. ii. 51 But
now two Mirrors of his Princely semblance, Are crack'd in
pieces by malignant death, c 1637 Waller On Ben Jonson
1 Mirrour of Poets, Mirrour of our Age.
6. That which exhibits something to be imitated ;
a pattern ; an exemplar. Now rare.
^1300 Cursor M. 23867 Cristen folk.., In eldrin men
ur mirur se Quat for to folu, quat for to fle. c 1386
Chaucer Frankl. T. 726 O Teuta queene thy wyfly chas-
titee To alle wyues may a Mirour bee. c 1440 York Myst.
xxi. 93 For men schall me ber myrroure make. 1568
Grafton Chron. II. 81 Wherefore this Princes actes may
be a myrour unto all Princes. 1683 Brit. Spec 18 Thou
MIREOR.
S art a Mirror to all Christian Kingdoms. 1765 Cowper
Lett. 24 June, A servant, .who is the very mirror of fidelity
and affection for his master. 1801 Strutt Sports -v Past.
Introd. 7 Sir Tristram, a fictitious character held forth as
the mirror of chivalry.
fb. Hence of persons: A model of excellence;
a paragon. Obs.
c 1369 Chaucer Dethe Blaunche 974 She wolde haue be
at the beste A chefe myrrour of al the feste. 1599 Shaks,
Hen. J ', 11. Prol. 6 They sell the Pasture now, to buy the
Horse; Following the Mirror of all Christian Kings. 1615
Brathwait Strappado UfyZ) 7 1 Whilest thy renowme great
mirrour of the North, Showne in our time, wants one to set
it foorth. 1785 Burke Sp. Nabob of Arcofs DcHs \YU.
1842 I. 343 Our mirror of ministers of finance did not think
this enough for the services of such a friend as Benfield.
t c. That which reflects something to be
avoided ; a warning. Obs. rare*
iyj7 Langl. /*. PL B. xvi. 156 J>ow shalt be myroure to
manye men to deceyue. 1475 Bk. Noblesse (Koxb.) 39 But
alway [they] brake the saide trewes. .as it shewethe openly,
and may be a mirroure for ever to alle cristen princes to
mystrust any trewes taking by youre saide adversarie or
his allies and subjectis. 1633 T. Stafe-ord J'ac. Hib. 11. iii.
145 He might for ever bee poynted at as an exemplary
minor for all insolent Traytors.
III. 6. Applied to various objects resembling
a mirror in shape or in lustre.
a. Arch. A small oval ornament.
1847-54 Webster, Mirror, in architecture, a small oval
ornament cut into deep moldings, and separated by wreaths
of flowers. 1901 Sturgis Diet. Archit. <y Build,, Mirror,
a panel surrounded by a moulded or otherwise ornamented
frame and suggesting the idea of a mirror. Practically the
same as a Cartouche, Rondel or Medallion, but the mirror
in this sense is usually a detached panel.
b. Ornith. A bright patch of colour on the
wings of ducks and other birds; - Speculum.
1903 Blackw. Mag. Mar. 359 2 The black tips of the long
wings waving in the wind, showing the large white ' mirrors '
on the first three feathers distinctly.
C. Short for mirror cloth (see 7 b).
1899 Daily News 14 Jan. 2/4 So glossy is the cloth, .that
it is now called ' mirror ', in allusion to the sheen of its
highly-polished surface.
IV. 7. attrib. and Comb.
a. simple attiib., objective, etc., as mirror-
bearer, -silverer, -silvering.
Also in names of scientific instruments in which the index
is a beam of light reflected from a mirror, as in mirror
barometer, galvanometer, thermometer.
1885 Pater Marius 1. vi, Placed in their rear were the
*mirror-bearers of the goddess. 1898 Lodge in Daily News
7 Jan. 2/4 Such an instrument was the beautiful ' 'mirror-
galvanometer ' of Lord Kelvin. 1829 Sir R. Christison
Treat. Poisons xiii. (1832} 375 A somewhat later account of
the disease by Dr. Bateman, as he observed it in 'mirror-
silverers. 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. II. 931 In *mirror-
silvering it [mercury] was also employed.
b. similative, as mirror-f acuity, -floor, surface ;
mirror-bright, -like adjs. Also in the designations
of textile fabrics with lustrous surface, as mirror
moire", velvet ; and of colours, as mirror-black,
-grey, -pink adjs.
1890 Century Diet., ^Mirror-black, an epithet applied to
any ceramic ware having a lustrous black glaze. 1900 Daily
Arews 7 Aug. 3/5 There is an amount of steel and brass
work to be kept *mirror-bright. »7H Shaftesb. Charac.
(1737) I. 199 Besides the difficulty of the manner it-self, and
that *mirrour-faculty, . . it proves also . . a kind of mirrour . .
to the age. a 1849 J. C. Mangan Poems (1859) 73 On the
*mirror-floor of Ocean's wave. 1887 Daily Ne~ws 19 May
5/6 A *mirror-grey satin dress. 1772 Mason Eng. Garden
1. 23 Whose mighty mind . . *mirror-Hke Receiv'd, and to
mankind with ray reflex The sov'reign Planter's primal
work display'd. 183a Miss Mitford Village Ser. v. 151
Two narrow shady lanes cross each other, leaving just room
enough ..for a clear mirror-like pond. 1894 IVestm. Gaz.
20 Sept. 3/3 Another splendid gown., was of (*mirror
moire'. 1874 Farrar Christ (1894) 161 The *mirror surface
of their lake. 1893 Daily Neivs 27 Nov. 6/1 Vivid tones
of pink and red are seen in *mirror velvets.
C. Special comb. : mirror carp, the looking-
glass carp, Cyprinus carpio; mirror-fashion adv.,
in the manner of mirror-writing; mirror glass,
glass used in a mirror ; also, a mirror (in quot.
flg.); mirror-plate, a plate of glass suitable for
a mirror ; mirror ray, the spotted ray, Raia
maculata ; + mirror-stone = Muscovite ; mirror-
writer, one who practises mirror-writing\ mirror-
writing, writing which appears as though viewed
in a mirror, reversed writing (a characteristic of
aphasia).
1880-4 F« DAY Brit. Fishes II. 159 The mirror-carp, or
carp king, Cyprinus rex cyprinorum, C. specularis, C.
macrohpidotus. 1899 Allbutt's Syst. Med. VIII. 25 A
young lady . . who wrote more fluently ' "mirror ' fashion with
the left hand. cz^aPromp. Parv.^911 *Myrowre glasse,
speculum. 0x560 Becon Jewel of Joy Wks. II. 42 b, O
what a myrrour glasse and spectacle is here offered vnto vs.
1839 Ure Diet. Arts 572 The casting of *mirror-plates was
commenced in France about the year 1688. 1863 Couch
Brit. Fishes 1. 104 Those staring marks, from which this fish
has sometimes been called the *Mirror Ray. i668Charle-
josO nomas t icon 255 Selenitis,.. Lapis Specu laris..* Mir-
rour-stone, or Muscovy Glass. 1881 Ireland in Brain Oct.
367 The ..change in the brain-tissue from which the image
is formed in the mind of the *mirror-writer.t Ibid. 361
Buchwald and Erlenmeyer have directed attention to what
they call Spiegelschrift or * mirror- writing.
Mirror (mi-rsj), v. [f. Mirror sb.] trans. To
reflect in the manner of a mirror.
128
MIRRORED.
1820 Keats Lamia n. 47 He. .bending to her open eyes,
Where he was mirror'd small in paradise. 1813 F. Clissold
Ascent Mi. Blanc 23 The glassy pinnacles of the surround-
ing Alps mirrored the varying lights of the hemisphere.
1896 A. E. Housman Shropshire Lad xv, Look not in my
eyes, for fear They mirror true the sight 1 see.
b. fig. To reflect, or represent something (to the
mind). Also to mirror back.
1827 Disraeli Viv. Grey v. i, Those glorious hours, when
the unruffled river of his Life mirrored the cloudless heaven
of his Hope. 1883 S. C. Hall Retrospect II. 41 The bright-
ness of the outer world is mirrored in imperishable verse.
1890 Tout Hist. Eng.fr. 1689, no Literature and language
faithfully mirrored back the age,
c. rejl. To see oneself reflected in a mirror.
1891 C. K. Norton Dante s Purgat. ix. 57 White marble
so polished and smooth that I mirrored myself in it.
Hence Mi*rroring vbl. sb. and ppl. a.
1832 M. Arnold Empedoclcs 18 Hither and thither spins
The wind-borne mirroring Soul. 1873 — Lit. <y Dogma
(1876) 173 A perfectly faithful mirroring of the thought of
Jesus.
Mirrored1 (mrrajcT, a. [f. Mirror sb. +
-ED-.] Fitted with a mirror or mirrors.
1820 Keats Lamia 579 Still mimick'd as they rose Along
the mirror'd walls by twin-clouds odorous. 1890 Daily
News 8 Jan. 2/4 The action of the magnet .. was visibly
represented by means of the mirrored galvanometer.
Mirrored- (mrraid), ///. a. [f. Mirror v. +
-ED '.] Reflected, as by a mirror; vXsofig.
a 1861 Woolner Beautiful Lady (1863) 122 Those mir-
rored marvels of the lake. 1905 Q. Rev. July 100 The
mirrored image of life.
Mirrorize (mrrareiz), v. [f. Mirror sb. +
-ize.] trans. To show up as in a mirror.
1598 Tofte Alba (1880) 54 A Monster then I may her
mirorise, Since she delights in such strange Tragedies. 1873
S. Wii.berforce in Ashwell Life (1879) I. viii. 337 All that
sea of glass which lay spread before the Throne, mirrorizing,
measured, compassed, completed.
t Mrrrorly, a. Obs. Also 5 meroly. [f.
Mirror sb. + -ly1.] Resembling a mirror.
1434 Misyn Mending Life 128 Myendly sight truly is
takyn up heuenly to behald be schadoly syght jit & meroly.
Mirrory (mrrari), a. [f. Mirror sb. + -y.]
Having the nature of a mirror ; mirror-like.
1885 R. F. Burton Arab. Nts. (abr. ed.) I. 140 The seas
sank to mirrory stillness.
Mirt, Mirtel : see Myrt, Myrtle.
Mirth (mDjb), sb. Forms: 1 myri5j?,miri5j?,
rayr(s)J?,mir(s)}j,myrhp,mirhpJmers)?,2murJ)h,
merh}>(e, 3 mirph, muri(h)J>e, mur(ejhj>e,
mur(e)3pe, muru(h)J>e, murepe, murcp, 3-5
murj>(e, 3-6 mirthe, 4 muirth, 4-6 merth(e,
myrthe, 4-7 myrth, 3- mirth. [OE. myr(f)gp
str. fern. (cf. MDu. merchte) :— OTeut. *murgi/>a'J
n. of quality f. *murgjo- Merry a.~\
1 1. Pleasurable feeling, enjoyment, gratification ;
joy, happiness. Often used of religious joy. Obs.
c 888 K. /Elfred Boeth. vii. § 1 Be ba:m bu meaht onjie-
tan San bu \>&x nane myrh5e on naefdest. c 1000 /Elfric
Gen. iii. 24 He adra^fed wa^s of neorxena wonges myrSe.
C1175 Lamb. Horn. 13 Mur5he sculen wunian on londe.
a 1225 Ancr. R. 132 Treoweancren..reste5haminne swuche
J>ouhte, & habbeo muruhSe of heorte, ase beo bet singe5.
a 1225 Leg. Kath. 1^22 per ha heuen up hare honden to
heouene ; &. .ferden, wi5 murSe, icrunet, to Criste. a 1340
Hampole Psalter Prol., & oft sith in til soun & myrth of
heuen. 1377 Langl. P. PL B. xvm. 127 ' Haue no mer-
ueillc ' quod Mercy, ' myrthe it bytokneth '. 1390 Gower
Conf. II, 107 Of whom I scholde merthe take, c 1440
York Myst. xlvii. 114 Nowe maiden meke and modir myne,
Itt was full mekill myrbe to be, pat I schulde ligge in wombe
of bine. 1508 Dunbar Twa Stariit Wemen 42 Bewrie, . .
?e weddit wemen sing, Quhat mirth 3c fand in maryage,
sen ^e war menis wyffis. 1659 H. Plumptre in xith Rep.
Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 6 Wishing that all your yeares
yet to come may passe over with mirth and iolUtyes. 1696
Tate & Brady Ps. ii. 11 Rejoyce with awful Mirth.
b. //. Delights, joys.
a 1225 Leg. Kath. 1712 Monie ma murhSen ben alle men
mahten wio hare muS munnen. Ibid. 2217 paH wes on an
Wodnesdei baet ha bus wende, martir, to be murhS'es baet
neauer ne wonieS. a 1300 Cursor M. 1004 Paradis is a
priue stedd par mani mirthes er e-medd. .1420 Anlurs of
Arth. xiv, Whene bou sittis in thi sette, Withe all mirthes
at thi mete, Some dayntes bou dele. < 1440 York Myst.
xxiv. 144 To make here myrthis more.
fc. Put for: A cause of joy. Obs.
a 1000 Runic Poem 75 (Gr.) Da=5 byb. . myrjb and tohiht
eadjum and earmum. a 1.225 Leg. Kath. 2382 pe is mi
lauerd & mi luue, mi lif & mi leofmon, mi wunne ..mi
murhSe & mi mede. c 1425 Cursor M. 10887 (Trin.) For bi
of be beb born a burb Syniul men to ioye & murb,
2. Rejoicing, esp. manifested rejoicing ; merry-
making; jollity, gaiety. Phrase, f to make
mirth{s, to rejoice.
c xaos Lav. 1794 Muchel wes ba murSe be bat folc makode.
13. . K. Alis. 1575 Murthe is gret in halle. 137s Barbour
Bruce xvi. 237 Thou hass matr causs myrthis till ma, For
thou the ded eschapit swa. 1300 Gower Conf. I. 45 Maii,
Whan every brid hath chose his make And thenkth his
merthes forto make. 0470 Henry Wallace vi. 619 To
meit thai went, with myrthis and plesance. 1470-85 Malory
Arthur u ii. 37 And so in alle haste they were maTyed in
a mornynge with grete myrthe and Ioye. 1590 Spenser
F. Q. 1. xii. 40 Their exceeding merth may not be told.
1605 Shaks. Macb, in. iv. ir Be large in mirth, anon wee'l
drinke a Measure The Table round. 1822 Scott Pirate
xxii, Life without mirth is a lamp without oil. 1837 W.
Irving Capt. Bonneville I. 238 The genial festival of Christ-
490
mas, which . . lights up the fireside of home with mirth and
jollity.
f 3. Something which affords pleasure or amuse-
ment; a diversion, sport, entertainment. Obs.
c 1386 Chaucer Prol. 767 Of a myrthe I am right now by-
thognt To doon yow ese and it shal coste noght. 1390
Gower Conf. II. 241 And thus the dai, schortly to telfe,
With manye merthes thei despente. 1470-83 Malory
Arthur xii. vi. 601 And euery day ones for ony myrthes
that alle the ladyes myjt make hym he wold ones euery day
loke toward the realme of Logrys. i472~5 Rolls ofParlt.
VI. 156/1 Lordes,. .Yqmen, and other Comyners, have used
the occupation of shotyng for their myrthes and sportes
with Bowes of Ewe. 1534 More Co?nf. agst. Trib. 11. Wks.
1171/1 You require my minde in the matter, whether menne
in tribulacion may not lawfully . . coumfort themselfe, with
some honest mirth. 1577 Northbrooke Dicing (1843) 100
Such vaine, ydle, and filthy pastimes and myrthes should
surcease. 1606 Shaks. Ant. <y CI. 1. iv. 18 To giue a King-
dome for a Mirth, to sit And keepe the turne of Tipling
with a Slaue.
fb. Musical entertainment, melody. Obs.
c 1320 Sir Tristr. 1254 Ich man was Ief to lib>e, His mirbes
were so swete. 1377 Langl. /\ PI. B. viil 67 Vnder a lynde
vppon a launde Tened I a stounde, To lythe be layes be
louely foules made. Murthe of her mouthes made me bere
to slepe. 1485 Caxton Paris <$• V. 4 [They] wyth one ac-
corde dysposed them self for to gyue somme melodyous
myrthe to the noble mayde. c 153a Du Wes in Palsgr.
942 To make myrth as byrdes, degoiger. 1579 Spenser Shef>h.
. Cat. Dec. 40 Somedele yblent to song and musickes mirth.
4. Gaiety of mind, as manifested in jest and
laughter ; merriment, hilarity ; in early use,
f jocularity, fun, ridicule (obs.). f Also, a jest.
1390 GowERConf III. 253 Thei hire siheof glad semblant,
Al full of merthes and of hordes. 1560 Dals tr. Sleidane's
Comm. 28 b. Which Luther got afterwardes, and translated
it into Duche, not without much myrthe and pastime [L.
non sine scommaiis multoque sale]. 1591 Harington Or/.
Eur. Pref. T vj, Then, for Comedies. How full of harmeles
mynh is our Cambridge Pedantius? 1599 Shaks. Much
Ado 11. i. 343, I was borne to speake all mirth, and no matter.
1655 Stanley Hist. Philos. 111. (1701) 88/1 Aristophanes
taking this Theme interweaves it with much abusive Mirth.
a 1674 Clarendon Hist. Reb. xm. § 30 He was of an ex-
cellent humour, .. and under a grave countenance, covered
the most of mirth. 1712 Addison Sped. No. 381 P 1,
I have always preferred Chearfulness to Mirth. The latter
I consider as an Act, the former as an Habit of the Mind.
Mirth is short and transient, Chearfulness fixed and per-
manent. aiji6 South Serm. (1744) VII. vii. 151 For if
these [great crimes and great miseriesj be made the matter
of our mirth, what can be the argument of our sorrow?
1760-74 Tucker Lt. Nat. (1834) II. 120 Joy, when occa-
sioned by the contrast of very dissimilar objects, along
which it proceeds by continual leaps and bounds from one
to the other, becomes mirth. 1774 Goldsm. Retal. 24 Who
mix'd reason with pleasure and wisdom with mirth. 1841
' W. Spalding Italy <y //. 1st. II. 216 A reckless mixture of
i seriousness with mirth. 183a Ht. Martineau Demerara
iii. 33 Cassius grinned with some feeling deeper than mirth.
b. personified.
la 1366 Chaucer Rom. Rose 817 Ful fair was Mirthe, ful
I long and high; A fairer man I never sigh. 163a Milton
L'Allegro 152 These delights, if thou canst give, Mirth
with thee, I mean to live. 1770 Goldsm. Des. Vill. 222
\ Where grey-beard mirth, and smiling toil retir'd. 1816
I Byron Monody on SheridarCs Death no Mirth, That
j humbler Harmonist of care on Earth.
fc. Put for: The object of one's mirth.
1601 Shaks. Jul. C. IV. iii. 114 Hath Cassius liu'd To be
I but Mirth and Laughter to his Brutus, When greefe and
} blood ill temper'd, vexeth him? 1611 — IVint. T. 1. ii. 166
I He's all my Exercise, my Mirth, my Matter. 1708 Ozell
! tr. BoileaiCs Lutrin in. 52 The Flout of Boys, and Mirth
I of every Feast.
5. Comb, objective and obj. genitive, as mirth-
\ maker i -marrer, + -monger ; mirth'inspiringy
! -loving, -making, -marring, -moving, -provoking
adjs. ; f mirth- day, a holiday, festival ; fmirth-
. song, a song of (religious) joy.
1778 [W. Marshall] Minutes Agric.t Digest 118 Let the
I Amusements of those "Mirth-Days be athletic and exhila-
| rating, 1725 Pope Odyss. iv. 302 Bright Helen mixM a
I "mirth-inspiring bowl. 1853 Hickie tr. Aristo/h. (1872) II.
I 543 The unrestrained, *mirthloving act of worship. 1636
j Massinger Gt. Dk. Florence v. ii, Such chopping *mirth-
, makers as shall preserve Perpetuall cause of sport 1638
Bkathwait Barnabees Jrnl. I. (1818) 37 They eat, drink,
j laugh, are still *mirth-making, 165a J. Wright tr. Camus*
Nat. Paradox iv. 129 Who playing the *Mirth-marrer at
this Triumph, put Water into this fuming Wine. 1771
Foote Maid of B. t. Wks. 1799 II. 209 That ..water-drink-
ing, *mirth-marring, amorous old hunks. 1641 J. Trappe
Theol. Theol. iv. 191 Then woe to our *mirth-mongers that
laugh now. 1588 Shaks. L. L.L. ii. i. 71 A "mirth-mouing
lest, 1850 Lang Wand. India 287 Each in his own peculiar
way, could relate a story, . . in such a manner as to make it
wonderfully *mirth-provoking. 1561 Daus tr. Bullinger on
Apoc. (1573) 81 The "myrth-songes, or Carols of Gods excel-
lent creatures.
t Mirth, v. Obs. Forms: 3 mir>hen, 4-5
myrth(e, 4 merpe, murthe, 4-7 mirth(e. [f.
Mirth sb.~\
1. intr. To be glad, rejoice.
^ a 1300 E. E. Psalter xxxi. 14 Faines in Laverd and glades
in quert And mirbhes [L. gloriamini] alle rightwise ofhert.
2. trans. To gladden, delight ; to provide sport
or entertainment for,
a 1300 1400 Cursor M. 7254 (Gfitt.) Bi a piler ban was he
[SamsonJ sett, To miith pe gomys at bair mett. 13. . E. E.
Allit. P. A. 861 He myrbez vus alle at vch a mes. 1377
Langl. P. PI. B. xvn. 240 pe weyke and fyre wil make a
warme flaumbe For to myrthe men with J>at in merke sitten.
1387-8 T. Usk Test. Love 1. i. (Skeat) I. n Blisseof myjoye,
MIRY.
that ofte me murthed, is turned in-to galle. c 1400 Destr.
Troy 7910 To se the maner of bo men, & mirth hym a
stound. 1435 Misvn Fire of Love 10 With byrnynge lufe
playnly our myndes myrthand. a 1600 Ftodden F. ii. (1664)
20 Then Minstrels mirthed all the land.
Mirper, obs. form of Murder v.
Mirthful (ma- j bful), a. [f. Mirth sb. + -ful.]
1. Of persons, their dispositions, moods, etc. :
Full of mirth ; joyous, gladsome, hilarious.
a 1300 Cursor M. 10611 par bileft bat mirthful mai,
Drightin hh* ledd in al Mr wai. c 147s RaufCoilyar 357
Befoir that mirthfull man menstrallis playis. 1500-20 Dun-
bar Poems x. 36 Be myrthfull now, at all }our mycht, For
passit is jour dully nycht. 1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 14
Brasse buttons, pieces of Pewter, spur-rowels, or what else
the mirthfull Saylers exchange. 17*6 Pope Odyss. xx. 415
A mirthful frenzy seized the fated croud, a 1745 Broome
tr. AnacreotC s Odes liv. 8 Hence, hoary Age ! — I now am
young, And dance the mirthful Youths among. i8ai Clare
Vill. Minstr. I. 45 Each mirthful lout The ale-house seeks.
b. Of places, seasons, etc. : Characterized by
mirth or rejoicing. Of sounds or utterances : Ex-
pressive of mirth, joyous, merry.
c 1450 Holland HowlatggB In mirthfull moneth of May.
1500*20 Dunbar Poems xlviii. 163 Thane all the birdis
song with voce on hicht, Quhois mirthfull soun wes mer-
velus to heir. 1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 198 This Cere-
mony., to Libidinists may see me mirthfull and charitable.
1807 Crabbe Par. Reg. m. 847 But most his Reverence
loved a mirthful jest. 1834 LvrrosPo/npeii m. ii, There
is nothing very mirthful in your strain. X846 Keble Lyra
Innoc. (1873) 131 Mirthful bower or hall.
2. Of things: Affording mirth, amusing.
1593 Shaks. 3 Hen. VI-,s. vii. 43 And now what rests, but
that we spend the time With stately Triumphes, mirthfull
Comicke shewes.
Mirthfully (m9uJ>fCili), adv. [f. Mirthful
+ -LY2.] In a mirthful manner, joyously; in an
amusing manner; humorously.
c 1470 Got. <$■ Ga7v. 216 The meriest war menskit on mete,
at the maill, With menstralis myrthfully makand thame
glee. 1665 Sir T. Herbert Trav. (1677) 182 As was mirth-
fully experimented upon one of Alexander's Pages. 1856
Hawthorne Eng. Note-Bks. (1879) II. 229 Always saying
something mirthfully. 186a Lvtton Str. Story 1. 104 She
would enter mirthfully into the mirth of young companions
round her. 1885 Spectator 25 July 976/1 He mirthfully
describes the shooting in cold blood of 2,000 rebels . . as an
envoi a Cambnlence.
Mirthfulness (moubfulnes). [f. Mirthful
+ -Ness.] The quality or state of being mirthful ;
joyfulness ; jocosity, facetiousness.
1867 A. Duncan Mem. D. Duncan 2 Cheerfully doing
what he could to contribute to their gratification and inno-
cent mirthfulness. 1906 Hibbert Jrnl. Apr. 572 She im-
presses all who approach her by her constant mirthfulness.
tMrrthing, vbl. sb. Obs. [(. Mirth v. +
-ing 1.] The action of the vb. Mirth ; rejoicing.
a xyooE.E. Psa/ter Wxxv'iii. 16(15] Miltheandsothnessal
forgan ]>i face: seli folke bate miTi\x'mgc[L./ubilationem] kan.
Mirthless (mau^les), a. [f. Mirth sb. +
-less,] \V anting in mirth, joyless; sad, dismal,
c 1381 Chaucer Pari. Foules 592 Daunsith he murye that
is myrtheles. 1509 Barclay Shyp of Folys (1570) 172 O
mirthless muse of eloquence barayne. 1567 Golding Ovid's
Met. ix, (1593) 226 My colour pale, my bodie leane, my
heavle mirthlesse cheere. 1627 Drayton Sheph. St'rcna 26
Whilst his gamesome cut-tayld Curre With his mirthlesse
Master playes. a 1800 J. Warton Fashion 63 As mirthless
infants, idling out the day, With wooden swords, or tooth-
less puppies play. 1847 C. Bronte J. Eyre xi, H was a
curious laugh ; distinct, formal, mirthless. 1899 Blacfcv.
Mag. July 48/1 A circle of mirthless young men.
Hence Mirthlessly adv. Also MiTthlessness.
1890 Clark Russell Ocean Trag. II. xxiv. 252 He
laughed harshly and mirthlessly. 1717 Bailey vol. II,
Mirthtessness, sadness, melancholiness.
Mirthsome (ma-jbsam), a. [f. Mirth sb. +
-some.] Characterized by mirth ; mirthful, joyous.
1823 Mirror I. 326/1 Mirthsome birds With wild song fill
the air. 1841 Eraser's Mag. XXIII. 459 This was a blythe-
some bridal, yet less mirthsome than mony I mind of.
Hence Mirthsomeness. Now rare.
1648 W. Browne Potexander in. iv. 122 Coming up to
him with the mirthsomeness of a man that brings good
newes. You have no more enemies, said he. Ibid. v. 1 35
Two (statues] represented the Pleasures as well by their
youth, their mirthsomeness,. .as [etc.].
Mirtill, mirtle, obs. forms of Myrtle.
t Mi rtus. Obs. Also 6 myrthus. [a. L.
myrtus : see Myrtle.] Myrtle.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xvn. ci. (1495V667 Some
Mirtus is whyte and some isblacke. 1513 Douglas sEneis
v. ii. 63 And sayand this, he gan his templis tway Covir
with myrthus, that is his modens tre.
Miry (maio'ri), a. Forms: 4-6 myry(e, 6-7
mierie, miery, myery, myrie, 6 myerry, 7
merie, mirie, 8-9 mirey, 5- miry. [f. Mire
s6.i + -Yi.]
1. Of the nature of mire or marshy ground,
swampy,
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xvm. lxxxvii. (1495) 836
The Sowe is frende to fenne and to myry places. 1494
Fabyan Chron. vii. 433 The feelde where the hooste laye,
was so wete and myry, that men and bestys were to gre-
uoslye noyed. 1596 Spenser F. Q. v. x. 23 Onely these
marishes and myrie bogs, In which the fearfull ewfles do
build their bowres. i6m S. Ward Woe to Drunkards
(1627) 38 Though the pit bee deepe, merie and narrow.
1763 Mills Pract. Husb. IV. 332 The ground .. had better
be dry, than mirey wet. 1833 Hood Epping Hunt Ixxvii,
Some fell in miry bogs.
MIRYACHIT.
fig. 1602 F. Herisg Anat. 5 Ouer head and eares in
the myric puddle of grosse Ignorance.
"2. Abounding in mire, muddy.
c 1440 Alphabet 0/ Tales 335 J>e strete bat he rade in was
passand my rye. 1574 tr. Martorat's Apocalips 40 As the
cleere and vnmuddie water that glydeth with a quiet
streame, differeth from troubled and myrie froth. 1630
R. Johnsons Kingd. fy Commiv. 135 Women footing it in
the mierie streets. 1714 Gay Trivia 1. 239 Deep thro' a
miry Lane she pick'd her Way, Above her Ankle rose the
chalky Clay. 1833 Ht. Mariineau Berkeley the Banker
1. i, When the days get damp and dark, and the roads miry.
fig. a 165a J. Smith Sel. Disc. i. 14 Several steps and
ascents out of this miry cave of mortality. 1768-74 Tucker
Lt. Nat. (1834) II. 356 Nor that the miry road of labour,
trouble, suffering, and imperfection, should be made the
necessary passage thereto.
3. Covered or bespattered with mud or mire.
1496 Bk. St, Albans, Fishing 3 [The hunter] his clothes
torne wete shode all myry. 1530 Palsgr. 318/2 Myerry or
dirty, berayed with dyrte, boueux. 1714 Gay Trivia 1. 25
When late their miry sides stage-coaches show. 1864 R. A.
Arnold Cotton Fam. 54 Hodge comes in all miry from his
work.
4. fig. Dirty, defiled ; despicable.
153a More Confut. Tindale Wks. 614/1 Tindall . . layeth
hys myrye handes vpon the knowen catholike churche of
Christ. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage I. ii. 10 Beyond that
myrie heap of earthie waters. 1877 E. Johnson Antiq.
Mat. 69 A name under which men drove a miry business.
fComb. 1589 N ashe A Imond for Parrat 5 Thinke you
this myrie mouthed mate, a partaker of heauenly inspiration,
that thus aboundes in his vncharitable railings.
5. ' Dirty' in colour, rare,
1850 Zoologist VIII. 2644 Those [sc. eggs] of the plover
were somewhat discoloured, and were beginning to get
what may be called miry.
Miry, obs. form of Mekry a.
|| Miryach.it (mz'rya'tJVt). Also erron. myri-.
Path. [Russian jiipiraiTb (inf.) to be epileptic
(Pavlovsky).] A peculiar nervous disease observed
in Siberia and in some non-European countries, the
chief characteristic of which consists in mimicry by
the patient of everything said or done by nnother.
1890 in Century Diet. 1897 Trans. Atuer. Pediatric Soc.
IX. 168 b, The group of nervous disorders which include
the 'jumpers' described by Beard, the latah of the Malays,
the myriachit of Siberia. 1902 Quain Diet. Med. 440 The
subjects of Myriachit react only to impulses entering through
the efferent optic and auditory channels.
II Mirza (mr.iza). sb. Also 7 mirzey, raursi, 7-8
murza, 8-9 meerza, 8 myrza. [Pers. \*^ mirza,
|j-* MTrzti) short for jlj^** mirzeut, f. mlr (a. Arab.
amir: see Ameer, Emir) a prince + zdd born.] In
Persia : a. A royal prince ; as a title, it is placed
after the name. b. The common title of honour
prefixed to the name of an official or a man of
learning.
1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 422 These Nagayans
have their divers hords subject to their severall Dukes whom
they call Murzes. 1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 70 The
Persian Prince, hunted him backe againe, not daring to
abide a Combat with that happy Mirza. 1698 Fryer Acc.
E. India § P. 381 When the other Party .. creeps with a
dejected countenance to the feet of the Cadj, calling him
Mirza. 1770 Ann. Reg. 25 Several of their mirzas or chiefs
..entered into a negociation . . with the Russians. 1788
Gibbon Decl. # F. Ixv. VI. 351 The same success attended
the other mirzas and emirs in their excursions. 1885
Goldsmid in Encycl. Brit. XVIII. 628/1 [Persia.] The
somewhat common prefix 'mirza' is usually taken by the
high functionaries of state.
t Mis, a. Obs. Also mys(se. [Partly the
prefix Mis-1 (4) used as a distinct part of speech
(cf. next) ; partly a reduced form of Amiss.
Some of the attributive collocations illustrated below are
not essentially different from compounds of the prefix with a
sb. They are placed here because they are app. intended
as two words and do not appear at any period as estab-
lished compounds.]
Bad ; wrong ; wicked. In predicative use : Amiss.
c 1350 Will. Paleme 716 J>urth a mys metyng bat swiche
a maide wold Leye hire foue so lowe. c 1374 Chaucer
Troylus iv. 1348 That men the quene Eleyne shal restore,
And Gfekes us restore that is mis. 1390 Gower Con/. Ill,
274 So that whil I live I myhte amende that is mys. a 1425
Cursor M. 16496 (Trin.) My tresoun is so mys. c 1430
Hymns Virgin (1867) no Ne plese hire not with no mis
plawe. c 1447 in F. M. Nichols Lawford Hall (iSgi) App.
23 The said enformacion of the said bille ys mysse. c 1450
Burgh Secrces 1922^ In Oold mys humours. 1470-85 Ma-
lory Arthur xvn. ii. 692 For yf I be a mys creature or an
vntrue knyghte. 1556 Chron. Gr. Friars (Camden) 51 To
for-geve hym hys mysse insample.
t Mis, adv. Obs. Also miss(e, mys(se.
[Partly Mis-1 treated as a separate word (as in
to gon mis for to misgon) ; partly a reduced form
of Amiss. Cf. MLG. mis, miss{e, Du. mis.]
Wrongly; badly; mistakenly; amiss.
To do ?uis(s : see Miss s&A
[C950 Lindisf. Gosp. John iii. 20 Hselc monn forSon seoe
yfle vel mis doe5 . . omnis cnim qui male agit. ] a 1225 A ncr.
R. 210 Summe iug'.ursbeoS bet. .makiencheres, & wrenchen
mis hore muo. a 1240 Lqfsong in O. E. Horn. I. 205 Ich
habbe . . i3euen mis and inumen mis and mis etholden.
a 1300 Cursor M. 14207 Iesus said, ' miss yee vnderstand *.
1303 R. Brunne Handl. Syntte 634 Whan bou wost bat bou
seyst mys. c 1350 A II Saints 186 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg.
(1881) 144 J>e tyme .. pat has bene spended mys. C1350
Will, Paleme 141 Al be making of man so mysse had 3he
schaped. CX374 Chaucer Boeih. iv. pr. v. (1868) 131 pan
491
I merueileine. . whi bat be binges ben so mys entrechaunged.
1415 Hoccleve To Oldcastle 83 Thow lookist mis, thy sighte
is notbyng cleer. c 1430 Pol. Ret. «$■ L. Poems (1903) 193
pou hast goon mys ! come hoom ageyne ! c 1450 Lovelich
Merlin 270 (Kolbing) Forsothe 3e seyn mys bothe two.
Mis, obs. form of Miss sb.1 and v.1
Mis, Mis, obs. abbreviations of mistris, Mistress.
Mis- (mis), prefix^ (als0 1 {rare), 2-7 miss-,
3-6 misse-, mysse-, 3-7 mys-, 4-5 mes-), repre-
sents OE. w«V-^OFris., OS. mis- (MDu. mis{se)-,
mes(se)-t Du. mis-), OHG. missa-, missi-, misse-,
mes- (MHG. misuse)-, G. miss-), ON. mis-, Goth.
missa- (in missadeps Misdeed, missaleiks different,
various, see Mislich, and missaqiss 'speaking
diversely*, disagreement, tr. Gr. oxta^ia) :— OTeut.
*misso- (whence * miss/an Miss v.), repr. a pre-
Teut. formation with ppl. suffix -to on a root
ending with a dental. The adj. *misso- seems to
have had two senses: (1) divergent, astray, (2)
mutual, alternate (cf. Goth, misso mutually).
The first of these supports the identification of the
root with the Teut. * imp- to avoid, conceal (see
Mithe v.) ; the two senses may be accounted for
by the supposition that the primitive notion ex-
pressed by the root was that of difference or
change. Phonologically, the Teut. root might
represent a pre-Teut. form either with / or th.
On the former view, some scholars regard it as
cogn. w. L. mittere to send, let go ; but the sense
seems too remote. On the other assumption, it
would be cognate with Skr. mith ' to meet as
friend or antagonist, alternate, engage in alterca-
tion' (M. Williams), mithtt * alternately, falsely,
wrongly*, mithas * mutually, reciprocally, alter-
nately*, mithya * invertedly, contrarily, incorrectly,
wrongly * ; cf. OS1. mitt, mitusi alternately. The
root *meitk- in these words is by some regarded
as an extension of *mei- to change : see Mean a.1
In OE. and ME. MSS.the compounds of tnis-(as of other
prefixes) are written sometimes as two words, sometimes
continuously, the hyphen being never used. From the
16th c onwards the compounds are regularly printed as
one word, with or without the hyphen, which becomes,
however, less and less frequent, and is now employed chiefly
in new or rarely-used formations, and in words like mis-say
or mis-cite, where its omission would tend to disguise the
identity of the compound or suggest a wrong pronunciation.
(In Sir T. More's Works 1557, the spelling of the com-
pounds as two distinct words was retained, e. g. misse re-
member, mysse rule.) The spellings mispel, jnispend, etc.
for mis-spelt, mis-spend, etc. were once common and are
found as late as the end of the 18th century.
The predominant meaning of the prefix in
English, as in the other Teutonic languages, is
that of * amiss', 'wrongfly) ', 'bad(ly)*, ' im-
properly)*, * perverse(ly) , *mistaken(ly) ', and
this is the only one now recognized in the forma-
tion of new compounds. But even in OE. there
are instances of its use as a mere negative prefix
and also as a pejorative intensive with words of
sinister meaning (see 7 and 8 below).
In early ME. a great extension of the use of the
prefix took place, mis- being freely combined with
words of indigenous and of foreign origin alike.
Many of the new compounds appear to have been
suggested by French formations with mes- (see
Mis- -) ; thus we have misbelieve after OF. mes-
creire (mod. mecroire), misfortune and mishap after
OF. mescheance (see Mischance) ; a word like
misjudge has prob. a double origin, being partly
of native formation, and partly an adaptation of
OF. mesjuger. The most prolific period for the
formation of mis- compounds was the 17th c, to
which a considerable number of those illustrated
in this article belong ; Bacon, Donne, and Bp. Hall
are noteworthy as employing them largely. They
still continue to be formed with considerable free-
dom, but in certain cases ill- and mat- are now
preferred where writers of earlier periods would
have preferred mis-.
In the ME. period mis- became to some extent
a separable prefix ; thus we have inumen mis and
misnumen, don mis and misdon, seyn mis and
misseyn, side by side. (See further under Mia a.
and adv.) Even as late as the 16th c, the prefix was
sometimes co-ordinated with an adj. or adv., as in
the example very erroniouse and misopinions (see
Misopinion). A related phenomenon, of which an
instance is found as late as the 17th c, consists in
the dropping of the prefix before the second of two
compounds coupled together, e. g. ich abbe mis-
seien mid egen, mid mine eren iherd (Lamb. Horn,
p. 189), myslyuyng and techynge (Wyclif), misgyed
and led, yee mis happe and cheeue (Hoccleve), for
thou hast mis-said or done ( J. Davies Eel. 1614).
In OE. mis- was prefixed to verbs, active and
passive participles, nouns of action and condition,
MIS-.
and adjectives. In ME. its composition with
agent-nouns and adverbs followed as a matter of
course, and the principle of prefixing it to any
word of the above classes, existing cither actually
or potentially, became soon established. Hence,
in a group of formally related words such as mis-
represent vb., misrepresentation, misrcpresenlative
adj. and sb., misrepresentatively adv., misrepre-
senter, misrepresenting vbl. sb. and ppl. a., it is
possible (unless there is historical evidence to the
contrary) that each member may have been formed
independently of any of the others.
All those compounds of mis- with respect to which there
is evidence of a continuous history during any period, or
which belong to a group, are treated in their alphabetical
places. Those illustrated in the present article are for the
most part nonce-words of obvious meaning.
1. Prefixed to verbs, with the meaning 'amiss',
'badly', 'wrongly', 'perversely', 'mistakenly'.
In OE. about 40 of such compounds are recorded, of which
less than half are represented in ME. or mod.E. (see Mis-
BEDE, MlSDO, MlSFARE, MlSFERE, MlSLFAD. MlSLIKE, etc.).
As now apprehended, the prefix normally implies not
censure of the act itself, but only of its manner. With this
restriction, nonce-words may be formed very freely. In the
17th c. the use was much wider, and many of the forma-
tions of that period would now be inadmissible.
1603 Florio Montaigne 11. xii. 284 *MUsacknowIedging
[F. mescoguoissant) both himselfe and his labours. 1657
J. Waits Vind. Ch. Fug. 53, I am mistaken, and have
*misadded. 1709 Strypk Ann. Re/, v. 89 The Bp. of
Carlile on the Papists side, and Sandys on that of the
Protestants are misadded to the aforesaid Disputants.
1641 Bp. Hall Ans?v. Vind. Smectymnuus §2. 19 These
are all .. which have so "mis-altered the Leiturgie, that it
can no more be known to be itself then [etc.]. 1873 F. Hall
Mod. Eng. App. 344 note, He *misanalysed is being built into
is being + built. 1611 Cutgr., Mesarriver, to *misarrive, to
happen, or come vnfortunately vnto. 1636 Sanderson Serm,
(1681J II. 64 To mis-judge and *mis-asperse those that arc
set over them. 1614 J. Davies Eel. in Browne Sheph.
Pipe G 3, Hast thou any sheep-cure *mis-assaid ? a 1849
J. C. Mangan Poems (1859) 375 Thus all too mournfully
"mis-atoning For that black ruin his word had made. 1900
Blackw. Mag. Apr. 492/2 [Disraeli] to whom completely
opposite proclivities have been *misattributed. 1646 Prynne
Susp. Susp. Ep. Ded., Having neither any private interest
nor design to *misbyas my judgment. 1638 ^Iaysk Lucian
(1664) 354 As if we "misbusied our selves in a vain, womanish
exercise, a 1631 *Miscanonize [see Mischristen]. 1624
DoNNK/?t'7't?/. (ed. 2) 127 They had mis-placed, ^mis-centred
their hopes. 1798 \V, Eton Survey Turkish Empire Pref.
xii, They are generally., related, .with circumstances which
so totally *mischaracterise the action, that [etc.]. 1611
Florio, Misucnire .. to mischance or *miscom. 1624 Br.
Hall True Peace Maker in Var. Treat. (1627) 540 If either
the superiors *miscommand, or the inferiors disobey. 1615
Sylvester Job Triumph. 1. 518 Remit, O Lord, what I have
ill omitted: Remove (alas!) what I have *mis-committed.
1605 Timme Quersit. 11. vii. 138 Thou shalt not *miscompare
that . . to dead coales. 1615 Sylvester Job Triumph, iv.
256 Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain : And voyd of
knowledge, yet, yet, ^mis-complain. 1898 T. Hardy Wessex
Poems 12 Grieved that lives so matched should *miscompose.
1579 Lodge Def. Plays 8 Your day owl hath *misconned
his parte. 1847 Busunell Chr. Nurture viii. (i86r) 214 We
are to see that we do not *miscondition the state of child-
hood. 1583 Golding Calvin on Dent. xxxi. 184 Wee doe
*misconsider our owne frailetie when we desire that God
shoulde worke miracles dayly. (11656 Bp. Hall Let.
Parsenetkal Rem. Wks. (1660) 400 An old Church, .^mis-
daubed with some untempered. .morter. 1877 M. Arnoi.ij
Sonnet, Divinity Poems I. 261 God's wisdom and God's
goodness ! — Ay, but fools *Mis-define these till God knows
them no more. 1613 Bp. Hall Holy Panegyrick Wks.
(1625) 474 One God, one King, was the acclamation of those
ancient Christians : and yet it was *mis-desired of the
Israelites. 1610 Donne Pseudo-martyr 14 That the Romane
Religion doth. .*mis-encourage and excite men to this
vicious affectation of danger. 1649 J. H. Motion to Pari.
42 It is easie for men of acute wits to mis-judge and *mis-
expect Nature, a 1618 J. Davies (Heref.) Rights 0/ Living
.5- Dead Wks. (Grosart) II. 64 To say thou wast the Forme
(that is the soule) Of all this All ; I should thee *misenroule
In Booke of Life. 1645 Rutherford Tryal 4- Tri. Faith
(1845) 43 The saints can *mis-father their love, and love
where God loveth not. 1881 F. T. Palgrave Vis. Eng.
206 The vapour and echo within he *mis-held for divine.
1687 Boyle Martyrd. Theodora vi. (1703) 86 Whatever
wilfulness may be *mis-imputed to us. 1610 Donne Pseudo-
martyr 97 To *mis-incite men to an imagined martyr-
dome. ^ Ibid. 118 The Romane Church, which *mis-inflames
the minde to false Martyrdome. 1901 Daily Express
18 Mar. 8/4 Having to deal with a dropping ball which he
could not properly judge, [he] *miskicked. a 1625 Fletcher
Four Plays, Honour i. (1647) 29/1 If either of ye *miskil one
another, what will become of poor Florence? 1835 Willis
PencilUngs II. liv. 122 If he was not a rogue, nature had
*mislabelled him. X746 in E. D. Dunbar Social Life (1865)
358 A part of the lands.. suffered damage by being *mis-
laboured, and other parts by not being at all laboured.^ 1674
N. Fairfax Bulk # Selv. Contents, Two or three things of
another sort,..*mismingled. 1876 Mrs. Whitney Sights
$■ Ins. x. 109 You have mingled, and perhaps not mismingled
the stories. 1864 Spectator 17 Dec. 1444/2 The facts (at least
so far as they are *misnarrated by either or both Evangelists),
1650 B. DiscolU mini urn 11 It is a dangerous thing to *mis-
obey Magistrates. 1852 Hawthorne Grandfather's Chair
(1879) 11. m. 85 Virgil whose verses, -have been. ,*misparsed
..by so many, .idle school-boys. 1658-9 in Burton's Diary
(1828) III. 331, I understand that you and your clerk are
reflected upon, as for *mispenning your order. 1879 Mere-
dith Egoist xxxi, Might he not have caused himself to be
*misperused in later life? 17^9 H. Walpole Let. 23 Mar.,
Pigwiggin's Princess has *mis«piged. 1709 Sachkverell
Serm. 5 Nov. 12 Whosoever Presumes to. .*Mispresent any
Point in the Articles. 1883 [W. H. White] Mark Ruther-
123-2
MIS-.
492
MIS-.
ford's Deliverance i, The same arguments, diluted, muddled,
and mis-presented. 1885 American IX. 229 In some direc-
tions we are *misproducing. 1624 Donne Devot. (ed. 2) 8r
Keepe me back, O Lord, fro them who *misprofesse artes
of healing the Soule. 1610 — Pseudo-martyr 96 The
Romane Doctrine, .doth *mis-prouoke her disciples to a
vicious affection of imaginarie Martyrdome. 1496 Dives <$•
Pauper (W. de W.) ix. li. 349/1 Yf thou occupy e ony thynge
*mys purchaced. 1659 in Burtons Diary (1828) IV. 425
The question was "misput. It ought not to have been put
with a negative in it. 1870 Lowell Study Wind. 295
[Religious poetryl a painful something misnamed by the
noun and *misqualified by the adjective. 1817 J. Gilchrist
Intell. Patrimony 78, I could not, indeed so strangely * mis-
reason as to suppose that [etc.]. 1653 Waterhouse Apol.
Learning 249 There is nothing that more dishonoureth
Govemours than to *misreceive moderate addresses. 1602
J. Davies Mirum in Modum D 2b, Th' outward Sences
Which oft misse apprehend, and *misse referre. 1662TUKE
Adv. 5 Hours iv, The censorious world, who, like false
glasses. .'Misreflect the object. 1644 Milton Bucer on Div.
Wks. 1851 IV. 294 If Ezra and Nehemiah did not "mis-
reform. 1658 A. Fox Wiirtz' Surg. Ep. Ded. 9 If he find
any thing, ."mis-reprinted. 1879 Swinburne in Gcntl.
Jl/ag.A\ig. 176 A comedy miserably misreprinted in Dodsley's
Old Plays. 1642 Sir E. Dering Sp. on Relig. 35 This . .
being "mis-resented abroad. 1442 T. Beckington Corr.
(Rolls) II. 191 Howe true men. .might be in subtil wise
"misrewarded. 1633 Up, Hall Hard Texts, N. T. 392 The
doctrines of that wicked Impostor, .put an ill savour. .upon
all that were * mis-seasoned with them. 1398 Florio, A/is-
uendere, . . to "mis-sell. 1674 N. Fairfax Bulk fy Self.
Contents, Sense mistakes and "misshews, and thereby reason
often misled. 1896 Dublin Rtv. Apr. 274 St. Thomas's
mare was *mis-shod at the village forge. 1598 Sylvester
Dh Bart as n. Ded., Wks. (Grosart) I. 94 It will not seem then
that we have *mis-sung. 1614 J. Davies Eel. in Browne
Sheph. Pipe G 3 b, Albe that I ne wot I han mis-song. 1654
J. P. Tyrants $ Prot. Set forth 33 The Mariners eye is upon
the star, when his hand is on the stern ; . . if he 'misteers,
the whole is in danger. 1626 in Archxol. Cant. (1902)
XXV. 18 We present Robert Broome for shutting or "mis-
stopping our usual way on going perambulation of our
parish. 121640 Jackson Creed xi. ii, So far hath the mis-
apprehended doctrine of predestination . .*missuaded some
as they [etc.]. 1647 Ward Simp. Cooler 28 If they [sc.
tailors] might bee .. discharged of the tyring slavery of
*mis-tyring women. 1596 Spenser F, Q. v. xi. 54 She ..
with cortuptfull brybes is to untruth *mis-trayned. a 1626
Bacon Charge Sess.Verge (1662) 19 That which is miswrought
will "miswear.
b. In the 1 4-1 6th C. a few verbs like Misdeem,
MisthiNK, in which the prefix had originally its
normal function, developed new senses in which it
had the force of ( unfavourably*. Then also arose
a few new formations, such as Misbode, Mis-
doubt, Misdkead, in which mis- was prefixed to a
verb expressing suspicion or fear, in order to
render more fully the notion of uneasy feeling con-
tained in the vb. These new senses and combina-
tions, however, now survive only as arch, or dial.
2. Prefixed to pples. and ppl, adjs. with the
same meaning as in 1. Such compounds may be
formed without reference to the corresp. infinitives,
which in many cases are not extant.
So OE. misboren, misbrogden, mishtvierfed, misscrydd,
and mishxbbende, mistveaxende, the corresp. infinitives
misberan, etc. being unrecorded.
A few of the formations illustrated below are quasi-para-
synthetic, as ndsminded, misnatured, misprincipled.
1654 Up. Hall Let. Apol. 6 To compose our "mis-alienated
hearts to peifect love and concord. 1641 Smectvmnuus
Vind. Answ. §2 This "misaltered Liturgie. 1643 Milton
Divorce 47 They shall recover the "misattended words of
Christ to the sincerity of their true sense from manifold
contradictions. 1563-87 Foxe-4. <$• M. (1596) 61/1 It maybe
easilie espied, this epistle to be feigned and *misauthorised.
1889 Skeat Barbour's Bruce Pref. p. Ixvit, The Bodleian
copy is quite peifect ; it is only "misbound. 1864 Carlyle
\\\Lett. Jane W. Carlyle (1883) III. 198 The house was new,
. .small, "misbuilt every inch of it. mi Florio, Misuentito,
"miscome, decaied. 1893 A. Forbes in Daily News 1 May 3/1
The poor *mis-commanded, .. over-marched, outnumbered
fighting men. 1643 Herle Answ. Feme 38 A*misconcea!ed
statute. 1713 Hist. Grand Reb. 11. 302 Honours. ."mis-
confered become the Nations curse. 1831 Carlyle Schiller
in Misc. Ess.US+o) III. 12 Among the crowd of uncultivated
and "miscultivated writers. 1854-66 Patmore Angel in
Ho. n. it. 251 "Misdespairing word and act May now
perturb the happiest pact. 1633 Be. Hall Hard Texts,
N. T. 293 Uncertaine and "Mis-devised traditions of men.
1649 G. Daniel Trinarch., Hen. IV, c, Cannot find Con-
tempt enough for "misenforced Lawes. 1780 M. Noble ■/!//«/
<y Coins 0/ Durham 65 The supposed letter B will be found
to be*mis-engraved C. 1891 Swinburne Stud. Pr. <y Poetry
(1894) 22 The most execrably "misedited book that ever (I
should hope) disgraced the press, c 1600 B. Mus. Add. MS.
10303 */7/r,_The death of Blaunche the Dutchesse . . no doubte
"mysse entituled for this shoulde be Chaucers dreame. 1633
Bp. H all Hard Texts, O. y.Amos.iii. i4Those*mis-erected
altars. 1844 Kinglake Eotheuxvi. 232 If you look at pictures,
you see Virgins with "mis-foreshortened arms. 16x4 Bp. Hall
Contempt., O. T. v. iv, It is both unmannerly and irreligious
to be ''misgestured in our prayers. 1622 Ibid. xvn. iv,
Those *mis-hallowed hills. 1882 Swinburne Tristram of
Lyouesse 19/12 His mishallowed and anointed steel, c x6oo
Sir J. Horsey Trav. (Hakl. Soc.) 243 His highnes maibe
*misincenced. 1615 Chapman Odyss. xiv. 258 Some God
* mis-inspired. _ 1728 Savage Bastard 47 Thus Unprophetic,
lately misinspir'd, I sung. 1641 Bp. Hall Mischief of
Faction Rem. Wks. (1660) 70 The *mis-kindled heat of
some vehement spirits. 1581 Mulcaster Positions xxxvi.
(1887) 138 To haue wittes misplaced, and their degrees
"mislotted by the iniquitie of Fortune. 1850 E. Warburton
Reginald Hastings II. 65 The misshapen and "misminded
dwarf. i88x Swinburne Mary Stuart 1. ii. 42 To join my
name with my * misnatured son's. 1627 W. Sclater Exp.
2 Thess. (1629) 159 The tidings of the *misnoised inhibition
of preaching. 1839 De Quincey Recoil. Lakes Wks.
1862 II. 183 All over his "misorganized country. 1903
A. Lang in Longman's Mag. Feb. 382 [The book] is so
much *mispaged as to be totally useless. 1748 Richardson
Clarissa (1811) VIII. 158 Winking and pinking, "mis-
patched, yawning, stretching. 1624QUARLES Job Militant
xi. 12 b, My dayes are gone, my thoughts are *mis-possest.
[Cf. fob xvii. 11 and marg.] a 1684 Leighton Serm.
Wks. 1830 III. 209 The.. persecutors of our holy_ religion
..are very wrongfully "misprejudiced against it. 1659
H. L'Estrange Alliance Div. Off. 31 The violent passions
of other men "mis-principled. 1646 Bp. HALLi*V«r Prisoner
v. 120 Here we were out of danger of this *mis-raised fury.
1653 H. More Conject. Cabbal. (1713) 148 The "misreflected
Echo of the sound. 1900 Westm. Gaz. 13 Feb. g/i It is the
old story of "mis-reposed trust by easy-going directors in the
executive of the business. 1610 Bp. Hall Apol. Brownists
§ 12 If the sway of your "misresolued conscience bc.vnre-
sistable. 1802-12 Bentham Ration. Judtc. Evid. (18271V.
87 Punishment that has been called *misseated punish-
ment : punishment in alienam personam. 1592 Shaks.
Rom. <y Jul. v. lit. 205 This Dagger.. is *misheathed in my
Daughters bosome. 1681 Baxter A nstu. Dodiuell i. 1 Some
tender place that is so impatient of a *mis-supposed touch.
1850 Carlyle Latter-d. Pamph. i. 56, I will lead you to the
Irish Bogs, .. to *mistilled Connaught. 1640 lip. Hall
Humble Remonstr. 1 1 That any ingenuous Christian should
bee so farre *nris- transported as to condemne a good prayer.
1626 — Contempl., O. T. xx. 97 To set on foot the iust title
of Joash, and to put him into the "misvsurped throne of
his father Ahaziah.
3. Prefixed to vbl. sbs. with the same meaning as
in 4, (Such compounds may be formed without
] reference to a verb.)
1661 J. Stephens Procurations 147 Except the mistakes
! in printing.. others of mispointing and "*mi-%accenting with
j some other literal escapes. 1670 Blount Law Diet.
Pref., Cowel also, especially in the Folio Edition, (besides
I the *misalphabetingj is extreamly misprinted. 1625 Bp.
I Mountagu App, Czsar 3 They seldome or never talke
1 of any 'misbeing, imsordering, misdemeaning. a 1641 —
I Acts ($• Mon. (1642) 394 For mis-leading and "mis-bringing
j up of youth and children. 1629 Sir R. Boyle in Lismore
' Papers (1886) II. 324 The pretended *miscocqueting. .
I of the yron sent by me. 1586 Hooker Answ. Trovers
§ 24 Whatsoeuer was.. by "miscollecting gathered out of
darke places.^ 1611 Florio, Misuenime'nto.. a mischancing
or "miscomming. 1645 Milton Tetrach. Wks. 1851 IV. 171
Granting no divorce, but to the want, or *miscommunicating
of that. 1865 *Mis-craving (see Mis-wish sb.]. 1866
G. Stephens Runic Mon. I. p. xvii, All the talk about
' *miscuttings\ 1598 Sylvester Du Bartas n. i. 11. (1641)
93/2 The *mis-eatmg of a certain fruit. 1621-31 Laud
Serm. (1847) *75 lne sin.. is committed by man's •mis-
endeavouring, or want of endeavouring. 1645 Bp. Hall
Rem. Discontent 146 The sting of the guilty *mis-enjoying
of them will be sure to stick by us. 1496 Dives A> Pauper
(W. de W.) v. ix. 206/2 They drawe folke to synne by
*mys entysyng. 1665 Phil. Trans. I. 229 The *Misgraving
the Bended end of the Springing Wire, a 1586 Sidney
Arcadia n. (1629) 185 When they knew their *mismeeting
and saw each other, .stiiuing who should run fastest to the
goale of death. 1804 Eugenia de Acton Tale without
Title III. 59 Will not our readers lament this mis-meeting.
1851 Carlyle Sterling 11. v. 200 There are several things
misseen, untrue, which is the worst species of *mispainting.
x6n Cotgr., MesPartement, a *misparting ; an vnhonest,
vnfit, or vnseemelie diuision. a 1626 Bacon Controv. Ch.
Eng. in Resuscitatio (1657) xl% All which Errours, and
*Misproceeding_s, they do fortifie . . by an addicted Respect, to
their own Opinions. 1865 J. Grote Explor. Philos. \. 249
It depends solely upon the realizing, in my view quite ^mis-
realizing, of logical terms. 1651 Hobbes Leviath. 1. v. 21
By *mis-reasoning, or by trusting them that reason wrong.
X862 F. Hall Hindu Philos. Syst. 190 In this misreasoning.
iSS*~3 Act 7 Ed7t>. VI, c. 1 § 7 Fines.. upon any Shirief. .
for not returning or *misre turning of any Write. 1652 H.
L'Estrange Amer. no Jewes 73 Some infirmities, which by
Venery, and *misriding and *miswalking they have con-
tracted. 1901 W. E. Lingelbach in Trans. Roy. Hist. Soc.
(1902) XVI. 59 In case a report or presentment of *mis-
shipping was brought to the notice of the authorities. 188a
Atlantic Monthly ' L. 695 A slight *misspacing, very common
in newspaper print. 1680 Waller Div. Medit. xv. 1 10 The
slipping, or breaking of a string or the *inistopping [ = mis-
stopping] of a fret. 1496 Dives <y Pauper (W. de W.) vi.
xiv. 256/1 That a man kepe well his handes & his bodye
from ^mystouchynge^ 187a Bushnell Serm. Living Subj.
34 Our pitiful *mistrain*mg is assuredly to be corrected.
4. Prefixed to nouns of action, condition, and
quality, with the meaning 'bad', * wrong', 'erro-
neous', 'perverse', 'misdirected*.
Of such compounds 13 are recorded in OE., of which Mis-
deed(jMislore, Misrede, and Miswork are the only repre-
sentatives in subsequent periods.
1894 Goldwin Smith in 19*7* Cent. Feb. 226 The misprints
j and *misaccentuations.. contributed to its failure, a 1661
Fuller Worthies^ (1840) I. 306 Let them sink into obscurity,
I that hope to swim in credit by such *mis-achievements.
a 1849 E. A. Poe Sphinx Wks. 1865 II. 436 To under-rate or
to over-value the importance of an object, through mere
*misadmeasurement of its propinquity. 1650 R. Holling-
worth Exerc. Usurped Powers 58 The magistrates *mis-
administration. 1825 Coleridge Aids Reff. {1848) I. 286
The *misaIlotment of worldly goods and fortunes. 1642
C. Vernon Consid. Exch. 28 'I he said undue discharges
and *misallowances. 1509 Barclay Shyp of Folys 21
If all the Foly of our Hole Royalme were named Of
*mys apparayle. 1862 Carlyle Frcdk. Gt. xm. ii. (1873)
V. 26 *Misappointment of your Captains is a fatal business.
1834 De Quincey Autob. Sk. Wks. 1854 II. 20 His extrava-
gant *mis-appraisement of Knolles. X623 Bp. Hall Great
Impostor Wks. (1625) 503 Being ouercome with the false
delectablenesse of sinne, it yeelds to a * misse -assent. 1646
R. Baillie Anabaptism (1647) Pref. b. The ground of this
*mis-assertion I take to be a twofold misapprehension. x888
Charity Organis. Rev. Oct. 436 To prevent a mis-association
of the sexes. 1873 M. Arnold Lit. <y Dogma (1876) 399 The
*mis-attribution to the Bible.. of a science. -which is not
there. 1706 Baynard Cold Baths (1709) 11. 341 Infants..
may be writh'd-.by the least '"mis-bandage into any inform
Figure. 1596 Spenser F. Q. iv. in. 11 The meede of thy
*mischalenge and abet. 1845 Stoddart Gram, in Encycl.
Metrop. I. 131/1 A *miscoinage of Ben Jonson's coarse and
pedantic wit. 1826 Bentham in IVestm. Rev. VI. 499 Not
only mis-selection., but *miscollocation likewise, a 1628 F.
Grevil Mustapha m. i. Wks. (Grosart) III. 357 In Tyrants
state neuer was man undone By *miscomplaints. 1618 Bp.
Hall Righteous Mammon Wks. (1625) 699 The euill dis*
positions that doe commonly attend wealth, are Pride and
*Misconfidence. 1822-34 Good's Study Med. (ed. 4) IV. 160
Labour impeded by *mis-configuration of the fetus. 18x9
W. S. Rose Lett. ii. 21 Misconstructions and *misconjuga-
tions. 1648 Bp. Hall Select Th. § 6 The *miscredulity of
those who will rather trust to the Church than to the Scrip-
ture. 1854 [S. R. Bosanquet] The First Seal 71 This
wilderness of *misculture and unprofitableness. 1822-34
Good's Study Med. (ed. 4) III. 243 Those cases in which the
[spinal] *miscurvature is very considerable. 1905 Daily
Chron. 9 Jan. 4/5 The offence is known in railway parlance
as**misdeclaration of freight '. 1822-34 Goods Study Med.
(ed. 4) I. 20 Genus I : — Odontia. *Misdentition. 1617 Bp.
Hall Quo Vadis ? Ep. Ded., Returning as emptie of grace
..as full of words, vanitie, *mis-dispositions. 1624 — True
Peace- Maker Wks. (1625) 542 To falsifie the writings of..
Authors, by secret expurgations, by wilfull *m is- edit ions.
1659 Heylin Examen Hist. 11. 66 The #mis-effects of that
war. 1829 Bentham Justice <r Cod. Petit. 58 Neither the
inefficiency, nor the whole of the *misefficiency, can be
brought into view, 1822 Good Study Med. IV. 131 Seminal
*Misemission. 1603 Florio Montaigne 11. xxxiv. (1632) 415
Victories, which one onely disaster, or *mis-encounter, might
make him lose. 1822 Good Study Med. I. 94 Psellismus
Blaisitas. *Misenunciation. 1592 Arden of Feversham G 4
AndaskeofGod,. .Vengeance on Arden, or some *misevent,
To shewe the world, what wrong the carle hath done. 1583
Golding Calvin on Deut. xci. 564 To bee caryed away by
their *misexample. 1685 Baxter Paraphr. N. T. Matt. xxiv.
3 Though Christ do not presently blame their •mis-expecta-
tions. 1657 J. Sergeant Schism Disfach't 200 These two
*mis-explicationsofDr. H.'sdulyconsider'd. 1614SYLVKSTER
Parl.Vertues Royall igs Wks. (1621)853 When by*mis-heed,
or by mishap, hee corns .. into the Sacred Rooms. 1898
IVestm. Gaz. 1 Jan .5/1 Caught at mid-off by Hirst, ofTa*mis-
hit. 1652 Bp. Hall Invis. World 1. § 9 Here then was this
*mis-humility, that they thought it too much boldness to
come immediately to God. 1665 Wither Lord's Prayer 121
This *misimputation to God, is continued, though he hath
said, (yea sworn) the contrary. 1894 Eclectic Mag. Jan. LIX.
20 The hugest and ugliest shed constructible by human *mis-
ingenuity. 1680 Baxter Answ. Stillingfl. xxiv. 37 All will
not prevent the *mis-intimations even of such worthy Men
as you. x8a« Good Study Med. IV. 37 Galactia. "Mislacta-
tion. 1571 Golding Calvin on Ps. Hi. 4 He bursteth not out
into *mislanguage too wreake himself. 1822 Good Study
Med. IV. 37 Paramenia. *Mismenstruation. Ibid. 438 Paru-
ria. *Mismicturition. a 1631 Donne Obseq. Ld. Harrington
132 As small pocket-clocks, whose every wheele Doth each
*mismotion and distemper feele. 1904 Daily Chron. 8 Jan.
4/6 Drowned through *Misnavigation on the Congo. 1835-6
Todds Cycl. Anat. I. 60/1 Certain morbid conditions ofthe
system, in which there is any process of *mis-nutrition. 1643
Milton Divorce n. ix. Wks. 1851 IV. 83 That our obedience
be not * mis-obedience. 1822-34 Goods Study Med. (ed. 4)
IV. 97 A mtsformation or*misorganisation ofthe parts. Ibid.
242parostia. *Mis-ossification. x^/ox Sotheby's Catal. May53
We think that the. .*mispagination was an error on the part
of the printers. 1633 Bp. Hall Hard Texts, N. T. 8 Th«
inward "mis-passion of the heart. x^»2 Wollaston Relig.
Hat. iii. 42 Wrong notions, and "misperceptions of things.
1893 Daily Hews 24 Feb. 3/1 Lord R. Churchill said he
must blame his aural misperception. 1865 J. Grote Exftlor.
Philos. 1. Introd. 13 This error I have called ultra-pheno-
menalism or "mis-phenomenalism. 1896 L. Abbott Christ.
«r Soc. Probl. xi. 305 The very phrase ' administration of
{'ustice* is a *mis-phrase. 18x2 Southey Ess. (1832) I. 154
f some strange nuspolicy does not avert this, .natural
course of things. [Several other instances in Southey.]
1822-34 Good's Study Med. (ed. 4) IV. 156 Those apprehen-
sions which are often entertained by a pregnant woman
respecting the *misposition of the child. 1653 Baxter
Christian Concord 1 10 No mans *mis-practice is any reason-
able cause of excepting against our Agreement. 1621 B p.
Mountagu Diatrtbx 5 Having once by a "mis-preconcert
fashioned their thoughts thereunto. 1905 Daily ATews 26
Jan. 12 The *misproposals ofthe present Government. 1659
H. L'Estrange Alliance Dtv. Off. 31 Through whose "mis-
providence these errours have come to pass. 1865 J. Grote
Explor. Philos. 1. Introd. 9 A very mistaken view, which I
have called generally the wrong psychology or "mis-psycho-
logy. 1496 Dives <r Pauper (W. de W.) ix. vi. 355/2 Them
that have mysgoten them by "myspurchace, or by withhold-
ynge of dette. X85X Carlyle Sterling 1. viii, Sordid misbe-
liefs, *mispursuits and *misresults. a 1483 Liber Niger in
Honseh. Ord. (1 790) 59 To counsayle upon whome to cast the
lossesofsuche*mysse pourveyaunce. 1867 Carlyle Remin.
(1881) II. 128 ' Sense of the ridiculous', .is withal very indis-
pensable to a man; Hebrews have it not.. hence various
misqualities of theirs. 1864 Daily Tel. 13 June, The "mis-
reception of evidence, c 1843 Carlyle Hist. Sk. (1898) 104
Struggling all thy years against poverty and "misrecognition.
1886 Gurney, etc. Phantasms of Living 1 1. 390 The mis-re-
cognition would then be very similar. 1894 J. L. Robert-
son Scott's Poet. Wks. Pref., The discovery of several "mis-
references. 183X Eraser's Mag. III. 203 This is a favourite
"mis-rhyme, a 1670 Hacket^^/. Williams 1.(1693)72 That
*mis-sentence, which pronounced by a plain and understand-
ing Man, would appear most Gross and Palpable, c 1810
Coleridge in Lit. Rem. (1838) III. 296 They rejected the fact
for the sake of the "mis-solution, a X656 Bp. Hall Let. Pa-
rxnetical Rem. Wks. (1660) 399 Meer tricks of "mis-sugges-
tion. 1818 Scott Rob Roy ii, Au erasure in the ledger, or a
*mis.summation in a fitted account. 1780 Bentham Princ.
Legist. Wks. 1843 I. 75 Where, .there is no *missupposal in
the case. X876 Tennyson Q. Mary iv. ii, The huge corrup-
tions of the Church, Monsters of *mistradition. a 1862
MIS-.
493
MISADVISE.
O'Curry Manners Anc. Irish (1873) IU, 384 This, unless
figurative, is clearly a mistake or a *mistranscript. 1868
H. H. Gwvs Chev. AssigneVrzf. p. i, There are several *mis.
transcriptions. 1849 Eraser's Mag. XXXIX. 598 Trouble
and joy in strange *misunion blent. 1882 Adp. Benson Let.
in Life (1901) 219 Wherever my *miswisdom .. draws my
eyes down from the Pattern showed us in the Mount.
5. Prefixed to agent-nouns.
1615 Bp. Mountagu App. Caesar 232 Wicked *nuVagents
in respect of living, a 1618 Sylvester 5*/. Lewis 670 Wks.
(Grosart) II. 236 Who. .could better brook A * miss- Fault-
finder, than a Fawner's looke. 1547 Reg. Privy Council
Scot. I. 75 Thai salbe reput and balding as *misfavou rails
of this realme. 1574 tr. Marlorafs Apocalips 39 marg.,
Hypocrites and *misprofessors of religion. 1638 Mede
Disc. Texts xlvi. Wks. 11. (1672) 258 All prophaners and
*misreceivers of those Sacred pledges. 1891 Sat. Rev. 30
May 667/1 The incorrigible *misrhymer who jingles
* burden and ( pardon '.
6. Prefixed to adjs. with the sense of ' wrongly1,
'erroneously', 'perversely*.
1620 Bp. Hall Hon. Marr. Clergy m. iii, Whether the
catholike Bishop that wrote this, or the *mis-catholike
masse-priest that reproues it, be more worthy of Bedleem.
1641 — Anszv. Vind. Smectymnuus § 2. 22 My eyes are
so Lyncean, as to see you proudly * mis-confident. 1893
Stevenson Catriona x. (1903) 1 10 It is most *misconvenient
at least. 1837 Syd. Smith Let. Archd. Singleton iii. Wks.
(1850) 641/2 In defeating this " mis-ecclesiastic law. 1614
Sylvester Little Bartas 822 Without *mis-fond affection.
7. Expressing negation (of something good or
desirable) ; equivalent to Dis-, In"-, or Un-.
In OE., wisgteman, mishferan, misspdiuan, jnistrtezvan,
misweorpian are instances in which this meaning is more
or less clearly developed.
1649 Earl Monm. tr. SenauWs Use Passions (1671) 82
Men. .seem to have a design to hasten their *misad vantages.
1859 Tennyson Holy Grail 175 And once by *misadvertence
Merlin sat In his own chair. 1816 Coleridge Lett. (1895)
658 If pain and sorrow and self-*miscomplacence had not
forced my mind in on itself. 1855 A. H. Stephens in John-
ston & Browne Life (1878) 288 That. .the Supreme Court
would hold it to be *misconstitutional. 1893 Stevenson
Catriona 108 It is most *misconvenient at least. 1704 F.
Fuller Med.Gymn. (1718) 76 The Pus, the Slough, and all
the "Mispui ides of the Sore. 138a Wyclif Ecclus. xxv. 29
The wrathe of a womman and the *mysreuerence [1388
vnreuerence, Vulg. irreverentia]. 1850 Tail's Mag, XVII.
2/1 A rental of ten pounds yearly would be, for many
families, a deed of *misthrift.
8. Prefixed to words denoting something wrong
or bad, serving as an intensive.
In OE. we have misscrence by the side of %e-$cr$nce «
withered.
1570 in J. P. Collier Old Ballads (Percy Soc. 1840) 79 What
"mis-deformed wights Of women borne there bee. 1656
Earl Monm. tr. Boccaliui's Advts. Jr. Parnass. \. Ixxxvii.
171 The. .reproaches, .which Poets, .make.. against such
*misdemeriting men [orig. huomini di tanto demerito].
Ibid. 11. xcv. 388 His Majesty thought he had no waies *mis-
demerited [orig. demerilato] by that his forge tfulness. Ibid.
1. ii. 4 The *misdemerits [oritj. il demerito] of this fellow.
1533 Bellenden Livy in. xxiii. (S.T.S.) II. 40 We. .covatis
nocht bot 30W to be penitent of 3oure *mysfalt. C1470
Harding Chron, clxxvi. iii, That ruled had in mykell
*mysryote. la 1500 Felon Sevuc o/Rokeby in R, Bell Am.
Poems, etc. (1857) 134 Ye wolde hav ren awaye, When moste
*misstirre had bin. 1592 Wvrley Armorie 152 Capitall de
Buz, Bicause from England he was late *mistraid [= mis-
strayed].
9. The existence of pairs of words like misbelieve
and disbelieve, mislike and dislike gave rise to
confusion between the prefixes and to the (often
unmeaning) substitution of mis- for dis- (and even
des-), as in \misguise, \ mis may. To the same con-
fusion are due the dial, misdain, misdainfttl (after
disdain)^ misery for descry, and mislest, corruption
of molest \ also the obs. mislaundre for dislaundre
DlSCLANDEB.
Mis* (mis), prefix 2 (Forms : 3-5 mes-, 4
mess(e)-, 4-5 myss(e)-, 3- mis-) in compounds
adopted from French represents OF. mes- (mod.F.
rue's; mes', Pie!-) — Pr. tries-, mens-, Sp., Pg.
merws-, Olt. menes-, minis-, It. mis- (also med.L.
Mix-) :— Com. Rom. minus-, a use of L. minus
adv. 'less, not', as a prefix with the signification
' bad(ly) ', ' wrong(ly) ', ( amiss ' , and with negative
force, in comb, with verbs, adjectives, and nouns.
The list of words derived immediately from OFr.
compounds of mes- is not large, the most impor-
tant being Misadventure, Mischance, Mischief,
Miscontent, Miscreant, Misease, Misnomer,
Misprize ; but the number due directly or in-
directly to the influence of such compounds is
prob. much larger (cf. Mis-1). In English the
prefix became ultimately identical in form (as it
was in meaning) with Mis-1.
Mischief, mischievous, and miscreant are the only com-
pounds of Mb*1 having the stress on the prefix. This is due
to the fact that they early ceased to be felt as compounds,
and while they followed the rule of stress-change in French-
derived words, mischance and the rest fell under the influ-
ence of the native compounds of Mis-1, and so have their
stress on the root.
t Misacce'pt, v. Obs. rare. [Mis-1 1.] trans.
To take (a word) in a wrong sense. Hence
f Misacce'pter.
x^97 J' Sergeant Solid Philos. 88 My Intention, .is. .to
settle the True and Genuine Sense of such Words, to be
applied afterwards to the Mis-accepters of them, as occasion
requires. Ibid. 288 Those Words, which have been Abus'd
or Mis-accepted by Trivial Philosophers.
Misaccepta-tion. rare-0. [Mis-1 4.] The
taking of a word in a wrong sense.
1721 Bailey, Misacceptation, a wrong Understanding or
Apprehension of any thing. 1755 in Johnson.
j Misacce'ption. Obs. [Mis-1 4: see Ac-
ception 4.] - prec.
1628-9 Bp. Hall Strut, to Lords 18 Feb. Wks. 1808 V.
385 The Apostle, .contemning all impotent mis-acceptions,
calls them what he finds them, A froward generation. 1697
J. Sergeant Solid Philos. 109 What Prodigious Incon- '
veniences do arise from the Mis-acceptions of one of those
many Different Senses such Words may bear. 1727 in j
Bailey vol. II.
t Misaxcident. Obs. [f. Mis-1 4 + Accident
sb., after mischance.] ^ Mischance, Mishap.
1623 in H. Foley Pec. Eng. Proz: S. J. I. 95 His majestic
was verie some for the mis-accident that happened at the
French Ambassador's. 1633 Bp. Hall Occas. Medit. vi. 16
Here is a great world in a little roome, by the skill of the
workeman, but in lesse roome, by mis-accident. 1648 —
Breathings Devout Soul (1851' 187 Secular mis-accidents.
t Misaccount, v. Obs. [Mis-1 i.] trans.
To misreckon, misjudge.
c 1374 Chaucer Troylus v. 1185 He thoughte he mis-
acounted hadde his day. 1603 Florio Montaigne in. xiii.
639 How often . . hee hath l>eene deceived, and mis-accompted
his owne judgement. 1655 J. Sedgwick in E. Calamy's
Str/n. 17 Oct. 1654. 2& Misaccounting his years summe.
t Misaxt, v. Obs. [Mis-1 i.] trans, and intr.
To act badly. Also f Miaa'Cting vbl. sb.
i6og J. Rawlinson Fishermen 35 Sc if the Minister did
misact but an earthly Prince only, his fault were more
tolerable. 1614 T. Adams Physickefr. Heaven Wks. (1633)
300 The Player, that misacts an inferiour and vnnoted part,
carryes it away without censure. 1651 W. Lykokd Serm.
(1654) 4 In case of misact'mgs. 1665 Wither Lord's Prayer
159 Truely repenting his other misaclings.
t Misaxtion. Obs. [Mis-1 4.] A wrong
action ; misdoing.
1693 W. Freke Sel. Ess. xxxL 182 The only_ occasion of
his {viz. God's] Contempt of us, is our Misaction, and our
Aberration from his Law.
1 Misaxtor. Obs. [Mis-1 5.] A misdoer.
1659 C. Noble Mod. Aus. to Immod. Queries 14 Here's a
down right quarrel to the . . management of State Affairs ;
the mis-actors herein he names to be some Lawyers.
Misada'pt, v. [Mis-1 i.] To adapt wrongly.
1862 Mrs. >£Crosland Mrs. Blake 1 1. 307 By a gradual
misapplication of ideas, some persons have grown to ' mis-
adapt ' the thought.
Misadapta'tion. [Mis-1 4.] Defective adapta-
tion, want of adaptation.
1878 Morley Diderot I. iv. 94 The marvels of misadapta-
tion in the Universe. 1888 H. S. Holland Christ or Eccl.
5 Every day has some fresh discovery to make to us of.,
misadaptation, disorder, confusion.
Misaddress, v. [Mis-1 i.] trans. To
address wrongly or impertinently. Also Mis-
addressed///, a. and Misaddressing vbl. sb.
1648 Boyle Seraphic Love (1660) 49 A fervent Love heems
little less than Devotion misaddrest. 1858 Carlyle Fredk.
Gi. II. vii. v. 225 This one [letter]. .by mere misaddress-
ing, . .fell into the hands of vigilant Rittmeister Katte. 1885
McConkey Hero of Coxtpens xxiv. 228 These . . cautions
seem singularly misaddressed, to the man who had never
been known to be surprised from Quebec to Cowpens. 1892
Stevenson Vailima Lttt.(iBg$) 163 Receiving misaddressed
letters.
MisadJTTSted, ppi. a. Badly adjusted.
i860 I. Taylor Ess. 276 They are in a misadjusted con-
dition.
Misadjustment. [Mis- 1 4.]
1. Want of adjustment.
1827 I. Taylor Transm. Anc. Bks. (1859) 410 The wrong
chronological conceptions which have arisen from the mis-
adjustment of them as to their order of time. 1888 Mar-
ti neau Study Relig. II. iv. iii. 384 Apparent misadjust-
ments of this world's goods.
2. U.S. Lack of agreement or harmony.
1878 Garfield in N. Amer. Rev. CXXVI. 450 The mis-
adjustment between the Secretary of War and the army.
IKE is adventure (missedve'ntiur, -tjai), sb.
Forms : 3-6 (9 arch.') misaventure, (3-6 -eur, 4
-ur, 4-6 -our, 6 -aventre), 5- -adventure. See
also Misaunter. [a. OF. mesaventure (12th c.),
f. mesavenir to turn out badly, after aventure Ad-
venture sb. : see Mis- -.
The spelling with -ad- appears first in the 15th c, but
does not become regular till the end of the 16th c, when
the stress also finally settled in its present position.]
1. Ill-luck, bad fortune. Nearly always in particu-
larized use : A piece of bad fortune ; a mishap or
misfortune.
c 1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 364/11 Muche reube was into al pat
lond of bis misauenture. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace
(Rolls) 9218, & preye Iesu our Saueour To schulde vs fro
mysauentour. c 1407 Lydg. Reson fy Sens. 4238 The sor-
rowes and mysaventures . . That loves folkys ha suflfred
there, c 1425 Eng. Cong. Irel. 68 Good aduentures comen
oft slowly & aloon, bot mesaduentures ne cometh neuer-
more aloon. 1500-20 Dunbar Poems xx. 44 Hald God thy
friend, . . He will the confort in all misaventeur. c 1510
Barclay Mirror Gd. Manners (1570) D v, Joy sauced is
with payne, .. Mixt with misaduenture be chaunces pros-
perous. 1592 Shaks. Rom. fy Jul. v. i. 29 Your lookes are
pale and wild, and do import Some misaduenture. 1614
Raleigh Hist. World 11. (1634) 407 All under the Sunne
are subject to worldly miseries and misadventures. 1792
Burke Prts. St. Ajf. Wks. VII. 103 The grand, solid body
..proceeded leisurely .. to support the expedite body in
case of misadventure. 1822 Shelley tr. Calderons Magico
Prodigioso ii. 102 Among my misadventures This shipwreck
is the least, a 1850 Rossetti Dante $ Circle 1. (1874) :si
Through this my strong and new misaventure, All now is
lost to me. 1878 Bobw. Smith Carthage 323 Not a mis-
adventure or a hitch occurred. 1885 Manch. Exam. 3 June
5/1 There was a mistake, or a misunderstanding, or a mis-
adventure of some sort.
2. Phrases, a. f ^A fy misadventure (see also 3^ ;
by an unlucky accident, f b. To bid (a thing) mis-
adventure; to curse. To do (a person) misadventure:
to bring disaster or ruin upon. + c. In imprecatory
expressions.
a. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 166 His nese & hi^
ine he carfe at misauentoure. 1470-85 Malory Arthur in.
vii. 107 And soo he smote of her hede by mysauenture. Ibid.
vii. vi. 221 Alle that euer thou do^t is but by mysauenture
and not by prowesse of thy handes. 1820 Shelley tr.
Dante's Convito 55 If by misadventure chance should bring
Thee to base company. 1873 Browning Red Cott. Nt.-cap
11. 669 Made aware By misadventure that his bounty ..
comforted a visitant.
b. ^1330 Arih. .y Mtrl. 4384 (Kulbing) Bobe o lif & eke
tresour pai dede J>e paiens misauentour. Ibid. 8361 He. .bad
be time mesauenture, bat he cunteked wib king Arthour.
C. ^11300 K.Horn 344 (Camb. MS.) Went [=go] vt of my
bur, Wib muchel mesauenteur. c 1386 Chaucer Friary T.
36 'Pees, with mischance and with mi-uventure ', Thu-,
seyde our host, ' and lat him telle his tale '. c 1450 Merlin
65 And she seide ' Mysauenture haue that it kepeth eny
counse'ile\
3. Laiv. Homicide committed accidentally by a
person in doing a lawful act, without any intention
of hurt ; now chiefly in phr. homicide or death by
misadventure.
\c 1290 llnnios (1865) 1. ii. § 2 Cum nule felounie ou mes-
auenture suit avenue. J 1509-10 Act 1 Hen. VIII, c. 7 Vf eny
persone hathe happened to be slayne by myssaventre and
not by no mannys Hande. 1581 W. Stafford Exam. Compl.
iii. (1876J 85 A man that had trespassed the lawe of misad-
uenture. 1596 Bacon Max. A> Use Com. Laiv^ 1. (1630) 30
If diuers bee in danger of drowning by the casting away of
some boate . . and one of them get to some plancke . . and
another to save his life thrust him from it, whereby hee i.i
drowned, this is neither st defendendo nor by misaduen-
ture, but iustifiable. 16:4 — Charge touching Duels 20
For the case of misaduenture it selfe, there were Citties
of refuge. 1769 Blackstone Comm. IV. iv. xiy. 182 Homi-
cide per infortunium, or misadventure. Ibid., Where a
parent is moderately correcting his child, a master his
servant or scholar, or an officer punishing a criminal, and
happens to occasion his death, it is only misadventure. 1800
Addison's Rep. 8 Homicide by misadventure is an unlawful
killing by accident. 1903 Blackw. Mag. Dec. 772/1 Death
by misadventure in the ordinary execution of her duty.
f Misadventure, v. Obs.-~° [nonce-formation
on It. (see quot.).]
1611 Florio, Misauenturdrc, to misaduenture.
t Misadve'ntured, a. Obs.-1 [f. Misadven-
ture sb. Cf. OF. mesaventure'.'] Unfortunate.
1592 Shaks. Rom. fy Jul. Piol. 7 (Qo.) Whose misadueu-
tur'd pittious ouerthrowes, Doth with their death burie
their Parents strife.
Misadventurous (mis&dve'ntiurss),^. Also
5 mysauentrous. [In the early quot. a. OK.
mesaventureux ; in the mod. instances f. Mis-
adventure + -ous.] Unfortunate, unlucky.
C1400 tr. Secreta Secret.. Gov. Lordsh. 114 Kepe be fro
vche mysauentrous man, bat ys lesnyd of any membre.
a 1693 Urquhart's Rabelais in. xxii. 180 He was . . soun-
fortunately misadventrous in the Lot of hi* own Destiny,
that [etc.]. 1742 C. Jarvis Don Quixote (1749) II. II. i. 104
The obstinacy, with which he was bent upon the search
of his misadventurous adventures. 1817 Coleridge Biog.
Lit. xx. (Bohn) 201 A few misadventurous attempts to trans-
late the arts and sciences into verse. 1842 H. Taylor Ed-
win the Fair iv. i. 180 Our misadventurous Synod.
Hence Misadve"nturously adv.t by misadventure.
1632 Strafford in Browning Life (1891) 300, I am
hartely sorrye for him and for myself too, that, .should thus
misaduenturousely light vpon a man, that [etc].
Misadvi'Ce. [Mis-i 4.] Wrong advice.
1632 Sherwood, Misaduise, mesadvis. a 1684 Leighton
18 Serm. vii. (1745) 113 When they are abused by Mis-
advice and corrupt Counsel. 1775 Lord Chatham Sp. in
Modem Orator ^(1847) 71 To rescue him from the misadvice
of his present Ministers.
Misadvise, v. [Mis-* i.]
f 1. refl. To take a wrong counsel ; to act un-
advisedly. Obs.
[1370-80 : see Misadvised.] c 1386 Chaucer Wifes Prol.
230, 1 sey nat this by wyves that ben wyse, But-if it be whan
they hem misavyse. 1602 Warner Alb. Eng. xi. lxvii.
(1606) 285 In making Loue vnmeant thou didst thy selfe but
misaduise.
2. trans. To advise wrongly.
a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. IV, 8 b, Ruled and mis-
avised by the evell..councell of perverse, .persons. 1659
in Rushw. Hist. Colt. I. 607 Thev accused John de Gaunt
..and Lord Latimer, and Lord Nevil, for misadvising the
King. 1679 Bedloe Narr. Popish Plot Ep.,To have Some
of their Chief Friends thereabouts, that may misadvise
Great Persons. 1727 in Bailey vol. II. 1827 Pollok
Courst Time ix. (i860) 266 Nor failed to misadvise his
future hope And faith, by false unkerneled promises. 1849
Grote///V. Greecew. lvi. (1862)7.91 He. .had fatally mis-
advised his countrymen into making important cessions.
Hence f Misadvising (?///. a. absol., ill-advised
persons; or = Mis a. + Advising vbl. sb.).
^1461 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 253 Many a wondurfulle
dysgyzyng, By imprudent and myssavyzyng.
MIS-ADVISED.
494
MISAPPLY.
t Mis-advised, ///. a. Obs. [f. prec + -ed i
or f. Mis1 2 + Advised.] Wrongly advised; ill-
advised ; injudicious.
1370-80 XI Pains of Hell iyj in 0. E. Misc. 2?g He hab
ben muche mys-Auyset, Godus Comaundemens he hap dis-
pysct. 1400 in Roy. t, Hist. Lett. Hen. IV (Rolls) I. 37 We
was nevere so mys avised to worch agayn the Kyng no his
lawes. c 1460 Play Sacram. 639 Voydeth from my syght &
yt wyghtly ffor ye be mysse a vysed. 1469 in 10M Rep.
Hist. MSS. Comm. A pp. v. 306 Affray made of purpose or
by mysse-advised men. a 1529 SkeltoN IVare the Haitke
22 To make complaynte Of such mysaduysed Parsons and
dysgysed. 1590 Spenser .A". Q. in. ii. 9 Ye misavised beene
t'upbrayd A gentle knight with so unknightly blame. 1643
Prynne Sov. Power Pari. 11. (ed. 2) 76 It would rest in the
meere power. .of a wilfull or misadvised King. .to deprive
the Kingdome of the. .use.. of Parliaments. 1780 Bentham
Print. Morals (1789) be. § 6 In such case the act may be said
to be mis-advised.
Hence f Misadvisedly adv., ill-advisedly, im-
prudently ; t Misadvrsedness, the quality or con-
dition of being misadvised.
a 1548 Hai.l Chron.% Edw. IV (1550'' 30 Lest it shoulde be
laied to her charge, that she had doen any thy ng misaduisedly.
1548 Udall Erasm. Par. Luke ix. 85 If the teacher dooe
not presumpteouslye vsurp to hymself the gifte of learnyng
. .ne vndiscretely or mysaduisedly shewe foorth the same as
though it wer of his owne. 1780 Bentham Princ. Morals
(i7?9) ix. § 16 In the case of w/u-advisedness with respect to
any circumstance. Ibid, § 17 Un-advisedness coupled with
heedlessness, and mis-advisedness coupled with rashness
correspond to the culpa sine dolo.
t Misadvi'sement. Ohs. = Mis advice.
1594 Lodck Wounds Civ. IV. v. 14 b, These are verie
indiscreet counsailes neighbor Poppey, and I will follow
your misaduisement.
tMisaffext, v. Obs. [Mis-i i, 7.]
1. trans. To affect injuriously.
1621 Burton Anat. Mel. i. i. in. i, Fracastorius .. calls
those melancholy, whom abundance of. .black choler hath
so misafTected, that they become mad thence. 1650 Chaklk-
ion Parado.ves6o When the Palate is misaffected withpaine.
2. To dislike.
1586 Bacon Let. to Ld. Treas. Wks. 1830 XII. 473 They
\sc. objections] were delivered by men that did inisaffect me.
1641 Milton Auimadz: Postscr. 74 That peace which you
have hitherto so perversely misaffected.
t Misaffected, ///. a. Obs. [Partly f. prec.
+ -ed1, partly f. Mis-1 2 + Affected. Cf. OF.
mesafaitie evil-disposed.]
1. Affected by illness or disease; diseased.
1621 Burton Anat, Mel. 1. iii. 11. iv. (1651) 204 Such are
for the most part misaffected and prone to this disease.
1694 Phil. Trans. XVIII. 17 The Liver. .which by some is
adjudged to be particularly.. misaffected in this Distemper.
2. Ill-disposed, disaffected.
1633 Br. Hall Occas. Mcdit. (1634) xxi. 126 By how much
more excellent any object is, by so much more is our weake
sense mis-affected in the first apprehending of it. 1645
Some Observations 3 An ill Rhetorician to a misaffected and
ignorant People may make this seem very odious.
Misaffection. Now rare or Ohs. [Mis-1 4.]
1. Perverted affection ; disaffection.
1621 Up. Moustagu Diatribx 425 Your ill disposition,
and mis-affection vnto him. 1635 J. Haywakd tr. Biondfs
Banish'd Virg. 28 The misaffections anddisaffections of his
sonnes. 1635 Br. Hall Char. Man 41 How earthly and
grosse with misaffections.
2. Physical disorder; disease.
ID73 O. Walker Educ. 71 Divers misaffections in the eyes,
by spectacles. 1822-34 Goods Study Med. (ed. 4) III. 398
Flatulency or some other misaffection of the stomach. Ibid.
401, IV. 44, 295, 52^. 1847 BUSHMBLL Chr. Nurture II, i.
(1861) 238 The seminal damages and misaffections derived
from sinning ancestors.
1 Misaffectionate, a. Obs.-1 [Ha-1 6.]
Evil-disposed.
1533 More Let, to T. Cromwell Wks. 1428/2 Which condi-
cion hath neuer growne . . of any obstinate minde or misse
affectionate appetite.
Misaffi rm, v. rare, [Mis-1 1.] trans. To
affirm wrongly or falsely.
a 1614 Donne Bia0aeaTO? (1644) 27 They mis-affirme that
this act alwaies proceeds from desperation. 1649 Milton
Eikon. Pref, By onely remembring them the truth of what
they themselves know to be heer missaffirmd.
Misagree*, v. [Mis-1 7.]
1. intr. To disagree. Now dial.
1530 Palsgr. 636/2, I never wyst them misagre afore in my
lyfe. a 154a Wvatt Defence 264 If they misagree in words,
and not in substance, let us hear the words they vary
in. 1847 Halliwell, Misagree, to disagree. 1875 Parish
Sussex Gloss, s.v., I doant see how anyone can be off from
misagreeing with these here people next door.
2. To be inconsistent or out of harmony.
1571 Golding Calvin on Ps. x. 10 It wil not misagree
that the sayd talantes and teethe should by a similitude be
called strong souldyers.
Miaai, obs. form of Missay.
Misaixn, v. rare. [Mis-1 1.] To aim amiss.
1590 Spenser F. Q. 1. viii. 8 Missing the marke of his mis-
aymed sight. 1692 Dryden Clcomcnes 11. ii. 21 My lan-
guishing Regards Are like mis-aiming Arrows, lost in Air.
1813 Scott Rokeby iv. xxii, Some tale, .of shaft mis-aimed.
t Misallegra-tion. Obs. [Mis-1 4.] A false
allegation ; a misleading citation (of an authority).
1633 (title) A Discharge of Five Imputations or Mis-
allegations. 1647 Jer. 1 ay lor Lib. Proph. viii. 155, 1 must
consider., the mis-allegations of Scripture.theirinconsequent
deductions [etc.].
t Misallege, v. Obs. [Mis-1 1.] trans. To
cite falsely as supporting one's contention.
1566 Stapleton Ret. Untruths to Jewell Ep.**, What
kinde is thereof Authors, that you haue not Corrupted, Mis-
alleaged, False Translated, and Abused? 1625 lip. Moun-
tagu App. Caesar 299 If I have misalledged, falsified, or else
misapplied my Authors and Authority. 1642 J. Ball A nsw.
to Can i. 10, I wonder if men doe not tremble thus to . .
inisalledge the holy scripture, a 1670 Hacket Cent. Sertu.
(1675) 323 The Devil did Misalledge the Psalm of David,
because he gave it a sense repugnant to the text of Moses.
So Misalleged///, a., Misalle*ging vbl. sb.
15.. in Strype Ann. Ref. (1709) I. App. xi. 36 Excus-
inge the mysalledginge of Words. 1620 lip. Hall Hon.
Marr. Clergy 1. ix. 53 Those two mis-alledged Authors,
to whom hee ascribes vs. 1629 H. Burton Truth's Triumph
343 A mis-alledged place, or a mis-conceiued allegation.
(21684 Leighton Expos. Creed Wks. (1859) 44 2/2 There
shall be no misalleging or misproving, or misjudging there.
Misalliance, [f. Mis-1 4 + Alliance, after
F. mesalliance.'] An improper alliance, associa-
tion, or union ; esp. in reference to marriage —
Mesalliance.
1738 Warburton Div. Legal, in. iii. I. 350 The only
Greek Masters he [sc. Plato] followed, were Pythagoras
and Socrates. .. This was a monstrous Misalliance. 1755
Chesterf. in World Xo. 114 IV. 84 Brutes .. never
degenerate, except in cases of mis-alliances with their
inferiors. 1762 Pp. Huro Lett. Chivalry viii. 71 Their
purpose was to ally, .the Gothic, and the classic unity ; the
effect of which misalliance was to . . expose the nakedness
of the Gothic. 1768 Woman of Honor II. 159 No remains
of her former notions of mis-alliance, interfere to lessen her
present vexation. 1839-40 W. Irving Chron. Wolferfs
Roost (1855) 189 They would have considered their mares
disgraced, and their whole stud dishonoured by such a mis-
alliance. 1840 Thackeray Paris Sk.-bk. 11872) 34 A
grocer's daughter would think she made a misalliance by
marrying a painter. 1876 Mihedith Beauch. Career III.
viii. 138 He had no wish to meet his uncle, whose behaviour
in contracting a misalliance, .appeared to him to call for the
reverse of compliments.
Misally (misabi*), £'■ rare. [Mis-1 1. Cf. F.
mc'sal/ier.l trans. To ally or join inappropriately.
1697 Vakbrcgh .Esop 1. 11 I/ort. Sir, I keep my Chamber,
and converse with my self; 'tis better being alone, than to
mis-ally ones Conversation. 1796 IJirke Let. to Noble Lord
Wks. VIII. 52 They area misallied and disparaged branch
of the house of Nimrod. i860 Readk Cloister ty H. xxxvii,
These beauties being misallied to homely features, had
turned her head.
t Misa-nswer, sb. Obs. [Mis- * 4.]
1. A wrong answer.
1496 Dives <y Pauper (W. de W.) v. xix. 222/2 Yf a clerke
erre in answerynge and by his mys answere folowed man-
slaughter.
2. Failure to correspond to requirements.
1614 Bp. Hai.l Contempt., O. T. vi. 156 Hee that after
the inisse-answere of the one talent, would not trust the
euill seruant with a second.
+ Misa'llSWer, v. Obs. [Mis-1 1.] trans. To
give a wrong or perverse answer to (a person).
C 1400 Rule St. Pwnet 24 Yef ani man askis hir obte bat es
a-gain resun, sho sal noht. .mis-ancewer pam. a 1450 Knt.
de La Tour xviii. 26 Alle women that ben gretherted and
misansueringe her hu^bondes. 1535 Horx in us?uu Sarum
155 I haue synned..whan I haue mysanswered myn euen
chrysten reioysynge.
Misanthrope (mi's&nbrtMip). Forms : a. 6-7
misantropos, 7 misanthropos, pi. -thropi. 0. 7
misanthrop, S -thrope. [ad. Gr. tiioavOpwnos
(adj.), f. nTo{p)- (fit<xuv to hate) + avBpajiros man.
Cf. F. misanthrope (Rabelais).
The stressing of the Greek form in the 17th c. was mis-
a'nthropos.]
A hater of mankind; a man-hater; one who
distrusts men and avoids their society.
a. 1563 A. Neville in Googe's Eglogs (Arb.) 23 Defye
them all. tutravOpwiroi and squynteyd Monsters ryght They
are. 1579-80 North Plutarch (1595) 171 Timon, surnamed
Misixnthroptts [ed. 1676 Misantropos]. 1607 Shaks. Timon
iv. iii. 53. 1612 Bacon Ess., Goodness (Arb.) 205 Misanthropy
that make it their Practise, to bring Men, to the bough.
161a T. Iames Jesuits Downefall 5 Nether Zoilus, Aris-
tarchus, Timon, or other Misanthropos. 1678 Shadwell
Timon v. 74 Hee'll ne'r return ; he truly is Misanthropos.
0. 1683 D. A. Art Converse 55 A misanthrop in such a
measure that can praise nothing that is praise worthy.
a 1745 Swift On Death Dr. S. Wks. 1751 VII. 254 Alas,
poor Dean ! his only Scope Was to be held a Misanthrope.
1794 Sullivan View Nat. I. 10 It is said, that the most
religious men are in general the most inflexible misanthropes.
1849 Macaulav 7/V.s/. Rng.WA. 169 111 as he [viz. Charles II]
thought of his species, he never became a misanthrope.
b. Used as adj. — next.
1757 Ma* Griffith Lett. Henry $ Frances (1767) II. 129
My philosophy is neither of the cynic or misanthrope kind.
1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) III. 79 The finer .. natures ..
may become misanthrope and philanthrope by turns.
Misanthropic (mis&nbrfrpik), a, [f. prec.
4. -ic. Cf. F. fnisanthropique.] Pertaining to,
resembling, or characteristic of, a misanthrope;
characterized by misanthropy; man-hating.
1762 Biogr. Diet. XI. 65 [Swift's epitaph] shews a most
unhappy misanthropic state of mind. 181a Byron Ch. Har,
1. Ixxxiv, Hcview'd them not with misanthropic hate.
1824 Scott St. Ronan's v, A misanthropic recluse. 1881 Med.
Temp. Jrnl. XLVII. 163 Insomnia does not so much pro-
duce special local affections as a miserable misanthropic state.
Misailthro'pical, a. [Formed as prec. : see
-ICAL.] m prec.
i6ai T. Granger Expos. Feci. iv. 9 An illustration of the
vanities of Misanthropicall couetousnesse. 1751 Smollett
Per. Pic. (1779) 'I- b» 259 His disposition was altogether
misanthropical. 1841 Macaulav Ess., Hastings (1850) 604
He had thrown down his pen in misanthropical despair.
1864 C. Knight Pass. Working Life II. 51 No desertion
of old friends rendered me misanthropical.
b. absol. (See Do v, 1 1 j.)
1836-7 Dickens Sk. Boz., Characters i. Old fellows., who
.. do the misanthropical in chambers, taking great delight
in thinking themselves unhappy.
Hence Misanth.ro -pically adv.
1834 H. Miller Scenes <y Leg. xvi. (1857) 243 Misanthro-
pically accumulating into one gloomy heap all that is terrible
in the judgments of God. 1864 [F. W. Robinson] Mattie II.
283 He thought, a little misanthropically, it did not matter.
Misanthropist (misarnbr<?pist). [f. Gr. yda-
avdpoj-n-os Misanthrope + -ist.] = Misanthrope.
Todd, s.v. Misanthrope, says ' It is now usual to say mis-
anthropist '. But this form is now very rare.
1656 Ulount Glossogr., Misanthropist, he that hates
the company of men. 1791 Cumberland Observer No. 138
V. 130 Passages, .where he [sc. Menander] speaks in the
character of a misanthropist. 1876 L. Stephen Eng. 'Ph.
\Zth C. II. xii. iv. 372 The sturdy moralist had a hearty
dislike for the misanthropist.
Hence Misanthropism = Misanthropy.
183a Eraser's Mag. V. 535 Parading an ultra-m^n-
thropism, and complaining of amorbidand melancholy mind.
Misanthropize (misx'nhr^paiz), v. [f. Gr.
ptoav6pojir-os MISANTHROPE + -IZE.]
1. intr. To be a misanthrope; to hate mankind.
1846 Blackw. Mag. LIX. 169/1 Misanthropizing under
the pangs of grief or unrequited love. 1849 Kincsley
Misc. (1850) II. 264 What a place for some ' gloom-pampered
man ' to sit and misanthropize. 1891 F. M. Wilson Primer
ott Broiuuitig joo Abandoning the world to misanthropic
in a distant solitude.
2. trans, (in quot. absol.) To cause to be mis-
anthropic.
1838 F. W. Robertson Let. in Brooke Life fy Lett. 20 All
that has grieved and disappointed and misanthropised will
be fully explained.
Misanthropy (misarnbr^pi). [ad. Gr. /«-
aavOpunla, f. fuoavBpwjros MISANTHROPE. Cf. F.
misanthropie (16th c.).] Hatred of mankind ; the
character, nature, or condition of a misanthrope.
1656 Blount Glossogr., Misanthropic, an haling of
men. 1725 Swift Let. to Pope 29 Sept., Upon this great
foundation of Misanthropy, (tho' not in Timon's manner)
the whole building of my Travels is erected. 1780 Harris
Philol. Enq. Wks. (1841) 538 Bad opinions of mankind
naturally lead us to misanthropy. 1828 Macavlav Ess.,
Hallam{i%s°)7S Misanthropy is not the temper, which quali-
fies a man to act in great affairs, or to judge of them. 1866
W. R. Alger Solit. Nat. <$• Man ill. 123 Mi-^anthropy. .will
be found almost always to be the revenge we take on man-
kind for fancied wrongs it has inflicted on us.
Misantour, obs. form of Misauntek,
Misantropos : see Misanthrope.
t Misapai'd,///- a. (pseudo-«?Y/;.) Obs. [Mis-1
2.] ? Discontented. (Cf. Mispay.)
1614 J . Davies Eel. in Browne Sheph. Pipe G 3 b, Thou . .
Who whilom no encheson could fore-haile ; And caiiiue*
courage nere made misapaid.
Misappea r, ;■. rare—1. [Mis-1 1.] intr. To
appear erroneously.
a 1614 Donne Bia&xi-aTos (1648) 155 If any small place of
Scripture, mis-appeare to them to bee of use for justifying
any opinion of theirs.
Misappearance. rare. [Mis-1 4, 7.]
1. Failure to appear, non-appearance.
a 1683 ScROGGsG?KrrW.W(i7i4) 116 If Judgment be given
against the Tenant or Defendant as upon a Misappearance,
because the principal Party does not appear.
2. Appearance in a perverted form.
1844 Emerson Ess. Ser. 11. i. 23 Certain priests.. appeared
to the children.. like dead horses; and many the like mis-
appearances.
Mi sappellation. [Mis-1 4.] The action
of calling by a wrong name.
1816 Bentham Chrestomathia Wks. 1843 VIII. 77 Of the
act of misappellation thus committed, now then observe the
consequence. 1885 Laiv Times LXXIX. 438/1 Partly in
consequence of its misappellation.. the Bill escaped much
observation.
+ Misappli ably, adv. Obs. [f. Misapply +
-ably.] 80 that one's remarks can be misapplied.
a 1631 Donne Lett. (1651) 28 In which I know I speak not
dangerously nor misappliably to you.
Misapplication. [Mis-1 4.] The action
of misapplying ; often used of misappropriation
of funds (f occas. absol. in that sense).
1607 Beaum. & Fl. Woman-Hatcr 1. iii, Hee brings me
informations,.. which with his malitious misapplication, hee
hopes will seeme dangerous. x68i Flavel Meth. Grace i.
xi He may seem to..tast some sweetness in the delicious
promises., of the Gospel by a misapplication of them to him-
self. 1704 Ld. Twf.eddale in Loud.Gaz. No. 4037/3 The Mis-
applications of.. Funds. 17U De Foe Col, Jack (1840) in
Having been charged with some misapplications, [he] was
obliged to take shelter in England. 1864 Pusey Daniel
(1876) 113 The misapplication of the ancient Symbol. 1885
Law Times LXXIX. 7/1 The plaintiff specified one mis-
application of a sum 0^25. 190a Greenough& Kittrkdgk
Words t, Their Ways 217 Language develops by the feli-
citous misapplication of words.
Misapply (misapbi-)* v. [Mis-1 I.] trans.
To apply to a wrong person or object ; to make a
wrong application of.
1571 Golding Calvin on Ps. lxix. 29 Such a one [sc.
manner of speech] as is not misapplyed tooour small capacitie.
159a Shaks. Rom. <y Jul. 11. iii. 21 Vertue it selfe turnes
vice being misapplied. 1655 Fuller Ch. Hist. 1. i. * Idol-
aters, who, from misnppl ying that undeniable Truth of God a
MISAPPEECIATB.
being in every thing, made every thing to be their God.
1698 Collier Immor. Stage iv, 145 Thus the Marks of
Honour, and Infamy are misapplyed. 1711 G. Hickes Two
Trent. (1847) II. 377 The presbyterians have abused and
misapplied this doctrine. 1742 Young Nt. Th. 11, 274 She
. .notes each moment misapply'd. 1782 Miss Burney Cecilia
iv. vi, His phrases are almost always ridiculous or misapplied.
1784 Cowper Task in. 402 Misapplying his unskilful
strength. 1815 Cobbett Rur. Rides 123 These enclosures
and buildings are* a waste; they are means misapplied.
1863 H. Fawcett Pol. Scon. in. xiv. (1876) 476 Capital may
be misapplied and wasted.
absol. 1732 Pope Pro!. Sat. 301 Who reads, but with a
lust to misapply.
Hence Misapplied ppl. a., Misapplying vbl.
sb. Also Misapplier, one who misapplies.
[1450 Misapplying: see Misdispense.] 1587 Golding De
Momay cxxxini. (1592) 547 His misapplying, .of hys skil.
1629 H. Burton Truths Triumph 59 Their mis-applyed
phifoso phi call diuinity. 1699 Collier De/. Short View 84
Unfair Citing and Misapplying. 1736 Carte Ormonde II.
369 The Misappliers of his revenue. 1903 Blackw. Mag.
Oct. 535/1 He thumps it with the same misapplied vigour.
Mis appreciate, v. [Mis-1 i.j trans. To
fail to appreciate rightly; to make a wrong
estimate of.
1828 De Quince y Wks. (1859) XI. 54 The real value of his
speech was never at any time misappreciated by the judi-
cious. 1865 D. Masson Rcc. Brit. Phiios. 271 Unappreci-
ated or misappreciated because of their higher nature.
Mi'Sapprecia-tion. [Mis- 1 4.] Erroneous
estimation or valuation.
1854 Faber Growth in Holiness (1872) xi. 17S Want of
sympathy with contemplation leads to a misappreciation of
austerity. 1868 Nettlkship Ess. Browning i. 19 The
lovers fail by reason of their mistresses' misappreciation.
Misappreciative, a. [Mis-1 6.] Not
properly appreciative.
1866 Lowell Carlyle Prose Wks. (1S90) II. in A man
may look., on an heroic master, with the eyes of a valet, as
misappreciative certainly, though not so ignoble.
Misapprehend, v. [Mis-1 1.] trans. To
apprehend wrongly ; not to understand rightly ; to
attach a wrong meaning to. + Also, with ace. and
inf., to suppose erroneously (that. .).
a 1653 Binning Semi. (1845) 567 All our Mischief proceeds
from this, that we Misapprehend and Mistake that which we
would gladly have, a 1661 Fuller Worthies, Wiltsh. (1662)
in. 155 Country- People who live far off in our Land misappre-
hend them (distanced more then 12 miles) to be near together.
1726 Atterbury Serm. I. ix. 322 Here is a Law, attended
with none of these Inconveniences ; the grossest Minds can
scarce misapprehend it. 1856 Sir B. Brodie Psychol. Imj.
I. ii. 61 Let me not be misapprehended as giving our
knowledge for more than it is actually worth. 1875 Jowett
Plato (ed. 2) III. 218, I do not think that I misapprehend
your meaning.
absol. 1658 T. Wall Character Enemies Ch. 42 To mis-
apprehend, denotes a man. Tis head-strong persistance
that degrades him into a Beast.
Hence Misapprehended ppl. a., Misappre-
hending vbl. sb. Also Misapprehe*ndingly
adv., through misapprehension.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 1. iv. {1686) 10 Fallacious
foundations, and misapprehended mediums. x66sGlanvill
Scepsis Sci. xhi. 72 Mis-apprehended, or ill-compounded
phantasmes. 170a Sir G. Kneller in Pepys' Diary VI.
237, 1 ask your pardon for Misapprehending. 1862 F. Hall
Hindu Phiios. Syst. 16 Unless a man identifies himself,
misapprehendingly, with his body. 1886 New York Sch.
Jrul. XXXI. 259 The most misapprehended word in all
modern educational literature is the word, ' method '.
Misapprehensible, a. rare-1. [Mis-* 6.]
Capable of being misapprehended.
1829 Bentham Justice <y Cod. Petit, p. xin, A determinate
and never misapprehensible .. standard of reference.
Misapprehension. [Mis-14.] The action
of misapprehending or condition of being misap-
prehended ; the misunderstanding of the meaning
of anything.
1629 H. Burton TrutlCs Triumph 312 His eyes are not
dazeled . . by a mis-apprehension and mis-application of the
true light. 1665 Boyle Occas. Refl. t. vL (1848) 317 [He]
commanded the Fidlers to be thrust out of his Seraglio, upon
a mis-apprehension that they were playing, when they were
but tuning. 1737 Berkeley Apfi. to Querist § 165 Wks.
1871 III. 537 Whether such difference in opinion be not an
effect of misapprehension, i860 Tyndall Glaciers 11. xiv.
304 An opinion, founded on a grave misapprehension. 1885
Law Rep. 29 Chanc Div. 545 The Vice-Chancellor there
was under a misapprehension.
Mi sapprehensive, a. [Mis-1 6.] Apt to
misapprehend. Hence Misapprehe*nsively adv.,
through misapprehension; Misapprehcnsive-
ness, the quality of being mi sapprehensive.
1646 H. Lawrence Comm. fy War iv. Angels 120 Because
men are either insincere and unfaithfull,or misapprehensive
and darke. 1862 F. Hall Hindu Phiios. Syst. 142 The
good and evil works of the misapprehensive man serve
to fetter him. Ibid. 246 The soul .. when it is misappre.
hensively viewed as a reflexion. 1869 Browning Ring <y
Bk. ix. 1526 Gently, O mother, judge men — whose mistake
Is in the mere misapprehensiveness ! 1880 J. W. Sherer
Conjuror's Dau. 130 Henry had been always dull and mis*
apprehensive.
Misappropriate, a. rare. [Mis- * 7.] In-
appropriate. Hence Misappro'priately adv.
^1831 Sir H. Halford in W. Munk Life (1895) 83 The
disease, misappropriately called cholera morbus. 1897
Smeaton Smollett x. 135 Her misappropriate use of the
language of that circle is most felicitously rendered.
495
Misappropriate,?'. [Mis-1 i.] trans. To
appropriate to wrong uses ; chiefly, to apply dis-
honestly to one's own use (money belonging to
another).
1857 Toulmin Smith Parish 145 A part of what had been
wrongfully misappropriated being restored. 1887 Times
10 Oct. 3/3 The prisoner, .had been in the habit of mis-
appropriating fees which he received.
Misappropriation, [Mis-1 4.] Appro-
priation to wrong uses.
1794 Burke Sp. agst. W. Hastings Wks. 1827 VIII. 367
Another class of women, who suffered by the violent mis-
appropriation of the revenues of the Nabob. 1847-54 in
Webster, i860 Worcester cites Ch. Ob.
Misard, obs. form of Miser sd.
Misaritie, variant of Miskrity.
Misarra'nged, /<*.///,?. and///. a. [Mis-i 2.]
Wrongly arranged.
1848 De Quincey Goldsmith Wks. 1857 VI. 232 To unsettle
false verdicts, to recombine misarranged circumstances, and
to explain anew misinterpreted facts. 1873 Skeat P. PL
111. 143 note, 77, 78. Misarranged in all the copies.
Misarrangement. [Mis-1 4.] Bad or
wrong arrangement.
1784 Cowper Task v. in Here glttt'ring turrets rise,
upbearing high (Fantastic misarrangement) on the roof
Large growth [etc.]. 1832 Soutmry Hist. Penins. War
III. 37 By a misarrangement arising from mere inattention,
they had been served.. with meat on a meagre day. 1897
Skeat Chaucerian ,f other Pieces p. Ii. That the Trinity
MS. agrees with the Harleian as to misarrangement of the
subject-matter.
Misarray (misard-)- [Mis-1 4.] = Disarray.
1810 Scott Lady of L. v. xxvii, Then uproar wild and
misarray Marr'd the fair form of festal day.
Misassi'gn, v. rare. [Mis-1 i.] trans. To
assign erroneously.
1660 Boyle Ne:u Exp. Phys. Meeh. ii. 38 We have not
mis-assign'd the cause of this Phenomenon, 1879 A. B.
Grosart in T. HowelFs Poems p. x note, Wood misassigns
Abp. Parker's verse-Psalter to him.
Misaunter (misj'ntai), Obs. exc. north, dial.
Also 3-4 -aunture, -auntre, -antour, 4 -awen-
toure, 5 -anter, -awnter. [Contracted form of
misa'tienhire (see Misadventure). Cf. Mis-
hanter.] = Misadventure.
1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 4187 Alas alas bou wrecche mon, woch
mesaunture Ab be ybro^t in to bis stede._ c 1330 Arth. A>
Alert. 6180 (Kolbing)pe painem starf wib misantour. c 1374
Chaucer Troylns 1. 766 If I wiste what she were For whom
that thee al this misaunter ayleth. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints
xix. (Christofore) 4 pat bairn ne may ony mysawentoure fal
bat day. 1405 Lay Folks Mass-Bk. 65 That god saue thaim
fra al missaunters. c 1440 Promp. Parv 339/r Mysawnter,
or myscheve.. infortunium. 1876 Whitby Gloss., Mis-
aunter, a misadventure. ' Ful o* mishaps an misaunters '.
Misaventeur, -our, -ur(e : obs. ff. Misad-
venture.
fMisave'r, v. Obs. [Mis-1 i.] intr. To
speak erroneously.
1615 Sylvester Job Triumph, iv. 215 And let the pru-
dent mark.. That void of knowledge, Job hath misaverr'd.
Misawa-rd, v. rare. [Mis-1 1.] trans. To
award wrongly. So MisawaTding vbl. sb.
a 1625 Sir H. Finch Law (1636) 226 Misawarding of
Processe. 1887 A. M. Brown Anim. Alkaloids 6 Here an
honour seems to have been somewhat misawarded.
Misbaptize, v. [Mis- 1 i.]
1. trans. To misname, miscall.
1610 Markham Masterp. 1. xv. 43 The vnskilfull Farrier
..doth euer mis-baptise the name of the horses infirmity.
1625 F. Markham Bk. Honour 11. ix. § 9 To bauekept all
the Rules of proportion, .would, .have.. misbaptized my
Title by turning an Epistle into a tedious discourse.
2. To baptize wrongly.
1819 Keats A". Stephen 1. ii. 33 A fierce demon, Pointed
safe from wounds, And misbaptized with a Christian name.
T Misbea'r, v. Obs. [f. Mis- ii + Bear v.*]
1. refl. To misbehave or misconduct oneself.
C1300 Beket 1248 Ic ne mi^te do hit for nothing the} he
him hadde misbore. c 1386 Chaucer Melib. F911 Ye have
mysbore yow, and trespassed unto me. c 1400 Maundev.
(1839) xii. 135 5if ony of here Wyfes mysberen hem a^enst
hire Husbonde. 1496 Dives <y Pauper (W. de W.) iv.
xxiv. igi/i Yf they mysbere them, ther patrons may depryue
them of ther benefyce. 1502 Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W.
1506) iv. xxi, Yf he. .mysbere hym unto the sacramentes.
2. See Misborn.
Hence t Mishearing///, a., ill-behaved.
a 1400 in Ha/upole^s Wks. (1896) I. 159 pat noon schulde
be proude ne mysberynge a^ens obeie.
t Mishearing, vU sb. [Mis-1 3.] a.
? Wrongful bearing, b. Misconduct.
C1330 R. Brusne Citron. (1810) 336 Dan Waryn he les
tounes bat he held With wrong he mad a res & misberyng
of scheld [Langtoft x~e citez et viles perdist par Pescu],
c 1449 Pecock Repr. v. xv. 564 Al this, .fouleand mys bering
and vniust chalenging and blamyng.
Misbecome (rnisb?'k»-m),^. [Mis-1 I.] trans.
To fail to become; to suit ill; to be unsuitable or
unbecoming to.
1530 Palsgr. 637/1 It mysbecometh, as a garment mys-
becometh one, or any other comunycacion, or other be-
havour. 1597 Shaks. 2 Hen. IV, v. ii. 100 Speake. .What
I haue done, that misbecame my place. 1624 Wotton
Arehit. in Relia. (1672) 35 A Frank light can mis- become no
Edifice whateuer. 1638 Bp. Wilkins Neiv Worlds. (1707)
39 An Opinion altogether misbecoming a Philosopher. 1749
Fielding Tom Jones xv. vi, Nothing could misbecome me
more, than to presume to give any hint to one of your
MISBEGIN.
great understanding. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eug. xiv. III.
464 He declined no drudgery, .provided only that it were
such drudgery as did not misbecome an honest man. 1889
Swinburne B. Jonson 108 Such sweeping denunciation of
all contemporary poetry as would not have misbecome the
utterance of incarnate envy.
Misbecoming, ppl. a. [f. prec. + -ing 2 0r
f. Mis-1 2 + Becoming ppl. a.] Not becoming,
unbecoming, unsuitable, unfitting.
1611 Cotgk., Messeanty ill-fitting, ill-suiting, misbecoming.
1634 Mii-ton Comus 372 As that the single want of light
and noise.. Could stir the constant mood of her calm
thoughts, And put them into misbecoming plight. 1651
T. Stanley Poems 62 Cast off for shame ungentle maid
That misbecoming joy thou wearst. 1707 Norris Treat.
Humility v. 213 Pride is never so odious and misbecoming as
now. 1743 Fielding J. Wild III. xiv, It is. .very far from
being an improper or misbecoming habitation. 1820 Scott
Abbot xi, When a paroxysm of laughter has seized him at
a misbecoming time and place.
Misbecomingly, ado. [-ly ^.] Unbe-
comingly, unfittingly.
1612 Trvo Noble K. v. iii. (1634) 81 Those darker humours
that Sticke misbecomingly on others, on them Live in faire
dwelling. 1635 J. Havward tr. Biondis Banish'd V'irg.
1S0 He did it so misbecommingly,.as made Mm loath,
some to such as saw him act it. 1707 Norris Treat.
Humility vii. 298 It makes it [sc. pride] sit . .still the more
misbecomingly upon us.
Misbecomingness. [-ness.] The qunlity
or condition of being misbecoming; also, in par-
ticularized use, an unbecoming characteristic.
1644 Dicnv Nat. Bodies xxviii. § 8 One great misbecoming-
nesse he was apt to fall into, whiles he spoke : which was
an vncertainty in the tone of his voyce. 1674 N. Fairfax
Bulk -S* Selv. Ep. Ded., 'Tis a misbecomingness to have
a doing Philosophy set forth by a talking Philosopher.
a 1704 Locke ATotes Efihes. v. 3 Wks. 1714 III. 376 What
indecency or misbecomingness is it among Christians to name
covetousness '?
t Misbe'de, V, Obs, Forms : 1 misbe'odarj,
3-4 mis-, mysbeode, 4 -bide, 4-5 -bede ; pa. t.
1 misb6ad, 4 -bed(e; pa. pple. 1 misboden, 4
mysbode(n. [OE. misbtodan (« MDu. misse-
bteden, MLG. misse-, ?)iisbcden, MHG. misscbietcn,
ON. misbio^a^, f. mis- Mis- l 1 + Modem (^ce Bid
v.1 A).] trans. To ill-use, ill-treat; to injure,
abuse. (In OE. with obj. in dative.) Also intr.
const, till.
^975 Canons Edgar v. in Thorpe Laws II. 244 Gif him
a:ni^ man healice misboden ha:bbe. a 1023 Wulfsian Horn.
xx ii. (1883) 112 Dyne misbeodecristenra manna a^ni^ o^rum
ealles to swyoe. a 1122 O. E. Chron. (Laud MS.) an. 1083
He misbead his munecan on fela bmgan. a 1250 Owl A>
Night. 1541 Me hire may so ofte m>sbeode pat heo do wile
hire owe neode. c 1330 K. Brunnf. Chron. 11810) 104 Whan
Lowys herd bat sawe, bat Roberd was so dede, Ageyn ri^ht
& lawe, tille Henry he misbede. 1362 Langl. /\ PI. A.
vn. 45 And mis-beode [B. vi. 46 mysbede) bou not bi bonde-
men. c 1386 Chaucer Knt.'s 'J'. 51 Or who hath yow
misboden, or offended? 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) III.
225 The peple of Rome made stryf as bough bey were
mysbode of the senatoures. la 1400 Morte Art It. 30S3 That
no lele ligemane. .Sulde. .biernez myse-bide, that to be
burgbe longede. 1496 Dives ff Pauper (W. de W.t vn.
xxvii. 318/2 Yf thou lene to my poore people, thou shalt not
therfore mysbede hym. 1846 Brockett Gloss. N. C. Words,
Mis-boden, injured. [Quotes Chaucer.]
tMisbefall, v. Obs. [Mis-i i.]
1. impers. With dat. of the person affected : To
happen unfortunately, turn out badly.
a 1225 Ancr. R. 200 pe ueor3e [unSeauwe] is Gledschipe of
hisvuel: lauhwen o5er gabben.^if him mis-biueolle [MS. T.
mis-times, C. misthne8]. 1390 Gower Conf. I. 57 Forelles,
hot a man do so, Him may fulofte mysbefalle. c 1425 Eng.
Conq. I ret. 124/15 Thegh hym yn thyke f = tbylke] vyage
mys byfelle. C1430 Ptlgr. Lyf Manhode l.Jxix. (1869) 40,
I wole telle yow how it bifelof hem, and how itmisbefel hem.
2. Of events : To happen unfortunately. Also
in ppl. adj. Misbef alien. '
1501 Troub. Raigne K. John (1611) 48 Deep sorrow
throbbeth mis-befaln euents. 1645 Wither Vox Pacif.ixj
Scarce a man Among a thousand, searcheth out those things
Which mis-befall. 1648 W. Browne Polexander in. iv. 128
Something.. is misbefalne Zelmatida,
3. Of persons: To come to harm.
c 1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode iv. lvi. (1869) 203 Wherefore
so lightliche fallen bei nouht, ne so soone misbefallen.
Misbege't, v. rare. [Mis-1 i.] trans. To
beget unlawfully.
c tvmArtk. <S- Merl 1113 (Kolbing) pou art a cursed bing,
Misb^eten o^aines be lawe. 1390 Gower Conf. III. 80 His
fader, which him misbegat, He slouh. 1607 Shaks. Timon
III. v. 29 Which [quarrelling] indeede Is Valour mis-begot,
and came into the world, When Sects, and Factions were
newly borne, i860 Reade Cloister fy H. II. 363 Buss the
old folk and thank them for misbegetting of thee.
+ Misbege't, ///. a. and sb. Also 3 -bi^ite,
4 -bigete, -bi;ete, -beyete, 5 begeten. [f.
Mis-1 2 + be}et(en, ME. pa. pple. of Beget v.]
= Misbegotten.
1297 R. Glouc. (Rolls) 987 Leste it heode out of kunde
bor} child mis bi 5ite [later MSS. mys hi gete, mis bigete].
13.. Seuyn Sag. 1052 (W.) And of the child,. He segh hit
was a mis-beyete. C1330 Arth. $ Merl. 1021 (Kolbing)
pou misbi^eten bing, pou hast ylowe a gret lesing. a 1400
Octouian 259 Thy mysbegeten chylderen two.
Misbegi'n, v. rare. [Mis-1 i.] trans. To
begin amiss or badly. So Misbegun ppl. a.
1583 Golding Calvin on Dent. Ixxv. 461 By applying
their minds to al wicked shifts for y° maintenance of y°
thing y» they had misbegun. 1587 — De Momay xxiu. (1592)
MISBEGOTTEN.
496
MISBIRTH.
A
353 A Song mistimed, or a Gambauld misbegun. 1864
Louie's last term (N.Y.) 9 Another mis-begun day.
Misbegotten, ppl. a. and sb. Also mis-
begot, [ills- 1 2.] A. adj.
1. Unlawfully begotten ; illegitimate ; bastard.
1554 T. Martin Marr. Priests B iv, Those haue we seen
to be the most gredy getters for their misbegotten heires.
1595 Shaks. John v. iv. 4 That misbegotten diuell Falcon-
bridge. 1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 1133 Where no
other youthes do exercise but misbegotten bastards. 1700
Dryden Fables, Cinyras <$■ Myrrha 354 (1721) 136 Mean
time the mis-begotten infant grows. 1749 Fielding Tom
Jones 1. iii, It goes against me to touch these misbegotten
wretches, whom I don't look upon as my fellow creatures.
1789 Burns Fragm. inter, to C. % Fox 15 A sorry, poor,
misbegot son of the Muses. 1875-86 [see B].
b. ivansf. and Jig.
'593 Shaks. Rich. II, 1. i. 33 In the deuotion of a subiects
loue,..And free from other misbegotten hate. 1760 Lloyd
Poems (1762) 97 When Falshood stole them to disguise Her
misbegotten brood of lies. 1820 Hazutt Led. Dram. Lit.
15 Germany first broke the spell of misbegotten fear. 1858
Bushnell Nat. <y Supernal, xiii. (1864) 421 Our misbe-
gotten opinions.
2. Used as a term of opprobrium.
1571 Golding Calvin on Ps. xxiv. 5 That misbegotten
generation, whiche was proude of the only visotu of their
ceremonies. 1641 Mii.ton Ch. Govt. iii. Wks. 1851 III. no
Some misbegotten thing, that.. vaunts and glories in her
stolne plumes. 1815 Byron To Moore 12 June, Murray, .has
been cruelly cudgelled of misbegotten knaves. 1838 South by
Doctor exxxvii. (18481 346, I should never like to trust my
precious limbs upon the back of such a misbegotten beast.
1839 Bailey Festus (1848) 18/1 This dim, dwarfed, misbe-
gotten sphere. 1886 Stevenson Dr. Jekyll 100 There was
something abnormal and misbegotten in the very essence of
the creature.
B. sb. A bastard ; also, as a term of abuse (cf.
A. 2). Now only dial., in form misbegot.
1546 Bale Eng. Votaries 1. (1560) 21 b, Saint Cuthbert y1
great God of the North.. was a misbegotten also. C1550
T. Ingelend Disob. ChildK iv, What wordes haue we here,
thou misbegotten? 1875-86 W. Somerset Gloss., Misbegot,
adj. and sb. Base born ; a bastard. 1877 Holdemcss
Gloss. , Misbegot, a bastard.
Misbehadden, Sc. form of Misbeholden.
Misbehave, *>■ [Mis1 i.]
1. refl. and (later) intr. To behave wrongly ; to
conduct oneself improperly.
1475 Rolls of Parit.Vl. 134/1 They never offended nor
mysbehaved theym in the mater of the compleynts. .speci-
fied. 1530 Palsgr. 636/2 You were to blame to mysbehave
you to hym so sore as you dyd. 1648 Art. Peace xxtx. in
Milton Wks. 1851 IV. 538 Such other Person or Persons..
to be named and appointed in the place or places, of him or
them, who shall so die or misbehave themselves. 1759 Frank-
lin Ess. Wks. 1840 III. 462 The said mayor, by becoming
a promoter and ringleader of such an insult, had exceedingly
misbehaved himself. 1764 Burn Poor Laws _28o The punish-
ment of a servant misbehaving, is to be either by commit-
ment to the house of correction, or [etc.]. i860 Emerson
Cond. Life vi. (i86r) 131 If we misbehave we suspect others.
1871 Browning HervS Riel vii, Not a ship that misbe-
haves. 1884 Laiu Times Rep. XLIX. 775/2 The court can
order costs to be paid by a trustee who has misbehaved.
f2. trans. To conduct or manage improperly.
1540 Hyrde tr. Vives1 Instr. Chr. Worn. (1592) O4 The
naughtinesse of misbehaving her body.
So Misbehaving vbl. sb. and ppl. a.
1451 Rolls of Par It. V. 216/1 Noyse and claymour of the
seid mysbehavyng renneth openly. 1496-7 Act 12 Hen. VII,
c. 2 Perjurie and other divers offenses and mysbehavynges.
1529 Act 21 Hen. VIII, c. 20 Bill or informacyon. .agaynst
any person for any mysbehavynge afore rehersed. c 1610 in
Gutch Coll. Cur. II. 12 That all common women, and mis-
behaving people . . withdraw themselves out of this Fair.
1891 Spectator 7 Mar. 331/2 For the purpose of inflicting a
sort of penance on a misbehaving clergyman's soul,
tMisbeha*ved,/>//.<z. [Mis-1 2.] Ill-behaved.
159a Shaks. Rom. <$• Jul. in. iii. 143 Like a misbehaved
and sullen wench.
Misbehaviour. [Mis- T 4.] Bad behaviour,
improper conduct ; *f* an instance of this.
i486 Act 3 Hen. VII, c. 1 Bill or Information. -against
any Person for any Misbehaviour afore rehearsed. 151a
Act 4 Hen. VIII, c. 19 § n What so euer persone or per-
sones do..commytt eny mysbehavoure in eny maner wyse
touchyng the premisses. 1316 in Eng. Gilds 329 To..
ponysch all such mysbyhauyors and fauttes as haue be, or
be nowe, or schalbe. 1674 Brevint Saul at Endor 207 An
Officer.. who was cashiered for some Mis-behavior. 171a
Steele Sped. No. 503 p 1 The misbehaviour of people at
church. 1765 Blackstone Comm. I. xvi, 442 The law does
not hold the tie of nature to be dissolved by any misbe-
haviour of the parent. 1855 Thackeray Newcomes lxxvii.
II. 347 The just feelings of displeasure with which I could
not but view his early disobedience and misbehaviour.
MisbehO'lden, ppl. a. Also dial, -behodden,
.Sir. -behad(d)en. [f. Mis-1 2 +■ beholden, pa. pple.
of Behold v. The orig. meaning seems to have
been 'improperly guarded, unguarded'; cf. OE.
behealden cautious.] Unbecoming, indiscreet ; dis-
obliging : usually qualifying word.
1600 T. Hevwood 2nd Pt. Edw. IV, 1. u. (1613) M i b,
We shew thee not one discontented looke, Nor render
him one rmsbeholden word. 1828 Craven Gloss, (ed. 2)
II. 294 Bud thou minds I nivver gav him another misbe-
hodden word. 1837 Hogg Siege Roxb. iv. Tales <fr Sk. VI.
105 The first side that lifts a sword, or says a misbehadden
word. 1869 Lonsdale Gloss., Misbehodden, disobliging,
offensive. ' I nivver gav her a misbehodden word '.
t Misbelea'd, v. Obs. In 4 pa. pple. mis-
bilad. [Mia-1 1.] trans. To lead astray.
c i%zoCast. Love 428 Ac as a Mon mis-I-rad On vche half
he is mis-bilad.
Misbelief (misbilH). [Mis- 1 4, 7.]
L Erroneous or unorthodox religious belief;
wrong faith ; heresy.
a 1225 Leg. /Cat It. 2393 Leste ?e eft wepen echeliche in
hellc.as ?e schullen alle, buten ^ef $e forleten. .ower mis*
bileaue. 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 5521 pe haithen men of
mysbylyefe. 1377 Langl. P. PI. B. xv. 402 Mekometh in
mysbileue men and wommen brou^te. 1481 Caxton God-
frey c. 152 Grete hate . . hath ben bytwene the Turkes of
thoryent and the Turkes of Egypt . . By cause they discorde
in theyr creaunce and mysbyleue. -5*9 More Dyalogc
1. Wks. 144/2 If the woorship of ymages wer ydolatrie
than ye churche beleuing it to be lawful . . were in a misbe-
lieue & in a deadly error. 1639 Laud Wks. (1849) II. 6
Perfidious misbelief could not be welcome, or, rather,
indeed, perfidious misbelievers or schismatics could not be
welcome. 1670 Milton Hist. Eng. Wks. 1738 II. 61 Pauli-
nus omitting no opportunity to win the King from mis-
belief. 1839 Southey Sir T. More II. 93 In producing
superstition and misbelief on one hand, and unbelief on the
other. 1865 Pusey Truth Eng. Ch. 13 The authors ..did
not speak out . . the unbelief or misbelief which they sug-
gested. 1879 A. W. Haddan Apost. Succ. Ch. Eng. p. vii,
[A doctrinej which the tendency of modern belief or mis-
belief leads men to scorn as childish.
2. gen. Erroneous belief ; false opinion or notion.
c 1386 Chaucer Can. Yeom. T. 660 Ye shul han no mys-
bileeue Ne wrong conceite of me in youre Absence. 1387
Trevisa Higden (Rolls) VI. 397 pis and obere suche lewed
tales Englisshe men holdep by a mysbyleve [L. increduli-
tale] bat hap ful longe i-dured. 1436 Lydg. De Guil. Pilgr.
18623 And thynges that thow doste obserue, Alle is but
fToly and mysbyleve. 1496 Dives fy Pauper (W. de W.) 1.
xlv 87/1 They haue no suche fantasye ne mysbyleue in
dremes. 1513 Douglas /Ends x. xi. 56 Gif thou wenis that
all the victory . . May be reducit and alterat clar agane, A
mysbeleve thou fosteris all in vane. 1651 Baxter Inf. Bapt-
18 If they prevail to peiswade the people of the necessity of
practice, in so doing they put on them both the misbelief and
the mispractice. 1905 Athenaeum 8 July 3g/2 The mis-
beliefs of bygone times.
f 3. Want of belief ; disbelief; incredulity.
138. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 108 God hardede Pharaois
herte for be mysbyleve pat he hadde to God. 1483 Caxton
Gold. Leg. 215/1 O how thy moste beaute hast thou lost for
thyn incredulyte and mysbyleue. 1587 Golding De Momay
vi.( 1 592) 84 Simple distrusts or misbeleefesof the things which
they vnderstand not. 1591 Troub. Raigne K.John (161 ij 38
The traitors breath, Whose periurie .. Beleaguers all the
skie with mis-beleefe. a 1649 Drumm. of Hawth. Poems
Wks. (1711) 51/1 Misbelief Of these sad news. 1653 H. More
Antid. Ath. 111. xvi. (1712) 142 A contemptuous mis-
belief of such like Narrations concerning Spirits, and an
endeavour of making them all ridiculous and incredible.
TI 4. An alleged term for a ' company' of painters.
i486 Bk. St. Albans f vij, A misbeleue of paynteris.
Hence + Misbelie'ffal a., unbelieving; f Mis-
beliefkess, unbelief.
c 1380 Cast. Love 1428 [Saint) Thomas misbileuenesse.
c 1420 Wyclif ys Bible Ecclus. i. 36 Mysbileueful [1382 mys
leeful, 1388 vnbileueful] to the dred of the Lord [Vulg. /«-
credibilis timori Domini],
Misbelieve,*'. [Mis-1 1,7. Cf.OF. mescrere,
mod, m&roire,]
1. intr. To believe amiss ; to hold an erroneous
belief. Also with clause.
138a Wvclif Deut. i. 26 Mysbileuynge (1388 vnbileueful,
Vulg. increduli] to the word of the Lord oure God. a 1425
Cursor M. 18698 (Trin.) Thomas .. Stonde studfaste now
herfore And mis bileue [other MSS. mistr(o)u] bou no more.
15*6 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 190 Who so euer confesse
. .all y9 articles of our fayth, saue onely one, & in that one
do mysbyleue, he is an heretyke. 1596 Spenser F. Q. iv.
xii. 26 She .. comming to her sonne, gan first to scold And
chyde at him that made her misbelieve. 1644 Milton
Bucer on Div. Wks. 1851 IV. 335 The holy Spirit does not
make the mis-beleevine of him who departs, but the depart-
ing of him who mis-beleevs, to be the just cause of freedom
to the brother or sister. 1647 Trapp Comm. John xx. 8 As
Mary Magdalene had told them, so they mis-believed, that
it [the Lord's body] was taken away to some other place.
2. trans. Not to believe ; to distrust (a person) ;
to disbelieve (a thing). Obs.
c 1450 Lovelich Merlin 1505 And Neuere j schal the Mis-
beleve For non Man that owht can on pe preve. 1653
H. More Antid. Ath. 1. ix. (1712) 26 If bare possibility may
at all intangle our assent. .we cannot fully misbelieve the
absurdest Fable. 1699 Burnet 39 Art. xv. 139 We find
the same Zachary guilty of misbelieving the Message of the
Angel to him. 1738 Bailey, To Misbelieve, to distrust.
T Misbelieved, a. Obs. [f. Misbelief +
-ed 2 ; or perh. f. Mis- x 2 + Believed ///. a. (cf.
smooth-spoken).']
1. Holding a wrong belief or false religion ;
heretical; infidel, heathen.
a iaas St. Marher. 1 pe jet weren monie ma pen nu beon
misbileuede men. 13. . Guy Wanv. (A.) 3397 Sarrazins bat
misbileued be. 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) II. 309 Hit
was be manere of mysbeieued men [L. etknicontm] forto
kepe a dede body nyne dayes wip oute oignement. 1398
— Barth. DeP. R. xm. ix. (Bodley MS.), J>is ryuer [Jordan]
. . departeb pe contrey of ri^t beleued men fro be contrey
of mysbileued men. 1494 Fabvan Chron. 1. ii. 9 Diana
a Goddesse of mysbyleued people.
absol. C1330 Arth. fy Merl. 1900 (Kblbing) J>us ended
sir Fortiger, Pat misbileued. 1340 Ayenb. 252 pe bougres
and (?e misbylefde.
2. Unbelieving, incredulous.
C1374 Chaucer Troylus m. 838 O thou wikkid serpent
Jelosye ! Thow mysbylevid, envyous folye.
Misbeliever. [Mis-1 5.] One who holds
a false or unorthodox belief; a heretic or infidel.
1470-85 Malory Arthur xm. xiv. 631 The other wey
betokenetb the way of synners and of mysbyleuers. 1509
Barclay Shyp of Folys (1570) 198 Of these misbeleuers
more to write or tell.. It were but foly. 1596 Shaks.
Merck, V. \. iii. nz You call me misbeleeuer . . And spet
vpon my Iewish gaberdine. 1651 C. Cartwright Cert.
Retig. 1. 114 Though Protestants have done little . . to con-
vert meer Infidels, yet in the other kinde, viz. in converting
mis-believers they have done much. 1788 Morgan Algiers
I. vi. 180 In the very first Encounter, .with the Misbelievers,
Sheikh Abdallah. .was hurried into the other World. 1830
Wordsw. Armenian Lady's Love xx, Innocent, and mee"k,
and good, Though with misbelievers bred. 1867 Freeman
Norm. Cong. (1877) I. vi. 465 Roger, .sought, .to wage war-
fare against the misbeliever. 1868 J. H. Blunt Ref Ch.
Eng. I. 525 The correction of misbelievers was originally
part of the ordinary jurisdiction of every bishop.
Misbelie'ving, vhl.sb. [Mis-1 3.] Misbelief.
1340 Ayenb. 134 And perof byep y-come alle be maneres
of eresye and of misbeleuinge. 1644 [see Misbelieve i],
>737 J- Willison Afil. Man's Companion vn. iv. (1744) 140
Wnat is it but a Misbelieving of God?
Misbelie'ving,///. a. [Mis-1 2.] Holding
a false belief; heretical, unorthodox.
c 1330 Arth. fy Merl. 5982 (Kolbing) pe misbileueand
paiem starf. 1340 Ayenb. 69 pe bougres and pe mysby-
leuinde. 1470-85 Malory Arthur v. x. 178, I aduyse . . to
m:tke vs redy to mete with these sarasyns and mysbyleuyng
men. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay^s Voy. iv. xxxyi.
160 b, The righteous iudgements of God towards the mis-
beleeuing. 164a Rogers Naaman 577 A misbelieving
Turke or lew. 1691 Dryden A". Arthur 1. Wks. 1701 II.
491 Lift high thy thund'ring arm, let every blow Dash out
a mis-believing Briton's Brains. 1816 Southey Poets
Pilgr. 1. 3 When Martel . . from the yoke Of misbelieving
Mecca saved the West. 1873 B. Gregory Holy Cath. Ch.
xv. 161 Each denominational church has the right ..of
excommunicating . . misbelieving members.
transf. 1847 De Quincey Sp. Mil. Nun Postscr., Wks.
1854 III. 96 Confessions that, .were absolutely mobbed and
hustled by a gang of misbelieving (/. e. miscreant) critics.
Hence Misbelievingly adv., incredulously.
188a Miss Braddon Mt. Royal I. iii. 92 He would have
shrugged his shoulders misbelievingly.
tMisbelo-ve, v. Obs. rare. [Mis-1 1, 7.]
1. trans. To love amiss.
1614 Sylvester Pari. Virtues Royall 371 Wks. (Grosart)
II. 127 Th' one loves not, th' other mis-beloves What best
to fear, and least presume behooves.
2. Not to love ; to hate.
1545 Raynold Byrth Mankynde Prol. C vi, By this reason
phisitians and chyrurgians wyves shold greatly be abhorryd
and mysbeloued of theyr husbandes.
Misbesee m, v. [Mis-1 i.] = Misbecome.
(In 17th c. freq. in the pres. pple. with an obj.)
1598 Bp. Hall Sat. Postscr., One thinkes it misbeseeming
the Author because a Poem, another vnlawfull in it selfe
because a Satyre. 16*7 Hakewill Apol.(i6y>) 104 Neither
can this action misbeseeme the wortninesse of so glorious
a peece. 1773 Steevens Shaks. Wks., Ham. in. ii. note.
Nor .. would it much misbeseem us to remember .. that
we likewise are men. 1884 J. Payne iooi Nights IX. 336
Examples of Mohammedan fervour .. that would not have
misbeseemed the strictest epochs of religious enthusiasm.
Misbesee-niing, ppl a. - Misbecoming.
c 1610 Beaum. & Fl. Philaster iv. (1622) 48 Goe sell those
misbeseeming cloathes thou wearest. a 1677 Barrow Serm.
(1810) II. 144 To condescend to such a misbeseeming em-
ployment..as the washing of his disciple's feet.
Misbestow, *• [Mis- 1 i.] trans. To bestow-
wrongly or improperly.
153a More Confut. TiudaleVlks. 35?/* To best owe his
witte . . about some better busines then Tindall missbestoweth
it now. 1583 Golding Calvin on Deut. xxxv. 206 If yee
complayne of that time as though it were misbestowed.
1641 Milton Animadv. iv. 65 The misbestowed wealth
which they were cheated of. 1748 Richardson Clarissa
(181 1) IV. vii. 40 All his compliments are misbestowed.
1815 Southey Roderick xxiv. 247 Oh, for a month Of that
waste life which millions misbestow. 1841 Fr. A. Kembi.e
Rcc. Later Life (1882) II. 148 This is the way that fool
Fortune misbestows her favours.
So Misbestowal, wrong bestowal,
a 1866 J. Grotf. Moral Ideas (1Z76) 133 The misbestowal
of love . .does of course do much harm.
t Misbetbilik, v. Obs. [Mis-1 i.] refl. and
pass. To think amiss : a. to be mistaken ; b. to
have wrong thoughts.
c ia7sin O. E. Misc. 45 Peter po onswerede .. Neuer er
ich hyne ne yseyh pu ert mys-by-pouht. 13. . Sir Beues
(A.) 55 pe leuedi hire mis-be-pou^te And meche a3en be ri^t
3he wrou^te. c 1380 Sir Ferumb. 5825 He be gat.., Thar*
for ert bow mys-bypo?te, To procury hym to slee.
t Misbeti'de, v. Obs. [Mis-1!.] impers.znd
intr. = Misbefall 1, 2.
£1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 11833 Y trowe bei
schuTYit mis-bytide ffor per couetise & per pryde. c 1400
Laud Troy Bk. 6734 Alas, that euere him mys-be-ttd !
C1430 Syr Gener. (Roxb.) 5480 If his help be my guyde,
Neuer shal I misbetid.
Misbeyete : see Misbeget///. a.
t Misbibede, ^. Obs. [Mis-1 i.] pass. To
be misguided.
13. . Chitdh. Jesus 438 J?o speken bis maistres gret : Josep,
pou art mis bi bed.
Misbirth, rare. [Mis-1 4. Cf. OE. misbyrd.]
= Abortion.
1648-60 Hexham, Een Misbaert,..A Misbirth, ..or an
Abortive. 1833 Carlyle Misc. Ess., Cagliostro (1888) V. 83
The everlasting Pit had opened itself and from its still blacker
bosom had issued, .all manner of shapeless misbirths. 1887
W. Stokes tr. Tripartite Life Patrick (Rolls) 207 No chil-
dren save mis-births used to be born to Carthenn.
MISBODE.
497
MISCARRY.
+ MisbO"de,^- Obs. [Representing OE. *mis-
bod, corresp. to misbe'odan Mihbede : cf. Bode
sb**] Wrong, offence.
C1200 Trin. Coll. Horn. 79 He., be ne bole5 and forberefi
noht .1 misbode. < 1205 Lay. 11095 Al Rome he fordude
burh his muchele misbode. 1613 R. Cawdrey Table Alph.,
Misbode, wrong. [Hence in later Diets.]
Misbo'de, v. rare — 1. [Mis- l i.] trans. To
forebode (something evil).
1626 in Cosines Corr. (Surtees) 1. 89 My only desire to be
with you . . is to knowe what you must not or dare not
write, for I misbode some great matter.
So Misboding vbl. sb. and ///. a.
a 1659 Bp. Brownrig Serm. (1674) I. ii. 33 [He] forbids
four sorts of Characters to be set upon a Signet, as mis-
boding Characters. 1739 Lillo Arden of Feversham v,
Her misboding sorrow for his absence Has almost made
her frantic. 1819 Lingard I fist. Eng. II. xii. 69 With a
misboding heart he obeyed the summons. 1825 Ibid. VI.
iv. 239 The misbodings of fanaticism.
Misboden, pa. pple. of Misbede.
Misborn (mistyrin),///. a. ? Obs. [Mis-1 2.]
1. Prematurely born ; abortive. Hence, deformed
or mis-shapen from birth.
c 1000 Sax. Leechd. I. 228 Gif cild misboren sy. c 1230
Halt' Meid. 34 3'f hit is misborn. .& wont eni of his liraen.
1382 Wyclif 1 Cor. xv. 8 At the laste of alle, he was seyn
anu to me, as to a mysborn child [Vulg. tamouam abor-
iivo\. 1390 Gowf.r Con/. I. 192 A povere child .. in the
name Of thilke which is so misbore We toke. 1496 Dives
ff Pauper (W. de W.) VI. in. 234/1 They that be mysborn
moost comonly they haue an harde ende. 1570 Levins
Manip. 172/^$ Mysborne, obortinus [sic]. 1600 Surfi.et
Countrie Farme vn. xi. 817 It must either be transplanted,
or else it woulde prooue out of course like a misborne thing.
1605 Camden Rem., Languages 19 That which the Latines
call Abortus,, .they [the Anglo-Saxons] called Miss-borne.
2. Born of unlawful union ; hence, base-born.
1590 Spf.nser F. Q. 1. vi. 42 Ah ! misborn Elfe, In evill
houre thy foes thee hither sent. 1624 Br. Mountagu Gagg
204 Thou Lyer, and misborne Elfe of the Father of lies.
a 1641 — Acts <V Mon. (1642) 535 The mis-begotten, and
mis-born changeling of an hereticall father. 17x8 Motteux
Quix. (1733) I. 108 He wou'd not be allow'd to be a lawful
Knight; but a Mis-born Intruder.
fMisbrey*de. Obs. Also-brayde. [T.M1S-I4
+ breyde, Braid sb. Cf. OE. misbrdden £dis-
tortum\ pa. pple. of *misbregdan (see Braid z/.l),
also ON. misbrigSi trespass.] Offence, misdeed.
1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 3492 5>'f a man haue mysdo .
or seyde, And men hym blame for bat mysbreyde. c 1380
Sir Ferumb. 1037 Maugree haue bou. .forbyfoulmysbrayde. 1
Miscalculate, v. [Mis-i 1.] trans. To '
calculate, compute, or reckon wrongly.
1703 Arbuthnot Coins, etc (1727) 112 There may be in I
such a multitude of passages, several misquoted, misinter-
preted, and miscalculated. 1788 Burns Let. 17 Dec, You
miscalculate matters widely, when you forbid my waiting
on you, lest it should hurt my worldly concerns. 1836
T hirlw all Greece II. xii. 155 They probably miscalculated
the effects of the public success. 1878 Bosw. Smith Car-
thage 194 Or was it that Hannibal miscalculated the dis-
tance, .of the route which he chose ?
b. absol. or intr.
1697 Collier Ess, Mor. Subj. n. (1709) 39 To look for so
obliging a World as this comes to, is to miscalculate ex-
tremely. 1840 Macaulay Ess,, Clive (1854) 531/2 The con-
spirators found that they had miscalculated. 1805 Atlantic
Monthly LXXVI. 68 They had evidently miscalculated
about my departure.
Hence Miscalculating///, a.
1851 I. Taylor Wesley <y Methodism 205 An ill-judging
weakness, a miscalculating caution.
Mi scalcula-tion. [Mis- * 4.] Wrong or
faulty calculation or reckoning.
1720 Biblioth. Bibl. I. 73 Their want of Intercalations, and
their miscalculations of Eclipses. 1858 J. Martineau Stud,
Christ. 320 The miscalculation of one age is checked by
that of a succeeding ; opposite errors cancel each other.
1903 Morlev Life Gladstone III. vm. ix. 146 Events show
this to have been the capital miscalculation.
Miscalculator. [M1S-I5.] One who makes
miscalculations.
1873 Hamerton Intell. Life iv. ii. 153 Let us not think
too contemptuously of the miscalculators of time.
MiscallCmisikg-l),^. Also8miscal. [Mis-1!.]
1. trans. To call by a wrong name ; to give a
wrong name to ; to misname. Often with compl.
1398 Trevisa Barth. De P. R. xix. exxviii. (1495) 936 A
vessell wyth fowre fete is myscallyd Trisilis. 1593 Shaks.
Rich. If, 1. iii. 263 Gau. Call it a trauell that thou tak'st for
pleasure. BhI% My heart will sigh, when I miscall it so,
Which findes it an inforced Pilgrimage. 1650 J. Hall
Paradoxes 49 Suppose you miscall happinesse content. 1697
T. Brown Dispemary 11. Wks. 1709 III. 11. 80 Lest I should
mis-call you, and not give you your right Title. 1742
Richardson Pamela III. 185 That violent Passion which
we mad young Felb ws are apt to miscal Love. 1796 Morse
Amer, Geog. I. 216 The Partridge of New England is the
Pheasant of Pennsylvania, but is mis-called in both places.
181a H. & I. Smith Rej. Addr., Theatre 14 No room for
standing, miscall'd standing room. 1822 T. L. Peacock
Maid Marian xii. 165 No one shall miscall a forester. He
who calls Robin Robert of Huntingdon.. or.. Marian Ma-
tilda Fitzwater [etc], a 1833 Robertson Led. $ Addr. ii.
(1858) 59 One of those miserable publications miscalled re-
ligious. 1886 Gurney, etc. Phantasms of Living II. 2 His
..explanation.. depended on his miscalling his experience,
and referring it to the class of dreams.
b. To misread, mispronounce, dial.
1853 Cadenhead Bon Accord '205 (E.D.D.) Woe to the loun
that a word wad misca'. 1866 Gregor Banffsh. Gloss., Misca'
. . (2) To read imperfectly. 1881 Miss Yonge Lads <y Lasses
Vol. VI.
Langley iv. 146 He no sooner opened his mouth to read
than half-a-dozen hands were held out, in token that he had
miscalled a word.
2. To call by a bad name ; to call (a person)
names ; to revile, abuse, malign. Now dial.
c 1449 Pecock Rcpr. v. xv. 563 Thei not oonli scornen it
[sc. the sacrament of the altar], but thei haaten it, mys callen
it bi foule names. 1596 Spenser F. Q. rv. viii. 24 Whom
she [sc. Slander] with leasings lewdly did miscall And
wickedly backbite. 1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 124
They deserved to be. .punished, for so miscalling and re-
viling him. 1643 Sir T. Browne Relig. Med. (1656) 11. § 4
By opprobrious Epithets we miscall each other. 1725 Ram-
say Gentle Sheph. 1. i, She. . Misca 'd me first, then bade me
hound my dog. 1789 Burns Copt. Grose*s Peregr. x,
Whae'er o* thee shall ill suppose, They sair misca' thee.
1866 Reade G. Gaunt (ed. 2) II. xvi. 313, I can't bear any
man on earth to miscall her but myself. 1872 Routledge's
Ev. Boys Ann. 6/2 Here's Kathleen and Susy been mis-
calHn' me dreadful.
Hence Miscalling vbl. sb. Also Miscaller.
1690 Locke Hum. Und. iv. iv. § 9 Miscalling of any of
those Ideas. .hinders not, but that we may have certain..
Knowledge of their several Agreements and Disagreements.
1816 Scott Antiq. xii, A' the slights and taunts that hurt
ane's spirit mair nor downright misca'ing. 1866 Gregor
Banffsh. Gloss., Misca'er, one who reads imperfectly ; as,
' He's an unco' misca'er fin he reads *. 1884 A. A. Putnam
10 Yrs. Police Judge xvii. 171 The miscalled threw a
clothes-pin and hit the miscaller somewhere.
Miscalled,///, tf. [Mts-12.] Wrongly named.
1822-34 Goods Study Med. (ed. 4) III. 169 In those cases of
miscalled cataracts. 1838 Dickens Nich. Nick, vi, Let mis-
called philosophers tell us what they will. 1904 Q. Rev.
Oct. 467 The hyraces— the miscalled coneys of Scripture.
Miscanter (miskcrntsj). north, dial. [var. of
Misai'NTER, of obscure origin; cf. Mishanter.]
Misadventure, mishap.
1781 Hutton Tour to Caves Gloss. (E.D.SJ, Miscanter, a
misadventure. 1808 J. Stagg Apparition vii. (1808) 75 Oft
by miscanter this way led, The nighted traveller's seen, A
frightful ghaist. 1869 Lonsdale Gloss., Miscanter, misad-
venture. 1878 Cnmbld. Gloss., Miscanter,. .a defeat, mishap.
1 flffiscape,-. Obs. [app.f. Mis-ii + Scapes]
1. intr. To have a mishap, come to grief.
1377 Langl. P. PI. B. x. 283 (MS. Rawl.) Archa dei mes-
kapud and ely brak his nekke. 1477 Norton Ord. Alch. iv.
in Ashm. (1652) 49 Use one manner of Vessell in Matter and
in Shape, Beware of Commixtion that nothing miscape
[several Ashm. MSS. have mishappe].
2. trans. To escape (a person^ sinfully.
a r53S Fisher Spirit. Cotisol. Wks. (1S76) 359 Many deeds,
words, and thoughtes, miscaped me in my lyre.
Miscarriage (misikK-red^). [Mis- l 4.]
fl. Misconduct, misbehaviour. Obs.
1618 Sir H. Mountagu in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS.
Comm.) I. 253, 1 have received.. the note that imports the
miscarriage of the new Justice of Peace. It was very inso-
lent, if the information be true. 1645 in Essex (Mass.)
Antiquarian (1904) VIII. 6 Wife of Mr. Samuel Hall fined
for miscarriage in words against the constable of Salsbery.
i68z Wood Life 17 June (O.H.S.) III. 22 The chancellor's
letters for regulating the rudeness and miscarriag of the
Masters in Convocation.
f b. An instance of this ; an error of conduct ;
a misdemeanour, misdeed. Obs.
1635 Bp. Hall Char. Man 34 Miscariages of children,
miscasualties, unquiet nesse [etc.]. 1647 Trapp Comm.
Jas. ii. 7 A sad thing that a Heathen should see such
hellish miscarriages among Christs followers. 1649 Roberts
Clavis Bibl. 337 His [sc. Job's], .irreverent miscarriages
against God under his afflictions. 1710 Norris Chr. Prud.
vi. 288 As to the personal Miscarriages of the Minister,
our prudent Christian will not for these disesteem his Office.
1749 Fielding Tom Jones vm. xi, The miscarriages of
my former life. 1760-72 H. Brooke Fool of Qual. (1792)
III. 232 Many miscarriages and woful defaults are recorded
of Saul, as a man, yet, as a king, he was held perfect in the
eyes of the people. 1829 Scott Rob Roy Introd. (1865)
495/1 [They] conducted themselves with such loyalty, .to
his Majesty, as might justly wipe off all memory of former
miscarriages.
2. (A person's) mismanagement or maladmini-
stration (of a business) ; ill-success, failure (of an
enterprise, etc.). Now rare.
1651-2 Sir E.Nicholas in N. Pa^r^ (Camden) 1. 286 The
miscarriage of the business in the Downs was not inferior to
any treason that I have heard of. 1674 Baker s Chron. (an.
1625) 453/2 He excused himself, laying a great part of the
miscarriage on the stubbornness of the Earl of Essex. 1706
De Foe jure Divino p. v, Some People, who are too apt to
make Misconstruction, watch for my Miscarriage. 11715
Burnet Own Time (1724) I. 251 He did not wonder at the mis-
carriage of the late King's counsels. 1800 Chron. in Asiat.
Ann. Reg. III. 113/2 The sagacious and intrepid commander,
to whom success and miscarriage, .are now alike indifferent.
1807 Vancouver Agric. Devon (1813) 431 The miscarriage
of one crop only, .would, .involve him in ruin.
b. An instance of this; a failure; a blunder,
mistake. Now rare exc. as in e.
1614 R. Baillie Satan 3 When a hard piece of worke is put
in the hand of an Apprentice for the first assay of his skill,
the beholders are justly afraid for a miscarriage in his young
and inexperienced hand. 1650 [see Carriage 10J. 1667-8
Marvf.ll Corr. Wks. (Grosart) II. 234 That the division of
the Fleet was a miscarriage. 1714 Garth Dispens. v. (ed. 7)
61 Your Cures . .aloud you tell, But wisely your Miscarriages
conceal. 1834 Travers Dis. Eye (ed. 3) 338, I have now
adverted to the principal miscarriages of the operation. 1834
Macaulay Ess., Pitt {1850) 300/2 An inquiry into the circum-
stance which had produced the miscarriage of the preceding
year.
+ O. Mishap, disaster. Obs.
1725 De Foe Voy. round Worid (1840) 46 If I should
meet with any. .miscarriage in the voyage. 1776 Johnson
Let. Mrs, Thralet Apr., His wife died at last, and before she
was buried he was seized by a fever, and is now going to the
grave. Such miscarriages, .fill histories and tragedies.
fd. An unfortunate lapse {into). Obs.
1754 H. Walpole Lett. (1S46) III. 76 The chimney-pieces,
except one little miscarriage into total Ionic. are all of a
good King James the First Gothic.
e. Afis carriage of justice : a failure of a court to
attain the ends of justice.
1875 Act 38-9 Vict. c. 77 Order xxxix, Unless in the
opinion of the Court, .some substantial wrong or miscarriage
has been, .occasioned in the trial of the action. 1878 Pkek
in Contemp. Rev. XXXI I. 105 In cases where the defendant
is poor or ill-defended, there is often positive miscarriage of
justice. 1882 Skrjt. Ballantine Exper, vi. 160 In both..,
through no fault of the judge, there was a miscarriage of
justice. 1891 Daily Nnvs 5 Feb. 7/1 It was submitted.,
to their lordships that there had been a miscarriage, and
that the order of reference should be revoked.
3. Untimely delivery (of a woman) : usually taken
as synonymous with abortion = expulsion of the
fcetus before the twenty-eighth week of pregnancy.
Some pathologists have sought to establish a distinction
between abortion and miscarriage (see quot. 1S22), but this
is not generally recognized.
1662 Gh aunt 7?///.r Mart. v. 38 Miscarriages and Abortions.
1710-11 Swift Jml. to Stella 15 Feb., I dined at Sir John
Germain's, and found lady Betty but just recovered of
a miscarriage. 1754-64 Smellie Midtvtf. II. 67 She had
eight children, besides two miscarriages. 1822 Goon Study
Med. IV. 176 If the exclusion [of the fcetus] take place
within six weeks after conception, it is usually called Mis-
carriage; if between six weeks and six months, Abortion;
if during any part of the last three months before the com-
pletion of the natural term, Premature Labour.
fig. 1688 Ckowne Darius w. Dram. Wks. (1874s III. 398
They who poorly fell Were embrios.and miscarriages of war.
4. The failure (of a letter, etc.) to reach its destin-
ation.
1650 I,d. Beauchamp in Nicholas Papers (Camden) I, 179, I
have been very unfortunate in the miscarryage of your former
addresses. 1670 Blount Law Diet. s.v. Duplicat, A second
Letter written and sent to the same party and purpose, as a
former, for fear of a miscarriage of the first,.. is called a
Duplicat. 1877 Raymond Statist. Mines A> Mining 172
The miscarriage of a paper by Mr. Alexander Trippel
prevents me from presenting, .some further notes. 1893
W. M. Thomas Lett. Lady M. \V. Montagu II. Contents
p. vi, Miscarriage of letters.
5. Failure to carry or convey properly.
1862 'Shirley' (J. Skelton) Nugx Crit. iv. 195 Public
carriers must carry the public safely, or take the conse-
quences ; and neither a voluntary, nor an extorted consent,
will relieve them from the legal results of mis-carriage.
t Miscarriageable, a. Obs. rare-', [f.
prec. + -able.] Xiable to be led astray.
a 1656 Bp. Hall Rem. Wks. (1660I 418 Why should we be
more mis-carriageable by such possibilities, .than others?
t MiscaTried,///. a. Obs. [f. Miscarry v. +
-ed !.] Gone astray.
1656 Sir R. Browne in Nicholas Papers (Camden) III.
285 The subject of that my miscarried letter, .was that [etc.],
t Misca'rrier. Obs. rare — K [f. next + -er l.]
A seducer, beguiler. (See Miscarry v. 7.)
1596 Norden Progr. Pietie (1847) 1?2 Turning our hearts
from our Maker, we become one in consent with our mis-
carrier.
Miscarry (miS|lvarri),z>. [Mis- l i. Cf. OF.
j meskarier to go from the right path.]
t L intr. To come to harm, misfortune, or de-
struction ; to perish ; (of a person) to meet with
one's death; (of an inanimate object, e.g. a ship)
to be lost or destroyed. Obs.
a 1340 Hampole Psalter xxxvi. 23 Bot weriand til him
sal myskary [Vulg. maledicentes autem ei disperibunt].
c 1386 Chaucer Prol. 515 He . . dwelte at hoom, and
kepte wel his folde, So that the wolf ne made it nat mis-
carie. 1444 Rolls of Pari t. V. 114/1 So that there inyght
neither Clusters of Grapes, ne hole Grapes, .entre .. into
the Vessels.. yat myght cause yat Wyne after that to re-
boille or myscare. 1447 Bokenham Seyntys (Roxb.) 142
And that noon hous where were hyr passyonarye Wyth feer
ner lyhtnyng shuld never myskarye. 1526 Pilgr. Perf.
(W. de W. 1531) 12 b, Not one of them all miscaryed,
but were all safe and sounde. c 1550 R. Bieston Bayte
Fortune B iv, But yet he must regarde, for drede his welth
miscary. 1586 J. Hooker Hist. Irel. in HolinshedW. 9-2/1
In this conflict, Patrike Fitzsimons, with diuerse other good
housholders, miscaried. 1601 R. Johnson Kingd. % Commiv.
(1603) 63 The great ships bringing corne from Siria and Egipt
. .doeseldome miscarrie. «i6o4HANMERCAr^M. Irel. (1809)
371 [He] shortly after miscarried at Athlone, by the fall
of a Turret. 1668 Sir W. Temple Let. to KingWVs. 1731
II. 58 If we had miscarried, your Majesty had lost an honest
diligent Captain and sixteen poor Seamen. 1737 [S.
Berington] G. di Lnccats Mem. (1738) 126 He left the
Government . . of all to his eldest Son in case he should
miscarry. 1749 R. James Diss. Fevers (ed. 2) 3 Many
Patients miscarry even under this Treatment, perhaps more
than recover.
f b. pass, in the same sense. Obs.
1387-8 T. Usk Test. Love 11. iv. (Skeat) 1. to6, I had routhe
to sene thee miscaried. 1470-85 Malory Arthurxw. iv. 599,
I am sore ashamed that I haue ben thus myscaryed, for I am
bannysshed oute of the Countrey of Logrys for euer. 1565
Act 8 Eliz. c. 13 § t Divers Shyppes. .have by the lacke of
suche Markes of late yeresben myscaried peryshed and lost
in the Sea. 1605 Shaks. Lear v. i. 5 Our Sisters man is
certainely miscarried. 1654-66 Earl Orrery Earthen. (1676)
581 Learning that his first Ambassadors, .were miscarried,
he employed others.
t 2. intr. and refl. To go wrong or astray ; to
behave amiss, do wrong ; to misbehave. Obs.
c 1325 Metr. Horn. 112 Lat thou noht this child miscarye.
129
MISCARRY.
498
MISCELLANEOUS.
138. Wvci.if Set. Wks. III. 38 pous bat it myskarie whanne
it corned to age, be childheed pei moun save. 155 . Lvnde-
say Interl. Auld Man <y Wife 57 Maister, quhairto sowld
1 my self miskary, Quhair I, as preistis, may swyve and
nevir mary? 1632 Lithgow Trav. vm. 348 [They] may not
marry, and yet may mis-carry themselues in all abhomina-
tions. 1649 Roberts Clavis Bid/. 368 Solomon more mis-
carrying in that [sc. prosperity] then Job in this [sc. adver-
sity]. 1732 Berkeley Alciphr. 11. § 20 Wks. 1871 II. 92
Crates, .having had a son miscarry at London, by the con-
versation of a minute philosopher.
3. intr. Of a person : To fail in one's purpose
or object ; to be unsuccessful.
i6iz T. Taylor Comm. Titus ii. 12 Many men are crossed
and miscarrie in their outward estate, because they are
vngodly persons. 1642 Fuller Holy fy Prof. St. iv. iii.
252 Here Wolsey miscarried in the Masterpiece of his policy.
171X Addison Sped. No. 35 Pi Among all kinds of Writing,
there is none in which Authors are more apt to miscarry
than in Works of Humour. 1815 W. H. Ireland Scribbleo-
mania 261 Good luck; without which . .it is odds but he
miscarries in his suit 1841-4 Emerson Ess., Self- Reliance
Wks. (Bohn) I. 32 If our young men miscarry in their first
enterprises, they lose all heart. 1875 Maine Hist. Inst.
ix. 256 If you sue for a bull, you will miscarry if you de-
scribe him as a bull.
b. const, of
1781 Cowper Com'. 372 We dare not risk them [sc. our
talents] into public view, Lest they miscarry of what seems
their due. 1832 A.W. Fonblanque Eng. under 7 Administr.
(1837) II. 259 He has. .pitiably miscarried of his object.
4. Of a business, design, etc. : To go wrong; to
come to nought ; to be a failure ; to prove un-
successful or abortive. + Also pass.
1607 Shaks. Cor. 1. i. 270 What miscarries Shall be the
Generals fault. 1639 Fuller Holy War 11. xlv. (1840) 112
When a great action miscarrieth, the blame must be
laid on some. 1654 Marq. Ormonde in Nicholas Papers
(Camden) II. 142 It is ordinary when a busines is miscaryed
to blame the ways taken to effect it. 1726 Swift Gullii'er iv.
vii, If they find their Project hath miscarried, they return
Home. i8a? Hai.lam Const. Hist. iv. (1876) I, 2i2Asimilar
proposition in the session of 1601 seems to have miscarried
in the Commons. 1893 J. Strong New Era 252 Motive
miscarries if method is wrong.
t b. Of plants, seeds, etc. : To be abortive or
unproductive ; to fail. Also transf Obs.
1588 Shaks. L. L. L. iv. i. 114 My Lady goes to kill
homes, but if thou marrie, Hang me by the necke, if
homes that yeare miscarrie. a 1682 Sir T. Browne Trads
(1683) 77 [A plant] not subject to miscarry in Flowers and
Blossomes. 1707 Mortimer Husb. (1721) II. 124 The worst
Enemies to this Plant are a sort of Flea that fastens upon
its Shoots, and makes it miscarry. 1740 Tull Horse-Hoeing
Husb. 254 In other Parts of the same Fields, where a much
less Number of Seeds had miscarried, the Crop was less.
5. To be delivered prematurely of a child ; to
have a miscarriage, (f In first quot. passive.)
1527 Andrew Bruns7vyke>s Distyll. Waters C iij b, Women
whiche be myscaryd of the mydwyfe in the byrthe of her
chylde. 1560 Daus tr. Sleidane^s Comm. 113 b, She had
dyverse tymes mis-caried of chylde. 166a Graunt Bills
Mort. v. 37 The Question is, Whether Teeming-women died,
or fled, or miscarried? ^1715 Burnet Own Time (1766)
I. 244 She had once miscarried of a child. 1786 J. Hunter
Treat. I'en. Dis. (1810) vi, 11. i. 433 The mother, .miscarried
of her third child at the end of five months. 1822-34 Good's
Study Med. fed. 4) IV. 171 The case of a lady.. who had
miscarried of a fetus under three months old.
fig. 171a Pope Let. to J. C. 5 Dec, Wks. (1737)89 You have
prov'd your self more tender of another's embryo's, than the
fondest mothers are of their own, for you have preserv'd
every thing that I miscarry'd of. 1805 Moore To Lady
H— viii, And some lay-in of full-grown wit, While others of
a pun miscarried.
fb. Said of the child. Obs.
1597 Shaks. 2 Hen. IV, v. iv. 10 If the Child I now go with,
do miscarrie. Ibid. 15 But 1 would the Fruite of her Wombe
might miscarry.
6. intr. Of a letter, etc. : To fail to reach its
proper destination ; to get into wrong hands.
1613 Shaks. Hen. VIII,\\\. ii. 30 The Cardinals Letters to
the Pope miscarried, And came to th'eye o' th' King. 1710
Swift Jrnl. to Stella 26 Sept., My penny-post letter, I
suppose, miscarried : I will write another, a 1839 Praed
Poems (1864) II. 10 Has the last pipe of hock miscarried?
1842 Borrow Bible in Spain xxxv, I supposed, .that my
letter had miscarried. 1866 Crump Banking v. 101 If
a bill miscarry — unless payable to 'bearer' — the unlawful
possessor can neither acquire nor convey any title thereto.
b. pass, in the same sense. ? Obs.
1665 J. Strype in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden) 183, I.. think
my Tuesday letter was miscarried, because no Answer to it.
1786 Jefferson Writ. (1859) II. 16 If my letter of advice is
miscarried.
f 7. trans. To cause (a person) to go wrong ; to
lead astray; to mislead, delude, seduce. Obs.
c 1450 Cast. Persev. 2348 in Macro Plays (1904) 147 Who-
so wyl schryuyn hym of his synnys all, he puttyth bis
brethel to mykyl myschefe, Mankynde he bat myskaryed.
1513 Douglas /Eneis 11. xi. 107 Than wod for wo, so was
I quyte miscareit, That noder god nor man I left wnwareit
[Quern non incusavi aniens hominumque deorumque ?] 156a
A. Scott Poems (S.T.S.) i. 75 It maid namisquhatmadinnis
bai miscareit. 1580 A. Fleming in Baret/f/z'. A aaaj, Manie
words of like spelling, and. .different in signification, may
miscarrie young beginners. 1596 Spenser State Irel. Wks.
(Globe) 623/1 The judges, whoe are men and may be mis-
carryed by affections, and many other meanes. 161 1 Speed
Hist. Gt. Brit. ix. vii. 476/1 Impotent passions carrying
him, and miscarrying him. 1633 Bp. Hall Hard Texts O.T.
121 He was not miscarried into any . . enormous crime. 1650
Trapp Comm. Num. xx, 1 1 The best may be mis-carried by
their passions. ?ai7oo Bonny Lizie Baillie xi. in Child
Ballads IV. 267 O bonny Duncan Grahame, Why should
ye me miscarry f
+ 8. In physical sense : To carry to destruction.
1632 Lithgow Trav. vr. 262 If any of them had missed
[his footing), his sliding downe had miscarried them both
ouer the Rocke.
Hence MiscaTrying^/. a.
1611 Bible Hosea ix. 14 Giue them a miscarying wombe,
and drie breasts. 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1664) xc.
184 Such are the rovings of our miscarrying hearts. Ibid.
cxxxv. 263 What is the dry and miscarrying hope of all
them who are not in Christ, but confusion and wind?
Misca rrying, vbl. sb. [-utg J.j The action
of the vb. Miscarry ; miscarriage.
1568 Jacob A> Esau v. ix, O Lorde saue thou my sonne
from miscarying. 1658-9 in Thurloe St. Papers VII. 627
note, The miscarryinge of a packitt. 1736 Butler Anal.
1. iv, These things, .imply temptation, and danger of mis-
carrying,, .with respect to our worldly . .happiness. 1822-34
Goods Study Med. (ed. 4) IV. 132 Women who are in the
habit of miscarrying.
t Misca'se. Obs. [f. Mis-1 4 + Case sb.i
(sense 1).] Misfortune, mishap.
1297 R. Glouc (Rolls) 10047 pe meste miscas com to him
sulf attelaste Vor he vel of is palefrey & brec is fot bi cas.
a 1400 Isumbras 784 And coverde he hase alle his myscas,
He lyfles nowe fulle richely. c 14^50 Godstoiv Keg. 416 Yf
hit so happened .. that the forsaid houses .. were I-brent
thurgh ony mysse-case.
t Miscast, sb. Obs. [Mis-1 4.] Miscalculation.
1599 Sandvs Europee Spec. (1632) 210 That their private
ambitions, feares and miscasts did drive them to make so
abiect. .a choyce.
Miscast, v. Obs. exc. dial. [Mis- l 1.]
1. trans. To cast with evil intent.
1390 Gower Con/. I. 283 If it so befelle That L.sihe On
me that sche miscaste hire yhe, Or that sche liste noght to
loke.
2. To miscalculate, misreckon. Also absol.
1598 Sylvester Du Bartas 1. L 416 You have mis-cast
in your Arithmetick. 1614 Raleigh Hist. World v. ii.
§ 8. 604 The number is somewhat misse-cast by Polybius
..he reckons nine hundred horse too many. 1633 Earl
Manch. At Mondo (1636) 107 In reckoning of time most
men miscast it. 1677 Conn. Col. Fee. (1852) II. 308 This
Court findeing that the List of Stoneington was in the
last year miscast three hundred and twenty one pownd. 1876
Robinson Whitby Gloss. , Miskest, to err in casting up
accounts. 'All miskessen together'.
3. To mislay.
1600 Holland Livy 1234 How all these complete bookes
of T. Livius should miscarrie, it is not certenly knowne.
Some hope there is, that they are but mis-cast and laid out
of the way.
Miscasting, vbl. sb. [Mis-1 3.]
1. Miscalculation ; in mod. use, technically,
wrong addition (of accounts).
1542-3 Ad 34 <r 35 Hen. V[[It c. 21 For misrecytall or
nonrecytall of Leases, .or for lacke of the certentie myscast-
ing rating or setting foorthe of the yerelie values.. of the
Premisses. 1621 Moli.e Camerar. Liv. Libr. m. i. 149
When there is a miscasting in the beginning of an account.
1692 Washington tr. Milton's Def. People Eng. M.'s Wks.
1738 I. 516 Ballance your Accounts, and you will find that
by miscasting, you have lost your Principal. 1797 Tomlins
Jacob's Law Did., Miscasting or Miscomputing. 1887
Daily News 4 Mar. 7/3 A miscasting of the books in one
instance was over 3,000^
2. Bad casting (of metal)
1901 A''. <*(- Q. Ser. 1 x. VI 1 1. 430/2 The difficulty arises from
the bell-founder's miscasting.
Miscasualty. Obs. or dial. [Mis-1 4.]
Mischance, mishap.
1588 J. Harvey Disc. Probl. 18 They, .imputed the mis-
hap, or miscasualtie unto the multitude of their owne trans-
gressions. 1604 Edmonds Observ. Cxsar^s Comm. 95 Men
haue two wayes to come by wisdome, either by their owne
harmes, or by other mens miscasualties. a 1639 Wotton
in Reliq. (1685) 683 A Souldier, filling his Flask out of a
Barrel of Powder, set by Miscasualty both on fire, a 1825
Forby Voc. E. Anglia (1830), Miscasualty, an unlucky
accident.
Miscegenation (mi:si'd^n^i -Jan), [irreg. f.
L. misce-re to mix +gen-us race + -ation.] Mixture
of races; esp. the sexual union of whites with negroes.
1864 {title) Miscegenation : The Theory of the Blending of
the Races, applied to the American White Man and Negro.
Reprinted from the New York Edition. 1878 Stanley Dark
Cont. I. 44 By this process of miscegenation, the Arabs are
already rapidly losing their rich colour. 1889 Boston (Mass.)
Jrnl. vf Feb. 4/4 Miscegenation in Kentucky.. .The penalty
for miscegenation is three years' imprisonment. 1903 Pilot
27 Dec. 540/2 The danger of 'miscegenation ' . .ought to warn
us against introducing Oriental settlers into South Africa.
fig. 1865 E. Burritt Walk to Land's End 64 It is an
. . effort to engraft Christian ideas upon the heathen stock of
Grecian mythology.. .In beautiful, .contrast with this osten-
tatious group of Christian and pagan miscegenation is [etc J.
1884 J. Hawthorne N. Hawthorne $ Wife II. 178 The
lower regions of palaces come to strange uses in Rome ;
a cobbler or a tinker perhaps exercises his craft under the
archway; a work-shop may be established in one of the
apartments; and similar miscegenations.
So (mostly nonce-wds.) Mrsceg'enate sb. [see
-ate ■ 3], the issue of a union between people
of different races ; Mi'scegrenate v.t to produce
miscegenation; Misceg-enated ppl. a., produced
by miscegenation; Misce genesis (inquot.misci-)
= Miscegenation ; Misceg-enetic appertaining
to or involving miscegenation ; Mi sceg-ena-
tionist, Mi-sceg-enator, Misceg-enist, one who
favours miscegenation ; also, one who contracts
a union with one of another race. Also Mi s-
cegen [back-formation] = miscegenate.
1864 [Croly, etc. J Miscegenation 7 To miscegenate ; i.e.
to mingle persons of different races, [bid. H. 19 The Gri-
quas, or Griqua Hottentots, are a miscegenated race. Ibid.
v. 28 A rniscegejietic community. Ibid. vii. 34 The purest
miscegen will be brown, with reddish cheeks. 1865 Reader
20 May 561/2 (art. Emancipation), There are philogynists
as fanatical as any ' miscegenists '. 187a Schf.le de Vere
Americanisms 289 A Miscegenationist. named Williams,
was tarred and feathered, and dumped into the river at
Grenada, Mississippi. 1880 Winchell Preadamites vi. 81
The policy of North American miscigenesis, which has been
recommended . . as an . . expedient for obviating race colli-
sions. 1881 Sala Amer. Revis. 316 Two such ' Misce-
genators ' have been hanged by the mob in Virginia. 1898
C. F. Adams Imperialism 10 It has saved the Anglo-Saxon
stock from being a nation of half-breeds— miscegen ates.
Miscelane, -lin, -ling, obs. forms of Maslin *.
Miseelden, -din, obs. forms of Mistletoe.
t Miscellana'rian. Obs. [f. Miscellany +
-arian.] A writer of miscellanies.
1711 Shaftfsb. Charac. (1737) III. Misc. 1. i. 8, I .. like
my Fellow-Miscellanarians, shall take occasion to vary often
from my proposed Subject. Ibid. 113.
t Miscellanea- and sb. Obs. Also 7 -el(l)an,
-elane, -illane. [ad. L. miscelldneus (see Mis-
cellaneous) : cf. momentane.]
A. adj. Mixed ; miscellaneous ; combining
various elements. (Cf. Maslin * attrib.)
1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 131 Choler is a miscellane
seed (as it were* and a dregge, made of all the passions
of the mind. 1608 J. King Serm. 5 Nov. 32 A linsey
wolsey, miscellan, medlyreligion. 1612 Brerewood Lang.
ty Retig. v. 39 Paulus Diaconus his miscellane history [sc.
Historia miscella]. 1643 J. Eaton Honey-c. Free Justif.
1 39 These miscillane Christians never knew what an horrible
thing the least motion of sin is in the sight of God. (Cf. B.
quot. 1642] 1658 W. Burton Itin. Antonin. 62 One
[colony] . . drawn out from among the gowned Citizens, as
well as the miscellane sort of people.
B. sb. A mixture, medley, miscellany. (Cf.
Maslin 2.)
1600 Bp. W. Barlow Serm. (1601) D 5 b, The miscellan
of all nations. 1626 Bacon Sylva § 670 It is thought to be
of vse, to make some Miscellane in Corne. 164a J. Eaton
Honey-c. Free Justif. 137 [They] preach neither true law
nor true Gospel, but a miscillane and marring of both. 1664
J. Wilson A. Commenins v. iv, Some have call'd life a
Stage-play. .; Others agen, a miscelane of years, Or
Chequer-work of hopes, and fears.
II Miscellanea (miseVi-n^a). [neut. pi. of L.
miscelldneus (see Miscellaneous) : in Latin used
for * hash of broken meat ' and l a writing on mis-
cellaneous subjects'. Used also in Fr.] A collection
of miscellaneous literary compositions; a literary
medley or miscellany. Also, a miscellaneous
collection of notes, or the like.
11571 Alley {title) The poore mans Librarie... Here are
adtoyned . . certaine . . annotations which may properly be
called Miscellanea. 1653 Flecknoe {title) Miscellania, Or,
Poems of all sorts, with divers other Pieces. 1690 Temple
Ess., Learning Wks. 1731 I. 291 Upon the Miscellanea's
first Printing in Paris, Monsieur Boileau made this short
Satyr. 1710 Swift Jrnl. to Stella vi, [He] has written some
mighty pretty things j that in your 6,h Miscellanea, about the
Sprig of an Orange, is his. 1784 Neiv Sped. No. 6. 3, I . .
begin my miscellanea with a Private Anecdote. 1836 H. N.
Coleridge Lit. Rem. S. T. Coleridge I. L'Envoy p. xiii,
I should misinform you grossly if I left you to infer that
his collections were a heap of incoherent miscellanea. 1897
J. W. Clark Barnwell Introd. 11 Miscellanea likely to be
useful for reference.
t Miscellaneal, a.(sb.) Obs. [f. L. miscelldne-
us (see next) + -al.] Miscellaneous. Also sb.pl. =
Miscellanea. So f Miscella nean a.
163* Guillim Heraldry 1. vi. 38, I tooke occasion to peruse
certaine Miscellanean notes of Seales. 1x1633 W. Ames
Fresh Suit agst. Cerem. n. 200 Concerning certayn mis-
celaneall notions and testimonies against .. Ceremonies.
1654 Vilvain Epit. Ess. v, Miscellaneal Essais. The fifth
. . Century of Miscellaneals. 1703 T. S. Art's Impr. p. xxvii,
Miscelaneal Experiments and Observations.
Miscellaneous (miseh?i*n/'|3s), a. [f. L. mis-
celldne-usy f. miscellus mixed (f. miscere to mix) :
see -EOrjs.]
1. With a sing. sb. : Consisting of members or
elements of different kinds; of mixed composition
or character. With a pi. sb. : Of various kinds.
1637 Saltonstall F.useb. Const. 53 The people being thus
a long time divided betweene divers opinions, it produced
a miscellanious confusion in Religion. 1671 Milton P. R.
hi. 50 A miscellaneous rabble, who extol Things vulgar.
171 1 Shaftesb. Charac. (1737) III. Misc. 1. i. 1 That Charit-
able and Courteous Author, who. .introdue'd the ingenious
way of Miscellaneous Writing. 1766 Goldsm. Vic. W. \,
My second boy . . received a sort of miscellaneous education
at home. 1790 Burke Fr. Rev. Wks. 1808 V. 47 Dr. Richard
Price, .preached, .a very extraordinary miscellaneous ser-
mon. i8ai W. Irving Life $ Lett. (1864) II. 49, I have
been leading a ' miscellaneous ' kind of life at Paris, if I may
use a literary phrase. i86j Stanley Jew. Ch. (1877) I.xvii,
322 In this miscellaneous assemblage were to be seen wor-
shippers of the most various characters. 1899 rK. J. G.
Mackay Lindesay's Ckron. Scot. (S. T. S.) I. p. Ixxxvii, One
of the miscellaneous volumes of the Wodrow Manuscripts.
fb. Mingled. Obs.
1698 W. Chi*lcot.£z'/V Th. iv. (1851144 The miscellaneous
horror and exultation of that dreadful day.
2. Of persons : Having various qualities or
aspects ; treating of various subjects ; many-sided.
■f Also, general (as opposed to technical).
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 1. viii. § 9. 32 [Athenaeusl
being miscellaneous in many things, he is to be received
MISCELLANEOUSLY.
with suspicion ; for such as amasse all relations, must
erre in some. 1711 Shaftesb. Charac. (1737* III. Misc.
1. i. 8 Nor ought the Title of a Miscellaneous Writer to be
deny'd me, on the account that I have grounded my Mis-
cellanys upon a certain Set of Treatises already publish 'd.
1773 Burney Mus. Germany, etc. (1775) II. 305 As technical
terms will be unavoidable in this description, I advise my
miscellaneous readers to pass it over. 1831 Wordsw. Prose
Wks. (1876) III. 313 A great theatrical writer, . . and mis-
cellaneous to that degree, that there was something for all
classes of readers. 1839 Longk. Hyperion 1. vi. Prose Wks.
1886 II. 45 The Baron of Hohenfels was rather a mis-
cellaneous youth, rather a universal genius.
Hence Miscellaneity (mhseUthf iti), miscella-
neousness.
1905 Daily Ckron. 13 Nov. 4/5 The miscellaneity of the
Hellenic ' masses ' thusenjoying the hospitality of the King.
Miscellaneously, adv. [ly .] With variety
or diversity ; in various ways, on miscellaneous
subjects, etc.
1751 Earl Orrery Remarks Swift (1752) 41 He has
written miscellaneously. 1850 TaiCs Mag. XVII. 740/1
They are more miscellaneously clever, and can make them-
selves more 'generally useful \ 1905 Q. Rev. Jan. 42 He
collected miscellaneously, and in all probability .. indis-
criminately.
MiscellaneousneSS. [-ness.] Miscella-
neous quality, character, or condition.
1727 Bailey vol. II, Miscellanea usness, mixture or mixed-
ness together without Order. 1755 Johnson, Misceltane-
ousness, composition of various kinds. 1871 Geo. Eliot
Middlemarch xxii, The. .miscellaneousness of Rome, which
made the mind flexible with constant comparison. 1887
Lowell Old Eng. Dram. (1892) 59 The gratuitous miscel-
laneousness of plot, .in some of the plays of John Webster.
Miscellanist (mise-lanist). [f. Miscellany
+ -tst.J A writer of miscellanies.
1810 Byron in Mem. F. Hodgson (1878) I. 168 My third
[letter] will be conveyed by Cam, the miscellanist. i86z
F. Hall Hindu Philos. Syst. 35 A late miscellanist, more
celebrated for versatility and self-confidence than for exact-
ness. 1889 Saintsbury Ess. En%. Lit. (1891) 219 We may
..consider him [Leigh Hunt] first as a poet, secondly as
a critic, and thirdly as. .a miscellanist.
Miscellany (mi'selani, mise'lani), sb. Also
7 missol(l)-, miscel-, 8 misell-. [app. ad. F.
miscellanies fern. pi. (ad. L. miscellanea neut.
pi. : see Miscellanea), only in sense 2.]
1. A mixture, medley.
1617 Bacon in Resuscitatio (1657) 81 A Miscellany and
Confusion of Causes of all Natures. 1620 Hie Mulicr C 3 b,
This Misselanie or mixture of deformities. 1668 Dryobh
Dram. Poesy Ess. (ed. Ker) I. 84 As for Falstafl", he is not
properly one humour, but a miscellany of humours or
images, drawn from so many several men. 1703 Maun-
drell Journ.Jerus. (1721)40 A confus'd miscellany of Trees.
Ibid. 18 A Miscellany of Christians and Turks together.
1833 Lytton Eng, fy Engl. (ed. 2) II. 287 Turn your eyes
now to the ultra Radicals, what a motley, confused, jarring,
miscellany of irreconcilable theorists ! 1847 Tennyson
Princess v. 190 Not like the piebald miscellany, man. Bursts
of great heart and slips in sensual mire. 1886 Stevenson
Treas. 1st. iv, Under that, the miscellany began — a quadrant,
a tin canikin, an old Spanish watch and some other trinkets
of little value.
fb. Miscellany madam : 'a female trader in mis-
cellaneous articles ; a dealer in trinkets and orna-
ments of various kinds' (Nares). 06s.
1599 B. Jonson Cynthia* s Rev. iv. !, I would bee . . one
of your miscelany madams. lbid.y As a miscellany madame
[I would] inuent new tyres, and goe visite courtiers.
2. pL Separate treatises or studies on a subject
collected into one volume ; literary compositions
of various kinds brought together to form a book.
(Common in titles of books.)
1615 P. Wentworth {title) The Miscellanie, or, a Registrie,
and Methodicall Directorie of Orizons. a 1626 Bacon Let.
to Bp. Ely Wks. 1830 XII. 91 This hath put me into these
miscellanies, which I purpose to suppress, if God give me
leave to write a just and perfect volume of philosophy.
1629 J. Lightfoot (title) Ervbhin or Miscellanies Christian
and Judaicall. 1678 Norris Misc. (1699) Pref. 1 To you
I humbly present this Collection of Miscellanies, for the
entertainment of your liesure hours. 1711 [see Miscella-
neous A 1733 Swift On Poetry 318 And when they join
their pericranies, Out skips a book of Miscellanies.
3. A book, volume, or literary production con-
taining miscellaneous pieces on various subjects.
1638 Herbert Trav. 11. 262 The Alcoran is a miscellany
of other prodigious things. 1671 Salmon Syn. Med. To
Rdr. *3 Wonder not, Courteous Reader, at the Appearance
of this early, or rather untimely fruit ; a Miscelany only
intended for our own private use. 1704 Faction Display d
xiii, Those only purchase everliving Fame, That in my
Misellany plant their Name. 1707 (title) The Monthly
Miscellany: or, Memoirs for the Curious. 1791 Boswell
Johnson (1831) I. 205 He., wrote 'The Life of Cheynel \
in the miscellany called ' The Student '. 1801 Med. Jml.
V. 107 What appears to me an error in your truly valuable
Miscellany. 187a R. Morris (title) An Old English Mis-
cellany. 1873 H. Rogers Orig. Bible iv. (1874) 163 The
Bible, in fact, is a ' Miscellany '—a very various one.
4. //. Persons of various classes, rare.
1840 Carlyle Let. Aug. in R. Blunt Carlyles" Chelsea
Home (iBgs) 16 Blackguards, improper females, and miscel-
lanies sauntered.
i Miscellany, a. Obs. [ad. L. miscelldne-us :
the form perh. suggested by prec. sb. (But of.
momentary).] = Miscellane, Miscellaneous.
1629 Bacon's War iv. Spain 70 A Veterane Army, com-
pounded of Miscellany Forces of all Nations. 1629 (title)
Certaine Miscellany Works of The Right Honovrable,
Francis Lo. Verulam. 1651 Cleveland Poems 26 The
499
Misselany Satyr, and the Fawn. 1659 Pearson Creed
(1839)29 By their miscellany deities at Rome,, they showed
no nation was without its God. 1684 ■title) Miscellany
Poems Containing a New Translation of Virgills Eclogues,
Ovid's Love Elegies [etc.]. 1738 Swift Pol. Convcrsat.
Introd. 66, I have read, .all the miscellany Poems that have
been published for twenty Years past. 1756 Amoby Buncle
(1825) I. 1 Miscellany thoughts upon several subjects.
+ Miscelleny. Obs. rare - '. [Alteration of
miscellen, Maslin 2, after miscellany.] Maslin 2.
174s lr. Columella II. xi, It is proper to sow miscelleny,
or barley fodder [orig. fiarragine/n] in a place that is plowed
and sown every year. (
Miscelline, leading in mod. edd. of Jonson s
Volpone for mise'line (see Masli.n * c).
Miseelling, obs. form of Maslin '<*.
Miscelto, -tow, obs. forms of Mistlktoe.
t Miscensure, si. [Mis-1 4.] Wrongful or
undeserved censure.
1613 I'oy. Guiana in Harl. Misc. (Malh.) III. 171 All
men's actions are subject to miscensure. 1645 Wither / 'ox
Pitcif. 117 A selfe-respect May cause mis-censures to be
cast upon The Publike Justice, a 1684 Leighton Comm.
1 Pet. A. 6 (1693) 292 They cast him [sc. Christ] away by
their miscensures and reproaches put upon him.
+ Miscensure, v. Obs. [Mis-1 I.] trans. To
censure wrongfully or undeservedly.
i6ii Corvat Crudities 364, I hope the candid reader will
not miscensure me for inserting this into my obseruations.
1645 Wither / 'ox Pact/. 33 Ten hundred thousand tongues
Shall censure them, who now mis-censure thee. 1665 —
Lord's Prayer 35 Nor will [I] miscensure their charitable
hope, who [etc.].
Hence \ Misce -nsuring vbl. sb.
1657 Sanderson Sertn. Pref. 11674) E2b, To prevent (if
I could) the mis-censuring of these Sermons.
t Misce'rtify, v. Obs. [Mis-1!.] trans. To
certify inaccurately. So t Miscertl'ficate, in-
accurate certification.
1540 Act 32 Hen. VIII, c. 22 Many prebendes . . bene
double certified . . and some by wrong names or otherwise
miscertifyed. Ibid. c. 45 By reason .. of miscertificat of the
said possessions.
Mischance (misitjcrns), sb. Forms : see
Chance sb. ; also 5 miscaunce, -chanche, mes-
haunce. [a. OF. mesch\e)ance, -aunce, also mes-
chanche, mescance :— L. type *minuscadcntiam : see
Mis- 2 and Chance sb.]
1. Ill-luck, ill-success. In early use often with
stronger sense, disaster, calamity.
1297 R. Glouc (Rolls) 2902 Ouer homber he fley anon to
wite him fram meschance. 136a Langl. P. PI. A. IX. 51
God saue be from mischaunce, And }iue be grace uppon
grounde. c 147s Partenay 5642 Anon it happned to hym
gret miscaunce. 1501 Shaks. i Hen. VI, 1. i. 89 Lords view
these Letters, full of bad mischance. 16*2 Bacon Hen. VII
181 They. .let downe with Cords .. seueralt Messengers
(that if one came to mischance, another might passe on). 1822
Hazlitt TaHc-t. Ser. II. iv. (i860) 83 We are the sport of
imbecility and mischance. 1833 Tennyson Lady o/Shalott
IV. ii, Beholding all his own mischance, Mute, with glassy
countenance. 1855 Motley Dutch Rep. II. iii. (1866) 191
If mischance should follow the neglect of this warning.
personified. (-1386 Chaucer A'nl.'s T. 1151 Amiddes
of the temple sat meschaunce, With disconfort and sory
contenaunce. 1742 Gray Spring 38 Brush'd by the hand
of rough Mischance.
2. In particularized use : A piece of bad luck, a
mishap, an unlucky accident ; t sPec- an accidental
injury or mutilation. In early use also, + a state
of unhappiness, an evil fate.
a 1300 Cursor M. 1 182 In takinning als o bi penance be sal
be send a lang meschance. 1393 Langl. P. PI. C. xx. 229
Mynne je nat, riche men to which a meschaunce pat dives
deyed? 111450 MVRC1899 Fowrtydayes for bat myschawnce
t>ow schalt be in penaunce. 1577 in Ellis Orig. Lett. ser. 11.
III. 56 Upon Monday here fell a mischaunce betwene two
of my Lo. Chamberleyns men, and the on of them was killed
in Powles churche yarde. 1587 Golding Be Mornay i. (161 7)
7 When a man loseth an eye, an arme, or a legge, we do
commonly say, it is a mischance. 1685 Wood Life 23 July
(O. H. S.) III. 155 He had got a mischance by gunpowder.
1758 Johnson Idler No. 55 P 7, I had secured it [jr. a book]
against mischances by lodging two transcripts in different
places. 1838 Dickens Nich. Nick, xxiv, First the right
sandal came down, and then the left, and these mischances
being repaired [etc.]. 1863 Hawthorne Our Old Home
(1879) 145 The vicissitudes and mischances of sublunary
affairs.
3. Phrases, f a- To fare, go to mischance ; to
cast, chase, drive, put to mischance. To give (a
person) mischance : to bring bad luck to, to over-
whelm with disaster. To bid (a person) mis-
chance : to wish him bad luck.
C1330 R. Brunne Chron. IVace (Rolls) 7282 peycald hym
traitour wyb manace, & to meschaunce bey scnolde hym
chace. c 1374 Chaucer Troylus 11. 222 Lat us daunce, And
cast your widwes habit to mischaunce. Ibid. v. 359 Thy
swevenes . . Dryf out, and lat hem faren to mischaunce.
1377 Langl. P. PI. B. xm. 325 And blame men bihynde
her bakke and bydden hem meschaunce. c 1385 Chaucer
L. G. IV. 333 Enuye I preie to god 5eue hire myschaunce.
c 1430 Syr Gencr. (Roxb.) 142 What with swerd and with
Iaunce Many oon he gafe myschaunce. C1460G. Ashby
Dicta Philos. 47 Otherwise your werkys gone to mischanche.
c 1470 Henry Wallace vi. 282 How he had put his pepill
to myschance.
t b. In exclamations and imprecations, esp. in
with mischance I = deuce take it ! Also /low
mischance . . ? How the devil . . ? Obs.
13. . Guy Warm. 2533, & jif ich Gij mete may, Wib mes-
MISCHAKGING.
chaunce y schal him gret. . 1374 Chaucer Troylus iv.
\Ji?. Or now mischaunce sholde I dvvelle there? C13S6
— Manciples Prot. 11 Is that a cook of Londoun, with
mescha.mce? r 1386 — Man 0/ Law's 'P. 816 The lordes
styward — god yeve him meschaunce! c 1400 Rom. Rose
7581 What? welcome with mischaunce now! 1402 Jack
Vplandva Chaucerian Pieces (Skeat) 203 Than so shulde
they t>e better than Christ himselfe, with miscr::xc ! c 1430
Lvdo. Mitt. Poems (Percy Soc.) 34 Shc.hir husband dis-
ceyvethe, alias ! meschaunce ! 1526SKELTON Magnyf. 502
God gyue you a very myschaunce !
c. By mischance : by an unlucky accident.
AT. par vuschcaunce (Britton) 'by misadventure '.
J53S Act 27 Hen. VI 11, c. 6 If it shall happen any of the
said mares by mischaunce or casualte for to die. 1625
Milton Death Injant 44 Wert thou some Starr which from
the ruin'd roofe Of shak't Olympus by mischance didst
fall ? 166a Graunt Bills Mort. viii. 48 Slain in Wars, killed
by mischance, drowned at Sea. 1848 Tiiackkray Van. Fair
xliv, When they met by mischance, be made sarcastic bows
or remarks to the child. 1859 Tennyson Marr. Geraiut
112 And these awoke him, and by great mischance He heard
but fragments of her later words.
d. Proverbs.
14.. Hermes Bird Ixii. in Ashm. Theat. Chem. (1652)
225 A Chyldys Kyrde, and a Chorlys Wyfe, Hath ofte
sythys sorow and mischaunce. 1611 Cotgk. s.v. Malheur,
Mischances neuer come single.
Mischa'lice, v. Obs. or arch. [Mis- 1 1.]
1. intr. To happen unfortunately. Also with
dat. of person.
1552 Hulokt, Mischauncen, male eucnire. a 1578 Linue-
say (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. (S. T. S.) I. 40 Behueing no
falshoode to mischance him efterwart in respect of his
hartlie messaige that come to him fre the maistratis. 1591
SrENSER M. Hubbcrd 64 And still I hoped to be up ad-
vaunced, . . but still it hath mischaunced. 1809 K. S. Bar-
rett Setting Sun I. 68 It so mischane'd, A horde barbarian,
. .Landing, spread death wherever they advane'd.
2. pass. To be unfortunate; to have bad luck.
a 1542 Wyatt in TottcVs Misc. (Arb.) 36 Stephan said
true, tha